TV3 NEWS. 18/04/2004

The international community has condemned Israel for the assassination of Abdul Aziz Rantissi, the leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Israel is bracing for more violence in retaliation.Ismail Haniyah (Hamas Leader); Dore Gold (Israeli Government Spokesman).

The US-led Coalition has just announced the closure of all major highways in and out of Baghdad as violence explodes in Iraq. Meanwhile two more hostages have been released, but the US rejected an offer which may have resulted in a third being freed. Dan Senor (Coalition Provisional Authority Spokesman); Joseph Weber (Chief of Staff, Task Force 7).

The Israeli Embassy in Canberra will not confirm whether a diplomatic approach has been made to the NZ Government over the case of two Israeli spies trying to obtain NZ passports under false premises. Orna Sagiv (Acting Israeli Ambassador for Australasia - speaking from Canberra).

Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui has spent 500 days in detention. Ced Simpson (Amnesty International); Javed Khan (Islamic Association); Jesse Duffield (Protestor).

The clean up continues in Fiji after a week of devastating floods. Pio Malo (Masi Village Spokesman).

A $4.8 million campaign is under way to try to connect Maori back with their tribal roots. Graham Cameron (Ngati Ranginui); Dan Te Kanawa (Tuhono); Murray Wicks (Electoral Enrolment Centre).