TV3 NEWS. 24/05/2005

News, sport and weather.
Two amateur New Zealand astronomers have played a crucial role in finding a planet more than 1000 times the mass of Earth. It is one of the most distant planets ever discovered.

Defence Lawyers representing six men found guilty of child sex abuse on Pitcairn Island have lost their latest appeal to free their clients. The Pitcairn Supreme Court knocked back the defence argument that they were not given a fair trial. Despite the convictions standing, they remain free as they wait for the case to go before the Privy Council, which is not likely to be this year. Simon Moore (Pitcairn Public Prosecutor); Matthew Forbes (Pitcairn Deputy-Governor).

In Australia there was a surprise move by the Government when they let a refugee women out of a detention centre along with her child. Her child has lived her entire life inside of the detention centre. Virginia Leong (Former Detainee); Ngareta Rossell (Refugee Advocate); Cornelia Rau (Wronged Detainee).

Hundreds of sex offenders in New York have been revealed to be supplied with viagra paid for by the Government. Laura Ahearn (Parents for Megan's Law); Charles Schumer (New York Senator); Andy Kahan (Victim's Rights Advocate).

There were multiple attacks throughout Iraq today, with one suicide bomber killing the official charged with putting an end to insurgent attacks. Adel Darwish (Middle East Expert).

Australian Prime Minister John Howard has warned the Japanese Prime Minister that Japan will face international condemnation if they seek to lift the number of whales they kill.