Checkpoint. 2002-09-30

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Year
2002
Reference
144222
Media type
Audio
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Rights Information
Year
2002
Reference
144222
Media type
Audio
Credits
RNZ Collection

HEADLINES & NEWS
More than 15 years after her disappearance, a man has gone on trial for the murder of Napier schoolgirl Teresa Cormack. In the High Court in Wellington 44 year old sickness beneficiary Jules Mikus has pleaded not guilty to the 1987 [illegible] rape and murder of the six year old girl. Our court reporter Merle Nowland has been covering the case and she joins me now.
Q+A PLUS DROP INS
The weekend break-in at defence headquarters has prompted red faces and security inquiries. Intruders scaled scaffolding on the outside of the building, broke a fourth floor window, climbed through and ransacked officers. National's defence spokesperson Richard Worth sees intrigue. CUT Mr Worth says it's obvious that security systems are lax at defence force headquarters where sensitive information is held. The Defence Minister Mark Burton has been briefed on the break-in and he joins me now. LIVER
The Warriors Rugby league team flew into Auckland from Sydney to a heros welcome this afternoon after their NRL semi final victory. Their success has led the TAB to predict record bets on Sunday's grand final and Air New Zealand putting on extra flights for fans to get to the game. Our reporter Sally Wenley was at the Auckland international airport when they arrived. PKGE
BUSINESS NEWS WITH PATRICK O'MEARA
The government is under fire after the Government Superannuation Fund recorded a 315-million dollar loss for the June quarter. The Government Superannuation Fund provides pensions for 47-thousand former public servants, while another 29-thousand are still contributing to it. The loss was made after new rules allowed the fund to invest in overseas sharemarkets. Nathan Mills has more. PKGE
The Government has again raised the bar for prospective immigrants to New Zealand. From next Monday people applying in the general skills category will need 30 points - which are given for qualifications, work experience and other factors. The increase is up one point on the previous passmark of 29, which was set less than a month ago. But as recently as late last year, would-be New Zealanders needed just 24 points to gain residence. David Cooper, the manager of immigration agency Malcolm Pacific, joins me now. LIVE
5.30 NEWS HEADLINES
SPORT with STEPHEN HEWSON
Overseas and the Iraqi foreign minister Naji Sabri has told Iran that the United States is a threat to the whole Islamic world, not just to Iraq. He met [illegible] Iran's President Khatami who said he hopes America will respect an international consensus against direct action, but stressed that Iraq should do all it can to avoid giving a pretext to those who would exploit the situation. Meanwhile, two Democratic congressmen took to their airwaves from Baghdad as protestors took to the streets of Washington. Our Washington correspondent Jessie Brandon reports. PKGE
The long-serving organiser of Waitangi Day programmes in the Bay of Islands is warning of a potential fiasco next year, over the issue of a prison at Ngawha. Pita Paraone offered his resignation today to a meeting of the Tai Tokerau District Māori Council. The newly-elected List MP for New Zealand First said there could be a conflict of interest between the two jobs - and if things go wrong at Waitangi he could be a sitting target, in parliament. Our Northland reporter Lois williams was at the meeting - she joins us now. Q+A PLUS DROP IN
The Justice Minister Phil Goff and the Police Minister George Hawkins met with representatives of the liquor retail industry today over the problem of sales to underage drinkers. Mr Goff says a survey shows about 60 percent of liquor outlets are not asking young people for proof of age. A separate police investigation found that about 40 percent of outlets sold to underage buyers. Mr Goff joins me now. LIVE
The talking is over on the eve of the first round of races for America's Cup challengers on Auckland's Hauraki Gulf. The nine challengers have today learned who they'll be facing in tomorrow's first races. The series will eventually whittle down the field to one challenger to take on Team New Zealand for the America's Cup in February. Our America's cup reporter Todd Niall was at the Media conference for the nine skippers and I asked him whether there was much hype. Q+A PLUS DROP INS
Strike action continues at Otago University where staff are downing tools for the first time in the history of the institution. The industrial action is in protest at protracted pay talks, and today it was the turn of the library staff to make their feelings known. This is how some of them explained the walkout. CUT I asked Nick Lanham, the president-elect of the Otago University Student Association, how the pressure was affecting students. LIVE
In the United States, there's debate about the move to obtain information about potential terrorism from members of the public. Private citizens have alerted authorities to their concerns in at least two cases. But effectively deputizing civilians, with all their personal biases, is a concept that is making the American public understandably nervous. Our Washington correspondent Jessie Brandon reports. PKGE
MANA NEWS
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