HEADLINES & NEWS
There's been no resolution to the bitter row within the Alliance despite a day of meetings and talks which has left the deputy prime minister Jim Anderton still unsure whether he will lead the party into the next election. Today's caucus meeting had been billed by the party's president Matt McCarten as a chance to deal with the problems face-to-face. But as Julian Robins reports, there was little evidence of a solution to the rift which threatens the very future of the junior coalition partner. PKGE
What are the implications of the increasing divisions in the Alliance? Joining me now is our political editor Al Morrison. LIVE
The Attorney-General says as far as she's concerned the issue of Justice Robert [illegible] accessing sex internet sites is closed and it's up to the judiciary to decide his fate. The High Court judge apologised to the Chief Justice after it was revealed he'd used work computers to view internet adult movies. He's done nothing illegal and the Attorney General Margaret Wilson says it's not up to her to comment on whether he should resign. But she's told Checkpoint the judge is a man of integrity. In other developments Ms Wilson has confirmed that all five district court judges under investigation for accessing internet sex sites have been cleared. PREREC
Meanwhile our reporter Stephanie Baird has been looking at how state and private organisations police internet access. PKGE
BUSINESS NEWS WITH JOHN DRAPER
In Fiji's High Court - ten of the men involved in the May 2000 coup have been jailed for up to three years. They pleaded guilty to wrongfully confining abducted persons and were sentenced by Justice Micheal Scott this afternoon. This follows yesterday's dramatic events when coup leader George Speight was [illegible] to death for treason. The sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment. There's been a heavy security at the court today - our reporter Barbara Dreaver is there and joins us now. LIVE WITH DROPINS
To the High Court in Palmerston North - and the family and friends of Christine and Amber Lundy have been giving evidence of finding the bodies of the mother and daughter in their home. 43 year old businessman, Mark Lundy is on trial for the murders - Jill Galloway has been in court and joins me now. LIVE WITH DROPINS
5.30 NEWS HEADLINES
SPORT with STEPHEN HEWSON
The Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce fears that some of the region's major businesses are facing huge power price increases after the state-owned electricity company, Meridian Energy, warned that it wouldnt renew some fixed price contracts. Instead, Meridian has told 20 businesses they will have to buy electricity at fluctuating spot-market prices. The chamber's chief executive, Peter Townsend, joins us now. LIVE
The preliminary hearing of the private murder prosecution of a police officer has ended with the defence adamant there is no case to answer but insisting that it be sent to trial. The private prosecution was brought by the family of Stephen Wallace, who was shot dead in Waitara nearly two years ago by Constable Keith Abbott. Our reporter Kirsty Jones is covering the case and joins me now. LIVE
In what is believed to be a first for New Zealand, a primary school south of Auckland is ending its school crossing patrol because it is too dangerous to continue. Following police advice, the board of trustees at Pukekohe's Valley School is withdrawing the patrol, saying children are at risk on an increasingly busy piece of road. Our reporter Elizabeth Brown went to take a look. PKGE
Zimbabwe is condemning the European Union's decision to impose sanctions on the President, Robert Mugabe, as economic terrorism. The EU is refusing to issue visas for Mr Mugabe and his top 19 officials and has frozen their overseas [illegible]. It is also withdrawing the team of international observers sent to [illegible] next month's elections. The sanctions come after Mr Mugabe expelled the head of the observers' mission and the British foreign secretary Jack Straw says they will be hardhitting and targetted. CUT But President Mugabe maintains Europeans have no business monitoring African elections. CUT
New Zealand has two election observers in Zimbabwe - I asked the Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff if he agreed with the European Union's actions. PREREC
Loud screams have echoed over the Otago University campus.
It wasnt students reacting to their course fees - they were celebrating the start of their academic year with a screaming and eating compeitition. Maureen Lloyd visited what's become one of the university's most popular orientation week events. PKGE
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