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CHECKPOINT PRESENTER OVER THEME AT 9 SECS
Good evening this is Mary Wilson with Checkpoint on National Radio.
In today's programme
FIJI - COUP - HOSTAGES - negotiations over release of remaining 17 hostages reach crisis point, with rebel leaders refusing to release them until they're assured of amnesty. Barbara Dreaver reports live; live i/v with Mahendra Chaudhry's son Sachin; live i/v with NZ Foreign Affairs minister Phil Goff.
BUSINESS NEWS
PROSTATE CANCER TESTS - GISBORNE HOSPITAL laboratory accused of incorrectly assessing nearly 500 tests is to be reviewed. Organisation reviewing laboratories, International Accreditation NZ, says it has had concerns about laboratory since 1990. IANZ chief exec Dr Llew Richards comments. (Veronika Meduna)
CANCER SMEARS INQUIRY - Royal College of Pathologists heavily criticised. Counsel representing Gisborne women affected by misreading, Stuart Grieve QC, challenges College's Dr Andrew Tie as to why it didn't support recommendation to re-read Dr Bottrill's slides. Heugh Chappell reports live.
1730 HEADLINES
FIJI - COUP - HOSTAGES RELEASED after 8 weeks in captivity. Andrew McRae reports live from Red Cross headquarters in Suva.
UNIVERSITY FUNDING - report paints gloomy picture of funding levels over past 20 years, shows 36% drop in funding per student since 1980. (Gael Woods) [illegible] FREQUENCIES - auction set to resume tomorrow morning after Court of Appeal dismisses Māori Council challege to process. Auction not proving windfall for govt that many expected and may face further legal hurdles. Live i/v with Economics correspondent Stephen Harris.
FIJI - COUP - HOSTAGES RELEASED - live i/v with military spokesman Lt Col Filipo Tarakinikini; live i/v with rebels' spokesman Joe Nata; live i/v with NZ High Commissioner Tia Barrett.
MANA NEWS