Checkpoint for Tuesday 14 APRIL 2009
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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The turmoil in Fiji is intensifying with the military taking over the country's Reserve Bank today and the arrest of the President of the Fiji Law Society. The Reserve Bank Governor is reported to have been sacked and the Fiji Law Society President, Dorsami Naidu, is in police custody. A Fiji Times photographer and a Fiji Television reporter and cameraman are also reported to have been arrested. The director of the Fiji Human Rights Commission says police have also closed its office. Fiji's ousted opposition leader Mick Beddoes says international leaders must now take a tougher line against the interim regime. CLIPS
The New Zealand government has described events in the Fijian capital Suva today as 'acts of vandalism', and says Fiji's Pacific neighbours can do nothing if the illegal military regime is intent on wrecking the country. Last week, Fiji dumped its constitution and its judiciary, and has imposed heavy censorship on the media. TV3 reporter, Sia Aston, and cameraman, Matt Smith, along with the ABCs Sean Dorney, safely reached home, after having their Fiji work visas cancelled. Our parliamentary chief reporter, Jane Patterson, filed this report. PKG
For the latest, here's our correspondent in Fiji Matelita Ragogo. PRE-REC
A shortage of junior doctors may force the Waitemata District Health Board to temporarily close more of its services.The DHB has the worst shortage of registrars and house officers in the country, with some parts of the hospitals more than 40 percent down on what's needed. Joy Reid has more. PKG
A highly criticial report has been released into this country's high levels of violence against women. The report by a team of human rights experts from the New York-based Leitner Centre found a litany of problems with the laws and regulations surrounding domestic violence. Catherine Hutton reports. PKG
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BUSINESS NEWS
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In the United States the eccentric music producer Phil Spector has been found guilty of murdering Hollywood actress Lana Clarkson in 2003, and will likely spend the rest of his life in prison. 67-year-old Spector, who is famous for the "Wall of Sound" recording technique had pleaded not guilty to the charge of second degree murder.This was the second time Spector had been on trial for the killing.The first one ended in a deadlock with jurors unable to agree. Our correspondent Kate Moody, has been following the retrial. PRE-REC
Power companies are being criticised for the lack of availability of natural gas for homes in Auckland.Some energy experts say this deprives those on low incomes of cheap heating, and also has an environmental cost. Eric Frykberg reports. PKG
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17.30 HEADLINES
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Across the Tasman, Qantas has announced plans to axe up to 17-hundred-and-50 jobs over the next few months, after the airline slashed its profit forecast by more than half. The company is blaming the global slump in demand for air travel because of the worldwide recession. With us now is the ABC's Business Editor Peter Ryan: LIVE
An inquest into the death of a man at a Christchurch nightclub more than 12 years ago has resumed today. Barry Coleman died after falling down a flight of stairs at Wicked Willies early on Christmas Day 1996. Mr Coleman's daughter says she's been fighting for answers about her father's death for nearly 13 years, and she hopes the truth will come out in the inquest. Our reporter Matthew Peddie has been at the hearing. LIVE
New Zealander Danny Lee, the world's number one amateur golfer, has signed a deal with sports management giant IMG reportedly worth over NZ$17 million dollars. The 18 year old from Rotorua joins world number one Tiger Woods on IMG's books, and the CEO of New Zealand Golf Bill MacGowan says the deal was inevitable. PRE-REC
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WAATEA NEWS
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In his first trip to Asia as Prime Minister, John Key, is due to meet the Chinese President, Hu Jintao in a few hours. Mr Key flew to Beijing early after meetings he was due to attend in Thailand were cancelled due to the political turmoil. Our political reporter, Chris Bramwell, is in Beijing and joins us now. LIVE
A former high-ranking military leader in Fiji, Jone Baledrokadroka, says the military crackdown in Fiji shows Commodore Frank Bainimarama was only ever interested in a power grab.Colonel Baledrokadroka was Land Forces Commander until he challenged the attacks on the elected government. He was arrested after the coup and accused of being involved in a plot to assassinate Commodore Bainimarama, serving 40 days in jail until Fiji's courts found him not guilty.He is now a visiting research fellow at the Australian National University. PRE-REC
In the most significant gesture towards Cuba in decades, the United States is lifting some of the restrictions on Cubans living in the US They'll now be able to make unlimited trips and money transfers to family members in Cuba .But the Obama administration's policy shift does not end the US trade embargo. From Washington the ABC's Kim Landers reports : PKG
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