TV1 News 6pm Headlines (First Segment)

CERVICAL CANCER INQUIRY: More startling revelations in the Gisborne cervical cancer inquiry – retired Gisborne pathologist Dr Michael Bottrill’s work was not checked for 31 years. Health department documents showed alarm bells rang four times over cervical cancer smear reporting nationally in the last 11 years. Concerns were raised over reporting in Christchurch, Rotorua, and in Gisborne - the last over Dr Bottrill’s under reporting of cancers.

ZIMBABWE VIOLENCE: Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe met with farmers, squatters and the courts today in talks. Meanwhile Mugabe supporters have ransacked and occupied more white farms. International camera crews are also under attack.

ZIMBABWE IN BRITAIN: In a royal scandal in Britain, it has been revealed that the Queen has sent a telegram to President Mugabe congratulating him on 20 years in power. Meanwhile British Prime Tony Blair has urged the Commonwealth leaders to put pressure on Zimbabwe to uphold the rule of law in the country. A court in Zimbabwe ordered the Government to bring in the police to protect the white farmers from violent occupiers until the situation was resolved in court. President Mugabe has so far ignored the ruling. Prime Minister Helen Clark met with Mr Blair to discuss the situation today.

MARIAN HOBBS: Miss Clark has defended herself against her public criticism of Minister Marian Hobbs’s “presentation” in her handling of various crisis in the last few months. Ms Hobbs earlier said a lack of adequate ministerial staff contributed to her sometimes confused behaviour in the last few months

POPPY WARS: In Auckland the un-official import of a new ANZAC poppy by RSA has angered RSAs in Christchurch who were contracted by their head office to exclusively manufacture the fake flower.

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