TV3 News

Christine Rankin – Slobodan Milosevic – Fiji Murder – NZ Post – Russian Airliner Crash – Artificial Heart

CHRISTINE RANKIN: The Head of the PMs Department explained today how he was disturbed by the cut of Christine Rankin’s dress. He told the court that every time Rankin moved during one meeting he had to see an embarrassing amount of breast. Prebble described a meeting with Rankin in which they decided to talk frankly. Prebble’s advice on how Rankin should dress was in grey. He said purchase from a chain store was the safest option. Margaret Bazeley the woman who mentored Rankin described how Rankin was not the only senior member of the public service to receive death threats. The court was shocked to hear that. Cunning of Rankin to wear the same outfit to court that she was wearing during the meeting. Initially he thought she wasn’t.

SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC: There were gasps in court and across Europe when Milosevic appeared in court for the first time. He decided to have no lawyers. He said the tribunal was false and the indictments were false. Asked if he wanted to have the indictment read out he replied, “that’s your problem”. He refused to plead to the charges. Not Guilty was entered as his plea. The judge told Milosevic it was not the time for him to make speeches. The appearance took ten minutes. In the Balkans the watched in disbelief. He was charged today with crimes against humanity. Today’s hearing was startling but now prosecutors must prove Milosevic’s guilt.

FIJI MURDER: Some facts emerged today from the web of intrigue surrounding the murder of John Scott in Fiji. The heads of the two victims were severed. And hands and fingers were hacked off. A former policeman is in custody. He was seen with Greg Scrivener at McDonalds before the murder. A second suspect is a known drug dealer. John Scott had delivered a letter to the drug dealers house saying he did not want him to visit again.

NZ POST: The board members of NZ Post have delivered an agreement that means they all keep their jobs. They have all agreed to get on from now on. Deputy Chairman Syd Bradley now says he can work with Chairman Ross Armstrong. A mediator will be appointed to help functioning of the board. Mark Burton says he is satisfied the board can work together. The government is hoping it has closed down this controversy. The opposition thinks a sitting target has been set up.

RUSSIAN AIRLINER CRASH: A Russian Airliner on route to Vladivostok has crashed killing 143.

ARTIFICIAL HEART: Medical history has been made in the US with the implantation of a new kind of artificial heart in a patient. The new hearts will only be put in the sickest patients initially. The heart is powered by a battery pack that passes electricity through the skin and has no wires. Hospital administrators are not saying who received the heart. The new pump may be able to extend the lives of patients for years.

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