TV3 6pm News

ANZAC's OFF: New Zealand's deployment of troops to East Timor received the full blessing of Parliament during a special debate today. The first troops could be on the ground in 24 hours.

AIRDROP: A 10 tonne relief airdrop of food to East Timorese refugees took place today. More are desperately needed but the one was all Indonesia would permit today.

BUILDUP: Australian Prime Minister John Howard was moved nearly to tears today on talkback radio as troops built up and emotion ran high. The NZ SAS are preparing in Darwin to be among the first troops to land in Timor, either tomorrow or Saturday.

ELECTION: Jenny Shipley has announced she will announce the election date Sunday week. Some commentators believe she will call the election as soon as possible to maximise the aftermath of APEC.

ACC KILLER: The man who murdered ACC worker Janet Pike was sentenced to a minimum 12 year non-parole period today. Johnny Manu, 35, said he was sorry but Pike's husband said he hoped Manu rotted in hell.

HOSTAGE DRAMA: A hostage drama is unfolding in South Auckland involving a man with access to firearms.. No other details are available.

FLOYD: Hurricane Floyd has been downgraded to a tropical storm after hammering America's Southern Coastline last night.

ALL BLACK PLANE: The All Black's plane for the World Cup has been unveiled. It is multi-coloured and has a picture of the front row on it.

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