Burns Declares Innocence - Northland Toddler On Life Support - Parekura Horomia - Gisborne Inquiry - Takeaway Food No Good - Transrail Safety Inquiry - Cuban High Jumper, Mark Todd And Coke - Couple Gives Thanks After Son Dies

BURNS DECLARES INNOCENCE: In a cross examination by crown lawyers accused Travis Burns insists he is innocent and did not confess the murder of a young woman Joanne McCarthy to a police witness 87. He did however admit to burglary offences at a neighbour’s property. Burns said he was in the bush attending to marijuana seedlings at the time of his accident.

- NORTHLAND TODDLER ON LIFE SUPPORT: Social workers say they expect to be involved in the decision whether to switch off a young beaten Northland toddlers life support, because they have interim custody of the baby.

- PAREKURA HOROMIA: Meanwhile, Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia says a multiparty approach is needed to stop abuse of young Maori children.

- GISBORNE INQUIRY: The Gisborne Cancer inquiry wants to widen it’s scope to examine cervical screening programmes in other areas apart from Gisborne.

- TAKEAWAY FOOD NO GOOD: Food nutritionists have published a survey which shows NZ’ers only cook three evening meals a week, otherwise they eat out and often eat unhealthy takeaways.

- TRANSRAIL SAFETY INQUIRY: There was anger and tears today as the Government inquiry into Transrail’s safety record moves to Christchurch.

- CUBAN HIGH JUMPER, MARK TODD AND COKE: A Cuban high jumper has been accepted into the Olympics even though he tested positive for cocaine 2 years ago, because of his previous clean record. The decision comes while the New Zealand Parliament debates the rights and wrongs of Mark Todd’s entry into the Olympics.

- COUPLE GIVES THANKS AFTER SON DIES: An American couple has thanked New Zealanders for their support after their son died in a freak accident on a train in Palmerston North.