TV1 News Headlines (First Segment)

Govt Cans F-16 Deal - F-16 Deal The Aftermath - Dead Flown To Tangi - Uganda Cult Deaths - Queen's Meeting Marred By Stalker

GOVT CANS F-16 DEAL: Prime Minister Helen Clark has axed the controversial deal to buy 28 F-16 planes from the United States. Defence consultant Derek Quigley’s report says the true cost of the deal would be over $1 billion dollars. However the Government has ignored the report’s suggestion to only buy 14 of the jets saying that there was not enough money to do so. US Ambassador Carole Moseley-Braun says the United States was disappointed with the decision. The opposition and other parties have reacted to the announcement. The Greens support the deal, however National, United and ACT were also critical of the Government’s decision.

F-16 DEAL THE AFTERMATH: In the wake of the decision many air-force pilots are considering moving into the commercial sector. The air-force has recently offered a cash payment to keep the pilots. Privately defence staff admit they are crushed at the decision which could completely end New Zealand’s air-force defence capabilities. However there is widespread public support over the issue with a Colmar-Brunton poll showing 68 per cent in favour of Government’s decision.

DEAD FLOWN TO TANGI: An aging air-force Hercules jet flew six members of the family killed in a van-truck crash on Friday. The family had been on the way to a wedding when the crash occurred.

UGANDA CULT DEATHS: Doctors in Uganda are examining the ruins of a church where members of a Christian sect committed mass suicide. The followers of a church, which followed Catholic doctrines, dowsed themselves in petrol, burning their church to the ground.

QUEEN'S MEETING MARRED BY STALKER: There has been a security scare in Sydney after police nabbed a man with a knife who was masquerading as a member of the Queen’s security team. However hundreds of royalists attended the Queen’s later public address.

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