Freak Boulder Death – Baby Bashing Charges – Teenage Crime Spree – Australian Citizenship – Tyre Recall – Forest Fires
– Gang Wars – Olympics
FREAK BOULDER DEATH: A freak accident has caused a death in on the Arthurs Pass road. A road worker was working on a
dangerous road construction when he was struck on the head by a football sized boulder. Transit NZ says the boulder came
from an area that had not been considered unstable. The pass road was closed for four hours today. The accident is under
investigation f
BABY BASHING: Another Carterton woman has appeared in court charged with assaulting a child. The assault charge has come
from the inquiry into the recent death of a toddler, but relates to a different child, and a different incident, in
March. The woman is the second aunt of the 23-month old toddler who was killed recently, has been charged with assault
of a child. Police say they are investigating more reports of assaults in the child’s wider family.
TEENAGE CRIME SPREE: A solo mum in Christchurch appears in court charged with a crime spree involving a teenage boy. The
woman admitted 11 charges and claims to love the boy. The boy says he also wants the relationship to continue.
AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP: Tripping across the ditch should be made easier says the Finance Minister. Michael Cullen is
advocating joint citizenship with Australia. Meanwhile today in Wellington an Australian General, Peter Cosgrove,
received a NZ honour. Simon Upton says that Australia is unlikely to accede to Cullen’s request quickly. Australian PM
John Howard says he thinks the idea was not supposed to be taken too seriously, though he is keeping an open mind.
TYRE RECALL: 6.5 million Bridgestone tyres – many fitted to Ford Explorer cars - have been recalled following concerns
that they were involved in 46 fatal accidents. When under-inflated the tyres can disintegrate. Last year Ford ordered
the tyres pulled off the market in hot countries.
FOREST FIRES: 10 Kiwi forest fire fighters are heading to the US to help put out forest fires. America has plenty of
man-power but needs tactical fire management experts. The fire fighters are not expected to be at the sharp end of the
fire fighting effort.
GANG WARS: Christchurch Police raided several gang premises today looking for evidence related to a drive-by shooting of
a Black Power gang member. Police say a possible motive may be related to the theft of a gang patch.
OLYMPICS: Home sweet home-bush. The Olympic Village opens in Sydney with 24 hour food, videogames a gym and internet for
residents. Athletes are expected to arrive in three weeks.