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News Briefing
Good evening, Jon Snow here with your latest update from the news room.
You may have felt let down by the fact that I did not disclose the Friday scoop. Tony Blair's communications chief, Alastair Campbell for whom we had bid albeit unsuccessfully, finally making his live television appearance on Channel 4 News. Tonight we bring you Britney Spears. Well perhaps not. The investigation at the heart of Mr Campbell's concerns continues, but no great movement today. We remain on the case however. We shall have a member of the said Foreign Affairs Committee live tonight.
Hetrosexualism?
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In all but name, the government is introducing a kind of marriage for gay people. They will enjoy virtually all the statutory and tax benefits of married people, but what about hetero couples who co-habit, respected in common law across Europe? What is to be come of them? Alan Milburn MP, when Treasury Secretary, looked into all this and found the bill - potentially 30 billion - unsustainable. But human rights lawyers believe there may now be a case under the human rights act. Interesting stuff at seven - more now and the chance to note your views at http://www.channel4.com/news/2003/06/week_4/30_gay.html
Looters blasted:
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It's reported at least thirty Iraqi looters have been killed following an explosion at an ammunition dump. Many more were injured in the explosion in a desert area about a 160 miles northeast of Baghdad. Lindsey Hilsum on the case, on site.
Train derailment:
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Travellers coming into London on the 5.20am Gatwick Express this morning were badly shaken when the train derailed near Red Hill, although luckily it did not tip over. The affected line in Surrey is not going to be opened until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest say rail authorities.
Royal finances:
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Prince Charles struggles to get by on 13 million it's been revealed - 800,000 a year of which goes on his polo habit.
NHS claims system:
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The Health Service comes up with a plot to reduce massive medical negligence pay-outs. An arbitration service that's faster and easier and cheaper than the law, although eventual pay-outs would be capped at 30,000. The only lawyers would be the medical negligence legal fraternity.
Dancing in the face of hardliners:
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>From Ian Williams in Indonesia tonight the rock star who uses all the
>old rock tricks to push her message and has, as a result, got under the
>skin of the Mullah's. They've moved against her, provoking major outcry
>from her followers, gripping stuff at seven but if you can't wait read
>the story now at
>http://www.channel4.com/news/2003/06/week_4/30_indo.html
Audrey Hepburn dies:
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And Audrey Hepburn dead at 96. Her life, more Oscars than any actress in history, her loves - Spencer Tracy, who refused to break his Catholic vows and get divorced. A great love a great life. Nicholas Glass at seven.
That's it from me on a slightly domesticated day in which anything could happen. See you at seven as ever is, warmest regards.
Jon Snow
UK Weather:
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The band of cloud and rain will slowly sink back southwards across England and Wales tomorrow. The rain will be merging with showers across the south. Some heavy and thundery downpours are expected. Risk of localised flooding. Brighter with showers across Scotland and northern Ireland. Feeling cooler and fresher.
Business news:
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In the City, the FTSE finished the day down 37 points at 4031. Renewed economic jitters knocked leading shares today, but the market still managed its best quarterly gain in three-and-a-half-years. A negative report on the state of manufacturing in the United States knocked some confidence out of investors. In New York, the Dow Jones is down 4 points at 8985. On the money markets, the pound's up against the dollar at over 1 dollar 65-and-a-quarter. Against the euro, the pound's down at 1 euro 43-and-three-quarters.
