Amelia Nurse talks to two bee scientists (Dr Mark Goodwin and Brad Howlett) about why bee numbers are declining and what can be done.Click here to listen to this Radio New Zealand report.

US President George W. Bush made a fresh push today to unlock stalled negotiations on a massive financial rescue plan, warning, "We've got a big problem" and stressing, "We need a rescue plan".

World oil prices fell by more than $US1 today after hopes were dashed that the US Congress was about to pass a massive financial bailout package, dealers said.

US bank JPMorgan Chase is to take over the deposits of its struggling competitor Washington Mutual at the request of US officials, according to US media.

A TEACHER who had sex with a female student in a school darkroom has been sent to jail for five years.

THE brother of an Australian woman missing in Croatia is preparing to travel to Dubrovnik as her family and authorities consider the possibility that she has met with foul play.

A THREE-YEAR-OLD Melbourne girl has drowned in her family's backyard pool after apparently climbing over or through a safety fence.

A PEDOPHILE who groomed then sexually assaulted 12 victims during a 12-year reign of abuse has been jailed for more than nine years.

ANIMAL protection groups are seeking better regulated animal transport practices following the death of 1000 chickens in a truck crash in Melbourne.

A PROMINENT member of an exclusive Melbourne men's club has described as "chilling" the attitudes displayed by men towards women at the club's annual general meeting.

THE share market kept its head above water at noon, with banking and consumer staples stocks performing well and the materials sector was weaker.

SLOWING consumer spending in Australia has been blamed for helping to tip the New Zealand economy into recession for the first time in a decade.

NEW Zealand fell into recession in the first half of this year for the first time in a decade, according to official figures released today.

A TEENAGER accused of the manslaughter of a budding football star at a party has been committed to stand trial.

TRACES of a cancerous substance have been found in dust at an Adelaide primary school.

AN uncle of the late actor Heath Ledger has pleaded not guilty to receiving stolen machinery.

A FEMALE prison officer has resigned from her job after she was accused of writing steamy love letters to a male inmate in a clandestine jailhouse affair.

AN anti-racism campaigner says Coon cheese is next on his hit-list after the Queensland Government ruled a grandstand being rebuilt in the state's south would not be renamed after E.S. "Nigger" Brown.

A MAN man has appeared in court accused of stroking a latex vagina in front of women on a city street.

IN a landmark case, a Supreme Court judge has given permission for a 12-year-old girl to have an abortion.