Due to the live nature of Tonight, we apologise for the lack of captions for some items. Is Syria's ruling elite poised to fall as the rebels claim? Or will the al`Assad government retaliate with even more brutality? The situation is serious, warns the Prime Minister, as a listeria outbreak claims three lives. And a spate of violence lead police to crackdown and clean up Sydney's notorious Kings Cross. Our sky remains mostly fine, and if you're planning any outdoor R & R, get it done by Sunday. There's rain in the forecast. Rebels claiming responsibility for the bomb that killed members of Syria's ruling elite are now predicting the imminent fall of the al-Assad government. But the regime has vowed to hit back even harder after president al-Assad's brother-in-law and the country's defence minister were killed by a suicide bomber inside their headquarters. The ABC's Matt Brown reports on what could be a turning point in the uprising. GUNFIRE The rebels say it's the beginning of the end of the regime. That's far from certain. But it is probably the start of a new and more bloody phase in the civil war. Opposition activists posted unconfirmed footage on the internet showing burned-out buildings after a fourth day of fighting in Damascus. The combat was peppered around the city. Syrian state TV even showed government troops in action in the suburbs. And the rebels struck their most serious blow yet against the regime's inner circle. The Defence Minister, Dawoud Rajiha, was killed in an audacious attack on a key security building in the centre of Damascus. He'd been attending a regular meeting of senior officials. His deputy, the President's brother-in-law, as well as a former Defence Minister were also killed. (SPEAKS ARABIC) TRANSLATOR: This is a decisive battle. It's a decisive battle not only in Damascus, but in Syria as a whole. They are wrong to underestimate us. Opposition activists responded with more video, which they said showed celebrations in cities like Aleppo and Idlib, which have so far borne much of the brunt of the Syrian Army's attacks. ALL CLAP AND CHANT Open defiance of a regime which is now expected to wage an increasingly brutal campaign. The rebels claim the momentum is on their side. They say they found these armoured vehicles apparently abandoned in a town near the flashpoint city of Homs. But the regime still has powerful forces under its control. As diplomacy falters, thousands of Syrians continue to flood into neighbouring countries like Jordan. (SPEAKS ARABIC) TRANSLATOR: The least they can do is arm the opposition and implement a no-fly zone, if they do not want to interfere. They've abandoned their homes for now, but not their country. And as the fighting in Syria intensifies, there's a diplomatic showdown at the United Nations. The US is determined to end the 16-month stalemate and force President Bashar al-Assad to step down. But it's facing stiff opposition from Syria's main ally, Russia. The ABC's Craig McMurtrie has more. US and British defence chiefs met at the Pentagon. Tomorrow Britain takes delivery of its first test aircraft in the expensive Joint Strike Fighter programme. But the violence in Syria overshadowed talks, along with concerns about the security of the al-Assad regime's chemical weapons stockpile. This is a situation that is rapidly spinning out of control. And I think what we're seeing is an opposition which is emboldened; clearly an opposition which has access increasingly to weaponry. The White House says as long as President al`Assad holds on, the violence and chaos will worsen. I think the incident today makes clear that al-Assad is losing control and that all of our partners internationally, need to come together and support a transition. In New York, an expected vote at the Security Council backing Kofi Annan's peace plan and threatening sanctions was delayed. Russia and the US remain sharply divided over how to deal with the crisis. Barack Obama phoned President Putin. Afterwards, officials said they agreed to work toward a solution, but there was no sign of a breakthrough. The Hawke's Bay DHB is tonight monitoring hospital patients for any sign of listeria after a deadly outbreak. Warnings have been sent out to GPs, and the Prime Minister says the situation is serious. Three of six people hospitalised in Hawke's Bay and Bay of Plenty have died from the bacteria. The food now being recalled are Mad Butcher 500gm salami and pepperoni rolls, Ratanui whole, half and champagne cooked-on-the-bone ham, best before September the 12th; and EZY Carve boneless leg ham pieces, best before September the 9th. and EZY Carve boneless leg ham pieces, best before September the 9th. Health bosses are also warning more people could've eaten contaminated food. Renee Graham has the latest. It's feared two elderly patients could have died at this Hawke's Bay hospital after being served meat contaminated with the deadly bacteria listeria. The Prime Minister says his thoughts are with the families of the victims. It's a very serious issue ` two people have died, so it's critically important that we find out if something went wrong, what went wrong; what the source of the listeria was. And, obviously, our hearts go out to the families. The Ministry of Health and the Hawke's Bay District Health Board are investigating. Some samples from food in the kitchen are positive for listeria, but the exact cause is still to be determined. We need to be absolutely sure what the source of the listeria was. It's possible it was the meats, but we just don't absolutely know that for a fact. This Napier company, Bay Cuisine, supplies the hospital with ready-to-eat meat. It also supplies some Mad Butcher and Preston's meat stores. There is still some product on sale, but we're hoping the recall takes effect immediately; that the public do work with us on this and get the product back in. Bay Cuisine says while the source of the contamination at the DHB has yet to be determined, it is working with the Ministry for Primary Industries and had initiated the voluntary product recall as a precautionary measure. The company also says ready-to-eat meat products are a small proportion of its overall product range and other products continue to be safe. This is quite an uncommon disease for it to get into the human population and for people to die from, so it's concerning. Given the first case was detected at the start of May, questions are being asked over whether authorities could have acted sooner. But they say, at first it wasn't clear the cases were related. I don't think that's an unreasonable timeline. Two cases have also emerged in Tauranga over the past three weeks ` one person died; the other recovered. Neither contracted listeria in hospital, and no links have been made with the Hawke's Bay outbreak. For those who pick up listeria, it takes 30 days for symptoms to show. The hospital says it only took meat off the menu last Tuesday, so there is a risk more cases could emerge. Renee Graham, ONE News. So what do you need to know about listeria? It's a bug found in dust, soil, water, plants, sewage and animal droppings. Health officials say it's dangerous for pregnant women, their babies, the elderly and people with a lowered immune system. Those at risk should avoid food like soft cheeses, processed meat and poultry. And seek medical advice if you develop flu-like symptoms such as a mild fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, aches and pains or a mild cough or cold. A coroner's found Iraena Asher probably drowned by accident almost eight years ago on a rugged West Auckland beach. He said she was likely to be suffering an emotional crisis which would have been exacerbated by alcohol and marijuana. But he also acknowledged the women who tried to help Iraena that night who felt criticised by police for a lack of action. This from Donna-Marie Lever. Julia Woodhouse and Bobbie Carroll, still slightly stunned at hearing their actions may well have played a part in Iraena Asher's death. Their decision not to contact the police was a contributing factor in Iraena's death. Now, this comment is not a criticism of them or of their actions. It is simply an acknowledgement that there was an opportunity that was missed by people with the best of intentions. Yeah,... not happy with that. I think, um... it basically sits with the police. The couple and one of their sons found the distressed 25-year-old wandering in Piha and took her in. She told them she'd been drugged and kidnapped. But that was after she had tried to call the police for help. IRAENA: Could you please come and get me from Piha Rd? They sent a taxi instead, which never made it. The coroner found Iraena Asher's death was an accident during an emotional crisis, and it's likely the bipolar model drowned in the unforgiving West Coast surf. I don't think we'll ever recover from her disappearance. I mean, she` you know, despite her being a beautiful-looking woman, she had a beautiful heart. The police file into Iraena Asher's disappearance is now closed. Police say it will only be reopened if any remains are discovered. And the past eight years have taken a toll on many involved. About an hour ago, I was thinking, 'Right, I will never do this again.' But I know that I would. And I hope other people will too, because although you run a risk of criticism, it's... it's more important that you reach out and make people safe. The coroner says the lesson to learn is to always call police for help, and that they too have come a long way since Iraena Asher's tragic end. Donna-Marie Lever, ONE News. A man has been convicted for a second time of murdering a woman after snatching her handbag in an Auckland parking lot. Christopher Shadrock was again sentenced to at least 12 years' jail for killing Joanne Wang at a Manukau shopping centre in 2008. He ran down the 39-year-old in a stolen car. The defence argued he'd not intended to kill and was trying to escape. The Court of Appeal quashed the original conviction last year. Australian police are continuing their crackdown tonight on venues in Sydney's notorious Kings Cross. The sweep of bars and clubs in the red light district comes after the killing of a boy (18) ` just the latest in a growing number of violent attacks. Australia correspondent Steve Marshall reports. It's known as the Golden Mile, because of the money it spins for club and bar owners, but late-night licensing for many venues often sees Kings Cross descend into drunken anarchy. <BLEEP> You have never been able to buy as much booze at as many venues, with as much capacity, for as long as you can at the moment. The recent death of Thomas Kelly (18), who was king-hit on a night out on the Cross, was the final straw for authorities, and residents who want the Cross under control. I think out of that terrible tragedy, we're beginning to get government to look at what's needed here. Police have embarked on a 60-club blitz, examining their reporting of incidents, private security and video surveillance systems. And what is the problem? I'm gonna cut straight to the chase and not muck around. It's the abuse and availability of alcohol. Restrictions on licensed premises and giving police more powers to curb antisocial behaviour are being discussed. Now, during the day it looks pretty harmless, but every Friday and Saturday nights more than 2000 revellers descend on Kings Cross. From now on, all licensed venues along this strip are required to record all incidents in an official register to be inspected by police. It's the first step in a Cross crackdown that's come too late for the family of Thomas Kelly. Steve Marshall, ONE News, Sydney. And the man accused of killing Thomas Kelly appeared in court today. Kieran Loveridge is also 18 and accused of a crime spree in which he randomly attacked four people on the night he punched Thomas Kelly. After his court appearance, one of his supporters head butted a Nine News cameraman, knocking him to the ground where he sustained a head injury. The 17-year-old then took off, but was caught and arrested a short time later. Just ahead, Renee will have your weather. He's 94 today. South Africa salutes a statesman ` anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela. A pensioner take on two armed robbers at an internet cafe. 1 Two former directors and the CEO of failed finance company Capital and Merchant have been found guilty on a number of fraud charges. Neal Nicholls, Wayne Douglas and Owen Tallentire were charged after an investigation into $28m worth of transactions between 2004 and 2006. Capital and Merchant went into receivership in 2007, owing $167m to around 7500 investors. The three men were denied bail and will be sentenced next month. In breaking news ` one person has died and another person is injured after a house fire in Christchurch. The fire service is currently fighting the blaze in Spreydon. The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage. Legal action is underway to force the Pike River Royal Commission to hold another hearing so that late written evidence can be aired publicly. Stacey Shortall, the lawyer for Peter Whittall and other Pike directors, says it needs to be done in the interest of fairness. The papers, filed at the High Court in Wellington, also seek to ensure her clients' rights to a fair trial are considered when the Royal Commission's report is released in September. The Waihi mine where 28 men were rescued after a fire is expected to open at the weekend. The Trio gold mine was shut down on Tuesday when a truck caught fire underground. The 30-ton truck won't be removed until it cools down. Maintenance records of machinery are being looked at, and all staff at the mine are being interviewed. Israel is blaming Iran for a bomb attack in Bulgaria which killed six people on an Israeli tourist bus. The bus exploded in a fireball outside an airport in the city of Burgas. Another 32 people were injured. The tourists had just arrived from Israel on a charter flight. Israel says all signs point to Iran, and it's promising a strong response. 12 million schoolchildren across South Africa have kicked off Nelson Mandela's 94th birthday celebrations. Mandela became South Africa's first black president in 1994 after spending 27 years in prison for his fight against apartheid. The BBC's George Alagiah reports. CROWD SINGS 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' A nation salutes its hero. The message is the same from black and white, old and young. I would send him a gift and a card. I will write that we will always love him, because he gave us freedom. Nelson Mandela is loved at home and respected around the world. Prime ministers and presidents have flocked to his side. He did say how moved he was by the way his birthday is being celebrated today in South Africa with the 67 minutes of service by every citizen across the country. In power he symbolised public service. Today, South Africans volunteered for charitable duty. My grandfather has always instilled in us that we should be of greater service to our people and the nation at large. ALL SING: # We love you, Tata # The know apartheid only as history, and today they celebrate the man who made that possible. ALL: Happy birthday, Madiba. Tourists heading to London for the Olympic Games are being warned about career pickpockets. Police believe gangs from Europe and South America are planning a crime blitz. The BBC's Chris Rogers found some pickpockets in Spain, boasting about their plans. Welcome to a pickpocketing mecca. Crime statistics show Barcelona is one of the riskiest places in the world to hold on to your bags and wallets. This gang are part of a network of 50 Romanian pickpockets here. We go to London this year. They agreed to show me how they do it. Hello. Here, Johnny is the distracter. Danny, the runner, slips off with whatever Mario, the dipper, gives to him. They've named this tactic after the footballer that dances when he scores ` the Ronaldinho. Cameras, laptops and phones are sold on the Romanian black market. This gang say they'll soon leave Barcelona and head to London. They're doing their research. So, you're looking at the shopping centre near the Olympic village? Look how many people. The London buses, uh, touristic buses, pfft, you can go upstairs... So buses are a good target for you? But police. But the gang spot a potential obstacle. An online article reports on the British police efforts to crack down on foreign pickpockets. GLASS SHATTERS This is the early-morning wake-up call many foreign pickpockets could receive. This house is being rented by a gang of suspected Romanian thieves in east London. In the first week of police raids, more than 80 arrests were made. But Scotland Yard say public vigilance is the best weapon against the pickpockets who claim they can steal in just one second. A pensioner has foiled two armed men who attempted to rob an internet cafe in Florida. One of the men pointed a gun, while the other threatened frightened customers with a baseball bat until Samuel Williams (71) pulled out his own gun and started shooting. He chased the would-be robbers out of the store, still firing, as they stumbled trying to escape. Both men were later caught and arrested. Just ahead ` Stephen Kearney's troubled time as Parramatta's coach is over. And a blow for the Kiwi Olympic team ` an ankle injury ends runner Adrian Blincoe's London dream. And how we're shaping up weatherwise as we head towards the weekend. In NRL news, Parramatta has ousted coach Stephen Kearney after he failed to get the team to ignite in his first two seasons. The Eels are currently sitting on the bottom of the table, and only narrowly avoided the wooden spoon last season. Stephen Kearney, who is also the Kiwis' coach, is likely to officially resign from Parramatta tomorrow. He was originally contracted to the end of the season. Middle-distance runner Adrian Blincoe has been forced to pull out of the London Olympic Games. The 5000m runner has been struggling with an ankle injury for four weeks and is showing now sign of improvement. He was hopeful that things were on the right track, but time's just run out for him. Attitude-wise, he's dealing with it really well. You know, he's the consummate professional. He's doing well. I mean, he's disappointed, undoubtedly. He's on his way back to America for further treatment. Blincoe holds the NZ 5000m record and represented NZ at the Beijing Olympic Games, where he finished 11th. Weather time now, and are we in for another foggy start? Yes, a foggy start to Friday for most central North Island areas, and it should be a fine Friday for most. And here's why ` high pressure over the Chathams stays there and throws a ridge back over NZ. Two lows form over the north Tasman then merge together. The fronts to the north and south of the low don't move very much, being blocked by the high. For weather, see onenews.co.nz That's your weather. See you tomorrow. That's it from us here on Tonight. Thanks for watching. Goodnight. Captions by Richard Edmunds and Glenna Casalme. Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Copyright TVNZ Access Services 2012