National Radio Midday Bulletin

Cervical Inquiry - Director Attends - Fiji Army Crackdown - Health Bill - Air Pollution - Ship Seized - Iran Drought - Queen Mum Affection - Goldie Painting - Ferry Action - Ship Seized - Credit Charges - Robber Sentenced - Bleddie Hawkers - Missile Hits Car

CERVICAL INQUIRY: A former national coordinator of the cervical screening programme broke down while giving evidence to the Gisborne cervical inquiry today.

- DIRECTOR ATTENDS: The director general of Health Karen Poutassi has decided to attend the inquiry’s last day.

- FIJI ARMY CRACKDOWN: The Fiji army is cracking down on violence on the northern island of Vanua Levu, arresting more coup supporters after a shootout with rebels last night, in which one was killed.

- HEALTH BILL: The Government has brought itself some breathing space over a Bill, which two Maori MPs, John Tamihere and Willie Jackson, oppose.

- AIR POLLUTION: A visiting expert from the United States says air particulate pollution, which causes premature death in the US, appears to be at similar rates here.

- SHIP SEIZED: Canadian forces have boarded an American ship and are taking it to a Canadian port in Quebec

- IRAN DROUGHT: Iran’s most severe drought in 30 years is predicted to get worse in the following months, with UN experts saying it could develop into a fully fledged disaster.

- QUEEN MUM AFFECTION: Britain is set to launch a display of affection for the Queen mother, following her 100th birthday today.

- GOLDIE PAINTING: The police investigating a theft of a Charles Goldie picture from Auckland have received a series of calls regarding security camera footage.

- FERRY ACTION: A lawyer representing over 100 Malborough landowners is planning legal action against Fast Cat Ferries for wash damage. The company says it will contest the action.

- SFO CHARGE: The Serious Fraud Office has charged a woman with theft and forgery in relation to the collapse of the Auckland Regional Staff Friendly Society

- CREDIT CHARGES: WestpacTrust has withdrawn some of a Wellington supermarket’s banking and credit facilities after it decided to pass on credit card charges to its customers.

- ROBBER SENTENCED: A Lower Hutt man who has admitted he was responsible for over 140 robberies has been convicted for only 24 of them because of his cooperation with police.

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