National Rqadio Midday Report

Sydney Olympics – Balance Of Payments – Parole Refused – Wairarapa Toddler – Toddler Out Of Hospital – Cancer Programmes – Tainui – Yugoslav Elections – Asian Floods – Gondola – Northland Rescue Helicopter

- SYDNEY OLYMPICS: Mark Todd competes in the final phase of the equestrian 3-day event today, given the green light after his horse was looking sketchy with a bruised foot, but was cleared by the vet this morning. A clear round would give him a medal. Light wind conditions are hampering Barbara Kendall’s boardsailing today. Kiwi Runner Tony Hodgkinson finished fourth in her 400m heat, and is the fourth fastest overall going into final. NZ woman’s 50m freestyle swimmer Vivian Rignall goes into the semi-final tonight with a personal best time.

Tens of thousands are pouring into the Homebush Olympic venue today for Super Friday. Public transport is packed, but is going smoothly so far.

- BALANCE OF PAYMENTS: The gap between what NZ earns and what it spends continued to grow in the three months to June. The main reason for the deficit is investment flows.

- PAROLE REFUSED: Paul Dalley, the man found guilty of the murder of Carla Cardnow, has been refused parole. He has served 10 years of his life sentence.

- WARARAPA TODDLER: Police investigating the death of the abused and murdered Wairarapa toddler say some relatives are still refusing to cooperate.

- TODDLER OUT OF HOSPITAL: A toddler who was on life support in starship Hospital after being abused has been discharged into care of Child Youth and Family today. The grandmother will appear in court soon to face assault charges.

- CANCER PROGRAMMES: Women’s Health Action Trust is alarmed that the Health Ministry may run a cancer control agency as part of the Government’s health changes. Sandra Coney of the trust told the Cervical Cancer Inquiry in Gisborne that the trust want an independent agency to control funding for both the breast and cervical cancer programmes.

- TAINUI: The High Court in Hamilton has ruled that the Tainui executive will remain in office until another meeting of the Tribal parliament can be convened.

- YUGOSLAV ELECTIONS: The Yugoslav army says it will intervene if there is any western interference in the Yugolsav presidential and parliamentary elections to be held on Sunday.

- ASIAN FLOODS: The death toll from floods across Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos has risen has risen to 200 with two million homeless. Water levels along the Mekong River remain extremely high. Meanwhile, there is also flooding in parts of Bangladesh and North Eastern India.

- GONDOLA: There has been a prediction the Southland economy could suffer from the proposed gondola between Queenstown and Milford Sound.

- NORTHLAND RESCUE HELICOPTER: The trust which runs Northland’s rescue helicopter is denying claims it has been slack with it’s paper work and reporting to ACC.

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