National Radio Midday Bulletin

SAMOAN SHOOTING: Another former cabinet minister has been charged with the first assassination in modern Samoa. He is the third person charged.

SHOOTING: A man has been shot in an Auckland suburb after threatening residents with a knife. He is seriously injured.

MURDER: Three people have been shot dead in Alabama and a man charged for each murder.

ANSETT: Ansett is gearing up for more strikes after a strike began this morning over company plans to increase flying hours and reduce pilot numbers. Over 100 bookings have been cancelled.

CREECH: The Health Minister has asked the Health Ministry to advise on whether a national cancer strategy is necessary.

SWISS TRAGEDY: New Zealanders have attended a service in Switzerland following 19 deaths in a canyoning accident last week. New Zealand diplomats attended.

CHINA: 700 people have died from the flooding after torrential rain in China – double previous estimates. 30 million acres of crops have been flooded and some destroyed.

PHILIPPINES: One hundred people have died in floods in the Philippines.

SIERRA LIONE: Rebels in Sierra Lione have kidnapped journalists, UN representatives and aid workers in the area and are holding them hostage.

MIGRATION: The association of migration and investment is holding a conference and there are calls to regulate the industry to prevent people ripping off migrants and leaving them with improper visas. The association is divided on the issue.

JUDGE: A Wellington High Court judge says victims of armed robberies can be scarred for life. He made the comments during sentencing an accomplice to an armed robbery.

TELECOM: Telecom’s decision to swap phone cards as they phase out old ones has been greeted with mixed responses. Unused cards will be replaced as well as partially used ones, however the new cards will have no collectors value.

DAIRY BOARD: The Dairy Board has announced a $60 million boost in investment in biotechnology and the public should not be alarmed. The Board says they will test vigorously.

PLANTS: Evolution scientists say all plants stem from one algae.

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