El Salvador Quake – Maternity Services – Hunua Search – Late Ferries – Economy – Apple Worries – Middle East Air Link – Wellington Murder – Bank Robbery

EL SALVADOR QUAKE: The death toll in yesterday’s earthquake in El Salvador has risen over 200 as the international rescue effort is stepped up. Many of the dead died in mudslides.

MATERNITY SERVICES: Health officials are recommending increases to maternity service fees paid to midwives and doctors. The fee per patient visit is recommended to increase from $22 to $26.

HUNUA SEARCH: There is a delay in bringing the Auckland Police’s Eagle Helicopter into a search in the Hunua Ranges for two missing children.

LATE FERRIES: Tranz Rail says it sees no need to put another ferry into service to combat delays in service with its other ferries.

ECONOMY: Economists say that last weeks cuts in interest rates will help boost the NZ economy as world growth rate expectations cool and export demand falls.

APPLE WORRIES: Wairarapa Apple Growers will tell the government today they have lost around two thirds of this years crop due to two hail storms. Losses are estimated at over $3 million.

MIDDLE EAST AIR LINK: There are plans to establish a direct air link between United Arab Emirates and NZ to boost tourism from the Middle East. Phil Goff is in the Middle East promoting trade.

WELLINGTON MURDER: A 31 year old man will appear in court today on murder charges following the stabbing of a woman at Kaitoke Park at the weekend.

BANK ROBBERY: Six of the eight people charged in connection with the $1 million bank robbery will appear in court today.

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

CONTACT ALASTAIR THOMPSON

• Mobile - 021707044
• Twitter - @althecat
• Google+

• Linkedin
• Facebook
• Email - alastair@scoop.co.nz