National Radio Midday Report

Fletcher Energy Sale – Tramper – Wasp Danger – National Park Closed – Recreational Fishing – Molotov Cocktail Attack – Baby Safety – Simpson Trial – TEAC Report – Cervical Screening – Israel Govt – Napster – Argentina War Crimes – Aussie Poll

- FLETCHER ENERGY SALE: Money from the $4 billion Fletcher Energy sale has already begun to move into the sharemarket, as shareholders look for new stocks to invest in.

- TRAMPER: Christchurch tramper Harry Smith, who spent two weeks lying in the mountains after he broke his hip, said he had no idea searchers were looking for him until yesterday afternoon. Mr Smith is now in Christchurch hospital waiting for a hip operation.

- WASP DANGER: A scientist says wasp numbers are reaching their seasonal peak and people need to be a little more cautious, after a Northland farmer was almost killed when he was stung over 100 times after disturbing a nest.

- NATIONAL PARK CLOSED: The northern end of Abel Smith National Park in Nelson is to be closed because of extreme fire risk, and the dangers to trampers from fire.

- RECREATIONAL FISHING: The Minister of Fisheries Pete Hodgson says he has ruled out introducing a licence fee for recreational marine fishing.

- MOLOTOV COCKTAIL ATTACK: Police in Oamaru are investigating a molotov cocktail attack on the house of a constable. The constable was at home with his family, but no one was hurt.

- BABY SAFETY: The Wellington Coroner has warned parents against sharing their beds with their babies, after investigating three cases where babies have died, one of suffocation and two others of unspecified causes, while sharing beds with their parents.

- SIMPSON TRIAL: The brother of Auckland doctor Chris Simpson, who is accused of strangling their mother, said Chris Simpson was violent on the night Marjorie Simpson died.

- TEAC REPORT: A new commission to oversee tertiary education is the key recommendation from the Government think-tank report which has just been released.

- CERVICAL SCREENING: The people who run the national cervical screening program have issued reassurances that they are relying on more than an accreditation system to enforce good standards in laboratories.

- ISRAEL GOVT: Israel is on the brink of swearing a new Government. Prime Minister elect Ariel Sharon has officially submitted the agreement for a National Unity Government.

- NAPSTER: A federal judge in the United States has ordered Napster to block access to all copyright material on its web site.

- ARGENTINA WAR CRIMES: A judge in Argentina has struck down two laws that protect military officers from prosecution for crimes committed during the period of military rule from 1976-83.

- AUSSIE POLL: An opinion poll in Australia puts support for the government at an all time low after the coalition’s poor showing in state elections in Western Australia and Queensland. It also shows growing support for Pauline Hanson’s anti immigration One Nation party.

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