National Radio Midday Report

China/US Air Collision - Multiple Murder Trial - Bus Driver On Trial - Taranaki Treaty Claim - Milosevic Charges - Bunkle Decision – Meat Prices – Murder Trial – Air Bag Safety – Jet Ski Safety – Kyoto Protocol - Inclement Weather – Contact To Pay Rates – Mt Eden Prison – Single Sex Schools

- CHINA/US AIR COLLISION: The United States have told China to keep their hands off a stranded spy plane on Chinese soil after a mid air crash. China is angrily accusing the US plane of ramming a Chinese fighter jet, which subsequently crashed. The US Ambassador to China has met China’s vice foreign minister asking for the plane and crew, who are reported to all be safe, to be released.

- MULTIPLE MURDER TRIAL: In Whangarei the trial has begun for the man charged with the murder of his two children and his neighbour. He is also charged with the attempted murder of his wife and another neighbour. He has pleaded not guilty, saying he was insane at the time.

- BUS DRIVER ON TRIAL: The trial of an Auckland bus driver charged with careless driving causing death and failure to stop has begun in the Auckland district Court. The driver has pleaded not guilty.

- TARANAKI TREATY CLAIM: The Waitangi Tribunal has endorsed the Crown’s approach in dealing with a northern Taranaki Treaty claim. The minister in charge of Treaty negotiations Margaret Wilson has welcomed the decision.

- MILOSEVIC CHARGES: Former Yugoslav dictator Slobodan Milosevic has pleaded not guilty in Belgrade to charges of abuse of power an illegally transferring state funds to foreign bank accounts.

- BUNKLE DECISION: A senior law expert says the Registrar of Electors’ conclusions on Phillida Bunkle’s enrolment are unsatisfactory. Another expert says the registrar was dealing with a difficult decision with political implications either way.

- MEAT PRICES: The Meat and Wool Economic Service says prices for beef and lamb continue to exceed expectations.

- MURDER TRIAL: The Dunedin District Court has heard that a psychiatrist accused of murdering his wife began filling out false prescriptions for the drug he’s alleged to have used to induce hypoglycemia causing his wife’s death, after beginning an affair.

- AIR BAG SAFETY: A senior fire officer says air bags in cars can prove a significant risk for rescue workers if they haven’t opened during a crash.

- JET SKI SAFETY: The Christchurch coroner is calling for review of safety rules for of Jet Skis after investigating the death of a teenage girl in a jet ski accident.

- KYOTO PROTOCOL: European Union environment ministers say they will keep pushing fort the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, with or without the United States.

- INCLEMENT WEATHER: The bad weather hitting the upper North Island has led to a spate of minor car crashes.

- CONTACT TO PAY RATES: The Taupo District Council says it plans to collect rates from Contact Energy on the land it occupies for geothermal power production.

- MT EDEN PRISON: An Auckland community group is making its thoughts known on what happens to the Mt Eden Prison when it closes. Proposals for future use include a tourist attraction, a museum, an opera venue or craft market. Corrections Minister Matt Robson says it no longer meets modern standards, but any decision on its closure won’t be made rashly.

- SINGLE SEX SCHOOLS: Education Minister Trevor Mallard has reassured single sex schools that a change in the Education act won’t force them to take students of the opposite gender.

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