National Radio Midday Report

Meningococcal Vaccine – GM Report – Power Savings – Johnson Murder - Carpark Examination – Rapist Held – Britomart – Middle East – Indian Outburst – Soccer Tragedy – Fiji Army – School Camp – Testicle Loss

MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE: Work has begun on a vaccine against New Zealand’s meningococcal epidemic. The Ministry of Health has signed a contract between the Ministry of Health and biotechnology company Chiron Corporation.

GM REPORT: The recommendations of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification are to be released by the Prime Minister this afternoon following cabinet.

POWER SAVINGS: Power use figures show New Zealand electricity use was reduced by just over 3 percent yesterday, well short of the 10 percent target the Energy Minister has called for.

JOHNSON MURDER: Police say information gathered at roadblocks in the Taupo region led to two arrests in connection to the Jason Johnson homicide. Mr Johnson’s body was found in a Waikato hydro lake.

CARPARK EXAMINATION: A specialist police search team is conducting a detailed examination of the Geraldine carpark where 65-year-old Desmond Leslie Paine’s body was found.

RAPIST HELD: The Court of Appeal says a serious repeat sex offender is being lawfully detained beyond the usual two thirds release date because of fears he will reoffend.

BRITOMART: Minister for Auckland issues Judith Tizard is threatening to reform or abolish Infrastructure Auckland unless it comes up with extra funding for the Britomart transport interchange.

MIDDLE EAST: Renewed clashes have broken out across the Palestinian Territories after a serious religious confrontation in Jerusalem’s Old City.

INDIAN OUTBURST: The Indian Prime Minister has made his strongest comments on the failure of talks between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, saying the Pakistan leader is inexperienced, clueless and ignorant about diplomacy.

SOCCER TRAGEDY: Police in Ghana have been blamed for the May soccer stadium incident in which 126 fans were killed.

FIJI ARMY: The Fiji Labour Party says rebels in the army will be weeded out if it takes power after the August General election.

SCHOOL CAMP: Public health officials in Auckland are mystified as to how 150 people because ill during a school camp.

TESTICLE LOSS: The All Black doctor says it is too early to say if the injury to a Waikato under 19 player on the field is the prime reason for the loss of one of his testicles.

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