National Radio Midday Report

More Teachers – Power Prices – Road Toll – Digital TV – Wanaka Developments – Pokie Control – Missile Shield – Missile Attack – Air NZ – Non-reclining Seats – Energy Drink Labelling – Weather Station Thefts

MORE TEACHERS: Minister of Education Trevor Mallard has announced a school staffing increase. The Government is to fund an extra 350 teachers between primary and secondary schools from the beginning of next year at a cost of $27 million.

POWER PRICES: Wholesale power prices are rising again despite a five percent cut in the country’s use yesterday.

ROAD TOLL: Last month’s road toll was the lowest for July since records began in 1965.

DIGITAL TV: Telecommunications company Telstra Saturn says it is negotiating with other parties in the pay TV area after pulling the plug on a deal with TVNZ. It had been negotiating with TVNZ to launch a joint digital TV service next year.

WANAKA DEVELOPMENTS: Developers have announced plans for two big developments in Wanaka, estimated to have a retail value of $94m dollars.

POKIE CONTROL: The Hamilton City Council has made its first move to control pokie machines. The Council has set up a working party to consider ways to control and manage the gambling machines.

MISSILE SHIELD: The United States Military still will not say how long it will be before it reaches the limits of what is allowed under the 1972 anti-ballistic missiles treaty, as it goes ahead with its national missile defence system. The US has to give 6 months notice if it plans to withdraw from the treaty.

MISSILE ATTACK: Thousands of Palestinians have been protesting on the West Bank after a fatal Israeli missile attack on Hamas offices. The US and Britain called the attack excessive and provocative.

AIR NZ: The NZ & Australian governments have agreed to give greater consideration to the Qantas bid to carve up Air NZ.

NON-RECLINING SEATS: The Consumers Institute says Air NZ is being stingy for not giving an instant discount to passengers that have to use non reclining seats on their new 767s. Air NZ is presently offering passenger using the non-reclining seats $200 off their next flight, as long as it’s within the next year.

ENERGY DRINK LABELLING: The Medical Association is supporting a decision by ANZFA to put warning labels on energy drinks advising caffeine sensitive people, pregnant women and children not drink them.

WEATHER STATION THEFTS: The Met Service has been forced to close automatic weather station at Cape Reinga because thieves have repeatedly stolen the solar panels and batteries that power it.

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