National Radio Midday Bulletin

SHIPLEY ON WINZ: The PM said she will not justify spending on an aircraft charter for a WINZ conference to Taupo. She said she did not expect public servants to be authorising the kind of money involved.

SUMMIT: Bill Clinton and the Chinese leader will hold a bilateral summit in Auckland this September - the first since the May bombing of the Chinese Embassy in the Balkans.

CHINESE EMBASSY: 20 protestors are protesting outside the Chinese Embassy over their government’s handling of the Falungong cult. Members have been rounded up as they are seen as a threat to the government.

TRADE DEFICIT: Statistics New Zealand is predicting another trade deficit to the end of June of about $190 million. Trade deficits at this time of the year are rare – this is the first in 13 years.

INQUIRY: The police association is disappointed at $30,000 in damages paid to a man who was injured in police custody, saying his injuries, including a broken jaw, were not deliberate.

SNOW: Dunedin’s first significant snow fall in three years has disrupted the city and covered some roads. A heavy frost is expected tonight.

SKI: North Island ski fields are still desperate for snow after three poor years.

ISRAEL SECURITY: Security services have evicted five caravans of Jews from the West Bank. Prime Minister Barak has promised no more settlements in the area

MASSACRE – Five Kosovo farmers were massacred at the weekend as they harvested wheat. UN Officials are speculating on possible motives. Local Serbs say they will not be scared out of the area.

EDUCATION POLICY – Labour has just unveiled its $360 million education policy. It focuses on teacher training and encouraging Pacific Island and Maori teachers and closing the gaps between rich and poor schools. Labour say they would look at scrapping bulk funding of salaries and will also look at scrapping the ERO.

TRANSPORT: Heavy vehicle operators damage roads more than other vehicles, despite making up only seven per cent of all traffic, according to the Ministry of Transport.

CRICKET WIN – The Kiwis have won the second test against England at Lords by nine wickets.

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