National Radio Midday Bulletin

DRINKING AGE: Groups opposed to the lowering of the drinking age will petition parliament to reverse the decision when the legislation is debated again next month.

US INSTITUTE FOR PROBLEM GAMBLING: The head of this institution says the lowering of the drinking age will lead to more gambling.

SWISS ACCIDENT: Nineteen people, including one New Zealander, have now been confirmed dead after a flash flood swept tourists away from a canyoning trip.

PARLIAMENT: Speaker of the House Doug Kidd said rules governing allegations between members need to be readdressed.

WYLLIE: NZ First member Tutekawa Wyllie has deflected claims from John Tamihere that he received a big payout before joing parliament.

MINE CLOSURE: Solid Energy said it is closing a mine at Mount Daly because they can no longer mine safely. Five staff members will be transferred to another mine.

GE FOOD: Vegetable growers have called for full labelling of GE Food. One hundred and thirty delegates voted for the move at a crop growing conference.

MURDER: A man accused of murdering his wife last September is now giving evidence in the Auckland High Court. He told of prolonged drug and alcohol abuse and admitted he had killed her, though he could not believe he had.

MAORI ECONOMY: A report detailing Maori input into the economy has been released by Te Puni Kokiri. The report shows the economic status of Maori has improved slightly over the last year.

VIOLENCE: A fifth day of religious violence in Indonesia has left five people dead and over 20 injured.

KOSOVO: Fouteen Kosovo farmers were buried today in the worst atrocity since the Serb withdrawal.

US – NATO: The US denies the NATO head has been forced out of the job over his poor handling of the Kosovo situation. He has however been retired three months early.

SCIENTISTS: Scientists have heralded a new breakthrough, saying they now know how human cells mutate into cancerous cells.

BLUEBERRIES: Blueberries may prevent general aging, a growers conference was told today. They are said to be extremely good for health.

POWER: A new service has been set up to help consumers find the cheapest power deals. The site can be accessed over the phone and internet.

TOURISM: Helen Clark has promised the tourism industry a clearer direction under a Labour government.

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