National Radio Midday Bulletin

PETROL PRICES UP: The third oil company, Caltex, has joined Shell and Mobil in increasing their petrol prices by three cents per litre. The last three rises in under a month mean it costs $4.50 more to fill the average car. The rises are not expected to stop here and other companies are expected to follow the increases soon.

WATSON: A forensic scientist says a blanket from Watson’s boat revealed hairs and four blood smears.

COCK PIT RECORDERS: A parliamentary select committee is recommending that recordings of cock pit conversations from aircraft not be available for court cases.

DOCTORS: A group of Kiwi doctors say the government must accept that sanctions against Iraq are not working and is killing children in high numbers.

JUDGE: A High Court judge has allowed a blood sample, routinely taken at birth for medical tests, to be used in a civil case for the first time.

US SHOOTING: The man at the centre of the latest US shooting in a Jewish day care centre has been charged with murder and four counts of attempted murder. He admitted to killing a black postal worker.

HOSTAGES: Intensive efforts are being undertaken to try and free six abducted aid workers in Liberia, including four British citizens.

MUSSEL FARMING: A bid by Maori groups to prevent mussel farming in the Marlborough Farms has been denied.

PHILIPPINE EXPLOSION: An explosion has killed eight people and wounded at least three in a Philippine government building.

ANSETT: Ansett has agreed on a new contract with it’s flight attendents. Ansett pilots will strike next Tuesday.

ALCOHOL: Health officials are being urged to consider controlled drinking to treat alcoholism rather than abstinence in some cases.

TONGUE STUDS: There is disagreement over the dangers of tongue studs in chipping teeth and causing infection. The Dental Association here is concerned however body piercing practitioners say it is ridiculous.

POLICE: Police investigating a triple homicide in Totara Heights are investigating whether there is any gambling problems within the family after reports that the family were strapped for cash and some members visited Auckland Casino.

NURSES: The Union representing Tauranga nurses are meeting over a five per cent pay rise. They have turned down a 2.5 per cent rise.

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