National Radio Midday Bulletin

EATING AND POVERTY: New research out today shows poverty is one of the reasons why people do not eat enough and eat the wrong kinds of food. It also shows a big rise in obesity and weight gain among New Zealanders. Low calcium levels in women are causing concer.

PETROL: Caltex is increasing prices for diesel and petrol by two cents per litre at midnight tonight – the fourth rise in two months.

HEALTH: A Health Select Committee has attacked Pharmac for deciding not to fund a drug which makes MS more bearable. Currently about a dozen people pay up to $22,000 for the drug per annum. Brian Neeson, the chair of the Select Committee, said he was “bloody shocked” and “disgusted” at the decision.

ERMA: An application to farm up to 30 transgenic cows is currently under way at ERMA in Wellington. The application by AgResearch wants to place human genes in cows to alter the qualities of the milk. Twenty five protestors picketed outside the hearing.

TURKISH QUAKE: Turkish authorities have given up finding more survivors as the death toll reaches 18,000. It is expected to double and disease outbreaks are the biggest concern. A major cleanup is now under way and rain has made life in the open difficult.

LEADERS: National and Labour leaders have shared a platform to address the Employers Federation Annual Conference. Both Jenny Shipley and Helen Clark have said their policies are best for business. ACT Leader Richard Prebble has also addressed the conference and others will follow.

WATSON: The jury has heard taped telephone conversations between Watson and his ex-girlfriend. In the conversations the woman repeatedly said she had a number of questions she wanted him to answer about the disappearances. Watson denied killing the pair in the conversations.

DIGITAL RADIO: A digital radio system for police at APEC cannot be finished on schedule. The system costs $10 million.

RATES: The Reserve Bank is getting in early to predict a mid-November rise in interest rates so as not to be seen as interfering in elections.

WANGANUI PRISON: Staff at Wanganui Prison have been criticised in a Corrections report for not preventing staff from escaping and committing burglaries.

BOATS: The skippers of 30 fishing boats have marched on Parliament to protest over Crown Enforcement Costs.

AUCKLAND: Auckland City Council is seeking sponsors to build a $150 million indoor stadium.

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