National Radio Midday Bulletin

VOTE COUNTING: The votes are set to be counted after the East Timor independence referendum. The votes are under lock and key and will be mixed up to prevent regional trends being identified. One UN worker was killed after the ballot closed and over 90 per cent of registered workers are thought to have voted. Kofi Annan described the referendum as a huge success with an extraordinary turnout.

PROCEDURE: The government is expected to announce today whether correct procedure was followed in awarding a $410,000 salary for the head of the Lottery Commission.

DID THE CIA KILL KIRK?: Claims that former PM Norman Kirk may have been killed by the CIA have been rubbished by Jenny Shipley and a close friend of Mr Kirks. The claim was made by Labour Party President Bob Harvey who wants Mrs Shipley to ask Bill Clinton to open the CIA files on Kirk.

KETCH: The possible existence of a mystery ketch has been the focus of the Scott Watson defence today. Witnesses say the ketch was seen at various times including leaving the harbour at 7am New Years Day.

COURTS CLOSED: Auckland District and High Courts will close for one day for APEC as police resources will be taken for APEC duties.

CUSTOMARY RIGHTS: A Northland Iwi say they know nothing about a group of fisherman who claim to have customary rights after being caught fishing in a protected estuary. All are likely to be prosecuted.

WEST AUCKLAND DEATHS: One of two dead men found on an Auckland property was known to police and had a history of mental illness. Police are at the scene.

GEMS SEIZED: Gems worth hundreds of thousands of dollars have been seized as part of an investigation into a pyramid selling scheme.

FLY BUYS: The Consumers Institute are advising consumers to review the benefits of the Fly Buys scheme after an announcement that people would have to spend much more to get the rewards.

VIDEOS: A series of videos have been launched this morning. The videos aim to explain the Treaty of Waitangi and the legal issues that flow from it.

ENROLMENT: 400,000 eligble voters have yet to enrol to vote in this years general election.

ISRAEL AND PALESTINE: No progress has been made between Israel and Palestine in talks about how to implement the Wye Peace Accord.

CANTERBURY: One in seven people in Canterbury have the chance of experiencing a serious earthquake, new research shows. This is because of the big Alpine Fault which runs through the area.

ENDS

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