National Radio Midday Bulletin

SUSPENSIONS SOAR: 4,000 school children were suspended from school in the last year, up 500 on the last year. Most suspensions are for boys and most suspensions are for continual disobedience.

VIC STUDENTS: Victoria University students say they are suing the police and the Speaker of the House for violation of human rights after 75 students were arrested at a student protest two years ago.

DOLLAR DROP: The weakening Kiwi dollar is going to push up prices say importers. The dollar is at a six month low against a number of currencies but has dropped 20 per cent against the yen.

PILOTS: The Airlines Pilot Association say pilots will be less stressed and more able to fly if a lockout notice is withdrawn by Ansett.

ANSETT: Ansett passengers have suffered less than in previous days as disruptions are less than expected. All flights were on and took off at the right time.

UN – TIMOR: Senior UN officials say they are very worried about the situation in East Timor. Indonesia today said they were open to the suggestion of a peacekeeping force if one was required after the vote was announced.

BOARDS: Parliament is making progress on producer boards. The Kiwifruit bill has passed its final reading and deregulation changes are now being debated on the Apple and Pear marketing Board.

NATIONAL LOW: The National Party has hit a low of 28 per cent of the party vote in a NBR poll.

BENTLEY: Police have ruled out suggestions that a girl seen walking a dog in Chalmers Ave, Ashburton, was Kirsty Bentley.

PALESTINIANS: The Palestinians are inching towards an agreement to re-start the Wye Peace Accord.

60 YEARS AGO: Today is the 60th anniversary of the start of the Second World War. 11,000 Kiwis lost their lives in the conflict.

DUNEDIN: Dunedin will celebrate the millennium one minute before Gisborne due to some technical explanation on who sees the first light.

RAT: The stowaway rat that frightened passengers on an Air NZ flight has been found dead.

ENDS

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