National Radio Midday Report

Korea Summit - Gisborne Smear - Samoa Trial - Singapore Buyout - Lord Of The Rings - Paparoa Kidnapper – Tariff Cuts - Tarlton Museum - Watson Appeal Lost - Soldiers Pardoned - Soldiers Pardoned - Broadcasting Charges - Sir Drop Welcome - Sir Decision Criticised

KOREA SUMMIT: The big powers China, Japan and the US welcome the first political summit of both North and South Koreas. The US says the summit will help avert a potential nuclear threat in the area.

GISBORNE SMEAR: A woman has told the Gisborne Smear inquiry that she was initially told her cervical smear slide was normal by a Hamilton clinic which confirming Dr Bottrills misdiagnosis.

SINGAPORE BUYOUT: Singapore Airlines has brought a substantial stake in Air New Zealand with a 6.6 per cent share.

SAMOA TRIAL: The judge in the Samoa assassination trial is summing up the evidence of the man who pulled the trigger but who lied in court about what happened.

LORD OF THE RINGS: The New Zealand directed lord of the Rings Trilogy has broken a promotional record – being the most downloaded film promo in history.

PAPAROA KIDNAPPER: The small northland community of Paparoa has been terrorised by a kidnapper picking up hitchhikers.

TARIFF CUTS: The Warehouse retail chain says the Government’s decision to freeze tariff levels at current rates until 2005 will be shouldered by consumers who will end up paying more for goods.

TARLTON MUSEUM: Police investigating the valuables stolen from a Kelly Tarlton museum in Waitangi say they wish to speak to a former worker at the museum.

WATSON APPEAL LOST: At the Scott Watson appeal the crown has rejected assertions that Watson’s judge favoured the defence case.

SOLDIERS PARDONED: A retired high court judge says it was up to the Government alone to decide whether to pardon five WW1 soldiers executed for desertion.

BROADCASTING CHARGES: The Broadcasting Minister Marian Hobbs says the Government plans to review new ways of raising money to replace the Broadcasting Fee which is to be scrapped.

SIR DROP WELCOME: A charities watchdog group has welcomed the decision to drop the titles Sir and Dame saying that it will encourage charities to choose patrons on their achievements alone.

SIR DECISION CRITICISED: New Zealand First has added its voice to criticism of the Government’s decision to scrap Knights and Dames saying it used parliamentary procedure to prevent debate on what should be a major constitutional decision.

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