National Radio 8am Bulletin

Falling Dollar – Defence Spending – Crashed Airbus – Doctors’ Strike – Timor – Russian Sub – Neglectful Parents – Chemical Dumps

- FALLING DOLLAR: The National Bank chief economist has said that high national debt and the perception that this country is a bad place to invest are part of the dramatic slide in the New Zealand dollar. Kiwi has hit it’s lowest ever value against the US dollar since it was floated in 1985 – hitting US42.77c overnight, but has since rebounded to US42.95c.

- DEFENCE SPENDING: The Defence Minister has responded to Australian criticism of the Government’s defense spending plan, saying the Australian Government is happy with the over-all package. Almost $750m will go towards the purchase of light armoured vehicles and radio communication for the army

- CRASHED AIRBUS: A Gulf Air airbus has crashed into Bahrain waters. It’s not known if there were any survivors.

- DOCTORS’ STRIKE: The Minister of Health says proposed deal to help junior doctors manage their student loan debt could be extended to other health professionals.

Representatives of the country’s hospitals will meet in Wellington today to discuss the doctors’ strike.

- TIMOR: The UN refugee agency in West Timor says it’s suspending all activities because of attacks by militias.

- RUSSIAN SUB: Russian President says he feels guilty about the Russian Submarine disaster, but would not accept the resignations tendered by senior Russian Navy officers.

- NEGLECTFUL PARENTS: An Auckland couple will be sentenced in October after being found guilty of not supplying the necessities of life for their son, who died of a cancerous tumor on his knee.

- CHEMICAL DUMPS: The Government expects more toxic chemical dumps to be found around the country, after agreeing to purchase four farms in Southland.

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