Top Of The Morning News Digest

Monday, 20 July 2015, 9:34 am
Press Release: NewsRoom_Plus

Top Of The Morning News Digest

* NewsRoom_Digest from 17 July 2015 available at Eveningreport.nz - see http://info.scoop.co.nz/EveningReport.nz

* RNZ 7am - Top 5 items for 20 July 2015

1. New Zealanders are more concerned about the economic outlook in New Zealand than at any time since just after the Christchurch earthquakes. The latest One News Colmar Brunton poll taken in May shows those who are optimistic about the future dropped nine points to 36 percent, while the number of those who are pessimistic rose 10 points to 41 percent. That compares with 54 percent optimism and 22 percent pessimism at the same time last year.

2. A union representing prison officers says it has seen a report that shows government officials have been aware of a fight club at Auckland's Mt Eden Prison for at least a year. Smartphone footage of inmates fighting was leaked last week.

3. A major surfing competition in South Africa has been suspended after a shark attack involving a top Australian surfer Mick Fanning. TV footage shows the shark, believed to be a Great White, knocking the surfer of his board. After punching the shark with his fists, the shark apparently swam away and the uninjured surfer was helped to shore by officials.

4. Australia and New Zealand have agreed to share more information about deported offenders. Four years ago a man deported from Australia after a being in prison for killing a teenager went on to murder a Christchurch schoolgirl back in New Zealand.

5. The Labour Party says people of all ethnicities should be able to call 111 for help and be understood. It’s been revealed that when the partner of murdered Auckland woman Cissy Chen made an emergency call to report her missing, the police operator couldn’t understand him. Police say there are no dedicated translators to deal with emergency calls.

ENDS

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