National Radio Midday Report

Florida Recount – Middle East Conflict – High Petrol Prices – GM Commission – Health Staff – Morgan Fahey – Simpson Murder – King Murder Trial – Tainui Settlement – Violent Games – Web Ruling

- FLORIDA RECOUNT: The Florida Supreme Court has reserved its decision on whether hand counts should be included in the final result for the state of Florida, which will decide who becomes the next President of the United States. The court heard oral arguments from Democrat and Republican lawyers today.

- MIDLE EAST CONFLICT: The United States has condemned the bombing of a Jewish settlers’ school bus in Israel, killing at least two teachers and injuring others, and says it is also concerned about Israel’s excessive response. One person was killed and more than 100 were injured in missile attacks by Israeli helicopter gunships launched after the bus bombing, the biggest military action in the recent conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barac says Yasser Arafat’s Fatta movement is responsible for the bus bombing, not the Islamic militant groups who have claimed responsibility.

- HIGH PETROL PRICES: The Automobile Association says motorists should be prepared for high petrol prices throughout Christmas and into the New Year.

- GM COMMISSION: The Meat Industry says a New Zealand ban on importing genetically engineered products could be a breach of international trade law. It was presenting its submission to the Royal Commission into Genetic Modification.

- HEALTH STAFF: Another Auckland health authority, Waitemata Health, says it is having to recruit staff from overseas to cope with a workforce problem that needs to be addressed now.

- MORGAN FAHEY: A Former chair of the Medical Council, Dr Robin Bryant, says the Morgan Fahey case is a wake up call for the medical profession.

- SIMPSON MURDER: Chris Simpson, a doctor charged with the murder of his 82-year-old terminally ill mother, Florence Marjorie Simpson, is being remanded in custody for a fortnight for a psychological assessment.

- KING MURDER TRIAL: The defence for the man on trial for killing Terry King says Mr King was killed because he was threatening a multi-million dollar international drug running business, which was about to be extended from South Africa to New Zealand. The defence lawyer for male model William Haanstra, who is accused of shooting Mr King in the Tararua Ranges last year, said Mr King owed money, had a big mouth and revealed sources. Defence said there was no motive for Mr Haanstra to kill Mr King.

- TAINUI SETTLEMENT: Treaty Settlements Minister Margaret Wilson says the Crown has fulfilled its obligation to the Waikato Tainui tribe over the payout of a $13 million settlement to the tribe.

- VIOLENT GAMES: There is concern about the risk to children with a new wave of home games, like Playstation 2, that can play violent games with superior realism.

- WEB RULING: In a landmark ruling with potential to affect Web users world-wide, a French court has ordered American website Yahoo to stop French people accessing sites selling Nazi memorabilia.

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