The main suspect in the Madeleine McCann case has been cleared of separate rape charges.  

47-year-old Christian Brückner was acquitted of five offences of sexual abuse in Portugal between 2000 and 2017.  

German investigators identified Brückner in 2020 as a suspect in the disappearance of McCann from Portugal in 2007.  

But UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge the judge found the witnesses weren't reliable enough to convict him of the rape charge. 

He said there’s crossover in some of the witnesses in the sexual abuse case and the McCann case, which means that they’re likely to be seen as unreliable in both cases. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The main suspect in the Madeleine McCann case has been cleared of separate rape charges. &nbsp;
47-year-old Christian Brückner was acquitted of five offences of sexual abuse in Portugal between 2000 and 2017. &nbsp;
German investigators identified Brückner in 2020 as a suspect in the disappearance of McCann from Portugal in 2007. &nbsp;
But UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Ryan Bridge the judge found the witnesses weren't reliable enough to convict him of the rape charge.&nbsp;
He said there’s crossover in some of the witnesses in the sexual abuse case and the McCann case, which means that they’re likely to be seen as unreliable in both cases.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Gavin Grey: UK Correspondent on Christian Brückner being cleared of rape charges, his connection to the Madeleine McCann case

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c105bc40-7052-45ee-95d8-b2030168c62a/transcript

More interest rate cuts are on the horizon. 

The Reserve Bank expected to cut the Official Cash Rate again this afternoon. 

ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner is tipping a 50 basis point cut to 4.75%,.  

She says it's what the market and most economists are predicting, and it’s become the default. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

More interest rate cuts are on the horizon.&nbsp;
The Reserve Bank expected to cut the Official Cash Rate again this afternoon.&nbsp;
ANZ Chief Economist Sharon Zollner is tipping a 50 basis point cut to 4.75%,. &nbsp;
She says it's what the market and most economists are predicting, and it’s become the default.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Sharon Zollner: ANZ Chief Economist on the predicted cut to the Official Cash Rate

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/6fb22a82-12a0-4739-b6fd-b203015a7b0a/transcript

The marine life around Samoa is likely in danger in the wake of Manawanui sinking. 

The $100 million naval ship struck a reef off the south coast of Upolu on Saturday, before sinking Sunday morning.  

About 950 tonnes of oil is onboard.  

Diesel leaked out of the vessel when it capsized and has coated the surface of the water.  

Waikato University ecology expert Nick Ling told Ryan Bridge much of the material released would have evaporated, leaving behind these heavier components we can see.  

He says marine animals interacting with the surface —like turtles coming to the surface to breathe— will have to interact with it. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The marine life around Samoa is likely in danger in the wake of Manawanui sinking.&nbsp;
The $100 million naval ship struck a reef off the south coast of Upolu on Saturday, before sinking Sunday morning. &nbsp;
About 950 tonnes of oil is onboard. &nbsp;
Diesel leaked out of the vessel when it capsized and has coated the surface of the water. &nbsp;
Waikato University ecology expert Nick Ling told Ryan Bridge much of the material released would have evaporated, leaving behind these heavier components we can see. &nbsp;
He says marine animals interacting with the surface —like turtles coming to the surface to breathe— will have to interact with it.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Nick Ling: Waikato University Ecology Expert on the danger to marine life after the Manawanui sunk by Samoa

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/786453c8-eff9-49ea-96fd-b2030158ec02/transcript

Health New Zealand's pointed to nursing recruitment to explain its ballooning deficit, but health experts aren't buying it.  

Newly released documents show the agency went from expecting a half a billion dollar surplus to a $1.4 billion deficit in April.  

That's now expected to blow out to $1.76 billion.  

Patient Voice Aotearoa chair Malcolm Mulholland told Ryan Bridge there's no way we have too many nurses in New Zealand.  

He says everywhere he goes in the community, people are saying we need more nurses and doctors.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Health New Zealand's pointed to nursing recruitment to explain its ballooning deficit, but health experts aren't buying it. &nbsp;
Newly released documents show the agency went from expecting a half a billion dollar surplus to a $1.4 billion deficit in April. &nbsp;
That's now expected to blow out to $1.76 billion. &nbsp;
Patient Voice Aotearoa chair Malcolm Mulholland told Ryan Bridge there's no way we have too many nurses in New Zealand. &nbsp;
He says everywhere he goes in the community, people are saying we need more nurses and doctors. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Malcolm Mulholland: Patient Voice Aotearoa chair on Health NZ's billion dollar deficit and

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/85e7359e-f108-4dbb-ab08-b203014a081e/transcript

Gavin Grey: UK Correspondent on Christian Brückner being cleared of rape charges, his connection to the Madeleine McCann case

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