<BULLETIN>
<TITLE>nova 7 21/03</TITLE>
<STORY>
<Slug>014 BUDGET BALLS</Slug>
<TEXT>It's the Chancellor's biggest day of the year as he prepares to announce what's
in his Budget.

Many of the details have been leaked in advance including plans to cut the 50p
tax rate for high earners.

George Osborne is also expected to raise the income tax threshold to
9-thousand pounds.

But Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls has accused him of being totally out of touch.

[Take AUDIO
NUMBER: 014
OUT WORDS: our country
Duration: 17"]


[Total 00:38]
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<AUDIO="p:\news\IRN\./300045.mp2">
</STORY>
<STORY>
<Slug>gunman 7</Slug>
<TEXT>A suspected gunman wanted for a series of shootings in France is cornered in a house in Toulouse this morning.

It follows a raid in the early hours - in which at least two police officers were shot and injured.
</TEXT>
</STORY>
<STORY>
<Slug>HINKLEY 1</Slug>
<TEXT>EDF Energy has made a cash offer to Sedgemoor Council in an attempt to end a row over the cost of scrutinising their plans for a new nuclear reactor at Hinkley Point.

The 272-thousand pound sum falls short of the two-point-tow million EDF was originally asked to pay.

But the Council's expected to accept the money, and approve plans to pay a further quarter of a million themselves - to examine the controversial application.
</TEXT>
</STORY>
<STORY>
<Slug>muamba 7</Slug>
<TEXT>Friends of Fabrice Muamba say the footballer has been laughing and joking with visitors to his hospital bed.

The Bolton midfielder is still in intensive care after collapsing during a game against Tottenham at the weekend.
</TEXT>
</STORY>
<STORY>
<Slug>LEGACY 1</Slug>
<TEXT>A 120 year old North Somerset cricket club is to get a funding boost through the Olympic legacy programme.

Blagdon Cricket Club's getting 42-thousand pounds from Sport England to completely renovate the uneven wicket - at the village's only sports facility.

It's part of nearly a quarter of a million pounds going to playing fields in the south west.
</TEXT>
</STORY>
<STORY>
<Slug>BULLETIN ENDS</Slug>
<TEXT>Nova news - now you're up to date
</TEXT>
</STORY>
</BULLETIN>
