Scoop Headlines

The Crime High Ground - With the select committee report back on the Government's latest 'get tough on crime' move due back in the House this week, the latest salvos are being fired across the political divide. In the Parliament wire, Labour says the Home Invasion bill is a farce , which creates serious anomalies. Justice Minister, Tony Ryall, has released an OIA request on the formation of the policy, which shows the Government was determined to see through legislation that gave the home a special place in law with officials doubtful about the need for any change. Scoop takes at look at the law and the policy in the headlines wire.

Peace Offer In Food Fight - In the Parliament wire, Labour offers the Government a deal on the stand off over a Food Authority.

Pilots Off Air - Air New Zealand says it is coping with the industrial action by 450 of their pilots currently underway. The Airline Pilots Association and Pilots Society left their cockpits at 5am and won't return until early this afternoon.

Muriwhenua Claim - There are hopes that an agreement in the Far North at the weekend will lead to a settlement of the Muriwhenua land claim. The Muriwhenua runanga, which successfully took the claim to the Waitangi Tribunal, has agreed that an alliance of tribal bodies should negotiate the settlement after a two year stand off about who should do the job.

About Murder They Write - The media have descended in droves for the opening of the High Court trial of Scott Watson, who is accused of murdering Blenheim pair Ben Smart and Olivia Hope. Scott Watson, who is 28, has pleaded not guilty. The trial is expected to take three months.

Tax Teasers - ACT says it is concerned that tax cuts are being promoted purely as a way to embarrass the opposition and that they should be advanced on their merits. See RichardPrebble's Letter To PM On Tax Cuts in the Parliament wire.

HIV And Privacy - The case of a boy with HIV and how schools juggle their duties and responsibilities has brought the focus back on a number of emotional issues. In the Parliament wire, and ACT MP says the HIV scare shows the stupidity of the Privacy Act.

Kosovo Confusion In a strange parody of the race for Berlin at the end of World War Two, Russian and Nato troops are consolidating their position in Kosovo. Lieutenant-General Sir Mike Jackson, head of the K-For peacekeeping force, arrived in the regional capital, Pristina, and went straight into talks with Russian troops. A 200-strong Russian contingent has taken control of the airfield on the outskirts of the city, which had been designated as the headquarters of the UK forces. General Jackson told reporters on arrival in Pristina that he welcomed the presence of the Russian troops, who entered Kosovo unexpectedly before the main international force.

NZ Qualify, As Do The Aussies - After New Zealand beat India by five wickets in the Super Six section of the World Cup and qualified for the semi-finals, Australia have also completed their necessary victory over South Africa. Steve Waugh guided Australia to victory with two balls to spare. Pakistan now play NZ in one semi-final, while South Africa and Australia will slug it out again.

East Timor Bound Ten New Zealand police officers left for East Timor yesterday to help monitor the August ballot on autonomy. The officers will join a 280-strong United Nations contingent in place to advise Indonesian police. Meanwhile counting is still underway in the general elections in Indonesia.

Kopu's People - Alamein Kopu's Mana Wahine party has completed its national hui in Rotorua. Party Secretary, Wanda Kiel-Rapana, says more than 100 people attended. Women have been nominated to stand in all six Maori seats and two general seats, Northland and Port Waikato. Only two candidates are confirmed at this stage - Kopu, who will stand in the Waiariki seat, and Kiel-Rapana, who will contest Hauraki.

Waiting Of The Lambs - Federated Farmers hopes the two week overdue decision from the White House is positive. Federated Farmers President Malcolm Bailey is hopeful the delay could work in favour of New Zealand farmers as they have advantage to do some last minute lobbying. Scoop readers will have noted that President Clinton's mind is probably on other matters at present.

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