Scoop Headlines

Tariffs - The long awaited decision from the US on lamb imports tariffs is due to be announced by President Clinton, within the next few hours. Several White House sources have warned New Zealand and Australia to 'stand by'. Rumours are that the President will impose a 9 per cent tariff declining over three years.

Skate Resigns - Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Bill Skate has resigned, two days after signing a deal to recognise Taiwan in exchange for US$2.35bn in loans. Mr Skate denied any link between the resignation and the loans from Taiwan, which have caused a regional diplomatic storm. Mr Skate was due to face a no-confidence vote next Tuesday in parliament.

Life Sentences - Keith Rankin looks at Child Support and Life Sentences in his Thursday column.

Job Survey - The ANZ survey of advertised jobs around the country shows that has been a 0.8 of a per cent rise in jobs advertised during June, almost 20 per cent higher than in June 1998. However, the ANZ says the strong rebound late last year and early this year appears to be over, with only slight growth in the past few months. The ANZ says this, coupled with other indicators of the economy such as weaker retail sales results and lower business and consumer confidence, suggests the economic recovery is slowing.

Must Be The Millennium - Lights in the sky, explosions over the horizon, meteorites crashing to earth… Emergency services and the media have been flooded with calls after reports as far afield as South Canterbury to Auckland told of an impressive display by a meteorite. The object has been reported as tracked by air traffic control and video footage has been shown on television of explosions in the sky. According to some interpretations of Nostradamus, the world should have ended earlier in the week.

Referendum Gets Green Light - Norm Withers second attempt to get a referendum on the justice system has been given the go-ahead. See Referenda Galorein the headlines wire. Mr Wither says in the general wirethat victims now have a real opportunity to be put back at the center of the justice system . There is further comment in the Parliament wire.

Super Debate - In the Parliament wire, Jim Anderton outlines the Alliance's plan for superannuation. ACT says it is double back-flip and the Alliance responds by saying, "What ACT knows about super could fit on a stamp".

Fletcher On Charges - In the Auckland wire, the Mayor of Auckland, Christine Fletcher asksAre Metrowater's Charges Fair?

Nats On Tour - Eric Roy and John Carter report on their rural tour and say rural people appreciate the progress made. See the Parliament wire.

Kohanga Reo - Labour asks in the Parliament wire, Are kohanga reo getting a fair deal?

The Central Question - The vexed question for National of whether to stand a candidate in Wellington Central is being raised again. National List MP, Annabel Young has announced she is seeking the Wellington Central List nomination and this issue of electorate seats may be raised at an upcoming selection meeting.

Spook Busting - In the Auckland wire, Scoop takes a look at how a trilogy of books exposing top-secret information crucial to the security of the United Kingdom is being planned by a Kiwi publisher.

HFA Audit - ACT says the audit report on the Health Funding Authority shows that taxpayers are footing the bill for more sloppy spending. See the Parliament wire.

East Timor - As New Zealand diplomats prepare a report on the situation in East Timor, the United Nations expresses extreme concern at the escalating violence.

Organic Food Guidelines - The highest international body on food standards, comprising members of the United Nations health and agricultural agencies, has approved wide-ranging guidelines for organic foods. See the business wire.

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