Scoop Headlines

Fighting Back - The focus of the lamb tariff story (see below) moves to taking action against the US. Australian PM John Howard is in Washington today and everyone else is talking about taking a case to the WTO. The US Ambassador to NZ is confident that the US will be able to successfully defend its actions.

Tariffs Imposed - President Clinton has imposed a nine per cent tariff on Lamb imports into the USA. See the business wire for the statement from the White House. Imports above the quota will get a hefty 40% tariff and the US Lamb industry is to receive $US 100 million in assistance.There is further coverage of "The Politics Of Trade" in the headlines wire.

Lamb Reaction - In the business wire, farmers say they are outraged by the US decision to impose tariffs on lamb imports. In the Parliament wire, the Prime Minister says the tariff are unacceptable, while ACT says the lamb decision is a blow to US free trade credibility. In the headlines wire there is a report on the possibility of an appeal to the WTO. The Greens saythe tariffs expose APEC as a farce. The Alliance says the US tariff decision shows the myth of free trade. Labour's Jim Sutton says the decision is a vicious blow. and there is much more reaction throughout the Scoop's wires.

Getting In Early - As the National faithful start arriving in Wellington for their annual conference, Michael Cullen gets stuck in earlier and says the National Conference will be Nero-esque. The Prime Minister will give her speech tomorrow and the Treasurer Bill English will give his 'taxation' speech on Sunday. Party President John Slater says while issues such as tax will be addressed, there may not be exact detail provided as there is no point in firing all National's shots so early in an election year. The Scoop previewed the conference last weekend. See Campaign Time For National in the headlines wire. This story included speculation on an election date, The Scoop was there first again.

WTO - Envoys to the World Trade Organisation say the dispute over the appointment of a new Director Director could be resolved next week with Mike Moore and Panitchpakdi Supachai seeing the two serve consecutive terms, possibly of three years each.

ACC Review - Regulations that only came into force on July 1 are under attack from members of the Regulation Review Select Committee who say they are a breach of natural justice.

Govt Changes Rules - The Government has agreed to changes for older drivers' licences says Maurice Williamson in the Parliament wire.

Meteor Registers - The sonic boom from the meteor that exploded over the North Island yesterday was picked up by a seismograph at Ruapehu. See the science wire for a report.

The Politics Of Health - ACT says the Health Funding Authority must give certainty for patients , while Winston Peters accuses the HFA of creating a A Bureaucrat's Paradise, A Professional's Hell!

Stick That In Your Pipe - The Government has given retailers 12 months to phase out stocks of cannabis pipes and bongs.However, the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party says that the Bong ban is NOT Harm Minimisation. See the politics wire.

HIV Guidelines - Following publicity, the Government has issued new guidelines on HIV/AIDS for schools. See the Parliament wire.

Fishy Story John Luxton says research adds value to the seafood industry. See the Parliament wire.

NZ, The UN And The Solomon Islands The United Nations has begun dealing with the unrest on the Solomon Islands and they say New Zealand has an important role to play. SeeUN On Solomon Islands Initiative in the general wire.

The Latest Bank On The Block In the business wire. A New bank registration is recorded with Rabo Wrightson Finance Limited setting up shop.

New Boss, In the general wire, Plunket announced the appointment of a new CEO.

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