Apple Wars – Whaling Bribery – Pathologist Shortage – Israel – Tobacco Tax – Cannabis – Maori Made – Family Court - Bob Charles

APPLE WARS: A provisional report has found that some of ENZA’s foreign exchange losses result from a breach of Apple Growing rules. The report by the Apple and Pear Board found that half of $50 million of liabilities resulted from “diversified” activities of ENZA.

WHALING BRIBERY: The Head of the Japanese Fisheries Agency has denied saying that Japan bought the votes of several Carribean nations against a South Pacific Whale Sanctuary. But the PM told the programme that she believes there will be tough talking at an IWC meeting in London about the use of ODA for vote buying.

PATHOLOGIST SHORTAGE: Medical laboratories say that a litigious environment is leading to a shortage of qualified pathologists.

ISRAEL: Israel says it has boosted its forces in the West Bank as a warning to the Palestinian Authority. Israel says it has no intention to invade the territories.

TOBACCO TAX: Evidence is mounting that higher taxes on tobacco is reducing consumption. Last year’s 20% rise in the cost of tobacco has led to a 16% reduction in smoking.

CANNABIS: The Police Association has opposed marijuana decriminalisation in a submission to Parliament’s Health Select Committee which is holding an inquiry at present. Greg O’Connor says that young people are put off from using cannabis by it being illegal. The Drug Foundation has also opposed decriminalisation.

MAORI MADE: Creative New Zealand is promoting a new “Maori Made” trademark for use on Maori arts and craft when offered for sale to tourists. The new trademark will be presented to Ngai Tahu this weekend.

FAMILY COURT: Twelve lobby groups concerned with men’s and parent’s rights are calling for an inquiry into the operations of the Family Court. They want a commission of inquiry led by an overseas person. The Law Society doesn’t want an inquiry as the law is subject for review anyway.

BOB CHARLES: Golfer Sir Bob Charles is likely to be teeing off in his last British Open today. He won the British Open on the same course in 1963. Now aged 65 his qualification exemption is about to expire.

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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