HEADLINES
Hard News Goes To China
After The F16s – What Next?
Guest Editorial: Do As We Say Not As We Do
Festival City
How We Won The Cup
PMs Meeting, Defence And F16s
Pinochet Returns To Chile
Mozambique: The Slow Flow Of Aid
Restorative Justice On Trial
Code “Chatham” – Nuclear Test Monitoring
Telecomms Conflict Of Interest
Simpler Tax
Interest Rates Tipped To Rise -
Inventions: Believe The Hype
Petrol Production Falls, Prices Rise
Visitor Numbers Up
Radio Spectrum Sale
Advantage Posts Record Profit
Money In Fish Relaxation
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TODAY'S PICTURE: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/0003/f8ebc41a978863e5f7e0.jpeg
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0003/S00008.htm
TOP SCOOPS
Hard News Goes To China
- The latest from Russell Brown is now available as a free-email service from Scoop. Click on the link above the Front
Page photo. Meanwhile here is the latest Hard News…. “GOOD DAY MEDIAPHILES ... one of the perks of my day job is
overseas travel. It's always under pressure of time but it's usually both a useful separation from local matters, and a
brain-feast that takes weeks to unload.” See... HARD NEWS 3/3/00 - Dot-com Riot Report [1] in the Headlines wire.
After The F16s – What Next?
- We have done very well in East Timor and Bougainville, writes context.co.nz’s Phil Doherty. We have won a few brownie
points with our neighbours in getting involved, but let’s not rush into assuming that we should duplicate this effort
elsewhere. In Bougainville we were peace brokers and keepers, in East Timor we are peacemakers and there in lies the
vital difference. See... After East Timor where will we make peace next? [1] in the Headlines wire.
Guest Editorial: Do As We Say Not As We Do
- Helen Clark glides down the steps outside the Beehive and stops, just for a moment. She slowly turns her carefully
airbrushed face towards the cluster of TV cameras gathered to catch her every word, and says in a husky, almost sensual
tone, "Thank you Jenny Craig." See... Guest Editorial: Could "Nike New Zealand" Be Next? [1] in the Headlines wire.
Festival City
- Wellington's biannual International Festival of the Arts kicks off today with expectations it will be the biggest and
most profitable festival yet. See... NZ Festival 2000 Launches Today [1] in the Arts And Culture wire.
How We Won The Cup
- Team New Zealand won its fifth race in this America’s Cup to become the first nation outside the USA to successfully
defend the America’s Cup. Kiwi skipper Russell Coutts, who had won nine races in a row going back to 1995, relinquished
the helm to the Cup rookie, skipper Dean Barker. See... Youthful Dean Barker Wins His First Race [1] . You can take the aggressive, defending America's Cup helmsman off the boat, but you can't take the fight out of
the crew. See... Sweet As! [2] . Team New Zealand's staggering 5-0 defeat of Italy's Luna Rossa must have had divine approval. As the black boat
entered the stadium-like Viaduct Basin to a heroes' welcome, the sun broke through clouds that had darkened Auckland's
skies. See... They're the Champions [3] all in the Auckland wire.
PMs Meeting, Defence And F16s
- Australian Prime Minister John Howard has told Helen Clark New Zealand needs to make the “strongest possible
commitment” to defence. The two met yesterday for a 90 minute meeting to discuss a range of trans-Tasman issues. See... PMs Meet To Discuss Kiwi-Aussie Relations [1] in the Headlines wire. New Zealanders should be very concerned that in her first step on the world stage as Prime Minister, Miss Clark
is being described in Australia as the 'flakiest Prime Minister since David Lange', says Opposition Leader Jenny
Shipley. See... PMs first step on world stage a concern [2] . Also see - Simon Upton, saboteur or realist? Upton's comments on trans-Tasman defence are in his weekly column.
See... Upton Online: Trans-Tasman Defence Relations [3] in the Parliament wire.
Pinochet Returns To Chile
- Britain's decision to free Augusto Pinochet on Thursday sparked celebrations among his allies in Chile and set off a
military operation dubbed ``Operation Return'' to bring the ex-dictator home. See... Scoop Link - Pinochet Flies Home [1] . In the light of recent press reports indicating that groups that have campaigned for Pinochet to stand trial
“;privately admit that they can do little more to prevent his departure” See... Statement On Pinochet Case - Amnesty International [2] in the International wire. Meanwhile at home, Amnesty International has called on the New Zealand Government to ensure that it establishes
clear procedures for meeting its international obligations on human rights. See... Call for NZ action in wake of Pinochet case [3] in the Politics wire. Foreign Minister Phil Goff has voiced his opposition to Pinochet's release. See... Goff Disappointed Pinochet Not Brought To Trial [4] in the Parliament wire.
Mozambique: The Slow Flow Of Aid
-- With a rescue helicopter hovering overhead and floodwaters below, Sophia Pedro gave birth to a baby girl in a
treetop she had sought refuge in four days earlier, one of as many as 1 million people made homeless in this southeast.
See... Thousands Remain Stranded in Mozambique [1] in the International wire.
MORE SCOOPS
Restorative Justice On Trial
- Trials for a new sentencing programme, which puts offenders in face-to-face meetings with their victims, will start
soon says Minister of Corrections Matt Robson. See... Victim Justice - Matt Robson [1] . Also see Mr Robson’s speech... Victim justice: a new partnership [2] both in the Parliament wire.
Code “Chatham” – Nuclear Test Monitoring
- On Monday the Government will open a station on the Chatham Islands designed to monitor nuclear testing in the
region. See... Chatham Island Leads World In Nuclear Disarmament [1] in the Parliament wire.
Telecomms Conflict Of Interest
- A private telecommunications company, Clear, is advertising on the official government website while the new
Government reviews the telecommunications industry says National’s IT spokesman Maurice Williamson. See... Government conflict of interest in telecomms Inq. [1] in the Parliament wire.
Simpler Tax
- Taxpayers will get direct payments of refunds to help simplify the tax system says Revenue Minister Michael Cullen.
See... New simplification to tax system [1] in the Parliament wire.
Interest Rates Tipped To Rise -
Market analysts Deutsche Bank predict a further rise in interest rates this month, with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand
likely to increase the official cash rate. Deutsche Bank says the rates increase will be in response to higher forcast
growth for the economy. See... Monetary Policy Statement Preview - For March 15 [1] in the Business wire.
Inventions: Believe The Hype
- Vaccines to prevent Alzheimers disease and asthma. A new generation in communications technology. Smaller, smarter
electronics. And innovative electronic-based learning techniques. These are just a few of the research projects to
receive funding today from the Government’s New Economy Research Fund... See... New Industries For NZ [1] in the Science wire
Petrol Production Falls, Prices Rise
- Statistics New Zealand figures show that New Zealand production of crude petroleum for the December 1999 quarter was
22.2 per cent lower than in the December 1998 quarter. Prices continued to rise. See... Petrol Production Down, Prices Up - Stats NZ [1] in the Business wire.
Visitor Numbers Up
- International events like the America’s Cup have boosted visitor numbers to this country by 8 per cent – the latest
figures from Statistics New Zealand. See... International Events Boost Visitors - Stats NZ [1] in the Business wire.
Radio Spectrum Sale
- Maori say they are considering legal action after not being consulted on the planned sale of radio frequencies
yesterday. Acting Communications Minister Trevor Mallard and Maori Affairs Minister Dover Samuels, have confirmed that
the part of the 2GHz auction of radio frequency will be reserved for stations committed to Maori programming. See... 2GHZ Auction: Maori Interest - Govt [1] in the Parliament wire.
Advantage Posts Record Profit
- Advantage Group Limited today announced a record profit after tax of $3.67 million, up 256% from a profit of $1.03
million for the corresponding period. See... Advantage Half Year Profits Soar 256% [1] in the Business wire.
Money In Fish Relaxation
- A revolutionary anaesthetic used to relax fish before harvesting could bring a small Lower Hutt company a wealth of
overseas orders. See... Fish Anaesthetic Set For Export Boom [1] in the Science wire.
ENDS