Weaver's News Spin
June 1998
A review of events and their interpretation.
Monday, 15 June
The European Union says its members may retaliate against Canada in trade matters if Ottawa doesn't withdraw legislation used to fight the turbot war with Spain. The 1995 skirmish climaxed when a Spanish trawler was escorted into St John's harbour following charges of illegal fishing. While the EU claims unanimous support from their member governments, the populaces of Ireland, the UK and France tend to oppose the Spanish fishing fleet's use of walls of death.
United Nations experts say it will take more than just a good crop to end the famine in North Korea. The inspectors believe two years of drought could have a permanent impact on the country's food supply. Doctors say people who went hungry are now suffering chronic health problems.
The Chicago Bulls wrap up their sixth NBA championship in eight years by beating the Utah Jazz 87-86. They win the best of seven series 4-2.
The World Cup results: England 2-0 Tunisia; Romania 1-0 Colombia; Germany 2-0 USA.
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Sunday, 14 June
Calls to wind up the Woodward fund by one of the organisers. Jean Wood, a neighbour of Louise Woodward, says that her family have become obsessed with money. Woodward was convicted in a prank last October in Massechussets of the manslaughter of a child; her case is currently under appeal.
Today's results from the World Cup: Argentina 1-0 Japan; Yugoslavia 1-0 Iran; Croatia 3-1 Jamaica
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Saturday, 13 June
The Lubicon Indian band in Northern Alberta calls off its boycott of forestry giant, Daishowa. The action began seven years ago as a protest against Daishowa's plan to log territory at the centre of a disputed land claim. Daishowa now shelves that plan so the Cree band ends its boycott.
Some of the darkest secrets of apartheid-era science research are revealed to South Africa's Truth Commission. Poison chocolates, germ-warfare agents capable of singling out blacks and a plot to slip Nelson Mandela a brain-damaging drug were some of the extreme steps South Africa's former white rulers were willing to take to stay in power during more than four decades of white rule. Archbishop Desmond Tutu said this week's testimony was the most shocking he's heard as chairman of the commission.
First upset in le Mondial, as Nigeria beat Spain 3-2 thanks to an own goal by Spanish goalie (and great Scrabble hand Zubinzaretta. The Netherlands and Belgium fight out a 0-0 draw, while Mexico beat South Korea 3-1.
Detroit takes a 3-0 lead in the Stanley Cup finals, beating the Washington side 2-1.
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Friday, 12 June
A successor to the TAGS programme is set to be announced next week. TAGS, a scheme to stabilise the Atlantic Canadian provinces following the collapse of the fish stocks in 1992, comes to its planned conclusion this summer.
Nigerian oposition parties demonstrate across the country, calling for democratic reforms following the death of Sani Abacha earlier in the week.
Day Three of the World Cup. Paraguay and Bulgaria fight out a 0-0 draw, Denmark beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 and France take out South Africa 3-0.
At the Queen's club, Pete Sampras loses in the last 16. British Number One Greg Rusedski suffers a sprained ankle, and is doubtful for Wimbledon in ten days' time. Compatriot Tim Henman surrendered a 6-4 5-4 lead to lose to Laurence Tielmann of Germany, the world #236.
Utah extend the NBA finals to a sixth game, by beating Chicago 83-81. They still trail the best-of-seven series 3-2.
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Thursday, 11 June
NATO decides that it is prepared to bomb Serbia if the government there doesn't stop its part in the violence in the province of Kosovo. US Defence Secretary William Cohen said before the meeting that there's a heightened sense of urgency surrounding the situation.
Chicago move another step nearer their sixth NBA championship, but it was a lot closer than the last match. The Bulls beat the Utah Jazz 86-82 to take a 3-1 lead.
Day 2 of le Mondial sees Chile hold Italy to a 2-2 draw, and Cameroon come close to snatching a win over Austria, but it ends 1-1.
Stanley Cup Finals: Detriot take Washington 5-4 in overtime. |
The death of Catherine Cookson, 91. Cookson was a prolific author of books, mostly set in her native North East at the turn of the century. Her 100th book will be published in 18 months time.
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Wednesday, 10 June
Honda looks set to build a large new plant in Swindon. The Thames Valley location has been chosen over places in Eastern Europe.
The death of Sir David English, 67, the man who relaunched the Daily Mail as a mid-market, right-wing tabloid oriented towards women. The Cabinet Office confirms he would have been made a life peer in the Queen's Birthday Honours next Saturday.
The World Cup kicks off. Defending champions Brazil scrape a 2-1 victory over unfancied Scotland, while Norway and Morocco tie 2-2.
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Tuesday, 9 June
The European Union recommends lifting the ban on the export of British beef. The imposition, in force since March 1996, has now outlived its purpose of protecting the national markets of the other European nations.
Semi finals of the one day cup. Leicestershire beat Surrey by 20 runs; for Leicestershire: Darren Maddy 120*, Ben Smith 89 in 311/4; Surry Adam Hollioake 89, Chris Lewis 4/40 in 291/8
Essex beat Yorkshire by 95 runs. For Essex Nasser Hussein 78 Sidebottom 2/42 in 258/7; for Yorkshire Lehmann 40, Grayson 3/32, Ilott 2/22 in 163 all out.
First game of the Stanley Cup Finals sees Detroit beat Washington 2-1.
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Monday, 8 June
Drift nets will be outlawed in European fisheries from December 2001. The decision, reached at an EU fishing council, will end the use of 3 km long nets cited as the main reason for the reduction of fish stocks.
Sani Abacha, the Nigerian dictator, dies of a heart attack, aged 54. Abacha stole power in 1993, and annulled elections the following year won by Chief Abiola.
Chicago Bulls take game 3 of the NBA finals, sneaking past the Utah Jazz 96-54. The Jazz' total is the lowest in the history of the play-offs, and the worst point score in any NBA match since the invention of the shot clock.
The first test match ends in a draw following incessant drizzle at Edgbaston.
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Sunday, 7 June
Tony Blair talks with Clintern and Yeltsgin in an effort to stop Kosovo's split from Serbia. This would, apparently, cause a conflict that would make the four year war in Bosnia look like a Sunday school picnic.
Carlos Moya wins the French open Men's title, beating Alex Corretja 6-3 7-5 6-3.
Michael Schumacher wins an accident-strewn Canadian grand prix after Alex Wurz cartwheeled four times following a first-corner accident. He went on to make 4th place after the race was restarted. Giancarlo Fisichella finishes second, with Eddie Irvine third. The Stewarts of Rubens Barrichello and Jan Magnussen finish fifth and sixth - both pick up points.
The first test heads to a draw. England bowl out South Africa for 343 - Jonty Rhodes makes 95. With a lead of 119, England make a good start, heading to 148/4 before a late slump reduces them to 170/8. Atherton and Thorpe are joint top scorers with 43.
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Saturday, 6 June
Ethiopia suspends raids on Eritrea. The suspension, until dawn Sunday, is intended to allow foreign nationals to be evacuated from the capital Asmara. The ceasefire comes after the airport sustained minor damage.
Outsider High Rise at 20-1 claims the Derby at Epsom.
Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario wins a thrilling, roller-coaster, French Open final over Monica Seles 7-6 0-6 6-2.
Honours somewhat even in the first test. With England's lead bowler Darren Gough out of the rest of the match after sustaining a finger injury last night, Dominic Cork heads the English attack. He takes four wickets, but South Africa recover from 38/2 with 61 from Kallis and 78 from Cullinan to reach 204/5 by the close, still 59 away from avoiding the follow-on.
Chicago squares the NBA finals at 1-1 after beating the Utah Jazz 96-92.
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Friday, 5 June
Ethiopia bombs Eritreian settlements. The raids, linked to a history of strife between the two countries, kill dozens of citizens. British people in the country are advised to leave.
Volkswagen is to take over the Rolls-Royce car company. The arrangement, agreed at a special shareholders meeting, beat a challenge from another German car maker, BMW.
Another good day for England in the first test. Mike Atherton falls for 103, Stewart and Ramprakash both make 49 and Dominic Cork hits a sprightly 36 as England are 462 all out. Allan Donald is the pick of the bowlers, returning 4/95.
The men's final in the French Open will be an all-Spanish affair. Alex Corretja beats Cedric Pioline 6-3, 6-4, 6-2; Carlos Moya ousted compatriot Felix Mantilla 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.
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Thursday, 4 June
A strike by Air France pilots is in its fourth day after a second round of talks ends without an agreement. Six days before the World Cup finals begin, a Metro workers' union stages a partial strike, rail workers strike on the Riviera region, the Communist CGT union organizes protest marches in Paris, and baggage handlers at airports in Paris stage a second day of walkouts.
Strikes too at the BBC, where radio and tv programmes are disrupted by journalists walking out. Speech station Radio 4 joins with classical Radio 3 for "Sing The News", a programme of contemporary events to an old-fashioned sound, and BBC Breakfast News was replaced by the Corporation's continuous comedy channel, BBC News 24. Viewers and listeners expressed their pleasure at the improvements, and look forward to the next strike on Tuesday.
England all the way at the start of the First Test against South Africa. Former captain Mike Atherton gets his first test century in over a year, compiling 103* by stumps. The only wicket to fall is that of Mark Butcher for 77, with debutant captain Alex Stewart 28* by close. England 249/1.
Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario and Monica Seles will meet in the French Open final. Vicario beat Lindsay Dvenport 6-3, 7-6; while Seles advanced past top seed Martina Hingis 6-3, 6-2.
The Utah Jazz defeats the Chicago Bulls 88-85 in the opening game of the NBA finale, going to overtime.
The Washington Capitals will make their bow in the Stanley Cup Finals, after beating the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 in the Eastern Conference final.
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Wednesday, 3 June
A train crash near Eschede in northern Germany kills over 100 people. It's believed that a car crashed off a bridge onto the train tracks; the 200 kph train hit the car and hit the bridge support, causing the bridge to come down onto the carriages.
Accounting errors are blamed by the government following news that the Douneray nuclear reprocessing plant lost 170kg of radioactive uranium between 1966 and 1969. Protesters think that's a load of rubbish, but seeing as how the stuff is radioactive, and decays, it should lose weight anyhow.
Cedric Pioline flies the French flag in the Paris Open; he beats Moroccan Hitchem Arazi in five sets. He's joined in the last four by Alex Corretja, who beat Filip DeWulf of Belgium in straight sets.
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Tuesday, 2 June
President Clinton's legal team drops its appeal on executive privilege. This decision opens the way for White House deputy counsel Bruce Lindsey to speak to Ken Starr's inquiry about the President's bedside manner.
Louise Woodward dismisses one of her lawyers. Woodward, somehow convicted of manslaughter in the accidental death of a child last year, fires Elaine Whitfield Sharp after an arrest last week for drunk driving in which Sharpe told a police officer she believes Woodward to be guilty. Sharp denies making any such statement.
Quarter finals at the French Open. Men's favourite Marcello Rios loses in four sets to #12 seed Carlos Moya; Moya is now the highest seed left in the competition. Felix Mantilla, the #15 seed, ousted the former champion Thomas Muster, also in four sets.
In the women's singles, Martina Hingis put out Venus Williams in straight sets. Monica Seles, the sixth seed, overcame third-ranked Jana Novotna in three sets, while defending champion Iva Majoli lost in three to Lindsay Davenport. Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario defeated Patty Schneider of Switzerland in three sets.
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Monday, 1 June
Former South African president PW Botha stands in court accused of ignoring subpoenas from the Truth And Reconciliation Commission. Botha has called the commission, headed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a circus, and accuses the chair of trying to humiliate him.
President Clintern appears unwilling to testify before Ken Starr in the Monica Lewdwinsky investigation.
Chicago's Bulls are back in the NBA finals, but they took seven games to oust the Indiana Pacers. They'll meet the Utah Jazz, who swept their four game series against some side we've totally forgotten about sometime in February.
Bart Simpson heads the list of influential entertainers of the century, according to Time magazine. It also lists TS Elliot, Oprah Winfrey, James Joyce and Jim Henson amongst the field.
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This page updated Jun 15, 1998