Weaver's News Spin

July 1999

A review of events and their interpretation. 

Northern Ireland (20th) Senator George Mitchell returns to sort the province out. Mitchell, who helped to broker the 1998 peace agreement, will head the review committee to figure out the best way forward. (22nd) Gerry Adams wins this year's Statement of the Patently Obvious prize, with news that the peace process is in trouble. His claim that the Earth is round cannot be verified at press time.

 

Unrest (22nd) Quebec nurses are off the job again, resuming their illegal strike after declining a new contract offer, recommended by their union. The nurses voted overwhelmingly against the deal, 75 per cent of the members voting "no." They return to work two days later (23rd) Britain's Passport Agency loses its Charter Mark. Following a complete collapse of the passport processing system, partly caused by a failed IT system and partly from Government regulations, the Agency is deemed to not be providing an outstanding service to the country. No-one is surprised.

 

Peace, Reconciliation and Normalcy (21st) The Kosovo Liberation Army hands over more of its weapons to NATO in compliance with the peace agreement in Yugoslavia. The KLA handed in its heavy weapons three weeks ago after agreeing with KFOR leaders to demilitarize. Today's deadline means it must hand over 30 per cent of its weapons by midnight, with the remaining arsenal going by the end of September. (28th) After six years of Liberal government, voters in Nova Scotia elect the Conservatives to power under the leadership of a 61-year-old country doctor. The province's new premiere, John Hamm, only has six years of political experience. Sixteen months ago his party placed a distant third in an election that was won by Russel MacLellan's Liberals. This time round the Conservatives won 29 seats, the New Democrats 12 and the Liberals 11.

 

This Is Also News (20th) The French World Cup organisers are fined E$1000 after issuing most of the tickets to French supporters. The EU regards this as a slap on the wrist, supporters' bodies are far less impressed. (21st) A man gets a year in jail for using his mobile phone on a flight. The builder from London was repeatedly asked to turn off the machine while travelling from Madrid to Manchester. The European Commission raids Coca Cola offices in Germany, Austria and Denmark, alleging the soft drink giant has "abused its dominant position" by offering clients discounts and other incentives to tip the competitive playing field. The raids, a sign of institutional EU discrimiation against all things American, follow mass hysteria involving the company's products last month. (23rd) Three asylum seekers defeat the Government over application of asylum laws. The Appeal Court rules that Germany and France, from where the three had entered the UK, were not safe countries as they only protect against actions by the state, not by other armed groups. (27th) Great Western Trains is fined 1.5 million pounds after a train crash in 1997. The train was not fitted with a simple device to warn of passing through a red light.

 

Cricket (22nd; Test 1456) England collapses from 71/1 to 186. Alec Stewart (50) passes 6000 Test runs during his innings; Hussein is last out for 61. New Zealand make a strong start, anchored by Matt Horne's 100 and Twose's 52. But they decline from 232/3 to 248/6 before the tail wags and NZ makes 358. During the second innings, England captain Nasser Hussein breaks a finger and is unable to bat. England make 229, with Read (37) and Caddick (45) combining in a seventh wicket stand of 78 to avoid the innings defeat. New Zealand reach the victory target of 58 for the loss of Horne, winning with a day to spare. New Zealand win by nine wickets, and tie the series at 1-1.

 

Tennis and Other Sports (18th) Paul Lawrie wins the British Open at Carnoustie, beating Justin Leonard and longtime French leader Jean van der Velde after a four hole playoff. (25th) Three years after being diagnosed with testicular cancer, Lance Armstrong wins the Tour de France. He's almost ten minutes clear of nearest rival Alex Zulle. (28th) A challenge to the SKY-BBC monopoly of English football is thrown out. The Fair Trading Office launched the challenge, but courts decide that the agreement, which shows 60 live matches on SKY and highlights on the BBC, is not in breach of fair competition.

 

Passages (17th) John F Kennedy Jr, lost at sea off Martha's Vineyard, along with his wife Kathryn. Another member of the Kennedy clan, the one who runs "Frank" magazine, crashes about 100 miles off the coast while on a light aircraft flight. (23rd) King Hasan II of Morocco, aged 70. The King of 38 years passes away following a heart attack; he never recovered from a bout of pneumonia in 1995. He was an honest broker in the peace process, but faced a constant barrage of criticism from within Morocco.

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