Weaver's News Spin
May 1998
A review of events and their interpretation.
Sunday, 31 May
Aid workers begin to reach North Afghanistan. Whole villages were flattened by an earthquake yesterday, with thousands feared dead.
Geri Halliwell leaves the Spice Girls. The 25(ish) year old, popularly known as The One With The Red Head, looks set to move towards TV and film appearances. The remaining Spices - Mel, Mel, Emma and Julia - will continue their concert tour until September.
Graeme Hick scores his 100th first class century. The Worcestershire and England batsman passes the milestone playing Sussex at Worcester. His top score remains 405 not out - the second highest score of the century in England.
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Saturday, 30 May
Pakistan tests two further nuclear bombs. The tests, predicted by satellite pictures, caused President Clintern to call again for an end to the tests. The G8 will meet to blather about the matter in two weeks time.
It's the start of summer, so Spanish air traffic controllers strike. There are six hour delays at Gatwick airport, and nine hour waits at Glasgow. Sensible people, vacationing in Scandanavia or America, were unaffected.
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Friday, 29 May
In a major snub to the BSKYB empire, football chiefs reject pay-per-view plans. The plot would have moved five of the ten matches from Saturday, with three available only to supporters spending ten pounds to see the event. But club chairmen refused to allow fixtures to be moved in that way.
At the French Open, defending champion Gustavo Kuerten loses a marathon second round tie with debutant Marat Safin, 3-6 7-6 3-6 6-1 6-4. Marcello Rios reaches the last 16, and is firm favourite to win the title - and reclaim the world #1 slot.
Major problems for the Spice Girls. Geri Halliwell missed their date on the UK Lottery draw show on Wednesday, and didn't turn up to a photocall in Norway today. Publicists say she's suffering from gastroenteritis, and may miss the band's US tour starting next week. Tabloid newspapers suggest that Ginger has walked out on the band.
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Thursday, 28 May
Pakistan carries out five nuclear tests. The underground explosions match those conducted by India earlier in the month. President Clintern says that sanctions will be imposed, but Pakistani premier Nawaz Sharif says that his government couldn't allow the Indian tests to go unanswered.
Rail maintainance workers are to strike in two weeks time. They will leave faults on the track unrepaired, causing more delays as trains have to go slower. Commuters wonder if they'll notice any difference.
David Trimble of the Ulster Unionists calls for a clear statement from Sinn Fein that they won't return to violence.
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Wednesday, 27 May
The European Commission confirms that the beef export ban from Northern Ireland will be lifted from next Monday. The decision ends the 28 month blockade of meat from the UK, but only for around 4% of farmers. They warn that they will have to price their produce more cheaply than their competitors to regain market share
Loyalist terrorist groups warn that the IRA holds the key to the decomissioning process. They say that they're not comfortable giving their arms up while the IRA keeps theirs.
Pete Sampras falls out of the French Open in the 2nd round, losing to Ramon Delgado of Paraguay 7-6 6-3 6-4.
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Tuesday, 26 May
Protesters turn their backs to Japanese Emperor Akihito during his state visit to London. The group of 2000 former prisoners of war are calling for the Emperor to formally apologise for their suffering during the Second World War, and provide some money to recompense them.
The DUP leader Dr Ian Paisley calls the Queen A PARROT OF THE GOVERNMENT for agreeing to visit Dublin next month. It raises the question of exactly who has ceased to have any political function. Who is an ex-politician? Who has ceased to politic? Oh, you're just pining for the Fords, I see...
O'Reilly's pub in Thame hits on the idea of season tickets for the forthcoming World Cup. Predicting that they will do excellent business as fans flock in to watch matches on the big screen, the management issue their regulars with credit-card sized passes that will enable them to receive priority service during and after the matches.
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Monday, 25 May
US Forces in the Gulf are to be scaled back. The naval presence will be returned to the level it was at, before the crisis over weapons inspections early in the year. This appears to suggest that there's enough evidence to continue sanctions indefinately.
A plane hijacked in Hyderabad, Pakistan, is rescued by clever sleight of hand. The hijackers, opposed to Pakistan's nuclear testing, wanted to head to India with the 29 passengers. But air controllers convinced the pilot that he was in India, although they had merely circled.
Charlton book their place in the Premier League, after beating Sunderland in a pulsating play-off. After taking the early lead, Charlton had to pull from behind as Sunderland went 2-1 and 3-2 up. They had to repeat the trick in extra time, to close at 4-4. The penalty shoot-out went to the seventh round as all were converted, until Sunderland's strike was saved. Charlton win 7-6 on penalties.
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Sunday, 24 May
Gerry Adams calls for all paramilitary violence to stop. This is the first significant step on the road to disarming the IRA. It comes in the wake of warnings that groups opposing the Stormont accord are planning new violent attacks.
Third one-day international. South Africa elect to bat, and make 205/8 (Pollock 60, Ealham 3/44, Fraser 2/23). England 206/3 off 35 overs (Brown 59, Knight 51, Donald 2/35). England win by a country mile but lose the series 2-1.
Grimsby win the 2nd division play-off, beating Northampton 1-0.
Mika Hakkinen wins the Monaco Grand Prix, ahead of Giancarlo Fischicella. David Coulthard's engine blows up, while Michael Schumaccer beats just one other driver following a crash.
Utah Jazz book their place in the NBA finals, after sweeping the LA Lakers in four games.
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Saturday, 23 May
The results of the Irish peace deal referenda show massive levels of support. The Northern result is 71.12% in favour, while the Southern referendum looks set to get around 95% approval
Toy Bair: This is a day for joy. It gives the people a chance for the better future they deserve
David Trimble: A clear majority has backed this agreement. It's not the ringing endorsement I'd have liked, but we will go on.
William Hague: The challenge now is to get this agreement to work.
The second one-day international. South Africa pull to 226/9 (Klusener 55*, Rhodes 41, Gough 4/35). England start strongly, but collapse from 77/1 to 194 all out (Stewart 52, Hollioake 46, Donald 3/32). South Africa win by 32 runs.
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Friday, 22 May
Soldiers enter the Indonesian parliament to remove students. They've been occupying the building since Tuesday, initially demanding the resignation of President Suharto, but latterly insisting of the removal of new President Habibe.
Ministers insist they'll reduce class sizes in primary schools. Their pledge comes in the wake of new figures showing 1.4 million children are taught in classes of over 30. One of Labour's few election pledges was to eliminate such large classes in primary schools.
The Saudi ambassador calls as laughable claims that the freed nurses suffered sex abuse while they were in detention. He dismisses the BBC Panorama programme shown last night as a Hollywood production.
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Thursday, 21 May
A killing spree in Springfield, Oregon leaves four dead and 24 injured. A former pupil of Thurston High School in the town killed three people at his home before returning to the school and opening fire in the cafeteria, killing another person. The pupil, expelled for bringing a gun to classes, has been arrested.
Former Cabinet minister Johnathan Aitken is charged with perjury. The case follows the collapse of his libel action last June against the Grauniad and Granada TV.
The Summer Of Sport starts with the first One Day Cricket International. England are asked to bat and make 223/9; Nick Knight 64, Hanse Cronje 1/26 off 8 overs. South Africa reach 224/7 with eight balls to spare; Kallis 62, with Ashley Giles 2/37 off 9 overs.
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Wednesday, 20 May
Madeline Albright Albright Albright calls for Indonesian President Suharto to resign as an act of statesmanship. Evidently this would ally with his acts of genocide, grand larceny and human rights abuses. Suharto goes within hours.
The Saudi Arabian authorities release two British nurses convicted of the murder of an Australian colleague. Sentenced to six years in prison after the victim's brother took #750,000 to spare their lives, the two are free after a pardon from King Faid.
The European Cup final is won by Real Madrid, who beat Juventus 1-0 in a quality game.
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Tuesday, 19 May
President Suharto refuses to resign, claiming that he is staying on in order to provide some level of stability. He will hold new elections by the end of the year, in which he will be a candidate. Normal levels of stability resume as thousands of students hold a sit-in around Parliament and the presidential palace.
Ethiopia and Eritrea mass troops on their common border. President Clintern's envoy says that there are positive signs that his chap can resolve the border dispute.
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Monday, 18 May - Victoria Day
It's been six months in coming, but Microsoft is the victim of an anti-trust lawsuit. 20 states and the District of Colombia accuse the software monolith of using its desktop monopoly to leverage its way into the internet browser market.
The Indonesian parliament calls for President Suharto to resign. Army groups allowed protesters to reach the Parliament building without any ado, and present a petition calling for the ousting of the country's leader for the past 32 years.
Fresh from winning the double, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made an audacious bid to sign Celine Dion to strengthen his attack. The French-Canadian singer, best known for her million selling hits "Think Twice" and "My word, this movie goes on", has a year to go on her current contract, and would get a free transfer under the recent Bosman ruling. Dion's ability to work in defence as well as attack makes her a rare commodity in the modern game.
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Sunday, 17 May
President Clintern and Prime Minister Grin And Bair It stage a joint news conference on the Ulster referendum. To absolutely no-one's surprise, they urge everyone to vote "Yes", as it's a deal in which neither side gets anything, so you can all agree to it coz the other side don't not get more than yours doesn't get. Or something.
Violence continues in Indonesia for a fifth day. Most nations are now advising their nationals to leave at once unless there are very good reasons, and others should not think of travelling there. You want a nice holiday in a quiet part of the world at short notice? Well, sunny Eastbourne hit 26 C today...
Congrats to David Wells, who pitches just the 13th perfect baseball game in major league history. Wells struck out 11 of the 27 batters he faced as his New York Yankees beat the Minnesota Twins 4-0.
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Last fortnight
This page updated May 31, 1998