AIG's $145m gap, exporters concern on border checks and David Ross seeks settlement

Today's National Business Review reveals insurance giant AIG's dispute over earthquake losses.

Duncan Bridgeman reports on a $145 million gap between what the AIG liability assessment is on Christchurch City Council losses and that expected by local government insurer Civic Assurance.

Apple exporter ENZA is calling for a return to X-ray screening of international luggage at New Zealand's biggest airports in the wake of poor biosecurity survey results.

Meanwhile, former Wellington fund manager David Ross – who was charged by the Serious Fraud Office yesterday – is exploring a settlement with Ross Asset Management liquidators.

Methanex New Zealand chief executive Harvey Weake calls for New Zealand to establish a Norway-like oil and gas endowment fund.

Also, a network of alumni from some of the world's biggest consulting firms has hit New Zealand and aims to take on their former bosses.

In NBR In Depth, Neville Bennett asks if governments and central banks can maintain financial repression on bond holders and keep artificially low interest rates indefinitely.

In Heartland, University of Waikato professor Jacqueline Rowarth traverses former World Bank chief economist Professor Joseph Stiglitz's critique of globalisation and markets.

NBR head of digital Chris Keall test drives the Blackberry Z10 and discovers how tough it has been for the company to compete with iPhones and androids.

In Media, Victoria Young reports how global advertising spending research firm SMI – headed by former All Blacks' captain David Kirk – will try to avoid its Australian "hiccups" in its push into New Zealand.

Also in today's print edition:

• On The Money ruminates on Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler's shiny tools in his macro-prudential toolbox – and whether they could do more harm than good if applied prematurely.
• Order Paper gives some friendly advice to Revenue Minister Todd McClay, including the division of power with Bill English.
• Shoeshine asks why shares in listed forestry and biotechnology company Rubicon are so unloved.
• Nathan Smith says it is impossible for intelligence agencies to protect citizens if they cannot diligently gather the information they need – by monitoring their own people.