Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Monday, 8 May 2006, 2:52 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
Images: Light Fantastic Tripped By Unlikely Stars
Scoop Column: Climate Science And 'Back Of the Y' Movie -
Telecom Leak: State Services Commission Hot on the Case
MORE HEADLINES:
Race Relations: Protocol v Sexism Battle Escalates
Fashion: Beckham's Barber Chooses Kiwi Tonsorial Wizzard -
Justice: Bar Association vs McCully vs Arnold
Environment Wars: The Climate Coalition Strike Back -
Solomon Islands: New Government Happy With Taiwan, For Now
Press Freedom: Journalists Killed As UNESCO Presents Press Freedom Prize
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Antiquities: Suzan Mazur's Continuing Coverage Of Antiquities Theft
Smuggling: Daniel Hopsicker On The Mystery Of "Cocaine One"
Telecommunications: What Is Theresa Gattung Saying Here?
Spooks: CIA Director Resigns In Midst Of Hookergate Scandal
MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
POLITICAL NEWSLETTERS:
Broadcasting: Alternative Media Grills Maharey Over Kiwi FM -
Civil Defence: Information Flow Review After Failure to Declare Non-Emergency
Brethren: National Releases Files But Hodgson Still Wants To Know More -
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:
POLITICAL COLUMNS

Images: Light Fantastic Tripped By Unlikely Stars

[1] Once again a brave, and perhaps foolhardy group of celebrities and politicians donned their glad rags and sparkled and shone across the small screen in the second series of TV One's 'Dancing with the Stars'. Those tripping the light fantastic for the second series of New Zealand's most popular dancing show include Act Leader Rodney Hide, former WINZ boss Christine Rankin and Shortland Street's David Wikaira-Paul. Mr Paul is joined by Tim Shadbolt's former partner - the lovely Rebecca. Mr Shadbolt is unlikely to be cha-cha-chaing anytime soon due to a horrendous car accident. See... Images: Dancing With the Stars Part Deux [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00103.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00103.htm

Scoop Column: Climate Science And 'Back Of the Y' Movie -

This week saw the birth of an entirely new lobby group aimed at easing the public's fears about a climate change apocalypse. The NZ Climate Science Coalition is a group of scientists who have nobly taken it upon themselves to make certain SUV drivers, coal-fired power station owners and dairy farmers feel good about potentially frying the earth. Sadly, there are those with an interest in making people feel bad about burning fossil fuels who consider the coalition's motives may not be entirely altruistic. See... A Week of It: Climate Coalition and Other Stunts [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00100.htm

Telecom Leak: State Services Commission Hot on the Case

- The State Services Commissioner, Mark Prebble, today released the Terms of Reference for his inquiry into the disclosure of classified information about the Government's Telecommunications Stocktake Review to Telecom. Mark Prebble has appointed the State Services Commission's Chief Legal Advisor, David Shanks to initiate the inquiry on his behalf. See... Inquiry Into Disclosure of Telecom Review Info [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00073.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00173.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00071.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0605/S00160.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0605/S00059.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0605/S00049.htm

Race Relations: Protocol v Sexism Battle Escalates

- United Future's deputy leader, Judy Turner MP, is describing a walkout by two National MP's from a powhiri as disrespectful grandstanding. National's Judith Collins and Anne Tolley walked out of the welcome to a Parliamentary select committee at a youth justice facility last Friday. The two women said they did not agree with Maori protocol that relegated women to the back row. See... Turner slams National MP's disrespect [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00168.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00169.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00170.htm

Fashion: Beckham's Barber Chooses Kiwi Tonsorial Wizzard -

An international-based judging team, including David Beckham’s hairdresser, has selected Iain Smith of ME, Auckland, for the most acclaimed hair award in New Zealand. Iain Smith, owner of ME, and a finalist in the Hair Expo Australia Awards, was named as Schwarzkopf Professional Hairdresser of the Year 2006/2007. See... Auckland Finalist Takes Top Prize In Hair Awards [1] ALL IMAGES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0605/S00058.htm

Justice: Bar Association vs McCully vs Arnold

- I have just read the piece that you have posted on your website expressing strong and critical views about the performance of Terence Arnold during his tenure as Solicitor General and also his fitness to be appointed as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. On behalf of the New Zealand Bar Association, I wish to place on record that your views are not shared by the Bar as a whole... Letter to Murray McCully re: Terence Arnold [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00070.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00145.htm

Environment Wars: The Climate Coalition Strike Back -

On May 1, Greenpeace released a press statement in which they discussed the formation of a new climate science organization in New Zealand, the New Zealand Climate Science Consortium. Those looking for wise words of guidance from Greenpeace on a major environmental issue have been sadly let down. We comment, in numbered order, on twelve selected statements from Greenpeace’s review (their statements in italics): See…NZ Climate Science Coalition Reply To Greenpeace [1] Earlier:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0605/S00014.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0605/S00010.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00078.htm

Solomon Islands: New Government Happy With Taiwan, For Now

- The newly elected prime minister of Solomon Islands, Manassseh Sogavare (pictured, image by Jason Dorday), says his administration has now immediate intention of switching diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to Beijing. Mr Sogavare had signalled in the run up to yesterday’s victory over Fred Fono that he would consider ending the long standing relationship with Taiwan. Mr Fono had strongly advised against such a move. See... Solomon Islands new govt happy with Taiwan for now [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00093.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00097.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00090.htm

Press Freedom: Journalists Killed As UNESCO Presents Press Freedom Prize

- Even as he presented an award to a Lebanese journalist who lost a hand and a leg in an attempted car bomb assassination, the head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) had to deplore the murder of two more media professionals on the eve of the ceremony and in the very country hosting it. See... Journalists killed as UNESCO presents press freedom prize [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00082.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00098.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00089.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00083.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00079.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00074.htm

Antiquities: Suzan Mazur's Continuing Coverage Of Antiquities Theft

- It is not totally surprising that New York antiquities dealer Ed Merrin appears to be caught in the dragnet of Italian prosecutors who are conducting a criminal trial in Rome, having already charged dealer Bob Hecht and former Getty Museum curator Marion True with conspiracy to traffic in ancient art. Merrin testified before US Congress in the 1970s in opposition to H.R. 5643, a bill designed to implement the UNESCO convention protecting cultural property. He has said "prohibition never worked and never will work". See... Merrin Gallery In Italy's Antiquities Dragnet? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00135.htm

Smuggling: Daniel Hopsicker On The Mystery Of "Cocaine One"

- In the two weeks since an American DC9 airliner was busted by Mexican troops at a small airport in the Yucatan, carrying 5.5 tons of cocaine packed neatly into 128 identical black suitcases (somewhat hilariously marked 'private') the search for the true owners of the plane has produced these startling new developments... See... The CIA, Cocaine One & Putting Planes in 'Suspense [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00134.htm

Telecommunications: What Is Theresa Gattung Saying Here?

- Another journalist provided me with a copy of this short, startling clip [1] of Theresa Gattung explaining the incumbent telco business model: using "confusion" as a "marketing tool" to maintain prices and margins. I don't know its exact provenance - just that it was at "a conference", and it may well have been plucked out of context. But it is, nonetheless, an extraordinary revelation. See... Public Address 08/05/06 - "Not Being Straight-Up" [2] . Earlier Public Address… Public Address 05/05/06 - Boing Boinged! [3]

[1] - http://www.publicaddress.net/assets/sm/3147/79/teresacut.mp3
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00132.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00099.htm

Spooks: CIA Director Resigns In Midst Of Hookergate Scandal

- Yesterday's surprise announcement by Porter Goss comes on the heels of press stories that members of Congress received sexual favors from prostitutes allegedly procured by Brent Wilkes, an entrepreneur implicated in the bribery of Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham. Wilkes, we are told, hosted poker and hooker parties at the Watergate Hotel. Wilkes also happened to be an old high school buddy of the CIA's number three man, Dusty Foggo. See... Larry Johnson: Why Did Goss Resign? [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00126.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00127.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00125.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION

NEW ZEALAND:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00131.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00128.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00129.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00123.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00121.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00094.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00097.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00124.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00120.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00118.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00117.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00098.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00111.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00119.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00116.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00115.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00114.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00112.htm
[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00110.htm
[20] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00104.htm
[21] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00093.htm
[22] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00092.htm
[23] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00122.htm
[24] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00113.htm
[25] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00096.htm
[26] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00095.htm
[27] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00109.htm
[28] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00108.htm
[29] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00107.htm
[30] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00106.htm
[31] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00105.htm
[32] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00091.htm
[33] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00090.htm

POLITICAL NEWSLETTERS:

Transtasman Political Letter – 4 May Digest [1] The Letter – Monday, 8 May 2006 [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00083.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00133.htm

Broadcasting: Alternative Media Grills Maharey Over Kiwi FM -

Today on RDU98.5FM Mornings, Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey confirmed that: Canwest will sell advertising on the Public-owned frequencies that it has been gifted by the Government. Canwest will be able to broadcast another commercial product on the current KiwiFM frequencies. Canwest’s Radioworks will sell advertising on KiwiFM without the kind of limits applied to National Radio or the B-Net. See... Canwest profits from Government giveaway [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00087.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00141.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0605/S00144.htm

Civil Defence: Information Flow Review After Failure to Declare Non-Emergency

- The Ministry of Civil Defence Emergency Management is to review the way it handles information flows after erroneous overseas media reports caused unnecessary alarm in New Zealand. Misreporting by the BBC overnight led many people to believe a tsunami as heading for New Zealand. It was not. See... MCDEM to review overseas media handling [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00116.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00122.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00119.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00056.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00053.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0605/S00042.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0605/S00108.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0605/S00118.htm

Brethren: National Releases Files But Hodgson Still Wants To Know More -

Labour is calling on National leader Don Brash to explain his meetings last year with the Exclusive Brethren following an admission that the Brethren wanted to brief the National leader on their smear campaign. A police investigation – made public by National – shows that the Exclusive Brethren attempted to include Don Brash’s photo and an endorsement in its $1.2 million smear advertising against Labour and the Greens during last year’s election. See…Please explain, Dr Brash [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00147.htm

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00172.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00171.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00167.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00143.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00140.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00175.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00166.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00164.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00163.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00162.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00161.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00158.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00156.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00155.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00160.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00174.htm

POLITICAL COLUMNS

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00145.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00144.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00264.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00139.htm

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

Contact Alastair Thompson

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