Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Wednesday, 21 June 2006, 10:02 am
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
Scoop Video: Japan Fails To Legalise Whaling Trade - Slaughter Continues
QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:
Weather Watch: MetService Warning for Canterbury and Kaikoura Ranges
Scoop Report: Sharples Pulls Plug On Mapp Bill - Will Turia Follow?
Health: Boomers To Get Their GP Subsidy
Scoop Video: Soccer World Cup Progresses Despite Hooligans
Entertainment: Scissor Wizards Go Mad With Colour -
Entertainment: Loader Lets Down Kiwi Blokes – Beatrice And Lorraine To Battle It Out -
MORE HEADLINES:
Scoop Report: Kevin List Talks Tax Cuts & Economy With Nat John Key
Scoop Report: Cunliffe Must Answer Questions On Deportation
Pacific: HIV/Aids Now Discussed As Security Issue
South Korea: Rejection Of Visa For Dalai Lama
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Dahr Jamail On George Bush's Trip To The Heart of Darkness
Evelyn Pringle On The Unpopular Yet Still Elected Of Ohio
MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
POLITICAL NEWSLETTERS:
Whaling Commission: McCully Calls for Pacific Votes to be Bought with Aid
Transport: PM Announces Abolishment of Older Driver Tests
SOEs: Directors Have Concerns at Appointment Process
Prison Parenting: Nats to Deliver Bradford Bill Through First Reading
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:
POLITICAL COLUMNS

Scoop Video: Japan Fails To Legalise Whaling Trade - Slaughter Continues

Selwyn Manning presents Scoop's daily podcast, today reporting on Japan's hold on the IWC. Legalised commercial whaling was narrowly avoided due to a 75% vote requirement that ensures a 20 year moratorium prohibiting the hunting of whales for profit remains. But Japan vows to continue its slaughter… in the name of science. See... Video-Podcast: Japan Stacks Deck At Whaling Conf. [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00271.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00376.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00354.htm

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00391.htm

Weather Watch: MetService Warning for Canterbury and Kaikoura Ranges

- MetService meteorologists have issued a Severe Weather Watch for the Canterbury Plains and Kaikoura Ranges to cover the possibility of further snow from the next cold front which is expected on Wednesday. "The winter solstice this year is at twenty six minutes past midnight at the start of Thursday," commented MetService Weather Ambassador, Bob McDavitt. "This is taken by many to be the start of winter, but winter already has the whole country firmly in its grip." See... The Grip of Winter [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0606/S00046.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0606/S00299.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00364.htm

Scoop Report: Sharples Pulls Plug On Mapp Bill - Will Turia Follow?

- Scoop's Kevin List reports that Maori Party co-leader, Dr Pita Sharples has pulled his support for Dr Wayne Mapp's controversial Bill that would allow employers three months grace in which to fire employees. Initially Dr Sharples had supported the legislation but had since changed his mind. Will his colleague Tariana Turia follow his lead? See... Audio: Sharples On Not Supporting Mapp's Bill [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00255.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00202.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00198.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00195.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00192.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00193.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00197.htm

Health: Boomers To Get Their GP Subsidy

- The New Zealand Medical Association is pleased that the contract between District Health Boards and Primary Health Organisations for the roll-out of subsidies to 45-64 year olds has been settled. "Patients will benefit by receiving the subsidy, and general practices will be able to set their own fees and thus ensure their viability," said NZMA Chairman Dr Ross Boswell. See... General Practice Fees Issue Resolved [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0606/S00093.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0606/S00096.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00373.htm

Scoop Video: Soccer World Cup Progresses Despite Hooligans

- Selwyn Manning presents the first of Scoop's daily podcast, today reporting on the Soccer World Cup, hooligans causing concern, and how Yahoo has connected the globe to the best and latest from World Cup host country, Germany. See... Video (wmv): Soccer World Cup, Hooligans, Yahoo Coverage [1] or Video (QuickTime): World Cup Hooligans, Yahoo Coverage [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00256.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00257.htm

Entertainment: Scissor Wizards Go Mad With Colour -

Stylists from throughout the country have cut, combed and coloured their hearts out for a judging panel and over 400 guests at the final of the 2006 Wella YPS (Young Professional Stylist) competition.An enthusiastic and supportive crowd on Saturday night created an upbeat atmosphere in which the young competitors performed. See... Stylist of the year crowned [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0606/S00166.htm

Entertainment: Loader Lets Down Kiwi Blokes – Beatrice And Lorraine To Battle It Out -

It's nearly the end of the second series of Dancing with the Stars and the field has been whittled down to the final two couples. Both couples have no real need of their second names – the competition is now between Beatrice and Brian and Lorraine and Aaron. Scoop's pick for the final - Lorraine and Aaron will pull out the tens – one of the potty mouthed female judges will cry. See... DWS: A Last Load Of Loader [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00251.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0606/S00152.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0606/S00205.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0606/S00203.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00346.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0606/S00279.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0606/S00273.htm

Scoop Report: Kevin List Talks Tax Cuts & Economy With Nat John Key

- Audio & Text: Despite being a beneficiary of the Kiwi welfare state [1] and never paying a single brass razoo on tertiary study fees during his time at Canterbury University, National's finance spokesperson John Key tells Scoop's Kevin List he remains a solid convert of new-right ideology. Kevin List: "John, I see National has put out a comprehensive alternative budget in the form of a postcard that has been dropped into Kiwis' letterboxes. The postcard says that National would borrow wisely to pay for roading and infrastructure. Would you like to explain who we'll borrow the money from?" John Key: "Yeah, sure. The government borrows anyway…" See... Scoop IV Transcript: John Key Talks Tax Cuts [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00216.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00216.htm

Scoop Report: Cunliffe Must Answer Questions On Deportation

- Scoop co-editor Selwyn Manning writes that Rayed Mohammad Abdullah Ali arrived in NZ in February, based himself in Auckland, attended an English language school, moved to the Manawatu, began flight training. Suddenly he was deported before his presence here in New Zealand popped above the radar. Scoop has found there are more questions than answers surrounding this whole affair... The public would appear to harbour concerns: a TVNZ web-poll asked: Do you think our national security is up to scratch? 74% of respondents said no. INCLUDES Scoop Audio of the Prime Minister answering questions on this issue. UPDATED: to include latest information. See... Scoop: Govt Must Explain Detail Behind Deportation [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00150.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00213.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00157.htm

Pacific: HIV/Aids Now Discussed As Security Issue

- The Pacific Islands Forum is following the lead of the United Nations in discussing HIV/Aids as a security threat. The issue has been up for discussion at a meeting of Pacific security officials in Fiji for the first time. The secretary general of the Pacific Islands Forum, Greg Urwin, says it is important for Pacific Island countries to be aware of the changing nature of security threats, so that they can work together to address them. See... Pacific: HIV/Aids now discussed as security issue [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0606/S00411.htm

South Korea: Rejection Of Visa For Dalai Lama

- Last week, 22 of 28 Nobel Peace Prize winners gathered in South Korea for the 2006 Gwangju (Kwangju) Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates. The Dalai Lama, however, couldn’t attend. Not because he wasn't invited, or because he had other plans: like those other laureates, the Dalai Lama, winner of the 1989 award, had also accepted an invitation from the Kim Dae-jung Presidential Library to a summit about peace on the Korean Peninsula and in all of East Asia. See... Rejection of Visa for Dalai Lama [1]

[1] - /stories/WO0606/S00395.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0606/S00409.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0606/S00408.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0606/S00401.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0606/S00397.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0606/S00413.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0606/S00388.htm

Dahr Jamail On George Bush's Trip To The Heart of Darkness

- On Tuesday, June 13th, while Mr. Bush spent a brave five hours in the "green zone" of Baghdad with puppet Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, at least 36 people were killed across Iraq amidst a wave of bombings. 18 of those died in a spasm of bombings in the oil city of Kirkuk in the Kurdish north. The minute word hit the streets in Baghdad of Bush's visit, over 2,000 supporters of Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr took to the streets in protest. The protestors chanted "Iraq is for the Iraqis," and Sadr aide Hazem al-Araji publicly condemned the peek-a-boo visit of who he referred to as "the leader of the occupation." See... "Operation Forward Together": Deeper Into Quagmire [1] RELATED:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00268.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00264.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00239.htm

Evelyn Pringle On The Unpopular Yet Still Elected Of Ohio

- Ohio's Governor Bob Taft, and his partner in crime in stealing the 2004 election in Ohio, President George W Bush, have a lot in common. Bush holds the record for the lowest approval ratings of any President in US history, and at a whopping 26%, Taft holds the title for the lowest approval rating for any Ohio governor since the University of Cincinnati started the poll 25 years ago in 1981. See... Pringle: Bush Election Theft Saga Heats Up In Ohio [1] RELATED:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00263.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00261.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00253.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00243.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00236.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00246.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00270.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00254.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00250.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00249.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00248.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00269.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00267.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00266.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00244.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00265.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00238.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00247.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00245.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00242.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00241.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00240.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00235.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00233.htm
[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00262.htm
[20] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00234.htm
[21] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00232.htm
[22] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00231.htm

POLITICAL NEWSLETTERS:

Molesworth & Featherston (Weekend) – June 17 2006 [1] Transtasman Political Letter – 15 June Digest [2] AGENDA Transcript: Lisa Owen IVs Trevor Mallard [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00230.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00215.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00229.htm

Whaling Commission: McCully Calls for Pacific Votes to be Bought with Aid

- The National Party has called for changes to New Zealand's aid strategy in the Pacific, and to New Zealand's representation at the International Whaling Commission, in the wake of yesterday's win by Japan at the IWC... Mr McCully has accused Prime Minister Helen Clark of being "naïve" in refusing to link New Zealand aid to the conduct of Pacific nations in the IWC. See... McCully: Wake-up call in IWC vote [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00376.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00354.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0606/S00375.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00190.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00186.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0606/S00377.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0606/S00376.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00353.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00349.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00338.htm

Transport: PM Announces Abolishment of Older Driver Tests

- Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today that new transport rules abolishing the mandatory on-road driving test for those aged 80 and over will come into effect on December 4 this year. "Last year, Labour promised to abolish the mandatory driving test because it was costly on older people, stressful, and unfair. This year, we are delivering on our promise," Helen Clark said. See... Older driver tests to be abolished [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00348.htm

SOEs: Directors Have Concerns at Appointment Process

- Trevor Mallard’s denial that state-owned enterprise boards aren’t weakened by cronyism was dealt a body blow today by findings of a Victoria University survey of SOE directors. Dr Richard Norman, of Victoria University’s Management School, surveyed directors of nine SOEs. The directors were concerned appointments were being made for political or diversity reasons – not for their capabilities. See... No cronyism – yeah right [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00370.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0606/S00041.htm

Prison Parenting: Nats to Deliver Bradford Bill Through First Reading

- National supports first reading of mothers and babies corrections bill The National Party is to support, to first reading, the bill of Green Party MP Sue Bradford which allows female inmates to care for and breastfeed babies in prison. The Corrections (Mothers and Babies) Amendment Bill amends the Corrections Act 2004 and applies to children under 24 months. See... Corrections Bill: National supports first reading [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00377.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00279.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00199.htm

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00375.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00369.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00362.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00360.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00359.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00355.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00351.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00378.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00368.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00367.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00366.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00352.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00350.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00345.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00344.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00343.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00340.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00379.htm
[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00358.htm
[20] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00357.htm
[21] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00194.htm
[22] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00365.htm
[23] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00181.htm
[24] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00185.htm
[25] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00196.htm

POLITICAL COLUMNS

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00329.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00182.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00214.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00321.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00319.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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