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TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
Oil: NZ's Gas Guzzling Sees Trade Deficit Blow Up Big Time
QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:
Ballet: Bold Beautiful Choreography Is RNZB's Winter Promise! -
Scoop Satire: Parliamentarians Go To The Movies
Digital Culture: Legit Big-Label Music Downloads Hit NZ
Astronomy: Cold? Maybe It's Aphelion
RECOMMENDED AUDIO and VIDEO:
Otter Hunt: Union Wants Otter, Good Wages
Futureproofing: Treasury Envisions the Economy to Come -
MORE HEADLINES:
Scoop VideoCast: Pressure Mounts on Parliamentarians Over Taser Trial
Arms Trade: AK-47 - World's Worst Regulated Weapon
Latin America: Lula, Brazil’s Lost Leader
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Greg Palast Looks for a Better-Documented Conspiracy Theory
Sheila Samples on Oklahoma and Dat Gum Gummint
MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
Politics: Robson Declares a Bad Week for Nats
Justice: Politicians Call For Arrests in Kahui Twins Homicide Case
Unbundling: Telecom Volunteers to Break Off Wholesale Operation
Electricity: Reports Galore Arrive Regarding Auckland's Mini Power Crisis -
Legislation: Maori Purposes Bill Enters Works
Legislation: Government Introduces Broadband Internet Bill To Parliament
Defence: NZ Assists In Shut, Shut, Shutting Down Nukes -
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:
POLITICAL COLUMNS

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TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS

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Oil: NZ's Gas Guzzling Sees Trade Deficit Blow Up Big Time

[1] The Government must take action now to reduce New Zealand’s dependence on imported fossil fuels to reduce the spiralling trade deficit, the Green Party says. “The explosion in the cost of petroleum imports has pushed the monthly merchandise trade deficit to $104 million, the worst ever recorded for a May month,” says Russel Norman, Green Party Co-Leader. The annual merchandise trade deficit for the year ended May 2006 is now nearly an incredible $7 billion. See... Trade deficit explodes, Government crosses fingers [2] ALSO:

Statistics NZ - Trade Balance Returns to Deficit [3]

Canterbury Manufacturers Association - Lower Kiwi dollar is not the total solution [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00559.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00559.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0606/S00433.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0606/S00445.htm

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:

Questions And Answers - Wednesday, 28 June 2006 [1]

Questions And Answers - Tuesday, 27 June 2006 [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00562.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00539.htm

Ballet: Bold Beautiful Choreography Is RNZB's Winter Promise! -

Igniting the senses, the spirit, the soul, the Royal New Zealand Ballet presents three energetic and adventurous works in the Lion Foundation Season of Trinity. “Bold, beautiful choreography is our company’s signature,” says Gary Harris, Artistic Director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet. “We are thrilled to be working with three powerhouse choreographers; each extremely accomplished with their own distinct strengths and styles.” See... Ballet harnesses the power of three [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0606/S00219.htm

Scoop Satire: Parliamentarians Go To The Movies

- The wild speculation of history's great creative minds has, I've often thought, rarely been able to match the droll and improbable events that occur in the politics of this nation. But recently a rash of occurrences in the life of Parliament had a particularly strong resemblance to the works of moving-picture artists. See... Lyndon Hood: Parliament Imitates Art [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00301.htm

Digital Culture: Legit Big-Label Music Downloads Hit NZ

- The news is all good for New Zealand music fans as local online music store digiRAMA.co.nz announces a series of landmark deals... The deals mean New Zealand music fans can now legally download from a local site an enormous range of tracks and albums from the star-studded EMI, Universal, Sony BMG and Warner Music catalogues, See... Kiwi music fans first full online download store [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0606/S00443.htm

Astronomy: Cold? Maybe It's Aphelion

- On July 4 at 11am, the Earth is at its furthest point from the Sun (aphelion), on it’s year-long slightly elliptical orbit around the Sun. The distance is 152,095,750 km, which is about 5 million km further away than its closest point in early January. See... Earth at Aphelion on July 4 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0606/S00059.htm

RECOMMENDED AUDIO and VIDEO:

Scoop Video: The Week's Movie Trailers [1] – Sci-Fi Superman Returns; Sci-Fi Ultraviolet; Mel Gibson's Apocalyto; and a late run on the Da Vinci Code. Scoop Audio: Selwyn Manning and Radio Adelaide 's Peter Godfrey discuss: [2] The family of the murdered Kahui twins being interviewed by Police; Auckland City is to remain vulnerable to power-cuts for two years!; NZ Treasury has issued advice for Cullen to cut Govt spending. RDU Audio: Wammo IVs National's John Key [3] this morning who was sitting at his desk at 7:15am. Civil Defence snow storm response, Auckland's rusty shackles - should heads roll? The cost of living in Auckland and Wellington. 95bFM Audio: [4] 95bFM Audio: Rebecca Wright interviews Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples on what he has discovered regarding the Kahui twins homicide. 95bFM Audio: [5] Noelle McCarthy interviews SPCA director Bob Kerridge on the pros and cons of microchipping dogs and legislation. RDU Audio: Wammo IVs David Skilling, [6] CEO, New Zealand Institute, on the NZ economy, "how things work"; living standards; interest rates; country comparisons and which Economists can you trust? Scoop Audio: Prime Minister's [7] press conference includes: ChCh Snow; Timor Leste; Twins Murder Inquiry.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0606/S00227.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00302.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00309.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00313.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00311.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00310.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00298.htm

Otter Hunt: Union Wants Otter, Good Wages

- The National Distribution Union is offering free union membership to the person who finds Jin the otter, says National Secretary Laila Harré. Mrs Harré says that the National Distribution Union is a community-union and is committed to supporting members of the wider community, no matter their size or feeding habits. See... Union Offers Free Membership to Otter Finder [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00279.htm

Futureproofing: Treasury Envisions the Economy to Come -

The government’s strategy of debt reduction and providing for future superannuation means that New Zealand is well placed to meet the challenges of an ageing population, Finance Minister Dr Michael Cullen said today. "The Labour-led government has succeeded in reducing gross sovereign issued debt from 35 per cent of GDP in 1999 to slightly over 20 per cent today. That's why we are the envy of so many developed countries. We are future-proofing ourselves against the demands of an ageing population." See... Government coping well with an ageing population [1] ALSO:

New Zealand Treasury - Treasury: Long-Term Fiscal Position [2]

New Zealand Treasury - Guide to NZ's Long-term Fiscal Position [3]

New Zealand Treasury - Whitehead: Long-term fiscal position [4]

National - Report shows Govt needs to learn fiscal discipline [5]

Green Party - Earth to Treasury, we have a problem [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00530.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00264.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00266.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00265.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00534.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00269.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

Tax changes for general and limited partnerships [1]

Prostitute breaks into prison [2]

Call for Kiro's Sacking [3]

Rangitoto College Students Injured By Bus [4]

Business to farmers: Climate change debate over [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00546.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00544.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00274.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00272.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0606/S00435.htm

Scoop VideoCast: Pressure Mounts on Parliamentarians Over Taser Trial

Scoop co-editor, Selwyn Manning, presents Scoop's video podcast, today reporting on how the New Zealand Police intends to trial the Taser stun gun on people from September this year. Opposition against the Police's use of the Taser is mounting and MPs are being called to stand up and be counted on this issue. So who is likely to be 'Tasered' by our boys in blue? Image and Video footage inserts courtesy of CampaignAgainstTheTaser.com. See... Scoop VideoCast: Pressure Mounts On MPs Over Taser [1] ALSO:

Campaign Against the Taser - Police Produce Misleading Statements on Tasers [2]

NZ Police - The future of policing - why review the Police Act? [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00299.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00261.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00262.htm

AK-47: World's Worst Regulated Weapon

- The Kalashnikov assault rifle will remain the most widely-used weapon in conflict zones for at least the next 20 years because it is so poorly regulated, according to a new report by the Control Arms campaign released at the start of the UN world conference on small arms and light weapons in New York today (26 June). The Kalashnikov is manufactured in more countries and is being used to cause more widespread suffering today than at any time in its sixty-year history. Many thousands of people are killed every year by the weapon. This is because there is little international control on its production, sale and use, according to the report, AK-47: The World's Favourite Killing Machine. See... AK-47: World's worst regulated weapon [1] ALSO:

Proliferation of small arms: Violence & impunity [2]

Annan receives arms petition signed by one-million [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0606/S00539.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0606/S00545.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0606/S00541.htm

Latin America: Lula, Brazil’s Lost Leader

- For many Brazilians, the October 2002 election of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva symbolized the ascendance to power of a leftist prodigal son. But impoverished Brazilians, initially attracted by Lula’s radical past and his passionate pledge to transform Brazil’s highly unequal society, could sense his potential for leading a social and political revolution that would bring justice to the ignored lower tier of the population. See... Lula – Brazil’s Lost Leader [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0606/S00515.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

Sri Lanka: After attack, calls for peace talks [1]

Iran: Retry Ethnic Arabs Condemned to Death [2]

Europe: Governments Must End Renditions, Detentions [3]

Public shut out of Australia's nuclear review [4]

Israeli soldier taken hostage by Palestians [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0606/S00540.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0606/S00538.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0606/S00536.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0606/S00548.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0606/S00547.htm

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SCOOP COLUMNS

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Greg Palast Looks for a Better-Documented Conspiracy Theory

- The US Congress will open hearings this week on the War in Iraq - a wee bit late one might think. But one question at the forefront of the minds of many on both the Left and the Right is sure not to be asked: Did the Jews do it ? I mean, after killing Jesus, did the Elders of Zion manipulate the government of the United States into invading Babylon as part of a scheme to abet the expansion of Greater Israel? See... Palast: The Invasion of Iraq A Jewish Conspiracy? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00306.htm

Sheila Samples on Oklahoma and Dat Gum Gummint

I've been reading about this "grass roots" phenomenon that's sweeping the country. It must not have "swept" down this far, because I scoured the prairies and plains of Oklahoma, and the only thing I came up with was a clump or two of Johnson grass, a few scraggly buffalo and some errant loco weed... See... Musings from Tom Joad Country [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00308.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:

Rosalea Barker - Stateside with Rosalea: Over the Edge [1]

Rosalea Barker - Stateside With Rosalea: Feedback [2]

Sanjay Upadhya - Sanjay Upadhya: Nepal - The Taming Of The Crew [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00305.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00304.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0606/S00307.htm

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OTHER NEWS (JUST POLITICS)

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Politics: Robson Declares a Bad Week for Nats

- The first report on the state of the economy in 2006 found that the value of goods and services produced in Aotearoa rose 0.7% in the three months to March 31, a bitter blow to National which had so gleefully predicted recession. See... Robson-on-Politics 28 June 2006 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00277.htm

Justice: Politicians Call For Arrests in Kahui Twins Homicide Case

- It is time for the Police to move in and start making arrests in the Kahui twins' murder case, says New Zealand First Law and Order spokesperson Ron Mark. "If those guilty of this horrendous murder are too gutless to come forward, then all those guilty of harbouring them must be arrested now for obstruction of justice," Mr Mark said. See... Time For Kahui Family Arrests [1] ALSO:

Children's Commissioner - Commissioner looking for action on child abuse [2]

Lindsay Mitchell - Teenage Parenthood Traps Maori [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00520.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00270.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00268.htm

Unbundling: Telecom Volunteers to Break Off Wholesale Operation

- Telecom is to move voluntarily to create a separate, independent wholesale operation, incoming Chairman Wayne Boyd and Chief Executive Theresa Gattung said today. The move will centre on transparent, non-discriminatory arrangements for regulated services for both wholesale and retail customers. See... Telecom To Separate Wholesale And Retail [1] ALSO:

NZ Govt - Telecom announcement looks positive [2]

Internet NZ - Telecom separation good for New Zealand [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0606/S00416.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00533.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0606/S00419.htm

Electricity: Reports Galore Arrive Regarding Auckland's Mini Power Crisis -

Transpower has now released three reports on the Auckland outage incident of 12 June, 2006. These reports represent Transpower's preliminary findings in respect of the incident. Transpower's own investigation into the matter continues. Among the material released today is a letter to David Parker from Transpower Chairman David Gascoigne. See... Reports on the Auckland Outage Incident [1] ALSO:

NZ Govt - Transpower report released [2]

NZ Govt - Auckland's power supply too vulnerable [3]

National - Blackout reports raise more questions than answers [4]

Transpower - Demand for electricity continues to hit new highs [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0606/S00420.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00535.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00541.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00542.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0606/S00442.htm

Legislation: Maori Purposes Bill Enters Works

- Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia last night introduced legislation to Parliament which proposes a time limit for registering historical claims with the Waitangi Tribunal. Parekura Horomia said the legislation is delivering on one of Labour's election pledges for all historical Treaty claims to be lodged by 1 September 2008, with the aim of settling all claims by 2020. See... Govt honours pledge on Treaty claim time limit [1] ALSO:

Maori Party - Flavell - Maori Purposes Bill [2]

NZ First - Historic Day For Treaty Claims [3]

PlunketLine: 50,000 signature petition presented to Parliament [4] - National Party Leader Don Brash says it’s not too late for Helen Clark to “do the right thing for PlunketLine”. “Helen Clark said she’d fund PlunketLine as a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week service. Labour’s cruel decision to axe funding is a betrayal of Kiwi families.” See... PlunketLine deserves our support [5] ALSO:

Greens - Govt must reverse Plunketline decision - Greens [6]

ACT - Labour's Failure Leaves Plunket Holding The Baby [7]

National Council of Women - PlunketLine needs Action [8]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00550.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00545.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00531.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00525.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00525.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00524.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00527.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00276.htm

Legislation: Government Introduces Broadband Internet Bill To Parliament

- Legislation to enact the Labour-led government's pledge to bring New Zealanders faster, better broadband Internet services has been introduced to Parliament. The Telecommunications Amendment Bill implements the government's pre-budget telecommunications stocktake package announced on May 3. It provides for unbundling the local telephone loop to allow vigorous competition between internet service providers for the home and business market, says Communications Minister David Cunliffe. See... Faster, better broadband bill introduced [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00501.htm

Defence: NZ Assists In Shut, Shut, Shutting Down Nukes -

New Zealand has committed $500,000 to a US-led project to shut down one of Russia's last remaining plutonium producing nuclear reactors at Zheleznogorsk, and replace it with a fossil fuel plant," says Disarmament and Arms Control Minister Phil Goff. “New Zealand will sign a Memorandum of Understanding this Monday (26 June) with the US Department of Energy about shutting down the Zheleznogorsk reactor. See... $1.2 million committed to destroy Weapons [1] ALSO:

US Embassy Wellington

- NZ And The US Cooperate On Nuclear Non-Proliferation [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00495.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00255.htm

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

NZ Govt - Lottery Grants for Community, Arts, Sports Boosted [1]

NZ Govt - Study confirms importance of primary health [2]

NZ Govt - Peters to encourage European links with Pacific [3]

NZ Govt - NZ/US officials talk trade and investment [4]

NZ Govt - Benefits for ratepayers in local govt legislation [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00487.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00483.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00479.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00475.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00468.htm

POLITICAL COLUMNS

Matt Robson - Robson-on-Politics 28 June 2006 [1]

Bill English - National Education - 23 June 2006 [2]

Richard Worth - News Worthy - 23 June 2006 [3]

Marc Alexander - Marc My Words - 23 June 2006 [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00277.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00490.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0606/S00473.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0606/S00234.htm

ENDS

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