Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Friday, 14 July 2006, 1:25 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
Israel Bombs And Shells Beirut As Hizbullah Conflict Escalates
Foreign Affairs: Middle East Conflict Restricted To Press Release Battle In NZ -
Dodgy Dealing: "Weight Loss" Purveyors Bank Balance Ends Up A Lot Slimmer-
Crime: Red Rocks Homicide Work Only Just Begun - Police
MORE HEADLINES:
Health: Government to Nation: Say "Aaaah!"
Australia: New Laws Mean Media Diversity Down Drain
World News: Death Toll Mounts In Terror Attack In Mumbai India
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Mexico: Narconews.Com Lifts Lid On Mexican Vote Fraud
War Lies: Outed CIA Officer & Husband Sue Bush Admin. Officials
Guantanamo Bay: William Rivers Pitt On Post-Constitutional America
MORE COMMENT & OPINION:

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
Exports: Bloke Embittered By British Better Butter Boast
Robson-on-Politics: Progressive Pundit Probes Potential Pitfalls For Opposition -
Amnesty International: Zaoui Could Be Warmly Welcomed With Electric Current If Repatriated -
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:
POLITICAL COLUMNS

Israel Bombs And Shells Beirut As Hizbullah Conflict Escalates

[1] Fighting continued in Israel and Lebanon as Israel attacked targets in Lebanon using aircraft and ships. Rockets also came from Lebanon and landed on the Israeli side of the border, Thursday. See... Day Of Attacks Continue In Israel And Lebanon [2] . Israel's naval ships have entered Lebanon's territorial waters to enforce a blockade on the Levantine state, Thursday. See... Israel Enters Lebanese Waters To Enforce Blockade [3] MORE REPORTS:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00190.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00190.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00189.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00188.htm
[5] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_Israel-Lebanon_crisis
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00186.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00201.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00199.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00187.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00182.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00185.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00184.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00264.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00262.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00259.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00257.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00256.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00255.htm

Foreign Affairs: Middle East Conflict Restricted To Press Release Battle In NZ -

Israel's Honorary Consul David Zwartz today said a letter of protest from Green MP Keith Locke was one-sided and based on ignorance of the sources of violence in the Arab-Israel conflict. "Mr Locke spoke of the need for negotiations between Israel and the Hamas. He admitted he had not read the Hamas Covenant, and therefore did not know about its Article 13 which rejects negotiated peace settlements. See... Greens' Middle East View Ignorant And One-Sided [1] SEE ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00129.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00189.htm

Dodgy Dealing: "Weight Loss" Purveyors Bank Balance Ends Up A Lot Slimmer-

Zenith Corporation, which sold and promoted the discredited "weight loss" product Body Enhancer will pay $792,000 in fines, costs and corrective advertising. The company was sentenced in the Auckland District Court today for offences under the Fair Trading Act. Zenith will pay $632,500 in fines and $130,000 in costs, and has also been ordered to undertake a nationwide campaign of corrective advertising See... $792,000 payout for false claims [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0607/S00214.htm

Crime: Red Rocks Homicide Work Only Just Begun - Police

- It could be several weeks before investigators complete detailed scene examinations in the Operation Red Rocks homicide inquiry. Detective Inspector Mike Arnerich, investigation head, said last night's arrest of a man for the murder of 62-year-old Karori man Tony Stanlake is only the beginning of an ever-widening inquiry. See...Lengthy Forensic Scene Examinations Likely [1] EARLIER:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0607/S00129.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00124.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0607/S00119.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0607/S00114.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0607/S00096.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0607/S00097.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0607/S00090.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0607/S00080.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0607/S00087.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0607/S00079.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0607/S00078.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00125.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00122.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0607/S00024.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0607/S00107.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0607/S00208.htm

Health: Government to Nation: Say "Aaaah!"

- The government's major investment in oral health will be matched by the biggest survey of the state of our teeth in New Zealand's history, Health Minister Pete Hodgson announced today. The survey - the first to be conducted in nearly 20 years - will get underway later this month and will involve 7,000 participants. See... Biggest ever survey of New Zealanders' teeth [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00184.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00185.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00120.htm

Australia: New Laws Mean Media Diversity Down Drain

- The government's proposed media changes will dramatically reduce the diversity of opinions available to Australians, Greens Leader Bob Brown said in Western Australia today. "The Howard government's changes open the floodgates for foreign companies to buy Australian media outlets and will drastically reduce the editorial gene pool," Senator Brown said. See... Australia's Media diversity down the drain [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00252.htm

World News: Death Toll Mounts In Terror Attack In Mumbai India

- Seven bombs have exploded at various local railway stations in the city of Mumbai, India between 6:24 pm and 6:35 pm IST (GMT+5:30). The first blast ripped through the first-class compartment of a local train from Churchgate to Borivali, near the Khar station. Subsequent blasts occured at Bhayandar station near Mira Road, Mahim station, Matunga, Jogeshwari and Borivali. A seventh blast has occured in the Khar-Santacruz subway. Local phone lines in Mumbai have been jammed. All seven explosions had targeted first-class cars. See... NEWSFLASH: 7 Blasts Rock Mumbai Commuter Trains [1] NZ REACTION:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00155.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00162.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00163.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00253.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00250.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00248.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00236.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0607/S00231.htm

Mexico: Narconews.Com Lifts Lid On Mexican Vote Fraud

- Things are looking worse and worse in Mexico for the Felipe Calderon, his National Action Party, and the Federal Elections Institute that prematurely announced his victory. New evidence of fraud and crimes on the part of the electoral authorities is appearing every day. The White House is backtracking from its initial enthusiasm for Calderon's "victory." Citizens in towns and cities across Mexico are standing up to make sure the crimes they've witnessed and the stealing of their election is known. And Narco News isn't missing a beat. See... Giordano: Mexico's Election Fraud Is Coming Undone [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00179.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00194.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00154.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00142.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00116.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00115.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00114.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00104.htm

War Lies: Outed CIA Officer & Husband Sue Bush Admin. Officials

- Valerie Plame Wilson and Ambassador Joseph Wilson initiate a civil action against Vice President Cheney, Karl Rove, and Scooter Libby for violations of their Constitutional and other legal rights. See... Wilson, Plame to Sue Cheney, Rove and Libby [1] MORE:

[1] - /stories/WO0607/S00263.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00178.htm

Guantanamo Bay: William Rivers Pitt On Post-Constitutional America

- BBC News reported it this way: "All US military detainees, including those at Guantanamo Bay, are to be treated in line with the minimum standards of the Geneva Conventions. The White House announced the shift in policy on Tuesday, almost two weeks after the US Supreme Court ruled that the conventions applied to detainees." See... William Rivers Pitt: Minimum Standards [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00177.htm
[2] - /stories/WO0607/S00260.htm

MORE COMMENT & OPINION:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00200.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00181.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00203.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00198.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00197.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00196.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00195.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00193.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00202.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00192.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00173.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00191.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00174.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00180.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00176.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00175.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00172.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00171.htm
[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00170.htm

Exports: Bloke Embittered By British Better Butter Boast

- New Zealand First says that advertising campaigns in Europe aimed at undermining New Zealand's exports must be neutralised by giving consumers good reasons to keep buying our products. "A recent campaign by a British dairy company deriding our butter for the distance it travels is obviously focused on getting consumers to buy a local brand," said Primary Production and Agriculture spokesperson Doug Woolerton. See... Kiwi Butter Better [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00178.htm

Robson-on-Politics: Progressive Pundit Probes Potential Pitfalls For Opposition -

The news item on TV3 on Monday, in which MPs spill the beans on the reason why Mr Brash hasn't been rolled yet, is seriously bad news for National for two reasons. First, the MPs' comments indicate there is no consensus on the next leader and, secondly, they indicate that the incoherent policy positions of the party in recent years extend to an incoherent approach to strategic issues. See... Robson-On-Politics 12 July 2006 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00102.htm

Amnesty International: Zaoui Could Be Warmly Welcomed With Electric Current If Repatriated -

Beatings, electric shocks and the forced ingestion of dirty water, urine and or chemicals are just some of the methods that continue to be used by Algeria's security forces with systematic impunity, Amnesty International revealed in a report published today. See... Algeria Report: Zaoui at high risk of torture [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00100.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00177.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00082.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00079.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0607/S00080.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00138.htm

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00187.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00176.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00175.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00180.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00194.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00193.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00188.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00179.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00172.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00170.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00181.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00192.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00183.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00182.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00186.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00191.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00190.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00173.htm

POLITICAL COLUMNS

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00195.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0607/S00198.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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