Today's top 20 rating items on Scoop are...
As the Russian military begins its invasion of Grozny, Russia has launched a strategic intercontinental Topol-M missile
using the occasion to warn the West against criticising its Chechen campaign. John Howard reports.
An increasingly desperate Russian Prime Minister may have overstepped the mark in his flagrant nuclear sabre rattling
display today, writes Scoop's Alastair Thompson.
If there are any doubts still lingering over whether this new government is planning to shake things up, then this
speech appears intended to dispel them. There is change afoot...
If democracy can be likened to a flower then in Russia the flower is wilting. Shortly it will probably be plucked and
thrown into the compost heap. The results in the Russian Parliamentary elections - now nearly finalised - are a clear
wake-up call ...
The Moscow Times reports that Russian troops have blasted their way into the outskirts of the Chechen capital of Grozny
and are now engaging rebel soldiers in the besieged city.
The first parliament with a new government for nine years opens today and the rest of the week promises to be both busy
and bruising.
Scoop's Alastair Thompson says the trend in the Russian elections is a swing to the hard right not seen since the 1930's
rise of fascism in Nazi Germany. He argues that if you are alarmed by this news you have every right to be.
Thirteen people believed to have links to Saudi terrorist Osama bin Laden have been arrested in Jordan on suspicion of
plotting terrorist attacks against Americans over the New Year.
Photo Caption: Sarah Findlay models one of the new Cool Guard sports bras, designed particularly for jogging, aerobics
and women's soccer.
Timber loggers in the US state of Minnesota are claiming $600,000 in damages against the US Forest Service and two
environmental groups saying "deep ecology" is a religion. John Howard reports.
Sydneysiders are hoarding up to six months worth of food, water and batteries as millennium bug panic builds, according
to yesterday's Sydney Sunday Telegraph. John Howard looks at Y2K.
AmericaOne has beaten Americas Cup leading challenger Luna Rossa ITA48 after a controversial penalty was dished out to
Luna Rossa after it hit AmericaOne's transom with its bow. PLUS: here are the latest points, race tables, and
schedules...
The Black Caps have pulled off a huge win against all odds over an astounded West Indian side in Hamilton today, thanks
largely to the magnificent efforts of Kiwi all-rounder Chris Cairns.
After two days of strong winds and postponed match races the Americas Cup challenger race committee finally gave the gun
to the final stages of RR3.
Round Robin two of the Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series ended after three previously cancelled matches were
re-sailed from Race 6 of 14 November. Team Prada's yacht Luna Rossa completed the Round Robin yesterday with a total of
46 points, ...
A 'Slayed in New Zealand' furniture label was launched today by Native Forest Action who have been running a campaign
since February 1997 to stop Timberlands West Coast logging native forests on public land.
“The new government is making promises that it won’t be able to keep. The tax increases won’t produce enough money to
pay for it all.” says National’s Revenue Spokesperson, Annabel Young MP.
The resignation of Professor Michael Irving as Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington will not solve all
of the problems facing the institution, although it is a good start according the Chris Hipkins, incoming President of
the Students' ...
Pro-logging scientists critical of the new Government's decision to protect West Coast beech forests previously
threatened by Timberlands logging proposals have been encouraged by conservationists to work with the government to
achieve effective conservation ...
'The idea of a speech from the throne is absurd in 1999. While Sir Michael Hardie-Boys did a fine job, it seems
ridiculous for an accomplished judge to be reading a speech on behalf of the Queen that was written by the Prime
Minister,' said Dave Guerin, ...