Top Scoop Stories - 11 July 2007 News Summary

Wednesday, 11 July 2007, 1:58 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

Today's Top Scoops - July 11, 2007

LEAD STORY:

Kiwi Pride: NZ Gifts Giant Rugby Ball To City Of Love

NZ POLITICS:

Gordon Campbell: Zaoui in the 1990s, and since
Race Relations: Harawira's Howard Comments Analysed By Maori Party Co-Leader
Youth Parliament: Climate Controversy Among Junior MPs
Images: NZ's Latest And Largest Military Hardware

BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH:

Storm: Record Emergency Calls During Weather Bomb
Electricity: Commission Approves Waikato To Auckland Line
Environment: Expensive UK Study Pleases Disposable Nappy Maker
Director's Fees: 15% Rise Not Enough
Science/Enviro't: NIWA announces free data policy

WORLD:

U.S. House of Representatives: Homeland Security and Government at Risk
WTO: Goods Council approves waivers for Mongolia, US
UN Report: Shortage of Supplies Halts Construction
Number 10: PM thanks Portugal for Madelaine efforts

COMMENT:

Poll: 54% of the US Wants Cheney Impeached
Election Fraud: Where’s the Outrage?
Bush Promised to Kiss Blair's Ass
Martha Rosenberg: Seung-Hui Cho's bullets haven't stopped NRA agenda
Palestinian Left: Lost Opportunity for Relevance -

LIFESTYLE:

Arts: Dunedin Cottage Seeks To Ensnare Writers
Competition Season Kicks Off at Snow Park NZ
Theatre: Jennifer Ward-Lealand in 'Falling in Love Again'
Scoop Review: The Woman in Black

Kiwi Pride: NZ Gifts Giant Rugby Ball To City Of Love - New Zealand is to build a giant Rugby Ball Venue in front of the Eiffel Tower. This attractive architectural gift to the citizens of Paris will be situated close to the Eiffel tower on Paris' Champ de Mars. The oval structure will take three days to build and will stand proudly for three weeks during the 2007 World Cup which this year is being hosted by France.More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Out-Link - Champ de Mars on Google Maps [2]
• Alexander Turnbull Library - Parlez-Vous Française? [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00125.htm
[2] - http://maps.google.com/maps?t=k&etc
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0707/S00110.htm

Gordon Campbell: Zaoui in the 1990s, and since - Former Listener journalist Gordon Campbell writes about the Zaoui review for Scoop.The way the SIS portrays the world in their annual reports, al Qaeda are not the micro-managers of world terrorism any more – they’re more like its aspirational brand leaders. More >> [1]

MORE:

• Scoop Full Coverage - FULL COVERAGE: Zaoui Review [2]
• Gordon Campbell The Case Against Zaoui [3]
• Background - Scoop Features: Zaoui Case Exposed [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00127.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00108.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00106.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/features/nauru.html

Race Relations: Harawira's Howard Comments Analysed By Maori Party Co-Leader - The comments by our own Member, Hone Harawira, reflect the level of concern that this situation has generated” said Dr Sharples. “We will be talking further as a caucus before we release any further response of our own to the report of the Northern Territory Board of Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse”. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Maori Party - 'Sledgehammer to Crack a Nut' [2]
• David Rankin - Maori Apology reaches Australia [3]
• David Rankin - Iwi leader calls for immediate resignation of MP [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0707/S00145.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0707/S00152.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0707/S00112.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0707/S00089.htm

Youth Parliament: Climate Controversy Among Junior MPs - Youth MPs representing the Green Party are taking steps to register their disapproval of the climate change Bill before the Youth Parliament, and intend to abstain as an act of protest. "This Bill shows the inability of the Youth Parliament process to mount a genuine debate about responses to climate change," says Youth MP for Sue Kedgley, Jaz Morris. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Maori Party - Youth Member: Education - Marginalising Maori [2]
• Maori Party - Speech: Youth MP for Tai Tokerau Hope Puriri [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0707/S00114.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0707/S00105.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0707/S00086.htm

Images: NZ's Latest And Largest Military Hardware - Yesterday afternoon the Prime Minister Helen Clark along with Defence Minister Phil Goff and Cabinet Ministers Lianne Dalziel and David Benson-Pope paid a visit to New Zealand's latest and largest piece of military hardware - the HMNZS Canterbury. Sadly for those proud of being mainlanders the Canterbury had not quite reached the province it is named after but was instead ensconced in Wellington. More>> [1]

ALSO:

• New Zealand Defence Force - NZ Defence Force Remembers Passchendaele [2]
• New Zealand Defence Force - Air Force Joins Maritime Warfare Exercise Off Aust [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00105.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0707/S00095.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0707/S00088.htm

Storm: Record Emergency Calls During Weather Bomb - The heavy rain in Northland and strong winds in Auckland caused record numbers of calls to the Northern Communication Centre on Tuesday evening. More than 2500 calls were made in a ten hour period, with nearly 1000 being emergency calls. Superintendent Allan Boreham, said 'This is the highest number of calls in a late shift period the centre has received, higher than on New Years Eve or Guy Fawkes.'More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Scoop Full Coverage - FULL COVERAGE: Northland Storm [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0707/S00107.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00126.htm

Electricity: Commission Approves Waikato To Auckland Line - Transpower today welcomed the Electricity Commission’s final decision to approve its proposal for a new transmission line between south Waikato and south Auckland. The proposed new line is New Zealand’s largest transmission infrastructure project and the first upgrade to the national grid in the upper North Island for over 20 years. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Minister responds to Electricity Comm'n decision [2]
• NZ Govt - Minister commends Electricity Commission efforts [3]
• Federated Farmers - Farmers Consider Judicial Review [4]
• New Era Energy - Electricity Commission decision is wrong! [5]
• Council for Infrastructure Development - Streamlining approvals for Akld lifeline essential [6]
• Major Electricity Users Group - 220 kV preferred over 400 kV line [7]
• Manukau City Council - Decision on power transmission line unacceptable [8]
• Employers And Manufacturers - Electricity Commission pylon plan welcome [9]
• Alliance Party - Public control of power the only answer [10]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00108.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0707/S00097.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0707/S00095.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00107.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0707/S00054.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00110.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00113.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0707/S00059.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0707/S00060.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0706/S00364.htm

Environment: Expensive UK Study Pleases Disposable Nappy Maker - The announcement in the UK of a Government U-turn on their support for cloth nappies is a victory for parental choice according to the manufacturers of Huggies nappies Kimberly-Clark. The decision follows a four-year research project at a cost of millions of pounds. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00172.htm

Director's Fees: 15% Rise Not Enough - NZ’s non-executive directors are remunerated far below their Australian counterparts, despite receiving a healthy increase over the past year, according to a recently released survey by HR consultancy, Sheffield Ltd. The survey found in comparably sized businesses in Australia, non-executive directors were receiving 50 – 150% higher fees than their New Zealand counterparts. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00122.htm

Science/Enviro't: NIWA announces free data policy - From this month [July 2007], the public will be able to download millions of pieces of climate, water resource, and other environmental information for free. The National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA) is making access to its nationally significant databases free over the web. The initiative covers archived data on climate, lake level, river flow, sea level, water quality, and freshwater fish from NIWA, the MetService, and several other contributing agencies. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Joint Media Statement - Project launches a website with 10,000 legs! [2]
• Capital and Coast DHB - C&C DHB goes filmless [3]
• NZ Govt - Free data tools to help businesses, local govt [4]
• Ministry For Culture And Heritage - Wellington the latest place to feature in Te Ara [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0707/S00011.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0707/S00006.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0707/S00020.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0707/S00110.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0707/S00064.htm

U.S. House of Representatives: Homeland Security and Government at Risk - Today, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, identified in a staff report that nearly one quarter of the senior leadership positions located in the Department of Homeland Security are vacant.More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00103.htm

WTO: Goods Council approves waivers for Mongolia, US - The Council for Trade in Goods, on 9 July 2007, approved a request by Mongolia for a five-year waiver on its accession commitment on cashmere. It also approved the extension — until end of 2016 — of the waiver on the United States' duty-free treatment of products from the former Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00116.htm

UN Report: Shortage of Supplies Halts Construction - The United Nations agency tasked with helping Palestinian refugees has announced that it has halted construction on all of its building projects in the Gaza Strip because restrictions at the crossing points with Israel have led to a shortage of basic building supplies. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00107.htm

Number 10: PM thanks Portugal for Madelaine efforts - At a joint press conference with Portugeuse Prime Minister Jose Socrates, Mr Brown said that both he and the McCann family appreciated the "time and effort and dedication" being put into the investigation. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00120.htm

Poll: 54% of the US Wants Cheney Impeached - A new poll conducted by American Research Group finds that 54% of American adults want the US House of Representatives to begin impeachment proceedings against Vice President Dick Cheney, including 76% of Democrats, 17% of Republicans, and 51% ... More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Bernard Weiner - Impeaching the Shadow Master [2]
• Cindy Sheehan - Rally in Charlottesville, Va [3]
• David Swanson - Want to Impeach Cheney? Think July 23rd [4]
• Atlanta Progressive News - Chat with US Rep. Bob Filner on Impeachment [5]
• David Swanson - Movement To Impeach Cheney Escalates [6]
• David Swanson - We Will Sit In for Impeachment [7]
• David Swanson - Discussing Impeachment With the LA Times [8]
• David Swanson - John Olver Believes Bush Will Cancel 2008 Election [9]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00088.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00124.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00122.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00110.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00096.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00087.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00086.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00084.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00085.htm

Election Fraud: Where’s the Outrage? - On March 8, 1994, scarcely year into Bill Clinton’s first term, The New York Times reporter, Jeff Gerth, “broke” the infamous “Whitewater” story, claiming that the Clintons were involved in some sort of cryptic land investment... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00076.htm

Bush Promised to Kiss Blair's Ass - In the UK newspaper The Guardian today, Tuesday 10 July 2007: Describing extracts from the - just published - diaries of Alistair Campbell, Blair's director of communications: British concerns over the influence of neo-cons in the Bush administration are laid out repeatedly, with Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld identified as behind the war with or without UN backing… More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00121.htm

Martha Rosenberg: Seung-Hui Cho's bullets haven't stopped NRA agenda - On April 16, Seung-Hui Cho's bullets stopped 32 people in their tracks. But they haven't stopped the NRA's fast track agenda. If anything, they've accelerated it. Sure, the NRA worked with its Congressional enemies to draft legislation that would close Cho loopholes--H.R. 2640, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System Improvement Amendments Act--which passed the House in June. But it was a con job by the NRA's own admission... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00117.htm

Palestinian Left: Lost Opportunity for Relevance - - When Hamas members were elected as the majority bloc of the Palestinian Legislative Council, and as it became apparent that a US-led international embargo would be an adjoining price to that victory, I contacted many intellectuals and writers in Palestine, mostly those who often positioned themselves as part of the Palestinian Left. I asked them to solidify behind the collective choice of the Palestinian people and to shield Palestinian democracy at any cost.... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00097.htm

Arts: Dunedin Cottage Seeks To Ensnare Writers - Several leading writers have been selected for residencies at the Robert Lord Writers Cottage in Titan Street in Dunedin for 2007/08. Nonnita Rees, Chair of the Writers Cottage Trust, has announced the next four writers to take up residencies. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0707/S00095.htm

Competition Season Kicks Off at Snow Park NZ - Snow Park NZ is gearing up to host the first event of the season inviting all ski and snowboard freestylers to participate in the Electric Quarterpipe Battle on Saturday 14 July. The free-to-enter jam style competition is a relaxed, fun event for all ages and skill levels. Riders will be judged on style and amplitude More >> [1]

ALSO:

• mtv network - Lupe Fiasco Headlines Mtv Snowjam [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0707/S00083.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0707/S00073.htm

Theatre: Jennifer Ward-Lealand in 'Falling in Love Again' - Star of stage and screen, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, brings us a dazzling evening of cabaret and glamour from a time gone by in Falling in Love Again. Jennifer brings to life the sultry performances of screen goddess, Marlene Dietrich, with sizzling physicality. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0707/S00100.htm

Scoop Review: The Woman in Black - As anyone can imagine, it is a challenge to pull off a play within a play. It’s even harder to pull off rehearsals of a play within a play. Impressively, The Woman in Black pulls it off without a hitch. Although not frightening by modern standards, the production is a fine display of the power of acting and good writing which kept it running for 19-plus years on West End. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00049.htm

ENDS

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