Scoop: Top Scoops + Politics (NEW YEAR SPECIAL)

Saturday, 31 December 2005, 5:40 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

NEW YEAR’S TOP SCOOPS
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM SCOOP!!
New Year 2006's Honourable Kiwis Honoured
YOU SAID IT! A Christmas Letter to Peter Jackson from an American Ape-watcher
Environmental News: Greenpeace Writes Of Southern Ocean Ordeal
MORE HEADLINES:
Scoop Gets Inside The NSA Spy Scandal
Whistleblower Blows Lid On UK Torture Complicity
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

NEW YEAR COLUMNS
New Book: AMERICA'S "WAR ON TERRORISM"
Whistleblower Blows Lid On Met Antiquities Intrigue
Pacific Ecologist: Will Unchecked Global Warming Destroy Civilisation
Inside The US Voting Machine Controversy

MORE COMMENTARY:
NEW ZEALAND:
ISRAEL & PALESTINE:
IRAQ:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:
GLOBAL:
NEPAL:
CHRISTMAS COMMENTARY

NEW YEAR'S POLITICS READOUT
Keith Locke Mourns A Sri-Lankan Friend
Michael Cullen Unimpressed With Tribunal Report On Wananga
POST CHRISTMAS POLITICAL RELEASES
Peters Takes Credit For Scrapping Of Carbon Tax
Economy Cools: NZ GDP Eases In September Quarter
Govt Moves To Increase Minimum Wage To Eight Percent

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM SCOOP!!

[1] - Scoop.co.nz wishes all its readers, contributors and supporters a very restive and safe New Year. Travel safely and have an enervating holiday season. Scoop.co.nz will return to full service on January 4th. In the meantime Scoop continues to be updated with a virtual smorgasbord of comment and opinion. – The Scoop Team 31.12.05. See also... Christmas Message From The Scoop Team [2]

[1] - http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/0512/dc4f4604e9fb894814f5.jpeg
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00237.htm

New Year 2006's Honourable Kiwis Honoured

– The annual list of New Zealanders deserving of letters after their name has been released by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. See… THE NEW YEAR HONOURS 2006 [1] RELATED:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00379.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0512/S00196.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0512/S00102.htm

YOU SAID IT! A Christmas Letter to Peter Jackson from an American Ape-watcher

- Dear Peter Jackson, When King Kong opened here in the U.S. 10 days ago, I felt ambivalent in the extreme. A 25-foot tall, bellowing, T Rex-battling big-screen ape bears little resemblance to the gentle, intuitive gorillas I've filmed for years now with my camcorder at the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park in Washington, DC. See... Scoop Feedback: Apes, Bouquets, Corrections Etc. [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00305.htm

Environmental News: Greenpeace Writes Of Southern Ocean Ordeal

- Blog post from Lally On board the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise in the Southern Ocean - When I saw my first whale in the wild I cried joy-filled happy tears. I also cried today when I saw a family of three minke whales, one of them a baby, all swimming along together. But this time I can't stop crying, I can hardly breath and it feels like my heart is being strangled in my chest, for I have just witnessed the violent death of a creature so sublime, so exquisite and of such wordless beauty that I am now numbed by the extremity of my own selfish pain. See... GP Ocean Defenders: And then there were two... [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0512/S00187.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0512/S00171.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0512/S00195.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0512/S00194.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0512/S00391.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0512/S00101.htm

Scoop Gets Inside The NSA Spy Scandal

- The Bush administration was publicly admonished by a senate committee, and a special surveillance court, in two separate instances for repeatedly trying to skirt the law in obtaining top-secret warrants to spy on American citizens suspected of having ties to terrorists. Despite the public rebuke, President Bush circumvented the judicial process and secretly authorized the National Security Agency to spy on thousands of individuals in the United States in defiance of the very court that issued a legal opinion saying the administration was already infringing on civil liberties in other domestic spy cases. See… Bush-NSA Spying in Defiance of Congress, Court [1] & Jason Leopold: Rice Authorized NSA To Spy On UNSC [2] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00295.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00265.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00287.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00277.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00274.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00268.htm

Whistleblower Blows Lid On UK Torture Complicity

- Craig Murray is the UK's former ambassador to Uzbekistan, who was removed from his post after complaining too loudly about human rights abuses and- torture in a country that was, at the time, considered a vital ally in the "war on terror". See... The UK Was Complicit In Torture In Uzbekistan [1] RELATED:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00297.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00272.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00293.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0512/S00374.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0512/S00373.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0512/S00369.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0512/S00368.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0512/S00367.htm

New Book: AMERICA'S "WAR ON TERRORISM"

- In this new and expanded edition of Michel Chossudovsky's 2002 best seller, the author blows away the smokescreen put up by the mainstream media, that 9/11 was an attack on America by "Islamic terrorists". Through meticulous research, the author uncovers a military-intelligence ploy behind the September 11 attacks, and the cover-up and complicity of key members of the Bush Administration. See... UQ Wire: Michel Chossudovsky's New 911 Book [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00033.htm

Whistleblower Blows Lid On Met Antiquities Intrigue

- I first met Metropolitan Museum ancient Near East expert Oscar Muscarella in the late 1980s. I went to see him at his office to discuss some safety pins or "fibulas" which had turned up in a couple of tumuli in southwest Turkey along with other artifacts that Turkish archaeologists identified as Phrygian. The Phrygians -- King Midas's people -- were master craftsmen and the objects just found appeared to belong to a royal Phrygian family: a silver belt with a fibula-like catch, iron dagger with gold reliefs on the handle, two griffins from a bronze caldron, a fertility ring with phallus-shaped knobs, and statuettes - one of Anatolia's mother goddess Kybele in ivory and another in silver of a eunuch priest. The Met's controversial Greek and Roman chairman Dietrich von Bothmer told me he considered the statuettes "masterpieces" and "purely Phrygian." See... Antiquities Whistleblower Oscar White Muscarella [1] . Earlier: Suzan Mazur: A Preview Of Bob Hecht's Memoirs [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00252.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00224.htm

Pacific Ecologist: Will Unchecked Global Warming Destroy Civilisation

- Editorial: They've been warning us for almost two decades now, tens of thousands of scientists from all over the world. Atmospheric chemists have watched greenhouse gases rise as meteorologists tracked changing weather patterns, and glaciologists reported temperate glaciers shrinking and polar sea ice retreating. They have studied, meticulously researched, checked and rechecked data as scientists do, written many hundreds of reports, telling us the earth's climate is beginning a great change. See... Pacific Ecologist issue 11 summer 2005/2006 [1] RELATED:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00308.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00299.htm

Inside The US Voting Machine Controversy

- Earlier this month Leon County, Florida Supervisor of Elections Ion Sancho, invited computer experts to demonstrate the existence of a security flaw in Diebold optical scanners described in a report published on July 4, 2005. The test was repeated in December in order to refute specific denials by Diebold. In statements to two different election officials Diebold claimed it was not possible to alter the outcome of an election in such a way that the perpetrator would not need passwords and the tampering would not be noticed during normal canvassing procedures. Sancho set up the test environment on December 13, 2005 to prove these claims false. See... What’s All the Fuss About Diebold in FL & CA? [1] RELATED:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00303.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00304.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00246.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00242.htm

NEW ZEALAND:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00296.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00294.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00279.htm

ISRAEL & PALESTINE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00301.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00281.htm

IRAQ:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00257.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00282.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00280.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00264.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00270.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00266.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00261.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00271.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00260.htm

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00307.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00300.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00298.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00283.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00262.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00258.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00255.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00291.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00290.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00289.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00276.htm

GLOBAL:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00306.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00292.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00278.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00269.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00267.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00263.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00275.htm

NEPAL:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00288.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00286.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00285.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00284.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00302.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00273.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00259.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00256.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00254.htm

CHRISTMAS COMMENTARY

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00251.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00250.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00249.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00253.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00247.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00244.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00241.htm

Keith Locke Mourns A Sri-Lankan Friend

- Green MP Keith Locke today expressed his sorrow at the assassination of the Sri Lankan Tamil MP, Joseph Pararajasingam, who he met during the politician's visit to New Zealand last May. See... Assassinated Tamil politician visited NZ in May [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00373.htm

Michael Cullen Unimpressed With Tribunal Report On Wananga

- Tertiary Education Minister Michael Cullen said today that Te Wananga o Aotearoa's status under the Treaty of Waitangi had to be balanced against its obligations as an organisation in receipt of public funding. See... Cullen on Waitangi Tribunal report on wananga [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00365.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0512/S00100.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0512/S00099.htm

POST CHRISTMAS POLITICAL RELEASES

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00378.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00377.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00376.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00375.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00374.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00372.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00371.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00370.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00369.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00368.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00367.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00366.htm

Peters Takes Credit For Scrapping Of Carbon Tax

- The Rt Hon Winston Peters welcomed the announcement today that the government will be scrapping its proposed carbon tax as a consequence of a review which was established as part of New Zealand First's supply and confidence agreement. See... New Zealand First Delivers On Carbon Tax Promise [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00321.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00326.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00327.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00331.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00322.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0512/S00174.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0512/S00173.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0512/S00172.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0512/S00334.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0512/S00332.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0512/S00329.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0512/S00328.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0512/S00327.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0512/S00326.htm

Economy Cools: NZ GDP Eases In September Quarter

- Economic activity increased 0.2 percent in the September 2005 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today. This follows increases of 1.2 and 0.7 percent in the June and March 2005 quarters, respectively. Growth this quarter resulted from a rise in ... See... NZ GDP September Q. 2005: Economic Growth Subdued [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0512/S00331.htm

Govt Moves To Increase Minimum Wage To Eight Percent

- Workers earning the minimum wage will receive a pay rise of nearly eight per cent from March 2006, Labour Minister Ruth Dyson announced today. The minimum adult wage, which applies to people over 18 years, will increase from $9.50 to $10.25 an hour from 27 March 2006, the largest increase since the Labour-led government came into office in 1999. See... Minimum wage to increase [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00317.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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