Today's Top Scoop Stories - News Summary

Wednesday, 14 March 2007, 1:58 pm
Article: The Scoop Team

NEW ZEALAND LEAD:
Weather: Time For NZ To Batten Down The Hatches
Human Rights: Unique Film Festival On The Way -
News Headlines:
Section 59: FULL COVERAGE: Maori Party Offers Critical Votes For Repeal
Defence: NZ Extends Afghanistan Commitment For One Year
Scoop Audio - PM's Presser!
Foreign Affairs: Peters Protests Latest Zimbabwean Arrests -
Royal Visit: Prince Andrew Set For A Right Royal Visit To NZ
Travel Story: Thailand Struggles and Penang Delights Through The Eyes Of A Kiwi Traveller
Fringe Update: 'Best Production Design' Show For Return Season
Sludge Report: RBNZ Raises Interest Rates – But Will It Make A Difference?

SCOOP INTERNATIONAL LEAD STORY:
Lebanon Photo Essay: Returning to Beirut’s southern suburbs
South America: The President’s Latin American Journey
UN Audio:
Sudan/Darfur: Africa Action Releases Damning Report on Inaction Over Darfur
More International Headlines:

SCOOP LEAD STORY
Security: Air Marshals On Air NZ Flights If Bill Passes House

A bill has been put before Parliament that if passed will see fully armed air marshals policing flights. But Green MP Keith Locke has warned against the danger of legally allowing foreign armed air marshals onto planes coming into New Zealand, as proposed by the Aviation Security Legislation Bill introduced into Parliament yesterday. The chances of accidents, or cowboy responses, are obvious - especially when the Bill's explanatory note says the potential weapons available to hijackers include 'liquid explosive disguised as a sports drink.' See... Shoot-outs in sky possible, in name of security [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0703/S00240.htm

Check Out Scoop's Audio and Video Podcast Feed (updated)

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0703/S00258.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0703/S00248.htm

RECOMMENDED AUDIO:

Scoop Audio: [1] Scoop's Selwyn Manning & Radio Adelaide's Peter Godfrey discuss: How a rest home owner kept patients alive on paper so as to claim subsidies. Also, a bill before Parliament will see armed air marshals on Air New Zealand flights.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00230.htm

NEW ZEALAND LEAD:

Local Govt: Manukau Mayoral Contenders Begin Pre-Fight Sparring [1] - Manukau mayoral candidate Len Brown says the Herald on Sunday reported Manukau City Council was oblivious to gang-related activities in a former scout hall in Otara for approximately 3.5 years. The Chairperson of the Community Safety Committee of the Council, Dick Quax, said the Council has to “take it on the chin” for allowing a Council facility to be used as a gang HQ. Does this mean Quax will take some responsibility for this situation? See... Dick Quax Should Take It on the Chin [2] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0703/S00173.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0703/S00173.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0703/S00157.htm

Weather: Time For NZ To Batten Down The Hatches

MetService meteorologists have issued a weather warning for severe northwest gales on Wednesday over the southern North Island. Marine meteorologists are also forecasting the arrival of large ocean swells on the west coast of the North Island on Wednesday. See... Smashing Swells Predicted [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0703/S00033.htm

Human Rights: Unique Film Festival On The Way -

The Human Rights Network of Aotearoa is proud to present the third annual New Zealand Human Rights Film Festival. This years Festival showcases stories of activists and survivors through the eyes of courageous filmmakers, putting a human face on threats to individual freedom and giving voice to those who might otherwise be silenced. See... Human Rights Film Festival Opens in May [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0703/S00130.htm

NEWS HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0703/S00164.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0703/S00257.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0703/S00255.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0703/S00254.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0703/S00159.htm

Section 59: FULL COVERAGE: Maori Party Offers Critical Votes For Repeal

- We have been asked to support a Bill which is motivated by the need to protect children. We believe that Parliament has an important role in dispelling the illusion that violence is normal and acceptable. We believe that statements of aspiration are important in encouraging whanau to create and maintain violence-free homes. We welcome the initiative of Sue Bradford in this regard. See... Scoop FULL COVERAGE: Anti-Smacking Bill [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00231.htm

Defence: NZ Extends Afghanistan Commitment For One Year

Prime Minister Helen Clark and Defence Minister Phil Goff on Monday announced that the New Zealand contribution to the reconstruction of Afghanistan is being extended for a further year to September 2008. “This commitment includes: the 120 strong Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) - two personnel to help train the Afghan National Army - up to five officers to serve with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Headquarters - four Police officers to help train the Afghan National Police. See... New Zealand commitment in Afghanistan extended [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0703/S00213.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0703/S00217.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0703/S00156.htm

Scoop Audio - PM's Presser!

Afghanistan and other Cabinet Decisions...

Foreign Affairs: Peters Protests Latest Zimbabwean Arrests -

Foreign Minister Winston Peters today called on Zimbabwe Prime Minister Robert Mugabe to immediately release opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and his colleagues from captivity. Mr Tsvangirai, head of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), was arrested by police on Sunday as part of a violent crackdown on a planned demonstration in the capital Harare. See... Peters calls for release of Mugabe opponents [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0703/S00212.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00245.htm

Royal Visit: Prince Andrew Set For A Right Royal Visit To NZ

- His Royal Highness The Duke of York will visit two New Zealand Defence Force bases and take part in a number of special ceremonies during his visit to New Zealand this week. On Friday 16 March the Duke will visit members of the Royal New Zealand Army Logistics Regiment (RNZALR) at Trentham Military Camp. The Duke is Colonel-in-Chief of the RNZALR and the regiment is known as the Duke of York’s Own. See... Duke of York to Visit New Zealand Defence Force Bases [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0703/S00153.htm

RECOMMENDED AUDIO:

KiwiFM Audio - Iraq! [1] Scoop's Selwyn Manning and KiwiFM's Wallace Chapman discuss a top-level summit meeting that has taken place in Iraq between the Iraqi Prime Minister, Iran, Syria and the five permanent members of the UN security council, including the USA. What does this mean for the war-torn-region?

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00193.htm

Travel Story: Thailand Struggles and Penang Delights Through The Eyes Of A Kiwi Traveller

- My train journey tells a tale of Southern Thailand. It is a story of the growing conflict between the Buddhist and Malay Muslim communities which habituate the southern region of Thailand. And... Swathes of incense, from joss sticks up to four foot high (no kidding), fill the air and drift slowly down the street. This is Chinese New Year in Penang… Alex Bremner writes of discovered delights. See... AB's SE Asia Sojourn: Thailand To Penang [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00210.htm

Fringe Update: 'Best Production Design' Show For Return Season

- Fresh from a successful season during the Fringe Festival, the award-winning play Brain Power returns to the BATS stage for one last brief return season in March. Written and directed by Dean Hewison, the show is a strikingly inventive and hilarious film-noir styled comedy set in the darkest regions of the human brain and featuring a massive cast of 17 actors. See... Brain Power Returns [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0703/S00060.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0702/S00237.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0703/S00039.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00077.htm

SCOOP REPORTS:

Scoop Satire: The Week InJustice [1] Lyndon Hood writes: A report into the parole of Graeme Burton, written for Graeme Burton by Graeme Burton and published in the Dominion Post, has found that Graeme Burton was not at fault in the tragic failure of Graeme Burton's parole. Last week reports on the Parole Board's and Corrections Department's actions found all procedures that would have made any difference were followed... See... Lyndon Hood: Law and Order Briefs [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00163.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00163.htm

Sludge Report: RBNZ Raises Interest Rates – But Will It Make A Difference?

- From today's Monetary Policy Statement [1] itappears that our Reserve Bank Governor Dr Alan Bollard remains fixated on New Zealand house price inflation... However from this MPS it is also apparent that there is growing recognition inside the bank that there is not a lot it can do about its biggest bugbear. See... Sludge Report #174: RBNZ Remains Housing Fixated [2] (includes full audio of Dr Bollard's Q&A [3] ) MORE:

[1] - http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/0703/RBNZMPSmar07.pdf
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00129.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00129.htm#a
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00131.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0703/S00102.htm
[6] - http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/0703/RBNZMPSmar07.pdf
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00162.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS:
Lebanon Photo Essay: Returning to Beirut’s southern suburbs

- Hizbullah’s claims that the 34 day war waged on Lebanon in 2006 was pre-planned appear to have been validated by the Israeli Prime Minister last week. The summer war killed close to 1,200 Lebanonese, mainly civilians, and 157 Israelis, mostly military. Scoop returns to one of the areas hardest hit by Israeli bombs last July-August, Haret Hreik. See... Returning to Beirut’s southern suburbs [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00228.htm

South America: The President’s Latin American Journey

- At a time when his popularity has hit rock bottom at home, President Bush is slipping out of Washington today to visit five Latin American nations in the course of an six-day trip. Bush’s itinerary will take him first to Brazil, then south to Uruguay before heading north again for stops in Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico. See... The President’s Latin American Journey [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00177.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00199.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00240.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00238.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00237.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00235.htm

UN Audio:

WHO Anti-countefeiting Coalition Examines Technologies to Prevent Fake Drugs - UN Appeals for Relief Fund to Help Mozambique - Fierce Fighting Displacing Thousands of Sri Lankans: UNHCR - Security Council Powers Close to Agreement on New Iranian Sanctions - Sudan Urges Human Rights Council Not to Consider High-Level Mission Report - UN Rights Chief Hails Legal Ruling by Zimbabwe's High Court - World Population Continues to Get Older; Will Increase by 2.5 Billion by 2050 - UN Refugee Chief Urges International Support for Ecuador.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00262.htm

Sudan/Darfur: Africa Action Releases Damning Report on Inaction Over Darfur

- Africa Action today released a new report detailing six months of international inaction to protect Darfur since the passage of United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1706 last August. Despite that resolution’s authorization of a robust UN peacekeeping force for Darfur, the new Africa Action report describes the failure of the U.S. and the international community to achieve the deployment of this peacekeeping force, and the concurrent escalation in violence on the ground. See... Report on International Failure to Protect Darfur [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00222.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00219.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00201.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00202.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00217.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00216.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00211.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00213.htm

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