Today's top 20 rating items on Scoop are...
1: Russia
Launches New ICB Missile as Grozny
Invaded
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.
2:
Grozny
Assault Underway - Troops Enter
Outskirts
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.
3:
Scoop
Editorial: Putin Pushes Devil's Own
Button
An increasingly desperate Russian Prime Minister may have overstepped the mark in his flagrant nuclear sabre rattling display today, writes Scoop's Alastair Thompson.
4:
Scoop
Editorial: The Right Thing To Do
Russia this week decided not to blanket bomb Grozny. With the benefit of hindsight it appears the decision not to bomb was taken on Tuesday, right at the beginning of the week, Scoop's Alastair Thompson reports on the motivations behind the sudden ...Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
5:
Americas
Cup - Prada Favourite At End Of
RR3
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.
6:
Americas
Cup - French Make It To Semi
Finals
Le Défi was rewarded for winning seven consecutive matches in Round Robin Three of the Louis Vuitton Cup. Today, the French sailed around the course safely and confirmed the last Semi-Final berth.
7:
HARD
NEWS: The Election That Wouldn't
Die
GOOD DAY MEDIAPHILES ... so there we were, Friday night in Sydney, a cluster of enterprising knowledge workers with a high tolerance for fun. And could we get a taxi? We could not. Not at the same time, to the same place, anyway.
8:
World
Watches As Russian Bear Awakes
The issue of Chechnya has been raised informally in the UN Security Council by individual members, but Russia has never allowed the matter to go further. The world is angry - but largely silent. John Howard reports.
9:
Commercial
Education Model Dead - Maharey
New Tertiary Education Minister Steve Maharey has said the commercial, competitive tertiary education model is “dead” and that a new think-tank will be considering changes for the sector.
10:
13
Suspected bin Laden Terrorists Arrested
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.
11:
Rankin
on Thursday - Labour has Balance of
Power
How strong can a Labour-led Government be in the MMP environment? Is Labour a dog easily wagged? Is it not true that the Greens have the "balance of power"? Or maybe New Zealand First? I argue here that Labour is strategically placed to dominate ...
12:
Time
For Minister To Remember Promise To
Students
“For the second time this week the Minister of Social Services and Employment has proved that his word means nothing” says National’s Work & Income spokesperson Belinda Vernon.
13:
Americas
Cup - Prada Leads Table As RR2
Ends
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, ...
14:
Fake
Gathering Tickets In
Circulation
Organisers of New Zealand’s largest dance party, The Gathering, are warning people who have purchased tickets in the last month that they may have purchased forgeries.
15:
Americas
Cup - Prada Loses For Second
Time
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...
16:
Greens
Flex Muscle Over Party Hopping
Bill
It appears Green concern over the coalition’s anti-party hopping legislation will see the bill delayed until 2000.
17:
New
Government warned not to rush tax
bill
ACT Finance spokesman Rodney Hide today warned the new government not to rush through legislation to increase taxes under urgency in the week before Christmas.
18:
National
Radio Midday
Bulletin
Moseley-Braun - Prisoners - Boats - Council - Crop and Food - Tenants - re-count - Gathering - Y2K - Pressure - Syria - Coach - Test
19:
Editorial:
Massive War Crime Threatened In
Grozny
In the last four weeks of the 20st century, not to mention the millennium, the world is on the verge of experiencing the effects of a new generation of horrific weapons systems.
20:
Greens
call for community wage payments over
XMas
A request from the Green Party for people on the Community Wage scheme to retain their weekly $21 on top of their benefit over Christmas is being considered by Employment Minister Steve Maharey, the Greens say.