Yesterday's top 20 rating items on Scoop were...
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:
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.
3:
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.
4:
The
Week Ahead In Parliament - New Govt Takes
Over
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.Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
5:
Big
Victory For Kiwi Cricketers
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.
6:
MMP
Russian Style - A Right Wing
Landslide
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.
7:
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...
8:
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.
9:
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.
10:
Slayed
In NZ Wood Product Brand Label
Launched
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.
11:
Y2K
Preparing For A Period Of
Uncertainty
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.
12:
Scoop
Images: New Bra Beats Bounce
Photo Caption: Sarah Findlay models one of the new Cool Guard sports bras, designed particularly for jogging, aerobics and women's soccer.
13:
New
Zealand's richest man supports the
arts
New Zealand's richest man, Douglas Myers, has made a $1.5 million donation to Auckland University's new arts centre to help stop the brain drain. But are we also neglecting the "retired brains" in our society. John Howard reports.
14:
Alliance
Welcomes Minimum Wage Increase
The $22 a week increase in the minimum wage announced today is being welcomed by the Alliance.
15:
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, ...
16:
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 ...
17:
Black
Caps In Box Seat On Day Five
In a see-sawing match the Black Caps are in the box seat in the first test match against the West Indies in Hamilton.
18:
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.
19:
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.
20:
Cooperative
government moving quickly
Alliance leader and Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton is attributing the rapid pace of action by the new government to the co-operative approach the Alliance and Labour are taking to the new coalition.