Top Scoop Stories - 29 June 2007 News Summary

Friday, 29 June 2007, 2:49 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

Today's Top Scoops - June 29, 2007

LEAD STORY:

Mental Health: Report of the Confidential Forum presented

NZ POLITICS:

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY: [1] [2] [3]
Scoop Exclusive: The Perils Of New Zealand's International Military Assistance
Crime: Turia on Moral Panic and Gangs
Scoop Report: Anderton Calls An End To Party Pill Party
Scoop Satire: Open Letter To Closed Parliament

BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH:

Conservation: Secrets Of NZ's Bizarre Sea Creatures Revealed
Economy: Annual Current Account Deficit Narrows
Tech Support: Aussie & NZ I.T. Benchmarks Show Different Story
Environment: Legal action puts NZ polluters on notice

WORLD:

Number 10: Gordon Brown holds first Cabinet meeting
UN Report: Tony Blair Named Quartet Representative
UN Report: Africa And Asia Population to Double by 2030
UN Report: Global Drug Abuse Rates Holding Steady

COMMENT:

Suzan Mazur: Bishop Romney's Sadistic Anti-Abortion Counseling
Michael Moore: Make SiCKO anAgent of Change!
David Swanson Waters, Lee, Woolsey - Impeachment Way to End War

LIFESTYLE:

Medical: America's Cup fans should sleep in
America's Cup: All square - Alinghi wins Race Four to tie the Match 2-2
07/07/07: Air Guitar Part Of Online Celebration Arts: Alien Musical Stars Dead Actor
Health: Teen smoking rates halved in less than a decade

Mental Health: Report of the Confidential Forum presented - The government today welcomed the report of the Confidential Forum for Former In-Patients of Psychiatric Hospitals, which has allowed former in-patients to discuss their experiences in an accessible, informal and confidential environment... The Confidential Forum was established in 2004 to provide an opportunity for former in-patients, their families and staff members to formally speak about their experiences of psychiatric institutions in the period before November 1992. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Former Patients of Psychiatric Hospitals - Q n A [2]
• Greens - Former patients deserve an apology, compensation [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00587.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00588.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00592.htm

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:

• Questions And Answers - Thursday, 28 June 2007 [1]
• Questions And Answers - Wednesday, 27 June 2007 [2]
• Questions And Answers - Tuesday, 26 June 2007 [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00590.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00544.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00522.htm

Scoop Exclusive: The Perils Of New Zealand's International Military Assistance - Security analyst Paul Buchanan: "In a country where political headlines are grabbed by child-smacking and school meal debates, perhaps it is time for all of us to raise our game and argue about things relevant to the common defense and New Zealand's international military role rather than our parochial interests." NZ Defence Image June 06: Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Peter Kelly, then Commanding Officer 1st NZSAS Group, receives the US Navy Presidential Unit Citation from US President George. W. Bush. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00378.htm

Crime: Turia on Moral Panic and Gangs - Moral panic is most frequently seen in the way in which crime statistics are manipulated and misconstrued in a peculiar blend of media hype and political opportunism. In Aotearoa in the last few months, the gang culture has been targeted in the latest moral panic. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Police - Police Recruits An Inspiration To Pacific Youth [2]
• Sensible Sentencing Trust - Maori sick of excuses [3]
• National - Electronic bail a gamble with public safety [4]
• National - CYFS fails predator 'time bomb' & public [5]
• National - Only 32% of new police on 'front line' [6]
• Campaign Against the Taser - Hysteria threatens taser trial [7]
• Police Association - Taser Critics Should Note Violence Against Police [8]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00545.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0706/S00331.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0706/S00329.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00554.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00556.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00519.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0706/S00336.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0706/S00293.htm

Scoop Report: Anderton Calls An End To Party Pill Party - Jim Anderton, Associate Minister of Health and Leader of the Progressive Party, announced today that the cabinet had agreed to his recommendation to ban BZP and related party pills. After the legislation is passed, BZP will be classified as Class C1 and a six month amnesty for possession or personal use will go into effect. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - BZP to be banned [2]
• National - BZP action takes too long [3]
• Greens - Prohibition is not the answer [4]
• United Future - Turner: Horse Bolted on BZP [5]
• NZ First - Party Pills - Common Sense Prevails [6]
• Massey University - BZP ban right decision on balance [7]
• NZ Drug Foundation - Drug Foundation impressed by revision of drug law [8]
• NZ Drug Foundation - Urban drug myth: Fruit-flavoured methamphetamine [9]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00379.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00564.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00571.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00577.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00579.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00584.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0706/S00104.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0706/S00102.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0706/S00344.htm

Scoop Satire: Open Letter To Closed Parliament - Dear Mags, I hear you're banning satire. About time! The last thing we need is the Media arrogantly assuming the right to denigrate the institution of Parliament or make its members appear ridiculous. No! By long tradition, the power to make Politicians appear absurd in the eyes of the public rests entirely with the Politicians themselves. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Standing Orders Committee - Report: Television coverage of the House [2]
• Maori Party - Turia: Television Coverage of the House [3]
• Maori Party - Party Welcomes Proposals to Manage Broadcasts [4]
• Commonwealth Press Union - Camera Coverage Of The House -- CPU [5]
• EPMU - Union says Speaker should scrap satire ban [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00369.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00508.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00593.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00525.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0706/S00316.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0706/S00320.htm

Conservation: Secrets Of NZ's Bizarre Sea Creatures Revealed - WWF-New Zealand is launching an exciting new online resource that for the first time provides a gateway to all that's known about life in New Zealand's oceans. The Treasures of the Sea: Nga Taonga a Tangaroa is a species-group by species-group guide to New Zealand's marine life. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0706/S00072.htm

Economy: Annual Current Account Deficit Narrows - The current account deficit for the year ended March 2007 was $13.9 billion (8.5 percent of GDP), Statistics New Zealand said today... The reduction in the March 2007 year deficit from the previous March year deficit was mainly due to increased exports of goods. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Statistics New Zealand - Domestic Demand Strong in March 2007 Quarter [2]
• J P Morgan - NZ's current account deficit narrowed [3]
• Statistics New Zealand - Tourist Spending Exceeds $18 Billion [4]
• Statistics New Zealand - Housing Consents Steady in May [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0706/S00477.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0706/S00501.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0706/S00479.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0706/S00475.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0706/S00476.htm

Tech Support: Aussie & NZ I.T. Benchmarks Show Different Story - "Australian and New Zealand firms face lower salary costs than the northern hemisphere, but this does not relate to better efficiencies". "A majority of local businesses have a greater number of IT staff to do the same job than their overseas competitors" said Mr Bishop. "One of the reasons for staff inefficiencies could be the low levels of training undertaken by Australasian businesses." More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0706/S00069.htm

Environment: Legal action puts NZ polluters on notice - The directors of 20 major greenhouse-polluting New Zealand companies have been warned of possible litigation if they don't take action on climate change. Australian law firm Maurice Blackburn Cashman, acting on behalf of Greenpeace, "served notice" on the companies that they could be held liable for their contribution to the damage and costs of climate change, especially if they refuse to change current practices. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0706/S00339.htm

Number 10: Gordon Brown holds first Cabinet meeting - Gordon Brown has held his first Cabinet meeting following appointments made earlier today. The Cabinet meeting, which convened at 14:00 BST, included newly appointed Chancellor Alastair Darling and Foreign Secretary David Miliband. More>> [1]

ALSO:

• UK Government - Gordon Brown announces changes to Government [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0706/S00496.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0706/S00495.htm

UN Report: Tony Blair Named Quartet Representative - Following discussions among the Principals, the Middle East diplomatic Quartet - comprising the United Nations, European Union, Russian Federation and United States - today announced the appointment of former United Kingdom leader Tony Blair as its Representative. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• US State Department - Statement by Secretary Condoleezza Rice [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0706/S00478.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0706/S00506.htm

UN Report: Africa And Asia Population to Double by 2030 - The population of African and Asian cities will double by 2030, adding 1.7 billion people, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) says in a new report which calls for addressing rising urbanization by helping the poor. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0706/S00475.htm

UN Report: Global Drug Abuse Rates Holding Steady - The production, trafficking and consumption of most illegal drugs remained steady last year, and law enforcement agencies are becoming more successful in their fight against the scourge, according to a United Nations report released today. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0706/S00461.htm

Suzan Mazur: Bishop Romney's Sadistic Anti-Abortion Counseling - When Mormon feminist Judith Dushku learned that Mitt Romney, her former bishop and friend, counseled a woman to come to full term with her sixth pregnancy -- despite overwhelming medical advice that the life of mother and child were seriously endangered... More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Mexican Drug Policy: Internal Corruption [2]
• Mazur: LDS Church -- Mexico Drug Money Connection? [3]
• Suzan Mazur: Big Love, Romney, Bush & Mormons [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00066.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00364.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0705/S00311.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00117.htm

Michael Moore: Make SiCKO anAgent of Change! - With over 45 million people uninsured and health care costs sometimes double what people pay in other countries, we still lead the way as the only industrialized county without a universal coverage system. See... More >> [1]

ALSO

• Michael Moore - 'SiCKO' Sneaks Across America This Saturday! [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00389.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00313.htm

David Swanson Waters, Lee, Woolsey - Impeachment Way to End War - Congresswomen Maxine Waters, Barbara Lee, and Lynn Woolsey dropped in on an "Impeach the President" book event on Tuesday. Dennis Loo, Barbara Bowling, Larry Everest and I spoke. During Q&A, the 3 of them rushed in between votes, and made a prepared... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00392.htm

Medical: America's Cup fans should sleep in - A sleep researcher says America's Cup fans need to make sure they get enough sleep. Dr Leigh Signal from Massey University's Sleep/Wake Research Centre says, "It's great that our team is doing well. Yachting fans can look after their health by making sure they get enough sleep... If you are getting up night after night, the effects will accumulate. You will continue to feel sleepier and more irritable each day and your functioning will continue to decline. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Auckland City Council - America's Cup fever builds [2]
• Medianet - Best Friends Distracting at Work, NZ Study Finds [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0706/S00101.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0706/S00310.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0706/S00300.htm

America's Cup: All square - Alinghi wins Race Four to tie the Match 2-2 - Alinghi, the Defender of the 32nd America's Cup, beat Emirates Team New Zealand on Wednesday to square the Match at two wins apiece. The Swiss team was in control for the entire race, leading the Emirates squad around the race course. More >> [1]

EARLIER:

• America's Cup Media - Alinghi 1, Emirates Team New Zealand 2 [2]
• America's Cup Media - Emirates Team New Zealand earns a stunning victory [3]
• Royal Society of NZ - Science Headlines - America's Cup [4]
• America's Cup Media - Alinghi wins first race, grabs lead in Match [5]
• America's Cup Media - The 32nd America's Cup Match starts on Saturday [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0706/S00294.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0706/S00285.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0706/S00286.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0706/S00063.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0706/S00251.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0706/S00250.htm

07/07/07: Air Guitar Part Of Online Celebration - A live audiovisual mash up of guitar anthems and YouTube footage of air guitarists will feature alongside online performances created by artists from all over the world, in a festival to mark a unique date. On the seventh day of the seventh month of 2007 diverse performances will unfold in front of live and online audiences. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• The Film Archive - From Puppets to Pixels [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0706/S00310.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0706/S00277.htm

Arts: Alien Musical Stars Dead Actor - New Zealanders will now have the opportunity to witness one of the best-selling recordings of all time, Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of The Worlds, live, with a brilliant cast, including, 23 years after his death, one of the world's greatest actors, Richard Burton, at the helm "in sight and sound"as George Herbert, The Journalist. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0706/S00288.htm

Health: Teen smoking rates halved in less than a decade - Figures released by ASH New Zealand show that teen smoking rates have halved in the last 8 years. In 2006, 14.2 percent of Year 10 New Zealand teenagers said they were smokers, down from 28.6 percent in 1999. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Smokefree Coalition - Tobacco control leaders to set future agenda [2]
• NZ Govt - Halving of smoking rate among teens [3]
• Smokefree Coalition - Ministry Tobacco Survey Findings Welcome [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0706/S00086.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0706/S00084.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0706/S00496.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0706/S00345.htm

ENDS

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