Top Scoop Stories - 04 July 2007 News Summary

Wednesday, 4 July 2007, 2:02 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

Today's Top Scoops - July 04, 2007

LEAD STORY:

Clemency: US President Bush Lets Libby Off The Hook

NZ POLITICS:

Tax: Key Promises Credible Tax Cuts
Retirement: Dunne Sees Pluses In EMA's Negatives Over KiwiSaver
Scoop News: FULL COVERAGE: Corporal Willy Apiata VC
Trade: NZ Recieves Positive Bogor Report

BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH:

Risk: Only 30% Consider Security When Investing
Retail: NZ Post Releases Some Fair Dinkum Kiwi Stamps
Auckland Airport: Airlines Don't Want To Pay Development Charge
Animals: Beloved Rhino Goes To Great Game Park In The Sky

WORLD:

UK Government: British People Will Not Be Intimidated
UN Report: Secretary-Gen Deplores Attack
Fiji News: NZ travel bans likely to affect democracy roadmap

COMMENT:

William Rivers Pitt: Was Commuting Libby an Impeachable Offense?
Jason Leopold My Interview With Former US Attorney Bud Cummins
African Countries: Varieties of Corruption

LIFESTYLE:

Sport: Kiwis Win Yacht Race
Music: Award Enables Royal Academy Study For Clarinettist
Tonsorial Wizardry: Wellington Stylist Takes Top Gong
Fashion: Cooper and Cooper reach agreement over trade marks

Clemency: US President Bush Lets Libby Off The Hook - White House Statement: NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, pursuant to my powers under Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, do hereby commute the prison terms imposed by the sentence upon the said Lewis Libby to expire immediately, leaving intact and in effect the two-year term of supervised release, with all its conditions, and all other components of the sentence. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• The White House - Grant of Executive Clemency [2]
• Barack Obama - Obama on Bush decision to commute Libby's sentence [3]
• US Democratic Party - Dean: Bush Gives Libby A Get Out of Jail Card [4]
• Hillary Clinton - Statement of Hillary Clinton on Libby Commutation [5]
• John Edwards - Edwards Statement On President Commuting Sentence [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00024.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00024.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00025.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00026.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00027.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00028.htm

Tax: Key Promises Credible Tax Cuts - National Party Leader John Key says Cabinet papers confirm in stark terms the high tax, big spending choices that the Helen Clark-led Government has made over the past eight years. "It's now patently clear to hardworking Kiwis that Labour won't be sharing any of the gains from recent economic buoyancy by lowering taxes. They can't be trusted on tax."More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0707/S00058.htm

Retirement: Dunne Sees Pluses In EMA's Negatives Over KiwiSaver - Revenue Minister Peter Dunne says he's baffled by criticism of the KiwiSaver retirement scheme from Alasdair Thompson, chief executive of the Employers and Manufacturers Association. "Mr Thompson claims KiwiSaver is an estimated $3 billion to $4.5 billion tax cut for those who elect to join KiwiSaver - and this is apparently a bad thing. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• EMA - KiwiSaver a 3-4.5 billion dollar tax cut [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0707/S00059.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00062.htm

Scoop News: FULL COVERAGE: Corporal Willy Apiata VC - Corporal Bill (Willy) Apiata, the first New Zealander to be awarded a Victoria Cross since WWII, was lost for words as he fronted a press conference held at NZ Defence HQ in Wellington. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00018.htm

Trade: NZ Recieves Positive Bogor Report - Goff welcomes positive APEC report on NZ "New Zealand has been given an extremely positive assessment by its APEC peers with respect to its trade policy settings following a review of New Zealand's progress towards meeting APEC's Bogor Goals. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0707/S00041.htm

Risk: Only 30% Consider Security When Investing - New Zealanders have a worrying lack of concern for the financial stability of institutions they invest their money with, according to the results of a survey released today. The survey conducted by TNS, in conjunction with RaboPlus, found that only 30% of people considered guarantees and protections offered by an organisation when looking at investment. However, 72% looked at interest rates. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Russell Investment Group - Few bright patches seen for investors [2]
• Get Debt Free - Debt Elimination Service Launched [3]
• St Laurence Group - St Laurence - No Connection With Bridgecorp [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00067.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00068.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00019.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00054.htm

Retail: NZ Post Releases Some Fair Dinkum Kiwi Stamps - If you are away with the fairies, get stuck in boots and all, or are prone to throwing a hissy fit you are, like the latest issue of New Zealand Post stamps, a classic Kiwi. NZ Post says the fact New Zealand vernacular is logical, lucid and comprehensible to Kiwis but illogical, ambiguous and incomprehensible to other nationalities, is something to celebrate. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00070.htm

Auckland Airport: Airlines Don't Want To Pay Development Charge - Air New Zealand said today the Airport Development Charge paid by passengers departing Auckland should be scrapped rather than disguised by the monopoly airport operator. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Auckland International Airport - New aeronautical charges for airline customers [2]
• Flight Centre - Travel Agent Welcomes Inclusive Departure Tax [3]
• Auckland International Airport - BARNZ Allegations Unfounded [4]
• Auckland International Airport - Airport adopts 10 yr asset revaluation moratorium [5]
• Auckland International Airport - Airport facilitates $19 bn for NZ, 283,000 jobs [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00049.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00005.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00034.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00037.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00006.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00004.htm

Animals: Beloved Rhino Goes To Great Game Park In The Sky - Auckland Zoo's much loved rhino, Mandhla, who last November suffered neurological failure causing him to go blind, had to be euthanised earlier today following a dramatic deterioration in his condition. Yesterday the 28-year-old rhino suffered a prolapsed penis, resulting in him being unable to urinate. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0707/S00003.htm

UK Government: British People Will Not Be Intimidated - The British people will be united in the face of terrorist attacks, the Prime Minister has said In an interview with the BBC, Gordon Brown said that the incidents in London and Glasgow were part of an attempt to "undermine" the British way of life and that it was important for the public to remain "vigilant". It was also important that people "live their lives as normal", he added. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• UK Government - Briefing from the Prime Minister's Spokesman [2]
• UK Government - Change is Essential for Britain's Future [3]
• Australian Government - Prime Minister of Australia Interview [4]
• 95bFM Audio - 95bFM: Kim Choe IVs On Gordon Brown's 1st Week [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00053.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00052.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00054.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00055.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00019.htm

UN Report: Secretary-Gen Deplores Attack - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today spoke out against recent terrorist activity in the United Kingdom and said he would discuss the matter with the prime minister during a planned visit to London next week. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00019.htm

Fiji News: NZ travel bans likely to affect democracy roadmap - The latest extended application of travel bans announced as part of sanctions by New Zealand are likely to affect Fiji's return to parliamentary democracy. Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, the Prime Minister said that those bans are 'hypocrisy of the highest order' on part of New Zealand. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00056.htm

William Rivers Pitt: Was Commuting Libby an Impeachable Offense? - Let me get this straight. Like a thief in the night, George W. Bush commuted the prison sentence of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby. He made no public appearance to announce the decision, but instead air-mailed a written statement after 5 p.m. at the outset of a midweek holiday.More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Bernard Weiner - National-Security Breaches: Time for Impeachment [2]
• David Swanson - David Swanson: Commuting Scooter [3]
• BuzzFlash.Com - Buzzflash: NYT "Coverage" Of The "Commutation" [4]
• Scoop Link - Olbermann - WH "Corrupt to the Core," Says Wilson [5]
• David Swanson - David Swanson: 14 Congress Members for Impeachment [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00041.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00040.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00039.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00038.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00037.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00036.htm

Jason Leopold My Interview With Former US Attorney Bud Cummins - Bud Cummins, the former US attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas who was forced out of his position last year to make room for a protege of Karl Rove, is a staunch Republican who is vocal about his loyalty to GOP causes and President Bush. ... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00354.htm

African Countries: Varieties of Corruption - Ever since they were first promoted by the industrialized nations and international bodies, much analysis of the spread of neoliberal economic policies has tended to focus on the fact that these countries and international bodies limit themselves... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00406.htm

Sport: Kiwis Win Yacht Race - Hamish Pepper and Carl Williams have kicked off the ISAF Sailing World Championships with a 3rd and a 1st to have a share of the lead at the end of day one... For the defending Star World Champions this is their first major event together this season, due to William's Americas Cup commitments. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Team Alinghi - Alinghi Wins America's Cup 5-2 [2]
• Americas Cup Media - Alinghi wins the 32nd America's Cup [3]
• Americas Cup Media - Alinghi hoists the America's Cup for a second time [4]
• NZ Govt - Congratulations to Alinghi and to Emirates Team NZ [5]
• Auckland City Council - Aucklanders proud of yachties' quest [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0707/S00037.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0707/S00032.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0707/S00031.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0707/S00033.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0707/S00053.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0707/S00034.htm

Music: Award Enables Royal Academy Study For Clarinettist - Clarinettist Ellen Deverall, a Victoria University of Wellington first-class honours graduate, is the winner of the Patricia Pratt Scholarship in Musical Performance for 2007 and as a result will now study at the Royal Academy of Music in London. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0707/S00035.htm

Tonsorial Wizardry: Wellington Stylist Takes Top Gong - The lights shone the laser beamed and the stylists styled. Last night, twenty Young Professional Stylists cut and styled previously coloured hair into a stunning array of fashion statements before an enthusiastic crowd of about 500. More>> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0707/S00006.htm

Fashion: Cooper and Cooper reach agreement over trade marks - Tamsin Cooper and Trelise Cooper have met and come to an amicable resolution over their trade mark dispute. As this issue has evolved, and with the significant amount of media attention it has attracted, both feel that customers now have a better understanding between the respective brands. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00044.htm

ENDS

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