Top Scoop Stories - 05 July 2007 News Summary

Thursday, 5 July 2007, 1:53 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

Today's Top Scoops - July 05, 2007

LEAD STORY:

Scoop News: Inspector General's Zaoui Review Hearings To Begin

NZ POLITICS:

Trade News: Goff Urges APEC To Pressure DOHA Round Conclusion
SOEs: TVNZ Charter review process begins
Environment: Climate change initiative on conservation land
Tax: Key Promises Credible Tax Cuts

BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH:

Weather: Be Prepared When Nature Comes A-Knocking
Tourism News: Tourism demonstrates resilience to high dollar
Risk: Only 30% Consider Security When Investing

WORLD:

Clemency: US President Bush Lets Libby Off The Hook
US Congress: US House Resolution 333
BBC: Statement about release of Alan Johnston

COMMENT:

Scoop News: David Swanson: 14 Congress Members for Impeachment
William Rivers Pitt: Was Commuting Libby an Impeachable Offense?

LIFESTYLE:

Scoop Review: The Woman in Black
Sport: Kiwis Win Yacht Race
Laughs:Cult musical duo win top NZ comedy award
Music: Award Enables Royal Academy Study For Clarinettist

Scoop News: Inspector General's Zaoui Review Hearings To Begin - Intelligence & Justice: Report by The Scoop Team - The Inspector General of Intelligence and Security's review of whether the Security Intelligence Service was correct in issuing a security risk certificate against Ahmed Zaoui is scheduled to begin on Monday July 9. This is the first time such a review has been conducted in New Zealand, and is uncharted territory in judicial and executive terms. More >> [1]

BACKGROUND:

• Scoop Documentary - Scoop Video: Algeria Amnesty & An Intel Turntable [2]
• Selwyn Manning - Supreme Court Judgment Adds To Uncertainty [3]
• Scoop Full Coverage - Feature on Immigration and the Zaoui Case [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00050.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00004.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00296.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/features/nauru.html

Trade News: Goff Urges APEC To Pressure DOHA Round Conclusion - APEC Audio: New Zealand Trade Minister Phil Goff held a media conference prior to the start of the APEC Trade Ministers' Meeting in Cairns, Australia, where he urged those involved with the Asia Pacific Economic Co-Operation block to unite as a pressure-base to force a conclusion to the stalled WTO DOHA round. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Goff welcomes positive APEC report on NZ [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0707/S00038.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0707/S00041.htm

SOEs: TVNZ Charter review process begins - The process for reviewing the TVNZ Charter has begun with the public being invited to make submissions on a suggested redraft. The Television New Zealand Act 2003 says the Charter must be reviewed every five years by Parliament. In preparation for the statutory review, TVNZ wishes to present the Minister of Broadcasting with a suggested redraft with the public's views on it. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• National - Maharey rearranges the deck chairs [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00090.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0707/S00089.htm

Environment: Climate change initiative on conservation land - Six pilot projects to store carbon on about 40,000 hectares of public conservation land are to be tendered to commercial investors... "A unique opportunity exists to significantly increase the level of investment in the conservation of New Zealand's native forests and species while at the same time offering New Zealand companies a way of offsetting the carbon emissions of their business," Mr Carter said. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Out-Link - No Right Turn - Climate change: dishonest and damaging [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0707/S00073.htm
[2] - http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2007/07/climate-change-dishonest-and-damaging.html

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

Weather: Be Prepared When Nature Comes A-Knocking - This week's tornado in New Plymouth is another reminder of the power of nature - and of the need to be prepared for disaster, say Taranaki Civil Defence authorities. The dramatic tornado on 4 July cut a swathe through the New Plymouth CBD, causing extensive property damage but no serious injuries. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0707/S00046.htm

Tourism News: Tourism demonstrates resilience to high dollar - A report released by the Ministry of Tourism today gives insight into the relationships between movements in the value of the New Zealand dollar and the performance of the tourism sector. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0707/S00085.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

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:

• 95bFM: Alastair Thompson & Paul Deady - Bush Gives Libby Clemency [2]
• The White House - Grant of Executive Clemency [3]
• Barack Obama - Obama on Bush decision to commute Libby's sentence [4]
• US Democratic Party - Dean: Bush Gives Libby A Get Out of Jail Card [5]
• Hillary Clinton - Statement of Hillary Clinton on Libby Commutation [6]
• John Edwards - Edwards Statement On President Commuting Sentence [7]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00024.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00045.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00024.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00025.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00026.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00027.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00028.htm

US Congress: US House Resolution 333 - Impeaching Richard B. Cheney, Vice President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 24, 2007 Mr. KUCINICH submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00066.htm

BBC: Statement about release of Alan Johnston - The BBC issued the following statement at 3.00am UK time today, Wednesday 4 July 2007, following the release of Alan Johnston, BBC Gaza Correspondent. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• United Nations - Ban Relieved at Johnston's Release [2]
• BBC - Statements about release of Alan Johnston [3]
• BBC News 24 - BBC News 24 Interviews with Johnston, Boaden [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00065.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00067.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00068.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0707/S00069.htm

Scoop News: David Swanson: 14 Congress Members for Impeachment - The official list of cosponsors of H Res 333 to impeach Dick Cheney cannot be updated until July 10 when Congress gets back to Washington. But Congress Members can contact Dennis Kucinich's office in the meantime and sign on. And citizens can encourage them to do so.More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Atlanta Progressive News - US Rep. Johnson Joins 10 on Impeach Cheney Bill [2]
• Scoop Link - Scoop: Scoop Link - Cheney's Office Subpoenaed [3]
• David Swanson - Waters, Lee, Woolsey - Impeachment Way to End War [4]
• BuzzFlash.Com - Top 10 Reasons to Impeach Bush and Cheney [5]
• David Swanson - Curbing the Imperial Presidency [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00036.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00021.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00401.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00392.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00341.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0706/S00285.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

Scoop Review: The Woman in Black - As anyone can imagine, it is a challenge to pull off a play within a play. It's even harder to pull off rehearsals of a play within a play. Impressively, The Woman in Black pulls it off without a hitch. Although not frightening by modern standards, the production is a fine display of the power of acting and good writing which kept it running for 19-plus years on West End. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00049.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

Laughs:Cult musical duo win top NZ comedy award - Musical comedy act Mrs. Peacock have been selected as the winners of the prestigious Billy T Award for 2007. Perhaps the most prestigious accolade in New Zealand comedy, the Billy T Award is named for iconic Kiwi entertainer Billy T James, who passed away in 1991. Recipients of the award receive a yellow towel, in honour of the famous towel Billy wore in many of his comedy sketches, and a cash grant of $5000. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0707/S00050.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

ENDS

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