Top Scoop Stories - August 6 2007 News Summary

Monday, 6 August 2007, 2:00 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

Today's Top Scoops - August 6, 2007

LEAD STORY:

Scoop News: Paul Buchanan To Challenge Auckland Uni Dismissal

NZ POLITICS:

Politics News: John Key Speech: Fighting for Tomorrow
Politics News: Groser Rejects Ex-Wife's Claims He Smoked Cannabis On The Job
Airports: Parliament Called On To Stop Airport Sale
Setchell Affair: MFE Sacking Creates Forest of Paperwork For SSC

BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH:

Environment: Irrigation Irritation
Building: Public Invited To Throw Stones At Green Houses Policy
Media: Wake Up And Enjoy A Slice Of Jam Toast With Pippa

WORLD:

U.S. News: President Bush to Host Karzai for Talks on Afghanistan
U.S. News: US Congress Approves Foreign Surveillance Measure
Scoop Exclusive: Lebanon's Crucial August 5, 2007 Election Analysed
Presidential News: Bush Tours Site of Minneapolis Bridge Collapse

COMMENT:

US Elections: Paper Ballots For California!
Gordon Campbell: Zaoui - the Algerian connection
Kelpie Wilson: Paying the Peak Oil Power Bill
Jason Leopold: Video, Report Details Evangelism at Highest Levels

LIFESTYLE:

Kiwi Pride: NZ Feature Film Magic
Comedy: Carry On Laughing With Real Doctors Doing Skits
Fashion: Mandatory's White Label – It's the New Black!
Parenting: Toy libraries offer families huge savings
Media Backslapping: How the West’s Won!
Dance: Size does matter: Footnote proves it

Scoop News: Paul Buchanan To Challenge Auckland Uni Dismissal - Scoop co-editor Selwyn Manning reports that security and intelligence academic Paul Buchanan has been dismissed from his senior lecturer role in the political studies department of Auckland University. Paul Buchanan is a regular commentator for Scoop Media on intelligence and security matters and recently wrote the book: With Distance Comes Perspective. Former graduate and post-graduate students have rallied to his defence, stating the University has lost a gifted and honourable lecturer. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0708/S00072.htm

Politics News: John Key Speech: Fighting for Tomorrow - John Key MP, Leader of the National Party, delivered his key-note speech Fighting for Tomorrow to the National Party Annual Conference, at the Langham, Hotel, Auckland. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• National - John Key Speech: Fighting for Tomorrow [2]
• National - Bill English: New Zealand At A Turning Point [3]
• National - Katherine Rich: Preparing Students for Life [4]
• National - National aims to make home ownership affordable [5]
• National - Simon Power: Reducing crime, redeeming lives [6]
• National - Dr Nick Smith: Simplifying Resource Management Act [7]
• NZ Govt - Key promises to take money off families [8]
• Greens - Nats vision contradictory [9]
• Greens - National's housing solutions need a reality check, [10]
• Agenda - Key Apologises Over MPs Concentration Camp Gaffe [11]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00078.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00078.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00071.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00074.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00079.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00072.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00075.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00080.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00084.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00085.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0708/S00063.htm

Politics News: Groser Rejects Ex-Wife's Claims He Smoked Cannabis On The Job - National Party MP Tim Groser today rejected assertions in Sunday newspapers that he had smoked cannabis while Ambassador in Indonesia. “This story needs to be seen in the context of the fallout from a failed marriage. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00077.htm

Airports: Parliament Called On To Stop Airport Sale - The Green Party will seek leave of the House to introduce new laws to keep Auckland International Airport in New Zealand hands following government statements in the New Zealand Herald today that it is opposed to foreign ownership of this strategic asset. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00086.htm

Setchell Affair: MFE Sacking Creates Forest of Paperwork For SSC - The State Services Commissioner, Mark Prebble, is currently undertaking an investigation into the public service recruitment and employment of Madeleine Setchell. Mark Prebble has stated that he will be assisted in this investigation by David Shanks, Chief Legal Advisor. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• National - Prebble’s ‘forgetfulness’ puts SSC in gun [2]
• National - PM must say if Prebble has her confidence [3]
• National - www.mccully.co.nz - 3rd August 2007 [4]
• State Services Commission - Setchell Investigation: Terms of Reference [5]
• Public Service Association - PSA Welcomes SSC’s Investigation of Setchell Case [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0708/S00058.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00049.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00059.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00066.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0708/S00026.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0708/S00039.htm

Environment: Irrigation Irritation - Fish & Game New Zealand endorses the comments made today by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment that the dairying industry is damaging the environment and needs to start paying for the water it presently takes from the wider community for free. “Dr. Jan Wright’s call for the environmental costs and inputs of dairy farming to be paid for is right on the button”, said Bryce Johnson, Chief Executive of Fish & Game New Zealand. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Federated Farmers - Farmers Pay To Access Water [2]
• Environment Canterbury - ECan candidates back Commissioner on dairy costs [3]
• Irrigation NZ - Irrigation -A Heads Up For Rural Professionals [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0708/S00054.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0708/S00091.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0708/S00049.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0708/S00087.htm

Building: Public Invited To Throw Stones At Green Houses Policy - A world-first proposal to require assessment of the overall carbon cost of producing, maintaining and using new buildings is the centrepiece of a new discussion document released today by Building and Construction Minister Clayton Cosgrove. The Minister has invited feedback on the discussion document which includes a proposal to require the ‘embodied energy’ of building components to be taken into account when designing buildings. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Green Building Council - Building Code Discussion Document [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00082.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0708/S00067.htm

Media: Wake Up And Enjoy A Slice Of Jam Toast With Pippa - Pippa Wetzell has been appointed as the new co-host of Breakfast, TVNZ's early morning news and current affairs programme, joining host Paul Henry and ONE News anchor Peter Williams. TVNZ Head of News and Current Affairs, Anthony Flannery said he was delighted to announce the appointment. Pippa has the rare combination of hard news experience and on-screen magic More>> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0708/S00049.htm

U.S. News: President Bush to Host Karzai for Talks on Afghanistan - Afghan President Hamid Karzai says he plans to discuss his country's worsening security situation when he meets with President Bush Sunday. In an interview broadcast on CNN, Mr. Karzai said he does not blame neighboring Iran for the rising number of suicide bombings and attacks on U.S.-led coalition forces. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0708/S00156.htm

U.S. News: US Congress Approves Foreign Surveillance Measure - The U.S. House of Representatives has approved legislation authorizing temporary changes to a U.S. electronic surveillance program to allow more flexibility to intercept communications overseas. The approval by a vote of 227 to 183, following a Senate vote on Friday, sent the bill to President Bush. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0708/S00152.htm

Scoop Exclusive: Lebanon's Crucial August 5, 2007 Election Analysed - Franklin P. Lamb, PhD, writes from Beirut: Israel and the Welch Club have chosen the reliable Amin Gemayel - who will the Lebanese voter's pick? Boston 's electoral sage and former Speaker of the House Tip O'Neil's famous quip about all politics being local notwithstanding, in Lebanon all politics appear increasingly international. Image of Lebanon under attach, by Ben Smith. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0708/S00058.htm

Presidential News: Bush Tours Site of Minneapolis Bridge Collapse - President Bush got a firsthand look on Saturday at the bridge that collapsed earlier this week in the northern state of Minnesota, killing at least five motorists. Several others are still missing and scores have been injured. President Bush traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota Saturday for an aerial inspection of the disaster site. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0708/S00149.htm

US Elections: Paper Ballots For California! - In a dramatic late-night press conference, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen decertified, and then recertified with conditions, all but one voting system used in the state. Her decisions, following her unprecedented, independent "Top-to-Bottom... More >> [1]

ALSO:

• John Gideon - Daily Voting News For August 5, 2007 [2]
• BradBlog.com - CA Diebold Voting Machines Can Be Hacked With Virus [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0708/S00064.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0708/S00060.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0708/S00065.htm

Gordon Campbell: Zaoui - the Algerian connection - The headline ‘Top Al Qaeda Member Surrenders’ in Wednesday’s Herald certainly suggested the forces of freedom had landed a big fish this time, but well, no….not exactly. The surrendering fellow turned out to belong to one faction of a shrinking militant group inside Algeria, and the guy happened to be giving up because his faction actually opposed being linked to al Qaeda... More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Scoop Full Coverage - The Ahmed Zaoui Case – The Gordon Campbell Series [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0708/S00032.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00174.htm

Kelpie Wilson: Paying the Peak Oil Power Bill - Sometime this week, the House will vote on a new "energy independence" bill designed by the Democrats. Even though Congress just passed an omnibus energy bill in 2005, there is growing agreement on both sides of the aisle that the need for "energy security" is growing and more must be done to ensure it. But just like the 2005 Energy Policy Act, the 2007 Energy Independence Day bill lacks any sort of comprehensive... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0708/S00053.htm

Jason Leopold: Video, Report Details Evangelism at Highest Levels - A report released publicly on Thursday by the Defense Department's (DOD) inspector general has found high-ranking Army and Air Force personnel violated long-standing military regulations when they participated in a promotional video for an evangelical Christian organization while in uniform and on active duty. The report recommended... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0708/S00051.htm

Kiwi Pride: NZ Feature Film Magic - The Feature Film The Last Magic Show has won two Awards in the last four weeks. The modern day fairy tale romance, to be released later this year, recently won the Honourable Mention Award at the Dances With Films Festival in Los Angeles, California. "It's definitely nice to win an Award at a Discovery Festival like Dances With Films," says writer/director and lead actor Andy Conlan. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0708/S00058.htm

Comedy: Carry On Laughing With Real Doctors Doing Skits - If you’re a Desperate Housewives fan, make sure you get along to the University of Auckland Medical School Desperate Housesurgeons Med Revue this month. The two hour revue will be staged at the Maidment Theatre and includes skits, songs, dance, parodies and more. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0708/S00015.htm

Fashion: Mandatory's White Label – It's the New Black! - Are New Zealand men ready to take their sense of fashion flair to new levels? Iconic Wellington fashion designers Mandatory think so, today launching a new high-end range of clothing exclusively for men: the Mandatory White Label. More>> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0708/S00037.htm

Parenting: Toy libraries offer families huge savings - Today marks the beginning of Toy Library Awareness week which encourages parents of young children across New Zealand to join up to their local toy library where they can borrow a wide range of toys for just a fraction of the cost of buying them new. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0708/S00011.htm

Media Backslapping: How the West’s Won! - Outrageous Fortune dominated the Air New Zealand Screen Awards last night taking out six awards. bro’Town reminded us it’s ‘Morningside 4 Life’ with top honours for UKTV Best Comedy and newcomer ‘Run’ is our Rialto Channel Best Short Film. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Sticky Pictures - Screen Awards 2007 Win [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0708/S00023.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0708/S00024.htm

Dance: Size does matter: Footnote proves it - The best things in life come wrapped in small packages – and to prove it, New Zealand's national contemporary dance company Footnote Dance present their 2007 Forte season. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0708/S00013.htm

ENDS

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