Top Scoop Stories - 11 September 2007 News Summary

Tuesday, 11 September 2007, 2:00 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

Today's Top Scoops - September 11, 2007

LEAD STORY:

Politics: Rugby Mateship Put To The Political Sword

NZ POLITICS:

Animal Cruelty: Report Documents Nastiness To Our Furry Friends
Treaty: New Deed of Settlement for Lake Taupo

BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH:

Phone Stuff: Vodafone's Saucy Charity Scheme Questioned By Sallies
Kiwi Pride: Great Strides In Cranberry Research Occurring In NZ
Commerce: Wanna Buy A Winery?
Company Results: Public Gets Less Ad Revenue From TVNZ

WORLD:

In The Slammer: Burma: Heavy Prison Sentences for Six Labour Rights Advocates
A Long Wait: After 22 Years, UN Votes On Indigenous Peoples Declaration
Human Beings: Marking Day To Prevent Suicide, UN Stresses That People Of All Ages Can Be At Risk
Go Girl! UNICEF and FIFA kick off 'Goals for Girls!' campaign to promote rights

COMMENT:

David Swanson: The Obama-Edwards Ticket
Martha Rosenberg: As cancers rise, diet becomes unpopular US export
William Fisher: Bush Administration Ramps up Secrecy
Burmese Dayze:: Interesting Times in Burma

LIFESTYLE:

Dance: Sukinature - Choreography by Juliet Shelley
Kiwi Pride: Kiwi Films Wow Hollywood
Images: Master Chief First Tussads Video Game Waxwork
Culture: Young Islanders urged to Mind Your Language
Culinary Artistry: Pan-tastic efforts cook up medal honours
Theatre: Gruesome Play Has Real-Life Overseas Counterpart

Politics: Rugby Mateship Put To The Political Sword - The Prime Minister faced many a question this afternoon at a short and snappy post-cabinet media conference regarding the fate of Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor. Mr O'Connor is a hugely enthusiastic member of the parliamentary rugby team – a team that has included such legendary rugby players as Trevor Mallard, John Tamihere, John Carter and Murray McCully. One member of the recent parliamentary rugby team is a Corrections staff member who is currently stood down from Rimutaka Prison. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• National - Clark should sack O'Connor [2]
• National - An exercise in Corrections spin [3]
• National - O’Connor shows serious lack of judgement - again [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0709/S00174.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0709/S00139.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0709/S00137.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0709/S00132.htm

Animal Cruelty: Report Documents Nastiness To Our Furry Friends - Notification of the numbers of animals used in research, testing and teaching was released today, in the NAEAC Annual Report. Figures show that 87.1 percent of animals used were classified as experiencing ‘no’ or ‘little’ suffering. Just over five per cent – nearly all rodents – were in the ‘severe’ or ‘very severe’ grading. More>> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0709/S00158.htm

Treaty: New Deed of Settlement for Lake Taupô - The Crown today signed a new deed of settlement with the Tûwharetoa Mâori Trust Board regarding Lake Taupô. The deed updates a 1992 deed which vested ownership of the bed of Lake Taupô - including the Waikato River to Huka Falls and tributaries flowing into the lake - with the Board while guaranteeing public access. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0709/S00153.htm

Phone Stuff: Vodafone's Saucy Charity Scheme Questioned By Sallies The Salvation Army is questioning a decision by Vodafone to sell 'adult' material on its mobile phone network. Until recently the Vodafone website described its adult content as: 'The best of Brit lad mags is now available on your mobile. You can download the best pics of the hottest babes from the pages of Maxim.' More>> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0709/S00156.htm

Kiwi Pride: Great Strides In Cranberry Research Occurring In NZ - Groundbreaking research by Lower Hutt scientist Dr Lai Yeap Foo into the chemical compounds of the cranberry that inhibit urinary tract infection has resulted in soaring global demand in cranberry-based products. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0709/S00025.htm

Commerce: Wanna Buy A Winery? - One of New Zealand’s most successful wine companies Giesen Wines has announced it is placing its business on the market. Giesen Wines is one of the largest wine companies in New Zealand and owns over 650 acres of prime Marlborough vineyards in addition to a winery. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0709/S00170.htm

Company Results: Public Gets Less Ad Revenue From TVNZ - TVNZ has announced an operating profit of $9.3 million on revenue of $375.2 million for the financial year end 30 June 2007, and a net loss after tax of $4.5 million following a one-off restructuring charge of $11.1 million. Advertising revenues declined 6.5% to $312.8 million for the year. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• National - TVNZ result shows no relief for broadcaster [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0709/S00161.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0709/S00158.htm

In The Slammer: Burma: Heavy Prison Sentences for Six Labour Rights Advocates - The ITUC has sent a strongly worded letter of protest to the head of the Burmese military regime, General Than Shwe, over the imposition of heavy prison sentences on six labour rights supporters on 7 September. The six, Thurein Aung, Kyaw Kyaw, Wai Lin, Myo Min, Kyaw Win, and Nyi Nyi Zaw, were all found guilty of "inciting hatred or contempt for the government", and some of them for membership of "illegal associations". Four of the six were sentenced to 28 years prison, and Nyi Nyi Zaw and Kyaw Kyaw to 20 years. All were arrested following a Labour Day event on May 1st in Rangoon. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0709/S00259.htm

A Long Wait: After 22 Years, UN Votes On Indigenous Peoples Declaration - Twenty-two years of intensive debate and negotiations climax this week in New York, as the UN General Assembly votes on whether to approve the declaration on indigenous peoples' rights. Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and the Russian Federation (all of whom have large indigenous populations) have been vigorously opposing the declaration's approval. Their actions have provoked outrage amongst tribal peoples worldwide. The opposing countries are well known for their poor treatment of indigenous peoples. Australia, New Zealand and the United States have in the past been subject to 'early warning and urgent action procedures' by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) .More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0709/S00257.htm

Human Beings: Marking Day To Prevent Suicide, UN Stresses That People Of All Ages Can Be At Risk - With one person taking their own life every 30 seconds, the United Nations is marking World Suicide Prevention Day today by appealing for bolstered efforts to stem suicide rates among people of all ages. According to the UN World Health Organization (WHO), 3,000 people kill themselves every day, and for every person who commits suicide, 20 or more may attempt it. Statistics also show that in adults, suicide is a leading cause of death, accounting for more deaths than those resulting from wars and homicide. In short, "more human beings kill themselves than kill others each year," said Brian Mishara, President of the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), which has partnered with WHO to improve national responses to prevent suicide. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0709/S00251.htm

Go Girl! UNICEF and FIFA kick off 'Goals for Girls!' campaign to promote rights - The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) have kicked off a new "Goals for Girls!" campaign which aims to promote education, gender equality and women's rights through sport. Launched on 7 September in conjunction with the FIFA Women's World Cup China 2007, Goals for Girls! will use the competition as a platform to explain how educating girls not only helps eliminate gender discrimination but also contributes to addressing many of the most serious problems their communities face. "Children everywhere have a right to education, and educating girls is a key to defeating poverty, hunger, disease, violence, abuse and exploitation," said UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman. "Through Goals for Girls!, UNICEF and FIFA will take this important message to soccer fans around the world." More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0709/S00252.htm

David Swanson: The Obama-Edwards Ticket - A top priority for progressives regarding next year's presidential election should be convincing Barack Obama and John Edwards to join forces as a ticket and defeat Hillary Clinton. Were one of them to drop out, the other would easily take first place in the polls. But neither of them is likely to drop out. As a result, unless they join forces, we will face a choice between a pro-war, pro-corporate Republican and the pro-war, pro-corporate Hillary Clinton… More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0709/S00176.htm

Martha Rosenberg: As cancers rise, diet becomes unpopular US export - Like cigarettes and alcohol, no one thinks red meat is good for you. Except maybe its producers. This month Quality Meat Scotland, a red meat promotional agency, is hosting a seminar at the Moredun Institute in Edinburgh about the health properties (sic) of the fatty acids found in red meat. Keynote speaker is the University of Wisconsin's... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0709/S00186.htm

William Fisher: Bush Administration Ramps up Secrecy - The Bush administration is continuing its campaign to keep the public in the dark about the federal government's policies and decisions and to suppress discussion of those policies, their underpinnings, and their implications. This is the conclusion reached in the latest annual "report card" on government secrecy compiled by OpenTheGovernment.org, a coalition... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0709/S00182.htm

Burmese Dayze:: Interesting Times in Burma - The past week has seen a series of developments in the ongoing protests at the fuel price increases announced 3 weeks ago. Some of the news might be construed as hopeful, but much of it is going to be bad news for the long-suffering people of Burma. First of all, the manhunt for various members of the 88 Generation student movement (OK, they're not students anymore, they're approaching 40 years of age) continues… More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0709/S00188.htm

Dance: Sukinature - Choreography by Juliet Shelley - Sukinature is a world where each performance is created anew within a framework of what is previously known. We see pure dance and physicality alongside intimacy and relationship; we hear a poignant, evocative sound score. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0709/S00111.htm

Kiwi Pride: Kiwi Films Wow Hollywood - New Zealand films picked up awards at the prestigious Moondance International Film Festival overnight. The low-budget short film made in Dunedin, Cake Tin, picked up the Sandcastle award for Best Short Film at the festival, known as “The American Cannes”... Also winning at the awards was the short animation film Rain. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0709/S00105.htm

Images: Master Chief First Tussads Video Game Waxwork - Madame Tussauds Las Vegas honored Xbox 360’s Halo by immortalizing Master Chief as the first video game character to be enshrined in the world famous attraction’s 250-year history. The impressively life-sized figure of Halo’s Master Chief was revealed to the world on Saturday afternoon. More >>

Culture: Young Islanders urged to Mind Your Language - Innovative family and community based language learning resources are being made available to young people across New Zealand interested in learning Te Reo Maori o Kuki Airani, Cook Islands Maori and Vagahau Niue, the Niuean Language. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0709/S00152.htm

Culinary Artistry: Pan-tastic efforts cook up medal honours - Two of West Auckland’s leading chefs have scored medals for their outstanding food innovations at the prestigious New Zealand Culinary Fare held in Auckland this month. More>> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0709/S00112.htm

Theatre: Gruesome Play Has Real-Life Overseas Counterpart - In a bizarre case of art imitating life imitating art, The Pillowman - where writer Katurian Katurian (Craig Parker) is interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories and their similarities to a number of bizarre incidents occurring in his town - mirrors a case currently making headlines around the world. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0709/S00100.htm

ENDS

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