Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Wednesday, 18 January 2006, 11:22 am
Article: Alastair Thompson

Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
Foreign Spying: Maori Party Calls For Waihopai's Closure
Prison: Corrections Fine Tunes Maori Culture Policy -
Telcos: TelstraClear/Telecom Withdraw Commerce Commission Price Review
Video: Families Support Greenpeace Action Against Japan's Whaling
Economy: Business NZ Says Govt Needs To Act On Confidence
Fire Danger High From Marlborough To Wellington Regions
MORE HEADLINES
Scoop Report: Wellington's Arts Fest Previewed
Chile’s new era – the election of Michelle Bachelet
Scoop Audio: Noam Zolfikar - Acehen human rights activist talks about Aceh human rights abuses
Fiji remains tense after new coup threat
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Suzan Mazur: The Sotheby's Euphronios Tape
Russell Brown On Coddington's Reaquaintance With The Blogosphere
Jason Leopold: Illegal NSA Spying Began Earlier Than Thought
Karl Ferguson Likes The Lines Of Peugeot's 206 GTI
MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
Consumerism: Food Standards Faces Flak Over Apples Caution
Defence: RNZAF Orion On Antarctic Ice For First Time
Foreign Affairs: Helen Clark Congratulates Her Chilean Counterpart
Locke Urges Govt To Come Clean On Overseas Eavesdropping -
Ex-Crim Prison Officers A Stupid Move Say Nats
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES

Foreign Spying: Maori Party Calls For Waihopai's Closure

Maori Party disarmament spokesperson Hone Harawira has called for the Waihopai spy base to be closed. "As long as we have Waihopai, we are targets for terrorism and nuclear attacks," Mr Harawira said adding "and guess what - we're not even allowed to know what goes on in there." Waihopai is the American electronic gathering base located just outside Blenheim. It is run by New Zealand's Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) for those parties involved in the super-secret UKUSA Agreement. See... Close Waihopai [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00060.htm

Prison: Corrections Fine Tunes Maori Culture Policy -

The Department of Corrections today released to staff it’s policy for holding Maori cultural practices on Departmental premises. In releasing the guidelines Chief Executive Barry Matthews praised the sensible and inclusive nature of the policy which he said would protect Maori cultural practices while promoting an environment of inclusiveness. See... Policy for Maori Cultural Practices Announced [1] ...

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0601/S00043.htm

Telcos: TelstraClear/Telecom Withdraw Commerce Commission Price Review

- After announcing on Friday 13 January that they had reached a commercial agreement relating to a range of services, TelstraClear and Telecom have withdrawn all the pricing reviews they had previously lodged with the Commerce Commission. See... TelstraClear and Telecom pricing reviews withdrawn [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0601/S00090.htm

Video: Families Support Greenpeace Action Against Japan's Whaling

(Image by Phil Crawford, Greenpeace NZ) Greenpeace NZ marked an international day of action on whaling today with a family beach dig in Auckland. Children joined Greenpeace members making a giant whale of sand on the beach at Mission Bay, while their parents were invited to “plant a whale tail” in the sand in tribute to the whales being slaughtered in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. The international day of action is to draw attention to the fact that people all over the world oppose the commercial hunting of whales, and is being marked in Japan, Australia, the United States, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Fiji, Argentina, Austria, Poland, Canada, India, Greece, Spain, Turkey and Sweden.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00126.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00051.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00059.htm
[4] - #W1

Economy: Business NZ Says Govt Needs To Act On Confidence

- Low business confidence could be improved by some strong signals from Government, says Business NZ Chief Executive Phil O'Reilly. "Not all factors are Government-related," Mr O'Reilly said. "For example, much of the pressure from the exchange rate is outside its control. But if the Government were to signal its intention to reduce spending in non-essential or low quality expenditure areas, that would reduce the inflationary pressures that are helping to keep the dollar high. See... Business confidence needs signals from Govt [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0601/S00083.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0601/S00086.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00054.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0601/S00080.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0601/S00087.htm

Fire Danger High From Marlborough To Wellington Regions

- Over the last few weeks a number of significant fires have occurred in Northland, Nelson and Canterbury largely due to the high wind conditions associated with dry conditions that are being experienced in these areas. The Metservice is forecasting that northwest winds may reach severe gale force in Canterbury for a time overnight and Wednesday morning. Northwesterlies may also reach severe gale force for a time in Marlborough, Wellington, and Wairarapa Wednesday morning and afternoon. See... Fire Danger Warning [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0601/S00041.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0601/S00049.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0601/S00048.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0601/S00088.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0601/S00031.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0601/S00045.htm

Scoop Report: Wellington's Arts Fest Previewed

- Scoop's Lyndon Hood reports that Robert Lepage, Canadian director, playwright, designer, filmmaker and performer held a press conference in Wellington today during a brief NZ visit. This year's International Arts Festival includes a revival of his influential epic The Dragon's Trilogy. In the press conference, Lepage discusses the ideas and processes behind his work and that of his company, Ex Machina.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00125.htm

Chile’s new era – the election of Michelle Bachelet

- Michelle Bachelet’s election as president of Chile represents a historic shift in the profile of Chilean politics, says Roberto Espíndola… However, it came after a first round on 11 December where the two candidates of the right-wing Alianza gathered more votes than Bachelet, the sole nominee of the ruling centre-left Concertación, and after an expensive, negative campaign focussing on her and seeking to persuade voters that a woman – and a divorced, agnostic, socialist single mother, into the bargain – couldn’t possibly become Chile’s president. See... Chile’s new era - Michelle Bachelet's election [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0601/S00198.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00049.htm

Scoop Audio: Noam Zolfikar - Acehen human rights activist talks about Aceh human rights abuses

- Zolfikar interviewed by Aaron Skudder and Angelique Kasmar for Radio Chomsky

[1] - http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/audio/0601/UN_Brief_16_Jan_06.m3u

Fiji remains tense after new coup threat

- Bitter divisions in ruling circles in the small Pacific island state of Fiji have resurfaced after the country’s military commander, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, last week threatened to stage a coup if the government proceeded with its planned Reconciliation, Tolerance and Unity Bill. The legislation, which would provide amnesty for the leaders of a May 2000 coup attempt, is due to be passed in February when the parliament resumes. See... Fiji remains tense after new coup threat [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0601/S00187.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0601/S00196.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0601/S00188.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0601/S00182.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0601/S00180.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0601/S00172.htm

Suzan Mazur: The Sotheby's Euphronios Tape

- In the 1970s oil boom years, before Mu-ammar al-Gaddafi nationalized Bunker Hunt's oilfield and the silver market collapsed, he and brother Herbert amassed a quarter-ton of ancient coins and some astonishing pieces of ancient art. These were put up for sale in New York on June 19, 1990 to appease the Internal Revenue Service and the Hunts' various creditors, and raised more than $20 million. The Hunts bargained for a 60% commission over the benchmark figure on total sales. I had arranged for a private preview of the auction pieces with Sotheby's experts two weeks earlier, June 4, as part of my coverage for an article for The Economist magazine. Following are excerpts from my taped interview of that preview. See... Mazur: Sotheby's Pre-Auction Euphronios Transcript [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00076.htm

Russell Brown On Coddington's Reaquaintance With The Blogosphere

- Deborah Coddington claims to have discovered the blogosphere last week, and she was shocked. Shocked. "Planet blogger is a sad, pathetic sphere," she lamented in her newspaper column. She's not entirely wrong, especially as regards the character of argument in many blog comments forums. But Coddington is hardly the blog virgin (still less the delicate little flower) she claims to be in her column. There See... Public Address 16/01/06 - Second-Time Blog Virgin [1] & Public Address 13/01/06 - A Little Respect [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00111.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00091.htm

Jason Leopold: Illegal NSA Spying Began Earlier Than Thought

- The National Security Agency advised President Bush in early 2001 that it had been eavesdropping on Americans during the course of its work monitoring suspected terrorists and foreigners believed to have ties to terrorist groups, according to a declassified document. The NSA's vast data-mining activities began shortly after Bush was sworn in as president and the document contradicts his assertion that the 9/11 attacks prompted him to take the unprecedented step of signing a secret executive order authorizing the NSA to monitor a select number of American citizens thought to have ties to terrorist groups. See... Bush Authorized Domestic Spying Before 9/11 [1] . FOR MUCH MUCH MORE… Full Coverage: The NSA Domestic Spying Scandal [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00110.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00112.htm

Karl Ferguson Likes The Lines Of Peugeot's 206 GTI

- Is the 206 GTI the best looking hot hatch of all time? In brilliant cherry red, and despite being more than a little long in the tooth, the little Peugeot looks stunning. Colour coded body mouldings, neat rear spoiler, front fog lights, 17” alloys and chrome exhausts all add to the picture of a sensational looking small car. See... MOTORNET: Peugeot Twins Turn On The Charm [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00092.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00109.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00106.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00094.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00108.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00107.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00103.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00105.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00104.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00102.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00101.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00100.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00089.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00088.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00087.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00086.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00099.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00098.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00095.htm
[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00093.htm
[20] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00090.htm

Consumerism: Food Standards Faces Flak Over Apples Caution

- The Government must act to defend its Apples in Schools programme and ensure Food Standards Australia and New Zealand adequately defines the nutritional value of fruit, says National's Food Safety spokesman, Paul Hutchison. See... Food Standards fiasco needs sorting out [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00055.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00057.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00052.htm

Defence: RNZAF Orion On Antarctic Ice For First Time

- For the first time a Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion has landed on the ice runways of Antarctica. The P3-K Orion, from No. 5 Squadron was conducting a trial flight to the region. The trial flight will determine the feasibility of conducting patrols from Antarctica in support of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). The aircraft, with thirteen crew on board landed on the Ice yesterday afternoon and is now on its way back to Christchurch. See... RNZAF Orion Lands On Antarctica [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0601/S00042.htm

Foreign Affairs: Helen Clark Congratulates Her Chilean Counterpart

- Prime Minister Helen Clark has offered her congratulations to the new President-elect of Chile, Michelle Bachelet. "President-elect Bachelet has made history by becoming the first woman to win presidential elections in Chile," Helen Clark said. "Her achievement is all the more remarkable given that she survived imprisonment and torture under the Pinochet regime. See... New Zealand congratulates new President of Chile [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00049.htm

Locke Urges Govt To Come Clean On Overseas Eavesdropping -

How a spy report came to be released with David Lange's papers should not get in the way of a serious public debate over its contents, Green Party Security and Intelligence Spokesperson Keith Locke says. Duty Minister Jim Anderton has described the release of the Government Security Communications Bureau report as a "blunder". See... Is Waihopai spying on Japan's whalers? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00047.htm

Ex-Crim Prison Officers A Stupid Move Say Nats

- National’s Law & Order spokesman, Simon Power, says a suggestion that convicted criminals are being considered for jobs as prison officers is a dangerous and stupid move. He is commenting on a report that Corrections is considering hiring such people to help it find 600 new guards this year and 1,800 over the next four years. See... Criminals as prison guards dangerous, stupid [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00046.htm

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00057.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00056.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00055.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00054.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00052.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00045.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00048.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00050.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00044.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00043.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00042.htm

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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