Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Thursday, 19 January 2006, 11:30 am
Article: Alastair Thompson

Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
TransTasman: Australian Racism Deeper Than Cronulla Riots
Emergency: Westpac Rescue Helicopter Rescues Kayaker In Gale Force Storm
Foreign Affairs: NZ Joins 16 Nations Urging Japan To Stop Whaling
February Night Sky Excellent Viewing From New Zealand
MORE HEADLINES
Palestinian Authority: Elections candidates must work to end lawlessness and ensure rule of law
Scoop Audio: Latest UN News Brief
Trade Unions Agree Action on Environment with UN
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Al Gore Defends the Intent of the Framers of the Constitution
The Sensitive New Age Muscle Car?
MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
Rights: Maori Party Says 1000 People Signed Rights Petition
Foreign Spying: Maori Party Calls For Waihopai's Closure
Prison: Corrections Fine Tunes Maori Culture Policy -
Economy: Business NZ Says Govt Needs To Act On Confidence
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES

TransTasman: Australian Racism Deeper Than Cronulla Riots

Scoop Report: Yasmine Ryan reports on her observations of Australia - In a quiet West Australian suburban town that I visited shortly before Christmas, residents were appalled by a particularly vicious and shocking incident. A local woman had returned to her home to find her Christmas lights savagely vandalised. Most had been stolen, and in a particularly callous act, her blow-up Santa had been brutally punctured. What kind of monster could do such a thing? they asked. Conversation was also dominated by anger at the growing 'politically-correct' aversion to Christmas. Fear of litigation, allegedly, meant that Santas can no longer give children lollies or have them on their laps without express permission from parents. Santas now can’t be photographed with children without their hands being fully visible. Even saying “Ho, ho, ho” has been forbidden. See... And the Mob Sang Waltzing Matilda [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00145.htm

Emergency: Westpac Rescue Helicopter Rescues Kayaker In Gale Force Storm

- The Wellington based Westpac Rescue Helicopter has just returned from rescuing a kayaker in trouble at Plimmerton, just north of Wellington. At about 4:50 pm police communications notified the Westpac Rescue Helicopter that two kayakers were in the water, in trouble, between Plimmerton and Titahi Bay. The helicopter battled winds of nearly 100 kph around Wellington's South Coast to reach the search area. Once in the area the two kayakers were spotted clinging to one kayak, attempting to kick their way into shore but having little success with high waves and gale force winds between 55 and 90 kph. See... Kayaker Rescued In Gale Force Winds At Plimmerton [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0601/S00055.htm

Foreign Affairs: NZ Joins 16 Nations Urging Japan To Stop Whaling

- New Zealand has joined 16 other countries in urging Japan's government to stop killing whales in the Southern Ocean in the name of scientific research. Two Brazil-led demarches in Tokyo have also asked Japan to recall its whaling fleet from the Southern Ocean. Duty Minister Jim Anderton said New Zealand had joined with other countries to denounce the Japanese Whale Research Programme (JARPA II) which is expected to take up to 935 minke whales from the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary this season. See... New Zealand joins diplomatic protest on whaling [1] ALSO: Scoop Video: Greenpeace Gets Kiwi Support... [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00062.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00126.htm

February Night Sky Excellent Viewing From New Zealand

- February is a good month for viewing the planets. Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will be visible for the whole of the month. Only Mercury will not be seen in February. Mars will be visible for the first third of the night. At the start of the month it sets at 00:43 and at 23:37 by month’s end. Mars starts the month in the constellation of Aries, moving into Taurus on February 7. Its magnitude fades from 0.2 to 0.7 during the month. Saturn will be visible for the first three quarters of the night. At the start of February it sets at 06:11 and at 04:15 by month’s end. See... Brian Carter's February Night Sky [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00144.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0601/S00050.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0601/S00049.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0601/S00047.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0601/S00046.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0601/S00045.htm

Palestinian Authority: Elections candidates must work to end lawlessness and ensure rule of law

- Candidates to the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) must set up mechanisms to establish the rule of law in the Gaza Strip and in the areas of the West Bank under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority (PA) where intra-Palestinian violence has reached unprecedented levels, said Amnesty International. In an open letter sent on the eve of the Palestinian legislative elections due on 25 January, Amnesty International urged candidates to put human rights at the top of their agenda. The organization urged candidates to make concrete proposals for ending inter-factional violence and impunity, and to commit to enacting laws to deliver justice to the Palestinian people. See... Palestinian Authority: work to end lawlessness [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0601/S00220.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0601/S00209.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0601/S00208.htm

Scoop Audio: Latest UN News Brief

See... Scoop Audio: Latest UN News Brief [1]

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

Trade Unions Agree Action on Environment with UN

- This week’s Trade Union Assembly on Labour and the Environment* in Nairobi concluded today with a series of undertakings from the trade union movement and key United Nations bodies. The Assembly brought together more than 150 trade union representatives from developing and developed countries along with environment and sustainable development experts, governments and UN representatives. See... Trade Unions Agree Action on Environment with UN [1] ALSO:UN environmental agency & organised labour work to keep environment clean [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0601/S00207.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0601/S00210.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0601/S00232.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0601/S00225.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0601/S00221.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0601/S00216.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0601/S00214.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0601/S00202.htm

Al Gore Defends the Intent of the Framers of the Constitution

- Congressman Barr and I have disagreed many times over the years, but we have joined together today with thousands of our fellow citizens-Democrats and Republicans alike-to express our shared concern that America's Constitution is in grave danger. In spite of our differences over ideology and politics, we are in strong agreement that the American values we hold most dear have been placed at serious risk by the unprecedented claims of the Administration to a truly breathtaking expansion of executive power. See... Al Gore: America's Constitution is in Grave Danger [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00121.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00130.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00122.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00132.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00131.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00134.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00135.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00112.htm

The Sensitive New Age Muscle Car?

- There is something quite satisfying about having a big bore straight six under the bonnet when sitting at traffic lights. Instant power can offer instant gratification, something particularly true of Aussie muscle cars. But once upon a time, Aussie muscle cars were all about brawn – sophistication wasn’t really part of the equation... See... MOTORNET: Ford's F6 Typhoon - Gentle Giant? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00124.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00146.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00136.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00123.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00120.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00133.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00114.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00117.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00119.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00118.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00116.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0601/S00128.htm

Rights: Maori Party Says 1000 People Signed Rights Petition

- "It is another indication of our determination to take control of our own destiny" stated Te Ururoa Flavell today in response to the collective voice of over 1000 people who have signed a petitition responding to New Zealand's approach to the UN Draft Declaration on the rights of Indigenous people. See... Maori Party Delighted at Strong Response [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00063.htm

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] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0601/S00043.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00061.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00064.htm

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

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00061.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00059.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0601/S00058.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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