Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Wednesday, 3 September 2003, 6:11 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LINKS: First Reports Say No Injuries In Ruapehu Skifield Avalanche
Scoop Is In The House
LEAD STORY:
NZ Govt Officials Withheld Information Over Zaoui Case
NEW ZEALAND NEWS HEADLINES:
Scoop Link: Bombing Reign Sets Iraq Into Chaos
INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES:
STORY OF THE WEEK - FRANKENCORN REVISITED - Day Two Of The Question Time Showdown

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Jason Leopold: The Business Of Electronic Voting
Stateside: Where Rosalea Is Still In Texas
Meditations: What Comes After The End Of The World?
ZZZzzzzt Scoop Has Feedback
Between The Lines: The UN Role In Iraq
Is This Sillier Than Having A Chimp In The White House?
Streets Of London: Mrs Kelly At The Hutton Inquiry
Daily Katya Rivas

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Cullen Given A Task For His Singapore Visit
Storm Clouds Seen Over The Beaches
Leading Councillor To Challenge Sir Barry Curtis For Manukau Mayoralty
Dispensing Changes Will Cost Jobs
PM Slammed For Failure To Front On Fart Tax
MPS Statement Tomorrow – Copeland Says Cut
Pokie Law Changes Spineless – Greens Say
Fart Tax Is Clear And Consistent - Hodgson
Project Aqua Likened To Birch's 'Think Big'

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0309/S00010.htm
Prominent Manukau Councillor Len Brown Challenges Curtis For Mayoralty

First Reports Say No Injuries In Ruapehu Skifield Avalanche

- "Details are still sketchy, but a worker at Turoa Ski Lodge said there had been 'quite a large' avalanche at about midday today. She believed there had been no skiers buried, saying the skifield had recieved an advance warning of the avalanche. The mountain has been closed." See… Avalanche on Turoa - Stuff [1] and Turoa skifield evacuated after large avalanche – NZ Herald [2]

[1] - http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2647819a10,00.html
[2] - http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3521532&thesection=news&thesubsection=general

Scoop Is In The House

– For today's questions see... Questions for Oral Answer - Wednesday, 3 September [1] . For Tuesday’s questions and answers for oral answer see... Transcript of Tuesday's Questions and Answers.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00045.htm

LEAD STORY:
NZ Govt Officials Withheld Information Over Zaoui Case

- “There is no evidence that officials lied or conspired to deceive anyone. Nor did they deliberately shield themselves from scrutiny under the Official Information Act. Nevertheless the investigation found that the high standards expected were not met," Labour Minister Margaret Wilson. See… Govt Releases Report Into Withheld Info Re Ahmed Zaoui Case [1] ALSO: State Services Commissioner Wintringham Comments On Zaoui Info Report [2] - Report Relies on Amnesia in Unison - McCully [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00040.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0309/S00021.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00043.htm

NEW ZEALAND NEWS HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0309/S00007.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00039.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0309/S00020.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0309/S00024.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0309/S00023.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/SC0309/S00009.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0309/S00015.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0309/S00006.htm

Scoop Link: Bombing Reign Sets Iraq Into Chaos

- Aljazeera: Baghdad’s main police station exploded after a probable car bomb ripped through the building, injuring at least two policeman. See… Aljazeera: Bomb destroys Baghdad police station [1] ALSO: Aljazeera: Hussein denies role in cleric’s death [2] - U.S. Explores UN-Led Multinational Force In Iraq [3] - Germany’s Chancellor Wants Strong UN Role In Iraq [4] - United Kingdom: Straw seeks to strengthen UN role in Iraq [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00033.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00032.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00015.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00013.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00020.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES:

Asia Pacific

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00031.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00030.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00029.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00027.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00026.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00014.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00019.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00018.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00007.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00003.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00028.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00034.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00035.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00024.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00023.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00022.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00021.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00012.htm

STORY OF THE WEEK - FRANKENCORN REVISITED - Day Two Of The Question Time Showdown

- Bill English's increasingly desperate attempts to create a beat-up around the release of documents related to the November/December 2000 suspected contamination of corn seed, plumbed new depths in Parliament today, Environment Minister Marian Hobbs said. See... English Elastic with the Truth [1] and National... Clark caught out again on Corngate [2] For more coverage of this week's story of the week CLICK HERE. [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00058.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00054.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/index.html#msow

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Jason Leopold: The Business Of Electronic Voting

- It seems fitting that a president who was brought into office because of a scandalous election would enact a law to overhaul the electoral process to make it easier for people to choose their leaders the second time around. See... Jason Leopold: The Business of Electronic Voting [1] For MUCH MUCH MORE see... SCOOP'S FEATURE PAGE... "A Very American Coup" [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0309/S00020.htm
[2] - http://scoop.co.nz/mason/features/?s=usacoup

Stateside: Where Rosalea Is Still In Texas

- The painting reproduced on the front of the catalogue for the museum store at the Sid Richardson Collection of Western Art in Fort Worth, Texas, pretty much sums up my impression of that city. It shows two skunks trashing a cowboy camp. See... Stateside with Rosalea: Fort Worth, Texas [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0309/S00022.htm

Meditations: What Comes After The End Of The World?

- If, as the Prussian general von Clausewitz infamously said, "war is nothing more than the continuation of politics by other means," then America's 'global war on terrorism' is about to enter a new phase. See... Meditations: Endless Whimper Or Creative Explosion [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0309/S00025.htm

ZZZzzzzt Scoop Has Feedback

- It is with amazement I read of Peter Dunne’s comments regarding the Green Party behaving in an undignified and undesirable way. Mr. Dunne should practice what he preaches. See... Scoop Has Feedback [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0309/S00026.htm

Between The Lines: The UN Role In Iraq

- Bombing of U.N. Office in Baghdad Provokes Reassessment of International Organization's Role in Occupied Iraq - Interview with Nathaniel Hurd, independent consultant to the United Nations, conducted by Scott Harris See... Reassessing the U.N.'s Role in Occupied Iraq [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0309/S00024.htm

Is This Sillier Than Having A Chimp In The White House?

- Cartoon by John Chuckman…. See... Chuckman Cartoon: Mount Rushmore Monkey [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0309/S00023.htm

Streets Of London: Mrs Kelly At The Hutton Inquiry

- Scoop's London Correspondent William Moloney is filing blow by blow coverage from the Hutton inquiry. This week in the Inquiry shifts away from the inner workings of the Government and back onto Dr. David Kelly. Monday's main witness was Dr. Kelly's widow, Mrs. Janice Kelly. See... SOL: Hutton Inquiry Update - Week 4 Day 1 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0309/S00019.htm

Daily Katya Rivas

- How much a mother loves her child can be seen from her maternal kisses and caresses. This is yet more evident if the sacrifices that she secretly makes for her child are known. See... Katya Rivas: How a Mother Loves Her Child! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0309/S00021.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0309/S00009.htm
Coming To A Street Corner Near You...

Cullen Given A Task For His Singapore Visit

- The Green Party is challenging Michael Cullen to produce the pot of gold at the end of the free trade rainbow during his stopover in Singapore today. See... Cullen Should Hunt For Missing $$$Mns In Singapore [1] and Address to ANZ Investment Luncheon, Singapore [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00047.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00060.htm

Storm Clouds Seen Over The Beaches

- Residents' fears in Port Waikato are well-founded - and are merely the harbinger of what we can expect to see more of in the political, social and legal vacuum created by this Government, ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader Ken Shirley said today. See... Storm Clouds Gather Over Foreshore Policy [1] and National One way traffic in beaches debate [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00059.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00050.htm

Leading Councillor To Challenge Sir Barry Curtis For Manukau Mayoralty

- Len Brown, one of Manukau City’s most prominent councillors, has announced he will challenge Sir Barry Curtis for the Mayoralty in the Local Government Elections 2004. Here is Len Brown’s speech in verbatim. See… Prominent Councillor Challenges Manukau Mayoralty [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0309/S00010.htm

Dispensing Changes Will Cost Jobs

- Pharmacy closures and reduced pharmacy services due to stat dispensing are leaving student pharmacists half trained, unregistered and heading overseas for jobs, National says. See... NZ will lose pharmacists due to stat dispensing [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00057.htm

PM Slammed For Failure To Front On Fart Tax

- The farming backbone of the Kiwi economy deserves better from their Prime Minister than tomorrow's very public snub to those protesting against the Government's flatulence tax, says National Party Leader Bill English. See... Labour refuses to front up to farmers [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00056.htm

MPS Statement Tomorrow – Copeland Says Cut

- United Future finance spokesman Gordon Copeland today called on Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard to further cut interest rates in tomorrow's monetary policy statement. See... Copeland urges interest rate cut [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00055.htm

Pokie Law Changes Spineless – Greens Say

- The Gambling Bill will do no more than scratch the surface of problem gambling in local communities - and in some cases make it worse, said Green MP Sue Bradford today. See... Greens attack 'spineless' Gambling Bill [1] and Dunne: UF delivers Gambling Bill aces [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00053.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00052.htm

Fart Tax Is Clear And Consistent - Hodgson

- The Government has been clear and consistent for more than two years on climate change policy relating to agriculture, says the Convenor of the Ministerial Group on Climate Change, Pete Hodgson. See... Climate policy on agriculture: clear & consistent [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00051.htm

Project Aqua Likened To Birch's 'Think Big'

- The Green Party is accusing the Government of a return to the Bill Birch days of 'think big' energy projects. See... Project Aqua on the 'think big' fast-track [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00046.htm

ENDS

© 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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