Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Thursday, 29 April 2004, 5:50 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY:
Fallujah: UN Cautions USA Over Violent Military Action
Reserve Bank Increases OCR to 5.5%
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Thai Anti-Terrorist Squad Hits Mosque
U.S. Supreme Court Must End Indefinite Guantanamo Detentions
INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES

STORY OF THE WEEK:
Ewan Morris: Somebody’s Been Sleeping in My Seabed!
National's Wayne Mapp To Talk To Hikoi

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News (and more) Is There!
Kevin List: A Second Look At The Departing ACT Leader
Stateside: Shrek The Sheep
Sheila Samples Will Not Shut Up
Ernest Partridge: Bush v Kerry
Buy Palestinian Olive Oil And Help Palestine's Children
Ivan Eland: The Draft
John Chuckman: Reflections On Evil

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Sickness And Invalids Benefit Changes To Be Piloted
Passport Terror Case Inspires An "I Told You So"
NZ Seeks Fish WTO Trade Subsidy Ban
Ryall Wants License Scam Report Released
Hodgson Talks Energy Planning
National Wants Swain To Flip-Flop ERA Bill
Hodgson Pleased With Contact Energy's Retail Strategy
Sallies Welcome Housing Policy Changes
Anderton Agrees To More Finlanders Over Here
Marsden Plant Gets Greenhouse Carbon Credits
Orthopaedic Surgery Grinds To A Halt In Otago

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0404/S00190.htm
NZLAV Weighs In: It's A Boy!

LEAD STORY:
Fallujah: UN Cautions USA Over Violent Military Action

- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today appealed to all the parties in Iraq to refrain from violence, urging the United States to do all it can to seek a peaceful end to the confrontation in Fallujah and warning that violent military action would only make matters worse. See... Annan urges U.S. caution in Fallujah [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0404/S00308.htm

Reserve Bank Increases OCR to 5.5%

- The Reserve Bank today increased the Official Cash Rate from 5.25 per cent to 5.5 per cent. Commenting on the decision, Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard said "The New Zealand economy continues to perform strongly and this is being supported by further improvements in the global economy. See... OCR increased to 5.5 per cent [1] ALSO:Interest Rate Move Unwelcome - Peters [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0404/S00269.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00473.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0404/S00203.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0404/S00202.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0404/S00200.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0404/S00270.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0404/S00267.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0404/S00265.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0404/S00192.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0404/S00191.htm

Thai Anti-Terrorist Squad Hits Mosque

- BANGKOK, Thailand -- Backed by armored personnel carriers and helicopters, security forces attacked a mosque on Wednesday (April 28) killing Islamic "militants" at the site, during scattered clashes and ambushes which left more than 100 suspects ... See... Thai Security Forces Attack Mosque, Kill Militants [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00243.htm

U.S. Supreme Court Must End Indefinite Guantanamo Detentions

- Arbitrary detentions violate a bedrock principle of international human rights law, emphasized Amnesty International on the eve of the United States Supreme Court hearing into the detention of "enemy combatants" Jose Padilla and Yaser Esam Hamdi, ... See... USA Supreme Court must reject indefinite detention [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0404/S00302.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0404/S00290.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0404/S00289.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0404/S00288.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0404/S00287.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0404/S00284.htm

SCOOP FULL COVERAGE
http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00237.htm
A Critical Day In The History Of NZ Race Relations

Ewan Morris: Somebody’s Been Sleeping in My Seabed!

- Once upon a time there were three bears: Mama Pea, Papa Pea, and little Pepi Pea. They lived in a beautiful, spacious house in the middle of the woods. See... Ewan Morris: Goldilocks And The Four Shores [1] . See also... Public Address 28/04/04 - Human Traffic [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00238.htm
[2] - http://publicaddress.net/default,1182.sm#post1182

National's Wayne Mapp To Talk To Hikoi

- Equality before the law and equal participation in Government is the only way to advance not just Maori but New Zealand as a whole, says National's Treaty and Constitutional Issues spokesman, Dr Wayne Mapp. See... Mapp to address Hikoi [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00485.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News (and more) Is There!

- It appears that TVNZ's unexpectedly unearthed third-channel plan might not be news to some people as much as it was to the rest of us. But those people might not be all that happy about it... See... Public Address 29/04/04 - Freqs 'N' Geeks [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00253.htm

Kevin List: A Second Look At The Departing ACT Leader

- There were tears in the ACT parliamentary offices this week. Richard Prebble, the one time Labour Minister and self-proclaimed ‘saviour’ of NZ Rail was saddling up and heading into the sunset. See... A Second Look At The Leadership Of Richard Prebble [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00248.htm

Stateside: Shrek The Sheep

- Friends, I have suffered enough. Workmates are sending me links to the following story on the BBC website: ** NZ's famous sheep gets TV haircut ** Shrek the sheep, who evaded the shearers for six years, gets a five-star trimming of his giant fleece ... See... Stateside with Rosalea: What A Dag! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00252.htm

Sheila Samples Will Not Shut Up

- I've got a few words for George Bush and Dick Cheney, who keep telling me with a smirk and a scowl that ''everything has changed'' since 9-11. They say I need to show compassion and hug my neighbor -- to find somebody out there I can love like I'd like to be loved myself. We're at war, they say, so just shut up and support the troops. See... Sheila Samples: I Will Not Shut Up... [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00251.htm

Ernest Partridge: Bush v Kerry

- A rising chorus of discontent from the left is being heard throughout the land -- in the mainstream press, and even in the dissenting progressive media. We are told that the Democrats have sold out by selecting in John Kerry -- "Bush-lite." See... More than a Dime's Worth of Difference [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00250.htm

Buy Palestinian Olive Oil And Help Palestine's Children

- If you are interested in helping to improve the living standards of the children of Palestine in the refugee camps inside Palestine, please support the efforts of the Palestine Children's Welfare Fund through purchases such as extra virgin olive oil, soaps, embroidery and other items. See... Help The Palestine Children's Welfare Fund [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00249.htm

Ivan Eland: The Draft

- Even some liberal voices—for example, Senator Joe Biden and The New York Times—are calling for augmenting the 135,000 U.S. forces and 20,000 mercenaries in Iraq with more U.S. troops. See... Ivan Eland: The Ill-Wind Of The Draft [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00245.htm

John Chuckman: Reflections On Evil

- Imagine a fundamentalist tent-meeting somewhere on the dusty plains of Oklahoma or Texas without the Devil? a spluttering preacher at the pulpit with nothing about which to shout and frighten people? Preaching the actual teachings of Jesus - so far as we know them, about peace and toleration - wouldn't cover rental payments on the tent and electric organ. See... John Chuckman: Seeking The Evil One [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00244.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0404/S00145.htm
NZ Juliet Impresses British Critics

Sickness And Invalids Benefit Changes To Be Piloted

- A new $20 million initiative designed to enhance support for sickness and invalid beneficiaries back to work, has been welcomed by Minister for Disability Issues, Ruth Dyson. See... Better support for sickness, invalid beneficiaries [1] MORE: - National - Band-aid fix won't solve problem [2] - NZ First - Health Queue Jumping Unacceptable [3] - United Future - Still no action on sickness and invalid benefits [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00466.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00465.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00474.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00472.htm

Passport Terror Case Inspires An "I Told You So"

- New Zealand First has called on the Government to review the immigration staffing situation at New Zealand embassies and start checking local citizenship applications over the past few years. See... Passport Terror Link - We Warned You Says NZ First [1] MORE: - Don Brash - NZ passports under threat in 'benign environment' [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00476.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00475.htm

NZ Seeks Fish WTO Trade Subsidy Ban

- New Zealand is serious about using the WTO subsidy negotiations to help reform global fisheries, Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton said today. See... NZ pushes for fish subsidy ban [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00470.htm

Ryall Wants License Scam Report Released

- Months after the Government was told of the licence scam, illegal immigrants are still being issued drivers licences, says National MP Tony Ryall. See... Govt refuses to release licence scam report [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00469.htm

Hodgson Talks Energy Planning

- Energy in New Zealand: current and future Pete Hodgson Speech: [Address to Auckland Museum Institute / Royal Society seminar, "Energy in Aotearoa New Zealand: The current situation and future potential", Auckland Museum] See... Hodgson: Energy in New Zealand: current and future [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00467.htm

National Wants Swain To Flip-Flop ERA Bill

- "Labour Minister Paul Swain now has all the ammunition he needs to argue for the withdrawal of the Employment Relations Law Reform Bill," says National Party Industrial Relations spokesman Roger Sowry. See... National backs call on ERA Amendment Bill [1] MORE: - EPMU - Union holds out hand to employers [2] - EMA - Employers unanimously reject employment bill [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00486.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0404/S00207.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0404/S00205.htm

Hodgson Pleased With Contact Energy's Retail Strategy

- Contact Energy's announcement today that it is expanding its retail operations to offer full national coverage is good news for electricity consumers, says Energy Minister Pete Hodgson. See... Competition good for electricity consumers [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00484.htm

Sallies Welcome Housing Policy Changes

- The Government Housing Strategy Discussion Document being launched tomorrow by the Minister of Housing Steve Maharey provides an excellent opportunity for the community to contribute to improved housing for low income New Zealanders, said Major Campbell ... See... Sallies Welcome Government Housing Strategy [1] MORE: - Govt. - Building the Future - Speech [2] - National - Labour U-turn on housing policy [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0404/S00198.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00483.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00478.htm

Anderton Agrees To More Finlanders Over Here

- Young New Zealanders will be able to live and work in Finland for up to a year following today's signing of a Working Holiday Scheme between the two countries. See... Anderton signs Working Holiday Scheme with Finland [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00482.htm

Marsden Plant Gets Greenhouse Carbon Credits

- A proposed electricity and steam co-generation plant at the Marsden Point refinery has been awarded a share of carbon credits from the Government. See... NZ Refining Company gets carbon credits [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00480.htm

Orthopaedic Surgery Grinds To A Halt In Otago

- Otago District Health Board's budget blowout will see 210 people wait even longer for treatment as orthopaedic surgery grinds to a halt, says National's Health spokeswoman, Dr Lynda Scott. See... Orthopaedic surgery grinds to a halt in Dunedin [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00477.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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