Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Tuesday, 4 May 2004, 4:55 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Scoop Is In The House
LEAD STORY: Joint NZ and Chile Oil Exploration Plan
Has Helen Clark Got The Numbers To Govern?
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
William Marina: Torture In Iraq
INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES
MORE STORY OF THE WEEK: The Foreshore & Seabed - PM's Press Conference: Hikois, Tariana Turia and Nukes
Hikoi Challenges Conscience Of Public Service

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News & More Is There!
No Right Turn: Poverty In Middle Class NZ
David Miller On Tariana Turia's Resignation
John Roughan: Cleaning Up In The Solomons
Steve Weissman: Colin Powell & The Pottery Barn Rule
DU - A Weapon Of Mass Destruction In Routine Use
Rowena Thursby Writes To The Oxford Coroner Re: David Kelly
Finkelstein On The Realities Of ME Disagreement
Alleged IRA Members Found Not Guilty In Colombia
Between The Lines: US Occupation Of Iraq Sours
Iraq - A Dishonorable And Murder-Laden Failure
UQ Wire: Saudis Clients In Terror Flight School's Unauthorised Flights

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
The SIS Wants You To Be A Spook!
Govt. To Look After It's Own Historic Properties
In Defence Of The Deportation Tribunal
Cannabis Treatment Should Not Be Treated As A Crime
Decrepit Rural Teacher's Houses A Disgrace
Privacy Breach By Minister Of CYF
Rod Donald Accepts Student Allowance Petition
NZ Defence Forces Remain In Solomons
Transfund Wellington Bypass Decision A Victory For Closed Minds
National To Support Local Loop Unbundling Plan

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0405/S00006.htm
New Zealand Post Deliver Cosi Fan Tutte's Dorabella

Scoop Is In The House

- For today's questions for oral answers see... Questions for Oral Answer - Tuesday, 4 May 2004 [1] . Come back this evening for the answer transcript.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00038.htm

LEAD STORY:

Joint NZ and Chile Oil Exploration Plan

- An agreement signed today paves the way for Chile and New Zealand to work more closely on oil and gas exploration, geothermal energy development, and the study of earthquakes and volcanoes. See... NZ, Chile Sign Cooperative Science Agreement [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/SC0405/S00004.htm

Has Helen Clark Got The Numbers To Govern?

- Short answer: Yes. In Parliament at 2pm today a no-confidence vote failed 62 votes to 58 with Tariana Turia and Nanaia Mahuta voting with the Government and the Greens against. MORE FALLOUT FROM TURIA RESIGNATION: - NZ First - Jones Explains No-Confidence Motions To Brash [1] - Margaret Wilson - Treaty negotiations apart from political issues [2] - Greens - Greens won't contest unnecessary by-election [3] See much more on this week's STORY OF THE WEEK...

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00043.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00031.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00042.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00039.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0405/S00009.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0405/S00014.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00036.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0405/S00012.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0405/S00011.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS:

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00001.htm
The Shame Of Occupying Forces
WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES: US Sexual Abuse Of POWs & Civilians

William Marina: Torture In Iraq

- It was revealed this past week that, on top of the indiscriminate bombardment of civilians in Iraqi urban areas, both U.S. and British soldiers have become involved in the torture of Iraqi prisoners as well. See... Torture & Civilian Deaths in 3 Counterinsurgencies [1] . See also... Images: U.S.Troops In Iraq Sexual Abuse Photos [2] MORE SCOOP COMMENT: - Russell Brown (Hard News) - HARD NEWS 4/5/04: Old Faithful Chops [3] - John Chuckman - Cartoons: US Torture And Iraqi Hearts & Minds [4] - Catherine Fitts - Mapping The Real Deal: CACI Who? [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00020.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00001.htm
[3] - http://publicaddress.net/default,1198.sm#post1198
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00011.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00014.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00016.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00014.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00013.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00011.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00009.htm

MORE STORY OF THE WEEK: The Foreshore & Seabed - PM's Press Conference: Hikois, Tariana Turia and Nukes

- IN THIS EDITION: When Is A Hikoi Not A Hikoi - Tariana Turia And The Prime Minister 'The Relationship That Wasn’t' - And - The New Nuclear Nats & Dying Laughing See... PM's Presser: Of Hikois, Tariana Turia and Nukes [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00026.htm

Hikoi Challenges Conscience Of Public Service

- The key issue facing public servants when deciding whether to join political demonstrations is the balancing of the responsibility of public servant obligations and the rights of employees to freedom of speech and expression. See... Public servants and political demonstrations [1] For much much more on the Hikoi and Tariana Turia see: STORY OF THE WEEK: Clark Jumps Confidence Hurdle & last week's… STORY OF THE WEEK: Tariana Turia's Long Walk

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0405/S00015.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News & More Is There!

- For now, my money's on the Daily Mirror's pictures of British soldiers abusing Iraqi POWs being fakes, even if the stories they relate to aren't. The expert analysis of evidence in the pictures, if reported correctly, raises some serious questions... See... Public Address 04/05/04 - Mutton Chops & Martinis [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00030.htm

No Right Turn: Poverty In Middle Class NZ

- Another interesting series in the Sunday Star Times, this time on the plight of the middle class and the demise of the single income family . The stalking horse is a Waihi family, which is barely getting by despite a salary of $55,000 a year. See... No Right Turn: Saving The Middle Class [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00024.htm

David Miller On Tariana Turia's Resignation

- If a week is considered a long time in politics then the past month must have seemed like an eternity for the Government. See... David Miller: Another Tough Week in Election ’05 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00023.htm

John Roughan: Cleaning Up In The Solomons

- The Australian government is currently pushing the idea of pulling together under one roof--a one-stop shop--all the Solomons accountability institutions: its Leadership Code Commission, Ombudsman and Auditor-General. See... John Roughan: Anti-Corruption's One-Stop Shop! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00031.htm

Steve Weissman: Colin Powell & The Pottery Barn Rule

- Colin Powell, who plays the soft, sensitive shill in Washington's globally ambitious cop shop, used to quote what he mistakenly called the Pottery Barn rule: See... Weissman: Why Should the UN Buy the Iraq We Broke? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00029.htm

DU - A Weapon Of Mass Destruction In Routine Use

- Ever notice how crafty the inventors of modern weaponry working for the Pentagon are -- giving their weapons misleading names that deliberately give the opposite impression of the actual intended use? See... Vincent Guarisco: DU Is Depleting Human Life [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00032.htm

Rowena Thursby Writes To The Oxford Coroner Re: David Kelly

- This eleven-page letter (see below) sent to Nicholas Gardiner, the Oxfordshire coroner in January this year, was produced after months of painstaking research. See... Unexamined Anomaliies In The Dr David Kelly Case [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00028.htm

Finkelstein On The Realities Of ME Disagreement

- Norman G. Finkelstein spoke about the Israel-Palestine conflict in Oak Park, IL. He was the final speaker in “Voices of Conscience and Dissent: Important Perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict,” a community education and dialog series. See... Vanguard Demystifies Israel-Palestine Conflict [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00027.htm

Alleged IRA Members Found Not Guilty In Colombia

- The acquittal in Bogotá of three Irishmen falsely accused of terrorism is an embarrassing setback for the Colombian government. It is also compelling evidence of the deep duplicity of the British government and its Unionist allies in Ireland. See... Bogotá 3 Acquittal - IV with Caitriona Ruane [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00022.htm

Between The Lines: US Occupation Of Iraq Sours

- White House Extends Deployment of Troops Serving in Iraq as Violence Shakes U.S. Occupation - Interview with Nancy Lessin and Charlie Richardson of the group Military Families Speak Out, conducted by Scott Harris See... White House Extends Deployment of Troops in Iraq [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00021.htm

Iraq - A Dishonorable And Murder-Laden Failure

- President Bush boosts we will ''stay the course'' in Iraq. But his course, dubbed ''Operation Iraqi Freedom,'' is a dishonorable and murder-laden failure; the Bush course is an endless minefield that yields nothing but the death and maiming of innocent ... See... Iraq: Suggestions For An Endgame With Honor [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00019.htm

UQ Wire: Saudis Clients In Terror Flight School's Unauthorised Flights

- A federal complaint filed April 5 in Ft. Myers, FL. accusing flight school owners Wally Hilliard and Rudi Dekkers of flying numerous "unauthorized and unsupervised flights" during April and May of 1999 makes no mention of the clients on the illegal flights, who, the MadCowMorningNews has learned, were Saudi nationals. See... Flight School Flew Saudis On Unsupervised Flights [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00017.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0405/S00012.htm
May Day In The Capital (Images & Audio)

The SIS Wants You To Be A Spook!

- The SIS is using its website for the first time to advertise for recruits, Prime Minister and Minister in Charge of the Security Intelligence Service Helen Clark said today. See... SIS launches new recruitment campaign [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00045.htm

Govt. To Look After It's Own Historic Properties

- Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Helen Clark today announced the introduction of a “best practice” approach to the management of heritage properties owned by government departments. See... Best practice approach for heritage properties [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00044.htm

In Defence Of The Deportation Tribunal

- “National’s Wayne Mapp is intentionally creating an atmosphere of panic and intolerance with his attacks on the Refugee Status Appeals Authority and the Deportation Tribunal. See... Immigrant bashing by National for short term gain [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00041.htm

Cannabis Treatment Should Not Be Treated As A Crime

- Green MP Nandor Tanczos today renewed his call for 'medical marijuana' arrests to be stopped following delays in the commercial release of a medicine based on a cannabis extract. See... Mouthspray delay means arrest excuse doesn't wash [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00040.htm

Decrepit Rural Teacher's Houses A Disgrace

- Rural teachers are being treated like second-class citizens by the Labour Government as they are forced to live in decrepit conditions, says National Education spokesman, Bill English. See... English: rural school housing disgraceful [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00037.htm

Privacy Breach By Minister Of CYF

- National Party Social Services spokeswoman Katherine Rich is questioning how safe the public's personal details are following the release of more than 1300 children's names in an answer about CYF foster placements. See... Ruth Dyson's office breaches children's privacy [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00036.htm

Rod Donald Accepts Student Allowance Petition

- Student leaders from tertiary institutions and high schools will present MPs tomorrow (Tuesday) with a 30,000-strong petition calling on the Government to introduce a universal tertiary living allowance. See... Donald to accept living allowance petition [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00033.htm

NZ Defence Forces Remain In Solomons

- Up to 120 Defence Force personnel, including two helicopter crews and an infantry platoon, will remain with the multi-national Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands for a further two months, Defence Minister Mark Burton announced today. See... NZ contributing to regional and int security [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00030.htm

Transfund Wellington Bypass Decision A Victory For Closed Minds

- The Green Party says today's decision by Transfund to approve funding for Wellington's Inner City Bypass project is a victory for minds set in concrete. See... Bypass A Victory For Spin And Closed Minds, Greens [1] - ACT - ACT Welcomes Wellington Bypass Decision [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00028.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00034.htm

National To Support Local Loop Unbundling Plan

- The National Party says it will support the recommendations by the Telecommunications Commissioner, Douglas Webb, made in relation to local loop unbundling. See... National to support unbundling plan [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00027.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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