Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Wednesday, 9 February 2005, 5:50 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Scoop Is In The House
LEAD STORY: Ministry Of Health Respond To Scoop Vaccine Investigation
Opposition In Lather Over LAV Report
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Condoleezza Rice Delivers Key Address In Paris
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:
STORY OF THE WEEK: Democracy In Crisis In Nepal

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News Is There!
Photo Essay: A Day At The Sevens
Martin Lefevre: Further Reflections On Human Nature
A Kiwi Aid Worker Reports In From Sri-Lanka
Watching The Buggers - A Serialised Play By Tim Barcode
Evelyn Pringle: Drug Companies Peddling Toxic Vaccines
America's Youth See No Dangers In Censorship
Narconews: Terrorism Double Standards In Colombia
Bernard Weiner vs The American Taliban
Suzan Mazur: Was Zaire's Mobutu A CIA Asset?

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
English Gives Govt Six Of The Best Over NCEA Botch Up
Peace In Mid East Possible Despite Hurdles
National Accused Of Impeding Transport Progress
Eagle Eyed Posties Get Short Shrift From Dunne
Boffins Biffed Out Of DOC
Greens Fight Attack Of The Clones
Severe Penalties Proposed For Child Porn
Peters Accused Of Misleading Elderly
Ghost Of Free Trade Future Invoked By Rod Donald

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00111.htm
Photo Essay - You Can't Beat Wellington On A Good Day

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TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS

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Scoop Is In The House

- For today's questions see... Questions for Oral Answer - 9 February 2005 [1] . For Tuesday's Q&A see... Questions & Answers for Oral Answer - 8 Feb 2005 [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00191.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00168.htm

LEAD STORY:
Ministry Of Health Respond To Scoop Vaccine Investigation

[1] - The Meningococcal Gold Rush article published on the scoop.co.nz website [2] shows a poor understanding of the rigorous processes and procedures used in New Zealand and overseas to develop, license and administer vaccines. See... Immunisation Critics Confused [3] MORE: - Audio - Russell Brown BFM IV With Barbara Sumner Burstyn - National - King must reassure public about vaccine [4] - Background Link - Anti-Immunization Press Reports in Australia 1993-1997 [5] - ORIGINAL ARTICLE - Investigation: The Meningococcal Gold Rush [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00064.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00064.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0502/S00032.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00176.htm
[5] - http://childrensvaccine.org/files/Leask.pdf
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00064.htm

Opposition In Lather Over LAV Report

- Mark Burton, Minister of Defence has today welcomed the release of the Controller and Auditor General's (OAG) second report on the acquisition and introduction into service of the Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs). See... Burton Welcomes LAV Report [1] MORE: - NZ First - NZ First Warned Govt Against LAV Purchase [2] - National - Report proves LAV purchase a disaster [3] - ACT - Latest report confirms LAV purchase bungled [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00187.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00181.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00165.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00169.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

Libz cheers death of Togolese thug [1]

Manufacturing summit now urgent - union [2]

Spotlight on Creative Coalition [3]

Aged Care Sector Looks for Budget Boost [4]

Ministerial call-in of Marsden B urged [5]

Protest Against Spies And Spy Bases [6]

Unknown Warrior May Be In Hell [7]

Election of a new leader for the Maori church [8]

‘Prima ballerina’ among graduating police officers [9]

Condoleezza Rice Delivers Key Address In Paris

- SECRETARY RICE: Thank you very, very much. Thank you for those warm and welcoming words. And let me also thank the people of France for being such perfect hosts. I've just arrived. I wish I could stay longer. But it's such a wonderful city; it's wonderful ... See... Rice Remarks at The Institut d'Etudes Politiques [1] MORE: - State Dept. Daily Press Briefing for February 8 [2] - Rice Remarks to the Press At Ben Gurion Airport [3] - Rice Remarks With French FM Michel Barnier [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0502/S00247.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0502/S00255.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0502/S00250.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0502/S00245.htm

INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

Colombia report clouds BP profits announcement [1]

Iran: Political Prisoners with Violent Criminals [2]

IFJ - Press Club Bombing in Bangladesh [3]

UK Press Briefing: Peter Hyman and Immigration [4]

Vanstone's Rau Inquiry should be overridden [5]

Joint Communiqué on Laos: [6]

Israel/Occupied Territories: Translate hope [7]

Restoration Of Immunity To Cambodian Opposition [8]

Oil-For-Food - Disciplinary Measures: UN Staffers [9]

Annan To Soon Offer UN Anti-Terrorism Strategy [10]

STORY OF THE WEEK: Democracy In Crisis In Nepal

Dipta Shah's Hard Choices For The Nepalese - The time has come for all Nepalese to make a fundamental choice, a choice that cannot be permitted to be made on Nepal's behalf. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and each Nepali must set priorities and make the best choices with the information available. See... Dipta Shah: The Choice Nepalese Must Make [1] MORE: - Kamala Sarup: Corruption's Threat To Democracy [2] - Dipta Shah: The Regional Player that Counts, India [3] - IFJ - Nepalese Journalists Appeal- International Action [4] - ICFTU - International engagement essential - Nepal [5] - UN - UN HRs Experts Concerned Over Arrests In Nepal [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00108.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00106.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00109.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0502/S00240.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0502/S00230.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0502/S00223.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News Is There!

- I was obliged to swot up on the brief visit to these shores of Cherie Blair for my Breakfast slot this morning. I quite quickly realised that New Zealand has been no more than a fleeting location for a story that wasn't really about us at all... See... Public Address 09/02/05 - Just A Location [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00107.htm

Photo Essay: A Day At The Sevens

- Our heroes, the atmosphere, the also rans and the fans… see… Photo Essay: A Glorious Day At The Sevens [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00111.htm

Martin Lefevre: Further Reflections On Human Nature

- A reader writes to say that he finds the new theory of human nature I have proposed in this column very optimistic, though he has questions. I’m not so sanguine myself, but I do feel that the worse things get, the more the worst and best in human beings is being drawn forth. Our case is still undecided. See... Meditations: A New Theory of Human Nature, Pt. 3 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00105.htm

A Kiwi Aid Worker Reports In From Sri-Lanka

- I arrived in Sri Lanka on 21 January and will arrive home on 16 February. As I considered coming over, firstly aid agencies, then the NZ-Sri Lanka friendship societies I spoke to, were lukewarm about an enthusiastic volunteer coming over. See... A NZ Volunteer Reports On Aid Effort In Sri-Lanka [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00101.htm

Watching The Buggers - A Serialised Play By Tim Barcode

- The story so far…. In the first five parts at the luxurious Huka Lodge we met: - Coates, a very nervous and probable SIS agent, summoned to the Lodge by the Inspector-General of the SIS who is investigating accusations that the Maori Party has been bugged. - Forbes who claims to work for the SIS in accounts receivable - Paul a very proper waiter who may know more than he lets on. At a train waiting shelter in Masterton the next day Coates while looking for orders of where to go next meets Jane a DoC worker who Coates thinks is also an agent. See... Watching The Buggers (Part 6 Of 12) [1] (See also... Part 1 [2] , Part 2 [3] , Part 3 [4] , Part 4 [5] , Part 5 [6] )

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00110.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00285.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00013.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00030.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00042.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00097.htm

Evelyn Pringle: Drug Companies Peddling Toxic Vaccines

- It time for the media to inform the public of the reasons why Merck and other drug companies have been trying to hide the damage caused by mercury in childhood vaccines. See... Drug Company Knew Dangers - Secret Memo Proves It [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00100.htm

America's Youth See No Dangers In Censorship

- While authoritarian states in much of the world are routinely jailing journalists and others for expressing their views, a substantial proportion of U.S. high school students believes the government should censor the American press and that the free speech protections of the Bill of Rights First Amendment go "too far." See... William Fisher: What First Amendment? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00104.htm

Narconews: Terrorism Double Standards In Colombia

- In a sequel to her column, "Colombia's Double Standard for Terrorism," Narco News Editorial Columnist Laura del Castillo looks this time at the case of Savatore Mancuso, leader of the right-wing paramilitary organization United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC in its Spanish initials). See... Narconews: The Discreet Charm of Salvatore Mancuso [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00103.htm

Bernard Weiner vs The American Taliban

- The best and worst part about post-op recuperation is the freedom that comes with not being bound to one's normal schedule. Here, confined largely to bed, I doze, read the paper leisurely, meditate, listen to music, surf the web, watch the crapola ... See... Bernard Weiner: Taking On The American Taliban [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00102.htm

Suzan Mazur: Was Zaire's Mobutu A CIA Asset?

- "Meet me under the 59th Street bridge," Mark Garsin said after reading my interview with him about the murder of Patrice Lumumba, the Congo's first democratically elected leader. At the edge of New York on the East River? See... Tempelsman's Man In Kinshasa Emends Lumumba Story [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00092.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0502/S00068.htm
NZ Defence Force Dr At Work in Banda Aceh

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OTHER NEWS (JUST POLITICS)

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English Gives Govt Six Of The Best Over NCEA Botch Up

- The Government's admission that there are unacceptable discrepancies in NCEA scholarship results is a disgrace because it cheats thousands of young New Zealanders striving for excellence, says National's Education spokesman, Bill English. See…NCEA discrepancies unacceptable [1] MORE: - Govt - Minister introduces new distinction awards [2] - National - Power welcomes NCEA inquiry [3] - ACT -NCEA Debacle: Heads must roll [4] - United Future NZ - Ensuring no repeat of exam debacle top priority [5] - NZ First - Scaling Essential In Scholarship Exams [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00175.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00173.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00209.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00203.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00194.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00189.htm

Peace In Mid East Possible Despite Hurdles

- President George Bush has an historic opportunity to be the American leader to help deliver a sustainable and just peace for Israelis and Palestinians, Progressive MP Matt Robson said today. See... Violence and settlements are obstacles to peace [1] MORE: - Govt - Goff welcomes Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00197.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00201.htm

National Accused Of Impeding Transport Progress

- National's Finance Spokesman, John Key, last night led the National party in voting against more than $2 billion in transport funding for the regions. See... National votes against $2 billion for transport [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00195.htm

Eagle Eyed Posties Get Short Shrift From Dunne

- United Future leader, Peter Dunne, has come out in strong opposition to the trial by New Zealand Post of wiring up posties to report on the state of people's houses on their routes to help NZ Post meet its business clients' needs. See... Dunne opposes postie prying [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00204.htm

Boffins Biffed Out Of DOC

- A cost-cutting exercise that caused 15% of the Department of Conservation's permanent conservation science staff to lose their jobs is a disgrace, says National's Conservation spokesman, Simon Power. See... DOC job losses a disgrace [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00212.htm

Greens Fight Attack Of The Clones

- Green MP Ian Ewen-Street says a total ban is the standard MAF should be setting for the importation of material from cloned sheep. See... MAF must ban import of tissue for sheep cloning [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00200.htm

Severe Penalties Proposed For Child Porn

- Justice Minister Phil Goff is proposing to further increase the penalty for possessing objectionable material such as child pornography to a maximum of five years' jail. Goff Makes Further Change To Child Porn Penalties [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00186.htm

Peters Accused Of Misleading Elderly

- Winston Peters is misleading Grey Power and older New Zealanders when he says that the government's superannuation regime is unfair, Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey said today. Winston Peters misleading older NZers on super [1] MORE: - NZ First - Peters Tells Labour To Stop Grey Bashing [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00178.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00188.htm

Ghost Of Free Trade Future Invoked By Rod Donald

- The Government should learn a lesson from Interlock's decision to close its Wellington manufacturing plant, with the loss of 140 jobs, before it embarks upon a free-trade deal with China, the Green Party says. See... Another nail in Labour's free trade coffin [1] - Progressives - Greens urged to take a more balanced view of life [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00167.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00170.htm

ENDS

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.

Contact Alastair Thompson

Top Scoops Headlines

COMMENT

Binoy Kampmark: Blinken Atrocious In A Dangerous World

The Biden administration, through the good offices of Blinken, continues to insist on the vitality of the US imperium. But US hegemony long left unchallenged is, most certainly, at an end.

Jim Mikoz: Look Out Rocks … Oops Too Late

We live in a country surrounded by reefs and rocks. In recent years 3 large ships have hit rocks in our territorial waters: the MS Mikhail Lermontov, MV Rena, & now the NZ Navy warship the HMNZS Manawanui. The common denominator to all three of these sinkings is the error ridden LINZ NZ Marine Charts.

Peter Dunne: Dunne’s Weekly - National And Labour Combine To Shut Out Greens

It is probably just a coincidence that National’s and Labour’s broad agreement was announced just a week after the Wellington tunnels decision and the Green Party’s response, but it does change the political component quite considerably.

Ramzy Baroud: Voting Against Genocide - How Gaza Defeated The Democratic Establishment

It is time to build on the existing solidarity among all American groups that voted against genocide in the latest elections.

Alastair Thompson: Google's Support For Democracy And Media In NZ | Part 2

On the Digital Bargaining Bill, the villains are not Google, but NZME and Stuff, who have pushed for this bill...

Eugene Doyle: BBC Goes Full Goebbels In Support Of Israeli Soccer Hooligans

The BBC has proven itself to be an outrageously false & misleading outlet, peddling anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian propaganda dressed up as concern over anti-semitism. It has desecrated the memory of real victims – and most importantly it has shredded its credibility as a gold standard of reporting. Goebbels would be impressed.

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