Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Friday, 25 February 2005, 6:08 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Pope John Paul II Back In Hospital After Relapse
Sunday Star Times Releases Herald's Hold On Auckland
Germany Gets USA On The Ropes Over Climate Change
Scoop Report: Does Matt Robson Really Think NZ Can Learn From Castro?
Scoop Report: Dirty Bombs & Missing Nukes Un-Spun Topics At Bush/Putin Summit
Scoop Review:South Pacific Media: Dilemmas And Solutions
Scoop Report: German Virologists Make Breakthrough In HIV Research
Public Address Is There…
Kamala Sarup Considers Female Mutilation

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Hide Asks PM To Distance NZ From Robson's Comments On Scoop
Brash Says A National Government Would Strip "Vague" Treaty References
Former Corrections Minister Robson Fronts Up At Ngawha
Govt Policy Forces Students To Work And Not Study
Burton Writes To Reassure Fire Brigades
Govt's Beehive Bulletin Is In
Traffic Tickets Rise Almost 200% In Five Years
Shirley Urges That An Inquiry Into Wananga Be Made
Vehicle Pre-Registration To Provide Info On NZ Fleet
Kakapo Are At It After Three Years Of Celibacy!
PM Delivers Pro-Export Speech To Business Leaders
Dunne Says Tertiary Loan Rates "Criminal"
United Wild At ACT For Refusing Anti-Child Porn Vote
NZ Army To Conduct Broad Review Into Driver Training

VATICAN CITY (CNS) [1] - "Yesterday afternoon, Feb. 23, the Holy Father had a relapse of the flu syndrome with which he had been affected in the preceding weeks," Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls told reporters Feb. 24. "For that reason, the pope was hospitalized this morning at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic for the appropriate specialized care and further tests." See... Pope John Paul II Back In Hospital After Relapse [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0502/S00669.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0502/S00669.htm

Sunday Star Times Releases Herald's Hold On Auckland

[1] The latest Nielsen readership results confirm the Sunday Star-Times is New Zealand’s most read newspaper based on average issue readership of 680,000 people 10 yrs+. The results also show that the national broadsheet paper has increased its readership in the competitive Auckland market. See... Sunday Star-Times Gains in Auckland Market

New Zealand Headlines:
[2] Traffic fines up 199 percent under Labour [3] Commissioner & inquiry into wananga both needed [4] Kakapo breeding for first time in three years [5] Mt Albert cafe convicted for poor food hygiene [6] Poll Finds Clear Majority For Tail-Docking Ban [7]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0502/S00293.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0502/S00293.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0502/S00551.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0502/S00550.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0502/S00547.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0502/S00261.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0502/S00257.htm

Germany Gets USA On The Ropes Over Climate Change

[1] During their meeting in Mainz on February 23 President George W. Bush and Chancellor Gerhard Schröder agreed to pursue a program of joint actions on cleaner and more efficient energy and climate change. They also discussed a range of international issues in continuation of the meeting they held in Brussels the previous day. See... Germany & US to cooperate on climate change

International Headlines:
[2] Russia backs Schroder on NATO Reform Proposals [3] Germany: Europe & the US need to work together [4] NATO leaders - unity on Iraq, reaffirm value [5] NATO ready to deepen partnership with Ukraine [6] Scoop Report: Virologists' Breakthrough In Understanding HIV [7] UK Human Rights Violations in Northern Ireland [8] NK Intensifies War Of Words On Japan [9] EU: Press Nigeria to Hand Over Charles Taylor [10] Iran: Blogger Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison [11]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0502/S00702.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0502/S00702.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0502/S00694.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0502/S00660.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0502/S00659.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0502/S00658.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0502/S00075.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0502/S00705.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0502/S00704.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0502/S00693.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0502/S00692.htm

Scoop Report: Does Matt Robson Really Think NZ Can Learn From Castro?

[1] Was it just the February sun in Cuba or does Matt Robson really think NZ could learn from Castro's education, medical and penal policies? Scoop's Kevin List get's down and detailed with Matt Robson and writes… that whilst New Zealand was transfixed by Dr Don Brash’s oratory at Orewa and the fallout from Dr Brash’s ‘man in the pub’ arguments, Progressive MP Matt Robson was having a swell time in Cuba learning about literacy, illiteracy and prison management... See... Scoop Report: Robson On Wananaga & Cuban Prisons [2] Clark must distance NZ from anti-American tirade [3] Rodney Hide Talks To Scoop About Cuba [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0502/S00252.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0502/S00252.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0502/S00562.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0502/S00257.htm

Scoop Report: Dirty Bombs & Missing Nukes Un-Spun Topics At Bush/Putin Summit

[1] Scoop's co-editor Selwyn Manning writes that U.S. President George Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Slovakia early Friday morning New Zealand time where they announced as was expected methods to combat terrorism and how to mutually manage high-tech defence systems. But the real issue was dirty bombs and suitcase nukes. The issue was also high on the United Nations agenda this week after its anti-nuclear agency said a multilateral approach was needed to keep nuclear arms from terrorists. See... Bush Meets Putin To Talk Dirty Bombs And Terrorism [2] Russian Fed: Interview with Putin on Bush-Putin summit [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0502/S00251.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0502/S00251.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0502/S00695.htm

Scoop Review:South Pacific Media: Dilemmas And Solutions

[1] Scoop's Yasmine Ryan reviews NZ academic David Robie's new book Mekim Nius. One of the biggest problems faced by journalists working in the South Pacific is that questioning authority doesn’t sit well with traditional values. Many have spoken of a culture of conservatism in traditional Pacific societies, and in his new book ... See... David Robie Launches Mekim Nius, A Book on South Pacific Media [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0502/S00253.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0502/S00253.htm

Scoop Report: German Virologists Make Breakthrough In HIV Research

- Scoop's Marietta Gross writes that for the first time scientists of the university hospital in Heidelberg Germany, have managed to mark the HI-Virus for visual examinations, without repressing the functional characteristics of the agent. It's a breakthrough that offers a better understanding of the dynamics of an HIV-infection. See... Virologists Make Breakthrough In Understanding HIV [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0502/S00075.htm

Public Address Is There…

Big Long Rant - Russell Brown's Hard News Time magazine's "blog of the year", Power Line, called former US president Jimmy Carter a traitor recently - and then issued a "clarification" which essentially made it clear that the authors ... See... Russell Brown's Public Address is There... [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0502/S00256.htm

Kamala Sarup Considers Female Mutilation

- Women are silent about sexual issues for many reasons. Especially women cannot request, let alone insist on using a condom or any form of protection.Lack of respect for women's sexual and reproductive rights is a big problem. See... Sexual Rights and HIV [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0502/S00255.htm

Hide Asks PM To Distance NZ From Robson's Comments On Scoop

- ACT Leader Rodney Hide today said Prime Minister Helen Clark must distance herself and New Zealand from her former Minister Matt Robson's attack on the United States. See... Clark must distance NZ from anti-American tirade [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0502/S00562.htm

Brash Says A National Government Would Strip "Vague" Treaty References

- National Party Leader Don Brash says the next National Government plans to strip references to the vague 'principles of the Treaty of Waitangi' from public service employment contracts. See... Public servants and the 'Treaty principles' [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0502/S00556.htm

Former Corrections Minister Robson Fronts Up At Ngawha

- Progressive MP Matt Robson, in the Far North today at the handover ceremony of the Northland Regional Prison at Ngawha, is full of praise for the local community's leadership and commitment to early intervention and rehabilitation. See... Progressive praises re-offending commitment [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0502/S00560.htm

Govt Policy Forces Students To Work And Not Study

- New Education Ministry figures suggest that students don't have enough time to devote to their studies, the Green Party says. See... Too much work, not enough study [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0502/S00558.htm

Burton Writes To Reassure Fire Brigades

- The Minister Responsible for the Fire Service Commission has today written directly to Fire Brigades around New Zealand to counter what he describes as “cynical election year misinformation” on the part of some opposition MP's. See... Burton moves to quash "misinformation”. [1] Labour's fire brigades backdown hailed [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0502/S00546.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0502/S00553.htm

Govt's Beehive Bulletin Is In

- Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey this week announced plans for a simpler, fairer benefit system that is about moving people from dependency to work. See... Beehive Bulletin Fri, 25 Feb 2005 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0502/S00552.htm

Traffic Tickets Rise Almost 200% In Five Years

- The number of traffic offence and infringement notices issued by police has skyrocketed 199 percent since Labour came to office, ACT Deputy Leader and Police spokesman Dr Muriel Newman revealed today. See... Traffic fines up 199 percent under Labour [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0502/S00551.htm

Shirley Urges That An Inquiry Into Wananga Be Made

- "Its not a question of a ministerial inquiry or the appointment of a commissioner, it is clear we now need both," ACT MP Ken Shirley said today. See... Commissioner & inquiry into wananga both needed [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0502/S00550.htm

Vehicle Pre-Registration To Provide Info On NZ Fleet

- Changes to the motor vehicle pre-registration process will result in better information on the New Zealand light vehicle fleet, Transport Minister Pete Hodgson said today. See... Better vehicle fuel efficiency data on the way [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0502/S00548.htm

Kakapo Are At It After Three Years Of Celibacy!

- Kakapo are breeding again after a three year wait, Conservation Minister Chris Carter announced today. See... Kakapo breeding for first time in three years [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0502/S00547.htm

PM Delivers Pro-Export Speech To Business Leaders

- I have come because of the great importance the government attaches to exporting, and to encouraging our up and coming and innovative small and medium sized companies to take advantage of the many opportunities which exist offshore. See... PM Speech To Go Global Conference [1] Helen Clark: Address at Villa Maria Winery Opening [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0502/S00544.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0502/S00561.htm

Dunne Says Tertiary Loan Rates "Criminal"

- The Government’s decision to hold the student loan interest rate at 7 percent is “almost criminal” when its annual interest take has quadrupled to $160.8 million in the past three years, United Future leader Peter Dunne said today. See... Dunne: $160m Govt grab is profiteering off debt [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0502/S00543.htm

United Wild At ACT For Refusing Anti-Child Porn Vote

- Marc My Words - 25 February 2005 "in my view Stephen Franks of the ACT party has completely misrepresented the recent Films, Videos and Publications Classification Amendment Act." See... When the only censorship is against the truth [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0502/S00542.htm

NZ Army To Conduct Broad Review Into Driver Training

[1] The New Zealand Army today announced that it would conduct an Army-wide review into driver training. The review will be benchmarked, to ensure that the New Zealand Army is conducting driver training to world-class standards. See... Army-wide review into driver training [2] Background - Fatal Accident In Unimog [3] NZ Military Return Home From Banda Aceh [4] Top French Honour for NZ WWII Veterans [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0502/S00249.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0502/S00249.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0502/S00250.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0502/S00246.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0502/S00522.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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