Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Thursday, 24 March 2005, 5:22 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY: Scoop Report: Regionalised & United Pacific Gains Momentum
Be Informed On V8 Race Costs
DHB Financial Forecasts Positive
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
SCOOP NEWS REPORTS:
Scoop Report: Dark Chocolate Keeps You Young and Lowers Blood Pressure
Scoop Report: Canadian Government Authorises Slaughter Of 320,000 Harp Seals
Settlers Poisoning Palestinian Sheep and Land
Scoop Report: Mysterious Ebola Type Illness Identified At Marburg Virus
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News & More Is There
Marjorie Cohn On The Terri Schiavo Case
San Francisco Bay Guardian 9/11 Skepticism Cover Story
A Polygamist Turned Prosecutor Critiques Utah Justice
The Beeb Promises Not To Use Fake News Anymore
Harvey Wasserman: If Christ Returned Today
MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Governor General Is Off To Charlie and Camilla's Nuptials
Little Sign Of Bonamia In Oyster Stocks
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

LEAD STORY:
Scoop Report: Regionalised & United Pacific Gains Momentum

Selwyn Manning reports that the leaders of NZ, Samoa, PNG, Marshall Is. met in Auckland on Wednesday (March 23 2005) to advance a unified pact where Pacific nations will work together to speak with one voice. Are we witnessing the beginning of a Pacific economic common union or a united federation of Pacific nations? Federalism? "That would be too strong," said New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Clark. See... Regionalism Yes - Federalism Going Too Far Says PM [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00238.htm

Be Informed On V8 Race Costs

- Wellington City Council is considering a proposal for the return of motor racing to the streets of the central city for the first time in nearly a decade. The Council wants to hear your views on the idea before making a final decision on 5 May 2005. See... Wellington City V8 Race Proposal Materials [1] MORE: - Councillour Jack Ruben - Open letter Regarding V8 Race Polling Methods [2] - Councillour Helene Richie - Wellington V8 Race - Ripped Up Ripped Off [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0503/S00160.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0503/S00112.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0503/S00171.htm

DHB Financial Forecasts Positive

- District Health Boards have performed better than their financial forecasts for the period ending 31 January 2005. See... DHBs financial performance better than forecast [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0503/S00108.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0503/S00310.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0503/S00058.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0503/S00511.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0503/S00222.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0503/S00163.htm

SCOOP NEWS REPORTS:

[1] Scoop Report: WHO Says Tuberculosis Can Be Beaten - Marietta Gross reports that every year 1.7 million people die of Tuberculosis (TB) worldwide, although this disease is avoidable as well as curable. The spread of the lung disease in Africa has been alarming and on World TB Day the World Health Organization (WHO) ... See... Tuberculosis Cases in Africa Tripled Since 1990 [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00255.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00255.htm

Scoop Report: Dark Chocolate Keeps You Young and Lowers Blood Pressure

- Marietta Gross reports that dark chocolate lovers can indulge their desires without cause for concern or guilt over what their passion may do to their health, according to an Italian scientist who has studied the effects of chocolate on the human heart. He says chocolate may also contain anti-aging agents. See... Dark Chocolate Found To Be Good For Your Health [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00237.htm

Scoop Report: Canadian Government Authorises Slaughter Of 320,000 Harp Seals

Marietta Gross reports that massive protests by animal-rights activists have not stopped the Canadian government from allowing the mass slaughter of Harp Seals. Canada has permitted the killing of 320,000 Harp Seals (phoca groenlandia). The plan has sparked massive protests in Canada by of animal-rights activists. See... Canada Permits 320,000 Seals To Be Slaughtered [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00257.htm

Settlers Poisoning Palestinian Sheep and Land

Sheep are ill and dying on the day following the discovery of poison pellets on the land outside the Palestinian town of At -Tuwani adjacent to the illegal Israeli settlement outpost of Havot Ma'on. Two sheep are dead and others are ill. The amount of sheep affected remains unknown. Palestinians have also found two dead gazelles in the area. Villagers fear that a well has been contaminated. The poisoning is yet another incident in a pattern of attacks in this area. See... Israeli Settlers Poison Palestinian Land and Sheep [1] ALSO: Gush Shalom - GUSH SHALOM on Settlers Poisoning Land And Sheep [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0503/S00377.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0503/S00389.htm

Scoop Report: Mysterious Ebola Type Illness Identified At Marburg Virus

- Marietta Gross reports that the rare Marburg-Virus has killed dozens of people in the African republic of Angola. A laboratory in the United States has proven that the mysterious disease, to which at least 96 persons had fallen prey, was actually the Marburg Virus, ... See... Fatal Virus In Angola Identified As Marburg [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00256.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0503/S00381.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0503/S00375.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0503/S00392.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0503/S00387.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0503/S00384.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News & More Is There

- David Cohen wrote an interesting column on the coverage of religious news and issues in last week's NBR. He's right: matters of the spirit generally get an even worse deal than matters of science in the papers, which is saying something... See... Public Address 24/03/05 - Expats And Moonbats [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00254.htm

Marjorie Cohn On The Terri Schiavo Case

- The nation's attention is riveted on the fate of one poor woman in a Florida hospice. Terri Schiavo has been in a persistent vegetative state, with no upper brain function, for 15 years. See... Marjorie Cohn: Whose Right to Life? [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00252.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00232.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00222.htm

San Francisco Bay Guardian 9/11 Skepticism Cover Story

- Sure, the people with the 9/11 conspiracy theories are a little odd. But not everything they're saying is entirely crazy. See... UQ Wire: SFBG Cover Story - We're All Paranoid [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00247.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00249.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00248.htm

A Polygamist Turned Prosecutor Critiques Utah Justice

- In spite of the abuse and corruption attributed to Mormon fundamentalism, the substance of which is published almost daily in Utah's newspapers, there is in Utah a well organized, impressive movement to decriminalize polygamy. See... Utah Prosecutors Are Soft On Polygamy [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00241.htm

The Beeb Promises Not To Use Fake News Anymore

- Responding to complaints about the use of 'fake journalists' paid for by the MoD, the BBC Controller of Editorial Policy, Stephen Whittle, has acknowledged that their use was 'not ideal' and 'will not happen again'. BBC Say 'Fake Journalists' Will Not Be Used Again [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00240.htm

Harvey Wasserman: If Christ Returned Today

- As we enter another Easter Season, it's become all too obvious that if Christ returns, those who hate in his name will slime him, then kill him. Christ was a long-haired peace activist who would have been sickened to his soul by the war in Iraq. See... If Jesus Returns, Karl Rove Will Kill Him [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00225.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00253.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00251.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00250.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00246.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00245.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00244.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00243.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00239.htm

Governor General Is Off To Charlie and Camilla's Nuptials

- The Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright will travel to England to attend celebrations marking the wedding of The Prince of Wales to Mrs Camilla Parker Bowles. During the absence of the Governor-General from 5-11 April, the Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias will act as Administrator of Government. See... Governor-General To Attend Royal Wedding [1] ALSO: Royal wedding gift [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0503/S00500.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0503/S00499.htm

Little Sign Of Bonamia In Oyster Stocks

- A survey of the Bluff oyster fishery carried out last month has revealed little sign of Bonamia, the disease which has decimated the oyster beds, although the number of mature oysters remains low, says Fisheries Minister David Benson-Pope. See... Bluff oyster fishery showing signs of recovery [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0503/S00511.htm

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0503/S00508.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0503/S00503.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0503/S00506.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0503/S00510.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0503/S00513.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0503/S00504.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0503/S00507.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0503/S00512.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0503/S00501.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0503/S00505.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0503/S00502.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0503/S00509.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.

Contact Alastair Thompson

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