Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Tuesday, 24 May 2005, 5:20 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY: Scoop Report: PM's Press Conference - John Key's 10,000 Surplus Bureaucrats
Swain Releases Immigration Act Review Terms Of Reference
Wayne Moves Time Slots - The Bird Stays Put
Ready To Take The Durex Global Sex Survey?
Ministry of Health Response To Meningococcal Gold Rush
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
UN Reports Lebanon Is Syria-Free
14 Senators Sign Deal To Save US Constitution
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Sam Smith On Newsweek's Capitulation To The Spin Bulldozer
Michel Chossudovsky Assembles Papers On Intelligence Fix
Dave McArthur's Bonus Joules On EECA
Who Is The Real Mohamed Atta? 2 Books One Man
Dahr Jamail Returns To Baghdad
MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Govt Moves On Package For Flood Victims
Govt To Review Trade Agreements In Fiji This Week
MORE PARLIAMENTARY HEADLINES:

LEAD STORY:
Scoop Report: PM's Press Conference - John Key's 10,000 Surplus Bureaucrats

National's finance spokesperson has detailed thousands of public servants and a scaled down state sector will be the cost of planned tax cuts should National win this year's election. The announcement was delivered during an interview with Auckland based radio reporter Rebecca Wright on 95bFM on Monday. Scoop's Kevin List reports. See... Kevin List's PM Presser Report [1] See also... PM/Media Biffo, MFAT Loses Nat & Ching Pinged [2] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00279.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00298.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00282.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00634.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0505/S00248.htm

Swain Releases Immigration Act Review Terms Of Reference

- Immigration Minister Paul Swain today released the terms of reference for the review of the 18-year-old Immigration Act. Mr Swain said a fundamental review of the Act was needed to make it more relevant to New Zealand’s needs and the international environment, which had both changed since the Act was introduced in 1987. “More people are travelling than ever before, tourism is increasingly important for New Zealand and there is growing demand for skills and labour," Mr Swain said. See... Immigration Act review terms of reference released [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00621.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00624.htm

Wayne Moves Time Slots - The Bird Stays Put

- Radio New Zealand Chief Executive, Peter Cavanagh, has announced changes to National Radio programming and on air presentation to be implemented later this year. The announcements follow a six month internal programming review involving all Radio New Zealand staff. See... Programming Changes Announced For National Radio [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0505/S00209.htm

Ready To Take The Durex Global Sex Survey?

- So, when it comes to sex, how long is too long to go without? Are New Zealanders still taking risks? Is Daniel Carter still the country's sexiest celebrity? New Zealanders have until the end of July to visit www.durex.com and participate in the 2005 Durex Global Sex Survey. Last year more than 350,000 people from 41 countries shared their sexual secrets with the world, making it the biggest sex survey globally. See... Let's Get Ready To Rumble! Sex Survey Begins... [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0505/S00207.htm

Ministry of Health Response To Meningococcal Gold Rush

- A point by point response to the "Gold Rush Quickguide" by Barbara Sumner Burstyn and Ron Law. The Quickguide was a short form version of the "The Meningococcal Gold Rush" , an article published by Scoop in February. See... MoH response to Meningococcal Gold Rush Quickguide [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0505/S00181.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0505/S00159.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0502/S00064.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0505/S00246.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0505/S00243.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0505/S00360.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0505/S00359.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0505/S00205.htm

UN Reports Lebanon Is Syria-Free

- The United Nations verification mission sent to ensure that Syrian troops, military assets and its intelligence apparatus have fully withdrawn from Lebanon has reported that they pulled out of all areas, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today. See... Syrian Forces Verifiably Withdrawn From Lebanon [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00369.htm

14 Senators Sign Deal To Save US Constitution

- A deal has been brokered by moderates of both parties in the U.S. Senate to avert a showdown over Judicial nominees, the full text of the memorandum as circulated by the leadership of the Democratic party. See... Memorandum Of Understanding On Judicial Nomination [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00370.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00371.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00372.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00367.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00363.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00358.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00355.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00349.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Sam Smith On Newsweek's Capitulation To The Spin Bulldozer

- Reliable sources inform us that Newsweek will no longer be using reliable sources. Instead it will be relying on such unreliable sources as professional message manipulators, bureaucrats with their asses in hock, political appointees on their way up, legislators funded by corporate payola and such demonstrable masters of prevarication as our current president. See... Sam Smith: Newsweek Resigns From The Free Press [1] EARLIER:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00297.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00241.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00242.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00287.htm

Michel Chossudovsky Assembles Papers On Intelligence Fix

- Phony intelligence was created and fed into the news chain with a view to justifying the invasion of Iraq. The balance-sheet of lies and fabricated intelligence presented in this selection of articles provides detailed and overwhelming evidence. See... Fabricating Intelligence as Justification for War [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00296.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00285.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/features/iraqwar.html

Dave McArthur's Bonus Joules On EECA

- A quick quiz to energize you: Quiz Q No 1: When did EECA last impact on your awareness? This year? Last year? 2003? 2002? 2001? Not this century? Hands up those who recall last noticing its existence in 2003 (and then back in 2001). Don’t worry. You are not alone. See... B. Joules: EECA's struggle to Save the Impossible [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00292.htm

Who Is The Real Mohamed Atta? 2 Books One Man

- Mohamed Atta didn’t drink, do cocaine, or hang out in strip clubs, and the official FBI account of the terrorist conspiracy to take down the World Trade Center is pretty much right on the money, according to a new book, "Perfect Soldiers: The Hijackers, Who They Were, Why They Did It," by Terry McDermott, a reporter for the L.A. Times. Mini-review: 'Perfect Soldiers is perfect dreck... But dreck which speaks volumes about the state of the 9.11 cover-up." See... UQ Wire: 9.11 Shuck n' Jive at Shuckum's [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00290.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00295.htm

Dahr Jamail Returns To Baghdad

- It’s coming apart at the seams now in Iraq. We saw on the news today that members of the Mehdi Army in the south, the militia of Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, exchanged gunfire with members of the ING (Iraqi National Guard) who in the south are primarily, if not entirely composed of members of the Badr Army, also a Shia group. So now we have Shia fighting Shia. See... Dahr Jamail: Daily Life in Baghdad, from Afar [1] and Dahr Jamail: Coming Home [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00289.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00288.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00293.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00287.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00286.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00284.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00283.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00281.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00280.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00278.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00277.htm

Govt Moves On Package For Flood Victims

- The people of the Bay of Plenty can be assured that the Government is treating their plight with the greatest urgency, Civil Defence Minister George Hawkins said today. Mr Hawkins was responding to accusations from local National MP Tony Ryall that Government agencies weren't committed to dealing with the region's flood damage. "Substantial emergency support was made available from day one of the disaster and this will likely amount to between 30 and 40 million dollars," said Mr Hawkins. See... Flood relief is being treated with urgency [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00635.htm

Govt To Review Trade Agreements In Fiji This Week

- Pacific regional trade agreements are to be reviewed when Pacific trade ministers meet in Nadi this week. Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton said today that he was looking forward to discussing how best to move the regional trade agenda forward with his Forum Island and Australian colleagues. See... Trade ministers review Pacific agreement progress [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00622.htm

MORE PARLIAMENTARY HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00637.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00636.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00632.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00625.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00619.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00618.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00617.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00633.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00631.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00630.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00629.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00628.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00626.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00620.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00615.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00627.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00623.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00616.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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