Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Tuesday, 1 November 2005, 6:52 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
Chris Ritchie: Impressions Of Lebanon 25 Years Since Leaving
Ian Fraser's Departure: Blow By Blow -
Six Zabeel Foals Racing In Today's Melbourne Cup
Lana And The Sportscafe Crew Leave On A High -
Brash Replaces Richard Long With Wayne Eagleson
Tertiary Fee Increase Takes Away Gains From Students
NZ Scientist in charge of all known life on planet
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
United Nations Adopts Holocaust Remembrance Resolution
MORE INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Scoop Foreign Correspondent: - Jose Ramos-Horta & Michael Somare Talk West Papua – Don McKinnon Doesn't
Russell Brown On The Kiwi Debut of iTunes (& Much More)
Rumsfeld Tamiflu Connections Brings Out The Bird Flu Sceptics
PLAMEGATE: Stirling Newberry Deconstructs the Scooter Libby Indictment
PLAMEGATE: Patrick Fitzgerald's Smash Hit - White House Jeopardy (Satire)
Christiaan Briggs Considers Israel, Apartheid & Iran
MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
Elected Leaders Subverting Democracy
MORE POLITICS HEADLINES:
POLITICAL COLUMNS:

Chris Ritchie: Impressions Of Lebanon 25 Years Since Leaving

[1] "Welcome home,” the Beirut airport official said to me as he stamped the passport that betrays my birthplace. It has been quarter of a century since I was last in Lebanon. Driving into the capital on the smart new highway, my mind finds it difficult to tally with the pot-holed pathway I’d traversed out on as an 18 year-old in such a rush back on the very last day of 1980. Back then the country was five years into what turned out to be a monstrously cruel 16 year period of civil warring. See... Chris Ritchie: Power Shifts Rattle Lebanon [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00024.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00024.htm

Ian Fraser's Departure: Blow By Blow -

Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey today received a report from the Board of TVNZ explaining the circumstances of the resignation of CEO Ian Fraser. "The Board's report explains the circumstances of his departure and makes it clear his resignation was the result of a difference of opinion between CEO and the Board regarding the process for negotiating senior presenter salaries," Steve Maharey said. "It is unequivocally clear that there was no breach of the editorial independence protocol. See... Events leading to resignation of TVNZ CEO [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00010.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00341.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0510/S00548.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00212.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00011.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00009.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00206.htm

Six Zabeel Foals Racing In Today's Melbourne Cup

- Champion New Zealand stallion Zabeel – currently the leading sire in Australia this season - has a very strong hand in the final field for the 2005 $A5 million Emirates Melbourne Cup run over 3200m at Flemington today. Zabeel has already sired the winner of two Melbourne Cups. Might And Power took out the famous race in 1997 and Jezabeel was successful the following year. Zabeel's sire, the legendary Sir Tristram, also sired the Melbourne Cup winners Gurner’s Lane (1982), Empire Rose (1988) and Brew (2000). See... TAB: Zabeel Progeny Feature in 2005 Melbourne Cup [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0511/S00006.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0511/S00002.htm

Lana And The Sportscafe Crew Leave On A High -

"This year has seen the highest ever ratings for the show, so in a Sportscafe sort of way it's the obvious time to bring down the final curtain, said Ric Salizzo. "We have been doing the same four jokes for ten years now and it's good to finish while someone is still laughing at one of them." See... Sports Café On the Last Lap [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0511/S00010.htm

Brash Replaces Richard Long With Wayne Eagleson

- National Party Leader Don Brash today named Wayne Eagleson, currently Transpower’s general manager, public affairs, as his new chief of staff. “Mr Eagleson will bring to the position exceptional skills, both in politics and public affairs, and a thorough knowledge of the National Party and its policies,” Dr Brash says. Mr Eagleson, 41, is expected to take up the position in mid-November. He replaces Richard Long, who is standing down. See... New National Party Chief of Staff [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00002.htm

Tertiary Fee Increase Takes Away Gains From Students

- The announcement by Victoria University of a 5% fee increase across the board and their intention to apply to the Tertiary Education Commission for a 10% increase for some courses are an indictment on Labour’s tertiary education fees policy. See… Fee Increases Undermine Labour’s Tertiary Policy [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0511/S00002.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0511/S00001.htm

NZ Scientist in charge of all known life on planet

- A New Zealand researcher has been elected to chair an international organisation working to create a free mega-database on all known creatures. Landcare Research’s Research Manager Dr David Penman will head the Governing Board of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). There are about 1.8 million named species on Earth from mammals to plants to bacteria, but no complete catalogue of them. GBIF aims to establish such a catalogue on the Internet, thereby making the vast storehouse of biodiversity information held in museums and research institutions freely available to all. See... New Zealander elected chairman of world “mega-science” group [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0511/S00003.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0511/S00001.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0511/S00003.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0511/S00002.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0511/S00001.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0510/S00235.htm

United Nations Adopts Holocaust Remembrance Resolution

- The United Nations General Assembly (GA) today adopted a resolution designating 27 January Holocaust Remembrance Day, and urged all nations to develop ways to keep the memory alive so that future generations will help prevent similar acts of genocide. The United Nations General Assembly (GA) today adopted a resolution designating 27 January Holocaust Remembrance Day, and urged all nations to develop ways to keep the memory alive so that future generations will help prevent similar acts of genocide. Introduced by Israel, and co-sponsored by some 90 Member States, the resolution rejects any denial of the period in time as an historical event, urges States to develop educational programmes that will instruct future generations about the horrors of genocide, and condemns all manifestations of religious intolerance, incitement, harassment or violence against persons or communities based on ethnic origin or belief. See... General Assembly Designates Holocaust Remembrance [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00026.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00025.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00024.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00018.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00017.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00012.htm

Scoop Foreign Correspondent: - Jose Ramos-Horta & Michael Somare Talk West Papua – Don McKinnon Doesn't

- Scoop took the opportunity of Timor-Leste Foreign Minister & 1996 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Jose Ramos-Horta's attendance at the 36th Pacific Island Forum to discuss the struggle for recognition by the independence movement from West Papua. See... Scoop Audio: Jose Ramos-Horta Talks West Papua [1] . See also... Feedback: Ramos-Horta West Papua Facts Questioned [2] MORE WEST PAPUA COMMENT FROM THE PIF:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00344.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00017.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00343.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00342.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/features/fc.html

Russell Brown On The Kiwi Debut of iTunes (& Much More)

- This rumour comes to you entirely without warranty, but from a fairly good source. There will be a New Zealand iTunes store very early next year - perhaps even on January 1, 2006. I'm not sure exactly what the hold-up is, but presumably negotiations are ... See... Public Address 01/11/05 - Rumour And Fact [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00023.htm

Rumsfeld Tamiflu Connections Brings Out The Bird Flu Sceptics

- Here's my prediction. The so called bird flu, the chicken disease that has killed a wopping 59 people in the world, the disease that cannot (and will not) be transmitted from human to human, but is going to sweep the world. The chances of the bird flu becoming an international pandemic killing seqdrillions of us, crippling world economies, causing the closure of international borders and generally creating fear, panic and loathing not seen since the last witch was burnt or since we routinely expelled lepers from our midst, are negligible. See... The Second Coming of Jesus Christ and Bird Flu [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00021.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00018.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00016.htm

PLAMEGATE: Stirling Newberry Deconstructs the Scooter Libby Indictment

- For the last two years, Federal Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has investigated a potential crime, namely the revealing to the general public that Valerie Wilson nee Plame worked for the CIA in counter-proliferation, and was an undercover agent. See... Stirling Newberry: Deconstructing the Indictment [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00014.htm

PLAMEGATE: Patrick Fitzgerald's Smash Hit - White House Jeopardy (Satire)

- Showtime -- Finally, the endgame is near. After a grueling two-year elimination process, three senior Bush administration officials have advanced to the "Indictment Round" of Patrick Fitzgerald's wildly popular judicial version of the hit game show "Jeopardy." See... Cheney, Libby and Rove in "Legal Jeopardy" [1] See also... FULL COVERAGE: White House Plamegate Indictments [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00010.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00002.htm

Christiaan Briggs Considers Israel, Apartheid & Iran

- The situation for Arabs in Israel & Palestine is “far worse” than that of the blacks in what was apartheid South Africa. This was Ronnie Kasrils’ response to the question of whether Israel could be compared to South Africa during its apartheid era. He offered this during a speech he gave at an international conference I attended on Palestine, Israel and International Law at the Institute of Education in London last weekend. See... Israel “Far Worse” Than Apartheid South Africa [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00005.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00022.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00020.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00019.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00015.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00012.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00011.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00009.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00008.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00007.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00013.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00006.htm

Elected Leaders Subverting Democracy

- “The public should be gravely concerned by a new report from the Ombudsmen’s Office which paints a damning picture about the handling of official information by Helen Clark’s Ministers,” says National Party Deputy Leader Gerry Brownlee. “Is this the final nail in the coffin of Helen Clark’s so-called higher standards of Ministerial accountability?" See... Grave warnings from Ombudsmen [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00005.htm

MORE POLITICS HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00001.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00012.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00214.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00003.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00008.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00007.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00006.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00004.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00003.htm

POLITICAL COLUMNS:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0510/S00236.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0510/S00211.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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