Top Scoops (Watch Parliament's Opening LIVE!)

Monday, 7 November 2005, 12:01 am
Article: Alastair Thompson

Top Scoops + Just Politics (CATCHUP EDITION)

TOP SCOOPS:
Scoop News: Green Party Co-Leader Rod Donald Died Suddenly
Tributes Flow In For Rod Donald:
Scoop News: Former Israel Defence Intelligence Officer Meets With MFAT
A Week Of It: 1990s Wage Blow-Out Causes More Grief For TVNZ
Dissention In National Party Ranks – Brash Strips Connell Of Portfolios -
The Living Room, Has More In It Than You Would Think
Peters: No Official Record Of Any Unofficial NZ Oil-for-Food Payments
TV3 Poll Shows NZ First Support Collapse
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
NZ Gets Free Access Health Research Web Database
Walking Bus Conductors Criss Cross Wellington For Push Play Day -
Australia's Anti-Terror Laws Will Gag Law Abiding Citizens
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Chris Ritchie: Impressions Of Lebanon 25 Years Since Leaving -
Russell Brown & The Assault On The NZHerald Paywall
William Rivers Pitt On The Lie That Won't Go Away
Suzan Mazur On A Couple Of Contested Antiquities
Yes It Is Like Vietnam – Nixon Defence Sec On Iraq
MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:
Michael Collins: New Mexicans Seek Legal Protection For Vote Count

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
NZ Passports Get Electronic – Cost More Than Doubles to $150
McCully's Latest Report Comes Steaming In From The Worldwide Headquarters -
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:
POLITICAL COLUMNS:

Scoop News: Green Party Co-Leader Rod Donald Died Suddenly

Green Party co-leader Rod Donald died last night at around midnight at his home in St Martins, Christchurch. Mr Donald had last week been ill with a chest infection, but it is understood that a heart attack caused his death. Mr Donald was well known for his honesty and honourable nature – a man true to his principles and was seen by many as this new Parliament's man of human and community ideals. Mr Donald is survived by his partner Nicola and daughters, Holly, Emma, and Zoe. Image by Scoop's Kevin List pictures Rod Donald with his youth Parliament representative, Rachel Meadowcroft. See... Green Party co-leader Rod Donald Dies Suddenly [1] REACTION:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00093.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00068.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00069.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00070.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00072.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00071.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00073.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00082.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00110.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0510/S00230.htm

Tributes Flow In For Rod Donald:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00040.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0511/S00027.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00046.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00044.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00042.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00039.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00041.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00038.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00037.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0511/S00026.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0511/S00016.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00043.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00045.htm

Scoop News: Former Israel Defence Intelligence Officer Meets With MFAT

- Scoop co-editor Selwyn Manning reports that a former colonel in the Israeli Defence Force who specialized in Middle East intelligence and security is in New Zealand heading a small delegation and met today with representatives of New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Ministry. Dr Col. Eran Lerman is the executive director of the American Jewish Committee's Israel/Middle East Office in Jerusalem. The visit coincides with a warming of New Zealand/Israel relations. See... Scoop News: Former Israel Intel Officer In NZ [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00090.htm

A Week Of It: 1990s Wage Blow-Out Causes More Grief For TVNZ

- This week Susan Wood was reported in the New Zealand Herald as being dissatisfied with TVNZ's attempts to trim her salary. "$450,000 is a long way from the package Paul Holmes had," said Ms Wood. Ms Wood is correct about the package Mr Holmes enjoyed in 1996, which was reported to be around $700,000. Mysteriously, wages at TVNZ in the year beforehand were of a much more modest nature. With no attempt by the National administration of Jim Bolger to put in remuneration committees or check wages there was a massive unexplained wage blow-out some time in 1996. See... A Week Of It: TVNZ Salary Blowouts And Poetry [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00089.htm

Dissention In National Party Ranks – Brash Strips Connell Of Portfolios -

National Party Leader Don Brash has tonight relieved Rakaia MP Brian Connell of his portfolio responsibilities, following a series of "destructive and ill-disciplined" comments over a long period. Mr Connell will be left unranked in the National Party Caucus line-up. See... Brash relieves Connell of portfolios [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00050.htm

The Living Room, Has More In It Than You Would Think

- Episode One of The Living Room Series Three is presented by Visual Artist Wayne Youle from North Canterbury. We also meet Kate Ruth from Hastings who has recently returned from New York, Carl Giffored, Sculptor who works with large Boulders and metal. See... The Living Room Episode One : Billings [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0511/S00059.htm

Peters: No Official Record Of Any Unofficial NZ Oil-for-Food Payments

- Checks of official records have found no evidence of illicit funds transfer by two New Zealand companies referred to in the Volcker inquiry into the UN Oil for Food Programme, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said today. See… Oil for Food: No Evidence of NZ Wrongdoing [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00052.htm

TV3 Poll Shows NZ First Support Collapse

- Projected number of seats in the House on the basis of the latest poll results Number of seats* Labour 55 National 47 NZ First - Green Party 9 Maori Party 4 United Future 3 Progressive 1 ACT 2 Total seats 121. See... TV3 News TNS Opinion Poll Results [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00073.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00036.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0511/S00094.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0511/S00093.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0511/S00013.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00035.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0511/S00012.htm

NZ Gets Free Access Health Research Web Database

- All New Zealand residents now have free access to reliable, up-to-date research evidence on medical interventions from the Cochrane Library. The Cochrane Library is a collection of regularly updated evidence-based health care databases that can help clinicians and consumers make decisions about appropriate and effective health care. The library brings together in one place research which looks at the effectiveness of different health care treatments and interventions. See...Renowned health resource now available across NZ [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0511/S00024.htm

Walking Bus Conductors Criss Cross Wellington For Push Play Day -

Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC) celebrates its fifth annual Push Play Day today and is sending a message to all Kiwis to "Keep It Up". New figures released today show 62% of Kiwis have been physically active for six months or more - up from 51% last December. The data from a continuous monitor of New Zealanders' physical activity levels run by AC Nielsen, also reveals an increase in Kiwis' activity levels following the launch of SPARC's Activator campaign. See... SPARC Celebrates Fifth Annual Push Play Day [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0511/S00023.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00053.htm

Australia's Anti-Terror Laws Will Gag Law Abiding Citizens

- The federal government is rushing through anti-terror laws that threaten freedom of expression. These laws will radically alter the nature of public debate in this country. The laws draw on community's fear to create a state where government, police and judiciary will be able to act without accountability. Members are asked to urgently email the government, the opposition and your local senators. A draft letter follows. There are three grounds of concern: Sedition too broad: Essentially a journalist or filmmaker who reports a story or publishes comment against the actions of the government, police or judiciary, could be charged under these sedition laws. Jail for reporting the truth and Coercion to reveal sources. See... Oz Anti-Terror Law Threatens Freedom Of Expression [1] EARLIER:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00081.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00069.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00042.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00041.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00040.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00080.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00079.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00078.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00074.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00073.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00072.htm

Chris Ritchie: Impressions Of Lebanon 25 Years Since Leaving -

Lebanon’s villages awake daily to the loud chorus of domesticated roosters’ collective morning calls. This is a nation that must house a combined army of tens of thousands of chickens, providing households with a ready supply of fresh eggs. But all attempts to get Lebanese to talk about global bird flu, or its possible human implications, seem to draw blank-to-indifferent responses. See... Tips On Living With Terrorism [1] See Also:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00071.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00049.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00024.htm

Russell Brown & The Assault On The NZHerald Paywall

- Easily the most feedback from Public Address readers yesterday came in response to the statement from the 14 New Zealand Herald columnists unhappy about their work going behind the Herald website's "premium content" paywall... See... Public Address 04/11/05 - More On Premium Content [1] & Public Address 03/11/05 - Premium Mushrooms [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00085.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00066.htm

William Rivers Pitt On The Lie That Won't Go Away

- Harry Reid's so-called "stunt" on the Senate floor this past Tuesday - invoking Rule 21 to create a closed session, during which he demanded an investigation into how we were dragged to war in Iraq - brought the issue of the never-found weapons of mass destruction back into the daylight. It's about damned time. This ball of thorns is three years old now, and we have come nowhere near addressing its roots. See... William Rivers Pitt: It's Still There [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00080.htm

Suzan Mazur On A Couple Of Contested Antiquities

- The antiquities trial which opens November 16 in Rome has put two of the ancient art world's biggest names in the hot seat -- former Getty museum curator Marion True and dealer Robert Hecht, an 86-year old department store-heir -- each charged with ... See... Suzan Mazur: Euphronios Ancient Art In Court [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00087.htm

Yes It Is Like Vietnam – Nixon Defence Sec On Iraq

- America attacked Vietnam and Iraq "based on intelligence failures and possibly outright deception," according to former U.S. Defense Secretary Melvin R. Laird, who blasted President Bush's "west Texas cowboy approach." See... Nixon US Def. Sec. Blasts Cowboy Approach To Iraq [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00077.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00084.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00082.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00081.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00079.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00075.htm

Michael Collins: New Mexicans Seek Legal Protection For Vote Count

- New Mexico rarely generates much national news. When it does, as in the Wen Ho Lee nuclear espionage investigation, it can be explosive. Now a little-known lawsuit before New Mexico District Court Judge Eugenio S. Mathis has the potential to alter the face of American elections. See... New Mexico Law Suit Delves Inside Voting Machines [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00067.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00086.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00079.htm

NZ Passports Get Electronic – Cost More Than Doubles to $150

- Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker announced today the introduction of a new “e-passport”, which contains an electronic chip for holding information about the passport holder. From tomorrow passports issued by the Department of Internal Affairs will contain the security chip. All existing passports remain valid until their expiry date and applicants will automatically receive a new e-passport when they reapply. See... NZ passports to contain security chip [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00042.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00043.htm

McCully's Latest Report Comes Steaming In From The Worldwide Headquarters -

Revelations around the Judy Bailey/Paul Holmes/Susan Wood sagas have been discomforting indeed for members of the TVNZ board. But not quite as chilling as the news directors received as they assembled for their pompously titled "strategic advance" session in Auckland last week. See... www.mccully.co.nz 4 November 2005 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00055.htm

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00057.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00056.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00053.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00062.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00061.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00059.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00058.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00055.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00051.htm

POLITICAL COLUMNS:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00060.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00054.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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