Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Tuesday, 21 March 2006, 10:27 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY:
NEWS SHOCK! David Parker Now Resigns All Portfolios
SCOOP IS IN THE HOUSE:
Foreign Affairs: National Fact Finding Triumvirate To Escape Soggy Wellington -
Art/Zoology: Chimp Painting Auction at Wellington Zoo
Foreign Affairs: Christopher Hill Says NZ Has Not Mentioned Gitmo Human Rights Abuses
Arts: The Festival Isn't Over Until the Opera Singers Sing
Sport: Wellington Weather Generously Produces One Fine Day For Test Cricket -
MORE HEADLINES:
Africa: First arrest for the International Criminal Court
Corporations: Coca-Cola Challenged at World Water Forum
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Iraq Through The Looking Glass Darkly
Jason Leopold Looks Forward To The The Libby Trial
MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:
Katya Rivas's Passion: Serialised For Lent (Part 11)

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Ineffective Rehabilitation Programmes Replaced
David Parker Fallout In The Energy Sector
Anderton Urged To Think On A Sea Lions Lot
Health: Drug Companies Say NZers Not Getting Enough Drugs
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

NEWS SHOCK! David Parker Now Resigns All Portfolios

[1] In a brief announcement at the beginning of caucus today the Prime Minister Helen Clark told media that she had accepted an offer from David Parker to resign from all portfolios. Yesterday Mr Parker resigned from the role of Attorney General. This morning, according to a spokesman for the PM, Mr Parker approached the Prime Minister and said that on reflection he wanted to step down from all portfolios. See... NEWSFLASH: David Parker Resigns All Portfolios [2] COMMENT:

Audio: PM's Press Conference Accepting Resignation [10]

Audio: David Parker Press Conference Explaining Resignation [11]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00300.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00300.htm
[3] - http://publicaddress.net/default,3010.sm#post3010
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00341.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00338.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00287.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0603/S00159.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00340.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00325.htm
[10] - http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/audio/0603/PMPresser200306.m3u
[11] - http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/audio/0603/DavidParker200306.m3u

SCOOP IS IN THE HOUSE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00356.htm

Foreign Affairs: National Fact Finding Triumvirate To Escape Soggy Wellington -

National Party Leader Don Brash will make a short visit to the Cook Islands later this week. Dr Brash, accompanied by National MPs Murray McCully and John Hayes, will be in the Cook Islands from Thursday to Saturday. During that time they will call on Cook Islands Prime Minister Jim Marurai, deputy Prime Minister Dr Terepai Maoate and the Leader of the Opposition Sir Geoffrey Henry. See... Brash to visit Cook Islands [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00354.htm

Art/Zoology: Chimp Painting Auction at Wellington Zoo

- Wellington Zoo is holding a Chimp Art Auction in the Archibald Centre on Sunday March 26th at 3pm as part of its Chimp Day celebrations, General Manager, Operations Mauritz Basson announced today. “Jessie the chimp loves to paint, I hold the canvas for her and she chooses the colours – though not yellow as she tends to eat it,’ said Jo Turton, Wellington Zoo chimp keeper. See... Chimp Art Auction [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0603/S00121.htm

Foreign Affairs: Christopher Hill Says NZ Has Not Mentioned Gitmo Human Rights Abuses

- U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill held a press conference this afternoon at the US Embassy. Scoop attended and asked the most senior U.S. diplomat to visit New Zealand in recent times whether NZ had officially raised the issue of U.S. Human Rights abuses at Guantanamo Bay during his visit. See... Scoop Audio: Christopher Hill – "Nobody Raised Gitmo" [1] MORE:

[3] Audio: US Assistant Secretary of State Chris Hill [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00286.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00323.htm
[3] - http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/audio/0603/ChrisHillWP200306.m3u
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00278.htm

Arts: The Festival Isn't Over Until the Opera Singers Sing

- At this Festival, Parsifal has been promoted as the monolithic high art event. It stood head and shoulders above other offerings – circuses, various avant garde theatre productions, DJs and representations of the dangers of lodging our identities on the internet – as a work from a great tradition with proven pedigree. Parsifal also brought the mystique of Wagner opera to Wellington for the first time in nearly a decade. See... Scoop Review: Parsifal [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00253.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00252.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0603/S00151.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0603/S00143.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/features/festival2006.html

Sport: Wellington Weather Generously Produces One Fine Day For Test Cricket -

Wellington's random autumn weather plucked a mild day out of the hat for Saturday, day 2 of the second test against the West Indies. Starting the day at 182/8, the West Indies' tail was quickly edged out by Kyle Mills (53/3) for the addition of only ten runs. After a short break, New Zealand then set out in pursuit. See... A Lovely Saturday at the Basin Reserve [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00284.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0603/S00071.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00348.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0603/S00163.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0603/S00162.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0603/S00161.htm

Africa: First arrest for the International Criminal Court

- On 17 March 2006, in Kinshasa, Mr Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, a Congolese national and alleged founder and leader of the Union des Patriotes Congolais (UPC) was arrested and transferred to the International Criminal Court as part of the judicial proceedings under the Rome Statute (the “Statute”). Thomas Lubanga is alleged to have committed war crimes as set out in article 8 of the Statute, committed in the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo since July 2002. See... First arrest for the International Criminal Court [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00350.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00351.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00372.htm

Corporations: Coca-Cola Challenged at World Water Forum

- Coca-Cola's Sponsorship is Like the Fox Guarding the Chicken House. The India Resource Center is challenging the Coca-Cola company's sponsorship of the World Water Forum, the largest international gathering to discuss the global water crisis. From March 16-22, 2006, Mexico is hosting the fourth World Water Forum, an important international meeting aimed at finding solutions to the global water crisis and "assuring better living standards for people all over the world and a more responsible social behavior towards water issues in-line with the pursuit of sustainable development," according to the forum organizers. See... Coca-Cola Challenged at World Water Forum [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00376.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00374.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00373.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00370.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00364.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00349.htm

Iraq Through The Looking Glass Darkly

- On May 1, 2003, George W. Bush swaggered across an aircraft carrier deck and declared "Mission Accomplished." Yesterday, his proclamation was a little more understated. He said it marked "the third anniversary of the beginning of the liberation of Iraq," and claimed to be "implementing a strategy that will lead to victory in Iraq." So far, that victory appears as elusive as a greased pig. See... Marjorie Cohn: Bushies in Wonderland [1] MORE ON THE VICTORY THAT ISN'T:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00299.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00297.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00293.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00385.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00388.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00387.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00386.htm

Jason Leopold Looks Forward To The The Libby Trial

- The criminal trial against I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, may still be nearly a year away, but the special counsel prosecuting the case has already provided a preview into the government's criminal case against the ex-White House official, who is accused of lying to the FBI and a grand jury about his role in the leak of a covert CIA operative. See... Fitzgerald Previews Government Case Against Libby [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00298.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00301.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00296.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00295.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00294.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00292.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00291.htm

Katya Rivas's Passion: Serialised For Lent (Part 11)

- Pilate ordered that they take Me to the presence of Herod… He was a poor corrupt man who only searched for pleasure, allowing him to be driven to disorderly passions. He was glad to see Me come before his tribunal because he hoped to amuse himself with My words and miracles. See... Katya Rivas: Jesus Is Taken before Herod [1] Katya Rivas: Jesus Is Taken to Prison [2] SEE ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00290.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00256.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00256.htm

Ineffective Rehabilitation Programmes Replaced

- Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor said today he was pleased the Corrections Department has moved to enhance the range of rehabilitation programmes it offers. The department is to replace the 70-hour Straight Thinking programme and the 100-hour Mixed Programme (MPRO) with new programmes. "It's an operational decision that was carefully considered," Mr O'Connor said. See... O'Connor applauds Corrections' rehab decision [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00350.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0603/S00171.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00351.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00355.htm

David Parker Fallout In The Energy Sector

- Newly appointed Energy Minister Trevor Mallard has refused to give the assurance his predecessor, David Parker, made that the lights won't go out this winter. See... New energy minister at odds with old [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00353.htm

Anderton Urged To Think On A Sea Lions Lot

- Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton should resist considering the sanctioned killing of 150 New Zealand sea lions over a four month period in the southern squid trawl fishery. See... No excuse for killing another 53 sea lions [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00349.htm

Health: Drug Companies Say NZers Not Getting Enough Drugs

- Health Minister Pete Hodgson is getting bad advice from Pharmac, says National Party Associate Health spokeswoman Dr Jackie Blue... "At a recent health select committee, Pharmac said New Zealanders had access to more drugs than Australians. This claim was parroted by Mr Hodgson in Parliament last week.... Now the Researched Medicines Industry has released figures which expose these statements as manifestly untrue. See... Pharmac advice leaves Health Minister red-faced [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00328.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0603/S00063.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00332.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0603/S00065.htm

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00352.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00355.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00354.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00347.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00346.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00345.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00342.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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