Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Friday, 31 March 2006, 12:22 am
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
Media Affairs: Blair and Sooden - Scoop Imagines the Hard Questions
SCOOP IS IN THE HOUSE:
Entomology Alert: Endangered Weevils Find Human Guardian Angels -
Tony Blair In NZ: Henare Abuses Departing UK PM
Paul Buchanan: The Case For User Pays SAS Rescues -
NZ Gongs: Xena's Killing Spree Ends In Top NZ Honour -
Environment: Ecological Groups Voices Heard Through Loudhailers at Climate Change Conference -
Pacific: Meeting To Improve The Regional Internet
Foreign Affairs: Partisan Rift Opens Over Palestinian Policy
MORE HEADLINES:
International Dairy Trade: US Dairy & Global Dairy Alliance Want Action
Thailand: Women Lack Political Voice in Thailand
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Richard S. Ehrlich Interviews A Khmer Rouge Survivor
John Pagani Reports From The Barricades In Paris
Stateside: Where Rosalea Participates In The Peace Process
Image Norman Mackay Captures An Avalanche
MORE SCOOP COMMENT AND OPINION:
Katya Rivas's Passion: Serialised For Lent (Part 19)

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
Green Party Wins Energy Efficiency Rethink
Peter Dunne Champions Getting Up Earlier For Longer
Greens & Nats Agree Over One Gap In Working For Familes
Rimutaka Prison Breakout
Industrial Relations: Greens Launch Massive Attack On Westpac
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

Media Affairs: Blair and Sooden - Scoop Imagines the Hard Questions

New Zealand's incidental connection to world events has been a feature of recent days. However, due to Tony Blair's granting of exclusives and Harmeet Sooden's reluctance to grant them, our media has not been able to make the most of these events. From those who missed out, we are left with dozens, perhaps hundreds, of lines of questioning that will never be pursued. Scoop can now bring you those questions. See... Sooden and Blair interviews: A Scoop Media Inclusive [1] NOTE: Harmeet Sooden is holding a media conference today. Come back for full coverage of the press conference later this afternoon.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00442.htm

SCOOP IS IN THE HOUSE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00570.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00525.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00495.htm

Entomology Alert: Endangered Weevils Find Human Guardian Angels -

A rescue mission has been mounted for a population of weevils living on a knife edge on Wellington’s south coast. Department of Conservation staff and volunteers are risking a slashing from the sharp, blade-like leaves of the native plant speargrass to retrieve large flightless weevils that depend on the plant for their survival. The weevils are under threat from introduced mammals. See... Weevil rescue underway [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0603/S00079.htm

Tony Blair In NZ: Henare Abuses Departing UK PM

- The outrageous abuse hurled at Tony Blair by Tau Henare is a further example of National's undisciplined and inept attitude towards foreign policy, says Foreign Minister Winston Peters. Speaking on Newstalk ZB yesterday Mr Henare, now seemingly a self appointed foreign affairs spokesperson, called Mr Blair an "absolute liar" and a man that he "couldn't stand" (despite admitting that he had never met him) among other insults. See... Rogue Outburst from National on Foreign Affairs [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00559.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00499.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00494.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00503.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0603/S00223.htm
[6] - http://www.presentationcentral.co.nz/mediasite/viewer/?peid=ee991d8a-7bf1-4abd-8a05-215719cd8ae7

Paul Buchanan: The Case For User Pays SAS Rescues -

Lost amid the drama of the Christian Peacemaker Team hostage taking and rescue in Iraq are two sub-plots of some import. One is psychological and the other is legal and fiscal. On the psychological front is the mental disposition of the Christian Peacemaker hostages themselves. Although they are to be admired for the courage of their convictions and the fact that they actually engage in direct action rather than just talk, the CPT workers held captive in Iraq display traits remarkably akin to those of Islamic jihadists and Iraqi resistance fighters. See... Buchanan: Paying for the Rescue of Western Martyrs [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00413.htm

NZ Gongs: Xena's Killing Spree Ends In Top NZ Honour -

Lucy Lawless most famous for creating the role of Xena in the series Hercules and the 6-year season of Xena, Warrior Princess, became a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit at Government House in Auckland. Her citation read: "For services to entertainment and the community. Lucy Lawless has had a long film, stage and television career in New Zealand, Canada and the Unites States. See... Lucy Lawless honoured [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00510.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00522.htm

Environment: Ecological Groups Voices Heard Through Loudhailers at Climate Change Conference -

Today coal industry lobby group Coal Representatives Against Progressive Policy (CRAPP) protested against the 'Climate Change and Governance' conference, held at Te Papa. With slogans such as 'Kyoto Schmyoto' and 'Save My Six-figure Salary' CRAPP claimed that seriously combating Climate Change would jeopardise the massive bonuses and perks they get for producing one of the worlds most polluting sources of CO2 emissions. See... Protests Outside Climate Change Conference [1] ALSO

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0603/S00221.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00483.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00466.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00494.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0603/S00465.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0603/S00447.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00493.htm

Pacific: Meeting To Improve The Regional Internet

- Pacific Islands Forum communications ministers have set an ambitious but achievable agenda that should lift the pace of ICT development in the region, says Communications Minister David Cunliffe. See... Pacific communications ministers set bold agenda [1] & Images: Vint Cerf/ICANN Pacific Ministers Meeting [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00581.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00443.htm

Foreign Affairs: Partisan Rift Opens Over Palestinian Policy

- National Party Foreign Affairs spokesman Murray McCully has called on the Government to suspend all financial support and government-to-government contact with the Palestinian Authority. See.. Suspend Palestinian aid/contact - McCully [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00543.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00575.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0603/S00215.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00547.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0603/S00088.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0603/S00502.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0603/S00500.htm

International Dairy Trade: US Dairy & Global Dairy Alliance Want Action

- As the deadline for achieving modalities in agriculture looms closer, the US Dairy Industry and the Global Dairy Alliance (GDA) want to see an effective formula for eliminating dairy export subsidies and significant progress in levelling the playing field through reform of market access in the Doha Round. This is set out in a joint letter delivered today from the U.S. industry and the GDA to WTO Director –General, Pascal Lamy and Agricultural Negotiating Group Chairman, Ambassador Crawford Falconer. See... Doha: US Dairy & Global Dairy Alliance Want Action [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00544.htm

Thailand: Women Lack Political Voice in Thailand

- Bangkok--Thai women face major prejudice in politics and stark under-representation in the upper tiers of the Government, according to a timely new report launched in Bangkok today by the Women for Democratic Development Foundation (WDDF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Holding one Ministerial post out of 36, with one Governor out of 76, and only 10 percent of parliamentary seats, women are strikingly under-represented in positions of power in Thailand, says the report, entitled Women's Right to a Political Voice in Thailand. See... Women Lack Political Voice in Thailand [1] ALSO:Thailand: Action needed to break male dominance [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00548.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00532.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00545.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00543.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00528.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00526.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00550.htm

Richard S. Ehrlich Interviews A Khmer Rouge Survivor

- BANGKOK, Thailand -- Vann Nath is one of seven survivors of Cambodia's Tuol Sleng torture chambers, and escaped when Pol Pot's "killing fields" regime suddenly collapsed in 1979. Vann Nath is also an artist, and painted graphic pictures of communist Khmer Rouge extracting "confessions" from victims before dumping an estimated 16,000 corpses from Tuol Sleng into more than 100 mass graves. See... Tuol Sleng Survivor Paints Pictures Of His Torture [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00405.htm

John Pagani Reports From The Barricades In Paris

- The Maori guy in the All Blacks beanie confused me. We emerged from the underground right in the middle of Place de Republique and he came straight up to us. I thought he had clocked us as kiwis, so I said, 'kia ora'. See... John Pagani: Paris Manifestation [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00417.htm

Stateside: Where Rosalea Participates In The Peace Process

- I went on the Peace March this morning. The audio file (click above) is part of the blessing we were given by a local Native American leader, one of the Vietnam War conscientious objectors who got a health clinic and a law clinic established in the Fruitvale/Oakland area during the '60s. The clinics still operate today. See... Stateside With Rosalea: Peregranacion Por La Paz [1] & Stateside: It's Not Over Yet [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00407.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00372.htm

Image Norman Mackay Captures An Avalanche

- "Recently in the Mount Cook area on my way to the Hooker glacier when I heard what turned out to be the start of a smallish avalanche. Luckily I had my camera at the ready and was able to get off one shot as the avalanche started. Truly spectacular ... See... Scoop Image: Avalanche On Mount Cook [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00425.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENT AND OPINION:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00426.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00412.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00404.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00406.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00398.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00395.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00391.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00424.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00409.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00410.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00408.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00423.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00422.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00421.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00420.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00419.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00411.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00403.htm
[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00402.htm
[20] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00401.htm
[21] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00400.htm
[22] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00399.htm
[23] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00397.htm
[24] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00396.htm
[25] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00394.htm
[26] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00393.htm
[27] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00392.htm

Katya Rivas's Passion: Serialised For Lent (Part 19)

- Let us continue, My little daughter. Follow Me on the way to Calvary, overwhelmed under the weight of the Cross…. See... Katya Rivas: Jesus on His Way to Calvary [1] SEE ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00418.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00390.htm

Green Party Wins Energy Efficiency Rethink

- Energy Minister Trevor Mallard and Government Spokesperson on Energy Efficiency Jeanette Fitzsimons today announced that the four-year-old National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (NEECS) will be replaced. See... Energy efficiency strategy to be replaced [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00566.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00562.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00561.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00540.htm

Peter Dunne Champions Getting Up Earlier For Longer

- United Future leader Peter Dunne has lent his party's support to an initiative that would consider an extension to daylight saving. See... Dunne: More daylight saving a good thing? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00579.htm

Greens & Nats Agree Over One Gap In Working For Familes

- Given Labour's claimed commitment to social justice, a new report from a frontline support group proves they urgently need to rethink plans to abolish the Special Benefit on 1 April, Green MP Sue Bradford says. See... Poor hurt by WFF benefit changes, say Greens [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00577.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00539.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00516.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00526.htm

Rimutaka Prison Breakout

- Corrections Minister Damien O'Connor says he has already called for an investigation into a reported incident at Rimutaka Prison. See... Incident at Rimutaka Prison being investigated [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00557.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00565.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00568.htm

Industrial Relations: Greens Launch Massive Attack On Westpac

- Green MP Sue Bradford slammed the Westpac Bank for its industrial relations record. Ms Bradford outlined poor treatment of staff by the bank... Ms Bradford also criticised Westpac's Chief Economist, Brendon O'Donovan, who she considered to be an "economic cheerleader for the National Party." See... Bank must clean up act - Greens [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00548.htm

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00546.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00569.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00580.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00576.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00574.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00573.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00572.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00564.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00563.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00560.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00555.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00554.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00553.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00552.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00551.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00549.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00544.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00541.htm
[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00536.htm
[20] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00527.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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