TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Three Year $3 Billion Health Boost Unveiled
Stateside: Escape From Middle Earth
Howard’s End: The Pain Behind The Presents
US Trade Authority Approval Welcomed In NZ
Firas Al-Atraqchi: Pressure On Palestine
Behind The Veil: Ramadan Revealed
Major General Dodson, Victim Of PR Wars?
Shadow Of Debt Clouds Festive Season
Motornet: VW’s New People Mover
Job Ads & retail Sales Indicate Economic Decline
We Ignore The Disposessed At Our Peril – Nobel Laureates Warn
Running With the Nazis
Images: Rain Fills Southern Lakes
Katya Rivas

AMERICAN STRIKES - FULL COVERAGE
Pakistan Urged To Find New Friends
THE RECEIVED VERSION - OFFICIAL UN, US & UK COMMENTS

OTHER NEWS (JUST POLITICS)
Top Brass Clean Sweep
Parental Leave Bill Tabled
Richard Prebble’s Letter From Wellington
Swain Forges IT Links With India
As Green As It Gets
Pressure On Health Forcing Govt’s hand, Sowry Says
Pay Ratification Caps Good Year For Police, Minister Says
Sneaking In SOPs Won’t Do, Says Mapp
Tributes Flow For Murdered National Hero Peter Blake

Three Year $3 Billion Health Boost Unveiled

- Health Minister Annette King today announced a three-year funding package to allow District Health Boards to plan health and disability services with certainty. See... Three-year health funding package announced - Q&A [1] REACTION: - Greens - What's In New Funding For Nurses? [2] - National - Three Billion To Health Spin - It's $1.2b [3] - Medical Specialists - Cautious Welcome To Health Funding [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00174.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00173.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00170.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0112/S00054.htm

Stateside: Escape From Middle Earth

- Saturday evening, New Zealand was a laughing stock Stateside. When movie buff Joel Siegel asked Elijah Wood what he missed most about his native LA in the 18 months he spent away from it filming the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, Wood replied: "I missed traffic" and fell about the place recounting how "the worst traffic in New Zealand takes you 5 minutes out of your way." See... Stateside: Pass The Perspective Please [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0112/S00042.htm

Howard’s End: The Pain Behind The Presents

- As the New Zealand Government pushes for even more free-trade deals and you watch your kids and grand-kids open their Christmas presents later this month, spare a thought for the millions of people around the world, including stateless refugees without papers, who might have made those presents you so lovingly chose. See... Howard's End: Tears Not Included [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0112/S00041.htm

US Trade Authority Approval Welcomed In NZ

- The approval of trade promotion authority by the United States' House of Representatives was welcome news, Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton said. See... Minister welcomes US trade authority approval [1] More: - NZ Nats - Good for NZ [2] - NZ Nats - Clark must commit to US trade agreement [3] - US State Dept. - House Passes Trade Authority Bill [4] - US State Dept - House Passage [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00150.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00153.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00152.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0112/S00071.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0112/S00070.htm

Firas Al-Atraqchi: Pressure On Palestine

- The killing of Hamas activist Mohammad (Ahmad) Selmi during clashes with Palestinian security forces and the attempted house arrest of Hamas’ spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin have brought the situation in Israel and the Occupied Territories to the edge of an abyss. See... Firas Al-Atraqchi: Palestine’s Untenable Situation [1] MORE: - Gush Shalom - A Week Of Havoc - 500 Protest In Jerusalem [2] - Jerusalem Media And Communication Centre - Statement issued by the National and Islamic Force [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0112/S00038.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0112/S00078.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0112/S00083.htm

Behind The Veil: Ramadan Revealed

- Ramadan is a special month to between seven to ten million Muslims in the United States, and millions more Muslims worldwide. It is known as the month of worship, and indeed Muslims increase their worship greatly during this month. See... Behind the Veil: Ramadan, Blessed Month Revealed [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0112/S00039.htm

Major General Dodson, Victim Of PR Wars?

- Major General Maurice Dodson has been the target of an 18 month campaign of misinformation designed to discredit him personally, to prevent his becoming Chief of Defence Force. See... TKI Editorial: Campaign To Discredit M.G. Dodson [1] AIR COMBAT WING BEING DISBANDED THIS WEEK: - Ross Ewing - What We Are Giving Away [2] - Max Bradford - Black Week For NZ Defence [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0112/S00044.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0112/S00052.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00161.htm

Shadow Of Debt Clouds Festive Season

- Families using foodbanks will be under extreme pressure to go further into debt this Christmas, according to research released today. See... Pressure Is On Families In Lead Up To Christmas [1] MORE: - Salvation Army - A Christmas Message Of Hope [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0112/S00050.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0112/S00016.htm

Motornet: VW’s New People Mover

- Multi Purpose Vehicles, or MPVs are usually seen as worthy, but a little dull - certainly not the drivers' choice. But apparently, dull is not a word in VW's vocabulary... See... Motornet: Stylish, Sporty And Stacked [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0112/S00043.htm

Job Ads & retail Sales Indicate Economic Decline

- The number of newspaper job advertisements decreased by 8.0% mom in November - the fourth consecutive monthly decline. The number of advertisements in November was 11.0% lower than a year earlier and 15.9% below the historic high recorded in July. See... ANZ Job Ads Survey - November 2001 [1] and Retail Sales Steady [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0112/S00054.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0112/S00055.htm

We Ignore The Disposessed At Our Peril – Nobel Laureates Warn

- 100 Nobel laureates have issued a brief but dire warning of the profound dangers facing the world. Their statement predicts that our security depends on immediate environmental and social reform. The following is their statement. See... 100 Nobel Laureates Issue Warning To The World [1] . See also... Aung San Suu Kyi Still Under House Arrest [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0112/S00079.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0112/S00082.htm

Running With the Nazis

- Below is an article from the 'San Francisco Bay Guardian', entitled, 'The CIA's Worst-Kept Secret.' It discusses some recently unclassified CIA files. These documents, 18,000 pages in all, confirm that U.S. intelligence recruited and protected Nazis starting at the end of World War II. See... Secrets Of The Bumbling Bear - CIA/NAZI Marriage [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0112/S00045.htm

Images: Rain Fills Southern Lakes

- Heavy rainfall in the Waitaki catchment in the last week has seen hydro storage lakes return to levels close to normal for the time of year. See... Meridian Energy welcomes rain in the Waitaki [1] and Scoop Images: Empty Lake –-> Full Lake [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0112/S00048.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0112/S00035.htm

Katya Rivas

- I choose the smallest and most useless things of the world to confuse the great ones of this century… The more inadequate the instrument seems for the job, the more skill I use to manage it, and thus, everything will serve for the accomplishment of My designs of Love. See... Katya Rivas: I Shall Not Ask Them to Account [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0112/S00037.htm

Pakistan Urged To Find New Friends

- In international relations, there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests. India was always America's first love. It was India that rejected the USA and opted for strategic partnership with the USSR. See... Call for Strategic Partnership with Russia & China [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0112/S00072.htm

THE RECEIVED VERSION - OFFICIAL UN, US & UK COMMENTS

- Wolfowitz Interview with CNN Late Edition [1] - Rumsfeld Interview with the Washington Post [2] - Gen. Myers Interview with CBS Face the Nation [3] - Stakeout on Capitol Hill with Rumsfeld & Gen. Pace [4] - Wolfowitz Interview with ABC This Week [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0112/S00077.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0112/S00076.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0112/S00075.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0112/S00074.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0112/S00073.htm

Top Brass Clean Sweep

- The appointment of Air Commodore Bruce Ferguson as the new Chief of Defence Force was announced today by Defence Minister Mark Burton. See... Defence appointments announced [1] . See also... Dr Joel Hayward on the new Chief of Defence Force [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00172.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0112/S00057.htm

Parental Leave Bill Tabled

- Hon Laila Harré has tabled the Parental Leave and Employment Protection (Paid Parental Leave) Amendment Bill for introduction to parliament this week. See... Parental Leave and Employment Protection Bill [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00171.htm

Richard Prebble’s Letter From Wellington

- When Michael Cullen updates the state of the Crown's finances next week, he's likely to announce several hundred million dollars of new borrowing. See... Richard Prebble's Letter From Wellington [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00168.htm

Swain Forges IT Links With India

- Information Technology Minister Paul Swain has signed a formal agreement with his counterpart in India to forge closer business links between the two countries. See... Swain Signs India And NZ Business Agreement [1] MORE: - Speech To Asian-Oceania Computing Industry Org [2] - Swain Speech To India & NZ Joint Business Councils [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00166.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00159.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00158.htm

As Green As It Gets

- I am delighted to be in the Green capital of New Zealand. Pokororo is now known far and wide as the place where the Green Party scored its highest party vote in percentage terms - 41% - in the 1999 elections. Congratulations to the 46 of you who voted Green. See... "Party Hard, The Campaign Starts In The Morning!" [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00164.htm

Pressure On Health Forcing Govt’s hand, Sowry Says

- Tomorrow's health funding announcement by the Government is effectively bringing forward next May's Budget announcement because the health system is under so much pressure, National Health spokesperson Roger Sowry said today. See... Health Crisis Forces Govt Into Early Announcement [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00162.htm

Pay Ratification Caps Good Year For Police, Minister Says

- Police Minister George Hawkins has welcomed today’s final ratification of sworn and non-sworn pay rounds for police staff. See... Pay Round Ratification Ends Great Year For Police [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00155.htm

Sneaking In SOPs Won’t Do, Says Mapp

- Margaret Wilson the Attorney General is supposed to protect the parliamentary process but she is again introducing a late Supplementary Order Paper without notice, National's Justice spokesperson Wayne Mapp said today. See... Margaret Wilson has a recurring bad habit [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00154.htm

Tributes Flow For Murdered National Hero Peter Blake

- Prime Minister Helen Clark - Death Of A National Hero [1] - Maree Howard - Howard's End: The Touch Of The Master’s Hand [2] - Greens - Greens acknowledge environmental ambassador [3] - Peter Dunne - Peter Dunne On Death Of Sir Peter Blake [4] - Greenpeace – Greenpeace pays respect to Sir Peter Blake [5] - World Wildlife Fund - Marine reserves in Sir Peter Blake’s memory [6] - Auckland Mayor - Sir Peter Blake - Mayor John Banks [7] - Forest & Bird - The Loss Of Sir Peter Blake [8] - Yachting NZ - Sir Peter Blake [9] - Ken Shirley - Tribute To A New Zealand Hero [10] - ECO - Peter Blake Mourned [11] - Marian Hobbs - Tribute To Sir Peter Blake [12] - Bill English - Sir Peter An Inspiration To New Zealanders [13] - Sandra Lee - Conservation Minister Mourns Loss Of Blake [14]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00112.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0112/S00030.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00135.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00134.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0112/S00047.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0112/S00046.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0112/S00012.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0112/S00041.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0112/S00038.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00125.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0112/S00037.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00121.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00120.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0112/S00117.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

• Mobile - 021707044
• Twitter - @althecat
• Google+

• Linkedin
• Facebook
• Email - alastair@scoop.co.nz