TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY:
Commission Of Inquiry To Examine Police Rape Allegations
Price Of Stamps To Rise In April
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Blair Follows Bush On WMD Intel Probe
INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES

SCOOP COLUMNS:
ZZZZzzzzt Scoop Has Feedback
The Latest From Public Address
Meditations: What Comes Next?
Ivan Eland: How Real Is The War On Terror?
Aussie GitMo Prisoner Should Be Freed Now
UQ Wire: Complete 911 Timeline Updated
Daily Katya Rivas Meditations

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Georgina te Heuheu Sacked From Maori Portfolios
Earl Of Wessex To Visit Godzone In March
Our Doctors Are Heading Over There
Dangerous Parolees Concern Opposition
Peter Dunne's Waitangi Day Call For Unity
2 Million Visitors For The 2nd Year Running
Deep South & Far East School Closures
Meanwhile Our Preschools Are Expanding
Benefit Fraud Still Biting – Newman
TVNZ Accused Of Bullying Complainants
Jim Sutton's Trade Mission To Russia

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0402/S00022.htm
FRINGE '04: Stonehenge Aotearoa

LEAD STORY:
Commission Of Inquiry To Examine Police Rape Allegations

- Prime Minister Helen Clark has announced that the government will establish a Commission of Inquiry in response to the recent allegations about the Police. See... Commission of Inquiry to investigate Police [1] REACTION: - Police - Commissioner welcomes Commission of Inquiry [2] - Greens - Greens want Police inquiry made public [3] - For more on this story CLICK HERE [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00043.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0402/S00031.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00047.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/index.html#msow

Price Of Stamps To Rise In April

- New Zealand Post announced today that the price of the standard domestic postage stamp will rise by 5 cents to 45 cents from April 5. See... Domestic Postal Rates Set For Change In April [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0402/S00033.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0402/S00025.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0402/S00016.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0402/S00035.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0402/S00003.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0402/S00028.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0402/S00031.htm

Blair Follows Bush On WMD Intel Probe

- Asked if the Prime Minister believed that Lord Butler had done a satisfactory job investigating Jonathan Aitken when he was Cabinet Secretary given that he was now in charge of the Inquiry into the Iraq war, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman ... See... Blair Calls For WMD Inquiry [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0402/S00029.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES

UN and USA Meet On Iraq Sovereignty - With general agreement that sovereignty should be handed over to the Iraqis as soon as possible, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and United States President George W. Bush today held talks in Washington, D.C., aimed at achieving that end. See... Annan and Bush Hold 'Constructive' Talks On Iraq [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0402/S00034.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0402/S00033.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0402/S00032.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0402/S00031.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0402/S00028.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0402/S00027.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
ZZZZzzzzt Scoop Has Feedback

- In this edition: Is Turia Chicken? - Things Are Not Quite What They Seem- Photo-Essay 1: Death and Casualty From Iraq - Your $64 Billion Question - What were they thinking? See... Scoop Feedback: Turia., TOW, Czechs & Questions [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0402/S00029.htm

The Latest From Public Address

- David Slack - Fancy running an online business? Like to become an electronic Arkwright? Very good idea. You can go to the gym while everyone's at work, you can walk down to the beach when your brain slows down, and you can visit the Letterman site any ... See... Public Address 04/02/04 - D&D Styles [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0402/S00027.htm

Meditations: What Comes Next?

- As the international world order, based on the nation-state, continues its slow-motion collapse, much more than another historical transition to another world order is at stake. See... The International Order is History - What's Next? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0402/S00026.htm

Ivan Eland: How Real Is The War On Terror?

- The Bush administration recently made it known that a major offensive against al Qaeda would be launched in Afghanistan and Pakistan during the spring. It was even hinted that Osama bin Laden might be caught this year. See... Ivan Eland: Are We Fighting a Real War? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0402/S00030.htm

Aussie GitMo Prisoner Should Be Freed Now

- Australian David Hicks has been held without charge in the US military camp at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba for more than two years. In November, US Major Michael Mori was appointed as his military ''defence counsel''. See... Green Left Weekly: Free David Hicks! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0402/S00025.htm

UQ Wire: Complete 911 Timeline Updated

- The most recent update to the timeline was made on January 30, 2004. On the same date, a fascinating video dealing with an important unheeded warning of the 9/11 attacks was also posted. See... UQ Wire: Major Update To The Complete 911 Timeline [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0402/S00028.htm

Daily Katya Rivas Meditations

- Raise that spirit, love of My Passion. Here is your Teacher, always be a good student. Every delight is found next to My Heart, and whoever comes near it, will remain captive in My Love. See... Katya Rivas: I Have Bound You to My Will [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0402/S00024.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0402/S00025.htm
IMAGE: Police Arrest Two Greenpeace Trees

Georgina te Heuheu Sacked From Maori Portfolios

- National Party Leader Don Brash has moved today to replace his Maori Affairs spokesperson Georgina te Heuheu. See... Don Brash appoints new Maori Affairs spokesman [1] REACTION: - John Tamihere - Trashed by Brash [2] - ACT - Prebble Backs Brash [3] - Tariana Turia - Support for Georgina Te Heuheu [4] - Greens - No Maori in Brash's brave new world [5] - Progressives - Genuine nationhood requires free speech [6] - NZ First - No Maoris Please – We’re Nats! [7]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00037.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00042.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00050.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00041.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00036.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00038.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00040.htm

Earl Of Wessex To Visit Godzone In March

- Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today that Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, will visit New Zealand in March. See... Prince Edward to visit New Zealand [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00044.htm

Our Doctors Are Heading Over There

- “The exodus of health professionals from New Zealand to financially greener pastures is continuing and the Government has to act now to stop it before the shortage of health professionals reaches crisis point,” said New Zealand First health spokesperson, Barbara Stewart. See... Exodus Of Health Professionals Continues [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00058.htm

Dangerous Parolees Concern Opposition

- New Zealand First law and order spokesperson Ron Mark has asked the Government how many victims it intends to create with its soft approach to parole and failing mental health system. See... Keep The Public Safe Says Mark [1] MORE: - United Future - Alexander: 'If in doubt, let them out' fails again [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00056.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00051.htm

Peter Dunne's Waitangi Day Call For Unity

- United Future leader Peter Dunne today re-issued his consistent call for New Zealand to celebrate its nationhood in an inclusive, rather than divisive, way. See... Dunne on Waitangi Day [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00055.htm

2 Million Visitors For The 2nd Year Running

- New Zealand was the destination of choice for over two million overseas guests in 2003—the second year in a row that the industry has reached this milestone. See... Another record year for New Zealand tourism [1] See also... New facility a reflection of tourism’s future [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00054.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00053.htm

Deep South & Far East School Closures

- Education Minister Trevor Mallard announced today a proposed new network for Invercargill schools that could unlock $33 million for local education. See... Proposed new school network for Invercargill [1] . See also... Proposal announced for Wairoa schools [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00060.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00059.htm

Meanwhile Our Preschools Are Expanding

- Education Minister Trevor Mallard today announced extra funding to create new kindergartens and more places for young children in early childhood education centres around the country. See... More children in early childhood education [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00057.htm

Benefit Fraud Still Biting – Newman

- New information shows that Social Services and Employment Minister Maharey is still failing to get on top of New Zealand's serious benefit fraud problem, ACT New Zealand Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman said today. See... Maharey Fails To Right Benefit Fraud [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00052.htm

TVNZ Accused Of Bullying Complainants

- TVNZ's High Court action to overturn a Broadcasting Standards Association ruling comes "dangerously close to outright corporate bullying and is a real threat to the right of citizens and small interest groups to make legitimate complaints", United Future broadcasting spokesman Marc Alexander today. See... TVNZ 'bullying' a threat to right to complain [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00049.htm

Jim Sutton's Trade Mission To Russia

- Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton plans to lead a trade delegation of key New Zealand industry members to Russia in the second half of May this year to explore a wide range of export opportunities. See... Minister to lead trade mission to Russia in May [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0402/S00048.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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