TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Scoop Is In The House
LEAD STORY: Public Service Pay Equity Gets A Government Green Light
Cullen Previews Budget 2004 In Canterbury
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Firas Al-Atraqchi: Zarqawi Be Damned
INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES
STORY OF THE WEEK: Brash Plans To Leave Nukes Decision To Voters

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News Is There!
Aziz Choudry: Bush And His Plan To Help God Free Trade
Toni Solo: Free Trade (Wars) In Latin America
Governor Schwarzenegger Does A Cheney On Energy
Some Tips On How To Beat A Rigged US Election System
Satire: Oil For Food Scandal Shows Potential
Ivan Eland: Who Should Be Held Responsible?
Renan Talieva: The Death Of Dr David Kelly Revisited
Zaoui Case Considered At Court Of Appeal

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Budget 2004: Money For Getting Youth Into Work
Tamihere Counts The Reasons Why
Destiny NZ Coming To Wellington
The Legend Of Mahuika Comes To School
New Zealand Joing Chemical Weapons Control Body Executive
NZ First Approves Of Fiordland Bird Island Sanctuaries

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/0405/7574826417a7f672741d.jpeg
Bush Administration Stands Together On Torture
http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/index.html#torture
Who Should Be Held Responsible?

Scoop Is In The House

- For Thursday's questions see… Questions for Oral Answer - Thursday, 13 May 2004 [1] . For Wednesday's Q&A see... Questions & Answers for Oral Answer 12 May 2004 [2] . For Tuesday's see... Questions & Answers for Oral Answer 11 May 2004 [3] .

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00265.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00252.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00213.htm

LEAD STORY:
Public Service Pay Equity Gets A Government Green Light

- Actions to achieve pay and employment equity in the public sector are being endorsed by the government. See... Pay and Employment Equity in the public sector [1] MORE: - CTU - Rapid Response Needed for Pay Equity [2] - Nurses Org. - Nurses’ Pay Claim Strengthened [3] - PSA - Closing the pay gap benefits everyone [4] - Greens - Women want action, not promises on pay equity [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00267.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0405/S00135.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0405/S00133.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0405/S00132.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00271.htm

Cullen Previews Budget 2004 In Canterbury

- Later this month I will be presenting my fifth budget. From the start of my tenure I set out to pursue a number of goals which have remained more or less constant features of my budgets ever since. See... Hon Dr Cullen Speech to Canterbury Manufacturers [1] MORE BUDGET COMMENT: - Rodney Hide - What About Some Tax Back, Dr Cullen? [2] - Muriel Newman - Muriel's Column: Budget Sweetener For Welfare Trap [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00269.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00262.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00261.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0405/S00126.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0405/S00125.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0405/S00142.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0405/S00141.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0405/S00140.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0405/S00136.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0405/S00064.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0405/S00067.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0405/S00067.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0405/S00066.htm

http://img.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/0405/61ba516c9ead74d6eb4e.jpeg
Nicholas Berg

Firas Al-Atraqchi: Zarqawi Be Damned

- Nicholas Berg screamed. He screamed when he saw the sword brandished in the hands of one of his captors. He screamed when he was pushed down on the ground and his held pulled back, ready for the slaughter. See... Firas Al-Atraqchi: Zarqawi Be Damned [1] MORE: - UN - Annan Horrified By Hostage's Murder [2] - State Dept. - State Dept. Daily Press Briefing May 12, 2004 [3] - White House - Bush Condemns Brutal Execution of Nicholas Berg [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00124.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00135.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00141.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00126.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00139.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00138.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00137.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00136.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00134.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00129.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00127.htm

STORY OF THE WEEK: Brash Plans To Leave Nukes Decision To Voters

- "The legislative ban on nuclear-powered warships is a matter for New Zealanders to decide," says National Party leader Don Brash. See... New Zealanders will make decisions for New Zealand [1] MORE: - ACT - Nuclear Ban Makes NZ A World Laughing Stock [2] FOR MORE ON THIS: See... STORY OF THE WEEK: National Defence & Nukes Policy (1) [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00263.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00270.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00116.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:

Hard News Is There!

- So a billion dollars' work has been lopped off Auckland's Eastern Corridor proposal because there's no apparent way of paying for it. It's hard to credit that when John Banks announced the big plan last year he was trumpeting a new harbour tunnel to ... See... Public Address 13/05/04 - One Big Blog [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00129.htm

Aziz Choudry: Bush And His Plan To Help God Free Trade

- While US forces bombed, murdered and maimed their way to ''freedom'' and ''democracy'' in Falluja and across Iraq, George Bush reiterated his vision for the Middle East to the US public on April 13th, 2004: See... Aziz Choudry: Operation Enduring Free Trade [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00126.htm

Toni Solo: Free Trade (Wars) In Latin America

- Low intensity conflict against Cuba and Venezuela, infrastructure programs like Plan Puebla Panama, the Free Trade Area of the Americas and the war in Colombia may seem to have little in common. See... Toni Solo: Plan Puebla Panama And Free Trade [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00125.htm

Governor Schwarzenegger Does A Cheney On Energy

- One of the many missteps that led to the unraveling of Gray Davis’ decades long political career was the way in which the former governor of California handled the state’s energy crisis. See... Schwarzenegger Energy Advisors Campaign Donors [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00127.htm

Some Tips On How To Beat A Rigged US Election System

- A win over the Bushevik regime is not impossible, but it will be difficult and it will require considerable persistence and initiative. See... Ernest Partridge: How To Beat A Fixed Election [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00131.htm

Satire: Oil For Food Scandal Shows Potential

- In light of the unraveling United Nations scandal involving kickbacks from corporations and individuals illegally buying oil from Iraq, Bush administration officials admit they had this international organization pegged all wrong. See... WH Sees Potential In UN Oil-For-Food Scandal [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00123.htm

Ivan Eland: Who Should Be Held Responsible?

- If the torture and abuse of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. military personnel is revolting, almost as shocking is the reaction of American politicians to the scandal. Under political pressure, President Bush grudgingly apologized only after the apologies by his subordinates. See... Torture in Iraq And Politicians' Reactions [1] MORE: - George Bush - President Reaffirms Commitments in Iraq [2] - Full Text: The Taguba Report On Iraq Prison Abuse [3] - Daniel P. Welch - No Apology Necessary - Off to the Hague! [4] - Harvey Bush The Torturer Must Leave Office [5] SEE ALSO: Full Coverage: Iraq's Abu Ghraib Torture Scandal [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00122.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00125.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00122.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00121.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00119.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0405/S00130.htm

Renan Talieva: The Death Of Dr David Kelly Revisited

- On 16 March 2004, Oxfordshire coroner Nicholas Gardiner announced that he would not reopen the inquest into scientist David Kelly's death. See... Renan Talieva: The Coroner and David Kelly [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00120.htm

Zaoui Case Considered At Court Of Appeal

- The Court of Appeal case concerning detained refugee Ahmed Zaoui and who will consider his Human Rights concluded at the Court of Appeal yesterday 12 May 2004. See... Ahmed Zaoui Case – Court of Appeal 12 May 2004 (2) [1] . For a report on Monday's proceedings see... Ahmed Zaoui Case – Court of Appeal 11 May 2004 (1) [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00117.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00087.htm

Budget 2004: Money For Getting Youth Into Work

- A $56.9 million package of new and expanded initiatives in Budget 2004 will cement in the government's commitment to provide all 15 to 19 year olds with a kick start to their working lives. See... Budget 2004: $57 million boost for young people [1] & Budget 2004: $57 million youth employment boost fact sheet [2] MORE: - Progessives - Jobs & training are building blocks for economy [3] - CTU - Unions Welcome School To Work Funding Boost [4] - United Future - Adams welcomes Govt support for teenagers [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00257.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00256.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00258.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0405/S00131.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00268.htm

Tamihere Counts The Reasons Why

- Government departments have made 104 reductions in compliance requirements for business since 2001, Minister for Small Business John Tamihere says. See... 104 reasons why the govt. is good for business [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00255.htm

Destiny NZ Coming To Wellington

- Political party Destiny New Zealand is presenting an overview of its policies in Wellington at a public meeting this Saturday. See... Destiny NZ Political Tour Wellington - 15 May 2004 [1] and Government Confused over Family Form [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0405/S00128.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0405/S00129.htm

The Legend Of Mahuika Comes To School

- Four Whangarei schools will receive a $50,000 funding boost towards a collaborative theatre project that combines fire safety education with the legend of Mahuika, the fire goddess, Associate Education Minister Marian Hobbs announced today. See... Whangarei Schools Take To The Theatre [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00259.htm

New Zealand Joing Chemical Weapons Control Body Executive

- New Zealand takes up its two-year appointment to the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) today. See... CWC executive council appointment [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00254.htm

NZ First Approves Of Fiordland Bird Island Sanctuaries

- New Zealand First conservation spokesperson Edwin Perry has expressed cautious approval of DoC’s announced plan to create two new island sanctuaries on Secretary Island and Resolution Island. See... DOC's Island Insurance Policy Sensible [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00253.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.

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