TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Scoop Is The House
LEAD STORY: Australian Bullying Of East Timor Concerns Robson
Winston Suspects Donations Protect Telecom's Monopoly
Hard News Is There!
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Israel Kills Civilians In Rafah Operation - Condemned By UNSC
STORY OF THE WEEK: Scoop Is In Malta!

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Catherine Austin-Fitts: Piracy on the Delaware
Richard Ehrlich: Burma's Consitutional Health Camp
William Rivers Pitt: Trickle-Down Morality
Sam Smith: The Language Of Cruelty
UQ Wire: A Guide To The 9/11 Cover-Up
UQ Wire: The Reason We Question
Sonia Nettnin: It’s Raining Olives In Palestine

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
2 Weeks In Politics According To Dr Don Brash
NZ Hospital Health Concerns In Treasury Report
Gerry Eckhoff Waxes Lyrically In The General Debate
CYF Media Reports Show An Agency In Crisis
Budget 2004: Hodgson Welcomes Response To Foresty Package
Nats Launch Foreshore & Seabed Law Website
Nappy Campaign Not Looking To Guilt Trip Parents
Greens Holding A Seminar On Enhancing Democracy
Prebble Questions Finance Minister On Who Misses Out In His Budget
Anderton Suggests Cautious Approach To Alcohol Best

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00201.htm
NZ Prime Minister Arrives In Malta

Scoop Is The House

- For today's questions See... Questions for Oral Answer - Thursday, 20 May 2004 [1] . For Wednesday's Q&A see... Questions & Answers for Oral Answer 19 May 2004 [2] , for Tuesday's see... Questions & Answers for Oral Answer 18 May 2004 [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00428.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00416.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0405/S00382.htm

LEAD STORY:
Australian Bullying Of East Timor Concerns Robson

- All reasonable New Zealanders side with the people of East Timor against the bullying tactics of the Australian government over Timor Gap oil, Progressive MP Matt Robson said today. See... Aussie bullying of Timor over oil will fail [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00427.htm

Winston Suspects Donations Protect Telecom's Monopoly

- Rt Hon Winston Peters has called on Telecom to reveal whether it has made donations to the Labour and National parties to help maintain its monopolistic position in the New Zealand telecommunications market. See... Telecom Asked To Reveal Donations [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00429.htm

Hard News Is There!

- It didn't take a genius to predict that Paul Swain wasn't going to impose local loop unbundling on Telecom. Even if the Telecommunications Commissioner's recommendation had been to unbundle, it might not have happened. But the funny thing is that the ... See... Public Address 20/05/04 - Not Unbundling [1] MORE: - Decision On Telecom Network Recommendations [2] - Telecom - Telecom Ready To Deliver Unbundled Services [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00207.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00392.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0405/S00205.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0405/S00207.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0405/S00201.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0405/S00222.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0405/S00216.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0405/S00214.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/SC0405/S00049.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0405/S00078.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0405/S00143.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS:

Israel Kills Civilians In Rafah Operation - Condemned By UNSC - Concerned by the recent demolition of homes in the Rafah refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, the United Nations Security Council today called on Israel to respect its obligations under international humanitarian law and insisted on its obligation not to destroy homes contrary to that law. See... UNSC Calls On Israel to Stop Demolition Of Homes [1] MORE: - UN - Envoy 'Alarmed' By Ongoing Israeli Military Op. [2] - UN - Killing Of Palestinian Demonstrators In Gaza [3] - Physicians - PHR-Israel: Update on Rafah [4] - ISM - Missiles Fired At Civilian Demonstration In Rafah [5] - ISM --Demonstration In Solidarity With Rafah In Biddu [6] - UNICEF - UNICEF calls for the protection of Rafah children [7]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00216.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00213.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00212.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00209.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00208.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00207.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00206.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00215.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00214.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00217.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00211.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00210.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00205.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00204.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00203.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00199.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0405/S00198.htm

STORY OF THE WEEK: Scoop Is In Malta!

- New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has laid a wreath honouring the sacrifice of New Zealand World War I soldiers buried at a war graves cemetery in Malta. See... NZ Prime Minister Arrives In Malta [1] see also... Battle of Monte Cassino Commemorations [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00201.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0405/S00200.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0405/S00204.htm
Ronald Celebrates Victory On GE-Fed Chicken
See also... http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0405/S00098.htm
Ronald McDonald Arrested At GE Protest

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Catherine Austin-Fitts: Piracy on the Delaware

- Once in a while a story comes along that is so important that I am inspired to write an introduction to persuade others of the value of reading it. "Piracy on the Delaware" by Paul E. Atkinson , former President of Sun Shipbuilding, is such a story. See... Mapping The Real Deal: Piracy on the Delaware [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00206.htm

Richard Ehrlich: Burma's Consitutional Health Camp

- Burma's military regime has told delegates creating the country's new constitution they must bathe correctly, avoid junk food and live in a self-contained camp where they can enjoy karaoke, movies and golf. See... Burma Rewrites Its Constitution In A Unique Manner [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00205.htm

William Rivers Pitt: Trickle-Down Morality

- Back in November of 2003, retired Special Forces master sergeant Stan Goff played the role of prophet in an open letter he wrote to American soldiers engaged in the occupation of Iraq. In his letter, Goff wrote: See... William Rivers Pitt: Trickle-Down Morality [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00208.htm

Sam Smith: The Language Of Cruelty

- Listening to Diane Rehm the other morning as she and her panelists turned the horrors of Abu Ghraib into just another matter of politics, policy, and process brought to mind the question: what if the prisoners had been Jewish and the time 70 years ago and the place Germany? How would Diane Rehm have handled that story? See... Sam Smith: The Language Of Cruelty [1] MORE: - Green Left Weekly - Torture: A Deliberate Tool Of Imperial Occupation [2] SEE ALSO SCOOP FULL COVERAGE: - Full Coverage: Abu Ghraib Torture Scandal (4) [3] - Full Coverage: Abu Ghraib Torture Scandal (3) [4] - Full Coverage: Abu Ghraib Torture Scandal (2) [5] - Full Coverage: Abu Ghraib Torture Scandal (1) [6] - Full Coverage: Nicolas Berg Beheading [7]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00204.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00203.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00209.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0405/S00186.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00150.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00130.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00151.htm

UQ Wire: A Guide To The 9/11 Cover-Up

- The Kean Commission was called to life in Nov. 2002, when the White House dropped its objections to an independent 9/11 investigation, after many months of persistent lobbying by Sept. 11th families. At the time, this was seen as a victory for the relatives of those killed on Sept. 11th, and for their allies in the fight for open government and accountability. See... UQ Wire: A Guide to The 9/11 Cover-up (1) [1] and UQ Wire: A Guide to The 9/11 Cover-up (2) [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00212.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00213.htm

UQ Wire: The Reason We Question

- In the third year after 9/11, the U.S. government still has not answered the most important questions about what really happened. And the official 9/11 Commission has failed to ask. See... UQ Wire: Why There Is A 9/11 Truth Movement [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00211.htm

Sonia Nettnin: It’s Raining Olives In Palestine

- Desert land : never saw : downpour : olives. Trees : razed by bulldozers : fall : thud the ground, : so roots wombs : scorch in : heat. A fruit : shower of See... Sonia Nettnin Poem: It's Raining Olives [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0405/S00210.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0405/S00203.htm
Free Acheh Demonstration In Wellington

2 Weeks In Politics According To Dr Don Brash

- It has been an eventful fortnight! The hikoi, the Government's foreshore and seabed legislation, the release of the Creech report on the relationship between New Zealand and the United States, and accusations by Helen Clark and Phil Goff that I told visiting US Senators in January that the next National Government would scrap the nuclear-free legislation - "by lunch-time". See... The Brash-Report - No. 30, 19 May 2004 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00408.htm

NZ Hospital Health Concerns In Treasury Report

- “Treasury reports showing that public hospitals are performing fewer operations in spite of funding increases should be sending a loud and clear message to the Government,” said New Zealand First health spokesperson, Barbara Stewart. See... Bureaucracy Swamps Health System [1] and Labour + Taxpayers' Money = Fewer Services [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00433.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00405.htm

Gerry Eckhoff Waxes Lyrically In The General Debate

- I suspect that every Opposition MP would give their right arm to listen in on a Labour caucus that is tearing itself to pieces. Gone is the unity that used to be, and gone is the confidence of that party. See... Labour's Last Train To Clarksville [1] MORE GENERAL DEBATE SPEECHES: - Gordon Copeland (UF) - Public domain does make a difference [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00426.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00424.htm

CYF Media Reports Show An Agency In Crisis

- Media reports of a single teenager taking up an entire CYF Youth Justice section, and new information on the shortage of Youth Justice beds, highlights the need for the agency to be relieved of its Youth Justice duties, ACT New Zealand Social Welfare Muriel Newman says. See... CYF Out Of Its Depth With Young Offenders [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00425.htm

Budget 2004: Hodgson Welcomes Response To Foresty Package

- The forest industry's positive response to the package of new forestry sector initiatives announced today is an encouraging start, says the Convenor of the Ministerial Group on Climate Change, Pete Hodgson. See... Positive forest industry response [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00422.htm

Nats Launch Foreshore & Seabed Law Website

- The National Party is making it easier for people to have their say on the future of New Zealand's beaches through its website foreshore.co.nz [1] . See... National hopes foreshore views swamp committee [2]

[1] - http://www.foreshore.co.nz
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00421.htm

Nappy Campaign Not Looking To Guilt Trip Parents

- Green MP Mike Ward says the party's recently launched pro-cloth nappy campaign is not intended to be a 'guilt trip' for parents and that some criticism seems to assume that disposables are empty when dumped. See... No guilt intended in progressive nappy call [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00420.htm

Greens Holding A Seminar On Enhancing Democracy

- As Parliamentarians polish their speeches and prepare their palates to celebrate 150 years of representative democracy in New Zealand, the Green Party is inviting the public to come along to a seminar on where we might go over the next 150 years. See... 150 yrs of Parliament: Is this as good as it gets? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00415.htm

Prebble Questions Finance Minister On Who Misses Out In His Budget

- ACT Leader Richard Prebble questioned the Minister of Finance in parliament today concerning press statements that the Future Directions package in the Budget will be about $2.5 billion and around 300,000 households will benefit. See... Large Majority of Working Families Miss Out [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00414.htm

Anderton Suggests Cautious Approach To Alcohol Best

- Alcohol abuse among the young is one of society's biggest challenges and it is best to adopt a cautious approach when looking at ways of addressing the problem, Progressive leader, Jim Anderton, said today. See... Precautionary Approach Best With Youth & Alcohol [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0405/S00410.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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