Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Top Scoops

Book Reviews | Gordon Campbell | Scoop News | Wellington Scoop | Community Scoop | Search

 

Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
Politics: Nats Election Campaign Short-Changes Media Of $112,500.00
Te Wânanga: Nepotism And Poor Accounting Cited In A-G's Report
Parliament: Scoop On Politics - Benson-Pope
Video: Palestinian Groups' Vigil Asks Captors To Free Harmeet Sooden
Health: NZ Becomes The Prozac Nation -
MORE HEADLINES
Human Rights Watch Cites Rice's Torture Claims Side-Step
EU Block Moves Silently On Tougher Asylum Standards
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Dennis Hans: Insights On The Naming Of CIA Analysts
Sam Smith: Hillary Clinton's Israel Conundrum
Ray McGovern Critiques The President's Latest Iraq Speech
Thomas Friedman in Stripped Trousers, Silk Stockings and Garters
MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
PM To Attend East-Asia Leader's Summit
Industry: Statistics NZ Reports Labour Cost Increase Trend
Foreign Affairs: PM Welcomes Turkey's PM To New Zealand
POLITICAL HEADLINES

TO CHANGE MY SCOOP OPTIONS OR UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THIS LIST
http://www.scoop.co.nz/myscoop/signin.html
IF YOU HAVE LOST YOUR PASSWORD
http://www.scoop.co.nz/myscoop/newpass.html
Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

-----------

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS


------------

Politics: Nats Election Campaign Short-Changes Media Of $112,500.00

- Scoop Image:
Michael Cullen.The National Party today confirmed it made an error in the booking of its broadcast radio and television advertising for the 2005 election campaign. Due to a misunderstanding between the Party and its advertising booking agency, the agency booked advertising for National on radio and television for the campaign totalling $900,000 excluding GST, instead of $900,000 including GST, as had been allocated by the Electoral Commission. See... National confirms GST error in broadcast spend [1]


[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00066.htm


Te Wânanga: Nepotism And Poor Accounting Cited In A-G's Report

- Political parties from all sides of The House are moving to proportion blame after an Auditor-General's report into Te Wânanga o Aotearoa cited examples of nepotism and poor accounting practice. Tertiary Education Minister Michael Cullen said in a release today: “The issues raised by the Auditor-General are serious and highlight concerns that the government has been pursuing with Te Wânanga o Aotearoa for some while.” See... Cullen on Auditor-General’s wânanga report [1] + A-G's Full Report Into Aspects of Te Wânanga o Aotearoa [2] ALSO:

  • Wânanga - Report Documents Serious Failings [3]
  • Susan Cullen - Chiefs Daughter welcomes calls for inquiry [4]
  • Rongo Wetere - No Fraud Found in Wananga Audit [5]
  • Maori Party - Sharples: Te Wananga o Aotearoa [6]

  • [1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00063.htm
    [2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0512/S00055.htm
    [3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0512/S00028.htm
    [4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0512/S00012.htm
    [5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0512/S00018.htm
    [6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00067.htm


    Parliament: Scoop On Politics

    - Alastair Thompson reports that in question time today Social Development Minister David Benson Pope repeatedly refused to directly answer questions over his alleged involvement in a tennis ball incident that occurred at Bayfield High School 23 years ago. Questioned by ACT's Rodney Hide and National's Judith Collins Mr Benson-Pope three times repeated the answer: "I am one of the 19 people who either do not recall the events or do not believe they happened." This caused considerable consternation to Mr Hide who sought the speaker's intervention to insist on an answer to the question as to which of the two groups Mr Benson-Pope now believed he belonged - those who could not remember, or those who believed it didn't happen. See... David Benson-Pope Hedges In House On Tennis Ball [1] ALSO:Scoop Audio: PM's Presser December 5, 2005 [2]

  • David Benson-Pope Police File – Key Documents [3]
  • David Benson-Pope Enquiry – Complete Police File [4]
  • Russell Brown - Public Address 06/12/05 - Balls [5]
  • Minister says report vindicates his position [6]
  • Benson-Pope notes change in story by his accuser [7]
  • Collins concerned by apparent privacy breach [8]
  • Nats - Benson-Pope changes his story [9]

  • [1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00050.htm
    [2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00036.htm
    [3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00034.htm
    [4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00035.htm
    [5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00067.htm
    [6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00042.htm
    [7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00054.htm
    [8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00050.htm
    [9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00064.htm


    Video: Palestinian Groups' Vigil Asks Captors To Free Harmeet Sooden

    - Palestine groups held a vigil in Aotea Square in central Auckland, New Zealand, on Monday to show the world that Harmeet Sooden (pictured left) and his fellow captors are peaceful men. Harmeet Sooden was a member of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and a friend to many in the group. SJP are calling on his captors to be merciful and release him and the other peace workers without harm. Harmeet is in Iraq solely for peaceful purposes and is passionate about taking an active role in giving humanitarian aid to the Iraqi people.Scoop Video.Scoop Video: Peace Vigil Asks Captors To Release Harmeet [1] ALSO:

  • Letter From Palestinian Leaders To Al-Jazeera [2]
  • Al-Jazeera Publishes NZ Palestine Leaders' Plea [3]
  • Mufti of Palestine Calls For Hostages Release [4]
  • For more click here... [5]

  • [1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00038.htm
    [2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00037.htm
    [3] - http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/EBF6D174-1C7F-470F-930B-BF53B6CFF0FB.htm
    [4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0512/S00088.htm
    [5] - #9


    Health: NZ Becomes The Prozac Nation -

    In 2005 prescribing of SSRIs grew by 9.7 percent, reaching an all-time high of 584,000 prescriptions. The drugs, such as fluoxetine, paroxetine and citalopram, have been subject to international scrutiny after new data linked them with an increased risk of suicide, particularly among adolescents. Medsafe, the New Zealand drug safety authority, issued advice to prescribers in September 2004, advising them of the increased risks and advising them to monitor patients. See... SSRI prescribing up 9.7 percent despite warnings [1]


    [1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0512/S00019.htm


    MORE HEADLINES:

  • AUT Media launches bimonthly magazine [1]
  • Gorse enemy gains strength [2]
  • PHARMAC: Spending on target, patient numbers growing [3]
  • Auckland’s smash hit musical of the year [4]
  • Bluff joins the Woosh network [5]

  • [1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0512/S00024.htm
    [2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0512/S00012.htm
    [3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0512/S00014.htm
    [4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0512/S00028.htm
    [5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0512/S00055.htm


    Human Rights Watch Cites Rice's Torture Claims Side-Step

    - In remarks at the start of a five-day trip to Europe, the U.S. Secretary of State mischaracterized the U.S. government’s “rendition” of terrorist suspects to make it appear lawful, Human Rights Watch said today. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the U.S. government had not transported detainees to other countries “for the purpose” of interrogation using torture, but she failed to mention that the United States has transported detainees to countries such as Egypt and Syria where it knows torture is commonplace. The Convention Against Torture, to which the United States is a party, outlaws such a practice. See... U.S.: Rice Miscasts Policy on Torture [1] ALSO:

  • USA: 800 secret CIA flights into and out of Europe [2]
  • Condoleezza Rice Remarks Upon Departure for Europe [3]
  • Condoleezza Rice En Route Berlin, Germany [4]
  • State Dept. Daily Press Briefing December 5, 2005 [5]
  • Torture Remains Widespread in China, says UN [6]

  • [1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0512/S00097.htm
    [2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0512/S00098.htm
    [3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0512/S00111.htm
    [4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0512/S00110.htm
    [5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0512/S00109.htm
    [6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0512/S00117.htm


    EU Block Moves Silently On Tougher Asylum Standards

    - A controversial European Union (EU) directive on asylum procedures adopted without discussion by the 25 EU member states in Brussels yesterday may lead to a serious downgrading of asylum standards in the EU and beyond, the United Nations refugee agency reports. See... EU Asylum Procedures: Bad for Refugees? [1]


    [1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0512/S00116.htm


    MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

  • Iraq: US Propaganda Campaign & “Stooge Journalism” [1]
  • Chavez’s Party Wins 68% of Seats in Venezuela [2]
  • Peru/Chile: Fujimori facing justice [3]
  • Côte d'Ivoire: UN calls for harmful impunity's end [4]
  • Brazilians Mourn a Wounded President [5]
  • [1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0512/S00112.htm
    [2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0512/S00105.htm
    [3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0512/S00099.htm
    [4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0512/S00095.htm
    [5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0512/S00089.htm

    -----------

    SCOOP COLUMNS


    ------------

    Dennis Hans: Insights On The Naming Of CIA Analysts

    - Bob Woodward is Valerie Plame. Granted, he has a few more lines in his face and a less captivating hairdo, but in one very important sense he is indeed she: Both have job classifications or titles, or perceived job titles, that have little to do with their actual work, and this has led to a great deal of confusion among the news media and citizenry. See... Dennis Hans: Bob Woodward is Valerie Plame… [1]


    [1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00066.htm


    Sam Smith: Hillary Clinton's Israel Conundrum

    - SAM SMITH - History has a way of coming up with the wrong things at the wrong time. For example, just as Hillary Clinton is gearing up for her 2008 presidential run, increasing numbers of Democrats are diverging from her on Iraq. See... Sam Smith: The Democrats' Israeli Conundrum [1] RELATED:

  • David Swanson - Progressive Primary Challenge to Hilary Launched [2]

  • [1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00064.htm
    [2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00057.htm


    Ray McGovern Critiques The President's Latest Iraq Speech

    - He says "victory." But the bromide-heavy speech that President George W. Bush gave yesterday at the Naval Academy presents a clear strategy for quagmire and eventual disaster. See... Bush Speech Offers "Clear Strategy" For Disaster? [1]


    [1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00061.htm


    Thomas Friedman in Stripped Trousers, Silk Stockings and Garters

    - If Michael Ignatieff is anything, it's connected, and I do not mean just to the relatively small establishment of Canada, I mean connected to the shadowy godfathers of world empire. Ignatieff has a rich career in America where truly loyal service, whether by natural or adopted sons, is always handsomely rewarded. See... Canada's Prince Of Darkness, Michael Ignatieff [1]


    [1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00060.htm


    MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:

  • Uri Avnery - The Giant's Daughter [1]
  • Mary Pitt - The Shameful Blasphemy Of The Religious Right [2]
  • Norma Sherry - What Have They Done To My Song? [3]
  • Remi Kanazi - Tea for Two [4]
  • Norman Solomon - US Media Dodging Air War in Iraq [5]
  • William Rivers Pitt - Don't Let It Bring You Down [6]
  • Jay Shaft IV - Iraq Vet: 'Iraq Took Away Our Innocence!' [7]
  • William Fisher - The Unintended Consequences Of Fake News [8]
  • Bill Berkowitz - Crony In The Bird Flu Seat [9]
  • Jason Leopold - Criminal Trial On CA Energy Crisis May Start Soon [10]
  • William Fisher - Katrina Red Tape [11]
  • Narconews - Friedsky: Coca Cookies and Constitutional Dreams [12]
  • William Fisher - The Price Of Payola News [13]

  • [1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00065.htm
    [2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00063.htm
    [3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00062.htm
    [4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00059.htm
    [5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00058.htm
    [6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00056.htm
    [7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00055.htm
    [8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00053.htm
    [9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00044.htm
    [10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00043.htm
    [11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00052.htm
    [12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00049.htm
    [13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00051.htm

    -----------

    OTHER NEWS (JUST POLITICS)


    ------------

    PM To Attend East-Asia Leader's Summit

    - Prime Minister Helen Clark will attend the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Kuala Lumpur on 14 December. The Summit brings together for the first time leaders from the ten Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) countries, ASEAN+3 (China, Japan and the Republic of Korea) and Australia, New Zealand, and India. Helen Clark said that the New Zealand government welcomes the development of outward-looking and inclusive regional structures, and looks forward to playing a constructive role in the Summit. See... Prime Minister to attend East Asia Summit [1]


    [1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00061.htm


    Industry: Statistics NZ Reports Labour Cost Increase Trend

    - Labour costs rose 2.7 percent from the June 2004 quarter to the June 2005 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today. This increase follows a 1.8 percent increase in the year to the June 2004 quarter. (Image courtesy of SupersizeMyPay.Com [1] ) See... Labour Costs Rise [2] ALSO:

  • SuperSizeMyPay Supports Health Worker Strike [3]
  • Union Finally Meets With Members Following Tragedy [4]

  • [1] - http;//www.supersizemypay.com
    [2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0512/S00059.htm
    [3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0512/S00017.htm
    [4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0512/S00058.htm


    Foreign Affairs: PM Welcomes Turkey's PM To New Zealand

    - Scoop Report: Kevin List reports that today the Prime Minister Helen Clark held a joint press conference with her Turkish counterpart the Prime Minister of Turkey, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan. A large Turkish media contingent seemed to want to traverse the vexed subject of divided Cyprus. See... Cyprus Crops Up On Turkish PM's Visit (With Press Conference Audio) [1] ALSO:

  • No Right Turn Heralds Turkey's Human Rights Record [2]
  • PM Address at New Zealand/Turkey Business Seminar [3]
  • Address at State Luncheon for the PM of Turkey [4]
  • Lincoln University - Turkish PM introduced to NZ argicultural expertise [5]

  • [1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00033.htm
    [2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0512/S00030.htm
    [3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00058.htm
    [4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00056.htm
    [5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0512/S00022.htm


    POLITICAL HEADLINES:

  • Govt - Volunteer Day: Honorary fisheries officers thanked [1]
  • Govt - Parker to attend climate change summit in Montreal [2]
  • [1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00062.htm
    [2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0512/S00059.htm

    © Scoop Media

     
     
     
    Top Scoops Headlines

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Join Our Free Newsletter

    Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.