Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
National Radio 8am Bulletin
Solomon Coup x 2 – Fiji Coup – Indonesian Quake – Exporters On Dollar – Cannabis Reform – Russia/US Summit – General Pinochet
SOLOMON COUP: The foreign Minister Phil Goff has not ruled out sending police to the Solomon Islands. Goff says the situation is calm in the islands at present. Mr Goff says NZ will have to seriously consider the situation before committing police or army personnel. A team of officials from Australia and NZ are trying to facilitate a resolution to the crisis. Alexander Downer says there isn’t a lot that can be done.
SOLOMON COUP: Phone lines remain cut to the Solomon Islands this morning. Rebels took the PM hostage yesterday and raided a police armoury. At least 60 people have been killed in ethnic conflict on the island in recent months
FIJI COUP: There is a deadlock in negotiations in Fiji between rebel gunmen and the military. The Military have said they want Speight to release his hostages. The coup leaders say they want power transferred immediately to the Great Council of Chiefs and for them to make a decision.
INDONESIAN QUAKE: The Indonesian government has appealed for international assistance following a massive earthquake in Sumatra. More than 58 people have been killed and over 500 injured. The US Geological Survey estimate the quake at 7.8 on the Richter scale, Indonesian scientists put it at 7.3%.
EXPORTERS ON DOLLAR: Exporters say the windfall from a lower dollar is not as great as people might think. Some exporters say that the low dollar. The dollar has bounced back by a cent against the US Dollar over the weekend.
CANNABIS REFORM: A secondary school leader says the debate over marijuana is having a negative affect on students cannabis use. He says students are assuming there will be reform of the law and that therefore using cannabis is not a big deal.
RUSSIA US SUMMIT: The Russian President has suggested that Russia establish a joint Anti Ballistic Missile programme with NATO and the US. He has suggested that defences be deployed near the rogue states that are considered a threat.
GENERAL PINOCHET: A Chilean Court has confirmed it
will strip General Pinochet of immunity and that he will be
able to face trial for human rights abuses.
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.
Gordon Campbell: On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
Peter Dunne: Newshub And TVNZ Tip Of Media Iceberg
Harry Finch: Austerity – For And Against
Gordon Campbell: On Winston Peters’ Pathetic Speech At The UN
Binoy Kampmark: Flicker Of Hope, Biden’s Throwaway Lines On Assange
Media Matters NZ: Here We Go Again