Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Thursday, 10 April 2003, 4:34 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Air NZ-Qantas Deal Set To Be Declined
Air NZ Disappointed But Determined
No Surprises On Air NZ Deal For Cullen
The Mystery Of JessicaLynch.Org Is Solved
Satirical Images: George W. Bush The Actor
Babylon Express: Operation Limb Liberation
UQ Wire: Mohamed Atta's German Friends
Now That'll Learn 'Em Good
A Q&A On Total War With Noam Chomsky
RE: Ruth And Roger's Plans For The Liberation Of The NHS
The Road To Liberation Was Paved In Iraqi Blood
A Re-Run of Afghanistan Would Mean A Nightmare In Baghdad
William Rivers Pitt: The Longest Winter
Fear And Chaos Worsens Situation For Iraq’s Children
The Real Deal About Enron
HOT LINKS! Xtra Has Another Dumb Day!
Stateside: Rosalea's War Diary - Wednesday
Katya Rivas's Passion
Katya Rivas: New Messages For Holy Week

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)

Air NZ-Qantas Deal Set To Be Declined

- The Commerce Commission considers that an alliance between Air New Zealand and Qantas Airways Limited would not result in a net public benefit to New Zealanders, and on the basis of the information available, it would be likely to decline applications ... See... Commerce Act: Qantas & Air NZ draft determinations [1] ALSO: Qantas Air NZ Draft Determination - Exec. Summary [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0304/S00105.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0304/S00106.htm

Air NZ Disappointed But Determined

Air New Zealand is disappointed but not surprised at the negative views issued by the New Zealand Commerce Commission and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. Air New Zealand remains totally convinced that the Alliance is the best means… See... Air NZ Recommits To Pressing Case For Alliance [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0304/S00112.htm

No Surprises On Air NZ Deal For Cullen

- - QANTAS/AIR NZ DEAL FULL COVERAGE: Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today that the draft determinations from the regulatory authorities on both sides of the Tasman declining the Air New Zealand-Qantas deal as currently structured were to be expected. See... Air NZ – Qantas deal enters next stage of process [1] - Nats - Kiwi travellers triumph as Government deal crashes [2] - Greens - Keep that kangaroo out of the cockpit! [3] - United Future - Rejection of Air NZ-Qantas proposal welcomed [4] - CTU - Public Benefit Demands Job Guarantees [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0304/S00223.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0304/S00222.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0304/S00217.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0304/S00211.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0304/S00074.htm

The Mystery Of JessicaLynch.Org Is Solved

- Another day another inexplicable event on the world wide weirdness. This time we have the odd case of the prescient registration of an Internet Domain Name. See... Scoop Mystery: Inventing Private Lynch? Or Not… [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0304/S00102.htm

Satirical Images: George W. Bush The Actor

- The following set of images depicting U.S. President George W. Bush in a variety of starring roles was kindly sent to Scoop by a reader. The sources of the images are not known. Some you may have seen before, some you may not have seen… See... Scoop Images: GWB Goes To Hollywood [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0304/S00100.htm

Babylon Express: Operation Limb Liberation

- Baghdad: US military officials are hailing the liberation of a 12 year old Iraqi girl’s left foot from her leg as a “huge step forward” in winning the battle for the ‘hearts and minds’ of the Iraqi people. See... Scoop Satire: Iraqi Girl’s Foot Liberated From Leg [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0304/S00092.htm

UQ Wire: Mohamed Atta's German Friends

- A year-long MadCowMorningNews investigation has uncovered evidence that at least seven of Mohamed Atta's closest associates in Florida during the year leading up to the 9/11 attack were not Arab, but German. See... UQ Wire: 9/11 The German Connection [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0304/S00099.htm

Now That'll Learn 'Em Good

- Teach them a lesson they'll never forget. So goes the thinking in Texas-on-the-Potomac. And what a lesson it has been! They'll never mess with us again, nosirree Bob! See... Daniel Patrick Welch: Don't Mess With Texas [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0304/S00098.htm

A Q&A On Total War With Noam Chomsky

- Q: Does the present aggression on Iraq represent a continuation of United States' international policy in recent years or a qualitatively new stage in that policy? See... Iraq Is A Trial Run – Noam Chomsky [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0304/S00097.htm

RE: Ruth And Roger's Plans For The Liberation Of The NHS

- On Monday 7 April the right of centre think-tank Reform released a report claiming that the NHS, education, and transport services need to be “liberated” from bureaucracy. See... Reader Opinion: Roger And Ruth Do The NHS [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0304/S00096.htm

The Road To Liberation Was Paved In Iraqi Blood

- On March 31, soldiers from the US Army's 3rd Infantry Division stationed at a roadblock near the Iraqi towns of Najaf and Karbala opened fire on a car, killing 11 of the civilians inside. See... Green Left: Iraq - US Invaders Massacre Civilians [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0304/S00095.htm

A Re-Run of Afghanistan Would Mean A Nightmare In Baghdad

- When the United States "wins" the war in Iraq, the Bush administration and war advocates, ranging from the naively idealistic neocons to former pseudo-lefties like Nat Hentoff, better hope it's not the kind of victory enjoyed in Afghanistan. See... Matthew Riemer: Winning Isn't Everything [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0304/S00094.htm

William Rivers Pitt: The Longest Winter

- There is a US Army chaplain in Iraq named Josh Llano, hailing originally from Houston, who is tending his flock in the desert outside Najaf.. He has in his possession a 500-gallon pool of pure, clean water. See... UQ Wire: The Longest Winter [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0304/S00093.htm

Fear And Chaos Worsens Situation For Iraq’s Children

- AMMAN/ NEW YORK - UNICEF issued a warning today that despite significant progress in humanitarian cross-border trucking operations, early attempts by UNICEF to reach Iraqi children and women were being significantly hampered by what it called "a residue of fear and chaos." See... UNICEF: worsening situation for Iraqi children [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0304/S00155.htm

The Real Deal About Enron

- "I have been told that the congressional audit teams have preserved some settlement system records. However, I am skeptical. The proof is in the pudding. A year has passed. Where is the money? The failure to assert control of the records and money for this length of time can only be a cover up." – Catherine Austin Fitts. See... The Real Deal About Enron (Part 4) – Interview [1] EARLIER: Introduction - Part 1 [2] - Interview - Part 2 [3] - Part 3 [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0304/S00088.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0304/S00031.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0304/S00035.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0304/S00063.htm

HOT LINKS! Xtra Has Another Dumb Day!

- Oh dear, this is a story that just won't die -- I refer of course to the disastrous way in which Xtra has mismanaged the introduction of a new, very badly implemented Service Terms agreement. Xtra: Criticism ist Verboten [1] and Another clause for concern with Xtra's terms and conditions. EARLIER: - Aardvark: Xtra's Dumbest Ever Move [2] - Has Xtra Goofed Again? - Look Before You Click [3]

[1] - http://www.aardvark.co.nz/daily/2003/0409.shtml
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0304/S00062.htm
[3] - http://www.aardvark.co.nz/daily/2003/0408.shtml

Stateside: Rosalea's War Diary - Wednesday

- For those who haven't seen it on-line, here is the last paragraph of Michael Kelly's column in the Atlantic Monthly, which I referred to yesterday. It's in today's "For the record" section of theatlantic.com... See... Stateside with Rosalea: Custard, anyone? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0304/S00089.htm

Katya Rivas's Passion

- I see My Son, trembling in the shadows of Gethsemane, coming down from Heaven and taking the shape and substance of My creature, who thought and still thinks he can rebel against his Creator. See... Katya Rivas: God The Father [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0304/S00090.htm

Katya Rivas: New Messages For Holy Week

-This email was received here two days ago. It contains three new messages for Holy Week relayed via the Bolivian Mystic Katya Rivas (a.k.a Catalina Arce). For English readers the bad news is that the messages have not yet been translated into English. See... Katya Rivas: New Messages For Holy Week [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0304/S00091.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0304/S00086.htm
PHOTO STORY: Goldie Gets A Gong

Wellington You Are Invited To A Peace March: Saturday

- A massive anti-war protest through the streets of Wellington on Saturday, April 12, starting with a rally at Civic Square at 12pm going past the Ministry of Defence and ending at Parliament See... Wellington Peace March This Weekend - April 12 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0304/S00072.htm

Tearaway Gags On McDonald’s Mag-Ban

- In a press release to the media yesterday Liam Jeory, the Director of Corporate Relations of McDonald’s Restaurants, said ‘some restaurants’ were banning the edition because of its ‘sexuality’ content, and because there was a competition giving away condoms ... See... Has TEARAWAY Magazine gone ‘too far’? [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0304/S00111.htm

McDonald’s Ban Has Tim Spewing

- Tim Barnett, Member of Parliament for Christchurch Central, today demanded that McDonald’s drop a de facto ban on “Tearaway” youth magazine, imposed after the magazine featured an article on lesbian and gay youth. See... MP calls for McDonald’s to get real [1] - Greens - Burger chain chomps into teen free speech [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0304/S00205.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0304/S00219.htm

Govt Details Work Stoppage Statistics

- Work stoppage figures for the December 2002 quarter were some of the lowest seen under the Employment Relations Act in terms of person-days and wages lost, Labour Minister Margaret Wilson said today. See... December quarter losses low [1] ALSO: - Nats - The Government's foolish plan to give unions more power looks even worse in light of today's statistics showing a rising number work stoppages for the third year in a row, says National. Statistics out today show that there were 46 work stoppages ... See... Third year of rising work stoppages [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0304/S00209.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0304/S00221.htm

Brash: Business Confidence Slump Worst in 18 Years

- The sharp fall in business confidence in the NZIER March survey reflects the damaging consequences of the Government's policies on New Zealand's growth prospects, says National's Finance spokesman, Don Brash. See... Business confidence slumps to 1985 levels [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0304/S00220.htm

Mallard Spins Literacy Report

- New Zealand primary school children have maintained a consistently high standard in reading over the past decade according to the results of two international studies conducted in 2001, Education Minister Trevor Mallard said today. See... Strong Int literacy results for kiwi kids [1] REACTION:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0304/S00200.htm

Robson Concerned Over Low Literacy

- A ranking of second worst among English speaking countries for our kids’ reading ability is of grave concern, Progressive MP Matt Robson said. See... Literacy results great concern [1] ALSO: - Nats -Mallard buries his head in the sand on literacy [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0304/S00216.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0304/S00210.htm

Franks Wants Referendum On Privy Council

- ACT is promoting a cross party movement of MPs to press for a referendum on the abolition of our rights of appeal to the Privy Council. ACT Justice Spokesman Stephen Franks today wrote to political parties asking for their support for a citizens-initiated ... See... NZers Must Decide If Privy Council Stays or Goes [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0304/S00215.htm

ACT Tax Campaign Kicks Off

- ACT New Zealand is today launching its Tax Campaign for the 2003 Budget, Leader Richard Prebble said. See... ACT New Zealand Launches Tax Campaign [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0304/S00214.htm

Ruth’s Protecting The Aged

- Senior Citizens Minister Ruth Dyson has announced a package of initiatives to improve the protection of older people from abuse. They include evaluating current elder abuse and neglect prevention services, holding a forum of key stakeholders, and nominating ... See... Improved measures to prevent elder abuse [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0304/S00213.htm

Questions Of The Day

- 1. SUE KEDGLEY to the Minister for Food Safety: Did New Zealand support mandatory country of origin labelling for food at this week’s Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council meeting, and will she be implementing this policy ... See... Questions For Oral Answer - Thursday, 10 April 200 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0304/S00212.htm

AG Releases Law Commission Report Into Family Court

- The report will be tabled in parliament on today, and the Government will respond formally within six months. See... Law Commission reports on Family Court [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0304/S00206.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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