Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Tuesday, 9 December 2003, 4:38 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Scoop Is In The House
LEAD STORY:
Scoop in Nigeria – An Empire On The Brink
Floating Interest Rates Start To Rise
NZ NEWS HEADLINES:
Chomsky: Of Course The War Was About Iraq's Resources
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News Is There!
SRA Commentary: The US Presidential Election
John Roughan On Solomon's Youth
Big News: What Sort Of Family Would You Choose?
Robert Mann Responds To Pro-GE "Propaganda" On Scoop
David Miller Online: Commonwealth Better Off Without Mugabe
The Making Of A President
Critics Charge FBI Spying on Peace Groups Chills Free Speech
Catherine Austin Fitts: Show Me The Money
Daily Katya Rivas

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Jeanette Fitzsimons Off The Hook
National & ACT Join Complementary Healthcare Decision Outrage
Mark Burton Talks Tourism
GoProcure Pilot Completed
New ERA Judges For Auckland
Govt Moves Against 'P' Ingredients And 'P' Pipes
Dunne Hops Onboard School Closure Bandwagon
Teen Stripper In CYF Care Draws Smith Complaint
More NZers Are Online
Dunne Claims Find Of Proof Of Nandor's Ignorance
Differing Opinions On Meaning Of Cervical Cancer Report

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/features/?s=fc
“Welcome to Nigeria! Thank you."
Scoop Feature - Selwyn Manning reports from Abuja, Nigeria.

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TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS

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Scoop Is In The House

– For today’s questions for oral answer see... Questions for Oral Answer - Tuesday, 9 December [1] . Come back this evening for the uncorrected transcript of the answers.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0312/S00192.htm

LEAD STORY:
Scoop in Nigeria – An Empire On The Brink

- Nowhere is Commonwealth impotence more apparent than at this year’s CHOGM in Nigeria. The real Nigeria, the real Commonwealth, is here for all who choose to see it. One only needs not to turn away. But then, it is not pleasant, it challenges the senses. It dirties the shoes and makes one think. See... FULL COVERAGE: Scoop in Nigeria Feature page... Updates From Abuja: - Zimbabwe Pulls Out Of Commonwealth [1] - Zimbabwe Remains Suspended From Commonwealth [2] - Symbols Of Commonwealth Irrelevancy [3] - Images - Denis Marshall: Wake Me Up Before You Go Go… [4] - Images - Photo Essay: Nigeria – Hub Of African Humanity [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0312/S00079.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0312/S00068.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0312/S00067.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0312/S00066.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0312/S00065.htm

Floating Interest Rates Start To Rise

- The Bank of New Zealand today announced a small increase in its variable rate for residential mortgages. The increase will affect about one third of Bank of New Zealand mortgage customers. See... Small Increase In Variable Mortgage Rate [1] and ASB Bank Increases Variable Home Loan Rate [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0312/S00079.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0312/S00087.htm

NZ NEWS HEADLINES:

Large October Deficit Confirmed [1]

Auckland Real Estate Market Eases Slightly [2]

Once Were Warriors Musical Tour Coming [3]

Strike notice issued on Capital’s DHB [4]

Tizard: Set A Christmas Budget - And Stick To It [5]

Avoid Pets' Summer Holiday Suffering [6]

Fishery Officers Pressured On Treaty Issues [7]

NEW BOOK: NZ Votes: The General Election of 2002 [8]

Activist Offers NZ SIS Assistance With Video [9]

Chomsky: Of Course The War Was About Iraq's Resources

- "They didn't decide to invade Eastern Congo where there's much worse massacres going on. Of course it was Iraq's energy resources. It's not even a question. Iraq's one of the major oil producers in the world. It has the second largest reserves and it's right in the heart of the Gulf's oil producing region, which US intelligence predicts is going to be two thirds of world resources in coming years." See... Noam Chomsky: Of Course It Was About Resources [1] MORE CHOMSKY: - First 10 Noam Chomsky Book Draw Winners [2] - Meditations: Reflections on Chomsky's Perspective [3] - Click Here To Subscribe To My Scoop And Be In To Win One Of 10 Remaining Copies Of Hegemony or Survival [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0312/S00085.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0312/S00076.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0312/S00063.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/cgi-bin/newsagent/new_user.cgi?form=home

INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

State Dept. Daily Press Briefing for Dec.8 [1]

Libya: Time To Break Silence On Mansour Al-Kikhiya [2]

Gush Shalom Update - Demo Against The Wall + More [3]

Dec 10 Press Conf. Vs Police Brutality At 2004 RNC [4]

New Symbol To Express Concern About Climate Change [5]

Russian Ratification Of The Kyoto Protocol [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0312/S00054.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0312/S00052.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0312/S00051.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0312/S00050.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0312/S00049.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0312/S00048.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News Is There!

- It's exactly a year since the Auckland City Council sold half its shares in Auckland Airport, allowing the mayor, John Banks, to brag incessantly that the council was debt-free. The council got $4.90 for its 38 million shares. Last night they closed at $6.85... See... Public Address 09/12/03 - Local Bodycount [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0312/S00090.htm

SRA Commentary: The US Presidential Election

- Last week the American government announced that it would drop the tariffs on steel that it imposed in early 2002. The move was welcomed in Europe and Japan. The 11th hour move by the US was simply an acknowledgement of the inevitable. See... SRA Commentary: Made In China - Election 2004 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0312/S00086.htm

John Roughan On Solomon's Youth

- Solomon Islands five-year period of Social Unrest, 1998-2003, profoundly affected many aspects of island life. See... John Roughan: Our Youth, Nation Builders! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0312/S00089.htm

Big News: What Sort Of Family Would You Choose?

- Most Members of Parliament were brought up by their mum and dad and it served them well. Most, if not all MP's who are raising kids are in households headed by both parents - by choice. See... Would You Choose To Live In A Sole Parent Family? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0312/S00088.htm

Robert Mann Responds To Pro-GE "Propaganda" On Scoop

- The 10-11-03 rave on Scoop 'GE witch hunts ' by Lance Kennedy , also promulgated by the NZ "Life Sciences" propaganda agency , sets new records for misleading promotion of GM food (GMF). Here I correct some of Lance Kennedy's worst errors. See... GM PR Spreading Falsehoods Thicker & Faster [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0312/S00087.htm

David Miller Online: Commonwealth Better Off Without Mugabe

- Although the departure of Zimbabwe has caused a rift within the Commonwealth and cast a long shadow over the leader’s forum, the organisation should not mourn. See... David Miller: Better Off Without Mugabe [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0312/S00084.htm

The Making Of A President

- Cartoon By John Chuckman see... Chuckman Cartoon: The Origins Of The POTUS [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0312/S00083.htm

Critics Charge FBI Spying on Peace Groups Chills Free Speech

- Interview with Barbara Olshansky, attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights conducted by Scott Harris. See... FBI Spying on Peace Groups Chills Free Speech [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0312/S00082.htm

Catherine Austin Fitts: Show Me The Money

- By popular demand ... over the last few months we've greatly enhanced the Where is the Money? Website at http://whereisthemoney.org ! See... Real Deal: New, Improved Whereisthemoney.Org! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0312/S00081.htm

Daily Katya Rivas

- My children, so disturbed because of the uncertainty, why have you lost your trust in your God? See... Katya Rivas: Let Nothing Distract You nor Confuse [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0312/S00080.htm

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OTHER NEWS (JUST POLITICS)

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Jeanette Fitzsimons Off The Hook

- Green Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons has announced the PR firm Communications Trumps (now known as Four Winds Communications) has today dropped the legal action it brought against her in 1999. See... GE Salmon legal action dropped [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0312/S00178.htm

National & ACT Join Complementary Healthcare Decision Outrage

- The National Party is attacking the Health Minister's decision to push ahead with a trans-Tasman agency to regulate complementary healthcare products. See... King ignores warning on trans-Tasman health agency [1] MORE: - ACT - Labour's Arrogance Beyond Contempt [2] - Health Cmttee - Trans-Tasman agency to regulate therapeutic products [3] EARLIER: - Greens - Govt surrenders $200m industry to Australia [4] - EMA - Therapeutics Decision Cuts Choice, Ramps Up Costs [5] - Greens - Government jumps the gun on year-long inquiry [6] - NZ First - Minister Mocks Democratic Process [7]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0312/S00193.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0312/S00198.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0312/S00185.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0312/S00166.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0312/S00073.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0312/S00112.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0312/S00116.htm

Mark Burton Talks Tourism

- I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of you here at Waikato University today at this important conference. I am especially delighted to see such a large contingent of international delegates and presenters. Truly, this is tourism at work. See... "Taking Tourism to the Limits" Conference [1] More Speechifying: - The myth of whanau? - John Tamihere speech [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0312/S00196.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0312/S00181.htm

GoProcure Pilot Completed

- State Services Minister Trevor Mallard announced today the completion of GoProcure, the trial of an online procurement system that allowed government agencies to access suppliers' goods and services through one electronic transaction 'hub'. See... Government e-procurement trial concludes [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0312/S00195.htm

New ERA Judges For Auckland

- Aucklander Leon Robinson and Vicki Campbell of Hamilton have been appointed to the Employment Relations Authority in Auckland for three-year terms, Labour Minister Margaret Wilson announced today. See... New Employment Relations Authority members [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0312/S00199.htm

Govt Moves Against 'P' Ingredients And 'P' Pipes

- Tougher penalties on importers of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine have been agreed by Cabinet this week along with a prohibition on the importation of "P" pipes, Jim Anderton said today. See... Coalition Moves Against Importers Of Ephedrine [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0312/S00194.htm

Dunne Hops Onboard School Closure Bandwagon

- The Government needs to do away with its "slash and burn" approach to school closures and get more creative in rationalising schools in some communities, United Future leader Peter Dunne said today. See... 'Slash and burn' school closures sell NZ short [1] and Time for Government to listen to parents [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0312/S00190.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0312/S00191.htm

Teen Stripper In CYF Care Draws Smith Complaint

- Nelson MP Nick Smith has laid a formal complaint with the Children's Commissioner over a 15-year-old girl in the care of Child Youth and Family who was found working as a stripper during the weekend. See... Complaint Over CYF Care Of Teen Stripper [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0312/S00189.htm

More NZers Are Online

- State Services Minister Trevor Mallard today welcomed the results of a comprehensive international survey that indicates New Zealanders are leading the world in their use of the Internet. See... Kiwis lead the world in Internet use - survey [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0312/S00188.htm

Dunne Claims Find Of Proof Of Nandor's Ignorance

- United Future leader Peter Dunne today ended a three-day wait for Greens drugs spokesman Nandor Tanczos to "accept, reject, tell porkies about, or in any way acknowledge" the 25-year Christchurch School of Medicine study showing cannabis is a gateway to harder drugs. See... 25-Year Study Versus Nandor's Shared Ignorance [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0312/S00183.htm

Differing Opinions On Meaning Of Cervical Cancer Report

The National Cervical Screening Programme is still not up to scratch, says National's Health spokeswoman Dr Lynda Scott. See... Cervical Screening Programme not up to scratch [1] MORE: - Govt - Good report card for National Cervical Screening [2] - Advisory Group - Expert Advisory Group Welcome Balanced Report [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0312/S00179.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0312/S00174.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0312/S00053.htm

ENDS

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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