Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Monday, 29 March 2004, 4:42 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY:
State Owned Generator Meridian Gives Up On Project Aqua
Govt’s Proposed Draconian Passport Law Change Pressured By USA
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Dead and Wounded Counted in Palestine Territories
INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Stateside: Where Rosalea Crosses The Pacific
John Roughan Crosses Pens With The Solomons PM
Aziz Choudry On Thailand's US FTA Bid
ZZZZzzzzzt: Scoop Has Feedback
Public Address: Fiona Rae & More Is There!
Kidd Millennium: The War One Year On
Two Poems About The Holy Land
UQ Wire: 9/11 Truth Movement Making Hay On Both Coasts
Daily Katya Rivas Meditations

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Prebble's Letter Punts On A Nelson Byelection
Nick Smith Defers Resignation Decision
Ministers Should Explain Pimp Rapist's Parole
Brownlee Tells MTS To Enjoy The Airwaves While They Can
Tax Changes Explained
East Timor's First NZ Ambassador Presents His Credentials
Muriel Newman Looks Forward To Open Family Court
Army Buys Pinzgauer Light In Bulk
Money For At Risk Kids
Marion Hobbs Heads For Korean Enviro-Conflab
United Pledge To Fight Civil Unions Law
Simon Power Is Talking About His Generation

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0403/S00633.htm
NZ's First East Timorese Ambassador

LEAD STORY:
State Owned Generator Meridian Gives Up On Project Aqua

- Meridian Energy has today announced it will not continue with Project Aqua, its hydro development project on the Lower Waitaki river. See... Meridian announces stop to Project Aqua [1] REACTION: - Rockgas - Canterbury needs to use gas as alternative [2] - EPMU - Union calls for assurance over power supply [3] - Govt. - Meridian’s Early Decision Allows Adjustment [4] - National - Direction needed from Govt over power generation [5] - ACT - RMA Spells The End For Project Aqua [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0403/S00190.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0403/S00328.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0403/S00329.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00637.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00638.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00639.htm

Govt’s Proposed Draconian Passport Law Change Pressured By USA

- Green MP Keith Locke is worried about the Prime Minister's comments yesterday that passport rules are being changed under pressure from the United States. See... Clark's comments on passports disturb Locke [1] ALSO: - Greens - Passports changes pose citizenship rights threats [2] - NZ First - Tighten Citizenship Laws Further Says Peters [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00629.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00615.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00628.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0403/S00120.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0403/S00187.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0403/S00115.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0403/S00160.htm

Dead and Wounded Counted in Palestine Territories

- GAZA, Palestine - - Palestinian State Information Service (SIS) confirmed that the Palestinian death toll during 42 months of the Intifada has climbed to 3,045 as 38,000 others have been wounded by Israeli occupying forces (IOF) throughout Palestinian cities, towns, villages and refugee camps. See... Palestine: 3045 Killed 38,000 Wounded in 42 Months [1] ALSO: Palestine PM Qurei: Meeting with Sharon Unlikely [2] - Seven-Year-Old Boy Killed By Israeli Soldiers [3] - Targeted killings contradict Jewish values [4] - Discrimination Before Birth [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00381.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00382.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00376.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00374.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00373.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00380.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00375.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00372.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00371.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00354.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Stateside: Where Rosalea Crosses The Pacific

- Which of these billboard statements is the odd one out? ''Sofa and Love $499'', ''Jesus saves from hell'', and ''Get horny again''. See... Stateside: Bright Light, Big City [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00314.htm

John Roughan Crosses Pens With The Solomons PM

- The author who penned the PM's response (it certainly didn't come from the PM . . . probably from some accountant or other) against my initial Our Shadow Government misses the point completely. See... John Roughan: Our Shadow Government (Round 2) [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00313.htm

Aziz Choudry On Thailand's US FTA Bid

- Every time I visit Bangkok I see it. "Power is nothing without control" reads an advertising billboard for a transnational tyre company near Chulalongkorn University. This February, Pirelli’s slogan summed up the US philosophy for its proposed bilateral free trade and investment agreement with Thailand. See... Fighting the US-Thailand Free Trade Agreement [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00306.htm

ZZZZzzzzzt: Scoop Has Feedback

- N THIS EDITION: To Robert Higgs, re: "Is Bush Unhinged?" - Sol Salbe on ''Passion'' film - Cost of the Iraq war - Hypocrisy In The Bay Of Islands - Where to from here? - Human Rights Should Not Be Taken For Granted - Fight For Land And Rights… And Much more… See... Scoop Feedback: A Full Book Of News & Views [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00316.htm

Public Address: Fiona Rae & More Is There!

- Salon.com's Heather Havrilesky recently held a Fix 24 contest; the top six entries included the gem: "Two words: musical episode." Sadly, Jack's unlikely to break out into song ("Regrets, I've had a few ..."), he's wrecked his ... See... Public Address 29/03/04 - Flashback And Back [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00315.htm

Kidd Millennium: The War One Year On

- Cartoon by kiddmillennium.com… See... Kidd Millennium Cartoon: Anniversity [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00311.htm

Two Poems About The Holy Land

- Sonia Nettnin: Poem - Caged Birds Sing for Jenin [1] and Poem: America's Dark Passage into Israel's Hell [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00310.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00309.htm

UQ Wire: 9/11 Truth Movement Making Hay On Both Coasts

- The opening press conference Friday of the International Inquiry into 9-11 was the subject of articles in the following Bay Area newspapers this morning: See... UQ Wire: Press Coverage of 9-11 Inquiry in SF [1] . Meanwhile 911 Truth has also been making serious inroads in Washington D.C. See... UQ Wire: Brief On Press Conference & 9/11 Hearings [2] . See also... Chuckman Cartoon: Bush Response To 9/11 [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00384.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00383.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00312.htm

Daily Katya Rivas Meditations

- Look with what cruelty these hardened men surround Me. Some pull the Cross and lay it on the ground; others tear off My clothes that adhere to the wounds that open again and blood oozes out. See... Katya Rivas: Jesus Is Nailed To The Cross [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00308.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0403/S00164.htm
Karen Hay Wins Sargeson Fellowship

Prebble's Letter Punts On A Nelson Byelection

- Nick Smith has told his colleagues he won’t submit to a Duynhoven-type humiliating privileges committee hearing. He wants to clear his name. Two High Court judges have in effect accused him of lying under oath when they did not accept the MP’s version of a telephone conversation. See... The Letter - Monday 29 March 2004 [1] & a Prebble Speech… Has ACT got an act? [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00635.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00636.htm

Nick Smith Defers Resignation Decision

- Nelson MP Nick Smith has deferred his decision on how to respond to the contempt of court conviction brought down by the High Court in Wellington last Wednesday. See... Nick Smith defers decision and seeks clear ruling [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00627.htm

Ministers Should Explain Pimp Rapist's Parole

- ACT New Zealand Justice Spokesman Stephen Franks today demanded that Justice Minister Phil Goff and Corrections Minister Paul Swain front up and explain just what Gary Maui Isherwood was doing out on the streets only four years after his eight-year sentence. See... Innocents Pay For Minister's Parole Blunder [1] and Parole Board Also Guilty In Isherwood Case - Mark [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00642.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00617.htm

Brownlee Tells MTS To Enjoy The Airwaves While They Can

- The National Party wishes those running the Maori Television Service (MTS) every success, yet we make no commitment to continued funding, says Gerry Brownlee, National's Maori Affairs Spokesman. See... Brownlee wishes MTS all the best [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00612.htm

Tax Changes Explained

- A tax bill aligning New Zealand’s venture capital tax rules more closely with those of Australia was introduced to Parliament today. See... Tax change aids venture capital investment [1] and Loophole closed on sale and lease of trademarks [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00641.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00640.htm

East Timor's First NZ Ambassador Presents His Credentials

- His Excellency Mr Jorge da Conceicao Teme, Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, receives a formal welcome at Government House today where he presented his credentials to the Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright. See... Formal welcome for Ambassador of East Timor [1] and The First Ambassador Of Timor-Leste To New Zealand [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00633.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0403/S00189.htm

Muriel Newman Looks Forward To Open Family Court

- ACT New Zealand Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today reiterated her call for all political parties to throw their support behind her Private Members Bill to open up the New Zealand Family Court. See... No More Obstacles To Family Court Openness [1] MORE: - ACT - ACT Welcomes Judge Boshier's Call For Open Court [2] - National - Public scrutiny essential to justice [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00632.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00618.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00611.htm

Army Buys Pinzgauer Light In Bulk

- The purchase of 188 new Pinzgauer Light Operational Vehicles is signed, sealed, and soon to be delivered to the New Zealand Defence Force. See... Another major step in re-equipping our forces [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00630.htm

Money For At Risk Kids

- Education Minister Trevor Mallard is delighted that a Christchurch school is receiving $65,000 for an innovative new project to work with at risk students. See... Funding innovative approach to at risk children [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00625.htm

Marion Hobbs Heads For Korean Enviro-Conflab

- Environment Minister Marian Hobbs leaves tomorrow to attend two international environmental meetings in Jeju, Republic of Korea. See... Minister attends international environment forums [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00624.htm

United Pledge To Fight Civil Unions Law

- United Future leader Peter Dunne today used an Auckland conference on political correctness to launch the party's campaign to scuttle the Civil Unions Bill. See... United Future to fight Civil Unions Bill [1] , Peter Dunne Speech - Political Correctness [2] and ‘Pink Think’ dogmatism bringing Labour down [3] MORE: - Rainbow Labour - Civil Unions A Modern Approach For Kiwi Couples [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00623.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00622.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00607.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0403/S00191.htm

Simon Power Is Talking About His Generation

- I have a lot to live up to. Rotary addresses have become somewhat renowned over recent months. See... Simon Power - New Zealand For My Generation [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00620.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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