Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Friday, 20 August 2004, 5:18 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY: Global UN Ceremonies Mark Anniversary Of Iraq Terror Attack
SKY TV and INL Announce Merger Talks
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Amnesty International To Observe Guantanamo Military Hearings
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:
STORY OF THE WEEK: UK Polling Firm Violates Ethics In Venezuelan Election

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News Is There!
Spring in Auckland Photo Essay
Fighting Talk In The Listener
More Musings On the Muesli King's Mayoral Ambitions
Iraq War And Oil
Energy Policies And War
The Olympics And Soft Porn
Bad Times In The USA Since 2000

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Candidates Get Ready To Rumble In Local Govt Elections
Ryall Flays Govt Over Sex-Offender Program
The View From The 9th Floor
Dunne Takes The Middle Road On Brash Gaffe
Impoverished Doctors Hit The Patient In the Pocketbook
Black-shirted Moral Guardians Head To The Capital

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00195.htm
Photo-Essay: Mt. Erebus Shadow: Winter Antarctica Fly-In Departs ChCh.

LEAD STORY:
Global UN Ceremonies Mark Anniversary Of Iraq Terror Attack

- With solemn words and mournful music, black ribbons and a silent march, the lighting of candles and the unveiling of plaques, the entire United Nations system today marked the first anniversary of the deadly terrorist attack on UN headquarters in Baghdad… See... Worldwide Ceremonies, UN Mourns Baghdad Victims [1] ALSO: One Year On, UN Wrestles With Security In Iraq [2] - UN Marks 1st Anniversary Of Deadly Terror Attack [3] - UN Iraq Envoy Hails Establishment Of Interim Council. [4] - Iraq: Kuwaiti Bodies From 1991 Returned Home [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00187.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00184.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00183.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00185.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00191.htm

SKY TV and INL Announce Merger Talks

- SKY Network Television Limited (SKY) and Independent Newspapers Limited (INL), owner of 78.3% of SKY, today announced that they have reached agreement in principle to progress discussion on a proposal to merge the two companies. See... SKY and INL announce merger discussions [1] ALSO: - SKY TV - Sky Television Announces Year End Results [2] - Telecom - Telecom Supports Potential Merger Of Sky And INL [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0408/S00245.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0408/S00250.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0408/S00246.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00193.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00349.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00189.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00188.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00194.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00177.htm
Amnesty International To Observe Guantanamo Military Hearings

Image: http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0401/S00030.htm
Flashback: Guantanamo Camp Delta: One Prisoner Returns Home

Amnesty International To Observe Guantanamo Military Hearings

- An Amnesty International delegate, Jumana Musa, will attend the preliminary hearings, scheduled to take place on 23 August, in the cases of four Guantánamo Bay detainees facing trial by military commission. See... Guantánamo: Amnesty to observe military hearings [1] ALSO: Guantánamo detainees: Update on review and trial [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00177.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00176.htm

INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00180.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00178.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00190.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00189.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00186.htm

STORY OF THE WEEK: UK Polling Firm Violates Ethics In Venezuelan Election

- The United States-based, British-owned, political consulting firm bearing the names of pollsters Mark Penn, Doug Schoen, and Michael Berland, committed a crime under Venezuelan election law on Sunday: It violated the law against releasing “exit poll” .. See... Inaccurate & Dishonest "Exit Poll" on Chávez Vote [1] and Scoop Link: Polling Firm's False Venezuela Results [2] See also… Story Of The Week: Hugo Chavez Wins [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00210.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00209.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00200.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News Is There!

- These are thoroughly confusing times. For years we were led to believe by women's magazines that Suzanne Paul was, like, really-really rich. But now we learn she's having to the flog the silverware to find a paltry $1.2 million... See... Public Address 20/08/04 - Resigned To It ... [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00203.htm

Spring in Auckland Photo Essay

- After a week of howling gales from the south, Aucklanders Awoke Today To Springtime In The City. Metservice weather forecasts suggest a mixed bag of weather for much of the country this weekend. - See... Winter Blows Out: Springtime Arrives To Auckland [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00204.htm

Fighting Talk In The Listener

- Astute readers of both Fighting Talk and the Listener's contents page may have noticed a FT-flavoured double team in this week's issue. If you haven't already bought and devoured (by which I mean 'read') a copy, check out the article Matt and I wrote . See... Fighting Talk - Philosophy And Full Of Me [1] ..

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00206.htm

More Musings On the Muesli King's Mayoral Ambitions

- In some of the best news the anti-John Banks brigade has had in a long time the muesli-millionaire Dick Hubbard has announced that he is entering the Mayoral race. See... Simon Pound: We Want Dick....... [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00205.htm

Iraq War And Oil

- Today, much of the world is convinced the Bush Administration did not wage war against Iraq and Saddam Hussein because of threat from weapons of mass destruction, nor from terror dangers. See... Global Research: Iraq and the Problem of Peak Oil [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00212.htm

Energy Policies And War

- ''Energy... is certainly linked to, or behind almost any international event, crisis. war, military adventure or environmental catastrophe that we are forced to witness almost any day,''.. See... Stan Goff: The Energy Crisis Is Here [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00211.htm

The Olympics And Soft Porn

- Playboy Magazine arrived in our mailbox yesterday. On the cover was a striking Olympiad in a rather demure bathing suit, but the promised story was far different. See... Norma Sherry: Girls Of The Olympics [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00202.htm

Bad Times In The USA Since 2000

- Has anybody made a study of just how many bad things have happened to this country in the last four years? See... Richard E. Walrath: The Center Cannot Hold [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00208.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00204.htm
Photo-Essay: Springtime Arrives In Auckland
Includes National Weather Forecast

Candidates Get Ready To Rumble In Local Govt Elections

- Time's up and 117 people have thrown their hats in the ring as candidates in the upcoming local government elections to be held on Saturday 9 October. Wellington & Hutt - Wellington City Council contenders throw hats into ring [1] - Wellington Regional Council candidates named [2] - Hutt City Council Candidates For 2004 Election [3] - Libertarianz Leader standing for WRC [4] Auckland - Auckland City nominated candidates [5] - Libertarianz Challenger For John Banks [6] - RAM Candidates Seek To End ARC Corporate Domination [7] - The NEW team to lead a NEW Auckland Regional CCil. [8] Christchurch - Candidates for CCC, community boards announced [9] - Canterbury District Health Board nominations [10] Bay of Plenty - Large number vie for regional council seats [11]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0408/S00177.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0408/S00175.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0408/S00192.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0408/S00184.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0408/S00191.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0408/S00185.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0408/S00178.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0408/S00186.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0408/S00190.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0408/S00188.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0408/S00179.htm

Ryall Flays Govt Over Sex-Offender Program

- National MP Tony Ryall is calling for a select committee investigation into the failure of the Government flagship child-sex offender programme. See... Child-sex Offender Programme Investigation Needed [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00349.htm

The View From The 9th Floor

- Cullen asks why Brash bags New Zealand - New moves to fill Pacific Island quotas More assistance to rebuild Afghanistan - Best youth Parliament yet - Drop in those leaving school with no qualifications See... See... See... Beehive Bulletin: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 [1] MORE: - Progressive Party Column: robson-on-politics 20 August [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00352.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00353.htm

Dunne Takes The Middle Road On Brash Gaffe

- United Future leader Peter Dunne says the various reactions to National leader Don Brash’s Australian article all miss the point. See... Brash reactions miss the point [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00351.htm

Impoverished Doctors Hit The Patient In the Pocketbook

- The Government's policies are pushing up the cost of visits to the doctor, says National's Health spokeswoman, Judith Collins. See... Govt policies push up the cost of doctors visits [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00350.htm

Black-shirted Moral Guardians Head To The Capital

- A final briefing has been held between EIE management and Wellington City officials including Council, Police, Parking and Buses to strategise for Monday's 'Enough is Enough' demonstration. See... Wgtn Braces For Monday's Enough is Enough Campaign [1] MORE: -Destiny Churches: "We've had Enough of Prostitution" [2] -Destiny Churches: Haka Sets the Scene for ‘Enough is Enough’ [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00191.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00190.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00189.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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