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Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Thursday, 25 September 2003, 6:30 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY:
NZ’s Current Account Deficit A Broad Trough
Falling Immigration Numbers Threaten NZ Economy
NEW ZEALAND NEWS HEADLINES:
Bush Draws Germany Into US-Camp
U.S. Excludes North Korea From New York Nuke Summit
INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES :

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News On Paul Holmes + Public Address
Scoop Feedback: Time For Holmes To Hang Up His Mic
The Real Deal: Alternatives to Endless War
Tony Baldwin: The New Electricity Commission
Streets Of London: The Hutton Inquiry
Reservist Pilots Join Israel's Refuseniks
Satire: Either You Are "With Us" Or You Are "Agin' Us"
John Pilger: The Big Lie - Proof
Daily Katya Rivas

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Political Correctness At Otago Uni. Decried
Immigration Dip Claims Ridiculous - Minister
Maharey Gobsmacked By Nat's State House Concern
Goon Squad Inquiry Needed Now
Govt. Position On Foreshore As Clear As Mud
Copeland Seeks To Straighten His Record On Housing
Winston Pays Tribute To Sir Apirana Ngata
Cracking Down On P
$4 Billion Surplus Grows To $5.7 Billion
Acting PM Anderton Wants Supercharged Regional Dev.
Pokies, Pokies Everywhere!
WINZ Bonuses Concern Rich
Diesel Electricity Plant Gets Green Light

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http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0309/S00114.htm
NZ School of Dance announces Graduation Season
Images By Photographer: Stephen A'Court

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TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS

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LEAD STORY:
NZ’s Current Account Deficit A Broad Trough

- The Balance of Payments current account deficit recorded a seasonally adjusted increase of $557 million in the June 2003 quarter, according to Statistics New Zealand. The deficit represents the difference between New Zealand's total overseas earnings and payments during the quarter. This widening deficit follows reducing deficits in the March 2003 and December 2002 quarters. See... Current Account Deficit Widens [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0309/S00265.htm

Falling Immigration Numbers Threaten NZ Economy

- Rapidly falling immigrant numbers pose a significant threat to New Zealand's economy and point to the perils of reactive and draconian policy change, according to the New Zealand Association for Migration & Investment. Statistics New Zealand this week revealed that the net inflow figure for permanent and long-term migrants dropped to 2,460 during August 2003 . Prior to May 2003, the average net inflow of migrants to New Zealand was around 3,500 per month. See... Immigration Dip Confirms Consultants' Warnings [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0309/S00157.htm

NEW ZEALAND NEWS HEADLINES:

Commerce Commission Sets Air NZ Qantas: Final Determination Dates [1]

Trade Deficit For August [2]

NZ School of Dance announces Graduation Season [3]

Ministry to fund training of cervical technologist [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0309/S00269.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0309/S00266.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0309/S00113.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0309/S00102.htm

Bush Urges UN General Assembly To Help Rebuild Iraq

Bush Draws Germany Into US-Camp

- Bush and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said after their meeting in New York September 24 that their differences on Iraq are over. "We've had differences and they're over, and we're going to work together," Bush said he told Schroeder at the outset of their meeting. Schroeder said that after talking about the situation in Iraq with Bush, "we very much feel that the differences ... have been left behind and put aside by now." See… Bush, Schroeder Say Differences on Iraq Are Over [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00310.htm

U.S. Excludes North Korea From New York Nuke Summit

- Foreign ministers representing the five countries that took part in the nuclear talks with North Korea last month in Beijing, China will meet in New York Thursday to discuss follow-up measures to the six-way talks. See... U.S. Excludes North Korea From Nuke Talks In NYC [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0309/S00299.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES :

From Asia Pacific

North Korea Dismisses Resolution of IAEA Meeting [1]

From The Middle East

Israel Rejects Arafat’s Quartet Cease-fire Offer [2]

IOF Shoots a Teacher and a Student in Rafah [3]

From Europe

Schröder scheduled to meet with Bush [4]

FRANCE: Daily Press Briefing [5]

From The United States

Bush, Chirac Pledge to Try to Work Together [6]

U.S Russia Should Suspend Iran Nuclear Cooperation [7]

Colombian Conflict Using 1000s of Child Soldiers [8]

Terrorism Still Threat to Afghanistan & South Asia [9]

From The United Nations Bush Urges UN Leaders To Help Rebuild Iraq [10] UN Radio: Annan Bush Chirac Address UN On Iraq [11] White House: Bush's Speech UN General Assembly (includes audio) [12] Annan Begins Bilateral Meetings With World Leaders [13]

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News On Paul Holmes + Public Address

- Clearly, Paul Holmes fancied himself - and his listeners - to be having a laugh yesterday when he launched into his bizarre tirade against that "cheeky darkie", Kofi Annan, on his Newstalk ZB show yesterday... See… Hard News 25/9/03: Strangeness On The Radio [1] . See also... Public Address 25/9/03 - Strange, Uncool And Weary [2]

[1] - http://publicaddress.net/default,hardnews.sm#post706
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0309/S00231.htm

Scoop Feedback: Time For Holmes To Hang Up His Mic

- The clearly repeated, offensive, moronic and racist comments by Paul Holmes are a disgrace and bring great shame upon New Zealand's international reputation. See... Paul Holmes Must Go [1] see also from the NZ Herald… LINK: Transcript - What Holmes Said [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0309/S00223.htm
[2] - http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3525350&thesection=news&thesubsection=general

The Real Deal: Alternatives to Endless War

- "I am here today to fight for freedom, your freedom and my freedom. I wish to remind you that you already possess all the money and power necessary to determine the future of your community. While your vote for President of the United States may not be counted fairly, I remind you that you have, on average 37,000 votes per household that will be counted." - See... Voting With Our Money For Reverse Globalization [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0309/S00230.htm

Tony Baldwin: The New Electricity Commission

- Like the insoluble layers found in a home-made French dressing after it has been left to stand, the Government's terms of reference for its new Electricity Commission creates a strange emulsion of objectives and functions. See... Tony Baldwin: Govt. Changes To NZ Electricity Ind. [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0309/S00229.htm

Streets Of London: The Hutton Inquiry

- The Main Witnesses called today were Gavyn Davies - Chairman of the Board of Governors of the BBC, Nick Rufford - Sunday Times Reporter, Professor Keith Hawton - an expert in Suicides, and for the fourth time, MOD Personnel Director Richard Hatfield. See... Streets Of London: Hutton Inquiry Update - Day 22 [1] MORE: Hutton Inquiry Update - Day 21 [2] - Day 20 [3] - Day 19 [4] - Day 18 [5] - Day 17 [6] - Streets Of London: Hutton Inquiry Resumed [7] For earlier coverage of the Hutton Inquiry CLICK HERE [8] . COMMENTARY: - Dennis Hans - Passive Deceit & the Death of David Kelly [9]

Reservist Pilots Join Israel's Refuseniks

- Pilots in Reserves and Air Crew sent the following letter today to Air Force Commander, Dan Halutz: "We are opposed to carrying out attack orders that are illegal and immoral of the type the State of Israel has been conducting in the territories." See... Israeli Air Force Pilots Refuse to Attack [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0309/S00227.htm

Satire: Either You Are "With Us" Or You Are "Agin' Us"

- New York, NY --Referencing his Sept. 2001 dictum that nations of the world are either "with us or against us" in the war on terrorism, President Bush noted that the UN was "clearly not with us during Operation Iraqi Freedom." See... Bush Informs Nations Of The World "You're Next" [1] . See also... Chuckman Cartoon: Mad Man or Moron [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0309/S00226.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0309/S00225.htm

John Pilger: The Big Lie - Proof

- EXACTLY one year ago, Tony Blair told Parliament: "Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction programme is active, detailed and growing. The policy of containment is not working. The weapons of mass destruction programme is not shut down. It is up and running now." Not only was every word of this false. See... Scoop Link: John Pilger "The Big Lie" - UK Mirror [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0309/S00222.htm

Daily Katya Rivas

- More than sad, you should see Me afflicted because of the great abundance of sins that everyone weighs on the only Man who could bear them. See... Katya Rivas: Being United Is Valued So Little! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0309/S00224.htm

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OTHER NEWS (JUST POLITICS)

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Political Correctness At Otago Uni. Decried

- United Future education spokesman Bernie Ogilvy today joined ACT's Stephen Franks in condemning the Labour Government's move to have all university research proposals examined through a Maori lens. See... Ogilvy: Lunatics loose on campus [1] and NZ Academic Freedom An Orwellian Joke [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00555.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00540.htm

Immigration Dip Claims Ridiculous - Minister

- Claims by an immigration consultants group that they warned of a “dangerous dip in immigrant numbers” are ridiculous, and the group’s use of statistics was misleading` Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel said today. See... Consultants’ claims ridiculous and misleading [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00554.htm

Maharey Gobsmacked By Nat's State House Concern

- Housing Minister Steve Maharey says he is gobsmacked by criticism of the government’s state housing policy today from National’s housing spokesperson Wayne Mapp. See... Since when did Nats care about state housing? [1] and State housing list out of control - National [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00553.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00547.htm

Goon Squad Inquiry Needed Now

- An inquiry into the activities of the Corrections Department's 'Goon Squad' is more urgently needed than ever, says Brian Connell, MP for Rakaia and member of the Law and Order Select Committee. See... Inquiry more urgent than ever [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00552.htm

Govt. Position On Foreshore As Clear As Mud

- National Party Leader Bill English says the Government should use the last of its 11 hui to plainly state its position on who is going to make the rules for the use of, and access to, our beaches and seabed. See... Foreshore and seabed confusion must end [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00551.htm

Copeland Seeks To Straighten His Record On Housing

- United Future spokesperson on Revenue and Finance, Gordon Copeland, says he has been misquoted in today’s Dominion Post article on home buyers. See... First home buyers and investment properties [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00548.htm

Winston Pays Tribute To Sir Apirana Ngata

- A study of the political life of Sir Apirana Ngata is soon confronted with the practical visionary genius of this remarkable man. See... Ngata - A Career Of Practical Achievement [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00546.htm

Cracking Down On P

- Methamphetamine is an evil the Government has committed significant resources to combating, the Chair of the Ministerial Committee on Drugs, Jim Anderton, says. See... Government serious on combating amphetamine abuse [1] MORE: - NZ First - Wage War On P Drugs Urges NZ First [2] - ACT - NZ Third In Contest We Don't Want To Win [3] - United Future - Dunne: UN report a wake-up call on drugs [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00544.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00545.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00534.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00531.htm

$4 Billion Surplus Grows To $5.7 Billion

- “The final outturn for the 2002-2003 financial year shows a significant shift since the budget forecasts were signed off in late April,” Acting Finance Minister Trevor Mallard said today. See... Big shift in numbers since budget – Mallard [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00543.htm

Acting PM Anderton Wants Supercharged Regional Dev.

- Opening the regional development conference in Timaru today, economic development minister and Acting Prime Minister Jim Anderton challenged regions to step up the Major Regional Initiatives programme. See... Regions challenged to supercharge development [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00541.htm

Pokies, Pokies Everywhere!

- It's open season for pokies with the possibility that they could be installed at local dairies and supermarkets and anywhere else people wanted to put them, said Green MP Sue Bradford today. See... Pokies: Coming soon to a dairy near you [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00539.htm

WINZ Bonuses Concern Rich

- "I am surprised that nearly half the staff at Work and Income have qualified for bonuses totalling nearly $6 million taxpayer dollars," says National Party Welfare spokeswoman Katherine Rich. See... Work and Income staff bonuses worth $5.8 million [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00535.htm

Diesel Electricity Plant Gets Green Light

- The Government is proceeding with plans to build a new 155 megawatt power plant at Whirinaki, Hawke's Bay, Energy Minister Pete Hodgson confirmed today. See... Hawke's Bay new electricity generation plant [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0309/S00532.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

Top Scoops Headlines

COMMENT

Ian Powell: Physician Associates - A ‘Solution’ Desperately Searching For A Problem

Ian Powell discusses the controversy over the attempt by US physician associates in New Zealand to be registered under the Health Competence Assurance Act.

Binoy Kampmark: Natural Resources And Palestinian Sovereignty - Israel’s Further Isolation

While disease, hunger and death continue to stalk the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank remains under the thick thumb of occupation, deliberations in foreign fora continue to take place about how to address this hideous state of affairs. These international matters are increasingly bulking a file that is making Israel more more isolated than ever. And this is not an isolation of virtue or admiration.

Martin LeFevre - Meditations: What Being “Inward Looking” Really Means

As the saying goes, “We have met the enemy, and they are us.” Evil forces exist within, not without, so they must first be faced and met inwardly before the rotten structures of society can be remedied outwardly.

Binoy Kampmark: Blinken Atrocious In A Dangerous World

The Biden administration, through the good offices of Blinken, continues to insist on the vitality of the US imperium. But US hegemony long left unchallenged is, most certainly, at an end.

Jim Mikoz: Look Out Rocks … Oops Too Late

We live in a country surrounded by reefs and rocks. In recent years 3 large ships have hit rocks in our territorial waters: the MS Mikhail Lermontov, MV Rena, & now the NZ Navy warship the HMNZS Manawanui. The common denominator to all three of these sinkings is the error ridden LINZ NZ Marine Charts.

Peter Dunne: Dunne’s Weekly - National And Labour Combine To Shut Out Greens

It is probably just a coincidence that National’s and Labour’s broad agreement was announced just a week after the Wellington tunnels decision and the Green Party’s response, but it does change the political component quite considerably.

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