Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Tuesday, 18 January 2005, 5:09 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY:
PM Announces New Zealand's Largest Ever Aid Package: $68 Million For Tsunami Victims
Mayor And Former Cop Says Hawkins Must Address Police Understaffing
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
United Nations Conceeds It Has Done All It Can For Iraq Elections
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:
STORY OF THE WEEK - Richard Ehrlich's Tsunami Reports: Tattoos Help Forensic Identification
SCOOP SPECIAL REPORT American Coup II: Freepress.Org - The Shadow Of MLK Looms Over Ohio

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Scoop Link: Seymour Hersh Says Iran War Planning Underway
John Roughan's Letter From Honiara
Dennis Hans: Is Condi Taking Liberties With The Truth
A Public Address Guest Is There!
More Feedback For Paul Buchanan On Tsunami Aid
Singer-Songwriter Stephan Smith Tells of His Iraqi Relatives' Experiences Under U.S. Occupation and War
William Fisher Discovers The Whitehouse Webmaster Behind The Game
Kamala Sarup: Civil Society, The Media And Conflict Resolution
Steve Weissman: First Principles And The Morality Of War
Iraq Eyewitness: Dahr Jamail Reports From Baghdad
Genevieve Cora Fraser Remembers A Palestinian Death
Leopold: Yet Another Inappropriate US Cabinet Nomination

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Has JT Allowed His Speech To Be Censored?
NZ Helped Shape Small Island UN Aid Plan
Secondary School Drop-Outs Increase By 46 Percent
NZ/Mexico Trade Restrictions Eased
Nats Say Govt Must Improve Acute Health Performance
United Highlights Rotten Teeth Epidemic
Money Does Not Match Rhetoric On Skills Training: Nats
Family Court Judges Should Beware Of Media Say Nats
Nats Say Axing Chopper A Disgrace While ACC Rolls In Loot
Is The Race-Relations Minister Weaselling?
McDonald's Leads Child Food Awards Shortlist
Greens Will Attend Ratana And Makaawhio Events
Dunne Says United Will Remain Family Focused

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0501/S00131.htm
Endangered Stitchbird To Join Karori Wildlife Sanctuary.
Photograph courtesy of and by Peter Reese.

LEAD STORY:

PM Announces New Zealand's Largest Ever Aid Package: $68 Million For Tsunami Victims

[1] - Prime Minister Helen Clark said today that Cabinet had agreed to New Zealand's offical response to the relief and reconstruction efforts in the region affected by the Boxing Day tsunami reaching $68 million. This figure is inclusive of the $10 million already ... See... New funding package for response to tsunami [2] ALSO: - Greens - Greens welcome Government's tsunami package [3] - Caritas - Govt. Tsunami Funding Package Positively Received [4] - Nats - Labour should consult on tsunami aid [5] NZ Update: - World Vision - World Vision funds top $3m [6] - Habitat For Humanity - Indian Ocean Tsunami Victims Need YOUR Expertise [7] - MFAT - MFAT Tsunami Update [8] For FULL COVERAGE: See... Scoop's Tsunami Feature. [9]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00135.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00135.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00136.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0501/S00134.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00125.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0501/S00127.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0501/S00126.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0501/S00125.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/features/?s=world

Mayor And Former Cop Says Hawkins Must Address Police Understaffing

[1] - North Shore Mayor George Wood is calling for the Minister of Police George Hawkins to recognise that Police in the Auckland region are understaffed and lack the necessary modern equipment to do their job efficiently. "Frontline Police are doing an exceptional job but they need more support." See... Police Understaffing A Major Issue [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0501/S00055.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0501/S00055.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0501/S00052.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0501/S00023.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00124.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0501/S00065.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0501/S00065.htm

United Nations Conceeds It Has Done All It Can For Iraq Elections

[1] - With less than two weeks left before Iraq’s elections, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today the United Nations had fulfilled its role as technical adviser, and he appealed to the Government to make the vote as inclusive as possible despite the “far from ideal” situation of violence prevailing in the country. See... UN Says It Has Done All It Can For Iraq Elections [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00172.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00172.htm

INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00178.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00160.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00170.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00167.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00162.htm

STORY OF THE WEEK - Richard Ehrlich's Tsunami Reports: Tattoos Help Forensic Identification

- PHUKET, Thailand -- The popularity of tattoos among foreigners and Thais has helped identify bodies recovered from the tsunami, especially when it is difficult to match DNA with a relative, or find dental records, according to a U.S. government forensic ... See... Tattoos Help Identify Tsunami Victims' Bodies [1] Int Update: - UN - UN Conference Seeks To Reduce Disasters' Toll [2] - UN - Tsunami Early Warning System Moves To Centre Stage [3] For FULL COVERAGE: See... Scoop's Tsunami Feature. [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00131.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00175.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00168.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/features/?s=world

SCOOP SPECIAL REPORT American Coup II: Freepress.Org - The Shadow Of MLK Looms Over Ohio

- King marched across the south and the nation to guarantee all Americans, black and white, the right to vote. But in 2000 and again in 2004, that right was denied. See... Counting The Vote In The Shadow Of Dr. King [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00139.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Scoop Link: Seymour Hersh Says Iran War Planning Underway

- George W. Bush’s reëlection was not his only victory last fall. The President and his national-security advisers have consolidated control over the military and intelligence communities’ strategic analyses and covert operations to a degree unmatched since ... See... Scoop Link: Seymour Hersh - The Coming Wars [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00143.htm

John Roughan's Letter From Honiara

- At last a major step towards investing in village life is close up to becoming reality. Investing in Basic Education (at least at the primary schooling level, if not yet adult learning) strands to get a much needed funding boost. See... John Roughan: Free Primary Educatio & Re-Election! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00137.htm

Dennis Hans: Is Condi Taking Liberties With The Truth

- Here is the first question the Senate Foreign Relations Committee should pose to Condoleezza Rice Tuesday at her confirmation hearings for Secretary of State: Is it ''lying'' to say that something definitely is true when it is your understanding that this something ''might'' be true? See... Condi Question: Is Unjustified 'Certitude' Lying? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00142.htm

A Public Address Guest Is There!

- A lot has been said in the last week to rekindle the debate on referenda and the Civil Union Bill after a welcome Christmas truce. Colin James published a deliberative piece on the merits of more referenda and the Supreme Court Bill and Civil Union ... See... Public Address 18/01/05 - Not Afraid Of The Vote [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00141.htm

More Feedback For Paul Buchanan On Tsunami Aid

- As usual Dr. Buchanan has provided an open and frank comment of a potential shift in international relations relative to an individual nation or a grouping of nations’ donations in aid. See... Scoop Feedback: Paul Buchanan On Tsunami Aid [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00140.htm

Singer-Songwriter Stephan Smith Tells of His Iraqi Relatives' Experiences Under U.S. Occupation and War

- Interview with Stephan Smith, singer and songwriter, conducted by Melinda Tuhus See... On Iraqi Relatives Living Under Occupation And War [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00136.htm

William Fisher Discovers The Whitehouse Webmaster Behind The Game

- It's a pity that all the Bush Administration cabinet-level posts have been filled, because there is at least one undiscovered candidate: The White House Webmaster. See... William Fisher: Cyberspin [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00135.htm

Kamala Sarup: Civil Society, The Media And Conflict Resolution

- The media works in tandem with non-governmental organisations and intelligentsia, and they together form civil society in a conflict situation. Further, reality is often mediated through the media. See... Kamala Sarup: Maoists, Conflict And Media [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00134.htm

Steve Weissman: First Principles And The Morality Of War

- Give Mr. Bush credit. However simplistic his black-and-white, good-versus-evil views, he forced the world to confront one of the defining questions of our time: Do political grievances, no matter how severe, give anyone the right to maim and kill innocent men, women, and children? See... Jihadis, Godly Hypocrites - Which Side Are You On? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00133.htm

Iraq Eyewitness: Dahr Jamail Reports From Baghdad

- The onslaught of Mosul has begun, as occupation forces are launching attacks into Iraq’s third largest city. While there are mass resignations of police and elections polling staff there, yet another new police chief has been awarded control of the ... See... Dhar Jamail: Dispatches From Iraq – Jan 14-16 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00132.htm

Genevieve Cora Fraser Remembers A Palestinian Death

- In the House of Death : Facing the North Mountain : Where Moses spoke : To God so long ago : Still inhabited : By the Good Samaritans : Ancient Jews : And the good people : Of Nablus, Palestine See... Poem: Israel Kills Innocents in House of Peace [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00138.htm

Leopold: Yet Another Inappropriate US Cabinet Nomination

- In the bizarro world that President Bush lives in, it pays 'literally' to be a miserable failure, a criminal and a corporate con man. Those are just some of the characteristics of the dastardly men and women who were tapped recently to fill the vacancies in ... See... New Energy Sec. Was One of Texas' Worst Polluters [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00115.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0501/S00156.htm
ANZACs Observe Minutes Silence In Sumatra

Has JT Allowed His Speech To Be Censored?

- National Party Deputy Leader Gerry Brownlee says the public deserve to know whether troublesome backbench MP John Tamihere has allowed the Prime Minister to vet the speech he's due to deliver tomorrow. See... Who Is Trying To Fool Whom? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00129.htm

NZ Helped Shape Small Island UN Aid Plan

- Action Plan developed for Small Island States New Zealand played a leading role in agreeing a new United Nations action plan on island countries Environment Minister and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Marian Hobbs said today. See... Action Plan developed for Small Island States [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00126.htm

Secondary School Drop-Outs Increase By 46 Percent

- The Labour Government has given up on thousands of young New Zealanders, with new information showing that approvals for children to leave school early have risen 46 percent since 1999, ACT Education spokesman Deborah Coddington revealed today. See... Exemptions balloon under Labour [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00122.htm

NZ/Mexico Trade Restrictions Eased

- New Zealand and Mexico will benefit from unilateral tariff reductions in Mexico, Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton said today. See... Mexican tariff reductions benefit NZ and Mexico [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00133.htm

Nats Say Govt Must Improve Acute Health Performance

- The Government is still doing little to improve the performance of its consistently poor performing Accident and Emergency departments, says National Party Health spokeswoman Judith Collins. See... Govt Still Ignoring Poor A&E Performance [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00131.htm

United Highlights Rotten Teeth Epidemic

- New Zealand is going into an election year with children with rotting teeth from a lack of dental care, undiagnosed vision and hearing problems from an inadequate school testing regime, third world illnesses and burgeoning obesity and diabetic ... See... Turner: Children's Health Neglected By Govt [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00130.htm

Money Does Not Match Rhetoric On Skills Training: Nats

- The Labour Government has failed to put its money where its mouth is when it comes to skills training, says National Party Education spokesman Bill English. See... Labour In Disarray Over Skills Training [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00128.htm

Family Court Judges Should Beware Of Media Say Nats

- Family Court judges should be careful about releasing information to the media to justify their own actions, says National Party Family spokeswoman Judith Collins. See... Care of Children Act changes fall short [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00127.htm

Nats Say Axing Chopper A Disgrace While ACC Rolls In Loot

- National MP Simon Power says it is a scandal that ACC is considering axing Palmerston North’s rescue helicopter while sitting on investments worth billions of dollars and making hundreds of millions of dollars profit each year. See... ACC has billions, considers cutting rescue chopper [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00124.htm

Is The Race-Relations Minister Weaselling?

- ACT Maori Affairs spokesman Stephen Franks today warned that Trevor Mallard's reports on his own performance as Race Relations Minister should be studied for signs of weaseling out of the assurance given in panic last year that the Government would ... See... Govt commitment to ending race privilege doubtful [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00123.htm

McDonald's Leads Child Food Awards Shortlist

- McDonald's has emerged as a leading contender in the second New Zealand Children's Food Awards, whose shortlist was announced at a ceremony at Parliament this afternoon. See... McDonald's dominates NZ Children's Food Awards [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00134.htm

Greens Will Attend Ratana And Makaawhio Events

- Green Party Maori Affairs Spokesperson Metiria Turei will be attending two significant events for tangata whenua early next week. See... Media Advisory: Metiria at Makaawhio and Ratana [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00132.htm

Dunne Says United Will Remain Family Focused

- United Future leader Peter Dunne told Eastern Hutt Rotarians tonight that United Future’s total focus this election year would be on promoting policies to strengthen New Zealand families. See... Dunne on 2005: It’s the family, stupid! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00121.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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