INDEPENDENT NEWS

Scoop: Top Scoops + IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Published: Tue 22 Feb 2005 03:54 PM
**** IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ****
Scoop is getting better!!!
Dear Scoop Readers…
In approximately 1 hour a NEW Scoop server is being turned on and will take over the Scoop web serving load. This is a major upgrade in technological terms, and shortly you will see some more new navigation tools and features appearing on the site. The main thrust of the re-design effort has been to make navigation through the site easier.
However as there remains a bit of fine tuning to be done it is possible that you may have some difficulties with parts of the site. You may also encounter difficulty in simply finding the site over the coming couple of hours as DNS changes propagate through the web.
We would appreciate it if you could hold off from telling us about the problems you are encountering (if any) for approximately 24 hours as we will be in the process of thoroughly testing and finding any issues ourselves during that period. After that we would be delighted to hear what you think about the changes we have made via our editor@scoop.co.nz email address.
- The Scoop Team
TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY:
Govt Seeks Veterans To Attend Gallipoli 90th Commemoration
Govt Announces Benefit System Overhaul In May
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Amnesty and Anti-Slavery Int. Calls For Europe To Curb Human Trafficking
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:
SCOOP COLUMNS:
SPECIAL REPORT: Prebble Reveals National Party Leadership Wobbles in The Letter
Tim Barcode Play: Watching The Buggers Part VI
Russell Brown Considers A Brashbot Hack
Scoop Report: Hunter S. Thompson Commits Suicide
Kevin List's A Week Of It Is In
Cartoons
OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Cullen Announces Budget Priorities
Company Tax Exemptions Announced
Govt Creates Wildlife Sanctuary On Motuihe Island
United Future Announces Post-Election Tertiary Position
ACT Says Auckland Mayor Wasted Police Time Over Banks Campaign Manager Complaint
Nats Angered Over $2million Bill For Tampa Boys Care
Employers' Concerns On NCEA Must Be Heard: Nats
Prebble Accuses PM Of Double Standards
ACT Accuses Wananga Of Entrenched Nepotism
TO CHANGE MY SCOOP OPTIONS OR UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THIS LIST
http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/myscoop/signin.html
IF YOU HAVE LOST YOUR PASSWORD
http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/myscoop/newpass.html
...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...


http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0502/S00207.htm
Prison Protest to Support Thomas Hossein Yadegary On Saturday
Bill Clinton and Yadegary in centre.
-----------
TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS------------
LEAD STORY:
Govt Seeks Veterans To Attend Gallipoli 90th Commemoration


[1] - Veteran's Affairs New Zealand (VANZ) invites application from veterans to apply to join the contingent travelling to Gallipoli to mark the ceremony. Jessie Gunn, Director VANZ says that "Anzac Day has become a symbol of New Zealand's commitment to past and present wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations, and we feel it is important to reflect this in the make up of the New Zealand veteran contingent". See... Veterans Affairs Announces Ballot [2]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0502/S00211.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0502/S00211.htm
Govt Announces Benefit System Overhaul In May


[1] - Work to implement a simpler, fairer benefit system will begin in May this year, Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey announced today. "A single core benefit and enhanced employment services will replace the current raft of benefits, rules and entitlements," Steve Maharey said. See... Simplified benefit system roll-out begins in May [2] ALSO: - ACT - Labour attacks the rich and successful [3] - ACT - Maharey's news only tiny part of the solution [4] - National - Labour aims to hide inaction on welfare [5] - Lindsay Mitchell - Changes To Benefit System Bad Move [6]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00468.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00468.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00473.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00472.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00471.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0502/S00208.htm
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Homicide: Woman Dies Another Critical In Otara Incident [1] Police Crack Down On Child Abuse And Pornography [2] Mayday Colombia - a film on human rights [3] Fixed home loan rates continue to rise [4] AK05: Love letters from everywhere [5]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0502/S00227.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0502/S00202.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0502/S00204.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0502/S00256.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0502/S00153.htm
Amnesty and Anti-Slavery Int. Calls For Europe To Curb Human Trafficking


[1] - Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International are calling on European countries to focus new anti-trafficking measures on protecting victims - not just national borders. The call comes as a drafting group is due to begin its last meeting in Strasbourg to finalise the draft European Convention Against Trafficking in Human Beings. See… Amnesty Urges Europe To Curb Human Trafficking [2]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0502/S00571.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0502/S00571.htm
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:
ANZACS farewell Banda Aceh Public Hospital [1] IFJ releases report on media and the Asian tsunami [2] Clinton says Maldives is a Model of Good Planning [3] Violations of core labour standards in Qatar [4] Iraq: Documents Link ‘Chemical Ali’ to Massacre [5]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0502/S00570.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0502/S00578.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0502/S00574.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0502/S00573.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0502/S00540.htm
SPECIAL REPORT: Prebble Reveals National Party Leadership Wobbles in The Letter


[1] - "Don Brash has not said a word in parliament for two weeks. His top strategist Murray McCully has been in the building but not in his seat in the house this year. We are also told he has not been attending caucus. That is serious. English has operated solo making NCEA his issue not National's." See... The Letter Monday 21 February 2005 [2]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00450.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00450.htm


http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00229.htm
Gonzo Journalism Creator Hunter S. Thompson Dies.
SCOOP COLUMNS:
Tim Barcode Play: Watching The Buggers Part VI
- There is no sign yet in Levin of the DoC worker Jane who took a strong liking to Coates in the Masterton train shelter. See... Watching The Buggers (Part 11 Of 12) [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00226.htm
Russell Brown Considers A Brashbot Hack
- Why didn't they think to fit a kill-switch to the Brash droid before they sent it in? Now that the droid has gone rogue and is eating the electoral support of its designers, Mad Doctor Prebble has been forced to try and hack the system so that the Brashbot's hosts turn on it and the carnage ends. See... Public Address 22/02/05 - Paris Hilton Too! [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00231.htm
Scoop Report: Hunter S. Thompson Commits Suicide
- Hunter Stockton Thompson, the journalist who coined the term "gonzo journalism" and wrote the 1972 book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas , has committed suicide at his Woody Creek home. See... Gonzo Journalism Creator Hunter S. Thompson Dies [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00229.htm
Kevin List's A Week Of It Is In


[1] - In This Week's Week Of It: NCEA/Scholarship Woes Not As Bad As Fighting Japanese On Java - Where’s Don Gone? - National Party Searches In Vain For Youth Vote - Potty Mouthed Greens Make Law And Order Advocate See Red... Who else is sick of the whinging about NCEA? "We want answers", the Listener gallantly trumpeted on their front cover two weeks ago – Scoop wants answers too! See... A Week Of It With Kevin List [2]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00202.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00202.htm
Cartoons
- Chuckman: Another Quiet Day In Fallujah [1] Cartoons - Kidd Millennium Triple Threat [2]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00214.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00213.htm


http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0502/S00188.htm500 Protest on 'Stop Marsden B-each Day Out'
-----------
OTHER NEWS (JUST POLITICS)------------
Cullen Announces Budget Priorities
- Hon Michael Cullen Speech Notes : 6pm Monday 21 February 2005 Strategic Priorities for Budget 2005 & Beyond Level 6, 22 The Terrace, Wellington See... Cullen: Strategic priorities for the 2005 budget [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00480.htm
Company Tax Exemptions Announced
- Non-residents who invest into New Zealand companies alongside the New Zealand Venture Investment Fund will be exempt from tax on the profits when they later sell their shares in those companies under changes planned by the government. See... Impediment to venture capital investment lifted [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00475.htm
Govt Creates Wildlife Sanctuary On Motuihe Island
- Motuihe Island in the Hauraki Gulf is to be replanted and restored over the next 10 years as a sanctuary for native wildlife on the doorstep of downtown Auckland, Conservation Minister Chris Carter announced today. See... Island to be restored as 'downtown' sanctuary [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00474.htm
United Future Announces Post-Election Tertiary Position


[1] - In announcing United Future's student support policies today, leader Peter Dunne pledged to restore fairness to the way the Government deals with tertiary students. "Students under 25 can only get an allowance if their parents' income is low enough, yet young people on the dole are not assessed on what Mum and Dad earn - the whole set-up is just essentially unfair." See... Fairness Needed In Govt's Treatment Of Students [2] ALSO: Dunne: Giving students back their future [3]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00470.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00470.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00469.htm
ACT Says Auckland Mayor Wasted Police Time Over Banks Campaign Manager Complaint
- ACT leader Rodney Hide today said he was pleased the police had concluded that ACT stalwart Brian Nicolle committed no offence under the Local Electoral Act 2001 when he was campaign manager for former Auckland City Mayor John Banks. See... Mayor Hubbard wastes police resources [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00479.htm
Nats Angered Over $2million Bill For Tampa Boys Care
- National Party Immigration spokesman Tony Ryall says New Zealand is being haunted by Labour's chaotic immigration policies with taxpayers forking out over $2 million for care of the so-called 'Tampa boys'. See... Soft touch immigration policy costing Kiwis [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00478.htm
Employers' Concerns On NCEA Must Be Heard: Nats
- National's Industrial Relations spokesman, Wayne Mapp, says Labour and the NZQA must take the concerns of employers on board as part of their inquiry into discrepancies in the NCEA. See... Employers in the dark with NCEA students [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00476.htm
Prebble Accuses PM Of Double Standards
- Prime Minister Helen Clark is again using double standards in demanding a "triple-A" apology from the Israeli government for the attempt by Israeli agents to obtain New Zealand passports, ACT MP Richard Prebble said today. See... PM Using Double Standards says Prebble [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00465.htm
ACT Accuses Wananga Of Entrenched Nepotism
- The Leader of the Maori Party Tariana Turia's statement today that it is common practice within Maoridom to keep things in the family, in response to my exposure of nepotism rife at Te Wananga O Aotearoa, is offensive, ACT MP Ken Shirley said ... See... ACT: Maori Party's explanation is mafia-like [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00464.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
Website:
Google+:
Mobile:
021707044
Twitter:
Linkedin:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/alastairlthompson
Media Contact:
021707044
Phone:
021707044
Facebook:
Postal Address:
021707044
Email:
Physical Address:
021707044

Next in Comment

On The Coalition’s Awful, Not Good, Very Bad Poll Results
By: Gordon Campbell
Policy Vacuum Enables For-profit Corporate General Practice Ownership By Stealth
By: Ian Powell
On Iran Killing Its Rappers, And Searching For The Invisible Dr. Reti
By: Gordon Campbell
Dunne's Weekly: MPs Unusually Quiet On Pay Rise
By: Peter Dunne
Cuba And New Zealand: A Relationship Worthy Of Strengthening
By: Ian Powell
On bird flu, AUKUS entry fees and Cindy Lee
By: Gordon Campbell
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media