- National's Plan for Better Roads Address to the Automobile Association of New Zealand Annual Conference, Napier. In particular, I want to say thanks for your commitment to the production of the Allen Consulting Group’s report on the Benefits of Investing in New Zealand's Road Infrastructure. See... Don Brash Speech: National's Plan for Better Roads [1] AA Welcomes Investment in Better, Safer Roads [2] Auckland will vote for building more roads faster [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00025.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0504/S00016.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0504/S00014.htm

National Security: Ought The “Guantanamo-isation” Of Zaoui's Experience Factor In A Risk Certificate Review?

- Paul Buchanan writes that the NZ Supreme Court will soon hear arguments as to whether the Inspector General of the SIS must take into account Ahmed Zaoui’s human rights when considering the validity of the security risk certificate issued against him… There are simply too many legal balls to juggle for the government to make its case, particularly when it refuses to divulge the ostensibly secret information it holds against Mr. Zaoui. But that is the reason why the Supreme Court must allow the appeal and rule against considerations of human rights when the Inspector General makes his review of the security risk certificate issued against Mr. Zaoui. See... Of Security Risk Certificates and Human Rights [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0504/S00001.htm

Cabbage Patch Kids Sprout In Pukekohe Field

Cabbage Patch Kids have been discovered growing wild on an otherwise ordinary cabbage farm south of Auckland. Farmer Howe Young of Young Wah Chong farm south of Pukekohe, is baffled as to how an otherwise ordinary field of cabbages could suddenly start sprouting Cabbage Patch Kids. See... Unusual Crop Discovered In Pukekohe Cabbage Patch [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0504/S00008.htm

Scoop Report: UTU! Tamihere Delivers His Revenge

Kevin List reports that during the general debate in Parliament today, John Tamihere advised TV3 journalist Duncan Garner “To get a real job.” Mr Tamihere’s career advice to Mr Garner came at the end of a speech criticising certain sections of the media, mainly those with the surname Garner who work for TV3. Tamihere was critical of their ethical standards. See... Tamihere Tells TV3 Journalist To Get a Real Job [1] Tamihere: Who Looks at the Media's Ethics? [2] TV3 News Boss Backs Quality Of Garner's Journalism [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00302.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00016.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00303.htm

Scoop Report: Tiredness And Fatigue Is Killing Sex Lives

- Feeling listless? Feeling over-tired and fatigued? Feeling too tired for sex? Marietta Gross reports that a United States study has found 58 per cent of Americans are too tired for sex. That's the findings of a study by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) that concludes idleness caused by sleep shortage is a factor for connubial problems and also neglect of marital duties. See... Tiredness, Fatigue Killing Your Sex-Life? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0503/S00300.htm

John Paul II Thought Close To Death

[1] Reports out of Rome this morning indicate Pope John Paul II may be close to death. CNN is reporting that the Pope may have received the sacrament of the sick, while the Vatican has publicly stated that the Pope is suffering from a high fever caused by a urinary infection. See… NEWSFLASH: Pope John Paul II Thought Close To Death

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0504/S00002.htm

Group Of Scientists Declare US Election Result Decidedly Iffy

- Officially, President Bush won November's election by 2.5%, yet exit polls showed Kerry winning by 3%. According to a report to be released today by a group of university statisticians, the odds of a discrepancy this large between the national exit poll and election results happening by accident are close to 1 in a million. See... Analysis - Vote Counts May Have Been Altered [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0504/S00001.htm

Wolfowitz Congratulated On Appointment As World Bank Head

- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan congratulated Paul Wolfowitz of the United States on his election today as the president of the World Bank, saying he looked forward to working closely with him in the struggle against global poverty. See... UN Secretary-General Congratulates Wolfowitz [1] Outbreak Of Marburg Disease Sets Death Toll Record [2] Update: ADF Relief Operations In Sumatra [3] Amnesty: Sudan: Refer Darfur crimes to ICC [4] Israel/Territories: women conflict untold story [5] Palestine Urged Not to Resume Executions [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0504/S00023.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0504/S00021.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0504/S00018.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0504/S00013.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0504/S00012.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0504/S00011.htm

NZ Malaysia Free Trade Agreement Launched

- Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today that Malaysia and New Zealand have agreed to begin negotiations on a free trade agreement as soon as possible. Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, who is visiting New Zealand, met Helen Clark today. Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi was later joined by the five Malaysian ministers accompanying him for discussions with the New Zealand Cabinet. See... NZ and Malaysia launch FTA negotiations [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0503/S00586.htm

NZ Defence To Buy German Made Helicopters

- The Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal John Hamilton has today welcomed a Government announcement that the NH90 will replace the Air Force’s fleet of Iroquois Helicopters. “This is excellent news for the Air Force and those that depend on the helicopter support we provide,” says Air Vice-Marshal Hamilton. See... Images: Air Force Helicopter Replacement [1] Christchurch's $3 Million Kyoto Initiative

[2] Beehive Bulletin - Friday, 01 April 2005 [3] Zimbabwe elections neither free nor fair [4] Key Does Bit for April Fool’s Day [5] Hodgson - Speech to AA annual general meeting [6] Rugby world cup bid office set up [7] Why Progressive wants to cut graduates' debt [8] Tax from roads to be spent on roads [9] Council codes an expensive farce for ratepayers [10] Minister should detail latest CYF failure [11] Labour’s school cash squeeze forces court case [12] Collins Comments: Pylons - a danger for Ardmore [13] Nats Say It WIll Solve Auck Traffic In Ten Years [14] Accounts show Labour takes workers for fools [15] What's Going wONg: Dancing on a Pinhead [16] News Worthy : So why is today “April Fool’s Day” [17] Road Funding System Needs Radical Change [18] Queen’s Counsel Will Live On Thanks To Civil Union [19] Marc My Words: You can’t pick an empty pocket [20] UF Transport policy announced [21] Turner: Home alone cases on the rise [22] Turner: Clear way for dads to prove paternity [23] Baldock pleased at ratepayer roading relief [24] Franks torn over shelving of bill [25] ACT would reverse five-cent petrol tax [26] National proposes asphalt jungle [27] Greens urge Govt not to sacrifice state housing [28] Green Media Diary [29]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0503/S00291.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00033.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00032.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00030.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00029.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00010.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00005.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00009.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00027.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00024.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00023.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00020.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00018.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00012.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00011.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00008.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00007.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00031.htm
[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00035.htm
[20] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00022.htm
[21] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00034.htm
[22] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00019.htm
[23] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00017.htm
[24] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00014.htm
[25] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00006.htm
[26] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00021.htm
[27] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00028.htm
[28] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00026.htm
[29] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0504/S00013.htm

© 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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