Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Tuesday, 14 June 2005, 5:02 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY: PM Addresses Benson-Pope's Innocence & Pakistan's President
Graham Kelly Apologises For Offensive Fisheries Jibes
NZ Takes Action Against Australia To WTO
Ministry Urged To Explain Vaccine Risk For Pre-Schoolers
Air Force Crew Co-Ordinate Fourth Successful Rescue
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Palestine's Abbas Meets U.S. Pointman William Ward
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Lyndon Hood: The Wacko Jacko/Benson Gormsby Nexus
Barbara O'Brien Uncovers The New Face Of Pentagon Propaganda
OAS Delivers Bush A Diplomatic Bloody Nose Over Bolivia
Norman Solomon: Tehran In Washington's Cross-Hairs
MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:
Downing Street Memo Movement Takes To The Streets

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Goff Says Wider Parliament Discussion On Smacking Children Needed
Mallard Heralds "Cheaper" Electricity Bills
Govt Mixed Up On Norris’ Departure
MORE POLITICS HEADLINES:

LEAD STORY:
PM Addresses Benson-Pope's Innocence & Pakistan's President

[1] A few weeks ago the post-cabinet press conference had been held in the Labour caucus room. There had been some tension and general titchiness between the media and the Prime Minister in this rather intimate environment. The exquisite carpentry and tasteful furnishing of the legislative council chamber escaped any raised voices as the Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's visit and the allegations concerning David Benson Pope occupied the media and the Prime Minister. See... PM's Presser: Benson-Pope Defended - Musharraf [2] RELATED:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00187.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00187.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00189.htm

Graham Kelly Apologises For Offensive Jibes

- New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Graham Kelly commented as follows. “I presented evidence to the Canadian Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans on 14 April 2005. In the course of explaining New Zealand’s fisheries management system I made some remarks which have clearly caused offence. I acknowledged they were inappropriate and apologised when the Secretary of Foreign Affairs raised the matter with me shortly after my testimony to the Committee.” See... Graham Kelly Apologises For Recent Comments [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0506/S00143.htm

NZ Takes Action Against Australia To WTO

- The Government is taking action at the World Trade Organisation to get movement on the long-standing problem of access for New Zealand apples into the Australian market, Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton said today. Mr Sutton said New Zealand had been trying hard for many years to get a fair deal, based on science, for New Zealand apple growers. See... NZ escalates WTO action against Australia [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00283.htm

Ministry Urged To Explain Vaccine Risk For Pre-Schoolers

- Last week IMAC called for more science and less opinion in the MeNZB(tm) vaccination debate: We agree, and now call on IMAC to explain the increased risk of meningococcal disease in pre-schoolers apparent in its evidence used to support the MeNZB(tm) campaign. See... Increased Vaccine Risk in Pre-Schoolers - Explain [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0506/S00068.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00192.htm

Air Force Crew Co-Ordinate Fourth Successful Rescue

- An Air Force Orion has coordinated a successful rescue of two people who were on board the floundering yacht Ciru. See... Fourth Rescue for Air Force Crew [1] UPDATES: Rescue Update - Ciru [2] , Two People Rescued, Second Yacht Located [3] , Yachties Now Expected To Be Rescued Early Tomorrow [4] , Images: Air Force Orion on Standby for Rendezvous [5] & Rescue Under Way For 2 People Adrift In Life Raft [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0506/S00141.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0506/S00136.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0506/S00132.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0506/S00130.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0506/S00128.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0506/S00131.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00272.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0506/S00134.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0506/S00133.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0506/S00191.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0506/S00110.htm

Palestine's Abbas Meets U.S. Pointman William Ward

- RAMMALLAH, Palestine - Palestine president Mahmoud Abbas has met with USA pointman for Middle East security General William Ward in the presidency compound in Rammallah. The two met as a precursor dialogue examining key-points to be discussed between Abbas and Israel prime minister Ariel Sharon. See... Palestine President Abbas Meets U.S. Envoy Ward [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0506/S00197.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0506/S00198.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0506/S00185.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0506/S00188.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0506/S00201.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0506/S00193.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0506/S00191.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0506/S00187.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0506/S00186.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0506/S00209.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Lyndon Hood: The Wacko Jacko/Benson Gormsby Nexus

- Earlier today, in a California courtroom, the jury in Michael Jackson's child abuse trial returned verdicts of not guilty on all charges. This has reinforced my belief that celebrity cases involving the mistreatment of children are best tried by the media. Much like those involving the mistreatment of pets. See... Jackson Innocent - Hope For Benson-Pope? [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00189.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00178.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00180.htm

Barbara O'Brien Uncovers The New Face Of Pentagon Propaganda

- " We have a tiny start-up venture, controlled by persons unknown, that suddenly materializes in late 2003 doing "private equity" deals in the middle of a war zone, and then obtains a huge PR contract from the Pentagon, and then hires a bunch of unemployed GOP campaign operatives to execute that contract, and then is absorbed by a shadowy DC company that specializes in corporate and political detective work and that may have close ties to both the Republican Party and the intelligence community, which then is awarded an even bigger contract to produce even more Pentagon propaganda." See... Mahablog: We Are All Conspiracy Theorists Now [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00190.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00184.htm

OAS Delivers Bush A Diplomatic Bloody Nose Over Bolivia

- The 35th summit of the Organization of American States (OAS) was held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in the first days of June this year. It marked another tactical defeat for the Bush regime's State Department under Condoleezza Rice and her Latin American point man, Roger Noriega. See... Toni Solo: The Very Model Of A Modern Intervention [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00188.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00183.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00163.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00171.htm

Norman Solomon: Tehran In Washington's Cross-Hairs

- Washington keeps condemning Iran's government and making thinly veiled threats. But in Iran, many people are in the midst of challenging the country's rulers, in the streets and at the ballot box. See... Letter From Tehran: In Washington's Cross-Hairs [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00182.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00191.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00185.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00181.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00180.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00181.htm

Downing Street Memo Movement Takes To The Streets

- On Thursday June 16, 2005, Rep. John Conyers, Jr., Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and other Congress Members will hold a hearing on the Downing Street Minutes and related evidence of efforts to cook the books on pre-war intelligence. See... Time And Place Fixed For Downing St. Memo Rally [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0506/S00210.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0506/S00205.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0506/S00211.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00153.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00156.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00150.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00140.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00131.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00136.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0506/S00127.htm

Goff Says Wider Parliament Discussion On Smacking Children Needed

- Justice Minister Phil Goff says that parliamentary discussion on the physical disciplining of children should examine the option of amending, and not simply repealing, section 59 of the Crimes Act. Mr Goff says that parents and the wider public should be encouraged to express their views to Parliament on the issue. See... Wider debate on section 59 changes called for [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00284.htm

Mallard Heralds "Cheaper" Electricity Bills

- Low power users are now saving between $25 and $96 a year on their electricity bills because of regulations introduced by the government that require companies to offer low fixed charge tariffs, Energy Minister Trevor Mallard said today. "This policy is designed to help low power users and low income earners, including pensioners, to save on their power bills, and it's working." See... Cheaper electricity bills from new regulation [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00268.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00286.htm

Govt Mixed Up On Norris’ Departure

- Finance Minister Michael Cullen has “mixed feelings” about the departure from Air New Zealand and from New Zealand of Ralph Norris. “For Ralph and New Zealand, I am delighted that one of New Zealand’s most successful business people has been appointed to one of the top corporate positions in Australia. See... Cullen on Ralph Norris’s departure [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00278.htm

MORE POLITICS HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00285.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00272.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00270.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00269.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00276.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00275.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00282.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00281.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00274.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00279.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00277.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00280.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00267.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0506/S00266.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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