Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Monday, 6 March 2006, 6:02 pm
Column: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
Business: Fairfax Pays $700 Million For Sam Morgan's Trademe
Sport: Ulmer Forces Wellingtonians Out Into Summer Sun -
Statistics: New Survey option for census-hungry expats
Scoop Column: Parliament's Spirit Flourishes In Noble Game
Legal Issues: Cyber Law Fellowship at Victoria
SCOOP IS IN THE HOUSE:
MORE HEADLINES:
Proposed Human Rights Council is ‘Issue Of Great Importance to All’ Insists Annan
UN Hails Indian-US Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, Others Not So Sure
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Suzan Mazur: Where The Antiquities Trade Meets Spookworld
Ptech - The Terrorist Connected Computer Co. In The 911 Frame
MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:
Katya Rivas's Passion Serialised For Lent

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
Welfare: Questions Over Proposed Social Development, CYF Merger
Defence: Goff Explains NZ Defence Policy At US Embassy -
Medical: Commission Wants A Re-think About Forced Mental Health Treatment -
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:
POLITICAL COLUMNS

It is annual Netguide.co.nz New Zealand Internet Awards time again & this time the awards are to be judged by public vote. Scoop would respectfully ask its readers to go to the following URL…
http://www.netguide.co.nz/webawards/index2.htm
…and seriously consider voting for Scoop.co.nz in one or all of the following categories.

- BEST MEDIA SITE - - BEST NEW SITE OR RELAUNCH - - SITE OF THE YEAR - - BEST HIGH-SPEED INTERNET SITE - - BEST HOME PAGE -

…. The Scoop Team

Business: Fairfax Pays $700 Million For Sam Morgan's Trademe

[1] John Fairfax Holdings Limited has reached agreement to acquire Trade Me Limited, New Zealand's leading internet business. Trade Me accounts for over 60% of New Zealand's web traffic. The purchase price is NZ$700 million cash (A$625 million), or approximately 15.6 times expected 2007 EBITDA. Trade Me's owners will also receive up to an additional NZ$50 million over the next two financial years subject to the attainment of additional earnings targets. See… Fairfax To Acquire Trade Me [2] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0603/S00071.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0603/S00071.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00078.htm

Sport: Ulmer Forces Wellingtonians Out Into Summer Sun -

Yesterday Wellington blew away its unseasonable Saturday chill, replacing it with a balmy gleam for Sunday, the day of the women's world cup cycling race. The large turnout of Wellingtonians to cheer the cyclists on may have been related to the summery weather, but more likely it was down to the race's strong favourite, the omnipresent lightning-fast legendarily-cute solid-gold Olympian, Sarah Ulmer. See... Sarah Ulmer - Two-wheeled lightning [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00082.htm

Statistics: New Survey option for census-hungry expats

- The Kiwi Expat Association (Kea New Zealand) has launched the first global census of expatriate New Zealanders, Every One Counts, aimed at tracking down the estimated one million Kiwis living overseas. “New Zealand is bigger than it looks,” says Ross McConnell, Chief Executive of Kea New Zealand. See... One Million Kiwis Missing! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0603/S00033.htm

Scoop Column: Parliament's Spirit Flourishes In Noble Game

- On Friday, in Wellington's scenic Botanic Gardens, a titanic struggle on the cricket oval raged between MPs and staff drawn from New Zealand's diplomatic community. This tussle involved a number of MPs from the two main parties united in a grand coalition aimed at maintaining parliamentary cricketing honour. These men (for they were all chaps) - of differing political persuasions - were moulded into a disciplined fielding unit through the quiet leadership of New Zealand First MP Brian Donnelly. A Week Of It: Howzat! Cricket Playing MP Action

Legal Issues: Cyber Law Fellowship at Victoria

- New Zealand’s first Senior Research Fellow in Cyber Law has been appointed with Dr Judit Bayer taking up the position this week at Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Law. Cyber law involves the range of legal issues relating to the Internet, and the Fellowship is one of the first in the world. See... InternetNZ and Victoria welcome Cyber Law Fellow [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0603/S00019.htm

SCOOP IS IN THE HOUSE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00059.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00029.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00454.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00448.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0602/S00047.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0603/S00007.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0603/S00006.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0603/S00001.htm

Proposed Human Rights Council is ‘Issue Of Great Importance to All’ Insists Annan

- Mr. Annan told reporters that he was “chagrined” by reports that Washington opposed the proposed text to set up the Council, aimed at replacing the much-criticized Human Rights Commission, but said that this was not an issue about isolating the United States from the rest of the world and he repeated his call for an agreement as soon as possible.“If we are not careful and we make the wrong moves that unravel the Council, then we are in a situation where we have a Commission that we all claim is discredited, and the Council that should replace it is being unravelled,” he said. See... Proposed Human Rights Council is vital: Annan [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00099.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00086.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00082.htm

UN Hails Indian-US Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, Others Not So Sure

- The civil nuclear cooperation agreement reached today between India and the United States is a milestone that could consolidate efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear arms and combat nuclear terrorism, the United Nations agency entrusted with curbing such weapons proliferation said in a statement welcoming the deal. This agreement is an important step towards satisfying India´s growing need for energy, including nuclear technology and fuel, as an engine for development,” International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei declared. See... UN hails Indian-US nuclear cooperation agreement [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00088.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00080.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00102.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00073.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00096.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00094.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00075.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00107.htm

Suzan Mazur: Where The Antiquities Trade Meets Spookworld

- Metropolitan Museum director Philippe de Montebello now refers to it as an "impropriety". He seems to believe that the "grand acquisitors" are off the hook following the Met signing an agreement with Italy regarding title transfer back to Italy of the Euphronios vase and other highly important looted antiquities. De Montebello is mistaken. The arm-twisting of Italy to sign on the dotted line and absolve all guilt on the part of the Met has merely opened another window into the corruption of the US political system through the involvement of late exofficio C. Douglas Dillon. See... Suzan Mazur: The Euphronios C Douglas Dillon Nexus [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00081.htm

Ptech - The Terrorist Connected Computer Co. In The 911 Frame

- While Congress and the media focus on the potential dangers of a UAE-owned company running American port operations, any possible threat is dwarfed by the current insecurity of the US government's computer infrastructure, which has been compromised by a company with multiple connections to terrorist financing. The company, once known as Ptech (now GoAgile), has been contracted to provide sophisticated computer software to several government agencies, including the Army, the Air Force, Naval Air Command, Congress, the Department of Energy, the Department of Justice, Customs, the FAA, the IRS, NATO, the FBI, the Secret Service, and the White House. See... UQ Wire: Port Deal Pales In Comparison To Ptech [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00079.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00078.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00077.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00080.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00083.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00076.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00075.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00074.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00073.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00072.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00071.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00069.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00067.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00070.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00068.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00065.htm

Katya Rivas's Passion Serialised For Lent

- My little daughter, let yourself be embraced by My most ardent desire that all souls come and purify themselves in the water of penance, and that the feeling of confidence, and not fear, may penetrate them, because I am a God of Mercy and I am always ready ... See... Katya Rivas: The Passion (Extract 1) [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00066.htm

Welfare: Questions Over Proposed Social Development, CYF Merger

- “As always with this Labour Government, the devil will be in the detail of the planned merger between CYF and MSD,” says National Party Welfare spokeswoman Judith Collins. "National has long argued that CYF was failing to deliver adequate care and protection to our most vulnerable children. We strongly disagreed with CYF Minster Ruth Dyson’s claims that the department was entering a phase of ‘performance excellence’. See... Collins wants more detail of MSD/CYF merger [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00094.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00096.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0603/S00044.htm

Defence: Goff Explains NZ Defence Policy At US Embassy -

NZ's Defence Minister Phil Goff gives a an overview of New Zealand’s view of the world, focusing on how this shapes our international commitments and our defence policy. According to Mr Goff New Zealand shares with the United States common values of democracy, a commitment to human rights and the rule of law.. See... Goff: NZ's Defence policy [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00082.htm

Medical: Commission Wants A Re-think About Forced Mental Health Treatment -

The Mental Health Commission is calling for a rethink on the use of compulsory treatment for people with mental illness. The issue is discussed in a publication released today by the Commission. No-Force Advocacy by Users and Survivors of Psychiatry by American human rights lawyer Tina Minkowitz looks at human rights issues related to the use of legal compulsory interventions by mental health services and related legal frameworks that restrict personal autonomy. See... Call for debate on mental health treatment [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0603/S00021.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0603/S00022.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00086.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00091.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0603/S00037.htm

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00062.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00069.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00068.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00065.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00056.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00055.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00051.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00049.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00047.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00045.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00041.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00040.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00039.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00036.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00034.htm

POLITICAL COLUMNS

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00071.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00070.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00066.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00063.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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