Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Monday, 3 April 2006, 4:34 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
Governors-General: Satyanand Shelves Retirement For Queen
Maori Option: Brash takes on Maori Enrolment
Scoop Audio: The Father Of The Internet Holds A Press Conference
Crime: Crime rate drops slightly
Iraq Hostage: Statement from Harmeet Sooden
Kiwi Culture: Don Brash Enjoys New MP's Shearing Success
MORE HEADLINES:
DR of Congo: Alarming resurgence in recruitment of children
Kenya: A Ton of Coke Incinerated, UN-backed operation
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Immigration Iniquity Has The World & U.S. In A Froth
Cindy Sheehan Remembers Her Fallen Son
Uri Avnery Reports On The Israeli Election Outcome
A Secret 911 Skeptic Declares Herself
Electronic Voting Flaw Story Seeping Into The Mainstream
MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:
Katya Rivas's Passion: Serialised For Lent (Part 21)

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
POLITICAL NEWSLETTERS & POLLS
Foreign Affars: Wen Jiabao Coming to NZ
Transmission Gully: Wellington Council Report Recommends U-Turn on Highway
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:
POLITICAL COLUMNS

Governors-General: Satyanand Shelves Retirement For Queen

Prime Minister Helen Clark today welcomed the announcement that the Queen has approved the appointment of Judge Anand Satyanand to succeed Dame Silvia Cartwright as Governor-General of New Zealand. “Judge Satyanand will bring many personal strengths to the role of Governor-General, including a broad knowledge of the workings of government and the law, as well as a deep appreciation of the different groups and communities which make up contemporary New Zealand. See... Anand Satyanand the next Governor-General [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00035.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00031.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00032.htm

Maori Option: Brash takes on Maori Enrolment

- National Party Leader Don Brash says Labour is endorsing state sanctioned separatism with a multi-million dollar campaign that ultimately encourages a racially divided electoral model. "National says there is no future for a racially divided electoral system in New Zealand. All New Zealanders deserve equality before the law and democratic equality." See... Divided electoral system no way forward [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00004.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00011.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00010.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00019.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0604/S00006.htm

Scoop Audio: The Father Of The Internet Holds A Press Conference

- This afternoon ICANN CEO and President Paul Twomey and ICAAN Chairman Dr Vint Cerf - widely regarded as the father of the Internet - held a press conference at the conclusion of the 25th ICAAN meeting in New Zealand this week. Cerf described the meeting as "very productive", helped along by New Zealand's natural candour. "We had good bandwidth here," said Twomey, "but we're in Wellington." See... Audio and Images: ICANN's Vint Cerf, Paul Twomey [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00453.htm

Crime: Crime rate drops slightly

- The total volume of recorded crime in the last calendar year remained at a similar level to 2004, rising 0.3% in the total number of offences. This equates to a 0.6% reduction per head of population, the Acting Commissioner of Police, Steve Long, said today. The total number of offences in 2005 was 407,496, compared with 406,232 in 2004 and 442, 489 in 2003. This drops New Zealand's recorded crime rate below the 1,000 offences per 10,000 population mark to 994.2, compared with 1,000.5 in 2004 and 1,103.7 in 2003. See... Recorded Crime Remains Steady [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0604/S00014.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0604/S00020.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00016.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00025.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00029.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00030.htm

Iraq Hostage: Statement from Harmeet Sooden

- I would like to express my gratitude for the prayers and support that my family and I have received from communities worldwide, and the assistance provided by the New Zealand Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Foreign Affairs Canada. I acknowledge the burden that my family and friends have borne over the last four months and I thank them for their efforts. See... Harmeet Sooden - Media Statement [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0604/S00004.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00454.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00451.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00413.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00446.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00442.htm

Kiwi Culture: Don Brash Enjoys New MP's Shearing Success -

The inclusion of a Masters event in this year’s New Zealand Shearing Championships proved to be an outstanding success, with many champions of yesteryear up on the boards again demonstrating their skills. National MP for Kaikoura, Colin King, who won the Golden Shears and NZ titles in 1987, beat Russell Knight of Apiti and Colin Quinn of Aria for the title. See... New Zealand Shearing Championships [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0604/S00008.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0604/S00039.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0603/S00215.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00547.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0603/S00088.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0603/S00502.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0603/S00500.htm

DR of Congo: Alarming resurgence in recruitment of children

- Large numbers of children, some at least as young as twelve, are once again being recruited to serve as fighters in the conflict province of North-Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following a human rights mission to that country. "For several weeks, anti-government forces loyal to dissident general Laurent Nkunda have been recruiting children, often by force, in the Masisi and Rutshuru territories of North-Kivu," said Véronique Aubert, an Amnesty International researcher who has just returned from the region. The AI delegation was in the DRC for the month of March. See... DR of Congo: Alarming resurgence in recruitment of children [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0604/S00002.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0604/S00009.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0604/S00008.htm

Kenya: A Ton of Coke Incinerated, UN-backed operation

- Some $90 million worth of cocaine went up in smoke in Nairobi, Kenya, today in a United-Nations back incineration that underlined the world body's major role in combating the global illicit drug trade. More than a ton of cocaine, seized in December, 2004, in a resort town along the coast, was placed inside furnaces located at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) in an exercise designed to dispel rumours that part of the haul had been illegally diverted. See... Kenya: Ton of cocaine incinerated, UN-backed operation [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0604/S00007.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0604/S00013.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0604/S00020.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0604/S00019.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0604/S00015.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0604/S00005.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00564.htm

Immigration Iniquity Has The World & U.S. In A Froth

- In same the week that ETA announced an indefinite ceasefire - after more than 40 years of terrorism and 817 deaths - Spanish police revealed that between 1000 and 1500 sub-Saharan Africans had died attempting to reach the Canary Islands in the last five months. The first item was, rightly, front-page news and attracted acreage of coverage in the world’s press – the second was, generally, relegated to single story on the inside pages. See... Jeremy Rose: Globalisation’s Unsung Martyrs [1] MORE ON IMMIGRATION:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00025.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00447.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00024.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00017.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00010.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00429.htm

Cindy Sheehan Remembers Her Fallen Son

- As far as we can piece things together, March 31st, two years ago, is the day that the First Cavalry arrived in Sadr City, a slum in Baghdad formerly named "Saddam City," Iraq. I say "as far as we can piece together" because we have heard many different stories, but this date seems to be the one that we have heard most often. See... Casey Austin Sheehan - May 29 1979 / Apr. 4 2004 [1] . See also... Which Soldier Will Be The Last To Die For Bush? [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00009.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00436.htm

Uri Avnery Reports On The Israeli Election Outcome

- THE MOST dramatic and the most boring election campaign in our history has mercifully come to an end. Israel looks in the mirror and asks itself: What the hell has happened? Uri Avnery: What The Hell Has Happened? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00439.htm

A Secret 911 Skeptic Declares Herself

- I said I'd never do it -- say what I think about that terrible morning of September 11, 2001. I've seen what happens to those who question the elaborate, tangled explanations the Bush administration offers about what happened, how it happened, who did it, and why they did it. It doesn't matter if those who dare speak truth to the lies are professors, investigative reporters, eyewitnesses, scientists -- "conspiracy theorist" is immediately tattooed on their foreheads. They are jeered at, ridiculed, spat upon and swift-boated right out of the room. They are banished to the outskirts of civilized society. See... UQ Wire: 9/11 - Eliminating The Impossible [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00431.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00430.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00019.htm

Electronic Voting Flaw Story Seeping Into The Mainstream

- The fact that electronic voting machines don't work may finally be sinking into a segment of the mainstream media. The fact that e-voting machines can, have been, and will be used to steal elections, continues to go unreported. See... MSM Finally Gets Half The Voting Machine Story [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00437.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00023.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00022.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00008.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00021.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00020.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00018.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00016.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00015.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00014.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00434.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00432.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00013.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00012.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00011.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00007.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00006.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00452.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00450.htm
[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00449.htm
[20] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00448.htm
[21] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00438.htm
[22] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00435.htm
[23] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00433.htm
[24] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00428.htm

Katya Rivas's Passion: Serialised For Lent (Part 21)

- Look with what cruelty these hardened men surround Me. Some pull the Cross and lay it on the ground; others tear off My clothes that adhere to the wounds that open again and blood oozes out. See... Katya Rivas: Jesus Is Nailed To The Cross [1] SEE ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00005.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00427.htm

POLITICAL NEWSLETTERS & POLLS:

Transtasman Political Letter – 30 March Digest [1] Molesworth & Featherston (Weekend) – April 1 2006 [2] The Letter – Monday, 3 April 2006 [3] TV3 News/TNS Opinion Poll March 2006 [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00440.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00002.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00026.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0604/S00003.htm

Foreign Affars: Wen Jiabao Coming to NZ

- Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today that the Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Wen Jiabao, will visit New Zealand from 5 to 7 April. "Premier Wen’s visit is a recognition of the growing momentum in New Zealand's broad and important relationship with China,“ Helen Clark said. “This is a constructive, increasingly comprehensive relationship and I look forward to discussions on how it can be further enhanced. See... Chinese Premier to visit [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00033.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0604/S00008.htm

Transmission Gully: Wellington Council Report Recommends U-Turn on Highway

- A Wellington City Council report is recommending Councillors accept the Western Corridor Hearing Sub-Committee’s key conclusion of supporting the Transmission Gully Motorway plan. The report will be discussed by Councillors at the Strategy and Policy Committee meeting on 6 April. See... Council Report Recommends Transmission Gully [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0604/S00007.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00014.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0604/S00023.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0604/S00014.htm

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00026.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00024.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00015.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00006.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00027.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00017.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00013.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00001.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0604/S00020.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0604/S00015.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0604/S00011.htm

POLITICAL COLUMNS

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0604/S00012.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00599.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00583.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0603/S00254.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00583.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00493.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.

Contact Alastair Thompson

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