Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Thursday, 4 May 2006, 2:20 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
*** Newsflash: Pacific & NZ Tsunami Alert Cancelled ***
Internet: Budget Surprise Comes Early – Local Loop To Be Unbundled
QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:
Employment: Government Advice Says Youth Rates May Be Illegal - Legal Actions Planned
Health: Harawira Astounded By Judges' Decision Regarding Big Tobacco -
Internet: Memo To Mark Weldon: Get A New Website
Music: Wit And Warmth In An Opera Stylee Coming Soon -
Scoop Video: Solomons Parliament Decides On PM Thursday MORE HEADLINES:
Indonesia: US Senators Against Indonesia Weapons Waiver
Counter-Terrorism: Annan Outlines World Strategy
Balance of Power: French Seen Cosying Up to South America
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Matt Robson: Goff Should Shake Hands With Chavez Not Rumsfeld
Iran: Iran's Tragic Path Into The 21st Century
Mayday: After The April Sun In Cuba
Foreign Policy:Scoop's Suzan Mazur Makes Madeleine Albright Blush
MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:
Film: Sonia Nettnin Covers The Chicago Palestine Film Festival

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
Conservation: Greens Fight For Endangered Snails -
Dogs: National Taunt United Future Over Pooches -
Politics: He's Back – Parker Picks Up A Pair Of Portfolio's After Press Potshotting -
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

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TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS

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*** Newsflash: Pacific & NZ Tsunami Alert Cancelled [1] ***

[1] http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00069.htm

Internet: Budget Surprise Comes Early – Local Loop To Be Unbundled

[1] New Zealanders can look forward to faster, better broadband Internet services thanks to the comprehensive telecommunications package announced today. Today's package includes: • Requiring the unbundling of the local loop and sub-loop copper-wire lines between telephone exchanges and homes and businesses, allowing other Internet Service Providers to compete fully with Telecom to provide faster, cheaper broadband. See... NZ'ers can look forward to faster broadband [2] REACTION:

Russell Brown - Public Address 04/05/06 - It's All On - Eventually [3]

Telecom - A Lost Opportunity For New Zealand [4]

Green Party - Government move on Telecom welcomed [5]

ACT - Telecom Regulation "Big Step Backwards" [6]

TelstraClear - Great decision Minister [7]

Orcon - Orcon believes $10 broadband viable with LLU [8]

InternetNZ - InternetNZ welcomes excellent government decisions [9]

Business NZ - Investment will be the judge of unbundling [10]

ihug - Handbrake Comes Off NZ Broadband [11]

Business Roundtable - Telecomm's Decision Damaging to Investment, Growth [12]

InternetNZ - Dispelling the Myths in Telco Regulation [13]

NZ First - NZ First Welcomes Telecom Competition [14]

Auckland City Council - Fast broadband access for all by 2010 [15]

AUT - Internet expert to visit New Zealand [16]

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:

Questions for Oral Answer - Thursday, 4 May 2006 [1] Questions And Answers - Wednesday, 3 May 2006 [2] Questions And Answers - Tuesday, 2 May 2006 [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00099.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00084.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00061.htm

Employment: Government Advice Says Youth Rates May Be Illegal - Legal Actions Planned

- New Zealand’s largest union is warning employers to immediately abolish youth rates, and says it will take legal action to recover money owed to thousands of people in the wake of revelations that youth wage regulations are illegal. Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union national secretary Andrew Little, an employment lawyer, said that anyone up to the age of 36 who had worked on minimum wages had probably been under-paid. See... Union to take action over youth rates [1] ALSO:

Greens - Legality of youth pay rates in question [2]

Unite Union - Mcdonalds Youth Pay Rates Illegal Claims Union [3]

CTU - Youth Rates Advice a Step Towards their Abolition [4]

Scoop Link - Ministry of Justice advice on youth rates and Bill of Rights [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00049.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00101.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00046.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00051.htm
[5] - http://www.justice.govt.nz/bill-of-rights/bill-list-2006/e-bill/employment-relations-probationary-employment.html

Health: Harawira Astounded By Judges' Decision Regarding Big Tobacco -

"Justice Graham Lang's verdict in the Janice Pou case is ludicrous," said Hone Harawira, the Maori Party MP pushing for a total tobacco ban in New Zealand. "Telling us that she was well aware of the dangers to her health that smoking posed, ignores the fact that back when Janice Pou started, the dangers of smoking weren't well known at all," said Harawira. See... Verdict in Pou case 'ludicrous' [1] ALSO:

Cancer Society - Pou Result Disappoints Cancer Society [2]

PHA - Pou Case About Tobacco Industry Lies [3]

Smokefree Coalition - Disappointment As Pou Damages Case Fails [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00093.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0605/S00034.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0605/S00033.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0605/S00031.htm

Internet: Memo To Mark Weldon: Get A New Website

- This morning on the very day a large number of Kiwi mums and dads are most likely to want to log on to the internet to check how their investment in Telecom is faring – they couldn't. See... NZX.co.nz Drops The Ball On Telecom's Big Day [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00082.htm

Music: Wit And Warmth In An Opera Stylee Coming Soon -

The NBR New Zealand Opera’s National Tour of Donizetti’s Don Pasquale will bring a blast of wit and warmth to winter when it sweeps through 14 centres nationwide in August and September. Building on its two previously successful opera tours, Don Pasquale heads further north and south than before, including five new centres. See... Comic Opera Tours Further Than Before [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0605/S00038.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

Full Coverage Of The 2006 Fifa World Cup [1]

Organ donation bill passes first hurdle [2]

Mcdonalds Youth Pay Rates Illegal Claims Union [3]

NZPF: Get off your soapbox, English [4]

Council to consult over uses for historic cottage [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0605/S00086.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00088.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00046.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0605/S00016.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0605/S00032.htm

Scoop Video: Solomons Parliament Decides On PM Thursday

[6] - Opposition leader Manesha Sogavare is tipped to become the Solomon Islands' new Prime Minister after a secret vote this Thursday (May 4 2006). In this video doco, Scoop reporter Yasmine Ryan distils the vibe on Honiara's streets, speaking to Solomon Islanders on what they demand from their leaders. She records Sogavare schmoozing the crowds – clearly he is the people's popular choice to lead their country. Scoop Video: Solomons People Power and Parliament [7] ALSO:

Photo Essay: Scoop.co.nz In Honiara April 06 by Jason Dorday [8]

John Roughan: More Questions Than Answers! [9]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00049.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00049.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00067.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00046.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/features/fc.html

Indonesia: US Senators Against Indonesia Weapons Waiver

- Two key U.S. Senators recently criticized the Bush Administration's "premature" use of a waiver to allow weapons exports to Indonesia. Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) expressed concern "that this waiver, unattached to any clear strategy or specific benchmarks, sends the wrong message to the Indonesian Government and to other countries." See... Senators Criticize Waiver: US Weapons to Indonesia [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00043.htm

Counter-Terrorism: Annan Outlines World Strategy

- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today unveiled his recommendations for the world’s first comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy to the 191 members of the General Assembly. In his address launching the 32-page report, entitled Uniting Against Terrorism:commendations for a Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, Mr. Annan highlighted that the report stemmed from a fundamental conviction shared by all... See... Annan Outlines Landmark Counter-Terrorism Strategy [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00022.htm

Balance of Power: French Seen Cosying Up to South America

- French President Jacques Chirac will be visiting Brazil on May 25, which has the potential of becoming a watershed meeting in the furtherance of enhanced relations between the two major regional powers as well as France’s emergent presence in the area. See... Gradual Resurgence of France in Latin America [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00050.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

United Nations - Chad: UN Warns Rising Tensions Could Threaten Food [1]

United Nations - IRAQ: Protection of Palestinian Refugees [2]

United Nations - Agency Targets Forced Servitude in Latin America [3]

United Nations - Torture ‘Conducted On Systematic Basis’ In Nepal [4]

US State Department - Statement on Sixteenth World Press Freedom Day [5]

Council on Hemispheric Affairs - President Morales' Bolivian Natural Gas Bombshell [6]

Physicians For Human Rights In Israel - Sudanese Refugees in prison in Israel [7]

Australian Green Party - Aust: Asylum seekers must be properly protected [8]

Amnesty International - Colombia: Internally displaced face elections [9]

Amnesty International - Ethiopia: Treason trial of prisoners of conscience [10]

Amnesty International - Colombia: Time to stop killing of trade unionists [11]

Human Rights Watch - U.S. Immigration Law Inhumane to Same-Sex Couples [12]

Human Rights Watch - India: Draconian Response to Naxalite Violence [13]

Human Rights Watch - Burma: U.N. Must Act to End Attacks on Karen [14]

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SCOOP COLUMNS

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Matt Robson: Goff Should Shake Hands With Chavez Not Rumsfeld

- Former Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs Matt Robson argues that New Zealand should be paying close attention to the changes happening in Latin America flowing on from Hugo Chavez being elected president of Venezuala. Mr Robson suggests that rather than paying attention to US foreign policy and sending Phil Goff to shake hands with Donald Rumsfeld perhaps New Zealand would be better off having a chat to Hugo Chavez. See... The Sins Of Venezuelan President Chavez [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00047.htm

Iran's Tragic Path Into The 21st Century

- How did Iran arrive at the crossroads that it finds itself at today? Many Westerners believe Iran to be an angry anti-Western entity that for some unknown reason, took American's hostage in 1979 and has maintained a passionate hatred for America and the West ever since. The truth is, that there is much more to Iran's story. See... M. Gary Hucul: The Tragedy of Iran [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00058.htm

After The April Sun In Cuba

- From Julie Webb-Pullman in Havana: Over the rise, and into the Plaza de la Revolucion … to where it all happens on 01 May …under Che's approving gaze... when it's not obscured by the flags of workers from so many countries. See... Photo Essay: May Day In Cuba [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00081.htm

Scoop's Suzan Mazur Makes Madeleine Albright Blush

- Secretary Albright's discussion of her morality & foreign policy book was immediately followed by two questions about her widely-rumored romantic relationship with diamond broker Maurice Tempelsman during the Clinton years, some say resulting in Tempelsman ... See... Madeleine Albright & Maurice Tempelsman Q&A [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00079.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:

Russell Brown & Ors - Public Address 03/05/06 - Various Informations [1] & Public Address 04/05/06 - It's All On - Eventually [2]

Martin LeFevre - Meditations: The Genesis of Genocide [3]

William Fisher - What Happened to the Good Fight? [4] , American Bedfellows [5]

Good Returns - Book Review: Your Money Diet By Bruce Wallace [6]

Dahr Jamail - "Reason for Their Death Is Known" [7]

Ramzy Baroud - Sovereignty & Military Occupation Not Compatible [8]

Tanveer Jafri - “Islami Crusade” of the Talibans [9]

Between The Lines - Interview: Six Nations Land Dispute in Ontario [10]

Narconews - Oaxaca: Arrested Narconews Correspondents Released [11] , Free Journalists Dul Santamaria and James Daria! [12] & Narco News Journalists Arrested in Oaxaca Mexico [13]

BuzzFlash.Com - From King George of 1776 to King George of 2006 [14]

Financial Times - Scoop Link: FT - Electronic Voting & Mass Confusion [15]

Atlanta Progressive News - 36 US House Reps Want Bush Impeachment Probe [16]

Evelyn Pringle - Drive For Oil Company Profits Threatens Economy [17] , Tequin's Serious Injuries - Bristol-Myers Feigns [18] & Evelyn Pringle: Karl Rove Indictment Long Overdue [19]

Kamala Sarup - Women Needed To Join Nepali Press [20]

William Rivers Pitt - A Turning Point [21]

Pierre Tristam - All-American Seduction - J.F. Revel’s Mistake [22]

Professor Brad K Berner - Campaign Calumny [23]

Film: Sonia Nettnin Covers The Chicago Palestine Film Festival

- Director Rashid Masharawi’s latest film, “Waiting,” tells the story of a Palestinian director, T.V. journalist and cameraman who travel to Jordan, Syria and Lebanon in search of Palestinian actors for a Palestinian theater troupe. Areen Omari plays ... See... Sonia Nettnin Film Review: Waiting [1] MORE FILM REVIEWS:

Film Review: A Few Crumbs for the Birds [2]

Film Review: I Remember 1948 [3]

Film Review: Summer of ‘85 [4]

Film Review: Digging for a Palestinian Image [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00075.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00059.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00057.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00045.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00018.htm

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OTHER NEWS (JUST POLITICS)

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Conservation: Greens Fight For Endangered Snails -

The assertion by Conservation Minister Chris Carter in Parliament today that the decision to allow Solid Energy to mine the natural habitat of an endangered native snail was "the only possible decision I could make" has been rejected by the Green Party. Mr Carter last month approved a plan to move 250 Powelliphanta "Augustus" snails to make way for an extension of Solid Energy's Stockton mine. Green Party Compromise is possible on snails and mining [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00083.htm

Dogs: National Taunt United Future Over Pooches -

It's now up to United Future to show they aren't the Government's poodles over the plan to microchip all dogs, says National Agriculture spokesman David Carter. Mr Carter has had an amendment drafted that will exempt all dogs from microchipping. National will put its amendment - along with another exempting farm working dogs - up for consideration when the issue is voted on next month. See…United Future in gun over microchipping [1] ALSO:

Green Party - One law for dogs [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00076.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00068.htm

Politics: He's Back – Parker Picks Up A Pair Of Portfolio's After Press Potshotting -

Prime Minister Helen Clark today announced that David Parker is returning to Cabinet following his election by the Labour Caucus this morning. “David Parker resumes his former responsibilities as Minister of Energy and Minister Responsible for Climate Change issues. In addition, he takes on the portfolio of Minister for Land Information.” See... David Parker returns to Cabinet [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00050.htm

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

NZ Govt - Alternative sites to be investigated [1]

NZ Govt - Cullen: Pre-Budget Address to CMA [2]

NZ Govt Net debt free status reflects wise fiscal management [3]

NZ Govt - $9.5 million to improve behaviour in schools [4]

NZ Govt - Duynhoven: Institute of Logistics and Transport [5]

NZ Govt - Consultation on remaining Colleges of Ed mergers [6]

National - Childcare policy driven by blind ideology [7]

National - Transparency would decrease criticism of teachers [8]

National - Insurance plan will push up rents [9]

National - Cost more important than safety for remand [10]

National - Housing Minister at odds with PM over HNZ [11]

National - Clark must come clean on PlunketLine [12]

Green Party - Legality of youth pay rates in question [13]

Green Party - Misquotes clarified [14]

Green Party - Too many dead dolphins [15]

The Maori Party - Turia : (Organ Donation) Amendment Bill [16]

The Maori Party - Turia - (Damage Insurance) Amendment Bill [17]

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

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