EDITOR'S NOTE: This shortened early version of Top Scoops is being posted to clear the news decks at Scoop in the lead up to the 2006
New Zealand Government Budget which will be unveiled at 2pm this afternoon. Scoop's comprehensive coverage of the budget
with comment, audio and live reaction will commence at 2pm. Scoop.co.nz's budget coverage will be coordinated on this
page:
And a Special edition of Top Scoops will be posted this evening with a roundup of all the news.
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TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:
Taxation: Dunne Turns Down Heat on Overseas Capital Gains
Sharemarket: Minister Referred to Securities Commission for Telecom Comments
RECOMMENDED AUDIO:
Retirement: Nurses Union Says All Images Have Consent
Kiwi Pride: New National Representative Meets Baby National Icon in Washington
MORE HEADLINES:
Kofi Annan Suggests Bans On Interviewing Terrorists
State Department Looking For a Fight In Which It Might Get a Black Eye
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:
SCOOP COLUMNS:
Motoring: Karl Ferguson's Motornet: Peugeot’s Excellent 407
United States: Falling In Love In NYC
UQ Wire: Cocaine One --> Titan Corp --> 9/11
MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:
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TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
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[1] For many, Budget time means just another list of new services and funding from Finance Minister Dr Michael Cullen, announcements which mean nothing to ordinary people. However, the Government is committed to creating and supporting a better future for all New Zealanders. David Coates, Rakaia’s Labour spokesman and resident of Darfield, says, “Budget 2006 will affect the citizens of the Selwyn and Ashburton Districts in many positive ways.” See…What’s in Budget 2006 for you? [2] ALSO: NZCTU - Lifting Wages a Far Higher Priority than Tax Cuts [3] Green Party - Greens look to overseas aid budget increase [4] Ernst and Young - No Tax Cuts This Year [5] AUS - More investment needed for universities [6] Roading New Zealand - Roading expected to benefit from budget 2006 [7] Maori Party - Sharples: The Genuine Progress Index [8]
QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:
Taxation: Dunne Turns Down Heat on Overseas Capital Gains
- The Minister of Revenue, Peter Dunne, announced today, that after listening carefully to public submissions, the
Government will bring in an amendment to the Tax Bill introduced into Parliament today, with the intention of calming
ill-founded fears among New Zealanders with overseas investments in companies such as the Guinness Peat Group. See... Amendment to 2006 Tax Bill [1] ALSO:Ernst & Young - Government Caves In To GPG [2]
Sharemarket: Minister Referred to Securities Commission for Telecom Comments
- Communications Minister David Cunliffe has shown his ineptidude and commercial naivety by his hamfisted comments on
Telecom's dividend policy, says National Finance spokesman John Key. "Mr Cunliffe was running scared in Parliament today
after the Stock Exchange referred the comments he made yesterday to the Securities Commission. See... Cunliffe in serious trouble over Telecom comments [1] ALSO: David Cunliffe - Minister clarifies Telecom dividend statement [2] Securities Commission - Commission Considers NZX Referral [3]
RECOMMENDED AUDIO:
Scoop Audio: Audio: Scoop's Kevin List discusses on Radio Active the main events surrounding Budget Day 2006, including 1000 more police and millions wiped off Telecom's market values... [1]
Scoop Audio: Selwyn Manning on Radio Adelaide, discusses: The 'Budget Leaker' – Large quake strikes north-east of New Zealand – Mark Inglis conquers Mt. Everest. [2]
Retirement: Nurses Union Says All Images Have Consent
- The New Zealand Nurses Organisation has today reconfirmed that the family of a rest home resident whose photograph
appears in a photo essay published in NZNO's magazine Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand gave full consent for publication.
NZNO acting CEO, Cee Payne-Harker, said NZNO stands by its view that media reports of another family's involvement have
been a case of mistaken identity. See... Media statement regarding images of caregiving [1]
Kiwi Pride: New National Representative Meets Baby National Icon in Washington
- A North Island brown kiwi, Manaia, hatched at the Smithsonian Institute's National Zoo in Washington in February...
It is still too young to be on public display, but the chick was shown to the children today during an educational visit
arranged by the Embassy. The chick, named Manaia, was born on February 13 - the same day New Zealand's new Ambassador
Roy Ferguson arrived in Washington. See... Two Kiwis meet in DC [1]
MORE HEADLINES:
Easter trading bill passes first hurdle [1] Help end New Zealand's Captive Dolphin Industry [2] Joy Cowley Wins NZ Post Book Of The Year Award [3] Former All Black backs fundraising campaign [4] Sharapova for Land Rover [5]
Kofi Annan Suggests Bans On Interviewing Terrorists
- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has recently issued a report on "a global counter-terrorism strategy" in which he
appears to speak approvingly of "bans on interviewing terrorists." The Secretary General's 32-page report to the UN
General Assembly contains his recommendations for the international community to fight back against terrorism. Amongst
his recommendations is an offer to convene an international conference with journalists' associations and press freedom
groups for them to consider codes of conduct on dealing with terrorists. The sole example Mr. Annan gives of measures
for them to consider is "bans on interviewing terrorists." See... Concern Over “Bans On Interviewing Terrorists” [1]
State Department Looking For a Fight In Which It Might Get a Black Eye
- In yet another blow to the credibility of one of its annually released “certification” reports on the performance of
other nations on some broad social or political issue – this time on the degree of cooperation in the anti-terrorism
struggle – the State Department in its 2006 compilation included Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, and accused
Venezuela of a high degree of non-cooperation. The decades-old and always sketchy evidence involving the Castro regime
in alleged terrorist activity has been used to buttress Washington’s crusade against Havana. As for the spurious nature
of its case against Chávez, this has caused a number of area specialists to dismiss Washington’s claims as disgraceful
inventions that are totally devoid of substance or integrity. See... State Dept. Looks for a Fight & a Black Eye [1]
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:
The double standards of the Israeli Army [1] French Polynesian council snubs French visit [2] Taiwan hands over funds for Pacific aid projects [3] Fiji’s new govt re-introduces Reconciliation Bill [4] Somalia: Calls for ceasefire and end to violence [5] Resolution paving way for UN force in Darfur [6]
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SCOOP COLUMNS
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Motoring: Karl Ferguson's Motornet: Peugeot’s Excellent 407
- Honestly, I really didn’t think I was going that quick. It was a bright sunny weekend in late summer, and we were
headed for New Plymouth for a weekend away. The idea was to travel in two cars and rendevous in Wanganui for lunch.
See... MOTORNET: Six-Speed Sensation [1]
United States: Falling In Love In NYC
- I love America. And I have to say I love Americans too. I feel the need to say this because as a New Zealander living
overseas I often hear about what a friendly nation we are and how we’re always happy to help people out and ‘lend a
hand.’ But here’s a news flash, so are Americans – incredibly so and in my view they’re a lot more friendlier than your
average Kiwi. See... Kirk MacGibbon: I love America [1]
UQ Wire: Cocaine One --> Titan Corp --> 9/11
- A MadCowMorningNews investigation into the ownership of the DC9 airliner caught carrying 5.5 tons of cocaine in
Mexico last month has uncovered explosive new details about some of the many lingering mysteries still surrounding the
9.11 attack. See... UQ Wire: Coke Bust Connection To 9.11 Attack [1] & UQ Wire: Titan Corp. Connection To Cocaine One [2]
MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:
Russell Brown - Public Address 18/05/06 - Doing It For The Kids [1] George Monbiot - When 2 Poor Countries Reclaim Oil Fields [2] Dahr Jamail - Support Our Troops, Anybody? [3] Am Johal - Israel Court Upholds Racist Family Unification Law [4] Ramzy Baroud - Redefining the Middle East [5] Bernard Weiner - "Shallow Throat" on GOP Meltdown: Turn Up the Heat [6] Greg Palast - Big Brother Tries To Fool Randi Rhodes [7] Qusay Hamed - Impact Of The Financial Crisis On Palestinians [8] John Lama - Nepal: Maoists Need To Be Ostracized [9] Sam Smith - Bush Calls Up National Guard To Help In Campaign [10]
ENDS