Today's Top Scoop Stories - News Summary

Online Poll Inside: The government has asked Auckland to decide whether it would prefer a new waterfront stadium or a redeveloped Eden Park stadium for the Rugby World Cup 2011. The Auckland City Council and the Auckland Regional Council have until 24 November to decide on their preference for one of the above options. “While this is the third biggest sporting event in the world, this is not just about a game of rugby..." says Mayor of Auckland city Dick Hubbard. See... Stadium decision time for Auckland City Council [1] ALSO:

ALSO Video: [2] Here is an animation video of the proposed stadium courtesy of Warren and Mahoney architects. See... Video: Animation Of Proposed Waterfront Stadium [3] FULL COVERAGE - The Stadium Debate [4]

Scoop Audio: [1] Selwyn Manning and Radio Adelaide's Peter Godfrey discuss: The Government's preferred option for a Rugby World Cup stadium; Gale force winds cause havoc; and Upham VCs sold to the Brits.

Check Out Scoop's Audio and Video Podcast Feed (updated)

- Hon Peter Dunne has raised with me as a matter of privilege an e-mail newsletter “Robson-on-politics – e-news” published on the Scoop website of 1 November 2006. The newsletter discusses the role of the United Future Party as a support party for the Government. It examines the position of the party on various issues including alcohol and tobacco... the question of privilege stands referred to the Privileges Committee. See... Privilege - Robson-on-Politics/Hon Peter Dunne [1] ALSO:Matt Robson - Robson-On-Politics - 1 November 2006 [2] [Scoop Editor's Note: The offending paragraph was removed from the item as soon as it was brought to our attention on the evening of 1 November. We unreservedly apologise to Mr Dunne for any offence caused by its relatively brief appearance on the Scoop website.]

- TVNZ Union members from the Public Service Association and the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union at TVNZ have returned to work after 24 hours of full strike action to be met by the news of another $79m of taxpayers' money going into the coffers of the Crown Owned Company. See... $79 Million an insult to striking workers [1]

- National’s Associate Health spokesman (Mental Health), Dr Jonathan Coleman, says Michael Cullen has admitted that the decision to withhold some of the compensation awarded to claimants as a result of the inquiry into Lake Alice Hospital was made at the highest level – Cabinet. See... Lake Alice deal: Cabinet knew [1]

- Two New Zealand Elton John fans will get a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet one of music’s all time greats, through an online charity auction promoted by Visa. The Trade Me charity auction is for the ultimate Elton John experience - something that money can buy! It opens at 5pm Wednesday November 15 and closes at 9pm on Tuesday November 21. One hundred per cent of proceeds from the charity auction will be donated to The New Zealand AIDS Foundation, a cause Elton is passionate about. See... Successful bidder to meet Elton John in person! [1]

- The Prime Minister has stolen the war-cry of the get tough on crime Justice Watchdog, Sensible Sentencing Trust, and while the organization has congratulated her its spokesperson Garth McVicar says: “We are happy to give the P M some brownie-points at this stage. Has she come around to our way of thinking – has she changed camps? We will reserve our decision on that.” See... Prime Minister stole our war-cry says Watchdog [1] ALSO:Sensible Sentencing Trust - Sensible Sentencing Trust Wins Service Award [2] Sensible Sentencing Trust - Tourist Rapist Deserves Bullet Says Watchdog [3]

- Canterbury civil defence and emergency management staff are on standby and in places like Selwyn District, Arthurs Pass, staff are monitoring rising rivers and ensuring households are safe. Canterbury Civil Defence and Emergency Management group staff at Environment Canterbury and local civil defence staff in the districts with rivers feeding off the Main Divide are monitoring the situation closely. See... Canty rivers rise fast: 4.45 pm update [1] Earlier:Rimutaka Hill closed to light vehicles [2] Man dies after being struck by tree [3] Mt Victoria Tunnel closure [4] Canterbury-West Coast Road Closures [5]

- Young Maori can be encouraged into tertiary education through cultural activities they are already passionate about, says the Manukau Institute of Technology’s Senior Schools Fellowship award recipient, Alfriston College deputy principal Andrea Tapu. Andrea is on secondment at MIT’s Te Tari Matauranga Maori (Department of Maori Education). See... Maori performing arts a path to further education [1]

- Defence Photo Essay - The unveiling of the New Zealand Memorial in London's Hyde Park provided the chance for Kiwi ex-pats to wander along and show their respects to the veterans that had made the trip over and, also to pay their respects to those that have fallen in battle. While Scoop was busy getting the vibe from the ex-pat Kiwi community the official New Zealand Defence Force photographer Rachel Main had what many English Paparazzi can only dream about – the chance to snap the entire Royal family at the unveiling of the New Zealand Memorial. See… Defence Images - Images: New Zealand Memorial Ceremony [1] ALSO: Scoop Photo Essay - Ex-Pats Soak Up Patriotic Glow Of NZ Memorial [2] Scoop Feature - Cheerio Blighty - London After Dark [3] NZ Govt - PM: Address to the NZ Memorial Dedication Ceremony [4] NZ Govt - PM: Address to the London School of Economics [5] NZ Govt - PM: Address to Reuters Newsmakers Seminar [6]

Scoop Report & Streaming Audio: Blair and Clark: Food Miles And Terror [7] Scoop FULL COVERAGE Of London Memorial Unveiling [8]

- An activist impersonating a WTO representative at a major US forum on African business forum has proposed an official system of corporate slavery for the continent. This morning Scoop received the following press release titled "WTO Announces Formalized Slavery Market for Africa". It details an address given at the Wharton Business School conference on business in Africa by "World Trade Organization representative Hanniford Schmidt" on an initiative "requir[ing] Western companies doing business in some parts of Africa to own their workers outright". See... The Yes Men Strike Major US Business Conference [1]

- Despite international condemnation and little domestic support, a six-ship whaling fleet is due to sail from Shimonoseki in Japan tomorrow, with plans to hunt nearly 1,000 whales in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary. Greenpeace is calling on the Japanese government to keep the fleet in port, stop their fake research program and commit to protecting endangered species instead of hunting them. See... Greenpeace Calls for Whaling Fleet to Stay in Port [1]

- Continuing his peace efforts in Uganda by meeting the country’s President, the top United Nations aid official has stressed the need to improve security for members of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) as they assemble at staging areas stipulated in an agreement signed earlier this year aimed at ending 20 years of bloody conflict. See... Uganda: UN Calls For Improved Security [1]

- Andreas von Warburg writes UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has informed the Security Council of his intention to appoint Major-General Ian Campbell Gordon of Australia as Chief of Staff of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), Annan’s spokesman confirmed today. Maj-Gen. Gordon will succeed Maj-Gen. Clive Lilley of New Zealand, who will relinquish his post at the end of the month. Maj-Gen. Lilley was appointed UNTSO’s Chief of Staff on October 2004 for a two-year term. See... UN Appoints New Chief Of Staff Of UNTSO [1] ALSO:UN - Australian Peacekeeping Vet For UNTSO [2]