Today's Top Scoop Stories - News Summary

UPDATE: The New Zealand Government is investigating how it can assist Tonga to restore peace and order while constitutional/democratic reform dawns on the Pacific island state. Also, Tonga Now website reports Tonga's main town, Nuku’alofa, was an inferno last night. "Shoreline headquarters is gone, the Leiola Duty Free Store, Cowley’s, Pacifica Royale, and major Chinese outlets are up in smoke. All flights into and out of the Kingdom have been cancelled." See... Scoop Link: Tonga Now Reports Nuku'alofa Set Ablaze [1] ALSO:NZ Govt - Peters condemns rioters in Tonga [2] MFAT - Tonga: Foreign Affairs Updates Travel Advice [3] House of Travel - Tonga Riots [4]

Scoop Video: Tonga - An Island On The Brink

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

Thomas Yadegary will appear once more in the Auckland District Court in Albert Street today at 2.15pm where Immigration Ministry lawyers will argue for his continuing incarceration after more than 2 years in prison without charge or trial. Thomas is an Iranian who is being held in prison because he refuses to sign papers which would result in him being forced to return to Iran where his life would be at risk. Supporters will gather outside the court from 1pm. See... Thomas Yadegary in Court Today Will he be released [1] ALSO:PQs - David Cunliffe Answers Parliamentary Questions on Yadegary Case [2] United Future - Copeland: New Zealand human rights failure [3] Selwyn Manning - Amnesty Does U-Turn On Yadegary Case [4] Scoop - FULL COVERAGE of Immigration Issues in NZ [5] Scoop Editorial - Cunliffe Must Explain Why He Abandoned Support For Asylum-Seeker's Plight

- In what is believed to be a national first, all 21 of Upper Hutt's primary and secondary schools are adopting an alcohol-free policy on their school grounds. The policy, to be introduced on 17 November, is in response to what local principals describe as growing problems caused by people drinking on school property after hours. See... Upper Hutt School Grounds to Go Alcohol-Free [1] ALSO:Health Groups - Groups Support Alcohol-Free Upper Hutt Schools [2]

- Scoop Media has cemented itself well ahead of TVNZ news in internet news rankings. Inside, a Nielsen/Netratings graphic shows the top five website ranking for channels in NNR's Market Intelligence General News category. The result counts domestic New Zealand visitors in the week to 12 November. In total, Scoop attracts over 500,000 individuals per month. See... Top Five General News Category Websites [1]

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:

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] Eden Park - New image of redeveloped Eden Park [4] Auckland Regional Council - ARC wants public feedback on stadium proposals [5] FULL COVERAGE - The Stadium Debate [6]

- A Samoan/Chinese/European artist, Lorene Taurerewa from Wellington is the recipient of the Martin Hughes Contemporary Pacific Art Award for 2006 for a drawing representing her monumental series of 12 figures titled Journey of 1000 Miles. Her work reflects the influence of the traditional Chinese mark making concept in portraits that are venerated as encapsulations of the ancestors. See... Powerful Work With Ancestral Influences Wins Award [1]

Scoop Media Report: Selwyn Manning reports that scientific findings are surfacing that question whether heightened enriched uranium particles have been found in and around a crater in south Lebanon. Has a new type of low yield nuclear weapon been tested during the Israel/Hizbullah conflict? And has Israel developed the scientific expertise to progress and deploy such weaponry without outside superpower help? Or was a radioactive weapon targeted by Israel?

- The head of the United Nations body mandated to protect press freedom today deplored the murder of yet one more Iraqi journalist, saying it was vital to bring an end to “the outrageous campaign of bloodshed” against media professionals in the violence-racked country. At the same time, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura condemned the killing of a Mexican journalist, possibly because of investigative reports on drug trafficking. See... Journalists' Murders in Iraq And Mexico Condemned [1]