Today's Top Scoop Stories - News Summary

Selwyn Manning on BBC Radio reports: How Fiji's military commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama has intensified threats to overthrow the Fijian government unless it meets his demands. ALSO:NZMFAT Travel Advisory: Fiji Travel High Risk [1]

“My aim over the past three days has been to help put together an experienced and united National team to win the next election and provide New Zealand with good government,” says National Party MP Bill English. “As a result of discussions with my colleagues I will not be putting my name forward tomorrow for leadership of the National Party." See... Statement from Bill English [1] ALSO:Brownlee - Gerry Brownlee Statement on Deputy Leadership [2] Greens - Brash should apologise to Rod and the Greens [3] Greens - Key must commit to transparent campaign financing [4] Maori Party - Harawira: No trashing the Brash [5]

- Tonga's pro-democracy leader, Clive Edwards, is one of the island nation's most controversial figures. He's hated by Nobles, loathed by many, his views banned by Tongan authorities. In the wake of riots that tore through Tonga's capital Nuku'Alofa, where mobs ransacked and burned the town to destruction, Edwards called for the government to relent to pressure and open the parliament to an open and free election. Scoop here publishes an extended interview with the Tongan people's representative. See... Scoop Video Hated & Loathed, Scoop IV's Clive Edwards [1]

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- After a weekend of silence on the subject of Nicky Hager's "The Hollow Men: A Study In The Politics Of Deception." outgoing National Party Leader Don Brash has been interviewed several times this morning on his reaction to the book. His response to the key "Smoking Gun" allegation implicit in the 24th of May email addressed to him from the Exclusive Brethren is the same as that of National Leader in waiting John Key – namely, he didn't open the email. See... Brash Responds – I Didn't Read The Email Either! [1] . See... Sludge Report #172: How Hollow The Hollow Men? [2] ALSO:Public Address - Public Address 27/11/06 – Hollow Men Impressions [3] Scoop Report - Images & Audio: Nicky Hager "Hollow Men" Presser [4] Scoop Full Coverage - The Hollow Men [5]

- The Edge, Bono & Adam Clayton famously known as U2 wowed New Zealand audiences in Auckland, New Zealand, with a full array of U2 hits spanning twenty years. The Irish super-group is holding two sold-out performances in Auckland and Wellington. Photos by Karim Sahai. See... Images: U2 & Kanye West Auckland 24 Nov. 2006 [1] ALSO:Public Address - Russell Brown, Graham Reid on U2 [2]

- Auckland City Council tonight responded to Central government's request to indicate a preference between two principal options for a 60,000 seat stadium site- the waterfront and Eden Park. Council resolved to advise the Government that its preference is for a waterfront stadium site with a design that reflects Auckland and a location as far east as possible. See... City Council agrees on waterfront stadium site [1] ALSO:Greens - Locke Hide call for Govt to drop waterfront option [2] Auckland Regional Council - ARC resolutions on stadium decision [3] NZ Govt - Trevor Mallard’s comments on stadium [4] ACT/Greens - MPs Declare Victory Over Waterfront Stadium [5] Eden Park - Eden Park welcomes ARC unanimity [6] Scoop Full Coverage - Scoop FULL COVERAGE of Rugby World Cup Stadium [7]

- Twenty four hours after rioters tore through Tonga's capital town looting and burning, leaving a sea of blazing buildings in their wake, New Zealand's Helen Clark said there were two futures on offer for the Pacific. "One is poverty and conflict; the other is peace and development." The comment accurately paints a crossroad for Tonga, for Solomon Islands, Fiji, for Melanesia in general. The comment acknowledges how accurate the United States' most recent handle for the Pacific is: The Arc of Uncertainty. See... Scoop On Assignment: Tonga Faces Crossroad [1]

- Sophie McNeill writes: Parents marched hand in hand with their children, alongside crowds of old men and busloads of teenagers, as thousands of Lebanese streamed into the heart of Beirut Thursday morning. “We want the truth!” See... Lebanese Rally Demanding End To Political Violence [1] ALSO:UN - Annan Condemns Assassination Of Lebanese Minister [2]

- Yasmine Ryan writes: It has been decided. Ségolène Royal is to be the Socialist candidate for the 2007 presidential election; the first woman in a position to become France’s head of state. See... Yeux on France: Who Exactly is Ségolène Royal? [1]