Holy Relic Quake Relief, Fake Photos and much much more...
Today's Scoops
Is This Photo A Fake?
See... OneRing.Net - That Photo a Fake? [1] and Scoop Images: Mirror Snaps Bilbo’s House [2] , both in the headlines wire. Scoop notes that if it is a hoax then Scoop’s photos of Bree are still the first and only genuine pictures of a
Lord of the Rings scene. See… BREE AT FIRST LIGHT [3] and... Scoop Images: Bree Is Spooky At Night. [4] Scoop thanks its content partner http://theonering.net/ [5] for assistance in bringing you this item.
[5] - http://theonering.net/
Today's Americas Cup Special: Morning Races Show Leaders
- Louis Vuitton Cup Morning Race Report - Three Out of Three America One Skipper Paul Cayard gives the thumbs up after
defeating the America True in Race 2, RR1. Young America, AmericaOne and Prada head the table with a perfect three out
of three races. See... Louis Vuitton Cup: Morning Races Show Leaders [1] at the Auckland Front Page.
Damn Those Needle Exchanges!
- It is totally unacceptable for taxpayers to further fund intravenous drug abusers through the installation of an
electronic needle and syringe dispenser,” Gael Donoghue, Health spokesperson for the Christian Heritage Party said. See… Taxpayer Funded Self-Indulgence For IV Druggies [1] in the Politics wire.
McGillicuddy Serious Endorse Peters’ Compulsory National Service
- McGillicuddy Serious welcomed NZ First proposals for the reintroduction of compulsory military training. The party
said that while the proposals were not party policy, McGillicuddy Serious would engage favourably with the idea in any
post-election coalition. See… McGillicuddies will refocus military training [1] in the Politics wire. Meanwhile Mauri Pacific Leader Tau Henare said if the military is so good for young people and discipline,
Winston Peters should sign up straight away. See… Put Winston in the Army [2] in the Parliament wire. Winston's reply to his detractors is also in the Parliament wire.
Plug Me In!
- The Southern Cross cable now connects New Zealand to Hawaii. On 17 October, the 8,000km link between Auckland and
Spencer Beach was completed when the CS Vercors made the final splice 4,600km Northeast of Auckland. See... Southern Cross Makes Fast Work of NZ-Hawaii Link [1] in the Business wire.
Alliance Promise To Slash $50m From State Sector Extravagance
- The Alliance will cut $50 million a year from state sector chief executive salaries, the use of consultants, golden
handshakes and unnecessary public relations exercises, Alliance leader Jim Anderton announced. See… $50m off state sector extravagance [1] in the Parliament wire.
Commerce Commission Act Against Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and St Johns
- Commission action against Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and Order of St John Commerce Commission action has
stopped potential breaches of the Commerce Act by the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust (ARHT) and the Order of Saint
John Auckland Region (OSJ). See… Commerce Com. Against St John and Helicopter Trust [1] in the General wire.
Hutt Health and HFA Sign $7 million Contract
- Hutt Valley Health and the Health Funding Authority (HFA) have signed a one year contract, worth $71 million, for
personal health services and mental health services. See… HFA and Hutt Valley Health sign $71m contract deal [1] in the General wire.
Forest and Bird Suspicious Over Labour’s Fishing Policy
- The Forest and Bird Protection Society today called on Labour to come clean on whether it supported the Government's
push for greater fishing industry control of fisheries management. See… Labour fishing policy unclear on fishing industry [1] in the Politics wire
Opening Of Books Crunch Time For Political Parties
- Treasurer Bill English said this week's pre-election opening of the books was crunch time for political parties and
their spending promises. See… Opening Of The Books Crunch Time For Party Policy [1] in the Parliament wire.
Dirty Tactics In Wellington Central
- Dirty tactics have emerged in the campaign for Wellington Central after posters purporting to be from the Alliance
were pasted up at the weekend said Alliance candidate Phillida Bunkle. See… Dirty Tricks in Wellington Central [1] in the Parliament wire.
Labour Launch Health Policy
- Labour recognises that health is a huge public concern and has developed a comprehensive and balanced policy which
will restore the public’s faith in the public health system, Labour Leader Helen Clark said. See… Clark: Labour's vision for health [1] . Labour is committed to restoring public faith in a quality and comprehensive public health system. Labour’s
policy is about focusing on patients, not profits, Labour health spokesperson Annette King said. See… King: A health policy about patients, not profits [2] . Health Minister Wyatt Creech says people will be better off with National's health policy as the health system
does not want or need the structural turmoil that Labour plans. See… Tired Opposition Would Create Turmoil In Health [3] . ACT Health Spokesman Ken Shirley says Labour plans to cut Government funding for some of the country's vital
health initiatives. See… Labour To Cut Funding To Vital Health Services [4] . All in the Parliament wire. The New Zealand Medical Association wants to meet with Labour’s Annette King to get more detail. See… NZMA seeks more details about Labour policy [5] in the General wire.
Govt Give $15 - $20 million To Genetic Engineering – Greens
– The Government has put $15-20 million of extra taxpayer money into genetic engineering for the 1999-2000 funding
year, despite official concern about some GE work, Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says. See… Govt. pours $15 to 20 million more into GE [1] . In this funding the Government's Public Good Science Fund has given $142,000 in the 1999-2000 funding year to
allow Canterbury University to create mutant salmon, including some with toad genes. See… Govt Funding Toad Genes For Salmon - Greens [2] . Both in the Parliament wire.
New Standard For Primary Schools Launched
- Prime Minister Jenny Shipley today launched the Government's new property standard for primary schools which will see
a 48 per cent increase in the space entitlement for primary schools. See… Bold New Standard For Primary Schools [1] in the Parliament wire.
No Evidence Of Any Wall St Crash Yet
– US stock markets have now closed and while the Dow Jones spent most of the day yo- yoing up and down, in the final
hour of trading it performed more enthusiastically than many had expected and closed up one per cent for the day. Last
week the US market fell nearly six per cent fuelling fears that in this, the week of the 12th anniversary of the Stock
Market crash of 1987, it was to be replay time. So far it appears it isn’t. Tomorrow consumer price inflation figures
will be released and the market will again be following the figures closely. See also… 12th Anniversary of 87 Crash Unsettles Investors [1] . By John Howard in the Headlines wire.
Upton Takes Issue With Clark’s Crossfire Complaint
- A story in Monday morning's Dominion caused upton-on-line to spill his latte and choke on his muffin. The headline
ran, "Anti-Labour bias claim against TV's Crossfire". In it, Helen Clark and her media consultant (top-rating Radio New
Zealand host) Brian Edwards expressed their outrage at TVNZ for not inviting her on to its Crossfire programme. See… Upton On Line - Crossfire under fire [1] in the Parliament wire.
Pakistan Suspended From Commonwealth
- Pakistan has been suspended from the Commonwealth. The decision was made by member nations on Monday evening and is
of no surprise to Pakistan. Pakistan's new leader General Musharraf said of much more importance than the Commonwealth
ban was the status of IMF loans to Pakistan which are still looking good. A final decision on Pakistan's standing in the
Commonwealth next month.
Antibiotics, Superbugs and Early Disease Treatment
- The Holmes Show last night carried a report that antibiotic resistant "superbugs" reported in three different
hospitals were nothing new and follow a 10-year international trend. But how did society fight germs before antibiotics,
like penicillin, were available? John Howard reports. See… Superbugs, Treatment and Antibiotic Resistance [1] in the Headlines wire.
Prebble Speech – It’s The Economy
- The media reports that public opinion polling now reveals that the centre -right and the left are neck and neck. What
we are not told is why Labour's lead is dissolving like butter in the hot sun. See… Prebble Speech - It's The Economy [1] in the Parliament wire.
BNZ Increases Mortgage Rate
- The Bank of New Zealand has increased their floating mortgage rate by .25 per cent - the first increase in 16 months.
This takes their mortgage rate to 6.75 per cent and is blamed on the falling Kiwi dollar. The BNZ say more banks will
follow their move and that they have been wearing the costs of the falling dollar for months now. See the release from
WestpacTrust which shows Manufacturers Confidence Slides From Peak In March [1] and the Deutsche Bank: NZ Survey of Business Opinion [2] which also shows a decline in business confidence. Treasurer Bill English however says this decline is expected.
See… Businesses realistic, confident about own prospect [3] . All in the Business wire.
PM Calls On Maori To Get Out Of Courts Over Fisheries
- The Prime Minister has called on Maori to get out of the courts and get on with the job of sharing the resources of
the Treaty of Waitangi fisheries settlement. See… Time To Get On With Sharing Resources, Says PM [1] in the Parliament wire.
Radio Spectrum Date Announced – No Quota For Maori
- Communications Minister Maurice Williamson has announced that the auction of radio frequencies in the 2GHz band would
begin on Monday November 15, 1999, without spectrum being set aside for Maori. See… Radio Spectrum Auction Date Announced [1] . Labour’s state owned enterprises spokesperson Paul Swain said the way in which the Government is proceeding with
the radio spectrum auction is typical of a party too long in power. See… Govt playing dirty pool in spectrum sale [2] . Meanwhile ACT is claiming as a victory the fact that no provision is being made for Maori in the auction. See… Spectrum Auction ACT Victory [3] . All in the Parliament wire.
Labour AND National To Ruin Christmas
- Treasurer Bill English said this year would be the last happy Christmas for New Zealand families if Helen Clark is
able to carry out her top priority of tax increases. See… The last happy Christmas [1] . However Labour’s employment spokesperson Pete Hodgson said the only threat to New Zealanders' ability to enjoy
Christmas is a National-Act Government. See… National-Act would steal Xmas [2] . Both in the Parliament wire.
We Thought That Was The Idea!
– As far as issues go cannabis is one that most politicians like to avoid around this time. Well that’s what Scoop
thought anyway. In order to shed some light on the various cannabis policies Scoop phoned all the parties in parliament
in the middle of last week and offered them the opportunity to contribute 500 words on their various cannabis policies.
ACT, National, Mauri Pacific, the Alliance, the Greens, United and NZ First accepted the offer – Labour said maybe - and
said they would forward the piece to us here at Scoop by 4pm Monday. It’s now Tuesday morning and guess how many we have
received? One – from the Greens. And not one explanation from the rest. Scoop still hopes to bring you the policy
package and will do so if and when we receive more copy. Whoever said politicians were keen to avoid the issue?
Tense Isn’t The Word For It
- National 37 per cent, Labour 39, ACT seven, NZ First six, Alliance 4.5. If last week we thought we were in for a tight election, this week it is looking too close to call. The left have lost
their advantage and are now on the back foot. The right continue to rise. New Zealand’s second MMP election looks set to
be one of the closest in the country’s history. Jonathan Hill writes. See… Tense Isn't The Word For It [1] in the Headlines wire.
Holy Relic Quake Relief
- A Greek holy relic has been brought to Athens to perform a miracle. The 1300 year old Icon depicting Mary holding a
baby Jesus will be prayed to to help the victims of the Turkish earthquake. Accompanied by the head of the Orthodox
Church the Icon was flown and then marched to an Athens Cathedral. The Icon is said to perform miracles for those who
pray to it. Thousands are expected to pray over the next ten days during which it is expected to stay in Athens. This is
an extremely rare appearance for the Icon. It has been in the monastery for centuries.