Top Scoop Stories - 22 July 2008 News Summary

Tuesday, 22 July 2008, 2:03 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

Today's Top Scoops - 22 July 2008

LEAD STORY:

Election 08: The Select Committee And The Revised Immigration Bill

NZ POLITICS:

Donations: Dominion Post Article "A Smear Campaign"
Security & Defence: Rethinking NZ's Commitment In Afghanistan
Post Primary Education: School Suspensions Hit 8-Year Low
Te Reo: Te Wiki O Te Reo Maori Puts Maori Language Online
Transport: Government Takes First Steps In KiwiRail Upgrade

BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH:

Agriculture/ Science: Some Sheep Are Fussier Eaters Than Others
Employers: Annual Work Stoppages Decrease
Legal Issues: Prosecution For Attempt To Sell Unsafe Xmas Lights
Legal Issues: ANZ Investment Services Fined For Bonus Bond Promo
Media: George FM Future Proofed
Waikato DHB : Mortuary Investigation Statement

WORLD:

World Trade: Members 'Within Reach Of A Major Step' Toward New Trade Deal
Zimbabwe: United Nations Joins Reference Group Aiding Zimbabwe Mediation
Jerusalem Fever: 'Britain Always At Israel's Side,' Says Gordon Brown
Afghanistan: Significant Progress Being Made On Mine Clearance, Reports UN Official
Seriously: Visiting Foreign Ministers Meetings 'Productive', Says Bainimarama

COMMENT:

Kevin Parkinson: The Death of Free Internet is Imminent (It's a Diabolical Plot)
The George W. Bush Legacy Project: San Francisco to vote on initiative to rename waste treatment plants in honour of Bush
Swanson: Bush Lied, Knew He Was Lying, Thought It Was Funny, and Killed Over a Million People
Susenjit Guha: Pakistan - South Asia's failing state

LIFESTYLE:

International Film Festival: Review: Rubbings From A Live Man
Lifestyle: Review: The Order Of Myths
GTA IV: Buy It While You Can?
Culture: Blaze Of Tradition And Technology
Maori Language Week: Wellington Educated

Election 08: The Select Committee And The Revised Immigration Bill

- Gordon Campbell writes: The Immigration Bill was reported back late yesterday from the Transport and Industrial Relations select committee. Some objectionable features have been changed but the repellent core of the Bill remains. In particular, the security provisions still tilt the balance unfairly and unnecessarily - in favour of the state, at the expense of the individual's rights to natural justice. No surprises there. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• 95bFM - Kim Choe + Gordon Campbell Analyse Immigration Bill [2]
• Greens - Immigration Bill improved, but still oppressive [3]

[1] - http://election08.scoop.co.nz/gordon-campbell-on-the-select-committees-handling-of-the-immigration-bill/
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0807/S00233.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0807/S00369.htm

Donations: Dominion Post Article "A Smear Campaign" - The Dominion Post article is a smear campaign of unsubstantiated allegations. The article says: * The family denies it donated as much as $150,000. * NZ First sources (unnamed) denied receiving as much as $150,000. * The donations were all lawful - Peters. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• NZ First - Winston Peters Speech to NZ First Convention [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0807/S00379.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0807/S00355.htm

Security & Defence: Rethinking NZ's Commitment In Afghanistan - With US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visiting NZ late this week, Paul G Buchanan explores why it is important for a public discussion about NZ's role in international security missions led by superpowers, and why debate ought to take place now rather than after this year's General Election. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• KiwiFM - Wallace & Manning Analyse The Condi Rice Visit [2]
• NZ Govt - US Secretary of State to visit New Zealand [3]
• US State Dept - Secretary Rice to Travel to the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, and Samoa) [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0807/S00204.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0807/S00217.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0807/S00281.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0807/S00551.htm

Post Primary Education: School Suspensions Hit 8-Year Low - Suspension rates in New Zealand schools have hit an eight year low, Education Minister Chris Carter announced today. The figures have been published in the Ministry of Education's annual Student Engagement Report, which tracks suspensions, stand-downs, ... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0807/S00378.htm

Te Reo: Te Wiki O Te Reo Maori Puts Maori Language Online - "Maori Language Week is an entire week dedicated to celebrating the beauty of one our most paramount taonga tuku iho –Te reo Maori. The launch of the I-Papakupu builds on efforts to ensure that Te Reo remains a living language within digitalised ... More >> [1]

ALSO:
• Thinktank Consulting Limited - Mâori Dictionary Sofware a Worldwide Hit [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0807/S00377.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0807/S00048.htm

Transport: Government Takes First Steps In KiwiRail Upgrade - Improvements for Auckland and Wellington commuter services and a major overhaul of the Tranz Scenic service are part of a five year, $80.2 million investment in rail infrastructure announced by Finance Minister Michael Cullen today. More >> [1]

ALSO:
• NZ Govt - Minister calls for greater rail safety awareness [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0807/S00375.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0807/S00373.htm

Agriculture/ Science: Some Sheep Are Fussier Eaters Than Others - Lincoln University honours students have shown some sheep are more fussy about what they eat than others. Students, Rowan O'Connor, Sam Williams and Sam Bryan found fussier sheep leave more stem behind and choose to eat more leaf while others in the same mob eat stem along with the leaves. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0807/S00050.htm

Employers: Annual Work Stoppages Decrease - Twenty-six work stoppages ended in the March 2008 year, Statistics New Zealand said today. This compares with 40 stoppages for the March 2007 year. Stoppages in the March 2008 year involved 3,664 employees, and losses of 11,049 person-days of work ... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0807/S00373.htm

Legal Issues: Prosecution For Attempt To Sell Unsafe Xmas Lights - A wholesale company, who attempted to sell unsafe banned Christmas lights, has been convicted for breaching Electricity Regulations in the Auckland District Court. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0807/S00367.htm

Legal Issues: ANZ Investment Services Fined For Bonus Bond Promo - ANZ Investment Services (New Zealand) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of ANZ National Bank Limited, has been fined $80,000 plus costs for running a misleading television campaign. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0807/S00366.htm

Media: George FM Future Proofed - Major changes to the operations and management of Auckland radio station George FM have been announced by UMA Broadcasting CEO Willie Jackson. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0807/S00365.htm

Waikato DHB : Mortuary Investigation Statement - This statement is from Waikato District Health Board group manager clinical and support services Melinda Ch'ng in response to media enquiries today. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0807/S00371.htm

World Trade: Members 'Within Reach Of A Major Step' Toward New Trade Deal - The head of the WTO, Pascal Lamy, today said he was convinced that the organization's member states would be able to reach agreements on international trade, as this week's meeting of the Trade Negotiations Committee got under way. More >> [1]

MORE ON THE WTO MEETING

• Oxfam: Fair Trade Deal Needed Now [2]
• ITUC: WTO Manufactured Goods Proposals Imbalanced [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0807/S00647.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0807/S00646.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0807/S00484.htm

Zimbabwe: United Nations Joins Reference Group Aiding Zimbabwe Mediation - The UN has agreed to join a reference group on Zimbabwe, set up by the President of South Africa who has been leading the mediation process to resolve the continuing political crisis in Harare. The group "will accompany the mediation process and consult" More >> [1]

CRISIS RESOLUTION

• Mugabe, Tsvangirai Agree on Talks [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0807/S00645.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0807/S00637.htm

Jerusalem Fever: 'Britain Always At Israel's Side,' Says Gordon Brown - "And let me tell the people of Israel today: Britain is your true friend. A friend in difficult times as well as in good times; a friend who will stand beside you whenever your peace, your stability and your existence are under threat." - Gordon Brown. More >> [1]

SEE ALSO

• Gordon Brown's Speech To The Knesset [2]
• Statements: PM Olmert & PM Brown [3]
• Ehud Barak Meets British PM Gordon Brown [4]
• Scheme To Foster UK-Israel Academic Links [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0807/S00634.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0807/S00632.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0807/S00629.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0807/S00630.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0807/S00639.htm

Afghanistan: Significant Progress Being Made On Mine Clearance, Reports UN Official - "The UN, together with the Govt of Afghanistan is making every effort to make Afghanistan a safe country, free of landmines, " Mr. Reza said. He credits much of the recent success to community based de-mining and mine risk education programmes. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0807/S00642.htm

Seriously: Visiting Foreign Ministers Meetings 'Productive', Says Bainimarama - "I would like to reassure you all that the Interim Government is seriously and fully committed to the restoration of genuine Parliamentary democracy in Fiji through a General Election as soon as practicably possible." -- Commodore Bainimarama, Interim PM, Fiji. More >> [1]

NOT ALL FUN AND GAMES

• Fiji Working Towards Economic Prosperity [2]

ALSO RECENTLY

• Fiji's Standard & Poor's Rating Stable [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0807/S00628.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0807/S00627.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0807/S00590.htm

Kevin Parkinson: The Death of Free Internet is Imminent (It's a Diabolical Plot) - In the upcoming weeks watch for a report in Time Magazine that will attempt to smooth over the rough edges of a diabolical plot by Bell Canada and Telus, to begin charging per site fees on most Internet sites... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0807/S00225.htm

The George W. Bush Legacy Project: San Francisco to vote on initiative to rename waste treatment plants in honour of Bush - On Election Day this November, voters in San Francisco will vote on a local initiative to rename one of the city's largest waste treatment plants in honor of George W. Bush. If the initiative passes --- and since the number of Republicans in the city ... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0807/S00231.htm

Swanson: Bush Lied, Knew He Was Lying, Thought It Was Funny, and Killed Over a Million People - Borrowing heavily from Congressman Dennis Kucinich's articles of impeachment, but adding and removing bits and pieces, here's a case against the current occupant of the White House: More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0807/S00229.htm

Susenjit Guha: Pakistan - South Asia's failing state - U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen's warning to Pakistan - to clean up its act or else –came as no surprise. But the recently announced US$750 billion aid package over five years for development of schools, roads and ... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0807/S00221.htm

International Film Festival: Review: Rubbings From A Live Man - Premiere News... Florian Habicht's film Rubbings from a Live Man about performer Warwick Broadhead premiered yesterday July 20 to a full-house at Sky City Theatre in Auckland. Auckland's fine arts community was out in full force to support their colleague Habicht. Festival Director Bill Gosden said that seeing one of Habicht's films was always a "joyous occasion" and said that even Warwick Broadhead walking along the street was an event. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0807/S00222.htm

Lifestyle: Review: The Order Of Myths - Tradition is a funny thing. Along with a sense of identity, it can imbue a sense of shame. It has the power to give privilege or deny it, to include or exclude. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0807/S00223.htm

GTA IV: Buy It While You Can? - The Society for Promotion of Community Standards has been granted leave by the Secretary of Internal Affairs, Mr Brendan Boyle, to apply to the Film and Literature Board of Review to review the classification of the computer game Grand Theft Auto IV (unedited US version). The game was classified R18 by the Chief Censor's Office. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0807/S00258.htm

Culture: Blaze Of Tradition And Technology - A new series of artworks connecting customary Mäori tukutuku patterns with urban signage and lighting technology will be exhibited at Pataka in Porirua until the end of September. The exhibition is called Muramura, which means blaze, shimmering, eye-catching, or communicative, according to the artist, University lecturer and Mäori visual artist Kura Puke. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0807/S00223.htm

Maori Language Week: Wellington Educated - Today [Monday] Wellingtonians will be greeted with fresh fruit and 'kia ora' to celebrate the first day of Mâori Language Week. Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Mâori (the Mâori Language Commission) and partners will be welcoming commuters at the railway station with a new booklet Te Reo i te Kâinga - Mâori Language in the Home, which offers useful vocabulary, tips, and information. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Te Wiki o te Reo Maori puts Maori language online [2]
• Ministry For Culture And Heritage - Maori Language Week 21 - 27 July [3]
• Thinktank Consulting Limited - Mâori Dictionary Sofware a Worldwide Hit [4]
• New Zealand Maori Internet Society - Big change in Internet could see Maori names [5]
• Massey University - Mäori lullabies subject of PhD research [6]
• Television NZ - Top Shows On TVNZ Screen Maori Subtitles [7]
• TV3 Video - Maori Language Week: Music and Te Reo [8]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0807/S00201.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0807/S00377.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0807/S00196.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0807/S00048.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0807/S00012.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0807/S00065.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0807/S00378.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/10800.html

ENDS

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