Top Scoop Stories – 30 December 2008 News Summary

Tuesday, 30 December 2008, 6:03 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

LEAD STORY

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Image: International
Solidarity Movement

Ban Ki-moon: Israel And Hamas Must Halt Violence
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today demanded that Israel and Hamas halt their acts of violence, take all necessary measures to avoid civilian casualties, and that Israel keep open all border crossings necessary for the continued provision of humanitarian supplies to Gaza.“A ceasefire must be declared immediately,” Mr. Ban said in a statement he himself read to the news media. “They must also curb their inflammatory rhetoric. Only then can dialogue start.”He faulted regional and international partners are not doing enough. “They should do more. They should use all possible means to end the violence and encourage political dialogue, emphasizing peaceful ways of resolving differences,” he said. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00606.htm

ALSO:

GPJA Calls For Boycot Of Israel [2]

Open Letter to Prime Minister John Key on Gaza [3]

Protest against slaughter in Gaza - Today (30th) 4pm, US Consulate (Auckland) [4]

Red Crescent evacuating neigbourhoods in Rafah [5]

Journal: Attacks last night in Gaza [6]

Dignity Leaves for Gaza [7]

SC Calls On Israel, Palestinians To End Violence [8]

NZ Labour Party - Statement on Gaza [9]

Israeli Navy pull in towards Gaza Port [10]

Statement on Gaza [11]

Journal: One family’s fear and heartbreak in Gaza [12]

Gaza: Bombing Severely Reduces Oxfam Aid Programme [13]

IIC Condemns the Attack on Gaza [14]

Israeli forces kill resident of Ni’lin at protest [15]

Gaza: Civilian houses & medical centres targeted [16]

GAZA – Death and destruction [17]

Mother of 13 killed by Israeli air-strike [18]

Israel Renews Air Strikes on Gaza [19]

Report from ISM Gaza Strip [20]

Call For NZ Govt to Condemn Israeli Air Strikes [21]

Alliance Calls on Key to Condemn Israeli Strikes [22]

Secretary-General Urges Immediate Halt To Renewed Israeli-Palestinian Violence [23]

Israel Strikes Demolish Hamas Compounds, Kill 192 [24]

Protest against slaughter in Gaza [25]

Israeli Defense making threatening calls [26]

Human Rights Defenders speak from Gaza [27]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00310.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00311.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00309.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00602.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00601.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00598.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00589.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00266.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00595.htm [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00266.htm [11]

[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00593.htm [12]

[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00592.htm [13]

[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00591.htm [14]

[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00588.htm [15]

[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00587.htm [16]

[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00586.htm [17]

[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00585.htm [18]

[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00458.htm [19]

[20] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00581.htm [20]

[21] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00306.htm [21]

[22] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00305.htm [22]

[23] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00575.htm [23]

[24] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00451.htm [24]

[25] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00566.htm [25]

[26] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00565.htm [26]

[27] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00564.htm [27]

A Massacre in Palestine - Responses & Developments
Gush Shalom - More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00579.htm

ALSO:

Situation in Gaza [2]

Poem: Gaza Massacre Justified by Israel as Palestine Mourns [3]

From Dachau to Gaza [4]

Obama's Silence On Gaza Atrocities Is Deafening [5]

What is Israel's goal? [6]

A Poem for Gaza [7]

The Belligerence of Oppression [8]

World leaders respond timidly to Israeli attacks [9]

Global protests condemn airstrikes [10]

Israel strikes Gaza in 2nd day of attacks [11]

Video of the devastation in Gaza [12]

Israel targets pharmacy in Rafah [13]

Israel launches air strikes in Gaza Strip [14]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00576.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00473.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00472.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00469.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00468.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00465.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00463.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00462.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/17024.html [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/17020.html [11]

[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00580.htm [12]

[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00594.htm [13]

[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/17007.html [14]

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NZ POLITICS

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On the High Seas: Steve Irwin Drives Japanese Whalers Out of Australia's Waters
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's ship Steve Irwin has driven the Japanese whaling fleet out of the Australian Economic Exclusion Zone. "We have chased the whalers for over 800 miles since last Saturday through bad weather and heavy ice conditions," said Captain Paul Watson. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00584.htm

ALSO:

Japanese whalers enter NZ waters pursued by protestors [2]

Sea Shepherd Clashes With Whaling Fleet [3]

Animal Planet Spurs Violence At Sea [4]

Sea Shepherd Attacks Whale Research Vessel [5]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/17027.html [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00583.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00590.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00552.htm [5]

Diplomacy: NZ Government Disappointed By Fiji Move
Foreign Minister Murray McCully says the Fiji Interim Government this afternoon moved to expel New Zealand’s Acting High Commissioner, Caroline McDonald.
“At 5pm New Zealand time today the Acting High Commissioner was called to the offices of the Fiji Foreign Ministry and given a notice declaring her persona non-grata. She has been given one week to leave Fiji,” says Mr McCully. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00261.htm

ALSO:

New Zealand needs to change tack on Fiji [2]

Letter to Minister: Fiji NZ Diplomatic Situation [3]

Expulsion of New Zealand’s High Commissioner [4]

Foreign Affairs Minister discusses High Commissioner's expulsion [5]

Fiji On A Roadmap To Somewhere [6]

[2] - http://election08.scoop.co.nz/new-zealand-needs-to-change-tack-on-fiji/ [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00260.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00300.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/16932.html [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0805/S00012.htm [6]

Scoop Business: Economy Shrinking To Tom Thumb Size
New Zealand's economy shrank for at twice the pace predicted by the central bank in the third quarter, raising the prospect of more interest rate cuts to revive the worst slump in 10 years. Gross domestic product fell 0.4% in the three months ended Sept. 30, according to Statistics New Zealand. More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/?p=1961

Mixed Messages At A Time Of Economic Stress: Why does the council wish me a Merry Christmas?
Lindsay Shelton writes: The Wellington City Council wants me to have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I discovered the council’s message when I was waiting for a bus – not exactly the place where you expect to receive seasonal greetings. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00402.htm

State Of It: Police SIG Unit Wasted On Tag-Busting?
Scoop co-editor Selwyn Manning writes that investigations into the Police special investigations groups reveal that it had used a complaint of tagging to dig into the private life of a peace advocate, political groups, and a US owned defence company. Was this a waste of Police resources? More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00364.htm

ALSO:

Pepper sprayed activist to court over provocateur [2]

Undercover agent fiasco strengthens inquiry call [3]

Gilchrist sent naked photos of teenager to police [4]

Media notice: Video evidence exposes Broads lies [5]

Brief On Informants In Intel Operations [6]

Unite Union leader condemns police spying on union [7]

EPMU calls for Commission of Inquiry into spying [8]

Police spy scandal - Union may call stopwork [9]

Union wants answers from police [10]

No Right Turn: Police spied on case against them [11]

Hard News: Need to Know [12]

On the matt: NBR's Gibson on Police Spying [13]

[2] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00250.htm [2]

[3] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00251.htm [3]

[4] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00278.htm [4]

[5] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00279.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00358.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00253.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00252.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00258.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00261.htm [10]

[11] - http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2008/12/police-spied-on-case-against-them.html" target="_blank [11]

[12] - http://www.publicaddress.net/5584" target="_blank [12]

[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/politics/16787.html [13]

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BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

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NZX 50 has worst annual slump since 1990
Dec. 24 – New Zealand’s benchmark NZX 50 index is headed for its worst annual slump in 18 years, as global growth stumbled and the domestic economy fell into recession, hurting retailers, tourist operators, and commodity producers. More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/?p=2005

NZ Govt: New Year Fuel Price Cut Call
Energy and Resources Minister, Gerry Brownlee, says it's time for local oil companies to stop monitoring and start nudging down fuel prices for New Zealand motorists. International crude oil prices have been sitting at a record low of between US 35 and 37 dollars a barrel in recent weeks, while at the same... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00267.htm

ALSO:

Press Release by Shell New Zealand [2]

Prices fall again at BP [3]

Petrol prices hit three year low [4]

Petrol prices hit three year low [5]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00477.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00478.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/17026.html [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/17026.html [5]

Legal Affairs: Nathans, Bridgecorp Directors Charged Over Docs
Dec. 23 – The Securities Commission has laid charges against directors of Nathans Finance and the remaining directors of Bridgecorp over misleading documents. The commission, which has been looking into all of the nation’s failed finance companies... More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/?p=1978

ALSO:

Nathans Finance directors charged [2]

Bridgecorp chairman & remaining directors charged [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00461.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00460.htm [3]

Economy NZ dollar falls as recession deepens, dim prospects for New Year
Dec. 24 – The New Zealand dollar fell after data confirmed the economy sank deeper into recession, heightening concern that it will continue to spiral downward next year. More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/?p=1984

ALSO:

NZ economy contracts 0.4% in the third quarter on spending slump [2]

NZ dollar falls before data likely to show prolonged recession [3]

Economy declines for third consecutive quarter [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00416.htm [2]

[3] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/?p=1955 [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00454.htm [4]

Foreign Affairs: Anderton Interrogates Kiwibank Ad Critic
"This man needs a funny bone transplant," was the response of Kiwibank founder Jim Anderton to the recent description by former BNZ chairman Kerry McDonald of the Kiwibank 'join the resistance' advertising campaign as 'reprehensible' and 'outrageous'. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00245.htm

Aviation: British Airways and Qantas call off merger
Qantas Airways Limited (Qantas) and British Airways Plc (BA) are announcing that after detailed discussions about a potential merger of the companies, talks have ended. Despite the potential longer term benefits for Qantas and BA... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00421.htm

Economy: NZ heading for bigger deficits; more room to cut rates further
- Dec. 18 - New Zealand’s government finances are heading for wider budget deficits over the next few years on a weaker track for economic growth that will give the central bank more room to cut rates, according to the Treasury’s latest forecasts. More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/?p=1811

ALSO:

Amended Policy Targets Agreement Signed [2]

December 2008 Reserve Bank Bulletin released [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00241.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00414.htm [3]

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COMMENT

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Abukar Arman: The Belligerence Of Oppression
By now, most of the world is aware of the horrific news of death and destruction that visited upon the people of Gaza . Millions have watched in utter shock the footage depicting Israel ’s indiscriminate and disproportionate bombing of Gaza . More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00463.htm

ALSO:

World leaders respond timidly to Israeli attacks [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00462.htm [2]

Pablo Ouziel: Witnessing the Decay of Western Hegemony and the Role of the Organic Intellectual
Abstract: While the military might of the world’s leading nations continues to expand, it has become apparent that western colonialism is abruptly coming to an end, yet the consequences are still not clear to any of the pundits traditionally... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00437.htm

Jason Leopold: Media Ignores Cheney's Admission He 'Signed Off' on Waterboarding
Author's note: Cheney’s admission during an interview with the Washington Times this week about his role in approving the waterboarding of three Guantanamo detainees and the so-called ''enhanced interrogation'' of 33 prisoners was, disturbingly, not ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00450.htm

Martha Rosenberg: Condi Rice's Legacy And The "Creep" Factor
Condoleezza Rice finally lost her temper. When Michele Keleman from National Public Radio asked the outgoing Secretary of State if Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe's discussion of human rights at the UN made it more difficult for her to talk about human rights, ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00453.htm

Mapping the Real Deal: 2008 - Looking Back
The global financial bubble burst in 2008 — and that’s a good thing. It means that the bubble economy will stop draining the real economy . Instead of capital being invested in fraudulent mortgage securities, derivatives portfolios, and companies... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00415.htm

One Leg Raised on the Bush–Cheney Legacy: Deconstructing the Spin and Propaganda
Walter Brasch writes: The chairman of the Republican National Committee may have begun an irreversible descent into a future as a fear-bound paranoid victim of functional amnesia, possibly caused by a hysterical post-traumatic event such as the overwhelming victory of Democrats ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00391.htm

Gordon Campbell: All Hail Arcadian Days Of Summer
Over the next fortnight or so, the mainstream media will be providing Year in Review space fillers aplenty, so enough already for the Barack Obama/John Key recaps, and lets all try to forget that Sarah Palin and Owen Glenn ever existed… Personally, I’d like to thank anyone/everyone who has dropped by this column over the last seven months. More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/gordon-campbell-on-2008-and-a-holiday-beyond-politics/

Julie Webb-Pullman: Uh! Ah! La Enmienda Va!
Or for the non-Spanish-speakers, Uh! Ah! The Amendment is coming! Article 230 of the Venezuelan Constitution, which limits the presidency to two six-year terms, is proposed to be amended to remove the words ''... for two terms only, '' allowing presidential ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00385.htm

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LIFESTYLE

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Photography: Start Snapping Nautically Themed Pictures
The Ministry of Fisheries nationwide photography competition was launched today, Monday 22 December, and we’re calling for your best shots! More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00235.htm

Life Saving: Angel Rings Prevent Early Visit To Meet Angels
The installation of ‘angel rings’ at high risk rock fishing spots on Auckland’s west coast beaches could help save lives this summer, but wearing a lifejacket should still be the number one priority for rock fishers. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00225.htm

Photo Essay: Wellington Phoenix Two-for-One
In what will be the last home game this year for the Wellington Phoenix, players turned out in force to promote tomorrow night’s match against the Central Coast Mariners at Westpac Stadium. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00351.htm

Pop: Coldplay Announces Plan To Invade NZ
Chugg Entertainment today confirmed that Coldplay will visit New Zealand following their eleven arena shows in Australia next March. The show will be part of their “Viva La Vida” world tour, in support of their new album of the same name. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00166.htm

ALSO:

Special presale for COLDPLAY’s Viva La Vida Tour [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00174.htm [2]

Temporary Art: Wellington Barricades Fall After One Day
Car wrecks, discarded furniture and other urban detritus barricaded Stout Street at the corner of Lambton Quay in central Wellington for 24 hours on Sunday. This large-scale art intervention, created by British artists Heather and Ivan Morison, was part of the year-long One Day Sculpture series. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00147.htm

ALSO:

The visual pollution of Wellington’s streets [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00328.htm [2]

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WORLD

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Thailand: Counterfeit Money Is A Genuine Worry
Richard S. Ehrlich writes: In this mimic-happy land brimming with counterfeit designer goods, illegal software, duplicated movies, sham medicine, forged passports, and other professionally faked items, genuine fear has suddenly appeared. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00442.htm

Africa: Zimbabwe's Cholera Epidemic Not Under Control
23 December 2008 – The worst cholera epidemic ever recorded in Zimbabwe is still not under control after infecting nearly 24,000 people, with the death toll approaching 1,200, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported today. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00549.htm

ALSO:

World Must Help Rebuild Zimbabwe’s Health [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00508.htm [2]

Child Welfare: Sudanese Government And UNICEF Sign Agreement
23 December 2008 – Sudan’s military and child welfare authorities have partnered with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to protect children’s rights and prevent the recruitment of child soldiers in the war-torn African nation. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00548.htm

Coup: Guinea: Ban Calls For Peaceful Transfer Of Power
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today extended his condolences on the passing of General Lansana Conté of Guinea, and stressed the need for a peaceful, democratic and constitutional transfer of power, following a reported coup attempt. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00532.htm

ALSO:

UN Helping Philippines Tackle Ebola Outbreak [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00536.htm [2]

Education: UN Teams With England’s Schools
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has partnered with schools in England to provide nutritious meals next month to school children in some of the world’s poorest countries. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00505.htm

Conflict: Neta Golan Arrested Leaving Gaza
6pm 22nd December 2008 - Neta Golan, an Israeli citizen and co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), has been arrested by Israeli police while attempting to leave Gaza through the Erez border crossing. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00509.htm

ALSO:

Gaza Crossings Remain Closed [2]

Israeli forces demolish Sheikh Jarrah protest camp [3]

Ban Calls For End To Rocket Attacks [4]

Dignity Docks in Gaza Despite Israeli Threats [5]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00500.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00494.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00463.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00497.htm [5]

Darfur: Pakistani Troops Arrive
Eighty-five Pakistani troops arrived in Darfur during the past two days to bolster the strength of the joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force, known as UNAMID. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00504.htm

ALSO:

Darfur: UN-African Union Force Reaches Over 60% [2]

Violence Intensifies In Darfur [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00550.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00462.htm [3]

ENDS

Scoop

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Top Scoop Stories – 30 December 2008 News Summary