Top Scoop Stories – 6th January, 2009 News Summary

Tuesday, 6 January 2009, 4:37 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

LEAD STORY

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1000+ Protest Gaza Assault In Wellington
A protest organized by the Wellington Palestine Group against the Israeli assault on Gaza drew a crowd of more than 1000 people on an otherwise very quiet day in the capital.The group started its protest outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Panama Street and then moved down to the Yitzhak Rabin peace memorial adjacent to the Library in Civic Square. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00051.htm

ALSO:

Wellington Palestine Protest Begins [2]

Statement on Gaza [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00047.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0901/S00006.htm [3]

MP To Attend Wellington Protest Against Gaza War
& More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0901/S00010.htm

ALSO:

Goverment rejects Greens' sophistry on Gaza crisis [2]

Silent protest on Gaza operation [3]

With greater power comes greater responsibility [4]

Global Peace & Justice Auckland #267 - 5/1/09 [5]

Appeal to the UN Ambassadors Re: Gaza [6]

Protest March Today [7]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0901/S00004.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0901/S00017.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0901/S00015.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0901/S00016.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0901/S00012.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0901/S00011.htm [7]

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NZ POLITICS

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Teaching: Greens Debate Classroom Quality, Quantity, Correlation, Causation
Green Party Education Spokesperson Catherine Delahunty says that Professor John Hattie's indepth study of student achievement raises many important issues but fails to make the link between student/ teacher relationships and class size. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0901/S00011.htm

Tolls: Roads Safer, Water More Dangerous
The Christmas and New Year holiday period has resulted in ten drowning deaths in New Zealand. This is the same number of fatalities as the holiday period last year. Statistics released today by Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) for the holiday period show that there were eight recreational drowning deaths and two non recreational. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0901/S00004.htm

ALSO:

Safely enjoy the pool this summer with your kids [2]

Boating Fatality Lake Taupo [3]

Kawarau River Jetski-Jetboat Crash [4]

Irina Yun's Backpack Located By Searchers [5]

Drury Creek Deceased Formally Identified [6]

Minister urges vigilance despite record low toll [7]

Road Lowest in 15 Years (Central District) [8]

Canterbury 2008 Road Toll [9]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0901/S00005.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0901/S00018.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0901/S00017.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0901/S00016.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0901/S00013.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0901/S00007.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0901/S00013.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0901/S00004.htm [9]

Gongs: Some Kiwis Get Extra Reson To Party At New Year
The Queen has been pleased on the occasion of the celebration of the New Year, to make the following appointments to The New Zealand Order of Merit... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0901/S00001.htm

ALSO:

New Year Honours for Councillors [2]

Wellington New Year Round up [3]

New Year Celebrations in Auckland City [4]

New Years Eve Wanaka 2008 [5]

Taupo: Serious Assault - New Years Eve [6]

Canterbury 2008 Road Toll [7]

New Years Eve Boosts Online Dating [8]

Rhythm and Vines opens its gates! [9]

New Year's Day a magical one for Kiwi magician [10]

New year's resolutions - worth all the hassle? [11]

Battling the festive hangover [12]

Japanese whalers enter NZ waters pursued by protestors [13]

Sea Shepherd Clashes With Whaling Fleet [14]

Animal Planet Spurs Violence At Sea [15]

Sea Shepherd Attacks Whale Research Vessel [16]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0901/S00007.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0901/S00004.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0901/S00003.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0901/S00005.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0901/S00003.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0901/S00004.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0901/S00003.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00253.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/17063.html [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/lifestyle/17086.html [11]

[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/lifestyle/17085.html [12]

[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/17027.html [13]

[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00583.htm [14]

[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00590.htm [15]

[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00552.htm [16]

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. 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

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/

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BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

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Riveting: Less Discrimination Among Kiwi Engineers
Despite New Zealand’s female engineers being outnumbered by their male colleagues by ten to one, Kiwi women report a relatively low level of gender discrimination when compared to their Aussie contemporaries. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0901/S00012.htm

Stats: Summer Fetches Mixed Results For Retail
The seasonally adjusted value of the total Electronic Card Transaction (ECT) series decreased 2.8 percent in November 2008 compared with October 2008, Statistics New Zealand said today. This was the largest monthly drop since the series began in October 2002. The main contributor to the drop was a substantial decrease in the value of fuel sales, while fuel prices continued to decline. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0901/S00005.htm" target="_blank

ALSO:

New Xmas Eve Record as Kiwis Spend $4 Billion in December [2]

Warehouse resisted margin squeeze as peak Christmas sales fell [3]

Australia and NZ - Weekly Prospects 5/1/09 [4]

Australia's economy to stall in 2009 [5]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0901/S00008.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00045.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0901/S00009.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0901/S00010.htm [5]

PM Welcomes World-First Biofuel Test Flight
Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key has congratulated Air New Zealand for its successful test flight today of a biofuel-powered Boeing 747 aircraft. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00272.htm

ALSO:

Air NZ Test Flight Proves Viability of Biofuel [2]

Air New Zealand succeeds with biofuel flight [3]

Air New Zealand Biofuel Test Flight Underway [4]

National’s comments on biofuels ring hollow [5]

Tourism operator leads on sustainability [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00487.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00486.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00483.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0901/S00008.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0901/S00012.htm [6]

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

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]

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COMMENT

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Uri Avnery: Molten Lead
JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT, Aljazeera’s Arabic channel was reporting on events in Gaza. Suddenly the camera was pointing upwards towards the dark sky. The screen was pitch black. Nothing could be seen, but there was a sound to be heard: the noise of airplanes, ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00050.htm

ALSO:

Poem: Gaza Told Me [2]

A Candle Lights Gaza's Night Awaiting Martyrdom [3]

Gaza - Plan of Attack - Commentary [4]

The Massacre in Palestine - Threat of a Wider War [5]

The Invasion of Gaza: "Operation Cast Lead" [6]

Gaza and the World: Will Things Ever Change? [7]

On Israel’s offensive in Gaza [8]

Where's the Academic Outrage Over Gaza Bombing? [9]

A Hundred Eyes for an Eye [10]

The Fighting in Gaza: Where is it Going? [11]

McKinney to Obama: “Say Something” About Gaza [12]

A Very Bad Year [13]

America and Israel [14]

Where's the Academic Outrage Over Gaza Bombing? [15]

Poem: Massacre Justified by Israel as Palestine Mourns [16]

From Dachau to Gaza [17]

Obama's Silence On Gaza Atrocities Is Deafening [18]

What is Israel's goal? [19]

A Poem for Gaza [20]

The Belligerence of Oppression [21]

World leaders respond timidly to Israeli attacks [22]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00037.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00025.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00028.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00015.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00040.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00010.htm [7]

[8] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/gordon-campbell-on-israel%E2%80%99s-offensive-in-gaza/ [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00007.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00002.htm [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00005.htm [11]

[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00488.htm [12]

[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00001.htm [13]

[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00486.htm [14]

[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00007.htm [15]

[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00473.htm [16]

[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00472.htm [17]

[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00469.htm [18]

[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00468.htm [19]

[20] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00465.htm [20]

[21] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00463.htm [21]

[22] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00462.htm [22]

Seating Franken And Burris: Memo to the U.S. Senate -Try Following the Rules
Michael Collins writes: January 4, 2008 – Washington, DC - We've seen what happens when people don't follow the letter and intent of important laws, particularly those where there is a general consensus and an absence of moral ambiguity. Consider our history from the implosion ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00024.htm

Bill Moyers and Michael Winship: Making "Duck Soup" Out Of 2009
As 2008 ends and this New Year begins, with all its fledgling promise despite turmoil and crisis, it's also that time when the media offers its lists of ten best or worst this and that of the previous year, an exercise... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00027.htm

Dick Cheney: Evil Loves A Vacuum
Revelations about the inner workings of the Bush Administration are coming fast and furious as the Bush-Cheney Administration comes to an ignominious end. The truism, ‘nature abhors a vacuum,’ goes a long way toward explaining... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00036.htm

The Anti-Stimulus Crowd: The Fear Of Success
Dean Baker writes: At least some Republicans are starting to muster an anti-stimulus drive, claiming that President-elect Obama's package will not help the economy. Their drive is centered on what they claim is a careful rereading of the history of the New Deal... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00030.htm

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

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LIFESTYLE

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Wings: Volunteer Sought For Battle Of Wellington
Destination Wairarapa is giving away a flight of the lifetime to one lucky individual in a new prize draw. Not only will the lucky winner experience an adrenalin pumping ride in the back seat of a Mustang, but the plane will join a second WWII fighter plane, a Spitfire Mark IX, in a mini mock-aerial attack of downtown Wellington, due to take place on Friday 16th January 2009 at high noon. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0901/S00015.htm

Housing: Writers To Reside
Two writers have been selected for residencies at the Michael King Writers’ Centre in Devonport, Auckland, in early 2009. They are prominent Wellington poet, fiction writer, editor and biographer, Vincent O’Sullivan, and Dunedin writer and poet, David Eggleton. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0901/S00009.htm

By Dingo! Wild Dogs At Wellington Zoo
New to Wellington Zoo and unique to New Zealand zoos, two purebred young dingoes will be walked daily around Zoo grounds over the summer holiday season. Visitors will be able to meet the dingoes under the supervision... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0812/S00328.htm

ALSO:

New female chimpanzees arrive at Hamilton Zoo [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0812/S00060.htm [2]

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

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

Great Shivering Ghosts! Exhibition Looks At Cemetery
The many reasons why Christchurch people feel a sense of connection to Barbadoes Street Cemetery are explored in the exhibition Awakening – Barbadoes Street Cemetery: its care, its future, our memories. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0812/S00241.htm

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WORLD

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Earthquake: UN Assessment Underway In Quake-Hit Indonesia
A joint United Nations assessment mission is being carried out in the Indonesian province of West Papua, where a series of earthquakes yesterday injured hundreds, damaged more than 800 houses and sent some 14,000 fleeing from their homes. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0901/S00036.htm

Africa: Fresh Fighting Uproots Another 50,000 Somalis
The top UN relief official in Somalia has voiced concern at the eteriorating humanitarian situation in the strife-torn nation, where fresh clashes last week have reportedly killed more than 40 people and displaced over 50,000. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0901/S00032.htm

Aid In Gaza: Ambulances Face Difficulty In Reaching Gaza
Ambulances and medical workers in Gaza are facing difficulty in reaching the wounded, some are being killed in doing so, and a “humanitarian breathing space” is vital to ensure that food and medical supplies reach those in need. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0901/S00033.htm

ALSO:

Humanitarian Assistance Activities in Gaza [2]

Hospital Damaged by Israeli Shelling [3]

UN Role In Ending Gaza Conflict [4]

UN Role In Ending Gaza Conflict [5]

Five Palestinian medics killed by Israeli forces [6]

Gaza: Security Council Calls Emergency Meeting [7]

Gaza Conflict Threatens Regional Peace & Stability [8]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0901/S00041.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0901/S00037.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0901/S00030.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0901/S00030.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0901/S00024.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0901/S00026.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0901/S00022.htm [8]

New Years: Fireworks Inside Bangkok Nightclub Kill 60
Richard S. Ehrlich writes: People cheering "Happy New Year 2009" during a boozy Bad Boy Party, ignited fireworks inside an upscale nightclub, sparking an inferno which burnt to death 60 victims and injured 100 others who tried to escape. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0901/S00006.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

ENDS

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Top Scoop Stories – 6th January, 2009 News Summary