Top Scoop Stories 10th March, 2009 News Summary

Tuesday, 10 March 2009, 2:11 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

LEAD STORY

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Pacific: Charity Shouldn't Begin At Home For Overseas Aid
The Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully needs to tell the public just what will qualify as New Zealand Aid (NZAID) under his reign, said Green Party Spokesperson Dr Kennedy Graham.Yesterday at his post-cabinet press conference Prime Minister John Key told journalists that subsidising Air New Zealand flights between Tonga, Samoa and the United States may very well come out of NZAID's budget under a National Government. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00130.htm

ALSO:

PM's Post-Cabinet Presser 09/03/09 [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00119.htm [2]

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NZ POLITICS

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Corrections: "If You Don't Want To Be Assaulted - Or Worse - By A Cellmate, Avoid Prison"
The feelings and preferences of prisoners should not enter into any debate over the implementation of double-bunking - the practice of having two inmates share a cell – if this is the best way to provide the prison system with the extra 950 beds it will require over the next 18 months, ACT New Zealand Law & Order Spokesman David Garrett said today. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00131.htm

NZ Govt: Queen Appoints Don Mckinnon, As GCVO
The Queen has been pleased to appoint former Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Right Honourable Don McKinnon, as Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) in recognition of his outstanding service as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00127.htm

ALSO:

Statement From Rt Hon Donald McKinnon ONZ [2]

A Message from Her Majesty The Queen [3]

Message From Commonwealth S-G [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0903/S00098.htm [2]

[3] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0903/S00181.htm [3]

[4] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0903/S00180.htm [4]

Environment: 1080 Effects Not Loving Correction, Says Baldock
It is time New Zealand prohibited the indiscriminate use of 1080 by aerial top-dressing methods says Kiwi Party leader Larry Baldock. Mr Baldock was commenting on the documentary highlighting the ill effects of 1080 on native birds and the overall ecology shown on Campbell live tonight. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0903/S00101.htm

ALSO:

Cartoon: Nick Smith and Ross Wilson [2]

Ross Wilson dumped as ACC chairman [3]

National continues attack on ACC [4]

Stop meddling with ACC [5]

Anonymous Govt misinformation destabilising ACC [6]

Sacking ACC board chair prelude to privatisation [7]

ACC innocents scape-goated [8]

Reported ACC sackings [9]

PM confirms ACC board sackings [10]

Key: ACC may face competition [11]

Full interview with John Key [12]

PM's Post-Cabinet Presser 09/03/09 [13]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00125.htm [2]

[3] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/03/09/ross-wilson-dumped-as-acc-chairman/ [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00124.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00120.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0903/S00078.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0903/S00095.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0903/S00084.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0903/S00046.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/19356.html [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/19380.html [11]

[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/politics/19382.html [12]

[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00119.htm [13]

Corrections: Private Prisons A Jail House Flop
“Why is the government planning to have private companies run our prisons when all the evidence shows this will cost taxpayers more and provide a worse service?” asks Public Service Association National Secretary Richard Wagstaff More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0903/S00093.htm

ALSO:

Corrections Officer Excellence Awards Established [2]

Private prisons won’t solve corrections issues [3]

It was all about privatising jails [4]

PSA pleased SSC says Barry Matthews to keep Job [5]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00128.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00126.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00121.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0903/S00096.htm [5]

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BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

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Forestry: 65 Jobs Likely To Be Cut At Otago Mill
10 MARCH 2009: Winstone Pulp International (WPI) Managing Director David Anderson has announced that the company’s Blue Mountain Lumber timber mill at Conical Hill near Tapanui will today begin a process of significantly reducing its operations. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00198.htm

Tourism: More American Tourists Is A Good Thing
Air New Zealand’s drive to help halt the decline in international visitors to New Zealand is starting to show the first signs of success. Group General Manager International Airline Ed Sims says aggressive pricing and innovative marketing in the United States has seen bookings improve in recent weeks. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00192.htm

ALSO:

Business opportunity for Rugby World Cup [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00187.htm [2]

Statistic: Core Retail Electronic Card Spending Falls
The seasonally adjusted value of electronic card transactions in the core retail industries (which excludes the motor vehicle-related industries) decreased 0.4 percent in February 2009 compared with January 2009, Statistics New Zealand said today. This ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00194.htm

ALSO:

NZ card spending, excluding fuel, fell last month [2]

BNZ Weekly Overview [3]

NZ dollar falls below 50 US cents on risk aversion [4]

[2] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/03/10/nz-card-spending-excluding-fuel-fell-last-month/ [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00193.htm [3]

[4] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/03/10/nz-dollar-falls-below-50-us-cents-on-risk-aversion/ [4]

International Trade: US Postpones Free Trade Negotiations With NZ
New Zealand research and education network ARENA today welcomed news that the United States has postponed trade negotiations with New Zealand pending an overall review of US trade policy, and says that the New Zealand government should follow suit. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0903/S00075.htm

ALSO:

McCully’s wrong priorities help put off US deal [2]

Back To The Future For The United States? [3]

Fonterra insults environment, and farmers [4]

Fonterra’s Effluent Compliance Targets Too Little [5]

Tech solution to effluent problems [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00118.htm [2]

[3] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0903/S00076.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00100.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0903/S00096.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00195.htm [6]

Another Day...: Restructuring At Nelson Pine Industries
Nelson Pine Industries Ltd today announced a restructuring of its production operations in response to difficult market conditions resulting from the worldwide financial crisis... The company regrets that this change will result in approximately 60 staff positions becoming surplus to production requirements. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00115.htm

ALSO:

Nelson Pine layoffs a blow to region [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00117.htm [2]

Animal: Four Legs Good, Says Zebra
Since the passing of Zardi the zebra last year, Wellington Zoo’s remaining zebra Molly has shared her enclosure with two ostriches relocated to her enclosure to keep her company. She good-naturedly accepted the big birds, but now has three new companions more suited to the company of a zebra—three male llama. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0903/S00106.htm

ALSO:

Zoo offers adventurous night in Africa [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0903/S00097.htm [2]

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COMMENT

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Ron Callari: Party Of No Vs Party Of Know
Bipartisanship neatly tucked its head under its wing shortly after Obama took office this past January. For public display, a smattering of respect was extended to the newly elected president for his historical electoral victory. This decorum lasted... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00124.htm

State Of It: Financial Crisis Sends Quake Through Divided EU
Scoop co-editor Selwyn Manning writes that the global financial crisis is sending a quake through the EU, setting state against state - divided between the protectionists (France), anti-protectionists (Britain), and eastern states that are nearing economic collapse seeking compensation. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00122.htm

ALSO:

Clinton Remarks With Czech Foreign Minister [2]

Developing Countries Face Large Finance Shortfall [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0903/S00176.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0903/S00183.htm [3]

Gordon Campbell: Murray McCully’s attack on New Zealand’s foreign aid programme
These days, much of our foreign aid should be being directed into providing a safety net for the poor. If you count the oil price rise in 2007 and the large hike in world food prices... More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2009/03/09/campbell-mccully%e2%80%99s-attack-on-nzs-aid-programme/

ALSO:

Politics and aid don’t mix [2]

Dontcorruptaid.org.nz [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0903/S00099.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.dontcorruptaid.org.nz/default.htm" target="_blank [3]

Ron Callari: Obama Seeks Advice From The Twitterverse
From the start of his campaign, Barack Obama has distinguished himself as the articulate, tech-savvy candidate who utilized social networking to his advantage. As a direct result, he generated wide support from the online digerati, who collectively comment ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00115.htm

Julie Webb-Pullman: Raul’s Revamp
Last week’s changes in Cuba’s Council of Ministers have unleashed a torrent of speculation and conjecture in the international press ranging from the minimally considered, to the sublime and ridiculous. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00117.htm

Mapping the Real Deal: Brother, Can You Spare A Trillion?
The full page ad in Ruppert Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal for its “Future of Finance Initiative” starts off by saying that the financial system has stopped working. I completely disagree. The financial system is working for the first time since... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00106.htm

Uri Avnery: Remember Ophira?
THIS WEEK I had a nostalgic experience. I met a parliamentary delegation from one of the European countries. What turned this meeting into a special occasion for me was its location. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00112.htm

Elizabeth Ferrari An Interview With Andy Worthington, Author Of “The Guantánamo Files”
Andy Worthington, a London-based journalist, is the author of The Guantánamo Files: The Stories of the 774 Detainees in America’s Illegal Prison , and has written over 300 articles about Guantánamo in the last two years, for publications including ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00107.htm

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LIFESTYLE

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Water Safety: Sharp Rise In Recreation-related Drownings
Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) has released the drowning statistics for the month of February. There were eight drowning deaths in New Zealand during February. The year to date drowning toll is 31. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0903/S00102.htm

Art: Live Lion To Attend Sunday Matinée In Opunake
This month, Govett-Brewster International Artist in Residence Javier Téllez will present his highly anticipated ONE DAY SCULPTURE project in Opunake. INTERMISSION will feature a live lion prowling the ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0903/S00151.htm

Strange and Bizarre: (Wo)man Bites Dog (Control Officer)
In a bizarre behavioural twist Hamilton Police found a dog owner's bite was worse that the animal's bark. Officers were called to an Avalon Dr address shortly before 6pm to assist Hamilton City Council Dog Control Officers who had a warrant to seize ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0903/S00136.htm

Media: Maggie Barry New Radio Live Drive Host
One of New Zealand’s best loved interviewers, Maggie Barry, is to take over from Bill Ralston on the 4pm – 6pm Drive Show on RadioLIVE. “I am extremely grateful to Bill for helping us out for the past two years,” said RadioLIVE Programme Director ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0903/S00136.htm

Hot Air Ballooning: University Nightglow Supports Earth Hour
Waikato University is preparing to again welcome thousands of people for the annual Balloons over Waikato NightGlow event on March 28. The NightGlow is the culmination of the Balloons over Waikato event, which sees thousands of people flood onto the ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0903/S00130.htm

WOMAD: Te Uhi Ta Moko Artists Are Back
Te Uhi a Mataora – Toi Maori Aotearoa, a collective of the country’s top Maori Ta Moko Artists, are pleased to be invited again by Tui Ora Ltd to display their talent and skills at this years WOMAD festival. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0903/S00126.htm

Exploration: Hillary Expedition Grants Announced
A new route on a remote peak in Antarctica and a caving expedition aiming to reach record depths under New Zealand are among the challenges seven groups of adventurous kiwis are tackling in this year’s SPARC Hillary Expeditions. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0903/S00112.htm

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WORLD

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Firearms: NSW: Legal Gun Numbers Up, Crime Down
The International Coalition for Women in Shooting and Hunting (WiSH) have welcomed new data showing the ever-increasing popularity of hunting and shooting in New South Wales. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0903/S00200.htm

Int. Law: “Unconstitutional” Defamation Case
For immediate release: Monday, 09 March 2009 – Attempts by the government of Timor Leste to push criminal defamation charges against a newspaper publisher will have “chilling effects” on freedoms of speech. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0903/S00198.htm

Stress: Is Obama Going Gray?
Just 44 days into the job and the New York Times notices President Obama has graying hair. ''For a guy who prides himself on projecting a stress-free demeanor, the changes above his temples are speckled evidence that perhaps the psychological and physical ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0903/S00197.htm

Quitting Time: Youth 'Targetted' By The Tobacco Industry
More than 80% of the tobacco use begins before the age of 18 years. The tobacco industry loses more than 5.4 million of its best customers every year as they die of causes attributed to tobacco use. Documents recovered from the tobacco industry reveal that ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0903/S00196.htm

Iraq War: Limited Troop Withdrawal From Iraq Protested
TAMPA, FLORIDA, Sunday, March 1, 2009: Socialist activist Brian Moore joined other antiwar protestors on radio Friday to criticize President Obama's delayed (19 months) and limited troop withdrawal from Iraq (50,000 to remain) as ''totally unacceptable.'' ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0903/S00178.htm

Animal Welfare: Rhino-Tiger’s Losing Battle In Kaziranga Reserve
ASSAM’S wildlife reserve with international fame is presently in the media headline, but again for wrong reasons. Kaziranga National Park, which is more popularly known as a safe heaven for the endangered one horn rhinos and also Indian tigers grabbed ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0903/S00164.htm

Terrorism: Northern Ireland Attacks
The United States condemns the attack in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, last night that resulted in two deaths and injuries to others. Our condolences go out to the families of the slain soldiers. We call on all parties in Northern Ireland to unequivocally ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0903/S00175.htm

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Top Scoop Stories 10th March, 2009 News Summary