A Word From Afar: Intelligence Matters Redux - Leashing The Watchdogs
Paul G. Buchanan writes: the recently announced Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee (PISC) - Although obscured by coverage of other government initiatives - is remarkable on several levels... Notably SIS critics appointed to the PISC now have the majority. John Key and Phil Goff are joined by SIS critics Tariana Turia, Rodney Hide and Russell Norman. (Scoop Image, inside parliament, by Kevin List.) More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00147.htm

ALSO:

The SIS And The Philippines Solidarity Movement [2]

Norman: Speech on Intelligence and Security Committee [3]

Paul Buchanan On US/Cuba Relations + Taliban [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00145.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00200.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00149.htm [4]

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NZ POLITICS

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ALSO:

Question and Answers - 12 March 2009 [2]

Today In Parliament: 12.03.09 [3]

Question and Answers - 11 March 2009 [4]

Today In Parliament: 11.03.09 [5]

Questions And Answers - 10 March 2009 [6]

Today In Parliament: 10.03.09 [7]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00201.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00164.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00175.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00144.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00149.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00133.htm [7]

Transport: Axing Of Tax Raises Rail Backers' Backs
North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams warns that if the proposed Auckland regional fuel tax is axed this could threaten the next Waitemata Harbour crossing between North Shore City and Auckland. “The fuel tax is being introduced to help fund the much needed upgrade and electrification of the Auckland rail network...” More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0903/S00194.htm

ALSO:

Ak's train electrification must not be derailed [2]

Govt plan to dump regional fuel tax big step back [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00203.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00212.htm [3]

Public Funding: Larger Electorates Get Larger Offices
The Maori Party is delighted to learn that progress has been made on another milestone of the Relationship and Confidence and Supply Agreement with the National Party... “Both parties agreed that the inequity in respect of the support that Parliament provides the very large electorates, needed to be addressed”. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00208.htm

ALSO:

Great news for Te Tai Tonga Electorate [2]

National vote-buying with taxpayers’ money [3]

Govt approves $400,000 funding for extra staff [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00213.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00216.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/politics/19532.html [4]

Gordon Campbell: The Miserly Funding Of The 9 Day Fortnight
Plainly, workers are going to be the first people over the side of the lifeboat during this recession. The main policy idea to emerge from the recent jobs summit turns out to be a recipe to cut wages, since the training aspect of the initial idea has now been scrapped. More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2009/03/12/campbell-miserly-funding-of-9-day-fortnight/

ALSO:

Govt's 9-Day Fortnight Falls Short [2]

Government Policy Will Mean Fewer Jobs - Sir Roger [3]

Air New Zealand Supports Nine-day Fortnight [4]

Nat’s dumping of bill a blow for low paid workers [5]

Curtin welcomes return to Commerce Commission [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00281.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00197.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0903/S00144.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00184.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0903/S00136.htm [6]

Copyright: Labour Proposes Amended Section 92A
It’s time for the National Government to intervene and provide stability and certainty on copyright issues for rights holders, internet service providers, and New Zealanders who use the internet, Labour spokesperson on communications and IT Clare Curran said today. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00168.htm

ALSO:

Govt’s hands-off approach to copyright not working [3]

Question and Answers 12 March: Copyright [4]

NZ Linux Community reject copyright law [5]

David Farrar: TelstraClear kill off s92A Code [6]

Blackout Against Section 92A [7]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00169.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00198.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00201.htm#11 [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0903/S00121.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00176.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0902/S00357.htm [7]

Time Manipulation: Key Creates “9-day Fortnight”
The CTU welcomed the Government’s announcement today of some of the details of the “9-day fortnight”including that it would fund workers’ pay for the 10th day to the tune of five hours per fortnight at the minimum wage. ‘This package and the amount available do provide a real basis for business and unions to work to save jobs,’said CTU President Helen Kelly. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0903/S00116.htm

ALSO:

Government moves fast to help retain jobs [2]

Breathing space for struggling businesses [3]

Nine day fortnight welcomed - with reservations [4]

Nine Day Fortnight Subsidy Not Enough [5]

PM John Key's 9-Day Week Support Scheme Presser [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00156.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00157.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00165.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0903/S00119.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00141.htm [6]

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BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

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Employers: Greens Say Developments In Sustainable Development Unsustainable
The Sustainable Business Network is an organisation that works to promote sustainable business practices in New Zealand. Last week the Nelson Mail reported that memberships in the region had more than quadrupled in a year. Now due to funding cuts at the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) the SBN is due to lose nearly half its budget. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00207.htm

ALSO:

Government should copy US retrofitting move [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00206.htm [2]

Scoop Audio: Bollard Announces OCR Reduced To 3 Percent

Audio on Demand of the Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard's press conference this morning. Dr Bollard announced a 50 basis point cut in the official cash interst rate (OCR) to a record low 3%. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00150.htm

ALSO:

OCR reduced to 3 percent [2]

Bollard signals end to steep easing cycle in 2009 [3]

NZ dollar rises above 51 US cents on OCR statement [4]

RBNZ cuts OCR to 3% amid global slump; kiwi falls [5]

Westpac Drops Floating Rate By 0.4 per cent [6]

Interest Rate Cuts must be Passed on in Full [7]

terminal cash rate now forecast at 2.5% [8]

Rate cut welcomed but it won't stimulate spending [9]

Last of the big Official Cash Rate cuts? [10]

Bollard cuts interest rates to record low of 3 percent [11]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00246.htm [2]

[3] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/03/12/bollard-signals-end-to-steep-easing-cycle-in-2009/ [3]

[4] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/03/12/nz-dollar-rises-above-51-us-cents-on-ocr-statement/ [4]

[5] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/03/12/rbnz-cuts-ocr-to-3-amid-global-slump-kiwi-falls/ [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00253.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00259.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00258.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00249.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00248.htm [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/19494.html [11]

Tourism: Visitors Will Spread Around NZ For Rugby World Cup
Tourism New Zealand says the announcement of venues for the Rugby World Cup in 2011 is good news for tourism in New Zealand. Thirteen venues were chosen for games, with a geographical spread from Invercargill to Whangarei. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00289.htm

ALSO:

Farmers Make Good Progress Toward Clean Streams [2]

Voluntary Dirty Streams Accord a roaring success [3]

Clean Streams snapshot out of focus [4]

Cleaner waterways achievable through partnership [5]

Clean streams accord part of a much bigger picture [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00252.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00181.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0903/S00135.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0903/S00134.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00263.htm [6]

Genetic Modification: GM Trial "A Series Of Worrying Lapses"
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has evaluated non-compliance with controls at Plant & Food Research - the Lincoln-based crown research institute containment facility where genetically modified (GM) brassica plants had been growing as part of an approved ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0903/S00027.htm

Volcanoes: Evidence Of Recent Undersea Eruption Off NZ Coast
Scientists have returned from exploring three submarine volcanoes in the Kermadec Arc where they found evidence of a recent large eruption at one of the volcanoes. While mapping the Rumble III volcano, they found a marked change in the shape of ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0903/S00026.htm

Research: AgResearch, Lincoln Merger To Create Agri-Science Leviathan?
The Chairman of AgResearch and the Chancellor of Lincoln University today announced that the Crown Research Institute and the University support, in principle, the merger of the two organisations to create a substantially enhanced Lincoln University ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0903/S00019.htm

ALSO:

AgResearch and Lincoln University merger applauded [2]

Life Science Industry Leaders Celebrated [3]

NZ has choice to make on science [4]

Speech: Anderton - Launch of Wool to Weta [5]

PSA meeting AgResearch to discuss Lincon Merger [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0903/S00212.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0903/S00022.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00147.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0903/S00148.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0903/S00127.htm [6]

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COMMENT

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Sludge Report #189: Jubilee - Halve The Debt!
In this edition of the Sludge Report: Jubilee - The Debt Bubble - The Beauty Of Simplicity - Lets Just Halve The Debt - What The Bursting Of A Debt Bubble Means - So Why Not Just Halve The Debt? The Paradox Of Money Supply More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00165.htm

John Minto: Who Is To Blame For Binge Drinking?
John Minto writes: Each week we see the inevitable result in scenes of drunken, boorish behaviour by teenagers engaging in binge drinking. It’s quite impossible to see the increase as separate from the rise of deliberate, cynical exploitation of young ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00168.htm

Catherine Austin Fitts: The Data Beast - An Analysis
As the corruption spread throughout our society in the 1990's, I was forced by circumstance to estimate how the operations of systemic physical and financial violence in our society work. How is so much financial fraud engineered? How was it millions of Americans ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00170.htm

Martin LeFevre: Pakistani Students, Meet Middle America
Eleven university students from the tribal areas of Pakistan, the furthest reaches of George Bush’s ‘global war on terror,’ were guests of the local college for seven weeks. I had the chance to listen to and talk with them, within limits, about ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00171.htm

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2009/03/12/campbell-miserly-funding-of-9-day-fortnight/

Peter Dyer: The History Of War Crimes
On June 13, 1899 one of the largest battles of the Philippine-American war took place on the southern outskirts of Manila. After several hours of fierce fighting at the Zapote River Bridge, 5000 poorly armed Philippine soldiers were outgunned and routed ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00161.htm

Intelligence Matters Redux: Leashing The Watchdogs
Paul G. Buchanan writes: that the recently announced Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee (PISC) - Although obscured by coverage of other government initiatives - it is remarkable on several levels... Notably SIS critics have the majority. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00147.htm

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LIFESTYLE

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Environment and Conservation: Chatham Islands Tui Transfer A World First
Tui have been re-introduced onto the main island of the Chatham Islands in an operation described as a world-first. The operation, initiated by the Chatham Islands’ Taiko Trust, involved 14 young tui being transferred from Rangatira (South East Island) ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0903/S00029.htm

Historiography: Historians Concerned About National Library Redevelopment
Professional historians say they are alarmed about what a proposed multi-million dollar redevelopment of National Library could mean for access to vital historical documents. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0903/S00047.htm

Lifestyle: Dog Obesity Still A Growing Problem In New Zealand
It might seem unusual for a pet food company to be encouraging consumers to feed their pets less of their product. However, that’s exactly what Purina New Zealand is recommending to owners with overweight dogs to help them live longer. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0903/S00192.htm

Stand Up:The International Comedy Festival Is Back
It’s that time of year again! Comedy from all over the world and our own backyard will again congregate in Auckland and Wellington to take part in the 17th annual NZ International Comedy Festival from the 1st of May. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0903/S00188.htm

Books: NZ's Mo Zhi Hong Wins Commonwealth Writers’ Prize
New Zealand’s Mo Zhi Hong takes Best First Book Prize for South East Asia and the South Pacific. Regional winners for the 2009 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best Book and Best First Book have ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0903/S00183.htm

Culture: Vikings Invade Ak For Scandinavian Festival 2009
Mayor John Banks will be on hand to officially open the Scandinavian Festival 2009. It’s being held at Alexandra Park Function Centre, Greenlane from Friday March 27 to Sunday March 29, with the official opening at 10am on Saturday March 28. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0903/S00178.htm

Essential Organs: New Disease Guide To Celebrate World Kidney Day!
This week over 3,800 GP practices throughout New Zealand will receive a copy of “Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Management in General Practice”. This concise guide for primary care has been developed by Kidney Health New Zealand, in an effort to raise awareness ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0903/S00061.htm

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WORLD

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Rule of Law: Cambodia: Where The Ruled And Rulers Meet
Cambodia's constitution which the Constituent Assembly issued from the UN-organised election had adopted in 1993 has established an institution of direct democracy called National Congress. This is the congress of people where, according to Article 147 ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0903/S00267.htm

World Aid: USA: Human Rights Bush Style
There are doubts in a number of countries, embassies and mass media worldwide: Who drafted, revised and approved the recent report of the US State Department on the ''human rights situation in the world'', under the new US administration? More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0903/S00264.htm

Worlds Thirst: Global Population Adding To Water Crisis
New York, Mar 12 2009 2:10PM The surging growth in global population, climate change, widespread mismanagement and increasing demand for energy have tightened the grip on the world’s evaporating water supplies, warned a new United Nations report released ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0903/S00262.htm

Out of Control: World Population Will Be Over 9 Billion By 2050
New York, Mar 11 2009 6:10PM The world’s population will hit 7 billion early in 2012 and top 9 billion in 2050, with the majority of the increase taking place in developing countries, according to revised United Nations estimates released today. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0903/S00255.htm

Charity: UN-Backed Fund Against Killer Diseases
New York, Mar 11 2009 2:10PM The United Nations-backed Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria today welcomed an announcement by the United States Congress that it will donate $900 million to its cause for this year. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0903/S00240.htm

Ethnic Relations: Appeal To Rwandan Fighters Is Working
The appeal to Rwandan rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to return home is having a positive impact on peace and security in the strife-torn area, the United Nations’ top envoy there said today. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0903/S00236.htm

Blue Helmets: Aid Workers Must ‘Green’ Their Operations
Military and civilian aid experts at a United Nations-backed meeting today emphasized the need for a peacekeepers and aid agencies to take a ‘green’ approach in their work to protect the environment and the long-term livelihoods of communities affected ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0903/S00237.htm

ENDS

Scoop

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Scoop Top 30 Daily Ratings March 13 2009

Scoop Top 30 Daily Ratings March 13 2009

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