Scoop Stories October 29th 2009 News Summary

Thursday, 29 October 2009, 2:09 pm
Column: The Scoop Editor

Burden Of Proof: New Unit To Hunt Assets Of Organised Crime

NZ POLITICS

Horn Of Plenty: 'Purchase Advisor' Gets Job He Recommended Creating

Local Government: Rodney Romances Rates Rules

General Politics: Housing Rules Were 'Unclear'

Legislation: Electoral Commission Bill Has First Reading

Watchdogs: Broader Human Rights Complaints On The Rise

Buffy-Esque Good Times: Halloween Protest Against (Corporate) Vampires

Naval Gazing: Final Farewell For Navy Ship

BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

Conservation: Government Pledges $4.7 Million To Help Save Kauri

Cute Furry: Zoo Offers Action-Packed Orangutan Caring Week

Scoop Business: NZ Signs FTA With Malaysia, A $1B Export Market

COMMENT

The Serbian Iron Lady Returns: Biljana Plavsic And Modern Justice

Globalization and terror: Dollar militarism, ALBA humanism

Martin LeFevre: Free The United Nations!

UN Agencies: US Blockade of Cuba Undermines Their Work

Franklin P Lamb: A Rare Victory For Lebanon’s Palestinians

Sherwood Ross: Chomsky Receives Highest Pentagon Honor

LIFESTYLE

Statistics: NZers Are Satisfied With Their Overall Wellbeing

Lulz: Announcing The Comedy Christmas Gala

Not Vista: NZ's First Windows 7 Machine In Charity Auction

WORLD

Hillary Clinton: Pathways To Prosperity Women Entrepreneurs

Democracy: Burma: Release Political Prisoners Before Election

World News: Climate Change Could Stem Global Tourism

Governance: Democracy Vital In Spurring Development

Atomic Energy Agency: Draft Deal On Iran’s Nuclear Fuel

Non-Political Crime: Central America Most Crime-Ridden Region In World

INTERPOL: Calling For More Female Police

Burden Of Proof: New Unit To Hunt Assets Of Organised Crime
A team of hardened investigators is to be formed to hunt down and seize the millions of dollars in profits made by organised crime, Police Minister Judith Collins announced today.The new 22-strong unit will be known as the Assets Recovery Unit (ARU), and will double the capacity of Police to investigate proceeds of crime. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00452.htm

ALSO:

• Questions for Oral Answer - 29 Oct 2009 [2]


• Questions for Oral Answer - 28 Oct 2009 [3]


• Today In Parliament 28.10.09 [4]


• Questions and Answers - 27 Oct 2009 [5]


• Today In Parliament 27.10.09 [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00449.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00415.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00246.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00410.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00229.htm [6]

Horn Of Plenty: 'Purchase Advisor' Gets Job He Recommended Creating
The appointment by Tony Ryall of Dr Murray Horn as the Chair of the new National Health Board reeks of cronyism, and reflects a return to the hard right policies of the 1990s, Grant Robertson, Labour State Services Spokesperson and Ruth Dyson Labour Health Spokesperson said. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00440.htm

Local Government: Rodney Romances Rates Rules
"The reforms are about local government focussing on core functions, managing within a defined budget, and adopting transparent and accountable decision-making processes," Mr Hide said. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00425.htm

ALSO:

• Cutbacks to Central (and Local) Government Spending [2]


• Changes disregard environment, privatise water [3]


• Hide must explain privatisation agenda [4]


• Local govt reform leaves the basics untouched [5]


• Clear thinking on water policy wanted [6]


• Water and transport contracts [7]


• Businesslike Council Good for Ratepayers, Business [8]


• Environment Canterbury performance review [9]


• Govt to review Far North Council consent process [10]

[2] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2009/10/27/campbell-cuts-to-central-local-govt-spending/ [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00433.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00434.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0910/S00405.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0910/S00410.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0910/S00409.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0910/S00770.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00421.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00420.htm [10]

General Politics: Housing Rules Were 'Unclear'
The Speaker, Lockwood Smith, has welcomed the statement of the Auditor General on the rules and processes with respect to the places of residence of Members of Parliament and compensation for accommodation in Wellington. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00429.htm

ALSO:

• An ‘unfortunate’ arrangement [2]


• English still has case to answer [3]


• Release of decision by the Auditor General [4]


• Bill English cleared of housing expense scandal [5]


• English isn't off the hook yet - Labour [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00432.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00435.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0910/S00400.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/politics/28634.html [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/politics/28664.html [6]

Legislation: Electoral Commission Bill Has First Reading
A bill that establishes a new Electoral Commission to provide first class electoral services passed its first reading in Parliament tonight. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00409.htm

Watchdogs: Broader Human Rights Complaints On The Rise
The Commission’s 2009 annual report reveals that of the 3489 complaints, 1405 were about potential unlawful discrimination. The balance of 2084 complaints involved broader human rights issues, such as the rights of seasonal workers and the right to education for children. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0910/S00391.htm

Buffy-Esque Good Times: Halloween Protest Against (Corporate) Vampires
Unite Union is mobilising hundreds of its members and supporters this Friday night to don Halloween costumes and march in Auckland City as part of its campaign for a $15 per hour minimum wage now and a minimum wage set at 66% of the average wage. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0910/S00389.htm

ALSO:

• Parliament passes DNA law [2]


• Speech: Katene - Bodily Samples Amendment Bill [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00418.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00414.htm [3]

Naval Gazing: Final Farewell For Navy Ship
The sole remaining Navy In Shore Patrol Craft, HMNZS KAHU will formally decommission from operational service on Thursday 29 October, 2009, at the Devonport Naval Base, marked with two special events. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0910/S00387.htm

ALSO:

• W-shaped recession on the way says PEC [2]


• Society of Authors commends government shake-up [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0910/S00680.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0910/S00395.htm [3]

Conservation: Government Pledges $4.7 Million To Help Save Kauri
The Government is to inject $4.7 million into a programme to help save kauri trees threatened by a disease known as kauri dieback (Phytophthora taxon Agathis). More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00445.htm

ALSO:

• Update: Bollard keeps OCR on hold, switches to neutral [2]


• NZ dollar extends losses as OCR kept on hold [3]


• OCR alone will not rebalance the economy [4]


• RBNZ left OCR unchanged [5]


• Interest rate decision only one possible [6]


• Climbing out of recession still an issue [7]


• While you were sleeping: US consumers subdued [8]

[2] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/10/29/bollard-keeps-ocr-on-hold-switches-to-neutral/ [2]

[3] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/10/29/nz-dollar-extends-losses-as-ocr-kept-on-hold/ [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00450.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0910/S00748.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0910/S00746.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0910/S00407.htm [7]

[8] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/10/28/while-you-were-sleeping-us-consumers-subdued/ [8]

Cute Furry: Zoo Offers Action-Packed Orangutan Caring Week
A special birthday party for four-year-old orangutan Madju and the launching of a nationwide ‘Don’t Palm Us Off’ campaign on Saturday 7 November (10am – 3pm) will mark the start of Orangutan Caring Week (7 – 14 November) at Auckland Zoo More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0910/S00384.htm

Scoop Business: NZ Signs FTA With Malaysia, A $1B Export Market
Malaysia signed a free-trade agreement with New Zealand helping deepen ties with the southeast Asian nation that takes $1 billion of exports, making it the eighth-biggest market for Kiwi goods. More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/10/27/nz-signs-fta-with-malaysia-a-1b-export-market/" name="malay

ALSO:

• PM welcomes NZ-Malaysia FTA signing [2]


• Malaysia - NZ FTA boosts profile in vital market [3]


• Trade Opportunity for the Taking [4]


• Malaysian FTA important for Wellington economy [5]


• ZESPRI eyes further investment in Malaysia [6]


• Malaysian FTA ‘bagus’ for the New Zealand economy [7]


• Radio Adelaide: Bridgestone + Malaysia NZ FTA [8]


• Fair trade deal: how can it help? [9]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00385.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00384.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0910/S00667.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0910/S00666.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0910/S00678.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0910/S00696.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00228.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/28604.html [9]

The Serbian Iron Lady Returns: Biljana Plavsic And Modern Justice
The only woman convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia has returned to Serbia. Biljana Plavsic, former Bosnian Serb President (1996-8), had spent two-thirds of her 11-year sentence in a Swedish prison after being convicted... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00250.htm

Globalization and terror: Dollar militarism, ALBA humanism
Many themes of global importance inter-relate when discussing events in Central America. An apparently simple discussion of local developments in the Nicaraguan economy ends up covering global issues. One has to look at the role of the dollar, the price of ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00237.htm

Martin LeFevre: Free The United Nations!
Fittingly, when you click on the official button for United Nations Day (October 24) it takes an inordinate amount of time for Ban Ki Moon’s brief message to load up. Most people give up; a few look elsewhere. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00231.htm

UN Agencies: US Blockade of Cuba Undermines Their Work
In a report recently posted on the United Nations website [i] , numerous United Nations agencies condemned the United States blockade of Cuba, saying it impacts on their – and the Cuban Government’s - ability to provide prompt and affordable humanitarian... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00230.htm

Franklin P Lamb: A Rare Victory For Lebanon’s Palestinians
Known simply as “ the General” Michel Naim Aoun was born in a peaceful mixed Christian-Shia area of Haret Hreik, now a core Hezbollah area. He rose from poverty to become the head of Lebanon’s newly created Eighth army following the September ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00227.htm

Sherwood Ross: Chomsky Receives Highest Pentagon Honor
The Pentagon has paid anti-war activist Noam Chomsky the highest honor any totalitarian entity can bestow upon an author: they’ve banned his book “Interventions” at Guantanamo Bay prison. They won’t say precisely why they “honored” Chomsky... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00226.htm

Statistics: NZers Are Satisfied With Their Overall Wellbeing
The first New Zealand General Social Survey (NZGSS) shows that 86 percent of New Zealanders are satisfied with their life overall, Statistics New Zealand said today. The NZGSS gives information about key social and economic outcomes across a number of areas of life. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0910/S00469.htm

Lulz: Announcing The Comedy Christmas Gala
Tired of having to clean up the office the morning after the Christmas party? Fed up with recycling bins full of photocopies of lewd body parts? Or do you just fancy treating yourself to a night out where the speeches will actually be funny? More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0910/S00452.htm

ALSO:

• Live at Six: Congratulations to the select few [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0910/S00427.htm [2]

Not Vista: NZ's First Windows 7 Machine In Charity Auction
Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows 7, launched today, at an exciting event in Auckland’s Queen Elizabeth Square. International rugby star and one of the world’s great number sevens, Richie McCaw, was onsite to be the first person in New Zealand to receive a Windows 7 powered, HP Pavilion dv7 notebook. This is being auctioned on TradeMe, with proceeds going to Lifeline. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0910/S00051.htm

Hillary Clinton: Pathways To Prosperity Women Entrepreneurs
SECRETARY CLINTON: (In progress.) – this conference for women entrepreneurs, to bring you all together and not only to have you meet one another, but also to meet people here in the State Department, because we want to promote more social inclusion, ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0910/S00311.htm

Democracy: Burma: Release Political Prisoners Before Election
An independent United Nations expert has called on Myanmar’s Government to release all political prisoners before the national elections planned for 2010 so that the polls can be as inclusive as possible. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0910/S00307.htm

World News: Climate Change Could Stem Global Tourism
Rising sea levels could inundate coastal holiday spots while melting snow caps could spell an end to ski resorts, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has warned, as climate change threatens tourism, a lucrative industry for the world’s ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0910/S00290.htm

Governance: Democracy Vital In Spurring Development
Democratic governance both reinforces and is bolstered by development and human rights, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon underscored in a message to a high-level event drawing thousands of representatives of both governments and non-governmental organizations. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0910/S00301.htm

Atomic Energy Agency: Draft Deal On Iran’s Nuclear Fuel
Nearly three days of talks supported by the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) wrapped up today with a draft agreement on how to provide Iran with fuel for a civilian nuclear research facility. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0910/S00285.htm

Non-Political Crime: Central America Most Crime-Ridden Region In World
Central America has become the region with the highest levels of non-political crime worldwide, with an average murder rate of 33 per 100,000 inhabitants last year, three times greater than the global average, a new United Nations report warns, noting ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0910/S00283.htm

INTERPOL: Calling For More Female Police
A senior United Nations official today welcomed a recent landmark agreement with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to strengthen police units in peacekeeping missions around the world, and called on Member States to contribute ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0910/S00265.htm

ENDS

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