Today's Top Scoop Stories - News Summary

Monday, 12 March 2007, 10:08 am
Article: The Scoop Team

TODAY'S TOP SCOOP STORIES

SCOOP LEAD STORY
Scoop Satire: The Week InJustice
NEW ZEALAND LEAD:
Environment: Are Kiwi Benefitting From Tory Charity?
Medical: Health Commissioner To Inquire Into Failed Tubal Ligations
Sludge Report: RBNZ Raises Interest Rates – But Will It Make A Difference?
Entertainment: Help A Kiwi Lass Meet Donald Trump! -
Defence: Are The LAVs Going Down The Toilet?
Employment: Dyson Helps launch CTU Pay Equity Push
Obesity: Slim Chance Of Waste Says Ministry – Eat That Says Govt To Nat MP -
Women's Affairs: 30th International Women's Day
Internet: NZ-Designed Search Engine Mentioned In Dispatches
No Right Turn: Nats' $1.25 Billion Carbon Credit Giveaway
Land Access: Walking Access Report Released
Electricity: Mighty River Opts Out On Marsden B
Internet: Broadband Connections Keep On Growing

SCOOP INTERNATIONAL LEAD STORY:
Timor: Former Minister Sentenced To Jail
United Nations: UN Nuclear Watchdog Again Urges ‘Timeout’
Greenpeace: Pirate Fishing Vessel ‘List Of Shame’
More International Headlines:

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TODAY'S TOP SCOOP STORIES

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SCOOP LEAD STORY
Scoop Satire: The Week InJustice

Lyndon Hood writes: A report into the parole of Graeme Burton, written for Graeme Burton by Graeme Burton and published in the Dominion Post, has found that Graeme Burton was not at fault in the tragic failure of Graeme Burton's parole. Last week reports on the Parole Board's and Corrections Department's actions found all procedures that would have made any difference were followed... See... Lyndon Hood: Law and Order Briefs [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00163.htm

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NEW ZEALAND LEAD:

Environment: Are Kiwi Benefitting From Tory Charity?

Image:
DOC (2001) - A new report detailing the status of New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi, was launched today by Conservation Minister Chris Carter. The report highlights a huge increase in private kiwi conservation efforts around New Zealand, and was launched at Auckland Zoo to mark the end of Bank of New Zealand managing director Peter Thodey's chairmanship of the Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust. See... Carter Launches New Report on the Status of Kiwi [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0703/S00181.htm

Medical: Health Commissioner To Inquire Into Failed Tubal Ligations

tubal
ligation - Health and Disability Commissioner Ron Paterson has initiated an inquiry into the standard of care provided by Dr Roman Hasil at Wanganui Hospital. The inquiry has been prompted by a complaint to the Commissioner's Office, information provided by Whanganui District Health Board, and community concern about failed tubal ligation procedures undertaken by Dr Hasil. See... Commissioner launches Wanganui inquiry [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0703/S00026.htm

Sludge Report: RBNZ Raises Interest Rates – But Will It Make A Difference?

Scoop
Image: Alan Bollard - From today's Monetary Policy Statement [1] itappears that our Reserve Bank Governor Dr Alan Bollard remains fixated on New Zealand house price inflation... However from this MPS it is also apparent that there is growing recognition inside the bank that there is not a lot it can do about its biggest bugbear. See... Sludge Report #174: RBNZ Remains Housing Fixated [2] (includes full audio of Dr Bollard's Q&A [3] ) MORE:

Scoop Report - Bollard Gives Committee Fiscal Warning [4]

RBNZ Press Release - Reserve Bank raises OCR to 7.50 percent [5]

RBNZ Full Text - Monetary Policy Statement – 885k PDF [6]

Scoop Full Coverage - Reserve Bank Lifts Rates [7]

[1] - http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/0703/RBNZMPSmar07.pdf
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00129.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00129.htm#a
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00131.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0703/S00102.htm
[6] - http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/0703/RBNZMPSmar07.pdf
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00162.htm

Entertainment: Help A Kiwi Lass Meet Donald Trump! -

The search for Miss Universe New Zealand 2007 is on and this year the public can have their say in who should represent our country internationally.From this year's 24 contestants the winner will depart New Zealand on April 29 to go on to the Miss Universe 2007 pageant in Mexico City May 28th 2007.

Defence: Are The LAVs Going Down The Toilet?

NZ Army
LAV - A minor fault has been found in the Army's fleet of Light Armoured Vehicles (NZLAV) says Defence Minister Phil Goff. However he says that it had not caused any disruption to routine Army activities. "A weld crack on a bracket that connects the steering and suspension to the vehicle's hull, was discovered during maintenance", said Mr Goff. See... Repair to minor fault on LAVs [1] ALSO:

National - When precisely will the LAVs be deployed? [2]

NZ Govt - Mapp's NZLAV comments fatuous [3]

National - LAVs ready to go at 'short notice' - really? [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0703/S00155.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0703/S00172.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0703/S00184.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0703/S00188.htm

Employment: Dyson Helps launch CTU Pay Equity Push

"With the gender pay gap hovering at 13%, at current progress we are still many years away from true pay and employment equity for women," CTU vice president Helen Kelly said. Marking International Working Women's Day today, the Council of Trade Unions launched a new DVD resource on Pay and Employment Equity at an event in Wellington last evening. See... Union Launches Pay Equity DVD With Fanfare [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0703/S00125.htm

Obesity: Slim Chance Of Waste Says Ministry – Eat That Says Govt To Nat MP -

The Government's recent $76 million investment in a variety of initiatives to curb the obesity epidemic will be well monitored and evaluated to allow planners to better focus on future programmes. See... Obesity Epidemic Initiatives well monitored [1] ALSO:

National Would you write a cheque for $76m? [2]

NZ Govt - Coleman's disgrace [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0703/S00024.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0703/S00124.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0703/S00131.htm

Women's Affairs: 30th International Women's Day

- On Thursday 8th March Amnesty International groups around New Zealand and the globe will be celebrating International Women's Day with infostalls, appeals and candle-lit vigils. Activist groups will be lighting 180 candles, signifying both 30 years of UN recognition of International Women's Day and the 150th Anniversary of the first known industrial protest organised by women on 8 March 1857. See... 30 years of International Women's Day [1] ALSO:

Scoop Full Coverage - Women's Day 2007 [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0703/S00078.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00161.htm

Internet: NZ-Designed Search Engine Mentioned In Dispatches

searchbot - An Internet search engine designed by Wellington campus digital media specialist Mark Zeman has been voted one of the world’s top 100 alternative search engines – the only one from New Zealand to make the list. The list of alternatives to the world’s most popular search engine, Google, was assembled by Read/WriteWeb, a leading blog that analyses trends in web development. See... Search engines emerge from Google's shadow [1] ALSO:

Scoop Link - Read/WriteWeb: Top 100 Alternative Search Engines, February 2007 [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0703/S00020.htm
[2] - http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/top_100_alternative_search_engines_feb07.php

No Right Turn: Nats' $1.25 Billion Carbon Credit Giveaway

- At a meeting in Christchurch yesterday, National Party leader John Key announced that a National government would deliver a carbon windfall to forest owners by hand out carbon credits for all forests planted since 1990... it's an idea that makes a lot of sense if you view climate change policy primarily as a way of delivering corporate welfare to business interests. See... No Right Turn: National's $1.25 billion giveaway [1] ALSO:

NZ Govt - Key stumbles with policy on the hoof [2]

NZ Govt - Key promises the earth again [3]

National - Anderton attempts to distract from carbon fiasco [4]

National - Climate change consultation needs to be longer [5]

National - Get your cheque book out for roaming rights [6]

KFA - Anderton’s Personal Attacks Can’t Disguise Crisis [7]

KFA - South Island Set To Lose $2.7 Billion [8]

KFA - National Party Signals on Kyoto Forests Welcomed [9]

NZ Forest Owners' Association - National, Green & ACT forest policies welcomed [10] Global Warming:

Opinion - Robert Anderson: Humanity’s Greatest Challenge [11]

Land Access: Walking Access Report Released

- The independent report on walking access provides a blueprint for the way forward on an extremely complex and longstanding issue, Rural Affairs Minister Damien O'Connor says. The report, released publicly by Mr O'Connor today, was prepared by an independent panel of stakeholders representing farmers, recreational and other interest groups, and led by South Island farmer John Acland. See... Walking access report a blueprint for way forward [1] ALSO:

Scoop Link - Full Report and Info: www.walkingaccess.org.nz [2]

Bryce Johnson - Minority view: Walking Access Consultation Panel [3]

NZ Govt - Walking Access Report - Questions and Answers [4]

NZ Govt - Access over Maori land a decision for landowners [5]

United Future - Walking Access Report a source of encouragement [6]

United Future - Copeland: You cannot be serious David?! [7]

National - Labour backs down on public access [8]

National - Get your cheque book out for roaming rights [9]

Greens - Access report: questions unanswered - Greens [10]

Maori Party - Supports Govt backdown – but Contradiction [11]

Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations - Land Access Report Welcomed But Timid [12]

Fish and Game New Zealand - Land Access Report Welcomed as a Good Start [13]

Federation Of Maori Authorities - Outdoor Walking Access a welcome review [14]

Waiareka Valley Preservation Society - Marsden B an inconvenient truth for Holcim to face [15]

NEWS HEADLINES:

Peters offers condolences after plane crash [1]

Inquiry Update - Taito Phillip Field [2]

Police: Ex-Tall Fern Graduates Top Of Class [3]

Electronic Monitoring Welcomed [4]

Lloyd Jones awarded Berlin Writers’ Residency [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0703/S00130.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0703/S00087.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0703/S00099.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0703/S00019.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0703/S00083.htm

Electricity: Mighty River Opts Out On Marsden B

- Mighty River Power has decided not to proceed with seeking the consents necessary to enable recommissioning of the Marsden B power station, following a review of the company's potential generation developments and future market conditions. Chief Executive Doug Heffernan said the company was now confident New Zealand could meet its energy supply requirements over the next decade without the Marsden B station. See... Marsden B consent plans discontinued [1] ALSO:

NZ Govt - Minister welcomes Marsden B decision [2]

Greens - Mighty River Power sees the light - at last [3]

National - Marsden B scrapped over policy uncertainty [4]

Greenpeace New Zealand - Climate the winner as Marsden B scrapped [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0703/S00127.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0703/S00120.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0703/S00113.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0703/S00115.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0703/S00083.htm

Internet: Broadband Connections Keep On Growing

- Internet broadband (non-analog) subscriber numbers continue to increase, and are up nearly 30 percent in the six months to 30 September 2006, Statistics New Zealand said today. The total number of Internet subscribers in New Zealand is now almost 1.4 million. See... Kiwis Continue to Embrace Broadband [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0703/S00121.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS:
Timor: Former Minister Sentenced To Jail

- United Nations police officers in Timor-Leste and local colleagues increased their numbers on the streets of Dili, the capital, today in connection with the conviction of former interior minister Rogerio Lobato for arming civilians in the deadly violence ... See… Timor: Former Minister Sentenced To Jail [1] ALSO:

Thousands More Timorese Become Displaced

Timor Fugitive Responsible for Violence [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00145.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00097.htm

United Nations: UN Nuclear Watchdog Again Urges ‘Timeout’

- The head of the United Nations atomic watchdog agency has again called for a “timeout” on the Iranian nuclear issue to allow for talks, with Iran suspending uranium enrichment and the international community suspending sanctions over a programme that Tehran See… UN Nuclear Watchdog Again Urges ‘Timeout’ [1] ALSO:

US State Dept. - The Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism [2]

INSS - A Nuclear Iran - What Does it Mean? [3]

UN - Stalemate Over Iran’s Nuclear Programme [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00123.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00127.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00103.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00091.htm

Greenpeace: Pirate Fishing Vessel ‘List Of Shame’

- Greenpeace today launched a first global database of blacklisted, illegal fishing vessels, in a bid to tackle the huge problem of illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, a $9 billion rogue industry which is having a devastating effect on fish stocks and biodiversity in some of the most ecologically important areas of the world’s oceans. See… Pirate Fishing Vessel ‘List Of Shame’ [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00147.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

Indonesia - Indonesia; Team To Arrive Soon [1]

Iraq - Outrage After Bombs Kill Iraq Pilgrims [2]

Iran - Arrest Of Over 30 Women Activists [3]

Africa - Appeal To Help Southern Sudanese Return Home [4]

Africa - 68,000 Hungry Children Face Cut In UN Food [5]

Somalia - Ship Hijacking Hinders UN Effort [6]

UN Push for Protection of Ozone Layer [7]

UN - Cricket World Cup in War on HIV/AIDS [8]

US - First International Women of Courage Awards [9]

Australia - Financial assistance for farmers travelling to NZ [10]

ENDS

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