INDEPENDENT NEWS

Top Scoop Stories - 21 December 2007 News Summary

Published: Fri 21 Dec 2007 02:00 PM
Today's Top Scoops - December 21, 2007
LEAD STORY:
Claire Curran Inquiry Presser: Logan Resignation Not Connected To Curran - Says Prebble
NZ POLITICS:
tate of local emergency declared following quake
Peace Movement Aotearoa: Act now - taser gun decision due soon
Judiciary: Wilson appointed Supreme Court Judge
Defence: Review of Canterbury to provide design assurance
GM: High lysine corn gazetted
Religion: NZ Muslims Celebrate Eid-Ul-Adha
Child and Youth Issues: Three Month Review Of Crimes Amendment Act (S.59)
BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH:
Auckland Airport: Confidentiality deed with another interested party
Mobile Phone Competition: Co-location On Cellular Transmission Sites
Origin Energy: Kupe Gas Project - Drilling Commences
Economy: Balance of Payments & Intl Investment Position
WORLD:
Thailand: Military Undermining Upcoming Elections
Europe: After A Good Year In 2007, Europe Is Committed To Delivering Results In 2008
Fijian Islands: Cyclone Daman Cost Fiji Government FJD $652,171
United Nations: First Meeting Of 'Group Of Friends' On Burma
COMMENT:
Jason Leopold: Chertoff Concealed Role in Tape Destruction
Richard S. Ehrlich: Thailand Divides On Election
LIFESTYLE:
High Note: Star To Shine At Skycity Starlight Symphony
Painting By Number$: 2007 Art Auction Market Standing Strong
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LEAD STORY------------


Claire Curran Inquiry Presser: Logan Resignation Not Connected To Curran - Says Prebble
- [Video [1] + Audio [2] + Photos [3] ] ... During a lengthy press conference State Services Commissioner Mark Prebble today answered questions all around the issue of the appropriateness of Ministers involving themselves in departmental appointment matters through the use of name dropping at ministerial-official meetings. Asked whether there might inevitably be a perception that Mr Logan was taking a fall for his ministerial masters Dr Prebble said that perceptions created by media were not something he could comment on. (Right: Scoop file image of Hugh Logan by Kevin List) More >> [4]
ALSO:National - Curran inquiry findings 'incomprehensible' [5] Public Service Association - PSA Sad To See Logan's Destinguished Career End [6] National Party - Hugh Logan falls on sword ahead of report [7] Govt - Trevor Mallard: Comment on resignation [8] SSC - The resignation of chief executive of MFE [9]
Flashback: Madeleine Setchell Inquiry Presser [10]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00266.htm#v
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00266.htm#a
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00266.htm#p
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00266.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00482.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0712/S00277.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00466.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00465.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0712/S00269.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0711/S00230.htm
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NZ POLITICS------------
tate of local emergency declared following quake - State of local emergency declared following Gisborne earthquake A state of local emergency was declared by the Gisborne District Council for the Gisborne City Ward at 0100 hours, 21 December 2007... More >> [1]
ALSO: Pak'N Save - Pak'nsave Gisborne Open For Trade [2] Civil Defence - Summary of response to Gisborne earthquake to date [3] NZ Govt - Minister Thanks Staff Of Tairawhiti DHB [4] Transit NZ - Gisborne State Highways Open For Business [5] NZ Police - Gisborne Earthquake [6] Tairawhiti DHB - Update re Gisborne Hospital [7] Tairawhiti DHB - Gisborne Hospital sustains damage in quake [8] Civil Defence - Engineers to inspect Gisborne City CBD [9] Civil Defence - No tsunami risk to NZ from Gisborne earthquake [10] Civil Defence - : Damage being assessed from Gisborne earthquake [11]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0712/S00252.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0712/S00265.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0712/S00262.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00490.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0712/S00260.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0712/S00257.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0712/S00255.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0712/S00254.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0712/S00253.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0712/S00250.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0712/S00251.htm
Peace Movement Aotearoa: Act now - taser gun decision due soon - Act now: taser gun decision due soon The Commissioner of Police, Howard Broad, is currently considering the police's evaluation of the TaserX26 trial, and is expected to make a decision early next year about whether or not the taser, or 'electromuscular ... More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0712/S00301.htm
Judiciary: Wilson appointed Supreme Court Judge - The Honourable Justice William McLeod Wilson has been appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court, Attorney-General Michael Cullen announced today. The Hon Justice Wilson graduated from Victoria University of... More >> [1]
ALSO:Baragwanath appointed Court of Appeal Judge [2]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00486.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00485.htm
Defence: Review of Canterbury to provide design assurance - Review of Canterbury to provide design assurance Defence Minister Phil Goff has asked the New Zealand Defence Force and the Ministry of Defence to begin an independent review of the acquisition... More >> [1]
ALSO: Defence Force - NZDF and Sec Def. On HMNZS Canterbury Review [2]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00488.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0712/S00297.htm
GM: High lysine corn gazetted - High lysine corn is being gazetted today at 1pm. This corn is used as an animal feed, but it has had its safety assessed as if for human consumption. Food containing this GM variety can now be imported and sold in New Zealand, although such products would... More >> [1]
ALSO: NZbio - Corn approval protects NZ's reputation [2] Sustainability Council NZ - Food Safety Regulation takes a Significant Hit [3]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0712/S00273.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0712/S00281.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0712/S00059.htm
Religion: NZ Muslims Celebrate Eid-Ul-Adha - Hundreds & thousands of Muslims flocked to "Eidgah's" (place accommodating large congregation) and the local mosques across New Zealand to celebrate Eid-Ul-Adha, the celebration of sacrifice... More >> [1]
ALSO:Catholic News - Cakes earn $14,000 for worthy cause [2]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00267.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0712/S00290.htm
Child and Youth Issues: Three Month Review Of Crimes Amendment Act (S.59) - Police have undertaken a three month review of the amendment of section 59 of the Crimes Act (the Smacking Bill) to gauge the impact on police activity. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0712/S00283.htm
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BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH------------
Auckland Airport: Confidentiality deed with another interested party - The directors of Auckland International Airport Limited (Auckland Airport) have signed a confidentiality deed with an international party which has expressed interest in the company... More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00400.htm
Mobile Phone Competition: Co-location On Cellular Transmission Sites - The Commission has today launched a standard terms development process to determine the non-price elements of co-location of a mobile operators equipment on another operator's transmission site. Co-location allows the mobile equipment of a network ... More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00398.htm
Origin Energy: Kupe Gas Project - Drilling Commences - Origin Energy advises that today the Ensco 107 rig has commenced batch drilling the three development wells on the Kupe field. The commencement of the drilling campaign follows the successful installation of the Project's wellhead platform jacket... More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00384.htm
Economy: Balance of Payments & Intl Investment Position - Investment income widens current account deficit The seasonally adjusted current account deficit was $3,628 million in the September 2007 quarter, $120 million larger than the June 2007 quarter deficit, Statistics New Zealand said today... More >> [1]
ALSO: Greens - Need to rethink unregulated foreign investment [2] NZCTU - CAD shows need for savings and local investment [3]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00371.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0712/S00481.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0712/S00368.htm
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WORLD------------
Thailand: Military Undermining Upcoming Elections - Since General Sonthi Boonyaratglin overthrew the Thaksin administration in a bloodless coup on September 19, 2006, the military junta promised that the December 23 national elections would mark Thailand's democratic transition. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0712/S01113.htm
Europe: After A Good Year In 2007, Europe Is Committed To Delivering Results In 2008 - Europe must continue internal reforms to get fit for global competition and to deal with issues like migration, energy and climate change. At the same time the EU must speak with one voice and act coherently in its external relations. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0712/S01111.htm
Fijian Islands: Cyclone Daman Cost Fiji Government FJD $652,171 - The total damages of tropical cyclone Daman on the island of Cikobia recently is in the tune of $652,171, including damages to school, water, health, housing, community infrastructures & agriculture. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0712/S01109.htm
United Nations: First Meeting Of 'Group Of Friends' On Burma - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today convened the first meeting of a group of 14 nations to assist him in his efforts to spur change in the troubled South-East Asian nation. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0712/S01110.htm
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COMMENT------------
Jason Leopold: Chertoff Concealed Role in Tape Destruction - Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff advised the CIA between 2002 and 2003 that its agents had the legal authority to use techniques that included waterboarding on one of the agency's so-called "high level detainees," according to a little-known ... More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00260.htm
Richard S. Ehrlich: Thailand Divides On Election - BANGKOK, Thailand -- Thailand's upcoming election on Sunday (December 23) may be won by an "ultra right-wing" politician whose plan to defy last year's coup and bring back disgraced Thaksin Shinawatra from self-exile could bitterly divide ... More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00274.htm
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LIFESTYLE------------
High Note: Star To Shine At Skycity Starlight Symphony - Skycity is proud to announce that New Zealand's hottest new star, Will Martin, is set to dazzle the crowd at the 2008 Skycity Starlight Symphony. Will's debut album, "A New World", has recently gone platinum in New Zealand and the twenty-three year old says he is delighted to be a special guest performer at one of the most popular events on the New Zealand calendar. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0712/S00279.htm
Painting By Number$: 2007 Art Auction Market Standing Strong - "Sales for our leading modern masters were strong in Webb's December sale with most major works selling for around their estimates and demand for some works rocketing prices to top estimates and above. This is an encouraging indicator for 2008 as all eyes are on the market for the likes of Colin McCahon and Bill Hammond as indicators of the strength of the overall market over the coming year." More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0712/S00277.htm
And those were the Top Scoops on this day, December 21, 2007
:)
ENDS
The Scoop Editor
Scoop Independent News
Scoop is NZ's largest independent news source; respected widely in media, political, business and academic circles for being the place on the internet for publishing "what was really said", and for the quality of its analysis of issues.

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