INDEPENDENT NEWS

Top Scoop Stories - 25 February 2008 News Summary

Published: Mon 25 Feb 2008 02:01 PM
Today's Top Scoops - 25 February 2008
LEAD STORY:
World News: NZ Pioneers New Climate Change Initiative With UN
NZ POLITICS:
Oddspot: MP Defends 'Hardworking Media'
Business As Usual: MP Attacks Media
NZ World News: Multimedia: Cluster Munitions Conference Concludes
Trees: Lorax's Advocacy Could Be Lost In Auckland
Urban Myths: Good Deed Will Not Lead To Mad Max Carnage
Foreign Affairs: McCully Gets Stuck Into NZ AID Spending
Fisheries: Anderton Thinks Fishy Decision A Bit Rough
MPs: Wilson Will Not Seek Re-Election
BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH:
Shares: AIL Board Recommends Sales, Splits on Vote
Lost Worlds: Buried Volcano Inside Panmure Basin Discovered
Air Quality: Time For Wellington City Workers To Invest In A Gas Mask
Monkey Watch: Tamarind Action In Wellington
Media: Hearty Breakfast For TVNZ
WORLD:
West Darfur: Following Attacks, UN Officials Voice Concern For Civilians' Safety
News Media: Malaysian Newspapers Stifled In Election Coverage
Neighbours: Latin America And The U.S. Presidential Campaign
Burma: ASEAN Plays Key Role In Helping Myanmar - UN Envoy
Fisheries: Climate Change Leading To Shrinking Fish Stocks
Needle Work: Immunization Drive Reaches 35K+ Kids In Cameroon
COMMENT:
F. William Engdahl: Crisis of the World Financial System - Financial Predators Had A Ball
Martin LeFevre: Of Eclipses And Sacred Places
Kidd Millennium: Kidd & The Gray Lady
Uri Avnery: Three Cheers For Kosova!
David Swanson: Foreclose On The White House
Jason Leopold: DOJ Office Launches Formal Probe Into Legal Basis Behind Torture Memo
LIFESTYLE:
Images: Bugden Takes Second Superbike Title
Boxing News: Julian Slade Sport Report: La Pantera Boxes On
Sport: Barker Doesn't Win Yach Race…Again!
In Memoriam: Barry Barclay Remembered
Sculpture: Lions Made Of Sand Pop Up At Piha
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LEAD STORY
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World News: NZ Pioneers New Climate Change Initiative With UN
- Andreas von Warburg reports from New York: New Zealand is one of the pioneering founders of the Climate Neutral Network (CN Net), a bold new initiative to address climate change and the urgent need to de-carbonize the global economy. The country has joined the United Nations and three other countries, four cities and five corporations to launch one of the most promising projects to fight global warming and preserve our planet in the best possible way. Image: Tokelau's Fakaofo Atoll, by Selwyn Manning. More >> [1]
ALSO:United Nations - Nations, Cities, Companies Pledge Emissions Slash [2]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0802/S00258.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0802/S00307.htm
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NZ POLITICS
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Oddspot: MP Defends 'Hardworking Media' - National Party leader John Key should apologise for his attack on the integrity of the hardworking media in the North says Northland List MP and cabinet Minister Shane Jones. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0802/S00391.htm
Business As Usual: MP Attacks Media - UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne says TV3’s much-touted claim to be ‘leading news journalists’ is now in complete tatters, following the weekend’s revelations about the infamous ‘medals’ interview. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0802/S00395.htm
NZ World News: Multimedia: Cluster Munitions Conference Concludes - [Audio + Video + Images] Video on Demand of the Press Conference held at midday Friday to announce the conclusion of the Cluster Munitions Diplomatic Conference held at the Wellington Town Hall this week. More >> [1]
ALSO:NZ Govt - More than 80 countries sign up - cluster munitions [2] Cluster Munitions Coalition - Historic step forward for cluster bomb ban [3] Images/Audio: Cluster Bomb Victims Stage Protest [4] Cluster Munitions Coalition - Images: Cluster Bomb Victims - Real-life stories [5] Cluster Munitions Coalition - Kiwis Show Support for Treaty to Ban Cluster Bombs [6] Video Doco - Why Cluster Bombs Should Be Banned [7] YouTube Video - Reports From Cluster Bomb Conference Day 1-3 [8] Cluster Munitions Coalition - Cluster Bomb Survivor Speaks [9] Cluster Munitions Coalition - Global Push To Ban Cluster Bombs At Crossroads [10] Amnesty International - Ban on Cluster Munitions Only Sane, Humane Option [11] Development Resource Centre - Centre supports cluster munition ban [12] NZ Govt - Opening address of Conference on Cluster Munitions [13] Greens - Minister gets it wrong on cluster bomb investments [14] The Scoop Team - Intl. Cluster Munitions Conf. Opens In Wellington [15] US State Department - Putting the Impact of Cluster Munitions In Context [16]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0802/S00245.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0802/S00384.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0802/S00283.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0802/S00216.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0802/S00280.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0802/S00260.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0802/S00239.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0802/S00234.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0802/S00214.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0802/S00213.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0802/S00207.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0802/S00275.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0802/S00274.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0802/S00283.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0802/S00205.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0802/S00233.htm
Trees: Lorax's Advocacy Could Be Lost In Auckland - A meeting of the Auckland City Council seems quite likely to take away the role of Community Boards in planning decisions affecting generally protected trees. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0802/S00257.htm
Urban Myths: Good Deed Will Not Lead To Mad Max Carnage - An email warning drivers not to flash their headlights at oncoming cars as they could become a victim of gang initiation, is a hoax say police. The email headed: "Don't flash headlights at any car with no lights on" states police officers working with the DARE programme have issued the warning. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0802/S00288.htm
Foreign Affairs: McCully Gets Stuck Into NZ AID Spending - It is clear that some NZAID monies are ending up in the hands of the least deserving says National's Murray McCully. "Take for example the 2002 donation of $2000 from the Council for International Development-administered NZAID NGO Travel Fund to well known leftist Professor Jane Kelsey." More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0802/S00383.htm
Fisheries: Anderton Thinks Fishy Decision A Bit Rough - Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton is disappointed the High Court has overturned his decision to cut the catch of the northern orange roughy stock (ORH1). However, he said, it was useful that the Court has clarified how certain parts of the law should operate. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0802/S00385.htm
MPs: Wilson Will Not Seek Re-Election - The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Margaret Wilson MP, has announced that she will not seek a position on the Labour List for the next election. She will continue in the position of Speaker until the next election. More >> [1]
ALSO:New Zealand Council of Trade Unions - Unions acknowledge Margaret Wilson's role [2]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0802/S00376.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0802/S00286.htm
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BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH
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Shares: AIL Board Recommends Sales, Splits on Vote - The directors of Auckland Airport today unanimously recommended that shareholders should sell their shares into the takeover offer from CPPIB. However directors are not unanimous on whether shareholders should vote in favour or against CPPIB acquiring up to 40 per cent of the company. More >> [1]
ALSO:NZ First - Airport’s Board Sells Out [2]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0802/S00383.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0802/S00400.htm
Lost Worlds: Buried Volcano Inside Panmure Basin Discovered - Geologists have found a buried volcano inside Panmure Basin, which is the mouth of a volcano that erupted about 28,000 years ago. It is extremely rare for two eruptions to have occurred at the same site in the Auckland Volcanic Field. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0802/S00049.htm
Air Quality: Time For Wellington City Workers To Invest In A Gas Mask - Soil & Health has been told by the Greater Wellington Regional Council that log fumigation using methyl bromide is to be carried out this weekend at Port Wellington. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0802/S00052.htm
Monkey Watch: Tamarind Action In Wellington - The Emperor tamarins at Wellington Zoo are part of an international breeding programme.Emperor tamarins are native to tropical rainforest in parts of Peru, Brazil and Bolivia. More >> [1]
ALSO:Wellington City Council - Council grants fund penguin housing [2]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0802/S00249.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0802/S00245.htm
Media: Hearty Breakfast For TVNZ - TVNZ's popular early morning current affairs programme, Breakfast, has had a terrific start to 2008, growing its core audience of 25-54 year-old viewers by 29% (10,550 viewers)* compared with the same four weeks last year. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0802/S00371.htm
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WORLD
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West Darfur: Following Attacks, UN Officials Voice Concern For Civilians' Safety - The head of the United Nations-African Union (AU) hybrid peacekeeping force, known as UNAMID, and the world body's Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan today said that they are ''gravely concerned'' for the safety of thousands of civilians. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0802/S00344.htm
News Media: Malaysian Newspapers Stifled In Election Coverage - The predicament that "Oriental Daily" and "Makkal Osai" are now in could not have happened at a worse time, as Malaysians are about to go to the polls and will need a free media to inform them of all available options. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0802/S00338.htm
Neighbours: Latin America And The U.S. Presidential Campaign - After months of almost hermetic exclusion from the U.S. presidential campaign, brief references to U.S.-Latin America relations - particularly revolving around Cuba- are beginning to be heard on the campaign trail. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0802/S00336.htm
Burma: ASEAN Plays Key Role In Helping Myanmar - UN Envoy - Countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have a significant role to play in helping Myanmar on the path to democratization and national reconciliation, the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Myanmar said in Jakarta. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0802/S00315.htm
Fisheries: Climate Change Leading To Shrinking Fish Stocks - The supply of fish stocks will plummet as the world heats up, impacting millions of people in developing nations who depend on fishing for their livelihoods, according to a new report released today by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0802/S00313.htm
Needle Work: Immunization Drive Reaches 35K+ Kids In Cameroon - In partnership with the Govt of Cameroon & NGOs, the UN has vaccinated more than 35,000 infants and children against measles and polio in the country's north-east, which is hosting tens of thousands of refugees from neighbouring Chad. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0802/S00302.htm
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COMMENT
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F. William Engdahl: Crisis of the World Financial System - Financial Predators Had A Ball - The multi-trillion dollar US-centered securitization debacle began to unravel in June 2007 with the liquidity crisis in two hedge funds owned by Bear Stearns, one of the world's largest and most successful investment banks. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0802/S00269.htm
Martin LeFevre: Of Eclipses And Sacred Places - I sit in the backyard and watch as the terrestrial shadow engulfs our nearest celestial neighbor. In a few more minutes of timeless mystery, the colorless glow is gone. Two nearby stars stand like sentinels over the event, forming a flattened triangle. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0802/S00262.htm
Kidd Millennium: Kidd & The Gray Lady - Isn't it great that we live in a land where our press freedom is allowed to print all the unverified gossip and defamatory innuendo without fear or favour of all and sundry? More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0802/S00261.htm
Uri Avnery: Three Cheers For Kosova! - Anyone who believes that Israelis and Palestinians will unite tomorrow in one state does not live in the real world. The slogan ''two states for two peoples'' is relevant. So Israel should recognize the Republic of Kosova and wish it well. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0802/S00252.htm
David Swanson: Foreclose On The White House - If you've lost your house to a predatory lender and you ask your congress member to impeach Bush and Cheney for your loss, will they look at you like you're crazy? That depends entirely on how many of you are asking. If the 81% of Americans who disapprove of the job Bush is doing as president were to demand his removal, he'd be out on his ear faster than you can rig an election, award a no-bid contract, or fire an honest prosecutor. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0802/S00249.htm
Jason Leopold: DOJ Office Launches Formal Probe Into Legal Basis Behind Torture Memo - The Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) confirmed Friday afternoon that it has launched a formal investigation to determine whether agency attorneys provided the White House with poor legal advice when it drafted legal opinions authorizing CIA interrogators to use waterboarding against so-called high-level terrorist detainees to extract information about alleged plots against the United States. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0802/S00246.htm
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LIFESTYLE
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Images: Bugden Takes Second Superbike Title - Mr Consistent Australian Robbie Bugden clinched the New Zealand Superbike Championship for the second time today at Manfeild, with two wins from two starts. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0802/S00263.htm
Boxing News: Julian Slade Sport Report: La Pantera Boxes On - One of the stars of New Zealand boxing is set to showcase both his fighting and coaching skills in Auckland on February 29. Venezuelan-born Guillermo ''La Pantera'' Mosquera contests the feature fight – for the New Zealand light welterweight title... More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0802/S00264.htm
Sport: Barker Doesn't Win Yach Race…Again! - Team NZ Skipper Dean Barker gets to grips with a smaller boat than he's normally used to as he crews the 'Legends Boat' during the OKI 24 Hour Race. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0802/S00261.htm
In Memoriam: Barry Barclay Remembered - It's been a couple of days now since the phone rang, and I heard from his sister Pauline that Barry Barclay had died. Barry was - and remains - an absolute giant in New Zealand and the World's film communities. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0802/S00248.htm
Sculpture: Lions Made Of Sand Pop Up At Piha - For more than a decade in the height of summer Waitakere families have taken their buckets and spades to Piha Beach to take part in the annual Art on the Beach event. More >> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0802/S00254.htm
And those were the Top Scoops on this day, 25 February 2008
:)
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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