Today's Top Scoops - 30 May 2008
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LEAD STORY------------
In the Hood: MPs Bust 'Yoof' Styles On Parliament Steps - The humble Hoodie graced many a parliamentarian this lunch hour. This show of black brush-cottoned solidarity was organised to show that when worn by middle aged MPs the Hoodie loses its stigma. However it was noted by Scoop that none of the MPs demystifying the Hoodie were draped in gang colours, playing Grand Theft Auto while listening to Tupac and drinking gin'n'juice at the time of the photo session. More >> [1]
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NZ POLITICS------------
Disarmament: Goff Welcomes Cluster Munitions treaty - Agreement on a ground-breaking new treaty banning cluster munitions in Dublin yesterday has been warmly welcomed by
Disarmament Minister Phil Goff. More >> [1]
Representation: Time For A Referendum On Maori Seats Says Dunne - UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne has reaffirmed his call for a referendum on the future of the Maori seats in light of
a report released today. More >> [1]
Conferences:HNZ Property Improvement Conferences, 2002 to 2008 - Housing New Zealand today published details of conferences held by its Property Improvement Team since 2002.
"Conferences by the Property Improvement Team have been an annual event for six of the past seven years. More >> [1]
ALSO:National - HNZ boss has pay docked - Minister escapes [2] TV3 Video - Karaoke-style week in review: Housing New Zealand [3]
Media & Politics: Prime Minister Challenges NZ Media In Latest PJR - Media: Three thought-provoking commentators challenge the media as it faces digital decisions for the future in the
latest edition of Pacific Journalism Review . Including, Prime Minister Helen Clark finds much to fault in New Zealand
journalism in her commentary addressed to journalists and media educators. More >> [1]
Environment and Conservation: Tough New Measures To Protect Dolphins - Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton today announced the strongest-ever package of measures to protect New Zealand's
threatened Hector's and Maui's dolphins. More >> [1]
ALSO:Greens - Dolphin plan fails to guarantee species' survival [2]
Human Rights: Inquiry Into Taser-Related Deaths Before Decision - Amnesty International continues to oppose any introduction of Tasers by the New Zealand Police before a thorough and
independent inquiry into their uses and effects occurs. More >> [1]
Gullible Kiwis?: Nats' Kiwisaver Policy Could Cost Worker $190k - Policy that allowed business to take Kiwisaver contributions from wages could cost the average worker $190,000 in
wages and lost interest over their working life says the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union. More >> [1]
Defence News: Cross-party Letter Supporting Sir Keith Park Statue - Defence Minister Phil Goff will meet with newly-elected Mayor of London Boris Johnson and deliver a letter signed by
all party leaders in support of a statue of New Zealand WWII hero Sir Keith Park in Trafalgar Square. More >> [1]
Election 08: Gordon Campbell on the Vietnam vets apology - On compassionate grounds, the apology extended to the troops who fought in Vietnam was justified - so long as it was
not extended or regarded as a re-appraisal of the morality of the conflict, which the Government has been careful not to
do. More >> [1]
ALSO:Scoop Full Coverage - Full Analysis and Raw News Resource of Govt Apology To Viet Nam Vets [2] www.NZHistory.net.nz - Online Memories of New Zealand and the Vietnam War [3]
Doubling Air Miles: Chinese Labour Fishy Deal For Seafood Industry - It's crazy to catch fish in New Zealand, then ship it to China for processing, before bringing the finished product
back to New Zealand for sale, Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says. More >> [1]
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BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH------------
Agricultural Love: Fieldays Rural Bachelor finalists announced - New Zealand's bachelor cream of the crop have been found and are getting ready to compete for the 'Fieldays Rural
Bachelor of the Year®' title at the Fieldays 2008, 11 - 14 June. More >> [1]
Economy: NZ Consumer Confidence Falls To Record Low - New Zealand consumer confidence in the economy plunged 18 points from the second half of 2007 to the first half of
2008, according to a global online survey by The Nielsen Company. This was the biggest drop in consumer confidence of
any country in the world monitored. More >> [1]
Employment & Manufacturing: Getting The Boot Kumfs' Style - Kumfs Announces Further Redundancies - Kumfs announced today [28 May] further redundancies at its Mangere Factory, as
the high cost of manufacturing in New Zealand continues to hit hard. More >> [1]
Internet: Council To Plan For Digital Future - Communications and Information Technology Minister David Cunliffe today launched the structure that will become an
important contributor to New Zealand's digital future. The Minister hosted the signing of the establishment rules for
the Digital Development Council, which will in turn set up the Digital Development Forum. More >> [1]
ALSO:InternetNZ - InternetNZ gives thumbs up to Digital Council [2]
Company Results: Lyttelton Port Revises Profit Forecast - Lyttelton Port of Christchurch has announced an upwardly revised net profit projection of $10-$10.5 million for the
financial year ending June 30 2008. More >> [1]
Legal Issues: $1 Million Plus Costs Against Law Firm - In a judgment today from Justice Rhys Harrison, a rare award of indemnity costs in the amount of $1.057,691.25 was
made in respect of an action that arose from Clive Bradbury's ''deep-seated sense of grievance'' over the Bank's ending
of a solicitor-client ... More >> [1]
Global Economy: Coalition Expresses Disappointment With WTO - The Global Services Coalition (GSC), of which the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce is a key member, has
expressed disappointment at the Doha Round services text, released by the WTO services chair yesterday, and called for
strong services ... More >> [1]
Retail: Speight'S Launches New Lager - Speight's is proud to introduce Speight's Summit Lager, an exciting new addition to the iconic Speight's brand.
Brewed with only natural ingredients, Speight's Summit Lager is a smooth flavoured lager made from malted barley, hops,
yeast, water ... More >> [1]
International Trade: Kiwi Ingenuity Celebrated At Tokyo Earth Month - A small, innovative New Zealand company is being recognised for its contribution to the environment at a global
conference in Japan as part of the Earth Month celebrations. More >> [1]
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WORLD------------
Large Helping: World Bank Launches $1.2 Billion Food Aid Facility - The World Bank Group announced today it would support global efforts to overcome the global food crisis with a new
$1.2 billion rapid financing facility to address immediate needs, including $200 million in grants targeted at the
vulnerable. More >> [1]
Nation Building: Secretary Rice Remarks To Press At Iraq Compact Conference - "Iraq's international partners remain committed to sustaining their economic assistance. About $2.5 billion in new
soft loans from Japan and the World Bank have been approved for much needed infrastructure, energy, and essential
services." -- Sec. Rice. More >> [1]
MORENew Hope For Iraq, Says Ban Ki-Moon [2] Sec. Rice & M. Winiarski (Dagens Nyheter) [3] Sec. Rice & Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt [4]
Global Food Crisis: Food Prices Will Remain High Over Next Decade - Over the next decade rice and sugar prices will increase by less than 10 per cent, wheat by less than 20 per cent,
butter coarse grains and oilseeds will rise 30 per cent, and vegetable oils over 50 per cent. Coherent action is
urgently needed. More >> [1]
YESTERDAYFood Prices: Sharp Increases Likely [2]
Bombs Away: Groundbreaking Treaty Banning Cluster Bombs Agreed - ''I lost my arms and legs because of cluster bombs but this visionary treaty will make a real difference to people
like me. Dublin's legacy will save lives. I am proud that countries have prioritised people over weapons.'' -- Cluster
Munition Survivor. More >> [1]
Cutting Edge: Hard-Hitting Graphic Knife-Crime Ads Launched In United Kingdom - ''Many young people carry a knife because they are fearful; these advertss tell powerful stories about the dangers.
People have got to get the message that if they carry a knife, there's more chance of it being used against them.'' - UK
Home Office Minister. More >> [1]
Amnesty International Report 2008: Sixty Years Of Human Rights Failure - Governments Must Apologize And Act Now - Amnesty International's Report 2008 shows that sixty years after the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was
adopted by the UN, people in many countries are still tortured or ill-treated, face unfair trials, and are not allowed
to speak freely. "The human rights flashpoints in Darfur, Zimbabwe, Gaza, Iraq and Myanmar demand immediate action." More >> [1]
Church Of England: Religious Trends And Our Religious Future - "Islam's rapid progress in the UK has been assisted by government hard-line multi-cultural dogma & willingness to concede to virtually every demand made by Muslims. At all levels of national life Islam has gained state
funding & protection from criticism. In some 30 years the mosque will claim UK an Islamic nation." More >> [1]
War President: Bush Compares Afghanistan, Iraq Situation To World War II - ''To win the first war of the 21st century, we need to prevail not just in the battle of arms, but also in the battle
of wills. And we need to recognize that the only way America can lose the war on terror is if we defeat ourselves.'' -
George Bush. More >> [1]
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COMMENT------------
Scoop Review Of Books:Jewish Baghdad, A City Lost - It's a story about loss (leaving Baghdad) and discovery, which sheds some light on today's Iraq and the relationships
between Arabs, Kurds, Bedouins, Assyrians, Armenians and Jews - and about Muslim domination by Sunnis and Shi-ites on
the rest of society. More >> [1]
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LIFESTYLE------------
Heroes: Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre officially opens - The new Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre at Aoraki Mount Cook was today (Thursday 29 May) officially opened by Sir
Edmund's widow, June, Lady Hillary Q.S.M. More >> [1]
Classical Grooving: Masters of Baroque sets the seasons alight - For first time ever in New Zealand and for one extraordinary night virtuosic conductor and violinist Fabio Biondi
brings the foremost interpreters of Italian baroque and classical music Europa Galante to the Auckland Town Hall. More >> [1]
Military History: Online Memories Of New Zealand And The Vietnam War - A new era in New Zealand's digital history begins today with the launch of www.VietnamWar.govt.nz, asking people to
share their stories, experiences and memorabilia of the Vietnam War. More >> [1]
And those were the Top Scoops on this day, 30 May 2008
:)
ENDS