Top Scoop Stories - 28 August 2007 News Summary

Tuesday, 28 August 2007, 2:00 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

Today's Top Scoops - August 28, 2007

LEAD STORY:

Politics: Robson Concerned The World Less Democratic After Key Speech

NZ POLITICS:

Local Govt: Government To Study Rates Report
Health: NZ First Welcomes Under Six Subsidy
Protection Orders: Report Finds Failings
Housing: Turner back Sallies' Report
Land Access: All New Access 'By Negotiation'
Scoop Exclusive: NZ Has Slashed Its Contributions To UN Peace Operations

BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH:

Profit: Workers Deserve Credit For Air NZ Turnaround
Horse Flu: High Risk Horses Identified
Economy: Economic Value Of Non-Profits Measured

WORLD:

Unintended Consequences: Afghan Opium Drug Trade Soars To Record Levels
Army Vs. Media: ADF Rejects Channel 7 Claims Of Faulty Equipment
A Bad State: Contrary to Claims of Burma's Junta, More than One Hundred Activists Arrested in Five Days
Tour of Duty: Chinese Selected To Lead UN Peacekeeping Force In Western Sahara

COMMENT:

Breaking News: Gonzales Resigns as Attorney General
Unconstitutional, Undemocractic & Incompetent: Michael Chertoff tipped as next AG

LIFESTYLE:

Culture: 15,000 Hours Of NZ On Air
Dance: Dance Your Socks Off Starting Next Week
Sport: NZ's New World Champion

Politics: Robson Concerned The World Less Democratic After Key Speech - Deputy Leader of the Progressive Party Matt Robson is concerned that National Leader John Key has made the world a much less democratic place "Mr. Key gave an odd speech the other day claiming that there are 27 full democracies with universal suffrage, free and fair elections between parties and freedom of speech and association," writes a perplexed Mr Robson who seems to think there may be as many as 90 functioning democracy's in the world. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• National - John Key Speech to the National Press Club [2]
• Out-Link - The Economist's Democracy Index - Wikipedia [3]
• Out-Link - Freedom in the World (report) - Wikipedia [4]
• Out-Link - Image: Countries Claiming Democracy - Wikipedia [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0708/S00349.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00481.htm
[3] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index
[4] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_in_the_World_%28report%29
[5] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Claims_Of_Demoracy.png

Local Govt: Government To Study Rates Report - Local Government Minister Mark Burton today made public the 277-page final report of the Independent Inquiry into Local Government Rates, which he launched in November last year... "Some recommendations are challenging and others are reassuring." More >> [1]

• Rates Report - Executive Summary (PDF) [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00483.htm
[2] - http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/0708/executive_summary_rating_inquiry.pdf

Health: NZ First Welcomes Under Six Subsidy - New Zealand First is delighted that success has been achieved with another item in our Confidence and Supply agreement with the Labour Government says health spokesperson Barbara Stewart. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - Hodgson: Lower fees to see the Doctor [2]
• NZ Govt - Free under 6's doctor visits welcomed [3]
• NZ Govt - Whânau health boost - free under 6 doctors visits [4]

• Ministry of Health - Reports on DHB hospitals assist openness [5]
• Waikato DHB - Hospital Benchmark Information [6]
• Victoria University of Wellington - Optimism for long-term benefits of 2001 health ref [7]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00460.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00461.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00466.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00478.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0708/S00115.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0708/S00119.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0708/S00113.htm

Protection Orders: Report Finds Failings - University of Waikato researchers into domestic violence have called for sweeping changes in the treatment of battered women by the courts and government agencies coupled with amendments to the laws designed to protect them and their children. More >> [1]

Also:

• NZ Govt - Protection orders vital tool on family violence [2]
• National - Domestic violence report - shameful [3]
• National - Barker breaks domestic violence promise [4]
• National - Violence report highlights need for action [5]
• Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families - Action against family violence vital [6]
• Relationship Services - Research Recommendations Welcomed [7]
• National Council of Women - Sharpening The Blunt Edge Of Protection Orders [8]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0708/S00083.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00463.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00464.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00469.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00477.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0708/S00339.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0708/S00337.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0708/S00338.htm

Housing: Turner back Sallies' Report - UnitedFuture MP Judy Turner says investing in housing is investing in the community. "UnitedFuture totally endorses the Salvation Army report on housing which calls for the Government to invest up to a billion dollars a year in affordable housing. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Salvation Army - Helping build the Kiwi dream [2]
• NZ Govt - PM: Housing For The Future [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00479.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0708/S00329.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00480.htm

Land Access: All New Access 'By Negotiation' - The Government has accepted the recommendations of an independent panel which was set up to address walking access issues, Rural Affairs Minister Damien O'Connor said today. The review of walking access was prompted by the need for clear and enduring rules around access to the outdoors amid changing values and patterns of rural land ownership in New Zealand, Mr O'Connor said. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• National - Access report another case of 'told you so' [2]
• Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations - Council welcomes Govt Public Access Initiative [3]
• Federated Farmers - Access Takes Right Track [4]
• Fish and Game New Zealand - Government Review on Public Access [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00462.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00465.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0708/S00340.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0708/S00525.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0708/S00341.htm

Scoop Exclusive: NZ Has Slashed Its Contributions To UN Peace Operations - Scoop Report: Andreas Von Warburg reports that the number of military and civilian police personnel New Zealand contributes to United Nations-led peacekeeping operations has been slashed since 2001, from 716 units to 40. More >> [1]

Other UN Issues:

• Andreas von Warburg - UN Appoints A New Zealander To New Mission In Iraq [2]
• NZ Defence - Kiwis make Big Bang In Afghanistan [3]
• (KiwiFM Audio): Wallace n Manning on NZ Slashes UN Peacekeeping Contribution [4]
• (KiwiFM Audio): Wallace & PM on Coal & NZ Contributions To UN Peacekeeping [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0708/S00303.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0708/S00296.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0708/S00307.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0708/S00334.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0708/S00335.htm

Profit: Workers Deserve Credit For Air NZ Turnaround - The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union says Air New Zealand's announcement of a $214 million net profit for the year to July involves a significant contribution from its unionised workforce. The profit announcement, which is up 123 percent on the previous year, comes after EPMU members agreed to substantial restructuring... More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Air New Zealand - Air NZ Expects To Continue To Improve Performance [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0708/S00352.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0708/S00534.htm

Horse Flu: High Risk Horses Identified - MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has classified as high priority 14 premises that have received horses from Australia in the last ten days. MAFBNZ is in the process of collecting blood samples from these animals for testing. Samples will be completed by the end of tomorrow (Tuesday) and test results are expected early next week. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Ministry Of Agriculture And Forestry - MAF moves quickly to trace horse imports [2]
• Veterinary Association - Veterinarians applaud MAF's rapid action [3]
• Massey University - Risk of deaths if horse flu spreads to NZ [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0708/S00066.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0708/S00327.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0708/S00509.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0708/S00067.htm

Economy: Economic Value Of Non-Profits Measured - For the first time, comprehensive information about the economic contribution of non-profit institutions in New Zealand is available, in a report released by Statistics New Zealand today... Non-profit institutions contributed $3.64 billion or 2.6 percent to New Zealand's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2004. Over one million (1,011,600) volunteers gave more than 270 million hours of unpaid labour... More >> [1]

ALSO:

• NZ Govt - New report milestone for voluntary sector [2]
• NZ Govt - Non-Profit Institutions Satellite Account Launch [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0708/S00539.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00484.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00485.htm

Unintended Consequences: Afghan Opium Drug Trade Soars To Record Levels - Opium production in Afghanistan, a $3-billion-a-year trade accounting for more than 90 per cent of the world's illegal output, soared to frightening record levels this year. The amount of Afghan land used for growing opium is now larger than the combined total under coca cultivation in Latin America - Colombia, Peru and Bolivia. No other country has produced narcotics on such a deadly scale since China in the 19th century, the report said. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0708/S00641.htm

Army Vs. Media: ADF Rejects Channel 7 Claims Of Faulty Equipment - Defence rejects the claims made by Channel Seven that Australian Defence Force personnel lack high quality weapons and equipment. Defence believes that Channel 7s 'investigative report' is based entirely on selective and exaggerated use of information gained from a Freedom of Information Request on 13 August 2007. In responding to this request, Defence provided Channel 7 with information on faults with ammunition and weapons used by service personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq during a two-year period between April 2005 - April 2007. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0708/S00640.htm

A Bad State: Contrary to Claims of Burma's Junta, More than One Hundred Activists Arrested in Five Days - A minimum of one hundred human rights activists and peaceful protesters were arrested by security forces and civilian militias of Than Shwe's military regime in Burma from August 21st - 25th, 2007. The regime falsely reported that only 64 protestors were arrested, including famed activist Min Ko Naing. The protests began after the Than Shwe's regime suddenly increased fuel prices by up to 500%, resulting in huge increases in the price of basic commodities. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0708/S00635.htm

Tour of Duty: Chinese Selected To Lead UN Peacekeeping Force In Western Sahara - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Major-General Zhao Jingmin as the new Force Commander for the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara (MINURSO), the first time that the world body has had a Chinese national head one of its missions. Maj.-Gen. Zhao succeeds Gen. Kurt Mosgaard of Denmark, who will complete his tour of duty as Force Commander today, UN spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters. Born in 1954, Maj.-Gen. Zhaohas held senior posts in China's National Defence Ministry. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0708/S00645.htm

Breaking News: Gonzales Resigns as Attorney General - Waco, Tex. - Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, whose tenure has been marred by controversy and accusations of perjury before Congress, has resigned. A senior administration official said he would announce the decision later this morning in Washington. Mr. Gonzales, who had rebuffed calls for his resignation, submitted his to President Bush by telephone on Friday...More >> [1]

ALSO:

• William Rivers Pitt - Burning the Law in a Riot of Treason [2]
• US Dept. of Justice - Remarks of Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales Announcing His Resignation [3]
• Alberto Gonzales' Letter of Resignation to President Bush [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0708/S00341.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0708/S00357.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0708/S00342.htm
[4] - http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/0708/ag_resign_letter.pdf

Unconstitutional, Undemocractic & Incompetent: Michael Chertoff tipped as next AG - Michael Chertoff, who heads a federal agency whose very name comes from fascism, is being touted as the likely replacement for Alberto Gonzales. Chertoff is the co-author, along with Viet Dinh, of the USA PATRIOT Act, signed into law October 26, 2001. As head of the Justice Department's criminal division, he advised the Central Intelligence Agency on the outer limits of legality in coercive interrogation sessions... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0708/S00349.htm

Culture: 15,000 Hours Of NZ On Air - Maharey welcomes milestone of 15,000 hours of local content Broadcasting Minister, Steve Maharey, today congratulated NZ On Air for clocking up 15,000 hours of government-funded local content, all but four of which have made it to air. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0708/S00475.htm

Dance: Dance Your Socks Off Starting Next Week - Wellington City Council's Dance Your Socks Off! Festival is back this spring with a full programme of performances and workshops. Get a free preview of what's on during the festival at the Reading Courtenay Dance Festival on the ground floor of Reading Courtenay on Monday 3 September from 4.30-9pm. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• First Flight - First Flight for Young Contemporary Choreographers [2]
• Bats Theatre - An Alturnative Version Of Your Life [3]
• Bats Theatre - "Tap That" at BATS theatre [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0708/S00331.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0708/S00267.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0708/S00253.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0708/S00263.htm

Sport: NZ's New World Champion - Fresh from winning gold for shot put at the World Championships in Osaka with a final 20.54m throw, top Olympic medal contender Valerie Vili has been named Visa's New Zealand ambassador for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. More >> [1]

ALSO:

• Triathlon New Zealand - Doe Wins In Canada [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0708/S00324.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0708/S00319.htm

ENDS

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