Anniversaries: Government Begins Second Hundred Days
The National-led Government’s first 100 days in office is up today with every item in its 100-day Action Plan completed, says Prime Minister John Key. During the election campaign, National committed to 100 days of action should it form the government... “I am proud to lead a Government that kept its word and implemented its pre-election commitments, and within the deadline we set. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00385.htm

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NZ POLITICS

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Treasury: Goff Calls For Tax Cut Rethink
"[John Key's] tax cuts are not the best way to stimulate our faltering economy. Mr Key needs to make sure that his tax cuts are focused on those who need them the most." More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00393.htm

ALSO:

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary action [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00521.htm [2]

Foreign Affairs: McCully To Go On Tour
Foreign Minister Murray McCully heads to Europe on Sunday to attend a Commonwealth meeting on Fiji and to make calls on ministerial counterparts in London and Paris. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00392.htm

Quartermastery: NZ Loses Army Raincoat Contract
"The Army's decision to allow a $2 million clothing contract with Levin-based company Swazi to shift to China highlights the gross inadequacy of Government procurement practices," said Ms Bradford, who championed the Government's Buy Kiwi Made programme in the last term of Parliament. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00386.htm

ALSO:

Why doesn't the Government support our NZ textiles [2]

Clothing Workers Looking for Action from Summit [3]

Patrick Smellie on the Jobs Summit: The Politics of Gesture [4]

Jobs belong here not in China say Greens [5]

Where are the Women? [6]

Women’s voices to be heard at job summit [7]

Women’s affairs need leadership not defeatism [8]

Greens release input to Job Summit [9]

ASB offers fund to create & protect employment [10]

Help our Businesses Create or Save Jobs [11]

90 Day Trial Period Starts Sunday [12]

Finance insights from Jobs Summit survey [13]

Jobs Summit must focus on retention and growth [14]

Extraordinary times call for extraordinary action [15]

Clothing Workers Looking for Action from Summit [16]

Tourism investment will help safeguard jobs [17]

Survey reveals a third of businesses feel they're overstaffed [18]

Help our Businesses Create or Save Jobs [19]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00508.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0902/S00307.htm [3]

[4] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/02/26/smellie-sniffs-the-breeze-the-politics-of-gesture/ [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00386.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00376.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00378.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00390.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00373.htm [9]

[10] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/02/24/asb-offers-fund-to-create-protect-employment/ [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00459.htm [11]

[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00364.htm [12]

[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00453.htm [13]

[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0902/S00306.htm [14]

[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00521.htm [15]

[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0902/S00307.htm [16]

[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0902/S00297.htm [17]

[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/18879.html [18]

[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00459.htm [19]

Superannuation: Piggies Raid Bank
John Key’s failure to give an assurance about the Superannuation Fund means he cannot honour his pre-election promise not to change superannuation, Wigram’s Progressive MP Jim Anderton says. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00384.htm

ALSO:

Is the Super Fund safe in John Key’s hands? [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00359.htm [2]

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BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

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Media: Dom Post Editor Pankhurst Steps Down
Tim Pankhurst has resigned as editor of the Dominion Post newspaper to become head of the Newspaper Publishers' Association, the industry’s lobby group in New Zealand. Pankhurst, 54, steps down after seven years in the job having joined shortly after the news paper was created out of a merger between the Dominion and Evening Post newspapers. More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/02/26/dom-post-editor-pankhurst-steps-down-to-head-npa/

Hook-Ups: TV Star Helps Cookie Company Into US
Christchurch cookie manufacturer Cookie Time will tonight dispatch its first export shipment to the United States, in partnership with Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan... The partnership with Phil Keoghan will see the One Square Meal product co-branded NOW (Keoghan’s No Opportunity Wasted brand) for the US market. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00512.htm

Internet: Broadband At A Crossroads Conference Webcast
The Commerce Commission conference Broadband at a Crossroads being held at the Langham Hotel in Auckland on 26 and 27 February will be webcast. The webcast can be accessed on http://www.r2.co.nz/20090226 More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00505.htm

ALSO:

Broadband at a Crossroads conference - programme [2]

Broadband investment: the time is right [3]

Air NZ Remains Profitable In Tough Environment [4]

Stocks to Watch: Air NZ Profit Plummets, Goodman Fielder Sinks [5]

Air NZ's earnings crash 84 percent to $26m [6]

Full interview with Air NZ CEO Rob Fyfe [7]

[2] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00108.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00507.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0902/S00490.htm [4]

[5] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/02/26/air-nz-profit-plummets-goodman-fielder-sinks/ [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/18948.html [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/18950.html [7]

RMA: Glenfield Can Has Supermarket?
News of the High Court decision in favour of Foodstuffs, in its battle against Progressive Enterprises to open a PAK ‘n SAVE supermarket in Wairau Road, will be welcomed by residents of Glenfield and surrounding areas. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0902/S00370.htm

ALSO:

Progressive Enterprises Disappointed in Decision [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0902/S00299.htm [2]

Science: Comet Passes Closest To Earth (But Still A Long Way Off)
Stargazers at Auckland’s Stardome Observatory are watching out for the close approach of a new comet in the skies above New Zealand. Comet Lulin will pass closest to the Earth – coming within 61.3 million kilometres – on 24 February, when it is expected to brighten to become visible to the naked eye or at least easily seen through binoculars. More »[1]

[1] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0902/S00016.htm

ALSO:

Comet C/2007 N3 Lulin [2]

[2] - http://www.rasnz.org.nz/Comets/C2007N3.htm [2]

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COMMENT

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From Rome - Abstracts of the STOQ Evolution Conference, 2009
More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0902/S00427.htm

Vincent Guarisco: Never Forget The Lessons Of Yesterday For The Sake Of Tomorrow
''You can walk away from these stories today, but if you choose to follow them they will become a profound part of you and will deeply affect your life.'' ~~Anthony Guarisco, Founder and director, International Alliance of Atomic Veterans (IAAV, with AAV here ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0902/S00405.htm

ALSO:

Abstracts of the STOQ Evolution Conference, 2009 [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0902/S00427.htm" target="_blank [2]

Gordon Campbell: Who May Succeed Jeanette Fitzsimons
The fortunes of politicians can change overnight – cock of the walk one day, coq au vin the next. Not that Green party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons will be treated quite so cavalierly, but inevitably once she departs from the centre stage of the ... More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2009/02/23/gordon-campbell-on-who-may-succeed-jeanette-fitzsimons/

Uri Avnery: The Great Gamble
“IACTA ALEA EST” – the die is cast – said Julius Caesar and crossed the River Rubicon on his way to conquer Rome. That was the end of Roman democracy. We don’t have a Julius Caesar. But we do have an Avigdor Liberman. When he announced his support the other day for the setting up of a government headed by Binyamin... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0902/S00373.htm

Ramzy Baroud: A New Afghanistan Nightmare Commences
When US envoy to Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke met with Afghanistan’s ‘democratically’ installed President Hamid Karzai in Kabul on February 14, he may have just learned of the historic significance of the following day. February 15 commemorates the end ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0902/S00369.htm

The Money Party at Work: Too Little Too Late?
Wash. DC, Feb. 19 -- President Obama announced a $75 billion assistance package to address home foreclosures yesterday. He also promised a $200 billion infusion into Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, the nation's underlying lenders. That's exactly $275 ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0902/S00344.htm

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LIFESTYLE

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Race Relations: Chinese Poll Tax Trust Now Open For Applications
Members of New Zealand’s Chinese community are being invited to apply for funding from the 2009 funding round of the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust. The Trust aims to create heightened understanding of the Chinese community within New Zealand and ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00454.htm

Sexual Orientation: Green MP At Wellington’s ‘Out In The Square’
Green Party MP and long-time campaigner on gay and lesbian rights, Kevin Hague, will be staffing a Green Party stall at Wellington’s ‘Out in the Square fair’ this Saturday 28 February and said he was really looking forward to the event. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00388.htm

ALSO:

Labour MPs support first Pink Shirt Day in NZ [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0902/S00369.htm [2]

Horse Play: Richest Race Attracts Top International Jockeys

The prestigious Auckland Cup Week is set to have a truly international flavour with a number of international jockeys flying in to try and take the spoils. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00442.htm

ALSO:

Feverish Anticipation For Racing’s Richest Prizes [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00437.htm [2]

Religion: Nelson Region Highest Concentration Of Jedi
In Nelson, in the age group of 15-29 years of age, there are over 20% who answered Jedi in the Census. As a percentage of the total Nelson population was almost 7% and the next top region was Malborough. The Force is strong at the top of the South ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00441.htm

Nostalgia: Classic Boats Take To The Lake For Tenth Anniversary Show
The Seresin NZ Antique and Classic Boat Show at Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, in a weekend full to the gunnels with boating action and nostalgia. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00426.htm

Arts: Govett-Brewster Unveils Autumn Exhibitions
A wealth of contemporary art is set to be revealed at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery this autumn. The Gallery welcomes New York-based Venezuelan artist Javier Téllez to New Zealand for the first time. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00412.htm

Strange and Bizarre: 'A Mime To Kill' Comes To Auckland Fringe Festival
The Magniloquents hit The Basement as part of Auckland Fringe 09 with A MIME TO KILL, a new devised black comedy investigating the plight of a Mime who opens one door too many and accidentally finds himself ensnared in the real world. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00417.htm

Arts: Late Fringe Brings Out The Ladies
Ten years ago director Jan Bolwell, at the age of 48, was recovering from two bouts of breast cancer. She decided to start dancing again to aid her recovery. A group of women about her age saw Gaylene Preston’s film about breast cancer ‘Titless Wonders’ in which Jan dances her work ‘Off My Chest’. They approached her and said, ‘we want to dance like that. Will you teach us?’ Crows Feet Dance Collective was born. More »[1]

[1] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00046.htm

ALSO:

Awards set to crown successful NZ Fringe Festival [2]

The Rodwell Monologues [3]

Women’s Circus Aotearoa: 2009 – A Space Oddity [4]

Wolf's Lair - Hitler's Last Secretary [5]

In The Night, All the Cats are Grey: Album Launch [6]

Post Gay by Patrick Graham [7]

Fuse circus explodes into Wellington [8]

Scoop Full Coverage: Fringe 09 [9]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00408.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00401.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00402.htm [4]

[5] - http://scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0901/S00131.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00400.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0902/S00399.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/entertainment/18917.html [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0902/S00122.htm [9]

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WORLD

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Brutality: ‘Widespread’ Police Killings In Kenya
New York, Feb 25 2009 1:10PM A United Nations independent human rights expert today called on the President of Kenya to acknowledge, and take steps to end, what he called “systematic, widespread and carefully planned” police killings in the East African ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0902/S00491.htm

Environment: India’s First Steps On Its Climate Plan
New Delhi, India, 25 February 2009 — Greenpeace today welcomed India’s first step on its National Action Plan on Climate Change, a market mechanism that will phase out incandescent bulbs, however called for clear targets and timelines on the ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0902/S00489.htm

Freedom Of The Press: Give Journalists In Americas The Freedom To Write
Lydia Cacho, the famous Mexican author and investigative journalist, has been the target of death threats, sabotage, defamation suits and police harassment because of her work uncovering prostitution and child pornography networks in Mexico. But ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0902/S00479.htm

Narcotics: Need For Fresh Approach To Drugs In Colombia
Early this month, a brutal massacre of Awá indigenous people left 27 dead in Colombia’s southern Pacific region of Nariño. According to various media sources, 17 were killed in an armed attack on February 4, during which 120 community members were captured ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0902/S00477.htm

Top UN Official: Needs Of Displaced Persons In Colombia
New York, Feb 24 2009 12:10PM The United Nations’ top humanitarian official, on the first day of his mission to Colombia to assess relief operations for victims of natural disaster and civil strife, saluted actions taken but said much more must ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0902/S00453.htm

Goals: 1000 Micro-Projects For Peace
New York, Feb 24 2009 6:10PM Starting at a chicken coop and a pig farm outside the city of Bouaké, the top United Nations envoy to Côte d’Ivoire today started a five-city pilgrimage through the divided West African country to visit projects that ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0902/S00451.htm

World News: Food, Climate And Financial Crises
A range of challenges from food and financial crises to climate change are threatening global efforts to achieve development that is sustainable, or that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0902/S00436.htm

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Top Scoop Stories 26th February, 2009 News Summary

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COMMENT

Gordon Campbell: On Why The US Stands To Lose The Tariff Wars

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Ian Powell: It Does Matter To Patients Whether They Are Operated In A Public Or Private Hospital

Gordon Campbell: On Marketing The Military Threat Posed By China

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