Today's Top Scoops - December 21, 2007
Claire Curran Inquiry Presser: Logan Resignation Not Connected To Curran - Says Prebble
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)
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
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
$652,171
United
Nations: First Meeting Of 'Group Of Friends' On
Burma
Jason
Leopold: Chertoff Concealed Role in Tape
Destruction
Richard S. Ehrlich: Thailand Divides On
Election
High
Note: Star To Shine At Skycity Starlight
Symphony
Painting
By Number$: 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
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:
[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
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
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
$652,171, including damages to school, water, health,
housing, community infrastructures & agriculture. More
>> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0712/S01109.htm
United
Nations: First Meeting Of 'Group Of Friends' On
Burma - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
today convened the first meeting of a group of 14 nations to
assist him in his efforts to spur change in the troubled
South-East Asian nation. More
>> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0712/S01110.htm
COMMENT
------------
Jason
Leopold: Chertoff Concealed Role in Tape
Destruction - Homeland Security Secretary Michael
Chertoff advised the CIA between 2002 and 2003 that its
agents had the legal authority to use techniques that
included waterboarding on one of the agency's so-called
"high level detainees," according to a little-known ... More
>> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00260.htm
Richard S. Ehrlich: Thailand Divides On
Election - BANGKOK, Thailand -- Thailand's upcoming
election on Sunday (December 23) may be won by an "ultra
right-wing" politician whose plan to defy last year's coup
and bring back disgraced Thaksin Shinawatra from self-exile
could bitterly divide ... More
>> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0712/S00274.htm
LIFESTYLE
------------
High
Note: Star To Shine At Skycity Starlight
Symphony - Skycity is proud to announce that New
Zealand's hottest new star, Will Martin, is set to dazzle
the crowd at the 2008 Skycity Starlight Symphony. Will's
debut album, "A New World", has recently gone platinum in
New Zealand and the twenty-three year old says he is
delighted to be a special guest performer at one of the most
popular events on the New Zealand calendar. More
>> [1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0712/S00279.htm
Painting
By Number$: 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
:)
ENDS