Scoop Top Stories February 18th 2010 News Summary

Thursday, 18 February 2010, 2:45 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

Scoop Top Stories February 18th 2010 News Summary

Gordon Campbell: Trevor Mallard’s Big Day

NZ POLITICS

Minister Demands Cuts: Dunne Forsees Pronounced Problems For Radio NZ

Terrorist Threats: Labour Encourages Hockey Players Not To Play Hooky

Selective Vouchers: Education Report Named After Ruined Cliche

Images: Unions' ACC Rally At Parliament

Books: Key To Key’s Success Scrutinised

BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

Trees For The Wood: West Coast Forestry Strategy Released

Broader Bands: Telecom Can Operate VDSL Services Outside Regulation

White Collar Stains: Fraud Rises To Record Levels

This Valentine’s: More Restaurants Less Fewer Roses

COMMENT

Gordon Campbell: On The Looming Elections In Iraq

Julie Webb Pullman: Clinton, Time to Take a Break - and give Haiti one at the same time

M. Shahid Alam: A Eurocentric Problem

The Useless Logic of Round Numbers: War is Criminal Any Day

Peter Dyer: Brits, Dutch Confront Illegal Iraq War

Gordon Campbell: John Key’s Agenda For The Nation

Michael Collins: Cuomo Takes On The Money Party

Trouble at The Lancet: Wakefield and the Medical Profession

Gordon Campbell: Free Trade With US More Monty Python Than Holy Grail

LIFESTYLE

Binoy Kampmark: The Very Bad Lieutenant

Arts & Commerce: NZSO, Music Schools Ponder Values Of Real Estate

Improvathon

America's Cup: On Match Point

Arts Festival: New Venue Required For Richard Dawkins' Talk

For The Innuendo-Deprived: Julian Clary: Lord Of The Mince

WORLD

Fiji: FICAC V Jashwant Kumar: Defense Lays It’s Case

DR Congo: Girl Child Soldiers Less Likely To Be Freed

Gordon Campbell: Trevor Mallard’s Big Day
Normally, Trevor Mallard is not renowned for his subtlety, yet his stealth attack on Education Minister yesterday in the House was a stone classic. First, there was a feint with the generalized question, then an innocuous sounding follow up – did she actually know how inter-school moderation of literacy worked? ‘Yes’ – a further question, and then a circle back for the kill. So, given her reply to the question before last, could she now explain to the House how inter-school moderation of literacy worked? More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/18/campbell-mallard%E2%80%99s-big-day-and-low-budget-films/

ALSO:

• Tolley on literacy [2]


• Parliament Today for 17-02-10 [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00233.htm#tolley [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00122.htm [3]

ALSO:

• Questions for Oral Answer - 18 Feb 2010 [2]


• Questions and Answers - 17 Feb 2010 [3]


• Today in Parliament 17.02.10 [4]


• Questions and Answers - 16 Feb 2009 [5]


• Today In Parliament 16.02.10 [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00236.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00233.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00122.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00213.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00114.htm [6]

Minister Demands Cuts: Dunne Forsees Pronounced Problems For Radio NZ
UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne… says Radio New Zealand has traditionally been a leader in preserving high standards of language, diction and overall presentation in its broadcasts, and he would be extremely concerned if the current funding crisis led to any reduction in those. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00234.htm

Terrorist Threats: Labour Encourages Hockey Players Not To Play Hooky
The Labour Party backs the New Zealand Commonwealth Games hockey team’s decision to go to India next week and participate in October’s Commonwealth Games. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00230.htm

ALSO:

• How bad is the terrorist risk to our athletes? [2]


• Black Sticks delay India trip in light of terror threats [3]


• NZ Hockey still going to India despite terror threats [4]


• Black Sticks should pull out - counterterrorism expert [5]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/32748.html [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/32713.html [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/sports/32702.html [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/sports/32763.html [5]

Selective Vouchers: Education Report Named After Ruined Cliche
ACT Deputy Leader and Inter-Party Working Group (IPWG) on School Choice Chair Heather Roy was today pleased to announce the release of the report 'Step Change: Success The Only Option'... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1002/S00057.htm

ALSO:

• Minority View On IPWG Report [2]


• Heather Roy - Excellence In Education [3]


• Step change is a step backwards [4]


• School Choice Report Equals Bad Choice [5]


• School Choice Working Party has Quality Report [6]


• “Step Change” Treading on Eggshells [7]


• Maxim Institute - Real Issues - No. 355 [8]


• School choice paper a waste of taxpayer money [9]


• The very worst of policy making [10]


• Special education – do families get a choice? [11]


• Hard News: Research Fail [12]


• Independent advisory group for National Standards [13]


• Teachers, Parents Ignored in Advisory group [14]


• Ready, Fire, Aim! Standards Advisory Backwards [15]


• Tolley on literacy [16]


• Council supports Auckland governance structure [17]


• Tourism industry backs world-class cruise facility [18]


• Super City logo competition back to front [19]


• Hard News: A solution in search of somebody else's problem [20]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00226.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00212.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00224.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1002/S00059.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1002/S00056.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1002/S00054.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1002/S00204.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1002/S00064.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1002/S00062.htm [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1002/S00205.htm [11]

[12] - http://publicaddress.net/6473#post6473" target="_blank [12]

[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00223.htm [13]

[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1002/S00068.htm [14]

[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1002/S00069.htm [15]

[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00233.htm#tolley [16]

[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1002/S00472.htm [17]

[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1002/S00433.htm [18]

[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1002/S00208.htm [19]

[20] - http://publicaddress.net/default,6468.sm#post6468" target="_blank [20]

Images: Unions' ACC Rally At Parliament
Following on from the massive BIKOI on 17 November2009, when thousands of bikers rallied in Parliament grounds to show their opposition to targeted ACC levy raises, hundreds of protesters gathered at lunchtime yesterday. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00121.htm

ALSO:

• ACC clients 'swamp-dwellers’ under new policy [2]


• Marchers protest government’s ACC rip-off [3]


• Privatising ACC will cost workers more [4]


• Cuts to ACC unfair and unnecessary [5]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00204.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1002/S00187.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1002/S00180.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00237.htm [5]

Books: Key To Key’s Success Scrutinised
Key to Victory: The New Zealand General Election of 2008 is a series of insiders’ views on our most recent general election, showing how John Key became New Zealand’s 38th Prime Minister. More »[1]

[1] - http://books.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/15/key-to-keys-success-scrutinised/

ALSO:

• Politicised public services must be investigated [2]


• Brownlee lies about mining influence [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00178.htm [2]

[3] - http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2010/02/brownlee-lies-about-mining-influence.html" target="_blank [3]

Trees For The Wood: West Coast Forestry Strategy Released
Forestry Minister David Carter today released the Government’s future strategy for the Crown’s West Coast plantation forests, which aims to keep as much production and employment on the Coast as possible. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00239.htm

ALSO:

• Government Confirms It Will Retain Imputation [2]


• Hon Bill English: Lifting our Economic Game [3]


• CMD Taskforce welcomes Govt action plan [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00240.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00241.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1002/S00500.htm [4]

Broader Bands: Telecom Can Operate VDSL Services Outside Regulation
Telecom Corp., the country’s largest phone company, can market new, high-speed VDSL broadband services without reference to regulations that govern the fixed line broadband market, the regulator has recommended. More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/18/telecom-can-operate-vdsl-services-outside-regulati/

ALSO:

• Recovered geckos to be returned to Otago peninsula [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/32720.html [2]

White Collar Stains: Fraud Rises To Record Levels
There has been a massive increase in the value of frauds in New Zealand in the second half of 2009, according to the KPMG Fraud Barometer report released today. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1002/S00382.htm

ALSO:

• Service sector growth moderates in January [2]


• New Zealand bioscience sector growing [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1002/S00381.htm [2]

[3] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/16/new-zealand-bioscience-sector-growing/ [3]

This Valentine’s: More Restaurants Less Fewer Roses
With Valentine’s Day falling on a Sunday this year, a leading Auckland business association is predicting packed out cafes and restaurants while florists are anticipating a slightly quieter day. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1002/S00371.htm

ALSO:

• Telecom Announces Solid Second Quarter Results [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1002/S00350.htm [2]

Gordon Campbell: On The Looming Elections In Iraq
Early next month, Iraq is due to hold an election. One of the ironic outcomes of the US/UK led invasion in March 2003 has been to put into power a bloc of Shia religious parties long dependent on support from Iran, the star player in George Bush’s... More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/15/gordon-campbell-on-the-looming-elections-in-iraq/

Julie Webb Pullman: Clinton, Time to Take a Break - and give Haiti one at the same time
Ban Ki-Moon obviously has a very twisted sense of humour. As if the Katrina fiasco wasn’t sufficient evidence of the singular unsuitability of the U.S. to lead any sort of disaster effort, appointing a power-abusing sex-offending lying ex-President ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00108.htm

M. Shahid Alam: A Eurocentric Problem
In no other major civilization do self-regard, self-congratulation and denigration of the ‘Other’ run as deep, nor have these tendencies infected as many aspects of their thinking, laws, and policy, as they have in Western Europe and its overseas ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00099.htm

The Useless Logic of Round Numbers: War is Criminal Any Day
The media’s habit of revisiting certain issues at set intervals can be strange and even illogical at times. For example, many news outlets commented on President Barack Obama’s first 100 days in office, as well as on the anniversary of his election ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00111.htm

Peter Dyer: Brits, Dutch Confront Illegal Iraq War
On March 18, 2003, on the eve of the invasion of Iraq, Elizabeth Wilmshurst resigned as Deputy Legal Adviser to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the British equivalent of the U.S. State Department. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00101.htm

Gordon Campbell: John Key’s Agenda For The Nation
There seemed to be three main components to John Key’s speech : (a) tax cuts largely paid for by a hike in GST (b) mining in national parks and on conservation land, while building more roads. (c) giving firms easier access to the r&d from Crown Research... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00075.htm

Michael Collins: Cuomo Takes On The Money Party
''This merger (Bank of America and Merrill Lynch) is a classic example of how the actions of our nation’s largest financial institutions led to the near-collapse of our financial system,'' said Attorney General Cuomo. ''Bank of America, through... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00079.htm

Trouble at The Lancet: Wakefield and the Medical Profession
‘It has became clear that several elements of the 1998 paper by Wakefield et al are incorrect, contrary to the findings of an earlier investigation.’ So concluded one of the longest misconduct inquiries in medical history. The editors of Britain’s... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00056.htm

Gordon Campbell: Free Trade With US More Monty Python Than Holy Grail
Perhaps we can all quietly sign a pact to forego comparing a free trade deal with the US to the quest for the Holy Grail. This ‘free trade as Holy Grail’ notion is a cliché that will not die, because the media loves it so much. More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2010/02/08/gordon-campbell-monty-python-fta-holy-grail/

Binoy Kampmark: The Very Bad Lieutenant
When asked at a press conference in Rome in June last year on what he thought about Werner Herzog’s The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, Abel Ferrara could barely contain himself. ‘I think that if they don’t have any original ideas about what movies to make, they should leave mine alone.’ More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00132.htm

Arts & Commerce: NZSO, Music Schools Ponder Values Of Real Estate
The NZSO and two New Zealand university schools of music are currently embroiled in controversial real estate negotiations to relocate to new buildings on small parcels of open space in their respective city centres. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00119.htm

Improvathon
- More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1002/S00095.htm

ALSO:

• Arts Festival 2010 [2]


• All fired up for the Fringe Fest 2010 [3]


• Arts Festival 2010 [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00071.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1002/S00259.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00071.htm [4]

America's Cup: On Match Point
After 31 months of bitter legal wrangling and general acrimony, plus two lost race days, all was wiped clean today, with a fantastic race, between two of the highest technology sailing yachts ever built. To be on the water today was an absolute privilege. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1002/S00340.htm

ALSO:

• Alinghi Looks To Race 2 Of America's Cup [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1002/S00273.htm [2]

Arts Festival: New Venue Required For Richard Dawkins' Talk
More tickets will go on sale tomorrow for a talk by controversial evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins’ at this year’s New Zealand Post Writers and Readers Week, part of the New Zealand International Arts Festival. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1002/S00252.htm

For The Innuendo-Deprived: Julian Clary: Lord Of The Mince
Comedian, compere and commentator extraordinaire Julian Clary will soon be springing his latest hit show on unsuspecting New Zealand audiences when he returns for the New Zealand International Comedy Festival. JULIAN CLARY will bring his brand new show LORD OF THE MINCE to New Zealand in April. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1002/S00242.htm

Fiji: FICAC V Jashwant Kumar: Defense Lays It’s Case
The former Nasinu Town Council Clerk Jashwant Kumar took the stand to answer to charges brought against him by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption in the Suva High Court before Justice Daniel Goundar on Monday. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1002/S00404.htm

ALSO:

• Dutch Ship Repeats Foolhardy Actions [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1002/S00382.htm [2]

DR Congo: Girl Child Soldiers Less Likely To Be Freed
Despite efforts to end the use of child soldiers in the war-torn east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), youngsters are still being recruited within the ranks of both the rebels and the national army, with girls at particular risk of becoming sex slaves and less likely to be released. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1002/S00336.htm

ENDS

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