Public Service: Cap Now Pulled Down Over Eyes
State Services Minister Tony Ryall has released the second six-monthly update on the government's cap of core government administration. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1003/S00231.htm

ALSO:

The sinking lid is back [2]

[2] - http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2010/03/sinking-lid-is-back.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank [2]

Fiji Cyclone: NZ Help Now On Its Way
New Zealand has an Air Force C-130 Hercules on stand-by to head to Fiji as soon as weather conditions ease in the wake of Cyclone Tomas, Foreign Minister Murray McCully said today. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1003/S00287.htm

ALSO:

Information Ministry Briefs Assistance Partners [2]

Press Releases [3]

UNICEF ready to respond to cyclones in Fiji [4]

Fiji cylone: Key urges Kiwis abroad to stay safe [5]

Fiji Cyclone Tomas wreaks havoc overnight [6]

Cyclone Tomas intensifies as Ului weakens [7]

[2] - http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2010/03/cyclone-tomas-briefing-with-neoc-partners/ [2]

[3] - http://www.fiji.gov.fj/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=71&Itemid=165" target="_blank [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1003/S00284.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/33898.html [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/33888.html [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/33877.html [7]

Any Mention Of Neeson? Power Presents Human Rights Report To UN
The Minister of Justice, Simon Power, this morning completed his presentation of New Zealand’s Fifth Periodic Report under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to the Human Rights Committee in New York. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1003/S00220.htm

ALSO:

Power Has To Answer For Human Rights Appointments [2]

Exclusive: An appropriate process? [3]

Minister to present human rights report to UN [4]

Commission welcomes justice minister’s appearance [5]

UN “intruding” in New Zealand affairs [6]

Simple Simon Stay Away [7]

Simon Power's UN Trip A Truth Test [8]

Assessment of Public Health Risk from the Remediation of the former Fruitgrowers Chemical Company site, Mapua, Nelson (PDF) [9]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1002/S00296.htm [2]

[3] - http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2010/03/exclusive-appropriate-process.html" target="_blank [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1003/S00177.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1003/S00217.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1003/S00058.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1003/S00215.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1003/S00207.htm [8]

[9] - http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1003/assessmentofpublichealthriskmapuamar2010.pdf" target="_blank [9]

Public Access: Home Fishing Is Not A Crime
Sports fish such as trout are publicly owned in this country, and live in rivers that are also publicly owned. The fish are managed by Fish & Game NZ, a public body... It is an unfortunate truth that increasingly rural landowners are either charging for access or preventing admission to these public resources. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1003/S00226.htm

ALSO:

Mining Schedule 4 is a dead rat [2]

Video: PM's Press Conference 15/3/10 [3]

Leaks on National Park Mining [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1003/S00209.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00183.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00186.htm [4]

Local Government NZ: Hide On Reform
Good morning and my thanks to Local Government New Zealand for the invitation to speak to your Zone One representatives today. Zone One is very important to me as Minister at the moment. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1003/S00179.htm

ALSO:

Rodney Hide at INGENIUM Local Govt Forum [2]

Hide spins in face of mounting opposition [3]

Māori representation in the Super City please [4]

Say no to CCOs [5]

C’mon Rodney - let’s focus on the real issues [6]

Hard News: The Auckland Council as leaky building [7]

Taking a Hiding [8]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1003/S00208.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1003/S00214.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1003/S00181.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1003/S00211.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1003/S00170.htm [6]

[7] - http://publicaddress.net/default,6520.sm#post6520" target="_blank [7]

[8] - http://blog.greens.org.nz/2010/03/15/taking-a-hiding/" target="_blank [8]

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BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

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Advertising.Scoop: Dreaming Of A World Of Perfect Brands.
I wonder if brand people want or have been told to only to see the positive – the superlative – in their brand and are deeply scared of anything even fractionally disparaging or negative, of which I mean, reality. More »[1]

[1] - http://advertising.scoop.co.nz/2010/03/phil-bilbrough-dreaming-of-a-world-of-perfect-brands/

ALSO:

Telecom says rural broadband plan will cut profit [2]

Rural strategy has support of NZRFG [3]

Rural broadband plan good step but needs more [4]

[2] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2010/03/16/telecom-says-rural-broadband-plan-will-cut-profit/ [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1003/S00408.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1003/S00424.htm [4]

USAFTA? Eight-Nation Free Trade Negotiations Begin
Trade Minister Tim Groser today welcomed the start of negotiations towards an eight-nation free trade deal which includes the United States, taking place in Melbourne, Australia this week. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1003/S00200.htm

ALSO:

American dairy farmer fears unfounded [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1003/S00225.htm [2]

Cuts At AgResearch: Science Layoffs "At Odds With Government’s Vision"
The PSA agrees with the prime minister that public science should be a priority for the government, regarded not as a cost but as an investment for our country’s future growth and development. But that was last month... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC1003/S00049.htm

ALSO:

Don’t blame farmers for AgResearch cuts [2]

Why A Regional Approach To Fibre Is Right [3]

http://www.fibretothedoor.co.nz/ [4]

Kiwis Have Their Say On Ultra Fast Broadband - 1 [5]

Vector: Leading ICT business solution launched [6]

Fibre expansion gathering speed [7]

Woosh’s Bundle of Joy Still Tops for Best Value [8]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1003/S00417.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00114.htm" target="_blank [3]

[4] - http://www.fibretothedoor.co.nz/" target="_blank [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00152.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC1003/S00051.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1003/S00309.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1003/S00367.htm [8]

Infrastructure Ventures: Celebrities Seek Cable
Pacific Fibre, an early stage international fibre venture founded by a group including New Zealand businessmen Stephen Tindall, Sam Morgan and Rod Drury, announced its plans today, aiming to break the digital divide between New Zealand, Australia and the rest of the world. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1003/S00296.htm

ALSO:

Experts on plans for Pacific Fibre undersea cable [2]

Kordia welcomes Pacific Fibre initiative [3]

NATCOM welcomes Pacific Fibre announcement [4]

Federated Farmers welcomes cable proposal [5]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC1003/S00041.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1003/S00297.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1003/S00307.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1003/S00302.htm [5]

Day Against Cyber-Censorship 12/03: Govt Internet Filter Went Live, Nobody Told
The DIA has admitted that the internet filter is now operational and is already being used by ISPs Maxnet and Watchdog. It appears that Maxnet have not told their customers that they are diverting some of their internet traffic to the government system to be filtered. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1003/S00159.htm

Scoop Business: OCR Stays At 2.5%, Mid-Year Tightening Still On
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Governor Alan Bollard kept the official cash rate unchanged at 2.5%, as expected, and reierated a mid-year start to rate hikes, saying the subdued pace of recovery will restrain inflation. More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2010/03/11/ocr-stays-at-2-5-mid-year-tightening-still-on/

ALSO:

Bollard agrees wages won’t keep pace [2]

FULL REPORT: NZ’s Bollard keeps OCR at 2.5% [3]

ETS to push inflation 0.4%, says Bollard [4]

NZ dollar slips as Bollard holds to rates timing [5]

OCR inflation targeting ‘not optimal’ [6]

Economists predict no change to OCR [7]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1003/S00163.htm [2]

[3] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2010/03/11/full-report-nz%e2%80%99s-bollard-keeps-ocr-at-2-5/ [3]

[4] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2010/03/11/ets-to-push-inflation-0-4-says-bollard/ [4]

[5] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2010/03/11/nz-dollar-slips-as-bollard-holds-to-rates-timing/ [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1003/S00248.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/33676.html [7]

------------

COMMENT

------------

Michael Collins: "Jeopardizing U.S. Standing" – the Petraeus Controversy
Leaks from a recent top level briefing by General David Petraeus are causing quite a controversy. The general pointed out that, ''Israeli intransigence on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was jeopardizing U.S. standing in the region.'' Mark Perry reported ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00192.htm

Martin LeFevre: The Emergence of Intelligence
Fog enshrouds the town as I enter the mountain community from the valley below. With a few hundred meters more of elevation, the fog clears, though the skies remain cloudy. Reaching the man-made lake, there is a brightening, and even a patch of blue. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00191.htm

Gordon Campbell: The Economics of Mining DOC Land
At yesterday’s Post cabinet press conference [video], Prime Minister John Key repeated the government’s current defensive position on the proposal to extend mining within our national parks... More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2010/03/16/gordon-campbell-the-economics-of-mining-doc-land/

Richard S. Ehrlich: U.S. Surveillance Blimp Fights Harsh Criticism
BANGKOK, Thailand -- An Arlington, Virginia-based company is defending its harshly criticized US $ 9.7 million sale of a helium-filled blimp, equipped with infrared thermal cameras, to Thailand's army for hunting Islamist guerrillas in the south. ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00188.htm

Stateside with Rosalea Barker: Nova Albion Steampunk Exhibition
Nova Albion is the name that Francis (later Sir) Drake gave to the area where he spent five weeks in the early summer of 1579. He left a brass plaque claiming the region for Queen Elizabeth I, but a later claim by Spanish seafarers is the one that ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00187.htm

ALSO:

Obama to Netanyahu: Show us you're serious [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00170.htm [2]

Stephen Soldz: Iceland Sets New Path Toward Press Freedom
If all goes well, Iceland may be about to make history. No, I don’t mean the refusal of the populace to get saddled with Iceland’s $5 billion bad “Icesave” bank debt. Rather, I’m referring to the Icelandic Modern Media... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00165.htm

Connie Lawn: President Obama’s trip to Asia and Australia– maybe
“We really wish the President would stop in New Zealand – they are good friends to us.” That was the message conveyed to me from one Asian-Pacific expert. He and many others are working very hard on President Obama’s scheduled... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00175.htm

Moving Right and Going Wrong: The Texas Education Curriculum
Censors, it has been said, are paid to have dirty minds. Education panellists, at least in certain jurisdictions, are paid to prevent the exercise of one at all. For that reason, fifteen unknown individuals in a state should not... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00167.htm

Ramzy Baroud: Alternative Reading Of The Al-Mabhouh Murder
The killing of Palestinian activist Mahmoud al-Mabhouh on January 19, 2010 was clearly a well-planned, violent and sadistic act, committed by Israeli assassins in the supposed safety of a sovereign country. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00163.htm

------------

LIFESTYLE

------------

Arts Fest Review: Karsh Kale - Enter The Dragon
Indian-American drummer and producer Karsh Kale has taken on a task of epic proportions in re-scoring a much loved movie classic which already boasts music by one of the greatest composers in film & TV history... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00199.htm

ALSO:

Arts Festival 2010 [2]

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

Music: The Flying Nun Vids Not Too Obscure For NZ On Screen
NZ On Screen has launched a collection of classic Flying Nun music videos, curated by the label’s founder Roger Shepherd. The clips are accompanied by an inside story from Shepherd and written tributes from ex-MTV Europe chief Brent Hansen and media commentator and former Rip It Up editor Russell Brown. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1003/S00251.htm

Scoop Review Of Books: Frenetic Schama Fills Town Hall
There is a frenetic energy to Simon Schama when he talks about history, the kind of energy that you might expect from a highly excitable child caught in the ecstasy of their very favourite topic rather than a Cambridge-trained professor of Modern History. More »[1]

[1] - http://books.scoop.co.nz/2010/03/15/frenetic-schama-fills-town-hall/

ALSO:

Schama’s comedy routine stunning [2]

Arts Festival 2010 [3]

Review: Mark Twain and Me in Maoriland [4]

Review: Jenny Morris [5]

Review: T.E.O.R.E.M.A.T. [6]

Writers and Readers: Neil Gaiman [7]

Review: 360 [8]

Arts Festival 2010 [9]

[2] - http://cclblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/13/schamas-comedy-routine-stunning/" target="_blank [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00071.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00173.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00157.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00156.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00159.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00158.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00071.htm [9]

Adventure: Quincey Completes Epic Trans Tasman Solo Row
Over 500 members of the public along with world news and media gathered on Northland's 90 Mile Beach to welcome back trans-Tasman rower Shaun Quincey who arrived on New Zealand soil at around 12:35pm Sunday. Image: 3News More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1003/S00159.htm

The Power Of Paul: Q+A’s Paul Holmes Interviews Dr Simon Schama.
Dr Simon Schama is one of the world's most widely read historians, he's an Englishman, lives in New York City, he's Professor of Art History and History, Columbia University, he's a writer and presenter for the BBC Television, they famously paid him three million pounds for a combined television and book deal. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1003/S00209.htm

ALSO:

NZ Post Writers And Readers Week coverage [2]

Arts Festival 2010 [3]

[2] - http://cclblog.wordpress.com/tag/nz-post-writers-and-readers-week-2010/" target="_blank [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1002/S00071.htm [3]

Audio & Images:Neil Gaiman And Amanda Palmer
Neil Gaiman is in Wellington as part of the NZ International Arts Festival's Writers and Readers Week. This afternoon he and his fiancée, musician Amanda Palmer, held a small press conference consisting mostly of media not potent enough to get an interview otherwise... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1003/S00149.htm

ALSO:

Neil Gaiman blogs on Wellington visit [2]

UK writer Neil Gaiman visits Wellington for festival [3]

Arts Festival 2010 [4]

[2] - http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2010/03/not-proper-blog.html" target="_blank [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/entertainment/33798.html [3]

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

------------

WORLD

------------

Press Freedom: Detention of Iranian Journalists
The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) has condemned the continued imprisonment of Iranian journalist Emad Baghi and the repressive measures employed by the state to silence critical publications.
More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1003/S00299.htm

Poor Choices: American Idol “Voted Off” Wrong Contestants
A series of national studies conducted among 6,727 American Idol viewers revealed that the contestants who were “voted off” during the show’s elimination last night did not accurately reflect the viewers’ choices. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1003/S00275.htm

Global Recovery: Brown & Sarkozy Call For Economic Cooperation
The Prime Minister has spoken of the close relationship between the UK and France and the two governments’ determination to work together to promote global economic recovery. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1003/S00264.htm

Free Internet: Dissidents Urge UN Against Cyber-Censorship
Cites Belarus, Burma, China, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam issidents Issue Call for Internet Freedom More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1003/S00265.htm

ALSO:

RSF releases new list of "Internet enemies" [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1003/S00270.htm [2]

No Action Taken: Vedanta Snubs British Government Again
Vedanta Resources has once again snubbed a British government investigation into its planned mine in Orissa, India, by labelling government calls for a change in its corporate behaviour ‘one-sided’, and urging it to ‘rest the case’. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1003/S00259.htm

ALSO:

Israeli Plans To Expand Settlements [2]

Ban To Visit Israel And Occupied Palestine [3]

Rise In Strident Rhetoric Concerns Ban [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1003/S00215.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1003/S00203.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1003/S00242.htm [4]

Haiti: UN Scaling Up Efforts Ahead Of Rainy Season
The main priority for post-quake Haiti remains emergency shelter, the top United Nations relief official said today, adding that the world body is scaling up efforts to ensure that everyone has a roof over their heads by the time the rainy season ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1003/S00240.htm

Southern Africa: UN Aid On Alert For Floods
The United Nations is gathering supplies for some 130,000 people in southern Africa on alert for potential evacuation from flood-risk zones following weeks of torrential rains in northern Mozambique and neighbouring Angola, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1003/S00239.htm

USA World Police: US Efforts To Counter Violent Extremism
In the past eight years, the United States has made great strides in what might be called tactical counterterrorism – taking individual terrorists off the street, and disrupting cells and operations. But an effective counterterrorism strategy must ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1003/S00230.htm

Climategate: Independent Review Of UN-Backed Climate Body
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the head of the United Nations-backed panel tasked with preparing regular scientific reports on the impact of climate change today announced that the body, which is facing growing attacks from global warming sceptics, will ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1003/S00221.htm

ENDS

Scoop

Scoop Independent News

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Scoop Top Stories For March 17, 2010 News Summary

Scoop Top Stories For March 17, 2010 News Summary

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BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

COMMENT

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COMMENT

Binoy Kampmark: The ABC’s Colonel Blimp - Why Kim Williams Misunderstands Joe Rogan

Martin LeFevre - Meditations: A Meditation On Noise And Silence

Gordon Campbell: On What’s Wrong With The Treaty Principles Bill

Ramzy Baroud: No More 'Deals’ - What Palestinians Want And Will Fight To Achieve

Peter Dunne: Dunne's Weekly - Mayor Whanau's Rare Win - To Her City's Detriment

Binoy Kampmark: Ironic Dependency - Russian Uranium And The US Energy Market

Comment Section

Scoop Top Stories For March 17, 2010 News Summary

Scoop Top Stories For March 17, 2010 News Summary

Contact Scoop

Binoy Kampmark: The ABC’s Colonel Blimp - Why Kim Williams Misunderstands Joe Rogan

Martin LeFevre - Meditations: A Meditation On Noise And Silence

Gordon Campbell: On What’s Wrong With The Treaty Principles Bill

Ramzy Baroud: No More 'Deals’ - What Palestinians Want And Will Fight To Achieve

Peter Dunne: Dunne's Weekly - Mayor Whanau's Rare Win - To Her City's Detriment

Binoy Kampmark: Ironic Dependency - Russian Uranium And The US Energy Market

Comment Section

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