Top Scoop Stories – 4 December 2008 News Summary

Thursday, 4 December 2008, 2:13 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

LEAD STORY

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Economy: Down She Goes - OCR Reduced To 5 Percent
The Reserve Bank today reduced the Official Cash Rate (OCR) from 6.5 percent to 5.0 percent. Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard commented that "ongoing financial market turmoil and the marked deterioration in the outlook for global growth have played a large role in shaping today's decision. Activity in most of our trading partners is now expected to contract or grow only very slowly over the next few quarters. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00086.htm

ALSO:

RBNZ MPS 4 Dec. 08 [2]

SBS reacts swiftly to OCR reduction [3]

Kiwibank Responds To OCR Cut [4]

Westpac NZ reduces mortgage lending rates [5]

What a lower OCR means for residential housing [6]

RBNZ cut to 150bp; terminal rate of 3.25% forecast [7]

Interest rate cut great news for exporters [8]

Reserve Bank decision appropriate [9]

OCR cut - comment from Brian Jolliffe [10]

Interest rate cut great for Christmas retailing [11]

Thanks for listening Dr Bollard. Will banks act? [12]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00080.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00089.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00101.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00113.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00090.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00092.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00112.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00094.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00091.htm [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00103.htm [11]

[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00109.htm [12]

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NZ POLITICS

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Industrial Wars: EPMU Accuses Lobby Group of Being "Anti Freedom"
Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union national secretary Andrew Little has condemned Business New Zealand's employment briefing to the incoming government as "anti freedom". More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00049.htm

Political Studies: Break Out the Kleenex For Those New MPs
A daunting emotional journey awaits new MPs when the 49th New Zealand parliament sits for the first time next week, according to a Massey researcher. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0812/S00011.htm

Thailand: Air Force Off On Thailand Mission
A Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130H Hercules has departed Brisbane, 12.45pm local time, bound for Malaysia where it will remain on standby to evacuate New Zealanders from Thailand. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00042.htm

ALSO:

The Key To Escape From Thailand? [2]

Darwinian Struggle To Find Ticket Out Of Thailand [3]

Key scrambles Hercules as 'contingency' for stranded Kiwis [4]

Govt to use Air Force Hercules to evacuate stranded Kiwis [5]

Air force hamstrung in response to potential Thai crisis [6]

Local Thai community express relief over end of protest [7]

Thai airports to reopen after government falls [8]

Stranded tourists still face long wait to get out of Thailand [9]

[2] - http://election08.scoop.co.nz/the-key-to-escape-from-thailand/ [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00001.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/16154.html [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/16150.html [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/16144.html [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/16175.html [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/16172.html [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/16191.html [9]

Scoop Satire: Honeymoon Briefs
John Key Meets Queen, Avoids "Pants" Faux Pas Prime Minister John Key has met the Queen. In an attempt to differentiate his leadership style from Helen Clark's he did not wear trousers at the event. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00044.htm

ALSO:

National’s cover up claims ridiculous [2]

ACC Papers (PDF) [3]

David Parker on ACC Blowout [4]

Govt says Labour left billion dollar hole in ACC books [5]

Could ACC be privatised? [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00020.htm [2]

[3] - http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/0812/SKMBT_C353_08120218110.pdf [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00047.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/politics/16173.html [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/16176.html [6]

Munitions: NZ To Sign Cluster Munitions Treaty
New Zealand Red Cross welcomes the New Zealand Government’s intention to be one of the first signatories of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which opens for signing on 3 December in Norway. The Convention prohibits the use, development, stockpiling and transfer of cluster munitions. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00032.htm

ALSO:

NZ to sign Convention on Cluster Munitions [2]

Goff welcomes signing of Convention [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00011.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00025.htm [3]

Shelter: Chances Of Next PM Growing Up In State House Lessen
The building industry downturn means National should invest in more state houses - not put a cap on them - says the Green Party. "Putting a cap on state houses as indicated yesterday by Housing Minister Phil Heatley is irresponsible at a time of economic downtown." More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00008.htm

ALSO:

Housing: Putting the Kiwi dream back in reach [2]

John Key Post Cab On Housing Stock, ETS [3]

Plan to upgrade NZ’s million inefficient homes [4]

Billions in benefits in curing million sick homes [5]

$20 billion cost of fixing country's homes [6]

Don’t kill Green Homes Fund, urges Green Party [7]

Retrofit initiative welcomed [8]

Better Performing Homes For New Zealanders [9]

Time to make our Homes Healthier [10]

New Scheme To Make Canterbury Families Healthy [11]

Maori Party Keen to be part of Housing Solutions [12]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0809/S00205.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00006.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00022.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00003.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00020.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00002.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00034.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00029.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0812/S00008.htm [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0812/S00025.htm [11]

[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00019.htm [12]

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BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

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Commerce: Watch Out For Princely Green Claims Turning Froggy
The Commerce Commission has today released guidelines to businesses that make environmental, or ‘green’, claims in their marketing. The guidelines are intended to educate businesses about avoiding making misleading or untrue claims. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00108.htm

Gordon Campbell: What Agenda Now For TVNZ?
The recent axing of TVNZ’s current affairs programme Agenda has been only the last step in a long decline….The wider picture is how TVNZ can possibly survive as a public broadcaster. The social charter money has been scrapped. More »[1]

[1] - http://election08.scoop.co.nz/what-agenda-now-for-tvnz/

Data: Google Can See Your House From Here
Google today announces the launch of Street View on Google Maps in New Zealand: maps.google.co.nz/streetview. Street View is a new feature for Google Maps that lets internet users view and navigate 360 degree street-level imagery of New Zealand's cities, towns, regions and remote areas. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0812/S00008.htm

ALSO:

New Layer Of Information For Real Estate Browsers [2]

Trade Me moves to Google Maps and Street View [3]

Is Google watching you? [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00049.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00035.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/16156.html [4]

Calamari-Tourism: World's Only Colossal Squid Display Coming Soon
The exhibit will include the colossal squid, dramatically lit in its custom-built tank, displays of various body parts including the orange-sized lens of the eye, models of its beak and tentacle swivel hooks that can be touched and rotated, as well as a thrilling theatre featurette immersing visitors in the world of the colossal squid in stereoscopic 3D animation! More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0811/S00050.htm

Meaty News: Expert Reckons NZ Animals Will Keep Being Eaten
The longer-term outlook is positive for New Zealand’s livestock producers, who are wellplaced to over-come short-term challenges and weather the storm created by the current financial crisis, audiences in rural New Zealand were told last week. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0811/S00526.htm

Dispute Resolution: Phone Turns Into A Lobster - Whine To David Russell
New Zealand’s most well-known consumer rights advocate David Russell is joining the council of New Zealand’s first independent telecommunication dispute resolution service, Telecommunication Dispute Resolution (TDR). More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0811/S00525.htm

ALSO:

Housing consent numbers continue to decline [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0811/S00519.htm [2]

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COMMENT

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The Great Land Giveaway: Neo-Colonialism by Invitation
Newly emerging nations have joined with the usual neocolonial suspects in a massive bid to buy up poorer countries' available land. How do they pull it off? ''The process of agro-imperial empire building operates largely... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00079.htm

Toni Solo: ALBA And The Imperial Protection Racket
For years it has been more than clear the course US and European Union policy would take towards the progressive governments of Latin America. Even in December 2006 it was possible to write ''One can only hope Latin America's Spring endures longer ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00076.htm

Scoop Feedback: Forget Darwin - The Sooner The Better
Frederick Engels, in an 1875 letter, stated: “The whole Darwinian teaching of the struggle for existence is simply a transference from society to living nature of Hobbes’s doctrine of bellum omnium contra omnes... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00075.htm

Liar, Liar!! Barack Obama's Secretary Of War
Some Obama supporters are wringing their hands over the selection of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. Hillary was, after all, a consistent supporter of the disastrous wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and much more. But Barack Obama's selection of Reaganite ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00078.htm

DOJ Watchdog: Protecting Civil Liberties Must Be A Priority For Holder
One of the top challenges facing Barack Obama’s Justice Department will be striking a balance between fighting terrorism and protecting individual civil liberties, says a recent memo from the department’s inspector general. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00077.htm

Satire by Lyndon Hood: Honeymoon Briefs
John Key Meets Queen, Avoids ''Pants'' Faux Pas; Blogger Still Maintains Clark Just Like Mugabe; Jim Anderton Loves Labour So Much He Is In Fact Marrying Them; New Press Secretaries Busy Reprogramming AutoText More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00044.htm

Anthony Ravlich: Letter from the Poor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murray McCully
Is the New Zealand representative at the UN General Assembly’s discussions on the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights able to make mention of the fact that the Optional Protocol (OP) does not ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00048.htm

Syed Atiq ul Hassan: India Should Look Into Her Own Backyard
India is the largest democracy in the world and is claimed to be the world’s rising economic power after China with Mumbai a leading international financial city. With a population of more than a billion India has vast division among the people on the ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00053.htm

Welcome Secretary Clinton: Obama's Promises to Be Kept
Although the steps between President-elect Obama's November 13 meeting with Senator Clinton in Chicago and the December 1 nomination of the latter for Secretary of State did not exactly embody the ''no drama'' brand of the former (and, behind the scenes, ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00051.htm

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LIFESTYLE

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Entertainment:Vodka Company Gifts World NZ Comedienne
Last night saw the global launch of the Jaquie Brown Diaries Series One DVD at the Nineteen42, 42BELOW’s brand space on the edge of Auckland’s fantastic Britomart development. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00059.htm

Lulz: New TV Comedies For The New Year
NZ On Air has announced an investment of more than $3 million in six TV comedy programmes, to screen on TV2, TV3 and C4 in 2009. NZ On Air chief executive Jane Wrightson said the funding included a new series of the acclaimed The Jaquie Brown Diaries for TV3. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00055.htm

Cyber Magazines: Online Celebration of Auckland Culture – Issue Three Out
In the latest gripping issue of Auckland Fucking City, we interview HomeBrew, the best hiphop crew you've never heard of and talk to one of the world's best artists, Lil El's about god, graffiti and girls. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0812/S00078.htm

Christmas Issues: Were Telecom's Elf Workers Registered?
Santa’s Elves have been busy in Auckland stitching together more than 37,000 magical lights to carry wishes to Santa this Christmas. The Telecom Tree - a seven-storey high light structure - will shine in Auckland’s Victoria Park this December and bring magic to the 15 year tradition of Santa Line. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00046.htm

ALSO:

Christmas tree of lights to brighten up Victoria Park [2]

Christmas displays go up as the festive season begins [3]

Donations to charity and foodbanks down as Christmas approaches [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/16163.html [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/lifestyle/16161.html [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/16165.html [4]

Artiness: Lee Mingwei Offers Invitation To Aesthetics
Lee Mingwei, a leading artist on the international stage, presents Uncommon Senses at the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery from 6 December 2008 to 16 March 2009. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0811/S00307.htm

Weird Football: Kiwis Mix It In Gaelic World
Wellington's fastest growing sport Gaelic Football, has over 150 kiwis playing week in, week out in their seven a side summer competition, which started on the 12 November. The games run each Wednesday evening at Ian Galloway Park in Wilton. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00021.htm

Soap Operas: Shortland Street Fan Awards Biggest Yet
With almost 85,000 votes being cast in Throng's third annual Shortland Street Fan Awards, this year's results are the biggest yet! More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00024.htm

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WORLD

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ALSO:

Mumbai & Obama: Beyond Boots & Bombs [2]

Politics: Muslims In France Are French First [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00071.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00072.htm [3]

Darwinian Struggle To Find Ticket Out Of Thailand
Richard S. Ehrlich writes from Bangkok: In a Darwinian struggle, the rich buy tickets for expensive helicopters and chartered planes, flying from airstrips elsewhere in Thailand, while protesters blockade Bangkok's international and domestic airports. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00001.htm

ALSO:

The Key To Escape From Thailand? [2]

John Key Presser on NZers Stranded in Thailand [3]

Dysfunctional Thailand Allowed Airport Seizures [4]

Travel Advisory: Thailand 27/11/08 [5]

Thailand: Protests in Bangkok: Airport closure [6]

Yellow-Shirt Mob Seizes Bangkok's Int. Airport [7]

Should travellers to Thailand change their plans? [8]

Local Thai community express relief over end of protest [9]

Government to use Air Force Hercules to evacuate stranded Kiwis [10]

Key scrambles Hercules as 'contingency' for stranded Kiwis [11]

Air force hamstrung in response to potential Thai crisis [12]

Plans afoot to return stranded tourists in Thailand [13]

[2] - http://election08.scoop.co.nz/the-key-to-escape-from-thailand/ [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00006.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0811/S00426.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0811/S00352.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0811/S00353.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0811/S00375.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/lifestyle/15956.html [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/16175.html [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/16150.html [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/16154.html [11]

[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/16144.html [12]

[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/16110.html [13]

Hate Speech: Rwandan Singer Sentenced For Inciting Genocide
A famous Rwandan singer and composer has been sentenced by a UN tribunal to 15 years in prison for inciting the murder of Tutsis through his songs and speeches during the 1994 mass killings in the small African Great Lakes nation. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00078.htm

Greenpeace: "Quit Coal, Save The Climate"
Early this morning, 11 Greenpeace activists scaled a 150-metre high chimney at the Pątnów power plant in Poland to hang a banner reading ''Quit coal, save the climate''. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00070.htm

Africa: Help Needed In Fight Against Somali Pirates
The Security Council today called on all countries and regional organizations with the necessary capacity to deploy naval ships and military aircraft off the Somali coast to fight rampant piracy. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00084.htm

World News: Barack Obama Selects His National Security Team
With today's introduction of key members of the National Security Team, President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden have now chosen nearly half of the cabinet, including the heads of the departments of State, Defense, Treasury, and Justice. Significant among them is Hillary Clinton who will replace Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00006.htm

ALSO:

Why The Law Forbids Hillary Taking Her New Job [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00043.htm [2]

Wildlife at Risk: World’s Fastest Animal, In Race For Survival
The critically endangered cheetah, the world’s fastest land animal, is set to obtain added international protection next week at a United Nations-backed conference seeking the conservation of species that cross national borders. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00050.htm

Scoop Environment and Conservation: The Big Business Of Environmental Fraud
Environmental fraud is big business. The natural level of discomfort that results from the thought of global warming is reinforced by numerous reports claiming inevitable environmental doom. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00010.htm

ENDS

Scoop

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Top Scoops Headlines

Top Scoop Stories – 4 December 2008 News Summary

Top Scoop Stories – 3 December 2008 News Summary

LEAD STORY

NZ POLITICS

BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

COMMENT

LIFESTYLE

WORLD

Scoop

Contact Scoop

COMMENT

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Mike Treen: Prices Are Still Rising - It's A Cost Of Living Crisis

Gordon Campbell: On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism

Peter Dunne: Newshub And TVNZ Tip Of Media Iceberg

Harry Finch: Austerity – For And Against

Comment Section

Top Scoop Stories – 4 December 2008 News Summary

Top Scoop Stories – 3 December 2008 News Summary

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Contact Scoop

Binoy Kampmark: The Australian Defence Formula, Spend! Spend! Spend!

Ian Powell: New Hospital Building Trumps ‘Yes Minister’ Hospital Without Patients

Mike Treen: Prices Are Still Rising - It's A Cost Of Living Crisis

Gordon Campbell: On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism

Peter Dunne: Newshub And TVNZ Tip Of Media Iceberg

Harry Finch: Austerity – For And Against

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