Top Scoop Stories – 5 December 2008 News Summary

Friday, 5 December 2008, 5:10 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

LEAD STORY

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Content.Net: Capt Kirk Is No More - Fairfax Chief Steps Down
Dec. 5 – David Kirk resigned as chief executive of Faifax Media and will leave today, the company said in a statement. It gave no explanation for the sudden move. Brian McCarthy, who had been Kirk’s deputy, steps up as acting CEO pending a board meeting on Dec. 10. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00117.htm

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NZ POLITICS

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Defence News: Iroquois Under New Command
Change is in the air at Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Ohakea as Number 3 Squadron comes under new command. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00076.htm

ALSO:

Govt Financial Statements, 4 months to 31 Oct 2008 [2]

Labour leaves positive legacy [3]

Treasury Briefing to Minister of Finance Released [4]

Another ACC account blow-out [5]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00064.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00040.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00038.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00036.htm [5]

Local Government: WCC approves plan to stop the public opposing new waterfront buildings
Lindsay Shelton writes: Less than a week after releasing 79 pages of documents about proposed variations to the District Plan, the Wellington City Council has approved the changes. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00119.htm

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

ALSO:

RBNZ MPS Presser 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]

More uncertainty – not a time to be tentative [13]

Rates not a major driver of inflation [14]

Bollard delivers record interest rate cut [15]

NZ sharemarket steady following rate cut [16]

Bollard slashes interest rates by 1.5 percent [17]

Banks react swiftly to drop in OCR [18]

Bollard does not expect OCR to drop as low as England's [19]

Treasury Briefing to Minister of Finance Released [20]

Improving NZ’s economic growth performance [21]

The New Government Should Heed Treasury's Advice [22]

The Dim-Post: Treasury Briefing advises new Finance Minister to drink mysterious liquid [23]

Govt Financial Statements, 4 months to 31 Oct 2008 [24]

Crown accounts show need for economic action [25]

[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]

[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00119.htm [13]

[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0812/S00092.htm [14]

[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/16244.html [15]

[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/16247.html [16]

[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/16242.html [17]

[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/16269.html [18]

[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/16272.html [19]

[20] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00038.htm [20]

[21] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00117.htm [21]

[22] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00055.htm [22]

[23] - http://dimpost.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/treasury-briefing-advises-new-finance-minister-to-drink-mysterious-liquid/" target="_blank [23]

[24] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00064.htm [24]

[25] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00041.htm [25]

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BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

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Briefings: Treasury Urges Govt To Avoid Fiscal Stimulus
New Zealand’s government budget for the current fiscal year will provide fiscal stimulus equivalent to 2.8% of gross domestic product and the government needs to avoid further fueling the economy, according to the Treasury. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00100.htm

ALSO:

Treasury Briefing to Minister of Finance Released [2]

Improving NZ’s economic growth performance [3]

The New Government Should Heed Treasury's Advice [4]

The Dim-Post: Treasury Briefing advises new Finance Minister to drink mysterious liquid [5]

Govt Financial Statements, 4 months to 31 Oct 2008 [6]

Crown accounts show need for economic action [7]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00038.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00117.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00055.htm [4]

[5] - http://dimpost.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/treasury-briefing-advises-new-finance-minister-to-drink-mysterious-liquid/" target="_blank [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00064.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00041.htm [7]

Mammal Murder: Dolphin Serial Killer Or Slack Fisherfolk?
Hector's dolphins are being killed and mutilated, according to evidence from the Department of Conservation. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00062.htm

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

ALSO:

Venture Into Colossal Squid Territory With The Cap [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0812/S00015.htm [2]

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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It’s In The Blood: The Effort To Unseat Obama
They just don’t give up, do they? Obama’s win, thumping, at least by American standards, is insufficient to placate those who question its legitimacy. Yes, so it went to a man who has a name of Hussein (ask Fox News, a network mesmerized by ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00102.htm

Evelyn Pringle: Mothers Act Promotes Pregnancy As New Cottage Industry
Women of childbearing years represent the most lucrative market for the makers of psychiatric drugs. The knowledge that infants were being born with birth defects and suffering a withdrawal syndrome when these drugs were used during pregnancy was... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00107.htm

Sadia Ali Aden: Somalia Ought To Be Obama's Litmus Test
Indeed the historic victory of President-elect Obama has created profound prospect of hope and change that swept through America. However, for millions across the world who have witnessed devastation, insecurity and chaos resulting from an imprudent ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00118.htm

ALSO:

Somali Piracy and the Enchanting Water Circus [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0811/S00331.htm [2]

The Developing Brain: Nurture and Nature
In an age when most everyone is bombarded with too much information, noise, and violence, the sound of a gently flowing stream is not just music to the ears -- it is a healing balm for the heart and soul. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00105.htm

Gordon Campbell: The Christian Take-Over Of Wellywood
Everyone knows that Hollywood is a den of godless, Obama –loving pinko liberals. That being so, New Zealand’s transformation, post Rings, into a minor hub of Christian movie making seems like…well, a minor miracle. In my experience... More »[1]

[1] - http://election08.scoop.co.nz/gordon-campbell-on-the-christian-take-over-of-wellywood/

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

Act Two: The Struggle Continues
Barack Obama is President-Elect, the Democrats have significantly increased their majorities in Congress, the Supreme Court drift to the right has been halted and may soon be reversed, and the Republican Party is in disgrace and disarray. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00074.htm

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LIFESTYLE

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Fashion: Stolen Girlfriends Club Apprehend Award!
Fashionistas of the nation trembled with anticipation as New Zealand’s hottest up-and-coming fashion exporter was announced at a glittering fashion awards show this evening. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00076.htm

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

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]

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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]

'Dozens Of Nations': Sign Up To UN-Backed Treaty Banning Use Of Cluster Bombs
Representatives of around 100 countries gathered in Oslo, Norway today to sign an historic United Nations-sponsored treaty formally renouncing the use of cluster bombs, a weapon that frequently kills innocent civilians and cripples communities for decades ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00114.htm

Horn of Africa: Next Year Is ‘Make Or Break’ For Somalia
Somalia’s population faces total destitution next year without more effective aid, a United Nations humanitarian official cautioned today, as the many problems in the Horn of Africa country are exacerbated by extremely difficult political and security ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00116.htm

United Nations: Time To Prepare For Disasters Caused By Climate Change Is Now
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) today launched a campaign to raise awareness of the humanitarian implications of climate change, calling for improved disaster preparedness and response measures in countries ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00093.htm

Environment: Noisier Oceans Threaten Whales And Dolphins
Increased noises generated by larger numbers of ships, seismic surveys and use of new military sonars are imperiling creatures such as whales and dolphins, who use sound to communicate and find food, experts said today at a United Nations Environment ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00098.htm

ALSO:

Darwinian Struggle To Find Ticket Out Of Thailand [2]

The Key To Escape From Thailand? [3]

John Key Presser on NZers Stranded in Thailand [4]

Dysfunctional Thailand Allowed Airport Seizures [5]

Travel Advisory: Thailand 27/11/08 [6]

Thailand: Protests in Bangkok: Airport closure [7]

Yellow-Shirt Mob Seizes Bangkok's Int. Airport [8]

Should travellers to Thailand change their plans? [9]

Key happy with his action over Thailand [10]

Political row breaks out over evacuation of Kiwis in Thailand [11]

Stranded tourists still face long wait to get out of Thailand [12]

Local Thai community express relief over end of protest [13]

Government to use Air Force Hercules to evacuate stranded Kiwis [14]

Key scrambles Hercules as 'contingency' for stranded Kiwis [15]

Air force hamstrung in response to potential Thai crisis [16]

Plans afoot to return stranded tourists in Thailand [17]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00001.htm [2]

[3] - http://election08.scoop.co.nz/the-key-to-escape-from-thailand/ [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00006.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0811/S00426.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0811/S00352.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0811/S00353.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0811/S00375.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/lifestyle/15956.html [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/politics/16198.html [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/16211.html [11]

[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/16191.html [12]

[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/16175.html [13]

[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/16150.html [14]

[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/16154.html [15]

[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/16144.html [16]

[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/16110.html [17]

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

ENDS

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Top Scoop Stories – 5 December 2008 News Summary