Top Scoop Stories – 11 December 2008 News Summary

Thursday, 11 December 2008, 4:54 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

LEAD STORY

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Scoop Satire: Recession-Weary Nation Cheered By John Key's Chaplinesque Antics
Before he was elected Prime Minister the nation had already recognised his considerable charm, but now John Key and his varied crew of sidekicks have revealed another much-needed talent: the gift of laughter. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00228.htm

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NZ POLITICS

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90 Day Info: Are National Pandering To Criminals With Legislation?
“Rigid employment law has the most damaging effect on people at the margins of the labour market. Long-term unemployed people, young people, people returning after absences for childrearing or sickness, …and people with convictions all suffer disproportionately when employment law is inflexible. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00106.htm

Defence: Future Air Force Leaders March Out
After 22 weeks of training, 24 newly commissioned officers of the Royal New Zealand Air Force celebrated a milestone in their careers by graduating from the Air Force’s Initial Officer Training Course. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00153.htm

Scoop Satire: What Else Is In The Urgency Plan?
Even as urgency commences, neither the public, nor opposition MPs, nor for that matter many Government MPs have any idea what other bills might appear. Good news! The following draft has appeared on Scoop's desk... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00197.htm

Climate Committee: Rodney's "Reasoned" Take On Terms Of Reference
“There is definitely not a monolithic view on the fact of human induced climate change and I welcome this government’s willingness to hear from scientists and others who are sceptics. I have to say I am one and it is appalling that the previous government accepted human induced climate change as a new religion with former US vice- president Al Gore as its prophet." More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00086.htm

ALSO:

Climate change select committee established [2]

ACC shortfall inquiry Terms of Reference released [3]

Unlike markets, climate won’t bounce back soon [4]

National imposes largest ever tax on business [5]

National refuses to listen on Standardised Testing [6]

Government Can’t Afford To Shut Door On Chalkface [7]

Today In Parliament With Tom Frewen [8]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00071.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00095.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00158.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00094.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00097.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0812/S00043.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00204.htm [8]

Gordon Campbell: Fired At Will Fired Through
So much for due consideration to an important change to workplace rights. The new government will be ramming through its 90 day probationary period for new workers under urgency. This ‘fire at will’ Christmas gift to those employers who run small and medium scale business will pose a few passing twinges of conscience for the Maori Party though. More »[1]

[1] - http://election08.scoop.co.nz/firing-at-will-and-firing-up-broadband/

ALSO:

Scoop Satire: What Else Is In The Urgency Plan? [2]

Anti-democratic Government keeps Kiwis in the dark [3]

Govt must make fire at will bill public [4]

Migrants Slam 90 Day Bill [5]

Union will fight attack on job security [6]

Govt's 90-Day Programme [7]

'Hire and fire' policy could put off skilled migrants [8]

'Hire and fire' bill gets Parliament off to rocky start [9]

Yesterday In Parliament With Tom Frewen [10]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00197.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00089.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00137.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00138.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00139.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00177.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/16454.html [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/16441.html [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00150.htm [10]

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BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

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Savings: NZ Sliding Behind Our Ozzie Cousins
The changes to KiwiSaver announced yesterday will do little to address the growing gap in trans-Tasman retirement savings New Zealanders now face, according to a Victoria University researcher. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00223.htm

Science Surprise: Study Shows School Scienticians Slack
The results of an international study showing a marked drop in student achievement levels in science comes as no surprise, according to the education sector union NZEI Te Riu Roa. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0812/S00020.htm

Media: TVNZ Promises Round The Clock News Thrills
TVNZ's presence on the Internet takes a leap forward today with the relaunch and complete redesign of tvnz.co.nz. The redesigned website shifts the emphasis towards increased breadth and depth of information-based material, on top of round-the-clock breaking news. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00236.htm

Buying Stuff Cheap: Fancy A Nice Little Motor
New Zealanders could get their cars for up to 50% less if they did their homework first, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00182.htm

ALSO:

Hanover investors vote on restructuring plan [2]

ING New Zealand proposes wind-up of four funds [3]

ING New Zealand recommends managed wind up [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/16436.html [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00202.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00229.htm [4]

International Trade: How D'Ye Like Them Capsicums?
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) have received advice from Biosecurity Australia that they have revised their emergency measures which will allow the importation of tomato and capsicum fruit from New Zealand. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00180.htm

Economy: NZ Average House Price Falls For A Second Month
Dec. 5 – The average New Zealand house price fell 6.8% in November from a year earlier, the second monthly slide of that magnitude, as the weakened economy sapped people’s appetite to take on mortgage debt. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00133.htm

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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COMMENT

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Lyndon Hood: Recession-Weary Nation Cheered By Chaplinesque Key
Just a comic tramp Charles Chaplin warmed the hearts of the world during the Great Depression, so in our hard economic times New Zealand is enjoying the farcical comedy of its own favourite clown. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00228.htm

WTF? Shane Warne – The Musical
Binoy Kampmark writes: He threw spinning grenades on the cricket pitch, watching them spit at opponents off a good length. He was also the terror of the ladies, ever eager to shoot off that lewd text message with fidgety enthusiasm. Then there was disgrace: pitch reports ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00219.htm

Keith Rankin: Controversy Over National's Tax Cuts
Listening to the tax debate in Parliament today (10 December 2008), most of the controversy has been about the lower threshold ($24,000) for the proposed Independent Earner Tax Credit (IETC). The IETC will be $520 per year ($10 per week) from April 2009 ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00214.htm

Robert Ménard: Is Huntington's Clash Of Civilization Idea Wrong?
Robert Ménard, Doha Centre for Media Freedom director-general, considers whether Samuel Huntington, the father of the “clash of civilisations” theory, had it wrong. The notion could challenge the widening chasm between the West and Arab countries. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00205.htm

Jim Miles: Robert Kagan’s Mythology of U.S. Exceptionalism
Robert Kagan is a difficult subject to analyze. At times his writing seems to be very honest and directly critical of U.S. intentions as well as being clearly honest about the sometimes “dangerous nation” aspect of its history and foreign policy. ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00170.htm

Michael Collins: GM, Ford - Wont't Pledge To Buy American
(Wash. DC) The CEO's of General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler were in the Capitol Thursday asking for $34 billion dollars to stay in business for the next few months. The three companies are now at the top of the corporate ''dead pool,'' with a bankruptcy for ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00138.htm

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LIFESTYLE

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Kiwi Pride: Kiwi International Man Of Movember 08
Tommo’s Mo was chosen from over 171,252 Movember participants. He is the first New Zealander to win this award in the five years that the competition has been running. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00127.htm

Board Games: Search For New Zealand's Monopoly Champion
The 13th Monopoly World Championships is fast approaching and Hasbro, maker of the world's most iconic board game, is inviting all Monopoly enthusiasts in New Zealand to roll and deal their way to Las Vegas in the search for a New Zealand representative! More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00124.htm

Careful Giving: Buy A Safe Toy For Xmas
December is the busiest gift-buying month of the year, and kid’s toys are usually #1 in the shopping list. To be a responsible Santa, how do you know that the toys you plan to buy are safe? More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00087.htm

The Kids Are Alright! There Is Less Depression In NZ
People who work with youth are celebrating new statistics that show a general improvement in young people's health since 2001. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0812/S00042.htm

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WORLD

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10th Dec, 2008:New Report - On 60th Anniversary, UN Rights System "in Crisis"
Click here for new report: Eleanor's Dream United Nations, December 10, 2008 — The Executive Director of UN Watch said today that, for proponents of human rights worldwide, the commemoration of the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00257.htm

ALSO:

International Human Rights Day [2]

Human Rights Must be Top Priority for Obama [3]

HR Day: Another Long List of Violations in 2008 [4]

Press Statement: International Human Rights Day [5]

Calling To Protect Human Rights Of Vulnerable [6]

International Human Rights Day [7]

Human Rights Still Not A Reality For All [8]

Human Rights Declaration Reaches 60 – But Only 20 Countries Have Signed Tribal Peoples’ Law [9]

Dignity And Justice For All Of Us [10]

Remarks At the 2008 IHR Day Awards Ceremony [11]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00263.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00258.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00254.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00245.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00242.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00196.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00224.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00237.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00220.htm [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00207.htm [11]

DR Congo: Talks Between Government, Rebels Making Headway, Says UN Envoy
The United Nations envoy tasked with helping to resolve the conflict that has engulfed the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has expressed satisfaction at progress made in talks between the country’s Government and a leading rebel ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00261.htm

ALSO:

DR Congo: Government, Rebels Enter Into Talks [2]

Time To Act In DR Congo Is Now [3]

DRC: UN To Launch Dialogue Between Govt & Rebels [4]

UN Starts Airlifting Aid To North-Eastern DR Congo [5]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00232.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00168.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00188.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00200.htm [5]

Survival International: Diamond Mine On Bushman Land Gets Govt Approval
Botswana: Diamond Mine On Bushman Land Gets Government Approval – On Condition Bushmen Receive No Water. The Botswana government has given its approval to a controversial diamond mine on the land of the Kalahari Bushmen... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00256.htm

ALSO:

UN Visits Zimbabwe To Contain Cholera Outbreak [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00223.htm [2]

Fifth of corals dead: Only emission cuts can save the rest, says IUCN
The report, released by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, of which IUCN is a member, shows if current trends in carbon dioxide emissions continue, many of the remaining reefs may be lost over the next 20 to 40 years. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00255.htm

Nepal: UN Bomb Disposal Experts To Resume Clearing Explosives
The Nepalese army has recommended a resumption of its minefield clearance operation, which it conducts with the assistance of the United Nations Mine Action Team, UN spokesperson Michele Montas told reporters today. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00269.htm

Greenpeace: Young Pacific Islander Stands Up To World Leaders
A young Pacific Islander has issued a challenge to world leaders at the UN climate change talks, telling them to stop paying lip service and show the political will to fast track negotiations. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00213.htm

Ban Ki-moon: Ban Voices ‘Growing Frustration’ At Lack Of Progress In Myanmar
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced his growing frustration today that the United Nations’ long-standing efforts to promote national reconciliation and democratization in Myanmar have yet to achieve the desired results and he urged the Government to ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00186.htm

UN To Convene Global Meeting On Piracy Off Somali Coast
The United Nations will convene a two-day international conference in Nairobi, Kenya, to discuss the rampant piracy off the coast of Somalia, it was announced today. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00199.htm

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Top Scoop Stories – 11 December 2008 News Summary