Top Scoop Stories – 3 December 2008 News Summary
Economy: Down She Goes - OCR Reduced To 5 Percent
Industrial Wars: EPMU Accuses Lobby Group of Being "Anti Freedom"
Political Studies: Break Out the Kleenex For Those New MPs
Thailand: Air Force Off On Thailand Mission
Scoop Satire: Honeymoon Briefs
Munitions: NZ To Sign Cluster Munitions Treaty
Shelter: Chances Of Next PM Growing Up In State House Lessen
Commerce: Watch Out For Princely Green Claims Turning Froggy
Gordon Campbell: What Agenda Now For TVNZ?
Data: Google Can See Your House From Here
Calamari-Tourism: World's Only Colossal Squid Display Coming Soon
Meaty News: Expert Reckons NZ Animals Will Keep Being Eaten
Dispute Resolution: Phone Turns Into A Lobster - Whine To David Russell
The Great Land Giveaway: Neo-Colonialism by Invitation
Toni Solo: ALBA And The Imperial Protection Racket
Scoop Feedback: Forget Darwin - The Sooner The Better
Liar, Liar!! Barack Obama's Secretary Of War
DOJ Watchdog: Protecting Civil Liberties Must Be A Priority For Holder
Satire by Lyndon Hood: Honeymoon Briefs
Anthony Ravlich: Letter from the Poor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murray McCully
Syed Atiq ul Hassan: India Should Look Into Her Own Backyard
Welcome Secretary Clinton: Obama's Promises to Be Kept
Entertainment:Vodka Company Gifts World NZ Comedienne
Lulz: New TV Comedies For The New Year
Cyber Magazines: Online Celebration of Auckland Culture – Issue Three Out
Christmas Issues: Were Telecom's Elf Workers Registered?
Artiness: Lee Mingwei Offers Invitation To Aesthetics
Weird Football: Kiwis Mix It In Gaelic World
Soap Operas: Shortland Street Fan Awards Biggest Yet
Darwinian Struggle To Find Ticket Out Of Thailand
Hate Speech: Rwandan Singer Sentenced For Inciting Genocide
Greenpeace: "Quit Coal, Save The Climate"
Africa: Help Needed In Fight Against Somali Pirates
World News: Barack Obama Selects His National Security Team
Wildlife at Risk: World’s Fastest Animal, In Race For Survival
Scoop Environment and Conservation: The Big Business Of Environmental Fraud
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LEAD STORY
------------
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]
NZ POLITICS
------------
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:
[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]
BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH
------------
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:
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0811/S00519.htm [2]
COMMENT
------------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
LIFESTYLE
------------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
WORLD
------------ALSO:
[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:
[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