Top Scoop Stories – 15 December 2008 News Summary

Monday, 15 December 2008, 4:55 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

LEAD STORY

Scoop Multimedia: PM's Press Conference 15th Dec. 2008

NZ POLITICS

Spies & Security: Police Stifle Democratic Dissent - GPJA

Justice: Former Nat MPs Call For Peter Ellis Commission Of Inquiry

Santa Saks Anyone?: On The Second Day Of Christmas

Electricity: Greypower Cites The Good Ole Days

Gordon Campbell: National’s ‘Failure To Communicate’

Energy Policy: Minister Thinks Govt Taking Fuelish Path

Opposing: Labour Rejects Exams For 5 Year Olds

BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

BUSINESS.scoop: Air NZ accuses regulator of grandstanding on cartel claims

Chemicals: The End Of Endosulfan

Agriculture: The NZ Economy Needs Water Storage

Investment Anyone?: New Bet Type For Kiwi Punters

Wildlife: Kiwi That Overdosed Goes Into Karori Rehab

Science Surprise: Study Shows School Scienticians Slack

Media: TVNZ Promises Round The Clock News Thrills

Buying Stuff Cheap: Fancy A Nice Little Motor

Finance: Investors Approve Hanover Debt Restructure

COMMENT

STOP PRESS: Publish Pap And Perish Fast

Lyndon Hood: Recession-Weary Nation Cheered By Chaplinesque Key

WTF? Shane Warne – The Musical

Keith Rankin: Controversy Over National's Tax Cuts

Michael Collins: End Presidential Pardons And Clemency

Jim Miles: Robert Kagan’s Mythology of U.S. Exceptionalism

LIFESTYLE

Sport: Coast To Coast - “The Year Of The Woman”

Celebrations: Face Painting Lantern Fun In Nelson

Kiwi Pride: 'This Is Her' Selected For Sundance

WORLD

DR Congo: UN Reports Progress In Talks Between Government, Rebels

Somalia: UN-Backed Meeting Wraps Up With Call For Greater Action To Fight Piracy

Survival International: Diamond Mine On Bushman Land Gets Govt Approval

Fifth of corals dead: Only emission cuts can save the rest, says IUCN

Nepal: UN Bomb Disposal Experts To Resume Clearing Explosives

Greenpeace: Young Pacific Islander Stands Up To World Leaders

Scoop Multimedia: PM's Press Conference 15th Dec. 2008
Scoop Video: Video on Demand of NZ Prime Minister John Key's post Cabinet press conference for Parliamentary press gallery journalists held this afternoon. The cabinet readout was followed by a joint announcement with Welfare Minister Paula Bennett of the "Re-start" package for workers made redundant in the economic crisis. This was followed by Q&A on a range of subjects including the Police spying operations on activists, aspects of the urgency legislation, climate change policy. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00283.htm

ALSO:

• ReStart assistance package for redundant workers [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00177.htm [2]

Spies & Security: Police Stifle Democratic Dissent - GPJA
Global Peace and Justice Auckland is not surprised at the abuse of police powers evident in Sunday’s newspaper the Sunday Star-Times with revelations that police have paid people to infiltrate and spy on groups involved in community, environmental, political protest and activism. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00189.htm

ALSO:

• Police Minister receives assurance on SIGs [2]


• Police Stasi tactics undermine democracy [3]


• Police Commissioner's excuses ring hollow: Greens [4]


• Re SST story on police spy in activist groups [5]


• Police pay to spy on peaceful protest group [6]


• Activists unhappy over spy allegations [7]


• Locke calls for inquiry into police spying allegations [8]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00169.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00163.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00172.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00190.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00199.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/16642.html [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/16623.html [8]

Justice: Former Nat MPs Call For Peter Ellis Commission Of Inquiry
The subject of this letter will come as no surprise to you. We have held serious concerns about the Peter Ellis/Christchurch Civic Creche Case for a long time. In our view, the time is long overdue for the Minister responsible for our justice system to demonstrate the political will and moral courage necessary to ensure that a comprehensive and genuinely independent inquiry is held... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00195.htm

Santa Saks Anyone?: On The Second Day Of Christmas
On the second day of Christmas, Auckland Airport's travellers donated to me...$10,000 for Age Concern Auckland! Christmas can be a very lonely time for those with no friends and family around. Every year Age Concern Auckland runs a Santa Saks programme, spreading a little bit of Christmas spirit to some of our older citizens. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00294.htm

Electricity: Greypower Cites The Good Ole Days
With the call to State owned electricity companies to hold power pricer increases, one wonders what is going on between the Governor of the Reserve Bank and his new political masters. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00197.htm

Gordon Campbell: National’s ‘Failure To Communicate’
Any honeymoon the new government might have hoped to enjoy has been blown away by its pre-Christmas blitz on taxation, industrial relations, bail, and education issues. Bills have been put into urgency before they even had proper names, or before the drafting process on them had been finished. More »[1]

[1] - http://election08.scoop.co.nz/gordon-campbell-on-nationals-failure-to-communicate/

Energy Policy: Minister Thinks Govt Taking Fuelish Path
UnitedFuture Leader Peter Dunne has announced that he will oppose the Government's repeal of the law obliging oil companies to sell biofuel. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00270.htm

ALSO:

• Biofuel Law Change [2]


• Scrapping Bio-fuels Act costs New Zealanders jobs [3]


• Sustainability the key to biofuel industry: Greens [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00113.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00143.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00148.htm [4]

Opposing: Labour Rejects Exams For 5 Year Olds
Labour will vote against the Education (National Standards) Amendment Bill when it is introduced into the House later this evening. “We cannot support this legislation because of its content and because the process the National government is using to ram through the legislation in urgency,” said Labour’s Education spokesperson Chris Carter. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00154.htm

ALSO:

• National refuses to listen on Standardised Testing [2]


• ‘Window-dressing’ Nat's don't tackle issues [3]


• Hard News: From soundbite to policy [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00097.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00147.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.publicaddress.net/default,5568.sm" target="_blank [4]

BUSINESS.scoop: Air NZ accuses regulator of grandstanding on cartel claims
Dec. 15 - Air New Zealand said the Commerce Commission is “grandstanding’ by announcing it will start proceeding against 13 airlines, including the national carrier, for price fixing on air freight. “We have repeatedly asked... More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/?p=1646

ALSO:

• Spotlight on fuel surcharges catches Air NZ [2]


• International air cargo cartel to be prosecuted [3]


• Air Cargo Proceedings [4]


• Failed Airline in Trouble Again [5]


• Alleged international air cargo cartel being prosecuted [6]

[2] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/?p=1647 [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00300.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00304.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00307.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/16661.html [6]

Chemicals: The End Of Endosulfan
The Environmental Risk Management Authority has revoked the approvals for the insecticide endosulfan and prohibited its importation, manufacture and use in New Zealand. The Authority’s decision will come into effect on 16 January 2009. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00202.htm

ALSO:

• Greens Welcome ERMA Decision on Endosulfan [2]


• NZ Bans Endosulfan [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00170.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0812/S00032.htm [3]

Agriculture: The NZ Economy Needs Water Storage
''If there is one magic bullet guaranteed to transform the New Zealand economy it is water storage,'' says Federated Farmers water spokesperson, Hugh Ritchie. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00298.htm

Investment Anyone?: New Bet Type For Kiwi Punters
The TAB's new betting product - the First4 - will be available from this Wednesday (17 December), giving punters the chance to win big dividends. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00297.htm

Wildlife: Kiwi That Overdosed Goes Into Karori Rehab
A little spotted kiwi from Kapiti Island participating in the BNZ Save the Kiwi programme that has been convalescing at Pukaha Mount Bruce after succumbing to the toxic effects of karaka berries. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0812/S00027.htm

ALSO:

• Empty nests means success for endangered species [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0812/S00022.htm [2]

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

Finance: Investors Approve Hanover Debt Restructure
Hanover is pleased to announce that the Debt Restructure Proposals for secured depositors, secured stockholders, subordinated noteholders and bondholders have been approved at investor meetings held in Auckland today. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00210.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]

STOP PRESS: Publish Pap And Perish Fast
Duncan Graham writes: If our household was a DHB this would have been recorded as a sentinel event, for all my life opening the paper has been the key to starting the day, as critical as pouring milk on muesli or spooning beans on toast. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00231.htm

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

ALSO:

• Controversy over National tax cuts: clarification [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00237.htm [2]

Michael Collins: End Presidential Pardons And Clemency
(Wash. DC) The prospect of the criminal in chief, George W. Bush, issuing pardons to his co-conspirators is repugnant to all citizens who've paid any degree of attention over the last eight years. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00184.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

Sport: Coast To Coast - “The Year Of The Woman”
For 27 years the Speight’s Coast to Coast has led the way in adventure sports. This year the world’s longest running multisport event celebrates its 27th edition by celebrating the female multisporter. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00295.htm

Celebrations: Face Painting Lantern Fun In Nelson
Saturday night's Community Trust Lantern Spectacular set the Summer in Nelson programme off to a flying start with a crowd estimated at 4,000 ¬ about a thousand more than usual. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00149.htm

Kiwi Pride: 'This Is Her' Selected For Sundance
Katie Wolfe’s New Zealand short film THIS IS HER has been chosen to screen in competition at the 25th Sundance Film Festival, one of the most acclaimed international film festivals in the world. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00098.htm

DR Congo: UN Reports Progress In Talks Between Government, Rebels
Talks between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a main rebel group are continuing to make headway, according to the top United Nations envoy tasked with helping to resolve the conflict that has engulfed the east of the ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00296.htm

ALSO:

• DR Congo: Talks Making Headway [2]


• DR Congo: Government, Rebels Enter Into Talks [3]


• Time To Act In DR Congo Is Now [4]


• DRC: UN To Launch Dialogue Between Govt & Rebels [5]


• UN Starts Airlifting Aid To North-Eastern DR Congo [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00261.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00232.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00168.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00188.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00200.htm [6]

Somalia: UN-Backed Meeting Wraps Up With Call For Greater Action To Fight Piracy
A United Nations-backed meeting concluded today with participants calling for greater cooperation to combat the rampant piracy off the coast of Somalia, emphasizing that a durable solution to the problem requires peace and stability in the war-ravaged ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00274.htm

ALSO:

• UN To Convene Global Meeting On Piracy Off Somalia [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00199.htm [2]

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

ENDS

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