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]

First priority must be to keep Kiwis in jobs [3]

Many left out in the cold under Nat's programme [4]

Worker support package a start only - CTU [5]

ReStart no substitute for real redundancy – EPMU [6]

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

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00176.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00183.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00206.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0812/S00207.htm [6]

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]

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

Police & Crime: Christmas Presents Recovered, Pair On The Run
''They're my presents but that's not how I wrapped them,'' was the general response from victims contacted to recover their stolen items following quick work by an off-duty Hamilton Police officer. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0812/S00204.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]

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BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

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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]

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COMMENT

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Franklin Lamb: Why Hezbollah Stiffed Carter
Truth be told, this observer, along with one suspects plenty of others, was miffed at Hezbollah this past Wednesday morning. As I looked up at sunrise at Sammin Mountain above Beirut on the Western chain of Lebanon’s dramatic range to see if the rumor ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00300.htm

Ramzy Baroud: Cluster Bomb Treaty and the World’s Unfinished Business
The United States, Russia and China are sending a terrible message to the rest of the world by refusing to take part in the historic signing of a treaty that bans the production and use of cluster bombs. In a world that is plagued by war, military ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00270.htm

World News: Obama Should Drop Plans To Escalate Afghan War
President-elect Obama should drop his plans to escalate the war in Afghanistan, a country that never attacked America, out of pity for a helpless civilian population that will only suffer increasing misery from an expanded... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00303.htm

David Swanson: Bush Comparison Seen As Unfair To Dogs
This is the question now raised in Iraq: If they throw shoes at your face are you a combat troop or a noncombat troop? The answer may be important in helping to guide President Elect Obama's strategy of reducing but continuing the genocidal occupation ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00301.htm

Melvin A. Goodman: Obama's Weak National Security Team
Sixteen years ago, President-elect Bill Clinton headed for Washington with a national security team that was unprepared for a new age of foreign policy marked by the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union. Clinton ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00302.htm

Michael Collins: Senate Rules Kill Bailout, Foil Democracy
(Wash. DC) The Unites States Senate voted down a "cloture" resolution last night killing the automaker bailout before it was even considered. Failure to gain approval for cloture opened the bill up to an anticipated filibuster. General Motors, the largest U.S. manufacturer... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00255.htm

Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman: Last US House Seat Filled on Grave of Stolen 2004 Election
The last US House seat has been filled by a Democratic county commissioner in a vote count defined by the ghosts of 2004. And the provisional ballot system installed by former Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell - now a candidate for chair of the Republican National Committee... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00268.htm

Alberto Cruz: Mumbai, the Indian elite and the naxalites
The attacks in Mumbai at the end of November have led to every kind of analysis, especially geopolitical. One must remember that the strategic alliance between India and Israel has much to do with the recent surge in Islamist movements in India. Without ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00281.htm

Michael Winship: Bush's Farewell Hallelujah Chorus
With all the interviews President Bush has been giving out lately, you'd think he has a new movie coming out for Christmas. ABC, NBC, National Review, Middle East Broadcasting, the Real Clear Politics Web site - even a talk with The Washington Post's NASCAR expert. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00278.htm

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LIFESTYLE

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Pop: Coldplay Announces Plan To Invade NZ
Chugg Entertainment today confirmed that Coldplay will visit New Zealand following their eleven arena shows in Australia next March. The show will be part of their “Viva La Vida” world tour, in support of their new album of the same name. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00166.htm

Temporary Art: Wellington Barricades Fall After One Day
Car wrecks, discarded furniture and other urban detritus barricaded Stout Street at the corner of Lambton Quay in central Wellington for 24 hours on Sunday. This large-scale art intervention, created by British artists Heather and Ivan Morison, was part of the year-long One Day Sculpture series. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0812/S00147.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

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

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WORLD

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DR Congo: UN Deploys 17,500 Peacekers
More than 90 per cent of the nearly 17,500 United Nations peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are now deployed in the strife-torn east of the vast country, including over 6,000 in North Kivu province. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00343.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]

DR Congo: UN Reports Progress In Talks [7]

[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]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00296.htm [7]

Burma: Myanmar’s Cyclone Victims Need Help
A review of the progress made to date to provide humanitarian assistance to the victims of Cyclone Nargis has found that while relief efforts are ongoing, they need to be stepped up, especially to ensure food security, a United Nations-backed group said ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00339.htm

Alternative Energy: Massive Hydro Scheme For Africa
A senior United Nations official today told a meeting of African ministers that harnessing the continent’s largely untapped water resources is critical in feeding and providing for its people. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00342.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

Zimbabwe: UN Calls For $6 Million To Fight Deadly Cholera Epidemic
The United Nations health agency today called on international donors for $6 million to fight Zimbabwe’s worst cholera outbreak in over a decade, with the toll already reaching over 16,140 suspected cases and 775 deaths since August in the impoverished ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0812/S00267.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

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