Top Scoop Stories December 9, 2009 News Summary

Wednesday, 9 December 2009, 4:41 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

LEAD STORY

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Gordon Campbell:Risk Free Tax!
On current indications the Buckle Tax review will provide the final draft of their recommendations to the government just before Christmas – to enable it to digest the content – and then release the document to the public during the third week of January.While speculation about the report’s likely findings have focused on a capital gains tax or a land tax levied on the unimproved value of all land, very little attention has been paid to a more politically palatable option – a Risk Free Return Method (RFRM) targeted only at the property sector. More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/09/gordon-campbell-risk-free-tax/

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NZ POLITICS

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ALSO:

Questions for Oral Answer - 9 Dec 2009 [2]

Questions and Answers - 8 Dec 2009 [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00124.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00118.htm [3]

Balibo 5: Greens Say New Admissions Should Lead To Action
New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Murray McCully must press Indonesia to accept responsibility for the execution of New Zealand journalist Gary Cunningham in 1975, Green Party MP Keith Locke said today. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00119.htm

ALSO:

NZ should insist Indo backs justice for Balibo 5 [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00108.htm [2]

Copenhagen Begins: Fourteen days to seal history's judgment on this generation
56 newspapers in 45 countries have taken the unprecedented step of speaking with one voice through a common editorial. We do so because humanity faces a profound emergency. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00070.htm

ALSO:

Copenhagen: Cartoon Comment from Malcolm Evans [2]

Chauvel to Copenhagen [3]

Copenhagen Opportunity Must Not Be Wasted [4]

Climate Change Petition Presented to Parliament [5]

Climate change: Exempting one of NZ's biggest polluters [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00069.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00105.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00092.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00100.htm [5]

[6] - http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2009/12/climate-change-exempting-one-of-nzs.html" target="_blank [6]

Optimistic start to Copenhagen conference
- More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/30370.html

ALSO:

Climategate Used to Settle 'Vendetta,' says Mann [2]

Copenhagen And The Quest For Climate Justice [3]

Imagining 2020 #3: Dave McArthur - Imagineer [4]

Imagining 2020 #4: Green Crude by Pete Fowler [5]

ETS, etc [6]

Action plan does little for class safety [7]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00145.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00146.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00334.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00030.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00181.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0912/S00021.htm [7]

Gordon Campbell: About Those P Intercepts...
Most of the intercepts of the pseudoephedrine precursor to P that were being touted by John Key at his press conference yesterday originated from China – which suggests that Chinese criminal gangs may be at the heart of our P problem. Key though, didn’t seem to know either way. More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/08/gordon-campbell-china-and-our-problems-with-p/

ALSO:

John Key on "P" and Unemployment [2]

Tide turning in the war on P, says PM [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00066.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/30315.html [3]

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BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

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Electricity: Brownlee Endorses Reforms, Gives Meridian Oil Plant
Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee has adopted almost every major recommendation of the Electricity Technical Advisory Group, in a package of reforms for the electricity market that he describes as “putting the boot back on the consumer’s foot”. More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/09/brownlee-makes-major-electricity-market-shake-up/

ALSO:

Electricity reforms for the better [2]

Anti-environmentalist spite [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00222.htm [2]

[3] - http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2009/12/anti-environmentalist-spite.html" target="_blank [3]

The Ice: Antarctic Treaty Meeting Of Experts In Wellington
Around 80 delegates will be attending the meeting which will examine issues surrounding ship-borne tourism in the Antarctic Treaty Area. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00112.htm

ALSO:

Most businesses freeze wages; hopes to hire in '10 [2]

Total manufacturing down, industry activity mixed [3]

Residential building volume falls 40% in 2 yrs [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00168.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00185.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00184.htm [4]

Environment: Factory Dairy Farming Arrives In New Zealand
New Zealand is on the brink of introducing factory farming of dairy cows, the Green Party said today. Consent applications were recently lodged with Environment Canterbury for factory-style dairy farms in the Mackenzie Basin. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00079.htm

ALSO:

The future of dairy farming? [2]

Cubicle farming opposed by PM and Fonterra [3]

Johnny Rotten invited to visit NZ free-range cows [4]

Burger Tycoon online game [5]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00172.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/30363.html [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0905/S00448.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.addictinggames.com/burgertycoon.html" target="_blank [5]

Dairy: Call For Fonterra To Keep More Money
Federated Farmers welcomes Fonterra’s announcement of an annual retention but believes the amount retained by the cooperative is far too small. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00136.htm

ALSO:

Submission to the 2025 Taskforce [2]

Time to give flat tax concept a decent burial [3]

Brash's prescription closes Tasman 'wealth' gap [4]

Farmers welcome 27:27:27 tax model [5]

2025 Taskforce Report [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00142.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00079.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00127.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00126.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00002.htm [6]

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COMMENT

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[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/09/gordon-campbell-risk-free-tax/

Binoy Kampmark: The Conviction of ‘Foxy Knoxy’
It has been a sordid tale, enrapturing audiences in Italy and globally. The murder of 21-year-old British student Meredith Kercher, who was found with her throat slit in her Perugia apartment in November 2007 after being sexually assaulted, continues... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00085.htm

ALSO:

Amanda Knox: I'm no murderer [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/30205.html [2]

Gordon Campbell: China’s Role In Our Problems With P
Media coverage of the battle against P has tended to focus on the role of Maori gangs in the P trade. Yet most of the intercepts of the pseudoephedrine precursor to P that were being touted by John Key at his press conference yesterday... More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/08/gordon-campbell-china-and-our-problems-with-p/

ALSO:

John Key on "P" and Unemployment [2]

Cartoon by Malcolm Evans [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00066.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00069.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00069.htm [4]

Stateside With Rosalea: Stop! Water Thief!
When California’s Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, travels to Copenhagen this week to participate in Subnational Day at the UN Climate Change Conference, he and his support staff may be doing so at the expense of a wealthy business owner who contributes... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00062.htm

ALSO:

Dave McArthur: Imagineer [2]

Gareth Morgan and John McCrystal: Low Carbon Future? Bah! Humbug! [3]

Climate Defence Network: The Age Of Smart [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00334.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00280.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00279.htm [4]

The Celebration Went Unnoticed: A Major Leftist Win in Uruguay
Uruguay's left wing political coalition, the Broad Front party ( Frente Amplio ), retained control of the presidency in the November elections. This wasn't just any election. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00063.htm

The "Ethical Interrogation": The Myth of Michael Gelles and the al-Qahtani Interrogation
Several public accounts of abusive interrogations at Guantanamo have praised psychologist Dr. Michael Gelles for his opposition to these abuses. Similarly, the American Psychological Association (APA) has repeatedly pointed to actions of Dr. Gelles to instantiate... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00073.htm

Anyone for table-tennis? A double fault for the Cuban Five...
Tomorrow Fernando Gonzalez and Ramon Labanino will grace the Miami court with their presence once again - for yet another re-sentencing by a judge more renowned for her grotesquely inconsistent rulings than for the administration of justice. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00072.htm

The Height of Kitsch: Germany’s love for Israel
IT WOULD have been the epitome of political kitsch. Binyamin Netanyahu and ten of his ministers were to hold a joint meeting with Angela Merkel and ten members of the German cabinet. What for? To demonstrate Germany’s love for Israel... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00053.htm

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LIFESTYLE

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Events: Wellington Readies Itself For The Lovely Bones
Film fans will be treated to a red carpet appearance from Academy Award winning Director Peter Jackson and The Lovely Bones actors, Oscar winner Susan Sarandon, Oscar-nominated actress Saoirse Ronan, Rose McIver and Carolyn Dando at the film’s New Zealand premiere on Monday 14 December. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0912/S00116.htm

Film Review: None Too Precious
What is one to make of this extraordinarily gritty, brutal film by Lee Daniels? An obese 16-year-old girl from Harlem is cooking for her abusive, welfare-addicted mother in a room that rarely sees the light of day. The mother hurls an object at ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00075.htm

Chapman Tripps: DarWin!
The winners of the 18th annual Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards were named last night, with Auckland-based Wellingtonian Arthur Meek scooping the major prizes for his production Collapsing Creation. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0912/S00091.htm

ALSO:

Collapsing Creation - play and lecture series [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0911/S00098.htm [2]

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WORLD

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World Environment: Future Of Humanity Hinges On Conference, Ban Says
The outcome of the historic United Nations climate change conference under way in Copenhagen will have reverberations for the future of humanity and the planet, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00177.htm

ALSO:

Oxfam: The Price Of Success In Copenhagen [2]

Causes of Climate Change not 'Settled' [3]

Climategate Used to Settle 'Vendetta,' says Mann [4]

Bombshell UN Documents Outline Climategate [5]

Copenhagen And The Quest For Climate Justice [6]

Climate Change Conference Kicks Off In Copenhagen [7]

Ambitious International Climate Change Deal [8]

Obama Decision To Attend Copenhagen [9]

Statement On Climate Change Conference [10]

Protecting The Planet On International Day [11]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00117.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00150.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00145.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00208.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00146.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00125.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00113.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00087.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00086.htm [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00085.htm [11]

Global Trade: Tough Times Ahead For Shipping Industry
Around 80 per cent of global trade is transported by sea but challenging times are ahead for the shipping industry, which is faced with a surge in the supply of vessels and tumbling freight rates amid the economic crisis More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00178.htm

Ban Ki-Moon: Efforts To Thwart Rebels In Eastern DR Congo
Progress in bringing stability to the war-wracked east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is mixed, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in a new report. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00183.htm

Humanitarianism: Nearly 5 Million Ethiopians Will Need Food Aid
Some 4.8 million Ethiopians will require emergency food and related aid costing $270 million for the first six months of 2010 in a country already plagued by prolonged drought and crop failure. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00161.htm

Hindu Culture: Europe & USA: “Bed Of Nails” Fad
Based on the “bed of nails” used by ancient Hindu yogis; a new cure-all “nail mat” fad has inundated Europe, USA and the West; which fans are using for “mental and physical renewal”. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00158.htm

Black Market: New DVD Copyright Law Hits Consumers
With a new copyright law virtually putting an end to the pirate DVD business in Fiji, consumers now have to pay more to rent original DVDs. People that Wansolwara spoke to said that the price of renting DVDs was too high. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00165.htm

Misleading: State Department's "Background Notes" On Indonesia
The U.S. Department of State in October published the latest in its series of ''Background Notes'' regarding Indonesia. ( http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2748.htm ) The periodic series provides a useful overview of the history, culture, geography, economy and government. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00147.htm

ENDS

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Top Scoop Stories December 9, 2009 News Summary