Top Scoop Stories – 12 December 2008 News Summary
Ethics: Super Fund Excludes Cluster Munition, Nuclear Bomb Companies
Environment: Dunne Thinks National Going Too Far On Biofuels
Scoop Satire: Recession-Weary Nation Cheered By John Key's Chaplinesque Antics
90 Day Info: Are National Pandering To Criminals With Legislation?
Defence: Future Air Force Leaders March Out
Scoop Satire: What Else Is In The Urgency Plan?
Taxes: National "Doesn’t Care About Kiwi Battlers"
Gordon Campbell: Fired At Will Fired Through
Wildlife: Kiwi That Overdosed Goes Into Karori Rehab
Savings: NZ Sliding Behind Our Ozzie Cousins
Science Surprise: Study Shows School Scienticians Slack
Media: TVNZ Promises Round The Clock News Thrills
Buying Stuff Cheap: Fancy A Nice Little Motor
International Trade: How D'Ye Like Them Capsicums?
Economy: NZ Average House Price Falls For A Second Month
Content.Net: Capt Kirk Is No More - Fairfax Chief Steps Down
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
Search on for New Zealand's next top model
Board Games: Search For New Zealand's Monopoly Champion
Careful Giving: Buy A Safe Toy For Xmas
The Kids Are Alright! There Is Less Depression In NZ
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
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LEAD STORY
------------Ethics:
Super Fund Excludes Cluster Munition, Nuclear Bomb
Companies
The Guardians of New Zealand
Superannuation today announced that they were excluding from
the New Zealand Superannuation Fund companies associated
with the manufacture of cluster munitions and the
manufacture or testing of nuclear explosive devices. More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0812/S00270.htm
NZ POLITICS
------------Environment:
Dunne Thinks National Going Too Far On
Biofuels
UnitedFuture Leader Peter Dunne has
announced that he will oppose the Government's repeal of the
law obliging oil companies to sell biofuel. When the Biofuel
Bill was debated earlier this year UnitedFuture voiced
legitimate concerns over the potential importation of
unsustainable biofuels More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00139.htm
ALSO:
- Biofuel Law Change [2]
- Scrapping Bio-fuels Act costs New Zealanders jobs [3]
- Sustainability the key to biofuel industry: Greens [4]
- ‘Window-dressing’ Nat's don't tackle issues [5]
[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]
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00147.htm [5]
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
ALSO:
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
ALSO:
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00214.htm [2]
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
ALSO:
- Climate change select committee established [2]
- ACC shortfall inquiry Terms of Reference released [3]
- Unlike markets, climate won’t bounce back soon [4]
[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]
Taxes:
National "Doesn’t Care About Kiwi Battlers"
Mr
Goff said the Taxation (Urgent Measures and Annual Rates)
Bill is inherently unfair. “National said it would look
after hard-working Kiwi battlers. That’s a lie. National
is actually increasing the amount of tax many of these Kiwis
pay. More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00096.htm
ALSO:
- National imposes largest ever tax on business [2]
- National refuses to listen on Standardised Testing [3]
- Government Can’t Afford To Shut Door On Chalkface [4]
- Today In Parliament With Tom Frewen [5]
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00094.htm [2]
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0812/S00097.htm [3]
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0812/S00043.htm [4]
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0812/S00204.htm [5]
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]
BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH
------------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:
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0812/S00022.htm [2]
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
COMMENT
------------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:
[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
LIFESTYLE
------------Search
on for New Zealand's next top model
More
»[1]
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/entertainment/16574.html
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
WORLD
------------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:
[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:
[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