Today's Top Scoop Stories - News Summary

The most comprehensive review ever carried out on the economics of climate change was published today. The Review, which reports to the Prime Minister and Chancellor, was commissioned by the Chancellor in July last year. It has been carried out by Sir Nicholas Stern, Head of the Government Economic Service and former World Bank Chief Economist. See... Stern Review on the Economics of Climate change [1] ALSO:UK Govt - Stern Review Index page [2] United Nations - Report points to rising emission trends [3] NZ Reaction and More Climate News [4]

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This afternoon the Prime Minister sustained a barrage of questions on sustainability and other ecologically associated issues. The question and answer part of the post cabinet tete-a-tete between the PM and the media appeared to exist in an alternate universe – one where the words Taito Philip Field, Thai Tiler and 'Auditor-General's election spending report' did not exist. See...

Scoop Audio: PM's Presser - Will Interest in Sustainability Be Sustainable? [1] ALSO:NZ Govt - Climate change report a potent reminder [2] NZ Govt - Brash still dithering on climate change [3] National - Labour “utterly fails” on climate change policy [4] Greens - Great vision, Helen, but no sign of action [5] Greenpeace NZ - PM wrong to listen to coal man on climate change [6] Climate Science Coalition - Greens show ignorance of nuclear technology [7] Meridian Energy - Meridian launches discussion doc on energy future [8] Public Health Association - Climate Change Has Dire Health Implications [9] Victoria University of Wellington - Wellington’s inaugural climate change festival [10] Sua William Sio - Councillor Urges Go See – An Inconvenient Truth [11] Food Miles:NZ Govt - Food Miles Claims Miss the Target [12] NZ Govt - More misinformation in campaign against NZ food [13]

A bill seeking to ban the retail sale of fireworks to individuals has been placed in the ballot for Members’ Bills by Wellington Central MP Marian Hobbs. “Earlier this year, people from the electorate approached me with concerns about the illegal lighting of fireworks throughout summer. This illegal and irresponsible use of fireworks has been a nuisance and caused distress to many people.” Marian Hobbs said. See... Fireworks Safety Bill [1]

According to the former leader of the ACT party, Richard Prebble, National Leader Dr Don Brash's problems are even greater than the media have been reporting. Writing in his latest political newsletter Prebble explains that before the Independent story appeared Dr Brash had told senior MPs that he wished to resign for personal reasons. He had told his family of his decision, hence the need to return home to explain he had been pursuaded to stay on. See... The Letter – Monday, 30 October 2006 [1]

Esteemed soloists Julian Rachlin (Violin and Viola) and Richard Hyung-ki Joo (Piano) play two concerts only for Chamber Music New Zealand in Auckland and Wellington on the 21 and 22 November 2006. This is their first visit to New Zealand and the last concert it the 2006 celebrity season. See... Chamber Music NZ Present Understated Virtuosity [1]

Police violence against children remains rampant in Papua New Guinea, despite recent juvenile justice reform efforts, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Children and others in police custody are often raped and tortured. “Police rapes and torture are crimes, not methods of crime control,” said Zama Coursen-Neff, senior researcher for Human Rights Watch’s Children’s Rights Division. “These brutal tactics have destroyed public confidence in the police.” See... PNG: Govt Must End Police Child Brutality [1]

UN Audio:North Korea's Nuclear Test a Matter of Deep Concern to the IAEA: Elbaradei - Counting Begins In Congo After Largest Ever Election Operation By UN - Annan Urges Youth to Join Efforts to Realize Millennium Development Goals – SPECIAL FEATURES: Human Rights In North Korea And Myanmar: the situation is deteriorating in these two troubled nations, according to the UN rights experts who continue to be barred from entering the countries. See… UN Audio News [1]