Top Scoop Stories December 16th 2009 News Summary

Wednesday, 16 December 2009, 4:09 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

LEAD STORY

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Copyright: Govt Favours Three-Notice Procedure For S92A
The Government favours a three-notice procedure to deal with illegal copying of material over computer networks, Commerce Minister Simon Power said today.Mr Power announced the release of a Cabinet Paper that outlines the basis of new legislation, which will be introduced to Parliament early next year. This follows a review of section 92A of the Copyright Act 1994. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00282.htm

ALSO:

Blackout Against Section 92A [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0902/S00357.htm [2]

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NZ POLITICS

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Copenhagen: Greenpeace Calls For NZ Needs To Clean Up Attitude
In an interview in Copenhagen Climate Change Negotiations Minister Tim Groser has called developing countries’ attempts to save their land and people “extremist”. He was referring in particular to the African bloc and Tuvalu, which in recent days have attempted to halt the talks on the basis that what’s on the table could mean their demise. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00207.htm

ALSO:

Copenhagen Spoof Shames Canada; No Joke! [2]

Students run naked for climate change, global issues [3]

Copenhagen and NZ's ETS [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00456.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/30686.html [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00181.htm [4]

Standards: ERO Report "Shows Need For Urgent Action"
An ERO evaluation into reading and writing in the crucial Years 1 and 2 at primary schools found that almost two-thirds of school leaders - principals and senior managers - aren’t properly monitoring how well young children are achieving or progressing, and that three-quarters of principals don’t set expectations of high achievement levels. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00263.htm

Campaigns: Axing Family Violence Initiatives Not Okay, Says King
The Government today appeared to confirm it is axing two widely heralded family violence initiatives, which is a pretty tragic Christmas present for those working to reduce violence in our homes, says Labour Social Development spokesperson Annette King. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00250.htm

ALSO:

Speech: Flavell - Polytechnics Amendment Bill [2]

Polytechnic Bill a blow to student voice [3]

Tolley avoids debate – doing Christmas cards [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00267.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00200.htm [3]

[4] - http://blog.labour.org.nz/index.php/2009/12/15/tolley-avoids-debate-doing-christmas-cards/" target="_blank [4]

Full Coverage: Green Light For Transmission Gully, Western Link Expressway
Transport Minister Steven Joyce has joined the NZ Transport Agency in unveiling plans for a $2.2 billion strategic upgrade of State Highway 1 from Wellington Airport to Levin, including Transmission Gully. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00145.htm

ALSO:

A 4-lane expressway to the airport – but they’re not telling us where or how much [2]

[2] - http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=18061 [2]

“Billion dollar” Transmission Gully expressway likely to be a toll road
- More »[1]

[1] - http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=18013

ALSO:

Route announced for Wellington Northern Corridor [2]

Fact Sheet (includes map) [3]

Questions and Answers [4]

Transmission Gully route to go ahead [5]

Government gives green light for $2 billion Wellington motorway [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0912/S00231.htm [2]

[3] - http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/0912/20091215wgtnronsfactsheet.pdf [3]

[4] - http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/0912/20091215wgtnronsqasanskapiti.pdf [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/30640.html [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/30648.html [6]

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BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

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Capital Taskforce: Report Calls For Financial Adviser Regulation, Partial Asset Floats
Retail investors need warning labels on high risk products, simpler disclosure documents, and a deeper range of choices to put their money into, says the Capital Markets Development Taskforce, in its report released this morning by Commerce Minister Simon Power. More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/16/taskforce-calls-for-financial-adviser-regulation/

ALSO:

Tax crucial to capital markets reform [2]

Govt welcomes final report on capital markets [3]

Capital markets report a step in right direction [4]

PM to issue response to capital markets review [5]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00271.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00258.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00378.htm [4]

[5] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/16/pm-to-issue-response-to-capital-markets-review/ [5]

Half-Year Update: "Government’s Focus On Jobs, Higher Growth"
The Government’s firm focus in 2010 will be achieving higher economic growth and giving businesses the confidence to invest and create jobs, Finance Minister Bill English says. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00242.htm" name="HYFU

ALSO:

NZ Super Fund grows on back of sharemarket rally [2]

Treasury more upbeat on growth amid revenue risks [3]

Govt debt programme to ease as interest costs rise [4]

Kiwis deserve to share in stronger recovery [5]

National must back families as economy recovers [6]

Treasury predicts high joblessness to last longer [7]

NZ Treasury upgrades economic and fiscal outlook [8]

Improved Treasury forecasts a boost for retailing [9]

Bill English on the latest Budget forecasts [10]

Recession has less of an impact on tourism than expected [11]

Recession not so bad after all, Govt admits [12]

[2] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/15/nz-super-fund-grows-on-back-of-sharemarket-rally/ [2]

[3] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/15/treasury-more-upbeat-on-growth-amid-revenue-risks/ [3]

[4] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/15/govt-debt-programme-to-ease-as-interest-costs-rise/ [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00252.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00224.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00275.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00196.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00363.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/30670.html [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/30668.html [11]

[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/30646.html [12]

Real Estate: Houses Still Expensive, Really
Median house prices have more than doubled over the past 10 years, figures released by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) reveal today. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00315.htm

ALSO:

REINZ Monthly Housing Price Index [2]

Residential Highlights – November 2009 [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00314.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00316.htm [3]

Here Comes The Science: On Pesticide Residue In Foods
"It is not the percentage of a particular crop found to contain pesticide residues that matters, but the levels of the pesticides. As analytic techniques get more and more sensitive there is no doubt that the percentage of analytical samples that are positive is going to increase." More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0912/S00035.htm

ALSO:

Celery at top of dirty dozen [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0912/S00032.htm [2]

Smellie Sniffs The Breeze: Unseen Innovations
This week, the New Zealand Institute accused New Zealanders of not caring about the country’s “innovation eco-system,” even though innovation is the key to productivity, and productivity is the thing that eludes every part of the New Zealand economy outside farming. More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/11/smellie-sniffs-the-breeze-unseen-innovations/

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COMMENT

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Bill Berkowitz: Race And The Tea Party Movement
The Tea Party movement has been one of the most interesting political developments over the past year. The raucous rallies, the shout downs at Town Hall meetings, the gun-toting demonstrators, the offensive signage have all drawn the attention of Media. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00153.htm

David Rovics: A Danish Police State
The signs up all over the airport and various places elsewhere in town are calling it Hopenhagen, but everybody I know is calling it Cop-enhagen, which seems far more appropriate. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00150.htm

State Highway 1: Scoop Coverage: Wellington Northern Corridor
Transport Minister Steven Joyce has joined the NZ Transport Agency in unveiling plans for a $2.2 billion strategic upgrade of State Highway 1 from Wellington Airport to Levin, including Transmission Gully. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00145.htm

A Crusade Or Nothing: Brown And The Banks
It is seen as punitive, a populist reaction. There is little doubt that some people in the City end of London will think so. But Gordon Brown’s government is intent on winning votes by ‘supertaxing’ banks, exercising a veto over the payment of... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00120.htm

Uri Avnery: Spot The Difference
For anyone who has not yet found the answer: it’s the state of Prussia. But if some readers were tempted to believe that it all applies to the State of Israel – well, they are right, too. This description fits our state. The similarity between ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00124.htm

Martin LeFevre: The Nobel Speech Obama Should Have Given
Fellow citizens of the world, I stand before you in a time of undeclared war to accept the world’s greatest commendation for peace. It is in this contradiction we, the peoples of the world, find... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00108.htm

ALSO:

Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Speech [2]

Just Wars and Obama’s Nobel [3]

Obama's Peace Prize (+ Al Quaeda) [4]

Obama's Rejection Speech [5]

Copenhagen Cartoons [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00228.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00113.htm [3]

[4] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/11/gordon-campbell-obamas-peace-prize-al-quaeda/ [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00106.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00069.htm [6]

Lyndon Hood: Travel Ideas For MPs
With just a few days of Parliament, left MPs will – if they’re anything like me – be thinking about planning their summer break. Ah, the traditional MP’s Christmas: the enforced seizure and redistribution of presents the... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00102.htm

A Fair Adjectival Cow: Why cubicle farming is a really bad idea
A handy guide to Newzild, issued to US servicemen during the war, says that ''a fair cow'' or, more forcefully, ''a fair adjectival cow'', means “an unpleasant man, woman or situation”. It's exactly the right term, I reckon, to describe the plan to house... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00103.htm

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LIFESTYLE

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Red Carpet On Courtenay Place: Lovely Bones Premiere Images
Wellington's Courtenay Place was closed off and carpetted today to celebrate the NZ Premiere of Peter Jackson's latest movie, Lovely Bones. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00131.htm

ALSO:

Lovely Bones NZ Premiere [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00133.htm [2]

Statistics: Christmas Dinner Should Cost A Dollar Or Two Less
To mark the festive season, Statistics New Zealand has estimated the cost of traditional and barbecue Christmas dinners for a family of two adults and two children. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0912/S00193.htm

ALSO:

Giving to charity can make Christmas a happy one [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0912/S00199.htm [2]

13/12/39: Battle Of The River Plate Commemorated
Six veterans of the Battle of the River Plate will be joining the Royal New Zealand Navy this weekend for the 70th Anniversary Commemoration of the battle. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00155.htm

ALSO:

Battle of the River Plate commemorated [2]

Online Resource on the Battle of River Plate [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00174.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0912/S00143.htm [3]

Scoop Review Of Books: Second World War In Context
A few years ago I visited the grave of a friend’s brother who had fallen, in April 1945, crossing a river near Faenza in Northern Italy. Despite kiwi fruit growing in the fields next to the cemetery it seemed a long way from home. Gerald Hensley’s Beyond the Battlefield, published by the Penguin Group, with acknowledgements to the National... More »[1]

[1] - http://books.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/08/second-world-war-in-context/

Sport: Kiwis Dominate Freediving Champs
New Zealand Freedivers have shown the world, that when it comes to going deep, those from down under truely have what it takes. Over 2 seperate events held in Denmark and The Bahamas, Kiwi Freedivers have won a total of 9 medals, out of a possible 22, hauling the highest Medal Tally of any country, and cementing NZ's place as the leading freedivers in the world. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0912/S00100.htm

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WORLD

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Climate Change: Copenhagen Spoof Shames Canada; No Joke!
COPENHAGEN, Denmark - ''Canada is 'red-faced'!'' ( Globe and Mail ) ''Copenhagen spoof shames Canada!'' ( Guardian) ''Hoax slices through Canadian spin on warming!'' ( The Toronto Star ) ''A childish prank!'' ( Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada ) More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00456.htm

ALSO:

UN Embarks On Low-Carbon Future [2]

Results Of Two Years Of Climate Talks [3]

Access To The Bella Centre At Copenhagen [4]

Coral Triangle Ministers Call On Copenhagen [5]

Broad Operational Agreement on Climate Change [6]

Multi-Year Commitments For Sustainability [7]

Ban Arrives In Copenhagen [8]

Clean Energy Technology Announcements [9]

2009: Majority Of Disaster Deaths Climate-Related [10]

Global Greens forum to address global warming [11]

Strong targets in Copenhagen [12]

Global Greens call for sound climate agreement [13]

Rudd government’s carbon cheat strategy [14]

British admit: Copenhagen intends genocide [15]

UN Climate Talks Back On Track [16]

It’s Now Or Never In Bid To Curb Climate Change [17]

Champions of safe clean transport at Copenhagen [18]

Copenhagen: The State Of Play [19]

Effects Of Climate Change Heard By World Leaders [20]

Adapting To Climate Change In The Pacific [21]

Species On Climate Change Hit List Named [22]

Copenhagen Must Reject ProposalsThat Harm Poor [23]

Global Unions Call For Green Growth [24]

Copenhagen Climate Change Conference Statement [25]

Changing climate change from Sweden to Colombia [26]

President Obama Must Earn Nobel Peace Prize [27]

Effects Of Climate Change Heard By World Leaders [28]

Copenhagen Talks Heading Towards Agreement [29]

Progress Made On Technology In Copenhagen [30]

Future Of Humanity Hinges On Conference, Ban Says [31]

Adapting to Climate Change [32]

Children at risk from climate change [33]

Oxfam: The Price Of Success In Copenhagen [34]

Causes of Climate Change not 'Settled' [35]

Climategate Used to Settle 'Vendetta,' says Mann [36]

Bombshell UN Documents Outline Climategate [37]

Copenhagen And The Quest For Climate Justice [38]

Climate Change Conference Kicks Off In Copenhagen [39]

Ambitious International Climate Change Deal [40]

Obama Decision To Attend Copenhagen [41]

Statement On Climate Change Conference [42]

Protecting The Planet On International Day [43]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00462.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00461.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00460.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00459.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00444.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00432.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00430.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00428.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00414.htm [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00420.htm [11]

[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00422.htm [12]

[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00424.htm [13]

[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00425.htm [14]

[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00378.htm [15]

[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00380.htm [16]

[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00390.htm [17]

[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00409.htm [18]

[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00418.htm [19]

[20] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00297.htm [20]

[21] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00355.htm [21]

[22] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00350.htm [22]

[23] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00338.htm [23]

[24] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00326.htm [24]

[25] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00322.htm [25]

[26] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00314.htm [26]

[27] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00307.htm [27]

[28] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00297.htm [28]

[29] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00242.htm [29]

[30] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00252.htm [30]

[31] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00177.htm [31]

[32] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00256.htm [32]

[33] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00266.htm [33]

[34] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00117.htm [34]

[35] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00150.htm [35]

[36] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00145.htm [36]

[37] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00208.htm [37]

[38] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00146.htm [38]

[39] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00125.htm [39]

[40] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00113.htm [40]

[41] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00087.htm [41]

[42] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00086.htm [42]

[43] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00085.htm [43]

Foreign Aid: Boosting The Agricultural Sector In Myanmar
United Nations development officials held talks with Government ministers in Myanmar today aimed at boosting the impoverished country’s agricultural sector to help it reclaim its status as the rice bowl of Asia. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00448.htm

Humanitarianism: Malaria: Funding Is Making An Impact
Manila, 15 December 2009— Significant progress has been made in delivering life-saving malaria nets and treatments over the last few years, but the coverage of malaria programmes needs to be stepped up drastically. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00450.htm

ALSO:

Increased Aid To Fight Malaria Paying Off [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00431.htm [2]

Europe: Norway Campuses Reject Coca-Cola
December 14, 2009: In another major victory for the international campaign against Coca-Cola, colleges and universities in Norway have decided not to renew the exclusive contract with Coca-Cola. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00410.htm

International Law: Attack On West Bank Mosque Draws Condemnation
The senior United Nations envoy to the Middle East has condemned the burning and desecration of a mosque in the West Bank, describing the attack as part of a worrying wider pattern of violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00398.htm

Mining Ethics: Scare Tactics Against Human Rights
There have been repeated protests against Vedanta's planned mine. Metals giant Vedanta Resources’ Indian subsidiary has launched an unprecedented attack on Survival International, apparently to drive its researchers out of an area. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00400.htm

Intellectual Property: EU Approval Of Internet Copyright Treaties
The head of the United Nations agency tasked with safeguarding intellectual property rights today welcomed the European Union’s ratification of the so-called Internet Treaties. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00416.htm

Foreign Aid: Emergency Aid After Cyclone Rips Through Fiji
Wellington 15 December 2009. – UN Children’s Fund staff are providing essential emergency supplies in the wake of a category two cyclone that hit Fiji, leaving four people dead, several missing, and thousands displaced from their homes. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00413.htm

ENDS

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Top Scoop Stories December 16th 2009 News Summary