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Tougher 30% emissions cut would be cheaper than expected: report | Environment | guardian.co.uk

Moving to a tougher Europe-wide target on greenhouse gas emissions would present the UK with little problem, contrary to what some business lobbyists and thinktanks have been alleging, according to a new analysis of the goals seen by the Guardian. The report concludes that if the EU were to set higher emissions-cutting goals now, by [...]

Greenpeace urges government to halt ‘reckless’ Arctic oil rush | Environment | guardian.co.uk

The government will be urged on Wednesday to help build a more sustainable world by putting a brake on the oil industry’s “reckless” race to the Arctic.At a special House of Commons hearing, Greenpeace will tell ministers to reconsider their support for Cairn Energy and other companies drilling in the far north unless they attach [...]

And in the news today...

Possible engine problem delays U.S. rocket launch (Reuters)

by Yahoo May 20, 2012

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) – The launch of a privately owned Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station was delayed on Saturday when a computer detected a possible problem with one of the rocket’s engines, a Space Exploration Technologies official said.

World leaders talk as Greek tragedy unfolds

by Radio NZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

A growing chorus of world leaders is pushing for a shift toward more pro-growth policies to help ease the European crisis.

John Travolta hit by more sexual assault claims

by TVNZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

John Travolta has been accused of sexual assault by two more men.

Chinese activist says he’s on his way to USA

by Radio NZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng – who was at the centre of a diplomatic crisis with the USA – says he is at Beijing’s airport, where he expects to leave to go to New York.

Crusaders post record total over woeful Blues

by TVNZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

The Blues have officially hit rock bottom, producing their worst performance in history to be demolished by the Crusaders.

HIV boy poses no risk to classmates – health official

by Radio NZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

An assessment of a four-year-old Whangarei boy with HIV has found his attendance at a local pre-school poses no risk to other children.

Europe’s economic woes dominate G8 gathering

by TVNZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

US President Barack Obama will press European leaders to ease up on fiscal austerity and focus on economic growth at a summit that will discuss ways to stem turmoil in the euro zone and head off the risk of global contagion

As it happened: Crusaders v Blues

by TVNZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

Updates as the Crusaders try to bounce back against the ailing Blues in Christchurch.

Blind Chinese activist prepares to leave for US – USA TODAY

by News Junkie May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

USA TODAYBlind Chinese activist prepares to leave for USUSA TODAYBEIJING (AP) – A blind Chinese activist whose escape from a rural village set off a diplomatic tussle between Beijing and Washington was hurriedly taken from a hospital to the airport Saturday to board a plane for the United States. By Ng Han Guan, …Chen says [...]

Italian school hit by bomb attack – The Guardian

by News Junkie May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

The GuardianItalian school hit by bomb attackThe GuardianA bomb has exploded in front of a school in the southern Italian town of Brindisi, killing one girl and injuring six other pupils. The device went off as students were arriving at the Francesca Morvillo Falcone vocational school at around 8am (6am GMT) …Student Killed, 7 Hurt [...]

MPs want minimum standards for fresh water

by Radio NZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

Labour Party MPs are urging the Government to implement new recommendations on minimum standards for waterways, wetlands and aquifers.

Greek poll-front runner backs staying in euro – AFP

by News Junkie May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

AFPGreek poll-front runner backs staying in euroAFPATHENS — Greek poll front-runner Alexis Tsipras, buoyed by a groundswell of opposition to EU-IMF imposed austerity measures, says forcing his country out of the eurozone would sink the region as a whole. The problems in Greece were those of Europe, …Rising Greek Political Star, Foe of Austerity, Puts [...]

Body believed to be of missing tramper

by TV3 May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

Search and rescue teams in North Otago have found the body of a man believed to be missing Dunedin hiker David Palmer.

Baby boomers at risk of hepatitis C, US Govt says

by Radio NZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

American baby boomers have been advised by health officials for the first time to get tested for the liver-destroying virus hepatitis C.

Good life for Lotto winners in Wellington and Kaiapoi

by Voxy.co.nz May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

Two lucky Lotto players from Wellington and Kaiapoi will be living the good life after winning a $500,000 share of Lotto First Division, says NZ Lotteries’ Chief Executive Wayne Pickup.

Bomb at Italian school kills, injures

by Radio NZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

A bomb has exploded in front of a school in the southern Italian city of Brindisi killing at least one person and injuring several others.

Private cargo shuttle seen as new era in space

by Radio NZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

An American firm is expected to become the first private company to send a supply craft to the International Space Station.

Parata defends performance pay scheme

by TV3 May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

The education minister won’t say how much more teachers will get under new performance pay incentives being developed.

Yahoo in talks to sell 20% of Alibaba

by News Junkie May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

Yahoo is in talks to sell about 20 percent of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. for about $7 billion, a deal that would cut by half its stake in China's largest e-commerce provider, a person with knowledge of the matter said….

Yabba dabba dancing dog

by Homepaddock May 19, 2012 POLITICAL BLOGS

Christchurch restaurateur back from hardship

by TV3 May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

A former Christchurch restaurant owner is back in business, 15 months after losing his buildings in the February quake.

Taiwan checks on efficacy of "Qfly" biosecurity

by Radio NZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

A key export market, Taiwan, is asking for reassurances that the biosecurity response to the Queensland fruit fly discovered in Auckland is being correctly handled.

‘Consultancy culture’ cost $525m last year – Labour

by Radio NZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

Labour Party MPs say the Government has overseen a blowout in the use of consultants in the public service.

Police searching for Ahuriri tramper find body

by Radio NZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

Police search and rescue staff in North Otago say they have found the body of a man believed to be that of a missing tramper.

Waka trip to Easter Island with no mod cons

by TV3 May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

A group of intrepid Maori explorers are about to embark on an epic journey – a waka trip to Easter Island, using the stars to guide them.

Slaying of journalist was "horrific" – police

by Radio NZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

Whanganui police say they’re continuing to examine the property of a veteran journalist who was killed in his lounge.

Netball: Magic beat Tactix 65-42 in fourth straight win

by Radio NZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic have won their fourth straight match in the ANZ netball championships, beating the Canterbury Tactix 65-42 in Christchurch on Saturday.

Homicide victim former spy

by TV3 May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

3 News can tonight reveal that a man found dead in his Whanganui home was a spy with links to the KGB, and his work led to the expulsion of two Soviets.

Live Updates: Highlanders v Bulls

by TVNZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

Keep up with the action between the Highlanders and the Bulls from Forsyth Barr Stadium with our live updates.

Missing tramper found dead

by Voxy.co.nz May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

Today at about 11.30 Search and Rescue members from the Omarama Search and Rescue Team have located a deceased male believed to be aged in his 50′s in an area of Canyon Creek in the Ahuriri Valley near ‘Base Hut’.

As Facebook Debuts, Yahoo May Finally Have A Deal

by News Junkie May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

Stop me if you think that you've heard this before. No, not Facebook's IPO. Yahoo is about to unveil a deal to unwind its stake in China's Alibaba.

Comments may not crimp ACT cashflows

by Radio NZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

The ACT Party is not ruling out accepting further money from an Invercargill businessman, despite labelling his comments about Maori as offensive.

A stupid article

by kiwiblog.co.nz May 19, 2012 POLITICAL BLOGS

The Herald reports: Education Minister Hekia Parata is refusing to say how much top teachers will earn under a performance pay scheme or where the funding for extra pay will come from. How dare the Minister keep secret these key details of the performance pay scheme approved by the Government. Oh wait …. (Read more…)

Word of the day

by Homepaddock May 19, 2012 POLITICAL BLOGS

Eristic – given to or characterised by disputatious, often specious argument; pertaining to argument for its own sake; one given to or expert in dispute or argument; who engages in disputation; controversialist;  art or practice of disputation and polemics.

Motorola Mobility smartphones face US import ban (AFP)

by Yahoo May 19, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) – A US commission sided with Microsoft by moving to ban the import of Android-powered Motorola smartphones based on patent infringement complaints by the software colossus.

Fire at Auckland private school

by TV3 May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

A fire at a private girls’ school in Auckland attended by 12 fire appliances on Saturday is under control.

Vote against Maori ward disappoints Nelson mayor

by Radio NZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

Nelson ratepayers have overwhelmingly quashed a proposal that a Maori ward be established.

High stakes in Wembley final

by TVNZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

Hours before the Champions League final kicks off in Munich tomorrow, West Ham United and Blackpool contest a fixture at Wembley that will attract a larger attendance, no little hype and, as a one-off game, is more lucrative for the winner

Chris Ford: Scaring the Greeks

by Voxy.co.nz May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

 This week, Greece announced a new round of elections for June 17 following the failure of coalition negotiations. read more

76ers stun Celtics 92-83 in Game 4 to even series – Fox News

by News Junkie May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

CBC.ca76ers stun Celtics 92-83 in Game 4 to even seriesFox NewsPHILADELPHIA – Andre Iguodala snapped a tie game with five straight points in the final 90 seconds to help the Philadelphia 76ers storm back from 15 points down in the first half and stun the Boston Celtics 92-83 on Friday night in Game 4 of [...]

76ers fight back to tie Celtics

by TVNZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

The Philadelphia 76ers roared back from a 14-point deficit to start the game to defeat the Boston Celtics.

Yahoo in talks to sell 20% of Alibaba

by News Junkie May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

Yahoo is in talks to sell about 20 percent of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. for about $7 billion, a deal that would cut by half its stake in China's largest e-commerce provider, a person with knowledge of the matter said….

Iran, Syria among top for G-8 and NATO – The Associated Press

by News Junkie May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

The Associated PressIran, Syria among top for G-8 and NATOThe Associated PressBy ANNE GEARAN, AP – 1 minute ago CAMP DAVID, Md. (AP) — Leaders of the largest industrialized countries are displaying strong unity in pursuing both diplomacy and sanctions against the development of an Iranian nuclear bomb and found common ground in …G8 leaders [...]

‘Racist’ dictionary terms spark online petition

by TVNZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

A petition is calling for an online dictionary to remove posts referring to Maori as “thieves”.

Trevor goes undercover

by kiwiblog.co.nz May 19, 2012 POLITICAL BLOGS

Danya Levy at Stuff reports: Labour’s MP Trevor Mallard says he’ll be driving an unmarked car to avoid having papers served on him, as he and fellow MP Andrew Little laugh off defamation proceedings against them by ACC Minister Judith Collins. If they were really laughing about it, they’d be keen to have their day [...]

Chris Ford: A good week for redneck racists – Louis Crimp and Paul Henry

by Voxy.co.nz May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

 It’s been a good week for redneck racists in the form of, first, my old nemesis Paul Henry, and today ACT party donor and Invercargill’s biggest firebrand, Louis Crimp. read more

Fire at Diocesan School for Girls

by NZ Herald May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

Twelve fire trucks were sent to Diocesan School for Girls in Auckland this afternoon after a fire broke out in an air conditioning unit.Fire Services were called to the blaze, on the second storey of the four storey Centennial Building,…

Q&A with SpaceX founder and chief designer Elon Musk – Spaceflight Now

by News Junkie May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

Spaceflight NowQ&A with SpaceX founder and chief designer Elon MuskSpaceflight NowBY STEPHEN CLARK Spaceflight Now spoke with Elon Musk, the father of SpaceX and chief designer of the Falcon and Dragon vehicles, on the eve of his company's biggest test yet. Musk established SpaceX in 2002 to revolutionize space travel, aiming to cut …Florida Banking [...]

Western Australia introduces court for mentally ill

by Radio NZ May 19, 2012 NEWS MEDIA

Western Australia’s state government is set to introduce a specialist court to deal with offenders suffering from mental illness.