The week that was: November 10-14

Stuff.co.nz

Stuff.co.nz takes a look at some of the stories that made the news this week.

Click to jump to National News, World News, Sport, Business News, Entertainment News, Stuff's Picks of the Week, Blogs.

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NATIONAL NEWS

Key wants quick handover
Prime Minister-elect John Key heads to Wellington for a whirlwind few days as he tries to fast-track the formation of a new government
http://www.stuff.co.nz/vote08/4756090a28477.html

Man flees from girlfriend's ex
An Auckland man drove for his life trying to escape from his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend who was chasing him, finally crashing into a police station in order to get help.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4756022a11.html

Goff: 'I was born into the Labour Party'
Phil Goff has been unanimously elected as the new leader of the Labour Party, with Annette King as his deputy and David Cunliffe in third spot as finance spokesman.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/vote08/4757618a28477.html

Working For Families overpayments costly
People overpaid on the Government's Working For Families programme are being asked to pay 14 percent interest on repayments, despite keeping the Inland Revenue informed of changes to their income.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4757255a11.html

Solemn remembrance for fallen
Dignitaries, war veterans, serving soldiers and school children turned out at Wellington's War Memorial to mark the anniversary of the end of World War One.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4757608a11.html

Man catches fire while helping mate
A Christchurch man was seriously burned when the sheep costume he was wearing caught fire during his OE in Ireland.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4758442a11.html

Flasher claimed he was raising cash to pay off prostitute
A flasher who knocked on a random woman's door and asked if he could "show her something," before dropping his trousers was trying to raise money to pay off a prostitute.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4758663a11.html

Man arrested after threatening to shoot school staff
A man was arrested after threatening to shoot two staff members at a school in Christchurch.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4758895a11.html

It's grim, says Key, but we still get tax cuts
Treasury officials have given a grim assessment of the economy, but John Key says it is not Armageddon and he will press on with tax cuts and spending promises.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/vote08/4758996a28435.html

Clint Rickards allowed to practise law
After "agonising" deliberation by the Law Society, former assistant police commissioner Clint Rickards has been cleared to practise law.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4759969a11.html

Man posed as truancy officer before attacking girl
Police have warned a well dressed man posing as a truancy officer could strike again after he lured a teenage girl into his car and sexually assaulted her.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4759665a11.html

Lion Man in row with mother over wildlife park
The man who gained world-wide fame through a television series about wild animals is no longer in control of the Zion Wildlife Gardens in Whangarei.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4759691a11.html

Maori Affairs 'on table' for deal
The Maori Affairs portfolio is understood to be one option on the table in negotiations between the Maori Party and National.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/vote08/4760324a28477.html

Melanoma vaccine to go on trial
Trials of a cutting-edge melanoma vaccine will begin in New Zealand next year as new research shows the country has the highest rate of the cancer in the world.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4760367a11.html

* Click here to take this week's national news quiz.

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WORLD NEWS

Obama makes historic White House visit
US President-elect Barack Obama has visited the White House for his first post-election meeting with President George W Bush, a strikingly symbolic moment in the transition of power.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4757224a12.html

Skydiver found dead in tree
The best friend of a Sydney man who died during a skydive on the NSW far south coast has told police a medical emergency must be the reason his mate's jump went wrong.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4756289a12.html

Child charged with father's murder
An eight-year-old Catholic schoolboy, who never caused any disruptions at school, is accused of shooting his father and another man.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4756444a12.html

Forget lions, Christians fight each other
Greek Orthodox and Armenian worshippers traded blows in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christian denominations jealously protect their hold over areas of the traditional site of Jesus'  crucifixion.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4756221a4560.html

US religious groups want Obama to ban torture
A coalition of more than 200 religious groups urged US President-elect Barack Obama to ban torture by any federal government entity once he takes office.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4759756a12.html

White tigers maul man to death
Three white tigers mauled a Malaysian man to death in Singapore's zoo after he jumped into their enclosure.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4760774a12.html

Iran test-fires new missile
Iran said it test-fired a new generation of surface-to-surface missile and that the Islamic Republic was ready to defend itself against any attacker.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4759661a12.html

Aussie travellers 'populate UK for cash'
Aussie backpackers are populating the UK by stealth, donating sperm to earn money to fund their travels.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4760744a4560.html

Fat prisoner released early
Canadian prison authorities were forced to release a 205kg drug gang member this week because he was too large for his cell.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4759728a4560.html

Italian man cleared to let daughter die
Italy's top court has authorised a father to remove the feeding tube which has kept his daughter alive for 16 years, the last legal hurdle in a right-to-die case that has split the country.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4760745a12.html

* Click here to take this week's world news quiz.

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SPORT

All Blacks battle past Scotland (+pics)
The new-look All Blacks mixed some brilliant attack and resolute defence to get the Grand Slam under way with a patchy but encouraging performance that was more than enough to see off Scotland at Murrayfield.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4755063a1823.html

American TV puts sexy Dan Carter in 11th heaven
His number is usually 10, but now Dan Carter is 11th on a list of the world's sexiest men.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4756646a1823.html

Benji blasts Brits over haka disrespect
Benji Marshall blasted the Poms for "disrespecting" the haka, Stephen Kearney was bemused by Tony Archer's refereeing but the health of Steve Matai was the main concern following the Kiwis' confidence building 36-24 World Cup defeat of England at EnergyAustralia Stadium last night.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4755061a1823.html

AB star's new baby battling heart condition
Mils Muliaina faces a massive test of his professionalism and mental toughness as his new baby son Max battles his heart condition back in New Zealand while the All Blacks fullback gets ready to tackle the Irish.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4759647a1823.html

Scotland the naïve
The chasm of difference in the levels of satisfaction said it all.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4755404a1823.html

Henry unleashes full fury on Irish
As statements go, this one is pretty emphatic - Ireland are going to be hit with a black sledgehammer on Sunday.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4757730a1823.html

All Blacks cop it in vitriolic Irish column
The All Blacks have been ''welcomed'' to Ireland as an unpopular team whose perennial World Cup failures puts a grin on the rugby world's face.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4757300a1823.html

Player's murder casts pall over ABs visit
Jonah Lomu will flick on Limerick's Christmas lights on Monday - but there will be little sense of festive spirit as the inhabitants of Ireland's notoriously violent city continue to mourn the gangland slaying of an amateur rugby player.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4758403a1823.html

Henry bemused by debate over scrums
Graham Henry greeted the accusation with a withering "Excuse me?"
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4755303a1823.html

Warriors salary cap breach angered Price
Warriors captain and Australian league star Steve Price has used a new book to reveal his anger over being innocently caught up in a second NRL salary cap saga when he joined the New Zealand franchise three years ago.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4757729a1823.html

* Click here to take the weekly sport quiz.

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BUSINESS NEWS

Rakon profit slumps
Shares in Rakon are being slammed, losing nearly a quarter of their value, after the technology exporter put out an interim profit that was well below market expectations.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4761050a13.html

Germany, China, US feel pain of global downturn
Three of the world's largest economies have painted bleak pictures of their current conditions as the United States, China and Germany all released data providing more evidence of the global economic slide.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4760784a6026.html

Goldman suspends GM rating
Goldman Sachs has suspended its rating on General Motors Corp and said the automaker needs at least US$22 billion (NZ$39.58b) in federal aid, while Chrysler said it would be "very difficult to survive" without government support.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4760780a6026.html

Manufacturing activity at record low
Activity in New Zealand's manufacturing sector declined to a record low in October, according to the Bank of New Zealand - Business NZ Performance of Manufacturing Index (PMI).
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4760006a13.html

LWR axes 60 staff in Christchurch
LWR International has followed through with plans to lay off 60 staff in Christchurch.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4759975a13.html

F&P Appliances posts interim loss
Whiteware maker Fisher & Paykel Appliances has posted a half-year loss of $7.3 million after one-off costs associated with relocating some of its manufacturing to Thailand and Mexico.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4759925a13.html

'Headwinds' will slow NZ to a crawl
The economy will be barely crawling next year, growing just under 1 percent, as New Zealand is hit by collapsing credit growth and falling commodity prices, Westpac Bank says.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4757763a13.html

Energy shakeup looms
The National government could raise billions of dollars by putting three state-owned power companies back together and partly privatising the result, according to energy sector sources.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4756597a13.html

Petrol cheapest for 14 months
Kiwis can look further afield for their holidays with another cut in the price of fuel taking a litre of petrol to its lowest point for the past year.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4756628a13.html

AIG gets US$150b govt bailout
The US government has raised its bailout package for AIG to a record US$150 billion with easier terms, after a smaller rescue plan failed to stabilize the ailing insurance giant.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4757226a6026.html

China to boost economy
China has approved a massive stimulus plan worth nearly US$600 billion through 2010 to boost domestic demand as part of a global push for measures to soften an expected recession in many countries.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4756002a6026.html

* Click here to take the weekly business quiz.

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ENTERTAINMENT

TVNZ reporter quits over Pink interview
Close Up journalist Hannah Hodson resigns after a controversial interview with pop star Pink.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4755999a5620.html

What the Kiwi gossip mags say
Brendan Pongia falls in love, Sonia Gray is expecting twins and Rod Cheeseman's quick baby delivery.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4756400a5620.html

Paris Hilton slams Kate Middleton
The celebrity socialite calls the Prince's girlfriend "mousy".
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4758505a1860.html

Pammie's kids teased about sex tape
The former Baywatch star's children are bullied over their parents' raunchy sex tape.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4756428a5620.html

High School Musical stars swamped in Sydney
Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron and Ashley Tisdale get mobbed by fans at the premiere of HSM 3.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4757603a1860.html

'I could be bisexual but I'm not a lesbian'
Lindsay Lohan denies being a lesbian but claims there is a possibility she is bisexual.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4757491a1860.html

Ange is 'really uncool' – Jen
Jennifer Aniston speaks out about comments made about the origins of her relationship with her ex-hubby, Brad Pitt.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4758823a1860.html

Meet the world's best bottoms (+pics)
The best derrieres on the planet are unveiled in Paris.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4759749a1860.html

Housewives star in balcony plunge
Jesse Metcalfe is in a wheelchair after falling 12 metres from a balcony in Monaco.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4759797a1860.html

Kings of Leon announce NZ tour
The acclaimed rock act will perform three dates in March on the back of new album, Only by the Night.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4760809a1860.html

I didn't quit, Survivor star says
Survivor victim Danny "GC" Brown says he didn't quit the reality show – but admits he was ready to go home.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4760073a1860.html

* Click here to take the weekly entertainment quiz.

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STUFF'S PICKS OF THE WEEK 

Invercargill mulls electing a sheriff
Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt has been in talks with independent security advisers as he explores the possibility of a sheriff and marshalls patrolling the city streets.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4760369a11.html

'Nonsensical rubbish' in NZ drove Prince Charles batty
The stresses of touring New Zealand in 1981 - shortly before his wedding to Lady Diana Spencer - weighed heavily on England's future King, it has been revealed.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4760142a11.html

Kite surfer's orca encounter
A kite surfer’s chance encounter with a pod of orca whales has been caught on camera.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4757556a11.html

Number of Kiwis closing in on 5 million
The total number of New Zealanders worldwide has surged closer to five million, but overcrowding shouldn't be an issue as an estimated 600,000 live overseas.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4758983a11.html

Old is the new new
Friendly to the environment and easy on the pocket, vintage clothing has never been more popular.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4759798a19716.html

New Zealanders living longer
Life expectancy of New Zealanders is continuing to rise, according to new figures from Statistics New Zealand figures.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4756285a11.html

Net addiction declared disorder
Do you spend more than six hours a day on the internet, suffer withdrawal symptoms if your server crashes and obsessively check your email? You could have internet addiction disorder.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4757839a28.html

Vets warn of fat pets risk
Owners of pets risk killing them with kindness as a human obesity and diabetes epidemic is being mirrored among animals, vets say.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4757835a26642.html

Study finds music is heart-lifting
Songs that make our hearts soar can make them stronger too, US researchers have reported.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4758596a19716.html

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BLOGS

Eating media lunch
A few weeks ago political blogger Colin Espiner said he’d print out and eat his blog if the Maori Party signed up with National. Now Colin’s seeking preparation tips and recipes for the meal ahead…
http://www.stuff.co.nz//blogs/politics/2008/11/13/eating-media-lunch/

Detox and retox
Lane Nichols tried to renounce alcohol for a month, but lasted only five and a half days. Readers (many of them) gave him hell.
http://www.stuff.co.nz//blogs/lostboys/2008/11/12/when-detox-becomes-retox/

DickSmith-a-phobia
Moata Tamaira says she’s a bit of a mong when it comes to technology, so shopping for gadgets is a pain. Then there’s the whole customer service issue…
http://www.stuff.co.nz//blogs/blogidle/2008/11/10/dicksmith-a-phobia/

Goo times
Gerard Campbell discovers an ingenious and enchanting new computer game, The Word of Goo.
http://www.stuff.co.nz//blogs/gamejunkie/2008/11/11/the-world-of-goo/

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