Morning Report for Thursday 29 August 2013

8:54 AM.Dunedin's St Clair beach community has vowed it will not be ignored again by the city council as it searches for a long-term solution to the area's failed sea wall. Audio

8:51 AM.Britain's High Commissioner to New Zealand says more British businesses could look at setting up outposts in this country, making the most of the difference in time zones. Audio

8:47 AM.A lobby group says there's mounting anecdotal evidence of Maori representing themselves in court because they can't afford a lawyer; The Wellington City Council has signed off on the transfer of… Read more Audio

8:44 AM.The US Army Major Nidal Hasan has been sentenced to death for the murder of 13 people four years ago. Audio

8:41 AM.The IT industry is both excited and relieved after Parliament last night agreed to effectively remove all software patents in New Zealand. Audio

8:38 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

8:32 AM.A brief update of movements in the financial sector. Audio

8:26 AM.Americans are today marking the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King's famous speech, delivered from the Lincoln Monument in Washington DC. Audio

8:23 AM.Despite mounting tension in the Middle East, commentators remain upbeat about trade prospects in the volatile region. Audio

8:20 AM.The international community is again at a stalemate over Syria, after the United Nations Security Council failed to reach agreement in New York this morning. Audio

8:15 AM.So what exactly was it they found in Fonterra's whey product, if it wasn't the botulism-causing strain? And just how could the testing have gone so wrong. Audio

8:10 AM.Nearly 200 tests have been conducted on Fonterra's whey product since the botulism scare broke early last month. Audio

7:57 AM.A snapshot into what Tauranga looked like in the 1860s has been revealed with the discovery of a cellar during demolition work in the city centre. Audio

7:53 AM.The leaders of Australia's two major parties have held their final debate of the election campaign in front of one hundred uncommitted voters at the Rooty Hill Returned Services League in Western… Read more Audio

7:52 AM.The Awards ceremony was not just about literary matters. Audio

7:48 AM.A gritty novel based on New Zealand gang culture has won the people's choice award at the country's book awards. Audio

7:44 AM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

7:40 AM.The Labour Party says the Government is responsible for the international scare over contaminated Fonterra products, describing it as a monumental cock-up. Audio

7:40 AM.Christchurch city councillors will decide today how to spend 127 million dollars restoring the city's landmark Town Hall. Audio

7:36 AM.More than 11,000 employers fired at least one worker in the first year of the Government's 90 day work rule becoming law. Audio

7:28 AM.Technology commentators say it's reasonable for New Zealand authorities to ask Facebook for users' personal information, where necessary, and it would be naive to think otherwise. Audio

7:25 AM.The Beijing bureau chief for the Financial Times Jamil Anderlini says it's going to be hard to reverse the damage. Audio

7:20 AM.The Fonterra contamination scare has been revealed as having more to do with a botchup than with botulism. Audio

7:15 AM.New Zealand has been among several countries receiving briefings in New York overnight as expectations increase that the US will lead a military strike against Syria. Audio

7:09 AM.With China and Russia remaining opposed to a strike on Syria, Britain has drafted a resolution calling on the United Nations Security Council to authorise "all necessary measures" to protect… Read more Audio

6:47 AM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:38 AM.The former arms inspector Hans Blix says US President Barack Obama would lose credibility if there is no action over the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Audio

6:27 AM.A lobby group says there's mounting anecdotal evidence of Maori representing themselves in court because they can't afford a lawyer; Businesses from a largely Maori community in the Bay of Plenty will… Read more Audio

6:22 AM.News from the rural and farming sector. Audio

6:18 AM.The latest from the Pacific region. Audio

6:14 AM.The mother of a teenager killed by a man on bail for her kidnapping has welcomed changes to bail laws and says she hopes it saves lives. Audio

6:13 AM.More than sixty-five people are dead and hundreds others injured after a series coordinated bomb attacks across the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. Audio

6:00 AM.Britain calls for Security Council support for a military strike against Syria, but Russia says no. More botchup than botulism, we examine why the testing was wrong and Facebook reveals how often… Read more Audio