14 year-olds shown graphic violence by government agencies; Christchurch baby-snatching attempt foiled; dairy prices continue to tumble; is National preparing to privatise ACC? and more

• A quieter news day, after weeks of dramatic stories. The DominionPost leads with the story that the Broadcasting Standards Authority and Office of Film and Literature Classification have been showing footage if rape, sadism and domestic violence to children as young as 14, as part of research to guide their decision-making. Lobby group Family First disapproves, but Chief censor Bill Hastings says "the younger participants" had parental permission and much of the graphic violence "went over their heads".

• The Press says a woman will face a charge of kidnapping after yesterday posing as a hospital employee and trying to grab two newborn babies from St George's Hospital in Christchurch. The woman first tried saying she was taking the baby for blood tests and, when that failed tried a second room. It was there she was found by staff.

• International dairy prices continue to tumble, The Herald reports, saying that the ANZ Commodity Price Index has dairy down 12.2 percent for November and 42.7 percent from its peak a year ago. Fonterra says the world recession has hit demand. Beef, wool, and lumber also fell by more than 10 percent.

• The evacuation of more than 200 New Zealanders stranded in Bangkok is expected to begin today, with the Air Force's Hercules having arrived in Malaysia early this morning. Thai protesters have left Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport and flights would resume today, but the Herald reckons "the evacuation effort is to continue".

• The Supreme Court is considering whether lawyers should be allowed to vet jurors. A Christchurch drug offender is appealing against vetting procedures, with his lawyer arguing that jury selection should be random and impartial. Solicitor-General David Collins QC however has argued that the public would be horrified if a multiple sex-offender sat in judgment in a sex trial.

• Finally, the government is claiming the $1 billion hole in the ACC budget could signal a wider problem, with new minister Nick Smith saying "we are facing [cost] challenges across all the accounts". Labour says National is trying to create a sense of crisis around ACC to soften up the public for privatisation.