The reign in Spain: 15 straight victories Jun 21, 2009
Iraq (0-1-2) was third with two points following a 0-0 tie with New Zealand (0-2-1). Semifinal matchups will be set today as Group B wraps up with the United States (0-2) playing Egypt (1-1) and Brazil (2-0) facing Italy (1-1). (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Afghanistan's first national park waits for tourists Jun 20, 2009
The good news is that New Zealand has dedicated money to tourism projects here, and the road linking Kabul to Bamiyan and Band-e-Amir is finally being fixed, widened, and paved. Frustration over the road's neglect erupted last year in a protest. (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
* World News Quick Take Jun 20, 2009
NEW ZEALAND Policy change on A(H1N1). Authorities abandoned their battle to contain the swine flu virus yesterday as officials said widespread transmission of the infection meant there were likely more than 1,000 cases nationwide. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
China 'unfairly seen as eco-villain' Jun 19, 2009
Mark, Auckland New Zealand ... Gavin, Auckland, New Zealand ... Michael, Timaru, New Zealand. (BBC News -- Science)
Australia and South Pacific trips on sale Jun 17, 2009
Explore Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, New Zealand and more, from $998 ... Our trusted sponsor, Down Under Answers, has put together four affordable packages to Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, and the Cook Islands featuring savings of more than 50 percent off ... This Sydney bargain vacation includes round-trip airfare from Los Angeles via Air New Zealand, airport transfers, a full-day Sydney sightseeing tour, and four nights accommodations. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Swine flu, fear spread aboard cruise ship Jun 16, 2009
In Sydney, a New Zealand couple who caught swine flu on the previous cruise were evicted from a hotel after their infections were confirmed. Health authorities had told passengers from outside Sydney to isolate themselves in hotels for a week rather than travel home and risk infecting others. (MSNBC -- Travel)
UN may not certify result of East Timor vote Jun 16, 2009
More than 1600 UN police from 41 countries, 3000 Timorese police and 1150 Australian and New Zealand soldiers had been deployed to protect voters as polling stations prepared to open at 7am today. If one candidate does not win 51 per cent of the vote, the two candidates with the highest tallies will contest a run-off election in one month. (Yahoo News -- East Timor)
Travel apps may not be worth the download Jun 16, 2009
But the selection is only as good as the local SitOrSquat community; pickings are slim if you stray from big cities in Europe, the U.S., New Zealand and Australia. A quirk: Many of the restrooms are at Starbucks and really, how difficult is it to find a Starbucks. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Goals galore and controversy as Brazil, Italy triumph Jun 16, 2009
Tuesday is the first rest day at the two-week tournament and when the action resumes the following afternoon, title favourites Spain face Iraq in Bloemfontein before South Africa meet New Zealand in Rustenburg. AFP. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Pakistan, Windies reach semis as England lose out Jun 16, 2009
The final last-four place will be decided on Tuesday when Sri Lanka tackle New Zealand at Trent Bridge. AFP. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
JP keen on fullback Jun 6, 2009
"I started my career at fullback for the Sharks and the Springboks. "I last played at fullback in 2007 against New Zealand at Christchurch. It's not my decision where I will play but if the coach puts me there, I'm confident I could do there. (iAfrica.com)
Andrew Symonds faces the music Jun 6, 2009
Symonds was sent home from England on Friday allegedly after the Australian team's senior players discovered he had left the team hotel after a World Series 20/20 game against New Zealand for a drinking session. The 33-year-old this morning appeared quiet and relaxed after his flight, arriving in combat fatigue shorts and a sleeveless vest, but would not answer questions about why he was sent home. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Symonds just a fish out of water Jun 6, 2009
First, he disappeared from the team hotel in Regents Park without telling anyone after Australia's warm-up game against New Zealand on Tuesday night and embarked on a drinking session. Under the personal conditions on his behaviour, the basis on which he was cleared for selection by CA, a few drinks in the bar of the team hotel were acceptable but he was not permitted to drink in public, an undertaking he made after an altercation in a Brisbane pub last November. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Guilty plea to shootings and kidnap of drug dealer Jun 5, 2009
He also pleaded guilty to the shooting of a New Zealand man at a Haymarket bar in 2002, which police believe was a case of mistaken identity. He has also admitted he had instead conspired to murder the president of a motorcycle gang who was drinking at the same bar that night. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Symonds sent home for booze breach Jun 5, 2009
The all-rounder returned to the team hotel after a warm-up match against New Zealand on Tuesday, but left without telling colleagues to embark on a long drinking session. It is a rule that team management and security be notified every time a player leaves camp, which constituted a breach. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Symonds sent home in disgrace Jun 5, 2009
Symonds was previously stood down from the national team for taking a fishing trip instead of attending a team meeting in Darwin last year and again for making disparaging and incomprehensible comments about New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum in a radio interview in February. He was cleared to represent Australia against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates but it was explained to Symonds that it was his last chance. (The Age, Australia -- Opinion)
Kansas City is the place for cheap family fun Jun 3, 2009
Plenty of restaurants seem designed with kids in mind like where the burgers are delivered via "train track" that curves around the restaurant or first opened in 1957 and now boasting an extensive menu, including everything from ribs and chicken to New Zealand rack of lamb, shrimp and steaks. Kids are bound to like the "Cheesy Corn Bake" and triple chocolate brownie. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Obituaries for Wednesday, June 3, 2009 Jun 3, 2009
She was a founding member of the Hill Garden Club established in 1970; Millards Prairie HCE (Homemakers Club) for 45 years; Elroy Woman s Club for 56 years; Elroy United Methodist Church for 75 years, many church committees, Sunday school teacher and superintendent and the women s group, along with her sister, planning and serving funeral lunches the past 50 years; the Elroy Library Board; Girl Scout Leader; and as a 4-H Leader, along with serving as a host family from a student from New... (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Lalit Modi dismisses talk of T20 'overkill' Jun 2, 2009
Modi, speaking at a hotel near Lord's - where India were playing New Zealand in a warm-up match for the International Cricket Council World Twenty20 - said the recent IPL in South Africa had drawn new audiences into the game. "We've just finished a study in South Africa that showed 70 percent of the people who watched the IPL this year had never watched any form of cricket before," Modi said. (India Times, India)
Anger at hotel leap case secrecy Jun 2, 2009
Page last updated at 03:14 GMT, Tuesday, 2 June 2009 04:14 UK. John Hogan was cleared of murder by a Greek court. (BBC News -- UK)
Mumbai: A Pakistan militant link? Jun 2, 2009
New Zealand 'Pumpkin' trial opens. Oldest pottery' found in China. (BBC News -- South Asia)
* Taiwan faces talent shortage: survey May 29, 2009
About 62 percent of Taiwanese employers said it was difficult to find people to fill job vacancies, followed by Japan (55 percent), Australia (49 percent) and New Zealand (39 percent), the Milwaukee-based employment services provider said in a statement yesterday. In comparison, only 15 percent of employers in China and 20 percent of their Indian peers said they felt talent shortage was a big headache, Manpowers 2009 Talent Shortage Survey said. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
Chiefs find Springboks in their beds May 26, 2009
"It's been a long day given that we were up at 3am New Zealand time. But it's gone well, the guys have slept well on the planes and the next couple of days we just have to catch up.". Further sleep followed by a morning training session were on their immediate schedule. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
* Sports Briefs May 25, 2009
Thor Hushovd of Norway, riding for the Cervelo team, won the sixth stage by edging Fabio Sabatini of Italy and Greg Henderson of New Zealand in the final sprint of the 150. 5km leg between Torredembarra and Barcelona. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Cannes crowds await jury's pick for best of fest May 24, 2009
AP FILE - In this May 15, 2009 file photo, New Zealand director Jane Campion poses during a photo call for. By DAVID GERMAIN, AP Movie Writer David Germain, Ap Movie Writer. (Yahoo News)
Reporters have become the moral guardians of football codes May 23, 2009
Brian Doyle, a criminal barrister and former president of the Australia and New Zealand Sports Law Association, says, "In normal circumstances, unless you are mates with the copper, he will not give you the information, nor should he give you the information. "They are not obliged to tell a journalist anything about an investigation. The journalist is not a party to the information. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
New Zealand hails Rings heroes May 22, 2009
Director Peter Jackson enjoyed a celebratory homecoming after his Oscar triumph with a civic ceremony in his hometown of Wellington, New Zealand ... The films have had a huge effect on New Zealand's tourism trade, according to figures released earlier this month ... New Zealand's tourism market has grown by 8% to more than 2. (Yahoo News -- Lord of the Rings)
Coming today: the wide-screen, touch-controlled iPod? May 22, 2009
steve p, Christchurch, New Zealand. Try Amazon USA. (Yahoo News -- Apple Computer)
New Zealand: A Kiwi odyssey May 22, 2009
But when the almost-magical vales and hills of New Zealand beckon, nothing seems too much to overcome in order to get there. So, all aglow with eager anticipation, I set off for my odyssey. (India Times)
LIVE FROM ... BLOG May 21, 2009
The New Zealand filmmaker took many years off to raise her daughter, and only made three feature films since then -- none with the same acclaim. She picked a tough topic for her latest, a stiff-upper-lip romance about British poet John Keats and the woman who inspired him. (USA Today -- Life)
Police Say Man Used Horse Tranquilizers To Sleep May 21, 2009
Bank Error In Their Favor: New Zealand Couple Receives Millions, Withdraws Cash And Disappears. . (CBS News)
Johns' teammate told of group sex May 20, 2009
"Two months ago, after we had begun researching a story on rugby league, one of the members of the tour to New Zealand told Four Corners about the events in Christchurch," the statement said ... The investigation into the sex scandal involving Matthew Johns his job will not be reopened, New Zealand police say. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
Scientists: Warming may not doom Maldives May 18, 2009
"The outlook for the Maldives is not all doom and gloom," said Paul Kench of the University of Auckland in New Zealand ... His research - published together with other scientists from Australia, New Zealand and the Maldives - shows some islands have rebuilt themselves as much as 1. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Calls for cheerleaders to be banned from league May 17, 2009
She was speaking as pressure grew for Cronulla Sharks players to come forward and admit they were in the New Zealand motel room with Matthew Johns during a group sex session with a 19-year-old waitress seven years ago. "I don't believe cheerleaders are beneficial to rugby league. They just propagate that type of behaviour," said Ms Markson, chief executive of Mark Communications. (The Age, Australia)
Castle Resorts reports Q1 loss May 16, 2009
The Honolulu-based Castle Group manages hotel and resort condominiums in Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, Thailand and New Zealand. Castle Group also announced new resort rental management contracts for four Hawaii properties: the Molokai Shores on Molokai, and the Pali Ke Kua, Puu Poa and Hale Moi Cottages in Princeville, Kauai. (Pacific Business News, HI)
Infotainment May 16, 2009
Air New Zealand said Friday it will offer a lonelyhearts trip for US singles to New Zealand in what it is billing as the worlds matchmaking flight. American singles are being offered the chance to fly from Los Angeles in October to get amongst it with New Zealanders at the Great Matchmaking. (Daily Times, Pakistan)
The Cannes death rattle May 16, 2009
New Zealand director Jane Campion, Australian actress Abbie Cornish and British actor Ben Whishaw during a photocall for the film 'Bright Star' during the 62nd International film festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, May 15, 2009 ... Some of the most seasoned champions of art cinema are here: New Zealander Jane Campion, 55, Danish director Lars von Trier, 53 and British filmmaker Ken Loach, 72, as well as Austrian director Michael Haneke, 67, and Spanish director Pedro Almod. (Salon)
The Strand - Huntington Beach's Latest Ocean Front Destination with Shopping, Dining and Boutique Hotel - Celebrates Grand Opening May 16 May 16, 2009
3:00 p.m. Ice cream eating contest at New Zealand Natural ... In addition to Shorebreak, The Strand features a collection of shops and restaurants that appeal to locals and visitors with Ra Sushi, Forever 21, Active Ride, Rip Curl, Merrilees Swimwear, New Zealand Natural Ice Cream, CVS Pharmacy and an eclectic array of cart retailers. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Times and attitudes changed, but Herald 's stance never wavered May 16, 2009
Instead, Cronulla officials at the time congratulated themselves on managing to keep the details from the media - including the fact that three players had admitted to New Zealand detectives to having sex with the 19-year-old woman, who alleged she had been sexually assaulted ... The fact the incident occurred in NSW and involved the Bulldogs, the club exposed by the Herald in 2002 for cheating the salary cap and the subject of allegations after two consecutive pre-season matches in Coffs... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Woman bragged next day: co-worker May 15, 2009
"All accounts obtained were analysed and cross referenced with all other persons spoken to in New Zealand as part of the investigation."Police are satisfied that no evidence was established that would support criminal charges being laid against any person. The female complainant was fully advised at the time of the outcome of the inquiry and accepted this. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
'No need' for other Sharks to go public May 15, 2009
Players involved in the group sex scandal involving Matthew Johns should not feel obligated to come forward, according to Preston Campbell, a member of the 2002 Cronulla NRL tour squad to New Zealand ... Owner of the Racecourse Hotel in 2002, John Butterfield, told Channel Seven on Friday the woman had boasted of having sex with two New Zealand rugby players the night before the Cronulla incident. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
I'm guilty of stupidity: Johns May 14, 2009
"The fact is, whatever the arguments about the details of the New Zealand incident involving Cronulla players in 2002, the conduct and its aftermath was simply unacceptable, full stop," Mr Gyngell said. SPONSORED LINKS. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Sex scandal case closed: NZ police May 14, 2009
The investigation into the sex scandal that cost disgraced rugby league personality Matthew Johns his job will not be reopened, New Zealand police say ... At the time, New Zealand police investigated the woman's claims that the sex was non-consensual, but the investigation cleared all players of wrongdoing. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Sydney delights: Eat up, down under May 14, 2009
Waiwera that comes from New Zealand. San Benedetto from the Veneto aquifer in France. (India Times)
Former Aussie rugby player gets the sack for sex romp May 14, 2009
Former Cronulla Sharks player Matthew Johns was sacked by the Nine Network after details of his part in a 2002 New Zealand sex romp became public. Whatever the arguments about the details of the New Zealand incident involving Cronulla players in 2002, the conduct and its aftermath was simply unacceptable, full stop, Nine Network chief executive David Gyngell said in a statement ... In the programme screened by the ABC, a New Zealand woman told how six Cronulla players had sex with her in a hotel... (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Cricketers get skin cancer tests May 14, 2009
"A lot of the guys spend time in Australia and New Zealand - diseases are rife out there," he said ... New Zealand fugitive finds infamy. (BBC News -- UK)
Catch it, win it May 14, 2009
Already cases have been confirmed in 30 countries, from Mexico to New Zealand, Canada to Thailand, Germany to the UK. ... New Zealand fugitive finds infamy. (BBC News -- UK)
Career clouded, Johns jets in to front Channel Nine bosses May 13, 2009
Sources say Gyngell, who is a long-time supporter of Johns's media career, would most likely offer the commentator his qualified support but would expect Johns to present a "more complete" response to the scandal arising from his involvement in a group sex incident in New Zealand in 2002. The meeting, at Nine's Willoughby headquarters, will be attended by Johns, his manager, John Fordham, Gyngell and senior executives from Channel Nine. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Our game apologises unreservedly: Gallop May 12, 2009
" Newcastle prop Dane Tilse was sacked by the club after allegations against him in 2006 and was deregistered by the NRL until the following season, when he signed with Canberra. The incident in a Bathurst dormitory that led to his sacking also featured prominently on the program, along with the Sharks case in 2002. Former halfback Brett Firman was accused by Four Corners of having had sex with same woman as Johns in a Christchurch hotel room in which she alleged 10 other Cronulla players and... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
The Strand in Huntington Beach Celebrates Grand Opening with Live Music, Contests and More on Saturday, May 16 May 12, 2009
Just steps from the pier, the collection of shops and eateries at The Strand include Ra Sushi, Forever 21, Active Ride Shop, Rip Curl, Merrilees Swimwear, CVS Pharmacy, New Zealand Natural Ice Cream, the new Zimzala Restaurant at Shorebreak, Johnny Rockets opening later in May and Angl opening in June ... 3:00 p.m. Ice cream eating contest at New Zealand Natural. (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Exhausted Dragons burnt by poor scheduling May 11, 2009
Less than 24 hours before the match at Dairy Farmers Stadium, props Michael Weyman and Justin Poore, five-eighth Jamie Soward, second-rower Ben Creagh and centre Beau Scott were walking from Wade Park in Orange after playing for Country, while Darius Boyd was celebrating and Jason Nightingale commiserating following Australia's Test win over New Zealand in Brisbane. Creagh (ankle) and Scott (elbow) were unable to back up against the Cowboys, and joined lock Jeremy Smith (ankle) on the sideline... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
League in lockdown May 10, 2009
Even before the program has screened, popular league figure Matthew Johns used his presenter's position on Channel Nine's Footy Show to express remorse for having group sex with a 19-year-old kitchen hand in New Zealand seven years ago ... New Zealand police investigated the incident at the time and did not lay charges ... AFTER overcoming an ankle injury to star in Australia's crushing Test win over world champions New Zealand, Kangaroos fullback Billy Slater last night revealed he had feared... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
A league of her own May 10, 2009
" It probably helped that she became a new fanof the Rabbitohs and loves New Zealand and Australia. "I just got back from New Zealand, which was a dream of mine," she says. "I've been wanting to go there for a really long time for a holiday. I have a friend there and rode a bike around a mountain and did some kayaking. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Wash. Man Is Third U.S. H1N1 Death May 10, 2009
New Zealand - the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to confirm cases - reported two more on Saturday for a total of seven. The two high school students returned last month from a school trip to Mexico. (CBS News)
Amsterdam, Egypt,Las Vegas and more May 9, 2009
comBreathtaking and unique, New Zealand is the perfect travel destination. . (MSNBC -- Travel)
'I'm not dirty': Johns woman May 9, 2009
NEW ZEALAND police have ruled out a new investigation into alleged sexual misconduct by Matthew Johns and members of the Cronulla Sharks ... AUSTRALIAN players played down suggestions that last night's crushing win over New Zealand had avenged their loss in the World Cup. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
* World News Quick Take May 9, 2009
Asked by Television New Zealand to confirm his death, Police Superintendent Sam Hoyle said: Jan is still at the address X we cant confirm his status right now. Two other policemen and a civilian, who reportedly tried to wrest a rifle away from Molenaar when he fired at them, remained in a critical condition in hospital with gunshot wounds. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
How one punter has almost dodged the multi minefield May 8, 2009
Centrebet's Neil Evans says punters are all over Australia to win tonight's rugby league Test against New Zealand in Brisbane ... "New Zealand may be the World Cup champions, but they have drifted from $3.50 out to $4.". (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
TV tunes to trans-Tasman option May 8, 2009
IF AUSTRALIA and New Zealand tell South Africa to shove super rugby and go it alone with a trans-Tasman tournament from 2011, it will not be a financial disaster ... However R&M has been told Australia and New Zealand officials recently received encouraging news from local broadcast advisers that if the trans-Tasman tournament goes ahead, they would not receive less broadcasting money ... The New Zealand Herald a few days ago said if the Waratahs made the play-offs they would be the worst team... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Matthew Johns responds to sex allegation May 7, 2009
Several Sharks players were investigated for sexual assault and cleared by police during an away trip to New Zealand in 2002 ... After interviewing all 30 players and 12 officials who made the trip across the Tasman, New Zealand police decided not to lay any charges. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Concert to raise money for baby May 7, 2009
The band is very popular in New Zealand and has a hit song in Israel, he said. An overseas tour may be in the works, but all of the members of the band have full-time jobs that make the journey difficult. (Yuma Daily Sun, AZ)
The joke aporkalypse: tasteless or in good fun? May 6, 2009
Sniffed one online reader of a story on flu jokes in a New Zealand newspaper: "Great jokes, Kiwis, really funny people, when hundreds are dead and thousands infected, including your own countrymen. Maybe a Mobidly-FunnyJoke-Flu will affect your silly little country.". For his part, Dr. Lee does not recall any black humour during the SARS outbreak in Toronto in 2003. (Globe and Mail)
Roos' fears on ice as Slater limps off field May 6, 2009
" Boyd is expected to be given the green light to play today, while concerns about interchange prop Luke Bailey's injured knee also appears to have eased after he took part in the session. The Kiwis, meanwhile, are unlikely to confirm the composition of their side until just before kick-off. Aside from hooker Issac Luke's judiciary appearance in Sydney tonight, skipper Benji Marshall and lock Jeremy Smith are yet to prove their fitness. Marshall (corked thigh) and Smith (ankle) again took little... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Swine Flu Outbreak Not a Pandemic at This Point May 5, 2009
" But, he added, agencies across the U.S. government are preparing for the worst, according to the AP. In a strange twist on Saturday, swine flu was discovered for the first time during this outbreak in pigs. WHO officials reported on the organization's Web site that the virus had been detected in sick pigs on a farm in Alberta, Canada. Until now, it was not known whether the virus could infect pigs, even though its genetic makeup clearly points to pigs as the source of the pathogen. However, in... (MEDLINEplus)
Season of tragedy ending at Sierra ski community May 4, 2009
AP Photo - FILE - In this undated file photo provided by Red Bull, Shane McConkey is photographed in Milford Sound, New Zealand. Extreme skier Shane McConkey of Squaw Valley died in March 2009 while jumping off a cliff with a parachute in Italy. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
