Two a penny

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A mother accused of failing to provide the necessaries of life for her 11-week old daughter was suffering from post-natal depression, her doctor told an Auckland today.

Tahani Mahomed was admitted to hospital with severe head injuries on December 28, 2007. She died on New Year’s Day. The Crown alleges he broke her leg by apparently twisting it violently and inflicted head injuries that caused brain damage.

Her father, Azees Mahomed, 31, is accused in the High Court at Auckland of murder and two counts of resulting in his baby grievous bodily harm.

The South African-born couple had not been able to explain to police how Tahani received her injuries.

He and his wife Tabbasum, 26, are also charged with failing to provide the necessaries of life.

Crown prosecutor Phil Hamlin said the baby’s head had been forced violently against a hard, “unforgiving” surface.

She was a new immigrant without any family support, living in poor housing, with two children under two-years-old, he told the court.

The family doctor, Mushfiq Ahmad, said there were many factors which were likely to have contributed to Tabassum Mohamed having post-natal depression. She was having to study to keep her visa and keep up with her duties at home.

He wrote her a medical certificate because she was over-burdened and appeared not to be coping.

Dr Ahmad said he received an emergency phone call from her at 5. She also missed paediatric appointments.56am on December 28, 2007.56am on December 28, 2007.

He agreed that was the case.

Paul Borich, defending Tabassum Mahomed, asked Dr Ahmad if she sounded very concerned and worried about Tahani’s condition.

“Are you sure you expressed the urgency to Mrs Mahomed about getting to a doctor straight away?” Mr Borich asked.

He said because the child was non-responsive, she should have gone to a doctor straight away.

Nurse Lesley Kazula was working at Middlemore Hospital when Tahani was admitted. .

Ms Kazula said Tahani was semi-conscious, with her eyes partly open and her hands clenched.

She said Mrs Mahomed told her that her baby wasn’t eating.

When she asked Mrs Mahomed if Tahani had looked like this before, she said “when she gets a fright”.

“She looked quite underweight and seemed unwell and thin,” Ms Kazula said.

Paediatrician David Montgomery also saw Tahani that night at Middlemore Hospital.

Paediatrician David Montgomery also saw Tahani that night at Middlemore Hospital.

He told the court she was receiving oxygen through a mask, with additional breaths administered by staff.

“The child was extremely lethargic and not responding normally. “She was having periods of becoming very stiff, extending her arms and legs and scissoring them over each other.

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The New Zealand dollar may nudge 72 US cents this week, a level it last reached in August 2008, as a glut of domestic data helps underpin investor sentiment for the currency.

The kiwi could shed its gains if G-20 leaders hint at unwinding massive stimulus measures at their meeting this week.S.

Four of eight economists and strategists in a BusinessWire survey say the kiwi dollar will extend its gains for an eleventh straight week, though they suspect 72 U.

Two predict it may hold above 70 cents, while two forecast it will ease this week. cents may be a stretch too far.1 percent in the three months ended June 30, according to the Reserve Bank, and probably climbed out of recession this quarter. New Zealand’s economy contracted 0. .

The current account deficit shrank to 7.

“Local data developments will be important in dictating sentiment for the week,” said Mike Jones, strategist at Bank of New Zealand.5 percent the previous quarter.S. “We’re expecting the market to take the kiwi higher while U.”

Jones expects the currency “will have a go at 72 U. dollar sentiment remains negative and risk appetite continues. cents in the close to-term,” but should move back towards 68 cents over the next few weeks.S.78 cents today from 71.

The currency slipped to 70.

Still, the greenback may extend its gains from a 12-month low if policy makers talk up the possibility of unwinding extraordinary stimulus measures they imposed in the face of the global financial meltdown last year.08 cents on Friday in New York.

If policy makers indicate they will rein in extraordinary stimulus measures, investors’ appetite for higher yielding, or riskier, assets may wane. Leaders of the Group of 20 nations meet in Pittsburgh this week.S.S., and while it isn’t expected to shift rates, traders will be examining for any sign of plans to unwind its asset purchasing programme.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke gave an upbeat assessment of the state of the world’s largest economy last week, saying it’s probably out of recession.

Imre Speizer, markets strategist at Westpac Banking Corp., said the Fed isn’t going to raise rates but may comment on some of its quantitative easing programmes.

“Any more hints for exiting than it made last time could see the U.S. dollar rise,” he said. Still, Speizer said the kiwi dollar will probably gain against the greenback this week on the back of domestic data.

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Prime Minister John Key leaves today for a politically high-octane week in New York meeting US President Barack Obama, world leaders, the head of the United Nations and appearing on a TV show watched by more than three million people.

Mr Key will be front and centre on the international stage, with a one-on-one meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and a speech to the General Assembly, but most interest will focus on an opportunity to meet United States President Barack Obama.

The pair have talked by phone but the chance to chat and shake hands at a function the President is hosting will be the first meeting.

“That I think it is improving and that’s a positive sign I think for both countries.

“I will reaffirm to him to him that we are very pleased with the way the relationship is going,” Mr Key told .

Mr Key’s week kicks off with a UN event on climate change hosted by Mr Ban as he tries to galvanise political will to make serious commitments so a meeting in Copenhagen in December can progress.”

If he has the chance he will remind Mr Obama of the importance of a trade agreement and the outlook in Afghanistan, where New Zealand has troops.

He has also been invited to attend a Clinton Global Initiative event which Mr Obama and former president Bill Clinton will attend followed by a meeting..

“It’s an economic focus. ..

“But it will be interesting to see what ideas are presented.

“I think we get a sense that around the world confidence is emerging albeit that it’s on a very fragile base. In particular what the attitude is towards trade, and potentially resolution towards (the Doha trade round). In particular what the attitude is towards trade, and potentially resolution towards (the Doha trade round).

“It’s been quite useful because he’s tended to give an Australasian perspective, and also a debrief after the meeting so he’s been a good friend in that regard.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is attending that meeting, and will have a quick talk with Mr Key beforehand.

In his address to the General Assembly at the end of the week Mr Key would focus on New Zealand’s continued commitment to the UN, multi-lateral diplomacy, and climate change.”

New Zealand would urge progress on the Doha round of trade talks and progress on climate change.

“I think this is a great area where New Zealand can punch above its weight.

Mr Key will also attend a UN Security Council meeting on disarmament and non-proliferation, chaired by President Obama.”

. We’ve been a leader in being a non-nuclear country and it’s an area President Obama raised with me

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A prospective house buyer who had a heart attack is recovering in hospital today after a cardiologist who was a fellow bidder at an auction saved his life.

When bidding resumed after the drama at Barfoot and Thompson’s auction room in central Auckland on Wednesday, the doctor finished up with the Epsom property.

He said the heart patient had stopped bidding by the time he had the attack, while the cardiologist was one of two parties still active in the auction.

Managing director Peter Thompson said today that the incident repaid the company’s decision to buy a defibrillator for the auction room in Kitchener St two years ago.

“The patient had stopped breathing and the company defibrillator brought him back to life.

“Our auction team quickly got into action and straight away the cardiologist in his role came and took over,” he said.

“The auction recommenced and the cardiologist, who was the underbidder, ended up getting the property.”

An ambulance was called and Mr Thompson said the whole incident took about 20 minutes.

Mr Thompson said the company made the decision to buy a defibrillator because the auction room was a public domain with large crowds. .

“We never expected to use it,” he said.

It also had the same device in its training room. But when you look at it now, it has certainly paid for itself many times over.

“At the time we looked at the cost and thought, `Ooh’.”

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New Zealand’s Scott Dixon has been beaten into second in the closest finish in IndyCars history in Chicago today.

Dixon finished second by only 0. Graham Rahal finished fifth.0077 seconds, followed by Mario Moraes and another championship contender, Dario Franchitti – keeping the series title fight tight going into the final two races of the season.

It was the fourth-closest finish in series history.

Briscoe’s Penske Racing team-mate, Helio Castroneves, appeared to break a suspension part and hit the wall with 16 laps to go.

With his third victory of the season, Briscoe leads Franchitti by 25 points and Dixon by 33 points going into the final two races. Three of the series’ four closest finishes have come at Chicagoland. Briscoe said extending his lead slightly won’t change his strategy in the final two races.

That’s not much of a lead – but it’s more comfortable than the five-point cushion Briscoe had in the standings coming into Saturday. “We’ve seen how quickly that can turn around.

“No different, really,” Briscoe said.

“Pretty simple – we didn’t have enough speed,” Dixon said.”

Dixon was unhappy that his Chip Ganassi Racing car didn’t seem to be a match for Briscoe’s Penske car. According to series officials, X-rays on Castroneves’ right ankle were negative and he was released from the infield medical centre.

Castroneves, who came intothe race fourth in the points, was eliminated from title contention after his crash. Danica Patrick finished 12th.

Graham Rahal rounded out the top five. Mutoh was able to climb out of the car on his own.

The race was fast and caution-free until close toly the halfway point, when Andretti Green Racing driver Hideki Mutoh lost control of his car and hit the wall hard on lap 92.

Briscoe had a slightly slower stop than the rest of the leaders – apparently misjudging his marks while coming to a stop – and came out in eighth place for the restart.

All the leaders pitted on lap 96, putting the leaders close to making it to the end of the race with only one more stop. . Briscoe struggled in traffic during the middle portion of the race and fell out of the top 10 at one point.

Briscoe and Dixon pitted soon after, and Dixon took the lead back after all the leaders cycled through the pits.

Briscoe and Dixon pitted soon after, and Dixon took the lead back after all the leaders cycled through the pits.

After Castroneves’ crash, Dixon led the field to a restart with nine laps to go.

But Briscoe pulled alongside Dixon as they took the white flag signaling one lap to go, and raced him side-by-side for the remainder of the final lap before inching past him as they came to the finish line.

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Politicians are being asked for their opinions on cancelling travelling entitlements for MPs convicted of crimes.

Speaker Lockwood Smith proposed changes after former MP Taito Phillip Field was this month found guilty of 11 charges of bribery and corruption as an MP, and 15 charges of wilfully trying to obstruct or pervert the course of justice.

At present there is nothing to stop him from claiming thousands of dollars worth of travel entitlements.

He could also claim a 90 per cent discount on international travel as long, as it did not exceed the cost of a return business-class flight to London on Air New Zealand – about $10,000.

Having entered Parliament in 1993, Field was still entitled to claim for up to 12 free domestic return air fares a year. Current and former MPs would also be consulted.

Dr Smith said Field would have an opportunity to comment on the proposal.

Prime Minister John Key previously said morally the entitlements – which included perks for Field’s wife – were inappropriate.

Dr Smith also said he was seeking further information from officials about a decision to freeze travel rebates for former members being dropped.

Dr Smith expected to make a decision next month.

The commission advises the Speaker about services to be provided to the House, and to MPs.

Once he had that information he would talk to the Parliamentary Service Commission about whether to reinstate the freeze.

In November 2003, then-speaker Jonathan Hunt issued a document setting out travel and other perks available to MPs.

In 2003, it recommended members elected before 1999 have their entitlements frozen at the level they were at the end of that term of Parliament.

It also outlined changes proposed for former members’ entitlements.

It also outlined changes proposed for former members’ entitlements.

In 2007, the next speaker, Margaret Wilson, issued a directive on the freeze.

This never happened.”

But the 2008 Parliamentary Travel, Accommodation, Attendance, and Communications Services Determination overturned it. .”

As a result, travel perks were restored to 23 MPs, 12 of whom were not re-elected.

The determination would “remove the freeze on former members’ travel rebates in respect of parliamentary terms after the 2002-2005 parliament.

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Equality campaigners are hailing the decision
by Cadbury to have its Dairy Milk chocolate brand sold under the Fairtrade
logo in New Zealand and Australia by next Easter.

The move comes as part of Cadbury’s international commitment to Fairtrade, which secures fair minimum prices for developing market commodity producers, and is used on a range of products such as coffee and chocolate.

Certification and labelling allows buyers to recognise and choose products that meet international Fairtrade standards.

Fairtrade executive director Steve Knapp said Cadbury New Zealand’s commitment to the movement was a landmark step.

In March, Cadbury in Britain announced plans for all Dairy Milk in Britain and Ireland to be sold under the Fairtrade logo by the end of its 2009 summer.

“This announcement sets a new standard for the mainstream chocolate industry in New Zealand and will open up new Fairtrade opportunities for cocoa farmers in our corner of the world.

“Cadbury’s commitment to Fairtrade is life-changing news for cocoa farmers who will be able to sell more of their cocoa as Fairtrade, helping to improve living standards and create a better future for their families and communities,” Mr Knapp said.”

The decision will transform Fairtrade chocolate from a niche product to a mainstream staple, progress which has been welcomed by humanitarian campaigners, including World Vision Australia chief executive Tim Costello.

“Fair cocoa pricing is the difference between children wielding a machete in the cocoa field or a pencil in the classroom.

“As consumers it is far more convenient for us to suspend belief and keep eating chocolate, but the uncomfortable truth is that most chocolate manufacturers still cannot guarantee that their chocolate is free from child labour,” Mr Costello said.

Cadbury New Zealand’s managing director Matthew Oldham said the company was proud to be bringing the Fairtrade mark to its signature chocolate.”

The Stop the Traffik Australia Coalition said it was estimated tens of thousands of children were trapped working in slave labour conditions on cocoa plantations and farms in Ghana, the west-African nation where Cadbury will source its cocoa from ethically run plantations.

This month the New Zealand company bowed to public pressure to get rid of palm oil from its chocolate.

He said the change would come with no extra cost to buyers, and no change to the chocolate.

The firm started using palm oil recently as part of a cost-cutting exercise, replacing a portion of the cocoa butter ingredient, but returned to the original recipe following public outcry.

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Police have named a three-year-old girl who died after being found injured at a Palmerston North house on Wednesday.

She was Kash McKinnon.

Police hope autopsy results today will give them a better idea how she sustained her injuries.

Police found the girl with critical injuries at a Hulme St house after a visitor called an ambulance.

She died in Palmerston North Hospital at midday yesterday with her mother by her side.

It was too early to say whether the death was suspicious, he added. .

“The autopsy will hopefully give us a much better understanding of how the young girl died.”

A 21-year-old man, who was not the girl’s father, had been examining after her and three other children aged two, four and six, some of whom were her siblings, Mr Sheridan said.

“Even then, we will need to consult with medical professionals and interview the occupants of the house in detail before we can draw any real conclusions.

The family was co-operating fully with police, he said.

Police were interviewing the man, and the children with the aid of Child Youth and Family staff.

Another neighbour said the adults at the house were flatmates, and had about five children between them.

HAPPY ‘ALL THE TIME’

A neighbour says the three-year-old, along with several children who “seemed pretty happy all of the time”, had lived at the house for about six months.

– , with and The

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Prime Minister John Key has ordered a review of the rules that cover ministerial housing, saying they are arcane and don’t deliver the best results.

He is, however, still backing members of his cabinet who have been under scrutiny for their accommodation claims and says he doesn’t believe any have taken advantage of their circumstances.

“We can go out there and persecute cabinet ministers but I’m sorry, they’re actually doing a very important function and you expect them to do that at a good level,” Mr Key said at his post-cabinet press conference today.

Questions have been raised since details of MPs’ travel and accommodation expenses were released last week, particularly about the taxpayer contribution of close toly $1000 a week for Deputy Prime Minister Bill English to live in his million-dollar Wellington home.”

He said if Mr English wasn’t an MP he would be living in Dipton.

“And I expect them to be able to keep their marriages and families intact.

“He is staying in a property that is cheaper for the taxpayer than if he went out and rented something else.

“He has a house in Wellington and a family in Wellington because that’s where his job is.

“Ministerial Services’ rules look arcane to me.”

Mr Key said problems with the rules weren’t new.

“I think the rules drive perverse outcomes. They don’t necessarily drive the best outcomes for either the taxpayer or the minister,” he said. . . .I want to make sure the taxpayer gets as fair a deal as possible which genuinely reflects the increased demand (placed on ministers).

“I don’t expect them to take advantage of the goodwill of the taxpayers and I don’t believe they are, but I’m quite happy to have new rules out there that reflect that.

“Most New Zealanders, I believe, would support me in my desire to see the marriages of my cabinet ministers and the happiness of their families remain intact,” he said.

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Mr Key said terms of reference for the review would be made public, probably in a few days, and he expected changes to result from the review

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The closing arguments on behalf of former MP Taito Phillip Field will now end tomorrow following an interruption for legal argument.

Field’s lawyer, Paul Davison QC, was expected to finish his address to the 10 jurors today, more than three months after the former Mangere MP’s trial on 35 criminal charges began.

Mr Davison resumed his address to jurors this afternoon and expects to finish tomorrow morning.

But an issue which arose during his address today led to a lengthy legal argument held in chambers which cannot be reported. The jury is expected to retire to consider its verdict either late tomorrow or on Thursday.

Justice Rodney Hansen will then sum the case up. .

Field faces 12 charges of corruptly accepting work on several of his houses by Thai tradesmen as a bribe in return for immigration assistance he gave them.

He also said Field never intended to mislead the government-ordered inquiry into his affairs by Noel Ingram QC or a subsequent police investigation.

Mr Davison said Field never thought the Thai tradesmen were not charging for their work, or that the reason was that they were using that as a bribe.

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