Two a penny

Get other Popular Fiction hereWhen 16-year-old Amy Brooks travels to Glacier Park Montana to learn about her Blackfeet heritage she meets a grandmother who has been missing her for ten years and an uncle who wishes she’d never come back. She has wonderful daytime adventures on a paint horse named Twinkle and terrifying nighttime dreams that leave her shaken and crying. She meets Native Americans who play golf and others who cling tenaciously to the old ways. Like Montana a land of many contrasts Amy’s life becomes a mixture of great joy and deep sadness. Join Amy and her cousins Paul and Shirley as they ride free in flower-decked meadows and follow them to parades and powwows. Find out if this Southern California teenager can adapt to her new life in the north. Will she unlock the mystery of her mother’s tragic death? Discover the answers in Summer of the Painted Horse by award-winning author Nancy Sanderson. Comments (0)

Untitled Document Serious Mountain Biking by Ann Trombley NEW 224pages Get other Cycling books here About Serious Mountain Biking Ride faster and smarter than ever before! Olympian former national champion and elite cycling coach Ann Trombley is your authoritative guide to learning how with improvedselection and fitting of equipment for the optimal match of personal attributes with current technology technical maneuvers that maximize both speed and safety training methods and workouts that yield superior results and racing preparations and tactics that make competition more rewarding and more successful. Serious Mountain Biking gives you the answers to the questions and solutions to the problems you’ve encountered while participating in the sport. No Comments (0)

Get other Popular Fiction hereGet other Wayne Allen Baker here Have you ever boiled a frog? Did you ever try pushing a piece of string? Have you been chasing rainbows? These are some of the questions asked of a young man on a search for answers to life as he encounters a wise man on a mountainside. The answers to his questions gave him much more than he ever thought he would find. John was a mill-worker who was dissatisfied with his life and knew there had to be more to life than what he was seeing. His search for the answers to life brought him face to face with his own hidden regrets and guilt and set him on the path to forgiveness and fulfillment that he never thought he’d find. Comments (0)

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France issued international arrest warrants for four Moroccans over the 1965 abduction of an opponent to Morocco’s then King Hassan II on Friday, but later suspended them, citing a request for information from Interpol.

A French justice ministry spokesman said earlier on Friday that four arrest warrants were sent to Interpol, the international police organisation, and would be issued worldwide.

The head of Morocco’s Royal Gendarmerie and a former intelligence chief were among the suspects being sought. French investigators believe he was tortured and killed.

Mehdi ben Barka, a hero for the international left, was kidnapped in broad daylight in front of the smart Lipp restaurant in the heart of Paris and his fate remains unknown.

Hours after the justice ministry announcement, the Paris prosecutor’s office said it was suspending the issuance of the international arrest warrants because Interpol was seeking additional information from the judge overseeing the case.

The case has been a cause celebre for Moroccan advocates of greater political freedom in the kingdom, but it remains politically sensitive in Rabat, where the late Hassan’s son Mohammed succeeded him as king in 1999.

In effect, Interpol has requested more information so that the arrest warrants can be implemented.

The information requested would allow the individuals targeted to be identified, it said. Without these precisions, they cannot be, the prosecutor’s office said.

Maurice Buttin, 80, the ben Barka family lawyer in France since 1965, said: The prosecutor’s office is blocking the situation again.

But there were suspicions that the shifting stance might reflect efforts to avoid political strains given that the event has already embarrassed France and Morocco for decades.

Those targeted were: Hosni Benslimane, head of the powerful Adarak el Malaki, or Royal Gendarmerie, for more than four decades Abdelkader Kadiri, a former head of intelligence and Miloud Tounsi and Abdelhak Achaachi, two ex-agents. This shows how things work in France.

A murder investigation into the case has been open in France since 1975 and detectives say they have evidence that the abduction was carried out by French criminals acting on orders from Moroccan intelligence officers.

A murder investigation into the case has been open in France since 1975 and detectives say they have evidence that the abduction was carried out by French criminals acting on orders from Moroccan intelligence officers.

The reform-minded King Mohammed is credited with turning Morocco into a more tolerant state, but the monarchy and the security services remain untouchable.

Human rights activists accuse the French authorities of turning a blind eye to such abuses and of deliberately dragging their feet in the ben Barka affair to avoid damaging ties with Morocco, a former French colony. The warrants immediately caused diplomatic tensions, with newly elected President Nicolas Sarkozy on a visit to Morocco at the time.

The four arrest warrants date back to 2007, when they were issued by a French investigating magistrate.

France – justice – kidnapping – Morocco

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Capping legal aid spending and reducing administration costs are being floated as ideas by a review. .

Dame Margaret Bazley, who is heading the review, said demand for legal aid increased 23 per cent between 2003 and 2008, with grants for criminal cases rising 51 per cent between 2003 and 2009.

In 2008/2009 this had risen to 95,303 applications with 85,158 granted.

In 2007/2008, there had been 83,767 applications for legal aid with 73,905 granted.6 million to $123.

Over the same period of time the cost of claims rose from $105.9 million.3 million of the cost and two per cent of cases eating up a quarter of all spending.

A growth in high cost cases was driving up the expenses with 100 cases (49 criminal, 45 treaty and 6 civil) making up $21.

“This is not a sustainable business model,” the review said.

The increasing number of claims had also not been matched with any economies of scale and the average cost to administer each claim had risen from less than $100 in 2000 to more than $250 in 2008.

“Long-standing inefficiencies” in pre-trial criminal procedure, which led to delays in the courts, were also putting a strain on the legal aid system, the paper said.

The discussion paper also identified problems attracting and retaining experienced lawyers in the legal aid scheme, including pay rates and the administrative burden associated with it.

The review makes 73 suggestions or areas for discussion ranging from capping all or some of the budget, more use of a public defender service, more careful management of high cost cases and attracting better quality lawyers.

The review makes 73 suggestions or areas for discussion ranging from capping all or some of the budget, more use of a public defender service, more careful management of high cost cases and attracting better quality lawyers.

The society was considering extending the six months experience needed to practise as a barrister sole out to three years.

The report noted that it was harder to attract good lawyers to the legal aid system for a variety of reasons pay rates and red tape.

Justice Minister Simon Power said the review was aimed at finding a system that was structured “so it delivers effective services to those who need them most in a way that it cost-effective and sustainable”.

This, along with training and better remuneration, would improve the quality of legal aid, Mr Marshall said.”

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“This review has the potential to improve the lives of the people who come into contact with the justice system, and give taxpayers real confidence that they’re getting good value for money from legal aid expenditure

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New Zealand soldiers are keeping a close watch on the volatile town of Du Abe in Bamiyan province as Afghanistan’s presidential vote looms.

The area has been unstable in recent months and is known to harbour Taliban sympathisers.

The same New Zealand soldiers from the Provincial Reconstruction Team visited Du Abe this week to assess the situation before the ballot.

An insurgent attack on the town’s police station in June caught a Kiwi patrol in the crossfire.

He said the tension was evident ahead of polling booths opening later today.

Corporal Matthew Pearce led a small group of heavily armed men on reconnaissance through the town. “Usually they will return a salaam [greeting] a couple of times, but not one of them returned a salaam today.

“Today seemed a lot more, I won’t say hostile, but unfriendly,” he said.

Women are being discouraged from voting and few are expected to turn out at the town’s polling station today. .

“And on election day, if something does happen, again it would not surprise me.

“If a bomb went off in Du Abe today or any other day, it would not surprise me,” said Pearce, 26, from Burnham.

Taliban leader Mullah Muhammad Omar has called on his supporters to disrupt polling.”

With a constantly shifting population, intelligence on insurgents in Du Abe has been difficult to gather.

Talibanfighters have clashed with police in the centre of Kabul and threatened to shut the country’s roads.

But current president Hamid Karzai says the elections will not be wrecked.

“Enemies will do their best, but it won’t help.

“I hope that tomorrow our countrymen, millions of them will come and vote for country’s stability, for the country’s peace, for the country’s progress,” Karzai said late on Wednesday after a small ceremony for the country’s Independence Day holiday.

The brazen early morning raid was the third major attack in Kabul in five days, shattering the calm in a city which had been secure for months but is now tense and dotted with checkpoints.”

Earlier on Wednesday, gunmen stormed a bank building in central Kabul and battled police for hours in what the Taliban said was one of many attacks it had planned for the capital.

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Polls show Karzai leading but likely to fall short of the outright majority needed to avoid an October run-off, after his main challenger, ex-foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, ran a stronger than expected campaign

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Another challenge, another chapter in the 52-year tear-jerker of a tale that is Otago’s Ranfurly Shield heartbreak.

That was one side of the story in Wellington tonight as the shield-holding Lions dug their way out of a deep hole to prevail 23-19 and retain the famous Log o’ Wood via this Air NZ Cup season-opening victory over the southern challengers.

In the end there was probably an element of both as the Lions did just enough to hang on to provincial rugby’s most prized possession; yet Otago will head south knowing that once again they let a royal chance to lift the Log for the first time since 1957 pass them by.

The other was a magnificent Wellington response in yet another shield classic as the southern men hit them with the kitchen sink through the first 40, but then saw the holders find the answers they had to under the most intense of pressure. In the end they paid for a poor final 20 as they took their eye off the ball at just the wrong time.

Steve Martin’s challengers certainly had their chances if they were good enough. At that stage grown men must have been close to weeping into their Speight’s down in Dunedin.

The challengers led 11-3 at the break after 40 pretty dominant minutes, then retained that eight-point edge into the final quarter with a 14-6 advantage. The response.

But then came the Lions’ roar.

Stunned, Otago had no answer to the black tide that was swamping them, substitute first five Fa’atonu Fili extending the advantage to nine a half-dozen minutes from time with a snappily taken dropped goal.

Reserve lock Daniel Ramsay, who had a superb match off the pine, scored a 63rd-minute try to get the holders back to within a point and seven minutes later classy wing Hosea Gear added a second seven-pointer to take Wellington into a 20-14 lead.

The Lions defence held just long enough.

To their credit the southern men mounted one last response, camping inside the Wellington 22 for the final three minutes as Chris Noakes slipped through to set up two parries at the line.

Fabulous match. . Never mind the result. And who says this is a second-rate feeder competition? Even good old Kees Meeuws, back in the famous blue jersey after a long spell up north, had to admit it had been a brilliant occasion to mark his return.

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Otago signalled that they’d come to the capital intent on another good shake at the elusive shield with a strong first 40 minutes that saw the visitors take an 11-3 lead into the sheds

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Neighbour rescues duo from Wellington fire

By MICHAEL FOX – Wednesday, 24 December 2008

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SMOKING: The house which went on fire in Camperdown Road in Miramar, Wellington.

Two people are lucky to be alive after they were dragged from their blazing home in the Wellington suburb of Miramar earlier today.
Wellington Fire Service spokesman Mike Wanoa said the pair were pulled to safety by a neighbour who entered the house before fire engines arrived.
Neighbours reported the fire to the Fire Service around 11am today after seeing smoke coming out of the door, Mr Wanoa said.
One person was admitted to hospital suffering from burns and smoke inhalation while the condition of the second person is unknown.
Five fire engines were needed to combat the blaze, though it is unclear at this stage how it started.
One neighbour had earlier unsuccessfully tried to alert the occupants by banging on the door.
Mr Wanoa said the house was “well damaged”.

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Hero pup saves the day

By MICHELLE LOTTER – Tuesday, 02 December 2008

TO THE RESCUE: Hearing dog Milu has made owner Gia Hoblyn proud with his rescue of an elderly woman trapped in a lift.

Cries for help coming from an elevator isn’t the usual sound hearing dog Milu responds to.
But luckily for an elderly woman stuck inside, Milu the miniature poodle came to the rescue.
On hearing the woman’s cries for help, Milu pawed Ms Hoblyn, which is the signal trained hearing dogs give when they hear a sound that they want their owner to respond to.
His profoundly deaf owner Gia Hoblyn who volunteers at the Hearing Dog office in Takapuna, was alerted to the situation by her dog.
But giving into Milu’s persistence, she opened the lift to find a woman who was upset after not being able to get out.
Thinking Milu wanted to go toilet, Ms Hoblyn was frustrated when Milu stopped at the lifts rather than follow their usual route downstairs, she says.
Ms Hoblyn cannot get over her admiration for 11-year-old Milu who has not been trained to respond to others’ cries for help."
Ms Hoblyn and her "super doggie" have been a team for almost seven years.
"Because of his smart, quick thinking and brilliant training he was a star and rescued the lady.
Hearing Dogs are trained to respond to sounds like smoke alarms, door knocks or door bells, fax and telephone rings, alarm clocks, baby monitors and oven timers.
Milu’s help allows the Takapuna resident to "feel safe and more independent".hearingdogs.
Visit the website www.org.org.

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Burning oil spill kills woman, 86

By EMMA PAGE – Sunday, 30 November 2008

A frail South Auckland grandmother died yesterday after receiving extensive burns when she accidently knocked a pot of burning melted margarine on to herself.
The 86-year-old, believed to be Indian, was alone in her Pahurehure home when fire safety staff believe she went into the kitchen to find that the melted margarine, which was going to be used to make ceremonial candles, was smoking. .
Neighbours, who saw smoke, rushed to help and called emergency services. She then fell over, spilling the burning margarine on herself and resulting in significant burns.
Cocker says the woman's family had gone out.
The woman was treated at the scene by fire and ambulance staff and was taken to Middlemore Hospital, but she later died. He urged people not to leave things unattended on the stove and to be mindful of the dangers of heating oils and fats.
"Our message to the public is to make sure your elderly dependents are OK. He also wanted to remind families to look after their elderly relatives."

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"Make sure what they are doing is safe