One a penny, Two a penny . Hot Cross Buns! #64 Hollywood Hot Cross Buns This is one of the first songs a person learns when they are learning to play an instrument as a kid. I still sing it pretty regularly.
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The Big Bread Theory: One a penny, Two a penny
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Authorities are pursuing criminal charges in the case of a boy who vanished into his parents’ garage while the world feared he was trapped aboard a runaway free-floating helium balloon – prompting speculation of a hoax.
The boy’s parents, Richard and Mayumi Heene, met Larimer County investigators for much of Saturday afternoon, but Sheriff Jim Alderden didn’t say who would be charged or what the charges would be.”We were looking at Class 3 misdemeanour, which hardly seems serious enough given the circumstances,” Alderden said.Alderden didn’t call Thursday’s hours-long drama a hoax, but he expressed disappointment that he couldn’t level more serious charges in the incident, which sent police and the military scrambling to save young Falcon Heene as millions of worried television viewers watched.”Suspicion that the balloon saga was a publicity stunt arose almost immediately after Falcon was found in the garage rafters, hiding in a cardboard box. “We are talking to the district attorney, federal officials to see if perhaps there aren’t additional federal charges that are appropriate in this circumstance.Alderden initially said there was no reason to believe the incident was a hoax. .Falcon got sick during two separate TV interviews on Friday when asked again why he hid. Authorities questioned the Heenes again after Falcon turned to his dad during a CNN interview on Thursday night and said “you said we did this for a show” when he was asked why he didn’t come out of his hiding place.After the sheriff went inside, Richard Heene and his wife walked out.Alderden said on Saturday that deputies were seeking a search warrant for the family’s home, and there would be more information at a news conference on Sunday.” He then walked to his car with his wife and a friend, and they drove away. As reporters yelled questions, all Heene said was, “I was talking to the sheriff’s department just now. Anreporter at the family home said the couple hadn’t returned after leaving the sheriff’s office.It wasn’t clear where the family was late Saturday night.The day began with Richard Heene knocking on the windows of journalists camped outside his home and promising a “big announcement. Their three sons were believed to have been at home being watched by sheriff’s officials earlier in the day, but their whereabouts also weren’t known to reporters in the evening.As Heene walked away, a reporter shouted, “Can you tell us once and for all if this is a hoax?”"Absolutely no hoax.” A few hours later, he did an about-face when he told reporters that they should leave questions in a cardboard box on the front doorstep.A circus-like atmosphere formed outside, including men holding signs and occasionally yelling “balloon boy. I want your questions in the box,” Heene said, waving a cardboard container before going back into his home.”Other gawkers carried aluminium-foil stovetop popcorn makers that resembled the a flying saucer-like helium balloon launched from the family’s backyard on Thursday, with 6-year-old Falcon Heene believed to be on board.” One sign read, “Put balloon boy on TV: America’s Most Wanted. A video of the launch shows the family counting down in unison, “3, 2, 1,” before Richard Heene pulls a cord, setting the balloon into the air. A video of the launch shows the family counting down in unison, “3, 2, 1,” before Richard Heene pulls a cord, setting the balloon into the air.”Whoa!” one of the boys exclaims. Then his father says in disbelief, “Oh, my God!” He then says to someone, “You didn’t put the (expletive) tether down!” and he kicks the wood frame that had held the balloon.Falcon’s brother said he saw him inside the compartment before it took off and that’s why they thought he was in there when it launched. Heene said he had yelled at Falcon before the launch for getting inside.Over the years, Richard Heene has worked as a storm chaser, a handyman and contractor, and an aspiring reality-TV star.He and his family appeared on the ABC reality show Wife Swap, and the show’s producer said it had a show in development with the Heenes but the deal is now off. TLC also said Heene had pitched a reality show to the network months ago, but it passed on the offer.Despite his attempts to get on TV, Heene insisted on Saturday that he didn’t know what kinds of questions were being asked about him because he didn’t have cable.”I’m going to place the box out front. Please write your questions down, because friends are telling me they’re saying this and that. I have no idea what the news is saying,” Heene said.
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The head of Auckland’s troubled Labtests has resigned after criticism of the company’s failures.
Auckland Regional District Health Board spokeswoman Lauren Young confirmed that Ulf Lindskog had stepped aside from his role as CEO of Labtests.
The shock move by Mr Lindskog follows Prime Minister John Key wading into the dispute and Auckland district health boards appointing six of its senior officials to step in and help run the troubled lab testing company.
It is understood Mr Lindskog’s resignation is from his role as CEO of Labtests only and he will continue on with parent company Healthscope, although the company has not clarified this.
During the weekend the Auckland boards ordered their own senior representatives to take over at Labtests and sort out the problems.
Australian-based company Labtests took over the contract with three Auckland district health boards from Diagnostic Medlab this month but within days problems surfaced over the speed of tests and results, and communications with clinicians.
Auckland District Health Board chairman Pat Snedden said there were indications the public might be at risk over inefficiencies.
It came as Labtests apologised to people who had had trouble with the company since the takeover.
“The people of Auckland rely on this service, this is a $500 million contract – they have had a couple of years to get themselves organised,” Mr Key told NewstalkZB today. .”
Mr Key said he was confident Labtests could get on top of the issues.
“While I don’t think any of the specific issues are so serious that they can’t be fixed, now is the time for Labtests to actually stand up and deliver a proper product to the people of Auckland.
The Australian bosses of Labtests flew into Auckland on Sunday where they were give the message about the city’s laboratory testing – shape up or face consequences.
Labtests said today in a newspaper advertisement it took responsibility for fixing the problems and was working extremely hard to sort out the issues.
It was given the contract by Auckland’s three district health boards after promising savings of $15 million a year, and kept the contract following a bitter court battle with its predecessor Diagnostic Medlab.
Labtests is owned by Australian company Healthscope.”
”What we’re saying to Labtests is, we don’t think you’re fulfilling the terms of the contract at the moment.
Mr Snedden told the Sunday Star-Times: “We are starting to feel very clearly that Labtests need to pick up their act.”
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Industrial action by bus drivers which threatened to disrupt up to 80,000 Auckland commuters tomorrow has been cancelled.
A threatened lockout of almost 900 bus drivers and cleaners in response to a planned work to rule programme has been called off after mediation between the union and their employer.
However, mediation talks today saw the notice of strike action lifted and an amended offer will be presented to the union on Friday.
The Auckland Combined Union gave notice of their planned action last week and their employer, NZ Bus responded by saying it would lock them out. .
Bus services will be temporarily affected on Friday between 11am and 1pm as the offer is considered.
The work to rule action was to involve drivers taking scheduled 10 minutes breaks between routes to complete tasks such as lost property inspections and recommended stretching exercises, even if they were running late.
Both sides had earlier said they were unwilling to back down.8 percent this year, taking the starting wage from $14.
The drivers were seeking an increase of 6.05 more than the minimum wage, to $15 an hour, the union said.05, only $1.30 after three months employment before peaking at $16.
Presently, the pay rate climbs to $15.
NZ Bus operations manager Zane Fulljames said they had offered a 9.75 after nine months of service.
Mr Fulljames said the lockout had been put in place as the company could not operate safely or reliably if the workers were working to rule.9 percent increase over three years which he said was exceptionally fair in this economy.
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Legislation allowing workers to take meal and breast-feeding breaks may be changed because it would cause the cancellation of nine domestic flights, Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson says.
Previously, there were no statutory requirements for meal and rest breaks, although entitlements were in most collective agreements.An amendment bill was passed last year by the previous Labour government, which set guidelines for break requirements. .Today, Ms Wilkinson said the law was “too prescriptive” and needed “clarifying”.The Airline Pilots Association had been “unwilling to continue the flexible breaks system”.The current legislation meant regional airport control towers were being closed down while workers took breaks, she said.If she did not act it “would result in the cancellation of at least nine regional return flights a week and the risk of further schedule disruptions”, Ms Wilkinson said.”Parliament certainly didn’t intend for this law to create more problems than it solved.Pharmacies, schools, meatworks and sole attendant operations had also raised concerns about the law, she said.The Council of Trade Unions was quick to express their disappointment at the planned amendment.”It would appear that what was once common sense in the past is no longer common sense under this legislation,” Ms Wilkinson said.”To now exclude sole charge workers, for example, would see many people returning to the very unsatisfactory situation of working long hours without any break.Many workers had benefited from the law, president Helen Kelly said.”Last month, Ms Wilkinson called for public submissions on a draft code of practice about breast-feeding at work.”Last month, Ms Wilkinson called for public submissions on a draft code of practice about breast-feeding at work.
.Submissions close on Monday
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The country’s land transport network will have $8.7 billion spent on it during the next three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) announced today.
The funding will be managed through the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP).
“This is the largest land transport investment in New Zealand’s history, and it represents a 17 per cent increase from the previous three-year period,” NZTA chairman Brian Roche said. Projects which boost economic growth, productivity and employment have been targeted.”
The programme invested in projects in all regions, providing guaranteed funding levels for each region over the next three years.
“This additional investment will deliver significant benefits for New Zealand now and in the future.
Most activities had funding increases, including:
* a 21 per cent increase for public transport ($899 million over the next three years);
* a 19 per cent increase for New Zealand’s state highway network ($4.9b over the next three years).5b over the next three years);
* a 14 per cent increase for local roads ($1.
Improving the efficiency of key routes, public transport, and easing severe congestion in key urban areas, as well as upgrading important freight and tourism routes, improving safety and access to markets, and to employment would contribute to economic growth, he said.
The programme would help to address the important challenges New Zealand faced with land transport, Mr Roche said.
Sixteen regional transport committees and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority were involved in developing the programme. .
“This collaborative process has allowed us to build an overview of land transport requirements across New Zealand and to balance regional and national priorities in deciding on the best investment programme to maximise value for money across the country,” Mr Roche said.
“This collaborative process has allowed us to build an overview of land transport requirements across New Zealand and to balance regional and national priorities in deciding on the best investment programme to maximise value for money across the country,” Mr Roche said.”
Labour’s transport spokesman, Darren Hughes, said local roads could deteriorate.
“This targeted investment will deliver real gains both in the short term – as we move out of recession – and in the longer term by boosting the productivity we need to support prolonged economic growth.
“It’s nonsensical that we allow increased heavy haulage on our roads but don’t back that up with a programme of maintenance.
“Hidden away in the detail of the programme is National’s plan to freeze spending on the maintenance of local roads in the NLTP’s second and third years,” he said.”
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Dan Carter’s class shone as the All Blacks rediscovered their fire and a few of their skills too as they nipped Australia 19-18 to claim the Bledisloe Cup and get the defence of their Tri-Nations title back on course.
Carter kicked his fourth penalty 90 seconds from the end to earn the All Blacks a nail-biting win in front of 80,000 at a ground that has so often been a graveyard for them.
The win applies heat to the pace-setting Springboks as the All Blacks head home with renewed confidence for their two remaining Tri-Nations fixtures in Hamilton and Wellington.
Smarting after two shoddy losses to the Springboks and some harsh words from coach Graham Henry the All Blacks put together a more accomplished performance.
The pressure now goes on Robbie Deans – his side have lost three matches in a row.
But the victory importantly puts the All Blacks 2-nil up against the Wallabies and the sight of the Bledisloe Cup being locked away in the trophy cabinet will give major relief to what was sliding towards a season of discontent. But New Zealand deserved credit for their increased urgency and accuracy.
Given how low the All Blacks’ skills sunk in Durban getting a measure of improvement in Sydney shouldn’t have been too hard.
The boot dominated both in field play and on the scoreboard – Ma’a Nonu got the only try – but both sides were willing to run the ball when it was on.
The lineout was better, the scrum solid – Al Baxter was removed after half an hour – there was better work under the high ball and they hung tough to see out a crucial victory in a see-sawing game. But it wasn’t easy and this match hung in the balance right till the end.
Carter’s guidance certainly allowed the All Blacks to work in the right areas of the field for long periods. .
The Wallabies kept the ball alive after the halftime siren had sounded and while they weren’t rewarded with a try after their most promising attack took them to within sight of the All Blacks’ line they did earn a penalty for Giteau to land his fourth penalty and a 12-3 halftime lead. Two knocks to the head eventually forced Luke McAlister off after 50 minutes and Stephen Donald came off the bench to play at first five with Carter moving out one spot.
Australia’s problems deepened when Berrick Barnes and James O’Connor were forced off with injuries.
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A forward pass ruled out a gift try to Carter as New Zealand’s frustrations continued
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The Government and the ACT Party are denying that a crisis has developed over whether there should be reserved Maori seats on Auckland’s new city council.
It was revealed last night that a senior National MP – believed to be Tau Henare – sent an email to his caucus colleagues telling them ACT had threatened to end its relationship with the Government if it “gave in to Maori” and agreed to having special Maori seats on the council.
“We’ve certainly never threatened to end the relationship,” he said.
But ACT leader and Local Government Minister Rodney Hide said the email was wrong.”
Speaking on Radio New Zealand this morning, Mr Hide said they were waiting to hear back from the results from the select committee but conceded there was discussion around the issue.
“What we have done is state our position very clearly and we are opposed to any reservation of seats for a particular group.”
Mr Hide said he would have to resign as minister if the Maori seats were enshrined.
“We’ll get the report, we’ll see what the select committee recommends and then we’ll see what Parliament decides.
“I can’t in good conscience as leader of the Act Party accept legislation that to me is so fundamentally against the culture of New Zealand and the principle of the Act Party as the separate Maori seats are.
He said he had told Mr Key about his stance on seperate Maori seats when talks about a confidence and supply agreement began.
NOT CONFIDENCE AND SUPPLY CLAUSE
Mr Hide said National MP Tau Henare had the wrong impression around his intention and said ACT would continue to support National in a confidence and supply agreement.”
He said it was a matter of principle – one person one vote and seats should be contestable by all comers.
A spokesperson for Prime Minister John Key said ACT’s views were well known.
He said it had never occurred to him that a National government would be even contemplating having separate Maori seats, “so I didn’t write it in our confidence and supply agreement,” he told Radio New Zealand. We have all sorts of discussions with support parties, we’re not about to start conducting those in the media,” the spokesperson said.
“We are working through arrangements for the super city.”
The Royal Commission which reported on Auckland’s local government structure recommended reserved Maori seats but the Government scrapped that when it set out its plans for the city. .
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The Maori Party has been lobbying to overturn the Government’s decision and both sides have been looking for a compromise
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Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs is to be released from prison on compassionate grounds due to ill health, after serving 10 years of a 30-year sentence.
The release was announced by UK Justice Secretary Jack Straw overnight.
He was refused parole by the Justice Secretary the previous month.
“Mr Ronald Biggs has been informed today of my decision regarding his application for compassionate release on medical grounds,” Straw said in a statement. His son, Michael, has made desperate pleas for his release.
The 79-year-old inmate at Norwich Prison in eastern England has since been admitted to hospital suffering from a chest infection.”
He said he had been influenced by the Parole Board’s judgement which had found his propensity to breach trust a very significant factor.
Straw said he had made the initial decision to refuse parole principally because Biggs had shown “no remorse for his crimes nor respect for the punishments given to him.
“The medical evidence clearly shows that Mr Biggs is very ill and that his condition has deteriorated recently, culminating in his re-admission to hospital.
But Straw said he had changed his mind after considering the prisoner’s health, specifically whether death was likely to occur soon and whether the prisoner was bedridden or incapacitated.
Along with 11 other gang members, Biggs robbed a Glasgow-to-London mail train in 1963 and stole 2. His condition is not expected to improve,” Straw said. The crime became known as “The Great Train Robbery.6 million pounds – about 30 million pounds in today’s money.
He used his share of the loot to pay for plastic surgery and papers for a passage to Australia where he returned to his old job of carpenter and decorator. .
His playboy lifestyle and cocky defiance of the British authorities made him a criminal legend, spawning several films and making heroes out of the villains in the eyes of millions around the world. He later fled to Brazil via Panama and Venezuela.
The Ministry of Justice said Biggs will spend one more night being watched by prison guards before his release.
He surrendered to police in 2001 after 36 years on the run.
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“It won’t come into effect until tomorrow morning once licence papers have been signed — then he will be free to go,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said
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The Government will today shift from trying to contain swine flu to managing outbreaks of the virus, it has been reported.
Radio New Zealand reported that trying to contain the virus had become too much of a burden, and testing labs in particular had been overworked.
However, the approach – which RNZ reported would be formally announced later earlier today – will vary between regions.Regional pockets -including Northland, Otago and Southland -which have no confirmed cases will not implement the same measures.
Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, which have the highest number of cases, are expected to change their approach.
Dr Huang saidthe Government’s strategy changewould mean the centre would switch focus to testing only samples from the mostserious cases. .
“We will focus on people with chronic illness or people who are at risk of influenza complications,” she said.
WELLINGTON RESTRICTIONS
Wellington’s public health authorities were first cab off the rank last night, announcing they were restricting the anti-viral drug Tamiflu to severely ill patients – the first region in the country to do so – as burgeoning numbers of cases threatened to overload services. This approach wouldhelp identify any mutations or more virulent strains. Border controls and quarantines remained in force.
The number of confirmed swine flu cases jumped by 26 to 153 yesterday, including 12 new cases around Wellington.
From today, only patients exhibiting serious symptoms or those with additional health issues, such as heart problems, would receive Tamiflu in Wellington.
Wellington Regional Public Health medical officer Stephen Palmer said last night that -with 51 cases confirmed in the region, 16 in 48 hours -health services had been “over-inundated” with calls from people reporting suspected cases of the virus.
“We have been humungously busy, under enormous pressure and over-inundated with calls.
“We have been humungously busy, under enormous pressure and over-inundated with calls.
“The situation is changing rapidly, we are only going to be able to contain it to a certain extent,” Dr Palmer said.
“We have had to get additional GPs and, because of the pressure, have not even had time to train them properly and supervise them.