Two a penny

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Two bodies have been found at a house owned by a man who appeared in court this afternoon charged with murder, and police strongly suspect one is missing woman Tisha Lowry.

The bodies of the two women were found under the house at the corner of Wainoni Road and Hampshire Street in Christchurch.

Detective Inspector Tom Fitzgerald told a media conference this afternoon it had not been possible to identify the bodies but suspected that one was Ms Lowry who went missing on September 25 last year.

Both bodies are still at the scene, under the house, and are likely to be for a few days, police said.

The other is believed to be a 35-year-old woman who was reported missing on Sunday. Mr Fitzgerald described the find as “an horrific crime”. An extensive scene examination is taking place.

Meanwhile a Christchurch man was given name suppression after appearing in court this afternoon charged with the murder of the 35-year-old woman, believed to be his wife.

The accused lived two doors down from missing woman Tisha Lowry. He had reported her missing, police said.

Mr Fitzgerald says that while he cannot confirm the identities it would be “silly not to draw a connection with Tisha Lowry” whose family was advised of the development earlier today. .No causes of death have yet been established.”The families are trying to cope with the possibilities at this time,” he said.Identification may take “days rather than hours”, Mr Fitzgerald said.Identification may take “days rather than hours”, Mr Fitzgerald said.The bodies had been taken through the manhole before being buried “fairly close together”.Police gained access under the house through a manhole and he described the bodies as “well covered”.The accused had been spoken to as a neighbour in the very early stages of the Lowry inquiry “as were hundreds of others throughout that inquiry”.Mr Fitzgerald said the gruesome discovery was the result of “good detective work” when talking to the accused yesterday.Mr Fitzgerald confirmed the accused alerted the police about the disappearance of his partner on Sunday.Police had no reason to suspect him at that time.He was confident there were only two bodies under the house.”After speaking to the male yesterday afternoon, we began a scene examination yesterday evening,” he said.Mr Fitzgerald indicated there had been “some commotion” at the property on Sunday morning.He dismissed suggestions that missing sex worker Mallory Manning might also be connected to the Wainoni Road discovery, saying that was “pure speculation”.

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The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) faces a public backlash of calamitous proportions if it goes ahead with announced changes to next year’s provincial competition format.

Momentum is gathering in the provinces among some unions, supporters and the rugby media for the NZRU to scrap those changes or face the consequences.

The Air New Zealand Cup (ANZC) is enjoying unprecedented popularity this season and is proving to be one of the most competitive and evenly fought since the old NPC was established in 1976. On a Sky Reunion programme poll conducted this week, more than 70 percent voted for the ANZC competition to remain unchanged.

Crowd numbers are generally well up, and television viewing audiences were up more than 86 percent after four rounds.

New teams Tasman, Counties Manukau, Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu have taken time to get up to speed onfield, but now, four years down the track, they are more than matching it with the big boys. The quality of rugby has been excellent, the All Blacks are keen to play whenever they get an opportunity and several exciting new players have been uclose tothed. On their day, any team can beat the other, as has been proven so far in 2009.

Tasman, Northland and Counties Manukau, who struggled financially in the initial stages of the ANZC, have now cut their cloth to fit and are keeping their heads above water. The Heartland competition kicked off in similar exciting fashion last week. Four will drop out of the current 14 team competition to form a first division, effectively a second division, which will also include two promoted Heartland teams, making a six-team division. . Also, if Tasman or Manawatu were demoted, most of their best now almost entirely home-grown players would leave for premier unions.

The problem is that the Heartland teams have little chance of being competitive.

Under a list of criteria to remain in the premier division, onfield performance is only a 20 percent factor and that, like the other criteria, is judged over the past four years.

Under a list of criteria to remain in the premier division, onfield performance is only a 20 percent factor and that, like the other criteria, is judged over the past four years. Promotion relegation of up to two teams is an option being considered.

The Heartland competition will comprise 10 teams.

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The changes were adopted after a series of workshops involving New Zealand’s 26 provincial unions, Super 14 franchises and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association

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The death toll from a powerful earthquake in Indonesia, which killed at least 42 people and forced thousands to flee buildings, is likely to rise.

Do you know any New Zealanders affected by the Indonesia quake? Email

The 7.0 magnitude quake shook buildings in the capital Jakarta on Wednesday afternoon (local time) and flattened homes in villages closer to the epicentre in West Java.

The Ministry had received no other calls for assistance or reports of missing New Zealanders.

A spokesman for New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said only one New Zealander was registered as being in the earthquake zone and had since been confirmed safe.

reporters at the scene early on Thursday morning saw many damaged houses, as well as makeshift tents and shelters on the streets and in fields.

The New Zealand embassy in Indonesia would continue to make enquiries, the spokesman said.”They have taken refuge not only because their houses were ruined, but also because they fear there will be aftershocks,” said local official Obar Sobarna.At least 42 people were killed and more than 300 people injured, the government said. There were about 5000 people taking refuge in the area, he added.Another 42 people were missing, presumed dead, after the quake triggered a landslide in the district of Cianjur, about100km south of Jakarta, said Priyadi Kardono, spokesman for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency. Officials said about 1300 houses were damaged although local media put the number at 3500. Some areas close to the epicentre could not be contacted for several hours, and communications were slow to recover.Kardono told the death toll could be much higher as scores of houses and offices had collapsed or suffered severe damage.”Communications with the coastal areas were completely cut, so we don’t know the conditions there,” Kardono said.”Communications with the coastal areas were completely cut, so we don’t know the conditions there,” Kardono said.”The health ministry said it was sending medical teams to the affected areas in West Java. It’s possible the death toll could grow higher.

. State news agency Antara reported that villagers were clearing rubble from collapsed buildings to try to find survivors and bodies

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Thousands of people welcomed the terminally-ill Lockerbie bomber at Tripoli’s airport as Libya celebrated his release from a Scottish prison.

The Associated Press reported a festive atmosphere at a military airport in Tripoli, with loudspeakers blaring patriotic music and some wearing T-shirts depicting Abdel Baset al-Megrahi.

Relatives of the American victims, most of whom are convinced of Megrahi’s guilt, said he should die in jail, while British families believe the Libyan is innocent and supported his release.

Megrahi, 57,was the only man convicted of the 1988 atrocity in which 270 people died when Pan Am Flight 103 crashed on the town of Lockerbie, south-west Scotland, as a result of a terrorist bomb. .

Scenes of jubilation in Tripoli will further infuriate the US Government, which had pleaded with Scotland not to free Megrahi. Medical experts said he had less than three months to live. Megrahi has terminal cancer and asked to return home.

“Megrahi now faces a sentence imposed by a higher power.

At a news conference in Edinburgh on Thursday, Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill said: ”Our beliefs dictate that justice be served and compassion be shown. He is going to die.

“It is terminal, final and irrevocable.

“We’re now in contact with the Libyan Government and want to make sure that if, in fact, this transfer has taken place, that he’s not welcomed back in some way, but instead, should be under house arrest.”

US President Barack Obama said: “We have been in contact with the Scottish Government, indicating that we objected to this, and we thought it was a mistake”.

“A large gathering is planned in Green Square, in the heart of Tripoli, and Megrahi should be there alongside Seif al-Islam,” the source said.”

A source close to the Libyan delegation that accompanied Megrahi said Seif al-Islam, the son of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, was travelling with him.

He lost an appeal against his conviction in 2002.

Megrahi was sentenced to 27 years in prison in 2001 after a trial held under Scots law at a special court in the Netherlands.

.However, a Scottish review of his case ruled in 2007 that the case may have been a miscarriage of justice

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The Crown has confirmed it will not appeal the sentences of five people over a makutu or curse-lifting ceremony in Wainuiomata in 2007.

Read the judge’s sentencing notes

On Friday Justice Simon France imposed community sentences on the five for their roles in the curse-lifting ceremony which killed 22-year-old mother of two Janet Moses.

Ms Moses drowned as water was forced into her mouth in an attempt to flush out demons.

The sentences drew criticism from Labour MP Trevor Mallard , who said the five escaped jail because they were Maori.

The ceremony took place in 2007 at a small Wainuiomata flat, crammed with more than 30 whanau members.

Crown prosecutor Grant Burston told Radio New Zealand the guidelines for sentencing in manslaughter cases were not as strict as for other charges.

The Crown prosecutor yesterday confirmed the sentences would not be appealed.

It was within the sentencing discretion available to the court to give the community sentences and therefore the Crown would not be appealing.

Ms Turia, who welcomed Friday’s verdicts, said politicians should leave the court matters to the court and “we should hardly be commenting about an issue that… [we] absolutely know nothing about.

The decision has been welcomed by Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia.

Mr Mallard said that he had followed the case closely and said if Ms Turia could comment in support of the verdict, he was also entitled to his view.”

Ms Turia said she believed that the people involved in the ceremony did not have any malicious intent at any stage, Radio New Zealand reported.

The Wainuiomata MP said had no plans to take the issue further as the family has “suffered enough”.

He compared it to the case of Korean pastor Luke Lee who was sentenced to six years in 2001 for the manslaughter of Joanna Lee following an aggressive exorcism.

He said both Prime Minister John Key and Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia had spoken in support of the sentences.

He said both Prime Minister John Key and Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia had spoken in support of the sentences. . I don’t understand why they say it’s not on for me to comment but it’s okay for them to support it

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Paying by credit card could soon become more expensive with retailers being given the green light to pass on transaction costs to customers by the Commerce Commission.

The commission has reached an out of court settlement against credit card giant Visa for its part in a price-fixing agreement also involving MasterCard, the main banks and the Warehouse Financial Services.6 million towards the commission’s costs of bringing the action.

Visa will pay $2.

Merchants paid up to 1.

The commission alleged the parties agreed to fix the fee paid by merchants on transactions, known as the interchange fee.

Credit card company rules prevent merchants from passing on the transaction cost.8 per cent of the value of a purchase in interchange fee.

Under the agreement the banks, as the credit card issuers, will be able to individually set the fee charged to merchants, subject to a maximum rate determined by Visa. Instead the cost is spread across all customers regardless of how they pay for goods or services.

Merchants will be able to add the transaction fee to the cost of a purchase when the agreement takes effect by April 17 next year. The fees will be publicly disclosed.

Retail and Wholesale Merchants Association chief executive John Albertson said the agreement was “a step in the right direction”, but retailers would not be able to start passing on credit card fees till after the remaining proceedings had been dealt with.

Commission chairman Mark Berry said the changes “will, over time, improve competition between companies that provide credit card services to retailers”. .

However, the rule is already widely ignored by some merchants, including taxi operators, airlines and florists.

The Reserve Bank of Australia regulated the level of interchange fees in 2003 to reduce them from 0.

Similar action has been taken by regulators around the world including Britain and the United States.50 per cent.95 per cent of a transaction’s value to 0.

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The suspected terrorists arrested today in Melbourne allegedly intended to become martyrs in an attack on Holsworthy army base in New South Wales.

The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court heard police believed there was a conspiracy to use weapons to fire upon Australian military personnel.

Prosecutor Nick Robinson, SC, alleged the men intended to keep shooting until they were killed or arrested.

The court heard only one man had been charged with terrorism-related offences while three other men remained in custody without charge.

Mr Robinson agreed with Magistrate Peter Reardon that their intention was to become martyrs.

One of the men, Saney Aweys, appeared in court handcuffed and flanked by two federal agents.

Investigators are seeking a court order to extend their questioning of the men for eight hours. He denied any connection with the men mentioned in court by Mr Robinson. .

Aweys, who has not been charged and who was unrepresented, said he was a boilermaker and needed sleep after being awake for the past 30 hours. “I want to have a rest.

“I want it to stop now,” he said. He adjourned today’s hearing until 2pm for further applications to be made by the prosecution and their defense.”

Mr Reardon granted the application for Aweys to be interviewed for eight hours from 6pm tonight.

Federal agent David Kinton told the court the telephone intercepts had recorded text messages exchanged about the Holsworthy base.

Federal agent David Kinton told the court the telephone intercepts had recorded text messages exchanged about the Holsworthy base.”

He said the men had attempted to find an Islamic sheik or religious authority to give them support to engage in violent attacks in Australia. It is easy to enter. “I’m waiting for your message,” one allegedly said in relation to the information about the Holsworthy base.

Mr Kinton said there had been other text messages sent between the men.

CCTV footage allegedly shows one of the men arriving at Holsworthy on March 28, Mr Kinton said.

“Can you give me the address of Australia and name of train station,” another text allegedly said.

Mr Robinson said that evidence would involve electronic and physical surveillance. He said one telephone discussion intercepted by police involved a man believed to be in Somalia who was engaged in violence there. He said he would allow the questioning of “such serious allegations” to continue.

In granting the application for the extension Mr Reardon said terrorism acts “strike at the heart of our democratic society”.

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The New Zealand Warriors rued some agonising missed field goals as they clung on for a 32-32 draw with Penrith in a remarkable National Rugby League tryfest at CUA Stadium in Sydney.

Both sides scored five tries as they couldn’t be separated in a scoreless, yet thrilling 10 minutes of golden point extra time after the Warriors led 32-6 at one stage.Lance Hohaia went closest to winning it for the Warriors when his 35m field goal attempt three minutes into extra time hit the crossbar, while veteran Stacey Jones also had his chance with 90sec remaining but pushed a handy attempt just wide.It was a match the Warriors blew after they raced to 32-6 in the 51st minute thanks to a four-try haul by centre Joel Moon.The Warriors, who had four field goal attempts to the Panthers’ one in extra time, attacked desperately in the dying seconds but the hosts hung on.After an ordinary first half from the hosts, they awoke from their slumber to pile in four tries in 21 minutes in classic Panthers fashion.Both goalkickers Kevin Locke and Michael Gordon were outstanding, each kicking a perfect six from six.Big Kiwis forward Frank Pritchard, a late recall after recovering from a broken hand, made his presence felt and when Frank Puletua charged over in the 70th minute it was back to an eight-point deficit.Gordon’s goal from the sideline made it 32-30, then a desperate Wade McKinnon high tackle on Jarrod Sammut with two minutes left saw Gordon tie the scores from the penalty.Then Panthers flyer Michael Jennings scored his second got them within two points when he bulldozed over out wide with five minutes left.30 favouritism.It should have been elementary, and so Australia’s big sports punters thought as they made the Panthers the best-backed side all weekend, into $1.But it was the reverse early on as the Warriors showed urgency and took their chances while the Panthers looked flat before their home faithful of 12,677.The Panthers were coming off an away victory at North Queensland to sit sixth on the ladder while the Warriors were without captain Steve Price and recovering from a heavy home defeat to the Dragons to sit 13th, five points outside playoff territory.Moon – with just two tries from 17 previous matches in 2009 – had his hat-trick by halftime as the Warriors piled on their most prolific first half of a pop-gun attacking season to lead 20-6.Moon – with just two tries from 17 previous matches in 2009 – had his hat-trick by halftime as the Warriors piled on their most prolific first half of a pop-gun attacking season to lead 20-6. .Moon had his second in the 16th minute after hard-toiling prop Sam Rapira busted the line and sent five-eighth Isaac John away.Four minutes after the break the Warriors attacked and Hohaia’s grubber was grabbed by, sure enough, Moon, and Locke’s conversion made it a 20-point buffer.When the Warriors were handed another penalty, stand-in skipper Micheal Luck ordered a shot at goal and Locke drilled his fourth in a row for a 14-point halftime lead.

.Lewis Brown then extended the lead when he steamrolled Sammut to make it 32-6