Two a penny

Get other General Politics hereAs part of the Saudi financial system banking has made a significant contribution to the economic development of the Kingdom. Indeed its performance is now regarded as the barometer of Saudi Arabia’s economic health. With an increased role envisaged for the private sector the contribution of the commercial banks is sure to expand in the future. This explains the importance of al-Dukheil’s book. His study provides an overview of the origins and growth of the banking industry in Saudi Arabia its contribution to the country’s economic development and its expanding role in the 1990s. The issues now facing the commercial banks together with the emerging trends in information technology globalization the financing needs of small-scale industries Saudization Islamic banking etc are also discussed. The book covers more than ten year Comments (0)

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An Auckland man is in custody following an alleged jealous rampage in which he reportedly attacked his ex-girlfriend then damaged her new partner’s motorcycle.

The first incident happened when the 38-year-old man appeared at his ex-girlfriend’s workplace in Wiri, Manukau, at 7.

He approached her outside and was abusive, threatening to smash her car with an iron bar before, it was believed, kicking her in the stomach, Ms Clarke said. .

He yelled for the man to come outside and when he failed to appear, attacked his motorbike, Ms Clarke said.

The man then drove to her new partner’s work, having last week allegedly threatened to kill him.

By this point the man knew police were examining for him and he drove to his home in Takanini, Ms Clarke said.

A staff member at the site told police they saw what looked like a gun in the man’s pocket.”

A helicopter was sent to search for him and spotted his car in Huntly.

“Police contacted him, telling him to hand himself in (and) he’s been aggressive with police.

They did not find a gun. Police caught up with the man and took him for questioning. He has been charged with assault, threatening to kill, breaching a protection order, wilful damage and possessing an offensive weapon.

He was being held in custody ahead of an appearance in Manukau District Court tomorrow.

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Scientists have identified two powerful antibodies that point to a new target for an Aids vaccine, by probing the blood of a rare group of people who contract HIV but develop resistance. .

They are the first to be identified in more than a decade, and the first to be identified in an HIV-infected but otherwise resistant person from a developing country.

“I think this is a very significant finding,” says Prof Purcell, who heads the Molecular Virology Laboratory at the University of Melbourne.

Commenting on the research, Melbourne-based Associate Professor Damian Purcell said the discovery had pointed to a new and potentially broadly available “chink” in the Aids virus’ armour.”

Work towards an HIV vaccine has continued for decades, and its success hinges on finding an unchanging part of the virus which otherwise mutates furiously inside the body.

“And it’s actually a foretaste for what we’re going to require over the next couple of years in order to make an effective HIV vaccine.

The search is centred on a rare group of people referred to as “elite neutralisers”, because while they had contracted HIV they appeared to live without ill effect.

They settled on a sample from an HIV-resistant Kenyan man, and the unique antibodies found in his blood were shown to work against a part of the virus not considered for potential vaccine application before.

The IAVA research, published in the journal Science, took in 1,800 blood samples from HIV-infected people across the African continent but also from Australia, Thailand, the UK and USA.

“They chose an elite neutralising patient in Africa, and the antibodies they plucked out were able to neutralise viruses from Australia, from USA, from Asia,” Prof Purcell says.

It also worked against a range of different HIV strains, Prof Purcell says, raising hopes of finding “the chink in the armour, the susceptible target that seems to be across all of these (HIV) viruses”.

Prof Purcell also says the effort to develop an HIV vaccine could continue for another five to 10 years but “at least we now know what we’re aiming at, the target has become more visible”.

It was also “very potent” compared to earlier antibody discoveries.

Further developments in HIV will be discussed at the 2009 Australasian Sexual Health Conference, to be held back-to-back with The Australasian HIV/Aids Conference 2009, in Brisbane next week.

Further developments in HIV will be discussed at the 2009 Australasian Sexual Health Conference, to be held back-to-back with The Australasian HIV/Aids Conference 2009, in Brisbane next week

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Clayton Weatherston says Sophie Elliott was an attempted murderer and she has won a “contrived legacy”.

Weatherston is giving evidence for a fourth day at the Christchurch High Court in his own defence at his trial for the murder of Sophie Elliott. He says it was manslaughter, not murder, because he was provoked.

He admits killing Elliott, 22, at her Dunedin home on January 9 last year. . Weatherston, 33, has been on the stand all day, giving evidence under cross examination at his trial for the murder of Elliott, 22.

“In my view she is an attempted murderer,” Weatherston said.

Weatherston said Elliott had a “contrived legacy” and there had been a “misrepresentation of her character”.

“For it to be portrayed in a different light … that’s just the way it is.

He says he was provoked to kill Elliott by a relationship full of difficulties and an attack by Elliott on him with a pair of scissors. Society moves forward. Clearly, I’m in this position.”

Weatherston agreed he had told a psychologist that he was “over it,”referring to the case against him for killing Elliott. I was at that point a little bit frustrated. … I was exhausted,” Weatherston said

“I was saturated by it.

“That was a flippant comment.. . I just wanted an accurate depiction of events and of the characters involved..

Bates suggested Weatherston had locked the bedroom door with the intention of attacking and killing Elliott.”

Bates probed Weatherston over what had happened in Elliott’s bedroom when he stabbed her 216 times, killing her at her Dunedin home on January 9 last year.

“I’m assuming that too,” Weatherston said.

It appeared he had killed her in the corner of her bedroom, Bates said.

“Um, I think I saw.

“Um, I think I saw. … I’m not sure. I don’t know,” Weatherston said.

Weatherston said he thought the scissors and the blade he had used were left on the floor of the bedroom.

He did not recall telling an officer the knife was “probably under her” but could remember saying he had used scissors on Elliott “at the end”.

Police had found the blade underneath Elliott’s body.

Justice Potter asked Weatherston: “You were right about that, weren’t you?”

Weatherston said he was.

“Prior to the officer coming in I could see certain things around. I looked at my hand and I could see a cutting wound in my hand and I was trying to work out …” Weatherston said.

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Man hit by taxi may have been pushed

Monday, 16 February 2009

A man left in a critical condition after being hit by a taxi in Napier may have been pushed in front of it, police say.
Police started an investigation after the 34-year-old man was hit by a taxi carrying two passengers in Milton Rd just after 1.
He received "extensive" injuries and was in a critical condition in the intensive care unit of Hawke's Bay Hospital last night.30am yesterday.
Police had been unable to speak with him because of his condition, which included serious head and bone injuries.
Detective Emmet Lynch said the man had attended a party in the same street where he was injured and could have been involved in an altercation on the footpath before he was hit.
"There's a lot of speculation but we don't know without more information.
"Either he's fallen, or he's been pushed, maybe he was fleeing from being assaulted, perhaps he may have walked in to it.
Witnesses had said there was "some drama" on the footpath before the incident."
Mr Lynch said the hilly street was not well lit and the taxi driver did not see the local man "until it was too late".
One was described as a slightly-built Maori, about 16 years old, with short hair.
Mr Lynch said police wanted to speak with witnesses, including the three young men who had been seen with the man before the incident near the intersection with Cameron Rd.
The second was a dark-skinned Maori or Polynesian, aged about 16. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black jeans and white shoes.
The third was a Maori aged about 17, wearing a white shirt and blue jeans. He had his hair tied in a ponytail with two curly lengths down each side of his face.

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Prostitutes tempt clients with deals

By KEITH LYNCH – Saturday, 07 February 2009

Stacy Squires/
NO LET UP: Christchurch brothel owner Felicity James says her business has not yet been hit by the recession. .
Even the oldest profession in the world is not recession-proof, and the city's sex workers are trimming prices and providing special services.
"The lunchtime special -$50 for 15 minutes – makes up 90 per cent of my work now because a lot of people are not going to book an hour or half an hour," she said.
Phebe, who describes herself as a busty blonde, is offering a $50 lunchtime special to attract clients. A lot of girls out there are doing things and offering services they wouldn't normally do, but I've just come up with this special and dropped my prices.
"I've also had to drop my prices to bring in the same amount of business."
Another escort, Loretta, 26, is offering a service called double-trouble to bring in business. Now you've got to have a hook or offer something different," she said.
"This is our hook. It's a tease.
"The service [which costs $80] involves one lady offering full service while another watches.
"I've been working a couple of years and people just don't have the money they used to," she said."
Loretta said the recession had hit her prices hard.
"I used to charge $100 for half an hour and $160 for the full hour.
"I used to charge $100 for half an hour and $160 for the full hour."
The Christchurch co-ordinator of the New Zealand Prostitutes Collective, Anna Reed, said: "The first thing that goes in a recession is discretionary income, and nobody is making much money.
"Competition is up, too, and there are girls out there offering full service for $40. "We have heard of some girls being forced to go to work in Auckland and Wellington."
She said there had been reports of prostitutes moving elsewhere to get work. Felicity James, of Felicity's brothel in Lichfield St in central Christchurch, said she had not seen a drop in business."
Not all prostitutes are being hit by the recession.
"They work their own hours, they have more independence and they have autonomy, but not the protection we can offer.
"We have seen a drop in staff levels here as women opt to work as escorts at home," she said. Ideally, I'd want 26, but I expect an influx next week when the children go back to school.
"Right now I only have 12 girls.
"People will always buy food, alcohol, drugs, coffee, and sex.
"People will always buy food, alcohol, drugs, coffee, and sex. A lot of men are stressed and want a release," she said.
"We haven't been forced to drop our prices. We get about 150 clients on average a week, and this number is staying steady."

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Pair arrested for Christchurch cabbie killing

Monday, 08 December 2008

SLAIN: Abdulrahman Ikhtiari.

Cabbies tell of assault fears

Hunt on for taxi driver killers

Police recover footage of murder scene

Two teenage maleshave been arrested and charged with the murder of Christchurch taxi driver Abdulrahman Ikhtiari, police said tonight.
Securitycamera footage of twopeople fleeing the scene of the murder in the early hours of Saturday morning brought about the breakthrough this afternoon.
The pair, aged 16 and 19, will appear in the youth court tomorrow.
Ikhtiari, a 39-year-old father of five, died of a single stab wound to his chest in his taxi on Worcester Street.
Police said the footage had thrown up a lot of new information, including the registration plates of cars at the scene at the time. .
The post mortem on Ikhtiari indicates the weapon used to stab him in the chest had a blade at least 14cm long and about 2cm wide.
Police had yet to find two men believed to have been the United Taxis driver's last fare.
SECURITY
Ikhtiari's car lacked the hi-tech security system of many Christchurch taxis.
United Taxis director Trevor Ellwood said the company's lower-tech radio dispatch system was just as effective as the bigger companies and in most cases faster.
The United Taxis fleet does not have alarm systems or cameras.
"You can have GPS and cameras and all the niceties but they're $5000 per car .
"The law stipulates what the requirements are," he said…"
The firm is not a member of the Taxi Federation. It's nice to have alarm systems and everything but the guys have got to be able to activate them.
One taxi driver, who declined to be named, said the larger more recognised firms were prohibitively expensive to join, which forced people to work for less-protected operations. Drivers with member firms such as Blue Star, Gold Band and First Direct have technology and protections unavailable to drivers at other operations.
Other companies had lower subscriptions but the lack of booking work forced drivers to ply the streets for trade.
The larger companies benefited from more "radio work" phone-booked jobs that gave more stable incomes.
Over 30 taxi drivers and members of the Afghan community were at the home to lend support to the family.
Ikhtiari's home in Bryndwr was a sombre scene yesterday.
A family spokesperson, who declined to be named, expressed concern for Ikhtiari's widow who was "very frail".
A family spokesperson, who declined to be named, expressed concern for Ikhtiari's widow who was "very frail".
"She can't cope," he said.
Christchurch man Ali Tausif said Ikhtiari was known in the Christchurch Muslim community as a "very quiet, polite person".
Hagley Community College associate principal Rex Gibson said members of Ikhtiari's extended family worked at the college and Ikhtiari volunteered at the school's refugee homework programme.
Ikhtiari came to New Zealand after persecution of his Hazara ethnic group in Afghanistan by the ruling Taleban.
He was aboard the container ship the MV Tampa which created international headlines when it rescued him and more than 400 other Afghan refugees from a distressed fishing vessel but then was refused access to Australian ports. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 363 7400.
– with and

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Shear fun at Royal show

– Saturday, 15 November 2008

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I SAY: Princess Anne enjoys a light moment as special guest at the 78th Royal New Zealand Show in Christchurch yesterday.

The black-gloved hands of the Queen's daughter remained clasped for almost an hour, but the Princess Royal broke into applause after the spectacle of Kiwi sheep shearing.
The Princess stood to watch the 50-minute parade of award-winning animals loop the arena.
Princess Anne was the special guest at the 78th Royal New Zealand Show at Canterbury Agricultural Park in Christchurch yesterday.
Culverden farmers Jim Hartnell and Bridget and Mark Galbraith said they "couldn't have paid for better seats" as they were behind the Princess.
One woman yelled "Welcome to Christchurch" as Anne entered the arena and was given a wave in return.
One of the animals became unruly, so the Princess took a step backwards. . "But it's a plastic rose bush.
"She asked if the plant she nearly fell on was a chilli pepper plant," Bridget Galbraith said.
Simon Paterson was given a silver tray and decanter set, and the Princess joked with him that the decanter should have come with some kind of alcohol."
The Princess presented the Supreme Champion Animal of Show award to Allan and Simon Paterson for their merino ram.
The competitors, with sweat dripping from their noses after the event, were rewarded with the Princess's applause, the first time she clapped since arriving.
Her most animated display was reserved for the shearers.
A written protocol said the Princess should be addressed as "Your Royal Highness followed by ma'am in later conversation".
Diplomatic protection officers tried to usher the Princess to her waiting car, but she veered off-course to shake a couple of the shearers' hands. She will leave on Tuesday.
The Princess is in Christchurch for the 23rd Royal Agricultural Societies of the Commonwealth Conference.
A woman supervising the pen believed two of the four goats had been stolen, but it was later revealed they were sold.
Meanwhile, a suspected case of kidnapping sparked fears in the City Farmyard yesterday when two kids (baby boer goats) disappeared from the pen.

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Vets warn of fat pets risk

Wednesday, 12 November 2008

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: Bert the fox terrier tipped the scales at 32kg before being put on a weight-loss programme.

Owners of pets risk killing them with kindness as a human obesity and diabetes epidemic is being mirrored among animals, vets say.
In serious cases, diabetic dogs and cats would require regular insulin injections, just like humans.
Mike Gething, who runs a vet clinic in Auckland, said the number of cats and dogs diagnosed with diabetes had risen by 20 per cent in the past decade, with up to 10 new cases at his clinic this year. "Middle age to older dogs and cats that are obese are at higher risk.
Although more animals were being diagnosed, and environmental and hereditary factors played a role, many of the cases were the result of obesity, he said.
"People let their dogs and cats carry more weight than they should. Right now we're treating nine dogs and seven cats for diabetes."
Nick Cooper, of Johnsonville's Care Vets, said he had also noticed a high incidence of fat pets, especially cats. Dogs are around when a family is eating and they can't resist giving them food. It's not just diabetes, the weight affects their joints, movement and quality of life. "A lot of owners think they are just cuddly. "Just like people, the best way for animals to lose weight is more exercise and less food."
SPCA vet Cristina Gans said trends in the United States had established a clear link between obese animals and diabetes."
Dr Gething said though treatment for diabetes would normally save the animals, all dogs and many cats would have to have insulin for the rest of their lives. Owners should work out a diet plan with their vets. "If an animal is morbidly obese, diabetes is a risk but often we see pets that aren't obese.
Wellington vet Kerry Burke said diabetic animals were not necessarily over-weight and the increase in reported diabetes could be the result of more pets being taken for check-ups."

. Obesity is a factor but it's not a huge factor

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Parents feared ‘baby girl’ was dead

Families united in their pain

– Sunday, 28 September 2008

The parents of the woman police claim was the target of a fatal stabbing have told how they were terrified their "baby girl" had been murdered.
Devonport father of three Austin Hemmings, 45, was stabbed to death in Auckland's CBD on Thursday evening after attempting to fend off a man who was allegedly attacking a female relative.
The accused made a brief court appearance, charged with one count of male assaults female but police said more serious charges were imminent.
As Austin attempted to call police from his cellphone he was stabbed in the chest, allegedly by a man who was located the following morning at a south Auckland flat.
But yesterday her parents spoke of hearing about the Mills Lane tragedy the street where their daughter worked and "immediately" thinking she was the slain victim.
The 25-year-old woman Austin tried to help was last night in hiding with a close friend.
"I was just so shocked, so upset.
"I thought `that is my baby girl, my little girl is dead'," the mother told from her west Auckland, home.
The woman's parents had been praying since Austin's death. How could this have happened?"
The mother said the arrested man was a distant relative. He saved my daughter's life.
"We are spending much time thinking about Austin.
"My girl is the person who always helps everyone else, so to see other people coming for her rescue is just amazing. How can I ever repay that kindness," the father told .
The head of the police homicide inquiry last night confirmed the fears of the woman's family."
The Western Samoan parents said they haven't spoken to their daughter whose name is suppressed but planned to attend church as a family tomorrow.
Asked if the accused had been in a relationship with the woman, Whitley responded: "I can't make any comment about that.
"He has gone there specifically to see her," Detective Senior Sergeant Gerry Whitley said."
has learned armed police guarded the home of the woman until the accused had been apprehended.
"I would like to but that is a purely operational matter.
Meanwhile, members of Grey Lynn Samoan Methodist Church which the woman's family have attended since she was born will this morning meet and pray for Austin's family.
"We didn't want another fatality on our hands," said one police source.
He would offer to participate in Austin's funeral service.
Reverend Ioane Tuupo said the congregation had been severely affected by the tragedy but their faith in God would help them get through.
"It is not a nice feeling knowing that a member of your church could have died," Tuupo said.
"It is not a nice feeling knowing that a member of your church could have died," Tuupo said.
"She is a very courageous, supportive and helpful young lady. I rely on her in this church."
The deeply religious woman says on her social networking page that "too many" people "go around not knowing" or being "scared" of the "unknown".
Nalesoni Tupou, one of the lawyers representing the accused, last night attacked media coverage of the incident, saying he was "greatly concerned" by the public sympathy for Austin.
"I respect the loss of the father but with all the emotions running like this you have to wonder how we will get a fair trial."
Tupou had not yet discussed with his client the events of Thursday but said he was "pleased to be in custody".
Meanwhile, Austin's family wife of 25 years, Jenny, daughters Meghann, 19, and Jessica, 17, and son Gareth, 16 said they planned to scatter his ashes in Israel.
"He wanted to go to Israel," said Jenny, an art teacher at Takapuna Grammar. "He just wanted to see where a lot of the Bible happened walk where Jesus walked. So what we're going to do, he's going to be cremated and we're going to do that trip for him."
Jenny said she hoped her husband's death would inspire more people to find God.
"I want everyone to be talking about Austin … We have got too much violence in our society. The only way to change that is to change what's in our hearts.
"One of the greatest wishes in Austin's life was that people come to know God. And he had to die to get his message to the nation."
Austin's funeral will be held at Holy Trinity Church, Devonport, on Wednesday at 1.30pm.