New Zealand

Mass Participation During Earth Hour On Saturday!

Earth Hour During Earth Hour on Saturday, administrative and public houses, archaeological sites and a large number of homes all through Greece turned off their lights as a part of a worldwide initiative to emphasize the risk of climatic change.

The majority of Greeks joined the rest of the world in the global event started by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to dim nonessential lights from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Around 4,000 cities and towns in 88 countries and regions joined the glabal event.

A town by any other name? Not the same, say Maoris

A town by any other name? Not the same, say MaorisWellington  - A row erupted Monday over an official decision to put the letter "h" into the name of the New Zealand North Island city Wanganui to restore its original Maori spelling after 155 years.

The ruling came from the New Zealand Geographic Board, which is the last word on the spelling of places on the map, and follows its decision 18 years ago to change the name of the river that flows through the city of 40,000 people to Whanganui.

What a row over a name!

What a row over a name!Wellington - A row erupted Monday over an official decision to put the letter "h" into the name of the New Zealand North Island city Wanganui to restore its original Maori spelling after 155 years.

The ruling came from the New Zealand Geographic Board, which is the last word on the spelling of places on the map, and follows its decision 18 years ago to change the name of the river that flows through the city of 40,000 people to Whanganui.

Gambhir, Dravid, Tendulkar lead India''s fight back in Napier Test

 Gambhir is Coca-Cola’s new brand ambassadorNapier, Mar. 29 : India’s much vaunted batting machinery came to its rescue on Sunday, putting up 252 for the loss of two wickets in the second innings after being asked to follow on by New Zealand on Saturday.

Banned players may play for New Zealand again

Shane BondAuckland, Mar. 29 : Former Kiwi cricketers, including Shane Bond and Daryl Tuffey, have been told they will be released from their ICL contracts if they request a release next week, a move which will allow them to play for the Black Caps again.

Players contracted to the financially strapped, unsanctioned Indian Cricket League recently received an e-mail from tournament organisers informing them of the option.

It''s understood Himanshu Mody, the ICL''s business head, will fly to Australia to meet with ICL executive board member and famed Channel Nine commentator Tony Greig in the next 10 days to discuss the proposal.

New Zealand welfare agency uses Facebook to get benefit fraudsters

New Zealand welfare agency uses Facebook to get benefit fraudsters Wellington  - New Zealand's government welfare agency has confirmed it examines internet social network sites like Facebook to catch benefit fraudsters, a newspaper reported on Sunday.

Young mother Lauren Kaney, 22, of Mount Maunganui, was convicted in court last week of getting three times the weekly benefit she was entitled to, after claiming she lived on her own with her 2-year-old- son.

In fact, her Bebo and Facebook pages revealed she was living with the boy's father, the Herald on Sunday reported.

Pages