Toddler's death now a homicide

Police have launched a homicide inquiry following the death of three-year-old Palmerston North girl Kash McKinnon.

Officers found the girl with critical injuries at a Hulme St house on Wednesday after a visitor called an ambulance.

Kash had been at the house in the care of a 21-year-old man who was not her father, along with three other children aged two, four and six.

She died in Palmerston North Hospital at midday yesterday with her mother by her side. [+]

Details have not been fully disclosed yet to the public, but I hope it is not one of the millions of heard and unheard stories all over the world of child neglect, abuse, beatings, murders, and those kinds of things. People are trying to get rid of their little children for all kinds of reasons. Maybe they were abused, maybe they lack education, maybe they just didn't think of the consequences of having a child and then just abused the child for "ruining" their life. Maybe they're just whores and drug addicts who got together with losers, who knows. There are all kinds all over the world.

I hear all kinds of stories everyday of these poor kids dying, or being murdered in one way or another. Tragic, sad stories. People are trying to get rid of their children and it just makes me sad. I would take a bullet to be able to see and play with my child everyday. I don't have a solution, it would take the world to pitch in.

David Tua vs Shane Cameron 2009

A quick remix I did to promote the "Fight Of The Century", well, in NZ anyway. A must not miss bout with David Tua and Shane Cameron. As you can tell by the video, I will be backing David Tua to win before the 5th round.

The fight will be held at The Pavilion in Mystery Creek, Hamilton, on October 3rd 2009.

Check out the website here.

The One I Love

Gonna close my eyes
Girl and watch you go
Running through this life darling
Like a field of snow
As the tracer glides
In its graceful arc
Send a little prayer out to ya
‘Cross the falling dark

Tell the repo man
And the stars above
You’re the one I love

Perfect summers night
Not a wind that breathes
Just the bullets whispering gentle
‘Mongst the new green leaves
There’s things I might have said
Only wish I could
Now I'm leaking life faster
Than I'm leaking blood

Tell the repo man
And the stars above
You’re the one I love
You’re the one I love
The one I love

Don’t see Elysium
Don’t see no fiery hell
Just the lights up bright baby
In the bay hotel
Next wave coming in
Like an ocean roar
Won’t you take my hand darling
On that old dancefloor

We can twist and shout
Do the turtle dove
And you’re the one I love
You’re the one I love
The one I love [+]

Losses...

Well it looks like the All Blacks couldn't take out the Springboks in the second Tri-Nations match, going down 28-19, and therefore have slipped down the IRB world rankings to second place!

New Zealand couldn't produce a consecutive fourth title in the 2009 ISF World Men's Softball Championships, losing the final to Australia 5-0, and coming out second place in the tournament after a gruelling schedule.

Never mind, onward soldiers. This weeks third Tri-Nations match puts the All Blacks against the Springboks again. Check out the lineup for another tough match in Durban.

Huge viewing experience!

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Tri-Nations Match 2 : Springboks vs All Blacks

Never mind the Tri-Nations, there's a far more attractive cherry to be plucked from the aftermath of this clash.

This is not only the second of the nine Tri-Nations matches this year, it is also a straight head-to-head winner-takes-all play-off for number one spot in the IRB rankings. The two undisputed heavyweights of world rugby clashing. Oh yes! [Preview]

It is a two test series between the two best sides in the world. On one side, we have the Lions conquerors and World Champions, South Africa. On the other, we have the defending Tri Nations champions and the IRB's number one ranked side, New Zealand. [Preview]

South Africa: Francois Steyn, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Ruan Pieenar, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, John Smit (captain), Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.

Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Jannie du Plessis, Danie Rossouw, Ryan Kankowski, Ricky Januarie, Morne Steyn, Wynand Olivier

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Brendon Leonard, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Jason Eaton, Kieran Read, Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister, Cory Jane

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)

World Men's Softball Championship

It is upon us, the ISF World Men's Softball Championship is being held in a place most of you have probably never heard of, let alone, been to. Saskatoon! This city of about 200,000 or so is in the province of Saskatchewan in Canada.

New Zealand have won the past three championships for a total of 5 world championship titles dating back to 1966, as well as placing in the top 3 in all but two championships.

This championship, as I write this, has them undefeated at 7-0. The only other team with this record in this current tournament is Canada. At this moment they are facing Australia in the playoffs. And WHEN they win, they will most likely face Canada tomorrow in the semis. Unless USA somehow manages to dismantle Canada in todays playoffs. Suckful for Canada or USA to have to play NZ tomorrow because they will have to play their best of the best A game to proceed. And if they fail, neither will claim this years title. Actually I'm not really sure how it all works but let's just hope NZ can go all the way. Go NZ!!

ISF World Men's Softball Championship

Hayley wows Taiwan!

After wowing the Taiwanese by singing in Mandarin, Kiwi soprano Hayley Westenra has clearly won new fans in the island of 23 million.

At the 8th World Games, her repertoire included a Mandarin love song, The Moon Represents My Heart, performed in front of 40,000 people.

Read article here...

2009 World Games

Hayley in HQ [+]

So Precious!

Amelie Peck loved to sing.

She was starting to copy the songs Mum Jo sang to her, promising a musical future.

A sociable child, she had a wonderful first birthday party in May, surrounded by her favourite people.

The little Palmerston North girl had come so far since battling almost every complication that can beset a premature baby some 20 blood transfusions, eye surgery, a series of infections and a type of pneumonia that nearly claimed her life just before Christmas.

The Peck family shared the story of how the surprisingly strong and happy little girl had survived those challenges early this year with the support of Hope, a group set up in the city for parents of premmies.

But today, Jo and dad Lou have to say their final goodbyes to their first and only child.

Their beloved daughter died in Palmerston North Hospital on Saturday, the region's first life snuffed out by swine flu. 23.07.09 [+]

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass, it's about learning how to dance in the rain.