Forum Views () 
Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
Infant boy the first NZ quake victim laid to rest  
 
 
 
 
 
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
 
 
 
Australia
China
India
 Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Infant boy the first NZ quake victim laid to rest
 
 
  
 
 By KRISTEN GELINEAU,Associated Press -
 Monday, February 28
 
 
Send
 
IM Story
 
Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand – A 5-month-old boy was laid to rest Monday at the first funeral for the victims of New Zealand's devastating earthquake, as the confirmed death toll rose to 148 and the government considered a nationwide levy to help pay for reconstruction.
 
Dozens of family and friends gathered at a small chapel in the stricken city of Christchurch for Baxtor Gowland, who was sleeping peacefully at home when he was struck by masonry shaken loose by the magnitude 6.3 quake last Tuesday. He died in a hospital, the family said in a statement read to The Associated Press by the child's great-uncle, Peter Croft.
 
Inside the chapel, a slideshow of the smiling infant's photographs flashed on a screen, as Sarah McLachlan's song "Angel" echoed throughout the room.
 
"We have all been thankful of the support and good wishes expressed from New Zealand and around the world," Croft said, his voice shaking with emotion as he read the statement. "However, we would like to think that today is for family and friends so that we can farewell Baxtor with peace and dignity."
 
Authorities have named just eight victims of last week's disaster _ Gowland and another infant among them.
 
Superintendent David Cliff said Monday that the death toll had reached 148, based on the number of bodies recovered from the rubble. Officials say the task of identifying the dead is slow and difficult, and that unidentified bodies are included on a list of people considered missing, which currently numbers around 200.
 
Cliff said "grave fears" are held for about 50 of those counted as missing, signaling the final death toll could be around 200.
 
The multinational team of more than 600 rescuers scrabbling through wrecked buildings in the decimated central area of the city last pulled a survivor from the ruins at mid-afternoon Wednesday, making it six days without finding anyone alive.
 
Police have said up to 120 people may have been killed in the downtown CTV building, where dozens of foreign students, mostly Japanese and Chinese, from an international language school were believed trapped. And up to 22 people may be buried in rubble at Christchurch Cathedral, most of them believed to be tourists climbing the bell tower for its panoramic views of the southern New Zealand city.
 
Prime Minister John Key was meeting with his Cabinet on Monday to discuss an aid package for an estimated 50,000 people who will be out of work for months due to the closure of downtown.
 
Key said measures being considered include an extra levy on all householders under New Zealand's compulsory quake insurance system to raise the estimated $4 billion needed to cover an insurance shortfall.
 
The package, to be announced later Monday, would also likely include wage subsidies and cash grants to Christchurch residents to ensure businesses have cash flow and can continue to operate.
 
Engineers and planners say the city's decimated central area may be completely unusable for months to come and that at least a third of the buildings must be razed and rebuilt. The government has said that virtually all services conducted in the downtown area will have to operate from elsewhere during the rebuilding period.
 
Officials estimated that one in three of the central business district's buildings were severely damaged in the quake and will have to be demolished.
 
"It's quite clear that a lot of buildings are going to have to come out of the CBD, so where a building is condemned it will need to be taken down," Key told TV One on Monday.
 
He said he expected much higher building code standards for new buildings so they will be able to withstand very strong earthquakes.
 
___
 
Associated Press writers Steve McMorran in Christchurch, New Zealand, and Ray Lilley in Wellington, New Zealand, contributed to this report.
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recommend
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Send
 
IM Story
 
Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related Articles
 
 
Malaysia to let in 45,000 workers for Indian firms AFP -  46 minutes ago
 
Philippines starts mass evacuations from Libya AFP - 1 hour 19 minutes ago
 
Thailand says still investigating who killed Reuters cameraman Reuters - 1 hour 20 minutes ago
 
New Zealand buildings' quake safety questioned Reuters - 2 hours 47 minutes ago
 
Paula Malai now a mum with newborn boy ANN - Monday, February 28
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
News Search
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Top Stories
 
 
 
 
Indian budget ups social spending by 17%
'I wanted to die', says quake penknife amputee
India's economy grew 8.2% in last 2010 quarter
Japan factory output up, oil rise spells risk
Oscars Live Report
 
 
 
 More Top Stories »
 
 
 
ADVERTISEMENT
  
 
 
 
 
Most Popular
 
 
 
 
Most Viewed
 
 
 
 
'Runaway millionaire' arrested in NZ: police
 
Oscars Live Report
 
Russia could 'lose $4 bn' in Libya arms deals
 
US billionaire Buffett ready for more takeovers
 
World tells Kadhafi to quit
 
 
 More Most Viewed »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 More Most Recommended »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
 
 
 
 
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
 
 
Stars and latest movies
 
 
Best travel destinations
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
More on Yahoo! News
 
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
 
Also on Yahoo!
 
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
 
Site Highlights
 
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Entertainment
Photos
Yahoo! News Network 
 
 
 
 Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
 
 
    
  
   
 
 
    
   
 
Other News on Monday, 28 February 2011 Saudi king orders more state jobs and faces reforms calls  
Russia could 'lose $4 bn' in Libya arms deals  
French foreign minister to resign on Sunday: minister  
Afghan probe accuses NATO of killing 65 civilians  
World tells Kadhafi to quit  
Lebanese protest against sectarian political system  
Sudan clamps down on election protest
|  
Afghan gov't: NATO op killed 65 civilians  
Egypt's Moussa indicates will run for president
|  
Iraq PM sets government 100 day deadline after protests
|  
Taliban say they have Canadian missing in Afghanistan
|  
Hollywood ready for Oscars coronation  
India to unveil budget as inflation and state elections weigh  
Blast kills Gaza militant, two wounded: medics
|  
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary  
Hollywood shines up for the Oscars  
"Gnomeo & Juliet" climbs to top of box office  
NZ quake city prays for miracles amid rubble, toll 146  
China plans sweeping economic change  
China lowers its economic growth target a tad  
More South Koreans flee Libya on chartered plane  
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary  
Indonesian celebrity apologizes for illegal drugs use  
Sen. Schumer calls for increased public WiFi security
|  
Hollywood shines up for the Oscars  
Top Chinese negotiator visits Taiwan  
"Gnomeo & Juliet" climbs to top of box office  
Great wall of Viet Nam  
Dolce&Gabbana bring sensual curves to Milan  
Filipino workers could lose $336M a year if Taiwan implements working visa freeze  
Freight train derails in Washington state  
Sick traveler raises fear of US measles spread  
Diabetic couple survives four days stuck in car under snow  
Nationwide sweep aimed at Mexican drug cartel activities in US  
UN Security Council slaps sanctions on Libya, refers Qadhafi to ICC  
Ban calls leaders of Saudi Arabia, Italy on Libya  
Hollywood shines up for the Oscars
|  
New Market Poultry Recalls Whole Chicken Products That May Be Tainted  
First Ever Hide 'n Seek Benefit For Chicago Children's Museum On Saturday, Feb. 26  
Gnomeo & Juliet climbs to top of box office
|  
Elizabeth Taylor spends 79th birthday in hospital
|  
'I wanted to die', says quake penknife amputee  
Libya arms embargo halts boom for defence contractors  
US-TECH Summary  
Gaddafi unflinching as rebel city fears counter-attack
|  
India's economy grew 8.2% in last 2010 quarter  
Scandal-hit French foreign minister resigns  
Quake hits southern Chile, a year after huge one
|  
Japan factory output up, oil rise spells risk  
Motorola sues TiVo over DVR technology  
Oscars Live Report  
Six killed in Oman protests on Sunday: government hospital
|  
Sen. Schumer calls for increased public WiFi security  
NZ buildings' quake safety questioned as burials start
|  
Luxury dazzles, China beckons at the Geneva motor show  
Libya exodus 'emergency' as Asian workers land in Malta  
Thailand says still investigating who killed  
US-TECH Summary  
Iran cautions against oil output hike  
US, S. Korea launch war games amid N. Korea threat  
The whimsy and menace of Moamer Kadhafi  
Mired in scandal, Berlusconi faces tax fraud trial
|  
Bahraini Shi'ite leader hints he could accept king
|  
New Zealand buildings' quake safety questioned  
Motorola sues TiVo over DVR technology  
'The Cove' DVD given to Japan dolphin-killing town  
SKorea, US begin annual drills amid NKorea threat  
Infant boy the first NZ quake victim laid to rest  
Oscars fashion: Bonham Carter in normal dress shock  
Factbox: Complete list of Oscar winners  
China uses whistles, water, police on protests  
Young Oscar hosts highlight Hollywood generation gap  
Motorola sues TiVo over DVR technology
|  
High tech, medieval weaponry combine in trebuchet competition
|  
'King's Speech,' 'Social Network' vie for Oscars gold  
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary  
Hollywood's women wear red and sparkle to Oscars  
Hollywood's A-list lights up Oscar red carpet  
'Gnomeo & Juliet' speeds to box office glory  
BRIEF-Moody's confirms Hana Bank and Korea Exchange Bank  
Oscars fashion: Bonham Carter in normal dress shock  
Seoul shares fall 1.2 pct on LG Elec, airlines  
"True Grit," Golden Globes lead Oscar losers  
NZ to increase debt after quake  
Azerbaijan fears neighbour Iran's radical influence  
Pakistan  
Financial meltdown documentary wins Oscar  
Two NZ earthquakes to cost NZ$20 bllion  
Natalie Portman leaps to Oscar for "Black Swan"  
NZ business confidence recovers before earthquake  
Oscars Live Report  
Seoul shares fall 1.2 pct on LG Elec, airlines  
"Toy Story 3" wins Oscar for animated feature  
Seoul shares open down as autos, shipyards weigh  
"The King's Speech" wins best film Oscar  
S.Korean large firms' confidence rises  
China used less energy per unit of GDP in 2010  
China campaigners plan new rallies after clampdown  
High tech, medieval weaponry combine in trebuchet competition  
King's Speech crowned big winner at Oscars
|  
Colin Firth adds first Oscar to awards haul
|  
World's biggest IT fair shoots for the clouds  
King's Speech wins best picture Oscar
|  
Natalie Portman leaps to Oscar for Black Swan
|  
'DJ Kadhafi' takes Internet by storm  
Tom Hooper wins director Oscar for King's Speech
|  
Christian Bale wins Oscar for The Fighter
|  
Melissa Leo wins first Oscar for The Fighter
|  
World-shaping minds inspired at TED gathering  
True Grit, Golden Globes lead Oscar losers
|  
Toy Story 3 wins Oscar for animated feature
|  
Financial meltdown documentary wins Oscar
|  
Clashes kill 10 in Sudan's Abyei flashpoint  
NATO: 3 service members killed in Afghanistan  
Japan's Asahi to focus on e-readers  
Explosion kills 8 Afghans in south  
Special Report: U.S. cables detail Saudi royal welfare program
|  
Brazil's TAM orders 32 A320 planes: Airbus  
Smartphone app revives flagging S. Korean custom  
US repositions troops in eastern Afghanistan  
India increases social spending in pro-poor budget  
Ireland parties talk coalition, seek bailout changes
|  
Libya live report  
Blast kills Gaza militant, two wounded  
Hope as rare rhino calves filmed in Indonesia  
Iraq PM sets 100 day deadline for gov after protests  
Egypt bans Mubarak, family from travel: prosecution
|  
Egypt stock market to reopen on Tuesday  
Saudi activists eye protests, wait for new cabinet
|  
Higher education, lower blood pressure: study  
India budget targets farms and social spending  
Iranian opposition leaders moved from house arrest  
Bahraini protesters move to parliament building
|  
Hyundai, Kia form partnership with Vodafone for automobile IT  
Thousands of Yemenis protest, unrest high in south
|  
HSBC 2010 net profit more than doubles to $13.16 bln  
Gaddafi's nurse back in Ukraine, dodges press
|  
Poverty forces Indonesian parents to keep autistic child on a leash  
China campaigners plan new rallies after clampdown  
Indian budget ups social spending by 17%  
Indonesia's rights groups condemn local bans on Ahmadiyah  
Malaysia's Maxis posts fourth quarters profits  
Sen. Schumer calls for increased public WiFi security
|  
JPMorgan says tablets to grow into $35 billion market by 2012
|  
JPMorgan fund in talks to buy Twitter stake: report
|  
AirAsia X buys three more A330s, IPO on track  
Pakistani stocks end slighly higher; rupee weakens  
Oscar king Colin Firth says time to turn to comedy  
German celebrity opossum misses one Oscar pick  
Malaysia charges second ex-minister over scandal  
Pakistan's 6-month budget deficit at 2.9 pct of GDP  
Game fans snap up Nintendo's 3DS at Japan launch
|  
'Youth-friendly' Oscars show gets thumbs down  
S.Korea fin min denies pursuing cheap won policy  
Chinese barbers hope for brisk business on 'haircut' day  
Athens top city for online flirting-dating website
|  
Haiti's carnival king drums up presidential support  
China's middle class stampede for luxury handbags  
Thai opposition party files censure motion against PM, ministers  
Businesses face uncertain future after NZ quake  
Colin Firth adds first Oscar to awards haul  
5,000 Thais heading to Italy from Libya Monday  
Discount service Groupon launches China site  
Oscar king Colin Firth says time to turn to comedy
|  
German celebrity opossum misses one Oscar pick
|  
German tech sector bullish before giant IT fair  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights