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BREAKING: David Beats Goliath

kevin — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:05:31 +0000

David Haye has beaten Nikolai Valuev on points in Nuremburg. And is the new World Heavyweight Champion..

Haye damaged his hand in the second round and nearly knocked out the giant in the final few seconds..

More soon..

Random Posts

Cha Cha Cha disaster for Craig as he exits Strictly

Nigel Slater — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:35:51 +0000

Coronation Street actor Craig Kelly and his partner Flavia Cacace are the latest couple to be shown the door in Strictly Come Dancing.

Kelly, who plays ladies man Luke Strong in the ITV soap, lost out to Eastenders actor Ricky Groves in the dance-off.

This week the show was recorded live at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom – the claimed home of ballroom dancing.

Kelly’s Cha Cha Cha was blasted by the judges with Alesha Dixon describing it as a ‘daddy’ type of dance. His efforts were rewarded with only 17 points – the lowest score of the night.

All judges voted to save Ricky Groves, whose Salsa with Erin Boag, earlier in the night received just 25 points.

The dance of the night came from The Bill actress Ali Bastian and her partner Brian Fortuna. The pair scored a maximum 40 points for their Vienese Waltz. The pair’s score is the first 40 in the series.

BBC Sports presenter Chris Hollins also impressed the judges after his Foxtrot earned him a personal best of 34 points with partner Ola Jordan.

Groves, Bastian and Hollins are joined by Jade Johnson, Phil Tufnell, Ricky Whittle, Natalie Cassidy and Laila Rouass.

Just eight celebrities now remain in the competition.

Cheryl and Dannii separated for ‘lacking chemistry’

Nigel Slater — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:32:39 +0000

Dannii Minogue was left fuming last week after being moved from her chair next to Cheryl Cole due to the pair being ‘boring’ together – it has been reported.

It is believed Simon Cowell ordered Dannii to swap chairs with Louis Walsh minutes before last Saturday’s X Factor show because he felt the Australian and the Girls Aloud singer lacked chemistry.

An unhappy and confused Dannii requested a meeting with bosses after the show to discuss the issue and whether the idea was permanent.

An X Factor source told the Daily Mirror: “It was on Simon’s say-so. He wasn’t that happy with the show a week ago – he thought it was a bit boring and decided it needed shaking up.

“So he opted to move Louis up the panel this week and Dannii down to the end.

“He doesn’t think there is enough banter and interaction between the girls – they basically lack chemistry. It has certainly ruffled some feathers – Dannii wasn’t at all happy.”

This revelation comes only weeks after Cowell publicly criticised both Cheryl and Dannii for spending more time on their appearance instead of looking after their acts.

The source added: “Cheryl and Dannii aren’t mates like Louis and Simon, who have no compunction about hurling insults at each other.”

Meanwhile, contestant Jamie Archer has reportedly threatened to quit the contest after it emerged show bosses turned down an opportunity for him to support Bon Jovi on tour.

Bon Jovi met rocker hopeful Archer last Sunday after appearing as a guest on the show.

Archer was left feeling down after being told he had a contract with the X Factor to honour to and he felt going on tour with Bon Jovi was his best chance for fame.

According to bookies, Archer is low down the favourites list to win this year’s X Factor.

England warm-up in style but Broad is sent for scan

Nigel Slater — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:24:16 +0000

England made the perfect start to their tour of South Africa by comprehensively beating the Eagles in their first warm-up match yesterday.

After scoring an impressive 294 – 7 from 50 overs, England produced with the ball, bowling out the South African province for 109 – giving England a massive 185 run victory.

Jonathan Trott’s 85 and captain Andrew Strauss’ 72 were the main contributions to England’s score as the batsman looked to get some early tour runs under their belt.

Eoin Morgan’s fine form from the Champions Trophy continued as he hit a quick-fire 67 not out from just 52 balls to get England past the 290 mark.

The Eagles never recovered after two early wickets from Stuart Broad put the hosts very much on the back-foot.

England then took wickets at regular intervals with Broad, James Anderson, Sajid Mahmood, Graeme Swann and Paul Collingwood taking two wickets each.

The Eagles were dismissed for a poor 109 as England eased to a comfortable win.

The only thing which marred England’s win was the injury scare to all-rounder Stuart Broad.

Broad was taken off the field after bowling four overs and has been sent for a ‘precautionary’ scan after jarring his shoulder during the game.

England are likely to rest Broad for their second tour match tomorrow when they play the Warriors at Kimberley.

DD Exclusive!! Sinitta blasts Cheryl over Danyl remarks

Nigel Slater — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:31:31 +0000

Simon Cowell’s closest adviser and former pop singer Sinitta has warned Cheryl Cole over her personal remarks over X Factor contestant Danyl Johnson.

The 80’s pop star, who assists Cowell backstage, says Cheryl’s remarks are way over the top and may have further breakdown affects to the singer.

Cole and fellow judge Dannii Minogue have criticised Johnson in recent weeks, claiming he has lost his ‘mojo’ and that his confidence had been hit hard.

Sinitta said: “It’s outrageous for Cheryl to target him personally. It is out of order and just mean.

“There is nothing to justify these comments that he’s not likeable, that he’s not a nice person, that he’s a horrible guy.

“Not everyone can turn you on and be your favourite, but to show your personal distaste just because you don’t like the person they are is quite hideous. It’s not fair.”

Cowell is Johnson’s mentor in this year’s live finals of the popular ITV show.

Sinitta also told how Danyl finally cracked after facing more criticism from the judges and some viewers last week.

She added: “People couldn’t handle the fact he was going to tough it out and get through it no matter what.

“But it was all too tough for him in the end. He was overwhelmed and nearly exploded. He had all the Susan Boyle-type hype and people were going crazy about him.

“Then he’s had to put up with being villified and told he’s more hated than Hitler.”

How well will Johnson do this week? The X Factor returns tonight at 8pm.

Thanks to the News Of The World for this exclusive content

One in twenty kids think Hitler was a German football coach

Tom Moran — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:26:08 +0000

A veterans’ charity was shocked to discover that one in 20 children thought Adolf Hitler was a German football coach.

Scottish-based charity Erskine, which provides nursing and medical care to veterans, surveyed 2,000 children between the ages of nine and 15 about their knowledge of the two world wars.

Alongside the Hitler revelation, the survey revealed one in six kids believed Auschwitz was a Second World War theme park, one in 20 said the Holocaust was an end-of-war party, and one in 10 thought SS stood for Enid Blyton’s Secret Seven.

There was a glimmer of hope when a segment of youngsters managed to link the Blitz to World War Two. But hopes were dashed when it was revealed one in 12 believed it was a European clean-up operation following the conflict.

Despite the alarming results – with a quarter admitting they did not think about the soldiers who died and 40 per cent unaware of when Remembrance Day was – the survey revealed that 70 per cent wanted to improve their knowledge of the conflicts.

Major Jim Panton, chief executive of Erskine, said: “Some of the answers to this poll have shocked us and it has shown that Erskine, amongst others, has a part to play, not just in caring for veterans but in educating society as a whole.

“As we approach Remembrance Day it is hard to believe that 40 per cent of our children do not know when it is. Schoolchildren are the future of the country and it is important that we help them to learn about our history.”

The charity is now set to take part in a nationwide education programme in conjunction with Their Past Your Future (TPYF), a partnership of organisations including the Imperial War Museum.

Erskine hopes that some of the 1,350 veterans it cares for will share their knowledge and first-hand experience with younger generations.

Andrew Salmond, a project manager for TPYF in Scotland, said: ”This initiative offers a fantastic opportunity to inform young people about the experiences of war – both at home and abroad.

“Some, we know, will convey wartime loss and suffering, others will speak of daring and inspiration. However, all will be of great educational value, offering an insight to what previous generations have endured in times of conflict.”

Is Ed Balls still planning to replace history with Twitter on the school curriculum?

Kolpak Sensationalism: Looks Can Be Deceiving

Alex Homer — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:06:22 +0000

If Monty Panesar moves to Sussex, Ollie Rayner, William Beer or Rory Hamilton-Brown is going to bowl less overs crucial to their development. Meanwhile Northamptonshire prefer Kolpak Nicky Boje as their left-arm spinner for 2010. So what has changed with these New Home Office laws?

Whoever subbed the page at BBC Sport, describing the ECB’s overseas player battle victory, sensationalised a pretty uninspiring tit bit.

The most significant shake-up is Kent’s Twenty20 specialist Ryan McLaren (pictured) voluntarily forfeiting his Kolpak status, after his call-up to South Africa’s one-day squad to face Zimbabwe and England.

Derbyshire’s Charl Langeveldt has done the same by the way.

Under the new ‘restrictions’ Michael Di Venuto and Dale Benkenstein will remain at Durham next year, having held UK work permits for the last four years, as will Murray Goodwin at Sussex while Corey Collymore also qualifies.

Jacques Rudolph is covered for 2010, having played Tests in 2006, and indefinitely thereafter as he will have held a UK visa for four years by the end of next season.

While the county that really rocked the boat, Northants, will keep Andrew Hall and the aforementioned Boje on their books just as fellow South African, Andre Nel, has two years left on his Surrey deal, as does his on-field German alter ego Gunther.

In fact there will be very little change in the short-term.

Sussex’s Dwayne Smith is the most notable Kolpak casualty. Having not represented the West Indies since March 2006, Smith no longer qualifies, though he may still return as the Sharks’ second overseas player, permitted for T20 only.

Ironically Glamorgan, who famously refused to jump on the import bandwagon (or cross-country freight train) till 2008, preferring to cultivate home-grown talent, will most likely suffer worst as Garnett Kruger is forced to leave, having never played Tests.

The more things change then…

The law change suggests the wish for more England-qualified players. As things stand, ‘established’ Kolpaks will remain and recent Test players willing to forego international recognition, for short-term gain in the UK, can arrive. Enter West Indian Daren Powell at Lancashire.

In political terms the ruling is ‘piecemeal’ because it does not offend counties reliant on imported players, and pays lip service to the idea of a Championship heaving with English talent.

In truth it is fazing out Kolpaks gradually because they do raise the standard. Why tell it any differently?

Chelsea transfer ban suspended

Nigel Slater — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:58:36 +0000

Chelsea could now be allowed to sign players in January after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) lifted their transfer ban until a final decision was made.

In September, FIFA had ruled the club could not sign any more players until 2011 after inducing Gael Kakuta (pictured) to leave French club Lens to join Chelsea.

As well as the club’s ban, Kakuta was also ordered to pay compensation of costs of nearly £700,000 for breaking transfer rules.

The Stamford Bridge club then made an appeal to the Cas after stating they would ‘mount the strongest appeal possible’.

Cas have said today: “CAS has granted the request for a stay filed by Chelsea Football Club Ltd and Mr Gael Kakuta in relation to the decision taken by the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber on 27 August 2009.

“Such sanctions are now stayed until the Cas renders it’s final decision in this matter.”

It is not yet known when the Cas will make a final decision over FIFA’s ruling. But if it is not made before January 1 2010, then the club may be able to strengthen their squad in the next transfer window.

Despite the imposed transfer ban, Chelsea currently are top of the Premier League and play at home to Manchester United on Sunday.

X-Factor’s Simon Cowell and his first TV Appearance

Ewan — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:25:39 +0000

A fresh faced, go-karting Simon Cowell and a legendary appearance on Sale of the Century.

He didn’t suddenly appear overnight, oh no. Mr Smooth himself, Simon Cowell, had a foray into television light entertainment long before X-Factor and Pop Idol. All the way to the late eighties in Sky1’s remake of Sale of the Century.

Unfortunately not hosted by Nicholas Parsons (that would be deviation), the silver tongued music mogul took the challenge from Peter Marshall, even turning down two ladies scarfes and thirty pounds cash in a bid to win the show.

Did he win and defeat the reigning champion? You’ll have to watch and find out.

Gordon Brown Not A Fan Of Jedward

Simon Tingle — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:14:10 +0000

The prime minister describes the double act as ‘not very good.’

It seems that just about everyone has got an opinion on this series of X Factor, and the prime minister is no different.

Gordon Brown discussed the show during Q & A for Manchester radio station Key 103.

When asked for his opinion on twin contestants John and Edward Grimes, Mr Brown said: “I don’t think they’re very good.”

The Prime minister did admit to enjoying the show though, adding: “There are some really good people on X Factor. It’s really good. And I know it’s competing with Strictly Come Dancing.”

So now even the Prime minister has weighed in on the Jedward debate. The twin brothers have divided opinion on whether their ‘talents’ deserve a place in the latter stages of the show.

But let’s face it – if it annoys Simon Cowell it’s got to be worth it!

Monty Panesar on Sussex Radar

Alex Homer — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:37:45 +0000

Monty Panesar may be on the move in domestic cricket, as Sussex expressed an interest in signing him despite having a year left on his Northamptonshire contract.

The left-arm spinner has slipped down the England pecking order, despite saving the Cardiff Test of the 2009 Ashes in dogged defence with James Anderson, and only managed 18 Championship wickets at 59.44 this year.

His form was poor enough for England not to renew his central contract, and Northants to leave him out of their last four-day game of the season against Leicestershire.

With Panesar permitted to talk to other counties, Sussex chief executive Dave Brooks told the Sharks’ website: “We are trying to improve our squad and we would definitely do that.

“When there are players of Monty’s proven ability available I would expect (coach) Mark Robinson to be banging on my door to see what chances there are of us signing them.”

Wisden Cricketer of the Year 2007 Monty is currently trying to revitalise his England prospects in a spell with South African province team the Highveld Lions.

If the 39-Test veteran were to sign for the Hove-based County he would join England Performance Programme members, all-rounder Rory Hamilton-Brown, off-spinner Ollie Rayner and leg-spinning T20 Finals day star William Beer.

With former South African International spinner Nicky Boje still on Northants’ books for next season, still qualifying for Kolpak status, the ECB will come under scrutiny if any of those four England-qualified spinners slip through the net.

As Monty returned to the county payroll, rumour spread the Steelbacks may offload the ‘Sikh of tweak’ to make cost savings.

Northants chief executive Mark Tagg hinted the decision may be not be purely for financial reasons however.

Tagg told BBC Sport: “We are not in a situation where we might not be able to afford his salary but we may have to consider overall dynamics.

“We have had two of three years where we have improved year on year – which we have achieved without Monty being there.”

Haye relishing Valuev test

Nigel Slater — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:08:32 +0000

British boxer David Haye says he is confident of knocking out big man Nikolay Valuev in Saturday night’s big fight at Nuremburg, Germany.

The Londoner revealed his aim to make history in the eagerly awaited WBA World Heavyweight Championship contest – expected to be watched by millions of people all over the world.

Haye will face the biggest challenge of his career when he enters the ring on Saturday night, trying to beat the Russian world heavyweight champion who is an astonishing 7 feet tall and weighs 23 stone.

In comparison, the Englishman is 6 foot 3 inches and weighs in at over 15 stone – seven stone less than his Russian counterpart. Valuev it seems has the tools to win so Haye will have to produce something special.

So does Haye have the power and ability to knock him out? If so, it could go down as one of the most famous victories in the sport’s history.

An excited Haye said: “Valuev has never been properly hurt before, let alone knocked done or out, and I’m now being given a chance to become the first fighter to bring ‘The Beast’ (Valuev) to his knees. This is my chance to make history.

“I’ve dreamed of the moment Valuev falls to the canvas and I truly believe it will be one of the most jaw-dropping knockouts of all-time. Winning any fight by knockout is a bonus, but being in a position to knock out a giant is an exciting proposition.

“I love punching things and a man of Valuev’s size gives me plenty of target to hit. The combination of my hand speed and his immense head is going to cause an explosion.”

Haye said he has been overwhelmed with all of the support he has had ahead of the fight.

“People are talking about this fight everywhere I go. I’m being stopped in the streets and everybody – whether a boxing fan or not – seems to have an opinion on what I need to do against this giant.”

Valuev yesterday responded by claiming the Londoner’s big mouth will cost him dear.

The Russian said: “Haye can talk all he likes. He has a couple of more days to speak but then it will be time to climb into the ring and we’ll see what he does.

“He has been saying a lot about what he can do to me, that he can become the first boxer to knock me out.

“But I don’t think he will be able to follow it up when the fight starts and I certainly don’t think he should start making predictions about what he intends to do to me. I will show him what I can do.”

An exciting fight is certainly in store. The fight will be shown exclusively for Sky viewers on pay-per-view channel Sky Box Office. Interested viewers should call 08442 410 888 for more information.

The Top Ten Sexy Calendar Girls

kevin — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:55:03 +0000

With the new cast shortly arriving at the London Stage show, we thought we’d put together our list of favorites from both the film and stage

10. June Brown. Stage Show. Brown, 82, is more famous for playing Dot Cotton (now Branning) in EastEnders since 1985. The oldest of those in the show so far.

9. Julie Goodyear. Stage Show. Julie, 67, wobbled on the cobbles as Bet Lynch on Corrie for over 25 years before departing in 1995.

8. Lynda Bellingham. Stage. Bellingham, 61, famously played the Mum during the 80’s and 90’s in OXO adverts.

7. Janie Dee. Stage. Dee, 43, is an award winning actress, including many Shakespeare roles.

6. Gaynor Faye. Stage. Faye, 38, played Judy Mallet in Coronation Street and various TV dramas since.

5. Jerry Hall. Stage. Hall, 53, was married to Mick Jagger and has four children with him.

4. Jill Halfpenny. Stage. Halfpenny, 34, famous from her role in Eastenders and Strictly Come Dancing

3. Gemma Atkinson. Stage. Atkinson, 24, is best known for glamour modeling.

2. Kelly Brook. Stage. Brook, 29, is famous for being a TV presenter, actress and a model.

1. Helen Mirren. Film. Mirren, 64, famous actress having won an Oscar, Bafta’s and starred in many box office hits.

Second Stripping for Original Calendar Girls

Relatives shocked as man shows up alive at his own funeral

Tom Moran — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:47:27 +0000

“You’ll be late for your own funeral” is an expression traditionally directed at the chronically laid-back.

But a Brazilian man arrived half way through his own send-off on Monday – after distressed relatives had wrongly identified him as the victim of a car accident the day before.

It is customary in Brazil for funerals to be held the day after death which by coincidence was the holiday of Finados, when people visit cemeteries to honour the departed.

Shocked relatives were unaware that bricklayer Ademir Jorge Goncalves, 59, had spent the night at a truck stop talking with friends and drinking a sugarcane liquor known as cachaca.

Mr Goncalves had no idea it was the day of his funeral until the service was already underway. He then rushed to the church in the town of Santo Antonio da Platina to let his family known he was alive, according to a police spokesman.

“The corpse was badly disfigured, but dressed in similar clothing,” said the spokesman. “People are afraid to look for very long when they identify bodies, and I think that is what happened in this case.”

Mr Goncalves’ niece, Rosa Sampaio, said some family members had been skeptical about the body’s identity.

“My two uncles and I had doubts about the identification,” she said. “But an aunt and four of his friends identified the body, so what were we to do? We went ahead with the funeral.”

The police spokesman added: “His mother looked at the body in the casket and thought something was strange. She looked and looked and couldn’t believe it was her son.

“Before long, the walking dead appeared at the funeral. It was a relief.”

The crash victim was correctly identified later on Monday.

Rugby Club Forced To Celebrate ‘Begone-Fire’ Night

Mark Glenning — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:38:36 +0000

A rugby club will celebrate Guy Fawkes night by watching a film of a bonfire after health and safety officials intervened.

Images of a roaring bonfire will be projected onto a 16ft by 12ft screen whilst the crackle of burning wood will be played over loudspeakers.

The effect will be completed by giant heaters, lighting and a smoke machine.

Event organisers at Ilfracombe Rugby Club in Devon say they were discouraged from having a real fire by the cost and the amount of paperwork involved – local council rules state that five qualified fire marshals would be required to attend and that metal barricades be erected to keep people at a safe distance.

Club captain Leo Cooper, 25, is pleased with the alternative celebration: ”We tried to come up with an original, imaginative and fun way to fill the void left by the bonfire. We decided to have a big screen that would do the same job.

”I think it was a brilliant idea. The health and safety stuff was a real pain. The idea of the virtual bonfire was to give our event an edge.”

A spokesman for North Devon District Council said: “If people are employed to provide a real bonfire or firework display then health and safety legislation will apply.”

The club’s novel solution has not gone down too well with local residents, however.

Amy Collins, 26, said: “I doubt Guy Fawkes would have been able to blow up Parliament with virtual gunpowder.”

Brand Bids Farewell To His Thatch

Mark Glenning — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:21:42 +0000

Tatty-headed Lothario Russell Brand is making the ultimate sacrifice for his career and cutting his hair.

The actor and comedian is taking the step as he claims his distinctive look is limiting his acting opportunities.

Brand, 34, kept his locks for the role of rock star Aldous Snow in romantic comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall but will have to undergo a radical re-styling if he is to land his dream acting role – Napoleon Bonaparte.

He said: ”I was hoping one day to play Napoleon, but I can’t play him as this shaggy-haired, bearded raconteur.’

”But I did also want to play Rasputin, so that’ll be good, I can look like this.”

The actor’s Hollywood star is on the rise – he will feature in the remake of the Dudley Moore comedy Arthur next year and will reprise his role of Aldous Snow in Get Him To The Greek.

Image via Starpulse

Former South African Wicketkeeper England Prospect

Alex Homer — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:40:18 +0000

Former South African under-19 international Craig Kieswetter has been called up to the England Performance Programme(EPP) though he is not England-qualified until February.

The wicketkeeper and hard-hitting opening batsman first joined Somerset County Cricket Club in 2006 and has been touted as a future fixture in the senior side.

He has been named as a ‘Category B’ squad member, denoting players with first-class experience who have the potential for the England team with one to three years’ progress.

The 21-year-old will work with the EPP for eight weeks in Loughborough and South Africa in the lead up to Christmas.

Kieswetter is the latest in a long line of stumpers trialled by England, including current gloveman Matt Prior, in what has become a thorny selection issue.

Prior’s former Sussex understudy Tim Ambrose, James Foster of Essex and Surrey’s new acquisition Steven Davies, not to mention Ashes 2005-winner Geraint Jones, have all been flavour of the month at one stage or another.

Kieswetter’s fine ball-striking, improved glovework and growing maturity with bat in hand have seen him earmarked for the full squad however, scoring 1,242 runs in the 2009 season at 59.14.

England Performance Programme Players below.

Category A (players perceived closest to the England team who have been part of the programme and Lions set-up in recent years):

Mark Davies (Durham), Amjad Khan (Kent), Stephen Moore (Lancashire), Michael Carberry (Hampshire).

Category B (excluding Kieswetter):

Steven Finn (Middlesex), Andrew Gale (Yorkshire), Rory Hamilton-Brown (Sussex), Chris Jordan (Surrey), Chris Nash (Sussex), Joe Sayers (Yorkshire), Ajmal Shahzad (Yorkshire), James Taylor (Leicestershire), David Wainwright (Yorkshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).

Category C (younger players with less first-class experience, many have been part of the ECB elite player development programme):

Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Vikram Banerjee (Gloucestershire), Keith Barker (Warwickshire), William Beer (Sussex), Alex Blake (Kent), Andy Carter (Nottinghamshire), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Luke Fletcher (Nottinghamshire), Billy Godleman (Essex), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Richard Johnson (Warwickshire), Richard Jones (Worcestershire), Adam Lyth (Yorkshire), Jake Mickleburgh (Essex), Sam Northeast (Kent), Ollie Rayner (Sussex), Ian Saxelby (Gloucestershire), John Simpson (Middlesex), Tom Smith (Sussex), Max Waller (Somerset), Adam Wheater (Essex), David Willey (Northamptonshire).

Fast bowling programme:

Jade Dernbach (Surrey), David Griffiths (Hampshire), James Harris (Glamorgan), Stuart Meaker (Surrey), Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire)

Thanks to thisisbath.co.uk for the picture.

Champions League: Arsenal Delight, Liverpool Denied

Alex Homer — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:25:23 +0000

Cesc Fabregas scored two before being substituted as Arsenal romped past AZ Alkmaar 4-1 at the Emirates to all but secure their place in the last sixteen of the Champions League.

The Spanish skipper opened the scoring after 25 minutes, cutting inside from the left and shooting through the defender’s legs to beat Sergio Romero embarrassingly at his near post.

Andrey Arshavin played a through ball between the Alkmaar centre halves for fleet-of-foot Samir Nasri to double the Gunners’ advantage before half time.

Nasri shimmied between two defenders on the edge of the area before slotting into the bottom right-hand corner to score his first goal since breaking his leg in July.

And the little Russian played a hand in Fabregas’s second, feeding his overlap on the left to finish a flowing counter-attack after 52 minutes.

Fabregas opened his body as if to shoot across Romero before rotating his hips to lift the ball over the keeper into the roof of the net.

Arsenal’s fluid midfield continued to press forward and find space in behind the Dutch visitors’ back four.

The counter-attack proved most fruitful however as the Londoners bagged their fourth. Eduardo was involved in a tussle on the halfway-line before back-heeling the ball for Arshavin to maraud down the right wing.

The former Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder squared for a hat-trick of assists as Abou Diaby gathered with his left foot before side-footing across the keeper.

Substitute Jeremain Lens managed a late consolation for Ronald Kaeman’s side, bursting through on the right wing before beating an off-balance Manuel Almunia at his near post.

Arsenal are sitting pretty on ten points and only an unlikely combination of results for Olympiakos and Standard Liege, and the Gunners losing both their remaining fixtures, would halt their progress to the knockout stages.

Lisandro’s dinked last-minute equaliser meanwhile cruelly denied under-fire Rafa Benitez and Liverpool a chance to revitalise their challenge for European silverware.

Lisandro’s goal, in front of a box office Stade Gerland crowd, put Lyon through as current leaders of Group D on ten points with Fiorentina second on nine.

The Reds lag behind on four points with only two games to salvage progression.

Substitute Ryan Babel gave the Reds the lead after 83 minutes, ghosting inside from the left before hammering the ball into the top left corner with his right boot.

Liverpool were otherwise toothless up front as Fernando Torres struggled throughout with a hernia problem.

Andriy Voronin missed the most gilt-edged of chances when he shot straight at Hugo Lloris when put through one-on-one by Javier Mascherano’s long ball over the top.

Defensive frailty cost the Kop dear ultimately and Liverpool will have to rely on others’ failings to join Manchester United and Chelsea, not to mention Arsenal most probably, in the next stage.

Wednesday’s only Premiership match saw Zavon Hines lift West Ham out of the relegation zone as his close range finish secured their 2-1 win over ten-man Aston Villa.

Habib Beye was sent off after 85 minutes before Hines’s latched onto Scott Parker’s pass inside the six-yard box and supplied the finish.

Mark Noble earlier stroked home his penalty to put the Hammers 1-0 up at half time before Ashley’s Young cross-cum-shot curled in.

Crowd trouble marred Rangers’ clash at Romanian champions Unirea Urziceni, though a late Marius Onofras had already taken the gloss of Lee McCulloch’s long-range opener in the 1-1 draw. The Scots must now beat Stuttgart at Ibrox to qualify.

Watch Man Destroy £100,000 Of Booze In Seconds

Simon Tingle — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:14:13 +0000

A forklift truck driver has an accident to end all accidents at work.

We’ve all had bad days at the office, but few could match this poor blokes.

I don’t think anymore needs to be said. Just watch the video for yourselves:

Cracking Birthday Cake, Gromit!

Mark Glenning — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:15:53 +0000

Wallace and Gromit celebrate their 20th birthday today- with a cracking new Google doodle!

The Aardman Animations favourites have been honored with their very own Google logo which when clicked on, leads to a results page featuring the characters created by Nick Park.

They join the exalted ranks of other icons who have been honored by the internet search giant which include Albert Einstein, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo, Mahatma Gandhi, Confucious and Michael Jackson.

The Oscar winning pair’s first adventure, A Grand Day Out, features them taking a trip to the Moon to follow Wallace’s obsession with cheese and first hit out screens 20 years ago.

Since then, they’ve starred in a number of short films including The Wrong Trousers, A Close Shave and A Matter Of Loaf And Death and the feature length The Curse Of The Were Rabbit which netted an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film.

In March of this year, the duo were honored with an exhibition at the London Science Museum titled “Wallace & Gromit present a World of Cracking Ideas”.

Image here

Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na BORIS!

Mark Glenning — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:13:23 +0000

Boris Johnson has been hailed as a hero after rescuing a woman from an attack by a group of girls.

The Lord Mayor of London intervened when he witnessed Franny Armstrong being surrounded by a group of girls, one of which was carrying an iron bar.

Armstrong, a documentary film maker and climate change activist was pushed against a car and called out to a passing cyclist, who happened to be the Mayor, for help.

The former MP for Henley leaped into action, chasing the gang away and calling them ‘oiks’ for good measure before escorting Ms Armstrong home.

She said: “I was texting on my phone so didn’t notice the girls until they pushed me against the car,

“I noticed that one had an iron bar in her hand – it was very frightening. At that moment a man cycled past and I called out for help.

“He said to the girls: ‘What do you think you are doing?’ He picked up the iron bar, called after the girls and cycled after them. He returned a few minutes later and walked me home.

“He was my knight on a shining bicycle.”

Ms Armstrong admitted she is not a fan of Johnson’s policies, and had voted for his rival Ken Livingstone in the last Mayoral election, but added: “If you find yourself down a dark alleyway and in trouble I think Boris would be of more use than Ken.”

Bat Signal courtesy of Sky News

The Best of…Black Stone Cherry

Dave Musson — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:00:03 +0000

Kentucky-fried rock n roll.

Before catching their recent show in Birmingham, On Stage chatted to Black Stone Cherry drummer John Fred Young about the finer things in his life.

Best news you’ve had today?

Well, I’m alive and that’s great – we made it through the night. I was actually kind of a bad wreck this morning, we had to get a ferry but we actually made it here, our glorious driver Frank (points to Frank) got us here so we’re good – let’s do a rock show!

Best thing about touring the UK?

The fans, they’re great. You saw outside all the people standing there waiting to talk to us, most of them have been with us since the first time we started touring over here and, honestly man, we feel really close to them now. Every time we come back they just keep embracing us, it’s awesome.

Best thing about being in Black Stone Cherry?

Being with my brothers, being able to tour and play music that you can depend on, and people that you also wanna kill, haha, it’s an honour to get to do that and not have to play for somebody else. A lot of talented, talented musicians play for an artist or something like that, whereas we’re four guys who grew up together sharing blood, sweat and tears man. We’ve been together since 2001 and every day you find something new about it. It’s a great experience, I feel very gifted to be able to do it.

Best song your band has written?

Sweet Home Alabama! Well, I’ll you what man, it’s probably our cover tunes – haha, we didn’t write them but I love playing cover songs. I think there’s great songs off our first album, everything off our second album’s great too, I like the B-sides…there’s a lot of different songs. I think my favourite songs switch every other month because it depends on what we’re playing – if we don’t play something for a long time, then I’m like “man, let’s play that song”. I often get burned out on a song, but if you don’t play it for six months and then come back to it, then it’s fresh and you’re like “this is the greatest song ever, why haven’t we been playing this?”.

Best line you’ve ever written?

I think all the words in The Things My Father Said and Peace is Free. Those two songs have moved more people worldwide and I hope we continue to write more songs that have the calibre of the meanings that those songs have for us.

Best thing about your fellow band members?

Ben’s ability to always keep us updated and keep everyone on schedule. John’s artistic ability with our overall boad spectrum of things we need – he does most of our t-shirt designs for example. Chris’ ability to smoke without a lighter! (Cue much laughing in the BSC dressing room). No, Chris is real smart with sound, he’s become smarter every day with it, and his ability to not put up with BS. Whereas me…(John answers this one) John Fred is all about charisma, he is the most charismatic person you’ll ever meet in your life. (Back to John Fred) And I can eat a whole tray of donuts too.

Best gig you’ve ever played?

I hope it’s tonight. Other than that the biggest show we’ve played was Download, but I just hope that we keep playing shows. There are some wjere you think you’ve been awful, but then someone in the crowd will say it’s the best show they’ve ever seen in their life. It’s really down to what the audience thinks about it.

Best band you’ve ever shared a stage with?

There’s a lot of them man, a lot of nice bands. More than anything, it’s great to tour with bands that are very talented, because for one thing it makes you have to work harder. But for us, you could be the best band in the world, but if you’re not a nice person and if you’re not a good person at heart then it takes it all away. Bands we’ve toured with…the Def Leppard guys were awesome, Nickelback were great and a lot of bands in America are great friends of ours man – we keep on meeting nice people, which is the best part of it.

Best gig you’ve ever seen as a fan?

We saw a DVD of our set one night, it was pretty bad ass, haha! There’s a band called the Robert Randolf Family Band they’re awesome. He fronts it, I think his cousin plays drums and there’s also his other cousin on bass guitar and they have an organ player. John and I saw them in Oklahoma after we’d played one night, we took a cab to this other venue and they were the most energetic, soulful band I’ve ever seen, it was awesome.

Best band ever?

I think the best band ever is the Beatles for me, you’ve gotta love them and Elvis if you love music. But if you’re talking about rock, I love Led Zeppelin, I love Aerosmith, ZZ Top, Skynyrd, the Rolling Stones but it’s hard to choose one. As far as a band that moved the world though, it has to be the Beatles.

Best album ever?

God man I don’t know – there’s been a lot of them. I couldn’t pick one, I really couldn’t. I really loved the White album growing up, so that one has special meaning to me.

Best song ever?

Wow…(Chris whispers Freebird in the background) Chris would say Freebird, I would say Stairway to Heaven’s the best song ever but there’s so many great songs it’s hard to say again. That’s a tough, tough question!

Best drummer ever?

I don’t think there is one…I think that as far as musicians go, especially drummers, there are so many different people who’ve done so many great things. I would like to say my favourites like Buddy Rich, Jean Crouper, John Bonham, and my favourite drummer of all time is my uncle Fred who plays in the Kentucky Headhunters and that’s partly because he’s my uncle, and partly because he’s bad ass!

Best movie ever?

Now that is hard too…Chris would say Green Mile but I don’t know. I’m trying to think of a real heart-throbbing movie, but I like comedy movies. Wayne’s World is a great movie, but then do you pick 1 or 2? You can’t ever recreate the first, but the second one has Aerosmith, Pearl Jam and Chris Farhley in it. I like movies that make you cry as well, when you watch movies that have great meaning to them then it’s important to feel that…but honestly man, I like Harry Potter! I’m a Harry Potter nut, I like that stuff.

Best ice cream flavour?

Chocolate.

Best pizza topping?

I like mushrooms.

Best day of your life?

Every day that I get to be alive.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Don’t switch small stuff.

Photography: Dave Musson Photography

Starling role for bird that can talk and mimic mobiles

Tom Moran — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:29:55 +0000

The term “bird brain” could be redefined since a starling that can reportedly talk, mimic mobile phones and fly at 40mph is poised to appear in a film.

According to bird trainer Lloyd Buck, Arnie the starling has a vocabulary of 30 words and will appear in a British film which begins production in 2010.

Mr Buck, 41, who lives outside Bristol with his wife Rosie, is a veteran of wildlife documetaries and one of the world’s leading bird trainers.

He discovered Arnie – named after a children’s book character rather than the Terminator – lying on the ground after being rejected from his nest as a fledgling.

After obtaining a license to rear him, the pair’s close working relationship began.

Mr Buck said: “When we came across Arnie he had been thrown from the nest. He was naked and blind and would not have survived.

“He is totally fearless and very smart. He’s also very cheeky. He says about 30 different words and phrases, impersonates Rose’s cough and my laughter. He also mimics magpies and moorhens.”

Mr Buck’s other credits include teaching a golden eagle to fly fitted with a camera and training peregrine falcons to plunge with skydivers at speeds of up to 200mph.

Let’s hope he also taught them to pull up.

Draws see United and Chelsea through in Champions League

Alex Homer — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:19:01 +0000

Antonio Valencia’s deflected shot salvaged a 3-3 draw for Manchester United against CSKA Moscow as they qualified for the Champions League knockout stage.

Valencia’s injury-time strike was flying well wide before hitting Georgi Shchennikov as he turned his back.

Alan Dzagoyev fired the Russians into the lead after 25 minutes at Old Trafford before Michael Owen equalised four minutes later.

Milos Krasic restored the Muscovite lead after 31 minutes however, rounding Edwin Van der Sar, and CSKA went into half-time 2-1 up.

Sir Alex Ferguson told his charges to defend better in the second half and was seated just in time to watch Vasili Berezutsky, unmarked, head the visitors 3-1 ahead.

Wayne Rooney began warming up immediately and, buoyed by Rooney’s substitution, United mounted their comeback.

As the Reds were regaining a foothold in the game, referee Olegario Benquerenca almost spoiled the mood a day after the birth of Rooney’s baby boy, Kai Wayne.

The Portuguese official booked Darren Fletcher for diving, when replays showed he had a valid penalty claim.

As CSKA defended deeper and deeper, space behind the backline was hard to find and Gary Neville and Patrice Evra became United’s main attacking outlets, while Fletcher spread the play with long balls.

Federico Macheda hit the left-hand post with tension mounting before Paul Scholes met a Neville cross with precision, finding the top left corner after 84 minutes.

With time seemingly against United’s qualification, Valencia took aim from outside the area and the deflection off Shchennikov did the rest.

Deividas Semberas’s tussle with Gabriel Obertan late on, resulting in his second yellow card, epitomised CSKA’s deflation at the final whistle, after being so close to ending United’s 22-game unbeaten run at home in the competition.

Chelsea meanwhile drew 2-2 with Atletico Madrid to secure their place in the last 16 in front of a packed Vicente Calderon crowd.

Second-half substitute Sergio Aguero gave the home side the lead, timing his arrival into the area perfectly to volley past Petr Cech.

With their first goal of the European campaign in the bag, new coach Quique Sanchez Flores saw Atletico maintain the advantage till the last ten minutes.

Didier Drogba burst the Spaniards’ bubble however, when he headed home a Florent Malouda cross after 82 minutes.

And Drogba’s power and determination told after 88 minutes, when he netted, with four to beat and no-one in support.

Trickery and muscle saw him shake off the defenders before his shot struck keeper Sergio Ajenso in the midriff but rebounded kindly for the Ivorian’s twelfth goal of the season.

Aguero’s injury-time free kick capped off a night of thrilling draws however, bending the ball into the top right corner to ensure Atletico remain unbeaten at home this term.

Thanks to oleole.com for the picture.

Danyl topples Jedward to win public vote

Nigel Slater — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:17:41 +0000

X-Factor contestant Danyl Johnson is back in favour with the public after it was revealed he gained the most votes last weekend.
The Sun newspaper broke the news earlier today, with results showing Johnson claimed a majority of 35 per cent of the total votes cast.

Johnson will no doubt be delighted after his low from last week where he found himself in the bottom two.

The singer, who sang Aerosmith’s ‘I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing’, received criticism over his performance from some of the judges claiming he had lost his confidence and his ‘mojo’.

But it seems the public had other ideas and Johnson will surely go into next Saturday’s show in a lot more positive fashion.

It was also revealed that controversial twins act John and Edward came second in the vote, while Olly Murs came third and Welsh beauty Lucie Jones came fourth.

Rocker Jamie Archer and Stacey Soloman finished fifth and sixth respectively. Surprisingly Joe McElderry, tipped by the judges to make the final, finished seventh and pipped 16-year-old Lloyd Daniels to avoid the sing-off.

Due to the public vote, a sore-throat stricken Lloyd beat Rachel Adedeji to keep him in the contest.

Just eight more acts remain in the competition. The heat is most definitely on.

The Daily Dust | UK News | Good News

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