No pains, no gains.

Liu Xiang disqualified at Stockholm indoor tournament

2012-02-23T23:13:00.003-08:00

STOCKHOLM, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's hurdler Liu Xiang was disqualified Thursday at the Stockholm indoor athletics tournament due to false start, giving his rival Dayron Robles of Cuba an easy win of 7.66 seconds.

Liu was not willing to explain the reason of his false start, but he told Xinhua that it was not related to his foot injury.

Robles then easily crossed the line first without an outstanding performance in the men's 60m hurdles final.

Another Cuban Orlando Ortega followed in 7.68 seconds and Balazs Baji of Hungary stood third in 7.70 seconds.

Last Saturday, Liu won the men's 60m hurdle final in 7.41 seconds at the Birmingham indoor tournament, setting a new Asian record. He said Wednesday that he hoped to have an even better performance than he did in Birmingham at the Stockholm indoor tournament.

Diving "Dream Team" continues golden run, Daley cheers home crowd

2012-02-23T23:13:00.000-08:00

LONDON, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese "dream team" continued their dominance when Cao Yuan and Zhang Yanquan won the men's synchronized 10m platform on Thursday while the host's talent Thomas Daley ignited the Olympic Aquatics Centre with his first discipline show at the 18th FINA World Cup.

In one of the tightest competitions yet, the teams behind China constantly changed positions throughout the six-round final.

Silver went to Ivan Alejandro Garcia/German Sanchez of Mexico who were back in 11th, of the 12 teams competing, after the first round before moving up to the silver medal spot.

Patrick Hausding and Sascha Klein of Germany, Olympic and world silver medalists, took the bronze, 23.88 points behind China's winning total of 481.29.

"Everybody could be our threat," said Cao Yuan after the final.

He said Daley was a diving talent and had many good points to be worthy learning from.

"He (Daley) is a genius and also very friendly. He always say 'hi' to us and sometimes make some jokes. A funny boy," said Cao.

In the fourth round, Daley and Peter Waterfield of Britain, egged on by a vociferous home crowd, scored a huge 91.08 points for their reverse three-and-a half-somersaults with tuck.

It was enough to move them into third place and a shot of a medal.

"The crowd really, really help us in the competition. They give us that buzz that helps us through. There's a great advantage to having a home crowd," said the 17-year-old genius, who was regarded as the host's medal hope for this summer's London Games.

But the pair, in their first competition since the 2011 World Championships, dropped their very next dive, the difficult forward four-and-a-half somersaults, and eventually finished seventh.

"That one dive cost us the medal. It was a bit nerve wracking because it was our first competition of the year," said the world champion in 2009 Rome.

"I've always got the same mentality for every competition and I'm going to do the best I can," Daley showed his confidence to the Olympics.

With two days of diving remaining, China has now won every title at this event.

Santos wins fourth straight in Sao Paulo state championship

2012-02-22T22:39:00.002-08:00

RIO DE JANEIRO, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- After a slow start to the 2012 Sao Paulo state championship, Santos put together its fourth consecutive victory in the tournament on Wedensday, winning 2-0 over Comercial in the 9th round and continuing to climb the overall board.

Despite not scoring, stars Neymar and Paulo Henrique Ganso guided their team to victory. The game's first goal came off an assist from Neymar in the 26th minute who dribbled past three defenders and rolled the ball off to a wide-open Ibson to complete the goal.

The team's second goal came in the 81st minute when Elano's free kick was met by a header from Durval, landing the ball into the back of the net.

The result provisionally improves Santos into fourth place with 18 points. In the next round of play the team will receive Ponte Preta on February 25.

Real Madrid suffer Higuain injury blow

2012-02-22T22:38:00.003-08:00

MADRID, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid will be without French international striker Karim Benzema for around three weeks as a result of the groin injury he picked up in his side's 1-1 draw away to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Benzema lasted just 12 minutes of the game before being replaced by Gonzalo Higuain. He suffered the injury while taking a shot at the CSKA goal and immediately went down asking for assistance.

Tests in Madrid this Wednesday confirmed he has a slight tear in his groin that will need around three weeks to heal.

That means he will miss Madrid's next two league games, which are away to Rayo Vallecano and at home to Espanyol, as well as the return leg against CSKA.

Benzema will also be unable to play for France in their friendly game against Germany on February 29.

His loss is a big blow to Madrid as the striker has been in what is probably the best form he has shown since joining the club from Olympic Lyon two and a half years ago, but the good news for the club is that his replacement, Higuain is the third highest scorer in the BBVA Primera Liga with 14 goals this campaign.

Liu Xiang hopes to do better in Stockholm indoor

2012-02-22T22:38:00.000-08:00

STOCKHOLM, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- China's hurdler Liu Xiang said Wednesday that he hoped to have a better performance than he did in Birmingham at the coming Stockholm indoor tournament.

"I hope I will beat (Dayron) Robles this time. I don't know how fast it's going to be exactly but I will try my best as it will also be a preparation for the World Indoor Championships. I hope to have a good warm-up," said Liu at a press conference.

Last Saturday, Liu won the men's 60m hurdle final in 7.41 seconds at the Birmingham indoor tournament, setting a new Asian record.

And yet there was still room to improve the speed-up from the start to the first two hurdles and the sprint part also, said Liu.

When asked if he was now good at seven-step before the first hurdle, Liu said there was still a distance between Robles of Cuba and himself. He would like to ask for some advice from Robles on handling the first five hurdles. Meanwhile he considered the change from eight-step to seven-step as a great success.

Robles, the arch rival of Liu, said that he would try his best to prove his ability at the Stockholm indoor tournament on Thursday as it would be the last warm-up game before the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) World Indoor Championships.

Real Masdrid take narrow win in Getafe

2012-02-04T22:02:00.000-08:00

Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos celebrates after scoring against Getafe during their Spanish First Division soccer match at Colisseum Alfonso Perez stadium in Getafe February 4, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

MADRID - A 17th-minute header from Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos was enough to give his side a narrow, but vitally important 1-0 win away to Getafe.

The win maintains Madrid's lead at the top of the BBVA Primera Liga, but although deserved the final result was in doubt until the final minute.

Against a side that has been inform of late, Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho chose with Mesut Ozil, Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema all on the pitch.

Even so, it was Getafe who threatened first, with Juan Valera, who had scored against Barcelona earlier in the season, volleying wide after just two minutes.

At the other end, Ronaldo headed over after 10 minutes, seen minutes before Ramos made no mistake as he placed his header from a corner into the back of the Getafe net.

Madrid were not playing well, but Getafe were struggling to string two passes together and Kaka and Ronaldo had further chances for the league leaders before a timid reaction from Getafe saw Francisco Casquero and Miku saw efforts go wide of Iker Casillas' goal.

The second half was little different with Madrid looking comfortable, while Getafe failed to create any clear chances in what were difficult playing conditions.

Ronaldo saw a shot parried after the hour and a minute later Getafe keeper Miguel Angel Moya did well to save from Benzema, who was clean through on goal.

The French striker sent another shot over the bar moments afterwards as Madrid threatened to double their lead.

However, the second goal never arrived and with 17 minutes remaining Getafe's penalty appeal turned down after a Diego Castro shot hit Pepe's arm in the Madrid penalty area.

The defender went down clutching his stomach and the referee waved play on, a decision that could be vital when it comes to deciding the title at the end of the season.

Chinese skater Liu wins silver at ISU WC

2012-02-04T22:00:00.002-08:00

MOSCOW - Chinese skaters Liu Qiuhong won a silver medal in women's 1,000 meters in ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating here on Saturday.

Liu, who is from China's national team, once led the 1,000 meter race but only finished second in 1 minute 31.314 seconds. Britain's Elise Christie narrowly won the gold in 1:31.211, while Japan's Yui Sakai took the third place in 1:31.940.

In men's 1,000 meter final, China's Liang Wenhao kept the second place before he collided with Canadian skater Jean Olivier in the last lap. Olivier was later sentenced to foul while Liang had to settle with the third place in 1:48.434.

South Korea's Kwak Yoon-Gy led the competition in 1:28.996 and Noh Jinkyu finished second in 1:30.437.

South Korea has won three gold medals on Saturday while Britain had one.

According to the ISU, skaters will continue competing on Sunday in women and men's 500 meters, 1500 meters and 3000m relay.

Bayern lose top position to Dortmund

2012-02-04T22:00:00.000-08:00

BERLIN - Bayern Munich were held to a 1-1 draw against Hamburg to slip to second position Saturday due to the Dortmund's Victory a day earlier.

Title chasers Schalke 04 and Monchengladbach both dropped points owing to draws.

From the start, Hamburg surprised with effective pressing against nervous Bayern. At the 23rd minute Hamburg youngster midfielder Jacopo Sala opened the scoring for his side to astonish the Bavarians.

With the lead behind the "Hanseaten" retracted and defended deep to lurk for counters.

After the break unimaginative Bayern took over to equalize the score through joker striker Ivica Olic at the 71st minute who tapped in from goal area after confusion inside Hamburg penalty area.

Bayern slipped from first position to second with 41 points whilst Hamburg stay on 11th position with 23 points.

"We have shown a good performance. We have staged a good defence and we have never given up," Hamburg coach Thorsten Fink said.

"We had played well only the claims are larger at FC Bayern. We can not be satisfied. We had to win today," Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes said.

Schalke 04 were held to a 1-1 draw against struggling Mainz after five wins in a row to lose two points at title race.

12th positioned Mainz started highly aggressive and offensively minded against third positioned Schalke. With 15 minutes into the match, Mainz striker Mohamed Zidan volleyed home a long cross from inside penalty area to shock the host with the opener at Schalke Arena.

As the match progressed Schalke took over but unable to score within the end of the first half.

After interval Schalke staged a dedicated performance to level the score at the 58th minute through striker Chinedu Obasi who slotted into bottom left from goal line.

Both sides stay on their positions, Schalke on third with 41 points and Mainz on 12th position with 22 points.

After contested 90 minutes Bundesliga stunning team Monchengladbach had to share points with ninth positioned Wolfsburg with a goalless result.

Monchengladbach dominated the first half whereas the "Wolves" took over with beginning of the second half.

Both sides remain on their positions, Wolfsburg on nineth with 24 points and Monchengladbach on fourth with 40 points.

Ten men Leverkusen were able to save one point against Stuttgart.

Sixth positioned Leverkusen started dominant against tenth positioned Stuttgart thus they were able to open the scoring at the 11th minute owing striker Stefan Kieling who tapped in a rebound from very close range. The "Werkself" were on top of the things but Stuttgart equalized the score out of the blue at the 23rd minute after striker Julian Schieber slotted home a diagonal pass to make it 1-1 and to shock the host.

With only 40 second into second half, Thorsten Kienhoefer awarded Leverkusen a penalty after a foul play inside penalty area. Leverkusen midfielder Simon Rolfes converted to take the lead for his side.

At the 63rd minute, Leverkusen defender Michal Kadlec weakened his side when he booked his second yellow within short time to leave pitch ahead of time.

Stuttgart pressed frenetically to tie the game against ten men Leverkusen and their efforts were rewarded at the 89th minute as striker Martin Harnik netted the equalizer to save one point for his side.

Just before the end, Stuttgart defender Cristian Molinaro booked a straight red card for a rude foul against Leverkusen striker Andre Schuerrle.

Leverkusen climbed from sixth to fifth with 31 points while Stuttgart stay on 10th position with 23 points.

Berlin lost their third at the third match in 2012 owing to the winner from Hannover striker Mohammed Abdellaoue at the 68th minute.

Hannover stay on seventh position with 30 points whereas Berlin reside on 15th position with 20 points, two points away from relegation battle.

Augsburg wrapped a hard earned 2-2 draw against host Hoffenheim to ensure one point at relegation battle.

Augsburg striker Sascha Moelders surprisingly opened the scoring for his side at the 31st minute followed by two goals by Hoffenheim one by striker Peniel Mlapa and one converted penalty by midfielder Sejad Salihovic to turn the match to 2-1. Finally at the 72nd minute Sebastian Langkamp headed the 2-2 draw.

Augsburg stay on 17th position with 17 points and Hoffenheim sit on eighth position with 24 points.

The following fixtures are set for Sunday: bottom team Freiburg host Bremen, whilst Kaiserslautern meets Cologne.

Hollywood mogul's land purchase prompts titanic political debate in New Zealand

2012-02-03T23:53:00.001-08:00

WELLINGTON, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Hollywood director behind box office smashes such as Avatar and Titanic has stirred up a political drama after announcing he is to move to New Zealand and buy more than 1,000 hectares of farm land.

News of James Cameron's purchase of two rural properties in the Wairarapa region in the lower North Island for a reported 20 million NZ dollars (16.66 million U.S. dollars) came less than a week after another controversial farm purchase by a Chinese company.

Land Information New Zealand documents showed the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) had approved in December the sales of two blocks to the Canadian director: one of 817 hectares and the other of 248 hectares.

Opposition politicians lined up Thursday to criticize the government for allowing the sale of large tracts of productive land to foreign buyers and to brand the OIO a "rubber stamp" for approvals.

The Green Party said the entry of wealthy foreign buyers into the New Zealand land market was driving up prices beyond the reach average New Zealanders and young farmers.

Green Party co-leader Russell Norman told TV3 that sales of New Zealand land to overseas buyers would see the loss of a key economic asset that should only be sold to permanent residents and New Zealand citizens.

"There's a bigger issue if you look at globally productive land, particularly land that can produce food and has access to water, which New Zealand obviously is well placed, that land is becoming increasingly valuable, as the price of food is only going to go up, " he told TV3.

"And so one of our key advantages as a country is that we have quite a lot of that land.

"If we let that land fall into foreign ownership not only will it drive up the price of land in New Zealand so it will be very difficult for kiwis to buy farms. But it also means we lose one of our key economic positions globally."

New Zealand First party leader Winston Peters said Cameron's purchase "robbed" two or three New Zealand families of the right to become farmers.

Peters asked how the sale to Cameron, who had no farming experience, could win OIO approval.

"Is there going to be an expansion of our export wealth? No," he told the New Zealand Herald.

"Is there going to be some new expertise brought to the farming community in this area? No."

The assurance given by Prime Minister John Key before the last election in November that New Zealanders wouldn't become "tenants in our own country" was happening, he said.

On Friday the government approved an application by a Chinese- owned company to buy 16 dairy farms that had been in receivership since October 2009, saying they would boost dairy product sales to China.

The government said it had accepted the recommendation of the OIO to grant consent to Milk New Zealand Holding Limited (Milk New Zealand), a subsidiary of Shanghai Pengxin Group Co. Limited, to acquire the 16 Crafar farms.

However, a rival consortium led by New Zealand businessman Sir Michael Fay has threatened to seek a judicial review of the decision, arguing the farms were a resource asset that should remain in New Zealand ownership.

Prime Minister John Key Thursday defended the sales, saying " blocking land sales will stop good people coming into this country " and Cameron should be made to feel welcome.

"People who come from overseas often bring with them a huge amount of capital, skills, and a passion for New Zealand," Key told TV3.

"That's why it's not a one way street when it comes to foreign investment."

New Zealand's Federated Farmers organization also welcomed Cameron's purchase Thursday.

"This successful application by Mr Cameron shows why Federated Farmers position on overseas investment, is that the rules we have must be applied without fear or favour," said Federated Farmers president Bruce Wills in a statement.

"The hope we have from skilled immigration is that it betters the whole community.

"I am encouraged that Mr Cameron's OIO application states that they are going to farm the land they've purchased."

Former Zimbabwe soccer chief arrested for match-fixing scandal

2012-02-03T23:51:00.003-08:00

HARARE, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Henrietta Rushwaya, former chief executive of Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), was reported to be arrested Thursday on charges of corruption, bribery and match-fixing.

The country's state television said she was in custody at Avondale police station in an upscale Harare suburb.

Rushwaya, fired two years ago, sent the national team to play unsanctioned friendlies in Thailand and Malaysia two years ago and a betting syndicate allegedly fixed the results.

South African football plans comeback

2012-02-03T23:51:00.001-08:00

CAPE TOWN, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- South African national football teams would try hard to become a world force again, the South African Football Association (SAFA) said on Thursday.

All the national teams would be in the top three in Africa by 2020 and inside the world's top 20 in the longer term, according to a plan worked out by SAFA.

"We want to be in the top three at all national levels on the continent and inside the top 20 in the world," said SAFA's chief executive, Robin Petersen.

All SA national teams, including Bafana Bafana, performed poorly last year.

Bafana Bafana failed again to qualify for the second successive continental showpiece, the Africa Cup of Nations, while the junior sides - the SA Under-23s and SA Under-20s - failed in their respective Olympic qualifiers and regional COSAFA (Council of Southern African Football Associations) Championship tournaments.

Bafana Bafana reached its highest ranking of 16th in the world in the 1990s, but since then it has steadily declined.

"We have been there once and now need to be there consistently - and to do that, you have to put in place structures that will help you achieve this," said Petersen.

Briefing the media on SAFA' s plan, Petersen said the plan was divided into three phases.

In the first phase, SAFA would engage with coaches and former players in candid discussions on how the local game should be run.

From March until July, SAFA would be aiming at creating a "comprehensive" strategy for "decision and deployment" in the second phase, according to Petersen.

Then comes the final phase in which the "decision and deployment" will be implemented.

"We obviously can't do this by walking alone," Petersen said.

"There are seven areas that we are working towards and we will have a philosophy that we all agree on."

The focus will start at grass root level, where SAFA wants to implement competitiveness from an early age, while stimulating school and academy soccer, according to the plan.

More importantly, data will be captured of all the coaches and players in the country, ensuring that every one of them is recorded in the association's base.

This will be crucial to ensure that "every single talent in this country must be captured," said SAFA technical director Serame Letsoaka.

"We must know what talent is within our schools and academies and make sure that 80 percent get to make to the national teams."

Premier League agree to change fixtures for FA Cup final

2012-02-03T23:50:00.001-08:00

LONDON, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- Premier League confirmed Thursday that they have agreed to reschedule fixtures on the penultimate weekend of the season in order to avert a clash with the FA Cup final in May.

"We realise that it is not good for either competition to have our matches conflicting with the FA Cup," Premier League communications director Dan Johnson said.

Premier League clubs have agreed to stage all fixtures in the penultimate round of games on Sunday, May 6, the day after the cup final at Wembley.

Meanwhile the next season of Premier League would begin on August 18, six days after the end of the London Olympics.

Last season, the FA Cup final was staged alongside Premier League fixtures since the Champions League final was held at Wembley.

A similar scenario had been expected this year with the soccer calendar factoring in a break before Euro 2012.

Kitchen queen Britney Spears

2011-11-27T19:47:00.000-08:00

Singer Britney Spears arrives at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles August 28, 2011.[Photo/Agencies]

Britney Spears loves her kitchen.

The 29-year-old singer - who has sons Sean Preston, six, and Jayden James, five, with ex-husband Kevin Federline - has a "very traditional" home and says she spends most times in the room where meals are prepared.

She said: "My house is very traditional. And I love 'shabby chic'. It's a very homey-cosy vibe.

"We spend a lot of time in the kitchen actually, maybe my kids will be doing their homework or that kind of thing when they get home from school. I love my kitchen."

When she isn't working, Britney - who is dating her former agent Jason Trawick - enjoys relaxing by watching movies with her sons, even if they don't always understand what they are seeing isn't real.

She told Stylist magazine: "The last film I saw was 'The Never Ending Story' with my children. They liked it but they were scared in places. They were like, 'This is scary, we don't want to watch this. And I was like, 'It's not scary, it's fake, it's a movie.'

"They haven't really grasped the concept that movies are fake - they always say, 'Is this real?' and I'm like, 'No baby - it's just a movie.' But they liked it."

Duchess Camilla visits dance show

2011-11-27T19:46:00.001-08:00

Britain's Duchess of Cornwall visited the set of a celebrity TV talent show yesterday (25.11.11).

Camilla was invited by `Strictly Come Dancing' judge Craig Revel Horwood to watch final rehearsals for this weekend's show - the British equivalent of `Dancing With the Stars' - at the BBC studios in west London in order to give the remaining competitors "a boost".

A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "The visit was top secret but Craig thought it would give the remaining contestants and the crew a real boost if Camilla came down to watch them in action.

"The duchess is a big fan of the series and watches the show with her husband Prince Charles so she was very knowledgeable when she was watching the run through.

"None of the contestants could believe it when she walked in, but it certainly made them concentrate even more in the rehearsals and a few of the dancers seemed a bit starstruck."

Camilla and Craig struck up a friendship working on a variety of charity projects together and the judge was delighted his pal could make it to the rehearsals.

He said: "I'm delighted to have welcomed the duchess to `Strictly Come Dancing'. Having got to know her through our charity work and having learnt what a fan of the series she is, it has been a pleasure to show her a sneak preview of this Saturday's show and some of the work which goes into making the series."

In 2009, Craig even gave Camilla a dance lesson when they visited a London school on World Osteoporosis Day.

He said afterwards: "I'd give her 10. She kept rhythm, her timing was excellent, her footwork was excellent - she has the personality for it."

Demi Moore returns to twitter

2011-11-27T19:45:00.002-08:00

Demi Moore has returned to twitter for the first time since announcing her marriage split.

The 49-year-old actress - who is usually a prolific user of the social networking website - posted her first message since separating from Ashton Kutcher to urge her fans to be more appreciative of people.

Writing on Thanksgiving yesterday (24.11.11), she posted: "Why do we have only 1 day for giving thanks? Is that why so many people feel unappreciated? Make this 1 of 365 days of Thanksgiving! (sic)"

Meanwhile, Ashton also used the holiday to return to the site.

He posted: "I'm thankful for family, friends, you, & time to reach my potential. What are you thankful for?"

The 'Two and a Half Men' actor last used the site on November 17 - the day Demi announced she was to file for divorce after six years of marriage - to pay tribute to the actress.

Ashton - who was accused of sleeping with Sara Leal in September - wrote: "I will forever cherish the time I spend with Demi. Marriage is one of the most difficult things in the world and unfortunately sometimes they fail. Love and light, AK."

Demi expressed her "great sadness" when she announced her marriage is over but said she is hoping to "move forward" with her life.

She said in a statement: "It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I have decided to end my six-year marriage to Ashton. As a woman, a mother and a wife there are certain values and vows that I hold sacred, and it is in this spirit that I have chosen to move forward with my life. This is a trying time for me and my family, and so I would ask for the same compassion and privacy that you would give to anyone going through a similar situation."

Big sister Selena Gomez

2011-11-27T19:45:00.000-08:00

Selena Gomez is the "happiest girl in the world" because her mother is pregnant.

The 19-year-old star - who is currently an only child - is thrilled that she will finally be a big sister as her mom Mandy and stepfather Brian Teefey are expecting their first child together.

Selena tweeted: "Momma and Brian are finally letting me share the news... My mommys carrying my baby brother or sister :) I'm the happiest girl in the world! (sic)"

Mandy, a former actress, was married to Selena's father Ricardo Joel Gomez until the Disney star was five years old. She went on to tie the knot with Brian in 2006.

Selena - who is in a relationship with Justin Bieber - recently spoke of how she loves to spend time at home, revealing her hobby is baking.

She said: "I like to bake - cookies and cakes and stuff. I'm not that good but that's the whole fun of it; you get to mess around and experiment.

"It's nice to feel pretty and get dressed up but otherwise I'm definitely in jeans and my hair is up. I just like sitting on my couch watching movies."

'Breaking Dawn' tops weekend box office

2011-11-27T19:44:00.000-08:00

Actors Kristen Stewart (L) and Robert Pattinson, stars of the new film "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" are shown in a scene from the film.[Photo/Agencies]

Vampires feasted at the Thanksgiving weekend box office, bringing the newest "Twilight" movie its second win in a row, over a strong comeback for "The Muppets" and other family fare that filled theaters.

"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 1" delivered an estimated $113.5 million around the globe from Friday through Sunday. The film ranked No. 1 for the second straight week at U.S. and Canadian theaters, where ticket sales hit $42 million for three days and $62.3 million over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

The film's total box-office take since its release reached $489.3 million globally.

"Breaking Dawn: Part 1" is the fourth movie in the "Twilight" series, one of Hollywood's most lucrative franchises. The movies are based on best-selling novels by Stephenie Meyer about a human-vampire-werewolf love triangle, a story that has generated legions of die-hard female fans.

For the latest movie, "word of mouth is good. (Fans) are supporting the film," said Richie Fay, president of domestic distribution for independent studio Summit Entertainment, which backed the film.

In second place, audiences welcomed the Muppets back to theaters for the first time in 12 years.

New Disney movie "The Muppets," starring Jason Segel and Amy Adams alongside Kermit, Miss Piggy and their puppet friends, took in a strong $29.5 million at North American (U.S. and Canadian) theaters in three days. The five-day holiday weekend haul reached $42 million domestically. Two international markets added $1.6 million.

Disney bought the rights to the Muppets in 2004, and the media, entertainment and consumer-products giant is eager to interest a new generation in the characters.

"It's hard to have anyone argue we didn't bring them back," said Dave Hollis, Disney's executive vice president for motion picture sales and distribution. The movie's performance "exceeded expectations," he said.

The Muppets starred on a weekly television show in the 1970s and early 1980s plus a series of films, the last being 1999's "Muppets from Space."

Critics loved the new Muppets movie, with 98 percent giving it a favorable review, according to aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences awarded an A rating on average, according to exit-polling firm CinemaScore. The movie cost about $45 million to produce.

FAMILY FILMS COMPETE

In third place for the weekend, dancing penguin sequel "Happy Feet Two" earned $13.4 million over three days domestically during its second weekend in theaters and $18.4 million through five days.

Rounding out the top five were two other new family movies that critics adored.

Animated 3D movie "Arthur Christmas," which cost about $98 million to produce, pulled in $12.7 million at domestic theaters over three days and $17 million in five days to finish in fourth place. The movie explains how Santa delivers presents around the world in one night and has earned $22.3 million overseas since opening two weeks ago.

Rory Bruer, president of worldwide distribution for Sony Pictures, said the film "opened about where we hoped it would," adding that he expected the Christmas theme would appeal throughout the holiday season.

"Hugo," a 3D family movie, ended the weekend in fifth place with $11.4 million over three days and $15.4 million over five days. The movie centers on an orphan living in a Paris train station in the 1930s.

The film exceeded studio forecasts for its release in about 1,300 locations, far fewer than the 3,000-plus for the other widely released films, said Don Harris, president of domestic distribution for Paramount.

In a small number of theaters, "My Week with Marilyn," starring Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe, opened with $1.8 million from 244 screens from Friday through Sunday. Critics have praised Williams' performance in the Weinstein Co. film and mentioned her as an Academy Award contender for the role.

Walt Disney Co released "The Muppets." Privately held Summit Entertainment released "Breaking Dawn: Part 1." "Arthur Christmas" was distributed by Sony, and "Hugo" was released by Paramount, a unit of Viacom Inc. Time Warner unit Warner Bros. distributed "Happy Feet Two."

Early Walt Disney drawing up for auction

2011-11-27T19:43:00.001-08:00

RENO, Nev. — An original, autographed drawing by Walt Disney, believed to have been made about 1920 before he hit it big in the entertainment world, will go up for auction in Reno this week.

The whimsical drawing of a cigar-chomping man wearing a derby hat will be among 1,400 items up for sale at the two-day auction set to begin Tuesday at the Atlantis Casino Resort.

Titled "Fill Up My Can," the illustration has an estimated value of $35,000 to $50,000. It's believed to predate Disney's Mickey Mouse, which made its cartoon debut in 1928.

"Real pieces signed by him (Disney) are really rare," said Fred Holabird of Reno-based Holabird-Kagin Americana, which is staging the auction. "This is one of the earliest known signed Disney pieces, if not the earliest."

The drawing was once owned by Disney's sister, Ruth Disney.

Also up for auction is what's billed as the "first and possibly only known copy" in private hands of the original Nevada Black Book, which features names, information and photos of about a dozen people barred from entering Nevada casinos.

The 11-page book includes mobster Sam Giancana, whose presence at Frank Sinatra's Cal-Neva hotel-casino at Lake Tahoe prompted revocation of the singer's gambling license in the early 1960s.

The book was made by the Nevada Gaming Commission about 1960, and was owned by the state's first gambling officer.

"It represents the first effort to keep illegal people out of Nevada casinos. It's a big step in the way we did business in Nevada," Holabird said, adding the book is expected to fetch up to $5,000.

Also drawing interest is a unique $50 gold coin struck during the California Gold Rush. It's estimated to be worth from $135,000 to $175,000.

"It's the best piece in the auction," Holabird said. "It's one of the first $50 gold coins Augustus Humbert struck when he was appointed U.S. assayer in San Francisco in 1851."

Verlander wins AL Cy Young

2011-11-17T17:29:00.000-08:00

Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander throws a warm-up pitch against the Seattle Mariners before the first inning of a game in Detroit on June 9. Verlander won the AL Cy Young Award by a unanimous vote on Tuesday. Paul Sancya / Associated Press

Tigers pitcher receives all 28 first-place votes; Weaver second

NEW YORK - There was little question Justin Verlander would unanimously win the AL Cy Young Award. Now, the far more intriguing question: Will he take the MVP, too?

"Do I think it's possible? Yes. Would I like to win it? Of course," he said during a conference call. "It's kind of a weird scenario."

No starting pitcher has won the MVP trophy since Roger Clemens in 1986, with Dennis Eckersley the last reliever to get it in 1992. Many say pitchers shouldn't win the MVP, period, contending they already have their own award.

But Verlander's season - he won the pitching version of the Triple Crown, led Detroit to its first division crown in 24 years and drew every first-place vote on Tuesday in the Cy Young race - has ratcheted up the debate in a crowded MVP field that includes Curtis Granderson, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jose Bautista, Miguel Cabrera and more.

"Pitchers are on the ballot," Verlander said. Bolstering the case for all pitchers, Verlander pointed to the "tremendous effect we have on the day of our game".

"I'm so different from everybody," he said.

If he doesn't win, Verlander said he'd like to see Granderson, his former teammate, get the award.

Verlander breezed to the Cy Young, much the way the Tigers' ace humbled hitters with his 100 mph fastball, sharp curve and wicked slider.

Verlander led the majors in wins by going 24-5 and topped baseball with 250 strikeouts. His 2.40 ERA was the best among AL pitchers who qualified for the title.

The 28-year-old righty was listed on top on all 28 ballots by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America and finished with 196 points.

Jered Weaver (18-8, 2.41) of the Los Angeles Angels was the only other pitcher listed on every ballot and second with 97 points. James Shields of Tampa Bay was third with 66, followed by C.C. Sabathia of the New York Yankees with 63. Tigers reliever Jose Valverde, who was perfect in 49 save chances, was fifth with 28.

"Since the end of the season, people have been saying that the Cy Young is wrapped up," said Verlander, who said he waited until the announcement to celebrate.

Verlander pitched his second career no-hitter, won 12 straight starts down the stretch and helped the Tigers take the AL Central. In many games, he was simply unhittable. He pitched a no-hitter on May 7 at Toronto, missing a perfect game just by an eighth-inning walk on a full-count delivery.

In his next start, he held Kansas City hitless for 5 2/3 innings. Johnny Vander Meer is the only pitcher to throw back-to-back no-hitters.

Later in the season, the 6-foot-5 star took a pair of no-hit bids into the eighth inning - one of those came on July 31 against Weaver and the Angels, a 3-2 win at Detroit.

"I felt like it was a statement game," Verlander said.

"A lot of people had eyes on that game."

Verlander also led the majors with 251 innings, all while issuing a career-low 57 walks. He pitched four complete games, including two shutouts.

Associated Press

Players file class-action antitrust lawsuit

2011-11-17T17:28:00.001-08:00

NEW YORK - NBA players kept offering economic concessions, and it was never enough to satisfy owners.

So with no labor deal and no place else to go, players decided to take their fight to the courtroom.

The locked-out players, including Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant, filed class-action antitrust lawsuits against the league on Tuesday in at least two states, saying David Stern's ultimatums left them no other choice.

Attorney David Boies put the blame on the owners, saying players were willing to accept a lower percentage of revenues but owners insisted on more.

"By overplaying their hand, by pushing the players beyond any line of reasonableness, I think they caused this. You don't give up hundreds of millions of dollars unless you want to make a deal and that's what the players were doing," Boies said. "I think it was mistake to push it as far as they did."

And it could potentially cost them billions.

The players are seeking "treble damages" - meaning triple the amount of the more than $2 billion they would have made under a full 2011-12 season - for what they argue is irreparable harm by preventing them from playing in their "very short" NBA careers.

Boies, who represented the NFL during that sport's work stoppage and now has been brought aboard by basketball's players, said the NBA lockout violates antitrust laws by refusing to allow players to work.

Associated Press

Oh yes, they're smiling: Ireland makes Euro finals

2011-11-17T17:27:00.002-08:00

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni smiles after his side played to a 1-1 draw with Estonia during a Euro 2012 playoff match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Tuesday. "I am very, very proud for many reasons," he said. "This is the most important moment we have had." Peter Muhly / Agence France-Presse

A 1-1 draw against Estonia locks up nation's first major event since 2002

DUBLIN - Giovanni Trapattoni expressed his pride after guiding the Republic of Ireland to the Euro 2012 finals and declared his side ready to emulate 2004 surprise champions Greece.

Ireland secured qualification for its first major finals since the 2002 World Cup with a 1-1 draw against Estonia on Tuesday, rounding off a comprehensive 5-1 aggregate victory against Tarmo Ruutli's men.

Stephen Ward scored the goal that had the Dublin crowd of 51,151 in raptures, and Konstantin Vassiljev's second half leveller was merely a brief break in the celebrations.

Trapattoni, in charge of Ireland since 2008, basked in the glory after the final whistle and said there were no limits to what his charges could achieve next summer.

"I hope only that we have no injuries and no suspensions," said the 72-year-old Italian, who is regarded as one of the most successful coaches in Serie A history, garnering six league titles with Juventus, the 1985 European Cup, two UEFA Cups and a Cup Winners Cup.

"It would be good that we have new options to come in but it's important that we have the basis of our first team available.

"With this group though, why not (match Greece)? It's not a dream."

Trapattoni - whose previous international experience with Italy from 2000-2004 was a rare failure - is set to land a new contract, having achieved qualification two years after a controversial defeat to France in the 2010 World Cup playoff.

The Italian never lost faith in his players, and was fulsome in his praise of them.

"I am very, very proud for many reasons," he said.

"First, we (him and assistant Marco Tardelli) have come here (to Ireland) with an important objective and aim and while we were in a difficult group last time (2010 campaign) we could have achieved qualification. But we started again.

"We have started again with a new mentality and the players believe in our system.

"We have also discovered the second, important options in terms of players. They have shown how important they have been for us. We have improved our quality.

"This is the most important moment we have had," he said, pointing to Tardelli, who scored a memorable goal in Italy's 3-1 win over West Germany in the 1982 World Cup final.

"We don't concede too many goals, we conceded one tonight and drew but we still qualified. That is my only disappointment.

"But I told the players to remember their objective. Ninety minutes of football is another game. In the first 30 minutes, Robbie (Keane) had two or three great opportunities and we could have closed out the game.

"But Estonia scored. Still, I am happy that we didn't lose and that we continued in this way of not losing. This is a good attitude to have. We can go to the finals very confident about our players."

Qualification is likely to provide a huge boost to not only the Football Association of Ireland, debt-laden following the redevelopment of the Lansdowne Road stadium, but also to a public who has born the brunt of the larger financial collapse.

Agence France-Presse

Bottas will try to make most of chance in Macao

2011-11-17T17:27:00.000-08:00

It would be great to see Finland represented again in Formula 1 - but not by Kimi Rikknen. Much more appealing is the 22-year-old who should also be the favorite to win this weekend's Formula 3 Grand Prix of Macao - but might find himself hindered by F1's regulations.

Valtteri Bottas won this year's GP3 Series (very similar to F3 but with races on F1 support program). Last November in Macao he was the quickest Mercedes-powered driver around the famous street circuit - visibly and audibly so in the mountain section. Unfortunately, those with Volkswagen engines seemed to have an advantage on the track's long straight past the casinos on the sea-front.

This year the motors are closer, but Bottas will likely miss the first practice session on Thursday having landed only in the morning from F1's "young driver training" in Abu Dhabi. With testing in F1 prohibited between the first race of the season and the end of the year, the three-day event was the only opportunity for the Williams team to evaluate Bottas - who has been the team's test driver since 2010. With the teams already at the circuit for last weekend's Grand Prix, it is certainly cost effective to have a test session in this way. But there's a knock-on effect for aspiring F1 drivers.

In past years, with testing unregulated, the teams took on test drivers to help them with the huge amount of car development. Often they would do thousands of kilometers in private test sessions before their first Grand Prix. This is how Sunday's winner, Lewis Hamilton, was able to make his F1 debut in 2007 and outscore his teammate, already a double world champion, Fernando Alonso.

Today even those nominated as test or reserve drivers sit idle apart from occasional "straight line" aerodynamic runs and hours in simulators. So it's hardly surprising that team bosses so infrequently choose a fresh face - preferring to stick with what they know and using "experience" as the excuse.

Bottas will be hoping Williams think this time as it did when a young Jenson Button got his chance with the team in 2000 - especially if the Finn can go one better than Button managed at Macao and take the top step of the podium.

Back then, Jenson was not able to grow the kind of moustache he sported in Abu Dhabi (where he finished third, behind Alonso) in support of the Movember prostate cancer charity. His blond hair means it also doesn't now stand out like the most famous F1 'stache - that previously worn by the 1992 champion Nigel Mansell -or the one your columnist is carrying this month. Go to http://mobro.co/MatthewMarsh to see it - and show your support.

After a successful career on the track, Matthew Marsh now works at JMI - the world's leading motor sport marketing company. He can be reached at mmarsh@justmarketing.com.

England has the kind of problem coaches kill for

2011-11-17T17:26:00.001-08:00

LONDON - Fabio Capello says the emergence of a new generation of England players has given him a welcome selection headache as he prepares for next year's European Championship finals.

England brought the curtain down on an unbeaten 2011 with its first victory over Sweden in 43 years on Tuesday, when an own goal from Daniel Majstorovic handed Capello's men a 1-0 victory at Wembley.

It was the first time England had beaten Sweden since 1968, and gave Capello's team another morale boost following its defeat of world champions Spain last weekend.

While Capello was happy to finish the year on a winning note, the Italian is more satisfied that his decision to blood youngsters including Phil Jones, Kyle Walker and Jack Rodwell has paid off.

"It's important to win always. It's important to beat Sweden after 43 years," Capello said. "But for me it was really important to see Jones, Walker, Rodwell, play against a team that is really well organized on the pitch.

"And the answers that I received from their performances is really, really important for me. These three players played really well."

Capello said the emergence of Jones, Walker and Rodwell overshadowed the fact that England's 2,000th international goal ended up being an own goal.

"It's just a statistic," Capello said. "I read statistics but for me it's not so important. It's important probably after 10 years, the 2,000th goal.

"For me it's not so important. During these past two games I was looking for something new, and I found it.

"These three players (Jones, Walker, Rodwell) are really good technically, physically, and all three of them are fast. This is important in modern football."

Capello's problem now is trying to distil his resources into a 23-man squad for next year's campaign in Poland and Ukraine.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and Arsenal youngster Jack Wilshere are both certain to return after recovering from injuries, while Manchester United's Ashley Young will also re-enter the reckoning along with Wayne Rooney, dropped for the Spain and Sweden friendlies following his three-match Euro 2012 ban.

With Scott Parker, Frank Lampard, James Milner, Gareth Barry, and Adam Johnson all jostling for position in midfield, Capello has myriad selection problems to mull over when England meets up again next year.

Asked if Rodwell was now a serious contender for the Euro 2012 squad, Capello refused to be drawn, but is happy that will be genuine competition for places.

"At the end of the season I will decide," he replied. "I hope that all the midfielders will be fit. Rodwell is a really interesting player, he's a young player. I think the competition to play in the Euros, will be really, really strong for all the players."

Capello also played down the significance of England's unbeaten record in 2011, which followed the disappointment of 2010 when his side was bundled out of the World Cup after a humiliating 4-1 defeat against Germany.

"Good results are important. It has been really interesting the last two games we have played. We are unbeaten in 2011, but it's statistics. "It's more important what will happen in the Euros next year and not this year," he said.

Agence France-Presse

Low-key return for terry

2011-11-17T17:25:00.000-08:00

John Terry saluted England's fans after the Chelsea defender avoided a night of boos as he returned to the international spotlight in his country's 1-0 win over Sweden at Wembley.

Terry captained England to victory in its last game of 2011 on Tuesday in his first international appearance since allegations he racially abused QPR defender Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea's Premier League defeat at Loftus Road.

The defender was left on the bench for Saturday's 1-0 friendly win against Spain after British police and the English FA launched investigations into the racism claims.

And after calls for Terry to surrender the England armband, it could have been an uncomfortable experience for the 30-year-old.

But the crowd of just over 48,000 reacted to Terry's return with a fairly tame reception.

His name was jeered by a section of the England support when it was read out before kickoff.

A smattering of boos whenever Terry was in possession in the opening minutes quickly died out and the center-back was able to concentrate on the threat posed by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Johan Elmander.

Terry said: "I'm not pleased to get it out of the way. I'm pleased that we've got the two wins from the two games.

"I was not worried about the crowd reaction. Not at all. I warmed up during the Spain game and got a really good reception from the fans.

"It was the same tonight. They were great with me so I can't ask for any more than that."

Asked if he had considered resigning as captain he gave a typically defiant response: "No chance, I would never step down (as England captain). It's something I dreamed of as a boy."

Agence France-Presse

japan u15 lolita 牧原あゆ|Ayu Makihara-48

2011-11-17T17:19:00.001-08:00

japan u15 lolita 牧原あゆ|Ayu Makihara-48