Bono’s back surgery forces U2 to axe Glastonbury gig

London, May 26 (ANI): U2 rockers have postponed their entire North American tour and cancelled their appearance at Glastonbury following Bono’s emergency back surgery.

The 50-year-old singer was taken to a hospital in Germany on Friday after he complained of suffering “severe pain” and “partial paralysis” during rehearsals for their 360 Degree world tour in Munich, reports The Daily Express.

He underwent a surgery immediately after neurosurgeon Joerg Tonn was convinced that he will make a full recovery but will need at least two months rest.

“He was already in severe pain with partial paralysis of the lower leg. The surgery was the only course of treatment for full recovery and to avoid further paralysis,” said neurosurgeon Joerg Tonn.

“Bono is now much better with complete recovery of his motor-deficit. His prognosis is excellent but to obtain a sustainable result he must now enter a period of rehabilitation,” he added.

The band have also been forced to cancel their prestigious headlining appearance at Glastonbury on 25 June (10).

Bono admits he is shattered to let his fans down.

He says, “I”m heartbroken. We really wanted to be there to do something really special.” (ANI)

New Moscow metro opening deferred over fears that Dostoevsky images ”could cause suicides”

Moscow, May 15 (ANI): Moscow authorities have postponed the opening of a metro station named after painter-cum novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky over fears that his illustrations could turn the station into a “mecca for suicides”.

According to The Independent, the new station was decorated with black and white marble mosaics of scenes from Dostoevsky”s most famous novels, including Crime and Punishment, Demons, The Idiot and The Brothers Karamazov.

But unsurprisingly for a writer famously preoccupied with death, the scenes include images of suicide and murder.

On one wall, Rodion Raskolnikov from Crime and Punishment brandishes an axe over the elderly pawnbroker Alyona Ivanovna and her sister, his murder victims in the novel. Near by, a character from Demons holds a pistol to his temple.

The pictures quickly caused a sensation. Bloggers and websites called the images that appeared on the Internet in April “depressing” amid speculation that the images could attract suicides.

The opening of the station, which was meant to be today, has been put back indefinitely.

The metro has refused to comment but the daily Izvestia claims that it was the transport system”s chief who raised the question of changing the decorations when he visited the site last week. (ANI)

Critics, ex-players want to axe Smith, Kallis and Boucher from Proteas 20-20 squad

Cape Town (South Africa), May 13 (ANI): Critics have said that it is time for South African cricketing stalwarts Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher to make way for better performers in the Tweny20 format.

Former South African convenor of selectors Omar Henry is demanding the heads of the trio in the country’s Twenty20 side.

“I would axe Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher and even Graeme Smith from the T20 team. I believe we need to build a new side and head in a new direction,” Sports24 quoted Henry, as saying.

Even though he was very critical of Smith’s captaincy in the tournament, he would keep the captain and Kallis in the squad until next year’s World Cup on the subcontinent.

“Kallis is worth a lot as an all-rounder in 50-over cricket. I would retain Smith as captain, but he would have to agree to a number of changes in how he goes about his job,” added Henry.

Henry was unimpressed with the decision to let Kallis open the batting.

Kallis managed an impressive 171 runs in the tournament, but his strike rate was only 116.32, Some of the other opening batsmen that performed well scored their runs at a faster rate.

Majola said it would be dangerous to jump to conclusions in the heat of the moment.

“I don’t recognise the South African team that played there. We weren’t even close to being in the picture in this tournament. It was a shock to see those performances. I’m looking for answers,” he said.

Former South African coach Ray Jennings said that the question needed to be asked who was calling the shots in the team. (ANI)

Malaysian man threatens to kill wife for being slow in cooking noodles

Kuala Lumpur, May 10 (ANI): A Malaysian man became so furious, when her wife was slow in preparing a bowl of instant noodles for him, that he cut her dress into pieces with an axe and also threatened to kill her.

The 33-year-old housewife reported to the police that her husband allegedly splashed hot water on her and then beat her up until she was unconscious.

Also, the man allegedly cut off the woman’s clothes with an axe until she was naked.

However, she managed to flee their Kampung Kota Ayangan home in interior Keningau, once her husband fell asleep.

Keningau OCPD Deputy Supt Zahari Mohamed said the woman claimed that her husband asked her to prepare instant noodles after he returned home drunk.

“But he became furious when it took her some time to prepare it. The husband rushed into the kitchen and splashed the hot water from the pan on her,” the Star Online quoted Mohamed, as saying.

He added: “The woman then ran out of the house and hid in some bushes. However, her husband soon found her and dragged her by her hair before he punched and stomped on her.”

The 38-year-old man has been arrested. (ANI)

Ancelotti set to axe Chelsea stars despite a booming season

London, Apr 24(ANI): Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that he will axe some players from his club regardless of possible Premier League and FA Cup titles.

Ancelotti will bring in players from the academy, and is also expected to sign at least two new players, meaning a total of seven stars from the current crop may have to leave.

“The only sure thing will be that there will be five players from the academy in the squad next season. Some players will maybe move on. Some we will move,” The Sun quoted Ancelotti, as saying.

“It’s not because we don”t have the money. It’s because we want to give strength to our Academy. We have very good young players and this is the time to put them in the squad for next year. They are able to stay in Chelsea’s squad,” he added.

He further insists the Stamford Bridge fans will be delighted to see fresh blood coming through, especially if they start next season as champions.

“They’ll be happy if Chelsea win the title and the FA Cup. After that, I think they will see some new players in the future,” Ancelotti added.

According to reports, heading for the exit door are Hilario, Paulo Ferreira, Juliano Belletti and Deco.

Midfielders Joe Cole and Michael Ballack are yet to sign new deals and may be forced to find new clubs. (ANI)

I am not Modi”s saviour: Farooq Abdullah

New Delhi, Apr 21 (ANI): Union New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday rubbished reports that he is backing beleaguered Indian Premier League (IPL) Commissioner Lalit Modi.

Interacting with scribes here, Abdullah said he was not Modi’s ”saviour” or his ”hangman” as was being speculated in a section of the media.

“I am neither his (Modi”s) hangman nor a saviour. There have been charges levelled against Modi, he will answer to them,” Abdullah said.

“The Government of India has also set up an enquiry committee, their report will be given and the truth will be come out. Dr Tharoor has also asked for an inquiry to clear his name,” he added.

Abdullah further said that as a member of the IPL he too wants to know what has actually happened.

“Till all this happens, how are you going to do anything about it? Why do you call Farooq Abdullah as Modi”s saviour or his hangman? Farooq Abdullah, like any other IPL member wants to know the facts. And once the facts are clear we will know exactly what decision to take,” he said.

Abdullah claimed that he had no inside knowledge about the IPL controversy.

“Unless we meet, we have a talk about it and hear from them what is the situation, I cannot comment. This is all speculation,” he said.

Commenting on whether Modi was being unfairly targeted because of his success with the IPL, Abdullah said: “It is an old Indian habit to try and pull down someone who is going up.”

He demanded that the government to give Modi a fair chance to explain his role.

“Give him a chance to explain himself, which he will do before the Government of India and the BCCI and IPL. If he has committed a mistake, he should go,” Abdullah said.

As of now, Modi is facing the axe after apparently having lost the backing of the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI).

Rumors are running thick in sporting circles that Modi may exist the IPL when the IPL Governing Council meets in Mumbai on April 26.

Modi may be asked to quit voluntarily.

The Government”s crackdown on the IPL intensified on Wednesday, with the Enforcement Directorate registering a case against IPL teams under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMS) to conduct an open inquiry into transfer of foreign funds.

Meanwhile, as many as eight investigation wings of the income tax department have also spread across the country to probe the source of IPL funds and obtain financial details from various stakeholders in the IPL from across the country. (ANI)

Henry wields axe on Cowboys

North Queensland coach Neil Henry has dropped four players after the team’s disappointing performance against Newcastle.

Ty Williams, Antonio Kaufusi, Manase Manuokafoa and Will Tupou have been axed from the team to play Parramatta.

Grant Rovelli, Michael Bani and Dane Hogan come into the squad, while Willie Mason has been promoted to the starting line-up.

Dell et Telefónica forment une alliance stratégique dans le but d`offrir des solutionsinnovantes de connectivité et de communication

MADRID ET ROUND ROCK, Texas–(Business Wire)–
Dell et Telefónica ont annoncé aujourd`hui avoir formé une alliance stratégique
qui marque le début d`un nouvel effort collaboratif visant au développement de
futurs produits et services conçus pour enrichir les expériences de données qui
permettront à leurs clients d`interagir avec leur famille, amis et contacts
professionnels quand et où ils le désirent.

« La demande pour des appareils omniprésents, instantanés et connectés au Web
s`infiltre partout », déclare Ron Garriques, président, Dell Communication
Solutions Group. « Nous sommes ravis de nous aligner à Telefónica et de
capitaliser sur nos compétences combinées pour créer des produits et des
services offrant à nos clients une expérience simple et transparente. »

« Le nouvel écosystème numérique, en construction, crée des opportunités et des
avantages immenses pour tous les secteurs qui se transforment et s`adaptent au
monde numérique, non seulement en termes de productivité, mais aussi en termes
de nouvelles directions d`initiative, nouvelles applications et nouvelles
opportunités commerciales », explique Vivek Dev, directeur des innovations,
Telefónica. « Et nous sommes ravis de faire équipe avec Dell pour développer ces
solutions. »

L`alliance avec Telefónica cadre avec la cible visée par Dell : la mise au point
de produits et de services mobiles intelligents grâce à des relations à valeur
ajoutée avec des exploitants chefs de file.

L`Alliance s`axe sur trois domaines :

* offrir aux clients les choix qu`ils privilégient dès maintenant ;
* être les premiers à livrer des solutions prochaine génération ;
* potentialiser l`expérience numérique des clients et mener les technologies des
communications de l`information sur le marché.

À propos de Dell

Dell (NASDAQ : DELL) écoute ses clients et utilise les connaissances ainsi
acquises pour simplifier la technologie et créer des solutions innovantes qui
simplifient les activités journalières et aident les gens à rester divertis,
connectés et en contact. Pour en savoir davantage, consultez www.dell.com.

À propos de Telefónica

Telefónica est l’une des plus importantes entreprises de télécommunications au
monde du point de vue de la capitalisation boursière. Ses activités sont
principalement centrées sur les activités de téléphonie fixe et mobile, le haut
débit étant l’outil essentiel du développement de chacune des activités. La
société a une présence significative dans 25 pays et une base clients qui
correspond à 265 millions d’accès dans le monde entier. Telefónica a une forte
présence en Espagne, en Europe et en Amérique latine, où elle concentre une part
importante de sa stratégie de croissance. Telefónica est une société entièrement
cotée en Bourse, avec plus de 1,5 million d’actionnaires directs. Pour en savoir
davantage, consultez www.telefonica.com.

Galerie de photos/multimédia disponible à l`adresse :

http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6247987〈=fr

Le texte du communiqué issu d`une traduction ne doit d`aucune manière être
considéré comme officiel. La seule version du communiqué qui fasse foi est celle
du communiqué dans sa langue d`origine. La traduction devra toujours être
confrontée au texte source, qui fera jurisprudence.

Contacts média :
Dell
Matthew Parretta, 512-633-5568
Matthew_Parretta@Dell.com
ou
Telefónica
Javier Garcia, 212-661-8388
jgarcia@telefonica.es
ou
ContactRelations investisseurs :
Dell
Robert Williams, 512-728-7570
Robert_Williams@dell.com

Copyright Business Wire 2010

Cayless furious at retirement leak

The cracks in Parramatta’s sinking premiership campaign appear to be widening with Eels skipper Nathan Cayless left filthy at the leaking of his impending retirement.

With the one-time NRL title favourites already battling to turnaround a horror start to the season and with several under-performing stars put on notice by chief executive Paul Osborne, Cayless on Wednesday revealed his disappointment at having his thunder stolen.

Cayless said he decided during the off-season that this would be his last campaign, claiming the poor run of results and speculation over his place in the team and his captaincy of the club had not impacted the call.

He had planned to make the announcement later this week, and while Cayless refused to point the finger at anyone, it appears certain the leak came from within the club.

The 32-year-old – who became the first player to captain the one club in 200 games last weekend – said he informed staff and team-mates of his decision before the first game of the year.

“I made the decision a long time ago, in the off-season before we started training, it’s just unfortunate the way it came about – I’m disappointed that it came out like this,” Cayless said.

“I really wanted to announce my retirement in front everyone.

“It’s done and there’s nothing you can do about it – I don’t know how it came about … it was out of my control.”

Keeping the faith

Divisions from within the club are the last thing the club needs as they attempt to put their season back on track against Canberra on Monday night.

Coach Daniel Anderson revealed he had organised individual meetings with several players on Wednesday in a bid to get to the bottom of the lacklustre performances.

Anderson has kept faith in the same group which has failed to fire so far in 2010, but Cayless said no-one was immune from the axe – especially him in his last year of football.

“I certainly don’t want it to happen that I get picked just because of what I’ve done or because I’ve been captain for so long,” Cayless said.

“It’s a team game and you’ve got to make sure that everyone’s playing as well as we can.

“Your form dictates where you play – I’ve spoken to the coach and if you play well enough you’ll be in first grade.”

Cayless’ sentiments were echoed by Anderson.

“As a rule of thumb if any player in the Parramatta team’s form deteriorates to the point where I have to make a change, then I will,” Anderson said.

“It’s not just Nathan, it’s every other player in this team has got accountability and has got responsibilities for the team and we’re trying to rectify where we are on the competition table right now.”

Anderson said the club was not panicking at it’s 1-3 win-loss record, but admitted the time was fast approaching when the club needed to start stringing some wins together.

“I’ve been in the game long enough to know that you ace adversity at some stage of the year,” Anderson said.

“I would have preferred it to be at some other stage of the year rather than the start … we need to play better for longer periods of time and be proud of our efforts.”

Carey collapse hurts home builders, creditors

A building company in Alice Springs that went into liquidation at the start of March has left a dozen homes unfinished and many contractors with outstanding bills.

The liquidator of builder Randal Carey’s company, Carey Builders, says creditors’ claims now exceed half a million dollars.

The liquidator, Alan Scott says the amount the company owes will continue to grow.

“The amount owed at the moment as best we can work out is about $550,000,” Mr Scott said.

“But there are still further creditors coming to light, including a claim from the Tax Office, which we are not quite sure of the quantum of that yet.

“But it will certainly be a reasonably large number, but I would anticipate over $100,000.”

The company’s sole director is Randal Carey’s wife Bronwyn Carey.

Mr Scott said his team was formulating claims against the director, and analysing the company’s transactions to track any transfer of assets.

“Most of the claims we will have will be against the director for breaches of director’s duties in some way,” Mr Scott said.

“That is probably the only result we will end up getting for the creditors.

“Now whether that is going to give a return to the creditors or not I am not really sure at this time.”

Alice Springs resident Rebekah Axe has been left with an unfinished home and no money to pay for its completion.

She wants the Territory Government to introduce an insurance scheme to cover non-completion to protect people building homes.

Territorians need protection just as much as anybody else in Australia.

Real Estate agent Andrew Doyle says the scheme was proposed more than three years ago.

“If the NT government had that insurance in place we would not be having this discussion,” Mr Doyle said.

The Government says it is committed to introducing the scheme but wants to learn from the mistakes of other jurisdictions.

A spokesman said the Government was helping creditors to find alternative contractors to complete their homes.

The Opposition’s Adam Giles said the Labor Government promised home warranty insurance in 2001.

“Contractors are still going without money, employees are suffering in those companies,” Mr Giles said.

“This is just another failure that’s been 10 years in the making and people who are trying to build their pride and joy in a new home are left suffering.”

Despite Qaeda threat, New Zealand set to axe psychologist for Delhi Games

Wellington, Mar. 24 (ANI): New Zealand is set to axe the psychologist from its Commonwealth Games team despite an Al Qaeda threat looming large over the championship to be held in New Delhi.

In February, al Qaeda commander Ilyas Kashmiri had threatened to target the Delhi Commonwealth Games, the ongoing Indian Premier League cricket matches and the now successfully concluded Hockey World Cup.

Soon after its threat, New Zealand hockey star striker Simon Child pulled out of the World Cup in Delhi, saying: “The heightened security does not create an ideal high performance environment”.

While the final composition of the support team has yet to be announced, the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) has decided against sending a psychologist on the tour.

The NZOC’s decision to take its athletes to Delhi without a mental safety net has been labelled as an irresponsible move by mental health specialists.

Sports psychologists learned, who learned the decision only last Friday, have expressed disappointment at NZOC’s decision.

“This could be the one Games where mental health support is vital. It would be irresponsible not to have some mental health support in place, should there be threats to athletes, or a crisis occur,” Stuff.co.nz quoted one psychologist, as saying.

“Delhi will be a difficult, distracting and unsettling environment, and athletes will need every tool available if they are to produce their best,” she added.

Meanwhile, NZOC communications adviser Ashley Abbott has said that no decision had been made on who would be in the Games support team, with the final call depending on how many athletes were selected. (ANI)

Hughes facing axe if injured Watson found fit for Hamilton Test

Melbourne, Mar 24 (ANI): Test opener Phillip Hughes, who scored an unbeaten 86 from 75 balls to take Australia to an emphatic 10-wicket victory over New Zealand, still faces the prospect of losing his Test spot.

Hughes’ unbeaten knock is unlikely to save him from the selection axe with injured all-rounder Shane Watson almost certain to replace the opener for the second Test, starting on Saturday.

Watson, who suffered a hip injury during the fourth one-dayer against New Zealand, is expected to get the green light when he undergoes a final fitness test on Friday.

“He [Watson] is a better than even money bet to play. I’m confident he’s going to play, put it that way,” Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said.

“He’s making good progress. At this stage he’s on track to play the next Test. He hasn’t trained fully yet but we’ll be looking to him training fully at Hamilton and then passing him fit,” The Daily Telegraph quoted him, as saying.

Skipper Ricky Ponting added: “Hopefully we’ll get him back. If we do, then it means the bowlers won’t have to do as much next week.”

Ponting said Hughes is an exciting player, but Watson’s all-round talents are vital with bat and ball and provide extra back up to pace trio of Doug Bollinger, Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson.

The trio bowled a combined 122 overs in the first Test and Ponting says they’ll be given plenty of rest before the second Test. (ANI)

Aeromedical nurses facing axe: union

The Australian Nursing Federation says 16 nurses from the Northern Territory’s aeromedical service are about to be made redundant because the Territory Government has chosen a new contractor.

The Territory Government used to run aeromedical services with its own staff on Pearl Aviation planes.

But Pearl Aviation gave up the contract because of the danger of hitting wallabies on the Katherine airstrip.

The Government has chosen the New South Wales based charity Careflight to provide the service for six months from June.

Careflight will provide its own pilots and medical staff, and the Territory nurses will have to re-apply for their jobs

The Nursing Federation’s Yvonne Falckh says that will leave 16 nurses without jobs.

“The nurses are very upset and they are very concerned because they feel they haven’t been communicated properly with,” Ms Falckh said.

“The Federation says the nurses are worried if they apply for jobs with Careflight the pay and conditions may be less, and Careflight may not win the ongoing contract.”

Flight nurse Fiona McKerron said the Health Department had promised them alternate jobs but they have not been told what that would involve.

“(Nurses are) very anxious. A lot of people have homes here they’ve lived in the Territory for quite a number of years,” Ms McKerron said.

“Personally, I made a choice to come to the Territory and make it my home and it’s quite unsettling for a lot of people, there are nurses who have worked there for 35 years.”

“But we will have to look at what is being offered and at this stage it is not clear what is on the table.

“Because we do not know what the Government is offering to us because it has not been clearly given to us what our choices will be.”

The Territory Opposition says the Government has bungled the temporary contracting-out of aeromedical services to Careflight.

The Opposition’s Willem Westra Van Holthe said it is unacceptable that 16 specialist nurses have not been given any certainty of being offered jobs with the new provider.

“Many of the nurses are unsure about whether they’re going to have a job into the future,” Mr Westra Van Holthe said.

“They are currently employed in the public sector.

“For them to have secure employment from now on may well mean they have to enter the private sector which would change their pay and conditions.”

Ms Falckh said Nursing Federation officials would meet with the Territory Health Department managers today.

She said the nurses want the Government to make sure the specialist teams are not broken up and can continue to provide the service.

“They are looking at all possible options, options of employment and options of stepping outside the public sector for an interim period of time and being employed by Careflight are all options that are being looked at by the Department,” she said.

Payphones face the axe

More payphones are set to be removed in towns across central west New South Wales.

Telstra says the use of payphones dropped by more than 15 per cent a year since 2007, mainly due to the 22 million mobile phones connected in Australia.

The telecommunications carrier is planning to remove seven of Orange’s 36 phone boxes.

Last week, the Blayney council resolved to fight to keep four payphones in its shire that Telstra has earmarked for closure due to lack of patronage and vandalism.

These include payphones in Dalton and Woodward streets, which the telco says are located within 500 metres of other phones.

Another one earmarked for closure, on the eastern end of Bathurst Road, Telstra says is one of the most vandalised sites in Orange.

Telstra says residents of a newly constructed block of flats on Wentworth Lane have complained about having a phone box right outside.

New South Wales Housing and the Orange City Council have been provided with a list of the payphones under threat.

A report to this week’s Orange City Council meeting says the removal of some payphones may be an opportunity for people living in newer suburbs to lobby for one in their area.

Telstra is also proposing to remove three of the five payphones in the Oberon Shire, located at Hampton, O’Connell and Oberon.

People in the Orange and Oberon areas have until mid-May to make submissions to Telstra.

Britain poised to axe House of Lords

Britain’s House of Lords looks set to be replaced by a wholly elected second chamber under proposals to be unveiled by the UK government.

The justice secretary, Jack Straw, will outline plans to overhaul the House of Lords, a key proposal that Labour intends to take to the election expected to be held on May 6.

Transport secretary Lord Adonis confirmed the policy for the Lords, which is currently unelected.

“I think the time has now come to make it legitimate in the only way that a legislative assembly can be be legitimate in the modern world – and that is to be elected,” Lord Adonis said.

Ninety-two of the 704-member assembly are currently hereditary peers who have had the position handed down to them from previous generations.

The remainder obtained their upper house seat in parliament upon an appointment by the Queen on the recommendation of the prime minister or an appointments committee.

Mr Straw is considering plans for a directly elected second chamber in a similar way to how senators are elected to the upper houses in Australia and the United States.

A proportional representation system would be used, with one-third of the chamber being elected at a time.

Members would serve three terms or up to 15 years and the upper house would be renamed The Senate.

The only major change to the House of Lords made by Labour since it came to power in 1997 was to remove most hereditary peers in 1999.

MPs in the House of Commons also voted in 2007 to reform the upper house so it could become an elected chamber.

However the Lords themselves blocked the move, preferring a fully appointed assembly.

- ABC/AAP

Henjak to let rookies off the leash

Ivan Henjak’s infants will be able to play without the threat of the axe if they stuff up against the Cowboys in tonight’s high-pressure NRL opener at Lang Park.

In fact full-back Corey Norman (18), centre Gerard Beale (19) and forwards Matt Gillett (21) and Mitchell Dodds (20) have been urged to have fun and play their natural games in front of a sell-out house and a far more experienced Cowboys side determined to the test their NRL credentials.

A lot has been made of Henjak gambling on his department of youth.

Norman, Gillett and Dodd will be making their debuts while Beale will play just his second NRL game.

Henjak did the same last year when he replaced Wayne Bennett, blooding several teenagers, including hooker Andrew McCullough and winger Antonio Winterstein.

The Cowboys have promised to target rookie Norman but Henjak has not noticed any nerves from any of his young players his week, confident they will step up, even if they make a few mistakes.

They certainly will not be playing under the fear of being dropped if they make an honest mistake on the night.

“If they’re doing their best and doing the things we’ve asked of them, whether we win or lose is not going to determine whether they stay in the team or not,” Henjak said.

“What we won’t tolerate is if they don’t compete and they don’t keep trying, but if they do what we’ve asked, we’ll stick with them.

“They’ve done the work and they haven’t looked out of place. I’m sure they’re confident they can handle it and the players are confident in them.

“These kids are not afraid to make mistakes and although I’m not sure that’s a good thing all the time, they’re certainly prepared to back themselves.

“The message to them will be to go out and enjoy themselves.”

Thurston watch

The Cowboys trained in Townsville before arriving in Brisbane on Thursday afternoon without injured prop Carl Webb.

Henjak said the message had been repeated over and over again this week to watch half-back Johnathan Thurston like a hawk.

Thurston is especially dangerous when fatigue sets in.

“That’s going to be pretty crucial that we don’t go to sleep on him, not only late in the halves but also late in the tackle counts,” he said.

“He’s a very dangerous player and we’re quite aware we have to play out every set of six and right to the end of each half as well.

“We’ve talked about where he can hurt us and what we need to do to combat that.”

While Willie Mason will be fired up to make a big impression in his debut for the Cowboys, Henjak said the former Roosters Test forward’s name had not been mentioned.

“No, Willie hasn’t been mentioned, he’s not an issue for us,” he said.

-AAP

Nokia to axe 330 jobs in Finland, Denmark

Handset giant Nokia said it will cut around 330 jobs in Finland and Denmark, as part of streamlining research and development operations.

The company plans to streamline research and development (R&D) operations in Finland and Denmark, which is expected to affect up to 230 employees at the Oulu site (Finland) and about 100 employees at the Copenhagen site, Nokia said in a statement.

The company has around 17,000 employees in the research and development division, of which more than 2,000 are in Oulu and over 1,000 are based in Copenhagen.

The company said it aims to support the employees with alternative solutions, such as finding new positions within the company for as many employees as possible.

Nokia, in the third quarter of 2009, reported an operating loss of 426 million euros. It had posted an operating profit of 1.5 billion euros in the year-ago period.

Maradona insists he won’t quit, instead will work hard like crazy

Buenos Aires (Argentina), Sep 7(ANI): Argentina coach Diego Maradona, who faces the axe if his team fails to qualify for next year’s World Cup in South Africa, has said that he will not quit rather he would “work hard like crazy”.

The two-time World champions was beaten by South American rivals Brazil, and are currently fourth in their group, just two points ahead of Ecuador and Colombia.

“This won’t break me. I will work hard like crazy. To lose to Brazil is always ugly. We were very motivated about winning and moving closer towards the World Cup. But now we can’t sit back because qualifying will be tough,” The Sun quoted Maradona, as saying.

Maradona further accepted to take the responsibility of defeat against Brazil, and said that Messi should not be blamed for it, as he wasn’t the only on playing.

“I won’t complain about my players, because I threw everything at Brazil. Unfortunately we just couldn’t turn the game,” he said.

Maradona also said that there was now huge pressure on the team ahead of the next qualifier, which will be played against Paraguay on Thursday. (ANI)

Ancient mystery of red hats on giant Easter Island statues solved

London, September 7 (ANI): A team of archaeologists has solved the ancient mystery of why the odd-looking statues on the Easter Island statues wear red hats.

Up to one thousand years ago, the islanders started putting giant red hats on the statues.

According to a report by BBC News, the research team, from the University of Manchester and University College London, believes that the hats were rolled down from an ancient volcano.

Dr Colin Richards and Dr Sue Hamilton are the first British archaeologists to work on the island since 1914. They pieced together a series of clues to discover how the statues got their red hats.

An axe, a road, and an ancient volcano led to their findings.

“We know the hats were rolled along the road made from a cement of compressed red scoria dust,” Dr Richards said.

Each hat, weighing several tonnes, was carved from volcanic rock. They were placed on the heads of the famous statues all around the coast of the island.

Precisely how and why the hats were attached is unknown.

An axe was found in pristine condition next to the hats. The scientists think it might be an ancient offering.

According to Dr Richards, “These hats run all the way down the side of the volcano into the valley. We can see they were carefully placed. The closer you get to the volcano, the greater the number.”

“It’s like a church; you can’t just walk straight to the altar,” he added.

“The Polynesians saw the landscape as a living thing, and after they carved the rock, the spirits entered the statues,” he said.

Dr Richards and Dr Hamilton will be working on the island over the next five years.

“We will look to date the earliest statues. Potentially this could rewrite Polynesian history, Dr Richards added. (ANI)

Axing 50-over cricket to affect England’s World Cup campaigns: Strauss

Melbourne, Sep 5 (ANI): England skipper Andrew Strauss has warned that banishing 50-over cricket from the country’s domestic schedule could have dire consequences for the team’s World Cup campaigns.

The England and Wales cricket board decided to axe 50-over cricket for a shortened 40-over format from next season.

Strauss said domestic cricket should mirror internationals, and believes one-dayers will survive in the face of mounting pressure from Twenty20s.

“Forty-over cricket is not radically different from 50-over cricket, but it just seems sensible to me that if you’re playing 50-over cricket internationally and your domestic scene is a way of preparing people for international cricket, you should be playing the same game,” The Age quoted Strauss, as saying.

“At the moment, there is a future to 50-over cricket. There are no plans that I’ve heard of to get rid of it. My personal view is that domestic cricket should mirror international cricket, so in that respect, playing 40-over cricket is not ideal,” he added.

South Africa had already reduced its domestic competition to 45 overs, and when the England and Wales Cricket Board voted last week to eradicate the 50-over game it was received as a further nail in the coffin for one-day internationals, which have struggled for identity and prominence in an increasingly crowded schedule. (ANI)