Stabbed West Ham star Davenport takes his first steps

London, Sep.19 (ANI): Looking gaunt almost a month after being knifed in his legs six times, West Ham star Calum Davenport took his first steps in public on Friday.

The unshaven ex-England Under-21 defender, dressed in a navy blue tracksuit and wearing slippers, hobbled on crutches outside hospital, reports The Sun.

He was allegedly attacked on August 22 by the boyfriend of his pregnant sister Cara following a row at her house.

Calum was found bleeding from a leg artery outside his mum’s house in Kempston, Bedford.

Doctors spent four weeks saving his limbs but there are fears he may never play again Yesterday he was greeted at Bedford Hospital by family members and wife Zoey. His loved ones have been by his bedside virtually every day. (ANI)

Good Housekeeping mag recruits volunteers to test vibrators!

London, Sept 9 (ANI): Good Housekeeping magazine bosses have recruited a group of 100 women to test the best vibrators on the market.

They have asked the women between 30 to 65 to test the vibrator and rate them on ease of use, instructions, noisiness and, most importantly, satisfaction rating.

The magazine will feature five of the best sex toys, each scored out of 100.

Of the five most famous devices, S-shaped ‘Delight’, came at the top with a score of 74 out of 100.

The second came a ‘Bedside Bullet’, which scored 68 out of 100, warming vibrator came third with score of 66 out of 100.

However, ‘Rabbit’, came 4th out of 5, scoring 61 points out of 100.

The test also showed that 87 per cent of testers had used a vibrator before and 52 per cent of testers’ husbands suggested they should try one.

“Even though ‘Sex And The City’ has removed the ‘guilty’ tag from owning a sex toy, and it’s widely recognised that many young, single women own vibrators, our survey discovered that they’re just as popular among our readers – only 13 per cent of our testers were vibrator virgins,” the Telegraph quoted June Walton, Deputy Editor, Good Housekeeping, as saying.

All testers except five felt that women should talk more about sex toys with friends and 84 per cent were encouraged to buy a vibrator on the basis of the Good Housekeeping test. (ANI)

Defoe recounts horrifying moment when he knew his brother had just 2 hours to live

London, Sep 3 (ANI): England’s star footballer Jermain Defoe has relived the horrifying moment when he learned that his half-brother was dying after a brutal street attack.

The Spurs striker was at the team’s training ground when his mother broke the news that Jade Defoe, 26, was in intensive care.

Speaking for the first time about April’s attack, he said: “The manager said, ‘Your mum’s in the car park’. I knew when I saw her face it was bad news. She basically said to me I think he’s got two hours to live. So I had to get myself straight to the hospital and just be there for Jade.”

Jermain, 26, was at Jade’s bedside when the urban musician also known as DJ Esco Bars died of head injuries after the beating in Leytonstone, East London, The Sun reported.

He said: “It was crazy. All his family and friends were in intensive care. It was a harrowing time and I think it changed me as a person. I was really close to Jade and his death hit the family hard.”

Jermain said he and Jade used to play football together when they were younger.

“It was difficult for us to see each other a lot because I was always travelling for my football. But we were very close as a family. It was so hard for us to accept him going at such a young age.

“When people die after a long illness it’s easier because you have time to prepare. But when it’s a phone call out of the blue it’s difficult to come to terms with,” he said. (ANI)

Doctors confident they can save footie star Davenport’s leg

London, Aug.26 (ANI): Doctors have said they are “confident” of saving stabbed footballer Calum Davenport’s leg.

The West Ham player is making a good recovery and was moved from intensive care to a general ward.

It was feared the 26-year-old Premier League defender may lose his left leg after being stabbed several times on Saturday.

A main artery was severed in the attack, allegedly carried out by his pregnant sister’s boyfriend Worrell Whitehurst.

Calum’s family, who are keeping a bedside vigil at Bedford Hospital, were said to be “over the moon”.

Calum’s mum Kim, 50, who was also injured in the attack, has been discharged from the same hospital.

Whitehurst, 25, from Derby, is charged with grievous bodily harm. (ANI)

Holidaying Obama sets himself grueling reading schedule of 2,300 pages

Martha’s Vineyard (Virginia, US), Aug. 26 (ANI): US President Barack Obama has kicked off his vacation by revealing that, in addition to endless games of tennis and golf, he plans to read five books or an astonishing 2,300 pages.

His summer reading list, unveiled by a White House apparently keen to emphasise Obama’s highbrow credentials, contains two heavyweight works of non-fiction and three novels, The Independent reports.

On top of the pile stacked on Barack and Michelle’s bedside table at the 28-acre estate they have rented for 35,000 dollars is “Hot, Flat and Crowded”, the climate change polemic by New York Times columnist, Thomas Friedman. Subtitled “why we need a green revolution”, it makes a leftish call to arms regarding the future of the planet.

Obama’s second choice is historian David McCullough’s magisterial biography of John Adams, the often underrated second US president, who was the subject of an award-winning HBO docu-drama last year.

The novels include two crime thrillers: Richard Price’s Lush Life, and The Way Home, a novel by George Pelecanos set in Washington, DC – which, much like Obama’s best-selling autobiography, explores the relationship between a father and his son.

Completing the set is the novel Plainsong, by a little-known writer called Kent Haruf. Set in a small town on the Colorado plains, its existence on the reading list may reassure voters that their metropolitan commander-in-chief has not ignored Middle America.

The books were unveiled to reporters on Monday afternoon, at an official press briefing.

President Obama has already spent a portion of his week so far playing golf, beating Michelle at tennis, and visiting friends.

To finish all five books, he would have to manage more than 300 pages every day – quite an “ask” when a small portion of his time must also be spent running the country. (ANI)

Cellphones may soon make alarm clocks history

London, Aug 26 (ANI): Time is running out for the traditional alarm clock, thanks to the scientific miracle called mobile phone.

According to a UK poll of nearly 1,500 people, the timepiece that charts its origins back to Ancient China, is on its way to disappear from people’s bedside cabinets.

The study, carried out by Rightmobilephone.co.uk, found that, of those polled 82 per cent owned a mobile phone, with over half of them using it as an alarm clock, reports The Telegraph.

Robert Egan, a fellow of the British Horological Institute, has witnessed the slide in their popularity.

“It is a trend that we are seeing, people are even using mobiles instead of wrist watches now.

“It’s just another sign of modern technology taking over from mechanical things.

“I think in terms of travelling mobile phones are going to be the thing, these are changing times,” he said.

One in five British people used handsets for the Internet, organising their week, taking photos or films and waking up in the morning, the study found.

Neil McHugh, Co-managing director, said: “Phones have evolved from simple communication handsets to now provide us with a wealth of information on the go and schedule our social occasions.

“The advances in mobile technology may in the near future threaten such traditional stand alone devices such as cameras, music players and alarm clocks.” (ANI)

Ryan O’Neal was overcome with grief at partner Farrah Fawcett’s funeral

London, Jul 1 (ANI): American actor Ryan O’Neal was overcome with grief at the funeral of his beloved partner late actress Farrah Fawcett.

O’Neal, 68, was poised to marry Farrah, 62, at her hospital bedside, but was thwarted when she passed away on June 25.

“We take comfort in the beautiful times that we shared with Farrah over the years,” the Daily Express quoted him as saying.

The former ‘Charlie’s Angel’ had been battling rectal cancer for three years, and the disease had spread throughout her body. (ANI)

Novel TB test may provide results quickly, efficiently

Washington, May 08 (ANI): A scientist has developed a new diagnostic test for TB, called Xpert MTB/RIF, which can provide results quickly and efficiently.

The test, developed by Dr. David Alland, chief of the Division of Infectious Disease at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, can simultaneously identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and resistance to the common first-line drug for treating TB and a reliable surrogate marker of strains that are multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB).

Test results that used to take weeks can now be available within hours.

Dr. Alland believes the device will transform TB diagnostics.

“It brings the diagnostic laboratory to the patient’s bedside and provides results within hours. We are very excited and hopeful that this test will dramatically improve tuberculosis detection and treatment,” said Dr. Alland.

Health officials from Cepheid, the manufacturer of the device, believe the test will fill the need for accurate and rapid detection of tuberculosis, which is becoming increasingly acute. (ANI)

Jamie Spears’ beau in hospital after horror car smash

London, Apr 29 (ANI): The lover of Britney Spears’ younger sister Jamie Lynn Spears was involved in horror car accident when he wrecked his Ford truck after a fishing trip.

Casey Aldridge, 19, suffered a blood clot near his brain after the car crash and the Nickelodeon star was at his bedside before doctors operated on him.

“Jamie and Britney are both worried sick. They’re concerned about reports that he may need surgery for a blood clot. At first they thought it wasn’t that serious,” The Daily Star quoted a source as saying.

Aldridge and two of his four passengers were not wearing seat belts and were catapulted out of the vehicle.

The medics have said that he had suffered mild brain trauma, a fractured skull and had been “in and out of consciousness”.

Aldridge has been charged with careless driving on his way home in Mississippi.

Also, Louisiana State Police added that there was no indication of the involvement of alcohol or drugs in the incident.

Casey and his pals had been at a cousin’s stag do before deciding to go late night crabbing.

Jamie Lynn, 18, gave birth to Casey’s daughter Maddie just 10 months ago and the couple have been living together since then.

However, they have not yet announced any plans to marry. (ANI)

Jamie Lynn Spears’ beau left with fractured skull after accident

p
New York, Apr 27 (ANI): American actress Jamie Lynn Spears’ baby’s father, Casey Aldridge, has been hospitalised for a fractured skull after his pickup veered off the road and flipped./pp
The incident happened during a Louisiana bachelor-party outing, and Aldridge, 19, has been charged with careless driving after the crash near Lake Bruin in Tensas Parish, La./pp
As per People magazine, Jamie Lynn Spears, 18, was at Aldridge’s bedside on April 26 at the Riverland Medical Center in Vidalia, La, and a family source revealed the young dad has been in and out of consciousness./pp
It’s not as serious as we thought at first, the New York Daily News quoted the source as saying./pp
The source also said Aldridge had been attending a cousin’s bachelor party, when he and some friends decided to go crabbing./pp
Cops said there was no indication alcohol or drugs were involved in the accident. (ANI)/p

Italian PM tells female doctor ‘I wouldn’t mind being resuscitated by you’

Sydney, Apr 15 (ANI): Known for his reputation with the ladies, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi recently made another gaffe when he told a female doctor that he “wouldn’t mind being resuscitated by her.”

Berlusconi met Dr. Fabiola Carrieri, an intensive care specialist from Milan, during a visit to Abruzzo earthquake survivor camps.

“I wouldn’t mind being resuscitated by you,” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him as saying.

Carrieri, however, defended the premier’s comment and said that Berlusconi was simply being “gallant” and trying to take the “drama” out of the situation, according to reports by London’s The Times.

She responded to the PM’s comments by saying she hoped that she would never have to resuscitate him.

Carrieri also said that Berlusconi gave a glimpse of a similar gallantry with another female patient whose husband was sitting at her bedside, saying he hoped she got better soon “so I can ask you to dance with me.”

“(He was) trying to raise a smile in the middle of all the sorrow we have all around us,” said Carrieri.

Ever since Berlusconi has made the remarks, Carrieri has become an instant celebrity, and Italian newspapers are going gaga over her “long red hair and big blue eyes.”

Last week, Berlusconi hit the headlines when he suggested that the tens of thousands left homeless by the earthquake should think that they were on a camping trip. (ANI)

Women ‘more avid book readers than men’

London, Mar 24 (ANI): After diamonds, it seems, books are girls’ BFFs (Best Friend Forever). A new study has found that females are more avid readers of books than men – in fact, they can’t put a book down once they begin it.

According to the UK survey of reading habits, which asked 2,000 adults, almost half of women are ‘page turners’ who finish a book soon after starting it compared to only 26 per cent of men, reports The Telegraph.

The research also found those who take a long time to read books and only managed one or two a year were twice as likely to be male than female.

The only likeness between He and She came among those who have two books on the bedside table at once and who start one book on the middle of reading another, switching easily. Twelve per cent of women were in this category – exactly the same number as men.

A similar survey carried out in December found half of men and one third of woman have lied about what they have read to try and impress friends. (ANI)

Jade Goody’s mum: My beautiful girl has gone

London, March 23 (ANI): Jade Goody’s mum Jackiey Budden held on to her daughter’s hand who passed away peacefully in her sleep, and in a sad moment said: “Goodbye, my darling.”

Jade lost her battle to cervical cancer on March 22 – Mother’s Day – and got her last wish to spend her final days at her home in Essex with her family, new husband Jack Tweed and sons, Bobby, five, and Freddy, four.

Both Jackiey and Jack, along with her friend and personal trainer Kevin Adams, were by the 27-year-old’s bedside when her end came.

“My beautiful girl has gone. My beautiful daughter is at peace” the Sun quoted Jackiey as saying.

Describing Jade’s final moments, a pal said: “It was very calm and very beautiful. Poor Jade was in a coma-like state for at least 24 hours.”

The friend added: “She would sleep for hours then stir and come round slightly. She was too weak to talk. The doctor had given her a lot of morphine because she was obviously in incredible pain.”

The Brit reality TV star was diagnosed with the disease last August, and was told that it had spread to her entire body.

“Jade died as she lived, in the public eye. It’s very sad. We got very close. She was a 27-year-old facing up to terminal cancer and securing the future of her kids. Jade has been so brave,” Goody’s publicist Max Clifford said.

“She died having been in a deep sleep for the past 24 hours. It’s ironic she died on Mother’s Day. She was such a good mum.

“I think she’s going to be remembered as a young girl who has, and who will, save an awful lot of lives.

“And she faced her death in the way she faced her whole life – full on, with a lot of courage,” Clifford added. (ANI)

Jade Goody’s tearful son driven to see dying mum

Washington, Mar 20 (ANI): The eldest son of cancer-stricken Jade Goody was driven to her bedside after he sobbed to see his dying mum.

Goody has told loved ones not to let her boys Bobby, five, and Freddie, four, witness her fading away.

However, the former Big Brother star’s mother Jackiey had to pick up Bobby from his dad Jeff Brazier’s home to take him to Goody after he repeatedly asked why he couldn’t see his mummy.

He then stayed with the 27-year-old, who has another son Freddie, four, at the family home in Upshire, Essex.

“Bobby is just old enough now to understand he doesn’t have long with mummy,” the Sun quoted a close family friend, as saying.

“He has been asking why they are not staying at the house with her and he just wants to see his mum,” the friend added. (ANI)

Goody’s hubby rushes to her bedside after ‘emergency’

London, March 14 (ANI): Jade Goody’s hubby hastened to her bedside after “an emergency” that saw his cancer-stricken wife in excruciating pain.

Officials lifted the curfew on jailbird Jack Tweed after a nurse called for him as his terminally ill wife, who has been given few weeks to live after being diagnosed with cervical cancer, lay in pain.

“The nurse decided he must be there as she was in so much pain,” the Sun quoted Jade’s rep Max Clifford as saying.

“We don’t know at this stage how serious it is. There must have been a significant change in her condition for Jack to be there,” he added.

Jack was found guilty of drunken assault on a taxi driver after losing his temper over the fare.

The 21-year-old was given a reminder that he would not be provided any special treatment and will be sentenced on March 26.

He was previously sentenced to 18 months in prison for attacking a 16-year-old with a golf club and served just four months before being released on a curfew and with an electronic tag. (ANI)

Jade Goody’s tears of joy at reunion with sons

London, Mar 13 (ANI): Cancer-stricken Jade Goody’s couldn’t stop her tears of joy as she reunited with her beloved boys for the first time since leaving hospital.

The former Big Brother star was ‘overjoyed’ as she saw Bobby, five, and Freddie, four, run smiling up to her bedside at home.

The 27-year-old, who has been given just weeks to live, also spent just her second night with husband Jack Tweed since they tied the knot last month – after officials lifted his curfew.

“She had a great time. Freddie read his school book to her. The boys were brave. They did really well,” the Sun quoted Goody’s mother Jackiey, as saying.

Goody had not seen her sons since the weekend they were christened alongside her at the chapel in London’s Royal Marsden Hospital.

“She’s really been looking forward to seeing them. That’s why she wanted to leave hospital,” Jackiey said.

Goody’s rep Max Clifford said: “The most important thing for her is that she spends the time she’s got left surrounded by her children, her mum and her husband.” (ANI)