Royal Wessanen nv: Durk Jager stepped down from the Supervisory Board

Royal Wessanen nv announces that Mr Durk Jager, Chairman of its Supervisory Board, has
resigned from the Board with immediate effect. Mr Frans Koffrie has taken up the
position of Chairman as from the end of business on 28 July 2010.
Mr Jager expressed his desire to resign for personal reasons.

The Supervisory Board and the Executive Board would like to take the opportunity to
thank Mr Jager for more than five years of service on the Supervisory Board. As Chairman
of the Board he contributed greatly to the discussions and decision-making of the
Supervisory Board, provided advice to the Executive Board and showed leadership when
this was required in more difficult times.

Mr Koffrie became a member of Wessanen’s Supervisory Board in 2001. In February 2009 he
stepped down to become interim-CEO of Wessanen, which position he held until 1 June of
this year when he was succeeded by Piet Hein Merckens. Per that same date Mr Koffrie was
re-appointed member of the Supervisory Board for a final term of four years. In
appointing him Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Wessanen does not follow the best
practice provision in the Dutch Corporate Governance Code which provides that the
chairman of a supervisory board may not be a former member of the executive board of the
company. The reasons for not applying this provision are that Mr Koffrie served as CEO
of the Company for a relatively brief period only and that his extensive experience in
leading large international companies makes him an excellent candidate to take up the
chair.

Ex-worker goes on rampage at Mazda plant, kills one

June 22 (Reuters) – A former Mazda Motor (7261.T) employee driving a station wagon smashed into Madza workers as they changed shifts at one of the car maker’s plants in Japan, killing one and injuring 10, the automaker said.

Cyclical Consumer Goods

The driver, Toshiaki Hikiji, was arrested less than an hour later a few kilometres away on suspected murder and other charges, Hiroshima prefectural police spokeswoman Takae Shiozaki said.

National broadcasters reported that Hikiji, a 42-year-old temporary worker, told police he had been fired two months ago and wanting to cause harm to Mazda, drove a Mazda Familia through the factory grounds intending to kill.

Mazda said Hikiji had started on April 1 but resigned eight working days later citing personal reasons.

National broadcasters showed swarms of police at Mazda’s Ujina factory in Hiroshima, where workers had been coming in and out of the plant between the night and day shifts at the time of the crime.

The Ujina plant builds the popular Mazda2/Demio subcompact and other models. (Reporting by Chang-Ran Kim; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)

Renault CFO to step down next month – sources

June 10 (Reuters) – Renault (RENA.PA) finance chief Thierry Moulonguet will step down after almost 20 years at the French carmaker next month for personal reasons, two sources close to the company told Reuters on Thursday.

Cyclical Consumer Goods

Le Figaro newspaper said earlier that Renault banking unit head Dominique Thormann would replace Moulonguet.

“Moulonguet will leave next month for personal reasons,” one of the sources said.

Renault declined to comment. (Reporting by Gilles Guillaume; Editing by James Regan)

Motivation crucial for successful weight loss

Washington, April 27 (ANI): When it comes to losing weight, a lot of factors matter: How much and what types of food you eat, the amount and intensity of exercise to burn calories, and biological factors such as metabolism. Psychological factors also play a significant role, including motivation to stick with weight loss program, says a new study.

Researchers from the University of Kentucky and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill examined motivation and its relationship to adherence and weight loss in a 16-week intervention program.

A “Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire” was given five separate times over the course of the study to 66 participants, which was used to identify the source of motivation for losing weight.

In addition, the volunteers recorded their food intake, exercise, and body weight weekly.

There are two types of motivation – autonomous and controlled. Autonomous motivation is the choice to make changes for personal reasons without outside influences.

Controlled motivation, or extrinsic motivation, is the feeling of pressure from others to make changes.

Thirty-seven of the 66 participants lost 5 percent of their initial body weight during the study.

Those who had autonomous motivation were most successful in adhering to the program and in sustaining the weight loss.

They were better at self-monitoring behaviours, particularly between weeks 4 and 8, when dieting motivation most typically begins to wane.

The study has been published in the May/June 2010 issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. (ANI)

Roddick skips Rome Masters

World number seven Andy Roddick will miss next week’s Rome Masters due to personal reasons, his website said (www.andyroddick.com) on Saturday.

The American is due to return for the Madrid Masters on May 9 to prepare for the French Open two weeks later.

Rafael Nadal will defend his title in Rome.

(Writing by Mark Meadows; Editing by john O’Brien; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Ramprakash to divorce wife after his extra marital affair comes to light

London, Apr 17 (ANI): England’s cricketer of Indian origin Mark Ramprakash is all set to separate from his wife, after his affair with a single mother was revealed.

The former England batsman, 40, and Vandana, 39, have released a statement to say their 17-year marriage is over.

Ramprakash flew home from a cricket tournament in Abu Dhabi last month for ”personal reasons”.

A statement from the couple’s lawyers released today described the split as amicable, The Sun reports.

“Mark Ramprakash and his wife Vandana Ramprakash are to divorce. They are both sad about this and are agreeing to an amicable parting. Their priority is the well being of their two daughters,” the statement said.

It said the split was a private matter, adding: “Neither party will make any further statement.”

The Strictly Come Dancing winner, who waltzed to victory in 2006 with partner Karen Hardy, was hit by revelations about his cheating while starring on the show.

Vandana who had sat in the audience every week was left reeling when it emerged he had had an affair with Sadia Saleem.

After admitting cheating Ramprakash said he was distraught at the grief he had caused his wife and family.

Mark and Vandana battled to try to save the marriage before announcing they were separating in December 2007. (ANI)

Telstra announces executive reshuffle

Telstra has announced changes to its executive team, which the telco says is to better align the company’s leadership structure and strategic priorities.

Former Hewlett Packard executive Gordon Ballantyne has been appointed as the new group managing director of consumer and channels.

Mr Ballantyne takes over from acting consumer boss, Glenice Maclellan, who resigned due to personal reasons.

Kate McKenzie will move from strategic marketing, to the newly-created position of chief marketing officer and Robert Nason will become manager of customer experience.

In a letter to the Australian Securities Exchange, Telstra chief executive David Thodey said the changes consolidate the company’s top executives into the four main groups of customer sales and support; product and marketing innovation; operations; and corporate support.

“Telstra’s core objectives are to provide our customers with innovative products and services, and to serve our customers better than anybody else,” he said.

“This reorganisation is designed to get the right people and processes in place.

It will enable us to better deliver Australians the services and products they want and to profitably grow our business domestically and internationally.”

Mr Thodey also announced the resignation of BigPond chief, Justin Milne, effective from the start of June.

It is Telstra’s second executive reshuffle since last November, and comes as the telco continues negotiations with the Federal Government over its involvement in the National Broadband Network.

Telstra’s shares have risen since the news was announced, at 11:05 am (AEDT) they were at $3.09.

Council CEO temporarily replaced

Albany’s council says its chief executive has temporarily vacated his position.

Paul Richards took sick leave earlier this month, citing personal reasons.

The council will not confirm if or when Mr Richards will return and has refused to comment further.

Peter Madagan has been appointed as Mr Richards’ temporary replacement.

Bullock reportedly blindsided by husband

Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock pulled out of the London premiere of The Blind Side as a US celebrity magazine published a claim that her husband cheated on her.

Bullock, 45, was due in the UK on Tuesday (local time) to promote the Warner Bros film.

But she issued a statement saying that “due to unforeseen personal reasons a trip abroad to support The Blind Side has been deemed impossible at this time.”

“I apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused and thank you for your continued support of the film,” her statement added.

The announcement came as In Touch magazine published an interview with a California model who claimed she had slept with Bullock’s husband of five years while the actress was in Atlanta filming The Blind Side last year.

Bullock married custom motorcycle manufacturer Jesse James, 40, in 2005.

At several award ceremonies earlier this year, Bullock attributed much of her recent success to her happiness at home.

Bullock’s publicist could not immediately be reached for comment.

If the claims of infidelity by James prove correct, Bullock will join a long list of actresses whose relationships have fallen apart shortly after they won an Oscar.

Recent previous winners afflicted by what has come to be known as the “Oscar curse” for best actresses include Hilary Swank, Halle Berry, Reese Witherspoon and Julia Roberts.

British actress Kate Winslet, who won the Oscar last year for her role in the The Reader, announced on Monday that she and her film director husband Sam Mendes had separated.

- Reuters

Bond and Southee knock over Aussies

Pacemen Shane Bond and Tim Southee have dismantled Australia as New Zealand bookended the five-match one-day series with a consolation victory in Hamilton.

Chasing yet another ordinary total of 241, the tourists folded for 190 with the knowledge they had already wrapped up the series with their third win in game four.

Bond (4 for 26) and Southee (4 for 36) maintained pressure on the Australian line-up all evening to secure a 51-run cakewalk.

Shane Watson’s stellar summer continued with a 79-ball 53, while Mr Closer Mike Hussey (46 from 55) and James Hopes (40 off 56) got starts, but one of them needed to go on with it to get Australia over the line.

Skipper Ricky Ponting was the victim of a horrible decision, adjudged caught behind off the glove for a golden duck despite Shane Bond’s delivery hitting him flush on the helmet.

Ponting stood his ground and eyeballed local umpire Gary Baxter, giving him a whimsical expression before making his exit.

Adam Voges (5) also appeared a tad unlucky when Asad Rauf gave him out caught behind off Southee, with replays showing air between bat and ball.

Cameron White (6) failed for once on this tour, putting a Southee delivery down the throat of skipper Daniel Vettori who was backpedalling from mid-off.

Ponting was philosophical about his dubious dismissal.

“That’s the game isn’t it? I was answering the question about not being given out the other night (when he was plumb lbw in Auckland),” he said.

“Probably the most disappointing thing was tonight we had a couple in our top four or five that went against us.

“The umpires are out there doing the best that they can as well, just like us as players. You’ve just got to get on with it and try to fight your way back into the game.”

Ponting also confirmed vice-captain Michael Clarke would “definitely” play in Friday’s first Test against New Zealand in Wellington.

Clarke skipped the last three one-day games of this week’s series for personal reasons and travelled home to Sydney where he has announced his split from fiancee Lara Bingle following a nude photo scandal.

“Michael’s definitely coming,” Ponting said.

“When I have a chance to turn my phone on back in the rooms tonight I’ll probably have an idea of exactly when.

“It sounds like he’ll be back here and getting himself prepared to play the first Test.”

Australia’s bowling attack earlier dominated a Black Caps innings laden with silly shot selection to appear what set up an easy run chase, the home side only able to amass 9 for 241 from their 50 overs after being put in by Ponting.

Every Australian who delivered a ball took a wicket, with Mitchell Johnson turning in the best figures of 2 for 42, but their efforts were rather inefficient as they conceded an appalling 29 extras (19 wides, three leg byes, seven no balls).

Scott Styris’ innings was one of few highlights for the embattled Kiwis, the Brisbane-born right-hander hitting two fours and a six on his way to 55 from 66 deliveries when he chopped a Hopes seamer onto his stumps.

The Black Caps relied otherwise on cameos from Ross Taylor (30), Gareth Hopkins (26) and Daniel Vettori (28), who also fell victim to questionable shot selection as he walked across his stumps and was knocked over by Doug Bollinger.

Ponting praises ‘mature’ White

Ricky Ponting praised the leadership qualities of Cameron White after the pair scored half-centuries to guide Australia to a series-clinching win in the fourth one-day international against New Zealand in Auckland.

The victory at Eden Park gave Australia a 3-1 lead in the five-match series and means the tourists retain the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy ahead of game five in Wellington on Saturday.

Chasing 200 to win off 34 overs in a rain-interrupted match, Australia scored 4 for 202 with 17 balls to spare.

Man-of-the-match White’s 50 came from 57 deliveries, while skipper Ponting was in blazing form with 50 off 35 balls before he was leg-before to spinner Daniel Vettori (2 for 29).

“The way White played in particular was a very sensible, very mature sort of innings,” Ponting said.

“It was a good run chase in the end, we did it pretty comfortably.”

Australia was looking a little vulnerable at 4 for 150 but White and Mike Hussey (28 not out from 17 balls) added 52 to pace Australia’s comfortable victory.

“It’s the first one I’ve won I think. I’ve been involved in acouple of losing series over here so it’s very nice to win this, it’s a very nice feeling,” said White, a veteran of Australia’s 0-3 series defeat in New Zealand in 2007.

Shane Watson (32) and Ponting shared an 82-run partnership for the second wicket after Brad Haddin fell to Shane Bond for a duck.

Vettori trapped Watson and Ponting in front as Australia lost 2-1 in 12 deliveries to bring the crowd of 11,265 to its feet.

Adam Voges, who replaced Michael Clarke in the side for the past two games after the vice-captain quit the one-day series for personal reasons, made 34.

Clarke, whose shock exit back to Sydney earlier this week came amid a nude-photo scandal involving his fiancee and model Lara Bingle, is expected back in Wellington in a few days’ time to prepare for next week’s first Test.

Ponting said he felt the drama of the week had tested the mettle of his side.

“It probably just puts a little bit more back onto me I guess,” he said.

“I’m lucky in the side as well that I’ve got guys like Mike Hussey and Cameron White who have good cricket brains.

“I can bounce things off them when needed.

“Although you lose your vice-captain, I’ve still got plenty of other experienced guys around.

“Little things like that quite often, I’d like to think bring, good teams closer.

“Michael being out, Adam Voges coming in, it presented a great opportunity for him and the other guys stepped up a little bit.”

Ponting said pace bowler Ryan Harris (1 for 37) was in doubt for Saturday’s dead-rubber fifth game in Wellington with a toe injury, giving an opportunity for Clint McKay to play his first game of the series.

Spinner Nathan Hauritz (3 for 46) led a strong all-round performance from Australia’s bowling attack to dismiss New Zealand for 238.

Watson, James Hopes and the in-form Mitchell Johnson claimed two wickets each to keep the pressure on the Black Caps, who were bowled out in 44.1 overs.

Brendon McCullum top-scored for the Kiwis with 61, while tailender Daryl Tuffey was the next-highest scorer with 34.

“Most of the dismissals were relatively soft,” Vettori said.

Harris says Aussies have momentum

Australia has clicked into gear and will be hard to stop in the remaining two games of the Chappell-Hadlee series against New Zealand, says pace bowler Ryan Harris.

Ricky Ponting’s tourists were beaten by two wickets in the opening clash but have won the past two contests against the Black Caps to grab a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Harris has taken six wickets in the past two matches to play a key role in Australia’s fightback, along with Mitchell Johnson who has been in great touch with seven wickets in his past two outings.

Brad Haddin was man of the match in game three in Hamilton on Tuesday, hitting a career-best 110 as Australia scored 4 for 248 with 16 balls to spare chasing New Zealand’s 245 all out.

“We finally clicked with the bat last night. Brad batted really well and Ricky had that big partnership,” Harris said on Wednesday at the team hotel in Auckland.

Ponting scored 69 in a 151-run partnership with Haddin.

“We have got the momentum going into the next game,” Harris added.

“A 2-1 lead is quite big. It was well-documented that last night was a big game in the series.

“I’d say we’ve got good momentum.”

The Black Caps lost their last five wickets for 32 runs after Ross Taylor scored a fine 62.

Australia has called up Tasmania captain George Bailey into its squad for vice-captain Michael Clarke, who quit the one-day series in dramatic scenes on Monday night for personal reasons.

Clarke’s sudden exit to Sydney comes after Woman’s Day last week published a nude photo of his model partner Bingle in the shower.

“I can’t tell you anything. He has gone home sorting out some personal stuff,” Ponting said.

“He knows from all of us within the team that he has got all the support that he needs.

“The last thing that I said to him before he left was for him to take as much time as he needed and hopefully we can do the right thing over here and win the series without him.”

-AAP

Bailey takes Clarke’s spot

Surprised new Australian one-day squad member George Bailey says his call-up is the kind of breakthrough that has sparked international careers.

The Tasmanian skipper is the beneficiary of Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke’s unexpected dash home from New Zealand for personal reasons.

Clarke is believed to have rushed to the side of his celebrity fiancee Lara Bingle following her recent nude photo drama.

While Bailey was unaware of the details of Clarke’s situation, he said his own focus was on seizing the opportunity.

“I obviously read that Michael was coming home in the paper, which is unfortunate for him,” Bailey said in Melbourne, where he had been preparing for a Sheffield Shield match against Victoria.

“But so many Australian players have grabbed that opportunity when that’s been handed to them, that’s how a lot of people have made their starts.

“So I’m very excited for myself and Michael will obviously work through his issues.”

The 27-year-old batsman, who received the call on Tuesday morning, said he had no clue it was coming.

But he was confident of being prepared for a potential international debut in one of the remaining one-dayers against the Kiwis, on Thursday or Saturday.

“I’m ready to play, I’ve hit so many balls over the summer, I feel like I’m in pretty good form at the moment, so it’s just a matter of ticking over,” he said.

Bailey’s call-up rewarded him for scoring 538 runs at 59.77 in this season’s domestic one-day competition, in which he captained his state to the title.

His run tally trailed only Victorian veteran Brad Hodge.

“It’s the first time I’ve batted at four, so it’s probably a bit of opportunity, I suppose, a bit longer to settle into my innings,” Bailey said.

“I suppose it’s just getting to that age where you’ve played a few games and you’re more comfortable with your game and how you go about building an innings.”

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said Bailey deserved his chance for an outstanding season in all forms of the game.

“He is a talented and exciting batsman and we are confident if the opportunity arises he will perform well at international level for Australia,” Hilditch said.

Clarke heads home from NZ

Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke has left the tour of New Zealand and is heading home to Sydney for personal reasons.

A spokesman says Clarke had left the team hotel in Hamilton on the eve of Tuesday’s third one-day international against the Black Caps and it is not known when or if he will return.

“Michael is attending to personal, non-cricket matters and we ask on his behalf that his privacy be respected,” Cricket Australia general manager of cricket Michael Brown said in a statement.

Clarke’s fiancee Lara Bingle has announced she’s suing AFL player Brendan Fevola over a nude photo she claims Fevola took without her permission.

The magazine Woman’s Day last week published the photo of Bingle in the shower, which was allegedly taken while she and Fevola were involved in a secret affair in 2006.

Bingle has opened up in a magazine interview about the release of the photo, saying she has been deeply humiliated.

Her celebrity agent Max Markson says reports that Bingle, 22, was paid $200,000 for the interview and photo shoot with Woman’s Day were “false”.

Bingle told the magazine the nude photo was taken without her permission and she felt exploited and compromised by its release.

The model says she is suing the footballer to restore her “dignity and self-respect” and to show it is “not cool or funny” to distribute nude photos of anyone.

Clarke’s departure leaves the Australian one-day squad down to just 12 players, with paceman Clint McKay and all-rounder Adam Voges vying for a place in the side with Clarke gone.

A replacement player may be called up from Australia for the final two one-day matches in Auckland on Thursday and Wellington on Saturday.

It is not known if Clarke will return for the two-Test series starting on March 19.

The Test squad is due to be named on Tuesday.

- AAP

Haywood leads Mavericks past Pacers 91-82

DALLAS — Brendan Haywood tied a career high with 20 rebounds and the Dallas Mavericks improved to 4-0 with him as their starting center in a 91-82 victory against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.

Haywood, who came over from Washington in a Feb. 13 trade, scored 13 points and added three blocks to anchor a defense that was struggling. The Mavericks have held all five opponents since the trade to less than 100 points after the previous eight broke that mark.

Haywood is starting in place of Erick Dampier, who dislocated a finger in the first game with his new backup.

Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas with 23 points.

Playing his second straight game in his native Texas, T.J. Ford led the Pacers with 14 points.

Jason Kidd had two of his seven assists and the punctuating 3-pointer on an 11-3 run that put the Mavericks ahead 64-48 in the third quarter. Their lead was never less than nine after that.

Haywood also had a hand in the defining run, getting four points, a rebound and a block.

The rest of the Mavericks were harassing the Pacers, too. Indiana shot 39 percent and went nearly five minutes without a field goal while the Mavericks pulled away in the second half.

The Mavericks improved to 4-1 since the All-Star break and the trade, taking advantage of their second straight game against a team playing without its leading scorer. Indiana’s Danny Granger missed the game for unspecified personal reasons after Miami’s Dwyane Wade sat out Saturday night with a calf strain.

Some of the Pacers’ shooting woes were self-inflicted. They missed plenty of open 3-pointers, finishing 3 of 23 from beyond the arc.

Coming off a 23-point night during a win in his hometown of Houston, Ford played despite a sore groin and kept the Pacers close in the first half. He led all first-half scorers with 10 points. He used his quickness to draw fouls, converting a three-point play and going 6 of 7 from the line.

The three Dallas newcomers played strong first-half roles. Haywood had 10 rebounds before halftime, the last an emphatic putback dunk that gave him seven points. Caron Butler led the Mavericks in the first half with eight points despite 3 of 9 shooting, and DeShawn Stevenson hit a pair of 3-pointers to finish with seven.

NOTES: Jason Terry made his first shot and finished 5 of 10 with 14 points after missing all 10 shots in Saturday night’s win against Miami. … Kidd went without a steal and remained sixth on the career list with 2,306, one behind Scottie Pippen.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Gujarat HC judge declines to hear case against Modi

Ahmedabad, July 7 (ANI): A Gujarat High Court judge has declined to hear a case challenging a probe by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) against state Chief Minister Narendra Modi and 62 others in the 2002 post-Godhra riots.

Citing personal reasons, Justice H N Devani in the High Court said: “Not before me”.

The court was scheduled to hear the case as SIT officials, complainant Zakia Jafri and social activist Teesta Setalvad have already filed their replies.

The writ petition was filed on June 5 by former BJP MLA from Lunavada, Kalu Maliwad against the probe being conducted by SIT with regard to a complaint made by widow of ex-MP from Congress Ahsan Jafri.

In her complaint Jafri ‘s wife alleged that Modi, his cabinet colleagues, police officials and senior bureaucrats aided and abetted post-Godhra riots.

Jafri was killed with 38 persons in Gulberg society in 2002.

The Supreme Court had ordered the SIT to probe the complaint within three months and submit its report. Maliwad, who was acquitted, has said that the Supreme Court directed the SIT to look into Jafri’s complaint. (ANI)

‘Razorlight’ drummer Andy Burrows quits after bust-up with Johnny Borrell

London, March 6 (ANI): Drummer Andy Burrows left the indie rock band ‘Razorlight’ in chaos on Thursday night, when he left the group following a series of bitter clashes with guitarist Johnny Borrell.

According to reports, the pair had fought several times during a recent promo trip to the United States.

“Andy has had enough of Johnny. They’ve always had a turbulent relationship – not least over who was behind their No1 single America,” the Sun quoted an insider as saying.

“But it was this recent trip to the States that brought everything to a head.

“Andy is fed up with what he views as Johnny’s prima donna behaviour and told him he doesn’t want anything to do with him any more,” the source added.

This is not the first time that the two stars have had a bust-up, for they had a big punch-up at Camden Caners’ pub The Hawley Arms after the Vodafone Live Music Awards in 2006.

“Johnny likes to think he is the sole driving force behind Razorlight’s success,” the source said.

“But Andy doesn’t see it that way. He co-wrote America, their only No1, and feels he never gets the recognition he deserves. Andy is the only one in the band who will stand up to Johnny.

“He gets really embarrassed when he thinks Johnny is acting up and tells him as much. Johnny doesn’t appreciate the criticism,” the source added.

Johnny is said to be sure that Andy’s departure will not derail the band’s plan to make a full-scale bid to crack America.

The band have already hired a new drummer, veteran David “Skully” Sullivan-Kaplan.

Meanwhile, both Johnny and Andy are trying to play down the ill-feeling.

Andy said: “I am very proud of everything that myself, Johnny, Carl and Bjorn have achieved together but for personal reasons I have decided to leave the band.”

Johnny added: “Andy has been an integral part of Razorlight and we will miss him. He’s been a great player and a great friend and we’ll both always be proud of the music we have made together.” (ANI)

‘Razorlight’ drummer Andy Burrows quits after bust-up with Johnny Borrell

London, March 6 (ANI): Drummer Andy Burrows left the indie rock band ‘Razorlight’ in chaos on Thursday night, when he left the group following a series of bitter clashes with guitarist Johnny Borrell.

According to reports, the pair had fought several times during a recent promo trip to the United States.

“Andy has had enough of Johnny. They’ve always had a turbulent relationship – not least over who was behind their No1 single America,” the Sun quoted an insider as saying.

“But it was this recent trip to the States that brought everything to a head.

“Andy is fed up with what he views as Johnny’s prima donna behaviour and told him he doesn’t want anything to do with him any more,” the source added.

This is not the first time that the two stars have had a bust-up, for they had a big punch-up at Camden Caners’ pub The Hawley Arms after the Vodafone Live Music Awards in 2006.

“Johnny likes to think he is the sole driving force behind Razorlight’s success,” the source said.

“But Andy doesn’t see it that way. He co-wrote America, their only No1, and feels he never gets the recognition he deserves. Andy is the only one in the band who will stand up to Johnny.

“He gets really embarrassed when he thinks Johnny is acting up and tells him as much. Johnny doesn’t appreciate the criticism,” the source added.

Johnny is said to be sure that Andy’s departure will not derail the band’s plan to make a full-scale bid to crack America.

The band have already hired a new drummer, veteran David “Skully” Sullivan-Kaplan.

Meanwhile, both Johnny and Andy are trying to play down the ill-feeling.

Andy said: “I am very proud of everything that myself, Johnny, Carl and Bjorn have achieved together but for personal reasons I have decided to leave the band.”

Johnny added: “Andy has been an integral part of Razorlight and we will miss him. He’s been a great player and a great friend and we’ll both always be proud of the music we have made together.” (ANI)

Boxer Akhil Kumar features in music video

Mumbai, Feb 14, (ANI): Boxer Akhil Kumar has come out with his maiden music album ‘Precious Platinum’ where the pugilist got a chance to exhibit his artistic talents.

The video is the sequel to the album made by legendary singer Asha Bhosle.

The boxer will be pairing opposite model Ankeeta Mukherjee for the song ‘vadda’.

Akhil described this experience as very pleasant and said, “The music video has a sporty look and it represents me as a boxer. When I was told about the song and suitability for the role, I thought to take up as I had spare time.”

The director of the video S. Ramachandran said he wanted to make the video different with a new cast.

“I knew that Asha Bhosle was not supposed to feature in the video as she was out of town. We had limited time because the music is already out in the market. So, we thought to make this video a bit different,” Ramachandran said.

This role was earlier offered to Olympic bronze medal winner boxer Vijender Singh, but he refused it due to some personal reasons. (ANI)

Brazilian football star Robinho arrested for rape, released on bail

London, Jan.28 (ANI): Brazilian soccer ace Robinho was arrested for rape on Tuesday soon after flying back from his own country.

A Yorkshire University female student made the rape charge. The rape is alleged to have happened in the early hours of January 14, in the VIP area of the Space nightclub. It was reported to police that afternoon.

According to The Sun, Robinho had gone to Leeds with his teammates for a night out.
The star had spent a week in San Paulo, Brazil, when Manchester City bosses sent a private plane to pick him up.

British detectives had planned to speak to him after City’s training camp in Tenerife earlier this month, but they were stunned to learn he had gone to Sao Paulo, without his club’s permission, citing “personal reasons”, believed to be his 25th birthday.

He arrived back in the UK on Sunday and had a pre-arranged meeting with West Yorkshire POlice officers yesterday. He returned to Manchester last night after being released on bail, the tabloid reports.

Last night,his spokesman Chris Nathaniel said:”He strenuously denies any allegation of wrongdoing or criminality and is happy to co-operate with the police if required further.”(ANI)