Hamilton leads McLaren one-two in Montreal

June 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

(Reuters) – Lewis Hamilton held off his McLaren team mate Jenson Button to win Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix and jump to the top of the Formula One drivers’ championship.

Sports

In a repeat of the last race in Turkey, Hamilton crossed the line just a few seconds ahead of his fellow-Briton to leapfrog Red Bull’s Australian Mark Webber and Button at the top of the standings.

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso finished third to join the two McLaren drivers on the podium while Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel was fourth and Webber fifth after a thrilling 70-lap race.

Hamilton’s second win in a row took him from third to first place in the championship with a total of 109 points. Button remained second on 106 while Webber dropped to third on 103 ahead of Alonso (94) and Vettel (90).

While there were no major crashes the race, back on the program after being left off last year, lived up to its reputation as one of the most enthralling races on the Formula One calendar.

Five different drivers held the lead as teams were forced into a strategic battle to keep their tires from falling apart on the street circuit.

(Editing by Alan Baldwin)

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Flutteroo Just Got Even Better as it Upgrades Its Online Auction Site

June 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, Jun 11 (MARKET WIRE) —
Flutteroo, a leading UK website for online auctions, is delighted to
announce that it is further enhancing its site with major new features
and functionality for all its bidders to give an ever better auction and
bidding experience.

Starting this week, and continuing over the Summer, Flutteroo will be
launching a rolling series of initiatives all focussed on further
improving the player experience, and continuing to build Flutteroo’s
reputation in the market place as the best pay-per-bid auction site
offering not just amazing auctions, but also an engaging and enjoyable
on-line experience.

The first of these initiatives will be a redesigned auction layout to
allow bidders to experience more penny auctions and presenting these in
an even simpler and clearer way. This means better navigation and more
ways to grab some amazing bargains for all of Flutteroo’s customers.

Dave Hobday, Flutteroo CEO, commented: “We are absolutely delighted
to be announcing this major series of upgrades. Things kick-off this week
with a new look and feel to the auctions themselves building on the
clarity and simplicity which is so unique to Flutteroo, followed by
improved navigation, celebration of our winners, live news and Facebook
feeds, and onsite messaging to ensure all our players are kept fully up
to speed with everything that’s happening on Flutteroo. This continues
our journey of ensuring we put the customer first, and build Flutteroo
into the best possible auction site delighting our players every step of
the way. No-one in the market is doing anything like this and we are
delighted to be spearheading this and leading the way for our
customers.”

This initiative continues to demonstrate that while Flutteroo is first
and foremost a great auction site for grabbing amazing bargains, it’s
also about an engagingly simple offering, customer service, and what is a
rapidly growing community of Flutteroo fans. It is creating hundreds of
winners every week, bidding on everything from iPhones to iPads, LCD TVs
to Wii game consoles and this initiative will help ensure players just
keep coming back for more.

About Flutteroo.co.uk

Flutteroo launched in 2009 into the rapidly growing market of internet
pay-per-bid auctions. These combine traditional retailing with skill and
strategy. Flutteroo is privately funded and based in west London. Dave
Hobday has a senior management and marketing background from companies
including Sportingbet, HBOS, Telewest and Procter & Gamble. The
management team has successfully raised over one million pounds in first
round funding.

Contacts:
Flutteroo
Dave Hobday
CEO
020 84041193
dave@flutteroo.com
www.flutteroo.co.uk

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

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Abba tribute acts asked to shed “Abba” off their names

June 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, June 4 (ANI): Abba”s record label has asked the Swedish band”s tribute acts to change their names, saying trading off the name “Abba” is an infringement of the band”s intellectual property rights.

Lawyers for Universal Music in Sweden have sent legal notices to bands such as Abba Queens, Abba Mania and Swede Dreamz Abba Tribute asking them to change their names immediately.

But tribute musicians are unhappy with the move.

“We”ve been established for four years with the band name, working our way up from playing in pubs to theatres,” the Independent quoted Anneli Stockwell, a singer in the band Abba Queens, as saying.

Stockwell added: “If we have to change the name we”ll lose all that business and reputation. We”ve also spent a lot of money on backdrops and publicity already.”

However, a rep for Universal Music told The Stage: “We”ve had complaints from all over the world where fans feel they”ve been misled and we feel it”s our duty to protect the Abba brand from misuse.” (ANI)

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Beckham to help ‘dumped’ Walcott deal with despair

June 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, June 4(ANI): England footballer David Beckham has offered to help winger Theo Walcott to come to terms with being excluded from Fabio Capello’s 23-man squad for the World Cup in South Africa.

Beckham has texted Walcott and told him to keep his chin up. He also plans a more in-depth phone chat over the next 10 days.

The 35-year-old feels a particular affection for Walcott, whom he took under his wing at the 2006 World Cup in Germany when he was skipper and Walcott was a star-struck 17-year-old, The Sun reports.

He is especially keen that Walcott realises he can still be a big part of England’s Euro 2012 qualifying campaign and beyond.

Walcott had been a crucial member of Capello’s team for World Cup qualifying rounds, and had enhanced his reputation when he struck a hat-trick against Croatia in 2008.

However, following injuries and a loss of form, Walcott was left out of the final 23, which was announced on Tuesday. (ANI)

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Australia launches anti-doping campaign aimed at young athletes

May 31, 2010 By Leave a Comment

(Reuters Life!) – A hard-hitting poster showing an athlete injecting a prohibited substance is at the center of a new Australian anti-doping awareness campaign, with the warning “You can never win your reputation back.”

Lifestyle

Australian Sports Minister Kate Ellis Monday launched the campaign aimed at both young, up-and-coming athletes and elite sportsmen and women.

“This confronting poster sends the important message to athletes that doping is never okay and that your reputation, once lost, is something you can never get back,” said Ellis.

“Doping can ruin an athlete’s health but it can be just as damaging for an athlete’s reputation and ultimately has the potential to end careers.”

Australian Olympic and World Champion rower Amber Halliday and Paralympic swimmer and world record holder Matthew Cowdrey are among several athletes named as Campaign Ambassadors.

“I can relate to the pressure young athletes are under while trying to carve out a career in sport,” said Halliday, who has moved into cycling following her rowing career.

“This campaign highlights the fact that no matter how good athletes get, no matter how many races they win or goals they score, it will all come crashing down if they have cheated through doping.”

The “You can never win your reputation back” campaign will run through June and July and encourages Australians to visit the anti-doping website (www.asada.gov.au).

(Reporting by Michael Perry)

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Cate Blanchett says Russell Crowe is ”not always easy”

May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 21 (ANI): Cate Blanchett has revealed that working with Russell Crowe is ”not always easy”.

The Oscar winning actress plays Maid Marian alongside Russell in Ridley Scott”s epic blockbuster ‘Robin Hood’ and hinted at a sometimes tense atmosphere on set.

“Russell is not always easy – his reputation both as an actor and as an intimidating presence precedes him, but he”s always after making the best possible film,” the Mirror quoted her as telling Parade.com.

“I”m not backward in coming forward, so we had some, shall I say, ”robust” conversations. When I”m working, I like to push it right to the edge. I believe if you”re going to do something, you should do it all the way,” she added.

The ‘Elizabeth’ star also said that she tried to hold her own with the guys.

“The biggest challenge was they expected me to look more gorgeous than my male co-stars, which isn”t easy when you”re doing action stuff,” she revealed.

“I loved the horse riding, and the moment where Marian gets all chainmailed up and rides off into battle. We had to ride these wild, wild ponies; some of them were really difficult to get on and none of them had saddles. We all galloped off and it was thrilling,” she added. (ANI)

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Cate Blanchett says Russell Crowe is ”not always easy”

May 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 21 (ANI): Cate Blanchett has revealed that working with Russell Crowe is ”not always easy”.

The Oscar winning actress plays Maid Marian alongside Russell in Ridley Scott”s epic blockbuster ‘Robin Hood’ and hinted at a sometimes tense atmosphere on set.

“Russell is not always easy – his reputation both as an actor and as an intimidating presence precedes him, but he”s always after making the best possible film,” the Mirror quoted her as telling Parade.com.

“I”m not backward in coming forward, so we had some, shall I say, ”robust” conversations. When I”m working, I like to push it right to the edge. I believe if you”re going to do something, you should do it all the way,” she added.

The ‘Elizabeth’ star also said that she tried to hold her own with the guys.

“The biggest challenge was they expected me to look more gorgeous than my male co-stars, which isn”t easy when you”re doing action stuff,” she revealed.

“I loved the horse riding, and the moment where Marian gets all chainmailed up and rides off into battle. We had to ride these wild, wild ponies; some of them were really difficult to get on and none of them had saddles. We all galloped off and it was thrilling,” she added. (ANI)

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IMG files defamation case against ECB chief

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Sports Marketing firm IMG has filed a defamation case against England Cricket Board chief Giles Clarke for claiming that it was part of suspended IPL chief Lalit Modi’s alleged plan to start a ‘rebel’ Twenty20 league.

According to a report in ‘The Daily Telegraph’, the “firm served Clarke with a writ for defamation yesterday”.

“IMG has carried through its threat to take Clarke to court unless he apologises for remarks in an email to the Indian board which allegedly accused the company of promoting rebel cricket,” the newspaper reported.

In an e-mail to the BCCI, Clarke had alleged that Modi and IMG were in talks with three counties to start a rebel league on the lines of IPL.

The allegations were rubbished by both Modi and IMG and they insisted that there were no underhand plans to start anything.

“The writ was served in the High Court Queen’s Bench Division and Clarke, who is in the Caribbean at the World Twenty20, will now have a period of time to acknowledge receipt and formulate his response to the action,” the newspaper said.

IMG has stated that Clarke’s remarks have dented the company’s reputation.

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‘Don’t want Schumacher’s tainted legacy’

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lewis Hamilton says he wants to be remembered as a Formula One great, but not in the manner of Michael Schumacher. The 25-year-old Briton entered the sport the year after seven-time champion Schumacher retired from Ferrari in 2006, and this weekend is the first time the two have raced each other around the streets of Monaco.

The German’s comeback with Mercedes, at the age of 41, has revived memories of his last appearance in Monaco when he was sent to the back of the starting grid for blocking the track in qualifying to secure pole. That controversy was one of several to have dogged Schumacher’s career despite his status as the most successful driver the sport has ever seen, with 91 wins.

Hamilton, the 2008 world champion with McLaren, said he would hate to walk away from the sport with his reputation similarly ‘tainted’.

“When I leave F1 I want to be remembered as one of the best drivers of all time,” he said. “I am not really bothered if I am remembered or not. But clearly I am going to be remembered. I am part of the sport, I’m part of its history, I am a world champion,” he added.

“I think as I am going to be anyway, I would like to be remembered in the best way and the best light,” added the driver, who was himself embroiled in a furore over lying to race stewards last season.

“For me, when I think about the history it is not just about me, it is about how my family raised me, and where we came from. For that to be potentially tainted by something like that (Schumacher’s Monaco controversy) would be really devastating for me. That is definitely something I don’t want to be remembered for.”

Hamilton refused to be drawn into a judgement on what Schumacher did last time around, however.

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Woods can’t put timetable on recovery

May 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Tiger Woods says the neck injury hindering his game has his schedule “up in the air,” but said he was trying everything he can to get healthy.

Woods also insisted his current neck pain has “no connection” to the car crash outside his home in November, a mysterious accident that heralded the start of a sex scandal that drove him off the golf course for five months and left his reputation in tatters.

“Zero connection, absolutely zero,” Woods said as he spoke to reporters at the media day for July’s Philadelphia National tournament scheduled for July.

Woods had said before that the crash had left him with a “busted-up lip and pretty sore neck”.

But he said his current problem, which forced him out of The Players Championship on Sunday in the first mid-round tournament withdrawal of his professional career, began when he returned from a five-month absence.

“It started bugging me two weeks before the Masters,” Woods said.

“It was just on and off. I thought it was just sore, no big deal. But as I kept practising it kept getting worse.”

Woods had said he feared the injury could be a bulging disc, but he said he has yet to have any further examination or treatment.

However, he said he was “trying everything I can” to get healthy and continue his pursuit of Jack Nicklaus’s record of 18 major championship titles.

“A lot is up in the air, which I don’t like,” Woods said, adding that he still wants to defend his title at the Memorial tournament next month, and play the US Open at Pebble Beach later in June.

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Ian Botham lands role in Bollywood film

May 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 8 (ANI): Legendary cricketer-turned-fundraiser Ian Botham will be starring in a Bollywood movie, it has emerged.

The 54-year-old will play a role in the new film ‘Patiala House.’

Botham a.k.a. Beefy will be accompanied by fellow England players Graham Gooch and David Gower on set. They will be filming for the movie in the coming few weeks in London.

The movie in Hindi, is about a young Sikh who battles to repair his dad”s reputation after meeting a girl who gives him courage, reports The Sun.

It is reported that the cricketing legends make an “amusing” guest appearance. (ANI)

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Ian Botham lands role in Bollywood film

May 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 8 (ANI): Legendary cricketer-turned-fundraiser Ian Botham will be starring in a Bollywood movie, it has emerged.

The 54-year-old will play a role in the new film ‘Patiala House.’

Botham a.k.a. Beefy will be accompanied by fellow England players Graham Gooch and David Gower on set. They will be filming for the movie in the coming few weeks in London.

The movie in Hindi, is about a young Sikh who battles to repair his dad”s reputation after meeting a girl who gives him courage, reports The Sun.

It is reported that the cricketing legends make an “amusing” guest appearance. (ANI)

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Rooney mansion in care of Gurkha guard

May 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, May 7 (ANI): Wayne Rooney is leaving his 4.5 million pound mansion under the vigilant eye of a Gurkha as he heads for the World Cup 2010.

Gurkhas are a Nepalese warrior clan known for being lethal and deftly eviscerating enemies with their Khukri or dagger.

An Old Trafford source told The Sun, “The Gurkhas have a formidable reputation. We”ve been told this guy was military decorated. You wouldn”t want to cross him.”

The security man has been provided his own living quarters at the defender’s house and keeps a watch over both the player’s homes in Prestbury, Cheshire.

A string of robberies at the homes of absent Premier League stars where their kin were intimidated led to the hiring of the Gurkha guard.

Victims include United”s Darren Fletcher, 26, whose fiancee had a knife held to her throat. (ANI)

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Broncos baffled by ongoing Setu reports

May 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Brisbane remains confused on Tuesday by reports it has lost damaging defender Lagi Setu to the Roosters.

Coach Ivan Henjak and chief executive Bruno Cullen were caught off guard by reports that Setu had been released to the Roosters.

“He might have signed with the Roosters,” said Henjak.

“But he’s starting in our team this weekend.

“What he does next year is between him and his manager, he’s off contract with us at the end of year.

“They (players) don’t have to tell you anything nowadays, do they?”

Henjak, who has enough on his plate with young giant Israel Folau expected to leave the club at the end of the season, said he had not spoken to Setu about a release.

“I told Lagi he is here for the season and as long as he deserves his spot, he’ll have his spot.

“I can’t be any fairer than that.”

Setu admits his manager is in talks with the Roosters.

“We’re in for a struggle and I know it’s not a time to leave, but I am off contract,” he said.

“I don’t worry about it. I’m trying to get a win for the boys and improve my performance.

“My manager is talking to the Roosters and whatever happens, happens.

“The coach has told me I’m playing this weekend.

“I don’t know much about me moving, I just know my manager is doing some stuff for me.”

Auckland-born Setu came to Brisbane from the Dragons in 2009 with a feared defensive reputation but his inconsistent form has prevented him from delivering on his promise.

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Telephone scammers target Cooma ambos

May 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment

There are reports of an advertising scam involving the state Ambulance Service at Cooma in the New South Wales South East.

The Ambulance Service says small businesses and community groups in the town have been contacted by telephone salespeople, who are offering advertising in the organisation’s publications.

The service says the people are not endorsed, and the organisation never engages in selling and marketing activities.

Ambulance spokeswoman Penelope Little says the scam feeds off the reputation of the service.

“We become aware of a number of different avenues by which people believe that they are soliciting on behalf of Ambulance,” she said.

“It’s very important for people to understand that the Ambulance Service of New South Wales does not solicit funds from the public in any way.

“I guess they use a good brand, and that’s why they target the Ambulance Service.”

For more, go to the South East News blog at http://bit.ly/dgL1SN

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Mickey Rourke holds Gwyneth Paltrow “in the highest regard”

April 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

London, April 30 (ANI): Mickey Rourke’s representative has dismissed rumours that the actor hates working with actress Gwyneth Paltrow and insists that he holds her in the “highest regard”.

Rourke, 57, is said to have caused quite a stir online after he described one of his Iron Man 2 co-stars as “a pain in the a**” on set.

“I worked with an actress recently who, despite having a reputation as a good actress, s**ts herself when that little red light comes on,” the Daily Star quoted him as telling MovieHole.net.

“She’s fooled everyone into thinking she’s a lot better than she is. Working with someone like that is a pain in the a**,” he said.

Rourke was reported to have aimed his rant at Paltrow after a post on Twitter.com, purportedly from the actor, named the Oscar-winner.

But a representative for the star has confirmed the Twitter account in question does not belong to the real Mickey Rourke, who has a lot of respect for Paltrow.

“(Rourke) does not have a Twitter account (and he) holds Gwyneth in the highest regard,” the spokesperson told GossipCop.com. (ANI)

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Ings replaced as head of Australian drug agency, OLY

April 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) Former professional tennis umpire Richard Ings has been replaced as head of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency. Federal Sport Minister Kate Ellis confirmed that Aurora Andruska, the deputy chief executive of government agency Centrelink, will take over from Ings on May 10.

Ellis said Andruska has the experience that ASADA needs to maintain Australia’s reputation as an international leader in the fight against drugs in sport. Ings was forced to reapply for his position after an independent review found internal staffing problems at ASADA..

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V8 Supercars organizers ban bare breasts at Gold Coast 600 motor racing carnival

April 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Sydney, Apr 24(ANI): V8 Supercars Chairman Tony Cochrane insists that the face of the Gold Coast’s motor racing carnival would undergo a significant change this year, as the organizers are trying to shed the event’s seedy, booze-fueled reputation and lure more families.

As part of the transformation, event organizers have even shortened the track to avoid nearby buildings, where women often bared their breasts during the event.

“We got rid of a lot of the high-rise buildings that didn’t do a very good job of policing the behaviour,” The Australian quoted Cochrane, as saying.

“We are not having any ratbag behaviour. We will have designated alcohol zones and family friendly areas where you can’t take alcohol and we’ll work closer with police and security,” he added.

The season began on February 19 at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit and will finish on December 5 at the Homebush Street Circuit in New South Wales.

The series is currently being led by reigning champion Jamie Whincup after he won all six off-shore races at the Yas V8 400, the Desert 400 and the Hamilton 400. (ANI)

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Blues retain Warner’s services

April 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Twenty20 specialist Dave Warner has rejected the entreaties of rival states to remain with New South Wales for the next three seasons.

Warner, afforded only limited opportunities with the Blues’ first-class team despite his peerless reputation for T20 pyrotechnics, was due to be out of contract in July but ultimately decided to stay and fight for his place in NSW.

By doing so he elected not to entertain the approaches from rival states, among whom Queensland and Victoria are thought to have pushed hard to win his signature by offering the incentive of a place in their respective Sheffield Shield sides.

“I am very much looking forward to continuing my playing career at New South Wales,” Warner said.

“I have played all my junior and senior cricket here and I would like to perform well for my home state.

“NSW has a proud tradition of producing great cricketers for the state and for Australia and if, in some way, I have the opportunity to be part of that tradition it would be great.

“We have a strong squad at NSW.”

Though he missed out on a Cricket Australia contract for 2010-11, Warner has made no secret of seeing himself as more than a T20 player, saying he would like to add to his seven Australian appearances in 50-over cricket while also yearning to play Tests someday.

Nevertheless, his place as a T20 maestro in NSW has had its advantages, not least his ability to secure lucrative T20 contracts with the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League and English county Middlesex.

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