Kobe Bryant finding it tough to take it easy after surgery

(Reuters) – Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is finding it hard to take it easy in the NBA off-season after having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

The twice NBA Finals MVP made a fourth trip to China in as many years this week to meet fans in the basketball-crazy nation, where he sells more shirts than the country’s own Yao Ming.

“The hardest thing for me to do is to do nothing,” he told Tuesday’s China Daily newspaper in an interview.

“I have always got to be working and pushing myself. This summer is really the best training for me — to do nothing.

“The body needs rest and the injury has to heal. You have to recharge your body and get ready for next season. So in lots of ways, this is the hardest training for me.”

Bryant started his five-city tour of China with an audience with some 1,600 basketball fans in Beijing late on Monday. A thousand more waited outside the theater in sweltering heat just hoping for a glimpse.

Despite having surgery on the same knee for the third time after 2003 and 2006, he assured the noisy audience he would be fit for his bid for a sixth NBA title with the Lakers.

“Another NBA championship ring next season is the biggest motivation for me,” he told the paper.

“It’s the same for us every year. We will not change much. We have the unity and the majority of the team is the same. So, it’s the same goal for us every year.”

Although retirement is still a long way away for the 31-year-old guard, Bryant has clearly given thought to what he does not want to do when his playing days are over — coach.

“No. Absolutely not. No, no, no,” he said.

“Being a coach is too frustrating for me. I like coaching kids and holding training clinics for the kids. But to be a coach from the regular season to the playoffs … I have no interest at all.”

(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney and Haze Fan; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Hakuho marks 14th title with perfect record, SUM

TOKYO (AP) Grand champion Hakuho defeated Mongolian compatriot Harumafuji on Sunday to finish the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament with a perfect record from 15 bouts. Hakuho, who wrapped up his 14th Emperor’s Cup on Friday, got a grip of Harumafuji’s belt and lifted his opponent out to stay undefeated on the final day of the 15-day meet at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.

Hakuho is the sole grand champion competing in sumo after the retirement of Mongolian Asashoryu in February. Veteran Kaio defeated fellow ozeki Kotooshu of Bulgaria to improve to 9-6 and pick up his 1,000th career win.

Only former grand champion Chiyonofuji has more wins with 1,045. Estonian Baruto, making his debut at the second-highest rank of ozeki, lost to Kotomitsuki on Sunday to finish with a 10-5 record.

Former Pak captain Mohammed Yousuf’s family members embrace Islam

Islamabad, May 20 (ANI): Family members of former Pakistan cricket captain Mohammed Yousuf have embraced Islam, almost five years after he turned to the religion from Christianity.

The Nation quoted a private television channel as reporting that Yousuf’s three brothers along with their family members have embraced Islam.

Yousuf, who was known as Yousuf Youhana prior to his change of religion, had accepted Islam in 2005 much to the discomfort of his family members, particularly his mother.

“I don”t want to give Yousuf my name after what he has done. We came to know about his decision when he offered Friday Prayers at a local mosque. It was a shock,” Yousuf’s mother had said when the news about his son changing his religion was first made public.

Yousuf was effectively banned from playing international cricket for an indefinite period by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in March following an inquiry into the team”s defeat during the tour of Australia, which held him responsible for the team’s shoddy performance during the tour.

He later announced his retirement from all formats of the game in protest against the PCB’s decision. (ANI)

Georgian singer Katie Melua teams up with Madonna’s former producer

London, May 19 (ANI): Georgian singer Katie Melua has teamed up with Queen of Pop Madonna’s former producer William Orbit, who shot to fame for his work on the superstar’s album ‘Ray of Light’.

Melua, 25, admits that she was surprised when the dance producer expressed an interest in teaming up with her after he quit the industry.

“I was so lucky when he heard my new tracks and responded so well to them,” Sky News quoted her as saying.

“I didn’t actually that know he was in retirement and then we sent him the new songs and he got back to us straight away.

“He didn’t just like the up-tempo songs that I would have expected him to like. He also loved the acoustic, more personal songs,” she added. (ANI)

Kylie Minogue used camera tricks to accentuate her butt

London, May 18 (ANI): Famous Aussie pop artist Kylie Minogue has revealed that she used clever camera tricks to emphasize her butt.

Kylie has always been envied by women and admired by men for her perfect behind, but has now admitted to playing this ‘cheek-y’ trick on her fans.

“I really don”t know what all the fuss is about.

“It”s all smoke and mirrors. I get a lot of help to look like that in my videos,” The Sun quoted her as saying.

Kylie had apparently vowed to put her rear away for good five years ago but fans can now see a sensational come back from retirement in her latest video, for new single ‘All The Lovers’. (ANI)

Sir Alex thinking about retiring

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has uttered the retirement word again, and said he had been thinking about when and how he would leave Old Trafford.

The Manchester United boss, 68, is considering the best way to bow out.

“It’s always in the back of your mind. Your health does come into it. My dad retired and the next week he was diagnosed with cancer.

“The other thing that’s important is the expectation of Man United. If we hit a bad spell, it wouldn’t be time to go,” The Sun quoted Ferguson, as saying.

Earlier, Ferguson had said that he had no intentions of retiring at the end of next season, and insisted on carrying on with his work.

“I’ve no intention of retiring. The only thing that determines my staying here is my health. Unfortunately for you lot, I’m in rude health,” Ferguson said.

“You can be left to suffer me. You’ll be gone before I’m gone, don’t worry,” he added.

Media reports had suggested that Ferguson may not be far off retirement.

Several names have also been linked with the post, including Everton manager David Moyes and former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho

Ferguson thinking about retiring from Man U

London, May 15 (ANI): Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has uttered the retirement word again, and said he is thinking about when and how he will leave Old Trafford.

The Manchester United boss, 68, is considering the best way to bow out.

“It’s always in the back of your mind. Your health does come into it. My dad retired and the next week he was diagnosed with cancer.

“The other thing that’s important is the expectation of Man United. If we hit a bad spell, it wouldn’t be time to go,” The Sun quoted Ferguson, as saying.

Earlier, Ferguson had said that he had no intentions of retiring at the end of next season, and insisted on carrying on with his work.

“I’ve no intention of retiring. The only thing that determines my staying here is my health. Unfortunately for you lot, I’m in rude health,” Ferguson said.

“You can be left to suffer me. You’ll be gone before I’m gone, don’t worry,” he added.

Media reports had suggested that Ferguson may not be far off retirement.

Several names have also been linked with the post, including Everton manager David Moyes and former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. (ANI)

Mike Tyson suggests kids to ‘walk away’ from bullies

London, May 10 (ANI): Boxing legend Mike Tyson is preaching his children to adopt an anti-violent stance and “walk away” from fights after successfully turning his own chaotic life around.

The sporting icon became notorious for his short temper, especially when he bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield”s ear during a heavyweight title fight in 1997.

But post-retirement in 2005, he is trying to be a role model for his five children by advising them to steer clear of any kind of fight.

“What am I gonna tell my son when a bully picks on him? (I used to say), ”Stand up for yourself.” But now I say, ”Forget about that, don”t even fight.” Normally I would say stand up for yourself. Don”t even stand up for yourself! Just walk away,” The Daily Star quoted Tyson as saying. (ANI)

Hamilton undaunted by Button challenge

London, May 7 (ANI): Lewis Hamilton is unfazed by the threat posed by in-form Jenson Button, who is leading Formula One’s Battle of Britain.

Button has won two of this season’s four races while McLaren team-mate Hamilton is yet to register a win.

Button leads the world championship table, and Hamilton is back in joint-third place with archrival Fernando Alonso.

Asked whether he fancied his chances at supplanting Button, an unperturbed Hamilton told The Sun, “Yeah, I”m not sweating, it”s all good. It”s a long season and we”ve only had four races, so there”s a long, long way to go.”

Hamilton, who has pulled off 32 overtaking manoeuvres this season against Button”s seven, added, “I don”t fear anyone or any other team. I have not even looked at what points I have or what points I don”t have. We”ll see what happens in the future.”

Meanwhile, Hamilton insists that their rivalry is limited to the racetrack alone, and that their performances are propelling McLaren to greater victories, “We”re coping really well and doing productive work at the team. I”m in the best team with the best team-mate,” said Hamilton.

On the subject of racing with Formula-One giant Michael Schumacher Hamilton said it was a privilege to go wheel-to-wheel with him.

Schumacher’s comeback from retirement has been disappointing with Hamilton easily out-doing him on the circuit. (ANI)

Stosur falls to Henin in Stuttgart final

Samantha Stosur fell just short of winning her second straight WTA tournament on Sunday when she went down to former world number one Justine Henin in Stuttgart.

The seventh-seeded Australian lost 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 in the final, giving Henin a French Open boost.

Since ending her 18-month hiatus in January, Henin’s win was her first title in her third final since coming out of retirement, having last won here in 2007.

“It’s very emotional for me to win here,” said Henin.

“I never thought I would be back here again, not even a year ago.

“I have had a fantastic week and I can now say I will try to be back here next year.”

Henin, who has won seven Grand Slam titles, revealed she first had the idea to come back to tennis when she saw Roger Federer win at Roland Garros.

“To see Roger win the French Open last year, and keep fighting so hard, brought back the fire in me which had not been there for a long time before,” said the 27-year-old, who revealed her pet dog is named ‘Deuce’.

“I still have to work hard for the next few weeks, months and hopefully years.

“It was fantastic to get away from tennis, but it feels so good to be back and share all these emotions again.”

Henin’s 42nd title in her 60th final puts the former world number one back inside the world’s top 20 as she bids to win a fifth French Open title at Roland Garros which starts on May 23.

Stosur was contesting her second straight final, having won last month’s Charleston tournament, but she had her 11-match winning streak ended by Henin’s victory.

“It’s been a good week, I have really enjoyed playing here and it was nice to be back after a few years away,” said Stosur.

“It’s been a nice feeling to get into the final, but Justine was a bit too strong for me.

“In the third set she got really aggressive, put in some great returns which put me under pressure and she broke me three times in a row.

“That was the key to her win.”

Both Henin and Stosur, who is set to move up the rankings to eighth, reached the final as wildcard entrants, but Henin more than proved her credentials with victory over fellow ex-world number one Jelena Jankovic in the quarter-finals.

Henin made the crucial breakthrough in the fifth game for a 3-2 lead in the first set which she never relinquished having defended the single break point against her.

But in the second set, Stosur finally got the breakthrough she had worked for in the fifth game when Henin succumbed to allow the Australian a 4-2 lead and she then broke the Belgian again to take the set.

But Henin dug deep into her vast experience on clay and broke Stosur in the third game of the decider for a 3-1 lead and having broken her opponent twice more, Henin took the set and title in style.

Injured Lee likely to be ruled out of T20 World Cup

St. Lucia, Apr 28(ANI): Australian fast bowler Brett Lee is likely to be ruled out of the Twenty20 World Cup after sustaining a muscle strain in his right forearm during the warm up game against Zimbabwe.

Lee complained of a muscle strain in the same spot of the right elbow that required surgery in December last year and hastened his retirement from Test cricket in February.

He took 1 for 13 in four overs in the match at Beausejour Cricket Ground, and later underwent MRI scans to determine the seriousness of the strain.

Australian physio Alex Kontouris, however was adamant that the injury was unrelated to Lee’s elbow surgery, Fox Sports reports.

The Australian team management has already put in a request to the International Cricket Council to see if they can replace the injured fast bowler.

While no names have been mentioned, fellow fast bowlers Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris are being considered as the logical choice. (ANI)

Cher coming out of retirement to tour again

London, April 26 (ANI): Pop singer Cher, real name Cherilyn Sarkisian, has announced she will be coming out of retirement to tour again.

Cher, 63, is planning on hitting the road once her contract at Caesars Palace’s The Colosseum in Las Vegas comes to an end, reports the Mirror.

Insiders reveal the singer has been inspired to perform again by new songs she’s working on for an upcoming album and the soundtrack to her latest movie, ‘Burlesque’.

She plans to launch a new single, ‘Already Been There’, at the World Music Awards in Monte Carlo next month. (ANI)

Styris determined to cement place in Kiwi Twenty20 squad

Wellington, Apr 24 (ANI): New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris is determined to cement his place in the playing eleven at the 2010 ICC Twenty20 World Cup to be played in the West Indies.

Styris is not about to take anything for granted, as he is aware that despite having been part of the squad for the previous two tournaments, as well as after a successful return to the ODI squad against Australia in March, he is still not back in the Twenty20 line-up.

“I didn”t make it for the home season, so at no stage have I thought I am in the playing XI,” said the 34-year-old Styris.

“I have to go out and put good performances on the board, otherwise I will find myself sitting watching these games, which is not what I want,” he added.

Styris”s inclusion in the T20 format of the game would be a natural step forward, as he had forced his way into the ODI lineup.

The New Zealand cricket team is taking a full-strength team to the West Indies that departs today.

Styris, a veteran of 29 tests from 2002 until his retirement from that form three years ago, 165 ODIs dating back to 1999 and 22 Twenty20s has been an in-and-out figure in the national side in the last couple of years.

“The selectors, over the last 12 to 18 months, have shown in their view. I am not in the Twenty20 side, so I have got to change that, whether I think I should be or not. It”s up to me to go out and try and change their opinion,” said Styris.

New Zealand plays the first game of the tournament against Sri Lanka in Georgetown, Guyana, on April 30. (ANI)

I’ve no intention of retiring: Ferguson

London, Apr 24(ANI): Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said that he has no intentions of retiring at the end of next season, and insists he will carry on.

“I’ve no intention of retiring. The only thing that determines my staying here is my health. Unfortunately for you lot, I’m in rude health,” The Sun quoted Ferguson, as saying.

“You can be left to suffer me. You’ll be gone before I’m gone, don’t worry,” he added.

Earlier, certain media reports had suggested that despite United chasing a fourth successive Premier League title, Ferguson may not be far off retirement.

Several names have also been linked with the post, including Everton manager David Moyes and former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. (ANI)

Former superbike champion Hodgson retires

Former world superbike champion and MotoGP rider Neil Hodgson announced his retirement on Thursday due to a shoulder injury.

The 36-year-old Briton, world champion in 2003, had returned to British superbikes this season but aggravated an injury he suffered last year when he crashed in the opening round at Brands Hatch this month.

“It will take time for me to come to terms with this but it is the right decision,” he said in a statement after seeing a shoulder specialist in Manchester.

“My shoulder will get back to probably 90 percent over the next couple of years so I will be able to have a normal life.”

Leonard Nimoy won’t reprise Spock role in next Star Trek movie

New York, April 21 (ANI): American actor Leonard Nimoy has revealed that he will not be reprising his role as Spock Prime in the next Star Trek movie.

According to IGN, Nimoy, 79, announced his retirement from acting in an interview with the Toronto Sun, after recently wrapping his role on “Fringe”.

“I want to get off the stage. Also, I don’t think it would be fair to Zachary Quinto,” the New York Post quoted Nimoy as saying of his successor in the role of the USS Enterprise’s Vulcan first officer.

“He’s a terrific actor, he looks the part, and it’s time to give him some space. And I’m very flattered the character will continue,” he added.

Nimoy added that his retirement also means he’ll be curtailing his public appearances at conventions and fan events. (ANI)

Clintons say they are too old to be in the US Supreme Court

New York Apr. 19 (ANI): Former US President Bill Clinton has said that President Obama should consider someone younger to fill the recently vacated Supreme Court post, adding that both he and his wife, Hillary Clinton, are too old to merit consideration.

“I”d like to see him put someone in there, late 40s, early 50s, on the court, and someone with a lot of energy for the job,” the 63-year-old Clinton told ABC”s “This Week” when asked about President Obama”s upcoming replacement of Justice John Paul Stevens.

Since Stevens, 90, announced his retirement, both Clintons have been mentioned as possible nominees to the high court.

The New York Daily News quoted Clinton, as saying that no matter whom Obama nominates, he should expect a fight from Senate Republicans.

But he said he and his wife would counsel the president against picking either of them.

“She would be good at it,” Clinton said of his wife, 62, adding that at “one point in her life, she might [have] been interested.”

“But she”s like me, you know, we”re kind of doers,”

Clinton said. “I think if she were asked, she would advise the President to appoint some 10, 15 years younger.”

As for himself, he said: “I”m already 63-years-old.”

Clinton neglected to mention that his law license was suspended for five years after he left office as part of a settlement over the Monica Lewinsky affair. (ANI)

Clintons say they are too old to be in the US Supreme Court

New York Apr. 19 (ANI): Former US President Bill Clinton has said that President Obama should consider someone younger to fill the recently vacated Supreme Court post, adding that both he and his wife, Hillary Clinton, are too old to merit consideration.

“I”d like to see him put someone in there, late 40s, early 50s, on the court, and someone with a lot of energy for the job,” the 63-year-old Clinton told ABC”s “This Week” when asked about President Obama”s upcoming replacement of Justice John Paul Stevens.

Since Stevens, 90, announced his retirement, both Clintons have been mentioned as possible nominees to the high court.

The New York Daily News quoted Clinton, as saying that no matter whom Obama nominates, he should expect a fight from Senate Republicans.

But he said he and his wife would counsel the president against picking either of them.

“She would be good at it,” Clinton said of his wife, 62, adding that at “one point in her life, she might [have] been interested.”

“But she”s like me, you know, we”re kind of doers,”

Clinton said. “I think if she were asked, she would advise the President to appoint some 10, 15 years younger.”

As for himself, he said: “I”m already 63-years-old.”

Clinton neglected to mention that his law license was suspended for five years after he left office as part of a settlement over the Monica Lewinsky affair. (ANI)

NASA fuels space shuttle Discovery for launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., April 5 (Reuters) – NASA fueled space shuttle Discovery for launch early on Monday, hoping to kick off a 13-day resupply flight to the International Space Station.

Liftoff was set for 6:21 a.m. EDT (1021 GMT) from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

With an 80 percent chance of good weather for the launch, technicians pumped 500,000 gallons (1.9 million litres) of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen into the shuttle’s fuel tank for the 8.5-minute climb into orbit.

If the shuttle launches on time, it will link up with the orbiting space station on Wednesday.

The station, a $100 billion project of 16 nations, is nearing completion after more than a decade of construction 220 miles (350 km) above Earth.

After Discovery’s flight, three shuttle missions remain to finish outfitting the orbital outpost.

NASA is preparing to retire Discovery and sister ships Atlantis and Endeavour by the end of the year due to cost and safety concerns. The shuttles have been the cornerstone of the U.S. human space flight program since 1981.

“We’ve managed to do tremendous things that could never have been done without the shuttle — building the space station and working with the Hubble (space telescope),” Discovery commander Alan Poindexter said in a prelaunch interview. “It’s just been a spectacular experience.”

What will follow is uncertain. President Barack Obama’s administration is planning to ax a $108-billion program to return astronauts to the moon in the 2020s. Obama plans to visit Florida on April 15 to rally support for a revamped space program built around technology development, environmental monitoring and commercial space initiatives.

Obama’s proposals include adding $6 billion to NASA’s budget over the next five years to seed development of space taxis to ferry astronauts to and from the space station.

With the shuttle’s retirement, Russia’s Soyuz capsules will the only vehicles available for crew transport, a service that costs the United States $51 million per seat.

The only other country that has launched people into orbit is China, which is not a member of the space station partnership.

Discovery’s four-man, three-woman crew will be delivering about 10 tons of equipment and supplies to the station, including an ammonia cooling system, a washroom, experiment racks and a freezer to hold experiment samples.

In addition to Poindexter, the crew includes pilot James Dutton, spacewalkers Rick Mastracchio and Clay Anderson, flight engineer Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, mission specialist Stephanie Wilson and Japanese astronaut Naoko Yamazaki. (Editing by Tom Brown and Chris Wilson)

German Church leader feels sorrow for abuse victims

(Reuters) – Germany’s Roman Catholic Church made mistakes by failing to help victims of sexual abuse by clergy and that has shaken it, Archbishop Robert Zollitsch said on Friday.

World | Germany

The leader of the Catholic Church in Germany said he hoped Good Friday could “be a new start for the Church that is so urgently needed” after a spate of reports of past sexual and physical abuse of children.

Zollitsch said the abuse filled the Church “with sorrow, horror and shame… The pain inflicted upon victims, who were often unable to express in words their suffering for many years” has shaken the Church, he said.

“Wounds were opened that can hardly be healed any more. Today the Church is conscious that, in a different societal situation, it did not do enough to help the victims due to disappointment over the painful failings of the perpetrators and due to falsely understood concerns about the Church’s image.”

Zollitsch said the Church had to come to terms with the reality no matter how much it hurts.

He said there would be special Good Friday prayers for the victims — “to those in the middle of God’s people in the church community to whom a great injustice was done, who were abused and whose bodies and souls were hurt.”

More than 250 people in Germany were abused at Church-run schools in past decades. The scandal has drawn in Bavarian-born Pope Benedict, whose brother ran a Regensburg choir for 30 years which has been linked to cases of abuse.

Zollitsch apologized last month for mistakes he made himself in failing to turn over one case of suspected abuse by a priest to state prosecutors when he was in charge of human resources in the Freiburg diocese nearly 20 years ago.

Instead, Zollitsch sent the priest into early retirement.

Zollitsch said he only confronted the priest years later after a witness came forward with evidence and he told him the diocese planned to take the case to state prosecutors. The ex-priest committed suicide.

The Roman Catholic Church in Germany opened a hotline for victims of child abuse on Tuesday, following the lead of Ireland, Austria and the Netherlands.

The abuse scandal could hurt Church membership, according to a Forsa survey for Stern magazine. It showed 19 percent of Germany’s estimated 25 million Catholics were thinking about leaving the Church in the wake of the abuse scandal.

(Reporting by Erik Kirschbaum; Editing by Janet Lawrence)