UPDATE 1-Speedy Hire stays cautious on recovery in UK

July 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

July 20 (Reuters) – Tool-hire firm Speedy Hire (SDY.L) said on Tuesday it maintained a cautious view about recovery prospects in the United Kingdom for the remainder of this year.

The company, which provides support services to construction, manufacturing, industrial and rail sectors, said the timing of recovery within private sector construction and the government’s autumn spending review will be critical to future performance.

However, Speedy Hire said first-quarter revenue and adjusted pretax profit were in line with its expectations.

The company said it would enhance its banking facilities to invest in its Middle East operations and take a one-time cash charge of 3.5 million pounds in the first half of this financial year.

Net debt at the end of last week closed at 134.9 million pounds ($205.4 million), the company said.

Shares of Speedy Hire closed at 22.5 pence on Monday on the London Stock Exchange. ($1=.6567 Pound) (Reporting by Juhi Arora in Bangalore; Editing by Unnikrishnan Nair) ((juhi.arora@thomsonreuters.com; within UK +44 207 542 7717; outside UK +91 80 4135 5800; Reuters Messaging: juhi.arora.reuters.com@reuters.net))

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lorry Drivers Forced to Keep to EU Working Hours

July 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

KENT, UNITED KINGDOM, Jul 06 (MARKET WIRE) —
It has been revealed that self-employed lorry drivers will not be made
exempt from the working time directive, following events on June 15th.
MEPs voted against the move to make self-employed drivers exempt from EU
rules on working hours.

A European Commission proposal on the issue provoked a concentrated
debate from MEPs, largely centring on regulations and restrictions
already facing small businesses versus lorry drivers’ safety when working
long hours.

Flint Insurance, a leading HGV Insurance company reported how the
directive was first brought out in 2002 to regulate EU working times and
independent lorry drivers had been made exempt since 2009. However, they
will now be forced to adhere to the 48 hour maximum working week as well
as ensuring they take regular breaks.

It had been a concern to the Commission that some drivers purportedly
work over 80 hours a week, which raised the matter of over worked lorry
drivers prone to dangerous driving because of exhaustion.

A spokesperson for Flint, who specialise in Lorry Insurance , commented:
‘It is very important for drivers to make sure they take frequent breaks
and stay alert. Many lorry drivers are forced to work for lengthy
stretches on the roads, putting them at major risk of losing their
concentration. It is therefore vital that drivers avoid this by taking
appropriate measures whenever they feel extremely fatigued’.

The Commission hopes to prevent such situations so that drivers are not
at peril of putting their own life or others’ in danger. But some MEPs
claim that there is no evidence to show that lorry drivers are involved
in many accidents due to tiredness.

The main question to come out of the debate is whether or not small
businesses can realistically cope with the potential work hour
restrictions and organise themselves appropriately, while maintaining
their income and not overstretching resources.

Some MEPs have argued that they cannot and this latest restriction is
simply unnecessary. It remains to be seen whether or not the proposal
will go ahead or not.

About Flint Insurance:

Flint Insurance is an independent insurance broker. With over 30 years’
experience in the trade, they can offer a range of cover for businesses
including specialist HGV insurance cover throughout the UK. By using a
panel of over 35 insurers, they can provide the most appropriate and
cost-effective cover for their clients.

For further information, please visit: www.flintinsurance.co.uk or call
0800 021 4501.

Contacts:
HGV Insurance Public Relations – Flint Insurance
Dave Stoneman
Kent, United Kingdom
0208 309 5000
Davestoneman@flintinsurance.co.uk

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Conservatory Land to Sell ‘Off the Shelf’ Conservatories

July 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment

MANSFIELD, UNITED KINGDOM, Jul 01 (MARKET WIRE) —
Self build conservatory manufacturer ConservatoryLand, has announced
plans to launch a modular range of conservatories to sell ‘off the shelf’.

Their new range of PVCu conservatories will include all the most popular
conservatory styles and sizes, a choice of colours and several different
frame and roof glazing options.

The company intend to mass produce the new models which will be identical
in quality to their bespoke conservatory range and using exactly the same
materials with the only difference being that they are offered in various
set sizes.

Director of the company, David Bingham says “We will manufacture the
conservatory frames and roofs for storage but supply the glazing in
accordance with our customer’s requirements at the time of ordering. This
way our customers will have the choice of several different glazing types
including self-cleaning and solar control options, just as they do now
with our made to measure range”.

The company says that the pre-manufacture of all the most commonly
ordered conservatory sizes and designs will enable them to supply orders
in around half the usual time, typically within one week and help keep
prices down, counteracting the 2.5% VAT increase that is scheduled for
the 4th January 2011.

David Bingham continues “Our new modular range is designed to reduce
our manufacture costs that we will pass on to our customers with an
average saving of around 10% on a typical made to measure conservatory
and at a later date, we have further plans to introduce our new
Conservabase steel conservatory base system to the most popular models
which will be determined by demand”.

ConservatoryLand say that they will initially start with the manufacture
of white PVCu conservatories only, as these form around 80% of all their
conservatory sales but will offer them in both dwarf wall and full height
models right from the beginning. Every conservatory in their range will
include opening windows on at least two of the three side elevations to
provide adequate ventilation and one pair of French (double) doors as
standard.

The company plans to launch their new modular range in January 2011 when
the conservatory market is at it’s strongest and sale volumes are at
their highest.

For more information about the new ConservatoryLand modular conservatory
range, contact:

David Bingham

ConservatoryLand
Old Mill Park
Mansfield Woodhouse
Nottinghamshire
NG19 9BG

Contacts:
ConservatoryLand
David Bingham
01623 488 887
0870 123 1670 (FAX)

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Providence buys Australia’s Study Group for $570 mln

July 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment

July 1 (Reuters) – U.S. private equity firm Providence Equity Partners has acquired university programme provider Study Group from Australia’s CHAMP Private Equity for $570 million, the company said in a statement on Thursday.

Providence would buy the shares in Study Group owned by CHAMP and Petersen Investments, Study Group said in a statement.

Study Group International helps prepare students for university study in the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States, where it owns the Centre for English Studies chain of language schools.

(Reporting by Michael Smith, Editing by Narayanan Somasundaram)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Flutteroo Online Auctions Make Online Bidding Even Easier With Its New Bids Swap Initiative

June 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, Jun 25 (MARKET WIRE) —
Online auctions website flutteroo is delighted to announce the launch of
its brand new Bids Swap initiative making it even easier for customers to
get bids on flutteroo.co.uk. Now, with Bids Swap, if a customer wins a
Penny Auction or from a range of Lowest Unique Bid Auctions , rather than
taking the winning auction product or even cash, players are now
automatically offered the opportunity to take bids instead. These are
instantly credited to the customer’s account meaning they can keep
bidding and winning without the need to top-up separately.

And, because Bids Swap are always offered at a great rate, the number of
bids customers get are very competitive too meaning not only less hassle
for players, but also good value!

Flutteroo, which only last week reached a milestone 50,000 signed up
customers, is continuing to innovate and ensure it keeps on rolling out
new and exciting extras for its bidders. This is all part of its ongoing
upgrade program to the whole site over the coming months, designed to
make it an even simpler and more interactive auction site for all its
customers.

Dave Hobday, CEO flutteroo, commented: “We are really excited about
Bids Swap. It’s a great opportunity to make it easier for our customers
to get bids and win auctions, and offer them more choice and great value
too. It’s another example of where we are trying to respond to the needs
of our players and make bidding on flutteroo ever more fun. Plus, given
the competitive pricing we offer on Bids Swap, it’s also great value too.
By offering Bids Swap as an integrated part of our check-out it’s very
easy for players. It’s their choice whether to take Bids Swap or just bag
the product itself and we are now able to offer whichever they prefer in
a totally seamless and simple way.”

This initiative from flutteroo continues its drive to ensure it’s always
offering bidders what they want and stay one step ahead of the game. With
its unique combination of 3 different types of auction including price
drop auctions flutteroo has become one of the most innovative and
consumer focussed online auction websites. And, with the very latest
products now going under the hammer, including the brand new Apple iPhone
4 and iPad, along with the more established favourites such as Nintendo
Wiis and LCD TVs there’s always amazing bargains to be had.

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.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Users Must Stay Vigilant on Social Networking Sites, Says Punch

June 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

LEICESTERSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, Jun 09 (MARKET WIRE)
–
Users of social networks must become more vigilant when it comes to their
personal privacy according to Search, Social Media and PR Agency Punch
Communications.

Social media has grown a vast amount over the past few years and has
gradually increased in complexity, which has had implications on users’
privacy.

Facebook recently announced that it has simplified its privacy settings
following increased concern that they were too complicated to understand.
The changes have been made in order to make it more straightforward for
users to pick and choose what information they want to be made public.

These changes have been a reminder that users need to be extremely
cautious when it comes to what content they display on their personal
social networking pages.

Pete Goold, Managing Director of Punch Communications, remarked;
“Users can follow a few basic steps to ensure that they are happy
with the amount of privacy they have on social networking sites. Firstly,
users must make sure that they have a comfortable understanding of the
privacy settings on their social network pages; this is the only way to
ensure complete control over what the public can view. They must make
sure that they can change and amend any settings with ease should they
wish to.

“Secondly, users must be sensible over what content is shared. It is
prudent to keep personal photos off social media such as images of
children, any content that could risk the safety of the user or those
around them. This leads on to step three, users should not post content
that might have a detrimental affect should a potential employer see
them. There is little doubt that employers are increasingly using social
media as a key tool in recruitment therefore it is important to filter
the amount of content shared in the public domain.”

Founded in 2003 by Pete and Emma Goold, Digital PR agency Punch
Communications offer traditional PR services as well as is being a
leading social media and SEO agency. Punch successfully uses social media
to enhance a brands online presence, and enable them to improve their
consumer engagement.

Punch is currently recruiting for a number of roles, from Account Manager
to Account Director. For more information regarding PR jobs at Punch,
please call +44 (0) 1858 411600 or visit punchcomms.com.

Contacts:
Punch Communications
Pete Goold
+44 (0) 1858 411 600
pete@punchcomms.com
www.punchcomms.com

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

-0-

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Users Must Stay Vigilant on Social Networking Sites, Says Punch

June 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

LEICESTERSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, Jun 09 (MARKET WIRE)
–
Users of social networks must become more vigilant when it comes to their
personal privacy according to Search, Social Media and PR Agency Punch
Communications.

Social media has grown a vast amount over the past few years and has
gradually increased in complexity, which has had implications on users’
privacy.

Facebook recently announced that it has simplified its privacy settings
following increased concern that they were too complicated to understand.
The changes have been made in order to make it more straightforward for
users to pick and choose what information they want to be made public.

These changes have been a reminder that users need to be extremely
cautious when it comes to what content they display on their personal
social networking pages.

Pete Goold, Managing Director of Punch Communications, remarked;
“Users can follow a few basic steps to ensure that they are happy
with the amount of privacy they have on social networking sites. Firstly,
users must make sure that they have a comfortable understanding of the
privacy settings on their social network pages; this is the only way to
ensure complete control over what the public can view. They must make
sure that they can change and amend any settings with ease should they
wish to.

“Secondly, users must be sensible over what content is shared. It is
prudent to keep personal photos off social media such as images of
children, any content that could risk the safety of the user or those
around them. This leads on to step three, users should not post content
that might have a detrimental affect should a potential employer see
them. There is little doubt that employers are increasingly using social
media as a key tool in recruitment therefore it is important to filter
the amount of content shared in the public domain.”

Founded in 2003 by Pete and Emma Goold, Digital PR agency Punch
Communications offer traditional PR services as well as is being a
leading social media and SEO agency. Punch successfully uses social media
to enhance a brands online presence, and enable them to improve their
consumer engagement.

Punch is currently recruiting for a number of roles, from Account Manager
to Account Director. For more information regarding PR jobs at Punch,
please call +44 (0) 1858 411600 or visit punchcomms.com.

Contacts:
Punch Communications
Pete Goold
+44 (0) 1858 411 600
pete@punchcomms.com
www.punchcomms.com

Copyright 2010, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Now, dissolvable-wedding-dress for money-saving brides!

May 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Washington, May 18 (ANI): Girls who think that it is foolish to spend big bucks on a wedding dress, here’s a environmental friendly solution—a dissolvable wedding gown.

According to Brides.com”s American Wedding Study from 2009, an average woman spends 1,056 dollars on her wedding dress.

And thus, students at Sheffield Hallam University in the United Kingdom came up with the dissolvable wedding gown.

They wanted to make a statement about our disposable society, where clothes frequently go from wash-n-wear to wear-n-waste.

Their dress is made polyvinyl alcohol, a biodegradable substance using in washing detergents.

From Gizmag, the substance “is knitted into the dress fabric which allows it to dissolve in water leaving no impact on the environment,” reports Discovery News.

But before dissolution, the wearer can transform the dress into five different outfits.

The designs were featured in the exhibition “A Sustainable Marriage,” at the university”s Furnival Gallery. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Students flock to British Council education fair in Bhubaneswar

May 8, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Bhubaneswar (Orissa), May 8 (ANI): Scores of students attended an education fair organised by the British Council here.

Representatives from around 16 British universities were on hand to answer queries of the youths interested in studying in the UK.

“The fact that the British Council has organised this fair and the five other fairs which are going to the second tier cities around India is so important because students need to have the opportunities to meet university representatives face to face,” said Mairlad Kelly of York St John University.

“They can ask me questions, and I can tell them honestly. No that is not the course for you or this isn”t the university for you, because students need to be informed,” he added.

Students said the one-day event would help them get some information about all the universities.

“It will be helpful for the Indian youths because, as I said, it”s a good platform for them to get some information about all the universities, so it will help them in the future,” said Sukant Sahoo, a student.

The Education UK initiative comes in a bid to attract Indian students to pursue higher education in the United Kingdom.

According to the UK”s Higher Education Statistics Agency, India comes second in a list of nations with the most students at British institutions, after China.

In 2008, over 23,835 Indian students arrived in the UK, a 24 percent rise compared to the previous year. (ANI)

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Duckworth hits back at T20 criticism

May 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Frank Duckworth, the co-creator of the Duckworth-Lewis (D/L) method for settling rain-affected matches, has leapt to its defence after it came under fire from England captain Paul Collingwood.

But he said the International Cricket Council (ICC) needs to look at the minimum length of an innings required to constitute a Twenty20 match.

Collingwood was left fuming after England suffered an eight-wicket loss to the West Indies in the visitors’ tournament opener, despite scoring 191 – a challenging Twenty20 total.

Rain, though, left the West Indies with a target of 60 from six overs.

England did secure a path through to the Super Eights after its match with Ireland this morning was declared a no-result due to rain, with Collingwood’s side progressing thanks to a superior run rate.

At present, five overs of the second innings of a Twenty20 international must be played in order for a winner to be declared.

Duckworth told The Wisden Cricketer five overs may not be enough for the method to be fair.

“The ICC ought to look into whether five overs for a valid match is appropriate because you can get this apparent distortion,” he said.

Collingwood was damning in his assessment of D/L as it applied to Twenty20, having seen his side bow out of last year’s World Twenty20 to the West Indies in similar circumstances at The Oval.

“I don’t know what equation you should have but you shouldn’t have that one,” Collingwood said.

“We’ve played a near perfect game but we’ve lost.

“There’s a major problem with this Duckworth-Lewis in this form of the game. It certainly has to be revised for this form of the game.”

But Duckworth, who devised the system with fellow statistician Tony Lewis, countered.

“While Paul Collingwood may have been angry at Messrs Duckworth and Lewis, he might have been angry at (England bowlers) Messrs (Tim) Bresnan, Graeme) Swann and co who added to the four wides that they bowled before the rain by adding four more wides.

“So, the West Indies target wasn’t just 60, it was effectively 52.

“Since Twenty20 came into the world in 2002, there have been about 70 cases of T20 with a D/L revised target or result.

“And there’s only been two moments of dissent, both by Paul Collingwood or ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) people, both following England not doing very well against the West Indies. It’s the high-profile matches that attract attention.

“The other 68 matches – like the one that occurred earlier (on Monday, between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe), nobody queried that and in fact the result went the other way. The side batting first (Sri Lanka) won.”

Duckworth and Lewis updated their system in October last year after examining data that Duckworth insisted proved the method did not require wholesale revision for Twenty20 matches.

“As a result of that analysis we did decide that a few changes were needed but these were only slight adjustments to the parameter of the formula,” he said.

“The important thing that we did discover was that the scoring patterns in Twenty20 fit in perfectly with our original formula derived largely from 50-over games.”

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Singapore transit passengers urged not to go

April 17, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Flights departing from Perth Airport are leaving as normal although airlines are urging passengers who are flying to Europe via Singapore to stay put.

Airlines have been forced to ground flights after a volcanic explosion in Iceland sent ash into the atmosphere over Europe and the United Kingdom.

Singapore Airlines’ Susan Bedrow says Singapore airport is overflowing with passengers and accommodation is fully booked.

Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Emirates say they will re-schedule flights for those who have been affected.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Reina commits long-term future to Liverpool

April 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has signed a new six-year deal with the English Premier League club and hailed it as probably the best news of his life.

“To play for Liverpool is very special. I’ve been here for five years and now I will be here for six more and it’s very exciting,” Reina told the club’s website.

“I’m delighted to sign a new contract. It’s probably the best news of my life that I’ll be here for the next six years.”

The 27-year-old Spaniard, who joined the Merseyside club in July 2005 from Villarreal, has been one of manager Rafa Benitez’s best signings, notching up 177 league appearances.

Reina, who won the Super Cup in 2005 with Liverpool and the FA Cup a year later, said his family were big fans of the area and the native Scouse accent as well.

“My wife told me from the beginning she was more than happy here. My kids enjoy it and they have picked up the Scouse accent already. I am really proud of that,” said Reina, whose side is sixth in the league.

“In the years ahead they will speak much more Scouse too.”

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Rooney out of Blackburn clash

April 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Wayne Rooney will miss Manchester United’s Premier League game away to Blackburn Rovers this weekend after re-injuring his ankle in the Champions League quarter-final exit against Bayern Munich.

The striker, whose 34 goals have underpinned United’s title challenge, lasted 55 minutes against Bayern after making a surprise return to action just a week after damaging ankle ligaments in the first leg.

“I don’t think it’s as serious as we said the first time, but I think he’ll be ready for the (Manchester) City game,” manager Alex Ferguson said.

“We’ve got more time to work on it, anyway. Other than that everyone else is fit.”

United, which went out of the Champions League on away goals after the tie ended 4-4, is two points behind Chelsea with five matches remaining.

Rooney was missing when United was beaten 2-1 at home by Chelsea last weekend.

Ferguson is sure his players will bounce back after their mid-week frustration.

“It’s not the first time we’ve had to face losing a big game and having to do something about it. We’ve got five games left and they’re five important games,” he said.

“Even if we win all of them it doesn’t mean we can win the league, with the position Chelsea are in, but they’ve got those games to play themselves and at this time of the season, things can happen.

“We’ve faced this situation many times over the years after the disappointment of Wednesday. It’s part of the history of the club and we’ve been good at that.”

Ferguson also revealed that his move for Mexico striker Javier Hernandez was inspired by a fear that the striker could drive his price tag through the roof with good performances at the World Cup.

United has completed a reported six-million-pound ($9.89 million) deal for the Chivas de Guaralajara forward.

“We like doing these kind of deals where we can identify young talent. We’ve been good at that over the years,” Ferguson said.

“We got some background knowledge of the boy in October. We got one of our people to go there and watch a couple of games and the reports were very good and that was by December.

“We wanted to just wait because he was young but then he got into the national team and that created a problem because if he got to the World Cup and did well, we were in danger of losing him.

“I sent my chief scout Jim Lawlor over there for three weeks to get some background on the boy and watch him play in Los Angeles against New Zealand.

“He played twice for the national team while he was there and playing for Chivas and he scored in every game.

“He filed a fantastic report and said that we needed to do something and we’re delighted to do the deal.”

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Westwood fires English challenge at Masters

April 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Eighteen greens in regulation in the opening round meant that Lee Westwood has made his best-ever start to a Masters campaign at the 11th time of asking.

The European number one had seven birdies and two bogeys en route to a 5-under-par 67 that gave him a share of the lead and confirmed his position as one of the favourites for the tournament.

It was, he said, “easily the best” he had played over the famed Augusta National Golf Club course.

“That was a 67 that could have been a 64 or anything today,” he said.

“You go out here, every green in regulation, I missed seven by about that far (indicating two feet) and 13 by that far away (an inch).

“Each time I missed it the right side. Eighteen greens in regulation around here – I don’t think people often do that.”

Westwood knows that this year he is expected in many quarters to finally win the major title that has eluded him in the past, notably last year when he missed getting into a play-off for the British Open by one stroke and at the 2008 US Open.

His form has been consistently good over the last 12 months, winning the Race to Dubai in November and then producing his best-ever start to the season this year.

And Augusta, he believes, is a course that suits him down to the ground.

“It does feel like a golf course that ought to suit me,” he said.

“Over the last few years, I’ve gradually found a way to plod my way around and feel more comfortable.

“I was saying to Billy (Foster), my caddie, coming up the last, that although it’s the best I’ve ever played around here, it’s the most comfortable I’ve felt on the golf course.

“I’m gradually working out a way for me to get around this golf course in as few shots as possible.”

Ian Poulter also worked his way onto the leaderboard with a 4-under 68 which put him into a four-way tie for seventh, level with Tiger Woods.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Aussie Saker to coach England bowlers

April 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Former fast bowler David Saker has followed in the footsteps of fellow Australian Troy Cooley and been appointed as England’s new fast bowling coach.

Saker, who spent six years as an assistant coach with Victoria after playing 72 first-class matches for the state and neighbouring Tasmania from 1994 to 2003, is to replace Ottis Gibson, who has taken over as the head coach of West Indies.

“I’ve long held ambitions of coaching at international level so the prospect of working with the England team is something I’m very much looking forward to and excited by,” the 43-year-old Saker said in an England and Wales Cricket Board statement.

“I believe I can offer the England bowlers a great deal and oversee their development at the highest level.”

Cooley was widely credited with helping England’s bowlers to a surprise Ashes victory in 2005, though he has since joined the Australian team.

England coach Andy Flower says he is looking forward to working with Saker.

“We were sorry to see Ottis Gibson leave the position but we believe we’ve found an excellent successor and look forward to David joining us in the lead-up to what will be an exciting and challenging year ahead,” he said.

England hosts Bangladesh and Pakistan before it travels to Australia in November to defend the Ashes.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Johnny Rotten leads tributes to king of punk

April 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon led tributes to the band’s former manager Malcolm McLaren, who has died from cancer at the age of 64.

McLaren died in a hospital in Switzerland following a fight against mesothelioma, a cancer that most commonly affects the lungs, his girlfriend Young Kim said.

Lydon paid tribute in a statement signed “Johnny Rotten”, which was his stage name when he performed with the band.

“For me, Malc was always entertaining and I hope you remember that,” he said.

“Above all else he was an entertainer and I will miss him, and so should you.”

McLaren was a leading figure in the punk rock scene. As well as the Sex Pistols, the seminal British punk rock band of the 1970s, he managed other acts including the New York Dolls and Bow Wow Wow.

News reports said his remains would be flown back to his native London for burial in Highgate cemetery in the north of the capital.

McLaren was a former partner of British fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, with whom he set up a boutique on King’s Road in London’s hip Chelsea district which they renamed Sex, selling fetish-inspired outfits.

Westwood, who said she had not been in touch with McLaren for a long time, remembered him as “a very charismatic, special and talented person”.

“When we were young and I fell in love with Malcolm, I thought he was beautiful and I still do,” she told the Daily Mail newspaper.

McLaren, a one-time art school student, began to manage the Sex Pistols in 1975, bringing Lydon on board as frontman after spotting him in a torn Pink Floyd T-shirt and green hair.

The band released God Save The Queen in 1977, the year of Queen Elizabeth II’s silver jubilee. Its provocative lyrics propelled it to the top of the pop charts despite the BBC banning it from its airwaves.

It was followed later in the year by the quartet’s only official studio album, Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols.

The Sex Pistols embarked on a US tour in 1978, only to split up after a gig in San Francisco.

The band fell out with McLaren and he later lost a court case over royalties.

After his time with the Sex Pistols, McLaren continued to work on music, film and art.

Later projects included composing a theme tune for airline British Airways, BBC radio shows and last year he exhibited his art in Britain and the US.

He split his final years living between New York and Paris, according to his girlfriend.

The British press Friday remembered a man who, despite the controversy he stirred up when he first caught the public’s attention, had become a national institution.

The Times hailed him as the impresario responsible for “the punk movement that traumatised and thrilled 1970s Britain in equal measure”.

“King of punk is dead,” declared the Sun.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Liverpool, Fulham rescue English pride

April 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Liverpool and Fulham combined on Thursday to rescue England’s European pride which was so badly bruised by the Champions League exits of Manchester United and Arsenal.

Fernando Torres scored twice as Liverpool reached the Europa League semi-finals with a 4-1 win over Benfica, 5-3 on aggregate, and a last-four clash with Atletico Madrid, the Spanish striker’s former club.

Unfashionable Fulham, which has already knocked out mighty Juventus, was indebted to a 19-second goal from in-form striker Bobby Zamora to see off German champions Wolfsburg 1-0 and a 3-1 aggregate victory.

Roy Hodgson’s Cottagers will face another German side Hamburg in the semi-finals as the prospects of an all-English final on May 12 were kept alive.

Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool, trailing 2-1 from the first leg in Lisbon, was on its way at Anfield thanks to two goals in seven first half minutes from Dirk Kuyt and Lucas.

Torres added a third in the second half before Oscar Cardozo’s free-kick put Benfica within one goal of going through on away goals.

But Torres struck again in the closing stages as Liverpool continue its bid for a first major European trophy since the 2005 Champions League.

“It was a great night,” said Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher.

“The first 20 minutes they played well, it was important not to concede and to get the first goal was massive.

“In the Europa League we’ve beaten a very good side, a top team, and it’s a very good result.”

Zamora, who scored in the 2-1 first leg win in London, bolstered his hopes of an England World Cup call with a goal after just 19 seconds at Wolfsburg as Fulham reached the last four of a European competition for the first time.

His goal was out of the top drawer as he neatly turned inside Jan Simunek to find the target with a sweet left-foot drive.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson was delighted by Zamora’s goal, the striker’s 19th of the season.

“You get your goals when you get them and Bob did ever so well, his combination with (Zoltan) Gera was magnificent and meant they had to get three to win the tie,” said Hodgson.

Hamburg, which will also host the final, saw off Standard Liege in their quarter-final, winning 3-1 in Belgium for a 5-2 aggregate victory.

Croatian international Mladen Petric scored twice while Paolo Guerrero added a third in injury-time.

It was a rare bright spot for the Peruvian striker who earlier had been banned for five Bundesliga matches for hurling a bottle at a heckling Hamburg fan last weekend.

Quique Sanchez Flores guided Atletico Madrid to its first European semi-final in 11 years after a 0-0 draw against fellow Spaniards Valencia put them through on the away goals rule.

The first game ended in a 2-2 draw.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Camilla takes tumble, breaks leg

April 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Prince Charles’s wife Camilla has broken her leg while hiking in Scotland but plans to keep all her scheduled engagements.

She is likely to wear a plaster cast for about six weeks, by which time the “relatively minor” injury should have healed, experts said.

“While hillwalking in slippery conditions in Scotland, the Duchess of Cornwall took a tumble and hurt her leg,” a spokeswoman for Clarence House said after the accident Wednesday.

Following doctor’s advice on Thursday, Camilla, who has been staying on the Royal family’s Balmoral country estate in Scotland, had an X-ray “which showed a twisted fracture of the fibula”, the spokeswoman added.

“Consequently her royal highness is wearing a plaster cast and will be for six weeks. She has been advised not to put weight on her leg and her royal highness has every intention of carrying out all planned engagements.”

Camilla was said to be comfortable and philosophical about the accident, said the spokeswoman.

“The Duchess is cheerful and it’s a case of life goes on – it could be worse,” she said.

Charles, 61, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and heir to the British throne, married the former Camilla Parker Bowles in April 2005. His previous marriage to the late princess Diana ended in divorce in August 1996.

The 62-year-old Duchess needed to be helped down from the hill after the accident which happened while she and Charles were on their traditional Easter break at Birkhall, the Prince’s private home on the Balmoral estate.

Barry Ferris, an orthopaedic surgeon at Barnet Hospital in north London, said the break should heal relatively quickly.

“A fibula fracture is usually related to a direct blow. She may have fallen over on something like a rock. Age is not probably going to be a factor for her,” he said.

“While it’s true the bones thin as you get older, she is very active.

“This is a relatively minor injury. She will be sore for a couple of weeks but she should be fine after six weeks.”

The accident follows an unrelated health problem – a trapped nerve in her back – that forced Camilla to cancel a number of engagements during a recent trip to central Europe.

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jaques goes county to crack Test side

April 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Former Australian opener Phil Jaques is targeting an international recall after joining up with English county side Worcestershire for a third spell.

Jaques, who has played 11 Tests and scored a century in his last innings for Australia against the West Indies in Bridgetown in 2008, has been overlooked since then and has also been struck down with back problems.

But the 30-year-old came through the domestic season with New South Wales with no injury setbacks and is hoping a successful spell with Worcestershire will help him earn a recall to the international fold.

“Last summer back home, I played every game for New South Wales. I was the only one to do that which was a good achievement in itself in a long season,” he told Press Association Sport.

“It is very exciting to be back fit and hopefully I can really pile on the runs over here this year.

“I wouldn’t be playing cricket if I didn’t have ambitions and my ambition is to get back to the highest level you can achieve – and that is playing for Australia.

“That is why I am here. That is why I chose here rather than the Indian Premier League.

“I wanted to play county cricket, get some volume of games in and hopefully get back into the Australian side. That is the goal ahead.”

He admitted it was a “weird feeling” to notch a ton in his last Test and then not play again.

“But I know I can play at that level and right now it is about knocking on the door hard enough and getting the runs on the board I need and waiting for an opportunity,” he said.

“The guys who have been playing, Simon Katich and Shane Watson, have been outstanding.

“They have probably been our best two batsmen over the last 12 months along with Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting.

“It is very hard to get back into that team. But I’ve got to go back to the drawing board, score lots of runs ands wait for an opportunity.

“I will be looking to get back to converting decent scores into hundreds and I hope I can do that at Worcestershire. The body has held up. I have had no injury problems and the back is getting stronger by the day.”

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Djokovic to compete for Queen’s title

April 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

World number two Novak Djokovic has confirmed he will play at this year’s Queen’s tournament, the warm-up event before Wimbledon.

The Serbian, who has yet to win a grass court title, has been added to a field which already includes Rafael Nadal, Juan Martin Del Potro and Andy Roddick for the event which gets under way on June 7.

“It would mean a lot to me if I could go one step further than in 2008 and win … at Queen’s, and then to do well at Wimbledon,” the 2008 runner-p, said.

“The grass court season is unique and it is very exciting to play at Queen’s because the atmosphere is fantastic and there is so much tradition for tennis in England.”

Filed Under: International News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts