Monday, February 28, 2011

Swansea hospital still falling short of A&E waiting list targets

SCORES of patients are still waiting longer than anyone else in Wales to be seen at a Swansea A&E department.

Latest Assembly figures show there has been little improvement at the Morriston Hospital unit — although health bosses have pledged to plough in �1.5 million in an attempt to turn it around.

Only 71 per cent of patients were seen at the site within the four-hour time target in January. The Assembly-set target is 95 per cent. Morriston's figures were the worst in Wales.

But an Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board spokeswoman said the department had suffered due to the knock-on effects of the extreme winter weather, along with high numbers of patients with flu and other chest infections.

One health worker, who did not wish to be named, said: "Morriston Hospital was 71 per cent in January and 69 per cent before that. It is the only hospital in Wales to be under 79 per cent — all the other hospitals are above that figure or more."

Another Morriston Hospital worker claimed staff worked under extreme pressure all the time, and added: "If there were beds to move patients to we could work like a proper emergency department."

At a public health watchdog meeting, Chris Jones, Swansea locality director of Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, said there was an agreed investment in the department of five additional medical consultants for unscheduled care, geriatricians and respiratory physicians and additional nursing staff in A&E.

He said several million pounds worth of revenue would be invested in the department, and plans existed to increase the unit's actual size and up bed numbers between Morriston and Singleton by nearly 70.

An Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board spokeswoman added: "January was an exceptionally busy time for our emergency and unscheduled care services because of the knock-on effects of the extreme winter weather and high numbers of patients with flu and other chest infections who needed to be admitted.

"A key factor in ensuring that A&E operates smoothly is the ability to discharge patients effectively. Any patients who become delayed in hospital beds have a direct impact on our ability to see patients quickly, and we are working hard to improve our discharge processes."

She added: "ABM is also investing more than �1 million in new doctors, nurses and other staff to enable reduced waiting times in the Morriston A&E department and enhance patient flow.

"We are in the process of recruiting an additional five consultants — two in emergency medicine, and three for general/acute medicine.

"We have also just recently opened more beds at Morriston and Singleton Hospitals.

"There are also specific proposals being developed in Swansea to increase medical and trauma bed capacity on a permanent basis."

elizabeth.perkins@swwmedia.co.uk



Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503366/s/1306b01f/l/0L0Sthisissouthwales0O0Cnews0CHospital0Efalling0Eshort0EE0Etargets0Carticle0E32731610Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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Irish supergroup U2 confirmed as Glastonbury Festival headliners

U2 will fill the remaining headline lot at Glastonbury Festival this summer, it was revealed by organisers last night.

The Irish rock band led by outspoken lead vocalist Bono, will perform on the Friday night, with Coldplay already confirmed as Saturday night headliners and US pop star Beyonce Knowles on the Sunday.

It will go some way to completing unfinished business with the festival for U2, after they were forced to pull out of their headline slot last summer when Bono injured his back while performing.

After pulling out last year Bono said: "I'm heartbroken. We really wanted to be there to do something really special – we even wrote a song especially for the festival."

U2 guitarist The Edge announced the band was playing at the festival as he presented the best festival award to Glastonbury at last night's NME Awards.

He performed last year, guesting with Muse playing Where The Streets Have No Name.

He said: "It's more a way of life than a festival. I made it last year to the Friday show – got to play with Muse, got to hang out, ate a veggie burger and fries, and got to play on the Pyramid Stage.

"I have to say there is something really special and iconic about that stage.

"So we're all looking forward to coming back to pick up where I left off. And we're so excited to get to play in front of the world's greatest festival audience. We'll see you there."

Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis said: "After the disappointment of U2 being unable to play last year, we're now doubly excited at the prospect of the Friday night supergroup breaking the sound barrier."

The festival runs from June 22 to 26 and has sold out.

Source: http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/glastonburyfestival/U2-Glastonbury-headliners/article-3263435-detail/article.html

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Captains pushed to fifth game in Midwest title series: Minor league report

Clinton (Iowa) scored two runs in the top of the eighth to defeat Lake County, and force a deciding game 5 Monday in the Midwest League championship.

FARM REPORT

A Lake County Captains

lake county captains

LumberKings 3, Captains 2: Clinton (Iowa) scored two runs in the top of the eighth to defeat Lake County, and force a deciding game 5 Monday in the Midwest League championship. The Lumberkings tied the best-of-five series, 2-2. Captains starter Vidal Nuno struck out 12 in 6.2 innings, and gave up one unearned run. Jose Flores was the losing pitcher, yielding two earned runs in just two-thirds of an inning.

Notes: Lake County and Clinton will play the fifth and final game at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Classic Park, starting at 6:30 p.m. The starting pitchers were undetermined Sunday night. Going into Sunday night, the Captains leaders in batting average during the playoffs were SS Casey Frawley, .325 (13-of-40); OF Jason Smit, .313 (10-of-32); OF Tyler Holt, .297 (11-of-37); OF Jonathan Burnette, .281 (9-of-32); RF Greg Folgia, .258 (8-of-31); 2B Argenis Martinez, .250 (8-of-32). ... Smit had scored 11 runs, followed by Frawley, Holt and Martinez with six each. Burnette and CF Delvi Cid had five runs. Folgia led with seven RBI. Smit, Holt and Cid each had six RBI, and Burnette had five. ... 3B Adam Abraham, Burnette, Smit and Folgia each had two home runs. Frawley and Burnette had three doubles each. ... RH reliever Preston Guilmet had earned a save in four of his five playoff appearances, and had pitched 8 2/3 scoreless innings. He had struck out 13, walked two and allowed three hits. Including the regular season and playoffs, Guilmet was 4-1 with a 1.93 ERA and 15 saves in 35 games (all relief), striking out 92 and walking 12 in 60 2/3 innings, while giving up just 38 hits -- including just three homers....RH reliever Francisco Jimenez was 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in four playoff games, striking out nine while allowing nine hits and three walks in 8 2/3 innings. ... The Captains were 3-0 in RH Brett Brach's three playoff starts. Brach was 1-0 with a 3.45 ERA. He had struck out 17, walked two and allowed 17 hits in 15 2/3 innings. ... RHP Jason Knapp has struck out 41 in 24 1/3 innings for the Captains in six games, including two playoff starts. Prior to joining the Captains, Knapp, 20, had fanned 18 in 12 1/3 innings over five outings in the Arizona League -- where, beginning in July, he pitched in games for the first time since having off-season shoulder surgery. In 36 2/3 combined innings with the two teams, Knapp is 2-2 with a 2.70 ERA, has struck out 59, walked 13 and given up just 21 hits -- including no homers. Knapp, a 2008 second-round draft pick of the Phillies and considered an elite prospect, came to the Indians in the trade of Cliff Lee to Philadelphia last July. The Captains won both of Knapp's playoff starts. He was 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2010/09/captains_can_clinch_first_cham.html

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Hope for blown up Buddha statues

Scientists may be able to reconstruct giant sandstone Buddha in Afghanistan's Bamiyan Valley

German scientists say it may be possible to reconstruct one of two giant 1,500-year-old Buddha statues dynamited by the Taliban in central Afghanistan 10 years ago. Their destruction prompted a worldwide outcry and left behind only towering cliff caverns.

Researchers have studied several hundred fragments of the sandstone statues that once towered up to 180 feet (55m) high in Bamiyan province, and found that they were once brightly coloured in red, white and blue, said Erwin Emmerling of Munich's Technical University.

The professor of restoration and conservation science, who has visited the Unesco world heritage site about 15 times since 2007, says research has shown that the smaller of the pair ? some 125 feet high ? could be reconstructed using the recovered parts, even though there are some "political and practical obstacles" to overcome.

"Conservation of the fragments would require the construction of a small factory in the Bamiyan Valley ? alternatively some 1,400 rocks weighing up to two tonnes each would have to be transported to Germany," the university said.

Emmerling is to present the findings at a Unesco conference on the Buddha statues' future starting on Wednesday in Paris. The Afghan government, whose representatives will attend the expert meeting, will ultimately decide on the statues' fate. The Taliban destroyed the towering Buddha statues in March 2001, less than a year before international forces toppled their government.

The Bamiyan Valley, about 260 kilometres (160 miles) west of Kabul at an altitude of some 8,000 feet, once formed a branch of the Silk Road, which contributed to the diffusion of Buddhism from India to the region.

Emmerling's team says mass spectrometer tests have allowed them to better determine the statues' age. Organic material in the fragments' clay layers were found to date from between 544 and 595 for the smaller Buddha and between 591 and 644 for the bigger one.

The fragile sandstone fragments of the statues are currently either covered on the site or stored in a warehouse in Bamiyan province, awaiting the Afghan government's decision.


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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/28/buddha-statues-bamiyan-afghanistan

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Scott Barnes allows just two hits in Akron Aeros' win: Minor League Report

The independent Lake Erie Crushers sweep a doubleheader.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Bisons 7, Clippers 5 Lucas Duda hit a walk-off, two-run homer off RHP Vinnie Pestano (1-2, 1.98 ERA) to lift host Buffalo, N.Y., to an International League win over Columbus.

AA Akron Aeros

Aeros 2, Rock Cats 1 LHP Scott Barnes (6-8, 4.83) allowed two hits and one walk in seven scoreless innings, and Akron won an Eastern League game in New Britain, Conn. Barnes struck out eight. RHP Connor Graham (3.27) allowed one unearned run in two innings of relief for the save. 3B Lonnie Chisenhall (.267) and RF John Drennen (.289) each drove in a run for the Aeros.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Hillcats 2, Indians 1 RHP Austin Adams (1.47) allowed one run in five innings, but host Kinston (N.C.) lost a Carolina League game against Lynchburg (Va.). 3B Karexon Sanchez (.263) had two hits for the K-Tribe.

A Lake County Captains

Dragons 3, Captains 0 RHP Jacob Johnson, RHP Jamie Walczak and RHP Doug Salinas combined for a six-hit shutout for Dayton against host Lake County in Midwest League play. RF Jason Smit (.257) had two hits for the Captains.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

ValleyCats 6, Scrappers 2 1B Jesus Aguilar (.333) doubled and singled, and CF Carlos Moncrief (.216) had two hits, but host Mahoning Valley lost a New York-Penn League game against Tri-City (N.Y.).

Notes: Scrappers RHP Alex Kaminsky, RHP Owen Dew and 2B Daniel DeGeorge are All-Stars. The game is Aug. 17 in Staten Island, N.Y.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers Crushers 5-9, Cruisers 4-1 Dom Duggan's walk-off single in the 15th inning knocked in Trae Gore in the completion of a suspended game, and host Lake Erie cruised in the second game to sweep Oakland County (Mich.) in a Frontier League doubleheader.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2010/08/scott_barnes_allows_just_two_h.html

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Week ahead: A dry week but cloudy - Settled with high pressure, Feb 28 - 09:51

Patchy frosts High pressure builds and becomes a semi-stationary feature across the country. This will keep it dry almost everywhere but a north east wind may keep it disappointingly cloudy with the best chance of any sunshine in the far west. Cold enough by night for a frost but will be dependant on amount of cloud. For the weather for the next few days click here Thursday 03/03/11 A cloudy day across Britain. Light rain moves into Scotland and fades away by the afternoon. Across England and Wales it stays dry but with lots of cloud. Risk of a frost tonight where skies are clear in the north. Highs of 8 to 10C.

Friday 04/03/11 A north east wind is going to keep it disappointingly cloudy across much of the country today with the west seeing the best of any bright or sunnier spells. A dry day for all. Frosty by night in places but it will be quite patchy. Expect highs of 10 to 12C.

Saturday 05/03/11 A lot of cloud again today and this may produce some patchy drizzle in the east of England and Scotland. One or two sunnier spells may develop in the west. Frosty again tonight mainly in the north west with well broken cloud. Highs of 8 to 10C.

Sunday 06/03/11 High pressure is expected to dominate. Some mist and fog this morning otherwise a dry day with a north east wind perhaps keeping in quite a bit of cloud. Highs of 8 to 11C.

Monday 07/03/11 Little overall change to come across Britain today. It stays dry but a bit colder today. A few sunnier spells around today but over all quite a lot of cloud. Expect highs of 5 to 8C. Tuesday 08/03/11 A lot of low cloud and fog across the country this morning and the fog may be dense and slow to clear the south. Dry though for most places but we may see a front bring rain to Scotland by evening. Expect highs of 5 to 9C.


Source: http://feeds.weatheronline.co.uk/~r/weatheronline/~3/IwXO0Zamt30/reports

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Having it both ways

Presumably the judges for the Jerusalem Prize make careful soundings as to whether an intended recipient will be ready to accept the $10,000 award.
Because, naturally, the naysayers have been out in force since the announcement that this year's award is to be given to the British novelist, Ian McEwan, author of The Comfort of Strangers, On Chesil Beach, and Atonement.
In a slightly desperate attempt to knock McEwan off balance the Guardian's Stephen Bates rather oddly wrote that the writer had "signalled" (how? with semaphore?) that he had every intention of accepting the award in Jerusalem. It was, he said, "a highly distinguished award, and I am honoured to join the backlist of writers who are previous winners."
With admirable frankness McEwan told the Guardian that he was neither a supporter of the Israeli settler movement, nor of Hamas, and that "it is the Jerusalem Book Fair, not the Israeli Foreign Ministry, which is making the award. I would urge people to make the distinction - it is about literature."
Hooray for Ian McEwan, and hooray for other creative artists who recognise the difference between arts and culture and political expediency. So that's a thumbs up to Leonard Cohen, Elton John, Madonna, Paul McCartney, and yes, Johnny Rotten, and thumbs down to Elvis Costello and others who foolishly backed out of appearances in Israel. And a special place in hell reserved for Mike Leigh, who should, but doesn't, know better.
Betty Hunter, by the way, the general secretary of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, while falling over herself to denounce McEwan's acceptance of the award, couldn't prevent herself describing it as "this prestigious prize." So, which is it, Betty? I reckon for once in your life you got it right.

Source: http://www.thejc.com/blogpost/having-it-both-ways

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Scots and Irish shake it up

Simon Lewis

IT was all change for both Scotland and Ireland ahead this Sunday's Six Nations clash at Murrayfield as both sides bid to get back to winning ways.

Ireland head coach Declan Kidney makes three changes from the side that failed to get the job done against an off-colour France at the Aviva Stadium two weeks ago, bringing back Tommy Bowe on the wing with the Ospreys winger having fully recovered from bruising on the knee which kept him out of the first two games of the Championship.

Bowe's return comes at the expense of the unfortunate Fergus McFadden, who did little wrong in those opening matches, an unconvincing win in Italy and then the 25-22 defeat to the French.

Kidney has also been forced to omit scrum-half Tomás O'Leary, who has failed to recover from the back spasms which limited his preparations for the French game, with Eoin Reddan taking the number nine jersey and Peter Stringer moving onto the bench.

The major call, though was, undoubtably at fly-half where Ronan O'Gara replaces the less experienced Jonathan Sexton thanks in large part to his influential role off the bench last time out, taking the game by the reins and giving the Irish team the impetus, platform and territory it had desperately lacked.

O'Gara has been charged with bringing that approach to a Scottish side still smarting from a woeful 26-4 home defeat to Wales that undid all the impressive work achieved since last summer's successful tour to Argentina.

Scottish head coach Andy Robinson pointedly picked a side to “restore the pride in all Scotland supporters” and changed seven of his personnel from the Welsh game while making a further positional switch for Sunday.

“We have made changes with a view to securing our first win of the competition and giving our supporters the lift that they deserve,” Robinson said. “We know that Ireland will bring their own distinct physicality and guile to Murrayfield on Sunday and it is up to our squad to front up to that challenge.

“We must play with belief and eliminate the mistakes which have bedevilled us in our opening two games and we must produce a performance that restores the pride in all Scotland supporters.”

Like Ireland, the Scots will go into the game with a new half-back pairing with Ruaridh Jackson replacing Dan Parks at fly-half and Mike Blair in for Rory Lawson at scrum-half.

Injuries account for the absence of Stade Francais full-back Hugo Southwell and Northampton back Joe Ansbro, who are replaced by Scotland’s most capped player, Chris Paterson and Sean Lamont respectively.

Lamont comes in at inside centre, with Nick De Luca moving from 12 to 13 to cover Ansbro.

In the pack, tight-head prop Euan Murray's refusal to play on a Sunday on religious grounds see his place going to Moray Low while lock Richie Gray, so impressive against the French, returns from illness at the expense of Leinster's Nathan Hines.

The back row is boosted by the return of Johnnie Beattie at number eight with Richie Vernon making way.

IRELAND: L Fitzgerald (Leinster); T Bowe (Ospreys), B O'Driscoll (Leinster) - captain, G D'Arcy (Leinster), K Earls (Munster); R O'Gara (Munster), E Reddan (Leinster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster), M Ross (Leinster); D O'Callaghan (Munster), P O'Connell (Munster); S O'Brien (Leinster), D Wallace (Munster), J Heaslip (Leinster).

Replacements: S Cronin (Connacht), T Court (Ulster), L Cullen (Leinster), D Leamy (Munster), P Stringer (Munster), J Sexton (Leinster), P Wallace (Ulster).

SCOTLAND: C Paterson (Edinburgh); N Walker (Ospreys), N De Luca (Edinburgh), S Lamont (Scarlets), M Evans (Glasgow Warriors); R Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), M Blair (Edinburgh); A Jacobsen (Edinburgh), R Ford (Edinburgh), M Low (Glasgow Warriors); R Gray (Glasgow Warriors), A Kellock (Glasgow Warriors) – captain; K Brown (Saracens), J Beattie (Glasgow Warriors), J Barclay (Glasgow Warriors).

Replacements: S Lawson (Gloucester), G Cross (Edinburgh), N Hines (Leinster), R Vernon (Glasgow Warriors), R Lawson (Gloucester), D Parks (Cardiff Blues), S Danielli (Ulster).

Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/IfAxNXMePPI/post.aspx

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Sunday, February 27, 2011

New Cavaliers guard Baron Davis Press Conference: Video

New Cleveland Cavaliers guard Baron Davis speaks to the media before the Cavs took on the Philadelphia 76ers Sunday evening. He talks about the status of his knee, coming over from Los Angeles, the fans here in Cleveland, what he brings to the Cavs, and why he chose Number 85. Watch video

Source: http://videos.cleveland.com/dsn-videos/2011/02/new_cavaliers_guard_baron_davis_press_conference.html

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Lake County Captains' Delvi Cid piling up stolen bases

The speedy "El Cid" is drawing attention every time he reaches base, and he'll be important to the Captains as they start the Class A playoffs.

lake-county-captains-delvi cid.JPGView full sizeIndians farmhand Delvi Cid, center fielder for the Class A Lake County Captains, has stolen 71 bases in 87 attempts this season. The right-handed hitter is batting .253.

EASTLAKE, Ohio — A Delvi Cid comparison to Kenny Lofton wouldn't be fair at this point.

Cid's still a kid, just 21, with much to learn, especially at the plate.

But watching the Lake County Captains center fielder race down line drives and pile up stolen bases like hot dogs on 50-cent night, well, Indians fans can dream that maybe there's another "K-Love" percolating deep in the Tribe's farm system.

For the Class A Captains, who, along with the Indians' minor-league affiliates in Columbus (AAA) and Kinston, N.C., (Advanced A) begin their playoffs today, the speedy "El Cid" is drawing attention every time he reaches base. At least Manager Ted Kubiak suspects as much.

"I'm just surmising," he said, "but I think the organization is opening its eyes to him. At least I hope it does because he's a force."

Especially when Cid is dashing from first to second base.

Cid set a Captains' record this season with 71 steals in 87 attempts. The previous mark was 47 steals in 2008 by outfielder Lucas Montero, who added 13 more with Kinston that season. (Chris Morris holds the Midwest League record with 111 steals for Peoria in 2001.)

The 6-2, 170-pound Cid, a native of the Dominican Republic, said his goal for the season was 60 steals, but quickly approached that mark and had to raise it to 70. Then he smashed that, too.

He went on a summer tear, with 20 steals in July and 17 in August, and demonstrated impressive speed in center field as well.

"His jumps have been incredible," Kubiak said.

The Indians signed Cid as an undrafted free agent in 2006, a talent discovered by Cesar Geronimo, who played centerfield for Cincinnati's famed "Big Red Machine" in the 1970s.

As if it were hard to spot the fastest guy on the field.

Kubiak, who played against Geronimo in the majors, said the right-handed Cid's dash to first takes about 4 seconds, compared with 4.3 seconds for the average right-handed hitter and 4.2 for lefties.

"He'll get there in 3.7, 3.6 sometimes," said Kubiak, who added that Cid still needs work on getting a better jump from first base and on shifting his weight to reach top gear quicker.

Cid, whose favorite player back home was Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore, is also working on shortening his swing and learning the strike zone.

He finished the regular season batting .253, with 16 doubles and two triples, but struck out almost every fourth time up -- way too often for a player whose legs, not power, will be what carries him to the big leagues.

Part of the problem was the Indians had Cid switch-hitting almost immediately for the first few years. He struggled from the left side of the plate until they dropped the experiment earlier this season. He's now exclusively a right-handed hitter, and said he's more confident at the plate.

"I'm just trying to put the ball in play every time," said Cid, with the Captains' Puerto Rican catcher Roberto Perez serving as translator.

If his swing can ever match his mind-set and he learns to be a contact hitter, Kubiak believes Cid could hit .275, .280 in the major leagues, where the names of some of the greatest steals leaders may sound familiar.

Vince Coleman, who holds the minor-league stolen-base record with 145 in 1983, also holds the National League record for rookies, stealing 110 bases for St. Louis in 1985.

And in the American League, an Indians rookie set a record with 66 in 1992. His name? Kenny Lofton.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2010/09/lake_county_captains_delvi_cid.html

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Class AA Akron Aeros drop sixth straight: Minor league report

UPDATED: Three batters homer for the Class A Lake Erie Captains in a 6-1 win; Class A Mahoning Valley Scrappers also win.

tj-house.jpgT.J. House is considered one of the top left-handed pitching prospects in the Cleveland organization.

Updated at 12:29 a.m.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Bisons 11, Clippers 4 A nine-run eighth inning sunk Columbus in an International League rout at Buffalo, N.Y., on Thursday. The Clippers' Matt McBride (.400) had three hits.

Notes: Going into Thursday night's game, RH reliever Vinnie Pestano (1-1, nine saves, 1.53) had not allowed a run in his last 13 outings, fanning 19 and allowing seven hits and five walks in 14 1/3 innings. Overall, Pestano had struck out 47, walked 12 and not given up a homer in 35 1/3 innings....IF Josh Rodriguez (.315) was 11-for-30 (.367) with three doubles, three homers and seven RBI in his last seven games....RH reliever Bryce Stowell (0-0, 3.75) had struck out 18 and walked 13 in 12 innings for Columbus, after totaling 74 strikeouts and 19 walks in 47 2/3 innings with Akron and Kinston....2B Cord Phelps (.340) was batting .396 (40-for-101) in his last 27 games....OF Matt McBride was 9-for-25 (.360) with one double, one homer and three RBI in his first six games with Columbus. In his last 26 games at Class AA Akron before being promoted to the Clippers, McBride hit .364 (36-for-99) with 13 homers, 11 doubles, 32 RBI and an .869 slugging percentage....Catcher Damaso Espino has been promoted to the Clippers from Akron, where he was hitting .250 (49-for-196) with four doubles, two homers and 20 RBI....IF Argenis Reyes and catcher have Juan Apodaca have been acquired from the Boston Red Sox organization for cash considerations. Reyes will play for the Clippers and Apodaca joins Class AA Akron. Reyes hit .256 (11-for-43) in 14 games for the Class AAA Pawtucket Red Sox after being released by the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization in April. Reyes, 27, played in 58 games with the New York Mets in 2008-09, batting .205 (26-for-127) with one homer and three stolen bases. He played in the Indians' minor league system from 2001-07.

AA Akron Aeros

Curve 6, Aeros 1 Akron matched a season high with a sixth straight loss as host Altoona, Pa., finished a four-game sweep with an Eastern League victory. Despite just one earned run charged against Aeros pitchers Kelvin De La Cruz and Nick Hagadone, the offense again could not muster enough support.

Notes: Going into Thursday night's game, the Aeros were on a five-game losing streak....2B Jason Kipnis (.337) was 15-for-41 (.366) with two doubles, three triples, one homer and eight RBI in his last 10 games....RHP Omar Aguilar (2-4, 3.62) had not allowed a home run in 49 2/3 innings this season. He had struck out 59, but walked 27....Catcher Damaso Espino has been promoted to AAA Columbus. Catcher Juan Apodaca has been acquired from the Boston Red Sox organization and activated by the Aeros. Apodaca and IF Argenis Reyes, who joined Class AAA Columbus, were acquired for cash considerations. Apodaca has played this season for the Class AAA Pawtucket Red Sox and the Class AA Portland Sea Dogs. In 55 total games this season, Apodaca has a .239 batting average with three home runs and 12 RBI.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Hillcats 5, Indians 1 Lynchburg's three-run eighth inning led to a Carolina League victory at Kinston, N.C. Travis Turek (3-3) took the loss for Kinston, giving up four runs on six hits in two innings. Karexon Sanchez, Jeremie Tice and Juan Diaz each had two hits for Kinston.

Notes: LH starting pitcher T.J. House (4-8, 3.68) is 2-0 and has given up one run (0.47 ERA) in his last three starts, pitching 19 innings while allowing just six hits and four walks while striking out 12. House, 20, was picked by Cleveland out of Picayune (Miss.) Memorial High School in the 16th round of the 2008 draft....Going into Thursday night's game, catcher Chun Chen (.311) was 12-for-31 (.387) with four doubles, one home run, eight RBI and eight walks in his last nine games.

A Lake County Captains

Captains 6, Dragons 1 Roberto Perez, Delvi Cid and Jason Smit homered to lead Lake County past Dayton in Midwest League action at Eastlake. Captains starter Giovanni Soto (8-6) got the win. He pitched six innings, allowing one run on two hits. He walked two and struck out three. Preston Guilmet came on in the seventh to pick up his ninth save, throwing three scoreless innings.

Notes: RH starting pitcher Brett Brach (3-6, 2.91) is 2-1 with an 0.78 ERA in his last three games, pitching 23 innings and allowing 17 hits and two walks while fanning 12....Going into Thursday night's game, 1B Adam Abraham (.254) was batting .438 (28-for-64) with seven doubles, six homers and 23 RBI in his last 16 games.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Scrappers 3, ValleyCats 2 Diego Seastrunk's RBI sacrifice fly in the ninth gave Mahoning Valley the New York-Penn League victory over Tri-City (Troy, N.Y.) in Niles, Ohio.

Notes: Going into Thursday night's game, OF Jonathan Burnette (.285) was 7-for-18 in his last five games, with two doubles and two homers....OF Carlos Moncrief was also 7-for-18 in his last five games, with a homer and two stolen bases.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

ThunderBolts 4, Crushers 3 (10) Lake Erie fell to Windy City in suburban Chicago on a walk-off single by Gilberto Mejia in the bottom of the 10th in Frontier League play.

Notes: Going into Thursday night's game, OF Dom Duggan (.234) was 8-for-24 (.333) with two doubles, one triple and one home run in his last eight games.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2010/08/cleveland_indians_minor_league_17.html

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JNF leaves JLC over Israel support

JNF UK has walked out of the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC), following rumours that it was considering such a move.

According to the Jerusalem Post the organisation has parted company with the 30-member council over concern about the JLC?s stance on Israel.

JNF UK chairman Samuel Hayek told the Post that the decision was not taken lightly, but made in view of the fact that the over the past 110 years the JNF?s support for Israel ?has always been and will remain steadfast?.

He said: ?JNF is a charity whose history is intrinsically intertwined with the establishment and development of Israel and whose support for it.?

Mr Hayek added that when it was first set up, the JLC, comprised of heads of major charities, synagogue bodies and key Jewish figures, focused on communal needs. But he said that the focus had now ?shifted significantly? towards foreign affairs and the actions of the Israeli government.

He said: ?The JLC has sought to take upon itself a leadership role in areas already covered by others such as the Board of Deputies, an elected and representative institution, where as the JLC comprises a self-appointed and non-mandated body.?

The split follows Mr Hayek?s criticism of the JLC for planning a trip to the West Bank and the controversy over executive chairman Mick Davis? remarks on Israel last year.

Source: http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/45802/jnf-leaves-jlc-over-israel-support

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Morning Call: Wet and windy - Brighter west, Feb 25 - 06:03

Cold front brings rain and wind, but the west and north becoming drier and brighter Good morning. After a spring-like day for many of us yesterday, things will be more unsettled through today. A cold front is currently crossing Ireland bringing wind and periods of rain, some of these fairly heavy. The front will be through Scotland this morning and then into northwest England, Wales and southwest England. More eastern and central areas are drier.

The front is going to be weakening through this afternoon as is progresses eastwards and the rain on it will become more patchy. However, by the time it reaches southern parts of England this evening it will become reinvigorated and start to produce heavy periods of rain once again. A breezy day in northern and western areas with gusts to gale force on western coasts of Scotland. It should turn brighter from the west through the day with sunny periods developing across Ireland and Scotland.

Have a great day. Simon me at simon.keeling@weatheronline.co.uk


Source: http://feeds.weatheronline.co.uk/~r/weatheronline/~3/ZB3Ob4RY2mI/reports

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Clippers batter Reds' Harang; Aeros get six shutout innings from Kluber: Minor league report

Columbus makes Aaron Harang's rehab assignment less than a success; Kipnis' homer supports Corey Kluber's gem for Akron.

columbus clippers new logo.jpg

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 7, Bats 3: Columbus battered Aaron Harang for five hits and five runs, all earned, in five innings, and went on to defeat Louisville, Ky. Harang, a veteran right-hander, is pitching for Louisville on a rehab assignment for the parent Cincinnati Reds. He also struck out five. The Clippers' Wes Hodges clubbed his 10th homer of the season, and teammate Matt McBride hit his second.

AA Akron Aeros

Aeros 7, Rock Cats 0: Akron spaced out its runs, scoring no more than two in any inning, and defeated New Britain, Conn., in an Eastern League game at Canal Park in Akron. Jason Kipnis slugged his ninth homer of the year, a two-run shot, in the first inning. Corey Kluber (1-2) pitched six innings of shutout ball and picked up the win.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Hillcats 6, Indians 4: Kinston, N.C. starter T. J. House was roughed up for five runs, all earned, on nine hits in five innings as the K-Tribe lost at Lynchburg, Va., in a Carolina League game. He also uncorked a wild pitch. Lynchburg completed a sweep of the three-game series.

A Lake County Captains

Captains 5, Dragons 2: Giovanni Soto (9-6) gave up two runs in five innings, Roberto Perez hit his sixth home run, and Lake County defeated Dayton in a Midwest League game at Classic Park in Eastlake. Jose Flores pitched a scoreless ninth, striking out two, for his fourth save.

Notes: In the top of the sixth, Captains relief pitcher Ramon Cespedes picked Dayton's Ryan LaMarre off first, as LaMarre was trying to steal second. LaMarre had reached on an error, and the pickoff ended the inning.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Scrappers 10, Spinners 8: Mahoning Valley scored five in the top of the eighth to defeat Lowell, Mass., in a New York-Penn League game. Two Scrappers homered: Kevin Rucker socked his second of the year, and Moises Montero his first. Jordan Cooper (4-3) pitched four innings in relief to pick up the win. He gave up five hits and two runs, both earned. James Ehlert picked up his fifth save, striking out three in 11/3 innings.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Miners 3, Crushers 1: Lake Erie lost the rubber game of a three-game series in Marion, Ill. Lake Erie scored its only run when Raphael Turner scored on a double-steal in the eighth inning.

 

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2010/08/clippers_batter_reds_harang_ae.html

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Minor-league report: Columbus Clippers, Akron Aeros lose

The Clippers and Aeros both lose, while Kinston and Lake County come away winners.

columbus clippers new logo.jpg

AAA Columbus Clippers

Yankees 7, Clippers 5 RHP Yohan Pino (9-8, 5.60 ERA) allowed six runs on 13 hits and one walk in 4 innings as host Columbus lost an International League game Friday to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 2B Cord Phelps (.327) and SS Josh Rodriguez (.280) each had two hits, and CF Jose Constanza (.313) doubled, walked and scored two runs for the Clippers.

AA Akron Aeros

Senators 5, Aeros 1 RHP Alex White (7-7, 2.44) gave up four runs -- two earned -- in 51/3 innings as host Akron lost an Eastern League game against Harrisburg, Pa. LF Tim Fedroff (.278) homered and singled for the Aeros.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Indians 6, Pelicans 4 RF Abner Abreu (.244) drove in two runs as Kinston won a Carolina League game over host Myrtle Beach, S.C.

A Lake County Captains

Captains 5, Hot Rods 3 RHP Jason Knapp (0.00) did not allow a hit in four innings during his first appearance for host Lake County, 3B Adam Abraham (.262) had a three-run double and SS Jason Frawley (.269) hit a go-ahead homer in the seventh as the Captains downed Bowling Green, Ky., in Midwest League play. Knapp struck out seven and walked two. Frawley went 3-for-3.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Muckdogs 6, Scrappers 4 RHP Alex Kaminsky (5-4, 2.79) allowed six runs in 2 innings as host Mahoning Valley lost to Batavia, N.Y., in New York-Penn League play. Scrappers' 2B Aaron Fields (.232) had a two-run triple.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Miners 7, Crushers 3 (10) Travis Risser allowed one run, three hits and two walks in seven innings, but Lake Erie lost a Frontier League game against visiting Southern Illinois.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2010/08/minor-league_report_columbus_c.html

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Hacking libel claim contested by Met

Scotland Yard applies to strike out lawsuit by solicitor representing victims of phone hacking

Scotland Yard is to contest a lawsuit that could establish the true number of victims in the News of the World phone-hacking scandal.

Mark Lewis, a solicitor who has acted for people suing the newspaper, contends that a senior figure in the Metropolitan police, Detective Sergeant Mark Maberly, told him in 2008 that as many as 6,000 phones may have been hacked.

Lewis repeated this conversation when giving evidence to the culture, media and sport select committee inquiry into allegations of phone hacking by the newspaper and a private investigator, Glenn Mulcaire.

The Met insists that Maberly, now a detective inspector, did not give Lewis the 6,000 figure, or tell the solicitor he would give him "enough rope to hang them" as Lewis maintains.

The Met's denial prompted Lewis to launch a libel claim that the force will seek to strike out in court on Thursday and thus close down a line of inquiry that could reveal the extent of the evidence it holds relating to the scandal.

"This is about my reputation," Lewis said. "The police accused me of lying about my conversation."

To support his libel action, Lewis is demanding that the Met hand over documents taken from Mulcaire's office that could establish the number of phone-hacking victims. So far, only documents relating to the growing number of celebrities who have launched civil actions against the News of the World have been released.

Lewis told the parliamentary select committee that, based on his conversation with Maberly, he had been led to believe "they had found there were something like 6,000 people who were involved. It was not clear to me whether that was 6,000 phones that had been hacked or 6,000 people including the people who had left messages."

Maberly's alleged comments to Lewis contrast starkly with statements made by other senior officers in the Metropolitan police.

Andy Hayman, a former assistant commissioner at the Met, who led the original investigation, has said there were only a "handful" of victims.

John Yates, the acting commissioner who led a follow-up investigation, told the home affairs select committee that "the voicemail pin codes of up to 120 people were discovered".

In response to concerns that it failed to conduct a sufficiently thorough investigation into the News of the World's phone-hacking activities, the Met has launched a new inquiry conducted by deputy assistant commissioner Sue Akers and involving 45 detectives.

But MPs have called for an outside force to launch its own investigation.

Earlier this month Paul Farrelly, a member of the culture and media committee, wrote to the director of public prosecutions, Keir Starmer, to express his concerns about the Crown Prosecution Service's role in the affair.

"At every twist and turn, the CPS simply 'rubber-stamped' the Metropolitan police's approach. The CPS' public statements, indeed, appeared to be a 'cut and paste' of the police's stance," Farrelly wrote. "It is time not only for the Metropolitan police's conduct and approach to be independently reviewed, but the CPS's as well."

In his response, Starmer said a new review of the evidence collected by Scotland Yard, to be conducted by a senior CPS prosecutor, would be "rigorous and robust".

In response to Lewis's libel action, a spokeswoman for the Met said: "We can confirm that the Metropolitan Police Service is making an application to strike out the claim. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."


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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/feb/26/phone-hacking-libel-metropolitan-police

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Saturday, February 26, 2011

Cleveland Browns' Tom Heckert impressed with plethora of powerful defensive linemen in 2011 NFL draft

General Manager Tom Heckert is considering a dominant defensive lineman with the Browns' No. 6 overall pick, and the 2011 draft is chock full of them.

Auburn Fairley Football.jpgView full sizeNick Fairley brings a reputation of a player who may play a little past the whistle, but that didn't seem to bother Browns General Manager Tom Heckert in the slightest.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Tom Heckert picked the right year to be searching for the next Julius Peppers or Ndamukong Suh to power the Browns' new 4-3 defense.

The 2011 draft is stocked with dominant defensive linemen, and the Browns have an excellent chance of landing one with the sixth pick in the first round.

"It's a good group all the way around," said the Browns general manager. "There's tackles and ends. Obviously the underclassmen coming out helped. There's a lot of guys who are going to go really early."

Heckert had high praise for premier pass-rushing ends Da'Quan Bowers of Clemson and Robert Quinn of North Carolina. But he's also enamored with havoc-wreaking tackles such as Alabama's Marcell Dareus and Auburn's Nick Fairley. And he couldn't say enough about Purdue pass-rusher Ryan Kerrigan, who had 32.5 sacks over the past five seasons and could be had later in the draft.

"I think everybody's looking for pass rushers," Heckert said. "Normally, you'd take the pass-rushing end over the tackle. But defensive linemen are so in demand. If you really like a guy who's special as a tackle, he's still going to get pressure on the quarterback. Pat Shurmur talked to our scouts and said, "quarterbacks don't like pressure in their face."

A glance at some of the top defensive linemen and Heckert's take:

Marcell Dareus: He's the kind of explosive inside player that Shurmur alerted the scouts to. NFL Network's Mike Mayock ranks him as the No. 1 tackle in the draft ahead of Fairley, and ESPN's Todd McShay has the Browns picking him in his mock draft.

The MVP of the 2009 BCS title game, Dareus knocked then-Texas quarterback Colt McCoy out of the game with a shoulder injury. He can rush as well as play the run, with 4.5 sacks last year and 11 for losses despite being double-teamed every play.

"He's relentless, he plays hard," said Heckert. "I think he spent a lot of time this year with a high ankle sprain and he played through it. He's a high, high-motor guy and he doesn't stop and he makes a ton of plays for a defensive tackle."

Dareus (6-3, 309) patterns himself after former Pro Bowl tackle Warren Sapp, who considers Dareus the best tackle in this draft.

Da'Quan Bowers: The Clemson end (6-4, 275) led the nation with 15.5 sacks in 2010 and 25 tackles for a loss. He's so explosive off the edge that he could go No. 1, but some teams might view him as a one-year wonder. He's not working out at the combine while still recovering from postseason surgery to repair a torn meniscus, but says he's 100 percent. He also boldly compared himself to Peppers during his interview.

"He's obviously a super-productive guy," said Heckert. "He's legit. He's a bigger guy. This is a big guy that can rush the passer. Anytime you can get a guy like that, you'd have to be interested."

Heckert can see the Peppers comparison, even though it's lofty. But Bowers put it in perspective.

"[Peppers] is one of the premier defensive ends in the NFL, and I'm just a scrawny little defensive end coming out of college attempting to play like him and be half as good as him," he said.

Robert Quinn: An enigma, the North Carolina end was suspended for all of 2010 after accepting agent-related benefits worth about $5,600. Some experts, such as Mayock, think he can go No. 1 with a great workout Monday. Others have him rated the ninth-best end and not a first-rounder. In his last season on the field in 2009, Quinn led the ACC with 19 tackles for a loss and was second with 11 sacks.

At the combine on Saturday, he declared himself the best pass-rusher in this draft.

"He's a heck of a football player," said Heckert, who downplayed the year off. "There's no question why people are talking about him. He plays hard and he can rush the passer."

Mayock called him a "physical freak" and a "special, special athlete."

Nick Fairley: The Auburn tackle (6-4, 298) won the Lombardi Trophy as the nation's best lineman. He led the SEC with 24 tackles for a loss and had 11.5 sacks. MVP of the 2010 BCS Title Game, he had five tackles, 3.5 for a loss, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.

Mayock has him ranked behind Dareus, and several mocks, including Pro Football Weekly's, have the Browns taking him. But Fairley has a reputation as a dirty player, with late-hit penalties and some spearing.

Heckert disputed the reputation.

"No, not at all," he said. "He's a tough player. I guess there's a fine line. It's not after the whistle stuff. I think it's more toughness than being a dirty player."

Ryan Kerrigan: Heckert praised the Purdue end, who had 13 sacks in '09 and 12.5 in '10. "He's another high-motor guy, a excellent pass-rusher and supreme playmaker."

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2011/02/cleveland_browns_gm_tom_hecker_5.html

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Mitch Talbot works three innings in rehabilitation appearance with Scrappers: Minor league report

Indians starter allowed one run in three innings in rehab effort from back strain.

Cleveland Indians lose to Mets, 8-4Mitch Talbot allowed one run over three innings in a rehabilitation start for Mahoning Valley on Monday.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Scrappers 4, IronBirds 1: Mitch Talbot allowed one run on two hits in three innings of a rehab start and Mahoning Valley won the rubber match of a three-game series against Aberdeen in a New York-Penn League game in Niles, Ohio. Casey Gaynor (4-2, 4.25) struck out seven in five scoreless inning of relief to earn the victory. Urshela (.301) went 3-for-4 and scored two runs for the Scrappers.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Indians 5, Red Sox 2: Starter T.J. House (5-8, 3.62 ERA) held host Salem (Va.) to two runs on eight hits to lift Kinston in a Class A Advanced Carolina League game. Cory Burns (0-1, 1.95) earned his 20th save with Kinston and his 32nd overall this year. Juan Diaz (.230) had three hits, scored once and drove in a run for the Indians.

A Lake County Captains

Captains 11, Hawks 2: Brett Brach (4-6, 2.88) fired seven strong innings, striking out nine and allowing two runs on five hits as Lake County beat host South Bend (Ind.) in a Class A Midwest League game. Delvi Cid (.255), Casey Frawley (.262) and Roberto Perez (.234) all had three hits and scored twice for the Captains. Frawley, Perez and Jason Smit (.254) drove in three runs each.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers postponed: Columbus' scheduled game Monday at Syracuse was postponed by rain.

AA Akron Aeros

Aeros idle: Akron did not play.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers idle: Lake Erie did not play Monday.

 

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2010/08/mitch_talbot_works_three_innin.html

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Versace embraces the baroque

Anna Wintour and Duran Duran among attendees at catwalk show introducing 'clean, contemporary' collection

With 48 hours until the Oscars, Donatella Versace made a bid for red carpet glory. Her Milan catwalk show closed with a narrow floorlength gown of pale, moonlight-silver bugle beads with sporty vest-style racer back and a train of ivory maribou feathers, looking custom-made for the gown showdown in Los Angeles.

A Versace catwalk show is always a masterclass in showmanship. The grand internal courtyard of the Versace headquarters in the centre of Milan, where the late Gianni Versace once lived, was laid with thick black carpet embellished with baroque gold swirls to create a grand, plush catwalk.

A vast transparent marquee was erected over the catwalk and seating, to shield the models and audience from the chilly Milan air. Duran Duran, who this week were presented with an award for being "20th century style icons" by mayor of Milan Letizia Moratti, were honoured with prime front row seats next to Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of American Vogue. Seating speaks volumes at catwalk shows, and fashion meets rock'n'roll has always been what Versace is about.

Donatella said that the baroque aesthetic had been her inspiration for the collection. "Baroque is a key element of the Versace history. And yet it is contemporary, and works for this moment in time. Baroque brings drama, but to make it modern I kept the line very clean, and used 'pop' colours," she said.

This was a punchy collection which aimed to please the moneyed, gym-honed women who make up Versace's loyal customers. There was plenty of black ? Donatella's favourite ? but accented with flashes of colour. No expense was spared on the luxurious fabrics, with python, feather-coated chiffon, felted cashmere, leather and suede used to gild floorlength evening gowns, body-conscious shifts and smartly tailored double-breasted coats in jewel shades of ruby and emerald.

The essential silhouette of a shift dress to mid-thigh worn with boots echoed the 1960s silhouette of the Prada collection earlier this week. But ? as befits the house of Versace ? these boots were not knee-high pull-ons, but spike-heeled, peep-toe and cut to reveal a little more leg.

Emmanuelle Alt, who recently replaced Carine Roitfeld as the editor of French Vogue, was among the first to tell Donatella, backstage after the show, that she "adored" the collection. "I loved the energy. It was very clean, in a good way, and the accessories were fantastic. It was very true to the brand. I want to wear everything, and I want to shoot everything for the magazine."

In 2009, Versace embarked on a drastic streamlining plan which involved cutting 25% of its workforce. Sales figures for 2010 showed a modest gain on the previous year, and Gian Giacomo Ferraris, CEO of the Versace SpA group, has forecast "a significant growth in retail and wholesale sales, as well as a return to profitability" for 2011. This year Versace plans to add two further stores to its 20 existing boutiques in China, and the brand will re-enter the Japanese market, from which it has been absent for two years, this summer.


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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/feb/25/versace-baroque-milan-fashion-week

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Back in black: punks icons at home in region

At last week's Brits, many groups old and new were rewarded for their contributions to the country's important and highly-successful music scene.

But, once again, one band – who spend as much time in Somerset as any other place so probably deserve to be called an honorary 'local' one now – were ignored yet again.

For, despite having more than 40 top 40 records in a near 40-year career (and being very much a British institution) The Stranglers were nowhere to be seen at the annual Brits love-in.

They are, however, very much likely to be seen in and around the area at the moment. For the two main songwriters of the iconic rock outfit – bass guitarist JJ Burnel and guitarist Baz Warne – are currently busy writing new material from a rented house in nearby Bath while also rehearsing with the rest of the group in Norton St Philip in advance of their 'Black & Blue' tour which kicks off next month .

The band have found the area to be an inspiring place to conduct their activities and as Baz Warne explained in a blog on the Stranglers official website – www.stranglers.net – the region is a good place as any to get up to all things 'strangled'.

"It's a lovely place and very conducive to work which is just as well because we have masses to do," he explained.

The band have centred themselves at a farm near Norton St Philip where they are now putting the finishing touches to their set for another lengthy British tour which includes a visit to Bristol's 02 Academy on Thursday, March 24..

Speaking to Your Time, JJ, the only member of the band to play every single concert in their long history, said that he and his fellow Stranglers had lost none of their enthusiasm despite the fact that they are now in their 37th year as a hardworking outfit.

Indeed, the band have no actual 'product' to sell on this tour – they are simply doing it because they love to play live and they are enjoying seeing their audience grow in both size and enthusiasm.

"I still see The Stranglers as being on a mission," he said.

"I think you get the audience you deserve – and we've got a great audience. If people have filtered through all the prejudice and negative speaking about The Stranglers in the past and still want to come and see us, even though we're never on the TV or the radio these days, then that says an awful lot about those people.

"We love playing live and I want people to see that and leave a venue thinking 'that was awesome'."

The Stranglers' history has been one of massive ups and sometimes spectacular downs but even the fact that they are not as commercially successful now as in their heyday when they had huge top ten hits like Golden Brown, Peaches and No More Heroes, is actually regarded in a positive light as JJ explained …

"I don't want The Stranglers to be dictated to by the commercial big cats. Of course there's a commercial element to what we do but I think more now about The Stranglers' legacy which helps to keep us focused and interested.

"It's great that we no longer have to be rushed into making new records to please a record label – it means we can exercise quality control and only release material when we are really happy with it".

As a result of this belief in only releasing new music when the band think it is good enough (rather than the market demanding it), the band have already said that they won't release a new studio album until 2012. Several new songs were written in the region last year and the vast majority have already been ruthlessly discarded as not being up to the required standard.

Now, newer, stronger material has been written and, somewhat unusually for the band, they intend to incorporate some of it on their forthcoming live shows.

"It will be interesting putting together our set list for this new tour,'' said JJ.

"This is not just a 'greatest hits tour' although there will be a few of those songs in there because they're important to the people who come along. What we also want to do though is play some of our older material that we haven't been able to do in the past for various technical reasons and also drop in some new songs to gauge the audience reaction.

"It's great for us having so much material to choose from. We can really enthuse ourselves sorting out a set from all our material – it prevents a bunch of old geezers like us from going stale".

Guitarist Baz is also looking forward to giving fans a chance to hear new songs they have never encountered before. On his blog he says: "It's an oft-forgotten process, playing new songs before they're recorded, and we're keen to develop some of the stuff in the good old fashioned way by road testing it. It keeps you on your toes".

The excitement the band still clearly feel about getting on the road again is perhaps remarkable considering how long they have been together.

The three original remaining members of the band – JJ, keyboard player Dave Greenfield and drummer Jet Black – have been together since the early 1970s and even the 'new kid on the block', Baz, has now sailed past his ten-year anniversary. So, after all that time, do they ever get fed up of each other?

"It never happens,'' said JJ. "Baz and I have built up a really good song-writing partnership and we enjoy each other's company socially. The whole vibe of the band is so much better now – Jet is so funny and Dave's a lovely guy – and we get on really well and I think it does show on stage.

"It's all really good – akin to how it was in the old days".

Source: http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/glastonburyfestival/black-punks-icons-home-region/article-3258857-detail/article.html

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Council homes transfer agreed

THE Assembly has approved the controversial transfer of more than 9,000 Neath Port Talbot Council homes to a new landlord.

Talks are now taking place between the authority and not-for-profit organisation NPT Homes ready for the switch to come into force on Monday, March 7.

But campaigners have said the decision should have been put on hold until a row over the release of information leading up to last year's make-or-break ballot was settled.

The Information Commissioner found against the authority for not releasing the addresses of council homes so the Defend Council Housing (DCH) campaign could send out literature. Neath Port Talbot is now appealing against that ruling.

A DCH spokesman said: "The transfer should not have gone ahead until the legal appeal is resolved one way or another.

"There is a billion pounds worth of public housing at stake.

"We think that until the legal appeal is resolved the foundations of the move are extremely shaky."

An Assembly Government spokesperson said: "The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring that all information distributed by local authorities on their stock transfer proposals enables tenants to make an informed choice.

"All information is checked for accuracy before it is sent to tenants. This process has taken place for every stock transfer during the term of this government, including the Neath Port Talbot ballot.

"The ballot was carried out independently by the Electoral Reform Service. We are satisfied that Neath Port Talbot Council has complied with procedural requirements concerning the conduct of the ballot, and residents were clearly and impartially informed of both the pros and the cons of stock transfer.

"Based upon the council's information, tenants were able to make an informed choice about the future of their homes.

"The majority of tenants who voted, voted in favour of the council's transfer proposals.

"There is no statutory requirement to hold 'yes' and 'no' campaigns, nor is there provision in the Housing Transfer Guidelines 2009 for such campaigns to take place during a stock transfer process.

"While the Deputy Minister has taken the decision of the Information Commissioner into account, it is a separate issue that is a matter between Defend Council Housing and Neath Port Talbot Council."

Neath Port Talbot councillors Martyn Peters and Keith Davies both opposed the hand-over.

Mr Davies said he was shocked the decision had been made while the appeal was pending.

"If the decision goes against the council it will find itself in a legal and democratic nightmare," added Mr Davies.



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Stewards donate hundreds to school

Chewton Mendip Primary School received a boost thanks to stewards at Glastonbury Festival.

Volunteer steward Annette Curtis visited the school and presented a cheque for �700.

The cheque was on behalf of the Waterside Group who steward each year at the Glastonbury Festival.

Each year they donate the money they receive between local good causes.

Head teacher Clare Rice said she was delighted to receive such a generous amount to use on behalf of the pupils. The school is planning on using the donation to purchase additional seating for the outdoor area which is used by the whole school as part of the curriculum.

Source: http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/glastonburyfestival/Stewards-donate-hundreds-school/article-3199185-detail/article.html

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Love of 'mysterious' caving

What do you do for a living? I am a caving instructor and caving equipment retailer for Cave Climb, the business my wife Rachel and I run in Cheddar. We are the most comprehensive service to cavers in the UK. The business covers equipment hire and sales along with introductory caving sessions and advanced tours. I also do training and consultancy.

How long have you been a caving instructor? I've been an instructor for 27 years. I had my first experience of caving as a schoolboy in 1971 when we explored Goatchurch Cavern in the Mendips. After that I was hooked.

What is the appeal of caving? It is the most fascinating, mysterious, beautiful and challenging environment in which you can forge lifelong friendships – and marriages. My wife Rachel is also a caving instructor.

What does a typical day involve? A typical day might involve meeting a group of new cavers at Burrington Combe and taking them to Goatchurch Cavern, my favourite beginners' cave, where I'd give them an introduction to the basic techniques of sliding, scrambling and crawling around a cave. They can experience a bit of a squeeze if they're feeling adventurous. After lunch we'd head off to Swildon's Hole at Priddy to see the power of water in action underground.

Have you always been in this business? No. Fifteen years ago I taught myself to design websites and constructed sites for garage owners who needed to show photos of their cars. Before that I was a darkroom technician in a print works. I have also been possibly the world's worst shop-fitter. I am also a film maker and published author.

Where do you live? We live on Redcliffe Street at the quiet end of Cheddar. I love the fact that we are just a few minutes' walk from the Gorge.

Is there anything you dislike? Cheddar must be the most pedestrian-unfriendly village in the region. The lack of provision for pedestrians here and in the Gorge is appalling. I don't understand why people put up with it.

What do you do in your free time? Our favourite thing at the moment is to do the Via Ferrata in France. This involves climbing with a cable and fixed rungs, which means you can experience the thrill of climbing to immense heights in complete safety. My other hobby is cave digging with the Cheddar Caving Club. We have managed to dig into and explore a 60-metre passage between two caves at Burrington Combe.

Which three Somerset places or events would you recommend to visitors? The event would be Glastonbury Festival; Cheddar Gorge and The Hunter's Lodge at Priddy would be the places.

What are your three favourite places in the world? Cheddar Gorge, Utah and the Alps.

What part of the world would you most like to visit? I'd like to visit Sarawak to see the biggest caves in the world.

What person do you most admire? My wife, Rachel, for putting up with me.

What is your greatest strength and weakness? I am impulsive, which covers both.

When are you happiest? Pulling on my ski boots on the morning of the first day of a week's skiing holiday. Skiing is the perfect compromise between leisure and activity.

If you won the Lottery how would you spend the money? It would be nice to have a second house in the Alps.

True or False? Andy got married in a cave.

See next week's paper to find out whether this is fact or fiction.

In last week's True or False? John Yeo claimed to have been arrested three times, which is false. John has only been arrested twice: the first for photographing a steam locomotive in India; the second was for busking without a permit in Bar Harbor, Maine, USA.

Source: http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/glastonburyfestival/Love-mysterious-caving/article-3225794-detail/article.html

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