Thursday 31 December 2015

Happy New Year - 2016 has arrived

Happy New Year - 2016 has arrived

The countdown is over. The clock has struck midnight, 2016 has arrived, and celebrations across the nation are ramping up.
Hordes of people gathered around the Sky Tower in Auckland to take in the annual New Year's fireworks display.
Prior to the big countdown, a band entertained the crowd, performing a cover of Justin Bieber's Love Yourself, which turned into an enthusiastic mass singalong, before launching into Pharrell's Happy.
And it was definitely a happy mood in the inner city overall, with drunken revellers, couples, families and flocks of kids on scooters all mixed up together.
In parts of the SkyCity complex, crowds were almost too thick to walk through and vendors on the sidelines hawked glowing headwear and light Sabres.
The Herald has been keeping an eye on what's happening across New Zealand, including what the celebrities are up to, while also bringing you the latest party, traffic, weather and other news tonight.Here's what the celebrations have looked like around the country.

AUCKLAND

Auckland's sky will be lit up tonight when half a tonne of fireworks will be blasted from SkyTower, marking in the New Year.
Organiser Robert McDermott says the five-minute, 360-degree display will be beamed around the world, creating an advertisement for the city.
With tens of thousands of people expected to be celebrating in the city Auckland Transport is putting on extra bus services to for revellers when they are ready to head home.
It has doubled the number of Nite Rider services, and is running Northern Express services every 15 minutes during peak travel times.
Uber is warning users that fees for those using the private driver app could surge as drivers capitalise on demand and is recommending people book their trip early to avoid long delays during the busiest part of the night.
At Auckland's Sky Tower, preparation is underway for celebrations at midnight.
"Set up complete, sound checks done, and we are ready for all of our New Years Eve celebrations tonight!! Come down and enjoy," a SkyCity spokesperson tweeted.

Carrie Fisher strikes back at critic who told her to quit or be judged on her looks

Carrie Fisher strikes back at critic who told her to quit or be judged on her looks

Star Wars actor Carrie Fisher has returned fire after a New York Post critic told her to quit acting if she did not want to be judged on her looks.
In a much-criticised column, Kyle Smith said on Wednesday that Fisher, who played Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy, was a public figure who had “made millions off being pretty”. Responding to her comments earlier this week on Twitter, in which the actor and writer hit out at social media trolls who have criticised her appearance in the new Star Wars film, The Force Awakens, Smith said the 59-year-old “could have spent the last 40 years teaching kindergarten” if she did not want people talking about her.
Fisher swiftly retaliated, tweeting: “OK, I quit acting,” NOW, can I not like being judged for my looks? Tell me what to do and who to be, oh wise New York post columnist. You GENIUS.”
The actor also addressed Smith’s suggestion that her writing career – Fisher is known for the semi-autobiographical novel Postcards from the Edge, her screenplay for the critically acclaimed film of the same name and the nonfiction book Wishful Drinking – would not have taken off without Star Wars.
“Mr Smith doubts I’d have any success as a writer without Star Wars,” she tweeted. “Peddling doubt about my looks and comments wasn’t enough, now he goes for my writing.”

Wednesday 30 December 2015

Report: Kevin Steele leaving for Auburn

Report: Kevin Steele leaving for Auburn

Update, 2:28 p.m.: per this tweet from AL.com's Brandon Marcello, Auburn feels they have a deal.At least one discussion with a source expects Steele to leave. Will update when I have more information.
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So, apparently overnight Ross Dellenger of the Advocate, Chris Low of ESPN and Football Scoop all received word that Auburn has made a major effort to hire LSU's defensive coordinator Kevin Steele to a significant contract.
Steele had just wrapped up his first year as LSU's defensive coordinator with mixed results, but had helped, along with defensive line coach Ed Orgeron, secure a big-time recruiting class that as of now sits at 5th in the 247 Sports Composite (whoops, 2015 ranking -- LSU is 2nd) and was expected to go up.
After a quick phone call, everything I've heard aligns with Dellenger's latest. Basically, Auburn has made a big offer, Steele is inclined to take it and Les Miles is working to try and keep him.
This comes at a desperate time for Auburn and Gus Malzahn, playing in the Birmingham Bowl later today, following Will Muschamp's abrupt departure and several high-profile snubs from some big-name coordinators. Best guess is that Malzahn figures he can weaken a division rival and get somebody that can start to bolster Auburn's woeful talent on that side of the ball.
From Steele's standpoint, it's probably a push for a final, big-money guaranteed deal that could set him up for retirement. He's making good money here, but a $1.2-1.3 million deal from Auburn with three fully guaranteed years (even if Malzahn is fired after 2016, which I think most expect right now) would be a nice chunk of change. By the time the deal is over he'd be well into his 60s and maybe ready to call it a career. Remember, Steele's contract with LSU would dissolve if Miles would leave for any reason.
Regardless of your opinion on Steele at the moment, this comes at an awkward time for LSU as the staff has to be ready to close out a class that he played a huge role in putting together, particularly on defense and at linebacker with three current commits and the expected re-commitment of Michael Divinity. The main responsibility for keeping this together will fall on Orgeron, Bradley Dale Peveto (those who are desperate for him to leave are just going to have to deal with that) and Corey Raymond.
As for a replacement, Miles will need to act quickly. Orgeron is an obvious choice, but the questions would be in his experience in running a defense, which is limited, and how that could possibly distract from his two greatest strengths as a coach -- his abilities as a recruiter and skill as a developer of defensive linemen. Those are not small factors to consider. And of course, if you don't give him the job, is that a blow to his ego? Miles will have to balance those factors.
I'll try to rustle up a list of names later on. In the meantime, who would have thought that after this season, Steele would be moving on while it looks closer and closer to reality that Cam Cameron will be sticking around at LSU?

New York Knicks forward Cleanthony Early shot in early-morning attack

New York Knicks forward Cleanthony Early shot in early-morning attack

New York Knicks small forward Cleanthony Early was held up at gunpoint and shot in the right leg during an early-morning attack in Queens on Wednesday.
Early, 24, who had played 29 seconds in the Knicks’ 108-96 victory over the Pistons earlier that night, was shot in his right leg while traveling in an Uber car, detectives said. The attack took place at about 4am after Early left a strip club in the Maspeth neighborhood of Queens.According to the New York Daily News, Early, 24, was surrounded by four to six people wearing ski masks and robbed of his items and jewelry – including a gold necklace and gold caps on his teeth, sources said. Early was taken to Elmhurst hospital in stable condition, and was later being transported to another hospital. His injury does not appear to be life-threatening.
“We are aware of what occurred with Cleanthony Early this morning and are relieved that he is not in a life-threatening situation,” the Knicks said in a statement. “We ill not comment any further until we receive more information.”
Early, who grew up in the Bronx, is in his second season with the Knicks. He was drafted in 2014 after attending Wichita State.
The theft comes about 10 days after Knicks forward Derrick Williams was robbed of $617,000 in jewelry from his home. He had taken home two women from a Manhattan club. Police are still looking for suspects.
Williams has declined to comment on the theft, but the case raised questions about whether NBA players should have a curfew like other professional sports. In April, Indiana Pacers forward Chris Copeland, his girlfriend and another woman were stabbed following a late-night argument on the street near a Manhattan nightclub.
Knicks coach Derek Fisher was asked about the policy at a news conference after Williams was robbed.
“I don’t really have to get into our policies of what you can and can’t do,” he told reporters last week. “We don’t have a curfew like in the NFL or other sports do on certain nights. It’s an unfortunate incident.”

Bill Cosby drugged young woman and sexually assaulted her as she lay 'frozen and paralysed', says affidavit

Bill Cosby drugged young woman and sexually assaulted her as she lay 'frozen and paralysed', says affidavit

She considered him nothing less than a mentor. 
Thirty-seven years her senior, he was an comedian and actor known to every American. She was a working at Temple University in Philadelphia, serving as director of the women’s basketball team.
Over a course of months beginning in 2001, Andrea Constand and Bill Cosby developed what she considered to be a “sincere friendship”. But according to an affidavit made public by prosectors on Wednesday, the celebrity wanted more than just friendship.“Following their initial meeting at Temple University, Cosby developed a romantic interest in the victim that she did not share,” it says.
The 20-page document filed by Montgomery County Prosector Kevin Steele, lays out in stark detail two, previous alleged sexual advances the comedian made to Ms Constand. It also outlines the alleged aggravated sexual assault said to have taken place.
Mr Cosby, who is due to appear in court later on Wednesday, has stridently denied all the allegations against him.
The first alleged sexual advance, said to taken place just months after they met, allegedly happened after he invited her to his home to eat a dinner prepared by his private chef. 
Prosectors claim that as they sat together on the sofa after dinner, “Cosby reached over and touched her”. The document says Ms Constand then got her things and left.
Despite what had happened, it says she subsequently visited his home in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, where “out of the blue”, he began touching her and unbuttoning her clothes. “Despite the advances by Cosby, the victim trusted him and continued to accept his invitations to social and professional functions,” says the document.
The alleged incident for which the comedian has been charged with aggravated assault is said to have taken place between the middle of January and February 2004, again at Mr Cosby’s home.
When she arrived for dinner, she told the actor she was feeling “drained” and emotionally occupied”.
The affidavit claims Mr Cosby encouraged her to take three blue pills which he allegedly told her were “herbal” and would help relax her and said: “These will make you feel good”. He also allegedly encouraged her to drink a number of glasses of win.
After around 30 minutes, Ms Constand began to experience blurred vision and difficulty with speaking. Things became “blurry” and “dizzy”. 
The legal document says that while she lay on the sofa, the comedian touched her breasts and “penetrated” her with his finger. He also allegedly placed her hand on him in an intimate location.

Tuesday 29 December 2015

Tamir Rice New York City Protest: Protesters Rally At Washington Square Park For Cleveland Boy

Tamir Rice New York City Protest: Protesters Rally At Washington Square Park For Cleveland Boy

Waving signs that read “White Silence is Violence,” protesters filed through the streets of lower Manhattan and across the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City to decry an Ohio grand jury's decision Monday to not indict the white police officers involved in the 2014 fatal shooting of 12-year-old Tamir Rice. With a police detail in tow, the “NYC Rises Up 4 Tamir” demonstration, while peaceful, illustrated the complex relationship between law enforcement officers and the groups increasingly reluctant to trust them following several high-profile cases of police brutality against minorities in the last year.

The boy was fatally shot by white Cleveland police Officer Timothy Loehmann in a brief November 2014 exchange that was captured in surveillance footage. The video shows Loehmann and Officer Frank Garmback driving up next to the child. Loehmann fired at the boy within seconds of exiting the police vehicle, and has since testified that he believed the toy pellet gun that Tamir was wielding was real.
Tim McGinty, the Cuyahoga County prosecutor, announced Monday that the officers would not face charges, calling Loehmann's action part of a "perfect storm of human error." The Rice family felt otherwise, accusing McGinty of "abusing and manipulating the grand jury process to orchestrate a [grand jury] vote against indictment," according to a statement.
The office of Steven Dettelbach, U.S.  attorney for northern Ohio, said Monday that it will continue to monitor the investigation into Tamir's death. "The Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, the United States Attorney's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have been monitoring the investigation that has been conducted regarding the death of Tamir Rice on Nov. 22, 2014," a statement said. "We will continue our independent review of this matter, assess all available materials and determine what actions are appropriate, given the strict burdens and requirements imposed by applicable federal civil rights laws."
Undeterred by hail storms and sleet in New York City on Monday night, protesters began in Wasington Square Park by chanting, "Indict, convict, send those killer cops to jail. The whole damn system is guilty as hell." As a police vehicle drove by, protesters shouted, "Go look for some 12-year-olds, you pig."
Protesters later began marching south down Broadway, chanting, "hey, hey, ho, ho, racist cops have to go." At one point, another protester shouted "Shame on you" repeatedly at a New York Police Department officer as he directed demonstrators to carry out the march on the sidewalks. 
Many demonstrators expressed concerns about a judicial system that they said prioritizes officers over citizens. "Why is it every time the life of the officers is more important than black youth?” said protester Travis Morales, who gripped an “I Am Tamir Rice” sign. “Instead of the KKK, it’s the police in blue. They don’t have a hood, but they have guns and badges.”
Organizers said about 100 people showed up to protest, representing less muscle than usual from the local coalition of social justice groups because of holiday travel. "The ones who are here will remember this message," organizer Kim Ortiz said.
Ortiz said the rally sought to bring attention to several injustices, including the controversial 48-hour rule for police officers in certain jurisdictions, which she said is partial to law enforcement. The rule affords a police officer 48 hours to find legal representation if questioned in connection with the use of deadly physical force or allegations of brutality.
“We need to end the 48-hour rule for officers,” said Ortiz, donning buttons featuring 12-year-old Tamir. “When we commit a crime, we do not have the chance to spend 48 hours to create a story.”

Miko Grimes rips Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill


Miko Grimes rips Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill

Miko Grimes, the wife of Miami Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes, is no stranger to controversy.
In the past, Miko Grimes has used Twitter to rant about things including her husband not winning MVP honors at the Pro Bowl, his alleged mistreatment by the Atlanta Falcons, what she sees as the NFL's greed and sexism, and her unhappiness with the New England Patriots for parting company with Vince Wilfork.
She has also been a harsh critic of her husband's teammate, Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, on her local radio show.Earlier this season, Miko Grimes was arrested on charges of battery on a police officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct outside of Sun Life Stadium before a Bills-Dolphins game. The charges were later dropped.
Grimes was back at it Sunday, tweeting harsh criticism of Tannehill after the Dolphins lost 18-12 to the Colts. Her Twitter account has since been protected, but not before a number of media outlets had captured her tweets.
"I knew this qb stunk the minute we signed to this team but I tried to keep quiet so I didn't discourage bae from believing in his team," she tweeted.
Of Tannehill she also tweeted: "I should've known we were gonna lose when I heard we didn't complete a single pass in two minute drills this week against the practice squad defense." She added: "My Column: how many people does Ryan Tannehill have to get fired before you realize he's the problem."
Miko Grimes also continued her criticism of three local sportswriters, tweeting profane comments about the Miami Herald's Adam Beasley and Armando Salguero, and Andrew Abramson of the Palm Beach Post. She refers to the men as "the Triple A's." She also tweeted: "In conclusion ... the triple A's have an agenda. Destroy the defense and make everything look like Tannehill is not the problem. #GotIt."
The Miami Herald reports that Dolphins officials have met with Grimes and his wife at least five times to express concern over her behavior on social media and how it reflects poorly on the team. There also has been concern over whether Miko Grimes' opinions are reflective of things her husband might believe about his team.
Interim coach Dan Campbell managed a smile Monday when asked about the tweets.
"This is not the first time that these things have happened," Campbell said. "You can't listen to all that stuff out there."
Players are off until Wednesday. Campbell declined to say whether he discussed the matter with Brent Grimes, but said he's not concerned about the relationship between the cornerback and Tannehill.
"I've never sensed that there has been any animosity or disconnect between those two guys," Campbell said. "That has never been an issue, and I still don't believe it's an issue. ...
"Everybody is entitled to their own opinion. Certainly my wife sometimes thinks different than I do. She has that right."

Prince of Basketball' spent 24 years with Harlem Globetrotters

Prince of Basketball' spent 24 years with Harlem Globetrotters
Long before athletes tweeted, and in-your-face dunks and tackles could be shared by millions instantly, Meadowlark Lemon became one of the most popular sports personalities in the world.
His dazzling basketball skills and slapstick humor were a key attraction for perhaps the most famous basketball team ever, the Harlem Globetrotters. He became known as the "Clown Prince of Basketball," appearing before presidents and kings and portraying himself in television programs, movies and cartoons.
Lemon "just had a great joy," Clippers Coach Doc Rivers said Monday.
He died Sunday in Scottsdale, Ariz., at age 83. The cause of death was not known, said Brett Meister, a spokesman for the Globetrotters.
Meister said Lemon had been scheduled to fly from his Scottsdale home to Chicago to take part in taping an ESPN special as part of the Globetrotters' 90th anniversary tour.
Lemon spent 24 years with the Globetrotters, joining the team in 1954 and acting as ringleader and showman-in-chief during the team's heyday through the 1960s and '70s.
Lemon and the Trotters toured more than 100 countries, introducing the sport to millions who had never before seen a basketball thrown through a hoop and breaking down cultural and racial barriers along the way.
During Lemon's early days, the all-black Globetrotters' influence was no less in the United States. The team showcased the talents of African American players such as Reece "Goose" Tatum and dribbling wizard Marques Haynes at a time when the fledgling National Basketball Assn. was largely white and lacked the razzle-dazzle of America's first show-time team.
The Globetrotters played exhibition ball, mixing theater and sports. But they were also seriously competitive, especially in the early years. Their victory in 1948 over the Minneapolis Lakers helped put the NBA on the map.
Many have speculated that Lemon might have been a huge NBA star had the league been more welcoming to black players.
By the time Lemon departed the Globetrotters in 1978, the NBA was far more integrated, and a more aggressive athleticism was helping it gain worldwide popularity. Lemon's basketball chops would influence Michael Jordan and other greats.
The Globetrotters' street style was something that helped draw fans to their games.

R.I.P. Lemmy Kilmister, Motörhead frontman dead at 70 Rock icon had been battling an extremely aggressive cancer


R.I.P. Lemmy Kilmister, Motörhead frontman dead at 70

Lemmy Kilmister, founding member and frontman of Motörhead. has died. He was 70 years old.
News of his death was first reported by radio and TV host Eddie Trunk, who was a longtime friend of Lemmy. Several others have since confirmed the news, including Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, who wrote on Twitter, “Lost one of my best friends, Lemmy, today. He will be sadly missed. He was a warrior and a legend. I will see you on the other side.”
In a statement posted to Facebook, Motörhead wrote, “There is no easy way to say this… our mighty, noble friend Lemmy passed away today after a short battle with an extremely aggressive cancer. He had learnt of the disease on December 26th, and was at home, sitting in front of his favorite video game from the Rainbow which had recently made it’s way down the street, with his family. We cannot begin to express our shock and sadness, there aren’t words. We will say more in the coming days, but for now, please… play Motörhead loud.”
In addition to cancer, Lemmy had been suffering from a number of other well-publicized health issues, including hematoma. In 2013, he was fitted with an implantable defibrillator to correct an irregular heartbeat. His health issues had caused the cancelation of multiple Motörhead performances in recent years, though Lemmy remained an active force up until the time of his death.
Ian Fraser “Lemmy” Kilmister was born Staffordshire, England in 1945. Inspired to become a musician after seeing The Beatles perform in concert, Lemmy spent his 20s playing in a variety of bands, and also served as a roadie in the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
In 1972, he was hired to play bass in the UK space rock group Hawkwind, despite having no previous experience on the instrument. He quickly honed his skills, helping shape the band’s sound on critically acclaimed albums such Space Ritual, while also singing lead vocals on the song “Silver Machine”, which peaked at No. 3 on the UK charts.
Lemmy was lead vocalist, bassist, principal songwriter and the founding, and the only constant member of Motörhead since the band’s formation in 1975. To date, Motörhead have released over twenty studio albums and achieved 30 million in sales worldwide. Their last record, Bad Magic, was released in August 2015.
Motörhead saw far more commercial success in the UK, though they achieved a cult status in the US. Their ferocious hard-rock style rejuvenated the metal genre in the late 1970s and inspired everyone from Metallica to Guns N’ Roses to Dave Grohl. Albums such as Ace of SpadesOrgasmatron, and Rock N’ Roll were critically lauded, though ironically the band’s only Grammy Award came via a cover of Metallica’s “Whiplash”, which they recorded for a tribute CD.
Lemmy’s outlandish behavior further fueled his icon status. He was fired from Hawkwind after being arrested at the Canadian border for drug possession, yet his appetite for drugs and alcohol remained a constant throughout most of his career. He famously claimed he had drunken a bottle of Jack Daniel’s every day since turning 30, and he was also a proponent of amphetamines. Recently, he joked that he had switched from drinking whiskey to vodka for “health reasons.”
“Apparently I am still indestructible,” he insisted in a 2014 interview with the Guardian, noting that the only thing that will keep him from playing music was death itself. “As long as I can walk the few yards from the back to the front of the stage without a stick,” he said, adding with a laugh, “Or even if I do have to use a stick.”
Lemmy also dabbled in acting with cameos in films such as AirheadsHardware, and even Foo Fighters’ video for “White Limo”.
Consequence of Sound had the honor of speaking with Lemmy during the Motörhead Cruise this past September. In the audio interview, he reflected on his career, why he continued to perform despite his age and health issues, and why heavy metal is the greatest genre in music. In typical Lemmy fashion, he also took a swipe at fellow UK natives Radiohead.

Sunday 27 December 2015

Powerball numbers for Dec. 26; jackpot now at $300 million

Powerball numbers for Dec. 26; jackpot now at $300 million

LANSING, MI -- No one matched all six numbers for the Powerball drawing on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2015 allowing the new estimated jackpot total to reach $300 million for the next drawing on Wednesday, Dec. 30.
The Powerball Numbers (white) for Dec. 26: 27-40-44-59-65
The Red Powerball Power Number: 20
The Power Play Number: 2x
Powerball winners for Dec. 26:
No one matched 5 numbers (without the red Powerball number) which would have paid$1 million..
In Michigan, over 31,900 ticket holders won at least $4 each including 3 players that matched 4 white balls and the red Powerball for a $50,000 prize.
The new jackpot of $300 million is the third largest Powerball jackpot of 2015. The cash option is $184.2 million
In September, Julie Leach, of Three Rivers, Michigan won the game's $310.5 million jackpot. Earlier in February, three players from North Carolina, Puerto Rico and Texas split a $564.1 million jackpot.
Powerball has been a lucrative game for Michigan players this year. Four players in the state have also won the game's $1 million prize. But the top jackpot hasn't been won since Nov. 4 when a winning ticket for a $144 million prize was sold in Tennessee .
Powerball is offered in 44 States, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tickets cost $2 each.
In other Michigan Lottery news:
• The next Mega Millions drawing is Tuesday, Dec 29. That jackpot is estimated at $117 million. The last time the top prize was won was when a $200 million jackpot was won on Nov.13 with a ticket purchased in Ohio.
• The winning Lotto 47 numbers for Dec. 26: 01-18-26-33-37-43. The next drawing is Wednesday, Dec. 30, at 7:29 p.m. with a jackpot of $3.3 million. Deadline 7:08 p.m.
• Tonight's Fantasy 5 jackpot is an estimated $110,000. The drawing is at 7:29 p.m. Deadline is 7:08 p.m.
For the latest on Michigan Lottery, check out the official Michigan Lottery site, which also offers more information on instant tickets, raffles and other lottery games.

1 comment Pittsburgh Steelers react to losing control of playoff destiny vs. Baltimore Ravens

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Pittsburgh Steelers react to losing control of playoff destiny vs. Baltimore Ravens

BALTIMORE -- The Pittsburgh Steelers let more than Javorius Allen, Ryan Mallett and the Baltimore Ravens go on Sunday.
Their 20-17 loss at M&T Bank Stadium
 combined with the New York Jets' upset of the New England Patriots took away Pittsburgh's control of its postseason fate. They head into their Week 17 1 p.m. road kickoff against the Cleveland Browns needing both a win and a Jets loss to the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Here's how the Steelers reacted to Sunday's greater loss:
Ben Roethlisberger, QB
"We don't have that right now. Like I said, we shot ourselves in the foot today. It's our fault, it's my fault. The only thing we can do now is play, win, watch and hope."
DeAngelo Williams, RB
"We got to come out and we got to first and foremost we got to win next week. We got the Cleveland Browns going into Cleveland, another hostile environment, AFC North foe. So we got to come in, we got to execute our game plan and we got to win that game first and foremost and let the chips fall where they may."
Mike Tomlin
"We'll see how today finishes, and we'll go from there. That's all we can do."
Mike Mitchell, FS
"We got a job to do. We got to be professionals. We still may have a chance in it so we got to handle our next game."
Arthur Moats, OLB
"It's a bad position to be in where you're worried about somebody else, but we just got to take care of what we got to take care of. We got to beat Cleveland. So if it works out in our favor, great. If not, we still got to win."
Cameron Heyward, DE
"All we can do is tune everything out and go play a game. It sucks, but we made our bed for us. It's hard to look outside and say do this for us. I just hope we get another chance, but it disturbs me as a leader of this team. I didn't get the job done."

Saturday 26 December 2015

Latest news, USA Trends,News Hub: Virginia Tech sends Frank Beamer out with Independ...

Latest news, USA Trends,News Hub: Virginia Tech sends Frank Beamer out with Independ...:   Virginia Tech sends Frank Beamer out with Independence Bowl win Frank Beamer went out with an offensive explosion. In the final gam...

Virginia Tech sends Frank Beamer out with Independence Bowl win

 Virginia Tech sends Frank Beamer out with Independence Bowl win
Frank Beamer went out with an offensive explosion.
In the final game of Beamer’s 29-season tenure as Virginia Tech head coach, the Hokies broke out for 598 yards of offense – a season high – in a 55-52 Independence Bowl win over Tulsa.
The Hokies scored five touchdowns on the ground, but were led by sophomore wide receiver Isaiah Ford, who had 12 catches for 227 yards – both career highs. Of Virginia Tech’s 55 points, 45 came in the first half as the Hokies jumped out to a 45-31 halftime lead. That 76 combined points between the two teams marks the largest point total in one half in bowl history.
Both defenses regained their footing in the second half and Tulsa made things interesting late. The Hokies’ lead, which was as big as 52-31 midway through the third, evaporated. A Dane Evans 36-yard touchdown pass to Keyarris Garrett with 3:47 to go cut the Hokies’ lead to 55-52.
On its ensuing possession, Virginia Tech was able to pick up one first down, but the much-maligned Tulsa defense eventually forced a punt, allowing the offense to regain possession from its own 20 with 2:00 to go.
The Golden Hurricane offense quickly moved to midfield, but a pair of Hokies seniors, Luther Maddy and Dadi Nicolas, registered two huge sacks to force a turnover on downs. The ball then went back into the hands of the Hokies offense, and quarterback Michael Brewer kneeled twice to seal the victory.
Both teams started the game off on fire offensively. Tulsa’s D’Angelo Brewer broke off a 48-yard touchdown run on the fourth play of the game. Three plays later, Virginia Tech’s Travon McMillian did the same, this time from 51 yards.
Tulsa’s Zack Langer was in the end zone less than a minute later, and sure enough, the Hokies needed just one play – a 75-yard touchdown pass from Brewer to Ford – to tie the game at 14 after just 3:18 of play.
A frenetic pace continued as the half progressed, but the Hokies were able to force a few Tulsa punts – one of which was returned 67 yards for a touchdown by Greg Stroman – and build a 45-31 halftime lead.
The Hokies slowed things down to start the second half. On the first possession of the third quarter, Tech crawled its way down the field. The Hokies went 81 yards in 15 plays, taking 7:22 off the clock in the process. The drive was capped off with a one-yard touchdown run by Trey Edmunds, extending the lead to a comfortable 52-31.
Aside from a 41-yard Joey Slye field goal, the VT offense went into cruise control mode the rest of the way. Meanwhile, Tulsa was able to slowly chip away at the lead. Tulsa quarterback Dane Evans (374 yards, 3 TDs) scored on a nine-yard run late in the third and threw touchdown passes to his two favorite targets – Joshua Atkinson (11 catches for 139 yards) and Keyarris Garrett (8 catches for 137 yards) – late in the fourth, but the Golden Hurricane could not quite spoil Beamer’s sendoff.
The win gives the Hokies a 7-6 record for the season, continuing the program’s streak of consecutive winning seasons to 23. And Frank Beamer, in the 23rd bowl appearance of his storied career, walked off the field for the final time as a winner.

Harry Potter hopeful shouts up a storm

Harry Potter hopeful shouts up a storm 

Last year, Emily Broughton saw auditions were underway for the new Harry Potter film and the 10-year-old got excited. Broughton always wanted to be an actress.
"I'm a Harry Potter nut and there were some auditions for the "next Hermione", but I couldn't go because it was in London."
Instead, her mother signed her up to a talent agency so she could have more acting opportunities and be exposed to the industry.
That call has turned Broughton into a TV phenomenon, and not one that everybody appreciates.
A term later, she got a call to audition for a series of ads for Japanese car importer 2CheapCars.
"I auditioned for it and there was a second round. I had to go to their studio and got filmed a bit. [The audition] was basically like the adverts
Broughton got the part and before the Rugby World Cup kicked off, she filmed the first advertisement that had her cram long scripts into 15 second segments. She was told to shout it all.
It was a long day for Broughton, who left tired and with a sore throat - but she enjoyed every minute of it. 
"I was really excited and I couldn't really believe I got my first job and was going to be on TV."
Although she talks at a normal speed and volume in real life, acting as TV's "shouty girl" wasn't too hard."I suppose it's not that difficult because I do shout a bit. Sometimes, my little sister goes out on the farm in the morning to catch some turkeys and mum asks me to go find her. So I go to the back of the hill and yell for her.
"So I get some practice."
There's been a bit of backlash from people who hate hearing her shout about cars for 15 seconds, but Broughton just shrugs it off. She was just doing what she was told, after all. 
"She dealt with it amazingly," said her mum, Julia. "She did everything she was asked to do and was very professional about all of it. 
"It was a bit surreal I suppose."Friends have all been very nice. But there was one guysaying she drove him nuts, which is fine and I understand that totally, but she just did what she was asked to do by the company and she did it very well." 
While her mum wants to protect her, she doesn't shelter her away from the negative press.
"I've shown her all of it and we've had a laugh about it. She's not worried. They're entitled to their opinions. There are plenty of ads on TV that annoy me as well." 
The family hope it will be the first of many acting opportunities for Broughton, whose dreams are bigger than a 15-second advert.
"Something to do with a big, action-packed movie or stage performance, like Les Miserables or a big musical like that, that would be really fun. I'm not very good at dancing, I'm okay at singing, but my thing is acting."
Broughton bought an iPad with her earnings, but will also donate $150 to a Scottish charity called Mary's Meals, which feeds school children in Africa, as well as $150 to the SPCA."I just like animals," she said.
INSIDE THE SHOUTING STRATEGY
Paul White, programme leader of advertising creativity at AUT, is no fan of shouty advertising but he can see why retailers do it.
"I'm one of those people who get rid of it as quick as you can," he said.
White draws a big distinction between the two shoutiest advertisements on TV right now, Hyundai's "Get Lost" campaign, which won Fair Go's worst ad award for 2015, and a series of 15 second unrelenting noise-fests from 2CheapCars.
Hyundai is completely different because there is an idea behind it, he said.
 "It's a four wheel drive and the idea is 'Dad go somewhere where we'll be lost'. Even though the person is shouting that's completely coincidental."
In contrast 2CheapCars is a classic "hard retail" play, White said.
"It's saying 'We are the super retail people as far as cars go. If you expect Harvey Norman and the rest to shout at you we are in that category but we're shouting even louder - so we're really cheap.'
"They are quite happy to risk putting people off."
But such "cheap" advertising comes at a price.
"You have to spend heaps of money to make it work. Harvey Norman is at the top of advertising spend. It doesn't work any other way."
White said he imagines what 2CheapCars is doing is going hard for concentrated periods so TV viewers can't get away.
"That's not to suggest it's the best way to do it but it is a retail technique that's used a lot," White said.
White suggests it could be time for an alternative approach.
"Some might say if everybody else is shouting you might get heard more easily if you whisper, which would be my point of view."

EPL Results: Saturday's Week 18 Scores, Updated 2015 Premier League Table

Barclays Premier League Matchday 18 Results
TeamResultTeam
Stoke City2-0Manchester United
Chelsea2-2Watford
Manchester City4-1Sunderland
Liverpool1-0Leicester City
Aston Villa1-1West Ham United
Swansea City1-0West Bromwich Albion
Bournemouth0-0Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur3-0Norwich City
Everton1-0Newcastle United
Southampton4-0Arsenal
And the full updated table after Saturday's results.
2015-16 Premier League Table Post-Matchday 18
PlaceTeamPointsGD
1Leicester3812
2Arsenal3613
3Manchester City3517
4Tottenham3217
5Crystal Palace307
6Manchester United296
7Watford295
8Liverpool27-1
9Everton268
10West Ham264
11Stoke260
12Southampton244
13West Bromwich Albion20-7
14Bournemouth20-10
15Chelsea19-6
16Swansea18-8
17Norwich17-12
18Newcastle17-14
19Sunderland12-18
20Aston Villa8-17

Leicester stay top of the table despite their 1-0 loss to Liverpool on Saturday. They saw their 10-match unbeaten run in the Premier League end thanks to Christian Benteke's game-winning goal in the 63rd minute.
Second-place Arsenal, who took part in the last match of the day, were trumped 4-0 by 12th-place Southampton with a chance to take the top spot in the table with a win. They remain two points behind the Foxes. 
Cuco Martina provided one of the goals of the season with this strike that put Southampton in front, as NBC Sports Soccer shows: