Tuesday 29 May 2012

Tragic Tapia found dead at 45


The American boxer's life and career were marked by tragedy, drug addiction and controversy, but he shrugged everything off to win belts in three different weight categories - super-flyweight, flyweight and bantamweight - during an 11-year stretch in which he was never beaten.
Details of the cause of death have not yet been revealed but local police confirmed that the circumstances were not suspicious.
Tapia was a huge fan favourite after overcoming the most horrific of tragedies: his father was murdered while his mother was still pregnant with him; at the age of seven he survived a horrendous crash when a bus he was in careered off a 100ft cliff; and worst of all, a year later his mother was raped, tortured and murdered.
Dedicating himself to boxing from the age of nine, he quickly shone and enjoyed a stellar amateur career before turning professional in 1988. Two years later he was unbeaten and seemed set for the top of the sport, but he was suspended for three and a half years after testing positive for cocaine.
The tragic life of five-times boxing world champion Johnny Tapia has come to an end as he was found dead at home in Albuquerque. He was 45. - 2
Johnny Tapia Dead at 45; Boxing Champion's Body Found at Home
He returned to the ring in 1994 and soon won his first world title, the WBO super flyweight crown, and added the IBF version of the title three years later before moving up to bantamweight and become WBA champion in 1998.
Johnny Tapia Found Dead at 45
A year later he lost the first bout of his professional career against Paulie Ayala, and was so devastated that he tried to commit suicide with a drug overdose. He survived, in the process recording the first of five times that survived after being pronounced clinically dead.
In 1999, however, he returned to the ring to become WBO bantamweight champion, before going up another weight category and collecting the WBC and IBF featherweight titles before eventually losing his titles to Marco Antonio Barrera in 2002.
In 2007 he announced he would fight one more time before retiring, but after narrowly losing a split decision he almost died after a cocaine overdose.
Tragic Tapia found dead at 45
Tragedy still refused to stop following him, however: his brother-in-law and nephew were killed in a car crash as they were on their way to visit him as he recovered in hospital.
Tapia continued to struggle with drug addiction, and spent time in prison on several occasions, including once when he violated his parole by helping his family to search for a missing cousin. The cousin was found dead four days later.
BOXER JOHNNY TAPIADEAD AT 45
His last spell in jail came after he failed a drug test in 2010 but once again he returned to the ring, earning three more victories to end his career with 59 wins, five defeats and two draws in one of the most extraordinary sporting lives of all time.

Parents held over children's arson deaths


The parents of six children killed in an arson attack on their home have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Mick Philpott, 55, and his wife Mairead, 31, have been detained in connection with the attack on the house in Derby.
They are in custody and will be questioned by officers.
The fire broke out at the house, in Victory Road, Allenton, in the early hours of Friday, May 11.
Duwayne Philpott, 13, Jade Philpott, 10, and brothers John Philpott, nine, Jack Philpott, seven, Jessie Philpott, six, and Jayden Philpott, five, all died as a result of the fire.
Derbyshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cotterill said: "I suspect there may still be people with crucial information who have not yet come forward to speak to us.
"In view of the arrests, I would urge anyone who may have been holding back, not felt comfortable to voice their concerns or not had the confidence, to do so now.
"They have my personal reassurance that we will deal with their information sensitively.
"We still need information to help us in this inquiry. The latest arrests are just one step further in the investigation.
"It is absolutely vital that if you know anything you think could help us, come forward now, do not wait any longer. It is important that we find justice for these six young children."
He added that the investigation would be lengthy, and urged the local community to be patient.
"Although the fire happened more than two weeks ago, this is a complex inquiry and it will take time for us to piece together the events from that tragic evening.
"I know this case has deeply affected the local community and residents want answers as to what happened and why.
"But I would ask them to be patient and to continue to show the excellent support they have given us to date. Our investigations are detailed and painstaking and they will take time."
A 38-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman, who were arrested on suspicion of murder shortly after the fire, were released without charge the following day.
Mr Philpott and his wife faced the media at a news conference five days after the fire.
Parents held over arson deaths
He repeatedly wiped away tears as he thanked those who tried to rescue his children and members of the local community for their support.
Talking to reporters for about two and a half minutes, Mr Philpott repeatedly paused to compose himself and said he and his wife had decided to donate Duwayne's organs for transplant.
Tributes and gifts, which remain outside the house more than two weeks after the fire, are being moved with the family's agreement. They will be put into a nearby church because of the likelihood of rain.

Deadly earthquake rocks Italy for second time


Italy (Canadian Press)
Deadly earthquake rocks Italy for second time

MILAN - A magnitude 5.8 earthquake hit northern Italy on Tuesday, killing at least 10 people in the same region still struggling to recover from another fatal tremor on May 20.
Premier Mario Monti pledged in a hastily called news conference that the government will do "all that it must and all that is possible in the briefest period to guarantee the resumption of normal life in this area that is so special, so important and so productive for Italy."
The quake, which struck just after 9:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT), was centred 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of the city of Bologna, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It was just miles from where a 6.0 temblor killed seven people earlier this month. The quake was felt from Piedmont in northwestern Italy to Venice in the northeast, and as far north as Austria.
The ANSA news agency reported that 10 people had died, while the LaPresse news agency said others were still buried under the rubble of collapsed homes and factories. Concordia Mayor Carlo Marchini confirmed the death of one person struck by falling debris in the town's historic centre.
The mayor of San Felice sul Panaro told Sky News 24 that there were fatalities in his town. News media said a tower in the town had collapsed.
A dog walks amid debris of a collapsed factory in Mirandola, northern Italy, Tuesday, May 29, 2012. A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck the same area of northern Italy stricken by another fatal tremor on May 20. (AP Photo/Marco Vasini)
A dog walks amid debris of a collapsed factory in Mirandola, northern Italy, Tuesday
As far away as Milan, tall buildings and schools were evacuated as a precaution before people were allowed to re-enter. Train lines connecting Bologna with other northern cities were stopped while authorities checked for any damage.
When the quake hit Tuesday, Monti was meeting with emergency officials in Rome to discuss the impact of the earlier quake, which struck in the middle of the night and left at least 7,000 homeless.
Television footage on Sky News 24 showed evacuees from the May 20 quake peering out of their shaking emergency tents in disbelief. In the first quake, four of the victims were working overnight shifts in factories that collapsed; the other three died of heart conditions or other illnesses brought on by fear.
Residents had just been taking tentative steps toward resuming normal life when the second quake struck. In the town of Sant'Agostino, a daycare centre had just reopened. In the town of Concordia, the mayor had scheduled a town meeting Tuesday evening to discuss the aftermath of the first quake.
The May 20 quake was described by Italian emergency officials as the worst to hit the region since the 1300s. In addition to the deaths, it knocked down a clock tower and other centuries-old buildings and caused millions in losses to a region known for making Parmesan cheese. Its epicenter was about 35 kilometres (22 miles) north of Bologna.

Monday 28 May 2012

Italy star to miss Euros over match fixing


Criscito - who currently plays for Zenit St Petersburg in Russia but has represented Juventus and Genoa in the past - had his room searched at Italy's Coverciano training camp after police arrived at 6.40am on Monday morning.
Police also spoke to Juventus defenderLeonardo Bonucci over allegations during his time at Bari, but he is not under formal investigation so will go to the tournament.
"I have talked with Bonucci, he has already been heard by prosecutors in Bari. He is calm and so are we," Prandelli added.
"At the moment he has not received any communication. If Bonucci is OK, he will be in the list of 23 for the Euros."
Italian federation vice-president Demetrio Albertini has now confirmed that the defender will not travel to the finals in Poland and Ukraine as he wants to "clear his position with prosecutors".
"It has been a decision agreed between (coach Cesare) Prandelli and the federation," Albertini told reporters.
"He (Criscito) was also sorry for the repercussions on the national team and on the dressing room. He explained some things to me and I believe his version and in his innocence."
Criscito, who prosecutors allege was photographed in a restaurant with match-fixing suspects while still a Genoa player, told reporters: "I have nothing to do with this. I was only out for dinner with some Genoa fans".
Italy Star Dropped Over Match-Fixing Probe
"I am not taking Criscito because he would have been under pressure which no human being can bear," Prandelli said.
"The other reason is that he could have been summoned by the prosecutor at any moment, before a match."
Italian police investigating a football match-fixing scandal also placed Juventus trainer Antonio Conte under investigation and arrested the captain of Lazio Stefano Mauri and former Genoa midfielder Omar Milanetto, authorities said on Monday.
A police statement said five people had been arrested in Hungary on suspicion of being part of an illegal international betting ring headed by Singaporean gambling identity Tan Seet Eng, who was arrested in December.
Criscito out due to match-fixing probe
Police in the northern city of Cremona said they had made 19 arrests and were investigating Conte, fresh from his triumph in leading Juventus to the Italian Serie A championship for the first time since the club was relegated in 2006 in an earlier match-fixing scandal.
It said searches were conducted at the homes of a number of players, trainers and administrators of clubs in Serie A, Serie B and the lower division Lega Pro on suspicion of involvement in match-fixing on behalf of international criminal organizations.
Monday's operation was part of "Last Bet", a wider investigation into match-fixing in Italian football which has already seen a number of arrests of current and former Italian players.
"In this part of the investigation, indications have emerged of manipulation in matches from the 2010-11 Serie A championship, including games between Lazio and Genoa and Lecce and Lazio," Raffale Grassi, director of SCO, the police service responsible for the investigation told SkyTG24 television.
In June last year, the Interior Ministry set up a special match-fixing task force in response to a number of high profile cases.
Former Atalanta captain and Italy midfielder Cristiano Doni, was banned for three-and-a-half years in August for his part in the 'Calcioscommesse' match-fixing scandal involving Serie B matches last season.
Atalanta, promoted from Serie B, were deducted six points in the top flight this season as a result of the scandal.
Former Lazio and Italy striker Giuseppe Signori was banned for five years and 15 other players were banned for between one and five years for their part in the same scandal.
The following 25-man squad has been called up ahead of Tuesday's friendly against Luxembourg - however it will be trimmed to 23 by noon on Tuesday, with Andrea Ranocchia and Mattia Destro expected to be left out.

Striking Quebec students agree to talks


MONTREAL - The latest round of negotiations between student leaders and the government will begin Monday in Quebec City.
Students made the announcement Sunday evening as business leaders met in downtown Montreal to discuss the economic impact of Quebec's social unrest.
Michel Leblanc, president of Montreal's Board of Trade, invited the mayor, Quebec's finance minister and representatives from the business and tourism industry to get a "global picture" of the impacts of the student strike.
Leblanc told QMI Agency Sunday afternoon that businesses in the downtown core like hotels, restaurants and retails stores have seen sales drop by 15%, on average.
"But of course you get higher numbers," he said. "There are stores that are reporting 60% less business."
As the business leaders met, Martine Desjardins, head of one of the three main student federations, told QMI Agency that "everything will be on the table" during the fourth round of negotiations, which begin Monday.

However, she would not say whether or not her federation would accept a tuition fee increase.
"The member associations will vote on whatever offer the government makes," she said.
Student associations rejected the government's latest offer at the end of April.
About 150,000 students, roughly one-third of Quebec's post-secondary student population, are on strike over the government's plan to raise tuition by $1,800 over seven years. Monday will be day 106 of the strike.
Thousands of people march through the streets of Montreal and other large Quebec cities every night. Montreal has had 33 consecutive nights of marches.
The people at the nightly protests in Montreal speak as much about their anger towards Quebec's emergency law as they do about the tuition fight.
Quebec's emergency legislation was enacted on May 18. It imposes harsh financial penalties on anyone caught preventing students from attending classes and bans spontaneous protests across the island.
Student leaders, along with labour unions, are among 70 organizations that have taken the government to court over the law. They claim it infringes on the charter rights of expression, assembly and association.
Many of the law's provisions have been flagrantly ignored and the night protests have grown in size since the law was enacted on May 18.
A cacophony of clanging breaks out in neighbourhoods across the island every evening as thousands of people bang pots as they march down the streets. Many bang pots from their balconies.
As hundreds marched through residential streets in the west-end Montreal neighbourhood of NDG, people walked out of their homes with a pot and joined the protest, Elana August said.
The Concordia University graduate student lives in the area and said she couldn't remember protests in her part of the city.
She said she and her mom were part of the hundreds who marched through NDG on Saturday evening.
"I have never seen such a sense of community," she said.

Saturday 26 May 2012

Cheryl Cole takes a swan dive off The Voice UK stage, rescues Will.i.am’s torch


Cheryl Cole made her entrance on The Voice UK semi-final on Saturday night with a swan dive.
Cheryl Cole, The Voice UKCheryl Cole did a dive off the balcony on The Voice UK. Copyright [BBC/Wall To Wall/Guy Levy]
It looks like Cheryl Cole has caught Olympics fever as she performed a diving move on The Voice UK's semi-final on Saturday.
Cheryl Cole's performance of 'Call My Name' was one of the most highly anticipated moments of the show, and boy did she live up to the hype by diving off the balcony into the arms of her dancers below.

Dressed in her current trademark clashing prints, Cheryl Cole brought mean dance moves to The Voice UK in her first UK TV performance for a long long time.
Host Holly Willoughby commented on Cheryl Cole's swan dive, to which the former X Factor judge jokingly replied: "I was looking for the quickest way to the stage. It's been a while."
The Voice UK, Cheryl ColeOn The Voice UK Cheryl Cole was held aloft by her dancers. Copyright [BBC/Wall To Wall/Guy Levy]
Cheryl Cole shared her advice with The Voice UK contestants, saying: "Don't forget why you came to show. You can get caught up in the madness of people calling, and judgement. Just live your dream."
When asked if she'd been enjoying The Voice UK, Cheryl Cole replied: "I love it. Mr I Am" looking at her manager Will.i.am.

Cheryl Cole loves Will.i.am so much she even got his torch back for him.
Will.i.am, or Torch.i.am as he was renamed, carried the Olympic torch earlier in the week, and brought a replica with him to Saturday's The Voice UK semi-final.
It was quickly removed, however, and Will.i.am tweeted: "#theytookmytorch...oh well."
Will.i.am, torch, The Voice UKWill.i.am with his torch before The Voice UK. Copyright [Will.i.am/Twitter]
Still miffed later in the live show, he tweeted again: "#Iwantmytorchback"
At the end of The Voice UK, Will.i.am was reunited with his torch, thanks to Cheryl Cole.

He tweeted: "@CherylCole got my torch back for me... :) #thevoiceUK #igotmytorchback"
Will.i.am gave us warning earlier about his accessory, tweeting a picture with the caption: "I'm bringing this to #thevoiceUK tonight...#rockingthetorch"
Cheryl Cole, The Voice UKCheryl Cole wore clashing prints on The Voice UK. Copyright [BBC/Wall To Wall/Guy Levy]
Will.i.am had two artists in the semi-final, Tyler James and Jaz Ellington. Jaz sang 'Let It Be' while Tyler's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' saw all four judges give him a standing ovation.
Jessie J's two semi-finalists Vince Kidd and Becky Hill gave big vocals with their songs. Vince took on the Amy Winehouse classic 'Back to Black' and earned a "dope" from Will.i.am while Becky showed her soft side (and her bare feet) with 'Like a Star'.
Danny O'Donoghue's team Bo Bruce and Max Milner divided the coaches. Max's 'Every Breath You Take' caused a bit of a squabble, but Bo impressed with Coldplay's 'Charlie Brown'.
Cheryl Cole, The Voice UKCheryl Cole's dive on The Voice UK in all its glory. Copyright [BBC/Wall To Wall/Guy Levy]
Team Tom Jones aka Ruth Brown and Leanne Mitchell are, in his opinion, the strongest singers left in the competition. He would say that *giggles*.
Ruth gave an emotional performance of 'The Voice Within', while Leanne's rendition of the Whitney Houston classic 'Run to You' got the coaches on their feet and Will.i.am gave her a whole load of "dopes" aka "machine gun dope".
We'll find out who makes it through to next Saturday's final on the results show on Sunday.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Together

Kanye West - Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Together on Nikki Beach
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Together on Nikki Beach

Kanye West - Celebs Spotted Out During The 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival 

 

Kanye West - Kim & Kanye Are Lovely London Lovers
Kim & Kanye Are Lovely London Lovers
 
Kanye West - Kim Kardashian & Kanye West Head Out In London
Kim Kardashian & Kanye West Head Out In London
Kanye West - Kim and Kanye Visit the BBC Studios
Kim and Kanye Visit the BBC Studios



Kanye West - Celebs Party At Dstrkt Night Club
Celebs Party At Dstrkt Night Club
Kanye West - Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Together at Cannes 2
Celebs Party At Dstrkt Night Club 2
Kanye West - Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Together in London 2
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Together in London 2



Kanye West - Kanye And Kim Out For Dinner In London 2
Kanye And Kim Out For Dinner In London 2
Kanye West - Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Together at Cannes
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Together at Cannes







 
Kanye West - Celebrities At The Lakers Game
Celebrities At The Lakers Game

Kanye West - Exclusive? Short-Haired Kim Kardashian Kisses Kanye Then Works Hard On Set
Exclusive? Short-Haired Kim Kardashian Kisses Kanye Then Works Hard On Set
Kanye West - Denver Nuggets v Los Angeles Lakers - Game Seven
Denver Nuggets v Los Angeles Lakers - Game Seven


Kanye West - Exclusive? Short-Haired Kim Kardashian Kisses Kanye Then Works Hard On Set
Short-Haired Kim Kardashian Kisses Kanye Then Works Hard On Set









Kim Kardashian at Cannes party

Kim Kardashian - Tara Reid at the Sean Combs Cannes Film Festival Yacht party in Cannes, FranceKim Kardashian won't let a little thing like jet lag stop her from partying like a pro and a celebrity-filled event in Cannes, instead she'll live it up until the very early hours making us all well jel.



Kim kardashian and Kanye West Cannes
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Party on Diddy's Yacht in Cannes



Kim Kardashian - Tara Reid at the Sean Combs Cannes Film Festival Yacht party in Cannes, France
Kim Kardashian – Cannes 2012






Kim Kardashian – Cannes 2012 – Sean Combs Yacht Party
Kim Kardashian – Cannes 2012 – Sean Combs Yacht Party
On Tuesday night and on into the wee hours of Wednesday morning, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West hopped aboard their pal Sean "Diddy" Combs' yacht.





Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Party at Cannes party



Kim Kardashian and Kanye West at Cannes party



  • Kanye and Kim strolled through the harbour at 4am after the big boat party
    Kanye and Kim strolled through the harbour at 4am after the big boat party
    Splash
    Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian came face to face in Cannes Film Festival last night, which must have been a tad awkward considering that the latter is responsible for the former’s downfall.
    But the pair – who used to be BFFs but fell out after Kim grew more famous than Paris – were forced to acknowledge each other in the south of France last night, aboard a very swanky yacht.
    Kim and Paris – plus a whole bunch of other VIPs – were invited to cocktails on P Diddy’s huge boat, with the rapper throwing one hell of a showbiz bash for no reason other than the fact he loves to party.
    Kelly Brook posts a picture on Twitter
    Wow. Kelly Brook tweeted this snap of the amazing bash
    Twitter / Kelly Brook
    P Diddy invites celebrities and friends for a party on a yacht in Cannes
    It would be rude not to get drunk at that bar
    Splash
    Kim Kardashian arriving at the VIP Room during the 65th Cannes Film Festival
    Kim looked stunning in Pucci
    WENN
    Kim Kardashian and Kanye West walk arm in arm at 4a.m at Cannes harbour
    Kanye and Kim look more comfortable with each other after a few weeks of dating
    Splash
    Kim Kardashian and Kanye West walk arm in arm at 4a.m at Cannes harbour
    It's weird to see Kim-ye doing things like being on a zebra crossing
    Splash
    Kim Kardashian on P Diddy's boat party in Cannes
    Cheer up Kim, you're awesome!
    Splash
    Kim went along with her super famous boyfriend Kanye West (following an eventful walk in Hampstead Heath yesterday morning), with the couple chatting happily as they stepped onto the yacht in their posh get ups. Well, we say that, Kanye was in a jeans and hoodie, while Kim wore a matching Pucci maxi skirt and crop top that probably cost more than our flat. Is it good enough for our best dressed at Cannes list, mind? You decide!

Kim Kardashian Parties in Cannes With Kanye West, Avoids Paris Hilton

Kanye West, Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton during the 65th annual Cannes Film Festival.

Kim Kardashian is conquering a whole new territory: the Cannes Film Festival!
Arriving earlier this week, the reality star, 31, made her maiden voyage to star-packed festival in the south of France.
"It's my first time to Cannes and it's amazing!" Kardashian tells Us Weekly. "I love it here."
One of the reasons Kardashian is in town in 2012? Her beau Kanye West, who is debuting a short art film/art installation, Cruel Summer, produced by his recently launched creative firm Donda.