07:05
Karthick Dharman
Posted in: Australian ActressesSunday, 9 October 2011
Fowler Storms To Maiden Win In Korea
CHEONAN: American Rickie Fowler claimed his first career victory with a six shot win at the Kolon Korea Open on Sunday, while Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy ended strongly to finish in second.
Fowler, 22, the world number 36, carded a three-under-par 68 final round to top the leaderboard at 16-under-par overall at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club OneAsia event.
US Open champion McIlroy produced a final round rally, carding 64. But the 22-year-old world number three was left to rue a third round 73 and forced to settle for a second consecutive runner-up finish.
South Korea's Kim Meen-whee was three shots further adrift in third after a level par final round.
"It was a nice way to finish, but all the damage was done during the third round with a couple of bad holes in the middle of the round," said McIlroy, who dropped six shots in eight holes around the turn on Saturday.
"Looking back on this week, I will rue my third round, which could have been a lot better.
"If I had played a little better and shot a few under I might have had a chance, but Rickie has played fantastic this week and he deserves the win."
Fowler said his goal was to make the Ryder Cup team.
"It feels great to have the first win. I played well all week, although I did have to hang in on Friday and post a score," he said.
"But on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday I had good control of my ball, I drove well, and I made some putts."
The 2010 US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year took a four shot lead over defending champion YE Yang heading into the final round after carding a course record-equalling eight-under-par 63 on Saturday.
"This week I played well for four rounds which I have not been able to do that in the past," he said.
"I am looking forward to some time off and then I can look at everything and set some goals for next year."
He said next year he would play mainly on the PGA Tour where he would aim for his first win.
"I also haven't made the Tour Championship in the last two years, so that is another goal for next year. But the biggest goal is to make sure I make the Ryder Cup team," he said.
Korea's Republic's Kim-Meen-whee closed with a level par final round to claim third place ahead of Yang after the 2009 PGA Championship winner could only manage a 75 to slip to fourth.
Fowler, 22, the world number 36, carded a three-under-par 68 final round to top the leaderboard at 16-under-par overall at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club OneAsia event.
US Open champion McIlroy produced a final round rally, carding 64. But the 22-year-old world number three was left to rue a third round 73 and forced to settle for a second consecutive runner-up finish.
South Korea's Kim Meen-whee was three shots further adrift in third after a level par final round.
"It was a nice way to finish, but all the damage was done during the third round with a couple of bad holes in the middle of the round," said McIlroy, who dropped six shots in eight holes around the turn on Saturday.
"Looking back on this week, I will rue my third round, which could have been a lot better.
"If I had played a little better and shot a few under I might have had a chance, but Rickie has played fantastic this week and he deserves the win."
Fowler said his goal was to make the Ryder Cup team.
"It feels great to have the first win. I played well all week, although I did have to hang in on Friday and post a score," he said.
"But on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday I had good control of my ball, I drove well, and I made some putts."
The 2010 US PGA Tour Rookie of the Year took a four shot lead over defending champion YE Yang heading into the final round after carding a course record-equalling eight-under-par 63 on Saturday.
"This week I played well for four rounds which I have not been able to do that in the past," he said.
"I am looking forward to some time off and then I can look at everything and set some goals for next year."
He said next year he would play mainly on the PGA Tour where he would aim for his first win.
"I also haven't made the Tour Championship in the last two years, so that is another goal for next year. But the biggest goal is to make sure I make the Ryder Cup team," he said.
Korea's Republic's Kim-Meen-whee closed with a level par final round to claim third place ahead of Yang after the 2009 PGA Championship winner could only manage a 75 to slip to fourth.
Posted in: Breaking News
Berdych Beats Cilic To Win China Open
BEIJING: Third seed Tomas Berdych ended his long title drought with a clinical 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory over Croatian Marin Cilic on a smoggy final day at the China Open tennis on Sunday.
Czech Berdych, who last won a title in Munich in May 2009, staged a second-set revival against the 25th-ranked Croatian and blazed through the decider.
Cilic, facing his first seeded player in this year's competition, set the tempo by breaking Berdych's serve in the second game.
Berdych's errors played a part in the first set which Cilic, who also lost the final two years ago, finished off with an ace.
World number 10 Berdych, playing in his first final since his 2010 Wimbledon centre court loss to Rafael Nadal, fought back, and took the match to a third set.
Both players dripped sweat in the unseasonably humid Beijing autumn weather and the problems were compounded by a pall of smog enveloping the National Tennis Centre.
The air quality monitor at the United States Embassy in Beijing recorded "hazardous" levels throughout the final day of competition.
German Andrea Petkovic was playing Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska in the women's final later on Saturday.
Czech Berdych, who last won a title in Munich in May 2009, staged a second-set revival against the 25th-ranked Croatian and blazed through the decider.
Cilic, facing his first seeded player in this year's competition, set the tempo by breaking Berdych's serve in the second game.
Berdych's errors played a part in the first set which Cilic, who also lost the final two years ago, finished off with an ace.
World number 10 Berdych, playing in his first final since his 2010 Wimbledon centre court loss to Rafael Nadal, fought back, and took the match to a third set.
Both players dripped sweat in the unseasonably humid Beijing autumn weather and the problems were compounded by a pall of smog enveloping the National Tennis Centre.
The air quality monitor at the United States Embassy in Beijing recorded "hazardous" levels throughout the final day of competition.
German Andrea Petkovic was playing Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska in the women's final later on Saturday.
Posted in: Breaking News
England Not Good Enough To Win Euro 2012, Says Neville
LONDON: England are not good enough to win Euro 2012 because the players have "no mobility and can't keep the ball", according to former England defender Gary Neville.
Neville, the former Manchester United and England right-back who won 85 England caps and retired earlier this year, also said Wayne Rooney's sending off in Friday's 2-2 draw with Montenegro should not deflect attention away from what he sees as the team's real problems.
England, who sealed their place with Friday's draw, will start the tournament without Rooney, who will be suspended for at least one match.
"It's as though we think one world class player might be able to propel us to a major trophy," Neville, writing in the Mail on Sunday, said.
"And now we are talking about Rooney possibly missing two games at Euro 2012 when what we should be talking about is the spine of a team that has no mobility and can't keep the ball.
"When I look at it coldly, a team that has John Terry, Gary Cahill, Scott Parker, Gareth Barry, Darren Bent and Rooney in its central positions is nowhere near good enough to take on the major nations such as Spain.
"I'm not having a go at individuals; there are some very good players among those names. Collectively, Rooney aside, there is hardly any pace, very little invention and hardly any rotation of positions.
"The real issue is that the spine of the team is not good enough, as it stands, to take on Spain, Italy, France or Germany at Euro 2012."
England play world champions Spain in a friendly at Wembley on November 12 and Neville says because of the players the visitors have, the match is very important.
"Compare (England) with the spine of Spain: Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, David Villa and Fernando Llorente. That's the issue Fabio Capello now has to resolve and why the Wembley friendly is so much more than a practice.
"Never has a friendly been more important. "It's like a Cup final. Somehow, Capello has to do something that no England manager has done in 15 years, and that is make the England players believe that this next match could be the most important of their life."
Spain, the reigning European champions, have also qualified for the finals along with England, Italy, Germany, Netherlands and co-hosts Poland and Ukraine.
All 16 qualifiers will be known by next month.
Neville, the former Manchester United and England right-back who won 85 England caps and retired earlier this year, also said Wayne Rooney's sending off in Friday's 2-2 draw with Montenegro should not deflect attention away from what he sees as the team's real problems.
England, who sealed their place with Friday's draw, will start the tournament without Rooney, who will be suspended for at least one match.
"It's as though we think one world class player might be able to propel us to a major trophy," Neville, writing in the Mail on Sunday, said.
"And now we are talking about Rooney possibly missing two games at Euro 2012 when what we should be talking about is the spine of a team that has no mobility and can't keep the ball.
"When I look at it coldly, a team that has John Terry, Gary Cahill, Scott Parker, Gareth Barry, Darren Bent and Rooney in its central positions is nowhere near good enough to take on the major nations such as Spain.
"I'm not having a go at individuals; there are some very good players among those names. Collectively, Rooney aside, there is hardly any pace, very little invention and hardly any rotation of positions.
"The real issue is that the spine of the team is not good enough, as it stands, to take on Spain, Italy, France or Germany at Euro 2012."
England play world champions Spain in a friendly at Wembley on November 12 and Neville says because of the players the visitors have, the match is very important.
"Compare (England) with the spine of Spain: Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, David Villa and Fernando Llorente. That's the issue Fabio Capello now has to resolve and why the Wembley friendly is so much more than a practice.
"Never has a friendly been more important. "It's like a Cup final. Somehow, Capello has to do something that no England manager has done in 15 years, and that is make the England players believe that this next match could be the most important of their life."
Spain, the reigning European champions, have also qualified for the finals along with England, Italy, Germany, Netherlands and co-hosts Poland and Ukraine.
All 16 qualifiers will be known by next month.
Posted in: Breaking News
It's Gayle And Virat Versus Mumbai Indians In Clt20 Final
CHENNAI: T20 is all about momentum and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have that at the moment. Coming from the brink after losing two straight games, they have made it to the final and are the overwhelming favourites against Mumbai Indians.
RCB's success story has revolved around three top-order players -- Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and Tillakaratne Dilshan. The others have chipped in with bits and pieces performances, but the trio has consistently provided the thrust to help the team go past 200-plus totals in two back-to-back games and against quality Australian attacks.
Gayle, of course, is the biggest threat and MS Dhoni had shown during the IPL how to keep the marauding left-hander in check. In two games, he started with R Ashwin and the offie got rid of the left-hander early. Mumbai, too, have a spinner of the calibre of Harbhajan Singh.
One thing that may go in favour of Mumbai bowlers is the nature of the Chepauk track. It's not like Chinnaswamy where the ball comes on to the bat, something that the likes of Kohli, Dilshan and Gayle really enjoy. The RCB boys haven't played on this new Chepauk surface and that may just make things difficult for them.
"We have been here for a while now and know how the pitch behaves," Mumbai Indians bowling coach Shaun Pollock had said.
The team has played three games here, winning two, and even in the one game they lost against NSW, the bowlers did look good after the batting faltered.
The Mumbai Indians batting, of course, is still a bit of a worry. They lack the one solid batsman, who can take them through if things go tight. James Franklin has tried to play the part, but he doesn't have the quality of a Kohli to do that consistently.
On the bowling front though, there's not much to choose from. The likes of Lasith Malinga and Bhajji have the ability to put the brakes on. RCB's Daniel Vettori and Dirk Nannes, too, know how to operate in Indian conditions.
Local left-arm spinner Syed Mohammad could have been a good option for RCB on this track, but he is out with a ligament tear and that will be a blow.
RCB's success story has revolved around three top-order players -- Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and Tillakaratne Dilshan. The others have chipped in with bits and pieces performances, but the trio has consistently provided the thrust to help the team go past 200-plus totals in two back-to-back games and against quality Australian attacks.
Gayle, of course, is the biggest threat and MS Dhoni had shown during the IPL how to keep the marauding left-hander in check. In two games, he started with R Ashwin and the offie got rid of the left-hander early. Mumbai, too, have a spinner of the calibre of Harbhajan Singh.
One thing that may go in favour of Mumbai bowlers is the nature of the Chepauk track. It's not like Chinnaswamy where the ball comes on to the bat, something that the likes of Kohli, Dilshan and Gayle really enjoy. The RCB boys haven't played on this new Chepauk surface and that may just make things difficult for them.
"We have been here for a while now and know how the pitch behaves," Mumbai Indians bowling coach Shaun Pollock had said.
The team has played three games here, winning two, and even in the one game they lost against NSW, the bowlers did look good after the batting faltered.
The Mumbai Indians batting, of course, is still a bit of a worry. They lack the one solid batsman, who can take them through if things go tight. James Franklin has tried to play the part, but he doesn't have the quality of a Kohli to do that consistently.
On the bowling front though, there's not much to choose from. The likes of Lasith Malinga and Bhajji have the ability to put the brakes on. RCB's Daniel Vettori and Dirk Nannes, too, know how to operate in Indian conditions.
Local left-arm spinner Syed Mohammad could have been a good option for RCB on this track, but he is out with a ligament tear and that will be a blow.
Posted in: Breaking News
Schwarzenegger Inaugurates His Museum In Austria
THAL: Arnold Schwarzenegger - the bodybuilder, movie star and ex-governor who's in the middle of a messy divorce - invoked his life as model for young people on Friday during the formal inauguration of a museum dedicated to him in his native Austria.
Hundreds of fans braved driving rain and chilly autumn temperatures to fete Austria's most famous living son at the museum, located in the two-story Thal village house where Schwarzenegger was born.
The museum, open since July, is a repository of items that include his first barbell, the metal bed that he slept on as a youth, several life-size "Terminator" models and the polished dark wooden desk he sat behind while California's governor.
Schwarzenegger also unveiled a bronze statue of himself flexing and in trunks as the young body builder from Austria whose rippling biceps led to his Hollywood career - and the popularity that paved the road to the governor's office.
Shielded by an umbrella, Schwarzenegger used the occasion to deliver an inspirational speech to youthful fans. Invoking the title of one of his early films, he told them anything was possible as long as they "stay hungry."
He said he wishes that every person who visits the museum "understands that everyone can be successful in his own way."
"My personal success has less to do with millions of dollars or with the headlines in the media that are not always positive and also not with being clapped on the shoulder by Barack Obama and other world names," he said. "Personal success is the result of determination, hard work and stubbornness.
"For me, this is not only a museum," he added, gesturing to the yellow-stuccoed house behind him. "It is also a symbol of will ... everyone has a chance."
The bronze statue is one of several commissioned by Schwarzenegger earlier this year. But even if some in the crowd knew that the Schwarzenegger likeness was not unique, they didn't seem to care. Bodyguards had to pry a path through people holding an umbrella in one hand and trying to touch their idol with the other, whistling and cheering as he passed by.
With Schwarzenegger was Patrick, his son from his marriage with Maria Shriver. The two are divorcing. But the museum displays photos of Schwarzenegger and Shriver in happier times, and Schwarzenegger described "the marriage with Maria" as one of the days "that I remember with great fondness."
The marriage unraveled after Schwarzenegger acknowledged being the father of child outside of his marriage - something that at least some fans gathered on Friday suggested tarnished his reputation.
"We Austrians are proud of him and what he accomplished," said Gottfried Karner, from the Upper Austrian city of Steyr. "But there are certain things he did that one does not agree with."
Most Austrians have stayed focused on Schwarzenegger's successes since he left for the United States in 1968, first as Mr. Universe, then as "Conan the Barbarian" and the "Terminator" - and finally his 2003 election as governor.
Even before his private life came up for criticism, however, Schwarzenegger's cult status in Austria took some knocks because of his support of the Iraq war and the death penalty as California's governor.
Criticism grew after he refused to pardon two convicted murderers in a row in 2005 to the point where he ordered city fathers in Graz - Austria's second largest city where he spent his youth - to strip his name from the Graz soccer stadium and sent back the city's highest award - its ring of honor.
Since then, the mood has swung back to adulation - and Friday's speeches reflected that. Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann, who opened the ceremonies, described Schwarzenegger as "one Austrian known by everyone in the world, adding: "We as Austrians are proud of you."
Hundreds of fans braved driving rain and chilly autumn temperatures to fete Austria's most famous living son at the museum, located in the two-story Thal village house where Schwarzenegger was born.
The museum, open since July, is a repository of items that include his first barbell, the metal bed that he slept on as a youth, several life-size "Terminator" models and the polished dark wooden desk he sat behind while California's governor.
Schwarzenegger also unveiled a bronze statue of himself flexing and in trunks as the young body builder from Austria whose rippling biceps led to his Hollywood career - and the popularity that paved the road to the governor's office.
Shielded by an umbrella, Schwarzenegger used the occasion to deliver an inspirational speech to youthful fans. Invoking the title of one of his early films, he told them anything was possible as long as they "stay hungry."
He said he wishes that every person who visits the museum "understands that everyone can be successful in his own way."
"My personal success has less to do with millions of dollars or with the headlines in the media that are not always positive and also not with being clapped on the shoulder by Barack Obama and other world names," he said. "Personal success is the result of determination, hard work and stubbornness.
"For me, this is not only a museum," he added, gesturing to the yellow-stuccoed house behind him. "It is also a symbol of will ... everyone has a chance."
The bronze statue is one of several commissioned by Schwarzenegger earlier this year. But even if some in the crowd knew that the Schwarzenegger likeness was not unique, they didn't seem to care. Bodyguards had to pry a path through people holding an umbrella in one hand and trying to touch their idol with the other, whistling and cheering as he passed by.
With Schwarzenegger was Patrick, his son from his marriage with Maria Shriver. The two are divorcing. But the museum displays photos of Schwarzenegger and Shriver in happier times, and Schwarzenegger described "the marriage with Maria" as one of the days "that I remember with great fondness."
The marriage unraveled after Schwarzenegger acknowledged being the father of child outside of his marriage - something that at least some fans gathered on Friday suggested tarnished his reputation.
"We Austrians are proud of him and what he accomplished," said Gottfried Karner, from the Upper Austrian city of Steyr. "But there are certain things he did that one does not agree with."
Most Austrians have stayed focused on Schwarzenegger's successes since he left for the United States in 1968, first as Mr. Universe, then as "Conan the Barbarian" and the "Terminator" - and finally his 2003 election as governor.
Even before his private life came up for criticism, however, Schwarzenegger's cult status in Austria took some knocks because of his support of the Iraq war and the death penalty as California's governor.
Criticism grew after he refused to pardon two convicted murderers in a row in 2005 to the point where he ordered city fathers in Graz - Austria's second largest city where he spent his youth - to strip his name from the Graz soccer stadium and sent back the city's highest award - its ring of honor.
Since then, the mood has swung back to adulation - and Friday's speeches reflected that. Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann, who opened the ceremonies, described Schwarzenegger as "one Austrian known by everyone in the world, adding: "We as Austrians are proud of you."
Posted in: Breaking News
China Says Negligence Caused Shanghai Subway Crash
BEIJING: Shanghai safety authorities say a subway train crash last week was caused by negligence, and that three train operators have been removed from their posts.
The Shanghai administration of work safety said nine other subway train managers and workers were also punished after one train crashed into a stationary train on September 27, injuring around 290 passengers.
The administration said in a report Thursday a loss of power on the subway line caused the signal system to fail. It says dispatchers issued a number of wrong orders that led to the crash.
The subway crash was a shock for Shanghai, a city of 23 million that had its entire transport infrastructure - roads, airports, ports, tunnels and subways - upgraded ahead of the city's 2010 World Expo.
The Shanghai administration of work safety said nine other subway train managers and workers were also punished after one train crashed into a stationary train on September 27, injuring around 290 passengers.
The administration said in a report Thursday a loss of power on the subway line caused the signal system to fail. It says dispatchers issued a number of wrong orders that led to the crash.
The subway crash was a shock for Shanghai, a city of 23 million that had its entire transport infrastructure - roads, airports, ports, tunnels and subways - upgraded ahead of the city's 2010 World Expo.
Posted in: Breaking News
New Zealand City Hit By Another Quake, No Reports Of Damage
WELLINGTON: The earthquake-rattled city of Christchurch has been shaken by another powerful temblor.
The magnitude 4.7 quake struck just after 8:30 pm on Sunday and there were no initial reports of significant damage or injuries.
The country's Prime Minister John Key was in Christchurch watching a televised All Blacks rugby match with other fans at the time. The game was being played in Auckland.
Christchurch has been struck repeatedly by earthquakes over the past 13 months, including a devastating magnitude 6.1 quake that struck Feb 22 and killed 181 people, and destroyed much of the city's downtown.
Sunday's quake was the largest since June.
The magnitude 4.7 quake struck just after 8:30 pm on Sunday and there were no initial reports of significant damage or injuries.
The country's Prime Minister John Key was in Christchurch watching a televised All Blacks rugby match with other fans at the time. The game was being played in Auckland.
Christchurch has been struck repeatedly by earthquakes over the past 13 months, including a devastating magnitude 6.1 quake that struck Feb 22 and killed 181 people, and destroyed much of the city's downtown.
Sunday's quake was the largest since June.
Posted in: Breaking News
California Allows College Aid To Illegal Immigrants
LOS ANGELES: California governor Jerry Brown signed the California Dream Act into law, making illegal immigrants eligible for state money to attend American universities and colleges, his office said.
Under the act, illegal immigrants who have attended high school in the Golden State can receive Cal-Grant aid, which last year gave grants to more than 370,000 poor students of an average USD 4,500 each.
"Going to college is a dream that promises intellectual excitement and creative thinking. The Dream Act benefits us all by giving top students a chance to improve their lives and the lives of all of us," Brown said.
California officials estimate that around 2,500 students will qualify for the grants under the new state legislation, called AB 131, costing USD 14.5 million, Brown's office said in a statement.
The overall Cal Grant programme is funded at USD 1.4 billion, meaning that only 1 percent of all the program's money will be potentially impacted by AB 131 when the law goes into effect, it said.
Brown, a veteran Democrat, took office in January, succeeding Republican actor turned politician Arnold Schwarzenegger, who had vetoed the legislation.
The passage of the law in liberal California, which has a massive immigrant population, could be seen as a signal to lawmakers in Washington, over the controversial Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act.
The federal DREAM Act would give a six-year resident's permit to high school graduates who came to America illegally, and let them pay the much cheaper residents' tuition rates or obtain a scholarship to attend a US university.
It would affect 55,000 immigrant children brought to the United States illegally by their parents who have been through the public school system only to find college off-limits because of their legal status and high tuition fees.
Backers of the DREAM Act say the United States should encourage youths to pursue higher education as a key to their own and the nation's economic success.
But opponents say it would send a message to migrants that it was acceptable to come to the United States illegally, and should not be passed without a thorough reform of American immigration rules.
Under the act, illegal immigrants who have attended high school in the Golden State can receive Cal-Grant aid, which last year gave grants to more than 370,000 poor students of an average USD 4,500 each.
"Going to college is a dream that promises intellectual excitement and creative thinking. The Dream Act benefits us all by giving top students a chance to improve their lives and the lives of all of us," Brown said.
California officials estimate that around 2,500 students will qualify for the grants under the new state legislation, called AB 131, costing USD 14.5 million, Brown's office said in a statement.
The overall Cal Grant programme is funded at USD 1.4 billion, meaning that only 1 percent of all the program's money will be potentially impacted by AB 131 when the law goes into effect, it said.
Brown, a veteran Democrat, took office in January, succeeding Republican actor turned politician Arnold Schwarzenegger, who had vetoed the legislation.
The passage of the law in liberal California, which has a massive immigrant population, could be seen as a signal to lawmakers in Washington, over the controversial Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act.
The federal DREAM Act would give a six-year resident's permit to high school graduates who came to America illegally, and let them pay the much cheaper residents' tuition rates or obtain a scholarship to attend a US university.
It would affect 55,000 immigrant children brought to the United States illegally by their parents who have been through the public school system only to find college off-limits because of their legal status and high tuition fees.
Backers of the DREAM Act say the United States should encourage youths to pursue higher education as a key to their own and the nation's economic success.
But opponents say it would send a message to migrants that it was acceptable to come to the United States illegally, and should not be passed without a thorough reform of American immigration rules.
Posted in: Breaking News
