Caribbean officials banned by FIFA in cash-for-votes probe
FIFA has taken action against several Caribbean football officials involved in the meeting that led to former presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam being banned for life.
Hammam, who was to be Sepp Blatter's only opponent at the June 1 election, had hoped to win votes at the Caribbean Football Union's meeting on May 10-11.
However, the former Asian Confederation head withdrew from the race after being accused of offering cash to Caribbean delegates and this month lost an opening legal battle to be reinstated.
FIFA's ethics committee announced on Friday that Franka Pickering of the British Virgin Islands has been banned from all football-related activities for 18 months and fined 500 Swiss francs ($560).
Jamaica's Horace Burrell was banned for six months, with half of that suspended for a two-year probationary period.
Blazer to step down from CONCACAF role
The committee handed 30-day bans to the Dominican Republic's Osiris Guzman and Ian Hypolite of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with half of those suspended. They were also fined 300 francs.
Aubrey Liburd of the British Virgin Islands and Hillaren Frederick of its U.S. counterpart were fined the same amount, and reprimanded along with Anthony Johnson of St. Kitts and Nevis.
FIFA handed warnings to David Hinds and Mark Bob Forde of Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago's Richard Groden, Yves Jean-Bart of Haiti and Jamaica's Horace Reid.
Felix Ledesma of Dominican Republic was cleared, while the hearing of Guyana's Noel Adonis was postponed.
David Frederick (Cayman Islands) and Joseph Delves (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) escaped any interrogation as they are no longer football officials.
Source:CNN
Age just a number for evergreen Hopkins
Bernard Hopkins first became a world champion 16 years ago and, aged 46, the American boxer made history in May when he was awarded a points victory over Canadian Jean Pascal to become the sport's oldest-ever holder of a global belt.
The World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight champion surpassed the record held by compatriot George Foreman with his win in Montreal, with Hopkins set to become the oldest pugilist to defend a world title if he defeats Chad Dawson on Saturday.
If Hopkins emerges victorious at the Staples Center in Los Angeles it would mark the latest achievement in a career which has seen the veteran overcome adversity to reach the top of his sport.
"I love what I do," Hopkins told CNN. "I love to work out, I love to win and I'm going to take advantage of it until I can't do it no more.
"It means a lot that I'm in the history books again ... also it sets up for what comes next. Obviously this Saturday with Chad Dawson ... also becoming the second-oldest fighter to be fighter of the year."
Unsurprisingly, Hopkins is significantly older than his opponent this weekend. Dawson, currently ranked by Ring Magazine as the fourth-best light heavyweight in the world, is 29, 17-years younger than the Pennsylvania-born Hopkins.
"29-years-old, as we've seen with Jean Pascal, as we've seen with Kelly Pavlik, as we've seen with most of the guys I've fought that are younger than me at least by 15 years.
"If it's just age, if it's just height. If it's just things that have nothing to do with the IQ ... That's not enough to beat Bernard Hopkins.
"And I mean that. I mean that with confidence and I don't mean that with just promoting. I mean that ... because of how I've been disciplined over these years to train and live and think that way."
But despite his age, Hopkins will not be the oldest fighter on the card in California on Saturday. That honor will belong to Dewey Bozella.
The 52-year-old cruiserweight who will be making his debut as a professional boxer in a four-round cruiserweight bout against Larry Hopkins, no relation to Bernard Hopkins, but that is only half of his incredible story.
Bozella spent 26 years in New York's Sing Sing prison after being found guilty of murder in 1983, before having his conviction overturned two years ago.
During his incarceration, Bozella focused on boxing an was even crowned the Sing Sing heavyweight champion.
His story is one which resonates with Hopkins, who served a five-year stretch in Graterford Prison, Pennsylvania between 1983 and 1988.
So impressed was Hopkins with Bozella that he has been training with the newcomer ahead of his much-anticipated fight.
"It inspired me," said Hopkins of Bozell. "He chose to do what he did, and not only did he get freedom, but he got humanity. An opportunity to do something that was taken from him years and years ago. To be on a major, major fight card.
"And now that we became, I can say friends, and have understanding about that dark place that I put myself in, you know, I wasn't innocent. But we still understand that dark place. Everybody has a story, but his is beyond a story."
Murray faces Nishikori in Shanghai semis
World No. 4 Andy Murray is on course to reach a third successive Asian final after ending the Shanghai Masters hopes of Australian qualifier Matthew Ebden on Friday.
The Briton had few difficulties in winning 6-3 6-2 against a player who will rise from 124th to 80th in the next rankings release.
Defending champion Murray, who won the Thailand and Japan Open titles this month, will next face Japan's Kei Nishikori in the semifinals.
"I created a lot of chances. I had game points in almost every one of his service games during the match. I could have done with being a bit more clinical," the Scot told the ATP Tour website after his 13th successive win and 23rd from his last 24 matches.
"I feel like I can play better. I served well so far. But I think I can hit the ball a bit better from the back of the court. And, like I said a few days ago, it's different conditions to the last couple of weeks."
The 47th-ranked Nishikori reached his first Masters semifinal with a 6-4 6-3 win over Ukrainian 12th seed Alexandr Dolgopolov.
"I feel like home here," the 21-year-old said. "It means a lot to play semis here. I'm really excited now."
Third seed David Ferrer went through after beating American No. 10 Andy Roddick in the highlight of the quarterfinal draw, triumphing 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 7-6 (7-2).
Roddick beat Ferrer at the U.S. Open last month, but is still battling to qualify for one of the remaining places at the top-eight ATP World Tour finals in November. World No. 5 Ferrer has already sealed a place but Roddick is an outside chance at 16th in the standings.
Ferrer will next face fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, who eliminated German 15th seed Florian Mayer 6-2 6-4 to reach the semis in Shanghai for the second time.
Mayer knocked out world No. 2 Rafael Nadal on Thursday.
Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova reached the semifinals of the Generali Ladies Open in Austria on Friday, a tournament where she was runner-up in 2009.
The Czech top seed beat Slovakia's No. 8 Daniela Hantuchova 6-2 6-2 to set up a clash with former world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic.
The Serbian third seed was too strong for Russia's Evgeniya Rodina -- who made it to the main draw as a lucky loser -- as she won the late match 6-2 6-4 in just under 90 minutes.
Kvitova's compatriot Lucie Safarova also went through to the last four, beating Romania's Sorana Cirstea 7-5 6-2.
Safarova will play Slovakian seventh seed Dominika Cibulkova, who came from behind to overcome Australia's Anastasia Rodionova 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 6-1.
Steven Seagal hired to control U.S.-Mexico border
Steven Seagal has once again been hired to serve and protect, except it doesn't sound like there will be any reality show cameras following him around this time.
The "Above the Law" actor was sworn in this week as a deputy with the sheriff's office in Hudspeth County, Texas. The 59-year-old, who's no stranger to law enforcement and is also trained in Aikido, will help control the U.S.-Mexico border, according to the San Antonio Express.
The paper reports that Seagal reached out to the Hudspeth County Sheriff's Office himself about two months ago, seeking employment. Says Sheriff Arvin West, "Seagal is not in this for celebrity or publicity. He's like the rest of us that live down here; he has a sincere passion for his country and he wants to do more to help."
Although cameras captured Seagal's work as a reserve deputy with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office in Louisiana for A&E's "Steven Seagal: Lawman," it doesn't appear his full-time work with Hudspeth County's department will eventually serve as fodder for TV.
The San Antonio Express reports that a spokesman for the Hudspeth County Sheriff's Office says Seagal's employment with them isn't part of the A&E show. (Production was also halted on "Steven Seagal: Lawman" in 2010 when a former model alleged that Seagal used her as a "sex toy" after she was hired to be his assistant.)
"The television aspect of what we're doing here is the last priority," the spokesman said. "The man has a pure motive in doing this. He knows what we're up against and wants to help."
Seagal is scheduled to start his new gig early next year. While it's unknown if he'll be paid, the spokesman for the sheriff's department says deputies are typically paid about $15 an hour.
Vybz Kartel remanded again
JAMAICAN dancehall Deejay Vybz Kartel, was ordered to return to court on October 26 when his trial for murder, conspiracy to murder and illegal possession of a firearm will continue.
No bail application was made by his attorneys on his behalf today as the court wanted to verify claims that complaints were made to Public Defender Earl Witter by witnesses who claimed they were being intimidated by persons loyal to the embattled Deejay.
The court ordered that if the claims were true, then documents with the details should be served on the defense.
Damon Dash, Mos Def, Ski Beatz Sued Over “24 Hour Karate School” Compilation
Hip-Hop mogul Damon Dash, rapper Mos Def and producer Ski Beatz are being sued by rap/funk/soul label TufAmerica, over a compilation that was released last year.
TufAmerica filed a lawsuit against Damon Dash, Dante Smith (Mos Def) and David Willis (Ski Beatz) in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York, on Wednesday (October 12).
The lawsuit claims Mos Def illegally sampled the songs “Hook & Sling Part 1” and “Hook & Sling Part 2,” illegally.
The sample was used in the track titled “24 Hour Karate School” and the accompanying video for the single, which was given away at the 24hrkarateschool.com website.
The lawsuit claims that the 24 Hour Karate School recordings were made available for download without the proper permission.
TufAmerica is seeking, compensatory and punitive damages, in addition to an injunction barring any further distribution of the 24 Hour Karate School mixtape.
Rick Ross Suffers Seizure; “100 pct ok” According to Wale
Rapper Rick Ross reportedly went unconscious after suffering a seizure on a flight from Ft. Lauderdale, FL to Memphis, TN.
The flight was reportedly forced to make an emergency stop after Ross suffered the seizure, and upon landing paramedics desperately performed CPR to revive Ross.
While details are still emerging, eyewitness reports say Ross is showing signs of life.
“I just talked to Ross…he’s 100 pct ok…@tmz #dontpanic #dontpanic #mmg !!!! #gfid dec 13th!” Maybach Music artist Wale tweeted just minutes after reports surfaced on TMZ.
Three Caribbean female artistes to be honoured ... at Heroes Day Salute
Three Caribbean female artistes, two from Jamaica and another from Barbados, will be honoured by the organisers, The Friends of St Catherine Incorporated (FOSC), at a Heroes Day Salute concert at the Mas Camp on Monday night.
The female artistes from Jamaica are Tanya Stephens and Alaine, and from Barbados, soca queen Alison Hinds.
The organisers have taken the opportunity to use these three female artistes to headline each segment of the show, dancehall - Alaine; soca - Alison Hinds; reggae - Tanya Stephens.
Also performing on the show are former Magnum Kings and Queens finalist, Specialist, Villa Vil, and soca singer Shadow Man from St Maarten.
Tinga Stewart and Eddie Fitzroy are also confirmed for the show. Kurfew will be the backing band. The FOSC is a charity organisation that was established to assist the community to build and improve the artistic, cultural, educational, recreational and social well-being of residents in the parish of St Catherine. Each year, the organisation hosts various fund-raising events in a bid to raise funds to support the various charities it assists.
Meanwhile, the Heroes Day Salute will be hosting two promo parties at the Natural Touch Vegetarian Café (18 Barbican Road, Shop # 22, Orchid Village Plaza), on Saturday, October 15, from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. This promo party is free and is set to allow fans of the artistes to meet and mingle with the Heroes Day Salute performers. Persons attending these parties will have the opportunity of getting autographs and photos with their favourite artistes.
It’s a Wrap for ABC’s ‘Charlie’s Angels’
In a move many TV critics saw coming since the pilot episode aired, ABC has canceled its heavily-marketed “Charlie’s Angels” reboot due to low ratings.
The Miami-set remake – starring Minka Kelly, Rachael Taylor and the franchise’s first African American Angel played by Annie Ilonzeh – failed to make a dent against heavy Thursday night competition, notes The Hollywood Reporter.
Production has already been shut been shut down, and ABC has not made an announcement on what will become of the remaining episodes. On Thursday, Oct. 27, ABC will air The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown at 8 p.m.
“Charlie’s Angels’” Sept. 22 premiere attracted 8.7 million viewers and a 2.1 rating in the advertiser-coveted adults 18-49 demographic against competition including the second night of Fox’s “X Factor” premiere. As the season progressed, the hourlong drama failed to match its debut ratings, sinking each week.
After critics and viewers blasted the show following its premiere, the action drama that counts Drew Barrymore as an executive producer dropped 29 percent, collecting 7.2 million viewers and a 1.5 in the demo. For its third episode on Oct. 6, Angels attracted 5.9 million viewers and a 1.2 in the demo, matching the CW’s “The Vampire Diaries.” Last night, “Angels’ saw a slight uptick, improving to a 1.3 rating.
Angels joins NBC’s “The Playboy Club” and “Free Agents,” as well as CBS’ “How to Be a Gentleman” and the CW’s unscripted show ‘H8R” as rookie series that have been axed.
Occupy Wall Street protesters arrested in New York
A number of Wall Street protesters have been arrested in New York during scuffles with police as they marched towards the city's financial district.
The confrontation came after activists averted a showdown with authorities who agreed not to move them from a park.
Demonstrators said officials' plan to clean Zuccotti Park, where they have been based for weeks, had been a ploy to evict them.
The protests against corporate greed have spread to other US cities.
Several demonstrations are reportedly planned this weekend in Canada and Europe, as well as Asia and Africa.
'Be warned'
Fourteen arrests were made on Friday in Lower Manhattan.
In the Colorado city of Denver on Friday, around two dozen demonstrators were detained as police removed their tents in Lincoln Park near the state Capitol.
And 10 Occupy Seattle protesters were held on Thursday when they ignored orders to leave their tents in the city's Westlake Park, said police.
Earlier, New York deputy mayor Cas Holloway released a statement from Zuccotti Park's owners, Brookfield Properties.
"They are postponing their scheduled cleaning of the park, and for the time being withdrawing their request from earlier in the week for police assistance during their cleaning operation," it said.
The statement said Brookfield hoped to "work out an arrangement with the protesters that will ensure the park remains clean, safe [and] available for public use".
An estimated 3,000 protesters streamed into the green space earlier. News of the authorities' climbdown prompted cheers.
The BBC's Laura Trevelyan in New York says it may be that the authorities decided there were just too many people to move.
Activists had sent an email to supporters on Thursday asking them to join the group and "defend the occupation from eviction".
They said on a Facebook page: "Be warned, this is a tactic that [New York City Mayor Michael] Bloomberg has used to shut down protests in the past, and a tactic used recently in similar protests throughout Europe."
Representatives of Brookfield Properties distributed its cleaning notice on Thursday. Some were escorted by police.
The park regulations existed before the protests began but have not been enforced.
They include a prohibition on lying down on the ground or on benches, using sleeping bags or tarps, or the storage of personal property.
New York City councillors joined protesters at a news conference on Thursday evening, calling the effort to move the protesters a "ruse" backed by Mr Bloomberg.
Throughout the park, where protesters have camped since mid-September, big buckets were filled with brooms and mops.
'Offensive odours'
As activists scrubbed the park on Thursday, some questioned the need to clean the space at all.
Bailey Bryant, 28, a Manhattan bank employee who visits the camp after work and on weekends, told Reuters news agency: "We clean up after ourselves. It's not like there's rats and roaches running around the park."
There have been some flashpoints between police and protesters in recent weeks, with hundreds of people arrested this month during a march over the Brooklyn Bridge.
As the number of protesters sleeping in the park has grown, food stalls have sprung up, as well as an infirmary and a library.
But protesters have no toilet facilities of their own and depend on local restaurants near the park.
There have been reports of demonstrators urinating and defecating in the streets.
And residents have complained about lewdness, drug use, harassment and offensive odours from the protesters, Brookfield said.
Earlier this week, Mr Bloomberg said protesters would not be evicted from the park unless they broke the law.
The demonstration began on 17 September with a small group of activists and has swelled to include several thousand people at times, from many walks of life.