Narine out of World Cup
Offspinner Sunil Narine will not be playing for the West Indies team for next month's International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup, according to a tweet from former West Indies Players' Association president, Dinanath Ramnarine.
The social media note, which went viral yesterday, sees Ramnarine, a usually reliable source on West Indies cricket matters, claiming that Narine's withdrawal is based on the Trinidadian's desire to continue to work on his bowling action.
"Okay guys, it's Sunil Narine. He will be out of the WC 2015. I wish Sunil all d best as he continues to work very hard on his bowling issues," said Ramnarine.
"For the record Sunil has not been reported!!," he explained.
Narine, widely regarded as one of the best spinners in the world, was banned at the domestic club level in the Champions League Twenty20 Tournament in India for a suspect action last September.
He was subsequently withdrawn from the West Indies team for their tour of India later that month.
Narine last featured for the West Indies in a Twenty20 International series against Bangladesh in the Caribbean in August.
However, with the India tour on the horizon starting in September, Narine opted to stay away from international cricket, preferring to continue work on his bowling action.
News about Narine then resurfaced earlier this month when he was named in the West Indies' 15-man squad for the World Cup, which will be held jointly by Australia and New Zealand.
The 26-year-old then took part in the just-concluded West Indies Cricket Board NAGICO Insurance Super50 tournament in Trinidad, where he emerged as the leading wicket-taker.
He was also very instrumental in Trinidad and Tobago Red Force claiming the title, picking up six wickets for nine runs from eight overs in the final against Guyana Jaguars.
In 52 one-day international appearances, Narine has taken 73 wickets at an average of 26.49 runs.
Source-Jamaica Gleaner
BMW names former Audi executive as Mini boss
BMW named former Audi executive Sebastian Mackensen as head of its Mini brand.
Mackensen, 43, will succeed John Goller, who has headed Mini since 2013, BMW said in a statement. Goller, 48, will move to China to take over responsibility for sales and marketing at the BMW Brilliance joint venture. Goller was previously BMW China's marketing boss before returning to Europe.
BMW is seeking ways to boost Mini's long-term profitability. The automaker is expected to discontinue three slow-selling Mini vehicles -- the Coupe, Roadster and Paceman – so it can concentrate on the three- and five-door versions of its core hatchback, the Countryman crossover and the Clubman station wagon.
BMW expects the Mini brand to achieve record sales this year after a flat 2014 due to model changeovers. Mini's global sales rose 1 percent to 302,183 last year, BMW reported Jan. 12.
In other changes, BMW said:
• Peter van Binsbergen, 47, will become senior vice-president for sales and marketing of BMW Group Germany. He is currently head of sales and marketing at the BMW Brilliance in China.
• Bernard Kuhnt, 47, will head BMW Group's importer markets, making him responsible for BMW sales in more than 80 countries. Kuhnt was previously in charge of Jaguar Land Rover's European sales.
• Uwe Dreher, 40, will become head of marketing for the BMW brand and the BMW i and BMW M subbrands. Dreger is currently in charge of BMW marketing in the UK.
Contributor-Paul McVeigh
Source-Automotive News
Big Games happening in the PABA in Provo
It was another eventful weekend in the Provo Amateur Basketball Association league, as the playoff hunt continues.
On Friday night, the Knights defeated the Steelers 50-45 in a keenly contested game. An-dujar Gardiner scored 19 pts & had 6 rebounds. Also in the center was Elvis 'Big Country' Smith with 9 points & 8 rebounds for the Knights.
Wesley Cherry scored 9 pts and grabbed 8 Rebs for the Steelers. In game 2, the Kings routed the Sonics 72-52. Darly Francois came up big for the Sonics with 21 pts & 4 rebounds; he was supported by Jose De Santos with 9 pts, 10 Rebs & 3 steals.
Lofton Seymour did major damage for the Kings with 23 pts & 3 steals.
The scoring was evenly distributed for the Kings with Jerome Parker's 10 pts & 9 rebounds, Dwayne Hamilton's 10 pts & 4 Rebounds, and Ralph Mckinnon's 10 pts, 9 Rebs, 2 assists, & 3 steals.
Saturday night match up featured the undefeated Police Badgers vs the Shottas. Police fought valiantly and eventually arrested the Shottas 60 handcuffs to their 56 points. Saundro Jermain shot 21 pts, 11 Rebs and his supporting cast of Raymeeko Smith's 24 pts, 6 rebounds and Duran Dean's 12 pts and 6 rebounds helped the Badgers secure their win.
Sugar Ray Smith was the high point man for the Shottas with 19 pts, 6 rebounds off the boards, while S. Walkin scored 11 pts, catching 5 rebounds.
In Game 2, the Hustlerz defeated the Kings 79-75. President of the PABA told our sports desk that the Kings have been viewed as the most improved team by him, which features mainly high school players.
Lofton Seymour came up big once again for the Kings with 17 pts, 3 rebounds & 5 stls, and supported by Dwayne Hamilton with 17 pts and 6 rebounds.
Scoring for the Hustlerz came from Wesley Methodist center Abdul Dori-me-us 9 pts & 14 rebounds while Tori Jackson's 14 pts, 2 Rebs & 2 stls, Davanio Quant's 16 pts, 7 Rebs, 2 assists, 2 steals and Captain Kirk Adams rolled out 21 pts, collected 10 rebounds and nabbed3 steals.
Games will continue on Wednesday night with two other exciting games, North Caicos Spartans will take on the Knights and Coca Cola classics will try to quench their thirst over the Steelers.
Nadal, Sharapova survive second round
An agitated Roger Federer spat out the question that Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova easily could have asked the players who pushed them to the limits in the second round of the Australian Open.
"Do you have to be that close?" Federer snapped at a TV cameraman hovering nearby as he received medical advice after losing a set yesterday.
For Nadal and Sharapova, the nuisance was coming from the lowly ranked qualifiers across the net.
Nadal was taken to five agonising sets by No. 112-ranked Tim Smyczek, who even did him a sporting favour in the last game of a four-hour, 12-minute night match. Sharapova needed to save two match points before prevailing 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 over fellow Russian Alexandra Panova, ranked No. 150.
After his 6-2, 3-6, 6-7 (2), 6-3, 7-5 win, Nadal dropped to his knees on the court, clasping his hands in a prayer-like pose.
Smyczek was competing shot for shot, belying his experience of just eight Grand Slam tournaments and no previous wins against a top 10 opponent. He twice led by a set. But Nadal, who at times was doubled over in pain and resting his hands and head on his racket, hung on until he broke Smyczek's serve in the 11th game of the fifth set.
When a spectator screamed out as Nadal tossed the ball for his serve at 30-0 in the last game, Smyczek insisted the Spaniard replay the serve - a gesture later acknowledged with high praise. Nadal won the replayed point, earning triple match point. Smyczek saved those three, but couldn't break after taking the game to deuce.
Federer was troubled by a sore right pinkie finger, an injury he couldn't diagnose or explain, but rallied to beat Simone Bolelli 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to advance to the third round.
Source-AP
Andy Murray wrong to split with Ivan Lendl says Goran Ivanisevic
Andy Murray made a mistake splitting from coach Ivan Lendl, former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic says.
Murray takes on Portugal's Joao Sousa in the Australian Open third round at approximately 04:00 GMT on Friday.
The Briton is now coached by Amelie Mauresmo after ending his partnership with Lendl in March last year.
"Last year was up and down for him, he changed the coaches. For me that's maybe his biggest mistake, letting Ivan go," Ivanisevic told BBC Sport.
"Because it was a perfect match. They did everything well together.
"They won two Grand Slams, he played the best tennis under Ivan, they were similar tennis players."
Murray, 27, won the US Open, Wimbledon and Olympic gold under Lendl, but they went their separate ways after a little over two years together when the Czech-born American could not commit to enough weeks on tour.
Murray began working with Mauresmo in June and and picked up three ATP titles at the end of a season in which he returned from back surgery.
The Scot has not reached a Grand Slam final since beating Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon two years ago, although Murray is optimistic he is now back to his best.
Ivanisevic, who coaches US Open champion Marin Cilic, believes Murray will add to his two major titles.
"Andy is a great tennis player, a great competitor, he's going to be back and he's going to win more Grand Slams. If not this year, next year," said the Croat, who won Wimbledon in 2001.
"He can easily win a Grand Slam this year. What he played last year was way off the standard of Andy Murray.
"There was some brilliance but overall it was medium."
Murray has made a solid start to his Australian Open campaign with straight-sets wins over India's Yuki Bhambri and Australian Marinko Matosevic, and he holds a 3-0 record against Sousa.
"He fights hard, he has a great attitude," Murray said. "He doesn't have one massive weapon, but he definitely gets the most out of his game. He's physically in very good shape. He lasts the long matches well. He'll make it tough for me."
Sousa is ranked 55 in the world and believes he will pose a much greater threat than in 2013 when Murray beat him 6-2 6-2 6-4 in the Australian Open second round.
"I've got a lot of experience, I think I'm another player now," the 25-year-old from Guimaraes said.
"I think the major difference is that I have more experience of the circuit. The other time I played him here it was my first time in a big stadium against a great player.
"Now I have played a lot of times with great players. For sure, that counts."
Source-
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah dies
Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has died in hospital, state TV says.
The announcement, made early on Friday, said his brother, Salman, had become king.
Before the announcement, Saudi television cut to Koranic verses, which often signifies the death of a senior royal.
King Abdullah, who was said to be aged about 90, had been in hospital for several weeks suffering from a lung infection.
Abdullah came to the throne in 2005 but had suffered frequent bouts of ill health in recent years.
King Salman, 79, had recently taken on the ailing monarch's responsibilities.
The late king's half brother Moqren has been named the new crown prince, the official statement said.
King Salman called on the royal family's Allegiance Council to recognise Moqren as his crown prince and heir.
"His Highness Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and all members of the family and the nation mourn the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who passed away at exactly 1am this morning," the statement said.
Source-BBC
LL Cool J Announced as Grammy Host for Fourth Time in a Row
LL Cool J has secured a hosting gig at the Grammy Awards. The rapper/actor who has been hosting the annual awards show since 2012 is returning to the position at the upcoming ceremony which is taking place at the Staples Center, Los Angeles next month.
Recording Academy president and CEO Neil Portnow shared in a statement why the rapper is "perfect" choice for the hosting duty. "As both a Grammy-winning recording artist and an accomplished actor, LL Cool J's wide range of talent, dynamic personality and charismatic energy make him the perfect choice to host the Grammy Awards," he said. "His unique expertise allows him to set the right tone for the show and connect with everyone - from his musical peers to fans at home. We are honored to have him back."
The "Toys" star also expressed his excitement about returning to host the show. "I'm thrilled to again be part of music's biggest night. The performances and moments you see on the Grammy stage are nothing less than amazing throughout the years and this year's show is shaping up to be one you will never forget," he said in the statement.
The 2015 Academy Awards is taking place on Sunday, February 8 and airs on CBS. Pharrell Williams, Miranda Lambert and Sam Smith and more stars were recently announced as performers at the event, joining previously-announced stars such as Madonna and Ed Sheeran.
Source-AceShowbiz
Kim Kardashian Is Not Trying to 'Save Her Marriage' to Kanye West With Second Child
Kim Kardashian is not trying to "save her marriage" to Kanye West by having a second child. A source close to the situation tells Gossip Cop that the new report made by InTouch is "totally wrong."
The magazine previously reported that "as [Kim and Kanye's] eight-month marriage continues to fall apart and head toward divorce court, Kim is in a panic over the thought of suffering through the humiliation of a third divorce... and has devised a plan to turn everything around: Get pregnant ASAP."
A so-called Kardashian insider told the tabloid, "Kim doesn't want to be dragged to court. Kanye loves North so much, she knows her plan to have another baby to keep him from ending their sham of a marriage will work."
Another source claimed, "Kim is determined to have another child because she knows Kanye wouldn't leave her if she's pregnant. It's kind of sad, but that's how Kim thinks."
The news came after Kim revealed her struggle to get pregnant with second baby earlier this month. At the E! International Press Junket in Los Angeles on January 9, Kim told Daily Mail, "It's been more challenging to get pregnant the second time around. When you're not planning it, it happens. It's just how God works. And when you want it so bad, it's not happening."
George and Amal Clooney's Rep Denies Divorce' Rumor
A representative for George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney has addressed rumor made by InTouch that the couple was getting a "$200 million divorce." Stan Rosenfield told RumorFix, "This story is totally made up in order to sell their magazines."
An alleged source told InTouch that George and Amal's marriage was "beset with jealousy, arguments and other relationship-wrecking behavior." The tabloid claimed, "Amal's disdain for Hollywood and many of George's pals, her increasingly diva-like behavior, as well as fights over starting a family, have friends convinced it's all gone wrong for the couple."
A so-called insider said, "I think they'll divorce. There's no way it can last. And it's going to be very expensive for George."
George was reportedly embarrassed with Amal's behavior during the Golden Globes because not only she did talk during his big moment but also "she was giving judgmental looks to some pretty big names there." A friend told the site, "He's trying hard. But behind the scenes, he and Amal are fighting."
Another source said, "Amal is extremely bossy and arrogant. She's just not much fun to be around," adding that the human rights lawyer's "sudden international fame has gone to her head. Amal believes she's the most famous woman in the world and acts like royalty wherever she goes."
InTouch reported that George and Amal planned to adopt or have a baby within the first year of their marriage. "But it seems like Amal is changing that deal now," the tabloid claimed, "She is all about her career; having a baby would ruin that right now. She's enjoying the fame and wants to wait, and it's causing a lot of tension because George wants kids now. It was part of why they got married so soon."
Source-AceShowbiz
Yemen's President & Cabinet has resigned
Yemen President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi has resigned, according to a Yemen government spokesman in Washington, throwing the country deeper into chaos days after Houthi rebels battled their way into his presidential palace.
Spokesman Mohammed Albasha announced the embattled president was stepping down via social media on Thursday.
Hadi submitted his resignation to parliament after being pressured to make further concessions to the rebels, saying he had reached a “deadlock” in talks with the militant group who rule the capital and had confined him to his home.
Yemen's Cabinet had submitted its resignation earlier Thursday.
Citing a Facebook post by Prime Minister Khaled Bahah, Reuters quoted the political chief as saying the government didn't want to be "dragged into an unconstructive political maze that is not based on law or order."
The move comes amid a political tug-of-war between the president and the Houthi Shi'ite militia that has gripped the country since Monday.
His resignation raised fears the Arab world's poorest country could again split apart.
Speaking from Sanaa on Thursday, U.N. envoy Jamal Benomar said the political crisis would only be resolved if the rival groups honor earlier agreements that call for power-sharing and an end to violence.
"I want to assert again that the crisis can't be resolved but by way of what you agreed upon through the outcomes of the NDC and the Peace and National Partnership Agreement," he said. "I call you all to have wisdom and national spirit, give priority to the national interest of Yemen and use dialogue and political action to resolve any of political disagreement, away from violence, extortion and procrastination."
Source-VOA