Roger Federer beats Benoit Paire to reach Swiss Indoors semi-finals
Roger Federer eased into the Swiss Indoors semi-finals with a 6-2 6-2 victory over Benoit Paire of France.
The five-time champion and home favourite dominated on serve against the 46th-ranked Paire, improving his 2012 win-loss record to 65-9.
World number two Federer next faces another Frenchman, Paul-Henri Mathieu, after he beat Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria 7-6 (7-2) 7-6 (7-4).
The other semi-final pits Juan Martin del Potro against Richard Gasquet.
Del Potro, who won the Erste Bank Open in Vienna last Sunday, battled past big-serving South African Kevin Anderson 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-2.
The second seed from Argentina will play third-seeded Frenchman Gasquet after he overcame Mikhail Youzhny of Russia 6-2 7-6 (7-5).
Bolt beaten by Brit in surprise finish
Sprint icon and philanthropist Usain Bolt has had to settle for a rare second place, and not at the hands of his heir-apparent Yohan Blake. This time he finished behind an Englishman.
So just who is the upstart Brit who dared to outstrip the world’s fastest man?
His name is Bond – James Bond.
The fictional 007 hero edged-out Bolt for top spot in a poll for the Top 49 Most Influential Men of 2012 conducted by lifestyle website AskMen.Com, which received more than half a million votes to select the list’s entrants this year.
The online magazine asked its readers, about 17 million each month, to select male figures who made the greatest impact and helped to shape what it means to be a man in 2012.
And Bond gave Bolt the boot.
Not that we imagine Bolt would mind, especially given the great love for Jamaica held by Bond’s creator, British author Ian Fleming.
Meanwhile, former US president, Bill Clinton; creator of the popular Family Guy animated series, Seth MacFarlane; and actor/director, Joseph Gordon-Levitt round out the top five.
Jamaica’s “lightning” Bolt also streaked ahead of US President Barack Obama (#11) and recording mogul Jay-Z (#22), while rapper Kanye West, ranked 31st, is the only man to have made all seven editions of the poll.
See complete list below:
1. James Bond
2. Usain Bolt
3. Bill Clinton
4. Seth MacFarlane
5. Joseph Gordon-Levitt
6. Jimmy Kimmel
7. Elon Musk
8. Frank Ocean
9. Kevin Systrom & Mike Krieger
10. Ryan Gosling
11. Barack Obama
12. Michael Phelps
13. Christian Grey
14. The replacement refs
15. Christopher Nolan
16. Liam Neeson
17. Riad Al Assad
18. Joss Whedon
19. Peter Higgs
20. Price William
21. Bryan Cranston
22. Jay-Z
23. Jeff Bezos
24. Mitt Romney
25. Neil deGrasse Tyson
26. Billy Reid
27. Michael Fassbender
28. Quentin Tarantino
29. Felix Baumgartner
30. Jose Mourinho
31. Kanye West
32. Lebron James
33. Andy Murray
34. Drake
35. Markus Persson
36. Snoop Lion
37. Howard Stern
38. Neil Patrick Harris
39. Psy
40. Jonah Peretti
41. James Cameron
42. John Maynard Keynes
43. Adam Driver
44. Tim Tebow
45. Gotye
46. Harvey Weinstein
47. Tony Horton
48. Tom Hardy
49. Alec Baldwin
Chris Brown’s forthcoming Guyana concert sparks controversy
Domestic violence activists and women’s rights groups in Guyana have come out slugging against American R&B singer Chris Brown’s “Unforgettable 2” concert scheduled to be held in that country on December 26.
The vehement objectors have also slammed the government for giving tax breaks for the Hits & Jams Entertainment-organized show, saying that the administration is not serious about effectively addressing the increase in domestic violence when it supports a man who has been convicted of battering his partner.
Brown was convicted of battering his girlfriend, Barbadian megastar Rihanna, over the 2009 Grammy weekend, an assault that made international headlines and sparked worldwide outrage.
He was subsequently sentenced to community service and ordered into anger management sessions.
The storm of protest against Brown’s Guyana concert comes against the backdrop of an upsurge in domestic violence in the country, in which women are being battered, maimed, and even killed.
While some Guyanese contend that Brown’s concert could be used in a positive manner for sensitization about partner violence, others are strongly opposed to the United States artiste setting foot in their country to entertain.
“As the grim situation on domestic violence has become a staple part of Guyana’s everyday life and landscape, I believe that having a known abuser perform, gives credit to him and sends an unspoken message that it is okay to beat up on your wife or girlfriend and still stay popular and famous,” Sukree Boodram, of Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness (CADVA) and a survivor of domestic violence told Guyana’s Stabroek News on Friday.
She feels that there are many other entertainers who would jump at the opportunity to perform in Guyana and who have great respect for women, but says that to have Brown perform in Guyana is tantamount to a slap in the faces of victims and their relatives.
Boodram pointed out that any governmental or non-governmental body or organisation making decisions in which a person that is a known abuser is being showcased to the public in a positive way, “definitely sends a negative message to our people of Guyana”.
Declining to address the tax breaks given by the government, Boodram said that the main issue is that those “who represent our beautiful country made a decision or approved an individual who is an abuser to enter our land to entertain our people, while he himself has left a trail of bloody marks and abuse on a beautiful woman of Guyanese heritage, Rihanna.”
“The fact that we are allowing a publicly known abuser to enter our country is blatant disregard and disrespect to our people and the cause we claim to want to eradicate. That cause is domestic violence,” Boodram said. “What kind of signal does this send? It says that ‘bringing wealth into Guyana’ is more important than the safety of the nation’s women. It says that talking out of both sides of your mouth concerning violence against women is justified so long as everyone can dance.”
US Secretary of State congratulates Dominica on its Independence
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes and congratulations to the people of Dominica as you celebrate 34 years of independence this November 3.
The United States and Dominica remain united by shared history, values, and strong cultural ties.
Our collaboration within programs such as the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief advances our common aspirations and strengthens democracy, rule of law, and human rights.
Our joint efforts will increase security, improve access to health care, improve economic opportunities, and create a brighter future for all our people.
The United States is committed to strengthening our bonds of friendship.
I wish you a happy, safe, and prosperous independence day as you enjoy some of Dominica’s best music and dance during the Cultural Gala and honor your country’s heritage during the annual parade.
Tiger Woods left trailing by Robert Garrigus at Asia Pacific Classic
Robert Garrigus hit his second seven-under-par round of 64 at the Asia Pacific Classic in Malaysia to open a two-shot lead over the field.
The 34-year-old American is 14 under at the halfway stage, two shots ahead of South African Jbe Kruger.
"No disrespect to anybody on the PGA Tour - they're all great players - but I feel like I can beat anybody in the world," Garrigus said.
Tiger Woods is five shots back despite sinking six birdies in a four-under 67.
The world number two has holed 13 birdies in the tournament so far, but two bogeys in each round has left tied fifth on nine under.
"It is playing where it could be had out there," said the world number two,referring, for a second day, as to how easy the course is playing.
"Guys are shooting good scores - a bunch of 65s and lower. You just can't keep passive. You have to be aggressive."
Garrigus, the world number 43, has only one career victory to his name, but has been a runner-up three times on the PGA Tour this season.
"I'm going to try to get to 30 [under par] if I can," he added.
After pars on the first six holes, Garrigus birdied six of the following seven and then made two more, before dropping his only shot of the day on the 447-yard 18th.
Kruger, who won his first European Tour title in India in February, also shot a 64 on day two and credited his excellent round with playing alongside Woods.
"I think it definitely made me concentrate a bit harder," the 26-year-old said. "That is one thing I've been lacking the last couple of months, so I think I want to play with him every day."
First-round leader Troy Matteson, of the United States, is still to drop a shot at the tournament, but only two birdies in a second-round 69 saw him fall to joint-third on 10 under par with Australian left-hander Greg Chalmers.
Alongside Woods are fellow American Kevin Na and Zimbabwe's Brendon de Jonge, while Scotland's Martin Laird is joint-11th on seven under after a 67 on day two.
Lance Armstrong's Tour de France victories will not be reallocated
Lance Armstrong's seven Tour de France titles will not be awarded to any other riders, the International Cycling Union has announced.
Armstrong was stripped of his yellow jerseys for doping by cycling's governing body on Monday.
"The management committee decided not to award victories to any other rider or upgrade other placings in any of the affected events," said a UCI statement.American Armstrong crossed the line first every year between 1999 and 2005.
The UCI acknowledged that "a cloud of suspicion would remain hanging over this dark period - but that while this might appear harsh for those who rode clean, they would understand there was little honour to be gained in reallocating places".
The body has also ordered Armstrong and others to pay back all prize money from this period, and has commissioned an independent investigation into the whole Armstrong affair. Pending the results of the report, defamation proceedings against Paul Kimmage, a former cyclist and Sunday Times journalist, have been suspended.
The statement added: "The committee agreed that part of the independent commission's remit would be to find ways to ensure that persons caught for doping were no longer able to take part in the sport, including as part of an entourage."
Armstrong, 41, and his United States Postal Service team ran "the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen", a 1,000-page United States Anti-Doping Agency report concluded.
In the report, it was also claimed that Armstrong paid the UCI $100,000 (£62,300) for the fight against anti-doping.
Floyd Landis, a former colleague of Armstrong's who now admits to using drugs, claims this was hush money to cover up a positive test for the banned substance EPO that was collected from Armstrong during his victory at the Tour of Switzerland in 2001.
The UCI admitted it received money from Armstrong in 2002, but said in 2010 that this was not part of a cover-up.
BBC Sport understands that at Friday's UCI management committee hearing there was an attempt by more than one member to force honorary president Hein Verbruggen to resign, but it did not gain enough support and failed.
Verbruggen and president Pat McQuaid, who has been asked to resign in an open letter by America's three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond, have come under intense pressure to stand aside in the wake of the Armstrong scandal. There was no attempt to get McQuaid to quit.
McQuaid said the governing body are "determined to turn around this painful episode in the history of our sport".
"We will take whatever actions are deemed necessary by the independent commission and we will put cycling back on track," said McQuaid.
"Today, cycling is a completely different sport from what it was in the period 1998-2005.
"Riders are now subject to the most innovative and effective anti-doping procedures and regulations in sport.
"Nevertheless, we have listened to the world's reaction to the Lance Armstrong affair and have taken these additional decisive steps in response to the grave concerns raised."
World anti-doping body Wada said it backed the UCI's decision to create an independent review commission.
British Cycling president Brian Cookson said: "The UCI has taken another worthwhile step in its response to the Usada investigation into Lance Armstrong.
"I can assure everyone that my UCI management committee colleagues and I are unanimous in our determination that this independent commission will just be the start of the process and nothing will be off the agenda.
"Cycling must and will learn the lessons of the Armstrong era."
Jessica Biel becomes JT: 'I really won the jackpot of names'
There are now two JTs in showbiz.
“Yes, I'm changing my name,” Jessica Biel told People Magazine.
The 30-year-old “Total Recall” star, who wed Justin Timberlake, 31, on October 19 in a custom pink Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown, told the magazine she’ll still be known as JB professionally.
“[B]ut for life, yes, I think it sounds great,” she added. “I think I really won the jackpot of names.”
The actress will next appear as Vera Miles in “Hitchcock,” which is expected to open in limited theaters on November 23.
The Rolling Stones play impromptu gig
The Rolling Stones performed an impromptu, warm-up gig at a small Paris club on Thursday night.
The band tweeted about the secret show just hours before they took the stage at La Trabendo, writing that 350 tickets were up for grabs at €15 a pop.
According to a press release, 600 fans were in attendance to see Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood.
The Stones kicked off the intimate show with "Route 66," before launching into "It's Only Rock and Roll."Mixed in with the classics was the recently released "Doom and Gloom," the band's first new song together in seven years. They recorded the track in Paris and shot a video with Swedish actress Noomi Rapace, Jagger tweeted Wednesday.
Closing their set with "Midnight Rambler," they returned for an encore playing both "Jumping Jack Flash" and "Brown Sugar."
The Rolling Stones are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year with four arena shows; they'll perform at London's O2 arena on November 25 and 29 before taking the stage at the Newark Prudential Center on December 13 and 15.
Here's the complete set list:
"Route 66" "It's Only Rock and Roll" "Shattered" "When The Whip Comes Down" "Champagne and Reefer" "Doom and Gloom" "Miss You" "Tumbling Dice" "Start Me Up" "Midnight Rambler" "Jumping Jack Flash" "Brown Sugar"
Michael Jackson no longer highest paid dead celebrity
Michael Jackson is no longer the world's highest earning dead celebrity, according to Forbes.
Actress Elizabeth Taylor has overtaken the star pulling in $210 million (£130m), much of it from the auction of her jewels.
It means Jackson's earnings are now in second place in the annual top earning dead celebrities rich list.
The singer's earnings totalled $145 million (£90m), compared to Liz Taylor's $210 million (£130m)It is expected Michael Jackson will move back to the top spot.
His estate owns a substantial stake in Sony's ATV catalogue, which includes artists like Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and The Beatles.
The estate also earns cash from the Cirque du Soleil show The Immortal Tour.
The total amounted to $90 million (£51.8m), outranking Elvis Presley who took in $55 million (£34m).
In addition to the Elizabeth Taylor auction, which totalled $184 million (£114m), the actress also earned $75 million (£46.5m) from sales of her perfume White Diamonds.
She died in 2011 at the age of 79.
Top 10
Other dead celebrities in the top 10 include Elvis Presley in third place, bringing in $55 million (£34m).
Cartoonist Charles Schulz, who created the Peanuts comic strip, came in at number four.
Reggae singer Bob Marley is in fifth position after making $17 million (£11m), while The Beatles' John Lennon is in sixth with $12 million (£7m) Others in the list are Marilyn Monroe ($10 million £6.2m), Albert Einstein ($10 million £6.2m), Children's book Dr. Seuss creator Theodor Geisel ($9 million, £5.5m) and film star Steve McQueen ($8 million, £4.9m).
Forbes analysed the dead celebrities' earnings between October 2011-2012.
Century of calypso recording
A constellation of calypso stars shone brilliantly on Wednesday night when icons of the art form attended the gala, Celebrating 100 Years of Calypso Recording, at the Lord Kitchener Auditorium of the National Academy for the Performing (NAPA), in Port-of-Spain.
Produced by the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation, (Tuco), the event was graced by the presence of President George Maxwell Richards, his wife Dr Jean Ramjohn-Richards and Minister of the Arts and Multiculturalism Dr Lincoln Douglas.
Also in attendance was Pan Trinbago president Keith Diaz. Proceedings were opened with prayers by Tuco marketing manager and former National Calypso Monarch Franz Lambkin (Delamo), followed by a poignant and stern opening address by Tuco chairman Lutalo Masimba (Bro Resistance), punctuated by applause from a captive and appreciative audience which held on to his every word.
The chairman took the electronic media and successive administrations to task for not insisting on a much higher quota of calypso and pan music on the airwaves. Also addressing the audience were President Richards and Douglas.
In his comprehensive 30-minute speech on the history, state of the art form, and aspirations its administrators ought to pursue, Richards quoted a line from Bally’s 1991 composition, Mih Music, stating, “Trinidadians only miss calypso when they go abroad.”
He also urged T&T nationals, while appreciating and enjoying the music, to begin making a more salient and indepth look at the art form and its practitioners. On yet another occasion at this prestigious Frederick Street showplace, what was supposed to be an evening of excellent performances was marred by a less than adequate sound system, causing guests to have to exert every ounce of their auditory abilities to discern the lyrics of the calypsos performed.
Notwithstanding this sore point, the performers gave it their stoic best, ably backed by Kelly Green & Harmony. Bro Valentino (Emrold Phillip) provided the programme, hosted by former Miss Universe Janelle Penny Commissiong-Chow and rapso artiste Omari Ashby, a powerful opening, performing his classic, Where Kaiso Went...?
The performances were interspersed with the distribution of awards to deserving stalwarts in the art form. Recipients included Chalkdust (Dr Hollis Liverpool); Fortunia Ruiz; Melina Bascome; Trinidad Bill (Paul Trotman); Bomber (Clifton Ryan); All Rounder (Anthony Hendrickson); Composer (Fred Mitchell); Funny (Donric Williamson); Singing Francine (Francine Edwards); Earl Rodney; Franklin Agarrat; and Eric Michaud.
Posthumous honours went to the late Melody (Fitzroy Alexander) and Spoiler (Theophilus Phillip), while media practitioners Deborah John, Dave Elcock and Kenny Phillip also received awards.
In addition to reigning National Calypso Monarch Duane O’Connor rendering his winning ditty, The Hunt is On, with Ta’zyah O’Connor, 17 vintage kaisoes were performed by a cast of handpicked calypsonians, including Devon Seales, KV Charles, Timel Rivas, David Bereaux, Joseph Williams, Organiser (Leydon Charles), Alicia Jagessar, Selvon Noel, Sharlon Bailey, Sheldon Reid, Super Blue, Erphaan Alves, Temeika Darius. Chucky (Roderick Gordon), and Tobago Kitchener (Curtis John).
Songs to capture the audience’s fancy included Growling Tiger’s Motorcar Horn; Roaring Lion’s Papa Chunks; Lord Melody’s Shame and Scandal, and Sparrow’s Jean and Dinah.