Aug/090
Caster tests show high levels of testosterone
Caster Semenya won the 800m event at the Berlin World Championships in August 2009 in a performance that impressed many. However, the display only served to raise suspicions further and the IAAF were called in to investigate allegations and rumours that Caster was actually a man. Within hours the South African authorities lept to her defence claiming that she had been allowed to compete in the past and also categorically stated that “she is a girl.”
The tests carried out on Caster revealed that she has 3 times the expected level of testosterone in her body. Analysis prior to the World Athletics Championships and the 18-year-old’s big improvement prompted calls for a gender test from the sport’s governing body.
Jul/091
Important! Tax Credits Deadline Approaches
As the Friday 31st July approaches, claimants of all types of tax credits could soon be facing a further financial blow in the credit crunch. If consumers do not apply for their credits then they could face huge reductions in income when HMRC get around to recalling their overpayment.
UK pensioners - many of whom are struggling because of their pensions deteriorating in the credit crunch - are worrying over the prospect of facing further cuts to their weekly income through tax credits. However, pensioners do not have to renew by the end of this month so worry not. This would have otherwise affected over 3 million pensioners throughout the country.
Jul/090
Last surviving veteran of WW1 dies
Harry Patch, Britain’s last veteran of World War One died this weekend at the age of 111. He died at home in Somerset. His death came only a week after another remaining survivor. Only Claude Choules remains as the sole British-Born survivor who resides in Australia.
Patch, who was conscripted at 18 years old in 1917 fought in Ypres on the Western Front and in the in the battle of Passchendaele. Prime Minister Gordon Brown and General Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of General staff paid tribute to Patch noting his nobility and generosity in teaching school children the atrocities of war. Patch was quoted as saying “War isn’t worth one life”- Reuters UK. He outlived both his wives and two sons in his long life.
Jul/090
Pandemic flu figures direct gov to take action
A 26 year old pregnant British woman is critically ill with swine flu has been transferred to Sweden for specialist treatment after suffering an extreme reaction to the potentially fatal Swine Flu virus.
The woman was admitted to Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock, Scotland with H1N1 last week, but after complications, the hospital recommended a procedure in which her blood would be circulated out of her body and oxygenated.
The Leicester unit that carries out this procedure was so full that she has been sent to Sweden.
The procedure is known as extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and involves a machine taking over the functions of the individuals heart and lungs.
The UK has a national ECMO unit in Leicester, however with only 5 beds all of which are taken.
A similar bed was found in Stockholm, where the woman has now arrived .
“Doctors are pleased with how she has coped with the journey, which is obviously good news, but the patient is critically ill, which is why she had to be transferred for this highly specialised procedure.
Jul/090
Manchester City: Emmanuel Adebayor talks ongoing
After suffering a season of verbal abuse from a large section of the Arsenal following his wish to join AC Milan at the end of last season, Adebeyor has now found himself in that same position again and if Arsenal are shrewd enough they will recognise that his value of £25m may be accurate and the time to say goodbye.
The strongest indication that Adabayor will be on his way is that a work permit, as expected, has been granted but the Togo international is yet to agree terms on a lucrative contract at Eastlands. A tight-lipped Mark Hughes would only say: “Talks are ongoing at the moment. We are still in discussions.”
Tuesday’s news conference for new signing Carlos Tevez served only to create more speculation that City are ready to splash out on at least 3 new stars including a defender and midfielder. “It may well be that opportunities will present themselves. We still have areas we want to strengthen,” he said.
Jul/090
LaToya Jackson on Michael Jackson’s ‘Murder’
Many of us have seen in the past week or so LaToya Jackson weeping over the front pages of our newspapers. We read the heartbreaking tales of times gone by but the story/claim LaToya made about her brother Michael Jackson being murdered made a lot of people throughout the UK think sinister thoughts.
However, the Daily Mail claims LaToya was not only paid for the interview but was also told beforehand that she had to include a ’sensational’ element to her story. CNN originally broke the news that LaToya was paid for the story but were unaware that she was asked to include the claim that her brother was murdered. The Daily Mail reporter describe LaToya as ‘candid’.
LaToya who is now 53, was a Playboy model in the early 1990’s after being disowned from her family for claiming Michael acted in an unacceptable way with children. There were strong rumours that she was paid for that story as well which adds further weight to the suggestion that she was paid for this latest accusation.
“I believe Michael was murdered, I felt that from the start,” the Mail quoted LaToya as saying over the weekend. “Not just one person was involved; rather it was a conspiracy of people.”
Jul/090
Ali G Borat now Bruno - Sasha Baron Cohen unleashes his Gay Character
On the day that Sasha Baron Cohen unleashes his new creation onto the UK public, we thought we would analyse the effects of his character Bruno on the consumer. For many gay people, years of battling homophobia or even homophobic comments proved a tough challenge but one that can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, this new movie could have set them back years with stereotypes about to creep out of the woodwork again.
Above all, 2 sets of views and opinions stand out on this debate. The first is from Bryan Safi (a writer and performer living in LA), who expects a positive impact from Bruno. “I ponder if Bruno is bad for gays taking the movement a swishy step backwards.” Although a bigger part of him thinks Bruno might be “the renegade we gays need now and that unlike the comedies that came before in which gayness was the butt of the joke, this film uses ignorant Americans as the butt of the joke.”
And Rashad Robinson from Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) took a different view when he said in a public statement: “This movie does not unmask stereotypes by showing pictures like that, they enforce them. As someone who sat at the back of a focus group audience outside of Los Angeles, I felt they were laughing at us at times.”
Jul/090
Michael Jackson is Dead - All You Need To Know About the Legend in 60 Seconds
Billie Jean Was the First Video By a Black Artist on MTV. Some may argue that MTV broke racial barriers by allowing this but others argue that MTV only allowed this because the lyrics of the song reinforced the stereotypes of black people. Apparanetly the song is about a black man not wanting to pay child support!
Michael Jackson successfully obtained a patent for his leaning forward dancing move - you know the one. Anyway, the move made famous by his Smooth Criminal video meant that every time anyway decided to lean forward they owed Michael Jackson $20. The last bit was a joke.
Wacko Jacko’s favourite superhero was Morph from the X-Men. We, at Consumer Help, all agree that if he was brought up in England or even Britain his favourite would have either been Super Ted or Banana Man. Definitely would NOT have been Spiderman!
Michael Jackson appeared as a clay model in the Genesis Video, Land of Confusion. With Jackson now dead Genesis must surely be the new kings of weird videos.
Michael believed that if you peeled the skin off of KFC chicken, it made it organic. It was David Gest who revealed this about Jack right after claiming to be a close friend. Luckily David Gest does not do anything strange like that!
A rumour spread like wild fire in the 80’s that Michael Jackson was dating American actress Brooke Shields. People used to joke: Where’s Michael Jackson’s other glove? In Brooke Shields’ pants! Oh how we laughed. Judging by Michaels farewell on 7th July 2009, it would appear Brooke Shields and Michael were only ever likely to be friends.
Michael Jackson had plastic surgery to fix his nose. His dad used to call him ‘big nose’ when he was a kid so decided to change things… a little. At the time of his death Michael was the most pale person in pop music and looked suspiciously like a Michael Jackson doll.
One of Jacko’s proudest moments was when MC Hammer (who is he again?) once challenged him to a dance-off. It was reported MJ turned down the offer saying “I’ve seen your videos and every single dance move you use, you got off of me.” Nobody ever took Mr. Hammer seriously again after that!
His close friends called him “Smelly”. There he goes again good old Smelly Jackson! That’s what Quincy Jones and Stephen Spielberg called him. Cruel cynics could argue that it’s all the plastic that smells. We don’t think so.
And that’s it…
Michael Jackson has had an interesting life and we would like to say R.I.P. - you were many things and the undisputed King of Pop was certainly one of them.
Jul/090
Andy Roddick vs Roger Federer Wimbledon 2009
On the 5th July 2009 Roger Federer, the king of the grass court, took centre stage with US tennis hero Andy Roddick. Federer, going for his record-breaking 15th Grand Slam title and his sixth Wimbledon victory in the last seven years never at any stage in this years competition looked threatened by any opponent he faced and it was always going to be a tough ask of the young scot to overcome arguably the greatest player to have ever graced SW19.
Despite his best efforts, Andy Roddick could only take comfort from the fact that he had pushed his opponent all the way in a five set thriller. The match was on a knife edge when Roddick took the opener with a sparkling range of shots to match anything Nadal could have done in this pressurised situation.
On the final day of a tournament which has seen record-breaking temperatures, the weather was not about to let us down. Wimbledon history was not to be made as the roof on centre court was not closed because the sun was shining as it always seems to on Mens Final day, serving only to add to the tense atmosphere. Roddick had earlier complained about the roof being closed because of the condition of the air inside but this was no time for complaints. The biggest match in Roddick’s short career was taking a turn for the worse.
The second set was Federer at his best and sure enough the third set was wrapped up shortly afterwards 2 sets to 1 in The Fed’s favour. A Rod (as the americans love to call him) took charge of the fourth set breaking Federer twice to prove he was not about to roll over. An emotional Federer later thanked his loyal fans for their support over the past year which had been “the most difficult of his life”. However, the light at the end of the dark tunnel had clearly arrived when he stole the match from a spirited Andy Roddick 16-14 in the fifth and final set. Pundits argue that his recent marriage to Mirka Federer has proven to be the difference after the death of his long-time coach Peter Carter meant that he had no real influence in his corner come match time.
The mutual respect shown between the two players after them match was very pleasing to see. Roddick would have attracted many more fans after this tournament. The way he conducted himself on and off the court was impeccable. With Rafael Nadal out, this was Roddick’s chance, but we should not have underestimated Federer’s capabilities. Will 2010 be the year when Federer goes on to claim his 16th, 17th or 18th Grand Slam title or will it be Andy Murray’s year? We only have 350 days to wait…
 |
 |
