NFL's "Pacman" Jones to pay $11.6 million for Las Vegas shooting - Reuters
CLEVELAND |
CLEVELAND (Reuters) - A Nevada jury has ruled that Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Adam "Pacman" Jones must pay $11.6 million to three plaintiffs for his role in a 2007 shooting incident at a Las Vegas strip club.
The Clark County jury on Friday awarded Thomas Urbanski $9.6 million in compensatory damages for a gunshot injury that left him paralyzed from the waist down, according to online court records. Urbanski was the manager of the Minxx club.
Aaron Cudwort, a bouncer at the club, was awarded $1 million in compensatory damages and $600,000 in punitive damages for injury in the shooting.
Urbanski's wife, Kathleen, was awarded $750,000 for loss of consortium.
The awards stem from an altercation in February 2007 when Jones, who was with the NFL's Tennessee Titans at the time, was in Las Vegas during the National Basketball Association's All-Star weekend.
According to police reports, the incident occurred after Jones "made it rain" by throwing money into the air. Minutes later, a brawl ensued outside the club and Arvin Kenti Edwards, an associate of Jones, began shooting into a group of people.
Edwards entered an Alford plea to the charge of attempted murder and was sentenced to two to five years in prison. In an Alford plea, the defendant does not admit to the charge, but admits it likely could be proven.
Jones was suspended from playing in the NFL by Commissioner Roger Goodell in 2007 and in 2008 for violations of the league's personal conduct policy.
Jones was arrested in July 2011 after being kicked out of a Cincinnati bar. He was charged with disorderly conduct while intoxicated and resisting arrest for pulling away from police officers as they tried to handcuff him.
He was sentenced to one year of probation and 50 hours of community service and ordered to pay a $250 fine plus court costs, according to court records.
Cudwort's attorney Richard Shonfeld said in a telephone interview on Saturday that he was glad that the jury held Jones accountable.
He said he expected the NFL player to be able to pay the settlement.
"After all of this time, Aaron has some finality to what happened to him," Shonfeld said.
The Bengals signed Jones for the 2012 season after he played only eight games last season because of injuries.
The NFL has asked Jones to be part of a panel discussion at the rookie symposium in Ohio this month to talk about his off-the-field mistakes at a football player.
(Reporting by Ian Simpson; Editing by Jackie Frank)
Niagara Falls Daredevil 'On Cloud Nine' After Wire Walk - People
Nik Wallenda
Geoff Robins/AFP/Getty
And although Nik Wallenda's 1,800-foot trip over the roaring waters of Horseshoe Falls, the largest of the three falls, secured him some serious bragging rights, the daredevil seemed more interested in the estimated 112,000 people who gathered to witness the spectacle (and the millions more who tuned in on TV).
"I hope what I do and what I just did inspires people around the world to reach for the skies," Wallenda, 33, told reporters after the walk, in which he wore a safety tether as per the request of ABC, which helped sponsor the stunt, according to the Associated Press.
He said he felt like he was "on cloud nine" after braving "wind coming from every which way" and blinding mist on his 30-minute walk from the U.S. into Canada.
"There was no way to focus on the movement of the cable," he said. "If I looked down at the cable, there was water moving everywhere. And if I looked up, there was heavy mist blowing in front of my face. So it was a very unique, a weird sensation."
So how did he overcome the forces of nature to complete the historical walk, which paid homage to his circus family, the Flying Wallendas, and his great-grandfather, the late Karl Wallenda (who died during a stunt in Puerto Rico)?
"A lot of praying," he said. "That's for sure."
Czech Republic V Poland : UEFA Euro 2012 Match Preview - Football
Published: 16 Jun 2012 - 15:00:32
Co-hosts Poland face must-win game
It is win or bust for co-hosts Poland as they take on the Czech Republic on Saturday knowing that any other result would see them exit the European Championship.
Poland may have played well in their opening two Group A matches but they failed to win either and currently sit third with just two points.
The Czech Republic have three points and failure to win would mean that the Poles could overtake neither the Czechs nor group leaders Russia, who have four points.
A goal and a man to the good and playing vibrant attacking football, Franciszek Smuda's team looked to be fulfilling the pre-tournament promise that a 2-2 friendly draw with Germany in September had started to foment.
It has been a bumpy ride so far for the hosts but Smuda is confident his side can get the result they need and continue in the competition.
"I'd like for the best to be yet to come, and I'd have nothing against it being in the match with the Czech Republic," he said.
Poland have some injury worries, though, with defender Damien Perquis and midfielders Eugen Polanski and Dariusz Dudka all doubts having suffered injuries against Russia on Tuesday.
An abdominal strain has made Dudka the most doubtful of the three while Perquis is recovering from a gashed shin and Polanski is suffering from a bruised knee.
"Our match with the Czechs is crucial, perhaps our most important in recent years," said midfielder Rafal Murawski.
"We have to win it, and we mean to win it. The Czechs are within our range."
While Poland have injury concerns and need to win, the Czechs are in almost exactly the same boat.
They could qualify with a draw but only if Greece don't beat Russia, otherwise they will be out.
It means they too need to win to be sure of progressing but they have concerns over two crucial players, captain Tomas Rosicky and goalkeeper Petr Cech.
Arsenal midfielder Rosicky is the bigger doubt after what he believes is a recurrence of a calf injury he suffered in the final Premier League game of the season forced him to miss the second half of their 2-1 win over Greece.
Chelsea goalkeeper Cech has a sore shoulder and is desperate to play to make up for his gaffe that allowed the Greeks a route back into a match in which the Czechs had established an early two-goal lead.
"The blunder looks comic, but such things happen in football," said Cech after dropping a cross that allowed Fanis Gekas to score.
"I believe this was enough. I won't make a silly mistake like this again."
Since the Czech Republic split from Slovakia to form an independent country, they have lost every time they have played away to Poland.
However, the last meeting between the sides was a Czech victory in Prague in a World Cup qualifier three years ago.
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Czech Republic V Poland - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game live.
Related Czech Republic News
Blanc pleased as France impress - Football
Published: 16 Jun 2012 - 06:47:25
France coach Laurent Blanc was delighted after his side ended their record-breaking winless run at major tournaments as their 2-0 victory over Ukraine took them top of Group D.
After missing a number of chances Jeremy Menez and Yohan Cabaye, with his first international goal, scored to leave the French requiring a point from their final match against already-eliminated Sweden to reach the quarter-finals. It also halted a run of eight matches at finals without a win, an unwanted record set in their opening draw against England.
"We'll enjoy this one. As the French know very well, it's been a long time since we won a game at a major tournament," said Blanc.
"We're very happy to have won. Six years in major competitions and to not win a game is a long time. I hope our next win isn't in six years. If it is, then I want be here to talk about it because I'll have been fired long before."
A severe thunderstorm five minutes into the match forced the players off the pitch for almost an hour before the game could be restarted. It did not appear to affect France, however, as they came back out and dominated throughout.
"When the game was suspended our fear was that we wouldn't get to play it. We really wanted to play; we'd prepared for it," Blanc added. "After our slow first 30 minutes against England this time the weather stopped us making a proper start to a game.
"The stadium staff responded well and everything went how it should. We were worried the condition of the pitch would make it difficult to play our game - and we had some plans in place in case it did - but we quickly saw that the pitch was in good condition."
Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin felt a number of his players became complacent after their opening win had put them top of the group after the first round of matches. Now they have to beat England to progress to the knockout stage.
"As I said, the win against Sweden didn't mean anything, so if we thought we were through, we were wrong," he said.
"I think some players thought that and we'll have a serious conversation with them."
Related France News
Gary gets a gong as awards showcase best British artistic talent (From Worcester News) - Worcester News
Gary gets a gong as awards showcase best British artistic talent
12:00pm Saturday 16th June 2012 in Worcester
Take That star Gary Barlow, actors Kate Winslet and Kenneth Branagh and the designer behind the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress are recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list today.
The list showcases the best of British artistic talent, with awards also going to actresses Jenny Agutter, Amanda Redman, and chart-topping choirmaster Gareth Malone.
And as Britain prepares for the Olympics, sporting stars are not forgotten, with golf world number one Luke Donald on the list as well as former Wales rugby international Shane Williams and former England goalkeeper David James.
Barlow, who was widely tipped for an honour after his involvement in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, is to receive an OBE for services to the entertainment industry and to charity.
The 41-year-old masterminded and performed in the star-studded Jubilee concert in front of Buckingham Palace and also co-wrote the official song, Sing, which leapt to the top of the charts.
Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet, 36, who achieved worldwide fame for her role in the 1997 blockbuster Titanic, is made CBE for services to drama, 100 years after the sinking of the ‘unsinkable’ ship.
Sarah Burton – who designed the Duchess of Cambridge's striking gown for the royal wedding last year – is another homegrown talent to receive a gong. Creative director for fashion house Alexander McQueen, Burton is recognised with an OBE for services to the fashion industry.
She is joined by choirmaster Gareth Malone, who also took part in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert with his Military Wives Choir.
Malone, who gets an OBE for services to music, coached the choir to chart success and the coveted Christmas number one.
Actor and director Kenneth Branagh is knighted for services to drama and the community in Northern Ireland, alongside Royal Shakespeare Company artistic director Michael Boyd for services to drama, and Scottish opera director David McVicar for services to opera.
Knighthoods also go to former Countdown stalwart Richard Stilgoe and Carphone Warehouse founder and chairman Charles Dunstone. Both are recognised for generous donations to good causes.
Jenny Agutter, who found fame in the 1970 film The Railway Children and recently starred in the BBC1 drama Call the Midwife, receives an OBE for charitable services, while Amanda Redman, who starred in police drama New Tricks and founded the Artists Theatre School, is made an MBE.
Lord Archer's wife Dr Mary Archer, a champion of patient care and safety, is to become a Dame, along with Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid, who designed the aquatics centre at the Olympics Park, as well as former Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, for service in support of the Olympics.
Sport plays an important role in the honours in the year Britain hosts the games.
World number one Luke Donald, currently competing in the US Open, gets an MBE for services to golf, alongside former Wales rugby player Shane Williams for services to rugby, and ex-England goalkeeper David James for services to football and charity.
Showjumper Nick Skelton, who retired after breaking his neck in 2000 but went on to recover and compete again, gets an OBE for services to equestrian sport.
Saracens and England rugby player Margaret Alphonsi and Alison Williamson, who will represent Britain in archery at her sixth Olympic Games this summer, are also made MBE.
Former professional footballer Paul Elliott is made CBE. The former Chelsea player, who was subjected to racist abuse from opposition fans, is a champion of football's anti-racism movement.
Those behind the organisation of the 2012 games are recognised for their efforts, with honours going to several members of the Olympic Delivery Authority.
Waddell & Reed lift F1 stake in $500 million deal - Reuters UK
LONDON |
LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. asset management company Waddell & Reed increased its stake in the Formula One motor racing business to 20.9 percent from around 14.4 percent in a $500 million (318.07 million pounds) deal after the motor racing business put flotation plans on hold.
Private equity firm CVC, since 2006 the largest shareholder in Formula One, has now cut its stake to around 35 percent from 63 percent in deals in recent months.
The deals have helped to remove the pressure on CVC to try to list Formula One. The business put plans to float in Singapore on hold two weeks ago because of volatile markets.
"Several funds managed by Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company and Ivy Investment Management Company have today agreed to invest a further $500m in a private placement in Formula 1 at $9.1bn enterprise value," CVC said in a statement on its website.
CVC had previously cut its stake to 42 percent in a $1.6 billion deal announced in May with Waddell & Reed, BlackRock and Norway's Norges Bank Investment Management.
Formula One is a series of 20 high-speed motor races held around the globe that each draw a television audience in excess of 500 million.
Its revenues are expected to exceed $2 billion this season for the first time - helped by sponsorship and hosting fees which circuits pay for the right to stage races.
Formula One has the commercial rights to the sport for the next 98 years.
Briton Bernie Ecclestone, who retains a 5 percent stake in its business, is its commercial chief and is credited with turning the sport into a global money-spinner.
Ecclestone is 81 but has said he has no plans to step aside. Ahead of a planned flotation, Formula One appointed Peter Brabeck, chairman of food group Nestle, as its chairman.
Ecclestone told Reuters on May 31 that the plan was to list Formula One when "the time was right".
(Reporting by Keith Weir; Editing by John Stonestreet)
Guard injured in Edmonton shooting a member of military - CBC
Police in Edmonton have identified the injured guard in the university mall shooting as Matthew Schuman, a full-time corporal and Air Force firefighter stationed at Canadian Forces Base Edmonton.
They say Schuman had a second job at G4S Security. Three of his colleagues were killed in what police are calling a botched robbery attempt by one of their own at the University of Alberta's Hub Mall. Officials at the mall say it is "fully operational" this weekend but retailers have the option to open up or not.
Police are still hunting a man they believe is a "dangerous" killer. Travis Baumgartner was still at large after the shooting, which happened in the wee hours of Friday morning as he and his security crew were re-stocking a bank machine on the ground floor of one of the school's residences, which also has shops on the main floor.
While police are calling what happened an armed robbery, there has been no confirmation that any money was taken. An abandoned armoured car was later found halfway across town near a G4S office with its lights on and its motor running.
The 21-year-old Baumgartner is being sought on warrants for three counts of first-degree murder and one of attempted murder.
Late Friday night, Schuman was still fighting for his life in an Edmonton hospital with critical injuries.
Baumgartner's mother made a plea to her son late Friday to turn himself in. She alluded to a fight the two had before the shooting and apologized to her son.
Michelle Shegelski was named as one of the employees of G4S who was slain early Friday at the University of Alberta. (Facebook)"I'm sorry that we had an argument last night and that we had bad words between us, but I want you to come home and do the right thing. Let's work this out together," she said in a statement read by police.
Friends say Baumgartner had designs on being a police officer, but settled into a job with G4S instead after deciding he didn't have what it takes for law enforcement.
He likes video games and calls himself a recreational drug user. In an online dating profile, he says he is a "great guy" who is laid back and has a "10" physique.
But his Facebook page is much darker, quoting the anarchist Joker from the movie Dark Knight and musing about "popping people off."
Police have also released some details about the people Baumgartner allegedly killed.
Michelle Shegelski was 26 and had just gotten married to her husband, Victor, a former military man who, coincidentally, had just returned to school at the University of Alberta. Eddie Rejano, 39, and Brian Ilesic, 35, were the other two guards killed.
Suu Kyi receives Nobel Peace Prize 21 years late - Reuters
OSLO |
OSLO (Reuters) - Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi finally received her 1991 Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo on Saturday after spending 15 years under house arrest, and said her country's full transformation to democracy was still far off.
"What the Nobel Peace Prize did was to draw me once again into the world of other human beings outside the isolated area in which I lived, to restore a sense of reality to me," Suu Kyi said as the packed crowd, led by Norway's King Harald and Queen Sonja, rose in a standing ovation at the ornate Oslo City Hall.
Suu Kyi, 66, the Oxford University-educated daughter of General Aung San, Myanmar's assassinated independence hero, said much remained to be resolved in her country.
"Hostilities have not ceased in the far north; to the west, communal violence resulting in arson and murder were taking place just several days before I started out the journey that has brought me here today," said Suu Kyi, on her first visit to Europe in nearly a quarter of a century.
"There still remain (political) prisoners in Burma. It is to be feared that because the best known detainees have been released, the remainder, the unknown ones, will be forgotten," she said, wearing a purple traditional Burmese dress and looking strong and healthy after falling ill on Thursday.
Still, Suu Kyi - elected to parliament in April - said she was confident President Thein Sein wanted to put the country on a new path.
"I don't think we should fear reversal," she told public broadcaster NRK. "(But) I don't think we should take it for granted there is no reversal."
Suspending rather than lifting sanctions was also the right move to keep pressure on the government, she said a day after arriving from Switzerland to a jubilant, dancing and chanting crowd, which showered her with flowers.
"If these reforms prove to be a façade, then the rewards will be taken away."
INSTRUMENTAL
Suu Kyi, who spent a total of 15 years under house arrest between 1989 and her release in late 2010, never left Myanmar even during brief periods of freedom after 1989, afraid the military would not let back in.
Her sons Kim and Alexander accepted the Nobel prize on her behalf in 1991, with her husband Michael Aris also attending the ceremony. A year later Suu Kyi said she would use the $1.3 million prize money to establish a health and education trust for Burmese people.
She was unable to be with Aris, an Oxford academic, when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and died in Britain in 1999.
On Saturday, Kim and Anthony Aris, her late husband's identical twin brother, attended the ceremony.
Suu Kyi thanked Norway, a nation of just 5 million people, for its support and the instrumental role it played in Myanmar's transformation.
In 1990, the Bergen-based Rafto Foundation awarded its annual prize to Suu Kyi, after a Norwegian aid worker in South-East Asia highlighted her work.
The award provided lasting publicity for her non-violent struggle against Myanmar's military junta, putting her in the international spotlight and setting the stage a year later for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Norway has also provided a home to the Democratic Voice of Burma, an opposition television and radio outlet, which broadcasts uncensored news into Myanmar.
Suu Kyi acknowledged that recent violence between Rakhine Buddhists and stateless Muslim Rohingyas in the northwestern Rakhine region was a test of Myanmar's transformation but she blamed lawlessness for the escalation.
The violence, which displaced 30,000 people and killed 50 by government accounts, flared last month with a rampage of rock-hurling, arson and machete attacks, after the gang rape and murder of a Buddhist woman that was blamed on Muslims.
"The very first time a crime was committed... they should have taken action in accordance with the rule of law," Suu Kyi told the BBC.
"If they had been able to do that, and to satisfy all parties involved that justice was done ... I do not think these disturbances would have grown to such proportions."
Tensions stem from an entrenched, long-standing distrust of around 800,000 Muslim Rohingyas, who are recognized by neither Myanmar nor neighboring Bangladesh, and are largely considered illegal immigrants.
Suu Kyi is also due to visit Ireland, Britain and France.
(Editing by Sophie Hares and Ralph Gowling)
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