Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham has signed up to be a guest judge on American Idol, replacing Paula Abdul.
But despite rumours suggesting Posh Spice would take over from Paula full-time, her spokeswoman said she'd only be making a "one-off appearance".
The 35-year-old is thought to be filming her part this week, days after Paula announced her decision to quit.
American Idol is the most popular TV show in the United States, with about 26m people watching every episode.
Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson have both become big stars since competing on the show and it's also made the judges, including Britain's Simon Cowell, into huge celebrities.
Victoria Beckham will be joining Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and songwriter Kara DioGuardi on the judging panel.
It's not yet known whether anyone else will be appearing as a guest judge during the series, or to replace Paula Abdul permanently.
-Nathan133
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Richard Hammond in new car crash
Top Gear and Blast Lab star Richard Hammond is said to have escaped injury in a four-car crash in his supercar.
The presenter is thought to have been involved in an accident at a roundabout on the A40, near Gloucester, on Sunday, while driving his Morgan AeroMax car.
No-one was hurt in the smash, although Richard's £110,000 AeroMax car is said to have been badly damaged.
It's a different story to his famous accident in 2006, when he escaped death when his jet car crashed at 288mph.
Police said they couldn't confirm whether Richard Hammond, who's also known as the Hamster, was involved in Sunday's crash.
But the BBC said the presenter had been involved in a minor collision and was unharmed.
But the BBC said the presenter had been involved in a minor collision and was unharmed.
-Nathan133
Stoat survives 30-mile car ride
A stoat had a very lucky escape when it survived a 30-mile car journey trapped in the front grille of a sports car.
A man spotted the creature run in front of his car as he drove home at night, but thought he'd dodged the tiny animal so carried on driving.
But the next morning he found the stoat peeping out from under the bonnet, struggling to pull itself free.
Animal charity the RSPCA helped free the animal which amazingly wasn't hurt in the freak accident.
The stoat was given some food and some water to drink before being released back into the countryside near where the accident happened.
RSPCA Inspector Laura Jones said: "This is definitely one of the most unusual rescues I have ever been involved with.
"It is amazing that the stoat managed to escape injury, despite being stuck in the grille for more than 30 miles and several hours."
-Nathan133
Typhoon sets off huge landslides
Rescuers are hunting for survivors after a landslide buried six apartment blocks in China.
It's not known how many people are buried in the rubble, but officials say they've managed to save six people in the town of Pengxi so far.
It's not known how many people are buried in the rubble, but officials say they've managed to save six people in the town of Pengxi so far.
Meanwhile in Taiwan, hundreds of people could be dead after a mudslide buried a small village.
The landslides were set off by heavy rains brought by Typhoon Morakot, which hit parts of East Asia.
The landslides were set off by heavy rains brought by Typhoon Morakot, which hit parts of East Asia.
Morakot dropped some two metres of rain of Taiwan when it hit over the weekend, causing the worst flooding there in 50 years.
Rescuers are still searching for survivors in the village of Shiao Lin, after it was overwhelmed by a landslide on Sunday.
In Pengxi rescuers are being held back by falling debris.
Morakot weakened to a tropical storm early on Monday, but it has still been hitting south-eastern China with heavy rain.
Morakot weakened to a tropical storm early on Monday, but it has still been hitting south-eastern China with heavy rain.
-Nathan133
Drink blamed for oral cancer rise
Alcohol is largely to blame for an "alarming" rise in the rate of oral cancers among men and women in their forties, say experts.
Numbers of cancers of the lip, mouth, tongue and throat in this age group has risen by a quarter in the past decade.
Numbers of cancers of the lip, mouth, tongue and throat in this age group has risen by a quarter in the past decade.
Alcohol consumption has doubled since the 1950s and is the most likely culprit alongside smoking says Cancer Research UK.
Each year in the UK around 1,800 people die from the disease.
There are 5,000 newly diagnosed cases per year.
There are 5,000 newly diagnosed cases per year.
Other risk factors that may be involved include a diet low in fruit and vegetables, and the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV), which also causes cervical cancer.
Figures produced by Cancer Research UK show that since the mid-1990s, rates of oral cancers have gone up by 28% for men in their forties and 24% for women.
The charity's health information manager Hazel Nunn said: "These latest figures are really alarming.
"Around three quarters of oral cancers are thought to be caused by smoking and drinking alcohol.
"Tobacco is, by far, the main risk factor for oral cancer, so it's important that we keep encouraging people to give up and think about new ways to stop people taking it up in the first place.
"Tobacco is, by far, the main risk factor for oral cancer, so it's important that we keep encouraging people to give up and think about new ways to stop people taking it up in the first place.
"But for people in their 40s, it seems that other factors are also contributing to this jump in oral cancer rates.
"Alcohol consumption has doubled since the 1950s and the trend we are now seeing is likely to be linked to Britain's continually rising drinking levels."
"Alcohol consumption has doubled since the 1950s and the trend we are now seeing is likely to be linked to Britain's continually rising drinking levels."
Oral cancer can be treated successfully if diagnosed early enough.
The most common signs of the disease are ulcers, sores, or red or white patches in the mouth that last longer than three weeks, together with unexplained pain in the mouth or ear.
The most common signs of the disease are ulcers, sores, or red or white patches in the mouth that last longer than three weeks, together with unexplained pain in the mouth or ear.
Alcohol Concern chief executive Don Shenker said: "Many people are not aware of the connection between alcohol and cancer, yet as this research shows, it can be a major contributor or cause of the disease.
"While alcoholic liver disease remains the number one killer linked to alcohol, more and more people are suffering from oral cancers - and record drinking levels have undeniably played a part."
He said it was time to introduce tobacco-style health warnings on alcohol.
"It's a consumer issue - people have a right to know the full range of health risks associated with drinking alcohol above recommended guidelines.
"It's a consumer issue - people have a right to know the full range of health risks associated with drinking alcohol above recommended guidelines.
"This research will hopefully help people realise the full extent of the damage that alcohol can do, then they're better placed to make informed decisions about how much they drink."
Professor Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians and chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance, said: "These latest figures demonstrate once again that people are being struck down at ever younger ages with alcohol-related illnesses that they might never have previously associated with heavy drinking.
"There is an urgent need to rethink how we communicate the risks of misuse. The first step is to challenge the widespread notion that the only chronic health damage is suffered by a minority older drinkers."
-Nathan133
Skywatchers set for meteor shower
Skygazers are getting ready to watch the annual Perseid meteor shower, which peaks on Wednesday.
The Perseid shower occurs when the Earth passes through a stream of dusty debris from the comet Swift-Tuttle.
As this cometary "grit" strikes our atmosphere, it burns up, often creating streaks of light across the sky.
This impressive spectacle appears to originate from a point called a "radiant" in the constellation of Perseus - hence the name Perseid.
"Earth passes through the densest part of the debris stream sometime on 12 August. Then, you could see dozens of meteors per hour," said Bill Cooke of Nasa's meteoroid environment office.
No special equipment is required to watch the sky show. Astronomers say binoculars might help, but will also restrict the view to a small part of the sky.
The Perseids can appear in any part of the sky, but their tails all point back to the radiant in the constellation Perseus.
The Perseids can appear in any part of the sky, but their tails all point back to the radiant in the constellation Perseus.
In the UK, the best times to see the Perseids are likely to be on the morning of 12 August before dawn and from late evening on the 12th through to the early hours of the 13 August.
This year, light from the last quarter Moon will interfere significantly with the view.
This year, light from the last quarter Moon will interfere significantly with the view.
The rock and dust fragments which cause the shower were left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle when it last came near the Sun.
The comet orbits the Sun once every 130 years and last swept through the inner Solar System in 1992.
The comet orbits the Sun once every 130 years and last swept through the inner Solar System in 1992.
Nathan133: " WOW "
-Nathan133
Couple behind Baby P death named
The couple responsible for the death of Baby Peter have been named after a court anonymity order expired.
The child died at the hands of mother Tracey Connelly and her partner Steven Barker, of Penshurst Road, Haringey.
The third defendant in the case has also now been named as Jason Owen, 37, Barker's brother. Baby Peter's surname, Connelly, has also been released.
In May Connelly, 28, and Barker, 33, were jailed for five and 12 years for causing or allowing the death of Peter.
The 17-month old baby had more 50 injuries when he died, including fractured ribs and a broken back.
It emerged Owen changed his name to avoid being connected to the killing of Peter.
Owen, 37, who was imprisoned for three years, was staying at the home in Tottenham, north London, with his 15-year-old lover.
It has also been revealed that the brothers were charged with assaulting their own grandmother, Hilda Barker, in 1995, in an attempt to make her change her will.
That case was dropped when Mrs Barker, 82, died before giving evidence, but she told police she had been locked in a wardrobe by the pair.
The notoriety of the Baby Peter case is such that all three convicted are likely to be given new identities upon release to protect them from vigilante attacks, according to the probation union Napo.
-Nathan133
The child died at the hands of mother Tracey Connelly and her partner Steven Barker, of Penshurst Road, Haringey.
The third defendant in the case has also now been named as Jason Owen, 37, Barker's brother. Baby Peter's surname, Connelly, has also been released.
In May Connelly, 28, and Barker, 33, were jailed for five and 12 years for causing or allowing the death of Peter.
The 17-month old baby had more 50 injuries when he died, including fractured ribs and a broken back.
It emerged Owen changed his name to avoid being connected to the killing of Peter.
Owen, 37, who was imprisoned for three years, was staying at the home in Tottenham, north London, with his 15-year-old lover.
It has also been revealed that the brothers were charged with assaulting their own grandmother, Hilda Barker, in 1995, in an attempt to make her change her will.
That case was dropped when Mrs Barker, 82, died before giving evidence, but she told police she had been locked in a wardrobe by the pair.
The notoriety of the Baby Peter case is such that all three convicted are likely to be given new identities upon release to protect them from vigilante attacks, according to the probation union Napo.
-Nathan133
Sunday, 9 August 2009
Football - Fixtures and Results 7th + 8th August
7th August
Middlesbrough 0-0 Sheffield United
8th August
Championship
Cardiff City 4-0 Scunthorpe United
Crystal Palace 1-1 Plymouth Argyle
Derby County 2-1 Peterbrough United
Leicester City 2-1 Swansea City
Preston North End 2-2 Bristol City
Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Blackpool
Reading 0-0 Nottingham Forest
Sheffield Wednesday 2-2 Barnsley
Watford 1-1 Doncaster Rovers
West Brom 1-1 Newcastle United
League One
Gillingham 5-0 Swindon Town (wow!)
Southampton 1-1 Millwall
Brighton and Hove Albion 0-1 Walsall
Bristol Rovers 1-2 Leyton Orient
Carlisle United 1-3 Brentford
Charlton Athletic 3-2 Wycombe
Leeds United 2-1 Exeter City
MK Dons 0-0 Hartlepool
Norwich City 1-7 Colchester
Oldham Athletic 0-0 Stockport
Southend 2-2 Huddersfield
Yeovil 2-0 Tranmere Rovers
League 2
Aldershot 3-1 Darlington
Bury 0-3 Bournemouth
Cheltenham 2-1 Grimsby Town
Crewe Alexandra 1-2 Dagenham and Redbridge
Lincoln City 1-0 Barnet
Morecombe 2-2 Hereford United
Northampton Town 0-0 Macclesfield Town
Notts County 5-0 Bradford City
Port Vale 1-1 Rochdale
Rotherham United 1-0 Accrington
Shrewsbury 3-1 Burton Albion
Torquay United 2-0 Chesterfield
Premier League Starts on August 15th.
SPL Starts on August 15th.
Middlesbrough 0-0 Sheffield United
8th August
Championship
Cardiff City 4-0 Scunthorpe United
Crystal Palace 1-1 Plymouth Argyle
Derby County 2-1 Peterbrough United
Leicester City 2-1 Swansea City
Preston North End 2-2 Bristol City
Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Blackpool
Reading 0-0 Nottingham Forest
Sheffield Wednesday 2-2 Barnsley
Watford 1-1 Doncaster Rovers
West Brom 1-1 Newcastle United
League One
Gillingham 5-0 Swindon Town (wow!)
Southampton 1-1 Millwall
Brighton and Hove Albion 0-1 Walsall
Bristol Rovers 1-2 Leyton Orient
Carlisle United 1-3 Brentford
Charlton Athletic 3-2 Wycombe
Leeds United 2-1 Exeter City
MK Dons 0-0 Hartlepool
Norwich City 1-7 Colchester
Oldham Athletic 0-0 Stockport
Southend 2-2 Huddersfield
Yeovil 2-0 Tranmere Rovers
League 2
Aldershot 3-1 Darlington
Bury 0-3 Bournemouth
Cheltenham 2-1 Grimsby Town
Crewe Alexandra 1-2 Dagenham and Redbridge
Lincoln City 1-0 Barnet
Morecombe 2-2 Hereford United
Northampton Town 0-0 Macclesfield Town
Notts County 5-0 Bradford City
Port Vale 1-1 Rochdale
Rotherham United 1-0 Accrington
Shrewsbury 3-1 Burton Albion
Torquay United 2-0 Chesterfield
Premier League Starts on August 15th.
SPL Starts on August 15th.
Espanyol Captain Jarque Dies
Espanyol captain Dani Jarque died from a heart attack while on a pre-season tour of Italy.
The 26-year-old defender died at the hotel where the team were staying in the town of Coviciana.
He was discovered in his room after team-mates realised he had not appeared for a meal.
The club said that team doctors as well as Italian paramedics tried to revive the player but without success.
The tragedy comes just two years after the death, also from heart failure, of Sevilla defender Antonio Puerta, who died aged 22 after having collapsed during the opening game of the Spanish La Liga season.
Espanyol confirmed the diagnosis of heart failure and said the club doctor's attempts to revive the player had failed.
"It was a heart attack," said club official German de la Cruz.
"He was talking to his girlfriend when he suddenly began to feel unwell. He told her and then stopped talking.
"His partner got in touch with the hotel and explained what had happened but it was too late to do anything."
Jarque had played for Espanyol since the 2002-2003 season.
In the last campaign, he featured in 36 league matches and scored two goals. He was also a member of the team which won the Spanish Cup in 2006 and who were UEFA Cup runners-up in 2007.
European champions Barcelona, who are Espanyol's city rivals, sent their condolences to the Jarque's family from their American tour base in San Francisco.
"We are filled with extreme sadness at this tragic event and tonight we are in mourning," said Barca president Joan Laporta.
"On behalf of Barcelona, we want to send our deepest sympathies to Espanyol for the painful loss of their captain Dani Jarque, and to his family."
A minute's silence was observed at the start of the second half of a pre-season friendly at the Mestella Stadium where Valencia were taking on English side Arsenal.
Players from both sides also wore black armbands.
Real Madrid as well as the Spanish football federation sent their condolences to Jarque's family.
Nathan133: " Oh dear. He died so young R.I.P"
-Nathan133
The 26-year-old defender died at the hotel where the team were staying in the town of Coviciana.
He was discovered in his room after team-mates realised he had not appeared for a meal.
The club said that team doctors as well as Italian paramedics tried to revive the player but without success.
The tragedy comes just two years after the death, also from heart failure, of Sevilla defender Antonio Puerta, who died aged 22 after having collapsed during the opening game of the Spanish La Liga season.
Espanyol confirmed the diagnosis of heart failure and said the club doctor's attempts to revive the player had failed.
"It was a heart attack," said club official German de la Cruz.
"He was talking to his girlfriend when he suddenly began to feel unwell. He told her and then stopped talking.
"His partner got in touch with the hotel and explained what had happened but it was too late to do anything."
Jarque had played for Espanyol since the 2002-2003 season.
In the last campaign, he featured in 36 league matches and scored two goals. He was also a member of the team which won the Spanish Cup in 2006 and who were UEFA Cup runners-up in 2007.
European champions Barcelona, who are Espanyol's city rivals, sent their condolences to the Jarque's family from their American tour base in San Francisco.
"We are filled with extreme sadness at this tragic event and tonight we are in mourning," said Barca president Joan Laporta.
"On behalf of Barcelona, we want to send our deepest sympathies to Espanyol for the painful loss of their captain Dani Jarque, and to his family."
A minute's silence was observed at the start of the second half of a pre-season friendly at the Mestella Stadium where Valencia were taking on English side Arsenal.
Players from both sides also wore black armbands.
Real Madrid as well as the Spanish football federation sent their condolences to Jarque's family.
Nathan133: " Oh dear. He died so young R.I.P"
-Nathan133
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Has Tamiflu made you ill?
Thousands of people across the UK have been taking medicine called Tamiflu to help treat the symptoms of swine flu.
But, like lots of medicines, it can have side effects for some people who take it and make them feel even worse.
But, like lots of medicines, it can have side effects for some people who take it and make them feel even worse.
A recent study found that loads of children have suffered sickness, been unable to sleep or even had nightmares after taking Tamiflu.
So are you one of them? Have you taken Tamiflu? Did it make you feel better or worse?
So are you one of them? Have you taken Tamiflu? Did it make you feel better or worse?
-Nathan133
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