Grant named sports minister October 7, 2013 LONG-SERVING sports minister Hugh Robertson has been replaced by the Conservative party’s first female black member of parliament Helen Grant following a cabinet reshuffle. Robertson, who helped oversee London’s staging of the 2012 Olympic Games during his three-year term, has been promoted to the foreign office as minister of state. Grant, 52, is a former [...]
Exclusive: Mercedes throw financial weight behind Hamilton October 7, 2013 GERMAN car maker Mercedes has given a sharp boost to its investment in Formula One in a bid to propel British superstar Lewis Hamilton back to world championship winning form. Hamilton joined the Northamptonshire-based team from McLaren this year in what some saw as a backwards step, but the team has enjoyed a marked rise [...]
IndyCar driver Franchitti avoids spinal surgery despite fracture October 7, 2013 INDYCAR series have confirmed Scottish driver Dario Franchitti does not require surgery on his fractured spine suffered in a high-speed collision on the final lap of race two at the Houston Grand Prix, where his ankle was also broken. The 40-year-old’s car was sent spinning into the air and crashed into a catch fence, which [...]
Idowu slapped with driving ban October 7, 2013 ATHLETICS: Former world champion triple jumper Phillips Idowu has received a two-year ban and been fined £145 after admitting to drinking and driving at Chelmsford Magistrates Court yesterday. The court heard how the 34-year-old had left his house in Epping during the night to go to a nearby hotel and was stopped by Essex Police [...]
England sweating on Westwood October 7, 2013 RUGBY LEAGUE: England are set to learn today whether forward Ben Westwood will be available for their opening World Cup game against Australia on 26 October. Westwood, of Warrington Wolves, has been charged by the Rugby Football League for punching Wigan Warriors’ Blake Green during Saturday’s Super League grand final after the incident was missed [...]
Strauss needs heart operation October 7, 2013 RUGBY UNION: Ireland hooker Richardt Strauss requires surgery on a heart condition, club side Leinster have confirmed, and will miss the rest of the season. The 27-year-old, born in South Africa, has been capped four times by Ireland since making his debut last year after being allowed to switch allegiances having lived in the country [...]
Champ Watson falls at first hurdle October 7, 2013 TENNIS: British No2 Heather Watson’s defence of her Japan Open title ended in round one yesterday, following a straight sets defeat to Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig. Watson, who has suffered with leg and back injuries this year, as well as glandular fever, lost 6-4, 6-4 to world No48 Puig, who reached the last-16 at Wimbledon [...]
Chambers completes Essex exit October 7, 2013 CRICKET: Newly-promoted Northamptonshire have signed bowler Maurice Chambers from Essex on a two-year deal. The 26-year-old took four wickets in three first-class games for Essex this year, before ending the season on loan at Warwickshire.
A rip-roaring adaptation of a Scandinavian classic October 6, 2013 THEATRE GHOSTS Almeida Theatre | By Alex Dymoke Four Stars THE PUBLICATION of Ibsen’s Ghosts in 1881 was met with total silence. The play was so at odds with the conventional morality that Norwegian critics dared not even raise their voices to condemn it. The British press were not so shy. A column in a [...]
Fringe production of Vietnam play is a moderate success October 6, 2013 THEATRE PVT WARS The Space | By Daniel O’Mahony Three Stars STAGED IN a cleverly converted church on the Isle of Dogs, this production from The Barebones Project is about Vietnam veterans; at least, you’re assured it is. Adorning the walls of the theatre are pictures from the conflict, and over the PA plays Hendrix’s [...]