Sport - Woolmer tips Panesar to be great

Posted on January 30, 2008
Filed Under Dating tips, Dating advices | Leave a Comment

Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer says England spinner Monty Panesar is destined for greatness after seeing him take 8-93 in the second Test at Old Trafford. Panesar took 5-72 as England wrapped up victory with two days to spare, the prized wickets of Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam-ul-Haq. “He’s a fine bowler and is going to be a great bowler. He’s a really good find for England,” Woolmer told BBC Sport. “If the wicket helps him he looks like he’s going to bowl sides out.” Interview: Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer Woolmer was particularly impressed with left-arm spinner Panesar’s ability to beat the bat without the help of a “doosra”. Many leading finger spinners, such as Muttiah and Harbhajan Singh, have felt the need to develop the controversial delivery. Monty did Mohammad Yousuf and that’s something England haven’t been able to do for some time Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer The “doosra” spins the opposite way from conventionally spun balls but can lead to problems with the legality of the action. “He’s got this lovely looping flight and his change of pace is very good,” added Woolmer, who played in the same Test side as Derek Underwood, arguably England’s last great spin bowler. “He beats people on both sides of the bat without a ‘doosra’, he’s got a very good arm ball and bowls at a very good pace so people find it difficult to come down the pitch to him. “He bowled beautifully in the second innings and this will give him terrific . “England will want to play him at Headingley in the third Test starting on Friday because he gets wickets. Mohammad Yousuf is stumped by Geraint Jones off Panesar “He did Mohammad Yousuf and that’s something England haven’t been able to do for some time. Myself and Yousuf will be sitting down and working out how we stop him.” Yousuf, who scored 202 and 48 in the Lord’s Test, made just 38 and 15 at Old Trafford, and was dismissed by Panesar in both innings. England’s chairman of selectors David Graveney joined the chorus of approval and hailed Panesar’s partnership with paceman Steve Harmison, who took 11-76 in the match. ” his Test career Monty has only every bowled at sub-continent batsmen, who are good players of spin, so it shows how well he is bowling,” said Graveney, a former spinner himself. “The two of them combined very well. The key was building pressure at both ends and while Steve or Monty was taking wickets at one end the other was building pressure at the other.”

News - Sports commentator tips

Posted on January 29, 2008
Filed Under Dating tips, Dating advices | Leave a Comment

Radio Five Live football Ali Bruce-Ball combined his love of sport and drama at school to land his dream job.

Find out how he did it and share some of his top tips.

I always loved playing sport and watching sport but I never thought I could turn this passion into a career. At school I did a lot of theatre, in fact, I was a bit of a show off. My love of speaking to an audience and sport came together in this job.

I trained as a news . When I started I didn’t have much knowledge of current affairs and all I really wanted to do was do sport reporting. But it was really worth doing a news journalism course as it gave me all the basic skills I use today. If I’d done a course purely on sports journalism, I think I might have fallen out of love with sport.

I on both TV and radio but what I really love about radio is the immediacy - saying what I think as it occurs. I get nervous every single time I am on air, but it all adds to the excitement.

What happens if I run out of things to say? It happens all the time. This is why it’s really useful to have another commentator sitting next to me. That way I can hand over to them.

If you are on your own, the key skill is to describe what is in front of you. If you think of yourself as eyes of the listener, hopefully you won’t run out of words during the game.

When you are commentating, it doesn’t sound very good if you keep repeating the same word. This can be a problem in sport as there are only so many different moves. Take football for example. You don’t want your commentary to be “pass, pass, shot at goal, save, pass, pass.”

One tip I learned from another journalist is to write down a list of different ways of describing the moves and cross them off as you use them, to avoid repetition.

Here are is my list, why not see if you can add to it:

Pass

• Stoke
• Curl
• Float
• Skim
• Nudge
• Glance
• Flick

Shot at goal

• Fizz
• Smash
• Rocket
• Thunder
• Stab
• Bullet
• Power
• Thump

Another good tip is to turn the volume down on the TV while you are watching a game and record yourself commentating into a tape recorder. Then play it back.

At first it might feel weird listening to your own voice but it’s really useful. And keep the tapes! You never know who may want to listen to your commentary! Also, it’s always good to listen to them at a later date to see how much you have improved.”

Sport - Lara tips Sarwan to bounce back

Posted on January 28, 2008
Filed Under Dating tips, Dating advices | Leave a Comment

West Indies skipper Brian Lara says Ramnaresh Sarwan still has a great future ahead even though he was dropped for the second Test in Pakistan. Batsman Sarwan, 26, was left out of the side for the game in Multan, which ended in a draw on Thursday. “I think Ramnaresh Sarwan is one of the best talents of his generation and even the generation before. “He is a leader, the vice-captain and someone that we expect a lot from,” Lara commented. “The West Indies did not invest 64 Test matches to have Sarwan sitting on the sidelines. This is that he can come back from and come back a lot stronger.” Sarwan has scored more than 4,200 runs in Test cricket, but an average of 38.83 does not do full justice to his ability. He was omitted after scoring only three and 23 in the first Test but could be back for the final game of the series after replacement Runako Morton managed only five in Multan. “We need someone like that, in his mid 20s, going out there and taking control of our team. “He will definitely be back. He’s a strong character and someone who we are all going to enjoy seeing in future,” said Lara. West Indies must win in Karachi to square the series and their captain believes they can take a lot of positives from their second Test performance. “We were in a commanding position up until the fifth day. We couldn’t fault the guys for the effort, but it was still a very good pitch for batting. “I think there really should be a bit more of a test for the batters. we can see that in Karachi,” Lara added.

News - Bid to extend rubbish tip’s life

Posted on January 27, 2008
Filed Under Dating tips, Dating advices | Leave a Comment

The company that operates Gwynedd’s main rubbish tip is making an appeal to extend the lifespan of the site. Operators Cwmni Mn/Arfon, who have been told to close Cilgwyn tip near in July 2008, want to keep it going until December 2008. Gwynedd Councillors will be asked on Tuesday to support the appeal to allow time to develop other waste facilities. Local resident Sandra Hilton said the company should be forced to close the site by the earlier date. In a report, due to be presented to councillors next Tuesday, the council’s head of highways and municipal services, supporting Cwmni Gwastraff Mn/Arfon’s appeal. He said the company needed to achieve a “more acceptable landform to the site in order to avoid long-term aftercare problems” at the site. It also wanted to develop ” waste management facilities” for north Gwynedd, and to make sure the site did not affect the surrounding environment after it was closed. But Mrs Hilton, who lives above the site, said residents had been told the site “will close in July 2008 whether other facilities are available or not”. She added: “They appealed against the last decision to close, and they should be forced to close this time.” A liaison committee, set up by Gwynedd Council involving residents and the waste company, had failed to answer some local people’s concerns, she said. Gwynedd Council’s board will meet on Tuesday, 5 June at 1400 BST.

News - Tips For The Technically Terrified

Posted on January 26, 2008
Filed Under Dating tips, Dating advices | Leave a Comment

Political gossip blogs are the ones which are currently attracting the most readers, which shouldn’t be a surprise. They’re among the funniest of the sites on offer, and there’s always been a market for the scurrilous end of political coverage. And scurrilous is what you get at sites like Order Order, which is run by a libertarian troublemaker under the name “Guido Fawkes”. Political junkies may find Guido’s tittle-tattle , but for those of a shockable disposition, the BBC caveat about not being responsible for external websites applies double. Guido has also branched out into podcasting with another gossip blogger, Recess Monkey, where the sympathies are with New Labour, but the tone is hardly reverent. A recent new source of gossip is the splendidly-named Iain Dale’s Diary, where the former Tory candidate offers podcasts, newsletters and traditional blogging, and one post states the philosophy of many weblogs: “It’s Up to the Blogs to Make it Hit the Fan.” The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites Commentary is another avenue taken by a lot of blogs. Bloggers can find it hard to do traditional journalism, since they lack the hours, contacts and access of their cousins in print and broadcast. But political commentary is open to anyone who can write. (Most can’t, of course, but then the same applies to the papers.) Some good places to start would be ConservativeHome, which gives a better picture of the state of the Tory party than any of the official sites; the site it inspired, LabourHome (strapline: “back to the roots”); Post Political Times, where former Lib Dem MP Richard Allan has the time to be thoughtful and the Adam Smith Institute Blog, your one-stop shop for free market snippets. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites Campaigning blogs keep appearing on the scene. Make My Vote Count has electoral reform in its sights, but offers a good overview of British politics; LibDem Blogs does what it says on the banner, aggregating from dozens of campaign sites and Backing Blair does the opposite of what it says on the banner, offering news and campaigning tools in the hope that you’ll get “Labour in - Blair out”. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites Linkblogs are one the oldest and snappiest uses of the technology. If you find a blog like this that you enjoy, it’s a good way of getting a daily digest of articles and stories from other blogs and from the papers. The prolific Tim Worstall has a sometime focus on economics, but covers the gamut with lan; the same applies to Europhobia with regard to the EU and The Virtual Stoa keeps the blogosphere’s brainy Marxist wing up to speed. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites Satirical blogs are where lampooners do the same as the commentators above. Computers have let bloggers do what would have needed an edit suite or developing studio not so long ago. In the world of satirical manipulation of photos and images, the best are Beau Bo D’Or and Bloggerheads, there are animations at Eclectech, and old-fashioned tasteless text at Chase Me, Ladies, I’m In The Cavalry. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites Finally, there are the opinion blogs, which do much the same job as newspaper columnists - sometimes better; sometimes worse. The writing you enjoy the most may not be from bloggers whose politics you share: the easiest way is to dive in, try a few, follow the links from their “blogrolls”, and remember the ones you’ve liked. In no particular order, then, have a peek at Dodgeblogium, Councillor Bob Piper, A Big Stick & A Small Carrot,Chicken Yoghurt, Blithering Bunny, Harry’s Place, Samizdata and Blood & Treasure. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites. If you’re overwhelmed with bookmarks, the best thing you can do is read about how RSS can help you manage your new reading. And no round-up of UK political blogs would be complete without a tip of the hat to the BBC’s own bloggers, including Nick Robinson’s Newslog, Newsnight’s Idle Scrawl and Martin Rosenbaum’s Freedom of Information blog Open Secrets. Click here to return to the top Political cybersquatting reaches the UK

It can be difficult trying to find political information online. To find the Labour Party’s manifesto, do you go to Labour Dot Com? Maybe New Hyphen Labour Dot Co Dot UK?

And making matters more frustrating are the annoying pranks played by political parties pretending to be each other online.

So we’ve been through all the spoof sites and dead ends so that you don’t have to: here’s a long list of political parties. And do help us keep it up to date by emailing any changes you’ve noticed to alan.connor@bbc.co.uk.

Click here to return to the top

How is the net changing politics?

That would be a tad harsh. Weblogs let politicians talk in a different way. They’re still accountable, but they can be less formal and, so far, less cowed by the whips.

Some, like Sandra Gidley use their sites to keep up with constituency matters. Some, like Boris Johnson, just seem to like talking. And others (say, Austin Mitchell’s) are a pleasing mix of different styles and aims.

Find one you like by browsing our list of politicians with blogs, and again: please help us keep it up to date by emailing alan.connor@bbc.co.uk.

Click here to return to the top

alan.connor@bbc.co.uk,
texting to 82237 or by using the form below.

We’d also like to hear from you if you’re one of the bloggers inspired by the Beeb to get your writing out there, drop us a line.

Happy surfing!

Click here to return to the top

Disclaimer: The BBC may edit your comments and cannot guarantee that all emails will be published.

These problem programs can arrive via e-mail, instant messenger, through your internet connection or even your web browser if you visit the wrong website. The threats are so numerous and appear so fast that Windows users must feel under siege.

While there is no doubt that attacks on PC users are getting more sophisticated, it is possible to avoid the vast majority of problems by taking some straight-forward steps and exercising some common sense.

If you are worried about your computer it is possible to scan it via the web to see if it is infected. Companies such as Trend Micro, Kaspersky and Microsoft all offer free scanning services.

Organisations such as the Computer Emergency Response Team (Cert) also offer advice on how to set up a safe net connection.

The first piece of security software every PC user needs is some anti-virus software. It must also be regularly updated to ensure it protects you against the latest threats.

One of the ways that virus writers try to catch out anti-virus software is by pumping out enormous numbers of variations of their malicious creations. Good anti-virus programs use heuristic techniques to spot viruses that have not been formally identified but have all the characteristics.

STAYING SAFE ONLINE Use anti-spyware and anti-virus programs On at least a weekly basis update anti-virus and spyware products Install a firewall and make sure it is switched on Make sure updates to your operating system are installed Take time to educate yourself and family about the risks Monitor your computer and stay alert to threats Hi-tech crime: A glossary

Many PCs now come with anti-virus installed and though an annual subscription can seem expensive, it might be cheap when you consider how much it could save you if it stops your bank details being stolen.

As well as retail versions of anti-virus there are now some free programs that do a good job of protecting you. Avira, Avast and AVG all produce free anti-virus software.

Microsoft now sells a package of security programs but, so far, they are only available to US users.

A firewall is also an essential piece of security software for PC users. Newer versions of Windows XP have a firewall built in and this will give you protection against nuisance attacks and many of the more serious ones.

HI-TECH CRIME PLANS The BBC News website is running a series of features throughout the week Tuesday: What did we catch in our honeypot? Wednesday: Anatomy of a spam e-mail and hackers face to face Thursday: How to spot a phishing scam

However some people feel that the Windows XP firewall is a bit limited in its features. Many anti-virus programs have a firewall bundled with them.

There are free firewalls available too from firms such as Comodo and Zone Alarm.

To block some of the attacks it can also be useful to connect to the net via a hub or router. Often these have a firewall built in and, even if not, will do a good job of blocking a lot of the low level attacks.

simply browsing the web can subject you to all kinds of dangers. Specially crafted websites can initiate so-called “drive-by downloads” that exploit weaknesses in Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser to install programs you never asked for.

Google has started warning people if they hit an unsafe site

At best these will annoy you with pop-up ads, at worst they will let someone else take control of your PC. Anti-spyware software will help stop these taking hold and help you clean up your PC if you do get hit.

There are add-ons for browsers, such as McAfee’s Site Advisor that warn you about potentially harmful sites. Also Google has now started warning when you are about to visit a potentially unsafe site. Search sites such as Scandoo will also flag sites loaded with malware.

These days adware tends to be very and it is far better to avoid an infection than try to clean up afterwards.

Security experts recommend migrating away from Internet Explorer to a browser such as Firefox or Opera. At the very least they say to keep Microsoft’s browser up to date with patches.

Anti-spyware activists Suzi Turner and Eric Howes run a website that lists the bogus security products to help you avoid falling victim. Microsoft makes free anti-spyware but there are many other products from firms such as Lavasoft and Spybot.

With Windows it is also important to keep your system up to date. Windows XP now regularly nags people about upgrades and Microsoft produces security patches on a monthly basis.

Phishing gangs try to steal details

Microsoft recommends automatic updating so patches are downloaded and applied as soon as they become available. As the time between the announcement of a vulnerability and it being exploited is shrinking, it pays to act quickly.

The other things you can do to stay safe fall into the realm of common sense. To begin with never open an attachment on an e-mail you were not expecting - even if it appears to come from someone you know.

Never reply to spam e-mail messages as that just confirms your address is live and makes it more valuable. Be wary of any e-mailed message about online financial accounts you own. Learn to spot the signs of phishing e-mails.

Apple users who feel confident that they are invulnerable to attacks should also take steps to protect themselves.

While virus attacks are virtually unheard of, the platform can be subject to malware and adware.

The firewall on an Apple computer should be switched on and common sense regarding potential phishing attacks should be applied.

Some argue that in Africa, cases of ministers keeping members of the public waiting, turning up late for a date, judges holding up court proceedings or public service vehicles leaving and arriving late have become the norm rather than the exception.

But timekeeping problems need not be endemic to Africa - and can be changed without causing major stress, according to Michael Beasley, of Priority Management.

“My experience is that all people can change their behaviour if they want to, without asking them to change their culture and their values,” Mr Beasley told BBC World Service’s Africa Live! programme.

“People from different cultures are quite capable of having similar ways of organising themselves so that everyone wants to work together.

“Culture and behaviour are not irreversibly linked, and we’ve helping people to change their habits all the time.”

‘Don’t trust your head’

Mr Beasley said that the basis of good time management lay in knowing where you are meant to be at what time.

“If you don’t remember things in your head, get it down somewhere,” he stressed.

How to keep time Write times and dates down - don’t just try to remember Prioritise and work around main goals Make sure you understand what needs doing Don’t allow other people to control your priorities Have a logical filing system Have SMART goals - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timed Can Africa keep time?

“I always advise people to have some sort of basic diary, to do lists, to have a place to make notes of important conversations - or obviously some electronic equivalent.

“But the first is don’t trust your head, because you’ll forget things - I’m afraid that’s inevitable.”

Mr Beasley added that it was important to focus on the “big things” and not be too distracted by day-to-day tasks.

“Before you start prioritising work, you need to know why am I doing it, what are my objectives,” Mr Beasley said.

“Everyone should have a clear understanding with whoever they report to what are objectives for this job, and those objectives need to be clearly and well written so there’s no about them.

“That’s the basis of good time management, and you can go forward from there.”

He said that in particular, modern technology was forcing people to adapt to the demands of others - without leaving time for themselves.

“Increasing emails drive other people’s priorities - you shouldn’t allow this to happen,” he stated, adding it was it was important to get a commitment when you ask people to do things.

“Always get a date out of them, and then make a note of it - and then, if necessary, follow it up.”

He also emphasised the need for a “logical filing system” to prevent people wasting “a huge amount of time” trying to find things.

None of this would help, however, if people were reluctant to be on time anyway.

“People have got to want to change.

“You’ve got to give them a reason. What’s the benefit for them?”

Relaxed attitude

Further, there are problems unique to Africa that prevent Africans from keeping time to anything like the same extent as in the West, explained Rodney Mkrumah-Boateng, an African lawyer living in England.

Traffic lights - the cause of so much delay

“In a place like Accra, if you’re travelling from A to B, you get to the station and the taxi won’t leave until it’s full,” he said.

“Obviously you have no control over that. The roads are bad - you have no control over that.

“The traffic lights break down - these things do happen.

“The infrastructure isn’t supportive of a timekeeping culture.”

Mr Mkrumah-Boateng added that this lack of infrastructure fundamentally affected African attitudes - but not necessarily negatively.

Instead of rushing, many found they were able to relax and enjoy life more.

“It’s not like here in the West where if you miss one train, another one comes in 10 minutes, or if you give yourself 15 minutes extra time you can get there on time.

“Over in Africa it’s just not the case you’re either there or you’re not there.

“To stress ourselves unnecessarily, and give ourselves heart and all that stuff, simply to get there within two seconds of time, I think is not worth it.”

Paul Pemberton has launched a campaign to apply for European funding.

It is thought the pool at Rhos, built at a former brickworks, contains more than 1,100 chemical drums dumped since the 1960s.

Mr Pemberton and council leader Aled Roberts have put together a dossier to present to the assembly government and European Parliament.

The lagoon is known to contain drums of sodium and sulphuric acid, but locals say they have no idea what else is there.

Wrexham council inherited the old brickworks site from former Clwyd County Council, which bought it from the brick company more than 25 years ago.

If Wrexham council were to take this on and do it, we would have no education, no , we would have nothing at all Councillor Paul Pemberton

The Environment Agency monitors the site, but does not recommend a clean-up because it is currently stable with no significant “pollutant linkages”.

Now there are fears Wrexham Council - with a budget of 170m - will never be able to afford the massive price tag quoted by consultants.

Mr Pemberton and Mr Roberts have compiled records dating back to the start of the tipping in 1960.

They now plan to appeal to MPs, AMs and the European Parliament to raise the money.

Mr Pemberton said: “Our budget for the whole year is in the region of 170m, and then we’re getting estimates of clearing the site of 100m.

“If Wrexham council were to take this on and do it, we would have no education, no road-sweeping, we would have nothing at all.

The pool caught fire in 1980 and the effects were felt for miles

“We have managed to put a portfolio together and an appeal. That’s going off to Cardiff to the assembly and also off to Brussels.”

Meanwhile, one skin cancer victim wants to know whether the pool - which he played near as a child - is linked to his illness.

‘Ignite again’

Although there is no proven link, Bryn Hughes said he and a friend - who both used the tip as a playground as youngsters - contracted dermatofibrosarcoma.

He claims his surgeon was amazed to see two people suffering from the disease.

Mr Hughes, who was diagnosed in 2000, said: “We have undergone big operations to get rid of it. Thankfully now, it’s all over, I hope.

“The surgeon in the hospital couldn’t understand why there was two people at the same time with the same form of cancer.

“It led us to believe maybe there was a reason.”

He added: “There was no restrictions, no fencing to stop children going in there.

“If there’s a possibility that place has caused anything that’s happened to me and my friend, somebody’s got to do something about it.”

In 1980, the pool caught fire and the effects of pollution were felt 20 miles away.

It took 60 nearly 18 hours to bring the blaze under control, and there are fears it could ignite again.

Recently

• News - Inside Tokyo’s hostess clubs
• News - Dangers for women travelling solo
• News - Webscape
• News - Friday’s Working Lunch in bits
• News - Q&A: Home information packs
• News - Diary of a house buyer
• Newsround - Potter book review
• News - Review: King Arthur
• News - Devon sailor set for global race
• News - Centenarian takes computer course

Categories

• Dating advices
• Dating articles
• Dating experts
• Dating ideas
• Dating tips
• Uncategorized

Archives

• May 2008
• March 2008
• February 2008
• January 2008
• December 2007
• November 2007
• October 2007
• September 2007