http://behindthegoals.com/forum A forum to air your views, watch live football with fellow fans and discuss news with friends online. en Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:26:40 GMT vBulletin 60 http://behindthegoals.com/forum/images/orange_g/misc/rss.jpg http://behindthegoals.com/forum http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f87/pompey-confirm-investor-talks-29061/ Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:37:34 GMT Peter Storrie has confirmed crisis club Portsmouth are in takeover talks with potential new owners. More...... Peter Storrie has confirmed crisis club Portsmouth are in takeover talks with potential new owners.

More... ]]> The English Football Lounge lorrienorrie http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f87/pompey-confirm-investor-talks-29061/ http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f87/ambani-denies-reds-interest-29060/ Tue, 09 Feb 2010 08:04:02 GMT Mukesh Ambani denied reports that he is in the running to buy a controlling stake in Premier League giants Liverpool. More...... Mukesh Ambani denied reports that he is in the running to buy a controlling stake in Premier League giants Liverpool.

More... ]]> The English Football Lounge lorrienorrie http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f87/ambani-denies-reds-interest-29060/ http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/mps-decide-vote-referendum-29059/ Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:22:31 GMT MPs are to vote on Gordon Brown's plan for a referendum on changing Britain's "first past the post" voting system.

More... ]]> News Room lorrienorrie http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/mps-decide-vote-referendum-29059/ http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/jackson-medic-denies-manslaughter-29058/ Tue, 09 Feb 2010 01:22:31 GMT Michael Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, denies a charge of involuntary manslaughter over the singer's death.

More... ]]> News Room lorrienorrie http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/jackson-medic-denies-manslaughter-29058/ http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f2/uk-soldier-killed-afghanistan-29057/ Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:50:01 GMT UK soldier killed in Afghanistan The UK death toll in Afghanistan now exceeds that of the Falklands War A British soldier has been killed by... UK soldier killed in Afghanistan

The UK death toll in Afghanistan now exceeds that of the Falklands War
A British soldier has been killed by an explosion in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.

The soldier from 36 Engineer Regiment, part of the counter-IED Task Force, was killed by an explosion in the Nad-e-Ali district, in central Helmand Province.

The soldier's next of kin were informed following the incident on Monday.

The fatality follows the death of two British soldiers in an explosion on Sunday and means 256 UK personnel have died in Afghanistan since 2001.

It means more British service personnel have now died in this conflict than were killed during the 1982 Falklands War. ]]> Media, Entertainment and General Chat seanchai http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f2/uk-soldier-killed-afghanistan-29057/ http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f87/premier-league-get-1bn-tv-windfall-29056/ Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:59:28 GMT English Premier League clubs will soon receive a £1 billion windfall from a new worldwide TV rights agreement, it has emerged. The current rights... English Premier League clubs will soon receive a £1 billion windfall from a new worldwide TV rights agreement, it has emerged.

The current rights deal for international broadcasters to show games from the league stands at £645 million.

However, a new three-year agreement currently being negotiated by Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore is expected to be worth significantly more.

According to The Sun, Scudamore is still negotiating parts of the deal, with key markets in China and Russia yet to be finalised, but he is confident that the resulting agreement will surpass £1bn.

If finalised, the recession-defying deal would bring £50m in revenue to each of the 20 clubs in the league, but paid in staggered instalments.

Domestic rights agreements with Sky, ESPN and the BBC already bring £1.8bn to the Premier League, helping make it the richest in the world. ]]> The English Football Lounge billyboy http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f87/premier-league-get-1bn-tv-windfall-29056/ http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/kerr-helps-save-aussie-bankers-job-29055/ Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:56:00 GMT The banker who was caught on live TV looking at near-nude pictures of Miranda Kerr while at work has managed to keep his job. The Australian... The banker who was caught on live TV looking at near-nude pictures of Miranda Kerr while at work has managed to keep his job.

The Australian supermodel, who is dating actor Orlando Bloom, offered to sign a petition to save Macquarie stockbroker David Kiely just days before he met with bosses to discover his future with the bank.

According to the Courier-Mail, Kerr said: "I am told there is a petition to save his job and of course I would sign it."

A spokesperson from Macquarie Bank later said: "[David Kiely] will remain an employee of Macquarie. Macquarie and the employee apologise for any offence that may have been caused."

The footage of Kiely opening the images of Kerr in the background of a news broadcast has received over 170,000 hits on YouTube. ]]> News Room billyboy http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/kerr-helps-save-aussie-bankers-job-29055/ http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/indian-tribe-seeks-james-camerons-help-29054/ Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:54:50 GMT James Cameron has been sought out by the Dongria Kondh tribe of Eastern India for help with a problem that matches Avatar's plot.

According to Scifi Wire, the director has been solicited by the natives to help them stop a mining company from opening a bauxite mine on their sacred mountain, just like the film's Na'vi tribe trying to prevent humans from mining under their 'home tree'.

The Indians took out an ad for their appeal in industry trade paper Variety.

"Avatar is fantasy... and real. The Dongria Kondh tribe in India are struggling to defend their land against a mining company hell-bent on destroying their sacred mountain. Please help the Dongria," it read.

Cameron has yet to respond to the Dongria Kondh's appeal. ]]> News Room billyboy http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/indian-tribe-seeks-james-camerons-help-29054/ http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/space-cowboy-swallows-18-swords-29053/ Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:53:55 GMT An Australian man dubbed the Space Cowboy has set a new Guinness World Record after swallowing 18 72cm swords simultaneously. Street performer... An Australian man dubbed the Space Cowboy has set a new Guinness World Record after swallowing 18 72cm swords simultaneously.

Street performer Chayne Hultgren, 31, beat his own record of 17 swords that he had set in 2008, the Australian Daily Telegraph reports.

Hultgren said: "It's amazing. I've been preparing for this since I was 16. It is definitely one of my greatest achievements so far.

"It wasn't recommended by my doctor... It's an educated risk. I don't just straight away grab 18 blades and shove them down my throat - you've got to practise a lot and build up to it."

He added: "So I stretch my throat with hoses and use a few different techniques to basically enable me to do what, until now, has been impossible.''

Hultgren regularly performs as the Space Cowboy at the Royal Easter Show's 'Psycho Sideshow'. ]]> News Room billyboy http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/space-cowboy-swallows-18-swords-29053/ http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/us-soldier-waterboards-own-daughter-29052/ Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:53:05 GMT A US soldier has been accused of "waterboarding" his 4-year-old daughter for her failure to recite the alphabet.

According to police and court papers, 27-year-old Joshua Tabor is alleged to have pushed the girl's head face-up under water in the kitchen sink at his Washington home, The Olympian reports.

The accused told a police officer that he and his girlfriend had "held her down on the counter and submerged her head into the water three or four times until the water came around her forehead and jawline... [for] refusing to say her letters".

Tabor's girlfriend told officers that he beat his daughter and an officer observed severe bruising on the child's back, in addition to scratch marks all over her body.

When asked about her injuries, the child reportedly said: "Daddy did it... I don't know why he did it."

The child has been taken into protective custody while Tabor was released from Thurston County Jail on $10,000 bail. He is not permitted to have contact with his girlfriend or children and is restricted to base at Lewis-McChord.

US forces reportedly waterboarded inmates at the controversial Guantanamo Bay detainment camp before the practice was banned by President Barack Obama as torture in January 2009. ]]> News Room billyboy http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/us-soldier-waterboards-own-daughter-29052/ http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/granite-firm-crafts-12ft-jackson-statue-29051/ Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:52:18 GMT An Indian granite firm has carved a 12-foot (3.65m) statue of late pop superstar Michael Jackson. The figure was reportedly made from a single... An Indian granite firm has carved a 12-foot (3.65m) statue of late pop superstar Michael Jackson.

The figure was reportedly made from a single rock by RC Golden Granites at a cost of $25,000 (£16,000). Its makers hope to donate it to the singer's Neverland ranch.

Company managing director R. Chandrasekaran told IANS: "It's a personal tribute to the greatest pop singer of our times! He lives in our hearts as he was on stage for years.

"I have written to Jackson's family that I want to donate the statue for installing it in his famous estate. I will bear the freight charge, which is about $2,500."

He added: "We employed six artisans to chisel the granite into Jackson's shape in 45 days at our factory in Kancheepuram.

"As black granite is brittle, the aesthetic art work was a test of patience, diligence and skill. His face and eyes were the most challenging as we wanted the statue to be expressive and poignant."

Sony famously manufactured nine 10m statutes of Jackson to promote his 1995 album HIStory, one of which was floated down the River Thames in London. ]]> News Room billyboy http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/granite-firm-crafts-12ft-jackson-statue-29051/ http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/postmen-given-dog-repelling-gadget-29050/ Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:51:37 GMT Postmen have been given a new device designed to scare off dogs. The Daily Telegraph reports that Royal Mail employees were given the gadget after... Postmen have been given a new device designed to scare off dogs.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Royal Mail employees were given the gadget after the number of workers being attacked by the pets rose by 20% last year.

In 2008 to 2009, 4,810 postmen were the subject of attacks, equivalent to 92 per week.

Although many staff already carry peppermint spray, which is intended to disorientate dogs for 20 minutes, some have complained that it is difficult to use.

The new gadget, being trialled in south-east England, releases compressed air and makes a hissing sound. Postmen have also been provided with advice on how to deal with dogs.

"The device releases air at speed, creating a hissing noise which is designed to pull the dog up and slow its progress," a spokesperson explained. "This is something we take extremely seriously, and we give training to staff about ways to deal with dogs."

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Communication Workers Union agreed that the devices are necessary.

"It is one of the biggest health and safety issues that delivery staff face," she said. "We're well aware that it got worse last year. It can be very traumatising for workers not knowing what is behind the garden gate or the letterbox." ]]> News Room billyboy http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/postmen-given-dog-repelling-gadget-29050/ http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/igloo-collapses-canadian-politician-29049/ Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:50:42 GMT A Canadian politician had a lucky escape after an igloo reportedly partially collapsed with him inside. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty was hit by a... A Canadian politician had a lucky escape after an igloo reportedly partially collapsed with him inside.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty was hit by a massive slab of snow while he toured the dwelling in the country's far north. Flaherty, who was in the area for G7 talks, was uninjured in the incident, which was sparked when his hood snagged on an archway slab at the entrance to the traditional snow house.

Inuit builders of the shelter told the minister that it would not take long to rebuild the structure, which is comprised of dozens of slabs of snow weighing up to 20 pounds.

According to AFP, Flaherty appeared unfazed and laughed off the incident. ]]> News Room billyboy http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/igloo-collapses-canadian-politician-29049/ http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/suspected-thief-flees-into-police-station-29048/ Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:50:03 GMT A man suspected of stealing a bottle of spirits reportedly messed up his escape after taking refuge at a nearby police station. The 26-year-old... A man suspected of stealing a bottle of spirits reportedly messed up his escape after taking refuge at a nearby police station.

The 26-year-old allegedly took a bottle of schnapps and some cough drops from a grocery store in Wyoming on Wednesday. He ran into a nearby building to flee the scene, unaware that it was a US police station.

According to The AP, the suspect fled for a second time but was detained. The man, who was reportedly drunk, was preliminarily charged with resisting arrest and shoplifting. ]]> News Room billyboy http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/suspected-thief-flees-into-police-station-29048/ http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/heinz-packs-bane-peoples-lives-29047/ Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:49:09 GMT Heinz is testing new packaging for its ketchup after complaints that its packets are messy and difficult to use. The Daily Mail reports that the... Heinz is testing new packaging for its ketchup after complaints that its packets are messy and difficult to use.

The Daily Mail reports that the new 'Dip & Squeeze' packaging is shaped like a cup and holds three times as much ketchup than the traditional packets. Customers can either peel the top back for dipping or tear the end off to squeeze it.

The packaging comes in response to complaints from customers about the traditional packets, including in several Facebook groups.

Matt Kurtz, who runs one of the campaigns for new packaging, said that he began his group after he tore open one of the traditional packs and spilt ketchup all over his jeans.

"That's when I said, 'There has to be a better way'," he explained.

The new style of packet is currently being tested in Kentucky but could spread across the US and other countries if the manufacturer can agree prices with its customers.

Restaurant analyst R. J. Hottovy said: "It has to be proven that this is something that saves money on behalf of restaurants or cuts down on waste. It looks interesting, but ultimately you have to provide something of value to the restaurants."

However, vice-president of Heinz Ketchup Dave Ciesinski insisted that there is a demand for the new packaging.

"The packet has long been the bane of our consumers," he explained. "The biggest complaint is there is no way to dip and eat it on the go.

"We created the [original] packet in 1968. Consumer complaints started around 1969." ]]> News Room billyboy http://behindthegoals.com/forum/f101/heinz-packs-bane-peoples-lives-29047/