Carter in meltdown over travel expenses?

30/07/2010 18:00

Phil Goff says Chris Carter's actions to destroy the Labour Party resulted from being caught out for more overseas travel.

It has been revealed the suspended MP travelled to China earlier this month without his party's knowledge.

Mr Goff says he does not know what Mr Carter was doing in Tibet, but he was not on party business. He says he found out about the trip after Mr Carter left for Tibet and confronted him about it on his return.

Mr Goff believes Mr Carter did not accept being disciplined for too costly and too frequent travel. He thinks Chris Carter developed a 'sense of entitlement' over his travel.

Mr Carter was given a second chance after the mishandling of his public apology over his ministerial travel, but Mr Goff he is not prepared to do that again.

Meawhile, Mr Carter's claim that a candidate is waiting in the wings to challenge George Hawkins for the Manurewa seat is also being refuted. Mr Goff says even it the seat was contested he is confident Mr Hawkins would be well supported but the fact of the matter is his seat is not under threat.

Hemana remanded

30/07/2010 13:20

A man accused of bashing a six-month-old baby has been remanded in custody.

James Hemana appeared in the Manukau District Court charged with assaulting Cezar Taylor, who died in Starship Hospital on Wednesday.

Hemana will be behind bars until a court appearance next month. It is likely he will face more serious charges when police have details of baby Cezar's post mortem. However, they have already said he suffered non-accidental head injuries and was assaulted over a period of time.

iPhone4 here

30/07/2010 12:12

The new iPhone 4 is available in some Vodafone stores.

This morning Kiwis braved the cold to line up outside stores in a bid to get their hands on the new phone only to be told they could not have one.

Vodafone spokesman Paul Brislen says it is great news they can now offer the phone at selected stores that are detailed on its website. He says only limited stock is available and people can only buy an iPhone if they have or sign up to a Vodafone account.

Vodafone remains silent over what caused the delay in the launch.

Pickering gets life

30/07/2010 10:24

An Auckland woman who killed a three-year-old boy has been sentenced to life imprisonment with 17 years non-parole.

Last month 38-year-old Patricia Pickering was found guilty of murdering Dylan Hohepa Rimoni who died in Starship Hospital in 2008.

The court heard Pickering slammed the little boy's head against a door, causing a fatal brain injury.

Coffee, not iPhone

30/07/2010 09:48

Vodafone has been left red-faced over what was meant to have been the launch of the iPhone 4.

A spokesman greeted around a dozen people waiting outside its store on Auckland's Queen Street and told them it can't sell the new phones at the moment. People waiting were offered a complementary coffee.

Vodafone says it can't comment on what's stalling the launch and is directing media enquiries to Apple.

Busy day of trades in MLB

30/07/2010 14:24

An All Star pitcher, an MVP and productive infielder have all been part of trades in Major League Baseball action today.

The 2008 World Series champion Phildelphia Phillies swung the biggest trade landing former All Star pitcher Roy Oswalt from the Houston Astros.

Oswalt (6-12) joins a stellar starting rotation that includes former Cy Young winner Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels, giving the Phillies arguably the strongest rotation in the National League.

The Phillies are trying to chase down the Atlanta Braves in the National League East.

The Florida Marlins traded corner infielder Jorge Cantu to the American League West-leading Texas Rangers as well. Cantu went 2-4, scoring a pair of runs as the Marlins beat the San Francisco Giants 4-0 before packing his bags for Texas.

The San Diego Padres also swung a trade Friday, acquiring former MVP shortstop Miguel Tejada from the struggling Baltimore Orioles. Despite an unproductive year by his standards, Tejada will give the National League West-leading Padres more punch at the plate.

In American League action, Tampa Bay completed a four-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers, winning the fourth game 4-2. Lefty David Price picked up his 14th win of the season while first baseman Carlos Pena went 3-4 with a home run and four runs batted in.

American League results.
Tampa Bay 4-2 Detroit
Texas 7-4 Oakland
Chicago 9-5 Seattle
New York 11-4 Cleveland
Baltimore 6-5 Kansas City

National League results.
New York 4-0 St Louis
Washington 5-3 Atlanta
Colorado 9-3 Pittsburgh
Florida 5-0 San Francisco
Philadelphia 3-2 Arizona
San Diego 3-2 Los Angeles

Phoenix sign Socceroo North

30/07/2010 14:00

The Wellington Phoenix have completed the signing of Socceroos defender Jade North for the upcoming A-League season.

North can play anywhere in the back four, but is best suited to a central defensive role.

He has played 28 times for the Socceroos and was was part of the Australian squad for the just completed World Cup, but missed out on the final cut of 23.

His signing of a one-year contract brings the Phoenix squad size to 20, the minimum required by the FFA before the season starts.

Teams named for battle of the bridge

30/07/2010 12:32

Auckland coach Mark Anscombe has named an experienced starting 15 for Sunday's season opener against North Harbour in Albany.

Auckland welcomes back three old hands for the battle of the bridge. Flanker Daniel Braid, centre Ben Atiga and fullback Brent Ward all return after time away from the province.

Former Chiefs halfback Toby Morland will make his first start for Auckland, while Ash Moeke has been handed the first-five jersey ahead of new-signing Matt Berquist.

Meanwhile, North Harbour has named an inexperienced side featuring four debutants. Centre Brendon Watt, winger Alipate Fatafehi, halfback Grayson Hart and lock Matt Luamanu will all start in a new look Harbour side, which is captained by prop Michael Reid.

The match kicks off on Sunday at 2:35pm.

Auckland:

1. Tevita Mailau, 2. Tom McCartney, 3. Charlie Faumuina, 4. Kurtis Haiu, 5. Andrew Van der Heijden, 6. Onosa'i Auva'a, 7. Daniel Braid, 8. Peter Saili, 9. Toby Morland, 10. Ash Moeke, 11. Chay Raui, 12. Jamie Helleur, 13. Ben Atiga, 14. Atieli Pakalani, 15. Brent Ward, 16. Ash Dixon, 17. Pauliasi Manu, 18. Liaki Moli, 19. Chris Lowrey, 20. Brenton Helleur, 21. Matt Berquist, 22. Dave Thomas.

North Harbour:

1. Michael Reid, 2. James Parsons, 3. Ben Afeaki, 4. Matt Luamanu, 5. Shane Neville, 6. Tom Chamberlain, 7. Scott Uren, 8. Richard Mayhew, 9. Grayson Hart, 10. Michael Harris, 11. Alipate Fatafehi, 12. Luke McAlister, 13. Brendon Watt, 14. Ken Pisi, 15. Jack McPhee, 16. Mike Mayhew, 17. Taione Vea, 18. William Whetton, 19. Malakai Ravulo, 20. Nalu Tuigamala, 21. Ben Botica, 22. Jack Tarrant.

Joseph confirmed as Highlanders coach

30/07/2010 12:16

In what may be the worst-kept secret in New Zealand rugby, Jamie Joseph's been confirmed as the new head coach of the Highlanders.

Joseph will remain as coach of Wellington until he takes up his new position at the end of next month. Assistant coach Andre Bell will take over the role at that point.

A new assistant coach for the Highlanders is also expected to be announced within the next week.

Joseph had been linked to the job for the past couple of weeks.

Surprises in Silver Ferns

30/07/2010 12:12

Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken has sprung a couple of surprises in naming her squad for October's Commonwealth Games.

The biggest surprise is that Mystics mid-courter Grace Rasmussen has been named ahead of Tactix shooter Anna Thompson. The selection means there is only three shooters in the squad although Rasmussen can play goal attack.

The other surprise is that former beach volleyball rep Anna Scarlett has been named in the side just a month after deciding to return to the sport.

The Silver Ferns leave for Delhi on September 24 and will compete against England, Papua New Guinea, The Cook Islands, South Africa and Barbados in pool play.

Silver Ferns squad: Casey Williams (capt), Liana Barrett-Chase, Leana de Bruin, Temepara George, Katrina Grant, Joline Henry, Laura Langman, Grace Rasmussen, Anna Scarlett, Maria Tutaia, Irene van Dyk, Daneka Wipiiti.

McCoy cries over Perry in haunting song

Travie McCoy admits he broke down in tears over his split from Katy Perry while recording a song about his heartbreak.

The "Teenage Dream" hitmaker ended her relationship with McCoy in April last year 2009 before embarking on a whirlwind romance with funnyman Russell Brand, who she is now engaged to marry.

McCoy admits he was so upset over their break-up, he wept real tears in the studio while recording a track, "Don't Pretend," for his ex-girlfriend.

He says, "That song is the most introspective and personal on the album. In a sense, I felt I'd had my heart ripped out. I'm crying throughout the song.

"The album is about coming out the other side of something really painful... There was a lot of stuff that did not make the album because it was too dark."

And McCoy insists he has even more melancholy music to come.

He adds, "'Don't Pretend' is the final song on the album as I didn't want to start the album on a sad song. It's also the perfect set-up for my next solo album. I've saved the really sad stuff for that."

Photo Copyright Getty Images

Copyright World Entertainment News Network 2010

Lohan wants family time before rehab

Lindsay Lohan is "upset" after learning she may not have time with her family before heading to court-ordered rehab following her release from prison, according to her lawyer.

The Mean Girls actress was sentenced to 90 days behind bars for breaching her parole in relation to a 2007 DUI arrest and she was admitted to the Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood, California, earlier this month.

At the time of her sentencing she was ordered to start a three-month stint in a rehabilitation center as part of her probation no later than 24 hours after she completed her jail time.

And the star's lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley admits her celebrity client is emotional after learning she may not have a chance to spend time with her mother and siblings before she enters the clinic.

Holley tells People.com, "She's a little upset right now... She'd like to spend some time with her family, and there's at least some question as to whether or not she'll have to go directly to rehab.

"There's a push now for her to go directly to rehab from jail. I think it would only be fair for her to spend some time with her family and that's what she'd like for me to emphasise to (the) judge."

Lohan is expected to be released as early as next week - two weeks after she started her sentence.

Photo Copyright Getty Images

Copyright World Entertainment News Network 2010

Wayne raps Carter IV to Drake from behind bars

Incarcerated Lil Wayne is refusing to let his legal problems silence his music - he's been rapping verses of new material to his hip-hop protege Drake via the prison phone.

The "Lollipop" hitmaker, real name Dwayne Carter, Jr., is serving time at New York's tough Rikers Island prison after pleading guilty to charges of gun possession.

Wayne's stayed in close touch with his Young Money Records protege Drake during his sentence and has been using his time wisely, working on tracks for the follow-up to his hit album Tha Carter III.

And the hip-hop newcomer was shocked during a recent phone conversation with his jailed boss - when Wayne began showcasing the new songs from his highly-anticipated record Tha Carter IV.

Drake tells MTV News, "I don't know if I'm supposed to say this... He called me the other day from jail and rapped me two verses, man. It really made me, like, 'I gotta do something different. I gotta get s**t together,' because he's really got bars and he's rapping from a broader life perspective, saying these things people love to hear."

Photo Copyright Getty Images

Copyright World Entertainment News Network 2010

Forget the chimpanzee - it's Bieber on a Segway!

Justin Bieber braved a pack of wild teenagers in Glendale, Arizona over the weekend - and tried to evade them on a Segway! Good try, Bieber, but it's gonna take more than that to escape the true Beliebers!

Ke$ha: Trannies 'make me want to be a better woman'

Ke$ha seems to be something of a hit machine of late - with smashes like "Tik Tok" and "Your Love is My Drug," she's taken the pop world by storm. And she's also something of a smarty-pants. Did you know she got a 1500 her SAT?

The southern songstress graces the latest cover of Paper magazine. Check out some highlights from the interview:

On "Tik Tok": "I'm writing songs about brushing my teeth with Jack Daniels. It doesn't have to be so serious all the time -- especially with pop music. I don't take myself very seriously. I don't think I should or could."

On solving the pop music equation: "When you write a really good pop song, you get this feeling of euphoria. When you're solving a math equation, it's the same feeling. Swear to God."

On how men should be: ""When I have my own country, it will be a requirement for all men to have beards."

CLICK HERE to read the whole thing from Paper magazine.

The Huffington Post, where her brother is a reporter, took the liberty of publishing some of Ke$ha's better outtakes. Check out those highlights:

On how she gets attention from guys: "I usually do something ridiculous like send him over a shot of whiskey and then spank him. Something like that."

On transvestites:"Freaks are what make everything mildly more interesting in life but with trannies, they make me want to be a better woman. I see these men who have way better bodies than I do, more beautiful faces, better complexions, beautiful makeup, and they're more fun than any person I've met in my life. They make me feel like I'm not a very good woman."

Photo Copyright Getty Images

Rihanna to make her acting debut

R&B beauty Rihanna has signed up to make her movie debut in upcoming blockbuster Battleship.

The singer will star in the film, based on the game of the same name, alongside Taylor Kitsch, Alexander Skarsgard and Tom Arnold.

Production was due to begin in Australia early this year, but a deal to film Down Under fell through and the shoot was pushed back.

Filming will now begin in Hawaii in August, and Rihanna admits she has long dreamed of starring in an action film.

She tells Scotland's Daily Record, "Movies are definitely something I want to get into... Action would be good... Things that are cool, like comic book movies."

Battleship is due for release in 2012.

Photo Copyright Getty Images

Copyright World Entertainment News Network 2010

Justin Timberlake... Idol judge?

Pop star Justin Timberlake is the latest celebrity name to emerge as a potential contender for Simon Cowell's vacant judging seat on American Idol.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the "SexyBack" hitmaker has joined Sir Elton John, Chris Isaak and Harry Connick Jr. as rumored replacements for Cowell.

Cowell quit the show in May to focus on his new series The X Factor, which premieres in September, 2011.

Reports suggest Idol producer Simon Fuller and Fox network executives are also considering dumping the entire judges panel - which would mean booting songwriter Kara DioGuardi and renegotiating multi-year contracts with Randy Jackson and Ellen DeGeneres.

Jessica Simpson is also rumored to be on the list of potential new judges.

Idol bosses have insisted no decision is imminent, but insiders expect the new judge to be named in September.

Photo Copyright Getty Images

Copyright World Entertainment News Network 2010

LOL VIDEO: Miley's ex, Justin Gaston, can't seem to get over her...

Justin Gaston has a lot going for him lately. After gaining fame on "Nashville Star" and a very public relationship with the teen queen herself, Miley Cyrus, Gaston joined "If I Can Dream," shot a music video and is now awaiting the release of his first album.

But the singer/songwriter can't seem to shake his famous ex...

Props to Justin for poking fun at himself - and for having the smarts to making his break-up with Miley work for him! Gotta love the guy for having a sense of humor!!!