Wacky Wednesday

1 June 2011

Prince William Says FIFA Should Postpone Election - Prince William, who is president of the Football Association, last night dramatically intervened to back calls for football’s shamed governing body Fifa to postpone today’s presidential election in the wake of bribery allegations. He joined the organisation’s attempt to scupper the re-election of Sepp Blatter, the only candidate after his rival withdrew due to the claims. [dailymail]

World Health Organisation: Cellphones May Cause Cancer - Radiation from cell phones can possibly cause cancer, according to the World Health Organization. The agency now lists mobile phone use in the same “carcinogenic hazard” category as lead, engine exhaust and chloroform. Before its announcement Tuesday, WHO had assured consumers that no adverse health effects had been established. [cnn]

Blatter Admits To Problems – President Sepp Blatter acknowledged that corruption scandals have left FIFA “shaking on its foundations” on the eve of an election which should give him four more years to overcome the turmoil that has soiled the image of football’s governing body. [sport24]

Another Banker Arrested For Groping Maid – Another international moneyman has been busted for sexually assaulting a maid at a luxury Manhattan hotel, cops said last night. Mahmoud Abdel-Salam Omar — the 74-year-old former chairman of Egypt’s Bank of Alexandria — allegedly groped and “gyrated” against the maid in Room 1027 at The Pierre hotel on Fifth Avenue. Guys, stop it! [nypost]

Federer Vs. Djokovic French Open Semi-Final Showdown – Quickly and rather quietly, Roger Federer is back in the French Open semifinals. There will be absolutely nothing low-key — or, it seems safe to say, easy — about what comes next for the 16-time Grand Slam champion: a showdown against Novak Djokovic, who is 41-0 this year and unbeaten in his last 43 matches overall. [msnbc]

Pippa Middleton Cleavage Graces French Open – It’s been a while since we last spoke of Pippa Middleton and her infamous derriere. But judging by these brand-spanking new snaps of Pippa Middleton, she wants us all to move on from chatting about her bottom and concentrate on her other perfect assets. [okmagazine]

Google’s Schmidt Takes Subtle Shots At Apple, Facebook & Microsoft - Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt described his company as part of a “gang of four” kings of consumer technology, along with Amazon, Apple and Facebook. Explicitly not on that list: Microsoft. He Schmidt sounded a warning that Microsoft shouldn’t feel safe from Google in the enterprise space either. [mashable]

Life-Size Hot-Wheels Car Completes World Record Jump [Video] – For anyone who has ever played with Hot Wheels toy cars as a kid, this past weekend’s 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500 offered a retro-tinged spectacle before the race even began. Top Gear co-host Tanner Foust and his jump of 332 feet broke the record of 301 feet. [wired]

Libya Agrees To Help Search For Hammerl – The Libyan government has agreed at “the highest level” to help South Africa search for the remains of slain photographer Anton Hammerl, the international relations and co-operation department said on Tuesday. [citizen]

Walmart-Massmart Deal Approved With Conditions - The Competition Tribunal on Tuesday approved the merger between Walmart and South African retailer Massmart Holdings (MSM) subject to conditions. Unions, small businesses and the government had expressed concerns about the deal, saying it could lead to cheap imports, which would result in job losses and harm small South African businesses. [mail&guardian]

Libya Lost $1 Billion With Goldman – In early 2008, Libya’s sovereign-wealth fund controlled by Col. Moammar Gaddafi gave $1.3 billion to Goldman Sachs Group to sink into a currency bet and other complicated trades. The investments lost 98% of their value. In an effort to make up for the losses, Goldman offered Libya the chance to become one of its biggest shareholders. [wallstreetjournal]

Circus Elephant Used To Help Clean Up Joplin - More than a week after the devastating tornado, residents of Joplin, Missouri continue to dig themselves out of the wreckage. But over the weekend, they got some unlikely help in pulling heavy items like mangled cars from underneath the debris. [atlanticwire]

L.S. Lowry’s ‘The Football Match’ Sells For £5.6 million – A painting by “matchstick men” artist L.S. Lowry, which had been described by Christie’s London as a modern masterpiece, has sold for a record £5.6 million ($9.2 million). The painting shows hundreds of Lowry’s signature matchstick figures, gathered at a match in Manchester against a backdrop of factories with billowing chimneys. [bornrich]

Amy Winehouse Must Stop Boozing Or Die - The Winemeister has been given more health warnings than a deep-fried Mars Bar. But the singer really must listen to her latest ultimatum – quit boozing or die. Doctors at The Priory, where she is currently being treated, gave her a final warning along with enough home truths to put her off turbo shandies for life. [thesun]

Kim Kardashian’s Brother Doesn’t Believe The Wedding Will Take Place – Earlier this week, reality TV star Kim Kardashian announced her engagement to NBA pro Kris Humphries–and while her sisters were super excited, it seems her little brother, Rob, just doesn’t think a wedding will actually happen. [popeater]