Badminton star Hidayat outburst over media no-show

Badminton star Taufik Hidayat angrily lashed media Wednesday for giving him a "bad name" after he missed a press conference, while Chinese legend Lin Dan offered a grovelling apology.

Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia reaches for a return shot against Daren Liew of Malaysia in the round one men's single during Singapore Open badminton tournament on June 15. Hidayat angrily lashed media for giving him a "bad name" after he missed a news conference, while Chinese legend Lin Dan offered a grovelling apology.

Hidayat said Indonesian press had accused him of lacking professionalism for not meeting journalists before this week's Singapore Open, but he insisted he was never told about Monday's media commitment.
The outspoken 2004 Olympic gold medallist opened fire immediately after scraping through his first-round match 22-24, 21-12, 21-18 against Malaysian qualifier Daren Liew.
"I'm sorry about not coming for the press conference on Monday, but the media said I'm not professional. How come I'm not professional?" Hidayat asked.
"You tell me one hour before (about the press conference) so why do you write in the Indonesian media that I'm not professional? It gives me a bad name," he fumed.
"It's big. In Indonesia, badminton is big. My name is bad about it through the media. I never said 'no' to the press conference."
A tournament official said Hidayat and defending champion Sony Dwi Kuncoro were never told about the press commitment, which China's Lin skipped with a stomach upset.
"If the player did not receive the message it's not the fault of the player," said media director Rose Tan.
India's Saina Nehwal turned up so late the press conference room was closed, while five Chinese players who did come for interview looked bad-tempered and angered journalists with their short answers.
The incidents provided further negative headlines for badminton after its much-criticised attempt to force women players to wear skirts, in a bid to attract more fans.
Chinese mega-star Lin, the reigning Olympic champion and the only player to complete badminton's "Golden Grand Slam" of the eight biggest titles, gave an unreserved apology for failing to attend.
"I sincerely apologise for my absence and for letting the local media wait. It has been a long time since I played in Singapore and I am very excited to be here. I feel better today and I do apologise again for my absence," he said.
"In order to make badminton a more popular sport, we have to combine our efforts and do what we can to make it popular worldwide. It is not just about getting a gold medal."
Badminton officials said they accepted the explanation and would not fine Lin, who romped through his opening match 21-14, 21-15 against South Korea's Shon Wan-Ho.
Meanwhile Hidayat put the Singapore Indoor Stadium crowd through one of his traditional first-round scares, but came through a tight deciding set when the inexperienced Liew pushed a smash and a net parry long.
"My coach always says it's scary when I play the first round. It's always like that, so many mistakes like today," he said.
"In the third set when Daren was leading, I was just thinking tomorrow I go back to Indonesia if I lose. But point by point I tried to reconstruct. And then he made so many mistakes in the last points -- thanks Daren!"
In the women's draw, China's "Three Wangs" -- Shixian, Yihan and Xin, who top the seedings -- all enjoyed comfortable wins.
The Singapore Open is the fifth leg of badminton's 12-stop Super Series and also carries qualification points towards next year's London Olympics.

Chelsea say they will name coach within two weeks

Chelsea's chief executive said on Wednesday the English Premier League club would name a new coach within two weeks and was looking to buy at least two players ahead of the new season.

Blues captain John Terry (pictured) has backed former Chelsea striker Mark Hughes or Turkey coach Guus Hiddink to take charge at Stamford Bridge.

Ron Gourlay said the team were close to announcing a new manager following the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti after the club's poor performance last season.
"The process is moving along very well... We would look to have a new coach in place maybe within a week, two weeks," Gourlay told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.
"We are certainly working to a week, two weeks. But it could be sooner," he said.
Blues captain John Terry has backed former Chelsea striker Mark Hughes or Turkey coach Guus Hiddink to take charge at Stamford Bridge.
But Gourlay, in Kuala Lumpur to launch a football training programme ahead of the Blues' visit next month, would not reveal who was in the running.
He said the squad, including a new manager and several more new players, would be unveiled when the Blues play their friendly against Malaysia's national side on July 21.
"I'm delighted to tell you that we will bring our full squad," Gourlay said, but remained equally tightlipped on the club's transfer targets.
"I think we are looking at probably two to three players minimum coming into this side," he said.
"It's just making sure we can get the right players available who can strengthen the team. Because we are a very, very strong team," he said. "We are in good shape. There is not too much meddling with the team to be done."
On speculation that the team could let go of Didier Drogba, Gourlay said as far as he knew the Ivorian would be staying.
"Didier is very much a mainstay of the Chelsea team so yes, Didier will be here with us in a few weeks' time," he said.
Chelsea have already signed on three players so far this year to strengthen the team to prepare for what is "undoubtedly going to be a very, very difficult season ahead", Gourlay said.
"Our target is very much to be back competing. Last year was a difficult year of course," he said.
"However that's history now. We will move on. We expect to be competing for all the major trophies next season."
"Let's not get too despondent. I'm sure a club like ours will bounce back very, very strongly this coming season," he added.
The Malaysia stop will mark the Blues' third visit to this Southeast Asian country since 2003. As part of its Asia Tour, the team will also play in Bangkok on July 24 and Hong Kong on July 27 and 30.
Liverpool and Arsenal will also play friendlies in Malaysia in July.

F.T. Island to conclude “Hello Hello” promotions to prepare for Japanese tour

F.T. Island will be wrapping up their third mini-album promotions to prepare for their Japanese tour.
On June 15th, a representative of FNC Music spoke through Star News and revealed, “F.T. Island will be concluding their Korean promotions through next week’s ’Inkigayo‘. Starting on the 29th, they’ll be going on a one-month-long summer tour in Japan. The boys will be leaving on the 28th, the day after vocalist Hongki completes his recording for ‘Immortal Song 2‘.”
He continued, “The members have been practicing for their Japanese tour on days that they didn’t have any music programs scheduled. Although it’s undecided for now, we are considering an Asian tour after they complete their Japanese tour.”
Starting on the 29th, F.T. Island will be holding their “2011 F.T. Island Natsu Tour Messenger” concert, which concludes on July 29th.
Source + Photos: Star News via Nate

Introducing the lovely ladies of Super Junior!

On June 12th, Super Junior’s Leeteuk had fans howling with laughter over two hilarious photos he shared through his Twitter.
The star wrote, “Introducing Teuk-yonce, Hyuk-yonce, Lady Hee-Hee, and Biman-ce”.
In the photos, Eunhyuk, Heechul, Shindong, and Leeteuk can been seen sporting Lady GaGa’s famous ‘hair-bow’, tight leather dresses, and bright red lipstick. While Heechul channeled Lady GaGa for his look, it looks like Eunhyuk, Shindong, and Leeteuk were inspired by Beyoncé.

Fans left comments like, “I can’t believe they dressed up as women, even in Paris”, “Leeteuk looks just like his older sister”, and “They’re the prettiest girls I’ve ever seen“.
We think our boys look just fabulous, don’t you agree?
Source + Photo: Newsen via Nate, Leeteuk’s Twitter

SECRET’s “Starlight Moonlight” tops the weekly charts

After ranking on the live music charts immediately after releasing their comeback track, “Starlight Moonlight“, the ladies of SECRET have gone on to conquer the weekly charts!
As of June 14th, “Starlight Moonlight” ranked first in not only the live and daily charts, but on the weekly charts as well. The sweet, refreshing song is proving to be a hit with everyone during this stifling summer heat. Since it was produced by Kang Ji Won and Kim Kibum, we didn’t expect anything less!
The girls have also revealed that they have something special in store for this week’s Mnet’s “M! Countdown“, so stay tuned to allkpop on June 16th!

KARA releases MV teaser for “Go Go Summer!”

Via tokyohive:
We’re only a few days away from hearing KARA’s new song, “Go Go Summer!“, and the girls have upped everyone’s anticipation with this adorable MV teaser!
KARA has prepared a music video that checks off the requisite points for a summery song: Beach shots, check. Cute choreography shots, check. Seeing KARA with sunny smiles on their faces?
Check, check, and check.
We can’t wait to see what the girls have in store for us, but until then, check out the teaser below!
Tip: Randy

Japan to hand out radiation meters to kids near crippled plant

From Junko Ogura, CNN

June 14, 2011 -- Updated 1111 GMT (1911 HKT)

Tokyo (CNN) -- Officials of Japan's hard-hit Fukushima city will begin handing out radiation measuring devices to 34,000 children in a plan to help calm fears about radiation.
Fukushima city is located about 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the Fukushima Daiichi Plant, which experienced full meltdowns at three reactors in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami on March 11.
The measuring devices, called dosimeters, will be given to the children for three months starting in September, officials said.
"We received the voice from the parents and citizens concerned about radiation exposure of the children. We decided to distribute them for the safety and assurance," said Masazo Kikuchi, officer of the city's education board.

The devices wil be given to nursery schools, kindergartens, elementary schools and middle schools in the city