Leaders award

CRICKET: Hard-hitting batsman Mason Hughes has won the award for Manawatū’s top rep cricketer of the season. The opening batsman won the JD Fulton Trophy for the men’s rep player of the year at the Manawatū Cricket Association Awards at the Manawatū Golf Club on Thursday night and he also won the batsman-of-the-year award. Wicket-keeper batsman Ma’ara Ave won the Oakley Cup for the best fielder and also won the Gallichan Cup for the most meritorious innings. Captain and all-rounder Tim Richards was named the players’ player of the year, the bowler of the year and won the McVicar Cup for the most meritorious bowling. READ MORE: Flying catch seals exciting club cricket final win for United women Watkin, Rowe plunder centuries against Wairarapa Fresh look for Manawatū's first men's cricket rep match against Whanganui Young batsman Curtis Heaphy won the Adrianne Stratford award for most promising player. In the women’s awards, White Ferns pace bowler Hannah Rowe … [Read more...] about Hughes, Rowe scoop top gongs at Manawatū cricket awards

Boris Johnson has ordered an independent review into Greensill Capital following the David Cameron lobbying controversy. Top lawyer Nigel Boardman will lead the investigation into the now-collapsed finance firm's activities in government and the role its founder, Lex Greensill, played. The Whitehall review will look at how government contracts were secured by Greensill Capital as well as the actions of Mr Cameron. What is the lobbying scandal and why is David Cameron involved? Confirming a review had now been ordered after weeks of allegations about the links between Mr Greensill, Mr Cameron and government ministers and officials, Mr Johnson's official spokesman told reporters: "As you know, there is significant interest in this matter. "So the prime minister has called for the review to ensure government is completely transparent about such activities and that the public can see for themselves if good value was secured for taxpayers' money. … [Read more...] about Review launched into Greensill Capital following David Cameron lobbying controversy

Drawing a cricket analogy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday the people of Bengal have hit so many fours and sixes in the first four phases of the assembly polls that the Bharatiya Janata Party has already completed its century and the Trinamool Congress is on course to being wiped out. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an election campaign rally for West Bengal assembly polls, in Burdwan. Photograph: PTI Photo Modi, who is on a whirlwind election tour of the state addressed rallies in Bardhaman and Kalyani, where he came down hard on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of instigating people against central forces on election duty in the state. The prime minister also launched a blistering attack on Banerjee, saying she did not care to express regret after a "leader very close to her" called Scheduled Castes "beggars". "People of Bengal hit so many fours and sixes that BJP has already completed a century (of seats) in the first 4 phases of … [Read more...] about ‘Didi clean bowled’: Modi attacks Mamata

NIKKI Grahame has died at the age of 38 after a long battle with anorexia. The Big Brother star checked into a private hospital to treat her eating disorder last month after her desperate friends managed to raise more than £65,500 to start paying for life-saving care. However, her passing was confirmed in a statement today on her GoFundMe page. It read: "It is with great sadness, we have to let you know that our dear friend Nikki passed away in the early hours of Friday 9th April. "It breaks our hearts to know that someone who is so precious was taken from us at such a young age. Nikki not only touched the lives of millions of people, but also her friends and family who will miss her immensely. "We would like to request privacy at this difficult time, while Nikki's friends and family process the sad news. "Full details will be released as and when we know them." It continued: "All donations have been greatly appreciated and it was heartwarming for everyone … [Read more...] about Nikki Grahame dead at 38: Big Brother star passes away after anorexia battle

The state parties of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) stood behind their party's national leader, Armin Laschet , to stand as candidate for chancellor in national elections set for September, it emerged on Monday following a meeting in Berlin. Hesse state premier Volker Bouffier, who attended the meeting of major CDU figures, told Germany's dpa news agency that Laschet has the support of majority of leading CDU figures. The news gives Laschet an important boost, but the final decision on the candidacy has not yet been made, as Laschet's rival, Markus Söder, Bavarian state premier and leader of the CDU's sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), on Sunday declared his interest in the candidacy. That set the scene for a week of uncertainty for the CDU/CSU alliance since Söder currently enjoys more popularity than Laschet among the German population at large — and among CDU voters. On Monday afternoon, Laschet told reporters that he would speak to Söder during … [Read more...] about Germany: CDU’s Armin Laschet reportedly has majority support for chancellor candidacy