United’s Fletcher reveals agony of illness |
- United’s Fletcher reveals agony of illness
- Boeing sets US$10b share buyback, hikes dividend
- Beyonce album breaks iTunes sales record
| United’s Fletcher reveals agony of illness Posted: 16 Dec 2013 04:49 PM PST
Fletcher fought to recover from ulcerative colitis, an extreme condition affecting the colon, for several years before making his latest comeback in United's 3-0 win at Aston Villa on Sunday. The Scotland international had already taken two breaks from the game in the hope of finding a way of managing the condition without success. And as he prepared for a third operation he was more concerned with how he would cope with the rest of his life rather than his struggle to return to action at Old Trafford. "I couldn't leave the house," he said. "Simple stuff, like taking my kids to the park, going for a meal with my wife. "The nature of the illness meant I just couldn't do it. There was the exhaustion side as well. "I always believed one of the medications would work. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. "Ultimately that was the reason I went for the operation." Although Fletcher's surgeon was confident surgery would prove successful, the consequences of failure were laid bare. For a 29-year-old, supposedly in the prime of a career that had already brought him four Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a couple of League Cups, it was a bleak prospect. "There was a day in May when we said 'this is it'. Once I came out of that operation I would know whether it had worked or not," he said. "There were no guarantees. If the operation was not a success there was no way I would be able to play football and my everyday life would have been very difficult. "It was very emotional. There was a lot of fear and anxiety. I put all my trust in the surgeon. "I didn't want to give it up. I worked hard to be a professional footballer. I always have. I always kept that determination. "I was doing this operation, not just to have a quality of life but also to get back playing football." Fletcher achieved his aim at Villa Park on Sunday, being introduced as a second-half substitute as David Moyes' team cruised to victory in the Premier League fixture. "I am back to normal. I do not have ulcerative colitis. I am back playing football in the Premier League," he said. "I don't want to take it easy. I've done enough of that. I am just like anyone else." — AFP  |
| Boeing sets US$10b share buyback, hikes dividend Posted: 16 Dec 2013 04:48 PM PST
The company said its board of directors had approved the repurchase of an additional US$10 billion in the company's stocks and a 50 per cent increase in the quarterly dividend, to 73 cents. "These actions reflect sustained, strong operational performance by our businesses, increasing cash flow, and our confidence in the future," Jim McNerney, Boeing chairman, president and chief executive, said in a statement after stock markets closed. "Our team's relentless focus on business execution and competitiveness is providing the financial strength to continue investing in our core businesses while increasing our returns to shareholders." The large share buyback will come in addition to the roughly US$800 million remaining from a 2007 stock repurchase authorisation. Boeing said that it had completed stock repurchases for 2013. The Chicago-based company said it expected to resume them in January, with the program continuing over the next two to three years. Boeing shares gained 0.7 per cent at US$134.72 and surged 1.5 per cent to US$136.70 in after-hours trading. — AFP |
| Beyonce album breaks iTunes sales record Posted: 16 Dec 2013 04:34 PM PST
The eponymous album titled simply "Beyonce" sold 828,773 copies through the weekend, easily eclipsing a record set by Justin Timberlake after the March release of "The 20/20 Experience," according to Apple. Beyonce's album was released exclusively in Apple's online iTunes Store and became a top seller in 104 countries, Apple said. Beyonce surprised fans Friday by releasing a previously unannounced fifth solo album on iTunes, bypassing customary record roll-outs and creating a sensation on the Internet. Despite the lack of prior publicity, the self-titled album is an elaborate production, including videos shot around the world. The pop diva returns to the feminist themes of her earlier works and, in some of her most intimate ballads yet, performs with her husband Jay-Z and their baby, Blue Ivy. "I didn't want to release my music the way I've done it. I am bored with that. I feel like I am able to speak directly to my fans," Beyonce said in the statement. The work was described as a "visual album" because it included videos shot in an array of locations including Paris, Sydney, New York City, and Rio de Janeiro. Now 32, Beyonce delves into female sexuality and empowerment in songs such as "Pretty Hurts." In the video, Beyonce plays the role of a beauty pageant contestant under pressure to keep a trim waist. "Blonder hair, flat chest / TV says bigger is better. South Beach, sugar free / Vogue says thinner is better," sings Beyonce, no stranger to changing hair styles. A hard copy, double CD/DVD of the album was to be available in stores before Christmas. California-based Apple describes iTunes as the world's most popular music shop, featuring a library of more than 26 million songs and being available in 119 countries. ― AFP |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Malay Mail Online | All To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
