TOKYO — Japan plans to arrest a New Zealand activist being held on a whaling ship which he secretly boarded planning to make a citizen’s arrest of its captain, a report said Sunday.
Peter Bethune, a member of the militant Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, has been in Japanese custody since he climbed aboard the vessel in Antarctic waters in mid-February to make a citizen’s arrest over the sinking of a high-tech protest boat.
The Japan Coast Guard plans to arrest the New Zealander upon the ship’s return to Tokyo around Friday, the Asahi Shimbun said, quoting anonymous investigation sources.
If convicted, Bethune could face imprisonment of up to three years or a maximum fine of 100,000 yen (1,100 dollars). – Full Story
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The 5-9, 215-pound former All-America running back from Youngstown State spent the better part of his first two NFL seasons on the practice squads of the Redskins and Baltimore Ravens before getting an opportunity to play last season for the Redskins. In nine games in ’09, Mason averaged just under 4.0 yards per carry, toting the ball 32 times for 127 yards. He will attempt to earn a roster spot on a team in San Diego that averaged just 3.3 yards per carry last season.
“We’ve followed his progress through his young career,” said General Manager A.J. Smith, “and when he came available, we decided to give him an opportunity to earn a spot with the Chargers.” – Full Story
Marcus Mason – Career Stats
As the free agency deadline approaches, the San Diego Chargers have made a couple of surprise moves by releasing their biggest man and keeping their littlest. The UT is reporting the Chargers have released All-Pro veteran defensive tackle Jamal Williams and placed a first and third round tender on running back Darren Sproles.
Jamal Williams has been with the team for 12 seasons after being drafted out of Oklahoma St. in the 2nd round of the ‘98 draft. Williams would have been due a $1-million bonus and was scheduled to earn $5-million next year. He was limited to one game last year when he suffered a triceps injury in the first game of the season against Oakland Raiders. It’s been a pleasure watching Jamal dominate opposing offensive linemen all these years and his presence in the middle will definitely be missed and should be remembered as one of the all-time great Chargers.
Darren Sproles was told last week by Chargers officials that he would not be tendered and would be allowed to test the free agent market. However, today the Chargers placed the first and third round tender on him which will increase his 2010 salary to over $7-million. I think it’s unlikely the Chargers will be willing to pay that much for him so I’m guessing a long term deal or trade is on the horizon.
Kassim Osgood is reportedly on his way out the door as well after according to his Twitter account (@kassimosgood) he was told there was a 0% chance of him getting any playing time at WR. The special teams standout has aspirations of playing receiver in the NFL but the Chargers have better options so the former SDSU Aztec will test free agency.
With the release of Jamal, how about packaging Sproles, Cromartie and SD’s 1st round pick to the Rams for their 1st pick and get Suh…? Yeah, I know, dream on…never happen.
Noble Experiment, a new speakeasy style drink lounge in the Gaslamp with its entrance buried in the back of upscale burger joint, Neigborhood, had its secret spilled by Yelpers after just days in operation. Co-owners of the El Dorado Cocktail Lounge have a hand in this new spot, which gets it points in my book, but I think I’m too shy to probe a wall for the secret entrance that supposedly exists near the ladies restroom.
The name of the bar is a nod to the nickname given to America’s Prohibition of 1920-1933. Based on those aforementioned mouthy Yelp reviews, it sounds quite appropriate.
While visiting Vancouver, B.C. for the 2010 Winter Olympic games, Michael Phelps announced that the 2012 London Olympics will be his last.
Phelps is the most decorated Olympic athlete, taking home a record-breaking eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and 14 total gold medals. His performance in the summer of 2008 surpasses Mark Spitz’s seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich games.
The 25-year-old has won a total of 16 medals; in addition to the eight golds in Beijing, he took home six golds and two bronze medals in the 2004 Athens games.
According to Yahoo! news, Phelps decided he would not compete in the Olympics after the age of 30. At the London Games in 2012, he will be 27 years old. – Story
Earlier this off-season the Padres announced, in an effort to improve the fan experience, they’d be making some changes. While the front office was addressing the crowd last month at the Padres Open House, the mention of lowering beer prices received the biggest applause. And although I’m sure we’ll be paying at least $8 for a Stone next season, the Padres announced they’ll be offering 14-ounce domestic draft beers for $5. Nice! Even better, they said it would be the real thing and not the crappy 3.2% “stadium” or Utah beer.
– Full Story
LA TIMES – An international arrest warrant has been issued by a judge against U.S. cyclist Floyd Landis after French anti-doping authorities accused him of hacking into one of their laboratory computers.
Pierre Boudry, the president of France’s anti-doping agency, told Reuters that a French judge issued an arrest warrant against Landis on Jan. 28 after “our laboratory computer system was hacked.”
Landis, 34, was stripped of his 2006 Tour de France victory after testing positive for high levels of testosterone.
In a show of respect for Manchester United, David Beckham of AC Milan has made the pronouncement that he will not celebrate if he scores against his former club in their upcoming Champions League match. Becks took to the pitch 394 times for Man U before leaving for Madrid and LA. He is currently on loan from the Galaxy to AC Milan to keep fit for this summer’s World Cup. Too bad he didn’t have the same loyalty towards his wife Posh Spice while he was performing the old in-out with their nanny. Or maybe he just didn’t celebrate after the hookup.
Bianca Kajilich
Ontario (California) native Landon Donovan continues his assault on English futbol by contributing to his new club Everton’s impressive 2-1 victory over first place Chelsea on Wednesday. The win is Everton’s 4th in 6 tries since Donovan joined the club in an effort to keep fit for this summer’s World Cup tournament. Donovan assisted on one goal, was shown a yellow card for aggressive play and earned his team a penalty kick (although teammate Louis Saha missed the damn thing). Donovan’s success makes a permanent move to the Liverpool club all the more likely. And that English payday sure won’t hurt his chances with his current GF (pictured).
Here’s to hoping this English exposure helps Team America’s all time leading scorer in the big tournament this summer.
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