QPR and Villa rally for vital wins

Andros Townsend blasts home QPR's second goal against Sunderland
QPR and Villa rally for vital wins

Queens Park Rangers' Premier League survival bid is well-and-truly alive after they earned only their fourth win of the season against Sunderland on Saturday. However, Reading remain in deep trouble following defeat in the big relegation six-pointer against Aston Villa, while Southampton stay close to the bottom three after a stalemate at Norwich.

Gabriel Agbonlahor finds the top corner to put Aston Villa in front at Reading
GettyImages   Gabriel Agbonlahor scored Aston Villa's valuable winner at Reading

Paul Lambert's Aston Villa side claimed three enormous points with a 2-1 win over Reading at the Madejski Stadium, leaving the Royals 19th in the Premier League - only above QPR by virtue of the goals scored column. Strikes from Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor lifted Villa out of the relegation zone above Wigan, and they had to come from behind on away soil.

Reading actually took the lead thanks to a horror show for 21-year-old Villa defender Nathan Baker on the half-hour, diverting the ball into his own net with his standing leg as he attempted to clear Jobi McAnuff's cross.

However, within two minutes Villa were level, Benteke's deflected effort finding its way past Stuart Taylor after the ball came in from the flank. Reading then contributed to their own downfall with some awful defending for Villa's second on the stroke of the interval, although nothing should detract from Agbonlahor's emphatic finish.

The home crowd howled with disapproval in the second period when Noel Hunt's strike was flagged for offside - replays showing it was a matter of inches. Reading pressed forward, having carved out a reputation for fightbacks this season, but they could not rescue the situation on this occasion, leaving them four points adrift of safety.

Harry Redknapp has history when it comes to defying the Premier League trapdoor, earning the nickname "Harry Houdini" for his magic act at Portsmouth. He requires something similarly spectacular at QPR, and a 3-1 come-from-behind victory over Sunderland courtesy of Loic Remy, Andros Townsend and Jermaine Jenas gave Rangers a giant shot in the arm. The Loftus Road club found themselves staring at a potential six-point gulf to 17th place at one stage in the afternoon, but they broke their league goalscoring drought - stretching back to Boxing Day on home soil - to keep the gap at four.

Steven Fletcher netted Sunderland's opener in the 20th minute, converting a quick counter after Adam Johnson's shot was blocked. However, Remy scored his first goal at Loftus Road to equalise with a classy finish at the near post, before Townsend smashed the goal of the day - chesting and volleying home from 25 yards to win it. Jenas then added another high-quality strike as Rangers enjoyed a rare moment of comfort in the dying minutes.

Southampton will be looking nervously over their shoulders following a 0-0 draw away to Norwich. Mauricio Pochettino has taken a mere six points from seven games in charge since he controversially replaced Nigel Adkins as manager, and Saints remain only four clear of drop zone.

Artur Boruc saves Grant Holt's 90th minute penalty to preserve a 0-0 draw for Southampton at Norwich
GettyImages..  Artur Boruc saved Grant Holt's 90th minute penalty to preserve a 0-0 draw for Southampton at Norwich

They had plenty of chances in a lively first half at Carrow Road, although it was early in the second period that the first real gilt-edged opportunity went begging when Adam Lallana fired over with the goal at his mercy. Controversy arrived in injury-time when Norwich were awarded a soft penalty, but Artur Boruc proved the Saints hero with a save from Grant Holt.

In the day's other game, West Brom maintained their hunt for European football, beating Swansea 2-1 at the Hawthorns. Victory lifts the Baggies above Liverpool into seventh and came courtesy of goals from Romelu Lukaku and Jonathan De Guzman (OG).

Michu missed a couple of early chances for the Swans but Luke Moore steered home a clever header on the half-hour to open the scoring. Lukaku used his pace and power to equalise close to half-time, but then saw a second-half penalty saved. The Baggies were not to be denied, De Guzman the unlucky man as Angel Rangel's clearing heading ricocheted in off his back.

Wigan off to Wembley

Three Wigan goals in the space of four minutes stunned Everton

Wigan made history by reaching an FA Cup semi-final for the first time after three goals in a devastating four-minute spell saw them beat an abject Everton 3-0 at Goodison Park.

    Jolly: Underdogs have their day at Goodison

Maynor Figueroa, Callum McManaman and Jordi Gomez scored within just 202 seconds of each other in the first half to demolish last year's semi-finalists hope of a return to Wembley.

Strangely for Everton they failed to produce anything like the expected response and exited the cup with a whimper - much to the disgust of an angry home crowd.

Somewhat oddly for this stage of competition the FA Cup is not something either manager had considered a priority.

Toffees boss David Moyes said he would rather secure Champions League football than a place in the final while Roberto Martinez insisted he would not allow the FA Cup to deflect attention from their fight for Premier League survival.

Now the Spaniard, who has fielded weakened teams in cup competitions throughout his reign at the DW Stadium, has to seriously consider the best way forward.

There are also plenty of questions for Moyes, who will mark his 11th anniversary at the club next week still not having won silverware.

With his contract up at the end of the season and a top-four finish by no means guaranteed the Scot has a significant personal decision to make.

Of more pressing concern, considering he values Champions League football so highly, is how Wigan - who had beaten only two of their last 10 top-flight opponents in the FA Cup since 1987 - and are battling relegation could score - and win - so easily.

Everton had created the first chance with Sylvain Distin heading wide but from then it was almost one-way traffic as Shaun Maloney, who caused the hosts numerous problems with his movement in from the left, curled a shot past Jan Mucha but back off the post.

The hosts' only other real chance of the first half fell to Nikica Jelavic, without a goal in two months, but his low effort was palmed away by Joel Robles.

Then the madness began as Wigan incredibly put the game beyond their opponents in the space of less than four minutes.

Mucha, making his FA Cup debut and only his ninth appearance in two and a half years at the club with Tim Howard sidelined by broken bones in his back, passed his first real test by turning James McCarthy's shot behind.

However, from Gomez's 31st-minute corner the Slovakian got himself in a tangle inside the six-yard box and Figueroa powered home a far-post header.

If Everton looked stunned by that what followed in barely a matter of seconds left them staggered and virtually out for the count.

Huyton-born McManaman, released by Everton as a 16-year-old, outsprinted Distin to expertly clip a shot past Mucha.

The 21-year-old would probably have preferred to have scored at the Gwladys Street end, where he used to stand as a young season ticket holder, but a goal at Goodison Park was still special.

His family, all Scousers but among the away fans, must have not known where to put themselves.

But while they were all still celebrating that goal Wigan made it 3-0 as Gomez fired home from 20 yards.

The goal was greeted by loud boos from the majority of the crowd, who having been told Wigan would field a weakened side - they made four changes to the team which were thrashed 4-0 at home by Liverpool last weekend - saw their own dreams of a Wembley return collapsing in front of their eyes.

McManaman would have been desperately disappointed to be forced off by injury after a clash with Leighton Baines but he departed six minutes from the interval to be replaced by Ryo Miyaichi.

The change did little to affect the visitors' momentum though and Mucha had to be at full-stretch to tip over Maloney's curling, dipping free-kick.

It is safe to assume the Everton dressing room would not have been a pleasant place during half-time with Moyes most certainly unhappy with the lack of fight his side had shown.

Phil Neville was removed to allow Victor Anichebe to partner Jelavic up front but it was the previously quiet Marouane Fellaini who was first to show, volleying wide early in the second half.

Although the performance improved the hosts rarely threatened and when substitute Ross Barkley blazed wide late on it ended any fanciful hopes of a dramatic comeback.

Benitez seeks refuge at Old Trafford

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  Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez just might be counting down the days until the 2012-13 season ends
  
  Rafa Benitez and Fernando Torres' finest afternoon in English football came at Old Trafford. A Saturday lunchtime in March 2009 saw their Liverpool team pump Manchester United 4-1. United led through Cristiano Ronaldo but Torres was soon terrorising Nemanja Vidic, who was eventually sent off for one desperate challenge too many. It was the same week that the Liverpool pair had shared the joy of destroying Real Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League. Their stock had never been higher. It has never reached those levels since.
  
  In different colours, Benitez, the unwanted interim, and Torres, the most public and costly of transfer failures, arrive at Old Trafford off the back of another European night, but a 1-0 defeat to Steau Bucharest finds them at a nadir rather than their 2009 zenith levels. As Benitez grumblingly directed from the sidelines, Torres put in another performance to remind of how risky it is paying £50 million for one solitary footballer. Sluggish and on a wavelength somewhere over the Carpathian Mountains rather than in Bucharest's National Stadium, Torres tottered around aimlessly. He was by no means Chelsea's only misfire, since Juan Mata and Eden Hazard were both quiet but this was another Blues performance of the walking dead, a team marking time until something changes.
  
  The Europa League and FA Cup are all that remains of a season of seven trophies, and the former is a consolation. Chelsea is an unhappy club, a confused club, and many of their recent performances have followed those emotions. Benitez might now actually be more popular at Old Trafford than he is at Stamford Bridge. Sunday, though, may provide Chelsea with an opportunity to puncture another's clubs ambitions, and reduce Manchester United to a single target.
  
  Talk of a treble was little but hype, and especially at such an early juncture of the season, and so a plain old double will have to suffice for Manchester United. That in itself, would still look difficult for United. Chelsea are no mean opponent and Manchester City lie in wait at some point. The Premier League title will remain the priority, and especially after last season's last-minute denial.
  
  Chelsea may consider that for all their civil war, there might be one raging at United too. Though in Wayne Rooney's case, his latest fall-out with Sir Alex Ferguson looks like a singular battle against the system rather than the bemusement with Benitez that lies at the heart of Chelsea's current battle. Rooney faces a test of his professionalism in the light of his latest reverse. Being dropped from his team's biggest match of the season is not something that happens to the indispensable, the star players. His cause has not been helped by his team matching Madrid without him until Nani's red card.
  
  Ferguson's managerial career, right back to his East Stirlingshire days, have been built from turning a reverse into a positive, a feeling of being wronged against into a unifying force. Manchester United feel a definite sense of injustice after the intervention of red Mancunian's least favourite Turkish insurance agent. They are also seeking to win their first FA Cup since 2004. A trophy Ferguson made his own in the 1990s, it has evaded him since the rolling over of Millwall in Cardiff nine years ago. Only Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes of his current squad have won the trophy. Rio Ferdinand missed out when banned for his missing of a drugs test, Rooney did not arrive until the following summer.
  
  And then there is the decided enmity between the two managers. Benitez has barely concealed his contempt for Ferguson, even getting swept into the rather childish Liverpudlian trait of never referring to his knighthood. "Mr Ferguson" meanwhile has been viciously dismissive, sarcastically calling Benitez a "genius" at one point, and "clown" in the next breath. "I'm not going to kick anyone when they are lying down," was Sir Alex's latest comment on someone he now views as a former rival though Ferguson would clearly relish robbing Benitez of a career opportunity. His opponent would enjoy helping whittling away a treble into a single.
  
  Manchester United player to watch - Wayne Rooney
  
  Even if he should be sat in the stands, or even back in his Prestbury armchair, there is little doubt of the name on everyone's lips ahead of this game. Ferguson said on Friday that Rooney will be a United player next season, even giving his word that he would be, but Chelsea might be the type of club that may fancy Rooney if he should become available. For the moment, and in the light of Robin Van Persie looking somewhat tired of late, Rooney should be required and able to prove a point to his doubters, a group that would look to include his manager.
  
  Chelsea player to watch - Marko Marin
  
  If there is a player to embody the Benitez tenure at Chelsea, it is Marin. Benitez's belief in rotation and a big squad have been nixed by the rather bare resources on offer at Stamford Bridge. There is definite quality on offer but not quantity and the German is yet to suggest he offers the former. One of a trio of playmakers bought in the summer and much the lesser to Hazard and Oscar, Marin's performances have too often been confused and ineffective. With the battle for fourth place on, and Bucharest to be beaten, Marin will most probably play a role at Old Trafford.
  
  Key battle: Jonny Evans v Fernando Torres
  
  Nemanja Vidic is not the type to be readily afraid yet Torres used to give him the heebie-jeebies. Torres, deep in his gloom, may even have hoped to take on his old whipping boy but even that may not be granted to him. Vidic played two games in quick succession against Norwich City and Real Madrid, something supposedly beyond him in his long recovery from serious injury. In his stead will come Evans, unlucky not to play against Real in what has been his best season in United colours. Perhaps Demba Ba will play instead. Perhaps even Torres would be happy with that. His last visit to Old Trafford was the scene of the horrendous miss – in September 2011 – that may just personify his disastrous move to Chelsea.
  
  Trivia: Manchester United have faced Chelsea 11 times in the FA Cup, and won eight of those encounters. Their last meeting was in the 2007 final, where Didier Drogba's extra-time goal won a truly dreadful match. United defeated Chelsea four times in the 1990s in this competition, including in the 1994 final.
  
  

Top five countries for women to live

The best places to be a woman right now
Where are the best places for women around the world? (Photo: Getty Images)
In honor of International Women's Day on March 8, Yahoo! Shine took a look at some of the key factors

that make life better for women -- things like prosperity, personal freedom, and political rights -- in order to determine the best countries for women today. Of course, no one country has it all, but one really stood out from all the rest: Norway.

Norway passed its Gender Equality Act in 1978, long before other countries were concerned about equal rights for women; it's also the first country in the world to have a Gender Equality Ombud whose main duty is to enforce the act and make sure that jobs in the private and public sectors go equally to men and women. Women in Norway were allowed to inherit property in 1854, generations before women elsewhere, and earned the right to vote in 1913, seven years before women in the United States. But still, it's not perfect: Just 3.5 percent of businesses there are led by women -- less than in the U.S., Great Britain, and Spain -- and, in spite of the focus on equal rights, when it comes to housework women there still handle the bulk of it.

Here in the U.S., we've made our mark in the workplace and at home, winning a historic 20 spots in the Senate in last year's election and enrolling in college and graduate school in record numbers. But still, as the world celebrates the International Women's Day , one can't help but note that life is significantly better for women in some places than in others.

"Empowering women isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s the smart thing to do," President Obama said in a statement sent to Yahoo! Shine on Friday. "When women succeed, nations are more safe, more secure, and more prosperous."

Here's a look at the countries that made Shine's top five:

1. Norway

Women play a huge part in government in Norway, making up 40 percent of parliament, and holding a whopping 53 percent of the country's ministerial positions. It also has one of the lowest maternal mortality rates in the world, with just 7 out of every 500,000 women dying in childbirth, and scores high for working women, with plenty of women earning college degrees, holding top jobs in the workplace, and reasonable child care costs for working moms. But what puts Norway at the top of our list is it's high standing in new happiness studies, like the World Happiness Report by the United Nations, where it received top scores for political freedom, stability, and strong social networks.

2. Iceland

This tiny Nordic country scores well for women from all walks of life and is often referred to as one of the most feminist places in the world. In 2010, a third of the country's female population flooded the streets for "Women Strike Back," a protest against the gender pay gap and violence against women. Iceland gets top marks for the way it handles issues important to working moms, with excellent parental leave policies and reasonable child care costs. It also has high number of women in higher education and public office -- their Prime Minister, Johanna Siguroardottir, is female, and women hold 46 percent of the country's ministerial positions and make up 43 percent of parliament . Iceland -- and one of the lowest maternal mortality rates in the world, with just 5 out of every 500,000 women dying of childbirth. Unfortunately, women in Iceland are constantly objectified by outsiders -- in spite of its feminist street cred, women in Iceland are often seen as little more than sexual playthings.

3. Sweden

Like Norway, Sweden also scored well among working women and, according to the 2012 Legatum Prosperity Index, is earned high marks for personal freedoms and economic prosperity, and the government emphasizes equality in the arts. Forty-five percent of its parliament is female, and the high number of women in government positions may explain why Sweden offers plenty of protection for women's reproductive rights, with no consent requirements for abortion and no restrictions on abortion before 18 weeks gestation. Swedish mothers also get one of the most generous paid maternity leaves in the world, along with laws that allow their partners to take time off to be with the baby, too.

4. Canada

In Canada, a third of the federally appointed judges are female, and women make up 25 percent of parliament. Depending on how long they've been employed, new moms can take anywhere from 17 to 52 weeks of maternity leave without losing their job or getting a pay cut. A third of the country's ministers are women, and women make up 25 percent of parliament. Universal health care and easy access to education help make Canada once of the best countries for women.

5. New Zealand

According to the "glass ceiling" index compiled by the Economist, New Zealand scored best when it came to the number of women with college degrees, percentage of women in the workforce, the male/female wage gap, the proportion of women in senior jobs, and child care costs. There are strong laws against domestic violence, sexual harassment, and marital rape, possibly because women make up more than a third of parliament and earned the vote in 1893, giving them plenty of time to influence public policies.

How Republicans can attract Latino voters

Former governor of Puerto Rico ' Luis Fortuño,, is a rare breed--or so they say--in the current American political landscape: he's a Latino Republican. And, when it comes to immigration reform, Fortuño says the Republican Party needs to take the lead in fixing the country's immigration system.

"Clearly the immigration system is broken, it's not working well," says Fortuño. "Of course we need to protect our border, on the one hand. On the other hand, we have to realize that there are 11 million people working and living among us. We need to make sure they can continue to work and live among us one way or another."

Fortuño emphasizes that, in order for immigration reform legislation to appeal to the Latino community, it must provide a path for those illegal immigrants already living in the United States to remain here legally. But he stopped short of saying an explicit path to citizenship must be part of an immigration bill.

"The most important aspect for our community regarding this immigration bill is allowing for those 10 to 11 million people who are here illegally to be able to work here, live here, contribute to our society, and have their children live the American dream," says Fortuño.

The Republican Party lost ground in the 2012 election among the American-Latino community in part because of the party's tough stance on immigration, but Fortuño says he's confident Sen. Marco Rubio [R-Fla.] and others are helping to change that by pushing for comprehensive immigration reform.

"Certainly Sen. Rubio has a major role in the realignment of our party...I envision that he will have a role as we move forward in the 2014 cycle, and certainly during the presidential cycle."

While Fortuño points to Rubio as a strong leader for Latino interests in the Republican Party, he says the GOP's diversity deficit is not limited to Latinos.

"We need more Hispanic and Asian-American candidates, more female candidates, more young candidates. Having said that, our candidates must show up at events all throughout the cycle, election cycle, at different events for each of these communities just to show respect and understand the needs of those communities as well," Fortuño says.

To hear more about Fortuño’s prescriptions for the Republican party, as well as his thoughts on Puerto Rico's chances of becoming the 51st state, check out this episode of Top Line.

ABC's Eric Wray, Alexandra Dukakis, Wayne Boyd, and Bob Bramson contributed to this episode.

Top 10 Cities with the most frustrated motorists

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  Have You Ever feel like tearing your hair out while stuck in traffic? Are you aggravated by sky-high gas prices or costly repairs necessitated by poorly kept roads and pot-holded pavement? Join the club.
  
  The personal finance website nerdwallet.com recently aggregated the results of assorted statistics and surveys to compile a list of the ten worst big cities in the U.S. for drivers.
  
  Though only 28 percent of its residents drive to work, New York City tops the list with the most frustrated drivers, thanks to an average 59 hours stuck in traffic per commuter, gas prices that run around 7.67 percent higher than the national average and a tightly packed population of 27,012 people per square mile (with many of them darting out randomly in traffic between parked cars like the targets in some demented video game).
  
  The site’s editors examined the 50 largest urban areas by population and rated them according to the annual average hours delayed in traffic per commuter according to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, the percent difference between local gas prices and the national average and population density statistics from the 2010 U.S. Census. We’re featuring the top 10 civic offenders and full stats for each – including the overall driver frustration score (lower numbers mean commuters fare worse) in the accompanying slide show.
  
  The Zen masters at the Washington State Patrol advise drivers to avoid a costly trip to the therapist and follow these tips to help assuage highway aggravation and avoid mixing it up with other equally perturbed motorists:
  
  Allow plenty of time for the trip, listen to soothing music, improve the comfort in your vehicle, and understand that you cannot control the traffic, only your reaction to it. In the end, we may very well discover that personal frustration, anger, and impatience may be the most dangerous “drugs” on the highway. Be polite and courteous, even if the other driver is not. Avoid all conflict if possible. If another driver challenges you, take a deep breath and move out of the way. Never underestimate the other driver’s capacity for mayhem. Don’t make aggressive hand gestures to the other drivers when they offend you with their driving. Control your anger; remember it takes two to start a fight.Avoid prolonged eye contact with the bad or angry driver.
  
  Fortunately, some of the urban areas on the list of cities that are worst for drivers are also among those having the best public transportation systems in the nation, including NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston and Washington D.C.. Of course there’s the misfits, malcontents and misfortunate characters commuters are forced to contend with while riding the trains and big-city buses to work, but that’s another story for another survey.
  
  10. Philadelphia, PA
  Annual Hours of Commuter Delay: 48
  Gas Cost Versus National Average: -2.71%
  Population Per Square Mile: 11,379
  Overall Motorist Frustration Score: 58.2
  
  9. Portland, OR
  Annual Hours of Commuter Delay: 44
  Gas Cost Versus National Average: +15.16%
  Population Per Square Mile: 4,375
  Overall Motorist Frustration Score: 55.1
  
  8. Honolulu, HI
  Annual Hours of Commuter Delay: 45
  Gas Cost Versus National Average: +17.28
  Population Per Square Mile: 5,573
  Overall Motorist Frustration Score: 51.3
  
  7. Oakland, CA
  Annual Hours of Commuter Delay: 61
  Gas Cost Versus National Average: +5.38
  Population Per Square Mile: 7.004
  Overall Motorist Frustration Score: 49.4
  
  6. Washington, D.C.
  Annual Hours of Commuter Delay: 67
  Gas Cost Versus National Average: -3.07
  Population Per Square Mile: 9,856
  Overall Motorist Frustration Score: 48.9
  
  5. Boston, MA
  Annual Hours of Commuter Delay: 53
  Gas Cost Versus National Average: +3.04%
  Population Per Square Mile: 12,793
  Overall Motorist Frustration Score: 48.7
  
  4. Los Angeles, CA
  Annual Hours of Commuter Delay: 61
  Gas Cost Versus National Average: +7.24%
  Population Per Square Mile: 17,179
  Overall Motorist Frustration Score: 36.1
  
  3. San Francisco, CA
  Annual Hours of Commuter Delay: 61
  Gas Cost Versus National Average: +5.75%
  Population Per Square Mile: 17,179
  Overall Motorist Frustration Score: 36.1
  
  2. Chicago, IL
  Annual Hours of Commuter Delay: 51
  Gas Cost Versus National Average: +30%
  Population Per Square Mile: 11,842
  Overall Motorist Frustration Score: 29.1
  
  1. New York City, NY
  Annual Hours of Commuter Delay: 59
  Gas Cost Versus National Average: +7.67%
  Population Per Square Mile: 27,012
  Overall Motorist Frustration Score: 23.2
  
  

One Of the Rare Australian Coin Fetches Record Sale Price

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  The first coins ever used as Australian domestic currency was this week sold for the U.S. equivalent of about $508,000, setting a new world record, the auctioneer said.
  
  The price set a record for sales of the rare coin known as the "Holey Dollar," which was created in the early 1800s.
  
  The auction was Wednesday in Melbourne, Australia, and the buyer was a private collector from the Australian state of Western Australia, according to a release from Coinworks, the dealer that handled the auction.
  
  The coin was one of the finest specimens of Holey Dollars in existence, Belinda Downie, a numismatics expert and managing director of Coinworks, said in a release.
  
  "This Holey Dollar was created from a Spanish Silver Dollar that had been minted at the Lima Mint in Peru in 1808," she said. "Only twenty of the 200 specimens held by private collectors have ties to the Lima Mint. And this is the absolute finest of them all."
  
  The previous high sale for a Holey Dollar was made in 2011. The price was the U.S. equivalent of around $500,000.
  
  According to Coinworks, the Holey Dollar was introduced in 1813 to alleviate a currency crisis in New South Wales, the fledgling colony that would later form part of the Commonwealth of Australia.
  
  Gov. Lachlan Macquarie purchased 40,000 Spanish Silver Dollars, then had the coins altered to ensure they would not be taken out of the colony in payment for exports.
  
  A circular disc was removed from the center of each coin and the remaining outer ring stamped with the year and New South Wales issuing authority. The coin's value was 5 shillings. The inner portion that was punched out of the coin was re-stamped and used as a 15-pence piece. It was called the 1813 Dump.
  
  The coins were removed from circulation between 1826 and 1829 and melted for their silver.
  
  

Chief of Police targets racist applicants

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  chief of police hired to rebuild a tiny Tennessee department dismantled by scandal is using a lie-detector test to keep racists off his force.
  
  Coopertown Police Chief Shane Sullivan took over the department in November, becoming the 11th chief in as many years. He was hired on the heels of a series of police scandals that for a few months left Coopertown with no police at all. Years before that, a mayor was voted out of office after the local prosecutor accused him of racism and running a notorious speed trap.
  
  Law enforcement experts say Sullivan's polygraph approach is unusual, though some departments use the devices for other purposes during the application process. Others try to root out bias in other ways. One polygraph expert warned that lie detectors can't accurately predict racism for reasons that include people's inability to recognize their own racism.
  
  Sullivan said he doubts racists will even apply for the force if they know about the tests.
  
  "I think the polygraph will definitely keep these people from applying," the 39-year-old chief said.
  
  And he believes the policy is working, because he says it's already discouraged some applicants. "I've told a couple of ones about the polygraph who have not called me back."
  
  Before Sullivan's hiring, the sheriff's department had overseen law enforcement in the town 30 miles northwest of Nashville while the department was temporarily disbanded.
  
  First, the only full-time patrolman was fired over a road rage incident. Then the reserve officer was dismissed after a dashboard camera captured him using a racial slur to describe a black motorist. The dash cam video was later aired in the media. Soon after that, the police chief quit.
  
  Coopertown Mayor Sam Childs said the chief resigned because of the "predatory media."
  
  The rural community of about 4,000 people that is 95 percent white earned a reputation as a notorious speed trap, with about a third of its revenue coming from speeding tickets handed out by city police during the former mayor's tenure. In 2006, the National Motorists Association said Coopertown had one of the most "blatant examples of speed traps in the country." It stopped after a prosecutor filed a petition against the mayor in 2006. Its 25 squares miles encompass significant stretches of Interstate 24 and another highway that drivers use to cut through to Interstate 65.
  
  In 2006, the county prosecutor asked a court to oust then-Mayor Danny Crosby on allegations he was running a speed trap and ordering police to target Hispanics, out-of-towners and soldiers from nearby Fort Campbell, Ky., for traffic tickets.
  
  Although an appellate court agreed with a lower court's finding that Crosby's conduct and statements were strongly suggestive of "bigotry, sexism or utter foolishness," it refused to remove him. Crosby was later voted out of office and the speed trap is gone.
  
  One lifelong resident said he's fed up with the city government and the police department making the town look bad.
  
  "It's put a black eye on the city," Wayne Brown said of Coopertown's controversies. Brown, a mechanic and football coach, said he thinks there should be no city government or police department because they aren't providing any services.
  
  "Other than writing speeding tickets, they don't do anything for us." Brown said of the department.
  
  The new chief intends for his lie detector idea to help clean up the Coopertown's image. Candidates are required to answer whether they have ever committed a hate crime or a race-based crime.
  
  "It doesn't ask if you've ever made a racist remark or slur," the chief said. Nor does the test ask people if they are prejudiced against any ethnic or religious minority.
  
  Sullivan, who has taken the lie detector test himself, said he's hoping to establish a professional police department that can eventually provide 24-hour service seven days a week. Right now, he doesn't have the staff to police the town around the clock and leaves those duties up to the sheriff's office. He's already hired two police officers, both of whom have passed the polygraph, and he wants to add more. The department's budget is about $250,000 this fiscal year, Sullivan said, and the chief makes $41,000.
  
  Bob Peters, a spokesman for the American Polygraph Association, said asking about factual matters is a better approach than using subjective questions about prejudice or racism. He says a polygraph can't accurately predict whether someone is racist.
  
  "There might be people whom I might think have racist attitudes but they might not think so," said Peters, whose association has established best practices for use of the polygraph.
  
  Peters says the new chief is using the best approach, and some voters are applauding him.
  
  "I am very pleased with Chief Sullivan and the effort he is making to create a sound and secure police department for Coopertown," said Valorie Buck, chairwoman of the Coopertown Community Development Committee.
  
  Malik Aziz, national chairman of the National Black Police Association, said the best way to keep bigots from being cops is through extensive background checks.
  
  It's not unusual for police departments to use polygraphs on people before letting them join the force. Police applicants can be asked about past drug use or whether they have been involved in criminal activity.
  
  "I haven't heard of any agency using a polygraph specifically geared toward eliminating racists from the application process," he said.
  
  Sullivan says he's also using background checks to probe the racism issue.
  
  The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department requires job candidates to undergo a voice stress test during the interviewing process, department spokeswoman Kristin Mumford said. Would-be officers are asked about bias during the test.
  
  Voice stress tests are similar to polygraph tests, but instead of measuring heart rate and blood pressure, they detect changes in an applicant's voice pattern.
  
  The department, she said, also uses an extensive background check and psychologically evaluates its job candidates.
  
  "Polygraphs in and of themselves have a lot of problems," Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the ACLU of Tennessee, said.
  
  Still, Weinberg commended the chief for the effort to bar racist applicants. But she thinks the best way for police departments to be accountable is by making sure citizens have their complaints of unfair treatment investigated.
  
  Carolyn Murray, a professor of psychology at the University of California Riverside, supports other types of testing to detect bias, such as ones that use images of different racial groups and gauge reaction time when they are described as either "good" or "bad." Still, she applauded Sullivan's approach.
  
  "If he's making this effort, he's making the biggest effort I've seen to date," Murray said. "You're not going to get everybody, but you will be able to stop a few people who would have been able to do a lot of damage to citizens."
  
   
  
  

Neglected Prisoner Gets $15.5 Million After Serving 22 Months In Solitary»

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  Neglected Prisoner Gets $15.5 Million After Serving 22 Months In Solitary»
  
  -»Stephen Slevin spent 22 months in solitary confinement in a New Mexico jail.
  During that time, his mental health deteriorated, fungus grew on his skin, and he was forced to pull his own tooth after being denied access to a dentist.
  A recent settlement with Dona Ana County resulted in Slevin receiving $15.5 million.
  
  Initially, Slevin was awarded $22 million by a jury, but Dona Ana County appealed.
  The two parties reached an agreement this week.
  According to NBC News, Slevin's attorney, Matt Coyte, said his client's "mental health has been severely compromised from the time he was in that facility. That continues to be the same.
  No amount of money will bring back what they took away from him.
  But it’s nice to be able to get him some money so he can improve where he is in life and move on."
  
  During his 22 months in solitary confinement, Slevin developed bedsores and lost 50 pounds.
  The ordeal began in 2005 when he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and stealing a car, which he says he borrowed from a friend.
  Slevin was never brought before a judge nor was he officially convicted of any crime.
  He said he wrote letters, begging for help with his depression.
  The before and after photos show the effect the 22 months of neglect had.
  
  "Why they did what they did, I'll never know," Slevin told KOB4-TV.
  "Walking by me, watching me deteriorate day after day after day, and they did nothing at all to get me help."
  
  Slevin's attorney said his client was battling depression at the time of his arrest.
  His health woes continue. He was recently diagnosed with lung cancer.
  He also suffers from post traumatic stress disorder due to his time in jail.
  
  Jess Williams, Dona Ana County's public information director, told NBC News that the jail is making an effort to improve the way it treats prisoners with mental illness.
  
  

Job Vacancy At Guinness Nigeria Plc

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  Job Vacancy At Guinness Nigeria Plc
  
  Vacancy - Retail Development Managers - Spirit
  
  Diageo Brands Nigeria (an integral part of Guinness Nigeria) is responsible for the sales and marketing of Diageo's iconic spirits brands (like Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Bailey's among others) in Nigeria.
  In order to drive a Total Beverage Alcohol (TBA) agenda, we have a dedicated sales force focussed on building the relationships in trade required for our spirits brands to continue to be Number 1 across the different categories.
  Our sales team members are our liquid experts, respected internally and externally as a source of knowledge across categories through their passion and skill.
  Across the trade they deliver gold standard for quality, visibility and persuasion.
  
  Job Title: Retail Development Managers - Spirits
  AutoReqId: 36103BR
  Function: Sales - Field Sales
  Level: L6 (MS1)
  Reports To: Regional Sales Manager - Spirits
  
  Functional Capabilities:
  To support the Spirits Function in the achievement of its business objectives through the effective development & management of a designated sales territory including implementation of all sales activities/programmes in the sales territory
  
  Top 3-5 Accountabilities:
  Management and achievement of sales volume, value targets and KPI targets (Distribution & Visibility) within outlets
  Drive the highest standards of executional excellence through the implementation of brand outlet specific growth drivers, business plans, trading term compliance & category management
  Implementation of customised visibility solutions per target outlet (POS, Menu design/printing, bar branding solutions and back of bar displays)
  Build long term brand relationships with key influencers (bar owners/bar staff/popular personalities)
  Educating Customers & Consumers on the Quality, Provenance, and Heritage of our brands in an exclusive and elegant manner.
  Qualifications and Experience
  
  Graduate calibre:
  Enjoys meeting people and building relationships
  Loves and thrives on the night life
  Experience in selling premium/lifestyle brands preferably in the premium drinks category
  Compelling seller, customer influencer, excellent communicator and presenter with adaptability of style
  Experienced driver with valid license
  Barriers to Success in Role
  Lack of belief, liquid knowledge and passion for the brands – you have to be able to communicate brand benefits in the face of obstacles and tough challenge.
  Inability to drive
  Dishonesty/lack of integrity
  Flexible Working options
  Based in a defined geographical area.
  Minimum of 80% Field Based
  Some travel to HQ essential
  Application Closing Date
  14th March, 2013
  
  Method of Application:
  Interested and qualified candidates should:
  Click here to apply online
  
  

Jobs Vacancy in Nestlé Nigeria Plc

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  Jobs Vacancy in Nestlé Nigeria Plc
  
  Job Reference: TechTC2013
  Job Title: TRAINEE ENGINEERS
  Department: TECHNICAL TRAINING CENTRE
  Job Details: Do you crave to have practical Engineering Training?
  
  Job Description:
  We are the leading nutrition, health and wellness Company in the world and the industry reference for financial performance.
  Our nutrition, health and wellness agenda continue to bring enhanced benefits for consumers, greater brand differentiation in the market place and increased value for shareholders.
  
  Nestlé Nigeria Plc, seeking to up-skill self –driven, motivated and qualified young individuals to acquire both theoretical and practical technical skills at our Technical Training Centre in Agbara.
  
  The Centre offers 18-month multi-skill, theoretical and rigorous vocational training in three core disciplines:
  
  Mechanical maintenance activities.
  Electrical / Instrumentation / Calibration maintenance activities.
  Introduction to Automation maintenance.
  
  Learning Facilities:
  The Centre is ideally located in the middle of engineering activities in the factory. It is well equipped with the following facilities: modern classrooms, standard library, computer and technical drawings rooms, state-of-the-art electrical / instrumentation / automation and mechanical workshops.
  The students are exposed to industrial work experience in the various plants within the factory.
  Trainees are continuously assessed and appraised during the period of training.
  
  Overseas Training:
  The best five students on completion of the programme will be sponsored by Swiss embassy to do a 3-month internship at a Nestlé Factory in Switzerland.
  The sponsorship is part of a bilateral Migration Partnership Agreement between Switzerland and Nigeria.
  
  Entry Requirements:
  Candidates must have obtained the following qualifications not earlier than 2011.
  Minimum of Lower Credit in Ordinary National Diploma (OND) issued by a Nigerian Polytechnic in any of the following (or related) fields of study:
  Mechanical Engineering
  Electrical and Electronics Engineering / Electrical Installation & Maintenance Practice
  Applied Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (Mechatronics)
  Applied Mechanical, Electrical and Electronics Engineering
  Industrial Measurement and Control / Instruments Mechanics Work
  Automation Engineering
  
  In addition, candidates are mandatorily required to have five O’ Level credits or equivalent obtained in one sitting in the following subjects: Physics, Mathematic, English Language, Further Mathematics or Technical Drawing.
  
  Method of Application:
  Candidates who meet the above entry requirements should submit application electronically by completing online forms at www.dragnetnigeria.com/nnplc
  
  Candidates should apply for admission only once. Only electronic applications will be considered.
  Kindly ensure that e-mail addresses and phone numbers given are active and considered.
  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
  
  Application closes on Tuesday 12 March 2013
  
  Important: Please note that the Nestlé Technical Training Programme is a Creating Shared Value initiative aimed at supporting Nigeria’s drive towards rapid transformation and development of indigenous technological capability.
  Trainees are not Nestlé employees and will not be bonded to work for Nestlé after the programme.
  Furthermore, Nestlé is not under any obligation to offer employment to trainees at the end of the training programme.
  
  

Career In Oduduwa University

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  Career In Oduduwa University
  (Licensed by the FGN No. 38)
  
  Details:
  
  IFE/Ibadan Expressway RoundAbout, Ipetumodu,
  P.M.B 5533, Ile-Ife, Osun State.
  Website: www.oduduwauniversity.com
  E-mail: registrar@oduduwauniversity.edu.ng
  Tell: 08056565656
  
  Vacancies Positions:
  
  Rector.
  Registrar.
  
  Requirements:
  Must have a minimum of master's degree in Public Adminitration or Educational Administration or the likes.
  Must have years of experience in a Polytechnic or University )preferably, private).
  Must be dynamic and must not be above 50 years of age.
  
  Director of Cultural and Dramatic Studies.
  
  Requirements:
  Must have a minimum of first degree in relevant discipline.
  Must be a vast person in cultural studies.
  Must have been involved in cultural/dramatic studies in a university or Polytechnic.
  Must be able to write and direct plays for film production.
  
  Horticulturist.
  
  Requirements:
  With years of experience & picture of past works done.
  Relevant qualification is an added advantage.
  PhD holders in Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Computer, Mass Comm, Business Admin, Accounting, Economic.
  Report (With credentials/evidence of experience) to the conference center, senate Building, Oduduwa University @12:noon - on 21/3/2013
  
  Those who had applied before need not show up again.
  
  

Job seekers in National Recruitement Fair 2013

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  3 venues, 10,000 candidates,
  100 Employers, 1 purpose
  Tripplelink Global solutions proudly presents The "National Recruitement Fair 2013".
  The "National Recruitment Fair"is a high profile employment taking place in Lagos,Abuja and Port Harcourt aimed at providing a platform for organizations (Public&private)all over Nigeria to meet with proactive job seekers,job changers,and top graduates.
  Tailored after international recruitment fairs and strategically positioned to suit Nigeria's business environment;The National Recruitment
  Fairs 2013 promises to be the largest of its kind in West Africa,
  
  JOB SEEKERS:
  Are you a fresh graduate or an experienced professional in Nigeria or in the diaspora and you're looking to relocate to Nigeria?
  A suitable job placement in Nigeria can be difficult to find,and with the amount of competition vying for interview appointment you have to use every avenue
  you can to maximize your chances of finding the job of your dream.
  Be proactive,get ahead on your job-search by registering for the National Recruitment Fairs taking place in March,2013.
  Meet-face-to-face with over 100 employers and professional head hunters in 3 strategic commerce destination in Nigeria; Lagos,Abuja&Port Harcourt.
  EMPLOYERS
  
  Are you recruiting in 2013?
  Project your brand to over 10,000 + candidates in 3 strategic commerce locations in Nigeria.
  We believe that a major steps than an employer can make in their efforts to leverage their human capital asset is finding and hiring the right employee.
  Sponsor and Exhibit at the"National Recruitment Fair"and meet with (screened)proactive job seekers,job changers,and top fresh graduate in Lagos,Abuja&Port Harcourt.
  The talent race is on and we are inviting you to come on board!
  
  Confirmed Dates&Venues:
  12th March 2013 at Oriental Hotel,Lagos
  22nd March 2013 at sheraton Hotel,Abuja
  26th March 2013 at presidential Hotel,Port Harcourt
  UGRL,an international computer Education & Training institute,is looking for qualified professionals for its operation in Nigeria.
  Applications from suitable candidates with the ability to multitask and work under pressure with minimum supervision would be considered for the following positions at our locations in Lagos,Ibadan,PortHarcourt,sokoto&Abuja.
  
  To register, visit www.nationalrecruitmentfairs.com or call us on 01-8447646, 080322870010, 08184369605, Follow us on twitter@hiring4success and like us on
  facebook on: www.facebook.com/nationarecruitmentfairs to keep up with regular updates.
  
  

Jextoban Secondary School

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  Passion For Excellence
  Jextoban Secondary School
  Day/Boarding
  
  We offer a quality value in education and world class educational training with rich heritage in an ideal friendly learning environment.
  
  Our Mission is to develop the total personality of the child through Christian virtues and values to excel in the global society.
  
  Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates who are at present in primary five or six fro admission into J.S.L 2013 academic session.
  
  Our Facilities:
  Qualified teaching personnel.
  A conducive environment for learning.
  Well stocked library.
  Well equipped laboratories.
  Secured and comfortable hostels.
  
  Entrance Examination Dates 23rd March &18th May, 2013 By 9.00Am Prompt
  
  We offer programmes, leading to the following examinations:
  JSCE, SSCE, SAT, TOEFL,
  CAMBRIDGE IGSCE 'O'/ A Levels Certificates
  
  1/3, Ibadan Street, 13/15/17 Oyarinu Street. Km 36,
  Iyana School Bus - Stop. Abiola Bus Stop Lagos/Ibadan Expressway,
  Alapere Ketu - Lagos. Alapere, Ketu Ibafo, Ogun State.
  
  P.O. Box 9558, Shomolu, Lagos.
  Tel: +234 -1 - 813774
  Email:-    jextoban_forward@yahoo.co.uk
  
  
  For Enquiries: 08035530048, 08033248396