Yowazzup: A Directory of Happening Things

Good day!

• Comcast got hacked. Hackers remain at large.
• Christian Dior drops Sharon Stone after her remark on China. Apparently, the apology didn’t work.
• Taxi driver is banned because he can’t use apostrophes. Isnt’ this ridiculous? Oops!
• Clay Aiken helps best friend to make a baby. How thoughtful he is.

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Martina Hingis is banned for two years, from Oct. 1, 2007, through Sept. 30, 2009 as she was found guilty of testing positive for cocaine. Many including Venus Williams supports Hingis and was shocked to know about the news.

The five-time Grand Slam champion, who is already retired, was banned from tennis for two years Friday when it was announced she was found guilty of testing positive for cocaine at the All England Club.

A three-person, independent tribunal rejected Hingis’ defense, calling it “a simple and straightforward case.” Her manager said she won’t appeal the ruling.

“Since Martina has retired from competitive sports, it makes no sense for her to challenge the judgment,” manager Mario Widmer said in Switzerland. “She just isn’t going to play anymore.”

Martina Hingis (Photo: Heather Faulkner/AFP/Getty Images)

Martina Hingis: I believe that I am absolutely, 100 percent innocent.

The failed drug test after Hingis’ loss to Laura Granville on June 29 at Wimbledon came to light Nov. 1. That’s when the 27-year-old player choked back tears at a news conference while revealing she tested positive for cocaine and said she would leave the sport she once ruled.

That day, she called the accusations “so horrendous, so monstrous,” and added, “I believe that I am absolutely, 100 percent innocent.”

Read the rest of Martina Hingis Banned for Two Years for Testing Positive for Cocaine

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In Germany, several of the country’s federal states are introducing smoking bans on Jan. 1, 2008.

A German restaurateur has come up with a novel solution to a new ban on smoking in restaurants: He has made three holes in the wall of his restaurant so that customers can smoke “outside.”

Proprietor Michael Windisch testing the smoking holes in his restaurant, the "Maltermeister Turm" in Germany

Windisch tests out his "smoking point."

Ahhh…

Novel? Or just plain ingenious? What’s your say?

(Via Spiegel)

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This movie is banned in the U.S. due to excessive violence.

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JAY-Z has been banned from performing in Shanghai, Digital Spy reports.

The rapper can no longer perform at his Oct 23 concert because his music references violence, guns and drug dealers in the lyrics.

In April, the Rolling Stones were asked not to perform any tracks containing suggestive lyrics. The band agreed with lead singer Mick Jagger noting: “Fortunately we have 400 more songs that we can play so it’s not really an issue.”

In response to the cancellation of his upcoming concert in Shanghai, JAY-Z has issued the following statement:

“I look forward to rescheduling my concert date in Shanghai. This world tour has been a life changing experience and it has only been made better by touching the fans that I am seeing for the first time.”

(Via JAY-Z Hard Knock Site)

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