A footballer has died from
the injury he suffered on the pitch following a horror challenge during an
Indonesian Premier League match. Persiraja striker Akli Fairuz
was injured after taking a boot to the body from PSAP Sigli goalkeeper Agus
Rahman as the pair raced for the ball in the area. Players, clearly incensed by the
tackle, clashed on the pitch while the referee had to be moved away by
security. Fairuz was substituted but
managed to watch the rest of the game from the sidelines. However, the attacker
later took a turn for the worse and had to be admitted to hospital. It was soon
discovered that Fairus had suffered bladder leakage and, a few days after the
match, passed away from his internal injuries. Sad.
Sylvester Stallone and "The Expendables 3" castmates made a grand entrance at the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday, May 18. The group that included Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mel Gibson, Kellan Lutz, and Harrison Ford rolled into the Croisette in two tanks.
Sly brought his entourage to France to support the third installment of his action-packed film "The Expendables". Also coming for the promo tour were Jason Statham, Wesley Snipes, Dolph Lundgren, Kelsey Grammer, and Antonio Banderas among others.
A behind-the-scene video was shown at the event. It saw a truck plunging into a dock with Statham behind the wheel. While a boat explosion during "The Expendables 2" filming killed a stuntman in 2011, the recent truck mishap fortunately left Statham with no serious injuries.
"Everyone gets hurt," Stallone said as quoted by BBC News. "There's no
getting around it. Everyone goes home bruised. You try to take
precautions, but when you do hands-on action that's what you take pride
in - actually talking the bumps and bruises." Statham added, "You do get
hurt and things do go wrong. It's par for the course."
Lutz who is one of the new additions to the cast said joining the
franchise was like "winning an action sweepstakes - running around
shooting guns with all my favourite heroes." Director Patrick Hughes
additionally gushed, "All these guys have worked on so many films. To
have that wisdom on set was like [being in] film school all over again."
The cast of action movie Expendables 3 later carried the
#bringbackourgirls posters in support of the worldwide campaign in getting back the Nigerians girls been kidnapped by some militants 'Boko Haram'.
And
with all the intense workouts Kim Kardashian has been doing lately, it
seems the 33-year-old can still afford to indulge in some guilty
pleasures.
Arriving
in Paris on Sunday, Kim - who will be married for the third time next
Saturday - was seen tucking into an ice cream as she took a romantic
stroll with Kanye.
Kim is
famously tough on herself when it comes to her workout regime, and just
last week posted an Instagram snap of herself showing off her toned abs.
So
it seems there really is no need for a pre-wedding diet, as Kim showed
off her incredible physique in Paris, wearing a pair of skin-tight blue
jeans and plunging neckline top.
It has to be said that the bride and groom-to-be looked remarkably calm as took a stroll together in the French capital.
While the
couple's guests have been instructed to fly into Paris for a rehearsal
dinner on May 23, it has been reported that the wedding might not
actually happen in the city of love.
Kanye's
friend Ermanno confirmed to the MailOnline that the pair will marry in
Italy in front of 1000 guests at the famous Florentine landmark Forte
Belvedere.
Elisa
Di Lupo, a spokeswoman for the Mayor of Florence, also confirmed to the
Associated Press the couple would wed in Florence next Saturday and
revealed they had rented the imposing fort for 300,000 euros ($410,000).
She said a Protestant minister will preside over the nuptials.
However E! News and TMZ have reported the couple will marry in Versailles, just outside of Paris.
Kim
and Kanye visited the Palace of Versailles for an official tour in
January - but their request to have their wedding at the venue was said
to have been denied.
Meanwhile,
Florence newspaper la Nazione has reported that Kim and Kanye will
marry in a chateau near Paris next Saturday, and instead head to
Florence for the after-party.
The report claims around 1,600 guests have been invited to the Chateau d'Usse, where the wedding will be held.
Despite the conflicting reports, it seems the loved-up couple are taking the wedding preparation in their stride.
LONDON -- Arsene Wenger said Arsenal's suffering over the last nine
years meant the relief and joy was greater after they ended their long
wait for silverware.
The Frenchman's side came from 2-0 down to beat Hull 3-2 -- courtesy of goals from Santi Cazorla, Laurent Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey -- and win the FA Cup.
It was the fifth time Wenger has triumphed in the competition but Arsenal's first trophy since 2005.
And the manager, who again said he will stay at Arsenal, stated in a
news conference: "It is a relief and happiness because we were under
severe pressure to win and we didn't start well. We responded well after
a demonstration of how not to start a cup final.
"In the end it finished well so it is a big minute of happiness and
we waited a long time for that. The happiness is linked sometimes with
the suffering and the time you have to wait."
Wenger was also an FA Cup winner in 1998, 2002, 2003 and 2005, but
he said the need to finally secure more silverware made this his most
significant final.
"It was more important than all the others," he added. "We have made
twice the double but we were not under the pressure we were under. It
was an important moment in the life of this team. To lose today would
have been a major setback. To win is a good platform to come back
stronger next year."
Wenger drew level with former Manchester United manager Sir Alex
Ferguson, also a five-time winner, and he said: "I am in good company. I
won now five times, it is not too bad."
The 64-year-old is out of contract in the summer but reiterated that he expects to sign a new deal.
"Look, that normally should happen, yes," he said. "We are in very
normal circumstances now. It was never a question of leaving, it was a
question of doing the right job for this squad."
Arsene Wenger's side were stunned by Hull,
who scored twice inside the opening eight minutes, first through a
reaction flick from James Chester before Curtis Davies cooly slotted
home from a tight angle.
Santi Cazorla reduced the deficit soon
after with a long-range free kick with Laurent Koscielny equalising 19
minutes from time before Ramsey claimed the cup in the closing moments.
Fabianski
kept his regular cup berth between the posts, despite doubts over his
future with the Emirates Stadium club, while Chester recovered from a
hamstring injury in time to step into a new-look Hull back line.
Chester's
inclusion proved to be an inspired decision from manager Steve Bruce as
the defender stunned Arsenal fans into silence by breaking the deadlock
in the fourth minute.
A low 20-yard strike by Huddlestone fizzed towards Chester's
feet, and his touch in the centre of the penalty area was enough to
send the ball beyond an outstretched Fabianski, finding its way in off
the left-hand upright.
In the absence of cup-tied forward pairing
Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic, it was Hull's defenders running riot in
the opening stages.
Fabianski leapt to his left to keep out an Alex Bruce header, before fellow centre-back Davies rifled home from a tight angle, though question marks were raised over the positioning of the free-kick that led to the goal.
Another
Alex Bruce header from a corner threatened to make it a defensive
hat-trick for the underdogs, but Kieran Gibbs came to Arsenal's rescue
on the goalline.
There was no let-up in the action, and Arsenal were right back in the tie in the 18th minute.
Cazorla
curled a 25-yard free-kick into the top right-hand corner of the net -
Hull keeper Allan McGregor wrong-footed by the Spaniard's stunning
strike.
There was a nervous edge to the match after the break,
and Giroud felt he should have been awarded a penalty in the 58th minute
after having his shoulder held by Huddlestone.
Further penalty
shouts followed as Jake Livermore appeared to handle from a Yaya Sanogo
header and Cazorla was felled by Davies, but referee Lee Probert was
unmoved by the appeals.
After looking the more likely to find the net in the second period, Arsenal finally pulled level, Koscielny turning the ball in from close range in the aftermath of a contentious corner.
An
unmarked Gibbs should have sealed the trophy for Arsenal in the 79th
minute, but the full-back blazed over from close range when it appeared
easier to score, and McGregor got down well to deny Giroud from 18 yards
three minutes later.
Substitute Sanogo sent a strike whistling
wide of the left-hand post before the end of 90 minutes, and Giroud
rattled the crossbar in the opening stages of the additional period.
The match looked to be heading for penalties as the tempo of the game dropped, but Ramsey
popped up to end nine years of hurt for Arsenal and Wenger, though
Fabianski's late charge off the line had many a heart in mouth as Sone
Aluko's effort drifted agonisingly across the face of goal.
Atletico Madrid ground out a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp to claim their first Primera Division title since 1996.
It
was not always pretty, but Diego Godin's headed equaliser early in the
second half was enough to deny Barca in a tense title decider.
The
hosts had taken the lead with a stunning strike from Alexis Sanchez but
it was a rare sight of goal for the hosts, with Lionel Messi cutting a
frustrated figure and Atletico's defence standing firm.
Gerardo
Martino sprung a surprise in his team selection with Barca's most
decorated player Xavi Hernandez left out as Cesc Fabregas and Sergio
Busquets started alongside Andres Iniesta, while Pedro Rodriguez was
preferred to record signing Neymar.
Atletico started with former Barca man David Villa alongside Diego Costa, with Raul Garcia among the substitutes.
Tension
was high from the start with Atleti making a bright start and Gerard
Pique earning an early yellow card for fouling Koke.
Barca were
having most of the ball but could not find a way to test Thibaut
Courtois while Atletico's breaks looked dangerous as Jose Pinto was
hesitant in goal.
Atletico's hopes suffered a huge blow in the
14th minute when Costa pulled up with a recurrence of his hamstring
injury, leaving the pitch in tears with his chances of playing in the
Champions League final in the balance.
It got even worse moments
after when Arda Turan followed him off after taking a blow from
Fabregas, and the wind was in Barca sails as Pedro headed a good chance
over.
Alexis' wonder-strike put them ahead in the 34th minute,
with the Chilean rifling a shot into the roof of the net from an acute
angle before Courtois had a chance to move.
Atletico were in
danger of losing their cool in the moments after as Godin and Tiago
collected yellow cards in quick succession but they hung on until
half-time without suffering further damage.
Diego Simeone worked
some kind of magic in the dressing room and his side started the second
half on fire, with Villa striking the post 45 seconds after the restart
before Godin headed them level in the 48th minute, rising highest to
power a header into the bottom corner of the goal.
Injuries then
began to strike at Barca, with Busquets forced off. Alex Song was the
man to replace him as Xavi remained on his seat, and a second
substitution soon after saw Neymar replace the ineffective Pedro.
Messi hammered the ball into the roof of the net in the 64th minute but from a clearly offside position.
The
Argentinian had another chance from a free-kick soon after following a
wild swipe from Filipe Luis but blasted it into the wall.
Xavi
came on to replace Fabregas with 12 minutes to go as Barca went into
all-out attack mode, and Courtois palmed over a powerful Alexis strike
as the game moved into the final 10 minutes.
Pinto did not seem to
know much about his 83rd minute save from an Atletico corner but Barca
survived, and the breathless action continued as Pique was demanding a
penalty in vain after being eased over by Godin.
The tension
levels rose but Barca could not find a way past the dogged Atletico
defence, who huffed and puffed but never lost their heads as they played
the ball out of trouble to frustrate their hosts.
Pinto raced up for a stoppage-time corner, but Atletico pumped the ball clear and seconds later their celebrations could begin.
Barcelona's fans stuck around to applaud, a fitting end to a pulsating title race.
MERS is very scary. This week, while avoiding the term global health emergency, the World Health Organization announced that the deadly viral infection was both serious and urgent. So far, there have been 571 confirmed cases of MERS; 171 of those people died from the disease.
There's one place, however, where the mood about MERS isn't scaring
everyone. It's also the place where the infection was first reported in
2012 and where almost 500 recorded cases have been found so far: Saudi
Arabia.
And the skepticism about the virus has taken a strange turn in Saudi
Arabia, where people have begun kissing camels in response to MERS.
“Do sneeze in my face,” the farmer says in above video clip, according to a translation from Gulf News. “They claim camels carry the coronavirus," he continues in the video, which has been watched over 11,000 times.
On Twitter, photographs of men kissing and stroking their camels have been accompanied with comments disparaging MERS:
It seems a strange protest, but there's something behind it. Earlier
this week, the Saudi government began a campaign to stop people from
eating raw camel meat and liver or drinking unpasteurized camel milk.
Experts argue that Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS'
full name) or traces of it have been found in a large proportion of the camels tested in Saudi Arabia, and antibodies from the virus have even been found in camel populations in Spain's Canary Islands,
thousands of miles away. Camels may not be the main source of MERS
(many experts point the finger at bats), but they certainly seem like
one big possibility.
For some in Saudi Arabia, avoiding camels is not such an easy task. One study from 2008
found that there were almost 900,000 camels in Saudi Arabia alone, with
almost 15 million across other Arab states. The animals are a source of
income for a large number of people, and popular too. "Camels in the
kingdom are like dairy cows, beef cows, racehorses, pulling horses,
beloved Labradors, and living daily reminders of holy scripture, all in
one," Cynthia Gorney wrote for the National Geographic this week, noting that camels are featured honorably in the Koran.
Partly due to this fondness for camels, and partly due to a perceived
lack of transparency from the Saudi government about MERS, a lot of
people aren't totally convinced by the warnings about camels. Reuters reported from
a Saudi camel market on Sunday and noted that only one person was
wearing a mask as recommended. Some farmers are pointing out they have
worked with camels for decades with no ill health.
Whether it's transmitted via camel or not, MERS is still a worrying
situation for Saudi Arabia. It's a coronavirus like SARS, which is
believed to have infected 8,273 people and led to 775 deaths in 2002-2003,
and while its hard to say for sure at present, MERS may well be
deadlier than its predecessor. Given that millions of Muslims are
expected to travel to Mecca this October for Hajj, even officials in Saudi Arabia are beginning to wonder if the country is doing enough.
Van Gaal led Netherlands' final training session before their
friendly with Ecuador on Saturday, with the timescale on his
highly-anticipated move to United no clearer.
The 62-year-old named van Persie as the permanent captain of the
Dutch side 11 months ago and Kamperman expects the former Arsenal
striker to succeed Inter Milan-bound Nemanja Vidic as United skipper.
"Yeah I think so because they do have a good relationship," Kamperman
told Sky Sports News when asked if he thought van Persie would captain
United next season.
"At the beginning when van Gaal took over as the head coach of the
Dutch national team they had to find their position a little bit. But
after that it went really well and van Persie was very positive about
him.
"When van Persie was over here (in Holland) last month because of his
injury they talked a lot about the World Cup and the way they like to
play in Brazil. So yes he does have a very good relationship with him."
The
Dutch squad have two days off after the Ecuador game before they fly to
Portugal for a week-long training camp as they step up their World Cup
preparations.
It is thought that van Gaal could travel to Manchester in that time to finalise his appointment as David Moyes' successor.
Initial reports at the beginning of the week suggested a deal would
be done before that but Kamperman insisted nothing should be read into
the delay.
"I don't know exactly of course (when a deal will be completed) but I
think some details are still being arranged," he said. "I think he has
an agreement but (talks are ongoing) about the staff and new players.
"It might take a couple of hours or a couple of days but it will be a done deal."
As the community war against boko haram continues Members of a vigilante group in Madagali, a town in Adamawa State,
have killed more than 70 Boko Haram members and and handed over seven
captured militants to the police.
The vigilantes acted after they were tipped off by a local food
vendor that the militants were coming to get food before heading out for
a major operation to raid villages in the area, usually carried out at
night.
The vigilant group mobilized, laid ambush and waited patiently for
the militants, a source in the village disclosed. The source added that
as soon as the Islamist insurgents numbering more than 100 showed up in
the village to pick up their favorite meals, the vigilantes attacked
them, killing most of them in a hail of bullets.
Today's attack is the second time this week that local vigilantes
would defeat the rampaging militants. The first time was two days ago
when well-armed vigilantes in Kalabalge, Borno State, ambushed a squad
of Boko Haram militants.
Nigerians resident in
many remote areas of the Northeast seem to have decided that the best
way to repel incessant attacks by murderous gangs of Boko Haram
insurgents was to take matters into their own hands.
A vigilante member involved in today's ambush told our local
correspondent that Nigerian soldiers appear unable or unwilling to wage
an effective war against the insurgents. "They (soldiers) seem to be
helpless and to fear the Boko Haram warriors who terrorize us here. But
we are not afraid. They are men like us. And we are tired of folding up
our hands and allowing them to kill us, to kill our wives and to kill
our children."
Beyonce Knowles, her husband Jay-Z and sister Solange Knowles have released a statement to address the family feud
which became a public consumption after a video of it leaked. The three
of them had resolved the problem and insisted whatever caused it was a
private matter.
"As a result of the public release of the elevator security footage from
Monday, May 5th, there has been a great deal of speculation about what
triggered the unfortunate incident," the trio said in a statement to The
Associated Press Thursday, May 15. "But the most important thing is
that our family has worked through it."
"Jay and Solange each assume their share of responsibility for what has
occurred. They both acknowledge their role in this private matter that
has played out in the public. They both have apologized to each other
and we have moved forward as a united family."
They continued, "The reports of Solange being intoxicated or displaying
erratic behavior throughout that evening are simply false. At the end of
the day families have problems and we're no different. We love each
other and above all we are family. We've put this behind us and hope
everyone else will do the same."
The leaked surveillance video showed Solange
attacking her brother-in-law in an elevator after attending a Met Gala
after-party at the Standard Hotel, New York on May 5. The hotel employee
who leaked the video was fired "for breaching the security policies of
the hotel and recording the confidential CCTV video released by TMZ,"
the hotel confirmed on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, it remains a speculation of what triggered the fight. The biggest rumor out there said it had something to do with designer Rachel Roy. Solange
was unhappy that Roy got "too close" to Jay-Z at the party that she
confronted her. "Rachel is a little too close to Jay Z," a source told
NY Daily News. "Solange doesn't like it, and Beyonce doesn't like it."
Roy did not back down and it quickly turned into a spat. Jay-Z told Solange that she was "out of line" for mouthing off to Roy. The three of them left the hotel but Jay-Z said he wanted to go to Rihanna's after-party where Solange assumed Roy would be as well. That was enough to set off Solange's alarm.
Kenneth Branagh's "Cinderella"
released its first teaser trailer which disappointingly did not reveal
much about the live-action movie. Over a minute long, the video kicked
off with a close-up look at glistening crystal which turned out to be
the titular character's iconic glass shoe.
It basically gave away nothing because the CGI shoe was already
displayed as the centerpiece of the film's poster. More was expected
because the film carried a lot of heavyweight in its cast list including
Cate Blanchett, Stellan Skarsgard and Helena Bonham Carter. Furthermore, the script was provided by "The Devil Wears Prada"
scribe Aline Brosh McKenna and "About A Boy" writer Chris Weitz,
meaning there's a curiosity on how they would tackle the classic.
"Cinderella" follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James)
whose merchant father remarries following the tragic death of her
mother. Keen to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new
stepmother Lady Tremaine (Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger)
and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella's
father suddenly and unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the
mercy of a jealous and cruel new family.
A new report regarding Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's
upcoming wedding has emerged. Entertainment Tonight reported on
Thursday, May 15 that the couple would get married in Florence, Italy
instead of France as previously reported.
According to sources close to the famous couple,
the reality star and her rapper fiance would hold a pre-wedding dinner
in Paris before flying the guests to Florence for the actual nuptials.
The couple's alleged wedding invitation which was revealed earlier this
month mentions that a pre-wedding dinner will take place on May 23 in
Paris, but it does not mention the wedding location.
A source told Us Weekly that Florence was one of the wedding weekend
locations. Another source, meanwhile, explained, "Kim and Kanye have
told all guests different info. No one knows all of the details."
Earlier this year, the "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" star told Ryan Seacrest
that she and West wanted to get married in a small wedding. She then
shared to Vogue that her wedding would be attended by 200 family members
and close friends.
Kardashian was most recently seen attending the 2014 NBCUniversal Cable
Entertainment Upfronts at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City with
her sister Khloe Kardashian
on Thursday afternoon. The mother of one sported a figure-hugging black
piece with plunging neckline while her younger sister opted for a
similar outfit.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been a valuable role model for Gareth Bale during
his first season at Real Madrid following an 86-million-pound
world-record move from Tottenham, Bale said in a BT Sport interview.
The
media in Spain and England suggested a rivalry may develop between Bale
and Ronaldo when the Welshman replaced the Portuguese superstar as the
most expensive player in the world last summer.
Yet Bale has insisted that Ronaldo has been one of the most welcoming
members of the Real Madrid squad, as he has relished playing alongside a
player he has previously said was one of his heroes.
"Since the first step that I made into Real Madrid he's been absolutely amazing with me," Bale said about Ronaldo.
"He's given me advice on and off the pitch, with football matters and
not, and he's given me advice where to live and stuff like that.
"He is such a nice guy, so helpful, always wants the best for the
team and obviously people write things about him, but people who
actually know him know exactly what he is like and he's a great man and a
great footballer as well."
Bale went on to reveal his close friendship with former Tottenham
teammate Luka Modric has been crucial to his settling in process in the
Spanish capital, with the Croatian emerging as the Welshman's closest
confident in the Real Madrid dressing room.
"We were there for five years together at Tottenham and we actually
got on really well there as well, so having him here obviously was a
massive plus for me," Bale said of Modric.
"I obviously spoke to him about it, when he came to Madrid he didn't
really know anybody so it was quite difficult for him in his first year,
but having him here this year has made me settle in so much quicker.
"Just being able to go in to the group and knowing someone, hanging
around with them rather than feeling I am stuck on my own so it's been a
great help on and off the pitch and obviously I'm thankful for that.
"I spoke with him about various things and obviously a few of the
other players as well that obviously advised me where to live and I had a
look around everywhere and decided to live where I am now and I am very
happy where I'm living, very happy here in Madrid at the moment and
hopefully I can be here for a long time."
Bale is confident of shaking off his niggling injuries in time to
take part in the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid in
Lisbon later this month, with his respect for Diego Simeone's side
evident in these comments.
"We know how well they've played this season and we know what we're
capable of, so I think as long as we execute our game plan on the day
then hopefully we win," stated the Welshman.
"I think we have a lot of confidence going into the game and
something we're looking forward to. Obviously it would be a dream if we
lift the trophy."
Bale went on to reflect on his stunning winning goal in the Copa Del
Rey final against Barcelona last month, as he suggested it was the high
point of his flourishing career.
"I'd probably say so far it's the highlight that sticks out for me,
scoring the winning goal," he said. "I just remember seeing I think
Fabio [Coentrao] had the ball in the left back slot and I think there
was a player in front of him and I had a bit of space in front of me.
"I knew there was a player right in front of me as well and after
that it was kind of open pitch so as soon as I got the ball I knew I had
to just knock it past him and I fancied myself in a one-to-one race
against him.
"[Bartra] tried to get me off the pitch by a few metres but I knew if
I got around him no matter what I'd be kind of slow on goal, and
bearing down on goal I had to take my time.
"I was looking for Karim [Benzema] to try and square it to him, but I
think [Javier] Mascherano kind of blocked the way, and I've seen the
keepers legs open and I just tapped it through him and that was that."
Justin Bieber
is facing a new lawsuit in connection to an alleged scuffle with a
paparazzo in January. As reported by TMZ, a photographer named Manuel
Munoz claims that he was locked in a subway restaurant and was beaten by the Canadian singer's bodyguard shortly before Bieber was arrested for DUI.
The incident started when Munoz was taking pictures of Bieber when he
was leaving SET Nightclub in Miami. The 20-year-old star's bodyguard
Dwayne Patterson apparently did not like him taking photos and chased
him to a subway nearby, locking him in a restaurant's restroom.
Patterson reportedly wanted Munoz to delete the photos. He allegedly
kicked and hit Munoz as he tried to remove the memory card.
Munoz's camera reportedly was damaged following the incident. The
photographer is suing the entertainer and his bodyguard for unspecified
damages.
A police report, however, gave a bit different account on the incident.
According to the report, Munoz only said that Patterson tripped him,
causing "small scratch in his left knee." The paparazzo also said that
he asked Bieber $10,000 in exchange for the photos, but the bodyguard wouldn't give him more than $5,000.
An attorney for Bieber has commented on the lawsuit. Calling it "another
shakedown for money," Howard Weitzman adds, "The paparazzo admits that
Justin was not present at the alleged 'assault.' The paparazzo told the
police he had only scratched his knee when he was allegedly tripped, but
now claims he was beat up. There are no damages."
Pregnant 27 year old Sudanese woman, Mariam Yahia Ibrahim
Ishag has been sentenced to death by hanging by a Sudanese court for apostasy, (that is, renouncing ones faith or
religion) after
marrying a Christian man
Mariam, whose father is Muslim but raised
orthodox Christian by her mother, was earlier sentenced to death by hanging on
Sunday May 11th but was given till today May 15th to have a rethink and convert back to Islam before the verdict would be
enforced. However during a court appearance today, Mariam maintained that she's a Christian and there's no going back.
"We gave you three days to recant but you insist on not returning to
Islam. I sentence you to be hanged to death." Judge Abbas Mohammed
Al-Khalifa told the woman in court today, AFP reports
Khalifa also sentenced Ishag to 100 lashes for "adultery".
“I am a Christian and I never committed apostasy,” she said in court.
Defending the judgement of the Sudanese judge, Ahmed Bilal Osman, Sudan's
information Minister, said such judgement is not only delivered in Sudan but also in other Islamic countries
"It's not only Sudan. In Saudi Arabia, in
all the Muslim countries, it is not allowed at all for a Muslim to
change his/her religion." he told AFP
The death sentence will reportedly be carried out after Ibrahim gives birth.
Carles Puyol says he has no intention of looking for another club this
summer when he leaves Barcelona having been unable to recover from the
serious knee problems which have troubled him for over two seasons now.
At
an emotional event at the Camp Nou on Thursday Puyol confirmed that he
was leaving the Camp Nou club after 15 years, but had not yet made up
his mind on the next step in his career.
The 36-year-old told reporters that having been unable to feature much in Barcelona's campaign this term, and having announced in March that he would be leaving the club, he did not feel he would be able to contribute elsewhere in the future.
"The idea now is to recover," Puyol said. "This year I have played so
few games, I have felt bad, unable to help the team when they needed
me. So it would be difficult to play somewhere else.
"I will try and sort out knee problems, not to play, but to have a full life, be able to run, play Padel. At the moment I cannot do that."
Puyol explained that he had extensively tried to find a solution to
the issues with his knee, but it had not been possible to recover -- and
he would not ask for a dramatic send-off by playing in Saturday's title
decider against Atletico Madrid.
"I am not going to play [on Saturday]," he continued. "I have spoken
with the coaches. We are fighting for the title, I am not 100 percent,
not even for bench. As I said some months ago the knee problems have not
gone.
"I have tried everything, but my stage as a Barca player will end on
June 30. I will not give in; I will keep trying, now without the
pressure of having to play."
During a heartfelt address, the former Spain international said he did not see himself as a future blaugrana coach, but did not rule out returning to the club in some capacity in the future.
"I have won a lot of trophies, but most important is the human part
of this club," Puyol said. "I have lived the dream of many children for
19 years. The most important now is to prepare for what I want to do.
"I do not think that being a coach is what I'd like most. Maybe some other area of club, but I have not decided anything yet."
Puyol denied that his exit -- and that of long-serving goalkeeper Victor Valdes -- marked the end of an era for the Camp Nou club.
"This is the end for me, and for Victor, but not for them," he
continued. "The other players are still young, with lots of quality. For
sure they will keep winning."
The event was attended by Barca's current squad, previously exiled
club legend Johan Cruyff, as well as past presidents including Joan
Laporta and Jose Luis Nunez -- but ex-chief Sandro Rosell was reportedly
unable to make it due to other commitments.
Louis van Gaal, Patrick Kluivert, Demetrio Albertini, Luis Enrique,
Pep Guardiola, Eric Abidal, Gerardo Martino and veteran physio Angel Mur
also appeared in a video screening.
Xavi Hernandez, next in line to take over as club captain if he stays
on for the 2014-15 season, spoke of Puyol's career from the podium.
"All us players thank you for everything -- your courage, sacrifice,
generosity," Xavi said. "You were always giving advice, help... You're
the best professional I have ever shared a dressing room with, by far --
both before we were winning trophies and during our successful times."
Samir Nasri has threatened to quit international football after being overlooked for a second successive World Cup by France.
The Manchester City playmaker was controversially left out of coach Didier Deschamps' 23-man squad for this summer's tournament in Brazil, and was not even among the seven potential replacements.
The 26-year-old had been expecting the snub but claims it is still
difficult to take, coming after a superb season in which he helped City
win the Premier League and Capital One Cup.
Deschamps has said Nasri is not a certain starter in his side and
does not want a player who "has made it clear that he is not happy when
he is a substitute."
Nasri, who was also left out for the 2010 World Cup by Raymond Domenech, told Sky Sports News:
"It's a little bit hard to accept. I need to take some time now to
think about the national team because it's been twice now that they take
away a World Cup from me.
"You can go around and ask any player if they're happy to be on the
bench, nobody's going to say yes. I need to think a little bit during
the holiday, what will be my future in the national team, because
missing two World Cups is really hard for a player."
Nasri is currently with the City squad on their post-season tour of
Abu Dhabi. With no international commitments, he may well now play in
Thursday's friendly against Al Ain. Manager Manuel Pellegrini had
previously said that players involved in the World Cup would not
feature.
Despite his previous statement that he would not stick around for much longer as Wolverine in "X-Men" franchise, it seems that Hugh Jackman
is not ready to hang up his adamantium claws just yet. "I think I might
have overplayed my hand a little bit by saying I'm almost sure that the
next one will be my last," he admitted to The Associated Press during a
visit to China for "X-Men: Days of Future Past" promo tour.
"Right now I don't [want to let it go], and as long as it keeps going
this direction I probably won't (smiles)," he told Collider in a
separate press junket. "But I've made that promise to you, it's not
something I will stick around at and stay at if I feel it's dropping off
or if I don't feel that urge to go and do it, because I know there's 10
million actors out there who would kill themselves to play the part.
They should, it's a great part."
"I'm enjoying this more than ever, and you and I have talked about this a
lot, I think the scripts from what Jim [Mangold] pulled off with 'The Wolverine' to what Simon Kinberg and Bryan [Singer] have pulled off with [Days of Future Past], the scripts are getting better and better. For me there has to be something new and some new direction, I suppose, for the character to go; not only for me, but for the audiences. And I feel that that's been happening."
And when he finally leaves, he would like to follow Jerry Seinfeld's footsteps. "I was always really inspired by Jerry Seinfeld,
how he left that show at its height on his own terms," he explained. "I
think that's a really smart way to do it. It'd be great to leave people
wanting more, rather than the other way around. It'd also be great to
make the decision rather than getting that phone call, 'Now listen Hugh,
I know you thought you were going to [keep going], and thank you so
much for all you've done, but...' I think it would be much better to be
making that decision together."
When the day comes for him to depart, he would love to see Wolverine
getting rebooted rather than just recasting a new actor to inherit the
role. "I just presume, in a way, that if it happens they will reboot. I
don't know why I thought that. I think you could replace him because
he's older, but it would be interesting - because I was 30 when I got
the role, it'd be interesting to follow that character from 20, or even 18, because we haven't seen it. So that's just what I assumed it would be."
Jackman is expected to reprise his role as the clawed mutant in "X-Men: Apocalypse" which is slated for May 27, 2016. He will next return for "The Wolverine 3". Both movies are likely to get filmed back to back, but nothing has officially been set in stone.
Chelsea player of the season Eden Hazard wants to take the advice of
manager Jose Mourinho and move his career onto another level next
season.
Mourinho has suggested the Belgian midfielder has the
potential to be among the top players in the world, with his
performances this season winning him persistently glowing public reviews
from his manager.
After Hazard was crowned as the Blues star turn for the 2013-14
season, he told the club's website that he is not satisfied with his or
the team's performances after a season that ended without a trophy.
"I know I have to do better, in training and on the pitch," stated
Hazard, who is set to play in his first World Cup finals this summer.
"If I can score more I will score more and next season I hope I will be
better.
"I want to be the best, I hope one day I can win the Ballon d'Or,
maybe not now but if I work every day and take pleasure from my game
then why not?
"The Champions League and the World Cup are the best competitions in
the world. For a young player like me it's good to play for a club who
can reach the semifinal or the final because that's why I play football,
for the big games.
"In the English Premier League you play Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal
and Man United every week and it's very good, but I came here for
trophies.
"This season was good for me, but not collectively because we didn't
win anything, and last season we won the Europa League," he explains.
"Individually it's been good because I was able to play in almost
every game, be on the pitch and do what I enjoy doing most, which is to
play football."
Hazard suggested Chelsea's near misses in a host of competitions
should inspired them to reach greater heights next season, as he summed
up the mood in the Blues camp after they came up short in their hunt for
silverware.
"This season was an 'almost' season," he added. "Almost in the
Champions League final, almost champions in the Premier League. I hope
next season it will better and we can go to the next level."
