Brazil 2014 World Cup: As Argentina Edgeout Netherlands On Penalty Shootout To Reach Final

Argentina are just 90 minutes away from lifting the World Cup in the Maracana after they edged past the Netherlands on penalties in Wednesday's semifinal at the Arena Corinthians.
After an uneventful and goalless 120 minutes, the match went to a penalty shootout in Sao Paulo.
Argentina did not miss once and Sergio Romero saved from Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder, meaning Alejandro Sabella's team clinched the showdown 4-2.

Argentina will now face Germany in Sunday's World Cup final at the Maracana -- the spiritual home of their fierce rivals Brazil, who were brutally knocked out by Germany on Tuesday night.
The last time the Argentines made it through to the final in 1990, they lost to the Germans. They also met in the 1986 final, which Argentina won. Germany will take encouragement from watching this performance from Sabella's side.
Germany, who battered Brazil 7-1 in Belo Horizonte, will take encouragement from watching this performance from Sabella's side.
Lionel Messi scored one of the penalty kicks, but he was otherwise quiet and Argentina failed to impress all night.
Louis van Gaal did well to snuff out Messi during normal time, but his team were also devoid of ideas in attack.
Van Gaal will now take charge of the Netherlands in Saturday's third-place play-off against the hosts before flying to England to take over at Manchester United.
The Dutchman may regret deciding against bringing on Tim Krul, who saved two penalties against Costa Rica in the previous round, as Jasper Cillessen was easily beaten from 12 yards.
After a mad opening half an hour in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday, both teams started cautiously on a cold night.
Messi drilled a low free-kick right at Cillessen and Ezequiel Garay headed just over for Argentina, but nothing else of note happened in the first period.
After the break, Argentina briefly upped the tempo. Vlaar blocked Messi as he advanced towards goal and substitute Daryl Janmaat denied Gonzalo Higuain.
Nigel de Jong, a surprise starter, was struggling to keep up with the game and he came off for Jordy Klasie with 28 minutes left.
Lucas Biglia and Janmaat both needed treatment after sliding into each other in a nasty challenge that made Argentina coach Sabella wince on the touchline.
There was no inkling of a goal until the final minute of normal time when Enzo Perez dashed down the right and delivered a pinpoint low cross to Higuain, who turned the ball inches wide.
The Argentina fans who saw the net ripple thought they had finally seen a goal, but the referee awarded a goal kick.

That proved to be Higuain's last contribution as he was replaced by Sergio Aguero. Sabella also threw on Rodrigo Palacio to boost his attack.
A few errant tackles started flying in as the game became sloppy. Martin Demichelis, already on a booking, took out Robben but the referee kept his cards in his pocket.
All of a sudden the Netherlands were presented with a chance to win the game.
Sneijder glanced a diagonal pass into the path of Robben, but luckily for Argentina, Mascherano came to the rescue and the game went to extra time.
In the 98th minute, the Netherlands mustered their first shot on target, an effort from Robben that flew into Romero's hands.
In his final substitution, Van Gaal brought Klaas-Jan Huntelaar on for Robin van Persie, meaning Krul would not be allowed on for the inevitable penalty shootout.
Cillessen jangled the nerves of the Netherlands fans when he performed an audacious turn to wriggle away from the advancing Aguero at the start of the second half of extra time.
Sabella was incensed with Palacio when he tried -- and failed -- to head over Cillessen from 10 yards in the dying minutes of extra time.
Dirk Kuyt fluffed a good chance at the other end and the match went to penalties.
Romero saved straight away from Vlaar. Messi, Garay and Aguero found the net while Romero saved to his right from Sneijder.
Dirk Kuyt slotted the Netherlands' fourth penalty away, but Maxi Rodriguez then beat Cillessen to send Argentina through to the final.

Read More

Brazil 2014 World Cup: As Brazil coach 'Scolari' refuses to quit job

Luiz Felipe Scolari has refused to quit his post as Brazil coach before the World Cup is over, but admits he faces talks with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) over his immediate future.
Scolari, 65, could only look on in horror as Germany racked up a 5-0 lead within half an hour of Tuesday's semifinal at Estadio Mineirao, before going on to win 7-1, with the Selecao feeling the absence of influential duo Thiago Silva and Neymar.
Few if any of Brazil players emerged from the loss with any credit, and while Scolari -- whose contract expires on July 13 -- has accepted the blame for the host country's exit from the competition, he insists he will not give up ahead of Saturday's third-place playoff.
"I am not going to talk about my future until we finish our participation here, which is on Saturday. It makes no sense to discuss this now. After it's over I will submit my report to the Brazilian Football Confederation and they will make a decision," he told a news conference.
"This is nothing going through my head right now. I will continue with my life, the players will also continue to be winners and we must continue -- you can not end the life of the players for it.
"History will have to record that Brazil, for the first time since 2002, reached the semifinals.''
Asked if Brazilian football will have to reinvent itself, Scolari said: "Why? Because we lost one match? 13 or 14 of those players out there will be at the 2018 World Cup.
"They're working, developing still. I think you'll see at least that many there in 2018.
"This is a catastrophic, terrible loss. The worst loss by a Brazilian national team ever, yes. But we have to learn to deal with that.''
He added: "We had a disaster in six minutes but it happened. Let's work for Saturday's game. If I could explain what happened in those six minutes I would answer but I do not know.
"The crash was also the coaching staff, the fans, it was overall, no one understood. And the team from Germany, which is good, took the opportunity.
"I cannot explain, I will not justify. An error occurred and this error was fatal.
"We can lose by one or two but we lost in a way that we had never done before in the history of Brazilian football. But the tournament was not all bad. We had a bad defeat."
Scolari's assistant Carlos Alberto Parreira, though, said this was now a time to re-examine Brazilian football after admitting Germany were far more advanced in all aspects of the game.
"They have numerous training centres for athletes, for coaches too, and the result was seen here,'' he said.
"German football is the perfect base and we now have a chance to rethink, revise and invest in better training of athletes.
"We need to improve and focus on training athletes from the clubs and give full attention to it, provide good structure and train good professionals.''
CBF vice-president Delfim Peixoto, meanwhile, has called for Scolari's immediate retirement "Scolari was too stubborn, at all times. One thing I can assure you; Scolari will never return to the Brazilian national team. Never. A shame, a shame.
"And I'll tell you more, Scolari should retire. He does not need money. He should get his things and say goodbye."

Read More

Still in the bedroom? As Rihanna is seen in pink satin nightdress and trainers

The singer put those famous curves on display as she stepped out in New York on Tuesday in a pink satin nightdress.
Her pink satin nightdress was only enhanced by the messy updo she wore her curly locks in, and the casual black Converse trainers on her feet.

 

Rihanna is always going to get noticed but her ensemble ensured she turned every head, and also served to keep her cool in the hot weather.

The Diamonds singer, who has an estimated net worth of $120 million, arrived into JFK airport earlier in the day toting a Louis Vuitton bag.

Read More

Brazil 2014 World Cup: Scolari takes responsibility for massive defeat

After Brazil suffered their "worst loss" in their most important home game in 64 years, all coach Luiz Felipe Scolari could do was take the blame for his team's 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Germany.
"The catastrophic result can be shared with the whole group, but the choice and who decided the tactical lineup -- I did. The person who is responsible is me," Scolari said.
Brazil were undone when Germany scored five goals within 30 minutes in the first half, including four goals in a seven-minute span.

"My message is for the Brazilian people that we tried to do what we could do," Scolari said. "We did what we think was our best and we lost to a great team who in six or seven minutes, ended the game in an extraordinary manner.
"I'm sorry that we were not able to get to the final and we will continue to honour what our team is and fight for third place."

Brazil appeared helpless during Germany's onslaught, with Scolari saying "I think everyone blanked out."
"We tried to organise, but there was nothing we could do at that moment," the coach said.
Brazil were lacking injured star forward Neymar, but Scolari said his presence would not have made a difference.
"There's no regret, but it didn't work out in 10 minutes of the match today. The German team was fantastic," he said. "They probably could have done it with Neymar on the field as well.

"Let's not try to find an excuse. What happened is that Germany had a fantastic rhythm and defined the match. Germany made use of those moments and Neymar has nothing to do with that. He would not have made a difference to defend all of the goals. Germany would have done this regardless."
Brazil were also missing centre-back Thiago Silva, who was suspended after earning his second yellow card, leaving David Luiz to manage the back with Dante, who was making his debut at the tournament.
Luiz was left in tears after the match as he walked off the pitch.

"I am sorry we couldn't give the fans happiness," he said. "We didn't get it and I ask all of Brazil to forgive me. I only wanted to see all of Brazil smile. This was the most important match of my life."

 

 

Right-back Dani Alves was at a loss for solutions to Brazil's first-half problems.
"This has been like a nightmare you have about football," he said. "Never in football match has this ever happened to me. Theirs is a team very well put together, very complete in all zones. We lost the match in six minutes. In all of my 31 years I have never seen six minutes that cannot be explained as ours were."
Scolari said he tried to rally his players after the early setback, just as he will have to rally them to compete in the third-place match against the loser of Argentina and the Netherlands on Saturday.
"I did my job as I've always done it anywhere. I did what I thought was best," Scolari said. "It was a terrible defeat because of the result, but we tried to make it respectable. We all lost, but don't forget there's a match on Saturday, and we can still be third."

 

Scolari also took solace in the fact that many of his players will return for the 2018 World Cup, while implying Germany's players were nearing the edge of their careers.
"This team of Germany played the 2008 Euro and 2010 World Cup. Half of our team will play at the next World Cup," Scolari said. "We will see at least 13, 14, 15 players in 2018. It's our worst loss, but we have to learn how to deal with it."
It remains to be seen if Scolari will be retained to guide his players in Russia, though Scolari would not admit any regrets on Tuesday night.
"Regret what?" he asked. "I don't have any regrets for the choices I made, but I have to put up with the consequences."

Read More

The Elevator Attack: As Solange open up on the incident with Jay-Z

Solange Knowles downplays her infamous elevator fight with Jay-Z in a new magazine interview. In a piece published in August issue of Lucky magazine, the rapper's sister-in-law says that she and her family have great relationship despite the emergence of the video of the elevator attack two months ago.

Referring to the elevator incident at the Standard Hotel in New York City as "that thing," Solange says, "What's important is that my family and I are all good. What we had to say collectively was in the statement that we put out, and we all feel at peace with that."

TMZ previously posted a video of Solange and Jay-Z's fight which took place around the 2014 MET Gala in May. Back then, a bodyguard had to restrain Solange to prevent her from attacking Jay-Z. The family then released a joint statement in which they said, "We love each other and, above all, we are family. We've put this behind us and hope everyone else will do the same."

In the interview, Solange additionally shares some words about her sister Beyonce Knowles, saying that their parents taught them to keep working hard and supporting each other. "We've always held each other down no matter what," she says. "That's something I'm drilling into [my son] Julez now."

"I think about all of those phases that I went through, and the ridicule and whatever that I experienced. And I can't think of one time where I ever felt like I was going to break. That's because I had confidence instilled in me by my parents. They didn't always like it - in fact, most of the time they didn't - but they never asked me to change," she continues.

Read More

The Pope Step in dealing with Sexual Abuse by Priests

Since Francis's papacy began last February, he's vowed to fix the Catholic Church's ongoing issues with sexual abuse. And while critics argue he's been relatively quiet on the issue, on Monday Pope Francis will be taking an important step towards addressing the issue: meeting with survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic priests.
Six survivors from Britain, Germany and Ireland will say mass with the pope at his personal chapel and enjoy a private audience with him afterwards. This will be Francis' first meeting with sexual abuse victims. His predecessors, Benedict XVI and John Paul II, did so several times but failed to make any real progress on the problem. But with a progressive track record in his young papacy, Francis may have an easier time affecting real change on this terrible problem.
The pope is renewing efforts to address the scandal. Monday's encounter will follow the meeting of the pope's special international commission to advise him on the issue and develop plans to address the problems. In May, Francis also announced that three bishops were under investigation, although he didn't clarify whether they were accused of abuse or for covering up other priests' crimes.
And in April, the pope personally asked for forgiveness on behalf of the Catholic Church. "The church is aware of this damage, it is personal, moral damage carried out by men of the church, and we will not take one step backward with regards to how we will deal with this problem, and the sanctions that must be imposed," he said at the time. "On the contrary, we have to be even stronger. Because you cannot interfere with children."
But there's still a lot to be done. According to Vatican officials, the church's prosecutors handled 3,420 abuse cases over the past decade — only 848 priests were defrocked, and 2,572 were ordered to "live a life of prayer or penance" in isolated conditions, such as monasteries.
But some believed these measures were far too lenient, and they're not letting Francis off the hook. Even the pope's planned meeting with sexual abuse survivors has been criticized by some groups as being "meaningless."

Read More

Brazil 2014 World Cup: Di Maria out injured as Aguero comeback for semifinal

Argentina midfielder Angel Di Maria has been ruled out of the World Cup semifinal against the Netherlands with a thigh injury while striker Sergio Aguero has been declared fit to play after recovering from a similar problem.

Di Maria limped off the field in the first half of Argentina's quarterfinal win over Belgium after straining a muscle in the back of his right thigh.
Team doctor Daniel Martinez on Sunday said tests showed it was a "first-degree" strain - the mildest kind but added that Di Maria wouldn't be fit to play in Wednesday's semifinal.
Martinez said Aguero, who sustained a similar injury 10 days ago, had recovered in an "excellent" way. The Manchester City striker's return would be welcomed by the team after he missed the round of 16 match vs. Switzerland and the quarterfinals vs. Belgium.
Losing Di Maria is a big blow for Argentina as it prepares for its first World Cup semifinal since 1990. Besides Lionel Messi, he's been the team's most influential player in Brazil.
Di Maria scored the extra-time winner against Switzerland in the second round and set up Gonzalo Higuain's winning goal in the first half against Belgium on Saturday.
"He's a key player in this project," Higuain said of Di Maria.
With left back Marcos Rojo returning from suspension to face Netherlands in the semifinal Argentina's defense should be in even better shape. However, the attack is bound to suffer without Di Maria.

Read More

Fuck Rumours: As Jay-Z lovingly kisses Beyonce on stage in Philadelphia

It doesn't look like Jay Z is On The Run from his gorgeous wife.

Rapper Jay put rumours that he cheated on Beyonce behind him as he lovingly pulled her close and kissed her onstage at the Citizens Bank Park Stadium in Philadelphia on Saturday evening.

The hip-hop star's very public display of affection came at the end of the concert after the power couple performed Forever Young.

Queen Bey, 32, was all smiles as Jay-Z took her hand and walked her off stage after their gruelling gig, part of their 19-date On The Run Tour of North America.

Their outpouring of love comes after Lady Marmalade singer Mya emphatically denied rumours that she had an affair with the 44-year-old entrepreneur.

'Never did, never was, never will,' she told a fan on Instagram who asked about the possible relationship.

Read More

Brazil 2014 World Cup: Neymar couldn't feel his legs after going down- Scolari

Luiz Felipe Scolari revealed that Neymar had no feeling in his legs after suffering the injury that ended his participation in the 2014 World Cup.
Neymar was kneed in the back by Juan Zuniga during the closes stages of Brazil's 2-1 quarterfinal win on Friday and left the pitch on a stretcher. It has since been confirmed that the Barcelona forward will play no further part in the tournament due to a fractured vertebra.
Scolari believes the injury has robbed Brazil of the one player they could not afford to lose and described his shock at watching the Barcelona attacker's exit from the competition.
The Brazil coach said, in quotes reported by Marca, that Marcelo asked his teammate how he was. "He replied: 'I can't feel my legs.' Scared, Marcelo called on the team doctor, but doctors are not allowed on the pitch.

 "There was a lot of confusion. That image of Neymar being stretchered off towards the helicopter was a real shock, it was tough hearing his cries."
Scolari went on to describe Neymar's injury as "disastrous" and claimed the player could be irreplaceable for the Selecao.
"Neymar is our star player, because he's the type of match-winner who would make a difference in any team. We've lost the one player we didn't want to lose ahead of the semi-finals and the final."

Read More

Brazil 2014 world cup: Argentina through into semi-final after 1-0 win over Belgium

 Argentina booked their place in the World Cup semifinals after a 1-0 victory over Belgium in Brasilia.
Argentina were ahead after only eight minutes, Gonzalo Higuain smashing home on the turn as the ball bounced up on the edge of the area, and proceeded to dominate the first half.
The Napoli striker should have added to his tally early in the second half when, after going clean through on goal, he saw his shot clip the top of the crossbar.
The Red Devils tried to force an equaliser but, other than a couple of aerial opportunities, struggled to create clear chances for much of the game.
Romelu Lukaku looked to have made space in the area deep into injury time but they could not take advantage as Alejandro Sabella's side progressed.

Read More

Brazil 2014 world cup: Neymar out of world cup due to injury

 Neymar has been ruled out of the World Cup after Brazil's team doctor confirmed he suffered a broken vertebra late in Friday's quarterfinal victory against Colombia.
The star forward was involved in a late collision with Colombia's Juan Camilo Zuniga in the 88th minute, and will not be available when Brazil face Germany in the semifinal on Tuesday, or for the final on July 13, should Brazil advance.

 Team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said Neymar broke the third vertebra in the lumbar region of his back.
"It is a benign fracture," Lasmar said. "This news is not easy, but he will not be available at this World Cup.
"The fracture does not require surgery. There will be a conservative treatment; [he] will need physiotherapy and comfort to ease the pain."
Before the extent of the injury was revealed, Luiz Felipe Scolari said it would be difficult for Neymar to recover in time, simply judging by the amount of pain the 22-year-old was in.
"We lost Neymar, which probably based, on what I'm seeing, he won't be able to play," Scolari said. "We knew he would be hunted, so we are in a difficult situation, but we have good players who can come in. I think we will have a great game.
"There will be a series of exams because he was kneed on his lower back and he was crying of pain. We don't have an idea, but I can guarantee it won't be easy for him to recover, based on what the doctor told us and the pain he's in. I don't know, I really don't know. I hope it's OK."
Neymar appeared to take a knee in the back, and as the medical staff came out to attend to the forward, they decided to stretcher him off the field.
The forward was swiftly taken down the tunnel while covering his face with his arm.

 Zuniga said there was no malice in his challenge on the Brazilian star.
"It was a typical play. I never had the intention of hurting any player," he said. "On the pitch, I play for my country, and never have the intention of hurting anybody. I was only defending my country's jersey.
"The game was hotly contested, and Brazil were coming in strong and so were we. ... I hope he recuperates soon [and] that it is not serious as he is a great player for Brazil and for world football."
Brazil players spoke out in support of Neymar, with both Hulk and Fred saying they will play harder while thinking of their fallen teammate.
"Neymar is a guy who worked so hard. We saw his dedication in training. God will heal you ASAP. Neymar, we will work to please you," said Fred.
Hulk said Neymar needed more protection from the referees after being repeatedly targeted by opponents.
"Every time is like this, players always come after Neymar, the referees need to do more to keep this from happening,'' he said.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff sent her support to Neymar before he was ruled out of the tournament, saying "Along with the rest of Brazil, I'm hoping for the recovery of our greatest player."

Read More

Kanye West Booed by Fans at Wireless Fest

Kanye West was booed by fans who attended his set at the Wireless Festival taking place at Finsbury Park in London on Friday, July 4. Some concertgoers also reportedly left the park early after the rapper stopped performing to engage in a lengthy rant onstage.

West, whose face was covered in a bejeweled mask, spent nearly half an hour complaining about being discriminated by fashion brands including Nike and Louis Vuitton. "I'm not going to mention any names but... Nike, Louis Vuitton and Gucci. Don't discriminate against me 'cos I'm a black man making music," he said.

"They say, 'No no no n***as, that's too much.' It's about my dreams, it's about creating, not about the idea of being a f**king celebrity," he added. "That wasn't my fault about Nike - they tried to control me. I just want to make something awesome, hang around my awesome friends and save the world."

Fans who were tired of listening to West's rant booed him. "This is what I'm talking about... They say, 'I don't know what's wrong with Kanye' and make it sound like I'm a bad person in some way. What have I ever done that was so wrong other than believe in myself?" Kim Kardashian's husband responded to the jeering.

Read More

Brazil 2014 World Cup: Germany in semi final after 1-0 win

Germany secured a familiar World Cup semifinal berth with a minimum of fuss as French hopes of avenging past injustices shrivelled and died in the Maracana.
This is the fourth World Cup in a row that Germany have reached the last four of the tournament, and France had little answer to Mats Hummels' 13th-minute header.
Germany always looked comfortable with the slender lead and it was Joachim Low's side who came closest to scoring again before settling for a 1-0 result.
This was a blow to French pride, the country remembering with bitterness semi defeats by Germany in 1982 -- which featured the infamous Harald Schumacher challenge on Patrick Battiston -- and 1986.
For some reason, Didier Deschamps' side seemed strangely subdued in defeat. Even towards the final whistle there seemed little urgency.
This was far from the classic that had been hoped for -- indeed it was one of the more turgid affairs of this consistently excellent tournament.
The team selections saw a trio of Arsenal players dropped to the bench: Per Mertesacker for Germany, who had been struggling with an illness, and Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny for France.
The significant move for Germany was captain Philipp Lahm returning to right-back rather than midfield, and it looked as though Low had his selection right with Mamadou Sakho, the Liverpool defender whose return from injury accounted for Koscielny missing out, looking hesitant.
But France began to make things uncomfortable for the German defence too, especially with the darting runs of Mathieu Valbuena. It was he who found Karim Benzema unmarked with plenty of time and space, but he sidefooted wide when he should have scored.
Germany intensified the pain of the miss in the 13th minute when Kroos' free kick was met by Hummels, outjumping Raphael Varane and steering a header over Hugo Lloris.
Mesut Ozil, the one Arsenal player who did start, produced a brilliant volleyed cross to Miroslav Klose, who went sprawling in the box. Replays showed Mathieu Debuchy did have hold of Klose's shirt but an over-dramatic fall by the striker did not impress Argentinian referee Nestor Pitana.
Germany failed to build on their lead however and it was France who finished the half on the up. Manuel Neuer produced an outstanding one-handed save from Valbuena, with Benzema unable to put home the rebound from close range as Hummels was in the way. Benzema was denied again after cutting inside but shooting straight at Neuer.
Germany appeared content to play on the break and contain a more adventurous-looking France, a risky approach but it almost paid off when Kroos and Ozil combined but the Arsenal man's return ball was just cut out, then Kroos shot badly wide from 25 yards after more neat approach play.
But much of Germany's midfield play was untidy, and following one such episode Debuchy's cross was met by Varane with a decent header but Neuer held it comfortably enough.
Deschamps' answer was to send on Loic Remy for Yohan Cabaye, a striker for a midfielder, but it was Germany who started to look more dangerous.
Muller skimmed a shot just past the post, Andre Schurrle came off the bench to send a low drive straight at Lloris, then Ozil and Muller combined before France smuggled the ball away.
A glimpse of goal for Benzema was shut down by Sami Khedira, then Blaise Matuidi had an attempt from a narrow angle easily punched clear by Neuer.
A quick break by Germany ended in a couple of terrible misses. Ozil put one on a plate for Muller but he completely missed his kickm before Schurrle shot weakly straight at Lloris.
The last throw of the dice was for Deschamps to throw on Giroud for Valbuena -- a strange choice given that the diminutive Marseille midfielder nicknamed 'petit velo' had been France's player of the tournament.
Schurrle had another good opportunity blocked before Benzema's last-minute strike was turned away one-handed by the unflappable Neuer.

Read More

Brazil 2014 World Cup Ceremony: Shakira with others set to Close 2014 FIFA World Cup

 It has been confirmed that Shakira will perform at the closing ceremony of 2014 FIFA World Cup. The Latin singer is slated to perform her "La La La (Brazil 2014)" at the event that will take place at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on July 13.
Also set to perform at the closing ceremony are Santana and Wyclef Jean. They will play the official World Cup anthem "Dar um Jeito (We Will Find a Way)".

This would be Shak's third consecutive appearance at the World Cup. She previously performed the tournament's 2010 official song "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)". She also performed "Hips Don't Lie" at the 2006 World Cup in Berlin.

"I have an intricate relationship with football for obvious reasons, and I truly understand what the World Cup means to so many people, myself included," Shakira, who's been dating Spanish soccer player Gerard Pique, said in a statement.

"For me the World Cup carries such a tremendous personal connection as well. This will be my third consecutive FIFA World Cup performance, and the 2010 FIFA World Cup changed my life forever - it's where I began the love story of my life, and now have my son Milan as a result," she continued.

"For all of those reasons I just feel so grateful for the opportunity to come back to perform at the Closing Ceremony of this year's FIFA World Cup in Brazil, it feels right. The fans have shown the most incredible support for this song and I can't wait to perform it for them," she added.

Read More

Petr Cech not interested in leaving blues- agent

 The 32-year-old Czech star has been Chelsea number one for a decade after joining from French side Rennes, and he has long been regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
However, Chelsea also have Thibaut Courtois and he is due to return to the club this summer having spent three years on loan at Atletico Madrid, where he played a starring role in their La Liga triumph last term.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has indicated he wants Courtois back, which has left some doubt over Cech's position - and Belgian international boss Marc Wilmots was quoted suggesting that Cech would be sold.
Now speaking to leading Czech website Aktualne, his agent Viktor Kolar insists that they have not been informed by Chelsea that Cech is no longer required - but he admits other clubs have made contact.
"Nothing changes. He has two years left on his Chelsea contract and has an interest to continue there. Mourinho did not tell him that he would not count on him anymore," Kolar is quoted by Aktualne.
"We have not been given any signals that Petr would be made available [for transfer]. If that was the case, though, you have to realise that Petr is one of the world's top goalkeepers and has a certain salary. There are not many clubs who could afford to sign him.
"If he were to leave, we're discussing two or three clubs in the world. The situation has developed in a way, of course, but for now he is staying at Chelsea."
Kolar then revealed that he had been contacted by France's two premier clubs: "Paris Saint-Germain have shown interest and we have also communicated with Monaco."
He also admits he would make contact with other clubs, if Chelsea told him to find Cech a new club.
"I would get in touch with Zubizarreta (Barcelona) and people at Real Madrid. These are clubs we would consider if Chelsea wanted to get rid of Petr. We would also consider Bayern but they have Neuer there. Then there are leagues Petr would not go to. For instance, the Serie A, because clubs in that league have problems."
But Kolar admits that Cech is more than happy with life in England.
"Petr isn't 20 any more. His family are satisfied living in London. Petr is satisfied at Chelsea and there is interest in his services even after his active football career, so that they would want him to continue in some position at the club."
Cech is currently recovering from shoulder surgery, but Kolar says as it stands he will be heading back to Chelsea ready for pre-season.
"Petr is successfully continuing his recovery from his [shoulder] injury and everything is going according to the plan. He will be ready for the start of the pre-season preparation," he concluded.

Read More

R&B Singer 'Mya' Denies affair with Jay-Z

 The singer denied the sparking rumor that she and Jay-Z had been secretly dating for a long time, calling it another "illegitimate" attempt by the media to craft "ratings and numbers." She wrote on her Instagram on Thursday, July 3, "Never did, never was, never will. Illegitimate, thirsty sources with no facts and that's the 'media' for you-especially today."

The statement was a response to a user asking about the rumor. "Heard you and Jay-Z had an 11-year affair," the fan wrote, "Are you his side chick or nah?"

The speculation came after Beyonce Knowles' fans claimed she hinted at her husband's infidelity in a concert during their "On the Run" tour on Saturday, July 28. Performing "Resentment", which is about man's infidelity, in a white suit and bridal veil, the 32-year-old mother changed the lyrics from "been riding with you for six years" into "been riding with you for twelve years." Considering her relationship with Jay-Z that has lasted for 12 years, fans quickly speculated that the track was about adultery in her own marriage.

A recent blind item suggested that the "99 Problems" rapper had been dating and financially supporting Mya for a long time. Mya refuted the claim, writing, "I play second to no one, pay my own bills, have my own label, own management company, rely on God only and respect myself & marriage too much for nonsense."

The singer continued, "False rumors are crafted for ratings & numbers. And miserable, unhappy people need someone to judge to deter the attention away from their own misery and feel better about their miserable lives. If they did it to Jesus, they'll do it to anyone. God bless."

Jay-Z has not responded to the rumor. Meanwhile, although Beyonce hasn't specifically addressed the speculations over her "Resentment" incident or Jay-Z's cheating rumor, the singer posted happy pictures of her family in her blog which seemed to indicate that her marriage is alright.

Read More

Brazil 2014 World Cup: A Bridge collapses in Brazil

A bridge has collapsed on to vehicles in the Brazilian World Cup host city of Belo Horizonte, killing two people.
The scene of the accident is near the busy district of Lagoa da Pampulha and the Mineirao Stadium, which has played host to several World Cup matches.
The unfinished flyover was part of the World Cup infrastructure plan aimed at improving Belo Horizonte's public transport system.
The concrete and steel bridge, which was under construction, fell on to traffic on a busy highway.
The front of a commuter bus was crushed along with two apparently unoccupied construction lorries. A car was also reported crushed.

 

 The south-eastern Brazilian city is due to host a football World Cup semi-final match next week.
The health department of the state of Minas Gerais, of which Belo Horizonte is the capital, said the bus driver and another person were killed, and 22 other people were injured.
Authorities said they had not yet reached a small passenger car that was flattened by the collapse. It was not known if anyone was inside the car but officials said they would be working through the night to try to free it.
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said on Twitter that it was "with sadness" that she found out about the accident, and she offered her "solidarity to the victims' families".
Belo Horizonte Mayor Marcio Lacerda visited the scene of the accident and declared three days of mourning for the two victims, the city government said in a statement.
The construction firm that was responsible for building the flyover, Cowan, said it "deeply regrets what happened".
"At the moment, the priority is to support victims and their families," it said in a statement.
The company said technical staff had been sent to the scene to start investigations.
"When I saw the flyover falling down, I feared the worst would happen, that the bridge would turn on top of our bus," Renata Soares, who said she was sitting at the back of the yellow bus that was crushed, told Brazil's GloboNews.
Another witness speaking to the channel, Daniel Magalhaes, said that the moment the bridge collapsed felt "like an earthquake. The ground shook violently. I heard a very loud bang".
A resident of the city, Diego Siqueira, said that people in Belo Horizonte were "not surprised" by the accident.
"Every World Cup infrastructure construction was delayed until the last year and they started to build it so fast and without quality," he complained.
Brazil's preparations for the World Cup have been marred by accidents and missed deadlines. At least seven people were killed working on stadiums prior to the start of the tournament.
Last month, a worker was killed after a beam fell during construction of a monorail in Brazil's biggest city, Sao Paulo.
The authorities have denied allegations that corners have been cut to get projects finished on time for the football tournament.

Read More

Joan Rivers Calls Michelle Obama 'A Transgender'

 Joan Rivers made a controversial comment about President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama during a recent outing. The 81-year-old comedian was caught on camera having a chat with a journalist on the street as she walked into a building. Rivers made headlines this week after she officiated an impromptu gay wedding at her book signing in New York. The man then asked her opinion if the U.S. will have a gay president one day.

"We already have it with Obama, so let's just calm down," she replied as she continued walking. Rivers then added, "You know Michelle is a tranny." The man, who sounded shocked with her comment, asked her to clarify, "I'm sorry, she's a what?" Rivers told him, "A transgender. We all know."

On Monday, June 30, a man who attended an event for her new book "Diary of a Mad Diva" in New York City asked her in front of 400 audience members if she could marry him and his partner. "It says in your book, you're an ordained minister. Can you marry me and my boyfriend?" the man said. Rivers said yes.

Rivers then took to Instagram to share a photo of the newly-married couple, Jed Ryan and Joseph Aiello, and congratulated them. "This really happened! At my Q&A/book-signing last night at Barnes & Noble in NYC, a man in the audience expressed his wish that I marry him and his partner. What's a licensed ordained minister like myself to do? I married them right then and there. Congratulations Joe & Jed! #joanrivers," she wrote.

Read More

Diego Simeone: Atletico still go on without costa

Diego Simeone expects Atletico Madrid to rebound well from the loss of Diego Costa, while also wishing his former striker well at Chelsea.
Costa made a long-awaited move to Stamford Bridge after the Blues met his buy-out clause of 32 million pounds.
The 25-year-old led Atletico to the title in La Liga last season, scoring 36 goals in all competitions, and Simeone thanked him for his efforts.
"I am always going to be thankful to the players that give all their best. He had excellent performances while he was with us," Simeone said.
Costa is the latest top player Atletico have sold recently after Sergio Aguero, Fernando Torres, Diego Forlan and Radamel Falcao, but Simeone is confident the Spanish champions will find another forward to replace Chelsea's new star.
"Aguero left and many got scared, Falcao arrived and the team won what it won," Simeone said. "Then Falcao left and it seemed like the team couldn't improve. Costa arrived and the team kept on growing.
"Atletico has always handled each change very well and we expect this time to be the same."

Read More

Lindsay Lohan file suit against 'Grand Theft Auto V'

 Lindsay Lohan has filed suit against a video game maker, alleging the company based the likeness of a character on her.

The actress filed suit Wednesday in a Manhattan court against Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. and its subsidiaries, Rockstar Games and Rockstar North, over the character of Lacey Jones from the game "Grand Theft Auto V."

According to the suit, Lohan alleges the company based the character on her and "incorporated her image, likeness, clothing, outfits, Plaintiff's clothing line products, ensemble in the form of hats, hair style, sunglasses, jean shorts worn by Plaintiff that were for sale to the public at least two years before the Defendant's release of the GTA V game."

The suit goes on to say that "the game also features Hotel Chateau (Marmont) in West Hollywood, a place where the Plaintiff once lived and often frequents."

In the popular video game, the character is an actress who complains of being pursued by paparazzi and asks another character to help her flee. The character utters such lines as, "They cannot get a shot of me," and "How's my hair? Do I look cute?"

It would not be the first time Lohan has taken to the courts alleging others were trading on her and her image.

In 2010 she sued E*Trade over a Super Bowl commercial that made mention of "that milkaholic Lindsay," which Lohan alleged was a reference to her. In 2011 she sued rapper Pitbull for using her name in a lyric of the song "Give Me Everything Tonight."

The suit against E*Trade was reportedly settled, and her suit against Pitbull was dismissed, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Read More