Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Mariah Carey Gets Lambchops Dog

Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey have got a new dog - who they have called Jackie Lambchops.

The Jack Russell terrier puppy is just three weeks old and is the puppy of ChaCha, Mariah's long-time pampered pooch.

Nick said: "The new dog is amazing. It is all cute right now."

The 'America's Got Talent' presenter also revealed he and Mariah got the inspiration for the dog's moniker while watching Mafia drama 'The Sopranos'.

He explained: "We were watching 'The Sopranos' and Mariah took a couple of words that she always uses and it came together - Jackie Lambchops."

Although the animal-loving couple are happy with their new pet, they are still keen to have a baby in the near future.

Nick told People: "Some day, absolutely. That's definitely something we've got in mind. But we've got to stop working so much. When you're parents, that's a full-time gig. Each of us have several jobs, so we'd have to make some sacrifices when we're ready to do that." China Daily

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Oprah knocks Angelina off the top of the Forbes celebrity power list

Superstar US talkshow host Oprah Winfrey regained the title of the world’s most powerful celebrity in her fourth appearance in the top spot, said a survey Forbes magazine published on Monday.

With $315 million in earnings, Winfrey, 56, who next year is set to launch her own television channel, ousted Angelina Jolie as the top power player with the actress slipping from last year's number one to the 18th spot.

In second place to the enduring talkshow diva, popular singer Beyonce Knowles jumped two positions with earnings of $87 million, following a profitable year for her growing entertainment and fashion empire.

Director James Cameron, fresh from the success of his record-breaking movie Avatar, came in third with earnings of $210 million.

The top rankings are based on income over the past 12 months, as well as web references, press clippings, broadcast mentions and major magazine covers devoted to the celebrity, Forbes said.

At number four was the list's highest-ranked newcomer - singing sensation and one-woman fashion whirlwind Lady Gaga.

With huge tours and successful music ventures, the New York-born entertainer earned $62 million in the past year.

Golfer Tiger Woods kept his high standing despite sensational reports of his extra-marital affairs, maintaining the number five position and raking in $105 million even in the wake of his self-imposed six-month break from the game.

Philippine boxing icon Manny Pacquiao made it to number 55 on the list, up two notches from number 57 last year.

He is ranked higher than Hollywood superstars Tom Cruise (No. 56), Adam Sandler (No. 57), George Clooney (No. 58), Leonardo DiCaprio (No. 71), Robert Downey, Jr. (No. 73) and Julia Roberts (No. 77).

According to Forbes.com, the Filipino boxing icon earned the No. 55 ranking after earning $42 million in the past year. He ranked 47th in the list according to pay rank; 52nd in TV, radio and press mentions; and 60th in social media mentions.

Others in the top 10 included pop singer Britney Spears at six, and Irish rockers U2 at seven.

Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock, whose cheating husband kept her in the tabloid limelight, soared from last year's 92nd spot to be this year's number eight, with $56 million dollars in earnings.

Actor Johnny Depp was at number nine, while singer Madonna fell seven positions over her 2009 spot to round out the top 10 with $58 million in earnings. Gulf News

Monday, June 28, 2010

Sharapova Not Worried By Serena Power


The Russian was 17 when she thrashed Williams 6-1 6-4 to land her first grand slam, and the result was hailed at the time by Martina Navratilova as "the best thing" that could have happened to the women's game.

At the time, the Williams sisters were the dominant force in the game, closely followed by the Belgian pair of Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters.

Six years on and little has changed in that respect.

Sharapova has won two more slams, at the US Open in 2006 and Australian Open in 2008. But for injuries, she might have had more, and a fourth may not be far away. However few have tipped her for Wimbledon glory this year.


Shoulder trouble has been her most recent problem, but the 23-year-old has shown outstanding form so far in these Championships and should ask more questions of Williams than the defending champion's three opening opponents.

So far, Williams has won each first set 6-0. Her phenomenal force on the court has blown away opponents but Sharapova should be able to live with it better than Michelle Larcher De Brito, Anna Chakvetadze and Dominika Cibulkova have managed.

"Tennis is obviously not just about power," Sharapova said. "I think on grass it's a big key to the game. But I don't think that's everything in tennis."

Finesse and teenage appetite won out six years ago, but Sharapova also hits the ball more heavily than most so should not be smashed off court.

She remembers well the clash which made her an overnight superstar, but insists it will have no bearing on the outcome on Monday.

"I think that was our last meeting on grass," Sharapova said. "It's tough to take anything away from that match as it was many years ago. This will be a new day. I don't really think about yesterday or the day before.

"Whoever I play when I go out there, it's a new match. You have to take it as a new day.

"There are always wonderful memories. But when you step out on the court, it's new. You've got to start from scratch. The score is 0-0."

If the incredible happens and Williams wins another first set by a whitewash, she will know what to expect in the next, and has taken on board the suggestions of a legend in how to combat the reaction.

"I was talking to Billie Jean (King) in the locker room," Williams, 28, said.

"She said when a player wins 6-0 over your opponent, you've got to expect them to really come out loose, like they have absolutely nothing to lose, just start going for shots.

"I think that was really good advice. So if that happens again, I'll be ready."

Like Sharapova, Williams will not be looking back to 2004 when she determines how to tackle her opponent.

But she suggests the defeat that day was shaped in her mind.

"I just remember I was really nervous," Williams said. "I think I put too much pressure on myself. It didn't work out. That was that."

While both Sharapova and Williams know how Wimbledon triumph feels, neither Clijsters or Henin have had the privilege.

On Monday they duke it out for a place in the quarter-finals, the draw having been cruel, in the first full year of their comebacks from retirement, by putting them on an early collision course.

Henin has been runner-up twice, to Venus Williams in 2001 and Amelie Mauresmo in 2006, while Clijsters has won two US Opens and reached finals of the French and Australian slams but has yet to experience a Wimbledon final.

"I have to be very aggressive if I want to have a chance," Henin said. "I know what I'll have to do. But it's not that easy to do it on the court."

With many expecting a classic, Henin pointed out: "I would say in our first career, we've never played our best tennis against each other."

With Serena at the top of the draw, five-time champion Venus Williams is in the bottom half, along with Clijsters and Henin.

Venus faces Jarmila Groth, the Slovakian-born player who married Australian player Sam Groth and gained Australian citizenship last year.

Unseeded Groth has not dropped a set so far, and knocked out American seed Melanie Oudin in the second round.

Venus said: "I played her before when she had a different last name. It's been a while. But I know that she definitely likes to go out there and hit the ball hard." Orange News

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Nadal Dismisses Gamesmanship Claim

Rafael Nadal defended himself over accusations that he bent the rules during his third-round win over Germany's Philipp Petzschner.

The world number one gained a 6-4 4-6 6-7 (5/7) 6-2 6-3 victory over the 33rd seed to set up a fourth-round clash on Monday with Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu but the win was not without controversy.

The Spaniard, whose knee injury flared up again during the match, received an official warning from umpire Cedric Mourier in the deciding set.

Mourier believed he was receiving tips from his coach and uncle Toni Nadal, who was in the players' box, and Petzschner suggested Nadal may have not really needed to take a medical time-out.

Nadal flatly denied receiving any on-court coaching and said he intends to take up the matter with Championships referee Andrew Jarrett.

"Sometimes in the past Toni would talk - maybe too much - and the referee or the umpire would give me advice and, if it continued, a warning, but he didn't talk too much today in my opinion," he said.

"I told him (the umpire) we're going to talk to the supervisor and we will be doing. Toni wasn't giving me any tip, he was only supporting me."

Petzschner, who produced some inspired tennis to lead by two sets to one before tiring, denied any suggestion that he had complained about coaching and sprang to the defence of his conqueror.

"I just heard words but it could have been 'vamos' (let's go) or whatever," Petzschner said. "It's tough to hear if you're down on the court because the whole arena is pretty loud.

"I don't know why he gave the warning or if it was coaching or not. I have absolutely idea. I think there was no coaching involved."

Petzschner, who also had courtside treatment for an old hip injury after feeling the effects of a third consecutive five-set match, blamed himself for losing his concentration during Nadal's medical time-out, suggesting it was a clever tactical ploy by his opponent.

"I'm pretty sad that I couldn't hold the focus," Petzschner said. "It was pretty clever, I think.

"Right now I'm not happy. This will maybe come tomorrow or in two days. Right now I'm just sad that I lost the match."

Asked if Nadal had resorted to gamesmanship, Petzschner replied: "I cannot say this. You have to ask him what it was. But I didn't feel any difference afterwards or before.

"I thought he was moving great. If I was injured like this once, I would be happy.

"Maybe he had something, maybe it was just a clever part to take a time-out there, I don't know.

"I don't assume that he just did it to break my rhythm but that's what happened and that's mostly my fault. That's what I have to work on.

"I just can tell you how it felt and it felt like he was still running the same for five sets and I think he could run another two or three sets.

"Ask him. He's the fittest player on tour and he's moving great around on the court."

Nadal, who also had to win a five-setter against Robin Haase in the last round, dismissed the suggestion that he was not seriously injured.

"I never call the physio when I don't have anything, not one time in my career," he said.

"If I call the physio today, it was because the knee was bothering me a lot."

The second seed, who was unable to defend his Wimbledon title last year because of a knee injury, initially summoned the trainer to attend to an issue with his left arm but said the problem quickly resolved itself.

He explained the knee injury was serious enough to force him to withdraw from Spain's Davis Cup team for their quarter-final with France but hopes it will not prevent him making further progress at Wimbledon.

"I am a little bit scared about the knee," he admitted.

"I had treatment after Monte Carlo and I had the problem against Roddick in the semi-finals of Miami.

"I don't like to say anything because, when you lose, it always looks like an excuse.

"I am here to try my best and to try to keep in the tournament and playing well. I am not thinking about retiring or anything like this. That's not going to happen.

"I have one day and a half to get recovered." Orange News

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Cutting Teeth

“Hey, I am naked for you,’’ Kellan Lutz said with the same smoldering expression that stares out from those Calvin Klein underwear ads of his.

OK, not really. Lutz wasn’t technically naked, just shirtless. But, as anyone who’s seen those ads knows, that’s plenty enough. And, truth be told, he was more nonchalant than anything. Caught bare-chested while changing clothes between appointments — and yes those were CK boxers peaking out from his low-slung navy slacks — Lutz looked like a young man who’s used to having people look at his abs.

But he was sweetly goofy about his physical perfection, too. “Ta da! I’m so pale,’’ he said at another point, lifting his white polo shirt upon request and slapping his six-pack. Then he mentioned his mom and how much he loves to eat and how he’s so lucky the vampires don’t go shirtless like the werewolves do.

The vampires would be the Cullen clan of the wildly popular “Twilight’’ franchise, whose third and latest installment opens Wednesday. Lutz plays Emmett, one of the lesser vampires in “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse,’’ a Cullen brother/bloodsucker to be sure, but one with few lines and nothing close to the screen time of pasty-white star Robert Pattinson. In the movie, Lutz is mostly used as muscle. He hulks around a lot.

Still, “Twilight’’ has changed his life, and certainly his acting options. It has for many of the young actors associated with the films. The white-hot light of celebrity doesn’t shine much brighter than it has on them, with their every move now chronicled and caught on cellphone cameras.

Lutz says he welcomes the attention, for the most part (a publicist cautioned “no personal questions’’ when he was asked about the actress with the equally flat stomach he is allegedly dating). There’s none of Pattinson’s moodiness, or Kristen Stewart’s crankiness, from him. He says he doesn’t even mind the changes he’s had to make to his old routine. (Those would include no longer jogging in his Speedo, the 6-foot-1 former swimmer said.)

“I’ve been very fortunate in that I’ve been acting for numerous years and doing other projects before ‘Twilight’ came,’’ Lutz said. “I think it would be different for someone who hasn’t been acting, going from zero to hero. It’s hard to maintain oneself when you have the world at your feet saying how great you are.

“Thank God,’’ he added, “we’re all at the age where we know who we are.’’

Lutz is 25. Much of the cast is early- to mid-20s, with the obvious exception of those who play the parents in the movie (vampire and human), as well as Stewart, 20, and 18-year-old Taylor Lautner, the good-guy werewolf whose wardrobe consists mainly of his smooth chest and butt-hugging shorts. Until the first “Twilight’’ in 2008, none of them was a star and, some movie and TV work aside, most were unknown.

Michael Welch, who plays an absolutely normal high-school student named Mike Newton — no fangs, no extra body hair — is 22 with a long acting resume that dates back to when he was in elementary school. His first role was as a young Niles on the “Frasier’’ TV show in 1998. But “Twilight’’ has been something else altogether, even for a character as minor as his.

“I do get some of that, certainly not to the degree of the big three stars of the film, which is fine by me,’’ Welch said of weepy, shrieking female fans. “One thing that keeps me grounded, I know that it’s the franchise and it’s not me. I’m just a lucky guy who got to be part of this journey. . .

“I know that when you are thrust into fame without having a foundation that you’ve built over the years, it can become very difficult to sustain that,’’ he added. “I don’t doubt I can make the transition into other work and I hope the same for all of my castmates and I wish them well, but probably some of them are going to have a hard time of it.’’

For now, however, the saga goes on. And on. Summit Entertainment is splitting the final novel in author Stephenie Meyer’s series into two installments, with the story slated to come to a close in 2012.

Director David Slade (“Hard Candy’’) inherited most of his “Eclipse’’ cast, although a villainous new vampire (Aussie actor Xavier Samuel) was his call. He jokes about them appearing at “Twilight’’ conventions years from now (“Come and sit on Batman’s lap. Is that your mom?’’) but stresses that he has no concerns that any of them will implode or be unable to make a living acting, if they want.

“What advice would I give these kids? It’s impossible to give them advice,’’ Slade said. “They’re all down to earth. They’re all hard-working, without exception, and I think that will do them fine. The main thing is that all these actors . . . know their craft and if they’re early in their careers, they’re well on their way to learning it.

“I don’t think,’’ he added, “that you’ll fill up your gas in 10 years and find one of them. They’ll all be just fine.’’

For his part, Lutz describes himself as a man with a plan. Vampiric victories and his stint opposite Lisa Kudrow on HBO’s “The Comeback’’ aside, his true aim is to be an action star. Sure there have been horror flicks (the remake of “A Nightmare on Elm Street’’ earlier this year) and there are romantic comedies coming (“Love, Wedding, Marriage’’). But what gets him going — and gets him to lift up his shirt again — is his role as Poseidon in next year’s “Immortals,’’ where he gets to play gladiator in the digital age. And he bears the (albeit small) scars of that shoot, literally, where he was sliced with a machete.

“I don’t have tattoos, but I wear these scars as tattoos,’’ he said, almost giddily. “I just love them. And that movie was my dream role. I did so much fighting in it.’’

Unlike his recurring character on the CW spinoff series “90210,’’ Lutz comes off less like arrogant athlete George Evans and more like an oversize everyman. He’s huge but huggy. He seems perfectly happy to be sitting in a swank hotel room talking about the franchise yet again — and uses the opportunity to highlight his pet projects: Royal Family Kids’ Camps for abused and abandoned children, and the St. Bernard Project, helping to rebuild housing post-Katrina. He can also be a bit geeky, and once considered becoming a chemical engineer. He still invents things and holds two patents.

“I really don’t care about fame,’’ Lutz said, diving into a plate of cookies. “Being a middle man in this franchise, it’s a blessing. Yeah, I’d enjoy being in Rob’s shoes or Taylor’s shoes, but it’s even better to benefit from it under the radar.’’

Lutz agrees with Welch, who says the entire cast shares a self-mocking camaraderie that makes any level of celebrity easier.

“We talk about the ridiculousness of the whole thing from our perspective,’’ Welch said. “I’m not saying it’s ridiculous but, yes, we know we’re not that big of a deal but other people think we are.’’ Boston Globe

Friday, June 25, 2010

Mariah Carey Sued By Vet After She Fails To Pay $30k Bill For Saving Jack Russell Puppy

Mariah Carey is being sued by her vet after failing to pay a five-figure bill for nursing back to health her Jack Russell puppy.

The vet and her staff slept with the dangerously ill newborn as they provided 24-hour care during the two-and-a-half week assignment, even making videos of the dog's recovery to send to the singer.

But multi-millionaire Mariah only paid $8,231 of the $37,790 bill, according to a suit filed by vet Condy Bressler at Manhattan's Supreme Court.

According to the New York Post Dr Bressler was called in to help when Mariah's dog Cha Cha, only six months old herself, gave birth to her first puppy.

Newborn Dolomite needed intensive care following the birth, and Dr Bressler left her New York practise to move into Mariah's mansion.

A source told the Post: 'We were up all night caring for and tube-feeding the puppy. Mariah loves her dogs and requested the best care and that's what she got.'

Following the birth animal lover Mariah had tweeted: 'ChaCha just had her baby! Its a girl! Anybody want a beautiful Jack Russell puppy?!'

But despite her initial interest, according to court papers, Mariah only paid a fraction of the final bill.

'She [Bressler] is a doctor and Mariah acted like Dr Bressler was one of her hair or makeup people,' said the source.

Dr Bressler did not comment, but her attorney said she 'provided life-saving, round-the clock medical care.'

'The costs were clearly communicated costs associated with this level of treatment,' he added.

Mariah's attorney said she intended to fight the lawsuit, which he described as a 'crass publicity stunt'. The Daily Mail

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Kevin Jonas Sends Wife Danielle on Treasure Hunt for Anniversary

Kevin Jonas surprised his wife Danielle with a treasure hunt to celebrate their six-month wedding anniversary.

Kevin, 22, married the former hairdresser just before Christmas last year in front of their friends and family at Oheka Castle in New York.

Danielle, also 22, posted pictures on her Twitter page of the hunt that she was sent on by her new hubby.

A note from her husband Kevin read: 'Hey Baby Treasure hunt time! Happy 6 months baby I love you so much its crazy.

'So here are your instructions. Grab your new camera and film when you can and head to your first stop!

'Hurry I'm waiting. Just ask for your next clue.' By Sophie Eager, m&c

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Tiger, Lefty And Ernie Can't Make Open Charge


They did the same every time Ernie Els or Tiger Woods made a move, creating a rumble of energy through Pebble Beach on Sunday at the U.S. Open.

By the end, those roars were reserved for unknown Graeme McDowell on the 18th green as the new U.S. Open champ. Lefty, Ernie and Tiger were nowhere to be found.

"It just wasn't there. Other than the first six or seven holes, it just wasn't there," Mickelson said. "It got progressively tougher, the pins placements got progressively more difficult. And there just wasn't the opportunities really for birdie."

When third round leader Dustin Johnson faltered early bringing the likes of Els, Woods and Mickelson closer to the front, it was expected the champion would come from that group.

It had to. Pebble dictated it, seeing as the previous four Open champs at Pebble had the names Nicklaus, Watson, Kite and Woods.

But there was no repeat for Tiger, with faulty iron shots either finding the rough or landing in the wrong spots on the greens.

There was no third title for Els when after a strong start, he was forced to his knees on a grassy cliff to search for his ball.

And there was no first Open crown for Mickelson with makable birdie putts skittering past on the holes vulnerable to scoring at Pebble.

McDowell's final round of 3-over 74 had the consistency that Woods, Els and Mickelson lacked. He shot even par on the front nine, then withstood Pebble's treacherous back nine with his hard fairways, firm greens and tucked pins.

Even McDowell was surprised to see the name challenging him on the leaderboard over the finally few holes was that of Frenchman Gregory Havret, not one of the big three.

"I was surprised that Gregory Havret was the guy closest to me. No disrespect to Gregory, he's a great player, but when you have Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els obviously there, you're not expecting Gregory Havret to be the guy you've got to fend off," McDowell said.

Els made the biggest charge. The South African who last won an Open title in 1997, birdied three of his first six holes to reach 3 under and move into a tie for the lead. He saved par with a testy putt at the eighth, but then let his round slip away over the next three holes.

 
 
Woods couldn't mount a charge either. A day after making five birdies and shooting 31 on the back nine, Woods' bogeys at Nos. 10 and 12 only amplified his bogeys earlier in the round at Nos. 1, 4, 6 and 8. The 4-over 75 by Woods was his second-highest final round in a major.

Asked if he was surprised a marquee player wasn't going home champion, Woods said he believes the most open championship in golf now caters to more of the field.

"Because of what (USGA's) Mike (Davis) has done with the setup. He's given more guys the chance to win the golf tournament," Woods said. "It's more open now. With the graduated rough, being firm and fast like this, it brings a lot more players into play who have a chance to win."

Mickelson's day started the best with his birdie at the first, yet he could never find the putting touch. He missed a short birdie chances at Nos. 2 and 3, three-putted for par on the fourth and had to scramble to make par on the par 5 sixth.

By the time Mickelson reached the difficult cliffs of Nos. 8, 9 and 10, and a back nine where Mickelson was 3 over on Sunday, his chances at making a serious charge were gone.

"I had opportunities. I had a 15-foot eagle putt on 4, and I make par. That was frustrating. I have a 5-iron into 6, and I make par. That was frustrating," Mickelson said. "But at the turn, I was still under for my round. ... All I had to do was shoot even par in the back, and I'm in a playoff. I wasn't able to do it, obviously, it was tough." By Tim Booth, WPXI

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Sharapova Is Trying to Regain Her Edge

Not sadder but a bit wiser, a struggling Maria Sharapova has returned Wimbledon, where she recorded a breakthrough victory in 2004 that launched a highly lucrative dual career of tennis and business endorsements.

Winning lower-level tournaments in Memphis and Strasbourg, the 16th-seeded Sharapova holds a 17-5 record for the year but no victories over former rivals like top-seeded Serena Williams, whom she defeated in the 2004 Wimbledon final for her first major title.

Sharapova, trying to regain her physical prowess after shoulder surgery, is attempting to return to the top levels of a sport that has grown more competitive.

Hitting a powerful serve, Sharapova fought her way to the finals of the Birmingham, England, warm-up tournament a week ago. She lost in the final to Na Li of China, 7-5, 6-1.

“The game is really deep now,” she said Saturday. “You have to be ready from the first round. You have to have that intensity and belief in yourself, absolutely.”

Sharapova said her first-round opponent, Kateryna Bondarenko of the Ukraine, “plays really solid tennis, plays really great on grass. It’s going to be a touch match.”

What of the hill she is climbing to regain her standing?

“Everyone is going to have setbacks,” she said. “I certainly knew that some people have never come back from it.” The thought “always crosses your mind.”

Sharapova said that traveling back from extended injury layoffs in 2008 and 2009 had strengthened her love of the sport.

“When you’re on the court, you have to put many things in perspective and realize that it’s not all rainbows and butterflies, that you’re going to have your days and moments when it’s not gonna be so fun.”

Then she said, “But we hit a tennis ball for a living, so, can’t be that bad.”

Notes: Dinara Safina, who was seeded 20th, has withdrawn from Wimbledon due to a lower-back injury. Her position in the draw will be taken by the American Melanie Oudin, the 33rd seed. Oudin’s place in the draw was taken by the lucky loser Stephanie Dubois of Canada. By John Martin, The New York Times

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Brad Pitt & Jennifer Aniston: Sneaking Around Behind Angelina Jolie's Back!?

OMG ... Are Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston back together at last?!?!?!

No.

You'd think at some point, Star could come up with some new stories, or at least put a new twist on the whole Brad and Jen thing, like a love child or something.

Instead, the tabloid's new issue gives us what we always get when they can't find anything else - anonymous claims that Jennifer Aniston took back what's hers!

Yup, at long last, America's Sweetheart has gotten revenge and stabbed the evil vixen in the back. Figuratively, of course. And by figuratively we mean not at all.

Backstabbing Jen!

BEHIND HER BACK: But for how long? Just wait 'til Angie reads this!

The cover teases an intimate encounter in Brad Pitt's private office, which sounds particularly hot, as well as calls, texts and e-mails. Jen just wants to start over!

Come on, people.

Angelina Jolie turned 35 last week, and as we said in our birthday tribute, you may hate her for breaking up Brad and Jen, but it doesn't make her all bad.

In fact, she's pretty awesome compared to most celebrities. Those reports of lies, drugs and lovers may make great headlines, but they're likely all BS.

She and Brad have been together for years now. We felt bad for Jennifer Aniston too, but isn't it time we put this behind us? Can't we all just get along?

Friday, June 18, 2010

World Cup 2010: France Must Show Something Against South Africa - Raymond Domenech

Speaking after France’s defeat against Mexico on Thursday night, Raymond Domenech indicated that he still has confidence in his team and that he still has a belief that they can yet show something positive at the World Cup.

After two fixtures, France have yet to score a goal. A 0-0 draw with Uruguay set the tone, and that was swiftly followed by a tame 2-0 reverse against Mexico, during which the players quickly lost heart.

“The dominant feeling is sadness,” he said, according to France Football. “I have confidence in this team. It has potential, it has quality. I'm disappointed.”

Domenech was keen to look to the future and to next Tuesday’s match with South Africa, which may prove to be his last in charge of les Bleus.

“There's still a match and we must react, and show something,” he explained. “We must go out with dignity, show that the France team can score. A miracle is what we’re playing for – and our pride. A miracle is possible... but hey, when it doesn’t depend on us, we should not dream.”

It would appear that Domenech, who spoke in a resigned fashion, already has his thoughts on retirement after six years leading France. By Robin Bairner, Goal

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Brad Pitt's Plan B acquires screen rights to The Imperfectionists

Hollywood star Brad Pitt's production company Plan B Entertainment, under its creative partnership with Reliance BIG Entertainment have acquired the screen rights of Tom Rachman's novel, The Imperfectionists.

The Imperfectionists centres on people who write and read an international newspaper based in Rome - from the obituary reporter who will do anything to avoid work, to the young freelancer who is manipulated by an egocentric war correspondent, to the dog-obsessed publisher who seems less interested in his struggling newspaper than in his magnificent basset hound.

Rachman drew from his experience as a former wire service reporter at the Associated Press office in Rome to set the stage for The Imperfectionists.

On the acquisition, Reliance BIG Entertainment's chairman Amit Khanna said that 'The Imperfectionists' will make a commercial and extremely relevant film which will play well to an international audience.

This is one of several projects acquired by Plan B under their creative partnership with Reliance.

Last year the company announced Dark Void, based on Capcom's acclaimed video game and being developed as a sci-fi action franchise and potential starring vehicle for Pitt, he said. DNA India

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Wozniacki Loses At Eastbourne But Clijsters Through

Defending champion Caroline Wozniacki and French Open winner Francesca Schiavone both suffered shock defeats.

British number one Elena Baltacha lost a first set tie-break to Li Na but went through after the seventh seed retired.

Baltacha was beaten by Li in the first round last year but went 2-0 up before the Chinese player fought back to win the tie-break 8-6.

However, Li failed to appear for the second set after treatment on a leg injury, giving Baltacha her second victory over a world top-10 player.

Baltacha, who was forced to retire from her first-round clash in Birmingham with heatstroke last week, will now face Li's compatriot Zheng Jie, who beat Shahar Peer 1-6 6-1 6-3.

Guernsey's Watson had already beaten world number 81 Tsvetana Pironkova in one of three qualifying wins to reach the main draw, and will now play world number 15 Victoria Azarenka.

"I'm so, so happy," said Watson, the world number 344. "I was really happy to get through qualifying but I didn't want to stop there. She's a very good player, she came through three qualifying matches, so I knew I'd have to work hard.

"I love playing in front of a crowd, it's so much fun, especially at home and I just want to get through a few more rounds and the ranking points will also be very helpful.

"I've got a big player next round. She's very experienced and I'll give it my all. I've just been playing so well and it has made me really happy, and it shows me that I can compete with these girls."

Azarenka, of Belarus, caused an upset of her own by beating fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland 7-6 (7-2) 6-1.

Kim Clijsters outplayed her 20-year-old fellow Belgian Yanina Wickmayer, completing a 6-1 6-1 victory in 54 minutes in her first grass-court tournament for almost four years.

The 27-year-old US Open champion last played in a grass event at the 2006 Wimbledon semi-finals where she was beaten by compatriot Justine Henin.

World number three Wozniacki struggled with the blustery conditions and the attacking, powerful game of France's Aravane Rezai, who won 6-4 1-6 6-3.

"She played well, she tried to take the ball early and hit every shot," Wozniacki said.

"Definitely I would like to have got some more matches here but I just need to keep my head up and play some practise matches and prepare for Wimbledon that way," added the 19-year-old, who reached the fourth round at SW19 last year.

Second seed Schiavone was beaten 7-5 6-3 by Sorana Cirstea of Romania in her first match since defeating Sam Stosur to claim the French title at Roland Garros. BBC News