World cup disaster- President Rousseff says she is sorry, Scolari apologizes to Brazilians!

President Dilma Rousseff while reacting to the humiliating defeat of the Brazilian team, said she is sorry and sad. 
 Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari reportedly asked for forgiveness from his countrymen after his team's historic World Cup thrashing by Germany on Tuesday .

"We ask for forgiveness," a shell shocked Scolari said after Brazil were torn apart 7-1 in their semi-final meltdown.

"To the people, please excuse us for this negative mistake."

"I’m responsible for what the team does out on the pitch – and I am to blame for this result," he said.

"I'm sorry we could not reach our goal. The fans supported us even when it was five, six, or seven down to Germany.

"It’s not normal to concede four goals in six minutes but it can happen.

"Even Germany couldn’t believe what was happening."

He said as he took full responsibility for the performance.

World Cup tickets official Ray Whelan arrested!

BBC reports that Brazilian Police have arrested the chief executive of a Fifa partner company as part of investigations into the illegal sale of World Cup tickets.

Ray Whelan from Match Hospitality was held at Rio de Janeiro's hotel, where officials from the world's football governing body were also staying.

Last week, it was gathered that Police held 11 people and broken up an international gang.

They are accused of illegally reselling tickets, including some originally allocated to players.

Police say the gang earned as much as $90m (£52m) per tournament and could have operated at four World Cups.

The authorities believe some of the tickets were sold to foreign tourists.

Mr Whelan was arrested on Monday at the luxurious Copacabana Palace Hotel.

As part of the investigation, Police said last week they had identified the first name of the alleged Fifa official from telephone calls.

Fabio Barucke, the investigator in charge of the case, said the official had clearance to Fifa offices, stadiums and other administrative areas where he would have access to match tickets.

The official, Mr Barucke said at the time, was not Brazilian and was in the country only because of the current tournament.

Fifa has said in a statement that it plans to analyse the resold tickets that were seized by police and would assist Brazilian authorities in identifying their source.

Among items seized during the arrests last week were 100 tickets, computers, US dollars, mobile phones and documents.

Those arrested could face charges of money laundering, criminal association and illegally selling tickets.

Solange breaks silence on Jay Z lift fight!

Solange Knowles reportedly broken her silence on a fight with her brother-in-law Jay Z after the Met Gala in May.

Talking to Lucky Magazine, she said: "What's important is that my family and I are all good."

It's still not clear what the argument, which Solange calls "that thing", was about.

In the interview, Solange added: "What we had to say collectively was in the statement that we put out, and we all feel at peace with that."

The 28-year-old Losing You singer also said her parents had taught her and Beyonce to hold on to their family bond.

"We've [Solange and Beyonce] always held each other down no matter what,".

News about Solange being drunk and "displaying erratic behaviour" are false according to the joint statement, given to the AP news agency in May.

It read: "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.

"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."

Samsung and LG launch new smartwatches!

The LG G Watch and the Samsung Gear Live both went on sale Monday, providing the first test for Google's just-for-wearables version of its mobile operating system, called Android Wear. 

The launch marks Google's first big push into wearables market as it tries to get ahead of potential competitors, such as Apple, and convince consumers that these wearable devices are actually worth getting.

Features of the LG/Samsung wristwatch:

• The ability to make and take calls, 
• Run a Google search or order a cab from Lyft by asking your watch, 
• Get real-time traffic updates delivered to your wrist.  

But there are a few differences between the two models, the main one is price: Samsung's Gear Live costs $199.99, while the LG G Watch is $229. 

Customers who put down the extra cash for the LG G Watch should get a little more juice per charge due to the G Watch's larger battery. The Gear Live sports a built-in heart monitor that the LG G Watch doesn't, although both have a pedometer.

One thing you should remember before buying the smartwatch is you're likely signing up to share more personal data with Google. 

This Android Wear comes with "Google Now," the tracking and notification application that Google's had on smartphones for a while, completely baked into the system. That makes your watch your personal assistant, which can do a lot for you if you let it. Some of these includes:

• Android Wear will offer you traffic-based time estimates for your commute, 
• Make reminders that pop-up when you get to your office or your home,
• send e-mail and even take dictation. 

All of those systems, though, plug you ever-deeper into the Google ecosystem -- notes go to Google Keep, directions come from Google Maps -- and while that's not surprising, it is something that users should know about before signing on.

If a Google-run life sounds great to you -- let's be honest, a lot of us are already there -- there are still a few more things to consider before you buy. Unless you're really, really into the whole smartwatch thing, you may want to hold off for now, reviewers say. 

These devices still require a smartphone to work -- and cost just about as much as a smartphone -- and not everyone thinks they deliver on the full promise of wearable just yet.

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Outrage over newspaper opinion piece that calls Obama the 'N----r in the White House'!

WestView News, a local newspaper in New York City’s West Village has come under fire for a column titled “The Nigger in the White House.”

The column, written by James Lincoln Collier, author of the award-winning children’s book My Brother Sam Is Dead; is reported to actually be in support of the President, arguing that “these far right voters hate Obama because he is black.”

“The simple truth,” Collier continued, “is that there is still in America an irreducible measure of racism,” which he connects to the position on immigration that allowed David Brat defeat to Eric Cantor in a Republican primary last month.

According to reports, Collier wanted to use the word in the headline “to shock [readers] into accepting that there still are people who believe and use this outrageous word.”

The 86-year-old editor and publisher of the paper George Capsis, prefaced the column by noting that, in it, “Jim reminded me that The New York Times avoids using the word which convinced me that WestView should.” 

He also mentioned that the paper’s editorial staff “continues to object” to the word’s use.

In fact, Collier’s column shared a page with another titled “The Headline Offends Me,” written by the paper’s African-American columnist, Alvin Hall. “The decision to use the headline feels misguided to me,” he wrote, adding that “just seeing the n-word in a headline or in an article always makes me bristle.”

Bentley To Launch A Luxury Smartphone In October!

Bentley today teamed up with British phone manufacturer Vertu to make a ‘Bentley phone’, which is scheduled for launch in October.

 and 

The handset is the result of a new partnership between the two brands, which was announced today. 

The partnership, which will last for five years, will see four other luxury smartphones launched consecutively.

Although the specifics of the new device remain a mystery as Vertu didn't respond to a request for further information, but the press release explains the handset will feature “exclusive Bentley experiences” and “the latest Bentley content”.

It’s likely that the phone will focus largely on design and aesthetics rather than revolutionary functionality, as is the case with current Vertu products. 

The Vertu Signature smartphone

There’s also likely to be some connectivity between Bentley cars and the new device.

Announcing the partnership and new device, CEO of Vertu Massimiliano Pogliani said: “Exclusive Bentley content will appeal to drivers, travelers and brand enthusiasts, through a partnership that delivers on both technology and touch.”

He continued: “This partnership will allow Vertu to fully integrate with the Bentley brand; phones will be jointly designed by the Vertu and Bentley design teams, based on a relationship that goes far deeper than the utilisation of materials and cues on design.

“We’re confident that the Vertu for Bentley phones will appeal to our mutual customers’ desire for sophistication, craftsmanship and precision engineering.”

Vertu is known for its ultra-expensive range of phones that are often encrusted with jewels and cost upwards of $11,000. There’s no information on a price of the new “Vertu for Bentley” device, but expect the prestigious carmaker’s name to add a few zeros to the price tag.

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I bet we'r in for a new era where class will be measured by the kind of bentely/vertu phone you use....lol

What do you think of this move folks?

Nigerian Troops Clear Terrorists Bases In Balmo Forest: Capture Foreign Mercenaries!

According to news troops have cleared and taken over Balmo forest in a military operation that lasted throughout the weekend. 

Foreign mercenaries allegedly captured during the raid

In the latest twist in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram terrorists, the Nigerian military announced that it has conducted major breakthrough just hours ago.  

In a statement issued to the media, and one also obtained by SaharaReporters, military spokesmen say their persistence has paid off in the continuing fight.

The statement appears below:

“Troops have cleared and taken over Balmo forest in a military operation that lasted throughout the weekend.  Prior to the operation, Balmo forest stretching from Bauchi through Jigawa States with links to the fringes of Sambisa forest was used by terrorists as bases and hideouts for launching attacks. 

“Terrorists and armed gangs operating in the forests were completely rooted out while some were captured during the operation.  Among those captured were two foreigners who are suspected to be mercenaries.    Also captured are several weapons and equipment including power generating sets, communication equipment, vehicles, motorcycles, foodstuff and kitchen utensils.

“In another development, over 44 terrorists have died in Kerenoa and adjoining communities, following an encounter with troops who repelled their attack on the communities.  Armed with IEDs and other high caliber weapons, a large number of terrorists had carried out a predawn attack on the communities but met with stiff resistance of the troops.   During the operation, several of them were captured as well as weapons and ammunitions of various calibre.

“Meanwhile, troops on routine patrol around Banki and Miyanti in Borno State during the weekend fought through an ambush laid by terrorists resulting in casualties on both sides.  Altogether, a total of 6 soldiers were lost in the various encounters with terrorists during the weekend while those wounded are receiving treatment.

Chris OLUKOLADE

Major General

Director Defence Information

Pictures of arrested suspects and recovered items below:

It was revealed that prior to the operation, Balmo forest stretching from Bauchi through Jigawa States with links to the fringes of Sambisa forest was used by terrorists as bases and hideouts for launching attacks.

If this development is anything to go by, it indicates a major boost for a military force seen as inept by many in the international armed forces community. More details of this latest development will surface in the coming hours. 
Source: SaharaReporters