Euro 2012 ready for kick-off
After weeks of anticipation, speculation and debate, Euro 2012 finally gets under way on Friday when co-hosts Poland take on Greece in Warsaw.
The tournament sees 16 of Europe's best footballing countries compete for the Henri Delaunay Trophy, with the final taking place in Kiev on 1 July.
The home nations are represented by England - who begin against France on 11 June - while Republic of Ireland are also in action.
Football fans will see 31 games over the next three weeks, as Spain look to defend the title they won in Vienna four years ago.
Eight stadiums across Poland and Ukraine are being used for the tournament, from the smallest in Lviv which holds just under 35,000 fans, to the colossal 70,000-seater Olympic Stadium in Kiev which hosts the final.
Other fancied teams this time around are the Netherlands - who are in the 'group of death' alongside the Germans, Portugal and Denmark - while Russia could spring a surprise from Group A.
England - who failed to qualify for the last tournament in Austria and Switzerland four years ago - have never won the European Championship, with their best result in recent memory a semi-final defeat by Germany at Wembley in 1996.
Their build-up to the tournament this time has been hampered by the loss of several first-team players to injury and suspension.
Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will miss the first two matches of the tournament after he was sent off against Montenegro last year, while Frank Lampard, Gary Cahill and Gareth Barry all picked up injuries in the last few weeks.
As well as players missing out on the trip, the usual hordes of England fans may be absent after thousands of tickets were returned to Uefa.
The Football Association was given around 7,500 tickets for the games against France and Ukraine, and 9,000 for the Sweden fixture.
But only 3,000 tickets were sold through England's official membership group for each of the group games.
It is believed that the current economic climate, coupled with the high costs of travel and accommodation, have put many off, while former England defender Sol Campbell warned fans to stay away last month after a Panorama programme highlighted incidents of racism in Ukraine.
Maria Sharapova beats Petra Kvitova to reach final
Maria Sharapova booked a place in her first French Open final and moved up to world number one by overcoming Petra Kvitova in straight sets in Paris.
Second seed Sharapova produced the more assured play to steer herself to a 6-3 6-3 victory over the fourth seed.
The result also keeps the Russian on course to achieve the career Grand Slam by winning the one major tournament which has eluded her.
Sharapova will play Italian 21st seed Sara Errani in Saturday's final.
The new number one, who will displace Victoria Azarenka on Monday, will be a huge favourite to beat surprise finalist Errani, especially considering the manner of her victory against left hander Kvitova.
Sharapova was contesting her third French Open semi-final and had high hopes of victory at Roland Garros having come into the tournament on the back of clay court wins in Stuttgart and Rome.
The Russian had beaten Kvitova on the way to victory in Stuttgart and, after saving break points in both her opening service games, Sharapova grew in confidence and consistency to break her rival in the fifth game.
Kvitova's power and precision had helped her beat her opponent to claim the Wimbledon title last year but Sharapova had the answer to anything the Czech could throw at her.
The blustery conditions on court Philippe Chatrier were an issue but the Russian dealt with them better.
Some heavy blows were being traded and Sharapova regularly came out on top before going on to win the first set.
Kvitova exerted more pressure on Sharapova early in the second set, although like the opener she failed to take a break point and lost her own serve in the following game to go 3-1 down.
This time around, however, the number four seed broke back to level, although any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished.
Sharapova was controlled and concentrated and again broke her more wayward rival before a second serve ace secured victory.
Rain dents Windies hopes of last Test revival
Rain wrecked the opening day of the third and final Test between England and West Indies at Edgbaston here yesterday, forcing play to be abandoned without a ball bowled. Persistent rain ensured that ground-staff were forced to keep the playing area covered through the day and also prevented captains Darren Sammy and Andrew Strauss from spinning the toss or declaring their final XIs. Lunch was taken half-hour early at 12:30 pm but steady rain continued into the afternoon and umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Tony Hill eventually called off play at 3:30 pm, just minutes before scheduled tea interval.
“As a team we’re disappointed. We said if we could win a Test in England it would be an achievement for the team so we needed as much as play as possible,” a frustrated Sammy said afterward. “We’re quite disappointed the weather has intervened for the entire first day.” Rain has been a feature of the Windies wretched tour, ruining the opening three-day tour match against Sussex at Hove early last month before also washing out the last day of the two-day warm-up game against Leicestershire at Grace Road last weekend.
Trailing the three-Test series 0-2 after losses at Lord’s and Trent Bridge, West Indies are aiming to salvage some pride by winning the contest but Sammy admitted the weather had now dented those hopes. "That’s what we’ll be trying to do—go all out in trying to win—but it all depends on the weather and it’s something we have no control over,” Sammy lamented. “The weather forecast for the next few days doesn’t look too good … so we’ll keep our fingers crossed. Whatever cricket we get, we’ll just look to win those sessions.” CMC
Top reggae acts for Sumfest 2012
Several top reggae acts are set to ignite the Reggae Sumfest stage when the event dubbed, 'the greatest reggae show on earth', returns to Catherine Hall, Montego Bay, for its 20th staging from July 15 to 21.
It was this week revealed that entertainers like Damian Marley, Third World and Tarrus Riley were expected to deliver explosive performances in the Second City.
The Grammy award-winning Damian Marley is set to rock the audience with his hits such as Affairs of the Heart, Set Up Shop and Mek It Bun Dem while Third World will return to the Sumfest stage for a sizzling display of their musical prowess.
Reggae staples such as Now That We've Found Love, 96 Degrees In The Shade, Try Jah Love and Reggae Party are a few of the favourites from their catalogue.
Although there are more artistes to be announced, Tarrus Riley, Chris Martin, Konshens, I-Octane, Popcaan and Aidonia will be among those lighting up the stage as well.
The week-long festivities kick off with a beach party on Sunday, July 15.
musical celebrations
The high-energy Reggae Sumfest vibe continues with a 'Vintage Night' which will commence the musical celebrations on July 18, in addition to the already steaming Dancehall and International Night.
Reggae Sumfest, in its 20th year, will celebrate Jamaica's 50th year of Independence with a musical journey through the decades. This will prove to be extremely symbolic - a great time for individuals to experience the show's unique effervescence. In addition to a vibrant musical experience, fans may expect to indulge in various products of Jamaican cuisine and art pieces.
Leading to the showcasing of this year's staging, the organisers, Summerfest Productions, have created a buzz on the social media platform (primarily through Facebook) with a rhythm, T-shirt and poster competition. The three winners: Reynado Harrison (The rhythm competition), Alray Campbell (Winner of the poster competition) and Jason Lopez (winner of the T-Shirt competition) were the recipients of VIP tickets for the show.
With the strong sponsorship of Red Stripe, Pepsi, Jamaica Tourist Board and Digicel, the 2012 staging of Reggae Sumfest will mark another year in the Jamaican history books.
Erykah Badu angered by Flaming Lips nude video
Singer Erykah Badu has said she feels "disgusted" and "violated" after rock band The Flaming Lips posted a music video showing her and her sister naked.
Badu recorded a song with the band, who asked the singer and her sister Nayrok to sit in a bath full of blood, glitter and creamy liquid for the video.
Badu said she was not shown the edited version, which she called a "tasteless, meaningless, shock motivated video".
The band apologised after releasing the explicit video without approval.
The alternative rockers teamed up with the Grammy-winning soul singer to record a version of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face for their latest album.
The singer said she thought the concept for the accompanying video was "disturbing" but went along with it "out of respect for you and the artist you 'appear' to be".
Badu refused to sit in anything but water so asked Nayrok, "who is much more liberal", to act as a body double for the scenes featuring glitter, a blood-like liquid and a sticky white liquid made from corn starch.
After the video appeared on music websites at the weekend, however, Badu accused the band of "desperately releasing a poor excuse for shock and nudity that sends a convoluted message that passes as art (to some)".
Badu stripped naked in the video for her single Window Seat in 2010, but said The Flaming Lips' video was different because the band were out to shock and there was no "method and thought process" involved.
"You obviously have a misconception of who I am artistically," she told them in an online message.
Not consulting her about the final video was "equivalent to putting out a security camera's images of me changing in the fitting room", she said.
"As a director I am unimpressed," she added. "As a sociologist I understand your type. As your fellow artist I am uninspired. As a woman I feel violated and underestimated."
The band issued a statement saying the video on music website Pitchfork was "unedited and unapproved.. Sorry!!"
"We, the Flaming Lips, accept full responsibility for prematurely having Pitchfork post it," it continued.
"It has outraged and upset a segment of fans and we apologise if we offended any viewers!!! This is a Flaming Lips video which features Erykah Badu and her sister Nayrok and is not meant to be considered an Erykah Badu or Nayrok statement, creation, or approved version."
Lead singer Wayne Coyne later told Badu via Twitter: "You really know how to do it!!!! You hatin on me has gotten the video 100,000 more views !!!"
Fleetwood Mac's Bob Welch found dead in Nashville
Former Fleetwood Mac guitarist and vocalist Bob Welch has been found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home in Nashville in the US.
Police said Welch, who was aged 66 and also had a solo career, is understood to have had health issues recently.
Welch was part of Fleetwood Mac in their early years from 1971 to 1974 before forming hard rock group Paris.
Three years later came the platinum solo album French Kiss with the hits Sentimental Lady and Ebony Eyes.
Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron said: "Officers discovered Mr Welch with a single gunshot wound to the chest.
"There was a suicide note found at the residence. Mr Welch had health issues. The police are investigating it as a suicide and there was no evidence of foul play."
Welch was found dead by his wife.
He worked on early 70s Fleetwood Mac albums such as Future Games and Bare Trees.
Welch left the band before their biggest selling period, with albums such as 1977's Rumours coming after Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined the group.
Lauryn Hill charged over income tax returns
Hip-hop star Lauryn Hill has been charged with willfully failing to file income tax returns in the US.
Authorities say the singer earned more than $1.6 million (£1.03m) during the three years that she failed to file returns.
US prosecutors said her main source of income during the period 2005 - 2007 was royalties from her music and films.
Hill, who has not yet commented on the charges, is scheduled to appear in court on 29 June.
According to court papers, the 37-year-old owns and operates four corporations - Creations Music, Boogie Tours, LH Productions 2001, and Studio 22.
Hill was the only female member of rap group The Fugees, whose album The Score achieved worldwide success in 1996.
Two years later, she released her debut solo album - The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill - to wide critical acclaim. It remains her only studio album to date.
The singer also appeared alongside Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit.
She has six children and now rarely makes public appearances.
Beenie Man mourns dad's death
Dancehall artiste Moses 'Beenie Man' Davis and his manager/brother Rohan Smith, aka 'Blue', are mourning the loss of their father who is more affectionately known as 'Bragga'.
Information reaching The Jamaican STAR is that he died at the University Hospital of The West Indies yesterday while undergoing treatment for a health complaint.
According to sources close to the family, the death came as a shock to them and the general mood is one of sadness.
Beenie Man's ex-wife D'Angel, who also went to the hospital, described 'Bragga' as a jovial individual.
Condolence
"Moses dad is somebody that I have met. He is a jovial and fun person. Condolence goes out to the family and we definitely lost a man that produced a legend. Moses just be strong and hold up your head. When I heard I went straight to the hospital to give my support because he is my child's grandfather and the father of my son's father," D'Angel said.
Since news broke of the death, several entertainers have shown support to the entertainer via tweets, sending their condolences.
Spain downgraded as bailout estimates mount
Spain's credit rating has been downgraded as estimates on the size of the bailout it needs begin to mount up.
Fitch cut its rating on Spanish government debt by three notches to "BBB", a sign it thinks Spain's ability to honour its debts has weakened.
Earlier, there was strong demand for Spanish bonds at an auction on Thursday, seen as a key test of the country's ability to raise funds.
However, it did have to pay a higher interest rate than before.
The rate on the 10-year Spanish bonds was 6.044%, up from the 5.743% from the last auction in April.
Spain sold 2.1bn euros ($2.6bn; £1.7bn) in medium and long-term bonds.
The result showed Spain was not locked out of credit markets, although its finance minister said on Tuesday that these were "effectively shut" to his country.
The higher rate, though, is a sign of weakening confidence in Madrid's ability to repay its debts, a view underlined by the Fitch downgrade.
Fitch put Spain's creditworthiness at BBB, two notches above junk in its ranking scheme.
It also estimated the country's banks would need at least 60bn euros (£49bn, $75bn), or as much as 100bn euros.
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) report due out on Monday is expected to show Spanish banks need at least 40bn euros.
It is the first of a number of reports for which the Spanish government is waiting before it decides how to recapitalise its banks.
Ratings agency Standard and Poor's earlier said Spain's financial system could absorb up to 60bn euros of losses on bad loans.
But if it needs to find 80-112bn euros, then the banks would need government or EU aid, it said.
Help
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who held a meeting with UK Prime Minister David Cameron, said the EU stood ready to act.
But she has called for Europe to take a gradual path towards political union.
For his part, Mr Cameron urged immediate action,calling for measures to calm nervous markets.
European authorities are said to be working on a way to help Spain's troubled banking sector.
UK Chancellor George Osborne said: "I know they are working very hard on an imminent solution."
"I am optimistic that people are working hard on a solution, and a solution, I think, is coming," he told the BBC.
Borrowing costs had not been as high as feared due to these efforts in Brussels to try to find a way to help Spain, analysts suggested.
Spain remains the focus of international concerns.
US Fed chairman Bernanke 'ready to act' on economy
The chairman of the US Federal Reserve Bank said he is monitoring risks to the economy and is prepared to take action.
Ben Bernanke was giving testimony to the US Congress, something which has been closely watched by investors looking for signs the bank plans to introduce additional stimulus measures.
Mr Bernanke warned that international pressures, such as the eurozone crisis, posed risks for the US economy.
But he gave few hints of any change to policy soon.
His tone stood in contrast to remarks made in a speech late on Wednesday by his vice chairman, who pointed to a list of weaknesses in the US economy and appeared to lay out the case for further central bank support.
Janet Yellen's list included continuing housing problems and a weak jobs market.
Mr Bernanke told Congress the Fed was closely monitoring "significant risks" to the US from Europe's debt crisis, but said that "despite economic difficulties in Europe, the demand for US exports has held up well".
Jobs
On Wednesday, the Fed's Beige Book, which takes survey evidence from businesses across the country, concluded that overall economic activity had quickened in the period between early April to late May.
But there have been worries about the weakness of the US recovery, underlined by news last week of lower-than-expected jobs growth.
He said employment growth was one of the key issues he and the rest of the Fed's Open Markets' Committee (FOMC), which meets regularly to decide on monetary policy, would be looking at in the next meeting.
He also said he expected inflation to stay at or slightly below the 2% target set by the Federal Reserve.
Rising inflation is the main issue for those arguing for no loosening in policy.
Mr Bernanke did warn that government tax policy could derail economic growth, pointing to so-called "fiscal cliff" legislation that could force a steep cut in government spending alongside higher taxes, a move some economists say could send the country back to recession.
His comments echo those from the European Central Bank (ECB) head, Mario Draghi, who declined to add any monetary stimulus following the ECB's regular meeting, saying that "it is not right for monetary policy to fill other institutions' lack of action".
In a seperate move, the ratings agency Fitch warned that if the US did not sort out its own budget deficit which Mr Bernanke said in his speech had been averaging 9% over the past three years, it risked a cut in its top AAA rating.
The US is one of only four countries rated at this level.