19 September 2012

Real Madrid 3 Man City 2

SPECIAL RON ... Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his late winner
SPECIAL RON ... Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his late winner

JOSE MOURINHO celebrated Cristiano Ronaldo’s winner by sliding across the pitch on his knees.

City’s players were on their knees too — devastated that they had lost having taken the lead with just five minutes left.

It was an astonishing end to an astonishing opening Champions League game in which City had battled so hard to prevent themselves being completely overwhelmed.

Somehow they found themselves 2-1 in front when Aleksandar Kolarov squeezed in a free-kick.

It restored the advantage Roberto Mancini’s men had taken on 69 minutes thanks to Edin Dzeko’s opener — a strike which was soon cancelled out by Marcelo.

ALL SMILES ... bosses Roberto Mancini and Jose Mourinho meet
ALL SMILES ... bosses Roberto Mancini and Jose Mourinho meet

Real fans were streaming out of the stadium, resigned to another defeat to add to an awful start to the season which had seen them lose two and draw one of their opening four games in La Liga.

But Karim Benzema equalised on 87 minutes then Ronaldo sparked Mourinho’s wild celebrations, which Chelsea fans may have recognised.

BIG HART ... Joe Hart denies Gonzalo Higuain
BIG HART ... Joe Hart denies Gonzalo Higuain

Ronaldo’s shot in the 90th minute was not bad but, had Vincent Kompany stood firm, it would have hit him in the face.

Instead, the City skipper ducked out of the way and the ball dipped under the diving Joe Hart.

CRIS CROSS ... Ronaldo fires in a shot across goal
CRIS CROSS ... Ronaldo fires in a shot across goal

It was no more than Real deserved because they had 30 shots on goal — a third of them by Ronaldo — to City’s eight.

Mancini knew how important it was to make a good start in a group which also includes Ajax and Borussia Dortmund.

All four sides are champions of their respective countries and it will be no easy task for City to get through as one of the top two.

SIDELINED ... Mario Balotelli watches his City team-mates from the stands
SIDELINED ... Mario Balotelli watches his City team-mates from the stands

Last season, they racked up 10 points and still failed to qualify so they wanted at least a point here to give them a decent platform for the challenges ahead.

Mancini had likened his team to a Ferrari in pre-match but they could not get out of neutral during the first half.

There was no sign of Real being in disarray or any disgruntlement from Ronaldo, who has complained about not being loved enough by the Spanish club.

TO THE RESCUE ... Hart saves from Higuain
TO THE RESCUE ... Hart saves from Higuain

The former Manchester United winger had a personal duel with Hart in the early stages, twice cutting inside and unleashing shots which the England keeper saved by diving to his left.

City’s new signing Maicon, once a Champions League winner under Mourinho at Inter Milan, could not cope.

DZEK ME OUT ... Edin Dzeko's joy on giving Man City the lead
DZEK ME OUT ... Edin Dzeko's joy on giving Man City the lead

Maicon was destroyed by Tottenham’s Gareth Bale a couple of years ago and here he was given the runaround again by Ronaldo.

The Portuguese saw another shot deflected to Sami Khedira, whose loose ball over the bar left Ronaldo looking disgusted.

MAKING HIS MARC ... Marcelo is delighted with his equaliser for 1-1
MAKING HIS MARC ... Marcelo is delighted with his equaliser for 1-1

Five minutes before the break, Gonzalo Higuain should have scored when he stuck out a leg three yards out but could only divert Angel di Maria’s cross over.

Once again, Ronaldo did not look impressed.

HEAD SCRATCHER ... Jose Mourinho wonders how to make the breakthrough
HEAD SCRATCHER ... Jose Mourinho wonders how to make the breakthrough

It was more of the same after the break with City penned in their own half. Yet unbelievably, despite all the pressure, City scored with 21 minutes left and Yaya Toure was the creator.

The Ivorian wrested the ball from Pepe in his own half and burst down the right. Sub Dzeko — brought on five minutes earlier for David Silva — peeled away and Toure’s pass into his run was perfect.

ALEKS THE GREAT ... City players congratulate Kolarov
ALEKS THE GREAT ... City players congratulate Kolarov

The Bosnian gave Iker Casillas the eyes, sent him the wrong way, then slotted a left-foot shot into the net.

Toure was an absolute beast and nearly got a sensational second only to hit the side-netting as he was challenged.

BIG BEN ... Karim Benzema celebrates his late leveller
BIG BEN ... Karim Benzema celebrates his late leveller

But the lead lasted just seven minutes before Marcelo — who had been narrowly off target from distance three times since half-time — found the target at last. He left Kompany for dead and hit a shot which deflected in off Javi Garcia, giving Hart no chance.

We expected City to try to hang on as Real pushed for a winner.

DELIGHT ... Jose Mourinho punches the air at the final whistle
DELIGHT ... Jose Mourinho punches the air at the final whistle

But when City won a free-kick five minutes from time, Kolarov’s curling delivery from the right found the corner.

They could not keep the lead though and sub Benzema turned Matija Nastasic on the edge of the area to fire low beyond Hart. The City keeper then made a flying save to deny Ronaldo and it seemed City had at least managed a draw.

But Ronaldo had the final word which broke City hearts.

Diamond wings

dragonfly
Dazzling ... dragonfly

THESE dragonflies seem to be encrusted with diamonds — but it’s actually dew.

Snapper David Chambon creeps up at dawn as droplets magnify their jewel-like colours.

David, 31, who specialises in macro photography at Franche-Comte, France, said: “They look like pure gems. It’s always an adrenaline rush.

“You have to go very slowly not to disrupt them. Each is different — and each time it’s a surprise.”

bug
Morning glory ... bug

insect's face
m-eye m-eye ... insect's face

dragonfly
Beautiful ... dragonfly

12 September 2012

Restoran 80 meter di bawah tanah


PARA pelanggan sedang makan malam di restoran Muru Pop Down yang terletak di dalam lombong Tytyri di Lohja, Finland kelmarin.


LOHJA - Seorang cef pemenang anugerah membuka sebuah restoran baharu yang unik di Finland pada kedalaman 80 meter di bawah tanah.

Menyajikan pelbagai hidangan istimewa seperti ikan salmon masin, daging anak lembu dan siput dimasak bersama epal cincang, restoran itu berada di dalam lombong batu kapur Tytyri di sini, sekitar 60 kilometer ke barat ibu kota Finland, Helsinki.

Harga makan malam merangkumi empat hidangan di restoran Muru Pop Down itu hanya AS$160 (RM497) termasuk kos pengangkutan pergi balik ke lombong itu dari Helsinki.


CEF Niklas Ekblom (kiri) dan pengusaha restoran Timo Linnamaki menyediakan makanan di restoran Muru Pop kelmarin.


"Saya seronok bekerja di restoran bawah tanah ini kerana anda jauh dari dunia luar, jadi, anda tiada gangguan untuknya memasak," kata cef berkenaan, Timo Linnamaki.

Seorang pengunjung ke restoran tersebut, Olli-Pekka Jantti berkata, makanan yang disediakan amat lazat.

"Saya juga sukakan kelainan apabila makan di restoran ini, anda berada jauh di dalam bumi, anda berasa amat pelik," katanya.

Lombong berkenaan yang berusia 115 tahun memiliki kedalaman 380 meter.

Sebahagian lombong tersebut masih beroperasi dengan kebanyakan galian itu digunakan dalam industri kimia. - AP

11 September 2012

Inside Britain’s £100m home

14-bed mansion for sale with six garages,
two pools, private cinema, gym and panic room

Heath Hall
Pricey ... £100million home Heath Hall

CHECK out this lovely little gaff which has just come on the market.

It’s got plenty of potential, plus friendly neighbours, though it’s probably not one for first-time buyers, as it costs £100MILLION.

With 14 bedrooms, a cinema, gym, wine cellar and indoor and outdoor pools, Heath Hall is the most expensive house for sale in Britain.

bath at Heath Hall
Splash the cash ... master bedroom's carved stone bath cost £250,000

The brochure alone costs £2,000 but The Sun managed to get a tour, allowing you an exclusive peek inside this phenomenal pile.

Even the bath cost £250,000 — which is more than the average UK property.

cinema at Heath Hall
Screening room ... private cinema

The historic, Grade II-listed mansion stands out even on north London street The Bishops Avenue — known as Billionaire’s Row.

The lavish property, which once featured on TV talent search Fame Academy, comes with an oak-panelled library, bar, snooker room, breakfast room and six garages.

kitchen in Heath Hall
Big enough for a banquet ... kitchen in Heath Hall

You enter through wrought iron gates and a sweeping drive leads up to a solid oak front door framed by a huge red brick archway.

Step inside and the original grand wooden staircase has been lovingly restored.

Pool at Heath Hall
Dip into your savings ... for this pricey indoor pool complete with Jacuzzi

Some of the rooms are as large as the average flat.

A secret panic room has its own toilet, basin, control panel and separate telephone wires that cannot be cut.

master bedroom at Heath Hall
Sleep in luxury ... mansion's master bedroom is bigger than most flats

Built in 1910 by sugar magnate William Lyle, the stately home had fallen into disrepair when it was bought in 2006 by tycoon Andreas Panayiotou.

Following a £40million restoration it is expected to be bought by one of the world’s richest families.

gym at Heath Hall
Rage against the machine ... fitness area with top-of-the-range exercise gear

But not just anyone can book a viewing. Potential customers must pass a rigorous background check before they are even allowed to buy a copy of the extravagant promotional brochure.

atrium at Heath Hall
Well-lit ... atrium with glass roof at Heath Hall

Estate agent Trevor Abrahmsohn, who is in charge of the sale, says: “We don’t consider this house to be on the market. Before you can even look at the brochure we want to know your inside leg measurement. We want to know who you are, what you do, who you bank with — everything.

staircase at Heath Hall
Staircase to heaven ... original woodwork was restored

“If you get past that we might, just might, give you a brochure. But I have to be honest, getting a brochure is a negotiation in itself.”

He adds: “I expect this house will be bought by a Russian or a family from the Middle East.

cellar at Heath Hall
Drink to this ... cellar is kept at 58 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 per cent humidity

“English people don’t spend £100million on one property but people from other countries will. Why? Because they can.”

tennis court at Heath Hall
Rear view ... outdoor pool and tennis court

06 September 2012

Cole may quit Chelsea over contract bust-up

Ashley Cole
STILL AT HIS PEAK ... Chelsea ace Cole

ASHLEY COLE is ready to walk out on Chelsea after only being offered a derisory one-year deal to stay at the club.

The England defender is in the final year of his contract and in January could join another club for FREE.

A club insider said: “Mr Abramovich has a rule that anyone over 30 can only be given a one-year extension but it’s madness in Ashley’s case.

“Everyone knows he’s the best left-back in the world.

“He trains hard, really looks after himself and can play at this level for many more years to come. There isn’t a club in the world who wouldn’t want Ashley on a free.”

Cole, 31, famously left Arsenal in 2006 after claiming he almost ‘crashed his car’ when the Gunners only offered him £55,000 per week.

Now Cole — who is out of England’s game tomorrow in Moldova with an ankle injury — has another contract battle on his hands.

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is a huge admirer of his former player and if Cole does quit Paris St Germain and Zenit St Petersburg would offer mega-money deals.

Cole was willing to see out his career at Stamford Bridge so this has stunned insiders.

And last night there was further evidence that Chelsea are ready to lose Cole when his understudy Ryan Bertrand signed a new five-year contract.

Bertrand, 23, has been rewarded for his progress.

He became the first man ever to make his Champions League debut in the final itself in May and made his England last month against Italy.

Another player whose Blues days are numbered is Florent Malouda who has been ordered to train with the kids.

The French winger, 32, tweeted a picture of the club’s Under-21 academy and said: “This is where I’ll train for my last season with the Blues!!!”

30 Ogos 2012

Jose's men are Super kings

Real Madrid secured their first Spanish Super Cup since 2008 on away goals after a narrow victory over arch rivals Barcelona in Wednesday's second leg at the Bernabeu.

The hosts had failed to win in their last seven home meetings with Barca but went about ending that record early on with goals in the first 20 minutes from Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Trophy hunters: Pepe (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo

Trophy hunters: Pepe (L) and Cristiano Ronaldo

Super kings: Rela Madrid celebrate

Super kings: Real Madrid celebrate

Real deal: Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates victory

Real deal: Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates victory

The visitors were then reduced to 10 men as Adriano was shown a straight red card for denying Ronaldo a clear goalscoring opportunity, but they regained their composure and were brought back into the game by a stunning free-kick from Lionel Messi just before half-time.

Chances continued to come at both ends after the break but Real failed to make their man advantage count and were nearly made to pay as Messi shot just inches wide deep into stoppage time.

Real had failed to win any of their previous three games this season but they did not seem like a side lacking in confidence as they stormed out of the traps early on.

Sharp shooter: Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain scores the opening goal

Sharp shooter: Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain scores the opening goal

Gonzalo Higuain of Real Madrid
Gonzalo Higuain of Real Madrid

Higuain should have opened the scoring on seven minutes when his low effort across Victor Valdes was well blocked by the keeper, but the Argentinian was gifted his goal only two minutes later by compatriot Javier Mascherano as the Barca defender misjudged a long ball forward from Pepe and allowed Higuain to run through and this time finish low beyond Valdes.

And it was two just nine minutes later as Ronaldo pounced on an error this time by Gerard Pique. The Portuguese brilliantly back-flicked the ball into his path and, despite a poor second touch, his powerful shot rebounded in off Valdes' body.

The chances continued to come for Real as Valdes again denied Higuain from a narrow angle before Pepe had a header controversially ruled out for a push on Mascherano.

Hit man: Cristiano Ronaldo scores Real's second goal

Hit man: Cristiano Ronaldo scores Real's second goal

Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring

Part of Barca's disorganisation at the back could possibly be put down to a late change in the starting line-up as the injured Dani Alves had to be replaced by Jordi Alba with Adriano moving to right-back, and the Brazilian's torrid evening only lasted 27 minutes as he hauled down Ronaldo when he seemed set to break free on Valdes once more.

After another unsettling five-minute period for the Catalans, new coach Tito Vilanova eventually introduced Martin Montoya for Alexis Sanchez and a return to four at the back seemed to offer the visitors some comfort as they began to make an impression on the game.

Montoya was inches away from converting a vicious low cross from Andres Iniesta before Messi did eventually halve the deficit moments before the interval with an incredible swerving free-kick from 30 yards.

Ronaldo nearly responded with a long-range effort himself that flew just past and Angel Di Maria also shot narrowly wide as Madrid ended the half threatening a third.

Who else? Barcelona's Lionel Messi scores with a freekick

Who else? Barcelona's Lionel Messi scores with a freekick

Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona celebrates with his teamate Xavi Hernandez

However, at the start of the second period, it was Barca's tiki-taka that began to dictate play as the pace of the game dropped markedly.

Pedro very nearly scored a carbon copy of his goal in the first leg as Mascherano's perfectly weighted pass saw him through on goal but his prodded finish did not have enough power to get through Iker Casillas' legs and the Spain captain collected at the second attempt.

Sami Khedira then nearly restored Real's two-goal cushion but was denied by another fine Valdes save at the end of a brilliant run.

Hand off: Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho and Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova

Hand off: Real Madrid's Jose Mourinho and Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova

Barca remained dangerous, though, and another brilliant piece of play from Messi released Alba through on goal, but he just over-ran the ball as he rounded Casillas and was eventually crowded out.

Higuain should have given Real breathing space with 11 minutes remaining but he hit the outside of the post with only Valdes to beat and that miss nearly cost his side as Barca came desperately close to equalising in stoppage time.

Firstly, Montoya was denied by a solid save from Casillas before Messi seemed destined to hand Barca the cup as he found space on his favoured left side just outside the area but the ball slipped just wide and Real clung on for their first Super Cup title in four years.

Source : Dailymail

29 Ogos 2012

Oprah Winfrey Tops Our List of the Highest-Paid Celebrities


(Blue Wasp/Splash News/Newscom)1. Oprah Winfrey

$165 million


The media mogul's earnings fell by a staggering $125 million from last year. However, even with the drop, she remains the highest earner on the list, just inching out director Michael Bay. It's been a challenging year for Winfrey, who signed off from her 25-year syndicated show and immediately turned her attention to struggling cable network OWN. The bulk of the earnings dive comes from lost income on The Oprah Winfrey Show, but her diversified portfolio includes O: The Oprah Magazine, spin-off shows like The Dr. Oz Show and a radio deal with Sirius. She does not earn a salary at OWN, which has faced ratings disappointments and financial issues since it premiered in Jan. 2011. As chairman and CEO of the joint venture with Discovery Communications, she hopes a recent restructuring, new programming and a distribution deal with Comcast will turn the network around.

(Ethan Miller/Getty Images)2. Michael Bay

$160 million


Bay nabs the title of top-earning director this year thanks to Transformers: Dark of the Moon. The 3-D film brought in $1.1 billion at the box office. Bay has a great deal on the films, taking a solid chunk of the profits. He also earns big from Transformer toys. Adding to Bay's coffers this year: a Transformers ride at Universal Studios in Hollywood. Bay has earned the right to finally do a small film. Pain & Gain has a budget well under $50 million.

(AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)3. Steven Spielberg

$130 million


Spielberg's DreamWorks moved into television in a big way this year with four new shows, including Terra Nova and Smash. On top of that, the prolific producer stepped back into directing with two movies that hit theaters last Christmas, The Adventures of Tintin and War Horse. Both films were nominated for Oscars.

(WireImage/Getty Images)4. Jerry Bruckheimer

$115 million


Bruckheimer's Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides was one of the highest-grossing films of 2011, bringing in $1 billion at the global box office. That was a nice change from 2010 for Bruckheimer, when his two big films, Prince of Persia and The Sorcerer's Apprentice stumbled at the box office. In the new Hollywood, though, even Bruckheimer can't get away with an out-of-control budget. Disney made everyone take big cuts for The Lone Ranger.

(Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)5. Dr. Dre

$110 million


The ageless super-producer's latest hit isn't a song, but rather a line of headphones. In August handset maker HTC paid $300 million for a 51% stake in Beats by Dr. Dre, the headphone company he co-founded with Interscope chief Jimmy Iovine in 2006. Each owned about a third of the company, pocketing about $100 million apiece, before taxes, from last summer's deal.

(Jason Merritt/Getty Images)6. Tyler Perry

$105 million


Perry continues to be a busy, well-paid director/producer/writer/actor. His low-budget films, like the recent Good Deeds have built-in audiences and don't need to earn a ton of money to become profitable. Perry's most successful film was 2009's Madea Goes to Jail, which earned $90 million. He also has a successful TV empire that includes House of Payne, Meet the Browns and For Better or Worse.

(WireImage/Getty Images)7. Howard Stern

$95 million


Dwelling in the walled garden of satellite radio has been good for Stern's bank account, and it's probably spared him some FCC fines, but you can tell he misses being part of the broader culture. A new role as a judge on America's Got Talent gives him some extra visibility, along with a reported $15 million a year. It also gives him something to do with the free time he gained after signing a new contract that pays him less money in exchange for fewer days on the radio. Stern's relationship with Sirius appears to be cooling, and his defeat in a lawsuit against his employer over unpaid bonuses won't help.

(Getty Images)8. James Patterson

$94 million


There's a reason Patterson's earnings just keep going up: Every year, he seems to write more books. In 2011, he released 14 titles, a group that includes adult thrillers and fantasy/sci-fi novels aimed at younger readers. A platoon of co-writers help to supplement his output. An adaptation of his "I, Alex Cross" is in the works, with Tyler Perry stepping to the role previously played by Morgan Freeman.

(Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)9. George Lucas

$90 million


Thanks to the massive success of the Star Wars franchise, Lucas earns more money just by waking up in the morning than many people will see in a lifetime. But Lucas plows much of that money back into his company Industrial Light and Magic, which provides effects for movies like Battleship and The Avengers. Lucas' passion project, Red Tails about the Tuskegee airmen, fizzled at the box office, bringing in only $50 million.

(Getty Images)10. Simon Cowell

$90 million


Hits like American Idol don't grow on trees, as Simon Cowell discovered this year. The British music producer and TV impresario made headlines when he promised his new show, The X Factor, would at least match his old talent show in the ratings. It didn't, but the U.K. version of the show minted a breakout act, One Direction, for Cowell's label, Syco Records.

28 Ogos 2012

Hazard: We’ll do the treble

Eden Hazard
LOFTY AMBITIONS ... Eden Hazard

EDEN HAZARD wants to win a treble with Chelsea this season.

The £32million superstar outlined his hopes last night in his first major interview since his sizzling Premier League introduction.

He said: “At Chelsea you have to win every game. The objective is win, win, win. This season I think there are seven trophies to play for.

“We played the first one against Manchester City in the Community Shield. If we get two or three from the remaining six that will be great.

“Big clubs, whether it’s Chelsea or Manchester, are formatted to win.”

Hazard, 21, has burst on the scene with a goal and four assists from three matches to help Roberto Di Matteo and Co to the top of the Premier League table.

The Belgian, who moved to Stamford Bridge from Lille in the summer with his brother Thorgan, added: “I’ve adapted very well to life in London.

“You’re always a bit overrawed when you arrive at a new club because of so many big names.

“But then you tell yourself, ‘they are people like me, with two arms and two legs.”

Hazard has another opportunity to land some silverware on Friday when Chelsea play Atletico Madrid for the Super Cup in Monaco.

DUIT