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Tag: Brazil

  • World Cup Standings: Week One’s Winners And Losers

    Well, the first week of the much anticipated World Cup is over. After a thrilling series of games, some teams rose to the occasion while others…flopped.

    The winners and losers emerging from Week 1 are in some cases expected and in other cases quite shocking.

    Winner: The United States

    The big winner of week one (for entirely unbiased reasons, I promise) is the United States. The US team emerged victorious over Ghana, breaking a pattern of humiliating back-to-back losses suffered against this African nation.

    Without a doubt the ONE goal for the United States men’s team going into the World Cup was to break Ghana’s psychological hold. That’s done. Anything else is gravy.

    Loser: Spain

    No one saw that 5 – 1 result coming. Whoever says they did is a liar. Even if there was anticipation that the Netherlands would avenge their 2010 World Cup loss, no one could have known things would go so terribly for the defending champions.

    Speaking of which, Spain holds the distinction for the worst performance by a defending champion in World Cup history. Ouch!

    Winner: Robin Van Persie

    Two words: Flying header. The image is already iconic and Van Persie’s header just may end up as THE goal of the 2014 World Cup.

    RVP contributed two goals in the 5-1 victory over Spain. He’s no doubt hoping his international display will make up for a lackluster season at Manchester United.

    Loser: Diego Costa

    This is a man that seemingly abandoned his Brazilian roots for the opportunity to play for the “greatest team in the world”. Costa may be realizing right now that not all that glitters is gold.

    Brazil is faring better than Spain at the moment. If Spain fails to make it out of the groups stage while Brazil manages to do so, it would bring a dramatically ironic end to Costa’s World Cup efforts.

    Who are your World Cup winners and losers? Comment below!

    Image via U.S. Soccer, Twitter

  • World Cup 2014: Who Are The Dark Horses?

    World Cup 2014: Who Are The Dark Horses?

    With the FIFA World Cup a little over a week away, excitement over the event is building to a fever pitch.

    Everyone is prepping for the drama, thrills, and surprises that are typically found in World Cup game fixtures.

    As football fans try and guess which teams are most likely to advance beyond the group stage, some national teams have been more speculated about than others

    Among the list of favorites to win it all are former champion Spain and host country Brazil.

    It’s actually more fun to consider which dark horses could surprise everyone and win it all.

    Belgium

    This nation has stood in the shadow of neighboring France for some time, but that may be changing.

    Les Bleus are known more for drama and scandal in recent years than they are for quality football. Manager Didier Deschamps could find himself more focused on the French team not being a source of national embarrassment instead of winning the World Cup.

    Meanwhile Belgium has flourished in recent years in terms of the development of promising football talent.

    United States

    If there was ever an underdog in this entire World Cup, it has to be the United States. The nation finds itself locked in a group with Portugal and Germany, the latter of which advanced to the 2010 quarterfinals. There is also Ghana, a nation that has already knocked out the United States TWICE.

    Perhaps the threat of being trampled by Ghana for the third WC in a row will raise the fighting spirit of the American team. In doing so, it may give them a shot at taking points off of Portugal or Germany.

    A couple of upsets could be all the US men’s team needs to stun everyone and perhaps find a place in World Cup history.

    South American teams other than Brazil or Argentina

    Much has been said about the epic rivalry between host nation Brazil (who many see as a very likely victor) and Argentina. However, bringing the World Cup to South America will likely influence other South and Central American nations to truly rise to the occasion.

    It wouldn’t be the first time a South American host had the Cup piped by a neighboring nation. Such an opportunity could likely prove too good for a team like Uruguay or Chile to pass up.

    Which team could stun everyone and win the World Cup? Share your pick in the comments!

    Image via YouTube

  • Here’s an Insane, Ballsy Selfie from Atop Christ the Redeemer

    Cristo Redentor, known to the English-speaking world as Christ the Redeemer, is a giant statue of Jesus Christ located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The statue itself is nearly 100 feet tall, stands atop a 26-ft tall base, which is itself positioned at the peak of the 2,300-ft Corcovado mountain.

    Or if measurements aren’t your thing–it’s really freaking tall.

    And it has just become the site of one of the most batshit insane selfies you’ll ever see.

    Lee Thompson, of the travel and adventure company The Flash Pack, was in Brazil recently to document the months leading up to the World Cup. One day he was presented with quite the opportunity.

    As he tells it on The Flash Pack’s blog:

    Even though I had been to Rio many times and admired the iconic statue from afar, I had never had the time to visit the Christ the Redeemer Statue in person, let alone imagine snapping a selfie of me popping out of his head just two hours later!

    A severe lightning storm had damaged the statue in January and I knew that workers were busy with repairs, so decided to take a stab in the dark and along with my colleague, Oliver Harvey, managed to convince the Brazil tourist board to allow us to climb to the top and take some seriously vertigo-inducing photographs.

    After a good 20 minutes climbing up stairs around scaffolding inside the statue, Lee found himself poking out through Jesus’ crown.

    “As I popped my head out of the hole in Jesus’ crown, I was in total and utter awe as my eyes met with a vast panorama that quite literally took my breath away. Talk about a religious experience!,” he said.

    Yeah, this is incredible–but there’s absolutely no way in heaven or hell you’ll ever see me up there. I’m pretty sure I experienced vertigo simply by looking at this photo. Kudos to this ballsy selfie, which is one of the very few acceptable man selfies one could ever take.

    If you thought the selfie was bad, here’s a palm sweat-inducing video of the experience.

    Image via Lee Thompson, The Flash Pack

  • Prince Harry: His South American Tour

    Prince Harry: His South American Tour

    Prince Harry is headed to South America in June for some fun and some official commitments, too. He will spend a total of seven days in both Chile and Brazil. Since England is competing in the World Cup campaign in Brazil, Harry will take part in the festivities–cheering the team on as they take on Costa Rica. And according to E!, he will also “be on hand as Brazil takes on Cameroon in Brasilia when he arrives June 23. The next day he’ll watch England play Costa Rica in the city of Belo Horizonte.”

    Among Prince Harry’s commitments are a stop at a rehab facility where he will visit patients with neurological problems. He will also visit the training base that Team Great Britain and Paralympics Great Britain will use during the 2016 Rio Olympics.

    Unrelated to his South American tour, Prince Harry was recently successful in enlisting the help of people like Daniel Craig, Will.i.am, Joss Stone and more for a promotional video for the Invictus Games. Harry founded these games–a multi-sport event for wounded soldiers. The games are scheduled for September 10th through 14th in London and will feature sports including wheelchair basketball, archery, and swimming. A few months ago Harry explained that the purpose of these games is to “inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and demonstrate life beyond disability.” The red-headed playboy–as he is often described–definitely has pull and connections. It’s exciting to see him using his clout for worthwhile purposes.

    Hopefully that same red-headed playboy behaves himself while in South America. Don’t forget he is recently single. He and Cressida Bonas have officially gone their separate ways. There are lots of lovely young women in that country who Prince Harry might find rather enticing. Give the lad a cocktail or two and who knows what tabloids that sweet little ginger might cover? Of course it has been a while since Prince Harry’s Las Vegas debacle. Let’s hope he has grown into his princely title and won’t disgrace his grandmother or his royal title again.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Brazil Olympics Prep Off To A Bad Start

    Brazil Olympics Prep Off To A Bad Start

    The Brazil Olympics are set to take place in Rio in 2016. While the Summer Olympics may be two years away, it’s only just enough time to make sure the city is ready to host people from all over the world. The only problem is that Brazil is hosting another huge sporting event this year and those plans are already hurting its Olympics preparations.

    CNN reports that the International Olympic Commission is none too pleased with Brazil’s preparations for the Summer 2016 Olympics. John Coates, the International Olympics Vice President, recently visited Rio to see how preparations were going. He came back unimpressed and even said that the preparations were the “worst [he’s] ever experienced.” To help move things forward, the IOC says it will be sending its own people to Rio to make sure Brazil puts on a good show in 2016.

    So, what’s the problem in Brazil? Well, the main issue that the Olympic Committee can blame is Brazil putting priority on the World Cup happening this year. After all, it makes more sense to focus on a large sporting event happening in 2014 than a sporting event set to take place in 2016. Despite that, the IOC feels that Brazil should be putting equal if not more emphasis on the upcoming Olympics.

    While it may be focused on setting up Rio for the World Cup this year, the Olympics committee in Brazil says it remains focused on delivering “excellent Games that will be delivered absolutely within the agreed timelines and budget.” It notes that this is the first time the Olympics have been in South America and it can’t afford to screw this one up. The eyes will be on Brazil and South America as a whole in 2016. It’s the continent’s chance to truly shine in the eyes of the world so the pressure is on to deliver Games that the world will admire.

    Brazil is under a lot of pressure to deliver in 2016 and the International Olympic Committee says that it will be there to help them meet its goals:

    “The Rio 2016 Olympic Games have great potential for being a very exciting event which leaves many legacies,” said IOC Coordination Commission Chair Nawal El Moutawakel. “But although progress is being made, each decision that is postponed and each subsequent delay will have a negative impact on delivery. Total focus and dedication are therefore required. The Olympic Movement stakeholders will continue to actively and constructively assist the organizers towards their short and long-term objectives.”

    The International Olympic Committee may be concerned now, but Rio will hopefully not screw this one up. If its introductory video is any indication, Rio at least knows what it’s doing:

    Image via Thinkstock

  • Gisele Audited by IRS After Listed as Forbes’ Highest-Paid Model

    Brazilian supermodel, Gisele Bundchen, was recently reviewed by the IRS after making “The World’s Highest-Paid Models of 2013” list on Forbes.

    According to Forbes, the 33-year-old earned $42 million last year and “replaced Beyoncé as the face of H&M, reportedly beat out Rihanna for Chanel and took over David Yurman from Kate Moss.”

    This assessment obviously comes at a time when taxes are due for completion tomorrow, Tuesday April 15.

    But, the mother-of-two and wife of NFL player Tom Brady told sources that Forbes’ calculations-determined by merchandising partnerships, photo shoots, contracts, and other fashion gigs-were terribly off.

    “It’s sad because the people who write these things don’t have my bank-account details,” she told Brazilian magazine Mdemulher, according to Mail Online.

    And, it appears that making it on the list doesn’t impress Bundchen whatsoever.

    “I do OK, I earn plenty, but not as much as they say,” she said. “I’ve already been audited by the IRS because of this list, and, truthfully, whether I’m on this list or not doesn’t interest me.”

    She later stated: “I’ve got the same interests, the same day-to-day life, as any woman. I want to raise my children well, be a good wife and work.”

    The supermodel apparently doesn’t view figures as of importance to her daily life. To her, family is what truly matters.

    “This is what I value: Are my children educated, is my husband happy, are people feeling positive energy from me? There should be a magazine to quantify knowledge, understanding and love for people: That is power.”

    Bundchen ranked first place yet again for the seventh year in a row, supposedly making her the richest and most powerful supermodel in the fashion industry.

    However, after thorough investigation, the IRS determined that Forbes’ estimations were actually more than what Bundchen garnered in 2013.

    Additionally, models Miranda Kerr ($7.2M), Adriana Lima ($6M), and Kate Moss ($5.7M) made the list.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Woman Mugged On TV In Ironic Fashion

    When complaining about the lack of police protection for citizens, few things can drive the point home quite like being robbed on the air.

    This actually happened to a woman while she was ranting away to Brazilian station TV Globo on Wednesday near Rio de Janeiro’s main train station.

    She was asked to voice her opinion about the high level of crime in the area and why the region seemingly lacked the police power to do anything about it.

    The discussion tapped into the emboldened nature of criminals as law enforcement was lacking. The unidentified woman and the television reporter were able to see for themselves exactly how bold not long after the woman started talking

    While the woman was in the middle of answering a question, an unknown assailant ran up behind her and then ripped off what appeared to be a golden necklace.

    The creep then ran like heck down the street.

    The interviewer actually turned and attempted to chase down the speedy criminal. The young man was simply too fast and was able to flee the scene.

    Luckily for the would-be victim, his sticky fingers weren’t so sticky; the necklace was accidentally dropped. The necklace’s chain was said to have been broken during the incident.

    The fact that this young punk dared to snatch the necklace in broad daylight and in front of a rolling camera certainly demonstrated to the entire country that the crime problem is very serious.

    As this individual’s face has been plastered all over the news and social media following the attempted mugging, its highly likely that law enforcement will be knocking on his door sooner rather than later.

    Robbery on public transport in the city and surrounding areas are said to have increased upwards of forty percent within the past year alone.

    The high crime rate is something many football fans may be keeping in mind ahead of traveling to the city for the World Cup later this year.

    Image via YouTube

  • Janelle Monáe Wants To Change The Meaning Of Sexy

    Janelle Monáe Wants To Change The Meaning Of Sexy

    Brazil and Janelle Monáe. What a perfect combination.

    Both are physically stunning, they both produce a warm and inviting energy, and they both give off a good feeling that you’d like to pocket and carry around with you forever.

    Which is probably why Pepsi made Monáe its featured artist for its global 2014 futbol campaign entitled Now is What You Make It. Monáe covered David Bowie’s popular song Heroes for the campaign.

    The eclectic singer said she never played organized soccer, but she does have an appreciation for it, and compares what she does in music to sports, since both center around teamwork.

    “I wasn’t on a team, but I do value soccer, and sports in general, because it deals with teamwork,” said Monáe.

    “I have my own label, I have my own band, and we’re a team, and in order for me to succeed I have to work with other people. I love sharing my experiences and my successes with so many people. I see it in soccer players, how we can all work together to reach a goal and make each other happy once that goal is reached.”

    Unless you haven’t noticed yet, Monáe usually wears the same thing. A black pantsuit with a white shirt, and she hardly ever shows any skin.

    In past interviews Monáe says she sticks with this look because she wants people to focus on her music, not her appearance. But she doesn’t want to judge anyone, she just wants girls to find other ways to be sexy besides taking their clothes off.

    “I’m not qualified to judge anyone,” said the singer, after a reporter asked her if people appreciate a woman’s looks over her artistic output.

    “Are we in control of our bodies? Are we trying to make money and bring attention using our bodies? What types of things can we do to promote more or less misogyny, or less sexism? How can we really fight against those stereotypes and those shackles that men and women have placed on us?”

    “What can we do to help the next generation of young girls?” Monáe continued asking. “How can we redefine what it means to be sexy?….I want to fight against sexism and to help nurture the female and the female body.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • David Beckham Warned of Genital Devouring Fish

    While filming a 90-documentary concerning the 2014 World Cup in Brazil for the BBC, soccer superstar David Beckham was advised by producers to stay clear of the Amazon river, to avoid the feared and genital-attacking Candiru fish.

    Also called the “vampire fish,” the Candiru swims into the urethras of its hosts, and commences to feed on blood meals. The process is said to be so excruciating that many victims die of shock, and surgeries to remove the tiny fish are sometimes fatal.

    The Candiru, scientifically known as Vandellia cirrhosa, a is a species of parasitic freshwater catfish native to the Amazon Basin, where it is found in the countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. The body of the Candiru is translucent, making it very difficult to see, and there are small sensory nodes around the head, along with backward pointing spines on the gill covers, which helps the fish to stay inside a host.

    Amazonian lore states that a Candiru can swim up one’s urine stream, even if only a victim’s feet are in the water.

    A source from the BBC told Confidenti@l that, “Talent and crew were given full-length medical and terrain awareness courses before the journey. It was a key part of their process and necessary to get insurances before their trip under BBC guidelines. One of the most dangerous creatures in the world lives in the Amazon River, and for men it is both deadly and painful.”

    Beckham joined friends Dave Gardner and Derek White, along with filmmaker Anthony Mandler to produce what BBC One Controller Charlotte Moore describes as being a program in which “David Beckham embarks on a top-secret expedition to the Amazon that will see him encounter the other side of Brazil and journey through the tropical rainforest, a TV first for the global icon.”

    The Brazilian government will urge visitors to stay out of the river during the World Cup games, while various news outlets have reported men having their penises removed after Candiru attacks.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Brazil No-Fly Zones for World Cup: With a Catch

    Brazil’s Air Force has established no-fly zones around the stadiums hosting the 64 soccer games of the 2014 FIFA World Cup taking place July 12-13. A four mile perimeter has been set around each stadium, and the suspensions will begin one hour before each game, and last 4-5 hours, though takeoffs are permitted. Planes cannot land at any of the eight airports that sit near any stadiums hosting games during the no-fly period.

    Though, there is a bit of a catch. The Brazilian Air Force isn’t legally allowed to shoot down any offending planes, and the anti-aircraft guns posted around the stadiums cannot legally be fired at intruders, according to Air Force Brigadier Antonio Carlos Egito. The games will take place in 12 cities, and though defenses are in place, as of now, they can’t be utilized if an incident were to occur. The Air Force is lobbying to change some laws before the games begin.

    The following clip describes the cities and stadiums where the 2014 World Cop games will be hosted:

    The no-fly zone measure won’t affect any of Brazil’s major airports, though the suspensions will hinder flights at Rio de Janeiro’s domestic airport Santos Dumont. Still, civilian aviation regulator ANAC president Marcelo Guaranys says that only ten percent of seats have been sold on Brazilian domestic flights for the games.

    An estimated 600,000 foreigners are expected to arrive for the World Cup, along with another 3 million Brazilians. In order to alleviate the impending crunch due to the influx of visitors, the Air Force is allowing certain flights to land at various bases. Portugal’s team will land in Campinas, followed by a press plane with 200 journalists and four private jets carrying superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and his family.

    Civil Aviation Minister Wellington Moreira Franco confirmed that Italy will be able to use Santa Cruz Air Force base near Rio de Janeiro, in order to bypass the city’s crowded airports.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons.

  • FIFA World Cup 2014: Will Brazil Be Ready?

    Brazil will be hosting the next FIFA World Cup, but many are wondering if they will be ready in time, as there are less than 3 months left before the event is scheduled to begin.

    Cuiaba, the capital city of Brazil’s Mato Grosso state, is filled with unfinished structures that were supposed to be done last December. Reports also say that construction is behind schedule in 11 other host cities. Six of the 12 World Cup stadiums have been finished last summer in time for the Confederations Cup, but the other six stadiums missed their deadline. To date, four stadiums remain to be under construction.

    In 2007, after Brazil got the World Cup, politicians stated that an $8 billion budget would be spent on nationwide projects for the renovation and construction in preparation for the 2014 World Cup. However, some of the infrastructures have not yet been completed, with only a few months remaining.

    Sports economist, Victor Matheson, said, “They started late and have boxed themselves in.” Now, efforts have to be doubled in order to make sure that the stadiums get finished on time. The delays in construction have been embarrassing for a lot of Brazilians, and many are even angered by it. A number of Brazilians also say that the country has lost, even if they win the World Cup. According to local businessman, Atilio Martinelli, there is a slim chance that all the other projects will be finished in time for the World Cup. “It’s going to be a great humiliation for us.” Martinelli runs a locksmith business located near one of the building sites. Brazil seemed like the ideal location to hold a soccer event. However, things are looking bleak with all the debris and unfinished infrastructures. There were also anti-government protests that happened during the World Cup pre-tournament, which happened last year.

    Brazil Works Hard To Complete Venues For World Cup 2014

    http://youtu.be/fulwjsA-sGI

    Image via YouTube

  • Brazilian FCC Leaks Amazon Game Controller

    It’s been rumored for a while now that Amazon has been working on a set-top box/game console. While details are on the actual set top box itself are scarce, a new leak has pretty much confirmed that Amazon is entering the market soon.

    ZatzNotFunny reports that Brazil’s version of the FCC, Anatel, has posted images of an Amazon game controller. It’s a little blocky and features a button layout similar to an Xbox 360 controller. Check it out:

    Amazon Game Controller Leaks

    So, is this game controller for a set-top box or game console? Most are assuming that Amazon will be releasing a set-top box with the controller above being an optional add-on. The most likely scenario is that Amazon’s set-top box will ship with a standard remote for those who want to use it just for streaming video and music while the game controller will be there for who want to play games.

    Speaking of which, Amazon has been making some bold moves in the games industry in the past few months which indicates that they’re getting serious about games on their platform. In February, Amazon announced that it had acquired Double Helix Games – the developer behind Killer Instinct and Strider. Kotaku’s Stephen Totilo says that Amazon has been approaching game development studios looking to sign games for their platform as well.

    With the controller already making its way through regulatory bodies, many are taking this as a sign that Amazon’s set-top box may be announced soon. That may very well be case as a rumor from last month said Amazon would be unveiling the device in March after delaying it past its originally intended holiday 2013 launch.

    While the controller is likely for a set-top box, we still have to keep expectations in check. It could very well be a controller for Kindle Fire devices, and it will likely connect to the tablet even in the likely event that Amazon does release a set-top box.

    Image via Anatel

  • Rio Garbage Strike Poses Problems After Annual Carnival Celebration

    The yearly Carnival celebrations ended on Wednesday, but for the residents of Rio de Janeiro, the traces of the revelry remain—literally. The trash collectors are on strike and it has been five days since anyone saw an emptied bin. Neighborhoods are beginning to smell, and heaps of refuse line the streets.

    The local authorities are having a hard time explaining why they had not been able to clean up. Vinicus Roriz, president of the municipal trash company in Rio, said that they are working to normalize operations, and that negotiations with the strikers are ongoing. The strikers are demanding higher wages.

    The result is chaotic. Piles of paper, metal, plastic, and other party refuse line major roads, and even popular tourist spots such as the beaches in Ipanema and Copacabana are strewn with litter. Stuffed trash bins are becoming a common sight from the city to the suburbs.

    On a lighter note, it is true that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. In the case of Rio’s garbage strike, trash pickers are having a grand time sorting through the piles for glitzy booty. Many of the revelers’ costumes and props are discarded after the Carnival, and these are the treasures that trash pickers look for. Headgear, costly fabrics, feathers, and other flashy objects are collected, made into new costumes, and re-sold.

    Elaine da Silva Moraes, a trash picker, remarks that the Carnival participants are crazy to throw money away. She and her children collect discarded items and repurpose them into costumes that they sell to small samba schools and to individuals looking for party wear.

    The strike, which coincided with the Carnival, poses a big problem: if it continues, or if matters are not resolved, Brazil would have a dilemma in three months’ time, when Rio and other cities host the World Cup. Over 600,000 soccer fans from around the world are expected to come, in addition to the millions of people who will also be watching in different locations such as homes, bars, and restaurants in the country.

    Watch scenes from Rio Carnival 2014

    http://youtu.be/t9nmegE8Rec

    Image via YouTube

  • GoDaddy Expands To Latin America

    Emerging markets are where it’s at these days. While there’s still plenty of small businesses in mature markets in the U.S. and Western Europe, companies are now targeting small businesses in emerging markets to take advantage of the explosive growth these countries are seeing.

    GoDaddy announced today that it will begin to target small businesses in Latin America with a suite of tools that are now localized in both Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese. That means small business owners in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and more can now purchase a domain name and build a Web site through GoDaddy without having to learn another language.

    As part of its move into Latin America, GoDaddy has created a new position within the company – Vice President of Latin America. The first person to take this position is Rafael Fernandez MacGregor – a Mexican national and entrepreneur that started Microsoft’s online business in the region. He will based in Mexico City and oversee the entire region.

    “GoDaddy is creating new opportunities for small businesses in Latin America and making the business of operating a business easier, especially for the small business owner,” MacGregor said. “As a Latin American entrepreneur, I can tell you from experience, small business owners are the most innovative and dynamic job creators in the region, and anyone who has ever launched or run a small business here will tell you how hard it can be. GoDaddy is determined to help companies build and maintain an effective online presence easily and affordably.”

    GoDaddy’s move into Latin America follows the company’s hiring of Arne Josefberg as its CIO last week. All of this is to help GoDaddy expand into 60 markets and offer its products in more than 30 languages by 2015.

    Image via GoDaddy/YouTube

  • Twitter Adds Australia And Brazil To Alert System

    The social networking website Twitter is a simple yet effective way to get the word out about what is on your mind, a photo that you have recently taken, or the announcement of a product. With so many people currently active on Twitter, it is also a great way to send out notifications and alerts from various information-based systems and services. With this in mind, Twitter has recently added more countries to its list of areas where the social networking site actively dispenses alerts.

    When Twitter users enroll in the Twitter Alerts system, the enrolled users will receive important alerts on their phones from various organizations in an emergency, natural disaster, or any other event when other communication systems are not accessible to the user. The countries actively involved with the Twitter Alerts system are: United States, Japan, Korea, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

    On December 19th, 2013, Twitter announced that two more countries have been added to the social networking site’s alert system: Australia and Brazil.

    With Australia added, users in the Great South Land will be able to receive alerts from various Australian-based services, such as: the City of Sydney, the Australian Red Cross, the Department of Health, and fire and police departments from many other areas within their state. The New South Wales Royal Fire Service recently tweeted an announcement of their commitment with Twitter Alerts.

    In Brazil, an important service that Twitter users will definitely benefit from are alerts from Centro de Operações da Prefeitura do Rio de Janeiro (COR).

    Along with Twitter adding both Australia and Brazil to its alert system, new features have been added to the Twitter Alerts service as well. On a user’s iOS or Android device, the user can visit a participating organization’s Twitter profile and subscribe to its alerts as published notifications by clicking on the bell icon. Another feature that has been added for iOS users is that users will now receive notifications at the bottom of the screen from organizations that have just published an alert from their Twitter accounts.

    To see a comprehensive list of services participating in Twitter Alerts organized by country, be sure to visit Twitter’s Participating Organizations page.

    Image via Twitter Alerts (FEMA)

  • UFC: Silva Recovering From Injury; Return Unsure

    UFC watchers were stunned last night as they watched Anderson Silva’s leg shatter while throwing a kick.

    The anticipated mixed martial arts rematch between former champion and record holder Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman got off to an exciting start, with Weidman dominating early. The fight almost ended in the first round with a massive right punch by Weidman that put Silva in a obvious shock.

    In the second round, Silva came back viciously with a number of kick attacks to wear Weidman down. Unfortunately for Silva, Weidman was prepared for these kicks. Yahoo Sports shares Weidman’s statements about those kicks in the post-fight interview:

    “We knew that in the last fight he hurt me most with the leg kicks so we trained checking them a lot. The goal is to get your knee up and allow them to make contact with their shin right there. As soon as he hit me with that kick and moved backwards I knew right away.”

    As Silva’s kick connected, Weidman apparently checked him so effectively that it ended in Silva’s shin freakishly snapping.

    A horrific end to a rematch that was painfully reminiscent to their last meeting– in their last battle, Silva lost to Weidman in a second round knockout.

    According to mmafighting.com, Silva’s team released some good news regarding his immediate surgery:

    “Following Saturday evening’s UFC 168 main event, former champion Anderson Silva was taken to a local Las Vegas hospital where he underwent surgery to repair a broken left leg. The successful surgery, performed by Dr. Steven Sanders, the UFC’s orthopedic surgeon, inserted an intramedullary rod into Anderson’s left tibia. The broken fibula was stabilized and does not require a separate surgery. Anderson will remain in the hospital for a short while, but no additional surgery is scheduled at this time. Recovery time for such injuries may vary between three and six months.”

    Silva has not made a decision as to if he’ll return to the ring, but he left a touching message earlier today to Brazil:

    Unfortunate turn of events for a participant in such a rough and tumble sport, but time will tell if we will see him back in the ring.

    Image via Youtube

  • Ronaldinho Most Likely Loses Hopes of 2014 World Cup

    In 2005,international soccer star Ronaldinho was living large. In that year, Ronaldinho won his second consecutive FIFA World Player of the Year Award. Prior to those individual successes, Ronaldinho had led Brazil to a World Cup win in 2002.

    Since 2005, however, Ronaldinho’s career has been on a downward spiral. In 2006, Ronaldinho and the Brazilians disappointed their fans by only reaching the quarterfinals of the World Cup. To add insult to injury, Ronaldinho was not even invited to the team when the World Cup was last held in South Africa in 2010.

    Despite set-backs over the years, Ronaldinho still believes he is one the premiere soccer talents at 33 years of age. To prove his worth, Ronaldinho hoped to make his way back to the Brazilian World Cup team by leading his club team, Atletico Mineiro, to a Club World Cup tournament victory, thus cementing his worth and value to the Brazilian World Cup team.

    When the 63rd minute of the match between Atletico Mineiro and Raja Casablanca, a Moroccan club team, rolled around, Ronaldinho looked as if he was going to have a compelling case to make the cut for the 2014 Brazil World Cup team. After falling behind Raja 1-0 following an early goal, Ronaldinho was awarded a free kick just after the one hour mark. And in one brief swing of the leg, Ronaldinho reminded the world why he was once considered the best soccer player, period:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HODicWygZco

    However, the lone goal from Ronaldinho would not be enough to seal a victory for Atletico, with Raja scoring twice following the 84th minute, sending Atletico to the 3rd place game.

    While Ronaldinho was disappointed with his and his team’s performance, stating, “Of course I’m dejected. The expectations were huge, it’s been a marvelous year and we have gone down in the club’s history. This is tough, we’ll have to see what’s left for us,” there was still reason for Ronaldinho and his fans to rejoice.

    Following the end of the contest, players from Raja Casablanca approached Ronaldinho and paid him their respects. Ronaldinho went through the soccer custom of exchanging his jersey with the opposing team, but then the ritual went one step further. Deciding that his jersey alone was not enough, players from Raja stripped Ronaldinho of his cleats and left the stadium hoisting them above their heads:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ9JvHIBF1c

    The reaction was one of professional soccer players displaying respect for a premiere athlete in their profession, and also one of fans capturing souvenirs from one of their childhood heros. While Ronaldinho’s reputation may have been marred from excessive partying and lackluster performances in the latter half of his career, it is evident from the reactions of fans and soccer players alike that his name will be forever cemented as one of soccer’s greatest of all time. a reputation which gives Ronaldinho hope that he will still make the Brazilian team: “I have not given up on the Brazil squad but I honestly don’t make plans, I live in the present.”

    Image via Twitter

  • FIFA World Cup: U.S. Draws ‘Group Of Death’

    FIFA World Cup: U.S. Draws ‘Group Of Death’

    The U.S team will face tough competition in the first round of the 2014 World Cup. The team wound up in the ‘group of death‘, comprising of Ghana, Portugal and Germany. Soccer analysts say it would be a big accomplishment if the U.S. progress to the next level.  Ghana had eliminated the U.S. in the last two World Cups while Germany and Portugal are composed of the world’s top soccer stars – namely Ronaldo Cristiano of Portugal.

    Adding to the U.S. team’s challenge is the ridiculous amount of travelling they will need to do. They will have to cover about 9,000 miles to compete in all their group matches. The U.S. team, however, may be the best equipped to handle the hectic travel schedule because their level of fitness is said to be superior to that of other teams. In 2010, the team lacked depth. They had the heart but not the endurance, which caused them to claw their way into the second round — that should not be the case this year. The team’s exceptional fitness will also serve them well when playing in the harsh rainforest conditions in Brazil. Many of the matches will not just be about skill but also be a real test of endurance.

    “It’s going to be difficult for them to advance, but not impossible,” said Steve Sampson, former U.S coach.

    However, U.S. captain Clint Dempsey is refusing to dampen team spirit by saying, “I think we have the quality, if we play our best ball, to get out of the group”.

    Dempsey further stressed the importance of self believe, “You can’t think about, am I the favorite? Am I the underdog? What’s it going to be like playing in the heat? What’s it going to be like with the travel?” Those are factors that come into it, but at the end of the day both teams have to deal with it.”

    U.S. Head Coach Says Draw Is Tough, But They Are Prepared.

    Watch Video.

    (image via YouTube)

  • World Cup Pots Announced; US Potentially Doomed

    The draw for the 2014 World Cup pots will happen on Friday in Brazil, the host country for the event. However, in a press conference which demonstrates once again why Americans aren’t in love with the most popular sport in the world, the final draw pot allocations were announced today. In looking at the potential match-ups the US could find itself facing, the odds are not in the United States’s favor to advance far in 2014.

    Pot 1 consists of the highest ranking FIFA qualifying members and host country Brazil:

    Pot 1: Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Switzerland

    Pot 2 is comprised of 5 unseeded African teams, 2 South American countries, and a yet-to-be-determined European team:

    Pot 2: Algeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Chile, Ecuador, European Team TBD

    Pot 3 is made up of the 4 CONCACAF qualifying members, Australia, and 3 Asian competitors:

    Pot 3: USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Honduras, Australia, Iran, Japan, Korea Republic

    Pot 4 is composed entirely of 9 unseeded European teams:

    Pot 4: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, England, France, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia

    In order to decide who plays who this Friday, the process works as such: 8 pools will be created (labelled A-H), and each pool will consist of 4 competitors. Brazil, as host, is already slotted to post A-1. In order to ensure geographical separation, slots 2-4 in Pot A will be filled by one competitor each from Draw Pots 2-4.

    The initial process is fairly simple, but there is a special caveat this year due to the high number of qualifying European teams. As it currently stands, there are 9 teams in Pot 4 and 7 teams in Pot 2. In order to balance the teams, there will be a preliminary drawing on Friday to put another European team from Pot 4 into Pot 2. That European team will be guaranteed to play one of the top-ranked South American teams in a move that is supposed to create the most fair and equally balanced World Cup. In essence, all this means that one of the 8 pots will contain 2 European teams, something no country wants to face due to the high quality of European teams this year.

    What all of this also means is that the odds of the United States winning the 2014 World Cup are terribly slim. No matter how one cuts the cake, the US is almost predetermined to be placed into an unfortunately difficult pot. The best case scenario places the United States into a Pot with Switzerland, Algeria, and Croatia (The odds of the US advancing from this pool are at 73.6%).

    Unfortunately, the US will most likely not receive a favorable draw, though, due to the fact that the US has been placed in an initial pot with the lowest ranked teams, ensuring that they will not be placed with these teams in the final draw. The worst Group of Death scenario for the US team places them into a Pot alongside Spain, the Netherlands, and Chile. In this scenario, the United States would have only a 15.3% chance of advancing to the second round.

    If the people of the United States needed another reason to add to their list of reasons why they don’t have an affinity for soccer, here it is.

    [Image via Facebook]

  • Netflix Will Launch More Exclusive Content In Brazil As It Grows Its Subscriber Base

    Netflix launched in Brazil and Latin America a little over two years ago. The company has reportedly seen significant growth rates in the region. It has also been engaged in a massive ad campaign in the region, having published more online display ads in Brazil and Mexico than any other marketer earlier this year.

    Today, based on words from Netflix content chief Ted Sarandos, Variety is reporting that the company plans to produce locally original shows “with robust budgets and worldwide distribution” in the region.

    “We will start producing original content in Brasil as soon as we have a large enough subscriber base,” he is quoted as saying.

    The company has already launched one exclusive production in Brazil – a three-part comedy series called A toca:

    Meanwhile, as Variety also reports, Netflix has selected Brazilian film Apenas o fim for worldwide distribution through Netflix after it won a local contest. The film is currently available on YouTube:

    Image: A Toca (Parafernalha)

  • Bon Jovi’s Tico Torres Undergoes Another Emergency Surgery

    Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres has undergone a second emergency surgery in as many weeks. On the heels of an appendectomy in Mexico City in mid-September, Torres found himself back in the hospital with severe abdominal pain. The result: emergency gall bladder surgery.

    The band published the news on their website on September 20. Torres is expected to return to the stage – and Bon Jovi’s Because We Can tour – “in the very near future.”

    “Tico Torres has been the heart and soul of our band since we started 30 years ago,” said Jon Bon Jovi. “He’s also one tough SOB and we look forward to him again pounding away brilliantly at the drums on remainder of this and future tours.”

    While Torres is sidelined, Rich Scannella will step in as drummer. Scannella, who currently plays with Jon Bon Jovi’s Kings of Suburbia, has performed with such big names as Bruce Springsteen, Lada Gaga, and Sammy Hagar (Van Halen.)

    The current leg of the Because We Can tour is taking place in Latin America. The band played Rio de Janeiro on Friday, and is set to perform in Sao Paulo on Sunday before moving on to Santiago, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City.

    The band played in Rio de Janeiro as part of Rock in Rio. They headlined day five of the massive weeklong concert event. Other bands performing that day were Nickelback, Matchbox 20, and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Bon Jovi’s Rock in Rio performance was deemed a success as more than 90,000 fans sang along to classics such as You Give Love a Bad Name, Livin’ on a Prayer, and Always.

    A high point of the performance came when Jon Bon Jovi pulled a fan from the audience and kissed her on stage:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7BmS1Et37M

    Bon Jovi is currently touring to promote their new album What About Now. The album debuted at #1 in the US in March, 2013 and sold 101,000 copies in its first week.

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