BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil: Brazil rode a wave of emotion, patriotism and prayer to reach theWorld Cup semifinals but Tuesday was the day when the weight of expectation caught up with them.
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari tried to explain their 7-1 defeat by Germany in purely footballing terms, saying their opponents played superbly and took their chances against a Brazil side that played poorly.
But that is only half the story. In truth, the Brazilians lost the match in their heads as much as on the pitch.................Details

Chanel spiky and modern at Paris fashion

 

PARIS: Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld on Tuesday delighted haute couture's new breed of deep-pocketed customer with a collection just like them -- young, modern and in many cases Asian.
Boyish, spiky-haired models wore hats perched on the back of their heads, cycling shorts and flat sandals with ribbons tied in a bow around the ankle.
Bags with long straps were slung around the body like school satchels.
Asked about the collection's youthful feel, the designer joked that not many customers were interested in clothes with an "old" feel. If there was a future, he said, "it can be like this".
Lagerfeld drew inspiration for his collection from one of the pioneers of modern architecture, Le Corbusier.................detail

U.S. presses China on human rights

BEIJING: The United States Wednesday “forcefully” pressed China on festering maritime rows and human rights, even as the two countries vowed to seek cooperation rather than confrontation.
Opening two days of talks between the world’s two largest economic powers, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry warned his Chinese counterparts that it would be “unacceptable” to try to create a new status quo in the South and East China Seas, where Beijing is in dispute with its neighbors...........

The best goals from the 2014 Brazil World Cup

 

Reuters

The 2014 World Cup has produced several goals of outstanding quality. The following are five of the best so far according to Reuters.James Rodriguez (Colombia 2 Uruguay 0)Rodriguez had already caught the eye in the first round but his opener against Uruguay in the Round of 16 confirmed him as one of the players of the tournament.
After a bit of head tennis on the edge of the Uruguayan box midway through the first half, the ball arched toward Rodriguez, 25 meters out.
He had the presence of mind to glance over his shoulder to check the positioning of the Uruguayan goalkeeper before chesting the ball down and, in one fluid movement, turning and firing a left-foot volley in off the underside of the crossbar.

Germany want fourth WC to fill hole in their soul

Football

 Brazil is Defeated at Their Home To Germany

  

:Score Germany-7 , Where Brazil-1.

Germany want fourth WC to fill hole in their soul

Reuters

SANTO ANDRE, Brazil: History weighs heavily on the shoulders of football players from Germany, a country that latches on to the glory of its three World Cup titles with special reverence – in part due to a shortage of national heroes after its belligerent 20th century.Winning trophies, and especially the World Cup, is special in countries almost everywhere but for Germans the dreams, aspirations and identity of the entire nation are closely linked to their success – or failure – in the four-yearly tournament...........................