Chris Brown to Haters: Just Leave Me Alone!

Chris Brown has been under considerable fire this week, and really since he assaulted then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009. People will not give the dude a break.

Given his frequent blowups - most recently a gay slur against some photographers he thought told the police about his illegally parked car - you can see why.

Chris did apologize, sort of, for that incident, but it's clear he's just as upset that he's being criticized for it as he is at himself for uttering it to start with.

In a string of Tweets last night, he wrote: "This will make things a whole lot easier. If you don't like/support me then don't listen to my music (sic).

"Latching on to my every word and criticizing makes you look thirsty. I can't even piss without somebody complaining. Imagine how I feel (sic).

"A person should not have to apologize every second for living life (sic)!"

Perhaps some are too quick to jump all over him, but at the same time, he brings a lot of this upon himself by calling people gay, throwing chairs through windows and the like. Work on the anger, Chris. Then people will chill.

Dr. Conrad Murray: No Plea Deal in Michael Jackson Case

Dr. Conrad Murray is reportedly adamant that he will not accept a plea bargain of any sort in the Michael Jackson involuntary manslaughter case.

Sources say Dr. Murray feels so strongly about his innocence that even a plea offering zero jail time would be out of the question on principle.

Not that the L.A. County District Attorney is bending over backwards to offer such a thing. Prosecutors believe they can and will win the case.

Dr. Murray's defense revolves around the fact that only two people were in the room around the time Michael died, those being Murray and Jackson.

The doctor insists he did not administer the fatal dose of Propofol.

His lawyers' theory: Murray left to go to the bathroom, a frustrated MJ woke up, administered Propofol on his own, overdosed and killed himself.

As for why he was providing Propofol to start with, Murray hopes MJ's last rehearsal footage will show "warning signs" that he was a lost cause.

Michael Jackson passed away two years ago today.

FIFA eyes 2014 preparations in Brazil

MOSCOW -- FIFA remains concerned at the slow pace of Brazil's preparations for the 2014 World Cup, saying soccer officials in South America appear to have invested more energy in winning the tournament than organizing it.

"We don't have stadiums, we don't have airports," secretary general Jerome Valcke said on Friday at the Inside World Football forum in Moscow.

He added it looked increasingly likely that some facilities, including Rio de Janeiro's iconic Maracana, would be ready with only a few weeks to spare.

"The Maracana is not a World Cup stadium" yet, Valcke said, adding that in Brazil "the main issue is not to organize the World Cup but to win the World Cup."

Brazil, which won hosting rights by default after other South American nations withdrew, has been mired in organizational and bureaucratic problems since it was announced as host in 2007.

Builders working on one of the stadiums only this week returned to work after going on strike over pay and conditions. About 160 of the nearly 400 workers helping to upgrade Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte stopped working this month. The agreement includes a 4 percent wage hike, a health plan and more overtime pay.

Belo Horizonte is one of the cities vying to host the opening match. Others include the capital, Brasilia, and Sao Paulo, South America's biggest city.

Brazilian lawmakers this month were forced to approve a raft of measures aimed at reducing the paperwork needed to clear various infrastructure projects. The changes reduce the time to conclude the bidding processes on tenders, eliminating some stages and need for approval.

Saint-Clair Milesi, a spokesman for the local World Cup organizing committee, said from Brazil that with the exception of Sao Paulo, the construction of new stadiums and renovation of existing ones is "continuing according to schedule."

He declined to comment further.

Ricardo Leyser, a top official with Brazil's Sports Ministry, told the Estado de S. Paulo newspaper Friday that "it is obvious that Brazil will be ready on time to host the World Cup."

"We have no doubt that all the work being done to prepare the country to host the games will be concluded on time," Leyser said.

Valcke urged Russia, which is hosting the event for the first time in 2018, to have the required 12 stadiums ready two years in advance to allow time for test events.

Russia is building most of the facilities from scratch in a $10 billion project, a budget that doesn't include the massive infrastructure improvements needed such as rail networks, new roads and airport upgrades.

It was Valcke's first public appearance since FIFA exonerated him of wrongdoing for saying Qatar had "bought" the 2022 World Cup hosting rights.

Valcke alluded to the maelstrom of corruption allegations surrounding FIFA in recent months, beginning his keynote speech by saying, "It's good to talk about football. I mean, we need it at FIFA sometimes."

Jennifer Aniston brings Justin Theroux 'Inside the Actors Studio'

Now, Jennifer Aniston is mixing business with pleasure by bringing new beau Justin Theroux to her interview with James Lipton for "Inside the Actors Studio."

Theroux, 39, "was sitting in the front row, and she made eye contact with him," second-year Actors Studio MFA student Christina Schudel told PEOPLE at Thursday's New York taping with Aniston, 42. The interview will air next month on Bravo.

"Whenever there would be a lull, she would just look at him and give him a wink and go back to what she was doing," Schudel says.

Aniston was also clearly a hit with the crowd -- which roared with laughter after Lipton asked what drew the actress to the 2006 movie "The Break-Up."

Aniston replied, "Well, you know it's something I have a lot of experience with."

"She was just so relaxed and so open," Schudel observed. "So lovable from beginning to end. Such a sweetheart."

Lipton, who chatted with the "Horrible Bosses" star for nearly three hours, says he was completely captivated by Aniston's warm personality.

"She's as quick and witty and charming as she is on screen," Lipton told PEOPLE immediately after the interview.

Authorities: 6 die in truck-train crash in Nevada

(CNN) -- Six people were killed when a tractor-trailer truck slammed into a Chicago-to-California Amtrak passenger train at a railroad crossing east of Reno, Nevada, authorities said late Saturday.

The death toll was released just as federal authorities said they were trying to account for passengers missing from the passenger train that was struck Friday at a railroad crossing near Lovelock, Nevada.

"No names are being released pending positive identification and notification of families," the Churchill County, Nevada, sheriff's department said in a written statement.

The National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating, is trying to account for passengers listed on the manifest but not located after the crash, Earl Weener of the NTSB told reporters during a news conference late Saturday night in Sparks, Nevada.

In some cases, it is believed people got off the train earlier or bought a ticket but did not take the train, he said.

"There are a number of reasons that the manifest and that number don't jibe," Weener said.

The 10-car train, which was on its way to Emeryville, California, was carrying 204 passengers and 14 crew members, Amtrak said in a statement released Friday.

It was not immediately clear how many people were injured. Amtrak said that numerous people aboard the train had been taken to area hospitals for treatment.

Amateur video taken after the crash showed huge plumes of black smoke billowing from the train as a fire burned. Passengers and crew members stood outside.

One voice on the video can be heard telling people to get away from the smoke. Another tells a woman, out of view, to "hang and jump." A third voice asks someone, "Are you OK?"

"Next thing I know, we get hit by something. A big ball of fire comes in. I jumped out the window," passenger Justin Rhine told CNN affiliate KOLO-TV in Reno. "I saw people flying on the other side of the train."

Skid marks show the driver of the truck slammed on his brakes, sliding more than 300 feet before hitting the train, sparking a fire, Weener said. The fire burned the truck and two train cars, he said.

The initial investigation found the signal light and crossing guard arms were working, and that there was good visibility of the train tracks from the road, he said.

The truck was the lead in a three-truck convoy as it approached the train tracks, Weener said.

The two following saw the train signal and slowed to stop, "waiting for him to come to stop," he said.

Though the driver of the truck has not been identified, Weener said the truck belonged to John Davies Trucking of Battle Mountain, Nevada.

The trucking company, which advertises itself as family-owned business that hauls concrete, did not immediately respond to a CNN request for comment.

Mexico rallies to top U.S. and win high-scoring Gold Cup final

Los Angeles (CNN) -- In one of soccer's biggest showdowns, Mexico rallied from an early deficit with four straight goals to defeat the United States 4-2 and win the 2011 Gold Cup on Saturday.

The American team jumped out to an earlier lead when Michael Bradley, a center midfielder and the son of coach Bob Bradley, scored the first goal just nine minutes into the game. Landon Donovan, the leading goal-scorer in U.S. history, netted a second goal roughly 20 minutes later.

But Mexico answered back, with Pablo Barrera and then Andres Guardado scoring two goals within 10 minutes of each other to tie the score.

A few minutes into the second half, Barrera scored another goal to give Mexico its first lead of the game. Giovani dos Santos gave Mexico a 4-2 advantage with a score with about 13 minutes remaining, effectively cinching his team's victory.

Fox Soccer reported that 93,420 spectators watched the game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, above its capacity of 92,542 according to the stadium's website.

Mexico's win gives in bragging rights in the rivalry, the third consecutive time both teams have met in the tournament's final.

As it is every year, the game was organized by the soccer confederation for North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

Besides boasting privileges, Mexico earns a ticket to the Confederations Cup in Brazil in 2013, a year before the World Cup.

Mexico and the United States had split the last two Gold Cups, with the Mexicans embarrassing the Americans with a 5-0 thrashing in 2009.

In 2007, the Americans took the contest, sending the team to the 2009 Confederations Cup where it finished second behind Brazil.

Until Saturday night, the United States had not lost to Mexico on American soil when at full strength in 12 matches dating back to the year 2000.

Still, the American players know that soccer draws many fans to Mexico's team, as was evident at this weekend's game. Hispanics are now the nation's second-largest group under the latest census.

"You come into your country and you know they are going to have more fans than you are," U.S. defender Jonathan Bornstein said in remarks on the confederation website, "but nonetheless, we're going to have enough fans out there supporting us. We're on our home turf, and so we need to be considered the home team even though we might not have all the fans."

Added U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard about the rivalry: "It's been the same since I was a kid watching it. It's the same today. It's passion. There's a ton of respect, but yet again it borders on hatred."

"But it's passion. It's good. I think we have very healthy respect for them and whether they want to say it or not, they have healthy respect for us and they should," Howard said on the confederation website.

Mexico's team manager Jose Manuel de la Torre said before the contest that the game "has transformed into something very important to the Mexican people that live in the United States."

"It is a clasico," de la Torre told the confederation, before Saturday's match. "That makes for a heated atmosphere. But the final is still a soccer game featuring two strong, well-coached teams that have worked hard to reach a final we will enjoy."

For the United States, it marks its fourth consecutive appearance in the final -- a confederation record, according to the U.S. Soccer Federation. The Gold Cup is being held in Southern California for the first time in nine years, the federation said.

Nani to stay at United

Manchester United winger Nani will not be forced out of the club by the arrival of £17 million Ashley Young, contrary to reports.
Nani topped the assists chart in the Premier League last season, and he was voted United's Players' Player of the Year. However, as the season neared a climax, the Portugal international increasingly found himself on the bench for big games, culminating in the Champions League final loss to Barcelona.

With Antonio Valencia producing the best form of his career upon return from serious injury, there is a feeling of three not fitting into two following the signing of Young from Aston Villa.

Park Ji-sung, the man who took Nani's place against Barcelona at Wembley, also declared on Friday that he has no intention of leaving Old Trafford, so Sir Alex Ferguson finds himself with a plethora of options for his wide positions.

Nani has been linked in the media with a move away from United, with Real Madrid a mooted destination. The player fanned flames over a possible move when stating recently: "I am fine at Manchester United, but it is good to hear there are other clubs interested. Would I like to work under [Jose] Mourinho? Yes, but at this moment I am fine at Manchester United."

However, sources close to Old Trafford are now stating that the 24-year-old will fight for his place, having just enjoyed his best season at the club, yielding 10 goals.

Ferguson is expected to seek a meeting with Nani in the near future to assure the winger of his place in the United squad, as the Red Devils attempt to win a 20th Premier League crown.

Money will need to be generated from somewhere though, with United expected to take their spending past £50 million with the purchase of David De Gea, but it is believed Wes Brown and Darron Gibson are closest to the exit door.

Liverpool close to securing Adam deal

Liverpool are expecting to clinch a deal for Charlie Adam this weekend, unless Aston Villa delay proceedings by turning negotiations into a bidding war.
Damien Comolli, the Reds' director of football, will press ahead over the next 48 hours in an attempt to add Adam to the recent capture of Jordan Henderson. A meeting with Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston is booked, and Liverpool hope to conclude an £8 million transfer.

Oyston revealed 11 days ago that he had held initial talks with the Anfield club, saying in The Gazette: "We've had a few very preliminary discussions and enquiries but nothing of any substance."

Liverpool first lodged an £8 million bid in January, only to find the Tangerines holding out for £12 million. Oyston had hoped Adam would keep his club in the Premier League, but now he is left on weaker ground to barter, with the Scotland international desperate to stay in England's top flight.

The most likely scenario to scupper Liverpool's plans would be a last-ditch hijack attempt from Aston Villa, whose new boss Alex McLeish used to work with Adam at Rangers. Blackpool would hope a rival bid would drive up Liverpool's offer, which is expected to start as low as £6.5 million.

Adam is one of a handful of players wanted by Kenny Dalglish, who also has Comolli negotiating for Ipswich's Connor Wickham, Arsenal's Gael Clichy, and Aston Villa's Stewart Downing. The Reds are already believed to have had offers of £5 million and £12 million rejected for Clichy and Downing respectively.

Adam's arrival would create an overstaffing of midfielders at Anfield, where Alberto Aquilani has returned after Juventus cooled interest in a £14 million deal. Portugal international Raul Meireles has also been linked to the Turin club, but no formal movements have materialised.

Elijah Wood's 'Wilfred' a bizarre gem

After watching Thursday night's premiere of "Wilfred," I'm not sure there's enough to sustain a long-term series, but there's more than enough to keep me watching.

Elijah Wood stars in FX's remake of the critically acclaimed Australian series of the same title. Co-creator Jason Gann reprises the role of Wilfred, a dog who is seen by Wood's character, Ryan, as a man in a dog suit.

The show began with Ryan trying, unsuccessfully, to kill himself by swallowing a cocktail mixed with medication. At one point, he was interrupted by the yammering of what he believed to be his neighbor's boyfriend.

When the neighbor, Jenna, showed up at Ryan's doorstep the next morning, she asked him to watch Wilfred, and before long it became clear - to Ryan, at least - that this was not a side effect of the drugs (which turned out to be placebos).

In between musings on some of the habits of dogs, Wilfred was able to read Ryan like an open book and offer up sage advice from a canine point of view. Soon, after doing unspeakable things to the property of another neighbor who had threatened him, the once-suicidal Ryan discovered that he never felt more alive.

That's when the big twist took place: Wilfred planted Ryan's wallet at the scene of the crime.

Yes, I laughed out loud at some of the silly humor here. Despite the opening, it's not as dark as one might expect. At the moment the show's intriguing, if only because you just want to know the reason why Wilfred appears to Ryan this way. I worry, though, that the dog jokes may wear pretty thin after a few weeks.

The two biggest highlights here are the performances by Wood and Gann. Gann, especially, is extraordinary in this role, and hopefully we'll be seeing a lot more of what he can do in the future.

Gasperini to replace Leonardo as Inter Milan coach

Gian Piero Gasperini's only top-flight coaching experience in Italy has been with Genoa.

Uncertainty over Inter Milan's coaching position ended on Friday as chairman Massimo Moratti announced that former Genoa boss Gian Piero Gasperini will be replacing Leonardo.

The 53-year-old, who guided Genoa into Serie A in 2007 before being sacked last November following a bad run of form, will sign a two-year deal at the San Siro.

He will be officially unveiled "as soon as the final bureaucratic formalities are completed" according to the Italian club's website.

Leonardo, who replaced Rafael Benitez in December 2010, is expected to take up a sporting director role with France's Paris St Germain -- a former club of his which has been recently bought by a Qatari group.
Could Villas-Boas succeed at Chelsea?

Club president Massimo Moratti expressed his "full satisfaction with the choice" and the 67-year-old wished his new employee "the success that brought Inter the title of world champions."

While Benitez took Inter to the FIFA Club World Cup title, he was unable to successful follow on the exploits of Jose Mourinho -- who took Inter to an unprecedented treble in 2009-10, winning the European Champions League plus a domestic double.

Under Leonardo, Inter finished runners-up to city rivals AC Milan in Serie A last season and claimed a seventh Coppa Italia crown.

A World Cup winner with Brazil in 1994, the 41-year-old had been a surprise choice after both playing for and coaching Milan.

Moratti and Inter have reportedly suffered setbacks in their search for a new boss, with former Chile national team coach Marcelo Bielsa rumored to have been approached regarding the position.

Andre-Villas Boas was another coach linked with the post, but the 33-year-old has now been appointed manager of English Premier League club Chelsea.

England coach Fabio Capello, who has twice been in charge of Milan, was also linked with a move to Inter.

Post-breakup Paris Hilton reconnects with old friend

A newly single Paris Hilton was feeling the love at a shindig for Charlotte Ronson on Tuesday, as the heiress was all hugs and smiles with former BFF/supposed frenemy Nicole Richie.

According to TMZ, the two were seen exchanging hugs and hanging out at the Hollywood event. Hilton tweeted later, “@NicoleRichie, Bill, great seeing you tonight at #Iheartronson. You looked so beautiful! Love you. Love Sill :) xoxo”

The 30-year-old heiress, who is currently starring in the Oxygen reality show “The World According to Paris,” recently broke up with her boyfriend of one year, Cy Waits, and says that she’s now taking a closer look at her life.
"Cy is a good guy," she tells E!. "We've been friends for years and always will be. I just need some time alone to focus on myself. We speak all the time. I have nothing but great things to say about him."

A source adds that the reality TV star does feel bad “for ending the relationship, but she felt that she needs time to reevaluate her life."

Lindsay Lohan stands up Matt Lauer

Lindsay Lohan’s been open about what life is like under house arrest – giving an interview to Life & Style, filming commercials – but when Matt Lauer from “Today” showed up at her Venice Beach, California, home, Lohan clammed up.

The New York Post reports that Lauer flew to Los Angeles on Tuesday to interview the 24-year-old actress, who is now due back in court because she failed an alcohol test again.

According to the Post, once Lauer arrived at her home, Lohan wouldn’t come down out of her bedroom. An unnamed source told the paper, "They had been talking about it for a long time. But she refused to come down at the last minute. Matt was sitting in the chair on the first floor, waiting to do the interview with his crew all set up."

Although the Post cites an anonymous source claiming Lohan was to be paid for the interview, a rep for “Today” denies that there was any “licensing or payment agreement of any kind.” The “Today” spokesperson explains that "When [Lauer] arrived, she had a change of heart and wasn't prepared to talk for more than 15 minutes, as she had agreed, so the interview was canceled."

Lohan’s rep concurs, noting that he was the one to pull her out of it. "No money was involved, and I was the one who called [the interview] off."

Lauer did address the situation this morning on “Today,” telling viewers after a segment about Lohan’s impending return to court, “Some of you may have heard that I was with Lindsay on Tuesday afternoon at her home in Los Angeles. We were supposed to sit down for an interview to talk about her current situation and her plans for the future.”

At the last minute, Lauer continued, “Lindsay and her people did express concerns about the timing of the interview and it was canceled. I think we're learning more this morning about the reasons for their concern."

Young seals Manchester United switch

Ashley Young joined Aston Villa from Watford for $15 million in January 2007

Premier League champions Manchester United have confirmed the signing of England international winger Ashley Young from Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee.

Young, 25, is United's second signing of the transfer window, after defender Phil Jones joined from Blackburn Rovers, and has signed a five-year deal at Old Trafford.

"The opportunity to come and play for one of the biggest clubs in the world is one I couldn't turn down," Young told MUTV.

"It's a chance to hopefully become part of their history by helping them to win their 20th title.
"It's a prospect I always looked at from being a child -- to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world," he added.

"I've got that opportunity now so I've just got to take it with both hands."

The former Watford forward moved to Villa Park for $15 million in January 2007 and captained the Birmingham-based outfit for part of last season.

He made 157 Premier League appearances for Villa, scoring 30 goals, and has 15 caps for his country.

"Ashley has made a terrific contribution for Villa over the past four-and-a-half seasons and everyone at the club wishes him the best for the future," newly-appointed Villa manager Alex McLeish told Villa's official website.

"He has become an important player in the England team during that time and I'm sure he will be looking forward to this new challenge," added McLeish.

Young scored the equalizer for Fabio Capello's England side in their recent 2-2 draw with Switzerland at Wembley, and has started their last three matches.

United's latest recruit scored against his new employers for Villa in a 2-2 draw in November 2010.

France to withdraw troops from Afghanistan

France will start withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, following a timetable similar to the one U.S. President Barack Obama announced, the French president's office said Thursday.

"This withdrawal will be done in consultation with our allies and with the Afghan authorities," the statement from Nicolas Sarkozy's office said.

All French troops could be out of Afghanistan by 2013, French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet told France Info radio Thursday.

Longuet declined to give specifics, citing the "safety of our soldiers and the people they protect.

"So we cannot say right now it will happen from such a place or it will be this type of troop because we have no information to give to our adversaries, the Taliban," he said.

But he said that NATO had planned on "a complete transition in 2014," and that "what has emerged today is that we will undoubtedly gain a year on this calendar."

France has 3,935 troops in Afghanistan, according to the NATO mission there.

Obama said Wednesday that the U.S. would withdraw 33,000 U.S. troops by September 2012. That will leave just under 70,000 Americans there.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, whose country has the second largest number of foreign troops in Afghanistan, welcomed Obama's announcement.

He said the British will keep "force levels in Afghanistan under constant review," adding: "I have already said there will be no UK troops in combat roles in Afghanistan by 2015 and, where conditions on the ground allow, it is right that we bring troops home sooner."

Earthquakes rock Christchurch, New Zealand

A pair of earthquakes with magnitudes of at least 5.0 struck within 90 minutes of each near Christchurch, New Zealand, on Monday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported, reviving vivid memories of a deadly quake that killed more than 180 people in February.

"Everyone is on edge here anyway," said Rhys Taylor, who said he could hear sirens and see helicopters flying over Christchurch. "Obviously, power's out -- sort of all over the city at the moment -- and phone lines are down."

Police evacuated sections of the city's central business district after reports of a possible gas leak, police said. Several bridges in the city were closed as a precaution.

"It was quite an exciting ride," Christchurch Police Acting Inspector Murray Hurst told CNN after the first quake, adding that there was some damage caused by the quake and a few injuries that were not life-threatening.

The first quake -- a magnitude 5.2 -- was centered 9 kilometers (5 miles) east-southeast of Christchurch at a depth of 11 kilometers (6.8 miles), according to USGS. The quake took place at 1 p.m. Monday.

A second quake -- a more powerful 6.0 tremor -- struck at 2:20 p.m., roughly 13 kilometers (8 miles) north-northeast of the city at a depth of 9 kilometers (5.6 miles).

And at least one smaller quake followed. A magnitude 4.6 quake struck at 2:40 p.m. about 11 kilometers (6 miles) east of Christchurch and at a depth of 12.5 kilometers (7.8 miles), according to the USGS.

The quakes came nearly four months after a 6.3-magnitude temblor struck the same area, killing more than 180 people.

Van Persie says he was misquoted again

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie says he was misquoted in questioning the professionalism of players in the Premier League.
Van Persie was quoted as saying that some unnamed "English colleagues" enjoyed the party lifestyle too much, and that their careers were being shortened because of it.

The 27-year-old has, however, denied making the comments via his Twitter page.

"Want to clear up some things. I supposed to have made comments about the lifestyle of english players. Words have been taken out of context," he wrote. "Only thing I meant to say is if u look after urself u can enjoy a longer career. Never mentioned english players in particular.

"Who am I to judge. Think the prem league is amazing and so are the boys playing in it!!"

It is the second time in a week that Van Persie has had to deny quotes attributed to him.

Last week he released a statement to rubbish claims in the Dutch media the he had criticised the gamesmanship of players from other clubs such as Chelsea and Barcelona.

"These reports falsely suggest that I recently made negative comments about Spanish and Chelsea players, I would like to make it perfectly clear that I haven't done an interview with Sport 1 or any other outlet in recent weeks and I've certainly not been rude as the comments suggest," he said in a statement.

"I respect my colleagues of Spain and Chelsea and look forward to playing against them for many years to come.

"I sincerely hope that all football fans worldwide don't take these misleading reports seriously."

Lady Gaga's album has steep drop in sales

After last week's strong sales debut, Lady Gaga's album "Born This Way" has seen a sharp decrease in sales.

The superstar's record sold more than a million copies in its first week, but for week two only 174,000 were sold, according to Billboard.

Of course, Lady Gaga's album was on sale for just 99 cents not once but twice after its May 23 release thanks to Amazon, which was offering "Born This Way" at the deep discount along with storage space for the Amazon cloud player service.

Billboard notes that because the promotion likely tacked on hundreds of thousands of units to Gaga's first week sales, the second week's drop-off seems to be at an even steeper decline than is normally expected.

At this rate, Billboard says, Adele - who has been suffering from laryngitis and had to cancel the remainder of her North American tour - could soon reclaim No. 1. The Brit singer's "21" is currently at the No. 2 spot, with 121,000 units sold.

Nani admits Mourinho ambition

Manchester United winger Nani has said that he harbours the ambition of playing under Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho one day.

While Nani claimed that he was happy at Old Trafford for the time being, he admitted that he was pleased to hear that other clubs were interested in him and that he would love to play under his fellow countryman.

"I am fine at Manchester United, but it is good to hear there are other clubs interested," Nani said at a recent youth tournament in Seixal. ''Would I like to work under Mourinho? Yes, but at this moment I am fine at Manchester United. It was a very positive season for Manchester United, and my best individual campaign.''

With Ashley Young due to arrive at Old Trafford in a £16 million deal next week, speculation has continued over the Portuguese winger's future. Nani scored 10 goals and had 18 assists this season and was voted by his team-mates as the Player of the Year for United.

Selena Gomez hospitalized for illness

CNN has confirmed teen star Selena Gomez has been hospitalized, although the reason is currently unknown.

According to TMZ, Gomez, 18, was rushed to the hospital following her appearance on "The Tonight Show" Thursday. The website, citing unnamed sources, says she was feeling “horrible” Thursday night both during and after the show. The Disney star was reportedly complaining of nausea and a severe headache.

Her rep tells CNN, "Last night after Selena's appearance on ‘The Tonight Show’ she wasn't feeling well and was taken to the hospital. She is currently undergoing routine tests."

IU redeems herself on “Kiss & Cry”

In the latest episode of SBS’s “Kiss & Cry“, singer IU finally managed to redeem herself by impressing everyone with a complex routine.

IU entered the rink in a sweet cheerleader uniform alongside her partner, Choi In Hwa, who was dressed as a baseball player. The two performed a cute cheerleading routine to the tune of “Girlfriend“.

The judges were especially impressed by IU’s ability to pull off smooth spirals and tunnel between her partner’s legs, all of which earned her a round of applause from the audience.

Compared to her awkward start in the show’s pilot episode (where she ranked 10th), many were of the opinion that she had certainly improved.

SBS representatives commented, “Despite her busy schedule, IU has been making regular visits to the ice rink to practice her skating. Her improved skills have surprised us well.”

Stay tuned for her full performance on June 12th!

Three years into their career, SECRET still lacks cell phones

Despite being at the top of their game lately, it’s been revealed that the ladies of SECRET still don’t own cell phones.

It’s not unusual for idol groups to not have cell phones, since agencies usually confiscate them in order to encourage their artists to focus on their training, and to prevent them from seeing anti-fan comments.

Still, idols are usually promised cell phones once they make notable achievements, like winning first place on music shows, so the fact that SECRET still lacks personal phones comes as a surprise to most fans.

One representative confirmed, “The members do not have cell phones. They’ve been without them for two years, so the members are used to it and don’t feel any discomfort from lacking one. Any important calls they have to make, they go through their manager’s phone or the phone in the agency. Our office is also close to their dorm so the members don’t feel the need for cell phones yet.”

Sporting KC Finally Comes Home

Kei Kamara and Sporting KC have two games this week, including their first home game of the season.

A couple of teams have a packed schedule this week, and don't forget that Sporting KC's shiny new stadium will hope to give them a lift after a brutal 10-game road trip to open the season.

Here's a look at some of the best options for this week:

Impact Players

Nick Rimando, GK, Real Salt Lake, 8.2 market price (@CLB, @PHI): Anytime a goalie gets two games in a week, he's worth a pickup. Add to that the fact that he'll play two offensively inconsistent sides in Columbus and Philadelphia, and it's certainly worth the investment.

Kei Kamara, F, Sporting KC (CHI, @DAL): Look for players from KC to perform at a higher level, as they play their first home game of the season Thursday. Kamara, who is tied for the team lead in goals, has been quiet of late, but he'll lead the offensive charge and look to add to his total.

Shalrie Joseph, MF, NE Revolution, 6.9 (@NWY): The saga of Shalrie Joseph and the Gold Cup finally ended with the captain electing to stay with the Revolution through the tournament. He's a good bet to put some points on the board against rival New York at Red Bull Arena. ... MORE

New Manilow album inspired by Britney Spears

Barry Manilow sings about the pleasures and pitfalls of fame on "15 Minutes," his upcoming CD that was inspired by a certain blonde pop princess.

"The thing we started to think about was when Britney Spears was being hounded by the paparazzi," Manilow tells the L.A. Times of his concept for the album. "They were driving her crazy. She couldn't have a life without them pulling up next to her car and following her and driving her crazy to the point where, that was around the time she shaved off her hair. I think they actually helped to drive her crazy. We all looked at it in horror… and I said, 'Is this what happens these days?' So it seemed like a thing to be writing an album about."

Manilow, whose new disc drops June 14, also drew inspiration from the young talent he worked with as a mentor on "American Idol."

"What I saw was a lot of young people becoming famous very quickly, overnight," he says. "I've done three 'American Idols,' and it was an amazing thing to watch these young, talented people becoming household names within months. And I remember when I got hit with it, with 'Mandy,' that I was an adult. And yet when 'Mandy' hit, it knocked me for a loop. It turned me into a person I didn't like."

The singer-songwriter admits he began treating people badly.

"I felt I was being demanding. I felt like I was not treating people kindly. But most of all I didn't like where I found myself," he says. "I remember this night in Florida about five years, four years into my beginning of this trip—I don't like the word 'celebrity'—my fame trip. And I was outside in a rocking chair looking at the stars, and I realized that everybody in my house that I was renting on a beach in Florida I was paying. Everybody around me I was paying. My friends had seemed to have disappeared. And this craziness becomes a job, a job that I'm grateful for and that I like, but it's not my life. I had to rethink everything."

Villa open talks with Martinez

Aston Villa are hoping to appoint Roberto Martinez as their next boss after being given permission to speak to the Wigan Athletic manager.GettyImagesRoberto Martinez celebrates with his players

It is believed that Martinez, who has just 12 months left on his deal with Wigan, has already held talks with Villa owner Randy Lerner after arriving back from holiday. But Wigan chief Dave Whelan expects Martinez to reject the chance to move to Villa.

Villa cancelled Steve McClaren's interview, originally scheduled for Thursday, and told Rafael Benitez and Mark Hughes that they are not in the running to replace Gerard Houllier. McClaren had been told he would be

It is believed that Martinez, who has just 12 months left on his deal with Wigan, has already held talks with Villa owner Randy Lerner after arriving back from holiday. But Wigan chief Dave Whelan expects Martinez to reject the chance to move to Villa.

Villa cancelled Steve McClaren's interview, originally scheduled for Thursday, and told Rafael Benitez and Mark Hughes that they are not in the running to replace Gerard Houllier. McClaren had been told he would be ''wasting his time'' by meeting with Lerner.

Villa are thought to have just two names left on their shortlist, Martinez and Bolton's Owen Coyle, but are believed to favour the man who kept Wigan in the Premier League against the odds.

The Daily Telegraph believes Martinez's move to Villa Park is far from a formality, though Whelan never likely to stand in the way of his close friend if a bigger club came calling. If Martinez goes then once again Whelan will have to find a manager to mastermind another Premier League escape plan as the vultures circle for their best players, such as Charles N'Zogbia and Hugo Rodallega.

Martinez, though, has strong emotional ties to Wigan. But the temptation to take another step on the managerial ladder may still prove too strong. Whelan will try to persuade him to stay at the DW by offering him a new deal.

''Aston Villa have acted above board and in a totally professional manner,'' he said. ''They wrote to me asking for permission to speak to Roberto. He was on holiday at the time and I granted Villa permission. He arrived back yesterday and I presume he has spoken to Villa. I have made it clear to him I will be extending his contract.

''I have never let him down on anything and he has never let me down. I know I can never say never in football, but I would be very surprised if he is Aston Villa's new manager.''

Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner released a statement which read: ''The club is conscious of the keen interest in developments over the appointment of our new manager. When the process has reached an appropriate point we can assure our fans that we will be clear and forthright.

''We are focused right now on trying to secure the best candidate who will complement the club's commitment to being true to our heritage, competitiveness and passionate fan base.

''Until such time as the process is more advanced, there will be no further official comment.''

JT and Cameron Diaz still love each other

It’s no secret the new R-rated comedy “Bad Teacher” reunites former celebrity couple Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake. But wasn't it just a little awkward on set for the two famous exes? Apparently not.

"The secret is that we're adults and we've moved on,” Diaz told CNN on Monday at the press junket for the film. “I mean Justin and I love each other. We care about each other. There's no reason for us to be angry or have resentment...Life goes on, and both of our lives have gone on. We've both had a lot of love in our lives since."

Likewise, Timberlake did not shy away from his continued affinity for his ex-girlfriend.

"We share a sense of humor,” he told CNN. “My only apprehension and her only apprehension for doing this movie was that people would misconstrue [our relationship], but at the end of the day they are going to do that. We love each other, we respect each other, we are still great friends, we love to laugh together, and why not do it at work on a movie that's really funny?"

Besides, Diaz added, "The love has evolved to [what it is] now and we accept that. You can't go back. And I don't want to go back there."

“Bad Teacher” begins schooling moviegoers June 24, 2011.

Santos demand £41m for Neymar

GettyImagesNeymar has attracted attention from Europe's elite.

Chelsea have been told that they will have to dig deep to the tune of £41 million if they are to prise Brazilian sensation Neymar away from Santos.

Neymar
GettyImagesNeymar has attracted attention from Europe's elite.

• Robinho warns Neymar over move
• Neymar hoping for Chelsea move

Neymar is one of the hottest properties in world football and has admirers all over Europe. Chelsea have long been in the frame and owner Roman Abramovich gave the green light to the deal last year, only to see the offer rebuffed.

Neymar's stock has continued to rise and that previous gambit from Stamford Bridge falls below Santos' valuation.

"Last year Santos received an offer of £32 million from Chelsea and it was rejected," the player's agent Wagner Ribeiro told The Sun. "Now he would not leave for less than £41 million."

Ribeiro is doing a decent job of talking up his client, likening him to world superstar Lionel Messi.

"Neymar is like Messi," he said. "Soon he will be the best in the world as he is a player like no other. "He is just 19 but all the big clubs are following him."

Shania Twain confirms 2-year Vegas gig

Shania Twain's headed for Vegas. The singer confirmed a two-year residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace during a press conference streamed on her website Wednesday.

Twain said she thought deeply about whether or not to make the commitment before agreeing to move to Sin City.

“I’ve learned how to commit myself and put that into healing rather than fear and anxiety,” said the country artist, who divorced her husband in 2010 after learning of his affair with her friend.

When asked if she’s spoken to fellow Canadian Celine Dion, a Colosseum veteran, about the show, Twain said: “The last time I spoke to Celine, it was about our babies. … I consider this venture very personal. … I think Celine will be very insightful and very helpful.”

So what can we expect from Twain’s “Still the One” show?

“It’s early stages and it’s going to be a process, and I really don’t know what you can expect. … I’m going to make the most of this extraordinary platform. … It’s given me a huge freedom and I’m going to go nuts.”

“Anything is possible at Caesars,” she added.

Twain's “Still the One” show will begin on December 1, 2012.

Premier League clubs' revenue soars

GettyImagesManchester City's wage bill has increased dramatically in recent years

Combined revenues of Premier League clubs have soared above £2 billion for the first time since the 2009-10 season, a Deloitte annual report on the finances of the game revealed.

Manchester City's wage bill has increased dramatically in recent years
GettyImagesManchester City's wage bill has increased dramatically in recent years

The report praised football's "remarkable recession resistance" during the global economic crisis as fans continued to flock to stadiums across the country despite the economic downturn.

"At many football clubs, it's very hard to get season tickets," said Alex Byars, Senior Consultant in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte. "It's one of the last things fans are willing to give up (in a financial crisis). Football is a bit of a release and escape from the rest of the working week."

But it wasn't all good news for English clubs, as an increase in wages and pre-tax losses have left analysts worried. Indeed, Premier League clubs made record losses of £445 million due to clubs' high spending.

"The record pre-tax losses of 445 million pounds in 2009-10 are also a concern, particularly as credit is likely to remain less available to football clubs than it was two or three years ago," Byars said. "This may also, in part, explain why gross transfer spending by Premier League clubs decreased by more than 20 percent from the record 713 million pounds in 2008/09 to 559 million pounds in 2009-10."

Germany's Bundesliga rated as the most profitable league in the world ahead of the Premier League. However, the report suggested the high revenues of English clubs would place them in a strong position ahead of the new UEFA financial fair play rules to come into practice from the 2013-14 season.

Is fame screwing with Emma Watson's dating life?

Emma Watson’s international fame as a “Harry Potter” star didn’t get her bullied out of Brown University as rumors suggested, but it might be putting a crimp in her social life.

The 21-year-old told the U.K.’s Sunday Times Style magazine that landing a date hasn’t been easy.

“I say to my friends, 'Why hasn't X called me? Why doesn't anyone ever pursue me?' They're like, 'Probably because they're intimidated.' It must be the fame wall," she told the magazine, according to Us Weekly. "It must be the circus that goes around me. Me, as a person, I find it hard to believe I would be intimidating.”

While the “fame wall” may be stopping potential suitors, it didn’t cause problems for her at Brown. The actress, who began classes at the Rhode Island school in 2009, announced she was departing from the institution in April to transfer to another school – and not because of bullies, she reiterated to the Sunday Times.

“It made me so sad when all this stuff came out that I was being bullied…It made no sense at all,” she said. "I've never even been asked for an autograph on campus. I threw a party for nearly 100 students and not a single person put a photo on Facebook.”

And even if she had been given a hard time, Watson goes on, “I wasn't going to wuss out of university because someone said 'Wingardium leviosa' to me in a corridor, or 'Ten points for Gryffindor.' I've been dealing with the media since I was nine. If I can't stand up to a few people giving me a hard time, it's a bit pathetic, really. I've had so much worse."

Girl dies after fall from Ferris wheel

(CNN) -- An 11-year-old girl died Friday after falling from a Ferris wheel while on a class trip to an amusement park in New Jersey, police said.

Abiah Jones fell at Morley Piers Mariner's Landing Pier about 12:30 p.m., according to the Wildwood Police Department.

First responders gave her first aid and took her to Cape Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead about 1:15 p.m., according to police.

The girl was riding one of the park's main attractions, "The Great Wheel." At 156 feet, it's one of the tallest wheels on the East Coast, according to Morley Piers spokeswoman Lindsey Young.

The cause of the girl's fall was unknown and the Wildwood police and the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office continue to investigate.

The Carnival Amusement Inspectors of New Jersey were also on the scene Friday afternoon conducting their own investigation, police said.

It is the first time someone has fallen from the ride since it opened in 1985 and the park has suffered no other guest fatality, Young said.

The ride was inspected by the state in March and passed, Young said.

Robert Gates warns of possible clashes in the South China Sea

Singapore (CNN) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Saturday warned that clashes could occur in the South China Sea if nations in the area do not agree on ways to deal with disputes.

"Without rules of the road, without agreed approaches to deal with these problems, then there will be clashes. I think that serves nobody's interest," Gates said at an annual Asia security meeting hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Gates statement comes amid tensions as China stakes claims on sovereignty in the South China Sea and other nations disputes these claims.

Despite an economic downturn and budget cuts, the United States will keep its commitments and "robust military engagement" in Asia, Gates said.

Gates told the audience of defense ministers and military leaders that there has been significant growth in U.S. engagement in Asia in recent years, "even at a time of economic distress at home and two major military campaigns ongoing in Iraq and Afghanistan."

The U.S. record in Asia shows, "irrespective of the tough times the U.S. faces today, or the tough choices we confront in the years to come, that America's interests as a Pacific nation -- as a country that conducts much of its trade in the region -- will endure," Gates said.

Gates - who met with China's Defense Minister Gen. Lian Guanglie on Friday -- said the U.S was working with China "to build a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship."

He called military-to-military ties with China "a priority" and said he'd seen steady improvement in recent months.

Continued cooperation and regional military exercises will continue to play a vital role in regional stability, Gates said in his speech.

And while continuing to modernize base agreements with allies, Gates said, "We've taken a number of steps toward establishing a defense posture across the Asia Pacific that is more geographically distributed, operationally resilient and politically sustainable."

Gates talked about changes he has seen during his tenure as defense secretary.

"One of the most striking -- and surprising -- changes I've observed during my travels to Asia is the widespread desire across the region for stronger military-to-military relationships with the United States -- much more so than during my last time in government 20 years ago," Gates said.

Li Na tops Francesa Schiavone for title

PARIS -- China's long wait for a Grand Slam champion ended Saturday when Li Na beat Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 7-6 (0) in the French Open final.

The Australian Open runner-up celebrated by falling flat on her back in the red clay after Schiavone hit a backhand long on match point.

The crowd at Roland Garros was dotted with red Chinese flags and a small, vocal group supporting Schiavone. And despite dropping her serve for the only time late in the second set, Li won the final nine points of the match to earn her first major title.

On Sunday, five-time champion Rafael Nadal will face Roger Federer in the men's final.

The title was only Li's fifth in her career, and first on clay.

She was broken only once by the defending champion, while she converted two of her eight break points -- one in each set. She finished with 31 winners, while Schiavone had only 12.

Li took a 3-2 lead in the first when Schiavone sent a forehand wide. She held at love in the next two games, and then won the set when Schiavone sent a forehand long.

The Chinese player opened the second set with her second break of the match, and then saved Schiavone's first break point in the next game with an ace. But Schiavone broke back in the eighth game to even the score at 4-4.

Both players held the rest of the way, but Schiavone came within two points of winning the set on four occasions, twice at 5-5 and two more times at 6-6.

Although Li has said she is not a big fan of playing on clay, her power and precision worked well against Schiavone, who last year became the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam singles title.

For Li, the year started well but soon took a dip.

After losing to Kim Clijsters in the Australian Open final, the 29-year-old Li lost her next four matches. But she recovered her form shortly before the French Open, reaching the semifinals in Madrid.

By winning Saturday, Li is expected to move to No. 4 in the rankings, equaling the record for the highest ranking by a woman from Asia. Japanese player Kimiko Date-Krumm has also been ranked No. 4.

Both Li and Schiavone came into the final with plenty of experience. Combined, they were the oldest pair in a women's Grand Slam final since Wimbledon in 1998, when Jana Novotna, 29, beat Nathalie Tauziat, 30.

Kim Kardashian’s Engagement Ring: What You Can’t See

Nick Saglimbeni

Kim Kardashian‘s stunning 20.5-carat engagement ring is obviously big. It’s so big, in fact, that husband-to-be Kris Humphries was able to include several inscriptions on the inside of the sparkler. “It’s engraved, with two things from the Bible,” Humphries tells PEOPLE. “There’s one verse [Proverbs 31: 10-31] about the perfect godly woman,” he explains. “The other, [1 John 3:18] is about love. It took me … a few days to pick them out and research the perfect ones.” In the middle of the two passages is a third inscription, “K [hearts] K,” standing, of course, for Kris and Kim. Before proposing, Humphries sought guidance from one of Kardashian’s closest friends, Spin Crowd star Jonathan Cheban. “I know all her girlfriends but he’s her only guy friend,” the basketball star says. “I wanted to ask him what he thought. A while ago, I called him and told him, ‘I have to do this, I have to propose, I want to do this now!’” But he held out. “I was going to do it on a vacation we took but the timing wasn’t right,” he explains. “[So when] Kim was in Miami doing a QVC thing … Jonathan came to L.A. and we just hung out and talked about [the proposal]. We set some things up.” Not only did Humphries plan the proposal in advance; he picked up the engagement ring early, too. “I got the ring a while ago,” he admits. “I had it for a few weeks.” He must’ve had a good hiding spot! –Jennifer Garcia

Jennifer Aniston's New Man Meets Her Friends

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They've only been dating a few weeks, but things appear to be heating up between Jennifer Aniston and her new man, actor and screenwriter Justin Theroux.

On May 27, Jennifer threw a small get-together for close pals, including Chelsea Handler and Courteney Cox, to introduce them to her guy. "They all had a great time and enjoyed Justin's company," a source tells PEOPLE.

As for the new couple – who first became friendly on the Georgia set of Wanderlust last fall – "they're doing great.” Adds the source: "He’s edgier than the guys Jen usually dates. She really likes him!”
– Aili Nahas and Pernilla Cedenheim

Molly Sims is engaged

Yes, man, it's true: Molly Sims is getting married.

The actress and jewelry designer is engaged to Love and Other Drugs producer Scott Stuber, her rep tells PEOPLE.

Sims, 38, dated Stuber, 42, for a year-and-a-half before he popped the question the weekend of May 20. As a bonus, he flew her parents into Los Angeles to celebrate the occasion.

Sims starred in TV's Las Vegas and the movie Yes Man.

Jessica Simpson is a mom... to a new dog

(PEOPLE.com) -- Though she hasn't even walked down the aisle yet, bride-to-be Jessica Simpson is already practicing her parenting skills -- on fiancé Eric Johnson's dog.

"His name's Bentley, he's an Airedale terrier [and] he's adorable," she told PEOPLE at last weekend's opening of artist Tom Everhart's "Crashing the Party: The Arty-Fact Paintings" New York exhibit. "He's the best dog. I love him to death."

Everhart's work, which incorporates images of the Peanuts beagle Snoopy, also made Simpson reminisce about her late dog Daisy.

"She would have loved all of this," she said of her Maltipoo, who died in 2009 after being snatched by a coyote. "She might've barked at him, thinking they were coming out to get her."

As for Simpson and Bentley, though it's smooth sailing now, theirs wasn't a case of love at first sight.

"At first he would growl at me, and now he comes and snuggles up to me," said Simpson. "It's like I have a brand new dog."

Moving forward, Simpson and Johnson have not ruled out adopting another pet. "Eventually, I think we want to get something," she said. "Whoever Bentley will get along with."

See full article at PEOPLE.com.

Van Persie slams Spain and Chelsea

GettyImagesRobin van Persie protests his red card against Barcelona

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has launched an incredible tirade against Spain and Chelsea players, telling them to stop 'bitching' at officials and get on with playing football.
Van Persie claims he 'cannot understand' the behaviour of players who constantly put the referee under pressure and was scathing of Barcelona following their actions in the Champions League last-16 clash with the Gunners. However, he has now extended his ire towards the world champions and also London rivals Chelsea.

"They [Spain players] always go up to referees in an attempt to get an opponent booked. They are trying to screw colleagues! That kind of behaviour really annoys me," Van Persie told Sport 1.

"People who are watching the game on television and fans really do not want to see these kind of things. If you want to witness a lot of complaints, you should just go the bakery or something. There's always people nagging there as well.

"Chelsea players are always bitching against the referees. I really cannot understand that. Just shut the f*** up and focus on playing football."

The Dutchman's comments, though, do take a different line from that of team-mate Jack Wilshere who claimed on Wednesday: "It's no use just Robin van Persie going because it looks like it's just him having a go at the ref. If we all get round him..." suggesting that Arsenal need to toughen up and impose themselves on officials.

Meanwhile, Nicklas Bendtner has confirmed his desire to leave the club.

"I have decided 100% that I must leave Arsenal," he told sporten.dk. "I've considered this for a long time and was quite clear when I arrived at my decision.

"It doesn't feel particularly strange to not know what my future holds - I'm quite calm and confident that I'll be fine at a new club.

"I'm fully focused on Saturday's game for now, because it is incredibly important, but after the international is over I may focus more directly on my future [but] I am sure I could easily go on holiday without having to panic about it. I'm looking to relax, mentally, after a season that was not what I hoped for or expected."

Wenger targets tall players

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claims that he will be targeting tall players in the summer transfer window and also insists his side are ''close'' to winning the Premier league title.

GettyImagesArsenal have suffered from a lack of height this season

• Wenger hopeful over Cesc
• Nasri contract talks stall
• Evra: Nasri should join United
• Arshavin: Wenger wants me to stay
• Wilshere: Let's harass refs

Wenger has not won a trophy at the club for six years, with defensive frailty seen as the key reason for their failure across all competitions. The Gunners let in 43 goals in the Premier League this season but will now be targeting more physical players in a bid to get them back on track.

"We need to improve the size of our squad,'' Wenger said. ''We need a bigger variety in the height of our players. We need to be more capable of fighting against some characteristics than we have been this season."

The French boss also said he understands the fans' frustrations after failing to win silverware again.

"The criticism has been sharper this year because of the impatience of people," he said. "People are used to us being in the Champions League so we have to give them more, but we're not capable of doing that.

"People love what we do but they want us to be rewarded so they can be convinced we do things the right way. For our fans the frustration was that we were so close to convincing everybody of how football can be great, but in the end not being able to deliver."

However, Wenger is positive that his side can deliver next season and claims they are "close" to winning the Premier League.

"We get it 95% right, but we must gain that 5% because it's so frustrating to flirt with success like we have done, and the fans are unhappy that we didn't win the league, but we are close," he said. "In 2003 we were also the best away team, but didn't win. We kept going and in 2004 we were very strong."

Bayern finally agree deal for Neuer

Manuel Neuer will play for Bayern Munich from next season after a fee was agreed with Schalke.

GettyImagesManuel Neuer: Spent six years with Schalke

Neuer was moving into the last year of his contract with Schalke and was certain to move on. He had been linked with Manchester United but the goalkeeper always made it clear he wanted to remain in Germany.

He will officially sign a five-year contract with the Bavarians once he undergoes a medical upon his return from international duty, and become a Bayern player on July 1.

Neuer said: "I am really looking forward to this huge and exciting challenge at Bayern.

"Many of my international team-mates will be my team-mates in Munich. Therefore I won't be going into a new environment and will certainly settle in quickly.''

Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: "Bayern are very happy in Manuel Neuer to have signed for the long term not only the Germany number one, but also one of the best goalkeepers in the world.''

Neuer has been Schalke's number one since making his debut in 2005, and made his farewell appearance in their DFB-Pokal final victory earlier this month.

Schalke general manager and board member Horst Heldt said the club had allowed Neuer to leave with a heavy heart: "This was a difficult decision for all those involved, because in Manuel Neuer the club are losing an outstanding player in every respect.

"But we have now finally decided to accept Bayern's offer, because given the circumstances it is the best solution for Schalke. We also promised Manuel we would honour his wish to be able to move on in the summer. Even though it will certainly hurt almost all Schalke supporters to the soul to lose such a role model, we should not forget the great things Manuel Neuer has achieved at the club.

"In sporting terms, he had a huge role in the success of the last five years, this season in winning the DFB-Pokal and in reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the first time.''

Bayern have also confirmed the signing of one of Neuer's former Schalke team-mates, Brazilian right-back Rafinha, from Genoa. The 25-year-old, who spent five years in Gelsenkirchen before moving to Serie A last year, has signed a three-year contract at Bayern.

Ralf Fahrmann will be Neuer's replacement at Schalke after he rejoined the club at which he started his career on a free transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt. The 22-year-old has joined on a four-year contract.

U.S. demands answers in death of Iranian dissident

Washington (CNN) -- The State Department called on the government of Iran Wednesday to investigate the death of a human rights activist this week, reportedly after security forces got into a confrontation with mourners at her father's funeral.

Haleh Sahabi, an opposition activist and women's rights advocate, was arrested during Iran's 2009 post-election crackdown and was given a two-year jail sentence. She was allowed out of prison to attend the funeral of her father, noted Iranian dissident Ezatollah Sahabi.

According to opposition websites, Sahabi was pushed to the ground during a scuffle between mourners and security forces and died of cardiac arrest. She was in her mid-50s.

The opposition web site Kaleme said that security forces tried to interfere with the carrying of the body, confronting Sahabi and other mourners. She was clutching a photo of her father to her chest and fell when the security forces tried to take it from her, Kaleme reported.

Another opposition site, Sahamnews, said one of the security forces punched her in the abdomen.

"Both Haleh and her father suffered in life for their political activism including imprisonment," deputy State Department spokesman Mark Toner said. "We call on the Iranian government to investigate the circumstances of her death. If reports are accurate that government security forces contributed to her death, this would demonstrate a deplorable disregard for human dignity and respect on the part of the Iranian authorities."

Toner questioned the presence of security forces at the funeral and said the initial reports that Sahabi's death was related to the scuffle between the mourners and the security forces need explaining.

"Why Iranian security forces would have been at this event is question number one, and question number two is whether there was some kind of physical altercation that caused her to suffer," he said.

Semi-official news agencies like Mehr and Fars said that Sahabi had not died at the hands of security forces, but rather due to a pre-existing heart condition.

Sahabi's death comes just two weeks before the June 12 anniversary of the 2009 Iranian election, in which the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad angered supporters of Iran's opposition movement and sparked massive protests that were followed by a crackdown by the Iranian government.

The Obama administration has increased pressure on the Iranian regime over alleged human rights violations, imposing sanctions recently on individuals believed to be responsible for violence against the opposition.

Blatter commits to 'change' after winning FIFA's presidential vote

Sepp Blatter has been re-elected as president of soccer's world governing body and immediately vowed to put "FIFA's ship back on the right course in clear, transparent waters."

At FIFA's Congress in Zurich, Switzerland on Wednesday, Blatter received 186 votes from football's 208 member football associations, to serve his fourth term as president despite the race becoming engulfed by corruption allegations within the organization.

Blatter's only rival for the presidency, Mohamed Bin Hammam, pulled out of the race after he was suspended by FIFA's Ethics Committee on Sunday in relation to bribery charges surrounding Qatar's successful bid for the 2022 World Cup.

PR guru Max Clifford: How to rescue FIFA

After Blatter's re-election was confirmed he told Congress: "I thank you for your trust and confidence. Our pyramid is intact, the base, the foundation is strong and together we have four years to continue on our path and do our job.

"We will put FIFA's ship back on the right course in clear, transparent waters. We need some time to do it, but we shall do it.

"Today something marvelous happened and I'd simply like to tell you I'm deeply moved and honored. It's a challenge, a new one for me, and I accept it. Together we shall do it."

Was Blatter right to be defiant?

Earlier in the day, 172 of the 208 delegates voted not to delay the presidential ballot despite Blatter being the only candidate. Both the football associations of England and Scotland urged FIFA not to proceed following the suspension of Bin Hammam.
We will put the FIFA ship back into the clear and transparent waters
--Sepp Blatter, FIFA president
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After the result was confirmed, FIFA voted through changes proposed by Blatter to alter the process they use to decide the host nations for future World Cups.

"I want to give more power to the national associations," he said. "In the future the World Cup will be decided by the FIFA Congress. The executive committee will create a shortlist -- but will make no recommendations only a list -- and the congress will decide on the venue."

Russia and Qatar were chosen for the 2018 and 2022 events -- ahead of Spain and Portugal and the United States respectively -- in a controversial vote held in December last year which saw two executive committee members suspended for breaching "ethical codes."

England missed out on the 2018 World Cup and had called for the ballot to be delayed. "This has been a very damaging time for the reputation of FIFA and therefore the whole of football," said David Bernstein, chairman of the English Football Association.

The Scottish Football Association echoed the call. "The events of the last two days, in particular, have made any election unworkable," SFA head Stewart Reagan said in a statement.

Never mind Saint Sepp, the system is to blame

Despite Blatter's re-election, the fallout from the corruption scandal persists. He admitted that the suspension of Bin Hammam, as well as FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, had hurt his organization.
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"I am the captain weathering the storm, this is a difficult period for FIFA and I admit that readily. Not only is the pyramid shaking but our ship has drawn some water.

"We must do something because I do not want ever again that we face this undignified situation."

On Wednesday, the head of the German Football Federation said FIFA's awarding of the World Cup to Qatar should be re-examined in the wake of the ethics scandal.

"Especially regarding the awarding of the World Cup 2022 to Qatar, there has been repeated speculation and corruption allegations," Theo Zwanziger said in an interview posted on the league's web site Wednesday.

"From what I am reading, I have to believe that there are substantial allegations that we cannot ignore or shove aside. And therefore I must believe that the awarding of this world cup must be re examined.

"How this is to happen is something I would only like to talk about when I know more about the facts. I am coming from the outside and was not a member of the executive back then," he added.

Zwanziger joins a growing chorus of voices critical of FIFA as the election loomed. But Zwanziger said the soccer body should not postpone Wednesday's election, a view that was shared by other powerful football organizations.

Podcast: Is FIFA relevant to U.S. soccer fans?

Sponsors of international soccer including Visa, Coca-Cola and Adidas have warned that the ethics scandal is hurting the sport.

"The current situation is clearly not good for the game," a Visa spokesman told CNN Tuesday, echoing comments from other companies that pay to have their logos at the World Cup and other major soccer events. The Visa spokesman declined to be named.

"The negative tenor of the public debate around FIFA at the moment is neither good for football nor for FIFA," Adidas chief communications officer Jan Runau said.

Sponsor Emirates airlines said it was "disappointed" by the "issues around the administration" of FIFA, and Coca-Cola said Monday that the ethics allegations were "distressing and bad for the sport."

The concerns came as Blatter shrugged off corruption allegations within FIFA and said he would press ahead with his bid to be re-elected.

Blatter said Monday night that the organization was not in crisis after the FIFA ethics committee suspended top officials Jack Warner and Mohamed Bin Hammam. The latter was the only contender against Blatter for the presidency.

Bin Hammam was a major influence in Qatar's surprising victory in winning the right to host the 2022 World Cup finals.

He and Warner have been accused of offering cash gifts to national associations in return for pro-Bin Hammam votes in the presidential election.

Warner and Bin Hammam both deny wrongdoing.

FIFA is the body that decides where soccer's quadrennial World Cup will be held, among other responsibilities.

GALAXY: Defense key as streak hits four

Elsa/Getty ImagesThe Galaxy celebrates Miguel Lopez's goal, which came off a David Beckham cross.

The Galaxy made it three 1-0 victories in eight days Saturday night, using more lights-out defense -- with two big saves at the finish -- and one perfect header to knock out the New England Revolution and run their winning streak to four.

Miguel Lopez scored the goal, his first in Major League Soccer, getting a glancing nod to David Beckham's rifled cross in the 69th minute, and A.J. DeLaGarza and Landon Donovan came up huge in the closing minutes to secure L.A.'s seventh shutout in 15 league matches.

“We've been good all year, with the exception of [a 4-1 loss March 26 at Real] Salt Lake,” Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. “And we've been unlucky … losing some points on the road, as well as [a couple of] shutouts, so we've been very good, I think, over the last 10 games or so defensively.”

They've surrendered seven in the dozen games since the RSL debacle, and two were on a faulty penalty kick at D.C. United and a Sean Franklin giveaway in Philadelphia. The Galaxy (8-2-5) had a few questionable moments at Foxborough but cleaned them up after 15 minutes or so and surrendered practically nothing until a blistering sequence just into stoppage.

Jamaican goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, who like Donovan was playing in his last Galaxy game before heading off to the CONCACAF Gold Cup, came off his line for a long, hopeful ball into the box by Kevin Alston, but he didn't get much of a punch to it and was out of position for Zack Schilawski's half-volley from the fallout. DeLaGarza, backing up the play, made an acrobatic save, falling almost into the goal as Sean Franklin raced in ahead of Shalrie Joseph to clear the ball from the box.

Sainey Nyassi collected the ball on the right flank and sent in a cross into the goalmouth for Schilawski, whose point-blank volley crashed into the underside of the crossbar and back down. Joseph jumped over (and into) DeLaGarza to head the rebound as a crush of bodies swarmed the goal line, and Donovan, in retreat, kicked the ball to safety.

“I assume [Schilawski's volley crossed the line], to be honest,” Joseph said. “I'm 90 percent hoping it went across the line. It was so close. I saw the net shaking. I don’t know how it was shaking and the ball didn’t hit the net. It just didn’t go in.”

New baby clears Conrad's head

Victor Decolongon/Getty ImagesJimmy Conrad has been out since March 26 after suffering a concussion, be he hopes to return soon.

Did his second daughter's arrival clear Jimmy Conrad's head? He thinks it might have, and so his celebration of her birth last week has been coupled with a return to the field.

The Chivas USA defender is merely running at this point, but after missing two months because of a concussion, it's a start -- and he credits his new baby.

"I think it helped that I just really focused on the baby and helping my wife and getting all that done and stopped thinking about my head," Conrad said Tuesday. "And I think when I did that, you know, 'I actually feel all right.' ... It's a hard one, because you want to be honest about what you're feeling, but then maybe you're overthinking your own brain. But I feel like I'm back to myself."

It coincided, he said, with the birth last Tuesday of Jane Mirabelle Conrad, who joined Jimmy, his wife, Lyndsey, and 4-year-old Julia Rose. The veteran center back, who starred at Temple City High School and UCLA before embarking on an MLS career now in its 13th season, says sleep deprivation has him "walking around like a zombie," but he circled the field at a decent pace during the Goats' training session Tuesday.

He was cleared to resume training last week and, officially, is available for selection, but his return to action remains, at least, a few weeks away.

"It's one thing to go run around the field and look good doing that, it's another going up and battling guys with headers ...," said Conrad, 34, who was hurt March 26 when punched in the back of the head in an aerial battle with Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Matt Pickens. "I'm itching [to get onto the field]. You never get used to watching a game, but I started to be OK with it a little bit, you know, just saying this is something that's a little bit out of my hands, out of my control, and I'm just trying to be smart at this point, especially with another daughter on the way.

"You want to make sure you do your due diligence, and all the protocol, cross the T's and dot the I's."