IPhone insurance now available, but too expensive?

AP – FILE - In this June 24, 2010 file photo, Piotr Kubiak of Oakland, Ill., shows off his new Apple iPhone …
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NEW YORK – Absent-minded iPhone users can now insure their devices against loss or accidents. But with a $12 monthly fee and a $199 deductible for the latest model, it might make more sense to just learn to be careful.
Asurion, an insurer of consumer-electronics products, has started a new policy that will cover iPhones that are lost or stolen, or get damaged whether dropped on the ground or into a pitcher of beer. Cracked screens, a common iPhone mishap, will be replaced, even if the phone otherwise works.
It's the only insurance plan for the iPhone authorized by AT&T Inc., the exclusive wireless carrier in the United States for Apple Inc.'s popular smart phone.
Replacing a phone can be costly. Although the iPhone 4 costs $199 or $299 with a two-year contract with AT&T, customers would need to pay the full retail price of $599 or $699 to replace a phone in the middle of the contract.
Repairs aren't cheap, either. Tekserve, an Apple retailer and repair shop in New York, charges $149 to replace a cracked screen and $99 for a broken microphone or charging port. (Apple didn't responded to repeated inquiries on repair service charges at the company's stores.)
Nonetheless, the value of the new insurance product is questionable.
"These policies aren't worth it," said Mike Gikas, senior editor of Consumer Reports magazine. "You are paying more than the phone is actually worth if you lose it later in the contract."
Gikas said that the best option is to buy a used phone from a website such as eBay, or get an older one from a friend, until the contract is up. He said the overwhelming majority of users do not lose or break their phones, making the premium prices far too high.
Consider this: The plan costs $12 per month, and to get a replacement, a customer must also pay a $199 deductible for the iPhone 4 (The deductible is $50 or $100 less for some older iPhone models).
An insured owner who loses a phone after a year of use would have paid $144 in fees on top of the $199 deductible. That would be a total of $343, about half the price of a new phone. But the chances of losing or breaking a phone are far below 50 percent, making the price for the policy too high for the risk. And according to Asurion, the replacement phone might be a refurbished model.
And what if the owner merely cracks a screen? Based on those figures, it would cost about $200 less to simply repair it at Tekserve.
But Asurion spokesman Tim Stadthaus said the savings over buying a new phone, if lost, makes the policy a good value. He said loss or damage of phones is more common than people think — and the insurance means customers won't get socked with huge replacement costs.
"There is a high demand for a quick, easy, lower cost way to receive a replacement," Stadthaus said in an e-mail. "Consumers want the peace of mind of knowing that for loss, theft, damage, plus out-of-warranty failures, they have a comprehensive solution."
Stadthaus said that with the inclusion of the iPhone, Asurion now covers every mobile phone. The company, which also provides insurance for television and computers, has 90 million customers worldwide for its cell phone coverage.
It's not clear why it took so long for an authorized iPhone insurance offering, when other phones had been previously covered. AT&T spokeswoman Dawn Benton referred questions to Asurion, which said that only now does it have a sufficient supply of replacement iPhones to provide the service.
Owners of iPhones can sign up within 30 days of activating service, through a free iPhone application provided by Asurion. The app checks to make sure the phone is in working order at the time of registration.
Although Asurion is the only plan authorized by AT&T, independent warranty provider SquareTrade offers coverage for damage from accidents and spills. SquareTrade's coverage is $99 for two years (compared with $288 for Asurion's). The company's deductible is $50, less than Asurion's $199 for the iPhone 4. But SquareTrade's extended warranty doesn't cover lost or theft.
Apple also sells its AppleCare extended warranty program at a one-time cost of $69 for the just-launched iPhone 4. But it doesn't cover loss or theft either, nor does it kick in for damage from clumsy owners. Apple extended warranty only covers manufacturer's defects and faulty batteries, for two years from purchase. Apple's no-cost standard warranty has the same limited scope, but for one year.
Renters or homeowners insurance will often cover the loss of a phone, said Jeff McCollum, spokesman for State Farm Insurance. But the owner will usually have to pay a deductible of $500 to $1,000, offering value only if the loss of the phone is part of a bigger claim, such as after a home burglary or fire.
Keisha Spivey, a 35-year-old office administrator from Brooklyn, said she would consider buying insurance at Asurion's prices, having had a phone stolen years ago.
"It's only a couple of dollars more for extra added security," she said. "Right now if I'm to lose my phone, I'm pretty much on my own."
Beth Valdez, a veterinarian in San Francisco, also thought the price was reasonable, though she didn't believe she'd need it herself.
"I'm pretty anal about my phones," Valdez said. "If I was somebody who thought I'd break my phone, then I probably would" purchase the policy.
Other iPhone enthusiasts, however, thought the policy was overpriced.
Joseph Medina, 35, an assets fund manager in New York, was holding a smashed iPhone in his hand as he stood in line for the new iPhone 4 last week. He had waited for the upgrade and continued to use his phone with its cracked screen for the past month.
"I would never pay 144 dollars a year. It's a rip-off," Medina said. "I would prefer to just wait until I can get a brand new phone than pay $12 a month."
Some iPhone owners worried about adding to the already-hefty bills they get for voice and data services.
"I pay 150 dollars per month. And now they want me to pay another $12?" said Carlos Cortez, a 28-year old bricklayer from Jersey City, N.J. "And I don't need it. I treat my phone better than I treat my woman."

Pirate Bay founding group disbands

Logo of The Pirate Bay
Piratbyran created The Pirate Bay, then separated from the file-sharing site.
The Swedish anti-copyright group Piratbyran, which gave rise to the popular file-sharing website The Pirate Bay has disbanded.
Marcin de Kaminski, a founder of Piratbyran, which means "piracy bureau" in English, told BBC News "we don't feel we are needed" any more.
But the group also decided to close following the death of a co-founder.
A spokesperson for the Swedish computer games industry said the decision showed "the discussion has moved on".
Piratbyran first emerged in 2003, as a response to the Swedish body Antipiratbyran (anti-piracy bureau), which works to counter the sharing of copyrighted materials on-line.
Different perspectives Mr de Kaminski claimed that Piratbyran had "normalised" the use of file-sharing networks: "to make sure that people don't feel ashamed about being file-sharers, but that it is a natural and quite common activity online".
It's fair to say that most illegal file-sharers feel they really should be paying
Per Stromback Editor, Netopia
Per Stromback, a spokesperson for the Swedish games industry and editor of the discussion forum Netopia, which is supported by several Swedish creative organisations, said Piratbyran "have been very successful in creating excuses for something that can't be justified.
"It's fair to say that most illegal file-sharers feel they really should be paying".
Piratbyran may be best remembered as a group which created the popular file-sharing website The Pirate Bay.
Whilst Pirate Bay servers do not actually store copyright materials, they use a peer-to-peer networking technology called Bittorrent, which enables users to easily connect with other users to share and download legal and illegal films, music and software.
Last year, four men associated with The Pirate Bay were given a hefty fine and sentenced to a year in jail, after they were found guilty in Sweden of having made copyright files available for illegal file-sharing. An appeal in the case is pending.
Mr de Kaminski said that Piratbyran "has not been involved with Pirate Bay for five years or more", but that he expected the site to continue operating.
He also attributed the closure of Piratbyran to the death of one of its co-founders, Ibi Kopimi Botani: "Our group was very small, and when one of our members is no longer alive, it is hard to keep the group alive," he said.
Fun pranks Mr Stromback added that he would miss some of his exchanges with the Piratbyran group.
"They have an old bus which they drive around to all sorts of places.
"They have a fun anarchistic way of presenting themselves, and whilst we don't share many of the same views, I've enjoyed some of their pranks."

Grading Spain vs. Portugal


CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Spain just keeps getting better and better. The opening-game loss to Switzerland seems like ancient history, and now Portugal is history, as La Furia Roja defeated their Iberian neighbors, 1-0, to reach the quarterfinals. In that match, they will be heavy favorites against a Paraguayan side that can be expected to employ many of the same defensive tactics that Portugal used.

Spain

Xavi, midfield: A
With Portugal resolute in defense, it was always going to take something special for Spain to break the Portuguese down. Xavi delivered just that, as his cheeky backheel put David Villa in the clear to slot home the game winner after his initial shot had been saved. Xavi also helped boss the midfield, allowing Spain to cut off the supply line to Cristiano Ronaldo.
David Villa, forward: A
Villa was a near-constant menace down the left wing all night. He nearly put La Furia Roja up early with a near-post effort, and he perfectly timed his run to collect Xavi's backheel -- then netted the winner from his own rebound. Spain has had some nervy moments in this tournament, but Villa's goals have pulled the Spaniards through.
Fernando Torres, forward: D
If there is one worry for Spain after its victory, it's the continued poor form of Torres. As in many of his previous performances, Torres struggled with his touch and was comfortably contained by the opposing defense. Even worse for Torres, the Spanish attack seemed to perk up once he left the field in exchange for Fernando Llorente. The question now facing manager Vicente Del Bosque is whether he should reduce Torres to a substitute's role.

Portugal

Eduardo, goalkeeper: A
On another night, the Portuguese keeper would have been man of the match, such were the saves he made throughout the game. His reflex save denied Llorente in the second half, and he brilliantly parried away a Villa strike with 15 minutes to go to keep Portugal within touching distance. Eduardo was in tears afterward, but he has no reason to hang his head.
Cristiano Ronaldo, midfield: C
The Real Madrid attacker was active in the first half, and he nearly scored from a free kick that appeared to handcuff Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas. But Ronaldo was almost completely starved of service in the second half, as Spain's clockwork possession game carried the day. Clearly, it wasn't all Ronaldo's fault, but one would have expected him to find some way to impose his will on the game.
The entire Portuguese midfield: D
Granted, Carlos Queiroz's game plan was always to soak up pressure and try to nail Spain on the break. But the Portuguese midfielders could have done much more to keep the ball and give their exhausted defenders a chance to rest. This inability to keep possession took its toll late in the game. After falling behind, Portugal tried to press higher up the field but didn't have the legs to really threaten Spain.

Paraguay win through on penalties

Paraguay 0-0 Japan (Paraguay win 5-3 on penalties)
After a cagey encounter failed to yield goals, Paraguay triumphed on spot kicks to become the fourth South American team through to the quarter-finals.
Paraguay win through on penalties
Paraguay celebrate their penalty shoot-out win over Japan ©Getty Images
Published: Tuesday 29 June 2010, 15.32CET

Paraguay win through on penalties

Paraguay 0-0 Japan (Paraguay win 5-3 on penalties)
After a cagey encounter failed to yield goals, Paraguay triumphed on spot kicks to become the fourth South American team through to the quarter-finals.
Paraguay are through to the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup after triumphing on penalties at the end of a cagey goalless draw.
Tension reigned in Pretoria as the two hopefuls played out a nervy encounter only rarely punctuated by openings. The better chances nonetheless fell to Paraguay and they demonstrated the steelier nerves in the shoot-out to reach the last eight for the first time. Substitute Óscar Cardozo buried the winning spot kick after Yüichi Komano had fired against the bar as La Albirroja became the fourth South American team through to the next round.
Many expected an open affair between two sides confident of their prospects, but opportunities proved scarce and it took until the 20th minute for the first clear look at goal. Lucas Barrios it was who wriggled free but, having worked himself into space inside the area, the Paraguay striker poked the ball at goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.
Roused by that escape, Japan answered back almost immediately at the other end through Daisuke Matsui, the Grenoble Foot 38 midfielder crashing a superb effort from distance against the crossbar. As good as that chance was, though, Roque Santa Cruz enjoyed the most promising of the half when a corner fell to him in front of goal. Instead of giving Paraguay the lead, he could only drag his shot wide.
Neither side fared any better at establishing dominance after the restart and, if anything, the game became even tighter, with headed chances for Cristian Riveros and Tulio Tanaka the only moments of excitement as the match veered towards extra time. Substitute Nelson Valdez then almost snatched victory for Paraguay with 97 minutes gone, but although his point-blank attempt was saved by Kawashima, he and his colleagues would soon be celebrating. They will now face Spain in the last eight on 3 July.

 

Shelter Island National Guardsman Joseph Theinert killed in Afghanistan

A National Guard soldier from Shelter Island serving active duty in Afghanistan was killed on Friday by a roadside bomb while on foot patrol.
Lt. Joseph Theinert, 24, was on his first deployment tour overseas.
He had volunteered for a program that allows Guard members to serve three years on active duty prior to returning to a local Guard unit.
Theinert, who completed the ROTC program at SUNY Albany, is survived by his mother, Chrystyna Kestler; father, James Theinert; and brothers Jim, 22, and Billy, 25.
"His life was based on service; it truly was," Kestler said. "It's such a family tragedy, and a community loss."
His mother described him as selfless, humble, and brave - and a mischievous child, but never malicious.
Friends and family members from Shelter Island, where he graduated from high school, have come together, she said.
"We haven't had to plan a thing. The community has taken care of everything."
She recalled that just before he was deployed to Afghanistan, his brother "Jimbo" asked Theinert if he was frightened to go. Her son, who had wanted to serve his country since he was a little boy, was not scared, she said. He replied that he was "born for it."

iPhone 'Death grip' cripples iPhone 4. Could a patch help?

iPhone death grip – not the Vulcan kind, the Apple kind – has frustrated some iPhone 4 owners. The company is rumored to be releasing a software update that would correct the dreaded and controversial design flaw. But it clearly hasn't slowed demand, as Apple tallies 1.7 million iPhone 4 sales.

iPhone 'death grip' shouldn't be a problem here. This model is holding the phone 'correctly.' Nonetheless, some Apple consumers have complained that the quality of reception is directly related to how the iPhone 4 is held. Today, one blog is reporting that Apple could be preparing a patch for the iPhone 4 death grip – and that the update could come as soon as next week.
By Matthew Shaer / June 28, 2010
Since the launch of the iPhone 4 last week, Apple has been deluged with complaints about poor reception, which many consumers say is directly related to the way the iPhone 4 is held. In the blogosphere, the bug even has its own name: The iPhone 4 death grip. But fret not, Apple fans. Help is on the way. According to the tech blog Apple Insider, Apple is preparing a death grip antidote – and it's coming in the form of a software update for the iOS 4 system.
Skip to next paragraph Previously, of course, most folks – including your humble Horizons bloggers – assumed that the reception issue was directly related to the wraparound antenna unique to the iPhone 4. Apple Insider, however, is reporting that the iPhone 4 death grip may have its origins in the latest iteration of the iPhone operating system. The blog's source is a series of messages – all of which have since been removed – posted to a popular Apple discussion forum:
The fix is expected to address a issue in iOS 4 related to radio frequency calibration of the baseband. Readers who saw the original forum discussions say that the issue is believed to occur when switching frequencies; because the lag is allegedly not calibrated correctly, it results in the device reporting "no service" rather than switching to the frequency with the best signal to noise ratio. iOS 4 introduced some enhancements to how the baseband selects which frequencies to use, so it makes sense that the error may have crept into those changes. Additionally, this explains why iOS 4 has also caused similar problems for iPhone 3GS users.
That's a lot to parse, and chances are if you don't have a firm understanding of smartphone antenna systems, you may be a bit in the dark. CliffsNotes: The iPhone 4 death grip might be nothing more than an easily-remedied software problem, which means it can be fixed without you buying a different handset. Apple Insider says a software update for iOS4 could be coming as soon as next week, although so far, Apple has remained mum.
Meanwhile, over at Computerworld, Mitch Wagner says the whole iPhone 4 Death Grip thing has been overblown since the start. Wagner points out – a little like Steve Jobs and Apple did last week – that all phones are sensitive devices, and need to be held correctly.
Furthermore, he says, "this problem doesn't seem to affect many people. We won't know for sure until the first customer satisfaction surveys come in from third-parties, and until we see long-term sales figures from Apple. But based on early reviews, it appears the iPhone 4's call quality doesn't seem to be worse than previous models – it actually seems to be better."
Got an iPhone 4? Experiencing the crush of death grip? Or is your iPhone 4 performing beautifully? Drop us a line.

Tigers top Twins 7-5 to take 1st, but Zumaya hurt

Minnesota Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano works against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning of a baseball game Monday, June 28, 2010 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
MINNEAPOLIS — Reliever Joel Zumaya's painful right arm injury marred Detroit's move into first place, after the Tigers used four first-inning runs against Francisco Liriano to beat the Minnesota Twins 7-5 on Monday night.
Brennan Boesch and Miguel Cabrera hit two-run doubles in the first off Liriano, who surrendered a season-high six runs in six-plus innings while the Tigers passed the Twins for a half-game lead in the AL Central.
That took the background to Zumaya's health, though, when the hard-throwing right-hander squirmed and winced around on the mound in obvious pain after throwing a pitch with one out in the eighth inning.
Zumaya, who missed large chunks of the last two seasons because of shoulder problems, was in so much discomfort his right thumb was shaking while the trainer checked him out.
Jose Valverde came in and got five straight outs for his 18th straight save, making a winner of Jeremy Bonderman (4-5) and moving the Tigers into first place for the first time since May 20. They were tied then with the sputtering Twins, who have led the division this season for all but a handful of days.

Sandra Bullock's divorce from Jesse James is final

Betty-and-sandra
Jesse-james-mug File this one under "Don't mess with Texas": Sandra Bullock's divorce from Jesse James is final, TMZ reports.
Unlike California, which has a six-month minimum wait from filed to farewell, Texas lets couples knock that business out in as few as 60 days, start to finish.
Bullock, who has a home in Austin, filed for divorce in Travis County on April 23, and, according to TMZ sources, the final papers were signed last week. James said recently that he's moving to Austin as well.
For the record, we're filing this one under "Don't mess with Sandra Bullock" as well.
-- Christie D'Zurilla
Photos: Betty White has Sandra Bullock howling during the MTV Movie Awards on June 6. Jesse James, right, at the NAACP Image Awards on Feb. 26. Credits: Matt Sayles / Associated Press, top; Jason Merritt / Getty Images for NAACP, right. 
Click and scroll for more on Sandra Bullock and Jesse James. Want the headlines? Follow the Ministry of Gossip on Twitter (we're @LATcelebs), or Like us into your news feed when you visit our Facebook page.

Thierry Henry and Yaya Toure to leave Barcelona

Thierry Henry and Yaya Toure
Henry and Toure will be on the move from Spain shortly
Barcelona have confirmed that Thierry Henry and Yaya Toure are to leave the Spanish club this summer.
Striker Henry, 32, is tipped to go to Major League Soccer in America while midfielder Toure, 27, is thought to be set for a move to Manchester City.
"Barcelona director general Joan Oliver has said that the club has agreed the exits of Yaya Toure and Thierry Henry," a Barca club statement read.
"But at the moment the final moves are in their hands."
Henry helped Barcelona to a record six major trophies - including the Champions League - in 2009.
But the Frenchman scored only four goals last season, his third at the club. He had one year left to run on his contract at the Nou Camp.
Toure's agent claimed earlier on Monday that the Ivory Coast international would seal a move to Eastlands in the next few days.
Toure was expected to complete the switch earlier in June, but his participation in the World Cup and the change of presidents at Barcelona have slowed down the transfer.

The Times Change for Torre, but Rivera Never Seems To

LOS ANGELES — Joe Torre’s first season managing the Yankees came at the right time, coinciding with the emergence of a 26-year-old converted starter named Mariano Rivera. John Wetteland closed out the Yankees’ World Series championship that year, 1996, but he never threw another pitch for the Yankees. Rivera seized the responsibility and, after all these years, remains unmatched at his craft.
An emotional weekend for Torre and the Yankees ended Sunday night at Dodger Stadium, and an eventful week for Rivera came to a close. Pitching for the third time on the Yankees’ West Coast trip, Rivera silenced Torre’s Dodgers over the final two innings of an 8-6 comeback victory, a fitting coda for a series that brought together the past and the present, Torre’s years in New York and his new life in Los Angeles.
Unless the Yankees and the Dodgers reunite in the World Series, Torre, unsure about managing beyond this season, might have intersected with his former team for the last time.
If so, Torre’s last image will be of Rivera doing what his own closer could not, leaving him feeling like all the managers he beat during his 12 seasons in the Bronx. At age 40, Rivera still fires 92-mile-per-hour cutters on the corners, still breaks bats, still preserves leads. His earned run average is 0.92. Rivera conceals flaws, covers up mistakes and often makes good managers — like Torre — look like geniuses.
Without Rivera, managers sometimes look a little less smart, as Torre did on Sunday night. His closer, Jonathan Broxton, blew a four-run lead in the top of the ninth.
“We had it where we wanted it,” Torre told reporters after Sunday’s game got away from him. “You bring your closer in, your managing is done. That makes it tougher for me. There’s nothing you want to do or can do.”
In his first two seasons in charge of the Dodgers, Torre has twice steered them to the National League Championship Series. They lost both times to the Philadelphia Phillies, undermined, in part, by Broxton’s failures. In Game 4 of each of those series, he allowed the Phillies to stage game-winning rallies.
In itself, that does not make Broxton that unusual. After all, only one closer did not blow a save opportunity during the 2009 postseason. Not surprisingly, it was Rivera, the pitcher so crucial to the four championships that Torre won in his first five years as the Yankees’ manager.
“I thought last year we could have gone a little bit further,” Torre said last week in Anaheim, Calif., as he looked back to the 2009 N.L.C.S. “We had the best record and it came down to Game 4. We were in the ninth inning with a lead. If we were able to close it out that inning, then we’ve got two games at home.”
In the postseason, Rivera rarely failed Torre. Yes, he had his share of imperfections — Game 4 of the 1997 division playoff against Cleveland, when he gave up a game-tying home run; Game 7 of the 2001 World Series, when he lost the lead and the game in the bottom of the ninth; Game 4 of the 2004 A.L.C.S., when he allowed Boston to tie the game and begin its historic comeback — but they pale against his cumulative successes for Torre over 12 postseasons: 73 games, a 7-1 record, a 0.80 earned run average.
Torre has developed a reputation for wearing out reliable relievers, although Rivera was always the exception, handled, for the most part, with considerable care. Broxton may not be getting that same treatment; in a rarity for a closer, he now leads the Dodgers in innings pitched by a reliever.
Somewhat curiously, Broxton’s last three appearances have come in nonsave situations. With a five-run lead Saturday, Torre called on him to throw one and a third innings. With a four-run lead Sunday, Torre summoned Broxton again to pitch the ninth. The Yankees fouled off fastballs and sliders, worked long counts and made him throw 48 pitches in one exhausting inning of work.
And by the time he got the third out, the Yankees had overcome a four-run deficit in the ninth inning for the first time since April 19, 2007, when Torre was still in their dugout.
It is now Joe Girardi’s job to use Rivera as much as possible without overdoing it. Last Wednesday, in Arizona, he let Rivera pitch two innings, and he got the victory, pitching out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam to do so.
Two nights later, he struck out the side in the ninth on 13 pitches. On Sunday, he preserved a tie score in the ninth and closed out the game an inning later. The pitcher who was there with Torre at the start prevailed over him at what might be the end.
As for Girardi, he has far to go to match Torre’s legacy in New York. But as long as Rivera keeps defying logic, he has a shot.

'Transformers' star Megan Fox marries Brian Austin Green in Hawaii: report

Actress Megan Fox married longtime beau actor Brian Austin Green in
 a hush-hush ceremony at the Four Seasons last week on Hawaii's Big 
Island.
Cohen/WireImage/WireImage
Actress Megan Fox married longtime beau actor Brian Austin Green in a hush-hush ceremony at the Four Seasons last week on Hawaii's Big Island.

Weigh In!

Megan Fox's Nuptials

Will Fox's marriage to Green stand the test of time?
Megan Fox has been transformed from a single woman to a married one.
The "Transformers" hottie quietly exchanged marriage vows with her long-time beau, actor Brian Austin Green, in a secret ceremony in Hawaii late last week, TMZ.com reported.
The couple first met on the set of the TV sitcom "Hope and Faith."
It's the first marriage for both. Green has an eight-year-old son with actress Vanessa Marcil.
"They had a fairly large wedding, but there were clearly more security people than guests," a source told Star magazine.
"It was very hush hush. Everyone was sworn to secrecy."
Fox, 24, and Green, 36, best known for his portrayal of David Silver on the TV series "Beverly Hills, 90210," are said to be spending their honeymoon at the Four Seasons Hualalai hotel, where the wedding took place.
"The place is perfect for a Hollywood wedding," the source said. "It's very romantic and scenic. Megan and Brian had already been there for a few days. It seemed like a spur-of- the moment thing. I don't think it had been planned long."
Just days earlier Megan had lost her two-carat diamond engagement ring in the Hawaiian sand, according to press reports.
The couple first got engaged in 2007 then broke it off  last year. But they rekindled their relationship and their reps confirmed they got re-engaged on June 1.

Kobe Bryant: “I love soccer since the time I was a boy.”

Kobe Bryant has an interesting history that many fans might not know. His father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, played professional basketball in Italy where Kobe spent his formative years. Kobe grew up playing soccer and basketball. But his passion for soccer/Italian calcio never left him. He actively supports FC Barcelona and AC Milan. On Saturday night in Rustenburg, Bryant was on hand to lend his support for the USA.
I have heard him give interviews in Italian. Even after all of these years, his Italian is fluent. He provided a few brief comments to the Milan sports daily, La Gazzetta dello Sport, from South Africa.
A Fan from a Young Age
Amo il calcio fin da quando ero bambino, da quando vivevo in Italia e tifavo Milan, sognando di essere un giorno Van Basten, un giorno Maradona e uno Baggio“.
“I love soccer since the time I was a boy. From when I lived in Italy and supported AC Milan. Dreaming one day to be Marco Van Basten, one day Diego Maradona and one day Roberto Baggio.”
Honored to be Compared with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi
Ospite di uno dei suoi molti sponsor, Bryant, è stato paragonato dai giornalisti a Cristiano Ronaldo e Messi.
“Per me è un onore essere paragonato a loro”
Kobe Bryant before USA v. Ghana in Rustenburg
Kobe Bryant before USA v. Ghana in Rustenburg
Ha risposto l’asso di Los Angeles, che poi si è sbilanciato sulle favorite:
“Un mese fa dicevo Germania, ora non so, comunque mi piacciono Spagna e Brasile. Domani vado a vedere la partita contro il Cile“.
Translation:
A guest of one of his many sponsors, Bryant was compared by journalists to Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi.
“For me, it is an honor to be compared to them.”
Responded the star of Los Angeles. Then he pondered in hindsight his thoughts on the favorites:
“A month ago, I was saying Germany. Now, I don’t know. Well, I like Spain and Brazil. Tomorrow (Monday), I am going to see the match against Chile.”
Deluded by Early Azzurri Exit
Sulle delusioni del Mondiale, invece, Bryant ha le idee chiare:
“Mi è dispiaciuto moltissimo per l’eliminazione dell’Italia. Non me l’aspettavo, ma si rifarà tra quattro anni“.
Translation:
On the disappointment in the World Cup by Italy, on the contrary, Bryant had clear thoughts:
“I was very sorry for the elimination of Italy. I didn’t expect it but in four years, they will make up for it.”
Kobe Bryant with the 2010 NBA Championship trophy
Kobe Bryant with the 2010 NBA Championship trophy
On Ending His Basketball Career in Italy
L’Italia è il paese dove Bryant intende chiudere la carriera, come più volte dichiarato in passato:
“Sì, è vero, mi piacerebbe moltissimo chiudere la mia carriera giocando in Italia. Ho tanti amici a Reggio Emilia e Milano. Adesso no, ma è un sogno che realizzerò“.
Translation:
Italy is the country where Bryant intends to end his career as he has declared many times in the past:
“Yes, it’s true. It would please me a great deal to end my career playing in Italy. I have many friends in Reggio Emilia and Milan. Not now, but it is a dream that I will realize.”
Italian source: La Gazzetta dello Sport, June 27, 2010.
Steve Amoia is a freelance writer, editor and translator from Washington, D.C. He writes the World Football Commentaries blog. He has written for AC Cugini Scuola Calcio (Italian soccer school), Football Media, Keeper Skool and Soccerlens.

Kanye West sued over lyrics to hit ‘Stronger’

Kanye West’s Grammy-winning song “Stronger” copies certain lyrics from a 2006 song by a Virginia rapper known as Vince P., according to a copyright infringement case filed in a U.S. District Court in Illinois.
Vincent Peters, of Leesburg, Va., said in the complaint filed Friday that in 2006 he wrote and recorded a song called “Stronger.” West had access to the song through West’s long-time friend and business manager John Monopoly, who had heard and received a copy of Peters’ “Stronger,” the lawsuit said. Peters had wanted to work with Monopoly.
Seven months after Peters, professionally known as Vince P., gave “Stronger” to Monopoly, West released his version,  the lawsuit said.
West’s version “copies significant and important parts of Peters’ lyrics identically or almost identically,” the suit says.
Peters said his song included “What don’t kill me make me stronger,” while West’s says “That don’t kill me can only make me stronger,” the suit said. Another example, Peters alleges, is “couldn’t wait no longer,” while West says, “I can’t wait much longer.”
Both songs refer to supermodel Kate Moss –  “a highly unusual and incongruous reference in a hip-hop song,” the lawsuit said.  Both songs also use the word “wronger.”
In early 2008 the Grammy for best rap solo performance went to West’s “Stronger.” When Rolling Stone magazine unveiled its “100 Best Songs of 2007,” West’s “Stronger” fell just shy of the Top 10.
And in August 2008, West’s “Stronger” became the first hip-hop song played while the Chicago Cubs took the field at Wrigley Field, “their first incursion into the genre,” the Tribune reported at the time.
The lawsuit asks that the defendants be stopped from reproducing, selling, distributing and publicly performing the song.  It asks the court to order West, as well as other defendants Roc-A-Fella Records LLC and UMG Recordings Inc., to destroy all copies of the record.
It also asks that the defendants give up all profits from the record. Damages sought weren’t specified.
The lawsuit was filed on Peters’ behalf by Chicago law firm Davis McGrath LLC, which specializes in intellectual property law. A lawyer for West, a Chicago native, couldn’t be reached for immediate comment.

Brazil too hot for Chile

Brazil v Chile Bravo SuazoJuan celebrates his opening goal3 of 3
  • Brazil v Chile Bravo Suazo
  • Brazil v Chile Bravo Suazo
  • Brazil v Chile Bravo Suazo
Man of the match: Tough call between Gilberto Silva and Michel Bastos, but Bastos gets the nod for keeping Chile dangerman Alexis Sanchez quiet.

Moment of the match: Brazil's second goal was a typical Brazil effort as Robinho, Kaka and Fabiano combined to open up the Chile defence.

Attempt of the match: The hard-working Suazo produced a superb turn and shot inside the box which forced Cesar into his only real save of the game.

Save of the match: Bravo produced a flying save to keep out Gilberto Silva's powerful shot in the first half.

Talking point: Can anyone stop Brazil as they look strong in defence as well as in attack?

Goal of the game: Kaka provided a superb cushioned pass to Fabiano who coolly rounded the goalkeeper before slotting home.
Brazil progressed into the quarter-finals of the World Cup to play Holland after a comfortable 3-0 victory over South American rivals Chile.
Dunga's side were in complete control of the game in Johannesburg, although Chile came out of the blocks firing for the first quarter-of-an-hour.
But after seeing off the early pressure, Brazil soon asserted their authority on the game and took the lead in the 35th minute when Juan headed in Maicon's corner.
If the opener was not a typical Brazilian goal, their second certainly was. Just three minutes later Kaka slipped in Luis Fabiano and the in-form striker rounded goalkeeper Claudio Bravo before slotting home.
The result was secured just before the hour mark as Robinho picked up the ball after a superb run from Ramires, and he curled it into the far corner from the edge of the area leaving Bravo with no chance.
It has been no easy run for Brazil - they emerged from a 'Group of Death' unscathed and with reputations enhanced, and on this evidence the Dutch will need to summon up the spirits of past greats if they are to challenge Dunga's men.
Kaka remains Brazil's talisman and the Real Madrid midfielder was impressive on his return from suspension - though he managed to pick up his third booking of the tournament after English referee Howard Webb was unimpressed with his trip on a Chile player.

Punishment

After Juan had opened the scoring, punishing Chile for their failure to deal with Brazil's aerial threat at a corner from Maicon, Kaka was heavily involved in the second goal.
Robinho began the move with a burst down the left and an early ball into Kaka in the middle. One brilliant first-time pass split the Chile central defenders asunder and left Fabiano able to skip past keeper Bravo and finish.
Credit too to English linesman Michael Mullarkey for a perfect call to judge the Sevilla striker onside.
The goal made up for Fabiano having dragged his shot wide after being put in the clear by a super ball from Dani Alves.
Brazil had almost drawn first blood earlier through Gilberto Silva, proving in this match and not for the first time that Arsene Wenger committed a rare blunder in disposing of his services two years ago, who hit a fierce long-range effort that Bravo turned aside at full stretch.
Chile's main hope looked to be through the creative instincts of their gifted 21-year-old Alexis Sanchez, a player being watched by a number of Premier League clubs including Manchester United.
The Udinese player certainly provided Brazil with something to think about with a series of decent touches - one lovely pass for Humberto Suazo promised much but the striker did not match up with a disappointing effort to lob Julio Cesar.
Brazil could afford to take their foot off the gas at half-time, so minimal was the threat posed by Marcelo Bielsa's Chileans, but they still managed to extend their lead.
Robinho was the man to strike just before the hour mark, curling it effortlessly past Bravo but he had Ramires to thank after a blistering run by the Benfica midfielder.
Thunderbolt
Alves hit a thunderbolt that must have had Bravo worried but it drifted just wide, before Jorge Valdivia came as close as Chile had managed to a reply, teeing himself up and then firing just over from the edge of the box.
Kaka nearly claimed the goal his performance deserved after a surge down the left by Michel Bastos but was narrowly off target.
Bravo kept the score respectable by denying Robinho and then Suazo neatly turned Lucio - and not many players have done that this tournament - but Julio Cesar beat away his strike.
The game was up for Chile however and Dunga rubbed salt in the wound by taking off Kaka and sending on Kleberson - the player who flopped so dismally at Manchester United - to illustrate Brazil's overwhelming superiority.
The Netherlands also won all three of its group games, with its 
last loss coming to Australia in September 2008.

Robben's return sends Dutch into quarters

The Netherlands also won all three of its group games, with its last loss coming to Australia in September 2008.

DURBAN, South Africa -- Impressive as Arjen Robben and his Dutch teammates were in advancing to the World Cup quarter-finals, they still seek much more from their game.

The Netherlands reached the final eight Monday when standouts Robben and Wesley Sneijder scored in each half of a 2-1 victory over Slovakia.
"We played a difficult match. Main thing is, we are through," Robben said. "Probably the perfect game has still to come."
The Dutch might need to approach perfection in their next match against five-time champion Brazil. For now, they can enjoy the rekindling of the crafty Dutch offence -- and they can credit Robben, who made his first start of the tournament after recovering from a hamstring injury.
"We must play better against Brazil ... that's for sure," Robben said.
The Oranje, who have never won soccer's biggest prize, went ahead in the 18th minute when Robben cut inside from the right wing and found the net with a low, precise shot from 20 yards.
"It's fantastic," coach Bert van Marwijk said. "After such an injury that he has the touch to score a goal like that."
The Moses Mabhida Stadium was filled mostly with orange-clad Netherlands fans and they blasted their vuvuzelas on Robben's first touch. After his goal, the sound became deafening.
Sneijder doubled the lead into an empty net in the 84th after a gamble by Slovak goalkeeper Jan Mucha backfired.
"We had a good first half hour. And we started well in the second half," Van Marwijk said. "We should have scored 2-0, 3-0, maybe 4-0 there."
It was only a month ago when Robben and Sneijder were on opposite sides in the Champions League final, Robben with Bayern Munich and Sneijder with winner Inter Milan.
Netherlands goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg preserved the win with two key saves in the 67th, and the Dutch extended their team-record unbeaten streak to 23 games.
"At a crucial stage Maarten Stekelenburg saved us," Van Marwijk said.
Robert Vittek pulled one back for Slovakia from the penalty spot in injury time, tying him with Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain for the tournament scoring lead with four goals.
Slovakia upset Italy 3-2 in its previous match, a result that eliminated the defending champions, and had to be satisfied with its tournament debut as an independent nation.
"We played with heart and courage and we are proud that we made it to the second round, but the better team advanced," Slovakia coach Vladimir Weiss said. "The penalty made us feel a little better on the flight home."
Robben injured his left hamstring on June 5 in the Netherlands' final warmup match against Hungary. He came on as a second-half substitute against Cameroon in the Netherlands' last group match and hit the post, after which Klaas Jan Huntelaar knocked in the rebound to seal a 2-1 win.
This time, Sneijder sent Robben sprinting upfield with a long, accurate pass and the winger did what he's been doing all season with Bayern -- scoring with long shots from beyond the area.
"I was pretty free in my game," Robben said. "I know I'm not yet at my top level, but I was pretty confident today and that was a great pass by Wesley."
Weiss said he had been preparing his team specifically for Robben for three days.
"But he's a total genius, and when I saw him in the starting lineup I thought he makes the Dutch team 50 per cent stronger -- and I was right," the Slovakia coach said.
With a sharp breeze blowing in from the nearby Indian Ocean, Robben nearly doubled the lead in the 50th but goalkeeper Jan Mucha deflected his shot just wide of the goal. A minute later, Robben sent a dangerous cross inside the area and Mucha blocked a close-range effort from Joris Mathijsen.
In the 71st, when he was replaced by Eljero Elia, Robben exited to a standing ovation.
Sneijder sealed the victory when Dirk Kuyt drew Mucha out of his net and had nobody to beat for his second goal of the tournament, also having found the target in a 1-0 win over Japan.
Slovakia was awarded a penalty in the third minute of injury time, when substitute Martin Jakubko was taken down inside the area.
Otherwise, Slovakia's two best chances both came in the 67th. Stekelenburg leaped to tip a powerful shot from Miroslav Stoch over the crossbar and then Vittek, who scored twice against Italy, directed his shot too close to the Netherlands goalkeeper seconds later.
The Netherlands also won all three of its group games, with its last loss coming to Australia in September 2008, a run of 18 wins and five draws.
The Netherlands reached consecutive World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978 but lost both -- to Germany and Argentina, respectively. Its only major tournament victory was the 1988 European Championship.

Michael Jackson's dad ends bid for estate stipend

LOS ANGELES – Michael Jackson's father is withdrawing his request to receive more than $15,000 a month from his late son's estate.
A court filing says Joe Jackson is dropping his bid to receive a monthly allowance, opting instead to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit over his son's death.
Joe Jackson filed a lawsuit in federal court on Friday against Dr. Conrad Murray, who has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the singer's death.
The Jackson family patriarch was omitted from his son's will, but in November sought a stipend to pay his monthly expenses.
The filing was first reported Monday by the celebrity website TMZ.
Joe Jackson's filing indicates he may renew his request for a stipend later if necessary.

Arsenal seal deal for Koscielny

Arsenal have reached an agreement with Lorient to sign Laurent Koscielny (L).
(GSM) - Arsenal have reached an agreement with Lorient to sign Laurent Koscielny.
The French centre-half will replace William Gallas who is out of contract at the Emirates.
Arsene Wenger agreed to a €8.5 million fee with Lorient after weeks of haggling and having two other bids knocked back.
Koscielny, 24, will sign a four-year deal worth £25,000 a week and form a pair with Belgian international Thomas Vermaelen.
A Lorient insider told The Sun: "The clubs have a deal in principle and an announcement should be made in the next few days."


Read all about the World Cup 2010 at worldcup.soccerway.com

Strengthening Alex expected to become hurricane

VILLAHERMOSA, Mexico – A strengthening Tropical Storm Alex was expected to become a hurricane Tuesday as it swirled toward the Gulf coast of northern Mexico and southern Texas, where authorities were readying emergency shelters and distributing sandbags.
Forecasters said the storm's likely path would take it away from the site of the huge Gulf of Mexico oil spill off Louisiana's coast, but added that it might push oil farther inland and disrupt cleanup efforts.
Alex had maximum sustained winds near 65 mph (100 kph) early Tuesday, and the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, predicted the storm would grow into a hurricane sometime Tuesday as it headed toward the U.S.-Mexico border at the mouth of the Rio Grande. Landfall seemed likely Wednesday night.
Forecaster Todd Kimberlain said conditions Monday led the center to conclude the storm would be a less powerful hurricane than initially thought.
Tropical storm-force winds extended up to 80 miles (130 kilometers) from the storm's center, and Alex was moving toward the north-northwest at 8 mph (13 kph).
A hurricane warning was posted for the Texas coast from Baffin Bay, 100 miles (160 kilometers) south to the mouth of the Rio Grande river and on a further 225 miles (360 kilometers) to La Cruz, Mexico. Except for the border area itself, both regions are lightly populated.
Workers along the South Texas coast were clearing drainage ditches, filling sandbags and positioning heavy equipment and water pumps as well as preparing emergency shelters. Some cities also handed out sandbags to residents and urged people to make preparations.
Mexico's northern Gulf coast braced for heavy rains like those that fell on southern areas and parts of Central America earlier.
"It is a fact we are going to get very heavy rains," said Gov. Fidel Herrera of the Gulf coast state of Veracruz.
Forecasters said rain from Alex would keep falling on southern Mexico and Guatemala into Tuesday, raising the possibility of life-threatening floods and mudslides
The hurricane center estimated that Alex would dump five to 10 inches (12.5 to 25 centimeters) or rain over portions of northeastern Meixco and southern Texas over the next few days.
Heavy rains in Mexico's southern Gulf coast state of Tabasco forced the evacuation of about 300 families from communities near the Usumacinta river.
Alex caused flooding and mudslides that caused at least five deaths in Central America over the weekend, though Belize and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula appeared largely unscathed.
The storm made landfall in Belize on Saturday night as a tropical storm and weakened into a depression on Sunday as it crossed the Yucatan Peninsula.
When Alex became the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, officials immediately worried what effect it could have on efforts to contain the millions of gallons (liters) of crude spewing into the northeastern part of the Gulf.
A cap has been placed over the blown-out undersea well, directing some of the oil to a surface ship where it is being collected or burned. Other ships are drilling two relief wells, projected to be done by August, which are considered the best hope to stop the leak.
Stacy Stewart, senior hurricane specialist at the U.S. hurricane center, said early Monday that Alex's center wasn't expected to approach the oil spill site, but the storm's outer wind field could push more oil onto land and hinder operations in the area.
Alex was centered about 475 miles (765 kilometers) southeast of Brownsville, Texas, early Tuesday. Its rains could reach Veracruz and the border state of Tamaulipas late Tuesday or Wednesday, the hurricane center said.