FRESH 4RM GIM

How did we miss this one? In a bizarre twist of events no-one saw coming,  Miranda Kerr  has denied rumours that she dated Brad Pitt. Rumours that must have been lurking in some dark corner of the internet, because we certainly don't remember them.  PA Photos Speaking to  Vogue Australia , the top model reveals that the gossip has caused unnecessary drama for her and her publicist: "I met him once. My publicist sends me these stories and asks if I want to comment. I don't think there's a reason to because it's ridiculous. If I start, then I'll spend the whole day commenting."

Our man in Brazil, Jack Lang, dissects Germany's heavy win over Portugal, a bore draw and Neymar's preparations for game two Reuters Pantomime villain: Pepe is still the picture of agitation on a football pitch Another day, another dose of World Cup drama in Brazil. First up came the latest entry in a series fans are calling the Great Humblings, with Germany making mincemeat out of Ronaldo-reliant Portugal. Then, after a brief Nigeria-Iran-shaped lull, it was back to full throttle for USA vs Ghana in the stunning Arena das Dunas. Here’s what we learnt on day five: Germany can thrive even without Reus The injury to Marco Reus on the eve of the World Cup was a major blow to Germany.  The Borussia Dortmund man  is arguably the best of the Mannschaft’s thrilling attacking crop, and shone throughout last season, both in the Bundesliga and the Champions League.

Tom Bryant takes one for the team and dines on foie gras doughnuts and floating macaroons at Ibiza's £1,210-a-head restaurant Table at Ibiza restaurant Sublimotion Standing in complete darkness in what appears to be a goods lift, it suddenly occurs to me perhaps I’m the victim of an elaborate practical joke. I’m here as one of the first journalists ever to dine at Sublimotion, a new restaurant dubbed the most expensive in the world and which sets you back an eye-watering £1,210 a head. Yet stuck in the pitch black with a Spanish member of staff imploring me to “push the white button” to crank the lift into action, I half expect Ant and Dec to jump out from the gloom as part of a TV prank. Just moments before I had found myself outside a non-descript, all-white building moments from the bustling Playa d’en Bossa in Ibiza wondering whether I’d taken a wrong-turn. And ushered through an unmarked door into a tiny ante-room full of crates and a random nitrogen tank, I ...

Just because she is  President Obama’s  daughter, doesn’t mean  Malia Obama  doesn’t have to put in that work!  According to reports,   President O’s 15-year-old daughter has been working in L.A. as a production assistant on  Halle Berry’s TV series, “Extant.”  There is no confirmation on when Malia started her position, but she has “helped with computer shop alignments and the director also let her slate a take,”  a source said to The Wrap .  President Obama  and  First Lady Michelle Obama  paid their daughter a visit on Friday when they ventured out to Palm Springs. We’re definitely looking forward to seeing the finished series, which has Halle Berry playing an astronaut who has to readjust to life with her husband and son after a year-long mission in space. Check out a first look of “Extant” below.

Human Rights Watch says Nigeria's military should not use the example of Sri Lanka's defeat of Tamil separatists in its war against Boko Haram. The Defense Ministry said Sri Lanka's top military brass made presentations to Nigerian counterparts last week and Nigeria is "seriously considering" using the Sri Lankan model against Boko Hara extremists who have killed thousands in a 5-year-old insurgency that is spreading. Human Rights Watch said Monday it is "hard to imagine a worse idea." It noted that the United Nations finally is investigating both sides in Sri Lanka's conflict, which ended in 2009 with 40,000 civilians killed in the final months of conflict. Both countries' military are accused of abuses that could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The National Conference has recommended that President Goodluck Jonathan should declare a state of emergency in the power sector. The recommendation was made on Monday, while adopting the report of the conference committee on Energy. The conference equally recommended that the Federal Government should not leave power and energy to private sector alone as both were strategic to the industrial take-off and wellbeing of the people. It further recommended a top-down approach through the amendment of existing framework to allow government at all levels and the private sector to be involved in power generation, distribution and marketing locally. The conference adopted the banning of flaring of associated gas, while communities that are prone to gas flaring should be compensated. Also, it was recommended that the Petroleum Act of 1969 be reviewed in the interest of justice and equity.

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi is confident the obvious inexperience of his team in the World Cup will count for nothing as they are set to commence their campaign against Iran on Monday evening. Majority of the players in Nigeria's 23-man squad have not played in the World Cup before. But in a media parley tagged 'Hangout with Stephen Keshi' organized by Globacom, the gaffer insisted that he has made a good selection and optimistic of his team's chances. "You need experience in everything you do," the Big Boss said, adding that his team has a good blend of youth and experience. He noted that many other teams at the World Cup have turned out with players who are also making their debuts on the world stage. "But in other teams that are here, a lot of players are making their debut appearance in the World Cup, so it's the same with Nigeria. Some of them are just playing for the first time for their countries in the World Cup. But that does n...

Newly installed Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, is currently under probe for stalling the extradition of Sadiq Ogwuche, the mastermind of the April bombings of Nyanya-Abuja Motor Park that claimed the lives of over 100 people. Investigations by Pointblanknews.com, which dates back two weeks ago, confirmed the Emir’s culpability. Vanguard Newspapers, one of Nigeria’s leading Newspapers did not mention the new Emir’s name in their own report. Security sources told pointblanknews.com that investigations revealed that Emir Sanusi moved in to stop the extradition of Ogwuche using the instrumentality of his Alma Mata, African International University, in Sudan. In 1997, Sanusi obtained a degree in Sharia and Islamic Studies from the African International University in Khartoum, Sudan. The new Emir, is believed to have played an active role in the conversion of Ogwuche to adopt the Islamic religion using the instrumentality of his Alma Mata, ‘The African International University....

Britain’s financial services regulator said  it had fined the UK subsidiary of Nigeria’s Guaranty Trust Bank (GUARANT.LG) (GUARq.L) 525,000 pounds ($815,000) for failing to have adequate controls to prevent money laundering. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said that between May 2008 and July 2010, GT Bank UK had failed to assess potential money-laundering risks, screen customers against sanction lists, establish the purpose of the accounts being opened in their London branch or review the activity of “high risk” accounts. “Banks are at the front line in ensuring the proceeds of crime do not enter the UK financial system,” said Tracey McDermott, the FCA’s director of enforcement. “GT Bank’s failures were serious and systemic and resulted in an unacceptable risk of handling the proceeds of crime.” GT Bank UK’s managing director said in a statement: “We have fully co-operated with the FCA in its investigation and we have accepted the findings.” The statement said the...

The 144 battalion of the Nigerian Army, Asa in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State last Sunday arrested a convoy of 33 buses conveying 486 suspected insurgents including eight females between Aro Ngwa and Imo Gate along the Enugu- Port Harcourt expressway. The suspects intercepted around 3am on Sunday, claimed to have come from different parts of the Northern states and aged mainly between 16 and 24 and were said to be searching for jobs. Briefing newsmen at the Headquarters of the 144 Battalion of the Army, Asa where the suspects are being detained, alongside the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Charles Ajunwa and Commander of the military base, Lieutenant Colonel Rasheed Omolori who confirmed the arrest, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Abia State, Dr. Eze Chikamnayo, explained that two buses escaped with their occupants.

The Canadian singer was accused of trying to take the phone after the woman allegedly snapped photos of him at an amusement park in LA Getty Accused: Bieber is still under investigation for allegedly pelting a neighbour's home with eggs Justin Bieber  has been cleared of attempted robbery. The Canadian pop star was accused of trying to take a woman's mobile phone, but prosecutors rejected the allegations because of insufficient evidence to back up the claims, City Attorney spokesman Frank Mateljan said last night. Bieber, 20, was accused in May of  trying to take the woman's mobile phone  after she was suspected of taking photos of him at an amusement park in Van Nuys, California, in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley. Representatives for Bieber did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The "Boyfriend" singer has had a string of recent legal issues, including an  assault  charge in Toronto and charges of driving under the influence,...

Ex-Man City striker was Italy's World Cup match-winner against England last weekend but AC Milan want to get him off their wage bill Warren Little London calling: Balotelli is understood to want to return to England - and Arsenal are interested Arsene Wenger has stepped up his interest in Mario Balotelli. Mirror Sport revealed two weeks ago  that Arsenal have been offered Italy’s bad boy striker. The Gunners'  boss Wenger is now ready to pay around £25million for the AC Milan striker, who  scored Italy’s winner to beat England  in their World Cup opener on Saturday night. AC Milan are ready to offload Balotelli to ease their financial problems by getting him off the wage bill and to rake in a big transfer fee. Monaco are also interested in the 23-year-old, but Wenger is a long term admirer of the ex-Manchester City striker.