Villas-Boas reveals talks 'ongoing' with Bale over new Tottenham contract

The Spurs boss confirms that his side are looking to extend the winger's deal for the fourth consecutive year as they aim to definitively end Real Madrid's pursuit this summer Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has revealed that the club are in "ongoing talks" with Gareth Bale over a new contract. Spurs, who are furious at Real Madrid over the Spanish side's "dirty tricks" aimed at snatching the winger this summer , have been given the green light by owner Joe Lewis to offer their talisman a €174,000-per-week deal. Speaking in Hong Kong ahead of the Asia Trophy third place play-off, he told reporters: "There was contact between the.club and his agent last year and there is ongoing contact between the club and his agent.
"We renewed his contract at the beginning of last season, if you remember, and it's something that is being dealt with by the chairman and the agent. "Talks are ongoing but that doesn't mean there is an agreement. At the moment we're confident that the player is under contract at Tottenham, as was done last year." Bale was named double Player of the Year by the PFA for his 21-goal exploits in 2013-14, with club legend David Ginola telling Goal that the former Southampton star should enjoy being the main man at White Hart Lane for a while longer.

Chadli completes Tottenham switch

The Belgium international finalises his move to north London after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical to become the second summer signing at White Hart Lane Tottenham have confirmed the signing of Nacer Chadli after the winger agreed personal terms and successfully completed a medical. The north London club agreed a fee with Twente on Sunday and the deal for the versatile Belgium international is now complete. Chadli, who has 14 international caps to his name, scored 12 goals in the Eredivisie last season and will provide much-needed cover for Spurs in the final third. A statement on Tottenham's official website read: "The Belgium international is expected to be available for the first time when we travel to Monaco for our pre-season fixture on Saturday, August 3." Chadli is the second new arrival at Tottenham this summer after Brazil midfielder Paulinho joined for €20 million.

Japan military 'needs marines and drones'

Japan should bolster its marine
force and introduce surveillance
drones, a defence review paper
says, highlighting concerns over
China and North Korea. The paper also called for better defences against missile attacks and the potential to attack enemy bases. Japan's military is constitutionally limited to a self-defence role. But PM Shinzo Abe is looking to expand the scope of its activities - potentially a highly controversial move that would anger its neighbours. Japan is embroiled in a bitter row over islands with China and is deeply
concerned by North Korea's nuclear ambitions. The interim report is part of a defence review ordered by Mr Abe, with final proposals due by December. On Sunday, Mr Abe won back control of Japan's Upper House, meaning he now controls parliament and would be in a stronger position to reshape Japan's current defence strategy.

Amazon's Q2 Disappoints, Sales Up 22 Percent To $15.7B, Net Loss Of $7M

Amazon just reported second quarter
earnings, with sales increasing 22% to
$15.7 billion in the second quarter,
compared with $12.83 billion in
second quarter 2012. Net loss was $7
million in the second quarter, or $0.02
per diluted share, compared with net
income of $7 million, or $0.01 per
diluted share, in second quarter 2012.
Analysts expected $15.74 billion in
revenue, and $0.05 on earnings per
share.
Operating income decreased 26% to
$79 million in the second quarter,
compared with $107 million in second
quarter 2012.
“We’re so grateful to our customers for
their response to Kindle devices and
our digital ecosystem. This past
quarter, our top 10 selling items
worldwide were all digital products –
Kindles, Kindle Fire HDs, accessories
and digital content,” said Amazon
founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, in a
statement.
“The Kindle service keeps getting
better. The Kindle Store now offers
millions of titles including more than
350,000 exclusives that you won’t find
anywhere else. Prime Instant Video has
surpassed 40,000 titles, including many
premium exclusives like Downton
Abbey and Under the Dome. And
we’ve added more than a thousand
books, games, educational apps,
movies and TV shows to Kindle
FreeTime Unlimited, bringing together
in one place all the types of content
kids and parents love.”
Bezos didn’t address why Amazon
missed on expectations for the
quarter, but perhaps this will be
revealed in the call. According to
analyst estimates, the ecommerce
giant was expected to post net income
of $28.3 million.
It’s been an eventful quarter for
Amazon. Towards the end of the first
quarter, Amazon purchased social
reading service Goodreads, which now
has 20 million members. Amazon also
expanded its international footprint,,
including expansion to India.
Additionally the company bought
screen technology company Liquavista
from Samsung.
Other news included the expansion of
its grocery delivery service to LA and SF,
a new Facebook-focused gifting
product, an online store for 3D
printers, and of course there were
those smartphone rumors.

Uncle Harry to make sure Prince George 'has fun'

Prince Harry has declared he is ready to play the proud,protective uncle for his new nephew Prince George and "make sure he has fun". Speaking at an exhibition for his charity, he said it was "fantastic" to have another addition to the royal family adding, "I only hope my brother knows how expensive my baby sitting charges are!" When asked what his mission was as an uncle, Harry replied: "To make sure he has a good upbringing, and keep him out of harm's way and to make sure he has fun." "The rest I'll leave to the parents."

Celine Dion Bigger Than Michael So Claims AEG

It's Billie Jean vs. Titanic, and AEG
claims the ship wins hands down.
Translation -- AEG is trying to convince the Michael Jackson jury that Celine Dion is bigger than MJ.AEG exec John Meglin is on the stand in the wrongful death case, scoffing at the Jackson family's claim that Michael would have earned $1.5 billion had he lived.Meglin told the jury it's his opinion Celine is a bigger star and therefore more bankable than MJ ever would have been. Yet according to reports, Celine is worth a measly $400 mil. Fun facts:  Jackson ranks #3 in most albums sold worldwide -- more than a billion (behind the Beatles and Elvis) . Celine ranks #9 at 200 million albums. As for Grammys, MJ also has her beat with 13 Grammys to her 5.

Will.i.am & Psy COLLABORATE ... For Sushi

It was a meeting of the pop
megastars at Katsuya in Hollywood
last night ... when Will.i.am and Psy hooked up for some raw fish -- one month after hitting the recording studio together. The two arrived to the restaurant in separate cars  - Psy had a driver ... and Will had his $700k custom-made metallic blue monstrosity. Just last month, Psy teased a possible collaboration when he posted a photo of the two in a recording studio with the caption -- "Some cool sh**z goin on in London at 2am!! Me& @iamwill !! Guess what!?"Neither one of the stars mentioned anything about releasing a song in the near future when they emerged last night -- but the scene in front of the restaurant felt like a media event, with Will and Psy posing together for the legions of paps.