Obama Backs US Bid to Host World Cup

Brazilians not allowed to ban booze, soccer chief says

(NEWSER) - Banning beer at the 2014 World Cup is not an option, FIFA chief Jerome Valcke has warned Brazil. The world soccer kingpin, visiting the country for an inspection tour, says he isn't happy about the state of Brazil's infrastructure, the pace of construction at stadiums and, in particular, a government squabble over alcohol sales at the 12 venues that will host the World Cup, the BBC reports. More»

Bill Clinton, Morgan Freeman push US bid to FIFA

(NEWSER) - Soccer's governing body chooses the country to host the 2022 World Cup today and the US is widely expected to win—despite a somewhat shambolic presentation yesterday. Bill Clinton's speech was long and rambling and Morgan Freeman accidentally skipped a page in his script, but Team USA star Landon Donovan hit the right note, the Guardian reports. "The World Cup captivated our country and something special happened this summer in our love for the game," the player told FIFA officials. More»

World Cup officials won't ban vuvuzela

(NEWSER) - World Cup fans and teams will have to learn to live with the blaring of plastic horns: Organizers have no plans to ban the vuvuzela, Reuters reports. Though the horns are tormenting players and spectators , a rep says, "Vuvuzelas are here to stay and will never be banned. People love the vuvuzelas around the world. Only a minority are against vuvuzelas." More»

Organizers weigh ban on vuvuzelas

(NEWSER) - The nonstop drone of plastic horns has been the soundtrack of the World Cup so far, on and off the field, and they're so annoying that FIFA is considering a ban. It can't come soon enough for some. "We can't sleep at night because of the vuvuzelas." the French captain tells the BBC . "We can't hear one another out on the pitch because of them." More»

Planned Parenthood goes after Mitt, Mitt goes after Solyndra

(NEWSER) - Now that Mitt Romney has officially clinched the Republican presidential nomination, the fight is on. An update on the lines of attack being launched now that we know for sure it's Obama vs. Romney:

• The Planned Parenthood Action Fund is targeting Romney with one of its biggest political ad campaigns ever. A new video spot claims Romney will deny women access to birth control and cancer screenings, take away abortion rights, and not support equal pay for women. The campaign hits hard where it hurts, as Romney is already trailing President Obama among women, the New York Times notes.