Several Russian banks on Friday saw their customers barred from using Visa and MasterCard credit cards as US economic sanctions over Russia’s takeover of Crimea began to dig in. US-based Visa and MasterCard have stopped servicing the credit cards of customers at Russian banks due to the economic sanctions announced in Washington, the banks said Friday. A Visa spokesman told ITAR-TASS news agency that the move was to “in order to comply with US law” and concerned four banks: Bank Rossiya, Sobinbank, SMP Bank and InvestKapitalBank. US President Barack Obama on Thursday said a list of Russians targeted by sanctions had been extended to include billionaire businessmen bankers believed to be close to Putin. One bank, Bank Rossiya, was also added, described as a “crony bank” for the elite

Song Has To Leave Barca, Says Eto'o

The Cameroonian striker feels that his compatriot could play for "any big club" if he left Camp Nou and hopes to fulfil a dream by getting fit to travel to Paris Saint-Germain

I always dreamed of playing at Parc des Princes," he remarked. "Unfortunately, my injury may not allow me to be there. Can I get fit enough? Time will tell. I can't say anything but I will work to be there. "I could have played for PSG when Luis Fernandez was the coach. He bought me dinner but the clubs didn’t find an agreement. Asked if he could yet join the Ligue 1 champions, Eto'o replied: "As a fan, maybe, but not as a player. "Leonardo has talked to me about coming to Paris but it did not happen and it's a shame because I would have liked to play for PSG." Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was overheard in February joking about Eto'o's age, something which the in-form striker has since mocked with some creative goal celebrations, and the 33-year-old insists that there is no problem between him and his boss. "My 'problem with Mourinho'? Don't talk about it," he continued. "I score goals. I have not stopped doing it but I cannot do that if I stay on the sidelines. Even though I am old, I still know how to score. The 'old man' celebration against Tottenham had nothing to do with Mourinho." "This is a difficult question," Eto'o said when asked what makes the Portuguese different to his previous managers. "There is something in his approach to a match that the others don't have but I cannot say because we want to win the Champions League. "He becomes someone else in the build-up to matches. Like any human being, he sometimes loses his mind. He proved it sometimes like when he did it with me [by calling me old] but he takes all the pressure on himself."

Real Madrid 3-4 Barcelona: Clash of The Titans

And Messi ensured it was his name in the headlines again as he scored a crucial goal that is sure to ease the pressure on coach Gerardo Martino and put Barca firmy back in the title race. A hat-trick from Lionel Messi - including two penalties - saw Barcelona record a thrilling 4-3 win over Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday. Barcelona's all-time leading scorer struck two second-half spot kicks as the Catalan giants came from behind twice to win a pulsating encounter in the capital. The second of those penalties, scored with six minutes left after Xabi Alonso clumsily fouled Andres Iniesta, was hammered into the top-right corner as the defending champions closed to within one point of Real - and city rivals Atletico - in the Liga table. Iniesta's early goal was cancelled out by a pair of Karim Benzema strikes, and although Messi levelled before half-time, a controversial Cristiano Ronaldo penalty put Real back in front. Sergio Ramos was then sent off for tripping Neymar, though, and Messi's first penalty restored parity. And the Argentina star – who became the top scorer in Clasicos with his treble, overtaking Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano – held his nerve when presented with another penalty as his side notched their first league double over their rivals since the 2009-10 season. Much was made of the influence Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Neymar would have on the contest, but all three were not at their best, leaving Messi to play the starring role in the Spanish capital. Neymar had an early strike saved before Iniesta fired Barcelona into the lead to cap a superb team move in the seventh minute. Real Madrid supporters were quick to voice their displeasure as the visitors enjoyed a spell of possession, but their whistles turned to silence as Messi's angled ball sent Iniesta through on goal and the midfielder thrashed a powerful left-footed finish past Diego Lopez. Benzema, who had already spurned two chances, missed a golden chance to level when he turned over after an Angel Di Maria cut-back, and Messi shot wide when he seemed more likely to double Barcelona's lead. Benzema eventually scored for Real, with his powerful header – which came from another cross from the outstanding Di Maria - too hot to handle for Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes, going in off the post to level proceedings in the 20th minute. And Benzema doubled his account just four minutes later, as Di Maria, who needed treatment just moments before, again found the forward, who chested down before volleying a classic centre-forward's goal past Valdes. Benzema could have had a hat-trick in the first 30 minutes, but saw Gerard Pique clear a curling effort off the line and Messi punished the hosts when he capitalised on a goalmouth scramble to score from close range just before the break. Tempers frayed as Pepe and Cesc Fabregas were booked after the goal, but Real settled quickly after the interval, with Valdes doing well to deny Benzema after a great Bale run. Real went ahead in controversial circumstances, as referee Alberto Undiano pointed to the penalty spot after Ronaldo was fouled by Dani Alves, although replays showed contact was initially made outside the area. Ronaldo dispatched the spot-kick, powering an effort into the bottom left corner for his 26th league goal of the season, and Valdes had to keep out Bale after another Real attack. The match swung in Barca's favour when an excellent Messi ball released Neymar, with the 19th red card of Ramos' Real Madrid career giving the Argentinian the chance to score from the penalty spot in the 65th minute. And just like Ronaldo before him, Messi made no mistake, forcing Carlo Ancelotti to sacrifice Benzema for defender Raphael Varane. A fizzing 20-yard effort from Alves then hit the inside of the left post with Lopez beaten, but Barcelona's numerical advantage was beginning to show. Iniesta created the winner with a clever run, as his attempt to get away from Daniel Carvajal was blocked by Alonso, leaving Undiano with no option but to give another penalty.

Pharrel's New Clothing Line

Pharrell Williams has partnered with Peace Love World for a line of special-edition t-shirts inspired by his Oscar-nominated single – Happy! So for all those who love to sing it, now you can actually just wear happy! His new fashion collection is reportedly in celebration of the International Day of Happiness. In addition to the tees, the singer’s famous old hat from designer Vivienne Westwood also features on the clothes too with the caption, “I am happy”. There will be tees for both men and women, and one for kids. The black-and-white cotton tees, with the words “Happy” or “Happiness” bolded in yellow, range in price from $25 to $45. Go to Peace Love World stores and on the company’s website. Most recently, the hit maker also announced a collaboration with Comme des Garcons for a fragrance release, and with Uniqlo for a line of T-shirts and hats.

Majid Michel Gives Marriage Advice To Newly Wedded Paul Okoye

Majid Michel Gives Marriage Advice To Newly Wedded Paul Okoye Paul Okoye finally wedded his baby-mama and girlfriend of over a decade. The ceremony was attended by celebrities from all over Africa and beyond. One of the guests was Ghollywood actor — Majid Michel and this is what he had to say to Paul Okoye on his big day. The award winning Ghanaian actor wrote on Instagram: - “Ok i hope my advices work. i love being married. It’s so great to find one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life. For two people in a marriage to live together day after day is unquestionably the one miracle the Vatican has overlooked. One advantage of marriage is that, when you fall out of love with him or he falls out of love with you, it keeps you together until you fall in again. A good marriage would be between a blind wife and a deaf husband. A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. There is so little difference between husbands you might as well keep the first. Before marriage, a man will lie awake all night thinking about something you said; after marriage, he’ll fall asleep before you finish saying it. My wife and I have the secret to making a marriage last. Two times a week, we go to a nice restaurant, a little wine, good food….. She goes Tuesdays, I go Fridays. Just kidn**lol. To avoid mistakes and regrets, always consult your wife before engaging in a flirtation. The man who says his wife can’t take a joke, forgets that she took him. Whenever you’re wrong admit it; Whenever you’re right shut up. The secret of a happy marriage remains a secret. We have the greatest prenuptial agreement in the world. It’s called love.”