Nadal downs Murray in thriller to reach ATP final

LONDON — Rafael Nadal clinched his first appearance in the final of the ATP World Tour finals after a thrilling 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 7-6 (8/6) win over Andy Murray on Saturday.

Nadal has won nine Grand Slam titles during his astonishing career but the Spaniard has never triumphed at this prestigious end-of-year event featuring the world's top eight players.

Now he has a golden opportunity to end a remarkable season with one last triumph at London's O2 Arena.

The world number one, who has already won Wimbledon and the French and US Opens this year, will play Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final.

Defeat was hard on Murray, who led 4-1 in the final set tie-break, and even the consolation of taking part in one of the best matches of the year is unlikely to ease the Scot's frustration at a missed opportunity to win the biggest prize of his career.

Nadal has been in terrific form this week, a complete contrast to the forlorn figure who lost three successive matches here last year.

Murray knew he had to improve his serving to compete with Nadal and the early signs were good there, too, as he fired down seven aces in his opening four games, losing only four points in the process.

Neither player was prepared to give an inch and the set proceeded smoothly all the way to the tie-break, which Nadal took after a gruelling battle for supremacy.

Murray faced two break points early in the second set. Now was the time for the Scot to show his fighting spirit, and he did, with a brave second serve saving one before a backhand winner took care of the second.

The crowd sensed that could prove a big moment and in the seventh game Murray got his chance.

A gift from Nadal was followed by two terrific points from the home hope to take him to 0-40.

Nadal saved all two of those break points but he then missed a backhand to give Murray a third chance, and this time he took it, leaving his opponent standing with a searing cross-court backhand.

Serving to stay in the set at 3-5, the Spaniard was left helpless as Murray blasted his way to 15-40 and then drilled a backhand winner cross-court to level the match.

Early in the third set, Murray turned to the drop shot, but it let him down badly and, out of nothing, Nadal broke serve.

Murray created two more break points at 2-3 only for the world number one to serve his way out of trouble, and at 3-5 Nadal had match point.

For once the Spaniard could not find the shot for the occasion, overcooking a forehand return, but he still had a chance to serve for the match.

In a contest as dramatic as this, it was inevitable there would be another twist, and so it proved as Murray moved to break point, which he took with a stunning backhand pass.

That sent the match to a decisive tie-break and Murray who made the early move, two mini-breaks putting him 3-0 ahead.

Back came Nadal though and at 5-6 the Spaniard had another match point.

Murray saved that one but on Nadal's serve moments later, after three hours and 11 minutes, the match was finally decided with a superb winner from the Spaniard.

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Transcript of projo.com candidate chat with Rep. Langevin to his Second Congressional District

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- .U.S. Rep. James Langevin joined projo.com readers at midday Monday for the latest in a series of candidate chats. Langevin, a Democrat, is running for reelection to his Second Congressional District seat.
Here is a transcript of the chat, edited for organization. It will be archived on our politics page, along with the chats with other candidates, at: ,projo.com/politics:
Congressman Langevin: Hello everyone! Thanks for sending along your questions for today's chat. It has been my privilege to represent the Second District for nearly a decade. I have always tried to listen, and to explain my decisions, whether it's in a quiet corner of a senior center, at a town hall meeting or here now online. I want to continue to foster the accessibility and transparency that so critical to our democracy.
I am running again to meet the challenges we face head-on. Right now my first priority is to create jobs, to get our economy back on track. I see my job as helping to build the bridges that will connect us and move us all forward together, and building bridges always starts with conversations like this. Thank you for taking the time to read along, and I look forward to getting into more specifics as I take your questions.
Jim from RIC: 1. What role do you see higher education playing in strengthening the economy?
Jim_Langevin: Higher education is going to play a critical role in the future of our state's economy. But we have to make ensure that we're not just educating our students, but that we're actualy preparing them for the jobs of the 21st century economy. For example, we need to reach out to the business community and understand where the needs are and where the opportunities for job growth are occurring. Two prime examples of future job opportunities can be found in the fields of alternative energy and biotechnology.
Nancy: Hi Jim, I work at Rhode Island College in the Alumni Office. Access is always an issue for public education. Can you tell us, Congressman Langevin, what steps are being taken to ensure access for students with financial need?
Jim_Langevin: It's vitally important that we have a first-rate system of public education and that all students should be able to pursue a college education. Higher education should be a right for everyone, not just a privilege for those who can afford it. That's why I was proud to support the increase in the Pell Grant program this year, raising Pell Grants to $5550 and even more over time. I also supported legislation that makes student loans more affordable.
pkass: Congressman, how do you feel about your primary race?
Jim_Langevin: Hi pkass, thanks for your question. Elections are always a challenge, and they present a great opportunity to discuss the important issues that are facing us, whether it's in our communities, our state or our nation. I welcome the chance to debate different points of view but also to talk about the record of achievement that I have built on behalf of the people I represent, particularly in the areas of fixing our broken health care system and getting our economy back on track and creating jobs. While I never take any election for granted, I am confident that my record will speak for itself and the voters will once again place their trust in me.
Pamela: Are you happy with the state of health care in the U.S. now that the reform package has become law?
Jim_Langevin: Pamela, thanks for raising this important issue. This year, Congress took an historic step toward fixing our broken health care system, which was both unaffordable and unsustainable. I am confident that the bill we passed will cut costs in the long run and improve quality, while covering millions of people who previously did not have health insurance.
I'm pleased that in just a matter of months, the health reform bill has already resulted in significant changes for my constituents, including assistance for small businesses, eliminating denials for children with pre-existing conditions, taking steps to close the Medicare prescription drug donut hole for our seniors, allowing adult children to remain on their parents' insurance through age 26 and funding high risk pools for those with chronic conditions. That said, much more remains to be done, and a lot more such changes will be coming in the next several years.
Bernie Beaudreau: Hello Congressman. What is the most pressing issue facing you this week?
Jim_Langevin: Hi Bernie. Clearly the most pressing issue right now is getting this economy back on track and creating good jobs. But at the moment, my main concern is doing well in this web chat!
Prov Voter: Hello Congressman Langevin - thank you for you service to the RI over these past 10 years. I was wondering whether you had a favorite political movie that you like and might recommend to us in the chat that are interested in politics and looking for a good summer flick?
Jim_Langevin: ProvVoter, thanks for a fun question. One of my all-time favorites is definitely All the President's Men, and I love the Tom Clancy movies, like Clear and Present Danger. Prov Voter: Thanks Congressman Langevin! I will be sure to check those out.
KJDonovan: Congressman, do you support or oppose providing illegal foreign nationals residing in the United States with a path to citizenship (amnesty) as part of immigration reform? I have previously phoned your office with this very question but have never been able to get an answer.
Jim_Langevin: Hi KJDonovan, and thanks for raising an issue that I know is on a lot of people's minds lately. Let me first say that I don't support amnesty or automatic citizenship for anyone who hasn't played by the rules. However, the fact is that our current immigration system is broken and the reality is that we have approximately 12 million people living in this country who are undocumented. I think the federal government must address the issue of immigration reform in a comprehensive way. I am a co-sponsor of this type of solution, the ASAP Act.

First and foremost the bill requires tougher border security and enforcement, as well as employee verification. Beyond that, the bill would provide a mechanism for people to come out of the shadows, pay back fines and taxes, obtain a non-immigrant visa good for 6 years and eventually allow them to apply for citizenship. But they would be required to get in the back of the line, behind those who are trying to come here the right way.
dee: Why did the continuation of Unemployment Benefits fail?throwing $ at a futile and useless war instead of helping our unemployed is shameful...
Jim_Langevin: Dee, thank you so much for this question, which is a critical priority for me. I was proud to vote in favor of extending unemployment benefits earlier this month, and I've done so several times now. Unfortunately, while the House passed this bill, we have been waiting on action in the Senate. Extending these benefits not only helps those who are in difficult straits because they lost jobs through no fault of their own, but it is also one of the best ways to stimulate our economy. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that for every $1 we spend on unemployment benefits, $1.90 is put into our economy.
Charlie: Congressman Langevin - do we have a plan to somehow deal with our ever increasing budget deficit? I think the stimulus money was needed to "kick start" our economy and we are slowly making headway, but I worry about who will eventually have to pay for it.
Jim_Langevin: Hi Charlie, and this is an issue that has been weighing heavily on me as well. I completely agree - the stimulus was critical to kick-start our economy at a desperate time, allowing us to create jobs and get people back to work. However, as soon as the economy becomes less fragile, we absolutely have to turn our attention to getting our fiscal house in order and addressing the budget deficit and our national debt. We have already taken steps to move in this direction. First, passing health care reform was important to controlling long-term costs - it will save over $100 billion in the first 10 years and approximately $1.2 trillion in the following decade.
As a member of the Budget Committee, I have been active in working on PAYGO legislation passed by the Congress last year, which requires any increase in spending or decrease in revenue be offset by cuts in spending or increased revenue elsewhere. Finally, I am eager to see the results of the President's Bipartisan Deficit Commission, which has been charged with addressing these challenging issues and presenting recommendations to Congress.
Kathleen: Yes. I want to know Congressman Langevin's view on stem cell research... my son was injured and is now paralyzed...so it's a real issue for me..also noting his disability i would like to know if he does not support it why? I would do anything to see my young son maybe have the chance to move or walk again....
Jim_Langevin: Kathleen, thanks for raising an issue that is near and dear to my heart. I am proud to have been one of the leaders in Congress in supporting all forms of stem cell research, which I believe will change the course of medicine in the near future. This research offers the potential for curing some of life's most challenging chronic conditions and diseases, such as Parkinson's, Alzheimers, juvenile diabetes and even people like your son, and myself, with paralysis. I was proud to be at President Obama's side when he removed the restrictions that President Bush had placed on stem cell research, and I look forward to new advances, while ensuring that research proceeds ethically and responsibly.
hnw: Are there any proposals from Republicans that you find productive and useful? It appears that at both the local level and federal level polarization is hurting our country and if you agree, what can you do to stop it?
Jim_Langevin: I totally agree, hnw, there is far too much partisanship in politics and it's not helping our country to deal with the important issues facing the American people. I have always sought opportunities to reach across the aisle and work in a bipartisan way, whether it's finding Republican co-sponsors for my initiatives such as health care reform and respite care, or the bipartisan caucuses that I have created on disabilities issues, cybersecurity, the olympics and paralympics and submarines. I am also proud to sit on the House Armed Services Committee, where we are all - regardless of party - always looking for ways to support our troops. I bring this same spirit of bipartisanship to the Strategic Forces Subcommmittee, which I chair.
steve: hello sir, what will you do to make it easier for families to obtain home loans!! banks are making it very hard!
Jim_Langevin: Steve, I have heard these concerns from many of my constituents. As you know, Rhode Island has one of the highest unemployment rates and foreclosure rates in the country, and this is something that weighs on my mind every day. I have worked closely with Rhode Island Housing and held several foreclosure prevention workshops. In Congress, I was proud to support a bill to reform the Federal Housing Administration, which will ensure that responsible families have the opportunity to purchase a home but also put in place measures to prevent a future crisis. In addition, due to our high foreclosure rate, RI was selected to receive $43 million in federal funding to help with loan modifications, temporary homeowner assistance and moving costs.
jenniferms: What needs to be done to bring more jobs to Rhode Island? Be specific.
Jim_Langevin: Hi jenniferms, thanks for the question. Right now, I see creating jobs as my top priority. The Recovery Act provided funds to RI for job training, which has allowed companies like Capco Steel abnd Warwick Ice Cream, both of which I have had the opportunity to visit, to hire and train new workers. Also, my role on the Armed Services Committee allowed me to fight for our defense industrial base here at home, ensuring that we continue to build subs. Due to my work, in 2011 Electrib Boat will begin building two subs per year, which will create hundreds of new jobs in Quonset. I believe that alternative energy projects also will be vitallyimportant for the future of our state, especially if we are successful in creating a wind farm off our coast.
Jim_Langevin: Thanks so much to all of you for tuning in today. I'm sorry the time seemed to go by so quicly, and I know I missed a lot of good questions. I would encourage you to visit my website, langevin.house.gov, for more information or to send me an email, or you can feel free to contact my office at 732-9400. I would also welcome you to follow me on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, and I look forward to continuing the conversation.
It's been an honor representing Rhode Island over the last 10 years. I've never taken your support for granted, and I never will. I know that these are challenging times, but I know that we are a resilient state. I've always believed that challenges shouldn't derail us, they should empower us. I know that with our innovative and determined spirit that we have within us as Rhode Islanders that together we're on the road to creating a stronger state and a better future.

Tour de France 2010

Alberto Contador's chain reaction is Tour de France's defining momentIt is only because cycling sets such store by its complicated and historic etiquette that 's behaviour in yesterday's 15th stage created, to borrow his own word, "a polemic". In most other sports – think of eye-gouging in rugby, diving in football, and the end of walking in cricket – an attempt to take advantage of an opponent is simply the modern way. In cycling, the competitors' recognition of each other's suffering prompts chivalry.
Unlike golf, cycling is not smug about its unwritten protocols. They are not the inheritance of some dimly remembered public-school ethos but were forged in a furnace of pain, the result of a collective need to survive the tests offered by a day in the mountains in a race like the Tour de France.
That is why they are so important, and why the debate was so heated among the Tour's followers in the hours after Contador had taken the yellow jersey from Andy Schleck in Bagnères-de-Luchon. The Spaniard sprinted away to the top of the last climb of the day, the Port de Balès, while the Luxembourg rider was trying to put his chain back on, held on to a lead of 39sec at the finish, and took the race's overall leadership, which Schleck had held for six days.
Schleck's misfortune occurred just after he had launched what he obviously hoped would be the attack to increase his 31sec lead over Contador by a significant margin, thus weatherproofing him against his expected losses in Saturday's time trial. The chain came off when Contador was about 20m behind, and the Spaniard's claim that he was unaware that anything was wrong with Schleck did not have the ring of truth, not least because in the process he also overtook his own team-mate, Alexandre Vinokourov, who certainly knew what was happening.
Like Thierry Henry in last winter's World Cup play-off against the Republic of Ireland, Contador had a handful of seconds in which to make a decision that would have brought him a new kind of glory, in his case while also showing the world that cycling is anything but a sport corrupted to the core by decades of doping scandals.
Cogent arguments were made on both sides, the Spaniard's defence given added force by the knowledge that although no rider wins four grand tours, as he has, without the sliver of ice in his soul that denotes a ruthless competitor, he is a man whose pleasant disposition has hitherto been reflected in his approach to racing. Last year he won widespread sympathy by winning the race against a background of continued sniping from his team mate, Lance Armstrong, and the American's close confidant, Johan Bruyneel, their team manager.
There was also the suggestion that if Schleck lost his chain while changing gear on the sharp gradient – perhaps trying to switch ratios on both the front and rear derailleurs at the same time – then he only had himself to blame. And it was he, after all, who initiated the attack.
Nevertheless, after assessing the reaction – which included boos and whistles as he donned the jersey – and presumably viewing the footage of the incident, Contador chose to apologise a few hours later.
"Today I managed to get on the podium, which makes me happy," he said. "The problem with that was the circumstances. Right when I attacked on the last climb, Andy had a mechanical problem. The race was in full gear and, well, maybe I made a mistake. I'm sorry. At a time like that all you think about is riding as fast as you can. I'm not happy, in the sense that, to me, fair play is very important. The kind of thing that happened today is not something I like. It's not my style, and I hope my relationship with Andy will remain as good as before."
But nothing can change the fact that, in the heat of the moment, he rode on, and the mistake is one that he will have to live with, unless he also decides to find a way of giving back those lost 39 seconds to his opponent. Cycling keeps its history close to its heart, and incidents such as this are replayed in reminiscences and arguments down the decades. It may be that in those moments below the 1,755m summit of the Port de Balès, Contador created the defining moment of the 2010 Tour.

White mother, white father, black baby

 
A white couple Dana and Hugh Clarke are shocked when Dana gives birth to a baby with African-American features. How do you explain this one? Is this even genetically possible for a white couple to have a black child naturally as Barbara Delinsky, author of ‘Family Tree' puts it?
So what would you do if this happened to you? Send your spouse packing or try to explore the genetic side of the story? And how do you even begin to convince your family and friends?
Well you gotta admit that this is one thought provoking book.

Bed bugs creep into the Grand Valley From Sky

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - The battle against bed bugs is creeping up in the Grand Valley. These insects could be hitching onto used furniture that's up for sale.
Bed bug victim Chris Gibson saved up what money he could to buy a used couch. Less than a month later, it's being sprayed for bed bugs.
“I didn't know what was happening. O thought it was rash at first. It turns out that there were bite marks all over myself and son,” says Gibson.Exterminators in Grand Junction say the nighttime bloodsuckers have hitchhiked their way into the Green Valey from ski The bugs are extremely resilient and tough to get rid of.
“They can feed one time and live for a year. If they bite you today, you’ve got 12 months in which they could be living in the cracks and crevices,” says Terminix exterminator Tyler Lehr.
Gibson will pay more than $1,700 dollars to fumigate his apartment over a year long process. He says the store crept away from helping him. “He basically said prove it,” says Gibson.
“You can't pinpoint the source exactly. You can pick them up at movie theaters, staying at hotels, or used furniture” says Lehr.
“It's buyer beware when it comes to buying something second hand. We do our best to clean them up, to make them usable. But, they're second hand. You don’t always know the history of what something's been through,” says Amy Rogers, executive director for the Habitat for Humanity of Mesa County.
The Habitat for Humanity Re–store says it follows all state regulations, which include a chemical spray down. But some exterminators say that's not enough to kill these parasites. “I don't think you can spray something one time and get rid of them completely,” says Lehr.
Several exterminators told 11 news that they receive daily calls for bed bugs in the Grand Junction area. They say this was not the case about a decade ago.

Macy's Increases Backhaul Loads By 30 Per Week

According to the National Private Truck Council, approximately 28 percent of trailers on U.S. highways are currently running empty at high cost to companies, the economy and the environment. During these challenging times, reducing empty miles has become especially critical for a carrier's operations and bottom-line health. Two progressive companies — Macy's Inc., the nation's premier retailer, and Schneider National, a leading provider of transportation and logistics — are among the more than 30 companies coming together with a new sense of urgency to solve this age-old, yet contemporary issue. Together, Schneider and Macy's are realizing both financial and environmental gains by filling empty trailers with the help of the Empty Miles Service, an innovative online solution developed by the Voluntary Interindustry Commerce Solutions Association (VICS), GS1 Canada and GS1 US.

Watch Bleach Episode 280

 Bleach English subbed episode 280 should be released today. But watch out for spoilers!
The latest episode of Bleach will be aired at 7:00 PM ET/PT on TV Tokyo. The episode is entitled “Hisagi and Tosen, the Moment of Parting”. This is the continuation of last week’s episode after the cut when the battle between Captain Komamura and Tosen was interrupted by Hisagi.
The episode showcases a thrilling scene of the first time meeting of Komamura and Tosen after the departure from Soul Society. Their meeting is ironic because rather than catching up on each other, they end up beating and hating each other. Komamura will also discover that Tosen has turned himself into a Vizard.
Do make sure to watch the latest episode here.

Researchers: Donner Party member carried Lincoln documents on journey

(CNN) -- Researchers have made an unexpected discovery among the items a member of the Donner Party kept in a carpetbag on the group's ill-fated journey to California: a military document with Abraham Lincoln's handwriting on it.
Donner Party member James Reed and his family carried muster rolls with Lincoln's name on them among their treasured heirlooms, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum said in a statement released Monday.
A team of librarians, historians and handwriting experts combined forces to confirm that Lincoln's writing was on one of the documents, which list Lincoln and volunteer soldiers who fought in the 1832 Black Hawk War.
"We often find documents that detail fascinating stories about Abraham Lincoln's life and times, but it is rare indeed for the document to have such an intriguing history after it was written," said Daniel Stowell, director of the Papers of Abraham Lincoln. "That these documents detail part of Lincoln's military service and that they accompanied the Donner Party to California makes them doubly significant."
All four of the muster rolls include "Private Abraham Lincoln" among the list of soldiers. On one of them, experts say two-and-a-half lines are clearly written in Lincoln's hand. And the documents reveal that Lincoln had a horse worth $85 and equipment valued at $15, noting that Lincoln received one tent that was United States property to be returned at the end of his service.
The lines Lincoln wrote said: "Muster Roll of Captain Jacob M. Earleys Company of Mounted Volunteers Mustered out of the service of the United States By order of Brigadier General Atkinson of the United States army on White Water Rivers of Rock River on the 10th day of July 1832."
The documents are part of the James Frazier Reed Collection at the California State Library.
Reed's name appears just beneath Lincoln's on the list. He was one of the organizing members of the Donner Party, the group of pioneers known for resorting to cannibalism while enduring a harsh winter in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
He likely inherited the papers from the military company's commander and took them with him when he left Springfield, Illinois, in April 1846 because they were part of his personal history, the Lincoln Presidential Library said.
While historians believe the papers accompanied the Donner Party for their entire journey, Reed did not. He was banished from the group after fighting with a teamster and stabbing him to death, Monday's library statement said.

He left the papers with his wife after being expelled from the party, and "she brought them safely in her bosom to California when helped by the first relief party which went to their assistance," daughter Martha Jane "Patty" Reed recalled.

Octavia Nasr Canned at CNN for Twenty Years

Remember Octavia Nasr? She's been the chief Middle East correspondent at CNN for twenty years. Or she was until yesterday.

Over the weekend she tweeted "Sad to hear of the passing of Sayyed Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah... One of Hezbollah's giants I respect a lot."




Doing a little sleuthing it seems like it may be slightly overstating things to say he was a member or leader of Hezbollah, more like a spiritual mentor or a cleric closely associated with the movement. In any case, given CNN's record of running for the hills over a lot less, I can't say I'm completely surprised at their decision. And I'm a little surprised she'd tweet that myself. And in the internal memo CNN circulated explaining her termination, a CNN VP wrote, "she fully accepts that she should not have made such a simplistic comment without any context whatsoever."

But a twenty year run down the tubes over 140 characters?

That just doesn't seem right to me.

World Cup 2010: Spain overcome Germany after Defender Carles Puyol winner

spain made history by repeating themselves. The country appears in a World Cup final for the first time because it has hit on a formula for glory. They face Holland in Johannesburg on Sunday after winning every match in the knockout phase 1-0, with the goal in Durban coming through an overwhelming header from Carles Puyol.

That breakthrough arrived when Xavi found the centre-half with a corner-kick in the 73rd minute as Spain showed they need not impress solely with mellifluous passing. There is still something idiosyncratic about an expansive approach that brings narrow wins. The syndrome is especially galling for Germany, who lost by this score to Spain in the Euro 2008 final.

Those results look like a demonstration of taunting authority. It is as if the victors are unassailable once they have taken the lead. Common sense would insist it is a dangerous approach to take, but Spain's record argues otherwise. When Pedro Rodríguez squandered an opportunity to add a second goal against Germany, it did not feel like a potentially ruinous lapse.

The mastery involved can be recognised when it is recalled that Germany came fresh from scoring eight times while knocking out England and then Argentina. The opportunities to show such marksmanship again were denied Joachim Löw's line-up. Germany are young enough to improve, but it is a challenge for any opponents to master Spain.





The 1-0 results are a falsehood if they suggest that Vicente del Bosque's side grind out results. Their play is enjoyable as well as masterful and Holland will require every ounce of strategic intelligence and combativeness if they are not to vanish from the game.

Spain are seldom in a hurry and solid defending invites them to bide their time. One of their best attackers enjoyed just an eventual cameo against Germany. Del Bosque had previously been determined to nurse Fernando Torres into form and fitness following knee surgery in the spring, but the Liverpool forward had not made his mark in the earlier matches at this tournament.

In Durban he returned to the substitutes' bench, regardless of the fact that his goal had settled that Euro 2008 clash. The manager could take such a step since the authority in his squad means they can afford to wait for a goal. David Villa was pushed into the lone attacker's post and Pedro came into the side as one of the three support strikers.

The latter was one of seven Barcelona players in the line-up, with three from Real Madrid. The task of representing the remainder of La Liga fell to Joan Capdevila of Villarreal. While the dominance of the two principal clubs lacks romance, it does ensure that the members of the side are well-acquainted, even if Villa's switch from Valencia to Camp Nou was only completed recently.

Spain were cohesive from the outset. With six minutes gone, Pedro fed Villa for an attempt that was blocked by the goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. At that stage, Germany's ambitions were either modest or made to seem so as Spain dictated the terms of the play.

It says much for the expectation where Del Bosque's line-up is concerned that some have been displeased with them. Perhaps the passing had been a little too studied and there was an endeavour to raise the tempo in the semi-final.

Germany were vigilant as they aimed to take the sting out of Spain. There were moments that would have heartened Löw after the opening half-hour. The midfielder Piotr Trochowski, introduced for the suspended Thomas Müller, hit a good shot that was turned behind by Iker Casillas.

Having failed to damage Germany, Spain might have been in deep trouble on the verge of the interval. Mesut Ozil broke free and Sergio Ramos caught him with a challenge from behind. The contact had occurred just before the Germany midfielder entered the penalty area and the Hungarian referee Viktor Kassai saw no offence.

The second half contained a more direct approach from Del Bosque's men. Since this is Spain, nothing coarse was entailed, but the attacking was intense and Xabi Alonso got himself into positions for drives that went wide. All the same, it scarcely amounted to a reign of terror.

If there was satisfaction for Spain in that spell it sprung from the knowledge that they had pinned down Germany. Andrés Iniesta got possession in the inside-left channel and his cut-back was nearly turned in by Villa. There was more intent and a higher tempo to Spain's work for a period.

Löw's unease was apparent in his substitution of the left-back Jérôme Boateng and Trochowski with Marcell Jansen and Toni Kroos respectively. The latter soon had an effect when he volleyed Lukas Podolski's cross, even if the effort was too close to Casillas. Spain's goal came soon after.

A more mature Holland line-up will be convinced they have the cold-eyed competitiveness to damage Spain. Many sides, though, have held that hope, only to see it painstakingly crushed.

Minnesota Tornadoes Kill 3, Injure Dozens

As many as 60 tornadoes tore through Minnesota on Thursday evening, killing three people, injuring dozens of others and flattening homes up and down the state. Footage uploaded to YouTube shows tornadoes on the ground in Albert Lea, as well as damage in Wadena, one of the hardest-hit places.

Earthquake June 14 2010> Hot News

South California was shaken by a series of little quakes following a stronger earthquake on June 14, 2010. So far no damages or injured have been reported as a result of the 5.7 magnitude quake.

The earthquake was centered 70 miles east of San Diego at around 9:30 pm. Two dozen quakes were reported after it. In a report by the LA Times it is noted that thisearthquake was an aftershock of the one that affected the Baja Cali peninsula back in April.Many people were surprised and scared by the earth’s movement but no damage was reported.
www.toppayingideas.com

Rio Ferdinand Injured, England Running Out of Captains

The injury news just keeps on coming. Didier Drogba’s fractured forearm means his participation in South Africa 2010 lies somewhere between unlikely and none. Now it seems that England captain Rio Ferdinand could miss out too after he injured his knee in a training session. Not just a little twist or a tweak, but something bad enough that Ferdinand left hospital on crutches today. Apparently all signs point to ligament damage. Which almost certainly means no World Cup for Rio.

For the record, nothing is confirmed at time of writing. But apparently Michael Dawson (the Spurs defender cut from the final England squad on June 1st) has been told to pack his bags and start looking for flights to South Africa.

This isn’t really a huge shock, since Ferdinand has had injury problems all season long with Man Utd. England’s other centre back options are Ledley King (who famously has his own knee problems, Matty Upson and Jamie Carragher, plus Dawson if and when he’s added to the squad). But maybe the bigger blow for England is that they’ve lost another captain.

John Terry was famously stripped of the England armband for (do we still need to say allegedly?) bumping uglies with the mother of ex-teammate Wayne Bridge’s children. But let’s not reopen that can of England worms again. Ferdinand was the replacement, stepping up from vice captain. Now if Ferdinand’s out then Steven Gerrard – many English fans first choice as England captain when Fabio Capello took over in 2008 – will be promoted. I’m not 100% sure who the new vice captain will be, but I think it’s Wayne Rooney.

USA fans may be pleased to hear the news about Ferdinand’s injury ahead of the England vs USA game on June 12th, but maybe less so when they hear that Jozy Altidore has sprained his right ankle. Likewise Italy fans will be worried to hear about Andrea Pirlo’s calf injury, and Brazil fans will be concerned by Julio Cesar’s back problems.

Is anyone at World Cup 2010 not injured? Maybe we should all start polishing our football boots and doing a few shuttle runs, and then see if there’s any room on that plane with Michael Dawson.

Video mesum Luna Maya-Ariel

Video Porno Antara Presenter sekaligus model papan atas Luna Maya dengan Vokalis Band Ariel diedarkan secara legal di internet.

Pemenang MTV Movie Award 2010

MTV BEST MOVIE
• The Twilight Saga’s New Moon

New Moon Pemenang MTV Movie Award 2010

MTV BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE
• Kristen Stewart (The Twilight Saga’s New Moon)

MTV BEST MALE PERFORMANCE
• Robert Pattinson (The Twilight Saga’s New Moon)

MTV BEST BREAKOUT STAR
• Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air)

MTV BEST COMEDIC PERFORMANCE
• Zach Galifianakis (The Hangover)

MTV BEST VILLAIN
• Tom Felton (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince)

MTV BEST FIGHT
• Beyonce Knowles vs. Ali Larter (Obsessed)

MTV BEST KIS
• Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson (The Twilight Saga’s New Moon)

MTV BEST WTF MOMENT
• Ken Jeong (The Hangover, Naked Trunk Surprise)

MTV GLOBAL SUPERSTAR
• Robert Pattinson

MTV BEST SCARED-AS-SH**T PERFORMANCE
• Amanda Seyfried (Jennifer’s Body)

MTV BIGGEST BADASS STAR
• Rain (21cineplex.com)

WWE Undertaker -Undertaker died

Have no fear fans of the WWE Undertaker! On the latest 06/04/10 episode of WWE Smackdown, they ran the latest storyline that The Undertaker is dead. The show opened with the General Manager Theodore Long reporting that Undertaker had been


found in a “vegetative state” during this Memorial Day weekend. It wasn’t from one too many drinks at JR’s BBQ, but instead from a vicious, heinous attack. Who was responsible? That’s unknown right now, but it provided the backdrop for his brother Kane to become the inquisitor throughout the show.

Memorial DayHistory

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.


Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms.Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children's League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness on it.
On January 19, 1999 Senator Inouye introduced bill S 189 to the Senate which proposes to restore the traditional day of observance of Memorial Day back to May 30th instead of "the last Monday in May". On April 19, 1999 Representative Gibbons introduced the bill to the House (H.R. 1474). The bills were referred the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Government Reform.




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Inside Cleveland Clinic and the Secret of its Success

GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, FOX NEWS HOST: As the health care battle rages on, "On the Record" is doing what members of Congress should be doing during their recess, going to hospitals, checking them out, find out what works, what doesn't work. Today, we went to a hospital that works really well, the Cleveland Clinic, and we asked questions. We didn't talk to lobbyists or bureaucrats, we talked to doctors and people who work in the hospital every day. We even talked to patients. You'll see the amazing state-of-the-art technology this hospital has in moments.


But first we talked to Dr. Toby Cosgrove, CEO of the Cleveland Clinic, about what needs to be done to really fix health care in this country.

Keturunan Arab Menang Jadi Miss USA 2010

Rima Fakih, Miss USA 2010
Jakarta Dilansir SFGate, Senin (17/5/2010), sejak peristiwa 9/11, Amerika kerap menganggap negatif mereka yang keturunan Arab. Mereka diindetikkan sebagai teroris.

Namun lewat ajang Miss USA 2010, Amerika seolah membantahnya. Ajang yang ada di bawah organisasi Miss Universe itu memenangkan dara keturunan Arab yang juga seorang muslim.

Rima Fakih, itulah pemenang Miss USA 2010. Rima yang lahir pada 2 Oktober 1986, merupakan keturunan Libanon-Amerika.






Sebelum menjadi Miss USA 2010, Rima terlebih dulu memenangkan kontes Miss Michigan. Dia dibesarkan kedua orangtuanya di kawasan Dearborn, Michigan, Amerika Serikat. Cewek berambut panjang itu menyandang gelar Sarjana Ekonomi dari Universitas Michigan.

Rima disebut-sebut sangat bangga dengan latar belakang keturunan keluarganya yang Arab-Amerika. Apalagi ia pernah dinasehati ayahnya, "Kamu tidak tahu siapa dirimu, sampai kamu tahu dari mana kamu berasal."

Ajang Miss USA 2010 digelar di Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Amerika Serikat, Minggu (16/5/2010) malam. Di ajang tersebut, Rima terpilih menjadi pemenang mengalahkan 50 finalis lainnya.(eny/eny)
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