Thursday, June 30, 2011

Five years: What Gilad Shalit has missed

A video made to mark the fifth anniversary of the capture of Gilad Shalit by the US group The Jewish Council for Public Affairs

Full coverage and news about Gilad Shalit here

Source: http://www.thejc.com/videos/news-videos/five-years-what-gilad-shalit-has-missed

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The Synagogue and the Naked Lady

On the way to shul last Shabbat, I mused upon a mystery: how is it that some synagogues come familiarly to be known by the roads in which they are located, while others do not.

London?s North-Western Reform Synagogue is invariably known as Alyth Gardens. Think too of Lauderdale Road (the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue in Maida Vale), or Raleigh Close (Hendon United) or Kinloss (Finchley United, situated in Kinloss Gardens).

But then Mill Hill Synagogue or St John?s Wood Synagogue are always referred to as Mill Hill or St John?s Wood, not by their streets.

Some steibls are popularly known after their presiding rabbi, such as Hager?s or Reb Chunna?s in Golders Green. A few communities bear Hebrew names, most famously the Machzikei Hadass. More recently, some Progressive synagogues have begun to opt for Hebrew names and one new United Synagogue, Alei Tzion in Hendon, has chosen to do so, too.

But synagogue names are rarely imaginative or evocative. I always fancied that Kinloss should be known, after the well-known statue nearby, as Our Congregation of the Naked Lady.

Source: http://www.thejc.com/blogs/simon-rocker/the-synagogue-and-naked-lady

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Glenda Jackson will not fight 2015 election

Glenda Jackson has announced that she is to retire from politics before the next election.

The MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, who was re-elected in May 2010 with just 42 votes, said she would be too old to stand again in 2015.

She told the Hampstead and Highgate Express: "I will not be putting myself forward for re-election in 2015. I will be nearly 80."

Ms Jackson, who won two Academy Awards during her career as an actress, was first elected as MP for Hampstead and Highgate in 1992.

She enjoyed a brief spell as a junior minister under Tony Blair, but became a vocal critic of him and his policies, including the Iraq War. She is often critical of Israel, commenting earlier this year that though she was not anti-Israel, she was "anti the Israeli government."

In March she joined 30 MPs in calling for the clause passing responsibility for war crimes arrest warrants to the DPP to be removed from the government's proposed changes to universal jurisdiction law.

Source: http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/50814/glenda-jackson-will-not-fight-2015-election

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Foreskin Man: the movie

The comic book into movie formula has become a tried and tested staple of summer cinema. But who would play the mohel-hunting superhero Foreskin Man in a big screen adaptation?

That chiselled face, that blonde hair, those blue eyes. Perhaps Brad Pitt could take on the role of the ultimate American hero? Or Ryan Reynolds, after he hangs up his Green Lantern costume? Or what about Leo?

But we're in luck. Foreskin Man creator Matthew Hess has revealed exactly who he'd choose to play his eponymous character.

He tells Heeb: "If Heath Ledger were still alive I think he would have been perfect for the role. For sure it would be a different type of character for him, but he had all of the important traits."

Glad you've cleared that up, Matt.

Mr Hess also deals with another burning question about his comic book; the hero's Aryan looks.

He explains: "Foreskin Man and his alter ego Miles Hastwick are reflective of my own German heritage, and I make no apologies for that."

Yes, that'll help.

Source: http://www.thejc.com/blogs/jennifer-lipman/foreskin-man-movie

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Week ahead: A fair weekend - Breaking down next week, Jun 29 - 10:38

A build in pressure through the end of this week and into the weekend will allow temperatures to rise and the weather to become fine for a few days. However, lower pressure to the west will bring a gradual breakdown in the weather through next week, starting in the west and slowly reaching all by Wednesday or Thursday. For the weather for the next few days click here Saturday 2/7/11 High pressure is again dominating the weather on Saturday. There will be a warm front close to the western coasts of Scotland, and it is here that we could see more cloud and a few spots of drizzle; similar conditions in western Ireland too. For most though the day is going to be dry with sunny spells, although a scattered of showers could develop in the afternoon, mainly over the Pennines and Wales. Highs at 23C for much of England and Wales, 17C in northern Scotland. Sunday 3/7/11 High pressure is going to be affecting most of the country again on Sunday, this centred to the east. Further west lower pressure may push some cloud and showery rain into the west of Scotland and western Ireland. Most of England and Wales should remain fair. Highs at 16 to 24C.

Monday 4/7/11 The low pressure west of Scotland is expected to creep slowly east through Monday. This brings increased cloud and some showery outbreaks of rain to more western parts of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The east and south may be dry overall, although there will be an increasing risk of a shower here through the day. Highs at 14C in northwest Scotland, 23C in southeast England. Tuesday 5/7/11 The slow breakdown in conditions continues through Tuesday. Showers will be spreading slowly eastwards through the day, and an odd one of these could be on the heavy side. The showers may well reach eastern and southern England in the afternoon. Highs at 15C in western Scotland, 23C in southern England. Wednesday 6/7/11 Conditions turning generally more unsettled in the north and west through today. Low pressure will be to the west of Scotland bringing stronger winds, cloud and some rain or showers through Scotland, Ireland and perhaps the west of Wales later. For most other areas the day should be dry. Highs at 24C in southeast England, 14C in northwest Scotland. Thursday 7/7/11 A more general breakdown in conditions is expected by Thursday. Low pressure is likely to be centred over the country and this will be bringing showers and longer spells of rain with it. Some of the showers could be heavy at times with a risk of thunderstorms. Highs at a cold 11C in northern Scotland, 21C in southern England.


Source: http://feeds.weatheronline.co.uk/~r/weatheronline/~3/Y7V8pjX9K24/reports

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Bin Laden's death shouldn't be a kodak moment

A couple of months ago I opened an email that I later wished I hadn't. It contained photographs, grisly, explicit photographs of the victims of the Itamar massacre.

Yuli Edelstein, Israel's Minister of Information explained the decision thus: "our goal in sending out the photos was clear: to show that this attack crossed all lines."

A fair point, surely. Israelis ? sadly ? are perhaps more desensitized than others around the world to scenes of horror and devastation, yet what happened to the Fogels was incomprehensible.

Fresh from this cold-blooded and brutal massacre - lest we forget, a three-month-old baby was decapitated ? the desire to show the world the truth was more than understandable.

But was it right? Releasing those photos (done with the family's permission) could not change the facts of what happened. More importantly, what signal does it send to greet a nightmare with another.

The same goes for the Kodak moment of Osama bin Laden's death.

Five days after his death was announced, the chorus of voices demanding pictorial evidence has not subsided. Without a land grave, for many, there cannot be catharsis without a picture of bin Laden's bullet-ridden body.

The Obama administration has umm and ahhd about releasing the photos and expressed concern they would be used "as an incitement to additional violence or as a propaganda tool".

Good on them. Frankly, why does the world need to see another scene of brutality? The argument that such evidence would lay rest conspiracy theories about bin Laden's death is nonsense, or there'd be no crazed whispers about the moon-landing, September 11 or of JFK's assassination.

For those who want to believe a conspiracy, a picture is worthless. With Photoshop and the best computer geeks in the world at their disposal, the White House could (and I'm not suggesting for one moment they would) easily manipulate an image.

But more importantly, there's more than enough violent imagery out there ? much of it the result of al-Qaida's handiwork ? without adding to it on the front page of every newspaper in the world.

Source: http://www.thejc.com/blogs/jennifer-lipman/bin-ladens-death-shouldnt-be-a-kodak-moment

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Tackling the 'Y' word

There has been a great deal of coverage given to the campaign to kick antisemitism out of football in the past 24 hours.

The Guardian?s Anna Kessel makes as good an attempt as any I?ve seen so far to get to the nitty gritty of this problem: What are we meant to do when many Tottenham fans use the word ?yid? as a term of endearment, and others use it as a vehicle for crude abuse?

No one has any truck with those ?fans? who step over the line and cross into the utterly unacceptable by singing about Auschwitz and hissing to imitate gas chambers. There is no place in sport, or anywhere else, for such vile antisemitism.

But tackling the use of the ?Y? word in isolation is not an easy task, as Anna points out:

As long as Tottenham fans can chant "yid", the question will always arise: why can't Chelsea or Arsenal or any other fans do the same? On the football message boards this very debate has raged for years. I recently read one Chelsea fan's tale of watching his fellow supporters get arrested for chanting "yid" ? and receive three year bans from attending matches ? while over in the away end Tottenham fans chanted the same word without consequence.

She also raises another important point, made briefly by my colleague Danny Caro yesterday. Why are there no Jewish football personalities in the film? Yes, it?s written by two Jewish brothers, but when so many of the country?s biggest clubs are owned and run by Jews, why are they nowhere to be seen in the Baddiels? film? And, I?m told, they were also largely absent from yesterday?s launch.

It is admirable that players such as the Premier League?s first British Asian player, Zesh Rehman, stepped up to appear. But where were Roman Abramovich, Alan Sugar, Yossi Benayoun, Ronny Rosenthal, FA chief David Bernstein?. The list could go on.

Arguably, most important of all, where was Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, the man who leads one of the clubs at the heart of this matter?

Rarely, if ever, has a Jewish issue in football been in the spotlight in this fashion, but quite how the situation is supposed to develop from here is difficult for this football fan, and others, to fathom.

Source: http://www.thejc.com/blogs/marcus-dysch/tackling-y-word

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Jewish Schools and Israel

Last year?s survey on the attitudes of British Jews towards Israel pose interesting questions for Jewish education, according to Jon Boyd, director of the Institute for Jewish Policy Research, which ran the survey.

Let me quote from part of the synopsis of his presentation at last week?s UJIA education conference:

?There is a clear relationship between hawkishness and religiosity and, similarly, dovishness and secularism?

?The data demonstrates that the more religious you are, the more likely you are, for example, to be opposed to territorial compromise, to question that Palestinians desire peace and to give Israel the benefit of the doubt in terms of its efforts to achieve peace. Conversely, the more secular you are, the less likely you are to define yourself as a Zionist, the more likely you are to regard Israel as an occupying power and the more likely you are to favour negotiations with Hamas.

?This poses critical education questions: are we placing sufficient emphasis on our understanding of ?the other? in our religious schools and informal educational frameworks, and are we placing sufficient emphasis on our understanding of our own internal Jewish narrative in our more secular and progressive contexts??

Source: http://www.thejc.com/blogs/simon-rocker/jewish-schools-and-israel

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Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Obama's major dilemma

?The key problem is this: American support to the Peace Process requires American public support to Israel. �American public support to Israel infers defense commitments directed against Arab states (and Iran). �Defense commitments directed against Arab states inherently undermine the construction of a new relationship with the Arab world.?

This, in the simplest of terms, defines President Obama's dilemma in facing up to the problems of the Middle East. It comes from the blog of an American who seems to know well the differences between Shias and Sunnis. I have found reading him enlightening often, infuriating frequently. You can read the whole of this and other of his blogs relevant to the US and the Middle East at this website:
http://ishouldhavestayedhome.blogspot.com.

Source: http://www.thejc.com/blogs/geoffrey-paul/obamas-major-dilemma

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Israel's missing in action soldiers

Full coverage and news about Gilad Shalit and Israel's MIAs here

Source: http://www.thejc.com/galleries/photojournalism/israels-missing-action-soldiers

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Dooley loss will be felt by Offaly

Diarmuid O’Flynn


IT was only a couple of weeks ago that Offaly senior hurling manager Joe Dooley wrote a letter to the secretary of the county board, a letter copied to the secretary of every club in the county, complaining of the treatment of his players and management team at the county ground, O’Connor Park in Tullamore.


During the course of Joe’s tenure it appears there had been several incidents at the superb Tullamore venue, culminating, according to his letter, in a lockout just weeks before Offaly were due to meet Cork in a critical winner-take-all All-Ireland qualifier.


In reply to that letter (and only after its existence and contents had been revealed in this newspaper), the county board issued the following statement: “Offaly GAA Management Committee met tonight and have decided they will issue a full and frank response in relation to the issues currently in the public domain regarding Offaly Senior Hurlers when and only when we complete our current Liam McCarthy Cup Campaign.”


It was a statement which, in its tone, baffled and angered many inside the county, not least Joe Dooley himself, a man not given easily to anger.


Last Saturday evening, against Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, and despite being seriously injury-depleted, Offaly came within a point of the raging-hot favourites, with much controversy at the end over the decision to play just one minute of injury-time.


Yesterday, Joe Dooley announced that he was walking away from the job. Linked, all the above? I would have said yes, absolutely.


In an interview with yesterday’s Irish Examiner Dooley reckons that four years at the helm is enough, explains that a) as ESB Property Manager he has a very busy full-time job, involving nationwide travel, and b) it’s time for a new voice. He also states that the series of incidents in O’Connor Park, while they didn’t help, weren’t the decisive factor in his decision – “you’d overcome those problems, just keep going – we did for the last three years,” he explained.


So that’s that then, right? The ‘goings-on’ in O’Connor Park were just a minor irritation, no harm done – move on.


The thing is, I can’t accept that at all. I don’t doubt Joe Dooley’s resignation statements for a moment but there WAS damage done to Offaly hurling by what happened over the years in O’Connor Park, there was damage done by that utterly inadequate response by the county board to Joe Dooley’s letter.


To be truly competitive at either hurling or football, a county such as Offaly needs to maximise its resources. In both codes they have fewer numbers than many of the bigger and more successful counties, but time and again Kilkenny have shown us all – if you organise yourself properly, if everyone is pulling together, then lack of numbers is a problem that can be overcome.


Patently, and the incidents with their senior team are just one example (look at the performance in recent years of their minor and U21 teams), Offaly is not organised properly, everyone in Offaly is not pulling together.


In Joe Dooley Offaly hurling had a man of the utmost integrity, a professional man, a forward-thinking man, a man of proven ability. On the field he won three All-Ireland medals but that alone proves nothing; on the field Joe was one of those players who always seemed to be in the right place at the right time and who then – more often than not – made the right decisions.

Why? Lucky, accidental, incidental? No; it was because Joe was one of those cerebral players, a guy who read the play even as it developed, who reacted accordingly, who then got himself into the right position. Hurling intelligence I call it, just as you can have rugby intelligence, soccer intelligence, the guy who is constantly alert, who anticipates, who reads what an opponent is going to do often before the opponent himself even knows he’s going to do it, and moves, all done before the slower player has even begun to engage first gear.


Dooley had that quality, his brothers Johnny and Billy likewise. His son Shane has inherited it also.


A guy with that kind of ability should be treasured by his people, and when he takes over his own county team, as Joe Dooley did four years ago, he should be given every assistance, every co-operation.


Working from poor underage structures, working off a small player base, working off a player base that was massively reduced this year especially with an injury-list that stretched almost into double-figures, Joe still managed to get two outstanding championship performances from his side, against Dublin and Cork, two top-rated teams.


I can’t help thinking though that even as he takes this step, even as he makes this latest move, he’s again looking down the field and reading the play, reading the opposition.


It’s a sad day for hurling, on so many levels, but saddest of all? That opposition is coming from his own.


In GAA circles Offaly is known as the Faithful County – in the last few weeks, in the way they left a good man hanging out to dry, the county board didn’t do much justice to that particular sobriquet, did they?

Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/VFs81Y0afQk/post.aspx

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Five years: What Gilad Shalit has missed

A video made to mark the fifth anniversary of the capture of Gilad Shalit by the US group The Jewish Council for Public Affairs

Full coverage and news about Gilad Shalit here

Source: http://www.thejc.com/videos/news-videos/five-years-what-gilad-shalit-has-missed

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Zach McAllister gets eighth victory as Columbus Clippers top Toledo Mud Hens: Minor League Report

Akron and Mahoning Valley also get victories on Tuesday night.

Zach McAllister.JPGView full sizeClippers pitcher Zach McAllister.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 4, Mud Hens 3 1B Shelley Duncan (.250) hit a three-run homer, LF Jerad Head also homered and RH Zach McAllister (8-2, 2.82 ERA) allowed one earned run in seven innings in host Columbus' International League win against Toledo. Clippers SS Jason Donald (.300) doubled, singled and scored a run.

AA Akron Aeros

Aeros 10, Mets 8 1B Beau Mills (.296) had a two-run double and RF Matt McBride (.279) a two-run single during a six-run eighth as Akron rallied for an Eastern League win in Binghamton, N.Y. Aeros C Juan Apodaca (.188) had a run-scoring double and CF Jordan Henry (.250) a bases-loaded walk in the eighth. Mills drove in three runs and Apodaca two for Akron. 3B Kyle Bellows (.184) and LF Tim Fedroff (.349) each knocked in one. McBride had three hits for the Aeros. Akron RH Joseph Gardner (4.07 ERA) allowed five runs -- four earned -- in 5 1/3 innings.

A Lake County Captains

West 8, East 3 Captains 2B Argenis Martinez had a run-scoring single for the East, but the West won the Midwest League All-Star Game in Davenport, Iowa.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Scrappers 2, Muckdogs 0 3B Kevin Fontanez and RF Bryson Myles each drove in a run, and three pitchers combined on a five-hit shutout for host Mahoning Valley in a New York-Penn League victory against Batavia (N.Y.). Scrappers LH Daniel Jimenez (1.50) allowed four hits and two walks in 31/3 innings, RH Cody Allen (0.00) had six strikeouts in 3 perfect innings of relief, and RH Bryce Stowell (0.00) gave up one hit and one walk in two innings. Myles (.250) and CF Cody Elliott (.316) had two hits each.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

ThunderBolts 5, Crushers 1 Windy City (Ill.) starting pitcher Dustin Williams did not allow a hit until Patrick Norris' single in the seventh inning as host Lake Erie lost a Frontier League game.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2011/06/zach_mcallister_gets_eighth_vi.html

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Review


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Truly, madly, deeply

I have just had a hilarious discussion with a good friend, apropos the great Hillary Clinton airbrushing by not just one but two strictly Orthodox newspapers in New York.
My friend's partner was once employed at a now defunct Charedi newspaper in Israel. The editor, described as very observant but aware of the world, slightly despaired of his readers.
"You see," he said, "they don't read the paper. They study it. And on Shabbes afternoons, they take a magnifying glass to it."
Accordingly, my friend's partner had a singular task on the paper. His job, in the early days of PhotoShop, was judiciously to apply beards to any random young women caught lurking on the edges of a photograph. Better to suggest overwhelming throngs than blank spaces in the crowd.
So now I am fascinated. All those familiar pictures of black hats and beards. Were half of them really women?

Source: http://www.thejc.com/blogs/jenni-frazer/truly-madly-deeply

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Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Zach McAllister gets eighth victory as Columbus Clippers top Toledo Mud Hens: Minor League Report

Akron and Mahoning Valley also get victories on Tuesday night.

Zach McAllister.JPGView full sizeClippers pitcher Zach McAllister.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 4, Mud Hens 3 1B Shelley Duncan (.250) hit a three-run homer, LF Jerad Head also homered and RH Zach McAllister (8-2, 2.82 ERA) allowed one earned run in seven innings in host Columbus' International League win against Toledo. Clippers SS Jason Donald (.300) doubled, singled and scored a run.

AA Akron Aeros

Aeros 10, Mets 8 1B Beau Mills (.296) had a two-run double and RF Matt McBride (.279) a two-run single during a six-run eighth as Akron rallied for an Eastern League win in Binghamton, N.Y. Aeros C Juan Apodaca (.188) had a run-scoring double and CF Jordan Henry (.250) a bases-loaded walk in the eighth. Mills drove in three runs and Apodaca two for Akron. 3B Kyle Bellows (.184) and LF Tim Fedroff (.349) each knocked in one. McBride had three hits for the Aeros. Akron RH Joseph Gardner (4.07 ERA) allowed five runs -- four earned -- in 5 1/3 innings.

A Lake County Captains

West 8, East 3 Captains 2B Argenis Martinez had a run-scoring single for the East, but the West won the Midwest League All-Star Game in Davenport, Iowa.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Scrappers 2, Muckdogs 0 3B Kevin Fontanez and RF Bryson Myles each drove in a run, and three pitchers combined on a five-hit shutout for host Mahoning Valley in a New York-Penn League victory against Batavia (N.Y.). Scrappers LH Daniel Jimenez (1.50) allowed four hits and two walks in 31/3 innings, RH Cody Allen (0.00) had six strikeouts in 3 perfect innings of relief, and RH Bryce Stowell (0.00) gave up one hit and one walk in two innings. Myles (.250) and CF Cody Elliott (.316) had two hits each.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

ThunderBolts 5, Crushers 1 Windy City (Ill.) starting pitcher Dustin Williams did not allow a hit until Patrick Norris' single in the seventh inning as host Lake Erie lost a Frontier League game.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2011/06/zach_mcallister_gets_eighth_vi.html

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Review: Emperor and Galilean

After the first English performance of Ibsen's epic - pared down in Ben Power's translation to a piffling three-and-a-half hours -? the arguments against staging this play seem a lot more obvious than those in favour. Jonathan Kent's huge production uses 50 performers to tell a relatively small story.

Its flawed hero is Julian (Andrew Scott), a charismatic Christian whose proselytising talents are eventually harnessed by Ian McDiarmid's spooky shaman and used to utterly destructive ends.

As Roman Emperor, Julian abolishes Christianity and revives paganism, torturing his closest friends on the way. The absurdity of faith is the not particularly revelatory lesson. It is also a rather easy target. Kent's ambitious production, with its awe-inspiring projections and stage craft, is more than the story deserves.

During one of the few pauses in a breathless evening of war and agony, the thought occurred that theatre used to struggle to find right-wing plays. Isn't it time we had a pro-religion play?

Source: http://www.thejc.com/arts/theatre/50805/review-emperor-and-galilean

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Terry Pluto talks Cavaliers and Indians - Podcast

How did the Cavaliers do in last week's draft? What did Terry think of Lonnie Chisenhall's debut? Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

lonnie-chisenhall-running.JPGView full sizeLonnie Chisenhall had a strong debut for the Indians Monday night.

How did the Cavaliers do in last week's draft? What did Terry think of Lonnie Chisenhall's debut? 

Plain Dealer sports columnist Terry Pluto answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

Among other topics discussed:

• Was Tristan Thompson really a reach at No. 4?

• Now that Chisenhall's up, who can we expect to see next from Columbus?

• Is turning to prospects earlier a change in philosophy for the Indians or is it just a sign of better drafting?

• Could the Indians consider not picking up options on Fausto Carmona and Grady Sizemore?

You can download the mp3 or listen with the player to the right.

Be sure to also like Terry Pluto on Facebook.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/blog/index.ssf/2011/06/terry_pluto_talks_cavaliers_in_3.html

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Area players compete in 39th annual Cuyahoga County East-West High School Football All-Star Game

BEREA The quarterbacks and receivers lit up the scoreboard and stole the show at the 39th annual Cuyahoga County East-West High School Football All-Star Game June 17 in front of 2,178 in attendance at Baldwin-Wallace Colleges Finnie Stadium. The West built a sizable cushion before holding off a late East surge during its 32-22 victory. Of the 767 total ...

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/sun/all/index.ssf/2011/06/area_players_compete_in_39th_a.html

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The Synagogue and the Naked Lady

On the way to shul last Shabbat, I mused upon a mystery: how is it that some synagogues come familiarly to be known by the roads in which they are located, while others do not.

London?s North-Western Reform Synagogue is invariably known as Alyth Gardens. Think too of Lauderdale Road (the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue in Maida Vale), or Raleigh Close (Hendon United) or Kinloss (Finchley United, situated in Kinloss Gardens).

But then Mill Hill Synagogue or St John?s Wood Synagogue are always referred to as Mill Hill or St John?s Wood, not by their streets.

Some steibls are popularly known after their presiding rabbi, such as Hager?s or Reb Chunna?s in Golders Green. A few communities bear Hebrew names, most famously the Machzikei Hadass. More recently, some Progressive synagogues have begun to opt for Hebrew names and one new United Synagogue, Alei Tzion in Hendon, has chosen to do so, too.

But synagogue names are rarely imaginative or evocative. I always fancied that Kinloss should be known, after the well-known statue nearby, as Our Congregation of the Naked Lady.

Source: http://www.thejc.com/blogs/simon-rocker/the-synagogue-and-naked-lady

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These strikes are wrong, Cameron tells public sector workers

PM urges workers planning to strike on Thursday to stop and reconsider arguments about public sector pension reforms

Public sector pensions cost every household �1,000 a year, David Cameron claimed as he made a detailed appeal to unions to accept the government's proposals and back away from strike action.

The prime minister said he believed there were "misconceptions" amongst those planning to strike on Thursday, urging them to stop and reconsider the arguments. He warned that the pensions system was "in danger of going broke" if reforms were not made.

"Of course, in a democracy people can go out and protest," Cameron told the Local Government Association conference in Birmingham. "But the people marching should know what they're objecting to, and I believe there are some misconceptions flying around."

Concerns about the impact of Thursday's strikes were raised when it emerged that the UK Border Agency has written to airlines suggesting they might encourage people to choose another day to fly amid concerns about the impact of immigration staff taking strike action at Heathrow and other major airports.

The cabinet met and discussed contingency plans on Tuesday as the number of schools estimated to be closed on Thursday grew.

In comments that unions said were an attempt to drive a wedge between private and public sector workers, Cameron said: "The taxpayer currently contributes over two-thirds of the costs of maintaining public sector pensions. That's the equivalent of �1,000 a household. That figure is only expected to rise.

"Is that a fair? I don't believe it is, especially when people in the private sector are seeing the value of their own pensions falling, their own pension age rise and when, according to the Office for National Statistics, the average gross pay in the public sector is now higher than in the private sector. So we need to rebalance the system."

In a speech almost entirely focused on the pensions issue, but notable for its non-confrontational language, he argued:

? That reforms are essential as people live longer and the bill for public sector pensions rises. "The reason we can't go on as we are is because as the baby-boomers retire ? and thankfully live longer ? the pension system is in danger of going broke ... in the 1970s, when a civil servant retired at 60, they could expect to claim a pension for around 20 years," he said. "Today, when they retire at 60, they can expect to claim a pension for nearly 30 years ? about a 50% increase on before."

? That the system of paying for public sector pensions needs to be rebalanced to make it fairer on the taxpayer. But he also argued that the reforms would be fair for public sector workers, protecting their defined benefits, albeit under a pension scheme with payouts based on career averages instead of final salaries. Accrued rights would also be protected, and the lowest paid protected from contributions increases.

"Your pre-reform entitlements are being fully protected," he said. "What you have earned you will keep. Fact. That's why I can look you in the eye and say public service pensions will remain among the very best ? much better, indeed, than for many private sector workers."

? He argued that the career-average scheme was fairer for low paid workers, who are no longer expected to subsidise the final salary schemes of those who jump to the highest salaries before retirement. "This is not about saving money. It's about doing what's right and fair by you," he said.

? Refusing to act now would store up a problem in the future that in five, 10 or 15 years would become unaffordable, he said.

? He concluded with a direct appeal to those planning to strike on Thursday, saying: "To those considering strike action at a time when discussions are ongoing, I would say to you: these strikes are wrong ? for you, for the people you serve, for the good of the country. It's the changes we propose that are right. Right for the long term. Right by the taxpayer. And, most crucially of all, right by you."


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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/jun/28/these-strikes-are-wrong-cameron-tells-public-sector

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Review


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Review: Emperor and Galilean

After the first English performance of Ibsen's epic - pared down in Ben Power's translation to a piffling three-and-a-half hours -? the arguments against staging this play seem a lot more obvious than those in favour. Jonathan Kent's huge production uses 50 performers to tell a relatively small story.

Its flawed hero is Julian (Andrew Scott), a charismatic Christian whose proselytising talents are eventually harnessed by Ian McDiarmid's spooky shaman and used to utterly destructive ends.

As Roman Emperor, Julian abolishes Christianity and revives paganism, torturing his closest friends on the way. The absurdity of faith is the not particularly revelatory lesson. It is also a rather easy target. Kent's ambitious production, with its awe-inspiring projections and stage craft, is more than the story deserves.

During one of the few pauses in a breathless evening of war and agony, the thought occurred that theatre used to struggle to find right-wing plays. Isn't it time we had a pro-religion play?

Source: http://www.thejc.com/arts/theatre/50805/review-emperor-and-galilean

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Monday, June 27, 2011

Greece given hope as French banks agree debt rollover

? Markets rise as plan makes Athens default less likely
? Two-day strike starts on Tuesday ahead of key vote

A silver lining appeared amid the clouds of Europe's financial crisis on Monday as French banks agreed to roll over Greece's debt, two days before a crucial vote in the Greek parliament on austerity measures ? a precondition of further aid from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

As the government, desperately tried to woo dissident deputies before the vote on the radical ?28bn (�25bn) package, the French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, said that his country's banks had agreed on a plan to reinvest a significant amount of their holdings in Greek debt.

By reinvesting in new securities over 30 years it is hoped the pressure on Greece to repay investors will ease. Holding ?15bn of Greece's ?355bn of debt, they are more exposed than any other eurozone country. The announcement of the scheme helped dissipate fears Greece was heading for default. The FTSE 100 rose 24.62 points to close at 5722.34, while the Dow Jones was up 108.98 points, or 0.9%, to close at 12,043.56.

But in Athens the mood was less sanguine. The vote ? over policies seen as vital if Greece is to receive a fifth loan instalment of ?12bn and stave off economic collapse ? takes place in an increasingly tense atmosphere. Following a year of savage wage and pension cuts, the reaction to the new round of belt-tightening has been as biting as the measures themselves.

Three out of four Greeks oppose the policies, which call for as many as 150,000 jobs to be axed in the public sector at a time when the economy is in deep recession and unemployment is at a record 16.2%.

In a step not seen since the return of democracy in 1974, unions announced a 48-hour strike to coincide with what is expected to be a raucous debate in parliament over the cuts. The walk-out, which begins on Tuesday, is expected to paralyse the country at the height of the tourist season.

On Monday, as the 300-seat parliament prepared for the vote, communist militants stormed the Acropolis, unfurling protest banners from the ramparts. As holidaymakers ascended the hill to the fifth-century BC site, they were greeted by the slogan: "The peoples have the power and never surrender. Organise. Counterattack."

The extent of hostility to the four-year austerity plan, which includes tax increases on everything from property to soft drinks, and loss-making public utilities being privatised at a rate of one every 15 days, appears to have unnerved the socialist government. Prime minister George Papandreou's majority has been whittled down after a series of defections.

Buoyed by the news from France, Papandreou appealed to parliamentarians "to vote for survival, growth, justice, and a future for the citizens of this country," He added that he hoped the terms of a second bailout would be better than the first, which was agreed last year.

"I call on Europe, for its part, to give Greece the time and the terms it needs to really pay off its debt, without strangling growth, and without strangling its citizens," he said.

Papandreou's new finance minister, Evangelos Venizelos, said the government acknowledged the new cuts were "unfair." He said Greece wants to conclude negotiations for a second bailout by the end of the summer "at the latest," and he urged opposition parties to abandon their opposition to the austerity program.

"These measures will take us from running budget deficits to achieving primary surpluses. It's a difficult but necessary step," Venizelos said.

Public opposition to the measures ? with tens of thousands of protesters massing outside parliament over the past month ? is clearly affecting MPs' mindsets.

With at least three MPs from the governing Pasok party voicing grave misgivings, passage of the vote appeared far from assured despite the finance minister making last-minute appeals.

Kostas Panagopoulos, a political analyst, said: "Papandreou may have won a vote of confidence last week, but it will mean nothing if he gets these measures passed with only the slimmest of majorities.

The number of those supporting the measures is critical for the country's political stability. It would seem that this is a government that has clearly lost its connection with society."

The steadfast refusal of the main opposition conservative party to endorse the measures ? citing recession-inducing tax increases ? has added to the government's woes.

Barely a year after it received ?110bn in emergency loans, Greece has been told in no uncertain terms that it will not qualify for a second bailout unless it implements the reforms.

"Not since the early 1960s has Greece been in such crisis," said Fotis Kouvelis, who heads a small leftist party. "Greece's debt load has to be restructured. Our country is at risk of social disintegration. The [austerity] demands being asked of Greeks are too severe at a time when 25% are now living under the poverty line."


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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/jun/27/greece-hope-french-banks-agree-debt-rollover

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France's Jewish problem: Strauss-Kahn

The Daily Beast offers an interesting follow-up piece to Bernard-Henri L�vy's bizarre defence of the disgraced DSK.

In it, academic Eric Alterman argues that the case is "primo fodder for anyone wanting to lob anti-Jewish comments in DSK?s direction, or even issue antisemitic broadsides about Jews inevitably rising to the defense of one of their own, regardless of the circumstances".

He's right. DSK, for those who hadn't worked it out from the surname, is Jewish, as is his wife. The crime he is accused of is, by anyone's standards, shocking; arguably made all the more so by virtue of his status as a powerful and influential person.

Alterman, however, goes on to highlight the supposed lack of Jewish-centric "conspiracy theories floating around France for this historic upheaval in the nation?s political future". In his view, this is proof that "claims of an antisemitism epidemic in [France] are overblown".

Maybe. I'm not so sure.

Certainly, DSK's downfall isn't Madoff mark two, the story of a rich Jew gone bad. He has been described as Jewish in most newspaper stories, but largely only in the sense he has been described as "French" or "a banker", that is to say for biographical purposes.

But I still think Alterman's argument is naive. And here's why.

If you put into Google the search term "Dominique Strauss-Kahn Jewish" the top result (below news headlines) is a jokey JC story from October 2008, part of a now-discontinued series in which the JC assessed the Jewish credentials of various public figures.

Since Sunday, that story has accounted for more than six per cent of all traffic to the JC website.

On the surface, people may not be writing this as a Jewish story.

But it's a little curious just how many people wanted to check just how Jewish Dominique Strauss-Kahn was this week.

Source: http://www.thejc.com/blogs/jennifer-lipman/frances-jewish-problem-strauss-kahn

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The battle over Zsa Zsa Gabor's mansion

She swam naked in its pool every morning and entertained Hollywood royalty there. Now the ailing movie star's house is up for sale ? exacerbating a bitter family feud

Zsa Zsa Gabor is selling her gated Bel Air mansion, and as you would expect from a Hollywood legend, this is no ordinary listing. The former movie star may be ailing but the anticipated $15m (�9.4m) sale has intensified a long-running family feud and turned into something of a drama.

The decision to sell the property was made after 94-year-old Gabor was re-admitted to hospital in May, following a bout of pneumonia. She returned home this month but the Hungarian-born socialite, actor and star of the chatshow circuit is now barely able to speak and bed-ridden after having her leg amputated earlier this year.

According to her husband of 25 years, Prince Fr�d�ric Von Anhalt, the medical bills are mounting, and so along with the house, her personal effects ? including gowns, furs, shoes, antiques and paintings ? will also be auctioned off to raise funds.

The story of her sad decline took another twist last weekend when Gabor's only child, Francesca Hilton, expressed her outrage at Von Anhalt's decision to release a picture of his wife lying in bed, drinking champagne. They were celebrating his 68th birthday.

The photograph showed the once-glamorous performer barely recognisable without makeup and her trademark blond coiffed hair, something her daughter says her mother would not have allowed. Hilton, Gabor's child from her second of nine marriages, to hotelier Conrad Hilton, said she was also worried about seeing her mother drinking alcohol.

The relationship between Von Anhalt and Hilton has been strained for years but John Blanchette, Von Anhalt's publicist, has dismissed Hilton's concerns. "Zsa Zsa was happy to have the picture taken," he says. "She doesn't care about the makeup. They clinked glasses, and she took a sip of champagne. She is not heavily medicated. She takes two pills, one for her blood pressure and another pill which keeps her from retaining water in her leg and lungs. She is communicative, and capable of smiling and showing distaste. Her doctor says it's fine for her to have an occasional sip of alcohol now and again."

Blanchette says that the couple will also celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary on 14 August. "They plan to welcome friends at the home to share a glass of champagne and hors d'oeuvres. Frederic expects his wife will again enjoy a sip."

The family row adds another layer of Hollywood history to the house, which was built in 1955 and boasts a glossy pedigree ? previous tenants include billionaire aviator Howard Hughes and possibly Elvis Presley (Gabor has said he lived there during the late 50s and early 60s but her claim has been challenged). Von Anhalt listed it recently with Beverly Hills estate agent Christophe Choo because he wanted to move Gabor to a "simpler, safer place". When I toured the house, Von Anhalt told me: "In the last nine years we've only used three rooms, it's totally stupid. But we still need a cleaner because it gets dusty."

Gabor bought the house in 1971 for $250,000 from a local businessman, but it was Hughes who had added the most interesting touches during the 1960s. He was so paranoid that he hung two giant walls of mirrors in the living room, angling them so that from one particular chair he had a 360-degree view of the entire house and patio. He also reputedly wore out the carpet in the hallway by pacing back and forth, and had the house fitted with baffling door locks that turn backwards, thwarting intruders (and the hired help). They remain to this day.

"Hughes would also sleep on the floor of the closet in the bedroom, not the bed," says Von Anhalt. "And there are secret passageways, one of them which leads to the bar upstairs."

There are four compartments hidden by panelled doors in the main reception area (one is the downstairs loo), and if you press a tall panel in the hallway that leads to the kitchen, it springs open to reveal a wine cabinet. "We had this one blocked off for storage but you can see the stairs that used to lead up to the bar room," Von Anhalt explains, pointing upwards. "I didn't even know this passage existed until the day I caught Zsa Zsa disappearing into the wall."

The house reeks of old Hollywood with an antique French fireplace, tall French doors and stunning views of the city and coastline. There's a master bedroom with bathroom and two-room closet, four guest bedrooms, maid's room, breakfast nook, butler's pantry, staff quarters, plus a recreation room with a 15ft bar, guest bedroom and marble bathroom on the first floor.

There's also a pool in which Gabor used to swim naked every morning and a formal sitting room that has entertained the likes of the Reagans, Bob Hope, both Presidents Bush, Frank Sinatra and Henry Kissinger. Quincy Jones is the closest neighbour but the late Elizabeth Taylor was also a regular visitor, and when Gabor was re-admitted to hospital this year Kirk Douglas sent her note that read: "I always remember eating sausages with you and your sister in the kitchen."

For $15m, the oven that cooked those sausages, and possibly Elvis's, could be yours. Where the money from the sale goes ? well, that's family business.


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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/jun/27/zsa-zsa-gabor-mansion-sale

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Luis Valbuena powers Columbus past Rochester: Minor-league roundup

Lake County blanks Wisconsin, Kinston, Akron and Lake Erie all stumble.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 5, Red Wings 1: Luis Valbuena (.311) had three hits -- including a three-run home run -- to lead Columbus past Rochester in an International League game Tuesday night in Columbus. Jeanmar Gomez (5-1, 2.36) picked up the win.

AA Akron Aeros

Rock Cats 5, Aeros 3: Akron starter Matt Packer gave up five earned runs in five innings as the Aeros dropped an Eastern League game in New Britain, Conn.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Blue Rocks 8, Indians 2: Kinston's Tyler Holt (.257) and Adam Abraham (.250) banged out three hits apiece but the Blue Rocks broke the game open with a five-run seventh in a Carolina League win in Wilmington, Del.

A Lake County Captains

Captains 9, Timber Rattlers 0: Ronny Rodriguez (.217) had three hits, including a homer, as Lake County cruised past Wisconsin in a Midwest League game in Grand Chute, Wis.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Cornbelters 12, Crushers 3: Normal (Ill.) built a 12-1 lead through three innings and coasted the rest of the way for the Class A Frontier League victory.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2011/06/luis_valbuena_powers_columbus.html

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Grand sham

Shahar Peer struggled to fight back the tears as her terrible run of form continued with a shock first-round defeat in the ladies singles.

Seeded 22, Peer started well, winning the first set 7-5 against Ksenia Pervak (89) but the Russian raised her game in her first appearance at SW19, to win 7-5, 6-4. Peer refused to blame a shoulder problem that required an injury time-out midway through the second set.

She was inconsolable after the match. "I'm very disappointed," she said. "I'm not used to losing in the first round of back-to-back grand slams but I'm not playing well.

"I didn't underestimate my opponent. I didn't take my chances."

Peer's slump has coincided with a change of coach but believes that this result is no more than a blip, adding: "I'm trying to play more aggressively and improve before the US Open. I'll keep giving everything as I believe I can get into the top 10. I think I'm good enough."

Wild card Dudi Sela bowed out in the second round against 15th seed Gilles Simon of France on Wednesday. The result ended a 16-match winning run. Sela had outclassed Frederico Gil of Portugal 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 in round one.

"It was a great all-round performance," said Sela. "I was nervous at the start, but after that I controlled the match. He didn't have a big serve so he gave me a lot of chances. I hit a lot of winners and that was the most pleasing part."

Sela climbed to 29 in the world in 2009, when he reached round four at Wimbledon, and after winning three consecutive challenger competitions, he now stands at 82.

"I like playing on grass - before I didn't. I've learnt a lot from practising two or three years ago with Harel Levy and Andy Ram. We played a lot of points and I was kicking their backsides and slowly, slowly, I was learning more about playing on the surface and I think the more you play on the grass, the better you can play."

Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich went into the men's doubles tournament in style ? winning the AEGON International title. Reunited after a spell apart, the Israelis wrapped up their first success in three years, defeating Grigor Dimitrov and Andreas Seppi in a rain-delayed final moved to Roehampton for their 13th ATP doubles success.

Source: http://www.thejc.com/sport/sport-news/50765/grand-sham

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Akron nips Reading in 10 innings, 2-1: Minor-league report

Valbuena homers in Clippers loss, Pomeranz excels again for Kinston, Rayl allows one hit in Lake County win, four pitchers combine for four-hitter for Mahoning Valley, Lake Erie can't hold on at Windy City.

AA Akron Aeros

Aeros 2, Phillies 1 (10): Juan Diaz's bases-loaded single with none out in the 10th inning scored Juan Apodaca as host Akron slipped past Reading (Pa.). Apodaca led off with a double. After Tim Fedroff was intentionally walked, Jordan Henry reached on a bunt single to set up Diaz's walk-off hit. Akron LH Kelvin De La Cruz (4.30) allowed one run in 3 innings.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Braves 5, Clippers 1: LH Scott Barnes (6-2, 3.63 ERA) allowed four runs -- three earned -- in 5 innings as host Columbus lost to Gwinnett (Ga.). Barnes gave up seven hits and one walk. He struck out six, but he allowed two homers. 3B Luis Valbuena (.314) homered and singled. SS Jason Donald (.340) singled twice.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Indians 2, Red Sox 1: LH Drew Pomeranz allowed one unearned run in four innings and combined with three other pitchers on a four-hitter as Kinston completed a three-game sweep in Salem, Va.

Pomeranz (1.81) gave up three hits, walked four and struck out four. LH Francisco Jimenez (2-1, 4.84) struck out five and allowed one hit in three innings of relief to pick up the victory. RH Jose Flores (6.16) pitched a perfect eighth and RH Preston Guilmet (18th save, 1.27) a perfect ninth. LF Anthony Gallas (.235) and 3B Adam Abraham (.248) each drove in a run for the K-Tribe.

A Lake County Captains

Captains 9, TinCaps 3: LH Mike Rayl (5-2, 1.71) allowed one hit and struck out eight in six scoreless innings as Lake County won in Fort Wayne, Ind. RF Carlos Moncrief (.231) doubled twice, walked twice, drove in a run and scored twice for the Captains. 1B Jesus Aguilar (.287) singled twice, doubled, walked and scored twice for Lake County. LF Jordan Casas (.375) tripled, drove in two runs and scored a run for the Captains.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Scrappers 2, Doubledays 0: RH Rob Nixon (1-1, 5.19) gave up three hits in five innings, and three relievers combined to allow one hit in four innings for Mahoning Valley in Auburn, N.Y. RH Cody Allen (two innings, one hit), RH Ramon Cespedes (one inning) and LH Kyle Petter (one inning) finished off the shutout.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

ThunderBolts 5, Crushers 4: Devin Shepherd's walk-off single capped Windy City's three-run rally in the bottom of the ninth to overtake Lake Erie at Crestwood, Ill.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2011/06/akron_nips_reading_in_10_innin.html

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Grand sham

Shahar Peer struggled to fight back the tears as her terrible run of form continued with a shock first-round defeat in the ladies singles.

Seeded 22, Peer started well, winning the first set 7-5 against Ksenia Pervak (89) but the Russian raised her game in her first appearance at SW19, to win 7-5, 6-4. Peer refused to blame a shoulder problem that required an injury time-out midway through the second set.

She was inconsolable after the match. "I'm very disappointed," she said. "I'm not used to losing in the first round of back-to-back grand slams but I'm not playing well.

"I didn't underestimate my opponent. I didn't take my chances."

Peer's slump has coincided with a change of coach but believes that this result is no more than a blip, adding: "I'm trying to play more aggressively and improve before the US Open. I'll keep giving everything as I believe I can get into the top 10. I think I'm good enough."

Wild card Dudi Sela bowed out in the second round against 15th seed Gilles Simon of France on Wednesday. The result ended a 16-match winning run. Sela had outclassed Frederico Gil of Portugal 6-4, 6-1, 6-4 in round one.

"It was a great all-round performance," said Sela. "I was nervous at the start, but after that I controlled the match. He didn't have a big serve so he gave me a lot of chances. I hit a lot of winners and that was the most pleasing part."

Sela climbed to 29 in the world in 2009, when he reached round four at Wimbledon, and after winning three consecutive challenger competitions, he now stands at 82.

"I like playing on grass - before I didn't. I've learnt a lot from practising two or three years ago with Harel Levy and Andy Ram. We played a lot of points and I was kicking their backsides and slowly, slowly, I was learning more about playing on the surface and I think the more you play on the grass, the better you can play."

Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich went into the men's doubles tournament in style ? winning the AEGON International title. Reunited after a spell apart, the Israelis wrapped up their first success in three years, defeating Grigor Dimitrov and Andreas Seppi in a rain-delayed final moved to Roehampton for their 13th ATP doubles success.

Source: http://www.thejc.com/sport/sport-news/50765/grand-sham

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Sarah Palin's Jerusalem Day fashion statement

Israelis may not be overly fussed about Jerusalem Day, but at least there's one person out there who took yesterday's festivities seriously.

Not that she's from Jerusalem of course. But Sarah Palin wanted to mark the date of the reunification of Jerusalem, so she decided to make a statement. A fashion statement.

She was spotted in New York by her battle bus yesterday, sporting the glitziest of Magen David necklaces. When questioned on it, she explained: "Today is the 44th anniversary of Jerusalem being reunited," she said.

"We want to call attention to that."

Source: http://www.thejc.com/blogs/jennifer-lipman/sarah-palins-jerusalem-day-fashion-statement

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Sunday, June 26, 2011

Israel accused of trying to intimidate Gaza flotilla journalists

Foreign Press Association urges Israel to withdraw threat of 10-year ban against journalists travelling with flotilla

The Foreign Press Association has accused the Israeli government of using "threats and intimidation" to stop media coverage of a 10-ship flotilla due to sail to the Gaza Strip this week.

The ships are sailing to protest against Israeli restrictions on Gaza and to commemorate last year's flotilla, which was intercepted by the Israeli navy, who killed nine of the Turkish participants.

Israel has restricted the supply of goods and the movement of individuals in Gaza since Hamas took control in 2007.

Two of the ships, the Tahrir and the Audacity of Hope, are docked in Athens, where the harbourmaster has banned the latter from leaving port until its seaworthiness is established.

Some of the other ships, including the Irish ship Saoirse, have already set sail from European ports. The ships are expected to meet in the Mediterranean before approaching Gaza later this week. The flotilla is expected to carry up to 500 passengers.

A Dutch-Italian boat will carry three members of the European parliament and one member of the Israeli parliament. Passengers on the Audacity of Hope include the author Alice Walker and Hedy Epstein, an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor. Passengers have been undergoing training in non-violent resistance techniques and instruction in what to expect if Israeli soldiers board their ship. They have also been provided with T-shirts with the message "Unarmed Civilian".

Israel has been engaged in a diplomatic campaign to prevent the flotilla from setting sail. Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, said last week that the flotilla was not "useful" and consular officials tried to persuade US nationals in Athens not to join the flotilla.

On Sunday Israel warned journalists, who will make up a minority of the passengers, not to travel with the flotilla. In a letter to editors, Oren Helman, the director of the government press office, wrote that the flotilla had been organised by western and Islamist extremists: "The flotilla intends to knowingly violate the blockade that has been declared legally and is in accordance with all treaties and international law."

He said journalists who participated in the flotilla would be breaking Israeli law and would be banned from Israel for 10 years, as well as facing confiscation of equipment and other measures.

The Foreign Press Association, which represents the international media in Israel, said the threat to punish journalists covering the Gaza flotilla raised serious questions about Israel's commitment to freedom of the press. "Journalists covering a legitimate news event should be allowed to do their jobs without threats and intimidation. We urge the government to reverse its decision immediately," it said.


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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/26/israel-accused-gaza-flotilla-journalists

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Month ahead: Valid from 18/06 to 15/07 2011 - Where is summer?, Jun 20 - 18:38

UK prospects for the period 18/06/2011 - 22/07/2011 Real summer seems as elusive as ever, the patterns under consideration are through the short and even medium term giving on firm indications of any respite in the rather unsettled weather. Atlantic, low pressure systems appear to be no respecter of the calendar, the immediate outlook appears to be indicating that all areas will be susceptible to showers or longer spells of rain, these rather unsettled periods being accompanied by rather fresh conditions as brisk winds at times. This being 'summer' as one would expect, it will be feeling rather warm in any lengthy sunnier and drier interludes between systems, but these are expected to be transitory in nature. As we approach the turn of the month, there is some hope that summer will manifest itself as high pressure builds, but this may be grasping at straws as the anticyclone may be too far west to be long lasting, low pressure soon bringing an all too late return of rather unsettled weather as low pressure stalls over the UK, heavy thundery showers affecting all areas. Even into the middle of July, high pressures seems to be quite happy to take up its quite comfortable middle or North Atlantic station, the outlooks therefore unhappily still points the finger toward generally cool and showery conditions. *18/06/2011 -24/06/11* Showers of longer spells of rain appear to be the characteristic pattern of weather for much of the immediate outlook, some of these heavy, thundery and blustery, soon passing through to bring some warm feeling sunshine between. Drier spells can be expected as transitory rises in pressure move across the UK, although further unsettled conditions are likely to never be too far away. The Atlantic seems to have the upper hand at the moment with systems, quite active at times, bringing rather wet and windy weather to all areas there is at last some sign that these will be dying away for a while as pressure rises, I have my doubts though whether this will be long lasting, so make the most of it! *24/06/2011 - 02/07/2011* High pressure should be building here so showers should be dying away and with lengthier sunnier spells and lighter winds it will be feeling much warmer and akin to summer at last. High pressure may be transitory though and after an initial quite pleasant few days, where locally it may be quite warm unsettled weather will be approaching from off the Atlantic. *03/07/2011 - 10/07/2011* Don't blink because that may have been summer for the time being? High pressure and its associated pleasant conditions look as though they'll be shunted out the way by a developing westerly breeze, the Atlantic once more becoming quite an influence. It'll be feeling cooler and fresher everywhere as showers begin to feed in on the breeze, these most concentrated across the west and northwest, drier and brighter to the south and east. Low pressure approaching from the west, which may be quite active looks set to advance into western Britain, the slow down and stall as it begins to lose momentum, to sit atop the UK, showers becoming widespread and potentially heavy for a time, before gradually declining and becoming more scattered. This drier slot may be temporary though as one stagnating low pressure systems moves away, this improvement too may be displaced by yet another approaching and eventually slowing low, a continued threat thereafter of showers or longer spells of rain and intermittent drier and brighter slots. *10/07/2011 - 17/07/2011* The flow looks as if it'll become mainly westerly in nature, with low pressure somewhat further to the northwest, showers still affecting the stand northwest, a tendency for drier weather to the south and east where they'll be a greater anticyclonic influence. Feeling somewhat warmer areas across southern Britain but noticeably cooler for the north and northwest in the showery conditions. *18/07/2011 - 22/07/2011* At long last there is the sign that high pressure will be building across the UK, the westerly flow weakening and the showery activity dying away through the period, lengthening sunny spells and as the high drifts slowly eastward a developing southerly will feed much warmer continental air into all areas. Simon & Captain Bob Email me at simon.keeling@weatheronline.co.uk


Source: http://feeds.weatheronline.co.uk/~r/weatheronline/~3/2TmHo-iTfw0/reports

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