Eric Wedge, on eve of first game as Mariners' manager, stays rather mum about Indians blowing 2007 ALCS

Wedge, the new Mariners manager, tells Seattle Times columnist he doesn't want to criticize anyone for how the Indians lost the 2007 ALCS to Boston after leading, 3 games to 1.

Thomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer Indians manager Eric Wedge (left) in the dugout during the ninth inning of a 7-1 loss to Boston in Game 5 of the 2007 ALCS in Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The 2007 Cleveland Indians were one win from the World Series when they led the Boston Red Sox, three games to one, in the American League Championship Series.

Indians fans remember what happened. So do Bosox backers.

Boston bounced back with three straight wins, then swept the Colorado Rockies in the World Series.

The Indians haven't been in contention since.

Eric Wedge was then in the fifth of his seven seasons as the Indians' manager. Cleveland slumped to 81-81 in 2008. Wedge was informed several days before the 2009 Indians' season ended that he would be fired. He stayed on for the last few games, seeing the Tribe finish 65-97.

Wedge, 43, will begin his first season as the Seattle Mariners' manager with a road game against the Oakland Athletics on Friday night. Several hours earlier, the Indians, with Manny Acta in his second campaign as their skipper, will have opened at home against the Chicago White Sox.

The Indians' inability to close out Boston in the 2007 ALCS still bothers Wedge.

Jerry Brewer writes about Wedge and the 2007 ALCS, and about Wedge's new job, for the Seattle Times:

At 39 years old, Wedge was on the cusp of managerial genius. And then Cleveland suffered another infamous sports collapse.

The Red Sox whipped the Indians by a combined score of 30-5 the next three games. Then Boston won the World Series. Cleveland, rocked. Again.

Though the Indians still seemed to be a rising team, it turned out to be Wedge's best chance at a championship during his seven seasons in Cleveland. Two years later, the team had been dismantled, and Wedge was fired.

He really doesn't like talking about that series.

"I learned a great deal, both good and not so good," Wedge says now. "That experience will make me more prepared when we get there in Seattle."

And, writes Brewer:

So I press Wedge on the 2007 ALCS, telling him I think he hasn't gotten over it. His answer was quite revealing, even though it came with a veil attached.

"It's not about me," Wedge says. "If I lay out a map for you, if I tell you everything about that experience, I might wind up criticizing individuals, and I don't want to do that. I want to be very respectful of the players and everyone on the team at the time. We just didn't get it done. You reflect like you have to, and you learn from it. I parked that a long time ago, and I'm better for it."

 

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2011/04/eric_wedge_on_eve_of_first_gam.html

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Ireland forced into new �21bn bailout

Irish finance minister Michael Noonan said country had been left with an 'appalling legacy' as a result of the banking crisis

Europe's debt crisis deepened on Thursday night as Ireland was forced into another ?24bn (�21bn) rescue of its banking system and jittery financial markets pushed Portugal closer to a bailout.

In a furious attack on the previous government, the Irish finance minister Michael Noonan said the country had been left with "an appalling legacy: a legacy of debt, of unemployment, of emigration, of falling living standards and of low morale" as a result of the banking crisis.

After stress tests to assess the vulnerability of the banks to a drastic worsening of the economy, Noonan announced that the government would take a majority stake in all the major lenders. These are to be radically reduced in size and focused on just two players.

Ireland's banks have been crippled by the bursting of a house price and commercial property bubble, created when they took advantage of the country's membership of the single currency to lend recklessly on low interest rates. The collapse caused an economic crisis that has seen output shrink for three years in a row.

"We are now in the third year of the banking crisis. The previous government failed to act. They ducked and dived and procrastinated as they lurched from one crisis to the next. They went through periods of denial and periods of self justification. They paved the road to disaster with good intentions," Noonan said. "They never fixed the broken banks, however."

Ireland's central bank governor, Patrick Honohan, said the country was saddled with "one of the costliest banking crises in history". The total bill has now reached ?70bn ? equal to ?17,000 for each citizen.

Analysts said that while Ireland's latest bank bailout had provided the country with breathing space, time was running out for Portugal, where the government admitted that it would miss its target for deficit reduction in 2010 and revised up its budget deficit figure from 7% of GDP to 8.6%.

The poor figures triggered a fresh sell-off of Portuguese bonds and analysts said it would now be cheaper for the country to borrow from the International Monetary Fund and EU, as Ireland is doing, rather than access the international markets. Ireland pays 6% interest on its seven-year loans while bond investors want to charge Portugal 9% to borrow for just five years.

As a result of the Irish and Greek bailouts, EU partners have now set up the European financial stability facility (EFSF) as a long-term provider of funds for troubled members of the eurozone.

"The key question is when will Portugal need to access the EFSF because it has run out of money. Portugal faces two bond redemptions, one on 15 April (?4.3bn) and one on 15 June (?4.9bn). This week, a government official said that Portugal had sufficient reserves to cover both of these. It is hard to see how this can be the case," said Emilie Gay from the research consultants Capital Economics.

However, Portugal's finance minister, Teixeira dos Santos, said: "The government is not irresponsible and will guarantee that there is the necessary financing so the country can live up to its responsibilities and honour commitments to its creditors." Lisbon said the change in its deficit figures was the result of an accounting change demanded by Europe's statistics agency but bond markets feared it was an effort to deceive investors about the true picture in the past. An auction of ?1.5bn of bonds has been scheduled for Friday and will be a test for the market.

As a result of the announcement in Dublin, all the Irish banks are now likely to be state-owned. Two new universal banks are expected to be created from existing institutions ? Bank of Ireland will remain while Allied Irish Banks and building society EBS are to be merged.

"We will also ensure that they are fully recapitalised so that the world looks at these core banks with confidence and they in turn help instil confidence in our economy," said Noonan. The extra bailout cash is within the funding from the EU/IMF support announced last year.

Noonan blamed the crisis on the decision made in September 2008 by the former Fianna F�il government to guarantee the banking sector, and particularly Anglo Irish Bank, during the international banking crisis.

• Ireland
• Ireland bailout
• European debt crisis
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• Europe

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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/31/ireland-new-bailout-euro-crisis

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Writer in world influential list with religious leaders and Oprah

A Glastonbury author has been ranked alongside the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela and the Pope as one of the most spiritually influential living people.

Dr William Bloom has been listed in the Watkins list, compiled by London's oldest spiritual bookshop and magazine.

He came in at number 98 on the list, which was topped by the writer Eckhart Tolle at number one, the Dalai Lama at number two and Dr Wayne Dyer at number three.

The list also puts Oprah Winfrey at number eight, and the Pope at number 34.

"Time Magazine publishes an annual list of the 100 people who most influence the world and Forbes publishes several lists including a Celebrity 100 list.

"The lists of lists of people, just keep going and going and the Watkins Review believe that an important list of the 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People is long overdue," said a spokesman for Watkins Books.

"Lists of influential people contribute to the discourse and issues that each person represents, and the Watkins Review hopes that our list will nurture the debates surrounding contemporary spirituality."

A resident of Glastonbury for over thirty years, Dr Bloom is co-founder and director of the Foundation for Holistic Spirituality and Spiritual Companions. His books include the best-selling 'The Endorphin Effect' and he is considered by many to be Britain's leading mind-body-spirit educator.

Originally a novelist, Dr Bloom started writing non-fiction after living for two years amongst the Saharan Berbers in southern Morocco and then completing a doctorate and teaching at the London School of Economics.

He now specialises in psychology, mysticism and healthcare.

A governor of St. Dunstan's School, trustee of the Glastonbury Abbey Retreat House and a founding shareholder of the Glastonbury Assembly Rooms, William Bloom has lived in Glastonbury since 1976.

Born in London, William first visited Glastonbury in 1971, accompanying Arabella Churchill to Worthy Farm where preparations were taking place for the second Glastonbury Festival featuring the first pyramid stage.

Dr Bloom has just completed his 27th book 'The Power of Modern Spirituality' which will be published later this year.

Speaking after receiving the honour, he said: "I am surprised and honoured.

"On the other hand, people who are truly spiritual are often humble and never seen."

Source: http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/glastonburyfestival/Writer-world-influential-list-religious-leaders-Oprah/article-3336534-detail/article.html

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Orlando Cabrera officially signs one-year $1 million deal: Indians Insider

Orlando Cabrera is officially an Indian. Now, the question is, can the veteran shortstop make the move to second base? Watch video

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Manager Manny Acta is not haunted by the spectre of Shawon Dunston when it comes to veteran shortstop Orlando Cabrera playing second base.

"He can play second base with his eyes closed," said Acta, confidently.

The Indians are going to find out if that's true.

They officially came to terms with Cabrera on Wednesday. He signed a one-year, $1 million deal and immediately became the favorite to win the second-base job. The lone concern is that in 14 big-league seasons, Cabrera has played only 33 games at second. The rest of the time he spent at shortstop, where he won two Gold Gloves.

Cabrera, 36, says the move will test him.

"Playing second base is a great challenge for me," said Cabrera. "I started as a second baseman professionally and moved to shortstop. It will be nice to go back there and play that position again.

"It's almost the same. It will be different turning double plays, but if I stay healthy, I don't think there will be a problem. Turning double plays is not something you forget."

Acta was the infield coach in Montreal from 2002-04 when Cabrera was the Expos' shortstop.

"When you play a premium position like shortstop or center field, the consensus opinion says it's always easier to move to your left or right," said Acta, who added that Cabrera is the favorite at second base where Jayson Nix, Luis Valbuena and prospects Jason Kipnis and Cord Phelps will be competing for playing time.

"With his track record, he has a leg up," said Acta. "He brings a lot to the table."

He's a .274 career hitter with 946 runs, 443 doubles, 118 homers and 803 RBI in 1,855 games. He hit .263 (130-for-494) with 33 doubles in 123 games last year for Cincinnati.

Cabrera has spent majority of his career hitting in the first or second spot. Acta said that will not be the case with the Tribe. "He's the type of hitter who can bat anywhere in the lineup," said Acta. "He never changes his approach."

Cabrera passed his physical Wednesday and worked out with shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and the Tribe's other infielders. The two Cabreras have known each other for the past four or five years.

"I call him nephew and he calls me uncle," said Orlando. "A few years ago, there were so many Cabreras in the big leagues, I started calling them all nephew.

"I have a lot of respect for Asdrubal. He's a little warrior. He's only 25. The kid is going to make the city of Cleveland very proud."

In 1998, the Indians signed Dunston, a fine shortstop for the Cubs, with the idea of moving him to second base. Dunston, however, could not adjust to the left side of the infield.

PECOTA results: The Indians will finish fourth in the AL Central this year at 72-90 according to Baseball Prospectus' PECOTA ratings, which rank every player in the big leagues and minors. By calculating playing time, PECOTA predicts the final standings.

PECOTA sees the AL Central like this: Twins 84-78, Tigers 82-80, White Sox 80-82, Indians 72-90 and Royals 70-92. Here are last year's predictions, along with the team's actual records (in brackets): Twins 82-80 (94-68), White Sox 79-83 (88-74), Tigers 79-83 (81-81), Indians 77-85 (69-93) and Royals 66-96 (67-95).

Good move: Kenny Lofton, the Indians' all-time leader in steals and a member of the team's Hall of Fame, will serve as a guest instructor Feb. 22-28. He will work on the Indians' base running and the outfielders.

During the season, Lofton will be an alumni ambassador for two weekends at Progressive Field. He'll also be involved in dealings with the community and business sector with a chance to expand his duties on the baseball side of things if his schedule permits.

New backstop: The Indians promoted catcher Chun Chen to big-league camp because they have 31 pitchers in camp. Chen, 22, hit for a combined .315 (123-for-390) last year at Class A Kinston and Lake County. He scored 58 runs with 38 doubles, three triples, 12 homers and 69 RBI in 110 games.

Slowly, but surely: Anthony Reyes, who didn't make it back last year from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, wasn't surprised at the roadblocks he encountered.

"I knew it was going to take some time," he said. "I've been pitching with my elbow like that since high school. That's about 10 years ago."

Reyes is competing with David Huff, Jeanmar Gomez, Josh Tomlin and Aaron Laffey for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Finally: Orlando Cabrera said his older brother, Jolbert, is still playing in Mexico. Jolbert played for the Indians from 1998 through 2002.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2011/02/kenny_lofton_will_be_guest_ins.html

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Lookback: February Lookback - Mildest since 2002, Mar 09 - 20:18

The first half of the month was strongly southwesterly and the zonality index across the Atlantic and Europe reached its highest since November 2009. There were heavy orographic rains, severe gales, and high temperatures between the 3rd and 7th. During the second half of the month blocking was prominent and persistent over eastern Europe, but cold southeasterlies only affected the UK between the 15th and 21st, and much of the country became exceptionally mild on the 24th and 25th.

Mean maximum temperature for February ranged from 10.9°C at St Mary's (Isles of Scilly) and Exeter airport (Devon) to 4.9°C at Dalwhinnie (Inverness-shire), while mean minimum temperature varied between 8.4°C at St Mary's and minus 0.1°C at Cromdale (Morayshire). Mean monthly temperatures were between 1 and 2 degC above the 1971-2000 average in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and between 2 and 3 degC above in most parts of England and Wales. The Central England Temperature (CET) of 6.6°C was 2.4°C above the long-term mean, the highest for February since 2002. In the last 100 years only eight Februarys were warmer by this measure.

The highest maximum at a standard site (i.e excluding rooftop and mountain sites) in the UK was 15.5°C at Writtle (Essex) on the 25th, while the lowest minimum was minus 6.5°C at Altnaharra (Sutherland) early on the 11th. The lowest daytime maximum was 0.7°C at Spadeadam (Cumbria) on the 19th, and the warmest night was that of the 4th/5th with a minimum of 12.2°C at Credenhill (Herefordshire).

Rainfall averaged over England and Wales during February was 84mm which is 132 per cent of the average for the standard reference period 1971-2000, the highest in February since 2007; in the last 100 years 28 Februarys were wetter while 72 were drier. The equivalent figures for Scotland were 116mm and 183 per cent of the normal amount, and for Northern Ireland 89mm and 155 per cent. Monthly totals at routinely-available sites ranged from 411mm at Capel Curig (Caernarfon) to 27mm at Cambridge.

Sunshine averaged over England and Wales during February was 50 hours which is 65 per cent of the 1971-2000 mean, the lowest since 1980; in the last 100 years only 11 Februarys were duller, while 89 were sunnier. The equivalent figures for Scotland were 61 hours and 84 per cent, and for Northern Ireland 78 hours and 104 per cent. Largest total in the UK was 75 hours at Kinloss (Morayshire) although Belmullet in the Irish Republic recorded 84 hours, and the smallest was just 32 hours at Wattisham (Suffolk) where it was the dullest February since sunshine was first recorded at the site in 1968.

© Philip Eden

Source: http://feeds.weatheronline.co.uk/~r/weatheronline/~3/yzD4Wc8_9Bg/reports

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Japan pressed to widen no-go zone

? High levels of radiation detected outside current 20km zone
? Prime minister plans to review nuclear energy policy
? Concerns over water contaminated by reactor cooling operation

Pressure is mounting on Japan to expand the evacuation zone around the Fukushima Daiichi power plant, as the prime minister says he plans to review the country's nuclear energy policy.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Japanese authorities should consider expanding the zone beyond its current 20km (12-mile) radius after high levels of radiation were detected at a village about twice that distance from the plant.

The government has so far resisted calls to evacuate more people from the area, but said its policy was under constant review, and that monitoring of radiation levels was being increased.

More than 70,000 people living inside the 20km zone have been evacuated, but another 136,000 living between 20-30km away have been told to stay in their homes. The US has recommended that its citizens stay at least 80km away.

Some have taken government advice to leave voluntarily, but many others have spent almost three weeks living in an area with few supplies and services, their plight compounded by rising radiation levels and speculation that stabilising Fukushima Daiichi could take months.

Radiation fears have prevented authorities from collecting the bodies of as many as 1,000 people living in the evacuation zone who died in the 11 March earthquake and tsunami.

Kyodo news agency cited police sources as saying the corpses had been exposed to high radiation levels and would probably have to be decontaminated before they could be collected and examined by doctors.

Left as they were, the bodies could pose a health threat to relatives identifying them at morgues, the agency said. Cremating them could create radioactive smoke, while burying them could contaminate soil.

The IAEA said measurements taken at Iitate, 40km from the plant, were above the level at which the United Nations body normally orders evacuations. Earlier this week, Greenpeace issued a similar warning after recording high levels of radiation in the village.

"We have advised [Japanese officials] to carefully assess the situation, and they have indicated that it is already under assessment," Denis Flory, a senior IAEA official, said in Vienna.

"The highest values were found in a relatively small area in the north-west from the Fukushima power plant and the first assessment indicates that one of the IAEA operational criteria for evacuation is exceeded in Iitate village."

The agency said its latest readings were conducted over a wide area from 18-26 March, and that the samples contained radioactive iodine-131 and caesium-137.

But the chief government spokesman, Yukio Edano, said the evacuation zone would stay unchanged for the time being. "At the moment, we have no reason to believe that the radiation will have an effect on people's health," he said. "We need to step up our monitoring, and if necessary take steps to deal with it."

Media reported that 140 members of a US military team specialising in radiation control would arrive soon to help deal with the crisis.

Nuclear safety officials said rising contamination in the sea near the plant pointed to a constant leak of radiation. On Thursday, Japan's nuclear and industrial safety agency said radioactive iodine near drains running from the plant was 4,385 times higher than the legal limit.

Experts said workers at the plant, 240km north of Tokyo, faced the problematic task of cooling overheating reactors with seawater while ensuring that contaminated runoff does not end up in the surrounding sea and soil.

"There's definitely a conflict now between trying to keep the reactors cool and managing the contaminated waste water being generated by the operation," said Ed Lyman, of the US-based Union of Concerned Scientists.

The deepening of the crisis exposed a dispute between the government and the plant's operator, Tokyo Electric Power company about the plant's future. The firm has said four of the six reactors are beyond repair, but that two could function again. The prime minister, Nato Kan, however, said the entire plant should be decommissioned.

Kyodo reported that Kan is to order a review of plans to increase Japan's dependence on nuclear energy from 30% to 50% by 2030. With public confidence in the industry severely dented by the Fukushima emergency, few communities are expected to grant approval for the construction of 14 atomic power plants over the next 20 years.

• Japan disaster
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• Japan
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• Energy

Justin McCurry

guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/31/japan-pressure-nuclear-evacuation-zone

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Caught on film: Captain Dreyfus' final humiliating return

It is more than a century since these photographs were taken, but the Dreyfus affair still resonates in France.

Alfred Dreyfus, from a wealthy Jewish family, was a captain in the French army in October 1894 when he was arrested on charges of high treason, accused of leaking military secrets to the Germans.

Dreyfus was courtmartialled and in the face of doctored evidence - the real culprit was Major Ferdinand Walsin Esterhazy- was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. In a humiliating ceremony on January 5 1895, Dreyfus was paraded at the Ecole Militaire in Paris and stripped of his epaulettes and military insignia. A crowd gathered and chanted: "Death to Judas, death to the Jew"; then he was shipped off to Devil's Island, off the coast of French Guyana.

Dreyfus was kept in unimaginable conditions on Devil's Island, in solitary confinement, guarded by officers who were forbidden to speak to him, and fed, allegedly, a diet of scraps of rancid pork.

In 1896, evidence came to light identifying Esterhazy as the real culprit. However, high-ranking military officials suppressed this new evidence and Esterhazy was unanimously acquitted after the second day of his trial in military court. Instead of being exonerated, Dreyfus was further accused by the army on the basis of false documents fabricated by a French counter-intelligence officer, Hubert-Joseph Henry, seeking to re-confirm his conviction.

But word of a cover-up began to spread. The writer Emile Zola published his now famous polemic "J'accuse" in a Paris newspaper, in January 1898; public pressure began to build and in June 1899 Dreyfus was brought back from Devil's Island, on board the Sfax, to face a second court case.

The voyage from Devil's Island took 22 days and, once again, the crew was forbidden to speak to Dreyfus - perhaps giving rise to the belief that he had almost lost the ability to speak.

One jailer, who muttered: "Courage, Dreyfus", was sacked for talking to the prisoner. Dreyfus was assigned a cabin normally occupied by a petty officer, out of the way of other officers; and was obliged to ask in writing for anything he wanted. He asked for newspapers, but since nearly all the French papers were full of discussion of "l'affaire Dreyfus", permission was refused and he was allowed only books.

Dreyfus was re-tried in Rennes in September of 1899 and was once again convicted, although he was later pardoned by the French president. When, finally, Esterhazy was shown to have been the real spy, Dreyfus was exonerated and was eventually reinstated in the French army, this time with the rank of major, in 1906. After serving throughout the First World War, Dreyfus died in July 1935.

Seven photographs were taken of Dreyfus on board the Sfax as it brought him back from Devil's Island, one showing him asleep in his cabin, others showing him exercising on the deck.

The set of pictures are on display and on sale at London's Diemar/Noble Gallery, in Wells Street, next month. Gallery owner Michael Diemar says that the original pictures have never been exhibited before, although copies were made which have gone on sale from time to time in France.

Source: http://www.thejc.com/news/world-news/47274/caught-film-captain-dreyfus-final-humiliating-return

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Former MI6 boss: Muslim Brotherhood 'terrorists at heart'

The former head of the MI6 has described the Muslim Brotherhood as being "at heart, a terrorist organisation".

Speaking at a conference on British-Israeli diplomatic relations at Chatham House, Sir Richard Dearlove also said that Hamas and Hizbollah were "Iranian surrogates".

He warned that it was necessary to "do everything you can to prevent Iran from becoming nuclear".

Sir Richard was in charge of the British intelligence services for five years until 2004.

Source: http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/47195/former-mi6-boss-muslim-brotherhood-terrorists-heart

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Loss to Erie SeaWolves eliminates Akron Aeros from postseason contention: Minor League Report

It's a bad day for the Cleveland Indians ... the big club loses in Seattle, and all of its minor league clubs lose as well.

View full sizePDIndians prospect Wes Hodges, currently playing in Class AAA Columbus.

AAA Columbus Clippers

Mud Hens 5, Clippers 3 Wes Hodges clubbed his 14th home run for Columbus, but the Clippers lost an International League game at home to Toledo. Zach McAllister (9-12) pitched six innings, giving up five runs -- all earned -- on nine hits and three walks.

Notes: Coupled with Louisville's victory over Indianapolis, the Clippers lead over the Bats in the International League West Division fell to a half game. The Clippers have at least clinched the wild-card spot.

AA Akron Aeros

SeaWolves 10, Aeros 5 Erie, Pa., scored seven runs in the bottom of the seventh and doubled the score on Akron in an Eastern League game.

Notes: The loss eliminated Akron from the playoffs. The defending Eastern League champs will miss the postseason for the first time since 2004.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Keys 10, Indians 5 Kinston, N.C., starter T.J. House (6-10) gave up five runs (three earned) in six innings as host Frederick, Md., rolled to a victory.

A Lake County Captains

Loons 5, Captains 3 Lake County's Owen Dew (1-2) gave up two runs, both earned, in three innings of middle relief, and the Captains lost a Midwest League game to Great Lakes in Midland, Mich.

Notes: Starting Captains pitcher Brett Brach picked a runner off base in the first inning.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Jammers 6, Scrappers 3 Jamestown, N.Y., scored three in the first and never trailed in a New York-Penn League victory over Mahoning Valley in Niles, Ohio. Cole Cook (0-3) gave up four runs in 41/3 innings.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers 1, Kings 0 Lake Erie recorded its third walk-off victory in four nights, with a win over visiting Kalamazoo, Mich., in the Frontier League. Joel Collins knocked in the run with a bases-loaded infield hit.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2010/09/loss_to_erie_seawolves_elimina.html

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Martina Cole talks to Erwin James

Erwin James talks to the 'queen of British crime writing' about childhood and her prison popularity

Erwin James

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/video/2011/mar/30/martina-cole-erwin-james-the-runaway

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Thailand floods damage Koh Samui Jewish centre

Days of intense rainfall have caused severe damage to a Jewish centre on Thailand's Koh Samui island.

The south of the country has been hit by unseasonably heavy downpours over the last five days, causing flooding and landslides on main roads. Thousands of tourists were left stranded after Koh Samui airport suspended flights and the ferry service to the mainland could not sail.

The Koh Samui Chabad House, which offers Shabbat meals and free internet for the hordes of Israeli and Jewish tourists who visit the tropical island every year, is completely flooded.

Chabad Rabbi Menachem Goldshmid said he was able to save the Torah scrolls before the rain destroyed them. He told Chabad.org: "When it started raining yesterday, we took out what we could."

However the rabbi said it was still "impossible" to return home. He said he and the Chabad team were attempting to help stranded backpackers.

This is the second time the centre has been hit by severe flooding in just four months. Damage in November to the house and the adjoining kosher restaurant left Chabad with a nearly �2,000 bill for renovations.

Source: http://www.thejc.com/news/world-news/47168/thailand-floods-damage-koh-samui-jewish-centre

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Hodges, Sutton lead the offense as Columbus Clippers top Toledo: Minor league report

Wes Hodges was a triple away from hitting for the cycle, and Drew Sutton homered, singled and drove in two runs as host Columbus edged Toledo, 4-3.

MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 4, Mud Hens 3: 1B Wes Hodges (.273) was a triple away from hitting for the cycle, and 2B Drew Sutton (.269) homered, singled and drove in two runs as host Columbus edged Toledo on Monday in International League play. LHP David Huff (3.98 ERA) allowed three runs in seven innings. With two innings of scoreless relief, RHP Josh Judy (3-0, 2.91) earned the victory.

AA Akron Aeros

Baysox 7, Aeros 2: John Drennan homered for Akron, but the Aeros never really threatened in falling to Bowie (Md.) in Eastern League road game. Scott Barnes (5-9) allowed six runs and seven hits in 6.1 innings to take the loss for Akron. 

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Keys 6, Indians 4: RHP Austin Adams (4-1, 1.66) allowed two runs in 3 innings for host Kinston, N.C., in a loss to Frederick, Md., in Carolina League play. SS Juan Diaz (.272), singled and doubled for the K-Tribe.

A Lake County Captains

Dragons 3, Captains 1: SS Casey Frawley (.268) doubled twice, but Lake County lost at Dayton in Midwest League play.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Scrappers 4, Spikes 1: RHP Casey Gaynor (5-2, 3.38) allowed three hits and two walks in 51/3 scoreless innings, and visiting Mahoning Valley downed State College, Pa., in New York-Penn League play. Gaynor struck out four. LHP James Reichenbach (3.52) did not allow a run in two innings of relief to earn his third save.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers idle: Lake Erie did not play Monday and visits Washington, Pa., to take on the Wild Things Tuesday in Frontier League play.

 

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2010/08/hodges_sutton_lead_the_offense.html

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Myers keeps Raiders waiting

A solitary strike from Ben Myers boosted Oakwood's promotion hopes and left Raiders' title celebrations on hold as they were beaten for the second consecutive week.

Oakwood were on top in first half but could not break down an organised Raiders defence.

The decisive moment came during the second half after Myers free kick from the half way line was misjudged by Raiders keeper David Simnock and he could only push the ball into the back of the net.

At 1-0 Oakwood stepped eased off and Raiders dominated the rest of the second half. With 20 minutes to go Raiders thought they had a brilliant opportunity to level the scores after the referee awarded a penalty for a foul on leading scorer David Dinkin. Rather controversially the referee changed his initial decision after consultation with the linesman.

Led by the impressive Scorah and Levene Oakwood held out the rest of the half for a 1-0 victory.

Oaks joint-manager Alex Schock told JC Sport: "In the first half we totally outplayed them. We passed the ball better, were fitter, quicker and wanted it more, yet we couldn't find the back of the net, this being typical of our season.

"We went ahead though early in the second half with Ben Myers scoring 'a cross' from 45 yards out. After that the game was bit scrappy and we couldn't find the rhythm we had in the first but managed to hold out for the win which we fully deserved.

"A great team performance all round today but our defence was superb with Eddie Manson particularly impressive."

Raiders manager Rob Richman told JC Sport: "The match against Oakwood was always going to be a particularly tough one as we went into the match without seven first team regulars. Despite that we are disappointed we didn't get a point against a really good Oakwood side.

"Oakwood had the majority of possession in the first half but we defended well and limited them to just a few chances. Unfortunately having got to half time at 0-0 we let them score a ridiculously soft goal minutes into the second half.

"After that we dominated the rest of the second half but we couldn't quite create anything clear cut. We thought we had a great opportunity when the referee awarded us a penalty but he rather ridiculously changed his mind.

"Despite our complaints I have to give full credit to the entire Oakwood back four who I thought defended brilliantly throughout."

Source: http://www.thejc.com/sport/sport-news/47127/myers-keeps-raiders-waiting

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Kluber solid for Clippers, Aeros playoff hopes dim: Minor league report

Columbus gets six good innings from Corey Kluber, who was part of the Jake Westbrook deal.

MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 4, Indians 1: Corey Kluber (1-0, 1.50) pitched six strong innings, giving up one run on four hits with four strikeouts in an International League victory in Indianapolis.

Notes: Columbus' Matt McBride hit his fourth homer of the season.

AA Akron Aeros

Thunder 4, Aeros 2: Akron took a hit in the wild-card race, losing in Trenton, N.J., in an Eastern League game. Right-handed starter Rob Bryson (1-1) took the loss despite allowing only two runs (one earned) on one hit with two strikeouts.

Notes: The Aeros are 31/2 games behind the Senators for the wild card, and has an elimination number of three with five games remaining in the regular season.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Indians 7, Keys 4: T.J. McFarland (11-5, 3.13) pitched six shutout innings, striking out four in the Carolina League game in Frederick, Md.

A Lake County Captains

Loons 4, Captains 3: The Loons' Angelo Songco hit a two-run double with the bases loaded in the bottom of the tenth to defeat Lake County in Midland, Mich., in a Midwest League game.

Takafumi Nakamura (0-1) took the loss, giving up two runs on three hits in one inning.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Scrappers 6, Crosscutters 1: Alex Kaminsky (6-5, 2.48) pitched six shutout innings, striking out six in a New York-Penn League victory in Williamsport, Pa.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers 3, Wild Things 2: Lake Erie got its second straight walk-off victory over Washington, winning in 10 innings for its fourth consecutive victory.

Andrew Davis opened the 10th with a walk. Lee Huggins, unsuccessful in two bunt attempts, singled to left. Joel Collins ended the game with a double deep to center.

Notes: The victory was the sixth walk-off win of the year for the Crushers, who are 5-7 in extra-innings.

 

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2010/09/kluber_solid_for_clippers_aero.html

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Clippers win Governor's Cup opener, Captains clinch Midwest division title: Minor league report

Columbus got homers from Jerad Head, Jared Goedert and Wes Hodges in romp over Durham.

Jonathan Quilter / Columbus DispatchClippers shortstop Josh Rodriguez forces the Durham Bulls' Joe Dillon at second and throws to first for a double play in the fifth inning Tuesday in Game 1 of their championship series at Columbus.

MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 18, Bulls 5: LF Jerad Head homered and drove in six runs, 3B Jared Goedert homered and drove in three, and 1B Wes Hodges homered and drove in three as nine Clippers got at least two hits and host Columbus thumped Durham (N.C.) on Tuesday in the first game of the best-of-five Governor's Cup International League Championship Series.

Head and Goedert each had three of Columbus' 20 hits, and C Luke Carlin drove in two runs as eight Clippers had at least one RBI. Columbus LHP David Huff allowed one unearned run and four hits in seven innings. He struck out five.

Notes: Game 2 is at 6:35 Wednesday night in Columbus.

A Lake County Captains

Captains 6, Loons 1: SS Casey Frawley homered, 2B Argenis Martinez drove in two runs and LHP Vidal Nuno allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings as Lake County defeated Great Lakes in the third and deciding game of the Midwest League Eastern Division Championship Series in Midland, Mich.

The Captains advance to face the Clinton (Iowa) LumberKings in the Midwest League Championship Series.

Nuno gave up five hits and three walks. He struck out six. Gregory Folgia and Delvi Cid each had a run-scoring single in Lake County's three-run second inning.

Notes: The Captains will start RHP Jason Knapp against the LumberKings at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Clinton, Iowa. RHP Yoervis Medina will start for the LumberKings. Game 2 will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Clinton. Lake County will host Game 3 at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. If necessary, Game 4 and Game 5 will be at home at 6:30 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2010/09/clippers_win_governors_cup_ope.html

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Kluber solid for Clippers, Aeros playoff hopes dim: Minor league report

Columbus gets six good innings from Corey Kluber, who was part of the Jake Westbrook deal.

MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT

AAA Columbus Clippers

Clippers 4, Indians 1: Corey Kluber (1-0, 1.50) pitched six strong innings, giving up one run on four hits with four strikeouts in an International League victory in Indianapolis.

Notes: Columbus' Matt McBride hit his fourth homer of the season.

AA Akron Aeros

Thunder 4, Aeros 2: Akron took a hit in the wild-card race, losing in Trenton, N.J., in an Eastern League game. Right-handed starter Rob Bryson (1-1) took the loss despite allowing only two runs (one earned) on one hit with two strikeouts.

Notes: The Aeros are 31/2 games behind the Senators for the wild card, and has an elimination number of three with five games remaining in the regular season.

Advanced A Kinston Indians

Indians 7, Keys 4: T.J. McFarland (11-5, 3.13) pitched six shutout innings, striking out four in the Carolina League game in Frederick, Md.

A Lake County Captains

Loons 4, Captains 3: The Loons' Angelo Songco hit a two-run double with the bases loaded in the bottom of the tenth to defeat Lake County in Midland, Mich., in a Midwest League game.

Takafumi Nakamura (0-1) took the loss, giving up two runs on three hits in one inning.

A Mahoning Valley Scrappers

Scrappers 6, Crosscutters 1: Alex Kaminsky (6-5, 2.48) pitched six shutout innings, striking out six in a New York-Penn League victory in Williamsport, Pa.

Independent Lake Erie Crushers

Crushers 3, Wild Things 2: Lake Erie got its second straight walk-off victory over Washington, winning in 10 innings for its fourth consecutive victory.

Andrew Davis opened the 10th with a walk. Lee Huggins, unsuccessful in two bunt attempts, singled to left. Joel Collins ended the game with a double deep to center.

Notes: The victory was the sixth walk-off win of the year for the Crushers, who are 5-7 in extra-innings.

 

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2010/09/kluber_solid_for_clippers_aero.html

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Top 10 reasons not to be antisemitic

After a thoroughly miserable week of Jew-bashing from almost all corners, here?s some light relief.

Amir Mizroch has compiled his "top 10 reasons not to be antisemitic".

My personal favourite is point seven on the list... but the whole top ten is worth a look if you need some cheering up this lunchtime.

So, who has Galliano's email address?

Source: http://www.thejc.com/blogpost/top-10-reasons-not-be-antisemitic

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Galliano: It is sad, but...

Remember when those charges against Roman Polanski were dredged up after all those years?

All of a sudden, hordes of ordinarily very rational stars were tripping over themselves to defend him. Never mind that he was an alleged rapist, he was so talented, so creative, they gushed.

Who cared that he fled the country rather than face the consequences of his actions? Not when his films were so wonderful.

Right. And maybe Ashley Cole was just having a tough day on the pitch when he fired at a work experience, and perhaps Charlie Sheen just got out of bed on the wrong side. Maybe Mel Gibson?s drink was spiked that time he made those nasty comments about Jews.

I mean, such a fantastic [insert profession here] couldn?t possibly hold such filthy views or be responsible for such disgraceful behaviour. Could they?

Of course they could ? as all those examples and countless more prove. Yet whatever happens with John Galliano?s design career (and it isn?t looking good), we can expect any number of similar tweets, blogs and comments wailing about how terribly sad it all is.

I can see them now ? sentences running along the lines of: ?I?m not excusing what he said or did, but what a shame??. Or, "disgusting, but did you like Nicole Kidman's dress at the Oscars?"

It is sad ? sad that someone in this day and age can hold (and utter in public) such abhorrent things. It?s tragic that a nice meal in a bistro can be ruined by the incoherent ravings of an intoxicated man.

And it is depressing that France has a law criminalising hate-filled speech ? depressing that it is still necessary.

But it isn?t sad when a bigot gets what they deserve.

I?m no fashion expert, and perhaps Galliano really is a rare talent. But if he holds the views he appears to, his abilities in the wardrobe department shouldn?t make the blindest bit of difference.

Source: http://www.thejc.com/blogpost/galliano-it-sad

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Temple Fortune crowned champions

Temple Fortune A became the first team to be crowned champions this season when they wrapped up the Division Two title with a 3-0 win over Faithfold B at the Hive.

Goals from Michael Goldberg plus two from Ben Isaacs sealed the win.

SEE PHOTOGALLERY

Fortune making several changes due to the absence of Jonathan Cohen, Jon Fisher and Paul Walker from the previous week in a tense match. In came Gideon Wetrin at centre-back, who had an excellent game, and David Gance returned to the side, as did Dan Nissan (as a sub) after a lengthy injury.

Goldberg helped to lift the tension somewhat by opening the scoring from a free-kick in the first half. Isaacs added a second and scored an excellent third with 20 minutes or so to go to secure the championship.

At the final whistle, the team celebrated jubilantly as news of Brixton's 3-1 defeat filtered through via MSFL Chairman David Wolff, who offered his own congratulations to the Club. With Fortune winning, the Brixton result mattered little but it was nice to win the title by four points all the same ? the same margin that the 1985/86 team managed.

For Chairman Nigel Kyte, and anyone else connected with the Club who was around 25 years ago, the euphoria of this season's championship win is all the more magnified by what happened during the 1985/86 season. "It's been a long, long time coming. We tasted success and wanted more but these things can be hard to find. Yet this Club has persevered and years and years of effort have paid dividends again," he enthused.

"To say I am delighted and proud is an understatement. I am particularly pleased for Andy and Lee, whose hard work this season has simply been wonderful. Without such organisation, right through the Club as well, the template for this success would not have been in place. Mazeltov to everyone involved."

Fortune manager Andy Souber said: "I am delighted with the win and the clean sheet but most importantly we have won the division. To finish above Brixton, Norstar and Woodford shows we've had a great season and all credit must go to the players. They've been brilliant and this success is fully merited."

Fortune No. 2 Lee Fegan commented: "We had a job to do which the lads took care of. The first goal settled our nerves which allowed us to take advantage of the game. I'm extremely happy to be going up as champions. Everyone wrote us off at the start of the season but I knew what we had to offer.

"A big thanks to Rob Shooman for getting the game on and for his sincere congratulations afterwards."

Captain Scott Shindler, who enjoyed a lot of success in recent seasons with NWN, said: "It's been a real team effort and we battled for it. Sometimes we weren't at our best but we backed each other and came through as a team. From a personal point of view, being part of the Club's first championship for 25 years is a big achievement. I'm absolutely delighted for Soubs and everyone involved."

Midfielder Michael Goldberg, who scored the first crucial goal, said: "We knew we had to win and we did it. To get promoted and win the league was always our aim and we've done it. Now we need to focus on doing the same in Division One next season."

Faithfold manager Rob Shooman said: "Fortune are worthy winners."

Source: http://www.thejc.com/sport/sport-news/47125/temple-fortune-crowned-champions

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Carlos Santana is cool with Chris Perez, ready to start season: Cleveland Indians briefing

The ninth inning argument between closer Chris Perez and catcher Carlols Santana is a thing of the past.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerCatcher Carlos Santana said everything is fine with closer Chris Perez after Monday's ninth inning drama against the Cubs.

Thomas Ondrey / The Plain DealerCatcher Carlos Santana says he's fine with closer Chris Perez after Monday's ninth-inning drama against the Cubs.

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Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerCatcher Carlos Santana says he's fine with closer Chris Perez after Monday's ninth-inning drama.

Goodyear, Ariz. -- This is a daily briefing on the Cleveland Indians in spring training as they prepare for the 2011 season.

 March 29, Day 43, last day of camp: Catcher Carlos Santana says everything is cool with closer Chris Perez after they argued during the ninth inning Monday in a 4-3 victory over the Cubs. The argument happened right before Perez grew light-headed, vomited and left the game.

 "We had a little problem with the signs," said Santana. "I told him when I go to the mound, I try to help you. Everything was good after the game. We talked and I had no problem."

 Perez entered the ninth with a 4-1 lead, but following a RBI double by Carlos Pena, Perez gestured at Santana. Then Santana went to the mound and Perez, with his face in his glove, seemed to be screaming at Santana.

 "After the game he said "I'm sorry,'" said Santana. "He said it was his emotions to the game. I told him when I go to the mound, I try to help you. If my pitcher is doing a good job, I'm doing a good job, too."

 Perez said there was a miscommunication with Santana after Pena reached second base. Perez wanted to change the pitch sequence so Pena couldn't steal the signs. He added that they weren't yelling at each other. He said they were shouting so they could hear themselves about the crowd noise.

 "This morning I talked to him," said Santana. "How are you? How is your family? Everything is normal, fine. We're ready to go to the regular season."

 Perez said he became light-headed because of the heat and that he ate lunch too early.

 "A little low blood sugar," said Perez. "I was OK five minutes after it happened. I would have stayed in there if it was the regular season."

 Starting point: Right-hander Alex White and second baseman Jason Kipnis will open the season at Class AAA Columbus. White will be in the rotation and Kipnis will start at second base.

 Phelps, one of the last players cut from big league camp, will play shortstop, third and second. He's a second baseman by trade.

 There had been some talk that White and Kipnis might open the year at Class AA Akron because they didn't spend a full year there last season.

 White threw five innings Monday against Class AAA Charlotte (White Sox). He allowed one run on two hits. He struck out five in a 7-1 victory. Jensen Lewis added a scoreless inning.

 At Class A Lake County, Alex Lavisky went 2-for-4 with a grand slam in an 11-7 victory over Kannapolis. Lavisky is from Lakewood and attended St. Edward High School.
 
 Today's lineups:

 Reds: CF Drew Stubbs, 2B Brandon Phillips, 1B Joey Votto, 3B Scott Rolen, RF Jay Bruce, LF Jonny Gomez, SS Edgar Renteria, C Ramon Hernandez, P Bronson Arroyo.
 
 Indians: RF Shin-Soo Choo, SS Asdrubal Cabrera, CF Travis Buck, LF Shelley Duncan, DH Travis Hafner, 1B Matt LaPorta, 3B Jack Hannahan, 2B Adam Everett, C Lou Marson, P Justin Masterson.

 In the pen: Chad Durbin, Justin Germano, Frank Herrmann, Rafael Perez and Jess Todd will be available in relief. 

  What's ahead: Zach McAllister, who has already been sent down, will pitch for the Indians against David Huff on Wednesday at 1:05 p.m. ET when the Indians play the Columbus Clippers at Huntington Park. SportsTime Ohio will televise the game. Indians.com will carry it as well. . .Before the game members of last year Clippers' International League champions will receive their rings. 

 

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2011/03/carlos_santana_is_cool_with_ch.html

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On this day: Rachel Levy killed

Just days after 25 people were killed as they sat down for seder in the Park Hotel in Netanya, a 17-year-old Israeli girl went on a routine trip to the supermarket. Her visit to the Kiryat Yovel neighbourhood of Jerusalem that Friday afternoon coincided with that of another teenage girl, one named Ayat al-Akhras.

Al-Akhras was one of two Palestinian suicide bombers to strike that day and is thought to be the youngest ever. When she detonated the explosives hidden on a belt around her waist, she ended the lives of Levy and Haim Smadar, a 55-year-old security guard. Twenty-eight others were injured.

Fatah Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades later claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack. Levy?s death captured international attention, not least because of the similar ages of the killer and victim.

In the wake of the atrocity President George W Bush said: ?When an 18-year-old Palestinian girl is induced to blow herself up, and in the process kills a 17-year-old Israeli girl, the future, itself, is dying -- the future of the Palestinian people and the future of the Israeli people.?

A documentary about the attack and its impact on both girls? mothers, To Die in Jerusalem, was made by HBO in 2007.

In total, there were 55 Palestinian suicide attacks on Israel and 220 victims in 2002 ? the bloodiest year of the second intifada.

What the JC said about female suicide bombers: In the race for popular support in the West Bank and Gaza, Hamas and Islamic jihad understood that they, too, would have to bend the rules. They, too, would need to include women as weapons in their lethal arsenal...When an apparently normal young woman turns herself into a human bomb, there is no complicity between her and her male handler. In a society steeped in fundamentalism which relegates women to a status inferior to that of men, double standards don't disappear even within the context of martyrdom.

See more from the JC archives here.

Source: http://www.thejc.com/news/on-day/47144/on-day-rachel-levy-killed

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Oscars 2011 live

So they say that the Jews control Hollywood.

Most of the time, we would take that as an insult - zionist conspiracy, yada yada yada. This year, it's not far off. Because the 83rd Academy Awards are basically a who's who of Jewish showbiz - you've got your Portmans and your Coens, your Seidlers and your Francos. Will Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan beat Sorkin's Social Network? Which Jewish actor (Eisenberg or Franco) will be celebrating with one of those trophies later tonight (or tomorrow morning, depending on your time zone)?

The glamorous, the beautiful and the over-botoxed will be arriving on the Red Carpet in about an hour. Stay with The JC for news on who wins what and who is snubbed, not to mention gossip about the gowns, sarcasm on the speeches and the top Oscar Tweets out there. Also, let us know what you think of the results, the expressions and Anne Hathaway as a presenter by commenting below or tweeting us at @jewishchron.

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04:42

Ok, that's it. Must. Sleep. Or move to Los Angeles - one of the two!

04.36: Best Film

Finally, the biggun. (And bed, for me).

Yep, you've guessed it, that one about the stammering monarch. The King's Speech has picked up four awards tonight (only one thirds of what it was nominated for).

04.28

While Colin drones on, another top tweet from @BorowitzReport: "BREAKING: WikiLeaks Releases 140,000 Pages of Aaron Sorkin's Original Acceptance Speech"

04.23: Best Actor

Oh Sandra Bullock, aren't we all waiting for Jesse Eisenberg to accept us as his friend on Facebook? Well, all except for the winner - Colin "big surprise" Firth.

04.14: Best Actress

Well, obviously. Natalie had to get it. I mean she bled, danced, AND she's pregnant. Winning combination. Can you imagine if she hadn't won? How cruel, to pretend something like that to the mother-to-be, then snatch it away at the last minute for the actress who played a lesbian. Of course the Academy wouldn't have done it.

IN PICTURES: Natalie Portman: a life on film

04.04: Best Director

Not a good night for either Darren Aronofsky or the Coen Brothers then. Tom Hooper definitely wasn't expecting to win though, judging by the fear in his eyes as he makes his acceptance speech.

Bit of a shocker, that. Don't get me wrong, The King's Speech is a fantastic film. But I'd say its strengths lie in the script and the acting, not so much the direction. Whereas Black Swan and The Social Network are all so interestingly shot. Seems a curious choice - perhaps because everyone put the film down as their second choice when they voted?

04.00

Jealous: Ben Mezrich tweets: "Man it's fun here! Fingers crossed for fincher!!! Then on to Madonna and Demi moore's party! Boston in da house! :)"

Nice life if you can get it. But the emoticon ruins the effect.

03.47: Best Song

Randy Newman (Jew-Ish) gets his second trophy (after 20 nominations) and proceeds to give a bizarre, possibly intoxication spiel about being good television and why there should be more people up against him. OK. Look, I get it. It's late, he's tired. And he knows nobody is listening anyway - this is a "make a cuppa" award.

03.30

A (heavily-botoxed?) Billy Crystal shows the newbies how it's done, with a nice little Bob Hope montage: "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Academy Awards. Or, as it's known in my house, Passover."

03.22

Um, no financial executives gone to jail? Hello, Bernie Madoff would probably disagree.

03.16: Best Documentary Short

Tel Aviv set film Strangers No More about the Bialik-Rogozin School and its blend of cultures wins an Oscar. Nachas for the families of Karen Goodman and Kirk Simon. WATCH a clip of the film here

03.12

Do Mila and Justin have new competition for Most Attractive Hosting Couple? Jake and Amy are putting up a good fight.

03.07

Ooh, Zachary Levi. I (now) know EXACTLY who he is, thanks to my wonderful wikipedia skills. Didn't have him down as a crooner, though.

03.03

Am I hallucinating (possible, it's quite late), or was that POTUS in the house? It's clearly Sorkin's influence

02.58

Thanks to Twitter, I have been humbled. Twas Lora Hirschberg who won, not Laura Hershberg. Still, earlier comment still stands.

02.54

Who is James Franco calling a nerd? Hello, has he seen what he looks like in Howl?! READ AN INTERVIEW WITH JAMES FRANCO here.

02.53

So, nothing for the Coen brothers yet. Is that because the Academy couldn't actually understand a single word Jeff Bridges said in True Grit?

02.47: Sound Mixing

Laura Hershberg? Gotta be Jewish somewhere along the line, right?

02.44: Best Score

Another one for The Social Network. I do believe new media is beating old royalty in the cross-Atlantic Oscars race.

02.42

New top Tweet, from @Gawker "Drink every time someone mentions that Melissa Leo said a swear. You'll be dead by the end of the show". True. Not that this blog condones either drinking or swearing.

02.27: Best Foreign Film

Danish Jew Susanne Bier, looking lovely in a shiny dress, picks up Best Foreign Film for In a Better World.

02.23

So, two writing awards, and both go to Jewish writers. Not bad. But one was more polite than the other: as @JeffJarvis noted: "He could thank the f***ing Queen but Sorkin couldn't thank Zuckerberg."

Tut Tut Mr S. Snubbing the person behind your creative genius is exactly the stuff great movies are made of. As you probably know.

02.18 Best Original Screenplay

David Seidler!!! Mazel tov (this in a category where we could say that to three fifths of the nominees)

02.15 Best Adapted Screenplay

Sorkin!!! First Jewish win of the night!

Well done to Mr S and The Social Network. First Oscar for him, and much deserved. Love how, even in his speech Sorkin sounds so witty! "Armie Hammer, and Armie Hammer again".

Plus, how cool does Roxy (his daughter) sound.
02.06

Mila Kunis and that bloke who used to be in N Sync. Definitely the most photogenic presenters yet tonight. Franco and Hathaway, step up your game.

02.02

Kirk Douglas' entire life has been leading up to this moment - the one where he and another ageing actress inappropriately flirt while at a major awards ceremony. Let's start the campaign #Kirk to host in 2012 now.

01.55 Best Supporting Actress

Kirk reveals...Melissa Leo. Aw, poor Hailee Steinfeld, she looks too adorable in her princess outfit. But let's be honest, Mila Kunis was robbed by not getting even a nomination for Black Swan.

01.53

DID YOU KNOW Kirk Douglas' real name is Issur Danielovitch. Nice Jewish (somewhat elderly) man. Beef between him and Australia though. Are we sure this is actually Kirk Douglas, amd not just a drugged-up James Franco posing as him with clever CGI technology?

01.47 Cinematography

Inception gets it. The winner is having some kind of panic attack on stage, though.

01.43: Best Art Direction

Not a big one for Jewish Hollywood. But mazel tov to the Alice crew. I'm sure your grandmothers are also shlepping nachas right now.

01.40

Yep, confirmed. James Franco is not a comic actor. Nor should he be. But nice that he brought his nana with.

01.35

It's started. And yes, James Franco was just dressed in a bear suit. Such a serious actor, that one...

01.20

Random point made on Twitter by @themanwhofell: "Four of the five Best Actor nominees have names that begin with J. I don't know what this means, but I imagine it is important."

In this blogger's humble opinion, names which begins with J are superior to all others. But, I think, the C has it for tonight...

01.13

Aaron Sorkin could win his first Oscar ever tonight, but let's be honest, if West Wing had been a film...Two Cathedrals is definitely better than any of the film's nominated tonight!

IN PICTURES: The rise of Aaron Sorkin

Plus, because it's AWESOME. The Best Picture nominees (full list here) as reinterpreted in Lego form here.

01.09

As pointed out by the Grazia twitter team, Nicole Kidman is the only celebrity who is wearing Dior after the John Galliano controversy (read more about it here)

12.58

Natalie Portman is talking the "magical" shoot for Black Swan. "It was such a deep experience," she drones. Whatever else she does or doesn't win tonight, she gets the nod for Most Boring Red Carpet Chat.

12.36

Ben Mezrich, who wrote The Accidental Billionires (the book The Social Network was based on) is on the scene. He just tweeted: "At the oscars!! Kevin just metioned me on red carpet". Nice. Read our interview with him here

12.24

Steven Spielberg and daughter on red carpet. "This is pretty amazing", she says in a tone that suggests anything but. Ahh, the glam life of the kids of the rich and famous

12.17
Tonight's dead cert for Best Actress, a super preggers Natalie Portman, is in the house. She is wearing a dress by Rodarte, it appears.

IN PICTURES: Natalie Portman: a life on film

12.10

It seems Justin Timberlake also brought his mum. What is it with these Social Network boys? And where is Mrs Garfield, I'd like to meet her.

12.05

Take a look at the background when the stars are interviewed. Everyone who isn't posing on the red carpet has dark hair, glasses and looks like a geek. Jewish conspiracy, much?

23.59

Zachary Levi "performer". I'm guessing Jewish, but what is he famous for?

*Wikipedia explains: Zachary Levi Pugh (born September 29, 1980), better known by his stage name Zachary Levi, is an American television actor and director known for the roles of Kipp Steadman in Less than Perfect, Chuck Bartowski in Chuck, and Flynn Rider in Tangled.*

Scarlett Johansson is rather less pouty than usual (wearing red lace Dolce & Gabbana). Perhaps down to her break-up with Ryan Reynolds?

23.57>

Has Jesse Eisenberg brought his mum as his date to the Oscars. Given how awkward he looked walking up the Red Carpet, I suspect he's not going to win tonight - was playing Mark Zuckerberg really a stretch? Nerd on screen, nerd in real life?

23:50

First top Tweet of the night: @BorowitzReport "#Oscars Fact No matter who wins Best Picture, the Winklevoss twins will sue them"

Read an interview with Ben Mezrich, author of the book The Social Network was based on

23.37

Apparently Mila Kunis, of Black Swan fame, is wearing something lavender. While you're waiting to see it, look through some classic dresses of Oscars past: IN PICTURES: Oscar dresses over the years

23:26

Here we go. True Grit's teenage female star Hailee Steinfeld has arrived on the red carpet, wearing a Marchesa dress that she helped to design.

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In the meantime, remind youselves of this year's Best Picture nominees (full list here) with this video of them reinterpreted in Lego form.

And have a look at what the Jewish half of the hosting couple, James Franco, had to say this morning in his self-shot video on his Oscar spot. I think you'll agree, he's not going to have Darren Aronofsky quaking in his director's chair.

Refresh this page to see the latest Oscars news and more from 11.30

Full Red Carpet coverage here

Source: http://www.thejc.com/blogpost/oscars-2011-live

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