Mandatory News: May 2016

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Peaky Blinders: Tommy Shelby is at death"s door. Plus, 8 other things we learned from episode 4

Haircuts - Peaky Blinders - Series 1 - BBC First
Don"t mess with the creepy cleric

Tommy finally got permission to kill Hughes but we knew it wouldnt be that easy. Having laid a trap and lulled his foe into a false sense of security, Hughes hired muscle jumped Tommy as he was poised to pull the trigger. A brutal beating was administered and Tommys skull sickeningly fractured. That cracking sound wont be forgotten in a hurry.

How sinister was Hughes beatific smile as he watched Tommy suffer, then that smug scene at The Ritz as he forced Tommy to apologise? When Hughes made him replace Gods name with his own in the Act of Contrition, it became clear what a megalomaniac the poisonous padre truly is.

Could Mary be the mole in the Shelbys midst?

Hughes hissed dark threats about Ada and Tommys toddler son Charles, warning: We have people in your life. My moneys on one of his sisters-in-law, Linda (Kate Phillips) or Esme (Aimee-Ffion Edwards). Then again, housekeeper Mary (Wendy Nottingham) suddenly has a higher profile. Et tu, Mary?

Feminism has reached Small Heath

Why should the men have all the fun? As they lived like lords, the fed-up Shelby women were left to do all the work. Encouraged by troublesome Linda, they staged a walkout and joined the city-wide march of female workers on the Bullring to demand equality. Polly even ended up making revolutionary speeches from the back of a wagon.

Jessie Eden, the female shop steward who was mentioned, was a real historical figure - a wartime munitions worker turned militant unionist who played a key local role in the 1926 General Strike.

Girl power was everywhere. Linda played hardball with Tommy over husband Arthurs slice of the loot, haggling him up from 30,000 to 41,000. Pregnant Esme told John that she felt like a hen in a coop. Lizzie (Natasha OKeeffe) expressed dissatisfaction at Tommy using her for s*x. The women even got their own slo-mo sequence, striding through the streets of Small Heath to the strains of PJ Harvey.

You wait ages for a robbery and two come along at once

So now we know the final play, which will unfold over the next two weeks. Double agent Hughes has been dealing arms for the White Russians - while feeding information to the Soviets. The British establishment want the Soviets to blow up the train, committing a violent act on UK soil which allows the government to break off diplomatic relations.

Tommy knows the armoured cars stolen from the Lanchester factory are merely bait and the Peaky Blinders are being sacrificed, so needs to pull off the heist while keeping his men out of danger. Neither does he trust the Russians to pay up, so is planning a daring raid on their subterranean treasury that same night. Think Hatton Garden: the Prequel.

The best episode so far

This third run got off to a slow start but cranked into gear here with a corking hour of drama. The plot moved on apace, twists came thick and fast, there was tense action and delicious dialogue. Like a gathering storm, its all building brilliantly towards the climactic two episodes.

Next week

The penultimate instalment sees Tommy call in help, cousin Michael embrace the badness, Pollys portrait unveiled and the Russians throw one helluva party.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/05/26/peaky-blinders-tommy-shelby-is-at-deaths-door-plus-8-other-thing/

Fans criticize Babylon Bee for lampooning TBN"s Jan Crouch same day she died

JAN CROUCH 💓 | Angels Are Everywhere 👼

(SCREENSHOT of The Babylon Bee)

CHICAGO (Christian Examiner) The Christian satire "Babylon Bee" website is known for its edgy humor, but some fans said it went too far Tuesday when it posted a story about the death of TBN co-founder Jan Crouch.

The 78-year-old Crouch died shortly after suffering a stroke, and two and a half years after her husband, TBN co-founder Paul Crouch, passed away in November 2013.

The Babylon Bee said a satirical Hinn told reporters "that Crouch must have spoken her own death into existence."

The Crouches were well-known for being leaders in the health-and-wealth or prosperity gospel movement a point the Babylon Bee story noted under the headline "Top Prosperity Theologians Puzzled Over Death Of Jan Crouch."

"Various baffled prosperity gospel preachers have begun offering theories Tuesday on how Crouch could possibly have passed away, given her overabundance of faith, her supernatural ability to name and claim health and wealth at will, and her decades of collecting donations while promising that G*d"s will is for everybody to be wealthy and healthy," the story read.

Like other Babylon Bee stories, this one carried no byline.

It included fake quotes from prosperity gospel preachers Joel Osteen, Benny Hinn, T.D. Jakes and Kenneth Copeland.

"Maybe she read a really mean tweet or some criticism of her theology, and she spoke the words out loud and gave them life. How else can you explain someone who possessed supernatural health from G*d dying four years before the average female life expectancy in the U.S.," the satirical Osteen quote read.

The Babylon Bee said a satirical Hinn told reporters "that Crouch must have spoken her own death into existence."

"I can"t think of a single other reason that can explain why she would die of a stroke during "healing month" on TBN, when the network is reminding its fans that "G*d wants them well and whole,"" the satirized Hinn quote read.

The story concluded: "Whatever the reason for Crouch"s sudden passing, Trinity Broadcasting Network has announced an upcoming month of solemnly and aggressively seeking donations in her honor."

Barry McCarty, professor of preaching and rhetoric at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, told the Christian Examinerthat the story should not have been posted.

This is not a day to poke fun on the day she died. I think it would have been best to have said nothing than to have lampooned and satirized someone on the day she died. She was a wife and mother and people love her. Today is a day to extend condolences to those who grieve her loss.

- Dr. Barry McCarty, professor of preaching and rhetoric, SWBTS

"I have been a fan of the Babylon Bee. I have appreciated their sometimes irreverent and stinging satire. I would also say that ordinarily I appreciate wit and satire and I am no fan at all of prosperity gospel and televangelists but this struck me as being beyond the pale today," McCarty said.

"This is not a day to poke fun on the day she died. I think it would have been best to have said nothing than to have lampooned and satirized someone on the day she died. She was a wife and mother and people love her," McCarty added. "Today is a day to extend condolences to those who grieve her loss."

On the Babylon Bee"s Facebook page, fans were divided.

"Being in the funeral industry, the bee has lost me on this one," wrote Brad Root, who noted he"s not a fan of TBN theology. "She does have a family who is grieving her loss. Pray for her family that they may see the truth and be brought closer to G*d. Don"t make fun of her after she passed. What would Jesus do? I love ya bee, but you crossed the line this time."

Angela Gabrielle Soles wrote, "I normally think everything BB posts is gold.... but this was completely insensitive. Satire and jokes are fun, but this crossed the line."

Rhett Kelley wrote, "Normally a big fan, but this is way too soon. Regardless of their heretical doctrines, we could demonstrate some charity as her family and friends mourn. There"s plenty of time for satire later."

Others, though, said the story did not go too far.

"Satire works because it offends and in offending shocks our senses to the reality behind the joke," wrote Nate Schlomann. "It is in the very moments of life and death and pain and suffering that the hellacious Prosperity Gospel does its most damage. Sad to have seen this pastorally first hand too many times. So this is the perfect time, there can be no other. Go BB."

Mike Chaney wrote: "Truth is not always comforting and can be offensive. The post sarcastically addresses a legitimate question. It is far less offensive than teaching a doctrine that causes people to live in doubt, guilt and shame for not having enough faith to claim perfect health and abundant wealth."

With reporting by Joni Hannigan

Source: http://www.christianexaminer.com/article/fans-push-back-against-babylon-bee-for-lampooning-jan-crouch-the-day-she-died/50754.htm

Kim Jong-un backs Donald Trump, Stephen Hawking thinks he"s a "demagogue"

Stephen Hawking On Donald Trump: "He"s A Demagogue"

Donald Trump has secured the support of one of the world"s worst dictators and been condemned by a man widely considered one of Earth"s greatest minds.

North Korea"s state-run newspaper DPRK Today has praised the billionaire Republican nominee as "wise" and "far-sighted", and taken a shot at his likely Democrat opponent, Hillary Clinton.

"The president that US citizens must vote for is not that dull Hillary but Trump, who spoke of holding direct conversation with North Korea," the paper"s editorial read.

Mr Trump has threatened to pull US forces out of countries where it has bases, like South Korea, unless those countries pay up.

"Who knew that the slogan "Yankee Go Home" would come true like this?" the paper, a mouthpiece for dictator Kim Jong-un"s regime, said.

Meanwhile cosmologist and all-round brainbox Stephen Hawking was stumped when asked by an ITV interviewer to explain Mr Trump"s highly successful campaign to date.

"I can"t," he told Good Morning Britain.

But he gave it a shot anyway.

"He is a demagogue who seems to appeal to the lowest common denominator."

Prof Hawking in the past has expressed support for Labour, the UK"s primary left-wing party, and having been confined to a wheelchair most of his life, is a big supporter of universal healthcare.

Newshub.

Source: http://www.newshub.co.nz/entertainment/kim-jong-un-backs-donald-trump-stephen-hawking-thinks-hes-a-demagogue-2016060107

Luxembourg, US uphold Memorial Day significance

Memorial Day
LUXEMBOURG (AFNS) -- Luxembourgers and Americans united to pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their freedoms, fulfilling a promise to never forget that price.

More than 200 citizens of both countries paid their respects to the legacy and valor of fallen American service members as part of a Memorial Day ceremony at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial in Luxembourg, May 28.

David McKean, the U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg; Lucien Weiler, the marshall of the Luxembourg court; Simone Beissel, the vice president of the Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies; U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Timothy Ray, the 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force commander; laid ceremonial wreaths and commemorated the fallen Americans ahead of the federal holiday observance.

We gather today as countless others have done every year in Luxembourg since 1946 to honor our fallen heroes, McKean said. Behind me lies the final resting place of 5,075 brave young men and one brave young woman who died in service to our country, for the freedom of this beautiful country and for the freedom of the world.

The ambassador remarked how every white marble cross or star marker represented an actual person someone who made promises he intended to keep, and someone who undoubtedly had hopes and dreams for tomorrow.

Of particular note, McKean observed how many of those buried there had one thing in common that distinctly made them American: they were children of immigrants.

The stories of these men tell the stories of America; we are the country of immigrants, he said. I think President Obama put it best when he said recently, Immigration is at the core of our national character. It is our oldest tradition. It is who we are. It is what makes us exceptional. But these men were more than just children of immigrants like (U.S. Army Gen. George) Patton, they were also heroes. We may never have heard of them but they had family and friends and promises to keep. They had hopes and dreams.

Both the ambassador and Ray laid wreaths on behalf of the American people and military. The ceremony also involved service members from the U.S. and Luxembourg armed forces, including Airmen from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

The installation"s honor guard presented the American, Luxembourg and U.S. Air Force flags and later performed a ceremonial volley with the backdrop of the cemetery of the Airmens predecessors-in-arms, many who died during the Battle of the Bulge.

In his speech, Ray highlighted the legacies of U.S. Army Pvt. William D. McGee and Sgt. Day G. Turner, who both posthumously earned the Medal of Honor for heroism during World War II, as well as U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Nancy Leo, a 216th General Hospital nurse, who is the only woman buried in Luxembourgs cemetery.

(Former) President Reagan said, The martyrs of history were not fools, they did not die in vain, the general said. The fallen who lay before you today secured for us what we must guarantee for the present and for the future. We have an obligation to face that dilemma to choose freedom and pursue it will all of our energy.

Ray added how history showed how people have always been faced with threats to their freedom and how the present time is no different.

Today, Airmen from U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa conduct combined training and theater security cooperation engagements with allies and partners aiming to demonstrate a shared commitment to promoting a Europe that is whole, free and at peace.

I believe we have to do more than simply remember, the general said. We have to collectively think about the choices we as free people need to make about our current situation today and tomorrow. Tyrants and tyranny have been a part of human history, no doubt about that. They have been with us in the past, they are with us today and they will be with us in the future.

The first official Memorial Day observance occurred at Arlington National Cemetery May 30, 1868, to honor and decorate the graves of those who died during the Civil War. The holiday serves as an opportunity to pause and remember the sacrifices of more than 1 million Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who gave their lives in defense of freedom.

Today we come together in this beautiful place, on this beautiful day, as others gather at American cemeteries abroad and across the United States to remind one another that we have not forgotten and that we are so proud of the men and women who serve their country so valiantly, McKean said. We are so grateful that through all these years the people of the Grand Duchy have continued to lovingly watch over and pay tribute to the brave Americans that stayed behind. G*d bless our service men and women around the world today. G*d bless Luxembourg and G*d bless the United States of America.

Source: http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/784963/luxembourg-us-uphold-memorial-day-significance.aspx

"Roots": Snoop Dogg"s not a fan -- and you?

Imagine Dragons - Roots
Even rapper T.I., who has a role in the series as a slave named "Cyrus," told the Huffington Post that he was initially leery.

"I will admit that I was one of the ones to say, "Man, I don"t know if that needs to be remade,"" he said. "It was just a huge undertaking for him as a producer and for me as an actor to sign up to remake such a classic and to tell a story that has so much pain and just so much turmoil involved in it."

So it"s no surprise that after the initial airing on Monday, there were some cheers and jeers about the rebooted "Roots."

Rapper Snoop Dogg took to Instagram for an expletive-filled rant against it and urged a boycott.

"How the f*** they gonna put Roots on Memorial Day," the rapper asked after saying he no longer can watch slave narratives including the film "12 Years A Slave." They going to just keep beating that s*** into our heads as to how they did us, huh?"

Saying "I don"t understand America," Snoop went on to opine that "They just want to keep showing the abuse that we took hundreds and hundreds of years ago."

"But guess what? We"re taking the same abuse," he said. "Think about that part. When you all going to make a [expletive] series about the success that black folks is having. The only success we have is Roots and 12 Years A Slave?"

The pain of watching a miniseries about slavery in America was evident as one person tweeted "I"m sorry, but I can"t bring myself to watch #Roots. I"m glad it"s been remade and I hope many people watch. But I can"t."

A few tweeted their disappointment with the remake.

And yet others were delighted with the updated version as a slice of history they felt should be shared with younger generations. The original aired in 1977.

Producer Will Packer tweeted his thanks to the audience and urged people to tune into the remaining episodes saying "I have never been more proud to be involved with a project."

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/31/entertainment/roots-snoop-dogg/

NBA Finals: Schadenfreude in Seattle

NBA 2K16 - NBA Finals Promo
Updated May 31, 2016 1:34 p.m. ET

Seattle

The Golden State Warriors improbable comeback from a 3-1 series deficit in the Western Conference finals Monday night gripped basketball fans everywhere. But it left three distinct groups feeling especially overjoyed.

One was the Warriors themselves, who found a way to keep their record-breaking season alive. The second was the NBA, which is all but guaranteed sky-high ratings for Golden States Finals rematch with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The third was a collection of NBA fans more than 600 miles from the site of Monday nights game, who were openly and enthusiastically rooting for the Oklahoma City Thunder to lose: the people of the scorned basketball city of Seattle.

If they had gotten swept, sure, we wouldve liked that they lost, said Paul Rogers, an editor and senior writer with Sonics Rising, a blog dedicated to bringing the NBA back to Seattle. But the fact that they were up 3-1, then lost? It will sound petty, but to me, its almost better that way,

For fans of the Seattle SuperSonics, who lost their franchise when it relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008, the feelings of anger and resentment havent dimmed much with the passing of time. For some, they may have only gotten stronger.

Rogers, who is 47 years old, didnt try to hide his satisfaction at the Thunders season-ending loss. In fact, he acknowledged that hed only really begun to pay attention to the Western Conference finals once Oklahoma City lost control of its commanding 3-1 lead in the series.

He wasnt alone in feeling that way. On Saturday, Mariners fans at Safeco Field saved their loudest cheers of the night for when the final score from the Thunders Game 6 loss flashed on the jumbotron.

Monday night at Stout, a bar in Seattles Capitol Hill where 33-year-old salesman Miles DeCaro watched Game 7, about two-thirds of the 300 patrons were wearing Sonics or Warriors gear.

There mightve been one person in the room cheering for the Thunder, DeCaro said. More than anything, we all just feel relieved. Im happy the Warriors succeededand the Thunder did not.

All of which underlines that many Seattle fans are far from over the franchises abrupt relocation to Oklahoma, which followed the sale of the team in 2006 to Oklahoma City businessman Clayton Bennett, who subsequently failed to secure the public funding necessary to build a new stadium for the Sonics.

For eight years, a rabidly passionate fan base here has been without a franchise, leaving a legion of former Sonics followers in the NBA wilderness. Rachel Engrissei, a 33-year-old recruiter for a staffing agency, said the citys basketball fans face a dilemma: They want a team to replace the Sonics, but they dont want it to come at the expense of another city that would have to endure a similar heartache.

The situation came up in Sacramento a couple years ago, and we had a chance to get another team, said Engrissei, whose father stopped watching the NBA after the Sonics vanished. Everyone wants another team, but I didnt want to take that away from them, because I know how that feels. Theyd view us the same way we view Oklahoma City now.

Golden States victory derailed what wouldve been a matchup between a pair of cities that have lived through the consequences of relocation. While Oklahoma City got the Thunder from Seattle in 2008, Cleveland lost its NFL team, the Browns, to Baltimore 20 years ago, in 1996.

Both situations were especially tough for the vacated cities because of how quickly the teams found success after moving. The Ravens won the Super Bowl five seasons after leaving Clevelanda city that hasnt won a major championship since 1964while Oklahoma City has become a perennial NBA power with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook on the roster, reaching the Finals just four seasons after relocating.

Seattles feelings about Durant, who won Rookie of the Year during the Sonics final season in Seattle, are complicated. Fans seem to like and root for him personally, though those sentiments are generally overridden by a stronger desire to see the Thunder lose by any means necessary.

When I see disappointment in his face, Im not happy about it, because we like Kevin. He even came back here a few years ago to play in a charity basketball game, said Rogers, the Sonics Rising editor. Its just really hard to separate him from Oklahoma City. Thats why wed like to see him move to another team, so we can cheer for him again.

This ambivalence isnt reserved for Durant. Engrissei says she essentially refused to talk about the Thunder with a cousin who lived in Oklahoma because the issue remains such a sore spot for her.

DeCaro says he still wont buy Starbucks because he resents the companys chief executive, Howard Schultz, for selling the team to Bennett in 2006. He once turned down a free ticket to watch a playoff game in Oklahoma City in 2012 because of his feelings about the move, though he did buy a ticket to Game 2 of the Warriors-Thunder series and posed for photos wearing Sonics gear in the crowd.

The Thunders collapse from 3-1 up in the series meant Seattle fans were saved the pain of 2012, when they had to watch their former team reach the Finals just four years after leaving. But the fact that Seattleites continue to cringe each time Oklahoma Cityor Choklahoma City, as its known heremakes a deep playoff run shows how much some people still care.

Spencer Hawes is a perfect example. Hes from Seattle and though he now plays in the NBA as a center for the Charlotte Hornets, he remains as anti-Oklahoma City as any other resident of his city. Its gonna be an open wound until we get another team, Hawes said at a Seattle bar days before Game 7. It hurts to see them play.

But it didnt hurt on Monday night. Hawes went to Game 7 in Oakland, and he was spotted after the game, outside the Warriors locker room, wearing a huge smileand a Seattle SuperSonics shirt.

Write to Chris Herring at chris.herring@wsj.com

Source: http://www.wsj.com/articles/nba-finals-schadenfreude-in-seattle-1464716121

Confirmed: The Rock Is Doc Savage

Doc Savage - A Retrospective (Part 1)

Its official Dwayne The Rock Johnson has signed up for Doc Savage.

Its been rumoured for some time, but now it appears that The Rock has confirmed he will star in the upcoming Doc Savage adaptation directed by Shane Black.

Its official, he said via Instagram. For all comic book fans you already know the worlds first superhero (pre-dating Superman) is the Man of Bronze himself Clark Doc Savage.

Want to thank my bud director/writer Shane Black and his writing team Anthony Bagarozzi and Chuck Mondry for flying in from LA and sitting with me and our @sevenbucksprods producer @hhgarcia41 on this Memorial Day weekend to chop up creative and break story on this very cool project.

- Melissa McCarthy Slams Ghostbusters Haters- Maze Runner 3 Pushed Back To 2018- Toby Kebbell Wont Make Fantastic Four Sequel

But who is Doc Savage?

Simply put, hes the worlds first superhero.

Doc Savage appeared in American pulp magazines throughout the 1930s and 1940s, and as The Rock himself explains, Doc Savage even predated Superman and provided much of the inspiration behind DCs iconic hero.

Comic book fans around the world know that the cool thing about Doc Savage is that hes the inspiration for Superman, he explained. First name Clark, called Man of Bronze, retreats to his Fortress of Solitude in the Arctic etc etc.

In fact, the only thing that differs is Docs origins story

According to the magazines, Doc was trained (both physically and mentally) to near-superhuman levels by his father and a team of scientists. Their goal? To create the perfect human specimen and this granted Doc some incredible powers.

Savage is said to possess genius level intellect as well as heightened senses, immense strength and endurance, and a photographic memory. On top of this, he has mastered martial arts, the sciences as well as the art of disguise and imitation.

Essentially, hes an all-round incredible guy.

And perhaps thats why The Rock has been cast in the role.

But heres the #1 reason Im excited to become Doc Savage, he revealed. HES A F*CKING HILARIOUS WEIRDO! Confidently, yet innocently he has zero social graces whatsoever due to his upbringing so every interaction he has with someone is direct, odd, often uncomfortable and amazingly hilarious.

After speaking for hours w/ Shane Black I can see why the creator of Superman took only the best parts of Doc Savage and leaving the weirdo part behind. But to us, its that weirdo part that makes Clark Doc Savage dope! Cant wait to sink my teeth into this one of a kind character.

Could this be the most perfect casting of all time?

For now, well have to wait and see but we definitely cant wait.

- Tom Hiddleston In Talks For James Bond?- Predator 2: A Misunderstood Masterpiece?- Mel Gibson Turned Down Marvels Thor

Picture Credit: Instagram, Warner Bros.

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNFS7o6p0Sj3RcUehcj-ZkuWxVxQqw&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ei=uCNOV7iOA4eG3AH2r4r4Bw&url=https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/confirmed-the-rock-is-doc-savage-154409776.html

What Is Memorial Day and What You Need to Know About the May 30 Holiday

Memorial Day (History for Kids) Educational Videos for Students (Learning Cartoon Network)

First Posted: May 30, 2016 02:14 AM EDT

The Memorial Day weekend has become a time to both pay homage to the departed and mark the arrival of what"s to come.

The holiday started to commemorate the dead of the Civil Warand is observed on the last Monday in May, but it wasn"t always that way, as the day was initially set for May 30, no matter what day it fall on.

Day Now Celebrated in Several Ways

With that, the day has become a paid, national holiday for many and a time for vacation and travel for even more.

"This loss of memory and shift into recreation and leisure is a trend in American history," says Matthew Dennis, a history professor at the University of Oregon. "It was a tumultuous time in American history, and the levels of patriotism were quite low at this point in the wake of Vietnam."

The history of the day dates all the way backto the time immediately following the Civil War, a time during which more American soldiers died than any other war in U.S. history.

In the beginning, the day was known as Decoration Day because of the tradition of decorating graves with flowers, flags and wreaths. During the first Memorial Day celebration, former Union Gen. and Ohio Congressman James Garfield made an impassioned speech at Arlington National cemetery to a crowd of at least 5,000.

"We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke; but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens," said Garfield. "For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue."

New York First State to Celebrate Day as State Holiday

The event inspired patriotic feelings among others and in 1983 New York became the first state to make Memorial Day a state holiday. After World War I, the day was expanded to honor the deaths of all those who have died fighting American wars after World War I. With that, came its declaration as a national holiday.

In 1971, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established that Memorial Day would be celebrated nationally on the last Monday in May and each year now the president or vice president lays a wreath at Arlington at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Among the national events scheduled for the dayis the National Memorial Day Parade down Constitution Ave. in Washington D.C.

TagsMemorial Day, Civil War, James Garfield, Tomb of Unknown Soldier

Source: http://www.latinpost.com/articles/120801/20160530/what-is-memorial-day-what-you-need-to-know-its-history-and-perhaps-events-scheduled.htm

Monday, May 30, 2016

Stephen Curry, Warriors complete comeback, head to NBA Finals

Golden State Warriors vs Oklahoma City Thunder - Game 3 - Full Highlights | 2016 NBA Playoffs

OAKLAND, Calif. After 27 quarters of some of the most dramatic and compelling basketball the NBA has seen, the Golden State Warriors found themselves 12 minutes away from a return trip to the NBA Finals, an escape from a three-games-to-one deficit in these Western Conference finals and a chance to stake a claim as the greatest team in the history of the sport.

Then they handed the ball to Stephen Curry, and the NBAs two-time defending MVP carried his team home.

Behind 36 points and eight assists from Curry including 15 points in the fourth quarter and 24 in the second half Golden State emerged with a thrilling 96-88 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in front of an enthralled sellout crowd of 19,596 inside Oracle Arena. With the victory, the Warriors will get two days to rest and prepare for a rematch with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the championship round, which will begin here Thursday night.

Steph is gonna Steph, Warriors center Festus Ezeli said. He came out and showed why he is the MVP.

[Posting Up: NBA podcast: Sam Amick on Game 6 of Warriors-Thunder]

The final outcome, however, was far from a formality, as the Thunder continued to push the Warriors far harder than anyone would have expected. It didnt become official until Curry scored six straight points in the final 90 seconds after the Thunder had closed within four on a Kevin Durant jumper with 1 minute 40 seconds remaining.

But after Curry was fouled on a three-point attempt by Serge Ibaka with 1.8 seconds remaining on the shot clock and 1:18 remaining in the game, and made all three free throws to push Golden States lead to 93-86, Curry sealed the game with signature aplomb a few seconds later.

When Durant missed a three-pointer with 43.8 seconds left, Curry brought the ball up on a fast break, brought the ball out to the three-point line and put on a dribbling exhibition.

After getting away from Thunder guard Andre Roberson, Curry pulled up and let fly with a three-pointer his seventh of the game with 26.8 seconds that dropped through the bottom of the net, giving the Warriors a 96-86 lead and ensuring that their chase for history would live on. As Thunder Coach Billy Donovan called a timeout, Curry let out a primal scream and exhorted the Warriors fans to get on their feet and celebrate a command they were all too glad to comply with.

It was a cool moment, Curry said later. Obviously there was still time on the clock, but that was a moment to kind of just take in the atmosphere.

It was just a very cool moment to enjoy that fan noise, and understand we were on the brink of doing something very special and coming back from down 3-1, and that was it.

That this series came down to the final seconds of the seventh and final game was a testament to the resiliency the Thunder showed after giving up a fourth-quarter lead and losing at home in Game 6 Saturday night a loss that happened only because of a pair of historic performances from Curry and Klay Thompson.

Durant finished with 27 points on 10-for-19 shooting in Game 7, scoring 12 points of his own in the fourth to try to drag the Thunder over the finish line. But every time the Thunder made a shot or a play, the Warriors and usually Curry were there with an answer.

It was an equation that proved destined to end with a Warriors victory.

It is a lot of what-ifs, said Durant, who said he hadnt begun to think about his impending free agency this summer, though the widespread belief is that he will re-sign with Oklahoma City on a one-year deal. We could have said a lot of what-ifs throughout the whole playoffs.

[But] youve got to credit them. They came out and played well the last three games of the series, and won three in a row. Youve got to give them credit.

After two weeks of playing one another, there was little left to figure out about either team heading into this final game. The one lingering question, however, was whether the Warriors would keep Andre Iguodala in the starting lineup in place of Harrison Barnes, a change they made at the start of the second half of Game 6.

It turned out, however, that one of those alterations was, in fact, to leave Iguodala in the starting five, allowing him to match up even more regularly with Durant. He also is a better ballhandler and distributor than Barnes, which he proved by hitting a cutting Draymond Green for a basket to open the scoring.

[Responsible for Klay Thompsons Game 6 performance, Yoda socks were]

That wound up being a rare positive moment for the Warriors offensively early on. Oklahoma City raced out to its latest hot start in this series, taking a five-point lead after the first quarter that it pushed to as much as 13 at one point and 12 at another in the second. But in an eerily similar way to how Game 6 played out, the Warriors managed to hang around despite being significantly outplayed for large portions of the opening 24 minutes.

Once Steven Adams hit 1 of 2 free throws to make it 45-33 with 2:21 remaining in the second quarter, though, the Warriors closed the half with a 9-3 run capped by a Curry circus layup over three defenders that kissed high off the glass and fell through the hoop at the buzzer to send Golden State into the break trailing 48-42.

After that strong first half, though, Oklahoma City fell apart in the third quarter. The Warriors outscored the Thunder 29-12, including closing the quarter with a 13-2 run as the Thunder missed its final five shots of the quarter to go from leading by one to down 11 heading into the fourth.

With everything on the line, Golden State Coach Steve Kerr said, our guys all came through.

Led by one guy in particular, of course. In those final 12 minutes, with everything on the line, Curry did what hes done time and again these past two seasons and carried the Warriors home and on to the NBA Finals.

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNGcL4enfJkBxFTqwzBEc_1s5q_uSA&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52779123615627&ei=pyVNV9iUNdOZ3AG2ybPQDA&url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/curry-warriors-complete-comeback-head-to-nba-finals/2016/05/30/582b447e-26a1-11e6-ae4a-3cdd5fe74204_story.html

TMNT"s Megan Fox And Stephen Amell At WonderCon

TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 2 Trailer | Out of the Shadows 2016

WonderCon took place in Los Angeles over the weekend andMegan Fox,Stephen Amell, and ProducersBrad FullerandAndrew Formtook the time to meet fans and talk about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows. Check out this interview where the four talk about the new characters and how much fun and heart the movie is in this interview:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadowsreleases on June 3, 2016.

Source: http://www.hollywood.com/movies/tmnts-megan-fox-and-stephen-amell-at-wondercon-60560503/

Man Wrapped In American Flag Sets Himself On Fire At Pilsen Festival

Veteran told he can"t fly American flag in yard
A 33-year-old man set himself and a building on fire during Pilsen"s Mole de Mayo Festival Sunday night, according to police. View Full Caption

Chicago Fire Department

PILSEN Pilsen"s Mole de Mayo Festival was cut short Sunday night when a man wrapped in an American flag set himself on fire on 18th Street and injured himself.

The 7:30 p.m. Sunday fire spread to a nearby Metro PCS store, and firefighters cleared the area to put out the fire.

The33-year-old man survived the fire. He was wearing just underwear and was wrapped in an American flag, according to Fox.

Police said hewas standing in the 1500 block of West 18th Street at 7:30 p.m. when he set a fire, said Officer Bari Lemmon, Chicago Police spokeswoman.

It is not clear what the man was trying to ignite, but police believe he at least accidentally set himself ablaze and likely didn"t mean for the building to ignite.

The fire in the cell phone store was extinguished and one person was taken to University of Illinois-Chicago Hospital for a cut, according to the Fire Department"s Twitter account.

The man was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition, Lemmon said.

Two officers were taken also taken to Stroger Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, Lemmon said.

At the recommendation of police, Festival organizers shut down the Mole de Mayo festival about a half hour early Sunday night, according to ABC7 Chicago.

For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNF5aJ_yHlG4zKVCkU-T-PezclPrBA&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52779123239787&ei=-CBNV7DkA9Xg3AH905foBQ&url=https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20160530/pilsen/man-wrapped-american-flag-sets-himself-on-fire-at-pilsen-festival

The Rock Is Psyched to Play "Weirdo" Superhero Doc Savage

Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze (1975) Official Trailer - Ron Ely, Paul Gleason Movie HD
Dear TIME Readers,

As a regular visitor to TIME.com, we are sure you enjoy all the great journalism created by our editors and reporters. Great journalism has great value, and it costs money to make it. One of the main ways we cover our costs is through advertising.

The use of software that blocks ads limits our ability to provide you with the journalism you enjoy. Consider turning your Ad Blocker off so that we can continue to provide the world class journalism you have become accustomed to.

The TIME Team

Source: http://time.com/4351858/dwayne-johnson-the-rock-doc-savage-movie/

USDA to review gorilla"s death; zoo to look at safety of exhibits

Bad Child Gets 400 Pound Gorilla Harambe Killed at Cincinnati Zoo (Redsilverj)

How the incident unfolded.(Photo: The Enquirer/Mike Nyerges)Buy Photo

Cincinnati Zoo is safe.

Zoo officials made the right decision.

And they"re not looking to place blame.

Those are among the key pointsCincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard madeat a packed newsconference on Monday afternoonto address the death of Harambe, the17-year-old western lowland gorilla killed Saturday after a child fellinto his Gorilla World exhibit.

"It"s unprecedented," Maynard told the crowd of assembled reporters. "We have never had to kill a dangerous animal in the middle of an emergency situation. The zoo"s been here143 years, so that"s saying a lot."

Gorilla World"s barrier setup exceeds required protocols and has been in place for 38 years without incident, Maynard said.Exhibits areinspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculturetwice a year and by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums every five years for accreditation, he said.

"The exhibit is safe, the barrier is safe," he said. "The zoo was not negligent."

Even so, Maynard said the exhibit, which he describes as "very similar" to gorilla exhibits at other zoos, is under review. Zoo officials are looking to see what, if anything, needs to be done to reinforce the barrier. He could not say if additional measures would be in place when the exhibit reopens, which he hopes will be Saturday.

Zoo officials will also review other areas around the zoo to see what, if any, improvements should be made to protect the zoo"s 1.6 million yearly visitors, as well as its animals.

Andthe USDA,which is charged with enforcing the Animal Welfare Act and Endangered Species Act,will investigate, he said.

"We take safety very seriously," Maynardsaid. "That"s an ongoing process."

New details emerge on incident

Vigil at Cincinnati Zoo recalls rare gorilla who was fatally shot Saturday after child fell into exhibit habitat. The Enquirer/Mark Curnutte

Maynard offered more specific details about Saturday"s incident. Zoo officials have pieced it together as follows:

Just before 4 p.m., a 4-year-old boy went over a stainless steel rail that"s a little more than 3 feet high, with vertical bars every eight feet. He made his way through the bushes to the edge of the moat, a distance of approximately 4 feet. From there, he dropped15 feet to themoat, into afoot and a half of water. The boy, who has not been identified yet by authorities,started splashing around.

Keepers tried to call the gorillas inside. Two females in the exhibit complied. Harambe did not.

Zoo visitors and there were plenty of them, more than 7,000 on Saturday reacted.

Harambe heard the commotion. Then, he spotted the child. The gorilla went down into the water andgrabbed the boy by the ankle. Harambecarried the boy up a ladder to dry land andcontinued dragging him around.

A security team emptied the exhibit. Soon, the zoo"sdangerous animal response team dispatchedHarambe with a single shot.

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

Last SlideNext Slide

The decision was not made lightly, Maynard said. The child"s life was in danger.

"This child was being dragged around; his head was banging on the concrete," Maynardsaid. "This is not a gentle thing. The child was at risk."

TranquilizingHarambe would not have taken effectinstantaneouslyand might have resulted in displaced aggression toward the child, Maynard said. And withHarambe"s strength, such aggression could have been extremelydangerous.

Western lowland gorillasare three times bigger than a human, with arms as big as our legs, and about six times stronger, Maynardestimated. The zoo directorhad seen Harambe, who weighed in at more than 420 pounds, crush a coconut with onehand.

And the gorilla, known by his keepers as being handsome, smart and easy to train, was already "agitated and disoriented" by the boy"s presence.

"In the real world, you make difficult calls, but you have to make them," Maynard said. "The safety of that child was paramount.

"We stand by our decision," he said. "Wed make the same call."

"You can"t take a risk with a silverback gorilla"

Maynard addressed the numerous people on social media and elsewherewho don"t agree with that decision.

"People who question that or are Monday morning quarterbacks or second-guessers don"tunderstand that you can"t take a risk with a silverback gorilla," he said.

The Cincinnati Zoo has received messages of sympathy and empathy from zoo personnel from around the world, up to and including Jane Goodall.

"People that know gorillas well people who research them in the wild, people who work with them in captivity know exactly what decision was made and why," he said.

He also declined to place blame, which the social media frenzy surrounding the incident has done in large quantities, with venom particularly aimed at the boy"s mother for not watching him more closely.

TheCincinnati Zoo, Maynard said,is "taking responsibility."

"I"m not a big finger-pointer," he said. "Politicians and pundits point fingers. We live in the real world and we make real decisions. People, kids and others, can climb over barriers."

He equated it to locking your house or your car."If someone really wants to get in, they can," he said.

However, he did see a lesson to take away. Everybody should keep a hold of their kids and keep an eye on them, here or anywhere," he said.

Maynard said zoo officials have not been in touch with the boy"s familyand that the zoo does not intend to press any charges. He doesn"t know if there will be other legal ramifications for the zoo or family, but he is hopeful there will not be.

Maynard said the incident won"t impact plans for a $12 million expansion to Gorilla World expected to be completed next year.

Overall, Maynard pointed out the incident was sad, but could have been worse.

"Harambe was one of our most magnificent animals and a critically endangered species," he said. "It is a big loss.That said, we are very glad that the little boy is OK. That is one happy thing in a dangerous and sad story."

Read or Share this story: http://cin.ci/1sHLwXS

Source: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2016/05/30/usda-review-gorillas-death-zoo-look-safety-exhibits/85165924/

Local ceremonies honor fallen veterans for Memorial Day

Honor Our Soldiers - Happy Memorial Day! | Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 PS4 |

Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station"s FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC"s online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.

Station Contact Info:

KY3999 West Sunshine StreetSpringfield, MO 65807417-268-3000

Source: http://www.ky3.com/content/news/Local-ceremonies-honor-fallen-veterans-for-Memorial-Day-381304641.html

Fab or flop: Mariah Carey"s leather, Demi Lovato"s lace-up boots and more

Mariah Carey - Without You (Official Video)

Aol.com Editors

May 29th 2016 11:18AM

Flop: Yikes! Mariah Carey totally missed the mark in a garrish head-to-toe leather ensemble. The singer totally overdid it with her leather jacket, leather skinnies, leather booties and leather bag.

(Photo by Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Flop: Demi Lovato"s shins were white from her tightly-bound, thigh-high boots. We might have liked them with a simpler dress instead of the cape-adorned piece she opted for.

(Photo by RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Fab: Model Bella Hadid kept it simple in black skinnies, booties and a leather jacket. Sometimes, less is more!

(Photo by Marc Piasecki/GC Images)

Flop: P!nk looked absolutely wild in a massive tie-dye muumuu, silver platform sandals and a pink coif to top it all off.

(Photo by TSM/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Flop: Andi Dorfman"s white lace jumpsuit was giving us serious bridal vibes. Plus, it didn"t fit her figure well.

(Photo by Josiah Kamau/BuzzFoto via Getty Images)

Fab: Stassi Schroeder looked incredible and effortless in simple white cropped slacks, an asymmetrical white strapless top and strappy sandals.

(Photo by GP/Star Max/GC Images)

Flop: Emily Blunt"s bright purple pants might have looked better with a more structured T-shirt and sans floppy camel hat.

(Photo by Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Flop: Tara Reid looked stuck in the 2000s in white jeans tucked into knee-high heeled boots and a flashy Gucci belt.

(Photo by Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Fab: Kendall Jenner killed it in distressed jeans, heeled booties and an ultra-cool floor-length duster jacket.

(Photo by SAV/GC Images)

Flop: Kim Kardashian looked killer in her gauzy black bodycon dress, but the witchy boots totally killed her otherwise sleek vibe.

(Photo by Neil Mockford/GC Images)

Flop:We"re really not sure what Priyanka Chopra was dressing for when she stepped into leather capris, combat boots and a hooded sweater.

(Photo by Milind Shelte/India Today Group/Getty Images)

Fab: Kendall Jenner wowed in a fabulous asymmetrical minidress with fun purple embellishments dotting the skirt. Red lips and a flirty ponytail completed her perfect look.

(Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Estee Lauder / Selfridges)

Flop: Diane Kruger looked like she was headed to Disneyworld in the "90s in mom jeans, an oversized denim jacket, beret and white sneakers.

(Photo by Chad Buchanan/GC Images)

Fab: Miranda Kerr looked sleek in leather skinnies, an olive green moto jacket and black espadrilles.

(Photo by GVK/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Flop: We actually love Brooklyn Decker"s floral moto jacket and her sheer floral dress, but together, it looked like a big ol" mess.

(Photo by Patricia Schlein/Star Max/GC Images)

Fab: Rose Byrne totally stunned in a gold star-adorned black spaghetti-strap dress, pointy stilettos and a black lariat necklace.

(Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Flop: Fiona Wade looked like a superhero in a leather strapless leotard and sheer, partial skirt.

(Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Fab: ModelMartha Hunt stunned in a simple black slipdress, sandals and a blazer. Undone hair and pretty, natural makeup completed her effortless look.

(Photo by Josiah Kamau/BuzzFoto via Getty Images)

Flop: Lizzy Caplan"s sunny yellow dress was adorable, but we didn"t love the n**e panel in the back and the clunky black sandals were a bit too heavy for the easy, breezy summer look.

(Photo by Patricia Schlein/Star Max/GC Images)

Fab: Rihanna had the right idea when she paired her breezy strapless summer dress with lightweight white sneakers. A metallic bag added a touch of sparkle and structure to her simple ensemble.

(Photo by Robert Kamau/GC Images)

Flop: Reese Witherspoon is unapologetically preppy -- and we love it -- but the yellow bag and yellow flats were a little too matchy-matchy (bordering on cheesy) for our taste.

(Photo by GONZALO/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Fab: Alessandra Ambrosio flashed her abs in cute high-waisted mom jeans, a striped crop top and sandals. A messy topknot and leather bag completed her perfect errand-running ensemble.

(Photo by Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Flop: Cynthia Erivo mised the mark in a frumpy gray capri-suit over a sheer shirt.

(Photo by Demis Maryannakis/Star Max/GC Images)

Fab: Kendall Jenner looked like a total rockstar in lightwash denim, a white T-shirt with lacy lingerie layered on top and a patchwork jacket.

(Photo by GVK/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Flop: Emilia Clarke"s pretty blue dress erred on the side of matronly and outdated.

(Photo by Josiah Kamau/BuzzFoto via Getty Images)

Fab: Diane Krueger definitely turned heads in this mirrored minidress. We love the exaggerated shoulders and to-die-for fit.

(Photo by Christian Marquardt/WireImage)

Flop: Kourtney Kardashian and her family have been rocking gorgeous, sleek, sophisticated looks lately, but the reality star totally threw it back circa mid-2000s in this tacky Vegas ensemble.

(Photo by Denise Truscello/WireImage)

Fab: Khloe Kardashian flaunted her incredible figure in a skintight latex dress that exposed her cleavage.White pointy pumps and sexy waves compelted her fabulous look.

(Photo by Denise Truscello/WireImage)

SHOW CAPTION +

HIDE CAPTION

Styling leather can be tricky -- too much of it and your look can end up in gaudy territory.

That"s exactly what happened to Mariah Carey this week when she stepped out in head-to-toe leather. Her outfit, which consisted of a size-too-small black leather jacket, black leather skinnies, black leather booties and a black leather bag, had us totally cringing! Pro tip: mix and match one or two of these items with other materials for a more toned-down ensemble.

SEE ALSO: Sexy Stars: This week"s sexiest celeb styles

Carey wasn"t the only one to totally miss the mark this week in a garrish ensemble. Fellow powerhouse singer, Demi Lovato, rocked a wild, thigh-high lace-up boots on stage this week that could have been loosened up a bit ... Her shins were paper white!

Unlike Carey and Lovato, Bella Hadid was able to pull off an edgy ensemble. The model rocked black skinnies and sleek booties with a moto jacket and matching satchel. Sometimes, less is more!

See this week"s best and worst dressed in the slideshow above.

More on AOL.comPrince William performing yoga moves in white jeans is your new everythingJustin Bieber flaunts crotch-grabbing underwear selfie on InstagramParis Jackson escorts a girl to the prom, dyes her hair for date

Read Full Story

Source: http://www.aol.com/article/2016/05/29/fab-or-flop-mariah-careys-leather-demi-lovatos-lace-up-boots/21385665/

"X-Men" takes top spot as "Alice" flops at Memorial Day box office

Ronald Reagan Memorial Day Remarks at Arlington National Cemetery 1986

"X-Men: Apocalypse" took the top spot with an estimated $80 million at North American box office over the four day weekend.

The 20th Century Fox comic book film, which stars Jennifer Lawrence and James McAvoy as the mutant heroes, had an opening in line with industry expectations and put it in the middle of the pack of the very successful X-Men franchise.

However, the latest film in the X-Men saga was a big drop off from "X-Men: Days of Future Past," which opened to $110.5 million on Memorial Day weekend in 2014, according to comScore (SCOR).

Coming in a distant second for the long weekend was Disney (DIS)"s "Alice Through The Looking Glass."

The sequel starring Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter brought in a four day total of $34.2 million. This was far below expectations of a $60 million weekend and a really rough start for a film that has a budget of $170 million.

"Alice Through The Looking Glass" starring Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter flopped at this weekend"s box office.

Related: Snapchat lets you buy "X-Men" tickets through the app

It"s also a far cry from the box office success of 2010"s "Alice in Wonderland." That film opened to $116.1 million before going on to make over $1 billion worldwide.

The film was panned by critics, who gave it a 30% score on review site Rotten Tomatoes.

It opened as Depp"s wife Amber Heard was granted a temporary restraining order on Friday against her husband, whom she claims has been abusive.

"The Angry Birds Movie," "Captain America: Civil War," and "Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising" made up the rest of the top five at the box office.

The weekend was a bit on the soft side for the industry, bringing in an estimated $204 million. But was up 5% from 2015"s Memorial Day weekend, one of the worst in recent years.

Related: Weighed down by characters, "X-Men: Apocalypse" doesn"t take off

With Memorial Day behind it, the industry now looks at an intriguing June that could have some sequel standouts with "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows," "Finding Dory," and "Independence Day: Resurgence."

CNNMoney (New York) First published May 30, 2016: 12:09 PM ET

Source: http://money.cnn.com/2016/05/30/media/x-men-apocalypse-alice-memorial-day-box-office/index.html

Pachuca campen de Liga MX tras empatar 1-1 con Monterrey [VIDEO]

Resumen de la Final | Monterrey vs Pachuca | Presentado por BBVA Bancomer

Pachucaconquist el domingo su sexto ttulo en el ftbol mexicano tras empatar como visitante al Monterreypor 1-1 con un gol en el ltimo minuto en el partido de la vuelta por la final del torneo Clausura.

Vctor Guzmn anot el gol del campeonato a los 93 minutos despus de que el colombiano Dorlan Pabn haba adelantado a Monterrey a los 39, con lo que Pachuca se alz con el ttulo gracias al marcador global de 2-1 tras su victoria del jueves en la ida por 1-0.

"Es lo mejor que nos pudo haber pasado, el equipo no baj los brazos y lo logramos", dijo a la cadena Televisa el portero scar "Conejo" Prez.

De esta manera, Pachuca sum otro campeonato despus de ganar el de los torneos Invierno 1999, Invierno 2001, Apertura 2003, Clausura 2006 y Clausura 2007.

Fuente: Reuters

LEE MS SOBRE...

Monterrey vs. Pachuca FINAL: 1-1. Se enfrentaronen el duelo de vuelta por la final de Liga MX en el Estadio BBVA Bancomer. En el partido anterior, los "Tuzos" ganaron 1-0.

Sigue las incidencias:

33" Fall penal Monterrey! Edwin Cardona envi su disparo a las nubes del cielo azteca. Err al estilo de Antoine Griezmann.

40" Gooool de Monterrey!Dorlan Pabn sac un fuerte derechazo desde fuera del rea que hizo intil la estirada de Prez.

Alineaciones confirmadas:

Monterrey:Orozco; Jurez, Basanta, Montes, Castillo; Gargano, Cardozo, Ayov; Pabn, Funes Mori, Cardona.

Pachuca:Prez, Medina, Mosquera, Gonzlez, Garca; Hernndez, Gutirrez, Pizarro, Lozano; Urretaviscaya, Jara.

LA PREVIA

Con una mnima ventaja de 1-0, este domingo el Pachuca buscar consagrarse campen del ftbol mexicano ante el Monterrey. Su rivalintentar remontar en casa, el estadio Bancomer, en el partido de vuelta de la final del torneo Clausura2016.

En el juego de ida, celebrado el jueves en el estadio Hidalgo, los "tuzos" del Pachuca lograron la victoria con un gol de cabeza del argentino Franco Jara.

La ventaja pudo haber sido mayor para el Pachuca de no ser por tres espectaculares atajadas delportero Jonathan Orozco y por un penal que el rbitro no sancion en el rea del Monterrey por una mano de Efran Jurez.

"Estamos ms vivos que nunca, ellos van venir a nuestra cancha y nosotros levantamos muchsimo el nivel aqu con nuestra gente. No es nada del otro mundo, es un partido de ftbol que tenemos que ganar en casa como hemos ganado la mayora de las veces en el torneo", apunt el "Turco" Mohamed,entrenador delMonterrey.

El tcnico vivir un especial desenlace del torneo porque buscar su tercera liga en el balompi azteca -luego de coronarse con Tijuana en 2012 y con Amrica en 2014- y lo har con el Monterrey, algo que le dedica su hijo Farid, fallecido en 2006 en un accidente de trnsito durante el Mundial de Alemania.

Farid naci en Mxico y cuando su padre jug para Monterrey, entre 1998 y 2000, el nio sala con l a la cancha para los minutos previos de los partidos.

En el bando rival, el tcnico uruguayo Diego Alonso, con menos experiencia que Mohamed, espera una "presin impresionante" en el estadio, pero confa en la actitud proponedora que sus "Tuzos" han mostrado durante todo el torneo en su cancha y en la ajena.

"Vamos a Monterrey fuertes y optimistas, tenemos confianza en nosotros mismos. Mis jugadores saldrn a dejar todo en la cancha", coment Alonso.

Para Alonso, Monterrey es una plaza especial en su carrera porque cuando era delantero de los Pumas ah fue campen en el Apertura-2004, aunque lo hizo en el estadio Tecnolgico, anterior casa de los "Rayados".

Monterrey y Pachuca, cada uno por su lado, estn en la novena final de su historia. Los "Rayados" ya fueron campeones en cuatro ocasiones: Mxico-1986, Clausura-2003, Apertura-2009 y Apertura-2009.

(AFP)

LEE MS SOBRE...

Source: http://elcomercio.pe/deporte-total/futbol-mundial/monterrey-vs-pachuca-duelo-vuelta-final-liga-mx-noticia-1905183

"Idol" winner joins Adkins, Beach Boys for Memorial Day Concert

Beach Boys - Wouldn"t It Be Nice

WASHINGTON h**l go down in music and television history as the 15th and final champion of American Idol, having won the shows farewell season.

Now, Trent Harmon comes to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitolto sing the national anthem at this weekendsNational Memorial Day Concert, which airs live Sunday night from 8-9:30 p.m.on PBS andaround the globeto U.S. military service memberson theAmerican Forces Network.

A frequent advocate of theWounded Warrior Project, Harmon says he might get choked up.

Man, I dont think theres going to be any more moving of a ceremony than being able to look out over that crowd, Harmon told WTOP. Im pretty sure Ill be able to hold it all together, but I really cant wait. I hope I have time to get there early or even maybe afterwardand just walk through Arlington, just kind of soak it all in. Its going to mean a lot to me. This is a big deal to me.

Turns out, WashingtonD.C. holds a special place in Harmons heart.

D.C. is my most favorite childhood memory as far as family vacations go, Harmon said. Being a history major throughout college, it was kind of an inspiring moment for me to go to D.C. as a ninth or tenth grader, so thats going to be an even bigger bucket list for me.

Its been a wild ride for Harmon sincewinning the Idol finale in April. The Mississippi native has since moved to Nashville to crank out songs for his upcoming record the prize for winning Idol.

Itsstrange, man, Harmon said. I look at this from such a contestant-to-artist perspective. Even being around Keith Urban, Harry Connick and J-Lo, its such an artist-to-contestant perspective.And in one moment, they announce your name as the winner of the show, and now its artist-to-artist.

He says hes still not used to beingpart of the Idol club.

Imbumping arms and having lunch with the Scotty McCrearys, the Katharine McPhees, the Carrie Underwoods, Harmon said in awe. Id be talking to David Cook and I would say, Oh, excuse me, Mr. David, and hed say, Man, you dont have to say that anymore. Youre one of us now."

The Idol fellowship will continue Sunday, as McPhee will also perform as part ofthe Memorial Day Concert, along withThe Beach Boys, National Symphony Orchestra, Alfie Boe and Trace Adkins,who often salutesfallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery with thehit country song, Arlington.

I actually got to seeThe Beach Boys in concert for the first time last summer and it was pretty surreal in itself, Harmon said. I hadnt even auditioned for[Idol] at that point, so now Im sharing a stage with them artist to artist. Thats kind of weird if you really say it out loud from my perspective.

Retired U.S. General Colin Powell will also make anappearance at the concert, which will beco-hosted by annual emcees Joe Mantegna andGary Sinise,the latter of whom joined WTOP last week.

We just wouldnt miss it, Sinise said. Its one of my favorite things to do each year. Its a great way to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed for our country we have great performers every year.

Sinise and Mantegna will also co-host MondaysNational Memorial Day Parade onConstitution Avenue. The parade will include performances byPhil Vassar, John Michael Montgomery and Tony Orlando. Itwill betelevised live nationally at 2 p.m. on REELZ network, locally onNews Channel 8 in D.C., streamed online on Military.com andaround the world on the American Forces Network.

The American Forces Networkuses seven satellites anddigital compression to broadcast events over 1,000 outlets in more than175 countriesand U.S. territories, as well as on board U.S. Navy ships.

But before you line up along the parade route onMonday, head down to the National Mall on Sunday andgrab a spot forthe 8 p.m. concert.The National Memorial Day Concert is free to the public.

Listen to the full interview with 2016 American Idol winner Trent Harmon below:

Follow @WTOP on Twitter and WTOP on Facebook.

Source: http://wtop.com/entertainment/2016/05/idol-winner-joins-adkins-beach-boys-for-memorial-day-concert/

Memorial Day Quotes To Remember And Honor Those That Have Given Their Lives For Their Country

Memorial Day Greeting & Quotes

On Monday, the world will remember and honor all the service men and women who died protecting and serving their country for Memorial Day. Many see the holiday as a reason for getting some great deals at retail stores or electronics sales. Others look at it as nothing more than a day off and a big three-day weekend. These quotes will help everyone remember that there is so much more behind Memorial Day and the memories of those that should be honored.

Please always remember the honorable men and women of the service who were a part of the United States Armed Forces and gave their every single thing for their country. While they should be remembered and honored each and every single day, Memorial Day belongs to them and memories should be shared.

A safe wonderful holiday weekend to all but amidst the joy remember the fallen #militarymom #MemorialDayWeekend #USA pic.twitter.com/yOoDKbd7UQ

erin brockovich (@ErinBrockovich) May 27, 2016

Many great leaders and important names have expressed inspirational and memorable quotes that are often associated with Memorial Day. There are those which are extremely serious and will ring through the ears and minds of many for years and decades.

Our nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes that we can never fully repaybut we can honor their sacrifice. President Barack Obama

I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country. Nathan Hale

Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism. President George Washington

My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. President John F. Kennedy

[Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images]What I can do for my country, I am willing to do. Christopher Gadsden

There are also the quotes that come forth with a bit of humor and sarcasm while also being quite serious. Men like Mark Twain were always famous and known for those kinds of thoughts, and he was never one to bite his tongue.

Many would say that his words still ring true today.

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it. Mark Twain

I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually. James A. Baldwin

On social media, the hashtag #MemorialDayWeekend is already trending and many are talking about all of the fun things they have planned. Theyre discussing getting together for good food and drinks and listening to music and enjoying the three-day weekend.

Honored #MemorialDayWeekend by attending the #MassFallenHeroes ceremony. pic.twitter.com/ySGyJX4d4c

Massasoit Vet Center (@MassasoitVets) May 28, 2016

Others are thinking about how they can pay tribute to others, and PBS has a great way to do that this weekend with the National Memorial Day Concert. Check your local listings for the channel in your area, but it will air live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol on Sunday, May 29, beginning at 8 p.m. ET for an hour and a half.

The program will be co-hosted by actors Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna, two award-winning actors who are extremely dedicated to supporting armed forces troops and veterans. Others that will be in attendance or performing include:

General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.)
Renee Fleming
The Beach Boys
Esai Morales
Trace Adkins
Katharine McPhee
S. Epatha Merkerson
Alfie Boe
Trent Harmon
Jack Everly
National Symphony Orchestra
Military District of Washington
U.S. Army Herald Trumpets
U.S. Army Chorus
U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters
U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants
The Soldiers Chorus

[Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images]Memorial Day will bring about picnics, barbecues, shopping sprees, new furniture deals, and days off from work. In the middle of all that fun and enjoyment and time with the family, its necessary and respectful to take moments throughout the day and honor those that are our fallen heroes. Let these quotes help everyone take time out of their day to pay tribute to anyone you may know that has given their life and even those you never met.

[Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images]

Source: http://www.inquisitr.com/3141602/memorial-day-quotes-to-remember-and-honor-those-that-have-given-their-lives-for-their-country/

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Coca-Cola 600 race day weather forecast: Will Bonnie rain on NASCAR"s 600 mile parade?

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series - Full Race - Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte

Tropical storm Bonnie will make landfall Sunday morning around Charleston SC. This storm will spread bands of across North Carolina and Charlotte Motor Speedway. With all this moisture, can NASCAR race 600 mile Sunday night?

THIS IS THE OLD UPDATE FROM SUNDAY MORNING - LATEST UPDATE CAN BEFOUND HERE

Tropical Storm Bonnie will make landfall along the South Carolina coast sometime Sunday morning somewhere around Charleston SC. This system will rotate rain bands across the Charlotte area during the day Sunday. The rain will be off and on and will continue into the afternoon and evening. The most challenging part of this forecast is timing these bands of rain. Rain and storms will move in and out with breaks. The question now is will these breaks be long enough to go racing 600 miles Sunday night?

CAN WE RACE SUNDAY?I think it is possible to go racing but it doesn"t look as optimistic as it did Friday and Saturday. Odds of racing Sunday night is around 60 percent. It will come down to whether or not bands work across Charlotte Motor Speedway during the scheduled race time or not.

IF THEY RACE - CAN THEY GO THE DISTANCE?This will be the biggest challenge for NASCAR Sunday night. If there is a big enough break between rain bands then yes, they could go racing and go the distance but a lot of things have to come together. Odds of getting a full race is around 40 percent, odds of halfway could be around 50 percent.

WHY BOTHER RACING - IT"S A WASHOUT?I am seeing a lot of this on Twitter. A lot of people with weather apps or looking online ready to call the race a wash. That"s not a given, and with this forecast nothing is. The odds of a wash are around 50 percent. I don"t like it that high and I know to some of you 50 percent looks like a cop out. But given the data, it"s the best assessment I can give. This will be one of those races where we will have to watch the radar and nothing is given.

WHAT IS MONDAY"S FORECAST?Monday does look a little drier but showers and storms are still possible. Storms will be more of the scattered to isolated nature as Bonnie slowly continues to move to the NNE along the North Carolina coast.

I continue to work with meteorologist Aaron Studwell (@RaceWeather on Twitter) on this forecast. This is not an easy forecast and we may be making adjustments all the way up to the start of the Coca-Cola 600. Please follow me on Twitter @NASCAR_WXMAN and like me on Facebook for the latest weather updates through the weekend.

All times ET.

SUNDAY5 p.m. -- Coca-Cola 600 Pre-raceForecast: Mostly cloudy, breezy, possible shower or stormWinds: North 10-15 mph Temperature:74

6 p.m. -- Coca-Cola 600 RaceForecast: Mostly cloudy, breezy, possible shower or stormWinds: North 10-15 mph Temperature: 73

7 p.m. -- Coca-Cola 600 RaceForecast: Mostly cloudy, breezy, possible shower or stormWinds: North 10-15 mph Temperature:73

8 p.m. -- Coca-Cola 600 RaceForecast: Mostly cloudy, breezy, possible shower or stormWinds: North 10-15 mph Temperature:71

9 p.m. -- Coca-Cola 600 RaceForecast: Mostly cloudy, breezy, possible shower or stormWinds: North 10-15 mph Temperature: 68

10 p.m. -- Coca-Cola 600 RaceForecast: Mostly cloudy, breezy, possible shower or stormWinds: North 10-15 mph Temperature:68

11 p.m. -- Coca-Cola 600 RaceForecast: Mostly cloudy, breezy, possible shower or stormWinds: North 10-15 mph Temperature:66

12 a.m. -- Coca-Cola 600 RaceForecast: Mostly cloudy, breezy, possible shower or stormWinds: North 10-15 mph Temperature:64

MONDAY12 p.m. -- Possible rain delay of Coca-Cola 600Forecast: Mostly cloudy, chance of a showerWinds: NNE 5-10 mph Temperature:77

Source: http://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2016/5/29/11807486/coca-cola-600-race-day-weather-forecast-will-bonnie-rain-on-nascars

Mexico vs. Paraguay: Marquez ready to make the most of "great opportunity"

MEXICO VS PARAGUAY 5/28/2016 GOL DE GUARDADO

Rafael Marquez is hoping Mexico can take advantage of the "great opportunity" ahead as El Tri step up preparations for the Copa America Centenario with a friendly versusParaguay.

Mexico is unbeaten in its last 17 games and will look to build momentum after receiving an invitationto the Copa America for the 10th straight tournament.

El Tri have reached the final in 1993 and 2001 and will be expected to progress from the group stage at the 100th anniversary tournament, having beendrawn alongside Uruguay, Venezuela and Jamaica in Group C.

Ahead of Saturday"s warm-up with 2011 runner-up Paraguay at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, captain Marquez believes Juan Carlos Osorio"s side has its best chance of winning the competition for the first time.

COPA AMERICA: Top 10 U-21 player to watch | Stars of each team | TV schedule

"We have a great opportunity [to win it], but we have to take it game by game," said Marquez, who has been capped 129 times by Mexico. "It is going to take a lot of work, because there are a lot of other national teams with a lot of quality. Within the team there is a commitment of wanting to win, to fight with everything and make the final of the competition."

Paraguay has been handed a tougher possible route through to the quarterfinals, with Ramon Diaz"s men pitted against the U.S., Colombia and Costa Rica in Group A.

Their recent record in the competition is impressive, following up on their run to the final five years ago when Paraguay was beaten 3-0 by Uruguay with a fourth-place finish in Chile last year.

With just one win in the last five games, Paraguay is not in the best vein of form. But winger Edgar Benitez is relishing the opportunity to impress at a major tournament and says the entire squad is ready to prove its worth on the international stage.

"There is not one player who wants to miss out on this tournament or who refuses to play for the national team," Benitez said. "In our country there are few opportunities to draw attention from abroad, and if we want a better way of life, we have to take advantage of the international spotlight."

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNF39F1mFfHn8lFXQrF5YP_Mv9gezQ&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&ei=Q9ZLV-DNL5GS3QHzhIjIDg&url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/mexico-vs-paraguay-marquez-ready-100000995.html

French Open order of play, Day 9: Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams in action

Tennis Trick Shots ft. Serena Williams | Dude Perfect
MATCH OF THE DAY

David Ferrer takes on Tomas Berdych - Quite simply, this match has five epic sets written all over it. Ferrer and Berdych both have a chance to make the quarter-finals, but they are likely going to have to work extremely hard for the honour.

POTENTIAL UPSET OF THE DAY

Dominic Thiem could lose to Marcel Granollers - Thiem is the most exciting young player in men"s tennis right now and is seeded 13th for the tournament. However, this is his first time in the second week of a Grand Slam and Granollers is adept on clay.

BRITWATCH

Jamie Murray will be hoping to make his top seed status count for something as he and partner Hao-Ching Chan take on Andrea Hlavackova and Edouard Roger-Vasselin in the quarter-finals of the mixed doubles.

ORDER OF PLAY

Singles play starts at 10am (GMT)

Court Philippe Chatrier

David Goffin (BEL)[12] v Ernests Gulbis (LAT) 2.

Novak Djokovic (SRB)[1] v Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP)[14]

Serena Williams (USA)[1] v Elina Svitolina (UKR)[18]

Venus Williams (USA)[9] v Timea Bacsinszky (SUI)[8]

Court Suzanne Lenglen

Marcel Granollers (ESP) v Dominic Thiem (AUT)[13]

David Ferrer (ESP)[11] v Tomas Berdych (CZE)[7]

Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP)[12] v Yulia Putintseva (KAZ)

Kiki Bertens (NED) v Madison Keys (USA)[15]

Source: http://au.eurosport.com/tennis/french-open/2016/french-open-order-of-play-day-9-novak-djokovic-and-serena-williams-in-action_sto5627340/story.shtml

Monterrey vs. Pachuca will make for thrilling Liga MX final

Pachuca vs Monterrey 3-1 GOLES RESUMEN Jornada 4 Clausura 2016 Liga MX

The top two teams from the Liga MX Clausura have survived and will face off in a dream final.

Liga MX is a league with a well-earned reputation for being wacky. Somehow, the 2016 Clausura has gone all chalk. The final will be the No. 1 team in the regular season against the No. 2 team, but fans are all the better for it.

It"s not that the Liguilla has been boring. On the contrary, the Clasicos of the quarterfinals and the heart-in-mouth moments of the semifinals provided more than enough drama. This final, between Monterrey and Pachuca, should provide more of the same.

The teams have their differences.Pachuca president Jesus Martinez labeled the series the "super wallet" against the "super homegrown" a bit of wordplay that is actually quite clever in Spanish (cartera vs. cantera). There"s some truth to that, but those generalizations don"t tell the whole story.

Monterrey has spent, and done so wisely. Carlos Sanchez was one of the best additions made this offseason and turned in a Man of the Match showing against America in the semifinal to ensure Los Rayados got to this point. It hasn"t all been about big spending. The emergence of Cesar Montes, a 19-year-old homegrown still stuck wearing No. 286, has bolstered Los Rayados" back line in a way other signings haven"t.

While Pachuca is built on a foundation of rising Mexican talent, playing more young domestic players than any team in the league save Mexican-only Chivas, the club also took the next step with a few additions in the offseason. Adding center backs Omar Gonzalez and Oscar Murillo and also gettingStefan Medina on loan from Monterrey transformed the Tuzos back line.

Those are exciting elements, but even more exciting for fans of soccer which if you"re reading this is a group you likely fall into is how the teams play. Both Monterrey under Antonio Mohamed and Diego Alonso"s Pachuca know no other way of playing than to attack. And when it comes off, it"s beautiful. Even when it"s not pulled off, it"s beautiful. Edwin Cardona had a chance for Monterrey in Saturday"s semifinal that went begging, while Erick Gutierrez blazed wide after a gorgeous Pachuca move Sunday. They were some of the best moves of the season, though they didn"t come off.

Watching these teams push forward and test the other"s defense will be thrilling. Unless there"s a dramatic shift from either manager, and neither has shown any signs of changing things up, we"ll see two of the best attacks in the Americas working to put together combinations. There will be moments of individual brilliance Hirving Lozano, Cardona, Rogelio Funes Mori, Sanchez,Jonathan Urretaviscaya all can provide but seeing the teams work together will bring joy.

Trying to stop them will be those bolstered attacks and two quality goalkeepers. Pachuca, in a quirky twist to its young player strategy, boasts 43-year-old Oscar Perez between the posts, while Jonathan Orozcoguards the Monterrey net. Both are capable. Both will be beaten.

The Liga MX final is the one that neutrals were hoping for. There will be thrilling matches, and perhaps we"ll see one more trademarkwacky twist in the Liga MX season.

Source: http://www.goal.com/en-ca/news/4209/mexico/2016/05/23/23846092/monterrey-vs-pachuca-will-make-for-thrilling-liga-mx-final

Monterrey vs. Pachuca 2016 Liga MX Final: Game time, TV schedule and live stream

Monterrey vs Pachuca 4-3 Jornada 4 Apertura 2015 Liga Bancomer MX - 11 de Agosto 2015

For all thenews surrounding Mexican futbol right now, there is still a final being played. A 1-0 win saw Pachuca outplay Monterrey in the first leg, and we are now potentially 90 minutes away from finding out who the next Liga MX champion will be.

For maybe the first time in this Liguilla, Monterrey will be at a disadvantage, and it"s something of an unfamiliar position to be in. After all, they finished the regular season at the top of the league table, and Antonio "Turco" Mohamed"s team is made up of stars like Edwin Cardona and Dorlan Pabon.

But in Monterrey, there is no question Rayados have enough to crash the Pachuca party. Like with Club America in the semifinals, you get the sense that Monterrey are not fazed by the occasion. Even with Carlos Sanchez missing, Monterrey seem to have that South American pedigree to pull out important victories.

For Pachuca, a league title here would be the culmination of a project that has been years in the making. With three gifted youngsters: Erick Gutierrez, Rodolfo Pizarro, and Hirving Lozano. They"ve won plenty of admirers, and they are determined to seize the stage with their attacking brand of futbol.

The unfortunate news of Oscar Murillo"s injury, however, has robbed Pachuca of one of their key defensive players. This is an area for which Pachuca deserves considerable praise for this season, and Omar Gonzalez and Aquivaldo Mosquera will have to be at their best if they want to be lifting the trophy at the end of the night.

In a day like this, the hope is the sport brings us joy. Here is to seeing an entertaining finale to another superb Liga MX season.

Match date/time: Sunday 9:30pm EST, 8:30pm local

Venue: Estadio BBVA Bancomer,Monterrey, Mexico

TV: Univision and Univision Deportes Network

Streaming: Univision Deportes En Vivo andfuboTV (Free trial + monthly subscription)

Listings via LiveSoccerTV.com.

Source: http://www.fmfstateofmind.com/2016/5/29/11808632/monterrey-vs-pachuca-2016-liga-mx-final-game-time-tv-schedule-and-live-stream

Casemiro put on a show for Real Madrid in the Champions League final

Real Madrid celebrate Champions League win with parade

Defensive midfielders aren"t sexy. It"s hard to appreciate what they do and many teams try to find reasons to leave them out of their teams. That"s doubly true at Real Madrid, where s*x appeal, big names and the desire to play with as many attacking players as possible trumps all. But as the Merengues celebrate their record 11th Champions League title, they have their defensive midfielder to thank for it.

Casemiro was magnificent in the final. And he"s been magnificent ever since Zinedine Zidane put him into the starting XI. Without him, Real Madrid aren"t the champions of Europe.

The Brazilian put on a masterclass with the entire world watching. Going up against an Atletico Madrid team that boasts one of the best counterattacks in the world, Casemiro was up to the task of slowing them down and he did it almost singlehandedly. No matter how many players the Merengues pushed forward, Casemiro was sitting in the midfield ready to turn back whatever came his way.

Sometimes he did it by winning the ball, like his inch-perfect tackle on Antoine Griezmann. Other times he simply redirected Atleti"s players to the wings, which allowed his teammates to recover. There were instances when his presence forced Atleti to play the ball back, neutering the threat, and sometimes he was so quick to take away passing options that Atleti couldn"t even get the counter going.

With Casemiro at the base of the midfield, Atleti had trouble hitting Real Madrid quickly. They had to be much more deliberate and the frantic pace that they excel in was missing. By the time they could get their attack going, Real Madrid had defenders back and the space was gone. Almost all of that was Casemiro"s doing.

It"s not as if Casemiro is the best defensive midfielder in the world either. He"s not close. He"s a nice one, who understand the needs from the position. It"s to read the game, cut out the counterattack, shield the back line and, when he"s on the ball, get it to better players as quickly as possible. Nobody would call that spectacular, but the difference it makes in the team is immense. Just look at Real Madrid before Casemiro became their out-and-out defensive midfielder.

When Rafa Benitez was the manager, Casemiro was used with some regularity, but he was expected to push forward more often. He was a central midfielder more than a defensive midfielder. Without a true defensive midfielder, teams torched them on the counterattack.

Real Madrid had played without a defensive midfielder for years. It was the result of president Florentino Perez"s bizarre transfer policy and while they did win the Champions League two years ago without anyone to break up play in the middle, that was largely due to Carlo Ancelotti"s brilliant tactics and Luka Modric"s passing, which kept them from being exploited too often defensively. But it wasn"t sustainable, and that was made evident by their play in La Liga, where they haven"t won the title in four years.

Their spectacular attacking talent could win them most matches, but they had a giant fault and that left them vulnerable. Teams like Real Madrid, who want to be the best and spend the type of money they spend, don"t have much of an excuse to be vulnerable.

One of the first changes Zidane made when he became manager in January was to insert Casemiro into the starting lineup. He knew the team needed a defensive midfielder and he tabbed Casemiro to play the role. The result was a defense that could stand up to most any team, and Real Madrid allowed just nine goals in 17 matches with Casemiro on the pitch under Zidane. Their attack was just as good too, knowing that they had more freedom to get forward without having to worry about getting burned on the counter for their forays forward.

Casemiro made all the difference for Real Madrid, as defensive midfielders usually do.

Of course, finding capable defensive midfielders isn"t always so easy. The combination of mobility, strength and, most importantly, reading of the game is not something that most players have. It takes so much discipline, on top of all that, and a willingness to never be the star. There are only a handful who can do the job at a high level, which is why you teams like Manchester United and Arsenal have struggled to fill the role for years. But Real Madrid found theirs in Casemiro and he was on full display in the final.

Sergio Ramos scored Real Madrid"s goal, Cristiano Ronaldo got the winning penalty, Gareth Bale was a menace all night and Modric"s passing was second-to-none. But while they all did the things most people notice, Casemiro was bossing the center of the pitch and neutering one of the best counterattacks in the world.

Casemiro was the key to Real Madrid"s Champions League title, sexy or not.