Depleted Red Bulls need boost to come from back line

After coughing up a season-high five goals last weekend and seeing their four-game undefeated streak snapped by Chicago, the Red Bulls look to get back on track Saturday in Toronto (4:30 p.m., MSG Plus), and that starts with defense.

They will have to play without stalwart Costa Rican left back Roy Miller and dogged Australian midfielder Tim Cahill, both away for World Cup duty with their respective national teams. Miller is their longest-tenured player and having his best MLS season, and Cahill brings strong midfield work. Both are expected to miss four games.

To make matters worse, Japanese right back Kosuke Kimura struggled mightily against the Fire, committing several costly mental gaffes. Unless theyre banking on getting hat-tricks from Bradley Wright-Phillips every week, the Red Bulls need to tighten things in the back line if they want to contend.

One persons absence, whether it be through injury, World Cup, whatever it is, is another players opportunity, and we have some guys that are raring to go and are hungry, coach Mike Petke said. So thats really how you deal with that, you put it in the guys heads that they have an opportunity now to show and then you move on from there.

Replacing Cahill is the most straightforward. With Peguy Luyindula doubtful because of a calf injury he suffered Thursday, they can move Eric Alexander back inside and start Jonny Steele wide left. Bobby Convey or Connor Lade could step in for Miller, or Petke could move Kimura to the left and pick between Richard Eckersley and Chris Duvall.

Whoever starts, theyll deal with an improved Toronto FC team, which won on Wednesday to advance to the Canadian finals. Yes, star midfielder Michael Bradley is away with the U.S. national team, but the squads other expensive additions English international Jermaine Defoe, Brazilian National Team keeper Julio Csar and countryman Gilberto will all be there.

Its going to be a difficult game. [Toronto is] doing well this year. Theres a difference. They used to struggle, but this year theyre doing well, so its going to be another important game for us, Thierry Henry said. Obviously after what happened with Chicago, were going to have to do well and make sure we dont concede early and try to go back to [defending] as a unit.

Wright-Phillips, Henrys red-hot strike partner, has poured in an MLS-high nine goals all but one coming in the last four games. But he agreed that the key to a result at BMO Field will come on the other end.

I feel like me personally that when we go there, just try and keep a clean sheet. Just keep it tight at the back because, with the players we got, with all our attacking threats were bound to get a chance, Wright-Phillips said. If we keep it tight as a team and not just defenders as a team, well be all right.

The fourth-round pairings for the U.S. Open Cup have the Red Bulls facing the winner of the May 28 tilt between the New York Cosmos and Brooklyn Italians. The game would be between June 10-18, the Red Bulls hosting the Italians or playing at Shuart Stadium in Hempstead if against the Cosmos.

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Depleted Red Bulls need boost to come from back line

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds make rare red carpet appearance

17 MAY 2014 Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds made a rare red carpet appearance on Friday.

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The low-key couple, who married in a secret ceremony in 2012, were every inch the glamorous Hollywood duo when they attended The Captive premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.

Blake turned heads in a show-stopping strapless monochrome gown which she accessorised with a glittering diamond necklace, earrings and a cuff bracelet.

Ryan, 37, echoed his wife's black and white outfit in a smart tuxedo, complete with a white bow tie.

The duo were out to support Vancouver-born Ryan's latest silver screen venture, The Captive, in which he plays a landscape gardener whose daughter Cassandra was kidnapped while walking through a car-park eight years previously.

The film, which also stars Rosario Dawson, Scott Speedman and Mireille Enos follows Cassandra's parents as they try to work out the mystery of her disappearance and discover if she is still alive.

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On Thursday the former Gossip Girl star chose a stunning, intricately embellished, dress from French fashion house Chanel for the premiere of Mr Turner.

Despite appearing self-assured on the red carpet, however, Blake recently revealed that she lacks confidence when it comes to events she will be photographed at.

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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds make rare red carpet appearance

Blanchett shocked by red carpet intruder

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Blink and you'll miss it, but a trespasser found his way onto the Cannes Film Festival red carpet and dived under actress America Ferrera's dress before security pulled him away.

Cate Blanchett was a shocked bystander as a man climbed under the dress of fellow actress America Ferrera on the Cannes red carpet.

The pair had arrived for the world premiere of How To Train Your Dragon 2 and were posing for a photo when the ugly incident occurred on Friday.

Festival security had to drag the man away after he rushed the red carpet wearing a suit and tie, jumped behind former Ugly Betty star Ferrera and slipped under her dress.

A man is arrested by security as he tries to slip under the dress of actress America Ferrera. Photo: Reuters

Ferrera was unhurt but clearly shaken up while Blanchett and Dragon co-stars Jay Baruchel, Kit Harington and Djimon Hounsou, all posing for the photo, were left shocked and shaking their heads.

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Several reports claimed the man was Ukrainian journalist Vitalii Sediuk, a serial "prankster" at entertainment events.

Sediuk has in the past tried to kiss Will Smith on a red carpet, hugged the crotches of Leonardo DiCaprio and Bradley Cooper, and crashed the Grammys stage during Adele's acceptance speech.

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Blanchett shocked by red carpet intruder

Red snapper season gets clipped again

Another cut in the number of red snapper days has local fisherman scratching their heads.

On Wednesday, word came down from the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council that the red snapper recreational season in federal waters will be nine days starting June 1.

Just weeks ago, fishermen were advised that their season was being cut from 44 days to 11, now they're taking another hit.

"It's another typical move by the wacko environmentalist," said Capt. George Eller of the Checkmate II.

"It's absolutely crazy. I had trips scheduled for 40 days. Luckily I haven't had anything cancel yet, but we'll see," he said.

Eller said he's called a few folks and gave them a chance to back out. Thus far the response has been, "we're coming anyway and we're going fishing."

"When schools out we'll run everyday anyway," Eller said.

Capt. Dennis Kendrick of the Finest Kind says he hasn't been as lucky.

"Some of mine have already canceled," he said.

In April, the fishery management council requested an emergency rule to revise the recreational accountability measures for red snapper by applying a 20-percent buffer to the recreational quota, which results in a recreational annual catch target of 4.312 million pounds whole weight. This emergency rule will not affect the commercial harvest of red snapper in the reef fish fishery.

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Red snapper season gets clipped again

Wisconsin Red Cross Volunteer Heads to So. California Wildfire Area

CREATED 9:54 AM

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- A Red Cross volunteer from Wisconsin is heading to Southern California where a series of major wildfires are scorching the region. Barbara Behling, Communications Officer for Northern and Southern Wisconsin leaves Today.

Nine fires have destroyed at least eight houses, an 18-unit condominium complex and two businesses since Tuesday. The hardest-hit areas were in San Marcos and Carlsbad, near San Diego.

In response to the multiple fires in California, American Red Cross disaster workers are continuing shelter operations, serving meals and providing emotional support to those affected by wildfires.

See how you can help below:

Since Tuesday, May 13, the Red Cross in San Diego has provided approximately:

HOW TO HELPThose who would like to help people affected by disasters like tornadoes, floods and other crises can make a donation to American Red Cross Disaster Relief. People can donate by visitingwww.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. These donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small.

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Wisconsin Red Cross Volunteer Heads to So. California Wildfire Area

RADIO/PODCAST: "Crazy Rhythm:" Red Nichols and His Five Pennies This Week on Riverwalk Jazz

This week on Riverwalk Jazz the Jim Cullum Jazz Band tells the story of Red Nichols and his Five Pennies, illustrated with numerous historical recordings of Nichols and the ensembles he led.

The program is distributed in the US by Public Radio International. You can also drop in on a continuous stream of shows at the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound.

1920s New York was full of young jazz musicians whod rolled in from somewhere else. Ernest Loring Nichols, a redheaded kid from Utah fell into partnership with a studious-looking trombone player from nearby Long Island named Miff Mole

By 1925 Red Nichols was the man to see if you were a musician in New York and needed a job. He was equally connected to record labels needing talent and top-flight musicians looking for work. A well-schooled musician, tutored by his bandmaster father, Red could pick up a violin, sit down at the piano, or play the cornet. His cornet style has been praised for its ringing tone and springy, punchy, rhythmic drive.

When George and Ira Gershwin

Red Nichols was a skilled talent scout. His studio sessions were a magnet and proving ground for top young white jazz players. Many would go on to become star bandleaders of the Swing Era. In the late summer of 1927, Jack Teagarden had finished a gig in a society dance band at San Antonios Gunther Hotel. Impulsively, the 25-year-old trombonist hit the road for New York in a Cadillac. One warm August evening they landed in Times Square. Dropped off at a phone booth in mid-townwith his bags and instrument casethe first person Jack called was Red Nichols. Always on the lookout for something new to offer the record-buying public, Red was quick to capture Jack Teagardens soulful, blues-driven sound and playful vocals on disc.

Pint-sized with flame-red hair, Red Nichols was a go-getter with a good head for business. And he was clean and precise in his playing, a modernistalways exploring new territory. But Nichols popular success drew criticism from some who called him an entertainer rather than an artist. Critics saw his success as selling out or somehow inauthentic, not true to the spirit of hot jazz as it was played by Jazz Age cornet hero, Bix Beiderbecke

Richard Sudhalter

Saxophonist Bud Freeman

In spite of the controversy surrounding his work, Red Nichols was the most recorded and successful musician-bandleader in New York in the 1920s. He led enormously popular bandsfeaturing some of the most creative white jazz players of that time under names such as The Five Pennies, The Red Heads, and Miff Mole and His Little Molers. This voluminous output of recorded workRed appeared on about 4,000 recordings in the 1920sis recognized today as a major expansion and refinement of the harmonic and compositional possibilities in jazz.

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RADIO/PODCAST: "Crazy Rhythm:" Red Nichols and His Five Pennies This Week on Riverwalk Jazz

Red Sox battling Twins in extra innings

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- If anyone needed a game-winning hit in extra innings, it was Aaron Hicks .

The once-prized Minnesota Twins prospect was hitting just .161 and was challenged by manager Ron Gardenhire and acting general manager Rob Antony the day before to take a more professional approach to the game.

Hicks responded with an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th and Phil Hughes struck out eight in six innings to help the Twins beat the Boston Red Sox 4-3 in the series finale on Thursday.

Many think the only reason Hicks was not sent down already was because of the injuries that have decimated an already thin outfield group. Gardenhire and Antony both said they didn't feel Hicks was doing the necessary homework behind the scenes to be ready every day.

" Maybe preparing is something I need to try to do more," Hicks said. " Try things to be able to make my game better and have an edge on the game."

All-Star closer Glen Perkins blew his second save of the season, giving up a two-run single to Will Middlebrooks with the bases loaded that tied the game in the ninth. But Kurt Suzuki doubled down the left-field line and Hicks lined a 3-2 pitch to left field off of Andrew Miller (1-2) to win it.

" It's such a big hit in a big situation," Hicks said. " It just comes down to how much heart you have in the game. That's the kind of player I am. I like to play with passion and I don't like the way I've been playing so far. But it's something that sometimes you've got to go through in order to be able to make that next step into becoming a better player."

Mike Carp had two hits and an RBI for the Red Sox, but David Ortiz was a quiet 1 for 4 with a single after going deep twice in each of the first two games of the series.

Hughes gave up five hits and no walks and Chris Parmelee hit a two-run homer for the Twins, who took two of three from the defending champions. Suzuki and Eduardo Escobar each had three hits and Brian Duensing (1-1) picked up the win.

Clay Buchholz gave up three runs on 10 hits and struck out six in six innings for the Red Sox.

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Red Sox battling Twins in extra innings

Hicks' single in 10th helps Twins down Red Sox

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- If anyone needed a game-winning hit in extra innings, it was Aaron Hicks .

The once-prized Minnesota Twins prospect was hitting just .161 and was challenged by manager Ron Gardenhire and acting general manager Rob Antony the day before to take a more professional approach to the game.

Hicks responded with an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th and Phil Hughes struck out eight in six innings to help the Twins beat the Boston Red Sox 4-3 in the series finale on Thursday.

Many think the only reason Hicks was not sent down already was because of the injuries that have decimated an already thin outfield group. Gardenhire and Antony both said they didn't feel Hicks was doing the necessary homework behind the scenes to be ready every day.

" Maybe preparing is something I need to try to do more," Hicks said. " Try things to be able to make my game better and have an edge on the game."

All-Star closer Glen Perkins blew his second save of the season, giving up a two-run single to Will Middlebrooks with the bases loaded that tied the game in the ninth. But Kurt Suzuki doubled down the left-field line and Hicks lined a 3-2 pitch to left field off of Andrew Miller (1-2) to win it.

" It's such a big hit in a big situation," Hicks said. " It just comes down to how much heart you have in the game. That's the kind of player I am. I like to play with passion and I don't like the way I've been playing so far. But it's something that sometimes you've got to go through in order to be able to make that next step into becoming a better player."

Mike Carp had two hits and an RBI for the Red Sox, but David Ortiz was a quiet 1 for 4 with a single after going deep twice in each of the first two games of the series.

Hughes gave up five hits and no walks and Chris Parmelee hit a two-run homer for the Twins, who took two of three from the defending champions. Suzuki and Eduardo Escobar each had three hits and Brian Duensing (1-1) picked up the win.

Clay Buchholz gave up three runs on 10 hits and struck out six in six innings for the Red Sox.

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Hicks' single in 10th helps Twins down Red Sox

World Cup: New York Red Bulls' Tim Cahill leads Australia's diverse provisional roster

New York Red Bulls star Tim Cahill heads the diverse 30-man provisional World Cup roster announced by Australia on Wednesday, a group hailing from a dozen different leagues on four continents.

With seven players age 21 or younger, Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has blended in a substantial dollop of youth alongside the veteran core led by Cahill, Mark Bresciano and Josh Kennedy, heroes of Aussie World Cup campaigns past but there was no place for longtime servant Lucas Neill.

Crystal Palace standout Mile Jedinak will anchor the midfield, while Dutch-based winger Tommy Oar offers a valuable wide option and Kennedy brings towering size up front. This week Postecoglou convenes a week-long training camp which will help him winnow his squad down to 23 by June 2.

After decades of frustrating near-misses, the Socceroos have now qualified for three straight World Cups since their move from Oceania to the Asian Football Confederation. They will travel to Brazil with cautious optimism, having been drawn into a rugged Group B alongside Chile, the Netherlands and reigning world champions Spain.

Australia open their tournament against Chile in Cuiaba on June 13. They face the Netherlands on June 18 in Porto Alegre, then play Spain in Curitiba five days later.

GOALKEEPERS (4)

Mark Birighitti (Newcastle Jets - Australia / 23yrs) Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United- Australia / 32yrs) Mitch Langerak (Borussia Dortmund - Germany / 25yrs) Mat Ryan (Club Brugge - Belgium / 22yrs)

DEFENDERS (9)

Josh Brillante (Newcastle Jets- Australia / 21yrs) Jason Davison (Heracles Almelo - Netherlands / 22yrs) Ivan Franjic (Brisbane Roar- Australia / 26rs) Curtis Good (Dundee United - Scotland /21yrs) Ryan McGowan (Shandong - China / 24yrs) Matthew Spiranovic (Western Sydney Wanderers - Australia / 25yrs) Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk - South Korea / 29yrs) Luke Wilkshire (Dynamo Moscow - Russia / 32yrs) Bailey Wright (Preston North End - England / 21yrs)

MIDFIELDERS (12)

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World Cup: New York Red Bulls' Tim Cahill leads Australia's diverse provisional roster

RCMP seek owner of unusual auto

An unsual 1960s British car is seemingly without an owner, and Red Deer RCMP are scratching their heads trying to find out who owns the almost certainly treasured vehicle.

On May 4, RCMP found and towed an Austin Cambridge from the Husky gas bar downtown.

Since then, police have tried to find the rightful owner, but have been unsuccessful.

The Austin Cambridge is possibly an A60 model, which were produced between 1961 and 1969. It is white in colour with a red interior and is in good condition.

In the car world something that unusual grabs attention. It was like having something frozen in time. It was in remarkably good shape, said Jim Sutherland, a local freelance writer who specializes in collector cars.

Red Deer Staff Sgt. Andrew Shepherd said neither the cars licence plate nor vehicle identification number yielded any results.

Were wondering why someone would move it there and walk away from it, said Shepherd.

According to Hagerty Insurance, a classic car valuation provider, the car would be worth about $9,500.

How did it end up there? said Shepherd. Someone goes into their garage and sees their pride and joy stolen, they usually phone the police. As of yet, nobody has done that.

Its not damaged, it is in nice shape, were all scratching our heads.

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RCMP seek owner of unusual auto

Red Sox Need to Get Right Against Righties to Keep Rolling

After more than five weeks of fighting to do so, the Red Sox finally got their heads above water on Sunday afternoon, taking a 5-2 decision in Texas. Their second straight win, it earned them the series over the Rangers while improving the team's record to 19-18 on the year.

And it should come as no surprise that both of those wins came in games when the Sox were opposed by a left-handed starting pitcher. In such contests this season Boston is 10-4. But if they're going to continue a roll that's now seen them win six of eight, the Sox had better start hitting better against righties.

During the series that starts Tuesday night in Minnesota, the Twins are expected to throw Ricky Nolasco, Kevin Correia, and Phil Hughes. Then, when the Sox return home for their ALCS rematch with the Tigers this weekend, Detroit is lined up to start Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello in two of the three tilts. All of those hurlers are right-handed.

And that's not a good thing for the Sox, at least based on how they've hit so far.

After failing to put any of their first 20 batters on base, and managing only two one hits in 8.2 shutout innings against Yu Darvish last Friday, the Red Sox are 9-14 when opposed by right-handed starting pitchers -- the third-worst record in the American League, and the sixth-worst in the majors.

It's been every bit as much of a struggle as the record suggests, too, with the Sox hitting just .232 against righty starters. That ranks 13th of the 15 AL clubs, as does a .669 OPS. In terms of slugging alone they're dead last, at .354.

Last year the Red Sox led the AL in OPS (.803) and slugging (.450) against right-handed starters, and were second in the league with a .279 average. As a result, they finished with an AL-best record of 65-43 against that brand of competition and, given the frequency with which clubs typically face pitching from that side, each of the nine best big-league teams by that measure made the playoffs.

In fact, no team has made the postseason with a losing record against righty starters since the Dodgers did in 2008, so it's important that the Sox pick up the performance there -- and it behoove them to begin that process this week if they're hopeful that this current roll can turn into a full-fledged launch point as they attempt to escape the mediocrity they've been mired in since coming North from Fort Myers.

Individually, the pressure to be better is on David Ortiz, who is hitting just .241 against righty starters, despite a career average of .289. It's also on A.J. Pierzynski and Grady Sizemore, veteran lefties like Ortiz, who are respectively hitting .224 and .210. And it's on the youth, too, as Jackie Bradley is batting .164 in that split, and Will Middlebrooks is hitting just .114.

Only Mike Napoli is clearly outperforming his career numbers, as you can see below, which shows the batting average/OBP/slugging percentage against right-handed starters for each Red Sox hitter with at least 20 such plate appearances this season.

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Red Sox Need to Get Right Against Righties to Keep Rolling

Red Shirt leader warns of civil war in Thailand

BANGKOK (AP) Supporters of Thailands embattled government warned the countrys judiciary and senators against any attempt to install an unelected prime minister, saying it would be a disaster for the nation that could spark civil war.

Jatuporn Prompan, who heads the pro-government Red Shirt movement, made the comment during a rally Saturday on the western edge of Bangkok that was held three days after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was ousted in a controversial ruling by the Constitutional Court. Punctuating the warning of violence, unknown assailants fired two grenades late Saturday at the prime ministers office compound, where anti-government protesters were camped. Two people were slightly wounded, said police Col. Kamthorn Auicharoen.

It was the latest in a series of grenade attacks and drive-by shootings that have left hundreds injured since Thailands political crisis escalated in November. Both sides accuse the other of orchestrating the violence.

Emboldened by Yinglucks removal, anti-government protesters ramped up their efforts to bring down what remains of Yinglucks administration by laying siege to television stations, surrounding state offices and demanding lawmakers help them install a non-elected prime minister to rule the country.

Yinglucks Cabinet has named deputy premier Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan as acting prime minister, but the leader of the anti-government protest movement, Suthep Thaugsuban, said Saturday that Niwattumrong doesnt hold the authority and status to be the head of the government.

Suthep said the Senate should quickly consult the presidents of the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Administrative Court and the Election Commission to work to appoint the new prime minister immediately.

The anti-government protesters called Friday for a final push to oust the entire Cabinet and set up an unelected peoples council that they say would implement still-undefined reforms to combat corruption and fight money politics. They oppose elections scheduled for July, which the current ruling party would likely win.

Jatuporn, however, insisted that the current government was legitimate and denied there was any political vacuum in the wake of Yinglucks departure. There is only the political vacuum that the elites, including Suthep, are attempting to create, he said Saturday.

Appointing an unelected prime minister will inflict a crisis on the nation, because the only solution for Thailand is democracy under the king as head of the state, Jatuporn said.

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Red Shirt leader warns of civil war in Thailand

Red-letter day nears for giant sign

There's been a disagreement over the bright orange colour of giant letters which spell out 'Beaufort Street' in the City of Vincent.

Giant concrete letters spelling out Beaufort Street in the heart of Mount Lawley have had passers-by scratching their heads for months as the artwork has remained behind security fencing.

Signage appeared alongside the public artwork in recent months informing residents that the City of Vincent was working hard to finalise this artwork but the sign located on Beaufort Street in front of a car park, gives no suggestion as to why there's been a delay.

The large concrete words should have been painted and unveiled to the public in December but instead it has been fenced off and untouched since about October.

A sign has been put up on fencing reassuring people that the artwork is not finished yet.

City of Vincent Mayor John Carey said the City had been in contractual negotiations with the company responsible for producing the piece.

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Effectively there has been a dispute and we are coming to a resolution now, he said.

Mr Carey told Fairfax Media that as discussions were taking place he could not say what the issue was but did say that once the matter was settled, changes to the appearance of the sign may be made.

It is understood that the City is not happy with the burnt yellow and orange colours and the finish of the artwork.

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Red-letter day nears for giant sign

'The Blacklist' season finale: Harry Lennix and Amir Arison tease the high-stakes "Berlin (No. 8) Conclusion"

As "The Blacklist" heads into its Season 1 finale, no one is safe -- not Red, not Lizzie, not anyone of the FBI agents involved with the investigations. Zap2it caught up with two of the show's stars -- Amir Arison (Aram) and Harry Lennix (Cooper) -- at the NBC Upfronts in New York City on Monday.

Check out what they had to say about the premiere and its dangers here.

Both men agreed that no one is going to be safe before the end of the season. "Someone or even someones may get hurt or more," Arison hints. "You will learn more about Red and Liz's relationship. And you'll learn a little bit more about Tom."

Lennix agrees that no one can avoid the drama of this final episode. "There's a lot at stake for everybody -- and I mean everybody, on a very real level. Everybody's on the hot seat," he says. "Red has informed us that Berlin is after everybody, and I think that will be more out tonight. But of course we want to bring people back for the second season, so we're not going to answer every question. But we will answer some."

Of course, Cooper has to go on Red's intelligence here, but can Cooper really trust Reddington? Lennix doesn't think that's necessarily the case. "I think that Red has proven that he should be looked at with suspicion all the time," the actor says. "But from a law-enforcement perspective, he's the goose that laid the golden egg. Is that for him to only benefit from? Is he using us or are we using him? That's the deal with him. I know that he is a valuable asset -- I don't think that trust has anything to do with that whatsoever. If I flip that light switch, do I trust that it will come on? Yeah. Do I trust it enough to put my finger in the socket? No."

All of the drama in the "Blacklist" Season 1 finale will be revealed Monday, May 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.

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'The Blacklist' season finale: Harry Lennix and Amir Arison tease the high-stakes "Berlin (No. 8) Conclusion"

Red Soxs Henry Owens Turns Heads By Nearly Tossing No-Hitter At Double-A

Owens exited Thursdays game against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats after yielding a two-out double to Andy Burns in the eighth inning. The 21-year-old allowed two runs on one hit and five walks while striking out six and improving his record to 4-2. Most importantly, Owens showed again why hes the Red Soxs top pitching prospect and an intriguing player with immense potential.

Owens ERA at Double-A through seven starts this season is 3.61. His WHIP is 1.18. Theres clearly still room for development especially when you consider he has yielded 3.8 walks per nine innings after issuing a season-high five free passes Thursday but the left-handers unhittable nature is nothing new. Owens has held his opponents hitless in four starts two in High-A and two in Double-A since last July, including Portlands season opener, in which the lefty struck out nine.

He left that (changeup) up a little bit and I was able to find a hole, Burns told reporters after breaking up Owens no-hit bid Thursday. He pitched real well. Mixed speeds. Hit his spots. Hes tall (6-foot-6) and the ball comes out of his hand well.

Owens threw 96 pitches in Thursdays outing, showing he was relatively efficient despite the high walk total and some fatigue seemingly settling in as the young hurler struggled in the eighth inning. According to reports, Owens mixed a mid 90s fastball with a heavy dose of changeups to keep the Fisher Cats off-balance.

Good fastball command. Good change-up command, Portland manager Billy McMillon told reporters after the game. But he knows he can do better. His pitch count went up because of the walks.

Owens went 11-6 with a 2.67 ERA in 26 starts split between Double-A and High-A last season. He has struck out 210 in 177 1/3 innings since the beginning of 2013 while holding opponents to a .185 average.

It might not be long before Owens earns another promotion, and the Red Sox certainly have a lot to be encouraged about as the former first-round pick continues to dominate in his third season in the organization.

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Red Soxs Henry Owens Turns Heads By Nearly Tossing No-Hitter At Double-A

Red Sox-Rangers Live: Yu Darvish Nearly Tosses No-Hitter As Texas Rolls 8-0

Final, Rangers 8-0: Yu Darvish came up just short in his bid for a no-hitter, but the right-handers one-hit gem paved the way for an 8-0 Rangers win in Arlington.

David Ortiz broke up Darvishs no-hitter with two outs in the ninth inning. The slugger beat the shift with a single into right field.

Darvish, who walked two, lost his perfect game with two outs in the seventh inning. Ortiz hit a popup into shallow right field that second baseman Rougned Odor and right fielder Alex Rios converged on. It looked like it was going to be another routine out, but the ball dropped. The official scorer ruled the play an error on Rios, although it wouldnt be surprising if it eventually gets changed to a hit.

Darvish struck out 12 in his winning effort. Clay Buchholz, meanwhile, struggled, surrendering six earned runs on 10 hits over 4 1/3 innings. Buchholz struck out three and walked two while suffering the loss.

For what its worth, the Red Sox never have had a perfect game thrown against them. The last no-hitter against the Red Sox came from the Seattle Mariners Chris Bosio on April 22, 1993.

11:15 p.m., Rangers 8-0: Rangers starter Yu Darvish fell one out short of a no-hitter.

David Ortiz beat the shift with two outs in the ninth inning. His single marked Bostons first hit of the game.

Darvish now exits after 8 2/3 innings of one-hit ball. Alexi Ogando will look to put the finishing touches on this one.

End 8th, Rangers 8-0: Craig Breslow worked a scoreless eighth inning for Boston.

More importantly, Yu Darvish now heads to the mound looking to complete a no-hitter. Dustin Pedroia, Shane Victorino and David Ortiz are due up in the ninth inning for the Red Sox.

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Red Sox-Rangers Live: Yu Darvish Nearly Tosses No-Hitter As Texas Rolls 8-0

Thai 'Red Shirts' Warn of Escalating Fight to Defend Govt

Thousands of pro-government "Red Shirts" today warned that any attempt to install an unelected premier could trigger a "civil war" as they massed here to take on rival protesters who have launched a "final battle" after the removal of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Thousands of police officers were on standby for the "Red Shirt" rally on the western outskirts of Bangkok as a large turnout is expected later this evening.

"The Red Shirts cannot accept the undemocratic and unconstitutional appointment of a prime minister," said Jatuporn Prompan, who heads the "Red Shirts".

He warned the Supreme Court and the Senate against discussing "unlawful" demands by the opposition to choose an interim government, saying: "It would be the beginning of a disaster for the country that will lead to civil war."

The anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) launched its "all-out final battle" after 46-year-old Yingluck, Thailand's only woman premier, was ordered to step down by the Constitutional Court over abuse of power.

Emboldened by the ruling on Wednesday, the protesters intensified their efforts to bring down what remains of Yingluck's administration by laying siege to TV stations, surrounding state offices and demanding lawmakers help them install a non-elected premier.

The protesters, who have been campaigning for over six months for the ouster of the government, want the entire Cabinet to be removed and an unelected "people's council" to be set up to carry out reforms.

Jatuporn said: "As long as the country's democracy is not safe, we will be here." He warned that if there was a coup or an unelected prime minister installed, the Red Shirts will "escalate our fight immediately".

Hours after Yingluck and her nine ministers were removed from office, the Cabinet named deputy premier Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan as acting prime minister.

But protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban told followers the Senate should select a new premier since the lower house had been dissolved since December.

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Thai 'Red Shirts' Warn of Escalating Fight to Defend Govt

Guingamp's Mustapha Diallo sees red for head clash with Monaco's Jeremy Toulalan

Diallo and Toulalan appear to compete for 50-50 ball Monaco man was knocked out by the challenge Referee saw fit to send Guingamp striker off for challenge

By Paul Collins

Published: 17:24 EST, 7 May 2014 | Updated: 18:16 EST, 7 May 2014

Guingamps Mustapha Diallo seemed to be hard done to when he saw red for what looked like a 50-50 clash of heads with Monaco's Jeremy Toulalan.

The Senegalese international looked to be going for the ball and in doing so clashed heads with the French defender.

Pain game: Monaco's Jeremy Toulalan reacts after his head injury

Seeing red: French referee Stephane Lannoy shows Diallo a red card

Heads up: Mustapha Diallo and Jeremy Toulalan compete for the ball

Clash of heads: Diallo and Toulalan go for the ball

Ouch: Toulalan ends up out cold after the challenge

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Guingamp's Mustapha Diallo sees red for head clash with Monaco's Jeremy Toulalan