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Flawless Federer breezes through in New York

NEW YORK (AP) — Defending champion Roger Federer beat Radek Stepanek 6-3 6-3 6-2 on Sunday to breeze into the round of 16 at the U.S. Open.

To win his first Grand Slam of the season, the second-ranked Federer needs to take his fifth straight title at Flushing Meadows. He has not lost a set in three matches, and raised his right fist after zinging a final, winning forehand down the line against the Czech.

I guess it’s just nice to play well. Pretty simple, Federer said. No complaints.

Home hope Andy Roddick and third seed Novak Djokovic were set to play third-round matches later on Sunday.

Fifth-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko also advanced to the fourth round, defeating compatriot Dmitry Tursunov 6-2 7-6 (7-3) 6-3.

Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller, the only qualifier left on the men’s side, rallied past No. 18 Nicolas Almagro of Spain 6-7 (3-7) 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (8-6) 7-5.

Almagro provided the day’s comic relief midway through his match.

Thinking his shot had missed, he grabbed a towel near the back wall to wipe his face. He then realized the ball was still in play and tried to recover, but lost the point.

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Gustav prompts ’substantial’ changes to RNC agenda

WASHINGTON (CNN) — President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney will not attend the GOP convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, because of Hurricane Gustav, White House press secretary Dana Perino said Sunday.

In addition, substantial changes to the Republican National Convention program will be announced Sunday because of the storm, two Republican officials said.

One option is delaying the planned Monday opening of the convention, both sources said, though one of the officials said that has not been decided. We need a few more hours to look at all of the contingencies. But there will be some substantial adjustments.

Instead of attending, Bush is likely to address the convention’s Monday session, if there is one, via satellite, other officials said. First lady Laura Bush is scheduled to attend.

The final decisions will be made after Rick Davis, a top campaign aide to Sen. John McCain, meets Sunday with convention planners in St. Paul.

Shaping those decisions will be briefings that McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has received in the past 24 hours from Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, Federal Emergency Management Agency Director David Paulison and several Gulf Coast governors.

It’s a dire outlook, and we need to make some changes, one McCain campaign official said. But this has never happened before to anyone’s convention, so we need some time to touch all the bases.

A senior McCain source said Saturday that officials were considering turning the convention into a massive telethon to raise money for the Red Cross and other agencies to help with hurricane aid.

He wants to do something service oriented if and when the storm hits and it’s as bad as it’s expected to be now, the McCain source said.

They are also hoping to get McCain himself to a storm-affected area as soon as possible.

McCain had suggested to a Fox News interviewer that the convention could be suspended if it seemed that a festive gathering was inappropriate in light of the destruction the storm may bring. Watch as the Gulf Coast prepares for Gustav

Republican Govs. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, Charlie Crist of Florida, Haley Barbour of Mississippi and Rick Perry of Texas — whose states lie in the path of the Category 3 Gustav — will skip the GOP convention because of the storm.

The storm has forced last-minute changes in the convention’s announced schedule: If the convention — originally scheduled to start Monday — commences by Tuesday, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s speech will probably move to that night from Wednesday.

Other changes were being contemplated Saturday afternoon.

The hardest decisions, like whether to cancel a day or two of the four-day gathering or to condense days, will be made at the last second, GOP officials said, but the logistics are being discussed.

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Hopkinton fair

Calendar 8/28

COMMUNITY EVENTS SPIRIT OF AMERICA Those looking to attend the free U.S. Army’s Spirit of America Show at the DCU Center in Worcester on Sept. 20, 2 to 4:30 p.m., can get a seat on a reserved bus for $15. Mail checks, payable to Waltham RH (including names attending) to Waltham RH, P.O. Box 540114, Waltham, MA 02454-0114, or bring to The Tea Leaf, 487 Moody St. Information: 781-891-1900; www. spiritofamerica.mdw.army.mil/index.html. SUMMER LUNCH The Waltham Boys & Girls Club 2008 Summer Foods Service Program runs June 30-Aug. 29, Monday through Friday, at MacDonald Spray Park/Playground (open site), Newton Street; 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; Fitch School Playground (open site), Ash Street; 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Waltham Boys & Girls Club (registration required), 20 Exchange St., 12:45 to 1:30 p.m.; Chester Brook Housing Unit (registration required), Lexington Street; 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.; Camp Hale (registration required), Westwood, noon to 12:30 p.m. All youth 18 years old and under. Information: 781-893-6620. FARMERS’ MARKET The Waltham Farmers’ Market, in the Sovereign Bank parking lot, 1 Moody St., is held rain or shine, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., through Nov. 1. Nine free one-hour concerts at 11 a.m., with Steve Taddeo and His Swing Senders and their Big Band sound on Aug. 30 (Sept. 6 rain date). Informa tion: 781-894-0357; 781-899-6230; www.waltham-community.org/FarmersMarket.html. NEWTON FARMERS’ MARKET The Newton Farmers’ Market runs Fridays, 1:30 to 6 p.m., at the American Legion Post 440, 295 California St.; and Tuesdays, 1:30 to 6 p.m., at Cold Spring Park, 1200 Beacon St. On sale will be fruits, vegetables, turkey pies, beef, fresh fish, goat cheese, cider, jams and jellies, breads, pies, cookies, ice cream, plants and flowers. Special events are featured each week. The farmer’s market will be open through the end of October. Information: 617-796-1525. WALTHAM DAY Waltham Day on the Common will be held rain or shine Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Waltham Common. This is a free fun filled day for all ages and volunteers are needed. Organizations - civic, school or religious - looking to fulfill a community service are welcome. The deadline for the application for vendors or non-profits interested in setting up a table for the event is Aug. 15. Information: 781-314-3102.SALES/FAIRS/FUNDRAISERS GOLF TOURNAMENT The Waltham YMCA is having it’s annual golf tournament on Thursday, Sept. 25, at Stow Country Club. Registration begins at 8 a.m., with a 9 a.m. start. There are many ways you can support the YMCA through this tournament: play or become a sponsor. Information: www.ymcaboston.org/waltham. HEIRLOOMS Gore Place is offering heirloom flower bulbs for sale. Information: www.goreplace.org/bulb-sale.htm. Orders must be placed by Sept. 1. Bulbs will be available for pick-up starting Oct. 4. MAKING STRIDES Join the American Cancer Society in the fight against breast cancer at its 16th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5-mile walk Sunday, Oct. 5, at the DCR Hatch Memorial Shell. Registration and rolling start 8 to 10 a.m. Information: www.cancer.org/stridesonline; 1-800-ACS-2345. SUPPLIES FOR TROOPS Waltham VFW Post 2152 and Ladies Auxiliary will be collecting donations to send to our soldiers in Iraq - Master Sgt. Kathrine Ortaga, Sgt. Chris Physic, Spc. Jeremy Bray, Spc. Paul Briggs, Spc. Daniel Fernandez, Maater Sgt. Kathrine Ortaga and 2Lt. Ryan Galluzzo. Items: www.carepackageproject.com. Information: 781-894-9243. OPERATION SOLDIER Operation American Soldier is collecting items or donations for shipping costs. Soldiers have requested the following items: candy, cookies (small packages), snacks, microwave popcorn, powdered drink singles, socks (crew), T-shirts, toiletries (unscented), feminine products, blank note cards, playing cards, DVDs & CDs. We need help packing boxes, paperwork and more. Information: 617-504-0532. BOOKS TO SOLDIERS Got Books can send someone who is currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces overseas a care package full of books. To submit the name and address, visit www.GotBooks.com/troops. Got Books provides all books and also handles and pays for all labor and shipping costs. Information: www.GotBooks.com; 978-396-6026.FAMILIES/CHILDREN/TEENS I TO I I to I: A Cooperative Playgroup for families with young children, run by parents, is offering a free trial session Thursday, Sep. 4, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., at 375 Lexington St., Waltham. Pre-register/information: 781-207-0371; www.walthamplaygroup.org. TIME FOR PARTNERS Register now for Time for Partners, Arts in the Parks Children’s Enrichment Classes in art and music …

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Brown calls for EU unity over Russia

LONDON, England (AP) — European countries should adopt a united energy policy to avoid becoming too dependent on Russia, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said in an article published Sunday.

Brown said European Union nations should use our collective bargaining power rather than seek separate energy deals with Russia.

Without urgent action we risk sleepwalking into an energy dependance on less stable or reliable partners, Brown wrote in The Observer newspaper.

Russia’s military campaign against neighbor Georgia this month — and its continuing presence there in defiance of international opinion — has alarmed European leaders with the prospect of a newly assertive Moscow.

Russia supplies the EU with about a third of its oil and about two-fifths of its natural gas, and can literally turn off the tap if it chooses.

found here.