Lionel Messi Wins FIFA Ballon d’Or 2012 World Footballer of the Year Award

Lionel Messi, Barcelona's diminuitive forward, has won the Ballon d'Or as the Argentine matched Michel Platini as only the second player win three successive awards.

Barcelona's 24 year-old Argentina striker beat team-mate Xavi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo to the title of the world's best player.

Messi, man of the match in the Champions League final in 2011, also won the Primera Division, Spanish Supercopa, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup last year.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and Xavi both paid tribute to Messi.

Ferguson said Messi could now be judged alongside the greats of world football through the ages, even though he is still only 24.

"Critics have always questioned whether players like Pele from the 50s could play today," said Ferguson.

FC Barcelona have dominated the proceedings at the annual FIFA Ballon D’Or awards, with Lionel Messi winning the title for the third year in succession. Pep Guardiola claimed the Coach of the Year award while the FIFPro team of the year contained no less than five Barcelona players. As if that wasn’t enough, Xavi rounded off the podium for the Ballon D’Or in third place with his partner in crime Andres Iniesta in fourth.

Star-divide

Lionel Messi will rightly grab the headlines for this magnificent achievement; it is hard to believe that he is only 24. This is his fifth successive year on the podium, and a record-equalling third Ballon D’Or. At this point, it seems inconceivable that the Argentine will not go on to set the bar so high it may never be passed, time is on his side, and with his teammates by his side, he has the perfect platform to further improve. After all, he "only" received 47% of the vote!

Amongst all the jubilation for Messi and Guardiola, one cannot help but feel aggrieved that Xavi was not at least second. His efforts over the past year have been pivotal to Barcelona’s success, although he is unfortunate to live in the same era as Messi and Ronaldo. The Real Madrid forward may not be to everyone’s liking, but he is a superb player operating at a similar level to Lionel Messi, at least in terms of goal-scoring. He is working on his teamwork, his side is getting better and if Real go on to success in the remainder of the season, he might reclaim the title from Messi in 2013. That is not a thought I wish to entertain at the moment, especially after finding out Pep enjoys a bit of James Blunt...

It is time for Barcelona to celebrate, but it is also time to look forward. They are enjoying this feeling of success, and the level of respect they command is simply unreal, but these awards have to earned on the pitch. Judging by the derby match at the weekend, there is plenty of work to be done away from the Camp Nou, and the next month or so will be the most important of Guardiola’s reign. This is where we learn what this team is made of.

@@@...12-year-old girl who blogged cancer fight has died

A Southern California girl who became a nationally recognized face of child cancer with a blog that chronicled her fight against brain tumors has died. Jessica Joy Rees was 12 years old.

Jessica's family announced her death on her Facebook page, stating that her 10-month battle with brain cancer ended Thursday. Tens of thousands of people responded by posting updates to the page in a show of support that includes "likes" and prayers.

By Friday afternoon the outpouring surpassed Jessica's goal to get one "like" for each of the estimated 50,000 American children with cancer.

The Orange County seventh-grader, called "Jessie" by family and friends, began her blog and Facebook page after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in March. A second tumor was discovered in September.

While some of her posts discussed her struggles as she underwent radiation and chemotherapy treatments, others urged readers in dozens of countries to support pediatric cancer research and to pray for other children with the illness.

She always signed her posts with the acronym "NEGU" (NEE'-goo), short for "never ever give up."

Also, she and her parents started The NEGU Foundation, a nonprofit organization to raise awareness of pediatric cancer, support sufferers and raise money for research.

The foundation sold and provided thousands of "JoyJars" stuffed with candy and toys to sick children. More than 3,000 were sold and distributed in 27 states last year, according to the NEGU website.

After her diagnosis, Rancho Santa Margarita youngster received tickets to "American Idol" and arrived with signs that read "NEGU Casey" to support contestant Casey Abrams, the Orange County Register (http://bit.ly/yJwyF3) reported.

Co-host Ryan Seacrest also allowed her to announce country singer, and eventual winner, Scott McCreery.

Jessica wrote on Facebook that her mission was "to encourage kids fighting cancer to Never Ever Give Up by spreading hope, joy and love. A cheerful heart is great medicine."

A celebration service was scheduled for Wednesday at the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, where her father, Erik Rees, is a pastor.

Ana Venegas

In this April 13, 2011 photo, Stacey Rees, right, tries to keep daughter Jessica upbeat as they get ready to take a limousine ride to an "American Idol" taping in Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. Jessica Joy Rees, 12, who started a blog and a Facebook page to raise awareness about child cancer has died of brain tumors. Her family says Jessica died Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012 after a 10-month battle with cancer. Jessica Rees began her blog after she became sick in March. Her Internet posts described her feelings and urged her readers to pray for other children with cancer. (AP Photo/Orange County Register, Ana Venegas) MAGS OUT; LOS ANGELES TIMES OUT

he Jennifer Aniston Picture Pages

Inside Jennifer Aniston, Justin Theroux's Sexy Ski Vacation..(Hot news)

Baby, it’s cold outside!

Despite the chilly temps, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux kept things hot in Colorado for the first week of 2012! A source tells Us Weekly the duo vacationed in a 13,300 square foot private residence in the Mountain Village outside the town of Telluride — where they were first spotted Dec. 31.

PHOTOS: Why 2011 was Jen’s best year ever

“They had a group of friends [that left] Monday,” the source tells Us. “Justin and Jen [stayed] until Thursday. They had a ski instructor every day.”

PHOTOS: Jen and Justin’s matching style

“[Jennifer] gets up [and] goes skiing,” adds the source. “Pretty much [she's] camped out at the house, keeping a low profile.”

PHOTOS: 2011′s hottest hookups

Another source tells Us that Aniston, 42, and pal Chelsea Handler took a ski lesson together.

American Space Exploration Leadership -- Why and How

As we flip the calendar to 2012, we get the first blast of space news, and the resurgent relevance of human space exploration.  China just announced plans to lead humanity in to the moon and beyond, the tail of their comet a strong defense mindset.  The Chinese challenge comes at a time of a dangerous convergence, the international debt crisis and a contentious, highly consequential presidential election. In short, 2012 is an inflection year -- the year we will and must decide whether the U.S. has the will and ability to lead the world in human space exploration.  For me, I am betting we do -- and here is how I suggest we begin.

In 1969, Neil Armstrong and I walked on the moon.  Shortly thereafter, I participated in work on the "next generation of space transportation systems." Without getting too technical, my strong tendency was to support a two-stage reusable launch system, with crew only in the second stage, allowing a first stage to return to Earth unmanned.  This seemed both efficient and safer than the alternatives.  I found myself on the minority side of the discussion, and relented.  Over the past forty years, I have had multiple of occasions to regret that decision.  We are now at another turning point -- and this time, we must resolve to do it right.

In short, to make a real difference -- from an exploration, science, national security and international leadership perspective -- our Nation needs to commit to seeking a permanent presence on Mars.  This idea has already been widely supported by leaders in both political parties -- and seems central to the vision many Americans have for the country. While the goal uniquely protects U.S. leadership in space exploration, provides insurance for our national security, uniquely presses the envelope of science, and is certain to trigger a fusillade of economic opportunities here on Earth, there are big questions that loom -- and now compel answers.  Specifically, two questions leap off the page: When and how. If China's ambitions help create new urgency, the how becomes central.

Space architectures capable of supporting a permanent human presence on Mars are extraordinarily complex, with many different interdependent systems. It is too much information for one short article. But for now, I want to focus on just one element: crew transportation systems.

From the outside looking in, we have two competing programs to provide Crew transportation to space -- the NASA's MPCV and a variety of possible private Commercial Crew Transport Systems.  We only need one.  As we crystallize the country's level of commitment -- what we can afford and how we make the move to action from theoretical agreement to go forward, there are big reasons to make the commercial sector an engine of action.  The U.S. government would then become a purchaser of crew transportation from the U.S. commercial sector, the same way we are currently purchasing launches today from Russia.  The MPCV should evolve to become a dedicated exploration system. Initially, it may work in concert with commercial crew systems.

But NASA is critical to success and always will be.  Chris Kraft has pointed out that we already have a fairly robust set of launch vehicles being provided by the commercial sector.  So, in this area, we do not need the government competing to develop another launch vehicle.  One could -- on another day -- even discuss whether we need a 130 metric ton launch vehicle, but assuming we do, the U.S. launch industry is capable of building a vehicle capable of such lift reasonably soon.  After all, only four years were needed for the U.S. space launch industry to develop EELV.  Likewise, Falcon 9 was developed in a little more than seven years.

No, NASA's role is more important that simple lift to orbit.  NASA needs to focus on the things that are really important, and that we do not know how to do.  The agency is a pioneering force, and that is where its competitive advantage lies.  While the list is long of what we do not yet know how to do in the private sector, two things stand out as critical path technologies.

Interestingly, both needs are defined by one scientific fact:  The vast majority of mass required to get to Mars is contained in propellants.  Think about it.  The physics of the effort dovetail with common sense.  You need propellants to accelerate toward Mars, then to decelerate at Mars, again to re-accelerate from Mars to Earth, and finally to decelerate back at Earth.  Accordingly, the mass of these required propellants, in short, drives our need for innovative launch vehicles.

@@@ Benji Madden Takes His New Girl Out For A Spin!

Nice ride! Nice guy! Just … niiiiiiice!

Benji Madden was spotted out and about yesterday with his new girlfriend, Brit singer Eliza Doolittle. The Good Charlotte rocker took his lady out in style, cruising about Beverly Hills in a classic mint green Ford Galaxie.

Not too shabby!

Rocker Benji Madden and new girlfriend Eliza Doolittle take a ride in Benji's classic mint green Ford Galaxie. 23 year-old Eliza road shotgun, while Benji navigated from behind the wheel.

Read more........

@@@ Dr. Arnie Klein Auctioning Off Michael Jackson's Stuff To Get Out Of Debt!

Welcome to our sight to know about Dr. Arnie Klein Auctioning Off Michael Jackson's Stuff To Get Out Of Debt!

The once upon a time dermatologist to the stars is in deep sh*t now! He's in $12 million worth of debt!!!

Having to reportedly borrow $150,000 from Carrie Fisher to even hire a good bankruptcy lawyer, Dr. Arnie Klein is also going to such lengths as selling items from the celebs he used to medicate.

At the Bonhams & Butterfields auction later this month, the hat that hid Michael Jackson when he exited a hospital burn unit will go up for $10,000.

MJ isn't the only one he got priceless items from, though. He'll also be auctioning off Elizabeth Taylor's eighth wedding invitation for $350 and Carrie's Princess Leia wig for $200.

Obviously this isn't even near enough to help him get out of his massive debt, but it's a start.

Always good to see people trying, we guess…

From chauffeured Bentleys and mansions to foreclosure and insolvency: The dramatic fall of Jacko's dermatologist

He lived a life of luxury, splitting time between three multimillion dollar mansions, driving Bentleys, and enjoying friendships with Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Jackson.But now dermatologist Dr Arnold Klein is bankrupt, his extravagant homes are in foreclosure – and he faces questions about his professional conduct leading up to Jackson’s death.

The man once dubbed the ‘dermatologist to the stars’ has even been forced to auction off presents given to him from famous friends to pay his debts, the L.A. Times reports.He has also had to turn to the celebrities themselves, such as actress Carrie Fisher, who paid the doctor $150,000 for a bankruptcy lawyer, according to court documents.Business dwindled following the death of his long-term friend and client Michael Jackson.