Williams unaware of powerful display

Serena Williams blazed a trail of destruction around Centre Court on Thursday and then admitted she had not been aware she was doing it.

The four-time Wimbledon champion has been improving through the rounds at SW19 this year and produced her best performance to date in her semi-final win over the highly-fancied Victoria Azarenka. The 30-year-old will meet Agnieszka Radwanska in the final - who beat Angelique Kerber in straight sets.

Williams sent down an All England Club record 24 aces and hit 45 winners, but said afterwards: "During the match I didn't think I was serving that well. I had no idea I had served that many aces. I was thinking maybe 10. I was just trying to do the best I could do."

Williams was brash, brutal and brilliant all at the same time - her booming "come on" after she broke Azarenka's serve in the second set echoing around the arena for some time, with the majority of those watching left awestruck.

When it was put to her that she was "slamming" her way around the court, she replied: "I didn't realise I was slamming. Maybe I didn't play the same match that people saw. Maybe I need to watch the film. I didn't realise, I was just trying to do well."

Only 5 weeks after 1st-round exit at French Open, Serena Williams reaches 7th Wimbledon final

Fired Fla. Lifeguard Offered Job Back, Says No

The Florida lifeguard who was fired after leaving his post to help rescue a swimmer outside his zone was offered his job back but has decided not to take it.

Tomas Lopez said he was offered an apology and the chance to return to work, but that he would prefer to pursue other opportunities instead.

"It's not out of spite or anything like that," Lopez said. "It's not I dislike the company. It's just I'd rather continue on in my life, finish my schooling, and get on with my life. And find another job."

Jeff Ellis, head of the company that provides lifeguarding services at Hallandale Beach, said Lopez was fired too quickly, and that no area of the beach was left unattended while he went to assist a distressed swimmer, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

"I am of the opinion that the supervisors acted hastily," Ellis told the newspaper.

SC governor, Commerce Department to market SC as aerospace hub at sales show in London

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The governor and Commerce Department officials will attend an international air show in London next week to market South Carolina to Boeing Co. suppliers, in hopes they’ll locate in the state as Boeing ramps up production in North Charleston, the state commerce secretary said Thursday.

Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt called the Farnborough International Air Show in London the biggest marketing event of the year for his agency and the state’s regional economic development alliances. About 50 meetings have been lined up with companies that supply aircraft materials, one-third of those with Gov. Nikki Haley, he said.

Oprah Buys Father’s Barbershop, Ignites Family Feud

A Winfrey family feud is brewing, involving talk show maven Oprah (pictured right), her dadVernon (pictured left), and his estranged wifeBarbara, reports Radar Online.

Child Trafficking Arrests: China Police Detain Over 800, Rescue 181 Children In Nationwide Sting

Raul Lopez Dead: Los Angeles Cook Allegedly Gunned Down For Slow Service

Police in California released surveillance footage on Tuesday showing two suspects in the alleged murder investigation of a cook shot dead for his supposed slow service.

Raul Lopez, shot dead after a dispute over slow restaurant service escalated to gunfire.

Raul Lopez died Friday night after being gunned down at Hoagies And Wings in Sherman Oaks.

Authorities say that the incident took place around 11 p.m., when five men reportedly became irate over the wait for their order. Reports indicate that the men yelled racial slurs at Lopez, who picked up a chair and escorted the men out of the restaurant. When Lopez turned his back to resume his work, one of the men fired a semi-automatic weapon at his torso, according to police.