Custom Loop

Dear Forum

I have been searching the net and WP documentation and forum for a week and I still haven’t found a solution to my problem. Some solutions have come close but not enough.

I would like to have a custom loop so that my front page shows the latest article from Category X, followed by the latest article from Category Y. No other posts need be shown on the front page. I then have two lists (outside the loop) with 5 top rated and 5 most read posts. All this needs not affect the archives page where I want all posts shown by month.

If anyone can assist with a custom wp-query or loop hack I would be extremely appreciative.

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