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Total 100 articles, created at 2016-07-18 12:01 1 Baton Rouge Police Officers Ambushed, Three Dead and Three Wounded

(3.04/4) While responding to a call early this morning, six police officers in Baton Rouge were shot in an ambush killing three of them and... 2016-07-18 09:58 1KB spectator.org 2 Colombian Jarlinson Pantano wins Tour's Stage 15

(1.08/4) Colombian Jarlinson Pantano outsprinted Rafal Majka of Poland to win yesterday's 15th stage of the Tour de France 2016-07-18 09:59 1KB www.mid-day.com 3 Social media star strangled in Pakistan, brother confesses to ‘honor killing,’ has ‘no (1.02/4) regrets’ — RT News Pakistani social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch has been strangled to death by her brother, who eventually admitted to having committed the crime. The young woman’s posts defied tradition in Pakistan and defended liberal views. 2016-07-18 12:00 3KB www.rt.com 4 ADB says developing Asian economies to grow 5.6 % in 2016 MANILA, Philippines — The Asian Development Bank has cut its (1.02/4) 2016 growth projection for developing economies in Asia and the Pacific to 5.6 percent, down from its earlier forecast of 5.7 2016-07-18 12:00 1KB business.inquirer.net 5 DA ‘invites’ IEC to take action against Joburg ads that ‘endorse Tau’

(1.00/4) The Democratic Alliance (DA) appeared to put the Electoral Commission of (IEC) on notice to act on its complaint about taxpayers’ money seemingly being used for electioneering. 2016-07-18 12:00 2KB www.timeslive.co.za 6 Fire Faith and suspend Hlaudi‚ DA urges ANC

(1.00/4) The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Wednesday greeted the African National Congress’ (ANC) about-turn on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) “with much scepticism”. 2016-07-18 12:00 3KB www.timeslive.co.za 7 Vijender Singh: It's just the beginning... I will get tougher fights now

(0.01/4) After beating Australian Kerry Hope for WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight title in New Delhi on Saturday, Vijender Singh promises better things as he prepares to test deeper waters of professional boxing 2016-07-18 09:48 4KB www.mid-day.com 8 Of the People Americans share their hopes, fears and frustrations in interviews from the campaign trail. 2016-07-18 12:00 1KB www.nytimes.com 9 18 still critical after French truck attack: minister French Health Minister Marisol Touraine said Sunday that 18 people were still in critical condition, including one child, after the truck massacre in Nice that killed 84. 2016-07-18 12:00 1KB www.timeslive.co.za 10 Success against deadly drug-resistant TB in rural KZN Tugela Ferry is a remote KZN district of 180‚000 people that became infamous in 2006. Here it was discovered that 53 people had contracted a type of tuberculosis (TB) that was resistant to most anti-TB medicines. 2016-07-18 12:00 4KB www.timeslive.co.za 11 Nice truck attacker recently radicalized, French PM says, as 2 more arrested over massacre — RT News The driver who killed at least 84 people in Nice had recently been radicalized, according to French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, who says the attack was of an “Islamist nature.” Meanwhile, two more people have been arrested in connection with the tragedy. 2016-07-18 12:00 3KB www.rt.com 12 ANC in KZN puts forward ‘best of the best’ as mayoral candidates The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal is confident that the women and men put forward as mayoral candidates in the province can lead them to a decisive victory. 2016-07-18 12:00 4KB www.timeslive.co.za 13 DA asks SCA to deny petitions from ‘Hlaudi and his band of protectors’ “and his band of protectors now need to abandon this abuse of our judicial system and taxpayers’ money”‚ the Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Tuesday. 2016-07-18 12:00 2KB www.timeslive.co.za

14 Opinion: How Malema dumped Mugabe when the tide turned 's support for suffering Zimbabweans betrays his duplicity after marching with Mugabe and Chavez, writes Gareth van Onselen 2016-07-18 12:00 3KB www.timeslive.co.za 15 Unions not liable if political party interferes in protected strike‚ lawyers say When a political party intervenes in a strike‚ any concerns which the employer has must be raised with the political party and not with the trade unions or employees. 2016-07-18 12:00 3KB www.timeslive.co.za 16 Russian revolution icon, cruiser Aurora, makes spectacular comeback in St. Petersburg (VIDEO, PHOTO) — RT News The Russian Navy’s “Ship #1,” the legendary cruiser Aurora, which is the symbol of the Great Socialist Revolution of October 1917, has returned to the Petrogradskaya embankment of St. Petersburg after a two-year renovation. 2016-07-18 12:00 3KB www.rt.com 17 SABC is ‘losing face’, says Democratic lawyers association One is left with an unshakable and frightening impression that the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is facing serious operational challenges and losing face as an independent voice‚ says the National Association of Democratic Lawyers (NADEL). 2016-07-18 12:00 2KB www.timeslive.co.za 18 Fransman miffed about learning his ‘sexual harassment’ fate via the media African National Congress (ANC) leader in the Western Cape Marius Fransman is outraged at the way his own party’s integrity committee handled a complaint of sexual harassment against him. 2016-07-18 12:00 2KB www.timeslive.co.za 19 Plenty of cash, not enough competent people in municipalities: Transforming municipalities to function as efficient institutions will take a number of generations to achieve‚ Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan told the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Rosebank on Tuesday. 2016-07-18 12:00 2KB www.timeslive.co.za 20 Itu Khune's bae flaunts her bootylicious bikini body Itu Khune's bae, Sbahle Mpisane is currently on holiday and has been posting pics of her trip. 2016-07-18 12:00 987Bytes www.timeslive.co.za

21 'We weren't really effective' in Western Cape, admits ANC's Ehrenreich The leader of the opposition in the Cape Town City Council and the province's Cosatu secretary, Tony Ehrenreich, has conceded that he led an ineffective opposition in the council. 2016-07-18 12:00 2KB www.timeslive.co.za 22 When President Zuma endorsed his daughter’s TV show Five years ago‚ Gugulethu Zuma-Ncube would have struggled to say that she “can’t help who my parents are”. Especially not after her dad had taken to social media to punt the premiere of her new show at the time. 2016-07-18 12:00 2KB www.timeslive.co.za 23 Lorna Maseko's messy divorce announcement at awards show Various media outlets are reporting that Top Chef SA host Lorna Maseko last night confirmed her divorce while presenting an award on stage. 2016-07-18 12:00 2KB www.timeslive.co.za 24 Super Rugby quarterfinal lineup complete after Saturday's matches A second-string Lions team failed to gain a point against the Jaguares in Argentina late on Saturday night meaning they finished as second seeds on the overall Super Rugby standings. 2016-07-18 12:00 3KB www.timeslive.co.za 25 600 tons of ballot papers to be printed: IEC Approximately 74-million ballot papers will be printed for the upcoming Local Government Elections. 2016-07-18 12:00 1KB www.timeslive.co.za 26 Orlando Pirates release Soweto derby dates and other plans as PSL dithers Orlando Pirates have jumped the gun and revealed when the two league Soweto Derbies will be played this season as the Premier Soccer League (PSL) dithers over releasing the official fixtures. 2016-07-18 12:00 2KB www.timeslive.co.za 27 Huge fire at hotel in Mecca (VIDEOS, PHOTOS) — RT News A hotel in Mecca is engulfed in flames, local media report. Multiple photos and videos of the huge fire have been posted online. 2016-07-18 12:00 1KB www.rt.com 28 Canadian priest charged for gambling away $400,000 of refugee aid — RT News A priest in London, Canada, has been charged with fraud for allegedly stealing and gambling away some US$400,000 (C$500,000) collected by his parish for refugee aid. 2016-07-18 12:00 2KB www.rt.com 29 Gender dispute rumbles as Semenya goes for gold South Africa's Caster Semenya is back and vowing to win an Olympic gold medal that could reignite the complex biological and ethical gender storm that once engulfed her life. 2016-07-18 12:00 4KB www.timeslive.co.za 30 Mokoena determined to add triple jump medal to his 2008 long jump silver After clinching a silver medal in the long jump at the 2008 Olympics Games in Beijing‚ South African star jumper Khotso Mokoena has now set his eyes on a medal in the triple jump in Rio de Janeiro. 2016-07-18 12:00 3KB www.timeslive.co.za 31 SABC board chair stung by ANC’s scathing criticism The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) takes “serious exception” to insinuations that its managers are neither properly educated nor qualified to run the state broadcaster. 2016-07-18 12:00 3KB www.timeslive.co.za 32 The Big Read: When will Zuma and Co stop gambling with our money? Who pays for all this stuff? Last Monday Icasa ordered the SABC to withdraw its decision to ban the showing of violent protests and the destruction of property during protests on its news bulletins. 2016-07-18 12:00 5KB www.timeslive.co.za 33 The ugly truth must be told The International Aids Conference starts today, Mandela Day. And no one is working harder for it than the government. That's a very thing. 2016-07-18 12:00 5KB www.timeslive.co.za 34 Unlocking secrets of the galaxies from the Karoo South Africa’s MeerKAT radio telescope has discovered 1300 galaxies in a tiny sliver of the universe where only 70 were known before. 2016-07-18 12:00 3KB www.timeslive.co.za

35 State employee who offered bribe still has his job The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) employee who was captured on hidden camera selling a driver’s licence to a client‚ was still working at the Randburg Licensing Department‚ two weeks after GroundUp exposed that he solicited bribes. 2016-07-18 12:00 3KB www.timeslive.co.za 36 Scotch on the rocks The Americanisation of British culture appears to have reached a new and totemic milestone. 2016-07-18 12:00 1KB www.timeslive.co.za 37 Bulls feel foolish at tossing bonus away While the Lions, Stormers and the Sharks can look forward to the Super rugby quarterfinals, Nollis Marais and his Bulls charges can only sit back and ask: What if we had not dropped the bonus points against the Rebels and the Reds? 2016-07-18 12:00 2KB www.timeslive.co.za 38 Olympians want Russians banned in Rio Olympic organisers will face overwhelming pressure to ban the entire Russian team from Rio 2016 with a report into the country's state-sponsored doping likely to show corruption across a range of sports. 2016-07-18 12:00 2KB www.timeslive.co.za 39 Elton John loses bid to keep sexual harassment case under wraps Internationally renowned singer and song writer Sir Elton John has lost a four-month legal battle to prevent the reporting of claims that he sexually harassed a male employee. According to a 2016-07-18 12:00 3KB entertainment.inquirer.net 40 STI breaches P1B profit mark TANCO-led private school network operator STI Holdings hit the P1-billion earnings milestone at the end of its fiscal year ending March, gaining from an increase in student population and improved 2016-07-18 12:00 2KB business.inquirer.net 41 Historians claim Vietnam’s sovereignty over Paracels, Spratlys Vietnam's central city of Danang’s Historical Association has called on the public to donate memorabilia and documents for the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Museum from July until January 19, 2016-07-18 12:00 5KB globalnation.inquirer.net 42 Vietnam rejects Chinese passports with nine-dash line Vietnamese border officials are refusing to stamp new Chinese passports featuring the nine-dash line that represents China's claim on most of the South China Sea. According to a report 2016-07-18 12:00 2KB globalnation.inquirer.net 43 NBA: Phil Jackson suggests 4-point line, 30-second shot clock The “Zen Master” has spoken and he wants a field goal worth four points. In an interview with Charley Rosen of Today’s Fastbreak, Phil Jackson expressed some surprising notions on how to 2016-07-18 12:00 3KB sports.inquirer.net 44 Former Australian Leader Wants Nomination for UN Top Job Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is making a late bid for the top United Nations job, after months of cross-crossing the world in low-key lobbying for government support. Rudd had requested that the Australian government take the crucial step of formally nominating him to succeed... 2016-07-18 12:00 3KB abcnews.go.com 45 Phil. Seven nets P472M LEADING local convenience store operator Philippine Seven Corp. grew its net profit in the first six months by 32.5 percent year-on- year to P472.3 million as election spending boosted retail sales 2016-07-18 12:00 2KB business.inquirer.net 46 Pagasa: LPA won’t affect PH A low pressure area (LPA) near Batanes has no direct effect on the country, the state weather bureau said midday Monday. The LPA was last observed 725 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, 2016-07-18 12:00 1KB newsinfo.inquirer.net 47 For 'blue-collar billionaire' Donald Trump, money's an asset "I'm the most successful person ever to run for president," the billionaire businessman has bragged, noting that he's "really rich. " 2016-07-18 12:00 5KB chicago.suntimes.com 48 TV host calls on Australian gov’t to block Muslim immigrants Sonia Kruger, an Australian TV host and a former longtime host of Australia's franchise of "Dancing with the Stars," has called on the Australian government to ban Muslims moving 2016-07-18 12:00 2KB newsinfo.inquirer.net 49 Coca's Comeback Forces Colombia to Rethink Drug War Explosives experts wearing heavy body armor light a fuse and take cover behind a concrete-reinforced trench. "Fire in the area! " a commando shouts before a deafening blast ricochets across the Andean foothills and sends a plume of brown smoke 30 meters (100 feet) high. Such drills have... 2016-07-18 12:00 7KB abcnews.go.com 50 Monsoon session of Parliament begins, Lok Sabha adjourned The monsoon session of parliament began on Monday but the Lok Sabha was adjourned shortly due to the death of Madhya Pradesh MP Dalpat Singh Paraste 2016-07-18 12:00 1KB www.mid-day.com 51 Four times Donald Trump answered Mike Pence’s questions on ’60 Minutes’ Trump uttered more than 2,160 words while Pence's word count clocked in around 900. 2016-07-18 12:00 6KB www.washingtonpost.com 52 Man grazed by bullet in North Lawndale drive-by A 24-year-old man was grazed by a bullet Sunday evening in a North Lawndale neighborhood drive-by shooting on the West Side. 2016-07-18 12:00 935Bytes chicago.suntimes.com 53 Senior S. Korean Prosecutor Arrested for Alleged Corruption A senior South Korean prosecutor has been arrested for allegedly pocketing millions of dollars following shady stock transaction deals with a leading online game maker, officials said Monday. Jin Kyung-joon, a vice ministerial-level official, was arrested and put to a detention facility on... 2016-07-18 12:00 2KB abcnews.go.com 54 Mumbai: KEM asks students from socially backward classes to pay up tuition fee KEM has sent notices to 60 students from socially backward classes to pay up their tuition fee; authorities claim none of the students are poor as they get monthly stipend of Rs 50,000 2016-07-18 11:39 3KB www.mid-day.com 55 Kashmir: Mob tries to storm camp, 3 injured About two thousand additional CRPF personnel are being rushed to violence-hit Kashmir Valley even as a mob tried to storm an army camp yesterday in Bandipora district, shattering the day-long fragile peace in curfew-bound Kashmir 2016-07-18 11:02 1KB www.mid-day.com 56 12 new sites added to World Heritage List The World Heritage Committee on Sunday evening agreed to put 12 new sites on the World Heritage List before ending its 40th session in Turkey's Istanbul city 2016-07-18 10:52 1KB www.mid- day.com 57 All eyes on Theresa May The new UK Prime Minister’s moves will set the tone for what happens next on the Nifty and Sensex 2016-07-18 10:51 4KB www.mid-day.com 58 Get set for a bull run, soon If the GST Bill is tabled during this Parliament session, great times at Dalal Street will commence 2016-07-18 10:50 5KB www.mid-day.com 59 Mumbai: F-North ward held to ransom by hoodlums, rampant construction This lush green ward is slowly turning into a grey concrete jungle where heavy traffic and uncontrolled growth threaten to mar the peace 2016-07-18 10:49 3KB www.mid-day.com 60 Mumbai Diary: Monday Dossier The city — sliced, diced and served with a dash of sauce 2016-07-18 10:47 3KB www.mid-day.com 61 Cong calls for CM resignation over gang rape A 15-year-old girl was brutally raped allegedly by three men who inflicted injuries all over her body and broke her limbs before throttling her in Kopardi village in Ahmednagar district, sparking outrage as well as political slugfest with Opposition Leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil demanding the resignation of... 2016-07-18 10:47 1KB www.mid-day.com 62 AAP would have done four times more work: Arvind Kejriwal Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal yesterday said the Aam Aadmi Party government would have done a lot more work in the national capital but for the “obstacles” put up by the central government 2016-07-18 10:45 1KB www.mid-day.com 63 Arvind Kejriwal cleans dishes at Golden Temple as penance Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal cleaned utensils at a community kitchen as he and other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders performed 'sewa' (voluntary religious service) inside the Golden Temple complex here on Monday 2016-07-18 10:44 3KB www.mid-day.com

64 Now, pre-book your last rites Funeral planning agency offers citizens the opportunity to book and plan their last rites, down to the tee 2016-07-18 10:37 2KB www.mid-day.com 65 Kidney transplant racket: Two held in Gujarat The Powai police, probing the kidney transplant racket busted on July 14 at Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital, have detained two more accused involved in the case. Sources said that a team has left for Gujarat to bring these two agents to Mumbai 2016-07-18 10:29 1KB www.mid-day.com 66 Most rivers in Uttarakhand breach danger mark as rains continue Heavy rains continued to pound Uttarakhand on Monday causing most rivers to breach its danger mark, an official said 2016-07-18 10:28 1KB www.mid-day.com 67 Curfew, separatist called shutdown continue for 11th day in Kashmir Officially imposed curfew and a shutdown called by the separatists paralysed normal life for the 11th consecutive day in the Valley on Monday 2016-07-18 10:27 2KB www.mid-day.com 68 Mumbai: Man agrees to deliver gun to pay for wife's delivery, is arrested In a strange case of two different deliveries, a man desperate for money to pay for his pregnant wife’s delivery agreed to be a delivery boy for a pistol but landed behind bars in the process 2016-07-18 10:11 2KB www.mid-day.com 69 Omnicom Media Group announces Peter Horgan to replace Leigh Terry who departs for IPG APAC IPG Mediabrands has announced its new APAC CEO as former Omnicom Media Group ANZ CEO Leigh Terry. 2016-07-18 10:07 1KB www.thedrum.com 70 5 Deeply Regressive Ideas In The Modern Green Movement The Sierra Club published a 37-page report this week attacking presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump for his "regressive" views on global warming. The Daily Caller News Foundation decided to exa 2016-07-18 09:59 7KB dailycaller.com

71 Vigil Planned Sunday for Texas Dad And Son Killed In Nice Terrorist Attack A candlelight vigil is planned for Sunday night for the father and his 11-year-old son from Texas who were killed in the Nice attack. A fundraising campaign created on Friday has already raised more t 2016-07-18 09:59 2KB dailycaller.com 72 Republican Senator: Purge Trump Supporters From GOP Arizona Republican senator and prominent Donald Trump critic Jeff Flake believes the GOP must purge the presumptive nominee's supporters after the election in order to survive. In an interview with 2016-07-18 09:59 2KB dailycaller.com 73 Baidu to pay $437 million for a majority stake in A. C. Milan Chinese internet business Baidu is reportedly paying $437 million for a 70 per cent stake in A. C. Milan. 2016-07-18 10:05 1KB www.thedrum.com 74 Venezuelan Crisis Could End In One Of Five Ways Venezuela is facing devastating dual economic and political crises, which could likely end in one of five ways. Venezuela Has A Presidential Recall Election Members of the Venezuelan conservati 2016-07-18 09:59 4KB dailycaller.com 75 DC Restaurant Turns Speed Camera Tickets Into Free Meal Washington, D. C., is issuing over half a million speed camera tickets a year, but a restaurant owner is turning the bureaucratic nightmare into discounts and free meals for frustrated drivers. Mic 2016-07-18 09:59 3KB dailycaller.com 76 Rep Did 'Special Favors' For Lobbyist Wife Won't Be Punished The U. S. House Committee on Ethics announced Friday that the chairman of another committee gave his lobbyist wife inappropriate access to his staff and "special favors" in her lobbying efforts for 2016-07-18 09:59 2KB dailycaller.com

77 Mumbai: Crime on rail premises cut down by half GRP officers claims intelligent use of manpower, social networking apps and cooperation from commuters is helping them keep criminals at bay 2016-07-18 09:56 1KB www.mid-day.com 78 British Open: Henrik Stenson leads Phil Mickelson in finale Overnight leader Henrik Stenson maintained a one-shot lead over Phil Mickelson as the two players started the back nine in their final round at the British Open on Sunday 2016-07-18 09:52 1KB www.mid- day.com 79 Aussies Lleyton Hewitt, Simon Gerrans out of Rio 2016 Australia's Olympic hopes were dented yesterday as road cyclist Simon Gerrans and tennis coach Lleyton Hewitt withdrew from the 2016 Rio Games 2016-07-18 09:51 1KB www.mid-day.com 80 Mumbai: Usha Khanna, last link to Cafe Samovar, passes away They came for the stimulating conversations and delectable fare, and stayed for her sunny personality 2016-07-18 09:43 2KB www.mid- day.com 81 Thane: Congress corporator claims to have killed gangster Naresh Chaddi An Ulhasnagar corporator has, in an alleged threat call to a builder, claimed to have got Naresh Aasandas Pahalajani alias Naresh Chaddi, a notorious gangster, killed 2016-07-18 09:36 3KB www.mid-day.com 82 Saurav Ghosal, Dipika Pallikal on the prowl at Otters Club Saurav Ghosal made squash history as he won men's final against Harinder Pal Sandhu in the Senior National squash championship; Dipika beats friend Joshna Chinappa are beaten for respective National titles 2016-07-18 09:32 2KB www.mid-day.com 83 Youngest Chief Minister in the country takes oath, promises the works New Chief Minister Pema Khandu said that his priority would be to complete all the important projects started by his father late Dorjee Khandu 2016-07-18 09:29 1KB www.mid-day.com 84 'Punctual' Bhuvneshwar, a perfect choice as FC chairman: Childhood coaches Team India's new coach Anil Kumble has made the right choice to appoint Bhuvneshwar Kumar as the Fines Committee chairman during the West Indies tour, insisted pace bowler's childhood coaches 2016-07-18 09:27 2KB www.mid-day.com

85 Sunil Gavaskar, the 'television journalist' meets Sania Mirza In the build-up to Rio 2016, Gavaskar is interviewing Indian Olympians and recently did a television show with tennis queen Sania Mirza 2016-07-18 09:23 1KB www.mid-day.com 86 Mumbai: Why this cattle shed in Jogeshwari is a health hazard 1,80,000 sq-ft piece of land, which is home to nearly 21 cattle sheds, has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and rodents and has raised fears of an epidemic outbreak, especially during monsoon 2016-07-18 09:19 7KB www.mid-day.com 87 Gareth Bale announces engagement to girlfriend Emma Rhys-Jones Real Madrid and Wales' ace footballer announces engagement news via Twitter after proposing to his girlfriend while on holiday in the Balearic Islands of Spain 2016-07-18 09:18 2KB www.mid-day.com 88 Probing the cosmos: Is anybody out there? From a remote valley in Northern California, Jill Tarter is listening to the universe. 2016-07-18 08:56 6KB rss.cnn.com 89 Mars Science Lab launch delayed two years NASA's launch of the Mars Science Laboratory -- hampered by technical difficulties and cost overruns -- has been delayed until the fall of 2011, NASA officials said at a news conference Thursday in Washington. 2016-07-18 08:56 4KB rss.cnn.com 90 Indian lunar orbiter hit by heat rise Scientists have switched off several on-board instruments to halt rising temperatures inside India's first unmanned lunar spacecraft. 2016-07-18 08:56 2KB rss.cnn.com 91 Shuttle Endeavour lands at California air base Space shuttle Endeavour landed safely Sunday afternoon at California's Edwards Air Force Base after NASA waved off two opportunities for a Florida landing because of poor weather. 2016-07-18 08:56 3KB rss.cnn.com 92 Trump’s Two Homers: Pence And A Promise For A Declaration of War Donald Trump hit two home runs this week. The first, immediately following the horrific terrorist truck attack in Nice, was his statement in a media interview that if elected he would ask Congress for 2016-07-18 08:55 5KB dailycaller.com 93 Schultz Plaintiff Appeal Zings Shrewish Obama Judge For Rank Bias United States District Court Judge Beryl Howell, an Obama appointee and donor, undoubtedly enjoyed herself immensely when she presided over Ed Schultz’s 2015 trial, repeatedly berating and mocking t 2016-07-18 08:55 4KB dailycaller.com 94 Failing To Modernize Nuclear Technology Is Threat To National Security On Thursday afternoon, the Armed Services and the Strategic Forces subcommittee met to discuss the status of U. S. nuclear deterrents and options to modernize the current arsenal. A panel of four te 2016-07-18 08:55 6KB dailycaller.com 95 Government reply awaited on 'Congress child' Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said that the topic of GST was not discussed at the all-party meeting held yesterday 2016-07-18 09:16 1KB www.mid-day.com 96 Doubles Thriller at CitiOpen Fifteen minutes into the match, with the score 5-0, you might be forgiven for thinking that at least you would not be... 2016-07-18 08:55 6KB spectator.org 97 America Divided Between Sitters and Standers I was never cool enough to sit at the cool kids’ table, never smart enough to sit at the nerds’ table, never bad... 2016-07-18 08:55 4KB spectator.org 98 Mike Pence’s Prescience Donald Trump’s choice of Mike Pence for vice president is a promising pick for those of us who see a restoration of sound money as... 2016-07-18 08:55 3KB spectator.org 99 Will Pence’s Obamacare Perfidy Damage Trump? One reason John Kasich was unacceptable to many conservatives as this year’s GOP standard bearer involves his acquiescence in Obamacare’s expansion of Medicaid. Many... 2016-07-18 08:55 6KB spectator.org

100 Robots Join the Thin Blue Line The surreal fact in the human tragedy in Dallas is that the sniper who murdered five police officers was not killed by another officer,... 2016-07-18 08:55 4KB spectator.org Articles

Total 100 articles, created at 2016-07-18 12:01

1 Baton Rouge Police Officers Ambushed, Three Dead and Three Wounded (3.04/4) While responding to a call early this morning, six police officers in Baton Rouge were shot in an ambush killing three of them and injuring another three. As of this writing, the condition of the wounded officers is unknown. The attack comes less than two weeks after the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling by Baton Rouge police officers. It also comes just over a week after a dozen Dallas police officers were shot, five fatally, following a Black Lives Matter protest over the shootings of Sterling and Philando Castile in Minnesota. Following the Dallas attacks, Jack Dunphy, the pen name of a LAPD police officer who writes for NRO, wrote “these attacks will surely not be the last.” It did not take long for his words to come to fruition. If these aren’t the last attacks against our police officers then surely it won’t be the last time President Obama takes another opportunity to pillory police at a funeral and claim it is easier for a teenager to buy a gun than to get a book. In which case, we are in for a very long, hot summer.

Criminal News Judgment spectator.org Baton Rouge shooting: 3 cops shot dead; one suspect held, two on the run mid-day.com

Baton Rouge Police Officers Killed In Shooting dailycaller.com 2016-07-18 09:58 Aaron Goldstein spectator.org

2 Colombian Jarlinson Pantano wins Tour's Stage 15 (1.08/4) Culoz (France): Colombian Jarlinson Pantano outsprinted Rafal Majka of Poland to win yesterday's 15th stage of the Tour de France. Jarlinson Pantano is ecstatic after his win yesterday. Pic/AFP The pair played cat and mouse in the final kilometre of 160 at the end of the mountainous stage from Bourg en Bresse to Culoz. Majka, who has won three Tour stages previously, launched his sprint first but Pantano was too quick. Race leader Chris Froome came over the line just over three minutes later alongside his main rivals. Pantano and Majka were part of an original 30-man breakaway inside the first 20km on the first of six categorised climbs. On the last categorised climb of the day, the Grand Colombier 'laces', the group was down to two with Majka dropping Pantano before the summit. The Colombian was caught by Swiss Sebastien Reichenbach, and they crested the top 24sec behind the Pole with 15km to ride. But on the descent Pantano left Reichenbach behind and caught Majka before proving strongest in the sprint.

Stage-winner Pantano: 'I've always been good' timeslive.co.za 2016-07-18 09:59 By AFP www.mid-day.com

3 Social media star strangled in Pakistan, brother confesses to ‘honor killing,’ has ‘no regrets’ — RT News (1.02/4) Baloch’s brother, Muhammad Waseem, admitted to strangling the young woman after giving her a pill to subdue her. “I have no regrets,” he told reporters at a press conference organized by police, as quoted by Reuters. Waseem said he murdered his sister because of her social media activities, including posting a video in which Baloch sits on the lap of a prominent Muslim cleric. “Qandeel Baloch has been killed; she was strangled to death by her brother. Apparently it was an incident of honor killing,” Sultan Azam, a senior police officer in Multan, told AFP. The nature of the killing has been confirmed by local security forces. The young woman had traveled with her family to the village of Muzzafarabad in central Punjab province for the Eid holiday and was murdered there on Friday, according to police. Some 100 policemen and five ambulance vehicles gathered around her house in response. “My daughter was innocent. We are innocent. We want justice. Why was my daughter killed?” Baloch’s father, Azeem Ahmad, told journalists. He added in a written complaint that his son had killed Baloch to redeem his family’s honor, as he “wanted her to quit showbiz.” Baloch’s real name was Fauzia Azeem. The 26-year-old became famous after a video of her pouting at the camera and asking “How em looking?” went viral worldwide two years ago. The young woman was known for breaking Pakistan’s social taboos, defying tradition, and defending liberal views. In her last interview, she spoke out about being married against her will at the age of 17 to “an uneducated man” with whom she had a child, adding that they had later divorced. Baloch had asked the Pakistani authorities for protection, but her request was ignored, according to Dawn media outlet. Baloch was a social media celebrity with more than 750,000 Facebook subscribers, some 51,000 followers on Instagram, and about 43,000 Twitter followers. Thousands took to her pages to express sorrow and shock following her murder. “No one has the right to take anyone’s life!” a commentator wrote, while another pointed out that murder is at odds with the Islam. “Do you realize how unIslamic nay inhumane, murder is? The power to give and take life is in the hands of God... and when measly 2 bit human beings take it upon themselves to take another’s life, it is an abomination. It is unnatural.” However, others posted insults, accusing the young woman of “immorality” and doing “each and every vulgar thing for money.” Honor killings are frequent in Pakistan, where hundreds take place every year. Most murderers aren’t punished in those cases, however, as Pakistani legislation allows the family of a victim to forgive the killer, who is very often also a relative. 'Drugged, strangled and killed Qandeel Baloch for bringing dishonour' mid-day.com 2016-07-18 12:00 www.rt.com

4 ADB says developing Asian economies to grow 5.6 % in 2016 (1.02/4) MANILA, Philippines — The Asian Development Bank has cut its 2016 growth projection for developing economies in Asia and the Pacific to 5.6 percent, down from its earlier forecast of 5.7 percent, but says their solid performances will help offset softness from the U. S. economy and near-term market shocks from Britain’s vote to exit from the European Union. READ: PH among fastest growing economies in Asean in 3 years — WB The Manila-based lender’s report released Monday says the growth forecast for 2017 of 5.7 percent made in March for developing Asian economies remains unchanged. Shang-Jin Wei, ADB’s chief economist, says the Brexit vote has affected developing Asia’s currency and stock markets but its impact on the real economy in the short term is expected to be small. He urges policy makers to remain vigilant due to tepid growth prospects in the major industrial economies. READ: PH seen to outperform Asean peers growth

ADB Says Developing Asian Economies to Grow 5.6 % in 2016 abcnews.go.com 2016-07-18 12:00 Associated Press business.inquirer.net

5 DA ‘invites’ IEC to take action against Joburg ads that ‘endorse Tau’ (1.00/4) The opposition party has taken issue with City of Johannesburg advertisements that “specifically endorse” mayor . The DA’s federal executive chairman‚ and his party’s mayoral candidate‚ Herman Mashaba‚ laid a complaint against the African National Congress (ANC) at the IEC offices in Parktown on Friday morning. “We are confident that the IEC will accede to our request‚ but if it fails or refuses to do so we will seek other legal avenues to compel adherence to the Electoral Code‚” said Selfe. Mashaba had‚ prior to opening the case‚ said the use of “millions of rand worth of taxpayer’s money…threatens the fairness of the elections and is in contravention of the Municipal Electoral Act”. The adverts‚ Selfe said later‚ state that Tau “is a great leader‚ listing an award for which he has been nominated and conclude by saying ‘clearly the City of Johannesburg is in good hands’ ”. Selfe noted that “Tau is currently the mayor of Johannesburg‚ but he is also an ANC candidate in the coming municipal election”. “Any reasonable listener would conclude that the advertisement is only aimed at influencing the outcome of the election in Johannesburg‚ by promoting the candidature of Mr Tau and the ANC‚” Selfe said‚ adding that “this is an infringement of the code”. “We are inviting the IEC to fulfil its mandate and to order the ANC to compel Tau to remove these advertisements‚” he said. “As a courtesy I yesterday wrote to the secretary-general of the ANC to alert him to his duties in terms of the code‚ and to ask him to order Tau to desist with this advertising. We are now asking the IEC do this.”

‘Joburg advertising money being used for ANC electioneering’: DA timeslive.co.za 2016-07-18 12:00 TMG Digital www.timeslive.co.za

6 Fire Faith and suspend Hlaudi‚ DA urges ANC (1.00/4) “The summoning of Communications Minister and the SABC board to Luthuli House will not solve the public broadcaster's problems‚” said the DA’s . “It is likely to result in another whitewash as evidenced by 's ‘Gupta probe’. “If the ANC is serious about fixing problems at the SABC‚ it would have at its press conference yesterday‚ called on the government to take steps that would set the SABC on a path to recovery.” Van Damme noted too that the “board does not report to Luthuli House‚ it accounts to Parliament‚ and their summoning to Luthuli House constitutes an infringement on the principle of the separation of party and state”. She said her party had complied a list of “16 things to set the SABC on a path to recovery”: - Suspend COO‚ Hlaudi Motsoeneng‚ and institute an independent and impartial disciplinary inquiry into his fitness to hold office; - Suspend the SABC’s non-executive board members and chairperson Mbulayeni Maguvhe for failing in their duties to hold the SABC’s management accountable; - Suspended acting CEO‚ and CFO of the SABC‚ James Aguma for providing financial backing for Motsoeneng’s censorship project; - Drop the disciplinary charges against the SABC staffers suspended for speaking out against Motsoeneng; - Advertise the positions of SABC COO and CFO requiring suitably qualified and impartial broadcasting professionals to head the SABC; - Allow the Portfolio Committee on Communications to interview candidates to serve as an interim board until a new board is appointed; - Provide full disclosure for the reasons for the suspension of SABC CEO Frans Matlala in November 2015; - Reverse the approval of the SABC’s revised editorial policy - which gives SABC COO total control over the public broadcaster - and conduct public consultation; - Drop the Supreme Court of Appeal petition appealing the Western Cape High Court’s decision that found that Motsoeneng’s appointment as COO was irrational and unlawful and thus set it aside; - Implement the remedial action required by the public protector; - Reverse the ban on the airing of footage of violent protests; - Reverse the ban on the reading of newspaper headlines on SABC radio and TV stations; - Reverse the canning of “The Editors” on SAFM; - Reverse the canning of “Kommentaar” on RSG; - Commit to providing equitable and fair coverage of all political parties on SABC stations ahead of the local government election; and - Fire Faith Muthambi for failing to conduct proper oversight over the SABC. Failure to implement these would mean that the words of ‚ who held Tuesday’s ANC briefing “will be nothing but hot air”‚ Van Damme said. “The ANC’s sudden awakening to the chaos at the SABC is bizarre and should be met with much scepticism considering they are on record backing Motsoeneng and much of his censorship. “Motsoeneng is because of the ANC.”

Matthews being used to turn SABC into a laughing stock: ANC timeslive.co.za 2016-07-18 12:00 TMG Digital www.timeslive.co.za

7 Vijender Singh: It's just the beginning... I will get tougher fights now (0.01/4) New Delhi: As cliched as it may sound, India's posterboy of boxing Vijender Singh was only spot-on when he blurted out "Singh is King" in front of a packed press conference after beating Australian Kerry Hope to the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight title at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex on Saturday. Indian boxer Vijender Singh poses with the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight belt after his win over Australia's Kerry Hope at Thyagaraj Sports Complex in New Delhi on Saturday Indeed, the kid from Kaluwas had grown into a king of the ring, with his 98- 92, 98-92, 100-90 victory over Hope – a first title belt by an Indian on home soil. 'This one's for India' "Finally, I have done it. I have won a title. This belt means a lot of things. It's all about hard work and dedication. This is for my country," said Vijender promising this was only the start of bigger and better things to come as he now tests the deeper waters of professional boxing having broken into the Top 15 with this victory. "This is just the beginning. My world ranking will be in the Top 15 now and I will get tougher fights in the future, but I am ready for it. I will work even more harder with my coaches and my team and we will go for it," said the 30- year-old Bhiwani boxer. It was by no means an easy outing for the 2008 Beijing Olympics bronze medal-winner and he doffed his hat to the Australian, four years his senior. "Kerry is an experienced guy. I respect him. He is a good fighter. " However, the clincher on the night had to be the intellect with which Vijender approached the fight as each round progressed with the realisation that it was getting tougher and tougher to eke out a knockout — something he is so used to having won six out of six previous pro fights through knockouts. "This was the longest fight of my career. I completed 10 rounds finally. I didn't expect it (to go to 10 rounds) but the knockout was just not happening, so I thought of taking the fight to 10 rounds and winning each round on the way," explained the former world championship medallist and No 1 in amateur Middleweight category in the past. Intelligent Viju It's this intelligence that can take Vijender a long way in the world of professional boxing, feels his support staff. "Full credit to Vijender for the intelligence with which he negotiated this fight. He did try to go in for a knockout a couple of times and we discussed it, but he quickly realised that it's no point wasting his energy in trying to knock Kerry out when he knew that he was winning his rounds any way. We spoke in between rounds and he was confident he could take it to 10 rounds and he did," said Vijender's trainer Lee Beard. Promoter Neerav Tomar of IOS said only Vijender could re-write Indian boxing history the way he did. Better than cricket "What happened today (Saturday) gave me goosebumps. It's not sunk in yet. We tend to compare the excitement in any sport in India to cricket, but I don't think cricket can come anywhere close to this," Tomar said. Finally, Vijender ensured his feet were planted firmly on the ground despite his successful rise in the world of pro boxing. When asked to rate this success with his Olympic medal, the boxer said: "I am here today because of my Olympic medal. People know Vijender Singh because of that medal. Before that no one knew me. The Olympic medal is very special for me, but having said that, this belt will have a special place too. "

Vijender Singh fighting Amir Khan will be massive: Promoter mid-day.com 2016-07-18 09:48 By Ashwin www.mid-day.com

8 Of the People Mayor Shirley Franklin started a program in the city of Atlanta in which every single student who graduated from a public school, she’d find a way to pay for their first year of college. And, after hearing my story, she took an interest in me. She gave me a job in her office and she helped me get into college. Summer came, and I didn’t go to work because I didn’t have a suit. I got a call saying, “You need to get to work,” and she had someone take me suit shopping. They took me and bought me like five different suits and said, “This is how you invest in your kids.” I’m the first person in my family to graduate from college. That is the kind of local politics I grew to love in Atlanta. National politics is more messy. But I have hope that is going to change. Photograph by Ryan Stone for The New York Times

2016-07-18 12:00 The New www.nytimes.com

9 18 still critical after French truck attack: minister While the Lions, Stormers and the Sharks can look forward to the Super rugby quarterfinals, Nollis Marais and his Bulls charges can only sit back and ask: What if we had not dropped the bonus points against the Rebels and the Reds?

2016-07-18 12:00 AFP www.timeslive.co.za

10 Success against deadly drug-resistant TB in rural KZN All but one of the patients died. Forty-four of them had been tested for HIV: all tested positive. Further research showed that people were contracting this deadly germ in health facilities: the very places they visited in order to get better. And health workers themselves were getting sick and dying of drug-resistant TB. Scientists and health activists were rightly alarmed. This extensively-drug resistant TB (or XDR TB as it is commonly called) signalled that an epidemic was emerging with deadly consequences. Until about 50 years ago‚ TB was pretty much untreatable. But then a spate of new medicines tested by the British Medical Research Council made TB curable with an effective cocktail of drugs that patients need to take for six months. The Tugela Ferry tragedy suggested we might be heading back to this pre-cure era. We still might be. But there's hope. Wonderful news was presented at the International AIDS Conference in Durban on Saturday. Professor Gerald Friedland showed how over the past decade‚ drug-resistant TB has been brought under control in Tugela Ferry. (Friedland has previously shown this in 2014‚ but he presented even more compelling data on Saturday.) There was no magic bullet. Rather‚ a combination of interventions implemented by motivated health workers and scientists appears to have done the trick. Friedland explained what was done: infection control in the area's health facilities was improved dramatically by‚ for example‚ keeping windows open‚ running fans and wearing masks. Patients with coughs‚ and who were therefore potentially infectious‚ were separated from other patients by what Friedland half-jokingly described as a new kind of health worker: cough monitors. People who had been in contact with people with XDR TB were traced and tested. The most accurate‚ albeit slow‚ type of TB testing (where the germ is grown in a culture over a period of weeks) was implemented. Resources were brought in to improve monitoring and surveillance. Instead of making hospitals the main place of TB treatment‚ people were increasingly treated in the communities where they lived. Also‚ TB and HIV were managed together: all HIV-positive patients were tested for TB‚ and all those diagnosed with the disease were immediately put onto antiretroviral treatment. The following graph shows how as the number of people on antiretrovirals increased‚ the number of XDR TB cases dropped. This is not a coincidence: antiretrovirals have been shown to be very effective at reducing the risk of HIV-positive people contracting TB. People with HIV without TB were also given a medicine called isoniazid to reduce their risk of contracting TB. The good results were not immediately apparent. The death rate from XDR TB continued to be extremely high‚ dropping from over 98% at the start of the outbreak to the still extremely high rate of 87% by 2007. 397 people were diagnosed with drug-resistant TB between 2005 and 2008‚ a large number for a small population. The worst year was 2006 when 237 people were diagnosed‚ but by 2008 it had only dropped to 135. Yet as the graph above shows‚ there was steady progress‚ and in 2011 there were fewer than 100 drug-resistant TB cases diagnosed. In 2012‚ it dropped to 41. The good results appear to be sustained since then. The rate of XDR TB cases dropped from 68 per 100‚000 people in 2006 to 12 per 100‚000 in 2015. One concern that Friedland pointed out is that the number of people becoming ill with TB (including TB that can be treated – these are the vast majority of cases) continues to be high in Tugela Ferry‚ including among HIV-negative people. This was a joint effort by scientists and health workers from the University of Kwazulu-Natal‚ American universities and the KZN government. A poster on display at the AIDS conference concludes that the drug-resistant TB epidemic in this rural area “has been stabilised and reversed.” The question now is whether this happy outcome can be replicated across the country.

2016-07-18 12:00 Nathan Geffen‚ www.timeslive.co.za

11 Nice truck attacker recently radicalized, French PM says, as 2 more arrested over massacre — RT News “ The investigation will establish the facts, but we know now that the killer was radicalized very quickly, ” Valls said in remarks published on Sunday, Reuters reports. “ The claim on Saturday morning by Islamic State [IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL] and the fast radicalization of the killer confirm the Islamist nature of this attack, ” the Prime Minister stated. A man and woman were arrested in Nice on Sunday for possible involvement, putting the total number of people detained in connection with the truck attack at seven, news agencies report, citing judiciary sources. Five of those previously detained remain in custody. Authorities have yet to determine whether 31-year-old Tunisian Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, who carried out the attack, had links to Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL), as the militant group claims. On Saturday, IS-affiliated Amaq news agency reported that Bouhlel “ was one of the soldiers of Islamic State. ” Those who knew Bouhlel reportedly told police they saw him rapidly transform from a person uninterested in religion into someone quite obsessed with it. His family confessed that Bouhlel had been seeing psychologists for several years, but maintains that he could not have been an Islamic terrorist. “ [IS] gives unstable individuals an ideological kit that allows them to make sense of their acts... This is probably what happened in Nice’s case, ” Prime Minister Valls said, elaborating on Bouhlel’s motives. The official also warned that more attacks were possible and this risk will not be easy to eliminate. “ I’ve always said the truth regarding terrorism: there is an ongoing war, there will be more attacks. It’s hard to say [this], but other lives will be lost, ” Valls said. Thursday’s truck tragedy in Nice is the third major terror act to target France in less than two years. Eighty-four people were killed and up to 200 wounded, including 10 children and teenagers, when a truck plowed through a crowd celebrating Bastille Day. Bouhlel drove along a road for two kilometers while mowing down pedestrians before being shot dead by police. Investigators revealed on Sunday that Bouhlel had been driving around the city in the truck on July 12 and 13 looking for the most effective place to carry out his attack. The state of emergency imposed across the country after last November’s Paris terror attacks was extended by three months after the tragedy. On Saturday, Bernard Cazenueve asked “patriotic citizens” to become police reservists to help out security forces. The French opposition has been less than thrilled by the appeal or the security situation in general, however, with many blaming the Interior Minister for the recent atrocities and calling on him to resign. “ Anywhere else in the world a minister with such a terrible record – 250 deaths in 18 months – would have resigned a long time ago, ” France’s National Front leader Marine Le Pen said. 2016-07-18 12:00 www.rt.com

12 ANC in KZN puts forward ‘best of the best’ as mayoral candidates Provincial chairman Sihle Zikalala unveiled the candidates for 15 mayoral posts on Tuesday – headlined by Zandile Gumede‚ who is slated to lead the Durban-based eThekwini Municipality He said the processes followed were fair and ensured that the best people were put forward for the job. “In the ANC we don't just wake up say: ‘This is a mayor.’ And you don't appoint yourself‚” he said. Three candidates were chosen by each region for the mayoral posts. These were discussed by the provincial structures before being forwarded to the party's national structures for confirmation. “You can see we’ve been serious about the people we’ve pulled in and put forward as mayors. We have ensured that we’ve come up with the best of the best. We’ve embraced the principle of unity‚ and ensured we’ve embraced continuity as a principle that guides us‚” said Zikalala. Earlier‚ KZN secretary Supa Zuma said these candidates would ensure the ANC would win – and win well. “We want to ensure that we govern all 54 municipalities and all 870 wards in KwaZulu-Natal in order to be able to expand on the great strides that we have achieved over the past 16 years since the establishment of a democratic local government. “The provincial executive committee conducted a detailed assessment of the elections campaign‚ looking closely at our strengths and weaknesses in all our 11 regions. Generally‚ we are satisfied with the pace of the campaign and are certain of decisive victory on August 3‚” he said. The candidates that were unveiled include: - eThekwini metro: Zandile Gumede‚ the party's regional chair and a councillor in Durban since 2000‚ who sits on the council's powerful executive committee; - Zululand district: Sipho Nkosi‚ a school principal who has held various positions within the ANC and teacher unions; - uMzinyathi district: Lindokuhle Ngubane‚ who has been put forward to retain her post at the council; - uThungulu district: Nonhle Mkhulisa‚ who will get a promotion from her position of deputy mayor; - iLembe district: Siduduzo Gumede‚ a so-called “Mr Fix-It” who is a councillor in the KwaDukuza municipality; - Ugu district: Tolomane Mnyayiza‚ a former advisor to the provincial legislature and the party's chairman in the Lower South Coast Region; - uMgungundlovu district: Thobekile Maphumulo‚ who has previously served as a deputy mayor and mayor of the Mkhambathini local municipality; - uThukela district: Siphiwe Mazibuko‚ who will get moved upwards from his position as a councillor on the executive committee and chief whip at the same council; - Amajuba district: Musa Ngubane‚ a community activist and medical doctor who is employed by the provincial health department and was involved in the roll-out of the National Health Insurance programme in the region; - Harry Gwala district: Mluleki Ndobe‚ who has been put forward to retain his post as mayor; - uMsunduzi local municipality: Themba Njilo‚ a businessman described as a “passionate community activist who is also an ANC member in good standing”‚ who runs drug rehabilitation centres in the area; - Newcastle local municipality: Makhosini Nkosi‚ a lawyer and an MPL who has previously worked within the municipality's legal department; - Ray Nkonyeni local municipality: Nomusa Mqwebu‚ mayor of the Hibiscus Coast local municipality‚ has been put forward to lead the brand new council; and - uMhlathuze local municipality: Mdu Mhlongo‚ is slated to retain his post as mayor.

2016-07-18 12:00 Matthew Savides www.timeslive.co.za

13 13 DA asks SCA to deny petitions from ‘Hlaudi and his band of protectors’ The party said it will pen an affidavit asking the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) to deny petitions for leave to appeal the Western Cape High Court’s setting aside of the appointment Motsoeneng as South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) chief operating officer. Theses petitions were expected from Motsoeneng‚ the SABC board and Communications Minister Faith Muthambi following Judge Dennis Davis’ dismissal earlier this year of their application for leave to appeal his judgment that found Motsoeneng’s appointment from acting to permanent COO was unlawful and irrational. “Mr Motsoeneng‚ Minister Muthambi and the SABC have been unsuccessful in almost all courts in which he has sought to keep his job‚” said the DA’s James Selfe. “Indeed the Western Cape High Court already found that the three government respondents ignored the remedial action ordered by the public protector‚ which the SCA slated is ‘irrational and unlawful’‚” he added. “To petition the SCA again on this matter is in itself irrational and a desperate attempt by the SABC and Minister Muthambi to protect a COO who has all but driven the public broadcaster into the ground.” Selfe also raised Monday’s decision by the Independent Communications Authority of SA’s (Icasa) Complaints and Compliance Committee to order the SABC to immediately withdraw the decision not to cover violent protests‚ which was attributed to Motsoeneng. “This is the latest independent body that has slated Mr Motsoeneng in his crusade to turn the SABC into his own personal fiefdom with his latest attempts to chill free speech by censoring any and all protest footage under the guise of cultivating ‘national unity’‚” he said. Motsoeneng has already indicated that the SABC will take the Icasa ruling on review. Selfe said of his party’s SCA affidavit that “while going to the courts is not the most desirable course of action‚ other remedies have proved unsuccessful”. He added that his party was “optimistic that the court will decline any petitions that will result in Mr Motsoeneng keeping his job”.

2016-07-18 12:00 TMG Digital www.timeslive.co.za

14 Opinion: How Malema dumped Mugabe when the tide turned This week the Tweet of the Week goes to @Julius_S_Malema for: We are on the side of the people of Zimbabwe,never be governed by fear. The people always win like you did in the 80's,victory is certain... — Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) July 13, 2016 The ease with which Julius Malema changes colours really is something to behold. There are political chameleons and there are political chameleons but he has all the colours of the rainbow and, at one time or another, they have all been on display. This week it was Zimbabwe’s turn. "We are on the side of the people of Zimbabwe," he tweeted to his fanatical fan base. And they responded in turn. His sentiment was retweeted about 1,400 times and liked around a thousand. Zimbabwe is in something of a crisis. That, however, is a fairly meaningless statement because, in truth, is has been in crisis for well over a decade. The country is like a storming sea. Tidal wave after wave beats away at its democratic and economic integrity and have been doing so for an age. Commanding the water is the country’s own God, President Robert Mugabe, and he has pretty much destroyed everything in sight; if not comprehensively then to the verge of collapse. Here’s another quote from Malema on Zimbabwe, from exactly a year ago, July 2015: "President Mugabe is the only leader who knows for the real change to come, Africans will have to go through the necessary pain, exactly what Zimbabweans are going through now. " It’s difficult to understand why that sentiment on longer holds true for Malema. There is much pain to be sure. Oh no, wait, it isn’t. It’s because Malema’s principled framework does not have human rights or best democratic practice at its heart, only power. And he can smell something is in the air. Best he positions himself on the right side of it. That is the way of the demagogue. Here is a delightful video clip of Malema praising Mugabe as a "the only leader who can stand up to the West". So much for being governed by fear. EFF voters are a curious bunch. Why it is they cannot see Zuma in Malema is a mystery. Malema feigns hatred for Zuma but the reality is, he has modeled himself on the man. He is just angrier. He has no consistency other than inconsistency itself. He will show you whatever face it is you wish to see; always with a smile, menacing in its apparent conviction. This is an edited extract of Gareth van Onselen's full column. Read it here on BDlive

2016-07-18 12:00 Gareth van www.timeslive.co.za

15 Unions not liable if political party interferes in protected strike‚ lawyers say Law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr was commenting on the issue of who is accountable when a political party intervenes in a protected strike. It says this issue has been settled in the decision of National Union of Food Beverage Wine Spirits and Allied Workers and others v Universal Product Network (UPN) passed by the Labour Court. In that case‚ the union had embarked on a protected strike in October 2015 after failing to reach an agreement on wages and other conditions with the employer. However‚ during the course of the strike‚ banners were displayed criticising the UPN’s holding company‚ Woolworths‚ for doing business with Israel. Also‚ members of a political party‚ the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)‚ became involved in the strike. The EFF officials visited the UPN premises demanding to negotiate with management. They also told union members to intensify the strike by targeting trucks doing deliveries‚ and entering and leaving the company’s gates. The employer went to court and claimed that the striking employees had failed to comply with the picketing rules and had committed various acts of strike-related misconduct. The union denied it was in alliance or in partnership with the EFF‚ and had no control over the EFF and its programmes. In its judgment passed in November last year‚ the Labour Court said while the court will - in appropriate circumstances - declare an initially protected strike unprotected on account of levels and degrees of violence‚ this was not a conclusion that ought lightly to be reached. Judge Andre van Niekerk said the evidence presented by the employer did not disclose that any “political” demands had been made by the union. “To the extent that the EFF has made demands of the (company) these are not demands made by the union‚ and indeed‚ the union has expressly disassociated itself from both the EFF’s conduct and its demands‚” Van Niekerk said. Aadil Patel and Stephanie Goncalves‚ the law firm’s attorneys‚ said where a political party interfered with a strike and the employer was aggrieved by such actions‚ the employer could not hold the union liable. Patel said the correct course of action was for the employer to hold the political party and its members accountable for their misconduct and institute action against them. “Therefore‚ the mere fact that a strike has taken on a political flavour cannot transform a protected strike into an unprotected one.”

2016-07-18 12:00 Ernest Mabuza www.timeslive.co.za

16 Russian revolution icon, cruiser Aurora, makes spectacular comeback in St. Petersburg (VIDEO, PHOTO) — RT News The once formidable 116-year-old battleship returned to its permanent anchorage in downtown St. Petersburg under its own power, fully operational once again, accompanied by tugboats that secured the armored vessel’s passage through the narrowly opened drawbridges along the Neva River. Thousands of viewers lined both riverbanks in the wee hours of Saturday morning to witness the arrival of the brightly illuminated warship, whose head searchlight was once again shining brightly after being out of service for at least the last 60 years. At 5 am on July 16, the vessel turned Russian naval museum took its traditional berth, which it had left on September 21, 2014 in order to undergo extensive renovations. “All the renovation work is over… The Aurora has returned to the Russian Navy,” TASS cited the Kronstadt dockyard’s press service as saying on Friday. The total cost of the renovation reportedly reached 840 million rubles ($13 million). Apart from all of its mechanisms being cleaned, greased, and painted, the cruiser’s hull is now ready to stay in the water for many years to come. The museum inside the ship is now furnished with several media spaces, modern exhibits, and 52 security cameras to prevent any intruders from coming aboard or accessing the restricted areas inside the ship. Built at the Baltic shipyard in St. Petersburg, the Diana-class first rate cruiser Aurora was launched in a ceremony in 1900, with Russian Emperor Nicholas II and members of the royal family in attendance. The Emperor named the ship after a sailing frigate that had defended Russia’s Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in the Pacific Ocean during the Crimean War (1853-56). The legendary cruiser took part in three wars and remained in service for about 40 years. The Aurora participated in the Russo-Japanese war in 1904-1905 while operating in the Pacific. The ship fought against Germany twice, during World War I and II. Aurora marked the beginning of the Bolshevik revolution on October 24 of 1917 with a blank shot from its forecastle gun, which was a signal to launch an assault on the Winter Palace, where an interim government was residing at the time. During the Siege of Leningrad, the Aurora’s turret guns were dismantled so that they could be used on the frontline. The ship itself was heavily damaged in battle and became waterlogged. Yet it was fully repaired and rebuilt immediately after the war to become an historical naval museum that has been berthed on St. Petersburg’s Petrogradskaya embankment over the past 70 years.

2016-07-18 12:00 www.rt.com

17 SABC is ‘losing face’, says Democratic lawyers association “It is for this reason that NADEL‚ as a human’s right organisation‚ cannot remain silent‚” said the organisation’s spokesman Memory Sosibo on Thursday. “Independent media stands as one of the crucial guardians of Democracy as it is able to foster an effective‚ accountable and responsive government. It gives a voice to the voiceless and brings matters of importance into public knowledge which allows for meaningful political participation. In order for the SABC to remain effective it needs to maintain its independence and more so to be seen as independent.” NADEL voiced its concerns against the backdrop of the state broadcaster resolving not the air footage of violent protests and the suspension of three senior journalists for disagreeing with management instructions to not report protests against it by civil rights group Right2know. “Perhaps what is more alarming is the resignation of the SABC’s acting chief executive officer‚ Jimi Mathews‚” said Sosibo. “One is left with an unshakable and frightening impression that the SABC is facing serious operational challenges and is losing face as an independent voice.” NADEL said the SABC had‚ in the past‚ been accused of self-censorship‚ a lack of objectivity and selective reporting. “It is‚ however‚ when those fears emanate from within the public broadcaster that alarm bells start ringing. “We as NADEL therefore call upon the SABC to urgently resolve its operational issues in order to improve what has been reported as a toxic working environment within the public broadcaster. The SABC needs to create a working environment that clearly outlines the journalistic responsibility of its staff and enables them to execute their functions without any fear‚” said Sosibo. “Media ought to make comments that are fair and report news in a manner that is in the best interest of the public. There are mechanisms that exist to guard against intolerable media coverage; the SABC therefore should not seek to self-regulate. The SABC is further called upon to take steps towards regaining the public’s confidence in it as an independent voice which serves the best interests of society.”

2016-07-18 12:00 Tmg Digital www.timeslive.co.za

18 Fransman miffed about learning his ‘sexual harassment’ fate via the media Fransman said he was appalled to learn‚ via a media report at the weekend‚ that he is likely to face the chop for bringing the party into disrepute for allegedly sexually harassing 21-year-old Louisa Wynand during the ANC’s 104th birthday celebrations in January. City Press reported that the commission recommended that he relinquish all positions he held in the party. “It is with emphatic appal that I have learned today from the media some of the content of the apparent findings of the ANC’s integrity committee in the matter of an unsubstantiated ‘sexual harassment’ complaint against me‚ without having received any notification whatsoever from the committee myself‚” he said in a statement on Sunday. “Such outrageous breach of ANC protocol and principle clearly brings the ANC into disrepute and seriously tarnishes the image of the ANC. “I didn't expect this from an internal structure of the organisation that is supposed to uphold the organisational protocols‚” he said. He claimed that the committee had written to him in February‚ “saying they cannot deal with the merits of the allegations”. He told it in April that it had been “compromised by political expediency‚ orchestrated by factions having previously – and continuously – failed to effect my political demise”. Wynand‚ TMG Digital reported in June‚ was allegedly offered a full bursary to study by the ANC while the committee conducted its probe. “Louisa received the bursary offer from the ANC‚ just after the ANC’s integrity commission meeting‚” said her spokesman Gavin Prins. Fransman has stated previously that he would prefer to have his day in court sooner rather than later to clear his name. He demanded the party furnish him with a copy of the committee’s findings.

2016-07-18 12:00 TMG Digital www.timeslive.co.za

19 Plenty of cash, not enough competent people in municipalities: Pravin Gordhan Business leaders had told Gordhan of their frustrations with municipalities who struggle to deliver basic services. Gordhan said there was money to help municipalities deliver the services‚ but there was a shortage of capable people who could ensure the funds are spent prudently‚ such as engineers and financial managers. “Over the last few years‚ we have created a certain environment where certain minimum competency tests need to be passed. Many have actually passed that hurdle‚ but there is still a lot to do‚” he said. “Building proper institutions at a municipal level is obviously a generations- long process. But if each generation does the right thing‚ then we will build a more solid foundation for the next one.” Gordhan had earlier told the chamber that South Africa faced “no shortage of money in the system‚ but there is a shortage of implementation capacity to get things done”. “Our focus needs to be not just talking‚ but implementing our plans; implementation of plans and programmes with the money that we currently have in the system‚” he said. He urged the business community to find solutions to the tough economic conditions and not use easy solutions such as retrenchments to address challenges. “You and ourselves need to do as much as we can to keep as many workers as possible. Labour and government need to make sure that we develop the right plans to make sure that we do not increase the number of unemployed people in South Africa‚” Gordhan said. He said that “Team South Africa” had worked hard to make sure that it keeps the country's credit rating just above junk status in the first six months of the 2016. The bigger challenge would be to provide “concrete: initiatives that would show that the promise made to agencies in the first half of the year were been delivered on in the second half.

2016-07-18 12:00 Penwell Dlamini www.timeslive.co.za

20 Itu Khune's bae flaunts her bootylicious bikini body Sbahle, who is a fitness fundi, says that she is in Thailand and instead of the usual tourist pictures, she has been sharing shots of herself in a variety of costumes. Flaunting her toned body, Sbahle has also made it clear that she isn't neglecting that gym life, even posting pictures of herself at the gym. Take a look at her snaps.

2016-07-18 12:00 TMG Entertainment www.timeslive.co.za

21 'We weren't really effective' in Western Cape, admits ANC's Ehrenreich His shocking admission comes in the wake of chaos that erupted in Nyanga over the exclusion of an ANC councillor from the party's candidate list. "I think our effectiveness was between 10 and 12%. We weren't really effective at all," said Ehrenreich who addressed the Cape Town Press Club yesterday. The ANC chose Ehrenreich as its mayoral candidate in 2011 hoping to pull votes from the DA. His statement comes a month after he was shafted by the party as its mayoral candidate. His replacement is his chief whip, Xolani Sotashe. Ehrenreich blamed the ruling DA for the ANC's ineffectiveness, saying the party used its majority to change council processes to effectively silence them. "One of the practices in council is that the mayor addresses council . then the leader of the opposition [is given time] to talk about the main challenges," he said. But because his party attracted great media attention he claimed council scrapped the practice. "We never got to the podium anymore. We can ask the questions from the floor and they can switch off the mics," said Ehrenreich. He said the DA administration had spent R50-million to boast about having the best-run city in the country. But, said Ehrenreich, it failed to build affordable housing near the CBD or foster social cohesion. Ehrenreich lambasted the ANC along with the DA. He said there were grave dangers should both parties continue to gain strength. "You can see the party bosses taking centre stage, whether it's in Pretoria . or some of the things that are done by the DA in the City of Cape Town," he said. Meanwhile, there are fears that violence by ANC supporters in Nyanga could spread. Authorities shut down a section of the N2 after protesters torched Golden Arrow buses. The scenes were reminiscent of the violence in Tshwane where the ANC appointed as its mayoral candidate.

2016-07-18 12:00 APHIWE DE www.timeslive.co.za

22 When President Zuma endorsed his daughter’s TV show This week‚ she was at pains to dismiss suggestions that her father being the president of the country had anything to do with her television drama Uzalo being renewed by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). She did this in a Twitter rant in reaction to a Sunday Times report that SABC chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng – said to be an ally of President - overruled his staff to push through a R167-million contract with a production company co-owned by Zuma-Ncube. Among the tweets – each prefaced with the word “Fact” – was this from @guguzuma: “Fact: I can't help who my parents are. But what I have always done is to put my head down and I work harder than everyone around me. #Uzalo”. But‚ five years ago today‚ an endorsement for Zuma-Ncube came from the top Twitter office in the country. On July 15 2011‚ Jacob G. Zuma @SAPresident – a verified account - posted: “I encourage you all to tune into channel 107 Tonight on dstv at 7pm for a new sitcom 'it's for life' it promises to be great #itsforlife”. That post came in the morning ahead of the premiere of "It’s For Life with Gugulethu Zuma as Coco and Nokuthula Zuma as Jabu”. The sitcom that aired on Mzansi Magic was described at the time as revolving around “four 20-something girls who find a squatter living in their house who they can't seem to get rid of”. The reaction to the president’s tweet ranged from disapproval to disbelief. @AlexForsy said: "embarrassing that you use your twitter account to advertise your daughters sitcom. Is it tax sponsored as well? " while @Setjadphoko agreed‚ tweeting: "Self interest neh? The President should shy away from that! Its wrong". A fake Julius Malema account‚ @Julius_S_Malema‚ which had over 51 000 followers at the time responded: 'Why? Bcz it has 2 of your daughters? " The @SAPresident account is still open‚ but this has not been posted on since October 2013. @PresidencyZA – the “official Twitter page of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa” - is the account now used to communicate on behalf of Zuma these days.

2016-07-18 12:00 TMG Digital www.timeslive.co.za

23 Lorna Maseko's messy divorce announcement at awards show Drum magazine reports that the presenter was clearly "intoxicated" and made some blunders that saw the audience "cringe. " The magazine adds that the host of the show, Anne Hirsch eventually tried to grab the mic away from the presenter as she used the f word, saying she's always wanted to be a rapper. "During the presentation the presenter revealed that she is newly single and ready to mingle," reports Drum. Grazia tweeted: "Presenter Lorna Maseko confirms her divorce and that she's single and ready to mingle on stage at YOUSpec2016" Lorna was a presenter at the You Spectacular Awards on Saturday night. She has been unavailable for comment since the incident. It's unsure whether Lorna's comments were part of the show or if her remarks were true. Insiders have told TMG Entertainment that her split confirmation was not scripted. A few years ago the new defunct heat magazine reported that Lorna's marriage was in trouble after she was caught kissing Expresso TV host Katlego Maboe. Lorna was married and Katlego was in a relationship. They both admitted to the incident, saying it was a "silly kiss" and nothing more. This despite reports that they were both seen headed to the same room - an allegation that they denied. Earlier this year Katlego confirmed that his relationship had ended and he was ready to mingle.

2016-07-18 12:00 TMG Entertainment www.timeslive.co.za

24 Super Rugby quarterfinal lineup complete after Saturday's matches New Zealand’s Hurricanes go into the quarterfinals as top seeds after winning the high quality NZ conference while the Lions won Africa 2 and the Stormers won Africa 1 to end as second and third seeds respectively. The Brumbies topped the Australia conference and are the overall fourth seeds. The Highlanders‚ Chiefs and Crusaders from NZ and the Sharks from South Africa complete the quarterfinal picture as wild cards on the controversial conference system. In next Saturday’s quarterfinals the Hurricanes (1) will host the Sharks (8)‚ the Lions (2) will play the Crusaders (7) at Ellis Park and the Stormers (3) will welcome the Chiefs (6) at Newlands. On Friday the Brumbies (4) are up against the Highlanders (5). Had the final quarterfinals been decided on log positions then the Brumbies would’ve been seeded seventh and the Stormers fifth with the Highlanders and Chiefs taking third and fourth respectively. Lions coach Johan Ackermann might also rue his decision to leave 20 of his first choice players behind for the assignment in Buenos Aires. Predictably they came up short losing 34-22. Had the Lions gained a point they would have finished top seeds‚ meaning a possible home final if they progressed that far. It would also have meant a last eight against the Sharks and not the dangerous Crusaders‚ who beat the Lions 43-37 at Ellis Park earlier in the year. The Stormers are on new ground having not played against a side from NZ this season due to the tournament structure that saw them come up against Australian sides in cross-conference matches. “There was no preference about which NZ side we faced‚ once it became clear we would be up against one of them‚” Stormers captain Schalk Burger said. “It was out of our hands and now we will prepare for the Chiefs. It’s always a similar challenge against NZ sides but individually they each have subtle differences and we have to study what those are for the Chiefs. “It’s different to other years when you would’ve had a taster against a team from NZ‚ so we have to start from scratch this week. “But even though we will plot ways to put them under pressure it still comes down to how we execute our own game. “It’s a huge challenge but we are all up for this game. We watched the two NZ derbies (on Saturday morning) together as a team and it was spectacular and we just want to be a part of that. It excites us‚ so be in no doubt‚ this group of ours believes that we can compete against them.” The semi-final places will be determined by the results of the quarterfinals. The highest seeded winner will play the lowest seeded winner; the second highest seeded winner will play the second lowest seeded winner. The two highest seeds will host semifinal matches. - TMG Digital

2016-07-18 12:00 Craig Ray www.timeslive.co.za

25 600 tons of ballot papers to be printed: IEC This follows the ’s failed bid to contest the elections after it was disqualified for not paying its deposit on time. The party took the matter to the Electoral Court at the weekend‚ but its application was dismissed. IEC spokesperson Kate Bapela said once printed and packed the ballot papers will amount to about 600 tons. “The boxes vary in size to suit the ballots and the destinations‚” Bapela said. “The project plan dictates that approximately 74-million ballots will be printed. Not a single ballot has been printed yet‚ as the candidate admission process has been delayed by matters such as the NFP court challenge.” She said the ballot papers are printed by a number of companies at various locations in the country. Bapela could not give details of these companies. “These details are kept confidential during the project. The printing takes place 100% within South Africa.” The companies‚ she said are selected through a “full-scale” tender process “The tender was concluded in December 2015. “The tender‚ like all IEC tenders‚ was advertised in the press and specifically in the Government Tender Bulletin‚ and on the IEC Votaquotes website‚” said Bapela.

2016-07-18 12:00 Nomahlubi Jordaan www.timeslive.co.za

26 Orlando Pirates release Soweto derby dates and other plans as PSL dithers The club has also confirmed that the PSL will take a break during the 2017 African Nations Cup‚ as revealed previously by Times Media Digital. This is despite the fact that South Africa have not qualified‚ but with a number of members of the Zimbabwean national team playing in the PSL‚ as well as a smattering of other qualified nations‚ the break is justified‚ even though it makes for a condensed season. Pirates‚ who are owned by PSL chairman Irvin Khoza‚ also revealed the club’s opening matches of the campaign‚ as well as when their MTN8 quarterfinal against BidVest Wits will be played. The club has confirmed they will host Kaizer Chiefs in the first Soweto derby on October 29‚ with the return fixture to be played on March 4. The Buccaneers have also confirmed they will open and close the 2016/17 season against Lamontville Golden Arrows‚ making their league bow at home to Abafana Bes’thende on Wednesday‚ August 24. It is the first time that the Premier League will start with midweek matches and comes as the league has a later start this year due to the South African Under-23 side competing in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Pirates will then make the short journey to BidVest Wits for their MTN8 quarterfinal on Saturday‚ August 27. The Buccaneers also confirmed they will take on champions Mamelodi Sundowns on the December 16 public holiday. The PSL met with broadcasters last Thursday to finalise televised matches and have since sent the draft fixtures to the 16 PSL clubs for their input.

2016-07-18 12:00 Nick Said www.timeslive.co.za

27 Huge fire at hotel in Mecca (VIDEOS, PHOTOS) — RT News Twitter posts show thick plumes of black smoke billowing over the structure. The smoke can now be seen blocks away from the location. There are no reports on the cause of the fire so far. Parts of the structure can be seen falling onto a nearby road. Firefighters have arrived at the site and are currently trying to extinguish the flames. Some posts from locals suggest the building is abandoned. The building was empty when the fire broke out, according to Saudi Civil Defense, as cited by local news outlets. Authorities say they have been able to put out most of the fire from the outside, but now have to comb the hotel from the inside to make sure all of the flames have been extinguished and to find the source of the blaze, Al- Madina reports .

2016-07-18 12:00 www.rt.com

28 Canadian priest charged for gambling away $400,000 of refugee aid — RT News Amer Saka, a 51 year old clergyman of St. Joseph Chaldean Catholic Church, an Eastern Syriac branch of the Catholic Church, had ostensibly collected the money from some 20 donors as part of a sponsorship program that helps refugees fleeing war-torn Middle Eastern countries move to Canada, local media reported. The fraud surfaced when Saka allegedly called his local Bishop, Emanuel Shaleta, head of the Chaldean Catholic church in Canada, and confessed to taking the money for himself and losing it all at a casino. He then turned himself in to police, who launched an investigation, while church authorities suspended him from his duties. After a five-month probe, investigators arrested the priest and charged him with fraud on Wednesday. He was later released on bail and, on Thursday, the court ruled that the priest must stay away from gambling casinos until his case is heard. Saka is to return to court in August. Investigators have not commented on the gambling allegations, but said Saka himself had admitted to collecting the money “ under the guise of a sponsorship program ” to help settle refugees in Canada. “ The basis of alleged fraud is unique, because it is alleged to have taken advantage of refugees who are using federal-run programs, ” London police Constable Sandasha Bough said, as quoted by local media. Further details regarding the case and the bail hearing have not been made public due to a publication ban. Saka had been involved in the refugee aid program for several years. His London parish consists of about 100 Chaldean Catholics families. The denomination has about 38,000 members living throughout Canada. The news that the funds had been wasted on gambling has reportedly shocked London’s Chaldean Catholic community, which mostly consists of first-generation immigrants to Canada who gave their life savings to help move their relatives and families to the country. Under Canada’s federal private sponsorship program, those who want to bring refugees to Canada have to raise money to support them while they are getting settled. Some $12,000 must be raised to sponsor one newcomer, while $27,000 has to be collected to sponsor a family.

2016-07-18 12:00 www.rt.com

29 Gender dispute rumbles as Semenya goes for gold The athlete, who was at the centre of a bitter dispute over gender testing seven years ago, is favourite to win the women's 800 metres in Rio next month. Semenya shot to international stardom in 2009 when she won the 800m at the World Championships in Berlin. But her victory triggered a storm of controversy when rivals questioned her gender. She was forced to undergo medical tests and barred from the track for nearly a year, before returning to win silver at the 2011 World Championships and 2012 London Olympics. Her career appeared to be sharp decline, however, when she failed to qualify for the world championship final last year. But now Semenya, 25, is in the best form of her life, and confidently brushing off the past track disputes. "I don't have time for that," she said when asked about the gender issue at the African Athletics Championships in Durban in June. "I am an athlete and I focus more on the issues that concern me: training, perform, eat, sleep. So that thing -- you know, it's not part of me. " Semenya's full health records have never been made public, but her case triggered a debate in sport over hyperandrogenism, a condition involving overproduction of male sex hormones. Last year, regulations were suspended that required women athletes to take testosterone-lowering medication if their levels were above a legal mark. The ruling ended much of the uncertainty over Semenya's right to run, even if some of her competitors still feel she holds an unfair natural advantage. Semenya has put in some startling track times in recent months. She scored a gold hat-trick at the African championships, winning the 1,500m and 800m titles and anchoring the 4x400m relay to first place. In April she became the first person to take triple gold in the 400m, 800m and 1,500m races -- all in a single day at the South African national championships in Stellenbosch. Semenya has also run the fastest 800m times in the world this year, posting 1min 56.64sec twice, in Rome and Rabat. "She's a clear favourite for an Olympic gold medal," Hezekiel Sepeng, athletics manager with Athletics South Africa, told AFP. Semenya said she drew inspiration from Nelson Mandela who stood by her during the 2009 scandal, when she endured what she described as "invasive scrutiny of the most intimate and private details of my being. " The test results were never released, but speculation was fuelled by unconfirmed leaks to the press. Ahead of the Olympics, IAAF president Sebastian Coe has already rallied to her defence. "I don't like to see any athlete in any discipline under sensitive situations being demonised, we are talking about human beings here," he said last month. Semenya, a sports science student at North-West University in Potchefstroom, who stands 1.78 metres (5 ft 8 in), is understandably wary of public attention but can open up to friends, said Sepeng. "She is talkative and feels more free when she is among people she trusts," he said, adding that if "she does not like something she will tell you straight. " Born in the poor northern village of Ga-Masehlong, Semenya married her long-time partner Violet Raseboya in December last year. "It feels good to be back on track. I've been through a lot," she told the Sunday Times in a rare interview given in April. "Now I'm back with a bang... The main target is to go to Rio and win a gold medal. "

2016-07-18 12:00 AFP www.timeslive.co.za

30 Mokoena determined to add triple jump medal to his 2008 long jump silver “I have one medal for long jump‚ now I’m hoping to get a medal for triple jump. That is all going to depend on whether I can break the national record or not‚” Mokoena said after he was announced as part of the SA team that will represent South Africa at the Games in Brazil next month. The 31-year-old jumper has seen a dip in form recently. But after reuniting with coach Emmarie Fouche just over a month ago after the pair parted ways at the end of last year‚ there was an immediate difference in his performance. After falling short at the Diamond League in Oslo early in June with a triple jump distance of 16.08m‚ the lanky athlete returned to Fouche with a little over a week before the African Champs that were held in Durban. The improvement to a distance of 16.77m gave Mokoena confidence going into the Olympics. “[My] fitness is good now. I’ve been training quite hard‚” he said. “I also took a dip from January‚ February‚ March‚ April and May. It was quite tough. “Three weeks before the African Champs‚ I was jumping in Oslo and I jumped 16.08cm. A week and a half later I jumped 70cm better. That was when I knew that my shape was starting to come together. “I was not with Emmarie [at the Diamond League]‚ I had left her. “Two weeks before the African Champs I went back to her and we sat down and said ‘this is how we are going to do it’ and things had to be different this time. It proved when I got a medal at the African Champs. Now I can’t wait to see what is going to happen next.” While Mokoena has enjoyed more success in the long jump‚ he will focus his efforts in the triple jump in Rio. Triple jump is where he started and went on to win the World Junior title in 2004‚ and a silver medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Following an ankle injury‚ he switched to long jump in 2007 and the easy transition saw him secure silver at the Olympics in Beijing the following year. It was at the 2014 Commonwealth Games that Mokoena switched back to triple jump and won gold in Scotland. Later that year he set a national record at the IAAF Continental Cup with a distance of 17.35m He now intends to add an Olympic triple jump medal to the tally of silverware he has won over the years “I’m going for a medal‚ 100 percent‚” he said. “If I can put myself in a position where I am in the top four or top three during the championship while I’m still competing‚ then I know I can fight for a medal.”

2016-07-18 12:00 Chumani Bambani www.timeslive.co.za

31 SABC board chair stung by ANC’s scathing criticism Professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe‚ chairman of the SABC board‚ accused the African National Congress’ (ANC) Jackson Mthembu - who on Tuesday said SABC managers had undermined the Constitution and changed policy without consultation – of launching a personal attack on chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng. Maguvhe said in a statement‚ responding to Mthembu’s scathing criticism: “It is unfortunate that the statement made by the chairperson of the subcommittee on communications of the ANC‚ Jackson Mthembu has resulted into a personal attack that suggests that Motsoeneng makes all decisions alone.” Motsoeneng has been engulfed in controversy for allegedly running the broadcaster like a dictator‚ was accused of lying about not having a matric qualification and was at the receiving end of a highly critical report by the public protector‚ which recommended disciplinary action be taken against him. The Times reported on Wednesday that that the ANC – in an about-turn after having previously defended Motsoeneng – said there was a lack of leadership at the SABC and that heads would roll. Maguvhe‚ however‚ was adamant that the “strategies that the COO and his team have put in place‚ and sanctioned by the board have worked for the organisation”. “These political tugs of war by different political parties are diversionary and intended to defocus the corporation from its mandate. We need to reiterate that we will not make any decisions that are aimed at censoring the news.” He went as far as suggesting there was some form of conspiracy at play: “We are also aware of people with business interests who want to see the organisation collapse in order to seize its commercial assets.” Maguvhe praised SABC managers for “all the good achievements including the recent introduction of prioritising local content”. “Those who are stating that the SABC should reverse it local content policy‚ do not want the SABC as a public service broadcaster to empower our own artists and production houses‚” said Maguvhe. The SABC‚ he said‚ was not censoring the news. “It should be noted that the decision is not to censor any violent protests but not to glamorise the act of burning public property‚” he said. The Times quoted a senior ANC member as saying: “This chaos is affecting our election campaign and we can't allow it to continue. How can our people trust the election results when the public broadcaster is censoring news? This goes to the heart of what we fought for and Mthembu has the support of the majority on this. "

2016-07-18 12:00 TMG Digital www.timeslive.co.za

32 32 The Big Read: When will Zuma and Co stop gambling with our money? It gave the SABC five days to comply and institute the order "retrospectively". Even before Icasa had published its full finding, Hlaudi Motsoeneng - the SABC's de facto leader, and the man who apparently our president "loves so much" - was declaring that the public broadcaster would approach the highest court in the land if necessary to challenge the decision. "We are challenging that ruling . we are equal to the task," Motsoeneng told reporters. There isn't a single legal opinion - except those paid for by the SABC when and if the SABC does actually consult them - that indicates that the Icasa ruling can be challenged. But what makes me stop to ponder is this: who pays for these frivolous legal challenges to every single ruling made by institutions of accountability such as the public protector? Let me just say outright that the right to seek recourse from a higher court is one that every Tom, Dick and Hlaudi should exercise. That is how our democracy becomes stronger. Yet it seems to me that even cases that do not have any hope whatsoever of success are now being taken to higher courts. And why? Because the people who are making these decisions do not have to pay a single cent for this wastage. On Friday it was reported that the NPA applied to the Constitutional Court for leave to appeal a high court ruling to restore fraud, corruption and racketeering charges against President Jacob Zuma. Zuma has said on numerous occasions that he wants his day in court, but boy the man is fighting hard - using state institutions like the NPA - not to see the dawn of that day. Here is the question. Who pays for these endless appeals that every first- year legal student knows have no hope of success whatsoever? It is you, dear reader. The money that is supposed to go to the poor, to education, to roads and other pressing societal problems is being wasted daily to protect Zuma and his cronies such as Motsoeneng. Think of the Nkandla matter, for example. After various frivolous inquiries led by the hapless ministers Nathi Nhleko, and various others after the public protector had said Zuma should pay for undue benefits, the president has now finally been ordered to pay for the Nkandla house by the Constitutional Court. The price tag is something like R7.8-million. It should be a lot more. It should be a lot more because the past seven years have seen wasteful expenditure on a massive scale by Zuma and his cronies to ensure that he does not pay his fair share. Nhleko should pay. Nxesi should pay. Zuma should pay. Zuma should pay because he is the one who led us on this merry dance and when push came to shove he rushed to the Constitutional Court with his tail between his legs begging to pay for the upgrades. He should have personally been burdened with all the legal bills for that monstrosity. Instead, the taxpayer is paying for it. There have been so many other appalling examples of this sort of wastage where it is absolutely clear that the challenge by government ministers and officials to court and other rulings against them have absolutely no chance of success. Think of the shameful events of last year, when the Pretoria High Court ordered the state to keep the Sudanese dictator and fugitive from the law Omar al-Bashir here. Not only did the government challenge the ruling in court, it brazenly and illegally defied the courts of our own country by aiding and abetting that criminal to leave our shores instead of being handed over to the International Criminal Court. This is the story of our state officials. They can spend wantonly against all sane advice because the state's coffers are a piggy bank for them. If they lose the attorneys and advocates get rich. And the politicians just keep going without consequence, while happily drawing their salaries. It is outrageous. Now think of what the NPA is doing by going to the Constitutional Court. In June, the full bench of the Pretoria High Court dismissed the same NPA's application for leave to appeal against the ruling setting aside Zuma's prosecution. It said the appeal had no reasonable prospects of success. So, what's going to happen with the NPA's Constitutional Court challenge? It's going to be thrown out because it's laughable. Zuma's protectors at the NPA won't feel the pain of that decision at all. You, my dear taxpayer, will pay for it all.

2016-07-18 12:00 Justice Malala www.timeslive.co.za

33 The ugly truth must be told Aids denialism is dead! Long live a united campaign to end HIV, TB and the social inequalities that drive them. But unity needs truth-telling and our truth-telling about where we were, and where we are with Aids, often seems in short supply. There's a new denialism in the air and unless we nip it in the bud we are in trouble. At the weekend there was a statement that Deputy President Cyril Ramphosa would speak at the opening plenary meeting of the conference. It did not mention that he would share the stage with civil society organisations such as the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC). Which seems to confirm that our government seems not to want the TAC to tell truths at the conference. This should worry us. Recently, blatant untruths were told to try to stop Nkhensani Mavasa, the TAC chairman, from speaking at the opening plenary meeting. An e-mail from conference co-chairman Olive Shisana to all the members of the conference co-ordinating committee a few weeks ago read: "I went . to an [SA National Aids Council] meeting chaired by the deputy president and this was followed by the inter-ministerial committee last week, and the chorus is the same: "Withdraw Khensani Mavasa from speaking at the opening". Is this not just a little bit Hlaudi-esque? Last week the deputy president, writing in the Daily Maverick, bends time and truth to fit a new narrative about Aids. In essence, it suggests that, in 2005, the government miraculously experienced an epiphany and its Aids denialism just melted away. In his words: "In 2005 South Africa embraced the problem with energy, rolling out a massive antiretroviral treatment programme through its public health system. " What really happened was this. In March 2003, the TAC launched a civil disobedience campaign to demand a national ARV treatment programme. The campaign was suspended when [then] Deputy President Jacob Zuma promised that an ARV treatment plan was in the offing. Then more delays and, in late 2003, TAC threatened to resume its civil disobedience campaign. This forced the government to announce its ARV plan but another delay followed and ARV treatment was not provided officially until April 2004. As a result, between 2004 and 2006, 1000 people a day continued to die. The conflict between the TAC and the government intensified again. It peaked at another international Aids conference, in Toronto, at which [then] Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang shamed us with her exhibition of garlic and lemons. Members of Thabo Mbeki's cabinet had had enough. A rebellion was sparked by Zola Skweyiya's report-back on the conference, in which he said he felt "ashamed". At this point, the government sued for peace with the TAC and after a process of real consultation South Africa's first rational and reasonable National Strategic Plan on HIV, TB and STIs was finalised in 2007. But this is not the time for self-congratulation or for burying ugly truths. What are the ugly truths? In 2015, 30% of all deaths in this country were due to Aids - 18 people an hour, 440 a day (Stats SA). Thirty percent of all those newly infected with HIV were girls and young women (SA National Aids Council Trust). The incidence of multi-drug-resistant TB has doubled in the past five years. Now for a few good truths: More than 17million people in this country had been tested for HIV by 2012 and more than 3million people were on ARV treatment by 2015. Bad truth: the number of adults sticking to their ARV treatment after five years is under half. Bad truth: the percentage of young people having sexual intercourse before the age of 15 is unchanged and the number having sex with more than one partner in the past year has risen by 80%. Condom distribution has risen; condom use has not. Bad truth: Although 3million voluntary medical male circumcisions have been performed in the past five years, that was not enough to contribute to a reduced incidence of HIV. Ugly truth: rates of HIV infection among female sex workers range from 39% to 71%. Ugly truth: South Africa still has no system to measure gender-based violence and no municipalities have reported HIV programmes even though they are essential. We would be on our way to ending this scourge in South Africa if, in the next two years, we were to: The TAC will fight until Aids is eradicated, hand-in-hand with our government. But truth, transparency and accountability are needed from all of us - the government and TAC. We are ready. Are you?

2016-07-18 12:00 Mark Heywood www.timeslive.co.za

34 Unlocking secrets of the galaxies from the Karoo The telescope‚ under construction in the Karoo and operating at only a quarter of its capacity‚ is already producing powerful images that are “far better than we could have expected”‚ said Dr Fernando Camilo‚ South Africa’s chief scientist for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). Science and Technology Minister released the “First Light image” on Saturday‚ when 16 of a planned total of 64 radio telescope dishes were commissioned. MeerKAT is a precursor to the SKA‚ an international effort to build the world's largest radio telescope - one hundred times more sensitive than any current radio telescope. Scientists will use it to explore how stars and galaxies are formed and how the universe evolved. Radio telescopes collect radio waves from outer space which are then processed by computers‚ producing images of the universe. "South Africa has already demonstrated its excellent science and engineering skills by designing and building MeerKAT. This telescope‚ which is predominantly a locally designed and built instrument‚ shows the world that South Africa can compete in international research‚ engineering‚ technology and science‚” said Pandor. In a small patch of sky covering less than 0.01% of the entire celestial sphere‚ the MeerKAT First Light image shows more than 1300 galaxies in the distant Universe‚ compared to 70 known in this location prior to MeerKAT. "Based on the results being shown today‚ we are confident that after all 64 dishes are in place‚ MeerKAT will be the world's leading telescope of its kind until the advent of SKA‚" according to Professor Justin Jonas‚ SKA South Africa chief technologist. MeerKAT will eventually consist of 64 receptors‚ each comprising a 13.5m- diameter dish antenna‚ cryogenic coolers‚ receivers‚ digitiser‚ and other electronics. The radio telescope is being built in stages but can explore space as parts of the array are commissioned. Dr Rob Adam‚ project director of SKA South Africa‚ said: "The launch of MeerKAT AR1 and its first results is a significant milestone for South Africa. Through MeerKAT‚ South Africa is playing a key role in the design and development of technology for the SKA. “The South African team of more than 200 young scientists‚ engineers and technicians‚ in collaboration with industry‚ local and foreign universities and institutions‚ has developed the technologies and systems for MeerKAT. “These include cutting-edge telescope antennas and receivers‚ signal processing‚ timing‚ telescope management‚ computing and data storage systems‚ and algorithms for data processing. "

2016-07-18 12:00 TMG Digital www.timeslive.co.za

35 State employee who offered bribe still has his job In June‚ we went undercover to highlight corruption at the facility after a tipoff from a couple who had been propositioned to buy a learner's license. A series of phone calls and hidden camera footage of two men - one a confirmed employee named Lucky and the other an alleged worker named Jo - selling licences was captured and presented to the director of internal affairs at the JMPD‚ Sam Sethagu. At the time‚ JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said no instances of corruption would be tolerated. A week after the exposé‚ Minnaar said that an investigation was underway but refused to answer further questions about action being taken or if Jo was indeed a JMPD employee. No response was received from Sethagu. GroundUp published our expose on 30 June. On July 12‚ we returned to the licensing department and found Lucky still working there‚ albeit in a back office and away from public interaction. When we first exposed him‚ he was stationed at the facility's reception desk and was responsible for handling public queries. Also on July 12‚ we asked for comment from Johannesburg mayor Parks Tau. Tau's spokesperson Phindile Chauke said he was not aware of the incident and that he would escalate the matter to the Public Safety Department. "The reported unacceptable behaviour allegedly by one of our officials is not [the] culture in the City. " Chauke said mechanisms were in place to deal with reports of bribery and corruption‚ adding that more than 251 employees were dismissed for these crimes. "We went on to open 97 criminal cases‚ while 56 city officials and contractors were arrested. " The City also established an independent Office of the Ombudsman to collaborate with the Office of the South African Public Protector‚ said Chauke. On 15 July Chauke emailed GroundUp‚ saying: “The Johannesburg Metro Police Department has since launched an investigation into the allegations brought to the Office of the Executive Mayor earlier this week. The probe is a sensitive one by nature and more details can not be shared on it at this stage as it may compromise the investigation process.” The Department of Transport was also approached for comment. Spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi said he would respond but did not by the time of publication. The director of Corruption Watch‚ David Lewis‚ said the JMPD had an obligation to lay criminal charges against both men. "The JMPD’s record on discipline has always been appalling and remains so‚” he said. “Given the evidence that they have‚ they could move very swiftly in mounting a disciplinary enquiry‚" Lewis said when asked if two weeks was too short to expect an outcome. He said "systematic corruption" could be found in the issuing of vehicle licenses and the policing of the roads. This article was first published in GroundUp

2016-07-18 12:00 Benita Enoch www.timeslive.co.za

36 Scotch on the rocks For the first time a scotch has been toppled as Britain's best-selling whisky. New data reveals that Jack Daniel's has usurped The Famous Grouse as the UK's most popular whisky after sales of the Tennessee- made spirit surged by 9.3% in the last year. This coincided with a 4.4% slump in sales of the six leading blended scotches, with retail sales of The Famous Grouse alone plummeting by 14.9%. The trend is thought to be fuelled by a younger generation of drinkers who identify more closely with American brands, as well as efforts by retailers to promote bourbon ahead of whiskies because they can make more money. Jack Daniel's is now Britain's ninth-biggest alcohol brand, up from 11th last year. The Famous Grouse fell three places to 13th. Crispin Stephens, head of commercial planning at Jack Daniel's owner Bacardi Brown-Forman, said: "People don't want to drink what their fathers drank. "Positive cultural associations with America are coming through in casual dining trends. "Woodford Reserve, Buffalo Trace and Bulleit and other bourbons are benefiting from this. " Stephens said retailers had been giving more prominence to American whisky because it yields the best return, plus the price of Jack Daniel's itself has declined by 6% in the last year. The head of commercial planning said the price drops and featured deals at Christmas and Father's Day had been crucial to the growth of the beverage in the UK.

2016-07-18 12:00 ©The Daily www.timeslive.co.za

37 Bulls feel foolish at tossing bonus away The two points they missed in those home wins proved to be the difference in a tournament decided by narrow margins. The Bulls, instead of the Sharks, would have been preparing to go to Wellington to face the Hurricanes. Those same narrow margins saw the Lions finishing second and will face the Crusaders at Ellis Park. Johan Ackermann's second stringers were bested 34-22 by the Jaguares yesterday morning in Buenos Aires. But the realisation of the missed opportunities cut deep for Marais . "I've been telling Adriaan Strauss about the Reds game and saying I hoped the missed bonus point in that game didn't come back to catch up with us. "In both those games we had the bonus points in the bag before losing them. That's the most disappointing aspect. "We only needed two points to get into the playoffs and our win against the Cheetahs was a great one but we wanted to be in the playoffs. It just showed how important bonus points are. " In their 43-17 dismantling of the Cheetahs at the Free State Stadium on Saturday, the Bulls would have taken a big step towards the playoffs. While there is massive focus on the missed bonus point, what often goes unnoticed is the mid-season slump that allowed the Sharks to stay in the competition, despite Gary Gold's side also dropping points. The Bulls lost four from five games, which included the 56-20 home hammering to the Lions, while there were defeats on the road to the Brumbies, Waratahs and the Jaguares. Marais is fully aware of how those deflating defeats cost him a playoff spot.

2016-07-18 12:00 KHANYISO TSHWAKU www.timeslive.co.za

38 Olympians want Russians banned in Rio At least 10 national anti- doping organisations - including those of the US, Germany, Japan and Canada - and more than 20 groups of Olympians from around the world, have requested a complete ban on Russia ahead of today's report. Commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, the report is expected to confirm allegations by Grigory Rodchenkov, the former director of Moscow's Wada-accredited anti-doping laboratory, that he effectively sabotaged the samples of dozens of athletes, including at least 15 medallists, in the build-up to the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. It is understood that the report, compiled by Canadian law professor Richard McLaren, will not only corroborate Rodchenkov's claims but also suggest that the cheating extended beyond Sochi, affecting several world championships in different sports. Russia's track-and-field athletes are already banned from competing in Rio but a leaked draft letter to the International Olympic Committee signed by leading anti-doping officials in the US and Canada calls for all sports to be banned. "We write on behalf of a community of clean athletes and anti-doping organisations with faith that the IOC can lead the way forward by upholding the principles of Olympics," reads the letter. "Therefore, consistent with the principles, charter and code we request that the IOC executive suspend the Russian Olympic and Paralympic Committee from participating in the 2016 Games in Rio. "The only appropriate, and permissible, course of action in these unprecedented circumstances is for the IOC to immediately suspend the Russian Olympic and Paralympic Committees from the Olympic Movement ... and declare that no athlete can represent Russia in Rio. "

2016-07-18 12:00 © The www.timeslive.co.za

39 Elton John loses bid to keep sexual harassment case under wraps Internationally renowned singer and song writer Sir Elton John has lost a four- month legal battle to prevent the reporting of claims that he sexually harassed a male employee. According to a Telegraph report, his former staff member has withdrawn claims of sexual discrimination and unfair dismissal against the singer, after reaching an out- of-court settlement. The 69-year-old superstar strongly denied any wrongdoing and believed to have paid the man a six-figure sum to have the sexual harassment claims subsequently withdrawn, the report said. His lawyers, meanwhile, tried to stop the case, which was filed at a London employment tribunal, from being reported. The Sun, a UK tabloid, however, confirmed on Sunday (Monday in Manila) that it had won a battle to publish the allegations, which were strongly denied by the music icon. The “Rocket Man” singer’s former employee, Jeffrey Wenninger, brought the claim after parting ways with the star in June 2015. “These employment proceedings were brought after Sir Elton John’s company parted ways with one of its employees in June 2015,” a spokesman for Sir Elton was quoted as saying in the report. “The claims were always strongly denied and we continue to deny them. Sir Elton John is pleased that the former employee withdrew them in full and that the issue was settled in February this year,” the representative added. Initial reports of Sir Elton’s alleged sexual harassment emerged in March, when a former bodyguard claimed that the singer told him to “get your todger out” and “say hello to Uncle Elton.” According to court documents filed in California, Wenninger claimed that Sir Elton pulled his nipples, tried to grab his genitals, and told him he had “so many gay genes.” The claims, however, were dismissed by the musician’s lawyers as a “baseless lawsuit brought by a disgruntled former security officer seeking to extract an undeserved payment.” Orin Snyder, a lawyer from Sir Elton’s record company, Rocket Entertainment Group, also strongly denied the allegations and said they would be contested. “These claims are patently untrue and contradicted by numerous previous statements made by this plaintiff. We will not give in to his latest abuse of the legal system,” he said. Khristian Ibarrola

2016-07-18 12:00 entertainment.inquirer.net

40 STI breaches P1B profit mark TANCO-led private school network operator STI Holdings hit the P1-billion earnings milestone at the end of its fiscal year ending March, gaining from an increase in student population and improved enrollment mix for the past academic year. Net profit for the fiscal year grew by 47 percent to P1.07 billion, with the increase in enrolments complemented by a favorable mix of course take-up in schools owned by STI Education Services Group and other franchised schools, the group disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange. STI Holdings president Monico Jacob said the increase in profit should allow STI to pursue further its mission to provide quality and affordable education to Filipinos. “For STI Holdings, education is both an enterprise and a vocation to give more of our countrymen access to education that will make them, especially the young ones, more competitive not just locally, but also globally,” he said. A total of 84,764 students were enrolled in schools under STI during the 2015-2016 academic year, 4,564 more than the enrollees during the previous year. About 86 percent of the enlarged student population had enrolled in four- year Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-sanctioned courses. Last year, the percentage of students in CHED program was at 82. Only 12 percent enrolled in short-term technical courses, lower than the 16 percent share in the previous year. The higher number of students and the more favourable mix of enrollees allowed STI to collect 17 percent more tuition and other school fees amounting to P2.27 billion compared to the level last year. STI ended its financial year last March 31, 2016, following a fiscal year that mirrors the academic cycle in the Philippines. The company’s total assets rose to P10.5 billion from P10.04 billion in the previous year.

2016-07-18 12:00 Doris Dumlao business.inquirer.net

41 Historians claim Vietnam’s sovereignty over Paracels, Spratlys Vietnam’s central city of Danang’s Historical Association has called on the public to donate memorabilia and documents for the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Museum from July until January 19, 2017. January 19, 2017, will be the 43-year anniversary of the date when China occupied and took Hoang Sa (Paracel) islands from the hands of Vietnamese soldiers, who served the Republic of Vietnam’s navy, as prisoners. The Hoang Sa (Paracel) Museum, which has been built on an area of 1,300sq.m along Hoang Sa Street, will accommodate artifacts, memorabilia, documents, ancient maps on Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes. The city has planned on 128,543ha for development of Hoang Sa district, including the Hoang Sa (Paracel) islands, following the prime minister’s decision on the city’s adjusted master urban plan for 2030 and 2050. The Hoang Sa District’s people’s committee proposes to include two fishing precincts Tho Quang and Man Thai in the administration of Hoang Sa Island District. The museum building was inspired by the design of a royal seal from the Nguyen dynasty’s King Minh Mang in 1835 for establishing the Hoang Sa Flotilla to administer the islands. The seal justifies Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos as per ancient documents from previous centuries. During the process of gathering evidences for the Hoang Sa Museum, chairman of Danang Historical Association Bui Van Tieng said all documents, photos, maps and antiquities related to Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos will be displayed at the museum when it completes construction later this year. “We have collected over 150 maps, books and document published by domestic and foreign publishers between 1618-1859, and 1626-1908 indicating Hoang Sa (Paracels) and Truong Sa (Spratlys) as part of Vietnam,” Tieng said. From maps “The collection, which has been donated by local and overseas Vietnamese, includes two books of Postal Atlas Maps of China which were published by the Directorate General of Posts of the Ministry of Transportation of the Republic of China in 1919 (consisting of 49 maps) and in 1933 (29 maps), as well as one Atlas of the Chinese Empire, published by the China Inland Mission in 1909 (23 maps). None of the three books list Paracels and Spratlys index pages,” he said. Tieng also said all documents and maps only clearly indicated that the southernmost point of China is the Hainan Island and that Paracels and the Spratlys belong to Vietnam. Danang City’s Communication and Education Board also donated a map printed in 1969 stating that the Hoang Sa Island Commune (or former Dinh Hai Commune) was merged into Hoa Long Commune of Hoa Vang district in Danang. Tran Duc Anh Son, vice director of Da Nang City’s Institute for Socio- Economic Development, also suggested to the collecting team that an atlas (Atlas von China), published by German publisher Verlag von Dietrich Reimer, in 1885, confirming that the Paracels, and the Spratlys belong to Vietnam’s sovereignty. The atlas is stored at Havard University, in the US. Son said he spent 10 months researching and collecting document related to Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa Islands at Havard University in the US. “As a scholar, I made suggestions to the museum board about the atlas,” Tran Duc Anh Son told Viet Nam News Sunday. “If the Hoang Sa Museum decides to display the maps as part of the exhibition, they need to contact Harvard University Library for public use of copyrighted material.” In May, a collection of 40 ancient maps, indicating the Paracels belongs to Vietnam, and two atlases were displayed for the first time at a conference: Conflict in the South China Sea (called East Sea by Vietnam) at Yale University in Connecticut, the US. The maps were collected by Tran Thang, an American of Vietnamese origin, and is president of the Institute for Vietnamese Culture and Education, in New York. Thang said that it was the first time that the ancient maps, which were published in 1618-1859 by the UK, the US, France, Germany and Scotland (1826 and 1980), and China, were exhibited in the US. He donated a 150-map collection to Danang City’s Institute for Socio- Economic Development in 2012. Thang said 20 maps published by Vietnam and western countries (1618- 1859) showed that the Paracels belongs to Vietnam. Twenty maps published by western countries (1826 and 1980) indicated that the southern frontier of China is Hainan island. RELATED STORIES Philippines wins arbitration case vs. China over South China Sea Vietnam rejects Chinese passports with nine-dash line

2016-07-18 12:00 Viet Nam globalnation.inquirer.net

42 42 Vietnam rejects Chinese passports with nine- dash line Vietnamese border officials are refusing to stamp new Chinese passports featuring the nine-dash line that represents China’s claim on most of the South China Sea. According to a report by Vietnamese media group Tuoi Tre News on Saturday, holders of these passports are, instead, issued with a separate on-arrival visa. This is to avoid inadvertently recognizing China’s claim. Last week, the Arbitral Tribunal at The Hague ruled in a case lodged by the Philippines that the nine-dash line was illegal and breached Manila’s territorial rights. China refuses to recognize the ruling. READ: Philippines wins arbitration case vs. China over South China Sea Vietnam, with maritime claims that overlap China’s, has said that it welcomes the verdict but has otherwise been restrained in its reaction. The vice-chairman of Quang Ninh province’s People’s Council, Nguyen Xuan Ky, was quoted by Tuoi Tre as saying: “By issuing separate visas, Vietnamese authorities can avoid directly stamping the passports, thus demonstrating Vietnam’s stance of not recognising the nine-dash line in any form.” Any such passport stamped by mistake will be stamped “voided” upon the traveller’s next entry to Vietnam. In southern Vietnam’s Phu Quoc airport, where foreign tourists do not need a visa for entry, Chinese with the nine-dash-line passport have to fill out a separate entry declaration, media reports say. Customs officers at Danang airport have also confiscated from Chinese passengers many maps featuring the nine-dash line. Meanwhile, a provincial Vietnamese television station has stopped airing Shanghai Bund, a Chinese remake of a popular Hong Kong series, after its lead actor Huang Xiaoming voiced support for Beijing’s claims over the South China Sea, according to online portal VN Express International. In Hanoi, about 20 people were detained yesterday while protesting against China’s rejection of the international tribunal’s decision. /rga RELATED STORIES US, China Navy chiefs set for fresh talks on South China Sea Itu Aba: PH biggest worry is biggest win China must abide by same rules, says US VP Biden

2016-07-18 12:00 The Straits globalnation.inquirer.net

43 NBA: Phil Jackson suggests 4-point line, 30- second shot clock The “Zen Master” has spoken and he wants a field goal worth four points. In an interview with Charley Rosen of Today’s Fastbreak, Phil Jackson expressed some surprising notions on how to improve the league, starting with a proposed four-point basket. “Why not have a 4-point line about 35 feet out?” the New York Knicks President was quoted in an interview published last Friday (Saturday in Manila). “It wouldn’t be long before players will get reasonably comfortable shooting from out there. And having a 4-point line would certainly serve to enable teams to catch up in what are now blowout games.” Jackson’s squad finished 29th and 26th in offensive efficiency for the past two seasons, while relying solely on his patented triangle offense, which focuses on floor spacing and ball movement. “The spacing has changed dramatically,” the 70-year-old executive added. “So the triangle can still be a part of that, but it has to adapt.” Ironically, his Knicks also finished 20th in the NBA in 3-point percentage last season, and did not exactly improve their long-range shooting with the off- season additions of former Chicago Bulls players, Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. Apart from the 4-point basket, Jackson implied that he would like to see six seconds added to the league’s 24-second shot clock, parallel to the rules of collegiate basketball. “This would give offenses more time to get low-post players involved, make defenses work harder, and encourage more passing and player movement,” he explained. Since Jackson’s appointment as team President in 2014, the Knicks have played one of the slowest offenses in the entire league, while the rest of the teams employed a fast-phased and more exciting approach. Much like his glory teams of the past, Jackson continued to focus on the post while others relied on the perimeter, and ranked in the bottom five in assist rate despite throwing more passes than nearly every team. The 11-time NBA champion coach acknowledges that the age of “small- ball” and “3-ball” is the norm right now, but he anticipates that the big-man bully-ball play style of the ’90s and early 2000s will re-emerge soon enough. “The pendulum will swing back when big men make a habit of crushing smaller defenders,” he said. Jackson, however, insisted that he has no fundamental objection to small- ball. “I’m certainly not against it,” he said. “In fact, I’m not against anything.” Khristian Ibarrola/ rga

2016-07-18 12:00 sports.inquirer.net

44 Former Australian Leader Wants Nomination for UN Top Job Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is making a late bid for the top United Nations job, after months of cross-crossing the world in low-key lobbying for government support. Rudd had requested that the Australian government take the crucial step of formally nominating him to succeed U. N. Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon , whose second five-year term ends Dec. 31. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said that decision would be made by Australia's next cabinet, which will be named Monday following July 2 elections and sworn in as early as Tuesday. Rudd, the New York-based president of the Asia Society Policy Institute, said he understood his nomination might not be among the government's highest priorities after barely scraping back into power in unexpectedly close election. "I respect the fact that the government has many other priorities at this time, having just been returned to office," Rudd said on his Facebook page. "This is a matter for the prime minister, the foreign minister and their colleagues at a time of their choosing," he said. Rudd was elected prime minister in 2007, but was dumped by his own center-left Labor Party in 2010. He was dubbed Recycled Rudd when he regained the control of the chaotic and divided government weeks before it lost elections in 2013. The 58-year-old has been canvasing diplomatic support around the world for months, although Bishop on Monday became the first to confirm his plans to be a candidate. But several lawmakers in Australia's conservative government are openly hostile toward his bid. "Kevin was never happy just running Australia — he believed he was always destined to run the world," Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said in April. "Kevin's ego makes (presumptive Republican presidential nominee) Donald Trump's look like a rounding error. " Opposition leader Bill Shorten said only petty politics would prevent the government from nominating a former political opponent. "If they're going to be a government for all Australians, they'll support the Australian on the international stage," Shorten said. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had advised the government that Rudd's chances would be harmed if he did not gain the crucial nomination by the end of July, The Australian newspaper reported Monday. The department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday. Rudd is a Chinese-speaking former diplomat who served as Australia's foreign minister between his stints as prime minister. He was a polarizing figure within his government, with some former ministers swearing they would never work with his again because of his chaotic management style.

2016-07-18 12:00 By abcnews.go.com

45 45 Phil. Seven nets P472M LEADING local convenience store operator Philippine Seven Corp. grew its net profit in the first six months by 32.5 percent year-on-year to P472.3 million as election spending boosted retail sales alongside an expansion in its store network. For this year, PSC plans to raise its capital expenditure budget to P3.5 billion from last year’s P3-billion allotment, to further support its store expansion strategy amid stiffer competition. The local licensee of 7-Eleven convenience stores ended June with 1,740 stores, rising by 23.8 percent year-on-year. Of the total network, the biggest number is still in Luzon at 1,474 while 203 stores are in Visayas and 63 in Mindanao. Franchisees control 57 percent of total stores while 43 percent are corporate-owned. Retail sales of all stores reached P15.5 billion, up by 27.2 percent compared with the level set last year. Same store sales went up by mid- single digit during the period. “The company is set to attain another milestone this year in terms of store count and profitability,” PSC said. Bulk of the P3.5 billion capital spending for the year is allocated to new store opening, store renovation and equipment acquisition. “While competition is likely to be more intense, PSC is the most capable to strengthen its position in the convenience store sector. It aims to capitalize on its first-mover advantage and intends to benefit from the capacity-building expenditures over the last three years. It believes that the market will continue to grow as it enables the organization in achieving new heights,” it said. PSC operates the largest convenience store network in the country. It acquired from Southland Corp. (now Seven Eleven Inc.) of Dallas, Texas the license to operate 7-Eleven stores in the Philippines in December 1982. It debuted on the Philippine Stock Exchange on 1998. /rga

2016-07-18 12:00 Doris Dumlao business.inquirer.net

46 Pagasa: LPA won’t affect PH A low pressure area (LPA) near Batanes has no direct effect on the country, the state weather bureau said midday Monday. The LPA was last observed 725 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said. A separate report from Panahon. TV said the LPA may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) in the next 24 hours. Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains or thunderstorms will prevail over the whole country. RAM/rga RELATED STORIES LPA still too far to affect any part of PH—Pagasa Pagasa monitors LPA near Luzon

2016-07-18 12:00 Frances Mangosing newsinfo.inquirer.net

47 For 'blue-collar billionaire' Donald Trump, money's an asset CLEVELAND — A handful of vacation homes. A car elevator for his four-car garage. A wife whose hobbies included show horses. When Mitt Romney ran for president four years ago, his estimated $250 million fortune was quickly turned into a liability by Democrats, who painted the former Bain Capital chief as out of touch with Americans still struggling to recover from the Great Recession. Four years later, Donald Trump’s much-bigger pile of money is a central character of his campaign. And far from seeing it as a liability, the candidate flaunts it. “I’m the most successful person ever to run for president,” the billionaire businessman has bragged, noting that he’s “really rich.” On the stump, he vows to “make our country rich again.” Trump will officially become his party’s nominee at this week’s Republican convention, powered by white, working-class voters drawn to his populist message. The billionaire lives an opulent life on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, worlds away from the day-to-day reality of most supporters. Yet many nonetheless believe he understands their problems in ways other politicians do not. Some dub him the “blue-collar billionaire.” “You might say because he lives in the ivory tower he doesn’t see what people are doing down below. He honestly does,” said Claude Thompson, 59, a Trump supporter who lives in Fresno, Calif. Thompson, who runs a property maintenance business, cited Trump’s employment of people through his companies as proof of his working class connections. “He knows that these people are blue-collar people, they’re middle income. … So he understands America,” he said. The difference between the perception of Trump’s and Romney’s money, Trump supporters say, comes down to attitude. While some felt that Romney tried to downplay his wealth, Trump has embraced it — even mocking, at times, Romney’s smaller net worth. The candidate jets around the country on his private plane, adorned with plush leather seats and gold-plated seatbelts. He sometimes holds rallies in open airplane hangars, landing triumphantly in front of screaming crowds. His campaign has doubled as a tour of his gilded properties, from Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan to the Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach. “Trump’s like, screw it, you know? I’m rich, I don’t care,” said Aspen Trevino of Carrollton, Texas. “He flaunts it. He makes it known.” Trevino, 25, said he views Trump as someone to look up to. “He makes it the America Dream, so people will say, ‘I can do that.’ I want to follow a president that I can look up to.” As the campaign moves toward the general election, Democrats have begun to paint Trump as an out-of-touch billionaire who has trampled the little guy to build his fortune. Among Democrats’ evidence: contractors and vendors who suffered during company bankruptcies when Trump emerged just fine. Whether that reputation will stick remains to be seen. But there’s no question that Trump’s regular Joe habits — including his penchant for fast food — have helped him connect. His campaign has actively worked to cultivate the image, tweeting out photos of him digging into a Big Mac on his plane and publicizing his campaign stays at Holiday Inn Express hotels. Evangelical leader Jerry Falwell Jr. has recalled expecting a stuffy ride with “champagne and caviar” ahead of his first ride on Trump’s plane. Instead, Trump treated the group to Wendy’s cheeseburgers and fries. Conservative radio host Howie Carr, another Trump backer, shared a similar story: Trump, he said, ordered lunch for the crew: “McDonald’s all the way. … He travels in an easy chair in front of a large TV screen turned to Fox.” “He’s one of us,” said Diane Priolo, 65, a social worker who lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. “I don’t care if he’s in a plane with 24 karat gold. He talks like us. He gets us. He’s a guy from Queens who’s not too big for his britches.” Indeed, Trump’s supporters often credit his upbringing in Queens despite the fact that he was raised in a mansion by a millionaire real estate developer father who helped him get started with a $1 million loan. Trump himself credits the summers he spent working on his father’s construction sites for his ability to connect with blue-collar voters. “I know them better than anybody will ever know them,” he said during a recent phone interview. “I grew up on construction sites. … I got to know the construction workers, the sheet rockers and the plumbers and the electrician and all of ’em. I worked with them. They were friends of mine.” “And frankly,” Trump added, “I like them better than the rich people.”

2016-07-18 12:00 Jill Colvin chicago.suntimes.com

48 TV host calls on Australian gov’t to block Muslim immigrants Sonia Kruger, an Australian TV host and a former longtime host of Australia’s franchise of “Dancing with the Stars,” has called on the Australian government to ban Muslims moving into the “Land Down Under.” Kruger, a co-host of the country’s “Today Extra” show on Sunday, aired her opinion during a panel discussion regarding a controversial column by Australian journalist Andrew Bolt, who said France was facing a string of heinous terrorist assaults because it embraced many Muslims, Sydney Morning Herald reported. She claimed there was a “significant correlation” between the number of Muslims in a country and the number of crimes related to terrorism and radicalism. She also said she had Muslim friends who “are peace-loving, who are beautiful people, but there are fanatics.” “Personally, I would like to see it stop now for Australia because I want to feel safe as all of our citizens do when we go out to celebrate Australia Day,” the media personality opined. In contrast, she cited the example of Japan, which has a population of 174 million, including 100,000 Muslims, and yet “you never hear of terrorist attacks in Japan.” Co-host David Campbell tried to interrupt her and deflect the discussion, saying he wanted to see freedom of expression and religion. However, Kruger continued her anti-Muslim rants: “I would venture that if you spoke to the parents of those children killed in Nice, they would be of the same opinion.” Lisa Wilkinson, one of the show’s hosts who was apparently irked by Kruger’s anti-Muslim statements, mentioned that “good Muslim people were dying as a result of terrorist acts” and that the first casualty of the recent Nice attacks in France was a Muslim woman. “Just to clarify, Sonia, are you saying you would like our borders closed to Muslims at this point?” Wilkinson finally asked, to which Kruger answered in the affirmative. Then, Wilkinson labeled Sonia’s thinking synonymous to the “Donald Trump approach.” Kruger’s statements flickered a furious debate on social networking site Twitter, with some users praising her for being honest and some chastising her for her “inappropriate” racist remarks. Gianna Francesca Catolico

2016-07-18 12:00 newsinfo.inquirer.net

49 Coca's Comeback Forces Colombia to Rethink Drug War Explosives experts wearing heavy body armor light a fuse and take cover behind a concrete-reinforced trench. "Fire in the area! " a commando shouts before a deafening blast ricochets across the Andean foothills and sends a plume of brown smoke 30 meters (100 feet) high. Such drills have intensified for Colombia's military, one of the most battle- tested in the world, as it tries to control skyrocketing cocaine production that has fueled a half-century of war with leftist guerrillas. After six straight years of declining or steady production, the amount of land under coca cultivation in Colombia began rising in 2014 and jumped 42 percent last year to 159,000 hectares (393,000 acres), according to the U. S. government. That's an area twice the size of New York City, and after much production shifted to Peru over the past decade, the United Nations said recently that Colombia is once again the world's largest supplier of the drug. The military training exercises simulate the charges that troops typically use to blow up land mines protecting coca crops in areas dominated by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the rebel group known as the FARC. Once the mines are destroyed, civilians move in to dig up the plants. Troops have had to wipe out coca plants manually since last year when President Juan Manuel Santos ended a two-decade-old aerial eradication program over health concerns signaled in a World Health Organization- sponsored report reclassifying the chemical herbicide glyphosate as a carcinogen. But amid rising cocaine production, Colombia is being forced to rethink its anti-drug strategy again, taking into account the possibility of a more stable future now that the government has reached a cease-fire deal with rebels that will take effect once a final accord is signed, probably in the coming weeks. If and when that happens, the military is hopeful it will be able to shift its energy and resources from fighting rebels to pursuing top drug traffickers. In the meantime, Defense Minister Luis Carlos Villegas insists that Colombia's military is not easing up on eradication, as was suggested in June in Senate testimony by the State Department's top anti-narcotics official. "We haven't renounced the war on drugs," Villegas said in an interview. "Nobody in the world has produced more dead, more blood, or more resources than Colombia. " As proof, he points out the government's scaling up of manual eradication to replace the now-grounded crop duster plans that were piloted by Americans. In the coming months, Colombia will quadruple to around 200 the number of eradication crews, each comprised of about two dozen civilians escorted by a much-larger security detail of sharpshooters, paramedics and land mine removal teams. It's dangerous work. In the last 15 years, 153 people on manual eradication teams have been killed, the majority from exploding land mines or booby traps, according to the anti-narcotics police. More than 500 have lost limbs or suffered serious injuries. It's also costly and slow-going: On an average day, each crew can only clear about a hectare (about 2½ acres). That's why the government has managed to eradicate only about 9,000 hectares (22,000 acres) of coca fields this year compared to the 172,000 hectares (425,000 acres annually at the height of the fumigation program a decade ago. With some people warning that Colombia will soon be awash in coca because the manual eradication process moves so slowly, Santos earlier this year decided to bring back pesticides on a more limited — and what he says is safer — basis. Starting later this year, crews will be equipped with hazardous materials suits and motor-powered sprayers worn on their backs, allowing them to spread a glyphosate substitute over longer distances. But even those committed to the program's success recognize its limitations and yearn for a return to the days of fumigation. "Without a doubt the results aren't going to be sufficient," Capt. Manuel Perez, a police special forces instructor, said between loud blasts at Los Pijaos training base, a drive of a few hours south of Bogota. Elsewhere on the sprawling base, in an experimental field growing 23 varieties of coca, procedures and equipment are being tested against growers' ever-changing techniques. The biggest concern lately is a strain called "Boliviana negra" — Black Bolivian, also known as "Supercoca," which is found in the southern jungles and being studied for its resistance to the herbicide. However strong the government's eradication effort, the new strategy's linchpin is the FARC. The group has long funded its insurgency by levying a "war tax" on cocaine shipments moving through areas it controls. But as part of peace talks, it has already agreed to abandon the business and join the government in an alternative development program to wean an estimated 64,000 mostly-peasant families off the drug trade. Although details are scarce, the two sides in July made public a pilot project in western Antioquia state near where they're already removing land mines together. Conservative critics of Santos see his plan as tailor-made to appease the rebels, who have long compared the fumigation with glyphosate to the U. S. military's use of the defoliant Agent Orange during the Vietnam war . Experts say FARC members are taking advantage of the relative safety provided by the end of fumigation, as well as the long build-up to a peace deal, to urge farmers to increase coca production so they will be well- positioned to receive government assistance when hostilities cease. Meanwhile, the coca growers have little faith the government can deliver. A visit earlier this year by The Associated Press to a FARC-controlled area in Antioquia found some coca growers bracing for confrontation and showing no sign of slowing down. "We'll fight whoever comes and touches our plants," said Fernando Zapata, head of a community council in the tiny hamlet of San Isidro, his hands swollen green from so many years stripping coca leaves from its knobby bush. "We're organized and will fight to the death if necessary. They want to stop us from feeding our families. " ——— Associated Press writer Cesar Garcia in Bogota contributed to this report. Jacobo G. Garcia also contributed. ——— Joshua Goodman is on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjoshgoodman. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/journalist/joshua-goodman.

2016-07-18 12:00 By abcnews.go.com

50 Monsoon session of Parliament begins, Lok Sabha adjourned New Delhi: The monsoon session of parliament began on Monday but the Lok Sabha was adjourned shortly due to the death of Madhya Pradesh MP Dalpat Singh Paraste. Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the newly-inducted ministers in the Lok Sabha, which will resume on Tuesday. In the Rajya Sabha, the session started with Chairman Mohammad Hamid Ansari administering the oath of office to the newly-elected members of the house.

2016-07-18 12:00 By IANS www.mid-day.com

51 Four times Donald Trump answered Mike Pence’s questions on ’60 Minutes’ CLEVELAND -- For their first lengthy public interaction, Donald Trump and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence opted for a sit-down interview with 60 Minutes. Trump did most of the talking during the 21-minute segment that aired on Sunday night, while Pence sat beside him, gazing approvingly and allowing Trump to answer nearly all of the questions, even those directed at him. By the end, Trump had uttered more than 2,160 words while Pence's word count clocked in around 900. When Pence did get the chance to speak, Trump would often cut him off with a correction or answer of his own. For example, as Pence tried to explain why he was at first opposed to Trump's ban on foreign Muslims, he began by pointing out that Trump "clearly...is not a politician" and "doesn't speak like a politician. " "He speaks from his heart," Pence said earnestly. Trump cut in: "Is that a good thing? I think that's a good thing. Well, I speak from my heart and my brain. Just so we understand. " Pence agreed: "Right. " [ In announcing Mike Pence, Donald Trump talks mostly about himself ] Here are four times that Trump jumped in to answer a question on Pence's behalf: 1) Does Pence have chemistry with Trump? Early in the interview, Lesley Stahl of 60 Minutes listed some of the glaring differences between the two men, who sat in gold throne-like chairs in Trump's lavish Manhattan penthouse. She described Pence as "very low-key, very religious" and Trump as "a brash New Yorker. " Trump then insisted that he, too, was religious and that he won the votes of evangelicals. Stahl asked if Trump needed Pence to get evangelical voters. "I think it helps," Trump said. "But I don't think I needed him, no, because I won with evangelicals. " Pence jumped in to explain: "But I think we have more in common.... " But then Trump finished his sentence for him: "...what might be immediately obvious. " Trump continued: "I think we will have very, very good chemistry. I feel that. And I can feel that pretty early on. I don't think you need to be with somebody for two years to find that out. " 2) Can Pence stomach Trump's negative campaigning? Stahl brought up an essay that Pence wrote in early 1990s denouncing negative campaigning and asked him what he thought of Trump's tone. Pence started by simply saying that Trump is "a good man who's been talking about the issues the American people care about," but Stahl pressed him on Trump's name-calling. "Lesley, Lesley," Trump said, butting into the question. "We're different people. I understand that. I'll give you an example: Hillary Clinton is a liar. " "That's negative," Stahl said, "by the way. " Trump rattled off a few of his nicknames for Clinton, then came to Pence's defense. " "He's not that kind of a person," Trump said. "We're different people. To me, she's 'Crooked Hillary.' I don't think he should use that term. I've never said one way or the other. But to him, I don't think it would sound right, but he will say how dishonest she is by going over the facts. " [ Donald Trump finds unlikely supporters in a Cleveland suburb ] 3) Would Pence confront Trump in the White House? Stahl told Pence to picture winning the election and having an office down the hall from the president, an image that made the governor gently smile. Stahl asked if Pence would be willing to confront Trump on his name-calling or to tell him when he had crossed a line and needed to apologize. As Pence struggled to answer, Trump smirked. "Look, I," Pence started. "It's probably... it's... it's probably obvious to people that our styles are different, but I promise you, our vision is exactly the same. And let me be clear... " Stahl wanted an answer to her scenario: "Will you answer that? Would you go in? " "Well the... one of the things I found out about this man is he appreciates candor," Pence said cautiously, seemingly unable to definitively say that he would not hesitate to challenge his boss. As Stahl continued to press, Trump jumped in. "I'd like him to if he thinks I was doing something wrong," Trump said. "Would you listen to him? " Stahl asked. "Absolutely," Trump said. "Absolutely. I might not apologize... I might not do that, but I would absolutely want him to come in. If he thinks I'm doing something wrong, Mike, I would want him to come in... I accept that from my consultants and my people and if Mike came in and told me: 'You know, I think you should do this or that,' I would listen and very likely listen to him. " 4) Does Pence think Sen. John McCain is not a war hero because he was captured? Given that Trump had just given Pence the okay to challenge him, Stahl asked Pence about the comment Trump made last year about McCain, saying that he's not a war hero because he was a prisoner of war. "I have a great deal of respect for John McCain," Pence said carefully. "And... " Stahl pressed: "Do you think he went too far? " Trump jumped in: "You could say yes... That's okay. That one, you could say, 'yes.'" [ Donald Trump has no interest in apologizing to John McCain ] As Trump and Stahl bantered about that, Pence eventually jumped back in with his own answer. "I promise you that when the circumstances arise where I have a difference on policy or on presentation, I can tell you in my heart, I know I would have no hesitation -- were I privileged to be vice president -- to walk into the president's office, close the door and share my heart," Pence said. "And I also know this good man would listen, and has the leadership qualities to draw from the people around him. "

2016-07-18 12:00 Jenna Johnson www.washingtonpost.com

52 Man grazed by bullet in North Lawndale drive- by A man was grazed by a bullet Sunday evening in a North Lawndale neighborhood drive-by shooting on the West Side. The 24-year-old told investigators he was standing on a porch about 5:35 p.m. in the 4900 block of West Grenshaw when a dark-colored minivan drove by and someone inside fire shots, according to Chicago Police. He suffered a graze wound to the head and later showed up at Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was listed in good condition, police said.

2016-07-18 12:00 Ashlee Rezin chicago.suntimes.com

53 Senior S. Korean Prosecutor Arrested for Alleged Corruption A senior South Korean prosecutor has been arrested for allegedly pocketing millions of dollars following shady stock transaction deals with a leading online game maker, officials said Monday. Jin Kyung-joon, a vice ministerial-level official, was arrested and put to a detention facility on Sunday, according to the Justice Ministry. He is the most senior-level incumbent prosecutor to be arrested in the country. South Korea , a vibrant, liberal democracy, is one of the leading economies in Asia, but corruption scandals involving high-profile officials, politicians and businessmen still routinely take place. Many South Korean presidents or their family members and key aides have been embroiled in corruption scandals at the close of their terms or after leaving office. Some high-level prosecutors were forced to resign before they were arrested and put behind bars for bribery, abuse of power and other charges. Last year, then-Prime Minster Lee Wan Koo pledged to root out corruption, but only to resign a month later after he was implicated in a widening bribery scandal that involved a businessmen who killed himself. Jin faces allegations that he borrowed 400 million won ($352,000) from Kim Jung-ju, the founder of Nexon (Korea) to buy unlisted company shares in 2005 before selling them back to the company for 1 billion won ($881,000) the following year. He then allegedly bought shares of Nexon Japan , worth 1 billion won ($881,000), before selling them for 12.6 billion won ($11 million) last year, four years after the company was listed on the stock market. Jin and Kim, who attended a Seoul university together, had reportedly maintained good relations. South Korean media reports said Kim was believed to have expected to get future favors from Jin. Justice Minister Kim Hyun-woong on Sunday apologized for the scandal.

2016-07-18 12:00 By abcnews.go.com

54 Mumbai: KEM asks students from socially backward classes to pay up tuition fee Just months after Sudhir Mehra (name changed), a postgraduate pursuing a specialisation course at King Edward Memorial Hospital and Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College, lost his father in February, another catastrophe threatens to sink his career. The KEM recently issued the notice to 60 students, out of which 30 have paid their tuition fees. File Pic Mehra recently received a notice from the college asking him to clear tuition fee amounting to Rs 1,08,800 for the bygone academic year. The notice reads: “If you fail to make the payment of outstanding fee before your final examination of summer 2016 (to be held next month), your final result will be withheld by the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences. This office will not be held responsible for any delay in the declaration of your exam results.” But Mehra, who belongs to one of the socially backward class, is eligible for a freeship as per the Centre’s policy being followed across the country since 1945. Haunted by the thoughts of not being able to fulfil his father’s last wish, Mehra is leaving no stone unturned to collect the said amount. Likewise, KEM has issued notices to 60 students to pay their respective tuition fees. One of the students from pathology department who received a similar notice said, “I belong to a family of farmers. We don’t have that much money to pay the tuition fee. Last year too a similar incident occurred, but the college dropped the demand after students protested. While other colleges have informed their students verbally, only KEM issued such notices.” Living in fear Speaking to mid-day, Dr Sagar Mundada, president of Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD), said, “Afraid of the consequences, about 30 students somehow managed to pay their fees. But the rest can’t do it and are constantly reeling under the fear of losing out on a academic year.” He added that the organisation has filed a PIL in the Bombay High Court, requesting it to safeguard poor students against such malpractices. “Despite requesting the college authorities to wait until the verdict is out, they appear to be least interested in paying heed to our pleas,” Mundada said. The other side Justifying the recovery of tuition fees from the postgraduates, Dr Pravin Shingare, chief of Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), said they pay a stipend of R50,000 every month to the students. This automatically makes them ineligible to claim the benefits. “If a person’s income crosses R4 lakh, then he/she can’t enjoy the benefits. We spend R35 lakh on students annually. Despite providing them all the facilities, they want more. Also, all the students falling in the age group of 24 to 26 are not considered as dependents on their parents,” Shingare added. Rebuttal Countering this claim, Mundada said, “The money that we get as stipend is given for serving in hospitals. But the rules state that students from socially backward classes are eligible for a freeship, which is followed across India. There is no connection between the stipend and the freeship. Moreover, several students send a large chunk of their stipend back home to their poor parents.”

2016-07-18 11:39 By Rupsa www.mid-day.com

55 Kashmir: Mob tries to storm camp, 3 injured Srinagar: About two thousand additional CRPF personnel are being rushed to violence-hit Kashmir Valley even as a mob tried to storm an army camp yesterday in Bandipora district, shattering the day-long fragile peace in curfew- bound Kashmir. The additional CRPF personnel are expected to shore up security in the Valley where violence since July 9 has claimed 39 lives. Protesters attacked the army camp at Ajas, forcing the security forces to open fire. Three persons were injured in the incident, police said.

2016-07-18 11:02 By Agencies www.mid-day.com

56 12 new sites added to World Heritage List Istanbul: The World Heritage Committee on Sunday evening agreed to put 12 new sites on the World Heritage List before ending its 40th session in Turkey's Istanbul city. With nine others already approved on Friday, the session has placed a total of 21 out of 27 nominations for this year on the prestigious list, Xinhua news agency reported. With the 21 newly added -- 12 cultural sites, six natural and three mixed ones -- the heritage list has now 1,052 sites in 165 countries. The state of conservation of 155 properties was examined as well during the session, with five in Libya inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger along with one in Uzbekistan and another in Mali. Meanwhile, one site in Georgia was removed from the list of endangered sites, while the site of Nan Madol, or the Ceremonial Centre of Eastern Micronesia, was simultaneously inscribed on the World Heritage List and on the List in Danger. The 40th session started on July 10 and was cut short by four days due to the outbreak of a coup attempt in Turkey on Friday night. The heritage committee, a panel under the Unesco, decided to discuss the unfinished items on the agenda at another meeting slated to be held in Paris later. The 41st session is slated for July 2017 in Krakow, Poland. The heritage committee was formed in 1977 to enforce the World Heritage Convention and manage the heritage list created based on the convention.

2016-07-18 10:52 By IANS www.mid-day.com

57 All eyes on Theresa May After the substantial rise in indices it seems that the markets are likely to lose their upward momentum, especially since the Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicates the overbought situation of the market. The 14 day RSI of the Nifty stood at 66.4 and the daily RSI at 69 levels. Once RSI reaches at around 70 level, one can expect profit booking. Nifty has limited upside as of now, its immediate resistances are at 8578 and 8611. Britain’s new Prime Minister Theresa May has become the country’s second female PM after Margaret Thatcher. Pic/AFP The support levels are at 8477 and 8431; a move below these two levels can cause further selloff, which can bring down Nifty towards 8315. We can expect weak opening of Nifty today, later it will bounce back but may not sustain at higher levels. The passing of the GST Bill during the monsoon session of Parliament will keep the market positive, which will begin today. World market participants are very keen to see the policy decisions of UK Prime Minister Theresa May especially on Brexit. As the volatility of the markets are likely to increase in the days to come one should avoid writing off options. Inflation India’s inflation based CPI accelerated to 5.77 per cent in June 2016 from 5.76 per cent in May 2016. Increase of food price is the major contributor to the spike in CPI inflation. India’s consumer food price index rose to 7.79 per cent in June from 7.47 per cent in May 2016. Value buying has been seen in the logistic sector ahead of the parliament session, but one should take utmost care while initiating long positions due to high volatility of this sector. Pharma, metal, auto and commodities sectors will give support to the market. IT, banking and metal sector will face profit booking most probably from tomorrow. Lot of important economic data from the United States (US) and European Union (EU) are expected in this week which include continuing jobless claims, initial jobless claims from the US and unemployment rate, inflation rate, service PMI and manufacturing PMI from the EU. US markets tested a record high on Friday and major indexes closed a third consecutive week of gains on strong economic data and beginning of earning season. US retail sale rose more than street expectation. After the trading hours, S&P 500 futures fell after reports of a military coup underway in Turkey. Turkey ETF which tracks Turkey markets dropped by around 6.9 per cent. Dow Jones Dow Jones closed on Friday at 18516 and it has supports at 18300 and 18133. Dow will face resistances at 18642 and 18762. Dow Jones RSI is at 67, which is also very close to its overbought zone. Bank of England left key rate unchanged at 0.5 per cent after the monetary policy review on July 14, 2016 which supported the EU zone markets. The good news for the market was India’s widening trade deficit which has contracted after a long time. Indian exports rose 1.3 per cent and imports declined by around 7.3 per cent. Large number of Nifty 50 and mid cap companies will release their quarterly earnings this week, which includes Gruh Finance, Exide Industries, HUL, Mind Tree, Ultratech, Wipro, Crompton Greaves, Kitex, SKF India, ABB, Biocon, Cairn India, HDFC Bank, Kotak Bank, Axis Bank, Federal Bank, M&M Finance etc. Gold retreated in the last week after a surging US dollar and subdued consumer inflation data. In the last seven trading sessions, gold lost nearly 2 per cent in value. Gold has support at $ 1320 and $ 1310 per troy ounce, and it could face resistances at $ 1341.70 and $ 1355.30 per troy ounce.

2016-07-18 10:51 By Alex www.mid-day.com

58 58 Get set for a bull run, soon Markets gained last week on the first four days of trading and lost some ground on Friday. Net gains were significant and markets closed at a new high for the year on the Sensex and Nifty. The Sensex gained 709.60 points or 2.62 per cent to close at 27,836.50 points while Nifty gained 218.20 points or 2.62 per cent to close at 8,541.40 points. The broader markets saw the BSE100, BSE200 and BSE500 gain 2.64 per cent, 2.34 per cent and 2.15 per cent respectively. BSEMIDCAP gained 2.06 per cent but BSESMALLCAP gained a mere tad at 0.02 per cent. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anant Kumar, Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Jyotiraditya Scindia at an all-party meeting ahead of the monsoon session, at Parliament House in New Delhi. Pic/PTI In sectoral gainers, the top performance was BSEMETAL up 8.31 followed by BSEBANKEX 5.27 per cent and BSEAUTO 3.63 per cent. The losers were led by BSEIT down 3.56 per cent and BSETECH 1.97 per cent. In individual stocks, the top gainers were from either the metal or banking pack. Tata Steel gained 17.03 per cent followed by Vedanta 14.12 per cent and the group company Cairn India which is to be merged up 18.98 per cent. The banking pack saw PNB gain 15.65 per cent, Canara Bank 13.47 per cent and ICICI Bank 9.79 per cent. The losers were few and one had to actually look for them. The top loser was Infosys down 7.51 per cent followed by Tata Power 2.45 per cent and Sun Pharma 1.16 per cent. Gains The Indian rupee gained 30 paisa or 0.45 per cent to close at 67.06. Dow Jones had a great week gaining 369.81 points or 2.04 per cent to close at 18,516.55 points. The geo-political situation is not too good and we seem to be having incidents spread across the world where the target is poor innocent citizens and unfortunately children seem to be bearing the brunt of it. Bangladesh, France, US and now Turkey saw an attempted coup. Primary markets are in the pink of health currently. Last week saw one issue listing, one issue opening and closing for subscription and yet another company announcing its issue and having the road show. Quess Corp which was subscribed overall 144 times and HNI or leveraged portion subscribed 392 times listed. The share closed with gains of R 174.65 or 55.09 per cent at Rs 491.65 against the issue price of Rs 317. The issue from L&T Infotech did reasonable well with the overall issue subscribed 11.69 times. QIB portion 19.91, HNI 10.76 and retail portion 7.39 times. The number of applications received was a record beating the recent 9.76 lakh applications at 10.90 lakh applications. Issues The issue from Advanced Enzymes opens on Wednesday, July 20 and closes on Friday July 22. The company plans to raise R 412 crores at the top end of the price band of Rs 880-896. The shares are being offered at price earnings multiple of 24.87 based on the fully diluted, consolidated earnings for the year ended March 2016. The earnings for the year are R 36.03. The grey market for the issue indicates a premium in the range of Rs 360-380 which is about 40 per cent of the issue price. Parliament begins the monsoon session today, July 18. It is a short session and would end before Independence Day on August 12. A large number of bills are expected to be put up for debate during this session including the all-important GST Bill. It is expected that the bill maybe amongst the first of the block and could be tabled in the first week of the monsoon session. Assuming something like this does happen there is a possibility that the passing of the bill would lead to euphoria in the markets. Euphoria or gloom does not last beyond the 48-72 hour period and something similar would happen this time around as well. On the flip side if it is tabled towards the end of the session, the markets could be in an extended bull phase with the markets inching up in anticipation of GST becoming a law. International Global markets seem to be doing better than expected even though Brexit has happened. Though it sounds strange, the fact remains that nobody likes falling markets. In such a scenario one has to choose which way to trade. The first choice is go with the trend of the market and the second is do what the mind says. In short it means one has to reduce exposure to the market and wait for valuations to become justified or allow sanity to return. I believe in India, once important bills are passed the same logic would apply. Trade cautiously and do not get carried away by euphoria. It is always short lived. Disclaimer: No financial information whatsoever published anywhere in this newspaper should be construed as an offer to buy or sell securities, or as advice to do so in any way whatsoever. All matter published here is for educational and information purposes only and under no circumstances should be used for actual trading or making investment decisions. Readers must consult a qualified financial advisor prior to making any actual investment or trading decisions, based on information published here. Any reader taking decisions based on any information published here does so entirely at his or her risk.

2016-07-18 10:50 By Arun www.mid-day.com

59 Mumbai: F-North ward held to ransom by hoodlums, rampant construction At the very heart of Mumbai, right at the edge of the island city, is the F-North ward. With several prominent areas like Matunga, Sion, Wadala, Prateeksha Nagar and Antop Hill, this is where the island city connects with both, the eastern and western suburbs, forming the borderline between Mumbai and Greater Mumbai. Renowned for its colourful Ganpati festivities and plethora of udupi hotels, this quarter of the city is also considered one of Mumbai’s green lungs because of the large number of trees and parks – the latest addition being the 800-metre-long joggers park under the flyover on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road in Matunga. But here too, the green canopy is quickly transforming into a grey concrete jungle, stacked with buildings like Lego blocks. As the older houses are demolished to make way for swankier skyscrapers, so too are Matunga’s south Indian residents being replaced by a more diverse and affluent population, along with a whole new set of problems resulting from the uncontrolled development. The already busy area outside Matunga station gets further congested because of illegal parking. Pic/Atul Kamble Terrible traffic: As the local population continues to grow, the number of vehicles on the road too have increased correspondingly. But with roads staying much the same over the years, it has led to heavy traffic on the roads. Once a calm and quiet place, now the air here constantly rings with the impatient honks of motorists trapped in a traffic nightmare. Roads have just 2-3 lanes, most of which are blocked with double parking, leaving just one lane for vehicular movement. With hawkers occupying most footpaths, there’s barely any space for pedestrians either. At Wadala and Prateeksha Nagar, things are even more difficult because of the Monorail pillars and illegal slums eating up space. Slum segments: Slums occupy vast swathes of Wadala, Antop Hill, Chunabhatti and Prateeksha Nagar. At locations near Sion Koliwada and Chaar Rasta at King’s Circle (leading to Wadala), one the slums go as far as the eye can see. The authorities are doing little to stop these illegal structures from gobbling up roads and open spaces. With many of these shantytowns sitting on the roadside, tonnes of garbage is dumped right on the roads, leading to a major sanitation problem. Garden gangsters: This side of the city is known for gardens and playgrounds. Famous areas like Five Gardens, Parsi Colony, Hindu Colony, King’s Circle, Sion Circle, Matunga and Indian Gymkhana are some of large centres that provide open spaces. However, this ward’s open spaces turn into a haven for anti-social elements late at night. In fact, the local police have put up posters asking people to stay safe from thieves and chain- snatchers. Locals claim that most of these criminals loiter inside these gardens and gymkhanas.

2016-07-18 10:49 By Shashank www.mid-day.com

60 Mumbai Diary: Monday Dossier Which side of the court, Sania? Pic/Rane Ashish Salman Khan and Sania Mirza engage in some quick fix setting up on stage during the launch of the tennis ace’s book at a five-star near the airport last evening. Ink chic, with no regrets Mandy baby never ceases to amaze us with her hatke chic quotient. Here’s a recent frame that Mandira Bedi posted, with a dash of urban philosophy attached to it: ‘Look back. But never in regret.’ We like. Pic courtesy/Mandira Bedi’s Twitter account Heard this? If you loved Mirchi and Mime, Powai’s fine dine that won as many accolades for employing speech and hearing impaired attendants as much as for its innovative contemporary Indian cuisine, there’s more reason to cheer. The natty interiors at the Powai outpost; we are keen to see if the interiors at the new offerings will be in sync with it. Pic/Sameer Markande This diarist has learnt that in the next three months the proprietors will be opening a watering hole called Madira and Mime, close to their current location. Plans to open a similar outpost in Bandra (W) or BKC are also on the cards. Spicy good times for Mumbai foodies, no? Tham brothers’ next in Juhu Their father created waves when he opened the eponymous fine-dine Henry Thams in Colaba and the brothers, Ryan and Keenan, have taken the legacy forward with two of Mumbai’s prized possessions — Juhu’s Trilogy, a favourite nightspot among the high-heeled and The Good Wife at BKC. Ryan (left) and Keenan Tham at KOKO. Pic/Shadab Khan Now, while their latest offering, KOKO, an Asian gastropub offering Cantonese fare and inventive cocktails (read: Tom Yum Cup and Muztagh Pass) has just opened doors at Kamala Mills in Lower Parel, the brothers have already immersed themselves in setting up their next venture. We hear they’re launching a restaurant in Juhu, a level below Trilogy itself. “It will be an Asian space but again, very different from KOKO. It will open by year- end,” is all the reticent Ryan was willing to share with this diarist. Ready for some new Jnana It’s one of our favourite spaces for cultural nirvana in SoBo, and so the news that Jnanapravaha has undergone a revamp, came as good news. The space inside the charming Queen’s Mansion off Dr DN Road, announced the news on social media, including that new programmes and plans are in the pipeline. We’re hooked already. The other Hotel California We’re pretty sure this one will make you chuckle on a blah Monday morning. Atul Kasbekar At least, we did, when we spotted this frame posted by Atul Kasbekar , along with an attempt to pen lyrics too. We’ll just let you be the judge on this desi version. Courtesy/Atul Kasbekar's Twitter account On a dark desert highway Cool wind in my hair Warm smell of Parathas Risin up in the air...??

2016-07-18 10:47 By Team www.mid-day.com

61 Cong calls for CM resignation over gang rape A 15-year-old girl was brutally raped allegedly by three men who inflicted injuries all over her body and broke her limbs before throttling her in Kopardi village in Ahmednagar district, sparking outrage as well as political slugfest with Opposition Leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil demanding the resignation of CM Devendra Fadnavis on “moral grounds”. All three accused were arrested on July 13. The crime has sparked protests in Karjat taluka in Ahmed-nagar district, where villagers took to streets demanding strict action. “The incident took place on July 13 when the 15-year-old victim was returning after meeting her grandfather. She was accosted by three persons, Jitendra Shinde, Santosh Bhaval and Nitin Dhailume, who gang- raped her before throttling her to death. Both her shoulders were found to be dislocated,” said Ahmednagar SP Saurabh Tripathi.

2016-07-18 10:47 By A www.mid-day.com

62 AAP would have done four times more work: Arvind Kejriwal New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal yesterday said the Aam Aadmi Party government would have done a lot more work in the national capital but for the “obstacles” put up by the central government. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal “We have done lots of work in Delhi in the last one and a half years. We would have done four times more if the central government had not created obstacles for us,” Kejriwal said in response to a question during his maiden interactive session “Talk to AK”. He also alleged the central government wanted to paralyse the Delhi government.

2016-07-18 10:45 By Agencies www.mid-day.com

63 Arvind Kejriwal cleans dishes at Golden Temple as penance Amritsar: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal cleaned utensils at a community kitchen as he and other Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders performed 'sewa' (voluntary religious service) inside the Golden Temple complex here on Monday. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal upon his arrival at Amritsar airpot on Sunday. Kejriwal will perform sewa at the Golden temple. Pic/ PTI Accompanied by senior party leaders, including Ashish Khetan, lawyer H. S. Phoolka, AAP MPs Bhagwant Mann and Sadhu Singh, actors and AAP members Gul Panag and Gurpreet Ghuggi and others, Kejriwal arrived at the Golden Temple complex, where the holiest of Sikh shrines 'Harmandar Sahib' is situated. The move by Kejriwal to come here was to seek forgiveness for AAP's political gaffe after the party's 'Youth manifesto' carried a picture of 'Harmandar Sahib', popularly known as the Golden Temple, along with AAP election symbol of 'broom'. "While releasing the 'Youth Manifesto' of the party, we had committed some mistakes unintentionally. To seek forgiveness, we have done sewa at Darbar Sahib," Kejriwal, who remained inside the shrine complex for nearly one hour, told media after performing service at the shrine. Sporting a white handkerchief to cover his head and with folded hands, Kejriwal went around the shrine complex, offered prayers and later cleaned utensils at the 'Langar' hall, the community kitchen which serves food to over one lakh people in a single day. Kejriwal and others also partook of langar (community food). The AAP, and Kejriwal, faced criticism from the Sikh community, Punjab's ruling Shiromani Akali Dal, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and radical Sikh organisations for the goof-up. Protests were held against the AAP. This was Kejriwal's second visit to the Sikh shrine within 15 days. He had begun his three-day Punjab tour on July 3 by offering prayers at the same shrine. It was immediately after his visit that Kejriwal released the party's controversial 'Youth manifesto' here, 250 km from Chandigarh. AAP leader Ashish Khetan was also booked by the Punjab Police on charge of hurting religious sentiments of the Sikhs by equating the manifesto with Guru Granth Sahib, the Bible and the Gita. Apologies by Khetan and the AAP over both controversies were rejected by the Akali Dal, opposition Congress and the SGPC. The AAP gaffe gave political fodder to the Akali Dal, Congress and others to corner the party just months ahead of assembly elections in Punjab which are likely to be held in February next year. The AAP is posing serious challenge to both parties in Punjab. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy and son Sukhbir Singh Badal had accused the AAP leaders of "hurting the religious sentiments of the Sikhs" through their actions. The Chief Ministerhad said the "atrocious act" of displaying a picture of the temple on the cover of the AAP 'Youth manifesto' along with a picture of broom was "blasphemy". Akali Dal President Sukhbir Badal too said that the AAP and its leadership was a "bunch of outsiders who don't have any inkling of the culture and traditions of Punjab. " Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh had questioned Kejriwal for seeking forgiveness 15 days after committing the mistake.

2016-07-18 10:44 By IANS www.mid-day.com

64 Now, pre-book your last rites Have you planned your funeral? Sure, that’s an odd question. Perhaps, even a little distasteful. But a Lower Parel-based funeral planning agency wants you be prepared for your last journey. The standee advertisement by Sukhant Funeral Management on bookings for funeral service was set up outside the Aaji Ajoba Udyan in Shivaji Park The company, Sukhant Funeral Management, put up a standee advertisement outside the Aaji Ajoba Udyan in Shivaji Park recently, offering pre-bookings on last rites. The service is aimed at those without families and friends, and those who are uncertain of whether their children would be able to arrange their funerals. The funeral services, starting at R15,000, can be customised. If one wants his/her body to be carried out in a procession on truck, or wants the pyre to be made of sandalwood, the rates go up. The agency even offers the option to manage the minute details, like whether the wake should be held in an air-conditioned hall and who should be invited for it. It, however, offers funerals only as per Hindu customs. All payments have to be made at one go. Just like a will Mahesh Chavan from the agency claimed that pre-booking one’s funeral is no different from preparing a will. “We have put up banners across Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai. We recently put one up in Shivaji Park. When people plan for everything, why not this as well? It’s like a will. Whatever they write in the form, we fulfil them.” The agency takes care of all the last rites — right from claiming the body to lighting the pyre. Relatives can be part of the funeral if they are keen on it. Chavan claimed that the agency has been offering these special services for years and has conducted 130 such funerals. He, however, refused to divulge the number of bookings made. ‘Good idea’ Many residents of Shivaji Park see the merit in planning one’s funeral. Suraj Dalvi, who was taking a walk near the Aaji Ajoba Udyan, said such services can be a boon to many. “I don’t think I will need such a service. But there are many people who do not have many relatives. Such a service can put their mind at ease.” Another walker, Prakash Bastikar, is sure that his son would take care of his last rites. “The service may sound insensitive, but those who live alone or don’t have anyone can make use of it,” he suggested.

2016-07-18 10:37 By Varun www.mid-day.com

65 Kidney transplant racket: Two held in Gujarat The Powai police, probing the kidney transplant racket busted on July 14 at Dr LH Hiranandani Hospital, have detained two more accused involved in the case. Sources said that a team has left for Gujarat to bring these two agents to Mumbai. An officer of the Powai police said that the two agents in Gujarat helped mastermind Vijendra Bisen get the donor, Shobha Thakur (42) - documents were created showing her name was Rekha and she was from south India - for the recipient, Brijkishore Jaiswal (48), the Surat-based textile businessman. The police said that Bisen was a member of many NGOs and samitis. Bisen who had got Sundar Singh — he approached a social worker who complained to police about the surgery at Hiranandani hospital, when he was cheated of his kidney as well — into the business, had also given him a letter head of a doctor, which he could use to forge a hospital document. The police officers said that Singh used to transport these documents in and out of the hospital. Iqbal Sheikh, one of the accused, will be produced in the court today.

2016-07-18 10:29 By Shiva www.mid-day.com

66 Most rivers in Uttarakhand breach danger mark as rains continue Dehradun: Heavy rains continued to pound Uttarakhand on Monday causing most rivers to breach its danger mark, an official said. Officials informed that Saryu, Sharda, Gori and Bhagirathi rivers are flowing above the danger mark while Alaknanda and Mandakini are in spate and could breach the danger mark any time. Seven persons were killed in rain-related mishaps and three persons were washed away in Haridwar late Sunday. According to the Disaster Management Cell, over 900 pilgrims on the 'Chaar Dham Yatra' route were stranded at different points due to the incessant rains. At many places the roads have caved in, with land slides blocking vehicular movement, the official told IANS. The connection of Yamuna valley in Uttarkashi has been completely snapped with the state capital as a result of which more than four lakh people were left to fend for themselves. Rail traffic was also hit as boulders had come tumbling on the Haridwar- Dehradun route tunnel. More than a dozen houses were reported to have collapsed in the hill areas of the Kumaon division but no loss of life was reported.

2016-07-18 10:28 By IANS www.mid-day.com

67 Curfew, separatist called shutdown continue for 11th day in Kashmir Srinagar: Officially imposed curfew and a shutdown called by the separatists paralysed normal life for the 11th consecutive day in the Valley on Monday. Officials told IANS that Sunday was the first day without any civilian casualty since the violence engulfed the Valley on July 9, following the killing of Hizbul Commander Burhan Wani in a gunfight with the security forces on July 8. "A violent mob attacked a camp of the Rashtriya Rifles in Saderkot area of Bandipora district yesterday (Sunday) forcing the soldiers to open fire in self-defence. " "Four protesters were injured in the incident. " "Except for stray incidents of stone pelting at some places, the overall law and order situation remained calm yesterday (Sunday) across the Valley," a senior police officer told IANS. Over a week long cycle of violence has left 40 protesters and two policemen dead in Kashmir. Authorities have officially confirmed that newspaper owners were asked not to publish newspapers till July 19. Cable television services have, however, been resumed after service providers took off all Pakistan TV channels and two private Indian channels. All mobile phone services including Internet and call facilities have been snapped across the Valley. Limited call facility continued on post-paid cell phones provided by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). All schools, colleges and universities have been closed till July 24. All job interviews by the state Public Service Commission (PSC) have also been postponed. Closure of the strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway for over a week has caused shortage of essential items in the Valley. All supplies of essentials of life are routed into the landlocked Valley through this highway. Train services between Baramulla town in the Valley and Bannihal town in the Jammu region also remained suspended for the 11th day on Monday. Separatist leaders continue to remain under house arrest and preventive detention in summer capital Srinagar. The centre has rushed another 20 companies of paramilitary forces to assist the state government in maintaining law and order in the trouble-torn Valley.

2016-07-18 10:27 By IANS www.mid-day.com

68 Mumbai: Man agrees to deliver gun to pay for wife's delivery, is arrested In a strange case of two different deliveries, a man desperate for money to pay for his pregnant wife’s delivery agreed to be a delivery boy for a pistol but landed behind bars in the process. The 27-year-old was arrested by the MIDC police in Andheri on Saturday night under the Arms Act. The accused told cops that he committed the crime as he desperately needed the money to pay for the delivery. But when produced before the judge in court, he complained about physical torture by cops before arrest. An official from MIDC police station said, “The accused Mosim Mansoor Salem was booked under the Arms Act. We recovered one desi pistol and four live rounds from him. The court has remanded him in police custody till July 19.” Police said Salem has not revealed where he got the pistol from and to whom he was going to deliver it. Salem stays with his wife in Bandra East and she is due to deliver this month. Cops said that Salem was desperate for money. He was told that he could make quick money by delivering a pistol to someone. The cops from MIDC police station got a tip-off and managed to arrest Salem before the pistol could be delivered. When Salem was produced in the court, he said that the cops had beaten him up before arrest. The judge gave a warning to cops and remanded Salem in police custody till 19. The police will now investigate how the accused got the pistol and where he was going to sell it.

2016-07-18 10:11 By Saurabh www.mid-day.com

69 Omnicom Media Group announces Peter Horgan to replace Leigh Terry who departs for IPG APAC IPG Mediabrands has announced its new APAC CEO as former Omnicom Media Group ANZ CEO Leigh Terry. Omnicom Media Group (OMG) has been quick to announce his replacement as Peter Horgan, who was most recently CEO of OMD Australia. IPG Mediabrands said in a statement penned by IPG Mediabrands’ Global CEO Henry Tajer, that the business had been after Terry for a while. “Leigh is a very highly respected and effective executive who has been on our most-wanted list for quite some time and I am very excited he has chosen to join us,” he said. Terry has a strong digital background, having launched digital capabilities for OMD in London in 2000. He later moving to Australia to launch the agency’s digital, data and direct operations, rising to CEO of ANZ. Hs replacement Horgan will now have charge of Omnicom Media Group’s assets in Australia and New Zealand and across all brands including OMD, PHD, M2M, Foundation, Dynamo, Resolution, Accuen, Annalect and Airwave. Cheuk Chiang, APAC CEO, Omnicom Media Group, said: “Peter has done an exceptional job in elevating OMD in Australia taking it to the number one position. OMD Australia has recently delivered fantastic results with strong growth. The talent, offering, work and innovative culture are second to none and Peter, together with strong leadership from both Australia and New Zealand will continue to drive our high performance in the region.”

2016-07-18 10:07 www.thedrum.com

70 5 Deeply Regressive Ideas In The Modern Green Movement The Sierra Club published a 37-page report this week attacking presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump for his “regressive” views on global warming. The Daily Caller News Foundation decided to examine the five most regressive policies environmentalists have promoted. Policies promoted by The Sierra Club and environmentalist organizations are often at odds with other traditionally progressive ideas and frequently end up doing the most harm to the poor since raising prices and environmental regulations impact low-income individuals far more than the wealthy. Vehement Opposition To Immigration Many green groups believe all environmental problems are directly caused by there being too many humans and many have long opposed immigration on environmental grounds. “Population growth puts pressure on the environment, accelerates deforestation and increases our dependence on fossil fuels,” Progressive for Immigration Reform claimed in its 2014 Earth Day message . “Today, 80 percent of our population growth is spurred by immigration. While conservation is important, efforts to reduce our environmental impact must include stabilizing immigration.” The Sierra Club previously had a similar message, and even claimed that “… all of our environmental successes may be short-lived if they do not include efforts to address population growth .” The environmental group’s official policy until 1996 was that both birth rates and immigration levels needed to sharply decline to stabilize the U. S. population. The Sierra Club has splintered and lost members over immigration before finally announcing in 2013 that it supports a pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens. Now, the organization’s only position on population reduction is its promotion of “ voluntary family planning and reproductive health services.” Population Control Mainstream green groups have also claimed the freedom to have kids should be restricted to save the planet. “Childbearing [should be] a punishable crime against society, unless the parents hold a government license … All potential parents [should be] required to use contraceptive chemicals, the government issuing antidotes to citizens chosen for childbearing” David Brower, the first executive director of The Sierra Club, stated in an interview in 1990 . Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, who advised both Pope Francis and German Chancellor Angela Merkel , claimed the Earth can support a maximum number of 1 billion people. As of 2016, there are more than 7.3 billion humans on Earth . The dire predictions of greens have consistently failed to materialize. The number of people living in poverty has significantly declined and the amount of food per person has steadily increased , despite population growth. The quality of life of the average person has also immeasurably improved. Raising The Price Of Everything To Devastate The Poor A green solution to global warming is spending lots of money on wind and solar power while banning conventional energy sources that emit carbon dioxide (CO2). This could cause the price of electricity to spike, harming poor people. The price of everything that uses electricity spikes when power costs increase. Poorer people tend to spend a higher proportion of their incomes on basic needs, like groceries, power bills, clothing, housing and gasoline than wealthier people. A 2009 study by the National Bureau of Economic Research found green policies would make the tax burden of the poorest households three times greater than the richest households. A slew of impending and costly global warming policies will ultimately harm the world’s poor , according to a growing number of academics . Even the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assumes in its various scenarios that the people of 2100 will be between three and 20 times wealthier than people of today, despite assuming the worst possible impacts of global warming. Reducing emissions today for the benefit of people in 2100 is transferring money from the poor to the rich. Extreme global warming of 2.5 degrees Celsius by 2100 is estimated by economists to reduce the average person’s buying power by a mere 1.3 percent. That’s less than the average annual rate of economic growth. This means that existing environmental regulations already do more damage to the average person’s buying power than the worst case global warming scenarios. Anti-Global Warming Policies Are Devastating Minorities Studies by academics and think tanks find environmentalist-inspired public policy likely increases unemployment , slows economic growth , and often leads to regulatory incentives that make the plight of minorities much worse. Increases in the price of electricity harm black Americans and other ethnic minorities far more than they harm the average household, according to a study by the Pacific Research Institute (PRI). President Barack Obama’s Clean Power Plan is estimated to raise the average annual electricity bill from 2.9 percent to 3.8 percent of average household income. Minorities tend to have lower than average household income and thus spend a far higher proportion of their money on electricity and energy. PRI found the average black household in America will see its annual spending on electricity rise from 4.5 percent to 5.8 percent of income thanks to the Clean Power Plan. Lower-income black Americans will bear an even larger burden and could spend up to 26 percent of their household income on electricity. Using Taxpayer Cash To Brainwash Kids About Global Warming The best way to get adults to act like environmentalists is by brainwashing their children, according to research published in July by Oregon State University. The study found that talking to kids about global warming encouraged parents to use less energy and act more like environmentalists. The research was conducted on 30 Girl Scout troops in northern California and had a “lasting impact on family energy consumption” for at least eight months after the program ended. The study was financially supported by government grants from the U. S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency — Energy Program, the California Energy Commission, the Child Health Research Institute and the Precourt Energy Efficiency Center. Follow Andrew on Twitter Send tips to andrew@ dailycallernewsfoundation.org . Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].

2016-07-18 09:59 Energy Environmental dailycaller.com

71 Vigil Planned Sunday for Texas Dad And Son Killed In Nice Terrorist Attack A candlelight vigil is planned for Sunday night for the father and his 11-year-old son from Texas who were killed in the Nice attack. A fundraising campaign created on Friday has already raised more than $63,000 for the family. Sean Copeland, 51, and his son, Brodie, 11, were among those killed in Thursday’s attack. The Copelands were celebrating Bastille Day with other spectators on the Promenade des Anglais, watching the fireworks, when the truck plowed through the crowd. Heather Copeland, the niece of Sean, tweeted and indicated a candlelight vigil will be held at 8 p.m. in the town of Prosper in the Frontier Park Pavilion. “Anyone is welcome,” she wrote, ending with the hashtag #copelandstrong. Brodie, who was a baseball player at Hill Country Baseball, was said to make an impact on all the coaches there. A gofundmepage was created by the owner of Hill Country Baseball, Jonathan Paiz, has already raised $63,830 since it started on Friday. “Brodie has been playing baseball at Hill Country since Fall of 2014. Immediately, he made an impact on all of the coaches at HC. Sean was very supportive and proud to be a part of the HC family,” Paiz wrote. “Nobody deserves this type of fate, especially not such a wonderful family. You are in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers. We are asking that you support the Copeland family in this time of need. These funds will go directly to the Copeland family. Rest in peace, Brodie and Sean, you will be remembered by many,” wrote Paiz. In a post on its Facebook page , Hill Country was in Austin last night to remember the Copelands. “We spent a couple of hours at the graffiti wall last night in downtown Austin. Figured this would be a fun way to say that we miss you, Brodie!” The graffiti wall reads, “R. I. P. #8” and #CopelandStrong.

2016-07-18 09:59 dailycaller.com

72 Republican Senator: Purge Trump Supporters From GOP Arizona Republican senator and prominent Donald Trump critic Jeff Flake believes the GOP must purge the presumptive nominee’s supporters after the election in order to survive. In an interview with The New York Times published over the weekend, Flake said that many of Trump’s fans are motivated by racism and need to get the boot as soon as Trump, he hopes, goes down in flames. “Those who want a Muslim ban, those who will disparage individuals or groups — yes we ought to, we need to [purge],” the senator told The Times. He cited William F. Buckley’s famous purge of John Birch Society members from mainstream conservatism as a precedent, and believes it is necessary due to Trump’s lacking performance in the polls at the moment. “You’ve got to hope that, if this race keeps going the way it looks to be going, that it’s enough of a jolt to wake people up and say we don’t want to be relegated to second place in every future presidential campaign,” Flake argued. While the Arizona senator may want his party to be free of those who approve of a Muslim moratorium, if a purge of them did take place, it would kick out more than half of the party. According to a Rasmussed poll conducted in April , 66 percent of Republican voters support a temporary ban on Muslim immigration to the United States. Furthermore, a March Morning Consult poll found that exactly half of all Americans favor the moratorium. In addition, if Flake wants to purge any Republican deemed a bigot by the press, he might have to include his own son. In 2013, it was discovered that Flake’s teenage son used the “n” word, “faggot” and anti-Semitic language in a series of Facebook posts. The senator later apologized for his son’s comments. Earlier this month, Flake had a contentious meeting with Trump after he introduced himself as the Arizona senator “who was not captured,” a dig at the GOP candidate’s derision of Sen. John McCain’s war record. (RELATED: Report: Trump Has Contentious Meeting With Senate Republicans) Follow Scott on Twitter

2016-07-18 09:59 Deputy Editor dailycaller.com

73 Baidu to pay $437 million for a majority stake in A. C. Milan Chinese internet business Baidu is reportedly paying $437 million for a 70 per cent stake in A. C. Milan. The news was first reported by China’s official CCTV on Friday but has since been picked up in Western media too. The news channel reported, "Chinese investors' overseas sport investments show an upward trend. Baidu CEO Robin Li's team has achieved progress in negotiating with the Italian club A. C. Milan. (Li or Baidu) is expected to pay $437 million to acquire A. C. Milan” according to Seeking Alpha. According to the website, if the deal takes place then both the top teams in Milan will be Chinese-owned and place the buying prices below estimations. It also said that the deal has come about because it’s become “fashionable” to buy top flight European football teams among China’s richest business people. It also claims it's seen as a “show of support to President Xi Jinping”.

2016-07-18 10:05 www.thedrum.com

74 Venezuelan Crisis Could End In One Of Five Ways Venezuela is facing devastating dual economic and political crises, which could likely end in one of five ways. Venezuela Has A Presidential Recall Election Members of the Venezuelan conservative opposition have tried to reason with socialist President Nicolas Maduro for several months to cooperate on making Venezuela a more democratic country. The opposition was marginalized by the authoritarian leader even though it won control of the country’s National Assembly, the equivalent of Congress, in December 2015 elections. Opposition leaders are now trying to oust the president in a constitutional manner by pushing for a presidential recall election. Maduro is resisting the opposition’s pressure, as well as demands by leaders such as President Barack Obama , that the government respect the constitution. The Ruling Socialist Government Enacts Reforms And Cooperates With The Opposition In a bid to avoid the total collapse of Venezuela, Maduro might make a deal with the opposition that would let him stay in power and save face with the international community. The socialist leader could propose a united government or announce he will free all political prisoners, including U. S.- educated opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez. Maduro would then likely promise to respect the authority of the National Assembly to ensure he remains in office. Locally-Led Coup d’État Opposition leaders may soon grow so impatient with Maduro’s intransigence and the lack of action by the international community, that they could approach senior members of the military and national police to help them launch a coup. A coup would not be unusual for Venezuela, given that Hugo Chavez — Maduro’s mentor — tried to become president as an army officer via a failed coup attempt in 1992 before he was elected in 1998. Maduro could also be ousted via coup by fellow socialist Diosdado Cabello. Cabello is the former speaker of the Venezuelan National Assembly, the equivalent of the Speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives. Cabello was also a top Chavez deputy and many senior members of the Venezuelan military are loyal to him. The Status Quo Remains Venezuelans might just endure their horrible conditions. Maduro continues to have the loyalty of the military and the police, while the opposition is increasingly meaningless as their constitutional power is not respected. Venezuela’s neighbors have their own problems to worry about, so they cannot or will not intervene. Brazil is too busy managing a sinking economy, a corrupt interim government, the Zika virus, and preparing for the Olympics. Colombia is currently focused on wrapping up years-long peace negotiations with a top rebel group. Maduro may ultimately be in office until the end of his term in 2019. U. S. Intervention Obama does not often favor intervention abroad, but if the U. S. does step in militarily, it wouldn’t be the first time. While many tend to think back to the Bay of Pigs Invasion in Cuba, the U. S. has actually involved itself much more directly and more recently in the region. Former President George H. W. Bush had U. S. forces invaded Panama in 1989 to take out the country’s de facto leader, General Manuel Noriega. There is a significant security interest that could play a role in determining an invasion, considering Venezuela provides 9 percent of U. S. foreign oil Follow JP on Twitter Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].

2016-07-18 09:59 Foreign Affairs dailycaller.com

75 DC Restaurant Turns Speed Camera Tickets Into Free Meal Washington, D. C., is issuing over half a million speed camera tickets a year, but a restaurant owner is turning the bureaucratic nightmare into discounts and free meals for frustrated drivers. Michael Sterling, owner of the restaurant Caribbean Citations in southeast D. C., offers diners with a speed camera ticket a price discount on each menu item. They also get a raffle ticket to enter a chance to have Sterling pay for their entire parking ticket. D. C. issued 520,000 speed camera tickets last year, netting more than $55 million for the government. The city has already issued more than 365,000 tickets in the first six months of 2016, reports NBC Washington. Revenues from speed cameras in 2016 total more than $37 million. “When I met Micheal Sterling, I immediately noticed his passion for cooking quality Jamaican food as well as ending Washington D. C.’s obsession with traffic revenue,” Kevon Paynter, a masters student at Georgetown University studying journalism, told The Daily Caller News Foundation. “I can’t help but think, Washington D. C.’s traffic and parking enforcement aren’t about safety; it’s about revenue for the city.” Paynter, frustrated with the rapidly rising number of speed cameras in the city, sought out Sterling and his restaurant to see how Caribbean Citations was turning the growing amount of tickets into a boon for business. Paynter also revealed the staggering rate of tickets issued in a documentary highlighting Sterling’s restaurant. WATCH: There are more speed cameras in the Washington metropolitan region than anywhere else in the country, despite a significantly smaller population than many major U. S. cities. The Metropolitan Police Department outlines fines for violations ranging as high as $300. (RELATED: DC Has More Traffic Cameras Than Any Other American City) “The District levies fines for tickets costing $35-$300 which are increased to double the amount in 30 days if you fail to pay,” Paynter explains. “That discount on great Jamaican food successfully takes some of the initial sting out of receiving a speed camera or parking ticket.” The District is joined by only two other states that have written laws explicitly allowing the use of speed cameras. Many states across the country have banned the use altogether or heavily restricted the practice. Officials in the District defend the practice and claim it has reduced traffic fatalities throughout the region. Officials say they will consider reducing some speed limits and raising others to better account for differing traffic congestion in the region. “All across the city speed limits are set too low,” Paynter told TheDCNF. Officials with AAA vehicle service note the extreme number of cameras around the city and the stark cost differential when compared to neighboring states. “The ticket prices are quadruple the ticket price in Maryland, and people don’t understand that,” John Townsend, AAA Mid-Atlantic spokesman, told NBC4. “Obey the speed limit, slow down – and there’s a harsh penalty if you don’t.” Follow Steve on Twitter Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].

2016-07-18 09:59 dailycaller.com

76 Rep Did 'Special Favors' For Lobbyist Wife Won't Be Punished The U. S. House Committee on Ethics announced Friday that the chairman of another committee gave his lobbyist wife inappropriate access to his staff and “special favors” in her lobbying efforts for animal rights, but declined to punish him. The Committee published a report criticizing Kentucky Republican Rep. Ed Whitfield, but didn’t sanction him because he lacked the intent to violate House rules regarding lobbying. The report follows more than a multi-year long probe into Whitfield launched in 2013. The Committee found that Whitfield’s wife lobbied for multiple bills her husband supported or introduced regarding animal welfare. Whitfield maintains that he sponsored the legislation of his own volition. Whitfield’s wife was listed as a paid lobbyist for the Humane Society Legislative Fund [HSLF] starting in 2011 but was linked to the group for several years prior. “Representative Whitfield’s staff granted Ms. Harriman unique access to the office, and treated her in a deferential matter, because she was the Member’s spouse,” the committee wrote in its report. “When she registered to lobby for HSLF, and later joined HSLF as a paid lobbyist, her access to Representative Whitfield’s staff, and the staffs treatment of her, should have changed accordingly. But by all accounts, nothing changed.” Whitfield has been in office since 1995 and was the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Power. The congressman pledged in September to retire at the end of this year. Follow Andrew on Twitter Send tips to andrew@ dailycallernewsfoundation.org . Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].

2016-07-18 09:59 Energy Environmental dailycaller.com

77 Mumbai: Crime on rail premises cut down by half Going by the statistics provided by the Government Railway Police (GRP), the number of crimes committed on the railway premises and properties seems to have dwindled by almost 50 per cent. GRP personnel use a canine to scan luggage at Bandra station. File pic Officials claimed this achievement was possible due to rigorous patrolling, launch of various awareness campaigns, stringent implementation of several drives to keep miscreants at bay and cooperation from the commuters. Speaking to mid-day, a senior GRP officer said, “We identified locations where presence of anti-social elements was in abundance and deployed extra staff to keep their activities in check. Help was sought from commuters, who became our eyes and ears.” Another officer claimed that use of social networking apps such as Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp help them reach out to the maximum number of commuters and assist them whenever needed. “Besides, we asked our staff to be people-friendly and patrol in civil clothes to ensure a higher crime detection rate,” the officer added.

2016-07-18 09:56 By Vedika www.mid-day.com

78 British Open: Henrik Stenson leads Phil Mickelson in finale Troon (Scotland): Overnight leader Henrik Stenson maintained a one-shot lead over Phil Mickelson as the two players started the back nine in their final round at the British Open on Sunday. Henrik Stenson Both players produced an exhibition of world-class golf on the way out and both were four under par for their front nines at Royal Troon. That left Stenson at 16- under for the championship, with Mickelson at 15-under. Swede Stenson had bogeyed the first but birdied the next three holes and picked up further shots at the long sixth and the short eighth, the Postage Stamp.

2016-07-18 09:52 By AFP www.mid-day.com

79 Aussies Lleyton Hewitt, Simon Gerrans out of Rio 2016 Sydney: Australia's Olympic hopes were dented yesterday as road cyclist Simon Gerrans and and tennis coach Lleyton Hewitt withdrew from the 2016 Rio Games. Lleyton Hewitt. Pic/AFP Gerrans, 36, was due to ride in his third Games, but was forced to quit the Tour de France on Thursday after breaking his collarbone in a crash. "With my current injury my Olympics preparation would be jeopardised, and so too my performance at the Games," said Gerrans. "For Australia to have the best chance to achieve the best result possible, I feel I should be replaced by one of the riders in the squad. " Cycling Australia will select a replacement rider later this week, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) said. Also representing Australia's men road cycling team are London Games' track silver medallist Rohan Dennis and Richie Porte, a regular Grand Tour contender. No explanation was given but the Sydney Morning Herald reported that Hewitt's withdrawal was due to "personal reasons".

2016-07-18 09:51 By AFP www.mid-day.com

80 Mumbai: Usha Khanna, last link to Cafe Samovar, passes away They came for the stimulating conversations and delectable fare, and stayed for her sunny personality. Mumbai lost its last link to landmark haunt Cafe Samovar at Jehangir Art Gallery, which downed shutters last year, when its owner, Usha Khanna, passed away on Saturday. In pictures: Mumbai bids adieu to Cafe Samovar Usha Khanna was cremated by her children Malavika Sangghvi, Deveika Bhojwani and Siddharth Khanna. Pic/Datta Kumbhar For many of the patrons, Café Samovar was synonymous with Khanna. She was always at the café, with a smile, ever ready to chat up visitors. Her children, Malavika Sangghvi, Deveika Bhojwani and Siddharth Khanna cremated her at the Chandanwadi crematorium. “She was absolutely fine till two hours before her death,” said her daughter and mid-day columnist Sangghvi. “We were on our way to the Breach Candy Hospital, when she breathed her last. The doctors said the cause of death was natural.” All that Khanna wished for, revealed Sangghvi, was for everyone to enjoy their lives. “She was such a beautiful soul, so full of life and she achieved so much. We are absolutely broken, but at the same time we want to honour her by celebrating life.” Also Read: Art, not tea, to be served at Cafe Samovar Actress Tara Sharma said Khanna was “an adorable person”. “Our families were close.” Indru Advani, who has known Khanna’s family for decades, was saddened by the news of her sudden death. Khanna’s driver, Vijay Shedge, who had been working for her since 2007, said she treated everyone like a family member. “Never once did we feel like outsiders.” TV Mohannan, manager of Café Samovar, called her “the kindest soul”. “She handed me all the responsibilities of the cafe without doubting me.” Friends and employees — from electricians, driver and managers to her colleagues from the film fraternity — she was also a music director — were present at Khanna’s last rites. Sangghvi said Khanna lived in Kashmir for 24 years and wished that her ashes would be immersed in the Dal lake.

2016-07-18 09:43 By Aparna www.mid-day.com

81 Thane: Congress corporator claims to have killed gangster Naresh Chaddi An Ulhasnagar corporator has, in an alleged threat call to a builder, claimed to have got Naresh Aasandas Pahalajani alias Naresh Chaddi, notorious gangster, killed “like a dog”. He also claimed that he was responsible for getting former MLA Pappu Kalani, an accused in the Bhatija brothers’ murder case of 1990, arrested. Also Read: Gangster found dead at home, kin cry murder Godhumal Kishnani (right) allegedly made the admission in a threat call to Dinesh Jawalirani. Pics/Navneet Barhate Chaddi was found dead under mysterious circumstances at his apartment in Kalyan’s Khadakpada area on February 2 this year. His family claimed that he had been murdered, but police registered an accidental death report, instead. Chaddi was a key witness in the Bhatija murder case. On Saturday, local builder Dinesh Jawalirani (45) registered a complaint with Central police that on June 25, Bhoja Sharma, an aide of Ulhasnagar corporator from Congress Godhumal Kishnani, met him at his house and told him to meet the neta. “When I visited Godhumal’s house, he started abusing me and threatened me with a gun. He questioned how I had set up a repairs shop on the Kalyan-Ambernath road without his approval,” Jawalirani told mid-day. Read Story: Pappu Kalani's 'Chaddi buddy' surrenders after 18 years He alleged that Kishnani tried to extort R5 lakh from him. But the builder refused to be cowed down. On July 14, Kishnani called up Jawalirani, dropping down his extortion payment demand by half. “I recorded the phone conversation as evidence,” said the builder. During the threat call, which was in Hindi, the corporator allegedly warned him: “Tumko toh pata hai na Naresh Chaddi ko aisa marwa diya jaise kutte ki maut mara ho”. To convey his sense of power, he added that he had sent Kalani behind bars. mid-day has a copy of the recorded conversation. Armed with his recording, Jawalirani approached the police and filed a case against Kishnani and Sharma. The case has been registered under sections 385 (putting person in fear of injury in order to commit extortion), 294 (obscene acts or words), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 506(2) (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. The Thane police said they are scrutinising the recording. “We have booked the corporator and registered an extortion case against him. We will check the audio clip before taking any action against him,” said Ashutosh Dhumbre, joint commissioner of police, Thane.

2016-07-18 09:36 By Faisal www.mid-day.com

82 Saurav Ghosal, Dipika Pallikal on the prowl at Otters Club Saurav Ghosal made squash history in extraordinary fashion as he won an exhilarating men's final against Harinder Pal Sandhu in the Senior National squash championship at Otters Club in Mumbai yesterday. Dipika Pallikal (left) and Saurav Ghosal receive the winners' trophies from Otters Club president Mustafa Arsiwala (centre) yesterday Earlier, second seed Dipika Pallikal stunned top seed and Joshna Chinappa 4-11, 11-6, 11-2, 11-8. Dipika played some scintillating squash to win three games on the trot and bag the title. This was Dipika's second title win. Saurav had to overcame a 1-2 deficit as he triumphed in a 88 minute final. The scores were 11-7, 7-11, 3-11, 11-8, 14-12. Ghosal thus broke a 60- year record. Narpat Singh had won 10 titles and now Saurav stands alone with 11 titles. "It is a fantastic achievement. There is no doubting it. But I would rather be in the Top 5 in the world than win 20 national titles," the relieved champion said later. He paid fulsome tribute to his gallant opponent. "It could have easily been Harinder in the end. Just a few points separated us. He is always at his best against me," chuckled Saurav. The final was of the highest quality as both players played out of their skin. Harinder was especially strong in the forecourt. He often scored with backhand volleys and nicks. Saurav kept the ball to a length and tried to wear down his opponent. Harinder looked to have the upper hand when he led 2-1. Saurav fought back to level the final and in the decider looked all set to sew up the title as he led 10-7, but the fighting Sikh came storming back to save all three match balls with winners. He then had a match ball of his own, but Saurav finally sealed the match with an unplayable stroke.

2016-07-18 09:32 By Naoshirvan www.mid-day.com

83 Youngest Chief Minister in the country takes oath, promises the works Itanagar: Pema Khandu, who was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, yesterday said that his priority would be to complete all the important projects started by his father late Dorjee Khandu, and Nabam Tuki and Kalikho Pul. Pema Khandu taking oath as the ninth Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh by Governor Tathagata Roy yesterday. Pic/PTI Addressing a press conference, Khandu, who was elected the state Congress leader in dramatic circumstances on Saturday, said “all projects undertaken by the previous regimes in the last four years will be fast tracked and thrust will be given to tourism, hydropower, agriculture and horticulture, health education and communication.” He said he would inculcate a ‘Team Arunachal’ spirit among elected leaders irrespective of party affiliations for overall development of the state. All elected leaders of the state would be made a part of the development process cutting across political parties. On migration Khandu at 37 is the youngest chief minister of the country, who said that he would make special effort to stop migration of people from border areas by providing all facilities with the help from the Centre under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP).

2016-07-18 09:29 By Agencies www.mid-day.com

84 'Punctual' Bhuvneshwar, a perfect choice as FC chairman: Childhood coaches Team India's new coach Anil Kumble has made the right choice to appoint Bhuvneshwar Kumar as the Fines Committee chairman during the West Indies tour, insisted pace bowler's childhood coaches. Bhuvneshwar Kumar Kumar's committee (Cheteshwar Pujara and Shikhar Dhawan are other members of the panel) will collect fines for turning up late for the bus leaving the hotel, team meetings or net sessions. The money collected will go to a noble cause. "Bhuvi is most disciplined and has been punctual throughout his career," said Sanjay Rastogi, who coached him in his early days. "I don't remember a single day when he didn't turn up for training on time. He has always maintained a good time-schedule which was also a good example for other boys. Bhuvi's sincerity has always stood out. So far, he has not been involved in any controversy and will certainly keep his slate clean," Rastogi added from Meerut. Vipin Vats, another coach, who guided the India fast bowler, said, "he used to arrive at my academy before time. He never compromised on punctuality. He is a very shy person, the son of an honest father, who was in police department. " Bhuvi's father Kiran Pal Singh said, "we learnt our lessons in punctuality from my days in the police department. Discipline is the essence of the police force and there can be no short cuts. "

2016-07-18 09:27 By Bipin www.mid-day.com

85 Sunil Gavaskar, the 'television journalist' meets Sania Mirza Not since the time he used to edit Sportsweek and Lifestyle magazine (in 1988), Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has sat down to interview other sportspersons. In the build-up to Rio 2016, Gavaskar is interviewing Indian Olympians and recently did a television show with tennis queen Sania Mirza. Sunil Gavaskar and Sania Mirza "This is a rare moment for me as this is the first time I have been interviewed by a non journalist," said Sania. Gavaskar lauded the tennis star and said, "she was very confident. " It is learnt that Gavaskar will also interview Leander Paes and Vijender Singh. "It's not a new experience for me because I did a similar program called Sunil Gavaskar Presents (in the late 1980s). " After interviewing Paes in Chandigarh, Gavaskar will head to the West Indies via London to commentate on the India vs West Indies series.

2016-07-18 09:23 By Debasish www.mid-day.com

86 Mumbai: Why this cattle shed in Jogeshwari is a health hazard A 1,80,000 sq-ft piece of land in Jogeshwari (West) is literally in the centre of some stinking controversies. The land, which is home to nearly 21 cattle sheds/tabelas, has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and rodents and has raised fears of an epidemic outbreak, especially during monsoon. Also Read: Maha govt to set up cattle sheds to protect aged animals Dilawar Ibrahim walks through the poorly kept cattle shed. Pics/Nimesh Dave The original owners of the property have now come forward claiming the land from the 21 tenants it was rented out to in the pre-independence era. Not surprisingly, the tenants have refused to vacate. Meanwhile, in a bid to prevent a repeat of last year’s leptospirosis outbreak, BMC Health Department has issued prosecution notices against these sheds. Workers collect and discard the dung within the premises Tug of war mid-day investigations revealed that mushrooming construction activities in and around SV Road and the real estate boom have made this cattle zone a goldmine of sorts. A local resident, who did not wish to be named, said, “The original landlords (grandchildren of one Essa Aziz) have valid reasons to claim their property. But the shed owners are doing everything possible to prove their right over this land. Amidst all this, public health is being compromised.” Read Story: Forest dept to tabelas: Do your bit to prevent man-leopard conflicts A friend of the Aziz family and local resident, Mohammed Ali Kharbai had formed an NGO Lok-Mat Parishad to raise the health scare issue. Speaking to mid-day, he said, “Disposal of dung inside sheds is against Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) guidelines. Despite the numerous complaints registered with BMC, there has been little change. BMC had stopped renewing licenses in 2007-2008. Yet, there are 1,200 buffaloes, shanties and illegal construction inside the premises. Also, cattle sheds are supposed to be a kilometre away from residential areas, as per MPCB guidelines. There’s a hospital, a school, residential buildings and food joints surrounding the sheds.” According to Kharbai, 19 out of 21 shed owners have claimed to be original tenants of the property. “They also attempted to mislead the court once by doctoring the plan of the shed. The original plan, issued by the suburban collector’s office, has been submitted to the court.” Apparently, Essa Aziz rented out 1,076 killas (approximately 15-18 feet in length, 3 feet breath) to 21 tenants to tie their buffaloes, for a rent of Rs 3 per killa, which was later increased to Rs 6 and, consequently, discontinued a few years ago. Speaking to mid-day Dilawar Ibrahim, Aziz’s grandson shared, “It was a well-kept shed during my grandfather and father’s time. Four years ago BMC appraised us about all the illegal activities taking place on the premises. There are over 90 labourers living there with 1,200 buffaloes. An area that was reserved for burning waste has been converted into a dumping yard and an 8-feet tank, near residential buildings, is overflowing with dung. An illegal water connection is also being used there. We are unaware if the tenants rented out parts of the land to others without our permission.” What we saw... When mid-day visited the area, we found ourselves surrounded by mosquitoes, muck and rodents. Abdul Khan (43), whose father Abdul Bari served as the shed’s manager in Essa Aziz’s time, said, “We have been staying here for decades, but conditions here are so grim that even children are expected to walk through this muck to reach the main road. During monsoon, the buffalo urine and dung enter our homes. But it wasn’t always like this. BMC pest control teams have stopped visiting too.” BMC orders A sero-surveillance — an inspection system for vaccine-preventable diseases — was conducted by BMC last year, and based on the reports, all the sheds were issued a notice on April 27 to take corrective measures. In all 82 samples, from 9 sheds were tested, a health official said, adding, “As per the notice, a compliance report was to be submitted by the shed owners within 15 days, but that didn’t happen. Hence, it falls under willful negligence and BMC is taking action. We have requested the police to register an FIR under Section 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), Section 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and Section 289 (negligent conduct with respect to animals) of the Indian Penal Code.” Speaking to mid-day, BMC executive health officer Dr Padmaja Keskar informed, “We have requested the shed owners/tenants to get their cattle tested and submit the vaccination reports to the health officer, to avoid a lepto outbreak — caused by mixing of urine of infected animals. But few shed owners have complied with our instructions. Also, we have learnt that disposal guidelines of buffalo urine and dung — to be discarded outside city limits on a daily basis — is not being followed. The waste is getting released in the drains, in the interest of public health, a prosecution notice has been forwarded. If ignored, we will issue another notice to the police and send a copy to court.” K/West ward medical officer Dr Nazneen Khan thinks prosecution notices are being issued to the shed owners for the first time. “There are 34 sheds under my jurisdiction and notices have been issued to most for non- compliance of health safety norms. We have decided to help the police, who have sought assistance in registering FIR.” A senior health official said, “Almost all departments of BMC – sanitation, maintenance and pest control — have issued notices to the shed owners, but their indifference compelled us to finally issue prosecution orders.” Police says Senior police inspector Bharat Gaikwad from Amboli police station said, “I will have to check the details, as I have just taken charge a month ago. We are aware of the issues in Jogeshwari and will look into the BMC K/West ward notice issued to the tabelas.” ACP Arun Chavan from Andheri division added, “As it concerns public health, I will check up on it personally.” Tabela responds Mustak Malkani, one of the shed owners, said, “Senior BMC officials visited the sheds recently and found us adhering to all norms. We get the dung moved out of city limits every day —I have the transporter receipt to prove it. We believe this notice is a precautionary measure by BMC health officials.” On being asked if any letter had been sent M/s Essa Aziz Tabela Milk Producer’s Welfare Society to BMC Building Proposal Department, Bandra (W) — complaining about a developer being given rights to the shed area — Malkani replied in negative.

2016-07-18 09:19 By Vinod www.mid-day.com

87 Gareth Bale announces engagement to girlfriend Emma Rhys-Jones Wales and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has capped a memorable summer by announcing his engagement to high-school sweetheart Emma Rhys-Jones yesterday following his Euro 2016 exploits, reported the mirror.co.uk. Gareth Bale with his partner Emma Rhys-Jones. Pic/Getty Images The Welshman, who celebrated his 27th birthday on Saturday, delivered the good news on Twitter. Bale tweeted a collage with Emma holding up her hand to show off her engagement ring, while the pair is also seen with friends. The caption said: "She said yes!! This is a birthday weekend I won't forget for a long time. " The former Tottenham player is currently on holidays with Rhys-Jones in the Balearic Islands (Spain) where he proposed her. Bale has two daughters with her — Alba Violet (3) and Nava Valentine (four months). The world's most expensive footballer has had a fantastic 2016. His impressive form for Real Madrid helped them win the Champions League this season. He followed that up with heroic displays in Wales' semi-final run at the European Championships in France, where he scored in each of their three group games in Group B to help them top the four-team table. He then helped them to victories over Northern Ireland and Belgium in the knockout stages, before Chris Coleman's side lost to eventual winners Portugal in the last four. Bale is known to be a family man, and rarely goes out partying unlike many of his colleagues. He prefers spending time with his family or play golf.

2016-07-18 09:18 By A www.mid-day.com

88 Probing the cosmos: Is anybody out there? (CNN) -- From a remote valley in Northern California, Jill Tarter is listening to the universe. Her ears are 42 large and sophisticated radio telescopes, spread across several acres, that scan the cosmos for signals of extraterrestrial origin. If intelligent life forms do exist on other planets, and they try to contact us, Tarter will be among the first to know. Are we citizens of Earth alone in the universe? It's a question that has long fascinated astronomers, sci-fi authors, kids with backyard telescopes and Hollywood executives who churn out spectacles about alien encounters. Polls have found that most Americans believe that some form of life exists beyond our planet. "It's a fundamental question," said Tarter, the real-life inspiration for Jodie Foster's character in the 1997 movie "Contact. " "And it's a question that the person on the street can understand. It's not like a... super-collider or some search for neutrinos buried in the ice. It's, 'Are we alone? How might we find out? What does that tell us about ourselves and our place in the universe?' "We're trying to figure out how the universe began, how galaxies and large- scale structures formed, and where did the origins of life as we know it take place? " Tarter said. "These are all valid questions to ask of the universe. And an equally valid question is whether the same thing that happened here [on Earth] has happened elsewhere. " Watch a preview of CNN's "In Search of Aliens" series » Thanks to advancements in technology, scientists hope to get an answer sooner rather than later. Rovers have snapped photographs of the surface of Mars that show fossil-like shapes. NASA hopes to launch within a decade a Terrestrial Planet Finder, an orbiting observatory that would detect planets around nearby stars and determine whether they could support life. Such developments are catnip to scientists like Geoffrey Marcy, a professor of astronomy at the University of California-Berkeley who has discovered more extrasolar planets than anyone else. "It wasn't more than 13 years ago that we hadn't found any planets around the stars, and most people thought that we never would. So here we are not only having found planets, we are looking for habitable planets, signs of biology on those planets," Marcy told CNN. "It's an extraordinary explosion of a field of science that didn't even exist just a few years ago. " Then there's Tarter, whose quest for signs of extraterrestrial life kept her on the fringes of mainstream science for decades. While pursuing her doctorate at UC-Berkeley, Tarter came across an engineering report that floated the idea of using radio telescopes to listen for broadcasts by alien beings. It became her life's work. In 1984 Tarter founded the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence Institute (SETI) in California. Using telescopes in Australia, West Virginia and Puerto Rico, she conducted a decade-long scouring of about 750 nearby star systems for extraterrestrial radio signals. None was found, although Tarter had some false alarms. In 1998, she intercepted a mysterious signal that lasted for hours. Tarter got so excited she misread her own computer results: The signal was coming from a NASA observatory spacecraft orbiting the sun. Today, Tarter listens to the heavens with the Allen Telescope Array, a collection of 20-foot-wide telescopes some 300 miles north of San Francisco. The dish-like scopes are a joint effort of SETI and UC-Berkeley's Radio Astronomy Lab and have been funded largely by Microsoft co- founder Paul Allen, who donated more than $25 million to the project. Unlike previously existing radio telescopes, which scan the sky for limited periods of time, the Allen Telescope Array probes the universe round the clock. Each of the 42 scopes is aimed at a different area of the sky, collecting reams of data that are continually studied by computers for unusual patterns. Then the listeners must filter out noise from airplanes and satellites. "We're listening for something that we don't think can be produced by Mother Nature," Tarter said. "We're using the radio frequency, other people are using optical telescopes... and in both cases we're looking for an artificial nature to a signal. "In the case of radio, we're looking for a lot of power being squished into just one channel on the radio dial. In the optical, they're looking for very bright flashes that last a nanosecond... or less, not slow pulsing kinds of things. To date we've never found a natural source that can do that. " Signals that any extraterrestrials might be transmitting for their own use would be difficult to detect, Tarter said. Astronomers are more likely to discover a radio transmission broadcast intentionally at the Earth, she said. Astronomers at SETI, however, are not sending a signal into space in an attempt to communicate with aliens. University of California professor Marcy is skeptical about the existence of intelligent alien life and believes our galaxy's vast distances would make communication between Earth and beings on other planets almost impossible. "The nearest neighbor might be halfway across our galaxy, 50,000 light- years away. Communicating with them will take a hundred thousand years for a round-trip signal," he said. Still, Tarter remains undaunted. The Allen Telescope Array already does in 10 minutes what once took her scientists 10 days. When the project is completed, it will have 350 telescopes that, combined, can survey tens of thousands of star systems. "We can look in more places and more frequencies faster than we ever could. And that will just get better with time. We're doing something now we couldn't do when we started, we couldn't do five years ago," she said. "Think of it as a cosmic haystack. There's a needle in there somewhere. If you pull out a few straws, are you going to get disappointed because you haven't found the needle yet? No. We haven't really begun to explore. " All About Astronomy • UFOs and Alien Abductions • SETI Institute

2016-07-18 08:56 By Brandon rss.cnn.com

89 Mars Science Lab launch delayed two years WASHINGTON (CNN) -- NASA's launch of the Mars Science Laboratory -- hampered by technical difficulties and cost overruns -- has been delayed until the fall of 2011, NASA officials said at a news conference Thursday in Washington. The mission had been scheduled for launch in the fall of 2009. The Mars Science Lab is a large, nuclear-powered rover designed to traverse long distances with a suite of onboard scientific instruments aboard. It is, according to NASA's Web site, part of a "long-term effort of robotic exploration" established to "study the early environmental history of Mars" and assess whether Mars has ever been -- or still is -- able to sustain life. The delay of the launch, according to NASA, is due to a number of "testing and hardware challenges that must (still) be addressed to ensure mission success. " "The progress in recent weeks has not come fast enough on solving technical challenges and pulling hardware together," said Charles Elachi, director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Changing to a 2011 launch "will allow for careful resolution of any remaining technical problems, proper and thorough testing, and avoid a mad dash to launch," argued NASA Associate Administrator Ed Weiler. The overall cost of the Mars Science Lab is now projected to be roughly $2.1 billion, according to NASA spokesman Dwayne Browne. The project originally carried a price tag of $1.6 billion. NASA's entire budget for the current fiscal year, according to Browne, is approximately $15 billion. According to NASA, the Mars rover will use new technologies and be engineered to explore greater distances over rougher terrain than previous missions to the planet. This will be done in part by employing a new surface propulsion system. "Failure is not an option on this mission," Weiler said. "The science is too important and the investment of American taxpayer dollars compels us to be absolutely certain that we have done everything possible to ensure the success of this flagship planetary mission. " Weiler asserted that, based on the agency's preliminary evaluations, additional costs tied to the delay of the Science Lab launch would not result in the cancellation of other NASA programs over the next two years. He did, however, concede that it would result in other unspecified program delays. Critics have charged that the delay and cost overruns associated with the Mars Science Lab are indicative of an agency that is plagued by a lack of accountability and inefficiency in terms of its management of both time and taxpayer dollars. "The Mars Science Laboratory is only the latest symptom of a NASA culture that has lost control of spending," wrote Alan Stern, a former NASA associate administrator, in a November 24 op-ed in the New York Times. "A cancer is overtaking our space agency: the routine acquiescence to immense cost increases in projects. " Stern charged that the agency's cost overruns are being fueled by "managers who disguise the size of cost increases that missions incur" and "members of Congress who accept steep increases to protect local jobs. " Browne replied in a written statement saying that NASA administrators are "constantly working to improve (the agency's) cost-estimating capabilities. ... We continually review our projects to understand the true risk in terms of performance, cost and schedule. " "The fact of life at NASA, where we are charged with creating first-of-a-kind missions of scientific discovery, is that estimating the costs of... science can be almost as difficult as actually doing the science," Browne said. NASA's most recent Mars project -- the mission of the Phoenix Mars Lander -- came to an end last month after the solar-powered vehicle's batteries ran down as the result of a dust storm and the onset of Martian winter. It had operated two months beyond its initial three-month mission. NASA officials had landed the vehicle on an arctic plain after satellite observations indicated there were vast quantities of frozen water in that area, most likely in the form of permafrost. They thought such a location would be a promising place to look for organic chemicals that would signal a habitable environment. Scientists were able to verify the presence of water-ice in the Martian subsurface, find small concentrations of salts that could be nutrients for life, and observe snow descending from the clouds, NASA said Thursday.

2016-07-18 08:56 Alan Silverleib rss.cnn.com

90 Indian lunar orbiter hit by heat rise NEW DELHI, India (CNN) -- Scientists have switched off several on-board instruments to halt rising temperatures inside India's first unmanned lunar spacecraft. Mylswamy Annadurai, the project director for the lunar mission, told CNN that temperatures onboard Chandrayaan-1 had risen to 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit). The increase occurred as the craft, the moon -- which it is orbiting -- and the sun lined up, a phenomenon which Annadurai said was not unexpected and which would likely last until the end of December. "We have switched off the systems (aboard) that are not needed to be on," Annadurai said, ruling out the possibility of damage and adding that the temperature was now down to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Heat on board the Chandrayaan-1 should not exceed 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit), Annadurai said -- but insisted the orbiter is designed to withstand up to 60 degrees Celsius (140 degrees Fahrenheit). The Chandrayaan-1 -- Chandrayaan means "moon craft" in Sanskrit -- was successfully launched from southern India on October 22. Watch the launch of India's first lunar mission » Its two-year mission is to take high-resolution, three-dimensional images of the moon's surface, especially the permanently shadowed polar regions. It also will search for evidence of water or ice and attempt to identify the chemical composition of certain lunar rocks, the group said. Earlier this month the Moon Impact Probe detached from Chandrayaan-1 and successfully crash-landed on the moon's surface. Officials say that the TV-size probe, which is adorned with a painting of the Indian flag, hit the moon's surface at a speed of 5,760 kilometers per hour (3,579 mph). It transmitted data to Chandrayaan-1 ahead of impact but was not intended to be retrieved after that. Chandrayaan-1 is carrying payloads from the United States, the European Union and Bulgaria. India plans to share the data from the mission with other programs, including NASA.

2016-07-18 08:56 Harmeet Shah rss.cnn.com

91 Shuttle Endeavour lands at California air base (CNN) -- Space shuttle Endeavour landed safely Sunday afternoon at California's Edwards Air Force Base after NASA waved off two opportunities for a Florida landing because of poor weather. The shuttle, steered by commander Christopher Ferguson, landed at 1:25 p.m., ending a mission that lasted more than two weeks. Wind, rain and reports of thunderstorms within 30 miles of the shuttle landing facility at Florida's Kennedy Space Center prompted NASA to cancel the landing attempts there. Those had been scheduled for 1:19 p.m. and 2:54 p.m. ET. After determining Monday's weather forecast at Kennedy Space Center was equally unpromising, flight controllers decided they would try to land the shuttle and its seven astronauts at Edwards AFB, about 100 miles from Los Angeles, California, where Sunday's forecast was sunny. Flight controllers prefer landings at Kennedy Space Center because of cost and schedule. NASA has estimated it costs about $1.7 million to bring a shuttle home to Kennedy Space Center from California. Watch Endeavour's Sunday landing in California » It also takes at least a week to get the shuttle ready for the trip, but schedule is not a major factor for the Endeavour; it is not scheduled to fly again until May. Endeavour's 15-day mission to the international space station began on November 14 and included four spacewalks. During that time, the crew brought key pieces -- including exercise equipment, more sleeping berths and a urine recycling system -- for a project to double the capacity of the station from three in-house astronauts to six. The recycling system was installed to turn urine and sweat from the astronauts into drinking water. Other modules are scheduled to arrive on a February shuttle flight. The goal of expanding the station's capacity to six astronauts is expected to be reached by the summer. The crew also worked on a joint that helps generate power for the space station. Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper and Steve Bowen spent hours cleaning and lubricating the Solar Alpha Rotary Joint, which is designed to allow the solar panels on the left side of the station to rotate and track the sun. The astronauts also removed and replaced several trundle bearing assemblies. The mission went according to plan, despite a minor interruption on the first spacewalk when a grease gun in Stefanyshyn-Piper tool's bag leaked, coating everything inside with a film of lubricant. While she was trying to clean it up, the bag -- with $100,000 in tools -- floated away. CNN's Kate Tobin and Miles O'Brien contributed to this report.

2016-07-18 08:56 rss.cnn.com

92 Trump’s Two Homers: Pence And A Promise For A Declaration of War Donald Trump hit two home runs this week. The first, immediately following the horrific terrorist truck attack in Nice, was his statement in a media interview that if elected he would ask Congress for a declaration of war to combat global terrorism. The second was the inspired selection of Indiana governor Mike Pence to join the GOP ticket. Before getting to Pence, let me linger a moment on Trump’s declaration-of- war pronouncement. For well over a year I have argued for a Washington wake-up call whereby the president and Congress enact a formal declaration of war against ISIS and all other Islamic jihadist terror groups. These groups have declared war on us. We have yet to respond. Following the tragic terrorist attacks in Paris late last year, French president Francois Hollande declared war on ISIS. It was an act of courage. But France had to go it alone. France has been an American ally for about 250 years. It is a key member of NATO. But President Obama never stood shoulder to shoulder with Hollande and asked for a declaration of war against ISIS. Nor did he use American clout for a NATO declaration of war. Why is this important? I believe a war declaration would show energy, urgency, determination, and leadership — not only to rally Americans, but to send a global message to the terrorists. I recently interviewed former secretaries of state Henry Kissinger and George P. Shultz, as well as retired four-star general Jack Keene. They all endorsed a full-throated U. S. declaration of war. And they added that with such a declaration, the U. S. must be prepared to destroy ISIS in its safe havens in Iraq and Syria. So when Donald Trump made it clear that this, in fact, “is war,” deserving of a declaration of war, he distinguished himself. No one else has done it. Not Congress. Not Obama. Certainly not Hillary. Trump’s second home run was his selection of Mike Pence as his running mate. Down through the years, as a leader of the conservative House Republican Study Committee and later as the third-ranking member of the House Republican leadership team, he stood firm as a genuine and consistent conservative. On economic policy Pence has held to the key building block of growth. He is a budget hawk who voted against President George W. Bush’s fiscally bloated No Child Left Behind education bill and hyper-expensive Medicare prescription-drug bill. He said he would not support new middle-class entitlements. He was consistent. Just over ten years ago, Pence was voted conservative man of the year by Human Events. I did the interview and subsequent write-up. Pence described himself as “an unregenerate supply-sider” whose central aim is to marry supply-side tax cuts with strict spending restraint to expand the economy and get the budget into balance. A few years ago, Pence spoke to the Detroit Economic Club. He called for sound monetary reform, tax relief, access to American energy, regulatory reform, and trade. New York Sun editor Seth Lipsky reminds us that Trump has stood for a stable and reliable dollar, including a standard to back it up. Pence stands for these same things. In Indiana, which has been hard hit by manufacturing losses, job declines, and shrinking wages, Governor Pence combined tax cuts with spending restraint to spur the Hoosier economy. In this important respect he would be an excellent spokesman within the industrial Rust Belt, which includes Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. These states have all suffered similarly, but they’re states where polling suggests Trump could carry the day in November. Pence helps get him there. Contributing to GOP unity, Pence is a churchgoing evangelical family man. He believes that “the sanctity of human life is the central axiom of Western civilization.” In this respect he will be an important bridge to social conservatives. And he might just soften the opposition of the Never Trump movement. And Pence is well acquainted with the ways of Washington. He has strong ties to Speaker Paul Ryan and he is well regarded by GOP leaders in both the Senate and the House. Finally, he will prove to be a tough and unyielding spokesman for the Trump ticket. Pence is a fighter. He will happily go after Hillary’s awful record. So this was a week where we learned a Trump-Pence ticket will seek to declare and wage war to destroy ISIS. We learned that the GOP ticket is pro-growth, ready for tax cuts and deregulation. And we learned that the ticket will be allied with traditional and social conservatives. With these credentials, Trump-Pence is in position to carry states in November that no Republican has won in decades. It was also a week where Hillary’s polls were like stocks looking for a bottom. Trump-Pence is a winner for the GOP.

2016-07-18 08:55 Senior Contributor dailycaller.com

93 Schultz Plaintiff Appeal Zings Shrewish Obama Judge For Rank Bias United States District Court Judge Beryl Howell, an Obama appointee and donor, undoubtedly enjoyed herself immensely when she presided over Ed Schultz’s 2015 trial, repeatedly berating and mocking the amiable lawyer for plaintiff Michael Queen. But she probably blew her chances of being confirmed to a higher bench if Hillary Clinton is elected president. Thanks to Howell stacking the decks, particularly with misleading and inflammatory jury instructions, Queen lost his breach of partnership case against Schultz, even though it emerged at trial that MSNBC president Phil Griffin perjured himself in prior depositions by saying he recruited Schultz independently of Queen’s efforts to get him a show. The mammoth appeal Queen’s lawyers have filed with the U. S. District Court of Appeals paints a damning portrait of Howell, who failed to disclose her husband’s ties to the broadcast industry, gives the Senate Judiciary Committee innumerable reasons to deny her any future confirmations. Howell is accused of twisting the law and facts at almost every possible opportunity to let Schultz argue he never entered into a legally binding partnership with Queen and therefore owed him no money for his labors. The appeal accuses Howell of these reversible errors: Most importantly, the appeal also says that Howell basically took every opportunity to stack the decks for Schultz. Specifically, she: In his reply, Schultz’s lawyers, John Hayes and Jeffrey Landa, basically say that even though Howell was kind of shrewish towards Queens lawyers that is not grounds for a new trial. Although “Judge Howell’s delivery was stern, her comments to counsel cannot establish reversible bias.” And that even if Howell did everything wrong that Queen alleges, unconvincingly, the jury would have ruled for Schultz anyway because the errors were harmless. “Queen’s arguments for overturning the jury’s verdict now, which are based in part on objections that were not raised in the district court or were abandoned, are meritless and certainly do not satisfy the high burden of demonstrating that a new trial is warranted.” In their June 27 reply to Hayes’s counter-motion, lawyers for Queen basically double down on their arguments in their original appeal motion and elaborate on why the exclusion of emails was significant. “If admitted, the content of the emails would have had a substantial effect on the jury’s verdict because they substantiated Queen’s claims that” he “acted based on directions from Schultz in furtherance of the partnership in pitching and negotiating the terms of the Show.” This includes an email exchange when Queen and Schultz worked closely together to get the liberal broadcaster a show on Fox after pitches to NBC got nowhere. “Lets move on,” Schultz wrote Queen. “Fox is next.” The reply brief also notes that in two emails Howell cast out Schultz explicitly referred to Queen as his partner. More generally, it alleges that “continuous biased acts” by Howell colored the trial in favor of Schultz from start to finish. No date has been set yet for oral arguments. Meanwhile, Howell, who is the kind of judge that a President Hillary Clinton might want to elevate to the DC Court of Appeals and possibly the Supreme Court, given her gender and moderate record, might have something else to explain to the Senate Judiciary Committee. She never disclosed at the trial that her husband worked closely with NBC on joint documentaries when he was a National Geographic television executive.

2016-07-18 08:55 Investigative Journalist dailycaller.com

94 Failing To Modernize Nuclear Technology Is Threat To National Security On Thursday afternoon, the Armed Services and the Strategic Forces subcommittee met to discuss the status of U. S. nuclear deterrents and options to modernize the current arsenal. A panel of four testified to members of Congress, expressing concern that current U. S. nuclear technology is debilitatingly outdated and the aging infrastructure poses a massive threat to national security and the ability to deter adversaries from engaging in warfare. Intel suggests that countries including China, Russia and North Korea are currently modernizing nuclear weaponry. The panel argued that the U. S. must modernize as well in order to reinforce perceptions of America as a strong military power. “The real key to deterrence is the perception of your adversary,” said Adm. Cecil Haney, commander of U. S. strategic command. “An adversary has to understand that you have…ready and reliable and credible capability. Anything that detracts from that perception will cause that adversary to think that they may be able to do something.” “We cannot afford that in terms of nuclear weapons, given the existential threat they would impose upon our way of life and our country.” In addition to Adm. Haney, the panel included Hon. Frank Klotz, administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, Gen. Robin Rand, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, and Hon. Robert Scher, assistant secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities, Department of Defense. “The nuclear deterrent is a foundational capability of US national security,” said Hon. Klotz. “Our nuclear enterprise continues to play an essential role in preventing conflict and deterring attacks upon the United States, our armed forces and our allies and friends in an increasingly complex and unpredictable international environment.” “We must therefore maintain nuclear deterrent capabilities not only for ourselves, but also for our allies and partners around the world,” he concluded. “As NATO reaffirmed last week, ‘the strategic forces of the alliance–particularly those of the U. S.–are the supreme guarantee of the security of the allies.’” This is especially true as NATO countries have been the target of multiple terrorists and ISIS attacks. (RELATED: Former Obama Intel Chief: ‘We Are Losing’ Against ISIS, ‘We’re In A War’) The effect of modernizing nuclear technology and weaponry would assure allies that they do not need their own nuclear capabilities. Modernization would also serve to deter other countries from engaging in warfare with the U. S., as well as deterring “escalation to de-escalation.” A country may choose to engage in nuclear warfare if they are losing a conflict to escalate their way out of crisis and force surrender. For example, there is intel that Russia may be considering these strategies and training in nuclear warfare in an increased manner. “It is concerning to see that the Russians are clearly continuing to look at nuclear weapons as a clear and important part of their arsenal and they are building it up both in size and type… they have violated the INF treaty for example,” said Hon. Scher. The panel has claimed that some of the current U. S. technology is over 30 years old. “We have to modernize,” says Adm. Haney “We can ill afford to wait longer– we are to the point where we have delayed…We are now in a point where reliability and survivability will be at risk, and hence deterrence and assurance to our allies will be in question” According to Hon Scher. the cost of modernization is estimated to between $350-450 billion over the next 20 years. “While not a small amount of money, the total defense budget in fiscal year 2016 alone was over 580 billion,” said Hon. Scher. “The cost of nuclear modernization is substantial, but it is not unreasonable for what Secretary Carter has called the ‘bedrock of our security.’” Gen. Rand confirmed that this would be a small price to pay for security in an increasingly unstable and fatal landscape. “I am acutely aware of the cost,” he said “I have two legs of the triad that I am responsible for. They are old. They are wearing out and if I am asked to provide forces to do a mission, I have to be candid and tell you I cannot do it with existing capabilities because they are not reliable or they will not be survivable.” “Claims that US modernization signals a nuclear arms build up or a renewed arms race do not fairly characterize our activities,” said Hon. Scher. “Recapitalizing the triad will preserve existing military capabilities for preventing both large-scale and limited nuclear attacks. To deter massive nuclear attack the U. S. must maintain a force that is invulnerable to disarming a first-strike.” Mainly Republican members of congress attended the meeting, as Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) pointed out, suggesting that it was unfair the Democratic side had less time for questions as a result. “Let me congratulate you and your staff and your members for putting together a terrific show,” said Rep. Garamendi. “One-sided to be sure–and the kind of questions that the American public should be asking, including questions about cost.” “Mr. Scher you were the most disingenuous representative of numbers I’ve yet heard in this committee. And I must tell you I am very disappointed in you, because you disassembled the truth…Your numbers are bullshit.” The committee did not come to a final decision and a further hearing on the matter was rescheduled for a later date. Stream a recording of the hearing here .

2016-07-18 08:55 dailycaller.com

95 Government reply awaited on 'Congress child' New Delhi: The Congress yesterday said it is still awaiting a “concrete response” from the Centre on its concerns over the Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill, and added the proposed legislation was not discussed at the all-party meeting held yesterday. Jyotiraditya Scindia “We are still awaiting a concrete response. The Congress gave birth to the GST bill. It has been held up in parliament by the BJP for 4-5 years. We believe the GST is in the country's interest; it cannot be a flawed GST,” said Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia after the meeting that was called by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar, which went on for two hours. ‘Not discussed’ “The GST issue was not discussed in this meeting; with regard to the three issues raised by us, the government is still to revert to us with its response. There have been intermittent discussions but it is not the solution,” Scindia said. What Congress wants: >> Objects to proposed levy of one per cent additional tax on inter-state sales >> Wants states to not have the power to levy additional tax over 18 per cent >> Dispute resolution mechanism

2016-07-18 09:16 By Agencies www.mid-day.com

96 Doubles Thriller at CitiOpen Fifteen minutes into the match, with the score 5-0, you might be forgiven for thinking that at least you would not be sitting on a bleacher on a 90-degree day without any shade in sight for much longer. It was about two-thirty in the afternoon. There was no breeze. But there was fight in the down-side of the doubles match on Grandstand 2 at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center, home of the Washington tournament, currently the CitiOpen per its principal sponsor (past magnificos include the Washington Star and Leggs Mason). It is a fine tournament, one of the oldest on the professional Tour and lately upgraded to the 500-level. Created by Donald Dell with help from Arthur Ashe in the glory days of American tennis, it benefits one of the city’s major non-federal institutions, the Washington Tennis and Education Foundation. It is an indispensable stop on the North American hard-court circuit, which culminates at Flushing Meadows, Queens, with the U. S. Open. So it is 0-5 with Austin Krajicek serving for his side, the other half of which is Brian Baker. He holds at love, causing a ripple of surprise among the perspiring observers in the bleachers. Ryan Harrison, perennial young hope of American tennis, serves for the set and is stymied by his first double fault (also the first of the match). Baker-Krajicek capitalize, getting the next two points with volleys from the net at Harrison’s partner, Dennis Novikov. The world being the way it is these days, it may be necessary to note here that all these young men are Americans, and some are children of immigrants. We melt kids in a big pot and produce fantastic tennis players. True, the United States Davis Cup team just got whipped by Croatia, a small country far from Queens, but it is not the end of the world. We have a lot of young stars rising, several of them are in this tournament, and surely we will hear about them this week. They will not make up for all the horrors we will also hear about, and they shouldn’t. Sports are no antidote for terror and murder in Louisiana and Texas and the south of France. Athletes cannot protect us from tyrants and political gangsters. Sports can be a respite, an inspiration, but surely not an escape. We turn away from political horror shows to catch our breath; but the world is still with us. Baker holds, as he and Krajicek again move to the net together and hold their nerve. On serve now, Novikov loses his with a double fault at deuce, and suddenly it’s 4-5, Krajicek serving to tie it up. Baker is the steady hand here; at 31, after several strong-willed recoveries from injuries that would send most athletes into retirement, he is the embodiment of technique systematically, but gracefully, applied. He attacks the net fearlessly (as indeed does Ryan Harrison on the other side), and his partner visibly improves from mimicry. Their steady play wears down other side’s stronger pace. Their shots are shrewder, aim for holes in the back court, go into their opponents’ feet. Tennis is a sport of many moods, physical and mental, and the resulting swings in momentum can be sudden and deadly. The lopsided score at the beginning of the first set was not unusual — it was almost unheard of for a doubles match. Doubles is usually extremely close, with a single break of serve making the difference. Baker and Krajicek were unable to catch up in that first set, but they had righted their craft, while getting their opponents’ out of balance. Over three sets (the last a 10-point “super tie-break,” a recent ATP innovation designed to increase fan interest in doubles), this makes a difference, because the most important part of momentum is consistency, the opposite of mood swings. It was a qualification match for the main draw in the Washington tournament, which begins today and runs through what promises to be an extremely uncomfortable week, with temperatures hovering between 95 and 100 degrees. Things may cool down a bit during the evening sessions, but the afternoons are the hottest hours in summertime Washington. Tennis players are fit and strong. Maintaining control over all the parts that go into hitting clean shots, you turn that fitness and strength into a kind of geometric ballet, but the timing has to be just so. Not so, and balls fly out of bounds or into the net. Players who make the cut for qualifying draws are fantastic athletes, and yet there’s a space that stays between them and those who consistently enter the main draws. You watch qualification matches long enough, and you begin to see how narrow is the gate into true excellence — in this or any other activity or endeavor. This, of course, is part of why sports fascinate, beyond their aesthetic value. Brian Baker, who is having a decent if not spectacular season, played with the steadiest form, gradually getting his partner into the rhythm they needed to work effectively together. Their strategy was to seize every opportunity they had to advance together to the net and out-duel the other side from that position. There were several spectacular ricocheting shoot-outs, with increasing intensity, aptly, during the third set. Ryan Harrison played a convincing match in the morning against Amir Weintraub to qualify for the men’s singles draw; Novikov, perhaps smarting from a loss in singles to Ernesto Escobedo, put in many impressive points, but lacked his partner’s clutch brilliance. Resilience — what tennis players call percentage — kept the Baker-Krajicek keel even finally, as they battled back from two mini-breaks during the final set and then held off still another comeback when they took the lead. They will be up against some of the Tour’s top doubles players during the week and there will be more thrills amidst the humid heat of Washington.

2016-07-18 08:55 Roger Kaplan spectator.org

97 America Divided Between Sitters and Standers I was never cool enough to sit at the cool kids’ table, never smart enough to sit at the nerds’ table, never bad enough to stand where the bad boys stood, since they never seemed to be sitting anywhere. I was a kid without a table. And, let me tell you for those of you that don’t know, there is no worse feeling then not having a place to sit. I know now that I wasn’t alone, but of course I didn’t realize it at the time. All I could think about at that time was how can I get a seat at any table, and I, like so many, tried, and did many, many stupid things to find my seat. I had not a clue being seatless would be one of the great gifts I had been given. All I ever wanted to do was fit in, get the jokes that people were saying, have the same funny stories that people were telling, or as Del Griffith said, “You just go with the flow like a twig on the shoulder of a mighty stream.” It’s safe to say I didn’t trend then, and it’s safe to say I don’t trend now. There are many days when I wake up, read the news, go on social media, and say to myself God wouldn’t it be easier to just be a modern-day liberal, and just go with the social media flow whichever way the social media platform is trending. It would be so much easier to say Hillary good, Trump bad. So much easier to say cops bad, criminals misunderstood. Everything is free, no work needed or required. Men are predators, especially white men. Sadly my brain isn’t wired like that. It would be so much easier to say making America great again somehow connotes racism, putting out a tweet on six-pointed star is anti-Semitism; my question to that is if Trump put out a five-pointed star, would he have been an anti-Satanist? It wouldn’t, of course, since Satanism probably won’t be trending for a while. Of course one thing that will be trending is Trump saying that Justice Ginsberg’s mind is shot, which of course will be seen as ageism, because none of us has ever said a person has lost their mind. Gratefully, crooked was already taken, because I’m sure many would’ve called that anti- Semitism. I love how the left loves to tell people what their minds are really thinking, and hearts are feeling. So, to the people on the left who love to follow science and intellect when it fills their needs, as any good psychologist will tell you, what you are doing is called projection. Or as the laymen say, if you spot it you got it. And since the left, like I said, loves to use science, I challenge my “friends” on the left to post for one hour on Facebook that they agree with Trump on any issue, and see how open minded their “friends” truly are. Of course that won’t happen, because no one that has a seat at a table wants to risk standing. Don’t kid yourselves either, the trending sections were created for these exact reasons. They were created to bully people into likeminded thinking, they were created for conformity. But a funny thing is happening, the cool kids that are sitting down pontificating don’t realize, and how could they, there are just as many, if not more, that are standing. Also, don’t kid yourselves, there are many on the right as well who have many comfy seats that they do not want to lose. Maybe that’s what’s attractive to so many about Donald Trump, that while he can sit any at any table, or could have I should say, he has decided to stand. Or maybe I’m just projecting, since it’s often assumed that being 40, Jewish, and wearing glasses, that I automatically have a seat, but it’s just so much more fun standing now. Maybe that’s what this election comes down to, those that need a seat at the table, and those of us who are OK with standing. So, to my friends on both the right and left sitting in the trendy seats, stay trendy my friends. And to my fellow standees, we might not be trending but the polls are.

2016-07-18 08:55 Judah Friedman spectator.org

98 Mike Pence’s Prescience Donald Trump’s choice of Mike Pence for vice president is a promising pick for those of us who see a restoration of sound money as the essential precondition for returning America’s economy to a trajectory of jobs and growth. No doubt he has lots of other virtues, in that he has experience and success as both a congressman and governor. Were he ever called to the presidency, he would be prepared. But the feature of his political agenda that we have been watching for years is that in respect of monetary reform. This point was marked in these columns in January 2011, after Mr. Pence, then a congressman from Indiana and chairman of the House Republican Conference, addressed the Detroit Economic Club. He did not come right out and declare for the gold standard. But he did make it clear that he understood that the time for monetary reform had arrived. “What are the building blocks of an incentive-based, growth agenda?” he asked. The first of his five building blocks was “sound monetary policy. That, to us, was significant. Mr. Pence’s other four building blocks were terrific, too, including, as they did, “tax relief and reform, access to American energy, regulatory reform, and trade.” It was particularly newsworthy, we felt, that he had marked monetary first and that he was at the van of the leading Republicans on this head. He quoted Lawrence Kudlow’s line about how “the Fed can print money, but it can’t print jobs.” We’d like to think that it’s no coincidence that Mr. Kudlow is advising Mr. Trump (as he did President Reagan). Mr. Trump himself has already stated that, in principle, he favors sound money. “Bringing back the gold standard would be very hard to do, but, boy, would it be wonderful,” he’s said. “We’d have a standard on which to base our money.” The comment horrified the liberal nomenklatura, a quick Google search discloses. “Why are Republicans so obsessed with the gold standard?” is the way it was put in one Atlantic.com headline that was turned up by such a search. It ignored the plain answer. That is that we are now in the fifth decade of the age of fiat money, and it has produced a presidency that, in Barack Obama’s, has average growth of under 2%. And has been able to reduce the unemployment rate only by so discouraging millions of would-be American workers that they have withdrawn from the search for employment. Yet in the years between the end of World War II and 1971, when the world was on the Bretton Woods gold-exchange standard, unemployment averaged 4.7%. Though Governor Pence did not, in his speech in 2010, call for a return to a gold standard, he did call for one immediate reform — ending the so-called dual mandate of the Federal Reserve so that it would no longer be saddled with responsibility for unemployment and could focus on the dollar and price stability. He understood how alive the issue is in Congress, where the House late last year passed the Fed Oversight Reform and Modernization Act. In 2012, of course, the GOP failed to turn to Mr. Pence. Instead it nominated Governor Romney. It did give him a platform that included monetary reform, but he ignored it and went down to defeat. This year, we’re told, the GOP platform includes even better language in support of a formal monetary commission. That would open the way to reforming monetary policy as we start the second century of the Federal Reserve. It makes Mr. Pence, now that Mr. Trump has picked him, prescient. This column, in slightly different form, first ran in the New York Sun.

2016-07-18 08:55 Seth Lipsky spectator.org

99 Will Pence’s Obamacare Perfidy Damage Trump? One reason John Kasich was unacceptable to many conservatives as this year’s GOP standard bearer involves his acquiescence in Obamacare’s expansion of Medicaid. Many believe that, as Governor of Ohio, he has squandered the hard won 2012 Supreme Court victory concerning a provision of the “reform” law that granted the President and his apparatchiks the power to coerce the states into compliance. Despite the 7-2 SCOTUS ruling that such coercion is unconstitutional, Kasich and a few other GOP governors have voluntarily colluded with the Obama administration on Medicaid expansion. Among these Republican sell-outs was the Governor of Indiana — Mike Pence. Now that Donald Trump has picked Pence to be his running mate, the latter’s apostasy is unlikely to provide much comfort to conservatives who question the sincerity of the Donald’s commitment to killing Obamacare. Pence did, of course, provide a perfunctory declaration during his Saturday acceptance speech that he and Trump are committed to repealing the increasingly unpopular law “lock, stock, and barrel.” And this is consistent with his past rhetoric regarding the President’s “signature domestic achievement.” Sadly, when it came time to make a choice between living up to such lip service and accepting a big fat bribe from our Beltway masters, Governor Pence chose the cash. Before the advent of Obamacare, Medicaid was a joint state-federal program that provided ineffective health coverage for the poor. It was financed by state funds that were matched by infusions of taxpayer pelf from Washington. The authors of the risibly titled “Affordable Care Act,” knowing that many low-income individuals would never be able to afford the premiums charged for coverage purchased through the newly-minted “marketplaces,” decided to expand eligibility for Medicaid and created a carrot-and-stick incentive program designed to make it nearly impossible for states to demur. As noted above, the stick was struck down by SCOTUS, leaving only the taxpayer-funded carrot. These bribes work as follows: Federal tax dollars covered 100 percent of expansion costs for the first three years and, after 2016, Washington’s share will incrementally decline to 90 percent by 2020. What happens after 2020? It’s anyone’s guess. Obamacare apologists would like governors and state legislatures to act on the proposition that our Beltway masters will keep faith with their funding promises, but that would be an unwise bet. That money could evaporate just as easily as did the “risk corridor” funds promised to insurance companies willing to sell coverage through Obamacare exchanges. And, if it does, state politicians will have to choose between kicking a lot of people off Medicaid and going bankrupt. Only 19 states with GOP governors or Republican-controlled legislatures have resisted the temptation to take the money. The state of Indiana isn’t among them. In 2015, Pence launched a program called the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), which Governor Pence tarted up with just enough free market lipstick to call it an “alternative” to Medicaid expansion. But, no matter how much pancake makeup Pence trowels onto HIP, he can’t hide its Obamacare origins. And, just to make sure that everyone knows about Pence’s perfidy, White House spokesman Josh Earnest has gleefully praised him: “I know that Governor Pence did do some important work with the administration to expand Medicaid in his state.” This endorsement isn’t likely to endear him to many conservative voters, which brings us back to the effect Pence’s Obamacare apostasy will have on Donald Trump’s chances of being elected President. Trump’s choice of Pence as his running mate suggests that the Donald was attempting to shore up the ticket with a solid conservative who will increase the GOP’s chances of keeping fiscal and social conservatives on the reservation. And Pence does come with what seem to be solid conservative credentials. Not even the most fastidious fiscal conservative can complain about his record in Congress, where he fought the good fight against some of the more expensive components of President G. W. Bush’s agenda. Thus, if Pence’s only policy pirouette had been the expansion of Medicaid according to the stipulations of Obamacare, his credibility as a conservative would probably not have been harmed irreparably. However, when he became the governor of Indiana he began to exhibit symptoms of incipient political correctitude. In addition to caving on Medicaid, Pence executed an excruciating flip-flop on Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act that still has many evangelical voters upset. He initially signed a very strong bill, but caved under pressure from the left. As Erick Erickson puts it, “When the national criticism from the gay mafia and press stormed into Indiana, Pence folded like a cheap suit.” So, the Republican Party is about to nominate a presidential candidate whose history of public statements about socialized medicine has caused a lot of conservatives to doubt the sincerity of his commitment to getting rid of Obamacare. And this candidate has chosen a running mate who has vehemently denounced that very “reform” law, yet colluded with the Obama administration on one of its most pernicious provisions. What most liberals don’t understand about Obamacare is that it is not merely the law itself that creates angst among the general electorate. It is also highly symbolic. It represents the obnoxious admixture of opportunism, elitism, and ignorance of the quotidian facts of life beyond the Beltway. By choosing Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his running mate, Donald Trump has demonstrated that he doesn’t really get it either. Otherwise, he would not have chosen an obvious opportunist rather than a genuine conservative. This doesn’t mean that Mike Pence will make or break him in November. It is, instead, yet another indication that Donald Trump will not do — or simply does not understand — his homework. In the end, he just doesn’t know what he needs to know to “make America great again.” He doesn’t know why America was great. Even worse, he doesn’t really understand who made it great.

2016-07-18 08:55 David Catron spectator.org

100 Robots Join the Thin Blue Line The surreal fact in the human tragedy in Dallas is that the sniper who murdered five police officers was not killed by another officer, but by a mechanical robot. This conjures science fiction images of killer robots deployed against man. It’s not altogether reassuring. Technically, of course, the actual killing officer was not the robot, but the man operating the robot. The human element was very much in play, detonating an explosive carried by the robot. Sci-fi buffs might draw disturbing analogies to movies such as Robocop, the popular 1987 film set in a near-future dystopian world in which a police officer brutally murdered by a gang of thugs is refitted as a “cyborg” — a cybernetic creature part human and part mechanical — to use his powers to protect civilization. Robots in real life have been used in many dangerous situations to detect and defuse bombs or to detonate pipe bombs in suspicious places. And the common, but deadly, C4 plastic explosive attached to the Dallas robot has been widely used in military combat. Though the use of this robot to kill in a police operation raises serious moral issues, machines have been employed this way in the past. The tank gave the first soldier to use it an enormous advantage over the soldier who didn’t have one. The first repeating rifle, the machine gun, afforded enormous mechanical advantages. “I approved it. And I’ll do it again if presented with the same circumstances,” Dallas Police Chief David Brown tells CNN News in defense of using the new technology to kill Micah Xavier Johnson, the 25-year-old Army veteran of Afghanistan with whom he negotiated in hopes of persuading him to give himself up before he killed more policemen. “He just basically lied to us,” the chief says, “playing games, laughing at us, singing, asking how many (cops) did he get, and that he wanted to kill some more, and there were bombs there. So there was no progress on the negotiation.” Nor was it clear whether the killer would decide quickly to charge the thin blue line, as he was threatening to do. He might have been bluffing, but in the moment the chief could not know that. Without faulting the decision of the Dallas police, Mike Masnick, editor of Techdirt, a blog that analyzes high-tech issues as they relate to business and government policies, suggests thinking of different ways to use robots in dangerous situations. “If we’re going to enter the age of robocop, shouldn’t we be looking for ways to use such robotic devices in a manner that would help capture suspects alive, rather than dead?” Others have asked whether a less lethal alternative, perhaps riot gas, could have been used to subdue Micah Johnson. Chief Brown doesn’t want to hear criticism of the use of the robot in Dallas from armchair observers. “You have to be on the ground,” he says. Chief Brown gets no argument here. The robot probably saved the lives of other cops. He was no R2-D2, the endearing droid in Star Wars, who rescued humans in peril with a certain mechanical heroism. The robot that blew up the cop killer was an ungainly contraption, with a claw-and-arm extension ready to destroy a man determined to kill more police officers. So the lionhearted Achilles of classical times has been replaced by a Northrop Grumman Remotec Andros F-5, and our moral vocabulary, along with frightened sensibilities, requires an update. We need to think not only about how to disarm the assassin in our midst, but how to talk about what is happening. The polarizing arguments and the quick rush to simplistic judgment never serve us well. Thoughtful deliberation and understanding are scarce and unappreciated in a media where 24/7 visuals catch real-life violence in real time. When social media captures violent images without context, it supplies only a partial picture. Videos of the deaths of black men in Minnesota and Louisiana shocked the nation, and they triggered real-life protest against the white policemen who shot them. The rush to judgment was rash and prejudicial. It set off uncontrolled violence and the inevitable cries of racism. Roland Fryer, an economics professor at Harvard, studied a thousand police shootings by 10 major police departments, and found no racial bias in the shootings. The professor, who is black, called the counterintuitive finding “the most surprising result in my career.” It’s hardly the last word, but it does say a lot for thoughtful deliberation and careful understanding. Robots can’t do that. Neither can humans indulging in thinking like robots.

2016-07-18 08:55 Suzanne Fields spectator.org

Total 100 articles. Created at 2016-07-18 12:01