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Total 100 articles, created at 2016-07-19 18:01 1 Melania Trump delivers prime time speech at Republican National Convention
(2.08/3) Donald Trump's wife Melania talks about growing up in Slovenia, American citizenship and her appreciation for veterans. "Donald has always been an amazing leader, now he will go to work for you," she said about the Republican presidential nominee. Courtesy of FedNet 2016-07-19 15:11 1KB www.charlotteobserver.com 2 Pippa Middleton confirms engagement to James Matthews (1.02/3) Pippa Middleton and hedge fund manager James Matthews have confirmed they are engaged to be married and are planning a wedding for 2017. 2016-07-19 16:17 1KB www.bbc.co.uk 3 Three Dead After Shooting At Swimming Pool In Spalding A shooting near a swimming pool in Lincolnshire has left three (1.02/3) people – including the gunman – dead, BBC News reported Tuesday. The shooting near the Castle Swimming Pool in Spalding took place at around 9 a.m. BST, Lincolnshire police said. No shots were... 2016-07-19 16:24 2KB article.wn.com 4 Yahoo Announces Board Changes and Agreement With Starboard
(1.02/3) --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ( : YHOO) today announced that it has reached an agreement with and its... 2016-07-19 16:12 5KB investor.yahoo.net 5 The top 10 most pirated shows of July 2016 With the finale of Game of Thrones airing last month, it's no (1.02/3) surprise that it's by far the most pirated show. AMC's new hit, Preacher, is also making an appearance. Here are the full charts and insights from SimilarWeb. 2016-07-19 15:28 1KB www.thedrum.com 6 Shock and sadness as fans react to news of Gugu Zulu's death
(1.01/3) Fans all over the country are mourning the death of race-car driver Gugu Zulu after the Nelson Mandela Foundation announced that he died early on Monday while trying to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. 2016-07-19 18:01 2KB www.timeslive.co.za 7 DA picket to get Jackson Mthembu ‘to walk the talk’ on SABC
(1.00/3) The Democratic Alliance (DA) wants Jackson Mthembu “to walk the talk” and call “an urgent meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Communications to consider the ongoing crisis at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)”. 2016-07-19 18:01 2KB www.timeslive.co.za 8 Yahoo Appoints IMS as Sales Partner in Spanish-Speaking Latin America
(1.00/3) --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- (NASDAQ:YHOO) has appointed (IMS), a joint venture with and a leading... 2016-07-19 16:12 2KB investor.yahoo.net 9 Gugu Zulu ‘should have turned back’‚ experts say
(0.01/3) Gugu Zulu should not have continued his attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro after complaining of having flu-like symptoms. 2016-07-19 18:00 4KB www.timeslive.co.za 10 Yahoo to Live Stream Video of First Quarter 2016 Earnings on Yahoo Finance on
(0.01/3) April 19, 2016 --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ( : YHOO) will discuss the Company's financial results for the first quarter... 2016-07-19 16:12 1KB investor.yahoo.net 11 Friend of Charlotte homicide victim: 'I'm hurting.'
(0.01/3) Tanya Stevenson talks about her friend, whose body was found in West Charlotte Park this morning. 2016-07-19 15:05 1KB www.charlotteobserver.com 12 Pearl Thusi officially starts filming for Quantico in New York Our very own Pearl Thusi is flying the SA flag high with her new role on US drama series Quantico. 2016-07-19 18:00 919Bytes www.timeslive.co.za 13 Bentley is angling for new customers with its latest bespoke model The new Bentley Bentayga Fly Fishing By Mulliner offers new scales of personalization for those that prefer a day by the water's rather than the green's edge. 2016-07-19 18:00 2KB www.timeslive.co.za 14 Turkey jails generals as PM warns against revenge Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Tuesday warned against exacting revenge on supporters of the failed coup, as Ankara arrested top generals in a relentless crackdown that has sparked global alarm. 2016-07-19 18:00 5KB www.timeslive.co.za 15 Nintendo worth more than Sony after Pokemon rally Nintendo on Tuesday shot past Sony in market value after shares in the video game giant more than doubled following the release of its wildly popular Pokemon Go game. 2016-07-19 18:00 2KB www.timeslive.co.za 16 PSL newcomers Highlands Park, Baroka FC locked in tug-of-war over player It may still be well over a month before the start of the Absa Permiership season but Premier Soccer League (PSL) newcomers Highlands Park and Baroka FC are already going head-to-head in an off the pitch tussle over midfielder Richard Matloga. 2016-07-19 18:00 2KB www.timeslive.co.za 17 Turkish pilots involved in downing of Russian Su-24 arrested over links to coup attempt – minister — RT News Two Turkish Air Force pilots linked to the downing of a Russian Su-24 bomber in November have been detained in connection with the recent failed coup attempt in Turkey, the country’s justice minister has said. 2016-07-19 18:00 3KB www.rt.com 18 Corbyn maintains massive lead over coup rivals Smith & Eagle — RT UK Despite sustained attacks from Blairite MPs and mainstream media outlets, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn’s political stock has soared among the membership, with polls indicating he’d beat either of his challengers by 20 points. 2016-07-19 18:00 2KB www.rt.com 19 Russia's Rio Games status hangs by thread as IOC considers ban The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is holding emergency talks Tuesday to decide Russia's status for the Rio Olympics after an investigation found rampant state-run doping at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games and other events. 2016-07-19 18:00 6KB www.timeslive.co.za 20 Grinning terror twins to apply for bail on Monday Within just two minutes‚ magistrate Paul Du Plessis sent smiling terror-accused twins Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee Thulsie back to prison. 2016-07-19 18:00 2KB www.timeslive.co.za
21 Turkish naval ships & choppers missing since botched coup, fears of Greece defections grow — RT News Turkey’s navy is still unable to account for 14 ships, while two helicopters with 25 Special Forces troops are also missing since an unsuccessful coup plot against the government. There are now fears the military personnel could be seeking asylum in Greece. 2016-07-19 18:01 3KB www.rt.com 22 WATCH: Aids does not discriminate on its own Hollywood actress Charlize Theron used the opening of the 21st International Aids Conference in Durban on Monday night to say why she thinks the world hasn’t won the war against Aids. 2016-07-19 18:01 2KB www.timeslive.co.za 23 Gunman bypassed civilians as he ambushed Baton Rouge police The three lawmen shot dead in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, were deliberately 2016-07-19 18:01 4KB www.timeslive.co.za 24 Surging heroin use threatens Kenya's HIV/AIDS gains Rashid Hassan Mohammed began using drugs when he was 15, after fleeing an abusive home in the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa and joining a street gang that robbed and stole to buy heroin. 2016-07-19 18:01 6KB www.timeslive.co.za 25 Political uncertainty threatens Turkey's investment-grade rating — RT Business The US ratings agency Moody’s has placed Turkey’s Baa3 credit rating on review for downgrade, warning that the country might lose its investment grade status after the attempted coup on Friday. 2016-07-19 18:01 1KB www.rt.com 26 Russia to sell nuclear fuel to US — RT Business A subsidiary of Russia's nuclear corporation Rosatom has signed its first contract with a US nuclear power plant operator to supply Russian nuclear fuel. 2016-07-19 18:01 1KB www.rt.com 27 First BRICS bank bond sale to fund green projects — RT Business The BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) has issued its first bonds to raise funds internationally for clean energy projects in member states. 2016-07-19 18:01 2KB www.rt.com 28 How three new studies unravel South Africa’s patterns of HIV transmission Young women bear a disproportionate burden of HIV in sub- Saharan Africa – and South Africa has a particular challenge. In some parts of the country more than 36% of people are HIV positive. 2016-07-19 18:01 5KB www.timeslive.co.za 29 Parliament hopes CCMA ruling will ‘close chapter of negative engagement’ with Nehawu Parliament said it had been vindicated by the Council for Conciliation‚ Mediation and Arbitration’s (CCMA) dismissal of the National Education Health and Workers’ Union’s (Nehawu) “application in relation to the payment of bonuses in 2015”. 2016-07-19 18:01 3KB www.timeslive.co.za 30 Russian Olympic Committee lambasts McLaren report, says full investigation needed — RT Sport The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) has slammed a report by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which recommends banning all Russian athletes from competing in this summer’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. 2016-07-19 18:01 2KB www.rt.com 31 Turkish ructions spark new fears in Europe, US A glance at the map of the West's current crises shows that Turkey occupies the neuralgic point where so many international problems meet. 2016-07-19 18:01 5KB www.timeslive.co.za 32 The Big Read: The beasts that wanna catch us all on the Go! Here's what we know so far about Pokémon Go!. It has an accent on the e. Pokémon without an accent is just Pokemon, which is a West Indian nudging you with a stick. 2016-07-19 18:01 5KB www.timeslive.co.za 33 Mandela belongs to all South Africans, and to the world What Nelson Mandela stood for and preached after spending 27 years in jail was yesterday, on Mandela Day, overshadowed by political rhetoric. If only we had used the day to foster unity and purpose in a nation that is losing its bearings. 2016-07-19 18:01 2KB www.timeslive.co.za
34 Presidency still mum on woman’s Zuma blessee claims The Presidency is yet to comment on pictures circulating on social media purporting to show President Jacob Zuma with a young women to whom he is more than just a “blesser”. 2016-07-19 18:01 2KB www.timeslive.co.za 35 AFP validating report on 5 missing foreigners THE Armed Forces of the Philippines is still validating reports that five foreigners went missing in Tawi-Tawi and Sabah waters. “We are looking into this with keen interest and will seek to 2016-07-19 18:01 1KB newsinfo.inquirer.net 36 Duterte’s peace road map to clear way for federalism – Dureza PRESIDENT Duterte has junked the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and approved an inclusive peace road map where an all-Moro body would be tasked to draft “a new enabling law” to replace the 2016-07-19 18:01 2KB newsinfo.inquirer.net 37 PBA releases full Governors’ Cup schedule; 5 road games set Five cities will host out-of-town games in the season-ending 2016 PBA Governors' Cup as the league released the full schedule on Tuesday. Lucena City in Quezon, Panabo City in Davao, Legazpi 2016-07-19 18:01 1KB sports.inquirer.net 38 Clark execs: ‘Twas not easy taking in NAIA’s diverted flights CLARK FREEPORT -- The Clark International Airport (CRK) took the brunt of the anger, frustration and disappointment expressed by thousands of stranded passengers, after flights from the Ninoy Aquino 2016-07-19 18:01 3KB globalnation.inquirer.net 39 Suspected drug dealer killed in Ilocos Sur SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- A suspected leader of a group reportedly engaged in drug trafficking was shot and killed on Tuesday, when he resisted arrest by policemen and agents of the 2016-07-19 18:01 1KB newsinfo.inquirer.net 40 FVR still undecided on offer to be special envoy to China FORMER president Fidel Ramos is still undecided whether he would accept the offer to be the country’s special envoy to China after an international tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines’ 2016-07-19 18:01 1KB globalnation.inquirer.net
41 Duterte urged to reconsider stand on Paris climate pact A climate justice group on Tuesday called on President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider his stance on the historic Paris agreement on climate change, which he said the administration would not honor 2016-07-19 18:01 3KB newsinfo.inquirer.net 42 Tankoua shines as San Beda clips Perpetual to stay unbeaten San Beda remained on top of the NCAA Season 92 men's basketball wars after repulsing Perpetual, 88-70, on Friday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. Donald Tankoua shone anew with a 2016-07-19 18:01 2KB sports.inquirer.net 43 V-League: Proud Air Force goes beyond expectations Losing Maika Ortiz in the offseason, coach Jasper Jimenez admitted that even he didn't know how the team will fare in the Shakey's V-League Season 13 Open Conference. "Talagang 2016-07-19 18:01 2KB sports.inquirer.net 44 Government infuses Rs 22, 915 crore capital into 13 PSU banks Government today provided Rs 22,915 crore capital to 13 PSU banks including SBI, PNB and IOB to enhance their lending operations and enable them to raise more money from the market 2016-07-19 18:01 3KB www.mid-day.com 45 Hang Maharashtra school girl's rapists: Anna Hazare Veteran social worker Anna Hazare on Tuesday demanded the hangman's noose for all the accused in the brutal gang rape and inhuman murder of a minor schoolgirl in Kopardi village here last week 2016-07-19 18:01 3KB www.mid-day.com 46 Honest leaders feeling suffocated in BJP: Arvind Kejriwal A day after 'saluting 2016-07-19 18:01 1KB www.mid-day.com 47 Saudi Airlines flight returns to airport after snag A Jeddah-bound Saudi Airlines flight with 258 passengers returned to the airport here today, following some 'technical snag' minutes after it took off 2016-07-19 18:01 1KB www.mid-day.com
48 UNESCO team to visit Bhitarkanika National Park Ahead of a possible conferring of the tag of a World Heritage Site, Bhitarkanika national park in Kendrapara district would come under ground-level scrutiny of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 2016-07-19 18:01 2KB www.mid-day.com 49 Abdul Kalam memorial foundation to be laid July 27: Manohar Parrikar Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday said the foundation stone for a memorial to former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam will be laid on July 27 at Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, where his mortal remains were laid to rest 2016-07-19 18:01 2KB www.mid- day.com 50 Jerry Richardson gets tribute sculpture Artist Todd Andrews talks about sculpture created for Carolina Panthers owner and presented on his 80th birthday 2016-07-19 16:16 1KB www.charlotteobserver.com 51 WBTV First Alert Weather forecast for 07.19.16 WBTV meteorologist Al Conklin with The Charlotte Observer weather forecast for July 15, 2016. 2016-07-19 16:16 1KB www.charlotteobserver.com 52 Brexit throws 'spanner in the works' of global growth The IMF says the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European Union has "thrown a spanner in the works" of its global growth forecast. 2016-07-19 16:16 2KB www.bbc.co.uk 53 Boris Johnson's awkward debut as foreign secretary in Brussels The BBC's James Robbins looks at Boris Johnson's debut in Brussels as the UK's foreign secretary, as Britain prepares to start negotiations to leave the EU. 2016-07-19 16:16 3KB www.bbc.co.uk 54 Why don't Syrian refugees stay in Turkey? More than a million migrants crossed the Mediterranean last year to reach Europe - many of them Syrians. We answer readers' questions about why they were prepared to risk their lives. 2016-07-19 16:16 5KB www.bbc.co.uk
55 Can Jeremy Corbyn win over Labour members a second time? As the Labour party heads into a leadership battle, the make-up of the party's existing and newest membership comes under intense scrutiny. 2016-07-19 16:16 6KB www.bbc.co.uk 56 Plagiarism quiz: Who were the caught-out copycats? Test your knowledge of other people who have been accused of - and caught out at - cheating. 2016-07-19 16:17 778Bytes www.bbc.co.uk 57 Newspaper headlines: 'New nuclear age' and 'raid' for UK tech firm On a day when no single story dominates the front pages, the renewal of the UK's Trident nuclear weapons system makes headlines in several papers. 2016-07-19 16:16 6KB www.bbc.co.uk 58 Attack on Nice: How Nice sought to tackle jihad The attack that killed 84 people in Nice has led to political recriminations about security lapses, but city officials have long been aware of the jihadist danger, as Henri Astier reports. 2016-07-19 16:16 8KB www.bbc.co.uk 59 A new day, a new Chancellor: A new economic policy? In all the fuss over the EU referendum and new prime minister, it has been easy to forget that the UK's economic policy has changed radically. 2016-07-19 16:16 3KB www.bbc.co.uk 60 Line: A guide to Japan's messenger giant You might not have heard of Line, but the Japanese equivalent of Whatsapp is set to go public. Here's what you need to know about the company. 2016-07-19 16:16 3KB www.bbc.co.uk 61 Yahoo Reports Second Quarter 2016 Results "With the lowest cost structure and headcount in a decade, we continue to make solid progress against our 2016 plan. Through disciplined... 2016-07-19 16:12 27KB investor.yahoo.net 62 TUNE IN TODAY: Yahoo Hosts First-Ever Live Stream of Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting Live coverage begins at 10 a.m... 2016-07-19 16:12 2KB investor.yahoo.net 63 How food, clothing and homeware bills are likely to rise Food, clothing and electrical items are likely to rise in price as a result of Brexit - but bills may not go up until next year 2016-07-19 16:14 6KB www.bbc.co.uk 64 Parents of Star Trek’s Anton Yelchin post Hollywood Reporter ad thanking industry support Tribute has been paid by the parents of actor Anton Yelchin, in the form of a print ad (pictured), to thank individuals in the film industry who rallied around the family after the young actor’s untimely death earlier this year in a car accident. 2016-07-19 16:15 1KB www.thedrum.com 65 GlaxoSmithKline inks deals with Publicis Groupe, WPP and IPG as it consolidates global ad duties into 9 shops Following the announcement that it was putting every one of its brands locally and globally under review, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced that it will consolidate its global estimated $1bn roster to nine agencies, inking major deals with Publicis Groupe and WPP among others. 2016-07-19 16:15 3KB www.thedrum.com 66 Fifa partners with Russia's Alfa-Bank to fill sponsorship exodist left by corruption scandal Fifa has brought on board its first World Cup regional sponsor after agreeing terms with Russia’s Alfa-Bank in a deal that continues the growing trend new sponsors coming from China and Russia. 2016-07-19 16:14 3KB www.thedrum.com 67 Why is it going wrong for Yahoo’s Tumblr and is Facebook its saviour? Yahoo chief Marissa Mayer famously promised 2016-07-19 15:28 7KB www.thedrum.com 68 Deliveroo dedicated to getting the drinks flowing partnering with indie companies including Brewdog and Majestic UK has expanded into alcohol deliveries after sealing new partnerships with Brewdog, Majestic and more independent groups. 2016-07-19 15:28 1KB www.thedrum.com 69 Former Asos and Ocado marketer heads to recruitment app Coople amid hiring spree Staffing app Coople has been on a hiring spree as it looks to grow the brand in the UK, bringing in Matt Knight as chief marketing officer and Jacques de la Bouillerie as its regional managing director. 2016-07-19 15:28 2KB www.thedrum.com 70 Captain Morgan champions millennials by campaigning to allow people under 35 to serve as president To become president of the United States of America, there are a plethora of criteria that must be fulfilled by prospective candidates. Captain Morgan has taken umbrage with one particular restriction that may help it appeal to the younger crowd. 2016-07-19 15:28 1KB www.thedrum.com 71 Publishers have an imperative to set their rivalries aside and work together Putting our differences aside and banding together for the sake of the greater good is not, as it happens, the theme of the moment in the UK. In the wake of the explosive Brexit news, one thing is clear: the future could prove very different... 2016-07-19 15:28 5KB www.thedrum.com 72 Asos launches its formal wear for ParalympicsGB team Asos has partnered with the British Paralympic Association (BPA) in a deal that will see it design formalwear for ParalympicsGB at the Rio Paralympic Games. 2016-07-19 15:28 1KB www.thedrum.com 73 Liberal Chinese magazine taken over by officials in dissent crackdown Outspoken liberal Chinese magazine, Yanhuang Chunqiu (also called China Through the Ages) has allegedly had its newsroom taken over by government officials in the country, with the title's lawyer saying a 2016-07-19 15:28 2KB www.thedrum.com 74 Loan provider Sunny marks the hottest day of the year with a timely TV campaign Creative agency Brothers and Sisters has marked the UK’s hottest day of the year so far with the release of a new TV ad promoting Sunny, a short-term loans provider. 2016-07-19 15:28 1KB www.thedrum.com 75 3 people killed in shooting near Spalding sports complex, northern England Police in Lincolnshire are responding to a major incident in Spalding after a shooting left two women and one man dead, reports suggest. Authorities say there is no indication it is a terrorist related incident. 2016-07-19 15:14 3KB www.rt.com
76 Oklahoma police release video of man struggling for gun with officer, fatal shooting — RT America Oklahoma City police have made public a surveillance video made on a bus in which an officer shot dead a person suspected of vandalism. An evidently delusional man attempted to grab for a female police officer’s gun and was killed by her partner. 2016-07-19 15:14 2KB www.rt.com 77 ET, WWE or Mini Me? Twitter explodes with reactions to Donald Trump’s ‘epic’ convention entrance — RT Viral The first night of the Republican National Convention has been dubbed ‘epic’ by Twitter users though not for its content, but its spectacle. Donald Trump emerging on stage as an extraterrestrial enveloped in smoke. RT picked the best reactions. 2016-07-19 15:14 1KB www.rt.com 78 Pegida launches political party amid impending ban over extremism — RT News Lutz Bachmann, founder of the anti-immigrant and anti-Islamic Pegida movement, has announced the establishment of a new political party. The long-expected move allegedly comes in response to German authorities mulling a ban on Pegida. 2016-07-19 15:14 3KB www.rt.com 79 Russian region head seeks to boost public safety by limiting number of cars in wedding processions — RT Russian politics The head of the southern Russian Republic of Ingushetia has proposed to limit the number of cars in wedding processions by just three, hoping the move will prevent fatal traffic accidents like those he watches in online videos. 2016-07-19 15:14 2KB www.rt.com 80 ISIS Claims Responsibility For German Train Attack Video The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an attack onboard a train in Germany Tuesday that left three people seriously injured, according to the terrorist group's news agency. 2016-07-19 15:19 1KB abcnews.go.com
81 Peaceful activists seek accountability, renewed trust from police The activist group, Concerned Black Men of the City of Rock Hill, delivered a letter with a list of demands to the police department Saturday afternoon. Organizers are hoping they can increase communication and understanding between the black community and law enforcement. 2016-07-19 15:00 3KB www.heraldonline.com 82 Peek inside Clover School District's new elementary school Clover School District will open two new schools this fall, including the new $23 million Oakridge Elementary School across the street from Oakridge Middle School. It features an eight-lane track with an athletic field under construction that also will be open to the community. The... 2016-07-19 15:00 3KB www.heraldonline.com 83 Why is America so angry? What has propelled the rise of the outspoken rabble-rousing billionaire Donald Trump? 2016-07-19 15:04 5KB www.bbc.co.uk 84 Flights and fuel push everyday prices 0.5% higher UK inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Prices Index rose to 0.5% in June from 0.3% in May, figures show. 2016-07-19 15:04 2KB www.bbc.co.uk 85 BT must 'put its house in order' MPs strongly criticise telecoms giant BT in a new report, which accuses it of "significantly under investing" in Openreach, the division responsible for most of the country's broadband roll-out. 2016-07-19 15:03 5KB www.bbc.co.uk 86 Hot weather: UK swelters in highest temperatures of year The UK is experiencing the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures forecast to soar as high as 35C (95F). 2016-07-19 15:03 3KB www.bbc.co.uk 87 Academies warn Brexit 'damaging science' An open letter to the government from UK academies representing science, medicine and engineering warns that Brexit is already harming science. 2016-07-19 15:03 3KB www.bbc.co.uk 88 Visiting Europe? Avoid these 7 money mistakes Making these common blunders can drive the cost of a European vacation Eiffel Tower-high 2016-07-19 15:03 6KB www.cbsnews.com
89 Eye Opener: GOP convention kicks off in Cleveland Melania Trump is accused of stealing parts of her headlining speech at the Republican National Convention from Michelle Obama. Also, Hillary Clinton tells Charlie Rose why she thinks Donald Trump is the most dangerous presidential candidate in history. All that and all that matters in today's... 2016-07-19 15:03 1KB www.cbsnews.com 90 Pokemon Go: Royal Stoke hospital issues fans A&E warning A hospital warns players of the smartphone app game Pokemon Go not to enter the accident and emergency department while they hunt for virtual monsters. 2016-07-19 15:04 1KB www.bbc.co.uk 91 Toddler dies in seventh floor fall from Birmingham flats A toddler dies after falling from the seventh floor of a block of flats in Birmingham. 2016-07-19 15:04 1KB www.bbc.co.uk 92 Turkey crisis: Cleric Gulen condemns post- coup 'witch-hunt' Frail US-based Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen rejects Turkish accusations he masterminded a coup attempt - but describes Turkey's leadership as a 'cult'. 2016-07-19 15:04 4KB www.bbc.co.uk 93 Low Cost holidaymakers likely to get just £7.78 refund Thousands of holidaymakers who booked travel with Low Cost Holidays may get a refund of just £7.50 each, the BBC understands 2016-07-19 15:03 2KB www.bbc.co.uk 94 Breaking News English Lesson English News Lessons: Free 26-Page lesson plan / 2-page mini- lesson - Toyota Elevators - Handouts, online activities, speed reading, dictation, mp3... current events. 2016-07-19 15:03 1KB www.breakingnewsenglish.com 95 Mumbai: Societies under MHADA scanner for fleecing owners Starting August 8, officers will inspect societies to ensure that none of the owners renting out flats are billed over 10% non-occupancy charge 2016-07-19 15:09 2KB www.mid-day.com 96 Oppn outcry in RS over Ambedkar Bhavan demolition in Mumbai The Centre today assured that it would speak to Maharashtra government to get the demolished Ambedkar Bhavan at Dadar in Mumbai restored as a memorial 2016-07-19 15:08 3KB www.mid- day.com
97 Asaram Bapu's close aide arrested in witness murder case A close aide of Asaram who was evading arrest in connection with the murder of a prime witness in a rape case against the self- styled godman has been arrested from Mirakpur village in Saharanpur district 2016-07-19 15:08 1KB www.mid-day.com 98 Heavy downpours and gusty winds ahead The forecast Today: Wet afternoon. 2016-07-19 15:07 848Bytes www.ajc.com 99 Opposition wears black badges, demands discussion on minor gangrape The gangrape and murder of a 15-year-old girl at Kopardi village in Ahmednagar district figured in the Maharashtra Assembly for the second day as the opposition members wore black badges to condemn the crime 2016-07-19 15:07 2KB www.mid-day.com 100 Mumbai: 2 Navy patrol boats sink after fire Two security boats of the Indian Navy, which are used for patrolling of Mumbai waters, sank at the naval dockyard following a fire that broke out in one of them 2016-07-19 15:06 1KB www.mid-day.com Articles
Total 100 articles, created at 2016-07-19 18:01
1 Melania Trump delivers prime time speech at Republican National Convention (2.08/3) President Obama joined Clinton in Charlotte Tuesday afternoon at a campaign event. "There has never been any man or woman more qualified for this office than Hillary Clinton," Obama said. The Presidential motorcade carrying President Obama and Hillary Clinton arrives in uptown Charlotte. Robin Hayes says it's unfair for President Obama to campaign for Hillary Clinton. A large crowd was gathering Tuesday outside the Charlotte Convention Center hours before the scheduled appearance of President Obama and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Following Wednesday night's prayer service and choir service, members of First Baptist Church of Charlotte offered their opinions of presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Protesters with signs and flags shout outside the Donald Trump rally at Selland Arena on May 27, 2016. WARNING: Graphic language. VIDEO: A special legislative committee on Tuesday approved guidelines for redrawing two congressional districts in a way that satisfies federal judges that they are not racial gerrymandering but does not consider race. State Senator Jeff Tarte discusses redistricting. Some Melania Trump speech lines mirror Michelle Obama speech washingtontimes.com
7 things to know now: GOP convention; Melania's speech; fourth... ajc.com
Melania Trump: I wrote convention speech with 'little help' ajc.com 2016-07-19 15:11 www.charlotteobserver.com
2 Pippa Middleton confirms engagement to James Matthews (1.02/3) Pippa Middleton and hedge fund manager James Matthews have confirmed they are engaged to be married. In a statement, Miss Middleton - the younger sister of the Duchess of Cambridge - and Mr Matthews said they are planning to marry next year. The couple became engaged on Sunday - reportedly during a trip to the Lake District. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are "absolutely delighted", a Kensington Palace spokesman said. Miss Middleton was the maid of honour when the duchess married Prince William in 2011. Her father, Michael Middleton, said he and his wife Carole were "absolutely thrilled" with the news. "They make a wonderful couple and we wish them every happiness together," he added. Miss Middleton was wearing her engagement ring as she was pictured leaving her house this morning. The couple are reported to have been dating for about a year and were photographed at Wimbledon.
UK's Pippa Middleton and fund manager James Matthews announce their engagement washingtontimes.com 2016-07-19 16:17 www.bbc.co.uk
3 Three Dead After Shooting At Swimming Pool In Spalding (1.02/3) Three people including a suspected gunman have been shot dead near a swimming pool. The horror unfolded near Castle Swimming Pool in Spalding, on Tuesday, Lincolnshire... Three people including a suspected gunman have been shot dead near a swimming pool in England. The horror unfolded near Castle Swimming Pool in Spalding, on Tuesday,... A man is believed to have shot dead two female members of his family near a swimming pool in a small market town. The horror unfolded near Castle Swimming Pool in Spalding... Three people have been killed in a shooting near a swimming pool in Spalding, police have said. Police were called to Castle Swimming Pool on Pinchbeck Road around 9am, a... Three people, including a suspected gunman, have been killed in a shooting incident at a swimming pool in Spalding, Lincolnshire, according to the UK police. “We can ... Three people including a suspected gunman have been shot dead in a firearms incident near a swimming pool in Spalding. A statement from Lincolnshire Police said they are... Three people including a suspected gunman have been shot dead in an incident on Tuesday near a swimming pool in Lincolnshire, central England, police said. There was no... Three people have died in a shooting near a swimming pool in ... Three people, including the suspected gunmen, have been killed in a shooting near a swimming-pool in the north-eastern British town of Spalding. Tuesday’s shooting happened... Google Maps Three people have died after a firearms incident in Spalding, Lincolnshire. Emergency services were called to Castle Sports Complex after gunshots were heard at...
Spalding shooting: Three shot dead near swimming pool bbc.co.uk 2016-07-19 16:24 jack article.wn.com
4 Yahoo Announces Board Changes and Agreement With Starboard (1.02/3) --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ( : YHOO) today announced that it has reached an agreement with and its affiliates ("Starboard") under which four new independent directors, , Eddy W. Hartenstein, , and , Starboard's CEO and Chief Investment Officer, will join the board, effective immediately. will also join the Strategic Review Committee. Additionally, Starboard has withdrawn its director nominees for Yahoo's board as part of the agreement. At the Annual Meeting, two incumbent directors will not stand for re-election, so that following the Annual Meeting the board will have 11 members. "We are pleased to welcome these four new highly respected, independent directors to our board," said , chairman of Yahoo's board of directors. "The additional board members will bring valuable experience and perspectives to during this important time for our company. " "This constructive resolution will allow management and the board to keep our focus on our extremely important objectives. Management is looking forward to working with the entire board, including the new directors, to maximize shareholder value," said , CEO of. said, "I am pleased that we were able to reach a constructive agreement with to add new independent directors to the Board. We look forward to getting started right away and working closely with management and our fellow board members with the common goal of maximizing value for all shareholders. " served as Managing Director and Global Head of Technology Mergers and Acquisitions for from 2004 until 2012. During his career, has been directly involved in negotiating or executing numerous mergers and acquisitions in the technology industry. Prior to joining Deutsche Bank, served as Managing Director and Co-Head, West Coast Technology, Mergers and Acquisitions for. currently serves as a director of Viavi Solutions and Sigma Designs. is a seasoned media executive with a wealth of executive experience from his time serving as CEO of the , Chairman and CEO of , and Publisher and CEO of the . has served as a director of Tribune Publishing Company since and was Non-Executive Chairman until . served as the publisher and CEO of the from 2008 to 2014. Mr. Hartenstein currently serves as a director of SanDisk, Sirius XM Holdings, Broadcom Ltd., and Rovi Corporation. is a seasoned senior executive and public company board member who has served as Chairman of Tessera Technologies since 2013, and who previously served as Tessera's interim CEO. Prior to Tessera, spent 20 years at Novellus Systems, a semiconductor equipment designer and manufacturer. currently serves as a director of Tessera, Arrow Electronics, Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, and Autodesk. is a Managing Member, CEO, and Chief Investment Officer of Starboard. has extensive experience in best-in-class corporate governance practices and significantly improving value at underperforming companies. currently serves as a director of Advance Auto Parts and, until earlier this month, served as a director and Chairman of Darden Restaurants. Two current independent directors, and , have opted not to stand for reelection at this year's Annual Shareholder Meeting. To ensure a smooth transition, while they'll continue to serve on the board through that meeting, Lee and Sue have relinquished their respective committee responsibilities effective immediately to board members who will be up for reelection to serve another term. "Sue and Lee have been exceptional board members," said. "Sue has been the longest standing member of our board and an outstanding Audit Committee chair and Lee has served honorably as chair of the. The entire board and management team thank them both for their significant contributions over the years. " Given Sue and Lee's personal decisions not to stand for reelection, the committees have been reconstituted to transition work smoothly and to provide clarity on leadership going forward. will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board. will chair the , joined by and . will chair the , joined by and . will chair the Strategic Review Committee, joined by and. Finally, will serve as chair of the , joined by , , and. The complete agreement between and Starboard will be included as an exhibit to the Company's current report on Form 8-K which will be filed with the . About is a guide to digital information discovery, focused on informing, connecting, and entertaining users through its search, communications, and digital content products. By creating highly personalized experiences, helps users discover the information that matters most to them around the world -- on mobile or desktop. creates value for advertisers with a streamlined, simple advertising technology stack that leverages Yahoo's data, content, and technology to connect advertisers with their target audiences. is headquartered in , and has offices located throughout the , (APAC) and the , and (EMEA) regions. For more information, visit the pressroom (pressroom.yahoo.net) or the Company's blog (yahoo.tumblr.com). About is a -based investment adviser with a focused and fundamental approach to investing in publicly traded companies. Starboard invests in deeply undervalued companies and actively engages with management teams and boards of directors to identify and execute on opportunities to unlock value for the benefit of all shareholders.
Yahoo to Participate at the J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media & Telecom Conference investor.yahoo.net
Yahoo Announces Editorial Plans for 2016 Summer Games investor.yahoo.net
Yahoo Expands Content Marketing Offerings with Yahoo Storytellers investor.yahoo.net 2016-07-19 16:12 investor.yahoo.net
5 The top 10 most pirated shows of July 2016 (1.02/3) With the finale of Game of Thrones airing last month, it's no surprise that it's by far the most pirated show. AMC's new hit, Preacher, is also making an appearance. Here are the full charts and insights from SimilarWeb. SimilarWeb is the leading competitive market intelligence firm providing data analytics on desktop websites, mobile web and mobile apps. The SimilarWeb platform provides PPC, SEO, Media Buyers and Affiliates an edge over the competition with actionable insights into their competitor’s marketing tactics. Discover the data for yourself at SimilarWeb , with free insights for any website or mobile app. You can access the Future of TV hub here. Sign up to receive The Drum's Future of TV newsletter.
Week in pictures: 9-15 July 2016 bbc.co.uk 2016-07-19 15:28 www.thedrum.com
6 Shock and sadness as fans react to news of Gugu Zulu's death (1.01/3) Taking to social media, fans expressed their shock and sadness in the immediate aftermath of the news of his death. Zulu was a celebrated and well-established racing driver for Volkswagen, and the loss to South Africa is tremendous. Gugu Zulu was 'good people' in truest sense of the word. Thoughts goes out to his wife & baby and rest of his loved ones. Absolutely tragic — Kojo Baffoe (@kojobaffoe) July 18, 2016 Rip #guguzulu one of the best racers this country has seen. condolences to his family — Lerato Mahlangu (@uLeerato) July 18, 2016 GUGU ZULU he was so adventures could say he died doing what he loved may his soul rest in peace — Xo Orbit (@AphaneOrbit) July 18, 2016 >So sad to hear of the passing of Gugu Zulu, may his soul rest in peace, condolences to his family and friends...:( — Thando Thabooty (@Thando_Thabethe) July 18, 2016 Zulu was due to climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro on Monday for Mandela Day. This year's Trek4Mandela expedition aimed to raise enough funds to ensure that 350 000 girl children would not miss a day of school due to menstrual challenges. The Nelson Mandela Foundation released a statement confirming the news, saying Zulu had experienced breathing problems. His wife, Letshego, was with him on the trip and they descended the mountain together. "What we do know is that Gugu experienced problems breathing. The medical team supporting the trek put him on a drip and they descended the mountain with him," said the foundation.
WATCH: 5 things you might not have known about Gugu Zulu timeslive.co.za Janez Vermeiren and friends honour Gugu Zulu with a trust for his family timeslive.co.za 2016-07-19 18:01 TMG Entertainment www.timeslive.co.za
7 DA picket to get Jackson Mthembu ‘to walk the talk’ on SABC (1.00/3) The party on Tuesday said that while Mthembu‚ the African National Congress (ANC) chief whip in the National Assembly‚ “has been saying one thing to the media‚ he has done nothing to fix the situation where it matters most: in Parliament”. The DA said it had requested a special meeting “to discuss and find solutions for the governance crisis at the SABC caused by COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng”‚ but “this was turned down as not being urgent”. It said its chief whip‚ John Steenhuisen‚ “asked for Jackson Mthembu to support the meeting of the committee‚” but this too “has fallen on deaf ears”. This prompted the opposition party to plan a picket in Plein Street outside Parliament on Tuesday. “The truth is that the ANC simply doesn’t care. Motsoeneng has overseen the degradation of media freedom at the SABC and has consistently and without due regard for the law attempted to capture the public broadcaster to protect the ANC and President (Jacob) Zuma‚” the DA said. Earlier this month‚ Mthembu‚ who also heads the ANC’s sub-committee on communications‚ had appeared to depart from the ruling party’s defence of the embattled broadcaster when he told journalists that the ruling party was distancing itself from the SABC policy banning the coverage of violent protests. Objections to this policy resulted in the suspensions of the “SABC 8”‚ four of whom - journalists Jacques Steenkamp‚ Krivani Pillay‚ Foeta Krige and Suna Venter – were notified by email late on Monday afternoon that they had been dismissed. This was confirmed by trade union Solidarity‚ which is representing them. Said the DA’s Phumzile Van Damme on Monday: “It would appear that the SABC staffers were fired for slighting…Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s fragile ego by allegedly ‘undermining the SABC and the authority of its management’. “It is clear that the wrecking ball that is Hlaudi Motsoeneng is going to continue smashing through the integrity of our country’s public broadcaster and do so‚ with the tacit support of the African National Congress (ANC).” The party will be calling “for the reinstatement of these SABC staffers…and for Parliament’s intervention in the ongoing crisis at the SABC”.
SABC chair ‘insulted’ ANC‚ says Mthembu timeslive.co.za 2016-07-19 18:01 TMG Digital www.timeslive.co.za
8 Yahoo Appoints IMS as Sales Partner in Spanish-Speaking Latin America (1.00/3) --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- (NASDAQ:YHOO) has appointed (IMS), a joint venture with and a leading digital marketing and communications company, to help drive advertising sales in Spanish-speaking . drives value for advertisers in by helping them engage with consumers online through the combination of data, content and technology. Fusing valuable data insights from 165 billion daily data events, provides high-value, high-performing solutions to help advertisers target, reach and engage relevant audiences. The core offerings IMS will provide on behalf of to clients in include: "We are excited to partner with IMS based on their leadership, sales expertise, and their deep understanding of the Latin American digital media landscape," says , Yahoo's Vice President, & US Hispanic. "Latin America is an important market for and we are committed to helping advertisers leverage our ad platforms and data to effectively reach their marketing objectives. " "We are delighted to partner with , such an iconic digital player, throughout Spanish-speaking. premium content and data-driven audience solutions drive relevance for advertisers throughout the region," said , CEO, Founder and Partner for IMS. joins IMS' roster of international brand leaders such as Twitch, EA, , Foursquare, Twitter, Waze, Spotify and LinkedIn. is a guide to digital information discovery, focused on informing, connecting, and entertaining users through its search, communications, and digital content products. By creating highly personalized experiences, helps users discover the information that matters most to them around the world -- on mobile or desktop. connects advertisers with target audiences through a streamlined advertising technology stack that combines the power of data, content, and technology. is headquartered in , and has offices located throughout the , (APAC) and the , and (EMEA) regions. For more information, visit the pressroom (pressroom.yahoo.net) or the Company's blog (yahoo.tumblr.com). (IMS), a joint venture with , is a leading digital marketing and communications company that partners with fast-moving businesses seeking to expand into and within. IMS helps brands reach new levels of engagement and grow within the region through our exclusive ecosystem of commercial partnerships, creative and content solutions, and media investment and management services. Leading brands such as Twitch, EA, Foursquare, LinkedIn, Spotify, Twitter, and Waze have partnered exclusively with IMS to strengthen their presence in. IMS is headquartered in , with offices in , , , , , Panamá, , , , and. www.imscorporate.com
Yahoo to Participate at the J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media & Telecom Conference investor.yahoo.net 2016-07-19 16:12 investor.yahoo.net
9 Gugu Zulu ‘should have turned back’‚ experts say (0.01/3) Climbing experts told TMG Digital on Tuesday that flu- like symptoms were a cause for serious concern at high altitude. Zulu died while taking part on the Trek4Mandela expedition on Mount Kilimanjaro. He complained of having flu-like symptoms on Saturday and posted on his Instagram account that he was “struggling with the mountain”. The next day‚ he continued walking and was photographed getting acclimatised. Hours later he required medical treatment for breathing difficulties. Climbing experts suspect that Zulu could have succumbed to altitude sickness – although the cause of death is yet to be confirmed - also known as pulmonary oedema‚ which they say is a common cause of death on high mountains. The Nelson Mandela Foundation said on Tuesday said that it did not have any details about the cause of death. “Any such [flu-like] symptoms are a cause for concern whilst at altitude‚” explained Justin Lawson‚ a mountain guide from Climbing ZA. “If you have symptoms of mild AMS (acute mountain sickness)‚ then you should not go any higher for 24 to 48 hours. If the symptoms do not improve or get worse‚ then you should descend immediately‚” he said. “… he should have turned around sooner. However‚ it should be noted that it is very common for climbers to get symptoms associated with acute mountain sickness at some point during their climb‚” said Adam Collins‚ expedition coordinator at Ultimate Kilimanjaro. “So it is really a question of what degree of acute mountain sickness Zulu experienced‚ and what was done to prevent‚ identify‚ and treat altitude related illnesses‚” he said. “Mount Kilimanjaro is commonly described as ‘Everyman's Everest’ because it is one of the seven summits that can be climbed by anyone in decent physical fitness. No technical mountaineering skills are required‚” said Collins. “However‚ at 5895m-tall‚ there is a high probability of developing some degree of acute mountain sickness while on Kilimanjaro. “Therefore it is good practice for those wanting to climb Kilimanjaro to get cleared for high altitude trekking by their doctors‚” said Collins. Collins said Mount Kilimanjaro was not a dangerous mountain to climb‚ but‚ “there is always danger when climbing high mountains”. “It is commonly reported that approximately 10 climbers die every year on the mountain‚ primarily due to acute mountain sickness‚ out of some 35 000 people who attempt it annually. The last image posted on Gugu Zulu's Instagram account “By mountaineering standards‚ this fatality rate is very‚ very low. Some peaks have 50% fatality rates‚” said Collins. Edmund February‚ an ardent climber and an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cape Town‚ however‚ believes there could be more deaths on Kilimanjaro which go unreported. “I would imagine it’s a lot more common than what comes out. Gugu was a famous guy that’s why we hear about it but I have heard of several deaths on Kilimanjaro.” Lawson said that for anyone climbing a mountain above 1500m‚ care had to be taken to acclimatise properly by ascending slowly and descending immediately if one showed any signs of acute mountain sickness. “The more days you allow climbing the mountain‚ the higher the probability of success as your body has more time to adapt and acclimatise‚” he said. What Gugu Zulu taught AKA timeslive.co.za 2016-07-19 18:00 Nomahlubi Jordaan www.timeslive.co.za
10 Yahoo to Live Stream Video of First Quarter 2016 Earnings on Yahoo Finance on April 19, 2016 (0.01/3) --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ( : YHOO) will discuss the Company's financial results for the first quarter ended via live stream video. WHERE: The live stream will be broadcast from Yahoo's studio and will be available exclusively on Yahoo Finance at http://finance.yahoo.com/. The video will be archived after the event at https://investor.yahoo.net and will be available for 90 days following the broadcast. is a guide focused on informing, connecting, and entertaining our users. By creating highly personalized experiences for our users, we keep people connected to what matters most to them, across devices and around the world. In turn, we create value for advertisers by connecting them with the audiences that build their businesses. is headquartered in , and has offices located throughout the , (APAC) and the , and (EMEA) regions. For more information, visit the pressroom (pressroom.yahoo.net) or the Company's blog (yahoo.tumblr.com). and Yahoo Finance are the trademarks and/or registered trademarks of All other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Yahoo to Live Stream Video of Second Quarter 2016 Earnings on Yahoo Finance on July 18, 2016 investor.yahoo.net 2016-07-19 16:12 investor.yahoo.net
11 Friend of Charlotte homicide victim: 'I'm hurting.' (0.01/3) The Pineville Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division is investigating a homicide that occurred at 122 Olive Street in Pineville. CMPD Lt. Brian Sanders said at a press conference Thursday "as violent crime increases in the summertime, we can move resources in more of a real-time manner in order to make that happen. " A Cleveland County Sheriff’s deputy was injured and a suspect he was trying to subdue was killed during an altercation Tuesday, authorities said. A college counselor found dying in her burning apartment Saturday was killed by a man who lived in the same complex and who was captured near Las Vegas, police said. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department held a vigil on Monday evening for the victims of the shooting massacre in Orlando. Devon Davis discusses his experiences in solitary confinement and his attempts to get settled after being released from prison. Words from the mother of murder victim Bianca Tanner and the man who was convicted in her death. Julie Mall was arrested at Bald Head Island after police stopped the family for allowing 11-year-old son to drive a golf cart. Julie Mall was arrested after allowing her son to drive a golf cart at Bald Head Island. Raw video footage of McDonalds employees fighting over pies from the Facebook page of Noah Smith III.
Homicide investigation in west Charlotte charlotteobserver.com 2016-07-19 15:05 www.charlotteobserver.com
12 Pearl Thusi officially starts filming for Quantico in New York The South African Communist Party (SACP) is not regretting its decision to call on its supporters to vote for the African National Congress in the August local government elections‚ and says rumours that it wants to appear on the ballot paper - emanating from the...
2016-07-19 18:00 TMG Entertainment www.timeslive.co.za
13 Bentley is angling for new customers with its latest bespoke model The game of golf may well be inextricably linked with luxury car ownership -- to the point where the average trunk size is often given in terms of golf bags. Yet, the fact of the matter is the typical luxury car owner is just as likely to enjoy casting a rod as they are swinging a club. To meet this hitherto unaddressed demand, Bentley has put its bespoke coachbuilding division to work in order to create the ultimate wood and leather installation for safely housing everything needed for a day's fly-fishing. Mulliner has turned the underside of the Bentayga's parcel shelf into a rod carrier made up of four saddle leather trimmed tubes with linen cross stitching. A carpet-trimmed hard pocket has been integrated into the side of the trunk and inside it are two landing nets in their own leather bags. However, it's the center installation where the craftsmanship and attention to detail really come to the fore. The three-unit leather trimmed case consists of a master tackle station, a refreshment case and a waterproof trunk for waders and outerwear. Open up the tackle station and you're presented with Burr Walnut veneered draws for fly-fishing tools, and leather bound fishing reel cases milled from solid aluminum. The refreshment draw has bespoke metal flasks, a set of fine- china tablewear and an extra sub-compartment for food. And because the whole thing is solid it can be removed from the trunk completely and used as seating. "Fly fishing is a sport that requires a variety of equipment and clothing, so it was essential to package the rods, reels, waders, boots and fly-tying station into the car in a luxurious, accessible and elegant way," said Geoff Dowding, Director of Mulliner. However, the most ingenious touches are a barely noticeable waterproof lining with sill protectors in the luggage compartment and a dehumidifier to ensure that the space is always dry and free from any potentially fishy smells. "[This] car showcases the breadth and level of detail a customer can expect from Mulliner," said Dowding. "This is an individual bespoke solution and our skilled craftspeople can design elegant and exquisitely executed bespoke solutions to complement any customer lifestyle or hobby. "
2016-07-19 18:00 AFP Relaxnews www.timeslive.co.za
14 Turkey jails generals as PM warns against revenge Erdogan has denounced the coup bid, which left more than 300 dead on all sides, as a treacherous bid to oust him from power devised from the US compound of his arch-enemy, exiled Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen. But with the authorities detaining over 7,500 people so far in a massive legal crackdown and sacking almost 9,000 people, Turkey's EU and NATO allies have urged Ankara to keep the rule of law in place. Erdogan's suggestion that the death penalty could be reinstated has sent shudders through Europe and sparked warnings such a move would be the nail in the coffin of its already embattled bid to join the EU. An Ankara court late Monday placed under arrest 26 former generals suspected of planning Friday's attempted power grab, including former air force chief General Akin Ozturk, whom some Turkish media have painted as the mastermind of the plot. The generals have now been put behind bars ahead of their trials, a date for which has not been sent. They have been charged with crimes including seeking to overturn the constitutional order, leading an armed group and seeking to assassinate the president. In his statement to prosecutors, Ozturk denied he was the coup ringleader. "I am not the person who planned or led the coup. Who planned it and directed it, I do not know," state-run news agency Anadolu quoted him as saying. Turkey's treatment of the suspects has alarmed its allies especially after some were paraded before the media and shown being subjected to rough treatment. Anadolu published images of Ozturk and other suspects on the stairs inside the Ankara courthouse, staring blankly into the camera with their hands tied behind their backs. Ozturk has looked tired and haggard in images published by state media, with one of his ears heavily bandaged. Images have also emerged of government supporters physically attacking coup backers when they were detained. "Nobody can have a feeling of revenge. This is unacceptable in a state governed by rule of law," Yildirim said after meeting secular opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu. The interior ministry said almost 9,000 people, including nearly 8,000 police but also municipal governors and other officials, had also been dismissed in a widening purge. Turkey has blamed Friday's events on supporters within the military of Gulen, who Ankara accused of running a group it dubs the "Fetullahci Terror Organisation" (FETO). Ankara has piled the pressure on Washington to extradite Gulen to face trial at home but US Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday he wanted to see evidence and not allegations. Yildirim said Tuesday that Turkey had sent four dossiers to the United States over Gulen's alleged links to the overthrow plot. The reclusive cleric said in an interview with several media outlets including AFP at his compound in the US state of Pennsylvania that he has "no concerns personally" about the extradition request. "The rule of law reigns supreme here. I don't believe this government will pay attention to anything that is not legally sound," he said. He called the putsch attempt "treason, a betrayal of the Turkish nation. " Turkey abolished the death penalty for all forms of crime in 2004 but the government now claims there is growing public pressure to reinstate it for the coup plotters. Erdogan told CNN in his first media interview since the coup bid that he would approve any decision by parliament to reintroduce capital punishment. "There is a clear crime of treason," he said. But the EU -- which Turkey has for years tried to join in a stalled accession process -- warned of the consequences of such a move. "No country can become an EU state if it introduces the death penalty," EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said. Amnesty International said it was alarmed by the widening crackdown. "Cracking down on dissent and threatening to bring back the death penalty are not justice," said John Dalhuisen, Amnesty's director for Europe and Central Asia. Erdogan has remained in Istanbul ever since he dramatically flew back on Saturday to the city from the holiday resort of Marmaris where he was staying when the coup struck. It was unclear when he would be returning to the capital Ankara. Every night since the coup he has spoken to supporters in the Istanbul district of Kisikli, where he has a home, urging them to maintain a "vigil" for democracy. Erdogan told CNN his life had been in grave danger. "If I stayed (in Marmaris) 10, 15 minutes more, I would either have been killed or kidnapped and taken away by them. " Yildirim said 208 people were killed during the coup bid, including 145 civilians, 60 police and three loyalist soldiers. The military said 104 coup plotters were killed. In an intriguing twist, a Turkish official said two Turkish pilots who played a role in the downing of a Russian plane in November that led to a crisis in ties between Moscow and Ankara are in custody over the failed coup.
2016-07-19 18:00 AFP www.timeslive.co.za
15 Nintendo worth more than Sony after Pokemon rally The shares surged more than 14 percent to end at 31,770 yen ($300), up 120 percent from their July 6 close. That put Nintendo's market capitalisation at 4.5 trillion yen (R608.29 billion), -- making it more valuable than Sony, one of Japan's best- known companies, by about 400 billion yen. On Friday Nintendo, creator of the 20-year-old Pokemon franchise, set a record for the most shares ever traded daily in Japan. Since its launch two weeks ago, the game for mobile gadgets has sparked a worldwide frenzy among users who have taken to the streets with their smartphones. The free app uses satellite locations, graphics and camera capabilities to overlay cartoon monsters on real-world settings, challenging players to capture and train the creatures for battles. Investors are betting its popularity is a good sign for Nintendo's nascent push into mobile gaming, a major U-turn for a company that long insisted on a consoles-only policy. The Pokemon craze has also boosted other shares in Tokyo. McDonald's Japan -- which has been struggling to get past a series of food safety scandals -- soared as much as 23 percent in the morning after it started on Friday giving away with some meals figurines based on the game's characters such as Pikachu. It ended up 5.26 percent at 3,200 yen. "Investors are flocking to Pokemon-related stocks and McDonald's Japan is one of those benefiting from the boom," said Mitsushige Akino, executive officer at Ichiyoshi Asset Management. "The boom came at a time when McDonald's business has already started recovering and there's expectation that the Pokemon toy offering will further increase customer traffic to their shops. " The game was launched in the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Since the weekend it has been released in more than two dozen more countries but has yet to be available in Japan. Nintendo declined to say when the app would be released in its home market, and Niantic -- which developed the game for Nintendo -- did not reply to requests for comment. Forbes cited Niantic chief executive John Hanke as saying the reason for the delay is that Japan's server capacity is not powerful enough to keep up with expected demand.
2016-07-19 18:00 AFP www.timeslive.co.za
16 PSL newcomers Highlands Park, Baroka FC locked in tug-of-war over player Baroka‚ who gained promotion to the topflight after winning the National First Division (NFD) title two months ago‚ announced Matloga as one of their new signings for the coming season a week ago. Highlands Park‚ the side the midfielder represented last season on their way to gaining promotion through the promotion-relegation playoffs‚ are adamant that Matloga remains contracted to the Tembisa-based club. Baroka‚ on the other hand‚ claim that they've signed the player as a free agent. “Richard remains our player‚ and anybody who wants the player must come to us – simple‚” Highlands director Sinky Mnisi said. But Baroka remains convinced that they secured Matloga's signature lawfully after their acquisition of the player was approved by the PSL. Highlands took the matter to the PSL and League officials are reviewing the dispute in its Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC). “He (Matloga) is with Baroka [currently]‚ they presumed to have signed him. It is their democratic right to do that‚ but this matter is in the hands of the DRC in the PSL‚” said Mnisi. “Matloga remains a Highlands Park player. We will elaborate the facts at the end because the matter is sub judice at the moment and I cannot be discussing the matter [in public] whilst it is still under review. “I have written a letter to the league to inform them that he is still our player and [his] contract states that. We will wait for the league to deal with the matter. If Baroka wants the player‚ they will have to come and discuss it with us.” Mnisi added that his side did not want to be entangled in a war of words with Baroka‚ given the two sides’ rivalry dating back to their NFD days. “We don’t want to be engaged with Baroka in any fights because in the past we have been accused of lacking sportsmanship‚ they said it was sour grapes (after finishing behind Baroka in the NFD)‚” said Mnisi. The director is pleased with the 12 new signings his side has included for the coming season. “We are more than happy‚” he said. “We had a mini-cheque book‚ and we have used it wisely… People can brace themselves for a war. We are not just going to let anybody go past Makhulong Stadium. "
2016-07-19 18:00 Chumani Bambani www.timeslive.co.za
17 Turkish pilots involved in downing of Russian Su-24 arrested over links to coup attempt – minister — RT News "The pilots that downed the Russian jet were arrested," Haberturk TV channel quoted Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag as saying on Tuesday. Earlier, AFP quoted an unidentified official as telling journalists that “Two pilots who were part of the operation to down the Russian Su-24 in November 2015 are in custody.” The official stressed that the military pilots have been arrested over links to the coup, not because of the attack on the Russian plane. The pilots find themselves among more than 7,500 other Turks, including 103 generals and admirals, who have been detained following the failed coup on July 15, according to figures given by the Turkish authorities. The instigators of the failed power grab are believed to be high-ranking air force officers. No reports in the months since the incident with the Russian bomber had stated the aircraft had been downed by a two-seat version of the F-16 fighter jet, and it had been presumed that one pilot was responsible for attacking the Russian bomber with an air-to-air missile. However, the F-16 that ambushed the Russian warplane – which was attacking terrorist positions near the Turkish-Syrian border – was operating in a group of two fighters, so the second detained pilot could have been flying the other F-16 fighter jet. The day after the coup attempt, the mayor of Ankara, Melih Gokcek, announced that the pilot who had shot down the Russian plane had taken part in the coup, and was a member of a secret “parallel state” organization allegedly headed by cleric Fethullah Gulen, who lives in self-exile in the US. “It is a ‘parallel state’ that has ruined our relationship with Russia. It was an incident that involved one of the pilots of this structure, 100 percent. He was one of the participants in the coup,” the mayor told CNN Turk. Melih Gokcek stressed that “our relations with Russia have been spoiled by these villains.” Gulen has denied all allegations about being involved in organizing the failed power grab. On November 24, 2015, a Russian Su-24 frontline bomber was downed over Syrian territory by a Turkish air-to-air missile. One of the pilots, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Peshkov, was killed by ground fire as he parachuted from the stricken plane. In the absence of an apology from Ankara, Moscow introduced a broad package of restrictive economic measures against Turkey. After the sanctions were introduced, Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, repeatedly stated that they would be lifted only on condition that Turkey apologized for the incident. In mid-June, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan apologized for the death of the Russian pilot in a formal letter to Putin and expressed readiness to restore relations with Moscow. On June 30, President Putin signed a decree partially lifting restrictions on Russians’ travel to Turkey.
2016-07-19 18:00 www.rt.com
18 Corbyn maintains massive lead over coup rivals Smith & Eagle — RT UK The poll carried out by YouGov in collaboration with the Times found the socialist leader would get 54 percent of the vote in a leadership contest, compared to 21 percent for challenger Angela Eagle and 15 percent for Owen Smith, who is being framed as a left- leaning candidate. Angela Eagle, whose voting record includes backing the war in Iraq, served as shadow business secretary under Corbyn before making a tearful resignation. It later transpired she had registered an ‘Angela for Leader’ website two days previously. Welsh MP Owen Smith was not in parliament at the time of the Iraq War, so is untainted by its legacy. He has also sought to position himself as an anti- austerity candidate of the soft-left. On Monday he somewhat controversially declared himself as “ normal ” because he has a wife and children. It is unclear whether he was delineating himself from Eagle, who is openly lesbian. The figures come in the wake of a mass shadow cabinet coup attempt by right-wing Labour MPs and a failed attempt by some on the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to keep him off the new leadership ballot. The poll also asked members who they would vote for if only Eagle stood against Corbyn. Only 34 percent said they would back her. The result comes despite a controversial six month freeze on new Labour Party members who joined after January 12 being given a vote in the election. A consensus has emerged following the poll that at least one challenger must now withdraw from the contest to stand any chance of getting a proportion of the vote. Eagle and Smith are reported to have reached a unity deal on Tuesday, the details of which are to be confirmed. It is thought the challenger who can gather the most support among MPs will run. Speaking to the BBC, sacked Shadow Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn said: “ I think that would be preferable, it’s the view of many Labour MPs. But Angela and Owen would both make great leaders of the Labour Party. “ What we have to do is to get out of the situation that we’re in. Jeremy has done a great deal for the party – he’s changed politics, he’s brought his values, he’s made a huge contribution and will continue to do so. “ The problem is that the clear majority of his colleagues in Parliament don’t think that he is a leader, ” Benn added.
2016-07-19 18:00 www.rt.com
19 Russia's Rio Games status hangs by thread as IOC considers ban The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) called for all Russian competitors and officials to be banned from next month's Games and other events after the report unveiled what IOC president Thomas Bach called "a shocking and unprecedented attack on the integrity of sports and on the Olympic Games. " A probe by Canadian law professor Richard McLaren for WADA found Russia's secret service helped "the state-dictated failsafe system" carried out by the Moscow sports ministry and sprawling into 30 sports over five years. "The scale of what was happening requires Russia be banned from the Olympics and Paralympics," said British IOC athletes commission member Adam Pengilly. When asked if no ban imposed could mark the beginning of the end of the IOC, former skeleton competitor Pengilly replied, "it certainly has that potential. " WADA's executive committee said the IOC and the International Paralympics Committee should "decline entries, for Rio 2016, of all athletes submitted by the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) and the Russian Paralympic Committee. " It also called for Russian officials implicated in the scandal to be sacked and for "Russian government officials to be denied access to international competitions, including Rio 2016. " McLaren said the cover-up started in 2010 after Russia's "abysmal" results at the Vancouver Winter Olympics and continued until 2015 after the Sochi Games. It included the 2013 World Athletics Championships in Moscow and 2013 World University Games in Kazan. President Vladimir Putin made the Sochi Games a showcase event and spent more than $50 billion staging the Games. Russia, which strongly denies any state involvement in doping, is already banned from international athletics by world governing body IAAF because of doping exposed last year. There will be mounting pressure for that to be extended, even though Bach and some international federations have called for a way for Russian athletes proved to be clean to compete in Rio. "The IOC will not hesitate to take the toughest sanctions available against any individual or organization implicated," Bach said in a statement announcing the IOC conference on Tuesday to consider provisional sanctions. McLaren's bombshell report said the sports ministry under Vitaly Mutko organized the subterfuge under which tainted urine samples were replaced and kept away from international observers. "The Moscow laboratory operated for the protection of doped Russian athletes within a state-dictated failsafe system," McLaren said. "The Sochi laboratory operated a unique sample-swapping methodology to enable doped Russian athletes to compete at the Winter Olympic Games," he added. According to the report, "the Ministry of Sport directed, controlled and oversaw the manipulation of athletes' analytical results or sample swapping. " It pointed to "the active participation" and assistance of the FSB federal security service, athletes training groups and the Moscow and Sochi laboratories. With the Rio Games due to start August 5, US Olympic Committee chief executive Scott Blackmun said the IOC, WADA and world governing bodies must "impose sanctions that are appropriate in relation to the magnitude of these offenses and give clean athletes some measure of comfort they will be competing on a level playing field in Rio. " WADA president Craig Reedie said Russia must sack government officials implicated in the wide-ranging doping scheme. The Kremlin said officials named in the report would be suspended, but also denounced the "dangerous" interference of politics in sport. It did not say which officials would be affected. However, Mutko and his deputy Yury Nagornykh were among those named in the report. "The WADA report makes Russia's disqualification very probable," the Kommersant newspaper suggested, while Gazeta.ru headlined their story "why Russia has already lost the Games". In China, the state-run Global Times took the view that "Banning Russia will tarnish Olympic spirit". For Germany's best-selling Bild "Putin's state-doping is proven". Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung described the Sochi 2014 doping scandal as: "Hospitality the Russian way". An editorial in Spain's El Mundo backed a Rio ban - "State doping in Russia deserves an exemplary punishment" it wrote. In the United States, the Wall Street Journal's website ran with "Olympic doping just part of sick spectacle". The Los Angeles Times told its readers: "IOC on the verge of historic vote to ban Russia from the Rio Olympics". Britain's Sun tabloid headlined its sports section with: "'Urine Big Trouble - Russia on the verge of blanket Games ban". The Times front page took a similar line: "Russia faces Olympic ban as doping scandal grows". US Anti-Doping Agency chief executive Travis Tygart said the report had revealed "a mind-blowing level of corruption" in Russian sport and all the way up to Putin's government. WADA mandated McLaren to investigate allegations made by former Moscow anti-doping laboratory director Grigory Rodchenkov in May -- he is now in hiding in the United States and wanted by Russian authorities. Rodchenkov said the doping program was "working like a Swiss watch" at Sochi and helped at least 15 Russian medalists avoid doping detection. McLaren insisted that he was "supremely confident" in the findings of the inquiry, even though "we've had a very intense 57 days. "
2016-07-19 18:00 AFP www.timeslive.co.za
20 Grinning terror twins to apply for bail on Monday They appeared briefly in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning on three terrorism-related charges. They include alleged attempts to join the Islamic State movement in Syria as well as alleged plans to attack US and Jewish interests in South Africa. Walking into the dock of courtroom 13‚ the two‚ casually dressed in grey hooded jackets and wearing thick glasses‚ smiled at their mother and sisters who were sitting in the packed public gallery before taking their seats. Listening to Du Plessis‚ they nodded their heads when he ordered that they be remanded back into custody until next Monday for a formal bail application. They left the courtroom waving to family and friends‚ and whispering to their eldest sister‚ Salomi McKuur‚ as they walked back down to the court's holding cells. The case was postponed shortly after the Thulsies’ new legal counsel‚ advocate Annamart Nieman‚ told the court she had only recently been appointed to represent the pair. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Louw said the postponement was agreed to because neither the state prosecutor nor defence lawyers were ready to proceed with the bail application. She said it was unknown why the Thulsies had replaced their original legal team. "We will be opposing bail next week. The offences are of a serious nature‚" said Louw. She declined to divulge why prosecutors from the NPA's Priority Crimes Litigation Unit were opposing bail. "We will not engage in a trial by media. What we can say is that we as the NPA have reasonable cause to believe offences were committed and we will proceed with the case. " – TMG Digital/The Times
2016-07-19 18:00 Graeme Hosken www.timeslive.co.za
21 Turkish naval ships & choppers missing since botched coup, fears of Greece defections grow — RT News With suspicions growing that the commanders of the vessels could have been behind a coup plot against the Turkish government and are now seeking asylum at Greek ports. The ships were on duty in either the Aegean or the Black Seas on Friday before the coup to oust President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took place. However, they have failed to return to port, though in theory radar and satellite tracking technology should be able to determine their locations, according to a report in the Times newspaper. It is believed that the ships could be heading towards Greek ports. Eight Turkish military officers have already sought asylum in Greece after landing in the country on Saturday, where they were subsequently arrested. The fate of the commander of the Turkish Navy Admiral Veysel Kosele, who has not been heard from since the attempted coup took place, is still unknown. It is also unclear if he took any part in the action against the president or whether he is being held against his will. According to reports within the Turkish media, Admiral Kosele was tricked onto his ship by those supporting the coup who told him that a terrorist attack was taking place. Two helicopters and 25 Special Forces troops are also missing since the failed coup, according to a report by the Hurriyet newspaper. It was reported that they were heading for a raid to target Erdogan in Marmaris, where he was enjoying a vacation. “Two helicopters took off on the night linking July 17 to July 18. It could not be determined where the helicopters flying toward a forested area in Marmaris took off from. But its aim [to raid Erdogan] has been determined. The helicopters landed at an unknown location for a while and then went missing,” the Hurriyet stated on Monday. The EU and NATO both said they do not know anything about the missing vessels or planes, the chief spokesperson for the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, told journalists on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Greek Defense Ministry says it is unaware of any Turkish ships that have tried to enter its ports following the attempted coup. “We are looking out for every ship. We had information from talks that took place that at one point they wanted to enter Greece’s territorial waters. However, this did not happen,” a source told RIA Novosti. The most senior military figure to be arrested since the coup, General Akin Ozturk, the former air force chief, has already appeared in court. He has denied being the mastermind behind the plot. Meanwhile, a purge of various Turkish government institutions has been taking place following the failed coup d’etat. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim says 7,543 people have so far been detained, including 6,038 soldiers. A court also remanded 26 generals and admirals in custody on Monday. A senior security official told Reuters that 8,000 police officers, including in the capital, Ankara, and the biggest city, Istanbul, had been removed from duty. About 1,500 Finance Ministry officials had been suspended, a ministry official said, and CNN Turk said 30 governors and more than 50 high- ranking civil servants had been dismissed. Annual leave was suspended for more than 3 million civil servants, while close to 3,000 judges and prosecutors have been suspended.
2016-07-19 18:01 www.rt.com
22 WATCH: Aids does not discriminate on its own “The real reason we haven't beaten this epidemic boils down to one simple fact: We value some lives more than others‚" she said. Speaking to a cheering audience‚ the Oscar-winner asked why the world hadn't ended Aids when we “have every tool in the box to” prevent HIV‚ and referred to a growing range of methods that can be used to curb transmission. “I think we must acknowledge that something is terribly wrong‚" Theron said. She said Aids didn't discriminate between black and white‚ or rich and poor - but people did. “I think it’s time we face the truth about the unjust world we live in.” Scientists have used the conference to point out that HIV infection is spreading in what they call “key” populations‚ meaning groups of marginalised people - including sex workers‚ injecting drug users and gay men - who are often condemned and denied access to services and medication. Theron said the marginalisation had to end. "We value some lives more than others. We value men more than women. We value straight love more than gay love; white skin more than black skin; the rich more than the poor; and adults more than adolescents‚" she said. “I know this because Aids does not discriminate on its own. "We single out the vulnerable‚ and the oppressed and abused. "We ignore them - we let them suffer and then we let them die. We have to cure disease in our heart and minds first.” She ended her speech by calling on teenagers to “be the generation that ends this epidemic”. The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project funds seven community-level foundations in South Africa that work with youth and give them the skills to prevent HIV or access treatment.
2016-07-19 18:01 Katharine Child www.timeslive.co.za
23 Gunman bypassed civilians as he ambushed Baton Rouge police Former Sergeant Gavin Eugene Long, an Iraq war veteran with ties to an African-American anti- government group, seemed determined to slay as many police officers as possible before a SWAT team marksman cut short his attack on Sunday, according to authorities' account the next day. The single gunshot that killed Long, 29, was fired by an officer from about a hundred yards away, police officials said on Monday as they deepened their investigation into the second racially charged armed assault on U. S. law enforcement this month. The ambush came a week and a half after another former U. S. serviceman espousing militant black nationalist views cut down five Dallas officers in a sniper attack that shattered an otherwise peaceful protest denouncing the fatal police shootings of two black men days earlier, one of them in Baton Rouge. Police have declined to say what role race might have played in Sunday's shooting rampage, which left two white officers and one black officer dead, and three more lawmen wounded, one of them critically. But Long, who was black, said in a series of social media messages posted in recent days, some from Dallas, that he was fed up with the mistreatment of African-Americans at the hands of law enforcement, and praised the attack on Dallas police. Legal papers filed in his home state of Missouri showed he was affiliated with Washitaw Nation, a black offshoot of the Sovereign Citizen movement, which challenges the legitimacy of the federal government. As evidence of Long's single-minded intent to level his violent rage exclusively at police, authorities on Monday cited video footage of the shooting that they said showed him hunting down officers while bypassing civilians in his path. "There is no doubt whatsoever that these officers were intentionally targeted and assassinated," Louisiana State Police Superintendent Colonel Mike Edmonson told a news conference. "It was a calculated act against those who work to protect this community every single day. " Police said they believed that Long, armed with two rifles and a pistol, had intended to make his way to the headquarters of the Baton Rouge Police Department a short distance away to take more lives. The carnage rocked a city still shaken from days of angry protests and tension over the fatal police shooting on July 5 of a 37-year-old black man, Alton Sterling, who was confronted by officers while selling CDs outside a Baton Rouge convenience store. Sterling was buried just last Friday. A day after his killing, another black man, Philando Castile, 32, was shot to death by a policeman during a traffic stop near St. Paul, Minnesota. The back-to-back killings reignited nationwide protests over the use of force by police against minorities, including the fateful rally in Dallas on July 7. Edmonson said Long, a resident of Kansas City, Missouri, had been in the Baton Rouge area for several days before the shooting and, while he acted alone in the ambush itself, police had not ruled out the possibility that he might have had help in planning the attack. Military records released by the Pentagon showed Long, listed as a data network specialist, served five years in the Marine Corps until his discharge in August 2010, including a six-month deployment to Iraq. The dead officers in Baton Rouge were identified as Matthew Gerald, 41, also an Iraq war veteran and father of two; Montrell Jackson, 32, who was black and had served as a Baton Rouge police officer for a decade; and sheriff's deputy Brad Garafola, 45, a father of four. President Barack Obama offered his condolences in telephone calls on Monday to the victims' loved ones as well as top law enforcement officials in the city. Hundreds of mourners held a candlelight vigil on Monday evening at a church in south Baton Rouge in memory of Gerald, a rookie on the police force who had served in both the U. S. Army and the Marines.
2016-07-19 18:01 REUTERS www.timeslive.co.za
24 Surging heroin use threatens Kenya's HIV/AIDS gains He was diagnosed with HIV in 2014 and realised that he needed to give up drugs after years of sharing needles with fellow addicts. "I didn't think that when you inject, or share the same injection with your friend, it may cause HIV," said Mohammed, 34, who has been receiving methadone treatment for a year to wean his body off heroin. "I thought it was only sex. " The number of Kenyans injecting heroin has surged in recent years as the East African nation has become a major transit route for international drug cartels moving heroin from Afghanistan to Europe, experts say. Narcotics have spilled on to the local market, where people are largely unaware that injecting drugs can lead to HIV infection, sparking concerns that Kenya's success in tackling HIV could be reversed. "The numbers (of users) are increasing both along the coast and in Nairobi and there is evidence that it is also spreading out to places like Kisumu," said Calleb Angira, director of the Nairobi Outreach Services Trust (NOSET), who has worked with addicts for almost 30 years. "That is because the interventions we have are not enough," said Angira, who set up NOSET in 2005 to offer HIV prevention and treatment services to drug users in Ngara, an estate outside Nairobi's city centre. Over the past 20 years, Kenya has slashed its HIV prevalence rate to 6 percent today from 11 percent in 1996 through campaigns to encourage safer sex between heterosexual couples and improved access to antiretroviral drugs, according to the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). But little has been done in Kenya to reduce the risk to injecting drug users, sex workers and men who have sex with men, who together make up more than 30 percent of new infections, government data shows. HIV prevalence among injecting drug users is around 18 percent - three times the national prevalence rate - and around 4 percent of new HIV infections occur among people who inject drugs, government figures show. Kenya had 18,000 injecting drug users in 2011, according to government statistics. "The majority of injectors worldwide are young men," said Chris Beyrer, president of the International AIDS Society. "This is a sexually active population and very often their wives, girlfriends, female partners are very much at risk. " Injecting drug users need easy access to sterile needles to make their habits safer, opiate substitutes to help them stop injecting and HIV testing and treatment, experts say. But stigma and punitive laws often mean they are mistreated or turned away when they seek services, according to UNAIDS. "Society rejects them," Angira told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "Even their families reject them. They're isolated. They're criminalised. They're seen as hopeless people. " Drug users fear asking for clean needles, as this can lead to police harassment or criminal prosecution. Governments and donors are also reluctant to fund these services because of a false belief that they condone drug use and encourage illegal behaviour, Beyrer said. "Despite the evidence that shows very clearly that providing sterile injecting equipment does not encourage people to inject, it's a widely held view that what we should be doing is stopping injecting drug use," he said. Kenya was slow to initiate programmes for injecting drug users, but recognised the need for specialised services after some 100 addicts died from withdrawal during a 2011 heroin shortage, triggered by a crackdown on drug barons. Addicts came out from the shadows seeking help. "We realised that we didn't have the capacity as government to provide treatment," said Helgar Musyoki, a programme manager with Kenya's National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NASCOP). In 2013, the government approved its first needle and syringe programme. Funded with donor money, it provides drug users with clean, free equipment to reduce the transmission of HIV and other diseases. The government has not put any of its own money into these services but has allowed donors to open seven needle and syringe programmes in its two largest cities. More are needed, experts said. "What the needle and syringe programme did was to bring them (drug users) out very clearly, knowing that the programme was actually targeting them," said Angira of NOSET. "They came and said: 'I'm injecting' and that made them access other services like HIV testing. " The government opened its first clinic providing oral heroin substitutes in 2014, and has pledged to treat 2,000 patients over two years. Three methadone clinics are operating in Kenya, with another three scheduled to open in August. It also plans to equip three mobile vans with methadone to reach injecting drug users across the country. NOSET staff says that even the limited services offered to injecting drug users are having an impact. "With the interventions, the (HIV) rates are going down," said Nancy Ndwiga, who oversees NOSET's HIV treatment. More funding is needed for services and to train heath workers to provide services to injecting drug users. "This is a new route of HIV transmission. There's not a lot of people in any African country with experience (of it)," said Beyrer. Former heroin users like Mohammed are grateful for the services that exist for injecting drug users. "They (NOSET) saved my life," he said. Although he has been clean for over a year, he has yet to contact his family who he has not seen since he left home. "It's not easy to be trusted, but I know one day I will earn their trust again. "
2016-07-19 18:01 REUTERS www.timeslive.co.za
25 Political uncertainty threatens Turkey's investment-grade rating — RT Business “Despite the coup’s failure, Moody’s considers its occurrence a reflection of broader political challenges, as associated credit risks remain elevated,” the agency said in a statement . Moody’s expects the political upheaval to complicate the challenges Turkey faces while promoting economic reforms. Turkey currently has the lowest investment grade rating, and a further downgrade would drag the country into junk status, increasing Turkey’s costs to borrow funds. Standard & Poor’s plans to assess the implications of the failed coup attempt in Turkey in the coming days. The American agency stressed it has classified the country as “moderately high risk.” S&P will assess both the medium- and long-term implications for the potential reactions of foreign investors, the possible macroeconomic impact as well as for the political situation in the country. Fitch Ratings’ next planned sovereign rating review on Turkey is due in late August. The agency has highlighted possible “political risks” in the country’s credit profile. Reports on thousands of people arrested in a crackdown after Friday’s events “could put further strains on institutional integrity amid plans to formally increase the powers of the presidency,” according to Fitch.
2016-07-19 18:01 www.rt.com
26 26 Russia to sell nuclear fuel to US — RT Business "We believe in this project. We know how to make nuclear fuel; it has successfully operated in Western European nuclear power plants. We are not entering the American market with empty hands,” said Rosatom CEO Sergey Kirienko. He added Rosatom is working in collaboration with GE-Hitachi and has already signed a contract to send a pilot batch of Russian nuclear fuel to the US. According to Kirienko, Rosatom sees the importance of the alliance and will provide all the necessary technical details to successfully complete the licensing process with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. It has been reported the two countries had agreed to create a joint company to promote Russian nuclear fuel at US nuclear power plants. Rosatom's nuclear fuel subsidiary TVEL and Global Nuclear Fuel Americas will jointly deal with licensing and production of fuel assemblies that will run American nuclear power plants with pressurized water reactors. The fuel assemblies will be produced at the plant in Wilmington, North Carolina. READ MORE: Rosatom expects $23bn in foreign revenue by 2018 In May, Rosatom said it plans to enter the US nuclear fuel market by 2020 and have 10 percent market share. Russia has a 17 percent share in the global market of nuclear fuel. It fully covers the needs of Russian reactors and also works in 14 other countries, including Finland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Armenia and China. The value of Russia’s annual nuclear fuel exports exceeds $1 billion.
2016-07-19 18:01 www.rt.com
27 First BRICS bank bond sale to fund green projects — RT Business The bank sold three billion in yuan-denominated green bonds ($449 million) on China’s interbank market on Monday, according to the BRICS Post. The five-year green bonds have attracted more than 40 domestic and overseas institutional investors. The issuing of bonds may help boost sustainable development and act as a support signal for capital markets in BRICS countries, said NDB president Kundapur Vaman Kamath. The bank “will support more clean and renewable energy use to reduce carbon emissions,” he added. According to Chen Siqing, the governor of the Bank of China, the issuing of yuan-denominated bonds shows the confidence international financial institutions have in the Chinese currency and could promote the internationalization of the yuan. The NDB plans to issue another 10 billion yuan in green bonds in China in the next six months, said NDB’s vice president and chief financial officer Leslie Maasdorp, adding the bank is also planning to sell bonds in Russia and India to fund green projects there. Headquartered in Shanghai, the NDB was jointly founded by China, Russia, Brazil, India and South Africa in July 2014 and officially opened for business a year later. The goal of the bank, with initial authorized capital of $100 billion, is to fund infrastructure projects in emerging economies for sustainable development. Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said the NDB “will soon become a strong and well-respected international financial institution, playing a leading role in the changing international financial architecture.” In April, NDB approved its first package of loans worth $811 million for renewable energy projects in BRICS countries. The bank said the renewable energy projects would have a combined capacity of 2.37MW and could help reduce harmful emissions by four million tons annually.
2016-07-19 18:01 www.rt.com
28 28 How three new studies unravel South Africa’s patterns of HIV transmission Three studies conducted by the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (Caprisa) in rural and urban sub-districts of the KwaZulu-Natal province provide new insights into the engine that drives HIV transmission in the country. They also reveal a new way to tackle the problem of HIV. Caprisa’s director Professor Salim Abdool-Karim explains the latest findings. What did you discover about the patterns of HIV transmission? Our first study focused on interrogating the age-disparate sexual relationships between older men and younger women. This would help us better understand who was infecting young girls within the community. The study used gene sequencing on HIV positive people within the community to get a clearer picture of how many people had the same or similar versions of the virus. It was found that in about a third of the sample, they could link people to a cluster where there was the same or similar virus to others in that community. This data showed that adolescent girls and young women were contracting HIV from their partners, who were on average eight years older. These older men were simultaneously in sexual relationships with women – of similar ages to the men – who have HIV prevalence rates exceeding 60%. While the fact that young women are engaged in sexual relationships with older men is not new information, this study provides insight into how HIV is transmitted within this community. This is where the “cycle of transmission” became apparent. Older women, who are HIV positive, are in relationships with men the same age as themselves. However these men, who are mostly unaware of their HIV status, are then also sleeping with younger women. The younger women will then contract HIV and when they grow up they will become the source of infection for men in the same age group as them. This perpetuates the cycle. What additional factors account for the high infection rates in adolescent girls? In addition to this “cycle of transmission”, our other two studies revealed biological factors that put young women at high risk of HIV infection. We did this by analysing vaginal bacteria. The second study looked at the genetic codes of vaginal bacteria of 119 South African women. It was found that women who had an abundance of a naturally present bacterium (Prevotella bivia) had a 13-fold increased risk of acquiring HIV. Overgrowth of the bacteria resulted in a protein called lipopolysaccaride being released which increased genital inflammation 20-fold. This genital inflammation increases vulnerability to HIV infection and places young women with excess Prevotella bivia at greater risk of becoming HIV positive. The third study also looked at genital bacteria in women. Here we wanted to gain a better understanding of the efficacy of tenofovir gel being used as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). It showed that tenofovir gel was effective in three out of five women who had a dominant presence of a bacteria called lactobacillus. Lactobacillus bacteria is naturally present in the vagina and helps maintain an acidic pH. This is beneficial as it maintains a “healthy” vaginal environment. Women with low levels of this bacteria had increased levels of Gardnerella vaginalis – a bad bacteria naturally which is naturally present in the vagina. This poses a problem to the efficacy of tenofovir, since Gardnerella absorbs the tenofovir drug. This reduces the amount of tenofovir present and inhibits the efficacy of PrEP. The results of these studies and the new information they provide enable us to re-examine HIV prevention interventions to break the cycle of transmission. The presence of Prevotella and Gardnerella can both easily be tested for. There is a readily available antibiotic treatment should women require it. These new targeted interventions can have a significant impact on reducing the spread HIV and reducing the risk young women face of becoming HIV positive in South Africa. How do you break this transmission? Our studies show that there are a complex set of social and behavioural factors that have an impact on HIV transmission. Treatment is key but you need additional measures. Circumcision in young men will reduce their risk of contracting HIV but there may still be some transmission. Young girls also need to be protected with pre-exposure prophylaxis. In total, test and treat initiatives with circumcision and PrEPs are a combination that can break the patterns of HIV transmission. But the critical issue is that we cannot adopt an ostrich approach to older men sleeping with younger women. We need a new set of community norms. These studies can also be applied to Eastern Africa and the rest of southern Africa, where 70% of the HIV population lives, to see if there are similar results. This would inform policies to tackle the problem of HIV transmission. This article first appeared in The Conversation
2016-07-19 18:01 Salim Abdool www.timeslive.co.za
29 Parliament hopes CCMA ruling will ‘close chapter of negative engagement’ with Nehawu The union had‚ in May‚ threatened to strike if Parliament’s presiding officers do not meets its demands on the payment of bonuses and what the union claims were the “unilateral” reductions in the performance ratings of some employees. In a statement on Monday‚ Parliament said the CCMA’s award stated “it is the legislative duty of the Secretary to Parliament to ensure that the resources of [Parliament] are used efficiently”. “In this regard the fact that [Parliament] as an institution had not achieved its overall targets which [it] found irreconcilable with performance achievements of 91 [percent] of its individual employees‚” the statement further quoted. The CCMA appeared to have accepted Parliament’s argument that the “review of the performance scores was a fair measure and done in accordance with its policies as a result of inconsistency between the performance of the institution based on audited results by the Auditor- General and the individual scores of the employees”. Parliament also noted that the CCMA found there was no “no evidence that [Parliament] had acted irrationally‚ capriciously or arbitrarily‚ with bias‚ malice or fraud or had failed to apply its mind or unfairly discriminated against the applicants when the scores were adjusted in order to achieve the approval of the Secretary to Parliament”. “The ruling by (the) CCMA is a thorough vindication of the position of Parliament in its submissions and public pronouncements. Parliament’s management acted in good faith in its engagement with employee issues. It also exposes the unreasonableness of the local branch of Nehawu and those that joined in the unfair condemnation of Parliament‚” it continued. “Parliament hopes that this ruling will close the current chapter of negative engagement and help solidify a commitment to work together in transforming the institution to offer an even more efficient support service to Parliament in discharging its constitutional responsibility.” The legislature has been beset with Nehawu actions‚ including what it alleged involved “targeted media” being “primed and invited into an internal meeting” which was disrupted in June. The union also occupied the chambers of the Parliament during an unprotected strike of nearly four weeks late last year. The union had said it intended “to begin…rolling mass action” in June‚ and the strike could extend beyond Parliament to the provincial legislatures.
2016-07-19 18:01 TMG Digital www.timeslive.co.za
30 Russian Olympic Committee lambasts McLaren report, says full investigation needed — RT Sport “We wholeheartedly disagree with the stance taken by Mr. McLaren, who believes that the possible banning of hundreds of clear Russian athletes from taking part in the Olympic Games is a valid ‘unpleasant consequence’ of the charges laid out in the report,” a statement from the ROC read, which was released on Tuesday morning. The report, which was headed by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren, said that the Russian Sports Ministry was complicit in manipulating doping samples during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, some of which were even swapped. “The accusations made in the report by Richard McLaren against Russian sport are so serious, that a full investigation is needed with the engagement of all parties,” the statement added. The McLaren report was commissioned in response to accusations made by Grigory Rodchenkov, the former head of the Moscow Anti-Doping Laboratory to the New York Times. Rodchenkov alleged that he switched the athletes’ samples as he dumped “tainted” urine into a nearby toilet, washed out the bottles, dried and filled them with “clean” samples. McLaren called Rodchenkov a “credible and truthful person,” even though he is facing criminal proceedings in Russia on charges of abuse of authority by Russia's Investigative Committee. “The current accusations have been built on statements made by Grigory Rodchenkov. This is based on evidence from the person who is at the center of this criminal scheme. This is a blow not only to the careers and fates of a large number of clean sportsmen, but also to the integrity of the Olympic movement,” the statement mentioned. The statement pointed out that Russia is taking the fight against doping seriously and is constantly tightening its stance regarding this issue. On July 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russian law enforcers would have greater powers to investigate doping cases. "We’ve made a decision to support amendments to tighten legislation: to enhance responsibility and to adopt legislation allowing the use of detective and policing methods to let our law enforcers use investigative methods to expose the use and proliferation of doping substances," Putin said.
2016-07-19 18:01 www.rt.com
31 Turkish ructions spark new fears in Europe, US It is the intersection of the West's war with Isil in Syria and Iraq. Nato's concerns about a resurgent Russia loom across the Black Sea. Oil and gas pipelines from the Caspian and beyond crisscross the region. And while the migration crisis may seem to be on the back-burner today, last year's exodus via Turkey to the EU showed that it could be easily reactivated as the launching pad for a renewed destabilising wave of refugees. For decades the US and its European allies got used to relying on Turkey as a bastion of their interests. Ironically, as democracy seemed to bed down in Turkey over the past 14 years under its president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan - who is now firmly back in control of the country after the failed military coup - the unpredictability of Turkey only grew. Erdogan has always been irked at being treated like a junior partner. A self- made man, he is very sensitive to snubs - and unforgiving. He came up from the bottom of Turkish society against all the odds to defeat his European- and US-educated opponents in the secular elite again and again. His chip-on-the-shoulder style appeals to his base but makes for an awkward partner for the international community. After years of touting himself as the man who would lead Turkey into the EU, Erdogan has soured suddenly on the idea. Last year his country acted as the funnel for mass migration from the Middle East into the EU, so Brussels came cap (or rather, chequebook) in hand to him. Erdogan showed he could turn off the tap if Brussels played ball with him. But since Brexit, the growing suspicion in Ankara that Turkey would never be welcomed into the Euro-club has become accepted fact. Stalking away from these ambitions, Erdogan suddenly launched a dramatic diplomatic revolution in the month before the coup. In rapid succession, his government repaired its relations with Russia, Egypt and Israel. Overnight Erdogan's descriptions of Putin, Sisi and Netanyahu as murderers were forgotten. Then, on the eve of the coup, Turkey's new prime minister even talked of reviving relations with Syria. At the same time, relations with the US have taken a nosedive. The Pentagon was taken by surprise when the Turkish government included US planes and drones operating out of their Incirlik airbase against Isil in Syria in the "no-fly zone" imposed over Turkey following the coup. Worse still, electricity was cut off to the base. Then the Turkish base commander was arrested, which sparked a flurry of rumours in Turkey that he was the "link-man" between the putschists and the Pentagon. That may be dismissed out of hand abroad, but it is a symptom of how alienated Erdogan's support base is from its US ally. Erdogan's immediate claim that the putsch was plotted by Fethullah Gülen, who is living in the US, added to the tension with Washington. John Kerry, the Secretary of State, has tried to be emollient by suggesting if Ankara has evidence against Gülen then he could be extradited in the normal way. But the State Department has also asked the Turkish authorities to deny charges that the US was in some way involved in the plot. Silence has met that request so far. Noting that Washington has warmed to neighbouring Iran - which Erdogan, as an orthodox Sunni, views as being run by "schismatics" - the president is now presenting himself to Israel as a natural ally against its Shiite mortal enemy and Iran's allies in the crescent from Teheran to Hizbollah in Beirut. The failed coup has not only increased the sense of instability inside Turkey. It has reinforced the factors that have made Erdogan's Turkey an increasing source of, and catalyst for, uncertainty in the sensitive regions around it. If Erdogan's rapprochement with the Kremlin leads him to block support for all Syrian rebels, and not just the West's bête noire, Isil, then a key factor in the US strategy to counter terrorism will go up in smoke. After decades of trying to join the West, it may be that he is prepared to exit it if Washington and the rest of us don't play ball. If Brexit has put Europe's stability into question, then a "Texit" from the West would shatter it. Certainly Erdogan is playing with fire. But that is something at which he is accomplished. Although the West's leaders shy away from the flame, Turkey's crisis is not an internal matter. Like it or not, the shock waves of its political infighting are going to wash across Europe and the Middle East. Erdogan won't be able to control them once they flow out of Turkey. But the West seems unlikely to step into the breach.
2016-07-19 18:01 Mark Almond www.timeslive.co.za
32 The Big Read: The beasts that wanna catch us all on the Go! It also requires an exclamation mark but it's not the end of a sentence, which means sub-editors need to be extra vigilant when journalists mention Pokémon Go! in the middle of a sentence. (Well played, sub-editors of The Times. Safe hands.) Pokémon Go! is also a gigantic stride forward for humanity in that augmented reality is augmenting reality in an augmentative way. What's that you say? How can reality be augmented? Isn't the nature of reality simply that it adjusts to contain the new bits? I mean, isn't "improving reality" a bit like claiming you can make water wetter? Well, it JUST DOES, SO SHUT UP, KILLJOY. Also, Pokémon Go! marks the beginning of the end of our species. In case you know nothing about the most important issue of our times, Pokémon are those disturbing cartoon creatures that we used to not watch in the 1990s. Remember those? They had names that perfectly captured the Japanese affection for impossibly cute toys and unbelievably upsetting porn - Smorgaslube, Pantypoot, Smegmatron - and the animated show taught us valuable lessons about friendship, determination, and the importance of trapping and enslaving every single living creature you found in nature. Now, using the magic of mobile phones and monetised nostalgia, Nintendo has turned the relentless hunt for Pokémon into a game in which you wander about like a Victorian naturalist, muttering "Gotta catch 'em all! " as you snag ephemeral beasts in your digital butterfly-net before heading home to pin them to the vast, blank board of your existential loneliness. The game is proving very popular. According to most media, it has taken over the planet, which means it is being played by at least 5% of Americans and comfortably half a percent of everyone else. Still, once you strip away the hyperbole, the numbers are impressive. Those who criticise Go! on the grounds that "none of it is real" should try and tell that to Nintendo, which has added more than 7-billion very real dollars to its market value in the last few days. Similarly real are the dangers it apparently poses to humanity. Jacobin, a socialist magazine, warned us that "if they wanted to, the game's creators could send people leaping willingly off cliffs, dawdling on train tracks, running into forest fires". (For an ideology that claims to be on the side of the little guy, those socialists sure seem to have a pretty low opinion of the little guy's intellect. I mean, the whole forest fire scenario was already getting a bit creaky by the time we were eight. Remember? "And if Gary told you to jump off a cliff or run into a forest fire, would you? " No, Mom, obviously I wouldn't, because, while Gary can be persuasive, I'm not the total cretin Jacobin thinks I am.) Mind-control isn't the only thing we have to worry about. According to Nigerian writer Bayo Akomolafe, Pokémon Go! is "the tale of Icarus, soaring away from the ground; the tale of the Holy Spirit, brooding over Genesis waters, maybe not quite touching it; it is the Copernican revolution in pixels, our over-saturation with the familiar and lust for heliocentricity. " I don't know what any of that means, but if Pokémon Go! is inspiring that kind of prose, then we really do have a problem. Still, there are clearly some positive spinoffs, mainly for academics in the Humanities, who will now be able to apply for funding to travel to conferences to postulate that Pikachu's frustrated cries of "Pika! Pika! " represent the post-9/11 neoliberal silencing of left-wing dissent. The anxieties, however, will be hard to dispel. People fear the game will turn us into a dehumanised, passive herd, as if alienated labour and state propaganda and the advertising industry and television and the internet hadn't already completed that job years ago. I don't share these worries. For me, Pokémon Go! is simply the newest window through which we'll watch ourselves doing what we always do. And as nice as it is to feel special by pronouncing that reality has never been this great or that our doom has never been more certain, the fact remains that things are ticking along more or less as they always have. There have always been people who stop on roads to have fistfights over ownership of invisible friends. There have always been people who warn us that the new fad is the end of everything. There have always been people who don't really care, either way. And there have always been people who sat back on a pile of money, pat each other on the back, and giggle, "Gotta catch 'em all! "
2016-07-19 18:01 Tom Eaton www.timeslive.co.za
33 Mandela belongs to all South Africans, and to the world Yesterday was also the opening of the International Aids Conference in Durban. The two events are critical to our history and require of us to think beyond political ambitions. Mandela's legacy is being destroyed, distorted and abused by those who want to further their political survival. They used the day to preach their own brand of politics, which if properly scrutinised, is the exact opposite of what Mandela stood for. That is why we fully agree with ANC Gauteng provincial leader Paul Mashatile who yesterday said Mandela was for all of us. But he was a lone voice among those who claim Mandela as their own, belonging to no one else. It is important to take Mandela's legacy beyond the ANC - to the rest of the world. In so doing, his legacy will transcend factional politics and stand the test of time. Instead of being lauded, Mashatile can expect to be vilified by those whose political agenda is narrow and self-centred. South Africa today needs Mandela's guidance more than ever before. We are at a crossroads, not sure who to believe or trust to take the country to the next level. As the local government elections loom, we are being bombarded with promises of a better future. Mandela's vision was of a South Africa free from hatred, prejudice and discrimination. He led the fight against inequality and preached tolerance. Those in charge of our political space today cannot claim to practise the above. Their shortcomings lie in their selfish idea of what Mandela stood for. Let us continue to honour Mandela and respect his politics without adding our own subjective flavour.
2016-07-19 18:01 The Times www.timeslive.co.za
34 Presidency still mum on woman’s Zuma blessee claims “Okay cool?” asked Floyd Shivambu. “What kind of Grand Fathers and Fathers kiss their Grand Daughters & Daughters like this? Perverts??” That was the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) deputy president’s response to the series of selfies that circulated on social media on Tuesday and Wednesday‚ posted by a 19-year-old “Lindokuhle Dlamini”. Shivambu also seemed to suggest that more revelations were to follow. The Facebook page on which the selfies purporting to show the pair kissing were posted – with with a caption reading that Zuma “is not just a blesser‚ we are inlove” - was reportedly deleted. Some media outlets like the Citizen said they had been contacted by readers to say the woman is actually Zuma’s daughter. That prompted Shivambu’s question about the nature of the kissing. He later referenced the sexual harassment case against African National Congress leader in the Western Cape Marius Fransman‚ when he quoted Scapegoat @AndiMakinana’s tweet: “WC ANCYL to Fransman: Being between the sheets with a 20 year old lady while married is not ... ideal values ANC would like to project. " Shivambu said: “Well‚ they do it all the time and one‚ whom they all learn from‚ will be exposed very soon. Watch the space!” The Presidency indicated on Wednesday that it would investigate the claims before commenting‚ and calls on Thursday morning went unanswered.
2016-07-19 18:01 TMG Digital www.timeslive.co.za
35 AFP validating report on 5 missing foreigners THE Armed Forces of the Philippines is still validating reports that five foreigners went missing in Tawi-Tawi and Sabah waters. “We are looking into this with keen interest and will seek to validate it as the soonest time and will release once data has been provided,” Armed Forces public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said on Tuesday. Peace adviser Jesus Dureza said that based on a report he received on Monday, the foreigners went missing and could have been kidnapped. Malaysian authorities recovered an unmanned tugboat and a barge drifting off Lahad Datu. Arevalo said the Western Mindanao Command is already aware of the report of the “possible abduction that occurred sometime in the last two days.” Kidnappings of Indonesians have also been reported in the waters of southern Philippines by the Abu Sayyaf Group recently.
2016-07-19 18:01 Frances Mangosing newsinfo.inquirer.net
36 Duterte’s peace road map to clear way for federalism – Dureza PRESIDENT Duterte has junked the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and approved an inclusive peace road map where an all-Moro body would be tasked to draft “a new enabling law” to replace the BBL. Speaking to reporters, presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza said the Bangsamoro Transition Committee (BTC), which is in the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), would be reconstituted where the MILF, MNLF, the ARMM and other Bangsamoro entity would be represented. “The composition of the BTC is 15 members and eight of that membership will be from the MILF. And then we will spread it to the other Bangsamoro groups,” Dureza said. “We hope that in that composition, (it) will be the start of the so-called inclusivity,” he added. He said the peace road map would consolidate the various peace agreements already entered into by the government. This would include the MILF’s CAB, MNLF’s 1996 Final Peace Agreement, relevant provisions of the Republic Act 9054 or the ARMM Law and Indigenous People’s Rights Acts (IPRA). Dureza said “work on new proposed Bangsamoro enabling law will be done simultaneous with the moves to shift to a federal set up, the latter expected to come later under the planned timeline.” But Dureza said the government has “an internal timeline that we’d like to see the BTC already come up with the proposed enabling law that we will be submitted to Congress.” “The President yesterday (Monday) approved the new ‘Roadmap to Peace’… This will cover our engagements with the Bangsamoro including the CPP-NPA-NDF and then, of course, our effort to do closure to the agreements with the other rebel groups like the CPLA (the Cordillera People’s Liberation Army) and the RBB,” he said. The main context of the approach now in the peace negotiations, for example, with the Bangsamoro is already to declare that the time for negotiations is already over, he added. There will be inclusivity, henceforth, under the Duterte Roadmap for Peace where all the Bangsamoro factions, groups will have to come under one roof so that there will be inclusivity in the implementation of all this particular agreements, according to Dureza.
2016-07-19 18:01 Nestor Corrales newsinfo.inquirer.net
37 PBA releases full Governors’ Cup schedule; 5 road games set Five cities will host out-of- town games in the season- ending 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup as the league released the full schedule on Tuesday. Lucena City in Quezon, Panabo City in Davao, Legazpi City in Albay, Batangas City, and Binan, Laguna will be holding Saturday games as the league seeks to end the 41st season with a bang. In turn, Manila will be the site of this year’s All-Star Weekend, with the annual festivities to be held at Smart Araneta Coliseum from August 5 to 7. Commissioner’s Cup finalists Rain or Shine and Alaska renew their rivalry when they meet at the Big Dome on August 13, while Alaska battles rival San Miguel on August 24. Star and Ginebra stage the final Manila Clasico of the season on August 28, still at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
2016-07-19 18:01 Randolph B sports.inquirer.net
38 Clark execs: ‘Twas not easy taking in NAIA’s diverted flights CLARK FREEPORT — The Clark International Airport (CRK) took the brunt of the anger, frustration and disappointment expressed by thousands of stranded passengers, after flights from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) were diverted here on Monday , said lawyer Emigdio Tanjuatco III, Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) president and chief executive officer. CRK had been designated as NAIA’s alternative gateway, making it a refuge for aircraft during typhoons and other calamities. On Monday , a crack on the runway of NAIA caused 28 international and local flights to land at CRK beginning at 9:20 a.m. Airphil, Philippine Airlines, AirAsia Zest, Cebu Pacific, Air Juan, Asian Aerospace, Emirates, Saudia Airlines, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airline and Oman Air landed their aircraft at CRK. Landings at NAIA resumed at 10:45 p.m. when the repair was completed. But 14 aircraft were still parked at CRK on Monday night. Stranded passengers on one of the planes were described by airport sources as “irate” because they stayed seated for six hours without being served food. Tanjuatco did not identify the airline but said the CIAC provided a holding room and food to “alleviate the suffering of passengers,” when the airline finally decided to let them disembark. Tanjuatco was in Manila where he was finalizing details of his wedding, but he was forced to return to CRK to oversee assistance to planes diverted there. As of 4 p.m. on Tuesday , three planes from Oman Air, Emirates and Etihad remained parked at CRK, according to Leandro Aranas, manager of the CIAC terminal operations division. Aranas said regular flights at CRK were not affected by the emergency. At least 10 foreign and local airlines serve routes via CRK, a United States Air Force’s facility rehabilitated by the government in 1992 following the closure of American bases in 1991 when the Philippine Senate terminated the military bases agreement. SFM
2016-07-19 18:01 Tonette Orejas globalnation.inquirer.net
39 Suspected drug dealer killed in Ilocos Sur SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union — A suspected leader of a group reportedly engaged in drug trafficking was shot and killed on Tuesday , when he resisted arrest by policemen and agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur. Roger Cinco was killed when he and his companions stopped the lawmen from serving the arrest warrant and shot it out with them in Barangay Pug-os in Cabugao, said Bismarck Bengwayan, PDEA spokesperson. Cinco’s companions escaped. Bengwayan said the agents recovered guns, bullets and a plastic sachet containing suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) from Cinco’s house. SFM
2016-07-19 18:01 Gabriel Cardinoza newsinfo.inquirer.net
40 FVR still undecided on offer to be special envoy to China FORMER president Fidel Ramos is still undecided whether he would accept the offer to be the country’s special envoy to China after an international tribunal ruled in favor of the Philippines’ maritime case in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). “If I get the medical clearance,” he told reporters on Tuesday when asked if he would accept the offer of President Duterte to represent the Philippines in China. “Anyway, I have asked for an appointment to call on the President at his most convenient time, wherever he is, I will go,” Ramos said. The former president was at the AFP Museum at Camp Aguinaldo for the launch of his book “For a Better Philippines-World.” Ramos said that aside from his health issues, he also has other commitments. “I am committed to finishing my commitments to the people called millennials, senior citizens to promote patriotism…,” he said. Two days after The Hague’s ruling that China’s massive nine-dash claims in the South China Sea had no legal basis, Duterte appointed Ramos to start the talks with China.
2016-07-19 18:01 Frances Mangosing globalnation.inquirer.net
41 Duterte urged to reconsider stand on Paris climate pact A climate justice group on Tuesday called on President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider his stance on the historic Paris agreement on climate change, which he said the administration would not honor despite the Philippines being a signatory. READ: Duterte says ‘No’ to historic climate pact Ian Rivera, coordinator of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice, agreed to Duterte’s remark that rich countries must take responsibility for the climate crisis they have caused. But Rivera said deviating from the agreement would mean taking a few steps backwards in the negotiations, urging Duterte to reconsider some provisions in the agreement. “The president is actually invoking historical responsibility enshrined in the United Nations Climate Change Convention. The climate crisis has worsened to unprecedented level due to dilly dallying of rich countries. In fact, the Paris Agreement was long overdue,” Rivera said in a statement. “However, it is difficult now to do away with this global consensus. It will mean going back to several decades of climate negotiations with very little time left before climate catastrophe,” he added. Duterte on Monday said the administration would not honor the Paris climate pact, calling it “stupid” and “absurd.” The international treaty was signed by countries that participated in the 21st Conference of Parties in France, including the Philippines. During the send-off ceremonies for Filipino athletes in Malacañang, the President on Monday recalled how a foreign ambassador reminded him of the Philippines’ commitment to limit its carbon emissions. READ: Rody won’t honor Paris climate pact “I said, ‘No. I cannot tell … You don’t do it that way, Mr. Ambassador. [Your country] has reached the apex [of industrialization] and along the way put a lot of contaminants and emissions, and went ahead in destroying the climate,’” Duterte recalled saying. “We have not reached the age of industrialization. We’re now going into it. But you are trying to stymie [our growth] with an agreement that says you can only go up to here… That’s stupid. I will not honor that,” he added. RAM RELATED STORIES Drilon: Senate won’t ratify Paris climate pact The Paris climate deal at a glance PH targets full compliance with Climate Change Act by 2017 RELATED VIDEOS
2016-07-19 18:01 Yuji Vincent newsinfo.inquirer.net
42 Tankoua shines as San Beda clips Perpetual to stay unbeaten San Beda remained on top of the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball wars after repulsing Perpetual, 88-70, on Friday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan. Donald Tankoua shone anew with a double-double of 20 points, nine of which came in the second quarter pullaway, and 10 rebounds. “I have to give credit to Donald. Let’s face it: Bright Akhuetie and Prince Eze are really good. If he plays at least one of them, we’ll have a chance, but he outplayed them both,” said Red Lions coach Jamike Jarin. “He overachieved and I’m very happy.” AC Soberano also netted 15 markers on a 5-of-8 shooting from three, while Robert Bolick chipped in 12 points in the San Beda win. The Red Lions claimed their fifth straight victory and kept their record unblemished as they enjoy the pole position early in the tournament. But Jarin refuses to be complacent with his team’s current position. “If you look at the brackets, even as of right now everyone’s stacked up. If you win one, you go up. Lose on, you go down. It’s still too early,” he said. Gab Dagangon topped the Altas with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Akhuetie and Gerald Dizon both registered 13 markers apiece. The Scores: SAN BEDA 88 – Tankoua 20, Soberano 15, Bolick 12, Potts 9, Tongco 8, Mocon 7, Presbitero 6, Oftana 5, Carlos 4, Alas 2, Noah 0, Bonsubre 0, Navarro 0, Adamos 0, Sara 0. PERPETUAL 70 – Dagangon 14, Dizon 13, Akhuetie 13, Coronel 12, Pido 9, Singontiko 3, Yuhico 2, Eze 2, Cabiltes 2, Hao 0, Gallardo 0. Quarters: 25-22, 45-35, 65-49, 88-70.
2016-07-19 18:01 Randolph B sports.inquirer.net
43 V-League: Proud Air Force goes beyond expectations Losing Maika Ortiz in the offseason, coach Jasper Jimenez admitted that even he didn’t know how the team will fare in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Open Conference. “Talagang big question mark sa amin yun. Siguro yung hard work namin at character nila ang nagdala para sa Air Force,” he said. Lo and behold, the Jet Spikers vaulted to the top spot of the eliminations with a 6-1 card, dispatched Laoag in the semifinals, before valiantly falling to eventual champion Pocari Sweat in three hard fought games in the Finals. “In-expect namin top four lang, masaya na kami. Bonus na ito sa amin at nalaman namin na kaya pala namin. Walang imposible kapag sama-sama kayo,” said Jimenez. Air Force needed heroes, and it got them in the form of ladies like Joy Cases, Judy Ann Caballejo, Wendy Ann Semana, May Ann Pantino, and Jocemer Tapic. Jimenez, for his part, couldn’t be prouder knowing his squad fought hard in the championship duel. “Naglaro naman lahat. I’m very proud and very thankful kasi hindi kami basta nagpatalo at lumaban yung team,” he said. “Nandoon yung desire to win at yung puso nila. Nandoon yung character nila, so yun ang pinakamaganda kong nakita sa team.” But there’s still so much to learn for the Jet Spikers, who will be welcoming back Ortiz and setter Rhea Dimaculangan for the team’s future tournaments. “Kailangan pa ng practice talaga, especially yung service namin. Mananalo na kami eh, binibigay pa,” the coach said. All Jimenez could do now is to remain positive, keeping the valuable lessons from this campaign as he wraps up an impressive showing for Air Force in the V-League. “Siguro ang pinakamagandang bagay dyan ay alam namin na kaya namin at babawi na lang kami sa susunod,” he said. Mikaela Calilong/ Philippine Daily Inquirer trainee
2016-07-19 18:01 Randolph B sports.inquirer.net
44 Government infuses Rs 22, 915 crore capital into 13 PSU banks New Delhi : Government today provided Rs 22,915 crore capital to 13 PSU banks including SBI, PNB and IOB to enhance their lending operations and enable them to raise more money from the market. This is the first tranche of capital infusion for the fiscal and more funds would be provided in future depending upon the performance of PSU banks, a Finance Ministry statement said. "75 per cent of the amount... is being released now to provide liquidity support for lending operations as also to enable banks to raise funds from the market. The remaining amount, to be released later, (will be) linked to performance with particular reference to greater efficiency, growth of both credit and deposits and reduction in the cost of operations," the statement said. Out of the Rs 22,915 crore, State Bank of India (SBI) received Rs 7,575 crore followed by Indian Overseas Bank (Rs 3,101 crore) and Punjab National Bank (Rs 2,816 crore). The other lenders, which have received capital infusion are Bank of India (Rs 1,784 crore), Central Bank of India (Rs 1,729 crore), Syndicate Bank (Rs 1,034 crore), UCO Bank (Rs 1,033 crore), Canara Bank (Rs 997 crore), United Bank of India (Rs 810 crore), Union Bank of India (Rs 721 crore), Corporation Bank (Rs 677 crore), Dena Bank (Rs 594 crore) and Allahabad Bank (Rs 44 crore). The capital infusion exercise for the current fiscal is based on an assessment of need as assessed from the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of credit growth for the last five years, banks' own projections of credit growth and an objective assessment of the potential for growth of each PSBs, the ministry said. Shares of PSU banks jumped after the capital infusion plan. SBI shares rose 0.92 per cent to Rs 230.70, PNB gained 1.24 per cent to Rs 134.15. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in Budget 2016-17 had proposed to allocate Rs 25,000 crore towards recapitalisation of PSU banks. "If additional capital is required by these banks, we will find the resources for doing so. We stand solidly behind these Banks," he had said. Under Indradhanush roadmap announced by the government last year, government will infuse Rs 70,000 crore in state banks over four years while they will have to raise a further Rs 1.1 lakh crore from the markets to meet their capital requirements in line with global risk norms Basel-III. In line with the blueprint, PSU banks are to get Rs 25,000 crore each in 2015-16 and 2016-17 fiscal. Besides, Rs 10,000 crore each would be infused in 2017-18 and 2018-19.
2016-07-19 18:01 By PTI www.mid-day.com
45 Hang Maharashtra school girl's rapists: Anna Hazare Ahmednagar (Maharashtra) : Veteran social worker Anna Hazare on Tuesday demanded the hangman's noose for all the accused in the brutal gang rape and inhuman murder of a minor schoolgirl in Kopardi village here last week. In a statement, Hazare condemned the incident which he described as "extremely shocking and a dark blot on humanity". Anna Hazare "The perpetrators of this crime deserve to be severely punished and they must be hanged. This would serve as an example to others," Hazare said. The 79-year old anti-corruption crusader said that in recent times, people have been campaigning against the capital punishment for criminals in the name of humanity. "There is no point in showing any mercy towards those who have blackened the face of humanity itself in such incidents," Hazare said. Welcoming the proposed appointment of Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam to fight the case in a fast track court, Hazare said the government must make all-out efforts and ensure the culprits are punished at the earliest. He expressed concerns over the growing insecurity women encounter in our society and urged the police and the government to remain ever vigilant and prevent such recurrences. On July 13 in Kopardi, the family of a 14-year-old schoolgirl found her badly mutilated, blood-splattered body under a tree in a field sending shockwaves across the state. She was brutally gang raped by at least three persons, her teeth and arms were broken, flesh from all over her body was ripped off, her hair were pulled out, and she was strangulated to death. The incident sparked off a major political controversy in Maharashtra with the opposition, the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party, targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena government in the monsoon session of the assembly that started here on Monday. Ahmednagar Superintendent of Police Saurabh Tripathi said three persons were arrested and police teams were trying to track down others who may be involved. They were identified as Jitendra, Nitin G. Bhailume and Santosh G. Bhaval, Tripathi said. The police were searching for at least two other accomplices. The trio was produced before a local court and remanded in police custody for seven days each. In view of the statewide uproar, Hazare has advised all political parties not to create controversies, view the sad incident on humanitarian grounds and also provide social support and security to the aggrieved family.
2016-07-19 18:01 By IANS www.mid-day.com
46 Honest leaders feeling suffocated in BJP: Arvind Kejriwal New Delhi : A day after 'saluting' Navjot Sigh Sidhu for quitting his Rajya Sabha membership, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said the "dictatorial attitude" of the BJP's 'top leadership' is making 'honest people" feel stifled in the party. Arvind Kejriwal "Honest and good people are feeling extremely suffocated within BJP due to dictatorial attitude of its top leadership," tweeted Kejriwal, who is National Convenor of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). There is speculation that Sidhu is likely to quit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and join the AAP ahead of the Punjab assembly elections that are scheduled early next year. A senior AAP leader, who did not want to be named, told IANS that Sidhu may hold a press conference in a day or two to announce his future political moves. Sidhu was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the BJP in April this year and tendered his resignation on Monday.
2016-07-19 18:01 By IANS www.mid-day.com
47 Saudi Airlines flight returns to airport after snag Chennai : A Jeddah-bound Saudi Airlines flight with 258 passengers returned to the airport here today, following some 'technical snag' minutes after it took off. The pilot of Chennai-Jeddah flight noticed the technical snag and sought permission to return to the airport after it took off at 11.40 AM, airport officials said. The flight landed at the airport at 12.10 PM safely and all passengers were taken back to the terminal, they said, adding it would leave after rectification of the snag.
2016-07-19 18:01 By PTI www.mid-day.com
48 UNESCO team to visit Bhitarkanika National Park Kendrapara (Odisha) : Ahead of a possible conferring of the tag of a World Heritage Site, Bhitarkanika national park in Kendrapara district would come under ground- level scrutiny of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). "A team from the global body will visit Bhitarkanika on October 16. We are hopeful that UNESCO will accord approval which will pave the way for the park becoming Odisha's second World Heritage Site after Konarak Sun Temple," Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) Sidhanta Das said. Earlier a comprehensive bio-diversity dossier of the national park was submitted to the UNESCO last year. Odisha Forest Department had entrusted the Wildlife Institute for compilation of the bio-diversity dossier, which contained among other things wide-ranging ground-level information on the bio-diversity, eco-system and local human habitation and socio- economic condition of locals and their dependence on forest produce, officials said. The national park, a bio-diversity treasure-trove, figures in the list of Ramsar international wetland sites across the globe. The World Heritage Site status would provide an impetus to Bhitarkanika¿s fragile bio-diversity. With greater assistance from global institutions, its ecosystem would flourish in a big way, Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar Mangrove (Wildlife) Forest Division, B P Acharya, said. Along with the Sundarbans in Bengal, Bhitarkanika is also enriched with country¿s rich reserve of mangrove cover, which acts as a natural barrier to environmental calamities. The mangrove forests perform important ecosystem function by breaking tidal surges and devastating cyclones. The mangrove forests restrict and slow down erosion of tidal banks, stabilise silt deposits near the river mouth and also protect the lives of millions of coastal inhabitants by decelerating strong wave and tidal action.
2016-07-19 18:01 By PTI www.mid-day.com
49 Abdul Kalam memorial foundation to be laid July 27: Manohar Parrikar New Delhi : Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday said the foundation stone for a memorial to former President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam will be laid on July 27 at Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, where his mortal remains were laid to rest. Manohar Parrikar The minister spoke after the issue was raised by Trinamool Congress member Derek O'Brien in the Rajya Sabha. "Today is Guru Purnima, a day when we pay homage to those who have taught us good things in life. Even as we observe this day, the site where Dr Kalam was laid to rest is lying in a state of neglect and disrepair," O'Brien said. This was met by protests from members of AIADMK, which is in power in Tamil Nadu. Parrikar said the state government has been cooperating on the construction of the memorial. "Tamil Nadu government is supporting what we are trying to do," Parrikar said. He said that delay was caused initially because the central government wanted to acquire more land for the memorial. The minister said 1.8 acres of land was given, and the Centre wanted five acres of land. He said there were some unregistered sales of adjacent land which delayed the process, and later the assembly polls slowed the process further. "On July 27, the foundation stone will be laid. The design has been finalised and we are not waiting for additional land," he said. The memorial is being built at the spot where Kalam's mortal remains were buried. July 27 will mark the first anniversary of his death.
2016-07-19 18:01 By IANS www.mid-day.com
50 Jerry Richardson gets tribute sculpture Duo from Spartanburg, S. C., talks about cleaning and polishing Panthers mascot statues. Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart - a graduate of Timberline High in Olympia, Wash., - returned for his annual Samaritan's Feet shoe giveaway. Jonathan Jones tries out the Panthers virtual reality equipment .... The team has joined a handful of other NFL franchises in introducing virtual reality technology to its players as a different way to educate and train. Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton surprised shoppers at the Target store in Stonecrest with an appearance from 6-7 pm on Thursday June 16, 2016, and helped several shoppers pick out Fathers Day gifts. Carolina Panthers quarterback Bene Benwikere speaks out after the third day of the team's minicamp about his rehab. Benwikere suffered a season- ending ankle injury in the Panthers' Week 14 win over the Atlanta Falcons, nearly two months before Carolina lost to Denver in Super Bowl 50. With an offseason full of activities, here's how Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton remains focused on football. Carolina Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess discusses the possibility of having a breakthrough season. Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera talks about rookie cornerbacks making plays. Veteran punter Mike Scifres has played most of his career with the San Diego Chargers but feels like he's found a new home with the Carolina Panthers. Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera glad to have KK Short back at practice.
2016-07-19 16:16 www.charlotteobserver.com
51 WBTV First Alert Weather forecast for 07.19.16 WBTV meteorologist Chris Larson with The Charlotte Observer weather forecast for July 11, 2016. WBTV meteorologist Lyndsay Tapases with The Charlotte Observer weather forecast for July 7, 2016. WBTV meteorologist Lyndsay Tapases with The Charlotte Observer weather forecast for July 6, 2016. WBTV meteorologist Chris Larson with The Charlotte Observer weather forecast for July 5, 2016. WBTV meteorologist Al Conklin with The Charlotte Observer weather forecast for June 29, 2016. WBTV meteorologist (Chris Larson) with The Charlotte Observer weather forecast for June 28, 2016. WBTV meteorologist Al Conklin with The Charlotte Observer weather forecast for June 27, 2016. WBTV meteorologist Al Conklin with The Charlotte Observer weather forecast for June 24, 2016. WBTV meteorologist Al Conklin with The Charlotte Observer weather forecast for June 22, 2016. WBTV meteorologist Al Conklin with The Charlotte Observer weather forecast for June 21, 2016.
2016-07-19 16:16 www.charlotteobserver.com
52 Brexit throws 'spanner in the works' of global growth The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said the UK's decision to leave the European Union has "thrown a spanner in the works" of its global growth forecast. Instead of predicting 3.2% growth in 2016, the IMF's World Economic Outlook (WEO) now expects only 3.1%. It says the UK will be the worst affected of all the advanced economies. Its 2017 UK growth forecast has been slashed from 2.2% to 1.3% and this year's has been cut from 1.7% to 1.5%. The IMF's global growth forecast for 2017 has also been revised down from 3.5% to 3.4%. Before the referendum vote on 23 June, the IMF says that the global economy had been showing promising signs of growth. "The first half of 2016 revealed some promising signs, for example, stronger than expected growth in the euro area and Japan, as well as a partial recovery in commodity prices that helped several emerging and developing economies," Maury Obstfeld, IMF Economic Counsellor and Director of the Research Department said in a statement. "As of June 22, we were therefore prepared to upgrade our 2016-17 global growth projections slightly. "But Brexit has thrown a spanner in the works. " The IMF says that while the effects of Brexit are greatest in the UK, there is not enough information available to make a full assessment of its impact. It also highlights the stresses that Brexit may cause within the European banking system, particularly in Italy and Portugal. It says: "The Brexit vote implies a substantial increase in economic, political, and institutional uncertainty, which is projected to have negative macroeconomic consequences, especially in advanced European economies. " However Mr Obstfeld added: "The real effects of Brexit will play out gradually over time, adding elements of economic and political uncertainty that could be resolved only after many months. "This overlay of extra uncertainty, in turn, may open the door to an amplified response of financial markets to negative shocks. " The IMF has produced two other set of predictions, a "moderately worse" one, and another that is "much worse", depending on how hard the UK finds it to re-establish trading relations with the EU and the rest of the world. The "much worse" scenario would see global growth slow to 2.8% this year and next. But Mr Obstfeld said: "The main reason we place less weight on these alternative scenarios, especially the more severe one, is that financial markets have proven resilient in the weeks after the referendum, re-pricing in an orderly fashion to absorb the news. "
2016-07-19 16:16 www.bbc.co.uk
53 Boris Johnson's awkward debut as foreign secretary in Brussels As a classical scholar, Boris Johnson must surely have wondered if his plane's diversion and emergency landing on the way to Brussels - his first international foray as foreign secretary - was an omen. The Roman practice of augury was the study of the flight of birds to interpret the will of the gods, not the flight of fixed-wing aircraft. Still, the unscheduled descent from the skies to a runway lined by fire crews and the subsequent blocking of the runway at Luton airport so soon after taking off from RAF Northolt on Sunday afternoon must have meant something. It undoubtedly meant Mr Johnson was late for his evening meeting with Federica Mogherini, the EU's foreign policy chief. This morning, she was gracious. They "had a good exchange on the main issues on the agenda... and we will welcome him as a new member of the family". But a member for how long? Heading to a working breakfast with his 27 fellow foreign ministers early on Monday morning, the new foreign secretary did not duck the inevitability, as he sees it, of Britain leaving the European Union, but he also took care to stress once again his central message - that British exit from the EU is not the same as Britain leaving Europe . The trouble is that many of his EU counterparts do feel those two are the same, and it is awkward for the man who led the Brexit campaign to victory that some of his campaigning rhetoric still haunts him. Comparing the EU's alleged ambitions - the creation of a superstate - to those of Hitler, as Boris Johnson did in May, even if he said their methods were different, was judged spectacularly offensive. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault has said Mr Johnson "lied a lot" to turn British public opinion against the EU. He vowed to speak to the new foreign secretary "with the greatest sincerity and frankness.'' Later, he told a news conference that Mr Johnson had behaved with "a certain modesty" at his first EU meeting. Mr Ayrault also called for a quick start to formal talks on British exit to end what he called "the current situation of uncertainty". That is a phrase on many lips. It was also used in Brussels by US Secretary of State John Kerry. His presence at the gathering was also awkward for Mr Johnson. It marked another symbolic first: the first participation by a US secretary of state in an EU Foreign Ministers Council. Mr Kerry specifically explained his attendance as a demonstration of the level of enthusiastic US support for the EU and European integration - even if he balanced it slightly by stressing his and President Barack Obama's concern for Britain's prospects after the EU divorce. Mr Johnson's own verdict on his debut at the European high table? "Very good, long, productive day. " There will be lots more, probably far longer and far more difficult, days to come.
2016-07-19 16:16 By James www.bbc.co.uk
54 Why don't Syrian refugees stay in Turkey? More than a million migrants crossed the Mediterranean last year to reach Europe - usually in dangerously overcrowded boats. Many were Syrians who had fled their country's civil war - as featured in a series of videos published on the BBC website this week. Here we answer readers' questions about why they were prepared to risk drowning at sea to reach Europe, after crossing the Syrian border into Turkey. The majority of Syrians in Turkey and other countries that neighbour Syria are staying where they are. It's only a minority who try to make the journey to Europe. An estimated 4.9 million Syrians have left their homes to seek asylum abroad since the conflict started in 2011. By the end of 2015, Turkey was hosting 2.5 million refugees - mostly from Syria. But things are often getting worse for the refugees rather than better, as time goes on. "After five years of conflict, many are slipping deeper and deeper into poverty," says UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) spokesperson Ariane Rummery. "Many children are still not in school... in Turkey for example only about 40% of the refugees are in school. "Further afield, many of them think they will have a better chance of education and rebuilding their lives. " People don't want to stay in camps indefinitely. It has also been hard for refugees to get work in Turkey, although legislation has recently been introduced that may make it easier to get a work permit. The British Home Office says that people seeking asylum should do so in the first safe country they reach. As the UK deems Turkey to be a safe country, they are unable to go to the British embassy in Ankara to apply to move to the UK. The UK is not alone in taking this approach - many other countries do the same. There are very few legal ways to travel, says Rummery. "The vast majority of countries do not issue visas for people fleeing danger so they can book a plane ticket and fly safely and then apply for asylum. " However, a few nations, such as Brazil, offer special humanitarian visas. Brazilian embassies in countries neighbouring Syria issue visas so that people can travel legally. They can then claim asylum as soon as they arrive in Brazil. The Home Office points out that the UK has committed to resettling 20,000 Syrians in the UK during this parliament, which is due to run until 2020. These people will be selected from the countries neighbouring Syria, with the help of the UNHCR. Those who have crossed the Mediterranean and entered the European Union will not be eligible. The vast majority of Syrian refugees are being hosted in neighbouring countries. As well as the 2.5 million in Turkey, there are about one million in Lebanon - whose own population is only just over four million. Jordan has 628,000 and Egypt 117,000. Rummery adds that the Gulf Cooperation Council has released figures showing there are 1.5 million Syrians in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. Because these countries are not signatories to the Refugee Convention, Syrians there are not officially counted as refugees and they are not included in the UNHCR's 4.9 million figure. Also, some were already in these countries as migrant workers before the war began; their families have since been allowed to join them. Many migrants are applying for asylum in other European countries. UNHCR figures show that Germany had the most new applications in 2015 - 441,900 in total, of which 158,700 were made by Syrians. Sweden had 156,400 new applications for asylum - 50,900 from Syrians. In October last year, the Home Office reported that the UK had taken in more than 5,000 refugees and asylum seekers from Syria since 2011. In the year to March 2016, a total of 1,981 asylum requests were granted, plus a further 1,667 under the vulnerable person resettlement scheme. Some have fought to defend their own cities, and have fled only after being defeated. Others may be at risk of forced recruitment into an armed group they do not support. "People will try to avoid fighting for IS or other armed groups who stop them at checkpoints," says Rummery. Some Syrians may be unsure whether any of the warring factions are fighting for the good of the country. "There isn't a simple clear narrative of who the different parties are - there is a multitude of armed actors," says Rummery. Many of the refugees had well-paid jobs before the war and had a high standard of living. Phones are crucial for migrants - they are a way to stay in touch with family, as well as a source of information such as maps and contacts. If they have not got a smartphone anyway, a family planning to travel to Europe will do whatever they can to buy one. Exodus: Our Journey To Europe was broadcast on BBC Two at 21:00 on Monday 11, Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 July. Catch up here. Follow @BBCNewsMagazine on Twitter and on Facebook
2016-07-19 16:16 www.bbc.co.uk
55 Can Jeremy Corbyn win over Labour members a second time? "They have just killed the Labour Party. " That's what a Labour official told me just after this week's marathon meeting of Labour's National Executive committee, which had decided to put Jeremy Corbyn automatically on the leadership ballot without the need to demonstrate any support from his fellow MPs. But that wasn't the consensus view amongst the anti-Corbynistas on Labour's ruling body. "We can beat him," another told me, enthusiastically. He recalled that Mr Corbyn had won a smidgen less than 50% of the vote amongst existing party members last September - his much-talked about mandate of nearly 60% from all participants in the leadership election was bolstered by trade union affiliates and the cut-price supporters who had signed up for the vote by paying £3. So this optimistic anti-Corbynista delighted in pointing out that the current party leader had been talking to the media en-route to a supporters' rally - at the very point the NEC was deciding two crucial issues. First, the "£3" would have to pay eight times as much to participate in the forthcoming leadership election - £25 to be precise, and have just two days to sign up. And fully-paid up members would have to have joined the party on or before 12 January to participate. The current membership stands at 515,000 but was only 388,000 in January. The assumption was that many of the more recent members signed up to back the beleaguered leader - even though his opponents in the "Saving Labour" group had also been drumming up support - so at a stroke of an NEC pen they were disenfranchised. Even though the party moved to the left between last year's general election and January, there is also an assumption that the longer people have been members, the more disillusioned with the leadership they become. So who's right? Those who think Mr Corbyn will win or those who think - with the help of that membership freeze - he is vulnerable? Professor Tim Bale is the author of Five Year Mission, an account of Ed Miliband's time as leader of the opposition. But his study of Labour members since the general election demonstrates how the rank and file has both expanded and moved leftwards. He and his colleagues at London's Queen Mary University and at Sussex University have examined the views and the background of those party members who had joined before February this year - so it's pretty close to those who will be eligible to vote in the leadership contest. With just a narrow 48-hour window - opening on Monday and closing on Wednesday - for supporters to sign up, Professor Bale's "subjects" are likely to form the bulk of the selectorate. And his research suggests that Owen Smith is quite astute in badging himself as a left-wing anti-austerity candidate. Angela Eagle, too, has said she would lead the party from the left, though her longer track record in Parliament might become a liability rather than an asset these days. Given that his findings suggest 95% of members believe that government public spending cuts have gone too far, 94% distrust big business, and 92% - in the words of the Levellers (the pop group not the Civil War radicals) - see wealth redistribution as the new solution, the candidates have little choice. And while many in the parliamentary party are worried about a growing gap - on issues such as immigration and the EU - with supporters in what were once Labour heartlands in northern England, leadership candidates would probably be wise not to concentrate in the next couple of months on reflecting those concerns. That's because the membership are strongly in favour of immigration. Asked to say - on a scale of one to seven - whether they thought immigration was good for the economy, the collective score was 5.74. Eight out of 10 wanted to remain in the EU, compared with a little more than six out of 10 Labour voters. Their attitudes on other issues are overwhelmingly liberal - 84% back equal marriage, just one in five want tougher sentences for criminals. And fewer than you might think live in some of the areas where Labour traditionally drew its support - nearly half of members (47%) live in London and southern England. Just over one in four - 28% - live in northern England. Some 75% of members belonged to the social classes ABC1 - professional, managerial and skilled workers - and 57% have a degree. As the party faces an influx of new members last summer to support Mr Corbyn, officials tried to weed out those who didn't share Labour values. That was straightforward where an applicant had stood for a rival party against Labour, but it was far more difficult to become "thought police". So if a potential member had voted, rather than stood for a party to the left of Labour, who was to say that they hadn't just changed their mind? Rather than widespread "entryism" from Trotskyists - though there clearly was some - Prof Bale has discovered that many of those signing up last year were defecting from the Greens. Former Green Party voters now account for nearly one in 10 of Labour's members. The average age of members is 51, suggesting that many who perhaps previously left over Iraq or because of Tony Blair's rightward shift, have now rejoined. Now, Mr Corbyn's opponents may portray themselves as not too far to his right, and argue strongly that the main factors dividing them from him aren't so much policies but competence, and an ability to reach out beyond a left- wing core. However, the research suggests only one in five members value in a leader an ability to unite the party - only one in four are looking for strength and authority. So can Jeremy Corbyn win the leadership a second time? It's likely that he will face a greater struggle, and he will be under greater scrutiny. But his supporters are likely to look at the make-up of the membership and declare "Jez He Can". If, however, a legal challenge to force him to seek nominations from 51 MPs and MEPs succeeds, then that - not the selectorate - is far more likely to scupper his chances.
2016-07-19 16:16 By Iain www.bbc.co.uk
56 Plagiarism quiz: Who were the caught-out copycats? Donald Trump's wife Melania has been accused of copying parts of her speech to the Republican Party Congress from a 2008 address by the First Lady, Michelle Obama. Test your knowledge of other people who have been accused of - and caught out at - cheating: Picture question credits: Getty - 1, 3, 4; Alamy - 2; Associated Press - 6 Follow @BBCNewsMagazine on Twitter and on Facebook
2016-07-19 16:17 www.bbc.co.uk
57 Newspaper headlines: 'New nuclear age' and 'raid' for UK tech firm The birth of what the i calls Britain's "new nuclear age" makes headlines in several of Tuesday's papers. MPs voted by 472 to 117 in favour of renewing the Trident nuclear weapons system, and the i highlights PM Theresa May's claim that she would be prepared to authorise a strike. Under the headline "nuke kid on the block", the Sun says Mrs May used her first House of Commons appearance as prime minister to say abandoning the nuclear arsenal would be a "reckless gamble". The Daily Mail says successive governments have done "nothing but procrastinate" over the issue, and the paper gives Mrs May "full marks... for finally getting something done". But it says there is "more to the defence of the realm than renewing Trident", and there must be no repeat of past underfunding of UK armed forces. The Mirror says building four new nuclear submarines would cost £31bn, with a total cost of £179bn over their lifetime. "Trident is the extortionate insurance policy Britain doesn't especially want and will probably never need, but can't quite face the future without," the i's Oliver Duff writes. The Telegraph says Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was heckled and accused of lying by his own MPs as he opposed the renewal of Trident. Several papers criticise Mr Corbyn's stance - with the Sun calling him a "hard-left terror sympathiser who wouldn't fight back in a nuclear assault". Mr Corbyn is facing a leadership challenge amid a "barrage of criticism" from MPs, but the Times says his popularity among grassroots Labour members has grown. In the Guardian , Polly Toynbee suggests there could be an "epic rightward shift" in the next Parliament and says a "serious" Labour leadership would be working hard to win over voters in areas which backed Brexit in the EU referendum. While Labour's contest continues, commentators pick out a new "bright- eyed" and "fresh-faced" Conservative backbencher - David Cameron. In the Telegraph , Michael Deacon says Mr Cameron got a "little cheer of encouragement" from some fellow MPs as he appeared in the Commons for the first time since standing down as PM. There are opposing views over the agreed purchase of UK smartphone microchip designer ARM Holdings by Japanese technology giant SoftBank. In the Financial Times , Softbank's chief executive says the deal highlights his confidence in the post-Brexit UK economy - a view echoed by a spokesman for Mrs May. In an editorial , the paper says the move is a "welcome shot in the arm at a time of uncertainty". But it warns that Britain cannot "sell its way to glory", and says the country must get better at "nurturing the strategic businesses it creates". The Telegraph says the deal is a "useful corrective" to the "misplaced gloom that some disappointed politicians sought to promote after the EU referendum". It says Britain's openness to foreign ownership of big companies has been a "source of great strength", and Mrs May should resist the "mood of closed-door protectionism sweeping so many other countries". But the Daily Mail says the deal is a "cause for profound concern", and it quotes a senior MP who likens it to a football club selling its best players. "With the pound having fallen sharply, there will soon be more raids on British firms. We need a strategy to ensure they don't harm the economy and cost jobs," the Mail comments. The Times says the deal "points to weaknesses of the British economy that are in danger of being intensified outside the EU". Parts of the Midlands and southern England will be hotter than Hawaii today as temperatures reach 95F (35C), the Express reports . It says health and weather experts have issued warnings due to the heat, with the elderly and anyone with medical problems advised to take extra care. The Times publishes a guide on how to keep cool in the heatwave. Its tips include a cold compress made by putting a sock full of rice in the freezer, and "instant air con" made by hanging a damp sheet in front of an open window. Sleep expert Sammy Margo suggests having a warm shower before bed then cooling while drying, and lying "spreadeagled" while asleep because it's "cooler than curling up in the foetal position". Even more chilling, however, is the Daily Star's warning that "monster killer jellyfish" are heading for Britain. The high temperatures will make UK beaches a magnet for Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish, which have "knife-like poisonous stings", the paper explains. Several papers report on the situation in Turkey following the failed coup in the country on Friday. The Financial Times says US and European leaders have warned President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to use restraint in his "increasingly wide- ranging crackdown against plotters". Writing in the paper , Peter Westmacott says President Erdogan's response so far suggests he is "keener to crack down than lighten up" on issues like inclusivity, freedom of the press, rule of law and tackling corruption. If the "purge" is extended to include opposition voices, the president's attempt to solidify power will "backfire", according to Lina Khatib, of the Chatham House think tank. In the Mirror , she says such action would also "strain relations" with European countries. Germany has said any attempt by Turkey to reinstate the death penalty for the plotters would derail the country's bid to join the EU, the Guardian reports. Telegraph: UK weather: Britain's hottest day this year to be followed by a month's rainfall in just three hours Guardian: Teenager attacks passengers with axe and knife on train in Germany Mirror: Germany train axe attack: Afghan teenage refugee shouting "Allahu Akbar" goes on bloody rampage hacking passengers Mail: "It's character assassination": Taylor Swift slams Kim Kardashian after reality star leaks recording of that phone call with Kanye West about Famous lyrics
2016-07-19 16:16 By Alex www.bbc.co.uk
58 Attack on Nice: How Nice sought to tackle jihad The attack that killed 84 people in the French city of Nice has led to political recriminations and, yet again, probing questions about how to stop people turning to jihad. Nice may have been caught off-guard when Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel's lorry ploughed into a crowd on Bastille Day. But city officials cannot be accused of having been oblivious to the militant danger. Even before the Paris attacks of January 2015 served as a national wake- up call, they had mobilised to counter what many saw as a looming threat. As far back as the mid-2000s, a Nice-based group of psychoanalysts and academics called Entr'Autres (Among Others) noticed a trend towards cultural separation and rejection of French values in immigrant areas. Catherine Chavepeyre-Luccioni, a city councillor and teacher in a deprived area of Nice for 35 years, says she noticed long ago that such attitudes had become particularly strong among the young. "In the old days," she says, "the mothers of my pupils were modern women. They never wore veils. Now the children do. The mothers wear veils as well, and tell me it's because their sons demand it. " By 2012, says Brigitte Erbibou of Entr'Autres, a sense of identity based on grievance had become common. "People were talking about conspiracies, the 'American-Zionist axis', she says. "They were openly taking anti- Semitic, anti-Western positions. " Over the next two years, it became clear that the region had become a leading provider of jihadists - to date, 10% of French people who have gone to fight in Syria were from there. Officials in Nice and the wider Alpes-Maritimes area took notice, and after the Paris attacks that killed 17 people in January 2015, they began watching the local situation closely. A "radicalisation unit" for the region has been set up, bringing together teachers, social workers and security experts. They meet every week to report on and investigate any sign of trouble. The mayor of Nice set up a 24/7 help line for families worried about fundamentalism. A dedicated team of counsellors was on hand offering psychological and legal help well before the Nice attack. Earlier this year, when city officials were told that some football clubs had organised collective prayers, the mayor threatened to cut funding for those that did not respect a "secularism charter". The city also organises seminars for educators and grassroots workers. One of the most forceful speakers against radicalism in the region is Abdelghani Merah. He is the brother of Mohammed Merah, a petty criminal from Toulouse who killed seven people during attacks on soldiers and Jewish schoolchildren in March 2012, before being shot dead by police. Mohammed Merah was the first home-grown jihadist to strike on French soil, and is still revered in radical circles around the country. His elder brother Abdelghani, 39, says his aim is to redeem the family name by working with Entr'Autres to warn youngsters about the dangers of radical ideology. "I want to smash the image of Mohammed Merah, who many youths consider as a superhero and a defender of Islam," he says. "I am particularly useful when I talk to schoolchildren who are in danger of becoming radicalised and to mothers whose kids are being indoctrinated or have gone to Syria. " Abdelghani's main message is that France, far from being a land of miscreants bent on crushing Muslims, "is beautiful and has beautiful values". Religious leaders too play a critical role in the programme. One of them is Boubekeur Bekri, a no-nonsense imam in a housing estate sprawled along a motorway in north-east Nice, and vice-president of the regional Muslim council. Around the time of the Merah affair in 2012, he noticed signs of radicalisation gaining ground in his impoverished neighbourhood. He has been doing his best to break the jihadist spell, but admits that his record is mixed. Mr Bekri says he once lectured two brothers whom a mother had referred to him. "I told them that radicalisation was anti-Islamic, but unfortunately it did not work," he says. Two months later the pair were found with tickets for Syria, and promptly arrested. But on another occasion, the imam says, a would-be jihadist was reconciled with his family after he had a word or two with him. The challenge in trying to wean troubled youths off radicalism, Mr Bekri adds, is that it confers "religious virginity" on young offenders. They are easily convinced that they are doing God's work when they steal from infidels. This redemption is all the more tempting when it provides an aura girls find attractive, Mr Bekri says. "You become Prince Charming. " While radicalisation often feeds on male dreams of military glory, for girls it typically involves fantasies of romance and humanitarian work. Imene Ouissi, a 22-year-old student from an estate in Vallauris, recalls that two years ago a young man from eastern France approached her on Facebook. Noting disapprovingly that she was not wearing a veil, he proposed to set her on the path of virtue by marrying her and taking her to Syria, where she would do good works. Her life was not here among miscreants but in the land of the faithful, he insisted. She must do everything to get to the hereafter. "Finding true love and is a feminine yearning," Ms Ouissi says. "Those youths have found ways to draw them into their circles through marriage. If I had been weak and had not been trying to understand true religion, I might have fallen for it. " Social networks and new media make people more receptive to the jihadist message, but actual recruitment still mostly thrives on old-fashioned personal contacts. Nice was the home of France's most talented scout for al-Qaeda - Omar Omsen, a Senegalese-born militant who took 40 local youths to Syria, before fleeing there for good three years ago. And according to one academic study, the areas of Alpes-Maritimes that have seen the highest numbers of departures for jihad are those that saw a large influx of former Algerian militants who moved to France after the civil war of the 1990s. It would be wrong to conclude that alienated youths from immigrant suburbs are the only people at risk of radicalisation. "There is no typical profile," says Ms Erbibou. "They come from all backgrounds. " The mother of a middle-class girl living in an upmarket part of Nice described how her daughter - "Carole"- suddenly changed at the age of 13. "She was a quiet, dutiful girl and an excellent pupil until she started mixing with troubled children from her school. " Carole told her parents they would go to hell if they ate pork. To press her point, she showed them propaganda videos depicting how paradise and hell look like. "It was like having your child taken away and brainwashed," the mother says. "It sent shivers down our spines. We never thought this would happen to us. " With the help of psychologists from Entr'Autres, Carole, now 16, pulled back from the brink of radicalisation. She has now embraced the tolerant, mainstream version of Islam. But her mother says her daughter is not completely out of danger: "We are taking nothing for granted. We are vigilant. " The Nice area programme - combining action on the social, psychological, religious and security aspects of the problem - has attracted attention elsewhere in France, and beyond. But its efficacy is difficult to assess. We will never know about attacks it may have prevented over the years. And this long-term effort may be powerless against the sort of "rapid radicalisation" Lahouaiej-Bouhlel is said to have gone through. Kamel, a youth worker in the area, believes that there are bound to be more such acts by freelance attackers. But he is even more worried about the repercussions of this and any subsequent attacks. "In terms of pure statistics, he says, perpetrators represent a tiny fraction of the local Muslim Arab population," Kamel says. "But many Westerners will see their attacks as a huge setback for the possibility of harmony between Muslims and non-Muslims. "
2016-07-19 16:16 By Henri www.bbc.co.uk
59 A new day, a new Chancellor: A new economic policy? Britain's economic policy has changed radically almost overnight. In all the fuss and dust surrounding the referendum, the Tory leadership campaign and the creation of a brand new cabinet it has been easy to lose sight of this fact. George Osborne has been chancellor of the exchequer for six long years of austerity. He and his government told us time and again that balancing the budget was their first and most important job. Now without even an election that policy has been abandoned, the government's aim to bring in more in tax than it spends by 2020 has been dropped, but what has replaced it? Mr Hammond has given us some clues but to be perfectly honest we will not have the complete picture until the Autumn Statement later this year. However, the new chancellor has already declined to say when the government's budget will be in surplus, if ever. Mr Hammond has also said that "increasing taxes is not the way to support the economy, maintain consumer confidence and to make sure that we continue to grow the economy in future". Nor is it likely that a massive round of new spending cuts is going to help the economy at the moment. In fact with falling business and consumer confidence, worries over delays or even the cancellation of private investment and a construction industry that looks to be slowing down; many would see an increase in government investment as the obvious solution. Sajid Javid, the former business secretary, has called for the government to fund an extra £100bn of infrastructure spending over the next five years. Unless there are huge tax rises or spending cuts that money will have to be borrowed. Fortunately the chancellor can now borrow at historically low rates, for long periods of time. The markets are so jittery they are willing to put their cash into ultra-secure government bonds for little or no return. But it is not just money for new infrastructure that the government will have to find, with the economy likely to slow or even go into a recession its existing borrowing targets are meaningless. A cautious estimate is that the government will have to borrow another £50bn a year by the end of this parliament just to balance the books. Any borrowing to help boost the economy will be on top of that. Just last month that would have been denounced by the chancellor and his cabinet colleagues as reckless, dangerous and counter-productive. That is how much things have changed in the last few weeks. To borrow one of George Osborne's favourite sayings "you have to fix the roof when the sun is shining", and these huge changes in economic policy suggest that the government's forecast is looking distinctly overcast.
2016-07-19 16:16 By Jonty www.bbc.co.uk
60 Line: A guide to Japan's messenger giant There's a chance you might not have heard of Line but the Japanese messaging service is set to sell shares for the first time in an initial public offering (IPO) in both New York and Tokyo. So here's what you need to know. Line is the most popular messaging app in Japan, Thailand and Taiwan. It is similar to the likes of Whatsapp, Facebook Messenger or WeChat in China. While it is close to those, it does have some features that set it apart: virtual stickers, cartoon-like animated emojis and games with mascots such as a bear called Brown and his rabbit friend Cony. You can make video calls, stream video or order taxis with it. It also offers a timeline much like Facebook does. Line has about 218 million monthly active users and makes its money from advertising and selling its virtual stickers and games. There even are physical Line stores where you can buy merchandise featuring your favourite Line character. Line dates back to 2011 when, in the wake of the devastating Japanese tsunami, many of the normal channels of communication had broken down. The Japanese subsidiary to South Korea's internet giant Naver developed the app as a quick fix for staff to use internet-based communication. In June that year, Naver released Line for public use and the app quickly came to dominate the market in Japan. It went on to become the leading player in Taiwan and Thailand, and also gained a foothold in many other Asian countries. The company is set to raise up to $1.3bn (£1bn) when it lists its shares, after setting its flotation price at 3,300 yen ($33; £25) per share. It's being described as Japan's biggest tech IPO of the year but in fact it could have been significantly bigger. When Line was scheduled for an initial public offering two years ago, there was talk of a valuation of more than $10bn. But that was at a time when the user base was still growing at record pace, and those days are over. The shares will be launched in a dual offering in New York and Tokyo on 14 and 15 July. Line is looking to raise funds to expand into the US and help it compete with rivals Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and WeChat. Line is the market leader in a number of Asian countries. Yet analysts are hesitant when it comes to the company's outlook. "Line is struggling to grow its user base," tech analyst Andrew Milroy of Frost & Sullivan told the BBC. Last year, it gained 13 million new users, an increase of just 6%. But the company does make money. Users buy stickers, animated emojis and pay for games. There's also money coming in from advertising. Revenue grew by 40% in the last year. Yet breaking into markets where there is already a dominant messenger app is extremely difficult. If all your friends are already on WeChat or Facebook, why would you switch to a new messenger? "It has so far struggled to get out of the markets of Japan, Thailand, Taiwan," Mr Milroy explains. And while it could enter South East Asia markets like the Philippines or Indonesia, making money in those markets is "more challenging", he says.
2016-07-19 16:16 By Andreas www.bbc.co.uk
61 Yahoo Reports Second Quarter 2016 Results "With the lowest cost structure and headcount in a decade, we continue to make solid progress against our 2016 plan. Through disciplined expense management and focused execution, we delivered Q2 results that met guidance across the board and in some areas exceeded it," said , CEO of. "In addition to our efforts to improve the operating business, our board has made great progress on strategic alternatives. We are relentlessly focused on delivering shareholder value. " * See further discussion related to goodwill and intangibles impairment below Our second quarter GAAP revenue and Cost of revenue - TAC were impacted by a required change in revenue presentation related to the Eleventh Amendment to the Microsoft Search Agreement ("Change in Revenue Presentation," as discussed below). Specifically, of GAAP revenue and Cost of revenue - TAC for the second quarter of 2016 was due to the Change in Revenue Presentation. Excluding the impact of this change, GAAP revenue would have been , a 15 percent decline from the second quarter of 2015, and Cost of revenue - TAC would have been , a 7 percent increase from the second quarter of 2015. * The Change in Revenue Presentation contributed to Mavens revenue, to Non-Mavens revenue and to traffic-driven revenue in the second quarter of 2016 Mavens revenue represented 36 percent and 40 percent of traffic-driven revenue in the second quarter of 2015 and 2016, respectively. Excluding the impact of the Change in Revenue Presentation, Mavens revenue would have been and represented 38 percent of traffic-driven revenue in the second quarter of 2016. * The Change in Revenue Presentation contributed to mobile revenue, to desktop revenue and to traffic-driven revenue in the second quarter of 2016 GAAP mobile revenue for the second quarter of 2015 and 2016 was and , respectively. Mobile revenue represented 22 percent and 30 percent of traffic-driven revenue in the second quarter of 2015 and 2016, respectively. Excluding the impact of the Change in Revenue Presentation, mobile revenue would have been and represented 26 percent of traffic-driven revenue in the second quarter of 2016. Gross mobile revenue for the second quarter of 2015 and 2016 was and , respectively. The Change in Revenue Presentation did not impact gross mobile revenue in the second quarter of 2016. During the second quarter of 2016, we determined that there were indicators present to suggest that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. We recorded a non- cash goodwill impairment charge of and a non-cash intangibles impairment charge of related to our reporting unit. The goodwill and intangibles impairment charges resulted from a combination of factors, including decreases in our projected operating results and estimated future cash flows. "I'm pleased that we crossed the first half of the year showing progress on our 2016 plan and the guidance we provided. By continuing to focus on revenue, both GAAP and ex-TAC, and excellent expenditure management of cost and capital, we reported increased cash flow and a strong balance sheet through the second quarter as exemplified by our cash and marketable securities of nearly ," said , CFO of. Pursuant to the Eleventh Amendment to the Microsoft Search Agreement, the Company completed the transition of its exclusive sales responsibilities to Microsoft for Microsoft's paid search services to premium advertisers in , , and on and in its remaining markets (other than and ) on. Following the transition in each respective market, is considered the principal in the sale of traffic to Microsoft and other customers because is the primary obligor in its arrangements with Microsoft and has discretion in how search queries from Affiliate sites will be fulfilled and monetized. As a result, amounts paid to Affiliates under the Microsoft Search Agreement in the transitioned markets are recorded as Cost of revenue - TAC rather than as a reduction to GAAP revenue, resulting in GAAP revenue from the Microsoft Search Agreement being reported on a gross rather than net basis. and will not be transitioned, and TAC in those markets will continue to be reported as a reduction to revenue. will live stream a video broadcast of the Company's second quarter 2016 financial results at / today. The live stream will be broadcast from Yahoo's studio and will be available exclusively on Yahoo Finance at finance.yahoo.com. The Company will provide its business outlook for the third quarter and full year of 2016 during the presentation. Supplemental financial information can be accessed through the Company's Investor Relations website at investor.yahoo.net. The video will be archived after the event at investor.yahoo.net and will be available for 90 days following the broadcast. This press release includes adjusted GAAP revenue and cost of revenue - TAC amounts that exclude the effect of the Change in Revenue Presentation during the second quarter of 2016. We believe providing this additional information to investors is useful because it provides investors with comparable revenue and cost of revenue -TAC measures for comparison to our historical reported financial information. This press release and its attachments also include the following additional financial measures defined as non-GAAP financial measures by the ("SEC"): gross mobile revenue; gross search revenue; revenue ex-TAC; adjusted EBITDA; non-GAAP income from operations; non-GAAP net earnings; non-GAAP net earnings per share - diluted; and free cash flow. Gross mobile revenue is GAAP mobile revenue plus the related revenue share with third parties. Gross search revenue is GAAP search revenue plus the related revenue share with third parties. Revenue ex-TAC is GAAP revenue less cost of revenue - TAC. Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP income from operations, non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP net earnings per share - diluted, exclude from the most comparable GAAP financial measures certain gains, losses, and expenses that we do not believe are indicative of ongoing results, and exclude stock-based compensation expense. Adjusted EBITDA also excludes taxes, depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, other (expense) income, net (which includes interest, among other items), earnings in equity interests, and net income attributable to noncontrolling interests. Free cash flow is GAAP net cash provided by operating activities (adjusted to include excess tax benefits from stock-based awards), less acquisition of property and equipment, net (i.e., acquisition of property and equipment less proceeds received from disposition of property and equipment) and dividends received from equity investees. These measures may be different than non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. The presentation of this financial information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Explanations of the Company's non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations of these financial measures to the GAAP financial measures the Company considers most comparable are included in the accompanying "Note to Supplemental Financial Data and GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations," "Supplemental Financial Data and GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations," and "GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations. " is a guide to digital information discovery, focused on informing, connecting, and entertaining users through its search, communications, and digital content products. By creating highly personalized experiences, helps users discover the information that matters most to them around the world -- on mobile or desktop. creates value for advertisers with a streamlined, simple advertising technology stack that leverages Yahoo's data, content, and technology to connect advertisers with their target audiences. is headquartered in , and has offices located throughout the , (APAC) and the , and (EMEA) regions. For more information, visit the pressroom (pressroom.yahoo.net) or the Company's blog (yahoo.tumblr.com). "Ads Sold" consist of display ad impressions for paying advertisers on and Affiliate sites. "Affiliates" are third-party entities that have integrated Yahoo's advertising offerings into their websites or other offerings (those websites and other offerings, "Affiliate sites"). "Alibaba Group" means Alibaba Group Holding Limited. In , Alibaba Group completed its initial public offering of American Depositary Shares ("ADS"), in which was a selling shareholder. "Desktop computer" means a desktop or laptop computer, and "desktop revenue" is revenue generated from search and display ads served on Desktop computers and also includes leads, listings and fees revenue and ecommerce revenue allocated to user activity on Desktop computers. "Gross mobile revenue," a non-GAAP measure, is GAAP mobile revenue plus the related revenue share with third parties. "Gross search revenue," a non-GAAP measure, is GAAP search revenue plus the related revenue share with third parties. "Mavens revenue" is revenue generated from, without duplication: (i) mobile (as defined below), (ii) video ads and video ad packages, (iii) native ads, and (iv) and Polyvore ads and fees. "Microsoft Search Agreement" refers to the Search and Advertising Services and Sales Agreement between and Microsoft Corporation, as amended. "Mobile revenue" is revenue generated in connection with user activity on mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, regardless of whether the device is accessing a mobile-optimized service. Mobile revenue is generated primarily from search and display ads. Mobile revenue also includes leads, listings and fees revenue and ecommerce revenue allocated to user activity on mobile devices. "Native revenue" is revenue generated from native ads (search and display) on as well as third-party partner publisher sites and mobile apps. Native ads are visually rich, are positioned as a seamless part of the users' experience, and come in a variety of formats, like text, image, and video. offers native ads through Yahoo Gemini and the BrightRoll Demand-Side Platform (DSP). "Net earnings" means net income (loss) attributable to , and "net earnings per diluted share" means net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders per share - diluted. "Non-Mavens revenue" is revenue generated from search ads and traditional (i.e., non-native, non-video, non- , non-Polyvore) display ads served on Desktop computers and also includes leads, listings and fees revenue and ecommerce revenue allocated to user activity on Desktop computers. "Non-traffic-driven revenue" is revenue not arising from user activity on or Affiliate sites, and includes royalty revenue, license fee revenue, amortization under the technology and intellectual property license agreement with Alibaba Group through the third quarter of 2015, and all other revenue that is not traffic-driven. "Paid Clicks" are clicks by end-users on sponsored search listings (excluding native ads) on and Affiliate sites. "Price-per-Ad" is defined as display revenue divided by our total number of Ads Sold. "Price-per-Click" is defined as Search click-driven revenue divided by our total number of Paid Clicks. "TAC" refers to traffic acquisition costs. TAC consists of payments to Affiliates and payments made to companies that direct consumer and business traffic to. "Yahoo," "Company," and "we" refer to and its consolidated subsidiaries. "Yahoo Properties" refers to the online properties and services that provides to users. We periodically review, refine and update our methodologies for monitoring, gathering, and counting number of Ads Sold and Paid Clicks, and for calculating Search click-driven revenue, Price-per-Ad, and Price- per-Click. Methodology changes are applied consistently to all periods presented. No changes were made in the currently reported period. Additional information about how "Ads Sold," "Paid Clicks," "Price-per-Ad," "Price-per-Click," and "Search click-driven revenue" are defined and calculated is included under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended , which is on file with the and available on the website at www.sec.gov. This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning expected financial performance and strategic and operational plans (including, without limitation, the quotations from management) and their projected impact, as well as, review of strategic alternatives. Risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from the results predicted, and reported results should not be considered as an indication of future performance. The potential risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks related to Yahoo's ability to continue to attract and maintain mobile users and grow its mobile revenue; risks related to Yahoo's ability to continue to grow Mavens revenue; risks related to Yahoo's ability to grow users, user engagement and pageviews; risks related to growing advertiser engagement; risk of potential reduction in spending by, or loss of, advertising customers; risks associated with the Microsoft Search Agreement and the Services Agreement with ; risks related to Yahoo's ability to provide innovative search experiences and other products and services that differentiate its services and generate significant traffic; risks associated with Yahoo's ability to manage its operating expenses effectively and improve profitability; risks related to acceptance by users of new products and services; risks related to Yahoo's ability to compete with new or existing competitors; dependence on third parties for technology, services, content, and distribution; risks related to acquiring or developing compelling content; security breaches; interruptions or delays in the provision of Yahoo's services; adverse results in litigation; risks related to Yahoo's ability to recruit and retain key personnel; risks related to possible impairment of goodwill or other assets; risks related to Yahoo's ability to protect its intellectual property and the value of its brands; risks related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; risks related to joint ventures and the integration of acquisitions; risks related to Yahoo's regulatory environment; risks related to international operations; risks related to the calculation of our key operational metrics; and general economic conditions. With respect to Yahoo's exploration of strategic alternatives, there is no assurance any transaction will be consummated, and the process of exploring strategic alternatives will involve the dedication of significant resources and the incurrence of significant costs and expenses. All information set forth in this press release and its attachments is as of. does not intend, and undertakes no duty, to update this information to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. More information about potential factors that could affect the Company's business and financial results is included under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended , as amended, and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended , which are on file with the and available on the website at www.sec.gov. Additional information will also be set forth in those sections in Yahoo's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended , which will be filed with the in the third quarter of 2016. !, the family of marks, and the associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of is a registered trademark of Other names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Note to Supplemental Financial Data and GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations This press release includes adjusted GAAP revenue and cost of revenue - TAC amounts that exclude the effect of the Change in Revenue Presentation during the second quarter of 2016. We believe providing this additional information to investors is useful because it provides investors with comparable revenue and cost of revenue - TAC measures for comparison to our historical reported financial information. See "Change in Revenue Presentation" in the accompanying press release. This press release and its attachments also include the non-GAAP financial measures of revenue excluding traffic acquisition costs ("revenue ex-TAC"); gross mobile revenue; gross search revenue; adjusted EBITDA; non-GAAP income from operations; non-GAAP net earnings; non-GAAP net earnings per diluted share; and free cash flow, which are reconciled to revenue (in the case of revenue ex-TAC, gross mobile revenue, and gross search revenue); net loss attributable to (in the case of adjusted EBITDA and non- GAAP net earnings); loss from operations; net loss attributable to common stockholders per share - diluted; and net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, which we believe are the most comparable GAAP measures. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, "Yahoo," the "Company," or "we") uses these non-GAAP financial measures for internal managerial purposes and to facilitate period-to-period comparisons. We describe limitations specific to each non-GAAP financial measure below. Management generally compensates for limitations in the use of non-GAAP financial measures by relying on comparable GAAP financial measures and providing investors with a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure or measures. Further, management uses non-GAAP financial measures only in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures reflect additional ways of viewing aspects of our operations that, when viewed with our GAAP results, provide a more complete understanding of factors and trends affecting our business. These non-GAAP measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, revenue, net loss attributable to , loss from operations, net loss attributable to common stockholders per share - diluted, and net cash provided by (used in) operating activities calculated in accordance with GAAP. Revenue ex-TAC is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as GAAP revenue less TAC that has been recorded as a cost of revenue. TAC consists of payments made to Affiliates, and payments made to companies that direct consumer and business traffic to. TAC is recorded either as a reduction of revenue or as cost of revenue. We present revenue ex-TAC to provide investors a metric used by the Company for evaluation and decision-making purposes and to provide investors with comparable revenue numbers when comparing to our historical reported financial information. A limitation of revenue ex-TAC is that it is a measure we defined for internal and investor purposes that may be unique to the Company, and therefore it may not enhance the comparability of our results to those of other companies in our industry who have similar business arrangements but address the impact of TAC differently. Management compensates for these limitations by also relying on the comparable GAAP financial measures of revenue and cost of revenue—TAC. Each of gross mobile revenue and gross search revenue is a non-GAAP financial measure. Gross mobile revenue is defined as GAAP mobile revenue plus the related revenue share with third parties. Gross search revenue is defined as GAAP search revenue plus the related revenue share with third parties. We present these amounts to provide investors with additional metrics used by the Company for evaluation and decision- making purposes and as an indicator of the size of our presence in the relevant business. To this end, gross mobile revenue and gross search revenue report the total receipts generated on and Affiliate sites by the specified relevant business (i.e., mobile or search), before any TAC or other revenue share is paid to the Affiliates and before any revenue share is allocated to Microsoft or other parties. A limitation of these non-GAAP measures is that they include revenue that is recognized by one or more third parties and not by Yahoo; furthermore, they are measures we defined for internal and investor purposes that may be unique to us, and therefore may not enhance the comparability of our results to those of other companies in our industry who have similar business arrangements but address the impact of TAC and revenue sharing differently. Management compensates for these limitations by also relying on the comparable financial measure GAAP revenue. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) attributable to before taxes, depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, stock-based compensation expense, other (expense) income, net (which includes interest, among other items), earnings in equity interests, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and other gains, losses, and expenses that we do not believe are indicative of our ongoing results. We present adjusted EBITDA because the exclusion of certain gains, losses, and expenses facilitates comparisons of the operating performance of the Company on a period to period basis. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for results reported under GAAP. These limitations include: adjusted EBITDA does not reflect tax payments and such payments reflect a reduction in cash available to us; adjusted EBITDA does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues in our businesses; adjusted EBITDA does not include stock-based compensation expense related to the Company's workforce; adjusted EBITDA also excludes other (expense) income, net (which includes interest, among other items), earnings in equity interests, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and other gains, losses, and expenses that we do not believe are indicative of our ongoing results, and these items may represent a reduction or increase in cash available to us; and adjusted EBITDA is a measure that may be unique to the Company, and therefore it may not enhance the comparability of our results to other companies in our industry. Management compensates for these limitations by also relying on the comparable GAAP financial measure of net income (loss) attributable to , which includes taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation expense, other (expense) income, net (which includes interest, among other items), earnings in equity interests, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and the other gains, losses and expenses that are excluded from adjusted EBITDA. Non-GAAP income from operations is defined as income (loss) from operations excluding certain gains, losses, and expenses that we do not believe are indicative of our ongoing operating results and further adjusted to exclude stock-based compensation expense. Because of the variety of equity awards used by companies, the varying methodologies for determining stock-based compensation expense, and the subjective assumptions involved in those determinations, we believe excluding stock- based compensation expense enhances the ability of management and investors to understand the impact of stock-based compensation expense on income (loss) from operations. We consider non-GAAP income from operations to be a profitability measure which facilitates the forecasting of our operating results for future periods and allows for the comparison of our results to historical periods. A limitation of non-GAAP income from operations is that it does not include all items that impact our income from operations for the period. Management compensates for this limitation by also relying on the comparable GAAP financial measure of income (loss) from operations which includes the gains, losses, and expenses that are excluded from non-GAAP income from operations. Non-GAAP net earnings is defined as net income (loss) attributable to (which we sometimes refer to as net earnings) excluding certain gains, losses, expenses, and their related tax effects that we do not believe are indicative of our ongoing results and further adjusted to exclude stock- based compensation expense and its related tax effects. Because of the variety of equity awards used by companies, the varying methodologies for determining stock-based compensation expense, and the subjective assumptions involved in those determinations, we believe excluding stock- based compensation expense enhances the ability of management and investors to understand the impact of stock-based compensation expense on net income and net income per share. We consider non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP net earnings per diluted share to be profitability measures which facilitate the forecasting of our results for future periods and allow for the comparison of our results to historical periods. A limitation of non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP net earnings per diluted share is that they do not include all items that impact our net income and net income per diluted share for the period. Management compensates for this limitation by also relying on the comparable GAAP financial measures of net income (loss) attributable to and net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders per share - diluted, both of which include the gains, losses, expenses and related tax effects that are excluded from non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP net earnings per diluted share. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (adjusted to include excess tax benefits from stock-based awards), less acquisition of property and equipment, net (i.e., acquisition of property and equipment less proceeds received from disposition of property and equipment) and dividends received from equity investees. We consider free cash flow to be a liquidity measure which provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by business operations, after deducting our net payments for acquisitions and dispositions of property and equipment, which cash can then be used for strategic opportunities or other business purposes including, among others, investing in the Company's business, making strategic acquisitions, strengthening the balance sheet, and repurchasing stock. A limitation of free cash flow is that it does not represent the total increase or decrease in the cash balance for the period. Management compensates for this limitation by also relying on the net change in cash and cash equivalents as presented in the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows prepared in accordance with GAAP which incorporates all cash movements during the period.
2016-07-19 16:12 investor.yahoo.net
62 TUNE IN TODAY: Yahoo Hosts First-Ever Live Stream of Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting Live coverage begins at 10 a.m. ET on Saturday (4/30) Interviews with: , Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway; , Series Creator, "Breaking Bad" & "Better Call Saul"; , Chair, CEO and Chief Designer, Kathy Ireland Worldwide; , Sr. Partner, , and many more --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Tune in as (Nasdaq:YHOO) hosts the first-ever live stream of Berkshire Hathaway's annual shareholders meeting today, , kicking-off with live coverage and analysis from Yahoo Finance Editor-in- Chief , on-the-ground at CenturyLink Center Omaha. Audiences will be able to watch live on Yahoo Finance - across desktop, tablet and mobile - as Chairman and CEO and his right-hand man share their unscripted views on the company, the markets, the economy, and whatever other topic that may come up. Watch the live stream here: http://yhoo.it/BRKLive Throughout the Preshow and Halftime Report we'll also feature a number of live and pre-taped interviews with the Yahoo Finance editorial team, including: , Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway; , BNSF CEO; , CEO; , CEO; , CEO; , CEO; songwriter, and long-time Buffett friend ; author and international speaker ; legendary business journalist ; Sr. Partner, , ; BRK-B shareholder and series creator of "Breaking Bad" & "Better Call Saul" ; Chair, CEO and Chief Designer of Kathy Ireland Worldwide, ; and many others. The shareholders meeting live stream will be available in both English and Mandarin, and will be delivered in 1080p HD quality. Embeddable VOD replay will be available on Yahoo Finance for 30 days following the meeting. For more information, and to register for regular updates on the Berkshire on Yahoo Finance, go to: http://yhoo.it/BRKLive Follow the conversation on Twitter with @YahooFinance #BRKLiveStream
2016-07-19 16:12 investor.yahoo.net
63 How food, clothing and homeware bills are likely to rise The British are a nation of shoppers; as Napoleon might nearly have said. And when shopping, we have a taste for the foreign. Whether that be smartphones, bookshelves from Ikea, cheap clothes from Primark, or even a Ford Focus, most of what we buy is made abroad. In fact we are a nation of importers. Even if the pound regains some of its value, currency experts expect it to remain at least 10% below where it was on 23 June, in the long term. So imported goods are about to get pricier. The only question is when - and by how much. The UK imports at least 40% of its food, according to government figures. Sainsbury's imports 50% of what it sells, for example, with a third of it coming from the EU. If you've never clocked the scale of imports, look at Tesco's apple aisle: You will find more apples from Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, Holland, South Africa and France than from Britain. Its top-of- the-range potatoes come from Israel. Eventually these will all cost more - along with fish, salad ingredients, New Zealand lamb, wine, beer and even tea. In the short term all the big retailers have hedged against currency risk - in effect they've insured themselves against a fall in the pound - but these hedges will start to unwind next year. Some retailers may try to absorb the extra cost, by cutting their profits. "It is not certain we will see inflationary pressures passed on to customers," says the boss of Sainsbury's, Mike Coupe. But retailers' profit margins are so thin, this may not be possible, according to Andrew Stevens, of Verdict Research. "In the face of inevitable cost inflation, the grocers now have very little option but to raise prices for consumers," he says in a research note . In the long run there may be further pressure on prices, according to what sort of trade deal is eventually negotiated with the EU. Any reduction in subsidies for British farmers, as a result of leaving the Common Agricultural Policy, could also push prices up. And what about the EU migrants who pick our home-grown fruit and vegetables on low wages? "Without the freedom of movement, the cost of producing food in the UK will come under further upward pressure," says Andrew Stevens. The fashion industry is even more dependent on imports than food retailers. Those cheap T-shirts from Primark, or that party outfit from New Look, will probably come from South East Asia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka or Turkey. They are usually priced in US dollars. Marks and Spencer says virtually all of its clothing and homeware comes from outside the EU. For that reason it has hedged its currency exchange up to 18 months in advance, meaning it could be Christmas 2017 before it comes under pressure to raise prices. Steve Rowe, the chief executive, has even promised to lower prices on clothing and homeware, as part of the company's recovery plan. But Kate Ormrod, who analyses clothing and footwear for Verdict, believes some shops will have to increase prices as soon as next summer. "Few clothing players will be able to fully absorb increased costs, or risk weakening margins, resulting in price hikes for consumers," she says. Lord Wolfson, the boss of Next, has said the company is 60% hedged against dollars and euros, up to the spring and summer collections of 2017. That raises the possibility of price rises in less than a year. The company also points out that when the price of cotton rocketed in 2011, most fashion stores passed the increases straight on to customers. That is a heavy hint that they will do likewise this time round. However, not all retailers are exposed in the same way. The online company ASOS pays for 80% of its clothing in pounds, suggesting it may be able to maintain its UK prices. Right now that looks like a canny decision. The US computer maker Dell has already raised prices by 10% to its UK retailers this month, and the Chinese smartphone company OnePlus has put some prices up by 6.5%. John Lewis, which imports two-thirds of what it sells, says it too will be under pressure to raise prices. It has hedged its currency transactions until the end of next year, but after that may find it hard to hold prices down. "The pound is a big issue for us next year. It will have an effect," says Andy Street, the store's managing director. "If inflation gets into the value chain and into prices, it will feed through. " Look at all those Bosch, Miele, and Samsung washing machines in John Lewis's kitchen department, and you see what he means. Only in September, when Ebac washing machines go on sale, will you be able to buy one that's made in the UK. Verdict analyst Matthew Rubin believes the prices of such items will rise next year. "Furniture, floor coverings and large electricals have the most to fear," he says. Since oil is priced in dollars, it is likely that fuel prices will rise as currency hedges unwind. Assuming oil prices themselves do not fall, that is. However the cost of oil only makes up around a third of the cost of a litre of petrol, so the currency effect will be small. Meanwhile 70% of the cars we buy are imported, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). But the structure of pricing is complex. Manufacturers have greater flexibility over their margins than shops on the High Street, and they usually set prices according to competition in the local market. In theory, buying a British-made car might be cheaper, but most of these use foreign suppliers, increasing the cost of production even in the UK. In fact nearly 60% of components used to make cars in the UK are bought from abroad. At the least, car prices are unlikely to fall.
2016-07-19 16:14 By Brian www.bbc.co.uk
64 Parents of Star Trek’s Anton Yelchin post Hollywood Reporter ad thanking industry support Tribute has been paid by the parents of actor Anton Yelchin, in the form of a print ad (pictured), to thank individuals in the film industry who rallied around the family after the young actor’s untimely death earlier this year in a car accident. Yelchin, who played Pavel Chekov in JJ Abrams' rebooted Star Trek movie trilogy, “would be surprised by how many hearts and souls he touched,” according to the ad posted by the parents in the Hollywood Reporter. It continues: “To all of you who have sent flowers and gifts for your condolences and kind words and to all who came to celebrate the life of our dear son, Anton. " He appeaeds in his last role in Star Trek Beyond, at the age of 27. The movie was recently released in theatre chains across the globe. The producers have promised not to recast the role in upcoming sequels.
2016-07-19 16:15 www.thedrum.com
65 GlaxoSmithKline inks deals with Publicis Groupe, WPP and IPG as it consolidates global ad duties into 9 shops Following the announcement that it was putting every one of its brands locally and globally under review, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has announced that it will consolidate its global estimated $1bn roster to nine agencies, inking major deals with Publicis Groupe and WPP among others. The company wanted to reset all agency alignments following the joint venture merger between GSK and Novartis Consumer Health last year, and has done so by appointing several different agencies to handle its advertising, digital, content, PR, expert marketing and shopper marketing remits. Four holding companies already working with the agency were understood to have been consulted in the pitch, including Omicom, Havas, Publicis and WPP – with the latter two winning elements of the account between them. An internal Publicis email seen by The Drum indicated that the network will become “one of the two largest communications partners to GSK.” The move is a significant one, given that WPP previously almost owned the majority of GSK’s advertising and media accounts. According to a memo sent by its French rival, it had been “working hard” to keep Publicis off the roster. The email also indicated that Publicis has won both “global and local” scope on a range of brands, and has been appointed as agency of record for two out of four of the pharmaceutical behemoth’s “largest brands” plus its entire skin category portfolio and other regional brands. The win couldn’t come at a better time for Publicis, whose grip on the market has been weakening since 2014 with organic growth the lowest among its competitors. Last week it effectively became Walmart's agency of record , but in 2015 its struggle was compounded by the loss of two major accounts – Procter & Gamble's US media buying as well the Coca- Cola account. While Publicis has thus far refused to officially comment on the GSK deal, Adage has reported that both WPP’s Grey and Publicis’ Saatchi and Saatchi have been appointed for advertising alongside IPG’s Weber Shandwick which will also handle digital, content and PR. Havas, meanwhile, will handle advertising alongside digital and content with some help from WPP Digital on the digital side. Edelman has been appointed to the remits of content and PR; IPG’s McCann Health and WPP’s Ogilvy Commonhealth for expert marketing; and its other agency Geometry Global for shopper marketing. A GSK spokesperson told The Drum that agencies were evaluated on a number of different criteria, with those selected "demonstrating key capabilities, talent and capabilities on a global scale to meet our objectives". "We will tailor agency capability category-by-category to meet their unique business needs to more effectively reach consumers with the brands," they added. "The transition to the new model will take place over a period of time and we are currently working through the specific allocations of work by area and brand. "
2016-07-19 16:15 www.thedrum.com
66 Fifa partners with Russia's Alfa-Bank to fill sponsorship exodist left by corruption scandal Fifa has brought on board its first World Cup regional sponsor after agreeing terms with Russia’s Alfa-Bank in a deal that continues the growing trend new sponsors coming from China and Russia. Alfa-Bank has bought one of four European slots in the new 'Regional Supporter' category which offers four sponsorship packages for each of the five global regions: Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East and Africa as well as Asia. Fifa introduced the new structure to replaces the national supporter category and open up more sponsorship opportunities by attracting brands who may not want to invest in global sponsorship but are looking for a significant regional presence around the world’s biggest sporting event. Alfa-Bank, which has 745 offices and branches across Russia and Europe, will activate sponsorship initiatives around the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017. The Russian bank will also support Fifa on a number of ticketing-related projects with the aim of enhancing services to fans. Announcing the sponsorship Fifa secretary general, Fatma Samoura, said: “The staging of the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Confederations Cup requires many banking services, not just for the fans but also for the organisers. So it is very important for us to be able to count on the expertise and vast network of Alfa-Bank in Russia. We look forward to working with them in the delivery of these tournaments.” Petr Aven, a member of Alfa-Bank’s board of directors, said the main focus of the partnership would be to “contribute to delivering a successful FIFA World Cup in Russia and providing the highest levels of banking services to football fans”. He added: “Being a Regional Supporter offers Alfa-Bank the opportunity to acquire new customers via the extension of our current outstanding services to the many football fans attending the tournament.” In March this year the Dalian Wanda Group , China's biggest commercial property developer and an active buyer of global entertainment and sports companies, became the first Chinese top level sponsor of Fifa. When the deal was announced the company’s chairman, Wang Jianlin, admitted that the corruption scandal engulfing Fifa was an opportunity for major Chinese companies to further the country's footballing ambitions by undertaking sponsorship deals with the global governing body . A number of major Fifa sponsors including Sony, Emirates, Castrol, Continental Tyres and Johnson & Johnson have cut ties with Fifa following the corruption scandals, leaving the door open for more Russian and Chinese companies to capatalise on the sponsorship opportunities. 2016-07-19 16:14 www.thedrum.com
67 Why is it going wrong for Yahoo’s Tumblr and is Facebook its saviour? Yahoo chief Marissa Mayer famously promised "not to screw up" Tumblr following its £1bn purchase in 2013, but two years later a loss of $500m in its brand value suggests she’s done just that. The beleaguered online business acknowledged its social network is now worth around a third of the $1.1bn that it originally paid for. Some $482m has been knocked off the site's value in its latest quarter, off the back of the $230m it wrote off in the previous quarter. Much of the downgrade stems from Yahoo’s failure to meet an ambitious $100m sales goal for Tumblr this year, which it was convinced it could hit following a growing user base and early buzz around its sponsored advertising. Indeed, Nescafe was one brand to hail Tumblr’s potential as a marketing platform last September , while former Disney executive Stephanie Dolgins was brought in just months earlier as its chief marketing officer. There was momentum behind Tumblr 12 months ago and the future looked positive. Fast forward to now and its altogether different prospect, one that’s clearly not played out in the way Mayer had envisaged. Mayer puts this down to simply a supply vs demand issue: "because it's [Tumblr inventory] is growing so quickly, it’s outpacing demand and its causing this monetisation shortfall," the executive explained on the company’s quarterly earnings call yesterday evening (18 July). What this means is there’s surplus of Tumblr media inventory out there that the business is struggling to shift. However, this isn’t because advertisers don’t want to buy them, according to Mayer, who said "we’re seeing twice as many Tumblr users engaging with ads compared to last year. Rather she feels the lack of demand is due to advertisers not wanting pay as much for them. "We think that the ad load in Tumblr is appropriate. It’s really about bringing the demand to bear there," she added. The F word The solution to the woeful demand could be Facebook. If it is to be believed that Tumblr is only selling around 10 to 15 per cent of its available ad inventory then the world’s largest social network could be the best way to pick up the slack on the unsold media. Toward the end of the second quarter Yahoo began selling ads through Facebook’s Audience Network , confirmed Mayer after reports earlier in the year revealed the unlikely union. Part of this will see more of Yahoo’s native Gemini ads pushed on to Tumblr alongside banner ads that "may be at lower prices because there’s not as much demand to keep up with the supply," said Mayer. The arrangement will tag Tumblr on to the normal ad buys on the network, which is effectively a way for Facebook to offload the ads it already sells by sending them elsewhere, all the while taking 30 per cent of the revenue generated. It’s an agreement that speaks volumes about how distorted Tumblr’s strategy has become over the last 12 months. "Though Yahoo has a good eye for products and services, their heritage of monetisation is less illustrious," opined Tobit Michael, head of media at iCrossing. "What’s more, the young hipster Tumblr audience is difficult to advertise to, especially on mobile. Facebook has the capabilities, ad functionality and data to reach this audience much more effectively than Yahoo currently can, leaning on Facebook is likely to be their best bet to monetise this audience. "This move is clearly a financial decision – 70 per cent of something is better than 100 per cent of nothing after all. " Seemingly aware of putting all its eggs in one F-shaped basket, Yahoo is also increasing the number of native ads on the micro-blogging platform and bringing in "what’s known as our large rectangle ads" – in other words, standard banner ads. A deal with Facebook’s ad network is geared to drive revenue rather than build an advertising proposition, a move that makes sense given final bids for Yahoo’s core business are expected. Only time will tell what this means for Tumblr, which Mayer and her team have struggled to monetise an audience as large as 550 million monthly active users as of last year. "It says a lot about these big social platforms like Tumblr and Snapchat that they can’t survive forever if they don’t think about revenue," said Will Frappell, head of partnerships and emerging Media, EMEA. "I don’t think Yahoo was quick enough to monetise the big audience on Tumblr it paid for. I think it were so worried about pushing away users away from Tumblr with ads that it just didn’t move quick enough…the thing is you can run these big campaigns which look nice but they don’t happen that often for brands whereas if you have a steady stream of ads coming in then you have a baseline of revenue coming in and you can then top up with bigger brand campaigns. " But, what Yahoo needs is more brands like Nescafe willing to take a bigger bet on the platform. Unfortunately, according to a survey in 2013, only 31 of the top 100 brands in the US were on Tumblr showing the clear lack of interest, or perhaps understanding, of what it potentially has to offer. Nestle, by its own admission, took a bit of a punt when it consolidated its global portfolio of website for the Nescafe brand onto Tumblr. The reason, it said, was to foster better relationships with younger consumers and open it to more user-generated content, something the traditional website doesn’t allow for. Marketing director Michael Chrisment recently updated The Drum on its progress , saying it’s seen a 30 per cent increase in average traffic per month and an additional $200,000 in online sales. Keeping Tumblr weird? Facebook has a newsfeed, Twitter has a timeline and Snapchat has stories, but for most brands Tumblr is still unchartered territory. Starting life as a blogging tool, it’s build around niche communities and subcultures, each with their own vernacular and rules. According to Leo Burnett’s futures director Chris Waltz, this means that it requires a large investment of time and resources to create dedicated content that just isn’t in line with a brand’s traditional images. "When marketing budgets get tight, it gets very hard to justify spending money on Tumblr when campaigns rarely get the earned media traction of newer social networks, especially for non-US brands or global campaigns," he said. In short, Waltz argued that "Tumblr has never taken off with brands because it’s too ‘weird’ for most marketers. " Another reason advertisers aren’t doubling down on Tumblr ad spend is because, unfortunately, the platform has caught the stench of its buyer. It’s no secret that Yahoo has found itself in trouble of late, and Mayer’s recent reign has been tempered with talks her Yahoo’s clouded future. Jon Buckley, head of digital and social at Cheil London said: "The failure of Tumblr is indicative of a wider malaise at Yahoo – a company that seems to have some sort of reverse Midas Touch when it comes to acquisitions. " "It may be a final roll of the dice for Yahoo, which has become distracted by talk of its own acquisition by another company," he added, saying that Tumblr's ad sales model "failed because it failed to find the demand for the quantity of advertising it had available. " Speaking with The Drum at last month’s Cannes Lions event in France, Yahoo's chief revenue officer Lisa Utzschneider, said the company’s message to the market was: "It’s just business as usual... " in light of takeover rumours. The most recent earnings report will, however, leave investors jittery as Mayer's acquisition strategy is once again put under the spotlight.
2016-07-19 15:28 www.thedrum.com
68 Deliveroo dedicated to getting the drinks flowing partnering with indie companies including Brewdog and Majestic UK has expanded into alcohol deliveries after sealing new partnerships with Brewdog, Majestic and more independent groups. Merchants, including Lea & Sandeman, Vagabond Wines, The Sampler Jeroboams, Honest Brew, Majestic and 20 Brewdog stores across the nation, will participate in the scheme, for the first time delivering alcohol from dedicated vendors instead of on top of food orders from restaurants. Dan Warne, managing director of Deliveroo UK and Ireland, said: “Majestic Wines and BrewDog are perfect launch partners for us offering great pairings for meals ordered on Deliveroo and by working with independent merchants like Clapton Craft and Humble Grape we’re continuing to champion the UK’s independent businesses as well.” The company operates in 30 UK cities having been launched in 2013.
2016-07-19 15:28 www.thedrum.com
69 Former Asos and Ocado marketer heads to recruitment app Coople amid hiring spree Staffing app Coople has been on a hiring spree as it looks to grow the brand in the UK, bringing in Matt Knight as chief marketing officer and Jacques de la Bouillerie as its regional managing director. Knight has previously held top marketing jobs at online fashion retailer Asos as well as Ocado, although most recent served as CMO at Veeve (like Airbnb but focused solely on renting out luxury homes in London). However, Knight said that Coople “has a fantastic opportunity to disrupt the global staffing market and I am very excited about joining the team to help with its global expansio". Coople enables businesses to hire qualified staff directly through its online dashboard and mobile app. The company launched in the UK this year after launching as Staff Finder in Switzerland, where it has grown to become Europe’s number one on-demand staffing platform. At Coople, Knight will lead the marketing strategy both in the UK as it looks to grow the brand globally. Meanwhile, Jacques de la Bouillerie has also joined from Groupon where he was chief operating officer for Northern Europe. As UK managing director he’s been charged with overseeing the business’ expansion from Switzerland, along with its commercial and operations strategy. He commented: “Coople’s innovation and credibility in the staffing and recruitment sector is exceptional, so I had no hesitation in joining the company to launch and expand its offering into the UK market. I’m looking forward to building Coople’s proposition to the same level of success that we’ve had Switzerland, and beyond”.
2016-07-19 15:28 www.thedrum.com
70 Captain Morgan champions millennials by campaigning to allow people under 35 to serve as president To become president of the United States of America, there are a plethora of criteria that must be fulfilled by prospective candidates. Captain Morgan has taken umbrage with one particular restriction that may help it appeal to the younger crowd. The rum brand has expressed disdain for the fact that no one under the age of 35 can legally be POTUS, and it has done so with a campaign headlined with a paid ad in today’s (Tuesday 19 July) New York Times. The drive is being teased on Twitter too. The company is also looking to spread a paid video ad urging people to sign a petition looking to lower the threshold from 35 years’ old. Adrienne Cuschieri Grooms, senior brand manager for Captain Morgan, told AdAge that the scheme will help reingage millennials in the political process. She said: “It’s not like we're trying to create change for the sake of change. This is a very real and important issue. Millennials make up some of the most progressive, innovative, intelligent, and successful people in our country - why shouldn't they be able to be president of the United States? "
2016-07-19 15:28 www.thedrum.com
71 Publishers have an imperative to set their rivalries aside and work together Putting our differences aside and banding together for the sake of the greater good is not, as it happens, the theme of the moment in the UK. In the wake of the explosive Brexit news, one thing is clear: the future could prove very different than the vision laid out by either the Leave or Remain camps before the vote was even cast. You’ll be pleased to hear that this is definitely not another opinion piece on Brexit. You’re welcome. However, in this current state of uncertainty, one thing cannot be ignored – prospects for businesses based in and dealing with the UK will be altered in this shifting political climate. Publishers big and small will be weighing up their own particular economic outlook over the next few weeks and months, as decisions get made and Article 50 does or doesn’t get triggered. In terms of the current climate, publishers have had an incredibly rough ride in the past few years. We’ve seen various high-profile print publishers fall into financial trouble. Most recently, a number of UK-based publishers have had to chop jobs after suffering revenue loss. In addition to print revenues falling, ad blocking is proving to be the publisher’s nemesis – given it halts the very revenue stream that keeps their online business afloat. Juniper Research has claimed that by 2020, digital publishers will lose $27bn due to ad blocking – money they can ill-afford to be without. Thankfully, the tech industry is realising the value of saving publishers and shifting its attention to sort out this conundrum. The double hitter of ad blocking affecting publishers and advertisers simultaneously – plus the threat that advertisers will no longer have anywhere to advertise if digital publishers fold – means that the industry is galvanising itself for a fight. That’s not to say that publishers aren’t putting up a fight of their own. City AM and Axel Springer have recently banned readers who use ad blockers from reading their online content. As an attention-grabbing move, this makes a great headline but I believe stemming the tide of dwindling revenues needs some deeper, more meaningful action. This is where the idea of publishers banding together in co-operatives to pool data and share revenues sounds like the stuff of myth – but is becoming a reality for some of the competitive giants who need to be able to level the playing field against the might of tech companies like Facebook and Google. Although the revenue sharing element will be beneficial for many, the key value for all members of a co-operative – whether they are big or small publishers – is the evermore refined behavioural insights gained from the combined data pool. When you consider the kinds of understanding publishers gain from their users by looking at how they engage with content elsewhere on the web, the more the data the better. From our own network of publishers, we have found some really interesting – and some counterintuitive – purchase insights. For example, people who look at dating websites often buy cycling equipment, and people who look at luxury products are more likely to register for a credit card or personal loan. In a move representing solidarity and good business sense, a number of publishers across the world have joined forces to provide a more holistic user-targeting offer to advertisers. This is specifically designed to appeal to those who are keen to engage users on a one-to-one level, across many different media owners’ platforms and devices. The phenomenon has swept the UK, US and now Germany, where publishers Axel Springer, Gruner + Jahr, Bertelsmann Group and Spiegel Verlag have joined forces to sell their combined data to advertisers in a bid to give brands a meaningful alternative to the walled gardens offered by the social networks. The upside from the publishers’ point of view, as ever, is to better understand their own audience by delving into analytics that reflect their behavior across the web and – in a virtuous cycle – be able to create better, more tailored content to that audience. The next step for publishers is going to be understanding how to simultaneously monetise their readership in a way that is relevant and non- intrusive for readers, and provide measurable results for brand advertisers. Our answer is to bring together publishers to pool the rich data they have on their readers – which is all based on readers’ intent to purchase, pulled from the kinds of products and topics they engage with. This way, we can advise advertisers with certainty that a particular person is in the market for a product at a given moment. The one-to-one personalisation of these kinds of transactions are what advertisers are clamouring for, and – having recently come back from Cannes – is all I hear about from ad and medialand too. The kind of transparency and accountability that the media industry is up in arms about following the ANA rebate scandal can only be achieved when the data you’re using is known and proven to be valuable. This is where publishers can genuinely provide tangible transparent results for advertisers and agencies, and make a real difference to their business models too. Banding together is the imperative facing publishers now – otherwise the digital landscape could end up looking as fragmented as our political one. Alicia Navarro is CEO and co-founder of Skimlinks
2016-07-19 15:28 www.thedrum.com
72 Asos launches its formal wear for ParalympicsGB team Asos has partnered with the British Paralympic Association (BPA) in a deal that will see it design formalwear for ParalympicsGB at the Rio Paralympic Games. The online retailer has created a ‘capsule collection’ for the team to wear during official team occasions, marking the first time that ParalympicsGB has struck a teamwear partner outside of its official training kit. John Mooney, ASOS creative director for menswear and production, said: “We are proud to be the formal wear supplier for the ParalympicsGB Team and enjoyed meeting the athletes representing our country. We enjoyed designing clothes that will make them look and feel their best at the games.” At the launch event for the new deal Lauren Steadman, who will compete in Para-triathlon in Rio , said: "This is a really exciting moment as we get to meet athletes from all the different sports and come together as team mates for the first time. It’s the one time we swap our training kit for formal wear before the games, and our bespoke ASOS outfits help make us look and feel even more like a world class team. Over 250 selected athletes and support staff will wear the designs on official ParalympicsGB business including the opening and closing ceremonies of the Paralympic Games.
2016-07-19 15:28 www.thedrum.com
73 Liberal Chinese magazine taken over by officials in dissent crackdown Outspoken liberal Chinese magazine, Yanhuang Chunqiu (also called China Through the Ages) has allegedly had its newsroom taken over by government officials in the country, with the title's lawyer saying a "forced reshuffle" of its leadership team was an effort to stifle voices that disagreed with the ruling Communist Party. The media outlet was subject to leadership changes last week at the hands of government body the Chinese National Academy of Arts, which decided to demote and replace its senior staff, including publisher Du Daozheng. The magazine’s lawyer, Mo Shaoping, said the party had clearly decided it had had enough of the magazine. “It is the only magazine that speaks the truth,” Mo said. “They don’t want the magazine to exist any more.” In a statement published on Sunday (17 July), publisher Daozheng said the magazine’s editorial staff made the decision to halt publication after the changes were initiated by the cultural ministry academy overseeing the journal. He claimed that the Academy of Arts had violated press freedom and sent people to force their way into the newsroom and seize control of the website. “Anybody who publishes any periodicals with the title of Yanhuang Chunqiu will be nothing to do with [the current editorial committee],” Daozheng said. China's president, Xi Jinping has overseen a crackdown on perceived dissent since his appointment to office three years ago. Yanhuang Chunqiu is known for challenging party views around sensitive issues like political reform and the Cultural Revolution. Founded in 1991, it has a monthly circulation of about 200,000 and has previously voiced support for constitutional democracy according to the South China Post. The Communist Party has tried to shut the magazine 19 times in the past 25 years, one of its editors told Reuters, seeking anonymity in light of the sensitive situation.
2016-07-19 15:28 www.thedrum.com
74 Loan provider Sunny marks the hottest day of the year with a timely TV campaign Creative agency Brothers and Sisters has marked the UK’s hottest day of the year so far with the release of a new TV ad promoting Sunny, a short-term loans provider. The 'Feather Boiler' campaign features the brand’s easy going Californian figurehead 'Sonny with an O' as he leaps to the rescue of a man whose boiler has gone on the blink. Showing an eagle soaring above some houses the 30-second spot depicts a man enjoying a hot shower, only to have his boiler pack in when a feather gets sucked into the flue pipe. Fortunately Sonny is on hand to assist with a towel and hairdryer as he shows off the brand's new app. The ad launches on TV today and dovetails the company's recent 'Unfortunate Breakdown' campaign, also by Brothers and Sisters, which launched back in May. 2016-07-19 15:28 www.thedrum.com
75 3 people killed in shooting near Spalding sports complex, northern England Police say they did not fire any shots themselves, and they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the shooting. The shooter is believed to be among the dead. An air ambulance, ambulances and six police vehicles were outside Castle Sports Complex on Pinchbeck Road, where the incident is believed to have taken place. “We are currently on scene near the swimming pool on Pinchbeck Road, Spalding, after receiving a report at 9am of a person injured,” a Lincolnshire Police spokesman said. Local journalist Nigel Chapman said on Twitter: “Witnesses reporting hearing a sound like a bird scarer going off.” A Lincolnshire police spokesman said: “There is no indication that this is a terrorist related incident and no shots have been fired by police.” “We would urge members of the public to stay away from the area at the present time. “There is an ongoing police investigation and at this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.” The swimming pool at the centre of the incident released a statement saying: "Castle Swimming Pool is currently closed due to an incident in the local area. The Sports Centre remains open as usual and we will update the website with any developments. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. " Local businesses are being asked to keep their doors closed, and schools are also reportedly on lockdown. Spalding hairdresser Chloe McDonnell, who works at Shear Shak on Pinchbeck Road, told the Lincolnshire Echo the shop has locked its doors as the lockdown continues. “ Apparently the schools are in lockdown. I’ve heard they are not letting the children outside. We have locked our doors. “ I’m scared, I actually want to cry– we do not know what has happened. It happened near to us but we have not seen anything apart from emergency vehicles going past. Everything appears completely normal outside. ” The East Midlands Ambulance Service has now released a statement confirming the death of three people. “ We received a call at 09:04 this morning reporting gun shots on Pinchbeck Lane, Spalding. Our ambulance crews and Paramedic Officer were sent to the emergency and told to approach with caution. “ Upon arriving at scene our paramedics treated three patients who had gunshot wounds. Despite the best efforts of everyone at the scene the patients were pronounced dead.” The statement adds: “ This is a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the friends and families of those involved. ”
2016-07-19 15:14 www.rt.com
76 Oklahoma police release video of man struggling for gun with officer, fatal shooting — RT America The chain of events that led to the killing started shortly after noon on June 25, when the suspect, 42-year-old Miguel Chaves-Angles, visited the St. James Catholic Church, reported Oklahoma's News Channel 4 (KFOR). The staff at St. James later told police that Chavez prayed there, apparently very upset about his upcoming divorce. He was banging his head on the floor, they said. An officer then reportedly approached Chaves-Angles and talked him into visiting St. Anthony's Hospital for a medical checkup, which he left a couple of hours later. Around 4:30pm Chaves-Angles called his wife, saying he was trying to find a ride home, police say. Five minutes later he was seen bashing a car window with a piece of a rock. He then allegedly got into the car with two women inside and ordered them to drive off. Witnesses reported the kidnapping and followed the hijacked vehicle, until at a certain point Chaves-Angles got out and ran into the O'Reilly Auto Parts shop and locked the door from inside. A manager reportedly demanded he leave, at which point Chaves-Angles ran to a nearby bus stop and got on a city bus. Inside the public vehicle, Chaves-Angles first demanded bus driver get off, then offered him money for a ride, asking him “to do his job” and keep the bus door closed. “I will give you whatever you want,” Chaves-Angles said, acting in the most agitated and excited manner. Then he grabbed a fire extinguisher and pulled the pin out. The bus driver demanded the intruder leave the vehicle, but he refused. The driver stopped the bus and ordered all the passengers off. Chaves-Angles did not prevent the people from leaving, but when Oklahoma City Police Officer, Heather Lane, entered the bus, gun in hand, Chavez grabbed her by the hand, trying to get the weapon. They wrestled for a short while until a shot went off. Allegedly, that’s when Lane’s partner, Officer Daniel Carli, reached them and killed Chaves-Angles on the spot with several shots. Nobody else was injured in the incident. Police said the suspect acted aggressively towards the officers, who were placed on administrative leaving pending an investigation, NewsOn6 reported.
2016-07-19 15:14 www.rt.com
77 ET, WWE or Mini Me? Twitter explodes with reactions to Donald Trump’s ‘epic’ convention entrance — RT Viral The Twitter community climaxed when the presidential hopeful, who already tops the list of most bizarre politicians, entered the RNC the way not many movie stars can enter Oscars – cloaked in smoke, with a spooky bluish backlight, and to a timeless single by the Queen. Some quickly spotted a resemblance to Hollywood-style UFO appearances… … while others said Trump had copied World Wrestling Entertainment champions. Many toyed with the idea that instead of running for President, Trump secretly cherishes a dream of becoming a pop-star... …or a silver screen antihero. Some noted that the music background, ‘We are the Champions’ written by Freddy Mercury, was perhaps not very Trump-style… And an overwhelming majority said that even for someone like The Donald, it will be hard to top such an “ epic and totally awesome”, “spectacular”, “Beyonce-concert” appearance. In any case, it’s fair to say despite all the mockery Trump entertained quite a few, not that it’s his style to pave the way to the White House… Or is it?
2016-07-19 15:14 www.rt.com
78 Pegida launches political party amid impending ban over extremism — RT News The new group would be called the Popular Party for Freedom and Direct Democracy (FDDV), with Bachmann first saying he wanted to develop a "parliamentary arm" over a year ago. The leader of the far-right party stressed that his new brainchild would not pit against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. “We shall support the AfD in the next elections, and shall only field candidates in a limited number of constituencies,” Bachmann said at a weekly meeting in the eastern German city of Dresden, DPA reported. Relations between the two far-right movements are good, he noted, highlighting the importance of “working together.” The AfD, which was set up just three years ago, won the recent elections in three regional governments in March, gaining huge popularity in Germany. The populist party has been widely criticized for going overboard with its increasingly anti-Muslim stance. Earlier this year delegates from the anti- immigration AfD party backed an election manifesto which slams Islam as incompatible with the constitution and calls for a ban on Islamic symbols. "Islam is foreign to Germany, it cannot invoke the principle of religious freedom to the same degree as Christianity," Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, an AfD lawmaker from the state of Saxony-Anhalt, said in May. Outraged by AfD leaders' rhetoric, the Council of Muslims in Germany has compared the party's ideas to “Nazi” ideology, stressing Islam is no different from Judaism or Christianity. In May, a Dresden court ruled that the founder of the Pegida movement was guilty of inciting hatred towards refugees in a series of FB posts in which he labelled the migrants “ cattle” and “scum.” Bachmann’s lawyer claimed that the posts in question were not authored by Bachmann, but rather had been added by an unidentified perpetrator who hacked into her client’s account. But presiding Judge Hans-Joachim Hlavka dismissed claims of false authorship. Although the prosecution demanded a seven-month jail term for him, the court chose a softer sentence, ordering him to pay a fine of €9,600 ($11,044), which is the equivalent of €80 per day for 120 days. Bachmann, 43, repeatedly claimed that the proceedings against him were politically motivated, branding the process as “a constructed and politically-motivated trial.” Bachmann was forced to temporarily leave his post as Pegida chairman in January last year after a selfie of him styled as Hitler surfaced on the web. He argued that the photo was a satirical take on the bestselling German satirical novel ‘Look Who’s Back’, which involves Adolf Hitler reappearing in modern-day Berlin. Pegida (which stands for ‘Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West’) has been exploiting the anti-immigrant agenda since its emergence in Dresden in late 2014. The movement has gained popularity in Germany and overseas, holding rallies against ‘Islamization’, refugee and Angela Merkel’s open-door migrant policy. At its peak, Pegida meetings attracted some 25,000 supporters.
2016-07-19 15:14 www.rt.com
79 79 Russian region head seeks to boost public safety by limiting number of cars in wedding processions — RT Russian politics Ingushetia leader Yunus-Bek Yevkurov came forward with this suggestion at the recent meeting with the chairman of the Regional Security Council, Akhmed Dzeytov, reads the report published on the republic’s official website. Yevkurov said he had watched several videos on the internet containing footage of large-scale traffic accidents involving and caused by cars from wedding processions. He was so impressed that he ordered the Security Council to launch a series of preventative measures and also asked traffic police to hold raids every Sunday to check if drivers at weddings strictly observed all traffic rules. Finally, Yevkurov said that in his opinion wedding processions should not contain more than three cars. Earlier this week the ‘360 Podmoskovye’ TV channel, broadcasting in the Moscow Region, released a video from Ingushetia in which a large motorcade of decorated cars traveled on a highway at high speed and one of the cars went off the road and overturned. Apparently the accident was caused by a mistake of the driver, who was thrown from the vehicle. There were no immediate comments on the initiative in Ingushetia itself, but an activist from neighboring Chechnya said in press comments that he did not expect the situation to improve after Yevkurov’s proposal is implemented. The chairman of the Chechen Youth Union, Rustam Tapayev, told ‘Moscow Calling’ radio that limiting the number of cars in processions on a busy highway was too difficult. He also said that simple enforcement of the existing traffic rules could yield better results, as happened in Chechnya. READ MORE: Enraged bride attacks husband with bouquet after jumping out of wedding car (VIDEO)
2016-07-19 15:14 www.rt.com
80 ISIS Claims Responsibility For German Train Attack Video Now Playing: WADA Calls for All Russian Athletes to Be Barred From Olympics Now Playing: More Arrests Made in the Aftermath of the Attack In Nice, France Now Playing: American Recalls Moment Leg Broken by Truck in Nice Now Playing: Turkey Demands the US Extradite a Turkish Cleric Living in Pennsylvania Now Playing: Impact of Nice Attack and Failed Coup in Turkey on Fight Against ISIS Now Playing: Turkish President Calls for US to Extradite Fethullah Gulen Now Playing: Turkey's Failed Coup May Impact Operations Against ISIS Now Playing: Americans in Turkey Stay Put in Chaotic Aftermath of Failed Coup Now Playing: Nice Attacker's Family Comments on His Mental Health Now Playing: This Week in History: July 17-23 Now Playing: Security Heightened Across France Following Terror Attack in Nice Now Playing: Turkey in Chaos in Wake of Failed Coup Attempt
2016-07-19 15:19 ABC News abcnews.go.com
81 Peaceful activists seek accountability, renewed trust from police Clover School District will open two new schools this fall, including the new $23 million Oakridge Elementary School across the street from Oakridge Middle School. It features an eight-lane track with an athletic field under construction that also will be open to the community. The school will have an estimated 600 students when it opens Aug. 15, and a capacity for 900. Catherine Muccigrosso/Lake Wylie Pilot More than 300 people took part in a Black Lives Matter march through York, SC, on Sunday. After the march concluded downtown, protesters heard from organizers of the event, family members of homicide victims and local officials. The activist group, Concerned Black Men of the City of Rock Hill, delivered a letter with a list of demands to the police department Saturday afternoon. Organizers are hoping they can increase communication and understanding between the black community and law enforcement. Members of First Baptist Church in Lincolnton, N. C. traveled to York County this week on a mission trip. The students painted walls and lockers at Renew Our Community, cleared debris from a property near York and spruced up areas at the Catawba Indian Reservation. York Police and Black Lives Matter Stop the Violence march organizers worked together in planning the March on Sunday, July 17 from Jefferson Field to downtown York. During a scorching hot day in the high 90s, firefighters came to the rescue by dousing Victory Sports campers at Springfield Elementary School in Fort Mill Thursday. Pastor C. T. Kirk of Sanctuary of Life Outreach Center in Rock Hill has collected 40,000 books since April through the Reading Roundup 2016 book drive and has distributed thousands since June. Church volunteers plan to distribute more to area schools, daycare centers, communities and door-to-door. Kirk is holding a teacher appreciation event from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at McGirt Auditorium at the Emmett Scott Center in Rock Hill to hand out books to elementary schools and daycare centers. Twenty Rock Hill school district teachers did job shadowing this week to learn how the lessons they teach are used in the workplace. The program was a collaborative effort through a Comporium STEM grant. The teachers job shadowed in architecture and engineering, financial services, geographic information systems, water treatment and surveying. James Music and Cortni Bryant got married on the Fury325 coaster at Carowinds Thursday morning. The Mount Airy, N. C., couple met in 2015 and had their first official date at Carowinds last spring. This marks the first wedding on Fury325, dubbed the world’s tallest and fastest giga coaster.
2016-07-19 15:00 www.heraldonline.com
82 82 Peek inside Clover School District's new elementary school The York County Sheriff’s Office and Lake Wylie Marine Commission partnered to bring life jacket and boater safety to local schools, starting with Fort Mill High School and Clover High School. John Marks/Lake Wylie Pilot Five homes, including the contemporary statement Huntley-Ward home on Lake Wylie will be part of the April 30 Clover-Lake Wylie Republican Women’s Club’s Home and Garden Tour. The event raises scholarship money for students in the Clover School District, South Carolina, area. Catherine Muccigrosso/Lake Wylie Pilot Troop 333 in Lake Wylie, South Carolina, hosted the 2016 district Pinewood Derby for Scouts in York County and Indian Land, which is in Lancaster County. Clover School District’s Oakridge Middle School retired No. 27 soccer jersey to honor Alex Lamparter in a ceremony with players, friends and families April 12 at the school in Lake Wylie, South Carolina. Alex lost her battle against bone cancer in February 2015 at the age of 16. Kenya Orphanage Project, a nonprofit started in Lake Wylie, South Carolina, in 2002, now operates with help from its first graduate Sharon Odemba. Odemba is visiting Lake Wylie for three weeks to share stories of success. John Marks/[email protected] Jason Klugh of Charlotte, N. C., near Lake Wylie, seeks pledges through KickStarter to help get his invention for travelers flying. The FreeHand is a cup holder, plus optional mobile pack, that attaches to luggage. To find out more and to back Klugh’s invention, visit bit.ly/freehandtravel. Kaia Morey, a Clover Oakridge Middle School student, came in second place overall in the South Carolina State Gymnastics competition March 13 at Winthrop University in Rock Hill. Morey had a 9.525 on Vault for second place; 9.375 on Bars for second place; 9.125 on Beam for third place; 9.000 on Floor Exercises for fourth place with a total of 37.025 Overall for second place. Video provided by Ed Lindsey Lake Wylie Rotary Club is putting up three Little Free Libraries in the community. The national effort to "Build a Literacy-Friendly Neighborhood' is a “take a book, return a book” free book exchange. The club has installed libraries at Good Samaritan United Methodist Church parking lot, 5220 Crowders Cove Road; Stateline Road school bus stop; and a third still to be determined. Catherine Muccigrosso/Lake Wylie Pilot The Georges family in Lake Wylie, South Carolina, routinely travels to Belgium, and was in a Brussels airport when it came under attack March 22 from two bombs. John Marks/Lake Wylie Pilot Echo Consignment Boutique co-owner Chrissy Pellegrino talks about the stores expansion as it celebrated March 24 with giveaways and more at its Landing Station location at 164 Highway 274 in Lake Wylie, SC. Along with clothing and accessory consignments, the store now offers more new clothing merchandise, specialty gifts and more jewelry. Nearby Echo Attic at Shoppes at the Landing now sells discounted clothing. Catherine Muccigrosso/Lake Wylie Pilot
2016-07-19 15:00 www.heraldonline.com
83 Why is America so angry? What has propelled the rise of the outspoken rabble- rousing billionaire, Donald Trump? I went to Bakersfield, a hardcore Republican enclave in the otherwise liberal state of California, to find out. "If you go to the Mexican neighbourhoods where a lot of illegals are," said David Rogers, a white IT expert who lives here, "they're all dirty. I don't want to hang around people that throw trash out on the street. " Mr Rogers was born in Bakersfield in 1946, when it was a largely white town. Now, about half the population is Hispanic or black. Mr Rogers, like many of Mr Trump's supporters I met here, believes crime levels and drugs problems in his town are largely due to the influx of immigrants. The United States is in the throes of a historical wave of immigration that began in the 1960s. Fifty-nine million immigrants, many Mexican, have changed the face of America. Mr Trump's supporters, like Mr Rogers, say they do not object to immigrants as a whole. They say it's just the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants they resent. Donald Trump is promising to "put America first", with sweeping pledges to deport illegal immigrants, negotiate better trade deals for America, and make the United States great again. On a hot Sunday evening, Mr Rogers invited friends over for a barbecue. The discussion turned to Mr Trump's proposal to build a wall along America's entire 2,000-mile (3,200km) border with Mexico, to keep out illegal immigrants. "You've got to have a boundary if you're going to have a country," said Mr Rogers. "What they should do is they should shoot them as they get to the top and if they fall over on the Mexican side then we're in the clear," said Mr Roger's son, Alex. As Mr Trump's campaign gains steam, the presidential hopeful is attracting a broader base of supporters. Not all have views as extreme as Mr Rogers and his friends. But here in Bakersfield, there is a lot of support, not just for Mr Trump's plan to build a border wall, but also his more radical proposal to deport 11 million illegal immigrants. "When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best," Mr Trump said last summer. "They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people. " Many of Mr Rogers's neighbours now are Hispanics. "All these people are hard workers," said Roxi Mankel, who lives across the street from him. "How can somebody get so much support with so much hate? " The answer, locally at least, is that many feel immigrants are taking scarce jobs. And times are hard in Bakersfield nowadays. On a street corner in the rough part of town called Oildale, an exhausted looking woman sat on her front porch with a motley collection of old furniture, pots and clothes for sale out on her lawn. "Everybody's been laid off," said Shari Kent, who was selling her possessions to try to make money. "People have got to eat," she added. Bakersfield is dotted with oil rigs, stretching as far as the eye can see. Many are idle. The global collapse in oil prices has hit this oil town hard. Ms Kent has had her hours cut at the local grocer's shop because there are now so few customers. "Hispanics will work for less money, you know," Ms Kent's neighbour Ramona told me. "They can undercut the price. " America's illegal immigrants make up a workforce of an estimated eight million people that helps to drive America's economy. Bakersfield has a long history of racial tension. In Oildale, where Ms Kent lives, you were not welcome after dark when Mr Rogers was a youth, unless you were white. "No blacks across that bridge after dark," said Mr Rogers. He and his friends used to throw things at black people to hound them out. It's not so different now. Walking along a backstreet, we passed a garage with a swastika on the wall. Locals say white white gangs roam the streets, and that there are often street fights between African American and white youths. In some ways Mr Rogers has adapted to the changing face of his town. He has Mexican friends. One night when we were with him, he arranged food for a sick Mexican neighbour. He says it's not about race. But he supports Mr Trump's call for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the US, saying American lives are the most important. "Muslims... have a certain look, and I just feel like, OK, I don't like that person,' you know," he told me. "If we save one person's life, [an] American's life, it's worth stopping everybody from coming in. " Many Americans never expected Donald Trump's presidential bid to make it this far. Some Republicans have disavowed him completely, because of his hard-line proposals. Others hope he will tone his message down. It's a message that appears to have tapped into a groundswell of anger, resentment and racial tension. "I think Donald Trump opened up Pandora's Box to what's been hidden, with all the racism and hatred that's been in the United States," said Roxi Mankel. Dealing with what comes out of that box may yet decide the outcome of this November's presidential contest. Panorama: Trump's Angry America is on BBC One at 20:30 BST on 18 July and available later via iPlayer.
2016-07-19 15:04 By Hilary www.bbc.co.uk
84 Flights and fuel push everyday prices 0.5% higher The average cost of everyday household goods and services went up by 0.5% in June. The UK inflation rate, as measured by the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), rose from 0.3% in May, official figures show. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) attributed the rise to higher air fares, fuel and consumer spending. Much of that was the result of European air travel, possibly connected to the Euro 2016 football tournament, it said. The inflation figures are based on data collected before the EU referendum vote on 23 June. The cost of flights jumped by a record 10.9% between May and June, ONS statistician Phil Gooding said. "The growing cost of oil, feeding through to petrol prices, also helped to nudge up CPI," he added. City analysts expect inflation to rise sharply in the coming months as the fall in the pound relative to other currencies following the Brexit vote makes goods imported into the UK more expensive. The 0.5% annual increase in CPI matches that in March this year. It was last higher in November 2014. But this measurement of the cost of living has remained well below the Bank of England's 2% target for more than two years. The weaker pound has also raised expectations that the Bank of England will look to cut interest rates in August to combat a possible slowdown in economic growth, as increased costs feed into the wider economy and impact on consumer spending and confidence. The Bank will release its quarterly inflation forecasts next month, which are expected to include an analysis of the impact of the UK's vote to leave the EU. But the cut in interest rates could be short-lived, as some economists have forecast inflation could peak as high as 5% next year. That might force the Bank to raise interest rates sharply in order to bring inflation back under control. Earlier this month Bank of England governor Mark Carney, giving evidence to the Treasury select committee, warned that homeowners should be prepared for a 3% rise in interest rates. Chris Williamson, chief economist at IHS Markit, said the rise in inflation was "likely to be the start of a rising trend in prices as costs march higher in response to the recent slump in sterling. " He added inflation was likely to rise further in coming months as the impact of sterling's depreciation feeds through, "breaching the Bank of England 2% target next year, possibly by some margin". However, policymakers are expected to 'look through' any rise in inflation caused by the Brexit-related slump in the pound, focusing instead on the job of shoring up economic growth, he said.
2016-07-19 15:04 www.bbc.co.uk
85 BT must 'put its house in order' BT has been told it must invest more in the business responsible for most of the country's broadband roll-out - or face the prospect of having the unit taken off its hands. MPs criticised the quality of service offered by BT's Openreach, and said it must put its "house in order". Lawmakers added that the firm could be pumping hundreds of millions of pounds more into the vital infrastructure . BT rejected that allegation, but agreed that customer service needed improving. "Openreach investment is 30% higher than it was two years ago and it will grow again this year," the telecoms giant said. "Separating Openreach from BT would lead to less investment, not more. " The report by MPs on the Culture Media and Sport Committee accuses BT of making decisions over Openreach - which provides its rivals with access to its broadband networks - that favoured its own "priorities and interests". The committee is "demanding" that BT pump significantly more money into Openreach. However, BT said it was "disappointed to be criticised for having invested more than £1bn a year in infrastructure when the UK was emerging from recession and rival companies invested little". BT had, it said, "committed to invest a further six billion pounds over the next three years". The MPs said they supported the idea of splitting Openreach from BT, if it failed to "offer the reforms and investment assurances necessary to satisfy our concerns". In that event, the committee added, Ofcom should "move to enforce full separation of Openreach". BT said it was in talks with Ofcom about "increasing the autonomy" of Openreach. By Jane Wakefield, technology reporter Criticism of Openreach from MPs will add pressure on Ofcom to make a decision about the future of the telecoms company. So far, the telecoms watchdog has stopped short of demanding the network infrastructure firm be split off from its parent, opting instead for talks with BT about how it can make Openreach more independent. It is unclear how these talks are progressing, but Ofcom is expected to make a final decision imminently. One of the biggest questions it will have to ask is whether Openreach's ambitions are big enough. Reports suggest that the European Union wants every household in its bloc to have access to 100Mbps (megabits per second) broadband within a decade, something BT would currently struggle to provide in a lot of rural areas. For its part, BT is keen to prove that it is getting its house in order and has just announced improvements in the time it takes customers to get an appointment for an Openreach engineer to repair or install broadband. Ian Lucas, a member of the committee, told the BBC that Openreach had a "monopoly" in provisional broadband services many parts of the country. "There is a long queue for people who want broadband. "It will be very familiar to those of us who remember the 1980s waiting for a phone line - it's a similar situation, weeks, sometimes months waiting for a fibre connection through Openreach and there is nowhere else to go," he added. Rival companies have long called for a split between BT and its Openreach operation, which runs its cables, fibre and network infrastructure. Companies such as Sky, Vodafone and TalkTalk, who pay to use the network, have claimed in the past that BT underinvested in Openreach, leading to a poor service with interruptions and slow speeds. The MPs said the shortfall in investment in Openreach arose because BT appeared to be "deliberately investing in higher-risk, higher-return assets such as media properties, and not investing in profitable lower risk infrastructure and services through Openreach". TalkTalk's chief executive, Dido Harding, welcomed the MP's findings. "This report puts beyond doubt the need for radical reform of Openreach. MPs have concluded that Openreach is not fit for purpose and is letting Britain down. "As Ofcom considers how to improve Britain's broadband, it should feel emboldened to know it has cross-party political support to be radical," she said. BT said while it agreed service levels have to improve, it was making progress in tackling the problem. "Thousands of engineers have been recruited and we are fixing repairs and installing new lines quicker than before.," it said. Welcoming the report, consumer organisation Which? said: "Ofcom must move quickly to make sure Openreach genuinely improves service. " Its director of policy and campaigns, Alex Neill, also said the industry should automatically compensate consumers when things go wrong with telecoms and broadband.
2016-07-19 15:03 www.bbc.co.uk
86 Hot weather: UK swelters in highest temperatures of year The UK is experiencing the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures due to soar to 35C (95F) in south- east England. The temperature has already exceeded 30C (86F) in southern England and could hit 30C in Wales, 29C (84F) in Scotland and 28C (82F) in Northern Ireland. The highest reading recorded in the UK in July was 36.7C (98.06F) in 2015. There is a yellow warning of up to 2in (50mm) of rain from Tuesday evening onwards, except in southern England. The Met Office has also warned of the risk of flash flooding. The Met Office said at 12:05 BST that 30.9C had been recorded at Heathrow in Greater London. It became the hottest day of the year so far in the UK at about 11:30 BST, when 30.2C was recorded in St James' Park, London, and 30.1C was recorded at Charlwood in Sussex and Heathrow and Northolt in Greater London. On Twitter, #hottestdayoftheyear is trending. Though many describe the current conditions as a heatwave, the Met Office says it uses the World Meteorological Organization definition - that the daily maximum temperature exceeds the average maximum temperature by 5C for five consecutive days. The hottest temperature ever recorded in the UK was 38.5C (101.3F) in Faversham, Kent, in August 2003. BBC Weather's Carol Kirkwood said the temperature in the UK was "rising quite rapidly" this morning. But she warned the high temperatures could spark isolated thunderstorms in Northern Ireland later, which will travel across north and west Wales, northern England and Scotland through the evening and overnight. "Some of those could be torrential; we'll see a lot of rain in a short amount of time, lots of lightning flashes and big hail and gusty winds. It's going to be a humid night as well," she said. Dr Angie Bone, head of extreme events at Public Health England (PHE) said: "Much of the advice on beating the heat is common sense and for most people there's nothing to really worry about. "But for some people, such as older people, those with underlying health conditions and those with young children, summer heat can bring real health risks. "This summer we're urging people to keep an eye on those at risk and if you're able, offer help to stay cool and hydrated. "This is a good time, before the warmer weather arrives, to think about who you may be able to assist and what you may be able to do. " St John Ambulance has also issued advice, urging people to be aware of headaches, dizziness and cramp, which can be signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. How are you handling the hot weather? What's the temperature where you are? Email [email protected] to let us know how you've been keeping cool. Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: Or use the form below
2016-07-19 15:03 www.bbc.co.uk
87 Academies warn Brexit 'damaging science' The UK's national academies representing science, medicine and engineering have told the government that Brexit is already harming science. A joint letter from seven academies says that the UK's world-leading position in these areas is in jeopardy. The national academies represent the best researchers in their fields. They call for the government to make a "bold public commitment" to prioritize research in Brexit negotiations. The joint letter has been written by the presidents of the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Academy of Medical Sciences, the British Academy, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Irish Academy and the Learned Society of Wales. It states: "The UK's outstanding research and innovation base is central to our economic, social and cultural well-being. "The result of the EU Referendum presents a challenge to maintaining this excellence. The current uncertainty is having immediate implications and raises many questions. "We stand ready to help ensure that Great Britain and Northern Ireland maintains its world leading position in research and innovation. " The academies say that ease of movement of researchers and students between the UK and EU countries is key to our future excellence and should be "reinforced". "We believe it is vital that UK-based researchers and staff from other EU countries are given assurances that they and their dependents will be able to continue to live and work here. Similarly, opportunities need to be safeguarded for UK researchers to gain experience in other EU countries. " UK universities receive £850 million a year from European Union funds. A condition of full access to those funds is free movement of people. Following the referendum result it is unclear whether the UK would continue to be eligible for EU research funding. The uncertainty has already resulted in some UK research groups and small businesses losing funding. The academies call for "urgent discussions" on how the government will address any funding gap in both the short and medium term. Of equal concern, they add, is the loss of access to networks that have been built over decades and help UK research groups and businesses stay at the cutting edge of research. "It is... the intrinsically collaborative nature of these programmes that allows UK researchers to achieve more than they would alone. Similarly, EU programmes provide opportunities for industrial competitors to collaborate with each other and work together towards common goals, often for societal benefit. " The academies also ask that UK experts remain "fully engaged" in shaping the development of standards and regulations and to safeguard UK research by "seeking the closest achievable association with the EU research programmes".
2016-07-19 15:03 By Pallab www.bbc.co.uk
88 Visiting Europe? Avoid these 7 money mistakes By Terence Loose/GOBankingRates A European vacation can do wonders for the soul. Paris, London, Madrid and a thousand more historic cities with an endless mix of cultures, food and sights make visiting Europe unpredictably fresh. But choosing the wrong money exchanger, using the wrong credit card or just drinking a cup of coffee in the wrong place can hit your wallet harder than a souvenir shop at Disneyland. And that's just the start of the list. So before you say au revoir to your money, make sure you check out these common mistakes travelers make on a European vacation. This article was originally published by GOBankingRates. If you think you should exchange a lot of money at your bank before you leave, you might want to think again, said Barry Choi, a personal finance and budget travel expert at Money We Have . "Local ATMs will almost always be the cheapest way to get local currency," he said. Yes, your bank will most likely charge a foreign transaction fee, about 2.5 percent, and the local ATM machine might charge a one-time fee. "But it'll probably still be cheaper than if you exchanged your money at home," said Choi. To minimize costs, he suggested withdrawing the maximum allowed each day. "Another added benefit with this strategy is that you'll only be getting money as you need it," he said. However, travelers should also consider the foreign transaction fee associated with using their credit card abroad, said Jared Blank, CMO of DealNews , a site that lists deals for consumers on items from electronics to apparel. "Travelers should call their credit card issuers to understand the fees associated with using their cards in Europe," he said. "There are many travel credit cards and issuers that don't have a fee associated with them. " Do your research, and find a credit card without this fee and with a rewards program. That way, you turn a negative into a positive. You don't need your passport for everything you do in Europe, so carrying it with you is risky, said Steffen Ploeger, a former passport and visa officer with the German Embassy. Most people he helped needed a new passport because they lost it or had it stolen while sightseeing, he said. That is a minimum of $110, according to the U. S. Department of State. Plotter suggested leaving it in the hotel room safe or the hotel's safe, which are often free of charge. When planning a European vacation, there are 1,001 things to do, so it's understandable that researching the best rates for SIM cards to avoid roaming charges is last on the list. But that can cost a lot of money, said several experts. Fortunately, just like everything else in life, there's an app for that: Local SIM. Just type in the country you are in or are traveling to, and the app directs you to the local cellular carrier that best fits your needs, said David Lashkhi , a representative with the company. Available for iPhone and iPad, the app covers 33 countries and 60 carriers. Lashkhi added that Local SIM is now testing "virtual SIM technology," which will allow you to connect to providers through the app without changing your SIM card or visiting stores. In America, a cup of Joe usually costs the same whether it's in a paper or china cup. But that's not so in certain countries of Europe, such as Italy, said Matt Kiefer from Hostelgeeks.com , which helps travelers find five-star hostels. "When ordering a coffee in Italy, you can order it for take-away (the cheapest option), drink it at the bar (medium-priced) or sit down (most expensive)," he said. And the price can be dramatic. In some establishments, a coffee to-go might be 1 euro, while the same coffee at a table is 4 euros, said Ploeger. As for dining options, resist the temptation to choose restaurants near tourist attractions. "Generally speaking, eating next to tourist attractions is not a good idea wherever in the world you may be," said Kiefer. "The Las Ramblas in Barcelona, the Champs-Élysées in Paris or the Colosseum in Rome. The quality is usually lower, and the prices higher. Not a great guarantee for a culinary highlight. " Sure, everyone wants to stay in five-star hotels when on vacation. But those can cost hundreds of dollars a night. A hostel, on the other hand, can be a fraction of the cost, said Choi. And, he added, they're not just for backpackers any more. Many European hostels now offer private rooms with private bathrooms and are a good value, Choi said. "At hostels, WiFi is almost always included, and you get a lot of other amenities, such as laundry and a kitchen, which may be more expensive or not available at hotels," he said. Another alternative to pricey hotels is a homestay, in which you stay with a local as a paying guest, said Lauren Kaufman, senior vice president of travel and leisure communications company Spring, O'Brien & Co . "With a homestay, guests get a home away from home, a personal concierge for travel tips from a hyper local perspective, a taste of authentic fare from a host delighted to cook a feast, and much more," said Kaufman. Homestay.com has 50,000 listings in 150 countries across all budgets, starting at just $7 per night, including breakfast, she added. In many European countries, taxi meters start the moment they arrive to pick you up, said Russell Hannon of Break the Travel Barrier and author of "Stop Dreaming... Start Traveling. " It's a common mistake that even seasoned travelers -- like himself -- make that can cost some serious cash, he said. "During a visit to Milan, I took my time finishing my glass of wine as the cab waited," he said. "When I finally embarked, the meter was at 26 euros. As I disputed this, the meter mounted to 30 euros, and we had yet to move a foot. " Driving in foreign countries can be stressful. Unfortunately, in some countries, like Italy, it can be costly as well, said Meghan Donovan, with Auto Europe , a European car rental agency. She said many tourists fall victim to driving in limited traffic zones found in larger cities, called Zona Traffico Limitato in Italian. These are set up to help with congestion, but usually only locals can attain permits. Drive in them without a permit, and you could face fines from both the government and your car rental agency. The cost can be as much as 90 euros, according to Auto Europe.
2016-07-19 15:03 GOBankingRates www.cbsnews.com
89 Eye Opener: GOP convention kicks off in Cleveland |Melania Trump is accused of stealing parts of her headlining speech at the Republican National Convention from Michelle Obama. Also, Hillary Clinton tells Charlie Rose why she thinks Donald Trump is the most dangerous presidential candidate in history. All that and all that matters in today's Eye Opener. Your world in 90 seconds. Get the Eye Opener delivered straight to your inbox. 2016-07-19 15:03 Eye Opener www.cbsnews.com
90 Pokemon Go: Royal Stoke hospital issues fans A&E warning A hospital has warned players of the smartphone app game Pokemon Go not to enter the accident and emergency unit while they hunt for virtual monsters. The Royal Stoke University Hospital has been designated as a "gym" where players can train their characters and fans have been seen roaming the site. A hospital spokesman said it was "unconcerned" as long as people played the game where it was safe. It warned it would get the "gym" removed if fans misused the A&E unit. "Clinical staff have stated categorically that no one should attempt to enter A&E to play the game," a spokesman said. "Should problems arise from the public misusing A&E to play Pokemon Go then the trust will have no choice but to contact the game's developer and have the 'gym' removed. " More on this and other stories from Stoke and Staffordshire Kevin Parker, associate chief nurse at the hospital, said he was "aware" of the game's popularity, but warned players to stay away from the "incredibly busy" A&E department. He said: "We want the public to understand that anybody who visits the hospital solely to play the game will provide an unwanted distraction to the important work of the hospital. " However, Michelle Harris, the hospital's sustainability manager, said managers appreciated the positive aspects of the game She said: "We recognise that the Pokemon Go game encourages walking and exercise, which is something that the trust is equally keen to promote. "
2016-07-19 15:04 www.bbc.co.uk
91 Toddler dies in seventh floor fall from Birmingham flats A toddler has died after falling from the seventh floor of a block of flats. The 18-month-old girl fell from a window on Ryland House in Great Hampton Row in Hockley, Birmingham, on Monday. "Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that nothing could be done to save her," said West Midlands Ambulance Service. The death is being treated as unexplained and a post-mortem examination is due to take place, said West Midlands Police. Latest updates and reaction Birmingham City Council confirmed the tower block is owned by the authority and the girl was not known to social services. A spokesman declined to comment further while police investigate. A shop owner, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "I was inside my shop when I heard people shouting and screaming. "People are very, very sad - they are feeling it very bad. I don't know the family, they might have been new to the area. " He described the area as a mix of Jamaican and Somali communities and added they were "close" and had "a good relationship with each other". Hockley is a district north-west of the city centre with a number of high-rise flats.
2016-07-19 15:04 www.bbc.co.uk
92 Turkey crisis: Cleric Gulen condemns post- coup 'witch-hunt' Rural Pennsylvania is not the sort of place you would think to look for someone accused of throwing the Middle East into further turmoil. But this is where you find the alleged mastermind of Turkey's failed coup, the Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen. And he has broken his customary seclusion to give rare interviews defending himself against the accusations levelled by his nemesis, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Who was behind Turkey coup attempt? Turkey police and officials purged How mobiles beat tanks and saved Erdogan We were greeted at the Golden Generation Worship & Retreat Center by polite, well-spoken men who serve as the first line of gate-keepers to the revered preacher and writer. They belong to organisations inspired by Mr Gulen, not run by him, a testament to the strength of his personality and the appeal of his message. He advocates a Sufi-based Islam of tolerance that emphasises education and promotes business. In Turkey, though, critics view this style of leadership as a threat, saying he wields much unelected political influence through followers who have heavily penetrated the bureaucracy and have links to media and business. The retreat sprawls over 25 lush green acres (10 hectares) in the foothills of the Poconus Mountains. But the cleric, it was emphasised, occupies only a single, spartan bedroom in one of the buildings. We were shown a desk, a small bed and a small mat. He met us in an adjacent room, seated beneath a framed admonition to "Continue to Love", written in Arabic calligraphy. He rose to greet us but his strength failed him and he fell back onto the sofa. The real gatekeeper is Mr Gulen's doctor, who gave him medication so he could manage the interview. Although his heart condition and diabetes have made him very frail, his language was anything but. He condemned the coup attempt as treason, claiming that "even if at the helm of the country there are people who would like to replace me and suppress me and oppress me at the level of blood-sucking vampires, even then I do not want to remove them with anti-democratic means". "This is my attitude toward any and even the idea of the consideration of a military coup. " It may be that he sees President Erdogen as a vampire after his blood. The two men once banded together to curb the power of Turkey's secular military. But a few years ago Mr Erdogan became suspicious that Mr Gulen's followers were driving a corruption investigation that targeted his inner circle. He moved to stamp out any alternative power centre, even if it was another Islamic one. Since then he has been purging them from state institutions. Mr Gulen called this a "witch-hunt" which accelerated after the failed coup. "It's not possible to talk about democracy any more," he said of reported excesses. "This kind of regime resembles more of a cult and a tribal administration. " Without naming Mr Erdogan, he compared him to dictators such as Hitler and Saddam Hussein. But he counselled his followers to remain peaceful because "society is already polarised enough, don't make it worse". Ironically Mr Gulen fled to America in 1999 amid accusations of trying to overthrow the secular government. Now it is an Islamist one demanding that the US send him back. He seemed unfazed by Mr Erdogan's plan to lodge a formal extradition request. He declared it would be politically motivated rather than legally sound, and therefore would not get much attention in a country where "the rule of law reigns supreme". The issue, however, is getting much attention: already it's led to some sharp exchanges between Turkish and American officials. And it could create further headaches for the US government, especially if the evidence provided does not stand up in an American court. Once again Mr Gulen sought to rise above the political to the spiritual. "I will die one day," he said. "Whether I die in my bed or in prison I don't care. "
2016-07-19 15:04 By Barbara www.bbc.co.uk
93 93 Low Cost holidaymakers likely to get just £7.78 refund Thousands of holidaymakers who booked travel with Low Cost Holidays may get a refund of just £7.78 each, the BBC understands. The firm went into administration last week, leaving 27,000 customers abroad, and 110,000 with future bookings. It was not registered with the UK government-backed Atol scheme , which would have compensated them in full. Instead it had lodged £1.09m with authorities in Mallorca - enough to pay out a few pounds to each customer. Those currently abroad are having to pay for their hotel accommodation again, as well as other incidental costs. Simon Holt, from Skipton in Yorkshire, had to pay an extra £1000 so that his daughter and her friend could stay in their hotel in Portugal. As Low Cost had booked the flights directly with Ryanair, they are also unable to check in for a return flight online, so will have to pay an extra £45 each. "I think it's appalling," he told the BBC. "This is sheer profiteering, because I can't see how they incur any additional costs. " In a statement, the airline said: "All Ryanair customers can check-in online and download their boarding passes by entering their flight details, booking reference or credit card details, or can also use our mobile app. Any queries regarding Low Cost Holidays are a matter for Low Cost Holidays. " Mr Holt's daughter Rebecca also had to pay again for airport transfers. Some travellers may be covered by their insurance, providing they paid for "supplier failure". Those who paid by credit card will also be able to claim compensation from their card issuer. Bob Atkinson, from Travelsupermarket, advised those abroad, or heading out on holiday, to pay for their rooms, and try to claim compensation later. "My advice is to do a deal with your hotel, because otherwise you're out on your own, trying to find something," he said. It is thought that Low Cost Holidays left Atol in 2013. Its collapse has been blamed on the fall in the value of the pound following the EU referendum result, as well as the global terrorism threat.
2016-07-19 15:03 By Brian www.bbc.co.uk
94 Breaking News English Lesson The car company Toyota is shutting down two elevators at its global headquarters to save money. The world's largest automaker said on Thursday it will shut down two of eight elevators at its main Tokyo office. This is to save electricity and to cut down on the costs of operating the building. One reason for this new move is the strengthening Japanese yen. The yen has become much stronger since the UK voted to leave the EU on June the 23rd. One dollar bought nearly 120 yen in January; now it buys just above 100. A stronger yen means Toyota cars sold overseas are more expensive and profits go down. Toyota's profit for the year ending March 2016 was a record ¥2.31 trillion, which is around $23 billion. A Toyota spokeswoman said the company decided to shut down the elevators several weeks ago because of the rising yen. The company is also adjusting the temperature of air conditioners to save money. The spokeswoman said Toyota took similar cost-cutting measures after the financial crisis that happened in September 2008. That also made the yen strengthen against the dollar. The spokeswoman said: "These policies are not new. " She added: "The key objective for the stoppage of elevators specifically is to raise awareness amongst employees, and to remind them of the commitment that Toyota has towards the idea of increasing competitiveness through staying lean and reducing waste. " 2016-07-19 15:03 www.breakingnewsenglish.com
95 Mumbai: Societies under MHADA scanner for fleecing owners In order to ensure that the societies do not fleece flat owners renting out their apartments by levying arbitrary charges, the Deputy Registrar of Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) will be inspecting registered societies across Maharashtra. Rajmata housing society in Vikhroli will be the first society to be inspected by MHADA on August 8. Pic/Sneha Kharabe The inspection will start from Rajmata housing society in Vikhroli, which the MHADA officers will visit on August 8. The inspection was constituted following allegations of malpractice against the society office bearers by one of the flat owners. Vaibhav Jambekar had registered a complaint with the deputy registrar in 2012, accusing the society of levying exorbitant amounts under the garb of non-occupancy charges. “I was billed Rs 1,000 monthly as the non- occupancy charge in maintenance. Despite my objection, the office bearers continued this practice. Finally, I lodged a complaint with MHADA. After hearing both the sides, the deputy registrar instructed the society in December 2015 to refund the additional amount. To ensure that the rule is being followed, an inspection has been ordered,” Jambekar said. Official speak Speaking to mid-day, Nitin Kale, deputy registrar, MHADA, said, “As per rules, a society can’t levy more than 10 per cent of the maintenance (excluding property tax) as non-occupancy charges. But there are three clauses for the applicability of these charges. First: the licence agreement of the flat should be registered; second: the flat owner should declare in advance about their house being leased; and third: flat owners should register details of their tenants in advance. The inspection on August 8 is to ensure that all these procedures are being fulfilled in order for the society to not charge extra money from owners renting out their flats.”
2016-07-19 15:09 By Neha www.mid-day.com
96 Oppn outcry in RS over Ambedkar Bhavan demolition in Mumbai New Delhi: The Centre today assured that it would speak to Maharashtra government to get the demolished Ambedkar Bhavan at Dadar in Mumbai restored as a memorial. The assurance came after opposition parties in Rajya Sabha vociferously demanded rebuilding of the heritage building that was brought down last month. "It is a serious issue. We will talk to the state government and attempt to get it restored as memorial," Minister for Social Justice Thawar Chand Gehlot said. "We have taken cognizance of the demolition. " Had the building not been demolished, it would have been better, he said after Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) raised the issue through a zero hour mention. Yechury said the state government and the municipality have not just demolished a heritage structure, but a building that represents the "heritage of freedom movement, a building that represents heritage of the dalit movement. " The building was built by B R Ambedkar out of his own money to provide place for ostracised dalits at that time. It also housed a printing press for publishing dalit literature. The CPI(M) leader said all structures of social justice like the Planning Commission have been demolished by the BJP-led government. With the unwinding of Planning Commission, there are no longer sub-plans made for uplift of the dalit community. "Not only a physical structure of social justice but a vision of social justice has been demolished," Yechury said. Anand Sharma (Cong) said the government cannot remain silent on the issue. Mayawati (BSP) said while the government talks of buying and converting the room in London where Ambedkar spent his days, a building built on the land bought by him out of his own money has been demolished. She demanded rebuilding of a grand structure at the site of the demolition. With other opposition members joining the demand, Gehlot said the government has given respect to all symbols associated with Ambedkar. Amar Shankar Sable (BJP) said the state government was no way involved in the demolition of the building and it was done by People's Improvement Trust. The Ambedkar Bhavan and the Buddha Bhushan printing press started by Babasaheb Ambedkar were demolished by People's Improvement Trust last month claiming that it was dilapidated and a grand 'Ambedkar Bhavan' would come up in its place. Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said the government has accepted that the building has been demolished and it will be restored.
2016-07-19 15:08 By PTI www.mid-day.com
97 Asaram Bapu's close aide arrested in witness murder case Muzaffarnagar: A close aide of Asaram who was evading arrest in connection with the murder of a prime witness in a rape case against the self-styled godman has been arrested from Mirakpur village in Saharanpur district. Niraj Kumar, Asaram's Nandgaon ashram in-charge, was arrested yesterday. He owned a dairy farming business in the village. A cache of arms, 17 cows and several fake IDs have been seized from the place he was nabbed, Circle Officer Yogender Pal Singh said. He was at large since the murder of Akhil Gupta (35), the prime witness in a rape case against Asaram, on January 11 last year, Singh said. Gupta was a cook and personal aide of Asaram, who has been in jail since August 2013, for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old schoolgirl. Kumar's alleged involvement in the murder was revealed by Kartik Haldar, the henchman of the self-styled godman, who had allegedly gunned down Gupta. Haldar was arrested from Raipur in Chhattisgarh in March. During interrogation, Kumar said he had given shelter to Haldar, and arranged a motorcycle and weapons for him, Singh said. The accused has been booked on charges of cheating and misleading police, besides under Arms Act.
2016-07-19 15:08 By PTI www.mid-day.com
98 Heavy downpours and gusty winds ahead Just One More Thing... We have sent you a verification email. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your profile. If you do not receive the verification message within a few minutes of signing up, please check your Spam or Junk folder. Close 2016-07-19 15:07 Lauren Foreman www.ajc.com
99 Opposition wears black badges, demands discussion on minor gangrape The gangrape and murder of a 15-year-old girl at Kopardi village in Ahmednagar district figured in the Maharashtra Assembly for the second day on Tuesday as the opposition members wore black badges to condemn the crime. The girl was brutally raped and killed by three men at Kopardi in Ahmednagar last week. As soon as the second day's proceedings of the monsoon session began today, the opposition Congress and NCP legislators, wearing black badges, sought a discussion on the rape, setting aside all other business of the House. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also said a debate should be held immediately, ignoring "technical issues". Former speaker Dilip Walse Patil claimed that the incident has instilled so much fear that girls have stopped attending school. A Congress leader said outside the Vidhan Bhawan building that opposition may bring a no-trust motion against Assembly Speaker Haribhau Bagade, if he does not allow discussion on the Kopardi gangrape in the House. Police have been stationed in Kopardi to ease tension, after furious locals held a road blockade and other protests to demand the arrest of the rapists. The incident took place on July 13, when the teenage girl was returning after meeting her grandfather. She was allegedly accosted by three men, who gangraped her before strangling her. The victim, a student of class IX, had reportedly been mutilated, and local accounts suggest she was found with her hair pulled out, and hands and teeth broken. She was found with both shoulders dislocated, police said. The crime sparked protests across the state, with people taking to the streets demanding action against the accused, while the Congress demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister on moral grounds. Police said all three of the accused were arrested by the local crime branch after the incident on July 13. Fadnavis informed the House yesterday that the accused have been booked under IPC sections 376 (rape), 302 (murder) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He had also said that noted lawyer Ujjwal Nikam has been appointed as the public prosecutor in the case and the government has given Rs five lakh solatium to the victim's family.
2016-07-19 15:07 By PTI www.mid-day.com
100 Mumbai: 2 Navy patrol boats sink after fire Two security boats of the Indian Navy, which are used for patrolling of Mumbai waters, on Tuesday sank at the naval dockyard following a fire that broke out in one of them. Navy sources said that there was no loss of life or collateral damage to other naval assets in the harbour and that a board of inquiry has been ordered into the incident. The sources said the fire broke out early morning in one of the security boats. "During the fire fighting, two boats suffered damages and ingress of water and are submerged in shallow waters inside the naval harbour area. Efforts are in progress to salvage the boats," a navy official said. He said that the boats are small in size and are immediate support vessels.
2016-07-19 15:06 By PTI www.mid-day.com
Total 100 articles. Created at 2016-07-19 18:01