Yearly Archives: 2016

July 4, 2016

Top News Stories –

UKIP leader Nigel Farage stands down –
Nigel Farage says he is standing down as leader of the UK Independence Party. Mr Farage said his “political ambition has been achieved” with the UK having voted to leave the EU. He said the party was in a “pretty good place” and said he would not change his mind about quitting as he did after the 2015 general election. Leading UKIP was “tough at times” but “all worth it” said Mr Farage, who is also an MEP. He added that the UK needed a “Brexit prime minister”. Mr Farage announced his decision to stand aside in a speech in London, saying: “I want my life back, and it begins right now.” He has been leader of UKIP for most of the past eight years, standing down briefly in 2009 and being re-elected the following year. He said he would quit after failing to win his seat at last year’s general election, but stayed on after the party rejected his resignation. [BBC]
Nigel-Farage Nigel Farage

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EDMOND from ninagantz on Vimeo.

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  • Flooding caused by torrential rain in China kills at least 180 people, mostly along the Yangtze river. (BBC)
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July 5, 2016

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Juno probe enters into orbit around Jupiter –
The US space agency has successfully put a new probe in orbit around Jupiter.
The Juno satellite, which left Earth five years ago, had to fire a rocket engine to slow its approach to the planet and get caught by its gravity. A sequence of tones transmitted from the spacecraft confirmed the braking manoeuvre had gone as planned. Receipt of the radio messages prompted wild cheering at Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. “All stations on Juno co-ord, we have the tone for burn cut-off on Delta V,” Juno Mission Control had announced. “Roger Juno, welcome to Jupiter.” Scientists plan to use the spacecraft to sense the planet’s deep interior. They think the structure and the chemistry of its insides hold clues to how this giant world formed some four-and-a-half-billion years ago. Engineers had warned in advance that the engine firing was fraught with danger. No previous spacecraft has dared pass so close to Jupiter; its intense radiation belts can destroy unprotected electronics. One calculation even suggested the orbit insertion would have subjected Juno to a dose equivalent to a million dental X-rays. [BBC]

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Mission Juno – NASA

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July 6, 2016

Top News Stories –

Chilcot report: Tony Blair’s Iraq War case not justified –
Tony Blair overstated the threat posed by Saddam Hussein, sent ill-prepared troops into battle and had “wholly inadequate” plans for the aftermath, the UK’s Iraq War inquiry has said. Chairman Sir John Chilcot said the 2003 invasion was not the “last resort” action presented to MPs and the public. There was no “imminent threat” from Saddam – and the intelligence case was “not justified”, he said. Mr Blair apologised for any mistakes made but not the decision to go to war. Sir John, the ex-civil servant who chaired the inquiry, describes the Iraq War as an intervention that went “badly wrong” with consequences still being felt to this day – and he set out lessons to be learned for future conflicts. His report, which is 2.6 million words, does not make a judgement on whether Mr Blair or his ministers were in breach of international law. [BBC]
Tony_BlairTony Blair in 2014

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Explore Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park in Two Minutes

List of the Day –

Chilcott Report – errors in political and military decision-making in going to war in Iraq:

  • UK military commanders made “over-optimistic assessments” of their capabilities which had led to “bad decisions”
  • There was “little time” to properly prepare three military brigades for deployment in Iraq. The risks were neither “properly identified nor fully exposed” to ministers, resulting in “equipment shortfalls”
  • Policy on the Iraq invasion was made on the basis of flawed intelligence assessments. It was not challenged, and should have been
  • Mr Blair overestimated his ability to influence US decisions on Iraq; and the UK’s relationship with the US does not require unconditional support

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July 7, 2016

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Marion Bartoli: Former Wimbledon champion ‘fears for life’ over unknown virus –
Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli says she “fears for her life” after contracting an unknown virus that has caused her dramatic weight loss. France’s Bartoli was barred from playing in an invitational event at Wimbledon this week after doctors expressed fears over her health. Bartoli, who insists she is not anorexic, says the virus is so rare medical experts have no name for it. “This is not life. I am just surviving,” said the 31-year-old. Bartoli says she can only eat organic salad leaves and cucumbers without skins, and has to wash with mineral water rather than tap water. [BBC]
Marion_BartoliMarion Bartoli

The final image sent by doomed Japanese Hitomi satellite –
A doomed Japanese satellite managed to capture a view of a galaxy cluster 250 million light years away just before it died, scientists have revealed. Launched in February, the Hitomi X-ray satellite began tumbling out of control in March when contact was finally lost. Just before its demise, scientists managed to extract data measuring X-ray activity in the Perseus galaxy cluster. Hitomi, which translates as the pupil of the eye in Japanese, was meant to spend years studying the formation of galaxy clusters and the warping of space and time around black holes. It cost more than a quarter of a billion dollars – the research was an international collaboration involving the American space agency Nasa, and teams in Japan and many other countries, including one at Cambridge University in the UK. Hitomi was lost thanks to a sensor incorrectly detecting a roll in the spacecraft. In trying to correct it, on-board systems sent the craft into a spin until finally the solar panels that powered it are thought to have broken off. [BBC]
Hitomi Perseus imageHitomi Perseus image [HITOMI COLLABORATION/JAXA, NASA, ESA, SRON, CSA]

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Movie Credits from Alex Cline on Vimeo.

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  • Scientists manage to extract one last image from the Hitomi x-ray spacecraft, which broke up last March while orbiting Earth. Before it died, the spacecraft captured an image which measured the X-ray activity of the Perseus cluster. (BBC)
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July 8, 2016

Top News Stories –

Christina Estrada: Former supermodel wins £53m divorce settlement –
A former supermodel has been awarded a £53m ($69m) lump sum after a divorce battle with her billionaire ex-husband. Berkshire-based Christina Estrada, 54, had wanted £196m from Saudi businessman Sheikh Walid Juffali, 61, to meet her “needs” – including £1m a year on clothes – the High Court was told. The total settlement, which takes into account her own assets, is about £75m. Her lawyers said this makes it “by more than £50m, the largest needs award ever made by an English court”. Ms Estrada, who is is currently living at the matrimonial home bordering Windsor Great Park, had rejected an offer that, when added to her own assets, would have given her £37m to live on. Ms Estrada was cross-examined in court on her needs, which she said included:

  • £40,000 a year for fur coats
  • £109,000 a year for haute couture dresses
  • £21,000 a year on shoes
  • £60m to afford a luxury London home
  • A £4.4m countryside home in Henley-on-Thames
  • £495,000 for five cars – three in London and two in the US

[BBC]

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If you couldn’t die, what would happen?

A G A I N from Nico Gao on Vimeo.

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July 9, 2016

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Matador Victor Barrio killed by bull in Spain –
A matador has died after being gored by a bull in Spain – the first bullfighter to die in the ring in Spain this century. Victor Barrio, 29, a professional bullfighter, was killed when the bull’s horn pierced his chest. The fight, in the eastern town of Teruel, was being broadcast live on TV. Also on Saturday, a 28-year-old man died after being gored by a bull during a bull run through the village of Pedreguer, near Valencia. The last matador to die in a bullfight in Spain was Jose Cubero, or Yiyo, in 1985. Television footage shows the bull throwing Barrio into the air before goring him on the right-hand side of his chest and violently throwing him. [BBC]

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BreakingPoint from Martin Lapp on Vimeo.

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July 10, 2016

Top News Stories –

Andy Murray wins Wimbledon by beating Milos Raonic –
Britain’s Andy Murray became Wimbledon champion for the second time with a superb performance against Canadian sixth seed Milos Raonic in the final. The Scot, 29, dismantled the Raonic serve in a 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2) victory to repeat his triumph of 2013 and claim a third Grand Slam title. Murray is the first British man to win multiple Wimbledon singles titles since Fred Perry in 1935. “I’m proud to have my hands on the trophy again,” said Murray. [BBC]
Andy_MurrayAndy Murray

Euro 2016: Portugal beats France 1-0 in extra-time through Eder wondergoal to claim first title –
A dramatic wondergoal from striker Eder has won Portugal its first European championship, breaking French hearts with a 1-0 win at the Stade de France. After a goalless 90 minutes, most notable for an early injury to Cristiano Ronaldo and the influx of moths that took over the stadium, Portugal began to take over the match in extra-time and substitute Eder proved the match-winner. After cutting inside past two French defenders, the Lille striker unleashed on his right boot past Hugo Lloris, stunning the vocal home crowd and sending the Portugal bench into euphoria.

Eder Eder (R)

Video of the Day –

NB Underground from New Balance Numeric on Vimeo.

List of the Day –

Wimbledon Mens Champions in Open Era

Year Country Champion Country Runner-up Score in the final
1968  AUS Rod Laver  AUS Tony Roche 6–3, 6-4, 6–2
1969  AUS Rod Laver  AUS John Newcombe 6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–4
1970  AUS John Newcombe  AUS Ken Rosewall 5–7, 6–3, 6–2, 3–6, 6–1
1971  AUS John Newcombe  USA Stan Smith 6–3, 5–7, 2–6, 6–4, 6–4
1972  USA Stan Smith  ROU Ilie Năstase 4–6, 6–3, 6–3, 4–6, 7–5
1973  TCH Jan Kodeš  URS Alex Metreveli 6–1, 9–8(7–5), 6–3
1974  USA Jimmy Connors  AUS Ken Rosewall 6–1, 6–1, 6–4
1975  USA Arthur Ashe  USA Jimmy Connors 6–1, 6–1, 5–7, 6–4
1976  SWE Björn Borg  ROU Ilie Năstase 6–4, 6–2, 9–7
1977  SWE Björn Borg  USA Jimmy Connors 3–6, 6–2, 6–1, 5–7, 6–4
1978  SWE Björn Borg  USA Jimmy Connors 6–2, 6–2, 6–3
1979  SWE Björn Borg  USA Roscoe Tanner 6–7(4–7), 6–1, 3–6, 6–3, 6–4
1980  SWE Björn Borg  USA John McEnroe 1–6, 7–5, 6–3, 6–7(16–18), 8–6
1981  USA John McEnroe  SWE Björn Borg 4–6, 7–6(7–1), 7–6(7–4), 6–4
1982  USA Jimmy Connors  USA John McEnroe 3–6, 6–3, 6–7(2–7), 7–6(7–5), 6–4
1983  USA John McEnroe  NZL Chris Lewis 6–2, 6–2, 6–2
1984  USA John McEnroe  USA Jimmy Connors 6–1, 6–1, 6–2
1985  FRG Boris Becker  ZAF Kevin Curren 6–3, 6–7(4–7), 7–6(7–3), 6–4
1986  FRG Boris Becker  TCH Ivan Lendl 6–4, 6–3, 7–5
1987  AUS Pat Cash  TCH Ivan Lendl 7–6(7–5), 6–2, 7–5
1988  SWE Stefan Edberg  FRG Boris Becker 4–6, 7–6(7–2), 6–4, 6–2
1989  FRG Boris Becker  SWE Stefan Edberg 6–0, 7–6(7–1), 6–4
1990  SWE Stefan Edberg  FRG Boris Becker 6–2, 6–2, 3–6, 3–6, 6–4
1991  GER Michael Stich  GER Boris Becker 6–4, 7–6(7–4), 6–4
1992  USA Andre Agassi  CRO Goran Ivanišević 6–7(8–10), 6–4, 6–4, 1–6, 6–4
1993  USA Pete Sampras  USA Jim Courier 7–6(7–3), 7–6(8–6), 3–6, 6–3
1994  USA Pete Sampras  CRO Goran Ivanišević 7–6(7–2), 7–6(7–5), 6–0
1995  USA Pete Sampras  GER Boris Becker 6–7(5–7), 6–2, 6–4, 6–2
1996  NED Richard Krajicek  USA MaliVai Washington 6–3, 6–4, 6–3
1997  USA Pete Sampras  FRA Cédric Pioline 6–4, 6–2, 6–4
1998  USA Pete Sampras  CRO Goran Ivanišević 6–7(2–7), 7–6(11–9), 6–4, 3–6, 6–2
1999  USA Pete Sampras  USA Andre Agassi 6–3, 6–4, 7–5
2000  USA Pete Sampras  AUS Patrick Rafter 6–7(10–12), 7–6(7–5), 6–4, 6–2
2001  CRO Goran Ivanišević  AUS Patrick Rafter 6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 2–6, 9–7
2002  AUS Lleyton Hewitt  ARG David Nalbandian 6–1, 6–3, 6–2
2003   SUI Roger Federer  AUS Mark Philippoussis 7–6(7–5), 6–2, 7–6(7–3)
2004   SUI Roger Federer  USA Andy Roddick 4–6, 7–5, 7–6(7–3), 6–4
2005   SUI Roger Federer  USA Andy Roddick 6–2, 7–6(7–2), 6–4
2006   SUI Roger Federer  ESP Rafael Nadal 6–0, 7–6(7–5), 6–7(2–7), 6–3
2007   SUI Roger Federer  ESP Rafael Nadal 7–6(9–7), 4–6, 7–6(7–3), 2–6, 6–2
2008  ESP Rafael Nadal   SUI Roger Federer 6–4, 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–7(8–10), 9–7
2009   SUI Roger Federer  USA Andy Roddick 5–7, 7–6(8–6), 7–6(7–5), 3–6, 16–14
2010  ESP Rafael Nadal  CZE Tomáš Berdych 6–3, 7–5, 6–4
2011  SRB Novak Djokovic  ESP Rafael Nadal 6–4, 6–1, 1–6, 6–3
2012   SUI Roger Federer  GBR Andy Murray 4–6, 7–5, 6–3, 6–4
2013  GBR Andy Murray  SRB Novak Djokovic 6–4, 7–5, 6–4
2014  SRB Novak Djokovic   SUI Roger Federer 6–7(7–9), 6–4, 7–6(7–4), 5–7, 6–4
2015  SRB Novak Djokovic   SUI Roger Federer 7–6(7–1), 6–7(10–12), 6–4, 6–3
2016  GBR Andy Murray  CAN Milos Raonic 6–4, 7–6(7–3), 7–6(7–2)

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