1/97   News Photos Slideshows PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS News Photos Slideshows - Hot Trends Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. Press Review Iggy   Michael Gove   Theresa May   Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan   Kabul   Israel to ISIS   Prime Day   TKTS   Joakim Noah   Clinton 39%   Wait for the Lord   Bioshock Collection   Dan Evans   FEC Democrats   Madison Keys   Rio's Olympic   Kanter   Oak Creek   Starz   Heather Watson   Muncie   Precursor to the Apple Store   Redstone   Michael Phelps    2/97   Spotify's Top 10 most streamed tracks PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS The following list represents the most streamed tracks on Spotify, based on the number of people who shared it divided by the number who listened to it, from Monday, Oct. 20 to Sunday Oct. 26 via Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter and Spotify. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 3/97   Who will win at the Tony Awards? AP predicts PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS NEW YORK (AP) — The great comedian W.C. Fields is credited with the line, "Never work with children or animals." He would have had trouble on Broadway this season. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 4/97   Pregnant Alanis Morissette posts nude underwater photo PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS Alanis Morissette has posted a nude photo of herself sporting a large baby bump while floating underwater. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 5/97   New Orleans ready to 'party with a purpose' at Essence Fest PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Music has always been at the heart of the annual Essence Festival, now in its 22nd year, and this year will be no different. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 6/97   Theater shows R-rated comedy trailer with 'Finding Dory' PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS CONCORD, Calif. (AP) — The owner of a California movie theater is apologizing after a trailer for an R-rated upcoming Seth Rogen comedy was shown ahead of a screening of Disney's "Finding Dory." Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 7/97   Christie's to sell contents of Reagans' LA home PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS NEW YORK (AP) — A two-day auction of the contents of Ronald and Nancy Reagan's ranch-style home in California will include everything from personal mementos from heads of state and friends to objects the couple took with them to the White House. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 8/97   Talks continue as Atlantic City casino strike deadline nears PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — With Atlantic City's lucrative July 4th holiday weekend fast approaching, the struggling seaside gambling resort is trying to avoid a strike against five of its eight casinos. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 9/97   Asian actors too busy to fret over Hollywood 'white-washing' PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS TOKYO (AP) — The film world of Asia, known for producing Akira Kurosawa, Satyajit Ray, Brillante Mendoza and other greats, is too busy making movies of its own to fret much about the debate slamming Hollywood — the casting of white people in roles written for Asians. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 10/97   Film academy invites 683 new members to join PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS LOS ANGELES (AP) — Six months after announcing intentions to double the number of female and minority members in its ranks by 2020, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has invited 683 new members to join the organization. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 11/97   YouTube personality charged with making false police report PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS LOS ANGELES (AP) — A gay YouTube personality who said he was assaulted outside a West Hollywood club has been charged with filing a false police report and faking his injuries. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 12/97   Jesus Christ film coming to virtual reality PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS LOS ANGELES (AP) — The story of Jesus Christ is coming to virtual reality for the first time. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 13/97   Miss Teen USA axes 'outdated' bikini competition PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS One of America's top beauty pageants has axed its swimsuit competition, ditching bikinis for sportswear to fend off years of complaints that parading in a bikini is sexist and demeaning. The Miss Universe Organization, which operates the pageant, said from now on contestants would be judged on athletic wear, in addition to the evening wear and personality competitions. "Miss Teen USA's transition to athletic wear reads as less exploitative and more focused on the importance of physical fitness for its younger participants," it said. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 14/97   Kayne West, Adidas expand partnership for Yeezy line PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rapper Kanye West and Adidas are expanding their partnership that began almost two years ago with retail hubs for his Yeezy products and additional sportswear designs. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 15/97   Media use in America up a full hour over just last year PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS NEW YORK (AP) — The typical American adult is using media for a full hour a day more than just last year, with smartphones accounting for most of the increase. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 16/97   Hugh Hefner seeks to dismiss case filed by Cosby accuser PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hugh Hefner's attorneys have asked a federal judge to dismiss the Playboy founder from a former model's lawsuit that alleges Bill Cosby drugged and sexually abused her at party at Hefner's home in 2008. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 17/97   Jessica Williams leaving as 'Daily Show' correspondent PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS NEW YORK (AP) — Jessica Williams is leaving as a correspondent on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" this week after four years. But she's not straying far. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 18/97   Dennis Quaid's wife files for divorce after 12 years PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS LOS ANGELES (AP) — Actor Dennis Quaid's nearly 12-year marriage is coming to an end. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 19/97   University of Connecticut revokes Cosby's honorary degree PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS STORRS, Conn. (AP) — The University of Connecticut on Wednesday revoked an honorary degree awarded to Bill Cosby, saying he engaged in conduct "incongruent" with the university's values. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 20/97   Review: In 'Tarzan,' a questionable return to the jungle PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS Tarzan has been dusted off, his abs polished and his vocabulary spruced up in David Yates' handsome but altogether pointless "The Legend of Tarzan," a chest-thumping resurrection of the Ape Man that fails to find any reason for the iconic character's continued evolution. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 21/97   Paul Simon, 74, 'Ready to Give Up Music' PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS More than half a century after he wrote "The Sound of Silence," American singer Paul Simon says he is ready to hang up his guitar and stop making music. "You're coming toward the end," he told The New York Times in an interview published Wednesday. The folk star turned world music champion, whose US tour ends Friday, released his most recent album, "Stranger to Stranger" on June 3 to rave reviews. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 22/97   Hundreds attend funeral of music legend Ralph Stanley PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS MCCLURE, Va. (AP) — Legendary bluegrass musician Ralph Stanley has been laid to rest in his hometown of McClure, Virginia. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 23/97   Laura Benanti looking forward to broadcast of 'She Loves Me' PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS NEW YORK (AP) — If you can't make it to see Laura Benanti in the charming Broadway revival of "She Loves Me," don't worry. Just fire up your computer or TV. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 24/97   Ab Fab: Patsy and Edina talk Brexit PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS LONDON (AP) — Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley will be hoping to lift the spirits of a post-Brexit Britain when they attend the world premiere of "Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie" Wednesday. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 25/97   Aside from 'Hamilton,' Revolutionary era inspires little art PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS NEW YORK (AP) — Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and 11 Tony Awards, "Hamilton" is a cultural phenomenon that stands as the most celebrated work of art ever inspired by the American Revolution. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 26/97   Documentary turns Disney-loving autistic man into a star PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS NEW YORK (AP) — Owen Suskind had largely retreated into silence in the years after his autism began to manifest, around age 3. Three painfully mute years later, and after countless rapt hours spent watching Disney animated movies, a word broke through. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 27/97   Hamilton's ties to Albany highlighted in tours, exhibit PEOPLE TOPIC NEWS ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Long before his life story became the toast of the Great White Way, Alexander Hamilton was a hit in Albany. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 28/97   Top China golfer Feng not to allow Zika fears ruin Rio dream SPORTS TOPIC NEWS (Reuters) - Top Chinese woman golfer Shanshan Feng will compete at the Rio Games despite concerns over Zika virus and the world number 12 says she fears for the sport's Olympic future following some high-profile withdrawals from the men's competition. Golf's return to Olympics for the first time since 1904 has been hit by pullouts by several top male golfers, including world number one Jason Day, multiple major champion Rory McIlroy, Fiji's Vijay Singh and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa. The mosquito-borne Zika virus, which the World Health Organization says is spreading rapidly in the Americas, can cause crippling defects in babies and has been linked to the neurological disorder Guillain-Barre in adults. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 29/97   Golfers dream of green jackets, not Olympic gold: McIlroy SPORTS TOPIC NEWS (Reuters) - An Olympic gold medal was not the pinnacle of the sport for golfers according to world number four Rory McIlroy, and he had no concerns about his decision to withdraw from the Rio de Janeiro Games. The Northern Irishman withdrew from the Rio Games last week, citing concerns about the Zika virus, though he also told British media the Olympics were not one of his goals. "Most other athletes dream their whole lives of competing in the Olympics, winning an Olympic gold, and we haven't," McIlroy told British media. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 30/97   Timberwolves' new Chinese stakeholder on buying spree SPORTS TOPIC NEWS A Chinese businessman has bought a minority stake in the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves, his company and the league said, after taking over Spanish La Liga football team Granada in a 37 million euro deal earlier this month. The deal makes him the first Chinese citizen to have an ownership stake in an NBA team, the league said in a statement. "My goal is to bring China and this great league closer, and build the Timberwolves and Lynx fan base in our country," it quoted Jiang as saying. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 31/97   Warriors extend qualifying offers to Barnes, Ezeli SPORTS TOPIC NEWS (Reuters) - The Golden State Warriors extended qualifying offers to forward Harrison Barnes and center Festus Ezeli on Wednesday, making them restricted free agents. The move, which needed to be made by Thursday, means the Warriors can now match any offer made to the pair by other teams. The Warriors, however, are expected to pursue Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant, who could potentially take Barnes' small forward position and force him to exit. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 32/97   Teen Henderson defends LPGA breakthrough title SPORTS TOPIC NEWS Second-ranked Brooke Henderson defends her first LPGA title this week at the Portland Classic, her breakthrough victory last year helping the Canadian teen return as a major champion. The 18-year-old qualified for the event on Monday then rolled to an eight-stroke victory, the largest LPGA victory margin since 2012, to become the tour's third-youngest winner ever. Henderson became the first Canadian to win an LPGA event since Lori Kane in 2001 and only the second Monday qualifier to ever take a title after Laurel Kean in 2000. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 33/97   NFL players union wants to see evidence in league probe SPORTS TOPIC NEWS The NFL Players Association wants to see evidence supporting the league's investigation into charges of dope cheating made in a December report by Al-Jazeera America on performance-enhancing drugs. The union's formal request was revealed Wednesday in letters sent to Adolpho Birch, the NFL vice president who sent letters to the union last week asking to investigate the four remaining active NFL players mentioned in the report -- Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison, Green Bay Packers linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers and free agent linebacker Mike Neal. "On behalf of Mr. Harrison, we have repeatedly requested that the NFL inform him and the NFLPA whether the NFL possesses any credible evidence (e.g., verified documents or verified testimony of witnesses) that warrants an interview of Mr. Harrison regarding a potential violation of the Policy on Performance Enhancing Substances (PES Policy)," the union's letter on behalf of Harrison said, according to a copy obtained by USA Today. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 34/97   Indianapolis Colts sign Luck to richest deal in NFL history SPORTS TOPIC NEWS Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck signed a six-year contract extension through the 2021 season for $140 million, the richest contract in NFL history, Colts owner Jim Irsay said Wednesday. The biggest prior deal in NFL history saw Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers ink a five-year contract for $110 million in 2013. "Andrew has signed through 2021," Irsay tweeted. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 35/97   South Africa's Pace first LPGA player to skip Rio Olympics SPORTS TOPIC NEWS South Africa's Lee-Anne Pace became the first woman golfer to withdraw from the Rio Olympics, saying Wednesday she will not play in Brazil because she fears contracting the Zika virus. "I was very much looking forward to the opportunity," said Pace, her nation's top-ranked woman golfer at 38th in the world. "However, over recent months my team has been monitoring the situation regarding the Zika Virus and finding out as much information as possible. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 36/97   Durant, Wade, Duncan make first moves to NBA future SPORTS TOPIC NEWS NBA stars Kevin Durant, Dwyane Wade and Tim Duncan have made their first steps toward deciding where they will play next season, or in Duncan's case if he will play at all. Oklahoma City forward Durant, set to play for the US Olympic squad in Rio in August, was expected to meet with the Thunder before becoming a free agent on Friday and he becomes eligible to meet with other clubs. Durant, 27, is reportedly looking at meeting with the New York Knicks, whose star player Carmelo Anthony will join Durant in Rio, and the Golden State Warriors, who won a record 73 games last season but lost to Cleveland in the NBA Finals. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 37/97   Spieth still uncertain if he will play golf in Rio Olympics SPORTS TOPIC NEWS World number two Jordan Spieth remains uncertain if he will compete in the Rio Olympics when golf returns to the Games lineup for the first time in 112 years. Spieth and many of the world's top golfers will compete this week at the World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. "Right now, I'm uncertain," Spieth said. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 38/97   Pace becomes first women's golfer to opt out of Rio SPORTS TOPIC NEWS (Reuters) - South African Lee-Anne Pace, citing Zika concerns, became the first women's golfer to withdraw from the 2016 Rio Olympics on Wednesday, joining a growing exodus on the men's side that includes the world's top-ranked player. Pace, a nine-times winner on the Ladies European Tour who is ranked 38th in the world, said she was eager to represent South Africa at the Aug 5-21 Olympics but felt Zika was too big a risk to take. "After weighing up all the options and discussing it with my family and team, I have decided that due to the health concerns surrounding the Zika virus, I will not be participating," Pace, 35, said in a statement. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 39/97   McIlroy defends Rio player pull-outs SPORTS TOPIC NEWS Rory McIlroy defended on Wednesday the growing number of top-ranked golfers pulling out of the Rio Olympics and denied it represents a stinging embarrassment to the sport. Golf is returning to the Olympics for the first time since 1904 in August but will not feature world number one Jason Day, fourth-ranked McIlroy or US Open runner-up Shane Lowry because of fears over the Zika virus, to name just a few big names. "As a tool to grow the game around the world, I think it's great," McIlroy, a four-time major winner, told reporters ahead of the 100th French Open, of golf's inclusion at the Olympics. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 40/97   LeBron declines option but expected to stay with Cavs SPORTS TOPIC NEWS LeBron James, fresh off guiding the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first NBA title, is headed for free agency after officially declining the $24 million player option on his contract. While the move frees James to talk to other teams, he isn't expected to leave Cleveland but to negotiate a new contract with them. James, 31, was a unanimous choice as NBA Finals Most Valuable Player after leading the Cavaliers back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Golden State Warriors. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 41/97   Golfer Spieth unsure about taking part in Rio SPORTS TOPIC NEWS (Reuters) - Twice major winner Jordan Spieth is still undecided about whether to participate in August's Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games or opt out because of the Zika virus like several of his fellow professionals. The American world number two is the highest-ranked golfer left in the field after number one Jason Day withdrew on Tuesday, citing concerns over Zika, a mosquito-borne virus that the World Health Organization says is spreading rapidly in the Americas. "Right now, I'm uncertain," Spieth told reporters ahead of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 42/97   California gets go-ahead to vote on legalization of marijuana SPORTS TOPIC NEWS The proposed so-called "Adult Use of Marijuana Act," which is supported by Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom among others, would allow people aged 21 and older to possess as much as an ounce of marijuana for private recreational use and permit personal cultivation of as many as six marijuana plants. "Today marks a fresh start for California, as we prepare to replace the costly, harmful and ineffective system of prohibition with a safe, legal and responsible adult-use marijuana system that gets it right and completely pays for itself," initiative spokesman Jason Kinney said in a statement. The measure would also establish a system to license, regulate and tax sales of marijuana, while allowing city governments to exercise local control over or disallow commercial distribution within their borders. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 43/97   Hend happy to handle Australia's hopes in Rio golf SPORTS TOPIC NEWS Scott Hend might not be the best known Australian golfer but the peripatetic world number 75 says he is happy to handle the burden of his country's hopes at the Rio Olympics after a rash of high profile withdrawals. World number one Jason Day pulled out of the Games on Tuesday citing concerns over the Zika virus, following world number eight Adam Scott and 39th ranked Marc Leishman in withdrawing his name from contention. Big-hitting Hend is therefore in pole position to land one of Australia's two spots at the Rio de Janeiro Games, when golf returns to the Olympics for the first time since 1904. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 44/97   Number one golfer Day withdraws over Zika SPORTS TOPIC NEWS (Reuters) - World number one Jason Day became the latest top golfer to withdraw from August's Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games because of the Zika virus on Tuesday. Golf is returning to the Olympics for the first time since 1904, but a number of big names, including four-times major champion Rory McIlroy, Fiji's Vijay Singh and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, have also pulled out due to Zika concerns. The mosquito-borne Zika virus, which the World Health Organization says is spreading rapidly in the Americas, can cause crippling defects in babies and has been linked to the neurological disorder Guillain-Barre in adults. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 45/97   No.1 Day confirms Aussie Open after Olympic pullout SPORTS TOPIC NEWS World number one Jason Day Wednesday said he will head home to play the Australian Open this year, a day after becoming the latest golfer to withdraw from the Olympics. The Australian has not teed off at his national Open since 2013 due to injuries and family issues and will line up alongside world number two Jordan Spieth. "The Australian Open holds a special spot in my heart and I’d love to get my name on that trophy one day -– hopefully this November,” Day said in a statement. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 46/97   European Ryder Cup race hots up in Paris SPORTS TOPIC NEWS The tournament has double points on offer for Europe's Ryder Cup hopefuls, as well as counting as two events in the Race to Dubai, after the European Tour attempted to dissuade their biggest stars from ignoring the event in favour of the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in the United States. Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy answered the call, as did Masters champion Danny Willett, but a host of the continent's biggest stars decided to stay away. The ramifications for Europe captain Darren Clarke and his Ryder Cup selection could prove vital, as he may have to use a wildcard pick on a player who would otherwise have qualified for the team to play at Hazeltine in September automatically. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 47/97   Golf: Montgomerie clinches British Open spot in qualifying SPORTS TOPIC NEWS (Reuters) - Scotland's Colin Montgomerie will play at the British Open for the first time in six years after coming through final qualifying on Tuesday to claim a place in next month's championship at Royal Troon. The 53-year-old shot a five-under-par aggregate after 36 holes at Gailes Links to take the final spot after an agonizing two-hour wait as he qualified with Swede Oskar Arvidsson, ranked a lowly 1,418, and 23-year-old Spaniard Scott Fernandez. Montgomerie is a member at Royal Troon, where his father James was secretary, and will play at the Open for the first time since his 21st consecutive appearance in 2010. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 48/97   Woman injured, gunman dead in downtown Denver shooting SPORTS TOPIC NEWS (Reuters) - A woman was critically injured in a shooting inside a downtown Denver office building on Tuesday and police said the suspected gunman was pronounced dead at the scene with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Denver Police spokesman Doug Schepman told reporters at a news conference that the woman was shot multiple times around 2:45 p.m. local time (2045 GMT) and was taken to a hospital in critical condition. The Denver Post newspaper uploaded video online showing office workers with their hands above their heads fleeing the building dubbed the Alliance Center, a hub for environmental activism groups and other organizations. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 49/97   Golf's gender divide over Rio, and Zika SPORTS TOPIC NEWS By Mark Lamport-Stokes (Reuters) - When it comes to golfers and their interest in competing at this year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, a curious gender divide is emerging which, at first glance, is counter-intuitive. While world number one Jason Day and fourth-ranked Rory McIlroy are among several big names in the men's game who have already opted out of Rio, not a single women's player has yet withdrawn from global sport's showpiece. Both Day and McIlroy have cited Zika fears as their prime reason for pulling out, saying they were unwilling to put either themselves or their families at risk from a mosquito-borne virus that can cause crippling birth defects. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 50/97   Legendary college basketball coach Pat Summitt dies SPORTS TOPIC NEWS Pat Summitt, the iconic former coach of the University of Tennessee women's basketball team, died Tuesday at the age of 64. Summitt was diagnosed in August 2011 with early onset Alzheimer's disease. "It is with tremendous sadness that I announce the passing of my mother, Patricia Sue Head Summitt. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 51/97   NFL defensive guru Buddy Ryan dies SPORTS TOPIC NEWS James "Buddy" Ryan, the father of twin brothers Rex and Rob and mastermind of the Chicago Bears' famed "46 defense", died Tuesday at the age of 82. Ryan's health had deteriorated in recent years as he battled cancer. Buddy Ryan got a taste of being a champion as defensive coordinator with the title-winning New York Jets in Super Bowl III and was credited with being the difference-maker when the Bears crushed the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 52/97   Golfers Day, Lowry withdraw from Olympics over Zika fears SPORTS TOPIC NEWS Australia's world number one Jason Day and Ireland's Shane Lowry on Tuesday became the latest golfers to withdraw from the Rio Olympics because of fears over the Zika virus. "It is with deep regret I announce that I will not be competing in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games this coming August in Rio de Janeiro," Day said in a statement. The 28-year-old was later joined by US Open runner-up Lowry, ranked 25th in the world. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 53/97   Qualcomm files 17 new complaints in China courts against smartphone maker Meizu Qualcomm Inc has filed 17 fresh complaints in China against Meizu Technology Co, stepping up its battle with the Chinese smartphone maker after the two were unable to reach a licensing accord in the U.S. tech giant's biggest market. The patent infringement complaints by Qualcomm, submitted to intellectual property courts in Beijing and Shanghai on Thursday, mark the second time in a week it has taken legal action against Meizu, one of China's top 10 handset suppliers. Qualcomm is seeking to uphold terms of its landmark 2015 anti-trust settlement with China's economic policy panel, the National Development & Reform Commission (NDRC). Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 54/97   Uber driver data in Kenya helps bridge credit gap By Neha Wadekar NAIROBI (Reuters) - Sidian Bank has approved its first car loans to experienced Uber [UBER.UL] drivers in Kenya, using a model the ride hailing service hopes can be rolled out across countries in Africa where a lack of customer data limits lending. Getting loans is one of the main hurdles facing small businesses and individuals across the continent as relatively few people have bank accounts or a credit score to go with them so lenders can assess risk. ... Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 55/97   BMW teams up with tech firms for driverless cars: source BMW is set to announce an alliance to develop self-driving cars with collision detection specialist Mobileye and computer chip maker Intel, a source familiar with the matter said, as the race to put driverless cars on the road heats up. The tie-up is likely to focus on technology being developed by Mobileye to give computer-driven vehicles better reflexes without driver input, ushering in an era of self-driving cars early in the next decade, analysts said. It will be attended by BMW Chief Executive Harald Krueger, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich and Mobileye Chairman and Chief Technology Officer Amnon Shashua, they said. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 56/97   Google buys 12-year output from Norwegian wind power farm Google has bought the entire 12-year power production from a yet-to-be-built Norwegian wind power farm to supply its European data centers with renewable energy, its developers said on Thursday. Norway's Zephyr and Norsk Vind Energi said the 160-megawatt capacity onshore Tellenes wind power farm south of Stavanger is expected to be fully operational in late 2017, and when built it would become the largest wind power farm in the Nordic country. "Google has been carbon-neutral since 2007 and we are committed to powering 100 percent of our operations with renewable energy sources," said Marc Oman, EU Energy Lead, Google Global Infrastructure. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 57/97   Japan regulator approves Canon deal to buy Toshiba unit, warns on method By Junko Fujita TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's anti-monopoly regulator has approved Canon Inc's acquisition of Toshiba Corp's medical equipment unit, but issued a warning over the way they carried out the deal, which antitrust experts have called questionable. Toshiba, hurt by an accounting scandal and in a hurry to raise cash before closing its books for the business year that ended in March, structured the 665.5 billion yen ($6.5 billion) sale in an unorthodox way so that it could book proceeds before securing approval from regulators. Some antitrust and accounting experts at the time said the method, involving the use of a special entity and the issuance of warrants to allow Toshiba to receive cash from Canon before regulatory approval, was problematic though not illegal. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 58/97   Netflix says firm continues to look into entering China Netflix Inc will continue to look into the possibility of entering China, a senior company executive said on Thursday, as the video streaming service seeks to grow its subscriber base outside its home of the United States. "Since China is a great opportunity, we continue to look into China," Ted Sarandos, Netflix's chief content officer, said at a media event in Seoul without elaborating. Netflix is trying to counter slowing growth in the U.S. with its move in January to launch in more than 130 new markets worldwide. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 59/97   The BioShock series is being remastered for PS4, Xbox One, and PC You can't go home again — but you can head back to BioShock cities like Rapture and Columbia thanks to an upcoming remastered collection. Called simply BioShock: The Collection, the bundle includes all three games in the series — the iconic original, BioShock 2, and the more recent BioShock Infinite — with updated visuals for modern hardware. In addition to the main games, the collection will also include all of the available downloadable content, so you'll be able to play additional chapters like "Minerva's Den" or "Burial At Sea." (The only thing missing is BioShock 2's multiplayer ... Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 60/97   Google is adding recent earthquake data to search results Google is making it easier to find out useful information in the event of an earthquake. Searching for terms like "earthquake" or "earthquakes near me" will show a card with data like the magnitude and epicenter of the relevant quake, as well as other recent tremors to put it into context. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 61/97   Intel may partner with BMW to produce autonomous cars Self-driving cars may be a step closer to hitting the streets if a potential partnership with BMW and Intel comes to pass. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 62/97   Apple Watch vs. Garmin: which one should you get? When you're surrounded by smartwatch early-adopters and you opt to wear a Garmin multi-sport watch as your daily driver, you inevitably hear "What is that?" at least a couple times. At least, that's been my experience with the Garmin Forerunner 735XT, which I've been wearing for at least a few weeks. It's an expensive but useful multi-sport watch that tracks your hiking, running, and cycling adventures, as well as your daily steps and sleep levels. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 63/97   Samsung is now selling the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge unlocked in the US Samsung is today announcing something that should make more than few smartphone fans happy: it is now selling unlocked versions of the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge in the US. The unlocked phones, which work on all major US carriers, including CDMA carriers such as Sprint and Verizon, are available direct from Samsung or through Amazon, Best Buy, Ebay, Sam’s Club, and Target. The standard S7 is available in black and costs $669.99, while the S7 Edge is available in silver for $769.99. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 64/97   Amazon's Prime Day to return with big focus on TVs, toys The shopping event is back on July 12, with a handful of tweaks from last year to allay past complaints. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 65/97   Congratulations! It's sharks! — "Uh oh." Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 66/97   Jamaica wants to make it really easy for tourists to buy weed Jamaica is looking to install airport kiosks where tourists can obtain permits to legally purchase marijuana, in an effort to cash in on the country's burgeoning weed industry. As The Jamaica Gleaner reports, the permits would be available to travelers with a medical marijuana prescription, and would allow them to carry up to two ounces of the drug while in Jamaica. The country's Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) is preparing a formal proposal, which CLA medical chairman Winston De La Haye expects to take "a few weeks" to complete. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 67/97   Google buys 12 years of electricity from yet-to-be built wind farm The Norwegian wind farm will supply renewable energy for Google's European data centres for 12 years. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 68/97   'Crowd Control,' part 21: What comes after the zombie apocalypse In the penultimate installment of CNET's crowdsourced sci-fi novel, the resurrection war on Earth resolves and humanity turns to the true threat. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 69/97   AI experts weigh in on Microsoft CEO's 10 new rules for artificial intelligence Satya Nadella's vision for AI includes mandates for transparency, ethical considerations, and education. AI experts think it's a good first step, but say the rules beg new questions. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 70/97   Here's a list of everything you can ask Google's voice assistant Voice interfaces are confusing. Alexa, Siri, Cortana, and Google Now all want you to speak to them to get stuff done, but unlike with visual interfaces, there's no obvious way of knowing what it is you can ask. Well, that problem has now been solved for Google at least, with this handy directory of everything you can ask the company's voice interface. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 71/97   Apple's new patent will block your iPhone from recording video at gigs The patent uses infrared to tell your phone to disable video recording so you can focus on enjoying the show. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 72/97   The day the theory of evolution levelled up A great debate between biologist Thomas Henry Huxley and Bishop Samuel Wilberforce played a huge part in the theory of evolution's spreading through history. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 73/97   These omnidirectional wheels let you drive your car sideways The latest video to inspire this omnidirectional dreaming comes from William Liddiard, a Canadian inventor who's come up with his own take on the classic design. You can see the so-called Liddiard Wheels in action above, fitted to what appears to be a Toyota Echo. The wheels in the video above are only a prototype, but back in March Liddiard said that he was looking to sell the design to a company like Goodyear or Honda. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 74/97   Bang & Olufsen made a set of neckbuds you'd actually want to wear Bang & Olufsen's first ever pair of wireless earphones — dubbed Beoplay H5 — look like they could be a winner. B&O says the cable's design was inspired by the materials used to make sneakers, so it's comfortable and easy to clean. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 75/97   Microsoft's most powerful Surface models now available outside US Microsoft is expanding its Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 line-up outside the US and Canada today. Microsoft's online stores will sell the new models, and Germany and Japan will start receiving them later in July. Microsoft's top Surface Book is priced at £2,649 in the UK ($3,199 in the US), and the 1TB Surface Pro 4 debuts at £2,199 ($2,699 in the US). Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 76/97   Oculus CEO's Twitter gets hacked Brendan Iribe, CEO of the Facebook-backed VR company, has his Twitter intruded into. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 77/97   Google's underwater internet cable connecting US and Japan is about to go live The 9,000 kilometre cable allows internet speeds to be boosted throughout Asia as well as the west coast of the US. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 78/97   Senate sleuths focus on ex-State Department aide in Clinton email ‘cover-up’ POLITICS TOPIC NEWS As Hillary Clinton seeks to rebound from a highly critical report from the State Department’s inspector general, Senate investigators and a conservative group are zeroing in on newly revealed evidence about the activities of a now retired State Department computer specialist in orchestrating what they charge was a “cover-up” of the former secretary of state’s email practices. The role of John Bentel, whose identity as a key figure in the email probes was first reported by Yahoo News on Wednesday, is expected to be one focus of questioning today when Clinton’s former chief of staff, Cheryl Mills, is deposed in a lawsuit brought by Judicial Watch over the State Department’s handling of Freedom of Information Act requests relating to Clinton’s emails, according to a source close to the case. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 79/97   Statue of Liberty, other world sites threatened by climate change, says U.N. POLITICS TOPIC NEWS The Statue of Liberty is seen in New York harbor. Climate change might dampen Lady Liberty’s glow, according to experts. The United Nations released a report Thursday saying 31 natural and cultural World Heritage sites in 29 countries are vulnerable to the effects of climate change: rising temperatures, rising sea levels, intensifying storms, longer droughts and so on. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 80/97   19 people rescued from Kentucky cave POLITICS TOPIC NEWS Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 81/97   G7 told to act on antibiotics as dreaded superbug hits U.S. POLITICS TOPIC NEWS By Kylie MacLellan and Ben Hirschler ISE-SHIMA, Japan/LONDON (Reuters) - Britain told the G7 industrial powers on Friday to do more to fight killer superbugs as the United States reported the first case in the country of a patient with bacteria resistant to a last-resort antibiotic. U.S. scientists said the infection in a 49-year-old Pennsylvania woman "heralds the emergence of truly pan-drug resistant bacteria" because it could not be controlled even by colistin, an antibiotic reserved for "nightmare" bugs. In Japan, British Prime Minister David Cameron said leading countries needed to tackle resistance by reducing the use of antibiotics and rewarding drug companies for developing new medicines. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 82/97   Obama uses Hiroshima visit as opportunity to urge no nukes POLITICS TOPIC NEWS HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) — With an unflinching look back at a painful history, President Barack Obama stood on the hallowed ground of Hiroshima on Friday and declared it a fitting place to summon people everywhere to embrace the vision of a world without nuclear weapons. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 83/97   Airbus, Safran finalize space launchers merger SCIENCE TOPIC NEWS Airbus Group and Safran pledged on Thursday to make Europe competitive in the face of U.S. low-cost rival SpaceX as they completed a deal to merge their space launcher activities. The heads of both companies pledged to focus on making the venture competitive after Europe's position in the commercial launch market was threatened by Elon Musk's Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, which intends to offer cut-rate launch services by re-using its rockets. Under the final deal, French engine maker Safran will pay Airbus Group 750 million euros ($832 million) to ensure an equal 50/50 ownership split in the new venture -- slightly less than a previously expected figure of 800 million.. "They needed to complete this deal so that they are ready to design an entire launcher for civil customers rather than government requirements, forcing the agencies to accept what they have done for their customers rather than work with what governments want," an analyst said, asking not to be named. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 84/97   Solar plane lands in Spain after three-day Atlantic crossing SCIENCE TOPIC NEWS An airplane powered solely by the sun landed safely in Seville in Spain early on Thursday after an almost three-day flight across the Atlantic from New York in one of the longest legs of the first ever fuel-less flight around the world. The single-seat Solar Impulse 2 touched down shortly after 7.30 a.m. local time in Seville after leaving John F. Kennedy International Airport at about 2.30 a.m. EDT on June 20. The flight of just over 71 hours was the 15th leg of the round-the-world journey by the plane piloted in turns by Swiss aviators Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 85/97   Human flights to Mars still at least 15 years off: ESA head SCIENCE TOPIC NEWS You'll have to wait at least 15 years for the technology to be developed, the head of the European Space Agency (ESA) said, putting doubt on claims that the journey could happen sooner. "If there was enough money then we could possibly do it earlier but there is not as much now as the Apollo program had," ESA Director-General Jan Woerner said, referring to the U.S. project which landed the first people on the moon. Woerner says a permanent human settlement on the moon, where 3D printers could be used to turn moon rock into essential items needed for the two-year trip to Mars, would be a major step toward the red planet. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 86/97   Jewish Escape Tunnel Uncovered at Nazi Massacre Site SCIENCE TOPIC NEWS A 115-foot-long escape tunnel hand-dug by Jewish prisoners has been discovered at a Nazi execution site in Lithuania, a team of archaeologists and geoscientists announced today. Using a remote-sensing technique, a group of researchers was able to relocate the narrow tunnel at Ponar without ever breaking ground. Soon afterward, the military established Jewish ghettos in the city and began periodic killings at Ponar. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 87/97   Spaceflight Is Entering a New Golden Age, Says Blue Origin Founder Jeff Bezos SCIENCE TOPIC NEWS Early Monday (Nov. 23), the private spaceflight company Blue Origin made a major stride in the pursuit of fully reusable rockets, when it launched an uncrewed vehicle into space and then soft-landed the rocket booster on the ground. "It was one of the greatest moments of my life," said Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin's founder, speaking about the landing in a press briefing yesterday (Nov. 24). "And my teammates here at Blue Origin, I could see felt the same way. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 88/97   Ex-London mayor upends race for UK prime minister by quitting WORLD TOPIC NEWS By Kylie MacLellan and Elizabeth Piper LONDON (Reuters) - Former London mayor Boris Johnson, runaway bookmakers' favorite to become Britain's prime minister, abruptly pulled out of the race on Thursday in a shock announcement less than a week after leading the campaign to pull the country out of the EU. Johnson's announcement, to audible gasps from a roomful of journalists and supporters, was the biggest political surprise since Prime Minister David Cameron quit on Friday, the morning after losing the referendum on British membership in the bloc. Johnson's withdrawal makes Theresa May, the interior minister who backed remaining in the EU, the new favorite to succeed Cameron. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 89/97   Istanbul bombers were Russian, Uzbek, Kyrgyz nationals: Turkish official WORLD TOPIC NEWS By Humeyra Pamuk and Daren Butler ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Three suspected Islamic State suicide bombers who killed 42 people in a gun and bomb attack at Istanbul airport this week were from Russia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, a Turkish government official said on Thursday. The attack on Europe's third-busiest airport was the deadliest in a series of suicide bombings in Turkey this year. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 90/97   Belgium transfers Paris attacks suspect to France WORLD TOPIC NEWS One of two men who drove to collect a key suspect in the Paris attacks the night after it occurred has been transferred to France from Belgium, Belgian federal prosecutors said on Thursday. Hamza Attou, 21, was handed over to French authorities on Wednesday, Belgian prosecutors said in a brief statement, declining to give any details on the timing or manner of the transfer. Attou drove hours after the Nov 13 attacks from Brussels with Mohamed Amri to pick up Salah Abdeslam, who was in Paris at the time and whose brother Brahim had blown himself up. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 91/97   Putin: let's see how British democracy works after Brexit WORLD TOPIC NEWS Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday the market turbulence caused by Britain's vote to leave the European Union will subside in the medium term but it remains to be seen if Britain will uphold its democratic principles. Addressing his biannual meeting with Russian ambassadors abroad and special envoys, Putin said Russia had not influenced the British referendum. "Now let's see how they will implement the principles of democracy," Putin said. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 92/97   Taliban suicide bombers kill 27 in attack on Afghan police cadets WORLD TOPIC NEWS By Hamid Shalizi KABUL (Reuters) - Two Taliban suicide bombers on Thursday killed at least 27 people and wounded around 40 in an attack on buses carrying newly graduated cadets on the western outskirts of Kabul, officials said. The attacks underline the threat to security in Afghanistan about a week ahead of a NATO summit in Warsaw, where leaders are expected to discuss whether to maintain support for the Kabul government 15 years after the Taliban were driven from power. In a statement, the Taliban said around 150 police had been killed and dozens more injured. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 93/97   Zika virus a concern for poor urban areas along Gulf Coast HEALTH TOPIC NEWS HOUSTON (AP) — The poorest parts of Houston remind Dr. Peter Hotez of some of the neighborhoods in Latin America hardest hit by Zika. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 94/97   Tango therapy lifts spirits of Argentine mental patients HEALTH TOPIC NEWS The shadows of barred windows make the Buenos Aires psychiatric hospital seem especially soulless, but then the syncopated beats of tango music fill the air. For a handful of residents at the Borda hospital, the daily shuffle in line for medication has given way to the sensual steps of Argentina's classic dance. "People with mental illnesses tend to be passive receptors, but in tango they are transmitters," dance teacher Laura Segade said. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 95/97   Finding A Cure Wouldn’t Mean We’ve Defeated Cancer HEALTH TOPIC NEWS WebMD wasn't a research option when Ivy Brown was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1974, so her mother looked up her 12-year-old daughter's condition the old-fashioned way, in a hardcover medical volume."It just said 'fatal,'" Brown explained. Having moved the family to London a month earlier, Brown's parents were still trying to liaise... Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 96/97   New Zika diagnostics needed for babies, researchers say HEALTH TOPIC NEWS Some infants with brain abnormalities may not be diagnosed because they have normal-sized heads instead of the tell-tale small skulls of those born with Zika-linked microcephaly, said one of the papers published by The Lancet. This meant that "newborns infected with the virus late in pregnancy may go unreported due to their head size being within normal range," said study co-author Cesar Victora of the Federal University of Pelotas. Benign in most people, the mosquito-borne virus has been linked to microcephaly -- a shrinking of the brain and skull -- in babies, and to rare adult-onset neurological problems such as Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which can result in paralysis and death. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description. 97/97   Limited protection of GSK's malaria vaccine dwindles in 7 years HEALTH TOPIC NEWS The world's first malaria vaccine, developed by GlaxoSmithKline, provides some protection after three doses but its effect dwindles to almost nothing after seven years, scientists said on Wednesday. Publishing a long-term study of the vaccine - called RTS,S or Mosquirix and designed for children in Africa where the disease claims most of its victims - researchers said the decline in its efficacy over time is fastest in children living in areas with higher than average rates of malaria. This raises questions about whether Mosquirix can play a meaningful role in fighting malaria, they said, and suggests a four-dose schedule would be needed if it were used. Click on the image for the web page. Click here for more description.

> Voice Sythesis The Microsoft SAPI 5 ActiveX object is needed. In the security option of your browser, you must not disable the initialization of non signed ActiveX controls. You can install and use any English voice compatible with SAPI 5. (such as the speech component of Microsoft). Download No Voice Title Title and Description Voice and Output Rate     Volume     Slideshow Speed (Quick to Slow) Zero One Two Three Four Five Blog and RSS feed URLs http://moblog.whmsoft.net/en http://moblog.whmsoft.net/en/?feed=rss2 Subscribe to WhmSoft Services Photo Gallery by Email Slideshow - News Photos - From Yahoo! News Meta Log in Valid XHTML XFN WordPress

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