Tiger Woods' agent joins Excel Sports Management....

Woods will ultimately dethrone Jack

Tiger Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg is joining Excel Sports Management and is reportedly taking his Golf superstar client, with him.

Late on Sunday evening, the Golf Channel had promoted that it would release some news regarding Tiger Woods, on Monday morning.

Turns out the news was indeed about his agent's career move and the frenzy created by the teaser from the Golf Channel, shows just how much Tiger still captures the imagination of many, in the media and the sports world in general.

Good luck to Mark and here is hoping that Tiger also recovers quickly enough to reclaim his leadership mantle in the sport, with a view to eventually breaking Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 Major victories.

Woods currently sits at 14, just 5 Major victories shy of breaking the record.

Obama warns of another recession if debt talks fail

Failure to raise the US debt ceiling could trigger another recession and throw millions out of work, President Barack Obama has said.

Mr Obama is struggling to marshal support for a budget package that would include some $4tn of cuts.

But ahead of renewed budget talks with Republicans on Monday, Mr Obama said the stalemate would be resolved within a "reasonable period of time".

The US risks defaulting on its debts on 2 August, when the budget runs out.

Speaking before meeting with Republicans over the nation's federal budget, Mr Obama said it would be "not acceptable" for lawmakers to fail to raise the US debt ceiling.

"We don't risk US default on our obligations because we can't put politics aside," the president said.

But Mr Obama said there would be no deal on raising the government's debt limit if Republicans would not compromise.

"I don't see a path to a deal if they don't budge. Period," the president said, adding that a stop-gap resolution to the budget stalemate would not be considered.

"I will not sign a 30-day, or 60-day or 90-day extension," the president said.

Republicans are opposing the Obama proposals because they include plans for some tax rises. And his Democratic allies are no more enthusiastic about proposals to cut social welfare and Medicaid.

After talks on Sunday ended with no resolution, Mr Obama said he would call for daily meetings until the stalemate over the budget is broken.

"We are going to get this done by 2 August," he told reporters.

The US currently runs an estimated $1.5 trillion annual budget deficit, and has already exceeded the national debt limit of $14.3tn.

The government's borrowing authority is limited by statute.

On Monday, President Obama criticised politicians who have said the debt ceiling does not need to be raised.

"It's irresponsible. They know better," Mr Obama said.

The president added that he was "prepared to take on significant heat from my party to get something done".

Mr Obama also said Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner, faced a potential revolt from his caucus if a deal was not made before the 2 August deadline.

The president added that Republicans should take a political risk by "taking on their sacred cows", something the Democratic president said he was willing to do.

"I am prepared to take on significant heat from my party to get something done," Mr Obama said.

On Sunday, eight top Senate and House of Representatives leaders met at the White House.

Mr Boehner said on Saturday that he favoured a less ambitious target for debt reduction of $2tn.

White House aides have previously insisted Mr Obama would hold out for bigger savings, and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has also insisted that the deadline for a deal could not be extended.

When it came to the crunch in the past Congress regularly voted to raise the debt ceiling, giving government access to the cash it needed.

This year, however, newly-empowered Republicans are determined to prevent any tax increases and want to see aggressive measures to reduce the deficit in exchange for agreeing to raise the debt ceiling.

A group of Republican and Democratic members of Congress led by Mr Biden had identified about $2tn in cuts in talks over May and June but those ended in an impasse.

Strauss-Khan's alleged victim sues New York Post for libel

NY Post in the gutter?

NEW YORK  - The hotel maid who accused former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn of sexual assault sued the New York Post and five of its journalists for libel on Tuesday for reporting that she was a prostitute.

The 32-year-old Guinean immigrant accused the Post of publishingdefamatory articles between July 2-4 "in an apparent desperate attempt to bolster its rapidly plunging sales."

The suit filed in Bronx state court seeks damages to be determined at trial for articles it said the Post knew were false or should have known were false before they were published.

A spokesman for the Post was not immediately available for comment.

On Friday prosecutors called into question the woman's credibility for a series of lies about her background including a false story about being gang-raped on her application for U.S. asylum.

The Post reported on Saturday that the Sofitel housekeeper "was doing double duty as a prostitute, collecting cash on the side from male guests." An article the following day reported that the housekeeper "continued to work as a prostitute in a Brooklyn hotelwhere she was stashed by prosecutors."

"All of these statements are false, have subjected the plaintiff to humiliation, scorn and ridicule throughout the world by falsely portraying her as a prostitute or as a woman who trades her body for money and they constitute defamation and libel per se," the suit said.

Source: Reuters

Unbelievable! Nigerian governors 'apologise' to Islamists for 'rights abuse'?

Are some Northern officials in bed with extremist sect? 

Two senior officials in northern Nigerian have offered public apologies to an extremist sect for any rights violations suffered during military crackdown on its armed uprising in 2009.

Bauchi state governor Isa Yuguda and the ex-governor of neighbouring Gombe state Danjuma Goje, made their apologies in separate statements.

"I apologise to the members of Jama'atu Ahlussunnah lidda'awati wal Jihad for perceived injustices caused them as they have the full rights to be protected by the law," Yuguda said in a statement released to AFP Saturday.

"I hope this will further the healing of the trauma on Jama'atu Ahlussunnah, ...open the door to meaningful dialogue that will end hostilities and usher peace for which the religion of Islam is all about," he added.

Goje, now a senator, said "as a true Muslim, who believes in peace and brotherhood ... I hereby tender my public apology to the organisation for any wrong done to it in the course of performing my duty as the then governor of Gombe State".

The Boko Haram sect, which prefers to go by the name Jama'atu Ahlussunnah lidda'awati wal Jihad, is based in northeastern Borno state, but has also been active in nearby Bauchi and Gombe state.

It has been blamed for a recent wave of violence in the region.

The statements from the politicians appeared to be in reponse to the Boko Haram's demand for apologies as a precondition for dialogue with government.

The group's spokesman Abu Zaid had said they would hunt down the governors of Borno, Bauchi and Gombe states in comments published a week ago in the Daily Trust newspaper, which is widely circulated in the north.

"We would not relent in our efforts of searching for them until they come out publicly and apologize," Zaid told the paper.

Kashim Shettima, the newly elected governor of Borno state had already made overtures to the group.

He offered an amnesty to those of its members who renounced violence, a move backed by President Goodluck Jonathan.

But one of the conditions Boko Haram gave for dialogue was the strict application of Sharia law in the country's 12 predominately Muslim states.




Source: AFP

Again, money and influence talks as Dominique Strauss-Khan is free without bail....

DSK having a laugh at his alleged victims' expense?

As former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn was released from house arrest Friday, the woman who accused him of sexual assault in a New York hotel room in May, became the main focus of public scrutiny.

To counter the wave of allegations now circulating around the 32-year-old immigrant maid from Guinea, her attorney has accused Manhattan prosecutors of sullying her reputation to distance themselves from the damaged case against Strauss-Kahn.

"We believe that the district attorney [Cyrus Vance] is laying the foundation to dismiss this case," charged the accuser's attorney, Kenneth Thompson, in a talk with journalists after Strauss-Kahn's bail hearing in a New York courtroom today. "Anyone can see that."

In a brief nine minute hearing today, Strauss-Kahn was granted release from house arrest without bail. But the court is retaining his passport, and the criminal case against him still stands, at least for now.

Weaknesses in the case were exposed in a stunning New York Times report Thursday night describing prosecutors' doubts about the credibility of the accuser.

Thompson acknowledged that his client had "made mistakes," but insisted that she is telling the truth about the alleged assault. In her account, she was the victim of a sexual assault in Strauss-Kahn's hotel room May 14--and Thompson insisted that prosecutors have physical evidence to support her version of events. He also accused Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance of leaking information to the New York Times to discredit his client in a bid to get the case dismissed.



Still, prosecutors had uncovered major discrepancies in several aspects of the accuser's accounts of her background and circumstances, the New York Times reported Thursday. Among them, discrepancies in her accounts of what information she had put on her U.S. asylum application, and her apparent later admission that some of the information on the application was not true.

Prosecutors also obtained a recording of a phone conversation the woman had with a man imprisoned for possession of 400 pounds of marijuana that took place within a day of the alleged assault. In the conversation, she and the man reportedly discussed the possible benefit of pursuing charges in the case against Strauss-Kahn.

Prosecutors had also reportedly found that over the past two years, as much as $100,000 had been deposited into the woman's bank accounts, deposited by several individuals including the imprisoned man.

The woman also apparently had several telephones, but insisted to prosecutors she had only one.

Some of their findings were contained in a letter from Vance's office to defense attorneys for Strauss-Kahn, which you can read here.

Thompson said he had not yet heard the recording of the phone call between his client and the imprisoned man. But he said prosecutors had told him the woman's account of the alleged attack in the call was consistent with what she had earlier told prosecutors and a grand jury.

"The victim here made some mistakes, that doesn't mean she's not a rape victim," Thompson told journalists. "All this stuff leaked to the New York Times was designed to discredit her. ... She is determined. She is not going to remain in hiding any more. She is going to tell you what Dominique Strauss-Kahn did to her, and what prosecutors in this office did to her."

Thompson also asked why, in the aftermath of the accusation, the police and DA's office failed to even try to question Strauss-Kahn about what had happened in the hotel room during the five hours they held him in custody before he asked for an attorney. New York police authorities had arrested the former IMF head as he was sitting on an Air France flight awaiting takeoff at JFK Airport on May 14.

"Why wasn't DSK questioned before he asked to speak to his lawyer?" Thompson said he asked Vance. "Cy Vance had no answer. That does not make sense."

Separately, reports this week noted that Lisa Friel, the head of the Manhattan DA office sex crimes division had resigned.

Vance, speaking to reporters after Friday's court hearing, said his office was not yet dropping the case.

"Our prosecutors from the Manhattan D.A.'s office will continue their investigation into these alleged crimes and will do so until we have uncovered all relevant facts," Vance said outside New York State Supreme Court.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for July 18th.


Source: The Envoy

Amazon cuts 10,000 affiliates as California online tax law is signed

The battle over online sales taxes in California hit a new stage this week.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed the law Wednesday night that will require Amazon.com Inc. and others to collect taxes on goods sold through their Websites.

So Amazon.com followed through on a threat made to cut ties to its 10,000 affiliates in the state.

The world's biggest Internet seller (NASDAQ:AMZN) had been paying bloggers, marketers and publishers for sales made on referrals and listed California sellers on its site.

But the new law makes Amazon responsible for tallying and paying taxes on those sales, something it is fiercely resisting around the country. It has similarly cut off affiliates in Arkansas, Connecticut and Illinois where similar laws were adopted.

It is challenging a New York state law in court rather than cut off affiliates there.

Source: Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal

Anglican Bishop calls on Nigerian government to quit the UN

By CALEB AYANSINA

ABUJA—The Archbishop of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the Most Revd. Nicholas Okoh, yesterday, called on the Federal Government to pull out of the United Nations Organization, UNO, if it continued  in its recognition of gay marriage in the guise of promoting fundamental human rights.

The Archbishop, who made the call in Abuja at the human rights consultative forum to define the stance of the church on the issue of human rights and homosexuality, described as a wolf in sheep clothing those championing homosexuality under the guise of human rights advocacy.

His words: “In reaction to the role of the UN human rights groups who were using that platform to fight for the two Malawi boys who got married as homosexuals, I said that if the UNO is now an organ for the advancement of homosexual lifestyle, it was time Nigeria pulled out of that organisation in order to protect the moral health of our nation.

“That Malawi scenario raised many questions in my mind and I believe that many of our church leaders and those others involved in mobilisation and advocacy projects may be having the same problem, because many things are happening rightly or wrongly in the name of human rights.  It has become absolutely necessary to know more about it.

“People were using the UNO as a basis for campaign for general acceptance of homosexuality and we say if that is the situation, then, Nigeria has a moral right to protect its own people and, therefore, Nigeria should not subscribe to that type of tenet.”

“We live our life here; men marry women, women marry men, for anybody to come in the name of human right and begin to advocate that we live without regard to our moral standard is not a friend. This human right is not culturally conditioned.  Doesn’t it have a content?  What is acceptable in China, England, USA, does  it necessarily become acceptable in Nigeria? The Primate queried.

The guest speaker, Dr, Vinay Samuel, from UK in his keynote address, urged Nigerians to be carried away by the quest for human rights that will make them flourish rather than one that was contested, saying every human right must be shaped by the cultural understanding of each area.

He said:  “Nigeria as a much larger nation has to take leadership in seeking to relate human rights to Christian faith and to African culture.

“The church cannot be just defensive in this context. It is a struggle where it must be able to be active in shaping the outcome, not by numbers or moral posturing, but by careful reflection and by proposing substantial alternatives.

“The church is under pressure by the state to align its policies and activities to the view of rights set forth in the states policies and laws. This is very likely the way of the future as states develop policies and laws that are shaped by an understanding of rights that are promoted internationally and businesses, civil society institutions and religious bodies in particular will be forced to comply.

“It is not the universal nature of human person-hood that we are contesting as Christian. It is how the rights within that person-hood are embedded, defined and enforced. This is also true of cultures and the Chinese for one, have long contended that their cultural understanding must shape any set of human rights policies.”

World class finish by Giovanni Dos Santos

Mexico defeated the United States 4-2 today at the Rose Bowl, in Pasadena, California. The highlight of the Gold Cup final, the premier competition for North and Central American teams, was this (below) world class finish by Giovani Dos Santos, the Mexican striker of Brazilian heritage. His finish on this goal was indeed a reminder to those of us who had seen him at the FIFA U-17 World Cup a few years ago, the enormous talent he is and we are sure to see more of him going forward, I would hope. 

 

Airbus leaves Boeing reeling at Paris Air Show

Editor's Corner 

Again, may be the top brass and R&D at Boeing haven't gotten it yet, but the demand for fuel-efficient planes is seemingly the deal-braker now, with regard to plane orders in the high-stakes aerospace industry.

France jet maker, Airbus has just sealed a huge deal with AirAsia (Malaysia's low-cost carrier) to buy 200 of its A320 neo jets, in a deal worth around $18b. 

Coming on the heels of an order by India's IndiGo for 180 of the same planes, Airbus continues to rack up orders at the Paris Air Show (PAS), while Boeing languishes far behind.

The newer A320 planes are in very high demand due to the low-cost appeal (with the attendant and proven Airbus quality) of its revamped fuel-efficient engines.

Analysts posit that the healthy demand from buyers at the PAS may be evidence of a much needed upturn in the aviation industry, powered primarily by the emerging markets in Asia.

To add further salt to Boeing's injury, prominent and popular American airline, JetBlue Airways, among others, also announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that entails the purchase of 40 A320 neos.

The MOU will also purportedly allow the New York based airline, the option of converting 30 of its current orders for the A320s to the larger A321 model with its enhanced wing-tip devices (Sharklets).

Airbus which is owned by EADS, has left Boeing essentially reeling, at the Paris Air Show.

While Airbus has taken firm orders for close to 600 aircraft worth around $56b and a further $30b in provisional orders, Boeing has only taken in firm orders for just 47 planes to the tune of a 'paltry' $7.5b with a further $15b in provisional orders.

Airbus Chief Sales Officer, John Leahy is confident that the EADS owned jet maker will ultimately reach the 1000 orders plateau at the event and one only wonders how Boeing will come out, at the end of it all.

The dilemma for Boeing is a rather 'simple' one. The high cost of fuel is driving the demand for more fuel efficient planes and unlike its American competitor, Airbus is giving its customers and potential clients, exactly what they want, quality coupled with requisite cost efficiency, a seemingly long-lost American business mantra.

While the A320 neos burn upto 15% less fuel and are 30% cheaper to maintain, Boeing continues to struggle with the fact that its A320 rival, the 737, has a design 'complication' that makes 'retooling' with regard to fuel efficiency (in particular), next to impossible, but not impossible.

It would require a proposition (a new undercarriage) that in addition to being diificult, is extremely expensive and time-consuming. 

Will Boeing ultimately dare to compete? That is the question that begs a decidedly optimistic answer.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Bad news for Boeing as Airbus seals record deal with AirAsia - Seattle Business and Current Affair | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/business-and-current-affair-in-seattle/bad-news-for-boeing-as-airbus-seals-record-deal-with-airasia#ixzz1Q80SkNET

Youthful Andre Villas-Boas named as new Chelsea manager

Andre Villas-Boas has been confirmed as Chelsea's new manager.

The former Porto boss has signed a three-year deal and is in London on Wednesday preparing to begin work.

Villas-Boas, 33, is the same age as players Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba and won the Portuguese league, League Cup and Europa League last season.

"Andre was the outstanding candidate for the job. He is one of the most talented young managers in football today," Chelsea said in a statement.

    VILLAS-BOAS' RESUME

Continue reading the main story

• 1977: Born in Porto 17 October
• 1993: Works as a trainee under Sir Bobby Robson at Porto
• 1994: Achieves Uefa C coaching licence in Scotland
• 2002: Becomes part of Jose Mourinho's staff at Porto
• 2004: Follows Mourinho to Chelsea
• 2008: Moves with Mourinho to Inter Milan
• 2009: Appointed manager of Academica
• 2010: Named Porto boss
• 2011: Wins league, cup and Europa League in first season

"He has already achieved much in a relatively short space of time. His ambition, drive and determination matches that of Chelsea and we are confident Andre's leadership of the team will result in greater successes in major domestic and European competitions.

"Andre will bring his coaching experience back to a club he is already very familiar with, having previously worked here for three years. He has always been highly regarded at Chelsea and everyone here looks forward to welcoming him back and working with him."

Chelsea paid the roughly $21.5 million compensation to release the Portuguese coach from his Porto contract, with Villas-Boas succeeding Carlo Ancelotti, who was sacked after a trophyless season.

Former Chelsea boss John Hollins believes Villas-Boas could prove to be a shrewd acquisition for the west London club, who are yet to realise owner Roman Abramovich's dream of winning the Champions League, and were beaten in the quarter-finals by Manchester United last season.

"He could be fearless," Hollins told BBC Sport. "I think it could be a breath of fresh air, bringing in a fresh approach to this maybe tired football team.

"This guy is as young as some of the players are so he will be on the same wavelength with them, but is it going to be a three or four-year program as opposed to having to win something in his first year? That is the one thing we don't know yet, but he has won three competitions in Portugal just like that, so he could be a whizz-kid.

"It's a gamble but I think it's a calculated gamble. I still don't know if Guus Hiddink will be coming as an adviser to the young man. If he does, that will only strengthen the position."

Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin agrees with Hollins that the appointment of Villas-Boas is a "calculated gamble".

"There is always a risk with every managerial appointment but he is highly regarded as one of the up and coming young European coaches and has been successful in domestic and European competition," Nevin told BBC Sport. "He is flavour of the moment and Chelsea have seen something in him."

Under Villas-Boas last season, Porto were unbeaten in the league, with 27 wins in 30 matches, becoming only the second Portuguese club to complete a league campaign without losing a game, after Benfica in 1972-73.

A scout for compatriot Jose Mourinho at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan, Villas-Boas began his managerial career with Portuguese club Academica in October 2009.

Academica were winless and bottom of the first division at the time but finished the season in 11th place.

They also reached a Portuguese League Cup semi-final before he left to take over at Porto in June 2010.

Villas-Boas, who speaks fluent English, also worked with Sir Bobby Robson during the former England manager's spell in charge of Porto.

Source: BBC Sports