NASA anticipates greater discoveries
Speaking before the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, Stern says scientific information gleaned from the New Horizons mission to Pluto is “revolutionizing” what they know about the icy dwarf planet, predicting that even greater discoveries lay ahead.
With only 5% of data on the ground, we all feel we need to fasten our seat belts for the next 95%.
It will take 16 months for all the collected data from New Horizons to be transmitted to Earth. Scientists say the mission demonstrates this need for further planetary exploration.
Now is the time to accelerate, not curtail, the pace and scope of our nation’s solar system exploration program.
Details relationship with inmates
Mitchell details her increasing sexual contact with Matt and her deepening involvement in the plot over time. She tells her dreams of running off into the sunset with the men, only to have the fantasy unravel when she panicked on the night of the escape.
I enjoyed the attention, the feeling both of them gave me, and the thought of a different life.
Her relationship with Matt began with seemingly innocent requests for help, but soon escalated into sexual contact, including sending him nude photos to give to Sweat. Mitchell explains she had sexual contact with Matt.
I originally brought in two blades, by bending them in half and putting them in some hamburger, which I then put in the freezer. Inmate Matt asked me for hacksaw blades, he also asked for two chisels and a punch.
Seeks Boehner removal
Meadows files a motion to remove Boehner as Speaker, saying that Boehner has caused the power of Congress to atrophy, “thereby making Congress subservient to the Executive and Judicial branches, diminishing the voice of the American People.” The motion also claims that Boehner has:
[used the power of his office to] punish Members who vote according to their conscience instead of the will of the Speaker.
‘An inspiration to all’
Tendulkar pays homage to Kalam at Kalams residence where his body is being kept.
The nation mourns the loss of a great person. Former President of India, a renowned scientist, an inspiration to all, a terrific human being…RIP Dr. Abdul Kalam
‘One of India’s most accomplished leaders’
President Obama extends his condolences on the event of Kalams death. He pays rich tributes and says that Kalam served as an inspiration to millions of Indians.
A scientist and statesman, Dr Kalam rose from humble beginnings to become one of India’s most accomplished leaders, earning esteem at home and abroad. An advocate for stronger US-India relations, Kalam worked to deepen our space cooperation, forging links with NASA during a 1962 visit to the United States.
Jail releases video
Texas authorities release several hours of video footage of Bland during her three days in jail to address conspiracy theories that she was dead before arriving there, and threats to personnel. Judge Duhon says the FBI is investigating the most serious threats. The first portions of footage show Bland being taken out of a patrol car at the jail and questioned by a jailer. She’s then briefly placed in a holding cell before her mugshot is taken and she makes a phone call. Duhon:
Sandra Bland was alive and well [until she was found hanging in her cell]…Because of some of the things that’s gone out on social media, this county has been literally attacked.
Opposes legalized marijuana
Osbourne opposes legal marijuana, having seen her husband and children battle drug addictions. She believes it will end in disaster for society in the long term:
I have big resentments that this is happening (sic). Anything that alters your mental state I don’t think should be allowed. … You can say prescribed medication can alter your mental state but I don’t agree with it all. The next thing I am waiting for is when someone is working heavy machinery, when they are driving a car. It is all going to end in tears.
‘A giant of the game’
Richardson gives tribute to Rice:
Clive Rice was a giant of the game, not just in South Africa, but across the cricketing world. Though his international appearances for the Proteas were limited to just three ODIs, Clive was a hugely inspirational figure for those of us who had the privilege to represent our country since readmission to international cricket in 1991 and it was fitting that Clive was named as captain of the national team on that historic first tour to India.
Clive was hugely regarded across the world game as a player, but later as a coach and mentor where he inspired the likes of Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock and Jonty Rhodes, and he will be greatly missed by those who knew him. On behalf of the ICC I would like to extend our condolences to his wife Sue and children at this difficult time.
Rape comment apology
Cohen apologizes for his comment that “you cannot rape your spouse.” Non-consensual sex between spouses does constitute as rape, experts say. He made this comment while trying to defend trump from comments made by Ivana Trump.
As an attorney, husband and father there are many injustices that offend me but nothing more than charges of rape or racism. They hit me at my core. Rarely am I surprised by the press, but the gall of this particular reporter to make such a reprehensible and false allegation against Mr. Trump truly stunned me. In my moment of shock and anger, I made an inarticulate comment – which I do not believe — and which I apologize for entirely.
Police stations on high alert
Members of India’s security forces are on high alert across the country after the fatal shootings at a police station in New Delhi in the western state of Punjab. In addition to the fatalities reported it is now being reported that eight injured being treated in area hospitals. Security establishments around the country are concerned that the gunman was able to gain access to the police station and hold off security and military personnel for over 11 hours before the siege could be brought to a close. A junior minister expresses the government’s concern based not only on this event but also in response to intelligence received from across India’s borders.
There have been earlier reports of Pakistan infiltration and cross-border mischief in this area.
‘An absolute legend’
Matthews recalls Rice:
He was one of those captains who got the best out of every single person who was in his team. It was just a great honour to have the opportunity right at the end of his career to play under him on that iconic tour of India. He was just an absolute legend. He played the game hard and was always very fair…Unfortunately he never had the opportunity at the height of his career to play on the international stage, because he would have been one of the great all-rounders the world had seen.
Obama ‘blocks’ Mugabe
President Obama blocks President Mugabe from attending his special meeting at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Press secretary Charamba says Mugabe is unmoved by Obama’s visit to the AU headquarters, describing the event as just “a visit by any other visitor”.
Obama has come to Ethiopia for an official visit and to address the staff there…If you are afraid of him, we are not because he is just a Head of State who visits Africa and the AU headquarters by virtue of his ancestry. There will be a report on the summit in January where we will get a briefing on the visitor who is called Barack Obama ‘who we received and went back home happy’. . . He did not come to visit Mugabe. He went to Ethiopia and asked to visit the HQ. I did not see you writing that Mugabe snubs Obama when he went for the Ebola summit (in New York)
Israel criticizes Huckabee
Israel admonishes Huckabee over his Holocaust remark. Representatives say that while Huckabee showed real concern about the safety and future of Israel and its people, he should not have referred to the gas chambers and ovens in the Nazi death camps used to murder millions of Jews and others when expressing his concern about the Iran agreement. Cabinet member Katz:
Dear Mr Huckabee, no one is marching Jews to the ovens anymore. That is why we established the State of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces, and if necessary, we will know how to defend ourselves by ourselves.
OHCHR: Fails to meet international standards
The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights says it is ‘deeply disturbed’ by the verdicts and sentences on Gadhafi’s case, asserting that the trial failed to meet international standards for fair trials:
Among the key shortcomings are the failure to establish individual criminal responsibility in relation to specific crimes. There were also serious issues relating to access to lawyers, claims of ill-treatment, and trials conducted in absentia. It is crucial to ensure accountability for serious human rights violations. However this needs to be done with scrupulous adherence to international fair trial standards and with full respect for the rights of the defendants. Failing this, injustice is only compounded.
A ‘true SA cricket legend’
Els pays tribute to Rice on his passing.
My sincere condolences to the loved ones of Clive Rice, who passed away today. True SA cricket legend. #RIPCliveRice
— Ernie Els (@TheBig_Easy) July 28, 2015
Thailand human trafficking criticized
Thailand continues to be blacklisted in the U.S. State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons report for consecutive second time for not combatting modern-day slavery. This comes after the country presses charges against more than 100 people, including an army general, on counts of human trafficking after dozens of bodies were found in a jungle prison camp earlier this year.
Thailand investigated and prosecuted some cases against corrupt officials involved in trafficking, but trafficking-related corruption continued to impede progress. Relevant agencies have intensified their efforts, which led to the crackdowns of trafficking syndicates as well as many arrests and punishments of high-ranking officials complicit in human trafficking.
Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
[The report] does not accurately reflect the significant efforts undertaken by the government.
Human rights status boosted
The State Department elevates Malaysia in its latest human trafficking report. The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report gives Malaysia a boost to the Tier 2 Watch List from Tier 3. State Department:
The Government of Malaysia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, however, it is making significant efforts to do so.
Purges phone records
The Obama administration announces that the NSA will purge phone records by the beginning of next year. However, there is a possibility that some data may not be completely erased from all records. Source:
The decision comes as a victory for privacy advocates, who worried that the winding down of the mass surveillance program under a reform law enacted earlier this year could have allowed the NSA to continue to access phone records it already had collected
Kerry endorses Iran deal
During testimony to the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, Kerry says that while he understands Israel’s fears about the Iran deal, putting the agreement in place will make Israel, and the entire area more secure. He also provided reassurance as to the U.S. role in the region after the agreement is in place, pointing out the high level of cooperation between the U.S. and Israel:
The US [will] continue to push back against Iran’s other activities. It[is] much easier to push back against an Iran that doesn’t have a nuclear weapon the agreement will ensure. Washington’s current level of security cooperation with Israel is unprecedented and the US will continue to maintain its robust security presence in the region.
Announces photonics initiative
Biden and Cuomo announce a photonics initiative in Rochester, that will hire about 100 scientists and other experts and get to work on a handful of research projects within about five months. The $600 million initiative includes $110 million in federal funding, $250 million from New York state, and the rest from private companies. Supporters say the project could mean thousands of jobs for the region as it brings together government, industry and academia to advance photonics research and its use commercially.
You’ve gone from making Brownie cameras to lenses that are now mapping the far side of Pluto…AIM Photonics is going to act as a central hub and will give Rochester photonics businesses the space and the capacity they need to generate the next generation breakthroughs and secure American leadership in the manufacturing of integrated photonics.