Archive for July, 2017

Five things to watch for at the 2017 SEC Media Days this week – CBSSports.com

There will be a surprise or two. There always is at SEC Media Days.

Try as it might, the conference and its network can't quite control all of the message. Last year, Missouri Tigers athletic director Mack Rhoades, smack dab in the middle of media days, left one set of problems for another at Baylor.

Steve Spurrier -- or the South Carolina Gamecocks sports information director -- once forgot to put Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow, from Spurrier's alma mater, on his All-SEC ballot.A former turkey inseminator at Vanderbilt Commodores once wowed 'em. We know for a fact Nick Saban will not be shy. He never is.

With those past surprises in mind, here are five sure-fire things to watch for during the festivities in Hoover, Alabama, this week:

1. Defending their turf: Expect a lot of chest-puffing in Hoover regarding the SEC's continued dominance. This is their time, their belief and their network. A few points, though: The SEC is going to have to rally from behind in 2017 to regain that No. 1 spot among conferences. The ACC has won two of the last four Heismans and national championships. The SEC had a dearth of quality quarterback play last season. There is every reason to believe the SEC will bounce back but the league has to get past being Alabama and the 13 Dwarfs. I can't remember the last time the SEC had to defend itself going into Hoover. We'll see what form that takes this week in Hoover starting with "Pawwwwwl "

2. Alabama is favored ... what else is new? A 26-game winning streak ended with one second to go against Clemson Tigers . There is little to fear on this front unless you're one of those 13 Dwarfs. The Bammers go into 2017 ranked No. 1 in the SEC and likely No. 1 in the country. They have some of the best running back depth nationally. You know the defense is going to be elite. The only question will be what subject Saban will plum while on the podium. He'll have something sticking in his craw, believe me.

3. But who's No. 2? Last year there seemed to be a 13-way tie for second in the SEC. For the first time ever, every team but one lost at least four games. One man's parity is another man's mediocrity. Auburn Tigers gets the second-best nod this season mostly because Jarrett Stidham makes this offense the most dangerous on The Plains since Nick Marshall Thundering Herd in 2013. There's a new offensive coordinator (Chip Lindsey) and a rock solid defensive coordinator (Kevin Steele). The season starts at home against Clemson!

4. Speaking of those quarterbacks The conference's depth at the position has been replenished. Bama's Jalen Hurts was the offensive player of the year as a freshman. Missouri's Drew Lock may be the most experienced with almost 3,400 passing yards last season. We told you about Stidham. Austin Allen will have to be even more of a gunslinger at Arkansas Razorbacks with Rawleigh Williams' retirement. Mississippi State Bulldogs 's Nick Fitzgerald led the league in total offense. In a season with little for which to play, Ole Miss Rebels ' Shea Patterson gives the Rebels a chance.

5. A farewell to Kevin Sumlin?: Here's the definition of being on the hot seat. The Texas A&M Aggies athletic director called out his coach at the SEC spring meetings. Sumlin has to win or else after three consecutive 8-5 Groundhog Day seasons. Sumlin is known for his candor. Can't wait for Wednesday when Summy hits the podium and no-doubt tackles the issue head on.

See original here:
Five things to watch for at the 2017 SEC Media Days this week - CBSSports.com

Mo Farah hits out at media for ‘making something out of nothing’ after IAAF labelled him ‘likely doper’ – Telegraph.co.uk

I wish you guys would understand it a bit more and write down the facts.

When it was put to him that the defence of never failing a drugs test had been an irrelevance in previous high-profile doping cases, Farah proceeded to repeat the assertion in a sometimes confused response.

People who know me and do what I do and love the sport and what we do, day in and day out, in terms of our system and what we do, as I say, I am sick of repeating myself year after year, he said.

I do what I do with a love and a joy. I can only control my legs and what I do, and I know there are a lot of people who support me, behind me, the whole nation.

It is just a small minority who think to become a success you must be doing something.

I said I will never fail a drugs test. That is who I am. I believe in clean sports and I just have to enjoy what I do, keep smiling.

Despite the off-field distractions, Farah always looked comfortable as he extended his unbeaten record inside the London Stadium.

Read this article:
Mo Farah hits out at media for 'making something out of nothing' after IAAF labelled him 'likely doper' - Telegraph.co.uk

Camden Lock market fire: large blaze brought under control – The Guardian

Firefighters have brought a large blaze at Camden Lock Market in north London under control.

The London fire brigade said on Monday morning that 10 fire engines had been dispatched to reports of a fire at the popular tourist spot after midnight.

The brigade asked people to avoid the area and said the cause of the fire was not yet known. By 3.20am the brigade said the blaze was under control.

Footage posted on social media showed firefighters dousing a significant fire. The blaze appears to have started in a guitar shop near the market.

The Metropolitan police said: Police were called on Monday at 12.10am to Camden Lock Market to reports of a fire. London fire brigade were already at the scene when officers arrived. It is unknown at this stage if any persons are injured, we await update.

A London ambulance service spokeswoman said no one had been treated at the scene.

We were called at 00.07 today (10th July) to reports of a fire at Camden Lock Market, she said.

We sent a clinical team leader and our hazardous area response team (HART) to the scene. We have not treated any patients, and we remain at the scene.

Billy Dunmore, 22, from north London, told the Guardian: I was walking past the market with friends when I saw the smoke coming out up the road. We saw flames coming out the window above Honest Burger, but through a reflection we could see lots of flames in the market.

The drama student said the area appeared to be deserted.

One witness tweeted: On a night bus I just passed the start of a big fire in Camden, now at Euston Ive seen lots of ambulances head north.

Another said: Just drove past Camden market and theres a huge fire on top a building, close to the Lock Bridge! Crazy crazy scenes.

Tim Hobern, 27, a bar manager who works near Camden market, became aware of the blaze when the fire alarm went off at Lockside Lounge.

Some of the bar staff from around the corner came running into our place saying there was a fire. We ran up the road and could see the fire in the guitar shop.

Hobern said the market was empty when the blaze broke out.

Nobody was there. The market closed around 7pm. I told my staff to get back as its not worth risking their lives.

A huge fire destroyed a large section of Londons famous Camden market in 2008.

Camden Lock is a mecca for teenagers and tourists and 28 million visitors flock to its second-hand clothes and record stalls each year.

The area was part of the first wave of London gentrification, starting in the 1960s, with the opening of the Roundhouse as a performance venue, followed swiftly by the arrival of Compendium Books, which sold political and avant garde literature.

An old timber yard by the canal was taken over in 1972 by a group of craftspeople, and on 30 March 1974 they opened the first Camden Lock market, with 16 stalls.

The markets rapidly expanded as Camdens new arrivals began decking out their Victorian homes with antiques and crafts. The area became increasingly fashionable during the punk era.

See the rest here:
Camden Lock market fire: large blaze brought under control - The Guardian

IN PHOTOS: Miss PH Earth 2017 candidates at Rappler social media workshop – Rappler

Published 10:20 PM, July 09, 2017

Updated 10:20 PM, July 09, 2017

SOCIAL MEDIA WORKSHOP. The candidates of Miss Philippines Earth 2017 visit Rappler for a social media workshop at the Rappler office in Pasig City on July 5, 2017. All photos by LeAnne Jazul/Rappler

MANILA, Philippines The 40 candidates of Miss Philippines Earth 2017 visited the Rappler office on Wednesday, July 5, where they were briefed about the importance of using social media for positive change.

MovePH executive director Rupert Ambil II welcomed the candidates and gave a background of Rappler's beginnings. Stacy de Jesus, Rappler's social media head, discussed how the company has used social media to push for change, spark conversations, and pursue projects like #SharePH and the Agos map.

Later, Rappler's chief executive officer and executive editor Maria Ressa shared insights on the importance of social media, and her experiences with critics online.

After the workshop, 8 of the candidates shared what they learned from the talks.

Samantha Acosta of Pulilan, Bulacan said social media issues make us reflect on our ethical and moral standards.

She said: "What I have learned is that there are really two sides [to] everything the negative side and the positive side. And the negative side of the talk for today is about the propaganda and the bots that are being manipulated by these people.

"The positive side is that social media is really for real change in the world. It just really depends on us how we can use social media as a platform to share our thoughts and our insights."

Vanessa Mae Castillo of Lobo, Batangas and Jessica Rose McEwen of New Zealand said they were struck by the fact that the Philippines is the social media capital of the world.

The Philippines, Vanessa said, has the power to use its people for change. She added: "Having social media around us, all these stories the fake news and the true ones we really just have to choose which ones to believe and we should really be mindful of the things we share online."

"When I heard that the Philippines was the social media capital of the world, I was actually really shocked," said Jessica. "Because one of the main problems at the moment is with that, [whether] news is really true or not because of all the different ideas and information we get, what to share. The thing we must build on is trust. The trust of the people to share what is actually real and not what is fake news. So think before you click."

As an active social media user, Catherine Tabaniag of Panglao, Bohol said the platform should not manipulate us.

"What I've learned today is that all advantages and disadvantages [of social media] should be balanced, in scale. And it's up to us how to control social media. We should [be in control of] social media and [it] should not manipulate us."

For Cagayan de Oro's Sherlyn Doloriel, a post can make or break a person online.

"You need to be careful [of] what you gain from the post... because every post you post on social media can make or break you... All you have to do is as what Sam [Acosta] said, think before you click. And always remember it's not about the social media at the end of the day, it's about you."

Kim de Guzman of Olongapo City also emphasized the importance of using the internet wisely: "Being delegates of Miss Earth Philippines, and being influencers today, and having an advocacy, we must be responsible users of the internet."

Other candidates such as Klaidel Concepcion of Marikina and Karen Ibasco of Manila were inspired by the tagline "Social media for social good."

"What really struck me is 'social media for social good' and how Rappler rallies for that. Indeed, there are two sides to the coin good and bad on social media. It's up to us to utilize social media for good, and really, for social change," Klaidel said.

"What I've learned here is your main motto social media for social good. I believe that every person as a candidate is an influencer. You have a responsibility ... to influence people and this is one of the biggest and most powerful [ways] in which you can influence any person," Karen said.

The Miss Philippines Earth coronation night will be on July 15. Tune in as Rappler livestreams the event from the Mall of Asia Arena. Rappler.com

Originally posted here:
IN PHOTOS: Miss PH Earth 2017 candidates at Rappler social media workshop - Rappler

‘Third country’s’ Army could enter Kashmir on behalf of Pak: Chinese media – Business Today

A "third country's" Army could enter Kashmir at Pakistan's request, using the "same logic" the Indian Army used to stop the Chinese military from constructing a road in the Doklam area in the Sikkim sector on behalf of Bhutan, an analyst at a Chinese think tank said.

"Even if India were requested to defend Bhutan's territory, this could only be limited to its established territory, not the disputed area," Long Xingchun, Director at the Centre for Indian Studies at China West Normal University, said in the article he wrote in the Global Times.

"Otherwise, under India's logic, if the Pakistani government requests, a third country's Army can enter the area disputed by India and Pakistan, including India-controlled Kashmir," the article said.

The Chinese state media have carried a barrage of critical articles on the Doklam standoff criticising India, but this was the first time Pakistan and Kashmir have been brought into the narrative.

"Indian troops invaded China's Doklam area in the name of helping Bhutan, but in fact the invasion was intended to help India by making use of Bhutan," it said, referring to the June 30 statement issued by India's External Affairs Ministry.

China and India have been engaged in a standoff in the Doklam area near the Bhutan tri-junction for the past three weeks after a Chinese Army's construction party attempted to build a road. Doka La is the Indian name for the region which Bhutan recognises as Doklam, while China claims it as part of its Donglang region.

Of the 3,488-km-long India-China border from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, a 220-km section falls in Sikkim.

"For a long time, India has been talking about international equality and non-interference in the internal affairs of others, but it has pursued hegemonic diplomacy in South Asia, seriously violating the UN Charter and undermining the basic norms of international relations," it said.

"Through mass immigration to Sikkim, ultimately leading to control of the Sikkim parliament, India annexed Sikkim as one of its states," it alleged.

"This incursion reflects that India fears China can quickly separate mainland India from northeast India through military means, dividing India into two pieces," it said.

"In this case, northeast India might take the opportunity to become independent. India has interpreted China's infrastructure construction in Tibet as having a geopolitical intention against India. India itself is unable to do the same for its northeastern part, so it is trying to stop China's road construction," it said.

"India's incursion, based on its own strategic judgment, is a clear violation of international law," the article said, claiming that the western countries will not unconditionally support India as they have a wide range of "common interests" with China.

"As for the territorial dispute between China and Bhutan, it should be resolved by both sides and India must respect Bhutan's sovereignty," it said.

"China can show the region and the international community or even the UN Security Council its evidence to illustrate China's position. It highlights China's sincerity and effort to maintain peace as a responsible big power. It will never resort to force till it is the last choice," it said.

Another article in the same daily said India must desist using the "Dalai Lama card" and mess up relations with China.

Referring to reports that the "Tibetan national flag," a pro-independence symbol adopted by the Tibetan government-in- exile, was unfurled on the shores of Bangong Lake, known as Pangong Tso Lake in India's in Ladakh region, the article said the timing on the incident coincided with the standoff between the two militaries in Doklam area and whether Indian authorities instigated the political activity of Tibetan separatists to exert pressure on China

"The lake sits astride India and China, with the Line of Actual Control passing through it. It's the first time the Tibetan exile administration in northern India has flown the flag at this location," it said.

"The timing of the flag-hoisting on Indian territory has sparked wide speculation over whether the Indian authorities instigated the political activity of Tibetan separatists to exert pressure on China. Although the involvement of New Delhi remains unclear, we hope they did not send any signal of approval," it said.

"New Delhi publicly promises not to allow any anti-China political activities by Tibetan exiles on Indian territory.

But it has long used the Tibet question as a diplomatic card in dealing with Beijing," it said.

"When the Indian government attaches great importance to its relationship with China, it keeps a tight grip on anti- China political activities on its soil. However, when it is dissatisfied or has conflicts with Beijing, the Tibet card is played up. But India may overestimate the influence of Tibetan exiles," it said.

"With the rise of China and as Tibet becomes better off, Tibetan independence runs counter to the will of Tibetans. The space for Tibetan separatists has been largely squeezed as more Western countries have snubbed the Dalai Lama. The Tibet card is gradually losing its value," it said.

"If New Delhi is pulling the strings of the Tibetan exiles' political act of flag-hoisting, it will only have burned itself. Both border issues and the Tibet question concern China's core interests and China won't yield to provocations," it said.

Given the ongoing border spat, Indian should "act prudently" to avoid escalating tensions, it said.

See the original post:
'Third country's' Army could enter Kashmir on behalf of Pak: Chinese media - Business Today