While China"s stock market melts down, investors ask, Where are our leaders?

While thousands of Chinese investors lose their savings in Chinas plummeting stock markets, the countrys leaders have remained conspicuously silent.

Chinese president Xi Jinping is in Russia to attend a BRICS summit, and premier Li Keqiang has said only that China has the confidence and ability to deal with economic risks. Neither have mentioned the fact that Chinese shares have fallen 30% over the past three weeks. Today, Chinese markets opened lower for a third day in a row, with about half of all listed companies shares suspended. By noon the benchmark Shanghai Composite had risen slightly by 0.4%, thanks perhaps to additional stimulus measures rolled out by the central bank and bank regulator.

The Peoples Daily on July 9th, showing Xi in Russia.(People"s Daily)

Investors were already questioning the governments ability to rescue the market, now they are growing frustrated with top officials silence on the subject. China is having its biggest stock crash in history, but where are its national leaders? one investor commented on an online forum, Guba.

Referring to Xis oft-touted slogan for giving Chinese citizens more economic opportunities, the blogger wrote, We were full of hope for this China Dream but who will believe in that now?

Others believe that only a statement of support from Xi or other top leaders can soothe panicky investors. The stock market is in such a plummet. The leaders should take a stand. Only this will restore confidence, one blogger wrote (link in Chinese) on the online forum Tianya.

Some say that the silence has been intentional. If they had commented, it would be a sign the problem is really serious. And they could be accused of intervening in the market, a source close to the Chinese leadership told Reuters. Another added, If it were a real crisis, Xi would be forced to cancel his trip.

The biggest danger for the Chinese leadership is that the drop in the stock market destroys the publics confidence in the government. If the government doesnt deal the stock crash well. Im afraid not only mom and pop investors will lose their hard-earned money, but the government will also lose its credibility and cohesion, the investor on Guba wrote.

Source: http://qz.com/448971/while-chinas-stock-market-melts-down-investors-ask-where-are-our-leaders/

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Polo Gold Cup 2015: No teenage wasteland for Josh Cork in shadow of Dubai"s ...

"It"s really good. You learn a lot and it"s great playing with them."

Young Brits: Ralph Richardson | Ollie Cudmore | Tom Brodie

There is a thrill playing alongside Cambiaso, not to mention Martin Valent and Diego Cavanagh. "Theres lots of things to learn from him. He"ll instruct you little by little and he"ll make you make the right plays. It"s really good. He"ll guide you that little step and it will help you so much. It"s a dream come true."

Cambiaso has a succinct report on the young charge. "I don"t say much to him. He"s just a guy who understands what he"s doing. In polo you either have it or you don"t. I think he has it. He"ll be a really good player, the 10-goal legend said.

Cork has been saddled up for polo since he was nine. "I"ve been playing ten years. My parents and brothers are also involved. Everybody except for my mum. I"m the oldest. My dad only started playing ten years ago as well. We all started playing at the same time," he explained.

His father plays in Hertfordshire at Silver Leys, a local polo club. "My dad Andy"s off zero. My brothers Marcus and Ollie are off zero and minus one. Hopefully Ollie will get a chance next year."

Cork had talent in other sports growing up. "I was quite good at football at a young age. I went to Monks Walk in Llewellyn Garden City. It"s in Hertfordshire. It was a public school. I played cricket as well. I could bat all right, but bowling wasn"t my strength."

Cambiaso - the greatest sportsman you"ve never heard of?

But polo has gradually taken over his life. "At the start you never know what will happen. But the last couple of years I"ve been pushing really hard to play well and improve my polo. I try to be well-disciplined, listen to all the players and carry out what they say. That"s the best you can do really. I"m now based at Ambersham, just five minutes down the road."

Cork also took part in the match last week for Dubai against King Power. It was over 30 degrees, and to save the ponies uncomfortable journeys, Cowdray Park manager Chris Bethell agreed for the match to be diverted to Billingbear, to save the ponies 90 minutes of travel time.

Dubai won that match 17-9, with Cambiaso "on very top form.

"I was absolutely dead after the game. Exhausted. I was out for the count," explained Cork, who goes to Argentina every winter. "I"ve been there nearly five years now. It"s very hard for an English player to get to six goals, let alone ten goals."

The crucial aspect of his improvement, though, have been those last four years. "I"ve been going to Argentina for the last four winters. You can improve your ball skills a lot in Argentina. It"s mainly loads of practices over there not so much tournaments. If you can be with the right people, it"s always good."

Cork is a true lesson for any young developing professional. And with the understated praise of the world"s leading playing ringing in his ears, it has been a coming of age season for young Josh Cork.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/polo/11727777/Polo-Gold-Cup-2015-No-teenage-wasteland-for-Josh-Cork-in-shadow-of-Dubais-Adolfo-Cambiaso.html

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What Does David Lee Trade Mean For Olynyk, Sullinger?

BOSTON (CBS) With Danny Ainge reportedly swinging a deal for forward David Lee, the Celtics now have quite the logjam in their front court.

Lee is expected to make up Bostons starting frontcourt alongside offseason addition Amir Johnson in the fall, leaving Kelly Olynyk and Jared Sullinger fighting for minutes. Both players were drafted by Boston, supposedly important parts of the teams rebuild. But with the addition of two veterans, what will happen to them?

The Lee acquisition paints a very different picture of the Celtics for Michael Felger, who wants to see Olynyk and Sullinger play more, if for no other reason than to boost their value on the trade market. But Tony Massarotti was quick to point out that despite plenty of opportunities, neither player has taken their game to the next level in Boston. Maybe adding a veteran like Lee will now make them fight for those opportunities.

Maybe they are going to have to actually work at it to get playing time, said Mazz. Im tired of Sullinger. Im tired of waiting on it. This is going to be his fourth year. It started with his back, now itshis conditioning. When are we going to see something?

Sullinger was held to 58 games last season, sidelined for most of the second half bya foot injury, and Ainge actually called Sullingers conditioning into question after the injury. To his credit, Sullinger worked his way back by the playoffs (he was initially thought to be lost for the season), averaging 12.3 points and seven rebounds in Bostons four-game sweep to the Cavaliers.

Lee should make the Celtics better next season, though he certainly wont put them over the hump. That means theyre just further securing themselves in the middle of the pack not good enoughto contend for a title but not bad enough to land a top lottery pick to build around.

But with neither Olynyk or Sullingershowing signs of getting better, Mazz said adding a veteran like Lee should give them a push to do so, now more than ever.

I dont like the fact theyre stuck in this middle ground, which is death in the NBA, said Mazz. But I also look at some of their young guys and, a year ago people were raving how Olynyk finished the previous season, but I dont feel like he got better this year. And Sullinger to me has become more apathetic, if possible. If these guys are going to be something, you have to push them, and I dont mind pushing them a little bit.

Ainges offseason is far from done, so expect some more trades as the summer goes on. With Lee now in the mix, its very likely Olynyk or Sullinger will be included in a future deal.

Source: http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/07/08/what-does-david-lee-trade-mean-for-olynyk-sullinger/

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"The View" disintegrates further as Rosie Perez confirms exit

While The View moderator Whoopi Goldberg is dominatingthe headlines by doubling down on her defense of Bill Cosby, her show is going through some drama of its own. After an endless stream of storiesabout yet another View shake-up, co-host Rosie Perez broke down on Wednesday as she confirmed her upcoming exit.

Well, you guys all heard it, the actress saidthrough tears, alluding to the articlesleading up to her departure. Ive decided that its time to move on. And I will say that today is very bittersweet for me.

[Whoopi Goldberg on Bill Cosby: Hes innocent until proven guilty]

The moment was reminiscent of Ann Currys awful forced goodbye from Today and a reminder that talkshows, in an attempt to find acombination of hosts that most appeals to an audience, can make those viewers extremelyuncomfortable asthey give someone a gentle shove out the door.

Though Perez didnt outright blame ABC, thanking the network for the opportunity, Variety reportedback in January that the network was looking to give her the boot after just four months on the show. The View has been in a slow state of disintegration since executive producer/den mother Barbara Walters left in May 2014, hiring and then shedding hosts includingJenny McCarthy, Sherri Shepherd and the polarizing Rosie ODonnell. Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck also left within the last two years.

Its become a running joke at this point: The hosts of Windy City Live, a programthat airs after The View on ABCs Chicago-based station, joked that the show is basically an airplane gate and people just exit and then they go on and then they exit and they go on. Pretty much sums it up.

In an attempt to stabilize things while still bumping up ratings (which have decreased in the past few years), producershired the ever-controversial Raven-Symon as a full-time co-host last month. She joins Goldberg and Nicolle Wallace, the former GOP strategist who started at the same time as Perez last September.

[Will controversy magnet Raven-Symon save The View?]

Meanwhile, there are more rumors about what The View has in store, as The Wrap reports producers are mulling arotating panel of co-hosts including new regular guest Michelle Collins. Whatever The View is doing in its post-Walters iteration, its probably best to find stability: History shows that viewers can quickly tire of a constant host shuffle.

Meanwhile, Perez cried as she thanked Goldberg, Wallace, network executivesand viewers, adding that she was honored to be the shows first Latina co-host. Goldberg urged Twitter to calm down and that Perez was not leaving today her last day is Aug. 6, when the show wraps up for the season.

Just know that I do not have one regret for coming to this show, Perez said. I would do it all over again, and its all because of you, the fans. Please know I will remain a friend of this show.

Read more:

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2015/07/08/the-view-disintegrates-further-as-rosie-perez-confirms-exit/

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PlayStation Network Currently Experiencing Issues [Update]

Share.

All services now back online. By Alex Osborn

Update:All PlayStation Network services are now back up and running, according to thePSN Status page.

Original Story:PlayStation Network is currently experiencing issues, limiting users" access to content from PlayStation Now and Sony"s online marketplace.

Additionally, the PSN Status page confirms that both gaming and social features are also facing problems. As such, you may be "experiencing issues related to launching games, applications, and/or social features such as trophies, messaging, or friends list."

Sony is aware of the situation and asks for your patience while these issues are being addressed.

Stay tuned to IGN, as we"ll keep you updated on the network"s status until it"s back online.

Alex Osborn is a freelance writer for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.

Source: http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/07/08/playstation-network-currently-experiencing-issues

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Inside Seahawks QB Russell Wilson and Ciara"s Relationship

There have been rumors for months that Ciara and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson were dating, but neither party confirmed the news. Then, Wilson, 26, spoke about his lady love during an interview with San Diego"s Rock Church over the week and revealed a lot about their romance.

Here are some highlights, coming from not only the interview, but Instagram posts that have the couple at the most lavish of events and also spending time to bring hope to some children who need it.

The Romance and the Prediction

"I do have a girlfriend, yes," Wilson said, speaking to Pastor Miles McPherson for the church"s show on Sunday. "She"s a sweetheart."

Then, a picture of the two popped up on screen, as Wilson added, "Yeah, that"s my girlfriend. ... she"s everything you could ever want, honestly."

"I met her 5, 6 months ago," he said. "The funny thing is, I told somebody that"s the girl I want to be with before I even met her."

Wilson actually predicted the two would be together.

"If there"s a 10, she"s a 15," he said about her.

The Relationship Now and Abstaining

Wilson, who passed up millions of dollars in high school to play baseball to go to college, is very passionate about his faith and admitted he and Ciara are abstaining for religious reasons. Wilson adds that Ciara, 29, is a believer and is religious, as well.

"She"s been through some heartaches, I"ve been through some heartaches," he said. "I was married before. I married the person I was with in high school."

Ciara also has a son with her ex, rapper Future.

Even though his relationship didn"t work out, Wilson had faith and after meeting Ciara, he said that while she was on tour, he was looking at her in the mirror and "G*d spoke to me, he said "I need you to lead her.""

"I was like, "Really, right now?"" he said, adding that at the moment, he suggested they take "all that extra stuff" off the table. "We are talking about s*x."

Wilson said Ciara agreed and "it"s the fact that could we love each other without that?"

Wilson still joked, "I ain"t going to lie to you all now, I need you all to pray for us," he said.

The Award Shows and the White House

Wilson walked the carpet last week at the BET Awards with Ciara and gushed on Instagram, "Blessed to wear the one & only German Designer Philipp Plein next to this beautiful lady @Ciara at the BET Awards as she did an epic tribute to Janet Jackson."

Even though they hadn"t gone public yet, Wilson also posted a picture of the couple dressed to the nines for dinner at the White House. That"s as official as it gets.

"Dancing at The @WhiteHouse to Prince & Stevie Wonder w/ my lady @Ciara Thanks Mr. President & First Lady! #IsntSheLovely #Blessed," he wrote.

P.Y.T.

A photo posted by Russell Wilson (@dangerusswilson) on Jun 13, 2015 at 5:54pm PDT

Giving Back

Wilson is known for visiting the local children"s hospital and just over a month ago, he brought Ciara to raise some spirits and share the love.

"We are #StrongAgainstCancer," he wrote last month.

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/inside-seahawks-qb-russell-wilson-ciaras-relationship/story?id%3D32273484

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Prediction: Maria Sharapova will stun Serena Williams, snap 16-match losing ...

Maria Sharapova was so close. Victoria Azarenka looked to have Serena Williams on the ropes in their Tuesday quarterfinal, a position the world No. 1 has steadily found herself in during her 26-match Grand Slam winning streak. With an Azarenka win, Sharapova would be facing a woman shed defeated four-straight times in Thursdayssemifinal, a woman who would give her an easily defined path to just her second Wimbledon final in 11 years.

Instead, Serena Williams did what Serena Williams does. She buckled down, let out of a few screams and made that first-set deficit a distant memory by the end, rolling over Azarenka like shes rolled over so many before, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.

(AP)

And now, its Serena vs. Sharapova for the right to go to the Wimbledon final. But what should be a tennis delight featuring the two best players in the gameover the past decade is instead a rivalry if you can even call itthat on par withthe Globetrotters and Generals. Over the past decade, when they have consistently been two of the best tennis players in the world, Serena Williams is 16-0 against Maria Sharapova. Sixteen and zero. How bad is it for Sharapova, beyond that 0-16 record?

1. Of the 16 matches, 13 have been decided in straight sets.

(Getty Images)

2. Just three of the 35 sets theyve played have gone to a tiebreak. (Serena has won all three.)

3. Serena has won a total of 32 sets during the streak. Ten of those were by a score of 6-0 or 6-1, including the famous 6-0, 6-1 beatdown in the 2012 Olympic final at Wimbledon.

4. The last time the womenwent to three sets (Miami, 2013), Serena won the decider 6-0.

(AP)

5. And its not as if this rivalry is based on old matches that hold little meaning today: Ten of the 16 matches have taken place since 2012.

But if youre going to talk about all those pro-Serena stats, you have to mention the one pro-Maria stat: When they played their second match, all the way back in 2004 when Sharapova was a lanky 17-year-old Russian and Serena ruled the game, Sharapova pulled what was, at the time, one of the biggest upsets of a generation. It came in the Wimbledon final, created a tennis superstar in Sharapova and sent Williams into a relative tailspin (she had six majors at the time, then would win just three in the next half-decade).

(AP)

Theyve only played in Wimbledon once since then, six years later when Serena won one of the harder fought battles of their rivalry, taking their fourth-round match 7-6 (9), 6-4. And, to her credit, Sharapova has played Williams (relatively) tougher of late. Their meeting in the Australian Open final was 6-3, 7-6 (5). An early-2014 final in Brisbane was 6-2, 7-6 (7). The 2013 French Open final was 6-4, 6-4.

Put aside the stats for a second.Sharapova is going to win one day. She just has to. Unless one of them retires this year, the odds say that shell get the best of Serena at some point in her career. All streaks end. And there will be no better time then Thursday. Serena looks completely dialed in at the moment, dispatching her sister with ease, then calmly coming back against an opponent in Azarenka whoeasily could have won that match in straight sets. Serena Williams currentlylooks like a freight train barreling through London en route to New York.

(AP)

Still, the historical weightof the Grand Slam looms for Serena. She has to be calmer after getting through that tough Venus/Vika double, but now that the Wimbledon title is just four sets away, we could start to see some of the tight playing we saw earlier in the tournament and during the French Open final. For the first time since Serenas winning streak over Maria became a thing(say around match No. 8), the pressure will bemore on Serenas side of the court than Sharapovas. The Russian isexpected to lose. Seventeen doesnt sound that much worse than 16. She can be freer and easier, knowing that Serena is two wins away from a second Serena Slam and nine wins away from a historic Grand Slam. Sharapova, on the other hand, is just playing with house money.

This is Serena Williams match to lose. But maybe, just maybe, its Maria Sharapovas to win. The streak will end some time. Why not Thursday?

Prediction: Maria Sharapova d. Serena Williams, 7-6 (5), 6-1.

(Getty Images)

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Source: http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/07/serena-williams-maria-sharapova-wimbledon-semifinal-preview-winning-streak-last-time-she-won-tv-time

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