Let’s look at the latest Rupert-gate round-up from the BBC: FBI to open 9/11 victims ‘phone-hacking’ investigation

The FBI is investigating reports that Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation sought to hack the phones of victims of the 9/11 attacks.

The criminal probe follows calls from a growing number of senators and a senior Republican for an investigation.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Mr Murdoch defended the company’s handling of the crisis.

Meanwhile, Mr Murdoch and his son James have agreed to answer UK MPs’ questions on the hacking scandal next week.

The Commons media committee issued summonses after the pair initially declined to appear.
…

Republican Congressman Peter King – who is chairman of the House homeland security committee and represents a constituency in New York that lost more then 150 people in the 9/11 attacks – called on Wednesday for an FBI inquiry.
…

Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, one of News Corporation’s largest shareholders, told the BBC he had no plans to sell off his stake in the company – 7% of voting shares.

Big surprise that Rupert decided to grant an interview with the Wall Street Journal, that he owns.

I assume that his British lawyers explained what kind of trouble he would be in if he was a no-show for the Parliamentary hearing. It would be a bit embarrassing if he and his son were deported and put on the no-fly list.

Three senior Democratic Senators call for an investigation and nothing happens, but 9-11 ghoul Peter King get instant service from the FBI.

Someone should have stopped Prince Alwaleed from making a statement. That was not a good move for US conservative consumption. At some point they might figure out that the Prince owns a chunk of Fox and the Wall Street Journal.

Cugnaux – Luz-Ardiden

Distance: 211.0 kilometers.

From the BBC Day-by-day Guide:

A steady 130km or so of gentle uphill road leads to the first-ever climbing of the category-one La Hourquette d’Ancizan before the 17km ride up the legendary Col du Tourmalet takes the riders over 2,000m for the first time this year. But the day does not finish there. There is still the 13km slog up to the mountain-top finish at Luz-Ardiden.

The last two climbs are Hors Catégorie, explained in a note below the fold. The Tour is in the Pyrenees and the Polka Dot Jersey is ascendant, but it is Bastille Day, so French riders will really want to win this stage.

The French had to settle for holding the Yellow and gaining the White, as Sanchez showed his ability as a climber.

Thomas Voeckler ( Fra – EUC – 181 ) [Yellow] 51h 54′ 44″
Mark Cavendish ( GBr – THR – 171 ) [Green] 260 points
Samuel Sanchez ( Esp – EUS – 021 ) [Polka Dot] 40 points
Arnold Jeannesson ( Fra – FDJ – 134 ) 13 [White]

Team: Leopard-Trek ( 011-019 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Samuel Sanchez ( Esp – EUS – 021 )
Combative: Geraint Thomas ( GBr – SKY – 117 ) [Red numbers]

They’ve gone 2,127.5 kilometers [1,322.0 miles] at an average speed of 41.0 kph [25.5 mph] ↓.

OVERALL STANDINGS:
[Read more →]

La Fête Nationale
Bastille Day

Thank you for the help with the Revolution.

Happy Birthday Александра.

Some background.