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The "5"

5. Lowes Bids For Rona - The American big box chain, with some locations in Canada, bid $1.76B in a takeover attempt of the Canadian stores whose main competition to date would be Home Depot. The bid was rejected by Rona and Lowes vowed to persist indicating a hostile takeover may be in the making.

4. Aurora Shooter Suspect Charged - James Holmes appeared in court this week and was formally charged in the July 20 shooting rampage. Double charges on each count meant 24 counts of murder, plus 116 counts of attempted murder. Charges of explosives and committing a criminal act brought the total to 142. The case also focused on psychiatrist Lynne Fenton. Not only was Holmes her patient but she was part of the university threat assessment team.

3. Blackout In India - For 2 days this week up to 700 million people in the world's 2nd most populated nation were without power. Though blackouts are common in the nation this was unprecedented in magnitude. Authorities felt the cause was likely that certain states were taking more than their allotted power causing the system to crash. An investigation is underway.

2. Niagara Shooting - A brazen daytime shooting this week left a Niagara Falls neighborhood in shock and an 18 year old victim in hospital with a chest wound. The crime occurred near Simcoe Street and St. Lawrence Ave. Police have recovered a gun believed to be used but are still on the look out for prime suspect Jordan Knott. In an unrelated story Niagara Police confirmed this week that a body found in King's Bridge Park in April was murdered.

1. Olympics - London 2012 continues into its 2nd week. Canadians increased their medal count, Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian ever. GOAT began to trend (Greatest Olympian of All Time) and a discussion about Phelps, GOAT or no GOAT. Several badminton teams were disqualified for "not trying". Many track and field events begin this weekend.

...AND WHAT ELSE DID WE LEARN THIS WEEK...Speaking of the Olympics, CBC announced it had won the broadcast rights for the 2014 Sochi Winter Games and the 2016 Summer Games in Rio. We lost author Gore Vidal at age 86. Quebecers will go to the polls on September 4. Ontario Liberal stalwart Greg Sorbara resigned his Vaughan seat prompting another provincial by-election. He will remain active within the party in different capacities. Apple and Samsung continue their bitter battle in court over patents, copyrights and general appearance of smart phones. The Kristen Stewart/Robert Pattinson story continues to heat up the tabloids. It's as if people cared. The Wheat Board monopoly officially came to an end meaning grain farmers can now sell their crops independently.

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HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND !