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Paul Davidson USA Today With the Fed announcing another rate hike Wednesday, borrowing costs will head even higher for consumers. The good news is some bank customers will start to see noticeably higher savings rates. Americans with credit cards, adjustable-rate mortgages and home equity lines of credit will see their monthly payments rise now that the Federal Reserve has lifted its key short-term interest rate by a quarter percentage point to a range of 1.75 percent to 2 percent. All are revolving loans with variable rates that are directly affected by the Fed’s move. Car buyers may feel it, too, though they’re still benefiting from a competitive auto loan market that’s keeping borrowing costs low. Any effect on 30-year mortgages and other long-term loans would likely be muted. But consumers with bank savings accounts and CDs will benefit. “While rising interest costs constrain borrowers … savers are finally getting their day in the sun,” says Greg McBride, chief economist of Bankrate.com. More:Tesla cutting 9% of workforce and Home Depot deal, CEO Elon Musk says More:IHOP becomes IHOb, with 'b' for burgers More:Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee get worst ratings in IIHS crash test The rate hike Wednesday becomes the second this year and the seventh since the Fed began bumping them up in late 2015. Two more hikes are now expected in 2018. Here’s how the moves could affect consumers: Credit cards, HELOCS, adjustable-rate mortgages These loans will become more expensive within weeks since their rates are generally tied to the prime rate, which in turn is affected by the Fed's benchmark rate. Average credit-card rates are 17 percent, according to Bankrate.com. For a $10,000 credit-card balance, a quarter-point hike is likely to add $25 a month in interest, according to Steve Rick, chief economist of CUNA Mutual Group. Four rate increases this year could mean an additional $100 in monthly interest. LendingClub advises people to consolidate their credit-card debt with a personal loan. Rates for home equity lines of credit are much lower at 5.92 percent. A quarter-point increase on a $30,000 credit line raises the minimum monthly payment by just $6 a month. By contrast, rates on adjustable-rate mortgages are modified annually. So the impact may be delayed, but then it could bite. Four quarter-point hikes in 2018 likely would boost the monthly payment on a $200,000 mortgage by $84 to $112. Fixed-rate mortgages The Fed’s key short-term rate affects 30-year mortgages and other long-term rates only indirectly. Those rates correlate more closely with inflation expectations and the long-term economic outlook. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate already has climbed from 4.15 percent to 4.54 percent since Jan. 1 largely because investors expect federal tax cuts and spending increases to push inflation higher. But the rate is down from a recent high of 4.66 percent in late May. The likely rate hike on Wednesday is already figured into mortgage rates. For home buyers, any impact on the monthly bill would probably be relatively small. By year’s end, a quarter-point rate increase on a $200,000 mortgage would boost the monthly payment by about $30. Existing fixed-rate mortgages are not affected. Other Fed moves could also play a role. In September, the Fed announced that it’s gradually shrinking the bond portfolio it amassed during and after the financial crisis in a bid to lower long-term rates. That likely has a greater effect on fixed mortgage rates, according to Tendayi Kapfidze, chief economist of LendingTree. Auto loans A quarter-point rate hike theoretically would get passed on to new auto loans, increasing the monthly payment for a new $25,000 car by $3. Existing loans would be unchanged. But competition among lenders is holding down auto loan rates, McBride says. That could mean an even smaller monthly increase. Five-year auto loan rates are currently at 4.71 percent. Bank savings rates Since banks will be able to charge a bit more for loans, they’ll have a little more leeway to pay higher interest rates on the deposits customers make. Don’t expect a fast or equivalent rise in your savings accounts or CD rates, many of which pay interest of 1% or less. Those rates have barely budged the past year despite the Fed’s hikes. Low rates on loans have meant narrow profit margins for banks for years. They can now benefit from a bigger margin between what they pay customers in interest and what they earn from loans, McBride says. And since they’re still flush with deposits, they don’t need to attract more to make loans. Yet a handful of online and community banks, credit unions and money market mutual funds that are hungrier for deposits are paying as much as 2.5 percent on a one-year CD, up from 2.15 percent in March. Fed rate hikes this year should help boost the top rate to 2.8 percent to 3.1 percent by December, McBride says. And top savings and money-market rates are nearing 2 percent. That's about the rate of annual inflation. "Being able to earn more than inflation is something savers haven't seen in a decade," McBride says.<doc-sep>With the Federal Reserve's latest quarter-point interest rate increase, the seventh such hike in two years, some consumers may need a life jacket. The Fed move pushes the funds rate target to 1.75 percent to 2 percent. That rate, of course, is closely tied to consumer debt, particularly credit cards, home equity lines of credit and other adjustable-rate instruments. "Over time, that cumulative effect is growing," said Greg McBride, the chief financial analyst at Bankrate.com. For the average American, recent signs of rising inflation, which pushed the central bank into hiking rates beginning in 2015, aren't necessarily bad. They're generally considered an indication that the economy is doing well, and pave the way for raises and a better return on your savings. However, in daily life, higher interest rates mean that you'll have to pay up to access credit. That includes how much you owe in interest on credit cards or a home equity line of credit. If you're concerned about what an additional increase in the Fed's benchmark rate will mean for your own bank account, mortgage or credit card, as well as student debt, home equity loan and car payment, here's a breakdown of what's in store — and what you should do about it. Credit cards For starters, credit card rates are already at a record high of 17 percent on average, according to Bankrate. Most credit cards have a variable rate, which means there's a direct connection to the Fed's benchmark rate, and as interest rates rise, card holders will continue to get squeezed. The typical American has a credit card balance of $6,375, up nearly 3 percent from last year, according to Experian's annual study on the state of credit and debt in America. Total credit card debt has reached its highest point ever, surpassing $1 trillion in 2017, according to a separate report by the Federal Reserve. Tacking on a 25-basis-point increase will cost credit card users roughly $1.6 billion in extra finance charges in 2018, according to a WalletHub analysis. Factoring in the six previous rate hikes, credit card users will pay about $9.8 billion more in 2018 than they would have otherwise, WalletHub said. What you can do about it: Shop around for a better rate or snag a zero-interest balance transfer offer to insulate yourself from further rate hikes. Then, begin to aggressively pay down your balance. "Make hay while the sun shines," McBride said. Mortgages The economy, the Fed and inflation all have some influence over long-term fixed mortgage rates, which generally are pegged to yields on U.S. Treasury notes, so there's already been a spike since since the Fed started raising rates. The average 30-year fixed-rate is now about 4.7 percent, up from 4.09 percent in 2015. That has cost the average homebuyer roughly $42,000, WalletHub found. Many homeowners with adjustable-rate mortgages or home equity lines of credit, which are pegged to the prime rate, will also be affected. What you can do about it: Those with an ARM can still refinance into a fixed rate that's lower than what your ARM will adjust to later this year, McBride said, "but you have to act quickly." If you have a HELOC, ask your lender to freeze the interest rate on your outstanding balance or consider refinancing into a fixed-rate home equity loan, although that puts a cap on how much money you can access, McBride added. Auto loans For those planning on purchasing a new car in the next few months, today's change likely will not have any big material effect on what you pay. A quarter-point difference on a $25,000 loan is $3 a month, according to McBride. "Nobody is going to have to downsize from the SUV to the compact because of rates going up," he said. Currently, the average five-year new car loan rate is 4.71 percent, up from 4.34 percent when the Fed started boosting rates, while the average four-year used car loan rate is 5.4 percent, up from 5.26 over the same time period, according to Bankrate. What you can do about it: If you are car shopping, start by checking that your credit is in good shape, negotiating the price of your vehicle and shopping around to secure the best rate on your financing. "There are plenty of low rates still available, particularly if you have good credit," McBride said. Savings Stashing some cash in a savings account has not yielded very much, aside from peace of mind, until recently. While the average interest rate on a savings account is still only 0.09 percent, some top-yielding savings accounts are now as high as 2 percent, up from 1.1 in 2015, according to Bankrate. With a savings rate, or annual percentage yield, of 0.09 percent, a $10,000 deposit earns just $9 after one year. At 2 percent, that same deposit would earn $200. What you can do about it: Look for those significantly higher savings rates by shopping around or switching to an online bank. (Online banks are able to offer higher-yielding accounts because they come with less overhead expenses than traditional bank accounts.) If you're not keeping pace with inflation, you are losing money. Greg McBride Bankrate's chief financial analyst "The Federal Reserve is trying to get inflation to 2 percent — don't ignore that," McBride said. "If you're not keeping pace with inflation, you are losing money." Student loans<doc-sep>The Federal Reserve, seeing a quickening of economic growth and suggesting a bit more concern about inflation, raised interest rates for the second time this year — and signaled two more rate hikes for the second half of this year. The central bank’s announcement Wednesday to nudge up its benchmark rate by another quarter of a point, to a range of 1.75% to 2%, was widely expected. It marked the seventh rate increase since the Great Recession, and reflected policymakers’ confidence that the solidly growing economy could handle additional rate increases. “The economy is doing very well,” Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said at a news conference, shortly after issuing a Fed statement that was equally upbeat. “Most people who want to find jobs are finding them, and unemployment and inflation are low.” “We think that gradually returning interest rates to a more normal level as the economy strengthens is the best way the Fed can help sustain an environment in which American households and businesses can thrive,” he said. Advertisement Stock market investors, however, did not like the Fed’s slightly more aggressive stance on removing monetary stimulus, as several years of very low interest rates and inflation had supported the bull market. Both are on their way up. The Dow and broader Standard & Poor’s 500 index dropped after the Fed news and closed out the day nearly half a percent lower. The central bank now expects to raise rates twice more this year, instead of the one time that it forecast in March. And three rate hikes have been penciled in for next year when monetary policy is expected to be no longer stimulative. Rising Fed rates will put a further squeeze on some households as interest rates for credit cards, car loans and home equity lines of credit move higher with the central bank’s policy actions. “If you want to be on the right side of rising interest rates, you need to be a saver, not a borrower,” said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate.com. “This is a time you want to be funneling money into reserves and building up for an eventual downturn.” Analysts said most households, though, would be able to absorb the higher borrowing costs, benefiting in part from the tightening labor market that should lead to higher wages. Powell said, “You will see wages go up, you’ll see people at the sort of the margins of the labor force having an opportunity to get back in work. They benefit from that, society benefits from that.” He added that “you do not see excess credit growth” for households, while bank leverage is “significantly lower.” Thus far, workers’ earnings have yet to break out from their middling pace. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics this week released data showing that average hourly earnings for production and nonsupervisory employees, when accounting for inflation, increased 0.1% from April to May on a seasonally adjusted basis. But hourly earnings fell 0.1% from May 2017 to May 2018, even as weekly earnings rose 0.5%, reflecting a longer workweek. Carl Tannenbaum, chief economist at Northern Trust in Chicago, said it should be noted that “interest rates remain awfully, awfully low.” For businesses, he said, “they’re not at a level that should be stifling credit conditions, which broadly are quite easy.” Advertisement Tannenbaum also said that he was reassured to see that Powell, a noneconomist who took the helm at the Fed in February, appeared much more comfortable than at his first hourlong news conference in March, providing clear, plain-spoken answers. The quarterly meeting with journalists to explain Fed policy has been a staple since 2011. Powell said Wednesday that he would hold a news conference after every policy meeting, or eight times a year, starting next January. In its statement, the Fed said the economy “has been rising at a solid rate,” an upgrade from its assessment in May when policymakers last met and described the economy as advancing moderately. Fed policymakers saw more robustness in consumer spending of late and said business investment “has continued to grow strongly.” Powell indicated that the GOP tax cuts that took effect this year would boost growth. “It makes sense that if you lower corporate tax rates and — and allow faster expensing of investment, you will encourage greater investment, that should drive productivity, that should increase potential output,” he said. Asked whether workers would share in the corporate tax cuts, he replied: “We don’t have the tools to — to control that.” The central bank’s updated projections showed that policymakers’ median expectation for economic growth for this year rose a notch to 2.8% from 2.7% in its previous forecast in March. Advertisement The Fed’s growth forecast for 2019 and 2020 was unchanged, at 2.4% and 2%, respectively. These figures are still considerably below what Trump administration officials at various times have promised or projected. In expecting four rate hikes this year, and staying with three increases for next year, Fed policymakers appeared to be a little more concerned about rising prices and guarding against the risks of an inflationary surge. The latest government data indicate inflation ticking up recently very close to the Fed’s 2% target, which policymakers acknowledged in their statement Wednesday. The Fed’s new projection sees inflation moving up to 2.1% this year, compared with 1.9% in its March forecast. As employers increasingly struggle to find workers — the jobless rate in May matched an 18-year low of 3.8% — wage gains could accelerate. The Fed’s latest projection now sees the unemployment rate dropping to a half-century low of 3.6% by the end of this year and sliding to 3.5% in the next two years. Advertisement Another factor that could add inflationary pressure is the uncertainty over trade. The Trump administration’s move to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports already has increased prices paid by construction firms and other metal users, and some of those costs are likely to spill down to consumers. Ryan Sweet, an economist at Moody’s Analytics, noted, for example, that washing machine prices have soared since the administration slapped tariffs on imported washers. “The price increases businesses feel will start to intensify in the coming months,” Sweet said, although he doesn’t expect inflation to get out of hand. There are rising concerns about trade more generally and the potential risks to the economic outlook. The Fed’s so-called beige book, an anecdotal account of business and economic conditions, reported that tariffs and the threat of a trade war with China have begun to affect capital projects and disrupt supply chains. The central bank did not make a special note of trade in its statement, and Powell deftly deflected questions about rising trade friction. Advertisement “I’m really committed to staying in our lane on things. We have very important jobs assigned to us by Congress, and that’s maximum employment, stable prices, financial stability. Trade is explicitly assigned to the executive branch by Congress and not to us,” he said. He said that “there is concern that trade changes could be disruptive,” but noted that “we don’t see it in the numbers yet.” Diane Swonk, chief economist at the consulting firm Grant Thornton in Chicago, said she was a little surprised that Powell did not express a bit more concern about the potential economic effects of severe trade actions. “There is a real risk of a full-blown trade war, but until it happens I can understand his reluctance to put too much weight on it because of how rapidly policy seems to change in this administration,” she said. “This is where Chairman Powell as a non-economist can be a little more vague, and it’s probably wise to do so, because if you get too much in the middle of it you’re going to be a target.“ Advertisement don.lee@latimes.com Follow me at @dleelatimes UPDATES: Advertisement 5:15 p.m.: This article was updated with more details about the Fed’s decision, economic analysis and comments from several analysts. 11:40 a.m.: This article was updated with a comment from Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. This article was originally published at 11 a.m.<doc-sep>

The Federal Reserve is widely expected to again raise its key short-term interest rate today as U.S. economic growth remains strong and unemployment is at an 18-year low. The bottom line for borrowers: Everything from credit cards to auto loans to mortgages is about to become more expensive. The Fed's monetary policymakers are likely to add another quarter-point to the central bank's key interest rate, putting it at 1.75 percent to 2 percent, the highest since 2008, economists said. The Federal Open Market Committee, the central bank's rate-setting panel, is scheduled to issue its latest policy statement at 2 p.m. Eastern time. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell will give a news conference 30 minutes later to explain the decision. This would be the second of as many as four interest rate hikes this year. The Fed last raised its benchmark rate a quarter-point in March, moving it into the range of 1.5 percent to 1.75 percent. The most immediate affect for consumers will appear in the form of higher interest rates on credit cards, home equity lines of credit and adjustable rate mortgages, said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst for Bankrate.com. The average credit card now charges a record-high 17 percent, and that will climb further, he said. For borrowers with adjustable-rate mortgages, the affects could be dramatic, he said. "If your variable-rate mortgage only adjusts once a year, and there were three interest rate hikes in that year, borrowers should hang on because the monthly payment difference could be a doozy." Rates on new mortgages and car loans will also go up, resulting in higher monthly payments, he said. Fixed rates have been on the rise, with the benchmark 30-year mortgage rate recently hitting a seven-year high of 4.8 percent during the week of May 23 before retreating. On the other hand, rates on interest-bearing instruments like savings and checking accounts will tick up, benefiting consumers who save. "While rising rates are good for savers, they can't sit back and wait for improving returns to come to them," McBride said. "Savers need to aggressively pursue the banks and credit unions with the best rates." The best savings account rate is 2.05 percent, almost 23 times the national average of just 0.09 percent, according to Bankrate.com. The Fed's latest rate actions are a result of its dual mandate: to keep inflation in check and to optimize employment. Unemployment has steadily declined, reaching 3.8 percent in May. U.S. economic growth is expected to be in the range of a robust 4.1 percent to 4.5 percent in the second quarter, according to notes by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and independent research firm Macroeconomic Advisers. The strong economy is causing an increase in demand for resources, a moderate rise in wages and nonlabor costs, heightening inflationary fears, said Kathy Bostjancic, an economist with Oxford Economics, in a research note. The Fed raises interest rates to cool down the economy and keep prices in check. "Market participants will scrutinize the policy statement and press conference for hints on whether the Fed leans toward three or four rate hikes this year," she said. "We continue to believe it will be four." The current inflation rate is 2.5 percent for the 12 months ended April 2018, according to the U.S. Labor Department. The Fed has an annual inflation target of about 2 percent, Bostjancic said. However, "in the near-term, many policymakers anticipate inflation to overshoot the 2 percent target for a period of time," she said. The stock market has already factored in a rate increase and shouldn't have a strong reaction if that is the Fed's decision this week, according to a note by TD Securities. "The market is extremely well priced for a June rate hike, and the Fed will not disappoint," the note said. TD Securities is expecting three rate increases in 2018. "The price of money is rising, and as it continues to rise it will buffet financial markets, leading to greater volatility. This is normal." McBride said. "Investors shouldn't be taken aback and should stick with their current investment strategy."

As Cardi B’s collaborative track with Bad Bunny and J Balvin becomes number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Cardi becomes the first female rapper with two number ones. Her debut hit ‘Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)’ stayed in the number one position for three weeks back in October 2017, reports Billboard. Advertisement This record also makes Cardi the first female solo artist with two number ones from a debut album this decade. The first since Lady Gaga’s ‘The Fame’ which hit number one with both ‘Just Dance’ and ‘Poker Face’. Check out Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin’s ‘I Like It’ below. Meanwhile, Cardi B has revealed that she has been secretly married to Migos rapper Offset since last September. Posting on her Twitter page, Cardi B said: “There are so many moments that I share with the world and then there are moments that I want to keep for myself! Getting married was one of those moments!” Read more: 23 geeky facts about Cardi B Advertisement In October 2017, Offset proposed to Cardi B on stage during a concert in Philadelphia despite the fact they were already married. Earlier this year, the singer revealed she was thinking about returning to acting following the birth of her child, saying it would be easier to focus on being a mother. Recently, Cardi was seen in Rita Ora’s video for the controversial ‘Girls’ which also featured Charli XCX and Bebe Rexha. The track faced a backlash from the LGBTQ+ community with pop singer Hayley Kiyoko and R&B artist Kehlani criticising the track for being “downright tone-deaf.”<doc-sep>Cardi B did it again. The Latina rapper, who blessed fans with the summer banger "Bodak Yellow" last year, claimed the summer was hers with another No. 1 spot on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. Cardi's latest single, "I Like It," featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin, moved up to the top spot on Billboard's most popular chart Tuesday. While a number of Cardi's songs have appeared on the chart, "I Like It" marks her second time topping the list. Her position on the chart is the first time a woman has scored two Hot 100 No. 1 singles. When Cardi first snagged the No. 1 spot on the Billboard chart in October 2017, she made history by becoming the second solo female artist to achieve the feat. Lauren Hill was the first one to do so with 1998's hit "Doo Wop (That Thing)." "I Like It" also marks the first time Bunny and Balvin have received No. 1 recognition on the Hot 100 chart. The song appeared on Cardi's debut album, Invasion of Privacy, released in April, and was an instant favorite with fans. The half-Spanish record was a sample of the Pete Rodriguez's 1967 hit, "I Like It Like That." The song was reworked by Latino artists a number of times, most memorably in a 1997 cover—simplified to "I Like It"—by The Blackout Allstars. That version claimed the chart's No. 25 spot after its release, Billboard reported. Puerto Rican musician Tito Nieves also recorded a solo cover of the song, and "I Like It Like That" appeared in the 1994 movie of the same name, starring Jon Seda and Lauren Vélez. In addition to being the first female artist to secure two No. 1's on the chart, the soon-to-be mother is the first artist to achieve the honor from a debut album since Macklemore & Ryan Lewis's 2013 alum The Heist. Both singles, "Thrift Shop," featuring Wanz, and "Can't Hold Us," featuring Ray Dalton, landed on the list that year.<doc-sep>Cardi B is making chart moves as well as money moves. The 25-year-old rapper, whose real name is Belcalis Almanzar, has become the first female rapper to have two number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100. A pregnant Cardi celebrated her historic feat in an Instagram video while riding in a car with her husband, Offset. "Number one. Ahh, I’m so excited!!!" she screamed. "'I Like It' went number one, number one on the Hot 100. I’m so excited. Now we just waiting on baby girl." Cardi and Offset are expecting their daughter later this month. Cardi’s “I Like It,” featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin, moves up from number two to number one, changing places with last week's top song, “Sad!” by XXXTentacion. Cardi previously reached number one with her debut hit, “Bodak Yellow,” which remained at the top of the chart for three weeks beginning October 7, 2017. Only four other female rappers previously topped the Hot 100: Lauryn Hill with "Doo Wop (That Thing)" in 1998' Lil' Kim on "Lady Marmalade" with Christina Aguilera, Mya and P!nk in 2001; Shawnna, as a featured artist on Ludacris' "Stand Up" in 2003; and Iggy Azalea with "Fancy" featuring Charli XCX in 2014. Cardi B is the only female solo artist with two Hot 100 number ones from a debut album this decade, and the first since Lady Gaga in 2009. The rapper recently confirmed that she and Offset, a member of the hip hop group Migos, were secretly married last year. Last week, they feted their first child together at a lavish baby shower featuring a decadent layered cake, a book library and a live band.<doc-sep>

Cardi B fans collectively said “I Like It” to the rapper’s new song with Bad Bunny and J Balvin, propelling this hip-hop star to a new record. She is now the first female rapper to land two No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart between “I Like It” and “Bodack Yellow (Money Moves).” Cardi B has been celebrating on social media since the news dropped. “I’m so happy, I’m so excited,” she says in a video on Instagram that gets a tad NSFW towards the end. “I can not believe that ‘I Like It’ is No. 1.” The rapper mentions how she “slept on this record because two verses on this song… is in Spanish and I figured not all my fans know Spanish, but it’s like, this is the song! Y’all made it happen!” “I Like It” is a revamp of Pete Rodriguez’s “I Like It Like That.” The 1967 song was also remixed in 2015 by The Blackout Allstars as “I Like It (Like That).” The latest chart-topper for Cardi B marks another achievement for the rapper behind Invasion of Privacy. According to Billboard, she’s the first artist to land two Hot 100 No. 1 songs from a debut album since the days of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ The Heist. Meanwhile, Bad Bunny and Balvin are celebrating their first song to hit No. 1. It’s definitely been the summer of Cardi B. In addition to “I Like It,” she’s popped in for music videos with Maroon 5 (“Girls Like You“) and Jennifer Lopez (“Dinero“). Now, as she says in another Instagram video, she’s just waiting on her baby girl.

Jose Mourinho stormed out of his post-match press conference and demanded more respect, referencing his title wins, after Manchester United's 3-0 defeat by Tottenham on Monday Night Football. The Portuguese endured a spiky press conference after his heaviest home loss in management, which left the side 13th in the table with just one win from their opening three matches. However, Mourinho - who won three titles in two spells with Chelsea - was in combative mood when challenged about the criticism coming his way both in the media and from fans, with many of those left inside Old Trafford at the final whistle booing. "We lost a game because we conceded a goal from the first corner of the match against us," he said. Neville: Why Man Utd can't sack Jose Nev on Jose's 'biggest' challenge "In the first half zero corners, zero free-kicks, on minute 50-something they had one corner and scored a goal, and you want, with that goal, you want to transform the story of the game. "But don't lose your time. Today I had the proof the best judge in football are the supporters." When it was suggested to Mourinho many had walked out before the end, he added: "I would do the same, losing 3-0 and taking two hours from here to the centre of Manchester." The Portuguese then went on the offensive, suggesting those in the media questioning him were orchestrating a campaign. 2:57 Some United fans stayed to join Mourinho in a round of mutual applause after the final whistle "Keep trying. Keep trying. Keep trying. We lost last season here against Sevilla and were booed because we deserved it, because we were not good," he said. "Today the players left the pitch after losing at home and they were applauded because they deserved it. "So keep trying. Do you know what the result was? Three-nil. Do you know what this means (holding up three fingers)? "Three-nil but it also means three Premier Leagues and I won more alone than the other 19 managers together. Three for me and two for them." Mourinho then left his seat repeating "respect, respect, respect" as he stormed out of the press conference. United had the better of the first half but after Romelu Lukaku missed three decent chances, including an open goal from a narrow angle, Tottenham were more clinical after the break. Harry Kane headed home a 50th-minute corner with Lucas Moura scoring the first of his double two minutes later with a smart finish, adding the finishing touch to victory six minutes from time. 5:49 Jose Mourinho insists his tactics were not to blame for Man Utd's defeat to Tottenham, and says the whole team is fully united. Mourinho refused to accept his side were second-best, adding: "We were so so much the better team in the first half I wouldn't be worried with that. "Even with the unexpected 2-0 result, the way the team kept playing until the third goal arrived my message to the players has to be a positive message. "I'm really happy, humbled by the way the supporters reacted to the boys. I think that was very much deserved but sometimes players don't get what they deserve, so we have to be humbled by the supporters."<doc-sep>Jose Mourinho claimed he was still the best manager in the Premier League after his team were humbled by Tottenham at Old Trafford. Despite suffering the worst home defeat of his whole career and admitting afterwards that he doesn't know what his team's best defensive line up is, the Man United manager made the peculiar claim that his team had played well. And at the end of a heated post-match press conference, Mourinho turned on his critics by holding up three fingers to represent the number of Premier League titles he once won with Chelsea. Jose Mourinho came out fighting following Manchester United's defeat by Tottenham He pointed out he has won three Premier League titles, more than other 19 bosses combined Mourinho said: 'Do you know what was the result? 3-0. But what this [three fingers] also means? 'It also means three Premier Leagues and I won more alone than the other 19 managers together. 'Me three, them two. So respect, respect, respect.' What Mourinho's show of braggadocio will mean to United supporters fed up of sub-standard performances under his management is open to debate. But the United manager also issued a call to arms to the Stretford End after making his way over to the home fans to applaud them at the end. The United manager stood up and asked the reporter for him and his record to be 'respected' The Portuguese then stormed out of the press conference while repeatedly asking for 'respect' 'Our fans don't read papers, all our fans don't watch television,' he said. 'All our fans are more intelligent than that. They answered in an absolutely amazing way. 'I don't think it's normal to lose a game at home and the supporters to react the way they did. 'My message was the same message that the supporters gave to the players. 'When you play the way you play, when you create what you create, when we miss the chances that we missed, when at half-time everybody was frustrated but totally convinced that was going to win the match, then it is okay. 'I'm really happy, humbled by the way the supporters reacted to the boys. 'I think was very much deserved but sometimes players don't get what they deserve.' Mourinho took the almost unprecedented move of staying behind to applaud the supporters United were indeed the better team in the first half but fell apart once Harry Kane gave Tottenham the lead early in the second period. Mourinho started the game with a back three that including midfielder Ander Herrera. And it was when he was asked if he knew what his best defence was that Mourinho's post-match mood turned sour. 'No,' he said. 'Because in the first game it Lindelof and Bailly, now Jones and Smalling but now Jones is injured and the next match will be Smalling with another one and when Rojo comes back he will be an option and I don't know my best back four. 'But you want to make the miracle of my team playing so well and strategically we were so, so good and you want to try and transform this press conference into "let's blame the guy". 'You have to tell me what is the most important thing. 'When I win matches I come here many times and you are not happy and you say the most important is the way of playing. 'So I need to know what is the most important thing. If it is to play well or win matches? 'Today we were aggressive, we pressed high and Tottenham couldn't make two passes coming from the back. 'They have one corner and score a goal and with that goal you want to transform the story of your game. 'The best judge in football are the supporters, they are the best supporters.' He was spiky when asked what his best defence was after Victor Lindelof's shaky display Asked about supporters leaving the stadium early, Mourinho continued his offensive. 'I would do the same if we were losing 3-0 and it had taken two hours from here to the centre of Manchester,' he said. 'We lost last season here against Sevilla and were booed because we deserved it and today the players left the pitch and were applauded because they deserved it. 'So keep trying, keep trying… keep trying.' Mourinho has simmered with ill-disguised anger this season after not receiving the players he wanted in the transfer market. This seems to have destabilised some of the players he does have but he claimed last night that unity was not a problem. 'The market is closed, he said. 'There is no market until January 1. I've said what I need to say, and I won't say another word about that. 'Anyone who watched this game, one thing they know for sure is the team is united. The boys don't give everything they gave if the team isn't united. I think it's the time to stop with untruths. 'The solidarity to play together for United and lose at home is hard for everyone, but the team is united. There is no union without the manager.' The Portuguese cut a dejected figure in the clash but wanted to present a united front His opposite number, Mauricio Pochettino, was elated following the win at Old Trafford Tottenham are now joint top of the Premier League after winning – and scoring – for the first time under Mauricio Pochettino at Old Trafford. Kane said: 'We're trying to create our own history. We're not a club who have been at the top of the league winning titles like United and Chelsea. 'We've been doing well but we've not quite got there. We've got the hunger and the desire to take the club to the next level. For us, it's a about building what we've been doing for the last four of five years now. We've got so much belief in each other. 'A lot of us have been playing for a while now and that always helps. You're not going to play well every game, but we stuck together and we kept going. 'The gaffer said he's not going to bring players in for the sake of it. He believes in this squad and that's a huge bonus for us. We have to prove him right and prove the club right as well.' Pochettino was also delighted. The Spurs manager said: 'It is a massive victory for us and I am very proud of the performance. It is difficult to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford. They were better in the first half but we dominated from then on, and the clean sheet was a bonus. 'It is only the start of the season and we need to be consistent.'<doc-sep>Manchester United fans think Ed Woodward was told to sack Mourinho during 3-0 defeat to Spurs Or is it just wishful thinking? Last night felt hugely significant for Manchester United, much more so than marginal defeats away from home to other top six teams. This 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at Old Trafford embodied everything wrong at the club: defensive fragility, a lack of a plan going forward and a miserable manager who refuses to accept reality. Advertisement In the build up to the game, United midfielder Fred said it that "must win" it if they were to stay in the title race, just three weeks into the season. So, now what? Tottenham fans made their opinions heard as they taunted José Mourinho with 'sacked in the morning' chants, which seems like an inevitability now. It's only a matter of time. And it could be very soon. Many fans claim to have spotted a United director telling executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to 'sack him' after the third goal went in last night. Woodward sat watching the final minutes, presumably brainstorming available managers. His companion at the game appears to not so subtly say in his ear: "sack him", which receives no visible response from Woodward. Now, we're not lip reading experts. He may well have said "shame", but given the context, we can safely assume it that the general consensus has it more or less bang on. José's days look numbered now, as United surely cannot afford to regress anymore under his leadership.<doc-sep>

'Respect! Respect! Respect!' - Mourinho walks out of news conference Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho demanded "respect" from journalists and walked out of his news conference after the 3-0 Premier League home defeat by Tottenham. The defeat was Mourinho's heaviest at home in his career, and he has now lost two of his first three league games for the first time. "I won more Premierships alone than the other 19 managers together," Mourinho said. "Three for me and two for them. "Respect, respect, respect man." Harry Kane's header and two goals from Lucas Moura at Old Trafford maintained Tottenham's 100% start to the season and lifted them to second in the table. Mourinho was involved in a tense news conference earlier in the week, arriving 30 minutes early, defending his relationship with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and leaving after four minutes and 19 seconds. The Portuguese has won more Premier League titles than the rest of the division's current managers combined - he won three in two spells with Chelsea, while Pep Guardiola and Manuel Pellegrini won one each at Manchester City. Mourinho, who lifted his most recent Premier League crown three years ago, has also won two titles in Portugal, two in Italy and one in Spain, as well as winning the Champions League twice, and the Europa League with United in 2017. "You want to make the miracle of my team played so well and strategically we were so, so, so, so, so, so good and you want to try and transform this press conference into let's blame the guy," he said. Asked about United's defending against Spurs, he said: "I am sorry. You have to tell me what is the most important thing because I don't know. "When I win matches I come here many times and you are not happy that I win matches and you say the most important is the way of playing." What else did Mourinho say? Journalist: "I am asking about the defending." Mourinho: "No, no, no. You need to make a decision in relation to that. I need to know from you what is the most important thing. If it is is to play well or to win matches? "To play offensively or for a certain result? Today we were aggressive, we press high. Tottenham couldn't make two passes coming from the back. They made lots of mistakes because of our pressure high. "We project the full-backs. We had Valencia and Luke Shaw arriving in dangerous positions, we miss goals with an open goal, we miss chances, we were unlucky in rebounds in both goals, we lost a game by conceding at the first corner of the match against us in minute 50. "In the first half, zero corners, zero lateral free-kicks, zero frontal free-kicks. On minute 50 they have one corner and score a goal and with that goal you want to transform the story of the game. "But don't lose your time. Today I had proof that the best judge in football are the supporters. They are the best judge." Journalist: "But many of the supporters walked out. Mourinho: "I would do the same losing 3-0, taking two hours from here to the centre of Manchester. It is where I live and I know that after matches it takes two hours, I would do the same. "We lost last season here against Sevilla and were booed because we deserved it, because we were not good. We were not dangerous enough, because Sevilla deserved to win the match. "Today the players left the pitch after losing at home and were applauded because they deserved it. "So, keep trying and trying and trying. And keep trying. Just to finish, do you know what was the result? 3-0. "What this means? [Holds three fingers up] 3-0 - but also means three Premier Leagues and I won more Premier Leagues alone than the other 19 managers together." 'The players look like they don't want to play for Mourinho' Former Blackburn and Chelsea forward Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 live Jose Mourinho sounds like he has lost the plot with his post-match comments because we all watched this game, and they were outclassed. I don't think Spurs applied themselves very well early on, but when they put their foot down, they exploited a team that has no leaders. There is a blame game going on here and the players do not look like they want to play for him.

Send to Email Address Your Name Your Email Address Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Email check failed, please try again Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.<doc-sep>Happy Friday, sports fans! If you’re one of the tens of thousands who took the day off — or called in sick — to descend into LoDo for the Rockies’ home opener, here’s a nifty little guide on what you need to know. — Joe Nguyen, The Denver Post 💥 A special offer for Sports Omelette readers! Subscribe to The Denver Post’s sports coverage for just 99¢ for the first month and only $6.99/month thereafter. Cancel anytime. What’s on Tap? Rockies: Los Angeles Dodgers, 2:30 p.m. Friday, ATTRM | Buy tickets Los Angeles Dodgers, 2:30 p.m. Friday, ATTRM | Buy tickets Nuggets: Portland Trail Blazers, 8:30 p.m. Friday, ALT/ESPN | Buy tickets Portland Trail Blazers, 8:30 p.m. Friday, ALT/ESPN | Buy tickets Avalanche: At San Jose Sharks, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, ALT | Buy tickets TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today Check out our new and improved stats page. Scoreboard NHL: Avalanche 3, Jets 2 Full story | Box score Must-Read “We need the fans to back us up,” Arenado said. “I think the best teams have the best crowds, and teams feed off that.” Read more… Spurs coach ejected just 63 seconds into loss to Nuggets at the Pepsi Center, then spent 34 seconds crashing Malone’s postgame news conference. Read more… “Our first team meeting started at 8, but guys were in there at 7:55 in their seats,” Chubb said on Thursday. “I remember a couple times last year guys would be rolling in at 7:59. Just culture change like that. Everybody wants to be better than we were at 5-11 or 6-10.” Read more… Quick Hits + McGregor Square: Rockies’ mixed-use project in LoDo to bear name of team’s late president + Coors Field changes for 2019 season include enhanced fan interactive area, renovated home clubhouse + Nuggets close to making NBA history on short rest + Colorado’s Jennifer Kupcho heads to Augusta National with 1-shot lead + Isotopes’ Dom Nunez is the next up-and-coming catcher to watch in Rockies’ minor league pipeline + Rockies Insider: Colorado’s opening road trip reveals series of omens for 2019 season + JUCO guard Maddox Daniels commits to Colorado Buffaloes basketball + Yankees place SS Troy Tulowitzki on their expansive injured list Post Mailbag forms + Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Ryan O’Halloran here. + Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Singer here. + Avs Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Chambers here. + Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Patrick Saunders here. By The Numbers $15 million Longmont’s David Bote, Cubs agree to 5-year, $15M deal covering 2020-24 Bote and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a $15 million, five-year contract covering 2020-24 on Wednesday, a deal with two team options that if exercised would increase its value to $28.6 million over seven seasons. Read more… Parting Shot Former NFL GM Bill Polian, one of the league’s co-founders, issued a statement Tuesday lamenting the decision to shut down operations, according to multiple reports. Read more… Get in Touch If you see something that’s cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me @danielboniface.<doc-sep>Shortly before first pitch Friday afternoon, the 120th Fighter Squadron from Buckley Air Force Base screamed over Coors Field in a stirring display of firepower. Taking their cue, the visiting Dodgers, launching home runs at a historic pace early this season, drubbed the Rockies, 10-6, spoiling the opening-day party for the 48,404 fans in attendance. All of the red-white-and-blue bunting, purple jerseys and party energy in LoDo couldn’t lift the Rockies above their early-season problems. Namely, an offense still trying to emerge from hibernation, and the ongoing struggles of left-handed starter Tyler Anderson, who’s clearly the weak link in the rotation. Yes, the Rockies’ offense showed signed signs of life late, but it was way too little and way too late in a game that droned on for 3 hours, 52 minutes. Boxscore “It’s good that we put up a little fight there at the end, and it’s good that we got the bats going, so it’s good for tomorrow,” said shortstop Trevor Story who hit two late home runs. “But you don’t want to lose like that.” RELATED: Rockies sign veteran southpaw Jorge De La Rosa to a minor league deal Colorado Rockies MLB scoreboard MLB standings Schedule Colorado Rockies stats Rockies Mailbag Ask mailbag questions A prime example of Colorado’s offensive woes arrived in the fifth inning when it loaded the bases against right-hander Kenta Maeda. Story strode to the plate with a chance to get his team back in the game. Instead, he struck out on three pitches, going down looking as Maeda’s slider caught the black. To Story’s credit, he rebounded to hit a two-run shot off right-hander Brock Stewart in the Rockies’ three-run seventh. He also blasted a two-out solo home run in the ninth. David Dahl also added a solo home run in the ninth, a 447-foot shot off Yimi Garcia. “It was a good to see a couple of good swings and it got a little better as the game progressed,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “We had some opportunities early and we got some walks against Maeda. He was sort of pitching on the fringes. We loaded the bases a couple of times and we just couldn’t break through.” The Rockies, who fell to 3-5, are hitting .209 and have five home runs this season, three by Story. The Dodgers, winners of six consecutive National League West titles, came into the game having hit 18 home runs. They added three more: A solo shot by Max Muncy off Anderson in the fourth; a back-breaking three-run blast by Cody Bellinger off Anderson in the fifth; and a solo homer by Russell Martin in the sixth off reliever Carlos Estevez. Bellinger’s six homers in the Dodgers’ first eight games set a franchise record and his 16 RBIs through eight games is also a franchise record. Colorado has now dropped six consecutive games to the Dodgers, who have a stranglehold on the National League West with six consecutive titles. Related Articles Rockies’ Josh Fuentes now, officially, Joshua Fuentes, thanks to hot streak Rockies-Mets game postponed; doubleheader scheduled for Thursday Rockies Mailbag: Colorado has no plans to trade Trevor Story prior to All-Star Game Kyle Freeland’s Rockies season debut spoiled in 3-1 loss at New York Mets Rockies’ Elias Diaz aiming to build on first home run of season Asked about the Dodgers’ formidable firepower, Story said: “They’re good. Obviously they have won the division the last few years. They have good leadership. But it’s not like we look over there and we’re like, ‘Oh man!’ We’re excited to play the best teams and we feel like we can win against anybody.” Anderson, whose 30 home runs surrendered last season tied him with Milwaukee’s Chase Anderson for the most in the NL, lasted four-plus innings, giving up six runs on nine hits. He fell to 0-2 and his ERA sits at 11.00. The fifth inning encapsulated Anderson’s woes. He walked leadoff hitter Kike Hernandez, gave up a single to Corey Seager and an RBI double to Justin Turner. Anderson, clearly going off the rails at that point, got a mound visit from pitching coach Steve Foster. It didn’t help. Bellinger ripped an 0-1, 90 mph fastball over the inside corner deep into the right-field seats to put the Dodgers ahead 6-1. “They have some guys that are really hot and they stayed hot,” Anderson said. “I think really the one (hit) that turns a day when you’re grinding into a bad day, was that Bellinger homer. That was a pretty good pitch that usually in the past he hasn’t gotten to. But he’s pretty locked in right now so he didn’t miss.” On Deck Dodgers RHP Walker Buehler (0-0, 15.00 ERA) vs. Rockies RHP Jon Gray (0-1, 4.05) 6:10 p.m. Saturday at Coors Field TV: ATT SportsNet Radio: 850 AM/94.1 The last time Buehler faced the Rockies, he mowed them down with six-plus innings of one-hit, shutout ball as the Dodgers clinched the division title in a tiebreaker game at Chavez Ravine. However, the 24-year-old was hit hard in his 2019 debut against Arizona, lasting only three innings while giving up five runs. Colorado is hitting .183 in 109 at-bats against him with four home runs, while Los Angeles is hitting .337 with five homers in 98 at-bats against Gray. Max Muncy and Joc Pederson have both taken Gray deep twice as the right-hander is coming off a decent season debut in which he allowed three runs in six-plus innings against the Marlins. Trending: Dodgers right-hander Kenta Maeda has been solid within the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field, where he entered Friday with a 3.19 ERA in eight games (five starts). He continued that reliability at altitude Friday, yielding one run on four hits over five innings. At issue: Colorado takes on the Dodgers 18 more times this season, and as opening day as well as Los Angeles’ historic early home run pace has demonstrated, slugfests with the boys in blue are certainly not in Colorado’s best tactical interests. The Dodgers won last year’s season series 13-7. Upcoming pitching matchups Sunday: Dodgers LHP Julio Urias (0-0, 0.00) at Rockies RHP Chad Bettis (0-1, 9.53), 6:37 p.m., ESPN Monday: Braves RHP Julio Teheran (0-1, 3.60) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (1-1, 2.31), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM Tuesday: Braves TBD at Rockies RHP German Marquez (1-0, 0.69), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM<doc-sep>

DENVER, CO - APRIL 5: A general view of the field during the singing of the national anthem after player introductions before the home opener of the Colorado Rockies against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on April 5, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) DENVER – The beauty of Opening Day is hope. Hope for the new, hope that this year will bring something better than the last and hope that once more the warm embrace of your summer friends returns. The Colorado Rockies retuned to LoDo on Friday and with them they brought hope. Hope that the club would reach new heights after two playoff bow-outs, hope that their new long-term franchise icon could be the first plaquered in New York and hope that this is finally the year that the Rockies best the Dodgers. Part of this beauty is that hope can never be extinguished on day one, but the Rockies certainly didn’t get off to the correct start. Thrashed 10-6 by the Dodgers, Colorado sent their sellout crowd home sad. “It’s always exciting, we’re glad to be home,” Arenado said pregame. “We have a game to win, it’s an important game but it’s a crazy environment at Coors Field as it should be. This should be an exciting season.” The last two seasons spell that this season may repeat in excitement but given the strengthening of the NL Central and East there’s more pressure on the Rockies to win the West. The team they’ll have to take it from is L.A. who has won the title six straight years and is off to a 6-2 start. In 2018, the Rockies went just 7-13 against the Dodgers. Had just one of those games flipped in favor of the Rockies, they would’ve won their first division title. While hope remains—as it should because no one game in baseball is too urgent during the regular season and the season is, obviously, barely underway—there is a sense that the Rockies need to do as much damage against the Dodgers as they can this year. The sentiment pregame around the clubhouse from the Rockies related to how much they hate the LA club and how they want to get them back after losing game 163 last year. The Rockies will have to wait for a revved up Jon Gray for revenge for tonight’s game.

The visibility was tough for two Idaho men bow hunting early Saturday morning near Gardiner, Montana. The sagebrush was 6 to 8 feet tall – like navigating a corn maze. Darkness had not completely lifted and it was snowing heavily in the country north of Yellowstone National Park. Upon hearing an elk bugle some 100 to 150 yards away, seasoned hunters Bob Legasa, of Hayden, and Greg Gibson, of Sandpoint, headed toward a prominent tree. They sought a clearing to spot the elk they had scouted the day before. Instead, they were met with the growl of a big grizzly bear cub. About 500 pounds of mother bear wasn’t far behind. Legasa estimates it was 2 to 3 seconds between the cub’s growl and the mother bear charging him. He thought the charge was a bluff, but after her second bound, “I realized it was the real deal,” he said. A roughly 500-pound grizzly bear attacked Bob Legasa, of Hayden, Idaho, on Saturday, October 13, 2018. (Courtesy) He did not have enough time to grab his bear spray or pistol, so he braced himself for the attack, putting out his hands to protect himself and keep her mouth away from his head. She grabbed his arm with her mouth and clawed his face. Legasa estimates he fought her another 2 to 3 seconds before Gibson deployed his bear spray. When Gibson sprayed, the bear let go of Legasa, reared up on her haunches. Now she saw Gibson as the threat, Legasa said. Gibson deployed the bear spray again, and the bear retreated. “I tried to grab my bear spray,” Legasa said. “I had blood in my eyes, I had bear spray in my eyes. Greg also had bear spray in his eyes because the wind blew it back.” Legasa’s gloved hands tried to take the safety off his can so he would be ready for a second attack, but when he took the safety off, he squeezed the trigger and shot himself. “If you touch the trigger, that’s enough to knock you off your feet,” Legasa said. For what Legasa and Gibson will both tell you was an agonizing 10 minutes, the men tried to clear the burning bear spray from their eyes with snow on the sagebrush, screaming to scare off the bear, which may or may not have been lurking nearby. “There was a moment where I thought I couldn’t see a damn thing and this could be it,” Legasa said. “Soon as I thought that, I thought, ‘You gotta fight for it. You gotta fight for this now, you gotta keep going.’” Finally, their sight returned. There were no bears. The men returned to their truck, about a 30-minute walk, and Gibson drove Legasa to Livingston. He then was driven to Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital, where he was treated for his wounds. On Monday, Legasa underwent surgery for a broken left arm. A roughly 500-pound grizzly bear attacked Bob Legasa, of Hayden, Idaho, on Saturday, October 13, 2018. (Courtesy) Legasa credits Gibson and the bear spray for saving his life. Gibson sees it differently. “He thinks I helped him, but I think he helped me, because the bear attacked him,” Gibson said, laughing. “It gave me the opportunity to help him … I’m just thankful that the two of us were there.” While Legasa thought the bear weighed about 500 pounds, Gibson thought she looked more like 300. “This was not a huge bear – it had a huge attitude,” Gibson said. “That’s just such a quick judgment, that was just my impression. It was on top of Bob, so I would go with his estimation.” The men had had some practice with bear spray not too long ago. Gibson, who works as a hunting guide, had recently made a bear spray demonstration video. “I mentioned a couple times to friends and family since the attack that creating the video just a few weeks ago definitely helped,” Gibson said. “We did multiple takes deploying it, and at least I had some experience with it.” Both are advocates of bear spray and believe it should be the first line of defense. Legasa said the attack will change the way he hunts in the future: From now on, he will have it on the front of his belt instead of the side. He also plans to stay away from sagebrush. Legasa, who learned to hunt from his father when he was 16, said he hopes the incident won’t change hunting for him. “At this point I’m not too traumatized by it,” he said. “To be honest, I’m not sure how it will affect me.” As for Gibson? He hunted in Sandpoint on Monday. “I was hunting pretty low in the mountains,” Gibson said. “Does lightning strike twice? I’m going to try to think of that when I go back in the woods.” Gibson is returning to Gardiner in less than two weeks as a guide. Neither man was surprised with the way the bear reacted. Just as they were, the bear was surprised, and on top of that, had offspring to defend. Neither believes the bear should be killed. “This bear did not seek out and come looking for me as far as being aggressive,” Legasa said. “We surprised her, she surprised us, she was protecting her cub, and she charged at me to protect it and the rest is history.” Legasa does think that the bear and her cub should be trapped and relocated for their own safety. Many opinions of the incident are being expressed on Legasa’s Facebook page. His post about the encounter has more than 7,000 likes and 14,000 shares. Many people wished him a speedy recovery, but some expressed anger that he was hunting at all. Legasa said he has been an advocate for the management of the grizzly population in the Montana and Wyoming areas. “These altercations are happening more and more because there are more grizzly bears,” he said. “Management needs to be taking control here.”<doc-sep>HELENA — A grizzly bear attacked an elk hunter who surprised the sow and her cub north of Yellowstone National Park, with the bear sinking her teeth into his arm and clawing his eye before another hunter drove her off, the victim recounted Monday. The mauling of Bob Legasa, 57, in the Gallatin National Forest on Saturday was at least the seventh bear attack on a human since May in the Northern Rocky Mountains. Legasa, awaiting his second surgery on Monday, told The Associated Press in a phone interview from his hospital room in Bozeman, Montana, that he and his hunting partner were moving toward some elk when he heard a growl. It was a 2-year-old cub and its mother about 12 yards away from the tree that he had just stepped away from. After the cub growled and moved aside, its mother charged, Legasa said. "I was hoping it was going to be a bluff charge, and halfway through I realized it was going to be the real deal," he said. The bow hunter from Hayden, Idaho, didn't have time to reach for his bear spray; he barely had time to raise his arms in front of his face. The grizzly bit his hand, leaving puncture wounds and breaking a bone in his forearm. The sow clawed at his eye, leaving a bloody gash across the bridge of his nose.<doc-sep>Bob Legasa was bow-hunting elk when he came upon the bear and her cub. COEUR D'ALENE — A roughly 500-pound grizzly bear attacked a Hayden, Idaho man, and the man lived to tell about it. The Coeur d'Alene Press reports the bear attacked Bob Legasa Saturday morning while Legasa and his hunting partner, Greg Gibson, were bow hunting elk south of Livingston, Montana. The pair spotted the grizzly and her 2-year-old cub about 12 yards away. The youngling reared up and growled, then made way for the mama bear to charge. Idaho man survives grizzly bear attack 1/5 2/5 3/5 4/5 5/5 1 / 5 Gibson doused the grizzly with bear spray, and she finally retreated.<doc-sep>COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) — A roughly 500-pound grizzly bear attacked a Hayden, Idaho, man, and the man lived to tell about it. The Coeur d'Alene Press reports the bear attacked Bob Legasa Saturday morning while Legasa and his hunting partner, Greg Gibson, were bow hunting elk south of Livingston, Montana.<doc-sep>

A grizzly bear sunk her teeth into an elk hunter's arm and clawed his eye on Saturday after he surprised the sow and her cub north of Yellowstone National Park, according to the victim. Bob Legasa, 57, and his hunting buddy were walking toward some elk in Livingston when he heard a cub growl. Shortly after, the cub's mother ran full speed in his direction. "I was hoping it was going to be a bluff charge, and halfway through I realized it was going to be the real deal," he said. He told the Coeur d'Alene Press that the bear weighed about 500 pounds. He said he braced for impact like a football player. The bear attempted to hug him and latched on to his arm. "I was knocked over on my butt and at that point I was kicking and screaming trying to move her away." His buddy sprayed at the bear with bear spray and inadvertently hit Legasa twice. "I had blood in my eyes and bear spray in my eyes and I couldn't see a damn thing," he said. "We were putting snow and water in our eyes, trying to get relief." The bear eventually relented. The bear's response was normal for a sow with a cub encountering a human at close range, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials said in a statement Monday. Legasa asked that the bear not be put down. Legasa said the experience won't put him off hunting, a hobby since he was a teenager, but he said he will be more cautious in the future. "I'm always going to have my hunting partner close, and reposition where I carry my bear spray so I can grab it with both hands," he said. Legasa posted an update of his condition on Facebook. "All in all I am in good shape. My arm is screwed up a little and sore and the vision is good, I will be fine," he said in his post. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Image : Backgrid/KanyeHellholeTwitter Ten days ago, Kanye West and his beloved wife Kim Kardashian West , who has seemingly swapped everything out of her closet for their iterations in rubber latex , showed up to 2 Chainz (Tauheed Epps) and Nakesha Ward’s wedding in outfits that rudely, yet rightfully so, took up all the headlines. Advertisement If you recall, Epps famously proposed to Ward on the Met Gala steps during the red carpet. The moment was iconic, as was their wedding, which took place at the Versace mansion. Image : Backgrid Yet Kimye’s ensembles were examples of the duo making full use of any opportunity to promote themselves, garner all possible attention, and push their brands forward: her in a lime-green latex dress, Kanye in a grey suit and velcro chanclas. Images of West’s under sized and overpriced Yeezy nylon slippers immediately spread on Twitter, and turned into a meme. Evidently, the $150 slide s were about a size too petite for his foot. More than a week later, West is claiming he intentionally opted for that fit, claiming it’s the “Japanese way.” To which I, and just about everyone else, says: “YEAH, OK.” Traditional Japanese geta and zori slippers are wooden sandals that come in different heights and styles. They are typically used for added height and balance when wearing kimonos, and are supposed to be worn slightly small so that the person wearing them remains level and stable–particularly for styles that have teeth on the sole. Advertisement Not only was West wearing NYLON SLIPS, and thus unable to apply this reasoning here—it took him TEN days to come up with this back-of-the-gutter excuse. Kanye, OK!<doc-sep>Kanye West is defending his fashion choices after his wife and the rest of the Internet made fun of the rapper for wearing his Yeezy slides in a size too small. Kim Kardashian posted a video to her Instagram story in which she zooms in on her husband's shoes, laughing as she jokes, "The real question is, do those fit?” “That’s what everyone wants to know," she continued. "What size are those?" West also received some flak for a similarly tiny pair of slides that he wore to 2 Chainz's wedding in Miami.<doc-sep>West tries to reinvent the world of footwear with a trick the Japanese have been using for centuries, but his comments aren’t entirely accurate. For all his fame and success, American rapper Kanye West receives a fair amount of criticism from his haters. And with his hand in so many pots, as singer, songwriter, record producer and fashion designer, there are millions of people waiting to critique his every move, down to the smallest detail. So when the 41-year-old star stepped out in a pair of Yeezy slides from his hugely successful footwear collection, the photos snapped by the hungry paparazzi caused an online sensation. And while his footwear empire, produced in collaboration with Adidas, is so popular that styles sell out as soon as they’re released, these slides turned heads for an entirely different reason. ▼ The Yeezy Season 6 Slides first appeared in stores earlier this year. West paired his new slides with a custom-made Louis Vuitton suit when he attended the wedding of 2 Chainz and Kesha Ward in Miami on 18 August, and while all eyes should have been on the bride and groom on their special day, the viewing public couldn’t tear their eyes away from the Yeezy slides on the singer’s feet, which appeared to be at least a size too small. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmp8d5_hbVj/?hl=en&tagged=yeezyslides https://www.instagram.com/p/BmweUSLn4bq/?hl=en&tagged=yeezyslides While some might argue that there are more pressing issues to discuss here, like “Should socks ever be worn with slides?” or “Should socks with slides ever be worn with a suit?“, the gripe that people have with these images is West’s ill-fitting footwear. It wasn’t long before the Internet lit up with heated debates and memes dedicated to the singer’s small shoes. With the heels of his feet clearly hanging off the end of the slides, some suggested West might’ve borrowed the slides owned by his wife Kim Kardashian, who’d previously been spotted wearing a pair herself. https://www.instagram.com/p/BljjAgHhwYO/?hl=en&tagged=yeezyslides As people discussed the possible reasons for West’s heel-hanging style, the man himself finally attempted to silence the discussion and justify his actions with this simple tweet, saying “The Japanese way“. According to the tweet, which was posted more than a week since the photos went viral, West appears to be likening his slide-wearing style to the Japanese way of wearing traditional geta sandals. Well, he does have a point: these wooden sandals are meant to be used with the foot pushed back a little so the heel hangs off the end. In fact, it’s a topic we dedicated an entire article to back in 2016, given that it’s a little known trick to making the shoes easier to wear. ▼ The proper way to wear geta sandals. However, there’s one problem with West’s statement: “the Japanese way” of walking around with the balls of your feet hanging off the end of your shoes applies only when wearing geta, which are more like flip-flops than slides. The whole reason why the foot is pushed back in these types of traditional sandals is because the material that’s wedged between the toes at the top can cause pain and blisters, especially given that the wooden soles are heavy for the feet to lift when walking. ▼ It’s no good (“NG in Japanese”) to have the skin between your toes wedged up into the straps on a geta sandal. To avoid pain at the back half of the foot, geta should be worn with a toe-to-heel stride as opposed to the usual heel-to-toe, and the part of your foot that hangs off the end is meant to help with balance as your toes pinch the shoes as you pick them up while you walk along. So the reason why the heel hangs off the end when wearing geta is because of the style of the shoe itself. The thong section plays havoc with the toe area, the shoes are heavy, and it can be difficult to balance when you’re walking toe-to-heel. The Yeezy slides, however, are simple slip-ons that don’t cause any toe-pinching pain, and they’re not so heavy to require any special geta-wearing techniques. ▼ According to this owner of a pair Yeezy slides, the reason the heel hangs off the edge is due to slippage from the sock-and-slide combo. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm6fIOsno7S/?hl=en&tagged=yeezyslides While the jury’s still out on whether West simply wore a shoe that was too small or whether he was really trying to mimic the Japanese style of wearing traditional footwear, one thing’s for sure: the extra publicity it’s created won’t do anything to hurt his brand. Personally, we’re hoping this all leads to a new line of Yeezy geta sandals. After visiting Japan and professing his love for the country, perhaps his new shoe collection can take its inspiration from this amazing geta-sneaker hybrid mashup. That would definitely have people talking! Source: Twitter/@kanyewest Featured image: Instagram/hypebeast_d Follow Insert images: © SoraNews24 Follow Oona on Twitter and Instagram for more Japan-related news.<doc-sep>

Suddenly, Kanye West seemed more comfortable in his footwear (Picture: Twitter.com/KanyeWest) Kanye West has answered a public outcry for a comfortable pair of shoes. The hitmaker hilariously posed in a pair of giant novelty slides on Thursday after failing miserably to defend his two-sizes too small shoes. Kanye even edited – nee, improved – a picture of himself and wife Kim Kardashian at the wedding of 2Chainz where this time, he showed up in the huge shoes instead of ridiculously small ones. ‘Are the slides big enough?’ he asked his 28million followers. Kanye also enjoyed a ‘Kim K moment’ with a changing room selfie that showed off his latest fashion statement. The rapper saw the humour in his bizarre footwear choice on Tuesday when he introduced fans to ‘the Japanese way’ of wearing shoes. The Japanese way pic.twitter.com/n1TUsVOJkA — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) August 28, 2018 Accompanying that caption were two images of Japanese sandals that were evidently too small for the wearer, but done so deliberately. While his slides aren’t traditional Japanese footwear by any stretch of the imagination, his diagram noted ‘your heel should extend 1-2cm off the back of the wooden sole’. Kanye had the last laugh, even after his wife made fun of his curious look. Turning the camera on Kanye’s feet in her Instagram story, Kim joked last week: ‘The real question is, do those fit? That’s what everyone wants to know. What size are those?’ MORE : Taylor Swift says Reputation is about ‘finding love’ with Joe Alwyn in all the ‘noise’ as she hints that bitter diss tracks are behind her MORE : Alice Cooper believes musicians today are ‘afraid to be rockstars’ as they need ‘a little more balls’

Fulham have appointed Scott Parker as their replacement for Claudio Ranieri after the Italian's regin at Craven Cottage came to an end just four months on from his arrival in November 2018. A former manager at Chelsea and Leicester City, he won the Premier League with the Foxes in 2016 but was unable to lift the Whites out of the relegation zone. With only 10 games left for the majority of the Premier League, owner Shahid Khan pulled the plug on his tenure to promote the fan favourite for the job. Parker ended his playing career in 2017 after three seasons in the Championship with Fulham. He had stuck with the Cottagers following their relegation to the second tier in 2014 having previously represented Charlton Athletic, Chelsea, Newcastle United, West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur in the English topflight. (Image: Michael Steele/Getty Images) The 38-year-old initially returned to Spurs upon his retirement to work as a club ambassador and coach at Under-18 level before moving across London to rejoin Fulham as a first team coach under Slavisia Jokanovic, whose own spell as manager came to an end in November when he was replaced by Ranieri. During his time working at Hotspur Way as a coach, Parker oversaw 25 games from the touchline but breaking down the results how did he fare and what clues can Fulham fans find in the style of play he demanded from his players? Scott Parker's managerial record so far Games managed: 25 Games won: 12 Game drawn: 4 Games lost: 9 Goals scored: 66 Goals conceded: 41 Goal per game: 2.64 Points per match: 1.60 Final match in charge: Tottenham Hotspur 9-0 Arsenal - April 24, 2018 Scott Parker's final game in charge of Spurs Under-18s was a dominant 9-0 win that saw Reo Griffiths score four goals and bag three assists. Oliver Skipp was also in the team. The midfielder is now a feature of Mauricio Pocehttino's senior squad at the club. Griffiths has since moved on to join Ligue 1 side Lyon. Scott Parker's style of play At Spurs, Parker favoured a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, and was brought back to Fulham to work with Jokanovic, a manager who sought to keep possession and play open, attacking football with an urgency to get forward quickly with plenty of width from the full-backs. His time working at Hotspur Way saw his team score 66 goals in 25 games, summing up the former midfielder's own determination to go on the offensive. (Image: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images) During Ranieri's time as manager, the ex-England international would often take a leading role in training sessions and is understood to be highly regarded by the playing staff. Captain Tom Cairney credited Parker for inspiring Fulham to come back and beat relegation rivals Brighton and Hove Albion in January in a 4-2 win. His speech in the dressing room at half-time is said to have raised spirits to send the players back out to turn the game around. It is assumed that young players such as Ryan Sessegnon and his brother Steven Sessegnon will enjoy more chances after finding their opportunities reduced under Ranieri. Keep up to date with the latest news, features and exclusives from football.london via the free football.london app for iPhone and Android . Available to download from the App Store and Google Play .<doc-sep>Fulham have sacked their second manager of the season, having dismissed Claudio Ranieri from his duties this afternoon. Ranieri took the reins at Craven Cottage in November following the sacking of Slavisa Jokanovic but was unable to inspire a turnaround. The Italian's last game was the 2-0 defeat inflicted by Southampton on Wednesday - a result which left the club in 19th position, 10 points adrift from safety with 10 league games remaining. Former England captain Scott Parker will take charge on a caretaker basis. Advert 10 Fulham Football Club Chairman Shahid Khan today named Scott Parker as Caretaker Manager, replacing Claudio Ranieri. :point_right: https://t.co/cxx8utJdUy pic.twitter.com/3sikRtiH3I - Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) February 28, 2019 Via the official Fulham website, chairman Shahid Khan issued the following statement: "Following our discussion this afternoon, Claudio Ranieri agreed to my decision that a change was in the best interest of everyone. No surprise to me, Claudio was a perfect gentleman, as always. "Claudio's tenure at Fulham didn't produce the outcome we anticipated and needed when I appointed him as Manager in November, but be assured he is not solely to blame for the position we are in today. "Claudio walked into a difficult situation, inheriting a side that gained only one point in its prior eight matches, and he provided an immediate boost by leading our Club to nine points in his first eight matches as Manager. Advert 10 "Though we were unable to maintain that pace thereafter, I am grateful for his effort. Claudio leaves Fulham as our friend and he will undoubtedly experience success again soon." Turns out Claudio Ranieri's dilly ding, dilly dong doesn't work once he gets outside Leicester. Disastrous season for @FulhamFC. Scott Parker should at least get them organised properly. - Simon Stone (@sistoney67) February 28, 2019 The Khan's first season with Fulham in the Premier League: Martin Jol - Sacked Rene Meulensteen - Sacked Felix Magath - Relegated The Khan's second season with Fulham in the Premier League: Slavisa Jokanovic - Sacked Claudio Ranieri - Sacked Scott Parker - ??? pic.twitter.com/1I8YYR6vGt - Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 28, 2019 Dubbed a "risk-free" appointment by the Fulham board when he was drafted in, Ranieri tasted victory just three times in the league. Advert 10<doc-sep>With reports swirling that Claudio Ranieri is about to lose his job as manager of Fulham the bookies have wasted no time in opening a market on who the next man in the hotseat will be. Scott Parker, Fulham's first team coach who has had a lot of influence on first team matters since Claudio Ranieri's arrival in November, is currently the bookies favourite to replace him at Craven Cottage in what would be a sensible option until the end of the season. However, he has no first team managerial experience with his only previous job as a manager since retiring from playing coming with Tottenham Hotspur U18s, where he was the U18 manager. There's a whole host of names currently on the list of potential next manager with the bookies, with the likes of David Moyes, David Wagner and Claude Puel all featuring as a result of currently being out of work. Thierry Henry also features as does former boss Slavisa Jokanovic, who is 20/1 with PaddyPower to return to his former job having been sacked in November. Here's who is currently on the list of potential next managers with the bookies: (Image: Mark Kerton/PA Wire) Scott Parker - 2/5 David Wagner - 7/1 David Moyes - 10/1 Claude Puel - 10/1 Carlos Carvalhal - 14/1 Michael O'Neill - 14/1 Chris Coleman - 16/1 Gary Rowett - 16/1 Sam Allardyce - 20/1 Thierry Henry - 20/1 Slavisa Jokanovic - 20/1 Harry Redknapp - 20/1 Keep up to date with the latest news, features and exclusives from football.london via the free football.london app for iPhone and Android . Available to download from the App Store and Google Play .<doc-sep>

Scott Parker received some words of encouragement from the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson after being named as Fulham's interim manager. Parker, who was capped 18 times by England and even captained his country, had been working as a first-team coach at Craven Cottage but is now assuming the role of caretaker boss following the sacking of Claudio Ranieri yesterday. The Italian's last game was the 2-0 defeat inflicted by Southampton on Wednesday - a result which left the club in 19th position, 10 points adrift from safety with 10 league games remaining. Loading… Advert 10 Former Charlton, Chelsea, Newcastle, West Ham and Spurs midfielder Parker needs a miracle if he is going to keep Fulham in the Premier League but he's received a detailed message of support from Sir Alex, arguably the greatest manager in the history of English football. Image: PA "I don't really have many friends, but yesterday the phone was pinging away," Parker said, as quoted by the Daily Mail. "I had some amazing text messages. Sir Alex text me late last night, which was pretty incredible really. Advert 10 "To think that he spent the time to write a long, detailed message giving me some advice on how he sees things was truly inspirational really, and I know it sounds a big comment, but it's the truth." Parker, still only 38, was already thinking about becoming a manager when he was at Spurs and admits this is a huge opportunity to stake his claim for getting the job on a permanent basis. Image: PA "It's definitely an audition. On a personal note this is something I started working towards seven years ago when I was a Spurs player. Advert 10 "I've got an ambition to be a manager. My main focus at this moment in time is getting the team together, finding some stability. '"It's been a whirlwind 24 hours but I'm really looking forward to it. As a young person in this position, I'm very grateful." Incredibly, in being succeeded by Parker at Fulham, Ranieri has been replaced by his last ever Chelsea signing after taking over from Jokanovic, who was his first ever addition at the Blues. Proper full circle stuff.

DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 26: assistant coach Manfred Steffes of Borussia Dortmund, head coach Lucien Favre of Borussia Dortmund, sporting director Michael Zorc of Borussia Dortmund and assistant coach Edin Terzic of Borussia Dortmund look on during a training session at the Borussia Dortmund training center on March 26, 2019 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) Borussia Dortmund return from the international break with a classic encounter against VFL Wolfsburg. Lucien Favre and his men have slowly begun recovering from their stretch of poor results and will be looking to pick up some momentum for their penultimate clash against Bayern Munich next week. Match information Location: Westfalenstadion Date: 30/3/2019 Time: 3.30pm CET/2.30pm GMT/10.30am ET Recent form: Borussia Dortmund WLLWW The Black and Yellows edged past Hertha Berlin by the skin of their teeth thanks to a late Marco Reus goal. During the international break the stars of Dortmund have shined with Jadon Sancho stealing the spotlight. The young Englishman set up Raheem Sterling for England’s opening goal in a comprehensive 5-0 over the Czech Republic. Captain Marco Reus provided two assists setting up Nico Schulz and Leon Goretzka. Other notable performances were that of Christian Pulisic who gave the United States and early lead against Chile but picked up an injury during the same game. VFL Wolfsburg: WWDLW Wolfsburg recovered from their 6-0 hammering by Bayern Munich with a 5-2 victory over Fortuna Dusseldorf. They currently sit in 7th place and will be hoping to pick up all three points in their quest for a Europa League spot. The Wolves will be without Ignacio Camacho but will be hoping to see Daniel Ginczek make his return to the squad. Wolfsburg are winless against Borussia Dortmund at the Westfalenstadion since 2012 but that won’t stop them from bringing their best this weekend. Team News Borussia Dortmund will be without right-back Lukasz Piszczek whose absence has been truly felt by the club. Alcacer, Witsel, and Gotze all made a return to training this week but it all depends on Favre if they are back to full match fitness and start on Saturday. Christian Pulisic picked up a thigh injury over the international break and early reports indicate he will miss a minimum of 3 weeks. Opposition Star Man: Wout Weghorst The Dutchman played a hand in all of Wolfsburg’s five goals in their 5-2 victory over Dusseldorf. With 12 goals and 5 assists, this season Weghorst is truly at the top of his game. He has been compared to other prolific Wolfsburg goalscorers such as Bas Dost and Edin Dzeko. He will certainly keep the Dortmund defence busy as he has one of the highest work rates of all players in the Bundesliga. He combines well with Daniel Ginczek, and apart from his eye for goal he can also set up teammates when needed. Last match: VFL Wolfsburg 0-1 Borussia Dortmund Marco Reus was the hero for the Black and Yellows as a 27th-minute goal was enough to seal all three points for Dortmund. There were plenty of chances that were created but not taken which could have easily lead to one or two more goals. Wolfsburg pressed hard to find an equalizer at the end, but the Dortmund defence was rock solid throughout the entire game. Probable line-ups Dortmund: Bürki – Hakimi, Akanji, Zagadou, Diallo – Witsel, Gotze – Sancho, Reus (c), Guerreiro – Alcacer Wolfsburg: Casteels – William, Knoche, Brooks, Roussillon – Gerhardt, Guilavogui (c), Arnold – Mehmedi – Weghorst, Brekalo Final prediction: Borussia Dortmund 2-1 VFL Wolfsburg<doc-sep>When: March 30th, 2019 @ 10:30 AM EST How to Watch: Fox Soccer Plus Rest of the world here. Check out our match preview! Match Thread Rules: Absolutely no illegal streams. There are legal means listed watch the game. Use those and don’t share any illegal streams in the comments. Be critical, but not offensive. We’re all tolerant people; we all get frustrated at a bad call the ref makes or react to some foul that the opposing team makes. We encourage you to post your thoughts, just think them through before posting them. Keep things PG-13. No abusing of other commentators or match officials. None whatsoever. Zero. Nada. Zip. Zilch. Verboten, Verboten, Verboten!! We’re all fans, bear that in mind. Express yourself how you normally would. We allow for profanity (within reason), but any sexist, racist and/or homophobic comments and replies will result in immediate blocking and banning of future participation.<doc-sep>Betting Preview: Borussia Dortmund vs Wolfsburg: Plenty goal action expected at Signal Iduna Park An entertaining football experience is expected this weekend as BVB will be looking to keep up the momentum in pursuit of the Bundesliga crown Bundesliga matchday 27 action will see Borussia Dortmund taking on Wolfsburg at the Signal Iduna Park on Saturday afternoon. Lucien Favre’s men have scored 10 goals and picked up 10 points from the last five games. They are undefeated and have never failed to find the back of the net in their 13 home games. The Black and Yellows were superior against their opponents in six of their previous seven league outings. They are backed to come out on top at (1.44) odds with Bet365. Odds of (4.33) are offered for the match to end in a stalemate by the same bet firm. The Wolves are in superb form of late, scoring 12 goals and earning 10 points from possible 15 in their last five games. Bruno Labbadia's team are also victorious in five of their previous eight away league matches. They are valued at (7.00) according to the same bookies to be triumphant at the end of regulation time. Both teams have scored more goals in the second half than at half time. BVB have scored 44 out of 64 goals likewise the wolves have scored 28 out of 44 goals in the second half. Punters looking to profit from this game should stake on this game to produce two or more goals in the second half which is offered at (1.72) with Bet365. This market has paid in eight of the last nine league meetings between both sides at this venue. Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.<doc-sep>DORTMUND, GERMANY - MARCH 30: Head coach Lucien Favre of Borussia Dortmund gestures during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and VfL Wolfsburg at Signal Iduna Park on March 30, 2019 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images) Borussia Dortmund needed two late goals from Paco Alcacer to see off Wolfsburg and Lucien Favre was pleased with his side’s belief and calmness. The match was heading for a goalless draw before Paco Alcacer stepped up and scored a stoppage time brace to help Borussia Dortmund pull off a crucial 2-0 win against a resilient Wolfsburg side. The win, along with Bayern’s failure to beat SC Freiburg, allowed Borussia Dortmund to reclaim their lead at the top of the table. And head coach Lucien Favre has lauded his side for keeping their belief and fighting for the win right till the very end. Favre said, “Both teams defended well and had good spells during the match. At the beginning Wolfsburg looked livelier and then we improved after 20 minutes. We played a higher line and had more possession than Wolfsburg as well as a few chances.” “We applied pressure, but Wolfsburg posed a threat themselves with long balls and counter-attacks, especially in the second half. We didn’t control the game at the beginning of the second period. That subsequently improved. In the last 15 minutes we absolutely wanted to score a goal and so were took a bit more of a risk.” Lucien Favre also provided an update on Abdou Diallo and Achraf Hakimi during his press conference following the game. Both left backs had to go off after suffering injuries in the second half of the game, and are now doubts for the Bayern game. “Diallo has something on his calf, it will be tight for Saturday. Hakimi will have to wait for the MRI.” Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans Joachim Watzke echoed Favre’s statements, and believes that the victory will provide them with a great psychological boost heading into next weekend’s top of the table clash against Bayern Munich. “We played very cautiously, especially in the first period. It’s great that we managed to end the game like that. It’s a psychological boost for us to travel to Munich as league leaders and to know that we can edge things a little further in our direction if we win there.” Roman Burki, who kept his first clean sheet in six games was full of praise of match-winner Paco Alcacer, while also lauding his side’s strong defensive display. I’m really happy for Paco today. He’s earned it to score again. Today he found the net twice, two very important goals. That’s a great feeling, the weekend couldn’t have gone better. We performed well defensively today, we had two injuries during the match and had to make changes.” Borussia Dortmund now have a two point advantage in the title race ahead of next weekend’s trip to rivals Bayern Munich. A good result at the Allianz Arena, and the Black and Yellows can finally start dreaming about lifting the Salatschüssel come the end of the season.<doc-sep>

BERLIN, GERMANY - MARCH 16: Players of Borussia Dortmund celebrate the win after the final whistle during the Bundesliga match between Hertha BSC and Borussia Dortmund at the Olympiastadion on March 16, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund/Getty Images) Paco Alcacer’s late heroics help Borussia Dortmund move back to the top of the Bundesliga by Ellis Weldon Borussia Dortmund return to Bundesliga action this weekend as they host seventh placed Wolfsburg. Following their last gasp win over Hertha Berlin before the international break, Borussia Dortmund will be hoping to continue their winning run against Wolfsburg. With Bayern Munich now ahead in the table on goal difference, the Black and Yellows cannot afford to drop points ahead of the two side’s clash next week. Lucien Favre has a near full strength squad to choose from for Saturday’s game, with Axel Witsel, Paco Alcacer and Mario Gotze all back in contention. Christian Pulisic will miss out though, after suffering a thigh injury on international duty with the United States. Lukasz Piszczek is on the comeback trail, but the game will come too soon for him. While Maximilian Philipp is also out with a long term knee injury. Wolfsburg haven’t won at the Westfalenstadion since 2012 but will be determined to change that this weekend. After their close shaves with relegation in recent seasons, The Wolves are in European contention this season. Bruno Labbadia’s side suffered a 6-0 defeat to Bayern recently, but recovered well to beat Fortuna Dusseldorf 5-2. Borussia Dortmund beat Wolfsburg 1-0 when the two sides met back in November, with Marco Reus scoring the only goal of the game. The Black and Yellows will be hoping for a much more comfortable afternoon this time around. The game will be broadcast live in the United States on Fox Soccer Plus, while viewers in Germany can watch on Sky Sport Bundesliga 1. Date: Saturday, March 30 Kick-off: 10:30 a.m. ET/ 2:30 p.m. GMT Stadium: Westfalenstadion TV: Fox Sports Plus (US) Live Stream: Fox Sports Go | Fubo.TV. Sign up for a free seven-day trial here.

After days of ferocious winds and rain, the city of Venice was under water and at least 10 people were killed throughout Italy. Approximately 70 percent of Venice was under water by Monday, according to officials, forcing residents to trudge through knee- and waist-high water in some areas. The high tide hit a maximum of just over five feet above sea level in the early afternoon on Monday — the fourth highest level ever recorded and the single highest since 2008, local authorities said. The high tide was attributed to strong winds from the storm, which on Sunday gave runners in the Venice Marathon an additional obstacle to overcome. The marathon starts inland near the city of Padua, according to Runners World. After approximately 20 miles, the runners hit Venice, which is where they then encountered the flooding. Il nuoto paralimpico c’era già. Il nuoto paralimpico in carrozzina mancava. Eccolo #Venicemarathon PS: per i non madrelingua: “i sbrissa” = “scivolano” pic.twitter.com/bV3GqKlOXH — Andrea Schiavon (@AskLouder) October 28, 2018 One Paralympic participant was seen pushing his wheelchair through the rising water toward the finish line. Police in Venice tweeted that some tourists became stranded and needed rescuing on Monday due to the floodwater. "It was the perfect storm during which adverse meteorological conditions contributed to the situation in the sea and winds," Civil Protection Chief Angelo Borrelli said. While in much of the flooding in Venice left residents inconvenienced, in other parts of Italy, the rain proved deadly. "The exceptional wave of bad weather leaves us with a dramatic toll: nine dead, four serious injuries and one person missing," said Interior Minister Matteo Salvini. A woman was killed in the northern region of Trentino-Alto Adige after she was buried in mud after a landslide rushed her home and a firefighter was struck by a tree while responding to the emergency, according to the Associated Press. Other deaths were caused by falling trees, according to the AP. Another man was slammed against rocks while wind-surfing in Emilia-Romagna. Others were killed in Naples, Liguria and Lazio. Authorities urged locals to stay home unless absolutely necessary and schools were shuttered as the storm swept through the country, according to Reuters.<doc-sep>At a Glance Officials said 70 percent of Venice, Italy, was flooded Monday as strong winds drove water into the lagoon city. The city normally experiences flooding, but these were the highest levels in nearly a decade. The flooding was so extreme because of a strong low-pressure system that brought nasty weather to southern Europe. The storms were responsible for at least six deaths in Italy. Nearly three-quarters of Venice, Italy, was flooded Monday because of a storm system that brought strong winds, driving up water levels more than five feet in the lagoon city, officials said. High winds push water in from the lagoon, flooding parts of the city frequently, but Monday's levels were far higher than normal. At its peak, Monday's water level reached nearly 61.5 inches, the highest since December 2008. Water levels were forecast to reach 63 inches above normal levels, which would have been the first time that had happened since December 1979. "A strong low-pressure system is spinning through southern Europe, spreading heavy rain and strong winds across northern Italy," said weather.com meteorologist Chris Dolce. "The strong winds triggered the inundation in Venice as they blew from south to north through the Adriatic Sea." The storm system was blamed for at least six deaths nationwide. Wind damage that brought down trees and sent objects airborne was to blame for the deaths. (MORE: What Are Your Odds for Halloween Snow?) Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said a series of underwater barriers being erected in the lagoon, known as the MOSE Project, would have prevented the inundation. The project is long overdue, beset by cost overruns and corruption scandals. Advertisement "MOSE would indeed have helped with this particular event," said Bob Henson, weather and climate blogger for Weather Underground. "The water levels today reached 61.5 inches, which would have triggered the 43.3-inch gate closing of MOSE." Brugnaro said he had requested to speak with the Premier Giuseppe Conte to underline the urgency of the project, which would raise barriers when the tide reaches 43 inches. That happens on average four times a year. The public transport company closed the water taxi service due to the emergency, with connections remaining active only to the outlying islands. The city, built on a series of islands, deals with the high water by erecting a series of risers that permit people to circulate by foot. Residents and businesses typically reinforce doors with metal or wooden panels to prevent water from entering bottom floors. Much of Italy is under alert for flooding from heavy rains, a problem exacerbated by a lack of maintenance of river beds. Veneto regional governor Luca Zaia says flooding could reach the levels of the 1966 flood that struck both Venice and Florence. In a message on Instagram, he called off schools in the region for a second day on Tuesday.<doc-sep>Some tourists decided to go for a swim in famed Saint Mark’s Square, in front of the city’s cathedral. The cathedral itself was damaged by flooding as water submerged part of the floor in the central part of the basilica for only the fifth recorded time in its nine-century history, officials said. The water covered “several dozens of square meters” of the marble pavement in front of the altar of the Madonna Nicopeia, a 12th century icon, and submerged the baptistery, the board responsible for the building said in a statement. Near the covered entrance to the basilica, the mosaic floor was under as much as 35 inches of water, it said, “soaking the monumental bronze doors, columns and marble.” Water levels remained above ground in the basilica for 16 hours. “It may not be visible to the eye, but structures age because of the salt water drenching the bricks, which were not meant to remain underwater for long; that goes for bronze, too,” said Pierpaolo Campostrini, one of the board members. “The bricks are like sponges, and if the water levels don’t drop, the water rises several meters to the mosaic level.” “In one day, the basilica aged 20 years,” he said. An editorial on Tuesday in the Venice daily Il Gazzettino asked what had happened to the Moses Project, the divisive, still-unfinished, multibillion-dollar system of floodgates that has been under construction for years. Venice, built on a lagoon of the Adriatic on Italy’s northeastern coast, has always been vulnerable to flooding, and the system of barriers is supposed to offer some protection as global warming and rising seas make the threat worse.<doc-sep>A woman was killed when her home was hit by a landslide and a fisherman's body was found hours after he went to check on his boat on a lake in Trento. South of the beach resort of Rimini, a kite-surfer aged 63 died when he was hurled against rocks.<doc-sep>

Violent storms battered Italy for a third consecutive day on Tuesday, killing at least 11 people, and flooding much of Venice. The lagoon city’s St Mark’s Square remained under water for a second day while the adjacent St Mark’s Basilica was inundated, its baptistery totally flooded and its mosaic floors covered by 90cm (2ft 11in) of water. “The basilica has aged 20 years in just one day, and perhaps I am being overly optimistic about that,” said Carlo Tesserin, the church’s chief administrator. “It is becoming ever more difficult for us and indeed could become impossible for us to repair the damage, especially in an age of climate change.” Italian media said it was the second time this century that the basilica had been flooded, and just the fifth time there had been such high water within the body of the cathedral in the structure’s 1,000-year history. Widespread damage was also reported in towns and cities in the north, south and centre of Italy. Many of the 11 deaths were caused by falling trees as winds as strong as 90mph whipped the country. One of the hardest hit regions was Liguria in the north-west. The breakwater walls in the chic seaside resort of Rapallo were destroyed by pounding waves, letting in a surge of water that toppled dozens of luxury yachts and inflicted heavy damage on the port area. Local media said a yacht owned by the family of former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi was one of those badly damaged. The nearby resort town of Portofino was cut off by a landslide while video showed seawater pouring through the picturesque fishing village of Vernazza further to the south. The weather was expected to improve late on Tuesday and on Wednesday “giving the country a truce”, an official from the civil protection agency told Reuters. Meanwhile, heavy snowfall across south-central France, with up to 40cm (16in) falling in some towns and villages, caused chaos on the roads and knocked out electricity to nearly 200,000 homes, authorities said on Tuesday.

The 2019 NFL schedule will be released Wednesday, April 17, at 5 p.m. Pacific time. Official: the NFL will release its 2019 regular season schedule on Wednesday night at 8 PM EST. — Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 16, 2019 Here are the teams home and away games: HOME Arizona Cardinals Los Angeles Rams Seattle Seahawks Atlanta Falcons Carolina Panthers Cleveland Browns Pittsburgh Steelers Green Bay Packers AWAY Arizona Cardinals Los Angeles Rams Seattle Seahawks New Orleans Saints Tampa Bay Buccaneers Baltimore Ravens Cincinnati Bengals Washington Last week, the NFL released the preseason schedule. The San Francisco 49ers will kick things off against the Dallas Cowboys. Then will travel to Denver and play the Broncos. Then finish up against two AFC West teams in the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers. There’s a good chance those first three games are all televised. The Cowboys are the Cowboys. Denver is on ESPN. We already know that. The Chiefs will draw plenty of interest because of Patrick Mahomes. Lastly, on the schedule release tomorrow, there are leaks on the internet. It’s tough to tell what is legit, so we won’t even go there. However, this afternoon, Dante Pettis hinted at a possible turkey day game: wooaaahh thanksgiving suddenly became my favorite holiday — dp18 (@dmainy_13) April 16, 2019 The rumor this morning was that the 49ers would play the Seahawks on Thanksgiving. We’ll find out in 25 hours. How many primetime games do you think the team will have?<doc-sep>The 49ers have some renewed optimism with their bill of health looking a lot cleaner for 2019 than it was for most of last season. Should this turn out to be the much-anticipated full campaign together for coach Kyle Shanahan and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco's offense has to be ready to make the jump many thought it would make a year ago. That's because the 49ers' schedule for 2019 will feature several teams that can light up the scoreboard. The NFC West and conference champion Rams are on the 49ers' schedule twice, as usual, but so are several more offenses that are both balanced and explosive. MORE: When to expect NFL schedule release There are bound to be plenty of entertaining 49ers games in 2019, assuming Garoppolo picks up where he left off at the helm with a little more support. But translating that into more wins than losses, based on the opponents on the 49ers' schedule, is another story. 49ers schedule 2019 49ers regular-season schedule: Home: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers Away: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins (The following schedule comes via leaks and reports ahead of the NFL's official schedule release, which is expected Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET.) Week Date Opponent Kickoff time TV Week 1 Sept. 8 at Buccaneers 4:25 p.m. ET Fox Week 2 Sept. 15 at Bengals 1 p.m. ET Fox Week 3 Sept. 22 vs. Steelers 4:25 p.m. ET CBS Week 4 BYE - - - Week 5 Oct. 7 (MNF) vs. Browns 8:15 p.m. ET ESPN Week 6 Oct. 13 at Rams 4:05 p.m. ET Fox Week 7 Oct. 20 at Redskins 1 p.m. ET Fox Week 8 Oct. 27 vs. Panthers 4:05 p.m. ET Fox Week 9 Oct. 31 (TNF) at Cardinals 8:20 p.m. ET Fox/NFLN/Amazon Week 10 Nov. 11 (MNF) vs. Seahawks 8:15 p.m. ET ESPN Week 11 Nov. 17 vs. Cardinals 4:05 p.m. ET Fox Week 12 Nov. 24 vs. Packers 4:25 p.m. ET Fox Week 13 Dec. 1 at Ravens 1 p.m. ET Fox Week 14 Dec. 8 at Saints 1 p.m. ET Fox Week 15 Dec. 15 vs. Falcons 4:25 p.m. ET Fox Week 16 Dec. 21/22 vs. Rams TBD TBD Week 17 Dec. 29 at Seahawks 4:25 p.m. Fox 49ers preseason schedule: Week 1 vs. Cowboys Aug. 8-12 TBD Week 2 at Broncos Aug 19, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN) Week 3 at Chiefs Aug. 22-25 TBD Week 4 vs. Chargers Aug. 29 or 30 TBD MORE: Full 2019 NFL preseason schedule Toughest tests: The home schedule outside of the division is brutal. Former league MVPs Cam Newton, Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers all will travel to San Francisco to duel Garoppolo at Levi's Stadium. The two visiting QBs from the AFC, Ben Roethlisberger and Baker Mayfield, are no slouches, either. The road looks a little more manageable in the non-NFC West games, but the 49ers also face two division winners from last season in the Saints and Ravens. Those opponents combine with the Rams and Seahawks to make it six games against playoff teams. Going better than .500 in Santa Clara looks challenging. Biggest breaks: In addition to a sweep of the rebuilding Cardinals being a must, the 49ers need to make hay with away games in Tampa Bay, Cincinnati and Washington. For San Francisco to have its delayed breakout with Shanahan, it must prove it is no longer a bad team by beating other supposed bad teams. Bottom line: The hype the 49ers had around this time last year has been replaced with the realism that it will be a grind. San Francisco is facing a schedule that is even more difficult than its ranking — No. 11 in strength of schedule — might suggest. The 49ers' over/under for wins in Las Vegas is eight, which would represent a four-game improvement from last season. From what we know now, it looks like the 49ers will fall a little short of that record and make it three seasons without a playoff berth under Shanahan. Record prediction: 7-9<doc-sep>Finally fans will know the schedule for their favorite team Wednesday. NFL schedule 2019: 49ers, Raiders' game dates to be released Wednesday originally appeared on nbcsportsbayarea.com Mark your calendars: The NFL officially will release its schedule for the 2019 regular season Wednesday at 5 p.m. PT. Official: the NFL will release its 2019 regular season schedule on Wednesday night at 8 PM EST. — Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 16, 2019 Opponents for every team were revealed on Dec. 30, 2018. But now we'll finally know when games will be played. Here's who the 49ers and Raiders will play this upcoming season. 2019 49ers opponents HOME Arizona Cardinals Los Angeles Rams Seattle Seahawks Atlanta Falcons Carolina Panthers Cleveland Browns Pittsburgh Steelers Green Bay Packers [RELATED: Five things to watch as 49ers begin offseason program] AWAY Arizona Cardinals Los Angeles Rams Seattle Seahawks New Orleans Saints Tampa Bay Buccaneers Baltimore Ravens Cincinnati Bengals Washington 2019 Raiders opponents HOME Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Chargers Jacksonville Jaguars Tennessee Titans Chicago Bears Detroit Lions Cincinnati Bengals [RELATED: How Raiders' need at edge rusher impacts draft strategy] AWAY Denver Broncos Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Chargers Indianapolis Colts Houston Texans Green Bay Packers Minnesota Vikings New York Jets<doc-sep>2019 Schedule Tracker: 49ers will open season at Buccaneers, host Steelers in Week 3 By David Bonilla Apr 17, 2019 at 10:28 AM • More San Francisco 49ers News Breaking Down the San Francisco 49ers Schedule for the 2021 NFL Season By Rohan Chakravarthi May 24, 2021 The 2021 NFL schedule was released on May 12th, and the 49ers got to see which week they will play which opponent. While they already knew the selection of teams and their home and away opponents, San Francisco finally found out its official schedule for the upcoming NFL season. The schedule was both kind and mean to the 49ers, as they got the easiest strength of schedule in their division and tied for 19th overall, a metric determined by the projected wins for opponents, but have to travel the most miles of any NFL team at over 28,000 miles, and the most net miles, which take each team's total miles and subtracts its opponent's miles traveled for home games. With that said, let's break down the full schedule for the 2021 49ers were initially supposed to open the 2021 season at home By David Bonilla May 19, 2021 The San Francisco 49ers will kick off their 2021 campaign with a Week 1 trip to Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, to play the Lions. It's the first of two road games to start the regular season. The team will face the Eagles in Philadelphia during Week 2. It took 124 days and over 100,000 variations for the NFL to decide on the 272-game schedule that was announced on May 12. One of the previous versions that was a finalist candidate featured the 49ers playing their season opener against the Minnesota Vikings at Levi's Stadium in front of The Faithful — COVID permitting. That schedule was close but scrapped because the league wanted to cut down on lengthy The Most Crucial Games on the San Francisco 49ers Schedule By Rohan Chakravarthi 10 hrs ago With the schedule out for the 2021 season, we now know when the 49ers are playing which opponent. With that, let's take an early look at what the most crucial games might be for the 49ers. 1. Week Three vs Green Bay After two early road games against favorable opponents in Detroit and Philadelphia, the 49ers face their first test at home against the Green Bay Packers. The game will be their first Sunday night showdown, and if Aaron Rodgers remains with the team, this will be their first taste of playoff football and a good way to gain momentum 49ers planning to open training camp practices to fans By David Bonilla May 20, 2021 The last time The Faithful got to sit inside Levi's Stadium to watch the San Francisco 49ers was on January 19, 2020. It was a pummeling of the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game on the way to Super Bowl LIV. It's looking like fans will be back in the stadium for the regular-season home opener against the Packers on September 26. Things are looking better when it comes to COVID, and the 49ers are preparing to welcome back fans. Although, everyone still needs to do their part, and the league is encouraging vaccinations. Before the home opener, there will be two preseason games at Levi's Stadium, and fans may even get a chance to see the team in person before<doc-sep>

The 49ers will open the 2019 season at the site of one of their worst performances of 2018. San Francisco will be at Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers to start the year according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. They’ll play their first home game against the Steelers. League source: The #49ers open regular season at #Buccaneers, and home opener is vs. #Steelers. NFL will announce entire schedule at 5 p.m.https://t.co/WzO4Tab8Hh — Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) April 17, 2019 San Francisco was blown out 27-9 by the Buccaneers in Week 12 last season. The 9 points were tied for the 49ers’ lowest output of the season despite the Bucs owning one of the league’s worst defenses. It’ll be an opportunity for a symbolic victory to open the year for the 49ers. Getting a win in Week 1 against a team that thoroughly dismantled them the previous year would be a good way to open a crucial 2019 campaign. The game in Tampa Bay will also be a reunion for newly-signed linebacker Kwon Alexander. He spent the first four years of his career with the Buccaneers. There are some questions about whether he’ll be ready to play in Week 1 though as he continues recovering from an ACL tear late last October. Maiocco also reported San Francisco will play two road games before facing the Steelers on Sept. 22 at Levi’s Stadium. Their Week 2 opponent is still unknown. Their remaining non-division road games include the Saints, Ravens, Bengals and Washington. The 49ers haven’t faced the Steelers since visiting Pittsburgh in Week 2 of the 2015 season. The Steelers cruised to a 43-18 victory in that contest. San Francisco’s last home game against the Steelers was a Monday night contest in Week 15 of the 2011 campaign. The 49ers rolled 20-3 in that one. The NFL’s full schedule will be released at 5:00 PM PT.

Grand Canyon West, Ariz. — Two people have died at the Grand Canyon in separate incidents this week. Officials said in the latest incident, a man stumbled over the edge of the rim while trying to take pictures. A helicopter lifted the body of the Hong Kong man from 1,000 feet below the rim of the Eagle Point observation area Thursday afternoon at Grand Canyon West. The site is a popular tourist destination on the Hualapai reservation outside the boundaries of the national park, spokesman David Leibowitz said. The man's identity has not been released. This 2007 file photo shows Skywalk hanging over the Grand Canyon. Ross D. Franklin / AP When the fall happened Thursday, there were few visitors at Eagle Point, a remote site best known for the Skywalk, a horse-shoe shaped glass bridge that juts out from the canyon wall, Leibowitz said. The rim has some ledges and outcroppings below but no barrier between tourists and the edge. The man, who was in his 50s, was taking photos when he stumbled and fell, Leibowitz said. Signs at Eagle Point warn tourists not to get too close to the edge. Leibowitz also stressed to CBS News that the man didn't fall from the Skywalk. The area closed for the day after the incident, Leibowitz said. He extended the tribe's prayers to the man's family. The Hualapai reservation includes a roughly 100-mile stretch of the Grand Canyon at its western edge. Meanwhile, authorities at Grand Canyon National Park — about 95 miles east — were working to identify a person believed to be a foreign national. A body was found Tuesday evening in a wooded area south of Grand Canyon Village away from the rim, the park said. The person's relatives haven't been notified, and the cause of death is unclear, park spokeswoman Vanessa Ceja-Cervantes said. The National Park Service and the local medical examiner's office are investigating. Last fall, a travel-blogging couple fell 800 feet to their deaths at Yosemite National Park. A photographer spotted them moments earlier at the edge of a cliff. A study found in a 7-year period, 259 people worldwide died while taking selfies. More than 70 percent were men, who researchers said took more risks to get a dramatic shot. "We always say that the zoom button is your friend, make sure you use that if you want to get a good photo of the canyon," Tech giants have promoted a culture of selfies and social media is full of daring photos taken at great risk. The rugged 277-mile-long Grand Canyon makes safety rails impossible in many areas. Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the U.S., drawing nearly 6.4 million visitors last year. Grand Canyon West gets about 1 million visitors annually.<doc-sep>A mural of George Floyd is shown in the intersection of 38th St & Chicago Ave on March 31, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Community members continue preparations during the third day in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who is charged with multiple counts of murder in the death of George Floyd. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 01: President Donald Trump's lawyer and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani talks to journalists outside the White House West Wing July 01, 2020 in Washington, DC. Giuliani did an on-camera interview with One America News Network's Chanel Rion before talking to other journalists about Vice President Joe Biden and the news that Russian intelligence may have paid Taliban operatives to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) ORLANDO, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 28: Former President Donald Trump addresses the Conservative Political Action Conference held in the Hyatt Regency on February 28, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. Begun in 1974, CPAC brings together conservative organizations, activists, and world leaders to discuss issues important to them. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Here's what reported grand jury in Trump case may look like NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 09: People walk past the Trump Tower as the impeachment trial of Donald Trump begins in Washington on February 09, 2021 in New York City. After listening to nearly four hours of legal arguments, the Senate has voted on Tuesday to move ahead with the impeachment trial of former President Trump. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Report: US companies may have benefited from forced labor of Uyghurs WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 20: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the conflict in the Middle East from Cross- Hall of the White House on May 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. Israel and Hamas announced that they would agree to a cease-fire, which will take into effect on Friday, following days of fighting that claimed more than 200 lives. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) SAN JOSE, CA - MAY 26: A view of the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light-rail yard where a mass shooting occurred on May 26, 2021 in San Jose, California. A VTA employee opened fire at the yard, with preliminary reports indicating nine people dead including the gunman. (Photo by Philip Pacheco/Getty Images) A healthcare worker prepares to administer a Pfizer/BioNTEch coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine at The Michener Institute, in Toronto, Ontario on December 14, 2020. - Ontario, Canada's most populous province and one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, had 1,940 new cases and 23 deaths on Monday. The province is expected to give its next doses to nursing home workers as a priority, according to media reports. (Photo by CARLOS OSORIO / POOL / AFP) (Photo by CARLOS OSORIO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) 'Never seen levels like this': Union president on airline passenger misconduct Memorial Day weekend will bring rain and cool air for much of the East (CNN) — Two people died at the Grand Canyon after two separate incidents this week, including a tourist who was taking pictures. On Thursday, a man from Hong Kong was taking pictures at an overlook of the Grand Canyon when he slipped and fell, according to a spokesman for Grand Canyon West. A helicopter search began immediately, and a recovery operation is ongoing, according to David Leibowitz, a spokesman for the Eagle Point observation area, who added the man apparently was taking a selfie. The man was in his late 50s and was part of a tour group visiting the Eagle Point observation area at Grand Canyon West, according to Leibowitz, and he was about 100 yards from the Skywalk. Skywalk is a horseshoe-shaped glass platform 4,000 feet over the canyon. The Skywalk has glass balustrades and is designed for the safety of visitors who want unique photos of the canyon. Grand Canyon West is owned and operated by the Hualapai Tribe, according to its website. Eagle Point and nearby Skywalk were closed after the man fell, Leibowitz said, but Skywalk has since reopened. “The thoughts and prayers of every Grand Canyon West employee remain with the loved ones of this individual and the members of the tour group,” the tourist destination said in a statement. This was the second death at the Grand Canyon this week. On Tuesday, according to a statement by the National Park Service (NPS), rangers and special agents responded to a fatality of a visitor near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Vanessa Ceja-Cervantes, a spokeswoman for the park, said that individual did not fall over the rim. She said the victim was a foreign national and that the body was found in a forested area south of the South Rim Village area of the park. The statement said that the NPS and the Coconino County Medical Examiner are conducting an investigation. “On average, there about 12 fatalities in the park per year, but a small percentage of those are from fatal falls,” said Ceja-Cervantes. “The causes of those deaths range from heat, to drowning, to medical issues and more. High elevation plays a role in some of the fatalities.” CNN’s Paul Vercammen contributed to this report.<doc-sep>Three people have died after falling at the Grand Canyon over the last month, but officials say that the number of fatalities this year is not unusual. A total of five people have died inside the Grand Canyon National Park this year, compared to 17 people last year said park spokesperson Vanessa Ceja. A Hong Kong man in his 50s also died on March 28 after falling over the rim inside the Hualapai Reservation. The reservation is not part of the national park, but does encompass part of the canyon. About 12 people die inside the park each year, although many of the deaths are caused by heat or natural causes, Ceja said. Nearly 5 million people visit the park every year. John Quinley, a spokesperson for the park, said that there are typically fewer than five deaths in the park each year caused by falls. He said that park officials do not believe the number of deaths this year is unusual. “It may happen again or we might go seven months with zero. The numbers are so small, it’s hard to sort of see a trend,” Quinley said. He added that while the Grand Canyon National Park staff reviews park safety annually, officials are not currently planning to add any more safety precautions. “At this point, we’re not seeing any obvious change that’s necessary.” Quinley said that more aggressive safety measures – such as significantly adding to fencing in the park – is impractical given the size of the canyon. The formation is 277 miles long, and it can be approached at two sides. The park provides fencing at the most popular viewing sites and visitors are also offered safety information at park kiosks, from park staff and on the park’s website. A spate of deaths in recent weeks has drawn public attention to safety at the park. On April 23, a 69-year-old woman who had walked off the park trail died after falling about 200 feet from the canyon’s Southern Rim. And on April 3, a 67-year-old man from California died after falling 400 feet from the South Rim at Grand Canyon village. Roger Clark, the Grand Canyon Program Director for the Grand Canyon Trust, said that while accidents tend to generate public conversations about safety, it’s impossible to entirely eliminate danger in a place like the Grand Canyon. “Gravity is part of the package,” said Clark. “There’s places like that- whether you’re at the Gand Canyon or walking the street- where one foot can mean the difference between life and death.” Get The Brief. 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Contact us at letters@time.com.<doc-sep>A tourist fell to his death in Grand Canyon National Park on Wednesday morning, officials said, the third person to die at the canyon in the past eight days. The 67-year-old man fell about 400 feet from the canyon's South Rim, east of the Yavapai Geology Museum, just before noon, according to the National Park Service. Authorities did not say how the man fell. The park's helicopter was able to recover the man's body. It is the second time in six days a person has plunged to their death at the Grand Canyon, prompting a warning from park officials. "Grand Canyon National Park staff encourages all visitors to have a safe visit by staying on designated trails and walkways, always keeping a safe distance from the edge of the rim and staying behind railings and fences at overlooks," they said in a release. This is the first person to fall to their death inside Grand Canyon National Park this year, but a tourist from Hong Kong died falling into the Grand Canyon on the Hualapai reservation, outside the boundaries of the park, on March 28. That death happened near the Grand Canyon Skywalk, a horseshoe-shaped outlook over a 1,000-foot cliff face, which closed for a day after the death. The man was taking a photo at the time, officials said. Two days before that man fell to his death, another person was mysteriously found dead in a wooded area of the national park. The body was found near a hiking trail, not the rim of the canyon, south of Grand Canyon Village, authorities said. Seventeen people fell to their death at Grand Canyon National Park last year, according to The Associated Press.<doc-sep>

The man has been identified as a tourist from Hong Kong. Two people have died in separate incidents at the Grand Canyon this week, including a tourist who fell 1,000 feet into the canyon while attempting to take photos. The man fell early Thursday near Eagle Point at Grand Canyon West, an area that is also home to the popular Skywalk attraction. His body was recovered by helicopter later in the day and will be sent to a local medical examiner. The man was identified as a visitor from Hong Kong in his 50s, who was part of a tour group visiting the area. His name has not been released, Grand Canyon West spokesman David Leibowitz said, according to the Associated Press. "The thoughts and prayers of every Grand Canyon West employee remain with the loved ones of this individual and the members of the tour group," the park said in a statement. The Skywalk is a U-shaped, glass-bottomed bridge that juts over the rim of the canyon, located on the Hualapai Tribe's reservation outside of the National Park. In a separate incident, a body identified only as that of a foreign national was found Thursday in a wooded area south of Grand Canyon village, Grand Canyon National Park spokeswoman Vanessa Ceja-Cervantes told The Associated Press. The cause of the person’s death is unclear and their relatives have not been notified. The National Park Service and the local medical examiner's office are investigating the death. On average, the Grand Canyon sees two to three deaths each year from falls over the rim, park spokeswoman Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski told a website dedicated to the park. The Grand Canyon attracts around 6.4 million visitors each year, making it one of the most-visited tourist attractions in the U.S.

Up next for No. 13 Houston men's basketball: Temple When: 6 p.m. Thursday. Where: Fertitta Center (7,035). TV/radio: ESPN2/950 AM. Series: Houston leads 6-3. Last meeting: Temple won 73-69 on Jan. 9 in Philadelphia. Temple (15-5, 5-2) Coach: Fran Dunphy (262-157 in 13 seasons at Temple; 572-320 in 30 seasons overall). ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: UH has Temple on its mind but says it's not about the past No. Pos. Name Class Ht. PPG. RPG. 1 G Quinton Rose Jr. 6-8 17.1 3.4 10 G Shizz Alston Jr. Sr. 6-4 18.5 5.2* 15 G Nate Pierre-Louis Soph. 6-4 14.0 5.8 22 F De'Vondre Perry Soph. 6-7 4.9 3.2 24 C Ernest Aflakpui Sr. 6-10 6.6 7.4 About the Owls: Temple enters the game losers of two of the last three games. ... The Owls are only team to beat Houston this season, marking their 12th straight season with a win over a ranked opponent. ... At 15-5, Temple is off to best start since 2011-12. ... Alston has scored at least 20 points eight times. ... Pierre-Louis has scored in double figures in nine straight games. ... Rose had a season-high 26 points earlier this season against Memphis. ... The Owls average 9.1 steals per game, which ranks 12th nationally. Houston (20-1, 7-1 AAC) Coach: Kelvin Sampson (103-49 in five seasons at UH; 603-319 in 30 seasons overall). No. Pos. Name Class Ht. PPG. RPG. 25 PG Galen Robinson Jr. Sr. 6-1 8.1 5.4* 5 G Corey Davis Jr. Sr. 6-1 14.6 3.2 3 G Armoni Brooks Jr. 6-3 14.8 6.4 35 F Fabian White Jr. Soph. 6-7 7.1 3.6 24 C Breaon Brady Sr. 6-8 7.0 5.0 About the Cougars: Houston has won 30 straight games at home, the nation's longest active streak. ... The No. 13 ranking is the highest for UH since the end of the 1983-84 season. ... UH is second nationally in field-goal percentage defense (36.4), sixth in scoring defense (60.2) and second in 3-point defense (26.1). ... Brooks is averaging 19.5 points and shooting 52 percent from 3-point range in the last two games. ... Brady (bruised left knee) is expected to play. GO BEYOND THE GAME: Go inside the breaking news and box scores with insights, detailed analysis and metrics in our Texas Sports Nation newsletter. Subscribe here.<doc-sep>Owls vs. Cougars Prediction The 13th-ranked Houston Cougars are one of only three teams to have reached 20 wins already and will be in action tonight at home against a Temple Owls team that sent them to their only loss. Will Houston be the first team to make it to 21 wins? Game Snapshot 603 Temple Owls at 604 Houston Cougars Thursday, January 31, 2019 Fertitta Center at 7PM ET TV: ESPN2 Compare odds from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our College Basketball Odds & Betting Page. Public Betting Information According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Cougars are a 9.5-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 141.5 points. As of Thursday morning, 51 percent of public bets are siding with host Houston. Check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for the latest info. Owls blow double-digit win Temple led 35-25 at halftime Sunday before blowing it in a 72-68 defeat at home against Cincinnati. The Owls (15-5, 5-2) shot 20-of-48 from the floor, 9-of-24 from 3-point distance and 19-of-31 from 3-point distance in the loss. J.P. Moorman led Temple with 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting including 3-of-5 from 3-point range plus 1-of-1 at the free throw line off the bench. He also pulled down four rebounds. Shizz Alston Jr. contributed 18 points and five assists. Quinton Rose tallied 16 points, four boards, two assists and two steals. Nate Pierre-Louis added 11 points plus six rebounds and two assists. Cougars win fifth straight Houston improved to 20-1 on the season and 7-1 in conference play Sunday as it downed host Tulsa by a count of 77-65. The Cougars led by a commanding 45-29 halftime score en route to the victory. Houston shot 27-of-64 from the field, 11-of-35 from 3-point distance and 12-of-14 from the charity stripe. Armoni Brooks paced the Cougars with 22 points on 6-of-16 shooting including 6-of-14 from 3-point range plus 4-of-4 at the free throw line. He also grabbed five rebounds. Fabian White Jr. registered 14 points along with six rebounds and two blocked shots. Nate Hinton added 13 points and five boards off the bench. College Basketball Betting Trends Templs The Owls are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four road games. Temple is 4-1 ATS in its last five Thursday games. Houston The Cougars are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games. Houston is 33-16-2 ATS in its last 51 games overall. Prediction: I feel like this spread is a couple points too thin. This is a revenge game, the Cougars are at home and they've been playing exceptional basketball since the defeat. Sure, the Owls are the best team Houston has played in well over a month. But expect a hyper-focus as they want to set the record straight and avenge that previous 73-69 loss. NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: HOUSTON COUGARS -9.5<doc-sep>

HOUSTON, Texas -- Corey Davis Jr. scored 24 points, DeJon Jarreau added 14 points and 12 rebounds, and No. 13 Houston avenged its only loss of the season with a 73-66 win over Temple on Thursday night.Jarreau had 10 points in the second half, and Davis finished 12 of 13 from the free-throw line as the Cougars (21-1, 8-1 American Athletic Conference) shot 43 percent from the field. Breaon Brady had 13 points and six rebounds.Houston has won six straight since a 73-69 loss at Temple on Jan. 9 and has won 31 straight home games.Quinton Rose scored 26 points and Alani Moore II added nine points for the Owls (15-6, 5-3), who have lost three of its last four. Temple shot 34 percent from the field.After Houston pushed the lead to 67-57 on Davis' two free throws with two minutes left, Temple scored five straight points to close within five on Nate Pierre-Louis' two free throws with 1:13 left. Davis hit six straight free throws in the final minute.After Temple cut Houston's lead to 50-48 on J.P. Moorman II's 3-pointer with 9 minutes remaining, Houston responded with seven straight points to open up a nine-point lead on Jarreau's three-point play a minute later.The Cougars scored eight straight points to build a 35-27 lead on Galen Robinson Jr.'s free throw with 1 minutes left in the first half. Davis scored four of his nine first-half points on the run, and Houston led 35-29 at the half.BIG PICTUREHouston: Armoni Brooks, the Cougars' leading scorer at 14.8 points per game, had a quiet night due to foul trouble. Brooks sat most of the first half with two fouls and finished with three points. Houston held a 34-24 advantage in points in the paint.UP NEXTHouston: Travels to Central Florida on Feb. 7.

The league announced on Friday that Tim Anderson had been suspended for one game and fined an undisclosed amount for using racially-charged language in the aftermath of getting hit on the ass in the at-bat after celebrating a home run with a dramatic bat flip. The White Sox and the Royals got into a little dust-up after Tim Anderson was hit by a pitch after bat flipping a home run, a breakdown. pic.twitter.com/X4txPuGK0A — Jomboy (@Jomboy_) April 17, 2019 Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brad Keller was also suspended by MLB for his role in Wednesday’s altercation, which involved drilling Anderson in the ass with a 92 mph fastball. That pitch came two innings after Anderson drilled a 93.1 mph fastball deep into the left-field stands, punctuating his home run with a baton-twirl “Stick Talk” bat flip. As JustFiskIt has pointed out repeatedly, the home run celebration seemed to clearly come less from rubbing it into Keller than it was in response to the high heat he’d received three pitches before the homer. Here’s the six-pitch sequence that came in hard and inside on Anderson. The third pitch was 92 mph: The league made clear that Anderson’s suspension was because of his language during the “brawl” after Anderson was hit, not for his Stick Talk. Jeff Passan of ESPN is reporting that TA used the “N-word” on Keller. For his part, Anderson on Friday did not seem to dispute the reason for his suspension. He is not appealing, and will sit out Friday’s game: Tim Anderson on suspension. pic.twitter.com/b1yCJwgRw5 — Daryl Van Schouwen (@CST_soxvan) April 19, 2019 Keller is suspended for his dumbass adherence to old-school baseball, and presumably his unapologetic tone after the fact. Keller was suspended for five games (one start) and also fined. White Sox manager Rick Renteria, who came out to clear up the mess, seems not to have a violent bone in his body, which consists of 0.0% redass, also received a one-game suspension and an undisclosed fine for “aggressive actions” after his played was intentionally beaned. Renteria seemed to travel far toward the Royals dugout, telling players to get off the field, which is presumably something any manager should do. K.C. skip Ned Yost — with at least a slightly-higher redass content than Renteria — then started screaming at Renteria, for “crossing the line” or some nonsense. Funny, when a manager can’t control his players, he yells at the opposing manager, instead of his own players. Renteria is not appealing his suspension, and will be off tonight as the White Sox face the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. He spoke on Tim Anderson before Friday’s game:<doc-sep>Anderson flung his bat toward his own dugout before running the bases after scoring a home run against the Royals. White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson is expected to be suspended for his role in an altercation between Chicago and the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, Stadium reported on Friday. Anderson is suspended for one game for the language used during the benches clearing, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported. Anderson was suspended for using a "racially-charged word," per Passan. Anderson celebrated a home run in the fourth inning against the Kansas City with a bat flip, which drew the ire of the opposing Royals. In his next at-bat, Anderson was hit by Royals pitcher Brad Keller, which led to a heated exchange between White Sox manager Rick Renteria and Royals manager Ned Yost. The benches cleared, and Anderson and Keller were both ejected from the game. Keller has also been suspended for five games. Anderson has a batting average of .422 with four home runs and 12 RBIs on the season.<doc-sep>The Angels have said Ohtani is expected to return to the lineup in May. A date hasn’t been announced. Lester improving • Cubs Manager Joe Maddon said ace Jon Lester (left hamstring strain) is “doing really well” as he works his way back, though he didn’t have an exact date on when he will throw a simulated game. Lester, 35, was injured running the bases on April 8. He has a 2.57 ERA in three starts, after tying for the National League lead with 18 wins last season. Phillies lose two • Philadelphia shortstop Scott Kingery and left fielder Andrew McCutchen left Friday the Phillies’ game Friday because of injuries. Kingery departed in the fourth inning after straining his right hamstring. McCutchen came out in the sixth with what the team said was inflammation in his left knee. Lindor set to return • Indians All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor is expected to return to the lineup this weekend, after missing the team’s first 18 games because of a sprained ankle. Lindor played in three games for Triple-A Columbus this week, and homered twice and batted .417 (five of 12).<doc-sep>

Tim Anderson’s choice of words has run him afoul of Major League Baseball’s rules. The Chicago White Sox shortstop was suspended one game for his role in Wednesday’s benches-clearing fracas between his team and the Kansas City Royals. An MLB investigation revealed Anderson’s use of a “racially charged” word against Royals pitcher Brad Keller as the reason for his suspension, and sources detailed to ESPN’s Jeff Passan exactly what he said. When MLB investigated the benches-clearing incident between the White Sox and Royals, umpires and players from both teams said Tim Anderson used a racially charged word, sources tell ESPN. Anderson received a one-game suspension from the incident, per sources. — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 19, 2019 During the benches-clearing incident, White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson called Royals pitcher Brad Keller a "weak-ass f—ing n-word," sources tell ESPN. Anderson, who was hit by a Keller pitch one at-bat after he hit a home run and flipped his bat, was suspended for one game. — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 19, 2019 The fracas started when Keller, who is white, hit Anderson, who is black, in retaliation for his epic bat-flip/toss in his previous at-bat. MLB suspended Keller five games and also suspended White Sox manager Rick Renteria one game his “aggressive actions,” during the altercation between the teams. Anderson won’t appeal his suspension for using racially charged language against Keller, per USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale. Anderson will sit out Friday’s game between the White Sox and Detroit Tigers. Thumbnail photo via David Banks/USA TODAY Sports Images

Uri box office collection Day 4: Vicky Kaushal film earns well on its first weekday. Uri box office collection Day 4: Vicky Kaushal film earns well on its first weekday. Vicky Kaushal starrer Uri: The Surgical Strike has emerged as the first hit of 2019. The movie has earned Rs 46.24 crore in four days, exceeding all predictions. Uri is directed by Aditya Dhar. It features Yami Gautam, Paresh Rawal and Mohit Raina in supporting roles. Trade analyst Taran Adarsh posted the day 4 figures on his Twitter account. He tweeted, #UriTheSurgicalStrike is unshakable… Excellent on Day 4… Higher than Day 1… Will cross ₹ 50 cr today… Trending better than #Raazi, #Stree and #BadhaaiHo… Fri 8.20 cr, Sat 12.43 cr, Sun 15.10 cr, Mon 10.51 cr. Total: ₹ 46.24 cr. India biz. #Uri #HowsTheJosh.” In his earlier tweet, Taran Adarsh predicted that the film will perform solidly over the weekdays. He said, “#UriTheSurgicalStrike day-wise growth… Sat [vis-à-vis Fri]: 51.59%. Sun [vis-à-vis Sat]: 21.48% Taking into account the terrific trending, #Uri is expected to maintain a super-strong grip on weekdays. India biz. #HowsTheJosh.” Uri has received mixed reviews. The Indian Express film critic Shubhra Gupta gave it 2 stars and wrote, “Uri: The Surgical Strike is slickly made, and on the whole keeps you watching despite some clunky passages.” She added, “It’s always good to have movies in which the soldiers look real, and the conflict is taken seriously, even if the action is buoyed by such dialogues as ‘unhe Kashmir chaihye, humein unka sar’. If that’s not jingoism, I don’t know what is. The Pakistani big-wigs are shown as a bunch of not exactly incompetents, but incapable of matching up to the Indians.” Uri should stay strong on the weekdays since it has only Anupam Kher starrer The Accidental Prime Minister as competition.<doc-sep>Kriti Sanon has completed seven years in the industry today. She had made her debut with ‘Heropanti’ alongside Tiger Shroff and bowled the audience over with her performance right from her first film. And since then, there has been no looking back for the actress. In fact, she is now looking forward to the release of seven big-budget films.<doc-sep>After a very good year at the movies, Vicky Kaushal 's first release of 2019 has taken a strong opening as well. According to a report by BoxOfficeIndia.com, 'Uri' collected around Rs 8-8.25 crore.The film is based on the surgical strikes conducted in 2016 by the Indian Army, against militant launch pads in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). 35-50 terrorists were reportedly killed in the covert operation, in retaliation to the terrorist attack in Uri that killed 19 Indian soldiers. Subsequently, Pakistan denied the incident.The report suggested that this is a very good number considering the face value of the film. It added that despite being an action film, it is mainly the big cities that are doing well while smaller centers are low and single screens all over did not collect much. 'Uri' also features actors Paresh Rawal Kirti Kulhari and Yami Gautam in other pivotal roles.<doc-sep>Uri box office collection day 2: The film has opened to decent numbers despite competition from The Accidental Prime Minister. Uri box office collection day 2: The film has opened to decent numbers despite competition from The Accidental Prime Minister. Aditya Dhar’s military drama Uri: The Surgical Strike is creating the right amount of noise among cinephiles. It has earned Rs 20.63 crore after two days. Starring Vicky Kaushal, Yami Gautam, Paresh Rawal and Mohit Raina, the film opened to decent numbers despite competition from Anupam Kher’s The Accidental Prime Minister, Rajinikanth’s Petta and Ajith’s Viswasam. On its first day, Uri had collected a total amount of Rs 8.20 crore. #UriTheSurgicalStrike witnesses remarkable growth on Day 2 [Sat]… Glowing word of mouth is converting into BO numbers… Growth on Day 2 [vis-à-vis Day 1]: 51.59%… Day 3 [today] should be bigger… Fri 8.20 cr, Sat 12.43 cr. Total: ₹ 20.63 cr. India biz. #Uri — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) January 13, 2019 Trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared the box office figures of the film on Twitter. He wrote, “#UriTheSurgicalStrike witnesses remarkable growth on Day 2 [Sat]… Glowing word of mouth is converting into BO numbers… Growth on Day 2 [vis-à-vis Day 1]: 51.59%… Day 3 [today] should be bigger… Fri 8.20 cr, Sat 12.43 cr. Total: ₹ 20.63 cr. India biz. #Uri. : Before the release, trade analyst Girish Johar talked about the buzz around Uri and suggested that Vicky Kaushal in the lead role will attract people to the theaters. “The trailer, the small snippets from the film and the other promotional activities have been put across well. It is a sensitive military drama but also looks like an urban film which will probably invite more audience to the multiplexes. Definitely, people are looking forward to seeing Vicky Kaushal as a military officer after he delivered good performances last year. He is one of the USPs of Uri” said Johar. Uri, based on the Indian military’s cross border operation, has been received well by the audience and film fraternity. Critics looked divided in their opinion about this military drama. Filmmaker Karan Johar watched the movie and was in awe of both Kaushal and director Aditya Dhar. “HOWS THE JOSH??? VERY HIGH SIR!!! What an incredible film #URI is!!! Walked out feeling a burst of patriotic energy! Superbly crafted,narrated, shot and executed! This ones an immensely proud box office winner!!! DONT MISS IT!!! !,” tweeted Karan. In another tweet, he said, “What and incredible actor @vickykaushal09 is! His performance is a blend of strength and sensitivity !!! This film will take the actor to stardom! He is OUTSTANDING! Great work by debut director @AdityaDharFilms !! He’s a director to watch out for!! Proud work! Karan also praised the cinematography of the film and said, “Absolutely stunning cinematography by @miteshdop !! Capturing the attack with flair and expertise! His best moments are also in the quite scenes! Master work!!! Congratulations to the big daddy of @RSVPMovies @RonnieScrewvala for making such great content!”<doc-sep>

Actor Vicky Kaushal’s first solo release of the year Uri: The Surgical Strike has registered a impressive performance at the box office. The film opened a bit better than what was expected, with a collection of Rs 8 crore. It has now made a total of Rs 46 crore in just four days. Film trade analyst Taran Adarsh also shared the box office figures of the film on Twitter. He tweeted, “#UriTheSurgicalStrike is unshakable... Excellent on Day 4... Higher than Day 1... Will cross Rs 50 cr today... Trending better than #Raazi, #Stree and #BadhaaiHo... Fri 8.20 cr, Sat 12.43 cr, Sun 15.10 cr, Mon 10.51 cr. Total: Rs 46.24 cr. India biz. #Uri #HowsTheJosh.” #UriTheSurgicalStrike is unshakable... Excellent on Day 4... Higher than Day 1... Will cross ₹ 50 cr today... Trending better than #Raazi, #Stree and #BadhaaiHo... Fri 8.20 cr, Sat 12.43 cr, Sun 15.10 cr, Mon 10.51 cr. Total: ₹ 46.24 cr. India biz. #Uri #HowsTheJosh — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) January 15, 2019 He added in another tweet, “#UriTheSurgicalStrike emerges the FIRST HIT of 2019... Indeed, 2019 has started with high josh... Sets the BO on (fire) on Day 3... Packs a solid total in its opening weekend... Fri 8.20 cr, Sat 12.43 cr, Sun 15.10 cr. Total: Rs 35.73 cr. India biz. #Uri #HowsTheJosh.” #UriTheSurgicalStrike emerges the FIRST HIT of 2019... Indeed, 2019 has started with high josh... Sets the BO on 🔥🔥🔥 on Day 3... Packs a solid total in its opening weekend... Fri 8.20 cr, Sat 12.43 cr, Sun 15.10 cr. Total: ₹ 35.73 cr. India biz. #Uri #HowsTheJosh — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) January 14, 2019 Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film is inspired by the 2016 surgical strike carried out by India in Pakistan. Vicky plays an Indian Army major in the film while Yami Gautam, Mohit Raina, Kirti Kulhari and Paresh Rawal also have prominent roles in the film. On being asked about the film’s prospects of joining the Rs 100 crore club, film exhibitor Akshaye Rathi had told HT, “The possibility is certainly there but it depends on how entertaining the script is. If the script is engaging enough, anything can happen. The onus for a film’s success also lies on the writer and director of the film. If it will make it to the Rs 100 crore club depends how well it is written, narrated and directed.” Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10

Leading up to the first round of the NCAA tournament, The Chronicle will preview one of the four regions in the bracket, touching on the true contenders in the region and potential bracket-busting Cinderellas. After starting with the South, we now move on to the Midwest: The No.1 seed: North Carolina It was just two years ago when North Carolina came home with a ring, although that may have been overshadowed after the Tar Heels got booted out of the tournament after the second round last year. North Carolina ended the regular season as second in the ACC, as the Tar Heels were able to beat top teams like Duke. UNC also had a high reputation for cleaning the glass throughout the season, with top rebounder Luke Maye contributing with 10.5 rebounds a game. Part of North Carolina’s success this season can be attributed to the team dynamic on the floor. The Tar Heels had a balanced starting line-up, with both veterans and new additions to the court. Seniors Maye, Cameron Johnson, and Kenny Williams dominated all around the floor putting up shots inside the paint and even backing up to sink treys. Coby White proved himself throughout the season, even breaking freshman school records when he tallied three 30-point games. Although North Carolina had a successful season, they had a few bumps along the way. The Tar Heels were unable to beat Duke for a third time, losing their first game to the Blue Devils in the ACC tournament. The other contenders: set an even playing field North Carolina’s performance in the tournament could go either way—especially with intimidating Kentucky in their region. The Wildcats are a solid team that relies a lot on an unstoppable trio of great shooters: PJ Washington, Keldon Johnson and Tyler Herro. The Wildcats were able to close out their season as second in the SEC, but the team has taken some big hits. A couple of notable losses were against Duke and Tennessee, and the Wildcats lost by over 30 points to the former and by 19 to the latter. These hits in a sea of successes show that the Wildcats have had a pretty similar season to UNC and that a game against them could go either way. No.3 Houston finished as first in the American conference and it’s no surprise with their impressive record. The Cougars had an overall 31 wins, with a 15-win streak to start of the season. Although their competition wasn’t too difficult, they did bring in some big wins against Oregon, Oklahoma State and LSU. The potential Cinderella: Georgia State Based on No. 14 Georgia State’s history of upsets, they could potentially knock No. 3 Houston out of the tournament. Get Overtime, all Duke athletics Signup for our editorially curated, weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time. It wouldn’t be the first time the Panthers have taken out a three seed, as they upset Baylor back in 2015. Georgia State delegates on the floor, with consistent numbers all around their starting lineup. Their five starters all contribute eleven or more points per contest, with D’Marcus Simonds not too far ahead with 18.4 points per game. The secret lies in its 3-point shooting as the team averages out at almost a 40 percent success rate. If the Panthers can reel off multiple shots from beyond the arc, they have a chance to pull off an unlikely upset. The regional narrative: Kentucky takes the win again UNC will likely match-up with Kentucky in the Elite Eight, which could knock them out of the tournament. The Tar Heels took on the Wildcats earlier on in the season in a non-conference game that Kentucky controlled and won by 12 points. Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that North Carolina beat Virginia in the regular season. The Chronicle regrets the error.<doc-sep>USA TODAY Sports breaks down the NCAA Midwest Regional. Best first-round matchup: Wofford-Seton Hall. The selection committee rewarded No. 7 Wofford for a terrific season with a very nice seed. Now, can the Terriers capitalize against a more athletic first-round opponent? Wofford is fueled by 3-pointers – they rank No. 2 nationally, hitting 41.6 percent – which make the Terriers extremely dangerous. Meanwhile, led by Myles Powell, Seton Hall has been erratic, which is why it fell onto the bubble in the final weeks. But the Pirates beat Kentucky and went 3-1 against Big East rivals Marquette and Villanova. Key for the Pirates could be getting help for Powell. Potential upset: It’s never a bad idea to pick a No. 12 to beat a 5, and New Mexico State fits the bill as a dangerous No. 12. The Aggies, who won the WAC’s regular-season and tournament championships, have won 19 consecutive games; they do it with defense and rebounding and a big dose of 3-pointers. Although Trevelyn Queen scored 27 points in the WAC Tournament final against Grand Canyon, no player averages as many as 12 points. Included on their resume is a near upset of Kansas. After a midseason swoon, Auburn got hot late and played very well in winning the SEC Tournament – a 20-point victory against Tennessee in the final – and led by Jared Harper, they force turnovers and score in transition. But the Tigers’ reliance on the 3-pointer can be problematic. This could come down to which team is hot from deep. REGIONAL BREAKDOWN: East | Midwest | South | West TOO HIGH OR LOW? :Five seedings the selection committee got wrong BRACKET TIPS:Everything you need to dominate your office pool The sleeper: Iowa State is as hard to decipher as any team in the country. The Cyclones are very talented – with a bevy of potent scorers led by guard Marial Shayok, they might be the Big 12 team with the highest ceiling – but their defense rarely matched the offense. They lost six of their last eight regular-season games, but then won the Big 12 Tournament. For a glimpse of what’s possible, look no further than the way Iowa State dominated Kansas in the championship game. If the Cyclones can replicate that performance, they could play deep into the bracket. NCAA TOURNAMENT BRACKET: See all 68 March Madness teams PRINTABLE BRACKET: Get yours to fill out here The winner: North Carolina. It’s tempting to take Kentucky, which morphed (like so many of John Calipari’s teams) into something very formidable by the end of the season. But the Tar Heels were this close to beating Duke three times – the last time, in the ACC tournament, with Duke at full strength, Zion Williamson in full effect. North Carolina prefers a fast pace, and with freshman guard Coby White as the catalyst, has the athletes to run away from most opponents. But the Heels can slow down, play physical and win that way, too. No one would be surprised if North Carolina won the national championship -- or at least met Duke again, this time for the ultimate prize. The teams 1. North Carolina Nickname: Tar Heels. Location: Chapel Hill. Record: 27-6, 16-2. Bid: ACC at-large. Last appearance: 2018, lost to Texas A&M in second round. Coach: Roy Williams (77-25 in 28 appearances). Overview: Unaccustomed to second-round departures, the Tar Heels figure to have a lengthier stay this time. They have depth and athleticism at every position, enabling them to maintain their preferred frenetic pace for 40 minutes with fresh legs. You’ll know things are going their way if most of their points are coming from layups and dunks. Perimeter shooting can be spotty. Projected starters: G Cameron Johnson, 6-9, Sr. (16.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 51.1 FG% 46.9 3FG%); G Coby White, 6-5, Fr. (16.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4.1 apg, 81.4 FT%); F Luke Maye, 6-8, Sr. (14.6 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 2.5 apg); G Kenny Williams, 6-4, Sr. (8.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.6 apg); F Garrison Brooks, 6-9, So. (8.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 56.6 FG%) 2. Kentucky Nickname: Wildcats. Location: Lexington. Record: 27-6, 15-3. Bid: SEC at-large. Last appearance: 2018, lost to Kansas State in Sweet 16. Coach: John Calipari (53-18 in 19 appearances). Overview: After being blown out by Duke in the season opener, they rebounded well to make their typical late-season charge. Their winning formula starts with a plethora of size that helps dominate opponents on the backboard. The size also allows them to take high-percentage shots and force teams to stay out of the interior. The lack of consistent three-point shooting will be a challenge. Projected starters: F PJ Washington, 6-8, So. (14.8 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 51.5 FG%, 41.9 3FG%); G Tyler Herro, 6-5, Fr. (14.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 94.0 FT%); G Keldon Johnson, 6-6, Fr. (13.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg); F Reid Travis, 6-8, Sr. (11.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg) G Ashton Hagans, 6-3, Fr. (7.7 ppg, 4.2 apg). EAST REGION:Bracket analysis, team capsules SOUTH REGION:Bracket analysis, team capsules WEST REGION: Bracket analysis, team capsules 3. Houston Nickname: Cougars. Location: Houston. Record: 31-3, 16-2. Bid: American Athletic at-large. Last appearance: 2018, lost to Michigan in second round. Coach: Kelvin Sampson (13-14 in 14 appearances). Overview: A defense that ranks among the best in the country. An offense powerful enough to score 80 or more points 10 times during the regular season. A veteran and tested roster led by an experienced head coach. Houston is a team very capable of making a run deep into March. One asset that could be a major factor in the tournament: Houston is strong from deep (54th nationally in makes behind the arc during the regular season) and superb at defending the 3-point line. Projected starters: G Corey Davis Jr., 6-1, Sr. (16.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.9 apg, 43.1 FG%, 38.5 3FG%); G Armoni Brooks, 6-3, Jr. (13.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 40.6 FG%, 40.1 3FG%); G Galen Robinson Jr., 6-1, Sr. (8.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 43.6 FG%); F Breaon Brady, 6-8, Sr. (6.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 60.0 FG%); F Fabian White Jr., 6-7, So. (6.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 45.6 FG%). 4. Kansas Nickname: Jayhawks. Location: Lawrence. Record: 25-9, 12-6. Bid: Big 12 at-large. Last appearance: 2018, lost to Villanova in Final Four. Coach: Bill Self (47-19 in 20 appearances). Overview: It’s been a weird season for Kansas, which saw its run of 14 consecutive Big 12 regular-season championships snapped amid injuries and attrition. The Jayhawks retooled with a lineup filled with four freshmen. Dedric Lawson, the fourth-year junior forward (a transfer from Memphis), has been Kansas’ catalyst as a double-double machine. Freshman point guard Devon Dotson has been a steadying force. The Jayhawks were 19-1 at home, but only 6-8 in road or neutral-site games. Projected starters: G Devon Dotson, 6-2, Fr. (11.7 ppg, 3.5 apg); G Quentin Grimes, 6-5, Fr. (7.8 ppg, 1.9 apg); G Ochai Agbaji, 6-5, Fr. (9.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg); F Dedric Lawson, 6-9, Jr. (19.1 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 49.1 FG%); F David McCormack, 6-10, Fr. (3.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg). 5. Auburn Nickname: Tigers. Location: Auburn, Ala. Record: 26-9, 11-7. Bid: SEC champ. Last appearance: 2018, lost to Clemson in second round. Coach: Bruce Pearl (11-9 in nine appearances). Overview: The Tigers got off a fast start and were in the top 10 before Christmas. Then things went sideways as they split their next 14 games. A fast finish, including a run to the SEC tournament title, has them peaking at the right time. Auburn’s game is to shoot a lot of threes and live with the results. When those fall, the Tigers are dangerous. If they don’t fall, there could be an early exit. Projected starters: G Bryce Brown, 6-3, Sr. (15.7 ppg, 40.2 3FG%, 80.9 FT%); G Jared Harper, 5-11, Jr. (15.4 ppg, 5.9 apg, 81.6 FT%); F Chuma Okeke, 6-8, So. (11.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.6 spg, 50.2 FG%); F Anfernee McLemore, 6-7, Jr. (6.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg) G/F Malik Dunbar, 6-6, Sr. (6.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg). 6. Iowa State Nickame: Cyclones. Location: Ames. Record: 23-11, 9-9. Bid: Big 12 champ. Last appearance: 2017, lost to Purdue in second round. Coach: Steve Prohm (4-3 in three appearances). Overview: The Cyclones, who rotate interchangeable parts in a four-guard lineup, can fill it up offensively, averaging almost 78 points with the potential to heat up and run away from opponents – as shown in winning the Big 12 tournament. Their issue is stopping opponents from doing the same; defensively, they’ve been inconsistent at best; while losing six of eight to end the regular season, Iowa State allowed opponents to average 82.7 points in the losses. Senior guard Marial Shayok, an all-Big 12 performer, shoots at a nearly 50 percent clip and 39.6 percent on three-pointers. Sophomore guard Lindell Wigginton provides significant scoring punch off the bench (13.4 ppg). Projected starters: G Nick Weiler-Babb, 6-5, Sr. (9.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.0 apg); G Talen Horton-Tucker, 6-4, Fr. (12.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.6 apg); G Tyrese Haliburton, 6-5, Fr. (6.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.8 apg; G Marial Shayok, 6-6, Sr. (18.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.0 apg); F Michael Jacobson, 6-9, Jr. (11.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg). 7. Wofford Nickname: Terriers. Location: Spartanburg, S.C. Record: 29-4, 18-0. Bid: Southern champ. Last appearance: 2015, lost to Arkansas in first round. Coach: Mike Young (0-4 in four appearances). Overview: This isn’t your ordinary Southern Conference team. The Terriers were perfect in league play and ran through the conference tournament. Each loss was to a Power Five school that made the NCAAs. Wofford lives and dies off the three-point shot, making 41.6% of its attempts, second in the nation. Wofford can surprise if it can stay hot. Projected starters: G Fletcher Magee, 6-4, Sr. (20.5 ppg, 42.8 3FG%, 90.7 FT%); F Cameron Jackson, 6-8, Sr. (14.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 1.5 spg, 58.1 FG%); G Nathan Hoover, 6-4, Jr. (13.2 ppg, 45.7 3FG%, 89.6 FT%); G Storm Murray, 5-11, So. (7.8 ppg, 3.1 apg, 51.1 FG%, 48.5 3FG%, 84.4 FT%); F Keve Aluma, 6-9, So. (6.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 67.2 FG%). 8. Utah State Nickname: Aggies. Location: Logan. Record: 28-6, 15-3. Bid: Mountain West champ. Last appearance: 2011, lost to Kansas State in first round. Coach: Craig Smith (first NCAA appearance). Overview: In his first year, Smith set the bar pretty high. The renewed energy and enthusiasm he brought is self-evident even without the results on the court. The combination of veterans like Sam Merrill and the rapid development of newcomers like Neemias Queta helped the Aggies turnaround last season’s 8-10 league record. Projected starters: G Sam Merrill, 6-5, Jr. (21.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.2 apg, 90.6 FT%); C Neemias Queta, 6-11, Fr. (11.7 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 2.4 bpg, 54.3 FT%); F Quinn Taylor, 6-8, Sr. (8.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 51.3 FG%); G Brock Miller, 6-6, Fr. (8.0 ppg); G Abel Porter, 6-3, So. (4.9 ppg, 2.7 apg). 9. Washington Nickname: Huskies. Location: Seattle. Record: 26-8, 15-3. Bid: Pac-12 at-large. Last appearance: 2011, lost to North Carolina in second round. Coach: Mike Hopkins (first appearance). Overview: The Huskies ran away with the Pac-12 regular-season title behind the play of Pac-12 player of the year Jaylen Nowell and defensive player of the year Matisse Thybulle. Washington was dominant while playing a 2-3 zone (imported by second-year coach Mike Hopkins, a longtime Syracuse assistant) that is difficult to prepare for. Opponents averaged just 64 points; Washington ranks No. 2 nationally in blocks (5.9) and 10th in steals (8.9). But the Huskies’ offense sometimes disappears. Projected starters: G Jaylen Nowell, 6-4, So. (16.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 44.1 3FG%, 3.2 apg); G Matisse Thybulle, 6-5, Sr. (9.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.5 spg; 2.3 bpg); G David Crisp, 6-0, Sr. (12.6 ppg, 2.7 apg); F Noah Dickerson, 6-8, Sr. (12.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 56.0 FG%); F Hameir Wright, 6-9, So. (2.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg). 10. Seton Hall Nickname: Pirates. Location: South Orange, N.J. Record: 20-13, 9-9. Bid: Big East at-large. Last appearance: 2018, lost to Kansas in second round. Coach: Kevin Willard (1-3 in three appearances).<doc-sep>

INDIANAPOLIS — Duke, Tennessee, Virginia and Gonzaga would be the top seeds if the season ended today, according to the Division I Men’s Basketball Committee, which conducted its annual selection orientation meeting at NCAA headquarters this week. For the third consecutive year, the meeting included the selection, seeding and full vetting of the top 16 teams, which were unveiled this afternoon on CBS. GET TO KNOW NET: The net rankings and what they mean for the NCAA tournament The No. 2 seeds would be Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina and Michigan State, while Purdue, Kansas, Houston and Marquette were voted as the No. 3 seeds, and Iowa St., Nevada, Louisville and Wisconsin rounded out the field. According to committee chair Bernard Muir, there was a strong consensus among the top seven teams on the seed list, while some of the lengthier deliberations centered around the back end of the Nos. 2, 3 and 4 lines. “There was considerable discussion about the order of the top seven schools, but certainly those teams separated themselves from the others at this time,” said Muir, the director of athletics at Stanford. “Duke and Tennessee were essentially 1 and 1a; it was that close. A slight edge in some of the metrics was the difference in Duke getting the overall top seed. Virginia was a solid No. 3 team on the top line, and Gonzaga got the fourth No. 1 seed based largely on the teams they’ve beaten and the quality of the opponents they’ve lost to.” . @TheAndyKatz reacts to the committee's Top 16 #BracketPreview released this morning and discusses his full 68-team bracket. pic.twitter.com/CXvNC2MFJu — NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) February 9, 2019 Kentucky, with three wins away from home in the upper half of Quadrant 1, had an advantage as the best of the No. 2 seeds, while Michigan’s head-to-head win over North Carolina slotted the Wolverines at No. 6 on the seed list followed by the Tar Heels seventh. DUKE-VIRGINIA: Everything you need to know for this big ACC battle “The final spot on the 2 line came down to Michigan State’s eight Quadrant 1 wins, five of which have come away from home,” said Muir. “While Kansas has a similar number of Quadrant 1 wins as the Spartans, we thought Kansas’s performance on the road, along with the unfortunate season-ending injury to Udoka Azubuike, kept the Jayhawks behind Purdue. At the same time, the abundance of quality wins kept Kansas in front of Houston. If the tournament started today... DUKE would be the No. 1 overall seed! #BracketPreview pic.twitter.com/UkSy4ELr81 — NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) February 9, 2019 “The debate over which team should also be seeded third came down to Marquette, Iowa State and Nevada. The tipping point for the committee was Marquette’s victories in the upper half of Quadrant 1, particularly against teams that made our top 16 list. Iowa State’s four victories in the first quadrant included three road wins, giving them an edge on Nevada, and Louisville’s considerable success on the road put the Cardinals solidly on our 4 line. While a handful of teams were considered for the final spot, it eventually turned into a two-team race between Wisconsin and Villanova, and the Badgers ended up getting more votes based on having six Quadrant 1 wins, including four away from home.” MARCH MADNESS: Dates and schedule for the 2019 tournament Using existing bracketing principles, the committee assigned Duke to the East regional, which will take place in Washington, D.C. Tennessee was sent to the South regional in Louisville, while Virginia was assigned to the Midwest regional in Kansas City, Missouri, and Gonzaga was sent to the West regional in Anaheim, California. Because teams from the same conference seeded on the top four lines can’t be placed in the same region, and because the top No. 2 seed can’t go to the same region as the overall No. 1 seed, Kentucky could not go to the two closest sites. Therefore, the Wildcats were assigned to their next closest site in Kansas City. Michigan was assigned, initially, to the closest available site, which is Louisville. That, however, changed later in the bracketing process, thanks to a unique set of circumstances. With four ACC teams in the field of 16, those schools had to go to separate regions.

The Steelers added to their coaching staff on Tuesday with the hiring of Adrian Klemm as assistant offensive line coach. Klemm, who steps into the role that was held by Shaun Sarrett before he was promoted to offensive line coach, comes to the Steelers from the college ranks where he has nine years of experience. Most recently he was the associate head coach/run game coordinator/offensive line coach at UCLA from 2012-16. Klemm started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Southern Methodist (2008), before becoming the offensive line coach/recruiting coordinator there from 2009-11. He doesn't just bring coaching experience with him as he played six seasons in the NFL. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft with the 46th pick overall. He spent five seasons with the Patriots and was a member of the three Super Bowl championship teams. He finished his playing career in 2005 with the Green Bay Packers.<doc-sep>It was unfortunate when the Pittsburgh Steelers lost offensive line coach Mike Munchak. Munchak chose to be closer to family and made a lateral move to the Denver Broncos. This meant the Steelers would promote Shaun Sarrett to become the new offensive line coach. And now the Steelers make a smart signing of Adrian Klemm to work with Sarrett as an additional offensive assistant. New Assistant Offensive Line Coach Adrian Klemm brings nine years of collegiate coaching experience to Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/20B5rxPGhG — Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 5, 2019 Klemm spent 2012-2016 with UCLA as a run game specialist/assistant head coach. By all accounts, Klemm hasn’t coached anywhere since leaving UCLA in 2016. This gap in his work history probably doesn’t bode well but it remains to be seen what Klemm brings to the table. As a player, Klemm won three Super Bowls as a member of the New England Patriots. Klemm played his college football at the University of Hawaii.<doc-sep>Getty Images The Steelers lost offensive line coach Mike Munchak to the Broncos and promoted his assistant Shaun Sarrett to take his place, which left them in need of a new assistant offensive line coach for the 2019 season. They filled that hole on Tuesday. The team announced that Adrian Klemm has joined the staff as Sarrett’s assistant. Klemm was the associate head coach/run game coordinator/offensive line coach at UCLA from 2012-2016 and was the offensive line coach at SMU for three years before making the move to the Bruins. He has not coached in the NFL. He has played in the NFL, however. Klemm was a second-round pick by the Patriots in 2000 and won three Super Bowl rings during five years in New England. He finished his playing career by spending one season with the Packers. The Steelers have also added running backs coach Eddie Faulkner and senior defensive assistant/secondary coach Teryl Austin to the staff this offseason.<doc-sep>There is exactly one player on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster right now who has won a Super Bowl with the team, which would obviously be two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The only other player currently on the roster with a ring is safety Morgan Burnett, whose Green Bay Packers beat the Steelers in the 2010 Super Bowl, and who will likely be released in the coming weeks. Just three other players remain from the 2010 team, those being wide receiver Antonio Brown, Ramon Foster, and center Maurkice Pouncey—and frankly, we don’t know if Brown will be in Pittsburgh much longer either. In other words, even though this is an organization that owns as many Lombardi trophies as any other, this is not a roster that can claim to be reflective of that past, claiming just four players who have ever been in a Super Bowl with the Steelers, and just one with a ring. Not that it’s the same thing, but new assistant offensive line coach Adrian Klemm brings an amount of hardware that nobody else on the roster or on the staff can claim. As a player, Klemm won three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots in the early 2000s, though he was only a part-time starter at that time. Of course there are some coaches on the staff who have rings—Head Coach Mike Tomlin has two Super Bowl rings, one with the Steelers and one as the defensive backs coach of the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for example—all of these are old faces whose stories have grown stale. And there is no group on the roster more hungry for a championship than the offensive line, which is the most veteran on the team and includes two players who have experienced what it’s like to lose the Super Bowl already. While Mike Munchak was a Hall of Famer as a player, you only chase the Hall of Fame after the fact. Your goal as a player is to win championships, and Klemm can flash those championship rings around to extend credibility unto himself as he heads into his first coaching position at the NFL—and the first anywhere in a couple of years due to extenuating circumstances. And who knows, perhaps Klemm can even share some wisdom about how the Patriots and Bill Belichick ran things in the early 2000s, though perhaps things have changed since then even as they continue to win at an unprecedented rate. Naturally, first and foremost, his responsibility is simply to come in and do his job as well as he can in assisting Shaun Sarrett in working with a veteran offensive line group. But having some championship cachet as a former player doesn’t hurt either.<doc-sep>

The Pittsburgh Steelers now have a new assistant offensive line coach and it’s Adrian Klemm, a former NFL player who most recently had spent five seasons coaching at UCLA from 2012-2016. We have hired Adrian Klemm as assistant offensive line coach. MORE: https://t.co/PbjxHlq6sk pic.twitter.com/hEtM5FZMLi — Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 5, 2019 Klemm, who played his college football at Hawaii, was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft and he went on to win three Super Bowl championships with them. After five seasons with the Patriots, Klemm played his final NFL year with the Green Bay Packers in 2005. After his NFL career ended, Klemm started his college coaching career as a graduate assistant at SMU in 2008. From 2009 to 2011 he was the offensive line coach at SMU and even coached former Steelers tackle Kelvin Beachum while there. While at SMU, Klemm was named the school’s recruiting coordinator in the summer of 2011. In December 2011, Klemm accepted an offer to become the offensive line coach and run game coordinator for UCLA under then head coach Jim Mora, Jr. During his five years at UCLA, Klemm was added associate head coach to his duties. UCLA essentially fired Klemm in January of 2017 amid possible recruiting violations. Klemm essentially takes over the job that Shaun Sarrett did prior to him being named the team’s new offensive line coach after Mike Munchak left to become the new offensive line coach of the Denver Broncos. Klemm’s UCLA bio

BTS' 'Butter' is sliding its way into the record books. The song that is the hot flavour of the summer, has hit a new milestone, in the first week of its release - the fastest music video to cross 200 million views on YouTube<doc-sep>Dharma Productions' Kalank has a lot of expectations riding at the box office. The movie stars Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Aditya Roy Kapur, Madhuri Dixit, Sonakshi Sinha, and Sanjay Dutt in major roles. Movie experts believe that period drama Kalank, with its grand sets and big Bollywood names, is expected to gross north of Rs 18 crore at the ticket window on the first day of release. Kalank, made on a budget of around Rs 80 crore, is one of the biggest releases this year. The film is expected to match the performance of other big hits which include Total Dhamaal, Uri: The Surgical Strike, Gully Boy and Kesari. Kalank has been released in around 5,300 screens worldwide, which include 4,000 screens in India and 1,300 screens overseas. #Kalank screen count... India: 4000 Overseas: 1300 Worldwide total: 5300 screens * #Kalank is the widest release for Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt. * Also, #Kalank is the widest release of 2019 *so far*. * #MahaveerJayanti [Wed] and #GoodFriday [Fri] holidays will boost biz. - taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) April 17, 2019 The movie is expected to gain from the release on Mahaveer Jayanti which is a holiday. The upcoming holiday, Good Friday, is also likely to boost its collections at the box office. The film has garnered mixed reviews from film critics. Trade pundit Taran Adarsh, in his one word review, declared Kalank 'Disappointing' and tweeted that "(The movie) doesn't live up to the expectations". #OneWordReview…#Kalank: DISAPPOINTING. Rating: ⭐️⭐️ Doesn't live up to the expectations... Writing, music, length play spoilsport... Few dramatic portions work... Second half engaging in parts... Good climax... Varun, Alia, Madhuri, Aditya, Kunal Kemmu top notch. #KalankReviewpic.twitter.com/rJgyNi3Ain - taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) April 17, 2019 Another trade expert Girish Johar said, "Kalank is coming from one of the topmost production houses, Dharma, which is the pioneer of making mega-budget movies. Releasing in the middle of the week, it is cashing in on the holiday of Mahavir Jayanti." "The makers are looking at a mammoth release and are eyeing maximum numbers before Avengers: Endgame release on April 26. Having a long weekend, I expect a good start as it looks big. People will at least watch it once. It will be the first preference of moviegoers also because there are no other options," he added. Kalank, with a runtime of 2 hours 48 minutes, is co-produced by Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment and Fox Star Studios. The movie also marks the fourth collaboration between Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan after Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, Student of the Year, and Badrinath Ki Dulhania. (Edited by Vivek Dubey) Also Read: TamilRockers leaks Romeo Akbar Walter: John Abraham's full movie available online within days of release Also Read: Kesari box office collection Day 26: Akshay Kumar's film crosses Rs 150-crore benchmark Also Read: Vicky Kaushal disliked 'How's the Josh? ': Uri Director Aditya Dhar<doc-sep>Kalank, after recording the biggest opening at the box office this year, has recorded almost a 50 percent drop in its earnings on day 2. On its opening day (17 April), Kalank earned Rs 21.60 crore, making it the biggest opener of 2019 so far. The holiday of Mahavir Jayanti and its release across 4,000 screens could have played a role in revenue generation. However, Kalank has witnessed almost a 50 percent drop on the second day of its release, minting Rs 11.45 crore. The film is expected to see a jump in its day 3 collection, owing to the Good Friday holiday. The total collection of Kalank currently stands at Rs 33.05 crore. With Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Aditya Roy Kapur, Madhuri Dixit, Sanjay Dutt and Sonakshi Sinha in pivotal roles, Kalank was deemed by most as one of the most highly anticipated films this year. However, it has received criticism for its portrayal of the Partition and even the performances by the cast (with most critics praising only Bhatt and Roy Kapur). Kalank has been directed by Abhishek Varman and backed by Fox Star Studios, Sajid Nadiadwala, Hiroo Yash Johar and Apoorva Mehta. In an Instagram post, producer Karan Johar recollected that the film was actually conceptualised by his late father, Yash, 15 years ago. It was the last film he worked on before he passed away. The filmmaker had called the film "a story of turbulent relationships and eternal love".<doc-sep>Just saw #Kalank what a superb flim @Varun_dvn you nailed it....@aliaa08 @sonakshisinha @MadhuriDixit all are just… https://t.co/ZfiL8bvqyL — Aftab (@smartlysmartz) 1555486236000 #Kalank a very very beautiful story a realistic acting by all wonderful actors....best of @Varun_dvn &@ hole star c… https://t.co/alTnRo3Nj1 — Shaikh Wezu (@ShaikhWezu) 1555485921000 @aliaa08 is the true hero of #Kalank. Surprisingly, female actors of the film carry the film. @MadhuriDixit &… https://t.co/W7oOhFujus — Anwesh Panda (@anwesh_panda) 1555475137000 One thing is already established BY INTERVQL The movie is a BLOCKBUSTER Madhuri was made for this role Sona is ma… https://t.co/n0O4DnyHGJ — SHAY (@Smknzoom9011) 1555475120000 @Varun_dvn You just great.... #Kalank really appreciating movie Gets 4.5/5 @Varun_dvn @aliaa08 https://t.co/SjnU29aoKb — Priya Bansal (@CuttiePriya) 1555486571000 #Kalank has been watched. Words fail me to describe how proud (and shook ofc) I was to watch @Varun_dvn as Zafar.… https://t.co/RWbNo5JwZI — ❝main hoon na.❞ ♥ (@ShreyaSays_) 1555486523000 Crying at the climax of #Kalank . @Varun_dvn Overall a culmination of terrific performances by all! Great cameraw… https://t.co/cUdPdRGWH1 — suraj jha (@srj_cmdy) 1555486413000 Saw #Kalank. I'm Spellbound. This movie will be a cult classic and a guide to every aspiring movie maker in future.… https://t.co/DOjztpFWUk — Prakash (@Prakash1049) 1555486280000 Amidst much hype and anticipation, Abhishek Varman’s ambitious film ‘ Kalank ’ released across the country with fans lining up to catch the first shows of the romantic period drama. Going by fan reactions, it seems that Alia Bhatt Varun Dhawan , Sonakshi Sinha, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sanjay Dutt , and Madhuri Dixit 's efforts have paid off with the stars receiving a good response from film industry folk, fans and critics alike.Backed by Karan Johar , the film that was said to be the late Yash Johar ’s dream project has been receiving only love since the film’s release on Wednesday morning. With many already dubbing it as a ‘blockbuster’, ‘masterpiece’ and a visual treat, you can bet trade experts will have their work cut out for them keeping track of the box-office numbers.Among the many who have made it a point to catch a screening on the first day, here’s how a few reacted on Twitter.<doc-sep>

Dharma Production's period love saga Kalank has become the highest opener of 2019. The multistarrer film has collected Rs 21.60 crore on Day 1. Kalank has surpassed Akshay Kumar's Kesari, which collected Rs 21.50 crore on its opening day. The film collected around Rs 6 crore in Mumbai. In Delhi and UP, Kalank has so far earned Rs 4 crore. According to boxofficeindia.com, Kalank has also beaten the opening day collection numbers of Varun Dhawan or Alia Bhatt's Judwaa 2. However, Kalank has received a negative reviews from movie critics. Taran Adarsh has called Kalank "disappointing" and has given two stars. #OneWordReview…#Kalank: DISAPPOINTING. Rating: ⭐️⭐️ Doesn’t live up to the expectations... Writing, music, length play spoilsport... Few dramatic portions work... Second half engaging in parts... Good climax... Varun, Alia, Madhuri, Aditya, Kunal Kemmu top notch. #KalankReviewpic.twitter.com/rJgyNi3Ain — taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) April 17, 2019 With a screen count of 4,000, Kalank is one of the biggest releases of 2019 followed by Kesari, Gully Boy and Total Dhamaal. Kalank is a period drama set in 1945 in the pre-independence British era. It is directed by Abhishek Varman and produced by Karan Johar, Sajid Nadiadwala and Fox Star Studios. The film revolves around stories of six characters who are connected by love and revenge. Kalank brings together two of the most popular Bollywood pairings - Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt and Madhuri Dixit, Sanjay Dutt. It is after a gap of 22 years that Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit are seen together in a film. The duo was last seen in 1997 release Mahaanta. Besides, Kalank also marks the fourth collaboration between Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan after Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, Student of the Year, and Badrinath Ki Dulhania. Apart from them, Kalank also stars Sonakshi Sinha, Aditya Roy Kapur and Kunal Kemmu. Alos read: Kesari box office collection Day 1: Akshay Kumar's second biggest opener film earns Rs 21.50 crore

KARACHI: Pakistan is unlikely to be placed on the blacklist of the global financial watchdog as the country has made enough progress to meet international anti-money laundering and terror financing standards, a brokerage said on Monday. “Since a comprehensive action plan has already been submitted, we believe that chances of Pakistan to be placed on the blacklist in the ongoing FATF (Financial Action Taskforce) meeting is least likely, contrary to the market expectations, as only countries that do not make sufficient progress or fail to provide an action plan are moved to the blacklist,” Topline Securities said in a flash note. “We also downplay concerns of an adverse impact on Pakistan’s economy due to its inclusion in the blacklist in case Pakistan fails to satisfy FATF.” A Pakistani delegation is currently on a visit to Paris to attend FATF meeting that started on June 24 (Sunday). “The week’s meetings will conclude with the third and final plenary meeting on 27-29 June, where they will officially place Pakistan on the Improving Global Anti-money Laundering (AML)/Countering Financing of Terrorism (CFT) compliance’s list, also known as the grey list,” Topline Securities said. This list comprises of jurisdictions with strategic AML/CFT deficiencies for which they have developed an action plan with the FATF. In February, FATF decided to place the country on the grey list from June. The country was previously part of high risk jurisdictions (blacklist) in 2008 and 2012, while it was under jurisdictions that were making sufficient progress (grey list) in 2010 and 2014. Pakistan was removed from the grey list in 2015. Though FATF did not officially announce Pakistan’s placement on the grey list, the US and the UK jointly moved the FATF in February, nominating Pakistan for placement on the grey list and were subsequently joined by France and Germany. Later, Pakistan was asked to submit a comprehensive action plan to be reviewed in the ongoing FATF meeting for countering the financing of terrorism deficiencies. Pakistan has made a lot of efforts to counter financing terrorism and preparing anti-money laundering laws and recently addressed issues raised by the FATF on the tax amnesty scheme. On June 8, the National Security Committee reaffirmed its commitment to cooperate with the FATF, while Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan issued Anti-money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Regulations (2018) on Jun 20. Topline Securities said though Pakistan’s inclusion in the blacklist may hurt its standing in the international landscape, it will not be as severe as recently been portrayed. “This is because when Pakistan was part of the grey list/blacklist (2008-2015), it successfully approached multilateral bodies, floated international bonds and had international trades.” Currently, FATF has officially designated 10 countries under high-risk jurisdictions (blacklist) and jurisdictions that are making sufficient progress (grey list). There are eight countries under FATF’s grey list, namely Ethiopia, Iraq, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tunisia, Vanuatu, Yemen and two countries under the blacklist, including Iran and North Korea. The FATF and the Middle East and North Africa FATF are holding 6-day joint plenary meetings in Paris to protect the integrity of the global financial system and to contribute to safety and security. The meetings involve delegations from the 203 jurisdictions of the FATF Global Network, as well as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank and other partners. FATF identifies jurisdictions with strategic AML/CFT deficiencies in its two public documents: FATF Public Statement (call for action) and Improving Global AML/CFT Compliance and On-going Process that is issued three times a year. FATF does not use grey list/blacklist terminologies Countries that are identified as having deficiencies in their financial system are placed on grey list (ongoing process), while countries that are not making sufficient progress in addressing the deficiencies or have not committed to an action plan are moved to blacklist and termed as high risk jurisdictions (public statement-call for action).<doc-sep>(Representative image) Key Highlights The Paris-headquartered watchdog body, Financial Action Task Force, yesterday began discussions on the action plan If FATF is satisfied with this plan, it will put Pakistan on the less stringent 'grey list' If FATF isn't convinced, it will go ahead and blacklist Pakistan; a decision is expected on Friday NEW DELHI: To avoid being blacklisted by a global terror financing watchdog, Pakistan has committed to a 26-point action plan to erase sources of terror funding, a plan it envisages implementing over 15 months, reported Pakistani newspaper The Express Tribune. The Paris-headquartered watchdog body, Financial Action Task Force (FATF), yesterday began discussions on the action plan, said sources in Pakistan's finance ministry to the Tribune. If FATF is satisfied with this 26-point promise, it will put Pakistan on the less stringent ' grey list ' like it indicated it would in February. If FATF isn't convinced, it will go ahead and blacklist Pakistan. A decision is expected on Friday. The plan, that the International Cooperation Review Group of the Asia Pacific Group submitted to the terror financing watchdog - which Pakistan committed to - requires Pakistani authorities to proactively cooperate with counterpart bilateral agencies to choke financing to Da'ish, Al Qaeda, and the Haqqani Network, as well as India-oriented terror groups Jamaat-ud-Dawa and its affiliates Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, said the Tribune report. Pakistan must give special focus to curb cash smuggling, narcotics trafficking, and misuse of non-profit organisations, particularly funding of all these terrorist groups. "Pakistan will have to deliver on the first goal by January next year and complete all the 26 actions by September 2019," the finance ministry sources said. By May, Pakistan will have to show that terrorism financing prosecutions successfully result in effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions against natural and legal persons convicted of terrorism financing offences. And by September 2019, Pakistan will address the key concern of identifying and investigating the widest range of terrorism financing activities like the collection, movement or use of funds.<doc-sep>

Pak's placement on to grey list could hurt country's economy as well as its international standing. Pakistan has been placed on the grey list by the Financial Action Task Force or FATF for failing to curb anti-terror financing despite its diplomatic efforts to avert the decision, an official said today. The decision was taken late Wednesday night at the global financial watchdog plenary session in Paris where Finance Minister Shamshad Akhtar represented Pakistan, according to official sources. The announcement comes a day after Pakistan submitted a comprehensive 26-point action plan to the FATF to choke the funding of terrorist groups, including Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed-led JuD and its affiliates, to avoid being blacklisted by it. The placement on to grey list could hurt Pakistan's economy as well as its international standing. Earlier in the day, Mr Akhtar had urged the FATF to remove Pakistan from its grey list. As the 37-nation FATF plenary began its proceedings on Pakistan's 26-point action plan spanning over a period of 15 months, the Pakistani delegation apprised the watchdog of steps Islamabad had taken to weed out money laundering and terror financing to avoid the country being placed on the grey list. Official sources in the Foreign Office said that being placed officially on the grey list was not a surprise for Pakistan. "It is a political decision and nothing to do with the performance of Pakistan against terrorism," they said. They said that Pakistan will stay on the list for a year or so and will eventually be out of it as has happened in the past. Pakistan remained on the FATF grey list from 2012 to 2015. The process began in February 2018 when FATF approved the nomination of Pakistan for monitoring under its International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) commonly known as grey list. Pakistan was asked to prepare a plan to address international body's concerns and get its approval or it could risk being moved to the black list. It presented a 26-point plan of action to the FATF planery with the commitment to implement it over a period of 15 months to address the concerns of the global community. The endorsement of the plan means that FATF formally placed Pakistan on the list. In case it had rejected the plan, Pakistan would have been on FATF's Public Statement, also called as the black list. On June 20, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan issued Anti Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Regulations 2018, in compliance with FATF recommendations. On June 8, the National Security Committee (NSC) reaffirmed its commitment to cooperate with FATF. The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system. By January next year, Pakistan will publish updated lists of persons and entities proscribed under the Anti-Terrorism Act and the UN-designated entities.

ALIAGA, Turkey (Reuters) - A Turkish court decided on Wednesday to keep an American pastor in jail, dashing hopes that he could be released during his trial on terrorism and spying charges, a case that has deepened a rift with NATO ally Washington. Andrew Brunson, a Christian pastor from North Carolina who has lived in Turkey for more than two decades, was indicted on charges of helping the group that Ankara blames for a failed 2016 coup against President Tayyip Erdogan, as well as supporting outlawed PKK Kurdish militants. Brunson, who denies the charges, faces up to 35 years in jail if found guilty. “It is really hard to stay in jail and be separated from my wife and children,” Brunson, wearing a black suit and a white shirt, told the court in Turkish. “There is no concrete evidence against me. The disciples of Jesus suffered in his name, now it is my turn. I am an innocent man on all these charges. I reject them. I know why I am here. I am here to suffer in Jesus’s name.” U.S. President Donald Trump late on Wednesday said in a tweet that Erdogan “should do something to free this wonderful Christian husband & father,” saying that Brunson has “been held hostage far too long.” The U.S. Senate passed a bill last month including a measure that prohibits Turkey from buying F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets because of Brunson’s imprisonment and Turkey’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defense system. Slideshow ( 11 images ) The U.S. envoy to Turkey said he was “disappointed” by the ruling of the court in the Aegean province of Izmir, where Brunson had been living. “Our government is deeply concerned about his status and the status of other American citizens and Turkish local employees of the U.S. diplomatic mission who have been detained under state of emergency rules,” Charge d’Affaires Philip Kosnett told reporters outside the courtroom. “We have great respect for both Turkey’s traditional role as a haven for people of faiths and Turkey’s legal traditions,” he said. “We believe this case is out of step with these traditions.” NEW WITNESSES Erdogan has previously linked Brunson’s fate to that of Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based Muslim cleric who Turkey accuses of masterminding the failed coup. Gulen denies any involvement in the coup, in which at least 250 people were killed. The spokesman of Turkey’s ruling AK Party, Mahir Unal, said that just as Washington had responded repeatedly to Ankara’s requests for Gulen’s extradition by saying it was a matter for the U.S. courts, so Brunson’s fate was a judicial matter. Slideshow ( 11 images ) Brunson was pastor of the Izmir Resurrection Church, serving a small Protestant congregation in Turkey’s third-largest city, south of the Aegean town of Aliaga where he is now on trial. His lawyer Ismail Cem Halavurt had raised hopes that Brunson could be released as the prosecution witnesses finish testifying. But Halavurt said on Wednesday the prosecution has added the testimony of two new anonymous witnesses to the case and that the court would reconvene on Oct. 12 to hear them and view new evidence. Turkey’s lira weakened against the dollar immediately after the ruling, reflecting investor worries about tensions with the United States. Brunson’s trial is one of several legal cases that have raised tensions between Washington and Ankara. A U.S. judge sentenced a Turkish bank executive in May to 32 months in prison for helping Iran evade U.S. sanctions, while two locally employed U.S. consulate staff in Turkey have been detained. The two NATO allies are also at odds over U.S. policy in Syria, where Washington’s ally in the fight against Islamic State is a Kurdish militia that Turkey says is an extension of the PKK, which has waged a three-decade insurgency in southeast Turkey. In a statement late on Wednesday, four Republican U.S. senators called for the immediate release of Brunson and other U.S. citizens being held in Turkey, warning of legislative reprisals otherwise. “We encourage the Administration to use all the tools at their disposal to ensure the release of these innocent people before Congress is forced to press for even stricter legislative measures that will be difficult to unwind,” Senators Thom Tillis, Jeanne Shaheen, James Lankford, and Lindsey Graham said.<doc-sep>An American pastor being tried on terrorism and spying charges in Turkey will remain in jail until his trial reaches an outcome, a Turkish court ruled Wednesday. The Associated Press reported that evangelical pastor Andrew Craig Brunson, 50, was arrested in 2016 after an attempted coup over his alleged ties to the illegal Kurdistan Workers’ Party and to a group led by U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. Brunson has repeatedly denied the charges. If convicted, he could face up to 35 years in prison. ADVERTISEMENT The pastor’s case has strained tensions between Turkey and the U.S., with some lawmakers calling for measures to be taken against Turkey if he is not freed. Trump called for Brunson’s release last year, saying he is “persecuted in Turkey for no reason.” The pastor has been working in the country for more than two decades as the leader of the Resurrections Church.<doc-sep>After a Turkish court denied release to US pastor Andrew Brunson, US President Donald Trump described the pastor's detention as a "total disgrace." The US president also directly urged Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to intervene in his Twitter post on Thursday. On Wednesday, a judge in Izmir said the clergyman would be held in jail until facing charges of terrorism and espionage. The case of the American evangelical Christian pastor from North Carolina has added further strain to US-Turkish relations, with some members of US Congress calling for sanctions against Turkey. Critics of Turkey have described Brunson as a "hostage." Read more: Turkish court rules to keep Amnesty official in jail on terrorism charges Gulen and Brunson cases linked The 50-year-old Brunson has spent nearly two years in prison, accused of links to Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, who lives in the United States, and who Ankara accuses of being behind the failed coup attempt of July 2016. Last year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested Brunson's release may be tied to the extradition of Gulen from the United States. Brunson is also accused of ties to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the EU. In the court's third hearing, it was decided to keep the pastor in prison until the next hearing on October 12. Brunson, who has lived nearly two decades in Turkey and served at a small church in Izmir, denies the charges. He faces up to 35 years in prison if convicted. Speaking outside the courtroom on Wednesday, US charge d'affaires Philip Kosnett told reporters: "I don't believe that there is any indication that Pastor Brunson is guilty of any sort of criminal or terrorist activity." Currency and political effects The court decision sent the already troubled Turkish lira tumbling over fears of heightened tensions between Washington and Ankara. The pastor's detention has become a major issue for President Trump's key evangelical constituency in the United States. Trump, whose political base includes conservative Christians, tweeted in April that Brunson was "on trial and being persecuted in Turkey for no reason." US Senators Lindsey Graham and Jeanne Shaheen were in Turkey in June and met with Brunson. They also held talks with Erdogan to press for the pastor's release. Read more: Turkey threatens retaliation against US if Washington halts weapons sales In addition to Brunson's imprisonment, US-Turkish relations have nosedived over American support for Syrian Kurdish forces, Ankara's plans to buy Russia's S-400 missile system and human rights concerns. US Congress has ratcheted up pressure on Turkey over Brunson's imprisonment and the S-400 deal, threatening to cut NATO ally Turkey out of the international Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II procurement program. cw/jm (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)Each evening at 1830 UTC, DW's editors send out a selection of the day's hard news and quality feature journalism. You can sign up to receive it directly here.<doc-sep>

Turkish court rules to keep American pastor Brunson in jail İZMİR A court in the Aegean province of İzmir has ruled that Andrew Brunson, an American pastor being tried on terrorism and spying charges, will be kept in jail pending trial. The Second High Penal Court in İzmir decided to continue listening to the testimonies of witnesses in the next hearing on Oct. 12. Brunson, a Christian pastor from North Carolina who has lived in Turkey for more than two decades, was indicted on charges of having links with the Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETÖ) that Ankara blames for the failed 2016 coup attempt, as well the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). He was detained nearly two years ago and faces up to 35 years in prison if found guilty. Brunson denied the charges, calling them “shameful and disgusting.” President Donald Trump has called for his release and the U.S. Senate passed a bill last month including a measure that prohibits Turkey from buying F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jets because of Brunson’s imprisonment and Turkey’s purchase of Russia’s S-400 air defense system. Philip Kosnett, U.S. charge d’affaires in Turkey, told reporters outside the courtroom before the hearing began that Brunson’s case was a critical one for the United States and had ramifications for its relationship with Turkey. “The sooner Andrew Brunson can be reunited with his family the sooner we can start focusing on other issues in the relationship,” he said. Following the hearing, he expressed his disappointment. "I’ve read the indictment, I’ve attended three hearings. I don’t believe that there is any indication that Pastor Brunson is guilty of any sort of criminal or terrorist activity. Our government remains deeply concerned about his status, as well as the status of other American citizens and Turkish local employees of the U.S. diplomatic mission who have been detained under state of emergency rules. We have great respect both for Turkey’s traditional law as a haven for people of all faiths and for Turkey’s legal traditions. And we believe that this case is out of step with those traditions," he said in a written statement. Brunson was pastor of the İzmir Resurrection Church, serving a small Protestant congregation in Turkey’s third largest city, south of the Aegean town of Aliağa where he is now on trial. The Turkish government says Brunson’s case will be decided by the courts. But President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has previously linked his fate to that of Fethullah Gülen, the U.S.-based Muslim cleric Turkey blames for the coup attempt and whose extradition Ankara seeks.

A fissure has opened up in Grand Teton National Park just 60 miles (100km) from the Yellowstone volcano, prompting officials to immediately close the area. Experts have detected expanding cracks in the rock buttress, which is being closely monitored by geologists for movement. It is not known how the fissure opened but the area, which sits over the Yellowstone supervolcano, has been urgently shut down due to 'elevated potential for rockfall'. While it hasn't blown its top for more than 600,000 years, scientists are working to better understand Yellowstone in the hopes of predicting the next eruption. Scroll down for video A fissure has opened up in Grand Teton National Park just 60 miles (100km) from the Yellowstone volcano, prompting officials to immediately shut down the area According to a spokesperson for the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, it is not known how long the closure will be in place. 'The Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point areas are currently closed due to elevated potential for rockfall,' the statement read. The Hidden Falls is 100-foot (30-metre) waterfall near the eastern end of Cascade Canyon and Inspiration Point is a stop on a trek overlooking Jenny Lake. 'The area was closed to protect human safety on July 10 after expanding cracks in a rock buttress were detected. 'Geologists are monitoring the buttress for movement and have initiated a risk assessment for the area.' However, according to the spokesperson, other parts of the park are still open, such as the immediate area around Jenny Lake. The area is not far from the potentially devastating Yellowstone Volcano. Vast eruptions from the Yellowstone Volcano occurred 2.2 million, 1.3 million and 630,000 years ago. When it last erupted, the supervolcano produced one of the largest known blasts on Earth, spewing more than 2,000 times as much ash as Mount St Helens did when it erupted in 1980, killing 57 people. It is not known how the fissure opened but the area (pictured), which sits over the Yellowstone supervolcano, has been closed due to 'elevated potential for rockfall' The Hidden Falls (pictured) is 100-foot (30-metre) waterfall near the eastern end of Cascade Canyon. The area is not far from the potentially devastating Yellowstone Volcano Yellowstone is currently recharging as its magma chambers fill with molten rock from the Earth's mantle – the subsurface layer beneath the crust. Last month, it was revealed scientists have devised a new way to find out how quickly magma is building up beneath the Yellowstone supervolcano. The technique allows experts to accurately estimate the amount of magma entering the supervolcano from deep beneath Earth's crust in a process known as recharging. While the new method does not allow scientists to predict when Yellowstone will erupt, it could help to better understand how the volcano replenishes its deadly magma stores. Inspiration Point (pictured) is a stop on a trek near Jenny Lake. Vast eruptions from the Yellowstone Volcano occurred 2.2 million, 1.3 million and 630,000 years ago Researchers at Washington State University said these pools of molten volcanic rock build in subsurface magma chambers and are key to the eruption process. 'It is the coal in the furnace that's heating things up,' said study coauthor Professor Peter Larson. 'It's heating up the boiler. The boiler is what explodes. 'This tells us what is heating the boiler.' Scientists have devised a new way to find out how quickly magma is building up beneath the Yellowstone supervolcano. The technique allows them to accurately estimate the amount of magma entering the volcano. Pictured is Yellowstone National Park's Grand Prismatic Pool Researchers 'spiked' several hot springs in Yellowstone National Park with the stable radioactive isotope deuterium (pictured). The deuterium was harmless to the environment and approved for use by park officials Once these chambers are filled, the landform could explode at any time, potentially erupting within months or several millennia after a magma recharge. The eruption occurs when the magma chambers burst, throwing as much as 240 cubic miles (1,000 cubic kilometres) of magma into the air. A key driver of the volcano's destructive power is an explosive, silica-rich volcanic rock called rhyolite that breaks through the Earth's crust during an eruption. In the new study Professor Larson and his colleagues focused on the plume of magma heating the rhyolite from below. When it last blew the supervolcano produced one of the largest known blasts on Earth, spewing more than 2,000 times as much ash as Mount St. Helens did when it erupted in 1980 (pictured), killing 57 people in the most disastrous eruption in US history 'This gives us an idea of how much magma is recharging the volcano every year,' said Professor Larson. The researchers 'spiked' several hot springs in Yellowstone National Park with the stable radioactive isotope deuterium. Researchers said the chemical was harmless to the environment and approved for use by park officials. The hot springs the team spiked are closely linked to a maze of hydrothermal vents that play a key role in the Yellowstone volcanic system. Using the temperature of the springs and the time taken for the deuterium to return to normal background radiation levels, the team was able to calculate the amount of water and heat flowing out of the springs. Researchers found that previous studies underestimated the amount of water coursing through the springs and the amount of heat leaving the springs.<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox The huge 100ft fissure hissing steam on in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming located six miles from Yellowstone and about 60 miles from the Supervolcano. Park officials have closed off two areas of the park called Inspection Point and Hidden Falls citing fears for people’s safety. Should the monster erupt, blistering lava could swallow Wyoming, Montana and Idaho due to it being located on the border of the US three states. This would devastate the homes of millions of people and put their lives at risk. And the video has forced experts to play down fears, saying it was not related to the Yellowstone super-volcano.<doc-sep>Yellowstone: HUGE fissure appears in a Wyoming national park top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Ear Spring geyser burst back to life on September 15, the fourth eruption in 60 years. It spewed massive streams of boiling hot water and, worryingly, human litter, which officials say can damage the geyser's natural activity. The US Geological Survey said in a statement: “Ear Spring, normally a docile hot pool, had a water eruption that reached 20 to 30 feet high on Saturday, September 15, 2018. “The eruption ejected not only rocks, but also material that had fallen or been thrown into the geyser in years past, like coins, old cans, and other human debris.” While the geyser is likely the result of normal seismic activity in the area, any movement relating to Yellowstone prompts concern over what could be the most catastrophic eruption of all time. The US Geological Survey (USGS) has a colour-coded alert level for all its volcanos, ranging from green (normal) to red (eruption imminent or underway). Yellowstone is at green level, so there is no cause for concern. However, the volcano is certainly not extinct and continues to put on an impressive display of activity. The Steamboat geyser has entered a period of frequent massive water eruptions but these have no implications for future volcanic eruptions. Yellowstone volcano eruption: The supervolcano is one of the most dynamic sites on earth And in June 2018 alone, 76 earthquakes were detected in the Yellowstone National Park region. Every year, the Yellowstone caldera (a large cauldron-like hollow) subsides a few centimetres, a pattern that began in 2015. What would happen if Yellowstone erupted? While the supervolcano hasn’t seen an active eruption in 664,000 years, scientists consider it worth monitoring constantly. A supervolcano is thousands of times more powerful than a regular volcano and could result in changes felt across the globe. While the chances of this happening are very low, in 2014 a team of scientists publishes a paper exploring what a Yellowstone super-eruption might look like. In the hypothetical report, the scientists found the eruption would be preceded by massive, unmissable warning signs. Extraordinary images of America’s national parks from SPACE Tue, May 1, 2018 NASA has released out of this world images showing views of US National Parks from space. Play slideshow Twitter 1 of 11 Yellowstone National Park Intense seismic activity would be felt across the whole park, with the earthquakes taking weeks or months to break up the rocks above the magma. When the eruption finally came it would be 1,000 times more powerful than a regular volcanic eruption. The volcano would eject at least 240 cubic miles of material - and lava wouldn’t be the problem. A pyroclastic flow would cause volcanic ash to be ejected miles into the air and scattered across the whole of the United States. Yellowstone volcano: Possible distribution of ash from a month-long Yellowstone super-eruption. Yellowstone volcano eruption: The Steamboat geyser has entered a period of frequent water eruptions This could conceivably bury the northern Rockies in three feet of ash and devastate the states of Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, Montana, and Utah. The Midwest and both coasts would get a few inches of ash. This amount of ash would be devastating. It could kill people, plants, animals, crush buildings and flatten cities. Even outlying areas would feel the impact, with farms destroyed, roads and sewers blocked and respiratory problems aggravated. Yellowstone volcano eruption: A supervolcano is thousands of times more powerful than usual<doc-sep>

Yellowstone volcano: Nearby geyser spews huge cloud of steam Grand Teton is located about 60 miles from the Yellowstone National Park, in the wester US-state Wyoming. Last week, park officials discovered a huge crack in the rocks which is about 100 feet long and runs horizontally along a rock wall that’s at least 100 feet tall. “Yesterday, Exum guides noticed cracks in the rocks,” Teton park spokeswoman Denise Germann said. “They communicated that to rangers this morning, and when they went to investigate they realized it had actually gotten bigger and expanded.” The Yellowstone-Grand Teton National Park area is among the most geologically active in the country. However, that activity does not mean a super eruption is imminent. Is huge fissure a sign of eruption looming? Rangers temporarily closed the Hidden Falls and the area around the giant crack amid safety concerns a rock wall could collapse and "tumble down onto onlookers”. It is currently unclear how the crack opened but it is likely due to normal seismic activity in the national park area. Yellowstone volcano: The caldera formed in the last three super eruptions in the past 2.1 million While it could be a sign that Yellowstone is reawakening. The reawakening of the volcano would be devastating for the USA as an estimated 87,000 people would be killed immediately as two-thirds the USA would be destroyed. However, Teton park spokeswoman Denise Germann has stresesd there is no need to panic about an impending eruption. Grand Teton does not sit directly above Yellowstone’s magma chambers, but the whole area is susceptible to ground movement due to geological activity, so cracks are not unusual. Yellowstone super volcano in pictures Wed, February 14, 2018 The volcano at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming and Montana sits atop a huge reserve of magma and last erupted 640,000 years ago Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 18 Belgian Pool, hot spring in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming And the USGS says the odds of Yellowstone erupting are 0.00014 percent — lower than the odds of getting hit by a civilisation-destroying asteroid. In fact, some say that the supervolcano may never erupt again. What is the Yellowstone volcano? The caldera formed during the last three super eruptions over the past 2.1 million years. Yellowstone volcano: Tourists from around the world flock to see the volcano Yellowstone volcano: A map shows the volcano's activity

Dell unveiled a 49-inch UltraSharp U4919DW monitor on Monday, entering the world of massive screens forged by Samsung's CHG90 and others. It's a behemoth, and those 49 inches will drown you in whatever you use it for. Unlike its predecessors, the Dell has QHD resolution to make it easier on the eyes. The monitor promises a 32:9 aspect ratio, which isn't a new development, but the UltraSharp is the first of its kind to boast 5120 x 1440 resolution. Its forebears could only muster 3840 x 1080, which is why Dell calls its product "the world’s first 49-inch curved dual QHD monitor." Excess screen means more productivity, and Dell thinks you can comfortably throw out two 27-inch QHD monitors and replace it with this. The sales pitch is bolstered by the monitor's HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C functionality. There's also a built-in keyboard, video, and mouse (KVM) to help you toggle between multiple workflows. It's all about multi-tasking, or perhaps overwhelming yourself with its 3800R curvature and 109 pixels-per-inch. Also, there are seven USB 3 ports. If the UltraSharp U4919DW sounds like your speed, it'll prove costly at $1,599. But that's the necessary price to pay if you're looking to basically swim through pixels on a daily basis. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io<doc-sep>If you’re looking for the largest possible ultra-wide monitor suitable for use with a Mac, the new Dell UltraSharp 49 could be just the thing. The monitor measures a massive 49 inches diagonally, with a resolution to match. The dual QHD monitor offers a resolution of 5120×1440, the equivalent of two 27-inch Apple Thunderbolt Displays side-by-side … The world’s first 49” curved dual QHD monitor for an immersive work experience that boosts productivity. Equivalent to two 27-inch QHD monitors, you’ll get a brilliant uninterrupted view, multitasking features and USB-C connectivity. The 32:9 aspect ratio offers a panoramic experience, while the curvature of the screen enables a consistent focal length across the screen to help improve eye comfort. The single USB-C connection of the Dell UltraSharp 49 will also fully power a 15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar thanks to 90W power delivery. And if you use two laptops at the same time, it is made for the job. View content from two different PC sources with Picture-by-Picture (PBP). This feature splits the screen into two sides, similar to a dual monitor setup minus distracting borders. Easily toggle between two different PCs and edit the content with one keyboard and mouse with the Keyboard, Video and Mouse (KVM) feature. On the downside, you don’t get the same P3 color gamut as Apple’s recommended LG UltraFine, but it does offer 99% of sRGB. Contrast ratio is 1000:1, and viewing angle is 178-degrees. The IPS panel with antiglare coating has normal response time of 8ms, with a 5ms fast mode. The Dell UltraSharp 49 is height-adjustable, with tilt and swivel, and is VESA-compatible. And it offers peace of mind through a three-year, next-day-replacement warranty. Your monitor comes with a 3-year Advanced Exchange Service so that if a replacement becomes necessary, it will be shipped to you the next business day during your 3-year Limited Hardware Warranty. As you’d guess, the Dell UltraSharp 49 isn’t cheap. It comes in at $1699.99, and will be available in the US from October 26. I’ll be aiming to try one to see whether this might be the monitor I’m looking for … Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news: FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:<doc-sep>Dell today introduced what it claims is the world's first 49-inch curved monitor with an ultra-wide 32:9 aspect ratio and a resolution of 5,120×1,440 pixels. The UltraSharp 49 is equivalent to two Thunderbolt Displays or other 27-inch Quad HD displays side by side. The expansive screen space can be used to display one desktop, or two with a picture-by-picture mode that displays two different Mac or PC sources side by side using the same keyboard and mouse. The monitor is compatible with the latest 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro models, with connectivity via a single USB-C cable that delivers up to 90W of power. Other connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports, one DisplayPort 1.4 port, five USB 3.0 downstream ports, and two USB 3.0 upstream ports. The 3800R curvature of the screen enables a panoramic, immersive experience with a consistent focal length across the screen for eye comfort, according to Dell. The monitor has a viewing angle of 178° both vertically and horizontally. The monitor has an IPS panel and LED backlight, with a 1000:1 contrast ratio and a peak brightness of 350 nits. DCI P3 isn't supported, but it does show 99 percent of the sRGB color gamut. The monitor comes with a height-adjustable stand that tilts, swivels, and is compatible with VESA mounts. The UltraSharp 49 has a 60Hz refresh rate when driven by a Mac or PC with powerful enough graphics, but it lacks Nvidia G-SYNC or AMD FreeSync technology, so it isn't the best option for gamers. Instead, Dell is primarily marketing the monitor to those who work in fields related to finance and data analysis. Anyone who could benefit from a massive amount of uninterrupted desktop space will likely find value in the UltraSharp 49, but the luxury comes at a cost. Dell says the monitor will be available Friday, October 26 in the United States, starting at a pricy $1,699.99. Its model number is U4919DW.<doc-sep>The big picture: Dell's new 49-inch ultra-wide monitor looks to be a suitable replacement for a standard dual-screen setup but it carries a hefty price tag. Those considering stepping their display game up may want to consider using a 4K television as a monitor as you can get a great display with a higher resolution and more real estate at a fraction of the price. Dell on Monday announced what’s being billed as the world’s first 49-inch curved dual QHD monitor. The aptly named Dell UltraSharp U4919DW, which Dell claims is the ideal replacement for two 27-inch QHD monitors, boasts a resolution of 5,120 x 1,440 and an ultra-wide 32:9 aspect ratio. Spec-wise, the U4919DW offers a 3800R curve radius, 109 pixels per inch and a brightness rating of 350 cd/m² (typical). Response time is rated at 8ms in normal mode and 5ms in fast mode and the contrast ratio is 1,000:1. A single USB-C cable can be used to transmit power, data and video, helping to reduce cable clutter. Other connectivity options include two HDMI 2.0 ports (HDCP 2.2) (10-bit color @ 60Hz), a single DisplayPort 1.4 connector (HDCP 2.2) (10-bit color @ 60Hz), five USB 3.0 downstream ports and two USB 3.0 upstream ports. The IPS display allows users to view content from two different PCs thanks to its Picture-by-Picture (PBP) feature, much like a true dual monitor setup but without the annoying bezels. Similarly, the KVM feature allows you to toggle between different machines using a single keyboard and mouse. As you’d expect, the display is height adjustable and can tilt and swivel to help lock down that ideal viewing angle. It’s also compatible with VESA mounts and stands should you already have a mounting location in mind. The Dell UltraSharp U4919DW comes backed by a three-year warranty and launches on October 26 priced at $1,699.99.<doc-sep>

If you're in the market for a massive ultrawide monitor built for heavy multitaskers, Dell has your back. The PC maker today revealed the UltraSharp 49, a massive 49-inch monitor that Dell claims is the "world's first 49-inch curved dual QHD monitor." Built with a 32:9 aspect ratio, the monitor sports a 5120x1440 resolution, which is equivalent to slapping two 27-inch QHD monitors side by side. To use all of that space, the UltraSharp 49 supports running two input sources on one screen with Picture-by-Picture (PBP). You can effectively use PBP to display visuals from two PCs on one screen, eliminating the middle bezels that would typically break up a dual-screen setup in the middle. Further, the monitor supports using one keyboard and mouse across both PCs. Dell's Display Manager software can help to arrange your apps for the most effective setup as well. The software can be used to tile and view apps side by side, and an auto-restore feature will reposition apps to their positions after you've disconnected from the monitor. As is becoming increasingly common with new monitors, the UltraSharp 49 lets you run power, data, and video over a single USB-C cable. There are also two HDMI 2.0 ports on board, one DisplayPort 1.4 port, five USB 3.0 downstream ports and two USB 3.0 upstream ports. As for display specs, the IPS panel sports a 1000:1 contrast ratio, a 60Hz refresh rate, and 99 percent sRGB color gamut coverage. All of this comes at a cost, of course. The Dell UltraSharp 49 (U4919DW) is expected to launch on October 26 at a starting price of $1,700.

In this Monday, Jan. 14, 2019 aerial image taken from a drone video and provided by the City of Westbrook, Maine, a naturally occurring ice disk forms on the Presumpscot River in Westbrook, Maine. Photo : Tina Radel/City of Westbrook ( AP ) You may have recently read about that colossal spinning ice disk that recently turned up in Maine—the one that appeared larger than a neighboring multi-level parking structure? It stopped spinning. Advertisement But reader, some ambitious soul has set it free again. After it was reported midweek that the roughly 300-foot-wide ice structure that’s currently chilling in the Presumpscot River in the Westbrook suburb of Portland had become stuck and unmoving, reports suggested that it may not be long for this world. But reached by email on Saturday, Westbrook marketing and communications manager Tina Radel told Gizmodo that “a paddleboarder broke it free and it was sucked back into the eddy.” It is back to spinning and attracting crowds, she said. The Portland Press Herald reported Thursday that an individual identified as Andrew Sims, a photographer, used an icepick and paddleboard to break free the enormous ice structure. After taking his paddleboard to the river, the Press Herald said, “he kneeled on it while he began cutting around the edge using an ice pick and his own weight to break the ice where it was attached to the bank.” People reportedly started clapping when the thing was released. You may be wondering how this seemingly perfect disk even formed. Ethan Gutmann, a hydrologist with the Research Applications Lab at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, told NBC News it may have formed after spinning river currents swept up an ice block, and reoccurring bangs against other objects or the shore would have helped wear down its edges. He added: “It gives the block of ice a push in this circular motion, because underneath it on one side, the water is flowing faster, and on the other side, it might be flowing slower or even upstream.” Other research from a team with the University of Liege in Belgium suggests that water temperature variances under the disk, resulting in a vortex, may have something to do with some of its spin, according to the Press Herald. Advertisement Gutmann noted that while these ice disks are uncommon in cities, he “suspect[s] these occur more often than we think.” However, as the New York Times reported, they don’t normally reach the epic proportions of this hulking ice circle. California Institute of Technology professor of physics Kenneth Libbrecht told the Times the disk’s size was potentially nearing record-breaking territory. Advertisement My favorite anecdote about this particular disk comes courtesy the Associated Press, which noted: “Social media users compared it to an alien spacecraft and the moon, and ducks used it as a big raft.” Possible contact from extraterrestrial lifeforms! A sizeable floating device for waterfowl! This large boi has something for absolutely everyone. This is not the only disk making headlines this week, however. The Associated Press separately reported Friday that yet another ice disk discovered by a park ranger has surfaced in at Baxter State Park in northern Maine, though that one is markedly smaller at roughly 30 to 40 feet across. The comparably miniature one, it’s worth noting, was not reported to be spinning ominously. Advertisement [Portland Press Herald]<doc-sep>City of Westbrook authorities were notified of the disc by a local businessman, and used a drone to capture the moonlike ice formation.<doc-sep>

Tina Radel Freezing weather has brought a surprising new feature to the town of Westbrook in Maine. An enormous circle of ice has formed in the Presumpscot river in the middle of the town. The disc, estimated at 90 metres in diameter, is slowly rotating anti-clockwise like a frozen carousel. A video posted on Twitter shows a few ducks enjoying the ride. Tina Radel, marketing and communications director at the mayor’s office, used the city’s drone to take aerial shots of the disc. She first learned of the disc on Monday, but a local birdwatcher told her it has been building up for about three weeks. Honestly the best part of this ice disk are the ducks taking a ride on it ?❤️? pic.twitter.com/0Lz9qlUHaW — Taylor Gleason (@TaylorGWGME) January 15, 2019 “It’s been bringing a lot of people to our downtown area,” says Radel. According to the Press Herald, in neighbouring Portland, the scene “had Westbrook buzzing almost as much as when city police spotted a giant snake eating a beaver in roughly the same location in June 2016.” The disc is thought to result from ice forming in an eddy in the shallow water on the north side of the river. As the rotating disc grinds against the shore, it smooths the edge, maintaining the regular circular shape. One or two ice discs are reported in the US each year, but most are around a tenth of the diameter of Westbrook’s. An illustration of a 25-foot “revolving ice cake” in the Mianus river, New York, was published in Scientific American in 1895.

Photo taken on Feb. 7, 2018 shows an electric car exhibited by Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. in Greater Noida, India. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo (Photo by Kyodo News via Getty Images) Why Big Tech is racing to bring the internet to India (2018) Farmers are using the sun to help water their crops Water pours down an irrigation channel from a groundwater pump and well next to a field of rice growing on farmland in the Bhagpat district of Uttar Pradesh, India, on Monday, Sept. 3, 2018. Cumulative rainfall during August and September is forecast to be 95 percent of a 50-year average, according to the India Meteorological Department. The monsoon is critical to the farm sector as it accounts for more than 70 percent of India's annual showers and irrigates more than half the country's farmland. Photographer: Prashanth Vishwanathan/Bloomberg via Getty Images In this photograph taken on April 6, 2015, smoke billows from two smoke stacks at the coal-based Badarpur Thermal Station in New Delhi. A study by the Centre of Science and Environment in India found the plant which produces 705 MW (Megawatts) is one of the country's most polluting and inefficient power plants. Authorities insist they must focus on meeting the growing needs of its 1.25 billion people, 300 million of whom lack access to electricity. In its action plan for the Paris COP21 meet, India pledges to reduce its carbon intensity -- a measure of a country's emissions relative to its economic output -- by 35 percent by 2030, rather than an absolute cut in emissions. Globally, India is the third largest carbon-emitting country -- though its per capita emissions are only one third of the international average -- according to the World Resources Institute. AFP PHOTO / MONEY SHARMA Indian Oil's Singh: More oil suppliers is better for trade He wants to bring a billion people to digital payments How Big Tech plans to clean up the world's most polluted city Traffic stretches back in Hero Honda chowk as waterlogging during monsoon downpours causes traffic jams in Gurgaon on July 29, 2016. Thousands of Indians were left stranded overnight July 29, as major traffic gridlock paralysed roads leading to a key business city near New Delhi and authorities struggled to get the situation under control. / AFP / STRINGER (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images) Online dating isn't the norm in India. Bumble wants to change that Asia's richest man wants to build the next tech giant India's richest man and oil-to-telecom conglomerate Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani (R) attends the India Mobile Congress 2018 in New Delhi on October 25, 2018. - The second edition of the India Mobile Congress is taking place in New Delhi from 25-27 October. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP) (Photo credit should read CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images) LIVE from #IITBombay Virtual Convocation: President of India's Medal for 2020 goes to Sahil Hiral Shah, http://B.Tech in Computer Science & Engineering Check out virtual avatar of the student receiving medal from Chief Guest and Nobel laureate Prof. @FDuncanMHaldane Google CEO on India's Covid crisis: The worst is yet to come Paytm is scrambling to get oxygen supplies for India NEW DELHI, INDIA - MAY 09: An elderly woman wears a oxygen mask and breathes as she arrived to receive free oxygen distributed at a Gurdwara as a service to Covid-19 and other patients in need of Oxygen amid the scarcity of Oxygen in the capital on May 09, 2021 in New Delhi, India. India broke a fresh record on Thursday with over 412,000 new cases of Covid-19 as the total number of those infected according to Health Ministry data neared 20 million. The real figure could be up to ten times higher, many health experts say, due to a lack of widespread testing or reporting, and only patients who succumbed in hospitals being counted. Hospitals have begun turning away people suffering from Covid-19, having run out of space for the crushing number of people seeking help. (Photo by Anindito Mukherjee/Getty Images) Paytm is India's biggest online payments firm with more than 300 million users. (CNN Business) — The world’s biggest convenience store chain is wading into India’s massive market. 7-Eleven will set up its first stores in India later this year after signing a franchise deal with Future Group, a local retail chain. Future Group will convert some of its existing stores to 7-Eleven outlets while also opening new ones across India, the companies said this week. 7-Eleven (SVNDY), which operates more than 67,000 stores around the world, is the latest global player to make a play for India’s rapidly growing market. The country’s grocery industry is currently worth around $380 billion, according to a report last year by the US Department of Agriculture. Neighborhood mom-and-pop stores, where most Indians do their weekly shopping, account for an estimated 98% of the market. But Future Group’s Big Bazaar and other modern supermarkets are growing in popularity, and the USDA predicts their share will double from 2% to 4% by 2020. Alexander Shcherbak\TASS via Getty Images 7-Eleven operates more than 67,000 stores around the world. India’s retail market has already attracted the biggest global names. Walmart (WMT) spent $16 billion to take over India’s top e-commerce firm Flipkart last year. Amazon (AMZN), which has committed more than $5 billion to growing its India business in recent years, is looking to expand its grocery offering in the country. Local media report that Amazon (AMZN) is looking to buy a stake in Future Group. Both companies declined to comment. 7-Eleven, meanwhile, is making India its 18th country — a roster that includes the United States, Mexico, Japan, China, the United Arab Emirates and Australia. The company will offer “internationally popular products, beverages, snacks and immediately consumable fresh foods with recipes developed for local tastes,” it said. “This strategic relationship offers an excellent opportunity to bring 7-Eleven’s brand of convenience and its iconic products to the Indian consumer,” the company’s international head, Ken Wakabayashi, said in a statement.<doc-sep>Future Retail secures deal with U.S.-based 7-Eleven Inc. to open convenience stores U.S.-based 7-Eleven Inc. expects to open its first branded store in India this year, after reaching a deal with Future Retail Ltd to run the chain in the Asian nation. Future Retail, which operates local retail chains such as Food Hall and Nilgiris, plans to set up 7-Eleven stores from scratch and convert some of its existing operations into the U.S. brand, the company said in a statement. Shares in Future Retail, founded by Kishore Biyani has 1,444 stores, closed up 3.2% after the announcement. “The agreement gives Future Retail an additional revenue basket,” Abneesh Roy, senior vice-president of research at Edelweiss Financial Services, said. He said it would also benefit customer of Future Consumer, the group's sourcing-to-supermarket food company. The first 7-Eleven store in India is expected to launch this year, the companies said. 7-Eleven, owned by Japan's Seven & i holding, will sell beverages, snacks, fresh foods and other products. The brand has 67,000 stores in 17 countries that stay open around the clock. “We have seen some States issuing guidelines permitting shops to be opened 24 hours, so this could be picked up by others States too,” said Anil Talreja, partner at global consultant Deloitte. Retailers in India require different licences to operate 24 hours a day and to sell alcohol. Most shops are required to close by 10.30 PM Indian Standard Time (1700 GMT).<doc-sep>

The world’s largest convenience store is all set to enter India. On Feb. 28, Japanese-owned, US-headquartered chain 7-Eleven said it has partnered with the Kishore Biyani-led Future Group to bring the corner stores to the world’s second-most populated country. It will open its first Indian store in Mumbai later this year. “The deal, in our view, is positive, as it not only shows 7-Eleven’s confidence in the capability of (Future Retail) in India, but it will also benefit the company through access to global technology and processes,” research firm Jefferies’ India said in a note on Thursday (Feb. 28). The convenience retail behemoth operates upwards of 67,000 outlets across 17 countries. In India, the franchise agreement will be executed via SHME Food Brands Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Future Retail. The agreement is slated to last 80 years. Stronger together In a country where unorganised retail—local mom-and-pop stores and standalone outlets—has captured 93% of the market, branded convenience stores are few. However, experts believe that 7-Eleven has found the right guide to succeed in India. “Future Group is the pioneer of organised retail in India with vast experience in retailing segments such as foods, fashion, and personal care,” wrote Tanmay Sharma and Varun Lohchab, equity analysts at Jefferies. “Apart from this, it has the expertise in terms of selecting the right location coupled with better rental negotiations (operates around 24 million square feet of retail space in India).” Having the right partner is key to capitalise on India’s massive retail opportunity, which is on track to surpass $1 trillion (around Rs70 lakh crore) by 2020. Especially as the sector heats up with myriad global players—American retail giant Walmart, Asia’s minimalist retailer Miniso, and Japanese fast-fashion brand Uniqlo—looking to gain ground in recent years. Eggs in many baskets The convenience store format is relatively new to India. Indian cigarette maker Godfrey Phillips aims to operate a couple of hundred round-the-clock convenience stores called 24Seven by the end of the ongoing fiscal year but there aren’t many other competitors on the map yet. Future Retail is investing in more than one strategy to win the space: It already has 1,300 Easyday members-only retail stores, which it plans to scale up to 10,000 in the next couple of years. The plan to introduce 7-Eleven stores across India is in addition to that. “However, we believe that this target is aspirational and with 7-Eleven coming in, higher focus might be on driving the expansion via 7-Eleven,” Sharma and Lohchab wrote. “…we believe that between the two, 7-Eleven has a better chance of success given a higher share of fast churning food segment (known for its beverages etc. ), better processes and brand.” Over time, 7-Eleven’s private label brands such as Big Bite hot dog and Big Gulp drinks could make their way to India, Jefferies noted. There’s a chance that the iconic Slurpee—the retail brand’s trademark carbonated slush drink of which it has sold 7.2 billion cups since its inception in 1966—may be available in neighbourhood stores across India, too.

When I reviewed Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus late last year, I enjoyed the game immensely. I’ve always loved a run-and-gun with enough plot to keep you caring about the characters, and that’s precisely what Wolfenstein 2 had to offer. Aside from a few glitches, I ran into the game looked and felt terrific on both PS4 Pro and PC and was a great showcase of just how buttery-smooth id Tech 6’s gunplay can be. Nine months later we’ve finally got the Nintendo Switch port of Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus, and I was eager to see how the game translates. The Switch has significantly less powerful hardware than its contemporaries, so I had my doubts as to whether it could power Wolfenstein 2 at a pace that was anything close to playable. However, last year’s Doom port showed that Bethesda’s shooters could scale well for Switch, even if it meant some sacrifices. Wolfenstein 2 Switch Review: Switch into Lower Gear The core of Wolfenstein 2 is the gunplay, which the Switch version brings over with hardly any compromises. The controls are still smooth, and it’s still very satisfying to take down hordes of Nazi soldiers. Even effects that might have been deleted to allow the game run a bit faster were retained like gibs and melting metal. There is a bit of slowdown in particularly busy scenes, and if you manage to get a bunch of enemies on screen at once, you’ll notice a difference. However, it very rarely dips too far below the 30fps target. However, if you’re looking for more framerate than that, you’re not going to find it here. Unfortunately, 60fps is where this game really feels best and as such the Switch version just can’t compare to other platforms in that regard. Unsurprisingly, to even get to the point where a 30-fps target is feasible, textures and resolution have taken a big hit. Wolfenstein 2 for the Switch uses the same dynamic resolution system that Doom did, and things can go from “OK” to blurry and distorted really quick. The resolution cap is 720p, but it can dip down to 480p at times. Between this and the texture downgrade, the whole thing can get very mushy and soft looking. For a game that looked so good on other platforms, it’s a bit of a let down that it can look so poor on the Switch. Wolfenstein 2 Switch Review: Good for Playing on the Go (and Not Much Else) The real draw of the Switch version of Wolfenstein 2 is the portability. If you’re going to play it on a television or monitor, there’s no reason to choose the Switch over other platforms. Technically-speaking this is the worst version of the game, and that’s an objective fact. However, being able to play this game on the go does a lot towards making the Switch version more tolerable. No other portable system can come close to running Wolfenstein 2, and with its monopoly on “high-end” current gen titles in mobile form, the Switch gets a lot of credit by default. If you’re a person who travels a lot, or if you’re more comfortable playing games on the small-screen, this version of The New Colossus is a godsend. For others, though, it may not be worth the price of admission. Wolfenstein 2 Switch Review: The Rent is too Damn High There are two other (current) aspects of the Nintendo Switch version of Wolfenstein 2 that make it a hard sell for me, and both have to do with price. The New Colossus for Switch retails at $59.99, which would be outrageous on any other platform. Considering you can get the PC and console versions of the game at around half that on sale, I can’t think of any reason that the high price could be justified. Tying in with the high price is the fact that $60 doesn’t even get you all the DLC. Wolfenstein 2 for Switch offers the same content that other platforms got on launch day. Whether or not the Switch will get the DLC later isn’t known, and if Bethesda does end up releasing it, who knows if it’ll cost more or be available for free. Wolfenstein 2 Switch Review: A Release for a Niche Audience On the one hand, it’s really cool that Panic Button was able to port Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus to Nintendo Switch. The studio did an admirable job working within the limitations of the hardware and making the best compromise between gameplay and visuals that it could. On the other hand, the only thing the Switch version has going for it is that it’s portable. In every other regard, Wolfenstein 2 is better on other platforms. If Wolfenstein 2 for Switch were released at a budget price, I would be much more enthused about it. However, $60 for a game that’s approaching a year old is a bit much, especially given that it doesn’t include the DLC. If all you have is a Switch or portability is a significant concern to you, this version might be worth it. Otherwise, you’ll likely be happier grabbing Wolfenstein 2 on PC, PS4, or Xbox One.<doc-sep>To get acquainted with the basics, read our original review here. For our verdict on how Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus fares in the recently-released handheld version, keep reading after the jump. To the casual observer on the train in the morning, I’m just a twenty-something man in a shirt and chinos holding an odd looking GameBoy thingy. Little do they know that, from where I’m sitting, there’s carnage on screen. BJ’s blasting Nazis with two machine guns and casually philosophizing about life. Fifteen minutes later the odious Frau Engel has taken center stage wielding an axe. I feel movement to my left as an inquiring passenger glances over to see what I’m doing, and to no doubt wonder what the heck is going on. There’s something giddy about being in adult company in a respectable domain and letting it rain lead. I also can’t help but notice that all the other people playing mobile games on the train are lining up blocks in Tetris knock-offs, or hitting balls in crappy 3D golf games, or playing variations of Temple Run. And here I am on my 8AM commute blasting my way through the best AAA shooter of 2017. Make no mistake: Wolfenstein II on the Switch is a sure-fire delight. Having wrestled DOOM onto the same platform some months ago, digital wizards Panic Button are back to perform the same Houdini act. To make the squeeze, Panic Button has relied on an adaptive resolution. In other words, parts of the experience look clear and crisp, but other bits might as well be smeared in Vaseline for all you can see. This is chiefly a problem playing undocked during high-bandwidth areas. Blow Wolfenstein II up on a TV and the resolution jumps into higher gear, even hitting 720p in certain stress-free zones. For an idea of the difference, just take a look at the image above, captured during an eventful train journey, and the image below, taken while I was playing on my 55″ 4K TV. Handheld mode is wonderful all the same. Lying in bed blasting Nazis is a much better diversion than idly scrolling through someone’s boring Instagram feed, and when the resolution hits a good patch you have to pinch yourself to believe that this is even possible. Like all good magicians, Panic Button’s tricks are cleverly hidden. As Digital Foundry pointed out in a recent post, levels are wholly intact, so there are no sudden cuts or irritating loading screens. There are however near-invisible bits of gaffer tape to stop it all exploding at the sames. Take an unobtrusive wall added to the New York level to cover up a taxing bit of scenery; scenery that could grind the game to a halt and ruin the stable frame rate were the wall not there. As a physical experience, Wolfenstein II fares surprisingly well. Playing the game in your hand, the sticks work well enough and when docked, the pad feels like a decent approximation of an Xbox or PS4 controller. One piece of kit you might want to invest in is an extra charger though. The Switch runs hot and the battery runs dry after about 90 minutes. That’s not going to cut the fun short during an average morning and evening commute to and from work, but if you’re heading on a transatlantic flight, invest in some extra gear to keep the juice going. As far as I’m concerned, the only negative here comes down to dollars and cents. I’m not a fan of Nintendo’s policy to stick a $59.99 price tag on top of games it hasn’t had a hand in making, and especially games that have been out on more powerful consoles for a long while. That being said, the handheld first-person shooter experience is something you need to experience to believe, and as an example of this new sub-genre, Wolfenstein II is as good a starting place as any. All the little immersive details are present and correct; the jagged bullet holes, the plumes of dust, the red hot orange flames. It goes without saying that this won’t scratch the itch of a pixel nut, but all the same, I think this new incarnation of Wolfenstein is a technical marvel in its own right. This review is based on the Nintendo Switch version of the game, which was provided to us by Bethesda Softworks.<doc-sep>Want to see what Wolfenstein 2 looks like on Switch? Kind of the same as on a telly, but a lot smaller, as it turns out. Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus has launched on the Switch in all of its mature-rated-content glory. It’s the first time a game from the series has been released on a Nintendo console since Wolfenstein 3D on the SNES in 1994. Panic Button handled the Switch port. The studio also worked on the ports of Doom and Rocket League, and has been called “experts at the Switch” by MachineGames’ senior game designer Andreas Öjerfors. Watch on YouTube Bethesda announced the Switch port of the game last year, during September’s Nintendo Direct presentation. Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus is now available on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.<doc-sep>

Verdict Pros The novelty of portable AAA games still hasn’t worn off Wolfenstein 2 remains a great, over the top shooter Technical downgrades are minor at best and don’t affect the experience Cons Tonally it’s all over the place If you really care about visuals, you will notice a difference Key Specifications Review Price: £39.99 Release Date: Out Now Genre: FPS Developer: Bethesda/Panic Button One year on, the Nintendo Switch‘s novelty still hasn’t worn off. This is because, as well as offering player’s classic Mario and Zelda gaming on the go, Nintendo’s also managed to extend the experience to true AAA titles. Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus (Switch edition) continues this trend. and is a fantastic example why the Switch is so great. The real joy here is that — surprise, surprise — the World War 2 themed FPS is now available in handheld form. It doesn’t look as good as it does on the PS4 or Xbox One and it’s not as smooth, especially during particularly busy scenes. But the fact you can now play it on your morning commute more than makes up for this. This is because, frame rate issues aside, the core game play is as good as it was in 2017. A proper old-school, over the top first-person shooter that presents an alternate reality where the Nazis are in control, you step into the shoes of William “B.J.” Blazkowicz and shoot at anything that dares to move. Related: Best PS4 Games Developer MachineGames revels in the idea, offering you gun-after-gun until the options for how to do away with your opponent are through the roof. It’s possible to tweak and tinker with all of these as well to suit your play-style, and some of the carnage you’ll get involved in is utterly bonkers which is great – there isn’t much invention in terms of shooting enemies in the face in the modern day. Wolfenstein bucks that trend. It’s also genuinely tough, even on the lower difficulty levels, which is yet another step in the right direction when we’re talking about the Switch. For years Nintendo has been criticised in certain circles for not having this type of game for its audience and now that argument can vanish. If nothing else it’s a proper FPS on a Nintendo machine which is not a regular occurrence, and the fact it’s a truly great one is something to celebrate. It is important to note that you should not turn on the Switch’s motion controls. Trying to fire bullets in a chosen direction is more difficult than it needs to be when you’re hurling your arms around the place. As a five-minute gimmick it’s fun enough, but outside of that, there’s no reason to even think about them. They don’t add anything. Related: Upcoming Nintendo Switch Games Without wanting to state the obvious, this really is Wolfenstein 2 on the Switch with few negatives to focus on. There’s no point going back to it if you had your fill last year, but for anyone in desperate need of a mature FPS on a Nintendo machine, all your dreams have been answered. Admittedly The New Colossus is a tiny bit all over the place in terms of tone – it veers from wanting to be taken seriously to having some of the most ridiculous cutscenes you’re ever likely to see – but such a shift seems to please as many as it annoys. It’s a stylistic choice and, ultimately, doesn’t hurt the core of the game. If you want to get really picky it’s also a shame MachineGames didn’t include a multiplayer mode, simply because the gameplay would lend itself so well to person vs person warfare. Again, though, it’s not something Wolfenstein 2 is necessarily missing. It just would’ve been a welcome treat for Nintendo fans who had to wait an extra eight months before having the chance to get involved. Either way, if you’re looking for a way to fly through your commute while trying to bring freedom back to planet Earth, this is the title for you. The Switch’s library continues to do no wrong and signs show it’ll only get stronger as time goes past. Verdict Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus is a fantastic Switch port courtesy of Bethesda and Panic Button which takes last year’s awesome FPS and ensures it continues that legacy even when you’re playing it on the move. Another great addition to the ever-growing Nintendo library.

CHICAGO (AP) — The FBI was already investigating Jussie Smollett before President Donald Trump tweeted that the agency and the Department of Justice would review the case, which the president called "an embarrassment" to the nation. Trump's tweet on Thursday came two days after a surprise decision by Cook County prosecutors to drop all charges against the "Empire" actor, who was accused of orchestrating a fake attack involving two men who beat him on a downtown Chicago street. The president did not specify what aspect of the case would be probed, and Department of Justice officials declined to comment. Some former federal prosecutors say there are enough anomalies to justify a Justice Department review of why prosecutors dismissed all 16 felonies. Among the red flags they cited: the unusual level of secrecy around the proceedings, including sealed court documents; prosecutors' often muddled and contradictory explanations; and the absence of any requirement that the accused accept responsibility in exchange for dropping charges. Investigators believe Smollett hired two brothers to stage the Jan. 29 attack and that Smollett hoped the attention would help advance his career. Police also allege that before the attack, Smollett sent a letter threatening himself to the Chicago television studio where "Empire" is shot. The FBI has been investigating that letter. State prosecutors insisted that they could still prove Smollett concocted the entire assault. And even after charges were thrown out, the actor maintained that the attack was real. Phil Turner, an assistant U.S. attorney in Chicago before entering private practice, said federal prosecutors could, at minimum, seek an order for state prosecutors to preserve emails, texts and other documents that might shed light on why they acted as they did with Smollett. Prosecutors' hasty calling of the Tuesday hearing with no prior public notice and their swift sealing of court records showed a highly unusual and suspicious level of secrecy, Turner said. Story continues "It makes it look like they were clearly trying to pull a fast one," he said. "It all smells funny." Federal prosecutors could, in theory, bring charges under a law that requires public officials to provide honest services to citizens if evidence emerges that any decision was made at the behest of influential people outside the state's attorney's office, Turner said. Justice Department investigators "could try to show that, if Cook County prosecutors did a favor for someone by dropping charges, that deprived people in Cook County of the honest services they deserve," he said. The case, he theorized, could qualify as a federal matter if communications about the decision took place on the phone or internet, placing it within federal jurisdiction. Another former federal prosecutor, Joel Bertocchi, sounded much more skeptical about the chances of a full-fledged investigation. "You'd have to show the decision (to drop charges) was corrupt — not just bad or unexplainable," he said. "Traded favors is not enough for corruption. It has to be money. And there's no indication of that here." While U.S. attorneys can in principle look into whatever they want, Bertocchi said, accepted practice is that they need some indication an actual crime was committed. "You can't just investigate someone willy-nilly." The suspicions about the Smollett charges were shared by many in Chicago, including Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who has led official voices of outrage, telling reporters that "something is rotten in Denmark." The city said Thursday it is seeking $130,000 from Smollett to cover the costs of the investigation into his reported beating. The Illinois Prosecutors Bar Association on Thursday issued a scathing critique of Cook County prosecutors. The group said State's Attorney Kim Foxx and her representatives "fundamentally misled the public on the law and circumstances surrounding the dismissal." "The manner in which this case was dismissed was abnormal and unfamiliar to those who practice law in criminal courthouses across the State," it said. The critique also highlighted what it called the "uncontested sealing" of the case, saying Cook County prosecutors had "falsely informed the public" that the action was mandatory under Illinois law. The fact that Tuesday's hearing was not put on the public court schedule and other factors added to an "appearance of impropriety," according to the bar association, which said Cook County prosecutors had "fallen woefully short" of legal ethics. The Arlington, Virginia-based National District Attorneys Association also weighed in, saying in a statement that aspects of the case may have run afoul of best practices, including the decision to abandon the charges without forcing Smollett to accept some degree of guilt. The group alluded to Foxx's decision to recuse herself before Smollett was charged because she had discussed the case with a Smollett family member. If the chief prosecutor withdraws, it said, the best practice is for the whole office to step away from a case and to appoint a special prosecutor. Foxx defended her office's decisions. Even if a trial had been held, Smollett would never have received a prison term because the 16 charges were the lowest form of felony. And if he pleaded guilty, it would have been to one count, not 16, she said. "For all of the noise and all of the media attention, it's a step up from a misdemeanor," she told Chicago television station WGN. Most comparable cases are resolved with probation or an agreement such as Smollett's if the defendants "don't have a long rap sheet or a violence in their background." ___ Follow Michael Tarm on Twitter at http://twitter.com/mtarm ___ Check out the AP's complete coverage of the Jussie Smollett case.<doc-sep>Despite all charges being dropped against Empire star Jussie Smollett Tuesday, the actor reportedly still faces an FBI investigation for mail fraud. Fox News reported on air Tuesday that the FBI is still looking into Jussie Smollett allegedly sending himself a death threat letter through the mail. “A spokesperson for the FBI, we just reached out to, and they tell us ‘no comment.’ All along, the FBI–which is, you know, usually very quiet, did not weigh in on their investigation,” an FNC reporter said on air. “But, Jussie Smollett, according to Chicago police, allegedly sent himself a death threat letter just one week prior to the alleged hoax,” the reporter continued. “Chicago police allege…when that letter didn’t get enough traction or enough attention, he decided to carry out with this alleged hoax. If the FBI determines that Jussie Smollett did send that letter to himself, he faces a charge of mail fraud, which is pretty substantial. Five to ten years in prison. Chicago police did tell us all along that the FBI is investigating that letter. The FBI just won’t confirm to us.” This aligns with reporting from ABC7 Chicago, which confirms that Smollett is still being investigated by the FBI. What was also noteworthy about this news conference with Chicago police was that Johnson also said Smollett was responsible for the threat letter sent to Fox studios in Chicago. That’s an FBI case still on going. https://t.co/Ii6DCbmCTF — Rob Elgas (@RobElgasABC7) March 26, 2019 News broke Tuesday that all charges related to Smollett allegedly staging a fake attack against himself in January were dropped.<doc-sep>President Donald Trump tweeted Thursday morning that the FBI and the Department of Justice would re-examine the case against actor Jussie Smollett, two days after Chicago prosecutors dropped all charges against him and expunged the arrest record of the Empire co-star. It wasn't clear if Trump was annoucing an investigation had been opened, or if he was suggesting that an investigation should be opened into Smollett's claims that he was attacked by two men who threw a noose around him and doused him in bleach. The FBI's Chicago office did not have a comment for Newsweek when asked whether it had opened an investigation, while the Department of Justice declined to comment. Can the FBI open the Smollett case after Chicago prosecutors dismissed it? Does the Fifth Amendment's protection against double jeopardy—trying the same person twice for the same crime—apply here? No, because Smollett was never brought to trial for his alleged crimes, so there was never a conviction or acquittal; he was simply cleared of the charges against him. For the FBI to open a case, it must have reason to believe there was, or will be, a violation of federal law, according to former assistant director of the FBI criminal investigation division Ron Hosko, as reported by The Wall Street Journal in September. According to the FBI website, the first step in deciding whether or not a crime should be investigated involves a briefing process that explores if a federal offense has been committed, which is not always easy to determine. Take robbery as an example: "Robbery...is outlawed in every state, but it is not a federal offense unless there is some connection with the federal government, such as the robbery of a federally insured bank," the FBI explains on its website. While Smollett's potential case was high-profile and remarkably rare—if he did what he was accused of, specifically faking a hate crime, which would be classified as a hoax—investigators may have difficulty finding a federal allegation. Issuing a "hoax threat" could be a federal crime, per the FBI, though this particular violation involves the making or sending of violent threats, not making false claims of an attack to a municipal police department. The Justice Department also investigates allegations of public corruption, even at the state and local level, if it involves possible violations of federal law. In the Smollett case, the the Justice Department could possibly look into Kim Foxx, the Cook County state's attorney, if it found reason to believe that the decision to drop the charges may have violated the law. Before Trump's tweet about Smollett, the Chicago Police Union accused Foxx in a Monday Facebook post of acting illegally, and called for a federal investigation. Some Chicago law enforcement officers also planned a protest against Foxx at a public rally on April 1. This article has been updated to include the Department of Justice's "no comment" response.<doc-sep>Photo : Nuccio DiNuzzo ( Getty Images ) President Trump has added his voice to the dissenters of those unhappy with the recent dropping of all charges in Empire actor Jussie Smollett’s alleged “MAGA country” beating. In an early morning tweet on Thursday, the president said that the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice would review the case, calling it “outrageous” and “an embarrassment to our Nation!” Advertisement Yes, the global embarrassment to our nation is upset with the local embarrassment for allegedly paying to have his ass beat and then lying about the ass beating to the police and then using that beating to desecrate Tupac’s thug name and then allegedly using his influence behind the scenes to skate free of charges for setting up the ass-whopping. According to the Chicago Tribune, while Trump didn’t specify which agency would be looking into the “gay Tupac’s” walk to freedom, the Fraternal Order of Police is calling for a federal investigation into State’s Attorney Kim Foxx’s handling of the case involving “I fought the fuck back!” Let’s break down the case, shall we? Smollett claimed that he got hungry and decided to walk to Subway in the Chicago cold, which is always hovering around negative 24 degrees. On Subway’s best day—where the bread has been freshly baked and is piping hot coming out of the magical stainless steel bread thing—a Subway sandwich, at best, is a stop on the way home. No one is leaving his home in temperatures cold enough to make a polar bear throw on a mink to get a Subway sandwich. Smollett claimed that he was attacked by two men yelling racist and homophobic slurs. Random attacks happen. Random attacks against gay people absolutely happen. Do you know how much hate you have to have in your heart (assuming you have one) to attack a man in -24 degree weather? Also to open your mouth in -24 degree weather so that cold air can enter your esophagus and freeze your damn intestines? Advertisement Smollett claimed that his attackers poured a chemical on him and tied a noose around his neck. So now Smollett’s attackers have props in -24 degree weather because they’ve been stalking him for their planned attack. Was Smollett interested in buying C-SPAN? Am I missing some of Smollett’s philanthropic work when he’s not pushing his music career? Was Smollett leaving the set of Empire only to ghostwrite parts of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal? Surely there has to be some reason that these alleged attackers sat on Smollett’s house waiting for him. Was his role as Lucious Lyon’s son that powerful? That’s a serious question as I stopped watching the show after this scene: Now that we’ve solved the case, let’s get back to it.... From the Tribune: During the police investigation, Foxx reached out to a relative of Smollett concerned about leaks, and then contacted Chicago police superintendent Eddie Johnson. Weeks later, Foxx said she recused herself from the case not long before Smollett was charged with filing a false police report. Smollett was later indicted on 16 counts of disorderly conduct on charges he staged the attack, but in a sudden reversal Tuesday, prosecutors dropped all the charges at an unannounced court hearing. Foxx insisted she had no role in the dismissal but defended the move, saying her office often handles cases in a similar fashion for defendants with nonviolent backgrounds — an assertion that a number of Chicago attorneys contacted by the Tribune disputed. Foxx told the Tribune Wednesday she would never have gotten involved if she knew Smollett would later be deemed a suspect and not a victim. “I’ve never had a victim that turned into a suspect,” she said. “In hindsight as we see (how) all of it has played out, you know, is there regret that I engaged with the family member? Absolutely.” Advertisement The FBI is already looking into a threatening letter that was sent to the actor a week before the attack since they have jurisdiction over crimes involving the U.S. Postal Service. Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson told the Tribune that the letter was about as real as the allegedly staged attack. But now that Trump is on the case, expect this all to be solved in days, assuming, of course, that Smollett has no ties to Russian oligarchs. Then we can assume that this will be investigated and the findings will be turned over the attorney general who will issue a paragraph to Congress noting that there was no collusion between Smollett and two buff Nigerian brothers who don’t seem to own shirts.<doc-sep>

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said Thursday he would have the FBI and the Justice Department review "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett's case, even as Chicago residents said the president should stay out of the racially charged incident. "I think that case is an absolute embarrassment to our country, and somebody has to at least take a very good hard look at it," Trump told reporters at the White House, echoing a tweet he sent earlier in the day. Trump did not explain what, if anything, federal authorities could do about Smollett after local prosecutors in Chicago decided to drop the case against him. Later, while speaking to a crowd of thousands at a political rally in Michigan, Trump denounced the case and Smollett's claim he "was attacked by MAGA country." Trump called it an "embarrassment not only to Chicago, but to our entire country." He said the case marked the first time he could remember agreeing with the city's mayor, Rahm Emanuel, who has been blasting prosecutors for dropping the charges against Smollett. Trump's critics said the president is playing racial politics with the Smollett case, seeking to undercut the victims of real racial violence that is on the rise. "By claiming a false attack, Smollett tried to exploit the hate @realDonaldTrump has stirred," tweeted David Axelrod, former adviser to President Barack Obama. "Now, predictably, Trump is moving to exploit Smollett’s exploitation. Talk about a vicious circle!" Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, citing Trump's history of race relations, said the president should “sit this one out.” Start the day smarter:Get USA TODAY's Daily Briefing in your inbox The FBI has been investigating at least one matter in the Smollett case for weeks. The agency began probing whether Smollett had any role in sending a threatening letter that was mailed to the actor at the Chicago studio where “Empire” is filmed a week before the alleged assault, a federal government official who has been briefed on the investigation told USA TODAY. FBI officials in Chicago declined to comment. The letter, which was received on Jan. 22, contained a white substance that was later determined to be acetaminophen, or Tylenol. Prosecutors in Chicago announced Tuesday they were dropping disorderly conduct charges against Smollett for filing a false police report. The decision came less than three weeks after the actor was indicted on charges that he paid two men to stage a hoax attack to make him look like the victim of a racist hate crime. Smollett’s legal team objects to comments to the media made by Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office officials, saying prosecutors and police are "continuing their campaign" against the actor. Prosecutors said they’ve dropped the charges, but insist that doesn't mean Smollett was exonerated of wrongdoing. News of the dropped charges outraged a variety of lawmakers, including Mayor Emanuel and Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson. "This is a whitewash of justice," Emanuel declared. "It’s Mr. Smollett who committed this hoax. He’s still saying he's innocent, still running down the Chicago Police Department. How dare he? How dare he?" A frequent critic of Trump, Emanuel said Thursday the president shouldn't get involved in the case. Citing Trump’s comment that there were good people on "both sides" during a 2017 demonstration by white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, Emanuel said the president has created a racially divisive environment that Smollett thought he could use to his advantage “Jussie Smollett thinks that hate-filled environment that the president created, pinning one American against another because of their background ... he thought he could take advantage of and create a hoax (through) a hate crime” Emanuel said. “It’s a vicious toxic environment and cycle. I want to break it.” The Emanuel administration also said Thursday that the city of Chicago would seek to recover $130,000 in overtime costs the police department spent on Smollett investigation. The mayor said that would bring a measure of justice for Chicagoans who feel offended that prosecutors treated the actor with leniency that wouldn’t have been afforded to others charged with such a crime. “I want clarity, I want accountability I want responsibility for a hoax that was committed,” Emanuel said. The president and his allies have frequently attacked Smollett, accusing him of trying to implicate Trump supporters in the alleged attack on him. Last month, Trump invoked his campaign slogan "Make America Great Again" in tweeting at Smollett: "What about MAGA and the tens of millions of people you insulted with your racist and dangerous comments!? #MAGA."

No Injuries Reported After Driver Crashes Into Freakys Store In ParkerNo one was injured on Tuesday night after a driver crashed into the Freakys store in Parker. More Avalanche, Nuggets Fans Can Attend Playoffs At Ball Arena, Capacity Increased To 10,500More fans can head to Ball Arena for the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets playoff games. Capacity has been increased to 10,500 fans. After Scoring Barrage By Damian Lillard, Aaron Gordon Told Denver Nuggets Coaches At Halftime 'I Got Him'The Nuggets had a problem: they had no answer for the barrage of shots Damian Lillard was making. It wasn't until Aaron Gordon spoke up at halftime that things changed. Michael Porter Jr. Comes in Third In Voting For NBA's Most Improved AwardDenver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. came in third in voting for the NBA's Most Improved Award. WATCH: Shaq Tries To Address Nikola Jokic In Serbian During Postgame InterviewThe Inside The NBA analyst took a shot at congratulating Jokic in his native language. It had mixed results. 'Numbers Don't Lie': Former Denver Nugget Star Fat Lever Pulls For Nikola Jokic As MVPNikola Jokic is one of three finalists for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award.<doc-sep>GOLDEN, Colo. (CBS4)– JeffCo Public Schools, Denver Public Schools and Douglas County Schools were among the first school districts in the Denver metro area to announce Wednesday they will reopen schools on Thursday. This comes after learning there was no longer a threat to schools across the Front Range on Wednesday morning. There was a Denver metro area wide school closure of 19 school districts and 500,000 students out of school on Wednesday due to a threat. Schools will have extra security measures in place when students return on Thursday. “We did not wish to have one person hold all of the schools of the front range or the state hostage,” said Superintendent Dr. Jason Glass. Jeffco Public Schools has 157 schools and around 85,000 students it has to consider when making the call to close for the day. Administrators told CBS4 earlier Wednesday, before the FBI announced their suspect was found dead, that they were waiting for as much information available on Tuesday night before making their decision. The woman from Florida came to Colorado and made comments that she was “Infatuated” with the shooters at Columbine. It was almost midnight before the district sent out notifications that school would be cancelled. “How do we change school on a normal day to how does school look like under this threat?” Glass said. District leaders started the day planning for a possible second day of school cancelled but also considering how they could reopen all of their campuses if the threat was still there. Changes to the programs in place would affect transportation, procedures for students to arrive to school, how they lock doors, and the food services they provide each day. Law enforcement agencies and school safety experts are consulted but JeffCo staff say they often do not get any other additional details than what the public learns, they may get it sooner to help them make a decision. They have to weigh what they know and the possibility of learning more information with the impact of cancelling school on short notice and the impact that will have on families. Glass says the experience of this threat, which many leaders have said felt different than the others they’ve experienced, prepared them for a similar situation that they will likely face again. “We see copycat versions of threats more commonly so we are developing systems and procedures on how we will react to situations like this in the future,” he said. Schools in Jefferson County will reopen on Thursday and all district events scheduled through the weekend will take place as planned. The Douglas County School District sent out a statement that reads in part, “Our schools will be open tomorrow, Thursday, April 18, with heightened safety and security measures in place. We do not share all of our security details with the public, but please know that staff will be extra vigilant. As always, our security team is working with our local law enforcement partners to provide adequate security and increased presence at all schools.” Other schools reopening Thursday include the Boulder Valley School District, Littleton Public Schools, Westminster School District, Poudre Schools and others that were closed on Wednesday.<doc-sep>^ Keep Westword Free Support Us Local Community Journalism I Support Support the independent voice of Denver and help keep the future of Westword free. Support Us Editor's note: Sol Pais has been reported to have died. Get additional information about her in our post "Columbine Threat Suspect Sol Pais Reportedly Dead" and "What We Know About Columbine Threat Suspect Sol Pais." Continue for our previous coverage. Sol Pais, an eighteen-year-old Florida woman said to be obsessed with the Columbine High School shooting, remains at large, and because she reportedly purchased a shotgun shortly after arriving in Colorado, she's considered armed and dangerous. Because of this threat, sixteen school districts across the Denver metro area will be closed today, April 17, three days prior to the twenty-year mark of the April 20, 1999, Columbine shootings, which killed twelve students and a teacher. The districts include Jefferson County Public Schools, which encompasses Columbine. At 12:01 a.m. today, the Jeffco district sent out this tweet: "In collaboration with other Denver-metro area school districts, all Jeffco Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday, April 17 due to the ongoing safety concern. All facilities and programs are closed for the day — no employees are to report." This secondary message followed: "There will be no afternoon activities or athletic competitions. We will continue to keep families updated on this situation before the end of the day on Wednesday." Denver Public Schools tweeted a message nearly identical to the first one above at 5:03 a.m. That this communication was delivered so late in comparison with Jeffco's is in keeping with the general tardiness of DPS when it came to dealing with the Pais matter, which was the subject of a late-night press conference streamed by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Here it is: At 2:48 p.m. on April 16, more than two hours after the Jeffco district first notified the public about the situation and instituted lockout procedures, the Colorado Department of Education tweeted: "Due to a credible threat to schools by an individual identified by the FBI, the Department of Public Safety recommends all schools in the Denver metro area conduct a lockout and controlled release immediately. More info to come." However, there appears to have been a lag of close to an hour between this alert and communication with at least some DPS schools; indeed, many of them dismissed as usual before learning about the concern. One charter school in Denver whose classes end at 4 p.m. was an exception to this rule: Staffers were all shown photos of Pais and instituted heightened security procedures when parents and guardians arrived to pick up their kids. However, teachers at that facility weren't given a heads-up until approximately 3:40 p.m. Likewise, notifications to parents in the district were slow in arriving. DPS subsequently posted this explanation on its website: "We also understand that there were technical difficulties in our communications today that delayed receipt of some of the messages sent to families via text, robo-call and email. This was not acceptable and we will be reviewing our software immediately to determine why these delays occurred in the delivery of messages." Look below to see the list of Denver area school districts that are closed today. 27J School District Adams 12 Five Star Schools Adams 14 School District Aurora Public Schools Boulder Valley School District Cherry Creek School District Clear Creek School District Denver Public Schools Douglas County School District Englewood Public Schools JeffCo Public Schools Littleton Public Schools Mapleton Public Schools Sheridan School District St. Vrain Valley Schools Thompson School District Anyone with information about Sol Pais, who was last seen in the foothills area after purchasing the shotgun and ammunition at a Littleton retailer, is encouraged to contact the FBI tipline at 303-630-6227 or denverfbitips@fbi.gov.<doc-sep>

AURORA | Aurora Public Schools and the Cherry Creek School District closed all schools and canceled all after-school events Wednesday, April 17, in response to a safety threat to Denver metro schools. All classes in both districts are canceled for the day as well as all athletics and after-school programming. Pickens Tech classes in APS are also canceled for the day. Dozens of other Front Range school districts, including Denver Public Schools, have also announced they are not holding classes Wednesday as a result of the threats. The cancellations will keep hundreds of thousands of children out of school. Cherry Creek officials on Twitter Tuesday night said that, while the decision will affect district families, Denver metro police agencies including the FBI Denver bureau have raised credible concerns about a woman reportedly obsessed with the Columbine school massacre who has threatened schools. After a metro area conf call tonight I determined that All @CCSDK12 will be closed tomorrow, 4-17, due to safety concerns related to a credible threat against schools in the area. CCSD is joining other Denver metro school districts in making this decision. Safety is the priority! — Scott Siegfried (@SuptSiegfried) April 17, 2019 The unspecified threats led Columbine and several other high schools outside Denver to lock their doors Tuesday for nearly three hours. All students were safe, school officials said Tuesday. On Tuesday afternoon, authorities in Jefferson County identified an 18-year-old woman named Sol Pais as a suspect in their investigation of the threats. Authorities said Pais recently arrived in Colorado and has made threats, which have been mostly verbal. Dean Phillips, special agent in charge of the local division of the FBI, said late Tuesday investigators have confirmed Pais, who is from the Miami area, purchased a pump-action shot gun and ammunition shortly after arriving in Colorado. “She has made some concerning comments in the past,” Phillips told reporters. “She has expressed an infatuation with Columbine and the events, the shooting there that happened tragically 20 years ago, and because of that we were concerned.” Pais has not made any specific threat to any particular school, according to authorities. Pais is believed to be 5 feet, 5 inches tall and was last seen in the foothills of Jefferson County, officials said. She is believed to be wearing a black t-shirt, camouflage pants and black boots. “She is armed and considered to be extremely dangerous,” authorities tweeted. Colorado State Patrol issued a statewide alert for Pais late Tuesday afternoon. Officials warned people who may come into contact with Pais not to approach her. Pais does not have any preexisting connection to Colorado, Phillips said. He said FBI officials are working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office as well as local district attorneys to determine possible charges. Currently, officials would not have enough probable cause to arrest Pais if they were to find her. “We will certainly hold her for as long as we can legally,” Phillips said. Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Shrader said threats referencing the Columbine massacre 20 years ago are not uncommon. “We take these threats seriously,” Shrader told reporters Tuesday night. “It’s certainly not the first threat that we’ve had that involves Columbine High School or references it, and in that regard I know that this opens a wound, especially on an anniversary week for those families who were most deeply impacted by this.” People with potential information related to Pais’ whereabouts are encouraged to contact the local division of the FBI at 303-630-6227 or [email protected]

(CNN) — As President Donald Trump strips some Central American countries of aid and denounces the influx of migrants at the southern border, his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner has been acting as a sounding board for internal discussions on reforms to the nation’s legal immigration system. Over the course of two months, a number of immigration groups and business groups have gathered at the White House to discuss a range of topics related to legal immigration, including employment-based visas, temporary worker programs, the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and moving toward a merit-based immigration system, several sources familiar with the meetings told CNN. “The President asked the Vice President, Jared, and (Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen) Nielsen to lead negotiations on border security funding. They included a series a meetings at the White House with various stakeholder groups throughout the process,” a senior administration official told CNN. A separate source familiar with the meetings said White House senior adviser Stephen Miller, who has often acted as the leading adviser on Trump’s immigration policies, is “being consulted but is not intimately involved.” Brooke Rollins, a senior staffer at the White House Office of American Innovation, has also played a role in the meetings, a meeting attendee said. The first sessions got underway in January amid the government shutdown and ran for about an hour and a half, during which groups presented their thoughts and ideas for legal immigration reform. The focus was not the President’s signature border wall, but rather the legal immigration system, said Jessica Vaughan, the director of policy studies for the Center for Immigration Studies, which advocates reduced legal immigration. “Most of the focus was on employment visas. Most people talked about the need for skilled immigrants, although I wouldn’t say there was full consensus in the room that was needed,” she said, adding that Kushner appeared engaged throughout the discussion. “He asked questions; he clearly had been hearing a lot about our system and was familiar with how it works and what the issues are and he asked specific questions about specific policies,” Vaughan added. Center for Immigration Studies was one of many groups to attend meetings. Sources familiar with the discussions say the meetings have included, among other attendees, representatives from hard-line immigration groups such as NumbersUSA and the Federation for American Immigration Reform, the bipartisan Latino political group League of Latin American Citizens, business interest groups such as the US Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, Associated Builders and Contractors, conservative groups including the Heritage Foundation as well as libertarian-leaning, Koch-funded political groups including Americans for Prosperity. Two sources familiar with the White House meetings likened the conversations to those Kushner convened during his foray into criminal justice reform. Last year, Kushner served as the White House’s main negotiator on the policy, steering a tough-on-crime president to signing the First Step Act, a major bipartisan criminal justice reform bill. In 2017, prior to his most recent effort on legal immigration reform, Kushner faced scrutiny when his family touted the EB-5 immigrant investor program in China, which has been criticized for being a pass for wealthy foreign citizens to essentially buy American green cards. The Kushners’ company subsequently apologized for name dropping Jared Kushner and his White House role in pitching the program. Since the meetings got underway in January, a proposal appears to be taking shape, according to a source familiar with discussions. It’s unclear, however, if and when a proposal would be released. One meeting attendee said members of Congress relayed to their organization that the White House has been in touch about working on a larger legislative plan regarding legal immigration. However, further details on a plan or proposal remain unclear. The White House did not respond to requests for comment. The proposal comes as the White House also considers appointing an immigration czar. Kris Kobach, the former Kansas secretary of state, and Ken Cuccinelli, the former attorney general of Virginia who is also a CNN political commentator, are among those being considered for the job, a source familiar with discussions told CNN. The President, in recent months, has indicated that he wants more people to legally immigrate to the US, receiving pushback from advocates of reduced migration. During his second State of the Union address in February, Trump brought it up briefly. “I want people to come into our country, in the largest numbers ever, but they have to come in legally,” Trump said. Since the address, Trump has continued to publicly comment on the need for legal immigration. In his most explicit terms yet, Trump, he told the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board at the White House in March: “We’re opening it up. We have to bring people in. We want them to be people based on merit and we want them to come in legally. You’ve seen what’s going on at the border.” Immigrants make up 13.7% of the US population, according to the Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank. In fiscal year 2017, more than 1 million immigrants became lawful permanent residents. In 2016, there were around 2 million immigrants on various temporary visas living in the US, like students and temporary workers, according to the institute. In their meetings at the White House, American business groups have asked the Trump administration to ease up on legal immigration to improve what they see as a worker shortage. “He knows the country needs more immigration,” one business group source familiar with the discussions said. “Where we intersect with that is we’re short a half a million workers.” But groups who support reduced immigration, such as FAIR, are pushing back on the idea. “We expect President Trump to do the right thing and not abandon his original promise to reduce immigration and tighten up foreign labor admissions. Healthy wage growth is key to a successful administration and a proposal built on immigration increases will undercut that,” said RJ Hauman, government relations director at FAIR. “Anyone who tells the President that caving to cheap labor interests on immigration won’t come at a high political cost does not have his best interests in mind.”<doc-sep>Following Trump’s border trip, for example, both flew back to Washington on Air Force One, landing Saturday shortly after 8 p.m. About an hour later, they were together again at the Kalorama home of Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump, for a private dinner with a handful of other West Wing aides and their partners — a previously planned gathering that one White House official described as illustrating the rapport between the two men.<doc-sep>

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner Jared Corey KushnerThe Israel-Hamas ceasefire is holding — what's next? Eric Trump buys .2M home near father's golf club in Florida CDC's about-face on masks appears politically motivated to help a struggling Biden MORE is reportedly working on a plan to increase some forms of legal immigration to the U.S. Politico, citing four people involved in discussions, reported Wednesday that Kushner is developing a plan that would increase the number of low- and high-skilled workers allowed to enter the country each year. ADVERTISEMENT Development of the proposal reportedly began in January, when Kushner began meeting with dozens of advocacy groups. Talks have since continued among a four-person group within the White House, led by Kushner, and a proposal could be submitted to Congress by this summer, according to Politico. The news outlet also noted that President Trump Donald TrumpTrump lashes out after grand jury seated for New York criminal probe Schumer tees up vote on Jan. 6 commission bill Senators struggle to save Jan. 6 commission MORE personally tasked Kushner with coming up with a plan on legal immigration. The plan would need to be approved by Stephen Miller, Politico noted, adding that the White House senior adviser is especially hawkish on immigration and has previously worked to reduce legal immigration. Trump said during his State of the Union address earlier this year that he wanted legal immigration "in the largest numbers ever," Politico added. News of the policy push comes as Trump has continued to take a hard stance on immigration, threatening in recent days to close off the border entirely. Trump, citing a crisis at the border, said last week that he would consider shuttering the border. He has continued to make that threat this week, telling reporters on Tuesday in the Oval Office that he would "100 percent" close the border if Congress doesn't pass stricter immigration laws. However, with Republicans warning that closing the border could have devastating impacts on the economy, Trump appeared to pull back from the threat on Tuesday evening. The president claimed during remarks at the National Republican Congressional Committee's annual spring dinner that Mexico was now cooperating in apprehending migrants before they can reach the U.S. border.

An animal shelter in the path of Hurricane Florence has warned it will euthanize animals if it can’t find people to adopt them before the storm hits. Jewel Horton, manager of Pender County Animal Shelter in North Carolina, said on Wednesday that local government-run animal shelters were filling up fast and that those that hit capacity must “make space”. This means putting down animals to reduce overcrowding. “We are avoiding euthanasia at all costs,” Ms Horton said. “That's why we're begging for assistance.” Organisations such as the Pender County Humane Society are helping to facilitate adoption and are working to clear space in the shelter without having to sacrifice any animals. “For us, animals are more important than things,” said Julie Lamacchia, who is president of the Burgaw, North Carolina-based Humane Society. “Things can be replaced - anything can be replaced - but you can never replace a life, whether it's a person or an animal.” Killing animals is the last thing the shelter staff want to do, Ms Horton said. Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast Show all 20 1 /20 Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast Barmen protect their business from the storm and the opportunists Getty Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast Many supplies have run out as Hurricane Florence approaches in Nichols, South Carolina AP Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast Hurricane Florence seen from space on September 12 AP Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast Students of East Carolina University's Coastal Storms class use anemometers to measure wind speeds at Union Point Park in New Bern, North Carolina AP Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast Rescue workers are on the scene in James City, North Carolina Getty Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast Sixteen hours before Florence even hits land, the Neuse River bursts its banks and floods New Bern, North Carolina Alamy Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast Volunteer rescue workers help three children out of their flooded home in James City, North Carolina Getty Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast A boardwalk is damaged in Atlantic Beach on North Carolina's coast Getty Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast Union Point Park in New Bern is closed Reuters Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast A child sits in Conway High School, which is being used as an evacuation centre in South Carolina AFP/Getty Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast Locals voice their disapproval of the storm in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina Getty Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast Volunteer rescue workers help children from their flooded home in James City Getty Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast A man floats down his street in a metal tub after the Neuse River burst its banks in New Bern, North Carolina Getty Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast Electric lines are affected in Wilmington, North Carolina Alamy Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast Floods in New Bern, North Carolina as Florence approaches Alamy Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast Waves crash over a pier on Atlantic Beach in North Carolina as Hurricane Florence approaches AP Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast Hurricane Florence is seen from the International Space Station as it churns in the Atlantic Ocean towards the east coast of the US NASA/Reuters Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast This NOAA/RAMMB satellite image taken on September 10, 2018, shows Hurricane Florence off the US' east coast in the Atantic Ocean AFP/Getty Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast In this NOAA satellite handout image, Hurricane Florence is shown travelling west and gaining strength in the Atlantic Ocean southeast of Bermuda on September 10, 2018 Getty Hurricane Florence hits the US East Coast Firefighters rescue people by boat in New Bern, North Carolina Getty Usually, when the shelter in the town of about 4,100 people nears capacity, she gets the word out and residents respond. Recommended Aquariums forced to abandon fish as Hurricane Florence approaches Even in the days before Hurricane Matthew in 2016, Ms Horton was able to find enough homes for the shelter's animals. But Matthew didn't hit North Carolina head on. “People are fleeing this state like no tomorrow,” Ms Horton said. “There's just not people here to take these animals on.” And as more residents leave under mandatory evacuation orders, the county shelter expects their cages to get more crowded. Ms Horton said she's bound by law to accept every animal that comes through her doors. It's important they clear out as many animals as possible now, before the storm hits, because once it does, Horton expects her shelter to get way more cramped. “When we start hitting recovery mode, space is going to be an issue,” she said. “Getting people here to help us is going to be an issue.” What to do with pets in a storm is a perennial question, challenging owners, activists and officials every hurricane season. Last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, on Twitter, encouraged residents to consider their pets in their disaster preparations. “Make a plan and practice it with them,” the agency encouraged. Organisations such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society of the United States have become more aggressive about responding to disasters, especially after Hurricane Katrina. One poll after the devastating 2006 storm found that 44 percent of people who chose not to evacuate did so because they didn't want to leave their pets behind. But still, plenty of animals were abandoned - more than 100,000, according to the Louisiana SPCA. As many as 70,000 died throughout the Gulf Coast. On Tuesday, the ASPCA issued a plea to pet owners, asking them to evacuate their animals, too, and gave them instructions for doing so. “We can't stress enough how important it is to incorporate pets into evacuation plans to keep families together and pets safe,” Dick Green, head of the ASPCA's disaster response unit, said in the statement. In a separate statement, Mr Green encouraged animal shelters to plan ahead, too. “It's imperative that animal shelters take proactive, necessary measures, and collaborate with other agencies if necessary to keep the animals in their care safe during emergency situations,” he said. The ASPCA and other groups are on the ground in the Carolinas, assisting with local animal relocation efforts. In Pender County and other areas, animal lovers have used social media and word of mouth to try to pull off a large-scale pet rescue. Samira Davis, a Wilmington resident, volunteered on Monday to help the Pender County Humane Society coordinate animal relocation. She said they've done a good job - for now. “We've probably saved between 30 and 50 animals, but there are about to be so many more in need,” she said. What's more, the local Humane Society is strapped for cash, and Ms Lamacchia worries that Hurricane Florence is going to further sap their resources. “This storm is going to wipe us out,” she said. “If we don't get people to step up and foster and donate, it's really going to limit our efforts.” The Washington Post<doc-sep>One poll after the devastating storm found that 44 percent of people who chose not to evacuate did so because they didn’t want to leave their pets behind. But still, many animals were abandoned — more than 100,000, according to the Louisiana SPCA. As many as 70,000 died throughout the Gulf Coast.<doc-sep>EMBED >More News Videos Rescue crews saved two kitties stuck in a flooded neighborhood ravaged by Hurricane Florence -- and tried to comfort them with pets and kisses. JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- On Friday, dogs and cats in Jacksonville, North Carolina, were rescued from flooded homes and brought to safety.Live video showed dogs being removed from a boat in the flood waters of Hurricane Florence. Later, the same rescue team saved cats who were stranded near a flooded home.The hurricane made landfall just before 7:30 Friday morning Category 1 storm.<doc-sep>

Rescue workers helped two people and over 100 animals escape from a flooded animal shelter in North Carolina on Friday, one of the happier endings to the havoc being wreaked by tropical storm Florence. Carteret County Humane Society (CCHS), located in the city of Newport, notified Facebook followers early that morning that at least two people along with 43 dogs and about 80 cats were trapped on the top floor of the building. Roughly 15 chickens and roosters were stuck in an area at the back of the facility, but flooding from tropical storm Florence kept staff from reaching them. After being trapped for hours, the Cajun Navy, a volunteer group of private boat owners who assist in search and rescue efforts, helped escort the shelter workers to safety later that evening, and emergency personnel put the animals in large vehicles soon after. More:Florence downgraded to tropical storm, but winds, rain still punishing Carolinas Related:Hurricane Florence: A visual primer The local fire department cut down trees so that some of the roads leading to and from the shelter could be drivable. Prior to the rescue, those trapped were confined to the upper level of CCHS due to rising flood waters. Not only were they standing in at least an inch of water, but part of the roof collapsed during the storm also. "The shelter is old and needed repairs before the storm," manager Cassandra Tupaj wrote in a message. "Also the roof over dog kennels is saturated and not looking like it will hold up the whole storm." Tupaj said the closest safe site is 3 hours away in the city of Standford and roads aren't likely passable. Still, the Carteret County Animal Control Services department confirmed that the situation was under control and that the animals and people were being relocated. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood emergency for the area lasting until 9:00 am Saturday, Sep 15. "The unprecedented rainfall approaching 2 feet in Carteret County is being exasperated by an intense rain band that extends into nearby counties," the NWS posted on Facebook. On Wednesday the shelter posted a Facebook status that reads: "Hey everyone! As we prepare for Florence we ask if anyone is out and about we could use the following items! Purina dog and cat chow, cat litter, and any type of water jugs. Thank you to anyone who can donate, our animals greatly appreciate it!!!!" Follow Dalvin Brown on Twitter: @Dalvin Brown

UPDATED |A gay man has accused a Las Vegas pool party of homophobia, after he was kicked him out of the event because the bathing suit he was wearing was “too gay.” In a video posted on Facebook, Chris Donohoe said he was forced to leave the Encore Beach Club pool party on Sunday for wearing a Mr. Turk pair of trunks because staff said that it “was not ‘in integrity’ with the brand of the pool party.” “In other words, I was kicked out for being a gay man wearing a bathing suit that was just a little too gay for the the Beach Club Encore Las Vegas to tolerate,” Donohoe wrote. Speaking to PinkNews, Donohoe said that the incident had made him feel “humiliated and ashamed.” “It felt like every homophobic slur that I’ve ever heard was hurled at me all at one time,” he told PinkNews. “I feel that this is discrimination and harassment based on my gender identity and sexuality. “I feel this way because there were women at the pool wearing thongs and other bikini bottoms that were much more revealing than my own, yet they were permitted to stay and I was removed.” In the video, Donohoe can be heard saying: “As far as I understand the policy is no Speedos, and this is not a Speedo.” The member of staff responds by saying that the costume goes against the “dress code policy” of the pool party, and is not “in integrity” with Encore Beach Club brand. Watch the video below: When Donohoe accuses the employee of making him leave because he’s gay, the member of staff responds: “Sir this has nothing to do with your sexual preference.” Speaking to PinkNews, Donohoe criticised the pool party’s “no Speedos” rule, saying it “needs to be removed.” “It’s so obviously targets LGPTQ+ and non-gender conforming people,” he explained to PinkNews. “They need to stop policing people based on their gender identity and sexuality.” Responding to the incident, Michael Weaver, chief marketing officer of Wynn Resorts, told PinkNews that the company had changed its clothing policy since the incident. “In order to maintain a five-star experience, Wynn Las Vegas requests that guests adhere to certain dress code policies throughout the resort,” Weaver said to PinkNews. “In the Encore Beach Club, we had a policy, clearly posted at the entrance, which prohibited Speedos. “Upon receiving a guest complaint, we reviewed the policy and have changed it.” Weaver said sorry to Donohoe over what had happened. “The new policy will allow Speedos, but will prohibit risqué and indecent swimwear for both men and women,” Weaver continued. “We will include the new policy on entry signage, as well as the club website, in order to help guests plan appropriately and enjoy a welcoming environment. We apologise to the guest who was affected by our previous policy.” Weaver said that the club welcomes LGBT+ people, insisting that its rules for removing guests from events are based on behaviour and clothing. “Regarding LGBTQ+ guests, our policy has been clear and consistent for years: Wynn welcomes and appreciates all of our LGBTQ+ guests,” the chief marketing officer said. “Decisions to enforce policies are solely based on guest behavior, or in this case, attire. We have always and will continue to apply attire policies equally to all of our guests, regardless of sexual orientation.” Since Donohoe posted his video, he said that other gay men told him about similar stories at Encore Beach Club events. Donohoe posted a video sent to him by a man called Juan Casado, who appeared to be swinging on a pole on a platform at an Encore Beach Club pool party. The video shows Casado being pushed off the platform by an employee. Casado told PinkNews that he did not believe the incident was homophobic, but said that it was because of his gender. He was reportedly told by staff that only women were allowed to swing on the poles at the party. However, Weaver told PinkNews that this video was taken in the summer of 2017 and that, since then, the rules had changed, meaning both men and women can dance on the platforms at events. Commenting on the video, Weaver said that the employee responsible for pushing Casado no longer worked for the company. “The footage showing an incident where a guest was removed from a dance pole at Encore Beach Club during the summer of 2017 took place prior to a policy change allowing men to also dance on platforms if they choose to,” said Weaver. “The behaviour of the employee in the video is not appropriate; that individual is no longer employed at Wynn Las Vegas.”<doc-sep>This Gay Man Was Kicked Out of Vegas Pool Because of His “Speedo”—Watch "I was made to leave the pool for wearing a Mr Turk bathing suit that they said was not 'in integrity' with the brand of the pool party." Update: Michael Weaver, CMO at Wynn Resorts released a statement on this incident. Please read below. In order to maintain a five-star experience, Wynn Las Vegas requests that guests adhere to certain dress code policies throughout the resort. In the Encore Beach Club, we had a policy, clearly posted at the entrance, which prohibited Speedos. Upon receiving a guest complaint, we reviewed the policy and have changed it. The new policy will allow Speedos, but will prohibit risqué and indecent swimwear for both men and women. We will include the new policy on entry signage, as well as the club website, in order to help guests plan appropriately and enjoy a welcoming environment. We apologize to the guest who was affected by our previous policy. Regarding LGBTQ+ guests, our policy has been clear and consistent for years: Wynn welcomes and appreciates all of our LGBTQ+ guests. Decisions to enforce policies are solely based on guest behavior, or in this case, attire. We have always and will continue to apply attire policies equally to all of our guests, regardless of sexual orientation. In an unfortunate act of discrimination, a gay man was kicked out of a pool party in Las Vegas this weekend because of what he was wearing. Chris Donohoe recently took to Facebook to showcase a video of himself being removed from the Encore Beach Club because of the swimsuit he wore. Related | This Gay Couple Had to Give Up Their Plane Seats to a Straight Couple In the post, he said: "I was made to leave the pool for wearing a Mr Turk bathing suit that they said was not “in integrity” with the brand of the pool party. In other words, I was kicked out for being a gay man wearing a bathing suit that was just a little too gay for the The Beach Club Encore Las Vegas to tolerate." He accompanied the post with a full video of him having to explain himself to the bouncers. He ended his post with this: "Please repost and share this video. I’m going to pursue this to the fullest extent possible until LGBTQ+ people are no longer policed and discriminated against at the Wynn Las Vegas." Watch below. And for reference, this is the dress code listed on the website, stating proper swim attire includes "swimming suits."<doc-sep>The rule of thumb is, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. That is, unless you’ve been unfairly kicked out of a pool at a popular hotel — then you have free rein to share your experience on social media. Chris Donohoe was removed from Encore Beach Club at the Wynn Las Vegas, allegedly because of his choice of swimwear. Donohoe, who is gay, believes that it was an act of discrimination. Donohoe posted a video to his Facebook page that showed his confrontation with a general manager off camera. “I was made to leave the pool for wearing a Mr. Turk bathing suit that they said was not ‘in integrity’ with the brand of the pool party. In other words, I was kicked out for being a gay man wearing a bathing suit that was just a little too gay for the Beach Club Encore Las Vegas to tolerate,” he wrote. The swimsuit in question appears to be a swim brief, like a Speedo, which the person off camera says is against the pool’s dress code. However, on Encore’s website, the dress code states: “Dress to impress, no baggy clothing, jeans, or basketball shorts. Pool attire is required to enter the venue.” The only listed “proper swim attire” are swimming suits, which Donohoe was wearing. Donohoe was approached by security while he was in the pool, and it quickly turned into a public scene. According to Donohoe, he was surrounded by five to seven security guards as he talked to the general manager of the beach club, who can be heard in the video, and the security manager. “I did not know that I could be made to feel so ashamed and so humiliated. I haven’t felt that way in years,” Donohoe tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “They told me I needed to cover up or leave the pool.” Security was allegedly acting on a complaint that was made about Donohoe’s swimwear. “Ten minutes before I was removed from the pool, two men who were guests were walking past me, pointing and laughing. I let it roll off my back, I’m used to that thing happening. … It didn’t seem worth it. … Within 10 minutes, I was removed from the pool. It later came out that the security guard told us, ‘I don’t give a shit what you wear, but we had a complaint.’” Story continues Donohoe’s experience is not the only instance of alleged discrimination at Encore Beach Club. After he shared his video, another man, Juan Casado, shared his own experience, in which he was pushed from a dance platform into the pool by a security guard at the club. Donohoe writes that it was “because only women are allowed to dance on the podium.” According to Donohoe, Casado told him, “I saw your post and I just want to say that I have been [discriminated against] there as well. Not for being gay (even though I am) but the double standard of being male or female.” Donohoe, who is currently a guest at the Wynn Las Vegas, which owns and runs Encore Beach Club, has since spoken with the director of claims administration, who he says is looking into the situation. Michael Weaver, chief marketing manager of Wynn Resorts, provided the following statement to Yahoo Lifestyle: “In order to maintain a five-star experience, Wynn Las Vegas requests that guests adhere to certain dress code policies throughout the resort. In the Encore Beach Club, we had a policy, clearly posted at the entrance, which prohibited Speedos. Upon receiving a guest complaint, we reviewed the policy and have changed it. The new policy will allow Speedos, but will prohibit risqué and indecent swimwear for both men and women. We will include the new policy on entry signage, as well as the club website, in order to help guests plan appropriately and enjoy a welcoming environment. We apologize to the guest who was affected by our previous policy. “Regarding LGBTQ+ guests, our policy has been clear and consistent for years: Wynn welcomes and appreciates all of our LGBTQ+ guests. Decisions to enforce policies are solely based on guest behavior, or in this case, attire. We have always and will continue to apply attire policies equally to all of our guests, regardless of sexual orientation.” Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.<doc-sep>

A gay man was kicked out of a Las Vegas pool party for wearing “inappropriate” swimwear. Chris Donohoe shared a video on Facebook of him being kicked out of the Encore Beach Club at the Wynn in Las Vegas. In the video, Donohoe is told that he can’t wear a speedo at the pool. Donohoe defends himself by saying that he isn’t wearing a speedo. He believes he was targeted because he’s a gay man. “Yesterday I was kicked out of the Encore Beach Club for being gay. I was made to leave the pool for wearing a Mr Turk bathing suit that they said was not ‘in integrity’ with the brand of the pool party. In other words, I was kicked out for being a gay man wearing a bathing suit that was just a little too gay for the The Beach Club Encore Las Vegas to tolerate. Take a look at this video where I’m told that my clothing is not in ‘integrity’ with the pool party brand,” Donohoe captioned the video. He concluded: “This is what homophobia looks like. I was up all night because I couldn’t sleep from being so upset. I’ve cried so much. At the end of the day it is ABUNDANTLY clear that LGBTQ+ people are not welcome at Wynn Las Vegas . Please repost and share this video. I’m going to pursue this to the fullest extent possible until LGBTQ+ people are no longer policed and discriminated against at the Wynn Las Vegas.” Encore Beach Club’s dress code policy states on its website “No risqué or indecent swimwear is permitted; management reserves all rights to determine appropriate attire. Proper swim attire includes: Swimming suits.” Michael Weaver, CMO Wynn Resorts responded to the incident in a statement to Yahoo Lifestyle: “In order to maintain a five-star experience, Wynn Las Vegas requests that guests adhere to certain dress code policies throughout the resort. In the Encore Beach Club, we had a policy, clearly posted at the entrance, which prohibited Speedos. Upon receiving a guest complaint, we reviewed the policy and have changed it. The new policy will allow Speedos, but will prohibit risqué and indecent swimwear for both men and women. We will include the new policy on entry signage, as well as the club website, in order to help guests plan appropriately and enjoy a welcoming environment. We apologize to the guest who was affected by our previous policy. Regarding LGBTQ+ guests, our policy has been clear and consistent for years: Wynn welcomes and appreciates all of our LGBTQ+ guests. Decisions to enforce policies are solely based on guest behavior, or in this case, attire. We have always and will continue to apply attire policies equally to all of our guests, regardless of sexual orientation.” Donohoe also posted a video on Facebook shared with him by Juan Casado. Casado, who is also gay, alleges that he was discriminated against, not for being gay, but for being a man. In the video, Casado is seen dancing on a platform in the pool before he is pushed into the pool by security. According to Casado, this was because only women are allowed to dance on the platform.

Today the French drone maker Parrot launched the all-new Anafi drone in New York. Parrot took inspiration from insects such as wasps and beetles to design this light-weight, foldable drone. The drone is very light-weight (320 grams) and folds up to a very small package, however, this does not mean it doesn’t pack a punch. The Anafi features a 21MP Sony sensor, shoots 4K video, HDR photos and a host of intelligent flight features. The drone is also very quiet, making it much less obtrusive to bystanders than most of the drones consumers are used to. The new Parrot drone can be pre-ordered today for $699.99 and will be available at retailers as of July 1st. Shipping will start as of July 2nd. Meet Parrot’s Anafi drone The designers and engineers of the French drone company Parrot were very much inspired by the wasp and the beetle for the design and form factor of their latest drone. In fact, some of the first slides in today’s launch presentation showed the similarities between the unmanned aircraft and these insects. The body of the drone is long and slender and at the end there’s a free moving gimbal that can move 90° upward and downward, showing some similarities with the head of a wasp. The folding legs of the drone and the protection around the gimbal were inspired by the beetle. The Anafi drone has four folding legs that fold and unfold very easily. Much more straightforward than for instance to DJI Mavic Air or Mavic Pro, which tend to confuse people. The latest drone from Parrot only weighs 320 grams (0.7 lbs.) and has a maximum flight time of 25 minutes. The propellers are wider, shorter, more rounders and made of a softer semi-transparent material. Most importantly they are much quieter than the typical drones consumers are used to. The Drone can be launched by hand and has a maximum speed of 34 mph. Charging the intelligent battery takes place through USB-C. In terms of photo and video capabilities, the Anafi features the 1/2.4” CMOS Sony 21MP IMX230 sensor with lossless zoom up to 2.8x, in combination with the Ambarella video processor. It offers 4K HDR video and photos that provide 2 additional stops of light. It features a new gimbal design with 2 mechanical axes and 1 digital axis for stabilized video footage, including a 4K Cinema mode (17:9 ratio) with P-Log that allows for greater flexibility for color grading in post-production. The drone offers the following video modes: 4K Cinema: 24 fps 4K UHD: 24, 25, 30 fps 1080p: 24, 25, 30, 48, 50 or 60 fps The drone is controlled by the Parrot Skycontroller 3 and the FreeFlight 6 mobile app. What’s in the box? 1 Parrot Anafi Drone with Smart Battery 1 Parrot Skycontroller 3 1 storage case 1 micro SD card 16 GB 1 USB-A / USB-C cable 8 additional propellers 1 screwdriver Pricing and availability The Parrot Anafi is available for preorder today at $699.99. Shipping will start as of July 2nd but it will be available in the stores and online as of July 1st. We flew the Anafi today and walked away very impressed with this latest drone from Parrot. Expect our first impressions and a full review soon. Photo Gallery Specifications What do you think about Parrot’s Anafi drone? Let us know in the comments below. STAY IN TOUCH! If you’d like to stay up to date with all the latest drone news, scoops, rumors and reviews, then follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram or sign up for our email newsletter DroneRise, that goes out every weekday morning at 6 am. If you’d like to help us grow, you can buy your next drone through one of the following links directly from manufacturers, such as DJI, Parrot, Yuneec or retailers like Amazon, B&H, BestBuy or eBay. We will make a small commission and it will not cost you anything extra. Thank you! Subscribe to DroneDJ on YouTube for exclusive videos<doc-sep>It’s been a while since Parrot released a new consumer-level drone, but today, June 6, at a press conference in New York City, the company pulled the curtain back on a new addition to its fleet: a high-end, folding quadcopter named Anafi. Whereas Parrot’s earlier drones were more on the toyish side of the spectrum, and were arguably more focused on fun flying than capturing video, Anafi is purpose-built for aerial photography and videography. As such, it’s outfitted with all the requisite bells and whistles we’ve come to expect from UAVs in this category — including a camera that shoots 4K video and 21-megapixel stills, range of over two miles, a 25-minute max flight time, auto-follow functionality, and a folding form factor that makes it easy to transport. If that sounds somewhat milquetoast and standard-issue, it’s because it is. You can already buy drones with the aforementioned capabilities, but Parrot is well aware of this fact — so it equipped Anafi with a handful of innovative features and functions that help it stand out from the rest of the pack. Here’s a quick rundown. Raising the bar with HDR The first and most notable of these is Anafi’s ability to shoot high dynamic range (HDR) video. We’ll spare you the gory technical details of how it works and why it’s a big deal, but in a nutshell, this means that this drone can capture video at multiple different exposure levels simultaneously, and blend all those exposures together to create a single shot that has outrageously good contrast. As far as we can tell, Anafi is the first consumer-level drone on the market with HDR video capabilities, which is a pretty big deal. Even some of the best drones you can buy right now tend to have trouble with high-contrast scenes, and HDR could help mitigate that issue — which gives Parrot a leg up on competitors like DJI and Yuneec. Tilt and whirl Second, Anafi is eqiupped with a 3-axis gimbal stabilizer that has 180 degrees of tilt freedom. In other words, not only can this drone look straight down, it can also look straight up. This feature presumably gives you a broader range of creative freedom while you shoot, and allows you to capture footage from above or below your subject. Shooting like this simply isn’t possible on the vast majority of today’s camera drones, as they almost always carry their cameras below the hull, or inside nose-mounted stabilizers with limited upward motion. Zoom, zoom, zoom Another uncommon feature that Anafi boasts is lossless digital zoom — something that’s notably absent from just about every other drone in the sub-$1,000 category. Parrot’s shooter can zoom up to 1.4x in 4K and 2.8x in 1080p without distorting image quality in any way. Functionally, this allows you to get closer to your subject without actually flying closer — which could come in handy for, say, wildlife shots where you risk scaring away the animals if you buzz your drone too close (although it’s worth mentioning that Anafi also happens to be relatively quiet for a quadcopter). Aside from that, Anafi’s lossless zoom also enables an awesome shooting trick that, until now, was rather difficult to achieve with a flying camera: the dolly zoom (also known as the vertigo zoom or Hitchcock zoom). You’ve probably seen this before in movies. It’s the shot where the central subject remains the same size while the background zooms in and out, creating a vertigo-inducing visual effect. Parrot’s setup automates the process so you can take dolly zoom shots at the press of a button. Sprinkles on top, and a competitive price There’s also a handful of small, thoughtful design elements that help round out the package — things like a launch-from-hand function, 3D mapping software, a USB-C battery that can also be used as a smartphone charger, and the ability to fly Anafi with or without a controller. The best feature, however, is the price. You can pre-order Anafi today for the comparatively-low-but-admittedly-still-kinda-high price of $700 — which puts it squarely in competition with DJI’s infamous Mavic drones. Whether or not Anafi can stand toe to toe with the Mavic Air has yet to be seen, but if you’re curious, be sure to circle back later this month to check out our in-depth review. Editors' Recommendations<doc-sep>

Yes, the major public clouds offer a lot. But what you may not know are the limitations, and how open clouds make the difference. Elevate your enterprise data technology and strategy at Transform 2021. At a press event in New York City today, France’s Parrot announced the Anafi, a new drone with a 4K high dynamic range (HDR) camera. Anafi is available for preorder today starting at $700 and ships on July 1. The Anafi, which Parrot says was two years in the making, focuses on four core pillars: image quality, flight performance, foldability, and ease of use. The diminutive drone weighs just 0.7 pounds and is 25 percent quieter than its predecessor, the Bebop 2, thanks to a carbon fiber filled with hollow glass microbeads. Its arms fold and unfurl in less than three seconds, and even the controller is designed for portability — unfolding in around a second. On the image quality front, the new drone doesn’t disappoint. The aforementioned 4K HDR camera has a 21MP Sony IMX230 sensor with optics “specifically designed” for the Anafi. It’s able to withstand extreme temperatures (14 degrees to 104 degrees Fahrenheit), can shoot up to 30 frames per second in 4K at 100Mbps, and has a lossless zoom of 1.4x, 3x digital zoom in 4K, and 2.8x in Full HD (1080p). Highlights include a hyper-lapse shooting mode that speeds footage up to 240 times, and a high frame rate mode of 60 frames per second. A companion smartphone app, FreeFlight 6, allows pilots to adjust the resolution, photo format, shutter speed, white balance, exposure, and other options on the fly. The camera is mounted on a 3-axis gimbal that’s both mechanically and digitally stabilized and is able to tilt up to 90 degrees vertically. On the performance side of the equation, the Anafi comes through once again. Parrot’s FreeFlight 6 app boasts two manual control modes, both with adjustable rotation, incline, and camera tilt settings: Film and Sport. In Sport mode, the drone can hit speeds of up to 32 miles per hour and withstand wind speeds up to 33 miles per hour. A a polymer lithium battery at the heart of the Anafi delivers up to 25 minutes of flight time. The drone continuously self-monitors charge time and has a chemistry-protecting hibernation mode that allows it to quickly return to take-off position. An integrated charger with a USB-C port supports fast charging — Parrot says it takes about an hour and a half for Anafi to reach full capacity. Gallery: Anafi Carrying Case and Controller The Anafi’s dual-band, four-antenna Wi-Fi chip supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, which connect to Parrot’s Skycontroller 3, with a range of up to 2.48 miles. A microcontroller constantly monitors nearby Wi-Fi signals in order to switch to another channel when one becomes too crowded. Last, but not least, Parrot’s companion app features all-new modes that “adapt to all users.” Beginners have access to automatic control settings, such as Smart Dronies and CineShots, and advanced users can select or customize camera settings. There are three modes to choose from: Smart Dronies, Cameraman mode, and Follow me, which uses a neural network to lock onto a subject on the ground. The app conveniently syncs with the Skycontroller 3 remote, which connects to an Android or iOS phone via USB-A. Setting changes on the app reflect on the remote, and vice versa. The Anafi, it seems clear, is Parrot’s answer to DJI’s top-of-the-line offering, and HDR on a drone is a first. We’ll have to see how it performs in practice, but from the spec sheet, the Anafi is competitive out of the gate.

And so it begins….. The Canucks face division rivals Calgary tonight. I, for one, am ready to get this year going. Even though I have a very strong feeling that this year will not be a winning one. Without the Sedins, this team will have to create a new identity and new leaders will have to emerge on the ice and off. It is a weird to know that this team will lose a lot of games and yet still be excited to see what this team will turn into. Pettersson, Boeser and Bo will get most of the attention this year, but will guys like Schaller and Beagle provide the spark that is need in the bottom six. The opposition is coming into this year full of optimism and new faces. Calgary has Giordano as the face of the defense, but he now has Harmonic, Hanifin and rookie Valimaki to get the puck to his slapshot. There are some new names up front as well for the Flames. Neal, Lindholm, Czarnik and Dube will be asked to boost the offense in a very tough Pacific division. Much like the Canucks, the biggest question mark is in net. Mike Smith can be great or injured. Those seem to be his two settings. The only way the Flames make it to the playoffs is if the former was to occur. The Canucks need to use their speed and make sure their special teams are special if they want a chance to win tonight. Go Coconuts Go! !<doc-sep>Share this Story: Canucks Game Day: Fanning the Flames of a new season Canucks Game Day: Fanning the Flames of a new season Photo by DARRYL DYCK / THE CANADIAN PRESS Article content Tonight Calgary Flames at Vancouver Canucks We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Canucks Game Day: Fanning the Flames of a new season Back to video 7 p.m., Rogers Arena, SNETP, SNET 650 AM THE BIG MATCHUP Fast vs. fast The Flames are touting their approach this year as playing faster than last year, forechecking harder but more importantly working to retain possession more than ever. The Canucks say they need to play faster and they need to get their defence more involved. So just how fast will this game actually be? FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME 1. Canucks power play The home team is going to live or die by their work with the man advantage this season. With Brock Boeser patrolling the left wing and Elias Pettersson on the right, the Canucks have strong options on the attack. 2. Flames experience There’s no denying the difference between these two lineups. The Flames have a powerful and deep defence. They’ve got strong, experienced depth up front. The Canucks on the other hand have the same group of defencemen as last season, a group that struggled to generate offence. There are some exciting forwards, but there’s not a lot of scoring depth. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content 3. Pettersson power Where Elias Pettersson goes, so will the Canucks. It’s a lot to ask of a young player, especially one who is playing his first NHL game, but there’s no denying the 19-year-old’s talent. He’ll play on the second line to start but there’s no doubt he’ll already draw much attention from opponents. 4. Does Lindholm have it? Elias Lindholm was brought in to add a new look to the Flames’ offence. A former first-rounder, he’s been a solid second-line forward for the Hurricanes, but the Flames think there’s even more to be found. 5. Crease crash Jacob Markstrom is set to start his first clear season as the Canucks’ No. 1. He finished last year well but can he carry that forward into this season? At the other end for the Flames, veteran Mike Smith just needs to stay healthy. Can the 36-year-old get off on the right foot? CANUCKS LINES Forwards Sven Baertschi – Bo Horvat – Brock Boeser Nikolay Goldobin – Elias Pettersson – Loui Eriksson Tyler Motte – Brandon Sutter – Jake Virtanen Tim Schaller – Jay Beagle – Markus Granlund Defence Alex Edler – Chris Tanev Michael Del Zotto – Troy Stecher Derrick Pouliot – Erik Gudbranson Starting goalie: Jacob Markstrom Sick Bay Antoine Roussel (concussion) FLAMES LINES Forwards Jonny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Elias Lindholm Dillon Dube – Derek Ryan – James Neal Matthew Tkachuk – Mikael Backlund – Michael Frolik Sam Bennett – Mark Jankowski – Austin Czarnik Defence Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Noah Hanifin – Travis Hamonic Juuso Valimaki – Michael Stone Starting goalie: Mike Smith Sick Bay None SPECIAL TEAMS Power play (last season) Canucks: 21.5% (9th) Flames: 16.0% (28th) Penalty kill Canucks: 78.3 (21st) Flames: 81.8% (8th) • Join our White Towel: Let’s talk Canucks Facebook group to read the latest news, chat with our writers and have your say on the team. Go to facebook.com/theprovince and click on “Groups.” CLICK HERE to report a typo. Is there more to this story? We’d like to hear from you about this or any other stories you think we should know about. Email vantips@postmedia.com Share this article in your social network Latest National Stories Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Province Headline News Sign up to receive daily headline news from The Province, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Email Address There was an error, please provide a valid email address. By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. The next issue of The Province Headline News will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again Trending<doc-sep>Article content And Elias looked down upon the goal he created and declared it was good. And it was good. It’s not known on which day of that first week Elias Pettersson was created, but everyone who watches hockey in Vancouver is thankful he was. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Canucks 5, Flames 2: A star is born as Pettersson scores in debut Back to video The Swedish Kid opened his NHL account in perfect fashion Wednesday night in a 5-2 win for the Vancouver Canucks over the Calgary Flames and nothing else mattered. Not even the free beer — or water, or soft drink — handed to each fan at Rogers Arena mattered. Pettersson sniped a top-corner wrist shot on a first-period rush, a shot so vicious it seemed as if to curve space to create the gap between Flames goalie Mike Smith’s shoulder and the post he was hugging and the crossbar he was seeking to cover. The bend Pettersson put on his stick was something else to behold and when you saw the replay, you saw how he was able to create such power from such a tight angle. And where he shot from was deeply deceptive. It was almost as if he was setting up to pass across the slot to an onrushing Derrick Pouliot, but from high above it never really looked as if he was going to pass. “I was trying to go high on Smith and it went in,” Pettersson said calmly after the game. “An amazing feeling, a feeling I’ll never forget.” “My first thought was to pass but their D had pretty good gap control.” He also had an assist, setting up Nikolay Goldobin at the left side of the net after a Loui Eriksson — who had put Pettersson in the clear on the first goal — shot from the top of the slot was stopped dead in its tracks by Noah Hanifin. Pettersson grabbed the loose puck before Hanifin could find it in his feet and flipped it quickly to Goldobin, who made no mistake in firing it home. (Unlike the first preseason game, when he was on the other side of the crease but couldn’t find the back of the net as the Oilers’ netminder, Cam Talbot, snagged it.)<doc-sep>VANCOUVER -- Elias Pettersson had one thought when he hit the ice before his first NHL game Wednesday -- stay upright. The 19-year-old Vancouver Canucks centre said he knew about the league's tradition of initiating rookies with a solo skate during warm up, but hoped his teammates might make an exception. "Maybe I thought they would forget it because it was lonely, not that fun," he said after the game. "My only focus was not to fall." Not only did Pettersson stay on his feet, he scored his first NHL goal on his first shot and tallied two points in the Canucks' 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames. He got on the scoresheet midway through the first period, collecting the puck in the neutral zone and then sprinting into Calgary's end with teammate Derrick Pouliot for a two-on-one. Pettersson opted not to pass, instead rocketing a wrist shot into the top of the net. That brought the fans to their feet and prompted chants of "Petter-sson," a reaction that wowed the young Swede. "Everyone on the team congratulated me, including the coaches. And then I didn't expect a standing ovation from the crowd. So that was amazing," said Pettersson, whose parents were among those in attendance at Rogers Arena. His teammate Erik Gudbranson said the former star of the Swedish Hockey League was an "absolute stud" in his NHL debut. "One of the most impressive things about him is how responsible he is and how competitive he is," Gudbranson said. "If he turns the puck over, he's right back on it and he takes it away from you. He doesn't give up anything. He plays the game incredibly well." Even Calgary's netminder Mike Smith had kind words for Pettersson. "He made a great shot, he put right in the top corner. I got a piece of it with the glove, but yeah I have heard quite a bit about this young kid and he let her go and hit the perfect spot there," Smith said. All of Vancouver's goals Wednesday night came from players under the age of 25. Brendan Leipsic, Jake Virtanen, Nikolay Goldobin and Tyler Motte -- on an empty-netter -- all scored in the season opener. Goldobin added an assist and veteran centreman Loui Eriksson had a pair of helpers. Matthew Tkachuk and Sean Monahan responded for the Flames. Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom turned away 20 of 23 shots, while Smith stopped 30 of 35. Vancouver head coach Travis Green said Markstrom was great in net, but played better when they were up 1-0 in the first than 4-1 in the third. "We got a little sloppy with the puck. That was not a Picasso by any means," he said. "You're never going to complain about a win, but we're going to go over every game and continue to teach these guys." Green said he wants to see his squad be better on their sticks and take fewer penalties. Calgary was unable to capitalize on any of their seven power-play chances Wednesday. Flames head coach Bill Peters said his team had speed on the breakout, but lacked execution. "Not enough pace, and not enough execution on it and not enough desperation," he said. "At one point, I think through 40 (minutes) we were 1 for 7 on faceoffs on the power play, so it's an important part of the game." Capitalizing when your team has an advantage is key, said left winger James Neal, who signed with the Flames as a free agent in July. "The power play is crucial, it wins and loses you games. There's no excuse, we've practiced it enough, we should have been a little bit more crisp," he said. "We just have to be better on the power play. We score one of those goals early and it's a different game." The Flames and Canucks will have a rematch Saturday in Calgary, the first stop in a six-game road trip for Vancouver.<doc-sep>

Vancouver Canucks vs Calgary Flames Rogers Arena, Vancouver. BC When: 7:00 PM PST Where to watch: SN Where to listen: Sportsnet650 Opposition Blog: Matchsticks And Gasoline The Sedin Era is over. And tonight the Vancouver Canucks officially begin life without two of the greatest to ever don the (insert the myriad of uniform choices here). And with that, we begin a new era. One of players like Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, and Bo Horvat. And while much of the Canucks youth movement is still seasoning in Utica, the future is bright, friends. Believe this. The present day? Hang onto your butts, because this is gonna get ugly. The Canucks have gotten younger, but that’s more because of the median age going down with the retirement of Daniel and Henrik than any additions. And while offensively they are a faster team, this defence still gives me night terrors. And it’s going to be tested big time by a Calgary team that’s a little different than Flames teams we’re accustomed to seeing. They’re younger, faster and are putting together a team that can go toe to toe with anyone in the Pacific Division (though I still think they need to improve their goaltending, as Mike Smith can’t possibly be the answer, right?). Here’s the Canucks lines for tonight (via the Province) Forwards Sven Baertschi – Bo Horvat – Brock Boeser Nikolay Goldobin – Elias Pettersson – Loui Eriksson Tyler Motte – Brandon Sutter – Jake Virtanen Tim Schaller – Jay Beagle – Markus Granlund Defence Alex Edler – Chris Tanev Michael Del Zotto – Troy Stecher Derrick Pouliot – Erik Gudbranson Starting goalie: Jacob Markstrom Sick Bay Antoine Roussel (concussion) Obviously a lot of attention will be focused on Lines 1 and 2, but it will be interesting to watch the 3rd line, with Tyler Motte and Jake Virtanen both needing to bring it on a consistent basis if they hope to stay in Vancouver and not end up getting shuttled down to Utica. I don’t even know what to tell you about that 4th line. I suppose if they end up not being a liability that should be looked at as a victory of sorts. And in an effort to try not to be so negative this season, I am going to say something nice about the defence. Here goes. They’re healthy at the moment. Forwards Jonny Gaudreau – Sean Monahan – Elias Lindholm Dillon Dube – Derek Ryan – James Neal Matthew Tkachuk – Mikael Backlund – Michael Frolik Sam Bennett – Mark Jankowski – Austin Czarnik Defence Mark Giordano – TJ Brodie Noah Hanifin – Travis Hamonic Juuso Valimaki – Michael Stone Starting goalie: Mike Smith Sick Bay None As you can see this is a much different Flames team, with a lot of new faces. The Flames did a fabulous job in the off-season, and have a nice blend of youth and experience, skill and grit that should give the Canucks (and other opponents) fits. As mentioned, 36 year old Mike Smith is a question mark and the Flames goaltending depth isn’t a strong suit, but the d-men in front of him should help. This game will come down to the offensively challenged Canucks trying to convert on opportunities and hoping that Jacob Markstrom can hold down the fort with a porous d-core in front of him. GAME DAY BATTLE HYMN Irish thrashers Gama Bomb are set to unleash a new album on AFM Records ‘Speed Between The Lines’ October 12th, and have released a couple videos from it so far. I’m a big fan of their Exodus-inspired riff fests, and can’t wait to hear the entire album. Enjoy the game and make sure to swing by the game thread!

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona -- At a time when big-box retailers are trying to offer the same conveniences as their online competitors, the biggest U.S. grocery chain is testing the use of driverless cars to deliver groceries in a Phoenix suburb.Kroger's pilot program launched Thursday morning with a robotic vehicle parked outside one of its own Fry's supermarkets in Scottsdale. A store clerk loaded the back seat with full grocery bags. A man was in the driver's seat and another was in the front passenger seat with a laptop. Both were there to monitor the car's performance.Under the self-driving service, shoppers can order same-day or next-day delivery online or on a mobile app for a flat rate of about $6. After the order is placed, a driverless vehicle will deliver the groceries curbside, requiring customers to be present to fetch them. The vehicles will probably be opened with a numeric code.Currently, Kroger is operating with Toyota Prius vehicles. During the next phase of testing in the fall, deliveries will be made by a completely autonomous vehicle with no human aboard.Cincinnati-based Kroger Co., is partnering with Nuro, a Silicon Valley startup founded by two engineers who worked on autonomous vehicles at Google. "Our goal is to save people time, while operating safely and learning how we can further improve the experience," Nuro co-founder Dave Ferguson said in a statement.The Google autonomous vehicle project is called Waymo, which started a similar pilot program last month at Walmart stores in Phoenix. In that case, self-driving vehicles transport customers to and from their selected Walmart location to pick up online grocery orders.That is not the only venture Waymo has in metropolitan Phoenix. Waymo has been trying out a service where bus and light rail riders can order an autonomous car to their nearest transit stop. Employees with Valley Metro, the agency that manages Phoenix-area transit lines, are currently serving as test riders. The project, started earlier this month, has Waymo employees gathering data from test drives, the agency said.Arizona continues to be a testing ground for self-driving technology, despite a fatal crash involving an autonomous vehicle earlier this year.A self-driving Uber SUV struck and killed a woman in March in the Phoenix suburb of Tempe. The 49-year-old was crossing a darkened road outside of a crosswalk. But a National Transportation and Safety Board investigation showed the backup driver had been streaming a television show for more than 40 minutes before the accident, while the vehicle was in autonomous mode.Uber later ended the testing of self-driving cars in Arizona. But the company has since relaunched its autonomous vehicles in Pittsburgh.<doc-sep>Nuro, an autonomous vehicle startup focused on local deliveries, has partnered with 135-year-old grocery retailer Kroger to offer same-day deliveries. The two have yet to announce which market this will be live in, but the plan is to launch the several-month-long pilot this fall. Nuro’s intent is to use its self-driving technology in the last mile for the delivery of local goods and services. That could be things like groceries, dry cleaning, an item you left at a friend’s house or really anything within city limits that can fit inside one of Nuro’s vehicles. Nuro has two compartments that can fit up to six grocery bags each. When it came to going to market, Nuro co-founder and President Dave Ferguson told me groceries were most exciting to him. And Kroger particularly stood out because of its smart shelf technology and partnership with Ocado around automated fulfillment centers. “With the pilot, we’re excited about getting more experience interacting with real customers and understanding exactly what they want,” Ferguson said. “The things they love about it, the things they don’t love as much. As an organization for us, it’s also very valuable for us to have to exercise our operational muscle.” Throughout the pilot program, Nuro will be looking to see how accurate its estimated delivery times are, how the public reacts to the vehicles and how regular, basic cars interact with self-driving ones. The pilot will be live in just one market, but Kroger has 2,800 stores nationwide, so Nuro sees the partnership as an opportunity to reach the vast majority of America. Kroger already offers same-day delivery to 75 percent of its customers. With Nuro on board, the idea is to deploy the self-driving cars in areas where Kroger has yet to offer delivery services. “We want to be available to every single customer of ours,” Kroger Chief Digital Officer Yael Cosset told TechCrunch. On the customer side, the experience will surely be different from what they’re used to. Currently, Kroger customers expect the grocery delivery drivers to bring their items to their front door. With Nuro’s vehicles, they’ll only go as far as curbside. “This is an area where we’re going to learn a lot from the pilot,” Cosset said. “We have theories and assumptions about high density and low density and we want to see how that plays out.” Cosset went on to describe how he doesn’t see the current model for delivery and autonomous vehicle-powered delivery as mutually exclusive. “We believe they’re complementary,” Cosset said. “We may realize the optimal time to use autonomous vehicles is between 10 – 11 in the morning and the rest of the day have a fully staffed model.” Down the road, Nuro will continue looking at additional partners for its local delivery ambitions. Although Nuro is excited about the partnership with Kroger, it’s not an exclusive one. “Given we’re a startup, we can’t afford to put our eggs in one basket,” Ferguson said. “But we do have the full intention of going big with Kroger and trying to do as much as we can together.” Other potential partners for Nuro may include those like local dry cleaners, bakeries and florists. “I think the only way realistically to do that is to provide a way for customers to access all of these local services through one spot,” Ferguson said. “That way, we’ll be able to collectively provide this local community delivery service and have some way to get all these local businesses within the same experience.”<doc-sep>U.S. supermarket operator Kroger said it will start testing driverless grocery delivery on Thursday with technology partner Nuro at a single Fry's Food Store in Scottsdale, Arizona. Kroger and rival Walmart each have teamed up with autonomous vehicle companies in a bid to lower the high-cost of "last-mile" deliveries to customer doorsteps, as online retailer Amazon.com rolls out free Whole Foods delivery for subscribers to its Prime perks program. "Kroger wants to bring more customers the convenience of affordable grocery delivery," said Kroger Chief Digital Officer Yael Cosset, who added that the test will also gauge consumer demand for the service. The first phase of the test will use a fleet of Toyota Prius cars equipped with Nuro technology. Those cars have seats for humans who can override autonomous systems in the event of an error or emergency. Nuro's R1 driverless delivery van, which has no seats, will begin testing this autumn, the companies said. "While we compete final certification and testing of the R1, the Prius will be delivering groceries and helping us improve the overall service," a Nuro spokeswoman said. Self-driving car delivery from the Fry's store will cost $5.95 with no minimum order. It is only available at addresses within the store's zip code of 85257, Kroger said. Walmart and Alphabet Inc's self-driving car company Waymo are partnering to test a service that shuttles Phoenix shoppers to stores to collect online grocery orders. (Reporting by Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) Related Video:<doc-sep>

Enlarge Image Nuro When Kroger and Nuro first announced their driverless grocery delivery partnership, the two companies didn't say where the pilot program would kick off. Now, we know -- it's Scottsdale! Kroger and Nuro announced this week that the autonomous delivery service has launched in Scottsdale, Arizona. It's limited to a single Fry's Food Stores location at the moment, but the program has already started, so people who live nearby can start placing grocery orders and they'll arrive in a driverless vehicle. Using the Fry's Food Stores app or website, you can place grocery orders and check whether or not there's an open slot for autonomous delivery. If there is, you can book either same-day or next-day delivery, and boom -- an autonomous vehicle will arrive at your home. Most of the press surrounding this partnership has focused on Nuro's R1 driverless vehicle, which is a pod-like vehicle built solely for carrying things. While the R1 will be included in this program, it won't start making deliveries until the fall. For now, a self-driving Prius will show up at your door instead. That's a little less fun. When the R1 launches, you'll have to enter a code on the side of the vehicle, which will reveal the groceries hidden inside. It's unclear how the process works with the Prius. Thankfully, it's not too expensive to have one of Nuro's vehicles bring your groceries home. The delivery itself will cost $5.95, and there's no minimum of groceries. So if you only want to order a 2-liter of soda, go for it.

Alex Brandon/Associated Press There are some fresh faces in this year's Final Four, which begins with the national semifinals at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday night. No. 3 seed Texas Tech and No. 5 seed Auburn are each making the first Final Four appearance in program history, while No. 1 seed Virginia will be there for the first time since 1984. No. 2 seed Michigan State is in the Final Four for the first time since 2015. The Spartans are the only one of the four teams to have ever won an men's NCAA tournament national championship, as they did it in 1979 and 2000. That means there's a solid chance this season will end with a first-time champion being crowned. Bracket Video Play Button Videos you might like Final Four Schedule Saturday No. 5 Auburn vs. No. 1 Virginia, 6:09 p.m., CBS No. 3 Texas Tech vs. No. 2 Michigan State, 8:49 p.m., CBS Matchups to Watch Bryce Brown vs. Virginia's perimeter defenders Charlie Riedel/Associated Press Virginia is a tough team to beat, as it plays a slow-tempo, defense-first style of basketball. That's why the Cavaliers have only lost six games over the past two seasons. But if Auburn can learn anything from studying film from Virginia's rare losses, it's that three-point shooting could be the key to beating the Cavs. It's tough to score in the paint against Virginia, and its defenders will often let opposing teams shoot from long range. Knock down those shots, and Auburn could not only be in the game, but also pull off an upset win in the Final Four. That's why senior guard Bryce Brown will be important to the Tigers' game plan. Brown is the team's leading scorer at 15.8 points per game, and he's also made the most three-pointers, shooting 137-of-334 (41 percent) from behind the arc. Brown has been a key part of Auburn's March Madness success. He scored 25 points and shot 7-of-11 from three-point range in the second-round win over No. 4 Kansas. On Sunday, Brown tallied 24 points in an overtime win over No. 2 seed Kentucky in the Elite Eight. Auburn will need to execute its game plan near perfectly in order to topple Virginia, and Brown knocking down some key outside shots should be a big part of that. Cassius Winston vs. Jarrett Culver Harry How/Getty Images It's no secret who the offensive leaders are for No. 2 Michigan State and No. 3 Texas Tech. And it will be exciting to see Spartans guard Cassius Winston and Red Raiders guard Jarrett Culver on the same court on Saturday night. Winston leads Michigan State in points per game (18.8), assists per game (7.5) and three-pointers made (82). Culver leads Texas Tech in points (18.9), rebounds (6.4) and assists (3.8) per game. Winston is a prolific ball-handler who excels at driving inside, then either scoring, drawing a foul or dishing the ball to one of his teammates. He had 20 points and 10 assists in Michigan State's Elite Eight win over No. 1 seed Duke. The key to beating Texas Tech is stopping Culver and preventing him from executing the Red Raiders' game plan. If both Winston and Culver play at the level they're capable of, this could be an exciting, back-and-forth matchup between these two teams.<doc-sep>5 of 12 Harry How/Getty Images Defense Wins Championships? In each of the previous 17 seasons of KenPom history, the national champion finished the NCAA tournament ranked in the top 18 in adjusted defensive efficiency. Defense has always been a key piece of the puzzle in the Big Dance. However, the best defense rarely wins. While the champ always ranks in the top 18, it's usually outside the top four. The only exceptions were 2008 Kansas and 2013 Louisville, each of which was No. 1 in AdjDE that year. Virginia (No. 5) and Michigan State (No. 8) are in that sweet spot, but Texas Tech—after blowing out Michigan in the Sweet 16—is far and away the most efficient defense in the country. As previously mentioned, the Red Raiders now have the most efficient D in KenPom history. Can they ride that to a title or will they flame out in the Final Four like the top-ranked defenses of 2017 Gonzaga, 2015 Kentucky and 2012 Louisville did? If it's Texas Tech vs. Virginia for all the marbles, will either team score 45 points? And would that pairing change college basketball as we know it, turning team defense into the No. 1 priority for every coach? Best Run Ever? Just to get to this point, Auburn had to go through Kansas, North Carolina and Kentucky in succession. Those teams have 6,830 wins, 52 Final Fours and 17 national championships between them. (For Auburn, this is the first Final Four in school history and also the first season with at least 30 wins.) Even the opener against 30-4 New Mexico State was never expected to be a gimme for the Tigers. One could easily make the case this has already been the most impressive run to the Final Four that we have ever seen. Maybe George Mason going through Michigan State, North Carolina, Wichita State and Connecticut as a No. 11 seed in 2006 was better, but that's probably it. So if Auburn goes on to win it all—adding a victory over No. 1 Virginia and either No. 2 Michigan State or No. 3 Texas Tech to its list of accomplishments—that has to be the best championship run ever, right? Save your 1997 Arizona arguments. I know that's the only team to beat three No. 1 seeds in the same tournament, but the Wildcats' other three games were against teams seeded No. 10, No. 12 and No. 13. That is probably the best title run of the 64/65/68-team era, and it wouldn't even compare to what Auburn could boast with two more victories. First Championship Ever? Neither Auburn nor Texas Tech has ever been to the Final Four before this year. Virginia hasn't been there since 1984, and it didn't play in the championship game in either of its trips to the Final Four. Both Auburn and Texas Tech are attempting to do the nearly impossible, as 51 of the last 52 national champions had played in at least one Final Four before winning it all. The only one to buck that trend was Connecticut in 1999, and those Huskies didn't exactly come out of nowhere. In the nine seasons before breaking through, they made it to the Sweet 16 six times and got to the Elite Eight three times. Auburn (in 1986) and Texas Tech (last year) had each only been to the Elite Eight once before this year. Still, if we assume these teams are equals at this point, there's a 75 percent chance some team is going to be winning its first men's basketball championship. And even if it's the other team (Michigan State) that gets the job done, it'll be the first time since 2000 that the Big Ten has won it all. Either way, some long slump is about to end. From Worst to Best? Virginia made infamous history last year by becoming the first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 seed in the men's NCAA tournament. Tony Bennett's pack-line D was already getting a stigma as a system that couldn't produce a national championship, and that loss raised the doubts to the umpteenth power. But now Virginia is in the Final Four and is the remaining favorite to win it all. If the Cavaliers—with largely the same roster—can go from losing to UMBC in one tournament to losing to nobody in the next one, it would be one of the most incredible rebounds in any sport ever. I can't even think of a comparable one-year transition from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs.<doc-sep>A No. 1, a No. 2 , a No. 3 and a No. 5. Virginia, Michigan State, Texas Tech and Auburn. That's one of the more random Final Fours we've had. And that's OK! In fact, maybe it's even good. I like my Final Fours zesty and unpredictable. That's what we've got here, even if there's nothing wacky from a seed perspective like a No. 7, No. 8, No. 9, No. 10 or No. 11 moving on -- which was a feature, not a bug, of every Final Four since 2013. Now the Final Four crashers are Texas Tech and Auburn, which have 30 wins apiece but are the two programs making their debuts on college basketball's ultimate stage. The Cavaliers, Spartans, Red Raiders and Tigers survived the second weekend to make a march to Minneapolis after what was arguably the best quartet of Elite Eight games in NCAA Tournament history. Looking back And so before we set the Final Four table, an ode on what just happened on Saturday and Sunday, because it wouldn't feel right to move on before giving credence to a terrific set of regional finals. Thrilling games. Vintage tournament-type memories and images. The kind of stuff the fans of schools on the right and wrong end of those outcomes will not forget. I do think it was the best Elite Eight weekend in tournament history. By pure numbers, it's got a good case: the four games were settled by a combined 18 points. That comes out to 4.5 points per margin of victory/defeat, making it the tightest in history in that round of the tournament. Plus, two of the four games went to overtime, the Virginia-Purdue affair doing so on one of the more memorable buzzer-beating chaos sequences you'll ever see. Chills still. The other two games that didn't require overtime were decided be seven points total. Here's how I would rank the four games: Purdue goes down after getting the second 42-point performance from Carsen Edwards in this tournament. His 28 3-pointers in four games are the most in a single NCAA Tournament in the history of the event. I was courtside and on tenterhooks at what Edwards was providing and how Virginia was counterpunching. Michigan State's poise -- that 3 from Kenny Goins to take the lead for good with 34.3 to go was pure -- and capability to end the Duke story was impressive. Only seven turnovers for Sparty, while Cassius Winston had 20 points, 10 assists and one turnover. Only other MSU players to have 20 and 10 in a tournament game: Magic Johnson and Draymond Green. Hello. The TTU and Auburn wins were dramatic and compelling for their own reasons. But all told, given the knockout nature of the bluebloods, the fact that all four games were close throughout, that we had all-time performances and even a buzzer-beater, I think it nudges past the epic 2005 Elite Eight that featured Illinois' ridiculous 90-89 comeback over Arizona in OT; Louisville's 83-85 OT win against West Virginia; UNC's 88-82 staving of Wisconsin; and Michigan State's 94-88 win over Kentucky in double overtime, featuring the Patrick Sparks 3-pointer that extended the game. Looking ahead College football relies on Clemson and Alabama like clockwork to make the College Football Playoff. The Golden State Warriors are, barring a seismic upset, winning another NBA title this year. The New England Patriots, minimally, are likely to yet again make the NFL's final four come 2020. The NCAA Tournament doesn't play by those rules. And that's why it rules. The first weekend of the tourney turned out predictable, which set up a second weekend that paid off in a big way. Now the Final Four is a mixed bag. There's the letdown of not having a Kentucky or Duke or Gonzaga -- but now we've got really good stories to focus in on. New blood! This is the first Final Four of Virginia coach Tony Bennett's career. He's no longer the best coach in college basketball without a Final Four on his résumé. He did it 19 years after his father made his one and only Final Four -- and what a powerful story that's turned out to be. This is a Final Four filled with newbies. Texas Tech's Chris Beard and Auburn's Bruce Pearl are also here for the first time in their careers. Beard and Pearl's programs, as noted above, are also into the national semifinals for the first time. Contrast that with the man whose last name is a synonym for March: Tom Izzo. He's back here for the eighth time in his career. Might this is the Big Ten's best chance to win a national title since 2000? It's also the last time the Big Ten had a champ; MSU took it that year, of course. Izzo got here by winning his ninth Elite Eight game in 11 tries. As a school, MSU has a weird dichotomy. It's 9-2 record in Elite Eight games is the best in college basketball history of all schools with at least five trips to the regional final. But MSU's success in winning the title after making the Final Four: 2 for 9. Can this be title No. 2 for Izzo? You'll also hear a lot about how this Final Four lacks a one-and-done player. The four teams are not only without that, 15 of the 20 starters on Saturday night will be juniors or seniors. It's a Final Four of experienced players but inexperienced coaches and programs -- mostly -- on this stage. It's also the first Final Four in 12 years without a school from Kansas, Kentucky or North Carolina involved. Given how feverish those states' fan bases are with their college hoops, the ticket demand in Minneapolis will be worth tracking. Michigan State figures to have an advantage in fan support, but Texas Tech could prove to show up in stronger numbers than you might think. If Tech or Auburn can win this thing, they'll become the first time since UConn in 1999 to win the national title as a first-time guest at the Final Four. Before you go doubting Auburn, take this into account: it just beat Kansas, UNC and Kentucky to get here. The only other time that's ever happened was in 1997. Arizona won the title that year. It's not a dream Final Four but it is one that will give us a compelling story, potentially even a controversial one, no matter who wins. And given the way these four teams are tough, physical and reliable defensively, we have a better-than-average chance of getting more close-if-not-great games to wrap up the season. That's the most important part. You can wish for the hype and the stars and the biggest schools and usual suspects, but in the end, once we get to the games, we want close finishes and memorable moments and something that can give college basketball its best finish. And more often than not, college basketball gives us just that.<doc-sep>

Patrick Semansky/Associated Press Are your brackets busted now? There's a good chance of that because three of the No. 1 seeds have been eliminated. North Carolina went down at the hands of Auburn, Gonzaga was ousted by Texas Tech and the Duke Blue Devils were eliminated in a heavyweight title fight by the Michigan State Spartans in the last of the Elite Eight games Sunday. While all of those teams, along with the top-seeded Virginia Cavaliers, can feel proud of their accomplishments, the preparations for the Final Four in Minneapolis have started for all concerned. Auburn and Virginia will meet in the first national semifinal game at 6:09 p.m. ET Saturday, while Michigan State and Texas Tech will engage at 8:49 p.m the same day. Both games will be televised by CBS and can be live-streamed via March Madness Live. Auburn vs. Virginia Video Play Button Videos you might like Auburn is playing sensational basketball right now, as the Tigers have found their stride in a tournament that started with a one-point triumph over New Mexico State. Virginia was on life support in the final seconds of the Elite Eight matchup against Purdue, but it forced the game into overtime with a buzzer-beater and went on to win. Auburn is playing without sophomore star forward Chuma Okeke after he tore his ACL in the Sweet 16 win over North Carolina, and that is bound to be a major issue in the Final Four. "I'm so glad we came out and battled the whole entire 40 minutes for Chuma," said Auburn's Bryce Brown, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com). "If he was out there, he would have made a huge difference." Somehow the Tigers managed to overcome Kentucky without Okeke, but finding a way to beat Virginia and the Michigan State-Texas Tech winner could be out of reach. Both Auburn and Virginia love to fire up three-point attempts, with the Tigers getting 43.4 percent of their points on three-point attempts and the Cavs ranking fifth in three-point percentage. Jared Harper and Bryce Brown are the top three-point shooters for Auburn, while Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome and De'Andre Hunter will all light it up from beyond the arc for Virginia. Auburn had no issues letting Kentucky rise up and shoot from distance, with the Wildcats making just five of 21 three-point attempts. If Auburn lets Virginia shoot at will, though, it will likely fall way behind. Virginia will also make life difficult for Auburn on the defensive end because head coach Tony Bennett's team rank first in fewest points allowed per game. That powerful defense, along with Virginia's oft-underrated offense, will make it difficult for Auburn to get past the Cavaliers. Michigan State-Texas Tech The Spartans had a scare in the first round against Bradley, but they have been on top of their game since then. Head coach Tom Izzo has to be thrilled that he is taking his team to the Final Four because Michigan State was pushed to the limit by Duke. Izzo probably doesn't believe it because his team had lost 11 of 12 matchups with the Blue Devils prior to the Elite Eight victory. Once Izzo starts his Final Four preparations, he is likely to stop smiling because the Spartans have to prepare for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Texas Tech plays a ferocious brand of defense, and the Red Raiders are likely to make life difficult for Cassius Winston, Xavier Tillman and Nick Ward. Those players and Matt McQuaid give the Spartans one of the most balanced offensive teams in the nation, and that's the only thing that can help them against the Red Raiders. If Texas Tech has to stop one or two players, that's not an issue. If it's three or more, then the opponents have a better chance. Winston is Michigan State's best player, and he got an excellent endorsement from Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com): "Winston was the difference-maker. He was either scoring or assisting. He's the best guard we've played against." Jarrett Culver is the key to Texas Tech's offense, and he is a big-time scorer averaging 18.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. He gets help from Davide Moretti and Matt Mooney, who are both averaging in double figures. The Spartans have the history and the skill on offense to push Texas Tech's defense more than any other opponent. Michigan State will run on occasion, but its offense is based on execution and not explosiveness.

Full results from Free Practice 2 for the Belgian Grand Prix at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, round 13 of the 2018 Formula 1 season.<doc-sep>Last updated on .From the section Formula 1 Follow live audio and text commentary of the second practice session on the BBC Sport website from 13:30 BST Sebastian Vettel set the fastest time in first practice at the Belgian Grand Prix as the Formula 1 season restarted after its summer break. The Ferrari driver headed Red Bull's Max Verstappen and championship leader Lewis Hamilton, whose Mercedes was 0.318 seconds off Vettel's pace. Hamilton leads Vettel by 24 points with nine races left. Hamilton's team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who was fifth, will start from the back because of engine penalties. Mick Schumacher - My dad is my idol Both Mercedes drivers have new, upgraded engines for this weekend and that has taken the Finn over the permitted number of some parts for the season. Mercedes will expect him to be able to fight through the field into a strong points position on a track on which it is relatively easy to overtake. Renault's Nico Hulkenberg will also start from the back for the same reason. Ferrari also have their final, upgraded new-spec engine in both cars this weekend. It was a relatively uneventful session, although Verstappen ran wide through the ultra-fast double-left Pouhon corner towards the end of the session, without causing any damage. Behind Hamilton, Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, the early pace-setter in the session on a track where he always goes well, was fourth, ahead of Bottas and Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo, who managed only one flying lap at the end of the session as a result of engine injector problems. Further back, Lando Norris made an apparently accomplished race weekend debut for McLaren, driving Fernando Alonso's car for this first session. The 18-year-old Briton had an incident-free session on his way to 18th fastest time on the slowest medium tyre, just under 0.1secs quicker than team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne on the faster soft. At 7.004km long, Spa is the longest current F1 circuit However, McLaren's hopes of forming an impression of their relative pace - as they assess who to employ as their second driver following the signing of Carlos Sainz to replace Alonso next season - were dashed because Vandoorne had a session troubled by technical problems. McLaren sporting director Gil de Ferran said: "We have been investing in Lando for a fair few years and we are trying to give him as much exposure as possible. "This is an opportunity for him to drive on a grand prix weekend, with a lot more people on the track, a lot of track evolution and a completely different downforce level. We keep walking the development road." Esteban Ocon, driving for a Force India team under new ownership after being rescued from administration earlier this month, was best of the rest in seventh. Hulkenberg, the second Force India of Sergio Perez and Sainz completed the top 10.<doc-sep>Full results from Free Practice 3 for the Belgian Grand Prix at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, round 13 of the 2018 Formula 1 season.<doc-sep>Sebastian Vettel drives during the first practice session at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. SEBASTIAN Vettel edged out Max Verstappen in first practice at the Belgian GP as F1 returned to the track following the sport’s unexpectedly eventful summer break. On the morning title rivals Ferrari and Mercedes introduced upgraded engines, Vettel topped a Practice One session for the first time this season with a best lap of 1:44.358 to give the Scuderia the perfect start to a Spa weekend Sky F1’s Martin Brundle has labelled a “must-win” event for the team. Get 3 months free Sport HD + Entertainment on a 12 month plan and watch the FIA Formula One 2018 Johnnie Walker Belgian Grand Prix Live & Exclusive with no ad-breaks during racing on FOX SPORTS. T&Cs apply. SIGN UP NOW > TV GUIDE: Watch the Formula 1 Belgian GP LIVE on FOX SPORTS FACE THE PRESS: Ricciardo reveals truths behind his shock Red Bull exit Ferrari and Mercedes are expected to fight it out for top honours on a circuit that heavily rewards engine power but Red Bull’s Verstappen was second-quickest on Friday morning ahead of championship leader Lewis Hamilton in the lead W09. Sebastian Vettel gets ready in the pits before the first practice session. Source: AFP “Ferrari were right on it but Mercedes are right there too,” said Brundle. Hamilton was three tenths back on Vettel and just ahead of Kimi Raikkonen and the other Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas. Bottas’ weekend, however, has already been compromised by a big engine penalty for exceeding power unit limits for the season. After stunning the sport with news of his 2019 Renault move during the summer break, Daniel Ricciardo made a low-key return to action for Red Bull as engine problems restricted his mileage to one timed lap at the end of the session. “It looks like a fuel injection issue,” said Christian Horner to Sky F1. Fernando Alonso, who is quitting the sport at the end of the year, sat out the opening session while McLaren trialed British youngster Lando Norris as they continue to evaluate their options for next season. Daniel Ricciardo made a low-key return to action for Red Bull. Source: AFP The 18-year-old enjoyed an accomplished F1 practice debut and finished fractionally faster than team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne on slower tyres, although the Belgian’s session was beset by reliability problems on his MCL33 and he finished slowest of all. Meanwhile, although technically a ‘new’ team, Force India returned to the circuit for the first time since the outfit’s change in ownership and enjoyed an encouraging start to the weekend, with Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez seventh and ninth-fastest respectively. Force India and Williams are also running Mercedes’ new ‘Spec Three’ engine this weekend. Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg was ninth, but he will join Bottas in starting Sunday’s race from the back of the field after also exceeding engine allowances for the season. Belgian GP Practice One Timesheet Driver — Team — Tyres — Time Sebastian Vettel — Ferrari — Softs — 1:44.358 Max Verstappen — Red Bull — Softs — + 0.151 Lewis Hamilton — Mercedes — Softs — + 0.318 Kimi Raikkonen — Ferrari — Softs — + 0.360 Valtteri Bottas — Mercedes — Mediums — + 0.366 Daniel Ricciardo — Red Bull — Supersofts — + 1.200 Esteban Ocon — Force India — Supersofts — + 1.428 Nico Hulkenberg — Renault — Supersofts — + 1.593 Sergio Perez — Force India — Supersofts — + 1.811 Carlos Sainz — Renault — Supersofts — + 1.852 Pierre Gasly — Toro Rosso — Softs — + 1.942 Romain Grosjean — Haas — Supersofts — + 2.029 Charles Leclerc — Sauber — Supersofts — + 2.196 Marcus Ericsson — Sauber — Supersofts — + 2.199 Brendon Hartley — Toro Rosso — Softs — + 2.574 Lance Stroll — Williams — Supersofts — + 2.607 Kevin Magnussen — Haas — Supersofts — + 2.654 Lando Norris — McLaren — Mediums — + 3.006 Sergey Sirotkin — Williams — Supersofts — + 3.009 Stoffel Vandoorne — McLaren — Softs — + 3.094 This article originally appeared on Sky Sports<doc-sep>

Sebastian Vettel led a Ferrari 1-2 in the third practice session for the Belgian GP. SEBASTIAN Vettel headed an impressive Ferrari one-two in final practice at the Belgian GP as the championship chasers continued to outpace title leaders Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton. Ferrari have now headed all three practice sessions at an event for the first time this season and, while their P3 margin over Mercedes was a mere 0.137s over the season’s longest lap, they appear the team to beat heading into qualifying. Get 3 months free Sport HD + Entertainment on a 12 month plan and watch the FIA Formula One 2018 Johnnie Walker Belgian Grand Prix Live & Exclusive with no ad-breaks during racing on FOX SPORTS. T&Cs apply. SIGN UP NOW > TV GUIDE: Watch the Formula 1 Belgian GP LIVE on FOX SPORTS FACE THE PRESS: Ricciardo reveals truths behind his shock Red Bull exit Friday pacesetter Kimi Raikkonen had proved the quicker of the Ferraris for much of P3, but Vettel edged ahead by 0.063 with a new fastest lap of the weekend - 1:42.661. Hamilton, who leads Vettel by 24 points and won at Spa last year, was third and still appears in the hunt to battle the Ferraris for pole. Further comparisons at the end of the season were scuppered by a red-flag when Stoffel Vandoorne spun into the barriers on the Kemmel Straight after attempting to overtake the second Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas. The McLaren was much faster than the Mercedes into the straight, but Bottas took the normal racing line just as Vandoorne was attempting to overtake on the outside and the McLaren ran onto the grass and spun across the circuit. “What the hell was that Mercedes doing?” said Vandoorne. “He pushed me onto the grass?” Bottas said over the radio: “Okay, I didn’t see him.” Vandoorne, who brushed the barriers, had been attempting to follow team-mate Fernando Alonso, who was ahead of Bottas, with McLaren practising tows during P3 in an attempt to find more straight-line speed. The stewards are investigating the incident after the session. Bottas, who was fourth fastest, is starting at the back of the field owing to engine penalties. Meanwhile, Red Bull lapped closer to the pace of the midfield runners than Ferrari and Mercedes with Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo 1.4s and 1.8s off the leading pace respectively. The impressive Charles Leclerc was seventh for Sauber ahead of the Force Indias and Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg, who also has an engine penalty and will start on the back row next to Bottas. This article originally appeared on Sky Sports

It’s the first field action for the 2018 Raiders and the first time Jon Gruden will take to the Raiders sideline in 15 years. He couldn’t be more excited about his return to Oakland Coliseum and the fans share that excitement. This one will only the see the starters for a short time before they give way to the depth players and roster hopefuls, giving us our first best look at what kind of talent there is fighting for playing time and roster spots. Game details: Oakland Raiders vs Detroit Lions Location: Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland CA Game time: Friday, August 10, 7:30pm Pacific (10:30 pm ET) TV channel: Raiders broadcast - KTVU (FOX/2 - San Francisco/Oakland), KQCA (My/58 - Sacramento), KTLA (CW/5 - Los Angeles), KVVU (FOX/5 - Las Vegas), KHON (CW/2.2 - Honolulu). Lions broadcast - WJBK (FOX/2 - Detroit), WNEM (CBS/5 - Saginaw), WSYM (FOX/47 - Lansing), WXMI (FOX/17 - Grand Rapids), WFQX (FOX/32 - Traverse City MI), WUPW (FOX/36 - Toledo OH) (Do I get the game?) Online streaming: NFL Game Pass Preseason live Radio: 95.7 The Game, 98.5 KFOX (Greg Papa, Tom Flores) | Full listings Announcers: Raiders broadcast - Beth Mowins, Matt Millen. Rich Gannon. Lions broadcast - Matt Shepard, Chris Spielman Enemy blog: Pride of Detroit Twitter: @SilverBlakPride Facebook: Please like us!<doc-sep>The Detroit Lions have a new head coach – Matt Patricia – and their first home preseason game of the 2018 season on the schedule for tonight, hosting a marquee team. It's the New York Giants vs. Detroit Lions in NFL Preseason 2018 action. Patricia, 43, is a native of New York, hired as the latest effort to get Detroit's football to the playoffs. Giants quarterback Eli Manning was reportedly sharp in practice this week and is expected to see limited action tonight in Detroit. These NFL preseason games can be tricky to find on TV because they are not always broadcast by the same usual networks. So, you will want to check out how, where to watch below for the Giants vs. Lions tonight. Game Time: 7 p.m. ET TV Channels For New York: WNBC (NBC/4 - New York; WNYT (NBC/13 - Albany) ; WSTM (NBC/3 - Syracuse) ; WFXV (FOX/33 - Utica) ; WICZ (FOX/40 - Binghamton) ; WETM (NBC/18 - Elmira) ; WCCT (CW/20 - Hartford) ; WFFF (FOX/44 - Burlington VT) TV Channels for Detroit : WJBK (FOX/2 - Detroit) ; WNEM (CBS/5 - Saginaw) ; WSYM (FOX/47 - Lansing) ; WXMI (FOX/17 - Grand Rapids) ; WFQX (FOX/32 - Traverse City MI) ; WUPW (FOX/36 - Toledo OH) ; WJMN (CBS/3 - Escanaba MI) Live Streaming : fuboTV ( try it free with seven-day trial); NFL.com GamePass Odds : Detroit -3; over/under 40 Notes: *The Lions and Giants held joint practices this week, working for several days in Detroit. *The Giants offense, with Manning, was reportedly very sharp, with Manning perfect in completions his initial series. *The Giants are predicted as a question mark this season, with ESPN projecting a record of 8-8. The Lions are projected to finish at 9-7, which could get Patricia into the playoffs as a first-year coach.<doc-sep>EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 01: New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) back to pass during New York Giants Training Camp on August 1, 2018 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) 5 games to watch this weekend: Chelsea vs Arsenal and more 5 games to watch this weekend: Chelsea vs Arsenal and more by Adam Stocker Dolphins at Panthers live stream: TV schedule, time and more by Rucker Haringey The Giants and Lions will tangle in NFL preseason action tomorrow. Find out what time they will play, what network they’ll be on, etc. The New York Giants and the Detroit Lions will tangle in preseason action on Aug. 17, and for Giants fans, it will be a game that will present some interest. Coming off of a disastrous season that questioned how much longer Eli Manning has left in the tank, but the Giants re-tooled their team this offseason in the hopes of returning to contender status in the NFC East. The one obstacle that could stand in the way of that goal is the health of their star wide receiver, Odell Beckham Jr., who returned to the practice field recently and has proclaimed that he is 100 percent back from ankle surgery. For the sake of the Giants offense, he better be right. When: Friday, August 17 Where: Ford Field, Detroit, MI Time: 7:00 p.m. ET Watch on TV: WCBS (NY), WJBK (Detroit), NFL Network Watch Online: FuboTV, NFL GamePass (subscription required) Don’t think that this preseason tug-of-war won’t be interesting for the Lions, either. Detroit is looking like a team that has all of the chess pieces together to make a run in the NFC, only to either: A) Falter in the Wild Card Game or, B) Not make the playoffs at all. This is becoming frustrating for Lions fans, who are salivating at the chance for Matthew Stafford to finally lead this team to the promise land — or, at least the NFC Championship Game. Is this too hard to ask, Detroit? Can you give the fans that, instead of perennial disappointment? Like what has been the norm for the past four seasons? In short, both of these teams have a lot to play for, and a lot to prove, which makes this preseason game a much enticing matchup on a Friday night.<doc-sep>

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 10: A Detroit Lions cheerleader performs during a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Ford Field on September 10, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) The Detroit Lions will kick off their preseason home opener on Friday night when they face off against the New York Giants in Motown. The Detroit Lions will take on the New York Giants this Friday night, in their preseason opener at Ford Field. The Lions are coming off a close 16-10 loss to the Oakland Raiders in their first preseason game of the year which took place last week. Detroit showcased their new offensive backfield against the Raiders with running backs LeGarrette Blount and rookie Kerryon Johnson making their Motown debuts. In their second exhibition game, this time against the Giants, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford will likely make his preseason debut in preparation for the regular season. For the Giants, first round running back and the second overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft Saquon Barkley was the talk of their preseason opener in Week One. Starting his career in the Big Apple with a 39-yard Barry Sanders-type run against the Cleveland Browns, Barkley is already a star in New York. Unfortunately, the rookie runner suffered a mild hamstring strain this week and his status for Friday’s preseason matchup is unknown. Here’s What You Need To Know Game: Detroit Lions vs. New York Giants Date: Friday, August 17, 2018 Location: Ford Field – Detroit, Michigan Scheduled Kickoff Time: 7:00 p.m. (ET), 6:00 p.m. (CT), 4:00 p.m. (PT) TV Network: FOX/2 – Detroit Game Announcers: Matt Shepard, Chris Spielman (Bob Papa, Carl Banks) Streaming, Live or Otherwise: NFL Sunday Ticket, NFL Game Pass Radio Links: Sirius XM Radio, TuneIn.com Weather Forecast: PM Thunderstorms, Temperatures – High of 82°F, Low of 68°F, with a 40% chance of rain and winds out of the NW at 8 mph. (Source: weather.com) Detroit Television Broadcast Affiliates (provided by 506sports.com) WJBK (FOX/2 – Detroit) WNEM (CBS/5 – Saginaw) WSYM (FOX/47 – Lansing) WXMI (FOX/17 – Grand Rapids) WFQX (FOX/32 – Traverse City MI) WUPW (FOX/36 – Toledo OH) New York Television Broadcast Affiliates (provided by 506sports.com) WNBC (NBC/4 – New York) WNYT (NBC/13 – Albany) WSTM (NBC/3 – Syracuse) WFXV (FOX/33 – Utica) WICZ (FOX/40 – Binghamton) WETM (NBC/18 – Elmira) WCCT (CW/20 – Hartford) WFFF (FOX/44 – Burlington VT) NFL Network will broadcast replays of the game at the below dates and times … Monday, August 20th – 10:00 AM ET Friday, August 24th – 10:00 AM ET

The story of Becky Lynch battling back to earn a shot at Carmella and the SmackDown women’s championship took a turn when Charlotte returned and put herself right into the picture. Instead of Carmella vs. Becky, it became Carmella vs. Becky vs. Charlotte, and it went down at SummerSlam tonight (Sun., Aug. 19, 2018) at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Carmella tried to sow seeds of dissent within Tea-Generation X early on but Charlotte wouldn’t let Becky lose sight of the fact that “this is competition” and they’re here to wrestle and win a title. They largely held true to that. To her credit, Carmella was spectacularly annoying throughout most of the match, making clear exactly why literally everyone wants her to lose the title to someone they actually like, be it Becky or Charlotte. Triple threat rules: Carmella wasn’t just here to be annoying: But also, Charlotte wasn’t messing around either: They did a bunch of interesting near falls, where everyone was breaking it up for everyone else and they were all presented like legitimately strong threats to win the match. In the end, Becky appeared to have Carmella on the verge of tapping with the Disarmher but Charlotte used it to her advantage, hitting Natural Selection and pinning Lynch just after. After, the two friends hugged. Becky seemed okay with the result. She was not. Lynch snapped, throwing a beatdown Flair’s way and leaving her in a heap on the floor: As Becky walked out with her head high and Charlotte cried, the crowd chanted “you deserve it.” Get complete SummerSlam results and coverage of the entire card here.<doc-sep>With SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella wearing Charlotte Flair’s “Diva” criticism as a badge of honor, it might be time for her to lose the title. When WWE booked Carmella to cash in her Money in the Bank briefcase and beat Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women’s Championship last April, the company knew what they were going to get out of the second-generation wrestler. They knew that she wasn’t going to have catch-as-catch-can classics. Frankly, expecting an average championship match out of Carmella would have been asking too much. No one expected her to turn into a credible top women’s wrestler the second she scored the title-clinching pinfall. She had a simple job: troll the audience by being annoying as possible while playing on the fans’ perception of her as a worker. So far, it has worked. Months of portraying an obnoxious, aggravating, Staten Island Princess finally manifested itself last Tuesday on SmackDown Live, when the reigning SmackDown Women’s Champ stood face-to-face-to-face with the two women who will challenge her for the title at SummerSlam: Flair and Becky Lynch. Photo by WWE’s Twitter While the Flair/Lynch subplot got some shine in the opening segment, the exchange between Flair and the Carmella toward the end became an interesting talking point. Flair’s soliloquy began with the usual babyface bullet points: she derided Carmella for winning her matches using underhanded means, noted that she couldn’t hang with anyone in the women’s division (a bit of a stretch, but not entirely inaccurate), criticized her for digging up James Ellsworth to help her beat Asuka, and stated that those transgressions were why the fans don’t respect her. Flair, however, saved the sharpest barb for last: If you didn’t click on the video, Flair said that Carmella was “a ‘Diva’ living in a women’s era”, playing on the idea that Carmella exhibits many of the characteristics that were commonplace among female wrestlers prior to 2015 (at least on the main roster). Of course, being the image-conscious villain that she is, Carmella embraced the criticism during the segment (and later on Twitter) while implying that she was more attractive than Lynch and Flair. This was good heel heat for Carmella. They know what she was saying is ridiculous. I think people are reading into this too much, so I'm probably going to avoid responding to most of the quotes/replies to this. — Daily DDT (@FanSidedDDT) August 15, 2018 I thought that this was a good way for Carmella to build heel heat for SummerSlam. It makes perfect sense that her character would insult her opponents with that sort of jab. After all, Carmella, in-storyline, is obsessed with the aesthetic value of things, including her championship reign. Carmella is also far from the first wrestler to have an act based around his or her looks. Heck, Impact Wrestling is somewhat doing the same thing with Scarlett Bordeaux as “The Smoke Show”. However, I will echo what my colleague Chelsea Marcus penned about Bordeaux’s gimmick several weeks ago: WWE needs to tread lightly with this. The simplest way to avoid controversy would be to have Carmella lose the title to either Flair or Lynch at SummerSlam. In storytelling, no matter how long the narrative takes, the hero(es) triumph over the antagonist(s) with few exceptions to the rule. Unfortunately, WWE far too often frays from this path; their history is littered with storylines where the dastardly heels get the last word. Remember in 2003 when Triple H suggested that Booker T couldn’t win the world title because he was black and pinned him with a Pedigree and a 10-minute tea party in between? How about when Michelle McCool made fun of Mickie James’ weight for months back in 2009? Guess who won that feud (spoiler: it wasn’t James)? What about Alexa Bliss calling James old or teasing Nia Jax for her size? All of those feuds ended the same way: the heel went over and was proven right in the end. Carmella using Divas-era tropes to draw the crowd’s ire is fine. However, WWE has to make sure that a character that subverts the strides that the women’s division has made while taking potshots at her contemporaries’ perceived lack of beauty (which is inconsequential in a wrestling match) receives her comeuppance. Furthermore, WWE can’t let a character like that participate in a featured match at Evolution, a show meant to illuminate how far women’s wrestling in WWE has come, in October. WWE has gotten as much as they can out of the first Ms. Money in the Bank’s inaugural Women’s Title run. It’s time that they cashed in on that equity this Sunday with a title change.<doc-sep>Carmella defends her SmackDown Women's Championship in a triple threat match for the first time this weekend, which also happens to be the first ever women's triple threat match in the history of SummerSlam. Carmella has had the help of James Ellsworth at both Money in the Bank and Extreme Rules but after he was fired from SmackDown Live a few weeks ago, The Princess of Staten Island has been forced to go it alone and is now aware that she doesn't have to be pinned to lose her Championship this weekend when she steps in the ring against two former Champions. Charlotte Flair is a six-time Women's Champion whilst Becky Lynch was the inaugural SmackDown Women's Champion after she won the title at Backlash in 2016, but hasn't been able to lift the Championship since. Tension is running high between Tea-Generation X members Charlotte and Becky and right now it's unknown which woman could come out on top. #5 Charlotte makes history Charlotte Flair has dominated the Women's Divison for the past three years If Charlotte Flair is able to pick up the win at SummerSlam she will become the first woman since Trish Stratus to become a seven-time Women's Champion. Charlotte has dominated WWE ever since she arrived back in 2013 and her accomplishments inside the ring speak for themselves. The one stumbling block for Charlotte is the fact that Becky Lynch is in the ring with her and she has been Flair's friend for so long now that she knows her strategy and her moveset backward so it could be a hard match for her to come out on top in this weekend. Carmella has also already beaten her twice and is a scrappy Champion so it's not wise to count her out either. 1 / 5 NEXT<doc-sep>Ronda took on Alexa Bliss in the Women's Championship FREE for news on the biggest players and tournaments SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up forfor news on the biggest players and tournaments When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Seth Rollins vs Dolph Ziggler (Intercontinental Championship) The first match of the night had some history begin it, with Dolph having beaten Seth back on June 18 in the Intercontinental Title. However, this time Seth brought Dean Ambrose as a back-up in an explosive rematch. In the final moments, Rollins countered Ziggler’s superkick with one of his own and used a Stomp to secure his victory and second Intercontinental Championship. The New Day vs the Bludgeon Brothers (SmackDown Tag Team Championships) In this tag team match, the Bludgeon Brothers Erick Rowan and Luke Harper faced off against The New Day's Big E and Xavier Woods. The New Day came out victors over The Bludgeon Brothers, thanks to a disqualification. Kevin Owens vs Braun Strowman (Money in the Bank briefcase) Kevin Owens had grown tired of Braun Strowman taunting him, so challenged him for the Money in the Bank Briefcase. Braun had the upper hand from the get-go, knocking Kevin down with a running powerslam to keep hold of the briefcase. WWE: Ronda Rousey reflects on SummerSlam title win Becky Lynch vs Charlotte Flair vs Carmella (SmackDown Women’s Championship) This three-way match was explosive, with any of the three ladies able to take home the championship. Charlotte used Natural Selection on Becky to break up the submission and managed to score the pin. Charlotte won, becoming SmackDown Women’s Champion once more. Samoa Joe vs AJ Styles (WWE Championship) This was Samoa Joe’s first time competing for the WWE Championship title, but not the first facing AJ Styles. After an explosive incident with a steel chair following comments from Joe, Styles found himself disqualified. Daniel Bryan vs Miz Both Daniel and Miz took each other on with real venom in this match, with repeated warnings from the referee. Some questionable tactics from Miz after he was handed brass knuckles by Maryse from outside the ring, but shockingly Miz came away the champion. Rollins was victorious over Ziggler in the Intercontinental Championship Constable Baron Corbin vs The Demon Finn Balor Finn Balor had been possessed by a demon for this match, facing off against longtime foe Constable Baron Corbin. The demon granted Finn some extra strength, managing to beat Baron in the same amount of time his creepy entrance took. Jeff Hardy vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (United States Championship) Two amped up wrestlers, with Jeff Hardy’s painted face including eyeballs painted on his eyelids to scare Shinsuke Nakamura. Jeff attempted the Swanton to the apron, but after Shinsuke moved the move backfires on him. After this Jeff was easy pickings - with Shinsuke taking the win. Roman Reigns defeated reigning champion Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship<doc-sep>

Charlotte Flair won the SmackDown Women's Championship, but the only thing fans can talk about was the heel turn by Becky Lynch to end the post-match segment. This part of the show began with Flair making her entrance first debuting a pink robe followed by Becky Lynch who came to the ring with a much more colorful attire then usual. The Champion, Carmella, made her way down to the ring also covered in pink via her new sweatsuit and in-ring gear. The story of the night was Carmella using the competitiveness of Flair and Lynch to drive a wedge between them and secure the title in the midst of the confusion. As corny as her tactics were, Carmella's game plan proved effective as she managed to isolate Flair and Lynch at various points in the match. Carmella focused majority of her offense on wearing down Lynch with different slaps and holds until Flair entered the ring and booted Lynch in the face. Flair would regain control and set up for a Figure 8 until she was pushed into the ropes and kicked in the face by Lynch. The Lass Kicker would ascend the ropes and hit a double dropkick from the top rope before getting back to her feet and laying out Flair and Carmella. Lynch went to the top rope again, but Carmella would hit her in the face and counter with a head scissors for a nearfall. Carmella attempted a similar head scissors spot with Flair, but The Queen countered with a modified facebuster before locking in the Walls of Jericho and eventually locking in the Figure 8 until it was broken up by Lynch who came off the top rope. With both women on the outside, Carmella shocked the world hitting an good-looking Suicide Dive followed by Flair's Moonsault from the top rope. Flair would drag Lynch back into the ring and attempted Natural Selection, but was countered with the Dis-Arm-Her. Carmella would knock Flair out of the ring and tried to attack Lynch, but was caught with the Dis-Arm-Her and used the ropes to break the hold - only for Lynch to lock the Dis-Arm-Her back in. Lynch almost had the match won, but Flair hit Natural Selection and pinned her best friend to win the SmackDown Women's Championship for the second time. Flair and Lynch would embrace in the middle of the ring to the chorus of boos from the fans in Brooklyn, but the crowd would change their tune after Lynch finally snapped and attacked the new champion. After throwing her across the announcement table, Lynch walked out adorned by cheers while fans chanted "You Deserve It!" as she left the arena. This match was the best match of Carmella's reign and set up a much more interesting program for the title as WWE builds towards Evolution.

OAKLAND — J.R. Smith and LeBron James have been friends since high school, there may not be a player in the league that knows LeBron and his game better. Smith has won a ring with the man. With all that time has come some great insight into the joys and the challenges of playing with LeBron. “It’s a lot of pressure,” Smith said of being on LeBron’s team. “Not for myself or my teammates, but just playing on his team. It’s almost… it’s a blessing and — it’s a gift and a curse. You play on his team, and you’re playing with the best player in the world and you get to witness some great historic things and be a part of it. “Then, on the other side, if you don’t help that person win, they’re looking at you, too. So it’s a lot of pressure, depending on how you look at it.” Of course, Smith has his own way of looking at it. “I tell him all the time he has the opportunity to play with me as well,” Smith said. Smith is going to feel that pressure of playing with LeBron in Game 2 Sunday — Smith was 3-of-10 shooting in Game 1, then had the game (and potentially series) changing blunder at the end. Smith said he’s moved on. The Cavaliers need him to have a short memory and be good J.R. if they are going to even the series.<doc-sep>“You lose a game and you feel like the world is coming down. You win, it’s like, you’re supposed to win. It’s still a struggle to me to adapt to that. … I was playing at such a high clip when I got traded [from Utah] and then this is my first time having DNPs [did not play] in life. The first time shooting two times or five times in a game. Having to adjust is the toughest part. It’s a part of my growth. I’m not going to always be in this state.”<doc-sep>Thursday night's opener of the 2018 NBA Finals featured one of the more perplexing plays in finals history when, with the game tied and a few seconds remaining, Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith grabbed an offensive rebound and then appeared to forget the score. The brain lapse resulted in a lot of hilarious memes and also a very angry LeBron James. The Cavs lost to the Golden State Warriors 124-114 in overtime. The two addressed the media prior to Sunday night's game Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors. "I can't say I was sure of anything at that point," Smith said of the incident. When a reporter asked Smith about a video that appeared to show Smith saying "I thought we were ahead" he told reporters Saturday, according to USA Today, "I might have said that. Not sure, but I might have." James showed no ill feelings toward his teammate Saturday, saying Smith will be ready for Game 2 against Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and the Warriors. "I think J.R. is one of the most resilient guys I've ever been around," James said. "I think it just comes from not only him personally but his household... He probably took that loss as hard as anybody on the team." "But one thing about J.R., he has an uncanny ability to bounce back," James continued. "I think people have seen that throughout our postseason runs. For me, I don't think I need to say anything to J.R... J.R. knows what I expect out of him." For those experts out there, best not to bet against James and the Cavs in games after a loss. According to ESPN, James has been a monster statistically this year after losing a postseason game. The Cavs are 5-1 in those games and James is averaging 39.7 points, 8.7 assists and 9.8 rebounds per game while shooting nearly 60 percent from the floor. Official betting odds for Sunday's game, despite the numbers above, have the Warriors with a huge edge over the Cavs (-12). The game between the Cavs and Warriors is on Sunday at 8 p.m. EST on ABC. For those wanting to stream Game 2 of the NBA Finals, you use the WatchESPN app on your smart TV devices, as well as the ABC app.<doc-sep>Oh no, J.R. Smith, baby...what is you doing? Smith opened himself to being roasted by the entire internet on Thursday night when he somehow forgot the score in the final seconds of Game 1 of the NBA Finals. With the game tied, the Cavs had a chance to pull a shocking upset of the Warriors in Golden State, but Smith dribbled out the clock. As you would imagine, this didn't exactly sit well with his Cleveland teammates -- especially LeBron James, who dropped 51 points in the eventual overtime loss. LeBron was clearly frustrated with Smith's lack of awareness and cameras caught him chastising him after the final buzzer. After the game, that image of an exasperated LeBron quickly became the night's hottest meme, and Twitter came up with some legitimate gems in the wake of the chaos. The series opener devolved into madness down the final stretch -- including some chippy exchanges -- and there will be plenty of scores to settle in Game 2. Let's just hope J.R. remembers some of them.<doc-sep>

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Even before his Game 1 blunder that has captivated the basketball world for the past two days, Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith was known as quite a character. Whether negative, positive or just plain weird, Smith certainly stays in the headlines due to his behavior both on and off the court. On Saturday, leading up to Sunday's Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Warriors, a reporter asked Smith how much pressure he and his teammates feel playing alongside LeBron James, one of the greatest of all time. Smith's answer was poignant and honest, but he had to throw in a little J.R. flair at the end. "It's a lot of pressure. Not for myself or my teammates, but just playing on his team," Smith said. "It's almost -- it's a blessing and -- it's a gift and a curse. You play on his team, and you're playing with the best player in the world and you get to witness some great historic things and be a part of it. Then, on the other side, if you don't help that person win, they're looking at you too. "So it's a lot of pressure, depending on how you look at it. But I tell him all the time he has the opportunity to play with me as well." Game. Set. Match. Mr. Smith. Clearly being a little tongue-in-cheek, Smith delivered the type of line we've come to expect from a player who, over the course of his career, has consistently exhibited confidence perhaps far beyond his talent level. For better or worse, that confidence has gotten him to where he is today -- with a chance to earn a second NBA title in four years as one of the main characters in The LeBron Show.

She is one of Hollywood's most sought after stars after being propelled into the spotlight in the teen noir drama series, Veronica Mars. And Kristen Bell stole the spotlight at the 70th annual Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Monday evening. The wife of Dax Shepard, 38, cut an elegant figure in a fitted white satin gown which showcased her slim figure with its square-cut neckline and long sleeves. Angelic: Kristen Bell looked ethereal in a white full-length gown as she attended the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Monday night Kristen looked ethereal in the satin gown, flashing a hint of leg due to its thigh-high slit as she strutted down the red carpet. The beauty wore her makeup in gentle neutral tones that made the most of her incredible bone structure and accessorised the look with a pair of dazzling diamond earring. Adding a boost to her height with white strappy sandals, the Veronica Mars star pulled her blonde locks into a sophisticated chignon. Glamorous: The actress, 38, looked the belle of the ball as she posed up a storm on the red carpet Classy lady: The gown skimmed over Kristen's trim figure and featured a flattering square neckline And here are the shoes! The movie and TV icon had on strappy white heels. And her jewelry was a wedding ring from Dax Like Grace Kelly: The beauty wore her makeup in gentle neutral tones that made the most of her incredible bone structure Flying solo: Kristen wasn't accompanied by husband and fellow actor, Dax Shepard Sophisticated: The Frozen star wore her blonde locks in an elegant chignon and sported crystal earrings Heavenly: Kristen posed up a storm for the cameras as she modelled her sophisticated gown Her red carpet appearance comes after the actress - who has daughters Lincoln, five, and Delta, three, with husband Dax Shepard - discovered her neighbour was running classes via a local app and joked she's taken a particular interest in his advertisements. 'I've never done naked yoga but I've actually wanted to,' she told talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. Pals: Bell greeted Sterling K. Brown on the red carpet with a warm smile They were invited too: Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb, Natalie Morales also hit the Emmys No clothes needed: The star wants to do naked yoga, she told Ellen DeGeneres; here she is seen in the 2008 film Forgetting Sarah Marshall 'A dude from my area is advertising his naked yoga class and he always incorporates a picture which I find very odd. He's always doing an inversion. 'When men are doing inversions, it causes you to stare at the picture for a minute to see what's going on.' The 38-year-old star's Momsplaining With Kristen Bell series on Ellen's EllenTube channel is returning for a second season and Kristen loves to show off the 'messy and gross' aspects of having children. Up for something new: 'I've never done naked yoga but I've actually wanted to,' she said; seen in 2009 She said: 'It's basically momsplaining through my lens, through the lens of a mother. How moms see things. 'It's not your typical way because the way I see things, they're dirty and they're messy and they're gross and you love them and you hate them and it's all those things. It's also very funny.' And Kristen was delighted she got to witness a live birth from the 'splash zone' after Martha Trujillo agreed she could be in the delivery room with her. She wore a lot of bikinis in this film: Bell with Russell Brand in Forgetting Sarah Marshall Her story: 'A dude from my area is advertising his naked yoga class and he always incorporates a picture which I find very odd. He's always doing an inversion,' she said. 'When men are doing inversions, it causes you to stare at the picture for a minute to see what's going on' She said: 'I had said to the Momsplaining team, I said, "I want a delivery. I want to be in the delivery room." And they kind of looked at me like, "OK that's very intimate.' And I was like, 'Just try to make it happen. It's Hollywood!"' A clip from the upcoming series showed Kristen visiting newborn twins and their mother Kimberly Patel, who the Bad Moms star gifted with an ice park for her vagina. She then told the new parent all the names she has for her own intimate area, including 'Who-ha, Honey pot, Baby cave, Man eater.' On Ellen's show, the host and her guest reduced both Kimberly and Martha to tears when they presented them with $10,000 per child for their college education.<doc-sep>The Emmys are starting off with a bang, thanks to celebrities like Kristen Bell showing off their sartorial chops. The actress, who's on the hit NBC show The Good Place, walked the red carpet wearing a white-hot look. Kristen wore a form-fitting white gown by Solace London ($530). Her ethereal dress featured a boatneck and long sleeves. She accessorized her Emmys look with Forevermark Diamonds and Giuseppe Zanotti heels. Read on to see all angles of her look and shop her exact dress if you're feeling inspired.<doc-sep>Kristen Bell was ranked amongst the best dressed at last night's 2018 Primetime Emmy Awards. While stars stunned in their couture gowns, costing anywhere from $10,000 to several hundred thousand dollars (Tracee Ellis Ross in Valentino, Keri Russell in Zuhair Murad) Bell opted for the contemporary label, Solace London. "The Good Place" actress, 38, took a minimal approach to the red carpet, yet still looked chicer than ever. Her pulled back hair perfectly complimented the square neckline of her clean white gown, complete with Giuseppe Zanotti shoes and Forevermark diamonds. The dress retails for $530 and is also available in black on Intermix.com. The British brand is known for its sculptural silhouettes and effortless elegance which Bell proved last night. This is not the first time we've seen A-listers take a more affordable route to the red carpet. Bryce Dallas Howard broke boundaries at last year's SAG Awards in a $300 sequined dress and Kendall Jenner famously rocked a mermaid Topshop gown to the 2014 Met Gala. If you love Kristen's style last night, shop the exact same look below!<doc-sep>Products in this story are independently selected and featured editorially. If you make a purchase using these links we may earn commission. Some of the celebs' most luxe looks at the 2018 Emmy Awards can be added directly to your closet with one click today 6 Things You Can Buy Right Off the 2018 Emmy Awards Red Carpet Kristen Bell’s Elegant Gown Actress Kristen Bell stepped out on the Emmys 2018 red carpet in a Solace London Lolita Gown—and she was totally giving us Meghan Markle royal wedding vibes. Maybe it’s also giving you wedding vibes, too? It’s totally chic, classic and more affordable than the average wedding dress. Get push notifications with news, features and more. 70th Primetime Emmy Awards, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA - 17 Sep 2018 Buy It! Solace London Lolita Gown, $530; intermix.com Jan Svendsen‘s Stage-Worthy Stunner In case you missed the moment everyone is talking about today, Glenn Weiss proposed to his now-fiancée, Jan Svendsen, on stage while accepting his award for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special. And you can recreate the magic in the same sparkly silver Sachin & Babi dress she got engaged in, which is perfect for a super-formal event where you want to look extra-special. 70th Emmy Awards - Show Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Buy It! Sachin & Babi Lacey Gown, $995; sachinandbabi.com Megan Mullally‘s Pretty Tulip-Printed dress Celebs have been known to borrow some of the most expensive, elegant gowns from designers for red carpet award shows—but Megan Mullally said she bought this floral organza Carolina Herrera gown online herself for the Emmys. And a version of it is still available for purchase! 70th Emmy Awards - Arrivals Buy It! Carolina Herrera Full-Sleeve Tulip-Print gown, $6,990; neimanmarcus.com Padma Lakshmi’s Celeb-Fave Footwear Stuart Weitzman’s the Nudist Sandal has become an iconic red carpet staple for tons of celebrities, including Padma Lakshmi, who paired the shoes with her recycled red J. Mendel gown. 70th Primetime Emmy Awards, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA - 17 Sep 2018 Buy It! The Nudist Sandal, $415; stuartweitzman.com Scarlett Johansson’s Stunning Eyeshadow Shades The Avengers actress’ gorgeous glittery gold eyeshadow was all thanks to the Pat McGrath Labs Mothership V Eyeshadow Palette—which you can buy at Sephora. (And that eyeshadow palette was the night’s big winner – after The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – as it was also seen on Thandie Newton and Angela Bassett.) 70th Primetime Emmy Awards, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA - 17 Sep 2018 Credit: Matt Baron/REX/Shutterstock Buy It! Pat McGrath Labs Mothership V Eyeshadow Palette, $125; sephora.com Felicity Huffman’s Fierce (and Affordable!) Suit The actress (on hand to support her nominee husband William H. Macy) looked like a boss in her Aritzia separates. 70th Emmy Awards - Arrivals<doc-sep>

The stars made impactful fashion statements by serving sophisticated and simple elegance on TV's biggest night. Here are the best dressed stars from Monday's Emmy Awards. Jessica Biel The "Sinner" executive producer avoided a fashion crime in a strapless Ralph & Russo gown adorned with varying sizes of scallop-shaped pieces of fabric. Biel's soft waves mimicked the romanticism of the dress, which she paired with platinum jewelry by Harry Winston. Kristen Bell Bell took us to a very "Good Place" with a sleek, form-fitting gown by Solace London with square neckline. While Bell looks like a million bucks, the gown retails for just $530. Regina King All hail King's style. The "Seven Seconds" actress had a bright idea on the carpet, selecting a curve-grazing, chartreuse design by Christian Siriano. Sandra Oh The "Killing Eve" actress slayed in a design by Ralph & Russo. Garnet-colored stones along the frock's deep neckline, waist and sleeves added glitz and texture. Rachel Brosnahan Her "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" character brings the laughs as a stand-up comedian, but Brosnahan had a serious fashion moment in a vibrant, pleated Oscar de la Renta design, which she accessorized with brilliant Tiffany & Co. earrings. More:Emmys 2018: The winners' list More:The best and worst of the 2018 Emmys, from that awkward opening to justice for the Fonz More:Emmys 2018: 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' wins four, Bill Hader takes top comedy actor Heidi Klum A pastel peach creation by Zac Posen highlighted the star's hourglass figure. The model and "America's Got Talent" judge upped the glam further with a choker necklace from Lorraine Schwartz. Samira Wiley What's an awards show without a little sparkle? Wiley gleamed in a silver, short-sleeve Jenny Packham dress embellished with extra bling on her shoulders. Thandie Newton Props to Newton for thinking pink. The "Westworld" actress stunned in a one-shoulder, floor-length column gown, which she paired with baubles by Harry Winston. Vanessa Kirby The former "Crown" star looked perfectly polished in a blush bustier dress by Tom Ford. Kirby's sleek hairstyle, Chopard jewelry and slim, coordinating clutch completed the look. More:All the ways stars got political on the Emmys 2018 red carpet More:Are stars at the Emmys optimistic about #MeToo? Not exactly

Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NASCAR makes its return trip to Martinsville Speedway this weekend to continue its playoff push. Cup and Camping World Truck Series teams will take to NASCAR’s shortest and oldest track. Here’s the full weekend schedule with TV and radio info. (All times are Eastern) Friday, Oct. 26 9:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. – Truck garage open 12:05 – 12:55 p.m. – Truck practice (No TV) 2:05 – 2:55 p.m. – Final Truck practice (No TV) Saturday, Oct. 27 6 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Cup garage open 8 a.m. – Truck garage opens 9 – 9:50 a.m. – Cup practice (CNBC, Motor Racing Network) 10:05 a.m – Truck qualifying; multi-truck/three rounds (Fox Sports 1) 11:15 a.m. – Truck driver-crew chief meeting 11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. – Final Cup practice (CNBC, MRN) 12:30 p.m. – Truck driver introductions 1 p.m. – Truck Series Texas Roadhouse 200; 200 laps/105.2 miles (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) 4:05 p.m. – Cup qualifying; multi-car/three rounds (NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) Sunday, Oct. 28 7:30 a.m. – Cup garage opens 12:30 p.m. – Driver-crew chief meeting 1:50 p.m. – Driver introductions 2:30 p.m. – First Data 500; 500 laps/263 miles (NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)<doc-sep>Nick Wass/Associated Press Eight drivers remain in the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff as the series heads to Martinsville Speedway for Sunday's First Data 500. Brad Keselowski, Alex Bowman, Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson were all eliminated in ho-hum fashion at Kansas Speedway last time out. No drama or clashes—just four drivers on the way out for one reason or another, joining other eliminated faces like Jimmie Johnson. NASCAR constructed this system for high-energy drama come elimination time. The final eight might just provide it moving forward, especially with a representative of the new generation such as Chase Elliott firing on all cylinders and ready to clash with some dominant veterans. Viewing Details Where: Martinsville Speedway Video Play Button Videos you might like When: Sunday, 2:30 p.m. ET Watch: NBCSN Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Tickets: StubHub First Data 500 1. Kyle Busch 2. Kevin Harvick 3. Martin Truex Jr. 4. Brad Keselowski Note: Qualifying is Saturday. 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Standings 1. Kyle Busch 4055 2. Kevin Harvick 4054 3. Martin Truex Jr. 4038 4. Chase Elliott 4018 5. Clint Bowyer 4015 6. Joey Logano 4015 7. Kurt Busch 4015 8. Aric Almirola 4006 9. Ryan Blaney 2212 10. Brad Keselowski 2194 11. Kyle Larson 2178 12. Denny Hamlin 2159 13. Austin Dillon 2150 14. Erik Jones 2148 15. Jimmie Johnson 2148 16. Alex Bowman 2144 ESPN.com Drivers to Watch Martin Truex Jr. Butch Dill/Associated Press Is Martin Truex Jr. back to form despite the whirlwind of drama surrounding him and the team at Furniture Row Racing. That team is shutting down, and despite a dominant regular season, it appeared that fact started taking a major toll on all involved in the playoffs. Entering Kansas, Truex had finished 14th or worse in three consecutive events. It's an elephant in the room more people are starting to point out, including NBC Sports analyst Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the Dale Jr. Download podcast (h/t Michelle R. Martinelli of For The Win): "I'm not saying Truex can't win a championship. I'm just saying I will be surprised if he does. Not only do they not have the speed that [Harvick] has or [Busch] — clearly [Sunday] they didn't — but with everything happening with that team closing down and all those guys having new futures, that could be a big distraction, whether they want to own it or not." And while Truex isn't running as fast and the narrative seems to coincide with the dip in performance well enough, he still pulled out a top-five finish at Kansas. Granted, it was Truex's best finish since mid-September, and he hasn't won since mid-July. But there is always the outside possibility the situation surrounding Truex and his team quickly turns into the must-see story NASCAR keeps hoping this format will produce. Kyle Busch Colin E. Braley/Associated Press Kyle Busch is the obvious favorite going into Sunday's event, both in the minds of observers and in the minds of oddsmakers, according to Scott Hastings of OddsShark. Not only is the seven-time winner in 2018 the defending winner at this particular race, but he also almost seized the checkered flag at Martinsville back in March, finishing second. To be fair, Busch has been spottier than usual as of late, finishing 26th or worse in two of his past four outings. But it would be remiss not to mention some of that was simply bad luck, and his most recent outing brought a runner-up finish. And as Jeff Burton said on NASCAR America, the fact that Busch loves the upcoming track is key (h/t NBC Sports' Dan Beaver): "This race track doesn't change like other race tracks do. The aerodynamic advances that other teams have made, there not going to work for you here. ... I would fully expect the people who ran well here in the spring to come here and run well – unless a particular team...Hendrick Motorsports could bring four really fast cars here because they hit something." Little has stopped Busch this season, and while the recent outings look patchy, he's brilliant at the next few tracks on the schedule, starting Sunday. It's a problem for the remaining drivers, who clearly already know he will be on top of his game. Chase Elliott Colin E. Braley/Associated Press Elliott looks like the only person who can stop Busch. The Hendrick Motorsports rising star has won two of his past three races. That sounds great, but keep in mind he also only has three finishes outside the top 10 over his past 13 races. At Kansas, Elliott led a smooth 44 laps—third-highest on his season—before seizing the victory: All this after Elliott stunned the NASCAR landscape at the start of August by taking the first checkered flag of his career. "The difference has been going through some tougher days, having some learning experiences, making our cars faster," Elliott said, according to ESPN.com's Bob Pockrass. "Having those learning experiences, along with making our car better, has meant better results. I think we have just as good a shot as anybody, and that's our approach these next three weeks." The hottest driver in the series, it shouldn't come as a surprise to learn Elliott had a top-10 finish at Martinsville earlier this year. With it apparent past performances are a big deal at the track and the fact that Elliott keeps winning, he's a close second favorite.<doc-sep>

MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Hoping to reverse the outcome of this year’s spring race at Martinsville Speedway, Kyle Busch took the first step Saturday, winning the pole position for Sunday’s First Data 500 (2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), the first race in the Round of 8 in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Driving the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, Busch navigated the .526-mile short track in 19.673 seconds (96.254 mph) in the final round of knockout qualifying to edge fellow title contender Clint Bowyer (96.122 mph) for the top starting position by .027 seconds. RELATED: See every in the field | Qualifying results The series leader entering the penultimate round of the playoffs, Busch earned his fourth Busch Pole Award of the season — which became official after inspection Sunday morning finalized the starting order — his third at Martinsville and the 31st of his career. But it was only a first step. Now comes the business of trying to beat Bowyer, who nipped Busch by 1.146 seconds in the sixth race of the regular season. After taking the top spot from Busch on Lap 387, Bowyer led the final 114 laps to seal the victory. To start the process of swapping finishing positions with Bowyer, Busch claimed the No. 1 pit stall, the closest to the exit from pit road. “Obviously, track position is important, but what’s more important is the opportunity to have that pit box,” Busch said. “That No. 1 pit box will hopefully do us good, we can have a great day, run up front much of the day and finish there, more importantly. “Earlier this year, with Clint here, we were role-reversed, and hopefully we can keep it the way it is right now, this time 24 hours from now.” With an average starting position of 14.0 this season, Bowyer was elated to put forth a strong effort in time trials. “Good God, after the way I have been qualifying lately, it feels like I’m sitting on four poles,” said Bowyer, who enters the race tied for fifth in the series standings, facing a cut to the top-four drivers in two weeks at ISM Raceway. “We’re on the front row, man. “When you won here in the spring, you know you have a shot. It is cool weather, kind of the same conditions. Obviously, it wasn’t the pole and Kyle was faster. Kyle is really good at laying laps down. I like the Sunday afternoon drives.” Bowyer barely made it to the front row, edging Denny Hamlin (96.112 mph) for the second spot on the grid by .002 seconds. Ryan Blaney, who ran the fastest lap of time trials in the first round, qualified fourth, followed by playoff driver Aric Almirola. With just under nine minutes left in the opening round, Bubba Wallace wheel-hopped the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Chevrolet into Turn 3, spun into the outside wall and damaged the car beyond repair. Wallace will start from the rear of the field in a backup car.

UFC 229 is almost here, and as usual, Embedded is here as well. The show that gives you an inside look at the marquee contestants on PPVs has issued the first episode for this weekend’s big show in Vegas, and it serves as a brief introduction to the fighters at the top of the card. Yes, that means a lot of Conor McGregor. But we start off at AKA in San Jose. Khabib Nurmagomedov is doing his last day of camp before they go to Vegas. His coach says his weight is lower than before and he’s expecting a superb performance. Khabib says that AKA’s training program has produced four world champions, so it must work. It isn’t like McGregor’s “bullsh-t” conditioning. Tony Ferguson is preparing for his bout with Anthony Pettis. He talks about his return from injury and shows off some of his unorthodox training. Pettis is training at Roufusport. Showtime talks about the big opportunity he has. He’s doing light sparring and says that his weight is on point. AKA lets a bunch of Khabib fans in to hype him up. He talks about there only being one week until the biggest fight in UFC history. He says that he has “very big energy”. The next day, he heads off to Vegas. McGregor shows up at the UFC Performance Institute in his fancy sports car and struts in front of the media. He says that many have forgotten his skill set, and he’s out to prove that he’s the number one P4P fighter in the world. Coach Owen Roddy says that he’s looking very good in training. McGregor says Khabib is a “dead man walking”. Conor tells the camera it’s “UFC Macbedded” and zooms away in his car. That’s it! UFC 229 goes down this Saturday night in Las Vegas.<doc-sep>VideoVideo related to watch: ufc 229 embedded khabib vs mcgregor vlog episode one 2018-10-01T16:31:26-04:00 This upcoming Saturday, October 6th at 7pm PST, UFC 229: Khabib vs. McGregor will face off in the octagon for the UFC Lightweight Championship belt. Today, we get an inside at some of the participating fighters in the upcoming mixed martial arts event via the UFC 229 Embedded: Vlog Series in the first episode of a mini-documentary series provided by the Las Vegas-based promotion company. The Undefeated Nurmagomedov Remains Well-Conditioned & Meets Khabib’s Army During the nine-minute clip, fight fans get an in-depth look at Khabib ‘The Eagle’ Nurmagomedov‘s (26-0-0) training regime, conditioning program, and a surprise meet-and-greet at the American Kickboxing Co in San Jose, CA with a passionate group of fan’s known as Khabib’s Army. The undefeated Russian assassin found inspiration in his dedicated fanbase before heading to Las Vegas for the week to become accustomed to the climate before this weekend’s title fight. Tony Ferguson & Anthony Pettis Gear Up For UFC 229 We also get an inside look at the co-main fight contenders and former UFC Lightweight Champions in, Tony Ferguson (23-3-0) and Anthony Pettis (21-7-0) as they prepare to enter the Octagon for contender rights. Ferguson provides viewers with a sense of calmness during the segment while Pettis and company work up a light sweat in sparring sessions led by his Head Coach, Duke Roufus. Flyweight division representative, Sergio Pettis (17-3-0), Anthony’s younger brother also made an appearance in the vlog, attempting to maintain a solid core body weight while working on alternative striking methods as he prepares to take on the 35-year-old, Jussier Formiga (21-5-0) this weekend. Conor McGregor Talks Continues To His Talk Closing out episode one of UFC 229 Embedded: Vlog Series is none other than the Irish slick talker himself, Conor McGregor who pulled up to the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas in an orange Lamborghini Aventador to do some light sparring in preparation to take on Khabib this Saturday. McGregor speaks on his 10-round experience in the boxing ring that took place last August against Floyd Mayweather and how he’s looking forward to defending his two-title UFC Championship belts against Nurmagomedov. This main event will be an exciting one for mixed martial arts fans as Khabib has gained a following utilizing unorthodox striking methods such as ruthless flying knees, a left jab, right hook combo that has left his opponents stunned, and dominating takedown techniques. Some may be doubting McGregor who hasn’t been in the octagon since defeating Eddie Alvarez in November of 2016 but, Conor has earned his right to fight amongst the elite in the world and there’s a reason why he is the self-proclaimed best fighter in the world pound-for-pound. Tune in to the Pay-Per-View event, this Saturday, October 6th, to see the outcome of UFC 229: Khabib Vs. McGregor.<doc-sep>

The first episode of UFC 229 Embedded is here, and it’s just as interesting as you’d expect. In this debut episode of the UFC’s fantastic series, we see UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov wrap up his training at American Kickboxing Academy in California and head to Las Vegas, while the former lightweight and featherweight champion Conor McGregor makes his final preparations at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas. The episode also features a brief window into the training camps of UFC 229 co-main event fighters Tony Ferguson and Anthony Pettis. Conor McGregor has not competed since August of 2017, when he came up short in a headline-dominating boxing match with undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. His most recent MMA bout occurred in November of 2016, when he knocked out Eddie Alvarez to capture the UFC lightweight title. Because he still held the UFC featherweight title he swiped from Jose Aldo at the time, this made him the first fighter in UFC history to hold titles in two weight classes concurrently. He’s 21-3 overall. Khabib Nurmagomedov’s last fight occurred in April, when he captured the UFC lightweight title with a decision defeat of last-minute replacement opponent Al Iaquinta. The title was quietly stripped from the long absent Conor McGregor on the same night. With this title win over Al Iaquinta, Nurmagomedov improved to a flawless 26-0 overall — one of the most impressive records in MMA. Who do you think wins in the UFC 229 main and co-main events? This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 10/1/2018. This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

GTA Online After Hours Nightclub update FREE for the biggest new releases, reviews and tech hacks SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up forfor the biggest new releases, reviews and tech hacks When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. GTA Online’s new DLC – After Hours – goes live today on Xbox One and PS4. The update adds a new business venture to Los Santos, allowing players to run a nightclub in the booming heart of the city. The nightclub comes with real-life DJs with Solomun, Tale of Us, Dixon and The Black Madonna all signing up to provide music for the clubs. GTA fans will also welcome back Gay Tony. The update includes loads of new vehicles, drones, characters, a new weapon and more. Players will use it as a base to run their criminal activities in a similar way to the warehouse in the Import/Export update. Or they can use it for their stint as president of a Motorcycle gang, when they upgrade their lives to flex your CEO credentials or for rolling around as a VIP complete with bodyguards. GTA online After Hours update: What time does GTA online update? - Release time GTA 5 Online After Hours Nightclub update Thu, July 19, 2018 GRAND Theft Auto 5's After Hours Nightclub update has a July 24 release date on PS4, Xbox One and PC. Play slideshow 1 of 13 GTA Online’s new DLC – After Hours – goes live today on Xbox One and PS4. What time does GTA online update? GTA 5 Online is one of the most successful games ever made. Released nearly 5 years ago (September 17, 2013), GTA 5 has catapulted into the stratosphere, with millions of players worldwide still logging into the game today to run amok. GTA 5 generated more than $1 billion in its first three days and has gone on to become one of the most loved games on the market. The third best-selling video game of all time has only gone from strength to strength after Rockstar Games added GTA Online to let players commit a host of dastardly deeds with their friends online. The update adds a new business venture to Los Santos, allowing players to run a nightclub in the boo<doc-sep>After Hours, the new DLC update for the hugely popular GTA Online is now live on PS4, Xbox One and PC. The latest expansion to the sprawling Grand Theft Auto 5 multiplayer will allow its players to open and run a nightclub in the centre of Los Santos. Entertaining the patrons at your newest business venture will be real-world DJs The Black Madonna, Dixon, Solomun and Tale of Us. Each of the celebrated DJs has provided exclusive mixes to the game and have had their appearance and set performances motion-captured for the game. This being Grand Theft Auto, of course, your interests at the nightclub aren’t always legitimate, with you able to run your criminal enterprise from the venue.<doc-sep>The new GTA 5 update goes live today with free DLC When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up forfor the biggest new releases, reviews and tech hacks Fans were promised the chance at running their own nightclub, but there’s more to the new update than just that. The new GTA 5 update also includes a range of new vehicles that can be picked up with hefty price tags attached. While not all of these new rides will be arriving today, Rockstar Games will have enough new stuff to keep fans busy. New rides include the custom Oppressor 2 bike, the Scramjet sports cars, as well as the outrageous Patriot 2 stretch limo. A new armoured jet plane is being launched in the After Hours DLC, as well as the off-roading Freecrawler. Fans can also splash out on the Custom Pounder 2, which can be chosen to include a ram and a missile turret. Fans have already found out that a new Blimp has been added to the game, which will help advertise their new Nightclub venture with Gay Tony. It’s also rumoured that the new DLC launch today will add drones that can be fitted with stun weapons. A range of drones will be available to buy, although it’s unclear how much they might cost to purchase.<doc-sep>

The new GTA 5 Online update After Hours arrives this week Sign up forfor the biggest new releases, reviews and tech hacks UPDATE ONE: The new GTA 5 Online update is expected to go live within the hour, bringing new After Hours content to PS4, Xbox One and PC. An exact launch time hasn't been shared by Rockstar Games, however, fans are betting on the new DLC dropping between 10am and 11am, BST. For those in the United States, it would mean the new GTA 5 update going live at 2am, PST. The new After Hours DLC will add new Nightclubs to run and promote, as well as a host of new vehicles to buy for use on GTA Online. ORIGINAL: GTA 5 Online After Hours DLC is set to drop later this week and probably within the next 24-hours. The new GTA Online update has been given a July 24 release date on PS4, Xbox One and PC. Rockstar is yet to officially announce the time, but GTA 5 content drops typically land around midday in the UK, so expect it from 11am onwards. There have also been times in the past when a big GTA Online DLC has launched at around 9am in the UK too, so it’ll be worth keeping an eye on Rockstar’s social media feeds from then on. As the name suggests, the GTA 5 update revolves around players running nightclubs in Las Santos. Players will be able to hire staff for their new business, as well as promote it around the in-game map. This might be done through new blimps and mobile dance stages, which were spotted in the recent DLC trailer. DJs will play a big role in the success of your new nightclub, with Rockstar Games confirming acts like Solomun, Tale of Us, Dixon and The Black Madonna for the game expansion.

The Divisional Round of the 2019 NFL Playoffs was about as predictable as it could be with all four home teams advancing to their respective conference title games. Normally, at least one road team wins a game, but this year all four teams swept to victory for just the fourth time since NFL realignment in 2002. Being the top seeded team in either conference used to not mean much, but since 2013 it has meant everything in both conferences. Nine of the ten top seeded teams over the last five years advanced to the Super Bowl. Whereas just three of the ten top seeded teams achieved the same feat from 2008-2012. That means four of the last five Super Bowls have featured the top seeded team from each conference. Amazingly, this happened only one time from 1994-2012. Odds are, we are going to see the Chiefs and Saints playing in early February and that seems to be just fine with Denver Broncos fan on Twitter who overwhelmingly voted for their division rival to end a really long Super Bowl drought over seeing Tom Brady add to his collection of trophies. Who would you rather see win the AFC Championship game? #BroncosCountry — MileHighReport (@MileHighReport) January 14, 2019 Anyway, here is when you’ll want to watch. The NFC is first up then we’ll see about the AFC in the evening. CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES SUNDAY, JANUARY 20 NFC: 1:05 PM MT - Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints (FOX) AFC: 4:40 PM MT - New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs (CBS)<doc-sep>The schedule for the conference championship round of the 2019 NFL playoffs is such that the winner of the NFC title game will be able to kick back and watch the AFC title game as it awaits its challenger for Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta. The Rams and Saints kick off what should be a dandy of a conference championship Sunday with their game in New Orleans. It's a rematch of the high-scoring affair in the regular season that ended with a Saints victory, also at the Superdome. Patriots vs. Chiefs also happens to be a rematch, though when New England beat Kansas City in the regular season, the game was played in Foxborough. MORE: Watch NFL conference championships live with fuboTV (7-day free trial) FOX will carry the NFC championship game, with kickoff scheduled for 3:05 p.m. ET. CBS will broadcast the AFC championship game, with kickoff set for 6:40 p.m. ET. Below is all the info you need, including SN's predictions, for conference championship weekend in the NFL. NFL conference championship schedule Date Matchup Time Channel Sun., Jan. 20 NFC: No. 2 Rams at No. 1 Saints 3:05 p.m. FOX/fuboTV Sun., Jan. 20 AFC: No. 2 Patriots at No. 1 Chiefs 6:40 p.m. CBS/fuboTV Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints: Sunday, Jan. 20, 3:05 p.m. ET, FOX TV: FOX — Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews (field reporter), Chris Myers (field reporter) Radio: WESTWOOD ONE — Kevin Harlan, Kurt Warner, Ed Werder | SIRIUS/XM: 88 (WW1) The Rams and Saints, as the two best teams in the NFC should, will play for the conference championship Sunday. Top-seeded New Orleans earned the right to host the penultimate playoff game by beating second-seeded Los Angeles at the Superdome back in Week 9. Not much separated the teams' high-flying, balanced offenses in the first meeting. The Rams finished the regular season as the higher-scoring offense overall, ranked second in the NFL with 32.9 points per game. But the Saints were right behind them at 31.5 points per game. The Rams ranked No. 3 in rushing offense; the Saints were No. 6. There was a bigger difference on the other side of the ball. The Saints ranked No. 14 in both total and scoring defense, including No. 2 against the run. The Rams were No. 19 in total, No. 20 in scoring and No. 23 against the run. In just their second year together as Rams coach and quarterback, Sean McVay and Jared Goff are looking to advance to their first Super Bowl. Saints counterparts Sean Payton and Drew Brees are looking for a chance to win their second Super Bowl over the past 10 seasons. Although the QBs are on the marquee, the Rams' Todd Gurley and C.J. Anderson and the Saints' Alvin Kamara and Mark ingram are red-hot rushing duos working behind elite offensive lines. Defensively, linemen Aaron Donald and Cameron Jordan lead star-studded casts. Given the volume of playmakers backed by great coaching, there's no reason this sequel in the Superdome can't be even more compelling than the original. Here are Sporting News' picks and predictions for Rams vs. Saints. New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs: Sunday, Jan. 20, 6:40 p.m. ET, CBS TV: CBS: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson, Jay Feely, Gene Steratore Radio: WESTWOOD ONE: Kevin Kugler, Tony Boselli, Ross Tucker | SIRIUS/XM: 88 Oddsmakers are not dishing out any favors to those who are tired of seeing the Patriots in the Super Bowl. New England's status as underdog for the AFC championship game in Kansas City plays right into Tom Brady's nonsensical claim that "everyone thinks (the Patriots) suck and can't win any games." Of course, there is a minuscule fragment of truth to the New England quarterback's words. The Patriots reaching an eighth consecutive conference title game on the strength of a 41-year-old passer is a mind-boggling accomplishment. And there's a reason the Chiefs are the favorites to reach the Super Bowl; his name is Patrick Mahomes. The Kansas City QB, likely the NFL MVP for 2018 after throwing 50 touchdowns in the regular season, is the kind of player who can give the Patriots problems. New England under coach Bill Belichick is known for its uncanny preparation habits, but Mahomes is capable of plays for which an opponent simply can't prepare. Then again, Brady remains the leader on the other side. And the Patriots' offense, now an established threat in the power running game to compliment Brady's precision in the passing game, can attack the Chiefs in multiple ways. If there are weaknesses in the Kansas City defense — and there are — New England will identify and exploit them. It all sets up what should be another AFC title-game classic. Here are Sporting News' picks and predictions for Patriots vs. Chiefs. (Contributing: Vinnie Iyer)<doc-sep>Questions remain today regarding what teams will make the NFL Playoffs 2018-2019 and how they will be seeded in the bracket but by the end of Sunday's action, we'll have all the answers. See the complete NFL Playoffs 2018-2019 schedule and bracket below including dates, times (when available) and TV channels for the games. And, see more on the NFL playoff picture here heading into today's final matchups. Already in the NFL playoffs this year are the NFC division winners who clinched before today's regular-season finale. These playoff-bound teams include Dallas Cowboys (NFC East), New Orleans Saints (NFC South), Chicago Bears (NFC North) and the Los Angeles Rams (NFC West). In the AFC, the New England Patriots have clinched (East) and the rest of the teams will have to battle today for the right to claim a division win or wildcard entry into the playoffs. Here's what we know so far: Seattle has secured an NFC wild card, and so have the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers are still in contention to win the AFC West. According to the AP, the "Rams (12-3) get the other opening-round bye if they beat San Francisco on Sunday. If they lose and the Bears win at Minnesota, Chicago (11-4) earns the week off and Los Angeles drops to the third seed. "A Bears win also could keep the Vikings (8-6-1) out of the postseason, providing defending champion Philadelphia (8-7) wins at Washington. Only the Vikings or Eagles can get the second NFC wild card." In the AFC, it's not so clear, according to the AP: "The simplest route is if Kansas City (11-4) and New England (10-5), currently the top two in the conference, both win Sunday. But if the Chiefs lose at home to Oakland and the Chargers (11-4) win at Denver, Los Angeles moves into the top spot," according to the AP. "Houston (10-5) also could wind up No. 1 in the AFC with losses by the Chiefs, Patriots against the Jets, and Chargers. New England, the only unbeaten team at home this year, would get the first seed with a victory and losses by the Chiefs and Chargers. "If the Texans fall at home to Jacksonville, the winner of the Colts at Titans game in Tennessee takes the AFC South, and the Texans become a wild card, joining either the Chiefs or Chargers." Here's the NFL 2018-2019 playoff schedule and bracket: NFL Wild-Card Games Sat., Jan. 5 AFC (TBD) NFC (TBD) Sun., Jan. 6 AFC (TBD) NFC (TBD) NFL Division Playoff Games Sat., Jan. 12 AFC (TBD) NFC (TBD) Sun., Jan. 13 AFC (TBD) NFC (TBD) NFL Conference Championships Sun., Jan. 20 NFC (TBD) 3:05 p.m. (Fox) Sun., Jan. 20 AFC (TBD) 6:40 p.m. (CBS) Super Bowl Sun., Feb. 3 6:30 p.m. (CBS)<doc-sep>Steven Senne/Associated Press The NFL playoffs are set, so now fans and analysts alike can begin predicting how they think the postseason will unfold and which team will win Super Bowl LIII. In the AFC, the top four seeds took care of business in Week 17. The Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens all won to secure their spots, with the Chiefs (AFC West), Texans (AFC South) and Ravens (AFC North) clinching their respective divisions. In the NFC, the defending Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles notched a win over the Washington Redskins, which, paired with a Minnesota Vikings loss to the Chicago Bears, allowed them to return to the playoffs as the No. 6 seed and final wild-card team. Now, the action will really start to pick up as 12 teams will battle it out to try to win a Super Bowl championship. Wild-Card Round Video Play Button Videos you might like Saturday, Jan. 5 No. 6 Indianapolis Colts at No. 3 Houston Texans, 4:35 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC No. 5 Seattle Seahawks at No. 4 Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m. ET, Fox Sunday, Jan. 6 No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers at No. 4 Baltimore Ravens, 1:05 p.m. ET, CBS No. 6 Philadelphia Eagles at No. 3 Chicago Bears, 4:40 p.m. ET, NBC Divisional Round Saturday, Jan. 12 No. 4, 5 or 6 AFC seed at No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs, 4:35 p.m. ET, NBC No. 3, 4 or 5 NFC seed at No. 2 Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m. ET, Fox Sunday, Jan. 13 No. 3, 4 or 5 NFC seed at No. 2 New England Patriots, 1:05 p.m. ET, CBS No. 4, 5 or 6 NFC seed at No. 1 New Orleans Saints, 4:40 p.m. ET, Fox Conference Championships Sunday, Jan. 20 NFC Championship Game, 3:05 p.m. ET, Fox AFC Championship Game, 6:40 p.m. ET, CBS Super Bowl LIII Sunday, Feb. 3 AFC champion vs. NFC champion in Atlanta, 6:30 p.m. ET, CBS View the full NFL Playoffs bracket here. Top Three Super Bowl Contenders (In Descending Order) New England Patriots The Pats always find a way to get it done in the playoffs, so they have to be considered among the top contenders again this season. Sure, Tom Brady is getting up there in age, but the five-time Super Bowl-champion quarterback had another strong season for New England. The 41-year-old passed for 4,105 yards and 25 touchdowns while leading the Patriots to an 11-5 regular season, earning them the No. 2 seed in the AFC and a first-round bye. They may not be a popular pick, but the Pats always find a way to enter the conversation when late January rolls around. New Orleans Saints Bill Feig/Associated Press How can you not consider a dominant team led by a veteran quarterback who powered it to a 13-3 record and the No. 1 seed in the NFC? Drew Brees may have only passed for 3,992 yards—his lowest regular-season total since 2005—but he threw 32 touchdowns and set the NFL single-season record for completion percentage at 74.4 percent. And he didn't play the Saints' Week 17 game against the Carolina Panthers. With two weeks of rest, Brees and the Saints will be ready to begin their postseason run in the divisional round on Jan. 13. As the No. 1 seed, they'll also have home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Los Angeles Rams Rick Scuteri/Associated Press The Super Bowl pick here is the Rams, who have a strong all-around team and have had an impressive season. Los Angeles opened the regular season with 11 wins in its first 12 games, which included an incredible 54-51 victory over Kansas City on Monday Night Football on Nov. 19. The Rams lost two straight games in December to fellow NFC playoff teams—the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles—but they'll be ready to peak at the right time in January. The Rams' postseason success could depend on the health of star running back Todd Gurley, who missed the final two weeks of the regular season due to a knee injury. But if Gurley returns and plays at top form, Los Angeles will be a tough team to beat. Where to Watch: NFL playoff games, studio shows and more are available through fuboTV.<doc-sep>

In the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, the best teams took over. The better seed and home team won all four games. That sets up a couple of amazing matchups for conference championship weekend. On one side of the bracket, the No. 2 seed New England Patriots are back in the AFC championship game for the eighth straight season. They’ll face the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs, who haven’t been to the Super Bowl since Len Dawson led them to Super Bowl IV. Kansas City has never hosted a conference championship game before. In the other conference championship game, the top-seeded Saints advanced and will face the No. 2 seed Rams. The Saints haven’t been to the Super Bowl in nine years. It has been 17 years since the Rams’ last Super Bowl appearance, when they lost to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI. Tom Brady will face the Chiefs on Sunday, in his eighth AFC championship game in eight seasons. (AP) Here is the schedule for both championship games, to be played on Sunday, Jan. 20: Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints, 3:05 p.m. ET, Fox The Saints had a tough test against the Eagles in their divisional round playoff game. New Orleans fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter, but then shut out the Eagles after that, winning 20-14. The Saints’ offense gets most of the attention due to NFL all-time leading passer Drew Brees, but the defense has played very well in the second half of the season. The Rams beat the Cowboys by running the ball. Todd Gurley and C.J. Anderson each had 100 yards rushing as the Rams pounded Dallas 30-22. Los Angeles ran for 273 yards, by far the most rushing yards Dallas allowed all season. The two teams faced each other in the regular season. On Nov. 4, the Saints charged out to a 35-14 lead in the first half. The Rams came back, tying the game 35-35 in the fourth quarter. New Orleans hit a go-ahead field goal and then put the game away on a 72-yard touchdown from Brees to Michael Thomas on third down with less than four minutes to go. That Saints win is why the NFC championship game will be at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Story continues New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs, 6:40 p.m., CBS The Patriots and Chiefs met in one of the best games of this NFL regular season. On Oct. 14, the Patriots beat the Chiefs 43-40 with a field goal as time expired. Patrick Mahomes had 352 yards and four touchdowns, three of which went to Tyreek Hill. Tom Brady threw for 340 yards. The teams combined for 946 yards. Both teams looked great in the divisional round. The Chiefs blew out the Indianapolis Colts 31-13, with their defense having a surprisingly dominant day. Then on Sunday the Patriots never left a doubt in handling the Los Angeles Chargers, 41-28. The starkest contrast between the two franchises is this: The Chiefs haven’t played in a Super Bowl since Jan. 11, 1970, while the Patriots have played in three of the last four Super Bowls. – – – – – – – Frank Schwab is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Subscribe to The Yahoo Sports NFL Podcast Apple Podcasts• Stitcher • Google Podcasts

Jurors on Friday found white Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting death of black teenager Laquan McDonald in 2014. Van Dyke had been charged with first-degree murder, 16 counts of aggravated battery and official misconduct. He was found guilty on all 16 counts of aggravated battery, one for each round he fired. He was found not guilty of official misconduct. Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) called for the public to respect the jurors' decision, tweeting, "Now is the time to move forward as a community." In the Van Dyke trial, 12 jurors reviewed the evidence and rendered their verdict. We should all respect their decision. Now is the time to move forward as a community. — Governor Rauner (@GovRauner) October 5, 2018 McDonald was shot 16 times by Van Dyke on Oct. 20, 2014. Dashcam video released a year after the shooting led to widespread outcry. ADVERTISEMENT The video shows McDonald walking when a squad car pulls up and two officers exit. He begins to walk away from the officers and when he is about 15 feet away, Van Dyke opens fire. "16 shots and a cover up" has become a rallying cry for those protesting police violence in Chicago. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D) and Police Superintendent Eddie Jonhson, both of whom faced sharp criticism over the shooting, released a statement weighing in on the decision, saying that the job of improving the city’s community relations is not over. “Our collective work is not done,” the statement reads. “The effort to drive lasting reform and rebuild bonds of trust between residents and police must carry on with vigor.” Activists, many of who had gathered around the courtroom for the whole three-week trial, lauded the decision. A senior adviser for the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who could not be at the hearing, called the result a just one. “This is historic for Chicago and historic for these kinds of police misconduct cases,” Janette Wilson said. “The jury did what it could with the evidence that was presented to them. Jason Van Dyke is finally in custody and we are grateful. We don’t need Rambo cops on the street shooting kids.” Van Dyke's defense focused on McDonald's possession of a knife during the altercation, saying it made him fear for his life. Dan Herbert, Van Dyke's attorney, told the jury that the video doesn't tell the whole story and is “essentially meaningless based on the testimony.” Herbert argued that McDonald was to blame for what happened that night because he was holding a knife, saying “the tragedy ... could have been prevented by one simple step.” During the unfolding of the case against Van Dyke, the police superintendent and the county’s top prosecutor have both lost their jobs, the former fired by the mayor and the latter ousted by voters. According to the Chicago Tribune, a large group of protesters were surrounding the courtroom before a decision was even announced. Updated at 3:58 p.m.<doc-sep>Jason Van Dyke, the white Chicago police officer accused of fatally shooting black teenager Laquan McDonald 16 times in less than 30 seconds, was found guilty of second-degree murder and 16 counts of aggravated battery on Friday. He faces at least 10 years in prison. After the verdict was read, Van Dyke’s wife, Tiffany, wept silently. His father stood solemnly by as Van Dyke was taken away in handcuffs. McDonald’s great-uncle, the Rev. Marvin Hunter, was also seated in the courtroom. He, too, cried. Outside the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, protestors gathered cheered and clapped when the verdict was read. Some chanted “Justice has won,” others, “Justice for Laquan!” One woman shouted, “Thank you, Jesus!” Meanwhile, a large group of protestors walked town Madison Street chanting “who’s street, our street” and carrying Black Lives Matter signs. Another group made their way toward city hall. At times, they chanted “We made history!” and “16 shots and a cover up.” Ahead of the verdict, Judge Vincent Gaughan warned people in the courtroom to contain their outbursts, adding, “If you do act out, I will have you arrested.” “Look into your heart and control your emotions,” he said. “This will not be easy for anyone on either side.” McDonald was shot 16 times in 2014. The shooting was captured on police dash camera video and sparked years of racial tension in the Illinois city. The trial has polarized Chicago and garnered national attention over how to police minority communities. Van Dyke was charged with first-degree murder, 16 counts of aggravated battery and one count of official misconduct in McDonald’s death. The judge also told jurors they could consider second-degree murder. Prosecutors argued that the veteran police officer lied multiple times about the threat he claims McDonald posed and said a dashcam video proved it. “You’ve seen it on video,” prosecutor Jody Gleason said. “He made it up.” Van Dyke’s attorneys painted McDonald as a dangerous teen who refused to drop a three-inch retractable knife he'd been carrying the night he was killed. Defense attorney Daniel Herbert told jurors McDonald was an “out-of-control individual who didn’t care about anyone,” and argued that his client was a “scared police officer who was fearful of his life and the life of others.” In a risky legal move, Van Dyke took the stand in his own defense and testified that McDonald was a threat from the moment he saw him. “His eyes were bugged out – just expressionless, and he turned his torso toward me,” Van Dyke told jurors during his 90-minute testimony. FLYER SAYS IF CHICAGO EX-COP VAN DYKE IS ACQUITTED, 'THE CITY MUST STOP' Van Dyke joined the Chicago police force in June 2001 at the age of 23. He told jurors about his early assignments as a beat cop and testified he never fired his weapon before the night he shot McDonald. “I’m very proud of that,” he said. Van Dyke said he and his partner, Officer Joseph Walsh, noticed McDonald walking down the street with a knife in his hand. Van Dyke said he thought McDonald dropped his knife and was “greatly relieved.” But then things escalated quickly, he told jurors, asserting that McDonald was “advancing on me.” “His face had no expression, his eyes were bugging out of his head. He had these huge white eyes just staring at me,” Van Dyke said, adding that McDonald was about 10 to 15 feet away by this point. RAHM EMANUEL LEAVES BEHIND TAINTED LEGACY AS CHICAGO MURDER RATE, CRIME AND CORRUPTION SURGE ON HIS WATCH Van Dyke claimed McDonald waved the knife toward Van Dyke’s shoulder. It was then that the officer opened fire. “Eventually he fell to the ground,” Van Dyke said. “Once I recognized he fell to the ground, I stopped shooting.” Pushing back, prosecutors challenged his account of McDonald raising a knife before being shot. “You’ve sat here for several days. Where do you see it on the video?” Gleason asked Van Dyke. When he replied that the video didn’t show his perspective, Gleason showed Van Dyke an animation created by his own defense team. Van Dyke said he didn’t see his perspective on that model either, however. The defense also called a pharmacology expert who claimed McDonald was “whacked on this PCP.” James O’Donnell testified that McDonald was more vulnerable to hallucinations because he didn’t take his prescribed medication – an antipsychotic and a mood stabilizer. CHICAGO'S CHILDREN CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE: ALARMING NUMBER OF MINORS SHOT OR KILLED IN VIOLENCE-PLAGUED CITY Van Dyke claimed he shot McDonald 16 times when the teen swung a knife at him. Grainy dash cam video — released 13 months later after a court order — showed McDonald holding a knife at the side of his body, about 15 feet away from VanDyke, and walking away from him and other officers who'd responded to a report that the youth was trying to break into vehicles. McDonald fell to the pavement less than two seconds after he was shot. Van Dyke continued shooting for another 12 seconds, emptying his 16-shot semiautomatic gun. Prosecutors, who rested their case Sept. 20, called the 2014 killing “completely unnecessary” and argued that race had been a factor in the brutal incident. They claimed that on the night McDonald was shot and killed, the only thing VanDyke saw was a “black boy walking down the street” who had the “audacity to ignore the police.” Eury Patrick, the prosecution’s expert on deadly use of force by the police, testified that Van Dyke kept shooting “long beyond the point of being reasonable.” “They’re not trained to just empty their gun,” Patrick said. “It’s not a knee-jerk reaction. They’re trained to shoot until the risk is ended.” Witness Jose Torres told jurors he heard more gunshots after McDonald fell than before. “I’m not going to use the word, but I said, ‘Why the "f" are they still shooting him if he’s on the ground? '” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s team of city attorneys fought against the release of the video for more than a year until a judge in 2015 ordered it to be made public. Many activists and community leaders accused Emanuel of trying to cover-up the incident, putting the already fragile relationship between the mayor and community into disrepair. When it was finally released, the video sparked outrage and led to widespread protests as well as calls to gut the Chicago Police Department. Emanuel’s administration was also on the receiving end of a scathing 2017 Department of Justice report that found Chicago police routinely used excessive force, violated civil rights and had racial bias against blacks. The investigation, one of the largest in the nation, was prompted by the Van Dyke dash-cam video. The report slammed the city and police for insufficient training and a failure to hold power-hungry officers accountable.<doc-sep>Police released a video Tuesday showing the shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, who was killed by an officer in October 2014. Attorney: Officer was 'in fear for his life' Chicago alderman: 'Trust has to be regained here' Police released a video Tuesday showing the shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald, who was killed by an officer in October 2014. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, left, and Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy appear at a news conference, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015, in Chicago, announcing first-degree murder charges against police officer Jason Van Dyke in the Oct. 24, death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. The city then released the dash-cam video of the shooting to media outlets after the news conference. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) Correction: Earlier versions of this story incorrectly stated that Van Dyke was handcuffed as he was led from the courtroom. (CNN) — Chicago police Officer Jason Van Dyke was found guilty Friday of second-degree murder in the 2014 shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. Van Dyke, who was also found guilty of 16 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm, sat impassively in a dark suit – his shoulders slumped – as the verdicts were read in the high-profile case. At one point, he sipped water from a bottle. He was found not guilty of official misconduct. The officer’s wife sat stoically, arms folded, as the long verdict was delivered. His father lowered his head while some members of the McDonald family held hands. Van Dyke’s bond was revoked and sentencing was scheduled for October 31. He left the courtroom with an officer. Though he was originally charged with first-degree murder, jurors were instructed Thursday that they also could consider second-degree murder. The panel of eight women and four men – seven white, one black, three Hispanic and one Asian – began deliberations Thursday afternoon. “This is a victory for America,” the Rev. Marvin Hunter, McDonald’s great uncle, told reporters. “America was on trial here and people all over America and all across the world have been waiting to see what was going to happen.” Members of the jury later told reporters that Van Dyke’s testimony was not credible and seemed rehearsed. The jurors, who did not give their names, said the veteran police officer did nothing to deescalate the situation that led up to the fatal shooting. One juror noted as “the turning point” testimony that Van Dyke told his partner, “Oh my God, we’re going to have to shoot that guy,” before arriving at the scene. Another juror, a black woman, said race did not factor in their deliberations in the racially charged case. “We didn’t come here because of race,” she said. “We came here for right and wrong.” Police union says conviction will be appealed Van Dyke, 40, was the first Chicago police officer to be charged with first-degree murder since 1980. The officer faces between four and 20 years in prison and is eligible for probation for the second-degree murder conviction, prosecutor Joseph McMahon said. The aggravated battery with a firearm convictions carry a sentence of six to 30 years with no probation. “This is a gratifying verdict,” McMahon said. “Today our Justice system fulfilled its obligation to justice for all.” Defense attorney Daniel Herbert likened his client at trial to a boxer entering the ring with hands tied behind his back. “We don’t believe the evidence supported the conviction,” he said. Kevin Graham, president of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police, said the conviction will be appealed. “The Chicago Police Department is standing with an officer we think acted as an officer,” he said. Video of the shooting led to protests, a Justice Department civil rights investigation, criticism of the mayor and, eventually, the ouster of the police superintendent. FACE OFF - Protesters make their way to Michigan Avenue and are headed northbound now. Police let them through this line. #VanDyke #VanDykeGuilty pic.twitter.com/ci0P1xYI9V — Stacey Baca (@StaceyBacaABC7) October 5, 2018 Groups of demonstrators took to the streets for several hours after the verdict, chanting, “The people united will never be defeated,” and “Sixteen shots and a cover up.” City Hall and many downtown businesses closed early in anticipation of protests, CNN affiliate WLS reported. Police said there had been no arrests. The city has been preparing for possible demonstrations in a case that already sparked protests. Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, in a joint statement, appealed for calm. “Let us continue to hear each other and partner with each other – as public servants, police and members of the public – and let us ensure our collective mission is what endures for generations to come,” the statement said. What jurors heard in closing arguments The prosecution said Van Dyke fired unnecessarily within six seconds after arriving at the scene, striking McDonald 16 times. The shooting was captured on a grainy police dashcam video. Van Dyke said he fired in self-defense after McDonald lunged at him with a knife. But the dashcam video – which a judge ordered the city to release 13 months after the shooting – showed McDonald walking away from police, rather than charging at them. Before Judge Vincent Gaughan dismissed them for the day Thursday, jurors requested a transcript of testimony from former Officer Joseph Walsh, Van Dyke’s partner the night of McDonald’s death. In closing arguments, a prosecutor said Van Dyke showed no regard for the life of the black teenager, while the defense portrayed him as a police veteran ensnared in a tragedy but not a murder. Assistant special prosecutor Jody Gleason told the jury that Van Dyke contemplated shooting McDonald before he even encountered the young man “You heard what it was that he said, ‘I guess we’ll have to shoot him,’ ” Gleason said, referring to testimony about what Van Dyke told his partner before arriving at the scene. “It wasn’t the knife in Laquan’s hand that made the defendant kill him that night. It was his indifference to the value of Laquan’s life.” When Van Dyke took the stand Tuesday, Gleason asked about a statement he made to his partner as they approached the shooting scene: “Oh my God, we’re going to have to shoot the guy.” “I thought the officers were under attack,” Van Dyke said. Gleason told the jury Thursday, “We know the defendant contemplated the decision to shoot Laquan before he even got out of his vehicle. … And he never adjusted that mindset.” Defense attorney Herbert, in his closing, sought to discount a piece of evidence at the center of the case: video of the shooting. “We have to look at this from Jason Van Dyke’s perspective,” he said. He added, “The state wants to watch the last two minutes of this movie without knowing the context.” Herbert said there was no question the case is tragic but it did not amount to murder. “It’s a tragedy that could have been prevented with one simple step,” he said. “At any step during that 20-minute rampage – if Laquan McDonald had dropped that knife – he would have been here today.” Van Dyke told the jury Tuesday that McDonald’s face was expressionless – “his eyes were just bugging out of his head” – as the teenager kept “advancing” on him, holding a knife. Standing about 10 to 15 feet away, McDonald “turned his torso towards me,” the officer testified. “He waved the knife from his lower right side, upwards, across his body, towards my left shoulder,” the officer said, appearing to get choked up as he demonstrated the action to jurors. The officer told jurors he then shot McDonald. CNN’s Darran Simon, Ralph Ellis, Deanna Hackney, Brad Parks and Sheena Jones contributed to this report.<doc-sep>

CHICAGO — The white Chicago police officer who shot a black teenager 16 times in 2014 was convicted of murder Friday in a case that ignited protests throughout the city. A jury took barely 24 hours to find Jason Van Dyke guilty of second-degree murder for the fatal October 2014 shooting of Laquan McDonald, 17. Upon hearing the verdict, crowds outside the courthouse erupted in cheers. Jumping up and down and hugging one another, they chanted, "Justice for Laquan! Justice for Laquan!" Cars honked as they passed by the courthouse and passengers cheered. In addition to the second-degree murder charge, Van Dyke was found guilty of 16 counts of aggravated battery. "This family wanted justice, because revenge belongs to God, and it's God’s alone," Marvin Hunter, McDonald’s great-uncle, said at a press conference Friday afternoon. Flanked by other family members, Hunter said the issue was bigger than the deadly 2014 shooting and dealt with issues of police use of force across the nation. "This is a victory for America ... America was on trial here," he said. Van Dyke faced charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and official misconduct after killing McDonald when responding to a report of someone breaking into vehicles. The mostly white jury was permitted to also consider second-degree murder. The only charge they found him not guilty of was official misconduct. Van Dyke listened silently as the verdict was read, taking a swig from a water bottle at one point. After the verdict, Van Dyke, whose bond was immediately revoked, was taken into custody. The deadly encounter unfolded when officers came upon McDonald, who had a knife, and called for an officer with a Taser to respond to the scene. Before that officer could arrive, Van Dyke opened fire and shot McDonald. Dashcam footage of the shooting released a year later showed McDonald walking away from the officers when Van Dyke opened fire and continued to shoot at the teen, even when he was already on the ground. The video unleashed a series of mass protests and citywide unrest. Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge President Chris Southwood slammed the verdict. Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke during deliberations in the murder trial of 17-year old Laquan McDonald, in Chicago, Illinois, on Oct. 5, 2018. NBC News "This is a day I never thought I'd see in America, where 12 ordinary citizens were duped into saving the asses of self-serving politicians at the expense of a dedicated public servant," he said in a statement. he added: "What cop would still want to be proactive fighting crime after this disgusting charade, and are law abiding citizens ready to pay the price?" Special prosecutor Joe McMahon said "this is a gratifying verdict" but that "a guilty verdict doesn't undo a crime." "This verdict holds Jason Van Dyke accountable for his actions," McMahon said. "It provides some justice for Laquan McDonald and Tina [McDonald's mother], for Laquan’s family and friends, and it provides validation and a sense of justice for many residents of Chicago and Cook County." Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson called for unity. "While the jury has heard the case and reached their conclusion, our collective work is not done. The effort to drive lasting reform and rebuild bonds of trust between residents and police must carry on with vigor," they said in a joint statement. Officials in Chicago had braced for potential unrest, especially if jurors found Van Dyke not guilty. Some schools made plans for early dismissals, lockdowns or recess indoors, reported the Chicago Tribune. The guilty verdict stunned some. "This is justice, this is justice," said Steve Rogers, an activist at the courthouse. "I didn't think it was going to happen." Van Dyke’s attorney, Dan Herbert, said after the verdict that there will be an appeal. "In this climate, and with this case, I told Jason Van Dyke, I said ‘you just went into a heavyweight boxing match against Mike Tyson, and you went in there with both your hands tied behind your back, and you’re still standing,'" Herbert said. "We see that as an inconsistent verdict," he said, according to NBC Chicago. "We’re certainly going to revisit the issue of change of venue, and we are going to look at this verdict and see what our options are." One juror said after the verdict that they felt it was a good verdict and they weighed the evidence and ruled accordingly.

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (Reuters) - New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and challenger Cynthia Nixon argued over who was the stauncher opponent of U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday in their only debate as they battle for the state’s Democratic gubernatorial nomination next month. Cuomo, who is seeking a third term as governor, promised he would not run for the U.S. presidency in 2020, despite expectations to the contrary. In often prickly exchanges over the course of an hour, Nixon, an actress and activist who is running to Cuomo’s left and trailing him in opinion polls, tried to cast the governor as acting mainly in the interests of corporate donors to his campaign. Cuomo painted Nixon, who won an Emmy for her portrayal of lawyer Miranda Hobbes on the HBO show “Sex and the City,” as inexperienced and naive about the practicalities of New York politics. Nixon came equipped with statistics and an array of policy positions on topics like rent control and transit funding, which Cuomo frequently rebuffed as flawed. He described Trump, a Republican, as “the largest threat” faced by New Yorkers, a greater danger than climate change, extreme weather or terrorism. He pointedly criticized Trump for his anti-immigration rhetoric and desire to limit access to abortion. “Nobody has stood up to Donald Trump like I have,” he said at the debate at Hofstra University on Long Island. Nixon scoffed at Cuomo’s depiction of himself as a fierce opponent of the president, who like the two candidates is a New York City native. “You stood up to him about as well as he stands up to Putin,” she said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. “We need to oppose Donald Trump not just with rhetoric but with policy.” Slideshow ( 7 images ) Critics have accused Trump of being insufficiently critical of Putin. The debate, just over two weeks before the Sept. 13 gubernatorial primary, may have been Nixon’s best opportunity to convince voters she has a chance of upsetting Cuomo. Three polls in recent months all had her trailing Cuomo by more than 30 percentage points. ‘CAN YOU STOP INTERRUPTING?’ Nixon interrupted Cuomo’s answers on several occasions, visibly irritating him. “Can you stop interrupting?” Cuomo snapped at one point. “Can you stop lying?” Nixon shot back. “Yeah,” Cuomo said. He hesitated for a moment. “As soon as you do.” Slideshow ( 7 images ) Cuomo is the son of the late Mario Cuomo, who was a three-term New York governor and considered a liberal lion. The current governor has a long record of government service and had raised nearly 50 times more money than Nixon, according to financial disclosures filed last month. In one of the more heated exchanges, he criticized Nixon’s setting up of a corporation in order to file her income taxes, an arrangement she said was not unusual among actors and other freelance workers. He earlier objected to Nixon calling him a “corporate Democrat,” saying repeatedly: “You are a corporation,” and asking as Nixon stared back at him: “Are you a corporation?” “I’m a person,” Nixon said. Nixon said New Yorkers should vote for her because she was a longtime champion of causes such as abortion access, better funding for schools and equal rights for gay and lesbian people. The winner of the Democratic nomination will face Republican Marc Molinaro, the Dutchess County executive, in the Nov. 6 election. There are also a few independents in the race.<doc-sep>New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Democratic challenger Cynthia Nixon came out swinging in their gubernatorial debate Wednesday evening, with each taking shots at one another’s credentials as they sparred over the aging subway system, public corruption and campaign-finance reform. The debate was the one and only contest between the two before the Sept. 13 primary for governor. Mr. Cuomo seized the opportunity to criticize Ms. Nixon, a 52-year-old actor and activist who has never run for office, for her lack of experience. “The governor of New York is not a job about politics, it’s not about advocacy,” he said. “It’s about doing. It’s about management. This is real life.” Ms. Nixon said her years as an advocate for education and LGBTQ rights primed her for the position. Being governor, she said, should be measured by efficiency, not years in office. “I’m not an Albany insider, like Gov. Cuomo, but I think that experience doesn’t mean that much if you’re not actually good at governing,” she said. The debate, held at Hofstra University, aired on CBS television affiliates across New York state and on 1010-WINS radio. It was the first-ever for Ms. Nixon, who used the forum to show another side to voters who may know her best from her role on TV’s “Sex & the City.” She entered the debate an underdog: A July 18 Quinnipiac University poll puts Mr. Cuomo ahead of her by more than 30 points, leading in all voter categories. His campaign also has dwarfed hers in fundraising. As of Aug. 28, the governor spent more than $5.3 million, with more than $31 million left in his campaign account. Ms. Nixon was on the attack during the showdown, talking over the 60-year-old governor, challenging him on his record and accusing him of changing his position on marijuana legalization only after she said she supported it. “Can you stop interrupting?,” a flustered Mr. Cuomo asked during one of the many times Ms. Nixon spoke while he was answering a question from the debate host, Marcia Kramer. “Can you stop lying?” she said in response. The debate questions ranged from the toll on the new Mario Cuomo Bridge to marijuana legalization to corruption in Albany. When asked if he would delay the proposed Metropolitan Transportation Authority fare increase to help commuters, Mr. Cuomo deflected the question, saying the city and the state shared the responsibility of funding the subways. “We need the city and the state to both share the fiscal responsibility,” he said. Ms. Nixon, who has made public transportation a key issue in her campaign, said she would delay the increase. “I think it’s unconscionable that Gov. Cuomo is thinking about raising fares on a system that is working so poorly,” she said. The governor controls the subway system, she noted. “To pretend anything else is completely disingenuous.” Tomeka Robinson, an associate professor of rhetoric and public advocacy at Hofstra University, said Ms. Nixon came off as a strong contender against the governor. “By her showing that while she’s not an Albany insider but she has some very clear ideas and is very knowledgeable on state policies, budgeting and everything else, people will see her as a nice alternative to Gov. Cuomo,” Dr. Robinson said. Lis Smith, a spokeswoman for Mr. Cuomo’s campaign, said Ms. Nixon tried—but failed—to get under the governor’s skin. “She showed that she didn’t have the experience or the temperament to be governor,” she said. Despite the contentious debate, the pair found one thing to agree one: They both kept their distance from the possibility of an endorsement from Mayor New York City Bill de Blasio, a fellow Democrat. “He makes his own decisions, I wouldn’t tell him what to do,” the governor, who has publicly feuded with the mayor for years, said when asked if he would accept an endorsement from Mr. de Blasio. Write to Katie Honan at Katie.Honan@wsj.com<doc-sep>Both candidates said they were in favor of postponing a subway fare increase, though they sparred repeatedly over the state of the system, as Mr. Cuomo tried to blame New York City and its mayor, Bill de Blasio, while Ms. Nixon noted the governor, not the mayor, controls the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. She called his argument otherwise “disingenuous.” “He used the M.T.A. like his A.T.M.,” she said. Behind in the polls, Ms. Nixon had widely been expected to serve as the aggressor, and she was for much of the night at Hofstra University on Long Island. It was Ms. Nixon’s first-ever political debate and she delivered cutting lines with comfort and ease. In the early minutes, she hit all the key elements of her campaign: the “incredible corruption” in the Cuomo administration; the deteriorating state of the subways; the need for more equitable education funding; and what she said was Mr. Cuomo’s past support to enable Republican control of the State Senate. Of Mr. Cuomo’s lack of knowledge that one of his former most trusted advisers, Joseph Percoco, was getting paid secretly by those doing business with the state she said it was “either incompetence or corruption.” Mr. Percoco was convicted earlier this year of corruption-related charges. But Mr. Cuomo came determined to attack Ms. Nixon for her own finances. He hammered her for how many years of personal taxes she has released (five), and for routing her income through an S corporation, which he decried as a “loophole.” He returned to the topic over and over. “You are a corporation,” Mr. Cuomo accused. “I am a person,” she replied. The tax tactic seemed designed to blunt her broadsides on his corporate donors — he has $24.4 million in campaign cash as of the most recent report — as Ms. Nixon described her tax strategy as standard practice for small businesses. “Working men and women don’t have corporations,” Mr. Cuomo countered. There are just two weeks remaining in the race before an unusual Thursday election, on Sept. 13, that has both camps racing to determine who will turn out. New York is the only state in the nation this year to hold two primaries — one for federal races, and one for state and local contests — adding to the turnout X-factor.<doc-sep>The insurgent political candidate and TV star Cynthia Nixon went on the attack against the New York state governor, Andrew Cuomo, with accusations of corruption and lying when the two clashed at their first and only debate. Nixon is taking on Cuomo in yet another leftwing challenge to the Democratic establishment, following a flurry of wins by outspoken progressives, such as Andrew Gillum in Florida on Tuesday and Stacey Abrams in Georgia and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York in other recent primaries. For his part Cuomo, currently serving his second term, said that if he wins a third term he will not run for the White House in 2020. But meanwhile he described his “job” as being to “fight” Donald Trump and ridiculed Nixon’s lack of experience – she has never held political office at any level – and her claim that she was up to the task of running the US’s fourth-largest state. Sign up to receive the top US stories every morning “Part of the largest threat today is President Trump. He is attacking everything we believe in in New York. He has to be stopped. I’m going to fight with him,” Cuomo declared. Nixon countered. “When it comes to opposing Donald Trump in New York state, we already have a corrupt corporate Republican in the White House. We don’t need a corrupt corporate Democrat in Albany as his main opposition,” she said. Nixon, Broadway actor and former Sex and the City star, and Cuomo, son of the former New York Democratic governor Mario Cuomo, got into sharp spats at their debate on Wednesday evening. At one point Cuomo barked: “Can you stop interrupting?” at Nixon, who snapped back: “Can you stop lying?” Polls suggest the governor has a more than 30 percentage point lead over his opponent, who also trails substantially in fundraising. But Nixon has garnered plenty of attention with her famous name. And, with her leftwing platform of education reform and social and economic equality, she is seeking to ride a populist wave of candidates assailing establishment figures with challenges from the left. As a political ingenue who has not held office at any level before, she represents an audacious, if outside, threat to establishment figure Cuomo who has powerful standing in the party. Her campaign finally drew Cuomo into a debate at Hofstra University on Long Island. Nixon went after Cuomo early in the exchange, calling him corrupt and a liar and saying experience doesn’t matter if a politician is ineffective. “I’m not an Albany insider like Governor Cuomo, but experience doesn’t mean that much if you’re not actually good at governing,” she said, referring to the seat of New York government in the state capital. Cuomo responded that Nixon did not understand the challenges of leading the nation’s fourth largest state and lived in a “world of fiction”, while he resided in the real world where you don’t just “snap your fingers” and change happens. “That’s the art of government. I can get it done,” he said. The fireworks began even before the debate kicked off, with Nixon, who would be the state’s first female governor, complaining that Cuomo had imposed a series of demands on the debate’s organizers – and then making a request of her own. The challenger asked that the temperature in the room be set at 76F (24.5C). Campaign adviser Rebecca Katz wrote that workplace conditions are “notoriously sexist when it comes to room temperature”, according to an email obtained by the New York Times – referring to air conditioners being set on high to cater to suited men. Cuomo – who in recent weeks got in a heated spat with Trump after saying that America “was never that great”, comments he later walked back – has been discussed as a possible 2020 presidential contender for his party. But he pledged definitively during the debate to serve a full term if re-elected, which would preclude a presidential run. “Yes, yes, and double yes,” he said. “The only caveat is if God strikes me dead.” Also Wednesday, it was revealed that Cuomo received a $25,000 campaign donation from a law firm that formerly represented the disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, six days before the governor called off an investigation into the Manhattan district attorney’s handling of sex abuse allegations against Weinstein, according to a report on the websites Capital & Main and Sludge. The winner of the Democratic primary on 13 September will face the Republican Marc Molinaro and independent Stephanie Miner in November.<doc-sep>

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and former “Sex and the City” star Cynthia Nixon swapped insults and clashed over policy Wednesday in their only scheduled debate before the Sept. 13 Democratic primary. While the testy, hourlong exchange at Hofstra University featured plenty of interruptions and insults, neither candidate landed the political equivalent of a knockout blow likely to significantly alter the race. Cuomo did make news during the debate, saying in response to a question about his political future that he plans to serve a full four years and will not run for president if elected to a third term. Cuomo had been considered a potential presidential contender. Nixon, a longtime liberal activist, went after the incumbent early in the debate, calling Cuomo corrupt and a liar. She accused him of empowering Republicans in Albany and not doing enough to address political corruption, income inequality or New York City’s aging subways. Cuomo, Nixon argue over who is bigger Trump critic at NY governor debate “I’m not an Albany insider like Gov. Cuomo but I think experience doesn’t mean that much if you’re not good at governing,” she said. Cuomo responded by saying Nixon “lives in a world of fiction” and doesn’t understand the challenges of leading the nation’s fourth largest state. “It’s about doing. It’s about management. This is real life,” Cuomo said. “You’re in charge of fighting terrorism. You’re there in case of fires and floods and emergencies ... and today you’ve got to deal with Donald Trump. You need to know how to do it.” Polls suggest Cuomo has a more than 30 percentage point lead over Nixon, who also trails substantially in fundraising. Observers had predicted that Nixon would attempt to rattle the governor in the hopes that he would misspeak. “Can you stop interrupting?” Cuomo asked at one point. “Can you stop lying?” Nixon fired back. Nixon attempted to tie Cuomo to the recent conviction of his former top aide, Joe Percoco, on charges that he accepted bribes from companies seeking state economic development funds. She said Cuomo was either complicit or ignorant about what was going on in his administration. “Either corruption or incompetence, which is it?” Cuomo responded that he didn’t know about Percoco’s activities and said he would push for greater ethics reforms if re-elected. While several of Nixon’s attacks appeared to irritate the governor, they did not provoke any significant gaffes — such as the governor’s comment earlier this month that America “was never that great.” Cuomo later said the remark was “inartful.” Hofstra University political scientist Craig Burnett said he didn’t see a clear winner in the debate, and that both candidates can claim some accomplishments. Nixon, he said, had an opportunity to lay out her progressive vision for the state, whereas Cuomo held his own and avoided any serious missteps that could go viral and change the race. “Ideally Nixon would have wanted this debate to happen three months ago,” he said. “She would have wanted three or four of them, as a way to get her message out. But this was it.” Cuomo had been considered a possible presidential contender in 2020 but he brushed off that speculation when asked by a moderator if he would pledge to serve four years if re-elected. “Yes, yes, yes and yes,” he said in response. The candidates also were asked whether they would seek the endorsement of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, a liberal Democrat who has had a long, frosty relationship with Cuomo. Nixon has been a close ally. Neither candidate said yes. Nixon said she’s running her own campaign and isn’t taking direction from anyone, while Cuomo said that he wouldn’t try to tell the mayor how to vote. The Democratic primary winner faces Republican Marc Molinaro, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and independent Stephanie Miner in November. Registered Democrats outnumber Republicans in New York by more than 2-1.

UPDATE 10 A.M. It's mid-morning and the dangerous wind chill values are still in place across all of Minnesota, although they should be dropping through mid-afternoon before they start to plummet again before winds decrease overnight into Thursday morning. The coldest temperature recorded in Minnesota was a -70F reading in Ely earlier this morning, although that number is in question because they've been having issues with their sensor overdoing wind speeds, according to the National Weather Service. Here's a list of 10 am. air temps and wind chills across Minnesota. Metro area Minneapolis: -26F temp, -53F wind chill St. Paul: -26F temp, -51F wind chill Maple Grove: -28F temp, -54F wind chill Minnetonka: -24F temp, -46F wind chill Eden Prairie: -27F temp, -47F wind chill Burnsville: -24F temp, -46F wind chill Lakeville: -24F temp, -49F wind chill Anoka: -26F temp, -50F wind chill Lino Lakes: -26F temp, -50F wind chill Forest Lake: -26F temp, -50F wind chill Maplewood: -25F temp, -49F wind chill Greater Minnesota St. Cloud: -27F temp, -54 wind chill Brainerd: -33F temp, -54 wind chill Bemidji: -34F temp, -54 wind chill Duluth: -24F temp, calm winds Ely: -27F temp, -47F wind chill Detroit Lakes: -27F temp, -49F wind chill Willmar: -27F temp, -51F wind chill Hinckley: -26F temp, -43F wind chill Marshall: -22F temp, -42F wind chill Mankato: -26F temp, -50F wind chill Rochester: -26F temp, -53F wind chill Hutchinson: -24F temp. -49F wind chill Red Wing: -24F temp, -49F wind chill Even with calm winds it'll still be extremely cold on Thursday morning with lows dipping close to -30F in the Twin Cities for a second consecutive day. The official low temp at MSP Airport today was -28F. Even a 5 mph wind with an air temp of -28F will produce a wind chill of -43F. For example, at 10 a.m. today it was -35F in International Falls but a 7 mph wind gave them a wind chill of -55F. Here's a look at forecast wind chill values the rest of the day through Thursday morning, and if you really want to get specific you can check out this interactive map that allows you to click on a location and see what the hourly temperature and wind chill forecasts are. For example, in Minneapolis, the wind chill is forecast to stay between -45F and -35F through 4 a.m. Thursday, and from 5 a.m. to noon it's expected to be anywhere from -23F to -34F. NWS Twin Cities Original story (7 a.m.) It doesn't appear that any place in Minnesota has had an official wind chill record of -70F just yet, but Ponsford in central Minnesota came close with a -66F wind chill at 6:18 p.m. on Tuesday. Ponsford is located northeast of Detroit Lakes in Becker County, which is where some of the coldest wind chills were recorded. Look at some of these unbearable readings the National Weather Service released as of 8 p.m. Tuesday – we'll revise this list as updated temperatures come out on Wednesday. -66F, Ponsford -64F, Lake Park, Brooks Thief River Falls -63F, Mahnomen, Fosston, Donaldson, Gatzke -62F, Crookston, Fergus Falls, Rothsay, Flag Island, Badger, -61F, Wadena, Bemidji, Frazee, Verndale, Hendrum -60F, Detroit Lakes, Moorhead, Park Rapids, Staples, Baudette, Tenney, Hallock -59F, Ottertail, Dilworth -58F, Elbow Lake, Red Lake -57F, Warroad -56F, Roseau It may have dropped even lower in some parts of the state after 8 p.m., but those numbers haven't been released just yet. The wind chill was observed as low as -55F at the official Minnesota-St. Paul International Airport. The actual air temperature in the Twin Cities (MSP Airport) at 7:20 a.m. was a numbering -28F with a wind chill of -50F. This cold spell will stay in place all day Wednesday and through Thursday morning as the overnight low is again predicted to drop to near -30F. The good news is that winds will be lighter so the wind chill values should stay in the 25-40 below zero range for the metro and gradually warm on Thursday. By Sunday, you'll be wearing shorts and outside grilling as temps will surge into the 30s with a forecast high of 45 in the Twin Cities on Super Bowl Sunday.<doc-sep>MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Temperatures have been above-average for so many days this winter so far that the forthcoming cold snap is going to feel particularly brutal. The bitterly cold weather blowing across the country comes to Minnesota going into Thursday. As the winds crank up, so does the danger for those who aren’t properly dressed for them. WEB EXTRA: Cold Weather Resources Strong gusts of wind are expected to kick up the snow that fell in parts of Minnesota earlier this week, causing near white-out conditions in the west and northwest parts of the state. On Thursday, the temperatures bottom out, with “feels like” temperatures of 20 to 25 degrees below zero in the Twin Cities. Here are the cold weather rules for Minneapolis and St. Paul schools. The Minneapolis school district says, “MPS will likely cancel classes if the wind chill forecast for 6:30 a.m. the following day is -35° or colder, with winds of at least 5 to 10 miles per hour.” St. Paul said that schools would be cancelled if the forecast for 6 a.m. the following morning shows air temperatures below negative 25 degrees or wind chills below negative 35 degrees. Anoka-Hennepin schools said they rely on the National Weather Service’s warning system. “If the National Weather Service issues a “wind chill warning” stating that exposed skin can become frostbitten in less than 15 minutes, then the district will likely make a decision to close. If a wind chill advisory is in effect, students who are properly dressed for the weather should be able to walk to school or wait for the bus without risking frostbite. Keep in mind, students are not expected to wait more than 15 minutes for their bus to arrive.”<doc-sep>

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Minnesotans are waking up Friday to dangerously cold weather, with subzero air temperatures and wind chills as frigid as 50 below in the northern edge of the Arrowhead. The National Weather Service has placed almost all of Minnesota under a wind chill advisory until noon. This includes the Twin Cities metro, which woke up to 20 below wind chills. Such bitter cold can cause frostbite in as little 30 minutes on exposed skin. Anyone who’s headed outside Friday morning is encouraged to bundle up. Up north, in the Arrowhead region of northeastern Minnesota, it’s even colder. The area is under a wind chill warning, as wind chills are reaching 50 below, a reading that was recorded in Ely. 50 below right now in Ely. My goodness. #mnwx pic.twitter.com/Pz80uhcd45 — Matt Brickman (@Matt_Brickman) January 25, 2019 After sunrise Friday, winds are expected to die down and temperatures look to climb a few degrees above zero in the Twin Cities. There’ll also be plenty of sunshine, so expect to see sundogs over the frozen lakes across the state. Saturday will be cold, but not as frigid as the last few days. Highs are expected to climb into the low teens in the Twin Cities, which is good news for the players in the U.S. Pond Hockey Championship on Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis. As for Sunday, the forecast calls for snow. A system tracking toward southern Minnesota is expected to drop significant snow on the area, perhaps even plowable snow in the Twin Cities. A clearer picture of the system’s trajectory should come Saturday. But the arctic cold isn’t going anywhere. It’s actually going to get much colder next week. High temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday look to be below zero. The lows? Up to 30 below in the Twin Cities on Wednesday morning. That’s just air temperature. Factoring in wind chill, it could feel like 50 below in the metro. That’s cold enough for some schools to cancel classes. There’s no sugarcoating it, the weather will get extremely cold next week. In fact, this could be the coldest airmass in several years. Here are the current forecast highs Wednesday and lows Wednesday night. pic.twitter.com/IKAO6Fzhcr — NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) January 24, 2019 MORE NEWS: Olympic Gymnast Simone Biles Coming To Target Center https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

"My daughter and a group of students left for spring break prior to the government's announcement yesterday," Caruso told TMZ. "Once we became aware of the investigation, the young woman decided it would be in her best interests to return home." The luxury yacht according to various yacht-focused websites , it worth roughly $100 million. A steep investment for literally almost anyone, but not so when you consider that Caruso is the real estate tycoon who developed the popular Los Angeles retail center, The Grove. The 215-foot "Invictus" yacht can sleep up to 12 guests while housing a staff of 19 crew members. It features a hot tub, an elevator, and a gym. It also was the subject of scrutiny when Caruso hosted its "christening" party in a Newport Harbor, inhibiting other smaller boats from docking. Forbes estimates that Caruso is worth $4 billion, as of March 2019.<doc-sep>When news of the national college cheating scandal was unfolding Tuesday, 19-year-old USC student Olivia Jade Giannulli was reportedly in the Bahamas on the yacht of billionaire Rick Caruso, the chairman of USC's Board of Trustees, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Olivia's parents, actress Lori Loughlin and fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli, have been charged with paying $500,000 in bribes to get Olivia and her sister accepted as recruits for the rowing team at the University of Southern California, even though neither took part in the sport. The Hollywood Reporter found Olivia was on a spring break trip with Caruso's daughter Gianna "Gigi" Caruso and returned to Los Angeles Wednesday. "My daughter and a group of students left for spring break prior to the government's announcement yesterday. Once we became aware of the investigation, the young woman decided it would be in her best interest to return home," Caruso, a real estate mogul, told TMZ. Lori Loughlin gained fame for her role as the wholesome "Aunt Becky" in the 1990s sitcom "Full House," and for the past few years has become the queen of the Hallmark channel with her holiday movies and the series "When Calls the Heart." Loughlin married Giannulli, her second husband, in 1997. Olivia Jade is a celebrity in her own right. She has a YouTube channel with nearly two million followers, and more than a million followers on Instagram. She often touts brands in paid ads on her accounts, and since last fall has incorporated her student life at USC. In one YouTube post, she talked about the difficulty of juggling her career with school, and said she didn't know how much she would actually attend. She also added that she was going to school for the partying, not academics: "I don't really care about school, as all you guys know." She later apologized. In an interview with the website TheBlast.com, she said she decided to go to college despite her fame because of her parents. "Mostly my parents really wanted me to go, because both of them didn't go to college," she said. "They didn't make me. My sister goes to the same school, and we're pretty much inseparable, so it was nice following in her footsteps a little bit." Loughlin went straight into acting after high school, appearing on the soap opera "The Edge of Night." She became a star on "Full House," a standout hit of ABC's family-friendly TGIF lineup in the early 1990s, and appeared on the recent Netflix reboot "Fuller House." She stars in the Hallmark series "When Calls My Heart" and is scheduled to appear in several new "Garage Sale Mysteries" movies and is a regular part of the channel's holiday movie slate. A judge said Wednesday Loughlin can be released after posting $1 million bond in the college bribery case. Federal authorities called have called the scam the biggest college admissions scam ever prosecuted by the U.S. Justice Department, with the parents accused of paying an estimated $25 million in bribes. At least nine athletic coaches and 33 parents, many of them prominent in law, finance, fashion, the food and beverage industry and other fields, were charged. The Associated Press contributed to this report.<doc-sep>Image : Getty It’s only a matter of time before noted vlogger and University of Southern California freshman Olivia Jade, whose mother Lori Loughlin allegedly bribed the school with $500,000 to admit her daughter, releases some kind of YouTube apology or tearful explainer about what’s going on. Until then, there’s TMZ—and the gossip site reports that, when the news about the alleged college admissions scam broke, Jade was enjoying spring break in the Bahamas, and spent the night on a billionaire’s yacht. Advertisement The yacht in question belongs to Rick Caruso; Jade is friends with his daughter, Gianna. Crucially, TMZ adds, Jade is “off the boat now.” Caruso confirmed that, while Jade and his daughter were on spring break together, Jade “decided it would be in her best interests to return home” when the news involving her mom broke. Crucially , Caruso is the Chairman of the USC Board of Trustees and called the allegations against the school’s employees “disturbing.” But TMZ notes that he won’t be in charge of deciding Jade’s fate —that would be the university president. Oh, what a tangled web these teen influencers and their celebrity parents weave! [TMZ] Ben Affleck knows nobody liked his back tattoo—which is maybe why he lied back in 2016 and said it was fake. It is decidedly not fake, and Affleck, today, can stand tall and proud even with his shirt off and say he loves his tattoo of a phoenix rising up his posterior. “Sentiment ran, you know, against,” Affleck told Ellen DeGeneres, of the moment when paparazzi first caught a pic of the tattoo while he was on the beach. But Affleck doesn’t care. “I love my tattoo, I’m very happy with it,” he says. “Yeah,” DeGeneres adds, “it’s your tattoo, it’s your back.” Truer words have never been spoken. Live and let men get as many tattoos of mythical creatures as they want. DeGeneres did point out though, and I can’t believe no one thought of this sooner, that the phoenix is “rising from your ass,” a detail I won’t soon forget. [People]<doc-sep>Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Lori Louhglin’s daughter was celebrating spring break on a yacht owned by a USC board of trustees member the same day her mother was ensnared in a widespread college bribery case, according to a new report. Loughlin’s daughter Olivia Jade was on Rick Caruso’s yacht in the Bahamas when federal prosecutors announced her mother would be charged with paying bribes to get her daughter accepted to USC, TMZ reported. Olivia Jade and Caruso’s daughter, Gianna, are friends and appear in social media posts together, the gossip site reported. Loughlin, who starred in the hit sitcom “Full House” in the 1990s, paid $500,000 with her husband, Mossimo Giannulli, to get their two daughters into the University of Southern California — by pretending the girls were crew athletes, prosecutors said Tuesday. Jade returned to the US after her mother was charged, according to the report. “My daughter and a group of students left for spring break prior to the government’s announcement yesterday,” Caruso told TMZ. “Once we became aware of the investigation, the young woman decided it would be in her best interests to return home.”<doc-sep>

Lori Loughlin's daughter Olivia Jade Giannulli was spending spring break on a University of Southern California official's yacht when her mother was accused Tuesday of involvement in a college admissions scheme, reports said. Giannulli, 19, was on Rick Caruso's luxury yacht Invictus in the Bahamas, a report said. Caruso is chairman of USC's Board of Trustees. Giannulli, who currently attends USC, was with Caruso's daughter Gianna and several other friends, the outlet reported. FELICITY HUFFMAN, LORI LOUGHLIN MOCKED BY FELLOW CELEBRITIES OVER COLLEGE ADMISSIONS CHEATING SCANDAL "My daughter and a group of students left for spring break prior to the government's announcement yesterday," Caruso told TMZ. "Once we became aware of the investigation, the young woman decided it would be in her best interests to return home." "Once we became aware of the investigation, the young woman decided it would be in her best interests to return home." — Rick Caruso, chairman of USC's Board of Trustees USC TO 'REVIEW' STUDENTS, GRADS WHO MAY BE LINKED TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS CHEATING SCANDAL Loughlin's daughter has since returned to Los Angeles to face the allegations that could result in her getting expelled from USC. USC's Board of Trustees will not decide the status of Giannulli and the other students involved in the case, but rather, the university's president will make the decisions, according to TMZ. Loughlin's rep had no comment. Business deals in jeopardy? Giannulli is a YouTube beauty vlogger and social media star, but in the midst of her mother's charges, she may lose the lucrative brand-sponsorship deals she has landed over the years, Variety reported. HP, having cut ties with Giannulli, said in a statement to Fox News, “HP worked with Lori Loughlin and Olivia Jade in 2017 for a one time product campaign. HP does not currently have a relationship with either of them," adding that the company does not have any current or ongoing campaigns with the mother and daughter. Sephora told Variety on Thursday that the cosmetics retailer has dropped its business deal with the influencer, saying in a statement, “After careful review of recent developments, we have made the decision to end the Sephora Collection partnership with Olivia Jade, effective immediately.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Giannulli also cut brand deals with partners including Amazon, Dolce & Gabbana, Lulus, Marc Jacobs Beauty, Smashbox Beauty Cosmetics, Smile Direct Club, Too Faced Cosmetics, Boohoo, and Unilever’s TRESemmé, the report said. Giannulli's rep declined to comment, Variety reported. Estée Lauder Companies, which owns Smashbox and Too Faced, also declined to comment, while the other brands or companies the magazine reached out to did not immediately respond to their requests for comment.

A legislative proposal aimed at securing U.S. election systems from cyberattack is picking up additional support in the Senate as lawmakers grapple with how to respond to Russian election interference. The bill, spearheaded by Sens. James Lankford James Paul LankfordGOP turns against Jan. 6 probe as midterm distraction The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Biden wants Congress to pass abortion bill, pushes for Mideast cease-fire Top border officials defend Biden policies MORE (R-Okla.) and Amy Klobuchar Amy KlobucharDemocrats to introduce bill to prevent default recurring political donations Are the Supreme Court and Biden ready to rumble over Roe? Bottom line MORE (D-Minn.), is designed to help states upgrade their digital voting systems and boost information sharing between state and federal officials on potential cyber threats to U.S. elections. ADVERTISEMENT The bill picked up new cosponsors in Sens. Mike Rounds Mike RoundsSenators struggle to save Jan. 6 commission Filibuster fight looms over Jan. 6 commission McCarthy, McConnell drive over their lieutenants to stop bipartisan Jan. 6 commission MORE and Bill Nelson Clarence (Bill) William NelsonStephanie Murphy won't run for Senate seat in Florida next year China fires back after NASA criticism of rocket debris reentry The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Infrastructure, Cheney ouster on deck as Congress returns MORE (D-Fla.), the bipartisan leaders of the Senate Armed Services cyber subcommittee, on Tuesday. Lankford is also hoping that Special Counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerSenate Democrats urge Garland not to fight court order to release Trump obstruction memo Why a special counsel is guaranteed if Biden chooses Yates, Cuomo or Jones as AG Barr taps attorney investigating Russia probe origins as special counsel MORE’s recent indictment of 12 Russian intelligence officers for launching cyberattacks in an effort to interfere with the 2016 election will add more urgency to passing the bill. “It was further evidence in great detail that the Russian not only were trying to engage, but how they were engaged,” Lankford told The Hill in an interview Wednesday. The bill is necessary to ensure confidence in future votes and securing state systems, he said, and future elections will be more at risk from hacking or interference if it is not passed. “Anytime you have any spot where you have a weak link, that’s going to be your vulnerability in the future,” Lankford said. The bill is making its way through the Senate at a time when President Trump Donald TrumpTrump lashes out after grand jury seated for New York criminal probe Schumer tees up vote on Jan. 6 commission bill Senators struggle to save Jan. 6 commission MORE has sparked a political firestorm after appearing to cast doubt on the U.S. intelligence community’s assessment of Russian election meddling during a joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. The comments sparked bipartisan outrage, prompting Senate leaders to weigh new legislative actions, including additional sanctions, to punish Moscow. Trump walked back his comments on Tuesday, clarifying that he misspoke and accepts the intelligence community’s judgment on Russian interference. The bill would authorize grants for states to replace outdated voting systems and institute requirements to improve information sharing between state and federal officials. It would also essentially codify into law actions that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is taking to share sensitive information with and provide security clearances to state elections officials. Earlier this year, Congress allocated $380 million for states to immediately replace outdated voting systems with more secure ones. Officials revealed last year that Russian hackers tried to probe election systems in 21 states as part of a broader interference plot in 2016. While officials maintain that the targeted systems were not involved in vote tallying and that no votes were changed, the revelations have spurred concerns about the vulnerability of American voting infrastructure to cyber sabotage. Lankford and Klobuchar originally introduced the bipartisan legislation last December. When some states expressed concerns with various aspects of the bill, the senators began engaging with state officials to resolve the issues. A revised version of the bill picked up support from leaders of the powerful Senate Intelligence Committee in March. But despite efforts to pass the bill – including by attaching it to must-pass defense policy legislation – it has not yet received a vote in the upper chamber. But lawmakers have demonstrated increased interest in election security in recent weeks. The Senate Rules Committee has held two hearings on the issue. Lankford also said his staff is sitting down with counterparts on the Rules Committee to work out any issues with the bill before the committee ultimately votes on whether to advance it to the Senate floor. It is unclear when, and if, the Rules Committee will vote on the legislation. Chairman Roy Blunt Roy Dean BluntOvernight Health Care: Moderna says COVID-19 vaccine is 100 percent effective in 12- to 17-year-olds | US achieves full vaccinations for half of adults | Trump on Wuhan lab: Now everyone agrees 'I was right' Senate confirms Biden pick to lead Medicare, Medicaid office Greene in 2020 video said she wouldn't take down statue of Hitler MORE (R-Mo.) indicated Tuesday that the committee is working through details on the information reporting requirements by engaging with voting system vendors and state and local officials. “We are trying to figure out for sure exactly what the best reporting regime would be,” Blunt told reporters. “I think, clearly, the [Department of] Homeland Security is trying to work with local officials in a way that is much more effective than they did in 2016. We are trying to determine what needs to be legislated and what needs to be a matter of oversight.” Most of the hang-ups with the legislation have centered on state concerns with the bill. State officials have broadly been weary of federal efforts to address election security, fearing a federal takeover of elections that have historically been run by the states. Lankford said that he met with state secretaries of state last week on the latest version of the bill and that the officials were “very supportive of where we are.” “They recognized how much input they have already given,” Lankford said Wednesday. “I would assume it will continue to have tweaks all the way to the bitter end,” Lankford said. “I don’t expect large changes tough.” The Mueller indictment, as well as President Trump’s recent comments about Russian interference in the election, could put momentum behind the bill. On Friday, Mueller indicted 12 Russian intelligence officials for hacking emails of Democratic officials and waging cyberattacks against entities involved in administering elections – including hacking into a state elections board website and sending spear-phishing emails to state elections officials and an unnamed voting equipment vendor. Meanwhile, Trump has continued to be besieged with criticism over his handling of the summit with Putin, stating Wednesday that no one had been tougher than he on Russia, although he also said Russia does not pose a threat to the United States. Lankford said he was “very troubled” by the initial comments and that Trump’s subsequent statement on Tuesday clarified “a tremendous amount.” But, he said the bigger question going forward is what actions the Congress and the administration should take to push back on Moscow. “Russia is not our friend,” Lankford said. “We’ve got to have a real push the Russians are not going to respond to words."<doc-sep>And election experts note that the law passed in response to the 2000 presidential recount did not foresee the challenges facing elections today. But apart from the $380 million approved for this year — which was the first new spending on election security grants in years — Congress has not stepped in with a new pot of money or directions on how to spend it.<doc-sep>

(CNN) — House Republicans and Democrats clashed over increased money for election security in the leadup to the midterm elections, as the chamber passed an appropriations bill Thursday without Democrats’ proposal of additional funding for an agency aimed at improving and protecting US elections. Democrats sought more money for states to protect their election infrastructures from threats, mainly citing Russia. But Republicans argue that there’s more than enough resources currently available and there is no urgent need for further funding. On Wednesday, several House Democrats attempted to make a unanimous consent request to demand that Republicans hold a vote on an amendment offered by Rep. Mike Quigley, an Illinois Democrat, that would add $380 million more for election security. However, their efforts came to naught. In a vote of 217-199 Thursday, the House approved the appropriations bill for the Interior Department, environment and related agencies for fiscal year 2019, which excluded the proposed additional funding for the Election Assistance Commission. And a vote later for a last-minute attempt to add the amendment to the bill also failed. Democrats argued the proof for more funding is in the wake of 12 Russians military officials indicted for alleged election hacking and President Donald Trump’s performance during a news conference with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland, in which he was largely deferential to the Russian leader. “The Russians attacked our democracy. They will be back and we are not ready,” Quigley said on the House floor Thursday, adding that “now is the time to double down on our efforts to prevent election hacking.” Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer, the No. 2 Democrat in the House, argued this amendment allowed states to “slam the door in the face of the Russia bear or any other adversary who seeks to steal the integrity of our elections.” “Surely we can rise above pandering to party and Putin to act on behalf of our freedom and our security,” Hoyer said to cheers from Democrats. Following Hoyer’s speech, chants of “USA” broke out among Democrats in the House chamber. House Republicans countered Wednesday by saying there is adequate funding available for states that request it. “There’s no crisis. There is help available. States have an opportunity for the resources necessary to make sure what all American people want, that our elections are held with the utmost honesty and integrity,” said Rep. Dan Newhouse, a Washington Republican. Texas Rep. Pete Sessions, the chairman of the House Rules committee, also argued that “there is not, at this time, a request necessary for more money.” Both Republicans pointed to the Help America Vote Act, passed by Congress in 2002 in the wake of the 2000 presidential election, and the $380 million for election security included in the $1.3 trillion spending bill passed in March. Newhouse said that nearly 40% of the 2018 funds still have not been doled out to states. During a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump was asked whether Russia is still targeting the US and replied “no.” Later, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said the President was not disputing intelligence findings, but instead was declining to further answer any questions. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and the US intelligence community has assessed Russia and other countries are continuing their attempts to breach US systems. “The warning signs are there. The system is blinking,” Coats said last weekend.“It is why I believe we are at a critical point.” CNN’s Phil Mattingly contributed to this report.

In India, Star Sports hold the broadcast rights for French Open 2018 and the matches can be live streamed on Hotstar. Rafael Nadal's attempt to extend his record by winning an 11th title in Paris will be the main focus of the men's draw at Roland Garros. No other man has won more than six French Open titles in the professional era. The man nicknamed the "King of Clay" has been nearly unbeatable on the surface, even winning 50 sets in a row until a recent setback. Nadal turns 32 on 3 June, but he's never looked better on red clay. Main-draw action begins on Sunday and this will be Serena Williams' first Grand Slam tournament in more than a year. The owner of 23 major singles titles, a record for the 50-year Open era, Williams hasn't played on one of her sport's most prestigious stages since winning the Australian Open in January 2017, while pregnant. She gave birth to a daughter on 1 September, then dealt with medical complications, and while she originally had hoped to be back on tour by the Australian Open this January, that did not work out. Williams, a 36-year-old American, has played only four official singles matches in the early portion of her comeback and pulled out of clay-court warm-up events in Madrid and Rome in May. She is ranked 453rd this week. Schedule 27-29 May: First round 30 and 31 May 30: Second round 1 and 2 June: Third round 3 and 4 June: Fourth round Tuesday, 5 June: Two men's quarter-finals, two women's quarter-finals Wednesday, 6 June: Two men's quarter-finals, two women's quarter-finals Thursday, 7 June: Women's semi-finals, mixed doubles final Friday, 8 June: Men's semi-finals Saturday, 9 June: Women's final, men's doubles final Sunday, 10 June: Men's final, women's doubles final Here's all you need to know about watching the French Open matches live. When and where will be the French Open 2018 be played? The French Open 2018 will be played from 27 May to 10 June in Paris in France. Where do I watch the matches live on television? In India, Star Sports hold the broadcast rights for French Open 2018. Star Sports Select 1, Star Sports Select 2, Star sports Select 1 HD and Star Sports Select 2HD will show the matches in India. The matches will start at 2.30 pm IST every day. Where can I watch the live streaming of the matches? French Open 2018 can be live streamed on hotstar.com With inputs from AP<doc-sep>FINAL: Simona Halep has won the women’s singles title at the 2018 French Open, besting Sloane Stephens in a three-set final. It’s Halep’s first ever Grand Slam win, and you can find all you need to know about the tournament, including results, below. Serena Williams has missed the last four Grand Slams, but she’s set to compete for title at the 2018 French Open, which gets underway on Sunday. Williams won the 2017 Australian Open before taking an extended break from tennis for the birth of her child. She returned to the WTA Tour this year, winning two of four matches, none of which were on the clay surface that makes up the courts at Roland Garros. She is unseeded due to her absence, and the field of competitors is incredibly strong, as usual. Without tune-up matches on the surface, it’s hard to imagine Williams earning her 24th Grand Slam title this time around. But the women’s field is as unpredictable and exciting as ever. Since Williams won in Australia, four different women have won the past four slams — Jelena Ostapenko, Garbine Muguruza, Sloane Stephens and Caroline Wozniacki. Simona Halep is the top-seeded woman, and she’s still searching for her first ever Grand Slam win. Elina Svitolina is playing some of the best tennis of her career, and has a good shot at winning it. Ostapenko, the defending champion, is also in the field as the fifth seed. Svitolina is coming off a win in the Italian Open in Rome, where she bested Halep in straight sets for the championship. Petra Kvitova won the Madrid Open prior to that, over Kiki Bertens. Halep and Maria Sharapova were among the quarterfinalists for that tournament. Serena’s sister, Venus Williams, is the ninth seed for the tournament. Below, you can find the bracket, schedule, viewing information and updated match results from the tournament. Bracket Bracket taken from the official Roland Garros website. Viewing information This year marks the 36th consecutive year that NBC will carry coverage of the French Open in the United States. The finals and some semifinals will be broadcast by NBC proper, but the bulk of coverage will be handled by the Tennis Channel. Play begins at 5 a.m. ET on most days, and ends around 3 p.m. Live streaming the NBC coverage, which begins later in the day and is only specific matches, can be had via NBC Sports, the NBC Sports app or any streaming service that offers NBC, like fuboTV. If you want access to all the courts, the only option is a subscription to Tennis Channel Plus. 2018 French Open TV Schedule Day Round Start End Channel Day Round Start End Channel Sun, May 27 First round 5 a.m. 3 p.m. Tennis, NBC Mon, May 28 First round 5 a.m. 3 p.m. Tennis, NBC Tue, May 29 First round 5 a.m. 3 p.m. Tennis Wed, May 30 Second round 5 a.m. 3 p.m. Tennis Thu, May 31 Second round 5 a.m. 3 p.m. Tennis Fri, June 1 Third round 5 a.m. 3 p.m. Tennis Sat, June 2 Third round 5 a.m. 3 p.m. Tennis, NBC Sun, June 3 Round of 16 5 a.m. 3 p.m. Tennis, NBC Mon, June 4 Round of 16 5 a.m. 3 p.m. Tennis Tue, June 5 Quarterfinals 7 a.m. 1 p.m. Tennis Wed, June 6 Quarterfinals 7 a.m. 1 p.m. Tennis Thu, June 7 Women's semifinals 8 a.m. 2 p.m. Tennis, NBC Fri, June 8 Men's semifinals 6 a.m. 2 p.m. Tennis, NBC Sat, June 9 Women's final 9 a.m. 1 p.m. NBC Sun, June 10 Men's final 9 a.m. 2 p.m. NBC Schedule and results Day 1, Sunday, May 27 No. 4 Elina Svitolina def. Ajla Tomljanovic, 7-5, 6-3 Kateryna Kozlova def. No. 5 Jelena Ostapenko, 7-5, 6-3 Qiang Wang def. No. 9 Venus Williams, 6-4, 7-5 No. 10 Sloane Stephens def. Arantxa Rus, 6-2, 6-0 Yulia Putintseva def. No. 22 Johanna Konta, 6-4, 6-3 No. 25 Anett Kontaveit def. Madison Brengle, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 No. 26 Barbora Strycova def. Kurumi Nara, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 No. 32 Alize Cornet def. Sara Errani, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 Viktoria Kuzmova def. Francesca Schiavone, 7-6(2), 7-6(2) Ekaterina Makarova def. Saisai Zheng, 6-4, 6-1 Magdalena Frech def. Ekaterina Alexandrova, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 Jennifer Brady def. Amandine Hesse, 6-1, 6-1 Zarina Diyas def. Magda Linette, 6-3, 6-1 Petra Martic def. Yafan Wang, 6-2, 6-3 Alexandra Dulgheru vs. Christina McHale (to finish Monday), 5-7, 7-6(5) Chloe Paquet vs. Pauline Parmentier (to finish Monday), 6-3, 6-7(4), 1-3 Day 2, Monday, May 28 No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki def. Danielle Collins, 7-6(2), 6-1 No. 6 Karolina Pliskova def. Barbora Krejcikova, 7-6(6), 6-4 No. 8 Petra Kvitova def. Veronica Cepede Royg, 3-6, 6-1, 7-5 No. 13 Madison Keys def. Sachia Vickery, 6-3, 6-3 No. 14 Daria Kasatkina def. Kaia Kanepi, 6-4, 6-1 No. 16 Elise Mertens vs. Varvara Lepchenko (to finish), 6-7(9), 7-6(4), 3-0 No. 15 Coco Vandeweghe def. Laura Siegemund, 6-4, 6-4 No. 19 Magdalena Rybarikova def. Luksika Kumkhum, 6-3, 6-0 Mariana Duque-Marino def. No. 20 Anastasija Sevastova, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 No. 21 Naomi Osaka def. Sofia Kenin, 6-2, 7-5 No. 23 Carla Suarez Navarro def. Ana Konjuh, 6-0, 6-1 Andrea Petkovic def. No. 29 Kristina Mladenovic, 7-6(10), 6-2 No. 31 Mihaela Buzarnescu def. Vania King, 6-3, 6-3 Heather Watson def. Oceane Dodin, 6-3, 6-0 Caroline Dolehide def. Viktorija Golubic, 6-4, 6-4 Rebecca Peterson def. Su-Wei Hsieh, 6-4, 6-3 Camila Giorgi def. Grace Min, 6-3, 6-2 Lucie Safarova def. Jessika Ponchet, 6-4, 6-1 Belinda Bencic def. Deborah Chiesa, 3-6, 7-6(2), 7-5 Kirsten Flipkens def. Tatjana Maria, 7-6(1), 6-4 Donna Vekic def. Kateryna Bondarenko, 6-2, 6-4 Alara Arruabarrena def. Timea Babos, 7-6(5), 6-3 Lesia Tsurenkodef. Stefanie Voegele, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 Maria Sakkari def. Mandy Minella, 7-6(5), 6-2 Georgina Garcia Perez def. Dalila Jakupovic, 6-3, 6-4 Katerina Siniakova def. Victoria Azarenka, 7-5, 7-5 Pauline Parmentier def. Chloe Paquet, 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 Alexandra Dulgheru def. Christina McHale , 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-3 Day 3, Tuesday, May 29 No. 3 Garbine Muguruza def. Svetlana Kuznetsova, 7-6, 6-2 No. 7 Caroline Garcia def. Yingying Duan, 6-1, 6-0 No. 11 Julia Goerges def. Dominika Cibulkova, 6-4, 5-7, 6-0 No. 12 Angelique Kerber def. Mona Barthel, 6-2, 6-3 No. 16 Elise Mertens def. Varvara Lepchenko, 6-7(9), 7-6(4), 6-0 No. 17 Ashleigh Barty def. Natalia Vikhlyantseva, 6-3, 6-1 No. 18 Kiki Bertens def. Aryna Sabalenka, 6-2, 6-1 No. 24 Daria Gavrilova def. Sorana Cirstea, 4-6, 7-6(4), 6-3 No. 27 Shuai Zhang def. Kristina Kucova, 6-0, 7-5 No. 28 Maria Sharapova def. Richel Hogenkamp, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 No. 30 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova def. Polona Hercog, 6-4, 7-6(1) Serena Williams def. Kristyna Pliskova, 7-6(4), 6-4 Fiona Ferro def. Carina Witthoeft, 6-4, 6-2 Samantha Stosur def. Yanina Wickmayer, 6-2, 6-4 Taylor Townsend def. Myrtille Georges, 6-4, 6-2 Irina-Camelia Begu def. Anna Karolina Schmiedlova, 6-4, 5-7, 9-7 Ana Bogdan def. Marketa Vondrousova, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 Alison Van Uytvanck def. Isabelle Wallace, 6-1, 6-0 Aliaksandra Sasnovich def. Denisa Allertova, 6-4, 6-3 Shuai Peng def. Aleksandra Krunic, 6-3, 6-4 Bethanie Mattek-Sands def. Johanna Larsson, 6-4, 6-3 Day 4, Wednesday, May 30 No. 1 Simona Halep def. Alison Riske, 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki def. Georgina Garcia Perez, 6-1, 6-0 No. 4 Elina Svitolina def. Viktoria Kuzmova, 6-3, 6-4 No. 8 Petra Kvitova def. Lara Arruabarrena, 6-0, 6-4 No. 10 Sloane Stephens def. Magdalena Frechm 6-2, 6-2 No. 13 Madison Keys def. Caroline Dolehide, 6-4, 6-1 No. 14 Daria Kasatkina def. Kirsten Flipkens, 6-3, 6-3 No. 21 Naomi Osaka def. Zarina Diyas, 6-4, 7-5 Maria Sakkari def. No. 23 Carla Suarez Navarro, 7-5, 6-3 No. 25 Anett Kontaveit def. Alexandra Dulgheru, 7-5, 6-2 No. 26 Barbora Strycova def. Ekaterina Makarova, 6-4, 6-2 No. 31 Mihaela Buzarnescu def. Rebecca Peterson, 6-1, 6-2 Pauline Parmentier def. No. 32 Alize Cornet, 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-2 Katerina Siniakova def. Kateryna Kozlova, 6(4)-7, 6-4, 6-4 Yulia Putintseva def. Jennifer Brady, 6-4, 6-3 Camila Giorgi def. Mariana Duque-Marino, 6-0, 6-3 Qiang Wang def. Petra Martic, 6-1, 6-1 Day 5, Thursday, May 31 No. 1 Simona Halep def. Taylor Townsend, 6-3, 6-1 No. 3 Garbine Muguruza def. Fiona Ferro, 6-4, 6-3 No. 6 Karolina Pliskova def. Lucie Safarova, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 No. 7 Caroline Garcia def. Shuai Peng, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 No. 11 Julia Goerges def. Alison Van Uytvanck, 7-5, 7-6(5) No. 12 Angelique Kerber def. Ana Bogdan, 6-2, 6-3 Lesia Tsurenko def. No. 15 Coco Vandeweghe, 3-6, 6-4, 6-0 No. 16 Elise Mertens def. Heather Watson, 6-3, 6-4 Serena Williams def. No. 17 Ashleigh Barty, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 No. 18 Kiki Bertens def. Aliaksandra Sasnovich, 6-4, 6-2 No. 19 Magdalena Rybarikova def. Belinda Bencic, 6-2, 6-4 No. 24 Daria Gavrilova def. Bernarda Pera, 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 Irina-Camelia Begu def No. 27 Shuai Zhang, 6-3, 6-4 No. 28 Maria Sharapova def. Donna Vekic, 7-5, 6-4 Samantha Stosur def. No. 30 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 6-2, 7-6(1) Andrea Petkovic def. Bethanie Mattek-Sands, 6-0, 7-6(5) Day 6, Friday, June 1 No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki def. Pauline Parmentier, 6-0, 6-3 No. 31 Mihaela Buzarnescu def. No. 4 Elina Svitolina, 6-3, 7-5 No. 14 Daria Kasatkina def. Maria Sakkari, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 No. 13 Madison Keys def. No. 21 Naomi Osaka, 6-1, 7-6(7) No. 26 Barbora Strycova def. Katerina Siniakova, 6-2, 6-3 Yulia Putintseva def. Qiang Wang, 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 Day 7, Saturday, June 2 No. 1 Simona Halep def. Andrea Petkovic, 7-5, 6-0 No. 3 Garbine Muguruza def. Samantha Stosur, 6-0, 6-2 No. 28 Maria Sharapova def. No. 6 Karolina Pliskova, 6-2, 6-1 No. 7 Caroline Garcia def. Irina-Cemlia Begu, 6-1, 6-3 No. 25 Anett Kontaveit def. No. 8 Petra Kvitova, 7-6(6), 7-6(4) No. 10 Sloane Stephens def. Camila Giorgi, 4-6, 6-1, 8-6 Serena Williams def. No. 11 Julia Goerges, 6-3, 6-4 No. 12 Angelique Kerber def. No. 18 Kiki Bertens, 7-6(4), 7-6(4) No. 16 Elise Mertens def. No. 24 Daria Gavrilova, 6-3, 6-1 Lesia Tsurenko def. No. 19 Magdalena Rybarikova, 6-2, 6-4 Day 8, Sunday, June 3 No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki vs. No. 14 Daria Kasatkina (to finish) 6-7(5), 3-3 No. 10 Sloane Stephens def. No. 25 Anett Kontaveit, 6-2, 6-0 No. 13 Madison Keys def. No. 31 Mihaela Buzarnescu, 6-1, 6-4 Yulia Putintseva def. No. 26 Barbora Strycova, 6-4, 6-3 Day 9, Monday, June 4 No. 1 Simona Halep def. No. 16 Elise Mertens, 6-2, 6-1 No. 14 Daria Kasatkina def. No. 2 Caroline Wozniacki, 7-6(5), 6-3 No. 3 Garbine Muguruza def. Lesia Tsurenko, 2-0 (ret.) No. 12 Angelique Kerber def. No. 7 Caroline Garcia, 6-2, 6-3 Serena Williams withdraws due to injury before match against No. 28 Maria Sharapova Day 10, Tuesday, June 5 No. 10 Sloane Stephens def. No. 14 Daria Kasatkina, 6-3, 6-1 No. 13 Madison Keys def. Yulia Putintseva, 7-6(5), 6-4 Day 11, Wednesday, June 6 No. 1 Simona Halep def. No. 12 Angelique Kerber, 6(2)-7, 6-3, 6-2 No. 3 Garbine Muguruza def. No. 29 Maria Sharapova, 6-2, 6-1 Day 12, Thursday, June 7 No. 1 Simona Halep def. No. 3 Garbine Muguruza, 6-1, 6-4 No. 10 Sloane Stephens def. No. 13 Madison Keys, 6-4, 6-4 Day 13, Friday, June 8 Men’s semifinals Day 14, Saturday, June 9 No. 1 Simona Halep def. No. 10 Sloane Stephens, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 Day 15, Sunday, June 10 Men’s final<doc-sep>

Serena Williams and Rafaeal Nadal will both see the court in third-round action at Roland Garros on Saturday. Both have looked great at the French Open, though they had a much different story coming into the tournament. Play begins at 5 a.m. and will be broadcast by the Tennis Channel through 3 p.m. NBC will also have coverage of select matches from 12 noon to 3 p.m. Live streaming of the NBC coverage is available via fuboTV, NBC Sports or the NBC Sports app, while live streaming of every court can be had with a subscription to Tennis Channel Plus. Nadal, looking for his 11th French Open victory, faces his first seeded competition of the tournament in Richard Gasquet. The Frenchman is seeded 27th and has looked good thus far ... but not as good as Nadal, who handily dispatched Guido Pella in his second-round matchup, only dropping four games in total. Williams is facing her second seeded competitor, after she managed to get through No. 17 Ashleigh Barty in three sets the last time out. Williams dropped the first set, but powered through the next two to win just her second Grand Slam match since the finals of the 2017 Australian Open. Simona Halep, the top seed for the women, will be in action after blazing through her second-round opponent, Taylor Townsend. Halep will be up against Andrea Petkovic on Saturday. You can find full schedule and results for the men’s draw here and the women’s draw here. Below is all you need to know to watch and follow the French Open, including a list of men’s and women’s singles matches. How to watch the French Open All Times Eastern Date: Saturday, June 2 Location: Stade Roland Garros, Paris, France Time: 5 a.m. TV: Tennis Channel (5 a.m. - 3 p.m.), NBC (12 p.m. - 3 p.m.) Online Streaming: NBC Sports, NBC Sports app, fuboTV, Tennis Channel Plus Men’s Singles No. 1 Rafael Nadal vs. No. 27 Richard Gasquet No. 3 Marin Cilic vs. Steve Johnson No. 5 Juan Martin del Potro vs. No. 31 Albert Ramos-Vinolas No. 6 Kevin Anderson vs. Mischa Zverev No. 8 David Goffin vs. No. 32 Gael Monfils (to finish), 6-7(6), 6-3, 3-2 No. 9 John Isner vs. Pierre-Hugues Herbert No. 11 Diego Schwartzman vs. Borna Coric No. 15 Lucas Pouille vs. Karen Khachanov (to finish), 3-6, 5-7, 1-1 No. 16 Kyle Edmund vs. No. 18 Fabio Fognini Maximilan Marterer vs. Jurgen Zopp Women’s Singles No. 1 Simona Halep vs. Andrea Petkovic No. 3 Garbine Muguruza vs. Samantha Stosur No. 6 Karolina Pliskova vs. No. 28 Maria Sharapova No. 7 Caroline Garcia vs. Irina-Cemlia Begu No. 8 Petra Kvitova vs. No. 25 Anett Kontaveit No. 10 Sloane Stephens vs. Camila Giorgi No. 11 Julia Goerges vs. Serena Williams No. 12 Angelique Kerber vs. No. 18 Kiki Bertens No. 16 Elise Mertens vs. No. 24 Daria Gavrilova No. 19 Magdalena Rybarikova vs. Lesia Tsurenko

Hello, it has been Day 3 of the MLB Draft, and this is the weird day for a lot of people. Before we talk about the picks, let’s do a quick rundown of things you should know. Signability is a big thing to remember. Players drafted on Day 3 pretty much get a maximum bonus of $125,000 (most will get fewer). Any money over that goes against a team’s draft pool. For high school kids, junior college players or even some college Juniors, they may choose to return to school in hopes of doing better and earning a bigger bonus. Be careful about looking at stats. Just like the minors, where one must consider the level of a league before getting too excited, the quality of opposition in the many different college leagues and levels, junior college levels, and high schools varies greatly. We include the stats because, well, they are fun to look at. But 12 home runs in a good college league is better than 36 junior college (For example, that total belonged to Juan Perez , who set league HR records in his junior college level before being drafted). , who set league HR records in his junior college level before being drafted). Getting stats for a lot of schools is tough. There’s nothing available for the kids from Puerto Rico. Junior college stat sites vary in quality. So if you see some players who don’t have as many stats listed as some others, know that I’m not hiding anything. Scouting reports are rare. I’ve included summaries where I could, but not even Baseball America scouts 1,200 players (about how many were drafted). Video can be even crazier. The kids from Puerto Rico make clean college application videos (though without game footage). Some kids playing in California have some of the worst video ever put up on YouTube as their only videos. (No, really, check out Preston White.) Alright, let’s dive in. 11th (#316) David Villar, 3B, South Florida - .374/.463/.648, 219 AB, 82 H, 24 2B, 12 HR, 28 BB, 58 SO, 1 SB in 1 attempt. Led the American Athletic Conference with 24 doubles, tied for the 3rd-highest in a single season in school history, and had 12 home runs. He was second in the AAC in batting average at .374, and led the team in almost all categories. He was first team All-Conference in 2018, and third team All-American by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and College Sports Madness. With Day 3 of the #MLBDraft underway, here's a few more guys of note:#Giants 3B David Villar (USF) - Eugenio Saurez body type, fringy defensively but can make enough plays to stick - Hunts fastballs middle-away/generates plus bat speed and some loft - Some inherent swing & miss — Michael Cuva (@MCuv2) June 6, 2018 Video - Starts at 1:31 when Villar homers. 12th (#346) Sean Roby, 3B, Arizona Western College (JC) - .356/.429/.739, 21 BB, 48 SO in 254 PA, with 22 home runs, 15 doubles and 2 triples. 15 SB in 18 attempts. 13th (#376) George Bell, CF, Connors State College (JC) - .360/.484/.512, 9 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 34 BB, 28 SO, 9 SB in 9 attempts. His middle name is Michael. Son of former AL MVP George Bell. His brother, also named George (Bryner) Bell, was signed by the A’s out of the DR in 2016. Yes indeed, the George Bell the Giants drafted in the 13th round is the son of THE George Bell. He wasn't signed as a teenager so he left the Dominican Republic to play at Connors State College in Oklahoma. He's a center fielder. — Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) June 6, 2018 14th (#406) Bryce Tucker, LHP, Central Florida - First LHP taken by the Giants. 2.02 ERA in 25 relief appearances. 26.2 IP, 17 H, 11 R, 6 ER, 16 BB, 35 SO, .179 BAA. Used as a reliever. Pitched on the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, had a 4.50 ERA in 10 innings, with 18 strikeouts and 6 walks, 5 hits allowed. Used as a reliever in 2017. Erratic command, fringe-average control. FB is 89-93 with life. 80-82 slurvy slider that he can change shapes with. 15th (436) Matt Frisbee, RHP, UNC Greensboro - 3.45 ERA in 15 starts, 91.1 IP, 86 H, 23 BB, 116 SO, .249 BAA. Had a 4.50 ERA in 6 starts in the Cape Cod League, with 21 SO, 12 BB in 24 IP. Best start was 7 shutout innings against the then No.4 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks. Throws a 94 MPH fastball that could go 97 MPH if he goes to relief. (Video from 2015 HS - Link for Apple News viewers) Meanwhile, imposing @UNCGBaseball RHP Matt Frisbee comes at you through high slot, hides ball very well. FB between 90-92, that both cuts and tails. Also throwing a sinking, diving breaker at 80-82 pic.twitter.com/Mft4WbtynL — Stu Murray (@Stu_Murray1) April 27, 2018 16th (#466) Trenton Toplikar, RHP, UC Riverside - 4.07 ERA, 6-3 record in 14 starts, 84.0 IP, 85 H, 19 BB, 62 SO, .257 BAA. Missed his first two seasons for unlisted reasons. Played for UC Riverside, who won the WCL title in 2017. He earned two wins in the postseason, including in the WCLCS finale, with a 1.93 ERA in 14 innings in that postseason. (Video from 2014 HS - Link for Apple News viewers) 17th (#496) Ryan Olenek, RHP, Ole Miss - 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 0.2 IP, 0 H, 1 BB, 0 SO… but hit .350/.388/.464 with 18 doubles and three home runs as an outfielder, primarily center field. Not a great base stealer with 9 in 16 attempts. He also played in the infield, with games at third and shortstop. MLB says he profiles as a second baseman at the pro level, and says his bat hasn’t been very productive. Kiley McDaniel said in his Day 3 chat that Olenek was a favorite of his, if signable, which he assumes Olenek is not. Interview video: 18th (#526) Bryan Hernandez, OF, Miguel Such Vocational School (HS) - Comes from Miguel Such Vocational School in San Juan, PR. 18R: Giants select OF Bryan Hernandez (18.5Y, 6'2" 178, Miguel Such Vocational School-PR). Video (not completely sure it's him): https://t.co/l83gyTEuD9 — GPT (@giantsprospects) June 6, 2018 19th (#556) Randy Norris, CF, Winston-Salem State University - .437/.475/.574 line, 197 AB, 5 2B, 5 3B, 4 HR, 11 BB, 21 SO, 34 SB in 38 attempts. All-time hits leader in Division-II Winston-Salem State University history with 231 hits over three seasons. Coach says his speed and knowledge of the game is tremendous. First WSSU player drafted since Ray Chadwick, 16th round of 1985 (when they didn’t have a baseball program. 20th (#586) Jett Manning, SS, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa - .251/.330/.302, 6 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 3 SB in 5 attempts. 16 errors and a .934 fielding percentage. Played his freshman and sophomore seasons at Frederick Community College. He originally went to WCU, but left the program there after the coaching staff tried to convert him to a submarine pitcher, 21st (#616) Angel Guzman, C, Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy (HS) - Out of the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy. Plays good defense behind the plate, and has experience at shortstop as well. A very good runner for a catcher, with a 6.70 in the sixty. Hits to all fields, and is a very good student. 22nd (#646) Clay Helvey, RHP, University of Tampa - 3.34 ERA, 5-2 record in 17 games, 12 starts. 70 IP, 58 H, 30 BB, 56 K. Clay Helvey #Giants 22nd round #MLBDraft. FB 91-92. SL has some tilt but is inconsistent. Saw a CB at 75 in 1st look. Strike thrower that sometimes loses command and gets too much plate. Lacks a true K pitch.https://t.co/2eitCCqmBz — Jason Woodell (@JasonAtTheGame) June 6, 2018 23rd (#676) Ben Strahm, RHP, Northeastern State University - 4.16 ERA, 2-5 record in 13 games, 10 starts. 62.2 IP, 50 H, 22 BB, 64 SO, .223 BAA. Brother of current San Diego Padre reliever Matt Strahm. No-Hitter!!!!! Ben Strahm with 10 Strikeouts over UAFS to win 4-0 @D2DiamondInfo #TeamNSU pic.twitter.com/DSZvPOm97Y — Northeastern State Athletics (@RiverHawkSports) February 18, 2018 24th (#706) Preston White, OF, The Master’s College - .326/.404/.484, 190 AB, 15 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 12 SB in 15 attempts. Also had a 3.45 ERA, 4-8 record in 26 appearances, 3 Starts. 44.1 IP, 45 H, 14 BB, 40 SO. Was listed by the Giants as an OF, so that’s going to be what the Giants try to do with him. Previously drafted by the Dodgers in the 38th round. Pounds the strike zone and became a “team leader” in his first season at The Master’s University. Some of the worst video ever: 25th (#736) Fabian Pena, C, Manhattan College - .255/.365/.411, 192 AB, 12 2B, 0 3B, 6 HR, 2 SB in 3 attempts. Was placed three times on the Johnny Bench Watch List. He was the MAAC rookie of the year in 2016. Had a down year after batting .350 his freshman year and .330 in his sophomore year. Baseball America named him the top pro prospect in the MAAC. Interview: 26th (#766) Jacob Lopez, LHP, College of the Canyons (JC) - 1.62 ERA in 14 starts, 88.2 IP, 70 H, 26 BB, 128 K. 86-90 4-seam fastball with life and command. 84-88 2-seam fastball. 68-73 MPH curve needs work, 74-77 slider. A scout indicates he could be either a starter or situational lefty in the future. Here’s the best Scouting Report of any of these draftees. 27th (#796) Dylan Dusek, LHP, Texas Tech University - 2.22 ERA, 3-0 Record in 17 games, 3 starts, 28.1 IP, 25 H, 10 BB, 30 SO, .236 BAA. Had a 1.94 ERA as a starter his freshman year, including not allowing a run during the NCAA tournament. Had Tommy John surgery his sophomore year and came back primarily as a reliever. Survivor of leukemia at age 6. 28th (#826) Travis Perry, RHP, Indian River State College (JC) - 4.02 ERA in 19 appearance, all relief. 31.1 IP, 34H, 14 BB, 32 SO. 29th (#856) Marcos Campos, SS, Siena College - .322/.355/.402, 239 AB, 17 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 6 BB, 26 SO, 9 SB in 9 attempts. Lists himself as a Dodger fan on his college bio, and would like to have a Panda as a pet. No comment from Pablo Sandoval. 30th (#886) Kwan Adkins, OF, Northwestern State University - .321/.396/.404, 240 AB, 7 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 23 BB, 64 strikeouts 7 SB in 11 attempts. Has played baseball for his entire collegiate career, and played his first season of college football in the fall of 2017 as wide receiver. (He played both in high school). 31st (#916) Ryan Walker, RHP, Washington State University - 5.24 ERA, 4-4 record in 23 relief appearances, 46.1 IP, 44 H, 25 BB, 47 SO, .257 BAA. His fastball hits 92-94. 32nd (#946) Braden Frankfort, C, Fresno Pacific University - .347/.410/.528, 176 AB, 10 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 15 BB, 31 SO, 0 SB in 0 attempts. Played his first two years at Santa Clara before transferring to Fresno Pacific. College bio lists him as a Dodgers fan. 33rd (#976) Austin Edgette, CF, Bloomsburg University - .436/.530/.685, 165 AB, 16 2B, 2 3B, 7 HR, 30 BB, 31 SO, 24 SB in 25 attempts. Very little news about him baseball-wise, but here’s a nice story about a friendship of his. Looking through the stats of the draft picks, Edgette had a pretty ridiculous season. Yes it's D2 and he's almost 23, but that 24SB/1CS rate to along with slugging .703... Very impressive. https://t.co/gtxnC74PNk — GPT (@giantsprospects) June 7, 2018 34th (#1006) Lucas Krull, LHP, Jefferson College (JC) - 10.26 ERA, 16.2 IP, 10 H, 38 BB, 27 SO. A LHP with a 96 MPH fastball and reportedly crazy spin rate. However, the big news the past few days is that Krull is giving up baseball to focus on football as a TE, and is heavily scouted by Kansas State and Florida, among others. Insiders suggest that the only thing holding Krull back would be “Life-changing money” from the MLB draft.<doc-sep>Today’s Headlines The most important news stories of the day, curated by Post editors and delivered every morning. By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy<doc-sep>

Fish Stripes analysis on the entire 2018 Marlins draft class will be updated during and after the draft. The Marlins made their final 30 amateur draft selections on Wednesday. They leaned heavily toward college pitchers, but addressed nearly every position to some degree: CF Davis Bradshaw (11th round, No. 327 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Meridian Community College (MS) RHP Zack Leban (12th round, No. 357 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Kansas University C Keegan Fish (13th round, No. 387 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Lakota West HS RHP Eli Villalobos (14th round, No. 417 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Long Beach State University RHP Zach Greene (15th round, No. 447 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings University of South Alabama RHP Sam Bordner (16th round, No. 477 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings University of Louisville LHP Alex Vesia (17th round, No. 507 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings California State University-East Bay RHP Zach Wolf (18th round, No. 537 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Seattle University RHP Justin Evans (19th round, No. 567 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Columbus State University RHP Cam Baird (20th round, No. 597 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Texas State University RF Connor Grant (21st round, No. 627 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings North Greenville University CF Milton Smith, Jr. (22nd round, No. 657 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Meridian Community College RHP Giovanni Lopez (23rd round, No. 687 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings University of Missouri-Columbia RHP Nathan Alexander (24th round, No. 717 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings University of Texas-San Antonio SS Luke Garvis (25th round, No. 747 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Auburn University RHP Tyler Jones (26th round, No. 777 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Wichita State University LF Harrison Dinicola (27th round, No. 807 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi SS Gunnar Schubert (28th round, No. 837 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Gonzaga University Make that FOUR years in a row! DID YOU KNOW: Marlins have drafted players named Gunner/Gunnar each of the past 3 years (Gunnar Kines in 2015, Gunner Pollman in 2016, Gunner Leger in 2017). All of them were Day 3 selections (h/t @MarlinManiac). That’s our very random stat of the day. pic.twitter.com/bcUpu9izoX — Fish Stripes (@fishstripes) June 6, 2018 RHP C.J. Carter (29th round, No. 867 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Troy University LHP Garrett McDaniels (30th round, No. 897 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Pee Dee Academy (SC) OF Steve Scott (31st round, No. 927 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Vanderbilt University RHP Jake Norton (32nd round, No. 957 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Stephen F. Austin State University SS Andrew Martinez (33rd round, No. 987 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Univesity of California-Santa Barbara RHP Joe Strzelecki (34th round, No. 1,017 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Nova Southeastern University RHP Jackson Rose (35th round, No. 1,047 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings University of Minnesota RHP Riley Egloff (36th round, No. 1,077 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Heritage HS (CO) RHP Robby Martin (37th round, No. 1,107 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Jeffereson HS (FL) RHP Bryce Miller (38th round, No. 1,137 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Blinn College 3B Andrew Turner (39th round, No. 1,167 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings Long Island University LHP Andrew Miller (40th round, No. 1,197 overall) Unranked in composite pre-draft rankings University of Kentucky

Thousands of tourists were stranded at Bali's Ngurah Rai airport, with 280 flights cancelled, and some 15,700 passengers affected after the Mount Agung volcano erupted, a thick plume of ash and smoke shooting thousands of metres into the sky on Thursday. Thousands of tourists were stranded at Bali's Ngurah Rai airport, with 280 flights cancelled, and some 15,700 passengers affected after the Mount Agung volcano gushed a 2,500-metre column of ash and smoke into the sky on Thursday. Eruption of Bali's Mount Agung volcano sends column of ash and smoke 8,200 feet into the sky. Officials say nearly 450 flights to and from the island were canceled, affecting some 75,000 people. https://t.co/Iuc8fEFvfC pic.twitter.com/tEbigicLl1 — ABC News (@ABC) June 29, 2018 Flights cancelled included Malaysia-based AirAsia and Australia's JetStar. Ash is dangerous for planes as it makes runways slippery and can be sucked into their engines. Despite the eruption, the volcano's status has not been raised by Indonesia's volcanology agency and remained at alert level, while the Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation has issued an orange level warning. A striking orange-red glow could be seen at the top of Mount Agung's crater after it shot smoke and ash some 2,000 metres (6,500 feet) into the sky Thursday evening. The last time there was a major eruption at Mount Agung was in 1963 (after 120 years) which killed nearly 1,500 people, according to BBC. The eruption lasted for almost a year. Here's all you need about the volcano: Mount Agung, situated in northeastern Bali, is 612 miles (984 kilometres) from Indonesia's capital of Jakarta, and 11 miles (18 kilometres) from Bali’s other volcano, Mount Batur. It is a composite volcano, also known as a stratovolcano, which means that in such volcanoes, volcanic ash, lava and other eruption material piles up steeply. They form typical conical volcanoes, which can also be high mountains. Agung rises to a height of 9,888 feet (3,014 metres). The first eruption was recorded in 1843 by Swiss botanist Heinrich Zollinger where thousands of people and animals died. The next eruption in 1963, was one of the largest and most destructive in the country's history. The first indications of the volcano being active were the recurrent feeble earthquake tremors felt by villagers living in Jekhuri, close to the peak. On 18 February, 1963, the first thin column of smoke could be seen. By 20 February, lava had started to flow down the slope claiming its first victims. Minor eruptions continued on the island for months, where about 280 million cubic metres of magma was ejected, according to The Independent. Lava reportedly travelled as far as 14 kilometres to the south. However, the deadliest effects of the eruption were the pyroclastic flows. According to DW, they are hot clouds of gases, ash and rock debris that race down the mountain at a very high speed. These waves of superheated gas can travel up to hundreds of kilometres per hour, similar to a volcanic avalanche. The Washington Post quoted the US Geological Survey as saying: "A pyroclastic flow will destroy nearly everything in its path. With rock fragments ranging in size from ash to boulders travelling across the ground at speeds typically greater than [50 mph], pyroclastic flows knock down, shatter, bury or carry away nearly all objects and structures in their way." They pose the biggest threat. At present, there is a four-kilometre (2.5 mile) no-go zone around Agung's peak. Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 250 million people, sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" and is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Government seismologists monitor more than 120 active volcanoes. With inputs from agencies<doc-sep>Bali volcano: Amazing footage of Mount Agung erupting top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Mount Agung has burst back to life and erupted yet again, spewing a 2,500m ash cloud into the air. The latest eruption happened at 12.20pm local time on Wednesday (5.20am BST) and lasted for one minute and 58 seconds. Indonesia’s Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (CVGHM) reported the ash plume rose 8,202 feet above the mountain’s peak. The CVGHM and other relevant officials have warned people to evacuate from the area and avoid any activities, including hiking, within a 4km radius from the peak of the mountain. The statement said: “Residents who live or have activities near rivers around Mount Agung must watch for the potential cold lava flows that might occur during the rainy season, particularly when the eruption materials remain near the peak. Authorities have maintained the alert level for Mount Agung at level three of the four-tiered national volcano alert system. Where is Mount Agung? Mount Agung is the highest mountain on the island of Bali and the fifth highest volcano in the whole of Indonesia. It is situated 612 miles (984km) from Indonesia’s capital of Jakarta and 11 miles (18km) from Bali’s other volcano, Mount Batur. Bali volcano update: Where is Mount Agung? How many volcanoes are in Indonesia? The volcano is also known as Gunung Agung and is a stratovolcano and the highest point on Bali. The volcano slopes towards the Bali Sea to the north-east and in the south-east there is a row of small extinct volcanic cones. Agung volcano is separated by a narrow valley from Mount Batur and is one of many volcanoes in Indonesia which has few written records, due to the long period of dormancy. How many volcanoes are in Indonesia? Indonesia has around 400 volcanoes and out of these, 127 are active - about a third of all the world’s active volcanoes. Bali volcano update: The eruptions have led to fires at the summit of Mount Agung The country is home to two of the biggest eruptions of modern times, that of Tambora in 1815 and the second-biggest, of Krakatoa in 1883. Mount Agung’s previous eruption in 1963 was the most explosive of the 20th century in Indonesia. Most volcanoes in Indonesia belong to the Sunda Volcanic Arc, stretching over 3,000km from north-west Sumatra to the Banda Sea. Indonesia has the largest number of historically active volcanoes and has suffered the highest number of eruptions producing fatalities, mudflows, tsunamis and pyroclastic flows. Bali volcano update: The volcano burst back to life last week The most striking pictures from Mount Agung's eruption Mon, July 2, 2018 Extraordinary pictures show Bali's Mount Agung erupting again. Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 28 Mount Agung erupts as its lava incubation reaches 2000 meter distance, in Bali<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox The eruption lasted for about seven minutes and these extraordinary photographs show glowing lava streaming from the crater, setting fire to vegetation. Flares of incandescent lava reached two kilometers from the crater and setting fire to forests at the slope of the volcano. Bali’s Mount Agung has been rumbling since late last year and on Friday there was a temporary closure of the island's international airport, disrupting flights and stranding thousands of travellers. Indonesia's national disaster mitigation agency said residents heard a loud explosion and saw flaming volcanic rocks thrown at least 2 km (1.2 miles) out of the crater. The last time Agung staged a major eruption was in 1963, when more than 1,000 people died and several villages on its slopes were razed.<doc-sep>Bali volcano: Mount Agung spews enormous ash cloud top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Mount Agung erupted for the second time in less than year, grinding Denpasar International Airport to a halt for several hours. Indonesia’s second-busiest airport closed at 3am local time on Friday, reopening just under 12 hours later. Hundreds of flights were cancelled and pictures of the huge numbers of worried passengers holed up in the airport showed the mighty scale of the problem. Is Mount Agung still erupting? Can you travel to Bali now? Sutopo Purwo Nugroho of Bali’s disaster mitigation agency said on Friday seismic activity was still rife deep under the volcano. He said: "Micro tremors are still being detected ... indicating that magma is moving towards the surface.” The current Volcano Observatory Notice for Aviation (VONA) colour code for Bali is orange, meaning emissions are “still continuing”. The ash cloud is estimated to be at approximately 5,142metres above sea level, but this is unlikely to affect passenger airline paths. Denpasar International Airport remains open although passengers are reminded to check regularly for further updates. The most striking pictures from Mount Agung's eruption Mon, July 2, 2018 Extraordinary pictures show Bali's Mount Agung erupting again. Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 28 Mount Agung erupts as its lava incubation reaches 2000 meter distance, in Bali Around 115 international flights and 203 domestic ones were cancelled earlier. But most flight providers including Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia are now operating normal schedules again. Jetstar tweeted earlier: “As conditions in Denpasar have improved and the airport has reopened, our scheduled flights resumed this afternoon.” What does Bali’s Tourist Board say? Bali’s Government Tourism Office said at 7am local time on Friday the “danger zone” was “a small area of radius of approximately 4 kilometers from Mount Agung’s crater”. Bali Volcano: Is Mount Agung still erupting? Can you travel to Bali now? An official statement added: “Tourist visitors in Bali are reminded there is no reason to panic and are advised to stay in their hotel where the hotel management and the relevant government agencies will keep them fully informed on developments. “Those were however scheduled to check out from their hotel on Friday should contact the hotel’s reception as most hotels are providing the best available commercial rate or one night complimentary for those needing to extend their stay.” No other updates have been issued since. Travellers should continue to monitor official updates in case of changes. Some of the active volcanoes, including Mount Agung, and earthquakes in Indonesia right now Denpasar International Airport has reopened<doc-sep>

Bali volcano: Amazing footage of Mount Agung erupting Mount Agung’s summit became a burning fireball on Monday 9pm local time as lava exploded from the crater catapulting fiery rocks as far as 1.2 miles away. The eruption was the third one in recent days and lasted around seven minutes, according to Bali's National Disaster Mitigation Agency. Spokesman Sutopo Nugroho confirmed residents were evacuating the area and a 4km exclusion zone remained in place around the 3,031m high volcano. An eruption on Friday temporarily shut Bali’s international airport and grounded more than 300 flights. Bali is a holidaymakers’ paradise and was visited by 5.5 million tourists in 2017. How long has Mount Agung been erupting for? Mount Agung has been erupting on and off for centuries, although little is known about the elusive mountain. Volcano expert John Seach says a volcanic blast was recorded by botanist Heinrich Zollinger in 1843 but few other written records exist. The most striking pictures from Mount Agung's eruption Mon, July 2, 2018 Extraordinary pictures show Bali's Mount Agung erupting again. Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 28 Mount Agung erupts as its lava incubation reaches 2000 meter distance, in Bali Mr Zollinger wrote of the 1843 eruption: "After having been dormant for a long time, this year the mountain began to be alive again. In the first days of the activity earthquake shocks were felt after which followed the emission of ash, sand and stones.” Mount Agung is a stratovolcano, meaning it is cone-shaped and has a steep ascent. An eruption at the summit in 1963 remains the most deadly one in Indonesia’s history. More than 1,000 people died and whole villages were razed after fast-flowing lava, known as pyroclastic flows, surged down the volcano’s sides. Bali volcano eruption update: How long has Mount Agung been erupting for? The mountain had been quiet in the intervening years but explosions at Mount Agung have begun rocketing over the past few months. The last major eruptions, prior to the last few days, were at the end of 2017. Explosions between November 21 and 29 saw mandatory evacuations of 100,000 people within a 10km radius of Mount Agung. At one point ash plumes reached 3,842 metres (12,605 ft) high and Denpasar International Airport was shut, leaving tourists stranded. Bali volcano eruption update: Evacuated residents at emergency shelters Bali volcano eruption update: Huge plumes of smoke rise from Mount Agung's summit

FULL TIME: BAYERN MUNICH 1-0 MANCHESTER UNITED Niko Kovac will be pleased by his team’s performance in this match. With three weeks left before Bayern start the Bundesliga, they absolutely dominated United on the day leaving the English club with nothing to show for their trip to Munich. 85’- Robben scores a deft finish from a Boateng ball into the box, but he is correctly penalized for offside. It was a fantastic finish though. 80’- Both teams have basically made their full complement of substitutes in this one at this point. Maybe we’ll see a few more in these final moments. 70’- Water Break. United has brought on most of their kids now and looks a bit more threatening in their ability to pressure Bayern. Rudy, in full superhero mask to protect his broken nose, has come on for Kimmich. 60’- GOAL BAYERN! Martinez gets on the end of a corner kick from Thiago to give Bayern a well deserved 1-0 lead! Rafinha and Coman come on for Thiago and Gnabry. 55’- Bayern are on the front foot still to start the second half. With the start of the Bundesliga still three weeks away, this is wonderful news for Bayern. United haven’t offered much through the entirety of the game. Bernat has come on for Alaba. 46’- Boateng, Goretzka, and Lewandowski have come on at halftime. HALFTIME: Bayern Munich 0-0 Manchester United The match has been mostly dominated by Bayern at halftime with United offering very little in attack. All of English team’s best attacks have gone through long balls from De Gea or their defense trying to spring Rashford. However, Hummels has been up to the challenge every time thus far. It will be interesting to see if Lewandowski starts the second half. A true center forward in the match, could free things up for the wingers. 40’- Süle brings a great save out of De Gea after his shot deflects off of two different United players on it’s path to goal. It definitely appears that, if a goal is coming before halftime, it’s going to be Bayern that scores it. 35’- Bayern have been threatening United’s goal over the last five minutes. With the majority of United’s squad sitting very deep when Bayern are in possession, the Bavarians are taking their time trying to find the precise pass to unlock the defense. Perhaps, a shot from distance is in the cards to open this up. 30’- WATER BREAK! The fans are going wild every few minutes, and we finally figured out why. It looks like they gave out big paper programs of some sort before the match, and the fans have been turning them into paper airplanes. Those airplanes have been finding their way onto the field. 25’- There’s really not a lot to write about, unfortunately. Man United aren’t really making much of an effort to attack Bayern. They’re very content to rely on super long balls and a prayer. 15’- There’s a lot of play between the two penalty boxes. Neither side has really find a breakthrough for a real challenge on either goal. Thiago did bring out a moderate save from De Gea, but nothing really to write home about so far. 1’- The match has kicked off in Munich! The lineups for both team have been released. The Allianz Arena looks AMAZING! If anyone needs a new cover photo... pic.twitter.com/U8Fp7kF8oA — FC Bayern US (@FCBayernUS) August 5, 2018 Bayern Munich will take the field against Manchester United for their first friendly back in Europe since completing the Audi Summer Tour of the United States. It’s two of the biggest clubs of the world. What more could you want? (Hint: a decent broadcast?) Both teams were traversing the USA for the International Champions Cup even though they didn’t face each other. While Bayern spent the trip enjoying themselves and letting the younger talent take center stage, Man United (Jose Mourinho, in particular) whined and cried nearly the entire time about how he didn’t want to play anyone other than €100 million players. And, yes, we know that this game is likely to be hard to watch no matter where in the world that you live. Like always, check for your country below in the link. Good luck. Location: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany Time: 2:15 pm EST, 20:15 local TV/streaming: Find Your Country Tips for commenting: If you’re a new member, feel free to introduce yourself. We’re mostly very friendly. Also, we’re from all parts of the world, so don’t feel shy if you’re from a country that doesn’t seem represented on the blog. Refresh the page regularly to keep up with the discussion. One refresh every 55-60 seconds is ideal but if that’s too much then just try for one every five minutes and after every goal. The goal celebrations are for everyone to participate in. Even if you’re lagging behind the others, keep replying to the most recent call of the player’s name. Even if you missed the first call, just start from the second, and so on. While swearing is allowed within reason, please be polite to your fellow posters and avoid gratuitous obscenities. Check out our beginner’s thread if you have any more questions. That’s about it. Auf geht’s! Looking for an unending well of Bayern Munich content? Are you ready to see Bayern in face some Manchester scrubs? Sign up for an SB Nation account and join the conversation on Bavarian Football Works. Whether it’s full match coverage and analysis, breaking news or something completely different, we have it all.<doc-sep>No microphone has been detected in the system x You need to give permission for the microphone to be used to be able to use it x Error while trying to use the microphone, the browser may not be compatible x<doc-sep>The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Get the latest United updates, transfer news and analysis delivered straight to your inbox every day for free Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Manchester United drew two, won two (albeit one of them on penalties) and lost one in their pre-season tour of the United States. Manager Jose Mourinho was deprived of several players due to injuries and the World Cup but the tour was still a success for some players, and a disaster for others. The following ratings are for players who started at least one match in the States. David de Gea Linked up for the Real Madrid game and was steady despite the Champions League winners regularly threatening. 6 Lee Grant Impressed in games and on the training pitch. Joel Pereira appreciated his professionalism and experience. 7 Joel Pereira Made some decent stops but was over-confident with his squandered penalty against AC Milan. 6 Antonio Valencia Played less than an hour and had ‘too much holiday’, in Mourinho’s words. 3 Matteo Darmian Enjoyed plenty of playing time as the only established right-back. Looked uninterested up until a creditable display against Madrid. 5 Timothy Fosu-Mensah One of the few positives in the Liverpool defeat. Vinicius Junior embarrassed him but he recovered and Fosu-Mensah’s defending was often secure. 7 Axel Tuanzebe Looked awkward in a back three and is in need of a season-long loan. 5 Eric Bailly Positionally erratic but played through the pain barrier and captained the team against Real Madrid. 6 Chris Smalling Missed the last two games through injury and was shaky in the AC Milan draw. Might miss out on starting the season. 5 Luke Shaw Effectively had a free run at the left-back role but suffered a few wobbles. Solid, if unspectacular. 6 Andreas Pereira Played the most minutes on what could be remembered as a breakthrough tour. Scored a stunning free-kick against Liverpool. 8 Ander Herrera Took time to get going but was particularly proactive against Real Madrid and scored the winner. 6 Fred Was eager in his brief bow against Liverpool and enjoyed an accomplished first start in the win over Real Madrid. 7 Scott McTominay Might have dropped down the midfield pecking order in the wake of Pereira’s progress. Barely impressed despite plenty of game-time. 5 James Garner Didn’t disgrace himself in a risk-aversive start against San Jose. Got to come on and see out the game with Madrid. 6 Juan Mata Had to double as a striker in the wake of Anthony Martial’s departure and developed an encouraging telepathy with Alexis Sanchez. 7 Anthony Martial Was woeful in his two appearances before he left for the birth of his son. His partner and baby's health was his priority but Martial’s attitude was poor before the tour. 3 Alexis Sanchez Stepped up and showed his class which was rarely seen last season after joining from Arsenal. 8 Tahith Chong Excelled in the opening draw with Club America but was overawed in his only start against San Jose. Restricted to cameos in the remaining games. 6 Get all the latest Manchester United news first with our new app. Download it here now.<doc-sep>Bayern almost scored at the very start of the second half when the powerful Gnabry burst forward, past several defenders, only to drag a shot across goal into the palms of a well-positioned De Gea. Soon after, Bailly was forced off with an injury and replaced at centre-back by Chris Smalling, possibly providing the manager with a selection headache before Leicester’s visit to Old Trafford. The deadlock was broken on 59 minutes when Martinez rose highest inside the penalty area to nod home from a corner, sending the colourful Allianz Arena into raptures. The venue was obviously packed with Bayern supporters, but our travelling fans remained vocal in the away end and were soon heard singing ‘Stand up for the Busby Babes’ in a nod to the Munich Air Disaster. Mourinho made three changes straight after the goal by introducing Scott McTominay, Tim Fosu-Mensah and Phil Jones, with the latter making his first appearance since the World Cup in Russia. A second drinks break of the match followed, on 70 minutes, allowing for the taxing conditions. The tempo of the prestigious friendly dropped thereafter and both managers made multiple substitutions, perhaps with eyes on more competitive and important matches to come. Jose used every replacement available to him, except 16-year-old prospect Mason Greenwood. Bayern thought they had doubled their lead on 87 minutes when ex-Chelsea winger Arjen Robben struck past Lee Grant, but the linesman’s flag ruled it offside in the last meaningful action of the game. While the defeat was, of course, disappointing, a work-out against top-quality opposition will surely benefit the Reds ahead of the most important match to come – Leicester City at Old Trafford.<doc-sep>

Manchester United's tour is over - and it was certainly eventful. One win, one defeat and three draws has not exactly got pulses racing for the season, with most of the discussion surrounding activity off the pitch. Jose Mourinho has used the tour to make a point to the United hierarchy about signings, while Anthony Martial went home early for the birth of his son - and is set to pick up a £180,000 fine in the process. Despite what has occasionally felt like doom and gloom, there have been some highlights - particularly Alexis Sanchez and Andreas Pereira. Our friends at the Manchester Evening News rated how everyone performed on United's tour... (Image: Man Utd via Getty) Pre-season tour player ratings David de Gea 6 Linked up for the Real Madrid game and was steady despite the Champions League winners regularly threatening. Lee Grant 7 Impressed in games and on the training pitch. Joel Pereira appreciated his professionalism and experience. Joel Pereira 6 Made some decent stops but was over-confident with his squandered penalty against AC Milan. Antonio Valencia 3 Played less than an hour and had ‘too much holiday’, in Mourinho’s words. (Image: Angel Martinez) Matteo Darmian 5 Enjoyed plenty of playing time as the only established right-back. Looked uninterested up until a creditable display against Madrid. Timothy Fosu-Mensah 7 One of the few positives in the Liverpool defeat. Vinicius Junior embarrassed him but he recovered and Fosu-Mensah’s defending was often secure. Axel Tuanzebe 5 Looked awkward in a back three and is in need of a season-long loan. Chris Smalling5 Missed the last two games through injury and was shaky in the AC Milan draw. Might miss out on starting the season. (Image: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock) (Image: USA TODAY Sports) Luke Shaw 6 Effectively had a free run at the left-back role but suffered a few wobbles. Solid, if unspectacular. Andreas Pereira 8 Played the most minutes on what could be remembered as a breakthrough tour. Scored a stunning free-kick against Liverpool. 8= Ander Herrera 6 Took time to get going but was particularly proactive against Real Madrid and scored the winner. Fred 7 Was eager in his brief bow against Liverpool and enjoyed an accomplished first start in the win over Real Madrid. (Image: REUTERS) (Image: John Peters) Scott McTominay 5 Might have dropped down the midfield pecking order in the wake of Pereira’s progress. Barely impressed despite plenty of game-time. James Garner 6 Didn’t disgrace himself in a risk-aversive start against San Jose. Got to come on and see out the game with Madrid. Juan Mata 7 Had to double as a striker in the wake of Anthony Martial’s departure and developed an encouraging telepathy with Alexis Sanchez. (Image: Getty) Anthony Martial 3 Was woeful in his two appearances before he left for the birth of his son. His partner and baby's health was his priority but Martial’s attitude was poor before the tour. Tahith Chong 6 Excelled in the opening draw with Club America but was overawed in his only start against San Jose. Restricted to cameos in the remaining games. Alexis Sanchez 8 Looked like a man with a point to prove. United's best player on the tour, scoring goals and creating others. Will be vital to any success that United have this season.

RELATED STORIES Freeform Sets Good Trouble Season 2 Premiere Freeform Sets Good Trouble Season 2 Premiere Shadowhunters' 2.5-Hour Series Finale Event Gets Date Good Trouble took viewers by surprise last week when Dennis left a potentially suicidal voicemail on his ex-wife’s cell. But what exactly happened after that emotional phone call is “definitely intended to be a mystery and a cliffhanger,” executive Joanna Johnson says, adding that the audience is “meant to be pretty worried about him.” Most of the other residents of The Coterie, however, are not aware of Dennis’ message, going into Tuesday’s Season 1 finale (Freeform, 8/7c). “I think people are used to not seeing Dennis for a few days, and I don’t think they’re really missing him necessarily yet,” Johnson explains. But because Davia knows that Dennis lost a child and is going through a divorce, not to mention the fact that she heard his potential last words, she “is far more freaked out than anybody else.” The storyline shows “how really invested Davia is in Dennis, and that they do have this very special relationship,” Johnson adds. Popular on TVLine Elsewhere in the season ender, Mariana gets the opportunity “to have her own team and develop her own app,” Johnson previews, “but she’s caught in sort of a bind because she’s also started this women-in-tech ‘fight club,’ and she’s obligated and invested in making sure that they’re closing the gender and race pay gap.” As a result, she says, Mariana is faced with a dilemma: “‘Do I just gotta save myself, because now I’m getting an opportunity? Or do I stick with women in solidarity? '” Meanwhile, Callie’s got two big decisions of her own to make, including a very crucial one at work. “She’s really torn between the letter of the law and the ethics of her clerkship, and the fact that she really wants to see justice for Jamal and for Malika and for Sandra, Jamal’s mother,” Johnson shares. Then there’s Callie’s other big choice: hunky artist Gael, or handsome lawyer Jamie? (Tough life!) “She’s also torn between these two men, who represent very different parts of herself and very different people and paths for her life.” Good Trouble fans, what do you think Callie and Mariana should do? Sound off in the comments!<doc-sep>RELATED STORIES Freeform Sets Good Trouble Season 2 Premiere Freeform Sets Good Trouble Season 2 Premiere Party of Five Reboot Lands Series Order at Freeform Warning: The following contains spoilers for Tuesday’s Good Trouble finale. Good Trouble‘s Season 1 finale was full of choices, both of the romantic and professional persuasion. Callie found herself torn between Gael and Jamie during a tango dance dream sequence, while also dealing with whether or not to give some damning files to the plaintiffs in the Jamal case. Meanwhile, Mariana stood up in solidarity with her female colleagues — and kissed Raj! — but decided it might be time for her to leave Speckulate, after which Evan told her that the company owns her activism app. Elsewhere, Davia finally heard from Dennis, who had checked himself into a 48-hour hold at the hospital, and Alice learned that her parents already know that she’s gay. Plus, Malika helped her brother accept their mother’s brain-dead prognosis. Below, executive producer Joanna Johnson reveals whether Callie picked a beau and talks about Davia’s surprise feelings for Dennis. Plus, the EP previews what’s in store for Season 2. Popular on TVLine TVLINE | It was such a relief to find out that Dennis is OK. Did you ever consider going another way with that storyline? No. We love the character, and we love the actor [Josh Pence]. We wanted to do a story about grief and how grief is such a long process, and how you grieve the loss of a child, which I can’t imagine anything worse in the world happening to anyone. So we definitely didn’t want to have him to take his life, and we feel pretty sensitive about being very, very careful not to encourage or romanticize suicide in any way at all. [We wanted] to try to tell a story about how to deal with grief and how to deal with depression in a life-affirming way, and that’s ultimately where we want to go with the story. TVLINE | Going forward, what can we expect out of Dennis’ journey and his friendship with Davia? We learn that Davia doesn’t want to go back to Pittsburgh, has sort of gotten tired of waiting for Jeff and realizes that she deserves more. But [she’s] also realizing, in this fear of losing Dennis, that she really loves this guy. She has feelings for Dennis that she has to unpack. So going forward, that’s definitely going to be something that Davia’s going to be dealing with. But as you see in the finale, Jeff shows up and says, “I left my wife finally,” so she’s in this position where, “Oh, my God, I finally got this guy to leave his wife. What do I do now? How do I dump him? And I’m not sure that’s what I want.” She’s very confused going into the next season. TVLINE | We did not find out what Callie decided when it comes to Gael and Jamie, but in her mind, did she choose somebody in this episode? No, she has not made a choice in this episode. TVLINE | The final scene with her pushing both guys away, I interpreted it as her choosing herself. That is part of it, yes. In Season 2, you see that, and then, I will say, an eventual choice is made. TVLINE | Both Gael and Jamie are such good, viable love interests for her. Is there a part of you that hates to see the love triangle go? Just because she maybe makes a choice doesn’t mean the love triangle is going. That’s going to stay alive for a long time. No choices that you make when you’re 23 years old are permanent. They’re all in flux. I think that Callie continues to struggle with those two sides of herself that those two guys represent and with her feelings for both of them. TVLINE | It looks like you had a lot of fun with the tango dream sequence in this episode. Where did the idea for that come from? When I first walked the set of The Coterie, I, for some reason, immediately thought of Moulin Rouge and the tango sequence in that. I’m always saying about the writing, in every story, “Where’s the conundrum?” I like to see characters torn between two choices and not sure what choice to make. In Moulin Rouge, she doesn’t know whether she should go with the rich guy, save the play, or whether she should leave and be with the young starving artist. I just thought, “We gotta do a tango in here.” I later thought, “OK, so it’s going to be about making a choice between not just the two guys, but between Malika and the judge and what they represent in her life and career.” So I like the idea of having a tango with her feelings, with her conundrum. TVLINE | Where do things stand for Callie, professionally, going into Season 2? We don’t know whether she gave Officer Griffin’s personnel file to the plaintiffs or not. She has that debate with herself, which was really fun to shoot as well. I got that idea in some ways from Orphan Black. It’s amazing the way they shot that. I also felt like Callie has no one to talk to, and so she has to talk to herself. There’s a side of herself that’s saying, “Don’t do something stupid. It’s unethical,” and another side that’s saying, “What’s unethical is that he’s not getting a fair trial and these personnel files aren’t coming to light.” So we go into next season not knowing whether she gave the files or not. If she did give them, she’s in a tremendous amount of trouble, ultimately, if she gets found out. That’s what we unravel in the first couple episodes of next season, as well as what happens in the trial. TVLINE | The world of Speckulate has given the show so much rich, timely story. Can Mariana really leave that job? That’s what’s really tough: Can she? She does the right thing by sticking with her “fight club” girls and publishing the men’s salaries to make a point that they’re getting paid more than women for the same work, but now she’s put herself in some jeopardy. Evan wants her to stay, but now she has these questions about whether Evan’s intentions toward her are professional, or if they’re personal, and how awkward that might be. And also, what happened with this former employee Amanda? That’s a mystery that we’ll also explore next season. TVLINE | I really loved that Alice’s parents knew and were just waiting for her to come to them. How is that revelation going to change how she feels about her sexuality and her relationship with Joey? I think it’s really interesting, because sometimes you think that when you come out to your parents, and if they accept you, that you’re suddenly going to be comfortable in your own skin and with your sexuality and with being out. What you don’t realize is that you have your own internalized homophobia, not just based on what you think your parents were going to say, but also just being in the world and how difficult it is to be different in the world or to be your authentic self in a world that does not always unanimously applaud that or accept that. She’s going to be dealing with that, as well as the fact that there are certain stipulations her parents might place on her being out. Sometimes your parents are like, “That’s great. We accept that you’re gay. Just don’t tell anyone.” Or, “We accept that you’re gay, but don’t act gay.” Or, “We accept that you’re gay, but don’t be one of those pushy gay people, wanting your rights and everything.” She’s also going to deal with that. Good Trouble fans, what did you think of the season ender? Grade it via the poll below, and stay tuned to TVLine for even more Season 2 scoop!<doc-sep>After “The Fosters” ended, fans got to see more of Callie (Maia Mitchell) and Mariana (Cierra Ramirez) with Freeform’s spinoff series, “Good Trouble.” With the Season 1 finale ending tonight, will that be the end of their story? Of course not. These characters don’t give up that easily, and neither does their show. Freeform President Tom Ascheim surprised the “Good Trouble” cast with the Season 2 renewal news at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour in February. And, two months later, the first season of the series is coming to an end with, per usual, a dramatic finale. Photo: Freeform/Richard Cartwright “Jamal’s [Spence Moore II] trial begins, along with the Black Lives Matter protest Malika [Zuri Adele] has organized, leaving Callie in a difficult position knowing she has information that could help Jamal's lawyers,” the synopsis reveals. “Mariana gets some new information about the salaries at Spekulate from an unlikely ally, forcing her to make a decision about whether or not to release the spreadsheet outlining the pay gap. Meanwhile, Sumi’s [Kara Wang] wedding day is here, and it's time for Alice [Sherry Cola] to face her emotions head-on.” Lucky for fans, the wait between Seasons 1 and 2 won’t even be that long. Freeform announced at its Second Annual Summit last month that the show will come back in just a couple of months on June 18 at 8 p.m. EDT., and its digital aftershow, “The Trouble With,” will be returning right along with it. In the meantime, catch the Season 1 finale of “Good Trouble” tonight on Freeform at 8 p.m. EDT.<doc-sep>

The Fosters held audiences rapt with its dramatizations of real-life issues, and its spinoff Good Trouble has passed on that torch of showing really, really good-looking people go through some really, really bad things. Callie and Mariana started green in downtown Los Angeles, and though they still don't know much about anything, they've learned a lot more than they ever thought. Luckily, Good Trouble Season 2 will continue the learning — and fans don't even have to wait that long in order to find it. In honor (probably) of Good Trouble's Season 1 finale, Freeform announced that Good Trouble had indeed been picked up for Season 2. The better news is that Good Trouble Season 2 will premiere on June 18, 2019, meaning that fans of Callie, Mariana, and the rest of the gang at the Coterie only have to wait a little more than two months in order to get their fix — and possibly some answers as to what's really going to happen at Coterie. Right now, we're worried about Dennis. We're hoping that Davia dumps her married boyfriend (at least, I am). We're waiting for Callie to choose between Jamie and Gael while navigating a major career setback, and Mariana is on the precipice of trying to change things at Speckulate. There's so much to go through — here's what Season 2 of Good Trouble needs to address when it comes back in June. Callie Navigating Men & Career Gael? Or Jamie? Jamie? Or Gael? Or neither? Or both? Callie has to decide whether she wants to pursue the hot artist that makes her head all dizzy or the hot lawyer that makes my head all dizzy (hi, Jamie.) Both men are right for her in different ways, but they're very different men. Callie could also opt to date neither man exclusively, or perhaps no one at all — she has a big job to figure out in clerking for Judge Wilson, and Callie doesn't need the distraction. Dennis' Fate & Davia's Reaction The devastating penultimate episode of Good Trouble ended with Dennis' potential suicide and Davia, whom has grown to love Dennis, in a full-tilt panic. Whether Dennis lives or dies, Good Trouble should explore their relationship more — they definitely care for each other more than each lets on, and there could be something there. If anything, Davia needs to get rid of her married boyfriend. That dude is a scumbag. Mariana Sacrificing Herself For The Greater Good Mariana and her fellow female engineers at Speckulate are so close to revealing the pay disparities at the company, and as we all know, it may come at a price that's pretty high — Mariana could lose her job. Will she go forth, knowing that it will benefit the greater good and hurt her own chances? Or will she stay selfish and try to plug away from the inside? It's a hard decision either way. Alice Figuring Out Her Relationship Baggage Alice loves Sumi, and Sumi loves playing with Alice's heart, even though she's about to be married to another woman. For the sake of her future self, Alice needs to see that Sumi is bad for her. She may even need a therapist to help her come to terms with her feelings about coming out to her parents and the way she still lets Sumi affect her. Either way, Alice will never be happy if she lets Sumi have control, and the sooner she finds this out, the better. Malika Having Some Fun Malika has had a tough season — there's a huge police brutality trial she's involved in, issues with her mother, and some definitive trust issues with her new man, Isaac. Can we just let Malika enjoy something? Somewhere? Please? She's a wonderful character, and more development — a little more joy — would do her good. Season 2 of Good Trouble will certainly be a bumpy ride — luckily, fans don't have to wait too long to buckle their seatbelts.

WWE’s biggest night of the year had a lot of match, with a lot on the line. Titles, careers and legacys were all at stake so did the show live up to it’s illustrious legacy? Pre-Show: Buddy Murphy (c) vs. Tony Nese – WWE Cruiserweight Championship match Result: Nese wins via pinfall – New champion crowned Grade: B Thoughts: Another frustrating moment as both Murphy and Nese showcased why they should be nowhere near the pre-show; the Cruiserweight title match was a very hot and intense opener to the show as a whole. Really early on – Murphy seemed to get a big cut above his left eye which looked awful and we really hope he’s ok but Buddy didn’t let it stop him in the slightest. Both men looked fantastic and, whilst I personally would have preferred Murphy to retain, Tony Nese is a fantastic star who I feel will be a great champion. Women’s WrestleMania Battle Royal Result: Carmella lastly eliminates Sarah Logan Grade: C Thoughts: This…really wasn’t that great. I don’t ever really enjoy Battle Royal’s due to the frantic nature and the fact you can’t really work out what’s happening for the first two-thirds of the entire match and this was a fantastic example of said issues. Clunky, a bit ragged- people like Candice LeRae being eliminated off camera and never even mentioned and a winner who never should have won; I didn’t really enjoy this. I feel like Sarah Logan would have been a great winner. Carmella does not need this win whereas it could have built Sarah Logan up that little bit more. Shame. The Revival (c) vs. Hawkins and Ryder – WWE RAW Tag Team Championship Match Result: Hawkins wins via pinfall – Streak is broken and new champion crowned Grade: B- Thoughts: Aw it was a nice moment wasn’t it? Curt Hawkins FINALLY picking up a win and it happens to be for a championship, on the grandest stage of them all, alongside his best friend in their hometown. It’s nice. Yes – it means that Revival are just…we don’t know what’s next for them (AEW) but we need to wait and see. Fun match with a good ending. Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal Result: Braun Strowman eliminates Colin Jost Grade: B- Thoughts: This was a lot better than expected to be honest. Both Colin Jost and Michael Che played their parts incredibly well and weren’t too intrusive, it allowed Braun to look like an absolute monster again, it had some terrifying spots – looking at you Ali, hope you’re ok- and a winner that makes complete sense. Braun winning was obvious but obvious in a positive way. ONTO THE MAIN SHOW. Main Show: Brock Lesnar (c) vs Seth Rollins – WWE Universal Championship Match Result: Rollins wins via pinfall – New champion crowned Grade: A Thoughts: Well this is, potentially in terms of the gravity of the match and the two individuals involved, the biggest WrestleMania opener ever. It was absolutely genius in every aspect. Heyman enforcing the fact that; ‘If Brock isn’t the main event, why should we wait to be anywhere else?’ and then just absolutely battering Rollins for about…10 minutes before the bell actually rang. The decision to have Seth win is, of course, absolutely the right one. And it’s actually a breath of fresh air to see Lesnar sell, lose-relatively- clean, and be done with it. The match only lasted two and a half minutes so there isn’t THAT much to say but god- I can’t remember a WrestleMania with a hotter opener since Daniel Bryan vs Triple H at Mania 30. Fantastic stuff. AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton Result: Styles wins via pinfall Grade: B Thoughts: I really enjoyed it. It was certainly methodical and a stereotypical ‘Randy Orton’ match but I felt it suited the style. The entire point of this feud was essentially ‘WWE vs the Indies’ so why wouldn’t Orton adopt the WWE style throughout the match and slow everything RIGHT down during it? Styles winning is absolutely the right move here- I’d really like to see him go to RAW this time next week in order to feud with Rollins. I think that would be a fantastic move for him and I feel Orton can shine in this role of, almost, the ‘gatekeeper’ of WWE talent. Really fun and both men delivered on the grandest stage of them all. The Usos (c) vs. Aleister Black and Ricochet vs. The Bar vs. Rusev and Nakamura – WWE Smackdown Live Tag Team Championship Match Result: Usos retain via pinfall Grade: B- Thoughts: Personally, I would have liked to see this match go a little bit longer. It felt like a sprint of a match – in the best way possible- but I just felt we could have had a bit more time dedicated to it as everyone involved here is great. There are far too many spots here to mention but the two big ones that stick out in my mind was the eight-man Tower of Doom spot that Ricochet rolled through and Cesaro swinging Ricochet for what felt like nine years. Usos retaining is absolutely the right decision; they’re debatably the best tag team in the world right now and deserve to have a Mania moment where they win after all these years. Good stuff. Shane McMahon vs. The Miz – Falls Count Anywhere Result: Shane McMahon wins via pinfall Grade: A- Thoughts: What is it with Shane McMahon and having great singles matches at Mania? Facing his dad at Mania X-Seven, facing off against Styles at 33 was one of the best matches on the card and now we had an absolutely brutal, insane, energetic, intense blood feud for the best part of nearly twenty minutes. Shane is absolutely fantastic as a heel and, in the biggest surprise of the year, Miz is absolutely fantastic as a face. He’s so, SO likeable and it’s great to see. There are kind of three talking points in the match; the bump over the golf cart, the finish…AND GEORGE MIZANIN FINALLY STANDING UP FOR HIS SON. I honestly wanted to see George batter Shane so much- alas, it wasn’t to be. But added that intensity factor for Miz that told the story of ‘he’s lost it, he’s not thinking straight.’. The suplex from the top of scaffolding was incredible for three reasons. 1. Oh my god, that was terrifying. 2. No-one can ever call The Miz a coward again because LOOK AT WHAT HE DID 3. It gives Shane a win without making Miz look terrible. Shane got lucky but now the eldest McMahon can run with this moving forward. Absolutely incredible and one of the best matches on the show. Boss N’ Hug Connection vs. The Iiconics vs. The Divas of Doom vs. Nia Jax and Tamina Result: The Iiconics win via pinfall – New champions crowned Grade: C+ Thoughts: The Iiconics won. THE IICONICS WON. I’m so happy. They’re, easily, my favourite tag team in WWE today- male or female- and are consistently entertaining. I still hold the belief that they should have been the inaugural champions but then, I guess, we wouldn’t have this moment to talk about. I know seeing my reaction and then looking at the grade may not make sense- how can I be this happy but the grade’s one of the lowest I’ve given so far? The only reason I’m doing this is because I didn’t really enjoy the match as a whole as it felt rushed and ragged for me in a lot of places but WHO CARES. THE BELTS ARE NOW…ICONIC. The emotion on the faces of both Peyton and Billie showcases how much this means to them. Really, really delighted for them. Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Kofi Kingston – WWE Championship Match Result: Kingston wins via pinfall – New champion crowned Grade: A+ Thoughts: It’s…it’s really hard to discuss this moment. Because it’s up there for one of the best Mania moments of all time, easily. I’m going to hold my hands up- I never thought this would happen.<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up forfor news on the biggest players and tournaments Becky Lynch made history as she won the RAW and SmackDown Women's Championship when she beat Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair in a Winner Takes All Triple Threat Match. That was the first ever all-women's main event in WrestleMania history and will always be remembered as one of the greatest ever matches. Seth Rollins became the new Universal Champion when he dethroned Brock Lesnar in the first match of the night whereas Kofi Kingston beat the odds and Daniel Bryan to win the WWE Championship. Kurt Angle lost his last ever WWE match to Baron Corbin and Triple H saved his career when he defeated Batista in a No Holds Barred Match.<doc-sep>Kofi Kingston, who was raised in Greater Boston, won the WWE Championship after he defeated Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 35 on Sunday. With his victory at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Kingston, 37, is now the second black WWE champion in the organization’s history following Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson — and the first-ever African-born WWE champion. Born Kofi Sarkodie-Mensah in the West African nation of Ghana, his family moved to Massachusetts in search of a better life when he was 2 years old. He was captain of the Winchester High School wrestling team before attending Boston College. After graduating with a business degree in 2003, he took a job in catalog advertising at Staples in Framingham. “As what happens to a lot of people, I stopped following my dreams,” Kingston told The Republican in a 2011 interview. “But in my heart, I wanted to be in the WWE.” He decided to quit Staples and follow his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. When he was signed by the WWE in 2006, the sports entertainment company baptized him Kofi Kingston — a smiling Jamaican wrestler, and his career took off. (A decade ago, his character’s storyline changed and the Jamaican heritage scrapped.) WrestleMania 35 marked Kingston’s first one-on-one shot for a world championship in his WWE career. Bryan dominated much of the match before a crowd of 70,000 fans. Then, Kingston went to his signature Trouble In Paradise finisher and pinned Bryan to take the title.<doc-sep>

WrestleMania 35 is here. Below are match-by-match results from “The Showcase of Immortals," being held on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PHOTOS FROM WRESTLEMANIA 35 WRESTLEMANIA 35 MAIN CARD RESULTS (in order): Universal Championship: Seth Rollins (new champion) over Brock Lesnar. A.J. Styles over Randy Orton. Smackdown Tag Team Championship: The Usos (retaining champions) over Aleister Black and Ricochet, Sheamus and Cesaro, Rusev and Shinsuke Nakamura. Falls Count Anywhere: Shane McMahon over The Miz. WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The IIconics (new champions) over Sasha Banks and Bayley (prior champions), Natalya and Beth Phoenix, Tamina Snuka and Nia Jax. WWE Championship: Kofi Kingston (new champion) over Daniel Bryan. United States Championship: Samoa Joe (retaining champion) over Rey Mysterio. Roman Reigns over Drew McIntyre. No Holds Barred: Triple H over Batista. Baron Corbin over Kurt Angle. Intercontinental Championship: Finn Balor (new champion) over Bobby Lashley. Raw and Smackdown Women’s Championships: Becky Lynch (new champion) over Charlotte Flair, Ronda Rousey. PRE-SHOW RESULTS: Andre The Giants Memorial Battle Royal: Braun Strowman. Raw Tag Team Championships: Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder (new champions) over The Revival. WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal: Carmella. Cruiserweight Championship: Tony Nese (new champion) over Buddy Murphy. *** Sunday’s event is the eighth WrestleMania held in the New York/New Jersey area in history and the fourth in history to be held in the Garden State. WrestleManias 4 and 5 were held in Atlantic City in 1988-89 and WrestleMania 29 was held at MetLife Stadium in 2013. Madison Square Garden hosted the first WrestleMania in 1985. The event returned to MSG in 1994 and 2004 for WrestleManias 10 and 20, respectively. The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum was one of several sites to host matches for WrestleMania 2 in 1986. James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.

It's race day at Daytona International Speedway, and we’ve got all the information you need to get ready for Saturday night's Coke Zero Sugar 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race: START TIME: Retired U.S. Army Colonel Gregory Gadson will instruct drivers to start their engines at 7:11 p.m. ET followed by the green flag at 7:23 p.m. ET. RACE DISTANCE: The Coke Zero Sugar 400 is 160 laps around the 2.5-mile Datyona International Speedway for a total of 400 miles. RACE STAGES: After a successful run last season, NASCAR will once again be dividing races into stages and handing out points. Here are the segments for tonight's race: Stage 1: 40 laps, Stage 2: 40 laps, Stage 3: 80 laps. NATIONAL ANTHEM: The 82nd Airborne Division All-American Chorus from Fort Bragg, N.C., will perform the national anthem at 7:01 p.m. ET followed by a flyover by two F-22’s from the 43rd Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City, Fla. TV/RADIO SCHEDULE: The race will be broadcast on NBC, with a pre-show on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) at 6:30 p.m. ET. Radio calls can be found on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius/XM NASCAR Radio. LIVE STREAMING: NBCSports.com will live-stream the race for those who sign in with their cable/satellite provider's credentials. CUP DRIVERS:Expect aggressive tactics, intense racing at Daytona WALLACE:Seeking reprise of stellar Daytona run REPLACING STARS:Are NASCAR's young guns feeling pressure to perform? NASCAR ON NBC:Innovating for Saturday night's Daytona broadcast WEATHER: The temperature should register around 80 degrees at the green flag but isolated thunderstorms are also in the forecast. There's a 35% chance of precipitation in the early evening hours, but the race should finish under mostly cloudy skies with tempeartures in the high 70s. LAST TIME: Austin Dillon spun race leader Aric Almirola after an overtime restart and held off Bubba Wallace by 0.260 seconds to record his first Daytona 500 victory in February. And last summer, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. grabbed the lead off an overtime restart and topped Clint Bowyer by 0.213 sec to record his first victory at Daytona. LINEUP: Hendrick Motorsports drivers took three of the top four spots in qualifying, while Chevrolet and Ford shut Toyota out of the top 12. Chase Elliott won the pole and Hendrick teammate Alex Bowman will start along side. Here's the starting lineup for tonight's Coke Zero Sugar 400 (car number in parentheses): 1. (9) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet 2. (88) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet 3. (2) Brad Keselowski, Ford 4. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet 5. (4) Kevin Harvick, Ford 6. (17) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford 7. (31) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet 8. (34) Michael McDowell, Ford 9. (14) Clint Bowyer, Ford 10. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet 11. (22) Joey Logano, Ford 12. (12) Ryan Blaney, Ford 13. (78) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota 14. (42) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet 15. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota 16. (62) Brendan Gaughan, Chevrolet 17. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota 18. (24) William Byron, Chevrolet 19. (13) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet 20. (6) Trevor Bayne, Ford 21. (38) David Ragan, Ford 22. (43) Bubba Wallace, Chevrolet 23. (41) Kurt Busch, Ford 24. (47) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet 25. (37) Chris Buescher, Chevrolet 26. (10) Aric Almirola, Ford 27. (1) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet 28. (95) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet 29. (20) Erik Jones, Toyota 30. (21) Paul Menard, Ford 31. (32) Matt DiBenedetto, Ford 32. (19) Daniel Suarez, Toyota 33. (15) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet 34. (7) Jeffrey Earnhardt, Chevrolet 35. (96) DJ Kennington, Toyota 36. (00) Joey Gase, Chevrolet 37. (99) Landon Cassill, Chevrolet 38. (72) Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet 39. (51) Ray Black II, Chevrolet 40. (23) JJ Yeley, Toyota Follow Horrow on Twitter @EllenJHorrow<doc-sep>Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) The Xfinity Series competes under the lights for the annual summertime classic with the Coca-Cola Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway. William Byron beat Elliott Sadler to the line last year in a race extended by four laps when an 11-car accident on the backstretch brought out a yellow on the final lap. Here’s all the info you need ahead of today’s race on NBCSN. (All times are Eastern) START: Winn-Dixie District Manager Greg Sanford will give the command to start engines at 7:37 p.m. The green flag is scheduled to wave at 7:49 p.m. DISTANCE: The race is scheduled for 100 laps (250 miles) around the 2.5-mile track. STAGES: Stage 1 ends on Lap 30 Stage 2 ends on Lap 60. PRERACE SCHEDULE: Garage opens at noon. Qualifying is at 2:10 p.m. Driver/crew chief meeting is at 3:45 p.m. Driver introductions are at 7:05 p.m. NATIONAL ANTHEM: Anthem will be performed at 7:31 p.m. TV/RADIO: NBCSN will broadcast the race beginning at 7:30 p.m. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. with Countdown to Green on NBCSN. Motor Racing Network’s radio broadcast begins at 7 p.m. and also can be heard at mrn.com. SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will have MRN’s broadcast. FORECAST: wunderground.com calls for scattered thunderstorms with a high of 80 degrees and a 38 percent chance of rain at the start of the race. LAST TIME: William Byron took the lead on lap 98 and survived a green-white-checkered finish to beat Elliott Sadler to the line as the caution waved a final time over the field for a five-car accident on the backstretch. STARTING LINEUP: Click here for starting lineup<doc-sep>It's race day at Chicagoland Speedway, and we’ve got all the information you need to get ready for today’s Overton's 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race: START TIME: Overton’s Director of Operations Pat Baker and Overton’s Vice President of Merchandise & Business Development Nicolas Goureau will instruct drivers to start their engines at 2:23 p.m. ET (1:23 p.m. local) followed by the green flag at 2:32 p.m. ET (1:32 p.m. local). Times were moved up 14 minutes from the original schedule because of rain in the forecast. RACE DISTANCE: The Overton's 400 is 267 laps around the 1.5-mile Chicagoland Speedway. That's 400 miles. RACE STAGES: After a successful run last season, NASCAR will once again be dividing races into stages and handing out points. Here are the segments for today's race: Stage 1: 80 laps, Stage 2: 80 laps, Stage 3: 107 laps. NATIONAL ANTHEM: Jim Cornelison, voice of the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks, will perform the national anthem at 2:18 p.m. ET (1:18 p.m. local) followed by a flyover by a C-130H Hercules from the 910th Airlift Wing of the Youngstown, Ohio Air Reserve Station. TV/RADIO SCHEDULE: The race will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN), with a pre-show starting at 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. local). Radio calls can be found on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius/XM NASCAR Radio. LIVE STREAMING: NBCSports.com will live-stream the race for those who sign in with their cable/satellite provider's credentials. PREVIEW:Hot drivers, hotter weather roll into Chicagoland SURPRISING SEASON:Victory lane still eludes many top Cup drivers SUMMER STRETCH:Provides multiple paths on road to playoffs WEATHER: Be prepared for hot and sticky weather and possibly rain. The race should begin under partly cloudy skies with highs in the low 90s, but there is a strong chance rain or thunderstorms could reach the area before the race ends. LAST TIME: Martin Truex Jr. dominated last year's race — which was then the playoff opener in September — winning by more than seven seconds over runner-up Chase Elliott. Truex also won the Chicagoland playoff opener in 2016. LINEUP: Paul Menard scored just his second Cup Series pole and first since the summer of 2008 at Daytona International Speedway as he tries to get Wood Brothers Racing its 100th win. Former Wood Brothers driver Ryan Blaney qualified second and will also start on the front row. Here's the starting lineup for today's Overton's 400 (car number in parentheses): Follow Horrow on Twitter @EllenJHorrow FULL LINEUP: Overton's 400 1. (21) Paul Menard, Ford, 180.012 mph. 2. (12) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 179.880. 3. (9) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 179.748. 4. (41) Kurt Busch, Ford, 179.545. 5. (14) Clint Bowyer, Ford, 179.491. 6. (10) Aric Almirola, Ford, 179.259. 7. (2) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 179.093. 8. (24) William Byron, Chevrolet, 179.057. 9. (20) Erik Jones, Toyota, 178.826. 10. (19) Daniel Suarez, Toyota, 176.315. 11. (4) Kevin Harvick, Ford, 178.761. 12. (22) Joey Logano, Ford, 178.731. 13. (1) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet, 178.489. 14. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 178.047. 15. (88) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 177.754. 16. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 177.684. 17. (31) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 177.288. 18. (42) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 177.223. 19. (47) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet, 177.061. 20. (17) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford, 176.373. 21. (6) Trevor Bayne, Ford, 176.557. 22. (43) Bubba Wallace , Chevrolet, 176.378. 23. (38) David Ragan, Ford, 175.890. 24. (95) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet, 175.827. 25. (13) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 175.467. 26. (34) Michael McDowell, Ford, 174.306. 27. (15) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 174.087. 28. (32) Matt DiBenedetto, Ford, 174.020. 29. (23) Gray Gaulding, Toyota, 173.902. 30. (99) Kyle Weatherman, Chevrolet, 170.740. 31. (00) Landon Cassill, Chevrolet, 170.412. 32. (72) Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet, 169.194. 33. (51) BJ McLeod, Chevrolet, 169.099. 34. (7) Reed Sorenson, Chevrolet, 168.471. 35. (66) Timmy Hill, Toyota, 167.567. 36. (78) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 0.000. 37. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 0.000. 38. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 0.000. 39. (37) Chris Buescher, Chevrolet, 0.000.<doc-sep>

It's NASCAR race day at Michigan International Speedway, and we’ve got all the information you need to get ready for Sunday's FireKeepers Casino 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race: START TIME: Country music star Trace Adkins will instruct drivers to start their engines at 2:07 p.m. ET followed by the green flag at 2:16 p.m. ET. RACE DISTANCE: The FireKeepers Casino 400 is 400 miles and 200 laps around the 2-mile Michigan International Speedway. RACE STAGES: After a successful run last season, NASCAR will once again be dividing races into stages and handing out points. Here are the segments for today's race: Stage 1: 60 laps, Stage 2: 60 laps, Stage 3: 80 laps. NATIONAL ANTHEM: Michigan International Speedway's own Lisa Bascom will perform the national anthem a 2:01 p.m. ET, followed by a flyover by a C-130H Hercules aircraft from the 910th Airlift Wing of the Youngstown, Ohio Air Reserve Station. TV/RADIO SCHEDULE: The race will be broadcast on Fox starting at 2 p.m. ET, with a pre-show starting at 1:30 p.m. ET. Radio calls can be found on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius/XM NASCAR Radio. LIVE STREAMING: Fox is offering a live stream through its Fox Sports Go app. LARSON:Looks to keep riding Michigan mojo after three wins at MIS KESELOWSKI:Michigan win would be my Daytona 500 JONES:Michigan native looks for first Cup win on home turf BIRTHDAY:Michigan International Speedway celebrate 50 years of racing WEATHER: The Weather Channel is calling for mostly cloudy skies with temperatures in the high 60s for most of the race. There is a threat of rain although it may hold off until just after the race concludes. A delayed green flag or mid-race delay are possible, however. LAST TIME: Kyle Larson swept both races last season, and now has recorded three of his five career Cup Series wins at Michigan. In August, Larson led only two laps — both in overtime — to edge reigning series champion Martin Truex Jr. by .310 second. And one year ago, Larson led a race-high 96 laps and beat Chase Elliott by nearly one second in the June race. LINEUP: Kurt Busch leads a Ford front row and will start first after winning his second pole of the season. Michigan native Brad Keselowski start along side Busch. Here's the starting lineup for today's FireKeepers Casino 400 (car number in parentheses): 1. (41) Kurt Busch, Ford 2. (2) Brad Keselowski, Ford 3. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota 4. (4) Kevin Harvick, Ford 5. (22) Joey Logano, Ford 6. (10) Aric Almirola, Ford 7. (17) Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ford 8. (20) Erik Jones, Toyota 9. (12) Ryan Blaney, Ford 10. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota 11. (31) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet 12. (14) Clint Bowyer, Ford 13. (9) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet 14. (24) William Byron, Chevrolet 15. (21) Paul Menard, Ford 16. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet 17. (78) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota 18. (37) Chris Buescher, Chevrolet 19. (6) Matt Kenseth, Ford 20. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet 21. (88) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet 22. (19) Daniel Suarez, Toyota 23. (34) Michael McDowell, Ford 24. (1) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet 25. (47) AJ Allmendinger, Chevrolet 26. (42) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet 27. (38) David Ragan, Ford 28. (43) Bubba Wallace, Chevrolet 29. (95) Kasey Kahne, Chevrolet 30. (32) Matt DiBenedetto, Ford 31. (13) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet 32. (72) Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet 33. (15) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet 34. (23) Gray Gaulding, Toyota 35. (51) BJ McLeod, Chevrolet 36. (00) Landon Cassill, Chevrolet 37. (7) DJ Kennington, Chevrolet 38. (66) Timmy Hill, Toyota 39. (99) Garrett Smithley, Chevrolet Follow Horrow on Twitter @EllenJHorrow

Fallout Shelter developer Bethesda Softworks is suing Warner Bros Entertainment and the creator of a mobile game based on HBO’s Westworld for creating “a blatant rip-off” of its game. According to the lawsuit, obtained by Polygon, Westworld Mobile developer Behaviour — which Bethesda contracted to develop Fallout Shelter — “breached its contract with Bethesda and utilized its restricted access to Bethesda’s intellectual property.” The lawsuit further alleges that Westworld Mobile rips copyrighted computer code used by Fallout Shelter, as well as “highly similar game design, art style, animations, features, and other gameplay elements.” This even extends to the bugs present in both games, Bethesda continues. Westworld Mobile’s similarities to Fallout Shelter have been commented on regularly by press, with many noting its similarities. Fallout Shelter, released in 2015, allows players to run their own Vault as an overseer; players have an ant farm view of rooms, as well as the ability to customize their shelters, harvest resources, and recruit new citizens. In Westworld Mobile, players run the titular theme park and create new hosts to occupy it. The game launched earlier this week for iOS and Android. Bethesda claims that both Behaviour and Warner Bros have “benefited unfairly” from its game. “By recreating Fallout Shelter with Westworld’s ‘western’ theme,” the lawsuit claims, “Behaviour and Warner Bros benefit from the success, good will, and consumer base created by Fallout Shelter. The Westworld mobile game seeks to attract players by its misappropriation of intellectual property of Bethesda. Warner Bros intended for the games to be similar to be able to court the same consumers.” Bethesda is seeking statutory damages, actual damages, Behaviour’s and Warner Bros’ profits, and restitution, as well as attorneys’ fees and costs.<doc-sep>Bethesda is suing Warner Bros. and Behaviour Interactive over the new Westworld video game which it claims copies parts of 2015’s Fallout Shelter, according to court documents filed with the U.S. District Court for Maryland. Advertisement The lawsuit was filed June 21 and seeks to have money for damages awarded and for Warner Bros. to stop selling the game. “The Westworld game is a blatant rip-off of Fallout Shelter,” Bethesda charges in their lawsuit, arguing that Behaviour is inappropriately using code developed while assisting the development of Bethesda’s game. In the suit, Bethesda asserts that it paid Behaviour in 2014 to develop parts of Fallout Shelter and now claims that studio used some of the designs, artwork, and code commissioned for that game to help create Warner Bros. newly released Westworld mobile game. Exhibit L of the lawsuit in which Bethesda cites an article by Kotaku to argue that the two games look very similar. Photo : Bethesda ( Bethesda Softworks LLC v. Behaviour Interactive, Inc. et al ) The Westworld game resembles Fallout Shelter, a management sim released three years ago for smartphones and later on PS4, Xbox One, PC, and most recently the Nintendo Switch. Kotaku ran an article saying as much, which Bethesda even cites as Exhibit L in the suit, despite still having the site blacklisted and never responding to our emails. The new lawsuit filed yesterday, however, alleges Behaviour actually used some of the same underlying code for both games, which would put it in breach of its contract with Bethesda. “Under the agreement, all Behaviour work product of any kind, including code, designs, artwork, layouts, and other assets and materials for Fallout Shelter were authored and owned by Bethesda ab initio as works made for hire,” Bethesda claims in the suit. The video game publisher also alleges that Behaviour “utilized its restricted access to Bethesda’s intellectual property, including Bethesda’s copyrighted code, trade secrets, and other rights” in order to bring get the Westworld game out as soon as possible and calls it a “blatant rip-off of Fallout Shelter.” The company goes on: Advertisement Part of Bethesda’s lawsuit attempting to show that the character models in both games look the same. Screenshot : Bethesda ( Bethesda Softworks LLC v. Behaviour Interactive, Inc. et al ) “Working with the same copyrighted computer code used by Fallout Shelter, Westworld has the same or highly similar game design, art style, animations, features and other gameplay elements as Fallout Shelter, all of which are owned by Bethesda.” Advertisement A section of Bethesda’s lawsuit arguing that Westworld duplicates the visual layout of Fallout Shelter. Screenshot : Bethesda ( Bethesda Softworks LLC v. Behaviour Interactive, Inc. et al ) Beyond the surface similarities between how the two games look and play, Bethesda claims that there are programming bugs and defects that are present in both games. It cites as one example an apparent bug in the “demonstration” mode of the Westworld game. “Specifically, the view is out-of-focus and the scene that appears is far to the right and below the targeted landscape image,” the company writes. “It is as if a camera capturing the scene had been inadvertently pointed to the lower right foreground and then slowly refocuses on the central image. The identical problem appeared in initial versions of Fallout Shelter but was addressed before Fallout Shelter was released to the public.” Advertisement The rest of the suit goes on to argue what a success the Fallout brand has been, how that success in turn helped Fallout Shelter to be a popular game, and how Westworld’s allegedly ripping off the game “seeks to attract players by its misappropriation of intellectual property of Bethesda.” As a result, the publisher is seeking to recover an unspecified amount of money to compensate for damages and also get the game in its present form pulled. Neither Warner Bros., Behaviour Interactive, nor Bethesda immediately responded to a request by Kotaku for comment. Advertisement Bethesda has been involved in a number of high-profile suits against other game-makers in recent years. Last year, its parent company Zenimax won a lawsuit against Oculus Rift over violations of a non-disclosure agreement and copyright infringement. In 2012, the company settled a suit against Minecraft-maker Mojang over a trademark dispute regarding a game called Scrolls. [Update - 1:50pm, 6/28/2018]: In a statement to GamesIndustry.biz earlier today, Warner Bros. rejected the claims made by Bethesda in the lawsuit: “Warner Bros. has been assured by the game developer, Behaviour Interactive, that Bethesda’s allegations are untrue and that none of Bethesda’s code was used in the Westworld game. Moreover, contrary to Bethesda’s baseless accusation, Warner Bros. at no time ‘induced’ Behaviour to use the Fallout Shelter code in Westworld.” Advertisement Bethesda Sues Over Westworld Game by GMG Editorial on Scribd<doc-sep>Bethesda is reportedly suing Warner Bros. over the Westworld mobile game, which it claims uses Fallout Shelter code. According to TMZ, Bethesda is suing Warner Bros. and Behaviour Interactive, the developer of the game. In court documents, Bethesda reveal it contracted Behaviour in 2014 to work on Fallout Shelter before Behaviour went on to make the Westworld game for Warner. Fallout Shelter is a building and people management sim with a cute art design where you play the vault overseer. You have to keep your vault dwellers alive, playing Cupid to get them to have babies, while all sorts of things go wrong in the vault and, when you can, send your people out into the wasteland to gather resources. It looks like this: Westwork is a park management sim with a cute art design where you play as a new Delos employee and have to control the overworld from an underground bunker, creating AI hosts and matching guests with them in order to satisfy their every desire. It looks like this: So, how does Bethesda know Westworld includes Fallout Shelter code, apart from the, ahem, surface level similarities? Because the same bugs that were in an early version of Fallout Shelter are also in Westworld. Oops! Bethesda wants Westworld shut down and a cut of the profits. We've contacted both publishers for comment.<doc-sep>According to the court filings, Bethesda entered into a contract with Behaviour Interactive in 2014 to start development of Fallout Shelter, a mobile simulation game based in Bethesda's Fallout franchise. Under the agreement, all of Behaviour's work on the game would be the owned property of Bethesda, but Behaviour would retain "access to source code, game assets, and other intellectual property" related to the development of the game. As reported by Polygon , Bethesda has filed a lawsuit in Maryland U.S. District Court which alleges the mobile game Westworld, based on HBO's hit TV series of the same title, is a "blatant rip-off" of its own game, Fallout Shelter , to the extent that it was built using the exact same code. Fallout Shelter was released for iOS and Android in 2015 and quickly amassed millions of downloads. Later, versions of the game were also released on Xbox One, Playstation 4, and Nintendo Switch. The suit goes on to allege that well after the release of Fallout Shelter, Warner Bros. decided to collaborate with Behaviour to develop a mobile game of its own based on Westworld. Bethesda's suit alleges Behaviour turned around and used the exact code and assets used to develop Fallout Shelter to create the Westworld game — and they appear to have some rather concrete evidence to back that claim. From the lawsuit, Bethesda describes a specific bug that was found in a pre-release demo version of Fallout Shelter. The bug was fixed before the public release of Fallout Shelter — but the exact same bug appeared in a demo version of Westworld. "While this error was ultimately fixed in subsequent builds of FALLOUT SHELTER, the appearance of the bug in the Westworld game demo makes clear that the FALLOUT SHELTER source code was used by Behaviour in developing the Westworld game." While it may seem weird to see Bethesda taking another company to court for ripping off Fallout Shelter, a game which itself could be considered a total knock-off of the popular mobile franchise Tiny Tower, the issue here is the specific misuse of intellectual property by Behaviour to develop a game with Warner Bros. and in particular the potential breach of contract between Behavior and Bethesda. The games are undeniably similar and the question then becomes how much Warner Bros. knew about the existing contract between Behaviour and Bethesda. Bethesda alleges that "Warner Bros. expected and relied on Behaviour's ability to reuse and/or leverage Bethesda's computer code, game designs, and other intellectual property" to lay out the groundwork to further develop the Westworld mobile game. We'll have to see whether this goes to trial or is settled out of court. Get the most out of your Android gaming experience SteelSeries Stratus Duo ($60 at Amazon) A great Bluetooth controller for use with Android games that offer gamepad support that also includes a wireless USB dongle for gaming on PCs. Highly recommended! Ventev Powercell 6010+ Portable USB-C Charger ($37 at Amazon) This battery pack from Ventev is recommended so often because it's so compact and convenient. You get a built-in USB-C cord, built-in AC prong for charging the unit, and 6000mAh battery capacity. Spigen Style Ring ($13 at Amazon) Of all the phone mounts and kickstands we've tested, the most consistently reliable and sturdy is the original Spigen Style Ring. It also has a minimalist hook mount for your car's dashboard.<doc-sep>

Bethesda Softworks is suing Warner Bros. and Fallout Shelter co-developer Behaviour Interactive over the recently released Westworld, alleging that the mobile game based on HBO’s TV series is a “blatant rip-off” of Fallout Shelter. In a suit filed in a Maryland U.S. District Court, Bethesda alleges that Westworld — developed by Behaviour and released this week for Android and iOS — “has the same or highly similar game design, art style, animations, features and other gameplay elements” as Fallout Shelter. Fallout Shelter was originally released in 2015 for mobile devices. The game was later ported to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows PC and Xbox One. Bethesda said in its suit that Behaviour uses “the same copyrighted computer code created for Fallout Shelter in Westworld,” alleging that a bug evident in an early version of Fallout Shelter (which was later fixed) also appears in Westworld. Bethesda alleges the companies “copied Fallout Shelter’s features and then made cosmetic modifications for Westworld’s ‘western’ theme.” The suit also alleges that “Behaviour breached its contract with Bethesda and utilized its restricted access to Bethesda’s intellectual property, including Bethesda’s copyrighted code, trade secrets, and other rights, to compress its development timeline, reduce costs, and quickly bring the Westworld mobile game to market, and offer players the widely popular gameplay experience found in Fallout Shelter.” The suit points out similar gameplay features, including “cartoonish 2D characters in a 3D environment” and the underground multi-room facilities that players explore and build, in both Fallout Shelter and Westworld. Bethesda is suing for copyright infringement, breach of contract and misappropriating trade secrets. The publisher is seeking a jury trial and damages. Polygon has reached out to Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Behaviour Interactive for comment on Bethesda Softworks’ lawsuit, which you can read in full below. Update: Warner Bros. provided the following statement to Polygon:

Elon Musk will step down as Tesla chairman to settle fraud charges brought by the U.S. over claims he made saying he'd take his company private. As part of Musk's settlement, both Tesla and Musk will each pay a $20 million fine — and Musk can stay on as CEO, the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Saturday. What does that mean for Musk and Tesla? And what are the differences between these two roles anyway? We take a look at what sets the CEO and chairman roles apart. The role of CEO A CEO is a company's top decision-maker and serves as the public face of a company. This post is responsible for the company's overall performance and commitment to its internal and external stakeholders, former P&G CEO and current Snap board director Alan George Lafley writes in Harvard Business Review. The CEO, writes Lafley, decides which business the company is and isn't in, shapes its values and balances the investments the company makes in both the present and the future. A study tracking CEO time from two Harvard researchers found that chief executives spend 25 percent of their time speaking to others and building relationships, 25 percent on functional and business unit reviews, 16 percent on organization and culture, and 21 percent on strategy. A bulk of these work-tasks often take place during meetings. Dedicating himself solely to being Tesla's CEO may help Musk regain control of his company's daily operations and focus less on shareholder demands. Musk, a hands-on leader, has been known to put himself on the production line to help Tesla through its manufacturing sprints, unusual for a CEO. The role of chairman<doc-sep>“I thought about what are the problems that are most likely to affect the future of the world or future of humanity.” Elon Musk, a South African-born engineer, inventor and billionaire, is one of the most important entrepreneurs in the world. But the 47-year-old is no stranger to turmoil, and by his own account his career has been full of highs and lows. “Just three years ago, I was showering at the Y and sleeping on the office floor. And now, I have got a million-dollar car and quite a few creature comforts.” After making a fortune with his first successful startup, Zip2, Musk gained fame as the co-founder of PayPal in the late 1990s. “So this is an ATM. What we’re going to do is transform the traditional banking industry.” The company lost hundreds of millions of dollars, and Musk was ousted as CEO because of internal turmoil. But when PayPal went public in 2002, and then was sold to eBay, Musk — as the biggest shareholder — walked away with $200 million. By the mid-2000s, Musk had turned around and invested almost all of his PayPal fortune into his new companies: SpaceX, Tesla and SolarCity. With SpaceX, Musk’s aspiration is out of this world — literally. It’s a commercial space flight company, which designs and launches advanced rockets into space. “Behind me is where Falcon 9 would sit during launch.” One of its ambitions is to eventually send people to Mars. “And I can’t think of anything more exciting than going out there and being among the stars.” But it has faced some roadblocks. Their first three rocket launches — failed, burning through almost all of the company’s assets. But SpaceX has had recent successes. The Falcon Heavy launch earlier this year was a big milestone and it carried an interesting payload: a dummy astronaut riding a Tesla car that was orbiting space. The company has also landed contracts with NASA, but questions about safety and cost remain. “We sold over 1,000 cars — and by sold I mean people put down a substantial deposit on the car.” Tesla, Musk’s electric car company, is one of the first of its kind to work on a large scale. It has also successfully disrupted the auto industry. The company is valued at over $50 billion. The Tesla Model S has been called the greatest car ever built. But Tesla has also faced some setbacks, including car batteries that caught on fire, recalls and production delays. SolarCity, Musk’s renewable energy venture, initially had a bright future. It’s the largest provider of rooftop solar systems in the U.S., and the company boomed on Wall Street. But after investors raised doubts about its business model, SolarCity’s shares quickly lost value, and Tesla had to take over in what was widely seen as a bailout. “We really need to make solar panels as appealing as electric cars have become.” But while Musk may have been flirting with bankruptcy and calamity for years, his projects continue to captivate the collective imagination. “Life has to be more than about solving problems. There have to be things that make you proud to be a member of humanity.”<doc-sep>In the end, Elon Musk got off easy. Two days after the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a complaint against him and Tesla TSLA, +2.39% over several tweets promoting a non-existent deal that would take the electric-car maker private, Musk and the SEC came to a settlement. Under its terms, he will remain as CEO but step down as chairman of Tesla’s board for three years; Tesla will add two independent board members and muzzle the freewheeling Musk’s Twitter feed; and Musk and Tesla will each pay $20 million to investors who lost money. (News of the settlement sent Tesla’s stock soaring Monday.) “ In a culture obsessed with money and success, we have turned CEOs into celebrities, to the detriment of investors and themselves. ” This was yet another slap on the wrist from a regulator that lost its teeth years ago. (“SEC” should stand for “Settle Every Complaint.”) In its complaint, the SEC had threatened to ban Musk from serving as an officer or director of a publicly traded company for life. Indeed, Musk’s perennial war with short-sellers, his contemptuous exchanges with analysts, his openly smoking pot on a podcast, and his admissions to The New York Times that he often got little sleep for days on end shows he’s not cut out to run a public company, a very different animal than being a “visionary” or entrepreneur. But it also reveals how deep is the media’s and the public’s need to worship successful CEOs, particularly tech entrepreneurs, as if they were gods. It’s what we used to do with great athletes and movie stars. Now, in a culture obsessed with money and success, we have turned CEOs into celebrities, to the detriment of investors and themselves. ‘Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous’ The celebrity CEO phenomenon has been going on since the 1980s, when Malcolm Forbes, owner of Forbes magazine (where I worked briefly), urged the rich to celebrate their wealth rather than hide it. The late Robin Leach’s “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” extolled the gaudiest opulence, epitomized by an up-and-coming real estate developer named Donald Trump, who was one of the first celebrity businessmen. During that era, Lee Iacocca, who railed against imports from Japan the way Trump now does about China, gained fame by turning Chrysler around and becoming its most visible pitchman and a best-selling author. T. Boone Pickens and Carl Icahn became symbols of the “shareholder revolution,” although their legacy is more about how they enriched themselves. Mutual fund managers like Peter Lynch became superstars, too, the way hedge fund managers like Bill Ackman, Ray Dalio and David Einhorn are today. And, of course, Warren Buffett’s combination of an “aw, shucks” Midwest demeanor and steely focus on the numbers has given him the unique distinction of being a beloved multibillionaire. The rise of Apple AAPL, -0.04% and Microsoft MSFT, -0.09% elevated their co-founders Steve Jobs and Bill Gates to godlike status, though Gates was much less of a creative genius than Jobs. Jeff Bezos of Amazon AMZN, +0.19% , now the world’s richest man, also has ascended to that pantheon, though personally he is much lower key. The danger of celebrity CEOs Some celebrity CEOs have made tons of money for their investors, but they can have a big downside, too, as Rakesh Khurana noted in the Harvard Business Review as early as 2002. “The widespread quasi-religious belief in the powers of charismatic leaders is problematic,” he wrote. “Charismatic leaders can destabilize organizations in dangerous ways.” Take Jack Welch and Sandy Weill, who were treated with awe by a fawning financial media in their day. Their hand-picked successors were mediocrities who either destroyed their celebrity mentors’ creations or exposed the weak foundations they had laid. (On Monday, GE GE, +2.13% fired its latest CEO, John Flannery, after a year on the job and took a $23 billion impairment charge.) Special skills Which brings us back to Elon Musk. He’s no doubt a brilliant entrepreneur who built Tesla from nothing into a cutting-edge luxury-car maker, and has the private SpaceX on track for future flights to the moon and Mars. But those skills are not the ones needed to run a big public company, which Gates and Bezos mastered in different ways. A lot of this hero worship is, quite frankly, the financial media’s fault. Cover stories featuring celebrity CEOs used to fly off the newsstands, and now Musk and others like him generate millions of clicks. In a world where ad-supported media are struggling, we can’t ignore that. But you’re the ones reading these stories and buying these stocks and following them as if they’re your favorite team. Maybe instead of chasing high-flyers and investment fads like crypto and cannabis, you should buy solid companies run by capable but “boring” CEOs or low-cost index funds and ETFs. It’s time for all of us to “just say no” to celebrity CEOs. Howard R. Gold is a MarketWatch columnist and founder and editor of GoldenEgg Investing, which offers exclusive market commentary and simple, low-cost, low-risk retirement investing plans. Follow him on Twitter @howardrgold.<doc-sep>

Tesla CEO Elon Musk will step down as chairman of the electric automaker and pay a $20 million fine under a settlement reached with the U.S Securities and Exchange commission. Musk will remain CEO and he will still keep a seat on the board, just not as chairman. The agreement settles what could have turned into a bitter and potentially damaging fight for Musk, the company, and Tesla shareholders. Musk will resign from his role as chairman of the Tesla board within 45 days of the agreement, which was filed Saturday. He has agreed to not seek reelection or accept an appointment as chairman for three years. An independent chairman will be appointed, under the settlement agreement. Tesla will pay a separate $20 million penalty, according to the SEC. The SEC said the charge and fine against Tesla is for failing to require disclosure controls and procedures relating to Musk’s tweets. Musk doesn’t have to admit or deny the SEC’s allegations as part of the agreement. Tesla has also agreed to appoint two new independent directors to its board and establish a new committee of independent directors and put in place additional controls and procedures to oversee Musk’s communications, according to the SEC. This likely means that Musk, who frequently turns to Twitter to unveils new products, features and updates on his multiple companies, will be more restricted moving forward. At least when it comes to his tweets about Tesla. “The resolution is intended to prevent further market disruption and harm to Tesla’s shareholders,” Steven Peikin, co-director of the SEC’s Enforcement Division said in a statement. The agreement marks the beginning of a new era of corporate governance for Tesla, which some shareholders have argued is too tightly controlled by Musk and others closely aligned to him such as his brother Kimbal Musk. Investor and founding board member Steve Jurvetson is still on leave. In 2017, Tesla diversified its board and added James Rupert Murdoch, the CEO of Twenty-First Century Fox Inc., and Linda Johnson Rice,Chairman and CEO of Johnson Publishing Company. Other board members include: Robyn Denholm, who joined the board in 2014, Brad W. Buss, who has been on since 2009, Antonio Gracias, and Ira Ehrenpreis, one of longest-serving board members who joined in 2007. The SEC filed a complaint Thursday in federal district court alleged that Musk lied when he tweeted on August 7 that he had “funding secured” for a private takeover of the company at $420 per share. Federal securities regulators reportedly served Tesla with a subpoena just a week after the tweet. Investigations can take years before any action is taken, if at all. In this case, charges were filed just six weeks later. The SEC said in the complaint that Musk violated anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws. The commission has asked the court to fine Musk and bar the billionaire entrepreneur from serving as an officer or director of a public company. Musk described fraud charges an “unjustified action” that has left him “deeply saddened and disappointed.” Tesla and the board later issued a joint statement supporting Musk. The complaint contains a number of eye-browing raising details, including that he had talked to the board about an offer to take Tesla private as early as August 2 when he sent to Tesla’s board of directors, chief financial officer and general counsel an email with the subject, “Offer to Take Tesla Private at $420.”

GAMERS trying to play EA games online are being told they have 'lost connection to EA servers' and are unable to play. Problems seemed to start a little after 1pm UK time, and are ongoing. 1 Players around the world are struggling to get online with many of EA's games, including FIFA 19 Credit: EA Sports For once you get home early just to play #FIFA19 and then you see this- Why @EASPORTSFIFA why you do this? 🙄 Servers down! #FIFA #FUTChampions pic.twitter.com/O447tyI19V — Kushank Garg (@laala_lannister) October 23, 2018 EA's UK help site is currently not accessible either, with requests to it timing out. Users are understandably frustrated by the outage, with one saying "EA website down also. Typical, I can't even lodge a complaint!" Another complained on Twitter, saying "playing my last remaining game in squad battles on Fifa 19 today and I was all set to enter the top 100 for the first time. Then your s***ty ea servers go down and deny me my glory. Spend money sorting your f***ing servers out. Every f***ing year, same f***ing s***." Players across the world have reported being unable to connect to any EA titles, with FIFA 19, Battlefield 1, Madden 19, and EA's Origin platform all reported as being down. We're aware of connectivity issues affecting players at the moment and are working to resolve them. Thank you. — EA Help (@EAHelp) October 23, 2018 There are individual reports from across Europe, as well as the Americas, Asia and Africa being reported by status-tracking website DownDetector. The problems also encompass the FIFA mobile app. EA confirmed at 1.15p.m. UK time that they were aware of "connectivity issues affecting players" and claimed to be working to resolve them. According to users reporting their status via DownDetector, Origin services were starting to come back up by 2p.m. but there were still widespread reports of players being unable to connnect to the games themselves. EA support claimed that by 2.30p.m. all services were "slowly recovering", but many users are still reporting issues. We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.<doc-sep>FIFA 19 released back in September and offers a score of online modes for for franchise fans When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up forfor the biggest new releases, reviews and tech hacks UPDATE TWO: As of 5.50pm this evening FIFA 19 servers still appear to be suffering from connection problems. Gamers are still discussing issues plaguing the title on Twitter. EA's "Help" Twitter account has not issued an update to say the matter has been fixed. UPDATE ONE: FIFA 19 has now been down for over an hour this afternoon. FIFA 19 players started reporting issues with the hugely-popular title just before 1pm. It is currently unknown why the football simulator has been hit by problems. Gamers are still taking to Twitter to express their frustration with the outage. One posted: "EA servers are down, classic EA." Another said: "Servers for EA appear to be down guys. Don’t know what’s going on"<doc-sep>EA's servers are down, stopping people playing Fifa 19 and other popular games. The company's online services have broken, meaning that multiplayer games and its popular Origin service are inaccessible to players. Any games that rely on EA's servers – which includes Madden and Battlefield as well as Fifa – are being caught up in the problems. Gadget and tech news: In pictures Show all 25 1 /25 Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gadget and tech news: In pictures Gun-toting humanoid robot sent into space Russia has launched a humanoid robot into space on a rocket bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The robot Fedor will spend 10 days aboard the ISS practising skills such as using tools to fix issues onboard. Russia's deputy prime minister Dmitry Rogozin has previously shared videos of Fedor handling and shooting guns at a firing range with deadly accuracy. Dmitry Rogozin/Twitter Gadget and tech news: In pictures Google turns 21 Google celebrates its 21st birthday on September 27. The The search engine was founded in September 1998 by two PhD students, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, in their dormitories at California’s Stanford University. Page and Brin chose the name google as it recalled the mathematic term 'googol', meaning 10 raised to the power of 100 Google Gadget and tech news: In pictures Hexa drone lifts off Chief engineer of LIFT aircraft Balazs Kerulo demonstrates the company's "Hexa" personal drone craft in Lago Vista, Texas on June 3 2019 Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures Project Scarlett to succeed Xbox One Microsoft announced Project Scarlett, the successor to the Xbox One, at E3 2019. The company said that the new console will be 4 times as powerful as the Xbox One and is slated for a release date of Christmas 2020 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures First new iPod in four years Apple has announced the new iPod Touch, the first new iPod in four years. The device will have the option of adding more storage, up to 256GB Apple Gadget and tech news: In pictures Folding phone may flop Samsung will cancel orders of its Galaxy Fold phone at the end of May if the phone is not then ready for sale. The $2000 folding phone has been found to break easily with review copies being recalled after backlash PA Gadget and tech news: In pictures Charging mat non-starter Apple has cancelled its AirPower wireless charging mat, which was slated as a way to charge numerous apple products at once AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures "Super league" India shoots down satellite India has claimed status as part of a "super league" of nations after shooting down a live satellite in a test of new missile technology EPA Gadget and tech news: In pictures 5G incoming 5G wireless internet is expected to launch in 2019, with the potential to reach speeds of 50mb/s Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Uber halts driverless testing after death Uber has halted testing of driverless vehicles after a woman was killed by one of their cars in Tempe, Arizona. March 19 2018 Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A humanoid robot gestures during a demo at a stall in the Indian Machine Tools Expo, IMTEX/Tooltech 2017 held in Bangalore Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures The giant human-like robot bears a striking resemblance to the military robots starring in the movie 'Avatar' and is claimed as a world first by its creators from a South Korean robotic company Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Engineers test a four-metre-tall humanoid manned robot dubbed Method-2 in a lab of the Hankook Mirae Technology in Gunpo, south of Seoul, South Korea Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures Waseda University's saxophonist robot WAS-5, developed by professor Atsuo Takanishi and Kaptain Rock playing one string light saber guitar perform jam session Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway resembling the giant panda is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A test line of a new energy suspension railway, resembling a giant panda, is seen in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A concept car by Trumpchi from GAC Group is shown at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Rex Gadget and tech news: In pictures A Mirai fuel cell vehicle by Toyota is displayed at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A visitor tries a Nissan VR experience at the International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, China Reuters Gadget and tech news: In pictures A man looks at an exhibit entitled 'Mimus' a giant industrial robot which has been reprogrammed to interact with humans during a photocall at the new Design Museum in South Kensington, London Getty Gadget and tech news: In pictures A new Israeli Da-Vinci unmanned aerial vehicle manufactured by Elbit Systems is displayed during the 4th International conference on Home Land Security and Cyber in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv Getty EA recognised the issue on Twitter and said it was being fixed. "We're aware of connectivity issues affecting players at the moment and are working to resolve them," it posted. "Thank you." The issues are hitting console players on both Xbox One and PS4, according to those affected. The problems are being seen across the world but particularly in Europe, according to the website Down Detector.<doc-sep>

FIFA 19 (EA Sports) FIFA 19 players have struggled to get into the game this afternoon after facing messages saying ‘you lost your connection to the EA Servers’. Capitol riot probe commission blocked from being created by Republicans It means that players are currently unable to play matches or access parts of the game that require access to the EA servers. The issue seems to also be affecting other EA games with problems with Battlefield 1 arising as well. Here is what we know about the server problems so far. (Credit: EA Sports) Why is FIFA 19 down? The EA Help Twitter account has said that connectivity issues are stopping players from getting into the game at the moment. According to reports online it seems to be affecting players worldwide with reports from the UK and US as well as across Europe and Asia. It comes just hours after FIFA 19 was given an update that addresses various gameplay features in the game, which could potentially have some involvement in the server problems. The patch addressed various goalkeeper and volley issues that occurred during gameplay as well as adding updates to the Ultimate Team mode. We're aware of connectivity issues affecting players at the moment and are working to resolve them. Thank you. — EA Help (@EAHelp) October 23, 2018 When will FIFA 19 servers be back up? An exact time for when servers will be working again hasn’t been given and it is hard to estimate when the game will be working again. The problems were first reported at around 13.30 BST according to Down Detector which means it is likely to at least last another hour or two while developers try to address the problem. We will post any updates here when they are available. MORE : Games Inbox: New video game IP worries, Red Dead Redemption II horse death, and Call Of Duty 2019 MORE : UK retail video game sales continue to fall as Starlink flops in latest charts

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Onondaga County (New York) district attorney told Yahoo Sports on Thursday morning that there will not be any immediate legal ramifications after Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim’s role in a tragic and fatal car accident on Wednesday night. “Not from law enforcement, unless something extraordinary or bizarre comes to our attention that we’re not aware of,” said district attorney William J. Fitzpatrick in a telephone interview. “In terms of a strict reconstruction of the accident, it’s just a tragedy.” Fitzpatrick said that Boeheim struck a pedestrian who’d exited a vehicle on I-690 East at 11:22 p.m. on Wednesday night. Police identified the victim as 51-year-old Jorge Jimenez. Fitzpatrick said that there was a single-car accident that resulted in the car hitting the guardrail. All four occupants exited the car, and police said the accident occurred as Boeheim was attempting to avoid hitting the car. (The cause of the initial single-car accident wasn’t known.) Fitzpatrick said that Boeheim stopped and immediately attempted to render assistance. He called Boeheim “completely cooperative” with police and noted that he took a breathalyzer that came up with no trace of alcohol. “All indications are that it was an appropriate speed for the conditions,” Fitzpatrick said. Boeheim released a statement on Thursday morning: “I am heartbroken that a member of our community died as a result of last night’s accident. Juli and I extend our deepest sympathies to the Jimenez family. Out of respect for those involved, I will not be providing further comment at this time.” Police say Syracuse men’s basketball coach Jim Boeheim struck and killed a 51-year-old man walking outside his vehicle on a highway near Syracuse, N.Y., on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019. (AP file photo) Syracuse police officials and Fitzpatrick held a joint press conference on Thursday afternoon to offer more detail on the fatal accident. Syracuse police chief Kenton Buckner reiterated Fitzpatrick’s earlier sentiment that he doesn’t anticipate any criminal charges for anyone involved in the accident. There’s still an ongoing investigation, including trying to determine variables like Boeheim’s speed. Story continues “Based upon what we know today,” Buckner said, “we have a tragic accident that resulted in a gentleman’s death that happens to involve a high-profile individual.” The police offered more detail about the crash, including that Boeheim was driving over a hill and had to react quickly to seeing a black Dodge Charger perpendicular to the guard rail. Boeheim attempted to avoid the car, which was stretched across parts of two highway lanes. The four people in the car, including Jimenez, were attempting to cross the highway to seek safety on the median. Along with Jimenez’s death, one other person in the car was injured. Police complimented Boeheim’s actions after the accident, including calling 911 and using his cell phone flashlight to flag down cars while Jimenez was being attended to. “Mr. Boeheim did exactly what he was supposed to do,” Buckner said. Fitzpatrick outlined the next steps expected to take place, including determining the cause of the original accident, status of the driver and an autopsy. “We’ll take final statements and do an accident reconstruction and find out where as best we can the deceased was standing,” he said. “Whether or not there are any skid marks. It’ll be difficult to determine because of the condition of the road.” While it’s very early in the process, the most likely legal outcome would be a civil lawsuit for monetary damages. “In terms of if he’ll be sued, I can’t answer that,” Fitzpatrick said. “Whenever anyone asks me, ‘Can I sue?’ I say, ‘Stop, I don’t need to hear the rest of it.’ The answer is yes.” There will also be a psychological impact on Boeheim for his role in the tragedy. “Different people handle it different ways,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’ve seen it a lot in 40 years. He’s a good guy, and I’m sure it’s going to affect him.” Boeheim, 74, has been the head coach at Syracuse for 43 years, won the 2003 national championship and led the program to five Final Fours. He’s essentially lived in or around the city since enrolling at Syracuse University in 1962 and has become the community’s most recognizable figure. Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack released a statement on Thursday morning: “We extend our deepest condolences to all impacted by this tragic accident. Coach Boeheim is in contact with local authorities and cooperating fully. Out of respect for the grieving, there will be no further comment at this time.” More from Yahoo Sports: • State of emergency: Lakers ‘concerned about LeBron’ • ESPN exposes extent of NBA ref’s betting scandal • Brown: Padres’ simple reason for signing Machado • Sign up for 2019 Yahoo Fantasy Baseball today<doc-sep>Legendary Syracuse men’s basketball Jim Boeheim was involved in a fatal car accident Wednesday night, striking and killing a pedestrian, a New York district attorney told local radio. Boeheim was driving in bad weather when he hit a man who was already outside of his vehicle and involved in a separate crash, Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick told WSYR. There were three other people reportedly involved in the separate crash. FLYING STUFFED ANIMAL COSTS GEORGIA UPSET WIN OVER MISSISSIPPI STATE Boeheim attempted to avoid the vehicle but ended up hitting the man, police said. Boeheim’s accident occurred shortly before 11:30 p.m. The crash occurred hours after the Orange upset No. 18 Louisville, 69-49, at the Carrier Dome. Fitzpatrick told the station Boeheim went right to the police after the crash. He was not under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of the crash, Syracuse.com reported. The victim was later identified as 51-year-old Jorge Jimenez, according to WSYR. Boeheim released a statement later Thursday. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "I am heartbroken that a member of our community died as the result of last night's accident," the statement read. "Juli and I extend our deepest sympathies to the Jimenez family. Out of respect for those involved, I will not be providing further comment at this time."<doc-sep>Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim will be on the sideline Saturday night against Duke. Boeheim was involved in a fatal car accident late Wednesday night when he tragically struck somebody who had been in a crash moments before exiting their vehicle. The accident won’t stop him from coaching his guys today against the Blue Devils. (RELATED: Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim Kills A Man During Car Accident) NBC Sports reported the following Friday: Jim Boeheim will coach Syracuse against top-ranked Duke on Saturday night, his team’s next game after Boeheim struck and killed a pedestrian on a darkened highway. Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack said in a release Friday that Boeheim will resume coaching duties three days after the crash This is pretty remarkable. I can’t imagine there’s too many people out there who could be involved in a fatal car accident and then go right back to doing their job. It doesn’t seem like that’d be an easy decision at all. It’s also worth pointing out that Boeheim’s reported actions in the immediate moments after the crash were pretty remarkable. According to Duke Basketball Report, the Syracuse legend immediately put himself in danger by rushing back into traffic in order to alert other cars about the tragic situation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@cuse_mbb) on Dec 1, 2018 at 7:11pm PST You can generally judge a man’s true character by how he behaves in the darkest of moments. Boeheim putting himself in danger in order to help others moments after a tragic car crash is a sign of the type of man he truly is. It should be interesting to watch the broadcast tonight on ESPN. I’m sure they’ll be talking about it nonstop. Let’s all hope he’s able to find peace and move on, and the family of the victim is able to do the same. It’s just an unbelievable tragic situation for everybody involved. Follow David Hookstead on Twitter<doc-sep>Today was an emotional one for Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim. The Hall of Famer led his team against Duke, in front of a record-setting crowd of over 35,000 at the Carrier Dome, just days after being involved in a deadly car accident. On Wednesday night, Boeheim hit 51-year old Jorge Jimenez with his car. The Syracuse resident was declared deceased at the hospital. Jimenez was the passenger of a car that got into a previous accident on Interstate 690 late Wednesday night. He got out of the car, and was hit by the car driven by Boeheim, who was reportedly trying to avoid the stalled vehicle on the highway. After beating Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium, Syracuse fell at the Dome tonight, 75-65. A moment of silence was held for Jimenez before the game. After the game, Jim Boeheim addressed the tragic incident at length, showing serious remorse and empathy for the Jimenez family. Boeheim discussed the game as well, of course, but much of the attention of the post-game press conference was paid to the incident, as you’d imagine. Boeheim: "I want to address the tragic highway accident. First and foremost…" Boeheim is reading a statement to the loved ones of the victim. — SUJuice.com (@TheJuiceOnline) February 24, 2019 Jim Boeheim press conference: my decision to coach this game: all I can say is I felt an obligation to my players and coaches. They understand I did that knowing the full weight of the tragic accident. This is something that will be with me for the rest of my life. — Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) February 24, 2019 Boeheim: Our fans are great. Our fans have always been supportive. I think they know how bad I feel. I think they were here to support me. It’s an unimaginable situation. I can’t describe the feelings I’ve had since Wednesday night. I don’t think I can make anyone understand… — Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) February 24, 2019 Boeheim: "This is something that… that's forever for me… I've always felt in life, you get a lot of things you have to overcome. There's nothing like this… a human life is lost and you're there." — SUJuice.com (@TheJuiceOnline) February 24, 2019 Boeheim: This is never going away. Tuesday it’s not going to be better. It’s not going to be better next month. It’s not going to be better next year. — Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) February 24, 2019 The game after the accident happened to come against one of Boeheim’s best friends in coaching, Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski. Coach K spoke about the atmosphere at the Carrier Dome, and how his friend handled things. Coach K: Jim is my dear friend. I was able to spend a few minutes with him before the game. I’m glad he coached. What the hell else was he supposed to do? That’s what he does. — Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) February 24, 2019 Coach K: "He looked strong and I'm glad he coached… The honoring of the family and the moment of silence… everything was beautiful.." — SUJuice.com (@TheJuiceOnline) February 24, 2019 Coach K: I got a little emotional. He’s not a hugger. He’s not. When he came out, I thought he was swept up in the emotion. That was very emotional for me. I knew he was feeling this. He’s a tough guy. But this guy is a hell of a guy. — Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) February 24, 2019 Coach K on what he offered him: Just love and support. Based on this, this could have happened to anyone. It was a human thing. I’m sorry that they happen but they happen. The only thing to get past it is to do the human things. Our families are close. We’ll help him. — Syracuse Basketball (@syrbasketball) February 24, 2019 As Boeheim said, recovering from this will be a long, long process. Of course, we shouldn’t lose sight of the Jimenez family in this situation. Our thoughts continue to go out to them after this tragedy.<doc-sep>

After a big win against Louisville on Wednesday night, Syracuse basketball coach Jim Boeheim drove home and was in an unfortunate accident that led to the death of a 51-year-old man. The man's vehicle had crashed and when he got out to go seek some help, he was struck by Boeheim's car. The Syracuse coach had no alcohol in his system and it appears as though it was all a freak accident. In a statement, Boeheim said he is "heartbroken that a member of our community has died as a result of last night's accident." According to Sports Illustrated, Boeheim will be on the sidelines coaching on Saturday when his team takes on the Duke Blue Devils, who are the number one team in the nation. The game will be played in Syracuse. John Wildhack, the Athletic Director for Syracuse explained the decision in a statement: "The Jimenez family has suffered a tremendous loss. Our community is shaken. The Boeheim family is heartbroken over what happened, as we all are. This is a very difficult time. I know that Coach Boeheim's players gain strength from him, just as he gains strength from his players. Our entire community gains strength from each other. With this in mind, and after thoughtful consideration, I have respectfully decided that Coach Boeheim will resume his coaching duties later today and will coach in tomorrow night's game against Duke. We continue to extend our deepest sympathies to the Jimenez family as they continue to mourn this tragic loss." Syracuse comes into the game with a record of 18-8.

Bali volcano: Amazing footage of Mount Agung erupting top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Mount Agung’s summit became a burning fireball on Monday 9pm local time as lava exploded from the crater catapulting fiery rocks as far as 1.2 miles away. The eruption was the third one in recent days and lasted around seven minutes, according to Bali's National Disaster Mitigation Agency. Spokesman Sutopo Nugroho confirmed residents were evacuating the area and a 4km exclusion zone remained in place around the 3,031m high volcano. An eruption on Friday temporarily shut Bali’s international airport and grounded more than 300 flights. Bali is a holidaymakers’ paradise and was visited by 5.5 million tourists in 2017. How long has Mount Agung been erupting for? Mount Agung has been erupting on and off for centuries, although little is known about the elusive mountain. Volcano expert John Seach says a volcanic blast was recorded by botanist Heinrich Zollinger in 1843 but few other written records exist. The most striking pictures from Mount Agung's eruption Mon, July 2, 2018 Extraordinary pictures show Bali's Mount Agung erupting again. Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 28 Mount Agung erupts as its lava incubation reaches 2000 meter distance, in Bali Mr Zollinger wrote of the 1843 eruption: "After having been dormant for a long time, this year the mountain began to be alive again. In the first days of the activity earthquake shocks were felt after which followed the emission of ash, sand and stones.” Mount Agung is a stratovolcano, meaning it is cone-shaped and has a steep ascent. An eruption at the summit in 1963 remains the most deadly one in Indonesia’s history. More than 1,000 people died and whole villages were razed after fast-flowing lava, known as pyroclastic flows, surged down the volcano’s sides. Bali volcano eruption update: How long has Mount Agung been erupting for? The mountain had been quiet in the intervening years but explosions at Mount Agung have begun rocketing over the past few months. The last major eruptions, prior to the last few days, were at the end of 2017. Explosions between November 21 and 29 saw mandatory evacuations of 100,000 people within a 10km radius of Mount Agung. At one point ash plumes reached 3,842 metres (12,605 ft) high and Denpasar International Airport was shut, leaving tourists stranded. Bali volcano eruption update: Evacuated residents at emergency shelters Bali volcano eruption update: Huge plumes of smoke rise from Mount Agung's summit<doc-sep>Bali volcano: CCTV captures moment Agung ERUPTS FREE now and never miss the top Royal stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top Royal stories again. When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. The volcano first erupted on Friday, with an eruption that saw hundreds of flights in and out of the popular holiday island cancelled. The island’s airport, I Gusti Ngurah Rai International, was closed, stranding thousands of travellers. By Saturday, a normal service had resumed on all airlines. However, Mt Agung blew again on Monday, sending another ash cloud up in the air. The airport stayed open after the most recent eruption and all airlines reported a normal service. However, officials have warned that the situation remains unpredictable, and you should keep an eye on travel alerts if you are planning to travel to Bali soon. A spokesman for airport operator Angkasa Pura said: "We're monitoring the eruption. The airport could be closed again if the eruption affects flight safety." National Disaster Mitigation Agency’s (BNPB) spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said: "Microtremors are still being detected ... indicating that magma is moving towards the surface.” Bali volcano: The volcano first erupted on Friday But he followed up with a reassuring tweet: “There is no distribution of ashes. All airports remained normal.” Virgin Airlines said in a statement on the weekend: “As this situation remains unpredictable flights may be cancelled at short notice if conditions deteriorate.” Is it safe to travel to Bali? The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) hasn’t placed any specific travel restrictions on the island of Bali. However, they do advise you not to travel within the four-kilometre exclusion zone around the volcano. Bali volcano: Mt Agung blew again on Monday, sending another ash cloud up in the air. The FCO warns that if you are in the exclusion zone, “you should leave immediately.” It adds that the alert level for the volcano remains at level 3 - one below the highest advisory. Where is Mount Agung? Indonesia, Bali’s island archipelago, is one of the world’s most active volcanic regions. Mount Agung is on the east of Bali and is the highest point of the island. Bali volcano: The airport stayed open after the most recent eruption<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox The eruption lasted for about seven minutes and these extraordinary photographs show glowing lava streaming from the crater, setting fire to vegetation. Flares of incandescent lava reached two kilometers from the crater and setting fire to forests at the slope of the volcano. Bali’s Mount Agung has been rumbling since late last year and on Friday there was a temporary closure of the island's international airport, disrupting flights and stranding thousands of travellers. Indonesia's national disaster mitigation agency said residents heard a loud explosion and saw flaming volcanic rocks thrown at least 2 km (1.2 miles) out of the crater. The last time Agung staged a major eruption was in 1963, when more than 1,000 people died and several villages on its slopes were razed.<doc-sep>

Mount Agung has erupted three times since Friday, raining ash and smoke down on Bali Mount Agung has erupted three times since Friday, spewing a column of ash 2,000 metres high into the air. Lava cascaded down the mountain slopes, reaching up to 2km (1.2 miles) from the summit. Friday’s eruption caused the nearly 12-hour closure of Bali’s international airport, which grounded more than 300 flights. The latest eruption on Monday at 9pm local time (2pm BST) forced “flares of incandescent lava” down the slopes, setting fire to high lying forests. Indonesia’s National Agency for Disaster Management (BNPB) spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said: “Mount Agung has experienced small eruptions several times. “But on Monday night, people around Mount Agung were shocked by the eruption, the loud bang it produced and the hurling of incandescent rocks.” Banjar Galih village just 6km (3.7 miles) away from the crater saw nearly 700 people evacuate in fear after Monday’s eruption. Mount Agung currently has a level three warning, meaning considerable volcanic activity can be both seen and felt. Bali volcano: CCTV captures moment Agung ERUPTS Authorities don’t yet know if another eruption will occur, but activity at the summit remains near constant. Magma Indonesia has described how activity from the volcano can be seen: “At night and early morning, the glow above the crater is still observed. “This indicates the presence of fresh lava material with high temperatures in the crater and still the movement of magma to the surface.” An eerie orange glow can be seen atop the volcano, which is the highest point on the island of Bali. There is still activity detected at Mount Agung, which stands at warning level three BNPB spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said: "Microtremors are still being detected ... indicating that magma is moving towards the surface.” Mount Agung has been in its current active phase since 2017 when 844 earthquakes shook the volcano and saw a level four warning introduced. Level four is the highest warning, stating that an eruption is imminent. This warning was downgraded to a level three in November. Is the famous volcano trek still open for tourists? Nearby volcanoes have not been affected by Mount Agung’s eruption, with Mount Batur’s warning level at the lowest possible. The most striking pictures from Mount Agung's eruption Mon, July 2, 2018 Extraordinary pictures show Bali's Mount Agung erupting again. Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 28 Mount Agung erupts as its lava incubation reaches 2000 meter distance, in Bali

Talk about a double header. Members of the royal family joined Queen Elizabeth for Easter service at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle on Sunday, and it also happened to be her 93rd birthday. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and William, Duke of Cambridge stepped out in their Sunday best, with Kate Middleton sporting a pastel periwinkle Alexander McQueen coat dress with a matching hat. For her part, the birthday monarch wore a festive mint suit and matching hat topped off with a bright pink bow for the service. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, who is expecting her first baby due at the end of April, didn’t attend. However, she did have a birthday message to deliver to “Granny” on the newly minted Instagram account she shares with Prince Harry. “Happy Birthday Your Majesty, Ma’am, Granny. Wishing you the most wonderful day! Harry & Meghan,” they captioned a gallery of happy photos with the Queen, including throwback ones alongside Harry and William and newer snapshots with Meghan. WINDSOR, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: Queen Elizabeth II departs the Easter Sunday service at St George's Chapel on April 21, 2019 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images) Eamonn M. McCormack—Getty Images Harry joined other royal family members such as Autumn Phillips and Peter Phillips, Princess Beatrice and her dad Prince Andrew, Sophie, Countess of Wessex and her husband, Prince Edward. Mike and Zara Tindall and Lady Louise Windsor also joined the festivities. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridgeand Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge arrive for the Easter Mattins Service at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on April 21, 2019. (KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/AFP/Getty Images) KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH—AFP/Getty Images It looks like Prince, George, Princess Charlotte and little Prince Louis sat this church service out as the little ones sometimes do. WINDSOR, ENGLAND - APRIL 21: (L-R) Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Zara Tindall, Mike Tindall, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge greet Queen Elizabeth II as she arrives for the Easter Sunday service at St George's Chapel on April 21, 2019 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images) Eamonn M. McCormack—Getty Images At one point during the festivities, onlookers who came to pay tribute sang “Happy Birthday” to the Queen as she greeted everyone before departing in her car. Here’s to the birthday Queen. Get The Brief. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now. Please enter a valid email address. * The request timed out and you did not successfully sign up. Please attempt to sign up again. Sign Up Now An unexpected error has occurred with your sign up. Please try again later. Check the box if you do not wish to receive promotional offers via email from TIME. You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Thank you! For your security, we've sent a confirmation email to the address you entered. Click the link to confirm your subscription and begin receiving our newsletters. If you don't get the confirmation within 10 minutes, please check your spam folder. Contact us at letters@time.com.<doc-sep>Today is a big day for the royal family. Not only is it Easter Sunday, but it's also Queen Elizabeth's 93rd birthday. For Easter church service at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, most of the Queen's grandchildren were present, including Prince William, Prince Harry, and Zara Phillips. While everyone looked extremely festive, Princess Beatrice, the Queen's second granddaughter, pulled out all the stops. Getty Images The 30-year-old stunned in a blue bespoke Claire Mischevani dress, which was accented with gorgeous pink flowers on the bottom. She paired the striking outfit with nude Jimmy Choo shoes and a brown Juliette Botterill hat, also covered in flowers. Getty Images Getty Images This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. While there aren't many photos of her from the service, the ones we did see definitely have people talking. "A great look for Bea!!! Perfect for #RoyalAscot too," one person tweeted. "I love that blue on Princess Beatrice! And I love how the pink pattern at the bottom goes with the very Eastery flowers on the hat! She looks fantastic," said another. Royals fans were a bit disappointed that her sister, Princess Eugenie, wasn't in attendance for today's services. Eugenie married Jack Brooksbank in October, and she was likely spending the morning with his family. But we imagine celebrations for both Easter and the Queen are taking place later in the day, and she will be there. Plus, Eugenie spent the day with the Queen earlier this week for the traditional Royal Maundy Service at St George's Chapel. Getty Images Also noticeably missing were Meghan Markle (who is due any day now), Prince Charles and his wife Camilla (the two usually spend this holiday in Scotland), and the Queen's husband, Prince Philip, (who, due to health issues, has made fewer public appearances). We're wishing Beatrice, and the rest of the royal family, a very happy Easter! This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io<doc-sep>Prince William and Prince Harry were both in attendance during Sunday’s family Easter service, but the two brothers kept their distance from one another. William, 36, and Harry, 34, did not speak to each other on their way in or out of St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle and were separated by their cousin Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall. William was also joined by his wife, Kate Middleton. Get push notifications with news, features and more. The two brothers’ rather stiff public appearance together came amid reports of a plan to send Harry and wife Meghan Markle to Africa after the birth of their child, in order to capitalize on their appeal to young people in the Commonwealth, as well as to put some distance between Harry and Meghan and the Cambridges. In a statement, Buckingham Palace did not deny the report, saying, “Any future plans for The Duke and Duchess are speculative at this stage. No decisions have been taken about future roles.” royals-d Credit: IAN VOGLER/AFP/Getty Image royals-g Kate Middleton and Prince William | Credit: KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/AFP/Getty Image Following the service, the extended family is expected to stay for lunch afterward with the Queen, who is also celebrating her 93rd birthday, in the castle. Meghan, 37, who is due to give birth to her first child shortly, was not at the service, nor was the Queen’s husband Prince Philip, 97, who has retired from public duties. Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! On Sunday morning, the Queen was driven to the chapel where 16 members of the royal family, as well as an 800-strong congregation, awaited her arrival. While waiting for the monarch, Harry was seen talking to Zara and exchanging pleasantries with Kate, but did not say anything to his elder brother. Royal family members in attendance also included Princess Anne, her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, Prince Andrew and his elder daughter Princess Beatrice, the Earl of Wessex with their children, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn. Zara and Mike were joined by Peter Phillips and his wife Autumn. royals-j Queen Elizabeth and the royal family | Credit: Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images As the Queen, who wore a mink green coat with a matching hat adorned with a pink ribbon, walked into the chapel, the royal ladies all curtsied deeply. Additionally, all the royal men, with the exception of William, bowed their heads. William and Kate, who re-wore the light blue Alexander McQueen outfit she last wore during a 2014 trip to Sydney on Easter Sunday, were on time to this year’s ceremony, after arriving late to the service last year. (Kate, who was pregnant at the time with the couple’s third children, gave birth to son Prince Louis just days later). RELATED VIDEO: Queen Elizabeth Just Posted Her First-Ever Instagram — and It’s an Epic Throwback! After the Queen made her way inside the chapel, the rest of the royal family followed suit. The hour-long service was led by the Right Reverend David Conner, Dean of Windsor. Prince William and Prince Harry Credit: Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images; IAN VOGLER/AFP/Getty Images In a sweet nod to the other big celebration taking place on Sunday, after the family all took their seats, the organist played “Happy Birthday To You” in honor of the monarch’s big day. The Queen, who was born on April 21, 1926, has two birthdays. She also has an official one on the second Saturday in June each year, which is commemorated with the Trooping the Colour parade. Although there was no mention of the royal birthday in the sermon, the Dean did touch on the devastating fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris last week. He also read some Easter poetry by Christian socialist Charles Kingsley, author of The Water Babies, whose birth 200 years ago will be celebrated in June. royals-k Queen Elizabeth | Credit: Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Image After the service, the Queen and her family went for drinks in the Deanery before leaving from separate exits. Upon returning to her car, members of the public sang “Happy Birthday” to the monarch, who was also given flowers by two boys, Rufus Travers-Brown and Edward Bland, the sons of adult members of the choir.<doc-sep>It appears Prince Harry and Prince William are not as close as they once were. The brothers both attended Easter Service on Sunday at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle alongside their grandmother, Queen Elizabeth -- who turned 93 on Sunday -- but a source tells ET there was an obvious distance between the two. Harry arrived at the church separate from Will and Will's wife, Kate Middleton, and stood at a distance from his brother when the Queen arrived. In the past, Harry would walk in with Will and Kate, with whom he is so close, the source notes, adding that Harry feels like Kate is the sister he never had as a child. But on Sunday, Harry stayed close to cousins Peter and Zara Phillips and their spouses -- Autumn Phillips and Mike Tindall, respectively -- with the family standing in between the brothers and separating them. Harry is especially close to the Tindalls, who recently named him godfather to their youngest daughter, 10-month-old Lena. The source says the brothers are at "different stages in their life" and are "no longer the boys" they once were. Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images Harry did, however, exchange a few words with both Will and Kate outside St. George's Chapel as captured in a video posted on Instagram. The source adds that earlier this month, when Harry and Will both attended the premiere of Sir David Attenborough's Our Planet with their father, Prince Charles, they also seemed to keep a distance from one another, with their father separating the two. In the past, fans have been more accustomed to seeing 34-year-old Harry and 36-year-old Will joke and laugh with one another. Samir Hussein/Samir Hussein/WireImage Meanwhile, Harry's pregnant wife, Meghan Markle -- whom a source recently told ET is due "any day now" -- didn't attend Easter service, but did wish the Queen a happy birthday on her and Harry's official Instagram account. The frosty Easter run-in between the brothers comes amid a Sunday Times report that there are plans for Harry and Meghan to possibly move to Africa in 2020 for charity work and to promote Britain after the birth of their baby, for two to three years. According to the British newspaper, the plan was headed by Sir David Manning, the former British ambassador to the US and special adviser on constitutional and international affairs to both Harry and William. Buckingham Palace did not deny the report in a statement that read, "Any future plans for The Duke and Duchess are speculative at this stage. No decisions have been taken about future roles." Harry and Meghan officially split households from Will and Kate last month. The couple also recently moved out of their previous residence at Kensington Palace -- where Will and Kate also reside -- to Frogmore Cottage at Windsor Castle ahead of the birth of their baby. There have been reports that Meghan and Kate, as well and Harry and Will, are not exactly on the best of terms. Last December, a royal source told ET that "tension does still exist" between the brothers after the Duke of Cambridge originally voiced his "concerns" about Meghan when she first started dating Harry. According to our source, the conversation didn't go over well with Harry, and they still had "not mended completely." However, the four did reunite last month at at Buckingham Palace at a reception to honor Prince Charles. The event, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Prince of Wales' investiture, marked the group's first time together since attending Christmas day services in Sandringham. Watch the video below for more: Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Kate Middleton and Prince William Reunite to Honor Prince Charles This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors. If you are using ad-blocking software, please disable it and reload the page. GET THE ET NEWSLETTER Email By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy RELATED CONTENT: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Send 'Granny' Queen Elizabeth a Sweet Birthday Message Prince Harry Shows Up to Easter Service Ahead of Royal Baby's Birth Meghan Markle and Prince Harry to Hire a Nanny Ahead of Royal Baby's Birth Related Gallery<doc-sep>

Queen Elizabeth kept up her traditional of attending the Easter Mattins Service on Sunday at St. George's Chapel Happy Easter from the royals! Queen Elizabeth kept up her tradition of attending the Easter Matins Service on Sunday at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, the historic venue that hosted the May wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and October nuptials of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank last year. royals-b Queen Elizabeth | Credit: Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock royals-d Prince Harry | Credit: IAN VOGLER/AFP/Getty Image royals-a Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips with Britain’s Princess Beatrice and Prince Andrew of York | Credit: NEIL HALL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock royals-h Lady Louise Windsor and Sophie, Countess of Wessex | Credit: EAMONN M. MCCORMACK/AFP/Getty Images Keeping things colorful, the Queen opted to wear a mint coat along with a matching hat with a vibrant pink ribbon tied around it for the family church outing. Kate also opted for a similar ensemble, wearing a blue knee-length jacket with a matching dress, which she paired with a festive fascinator and a pair of nude heels. William and Harry both chose dark blue suits to wear for the occasion, with William opting for a dark blue tie, while his younger brother settled on a brighter shade. royals-j Queen Elizabeth with the royal family | Credit: Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images royals-e Prince Harry | Credit: KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/AFP/Getty Image royals-k Queen Elizabeth | Credit: Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Image Last year, the Queen was joined by Kate (who was just days ahead of welcoming son Louis!) and Prince William for the holiday service. The couple told a pair of girls who were chosen to present the Queen with posies that George and Charlotte had been on an Easter egg hunt on Sunday morning. royals-e Queen Elizabeth, Prince William and Kate Middleton | Credit: TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images The Queen’s granddaughter Zara Tindall also attended while pregnant, covering up her bump in a sky blue coat. In June 2018, she and husband Mike Tindall welcomed their second daughter, Lena. royals-d Members of the royal family at the 2018 Easter church service | Credit: Tolga Akmen - WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Andrew and his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, attended the Easter service, along with Eugenie’s then-fiancé, Jack. Princess Anne and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence led the royal family down the hill to the chapel.

LOS ANGELES -- Twenty-two days ago, David Price was booed off the mound at Fenway Park. He had lasted just 10 batters in his start against the Yankees in the American League Division Series, served up two home runs and departed in the second inning as displeased fans reminded of his record in the postseason. It fell to 0-9 when the Red Sox lost that game. Editor's Picks The good and the bad of Clayton Kershaw's Octobers Everything you need to know about World Series Game 5 2018 MLB postseason: Complete coverage of every series 2 Related Now he's looking to pitch the Boston Red Sox to the World Series championship. In a late-night twist following Boston's remarkable comeback over the final three innings to beat the Dodgers in Game 4, manager Alex Cora closed his postgame news conference with a surprise announcement: Price, and not Chris Sale, will start Game 5. "We talked about it before the game and this is a good spot for David, in a National League park, to start a game," Cora said. "Obviously he's been throwing the ball well. It's not that we're playing with the lead, but we feel that for the team, for where we're at pitching-wise, it's good to go with David." The explanation feels a little insufficient, especially since it means starting Price on three days' rest -- not including his 13-pitch relief appearance in Game 3 -- instead of Sale on a regular four days' rest. But we also know enough about some stuff that is going on to speculate that Boston's decision is likely related to the health of Sale's left shoulder. His velocity has been down, his command has been off, they don't want him swinging the bat, his ability to pitch deep into the game is probably limited, he had the stomach illness, an extra couple days of rest wouldn't be the worst of ideas. That doesn't mean Game 5 will be all about Price trying to earn his place in Red Sox lore alongside Dave Roberts' steal or the bloody sock or Big Papi's heroics. If we've learned anything about this Red Sox roster, it's that it's 25 guys contributing -- OK, 24, since we're still waiting for Drew Pomeranz to make an appearance -- and Cora has weaved his way through his pitching staff like Maradona attacking the England defense in the 1986 World Cup. Can David Price deliver his third big win for the Red Sox this October? Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Even though Cora said Sale would still start Game 6 if the series goes back to Boston, he later added that Sale could be available in relief in the right situation -- likely meaning if they're ahead with a chance to close it out, especially given Craig Kimbrel's potential limited availability after throwing 56 the past two games. If he does use Sale and then weird stuff happens anyway and the Dodgers survive, Cora still has options for Games 6 and 7. Game 3 starter Rick Porcello could start Game 6 on three days' rest after throwing just 61 pitches. That would line up Nathan Eovaldi to start Game 7 if necessary after throwing 97 pitches in Friday's marathon. But Cora is focused on winning Game 5. He has repeatedly said the point of the postseason is to win today and then worry about tomorrow. With the 18-inning game, the bullpen has been used pretty extensively the past two days -- which is why Sale is a potential relief option. The pitch counts for the Boston relievers the past two days: Kimbrel: Two appearances, 56 pitches Joe Kelly: Two appearances, 42 pitches Matt Barnes: Two appearances, 34 pitches Heath Hembree: One appearance, 25 pitches Ryan Brasier: One appearance, 18 pitches Pomeranz: No appearances Heck, even Porcello is an option. Along with Price and Sale, he had even gone to Cora before Game 4 and volunteered to start. Sale had lobbied to get into Game 3 as a position player as Eduardo Nunez hobbled after a series of tumbles and crashes. Sure, it's a cliché narrative this time of the year, but the Red Sox are all in this together. Cora held a quick team meeting after the 18-inning game and the team responded by giving Eovaldi a standing ovation. Price rode with Eovaldi on the team bus back to the hotel. "Every single game and every single night someone else steps up," Kelly said after the Game 4 win. "It's been our mantra the whole entire season." Indeed, the team put up nine late runs even though Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez went a combined 0-for-8. In fact, until Pearce's home run off Kenley Jansen tied the game, the No. 1 through 4 hitters had been a combined 0-for-41 in Los Angeles. Before Pearce's home run, Mitch Moreland smacked the big three-run homer off Ryan Madson. Moreland hadn't homered since Aug. 22 -- 78 at-bats ago. "We don't rely on two guys," Cora reiterated after Game 4. "Brock (Holt) did a good job. Steve, he was amazing, Mitch with a big swing. We kept putting up good at-bats." As usual, everything Cora does seems to work. His only obvious questionable decision during this postseason was leaving Eduardo Rodriguez in too long on Saturday. Cora admitted he pushed him too far. Otherwise: Every moves turns to gold. Earlier this postseason, I asked Cora about Boston's decision to carry 11 pitches all postseason when the other three teams were carrying 12. He cited one reason was that by carrying Blake Swihart as a third catcher it allowed them to pinch-hit for their other catchers. Well, in Game 4, he hit for both catchers. The first time came in the seventh with Jackie Bradley Jr., but he still had Moreland to hit for the pitcher. In the ninth, with the game tied, Rafael Devers hit for Sandy Leon and drove in the go-ahead run. Swihart then caught the bottom of the ninth.<doc-sep>It will be all about the narrative when the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers meet in Game 5 of the World Series on Sunday. The pitching narrative that is. That’s because the Red Sox have shockingly named David Price their starting pitcher in the potential series clincher. The 32-year-old left-hander will take the ball against Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw in a battle of pitchers who entered these playoffs labeled as postseason disappointments but have done a terrific job changing the headlines. That Price is being trusted in such a big spot wasn’t even thinkable three weeks ago. That he’s being selected to start over Chris Sale, the potential American League Cy Young award winner, shows how far he’s come in a short time. With that said, it sounds like Cora’s decision is just as much strategic than anything else. In explaining decision to start Price over Sale being related to NL Park, #RedSox Cora indicted Price could go just a couple innings and be hit for – “not an opener” but maybe similar — Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) October 28, 2018 A brief outing could seemingly put Price in play for Game 6 or Game 7 if it’s needed in Boston. Price has definitely adapted well to being used in different slots this postseason. In Game 2, Price went six innings and allowed two runs on three hits while securing his second win of the 2018 playoffs. He also won the Red Sox pennant clincher against the Houston Astros, which was his first postseason win in 10 starts. During Friday’s Game 3 marathon, Price recorded two outs in the ninth inning. Two outs that may have cemented Cora’s faith in him. To that end, Sale hasn’t been his usual self either his last two outings. Immediately after Game 1 of the ALCS he was hospitalized with a stomach ailment that prevented him from pitching again in that series. Sale lasted just four innings in Game 1 of the World Series. Story continues The Red Sox will surprisingly turn to David Price for the start in a potential World Series-clinching Game 5. (AP) The Red Sox have a commanding 3-1 series lead after winning Game 4 on Saturday. That gives them some flexibility to mix and match as they see fit. Sale would be in line to start Game 6 at Fenway Park on Tuesday if that game is necessary. More from Yahoo Sports: • Lakers finding out what life is like with LeBron James • Ranking all 32 teams’ Super Bowl chances • Wetzel: Tiger vs. Phil is becoming a clown show • Surprise: Cavs tickets are suddenly affordable<doc-sep>LOS ANGELES -- The working assumption immediately following the Red Sox's comeback win in Game 4 over the Dodgers is that lefty ace Chris Sale would remain on schedule and start the potential clincher Game 5 on Sunday night. Boston manager Alex Cora, however, made the surprise announcement during his postgame remarks that David Price would start Game 5 of the World Series. Price started Game 2 back in Boston and threw 13 pitches in relief in Game 3, so he'll be on short rest and then some for Game 5. Prior to Game 4, Cora implied that Price would be available in relief, so that's in some ways a positive sign insofar as his current fatigue level is concerned. Price is coming off a strong start in Game 2 against the Dodgers and before that an even stronger start against the Astros in Game 5 of the ALCS. Cora's obvious confidence in the left-hander and that recent run have buried talk of Price's postseason woes, at least for now. The velocity rebound he's enjoyed since late in the ALCS bodes well, short rest notwithstanding. As well -- and as noted throughout this series -- the Dodgers' offense this season has been much less effective against left-handed pitching, and that's especially the case when the lefty in question has Price's stuff and smarts. The related matter is the decision to move away from Sale. Sale has struggled with velocity loss and faltering command in recent starts, and of course he dealt with shoulder issues throughout the latter half of the season. Circling back to Cora's presser before Game 4, he was asked about Sale's and Price's status for Saturday night. "Not Chris," he said. "Not Chris." That sounds emphatic because it was. This could be a simple matter of advance planning being in place, or it could be a hint that Sale is, at the very least, in need of more time off. Whatever ails Sale is obviously not grave enough to merit a roster move, at least yet, but his unavailability out of the pen on three days' rest in Game 4 and then getting bumped from his scheduled Game 5 start run some red flags up the pole. It seems we have four possibilities for Sale moving forward: The plan is to "piggyback" a not-quite-right Sale and a short-rest Price in Game 4 -- i.e., go to Sale after getting an abbreviated start out of Price. Most often you do this with pitchers of the opposite hand, but, again, it's best to attack the 2018 Dodgers with lefties. The Red Sox want Sale to get extra rest before starting him in a potential Game 6 back in Boston. The Red Sox think Sale is presently compromised to the extent that he's best used out of the bullpen over the remainder of the series. Sale is hurt, and the Sox are trying to hold off disabling him for as long as possible (this one is, obviously, purely speculative). At this point, let's note that Cora, soon after declaring that Price would start Game 5, said Sale would start Game 6 if there is one. Of course, he was also tabbed to start Game 5, and as we've seen things change. If the Red Sox lose Game 5 and Sale doesn't pitch out of the pen for any length, then presumably he'll go in Game 6. Sure, we'll go with that for now. Insofar as Game 5 is concerned, the Sox are better off in the bullpen than you might think given that they'll be just two days removed that 18-inning absurdity. Drew Pomeranz is still available and unused, so he's the obvious long man should such a need arise. Ryan Brasier, one of Cora's go-tos in the postseason, didn't pitch in Game 4. Matt Barnes threw just 11 pitches in Game 4. Yes, he threw more than that in Game 3, and if he appears in Game 5 then that'll make three straight days of work. Barnes, however, did pitch three straight days on one occasion during the regular season, so it's not a foreign concept for him. Heath Hembree did not pitch in Game 5 and has been lightly used this postseason. As noted, it's also possible that Sale is available out of the pen in Game 5. The point is that there's a reasonable path through nine innings for Cora. As for Price, he's made just two starts on three days' rest in his career. One was back in 2008, and the other was that aforementioned strong outing against the Astros in Game 5 of this year's ALCS. Even within the last two weeks, Price has proved he's capable of shutting down a powerful offense in a Game 5 on the road, on short rest, and with his team one win away from a series triumph. The Red Sox on Sunday will obviously be hoping that recent history is a reliable guide.<doc-sep>Ted Berg USA TODAY Sports LOS ANGELES — In a surprise announcement following the Boston Red Sox’s 9-6 comeback win in Game 4 of the World Series on Saturday, manager Alex Cora said that David Price, not Chris Sale, will start Game 5 as the club tries to finish off the Los Angeles Dodgers and secure the championship. Sale, who threw only four innings in Game 1 of the series, would have been working on regular rest in Game 5. He spoke to reporters before the game Saturday -- as is customary for the next day’s starting pitchers -- and did not say anything to suggest he would not be available on Sunday. Price warmed up in the bullpen during Game 4 but did not appear in the contest. MORE FROM GAME 4 Price pitched ⅔ of an inning in relief in the 18-inning marathon Game 3. His last start came in a six-inning effort in Game 2 of the series on Wednesday, meaning he will be starting on three days’ rest for both the second time this postseason and only the second time since 2008. “We feel like David is good tomorrow,” Cora said Saturday. “We talked about it before the game, and this is a good spot for David, in a National League park to start a game. Obviously he's been throwing the ball well. “It's not that we're playing with the lead, but we feel that for the team, for where we're at pitching-wise it's good to go with David. We talked about it the whole day and we decided -- I just talked to Chris and David -- that's what we're going to do.” Price entered October with a reputation for poor postseason performance and did little to allay those concerns in a rough start in Game 2 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees and a shaky one in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Houston Astros. But after he warmed up in the bullpen during Game 4 of the ALCS, he pitched a gem on short rest in the clinching Game 5. He followed that success with six solid innings in the Red Sox’s Game 2 win in the World Series. Sale could be available out of the bullpen on Sunday, but Cora said he will start Game 6 back in Boston on Tuesday if it becomes necessary.<doc-sep>

LOS ANGELES -- After the Boston Red Sox stunned the Los Angeles Dodgers by rallying from a 4-0 deficit to score nine runs in the final three innings and pull off a 9-6 victory in Game 4 of the World Series on Saturday, manager Alex Cora made another stunning announcement as he was walking out the door after his postgame news conference: "David Price is starting tomorrow." One reporter yelled out, "You buried the lede!" Cora responded, "Nobody asked." Nobody asked because the Red Sox announced earlier Saturday that Chris Sale would be the Game 5 starter, and the left-hander met with the media, as the starting pitcher for the next game usually does. Cora said Sale was fine and still the scheduled starter for Game 6 if the series returned to Boston, but he said he and his staff discussed the idea earlier in the day, and he informed Price and Sale after Game 4 that the team was changing plans. Cora's stated explanation was that the team likes Price in the National League park, which could also be a reflection of not wanting Sale to hit. Sale has been battling a sore shoulder since August and had two stints on the disabled list. "We talked about it before the game, and this is a good spot for David, in a National League park, to start a game. Obviously, he's been throwing the ball well," Cora said. "It's not that we're playing with the [3-1] lead, but we feel that for the team, for where we're at pitching-wise, it's good to go with David." Sale lost a reported 10 pounds from a stomach illness following his start in Game 1 of the AL Championship Series against the Houston Astros. His velocity on his four-seam fastball, which averaged 97 to 98 mph during his summer peak, fell to 92.0 mph against the Astros in the ALCS, though he rebounded to 93.7 in his Game 1 start against the Dodgers. The Red Sox have insisted all along that Sale is fine, though clearly he isn't the same pitcher he was in the first half of the season. Earlier Saturday, Sale said, "I'm ready to go. I'm excited for the opportunity." Still, the announcement in the shift to Price was a surprise. The veteran lefty started Game 2 on Wednesday, throwing 88 pitches over six innings. He then threw 13 pitches in a relief appearance in Game 3. Obviously, the shift to Price was a late decision by Cora and his staff. Otherwise, he wouldn't have appeared in Game 3. Price will be starting on three days' rest since his last start. He did that in Game 5 of the ALCS -- when the Red Sox also skipped a Sale start -- and had the best outing of his postseason career, tossing six scoreless innings with a playoff-career high of nine strikeouts. Against the Dodgers in Game 2, he gave up two runs in six innings. Price, who entered this postseason with an 0-8 record in nine career postseason starts and lost his first start in the ALDS, now has won two in a row. On Sunday, he'll be matched against Clayton Kershaw, another starter with a somewhat checkered postseason history. Kershaw, slim chance as it might be, could be pitching his final game in a Dodgers uniform. He's expected to exercise an opt-out clause in his contract and elect to test free agency, though the predictions are that he will still return to the Dodgers. It all means that for the first time in a long time, Price will be making a postseason start in which there is more pressure on the other starter. Kershaw will be pitching to keep the Dodgers' season alive.

(CNN) — Mac Miller’s family and friends paid tribute to him on Wednesday night with a concert in his honor. “Mac Miller: A Celebration of Life” was held at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles and began with a video featuring home videos of Miller throughout his life. In it Miller is seen at his birthday parties blowing out candles beginning when he was a toddler. It also showed Miller’s rise to fame and love of music from an early age. Miller, who was born Malcolm McCormick, died September 7 at age 26. The concert was livestreamed for fans on Miller’s Facebook page and featured performances from big names such as John Mayer, SZA, Chance the Rapper, Anderson.Paak, Miguel, Travis Scott and Ty Dolla $ign. Proceeds from the concert will benefit and honor the launch of the Mac Miller Circles Fund, which will be managed by his estate, along with his family, a board of advisers and 4 Strikes management. Miller’s mother, Karen Meyers, posted a message about the concert to her Instagram account earlier in the day. “Thank you to all the artists, friends and partners for helping to bring this all to fruition … in honor of wonderful Malcolm … who is in all of our hearts,” she wrote in the caption. She also released a statement saying the high-profile support the concert has received is “a testament to Malcolm’s incredible life.” “His father, brother and I are beyond thankful to everyone who is working to make this concert happen along with every fan and every friend for continuing to support Malcolm and his vision,” Meyers said. “He was a caring, loving human with a smile that could light up the sky and a soul that was out to make the world a kinder place and the (Mac Miller Circles Fund) will continue to do just that.”<doc-sep>Mac Miller died of an apparent overdose last month at the tragically young age of 26. And on Halloween, his family and friends are coming together to honor his life and legacy with a star-studded tribute concert in Los Angeles called Mac Miller: A Celebration Of Life. Chance The Rapper, Anderson .Paak, Earl Sweatshirt, SZA, Thundercat, Travis Scott, Vince Staples, John Mayer, ScHoolboy Q, Ty Dolla $ign, Miguel, Action Bronson, Domo Genesis, J.I.D, Dylan Reynolds, Njomza, and more are all set to perform at the event. “The support we’ve experienced is evident in this amazing line-up and is a testament to Malcolm’s incredible life,” said Miller’s mother, Karen Meyers, in a statement. “His father, brother, and I are beyond thankful to everyone who is working to make this concert happen along with every fan and every friend for continuing to support Malcolm and his vision. He was a caring, loving human with a smile that could light up the sky and a soul that was out to make the world a kinder place and the MMCF will continue to do just that.” Proceeds from the show will go to benefit the launch of the Mac Miller Circles Fund (MMCF), which will provide “programming, resources, and opportunities to youth from underserved communities, helping them recognize their full potential through exploration in the arts and community building.” The concert will take place Wednesday, 10/31 at the Greek Theatre in LA. Tickets will go on sale here this Friday, 10/5.<doc-sep>Several high-profile artists have been booked to perform at a forthcoming Mac Miller tribute event, “Mac Miller: A Celebration of Life.” “Mac Miller: A Celebration of Life” is scheduled to take place at Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre on Wednesday, October 31. Travis Scott, Chance the Rapper, Action Bronson, Earl Sweatshirt, ScHoolboy Q, Miguel, Vince Staples, John Mayer and others are scheduled to take the stage that night. The event is being billed as a benefit concert, and will help support the newly-established Mac Miller Circles Fund (MMCF). “The support we’ve experienced is evident in this amazing lineup and is a testament to Malcolm’s incredible life,” Karen Myers, Mac Miller’s mother, shares via an official statement. “He was a caring, loving human with a smile that could light up the sky and a soul that was out to make the world a kinder place and the MMCF will continue to do just that.” Tickets for “Mac Miller: A Celebration of Life” will hit Ticketmaster this Friday, October 5 at 1 p.m. EST. You can check out the event’s official poster below. A couple weeks ago, Travis Scott put together his own tribute to Mac Miller.<doc-sep>

In life, Pittsburgh-born rapper and producer Mac Miller long faced struggles with drugs and the loneliness of isolation that comes with those problems. Since his September 7 death at age 26, the hip-hop community that loved and respected him and his music has come out in force; first with rappers such as Childish Gambino paying regards on stage, and now with the announcement of “Mac Miller: A Celebration of Life” concert to benefit the launch of the Mac Miller Circles Fund (MMCF). The show, set for Wednesday, October 31 at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, will feature Mac friends, collaborators and associates such as Action Bronson, Anderson.Paak, Chance the Rapper, Earl Sweatshirt, John Mayer, Miguel, Schoolboy Q, SZA, Thundercat, Travis Scott, Ty Dolla $ign, Vince Staples and more. Tickets will be available starting October 5 at 10:00 a.m PST (www.Ticketmaster.com). “The support we’ve experienced is evident in this amazing line-up and is a testament to Malcolm’s incredible life,” said Karen Meyers of her late son, Mac, and the concert and charity dedicated to serving youth from under-served communities, in his name. “His father, brother and I are beyond thankful to everyone who is working to make this concert happen along with every fan and every friend for continuing to support Malcolm and his vision. He was a caring, loving human with a smile that could light up the sky and a soul that was out to make the world a kinder place and the MMCF will continue to do just that.” More information can be found at the MMCF website.

I've written about my soft spot for guilty-pleasure European TV—The Chalet! Suburra! Witnesses!—so it was no surprise that the trailer for Élite, a new Netflix Original from Spain, caught my eye when it appeared a month ago. The vibe: The OC by way of Riverdale by way of Cruel Intentions. Three working-class Spanish kids crash a top prep school on scholarships. Sex and murder ensue. Silly? Sí. But now that I've had an early look at the first episode—all eight segments debut on October 5th—I'm clearing time this weekend for a good old-fashioned binge. Netflix has a talent for this kind of thing—airing global TV shows that slavishly borrow television tropes (by which I mean, clichés). A murder procedural like Deadwind, a Euro noir that recently popped up on the streaming service, would be utterly forgettable as an American production. But set in Finland? I'm in! Élite exerts a similar pull. If it were a CW show I'd hardly give it a second look. But a Spanish prep school is seductive terra incognita. A few tidbits (and some mild spoilers) from the first episode so you know what you're getting into. We begin with a handsome young man, gaping at a poolside murder scene. In dramatic slow motion, he touches a pane of glass—and smears blood across its surface. Where did the blood come from? "I've done nothing. I want a lawyer," he whispers to a detective. Flashback. Las Encinas, Spain's top private school, looks like the headquarters for a multinational conglomerate—all marble and glass, green lawns, glittering lake. The students, raffish blue bloods, wear a uniform of chic navy with scarlet piping. The curriculum is in English and Spanish, and the top-achieving student, we're told, will get a transfer to a sister school in Florida "which will give you access to an Ivy League university." Our three scholarship kids, Samuel, Christian and Nadia, are made to understand that Las Encinas is a place "where manners and respect are paramount." Nope. Nadia (Mina El Hammani) is Palestinian and wears a head scarf, but she is ordered to remove it by the principal or she'll be expelled. Samuel (Itzan Escamilla) is made fun of as a "waiter" by the ringleader of the popular kids, and has a troublemaking brother who threatens to drag him into criminality. Christian—the show's live wire, played by Miguel Herrán—is hazed in the locker room, his clothes stolen. He walks naked down the school hall to retrieve them from the trash. "Enjoy the view," he declares to any and all. Meanwhile there's a rich girl, Marina, whose parents are planning her debutante party, who is harboring a secret. Actually never mind: It's revealed! "You've spent a fortune on psychologists to tell me nothing happened," she declares to mom and dad. "I fell in love with a boy. He infected me. Say it, mother! 'My 16 year old daughter is HIV positive!'" Delightful! There's more: sex, blackmail, drugs, class anxiety, and of course, that murder looming. An hour in I'll admit that I really don't care who did it. But I'm here for Élite nevertheless. It goes down like a cold glass of verdejo. Read More Culture Stories:<doc-sep>From first glance, Netflix's upcoming show Elite looks like a crossover between Gossip Girl and How to Get Away With Murder. Prep school uniforms and unsolved murders aside Elite is guaranteed to bring the drama — just in time for Halloween. The Spanish-language series is set inside the exclusive private school Las Encinas, where the children of the wealthy roam the halls. When three “working class” teens are permitted to attend the school, tensions rise, leading to a murder and eight episodes of non-stop thrills in this criminal mystery. Move over Riverdale and hello, Las Encinas. Like any good student, don't you want to be prepared? Ahead of the season premiere on October 5, get to know the cast of Elite and the characters they play ahead below. Itzan Escamilla as Samuel Elite Manuel Fernandez-Valdes/Netflix Set to star in Elite as Samuel, Itzan is most well known for his portrayal of Francisco in the Netflix period drama Las chicas del cable, also known as Cable Girls in English. Teasing the show on his Instagram, it seems that Itzan’s Elite character might be romantically connected to María Pedraza’s. Could they be the next Serena van der Woodsen and Dan Humphrey? María Pedraza as Marina<doc-sep>

Over the past few years, Netflix has been expanding its original programming more and more. Now, they've even begun expanding into foreign-language original series. The first was Cable Girls, a historical drama about 1920s phone operators which is headed into its fourth season. For its second Spanish-language original drama, Netflix has produced Elite, a Gossip Girl-esque teen soap. Set in one of the most exclusive private schools in Spain, the contemporary drama follows a handful of working-class scholarship students who are thrown into this privileged, high-drama milieu. The series debuted on Friday, Oct. 5 with an eight-episode first season. But as we all know, it can be frustrating to fall in love with a show, only to have it never see a second season. So will Netflix be producing another season of Elite? At first Netflix didn't want to comment one way or another, likely because the streaming giant wanted to wait until the reviews and numbers come in for season one. According to The Hollywood Reporter, however, the drama is officially returning for a twisted second season! If you've been paying attention to buzz surrounding the show, early signs definitely seemed to bode well for a season two renewal. Spanish programming has done well for Netflix: Cable Girls is definitely the most buzzed-about (and is a Netflix original like Elite), but it's also hosted popular period dramas such as Juana Ines and The Time in Between. Teen-oriented programming has also been a hit for Netflix recently: To All The Boys I've Loved Before was one of the hottest titles of the Summer, and even the controversial teen dramedy Insatiable snagged a season two order. Elite overlaps in several markets that are doing well for Netflix right now, so you can look forward to another season at Las Encinas — and possibly even a third, if everything goes well!

Then FBI Director Robert Mueller testifying on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010, before the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. Photo : Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP The long-awaited report from Special Counsel Robert Mueller on Russia’s interference in the 2016 election is more than 440 pages long and offers granular details about the Russian government’s efforts to infiltrate Democratic organizations and obtain material damaging to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. One thing that’s notable is what isn’t present: A definitive explanation of how Wikileaks obtained stolen emails from the Democratic campaign. Advertisement The report does not mince words. The purpose of these attacks, it clearly states, was to help elect President Donald Trump, whom the Putin government showed a clear preference for in the election. The investigation established that the Russian government perceived that hacking the Democrats would benefit Trump and that, in turn, a Trump presidency would benefit Russia. Russian intelligence, therefore, worked to “secure that outcome,” according to the report; while the Trump campaign itself was hopeful all along that it would “benefit electorally from information stolen and released through Russian efforts.” In the end, however, Mueller’s team was unable to establish that any members of the Trump campaign conspired with the Russians in the commission of any illegal acts—despite more than 100 known contacts between the president’s associates, including 17 campaign officials, and Russian nationals, several of whom have established ties to the country’s military and intelligence services. Significant portions of the report are dedicated to analyzing the theft of Democratic emails, opposition research, and fundraising data by Russia’s main intelligence directorate, the GRU; and in particular, Russian military cyber units 26165 and 74455. It further summarizes the efforts to disseminate the stolen material through GRU’s own fictitious personas, as well as through WikiLeaks—which at one point claimed to have proof that Russia was not involved. Notably, the report indicates that Mueller’s team faces unresolvable issues in piercing through the secrecy surrounding WikiLeaks and its founder Julian Assange. The report admits at one point that it remains unclear how the notorious publisher of classified U.S. material obtained all of the stolen Democratic files. While it does include references to at least one encrypted file sent via Twitter to WikiLeaks by Guccifer 2.0—a fictitious hacker identity invented, according to U.S. intelligence, by the GRU—it does not rule out other sources being involved. “Both the GRU and WikiLeaks sought to hide their communications, which has limited the Office’s ability to collect all of the communications between them.” Advertisement “Both the GRU and WikiLeaks sought to hide their communications, which has limited the Office’s ability to collect all of the communications between them,” the report states. “Similar communications occurred between WikiLeaks and the GRU-operated persona DCLeaks,” it also says. Assange was arrested in London last week after living nearly seven years there in the Ecuadorian embassy. He was subsequently found guilty of failing to surrender himself after breaching his bail conditions in connection with extradition proceedings brought on by accusations of rape in Sweden. He has been charged by the U.S. government for allegedly conspiring with former U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to gain access to a Defense Department network used to store classified documents and communications. Advertisement If extradited to the U.S. and found guilty, Assange faces up to five years imprisonment. To date, none of the known charges against him relate to the 2016 election. Last July, the special counsel issued an indictment of 12 Russian intelligence officers—also known as the Netyksho indictment—in the hacking of Democratic organizations, including the private email account of John Podesta, chairman of the Clinton campaign. Advertisement Mueller’s report reiterates the assessment of the U.S. intelligence community that the hacking operations against the Democrats were carried out by Russia’s main intelligence directorate, the GRU. As with the Netyksho indictment, the report describes the GRU’s use of various customized malware, including X-Agent, a cross-platform remote access toolkit, which enabled the GRU to record thousands of keylogging sessions, and X-Tunnel, a network tunneling tool that enabled large-scale data transfers from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) networks to GRU-controlled computers. The malware section of the report is heavily redacted citing investigative techniques. Advertisement The report states: The GRU began stealing DCCC data shortly after it gained access to the network. On April 14, 2016 (approximately three days after the initial intrusion) GRU officers downloaded rar.exe onto the DCCC’s document server. The following day, the GRU searched one compromised DCCC computer for files containing search terms that included “Hillary,” “DNC,” “Cruz,” and “Trump.” On April 25, 2016, the GRU collected and compressed PDF and Microsoft documents from folders on the DCCC’s shared file server that pertained to the 2016 election. The GRU appears to have compressed and exfiltrated over 70 gigabytes of data from this file server. The GRU also stole documents from the DNC network shortly after gaining access. On April 22, 2016, the GRU copied files from the DNC network to GRU-controlled computers. Stolen documents included the DNC’s opposition research into candidate Trump. Between approximately May 25, 2016 and June 1, 2016, GRU officers accessed the DNC’s mail server from a GRU-controlled computer leased inside the United States. During these connections, Unit 26165 officers appear to have stolen thousands of emails and attachments, which were later released by WikiLeaks in July 2016. Advertisement The report describes the Russian government’s efforts to disseminate the hacked material through fictitious online personas DCLeaks and Guccifer 2.0, as well as through WikiLeaks. “DCLeaks victims included an advisor to the Clinton Campaign, a former DNC employee and Clinton Campaign employee, and four other campaign volunteers,” the report says. The GRU also operated a Facebook page, it says, administered through several other pre-existing Facebook accounts, which was used to promote the release of the materials. The report notes that the Guccifer 2.0 account was in contact with a former Trump campaign member, though the name of the individual is redacted citing potential harm to an ongoing matter. That individual has been previously identified by news sources as Roger Stone, a Republican operative and advisor to longtime friend President Trump. (Prosecutors said in a court filing Wednesday that details related to Stone, whose case won’t be heard until November, would be redacted in the report.) Stone, who sold himself to the Trump campaign as a conduit to WikiLeaks, was indicted on felony charges in January for allegedly lying to investigators for the House Intelligence Committee and attempting to persuade a witness to provide false testimony. Advertisement “Under applicable law, publication of these types of materials would not be criminal unless the publisher also participated in the underlying hacking conspiracy.” The report goes on to describe how the GRU made contact with WikiLeaks for the purpose of further disseminating the stolen Democratic documents. “GRU officers used both the DCLeaks and Guccifer 2.0 personas to communicate with WikiLeaks through Twitter private messaging and through encrypted channels,” it says, “including possibly through WikiLeaks’s private communication system.” Advertisement The report makes clear that Mueller’s team struggled to figure out how all of the stolen files were transferred to WikiLeaks. It was unable to determine, for example, if WikiLeaks obtained the material from an intermediary, identified by the report as Andy Müller-Maguhn. The focus of a 2018 Washington Post article, Andy Müller-Maguhn is described as “one of Assange’s few connections to the outside world.” The article notes that, in 2016, Müller-Maguhn, himself a computer hacker, delivered a thumb drive to Assange allegedly containing “personal messages,” as by that time, Assange had ceased use of most electronic communications. Advertisement The report states that investigators were able to discredit the claims of WikiLeaks and its Republican allies regarding the source of the stolen material. On the false claims made by WikiLeaks, the report states: After the U.S. intelligence community publicly announced its assessment that Russia was behind the hacking operation, Assange continued to deny that the Clinton materials released by WikiLeaks had come from Russian hacking. According to media reports, Assange told a U.S. congressman that the DNC hack was an “inside job,” and purported to have “physical proof’ that Russians did not give materials to Assange. Advertisement The “reports” cited by Mueller include a CNN article from May 2018, in which GOP Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, a staunch defender of Assange, claimed that the hack was an “inside job” and that Assange told him personally that he had “physical proof” the leak did not originate with the Russians. A section of the report describing contacts between the Trump campaign and WikiLeaks is heavily redacted but includes references to testimony by Michael Cohen, Trump’s former special counsel and longtime fixer, who pleaded guilty last year to making false statements to Congress. Multiple quotes attributed by Cohen to Trump are also redacted. Advertisement The report further describes several known contacts between Donald Trump Jr., the president’s son, and the WikiLeaks Twitter account, including a request by WikiLeaks to tweet “a link alleging candidate Clinton had advocated using a drone to target Julian Assange.” Trump Jr. responded to WikiLeaks saying he had already “done so,” it says. Ultimately, the report simply concludes what has been obvious since October 2016, when then-candidate Trump began praising WikiLeaks for publishing material stolen by a foreign adversary from his political rivals: “The presidential campaign of Donald J. Trump showed interest in WikiLeaks’s releases of documents and welcomed their potential to damage candidate Clinton.” Advertisement “Under applicable law, publication of these types of materials would not be criminal unless the publisher also participated in the underlying hacking conspiracy,” Attorney General William Barr said in a statement Thursday. “Here too, the Special Counsel’s report did not find that any person associated with the Trump campaign illegally participated in the dissemination of the materials.” You can read a full, searchable copy of the Mueller report here.<doc-sep>Special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerSenate Democrats urge Garland not to fight court order to release Trump obstruction memo Why a special counsel is guaranteed if Biden chooses Yates, Cuomo or Jones as AG Barr taps attorney investigating Russia probe origins as special counsel MORE's report said WikiLeaks pushed conspiracies about slain Democratic National Committee (DNC) staffer Seth Rich to obfuscate the source of the hacked DNC emails it published in 2016. "As reports attributing the DNC and [Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee] hacks to the Russian government emerged, WikiLeaks and [Julian] Assange made several public statements apparently designed to obscure the source of the materials that WikiLeaks was releasing," the report said. "The file-transfer evidence described above and other information uncovered during the investigation discredit WikiLeaks's claims about the source of material that it posted," it continued. The report described a file transfer between the Russian GRU and WikiLeaks. ADVERTISEMENT The report said that statements by WikiLeaks and Assange about Rich "implied falsely that he had been the source of the stolen DNC emails." Rich's brother Aaron Rich responded to Mueller's findings in a statement on Friday. “The special counsel has now provided hard facts that demonstrate this conspiracy is false," Aaron Rich said in the statement. "I hope that the people who pushed, fueled, spread, ran headlines, articles, interviews, talk and opinion shows, or in any way used my family’s tragedy to advance their political agendas—despite our pleas that what they were saying was not based on any facts—will take responsibility for the unimaginable pain they have caused us," he added. WikiLeaks in 2016 published a trove of emails that were stolen from the DNC and Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonHillary Clinton takes on conspiracy theories on Borat special Top general: Russia, China will look to expand influence in Middle East as US pulls back We have a chance to halt climate change if we stop destroying carbon sinks and cut methane MORE's 2016 presidential campaign. Founder Julian Assange Julian Paul AssangeBiden DOJ to continue to seek Assange extradition Assange, Snowden among those not included on Trump pardon list Trump grants clemency to more than 100 people, including Bannon MORE was recently arrested on a charge of conspiring with former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning Chelsea Elizabeth ManningBiden DOJ to continue to seek Assange extradition Pardon talk intensifies as Trump approaches final 24 hours in office The Hill's Morning Report - An inauguration like no other MORE to “knowingly access a computer, without authorization and exceeding authorized access,” to obtain classified information. Rich was killed in Washington, D.C., in 2016 in what authorities described as a robbery gone wrong. Unfounded conspiracy theories connected his death with the stolen emails. The Justice Department on Thursday released special counsel Robert Mueller's report on his nearly two-year investigation into whether there was Russian interference in the 2016 election. Updated: April 19 at 6:20 p.m.<doc-sep>

Special counsel Robert Mueller probed whether President Trump’s election campaign was involved in WikiLeaks’ publication of stolen Democratic emails — but found nothing illegal, Attorney General William Barr said Thursday. He noted, however, that the emails were originally stolen by Russian agents — and the “publication of these types of materials would not be criminal unless the publisher also participated in the underlying hacking conspiracy.” The extent of the campaign’s involvement in the email dump remained unclear once the long-awaited report into Mueller’s investigation was released later Thursday, as that section is heavily redacted due to an “ongoing matter.” It notes that the campaign “showed interest in Wikileaks’ releases of hacked materials throughout the summer and fall of 2016” and that, according to former campaign adviser Rick Gates, “by the late summer of 2016, the Trump Campaign was planning a press strategy, a communications campaign, and messaging based on the possible release of Clinton emails by WikiLeaks.” Gates also told Mueller’s team that, at one point, Trump said to him “that more releases of damaging information would be coming,” the report says. The report also outlines communications between Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., and WikiLeaks. The organization first contacted him in September 2016 via direct message on Twitter, giving him the username and password to a yet-to-be-launched website focusing on Trump’s “unprecedented and dangerous” ties to Russia. Trump Jr. subsequently emailed senior campaign staffers saying the login worked and asking “if we want to look into it,” per the report. WikiLeaks messaged him again on Oct. 3, asking “you guys” to send out a link “alleging candidate Clinton had advocated using a drone to target [WikiLeaks founder] Julian Assange” — to which Trump Jr. responded that he’d already done so, and added, “what’s behind this Wednesday leak I keep reading about?” Nine days later, the organization contacted Trump Jr. again, saying it had just released more emails from Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign chair John Podesta, and offering a link to a site it said would help Trump in “digging through” the documents. Trump Jr. tweeted the link out several days later.

Gladys Berejiklian has been re-elected as New South Wales Premier, the state’s first elected female leader. From Liberal HQ at Sofitel Sydney, Berejiklian delivered her victory speech first thanking Opposition Leader Michael Daley. “Thank you so much everybody, a short time ago I took a phone call from Opposition Leader Michael Daley who conceded that the next government in the New South Wales will be the Berejiklian Government,” she said. The crowd shouted “Four more years, four more years, four more years.” It is still unclear whether it will be a majority or minority government. Berejiklian thanked the candidates from all sides, the Liberal Party, her campaign director, her staff, supporters, and family. “I am most proud of the state of New South Wales, I am incredibly proud of the wonderful place in which we live. No matter your background, where you live, your circumstances everybody in this state has the chance to be their best. A state in which someone with a long surname and a woman can be the premier of New South Wales.” “I will continue to work our guts out, to make sure this state and its people have the best opportunities on the planet,” she said. At Labor HQ, Daley conceded defeat. “A short time ago I telephoned Gladys and congratulated her on her victory, I congratulated the Coalition on retaining government tonight,” he said. Daley thanked his deputy Penny Sharp, his team, his electorate office, his family – especially his wife – and all “the beautiful people in the red t-shirts” who campaigned. “Sometimes we win them, sometimes we lose them but some things never change … our passion to make New South Wales a better place,” he said. “I am proud of your efforts.” Daley said he intends to remain the leader of the Labor Party. “Thank you very much for the privilege, thank you very much for your efforts, hold your heads up high.” Earlier tonight, the ABC‘s elections analyst Antony Green and a Nine News poll predicted a Coalition victory .<doc-sep>The at-times vicious NSW parliament “bear pit” is headed for extinction, with a victorious Gladys Berejiklian vowing to clean up the chamber and apply higher standards to the state’s politicians; the Premier’s secret campaign weapon; Labor and Liberal campaigns analysed; and, how the NSW result works in the PM’s favour. ELECTION WRAP Parliament will be cleaned up with higher standards expected of politicians under sweeping reforms to NSW’s notorious bear pit set to be the first offering from Premier Gladys Berejiklian to the crossbench. “This is a fresh parliament, and a fresh government which lends itself to improving the way in which we conduct ourselves,” Ms Berejiklian told The Daily Telegraph. The re-elected Premier was yesterday confident the Liberal National Coalition would have the numbers to govern in its own right, but will still move to strengthen her relationship with the key NSW independents in a move that will insulate her from by-elections. The Coalition had 46 seats and needed 47 to govern in its own right. The Premier enjoys a coffee at Little Giant Coffee Roasters with her sisters Mary Berejiklian (L) and Rita Berejiklian. Picture: Tracey Nearmy MORE NEWS Booming Parramatta class spends big out West Furious farmers ambush Nationals in the bush Greens should ask themselves if they have blood on their hands The government was last night expecting to secure Dubbo and East Hills to take their final count to 48. Newly empowered, the Premier also indicated she would shake of the influence of factional heavyweights, particularly when selecting her cabinet this week. “I’ve earned the right to surround myself with the best people and pick the best team,” she said. The Premier said that being instilled with a mandate of the people would make her “more bold and courageous” as a leader, while remaining in touch with community sentiment. Well wishers speak to Ms Berejiklian on Sunday. Picture: Tracey Nearmy Ms Berejiklian said the parliament had not had significant reform in “a long time”, which she said could include stricter rules for how it was run. The Premier believes personally that many people can be disappointed when they see what happens in parliament, particularly its high levels of antagonism. The conduct of the parliament came under heavy scrutiny last October when Corrections Minister David Elliott raised allegations about then-Labor leader Luke Foley. Mr Foley then retaliated with a bizarre series of threats at a number of government ministers in which he pointed his fingers at them across the chamber, saying he would talk about “you and you and you”. Ms Berejiklian walks to the local gym for a workout on Sunday. Picture: Tracey Nearmy The three independents on the crossbench — Greg Piper, Alex Greenwich and Joe McGirr — wrote to both leaders a month ago calling for parliamentary reform. Ms Berejiklian said she wanted the parliament to be more productive “and spend more time dealing with the issues the community cares about and not just what politicians care about.” This would also involve reforming the committee process and possibly the timing of questions and answers. Independent MP for Lake Macquarie Greg Piper. It’s understood the Premier will also consider moving question time earlier in the day and the cross bench has also asked her to consider changing the amount of time allowed for Dorothy Dixer questions. She said she would prioritise trying to reconnect with voters feeling disconnected from the political process. Independent MP for Sydney Alex Greenwich. Picture: AAP Independent MP for Wagga Wagga Joe McGirr. Picture: AAP She also said water management would be a top priority for her in western NSW after saying the loss of huge Nationals seats like Barwon and Murray was a “cry for help” from those people. Asked if she would commit to serving her four-year term, Ms Berejiklian said “that’s certainly my intention”: “You can’t predict what will happen in the future, but so long as I have the support of the community and my colleagues I will always serve.” She said that following her win on Saturday night, she felt it was important to listen to “the silent majority”. “Sometimes the loud minority are blurring them out,” she said. With 73 per cent of the vote counted, The Liberal Nationals had 42.2 per cent of the primary vote, well ahead of Labor on 33 per cent. Premier’s attention to detail paid off EXCLUSIVE: Gladys Berejiklian personally dialled in to daily 6am phone hook-ups with an inner circle of ministers and staff to micro-plan every turn of the Liberal campaign. The Premier’s involvement on a day-to-day basis was praised yesterday by even her detractors, as they reaped the spoils of what was effectively a lacklustre campaign that came up trumps in the polls as the party was swept to a rare third term in office. The Premier spent time with her sisters Mary Berejiklian (left) and Rita Berejiklian on Sunday. Picture: Tracey Nearmy This was a campaign in which Labor had turned to seasoned streetfighters — Bruce Hawker, Eamonn Fitzpatrick and Kris Neill — to run a sophisticated attack on the government. But in the end, their political smarts could not insulate them from Michael Daley’s mistakes. The Liberal campaign was almost the exact opposite — a serviceable assault­ at best run by staff with far less experience playing in first grade. Consultant Bruce Hawker worked on the 2019 campaign for Labor. Eamonn Fitzpatrick also worked on Labor’s state election campaign. They won because the Premier could manage the gruelling hustings, falling back on her strength in detail to outdo Mr Daley at the final turn. The Liberal campaign office, run by Chris Stone — the man who saw the Liberals win the tough Bennelong by-election against Kristina Keneally in 2017 but lose the unlosable Wagga by-election last year — was repeatedly criticised for sticking to plans and failing to deviate from strategy at all costs. Mr Stone was on the pre-dawn phone hook-ups, which also included senior ministers Andrew Constance, Dominic Perrottet, Don Harwin, Brad Hazzard, John Barilaro and staff. In the weeks when Labor was riding high in the headlines on the back of a seemingly unstoppable momentum­, insiders criticised senior Berejiklian staffers for lacking agility and imagination. The Premier managed the gruelling hustings, falling back on her strength in detail to outdo Labor leader Michael Daley at the final turn. Picture: Tracey Nearmy Things were so tense, senior Liberal­ staffers were briefing media on their own tactic suggestions to save face. The Premier was criticised for playing it too safe. As recently as one week before the poll, senior government figures were panicked that they would lose. Labor’s internal polling figures were even stronger than those made public. The party believed even a majority­ government was possible. There was no doubt at week three of the campaign that Labor, led by General Secretary Kaila Murnain, had run a sensational ground game. At that point the brains trust running Mr Daley’s office had out-politicked the Liberals on almost every turn. At week three of the campaign Labor, led by General Secretary Kaila Murnain, had run a sensational ground game. Picture: Adam Taylor But then, the wheels came off. The first glimmer came when Mr Daley could not answer basic questions about his brand new tax hike, three weeks after announcing it. The press conference about his luxury car tax humiliated the leader, but the party was confident the class war essence of the party would be strong enough to dominate headlines. However, within days The Daily Telegraph published the video of Mr Daley making offensive comments about migrants from Asia. The party was still hopeful that the remarks, which were interpreted as racist, wouldn’t cost too many votes in outer suburban areas and regions. NSW Opposition Leader Michael Daley speaks to media at Maroubra Beach on Sunday. Picture: AAP But any votes saved there were lost when Mr Daley was exposed on live TV at the Sky News/Daily Telegraph People’s forum for not knowing key budget details of his own policy.<doc-sep>Two days before NSW heads to the polls, stadiums have remained a major issue on the agenda of both Labor and Liberals – but if betting sites are to be believed, Gladys Berejiklian has climbed back to the leading position. Loading The Premier defended her decision to press ahead with demolishing and rebuilding Allianz Stadium for $730 million today, despite a report saying the stadium's safety issues could have been addressed for as little as $18 million. The Opposition Leader started his day outside the stadium in Moore Park following a poor performance during Wednesday night's leaders' debate, determined to stay positive and making every effort to resurrect his campaign. Later, he visited businesses along the light rail line construction site in Surry Hills, promising to create a $100 million fund to help residents and businesses affected by the botched project. Loading The Premier, on the other hand, was visiting a construction project that voters are more excited about. She and Transport Minister Andrew Constance donned protective gear at Barangaroo to see where the machine dubbed 'Kathleen' will begin boring the Sydney Harbour train tunnel. And that's a wrap for the blog today, ahead of a big election eve tomorrow. Make sure you tune in!<doc-sep>

Gladys Berejiklian has thanked the people of NSW for re-electing her government - and for voting for a woman with a long surname to be premier. “First and foremost, I want to thank the people of this great state for having confidence in me and my government,” she said after claiming victory in Saturday’s election. “My team and I will continue to work our guts out to make sure this state and its people continue to ensure that we have the best opportunities on this planet.” She said her priorities would be to continue to provide a strong budget for the projects, infrastructure and services for the state. Thousands of Liberal supporters - many chanting “four more years” - and Prime Minister Scott Morrison and former PM John Howard were on hand for the victory celebrations. The coalition was returned for a third term on Saturday, but it’s still to be determined whether it will be able to govern in its own right or will depend on the three expected independents. Ms Berejiklian thanked her family, staff, volunteers and party workers for their efforts to return the government. She also praised Nationals leader and Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Treasurer Dominic Perrottet for their efforts. Her opponent Michael Daley, meantime, says he intends to remain as leader of the NSW Labor party despite losing the state election. Just before 10pm on Saturday, Mr Daley conceded defeat after calling Premier Gladys Berejiklian to congratulate her. The coalition have been returned for a third term, but it’s not yet known if it will be a majority or minority government. He thanked his family, candidates, the party, and the 22,000 volunteers - “you beautiful people in red T-shirts” - for their efforts during the campaign. Mr Daley became leader 134 days ago following the forced resignation of Luke Foley and said it wasn’t long enough to cut through to the electorate. “... it just wasn’t long enough. But I can tell you that it is my intention to remain the leader of the party,” he told the Labor function in conceding defeat. He said he had no intention of giving up. “We have a long and proud history in the Labor Party. Sometimes we win them, and sometimes we lose them,: Mr Daley said. “But one thing never changes - our passion, our belief and our mission to make NSW and Australia a better place, and that is what we will continue to do.” He called for an improvement in politics in the state to end the continual erosion of public confidence in the political system. “One of the concerns I have about the result tonight, being someone who believes in the political stability the two-party system does ... is that it really hasn’t been all that great a night for the major parties. Mr Daley said he would finally have a drink. “It seems like a very, very long time indeed since I’ve been able to have a drink or two with friends. “I can’t remember the last time I did it so I think I might treat myself with that enjoyable experience now.”

The Turkish government reportedly told US officials on Thursday that it has audio and video recordings suggesting the Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was killed during his visit to the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul last week. Khashoggi, who was living in Virginia under self-imposed exile, is known as an outspoken critic of Saudi Arabia and its de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Earlier this week, The New York Times described a senior US official as saying Turkish authorities believe that Khashoggi was killed on orders from the "highest levels of the royal court." Prince Mohammed told Bloomberg last week, "We have nothing to hide." Few people had heard of Prince Mohammed before his father, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, became king in 2015. King Salman, 82, subsequently elevated his son Mohammed, 33, to crown prince in June 2017. And he has since been widely seen as the driving force behind an anti-corruption purge that has detained several leading Saudi government and business leaders. Here's the story behind Prince Mohammed's meteoric rise.<doc-sep>Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., long one of Saudi Arabia's most vocal defenders in Congress, said Tuesday that the kingdom's nearly all-powerful crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has "got to go" and vowed never to return to the country as long as the young leader remains in power. Graham also pledged to impose sanctions. Later Tuesday, the influential member of the Senate Armed Services Committee said he favored suspending U.S. weapons sales to the country. "This guy is a wrecking ball. He had this guy murdered in a consulate in Turkey, and to expect me to ignore it — I feel used and abused," Graham, a close ally of President Donald Trump, said during an interview with "Fox & Friends." Graham added that "there is a difference between a country and an individual," but said that bin Salman is "toxic" and "can never be a world leader on the world stage." The senator's remarks come as Saudi Arabia faces down a global outcry amid accusations that it orchestrated the killing of a journalist critical of the crown prince. Jamal Khashoggi, a contributor to The Washington Post, has not been seen since entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul earlier this month. Trump has downplayed the accusations against the crown prince, and told reporters on Monday that the denial from King Salman was "very strong." The president dispatched Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to meet with top officials in the country, while floating the alternative theory that Khashoggi might have been murdered by "rogue killers." Graham's decision to continue his offensive against the country on a platform that Trump is known to watch is noteworthy.<doc-sep>This could be a chaotic week for U.S. policy in the Middle East and for oil. Responding in advance to expected comments by President Trump Donald TrumpTrump lashes out after grand jury seated for New York criminal probe Schumer tees up vote on Jan. 6 commission bill Senators struggle to save Jan. 6 commission MORE on “60 Minutes” last night, Saudi Arabia issued a statement of “total rejection of any threats and attempts to undermine it.” Al Arabiya News Channel wrote an editorial warning of 30 potential retaliatory measures against any U.S. sanctions, including “$100 oil, $200 oil, double that.” What President Trump actually said, half-buried in his responses to aggressive questioning about Russia, North Korea, China and other issues, was that the kingdom could face “severe punishment” if the U.S. confirms that exiled Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. ADVERTISEMENT The Saudi response suggests that it is not considering the option of blaming what Turkish officials claim was the torture, killing, dismembering and videoing of the whole ghastly affair on rogue elements in the Saudi security services. Nevertheless, President Trump spoke this morning with King Salman and later said “rogue killers” could be responsible for Khashoggi’s disappearance. In the absence of a body (or any body parts), there remains an element of uncertainty of what happened to Khashoggi, but many may consider the Saudi response an admission of guilt. The second-order conclusion by many critics of the kingdom is that Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, known as MbS, is a brutal authoritarian — one who, though only 33 years old, soon will replace his father as monarch of the world’s largest oil exporter and, by virtue of the location of the holy cities of Mecca and Medina in the kingdom, the leader of the Islamic world. President Trump has dispatched Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Mike PompeoThe Memo: Media face hard questions on Trump, Wuhan lab Trump on Wuhan lab: Now everyone agrees 'I was right' With denuclearization stalled, Biden should focus on human rights reform in North Korea MORE to Riyadh, presumably with a list of policy recommendations. The odds of the Saudi side accepting any of them are debatable. It seems that we may be saying goodbye to at least the gloss, if not the substance, of the prince’s Vision 2030 plans for economic transformation of the kingdom. The attendance list for an investment conference, scheduled to be held Oct. 23 to 25 in Riyadh, is in tatters. JPMorgan CEO James Dimon pulled out over the weekend; U.S. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin’s withdrawal is likely at any time. Social reforms such as cinemas and live entertainment may survive, as will women driving cars. But don’t forget that many of the women activists who campaigned for the latter are in jail. It is embarrassingly ironic that, notionally, Saudi Arabia is a leader of the global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS), the extremists whose signature horror has been the videoed torture and execution of its prisoners. How could we all have been so wrong in our hopes for MbS? (Perhaps not all of us. I wrote last year, when he pushed his predecessor to one side by denying him sleep and diabetes medicine, that, “His greatest strength, or weakness, may be his ruthlessness.” I cited the example of the “bullet story,” in which he put a bullet on the desk of a government official who didn’t want to sign off on one of the young prince’s business deals.) Until two weeks ago, Western officials could, and did, excuse MbS’s domestic authoritarianism by citing his apparent reordering of a Saudi Islam as being moderate rather than the extremist version which produced, via irresponsible religious education and charitable giving, 9/11 and the Islamic State. But Khashoggi’s disappearance suggests that we have been seduced by the smooth words of his retinue and cohorts of echoing public relations firms. Even Muslim World League Secretary-General Muhammad al-Issa, who this month hosted a conference on “Cultural Rapprochement between the U.S. and the Muslim World” in New York City, yesterday issued a statement in support of MbS: “The animus campaign it now witnesses threatens all dimensions of international stability.” We will have to see whether the conference’s idea for a “peace caravan” of Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders going to Jerusalem gains any traction. Old hands will tell you that diplomacy is usually best done quietly, but we live in a world of Twitter, television-interview sound bites and public statements. Some statements are being shot from the hip, as happened yesterday when the kingdom declared an uncompromising defiance and hinted of measures that would hit the U.S. economy much harder than Saudi Arabia’s. Today there is a report that the Saudis will at last allow Turkish investigators into the Istanbul consulate. If Khashoggi died there, it will have been well-cleaned by now. It is probably too late for a declaration that the fate of Khashoggi is a mystery. This coming Thursday, the Saudi embassy in Washington planned to host its National Day celebrations. Would the host ambassador, Prince Khalid bin Salman, MbS’s brother, be there or would he still be in Riyadh, where the White House sent him to find answers to U.S. concerns? Curiously, I was invited but was not going, and I wondered how many of Washington’s great and good also would not show up — until the embassy canceled the event. Simon Henderson is the Baker Fellow and director of the Bernstein Program on Gulf and Energy Policy at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.<doc-sep>A general manager of Alarab TV, Jamal Khashoggi, looks on during a press conference in the Bahraini capital Manama, on December 15, 2014. The pan-Arab satellite news broadcaster owned by billionaire Saudi businessman Alwaleed bin Talal will go on air February 1, promising to "break the mould" in a crowded field.AFP PHOTO/ MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH (Photo credit should read MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH/AFP/Getty Images) (CNN) — Political outrage sparked by the disappearance of a dissident Saudi journalist is not just damaging the reputation of a key US ally – it’s now threatening the authority of President Donald Trump himself. The possible murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul has unleashed forces in Washington that are putting Trump’s sharp turn away from traditional American foreign policy values to its most stark political test yet. And there are growing signs that the White House may be unable to thwart fast-building pressure in Congress for action to punish Saudi Arabia and rein in its ruthless de facto leader, Mohammed bin Salman, tapped by the White House as America’s anchor in the Middle East. The President, with his dealmaker’s instincts, has inserted Saudi Arabia into a foreign policy designed to leverage US power for material gain rather than for global moral leadership – and has argued the current crisis should not derail a commercial relationship worth billions of dollars. On Monday morning, Trump announced that he had spoken with King Salman and relayed the King’s denial of “any knowledge of whatever may have happened ‘to our Saudi Arabian citizen.’” Trump also said he was dispatching Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to meet with the King. But such is the anger in Congress over the US-based Khashoggi’s fate, that support is building for an effort to impose a change in Trump’s strategy, much as lawmakers did when enforcing sanctions on Russia against his will. “If they lured this man into that consulate, they went medieval on him, and he was killed and he was chopped up and they sent a death crew down there to kill him and do all this, that would be an outrage,” Republican Sen. Marco Rubio said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “Just because they’re an ally in an important mission, which is containing Iranian expansion in the region, cannot allow us to overlook or walk away from that. It undermines our ability to stand for morality and human rights all over the world,” Rubio said on Sunday. Saudi Arabia has denied killing Khashoggi but has not provided evidence to explain his disappearance from the consulate. That being the case, Rubio called on Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to cancel a trip to an investment conference in Saudi Arabia later this month. “I don’t think any of our government officials should be going and pretending it’s business as usual until we know exactly what’s happened here,” Rubio said. The White House has sought to slow a rush to judgment against the Saudi government amid demands for immediate sanctions. Trump’s ascent as a political leader in 2016 was a lesson in how the traditional foreign policy orthodoxy, in which moral values and a sense of America exceptionalism and democratic leadership – a strain of thought that Rubio represents – have been eclipsed in the Republican Party. But the Saudi drama appears to be becoming a rare case in which clamor for action is building across political divides that could threaten the President’s primacy in foreign policy and emerge as a genuine constraint on his power. Former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, who is in many ways a political opposite of Rubio and is an independent senator from Vermont, also called for action on “State of the Union” Sunday. “I think one of the strong things that we can do is not only stop military sales, not only put sanctions on Saudi Arabia, but most importantly, get out of this terrible, terrible war in Yemen led by the Saudis,” Sanders said. There are signs that political pressure is beginning to tell, and that a President who has shown little concern for press freedom and repeatedly courted autocrats accused of gross human rights abuses, is becoming uncomfortable with repeated questioning on the issue. “Maybe especially so because this man was a reporter. You’ll be surprised to hear me say that, there’s something really terrible and disgusting about that if that was the case so we’re going to have to see,” Trump told Lesley Stahl in a “60 Minutes” interview broadcast Sunday. “We’re going to get to the bottom of it and there will be severe punishment.” The White House has not specified the nature of the steps Saudi Arabia could face. But in the same interview the President also reiterated his concern that any action should not deflect from his own mercantilist instincts — a desire to use American power to maximize economic gains. “It depends on what the sanction is. I’ll give you an example, they are ordering military equipment. Everybody in the world wanted that order. Russia wanted it, China wanted it, we wanted it. We got it, and we got all of it, every bit of it,” Trump said. Asked by Stahl if he would cut off that order, the President said: “I’ll tell you what I don’t want to do. Boeing, Lockheed, Raytheon, I don’t want to hurt jobs. I don’t want to lose an order like that. And you know what, there are other ways of punishing, to use a word that’s a pretty harsh word, but it’s true.” The President’s reshaping of American foreign policy to prioritize job creation and financial might is a centerpiece of the case he is making to voters ahead of the midterm elections in three weeks. He argues that after decades of being ripped off by friends and foes, the United States is now driving hard bargains, and claims to have engineered huge victories in trade disputes with Canada, Mexico, China, South Korea and Europe — despite evidence he has only made moderate changes.<doc-sep>

Dubai (AFP) - Saudi King Salman has begun weighing in to try to defuse the growing crisis over missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as the kingdom goes on the offensive triggering a fierce online media campaign. In a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Monday, the king denied "any knowledge of whatever may have happened 'to our Saudi Arabian citizen'", the US leader said in a tweet. Trump added he was "immediately" sending Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Riyadh "to meet with the king" for talks on the crisis. The disappearance of Khashoggi, last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, has whipped up international concern, with new Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman increasingly the focus of sharp criticism. Turkish officials have said they believe Khashoggi -- a Washington Post contributor who was critical of Prince Mohammed's policies -- was killed inside the mission, and lurid claims have even been leaked that he was tortured and even dismembered. After an initial silence, Riyadh said Khashoggi had left the consulate safely and then at the weekend denied as "baseless" claims that orders were given to have him killed. As western companies began to distance themselves from the oil-rich Gulf nation which is seeking outside investment to diversify its economy, the king also Sunday discussed the scandal with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He reiterated Riyadh's "solid" relations with Ankara, according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency. It is not the first time that King Salman has sought to ease tensions surrounding the 33-year-old Prince Mohammed, who has been cultivated by the US but whose reformist credentials are being quickly shredded by the mystery surrounding Khashoggi's fate. In an earlier phone call with Trump in April, King Salman reiterated Riyadh's position that Jerusalem must remain the capital of Palestine amid speculation that the kingdom had given up on the longstanding position. Story continues - 'A message to the US' - Aleksandar Mitreski, a security and defence analyst, said Saudi Arabia cannot control the international narrative but can try to alleviate the most damaging fallout. Saudi Arabia warned Sunday it would retaliate against any sanctions imposed over the Khashoggi's disappearance after Trump threatened "severe punishment" if the writer was found to be a victim of a state-sponsored killing. "The purpose of (Sunday's) message broadcasted by the Saudi national media is twofold: one goal is to satisfy the domestic public opinion that Saudi Arabia and its royal family will not be humiliated and the other goal is to send a message to the US," Mitreski, researcher at the University of Sydney, told AFP. The kingdom's warning was not only a response to Trump, but also targeted at US decision-makers amid rising calls for Congress to step in and put key arms sales on hold, he said. "It will be the task of political advisors and strategists to prevent Trump from causing damage to the US-Saudi relationship," he added. As the United States and Turkey have ratched up pressure on the kingdom, Saudi companies, officials and princes have also gone online in a wave of solidarity with the ruling family. - 'Kingdom always prevails' - Saudi flags, photos of the king and crown prince looking stern, and pro-Saudi hashtags were making the rounds on social media Monday with a common theme: Saudi Arabia and its ruling family are a "red line". Saudi Minister of Information Awwad al-Awwad tweeted on Sunday that the kingdom "always prevails against its enemies... under the wise leadership of the king and crown prince" using the Arabic hashtag #Saudis_In_Line_With_TheLeadership. Billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal -- who was among those temporarily detained as part of what Saudi authorities said was an anti-corruption crackdown -- tweeted an image of the Saudi flag Sunday in support of the ruling family, saying: "God, then the king, then the nation." One Twitter user said the Saudis "will not bow down and will not kneel, but only to God... We are all Salman, and we are all Mohammed". Some Saudis opted to remain silent for fear of consequences. "What is the use of discussing an issue that might throw you in a place you don't want to be?" a Saudi citizen, residing in Dubai, told AFP on condition of anonymity. "Let us wait quietly." James Dorsey, a fellow at Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said Saudi Arabia was stepping up moves against criticism.

Gerard Deulofeu hit a stunning hat-trick as Watford blew away Cardiff in the Welsh capital. In a match played on Friday night to avoid a clash with the Wales vs England Six Nations match on Saturday, Cardiff tried and failed to stop the rampant former Everton and Barcelona winger, who struck two goals in two minutes just after the hour mark to complete his treble. Troy Deeney bagged Watford's fourth, and after Sol Bamba pulled one back for the well-beaten hosts, Deeney struck again last on to complete a stunning victory for Gracia's side. Read on to see how it all happened,<doc-sep>A superb hat-trick from Watford’s Spanish striker Gerard Deulofeu and two goals from Troy Deeney gave Watford a thumping victory to increase Cardiff’s relegation worries. Deulofeu had not scored for eight matches but he ended that draught before the break and then showed class and composure to strike twice inside four minutes on the hour mark. Deeney made it 4-0 – set up by Deulofeu – before Sol Bamba pulled a goal back from a corner. But Denney made the victory emphatic again with a fifth goal in stoppage time as Watford proved they might yet be good enough for European football at the end of the season. Cardiff had won back-to-back Premier League matches in their last two games, but that did not stop manager Neil Warnock recalling his club captain Sean Morrison to the starting line-up. The centre-back had been sidelined for four matches following appendix surgery, but he was restored to the home defence in place of Lee Peltier. Gerard Deulofeu puts Watford ahead with his first goal of the evening (Getty Images) Warnock made two further changes – giving Leandro Bacuna his first start since his move from Reading, while Josh Murphy was recalled in place of Bobby Reid. Watford – who announced before kick-off they had reached an agreement for £4m compensation with Everton for their former manager Marco Silva – made seven changes from their FA Cup victory over QPR. The rhythm that has carried the visitors into the top 10 was evident early on, however, and they gave warning to their attacking threat when Daryl Janmaat shot over after swapping passes with Deeney. Cardiff did not lack confidence themselves, though, and when Callum Paterson chipped the ball into the path of Oumar Niasse the former Everton striker forced Ben Foster into a sharp reflex save. But just as Warnock’s side looked capable of taking the lead, they conceded an 18th minute goal that like many this season had much to do of their own making. Morrison, Bruno Manga and Joe Bennett all offered ineffectual tackles to Deeney on the edge of the box and when the ball broke to Deulofeu the Spaniard struck a low shot past Neil Ethereidge to put Watford ahead. Josh Murphy puts in a challenge on Etienne Capoue (Getty Images) It might have been extended moments later if Etheridge had not got down sharply to push a rasping shot from Deeney away for a corner. Cardiff’s own attacking threat was infrequent although they did end the half with a surge and what appeared to be a legitimate claim for a penalty. Murphy was released into the left-hand side of the penalty area by Niasse, only for the wing to be upended by Janmaat as the Watford player tried to recover his position. Referee Simon Hooper, however, waved away claims for a spot-kick, much to the anger of Warnock who made a theatrical appeal to the fourth official. It was a warning to Watford, but the visitors survived until half-time without too much further alarm. Cardiff pushed Bacuna further forward at the start of the second-half and were more direct in trying to find Niasse and for a time it looked as though it might provide a route back into the game. But Watford were able to reduce the home side to long shots from distance and when they roused themselves to hit Cardiff on the counter, they made the game safe with two goals inside four minutes on the hour mark. Oumar Niasse is pulled back by Roberto Pereyra (Getty Images) Deulofeu struck for his second after he latched onto a clearance from deep in the Watford half, following a poor free-kick from Bennett. The Spaniard outpaced Manga over the halfway line and then sprinted forward before firing past an exposed Etheridge. Three minutes later and Cardiff were undone again by Deulofeu, although this time the finish was even more exquisite. Arter gave the ball away, Etienne Capoue sent Deulofeu through the middle and Etheridge was left grasping at air as the ball was delicately chipped over him and into the far corner. Deulofeu could even have had a fourth as he again got behind Cardiff’s defence in the 73rd minute. This time, though, he unselfishly pulled the ball back for Deeney to hammer home Watford’s fourth. Cardiff did pull back a consolation goal late on when Bamba bundled the ball in from a corner, but Deeney had the final word when he was set up for his second goal by Will Hughes.<doc-sep>“He’s magic, you know” sang the Watford fans as Gerard Deulofeu staged this glittering one-man show. The versatile Spanish ­attacker scored his first hat-trick in first-team football, then rounded his night off with the most selfless of assists for the first of a Troy Deeney double. Deulofeu and Deeney were the only things worth watching during a second-half one-way show which plunges Cardiff back into severe relegation worries. The 24-year-old has had to get used to hype, having been billed 6½ years ago as a ­sure-fire superstar after winning the best player award at the European Under-19 Championship. After this match, the Spaniard said his performance had been redemptive. “During the season I have missed a lot of chances, but today I scored three and improved my finishing,” he shrugged. “That is the way.” Deulofeu’s pace and opportunism on either flank will be of little surprise to his growing army of ­admirers. AC Milan had moved at the end of January to snatch Deulofeu on loan, with a view to a permanent deal. They may now need a blank cheque to tempt him away from Javi Gracia, who took particular delight in the “generous assist for Troy”. “I can see all the players are moving in the same direction, working for each other,” he said of his ­Watford side, who are now within 10 points of Chelsea.<doc-sep>

Watford have scored five times in a Premier League game for the first time to belt Cardiff City 5-1 while Fulham lost 3-1 at West Ham United to edge closer to the drop. Spanish attacker Gerard Deulofeu became the first Hornets player to score a hat- trick in the EPL era before captain Troy Deeney chimed in with two goals of his own, either side of Sol Bamba’s 82nd-minute consolation strike for the hosts. Deulofeu put Javi Gracia’s side ahead in the 18th minute after a mistake from Cardiff defender Bruno Manga but it was after the break when Watford ran away with the game. Deulofeu made it 2-0 with a clinical finish after a swift break in the 61st minute and the former Barcelona and Everton winger completed his hat-trick after more poor defending from Neil Warnock’s side. Deulofeu then turned creator, teeing up Deeney for a simple tap-in as Watford romped into a four-goal advantage. Cardiff pulled a goal back through defender Bamba but Watford added further punishment with Deeney’s second in stoppage time. Watford moved up to seventh while Cardiff remain 17th, one place and one point above the drop zone. Fulham fell deeper into relegation trouble with their defeat to the Hammers at London Stadium. Claudio Ranieri’s 19th-placed side made the ideal start when they grabbed the lead in the third minute with former Liverpool forward Ryan Babel on target from close range after he had earlier missed a golden chance. There was controversy about West Ham’s equaliser when Mexican striker Javier Hernandez stooped to head in from close range but replays suggested the ball went in off his arm. Issa Diop’s first Premier League goal, with a header five minutes before the break, put West Ham in charge and they were well on top after the break. Marko Arnautovic and Manuel Lanzini made their returns for the Hammers as substitutes. But it was not until stoppage time that the Hammers made sure of the win as Michail Antonio powerfully headed home a cross from Arnautovic.

Rebels skipper Dane Haylett-Petty is back to take on the Hurricanes while the Waratahs have rung the changes to play the Bulls with Ned Hanigan named in the unfamiliar No 8 jersey. And Brumbies coach Dan McKellar admits it’s frustrating after David Pocock’s injury return was delayed for at least another two weeks. Read on for all the round 12 Super Rugby team news. Live stream the 2019 Vodafone Super Rugby on KAYO SPORTS. Every game of every round live & anytime in HD and ad-break free during play. Get your 14 day free trial > CRUSADERS v SHARKS at AMI Stadium, Christchurch, Friday 5.35pm AEST The Crusaders will be without rested All Blacks Sam Whitelock, Richie Mo’unga, David Havili and Ryan Crotty for the round 12 opener against the Sharks. In their places come Scott Barrett, Mitch Hunt, Will Jordan and Jack Goodhue, who forms a new-look midfield combination with Braydon Ennor. In other changes, Jordan Taufua starts at blindside flanker in place of Whetukamokamo Douglas, Matt Todd replaces Billy Harmon on the openside and will captain the side while All Blacks lock Luke Romano has returned to fitness and is named on the bench behind Mitchell Dunshea. “He’s had a couple of niggles but they’re all fine now,” Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said of Romano. “He played for Hurunui at the weekend and did some damage and played well. “Now, it’s his opportunity to play again. “I just think it’s a testament to the depth of our squad and the ability to give young guys game time, give them confidence, get them out on the field.” Meanwhile, Sharks coach Robert du Preez has tweaked his side following the upset win over the Waratahs in Sydney. Tendai Mtawarira has returned home with a knee injury, with Thomas du Toit switching to loosehead prop and Coenie Oosthuizen coming in on the tighthead side. Lock Ruan Botha replaces Hyron Andrews in the starting line-up while captain Louis Schreuder returns at halfback for the competition’s most daunting challenge. “We played really well and were in control of the game, dominating them,” du Preez said of the Waratahs win. “The conditions are a lot better here and not as humid as in Durban, but we have been working on handling and our basics and the message this week is back to basics.” CRUSADERS (15-1): Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, Mitch Hunt, Bryn Hall, Kieran Read, Matt Todd (c), Jordan Taufua, Scott Barrett, Mitchell Dunshea, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody Reserves: Ben Funnell, Isi Tu’ungafasi, Oliver Jager, Luke Romano, Ethan Blackadder, Mitchell Drummond, Brett Cameron, Tim Bateman SHARKS (15-1): Aphelele Fassi, Sbusiso Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Curwin Bosch, Louis Schreuder (c), Daniel du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez, Philip van der Walt, Ruan Botha, Ruben van Heerden, Coenie Oosthuizen, Kerron van Vuuren, Thomas du Toit Reserves: Akker van der Merwe, Mzamo Majola, John-Hubert Meyer, Hyron Andrews, Jacques Vermeulen, Cameron Wright, Robert du Preez, Marius Louw Referee: Brendon Pickerill (NZ) NEW PODCAST! Rod Kafer joins the crew to discuss the end of his stint working for Rugby Australia and the health of the game in this country. Plus Reds stalwart Scott Higginbotham dials in ahead of this weekend’s key clash with the Sunwolves Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes by CLICKING HERE REDS v SUNWOLVES at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Friday 7.45pm AEST Reds coach Brad Thorn has made just one change to his starting side to play the Sunwolves after young winger Jack Hardy was ruled out for the season after rupturing his ACL. Hardy’s misfortune means Jock Campbell will make his first Super Rugby start, while uncapped Seb Wileman is in line to make his debut from the bench. The Reds are fourth in the Australian conference and beating the lowly Sunwolves is a must for their finals chances. “It’s an important game for us this week,” Thorn said. “The Sunwolves are a dangerous side. “We’re hoping to put in a good performance for our Queensland fans on Friday night. “We’ve lost Jack Hardy for the season unfortunately. “He did his ACL over in Durban and underwent surgery this week. “As a group we’ll support him in his recovery. “At just 19, he’s already made his Super Rugby debut and we think he’s a got a big future at the club. “It sees Jock Campbell handed his first start. “He made his Queensland debut over in Africa and had some good touches on the wing over there. “He’s a hard worker and continues to improve each week. “Seb Wileman possibly gets a chance to make his Queensland debut this week. “He’s come to us through club rugby system with Warringah down in Sydney. “Seb’s been playing some good footy with Brothers here in Brisbane and has been working hard at training.” Meanwhile, Sunwolves coach Tony Brown has shelved his experiment with Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco at inside centre. The Sydney product played two games at No 12 but has been switched back to No 8 for the Reds clash, with former Highlanders centre Phil Burleigh coming into the backline. Former Reds loose forward Hendrik Tui is named at blindside flanker while Australian Ben Gunter is on the bench. REDS (15-1): Hamish Stewart, Jock Campbell, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Samu Kerevi (c), Sefa Naivalu, Bryce Hegarty, Tate McDermott, Scott Higginbotham, Liam Wright, Angus Scott-Young, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Izack Rodda, Taniela Tupou, Alex Mafi, Harry Hoopert Reserves: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, JP Smith, Ruan Smith, Harry Hockings, Adam Korczyk, Moses Sorovi, Duncan Paia’aua, Seb Wileman SUNWOLVES (15-1): Ryohei Yamanaka, Gerhard van den Heever, Jason Emery, Phil Burleigh, Semisi Masirewa, Hayden Parker, Keito Shigeno, Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, Kara Pryor, Hendrik Tui, Luke Thompson (c), Grant Hattingh, Hiroshi Yamashita, Shota Horie, Masataka Mikami Reserves: Nathan Vella, Pauliasi Manu, Takuma Asahara, Tom Rowe, Ben Gunter, Jamie Booth, Yu Tamura, Jamie Henry Referee: Angus Gardner (AUS) MORE RUGBY NEWS MIXED BAG: Rugby’s Game of Thrones Winterfell player ratings CRON GONE: Blow for Aussie rugby as gun Kiwi coach leaves Waratahs ALL BLACKS: $1 million-plus... for four days training HURRICANES v REBELS at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, Saturday 3.15pm AEST<doc-sep>Seven competition points separate eleven Super Rugby teams, and eight points separate five tipping panellists. It really has been a crazy year. Last week was no different, with some crazy results really rattling some apple carts. Mine, specifically. Round 12 marks the first full round of seven games in a month, and if I’m honest, they all look a bit obvious. Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Reddit Email Share And that can only mean one thing: this week will be carnage. Don’t say you weren’t warned. Round 11: Geoff 5; Nobes, Digger, Harry, and The Crowd 4; Brett 2. Overall: Nobes 43; Digger 42; Harry and The Crowd 40; Geoff 38; Brett 35. Perfect rounds: It’s happened! Congrats to Roarer ThugbyFan who correctly rattled off a perfect Round 11 of the Crusaders, Highlanders, Hurricanes, Sharks, Stormers, and the Jaguares. Geoff Tips: Crusaders, Reds, Rebels, Highlanders, Brumbies, Bulls, Jaguares Friday looks like a straightforward start – Crusaders and Reds at home. On Saturday afternoon, the irresistible force (the Rebels flat-line attack) meets the immovable object (the Hurricanes rush defence). Everything points towards the Canes, but with the inspirational TJ Perenara sitting this one out, after a couple of rough weeks for the Rebels, I’m prepared to take a punt on an upset. Advertisement Advertisement The Highlanders look too strong at home for the Chiefs, while there is a perplexing choice in Canberra, the Brumbies off the road trip from hell versus the rested Blues. I think the Brumbies have plenty of ticker, so I’ll take them on trust. It’s very hard to find enough reasons to tip the Waratahs in Pretoria, so it’s the Bulls there, before another toughie to finish the round… The Jaguares at home. Sure thing: Ben Smith will post a pic on social media with his mum and #boyfriend RG Snyman, sending nobody into meltdown because everyone knows that Smith always makes the right decision. Nobes Tips: Crusaders, Reds, Hurricanes, Highlanders, Blues, Bulls, Jaguares Round 11 may have been the most reasonable in terms of the results that were given and predicted, so my confidence level for the next weekend has grown. Advertisement Advertisement The unbeatable Crusaders at home should account for the Sharks who already have a positive result from their tour of the Oceania. The desperate Reds will beat the Sunwolves who seem to have given everything they had in Round 9 and come from a very bad result in Tokyo. The Hurricanes won a game against the Chiefs that defies all statistics. With a scrum and line in deficit and little possession won, a game with a rush defence and taking advantage of all the opportunities that defence created. The Rebels will be under a lot of pressure and I have my doubts that they can handle it. Also, this will be the game that I sure want to see this weekend if I must choose one. Which brings us to another entertaining match between the Highlanders and Chiefs where they face two different styles of rugby where those at home seem to be sharper. The Brumbies will be trying to remove the jetlag and bruises from their trip to South Africa and Buenos Aires and will have to reset to play a rested Blues; in my opinion too much to handle. The intensity of the Blues should prevail. Neither the Bulls or Waratahs are at their best, but I’m leaning towards the home team. Finally, I think the Jaguares have been growing a lot in closing the games they previously lost and despite the distractions that their players have in Buenos Aires every day, I think they will win their match against the Stormers. Advertisement Advertisement Sure thing: Officials will be watching the shirt pulling issues after reading Brett’s article this week. Digger Tips: Crusaders, Reds, Hurricanes, Highlanders, Brumbies, Bulls, Jaguares The more I look at it, the more I am convinced that this round is all about the home sides, but it seems unlikely that will happen, when was the last round that happened, all home teams winning? Despite that, I will back all the home sides this week starting with the Crusaders who will hopefully end my dreadful tipping of all matches involving the Sharks, while I like the Reds at home though perhaps a tough assignment after the Sunwolves received a hiding last week. Canes by plenty and the Highlanders should be too good on current form despite the travel against a depleted Chiefs side. I want to tip the Blues as my ‘away’ bet this week but I still don’t trust them to travel well yet and I also suspect they are a momentum team, the bye wouldn’t help and the Brumbies are playing some ‘tough’ footy at the moment and should be more battle-hardened despite the air points accumulated recently. After the last few weeks, I can’t tip the Tahs away at altitude and the Jaguares at home look the best bet against the travelling mild cold front. Sure thing: Laumape running at Cooper should be fun for everyone, while jersey pulling will continue, though hopefully front rowers will show more respect for themselves and remain standing. Advertisement Advertisement Harry Tips: Crusaders, Reds, Hurricanes, Highlanders, Blues, Bulls, Stormers The team formerly and still known as the Crusaders will continue their merry march. Jerseys will be tugged. Cards will not. The Reds will score seven tries, and concede a couple. The Canes will cane like a Singapore copper. The Landers will settle the score. The Blues will get back on the horse. The Bulls will boot and scoot and root. The Stormers will obliterate the Jags, jogging and jigging and jagging. The Jaguares will lleyds an egg. Sure thing: Nobody will ever get a yellow card simply for extending a maul by a second or two… Brett Tips: Crusaders, Reds, Rebels, Highlanders, Brumbies, Bulls, Jaguares Advertisement Advertisement There’s a great Seinfeld episode where in the middle of yet another crisis, George decides that he’s going to start doing the opposite to his instincts, based purely on his chronic and consistent failures in life.<doc-sep>Five out of six correct! That’s more like it for the algorithm! We never lost faith… ahem. So, what happened? Among other things, the Highlanders hammered the Sunwolves 52-0, the Stormers got their revenge over the Bulls and the Waratahs paid for their mistakes going down to 14 men and ultimately losing to the Sharks. Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Reddit Email Share Super Rugby Round 11 predicted vs actual Season accuracy 43 correct from 71:60.6% Season margin of error: 13.45 Weekend accuracy: 5 correct from 6: 83.3% Weekend margin error: 15.00 Teams Actual score Predicted score Correct Margin of error Sunwolves 0 23 Yes 41 Highlanders 52 34 Crusaders 36 45 Yes 10 Lions 10 29 Jaguares 20 26 Yes 1 Brumbies 15 20 Waratahs 15 33 No 15 Sharks 23 26 Hurricanes 47 33 Yes 17 Chiefs 19 22 Stormers 24 29 Yes 6 Bulls 23 22 Round 12 matches and predictions So, here’s the algorithm’s predictions for the next round of Super Rugby. Lovely job. Super Rugby Round 12 predictions Season accuracy: 43 correct from 71: 60.6% Season margin error: 13.45 Teams Predicted score Chance of winning Prediction Crusaders 45 91.1% Crusaders to win by 21 Sharks 24 7.9% Reds 37 79.3% Reds to win by 12 Sunwolves 25 19.3% Highlanders 29 66.8% Highlanders to win by 8 Chiefs 21 31.4% Brumbies 25 68.5% Brumbies to win by 6 Blues 19 29.7% Hurricanes 41 90.6% Hurricanes to win by 20 Rebels 21 8.5% Bulls 33 60.7% Bulls to win by 5 Waratahs 28 37.4% Jaguares 24 65.1% Jaguares to win by 7 Stormers 17 33.1% Crusaders vs Sharks The Crusaders have won their 25th consecutive Super Rugby game at home after outclassing the Lions, 36-10. The Sharks are their next opponents, who won away from home against a 14-man Waratahs outfit. Advertisement Advertisement We have had a look at the Sharks away form and its not for good reading really; only three wins in their last 11. Sharks last ten away matches P W L D F A Win % Avg Pts Sharks 11 3 8 0 264 328 37% 24 Opposition 11 8 3 0 328 364 73% 29.8 Date Home Score Score Away 27/04/2019 Waratahs 15 23 Sharks 05/04/2019 Lions 5 42 Sharks 09/03/2019 Bulls 37 14 Sharks 21/07/2018 Crusaders 40 10 Sharks 07/07/2018 Stormers 27 16 Sharks 25/05/2018 Jaguares 29 13 Sharks 12/05/2018 Bulls 39 33 Sharks 31/03/2018 Blues 40 63 Sharks 23/03/2018 Rebels 46 14 Sharks 17/03/2018 Brumbies 24 17 Sharks 17/02/2018 Lions 26 19 Sharks The algorithm has the Crusaders winning this one by 21. If the algorithm is correct, and there can’t be too many who would disagree with this one, what can teams do to stop the powerhouse that is the Crusaders? Leave a comment below with your thoughts. Reds vs Sunwolves The Reds are coming off a bye and the Sunwolves will be hurting after a 52-0 loss at home to the Highlanders. The Reds have been a mixed bag so far generally, so we took a look at their home record in particular. Advertisement Advertisement Reds last ten home matches P W L D F A Win % Avg Pts Reds 10 5 5 0 265 258 50% 26.5 Opposition 10 5 5 0 258 265 50% 25.8 Date Home Score Score Away 05/04/2019 Reds 24 12 Stormers 30/03/2019 Reds 13 32 Rebels 24/03/2019 Reds 36 14 Brumbies 02/03/2019 Reds 12 22 Crusaders 13/07/2018 Reds 48 27 Sunwolves 06/07/2018 Reds 37 23 Rebels 02/06/2018 Reds 41 52 Waratahs 26/05/2018 Reds 15 18 Highlanders 28/04/2018 Reds 27 22 Lions 21/04/2018 Reds 12 36 Chiefs Sunwolves last ten away matches P W L D F A Win % Avg Pts Sunwolves 10 1 9 0 225 407 10% 22.5 Opposition 10 9 1 0 407 225 90% 40.7 Date Home Score Score Away 06/04/2019 Rebels 42 15 Sunwolves 09/03/2019 Blues 28 20 Sunwolves 02/03/2019 Chiefs 15 39 Sunwolves 13/07/2019 Reds 48 27 Sunwolves 07/07/2018 Waratahs 77 25 Sunwolves 03/06/2018 Brumbies 41 31 Sunwolves 25/05/2018 Rebels 40 13 Sunwolves 27/04/2018 Hurricanes 43 15 Sunwolves 21/04/2018 Crusaders 33 11 Sunwolves 17/03/2018 Lions 40 38 Sunwolves As you can see, it’s fifty-fifty with nearly identical points scored. However, the Sunwolves are worse off with just one win to their name away from home, against the Chiefs a few weeks back. The algorithm has the Reds winning by 12 Advertisement Advertisement Hurricanes vs Rebels The Hurricanes were impressive enough against the struggling Chiefs, winning 47-19. The Rebels, who are coming off a bye, will be fresh but might be a little cautious after losing their last two matches. However, they still remain top of the Australian conference. We have had a look at previous results between these two sides. Head to head P W L D F A Win % Avg Pts Hurricanes 7 6 1 0 311 131 86% 44.4 Rebels 7 1 6 0 131 311 15% 18.7 Date Home Score Score Away 30/03/2018 Rebels 19 50 Hurricanes 04/03/2017 Hurricanes 71 6 Rebels 15/04/2016 Rebels 13 38 Hurricanes 27/03/2015 Hurricanes 36 12 Rebels 09/05/2014 Rebels 15 25 Hurricanes 26/05/2012 Hurricanes 66 24 Rebels 25/03/2011 Rebels 42 25 Hurricanes Some big wins there with the last game in Wellington going to the Canes 71-6. A comprehensive win indeed. The algorithm has the Hurricanes to win by 20 this time round. What do you think? Too high? Too low? Just right. Highlanders vs Chiefs Advertisement Advertisement The Highlanders showed the Sunwolves who was boss last weekend winning 52-0. The Chiefs, on the other hand, lost to the Canes away from home and are on the road again for this game. The Chiefs also have the worst defence in the Super Rugby. After ten matches, they have conceded 340 points and 43 tries. We have had a look at the overall results between these two teams with the Chiefs leading a tight head to head 18 to 14. We also looked at how the Highlanders have performed recently at home against the Chiefs, and it’s pretty even stuff. Highlanders vs Chiefs at home<doc-sep>Queensland Reds are back at home after a two-week tour of South Africa, followed by a bye, for the visit of the unpredictable Sunwolves. But the weekend's action kicks off in Christchurch earlier Friday, the seemingly unstoppable Crusaders welcoming the Sharks. Saturday's action is headlined by two trans-Tasman clashes, firstly in Wellington and then Canberra. (Note: All times are Australian Eastern Daylight Time) Jump ahead to a particular game. Crusaders vs. Sharks | Reds vs. Sunwolves | Hurricanes vs. Rebels | Highlanders vs. Chiefs | Brumbies vs. Blues | Bulls vs. Waratahs | Jaguares vs. Stormers Friday, May 3 Crusaders vs. Sharks, 5.35 p.m., Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, Mitch Hunt, Bryn Hall; Kieran Read, Matt Todd (captain), Jordan Taufua, Scott Barrett, Mitchell Dunshea, Michael Alaalatoa, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Replacements: Ben Funnell, Isi Tu'ungafasi, Oliver Jager, Luke Romano, Ethan Blackadder, Mitchell Drummond, Brett Cameron, Tim Bateman. Sharks: Aphelele Fassi, Sbu Nkosi, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Curwin Bosch, Louis Schreuder, Daniel du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez, Philip van der Walt, Ruan Botha, Ruben van Heerden, Coenie Oosthuizen, Kerron van Vuuren, Thomas du Toit. Replacements: Akker van der Merwe, Mzamo Majola, John-Hubert Meyer, Hyron Andrews, Jacques Vermeulen, Cameron Wright, Robert du Preez, Marius Louw. Reds vs. Sunwolves, 7.45 p.m, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Reds: Hamish Stewart, Jock Campbell, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Samu Kerevi (c), Sefa Naivalu, Bryce Hegarty, Tate McDermott; Scott Higginbotham, Liam Wright, Angus Scott-Young, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Izack Rodda, Taniela Tupou, Alex Mafi, Harry Hoopert. Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, JP Smith, Ruan Smith, Harry Hockings, Adam Korczyk, Moses Sorovi, Duncan Paia'aua, Seb Wileman. Sunwolves: Ryohei Yamanaka, Gerhard van den Heever, Jason Emery, Phil Burleigh, Semisi Masirewa, Hayden Parker, Keito Shigeno; Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, Kara Pryor, Hendrik Tui, Luke Thompson (c), Grant Hattingh, Hiroshi Yamashita, Shota Horie, Masataka Mikami. Replacements: Nathan Vella, Pauliasi Manu, Takuma Asahara, Tom Rowe, Ben Gunter, Jamie Booth, Yu Tamura, Jamie Henry. Saturday, May 4 Hurricanes vs. Rebels, 3.15 p.m., Westpac Stadium, Wellington Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett, Wes Goosen, Matt Proctor, Ngani Laumape, Chase Tiatia, Beauden Barrett (c), Richard Judd, Reed Prinsep, Ardie Savea, Vaea Fifita, Isaia Walker-Leawere, James Blackwell, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Asafo Aumua, Fraser Armstrong. Replacements: Ricky Riccitelli, Toby Smith, Alex Fidow, Kane Le'aupepe, Liam Mitchell, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Finlay Christie, James Marshall. Rebels: Dane Haylett-Petty, Jack Maddocks, Tom English, Reece Hodge, Marika Koroibete, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Isi Naisarani, Rob Leota, Angus Cottrell, Matt Philip, Luke Jones, Jermaine Aisnley, Anaru Rangi, Tetera Faulkner. Replacements: Hugh Roach, Matt Gibbon, Sam Talakai, Reece Haylett-Petty, Pone Fa'amausili, Michael Ruru, Billy Meakes, Campbell Magnay. Highlanders vs. Chiefs, 5.35 p.m., Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin Highlanders: Ben Smith, Matt Faddes, Rob Thompson, Teihorangi Walden, Tevita Li, Aaron Smith; Elliot Dixon, James Lentjies, Luke Whitelock, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, Tyrel Lomax, Liam Coltman, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Replacements: Ash Dixon, Ayden Johnstone, Siate Tokohali, Shannon Frizell, Kayne Hammington, Josh McKay, Patelesio Tomkinson. Chiefs: Solomon Alaimalo, Sean Wainui, Tumua Manu, Anton Lienert-Brown, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Marty McKenzie, Brad Weber, Tyler Ardron, Lachlan Boshier, Luke Jacobson, Mitchell Brown, Michael Allardice (c), Nepo Laulala, Nathan Harris, Atu Moli. Replacements: Liam Polwart, Ryan Coxon, Angus Ta'avao, Jesse Parete, Taleni Seu, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Shaun Stevenson, Bailyn Sullivan. Brumbies vs. Blues, 7.45 p.m., GIO Stadium, Canberra Brumbies: Tom Banks, Henry Speight, Len Ikitau, Irae Simone, Toni Pulu, Christian Lealiifano (captain), Joe Powell, Pete Samu, Jahrome Brown, Tom Cusack, Sam Carter, Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Faigna'a, James Slipper. Replacements: Conor McInerney, Scott Sio, Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, Darcy Swain, Murray Douglas, Ryan Lonergan, Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead. Blues: Melani Nanai, Matt Duffie, TJ Faiane, Ma'a Nonu, Caleb Clarke, Otere Black, Sam Nock; Akira Ioane, Blake Gibson, Tom Robinson, Josh Goodhue, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Leni Apisai, Alex Hodgman. Replacements: James Parsons, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Marcel Renata, Patrick Tuipolotu, Dalton Papalii, Augustine Pulu, Harry Plummer, Levi Aumua. Bulls vs. Waratahs, 11.05 p.m., Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Bulls: Warrick Gelant, Cornal Hendricks, Johnny Kotze, Burger Odendaal, Rosko Specman, Handré Pollard (captain), Ivan van Zyl, Duane Vermeulen, Hanro Liebenberg, Marco van Staden, R.G. Snyman, Jannes Kirsten, Trevor Nyakane, Jaco Visagie, Lizo Gqoboka Replacements: Johan Grobbelaar, Simphiwe Matanzima, Wiehan Herbst, Thembelani Bholi, Paul Schoeman, André Warner, Manie Libbok, Dylan Sage. Waratahs: Kurtley Beale, Cam Clark, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Karmichael Hunt, Curtis Rona, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper (c), Lachlan Swinton, Rob Simmons, Tom Staniforth, Sekope Kepu, Damien Fitzpatrick, Harry Johnson-Holmes. Replacements: Andrew Tuala, Tom Robertson, Chris Talakai, Hugh Sinclair, Will Miller, Jake Gordon, Lalakai Foketi, Alex Newsome. Sunday May 5 Jaguares vs. Stormers, 5.40 a.m. Estadio Jose Amalfitani, Buenos Aires Jaguares: Stormers: Bye: Lions<doc-sep>

The Melbourne Rebels will welcome captain Dane Haylett-Petty and vice-captain Angus Cottrell back to the team as they lock horns with the Hurricanes on Saturday. But the club has been dealt a cruel blow in the form of an injury to Adam Coleman. The Wallaby lock’s absence will see Luke Jones move to No.4, Rob Leota slot in at No.7 and Tetera Faulkner promoted off the bench. Injury has also forced Queensland into making a change for their side to face the Sunwolves this Friday night. Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Reddit Email Share The Reds made just one change to their lineup, promoting Jock Campbell to the starting XV for the first time. He replaces Jack Hardy on the wing, who suffered an ACL injury last week. Seb Wileman has been named on the bench as Campbell’s replacement, making him eligible for a potential Super Rugby debut. Injuries aren’t as much of a concern for the Brumbies, although they’ve elected to make three changes to their starting lineup against the Blues this Saturday – headlined by Joe Powell and Irae Simone replace Tom Wright and Ryan Lonergan in the XV, Elsewhere, Ben Smith returns to the injury-ravaged Highlanders in the fullback spot for their match against the Chiefs, although All Blacks Liam Squire and Waisake Naholo are still unavailable. The Hurricanes have named Beauden Barrett as captain for the second time this season in their clash with the Rebels. Be sure to bookmark this page and keep checking back throughout the week as all the teams are named for Round 12. Crusaders vs Sharks: Friday, 5:35pm, AMI Stadium Crusaders 1. Joe Moody, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Michael Alaalatoa, 4. Mitchell Dunshea, 5. Scott Barrett, 6. Jordan Taufua, 7. Matt Todd (c), 8. Kieran Read, 9. Bryn Hall, 10. Mitchell Hunt, 11. George Bridge, 12. Jack Goodhue, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan Bench: 16. Ben Funnell, 17. Isi Tu’ungafasi, 18. Oliver Jager, 19. Luke Romano, 20. Ethan Blackadder, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Brett Cameron, 23. Tim Bateman Sharks 1. Thomas du Toit, 2. Kerron van Vuuren, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 4. Ruben van Heerden, 5. Ruan Botha, 6. Philip van der Walt, 7. Jean-Luc du Preez, 8. Daniel du Preez, 9. Louis Schreuder (c), 10. Curwin Bosch, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 14. Sbusiso Nkosi, 15. Aphelele Fassi Bench: 16. Akker van der Merwe, 17. Mzamo Majola, 18. John-Hubert Meyer, 19. Hyron Andrews, 20. Jacques Vermeulen, 21. Cameron Wright, 22. Robert du Preez, 23. Marius Louw Reds vs Sunwolves: Friday, 7:45pm, Suncorp Stadium Reds 1. Harry Hoopert, 2. Alex Mafi, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Izack Rodda, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Liam Wright, 8. Scott Higginbotham, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. Bryce Hegarty, 11. Sefa Naivalu, 12. Samu Kerevi (c), 13. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 14. Jock Campbell, 15. Hamish Stewart – Bond University Bench: 16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17. JP Smith, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Harry Hockings, 20. Adam Korczyk, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Duncan Paia’aua, 23. Seb Wileman Sunwolves 1. Masataka Mikami, 2. Shota Horie, 3. Hiroshi Yamashita, 4. Grant Hattingh, 5. Luke Thompson, 6. Hendrik Tui, 7. Kara Pryor, 8. Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco, 9. Kaito Shigeno, 10. Hayden Parker, 11. Semisi Masirewa, 12. Phil Burleigh, 13. Jason Emery, 14. Gerhard van den Heever, 15. Ryohei Yamanaka Bench: 16. Nathan Vella, 17. Pauliasi Manu, 18. Takuma Asahara, 19. Tom Rowe, 20. Ben Gunter, 21. Jamie Booth, 22. Yu Tamura, 23. Jamie Henry Hurricanes vs Rebels: Saturday, 3:15pm, Westpac Stadium Hurricanes 1. Fraser Armstrong, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Jeff To’omaga-Allen, 4. James Blackwell, 5. Isaia Walker-Leawere, 6. Vaea Fifita, 7. Ardie Savea, 8. Reed Prinsep, 9. Richard Judd, 10. Beauden Barrett (c), 11. Chase Tiatia, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Matt Proctor, 14. Wes Goosen, 15. Jordie Barrett Bench: 16. Ricky Riccitelli, 17. Toby Smith, 18. Alex Fidow, 19. Kane Le’aupepe, 20. Liam Mitchell, 21. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 22. Finlay Christie, 23. James Marshall Rebels 1. Tetera Faulkner, 2. Anaru Rangi, 3. Jermaine Ainsley, 4. Luke Jones, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Angus Cottrell, 7. Rob Leota, 8. Isi Naisarani, 9. Will Genia, 10. Quade Cooper, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Reece Hodge, 13. Tom English, 14. Jack Maddocks, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty (c) Bench: 16. Hugh Roach, 17. Matt Gibbon, 18. Sam Talakai, 19. Ross Haylett-Petty, 20. Pone Fa’amausili, 21. Michael Ruru, 22. Billy Meakes, 23. Campbell Magnay Highlanders vs Chiefs: Saturday, 5:35pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium Highlanders 1. Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2. Liam Coltman, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Jackson Hemopo, 5.

Rafael Nadal had his right knee taped up When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up forfor news on the biggest players and tournaments Nadal lost the first set 7-5 and during the changeover between sets, a trainer put strapping around his knee. The Spanish star bounced back to win the second set 7-5 and before the third set, he received additional strapping to his knee. Nadal's coach Carlos Moya was in the stands watching and French tennis journalist Carole Bouchard quotes him as saying: "Rafa's knee felt sore but nothing to worry about. "Sometimes he feels it more than other but he deals with it really well so that's not an excuse."<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up forfor news on the biggest players and tournaments At the end of the first set of Nadal's match against Karen Khachanov, the Spaniard had tape applied to his right knee. Then at the end of the second set, more tape was applied by the trainer. After the match, Nadal calmed fears of a serious issue. He said: "Just something that I felt, but I try always during the tournaments don't speak much about these kind of things.<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up forfor news on the biggest players and tournaments Nadal had to bandage up his right knee after falling to a first-set defeat against the 27th seed. Nadal is expected to at least reach the final after being drawn in the opposite half of the competition to Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. But the Spaniard is in serious danger of crashing out of the tournament this evening as his movement appears serious affected by the knee problem. The pair traded blow-for-blow in the early exchanges as Khachanov broke in the third game before Nadal struck back in the eighth with his first opportunity.<doc-sep>Nadal came through (Picture: AP) Rafael Nadal was forced to dig deep against little fancied Nikoloz Basilashvili on Sunday afternoon as he booked his spot in the quarter-finals of the US Open. The world No. 1’s fitness was under the microscope after he required medical attention during his epic third-round clash with Russian hotshot Karen Khachanov on Friday – a match where he had his right knee strapped up on court. There was no sign of the tape as he emerged to face his Georgian opponent but he will no doubt be frustrated at being forced into a fourth set, as Basilashvili raised his level dramatically from the third onwards. Few would have expected Nadal to lose this one and the result never really felt in doubt during a 6-3 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 win, but avoiding further damage to his problematic knee felt essential in order to keep his hopes of defending a hard court title for the first time alive. Basilashvili was beaten (Picture: AFP/Getty) That’s not to say the extra time on court will certainly make the difference between him winning an 18th major or not, but Nadal will no doubt feel this match could have been a lot shorter. The top seed will go on to meet Dominic Thiem in the next round – in a rematch of the French Open final – with the Austrian beating Kevin Anderson earlier on Sunday. After his 7-5 6-2 7-6 (7-2) win over the South African, Thiem will contest a first Grand Slam quarter-final outside of Roland Garros – and will look to truly test the condition of Nadal’s body. By the fourth game, Basilashvili had already bettered his previous best effort of games won against Nadal with two service holds and looked far more equipped to provide a challenge than his 6-0 6-1 6-0 defeat at Roland Garros in 2017. Despite the Georgian’s stark improvement, it was rather inevitable that Nadal would break and he soon wrapped up the first set. Thiem awaits Nadal (Picture: AP) Disaster struck for the 26-year-old as he was broken at the start of the second set and the match already seemed beyond him. Basilashvili managed to make a dent in the Nadal serve as the third began, with the Spaniard’s movement looking a little laboured, but he was immediately pegged back. However, his level didn’t drop and he pushed the 32-year-old all the way. The Georgian was rewarded for his tenacity in the breaker and he forced Nadal into a fourth set – one he no doubt wishes he didn’t have to play. Fresh off the high of taking a set off the world No. 1, Basilashvili was brought crashing back down to earth as Nadal broke at the start of the fourth. Though the Georgian snatched it back to level for 3-3, Nadal broke again with a trademark running forehand and held on to unconvincingly reach the quarter-finals.<doc-sep>

Nadal provided an update (Picture: Getty) Rafael Nadal was reluctant to go into details over the knee problem that caused him grief during his US Open second-round win against Karen Khachanov, but expressed his belief he will be at ‘100%’ for his meeting with Nikoloz Basilashvili on Sunday. The Spaniard was a game away from falling two sets behind against the 22-year-old Russian, but fought back in style to advance to the last-16. Though his fighting spirit was never in doubt, the sight of the trainer coming on court to tape up his knee after the first set was concerning, particularly considering he still has to come through four best-of-five set matches in order to defend his title. Nadal’s knee required tape (Picture: Getty) But while Nadal wouldn’t give too much away on the situation, he ended his analysis of his physical struggles on a positive note. ‘Just something that I felt, but I try always during the tournaments don’t speak much about these kind of things,’ he said after his 5-7 7-5 7-6 7-6 win. ‘When the tournament is over is better and easier to talk. ‘But my personal feeling is I going to be at my 100% for the next one.’ Nadal was impressed by his opponent during their encounter and tipped him for a ‘great future’ in the sport. ‘Yeah, have been tough one,’ he added. ‘I went through some very difficult situations. Nadal was impressed by Khachanov (Picture: Anadolu Agency/Getty) ‘But, yes, he played well. He’s improving always. He’s young. He has everything. He’s a great player. I really see him winning a lot of matches in his tennis career, no? He has a lot of good things. He has a great future to come. ‘Yeah, for me personally, of course, it was a physical, demanding match. It was a mentally demanding match. That’s why we practice every day, to play these kind of matches in a great atmosphere in front of an amazing crowd. ‘Yeah, very happy to be through. Very happy to have the chance to play again.’

Yes, the major public clouds offer a lot. But what you may not know are the limitations, and how open clouds make the difference. Elevate your enterprise data technology and strategy at Transform 2021. Besieged by spam calls and messages, Indian smartphone users have waited years for Apple to allow a government-developed spam-fighting solution onto iPhones. Now India’s government is giving Apple and its carrier partners a January 2019 deadline for compliance with a new anti-spam regulation, or else iPhones will be blocked from the country’s cellular networks. As India Today reports, Indian telecom regulatory agency TRAI has spent years dealing with smartphone spam complaints, going so far as to self-develop an app called Do Not Disturb (DND) to stop spammers. But while Google permitted the DND app to be downloaded from the Google Play Store starting in 2016, Apple has refused to allow it into the iOS App Store on privacy grounds, as it accesses a user’s call and message records. Now TRAI is requiring that all Indian telecom companies enable all smartphone users in the country to install the latest version of DND, called DND 2.0, on their Android or iPhone devices. A new regulation published yesterday sets a six-month deadline for implementation, which would be Saturday, January 19, 2019, and requires telecoms to “derecognize” non-conforming devices from their networks at that point. Apple looked to be moving forward on the issue over the last year, though it apparently wasn’t willing to accept the Indian government’s earlier demands without pushback. The Indian edition of the Huffington Post says that Apple agreed to cooperate with TRAI on building the DND app last October, but wouldn’t share call and message logs. In June, Apple debuted iOS 12 with the ability to report unwanted calls and text messages from within the Phone and Messages apps, but the feature — dubbed “Unwanted Communication” — doesn’t appear to be active in iOS 12 betas. It may be included and exclusive to India and TRAI, but if that were the case, TRAI probably wouldn’t have issued a new regulation. Given Apple’s public statements that it complies with the laws of every country where it does business, it’s fair to assume that it will work quickly with Indian authorities to implement the spam filter and avoid the ban. Doing so might even benefit the company’s iPhone business, which has reportedly stagnated over the past year due to cultural and leadership issues, despite Apple’s efforts to build local factories and reduce iPhone prices within the country. Three top Apple India executives reportedly quit in the past week for reasons unknown. Indian customers are said to receive a daily average of between five and ten spam calls and as many messages. If Android users have access to the DND app and iPhone users do not, Apple might inadvertently be giving spammers the upper hand with its users, undermining the “premium experience” generally marketed for its devices.<doc-sep>iPhones Face Ban In India Over DND App -Apple vs TRAI Battle Gets Worse! This was something which we never expected. iPhones, the iconic, expensive and world renowned brand can be banned in India. The ban, or rather ‘derecognition’ of iPhones by TRAI and all telecom networks can actually happen in the next 6 months, in case Govt. of India accepts TRAI’s latest recommendations pertaining to spam calls. Apple has already indicated that they may take legal course, if this ‘derecognition’ actually takes place. TRAI: We Will Derecognize Any Handset Which Fails To Follow Rules! TRAI has just released The Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulation, 2018, and sought public opinions on the “proposed to curb the problem of unsolicited commercial communication,”. This is mainly regarding the issue of unwanted calls and spam texts. The draft showcases and proposes an array of regulations, which if implemented, can immensely benefit the end user. However, in between, there TRAI has mandated that use of their DND app, on every smartphone being used in India. Launched in 2016, this app records each and every call, and creates a database of spams, tele-callers and other such services. Now, as per the regulations proposed, TRAI wants that any handset maker which doesn’t follow the rules, and install DND App, needs to be ‘Derecognized’ by the telecom operators. Or in other words, face ban. This is what the proposed regulation says: “Every Access Provider shall ensure, within six months’ time, that all smart phone devices registered on its network support the permissions required for the functioning of such Apps as prescribed in the regulations 6(2)(e) and regulations 23(2)(d); Provided that where such devices do not permit functioning of such Apps as prescribed in regulations 6(2)(e) and regulations 23(2)(d), Access Providers shall, on the order or direction of the Authority, derecognize such devices from their telecom networks.” If this proposal is implemented, then it is quite obvious that Apple’s iPhones may face ban, and will be unusable in India. Apple has already informed TRAI has their newest iOS 12 will have the ability to block spam messages and calls, but it seems it’s not enough for TRAI. Apple May Take Legal Action Against TRAI Right from the start, Apple has refused to follow TRAI’s orders, and refused to install their DND app on their iPhones. TRAI has even called Apple as ‘anti-consumer’ because of this refusal. Attempts of ceasefire has already been made, and Apple has suggested some alternate ways to TRAI. TRAI has already ‘threatened’ Apple with legal action on this issue. But now, this battle have become worse with TRAI’s proposal regarding spam calls: iPhones are facing a ban, and this is indeed serious. Insiders at Apple have suggested that TRAI cannot force telecom operators to ban a particular handset, and as per hints received, Apple can opt for legal route against TRAI as well. We will keep you updated, as we receive more information on this issue. Image: iphonedigital from Flickr<doc-sep>It's a fight that is going on for some time. Apple, the maker of the iPhone, and TRAI, the agency that regulates telecom networks in India, are in middle of a bitter fight over the matter of SPAM calls and messages. Now, with a new regulatory policy TRAI has hinted that if Apple doesn't step back and allows a TRAI app on the iPhone, it is possible that the agency may ask telecom companies like Airtel, Vodafone and Jio to delist and deregister the iPhone from their networks. The issue is related to an app that TRAI has created. The agency has made an app called DND -- now called DND 2.0 after the latest update -- but Apple has refused to allow this app in the iOS App Store. Apple believes that the TRAI app, because it seeks the call and message records of a user, is a privacy risk. It is worth noting that Apple takes the privacy of iPhone users fairly seriously and tightly controls the access and data that apps want from users. Google, the maker of Android, has more loosely-created guidelines around the apps accessing private data of users. The DND app is available to Android users and can be downloaded from the Google Play Store, although it has a poor rating. On Thursday, TRAI published new regulations mandating that all smartphone users in the country should be able to install the DND 2.0 app on their phones, whether they are using an iPhone or an Android phone. The regulations, suprisingly, need to be followed by telecom companies and not the phone makers, who do not fall under the purview of TRAI. "Every Access Provider shall ensure, within six months' time, that all smart phone devices registered on its network support the permissions required for the functioning of such Apps as prescribed in the regulations 6(2)(e) and regulations 23(2)(d)," TRAI notes in its regulatory document. "Provided that where such devices do not permit functioning of such Apps as prescribed in regulations 6(2)(e) and regulations 23(2)(d), Access Providers shall, on the order or direction of the Authority, derecognize such devices from their telecom networks." Ouch! In other words, if Apple continues to resist DND 2.0 app from TRAI, and does not permit it entry in the iOS App Store, all the iPhones in India may lose access to 3G, 4G or even basic telecom networks. While the TRAI directive looks stark, it is also possible that some middle ground will be found. The problem here is actually no problem, because whatever TRAI is trying to do and what Apple is proposing is basically same. They both seemingly want best for their users. TRAI wants to curb spam calls and messages on the phones, and Apple too is seemingly fighting for the same. But Apple also doesn't want to dilute the kind of privacy -- which is better than what Android phones offer to their users -- that the iPhone users have. And the company is very clear that it cannot allow any app, even the one created by a government agency, to access call and message logs. Apple is touchy about privacy and in the past it defied the US government when FBI sought help from Apple engineers in unlocking iPhone belonging to San Bernardino shooter. But it is possible that the upcoming iOS 12 can be the middle ground. In the iOS 12, Apple has put in new features that use smart algorithms and machine learning to identify and block spam messages. It is also possible that Apple may get an exception from TRAI and the Indian government for DND 2.0 by showing them that the iPhone already reduces spam with the iOS 12.<doc-sep>Under the new regulations, if Apple doesn’t comply with TRAI’s requirements, then all the carriers within the country will be asked to withdraw support of their services from the iPhone. For the past few months, the debacle between the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and Apple has been on a constant rise over the issue of the Do Not Disturb app by TRAI. The matter has now escalated to serious levels, with TRAI looking to withdraw iPhone’s license from the country, if the revised rules and regulations are to be considered. TRAI (source 1, 2, 3) has recently unveiled its revised regulations, under which any Access Provider will need to provide access to apps that are required by the regulations to be made available for installation on smartphone platforms. “Every Access Provider shall ensure, within six months’ time, that all smartphone devices registered on its network support the permissions required for the functioning of such Apps as prescribed in the regulations 6(2)(e) and regulations 23(2)(d),” states the TRAI directive. Adding to that, TRAI mentions, “Provided that where such devices do not permit functioning of such Apps as prescribed in regulations 6(2)(e) and regulations 23(2)(d), access providers shall, on the order or direction of the authority, derecognize such devices from their telecom networks.” The app in question here is the DND app 2.0 prescribed TRAI for all smartphone platforms in India. The telecom authority wants to have consumers have an option to filter and block all marketing as well as promotional calls. The app has been reported to require access to various parameters and information of the device, i.e. it detects calls or messages and helps TRAI collect data on who is sending them and for what purpose. While Google complied with TRAI’s directive by allowing the app on the Google PlayStore, rival Apple hasn’t allowed it on the App Store, citing the app’s requirement for access to the device information as a breach of user’s data privacy. While TRAI has been pursuing Apple to get the app on the App Store, Apple has stuck on its promise of safeguarding the user’s data, no matter what happens. Under the new regulations, if Apple doesn’t comply with TRAI’s requirements within six months, then its complete range of iPhones will be banned in the country, i.e. all the carriers within the country will be asked to withdraw support of their services from the iPhone. This could lead to Apple losing out entirely on the smartphone front from the rivals. Additionally, it would cripple millions owning and depending solely on an iPhone as their daily driver. Therefore, if Apple wants to keep its innings open in India, it will need to make an arrangement in which the both the government’s and the consumer’s interests stay protected. Apple is yet to make an official statement in this regard. Also Read: Apple matter, Trai recommendations on data ownership separate issues: Sharma Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter.<doc-sep>

India threatens iPhone ban if Apple doesn’t accept regulator’s anti-spam app The last few years have seen Apple expanding into India with the iPhone, but now the company is facing a serious problem if it doesn’t cater to the demands of the country’s telecom regulator. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has put new rules in place in an effort to protect mobile users’ privacy and block spam calls and messages. Part of this policy involves making an app available to every subscriber, but Apple refuses to allow it on the App Store, ironically, due to privacy concerns. The regulator requires that all carriers in India make TRAI’s “Do Not Disturb” app available for users to download and install on their device. The app then gives users the ability to report unsolicited calls and messages. Apple has not allowed it on their App Store, however, due to the fact that the app requires access to call history and message logs in order to send reports to the agency. While Apple has been butting heads with TRAI for over a year now, the regulator has moved forward with the policy, giving all carriers six months to make sure the app can be installed on every device they offer. Any phones that can’t install the app after that period will be cut off from the carrier’s network. As for Android, the app is already available via Google’s Play Store. “Every Access Provider shall ensure, within six months’ time, that all smart phone devices registered on its network support the permissions required for the functioning of such Apps as prescribed in the regulations 6(2)(e) and regulations 23(2)(d). Provided that where such devices do not permit functioning of such Apps as prescribed in regulations 6(2)(e) and regulations 23(2)(d), Access Providers shall, on the order or direction of the Authority, derecognize such devices from their telecom networks.” Almost a year ago it was reported that Apple would work with TRAI to develop its own version of the regulator’s anti-spam app, but there’s been no update on the effort since then, so it’s anyone’s guess if the app can be finished within six months or it’s been abandoned altogether. The upcoming iOS 12 update also includes new features for reporting calls and texts as spam, but it’s not clear if that will compatible with TRAI’s own system or if they’ll be able to access that data. SOURCE India Today

As soon as UFC on ESPN+ 5 wraps up later tonight (Sat., Mar. 16, 2019) from inside O2 Arena in London, England, fight fans can check out the live post-fight press conference video above for all the best reaction and official bonus winners. On a night that features a main event clash between former UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till and perennial contender Jorge Masvidal, a co-headliner pitting submission specialist Gunnar Nelson against surging English welterweight contender Leon Edwards, a bantamweight matchup between rising prospect Nathaniel Wood and streaking scrapper Jose Alberto Quinonez, and a crucial light heavyweight showdown between former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir and undefeated sensation Dominick Reyes, there will be a lot to talk about after the action winds down. The post-fight presser is scheduled to go live at 7:15 p.m. ET, and feature the biggest winners and losers from the card. For complete UFC London results and coverage click here.<doc-sep>WOW! Who saw that coming? Darren Till and Jorge Masvidal put on a great fight for as long as it lasted in the UFC London main event. It had everything! A running kick to Till’s groin inside of four seconds, a knockdown by Till on Masvidal just a few seconds after the restart, plenty of great back-and-forth exchanges, and then a lethal second-round KO from Masvidal to stun the home fans. Till was out before he hit the canvas, having been cracked by a leaping left hook that stiffened his whole body. That is a huge win for Masvidal against a recent title challenger. He was coming off more than a year’s worth of inactivity, hadn’t won in two years, and he overcame his frequent “I got knocked down in round one” moment to largely outstrike Darren up until the KO. As for Till, that’s another hammerblow for his career. He went from rising star to thoroughly embarrassed by Tyron Woodley to completely flattened in this fight. Masvidal has more layers to his striking than Till, and I think it’s fair to say that Till’s defense is historically not good. We can trace his issues as far back as the Nicolas Dalby bout. And I wouldn’t have been surprised if those body kicks from Jorge had taken a toll on his cardio already. Oh yeah, and before I published this, shit just got real between Jorge and Leon Edwards. Welp. Main Card Leon Edwards is for real. “Rocky” outstruck Gunnar Nelson and showcased impressive takedown defense and grappling that rendered Gunni ineffective for much of the contest. Edwards nearly KO’d Nelson with a wicked elbow and punches in round two, and survived Nelson’s full mount in the final minute of the fight to take a split decision. The judge who gave Nelson two rounds is presumably blind. Edwards has won seven straight and called out the winner of Darren Till vs. Jorge Masvidal, saying he didn’t understand why Ben Askren was even there. Maybe it’s me, but I didn’t have much issue with 205 lb prospect Dominick Reyes getting the split nod over Volkan Oezdemir. It was by no means a particularly good fight, but it felt like the commentary team — Dan Hardy in particular — vastly oversold Oezdemir’s work and ignored Reyes’ counterpunching and third-round body attack. Regardless of who you think won, Reyes certainly wasn’t all that impressive, and the non-reaction from the crowd when he said he was coming for Jon Jones summed it all up. He’s still got work to do. The UFC is inducting former middleweight champion Michael Bisping into its Hall of Fame, and they made the announcement in the UK, complete with a great video package. He’s undoubtedly a UK MMA pioneer and after repeatedly failing to reach the top of his sport, his incredible run to the title really sealed a HOF spot for him. For me, his knockout of Luke Rockhold to win the 185 lbs belt is one of the most incredible moments in UFC history, and as someone who didn’t care for him early in his career, he became a lot more of an endearing figure towards the end and my thoughts on him have changed considerably. Congrats to “The Count.” Nathaniel Wood really exemplifies how deep the men’s bantamweight division is. The rising prospect turned in a comprehensive showing, as he choked out Jose Alberto Quinonez to improve to 3-0 in the UFC. There’s a smoothness to his game that I really enjoy watching, and I think he should be getting a top-15 opponent next. Claudio Silva vs. Danny Roberts was a wild mess. Silva was way better than Roberts on the ground but couldn’t submit him in rounds one or two, and got badly rocked multiple times in round two and three. Things got weirder from there, as Roberts’ preposterous willingness to be in Silva’s wheelhouse saw him get caught in an armbar, and the referee intervened due to Roberts apparently yelling in pain, hence a verbal submission. We never heard or clearly saw any evidence of that, and this ref was certainly... very active in there, but the result stands. That’s a tough loss for Roberts and a bizarre ending to a really entertaining fight. John Phillips might regret not pouncing on Jack Marshman after knocking his fellow Welshman down in round one. Alas, he gleefully let him back up to stand and trade, and proceeded to lose a split decision in a fight that got exceedingly worse to watch as it progressed. It was a very “unranked middleweight” contest and it might be the end for Phillips, who is 0-3 in the UFC. Preliminary Card<doc-sep>

Zane Simon & Eddie Mercado are here to breakdown tonight’s event; the guys are here with hot takes, possible next fights, as well as reactions to the overall event. On the 16th of March, 2019, the UFC put on an event in London, England, UK - UFC Fight Night 147. Despite talks of a potential move up to middleweight, welterweight Darren ‘The Gorilla Till faced off with Jorge ‘Gamebred’ Masvidal as the headliner. The co-main consisted of Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards who last fought Donald Cerrone and won by Unanimous Decision in 23, June, 2018 versus Gunnar Nelson who also won his last bout via Rear-Naked Choke, which was against Alex Oliveira December 8. 2018 at UFC 231. Here’s a look at the fight card results for UFC London on ESPN+ 5, from the O2 Arena in London, England, UK, on Saturday, March 16th, via Tapology.com: MAIN EVENT ESPN+ 5 | 4:00PM/1PM ET/PT Jorge Masvidal def. Darren Till, KO/TKO-Punches, 3:05 Rd 2 of 5, 8:05 Total Leon Edwards def. Gunnar Nelson, DEC-Split, 3 Rds, 15:00 Total Dominick Reyes def. Volkan Oezdemir*, DEC-Split, 3 Rds, 15:00 Total Nathaniel Wood def. Jose Alberto Quiñones, SUB-Rear-naked choke, 2:46 Rd 2 of 3, 7:46 Total Claudio Silva def. Danny Roberts, SUB-Armbar, 2:37 Rd 3 of 3, 12:37 Total Jack Marshman def. John Phillips, DEC-Split, 3 Rds, 15:00 Total PRELIMS ESPN+ | 1PM/10AM ET/PT Arnold Allen def. Jordan Rinaldi*, DEC-Unanimous, 3 Rds, 15:00 Total Marc Diakiese def. Joe Duffy, DEC-Unanimous, 3 Rds, 15:00 Total Saparbeg Safarov def. Nick Negumereanu, DEC-Unanimous, 3 Rds, 15:00 Total Tom Breese vs. Ian Heinisch - CANCELLED Dan Ige def. Danny Henry, SUB-Rear-naked choke, 1:17 Rd 1 of 3 Molly McCann def. Priscila Cachoeira, DEC-Unanimous, 3 Rds, 15:00 Total Mike Grundy def. Nad Narimani, KO/TKO-Punches, 4:42 - Rd 2 of 3, 9:42 Total *Watch our dual interviews with both Volkan Oezdemir & Jordan Rinaldi right here:

A Democratic ironworker fueled by a massive fundraising haul will try to win a district that Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan and his GOP predecessor held for more than two decades. Randy Bryce, who won Wisconsin's 1st District Democratic primary on Tuesday, embodies his party's strategy as it pushes to flip red-leaning seats and take a House majority in November. The Army veteran and cancer survivor has raised piles of money from mostly small-dollar donors as he promotes a platform of protecting workers, expanding access to health care and shielding social safety net programs. But Bryce faces a difficult task in turning the GOP-leaning 1st District blue as Ryan heads to retirement. He will have to overcome Republican opponent Bryan Steil, Ryan's former aide and handpicked successor behind whom the House speaker has put his fundraising clout. The Democrat already faces a slew of attacks from GOP groups over past arrests, including one for driving under the influence. Steil, who earned an endorsement from President Donald Trump on Wednesday morning, is a slight favorite to win November's election. Still, Democrats project confidence that they can score a major coup in flipping the seat now occupied by the House's most powerful member, in part with messaging about the difficulties working-class Americans face. "Working people have been shut out of politics. Working families have been forgotten by their representatives," Bryce said as he accepted the Democratic nomination on Tuesday night. "But we took a stand. We fought back." Bryce, who is nicknamed "Iron Stache" because of his occupation and thick mustache, entered the race before Ryan announced his retirement in April and initially planned to challenge the House speaker. When Ryan said he would not seek re-election, the race quickly became more favorable to Democrats. The seat has a solid Republican foundation: Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index, which gauges how a district votes in presidential elections relative to the country as a whole, lists it an R+5 district. Cook, a nonpartisan website, considers the seat one that leans Republican, while the nonpartisan Sabato's Crystal Ball considers it a toss-up. One potential concern for the GOP surfaced on Tuesday: More Democrats than Republicans voted in the district primary. The GOP easily outvoted the Democratic Party in the 2014 primaries.<doc-sep>House Speaker Paul Ryan's retirement creates an opening in his southeastern Wisconsin congressional district for the first time in 20 years, fueling hopes among Democrats that they can pick up the seat that leans Republican. But a former Ryan aide from a prominent family in his hometown of Janesville is looking to keep the district bordering Illinois under GOP control, even if there's a Democratic "blue wave." Bryan Steil, who won Ryan's endorsement, was the front-runner in a five-way Republican primary Tuesday for the chance to run for Ryan's 1st District seat in November. On the Democratic side, union ironworker Randy Bryce drew national attention and money when he entered the race a year ago with a splashy launch video. The thickly mustachioed Bryce, who goes by the nickname "Iron Stache," entered the race months before Ryan's April retirement and has raised about $6 million — six times what primary challenger Cathy Myers brought in. Bryce has also snagged big-name endorsements from the likes of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who campaigned for Bryce in Wisconsin, and labor activist Dolores Huerta. But personal baggage, including a history of legal and financial trouble, has plagued Bryce and fueled attacks from Myers, a teacher and Janesville school board member. She argues that Bryce's past, which includes failure to pay child support and a 20-year-old drunken-driving arrest, makes him unreliable and unelectable. Steil is an attorney who has worked for a variety of manufacturers in the district. Since 2016, he's also served as a member of the University of Wisconsin board of trustees, appointed by Republican Gov. Scott Walker. In other Wisconsin congressional races: — 3rd District: In this Milwaukee district, seven-term Democratic incumbent Gwen Moore faced a longshot challenge from Gary George, a former state senator who was convicted of a felony in a kickback scheme in 2004 and ran unsuccessfully against Moore in 2014 and 2016. On the Republican side, deliveryman Tim Rogers faced Cindy Werner, a U.S. Army veteran who moved to Milwaukee 18 months ago from Texas. — 5th District: In the suburban Milwaukee district, Republican Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, the second-longest serving member of the House first elected in 1978, faced his first primary in a decade, with pediatrician Jennifer Vipond making her first run for office. — 7th District: In this northern Wisconsin district, Democrats Margaret Engebretson, an attorney, and Brian Ewert, a doctor, were battling for a chance to take on Republican Rep. Sean Duffy.<doc-sep>Union steel worker Randy Bryce easily won the Democratic nomination in Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District on Tuesday, after becoming the first viral-video darling of the midterms cycle last year. The victory gives Democrats a well-funded nominee in Paul Ryan’s home district, and it should give Bernie Sanders a temporary reprieve from questions about his endorsees repeatedly coming up short in primaries this year. With more than 80 percent of the vote in, Bryce led former teacher and current school board member Cathy Myers by more than 22 points—61 percent to 39 percent. Bryce will now face Bryan Steil, a former Ryan aide who won the GOP nomination Tuesday, in a race nonpartisan handicappers believe Democrats have a chance to flip this fall. Advertisement Bryce became a liberal sensation last year with a two-plus minute campaign ad calling out Ryan by name and introducing himself, his mustache, and his mother, who has multiple sclerosis. He turned his viral fame into frequent appearances on MSNBC and fundraising cash. Sanders’ endorsement eventually followed, and later so did the backing of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Bryce was a rare point of agreement for Sanders and the DCCC this cycle, and his victory allows both of them to notch a victory in a race they would very much like to win in November. Sanders, in particular, has faced questions about his record of endorsements, after two high-profile candidates backed by the senator lost last week. “I [could] be 100 percent in terms of my endorsements,” Sanders said earlier this summer after a former campaign staffer he endorsed got crushed in a crowded congressional primary. “All you’ve got to do is endorse establishment candidates who have a whole lot of money, who are 40 points ahead in the poll. You know what, you’ll come and say, ‘Bernie, you were 100-percent supportive of these candidates, they all won.’” Advertisement Bryce coasted to victory on Tuesday, but he’ll have his work cut out for him in November. Wisconsin Republicans redrew the district in 2010 to make life easier for Ryan, who was then the chairman of the House Budget Committee and a rising star in the party, and with Ryan on the presidential ticket in 2012, Romney won the district by 5 points, despite losing Wisconsin by 7. Four years later, Trump won the district by 10 points while winning the state by less than a single point. That built-in GOP advantage was on display yet again this spring, when a Republican-backed candidate for the state Supreme Court carried Ryan’s district by 5 points despite losing the statewide race by 11. Still, the Cook Political Report reclassified the race after Ryan’s exit from “Likely Republican” to “Lean Republican,” signaling a legitimate opening for Democrats despite the district’s GOP tilt.<doc-sep>Ironworker Randy Bryce, more popularly known as "Ironstache,” is projected to win the Democratic primary for the seat being vacated by House Speaker Paul Ryan Paul Davis RyanPaul Ryan to headline Kinzinger fundraiser Biden's relationship with top House Republican is frosty The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Emergent BioSolutions - Facebook upholds Trump ban; GOP leaders back Stefanik to replace Cheney MORE (R-Wis.). Bryce, the mustachioed 53-year-old endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersSenate competitiveness bill includes B authorization for Bezos space company Sanders wants government to get 'piece' of US semiconductor companies in exchange for aid Poll: 51 percent oppose Sanders-led resolution to block weapons sales to Israel MORE (I-Vt.), defeated local school board member and teacher Cathy Myers, 55, on Tuesday, The Associated Press projected, in a primary that turned bitter and personal. He won 59 percent of the vote in Wisconsin's 1st District, compared to Myers's 41 percent. ADVERTISEMENT Bryce captured national attention with his emotional campaign announcement video. In it, Bryce's mother talks about the difficulty of affording life-saving drugs. At the end of the video, the ironworker calls on Ryan to “trade places” with him. The union organizer won the endorsement of Sanders late last year and was elevated by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to its “Red to Blue” program, which gives financial and organizational support to designated candidates. Bryce’s video star power also translated into donations, and he outraised Myers by $5 million. He backs a progressive agenda that includes single-payer health care, or “Medicare for all,” and a $15 minimum wage, a platform that is also supported by Myers. Bryce was also one of the first Democratic candidates to call for abolishing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a movement that gained steam at the height of the family separations crisis that consumed the Trump administration in recent weeks. The Democratic primary was heated and, at times, personal. Bryce weathered a number of negative headlines that included past arrests in the 1990s for driving under the influence of alcohol and marijuana possession, which he has apologized for. He also endured stories about his failure to pay child support, which he started paying after launching his bid. Myers sought to frame Bryce as unfit to serve in Congress and has used his past transgressions against him in campaign ads. But Bryce pushed back on Myers in his own ad that criticized her for “attacking” Sanders, 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonHillary Clinton takes on conspiracy theories on Borat special Top general: Russia, China will look to expand influence in Middle East as US pulls back We have a chance to halt climate change if we stop destroying carbon sinks and cut methane MORE and Rep. Gwen Moore Gwen Sophia MooreDemocrats offer bill to encourage hiring of groups hard-hit by pandemic Shining a light on COINTELPRO's dangerous legacy Lawmakers urge IRS to boost outreach about tax credits for low-income Americans MORE (D-Wis.), though the basis of the accusation against the school board member is unclear. Bryce will face Republican Bryan Steil, an attorney and business executive endorsed by Ryan, who emerged the winner in the crowded GOP primary. Bryce goes into the general election with a money advantage over Steil, who jumped into the race nearly a year after the Wisconsin Democrat. Bryce has nearly $1.7 million on hand, compared to Steil’s $630,000. Democrats believe they can win Ryan's seat now that the House Speaker is retiring after representing the district since 1999. The race is rated by Cook Political Report as "lean Republican." President Trump Donald TrumpTrump lashes out after grand jury seated for New York criminal probe Schumer tees up vote on Jan. 6 commission bill Senators struggle to save Jan. 6 commission MORE won Ryan's seat by 10 points in 2016. And while former President Obama narrowly lost the district in 2012, he won it by 3 points in 2008.<doc-sep>

Democrats in House Speaker Paul Ryan’s Wisconsin district have decided: They want Randy “Ironstache” Bryce to try to flip the seat blue. Bryce, the populist ironworker and union organizer who goes by the nickname “Ironstache,” beat out Cathy Myers, a school board member and teacher, in the district’s bitter Democratic primary battle Tuesday. The race was called with 68 percent of precincts reporting; Bryce led by more than 20 points. He will face Republican Bryan Steil, a well-known local business executive with Ryan’s endorsement, in November. For months, Bryce and Myers have been embroiled in a messy mudslinging match to clinch the chance to win Ryan’s congressional seat. Bryce first gained a national platform after releasing a viral campaign ad in the summer of 2017, raking in donations and winning some high-profile endorsements, like Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Wisconsin Rep. Mark Pocan (D), the chair of the House Progressive Caucus. But the ugly primary race could damage Bryce for the general. Bryce has had media flubs and has faced questions over his past failures to pay child support and past arrests for marijuana use and a DUI — a record Myers actively attacked Bryce on in the lead-up to Tuesday’s election. An Army veteran who bills himself as the working-class candidate, Bryce was a Sanders delegate for Wisconsin in the 2016 Democratic National Convention. His platform mirrors that of progressive candidates across the country, from Medicare-for-all to tuition-free college. He’s also the first congressional candidate who has a unionized campaign staff. Unseating Ryan has always been something of a pipe dream for Democrats. But with Ryan’s retirement, Democrats have a real chance to win the open seat. The Cook Political Report rates the race Lean Republican or R+5. Hillary Clinton lost the district by 11 points in 2016, and Barack Obama lost it by 5 in 2012. But Obama won the district by 3 points in 2008, and a surge in Democratic voters could catapult the party to a win. If Bryce can brush off the negative primary, it’s possible Paul Ryan’s seat could see a Democrat for the first time in more than two decades.

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – A new plan to build an AirTrain to LaGuardia Airport has been given the green light and should be ready within four years. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the new measure approved last week by the New York State legislature advancing the AirTrain link project. The Port Authority says a new AirTrain will link to the Long Island Rail Road and the subway system. Air travelers could get from midtown Manhattan to the airport in 30 minutes. Gov. Andrew Cuomo Talks Air Train, Other Transit Plans “With no rail link, millions of passengers too frequently face inevitable congestion on the roadways and unpredictable delays in reaching the airport,” said Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority of NY & NJ. “They never know what the travel time to LaGuardia will be.” The bill authoritizes the Port Authority to conduct an environmental impact study this summer for the $1.5 billion project. The Air Train will run from Willets Point in Queens, making two stops at the airport; East Station and Central Hall. The plan is to have the Long Island Rail Road run express trains from both Penn Station and Grand Central to Willets Point, where there will be a seamless transfer. “Having a direct connection is essential right now,” transportation expert Mitchell Moss said. “Right now it takes longer to get from LaGuardia to Manhattan than to get from LaGuardia to Chicago.” Construction could begin in 2020 and is expected to be completed by 2022.<doc-sep>Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed the legislation that was introduced last week that will allow the State Department of Transportation to seize public land to build the LaGuardia AirTrain. There’s still a way to go before the AirTrain is a totally done deal, but this allows an environmental review to be conducted, which will begin later this year and wrap at the end of next year. The announcement is also accompanied by new renderings for the project. The Governor’s office is hopeful that construction will get underway in early 2020, and wrap in 2022. The AirTrain will provide a connection between the airport and a revamped Mets-Willets Point station in Flushing, Queens, which will allow transfers to the 7 train and the Long Island Rail Road. The new legislation identifies a corridor between these two areas, within which the AirTrain will be built. It’s within this corridor that the State DOT will be able to acquire city or MTA-owned land in order to build the AirTrain. The Governor’s office said that the corridor had been selected after consultation with residents along the route and local officials. The route itself will be finalized after the environmental review, which will be led by the Federal Aviation Administration. The state will continue to seek local input as this process moves forward. if the AirTrain is built, it will allow for less than 30-minute trips between LaGuardia Airport and New York Penn Station or Grand Central Terminal. The Governor’s office estimates that trips between LaGuardia and Mets-Willets Point will take six minutes, with trains running every four minutes. The next section of the journey, on the LIRR, will take about 16 minutes. “AirTrain LGA will set an example of comprehensive transit infrastructure for the rest of the nation, and will pay dividends for decades by connecting riders to transit hubs across the Metropolitan area, boosting passenger growth across all airlines, and providing a more efficient means of travel for generations to come,” said Governor Cuomo, in a statement. Construction on the AirTrain is part of the overall $8 billion overhaul of LaGuardia Airport. The new Terminal B is scheduled to open its main area in 2020, and the new Delta Terminal C is scheduled to open in 2021.<doc-sep>Maybe on a helicopter. Gov. Cuomo became New York’s time-traveler in chief Monday, when he pushed a plan for a new AirTrain to La Guardia that he says could get people from Midtown to the crowded airport in an incredible 26 minutes. Cuomo — who hopes the new rail link could be built by 2022 — used graphics and charts to back up his claims of Superman-level speeds across Manhattan and Queens. He calculated a cool 16 minutes for a Long Island Rail Road train from Penn Station to the Mets-Willets Point station, followed by a four-minute wait for an AirTrain, which would take just six minutes to reach the airport. “Seamless transfer at Willets Point,” read one of the images in his presentation to the press. Worst case, it would all take about 30 minutes, claimed Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority. “The traveler will arrive at La Guardia within a 30-minute trip that will be reliable and predictable,” he said. But the cheery talk made no mention of the massive delays regularly gripping the LIRR and Penn Station in general. LIRR train service is the worst it’s been in nearly two decades, with 21,400 trains late, canceled or terminated mid-run in 2017, according to a March report from State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office. Commuters Monday doubted the AirTrain’s ability to bend these immutable laws of time, space and slow city train service. “I don’t believe it would take less than 30 minutes,” said George Patilis of Long Island, who was at Penn Station Monday. “It would probably take them 30 minutes to get to Willets Point and another 30 to get to La Guardia.” Commuter Roxanne Parnell of Garden City added: “I don’t think that’s realistic, given the problems at Penn Station. I mean, 30 minutes? I doubt that. I say closer to 45.” The governor said the AirTrain plan is part of an $8 billion effort to revamp La Guardia Airport. “The new La Guardia Airport will provide an improved customer experience with better access to airlines and public transportation for all passengers,” Cuomo said. Renderings of the transfer from the LIRR to the AirTrain looked clean and modern. A depiction of the AirTrain entrance at the airport’s Central Hall featured floor-to-ceiling windows, a tract of grass running along the floor and a giant orange Jeff Koons balloon-dog sculpture. Additional reporting by Danielle Furfaro and Tamar Lapin<doc-sep>

Traffic & Transit AirTrain Would Connect LaGuardia To LIRR Under New Bill Long Islanders could take the LIRR to LaGuardia instead of sitting in traffic on the Grand Central Parkway as early as 2022. Reply A new AirTrain connecting the Long Island Rail Road to LaGuardia Airport is one step closer to reality after Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill on Monday. The new law will allow for an environmental review to be conducted later this year on the AirTrain LGA project, which is planned between the airport, the Long Island Rail Road and the 7 subway train at Mets-Willets Point in Flushing, Cuomo said. The posed mass-transit link is designed to offer New Yorkers "a more efficient means of travel" that reduces traffic congestion and boosts flyer growth at the airport by connecting to transit hubs in Manhattan and on Long Island, Cuomo said. Construction is on track to begin by 2020 and could finish as early as 2022. Related: LaGuardia Airport to Be Torn Down and Rebuilt "The new LaGuardia Airport will provide an improved customer experience with better access to airlines and public transportation for all passengers - essential to the airport's transformation," Cuomo said. Guomo did not say where the proposed AirTrain would connect the LIRR with LaGuardia. The John F. Kennedy Airport AirTrain is available to LIRR riders via Jamaica, Queens stop. The AirTrain would also offer flyers in Manhattan a less-than-30-minute trip between LaGuardia and New York Penn Station or Grand Central Terminal. The new bill identifies a corridor in which the AirTrain could be built, which was selected after consultations with local community members and elected officials, the Governor's Office said. An official route will be finalized after the environmental review led by the Federal Aviation Administration. Under the legislation, the state DOT will be authorized to acquire land owned by the City or the MTA within that corridor. The environmental review is slated to finish by the end of 2019. "For too long, LaGuardia Airport has had the dubious distinction of being the only major East Coast airport without a rail link, and that is unacceptable," Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton said in a press release. "Simply put, a 21st century airport must meet global standards, and that requires rail mass transit access. The AirTrain will complement the ongoing $8 billion redevelopment of LGA into a world-class airport worthy of New York."

At the hearing in state court in Lower Manhattan, Alan Futerfas, a private attorney for Trump and his three eldest children, said it was wrong for New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood to accuse them of “waste” at the foundation. None of the Trumps, he said, had ever used the charity’s money to pay for dinner, a vacation home or travel.<doc-sep>A New York judge asked lawyers for the Trump Foundation on Thursday about the organization's involvement with a highly publicized fundraiser hosted by President Trump in Iowa when he was a candidate in January 2016. The event, which was held the same night as a Republican primary debate that Mr. Trump skipped, is the focal point of a lawsuit filed in June by the office of New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood. The suit accuses Mr. Trump of having used his private foundation as a campaign tool during the 2016 presidential race and to settle legal claims for his businesses in the past. The lawsuit alleges that the Donald J. Trump Foundation was operated by its directors, three of whom are Mr. Trump's children Donald Jr., Eric and Ivanka, as a "shell corporation that functioned as a checkbook" for the Trump campaign and businesses. Soon after the lawsuit was filed on June 14, Mr. Trump insinuated in a tweet that the case was a politically motivated filing by "sleazy New York Democrats." His attorney, Alan Futerfas, argued similarly in a motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed in August. Futerfas wrote that former New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who resigned in disgrace in May, "solicited financial donations to his own campaign for re-election based on his promise to 'lead the resistance' and attack the President and his policies, describing the President as out to 'hurt' New Yorkers." At a hearing in Manhattan on Thursday to hear arguments on the motion to dismiss, New York Supreme Court Justice Saliann Scarpulla appeared skeptical of Futerfas' political bias claims. "It's not something that's really of interest to me," he said, adding later, "I don't want to get involved with that." "The allegations are what they are," Scarpulla said. The Trump Foundation is accused of giving control of money raised during the televised Iowa fundraiser — held during a debate that Mr. Trump skipped — to his campaign, which would be a violation of New York laws governing how private foundations operate. During the hearing, Scarpulla questioned Futerfas about whether the fundraiser was a campaign event. "During that fundraiser, did he speak about his campaign?" she asked. Futerfas replied, "Yes." "So it wasn't just a fundraiser," Scarpulla observed, saying it was also a political event. "He was certainly there as a candidate. Let's put it that way," Futerfas said. That same month the foundation's treasurer Allen Weisselberg emailed then-Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, writing, "we should start thinking about how you want to distribute the funds collected." Weisselberg is also chief financial officer of the Trump Organization. A private foundation's charitable giving is typically controlled by its board of directors, who are required by New York law to meet regularly, as Scarpulla noted during Thursday's hearing. In its lawsuit, the attorney general's office said Donald Jr., Eric and Ivanka never held any board of directors' meetings. "Even if they are doing spectacularly good work, they are still required to follow the law," Scarpulla said. Scarpulla said Thursday she'll reserve judgement on the motion to dismiss until a ruling is made in a different New York court on whether a defamation case against Mr. Trump brought by former Apprentice contestant Summer Zervos can proceed. Zervos claimed in 2016 that Mr. Trump forcibly kissed and groped in December 2007. She sued after Mr. Trump called her and a dozen other women who made sexual misconduct allegations against him "liars." In that case, Mr. Trump's lawyers have argued that the Constitution's supremacy clause prevents a sitting president of the United States from being sued in state court. A finding in Mr. Trump's favor in the Zervos dispute would almost certainly put the attorney general's case, which is also filed in state court, in peril. The Zervos dispute hinges on the landmark 1997 case Clinton v. Jones, in which the Supreme Court ruled a sitting president has no immunity in federal court from civil law litigation for actions taken before taking office. Whether that decision applies to state courts has yet to be determined.<doc-sep>(CNN) — The judge overseeing the New York attorney general’s lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s charitable foundation suggested Thursday that she will wait until an appeals court rules on whether a sitting president can be the subject of a civil lawsuit before determining whether to dismiss the state’s case. A New York appeals court is weighing that question after a judge in a separate case allowed a defamation lawsuit against Trump brought by Summer Zervos, a former contestant on “The Apprentice,” to proceed. At issue is whether the president can be sued in state court for conduct outside his official duties. The US Supreme Court ruled in 1997 that President Bill Clinton could be subject to a federal lawsuit over such conduct, but it didn’t determine that issue on the state level. In state Supreme Court in Manhattan on Thursday, Justice Saliann Scarpulla said the appeals’ court determination in the Zervos matter will affect whether the state can include Trump himself in its civil case concerning the foundation, in which the state alleges the charity violated nonprofit laws and abused its tax-free status. But Scarpulla said that an appeals’ court ruling in favor of the President wouldn’t entirely nullify the attorney general’s case; rather, it would likely force the office to amend its lawsuit to remove Trump himself as a defendant. The suit, filed in June, now names as defendants the foundation, Trump and his three eldest children – Eric, Donald Jr. and Ivanka – all of whom sat on the charity’s board. It alleges that they violated federal and state charities law with a “persistent” pattern of conduct that included unlawful coordination with the 2016 Trump presidential campaign. The attorney general’s office, led by Barbara Underwood, is seeking to dissolve the Trump Foundation and wants $2.8 million in restitution, plus additional penalties. The office is also seeking to ban Trump from serving as a director of any New York nonprofit for 10 years and to prohibit the other board members, the Trump children, from serving for one year. The focus of the majority of Thursday’s hearing was on the defendants’ motion to dismiss the case, with foundation attorney Alan Futerfas concentrating on two primary factors: That the foundation funds were used for charitable purposes, rather than being spent on personal luxuries, and that there was no transaction between the foundation and Trump’s presidential campaign – a factor required by statute. “There’s no house in the Hamptons” or extravagant dinners on the ledger, Futerfas said in denying the Trumps personally benefited from the foundation. “Nothing like that,” he added. “So where did the money go, your honor?” Futerfas answered his question by pointing to an enlarged screen displaying the logos of dozens of nonprofits, including the Martha Graham Dance Company and Autism Speaks. Iowa veterans fundraiser The question of whether a transaction between the foundation and the campaign exists rests, both parties appeared to acknowledge, on one central episode: a nationally televised charity fundraiser for military veterans that Trump held in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 28, 2016, just ahead of the Republican caucus vote there. The foundation received $2.8 million as a result of that event and, the lawsuit, alleges, Trump campaign staff, including his campaign manager at the time, Corey Lewandowski, then directed the disbursement of those funds for Trump’s political benefit. “At the time of that fundraiser, Mr. Trump was a presidential candidate, am I right?” the judge asked Futerfas. “Yes, he was,” Futerfas replied. “And so who directed the payment of those funds from the fundraiser?” the judge asked. She noted that in evaluating the motion to dismiss, she is required to accept the allegations in the lawsuit, including those concerning Lewandowski’s involvement. Lewandowski isn’t named as a defendant in the suit. “To me, that seems like a very easy case of a related transaction,” the judge said. “It is not an incidental publicity. It is someone-who-is-running-for-president-of-the-United-States type of publicity.” An assistant attorney general, however, disputed Futerfas’s claims, saying the office does allege “personal enrichment” by Trump. Assistant Attorney General Yael Fuchs cited several examples from the lawsuit, including a $100,000 payment from the charity that was used to settle legal claims against Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. As for the Iowa event, Fuchs said the Trumps were “completely conflating the identity of the foundation with the identity of the campaign – just really usurping it for the purposes of the campaign.” “They say that the foundation was a passive recipient of the transactions,” she said. “To use the modern parlance, that’s not a thing,” Fuchs added, drawing laughter from the courtroom. The judge, attempting to bring clarity to the question of whether a “transaction” occurred between the foundation and the campaign, asked: “There’s no check from the foundation to Donald J. Trump for President, correct?” “Correct,” Fuchs acknowledged, but pointed out that the campaign had control over the foundation’s transactions, and made them for the express political benefit of Trump. Noting email exchanges between Lewandowski and Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg that were included in the lawsuit, Fuchs stressed that Weisselberg, who was also the foundation’s treasurer, explicitly ceded control of the disbursements to Lewandowski. Said Fuchs: “The timing and the manner of the distribution was controlled by the campaign for the benefit of Mr. Trump the candidate.” Weisselberg, who was deposed by the attorney general’s office as part of its lawsuit, was also a key figure in federal prosecutors’ case against former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, who pleaded guilty in August to charges including tax fraud. Weisselberg received immunity in that investigation, CNN has reported. Though the foundation attorney, Futerfas, in the final minutes of the hearing attempted to argue a point he made in court filings alleging political bias on the part of the attorney general’s office, which is now and has for years been headed by a Democrat, the judge quickly curbed that effort. “I don’t want to get involved in that,” she said. “The allegations are what they are.”<doc-sep>President Trump Donald TrumpTrump lashes out after grand jury seated for New York criminal probe Schumer tees up vote on Jan. 6 commission bill Senators struggle to save Jan. 6 commission MORE's charitable foundation paid $10,000 for an oil portrait of Trump at a 2014 auction after no other bids were received, according to an attorney for the president. Alan Futerfas offered the account Thursday as one of several reasons for dismissing a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood (D) against the Donald J. Trump Foundation over transactions made the by charity, Bloomberg News reported. ADVERTISEMENT The lawyer told a packed courtroom in New York that when the president’s personal charitable foundation placed the bid, it was only intended to "get the bidding started.” “No one else bid,” Futerfas said, adding that the foundation was then “stuck with the painting." Some of the other transactions cited in the state’s lawsuit include a $25,000 payment in 2013 to a political organization working to reelect Florida Attorney General Pamela Bondi, and a $100,000 payment in 2007 to cover a Mar-a-Lago legal settlement. During the hearing, Futerfas reportedly said Underwood's suit was politically biased, and he called it part of a larger effort by Democrats to undermine his client’s presidency. Yael Fuchs, a lawyer for the state attorney general, reportedly contended that it “is beyond dispute that these were improper self-dealing transactions.” New York State Supreme Court Justice Saliann Scarpulla dismissed Futerfas's claims of political bias, according to Bloomberg. Scarpulla reportedly said she can’t decide on the case until an appellate court rules in a separate case on whether the president has immunity from litigation in state courts.<doc-sep>

The state accused Trump of using donations to pay off financial obligations. Attorneys for the Trump Organization and prosecutors from the New York Attorney General’s Office squared off in state court for the first time on Thursday over allegations that President Donald Trump and his children repeatedly misused charitable donations to the Trump Foundation. Alan Futerfas, an attorney for the Trump Organization, which is linked to the foundation, sought to convince Judge Saliann Scarpulla of the New York Supreme Court that the lawsuit, filed by the New York Attorney General's office in June, was politically motivated. The judge, however, quickly shut that argument down. "I don't want to get involved in political bias,” the judge told Futerfas. “The allegations are what they are." The investigation into the foundation began under former New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Attorneys for the foundation have alleged he was investigating the foundation while raising campaign money on the promise to oppose the president's agenda. Schneiderman has since resigned amid accusations of domestic abuse first published by The New Yorker. Attorney General Barbara Underwood took over the investigation upon Schneiderman’s resignation and filed the lawsuit in June. In a recent court filing, the New York Attorney General's office wrote that the president used foundation funds “for his benefit to advance his personal, business, and political interest in violation of federal and state law governing charities.” Attorneys for Trump argued that the money was always used for charitable purposes within the law, such as in 2014 when Trump bid $10,000 of foundation money on a portrait of himself at a charity auction benefiting the Unicorn Foundation. Futerfas told the court Trump only donated to start the bidding, but when no one else would bid, the Donald J. Trump Foundation was stuck with the painting. The suit seeks to dissolve the Donald J. Trump Foundation and to prohibit Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Ivanka Trump from serving on other charitable boards in the future. Judge Scarpulla did not rule on the Trump Foundation’s motion to dismiss the suit, opting instead to wait for an unrelated appeals court decision in New York that would determine whether or not the President of the United States can be sued in state court.

Donald Trump’s rally last night in Nashville, Tennessee had many familiar touches: chants of “Build the wall,” MAGA hats, and anecdotes from the president’s 2016 election campaign. But it was also more focused, polished and angry than the speeches Trump has delivered in recent months: In contrast to his speech on unity in Nashville one year ago, this time the president systematically attacked Democrats, the Russia investigation and the “animals” of gang MS-13. Americans can expect more of the same rhetoric this summer. In November, all 435 Congressional House seats, 35 Senate seats, and hundreds of local races will be decided in the midterm elections. Trump will campaign all summer on behalf of the Republican party, and plans to holding an event every week, White House aides told told NBC. Trump is focusing on Trump-voting strongholds first, Republican consultants say, which means rallies in states like Texas and North Dakota. As his heated Nashville talking points show, he’s hoping to draw out far-right voters, whom GOP consultants worry might not otherwise vote. Here are the highlights: A call-and-response slur: “Animals!” Trump used the term earlier this month to describe members of the MS13 gang, drawing criticism of dehumanizing Latin Americans broadly. In response, the White House doubled down, using the term repeatedly in a press release. “What was the name I used last week?” Trump asked the crowd, last night. “ANIMALS!! !” the crowd shouted back. Nancy Pelosi is the new Hillary Clinton Minority leader Nancy Pelosi has been portrayed as a villain by the Republican party for months. To Trump, she represents everything he doesn’t like about Democrats. She’s “a MS-13 lover,” Trump accused last night. Attacking the press Deriding the “fake media” continues to be a cornerstone of Trump’s public speaking engagements. Three separate times at Nashville, Trump mocked the media pen at the rally, pointing to them, calling them “fake” and encouraging the crowd to boo, which it did. Story continues Denigrating the Russia investigation Both Trump and daughter-in-law Lara spoke last night of the FBI investigation into Russian election meddling as an insult to Trump voters. “When I hear nonsense about Russian collusion, it makes me very angry,” Lara said in her warm-up for Trump. “They are trying to tell you that your vote didn’t count, folks.” Defeating Democrats as a matter of national security “If you want to be safe, you must go out and get the Democrats the hell out of office,” Trump said. The Republican party is known for its top-down management style, with the president often dictating the party’s campaign message for the midterms. In 2016, many mainstream Republicans tried to distance themselves from Trump’s populist and sometimes racist rhetoric; but now that he’s in the White House, it may not be so easy to draw the line between their positions and Trump’s. Trump is “throwing gasoline on it” to pull Republicans across the finish line in November. Moderate Republicans “left the president for dead in 2016, and he’s proved time and time again he had a better antennae than they do,” said David Bozell, President of conservative grassroots political organization ForAmerica. Thanks to social media, he added, “there is no such thing as an intimate local election for federal office.” Winning federal races is “all about ginning up your base” to get people to turn up to the polls, a model that Barack Obama employed effectively in the past, he said. “Trump is basically taking that model and throwing gasoline on it, and trying to pull the Republican party across the finish line,” said Bozell. The weather this summer is already expected to be exceptionally hot in America, particularly in the southwest and southern plains. The GOP’s campaign strategy, led by Trump, insures the temperature will be high politically as well. Sign up for the Quartz Daily Brief, our free daily newsletter with the world’s most important and interesting news. More stories from Quartz:<doc-sep>The New York Times has corrected a crowd size estimate it provided following President Trump Donald TrumpTrump lashes out after grand jury seated for New York criminal probe Schumer tees up vote on Jan. 6 commission bill Senators struggle to save Jan. 6 commission MORE's rally in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday night, after receiving sharp criticism from the president. The paper on Wednesday stated that attendance was more than five times larger than estimates it had originally reported. “While no exact figure is available, the fire marshal’s office estimated that approximately 5,500 people attended the rally, not about 1,000 people,” the correction stated. ADVERTISEMENT The correction comes after the president railed against the Times on Twitter Wednesday morning, accusing the newspaper of intentionally underestimating the crowd size and of being comprised of "very dishonest" people who don't "get" him. “The Failing and Corrupt @nytimes estimated the crowd last night at '1000 people,' when in fact it was many times that number - and the arena was rockin’. This is the way they demean and disparage. They are very dishonest people who don’t ‘get’ me, and never did!” Trump tweeted to his 52.3 million followers. The Failing and Corrupt @nytimes estimated the crowd last night at “1000 people,” when in fact it was many times that number - and the arena was rockin’. This is the way they demean and disparage. They are very dishonest people who don’t “get” me, and never did! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2018 Trump has called out the media for getting crowd sizes wrong before with varying results. In December, Washington Post reporter Dave Weigel tweeted out a photo on a mostly empty arena at a Trump rally with a caption, "Packed to the rafters," mocking the president. The photo was later revealed to have been taken hours before the event. . @DaveWeigel @WashingtonPost put out a phony photo of an empty arena hours before I arrived @ the venue, w/ thousands of people outside, on their way in. Real photos now shown as I spoke. Packed house, many people unable to get in. Demand apology & retraction from FAKE NEWS WaPo! pic.twitter.com/XAblFGh1ob — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 9, 2017 Weigel apologized an hour after the president's tweet slamming the photo he posted. Sure thing: I apologize. I deleted the photo after @dmartosko told me I'd gotten it wrong. Was confused by the image of you walking in the bottom right corner. https://t.co/fQY7GMNSaD — Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) December 9, 2017 In January 2017, Trump also took issue with the crowd size reported for his inauguration ADVERTISEMENT "This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period, both in person and around the globe," then-White House press secretary Sean Spicer Sean Michael SpicerDeSantis to hold Newsmax town hall Biden's poor TV ratings against Trump is exactly what this administration wants Overnight Health Care: CDC director calls on Michigan to 'close things down' amid surge in cases | Regeneron says antibody therapy prevents COVID-19 infections MORE declared to reporters the following day. "Even The New York Times printed a photograph showing a misrepresentation of the crowd in the original tweet in their paper, which showed the full extent of the support, depth in crowd, and intensity that existed," Spicer added. "These attempts to lessen the enthusiasm of the inauguration are shameful and wrong." Spicer didn't take any questions and left a number of reporters in the room in a state of disbelief. Photos showed Trump's inauguration attendance was lower than that of President Obama's in 2008. Spicer later defended his statements by saying that he was speaking in the context of a worldwide audience who could have been watching the ceremony on television and streaming online.<doc-sep>Trump on Sessions: What kind of man is this? TOPSHOT - US President Donald Trump waits to speak during a memorial service at the Pentagon for the 9/11 terrorist attacks September 11, 2017 in Washington, DC. / AFP PHOTO / Brendan Smialowski (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 08: U.S. President Donald Trump announces his decision to withdraw the United States from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in the Diplomatic Room at the White House May 8, 2018 in Washington, DC. After two and a half years of negotiations, Iran agreed in 2015 to end its nuclear program in exchange for Western countries, including the United States, lifting decades of economic sanctions. Since then international inspectors have not found any violations of the terms by Iran. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Trump on Cordray: He was groomed by 'Pocahontas' Trump often says he's 'the least racist person' WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 15: U.S. President Donald Trump listens to a question as he speaks to members of the White House Press Corps prior to his Marine One departure from the South Lawn of the White House December 15, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Alex Wong/Getty Images) President Donald Trump points to the crowd after speaking to law enforcement officials on the street gang MS-13, Friday, July 28, 2017, in Brentwood, N.Y. President Donald Trump addresses the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, at U.N. headquarters, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) President Donald Trump speaks at a rally at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, Tuesday, May 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) (CNN) — President Donald Trump traveled to Tennessee on Tuesday night to boost the Senate candidacy of Rep. Marsha Blackburn, delivering a speech packed with the over-the-top rhetoric, distortions and just plain oddities that have come to be his trademark. I went through the speech and picked out the 45 most, um, unforgettable lines. They’re below. 1. “Do we love Tennessee? We love Tennessee!” Is Tennessee in the hoooooooouse?? ? 2. “You know Trace won ‘The Apprentice.’ Trace is a winner.” This quote, about country music singer Trace Adkins, does two classic Trumpian things: 1) Remind people about a successful Trump product (“The Apprentice”) and 2) tout the importance of being a winner. Trump, as you may have picked up, likes to associate himself with winners. 3. “I love country music.” I did not know that! 4. “This is a big crowd of people. This is a lot of people.” Another regular feature of any Trump speech is a recognition of the massive crowd size – whether or not it is massive. 5. “I’m the only politician that produced more than I said I was going to produce, and we’re only one and a half years in.” It’s very hard to fact-check claims like these – what does he mean by “produced” and how can we quantify it? But, here is a good Time magazine piece on the promises Trump kept (and broke) during his first year as president. 6. “Scott DesJarlais. The most beautiful name in politics.” DesJarlais’ name might also ring a bell because earlier this decade, his divorce records leaked, showing that he carried on relationships with a number of patients (he was a doctor) and advised his ex-wife to seek abortions – despite being stridently anti-abortion rights as a public official. 7. “We all kept hearing, ‘He can’t get to 270.’ Remember, you need 270, Electoral College.” The 2016 election ended 568 days ago. 8. “I went to Maine. I love Maine.” Hello, Portland! Bangor, where you at! ! 9. “There they are, right back there. Fake. They are fake. Look how many of them. Oh, boy. That’s a lot of people back there. That’s a lot of people. Fake news.” What’s remarkable about this line from Trump is that he is simultaneously a) lambasting the news media as fake and b) touting how many reporters are there to cover him. It’s the equivalent of saying: This food is awful – and such small portions! 10. “There has never been an administration, and even some of our enemies are begrudgingly admitting this, that has done what we have done in the first year and a half.” Two things here. First, Trump refers to people who disagree with him as his “enemies.” Second, it’s hard to calculate whether Trump has done more than any other president – as I mentioned above. He often touts that he has signed more bills than past presidents as evidence of all he has done. The problem with that claim is that it’s not true. 11. “Tremendous talent in this room. It’s a big room. This stadium. This arena.” Big. Huge. YUGE. The point Trump wants to get across is that lots and lots of people are coming to see him. 12. “We truly are making America great again. Look at all those hats.” If you want to make your own Trump hat, my former colleague Philip Bump has created a tool that allows you to do just that! 13. “Who is he? I never heard of this guy. Who is he?” Trump is referring to Phil Bredesen, Blackburn’s likely opponent in the fall Senate election. And Bredesen is a former two-term governor and two-term mayor of Nashville. So … 14. “The MS-13 lover, Nancy Pelosi. She loves MS-13.” Trump says this a lot about the House minority leader. It doesn’t make it any more true. 15. “They are more interested in taking care of criminals than they are in taking care of you.” This claim, about Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, seems to also take some liberties with the facts. 16. “Crooked Hillary.” Remember that Trump’s rallies are a sort of greatest hits album. He ticks through the bits he knows the audience loves. And there is no more beloved call-and-response among Trump’s supporters than him calling the 2016 nominee “Crooked Hillary” and them chanting “Lock her up!” Did I mention the election ended 568 days ago? 17. “How do you like the fact they had people infiltrating our campaign? Can you imagine?” [narrator voice] They didn’t. 18. “Is there anybody in this big, beautiful arena right now that’s infiltrating our campaign?” The arena, in case you hadn’t heard, is both “big” and “beautiful.” Also, very, very crowded. 19. “In all fairness, I’m no fan of crazy Bernie Sanders. I’m no fan. But I want to tell you, he got screwed.” Hey, look, I hate that crazy son of a gun. But, man, Hillary did him dirty! 20. “The only way she filled up the arena was to get Jay-Z. And his language was so filthy that it made me like the most clean-cut human being on earth.” Worth noting: The crowd booed when Trump mentioned Jay Z’s name. Must not be hip-hop fans! Wait … 21. “He would stand up there before those crowds. And, by the way, without any musical instruments.” Jay Z’s greatest crime was not that he supported Hillary Clinton. It was that his music didn’t require musical instruments, according to Trump. THE HORROR. 22. “Phil Bredesen supported her. He supported her ideas. Border wall. We have already started doing it.” I didn’t edit this or splice sentences together. This is exactly what Trump said. He went from attacking Bredesen to saying the words “border wall.” Just like that. [looks around in amazement] 23. “You go to the hospital. You have a broken arm. You come out, you are a drug addict with this crap.” This feels like an oversimplification of the opioid epidemic. Also of hospitals. And broken arms. 24. “You ever have second thoughts about something?” Literally every second of every day. 25. “I have property in California that I don’t care about anymore.” Same. 26. “I can tell a contractor. I can smell a contractor, believe it or not.” Tell me more … 27. “Our laws are the worst laws of any country anywhere in the world.” … said the President of the United States. 28. “Nobody leaves in the Senate.” He’s not wrong … 29.<doc-sep>

Donald J. Trump, American president, went down to the state of Tennessee Tuesday night and constructed a whole world for his supporters to fear, to hate, and possibly, to lash out against. The president was there to help defend the Senate seat Republican Bob Corker is vacating, because Representative Marsha Blackburn, a bona fide loon, is trailing Democrat Phil Bredesen in the polls. This, despite the fact that Trump won the solid-red state by 26 points in 2016. Trump's rhetoric seemed to reflect this state of affairs, and a more generalized anxiety about the 2018 midterms. In short, the President of the United States suggested that swathes of the nation he leads have been overrun by gangs of criminal immigrants, and that his political opponents expressly support these gangs. TRUMP: "What was the name [I used to call MS-13 gang members]? CROWD: ANIMALS! Trump has unleashed the ugly in America.pic.twitter.com/Fg5yJQ3Q7p — SFDB (@sfdb) May 30, 2018 "Blood-stained killing fields." "Savagely burning, raping, and mutilating." This was a return to Trump's Inauguration Day vision of American Carnage. It was a reminder to his supporters, who might feel less motivated to go to the polls in November, that there are a great many things to be afraid of—real or, in this case, summoned from the dark recesses of the presidential mind. There was also the suggestion Democratic leaders, including Nancy Pelosi, have demanded "respect" for criminal gang members—a predictable mischaracterization of what she said, according to TPM: Pelosi did not endorse the gang, but took aim at Trump’s rhetoric, saying, “Calling people animals is not a good thing.” She added that “we all have to recognize that as we respect the dignity and worth of every person.” The implication, of course, is that Democrats somehow support this criminal gang, because they oppose the leader of the world's most powerful nation calling people "animals," or they oppose The Wall. Trump sought to make the connection unequivocal: Trump calls Tennessee senatorial candidate Phil Bredesen "an absolute, total tool of Chuck Schumer, and of course, the MS-13 lover Nancy Pelosi," at a rally in Nashville #tictocnews pic.twitter.com/GkptwOp7cb — Bloomberg Quicktake (@Quicktake) May 30, 2018 "The MS-13 lover." This is, obviously, an egregious lie. But the intent is also obvious: to suggest Democrats are not merely political opponents, but are actively endangering the safety of you and your family. They are prioritizing their politics over the good of the nation. They are enemies of the state. But perhaps the most unnerving portion was the call and response, where the president's supporters dutifully followed him down the road of calling other human beings "animals." They did so gleefully, as they once engaged in back-and-forths about The Wall and how Mexico Is Going to Pay For It. (The fact that there is still no wall, and that Mexico has steadfastly refused to pay for it, never seems to matter. Instead, Trump lied and said construction of The Wall has begun.) It was a sign that the faithful are taking to the new tactics with a dark enthusiasm. We have discussed, ad nauseam, how it is a waste of time to get in the mud with this president on whether he originally referred to just MS-13 members as "animals," or whether he was referring to some larger group of undocumented immigrants: Trump constantly conflates all immigrants with violent criminals, and never bothers to clarify that most in this group have committed no crime on American soil and are simply seeking honest work and a better life. (In fact, the undocumented are less likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans.) He never makes the distinction, because to him, there is no difference worth remarking on—or worse, he finds it politically fruitful to ignore it. This non-distinction is also reflected in his policies, as Vox outlined: Arrests of immigrants without criminal records have also spiked. During President Obama’s last year, about 16 percent of ICE arrests were of noncriminal immigrants; each month since July 2017, between 32 and 40 percent of arrestees have been noncriminals." This is also reflected in the fact that ICE has been caught labeling people as MS-13 members with zero justification, so that they are refused bail and can more easily be deported. It's almost like the main priority is getting people—most of whom are of a certain complexion—out.

Naughty Dog’s latest trailer for The Last of Us Part 2, which the studio debuted tonight during Sony’s E3 2018 press briefing, takes a somewhat different tack than the hard-to-watch trailer from Paris Games Week 2017. This, the third trailer for the upcoming action game, features the same brutal and violent combat we’ve come to expect from the franchise — but bookended by cutscenes of Ellie at a dance. Sony held its Last of Us Part 2 presentation in a makeshift church it had constructed in a tent, and kicked off the show with a musical performance on banjo by Gustavo Santaolalla, the composer for both games. Then the segment shifted to footage from the game, which began with a cutscene of Ellie and a male friend named Jesse being wallflowers at a dance. It sounds like Joel is around at this point: Jesse refers to Ellie’s “dad,” saying that he laid into Jesse. Then another friend — or perhaps more — named Dina comes by and pulls Ellie onto the floor for a slow dance. Dina takes Ellie in her arms and kisses her ... and then the camera cuts to Ellie stabbing a man in the throat in a rainy forest. From there, Ellie tries to make her way past some enemies while remaining in stealth. She comes across the bad guys literally disemboweling a man who is already hanging from a noose. Ellie later eliminates some enemies using her bow and arrow, but eventually she gets spotted, and that’s when she has to take down a couple of people with some melee combat. It looks like enemies drop weapons when they die, like knives, and it appears that Ellie can’t use them forever. That was the case in the previous game, but a new element is the ability for Ellie to hide underneath a car. From down there, she shoots a woman in the face and then has to run into a beauty shop, and a number of enemies follow her. Ellie quickly crafts an explosive arrow on the spot, and eventually, when she gets to the last guy, she uses a machete she has picked up and takes a big swing at his neck. Sony announced The Last of Us Part 2 in December 2016 at PlayStation Experience. The original Last of Us was released in June 2013 on PlayStation 3. The company did not give a release window today. Correction (June 12): Ellie’s romantic interest is named Dina, not Nina. We’ve edited the article to reflect this. Dina is voiced by Shannon Woodward, who is best known for playing Elsie on Westworld.<doc-sep>Naughty Dog Sony's E3 conference began strangely, taking place in what seemed like a church. Turns out it was a segue from the real world to the digital world. The trailer for The Last Of Us Part II took place in a space almost exactly like the location for the conference. Very neat. The game itself felt absolutely savage. After showing Ellie at a dance, the game quickly cut to gameplay familiar to anyone who's played the original game. Naughty Dog Everything is ramped up. The stealth, the combat, the impact of the combat, the animations, all of it. Now playing: Watch this: E3 2018: The Last of Us Part 2 gameplay revealed The Last Of Us Part II looks absolutely fantastic. Naughty Dog is continuing to set a high bar here. E3 2018: Everything you need to know E3 2018 coverage at CNET: All of our E3 2018 coverage in one place. Now playing: Watch this: E3 2018 preview E3 2018 coverage at GameSpot: Wall-to-wall coverage of the show from our sister site, GameSpot. E3 2018 coverage at Giant Bomb: Still more commentary and news from E3, from our colleagues at Giant Bomb.<doc-sep>Although video game graphics continue to improve every year, depicting intimacy in a human and convincing way is still tricky. More often than not, when things get hot and heavy in games, it tends to look stilted and wooden. But in its new trailer for The Last of Us Part II, Naughty Dog delivered a master class in intimate animation, and the most striking thing was how much attention the studio put into the smallest details. Just look at Ellie’s expressions in the early moments of the footage. Notice the way she raises her eyebrows, bites her lips, how small tendrils of her hair sway naturally. It’s even more compelling for the ways it isn’t perfect: her face is lightly sweaty and her hair is slightly matted, just like it would be in a room full of people dancing and letting loose. See the way characters look at each other, the way their eyes shine when their gaze falls on a certain person; it’s almost as if there’s a real human being there, not just pixels. Then, when Ellie and the other woman kiss, look at the way Ellie’s lips pucker hesitantly and then lock with the other woman, how their necks crane and shift as the kiss unfolds. Fans keep raving about this moment online because it is remarkable in how well it captures something so unremarkable. These subtle details are easy to miss precisely because they are so natural; they look the way people are supposed to look in our most awkward and intimate moments — something we aren’t accustomed to seeing in games, but one that creates an instant connection to the character. The next day, Director and writer, Neil Druckmann, co-Game Directors Anthony Newman and Kurt Margenau, as well as performers Ashley Johnson and Shannon Woodward got together to discuss the creation of the now-viral scene. Apparently, Woodward had to learn choreography to do the first part of the trailer, though they ended up using only seconds of the dance. Turns out, making a scene this good required a ton of work. Druckmann explained that the studio could only shoot eight people at a time, so the scene had to be shot in batches over a couple of days. To capture Ellie’s expressions, Druckmann said that Naughty Dog developed more advanced facial capture, and created more complicated facial rigs. While these advances made for better motion capture, the rigs made it difficult for the actresses to get close to one another. Everyone agreed that getting the kiss was really awkward, even if the final product looks fantastic. With such a complicated rig, the two couldn’t actually get too close. Instead, the pair had to go cheek to cheek and pretend to kiss the air. And yes, the two really did make the sounds you hear in the trailer, at least when their cables and hands weren’t getting stuck on the rig. All of this for a small portion of a scene — but judging by the reaction online, it was worth it. Update 5:47PM: Added information about how the kissing scene was created.<doc-sep>

Sony has revealed more details about the much-anticipated PlayStation 4 game The Last of Us: Part II. In a blog post, director Neil Druckmann discussed Ellie and her motivations, while he also confirmed the role of another celebrity who is working on the game. We knew Ellie was older in The Last of Us: Part II, but now Druckmann confirmed that she is 19 years old. After the horrific events of the first game, Ellie has found "a semblance of peace and normality." She is on a path towards finding peace in her world--but it doesn't last. "When that peace is disrupted by a violent act, Ellie is thrust into a brutal journey of retribution, fueled by a need to bring those that have wronged her to justice, pushing her to her very limits," Druckmann said. While Joel was the playable character in the first game, Ellie is the lead playable character for the sequel. As we saw in the gameplay reveal trailer during Sony's E3 2018 briefing, Ellie is a more than capable fighter. "You're going to feel her physical, emotional, and mental state expressed through every facet of gameplay," Druckmann said. "We've completely overhauled our engine, developed new combat mechanics, created a new analog stealth system, and revamped our animation system to fully express Ellie's desperation, resourcefulness, and unique agility." Regarding the game's advancements overall, Druckmann said the environments are "broader, more complex, and more detailed." This brings "unprecedented realism, verticality, and player choice," the game director teased. The enemy AI is now more sophisticated as well. In other news, we knew that Westworld actress Shannon Woodward would appear in The Last of Us: Part II, and now her role has been revealed. Woodward plays Dina, the woman who shared a kiss with Ellie in the new trailer. Woodward and Ashley Johnson, who voices Ellie, recreated the scene in real life at the Sony E3 2018 briefing. Had a pretty great Monday. pic.twitter.com/XBnQ5Cdc9R — Halley Gross (@Grosstastic) June 12, 2018 The Last of Us: Part II is on the way for PlayStation 4, but no release date has been announced. For more, check out GameSpot's breakdown of the four big things we learned from the new trailer.

Is this the day democracy dies? Today may see an establishment coup in the corridors of Westminster designed to overturn the biggest vote in our electoral history. It was 31 months ago that we were asked as a nation whether we wanted to ‘leave’. We gave a clear answer. Yet now most MPs seem determined not simply to water it down but to reverse it completely. When young children are losing at board games they demand to change the rules. Yet this same juvenile intent drives the cabal of democracy defying MPs. Let us remember that it was pro Remain MPs who decided the rules. They decided that there would be a referendum. David Cameron’s leaflet to every household said: “The Government will implement what you decide.” In bold type it stated that we were making a “once in a generation decision”. Yet now Remain MPs want us to believe that “once in a generation” only applied if it was a decision they liked. To understand how deep their contempt for democracy is let us also recall that in February 2017 overwhelming majorities of both Conservative and Labour MPs voted to set Brexit in motion either through a negotiated deal or WTO terms. In all 498 MPs voted to confirm Brexit. In the General Election that followed four months later both the main parties promised to implement the result of the Referendum. So pro Leave voters across the nation felt safe that Brexit was going ahead.<doc-sep>NIGEL Farage is making a comeback to frontline politics ­— as head of a new Brexit Party. The former Ukip leader has decided to end months in the ­wilderness to fight against the great referendum betrayal. 3 The former Ukip leader says he is 'not prepared to stand by and do nothing' He admitted he is unable to sit on the sidelines and watch as Britain’s withdrawal from the EU is sabotaged. And he warned: “This time there will be no more Mr Nice Guy.” Mr Farage, 54, was approached by ­former Ukip activists who applied to register the new party in the past few days. It has been set up ready to field candidates if Theresa May calls a snap General Election next month. Organisers will also fight the European elections in May if the PM decides to extend Article 50 and keep Britain in the EU after the departure date of March 29. Mr Farage predicts the party would be a rallying point for 17.4million disaffected Brexit voters — and would cause devastation to the Tories and Labour. He told The Sun on Sunday: “There is huge demand for a party that’s got real clarity on this issue. You can see and hear the frustration welling up out there. It’s clear the political elite want to stop Brexit in its tracks and the Prime Minister doesn’t have the strength or inclination to see this through. “I’ve been watching events with growing dismay — I’m not the only one. Now we are putting them on notice that if Brexit doesn’t happen on March 29 we are not prepared to stand by and do nothing.” Brains of new body EUROSCEPTIC Catherine Blaiklock registered the Brexit Party with the Electoral Commission last week. The Oxford graduate says on her website that she has worked in various fields, including finance, economics, medicine and charity. She also founded the Nepal in Need healthcare charity. Her website states: “She is a strong believer in Brexit and freedom of speech. She hates political correctness.” Former Ukip economics spokesman Catherine Blaiklock applied to register the new party on January 11. An Electoral Commission spokesman said: “I can confirm that The Brexit Party is applying to be registered.” Like Mr Farage, Ms Blaiklock quit Ukip last year over its lurch to the hard-right under new leader Gerard Batten. She called Mr Farage to sound him out — and won his enthusiastic support. Nigel Farage insists he's certain a different PM could still get a better Brexit deal from EU Blow for Labour and Tory ditherers He was uncharacteristically coy when asked what role he would take in the new party, insisting: “It’s very early days.” But he confessed: “I’ve been concerned about the way the Brexit process has been going for some time. The Brexiteers told me to keep quiet and it will all be fine. I’ve now come to the conclusion that is not going to be the case. I’ve been hoping for the best and preparing for the worst for some time. “Theresa May is engaged in the betrayal of Brexit. The whole process has undergone a slow strangulation. We must start preparing for all eventualities now. I will step back into the fray and do it all again if I must but this time I will take no prisoners.” The Brexit Party will need to work fast to raise funds, recruit officials and vet candidates to fight any election. But Mr Farage is convinced there is an army of volunteers willing to get stuck in. MOST READ IN BREXIT CUMMINGS AND GOINGS Did Dominic Cummings break lockdown rules and why did he resign? BITTER BREX France threatens 'reprisals' against Britain in bitter Brexit fishing row Latest BREXMAS GIFT Boris hails 'glad tidings of great joy' in Xmas message after Brexit deal He said: “This was Catherine’s idea entirely — but she has done this with my full knowledge and my full support. If the Government goes back on its word and betrays the millions of people who voted for Brexit then we need a party prepared to stand up and fight for it. I’m fully prepared for Article 50 to be extended or revoked and if that happens, I will re-enter the fray. “There would be a huge public backlash and without doubt the people will flock to a real pro-Brexit party in droves. Our first task would be to fight the European elections on May 23.” He added: “I’ve been campaigning to leave the EU for a quarter of a century. I believe in it with all my heart and soul and gave up the best part of my adult life for it. The Eurocrats are laughing their socks off at how they have ‘screwed the Brits’. If we do not get a proper Brexit, I will be forced to do something again.” 3 The 54-year-old is making a comeback to frontline politics as the leader of the new Brexit Party Credit: PA:Press Association 3 Farage said he believes the 'Prime Minister doesn’t have the strength or inclination' to see Brexit through Credit: EPA PM's got no kip THERESA May is surviving on just three hours sleep a night — less than the four hours Margaret Thatcher famously got by on. After a 5.30am start on Wednesday — the day she survived a vote of no confidence — she was last seen addressing the nation at 10pm. The PM, 62, held meetings until midnight before heading to her constituency in Maidenhead, Berks. A source said: “She is absolutely knackered. She has been working tirelessly to get Brexit back on track, staying up until 1-2am and getting up at dawn to carry on.”<doc-sep>Brexit News: Farage open to new Brexit party top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. The former Ukip leader and now LBC radio host has confirmed that he would come back to British politics full-time as a candidate for a new party if Brexit isn't successful. Mr Farage backed setting up a new party called the ‘The Brexit Party’ but if the name isn’t registered in time he would be “open-minded” to joining Mr Bolton’s ‘Our Nation Party’. The alliance of the two former Ukip leaders would be to join forces if the UK is still part of the EU when European elections are held in May. Mr Farage told the London Evening Standard: “If the Government goes back on its word and betrays the millions of people who voted for Brexit then we need a party prepared to stand up and fight for it. “I'm fully prepared for Article 50 to be extended or revoked and if that happens, I will re-enter the fray." The news of Mr Farage’s new party comes as fellow former Ukipper, Catherine Blaiklock confirmed that she had filed an application with the Electoral Commission to register the new party. She also added that the new party could be ready if there is a General Election this year. READ MORE: Tory MP has DEFIANT message for Brexiteer Brits who feel betrayed Brexit news: Nigel Farage The ‘Our Nation Party’ was set up in March last year after Mr Bolton was forced to resign after his partner was in embroiled in controversy. Some Brexiteers want to ensure that they could stand for elections in the European Parliament and could therefore send a strong Eurosceptic contingent of MEPs to Strasbourg and Brussels. As Mr Farage told the Sun: “There is huge demand for a party that’s got real clarity on this issue. “You can see and hear the frustration welling up out there. READ MORE: Farage confirms he WILL stand in EU elections if Article 50 extended Brexit News: Nigel Farage to create new party Brexit: New Zealand ‘positive’ about free trade agreement<doc-sep>

F ormer Ukip leader Nigel Farage has endorsed a new pro-Brexit party as he vowed a return to frontline politics if Britain doesn’t leave the EU on March 29. The MEP for the South East was approached last week by former activists for Ukip who have applied to register the Brexit Party with the Electoral Commission. Former Ukip economics spokeswoman Catherine Blaiklock has applied to register the new party, according to The Sun on Sunday. The paper said that Mr Farage had been sounded out as a possible leader. Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage who is reported to be considering a return to frontline politics / PA He told the paper: "This was Catherine's idea entirely - but she has done this with my full knowledge and my full support. "If the Government goes back on its word and betrays the millions of people who voted for Brexit then we need a party prepared to stand up and fight for it. TODO: define component type apester "I'm fully prepared for Article 50 to be extended or revoked and if that happens, I will re-enter the fray." He added that there would be a "huge public backlash" should Prime Minister Theresa May look to extend Brexit beyond March and that people would "flock" to a "real pro-Brexit party". The 54-year-old, who led Ukip to a win in the popular vote at the 2014 European elections but has failed to win a Westminster seat in seven attempts, said he would not "stand by and do nothing" if Brexit was not delivered on March 29. Mr Farage left the party in December, saying he was uncomfortable with the direction Ukip has taken in recent months.

The Elimination Chamber pay per view will take place this Sunday in the Toyota Center, Houston Texas. The event is the second PPV on the road to WrestleMania, with a number of feuds picking up momentum and championships being defended at the event. Shows such as this and Fastlane are perfect opportunities for WWE to pull off a couple of surprises and show that it is willing to take risks. Back in 2015, Fastlane was used as an excuse to get Roman Reigns & Daniel Bryan's approval after the company faced a massive backlash at the Royal Rumble. In 2017 WWE chose to put the WWE title on Bray Wyatt in the chamber to insert the championship into a storyline with Randy Orton, which would allow the Viper to win the title at WrestleMania. This year's show has a decent card and promises at least a few good matches, and regardless of how the show turns out overall, it will be historic as the company will crown its first women's tag team champions. The rumor mill goes crazy before every WWE pay-per-view. Here are the 3 biggest Elimination Chamber rumors. #3 Luke Harper to Join Daniel Bryan Luke Harper to help Daniel Bryan retain the title Rowan recently returned to WWE and helped Daniel Bryan beat AJ Styles to retain his championship. Rowan has spent most of his career alongside Luke Harper, and with Harper finally medically cleared to compete, there is a possibility that he will also align himself with Bryan, perhaps by helping him retain his title in the Elimination Chamber this Sunday. Harper has done well for himself as a singles star, but he is best suited for a team or faction in WWE, so there is a high chance that he will join Bryan and Rowan, forming another faction. Bray Wyatt may also show up to join them, giving the universe a vegan version of the Wyatt family, with Daniel Bryan as the leader. 1 / 3 NEXT<doc-sep>WWE I have been writing this column for WhatCulture since Survivor Series 2017 and this edition, let me tell you, is a genuine first. Every single show WWE put on throws up all sorts of wild accusations, backstage gossip and alleged leaks that can raise even the stiffest of cynical eyebrows, but Elimination Chamber 2019, well, didn't. Normally we look at a lack of chatter with as much intrigue as it normally suggests something major is being kept deliberately under wraps but, dear god, not this time. Flat out, WWE do not care about this show. They have booked in as many safe matches as they can get their hands on and will likely make the main event a match for a currently unclaimed title. Literally the only way the company has of giving you something that feels important without actually having to really consider the booking implications. Beyond that we are looking down the barrel of one of the most inconsequential events in recent memory. But fear not friends, I would never, ever let you down like that. A cursory scan across the barren sands of internet revels very little but that's precisely why idiots like me always pack a shovel. We have dug deep and dug far this time to crack into WWE's creative plans and, through persistence, it's yielded some tiny nuggets of gold. I even picked up a phone and asked some people this time, that's the lengths we've had to go to. Want to see what we've dug up? Course you do.<doc-sep>The Elimination Chamber pay-per-view is just a few hours away, and fan excitement levels for this show is slowly but surely picking up, as this year's pay-per-view doesn't really feel like a foregone conclusion, unlike previous years. When looking at the match card for this show, it is easy to see why WWE booked some of the programmes with so many possible endings in mind; this show could very well change the foundation of WrestleMania as we know it. From title matches that seem like they could go either way, to a historic match that could see any team walk away as champions, Elimination Chamber 2019 is truly an ambitious show in the making, and where there is ambiguity, there's someone somewhere with answers. Most fans don't like to look into rumors due to their inaccuracy most times, and the fact they tend to spoil surprises WWE has planned. But for those who want to get a possible sneak peek of what is going to happen at Elimination Chamber, let us go through some of the most popular rumors that have been circulating the internet. #1 Kevin Owens And Finn Balor: The best friends Do you think this would really happen? WWE has really missed a huge opportunity with Kevin Owens over the last few years, as this was a man that burst onto NXT, dominated the competition, arrived on the main roster, and destroyed John Cena in his first match. Who else has got that type of booking in the last few years? Not many to be honest, and when looking back on KO's five years as a WWE Superstar, it's sad to say, but his career has really been a hit and miss. From being World Champion at one point to being a literal punching bag, Owens has seen the ups and downs of the wrestling business many times in his WWE career, but according to certain rumors - that bumpy road KO is so used to walking on could end very soon. At Elimination Chamber we will see Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush take on Finn Balor in an IC Title handicap match, and even though the odds are stacked against Finn, it seems he could get help from an unlikely source. Apparently, it will be KO coming to Balor's aid, and if that sounds weirder than anything you could imagine, don't worry - many others feel the same way. Babyface Owens sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, as he is such a fantastic heel it's hard to imagine him as anything else, but if WWE keeps one important trait from his heel run, there could be a chance for this to succeed, and that is his logical reasoning. Speaking of logical reasoning, WWE making KO go after Rush and Lashley is understandable, as his kayfabe reason for taking a hiatus was Lashly destroying him on Raw a few months ago. So with that said, could you see this happening? 1 / 5 NEXT<doc-sep>This Sunday's 2019 Elimination Chamber PPV will continue to build up to the biggest WWE show of the summer, WrestleMania 35, with many titles set to be defended at the PPV. The show will see the first-ever women's tag team champions crowned, as three teams from RAW and three teams from SmackDown compete to win the inaugural title. Other big matches of the night will include an Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship, while we'll also see Shane McMahon and The Miz defend their SmackDown tag team titles. Also Read: 5 interferences that could happen at 2019 Elimination Chamber As always, there are many rumours floating about on the 2019 Elimination Chamber PPV. Here are the last-minute rumours of 2019 Elimination Chamber PPV that you need to know about: #1 Seth Rollins to be at Elimination Chamber Rollins is rumoured to have a back injury and will need time to heal and recover 2019 men's Royal Rumble winner, Seth Rollins, does not have a match at 2019 Elimination Chamber, but PWInsider is claiming that The Kingslayer will be at the show. Rollins' WrestleMania 35 opponent, Brock Lesnar, will not feature till the marquee show, as per various reports. Rollins, though, will be a constant feature on RAW every Monday night and is set to be at Elimination Chamber, although PWInsider is reporting that we won't see Rollins wrestling the show. The Architect is rumoured to have a back injury and that he needs time off from wrestling to heal and recover ahead of his huge match at WrestleMania 35 against Brock Lesnar for the Universal title. Also Read: WWE Rumor: Major update on Seth Rollins' injury Rollins may feature in a backstage segment where he could interact with Lesnar's advocate, Paul Heyman, and add spice to their feud. 1 / 4 NEXT<doc-sep>

What's the story? We are only a week removed from Elimination Chamber 2019. Cageside Seats has posted a massive spoiler as we head into the big event. No titles will change hands at the show on the road to WrestleMania. Of course, this does not include the Women's Tag Team Champions who will be crowned on the show. In case you didn't know... Two Elimination Chamber matches will be happening at the pay-per-view event. The first will see 6 men compete for the WWE Championship while the second will see the first Women's Tag Team Champions of the modern era crowned. Ronda Rousey will also defend her RAW Women's Championship against the leader of the Riott Squad- Ruby Riott in a singles match. Buddy Murphy will defend the Cruiserweight Championship against Akira Tozawa as well. There's a lot of speculation about a Lashley vs. Balor Intercontinental Championship doing the rounds too. The heart of the matter It's actually quite obvious if you think about it. Ronda Rousey vs. Becky Lynch is the hot program as we head into WrestleMania 35 and it will not make sense to have Ruby Riott become the RAW Women's Champion. Daniel Bryan has been doing a fantastic job as the WWE Champion and it doesn't make sense to switch titles so soon after he introduced the special eco-friendly Championship. Neither does it make sense to have Tozawa become Cruiserweight Champion when Murphy is clearly the Superstar with more buzz about him. The only title change that potentially makes sense is Balor defeating Lashley if the match is potentially booked. What's next? There's one RAW and one SmackDown Live to go before Elimination Chamber. Expect more matches to be confirmed during the show. The card seems a little underwhelming currently. Do you want to see Ruby Riott become the RAW Women's Champion? Let us know in the comments.

Islamabad: In a media address, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday claimed that two Indian MIGs crossed the Line of Control and they were shot down, as he offered to defuse tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours and resolve the issues through talks. Imran Khan said that they offered every kind of investigation after Pulwama attack in India. He said that Pakistan didn’t take action on Tuesday morning because they weren’t aware of the damage caused by the Indian air strike. "Our action was only intended to convey that if you can come into our country, we can do the same. Two of their MiGs were shot down (in the ensuing action)," Khan said in a live TV address. Khan said, “We did not want to cause much collateral damage in India when there was not much damage on our side. The only motive of Pakistan’s strike on Wednesday was to demonstrate that we have the capability to hit back.” “All the wars have happened due to miscalculation. With all the weapons that Pakistan and India have, can we afford to miscalculate. If we take to war neither I nor Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be in a position to control its course. This is why I suggest that better sense should prevail,” said Imran Khan. "Let's sit together and settle this with talks," he added. His comments came minutes after the External Affairs Ministry in New Delhi said that Pakistan Air Force targeted military installations in India in response to Indian counter-terrorism operations but their attempts were foiled successfully though one Indian pilot is "missing in action".<doc-sep>Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan will stage an emergency parliamentary session and meet with the body in control of Islamabad's nuclear arsenal in response to India's first air strikes on Pakistan since 1971. Key points: Indian fighter jets struck an area 50 kilometres into Pakistan on Tuesday Indian fighter jets struck an area 50 kilometres into Pakistan on Tuesday India said the strike was in response to a terrorist attack that killed 44 Indian police India said the strike was in response to a terrorist attack that killed 44 Indian police Pakistan said its own warplanes had scattered Indian jets, forcing them to drop their payload over uninhabited areas The two nuclear-armed neighbours have fought three wars since partition in 1947, and the majority of them have been over Kashmir — a territory both India and Pakistan claim in full. The air strike near Balakot, a town 50 kilometres into Pakistan from the Indian border, was the deepest raid launched by India since the last of its three wars with Pakistan, but there were competing claims about any damage caused. India said its air force jets hit a training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), the militant group that claimed credit for a February 14 suicide bombing attack that killed more than 44 Indian paramilitary police in Kashmir. Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said "a very large number" of militants were killed in the strikes in north-east Pakistan, which were launched as a result of government intelligence that JeM was planning more attacks "The existence of such training facilities, capable of training hundreds of jihadis, could not have functioned without the knowledge of the Pakistani authorities," Mr Gokhale said. A senior Indian Government source said 300 militants had been killed in the strikes and warplanes had ventured as far as 80 kilometres inside Pakistan, but they provided no evidence. 'You all know what that means' Pakistan said its Prime Minister would "engage with global leadership to expose irresponsible Indian policy". ( Pakistan Press Information Department via AP Pakistan has disputed India's claims of success, and later said that its own warplanes had scattered Indian jets and forced them to drop their payload over uninhabited areas, resulting in zero casualties. An Indian official later said air force jets intercepted Pakistani planes in Kashmir in a separate incident, and said an Indian jet crashed, killing two pilots and a civilian. Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC), comprising top officials including Mr Khan and army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, said the Prime Minister would "engage with global leadership to expose irresponsible Indian policy". A government spokesperson added that a command and control authority meeting, which decides over the use of nuclear weapons, had been convened for Wednesday, and noted: "You all know what that means." Speaking to the ABC's AM program, Dhruva Jaishankar from the Brookings Institute said Pakistan's retort was an attempt to quell further military escalation. "Pakistan has reason to deny and downplay the effectiveness of the strikes," Ms Jaishankar said. "It helps to manage domestic political opinion and ensure that there's not a demand for escalation, and India, I think, has been very clear that something did occur," she said. Indians celebrate Pakistani strike Supporters of India's ruling Bhartiya Janata Party have celebrated the airstrike on Pakistan. ( AP: Altaf Qadri While the results of the strikes in the early hours of Tuesday were disputed, that did not stop many in India from believing their government's version of events. "Modi ji (Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi) has finally done it," said Sandeep Sharma, a driver in the Jammu region of India's border state of Jammu and Kashmir. "There's a lot of anger against Pakistan here." India's opposition leaders, many of whom have banded together against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), congratulated the Indian Air Force (IAF), though they stopped short of praising the Prime Minister. "I salute the pilots of the IAF," Rahul Gandhi, leader of India's main opposition Congress, said in a tweet. In a village 100 metres from the Line of Control that acts as the de facto border with Pakistan, men gathered around a bunker for security forces that is under construction and shouted slogans hailing India. ABC/Reuters<doc-sep>Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan (Source: Twitter/PakPMO) Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan (Source: Twitter/PakPMO) Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday asked the country to remain “prepared for all eventualities” after a special meeting of the National Security Committee hours after Indian air strikes in Balakot inside Pakistan.” Khan’s office said he will “engage with the global leadership to expose irresponsible Indian policy”. Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC), comprising top officials including PM Imran Khan and Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, said in a statement that it “strongly rejected Indian claim of targeting an alleged terrorist camp near Balakot and the claim of heavy casualties.” Watch: India confirms air strike on Jaish-e-Mohammad camp in Pakistan Pakistan’s top security committee said India “committed uncalled for aggression” with the strike and vowed to respond “at the time and place of its choosing”, adding that the action was done for “domestic consumption” in an election year. The Lok Sabha elections are scheduled to be held by May. “Forum (NSC) strongly rejected Indian claim of targeting an alleged terrorist camp near Balakot and the claim of heavy casualties. Once again Indian government has resorted to a self serving, reckless and fictitious claim,” said a statement issued after the NSC meeting in Islamabad. Read | IAF strikes JeM camp in Balakot: Full text of India’s statement It claimed that the “action has been done for domestic consumption being in election environment, putting regional peace and stability at grave risk.” It also invited the world media to see the facts on ground and proposed a visit to the site. India early Tuesday morning carried out a “non-military, preemptive action” against a major terror camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot. The strike was conducted after the government received credible information about “another suicide terror attack” being planned by JeM in various parts of the country. The JeM claimed the responsibility for the Pulwama attack in Kashmir that killed 40 CRPF officers.<doc-sep>Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has refuted India's announcement of a pre-emptive strike on Jaish-e-Mohammed on his country's soil, and called it a "self serving, reckless and fictitious claim". But he also said his country would respond to what he described as "uncalled-for aggression" and asked his compatriots to prepare for "all eventualities". "This action has been done for domestic consumption being in election environment, putting regional peace and stability at grave risk," Imran Khan said in a Facebook post about a National Security Committee meeting held on Tuesday in his office. Those who attended the meeting, he said, "concluded that India has committed uncalled for aggression to which Pakistan shall respond at the time and place of its choosing". "[The] PM has directed that elements of national power including the Armed Forces and the people of Pakistan to remain prepared [sic] for all eventualities," said the statement posted by Khan. India's external affairs ministry said earlier on Tuesday that New Delhi had carried out a non-military, intelligence-led strike on JeM's biggest training camp in Balakot, located in Pakistan. The announcement came 12 days after JeM carried out a suicide bombing in Jammu and Kashmir and killed 40 CRPF soldiers, enraging India. "Credible intelligence was received that JeM was attempting another suicide terror attack in various parts of the country, and the fidayeen jihadis were being trained for this purpose. In the face of imminent danger, a pre-emptive strike became absolutely necessary," Foreign Secretary Vijay Keshav Gokhale said at a news conference. Sources said twelve Mirage 2000 jets from the Indian Air Force carried out a pre-dawn strike after taking off from Gwalior and crossing the Line of Control. Meanwhile Prime Minister Narendra Modi told a rally in Rajasthan -- after news of the strike broke -- that India was in safe hands, and vowed to not "let the country bow down".<doc-sep>

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday called for de-escalation of hostility in the aftermath of Pulwama terror attack. In a televised address, Imran Khan said violation of Indian airspace by Pakistan air force was “a demonstration of our capabilities” after strike by Indian Air Force on Tuesday. He said, “We didn’t take action on Tuesday morning because we weren’t aware of the damage caused by air strike by India. We did not want to cause much collateral damage in India when there was not much damage on our side. The only motive of Pakistan’s strike today was to demonstrate that we have the capability to hit back.” Also watch: Pakistan PM offers talks with India, says ‘better sense should prevail’ He was referring to IAF strike on terror camps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The terror camp was believed to be the biggest training centre of terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed. India’s Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale on Tuesday said that the terror camp was targeted following “credible” intelligence input that Jaish was planning terror attacks in India. The Pakistan prime minister said the country’s air force crossed the Line of Control (LoC) this morning to demonstrate its capability to carry out a similar exercise inside Indian territories. Three Pakistan Air Force aircrafts were reported to have violated Indian airspace. Indian Air Force shot down one F-16 jet of Pakistan whose debris fell on the other side of the LoC, said Raveesh Kumar, external affairs ministry spokesperson. Other aircrafts of Pakistan Air Force were forced to fly back. Kumar said the IAF lost one MiG-21 Bison in the “aerial engagement” with Pakistani air force jets. “One pilot is missing in action,” he told a press conference in New Delhi. Imran Khan, in his statement, claimed that two MiG planes crossed the border in retaliation of Pakistan air force’s action. “They were shot down. The pilots are with us,” he said. Further, Khan appeared to play down the impact of IAF strike saying “not much damage was done” in the exercise. He appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resolve the issues through dialogue. “All the wars have happened due to miscalculation. With all the weapons that you (India) and we (Pakistan) have, can we afford to miscalculate. If it escalates neither I or Mr Narendra Modi would be in a position to control its course. This is why I suggest that better sense should prevail,” Khan said. Khan’s fresh call for dialogue comes in the wake of India’s effort to corner Pakistan among international community in the wake of Pulwama terror attack, in which at least 40 soldiers were killed. Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the attack. In his last televised statement, Khan appeared to ignore the claims made by Jaish. Pakistan has long denied its role in terror acts in India, which has handed it over several dossiers containing evidence of involvement of terror groups working from its soil.

John Moore said he knew he was taking "an important image" when he captured a little girl in tears but that he "could never have expected that it would have had this level of impact." The image shows a 2-year-old Honduran girl crying while her mother is searched and detained, and has become a visual centerpiece in the heated debate over U.S. policy on immigration and family separations. And this week, it was used to create the cover for the July 2 issue of TIME. Moore said he captured the photograph while on an official ride-along with U.S. Border Patrol and that he was "overcome with sadness" when he took it. On TIME magazine's cover, the portion of the picture showing the little girl is isolated to create an illustration. She is seen looking up to President Trump, who is looking down in her direction. The cover features three words of text: "Welcome to America." How does the photographer feel about the use of his image by TIME? Moore said he is glad the picture is bringing attention to the story "whether it's in TIME or any other publication." John Moore/Getty Images Moore, who is a Getty Images special correspondent and senior staff reporter and was interviewed by TIME, did note the importance of the preserving the integrity of the original photo. "Any photojournalist would prefer that a still photo remain as a documentary photo and not part of an illustration. However, I understand their need to try and broaden the story. And so on one hand, I always prefer a photograph to be used with its normal integrity. But on the other, I don't take great exception to them doing an illustration," he said. The cover of the July 2, 2018, issue of TIME. TIME Moore also said he is "pleased that this image has touched so many people's hearts." "I've worked in this business for many years and oftentimes we cover stories that we think are really important but in the end they may not resonate with the public," said Moore. "This image seems to have touched people profoundly and in fact it's a very emotional photograph for me as well." "For ten years covering immigration issues I've tried to humanize a story which is sometimes conveyed by some in the media in very statistical terms, and making photographs, or taking photographs, that make people feel is one way to humanize this issue," he said. "And I think if everyone involved in this debate sees each other as human beings worthy of respect, ultimately we can find humane solutions."<doc-sep>TIME ‘Crying Girl’ Cover’s Truthiness The crying Honduran girl who has become a symbol of a brutal policy actually is not one of its victims. James Joyner · · 27 comments A lot of Republicans in my social media feeds, particularly on Facebook, are chortling over a rather epic blooper on the above TIME cover. WaPo (“Time magazine’s major mistake on the crying-girl cover“): There are examples of children separated from parents who immigrated illegally playing out nationwide. And well-meaning people across the political spectrum have taken a stand and forced change. Unfortunately, they made their most iconic image something that wasn’t a family being separated — and ultimately undermines their cause. The photo of a nearly 2-year-old Honduran girl crying as her mother is being patted down quickly went viral. It has also been used for a Facebook fundraiser to raise more than $18 million to help reunite families who have been separated. And the whole thing culminated in its placement in a photo illustration on the cover of Time magazine. The image features the girl against a red background, with President Trump towering over her and the words “Welcome to America.” The implication was clear: This was a girl who, like 2,500 other children, was being separated from her mother. Time and many others made a decision to suggest that this was an example of Trump uprooting our American ideals. But that’s not what it was. As The Washington Post’s Samantha Schmidt and Kristine Phillips report, the girl’s father says the child and her mother were never separated. U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed it, as did the Honduran deputy foreign minister. That’s rather embarrassing. It’s one thing for thousands of people to retweet a photo without checking to be sure that it’s legit. [Or, as it turns down, a blogger doing this in his spare time; we used the photo here at OTB to illustrate a post on the topic.] But you’d expect better of a major news magazine. But, shockingly, TIME’s initial stance was to double down: Time is standing by its cover. Editor-in-chief Edward Felsenthal says in a statement: “The June 12 photograph of the 2-year-old Honduran girl became the most visible symbol of the ongoing immigration debate in America for a reason: Under the policy enforced by the administration, prior to its reversal this week, those who crossed the border illegally were criminally prosecuted, which in turn resulted in the separation of children and parents. Our cover and our reporting capture the stakes of this moment.” No, goddammit, it doesn’t. It captures something else entirely. The image is a sad one, but it is of a rather standard occurrence at the border: A mother and her daughter attempted to immigrate illegally and were apprehended. The mother, in fact, had tried this before and was deported in 2013. The photo says virtually nothing about Trump’s now-aborted policy. In fact, it’s an example of how not all young children were separated from their parents. As Aaron Blake, who wrote the above-linked WaPo report, observes, Opponents of Trump’s policy will decry all of this fact-checking of the photo as hand-wringing. They’ll point to Trump’s and Sarah Huckabee Sanders’s tweets and say all of this is a meaningless distraction from an awful policy. The tragic scenes still exist — probably some of which look a lot like one in that viral photo — and we still have very little idea how or when these thousands of children are going to be reunited with their parents after Trump’s executive order reversing the policy. […] But forcing action on this policy requires care and credibility. It requires convincing skeptics that you’re not overselling the problem by using misleading information and images. The use of this photo damaged that entire effort — no matter how pristine the motives were. Quite right. Granting that Trump ultimately reversed the policy, people on my Facebook feed now think the entire story is “fake news” because of this one blooper. Eventually, TIME issued a rather tepid correction: “The original version of this story misstated what happened to the girl in the photo after she [was] taken from the scene,” said the correction, which was added to the article shortly after it was published online on Tuesday. “The girl was not carried away screaming by U.S. Border Patrol agents; her mother picked her up and the two were taken away together.” The photographer, John Moore of Getty Images, had noticed the mistake and contacted Time to make the correction, the magazine said. But millions of people saw the cover; dozens will see the correction. In the October 2005 pilot episode of Comedy Central’s “Colbert Report,” Stephen Colbert coined the term truthiness to describe “the belief or assertion that a particular statement is true based on the intuition or perceptions of some individual or individuals, without regard to evidence, logic, intellectual examination, or facts.” While originally satirizing the way conservative news outlets present information, a 2012 study of the phenomenon found that it was real: In four different experiments they discovered that people believe claims are true, regardless of whether they actually are true, when a decorative photograph appears alongside the claim. The work is published online in the Springer journal, Psychonomic Bulletin & Review. “We wanted to examine how the kinds of photos people see every day—the ones that decorate newspaper or TV headlines, for example—might produce “truthiness,” said lead investigator Eryn J. Newman of Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. “We were really surprised by what we found.” In a series of four experiments in both New Zealand and Canada, Newman and colleagues showed people a series of claims such as, “The liquid metal inside a thermometer is magnesium” and asked them to agree or disagree that each claim was true. In some cases, the claim appeared with a decorative photograph that didn’t reveal if the claim was actually true—such as a thermometer. Other claims appeared alone. When a decorative photograph appeared with the claim, people were more likely to agree that the claim was true, regardless of whether it was actually true. Across all the experiments, the findings fit with the idea that photos might help people conjure up images and ideas about the claim more easily than if the claim appeared by itself. “We know that when it’s easy for people to bring information to mind, it ‘feels’ right,” said Newman. The research has important implications for situations in which people encounter decorative photos, such as in the media or in education. “Decorative photos grab people’s attention,” Newman said. “Our research suggests that these photos might have unintended consequences, leading people to accept information because of their feelings rather than the facts.” Of course, truthiness works both ways. In Colbert’s original premise, it was about people believing things because they feel them to be true, facts be damned. The idea that some massive number of dangerous criminals are flooding our streets by posing as refugees is an example of that. Here, though, we have the opposite phenomenon: We have a fact that’s been proven untrue used as an example of a situation that was. That this particular girl was not actually a refugee child separated from her mother by scary US government agents doesn’t negate the fact that some 2500 others were. Alas, however, TIME’s printing of news too good to check will make many believe that the whole thing was a cocked-up story by the liberal media.<doc-sep>TIME’s new cover: A reckoning after Trump's border separation policy: What kind of country are we? https://t.co/U4Uf8bffoR pic.twitter.com/sBCMdHuPGc — TIME (@TIME) June 21, 2018 The image of a crying toddler that has become a symbol of immigrant families was used in TIME Magazine's new cover, which is edited to show President Donald Trump looming over the girl.The cover says simply, "Welcome to America. "In the cover story, TIME examines the president's rhetoric and the ideals associated with it. "For the first 240 years of U.S. history, at least, our most revered chief executives reliably articulated a set of high-minded, humanist values that bound together a diverse nation by naming what we aspired to: democracy, humanity, equality," TIME's Karl Vick wrote in the cover story that goes along with the photo. "With each passing month he (Trump) is testing anew just how far from our founding humanism his "America first" policies can take us. And over the past two months on our southern border, we have seen the result," he wrote.The photo of the little girl was taken by John Moore, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer for Getty Images. He took it during a ride-along with a Customs and Border Patrol agent on June 12. The girl was among a group of women and children gathered on a dirt road that the agents stopped near McAllen, Texas.An agent asked the mother to put the child down, and the little girl immediately started crying. That's when Moore snapped the now-famous photo.TIME's editors said they chose the image because it was so powerful. "This one was tough for me. As soon as it was over, they were put into a van. I had to stop and take deep breaths," Moore told TIME . "All I wanted to do was pick her up. But I couldn't. "Moore said he was able to speak to the mother briefly and learned that the little girl was a 2-year-old from Honduras.Moore, who as a photojournalist has been covering the U.S.-Mexico border for a decade, said he did not see the pair separated but that policy at the time would indicate their separation. "All that happens behind closed doors... We'll never see that," he told ABC News On Wednesday President Trump signed an executive order that he said would end the separation of children from their parents when families cross illegally. "Trump may have backed down on the specific practice of family separation, but the larger question remains," Vick wrote in the cover story. "In the balance between the integrity of the U.S. border with Mexico and a parent's love for a child, where will we come down?"<doc-sep>

The top editor at Time, Edward Felsenthal, on Sunday defended the magazine's controversial cover about the situation at the US-Mexico border. The cover included a now iconic image of a crying child set against a red background, with President Donald Trump looking down at her. Some ---- particularly pro-Trump news outlets ---- have accused the magazine and the mainstream media of misusing the image of the little girl to tell a story about migrant children being separated from their parents and the US and Mexico border. CNN reported Monday that the government said the girl in the photograph was never separated from her mother. The girl's father confirmed to The New York Times on Friday the pair were never separated. But Felsenthal stood by Time's use of the image. He told CNN's Brian Stelter on "Reliable Sources" that the image "symbolized this moment in America." The photograph is of a Honduran toddler in tears, looking up as police detained her mother. It was widely shared by media outlets last week, including CNN, during a wave of backlash against the Trump administration's treatment of undocumented immigrants. It circulated as the separation of children from their parents at the border became a hot-button issue. Related: What the iconic crying girl photo says about press access Time issued a correction to one online story that initially described the image as depicting family separation. (CNN quickly issued a correction on one article Thursday about the Time cover to correctly describe the image of the crying girl.) Felsenthal defended the use of the image on Time's cover last week. "We chose the photo because this little girl became the face of this story on front pages and home pages and TV screens and Facebook feeds," he said. But a barrage of pro-Trump media outlets have pounced on Time and other publications, saying they misrepresented the girl. The Daily Caller wrote: "The media's narrative about family separation at the border has been completely demolished, as the truth behind a viral photo of a crying Honduran child tells a completely different story." Stelter, the host of "Reliable," said the conservative outlets are "using this one issue to try to distract from what is a disgusting situation at the border." The US Department of Homeland security said earlier this month that about 2,000 children had been separated from their parents at the border between April 19 and May 31 of this year. The separations were caused largely by the Trump administration's decision to charge every adult caught illegally crossing the border with a federal crime. Related: Magazine stands by illustration of crying girl next to Trump Stelter suggested to Felsenthal that perhaps the image of the Honduran girl "shouldn't have been the face of this story if she wasn't separated from her mom." Felsenthal replied: "None of us in the media who used the photo knew what had happened to the girl after this precise moment. And I actually think part of the power of the image is that unknown." Felsenthal earlier defended the cover in a statement issued Friday. "The June 12 photograph of the 2-year-old Honduran girl became the most visible symbol of the ongoing immigration debate in America for a reason ... Our cover and our reporting capture the stakes of this moment," he said. —CNN's Tal Kopan contributed to this report.

Sandra Harwitt Special to USA TODAY Sports NEW YORK — World No. 1 and defending champion Rafael Nadal, restricted by a right knee injury, retired from his US Open semifinal against third-seeded Juan Martin del Potro with the Argentine leading 7-6 (7-3), 6-2. “I waited as much as I can,” said Nadal, who acknowledged the knee has been a concern throughout the tournament. “You could imagine very difficult for me to say good-bye before the match finish. But at some point, you have to take a decision. “It was so difficult for me to keep playing that way, having too much pain,” he added. “That was not a tennis match at the end. It was just one player playing, the other one staying on the other side of the court.” When Nadal approached del Potro to say he had no choice but to give up on the match, the two had a rather lengthy conversation and shared a hug on the court. Nadal walked out to an enormous cheer. “Of course, it’s not the best way to win a match,” del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, told the crowd. “I love to play against Rafa because he is the biggest fighter. Don’t like to see him suffer like he was today. Anyway, the key of the match was the first set and we both played good tennis. “I’m so happy to be in the final again.” This is the third time that Nadal has retired in a Grand Slam match and the second this year. He retired this year in the Australian Open quarterfinals, in the fifth set against Marin Cilic. He also retired against Andy Murray in the 2010 Australian Open quarterfinals. For Nadal, there was deep disappointment considering that since his return from missing much of the latter half of the 2016 season to a wrist injury he’s won three of his 17 Grand Slam titles. He won back-to-back French Open trophies which increased his record to 11 French Open victories, and the 2017 US Open. He also advanced to the 2017 Australian Open final. More:Best-of-five or best-of-three? Some argue players, fans better served with shorter matches “I’m having two great years, last year was a fantastic year,” said Nadal, who holds a 45-4 record in matches this season. “This year has been a fantastic year until this moment. I lost four matches, two of them I had to retire. “Negative thing is two of them (I retired in) have been in quarterfinals and semifinals of a Grand Slam, close to fight for the titles. That’s frustrating.“ Nadal, who is a three-time US Open champion, initially seemed fine at the outset of the match, but indicated the problem started again at 2-2, 15-love in the first set. He eventually had the trainer on court after the seventh game of the first set to wrap the knee. A couple of games later he removed the bandage, but then had it back on in the second set. Nadal, who also had his knee wrapped when playing Russian Karen Khachanov in the third round, was able to save two break points with del Potro serving for the first set at 5-4. In the end, he netted a backhand on a third set point at 6-3 in the tiebreaker. Nadal, a clay-court master, already had played nearly 16 hours on the hard court before starting against del Potro on Friday. His epic five-set, nearly five-hour quarterfinal win against Dominic Thiem on Wednesday might have proved too much from which to recover. The match went until after 2 a.m. ET. It’s been nine years since del Potro won his lone Grand Slam title. Soon after he started to suffer from multiple wrist injuries and underwent four wrist surgeries, which played serious havoc with his career. “The worst moment was in 2015 when I was close to quit this sport because I couldn’t find a way to fix my wrist problems,” said del Potro, now enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 3. “I been suffering a lot. I got depressed for couple of months, also. “But I think that is completely in the past, and I’m having a good present, looking forward to the future. I didn’t expect to get this kind of emotions playing tennis again. Reaching finals, winning titles, having my highest ranking ever in this moment, everything is almost perfect.” Having gone through lengthy and serious injuries, Nadal knows what returning to a Grand Slam final must mean to the popular Argentine. “He’s a player that went through a lot of issues during his career like me, too,” Nadal said. “I know how tough is this thing. I know how much frustration can be when you can’t do the thing that you want to do. “For him, it will be huge if he’s able to win again a Grand Slam.” Del Potro will play the winner of the semifinal between sixth-seeded Novak Djokovic and 21st-seeded Kei Nishikori. Contributing: Heather Tucker<doc-sep>Rafael Nadal pulled out of the US Open with a knee injury When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up forfor news on the biggest players and tournaments Nadal’s future was topic of debate on The Tennis Podcast on Friday following his exit from the US Open. The Spaniard withdrew from his semi-final against Juan Martin del Potro in the third set with a knee injury. Law and his co-host Catherine Whitaker were discussing what Rafael Nadal would do once he retires from the game. And Law says he can see the 32-year-old staying involved in tennis and coaching others.<doc-sep>Rafael Nadal was forced to retire from a major showdown for the second time this season, pulling out of his semi-final against Juan Martín del Potro after losing the first two sets. The warning signs were there from the moment when Nadal called the trainer on to the court to apply tape to his cranky right knee, which has been an issue since his third-round match against Karen Khachanov. Coming into this semi-final, he had already spent almost 16 hours on court. And he revealed afterwards that he had felt a sharp pain in his knee as early as the fifth game. “It was very difficult to say goodbye before the match has finished,” said Nadal, who also retired from Australian Open quarter-final against Marin Cilic in January. “But it was not a tennis match at the end. It was one tennis player playing, the other standing at the side of the court.” Del Potro was leading 7-6, 6-2 at the time of Nadal’s retirement, and will now play his first major final since he won the title here in 2009.<doc-sep>US Open: Nadal says he ‘hates retiring’ but pain was too much FREE for news on the biggest players and tournaments SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up forfor news on the biggest players and tournaments When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Nadal was forced to call it a day at two sets down against Juan Martin del Potro during the semi-final in the early hours of the morning. The Spaniard has now had to withdraw from two Grand Slams this year due to injury as his knee problems continue to torment his career. He twice needed medical attention before conceding at Flushing Meadows, sending Del Potro into the final for the first time since 2009 where he will face Novak Djokovic. "It was difficult for me to keep playing. I was in too much pain," said the 32-year-old Spaniard. "It was one player playing and one on the other side of the court. I hate retiring - but to stay one more set out there playing like that is too much for me." He was visibly emotional on court knowing his chance of an 18th Grand Slam was gone. And in the press conference after he was asked if playing on hard courts was difficult because of his condition. All the Spaniard could muster in response was: “It’s okay” before tearing up. Rafael Nadal was reduced to tears when talking about his knee injury Rafael Nadal was reduced to tears when asked about the injury in his press conference Rafael Nadal was in serious pain during his US Open semi-final Nadal won the US Open last year and has won four slams on the hard courts in New York and Australia. But the 32-year-old insists he has to constantly manage his body and stresses the current injury is not one that will need much recovery, just careful management. “Just about do treatment,” he said when asked about the recovery process. “Is not an injury that tells you three weeks off and you are back. Is not an injury that tells you six months off, you are back. “Is maybe an injury that in one week you feel better, is an injury that maybe in six months you don't feel better. Rafael Nadal looked to be in tears on the court when receiving attention US Open: Nadal forced to retire due to knee injury “I know what is going on with the knee. But the good thing is I know how I have to work to be better as soon as possible because we have a lot of experience on that. “I am sure will not be the six months off. I was just making a comparison. Is not an injury like when you break something, something like this. “It is an injury that is a tendinitis. Then is a decision about yourself, about if you want to wait till you feel almost nothing or you want to keep going with pain, so... “Is not the moment to think.” Rafael Nadal was forced to retire from the US Open with a knee injury<doc-sep>

Rafael Nadal was struck with injury at the start of the second set in his semi-final against Juan Martin del Potro 2018 US Open Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 27 August-9 September Coverage: Live radio commentaries on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra and text updates on the BBC Sport website. World number one Rafael Nadal says he "will keep fighting and working hard" after he was forced to retire from his US Open semi-final against Juan Martin del Potro because of a knee injury. The three-time champion retired at the end of the second set with Del Potro leading 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 on Arthur Ashe. "I will keep going. That is all," Nadal said in a post-match press conference. "These moments are tough but I have to keep going and working hard to get more opportunities." Nadal has reached four Grand Slam finals in the last two years - winning the US Open in 2017 and back-to-back French Open titles in 2017 and 2018. The 17-time Grand Slam champion also reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open this year, as well as the semi-finals at Wimbledon. "I am having two great years so I just have to enjoy the moments. This year has been fantastic until this moment," he added. "I am playing the right way and enjoying things. I am having success at the age of 32. A lot of people in this room, including me, didn't think I would be at this level at this age. "I still have a passion for the game so I will keep fighting and working hard." Nadal, who will also miss Spain's Davis Cup semi-final against France next weekend, said he "hated retiring" but was in "too much pain" to continue the defence of his US Open title. The Spaniard has suffered from tendonitis in his knee in the past and spent eight months away from tennis between 2012 and 2013. He missed around three months in 2014 and 2016 because of difficulties with wrist injuries and appendicitis. "All my career everybody said that because of my style, I will have a short career," he added. "But I'm still here." Experience is key to recovery - Nadal Rafael Nadal was on court for around 16 hours throughout the US Open before his retirement in the semi-final The world number one doesn't expect to be out for long and claims his team are "experienced" at dealing with his knee injuries. "I cannot compare the knee with other times as the pain is always very similar. This time it was a little bit more aggressive with my movement," said Nadal. "I don't know what can happen in a couple of days or a couple of weeks. Mentally it is much worse. I know what I have. It is a similar thing to always so it is about good treatment. "It is not an injury that tells you, 'three weeks off, you are back. Six months off you are back.' I know what I have to do to be better as soon as possible. I am sure it will not be six months off of course, I was just making a comparison." Analysis BBC Sport tennis correspondent Russell Fuller Nadal hates retiring but - as he said - there was only one player playing come the end of the second set. There was no way back: not just because of the knee, but because of the way Del Potro was, and has been, playing. Close to abandoning his career in 2015, after a sequence of unsuccessful wrist surgeries, no-one is more deserving of a place in the US Open final. Nadal's cruel luck with injury continues, and who knows whether we will see him again this year? But at 32, and having spent countless weeks and months on the physio's couch, it was reassuring to see him walk straight into the interview room and look to the future. He says he still has the appetite for rehab, and most definitely for more Grand Slam titles.

ALBANY — Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, flanked by Democratic leaders of the state Legislature, on Tuesday night signed into law a series of measures codifying abortion protections and expanding reproductive health rights for women and their health care providers. The vote, made possible by the new Democratic majority in the Senate, came 46 years to the day after the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its landmark Roe v. Wade decision. It also updates state abortion laws that were nearly half a century old and, according to Democratic lawmakers, needed to be changed especially in light of recent changes on the nation's highest court. As he prepared to sign the legislation in the state Capitol's Red Room, which was packed with supporters, the governor thanked Sarah Ragle Weddington, a Texas attorney and law professor who, at the age of 26, represented “Jane Roe” — Norma McCorvey — in the milestone constitutional case in which the Texas woman challenged a state law banning abortion. Weddington, the youngest attorney to successfully argue a case before the Supreme Court, sat next to Cuomo as he signed the bill just before 7 p.m. Earlier in the day, she sat in the front row of the Assembly Parlor as Democratic leaders announced they would pass the measures that make up the Reproductive Health Act. "It's bittersweet. There is a bitterness because we shouldn't be here in the first place," Cuomo said. "We should not have a federal government that is trying to roll back women's rights ... This administration (of President Donald Trump) defies American evolution." Cuomo said he believes that the federal protections of Roe v. Wade are at risk of being overturned with a Supreme Court that, under Trump, has shifted to a more conservative viewpoint. He predicted that this week's 5-4 Supreme Court ruling that temporarily upholds a ban on transgender U.S. military members is a split "you're going to hear over and over." Just before signing the bill, Cuomo presented Weddington with a New York Public Service Award. “When I started working on what became Roe vs. Wade, New York was one of the very few states that women could go to for good legal services,” Weddington said earlier Tuesday. “So I was one of the people helping to raise money for women to be able to get to New York. … So now, to see New York pass a bill so that right is protected, is just a dream come true.” Senate Majority Leader Andrew Stewart-Cousins, who carried a bill on the legislation in 2007, echoed Cuomo's concern that the federal protections are at risk of being overturned and that New York needed to act. "We're saying that here in New York, women's health matters," Stewart-Cousins said. "We're saying here in New York, women's lives matter. We're saying here in New York, women's decisions matter." The Reproductive Health Act does three things. First, it strips abortion from the state's criminal code and places it entirely within the realm of public health law. Second, it expands who can perform the procedure from beyond just physicians to any licensed, certified or authorized health care practitioner for whom abortion is within their scope of practice. Finally, it legalizes abortion after 24 weeks in cases where it would protect a woman's health or where a fetus is not viable. State law previously only allowed abortions after 24 weeks if the woman's life was in jeopardy. The anticipated passage generated passionate debate in the halls of the Capitol Tuesday, where protesters and supporters armed with signs crowded hallways and fired off competing chants and songs. Supporters praised the decision, saying it brings New York into modern times and reassures women who may have feared for their rights under the Trump administration and newly configured Supreme Court. They also said it reassures providers, who previously feared criminal liability in cases where the procedure was performed in line with federal law but not state law. Opponents, which included religious and conservative groups, were bitterly disappointed, claiming the law strips unborn children of their rights and jeopardizes women's health by allowing non-physicians to perform the procedure. They also said it limits options for prosecutors in domestic violence cases. "May almighty God have mercy on the state of New York," someone yelled inside the Senate parlor, after the bill passed and riotous cheers and applause faded. The Senate came out 38-24 in favor of the bill, almost entirely along party lines. The Assembly, which has passed versions of the bill for a dozen years straight, voted 92-47 later Tuesday afternoon after several hours of debate. The last time New York updated its abortion laws was in 1970, to legalize the procedure up to 24 weeks. It was seen as progressive at the time, occurring three years prior to Roe v. Wade and making the state a safe haven for out-of-state women with unwanted pregnancies. Because Roe v. Wade allowed abortions after 24 weeks to preserve a woman's health, Republican state lawmakers frequently argued that New York had no need to update its laws. Federal law trumps state law, and Roe v. Wade was settled law. But the recent appointments of pro-life justices to the Supreme Court had many abortion rights advocates worried, and so the fight for the Reproductive Health Act was taken up anew in New York. After the 2018 midterm elections handed Democrats control of the state Senate for the first time in nearly a decade, Cuomo vowed to pass the bill in the first 30 days of the 2019 legislative session. "We cannot overstate how important it is for all New Yorkers to have the ability to control their own bodies and determine their own destinies," said Robin Chappelle Golston, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts. "As we continue to face challenges to reproductive health care access on the federal level, it is paramount that New York is the beacon and state model of what reproductive health care should be."<doc-sep>State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi recalled her time as an aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. While with the governor's office, she was assigned to work on moving the Reproductive Health Act. On Tuesday, she was one of the Democrats who voted for the bill's passage. "This is a pivotal moment for the women of New York, and it is long overdue," she said. For Stewart-Cousins, it was another vote on legislation that didn't advance in past sessions. The Democratic-led state Senate has already passed election reform bills and legislation to prevent discrimination against transgender people. The measures were blocked by Senate Republicans when they held the majority. Stewart-Cousins recalled sponsoring the Reproductive Health Act and being told in 2007 that it didn't need to be discussed. But with President Donald Trump declaring his support for overturning Roe v. Wade and members of his administration sharing the same view, she believes action needed to be taken to preserve women's reproductive rights. "Today we are saying no. We're saying not here in New York," she said.<doc-sep>NEW A vastly improved search engine helps you find the latest on companies, business leaders, and news more easily.<doc-sep>New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo this morning signed bills into law that ban anti-transgender discrimination and the use of conversion therapy on minors. The state Senate and Assembly had passed both bills January 15. The Gender Identity Non-Discrimination Act, or GENDA, had passed the Assembly in every session since 2008 but had failed to clear the Republican-led Senate. Now Democrats have a majority in both chambers, a key factor in the bill’s success. It adds gender identity and expression to New York's civil rights law, banning discrimination based on these characteristics in employment, housing, and public accommodations. The law had included sexual orientation since 2002. The conversion therapy bill prohibits licensed therapists from subjecting minors to the discredited and harmful practice of trying to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. "As the most progressive state in the nation and as the home of the modern LGBTQ rights movement, New York has always been on the front lines fighting for full protections for every individual," Cuomo said at the signing ceremony at the New York City LGBT Community Center. "By signing into law GENDA and a ban on the fraudulent practice of conversion therapy, we are taking another giant step forward in advancing equal justice for every New Yorker - regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. We are once again sending a clear and proud message that there is no place for hate in our state, and anyone who engages in bigotry and discrimination will be held accountable." In the absence of legislative action, Cuomo had issued executive orders and regulations having the same effect as the two new laws, but those could have been undone by a future governor. New York is now the 20th state, plus the District of Columbia, to have a law banning discrimination based on both sexual orientation and gender identity. One state, Wisconsin, has a law covering sexual orientation only, and several states have bans including both characteristics but covering only state workers. The conversion therapy ban makes New York the 15th state with such a law, and several cities and counties have adopted similar laws. LGBTQ advocates praised both pieces of legislation. “Legal protection from violence and discrimination is part of building an inclusive society where everybody can thrive, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity,” said a statement issued by Sam Brinton, head of advocacy and government affairs for the Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ young people. “The passage of GENDA into law is a tangible sign of hope for the youth who contact the Trevor Project’s crisis intervention services every day. We are grateful to Governor Cuomo for his leadership in signing this important legislation.” Of the conversion therapy ban, he said, “We’re grateful for the governor’s efforts to end this harmful practice via regulation and now official legislation, sending a strong message to LGBTQ youth that they don’t need to fear being subjected to so-called conversion therapy.” "It has been long been overdue for New York State to end the deplorable practice known as conversion therapy, especially given the escalation in attacks coming from this federal administration," Shijuade Kadree, chief advocacy officer of the New York City LGBT Community Center, added in a prepared statement. “We are thrilled that our state electeds have finally demonstrated that they will step up to protect its residents, ridding us of a medically discredited practice that targets the most vulnerable -- our youth -- simply for being themselves. New York has shown that when our federal government fails to protect us, states have the power and promise to advance progressive laws that create affirming spaces for all." Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin issued this statement: “Today, with Governor Cuomo’s signature, New York has made bold, historic progress by making GENDA the law of the land and banning the abusive and life-threatening practice of so-called conversion therapy on LGBTQ youth. These laws will literally save lives, and their passage would not have been possible without the tireless work of advocates and allies across New York over the last decade. We also owe today’s celebration in large part to Senator [Brad] Hoylman and Assemblymembers [Richard] Gottfried and [Deborah] Glick for their strong leadership on this legislation, and to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins, who made them a top priority this session.” This came from Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD: “Governor Andrew Cuomo today reaffirmed what millions of New Yorkers already know: LGBTQ people are born perfect, and our lives should be celebrated – not silenced. At a time when the nation is living with a president whose agenda includes turning back the clock on LGBTQ progress, it’s reassuring to have allies like the New York State Legislature and Governor Cuomo advocating for full acceptance for all marginalized communities.” Watch Cuomo speak on the bills below.<doc-sep>

On Tuesday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed a bill approving sweeping new abortion legislation. Here's what we know The Reproductive Health Act would permit abortions after 24 weeks if the health or life of the mother is at stake. It also allows abortions at any point in a pregnancy if the baby is determined to not be viable outside the womb. It also moved the regulation of abortion from criminal law to public health law. Finally, it changes the law to allow licensed, certified, or authorized health care practitioners to perform abortions, instead of limiting that to only physicians. According to reporting by WNYT-TV, this would include nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The bill passed the New York state Senate by a 38-24 vote and the state Assembly by a vote of 92-47. State Republicans had successfully blocked similar legislation for years, but the 2018 election gave Democrats a comfortable majority in both houses. Despite complaints from pro-choice advocacy groups, New York has one of the highest rates of abortion in the United States. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2013 New York City had an abortion rate equal to 59.8 percent of its live birth rate — higher than the rate of any state in the nation. This means, as pointed out in December 2017 by NewsBusters, that one out of every three babies in New York City ends up aborted. And that was under the previous law that pro-choice groups criticized for being too restrictive. What else? During the signing of this bill, Cuomo thanked Sarah Ragle Weddington, the woman who represented "Jane Roe" in the Roe v. Wade case. Jane Roe herself, whose real name was Norma McCorvey, ended up having her baby and becoming a pro-life advocate. McCorvey would tell the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2005 that she believed she had been "used and abused by the court system in America," adding "instead of helping women in Roe v. Wade, I brought destruction to me and millions of women throughout the nation."

RELATED STORIES Where Did Sabrina Leave Off? Click Here for a Refresher! Where Did Sabrina Leave Off? Click Here for a Refresher! Sabrina Cast Previews 'Darker' Twists in Part 2 We were promised a “darker” turn for Chilling Adventures of Sabrina‘s titular teenage witch in Part 2, and after watching the first hour, I’m wondering how much darker it can possibly get. The premiere of Part 2 — which dropped in full on Friday — found Sabrina abandoning Baxter High to become a full-time student at the Academy of Unseen Arts, much to her Aunt Hilda’s dismay. Hilda even confided in Mrs. Principal Wardwell that she fears Sabrina’s decision marked a “prelude to further, darker changes.” Chilling! And because rocking the boat is among Sabrina’s favorite pastimes, she announced her enrollment by running for “Top Boy,” someone who serves as a liaison between the administration and the student body. The position, as its name suggests, is typically reserved for male students, with none other than Nicholas Scratch running as Sabrina’s sole opponent. As if Sabrina didn’t have enough working against her, she was also being hunted by three kings of hell who attacked her with hordes of rats, bats and flies, all eager to “feast on the flesh of a bastard witch.” Yummy! When Sabrina accused Nick of conjuring them to force her out of the competition, he explained that he didn’t have the power to summon such creatures on his own. Instead, the two prospective Top Boys hijacked the final trial, calling forth the kings of hell to find out who sent them. Unfortunately, they insisted that they answer to no one, adding, “We wish death upon the half-spawn witch and the chaos she engenders. She must be stopped. The half-witch must not ascend!” Gulp! Popular on TVLine As punishment for making a “mockery” of the Academy, Blackwood took Nick and Sabrina out of the running, instead bestowing the title of Top Boy upon… Ambrose? (Yeah, he was just as surprised as you.) The two losers celebrated their mutual defeat with a night on the town, though perhaps they should have paid a visit to Mrs. Wardwell’s house, where she and the Dark Lord were discussing Sabrina’s importance in his master plan. Yikes! Other interesting developments… * While Sabrina was busy toppling the supernatural patriarchy, Susie was doing the same for mortals at Baxter High, trying out for the boys’ basketball team — though it took a little convincing on Principal Wardwell’s part to make that happen. Though she never announced her presence, Sabrina attended Susie’s tryout, whispering a few spells to make sure it was a success. Empowered by this rare win, Susie informed Harvey and Roz that he’d like to be addressed as Theo, a decision they supported. * Speaking of Harvey and Roz, we got a glimpse (via the Cunning) into their future, which apparently involves some against-the-locker kissing! During a recent visit to CAOS‘ Vancouver set, Jaz Sinclair told reporters that the Harvey-Roz pairing “kind of was a surprise,” but that the two are ultimately right for one another. “It almost feels like … an older version of Roz and Harvey come together, because their relationship dynamic is just so different than Sabrina and Harvey,” she said. Added Ross Lynch, “With Sabrina out of the picture, they realize they’ve always been really good friends, they’ve always had a good connection and they quite like each other.” * Lastly, after being called a “wanton hussy” by that unimportant hater Shirley, Zelda sat Father Blackwood down to discuss the state of their literal affair. “I have no shame or regrets, but I must have clarity,” she told him. “Do you plan to make me your ‘Top Lady,’ as it were?” He gave her some B.S. explanation about how they need to keep up appearances, so she put a (temporary) kibosh on all things sexy and secretive. Your thoughts on the premiere of CAOS Part 2? Theo’s announcement? Harvey and Roz’s relationship? Grade “Chapter Twelve: The Epiphany” below, then drop a comment with your full review.<doc-sep>What's Next? Nick is in Hell with Lilith, though she promised Sabrina she would try to make him comfortable while there. Sabrina intends to rescue him regardless, even if doing so means the Dark Lord could escape his body and be back out into the world. That doesn't sound like a plan Nick would be comfortable carrying out, so don't be surprised if he pushes back should the teens actually get into Hell to rescue him.<doc-sep>Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 2 Is Finally Here! What has Sabrina and the rest of the Greendale crew been up to since we last saw them! ? The wait is over, folks! Part 2 of the popular, spooky, and super queer-inclusive Chilling Adventures of Sabrina series has finally dropped on Netflix! wicked witches do it better. CAOS Pt2 is now streaming pic.twitter.com/DGnNZtbKip — Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (@sabrinanetflix) April 5, 2019 It may be a Friday, but tons of the show's most loyal stans are clearing their entire schedules to finally catch up on some new Sabrina episodes! #CAOS season 2 is out so i know what i’ll be doing all day pic.twitter.com/IaOfzsxHPA — daz (@ceIestialangeI) April 5, 2019 Netflix just dropped Sabrina season 2 and I have 3 assignments due next week...so naturally I will be binge watching the fuck out the season bye — A (@adrianpaIaz) April 5, 2019 See ya peeps in a few days time, when I resurface from binge watching every #Sabrina episode back to back. Wish me luck! pic.twitter.com/JjpDccSh5D — Ilona Taylor-Conway (@ConwayIlona) April 5, 2019 see you in 9 hours twitter #CAOS pic.twitter.com/eou4mGxXFo — nic frankel (@livingfrankely) April 5, 2019 So what has Sabrina and the rest of the wicked Greendale crew been up to since we saw them last? We'll have to watch and see! Watch Part 2 of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflix and catch the trailer below!<doc-sep>Entertainment It Might Be Time To Say Goodbye To Sutton & Richard’s Relat... When The Bold Type returns for its fifth and final season, the relationship status of Sutton (Meghann Fahy) and Richard (Sam Page) will most definitely be<doc-sep>

The witch is back on Netflix and she's badder than ever. That's right, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina is set to return to Netflix, and the new season will give fans an even darker, edgier look at the life of teen witch Sabrina Spellman. In the first season of the series, based on show creator's Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's comic of the same name, the half-mortal, half-witch Sabrina — played by Mad Men's Kiernan Shipka — was forced to choose between life as a regular high school student or a nearly immortal and magical life as a witch. It wasn't an easy decision for a 16-year-old to make, and over the course of the season, Sabrina battled through upsets in her friendships, heartbreaks, rivalries and demons before she ultimately gave into her bewitching spirit and signed her name in Satan's Book of the Beast. When Part 2 releases on Netflix, Sabrina will fully embrace her inner witch. Of course, that won't come without her challenging Satan's rules and regulations — just as she did in Part 1. During a panel discussion ahead of the show's premiere on Wednesday, Shipka said her character would continue to "push the boundaries pretty far" in Part 2, Entertainment Weekly reported. More than likely that means Father Blackwood, the high priest of the Church of Night, will have even more trouble controlling Sabrina. The same can likely be said for Madame Satan's attempts to undermine the teen witch. Michelle Gomez, who plays Madame Satan, recently told Newsweek things will get tricky between the women. "Sabrina and Madame Satan really end up confusing each other," she said. "You can't push Sabrina around. It's been difficult to manipulate her to this point, but once she signed her name in the book, what is she going to do with that? And how is Madame Satan going to control her now? I would argue she's not going to be able to, but we'll see what happens in the season. It's almost like Sabrina's an equal." As for Sabrina's friendships, she'll still have the clairvoyant Ros Walker (Jaz Sinclair) and witch-sympathizer Susie Putnam (Lachlan Watson) to lean on in her mortal times of need. Meanwhile, her relationships will become even more complicated as she continues to grow close to warlock Nick Scratch (Gavin Leatherwood) at the Academy of the Unseen Arts, despite still having feelings for her longtime love Harvey Kinkle (Ross Lynch). Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Part 2 will be available for streaming on Netflix on Friday.

The White House has not received or been briefed on the Mueller report as of Sunday morning, a senior administration official tells CNN. President Donald Trump and the aides who traveled with him to Palm Beach, Florida, are still in wait-and-see mode like the rest of Washington. Over the weekend, Trump has voiced uncertainty over what Attorney General William Barr will do next, according to the people familiar with his reaction.<doc-sep>ROBERT MUELLER toiled over his report for two years, slightly longer than it took Herman Melville to write Moby Dick. Mr Mueller’s epic may be the most eagerly anticipated work in American literature, but though he passed it to the attorney-general, William Barr, on Friday March 22nd, it is unclear when or in what form it will be published. Both the president and the House of Representatives have called for the full version to be made public, but the attorney-general must weigh whether to redact parts that infringe the privacy of people it mentions or that reveal intelligence. News coverage:Robert Mueller’s report is complete It is not yet clear whether Mr Mueller’s report contains devastating new evidence against the president, whether it adds nothing to the record, or something in-between. Yet the hundreds of pages of indictments that have already been made public provide a tantalising portrait of the scandals surrounding Mr Trump. And Mr Mueller’s indictments are just part of a wider ecosystem of investigations into the president. The overview is this. The Russian government was running an operation designed to “sow discord in the US political system” through social media from 2014 on, and well before Mr Trump ran for office. In the campaign Mr Trump had business dealings with Russia, specifically for a tall tower in Moscow. The Russian government knew about this, just as Mr Trump denied it. At the same time there were contacts between the campaign and people with access to emails that Russian hackers working for military intelligence had stolen from the Democratic National Committee (DNC). On top of this are possible violations of campaign-finance law springing from a scheme to pay a pornographic actress to keep quiet; using charitable funds for uncharitable purposes; allegations of bank and insurance fraud; and, possibly, bending of the tax laws beyond breaking-point. When lumped together, each individual scandal seems less remarkable than it otherwise would—a reminder that Steve Bannon, once Mr Trump’s campaign chief, boasted of flummoxing the opposition by “flood[ing] the zone with shit.” The flood, however, seems not to have been a tactic so much as a characteristic of the world Mr Trump surrounds himself with. The uses of history One way to put his predicament into context is to compare Mr Trump with other presidents under investigation. This shows three things. First that scandals have a life of their own: investigators, Congress and presidents cannot easily control where they end up. Second that scandals often involve corruption among a president’s friends and associates, but that it is extraordinarily hard to pin their crimes on the man in the Oval Office. And last that Mr Trump stands out as the first president caught up in scandals that implicate a foreign power—and a hostile one at that. The first independent prosecutor to look into a president’s affairs was John Henderson, whom Ulysses S. Grant appointed in 1875 to investigate allegations that whiskey distillers and public officials—among them Orville Babcock, Grant’s friend and private secretary—had conspired to cheat the federal government out of tax revenue. Grant was suspected of nothing more than excessive, perhaps even naive, devotion to friends and family (his brother-in-law helped two friends try to corner the gold market, sparking a financial panic). Though Babcock was acquitted and Henderson sacked, the investigation resulted in 110 convictions and recovered millions in taxes. In the 90 or so years between Grant stepping down and Richard Nixon taking office, four other presidents parried with independent prosecutors. James Garfield and Theodore Roosevelt were both investigated over allegations of corruption in the federal Post Office, resulting in hundreds of convictions. In 1923 Calvin Coolidge appointed a pair of special prosecutors, one from each party, to look into allegations that Albert Fall, the interior secretary, had taken kickbacks from oilmen to obtain drilling rights on federal land—notably a spot called Teapot Dome, in Wyoming, which gave the scandal its name. Silent Cal inherited this particular scandal after Warren Harding, elected president with the help of oil money, died in office (Coolidge was his vice-president). Fall was convicted for bribery and became the first cabinet secretary to go to prison. In 1952 Harry Truman forced the resignation of his attorney-general, who fired an independent prosecutor looking into corruption in the Justice Department. But the Teapot Dome scandal was the apex of presidential malfeasance until Watergate, which also occasioned the appointment of two special prosecutors. On October 20th 1973 Nixon’s attorney-general and deputy attorney-general resigned rather than carry out the president’s order to sack Archibald Cox, the first independent prosecutor, after he subpoenaed Nixon’s White House recordings. Sacking Cox began to turn public opinion against Nixon, who, like Mr Trump, viewed the Justice Department as an instrument of his will rather than affording it its customary measure of independence (which has only grown, by virtue of norms and policies, since Watergate). The thing most people know about Watergate is that it was not the burglary that did for Nixon so much as the cover-up. That is true, but the break-in at the DNC headquarters was hardly trivial. The Trump-Russia scandals also centre on a break-in at DNC headquarters, making Watergate the best reference point when weighing Mr Trump’s scandals. Congress famously asked of Nixon: what did he know? And what did he do to cover it up? For Nixon, the answer to the first was that he did not have advance knowledge of the break-in, but knew about it shortly afterwards, at which point he ought to have called in the police. Then came the cover-up: the use of the CIA to prevent the FBI from investigating; his attempt to present edited versions of his White House tapes as being complete, thereby obstructing justice and holding Congress in contempt. Those tapes also revealed that the president had been keen to set the Internal Revenue Service on his political enemies. Even after all that, only six of the 17 Republican members of the House Judiciary committee were prepared to back a resolution that the president had abused his powers. Yet changes in America’s political culture in the following two decades would make those impeachment votes seem like a golden era of bipartisanship. Two prosecutors also investigated Whitewater, a failed real-estate investment that Bill and Hillary Clinton made in the late 1970s, when he was attorney-general of Arkansas. The first, Robert Fiske junior, lasted just six months before Ken Starr replaced him. Mr Starr’s investigation led to 15 convictions, and sprawled far beyond its original mandate, including into Mr Clinton’s sex life, a turn which ultimately led to his being impeached in the House for lying under oath, and then acquitted in the Senate. Mr Starr, working with the assistance of a young lawyer called Brett Kavanaugh, produced a voluminous report, which the House voted to make public almost immediately. That stands in contrast to the legalistic Watergate equivalent, which was made public only last year, 45 years after its completion. The most striking feature of the investigations into Mr Trump’s campaign is that, unlike the scandals that came before, they involve a hostile foreign power. This matters, and not just because it opens up a question of whether people working to elect the president betrayed their country, either for money or in hope of gaining power or influence. It matters because the founding fathers drew up the impeachment clause with precisely this sort of malfeasance in mind. Impeachment, wrote James Madison, would be appropriate if a president lost his capacity to do the job after being elected, if a president were to take bribes or embezzle money or, worst of all, if he were to “betray his trust to a foreign power”. The Republic is less existentially vulnerable to external enemies now than it was in Madison’s time. But Russia does not aim to conquer democracies, only to degrade them; and had the eagerness of Mr Trump and his retinue to work with a foreign adversary been known before the 2016 election, the result might have been different. Justice Department practice cautions against indicting a sitting president, so the Russia affair poses little legal risk to Mr Trump while he is in office.<doc-sep>Here are the threads Mueller has begun to publicly unravel—and the lingering mysteries that might fall to Congress to solve. Conspiracy To date, Mueller has leveled the conspiracy charges most relevant to the core of his probe—Russia’s election interference—at Russian nationals. In February 2018, his office indicted 13 Russians connected to Russia’s Internet Research Agency, a troll farm based in St. Petersburg that flooded the internet with propaganda and divisive political content leading up to the election. Beginning in 2014, Mueller wrote, the defendants “knowingly and intentionally conspired with each other … to defraud the United States” by influencing U.S. political processes in an operation they dubbed “Project Lakhta.” Two of the defendants, Aleksandra Krylova and Anna Bogacheva, actually traveled to the United States in the summer of 2014 to “gather intelligence” for the project, according to the indictment. The indictment did not make a judgment as to whether the results of the election were impacted, or whether collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia occurred. Months later, and just days before Trump’s bilateral summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland, Mueller pounced again: He indicted 12 Russian military-intelligence officers, alleging that they had hacked the Democratic National Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and top staffers for Hillary Clinton’s campaign. (The entire contents of the Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta’s email inbox, stolen by Russia in March 2016, were dumped by WikiLeaks just minutes after the Access Hollywood tape damaging to Trump was released by The Washington Post.) Read: The House’s latest move could be a big threat to Trump’s presidency Again, though, Mueller stopped short of alleging any kind of coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia. The closest he came was this sentence: “On or about July 27, 2016, the Conspirators attempted after hours to spearphish for the first time email accounts at a domain hosted by a third-party provider and used by Clinton’s personal office” (emphasis mine). By using the words for the first time, Mueller appeared to be emphasizing the fact that the hackers’ activity that day was unique—a significant detail, given another major event that took place on July 27, 2016: Trump’s “Russia, if you’re listening,” speech, in which he implored Moscow to find Clinton’s emails. The closest Mueller has publicly come so far to establishing a link between Trump’s campaign and the Russian hackers is through Roger Stone, a longtime Trump confidant whom Mueller charged in January with obstruction of justice, making false statements to Congress, and witness tampering. In a court filing last month, Mueller linked Stone directly to one of the Russian military-intelligence (GRU) officers, writing that the search warrants his team conducted against the GRU revealed that Guccifer 2.0, a fictitious online persona created by the Russians, “interacted directly with Stone concerning other stolen materials posted separately online.” Stone has said he had “a short and innocuous Direct Message Exchange with Guccifer 2.0” in August 2016, in which Guccifer offered to “help” him. The January indictment of Stone also offered the clearest link yet between the Trump campaign and WikiLeaks, and suggested that the campaign might have known about additional stolen emails before they were released.<doc-sep>

Robert Mueller has completed his Trump-Russia investigation without prosecuting additional associates of the president, and has reported his findings to William Barr, the US attorney general. Barr said in a letter to senior members of Congress on Friday afternoon he had received a report from Mueller, the special counsel, and expected to be able to inform them of its main conclusions “as soon as this weekend”. The attorney general said he would consult Mueller and Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general, to determine what information from the report could be released to the public . “I remain committed to as much transparency as possible,” Barr wrote, adding that he was constrained by law and justice department rules. Senior Democrats and Republicans called for Barr release the report in full. Justice department officials told reporters Mueller had not recommended any further indictments based on his findings, ending intense speculation that more members of Trump’s circle would be prosecuted. Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leaders in Congress, urged the attorney general not to give Trump a “sneak preview” of Mueller’s findings or to allow the White House to interfere in decisions on what information to release. 02:19 Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris react to completion of Trump-Russia inquiry – video The White House press secretary, Sarah Sanders, said Trump had not been briefed on the report. She said: “The next steps are up to Attorney General Barr, and we look forward to the process taking its course.” Mueller’s move brought to an end a sprawling criminal and counterintelligence inquiry that has dominated the first two years of Trump’s presidency, prompting furious attacks from Trump and his allies. The investigation led to the criminal convictions of Trump’s campaign chairman, deputy chairman, personal attorney and two policy advisers. The president’s longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone was also indicted. Mueller’s team secured criminal indictments of others, including more than two dozen Russians accused of involvement in Moscow’s interference in the 2016 US election, which US intelligence agencies concluded was aimed at helping Trump win. Feverish anticipation of the “Mueller report” had grown for months. Critics of Trump hoped for a full public account of any links between his presidential campaign team and the Russian operation, while allies of the president claimed the report would prove there had been “no collusion”. Profile Who is Robert Mueller? Show Background Robert S Mueller III, 74, is a former FBI director who was appointed by George W Bush and held over by Barack Obama beyond his 10-year term. The term extension required special congressional action which the Senate approved 100-0. Previously, Mueller held two different US attorney posts and was an assistant attorney general in the George HW Bush administration. Special counsel Mueller was appointed special counsel in May 2017, eight days after Trump fired FBI director James Comey. A special counsel is a prosecutor appointed in extraordinary circumstances or in cases of conflicts of interest within the justice department. In this case, there was a need for someone to investigate the Russian matter who was not appointed by or beholden to Trump. Mueller’s team of 17 lawyers operates independently of, but (ideally) in cooperation with, Congress, which has three committees conducting investigations in parallel to Mueller. Mueller is expected to submit a report to Congress and may bring criminal charges separately. Mueller has a sizeable budget and an open-ended term. He is specifically authorized to investigate “any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump” plus any matters that “may arise directly from the investigation”. He has the power to prosecute federal crimes. Can he be replaced? In theory, William Barr, the new attorney general, could fire Mueller. Barr, who once criticised Mueller's case as “fatally misconceived”, was asked during his confirmation hearing if he would fire the special counsel without good cause and replied: "I would not carry out that instruction." Although, if Trump wanted to fire Mueller, and Barr was unwilling, Trump could replace Barr. Trump's view Trump has said Mueller “is very, very good friends with [James] Comey, which is very bothersome” but also said “Robert Mueller is an honorable man.” Photograph: Saul Loeb/AFP Was this helpful? Thank you for your feedback. It was not clear on Friday how much detail Mueller’s report contained. He was required by law to tell Barr only why his team of investigators decided to prosecute those people who were charged – and declined to pursue others.

The incident happened when Gianforte was running for Congress. A misdemeanor assault charge is something that most political candidates would like forgotten. That could be the case for Rep. Greg Gianforte, a Republican running for re-election in Montana, who first garnered national headlines in May 2017 when he allegedly body-slammed a reporter. The controversial move was appealing to President Donald Trump, apparently. He praised Gianforte at a rally on Thursday, saying, "Any guy who can do a body slam, he is my type!" Here is a review of the incident in question and the legal actions that followed. The initial incident Reporter Ben Jacobs of The Guardian said he approached Gianforte, a former technology executive, at a meet-and-greet event at the candidate's office in Bozeman, Montana. Jacobs allegedly went up to Gianforte to get his opinion on the Congressional Budget Office's analysis of the American Health Care Act as he was preparing for a television interview. All of a sudden, Gianforte "seemed to just snap," Jacobs said. "He grabbed my recorder, and next thing I knew, I'd gone from being vertical to horizontal on the floor," he told "GMA" shortly after the incident. "He was on top of me and wailing on me," Jacobs added. The Guardian posted an audio recording of the encounter. Gianforte can be heard saying, "We'll talk to you about that later" after Jacobs asks a question. Jacobs asks again and Gianforte refers him to a spokesman. A scuffle ensues. "I'm sick and tired of you guys," Gianforte says. "The last guy who came in here ... did the same thing. Get the hell out of here." After the alleged incident, Jacobs wrote on Twitter, "Greg Gianforte just body slammed me and broke my glasses." Legal repercussions Gianforte was charged with misdemeanor assault, according to the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office. "Following multiple interviews and an investigation by the Gallatin County Sheriff's Office, it was determined there was probable cause to issue a citation to Greg Gianforte for misdemeanor assault," the sheriff's office said in a statement on its website on May 24, 2017. The statement added that the "nature of the injuries did not meet the statutory elements of felony assault." The Associated Press reported that Gianforte pleaded guilty in June 2017, paid a $385 fine, completed 40 hours of community service, 20 hours of anger management training, wrote an apology letter and donated $50,000 to the Committee to Protect Journalists. ABC News' Meridith McGraw, Morgan Winsor, and Adam Kelsey contributed to this report.<doc-sep>MISSOULA, Mont. (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Thursday heaped praise on a U.S. congressman from Montana who body-slammed a reporter during a campaign for a special election in 2017. Trump, who has called the media the enemy of the American people and regularly derides journalists as “fake news,” made his latest remarks during a campaign rally in Montana. Representative Greg Gianforte, who made brief remarks at the rally with Trump, was ordered to perform community service as part of his sentence for attacking Ben Jacobs, a correspondent for Britain’s Guardian newspaper, on May 24, 2017, the day before a special election to fill Montana’s sole congressional seat. “Any guy that can do a body-slam ... is my guy,” Trump told supporters at the rally, adding that he was concerned at first that the incident would jeopardize Gianforte’s campaign. “I said: ‘Oh, this is terrible, he’s going to lose the election.’ Then I said: ‘Well, wait a minute, I know Montana pretty well, I think it might help him,’ and it did,” Trump said. Gianforte, who won the election, pleaded guilty to assaulting a reporter. Trump is on a three-state tour in the western part of the United States advocating for Republican candidates who are running for election in November with the hope of keeping control of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in Republican hands.<doc-sep>WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump praised a Republican congressman who body slammed a reporter last year, saying the lawmaker was "my guy." Trump, speaking at a rally in Montana, said Rep. Greg Gianforte, who pleaded guilty to assaulting a reporter who asked him a question, was a good guy. "Greg is smart and, by the way, never wrestle him," the president said, motioning as though he was slamming someone to the ground. "Any guy that can do a body slam — he's my guy." He added Gianforte was a "great guy" and a "tough cookie." In May 2017, Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs said Gianforte "body slammed" him for asking a question during an event. Gianforte went on to win Montana's only U.S. House seat despite the misdemeanor charge and two Montana papers — the Missoulian and the Billings Gazette — rescinding their endorsements. Gianforte's campaign initially released a statement claiming Jacobs had "aggressively shoved a recorder in Greg's face" and instigated the attack. Gianforte later pleaded guilty to an assault charge and apologized for the incident, pledging a $50,000 donation to the Committee to Protect Journalists. More:Trump claims Democrats wanted caravan, ups immigration rhetoric ahead of western swing More:Trump stops rally to say hurricanes helped prove his hair is real Gianforte is in a battle against Democrat and former state legislator Kathleen Williams in next month's election. Guardian Editor John Mulholland denounced the president's praise for the assault as an attack on the First Amendment. "The President of the United States tonight applauded the assault on an American journalist who works for the Guardian," he said in a statement given to CNN. "To celebrate an attack on a journalist who was simply doing his job is an attack on the First Amendment by someone who has taken an oath to defend it." Mulholland continued, saying the rhetoric was dangerous, especially given the disappearance of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, who is believed to have been killed in the Saudi consulate in Turkey. Mulholland said this "runs the risk of inviting other assaults on journalists both here and across the world where they often face far greater threats. We hope decent people will denounce these comments and that the president will see fit to apologize for them.” More:Mont. Republican Greg Gianforte apologizes for assaulting Guardian reporter More:Greg Gianforte's assault on a journalist is an assault on all Americans More:Gianforte, charged with assaulting reporter, wins House seat in Montana special election During the rally, Trump talked about learning of the assault and said he initially worried Gianforte would lose his election last year. "I said, 'Oh, this is terrible. He's going to lose the election,"' Trump told the crowd. "Then I said, 'Well, wait a minute. I know Montana pretty well. I think it might help him and it did.'" Throughout his rally, the president made several remarks about Gianforte's attack on Jacobs. He cited the incident when he mentioned comments by former Vice President Joe Biden, who said that if he'd known Trump in high school he would have "beat the hell out of" him. The president challenged Biden during the rally, saying "He'd be down faster than Greg would take him down. He'd be down so fast. Faster than Greg. I'd have to go very fast. I'd have to immediately connect." Contributing: The Associated Press, David Jackson.<doc-sep>MISSOULA, Mont. — President Trump praised a Republican candidate’s assault last year on a reporter and fumed over his Democratic opponents here on Thursday night in a freewheeling rally meant to mobilize his base’s support in the coming midterm elections. In urging the crowd to vote for Representative Greg Gianforte, who is running for re-election and who was sentenced to anger management classes and community service for assaulting a reporter last spring, Mr. Trump jokingly warned the crowd to “never wrestle him.” “I had heard he body-slammed a reporter,” Mr. Trump said, noting that he was initially concerned that Mr. Gianforte would lose in a special election last May. “I said, ‘Wait a minute. I know Montana pretty well; I think it might help him.’ And it did.” “Anybody that can do a body-slam,” the president added, “that’s my kind of guy.” Mr. Trump made no mention at the rally of Jamal Khashoggi, a dissident Saudi journalist and columnist for The Washington Post, who disappeared this month after visiting the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. United States intelligence officials say Mr. Khashoggi was most likely killed by Saudi officials.<doc-sep>

"No, no. Not at all," Trump responded when asked if he regretted his comments at a campaign rally the previous night. ADVERTISEMENT The president said Friday that Gianforte's assault of a reporter last year was in "a different world" and "a different league" than what happened to Khashoggi, a dissident journalist who was allegedly murdered by a team of Saudi agents inside his country's consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. The president on Thursday night called the Montana congressman, who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault last year for body-slamming Guardian reporter Ben Jacobs, "a great guy" and said his rally in the Big Sky State was a "tremendous success." "That was a tremendous success last night in Montana and Greg is a tremendous person and he’s a tough cookie, but I’ll stay with that," Trump said Friday. The president triggered another controversy over his attitudes toward the news media when he brought up the Gianforte assault in front of a raucous crowd of supporters at the rally. "I heard that he had body-slammed a reporter," Trump said. "I said, 'Oh, this is terrible, he’s going to lose the election.' But then I said, 'Well, wait a minute, I know Montana pretty well, I think it might help him,' and it did." The comments provoked laughter from rally-goers and condemnation from news media organizations. "All Americans should recoil from the president's praise for a violent assault on a reporter doing his Constitutionally protected job. This amounts to the celebration of a crime by someone sworn to uphold our laws and an attack on the First Amendment by someone who has solemnly pledged to defend it," said Olivier Knox, president of the White House Correspondents' Association. Trump's heated rhetoric about the media has helped fuel scrutiny of Trump's handling of the Khashoggi case. The president on Friday said it is still “too early” to draw conclusions about the case, but opened the door to using sanctions as a potential punishment for anyone found responsible for the journalist's fate. “Could be,” he said when asked about possible sanctions, adding that he would “very much listen” to lawmakers in crafting a U.S. response. “It's something that we don’t like, very serious stuff, and we’re going to get to the bottom of it,” he said. Critics have accused the president of trying to protect Saudi Arabia from being held accountable and being more concerned about the U.S.'s geopolitical relationship with the kingdom than its human rights record.

A fleet of Mirage 2000 deep-penetration fighter jets assisted by other assets of the Indian Air Force carried out the pre-dawn strike on the biggest terror camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror outfit in Pakistan, government sources said. The JeM had taken responsibility for the February 14 suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. The sources said the Mirage 2000 multi-role aircraft was chosen for the strike for its capability to hit targets with “pin-point” accuracy. A number of other assets and platforms of the IAF were also used in the operation, first inside Pakistan after the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Follow live updates here India currently has around three squadrons of Mirage 2000 fighter jets manufactured by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation. The squadrons are based in Gwalior. The Mirage 2000 is a French multi-role, single-engine fighter jet which is capable of dropping a range of bombs and missiles including laser-guided bombs. The Mirage 2000s are fitted with Thales RDY 2 radar which can strike at targets with 100 per cent accuracy, said an IAF official on condition of anonymity. The aircraft was preferred as it is capable of long-range engagement of targets and the assessment was that it can record 100 per cent success rate. India had inducted the Mirage jets around 30 years back and they are being upgraded at a cost of around Rs 20,000 crore. Also Read | IAF air strikes across LoC: Nation in safe hands, says PM Narendra Modi The sources said India will have a much wider choice of aircraft to carry out precision strikes when Rafale jets are inducted into the IAF as they are capable of hitting targets at longer range. India is procuring 36 Rafale jets at a cost of Rs 58,000 crore and the first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered in September. It is not clear whether the fleet of Mirage 2000s flew directly from Gwalior or they took off from other bases to carry out the strike. In a statement, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said India struck the biggest training camp of JeM in Balakot and that a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for fidayeen action were eliminated. “This facility at Balakot was headed by Maulana Yosuf Azhar alias Ustad Ghouri, the brother-in-law of Masood Azhar, chief of JeM,” he said. Also Read | Yusuf Azhar, 1999 plane hijacker, headed Balakot Jaish camp hit by IAF Though there is no official confirmation, sources indicated that Yosuf Azhar was killed in the strike along with 350 other terrorists. He is understood to be involved in the hijacking of the Indian Airlines flight IC-814 in December 1999. “The Government of India is firmly and resolutely committed to taking all necessary measures to fight the menace of terrorism. Hence this non-military preemptive action was specifically targeted at the JeM camp,” said Gokhale. “The selection of the target was also conditioned by our desire to avoid civilian casualties. The facility is located in thick forest on a hilltop far away from any civilian presence,” he added.<doc-sep>New Delhi, Feb 26: Twelve days after ghastly terror attack in Pulwama, a group of Mirage 2000 Indian Fighter jets struck a major terrorist camp across the LoC on Tuesday. The Mirage 2000 is a jet fighter made by Dassault aviation of France. The Dassault is also the maker of Rafale, which is embroiled in controversy now. In 1999, when the Kargil War broke out, the Mirage 2000 performed remarkably well during the whole conflict in the high Himalayas, even though the Mirages supplied to India had limited air interdiction capability and had to be heavily modified to drop laser-guided bombs as well as conventional unguided bombs. Also read: LIVE: India hits back, 3 JeM camps at Ballot, Chakoti, Muzaffarabad destroyed Armed with Paveway LGBs, the aircraft were involved in the destruction of enemy command bunkers. During Operation Safed Sagar from June-July 1999, two Mirage squadrons flew a total of 514 sorties. No. 1 Squadron flew air defence and strike escort missions, while No. 7 Squadron conducted 240 strike missions during which it dropped 55,000 kg (121,000 lb) of ordnance. Upgraded Mirage 2000: The Indian Air Force received the first two upgraded Mirage-2000 aircrafts from France under a Rs 10,000 crore deal in July 2018. The two upgraded aircraft, flown in by IAF pilots from France covering Greece, Egypt and Qatar in over seven days, landed at the Gwalior Air Force Station. The contract for upgradation was signed with Thales Aeroportes Systems and Dassault Aviation of France. Specifications: Countries of Origin: France Builder team: Dassault Aviation, SNECMA, Thomson-CSF First flight: March, 1978 [Mirage 2000C] February, 1991 [Mirage 2000D] In-service in the French Air Force: Summer 1983 [Mirage 2000C], April, 1993 [Mirage 2000D] Similar Aircraft: Mirage III/5, Kfir andViggen Crew: One Mirage 2000N & 2000D -- two [ 1 pilot + 1 navigation and weapon officer] Role: Interceptor [Mirage 2000C] All weather night and day missions such as Battlefield Air Interdiction (BAI) [Mirage 2000D] Story continues Major operational capabilities: [Mirage 2000D] Automated terrain following at very high speed and very low altitude, All-weather night and day bombing capability, High precision all weather day/night bombing with Thomson-CSF PDL-CT (With PTI inputs) Also Read: Rafale: Politics aside, SC has protected national security, Air Marshal B K Pandey Bigger, better, deadlier: Why the air strike is more lethal than the surgical strike J&K: Pakistan violates ceasefire in Nowshera Sector in Rajouri district<doc-sep>The F-16 (Right) is still used in a full-fledged combat missions while the Mirage 2000 (Left) is a fast, interceptor jet fighter. At least 12 Mirage 2000 multirole fighter jets, manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under license from Dassault Aviation, on Tuesday (February 26) carried out a bombing operation to decimate multiple terror training camps across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan. The aircraft played a pivotal role in the Kargil war of 1999 and helped sway the battle in India's favour by dropping laser-guided bombs on the peaks occupied by Pakistani intruders during the high-altitude conflict. Although several advanced aircraft like Sukhoi Su-30MKI and MiG 29 have been inducted in the IAF over the years, the Mirage 2000 has been one of the most instrumental interceptor jets in IAF's history. IAF airstrike in Pakistan LIVE Updates Considered to be a fast-paced bomber aircraft, the Mirage 2000 took its first flight in 1978. After its induction into IAF, it was called the Vajra. India had initially ordered some 36 single-seater Mirage 2000 aircraft and 4 twin-seater Mirage 2000 aircraft as a response to Pakistan's acquisition of US-made F-16 Falcon fighter jets-the same fighter aircraft Pakistan claims was used to challenge the IAF during today's operation. The F-16 Falcon, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is an equally efficient fighter jet which is still in service. Some experts consider this aircraft as one of the most prolific jets in service. Apart from the US, at least 25 other countries use the F-16. Mirage 2000 vs F16 Falcon The Mirage 2000, also known as the Dassault Mirage 2000, is a single-engine fourth generation aircraft manufactured by Dassault Aviation, the same company which signed the Rafale aircraft deal with India. The lightweight fighter jet was designed in the late 1970s to replace the existing Mirage III. With time, the aircraft was upgraded to serve as a multirole fighter jet after it was initially inducted into the French Air Force in July 1984. Some of the primary users of this aircraft are France, UAE, Egypt, Peru, Greece, Taiwan, Brazil, and India. At least 600 units were built by France. The F-16 Falcon, on the other hand, is a single-engine supersonic multirole fighter, which was manufactured by General Dynamics, now Lockheed Martin for the US Air Force (USAF). A total of 4,500 aircraft have been manufactured since it was first introduced in 1976. It is popular for being an all-weather multirole aircraft as it offers better visibility than many of its direct competitors. Key features (engine, arms capacity) Mirage 2000 The Mirage 2000 is available in single-seat or twin-seat multi-role fighter variants. It has a length of approximately 48 feet and a wingspan of 29 feet. The height of the Mirage 2000 is 17 feet. While it weighs approximately 7,500 kilograms without load, a fully packed jet could have a weight of 13,800 kilograms. In terms of performance, the Mirage 2000 can reach top speeds of up to Mach 2.2 or 2,336 km/hour at high altitude while it can reach up to 1,110 km/hour in low altitude. It has a flight range of 1,550 kilometres along with a drop tank or an external fuel tank which can be jettisoned when empty. It has a ferry range of 3,335 km with auxiliary fuel. In terms of armaments, the Mirage 2000 has two 30 mm DEFA 554 revolver cannon. Each gun contains approximately 125 rounds and can be used for air-to-air combat. There are a total of nine hardpoints or weapon stations, designed to carry external weapons or fuel. The total capacity of the hardpoints maxes out at 6,300 kilograms. It is also capable of launching unguided Matra 68 mm rocket and has a capacity of 18 rockets per pod rockets. It is also capable of launching Air-to-Air and Air-to-Surface missiles. But the aircraft is mainly known for its capability of carrying out bombing operations. A single aircraft can hold at least 2 laser-guided bombs, capable of taking out major ground targets. Since a large number of weapons can be stored on this aircraft, the swift Mirage 2000 can definitely be used efficiently in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat. It also boasts of a multi-target radar, allowing a pilot to keep a tab on multiple enemies during high-intensity combat. F-16 Falcon The F-16 Falcon is a single-engine aircraft but is better suited for air-to-air combat due to its high maneuvering capability. The multi-role tactical aircraft has a sleek design--though not as sharp as the advanced F-22 Raptor or the F-35--and uses advanced aerodynamics and avionics. Worth mentioning that it was the first aircraft built to pull 9-g manoeuvres, reaching maximum speeds of over Mach 2. Some of the key innovations in F16 include a frameless bubble canopy for better visibility, side-mounted control stick and reclined seat to reduce g-force effects on pilot. The F-16's cockpit is still praised for the clear field of view it offers; pilots can get a 360-degree view during combat, thus greatly improving accuracy. It is armed with a better M61 Vulcan cannon (20mm) in the left wing root and has multiple hardpoints for mounting a wide array of missiles, bombs, and pods. The internal Vulcan cannon on the F16 has an extremely high rate of firing (6,000 rounds per minute). This aircraft has an edge over the Mirage 2000 due to its ability to accelerate vertically. While earlier F-16s could be armed with up to six AIM-9 Sidewinder heat-seeking short-range air-to-air missiles (AAM), it is also capable of launching guided AIM-7 Sparrow medium-range air-to-air missiles. Recent versions of the F-16 aircraft also support AIM-120 AMRAAMs. It can carry a wide variety of air-to-ground missiles, rockets or bombs, electronic jammers. It has a total of 9 hardpoints-six under the wings, two under the wingtips and one under the fuselage. With a combat radius of 550 km with 450 kg of bombs, the aircraft is ideal for medium-range missions; it also has some key features that can fox the Mirage 2000 in direct air-to-air combat. It even boasts of more weapon storage capacity than the Mirage.<doc-sep>In the early hours of Tuesday, 12 Indian Air Force Mirage-2000 fighter jets from Dassault Aviation, the French company who also manufactures the Rafale Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircrafts, entered Pakistani airspace and dropped 1,000-kg laser-guided bombs on Jaish-e-Mohammed terror launch pads across the Line of Control. The Mirage-2000 are the same jets that helped India win the Kargil war. Indian government sources told CNN-News18 that there were over 200 casualties in the strike, which targeted the biggest JeM hideout in Balakot in a counter-terrorism operation. On Wednesday, there were reports that Pakistan Air Force has deployed its F-16 Falcon fighter jets, made by U.S. based Lockheed Martin. As a matter of fact India placed an order of 40 Mirage-2000 in 1982 as an answer to Pakistan buying F-16 fighter jets. Here’s how the Indian Air Force Mirage-2000 and Pakistan Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon stack against each other? A Pakistan Air Force crew chief performs a post flight inspection on a F-16 Flacon at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. (Image: US Air Force Photo by Lawrence Crespo) Origin & History Mirage-2000: The Mirage-2000 is undoubtedly one of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) most versatile and deadliest aircraft and it was first commissioned in 1985. Soon after inducting the Mirage, IAF gave it the name – Vajra – meaning lightening thunderbolt in Sanskrit. The Mirage-2000 is developed by Dassault Aviation and took its first flight in 1978 and was inducted in the French Air Force in 1984. The Mirage-2000 played a decisive role in the 1999 war of Kargil and seeing the success of the jets, the government in India placed an additional order of 10 Mirage-2000 planes in 2004, taking the total tally to 50 jets. Dassault built an estimated 580 Mirage-2000s over a course of 30 years before replacing it with the Rafael MMC jets. F-16 Fighting Falcon: The F-16 which is also called Fighting Falcon or Viper is known for its agility and is an after-product of Vietnam and Korean wars. The F-16 is a brainchild of Colonel John Boyd, who along with mathematician Thomas Christie and other innovators secured the U.S. DOD funding for General Dynamics and Northrop to design a lightweight agile aircraft. The result, as we know, is the F-16 fighter jet, which is now manufactured by Lockheed Martin, who bought the business from GD. The Pakistan Air Force took deliveries of the F-16 in early 80s and used them extensively during Soviet-Afghan war. PAF uses the F-16C/D variants of this multirole combat aircrafts. Mirage 2000. (Image: IAF) Specification Mirage-2000: The Mirage-2000 uses a single shaft engine that is light and simple as compared to other fighter jet engines and is called SNECMA M53. The majority of the Mirage 2000 is powered by the SNECMA M53-P2 engine and is rated at 65 kN (15,000 lbf) in dry thrust and 95 kN (21,000 lbf) in afterburner. The Mirage is ideally designed to seat single fighter pilot, but can be made into a twin seat jet depending on armed forces' requirements. It has a length of 14.36 metre and a wingspan of 91.3 metre. The plane weighs 7500 kg (dry) and has a total takeoff weight of 17000 kg. The Mirage 2000 has a maximum speed of Mach 2.2 (2336 kmph) and can travel 1550 km with drop tanks. The flight height is capped at 59000 ft (17km). The Mirage 2000 has a fly-by-wire flight control system and has a Sextant VE-130 HUD, which displays data related to flight control, navigation, target engagement, and weapon firing. In terms of the armament, the Mirage 2000 can carry laser guided bombs, air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles and has a Thomson-CSF RDY (Radar Doppler Multi-target) radar on board. F-16 Fighting Falcon: The F-16 Falcon is available in both single-seat and double seat configuration (C/D) and is a single engine aircraft. The fighter jet came into limelight when it became the first aircraft to pull 9-g manoeuvres, reaching a maximum speed over Mach 2. It has maximum high speed of 2120 kmph, a length of 15.06 metre and a wingspan of 9.96 metre. The plane weighs 8570 kg (dry) and has a maximum takeoff weight of 19200 kg. The Falcon uses a Pratt & Whitney F110-PW-220E engine, which is an upgraded version of Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-200 engines with which the F-16 C/D were initially powered. The F-16 offered many innovations like the frameless bubble canopy for better visibility, side-mounted control stick and reclined seat to reduce g-force effects on the pilot. The F-16 can carry rockets, air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface missiles and air-to-ship missiles along with a wide variety of bombs and also has a radar on-board. File photo of Mirage air crafts. (Image: AFP PHOTO) Countries using Mirage 2000 Apart from India, Dassault sold the Mirage 2000 to 8 other countries, including the home country of France, Egypt, UAE, Peru, Taiwan, Peru, Greece and Brazil. While Brazil has retired the Mirage 2000, other counties are still using this jet. A total of 583 Mirage 2000 fighter jets were built over a course of 30 years and its successor Rafael has already been ordered by the IAF. Countries using F-16 The F-16 Fighting Falcon is the world's most numerous fixed-wing aircraft in military service and a total of 4,500 aircraft have been manufactured till now. Pakistan Air Force is using an estimated 75 F-16s along with 25 other countries, including NATO members like Turkey, Belgium, Norway and United States, with the USAF being the biggest user of the F-16 Fighter Falcon. Lockheed Martin F-16. (Image: Lockheed Martin) Summary While the Mirage-2000 is both faster and lighter, F-16 can outpower the former in the air-to-air combat, thanks to better agility and better weapon carrying capacity. The popular all-weather multirole aircraft also has a better visibility (near 360 degrees) than many of its direct competitors. However, the Mirage-2000 can carry laser guided bombs a reason why the Indian Air Force used it for the recent strike on the Jaish terror network in PoK.<doc-sep>

Why Mirage 2000? Here's a brief history about the fighter aircraft: Specifications of the fighter jet, also called 'Vajra' (thunderbolt): (With PTI inputs) NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out strikes at one of the biggest terror camps of Jaish-e-Mohammed in a "non-military", "pre-emptive" action in Pakistan's Balakot region. Defence sources have said that a fleet of Mirage 2000 carried out the exercise and pounded the terror camp with bombs and levelled it.The terror group had taken responsibility for the February 14 suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama in which 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives. The government sources said the Mirage 2000 multi-role aircraft was chosen for the strike for its capability to hit targets with "pin-point" accuracy.A number of other assets and platforms of the IAF were also used in the operation, first inside Pakistan after the 1971 Indo-Pak war. * The Mirage 2000 is a multi-role, single-engine fighter jet which is capable of dropping a range of bombs and missiles including laser-guided bombs. * The Mirage 2000s are fitted with Thales RDY (radar doppler multi-target) 2 radar which can strike at targets with 100 per cent accuracy, said an IAF official on condition of anonymity. * The aircraft was preferred as it is capable of long-range engagement of targets and the assessment was that it can record 100 per cent success rate. * Mirage 2000 started its innings with the IAF in the year 1985. * The fighter jet played a decisive role in the 1999 Kargil war and turned it in our favour. * After that, the government placed order for more such aircrafts in 2004. * In July 2011, Centre approved a $2.2 billion upgrade package for its Mirage 2000s. * The jet is available in single-seater and two-seater options. * Maximum climbing speed: 60,000 feet per minute and designed for all weather penetration at low altitude. * Maker: Dassault Aviation of France (same company which manufactures Rafale aircraft)* After the upgradation, the jet got additional features like a night vision goggle-compatible glass cockpit, advanced navigational systems, advanced identification friend or foe (IFF) system, advanced multi-mode multi-layered radar, fully integrated electronic warfare suite and advanced beyond visual range (BVR) capability. * The jet has a length of 14.36 metre and a wingspan of 91.3 metre; it weighs 7500 kg (dry) and has a total takeoff weight of 17000 kg. * Apart from India, Dassault sold the Mirage 2000 to eight other countries, including France, Egypt, UAE, Peru, Taiwan, Peru, Greece and Brazil. * A total of 583 Mirage-2000 fighter jets were built over a course of 30 years. * India currently has around three squadrons of Mirage 2000 fighter jets manufactured by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation. The squadrons are based in Gwalior.The government sources also said India will have a much wider choice of aircraft to carry out precision strikes when Rafale jets are inducted into the IAF as they are capable of hitting targets at longer range. India is procuring 36 Rafale jets at a cost of Rs 58,000 crore and the first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered in September.It is not clear whether the fleet of Mirage 2000s flew directly from Gwalior or they took off from other bases to carry out the strike.

A funeral was held for the three children of Anne and Anders Holch Povlsen who were killed in the Sri Lanka bombings on Easter Sunday. Photo: Mega Denmark is mourning the loss of three of its citizens, the children of ASOS billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen, who were killed in the Sri Lanka bombings last month. A funeral service was held at Aarhus Cathedral in Denmark at the weekend, and was attended by Crown Princess Mary, as well as the Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen. Australian-born Mary and her children were moved by the service, and stood with their heads bowed as Anders, his wife Anne, and their only surviving child Astrid, farewelled the three siblings. At one point, Mary put her hand to her eldest daughter Princess Isabella’s face to comfort and console her. Alfred, Alma and Agnes Povlsen were killed in the Easter Sunday terror attacks while their family was holidaying in Sri Lanka. Supported by her parents, Astrid released a bunch of balloons in their honour. The Danish royals attended the service, with Princess Mary seen comforting her children. Photo: Getty Anders, Denmark’s richest man, CEO of fashion company Bestseller and the largest shareholder of fashion website ASOS, described losing three of their four children as “completely incomprehensible” in a separate memorial service held last week. His words were read out by a priest at the memorial held in the town of Brande. “The loss of our beloved children Alma, Agnes and Alfred is completely incomprehensible,” he said. “With the many lovely people we have around us, close friends, talented colleagues and our loving family we will come together through it. “We greatly appreciate the humanity that is also shown in Brande tonight - not only to our families and children, but to all the victims of the cruel acts in Sri Lanka.”<doc-sep>Advertisement A funeral service has been held for the three children of the Asos billionaire who were killed in the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka. Fashion tycoon Anders Holch Povlsen was seen comforting his wife Anne and daughter Astrid as the flower-covered coffins of his three children Alfred, Alma and Agnes emerged from their hearses at Aarhus Cathedral in Denmark. Astrid was seen walking with her parents towards one of the three hearses to cut a bouquet of balloons from a coffin. Today's service was attended by members of the Danish Royal Family and the country's Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen. Crown Princess Mary could be seen holding her daughter Princess Isabella as she was flanked by her son Prince Vincent and daughter Princess Josephine. At a memorial service last week Mr Povlsen described the family's loss as 'utterly incomprehensible' but thanked family, friends and neighbours in the Danish town of Brande for their love and support and promised to come through the tragedy 'together'. He was staying with his family at the Shangri-La Hotel in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo when it was hit by suicide bombers Zahran Hashim, suspected plot mastermind, and Ilham Ibrahim, the son of a millionaire spice merchant. His son Alfred and two daughters Alma and Agnes were killed in the blast, while his third daughter Astrid survived. It is thought he was injured in the attacks himself, though it is not clear how seriously he was hurt. Flowers are pictured covering the coffins of ASOS billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen's three children Alfred, Alma and Agnes as they arrive at Aarhus Catherdral in Denmark today. He is pictured with his daughter Astrid, who survived and his wife Anne Anders Holch Povlsen and his wife Anne accompany their surviving daughter Astrid as she prepares to cut a bouquet of balloons from one of the coffins Anders Holch Povlsen and his wife Anne stand before the three flower-adorned coffins of their children as their surviving daughter Astrid holds a bouquet of balloons outside Aarhus Cathedral Anders Holch Povlsen, his wife Anne and their surviving daughter Astrid walk towards the three hearses of their murdered children Alfred, Alma and Agnes Anders Holch Povlsen and his wife Anne watch as their surviving daughter Astrid releases the bouquet of balloons into the air outside the cathedral The bouquet of balloons floats into the sky as a choir sings outside the cathedral in Aarhus at the funeral service The coffins are carried out of Aarhus Cathedral by family and friends of the children after the funeral on Saturday The coffins adorned with flowers and framed pictures of the children were carried out by family and friends of the victims The girls' coffins were covered with pink and purple balloons along with their smiling faces in picture frames Alfred's coffin with a bouquet of balloons attached and blue flowers was the first to be carried from the cathedral followed by those of his sisters Anders Holch Povlsen and his wife Anne accompany their surviving daughter Astrid outside Aarhus Cathedral in Denmark on Saturday Anders Holch Povlsen and his wife Anne walk across the cobbles outside the church with their surviving daughter Astrid Anders Holch Povlsen and his Anne and daughter Astrid stand outside the Aarhus cathedral (far right) as the bishop looks on at their coffins One of the children's white coffins adorned with pink flowers after its arrival ahead of the funeral at Aarhus Catheral in Denmark One of the children's white coffins adorned with blue flowers has a bouquet of balloons attached to it which young Astrid Holch Povlsen cut with a pair of scissors One of the children's white coffins adorned with purple flowers after its arrival ahead of the funeral at Aarhus Catheral in Denmark Denmark's Crown Princess Mary (pictured centre) and her children Princess Isabella (centre being held by her mother), Prince Vincent (left), and Princess Josephine (right) attended the funeral service for the three children The wife of Asos tycoon Anders Holch Povlsen, Anne, is pictured holding back tears as she watches her children's coffins emerge, embracing her husband and surviving daughter Astrid Denmark's Crown Princess Mary consoles her daughter Princess Isabella outside the cathedral Denmark's ambassador to India, Peter Taksøe-Jensen, confirmed that one family member was injured but was discharged and returned home. At a memorial service in Brande, Denmark, last Thursday, the family expressed their loss as 'utterly incomprehensible' in a text message. Reading the message to a crowd of around 700 well-wishers, pastor Arne Holst-Larsen said: 'The loss of our beloved children Alma, Agnes and Alfred are completely incomprehensible. 'With the many lovely people we have around us, close friends, talented colleagues and our loving family we will come together through it. 'We greatly appreciate the humanity that is also shown in Brande tonight - not only to our families and children, but to all the victims of the cruel acts in Sri Lanka.' Mr Povlsen's children were killed just days after he revealed plans to hand his Scottish estates to them, in the hope they'd carry on his legacy of conservation. Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen (right) also attended the funeral today where hundreds paid their respects Other mourners outside Aarhus cathedral on Saturday as friends and family of the Holch Povlsen family paid their respects He has been working via his Wildland project to 'rewild' parts of Scotland, bringing back endangered species by reviving long-lost habitats. In an open letter posted on the firm's website, Mr Povlsen and wife Anne Storm Pedersen wrote that the project will take longer than a lifetime to complete and so would be carried on by their children after they died. He wrote: 'From our home at Glenfeshie, both Anne and myself – our children and our parents too – have long enjoyed a deep connection with this magnificent landscape. 'As the holdings have grown and our common vision for the work becomes ever clearer, we have incorporated the entirety of the project into a venture we call Wildland. 'It's a significant and lifelong commitment that we have made - not just for ourselves but for the Scottish people and Scottish nature too - a commitment which we believe in deeply. An emotional funeral service is being held for the three children of the billionaire Asos tycoon who were killed in the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka Friends and family left floral arrangements outside the church in Aarhus, Denmark, earlier today as Anders Holch Povlsen held a funeral for his son Alfred and daughters Alma and Agnes today Mr Povlsen was staying with his family at the Shangri-La Hotel in the capital of Colombo when it was hit by suicide bombers Zahran Hashim, suspected plot mastermind, and Ilham Ibrahim, the son of a millionaire spice merchant It is thought he was injured in the attacks himself, though it is not clear how seriously he was hurt Povlsen, 46, and Anne Storm Pedersen, pictured together, met when Anne began working in sales for Bestseller Pictured are daughters Astrid and Agnes alongside son Alfred, in an image taken by daughter Alma. Mr Povlsen has confirmed that Agnes, Alfred and Alma died in the terror attack, while Astrid survived Mr Povlsen and his wife described the loss of their three children as 'utterly incomprehensible' but vowed to overcome the tragedy 'together' (pictured are Astrid, Agnes and Alfred in an image taken by Alma) The Shangri La Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka is pictured after it was targeted by two suicide bombers on Easter Sunday morning Mr Povlsen was staying with his family at the Shangri-La Hotel in the capital of Colombo, when it was targeted by two suicide bombers identified as suspected plot mastermind Zahran Hashim and Ilham Ibrahim Sri Lankan Police officers inspects a blast spot at the Shangri-la hotel in Colombo a day after a bomb ripped through the building on Easter Sunday A map showing where the eight blasts went off, six of them in very quick succession on Easter Sunday morning 'We wish to restore our parts of the Highlands to their former magnificent natural state and repair the harm that man has inflicted on them.<doc-sep>A funeral has been held for three children of Denmark's wealthiest man, after they were killed in the Easter Sunday bomb attacks in Sri Lanka. Anders Holch Povlsen, 46, was seen comforting his wife and their surviving daughter at the service. The coffins of his three children, named Alfred, Alma and Agnes, were seen covered in flowers outside Aarhus Cathedral on Sunday. It has previously been suggested Mr Povlsen was hurt in the blast, at the Shangri La Hotel in Colmbo, himself but it is not clear to what extent. A funeral service for the three children of Anders Holch Povlsen (R) and his wife Anne (C) is held at Aarhus Catherdral in Aarhus / EPA Denmark's prime minister and members of the Danish royal family were in attendance at Saturday's service. Povlsen, 46, is behind the fashion brand Asos and with his wife Anne holds more than 200,000 acres of the Scottish Highlands. eDanish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen (r) arrives for the funeral service / AP Jesper Stubkier, a spokesman for Mr Holch Povlsen's wholesale fashion business Bestseller, previously confirmed the couple lost three children in the Easter Sunday attacks. Nine bombers co-ordinated blasts targeting churches and hotels frequented by foreign tourists. One suicide bomber reportedly educated in the UK was radicalised after leaving Britain, his sister said. It is believed Islamic State was behind the April 21 attacks, which killed more than 250 people including 42 foreign nationals and the group has claimed responsibility. In an update on investigations into the attack, Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena said: "There are another 25-30 suspects still at large, but there is no information yet to say these suspects are suicide bombers." Scores of suspected Islamists have been arrested after the Easter attacks, which shattered the relative peace enjoyed by the multi-ethnic nation since a civil war ended a decade ago.<doc-sep>

Billionaire ASOS tycoon held a somber funeral service on Saturday for his three children who were killed in the deadly Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka. Anders Holch Povlsen lost his daughters Alma and Agnes and son Alfred in the coordinated terror attacks against Christians last month. Astrid, his third daughter, survived the ordeal, Daily Mail reports. The funeral was held in Aarhus, Denmark, after memorial services near the ASOS headquarters in Brande and the Aarhus suburb of Stavtrup earlier this week. It was attended by members of the Danish Royal Family and the country's Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen. Suicide bombers Zahran Hashim, suspected plot mastermind, and Ilham Ibrahim, the son of a millionaire spice merchant, conducted the serial blasts when Povlsen was staying with his family at the Shangri-La Hotel in the capital of Colombo - which was one of the targets. While it is unclear if Povlsen was hurt during the attacks, Peter Taksøe-Jensen, Denmark's ambassador to India, did confirm that one family member was injured but was discharged soon after. The family expressed their loss as "utterly incomprehensible" at a memorial service in Brande, Denmark, last week. Pastor Arne Holst-Larsen read the message to a crowd of around 700 well-wishers: "The loss of our beloved children Alma, Agnes and Alfred are completely incomprehensible. With the many lovely people we have around us, close friends, talented colleagues and our loving family we will come together through it. We greatly appreciate the humanity that is also shown in Brande tonight - not only to our families and children, but to all the victims of the cruel acts in Sri Lanka." Priests gather in front of a coffin during the religious mass at St Sebastian's Church on April 23, 2019, in Negombo, Sri Lanka. (Photo by Atul Loke/Getty Images) Povlsen had revealed plans to hand his sprawling Scottish estates to his children just days before they were killed. At the time, he hoped they would carry on his legacy of conserving the environment. The Danish billionaire has been working hard to bring back endangered species in parts of Scotland by reviving long-lost habitats via his Wildland project. Povlsen and wife Anne Storm Pedersen wrote in an open letter posted on the project's website that it will take longer than a lifetime to complete and so would be carried on by their children after them. "It's a significant and lifelong commitment that we have made - not just for ourselves but for the Scottish people and Scottish nature too - a commitment which we believe in deeply," they wrote. "We wish to restore our parts of the Highlands to their former magnificent natural state and repair the harm that man has inflicted on them."

Game #1 Buffalo Sabres (0-0-0) vs New Jersey Devils (0-0-0) Puck Drop: 7:00 PM | HARBORCENTER | Buffalo, NY TV: Sabres.com SB Nation Devils Blog: All About The Jersey What to Watch For 1. Dahlin’s debut Sabres fans will finally get to see 2018 first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin play in his first real game action wearing the blue and gold. If practice is any indication, he’ll be playing on the top pair with Will Borgen. 2. Strong top line The top line the Sabres will put out there tonight may be a glimpse of a line we’ll see down the road in the NHL. Casey Mittelstadt will center Swedish sniper Victor Olofsson and newly acquired Tage Thompson. If that line can click over the weekend, it’ll bring some more intrigue to training camp. 3. Ty Smith The Devils will showcase their 2018 first-round pick, Ty Smith, this weekend. The 17th overall pick is an extremely smooth skater with high offensive upside. He’ll be another player to keep an eye tonight for entertainment purposes. UPDATE: Players unlikely to play tonight are Guhle, Stephens, Bisson, Atwal, Glotov, Eiserman and Peterson according to reports from practice this morning. Projected Lines: 41 Victor Olofsson - 37 Casey Mittelstadt - 72 Tage Thompson 70 Alex Nylander - 74 Rasmus Asplund - 52 Andrew Oglevie 83 Shane Eiserman - 77 Vasily Glotov - 75 Judd Peterson 73 Matej Pekar - 86 Kevin Hancock - 79 Cole Coskey 76 Pascal Aquin - 78 Myles Powell - 46 Eric Cornel 26 Rasmus Dahlin - 33 Will Borgen 45 Brendan Guhle - 67 Arvin Atwal 44 Brandon Hickey - 58 Oskari Laaksonen 24 Lawrence Pilut - 84 Nicholas Welsh 61 Devante Stephens - Tobie Bisson 70 1 Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen 34 Jonas Johansson<doc-sep>If you come across a Sabres fan pinching themselves tomorrow, do not be alarmed. It’s likely they’re doing their best to make sure they’re not dreaming following a 6-4 victory over the New Jersey Devils in the team’s first matchup at this season’s Prospects Challenge. Going into the game, there were certainly high expectations for first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin. In case you missed it, he got his first goal in a Sabres uniform, his first game winning goal as a Buffalo Sabre, and led all scorers on the night with three points. It wasn’t a pretty win for Buffalo, who saw a fair share of gaffes in the second period that allowed Jersey to hang around. In the end, though, a tight third period gave the Sabres’ prospects the edge and the first win of the season. The young Sabres demonstrated equal parts speed and physicality in the first period, and though both teams had several chances, Buffalo broke open the scoring at the 17:31 mark with a Cole Koskey goal at even strength. In what would become a recurring theme, the Devils tied the game less than 90 seconds later, when Brett Seney scored the team’s only power play goal of the game. The period ended in the 1-1 tie, with New Jersey holding a slight advantage in shots. The second period was a wide-open free for all that saw the Sabres’ penalty kill outscore the power play units of the Devils. The first goal of the period came from Rochester Americans standout Victor Olofsson, who took a nice pass from Rasmus Asplund to beat the Devils’ goaltender. Again, it wouldn’t take long for the Devils to tie the game - 35 seconds later, Nathan Bastian tied the game with 12:23 remaining in the frame. In another fantastic effort from Asplund, Alex Nylander scored his first of the night, shorthanded. Asplund out-battled the Devil’s penalty kill to give Nylander time to get to the net. Once the pass was on his stick, Nylander played goalie Mackenzie Blackwood like a puppet until he had enough space to bury the puck. Buffalo scored again a minute later when Dahlin picked up his first of the night; a shot from the point that errantly deflected past Blackwood. It wouldn’t be a minute before New Jersey buried two goals behind Jonas Johansson, tying the game at four. The second period ended with the two teams knotted. Clearly, the Sabres made the right adjustments in the second intermission. The team outshot the Devils for the first time all game, ending the third period up 13-8, despite being short-handed for a full two minutes. Dahlin scored at 4:26 to take the 5-4 lead, and Tage Thompson scored an impressive shortie to seal the deal for Buffalo. The scoresheet doesn’t necessarily indicate the flow of the game. Buffalo seemed to dominate for the most part, with all of the Devils’ goals coming amidst brief confusion. While not mistake-free, the Sabres’ prospects put on a solid show against players of similar age. The true test will be when the players face the older, bigger competition of the NHL. Final: Sabres 6, Devils 4 Shots on Goal: Sabres 32 | Devils 34 Sabres Goal Scorers: Coskey (1), Olofsson (1), Nylander (1), Dahlin (1,2), Thompson (1) Devils Goal Scorers: Seney (1), Bastion (1), White (1) and Zetterlund (1) Three Stars of the Game 1. Rasmus Dahlin (2 G, 1 A) 2. Rasmus Asplund (2 A) 3. Tage Thompson (1 G)<doc-sep>In a game filled with goals, hits, action, and a few odd occurrences, the New Jersey Devils fell to the Buffalo Sabres, 4-6, in their first game of the 2018 Prospect Challenge. It was a very entertaining and fast pre-preseason game. The home fans - the Challenge is based in the Harborcenter in Buffalo - were sent home happy and the Devils put up a fight all the way through. The Buffalo Sabres have one of the best prospect systems in the NHL and it was easy to see why tonight. Their roster for the 2018 Prospect Challenge featured many of their name players in their pipeline: Rasmus Dahlin, Casey Mittelstadt, Rasmus Asplund, and Victor Olofsson. Add in Tage Thompson, who played in the NHL for half of last season, on top of several other solid picks and developing players and that’s a tough group on paper. On the ice, they were mostly a better team from start to finish. Their passes were better. Their puck control was better. They committed fewer and less costly turnovers. They appeared to have more attack time than New Jersey. They definitely had more odd-man rushes and breakaways. Their special teams were better. Most importantly, their best players on paper were the best players on the ice. As much as I hate to rely on the eye test, it was clear to anyone with two working eyes that Buffalo has some NHL-ready players. While both teams had mostly AHL-level rosters, this only made the Sabres’ best stand out even more. This may have been a pre-preseason game, but I think we will see some of these players in Buffalo blue and gold against New Jersey later this year. Dahlin definitely will. Mittelstadt and Thompson better. Asplund and Olofsson should as well. And even some of the “lesser” names like William Borgen may get some longer looks in training camp if they keep up their game from this one. The Devils put up an effort and really made the game interesting by responding quickly to the Sabres’ first four goals. The Devils never led in the game, but the Sabres only led in the third period for more than a couple minutes at a time. Scoring went 0-1, 1-1, intermission, 1-2, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4, 3-4, and 4-4. Both teams’ coaching staffs will not have a lot of nice things to say about the defensive performance in front of the net. Unfortunately for New Jersey, Buffalo went up in the third and never really looked back. They battled but it was not enough. Before I get into the details of the game, I would like to express my disappointment with the New Jersey Devils organization and the Buffalo Sabres organization. Last year, the Prospect Challenge was easily able to be followed online through a video stream. This year, the Devils did not stream this game and if the Devils Insiders are correct, they will not stream tomorrow’s game against Pittsburgh or the Monday morning game against Boston. In fact, the Devils only hosted Buffalo’s stream - which had blackout restrictions. What were these restrictions? I have no clue. There were fans in New Jersey who could not see this game. There were fans way outside of New Jersey and New York who could not see this game. I imagine where also fans in New York who could not see this game either. These are prospect exhibition games. They were not on TV at all! How in the world can anyone justify a blackout restriction for these games? Especially when there were not any last year. Yet, the Devils and the Sabres have been hyping up the Prospect Challenge on social media and on their sites. As this is the first real set of hockey games for both teams since April 2018, people were excited. You can’t hype up an event and then throw it to a stream that not everyone can see for no rhyme or reason and also having no news about the other two is a big disappointment. I hate the [Current Year] argument, but it rings true here: It’s 2018, show the games. Nobody wants to follow a Devils’ employee feed to know what is happening with players we want to see! I hope the Devils can correct matters by their 3:30 PM game against Pittsburgh and the Sabres can drop their stupid, stupid, stupid blackout restriction. Now that I’m done ranting, let’s talk about the game. The Story of the Game: The Sabres took control early on with the Devils struggling to establish offensive pressure or puck control. But they would get their licks in here and there. They also did a good job initially to deny Buffalo from a great chance or a great look. Mackenzie Blackwood looked solid early on as well. The scoring opened up with a miscue by Colton White. A puck popped up towards the slot. While off-balance, White tried to palm it away. He missed and tried to pass it to Xavier Bernard - and missed wildly. Matej Pekar beat Bernard to the sideboards and moved the puck to the corner. There, Kevin Hancock flung a pass to the circle to an open Cole Coskey. Coskey threaded in a one-timer to the near post for the game’s first goal. Not a bad goal to allow, but a bad decision by White that created the play. A little later, the Devils had a power play situation thanks to Rasmus Dahlin taking a holding call. It was one of the very few mistakes he made tonight. Brett Seney led a break out, gained the zone, and left a drop pass for Yaran Sharangovich. As Seney wheeled around to get to the net, Sharangovich made a pass to Joey Anderson entering the slot. Anderson did not cleanly knock it forward but got enough of it for Seney to get the puck. While skating across, Seney took a touch, and tucked in a backhander past Johan Johansson for a goal before he was taken down. It was very nice finish by the speedy winger. Here’s a clip by the Devils Insiders:<doc-sep>The pre-preseason series that is the Prospect Challenge continues on at the Harborcenter in Buffalo. This afternoon matchup is a divisional game - in that both teams are in the same division. The Time: 3:30 PM ET The Broadcast? : Who knows? The Matchup: The New Jersey Devils vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins (SBN Blog: PensBurgh) The Series Preview: No, there still will not be a game preview. I did write this preview for the whole three-game, prospect-specific series. Please check that out to get caught up on what this is all about and who will be present for New Jersey. Whoever was not in the lineup yesterday may get a shot today. If not, then maybe on Monday morning. (Yes, morning. I still cannot get over that.) The Penguins Prospects to Know: Here’s the list from the Penguins’ official website. The standouts on paper are forward Jordy Bellerive, 2018 drafted defenseman Calen Addison, and forward Sam Miletic. The Goal: No injuries and play well. Expect to see this in the next Gamethread too. The Song of the Day: Is there a more important band to have ever come out of Holmdel, New Jersey? If there is, well, they probably did not give you good advice about pedestrian safety that also makes you want to join a circle pit. From the mighty full length album The Posi-Machine, this is “Cross At the Green (Not In Between).” The Rules: As usual, keep it clean, respect your fellow Devils fan, and keep it relevant to the game. Go Devils.<doc-sep>

Welcome back to hockey. Welcome back to Gamethreads. These are posts where you can discuss the game as it happens. This pre-preseason series is the Prospect Challenge, hosted by Buffalo. The Time: 7:00 PM ET The Broadcast: The Sabres’ official site will have one for all three Buffalo games in this series. So, please go to the Sabres’ site. The Matchup: The New Jersey Devils vs. the Buffalo Sabres (SBN Blog: Die by the Blade) The Series Preview: No, there will not be a game preview. I did write this preview for the whole three-game, prospect-specific series. Please check that out to get caught up on what this is all about and who will be present for New Jersey. Whoever is not in the lineup tonight may get a shot tomorrow or on Monday morning. (Yes, morning. I still cannot get over that.) The Potential Debuts: If Ty Smith plays, it will be his Prospects Challenge debut for the Devils. The same will apply for the following non-invitees: Joey Anderson, Yegor Sharangovich, Mitchell Hoelscher, Fabian Zetterlund, Akira Schmid, Brett Seney, Tariq Hammond, Xavier Bernard, and Cam Johnson. I hope I didn’t miss anyone. The Sabres Prospects to Know: Here’s the list from the Sabres’ official website. I would expect tonight to be the debut of 2018 #1 draft pick, defenseman Rasmus Dahlin. I suspect he will do quite well because he oozes talent. Also expect to see Casey Mittelstadt, Alex Nylander, Brendan Ghule, and actual NHLer Tage Thompson among others. The Goal: No injuries and play well. Expect to see this in the next two Gamethreads. The Song of the Night: Since this is all about the youth, let’s go with the sounds of one of the most aware and important of youth crew bands from the late 1980s. From New Jersey, that band is, of course, Crucial Youth. From the Straight and Loud! 7” EP, this is “Just Say No, Be Just Like Me and Mr. T.” (Yes, this is two songs smashed together and I don’t care because it’s C.Y.) The Rules: As usual, keep it clean, respect your fellow Devils fan, and keep it relevant to the game. Go Devils.

For most of the history of powered flight, the United States has been a world leader in aviation. This nation’s aviation regulatory body, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has long been the gold standard of safety regulation in global aviation, often a template for other nations to follow in technical and safety matters. Boeing BA, +0.26% has long been the world’s preeminent airplane maker. But now, our credibility as leaders in aviation is being damaged. Boeing and the FAA have been found wanting in this ugly saga that began years ago but has come home to roost with two terrible fatal crashes, with no survivors, in less than five months, on a new airplane type, the Boeing 737 Max 8, something that is unprecedented in modern aviation history. “ ‘For too many years, the FAA has not been provided budgets sufficient to ensure appropriate oversight of a rapidly growing global aviation industry.’ ” For too many years, the FAA has not been provided budgets sufficient to ensure appropriate oversight of a rapidly growing global aviation industry. Staffing has not been adequate for FAA employees to oversee much of the critically important work of validating and approving aircraft certification. Instead, much of the work has been outsourced by designating aircraft manufacturer employees to do the work on behalf of the FAA. This, of course, has created inherent conflicts of interest, when employees working for the company whose products must be certified to meet safety standards are the ones doing much of the work of certifying them. There simply are not nearly enough FAA employees to do this important work in-house. Also see: FAA on Boeing 737 Max: Certification process ‘consistently produced safe aircraft designs’ To make matters worse, there is too cozy a relationship between the industry and the regulators. And in too many cases, FAA employees who rightly called for stricter compliance with safety standards and more rigorous design choices have been overruled by FAA management, often under corporate or political pressure. Let me be clear, without effective leadership and support from political leaders in the administration, the FAA does not have sufficient independence to be able to do its job, which is to keep air travelers and crews safe. Oversight must mean accountability, or it means nothing. “ ‘Boeing, in developing the 737 Max 8, obviously felt intense competitive pressure to get the new aircraft to market as quickly as possible.’ ” Boeing, in developing the 737 Max 8, obviously felt intense competitive pressure to get the new aircraft to market as quickly as possible. When flight testing revealed an issue with meeting the certification standards, they developed a fix, Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), but did not tell airline pilots about it. In mitigating one risk, they seem to have created another, greater risk. After the crash of Lion Air 610 last October, it was apparent that this new risk needed to be effectively addressed. It has been reported that Boeing pushed back in discussions with the FAA about the extent of changes that would be required, and after the second crash, of Ethiopian 302, the Boeing CEO reached out to the U.S. President to try to keep the 737 Max 8 from being grounded in the U.S. The new fix still has not been fielded, nearly five months after Lion Air. It almost certainly could have been done sooner, and should have been. See also: Here’s what Wall Street hopes for Boeing in the wake of the 737 Max grounding Boeing has focused on trying to protect its product and defend its stance, but the best way, indeed the only way, to really protect one’s brand or product is to protect the people who use it. We must not forget that the basis of business, what makes business possible, is trust. Estimates are that Boeing likely will face additional costs of several billion dollars because of these recent crashes and the decisions made several years ago that led up to them. This case is a validation of something that I have long understood, that there is a strong business case for quality and safety, that it is always better and cheaper to do it right instead of doing it wrong and trying to repair the damage after the fact, and when lives are lost, there is no way to repair the damage. And in this ultra-cost-competitive global aviation industry, when it comes to costs, nothing is more costly than an accident. Nothing. Capt. “Sully” Sullenberger is a safety expert, author and speaker on leadership and culture. He is also a retired airline pilot who, on Jan. 15, 2009, safely landed US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in New York when both engines lost power after they were struck by a flock of birds. All 155 people on board survived. Barron’s Group Experts is a commentary series produced by Barron’s and MarketWatch.<doc-sep>The airline pilot who successfully landed a passenger jet in the Hudson River 10 years ago is speaking out regarding what he sees was a dangerous lack of training for one of the pilots on the Ethiopian Airlines plane that crashed last weekend. Captain Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger, who retired in 2010 after a 30-year career, noted in a Facebook post that the first officer on the doomed flight of the now-grounded Boeing 737 MAX 8 had just 200 hours of flight experience. "I feel sure that the Ethiopian crew would have tried to do everything they were able to do to avoid the accident. It has been reported that the first officer on that flight had only 200 hours of flight experience, a small fraction of the minimum in the U.S., and an absurdly low amount for someone in the cockpit of a jet airliner," Sullenberger wrote. "A cockpit crew must be a team of experts, not a captain and an apprentice. In extreme emergencies, when there is not time for discussion or for the captain to direct every action of the first officer, pilots must be able to intuitively know what to do to work together. They must be able to collaborate wordlessly. Someone with only 200 hours would not know how to do that or even to do that." Sullenberger went on to say that pilots with a limited amount of flight experience might not even have any time flying in bad weather, let alone dealing with an in-flight emergency. "Airlines have a corporate obligation not to put pilots in that position of great responsibility before they are able to be fully ready," he wrote. "While we don't know what role, if any, pilot experience played in this most recent tragedy, it should always remain a top priority at every airline. Everyone who flies depends upon it." The Ethiopian Airlines crash was the second deadly incident of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 since October. The plane has since been grounded worldwide as investigators work to figure out what happened so engineers can design a potential fix.<doc-sep>

Capt. Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, the retired airline pilot who landed a passenger jet in the Hudson River after both of its engines went out, argues in a new column the "ugly saga" involving Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has resulted in two deadly crashes of the 737 Max 8 plane. Sullenberger wrote an opinion piece for MarketWatch and said the crashes — which occurred last week and in October — have hampered the public's trust in the system. "But now, our credibility as leaders in aviation is being damaged. Boeing and the FAA have been found wanting in this ugly saga that began years ago but has come home to roost with two terrible fatal crashes, with no survivors, in less than five months, on a new airplane type, the Boeing 737 Max 8, something that is unprecedented in modern aviation history," Sullenberger wrote. Sullenberger, a former military fighter pilot who later spent 30 years flying commercially for U.S. Airways before his 2010 retirement, then accused the federal government of supplying the FAA with too small a budget that has prevented the agency from doing its job. "For too many years, the FAA has not been provided budgets sufficient to ensure appropriate oversight of a rapidly growing global aviation industry," he wrote. "Instead, much of the work has been outsourced by designating aircraft manufacturer employees to do the work on behalf of the FAA. This, of course, has created inherent conflicts of interest, when employees working for the company whose products must be certified to meet safety standards are the ones doing much of the work of certifying them. "To make matters worse, there is too cozy a relationship between the industry and the regulators." An anti-stall system on the Boeing 737 Max 8 is the suspected cause of the November crash of a Lion Air flight, and investigators looking at the most recent crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight believe there are similarities between the two incidents that killed everyone onboard. "When flight testing revealed an issue with meeting the certification standards, [Boeing] developed a fix, Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), but did not tell airline pilots about it," Sullenberger wrote. "In mitigating one risk, they seem to have created another, greater risk."

VATICAN CITY — Cloistered inside the Vatican on Thursday, Roman Catholic Church leaders heard searing prerecorded video testimonials from abuse survivors, including one made pregnant three times by a priest who started abusing her at age 15, beat her and forced her to have abortions. “Victims need to be believed,” another person pleaded by video, urging bishops and other church leaders to work with civil authorities to hold sexually deviant clerics accountable. Outside the Vatican walls, clusters of people who have suffered abuse in the Catholic Church hovered near news conferences, gave hours’ worth of interviews, observed vigils and planned a Saturday march. Many expressed exasperation and little optimism that an extraordinary four-day meeting of bishops and other participants convened by Pope Francis to grapple with clerical child sexual abuse would lead to even basic changes.<doc-sep>Rome (CNN) Pope Francis began an unprecedented summit in Rome to confront the Catholic Church's clergy abuse scandal by saying that Catholics are not looking for simple condemnation, but concrete actions. "In the face of this scourge of sexual abuse perpetrated by men of the church to the detriment of minors, I thought I would summon you," the Pope told the nearly 200 Catholic leaders gathered in Vatican City, "so that all together we may lend an ear and listen to the Holy Spirit ... and to the cry of the small ones who are asking for justice." "The holy people of God are looking at us and expect from us not simple condemnations," Francis continued in his opening address, "but concrete and effective measures to put in place. We need to be concrete." For the first time in Catholic history, the almost 200 global church leaders are gathering at the Vatican to address the crisis. The four-day summit, convened by the Pope last September, will include two speeches by Francis, talks outlining best practices, small group discussions among bishops and a penitential ceremony involving abuse survivors. Pope Francis bows his head in prayer during the opening of the summit on Thursday. Pope outlines summit roadmap The Pope then said that he had made a list of 21 "reflection points" that were handed out to the assembly of church leaders. Among the points was a proposal to raise the minimum age for marriage to 16 years old. Current canon law in the Catholic Church has the minimum age as 14 for females and 16 for males. Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta, an organizer of the summit in Rome, said that conferences of bishops in individual countries have the power to raise the age, but that the Pope wants to make the change part of universal canon law. Here are the "reflection points" the Pope handed out today to Catholic leaders at the summit on clergy sex abuse pic.twitter.com/Pct0YOpIoD — Daniel Burke (@BurkeCNN) February 21, 2019 Scicluna, the church's top sex abuse investigator, called the guidelines a "roadmap for our discussion," adding that "they are very, very concrete." The Pope's "reflection points" include preparing a "practical handbook" of guidelines for handling abuse cases when accusations emerge. Also included are instructions to inform civil authorities and church officials whenever an accusation is made, establishing provisions to include non-clergy experts in investigations, as well as formulating "mandatory codes of conduct" for all church clergy, personnel and volunteers "to outline appropriate boundaries in personal relationships." More controversially, the Pope proposed that dioceses and Catholic organizations around the world not publish lists of clergy accused of abuse before a preliminary investigation and "definitive" condemnation have occurred. "The principle of natural and canon law of presumption of innocence must be also be safeguarded until the guilt of the accused is proven," the Pope said in the "reflection points." Abuse survivors often insist that the public is notified whenever an accusation is made, both to protect the community and to encourage other potential victims to come forward. JUST WATCHED Sexual abuse in the Catholic Church is a global crisis Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Sexual abuse in the Catholic Church is a global crisis 03:05 "This seems to say that if a priest or a nun or deacon gets accused they don't tell the parish until the accusation is 'proven,'" said Tim Lennon, of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, who is in Rome participating in vigils with other clergy abuse victims. "Well, who proves this? The police or the bishops? We've seen for 35 years that bishops often cover up, so no one trusts that they are going to be good arbiters of guilt and innocence." As the sun set over St. Peter's Basilica, about 20 abuse survivors gathered near the Vatican, where they called on the church to adopt a "zero tolerance" policy towards clergy who abuse children and bishops who cover up the crimes. Some held flags from their home countries and wiped tears from bloodshot eyes. 'A life destroyed': Survivors speak After the Pope spoke, he and the assembled church leaders watched harrowing video testimonies from several victims of clergy sexual abuse. One woman, who was not named, spoke of a priest who began sexually abusing her when she was 15. "This lasted for 13 years," the woman said. "I got pregnant three times and he made me have an abortion three times, quite simply because he did not want to use condoms or contraceptives." The woman said that the priest would humiliate her, and beat her if she refused to have sex with him. "I feel I have a life destroyed," she said. Another survivor of clergy sexual abuse, identified as 53-year-old priest, said another priest molested him when he was a teenager. When he reported the abuse to the local bishop, who he did not name, the bishop "attacked me without trying to understand me." The priest said that neither the bishop nor the priest he says abused him have answered his letters, even after eight years of waiting. The last survivor of clergy sexual abuse to speak to the Pope and church leaders said that he had been sexually molested "over a hundred times," an experience that has led to traumas and flashbacks. When he told church leaders about the abuse, the man said, they "covered (up for) the perpetrators and that kills me sometimes." "I'll request that the bishops get their act clear because this is one of the time bombs happening in the church of Asia." The Rev. Hans Zollner, one of the summit's organizers, said at a news conference Thursday that he deliberately selected clergy sexual abuse victims from every continent to speak about their experience to make clear that "this is not a North American or Central European problem." The "searing, brutal, honest" testimonies, Zollner said, were followed by two minutes of silence in Paul VI Hall in Vatican City, where the summit is being held. "You could hear, you could see, you could feel that people were in tune with what had been read (and) what had been said," Zollner said. But differences soon emerged among the bishops in their small group discussions, said Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Australia. "It was immediately evident in the discussion with bishops from Africa and Asia saying, 'Well why are we talking about sexual abuse? Because abuse in my country takes many forms: child labor, child soldiers. Why this obsession with sexual abuse?'" Reaching consensus on how to approach clergy abuse "is going to be one of the big challenges of the meeting," Coleridge said at the news conference. A cardinal holds the liturgy booklet during the opening of the Vatican meeting. Crucial moment for church After the Pope spoke on Thursday morning, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the Archbishop of Manila in the Philippines, gave a spiritual talk centered on healing wounds and providing justice for survivors of sexual abuse. "The abuse of minors by ordained ministers has inflicted wounds not only on the victims, but also on their families, the clergy, the church, the wider society, the perpetrators themselves and the bishops," Tagle said. "But it is also true, we humbly and sorrowfully admit, that wounds have been inflicted by us bishops on the victims and in fact the entire body of Christ. "Our lack of response to the suffering of victims," Tagle continued, "even to the point of rejecting them and covering up the scandal to protect perpetrators and the institution has injured our people, leaving a deep wound in the relationship with those we are sent to serve." On Wednesday, summit organizers met with abuse survivors from around the world, saying afterward that the meeting will help them "better understand the gravity and urgency of the difficulties" church leaders will face during the four-day summit. The meeting centers around themes: responsibility on Thursday, accountability on Friday and transparency on Saturday. On Sunday, more than 100 bishops from around the world, as well as other Catholic leaders, will gather for Mass in Sala Regia, an ornate hall in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace.<doc-sep>A series of scandals will be looming large in the eyes of church leaders and Vatican watchers alike when a highly anticipated conference on child abuse in the Roman Catholic Church begins on Thursday. The meeting was called to address decades of abuse disclosures that have rattled the church, eroded trust in its leadership and driven away some of the faithful. The gathering is intended to be a moment to realign and move forward, and before it began, in what many saw as a significant step, the Vatican expelled Theodore E. McCarrick, a former cardinal and archbishop of Washington, from the priesthood. It was the first time any cardinal has been defrocked for sexual abuse. But while the church expressed hope that the four-day meeting of 190 participants from across the world, including Pope Francis, would mark a turning point, there is a risk that fresh controversies may overshadow it.<doc-sep>

Francis has also begun taking bishops to task. After an investigation by Monsignor Scicluna found “a culture of abuse” in Chile, the entire bishops’ conference of that country came to the Vatican to tender their resignations. Francis accepted those of at least seven bishops. In 2002, after the abuse scandal erupted in Boston, U.S. bishops adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which requires a diocese to report allegations of a crime to civil authorities and includes a one-strike-you’re-out policy, in which priests are removed from the ministry if they are found to have harmed minors. Vatican officials have argued that this policy can’t be applied universally, since clerics would be put at risk in authoritarian regimes or places where the clergy are targets of killings. For now, the rhetoric has focused more on calling attention to the crisis. With the meeting this week, “the Holy Father wants to make very clear to the bishops around the world … that each one of them has to claim responsibility and ownership for this problem,” Cardinal Cupich said. He added that there would be an effort “to close whatever loopholes” exist so that bishops understand their duties, and that genuine progress would be required of them. But some abuse victims say the structure of the Church isn’t so much the problem; the mentality is. “These are crimes, not sins,” said Barbara Dorris, a victim of clerical sexual abuse who is now an activist with Voices of Faith, a group that seeks to have a greater role for women inside the Catholic Church. “They already have a structure. Church officials need to be held accountable to the same standards everyone else is.” Does the Vatican Hierarchy Understand What’s at Stake? Yes and no. The Vatican is a hermetic world, the ultimate realm of power politics, dominated by Italians who have been reluctant to see this problem as a global crisis rather than as a scandal to be kept quiet and handled internally, if at all. Ahead of this week’s meeting, it created a website that brings together Church documents on the issue of abuse, including statements and papal teachings, as well as relevant passages in canon law. It’s the first time the Vatican has ever endeavored to compile all the material in one place. But there are words, and there are actions. In 2017, Marie Collins, an Irish survivor of sexual abuse, resigned in frustration from the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, which the pope established in 2015, to protest that Francis had rejected the commission’s recommendation to create a tribunal for bishops inside the Vatican. “As long as an obsession with secrecy and protection of reputation remains at the core of the Church in those who have the means to make the necessary changes, it will not happen,” Collins wrote me in an email.

PHOENIX -- As he nears the end of what might be a Hall of Fame career, CC Sabathia added to his extensive Cooperstown résumé Tuesday night at Chase Field by recording his 3,000th major league strikeout. The milestone K came in the bottom of the second inning of the New York Yankees' series-opening 3-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Sabathia got catcher John Ryan Murphy swinging at a changeup as he struck out the side. Sabathia is the 17th pitcher in big league history, and the third southpaw, to reach 3,000 strikeouts. "When I actually got that last strike, I didn't want it to be Murph," Sabathia said of the former second-round Yankees draft pick. "Me and him are really close, I've been knowing him his whole career." Sabathia and Murphy played together in the Bronx from 2013 to 2015, with Murphy having caught Sabathia 15 times. Ahead of Murphy's at-bat, Sabathia picked up two quick strikeouts in the inning before Diamondbacks second baseman Wilmer Flores hit a two-out solo homer. On the two pitches before the 382-foot blast, many of the 36,352 fans present had been chanting "CC, CC, CC" and "Let's go, CC." Though the cheers didn't work on the Flores at-bat, they did when Murphy came to the plate. Ultimately handed the loss, Sabathia left the game after 5⅓ innings, having given up two earned runs, five hits and two walks, and striking out five. Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia waves to the crowd after recording his 3,000th career strikeout Tuesday night. He got the Diamondbacks' John Ryan Murphy swinging to end the bottom of the second inning for No. 3,000. Christian Petersen/Getty Images As Sabathia walked off the mound in the second inning after the momentous inning-ending strikeout, he was met near the Yankees' first-base side dugout by teammates and coaches who swarmed him with daps and hugs and handshakes. A graphic also flashed on the center-field video board congratulating Sabathia on reaching the milestone. Before the game, right fielder Aaron Judge and fellow Yankees lefty J.A. Happ asked manager Aaron Boone what course of action the team should take when the key strikeout was recorded. Boone told them not to have a plan -- just go with the flow. "I just said, 'We're going to react. We're going to let the moment tell us what to do,'" Boone said. "We're not going to take a cue from anyone. We're just going to respond to the moment in celebration of our guy." The celebration lasted a couple of minutes along the warning track by the dugout before Sabathia disappeared inside it. At some point after Sabathia came back into the dugout, Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez handed him the historic ball. Milestone Man A look at some of CC Sabathia's notable strikeouts on the way to career No. 3,000: April 8, 2001: 1st career K vs Mike Kinkade June 1, 2004: 500th K vs Gary Matthews Jr. May 21, 2007: 1,000th career K vs Ichiro Suzuki July 2, 2008: Final K with Indians vs Carlos Quentin (1,265th) Sept. 28, 2008: Final K with Brewers vs Casey McGehee (1,393rd) April 11, 2009: 1st K with Yankees vs Coco Crisp (1,394th) Sept. 10, 2011: 2,000th K vs Torii Hunter "The experience to catch his 3,000th strikeout is something that I'll never forget," Sanchez said through an interpreter. When he finally emerged from the dugout, Sabathia had a bat and helmet in his hands as he waved and acknowledged the cheering crowd. In the next instant, he looked over to a gap in the protective netting, where his children, Carsten Charles III, Carter Charles, Jaeden Arie and Cyia Cathleen -- none of whom was alive to see his first career strikeout in April 2001 -- had peered through to greet him with congratulatory hugs. Each of his children, as well as his wife, Amber, mom Margie, and other family members and friends have traveled across the country with Sabathia and the Yankees in recent weeks as he has chased 3,000. For his oldest, it has meant missed high school baseball games. "It's been fun with them, traveling around the last three starts to every city, so we've enjoyed our time together and hanging out," Sabathia said. "It's a very special time right now to have everybody in town." Nearly an hour after the game, Sabathia and his friends and family were still celebrating the moment, soaking it up on the field. Even before Tuesday's game, Sabathia's manager was soaking up the history he was about to witness. "It's one of those awesome numbers: 3,000 hits, 500 homers, 3,000 strikeouts," Boone said before the game. "That's what I grew up with in my mind, and I think I got to see Rod Carew hit 3,000, Reggie [Jackson] 500 [homers], Don Sutton 3,000 [strikeouts], 300 wins. "Those are magical numbers in our sport, and people should take notice when people come up upon them." Boone expanded on that thought after the game. "In a game that dates back to the 1800s, to be only the 17th guy to get to 3,000 is amazing," Boone said. "But it means a lot to the guys in that room, because they know who he is. "Obviously frustrated with the loss, but [Tuesday] is about us celebrating a man and what's been an amazing career." Arizona manager Torey Lovullo doesn't know Sabathia anywhere near as well as Boone, but he still believed Sabathia's feat deserved the attention it received. "If you're a baseball fan, you have to appreciate what you saw today," Lovullo said. One of Sabathia's longtime opponents, former Orioles outfielder and current Diamondbacks right fielder Adam Jones, certainly has taken notice. When speaking to ESPN about the pitcher who he said treated him "like a little brother" over the years, Jones recognized multiple parts of the historic significance of Sabathia's accomplishment. "He's one of the biggest names in the game for the last two decades, and he's the [third] African American pitcher with at least that many strikeouts," said Jones, who entered Tuesday with 105 career plate appearances against Sabathia, the most against any pitcher in his 14-year career. Hall of Famers Bob Gibson and Fergie Jenkins are the only other black pitchers to have amassed 3,000 strikeouts in their careers. Like Sabathia, Gibson and Jenkins are part of the 15-man group of "Black Aces," a collection of the only black pitchers to have won 20 or more games in a season. The group's founding member, Don Newcombe, who posted the first of his three 20-win seasons in 1951, died earlier this year. "Being a 'Black Ace' is something that I take very seriously," Sabathia said. "So to be on that list as one of three guys with 3,000 strikeouts, it's hard to grasp, it's hard to think about it. But it's cool to be on that list." Added Jones: "That's pretty historic. This is just another sign that [Sabathia] is building his résumé for Cooperstown. I've played against him for 12 years, and I can say that the competition against him is always A-1. You always know when you face him that the intensity is going to be high. "He deserves everything that's coming his way." Sabathia is the first pitcher to cross the 3,000-strikeout threshold since John Smoltz did it for the Atlanta Braves on April 22, 2008. Smoltz struck out the Washington Nationals' Felipe Lopez swinging in the third inning of that game. In February, two months after an unexpected offseason angioplasty that followed an earlier offseason knee surgery, Sabathia, a former first-round draft pick, announced he would be retiring after 19 seasons. Earlier this season, Sabathia admitted he has been thinking about getting his 3,000th strikeout since spring training. Because he came into the year just 11 strikeouts shy of the milestone, he found it difficult to avoid thinking about it. "Just ready to get it over with," he said two starts ago. Of the pitchers to have previously reached 3,000 strikeouts, all but two -- Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling -- have been elected to the Hall of Fame.<doc-sep>","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","type":"rich","width":550,"__typename":"ExternalEmbedContent"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"cc-sabathia-records-3-000th-strikeout\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.4":{"data":{"type":"id","generated":true,"id":"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"cc-sabathia-records-3-000th-strikeout\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.4.data","typename":"ExternalEmbedContent"},"type":"oembed","__typename":"ExternalEmbed"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"cc-sabathia-records-3-000th-strikeout\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.5":{"content":"Sabathia exhaled. Then he smiled. “I didn’t want it to be Murph,” Sabathia said. “Me and him are really close. I’ve known him his whole career and he’s a great guy. I didn’t want it to be \\[D-backs starter Zack\\] Greinke and I didn’t want it to be Murph. I was just glad it was over with.” Sabathia slapped hands and hugged each of his fellow Yankees outside of the dugout. His loved ones rushed down from their seats carrying blue and white oversized cutouts of the No. 3,000 to an opening in the protective netting just outside the first-base camera well. ","type":"markdown","__typename":"Markdown"},"$ROOT_QUERY.getForgeContentBySlug({\"locale\":\"en-us\",\"slug\":\"cc-sabathia-records-3-000th-strikeout\",\"type\":\"story\"}).parts.6.data":{"html":"<doc-sep>“It was one of those things where it was kind of inevitable, but it’s not something we really talk about. It was kind of wait and see, see how it happens and it obviously happened at the end of the inning, so we were able to congratulate him coming off the field and not take too big of a break in the game,” Boone said. “It was kind of fitting that he was leading off the next inning. It’s something that we can really sit down and put things into perspective, you can look back on it as a really, really special accomplishment.”<doc-sep>

Entering Tuesday, Sabathia needed three punchouts to become the 17th pitcher — and only the third left-hander — to enter the 3,000-strikeout club. David Peralta and Christian Walker were the first two to strike out, in the second inning, before Sabathia surrendered a home run to Wilmer Flores and single to Nick Ahmed. Up came Murphy, 27, who was a Yankee from 2013 through 2015 before being traded to the Minnesota Twins. In his three years in New York, he caught 15 of Sabathia’s games, including one on April 24, 2015, in which Sabathia notched his 2,500th career strikeout. Sabathia was determined to reach 3,000 on Tuesday, attacking hitters better than he had in his previous start, in Anaheim, Calif., where he fell short of the mark. Against Murphy, he fired four cutters, the pitch that sparked his reinvention and allowed him to reach this point. Murphy fouled off three. Sabathia then unfurled a low changeup, and Murphy flailed at it. The crowd at Chase Field, filled with a healthy share of Yankees fans and aware of the moment, roared. Sabathia’s teammates and coaches met him on the field to offer hugs, one by one, a gesture he called “incredible.” “Since the end of last year, coming up short 14 strikeouts, this is the only thing I’ve been thinking about for the last six months,” he said. “To actually have it done and be over with it, I can just worry about the season. And our ultimate goal is to try to win games.”

Does it all Samsung Galaxy S10 Incredible camera Google Pixel 3 The Galaxy S10 is a flagship that'll appeal to just about everyone. It has one of the best displays available on a smartphone, three rear camers with a new ultrawide sensor, and fan-favorites like a headphone jack and expandable storage. Samsung's software, something that used to be a pain, is also better than ever. $750 at Samsung Pros Gorgeous AMOLED display In-screen fingerprint sensor Three rear cameras 3.5mm headphone jack Expandable storage Cons Samsung has a bumpy record with updates $100 more expensive If you want the very best smartphone camera around, get the Pixel 3. Despite having just one rear camera compared to three, its photos continue to be just as jaw-dropping as they were back in October. You also get access to a great software experience with fast, guaranteed updates. From $265 at Amazon Pros Industry-leading camera Smooth, clean software experience First in line for updates More affordable Cons No headphone jack or expandable storage Has last year's processor The Galaxy S10 hits just about every nail on the head: best display on the market, Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon processor, three rear cameras, expandable storage and a headphone jack. For most people, this will be the phone to get. However, if you want a phone that'll take the very best pictures possible or value a clean software experience with fast updates, the Pixel 3 will be a better purchase. The Galaxy S10 is a better choice for most people Samsung's Galaxy S flagships are always among the most popular Android phones, and with this year's S10, we don't envision things will change one bit. The Galaxy S10 kind of makes last October's Pixel 3 look like an ancient relic. Where the Pixel 3 has considerably large bezels surrounding its display, the Galaxy S10 has virtually no side bezels, an extremely small chin and forehead, and a front-facing camera that's actually built into the screen itself. Aside from the good looks, this also allows Samsung to cram a larger screen into a body that's not too unwieldy. The Galaxy S10 looks like a phone from the future. Turning the S10 around, you'll find its three rear cameras. There's a primary 12MP sensor with an aperture you can manually change to allow for better low-light photos, a 12MP telephoto camera which enables 2X optical zoom, and a third 16MP ultrawide one. This opens up a lot of possibilities for the kinds of pictures you can take, especially when compared to the Pixel 3's single rear camera. Samsung also gets the edge in a few other ways. It has a newer, faster processor, double the RAM of the Pixel 3, more base storage, expandable storage, Dolby Atmos support for better sound quality, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Galaxy S10 Pixel 3 Operating System Android 10 Samsung One UI 1.1 Android 10 Display 6.1-inch AMOLED 3040 x 1440 19:9 5.5-inch OLED 2160 x 1080 18:9 Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Storage 128GB 512GB 64GB 128GB Expandable Up to 512GB ❌ RAM 8GB 4GB Rear Camera 1 12MP Main Camera OIS f/1.5 - f/2.4 12.2MP Main Camera OIS f/1.8 Rear Camera 2 12MP Telephoto Camera OIS f/2.4 ❌ Rear Camera 3 16MP Ultrawide Camera f/2.2 ❌ Front Camera 1 10MP Main Camera f/1.9 8MP Main Camera f/1.8 Front Camera 2 ❌ 8MP Ultrawide Camera f/2.2 Battery 3,400 mAh 2,915 mAh Charging 15W wired charging Qi wireless charging 18W wired charging Qi wireless charging Water Resistnace IP68 IP68 Security In-screen ultrasonic fingerprint sensor Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor Audio Stereo speakers Dolby Atmos 3.5mm headphone jack Stereo speakers USB-C Yeah, there's a lot to like here. But the Pixel 3 is still superior in two important ways Don't count the Pixel 3 out just yet, though. Compared to the Galaxy S10, it has two big advantages — photo quality and software. The S10 may have more rear cameras, but the Pixel 3's single 12.2MP camera still takes better pictures. Google's image processing and AI wizardry make it virtually impossible to take a bad photo with the phone. Pictures are sharp, colors are extremely accurate, and thanks to Google's Night Sight feature, the Pixel 3 dominates the S10 when it comes to using the camera in low-light situations. When we say the Pixel 3 has the best camera in a smartphone, we mean it. The other big strength of the Pixel 3 is its software experience. Since it's made by Google, the Pixel 3 is first-in-line for big software updates and monthly security patches as they're released. Google's confirmed that'll it'll continue to update the Pixel 3 until 2021, and while Samsung has gotten better with its software update turnaround recently, you'll still rock the latest software before everyone else if you have a Pixel phone. On top of that, the user interface on the Pixel 3 is a lot cleaner and less cluttered than what you'll find on the S10. Similarly, it's less likely to bog down overtime the way that Samsung's software has a tendency of doing. Lastly, while the Pixel 3's display, processor, and battery may not be as impressive as the Galaxy S10's, they're still all damn good and shouldn't be disappointing for anyone. So, which one should you buy? While you can't go wrong with either of these two phones, each one will serve a different group of people more effectively. If you want a phone with the best display money can buy, value things like expandable storage and a headphone jack, want the functionality that comes with having three rear cameras, and/or love the idea of having your fingerprint sensor hidden underneath the screen, the Galaxy S10 will be a perfect fit. Alternatively, if you just want the very best smartphone camera money can buy and want to ensure you're always running the very latest version of Android, the Pixel 3 makes the most sense. Does it all Samsung Galaxy S10 A flagship with every imaginable feature. If the Galaxy S10 seems like a phone that tries to please everyone, that's because it kind of is. Its huge feature list includes things like a stunning AMOLED display, a headphone jack, expandable storage, Qualcomm's latest processor, and a rear camera combo that should allow for a lot of unique photos. $750 at Samsung Incredible camera Google Pixel 3 Google's excellent camera is also a great phone. By now, you've probably heard a lot of hype surrounding the Pixel 3's camera. Believe it. All these months later, the photos this phone takes continue to blow our minds. Add that together with a clean build of Android, speedy software updates, and a great design, and you're in for a treat. From $265 at Amazon<doc-sep>Samsung’s Galaxy S10 and S10+ both combine three lenses on the rear for one of the most sophisticated camera systems we’ve ever witnessed in a smartphone. Add in a supercharged Scene Optimizer mode powered by artificial intelligence, and a new feature called Best Shot that aims to help you take better photos in real time, Samsung’s latest cameras are smarter than ever before, too. But how do they compare to the single-lens rear camera on the back of the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL? Google’s flagships are our favorite camera phones at the moment for their ability to capture incredibly lifelike shots, as well as their power when shooting in the dark. To find out how Samsung’s camera efforts stack up, we took an S10+ and a Pixel 3 and hit the streets of San Francisco for a little photography tour following Samsung’s Unpacked event. Here are the results of our smartphone camera face-off: Portrait The weakest link in the Galaxy S9’s photo repertoire was definitely its Live Photo mode, which routinely turned in hazy shallow depth-of-field portraits with muddy bokeh and overexposed highlights. But from this particular comparison with the Pixel 3, we can clearly see Samsung has stepped up its portrait game with the S10+. The Galaxy handset certainly has the brightness advantage, with the shadows in our colleague Mark’s face not being quite as dark and pronounced as they are through the single lens of Google’s flagship. Mark’s details are also sharper all around with the S10+, which is especially evident in the fabric of his jacket. MORE: Best Smartphone Camera - Phones With the Best Quality The Pixel 3’s shot is a fair bit darker by comparison, and without a complementary wide-angle lens like the S10+ has, the resulting shot from Google’s phone is a bit more cut in, with less of the background being visible in the frame. Some users may prefer that, as it helps really embed the subject in their surroundings. Conversely, the more pulled-back perspective of the S10+ really makes Mark pop out of this San Francisco scene. Winner: Samsung Galaxy S10/S10+ Group Portrait (with Bokeh) Samsung’s cameras have had a tendency to blow out subjects in bright sunlight, and that unfortunate trend continues here with this shot of my colleagues Mike and Sherri in Bryant Park. Winner: Google Pixel 3/3 XL Group Portrait (No Bokeh) We wanted to see how well the Galaxy S10 Plus and Pixel 3 could handle a bright background with sun and subjects in the foreground in shadow. Samsung’s camera once again delivered a brighter image, but in this case it’s mostly welcome, as the subjects pop more in the photo. On the other hand, the Pixel 3’s image has more contrast, and the colors are more saturated and less washed out across the board, from the green shrubs to the yellow cabs. Winner: Draw Outdoor Shot: Hats If the S10+ favors brighter shots, then the Pixel 3 has a tendency to punch up vivid colors. The hues in some of these knitted hats are a tad too extreme, especially with respect to pinks and reds. Then again, because Google’s phone doesn’t punch up those highlights quite as much, it doesn’t blow out certain aspects of the frame like the S10+ does — look at the sky in the background or the facade of the building in the background at the top right. Overall, though, the S10+ gets more about the scene right. If you zoom in, the S10’s shot hits the finer details, like the weave in the hats, with greater sharpness, and the less vivid but still striking color is a bit more in-tune with what our eyes see. Winner: Samsung Galaxy S10/S10+ Indoor Shot: Cupcake At first glance, the S10+ provides a shot that seems more presentable overall, with significantly lighter shadows. But as you zoom in, it becomes clear that the Pixel 3 has a significant advantage in terms of sharpness — particularly evident in the texture of the icing on top of the cupcake. The white balance is also vastly different in both photos, with the Pixel 3’s rendition coming off with less of a yellow cast, the paper beneath the cupcake being more of a straight pink and the whipped cream taking on a more mocha-toned appearance. Neither shot may be perfect, but Google’s handset definitely captured the more accurate shot here. Winner: Google Pixel 3/3 XL Low-Light Shot The Galaxy S10 Plus has a low-light feature that’s part of its Scene Optimizer AI. Called Bright Night, it’s designed to be an answer to the Pixel 3’s Night Sight mode. The results are pretty straightforward. While the S10 Plus’ shot is fairly bright for what was a very dark room, the Pixel 3 produced a more vibrant red in the cabinet and you can make out more of the spaceship and the clock. The S10 Plus did a better job keeping the tools in the background in focus. Both took photos that were a lot brighter than what the iPhone XS Max could muster. Winner: Google Pixel 3/3 XL Selfie While the rear cameras have the same setup on the Galaxy S10 and S10+, things change when you move up front. In addition to the 10-MP selfie cam, the S10+ adds a second lens — a depth sensor that lets the phone capture selfies with background bokeh that is a bit more accurate and refined than with one lens alone. (We’ll see how the single-lens Galaxy S10 handles selfies once we get our hands on that phone.) As we can see here, the S10+ result looks a bit too smoothed out and overprocessed. The blur behind Mark looks pretty good, though it’s so strong it creeps up into the foreground in an unnatural way. The whole frame also has a greenish tint to it, that simply present on the Pixel 3’s attempt. Add to that the way the S10+ glosses over details in Mark’s sin, clothes and hair, and the Galaxy’s effort here ends up resembling an overzealous — though still technically impressive — Photoshop job. Winner: Google Pixel 3/3 XL Overall Winner: Google Pixel 3/3 XL Galaxy S10+ Pixel 3 Portrait ✓ Group Portrait (Bokeh) ✓ Group Portrait (No Bokeh) ✓ ✓ Outdoor Shot (Hats) ✓ Indoor Shot (Cupcakes) ✓ Low-Light Shot ✓ Self-Portrait ✓ Final Result 3 5 Samsung has certainly come a very long way with the Galaxy S10’s photography skills. For one, we’re thrilled to see a flagship smartphone from Samsung that finally gets portraits right. And the S10+’s consistency in delivering well-exposed shots is something Google could certainly learn from as it develops the Pixel 4 for release later this year. However, the S10 doesn’t appear to be quite as versatile as Google’s effort when things get dark, and sometimes Samsung’s post-processing goes a bit farther than it should. For that reason, the Pixel 3 and 3 XL remain the best camera phones — though the S10 can still churn out some of the finest photography we’ve ever seen from a smartphone. Credit: Tom's Guide<doc-sep>

If you're in the market for a top-of-the-range Android phone, you're spoilt for choice at the moment, and the selection is getting better all the time. Two phones particularly worthy of your attention at the moment are the Samsung Galaxy S10 and the Google Pixel 3. Here we're going to help you pick between the Galaxy S10 and the Pixel 3 by comparing these flagships in all the key areas that matter – the design of these handsets, the internal specs packed inside, the extra features on offer, and everything else that matters. Samsung Galaxy S10 vs Google Pixel 3: design Samsung Galaxy S10 You're certainly not going to be embarrassed to pull out either the Samsung Galaxy S10 or the Google Pixel 3 out of your pocket, though the Galaxy S10 is the more modern-looking phone of the pair (the Pixel 3 launched four months earlier don't forget). The Galaxy S10 definitely has thinner bezels, and adds a hole punch notch in the top right-hand corner. The Samsung Galaxy S10 is the bigger of the two phones as well, and by quite some distance. It brings with it a 6.1-inch, 1440 x 3040 pixel, 19:9 aspect ratio AMOLED screen. The fingerprint sensor is built into the display, so it doesn't affect the lines of the phone's back, and you can pick it up in white, black, green, blue, yellow or pink. As for the Google Pixel 3, it offers a 5.5-inch, 1080 x 2160 pixel, 18:9 aspect ratio POLED screen, with a fingerprint sensor around the back underneath the camera. We do like the two-tone texture of the back of the Pixel 3, which is available in white, black or pink. Samsung Galaxy S10 vs Google Pixel 3: specs Google Pixel 3 The Google Pixel 3 came out near the end of 2018, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S10 appeared near the start of 2019, and that's reflected in the specs on show. While the Google Pixel 3 certainly isn't a slouch in the performance department, there's no doubt the Galaxy S10 is the faster of the two handsets. The Samsung Galaxy S10 packs in a Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9820 processor, depending on which region of the world you're in. That's combined with 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 512GB of internal storage, which you can expand with a microSD card if needed. It's unlikely that you're going to find a more powerful phone in 2019. In this regard the Google Pixel 3 might be in second place, but it's still very capable. You get a Snapdragon 845 processor powering everything, plus 4GB of RAM and either 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. There's no microSD card slot here, so you'll have to stick with what you've got – and you're probably going to want to opt for the 128GB model. Samsung Galaxy S10 vs Google Pixel 3: features Samsung Galaxy S10 So what else might you want to consider when it comes to comparing these two top-end handsets against each other? Both phones come with IP68 waterproofing and dustproofing, wireless charging capabilities, and screens capable of displaying HDR content using compatible apps, for example, so it's hard to split them there. Google's Pixel 3 only has the one lens on its 12MP rear-facing camera, but such is Google's prowess with image enhancement software and AI, it remains the best in the business at producing excellent photos in a variety of conditions. The triple-lens 12MP+12MP+16MP camera on the back of the Galaxy S10 is good as well, but it doesn't seem to quite reach the heights of the Pixel 3 in terms of pure image quality. Another reason you might want to opt for the Google Pixel 3 is that it comes with Google's unedited, unspoilt, stock version of Android – and with a Pixel phone you're guaranteed to get new Android releases as soon as they appear. Samsung's Android software has got better down the years, but it's still not quite up to the Google standard, and updates can take longer to appear. Samsung Galaxy S10 vs Google Pixel 3: verdict Google Pixel 3 With two such excellent handsets up against each other, it seems almost unfair to pick a winner. When it comes to the best Android phones of 2019, the Samsung Galaxy S10 and the Google Pixel 3 are definitely way up there (don't forget about the larger models in both these product ranges too).

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up fornow and never miss the top Royal stories again. The superstar singer, along with Queen, will launch the glitzy ceremony from LA this evening. Speaking to Ryan Seacrest on E! ahead of the Oscars , he revealed how he got his blink-and-you-miss-it role in the record-breaking biopic. And, he joked, it was a particularly “classy” moment. Bohemian Rhapsody: 'Being in Queen was like a huge cock fight' WATCH Lambert plays a trucker who, it is implied, hooks up with Freddie Mercury (Rami Malek) at a truck stop. Getting cast in the film was as simple as being asked by the group. “You know, the band was like, ‘you wanna be the movie?’, and I was like, ‘yeah!’” he recalled. “So I’m a trucker, and I tempt Freddie at the restroom.<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up fornow and never miss the top Royal stories again. The film won Best Motion Picture - Drama at the Golden Globes in January, in what was seen as something of a curveball. But while Rami Malek is the runaway favourite for Best Actor at the Oscars , the Queen biopic has not been considered to be the likely winner for Best Picture. Could a massive upset be on the cards? Express.co.uk has learned from leading bookies Ladbrokes that - of all the Academy Awards betting markets - it's Bohemian Rhapsody's Best Picture odds that have been slashed the most. A spokesperson told us: "Following its (and Malek's) success over the last few weeks, we're trimming the odds on it more than anything else as far as I'm aware. "If there was to be an upset, that may well be it." Currently the film has 16/1 odds of taking the prize, in contrast to being a 33/1 long-shot just weeks ago. Given the momentum behind it, it seems it would be a very popular choice for the top prize of the night.<doc-sep>Bohemian Rhapsody: Official trailer released FREE now and never miss the top Royal stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow and never miss the top Royal stories again. When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. It is an impossible task stepping into Freddie's shoes as an entertainer, let alone a singer. At the Oscars on Sunday night, Adam Lambert will once again perform alongside Brian May and Roger Taylor, as he has done for some years now. However, his distinctive vocals are not used in the movie. A little known singer was used to fill in the gaps between archive Freddie recordings and Malek's own voice in the live scenes, and he sounds remarkably like the late, great Queen star. The incredible bonus features on the BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY home entertainment packages give the first proper look (and listen) to Malek in action, performing many of the musical numbers from the show. Malek, himself, has protested that "nobody wants to listen to that." At one point, the behind-the-scenes footage shows him singing Fat Bottomed Girls and the simple fact is he sounds good. Not only can he carry a tune, he has the rock strength and sound of Freddie. However, another performer, picked by Brian May and Roger Taylor as the winner of Queen Extravaganza competition back in 2011, was also used for the film. Marc Martel, 42, still performs at Queen tribute concerts and spoke of the incredible experience being part of Bohemian Rhapsody. Watch him sing the title song below. Bohemian Rhapsody: Does Rami Malek sing? Bohemian Rhapsody: Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury LOcal Canadian star Martel told Noise11: "They hired me to do some of the singing in the movie and give the audience an immersive experience and not be able to tell where the singing is coming from. It is to make the audience believe they are really watching Freddie Mercury sing." The Christian rock singer spent weeks at Abbey Road Studios laying down vocal tracks but says he still does not know where his voice mixes with Malek and Mercury in the final film. Martel told iHeartradio.ca: "Even I didn’t know beforehand where they were choosing to use me. I tried to see as little as possible while work was being done on the movie so that it could be mostly a surprise for me." Bohemian Rhapsody: Rami Malek with Brian May, Roger Taylor and Freddie's sister Kashmira<doc-sep>Rami Malek and the Bohemian Rhapsody movie received great reviews, but some of the Queen story has been “tweaked” for dramatic purposes. Radio X separates fact from fiction… Let's take a look at how the 2018 biopic treated the true story of Queen and frontman Freddie Mercury.... Is it true Queen “hadn’t played for years” before Live Aid? Definitely not! Live Aid came in the year following the release of Queen’s hugely-successful album The Works. The tour to support the LP started in August 1984 and ended in May 1985, two months before Live Aid. Queen were experts at playing stadium shows at this point, which is why they were so tight on the day. Freddie wasn’t diagnosed as HIV positive before Live Aid The biggest incident of dramatic license in Bohemian Rhapsody is the timing of Freddie Mercury’s HIV diagnosis. In a heart-breaking scene, the singer tells his bandmates that he has the condition at a rehearsal for Live Aid. They perform the biggest show of their lives with this tragic knowledge. In fact, Mercury didn’t find out he was HIV-positive until April 1987, according to his partner Jim Hutton. In the film, Freddie tells the other members of Queen about his illness, introduces Hutton to his family and then goes on to play Live Aid, which is a rollercoaster of a day in anyone’s book. Freddie Mercury, during his final trip to Japan, in 1986. Picture: Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images Fat Bottomed Girls wasn’t played on tour in the early 1970s Early in the film, Queen are shown performing to huge crowds on their first US tour. In real life, the band’s first US tour was in April 1974 supporting fellow British band Mott The Hoople (the tour is referenced in the Queen song Now I’m Here). The headline band are not mentioned in the movie and Queen are seen performing Fat Bottomed Girls, a song not written or recorded until the summer of 1978 for the Jazz album. We Will Rock You is recorded in the wrong year In the movie, Brian May is shown recording his stomping classic in London in 1980, while Mercury arrives from a heavy night of partying, complete with moustache. In actual fact, the song was recorded in 1977 for the News Of The World album and Fred was resolutely clean shaven. Freddie Mercury, performing with Queen at New York's Madison Square Garden, February 1977. They would start work on their News Of The World album that summer. Picture: Richard E. Aaron/Redferns/Getty Images Rock In Rio was in the 1980s, not the 1970s At one point in the Bohemian Rhapsody film, we see Freddie leading the band in front of a MASSIVE crowd in South America while the “love of his life” Mary Austin watches on TV from miles away. The movie places this gig in the mid to late 1970s, whereas it actually took place in January 1985. It WAS stupidly big, however as this clip proves. Freddie didn't fire Queen manager John Reid In the Bohemian Rhapsody film, manager John Reid (played by Aidan Gillen) tried to persuade Mercury to drop the rest of the band and go solo, leading the singer to kick the businessman out of his limo and fire him. In reality, Reid had managed Queen between 1975 and 1978 and had moved on from the role amicably, handing over the role to Jim Beach and describing it as “the gentlest parting of the ways of anyone I have ever worked with”. Freddie Mercury and Queen manager John Reid in 1977. Picture: Richard Creamer/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Freddie’s solo career didn’t split the group up One of the key plot points of the Bohemian Rhapsody film is that Freddie Mercury turned his back on Queen and started a very well paid solo career creating dance music in Munich. The band have to be persuaded to reconvene and play Live Aid in July 1985. This is chronologically confusing - Freddie was, in fact, the THIRD member to record a solo album, after Roger Taylor (Fun In Space in 1981 and Strange Frontier in 1984) and Brian May (the Star Fleet Project in 1983). While all this was going on, Queen recorded Hot Space (1982) and The Works (1984). Freddie’s Mr Bad Guy album was released just before Live Aid in April 1985 and was actually a commercial success, making Number 6 in the UK charts and spawning the hit single I Was Born To Love You. Queen are shown taking the stage at Live Aid right after U2 There’s a Bono-alike shown coming off the stage as Freddie and co warm up for the show. In reality, Dire Straits had played a half hour set before Queen came along to steal the show.<doc-sep>

Adam Lambert: Backstage with Queen at the O2 Bohemian Rhapsody is among films nominated for the Best Picture category of the Oscars this year. The film, which serves as a biopic of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, and charters the growth of the legendary rock band, has seen mixed reviews from critics but largely adored by fans. At the helm is Mr Robot actor Rami Malek, who has already won a Bafta for his performance, and has also been nominated for an Oscar this weekend. Adam Lambert was not offered the role of Freddie Mercury, but he did manage to get a part in the film. Why did Adam Lambert not play Freddie Mercury? Adam Lambert is the current frontman of Queen + Adam Lambert, having assumed the role in 2011. However, in his current job he was not approached to play the band’s first singer and founder. He was on tour with Queen from 2014 to 2018, and the singer himself has said he did not want to play Mercury READ MORE: Queen star reveals 'dark times' Adam Lambert SNUBBED: Why did Adam Lambert NOT play Freddie Mercury in Queen movie? Lambert revealed he thought Rami Malek was the better choice of the two of them to play the tragic rocker. The 2009 American Idol runner up also said he did not want to be known as a Freddie Mercury impersonator and preferred to be simply seen as himself. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, he said: “I don't look like Freddie. I don't sound like Freddie. I sound like me. “Rami looks amazing. He's a great actor.” READ MORE: Will Rami Malek sing with Queen at Oscars? Adam Lambert believed Rami Malek was the best man for Bohemian Rhapsody “From what I understand, they used pieces of the actual studio recording of Freddie and Marc Martel, who is an impersonator of Freddie Mercury, to do some of the other vocal stuff. “So it's really about recreating Freddie. So no, it wouldn't have been me. “What I love is the way that they show the music coming together with the band creating a song. "I found that really exciting having now played with Brian [May] and Roger [Taylor] for the last few years. “Watching that process be recreated, I thought was really brilliant.” READ MORE: Bohemian Rhapsody Adam Lambert cameo REVEALED Queen guitarist Brian May is a fan of Adam Lambert While Adam was not chosen to front Queen in the film, he did manage to make a brief cameo. The blink-and-you'll-miss-it part comes some way through and happens when Freddie is waiting at a truck stop during Queen’s American tour. As he calls his then-fiancee Mary Austin (played by Malek’s real-life girlfriend Lucy Boynton) he exchanges an intense glance with an unnamed gentleman caller. The man who approaches Malek is Adam Lambert. Adam appeared alongside Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor for the Oscars today, singing two iconic songs. Lead guitarist May strode on stage to the beat of We Will Rock You, before playing We Are The Champions. As they played, Hollywood's elite stood in respect to the late Freddie Mercury, as an image of the tragic singer was beamed behind the band while they played. Rami Malek's impressive performance as the star netted him his first Oscar, as best actor. Queen Adam Lambert at the Oscars 2019 Tweeting after the event, Adam said how much he enjoyed playing with Queen. He said: "Truly an honour to continue performing alongside these two legends after 7 years. "You’ve changed my life! "I'm honoured to help keep your songs exist as live entertainment!" "I love u Freddie! @DrBrianMay @OfficialRMT @QueenWillRock"

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 05: Actor Tim Conway arrives at the Paley Center for Media and TV Land salute of "The Bob Newhart Show" at the Paley Center for Media on September 5, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images) Niki Lauda celebrates after the Formula One Grand Prix of Great Britain at Silverstone on July 16, 2017 in Northampton, England. Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr just before his retirement in 1972. GULFPORT, MS - JUNE 22: U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS) looks on during a campaign rally at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport on June 22, 2014 in Gulfport, Mississippi. Tea Party-backed Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Chris McDaniel, a Mississippi state senator, is locked in a tight runoff race with incumbent U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS) who failed to win the nomination in the primary election. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA - Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, followed by her brother, Tony Rodham, stop at Casa Bella Italian Restaurant in Scranton, Pennsylvania on Friday evening April 22, 2016. Hillary Clinton's father was born in Scranton, and she has family in the area. (Photo by Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 18: Denise Nickerson who played Violet Beauregarde in the original film attends the 40th Anniversary of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory at Jacques Torres Chocolates on October 18, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images) English rock group the Baker Gurvitz Army in a studio, August 1974. Left to right: Paul Gurvitz, Ginger Baker and Adrian Gurvitz. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 16: James Shaw Jr. accepts award from Actor Chadwick Boseman onstage at the 2018 MTV Movie And TV Awards at Barker Hangar on June 16, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) title: Chadwick Boseman's Howard University 2018 Commencement Speech duration: 00:34:41 site: Youtube author: null published: Mon May 14 2018 10:29:12 GMT-0400 (EDT) intervention: yes description: Howard University alumnus Chadwick Boseman provides words of inspiration to the Class of 2018 during Howard University's 150th Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 12 in Washington, D.C. In this Feb. 14, 2018 photo, actor Chadwick Boseman poses for a portrait in New York to promote his film, "Black Panther." Boseman, who played Black icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown before finding fame as the regal Black Panther in the Marvel cinematic universe, has died of cancer. His representative says Boseman died Friday, Aug. 28, 2020 in Los Angeles after a four-year battle with colon cancer. He was 43. NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: Designer Kate Spade attends AOL Build Series to discuss her latest project Frances Valentine at Build Studio on April 28, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/FilmMagic) (CNN) — Celebrities like Mindy Kaling, Lena Dunham and Olivia Munn are among those who have paid tribute to designer Kate Spade, who died Tuesday. She was 55. Spade is best known for founding her eponymous fashion brand, recognized for its handbags and use of bright, vivid colors and patterns. I am heartbroken about the news of Kate Spade. I have worn her clothes many, many times. They were colorful, bold, cheerful, and encouraged women to find the twinkly person inside them. You couldn’t walk into her boutiques and not smile. Rest In Peace, Kate. — Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) June 5, 2018 Very saddened to hear about the passing of Kate Spade. Mental illness does not discriminate and can happen to anyone with any circumstances. I hope she has found peace ❤️ — Lucy Hale (@lucyhale) June 5, 2018 Kate Spade was more than a designer. She had a quirky visual language that captivated Bat Mitzvah girls and artists alike. She was also a staple of NYC who spread good will. My heart breaks for her family. Thank you, Kate, from one of the millions you made feel beautiful. — Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) June 5, 2018 My very first designer purse was a black, shoulder strap Kate Spade. I treasured it and was obsessed with keeping the little white Kate Spade label clean. It’s funny how a purse can instantly make you feel like an adult. Rest in love. ❤️❤️❤️⛅️ — o l i v i a (@oliviamunn) June 5, 2018 Spade was found dead Tuesday morning in her New York City apartment from apparent suicide. “I am heartbroken about the news of Kate Spade. I have worn her clothes many, many times,” Mindy Kaling wrote. “They were colorful, bold, cheerful, and encouraged women to find the twinkly person inside them.” Bryce Dallas Howard, who served as a brand ambassador for Kate Spade in 2011, described how she was inspired by Spade. “She made fashion fun and empowering and full of personality,” Howard wrote in part. “My love is with her family and friends at this very sad time.” “Kate Spade was more than a designer. She had a quirky visual language that captivated Bat Mitzvah girls and artists alike,” Lena Dunham added in a tweet. “She was also a staple of NYC who spread good will. My heart breaks for her family. Thank you, Kate, from one of the millions you made feel beautiful.” Depression does not discriminate and comes without warning. RIP Kate Spade. Love to her family. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 — josh groban (@joshgroban) June 5, 2018 My grandmother gave me my first Kate Spade bag when I was in college. I still have it. Holding Kate’s family, friends and loved ones in my heart. — Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) June 5, 2018 Kate Spade’s tragic passing is a painful reminder that we never truly know another’s pain or the burden they carry. If you are struggling with depression and contemplating suicide, please, please seek help. https://t.co/eruSexNoGj — Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) June 5, 2018 Some of those paying tribute to Spade recalled their first experience with the brand, once perceived to be a status-symbol. “My grandmother gave me my first Kate Spade bag when I was in college,” wrote Chelsea Clinton on social media. “I still have it. Holding Kate’s family, friends and loved ones in my heart.” @DavidSpade - all my love to u dave - — ROSIE (@Rosie) June 5, 2018 I loved @katespadeny’s beautiful and whimsical fashions. So sad. Prayers to her family. — Savannah Guthrie (@SavannahGuthrie) June 5, 2018 Me heart goes out to Kate Spade's family. May we all take note that we never know what goes on in someone’s life. Be kind to people today, even those you think have it all. https://t.co/1SFbSRfQK6 — Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) June 5, 2018 Rosie O’Donnell sent well-wishes to actor David Spade, who is Kate Spade’s brother-in-law. She married David Spade’s brother, Andy, in 1994. “All my love to u dave,” O’Donnell said on Twitter. Kate Spade’s niece, actress Rachel Brosnahan, is the star of Amazon’s “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Developing story.<doc-sep>Fashion designer Kate Spade passed away Tuesday at the age of 55. A New York City Police Department spokesman confirmed to Glamour that a housekeeper discovered Spade, who was "unconscious" and "unresponsive," in her Park Avenue apartment at around 10:20 A.M. Multiple news outlets are reporting Spade left a note, though no details are available at this time. Spade was a ubiquitous force in the fashion industry, both through her self-titled brand, which she and husband Andy Spade cofounded in 1993 and then sold in 2007) and which had a global influence thanks to its bags, as well as through Frances Valentine (the accessories label she debuted in 2016). In 2017 Kate Spade the company sold to Coach for an estimated $2.4 billion. Celebrities, fashion industry insiders, and friends of the Spade family have taken to social media to express their condolences and remember the designer's legacy; many tributes mention mental health, as it's reported that Spade died by suicide, and include phone numbers people can call if they need help. If you're dealing with depression or suicidal thoughts, you can contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.<doc-sep>

Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Incidentally, Spade was famous for her cheerful, colorful designs, which... Friends and family close to designer Kate Spade, who was found hanged Tuesday, were shocked by her untimely demise. Spade’s niece Whitney Pozgay, who runs the fashion brand WHIT, wept when reached by phone, saying she’d only just heard about her aunt’s death. “She was wonderful,” she said. “We have no comment at this time. We are just learning about it through media reports.” Spade was found in her Upper East Side apartment Tuesday morning, hanging from a doorknob by a scarf, police sources said. Her housekeeper found her, and the fashion great, known for her eclectic purses and accessories, was pronounced dead shortly after. Spade’s neighbor Shelly Bitt, 21, who used to work for the designer in California, couldn’t believe the news. “I just saw her here a week and a half ago. She didn’t say anything, she just smiled and waved. This is horrible,” Bitt said. “She was a nice woman, always had a smile on her face.” Spade sold her Kate Spade brand about 10 years ago and has been detached from it since, but the company released a statement expressing its condolences. “Although Kate has not been affiliated with the brand for more than a decade, she and her husband and creative partner, Andy, were the founders of our beloved brand. Kate will be dearly missed. Our thoughts are with Andy and the entire Spade family at this time,” Julia Curry, a senior manager for the brand, said in the statement. Celebrities across the fashion world and beyond quickly took to Twitter to express their sympathy. “Kate Spade’s tragic passing is a painful reminder that we never truly know another’s pain or the burden they carry,” Ivanka Trump tweeted just after 1 p.m. “If you are struggling with depression and contemplating suicide, please, please seek help.“ Chelsea Clinton also shared her condolences, saying she was given her first Kate Spade bag in college by her grandmother. “I still have it. Holding Kate’s family, friends and loved ones in my heart,” Clinton tweeted. The Council of Fashion Designers of America expressed “our most sincere condolences to the family.” “She was a great talent who had an immeasurable impact on American fashion and the way the world viewed American accessories,” the group said in a statement. Liz Lange, a maternity style expert, said Spade was the first person to compliment her on her own brand. “I am heart broken by this news,” she wrote. Singer Jessica Vosk called Spade a “pioneer for women’s fashion” and a “success in every way.” “But mental illness does not discriminate,” her tweet went on. “No matter who you are. If you ever feel alone, know there is ALWAYS help.” Additional reporting by Kirsten Fleming

A Marine veteran said all he was thinking about as he crawled to the finish of the Boston Marathon was the men who died after an attack on their convoy in Afghanistan nine years ago. Their names were written on his hand, his shoes and his race bib. They were the inspiration, Micah Herndon said, when he first started running to escape the horrors of war. Herndon said he never considered giving up even when his legs started giving out about 4 miles (6 kilometres) from the end of the race Monday. "That was the longest 4.2 miles I've ever run in my life," said Herndon, who's from Tallmadge, Ohio. He said his military training kicked in when he dropped to his hands and knees and crawled, at times pulling himself on his stomach, for the final 100 yards (91 metres). "It was kind of second nature," he said Tuesday, a day after finishing his third marathon. "They instil 'adapt and overcome.' Any situation you're in, that's what you do." During the marathon, Herndon, 31, said he repeated the names of three men -- Marines Mark Juarez and Matthew Ballard and British journalist Rupert Hamer -- mile after mile. Juarez and Hamer were killed when a roadside bomb exploded in January 2010. Ballard, who was severely injured, died after returning home. Herndon was in that convoy, but his vehicle wasn't hit. Repeating their names is something Herndon does when he's training or competing in a race, even when he gets strange looks from other runners. Herndon, who was injured in another blast in 2010, got into running after coming home as a way to deal with post-traumatic stress. He hopes he can inspire other veterans. "It's hard to reintegrate into society and be a civilian," he said. "My message to other veterans is to find whatever your release is. My release happens to be running."<doc-sep>Micah Herndon crosses the finish line of the Boston Marathon on his hands and knees, without assistance, after his legs locked at mile 22. (Photo: Getty Images/ Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff) A Marine who had been deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan ran the Boston Marathon on Sunday in honor of three of his fallen comrades, but as he was nearing the finish line, both of his legs gave out. Determined to complete the race, he crawled the rest of the way to victory — and video of the dramatic finish is going viral on social media. Micah Herndon of Tallmadge, Ohio miraculously survived a devastating attack from a 50-pound improvised explosive device (IED) during the 2010 Invasion of Marjah in Afghanistan, but three of his best friends — Mark Juarez, Matthew Ballard and Rupert Hamer, fellow members of Herndon’s marine division, Lava Dogs — tragically did not. Upon returning home, Herndon began running as an outlet for his post-traumatic stress, he told Yahoo Lifestyle. Want daily pop culture news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo’s newsletter. “Shortly after [returning home], as all veterans do, I had a hard time for a couple of years,” Herndon said. “It was pretty tough, and I had my up and downs, but I always worked out. I’d really gotten in touch with doing cardio, and running especially took me to a place that had a sense of healing.” Herndon started by running three miles a day, but as he became hooked on the adrenaline rush, his daily distance increased. Each time he ran, Herndon would repeat the names Juarez, Ballard and Hamer. “I know it sounds crazy,” he said, and admitted he would sometimes get weird looks as he said the mantra out loud while training. But he did it anyway, he said, to remind himself why he’s running. “I say their names and that’s my way of just knowing it could be worse,” he said, referring to “the pain that they went through and their families went through.” Story continues Running in his friends’ honor definitely kept him going. By 2016, Herndon had completed his first half-marathon, and in 2017, he completed his second. Then he went on to finish two full marathons, both in Ohio, in 2018. During his first full race, he’d qualified for the 2019 Boston Marathon. But he never technically started training. “I’m new to this whole running thing, so I don’t really have a training schedule. I just do what I always do,” he said, which is to run for a target distance of 50 miles per week. “I don’t know if it’s the wrong way or right way.” At the Boston Marathon on Monday, Herndon said he was focused on making good time so he’d qualify for the New York Marathon. True to form, he also declared he would be running the 26.2 miles in honor of his fallen friends. Whenever he felt like giving up, he said, he would repeat their names. The race started off with a bang for Herndon, and all was still going well 20 miles in, as evidenced by a video posted on Facebook by the Marine’s wife, Sarah. In the clip, Herndon is still on his feet — in red sneakers bearing the last names of his three friends on the laces — but looking worn down as he runs past the camera to cheers from the crowd. But near mile 22, Herndon’s legs suddenly cramped up and locked. “After mile 22 my miles decreased in time dramatically,” he told Yahoo Lifestyle, “and from that point on I knew I wasn’t going to finish the race in my goal time.” His goal then shifted to simply completing the race — and without anyone’s help. By the time he was within 100 yards of the finish line, though, Herndon’s legs finally gave out completely. He dropped to his knees, but refused the help of nearby volunteers, insisting on finishing the race without assistance. “I had no control over my legs,” Herndon said. “The next option was to crawl, and then my right hamstring locked up so I did the low crawl. Eventually my hamstring loosened up so I was able to crawl [normally] again. Anyway you look at it, I had to push forward.” Herndon — surrounded by race volunteers and a cheering crowd — finally dragged himself over the yellow line, finishing the race in three hours and 38 minutes. As soon as he had officially completed the marathon, Herndon was intercepted by emergency workers and lifted into a wheelchair to seek medical attention. Micah Herndon does a low-to-the-ground Army crawl to cross the finish line. (Photo: Getty Images/Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff) Video of Herndon’s heroic victory at the Boston Marathon is now capturing hearts throughout the world. “You think this guy isn’t finishing despite what his body tells him? This is guts personified,” wrote journalist Darren Rovell on Twitter. “Inspiration comes in many forms and often actions speak far louder than words can. This guy is the true definition of ‘never say die,'” tweeted another. Luckily, Herndon didn’t sustain any serious injuries during the race. He told Yahoo Lifestyle it was just a matter of improper hydration and nutrition. “I’ve got to figure out this carb-loading thing,” he joked, and said he was also not properly hydrated, but “I was definitely pushing fluid.” Herndon added that he was disappointed in his time, but intends on trying to qualify for the New York Marathon on Nov. 3 anyway — and next time, in addition to three friends, he’ll have an entire nation giving him strength. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.<doc-sep>Send this page to someone via email A U.S. Marine, running for three of his fallen comrades, refused to let his tired, exhausted body prevent him from completing the Boston Marathon on Monday, crawling on his hands and knees across the finish line. Micah Herndon, a former Marine from Ohio, competed in the marathon to pay tribute to three men he fought alongside in Afghanistan. The men died in a 2010 attack. “For some reason, I am still here,” Herndon told the Record-Courier. Dealing with post-war demons, Herndon explained to the newspaper he used running as an outlet to help cope with post-traumatic stress disorder. He eventually began to training to run marathons, using his dead comrades as inspiration. View image in full screen Micah Herndon, a former Marine from Ohio, crawls down Boylston Street towards the finish line of the 123rd Boston Marathon on April 15, 2019. Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images “I run in honour of them,” Herndon told the Record-Courier. “They are not here anymore. I am here, and I am able. I am lucky to still have all my limbs. I can still be active. I find fuel in the simple idea that I can run. Some cannot.” Story continues below advertisement WATCH: Inspirational runners who crossed the finish line 1:27 Boston Marathon: inspirational runners who crossed the finish line Boston Marathon: inspirational runners who crossed the finish line – Apr 16, 2019 On Monday, Herndon’s legs gave out around the 22-mile marker, dropping the man to the pavement. Powerful video shows the former Marine wincing in pain as he slowly crawls on his hands and knees towards the finish line. View image in full screen Micah Herndon, a former Marine from Ohio, crawls down Boylston Street towards the finish line of the 123rd Boston Marathon on April 15, 2019. Jessica Rinaldi/The Boston Globe via Getty Images “The pain that I was going through is nothing compared to the pain that they went through,” Herndon told CBS following the race. Story continues below advertisement Herndon completed the marathon with a time of three hours and 38 minutes, all doing so with the last names of his fallen comrades written on his hand, and printed on tags attached to his shoes. “If I get a heat cramp while running or my feet hurt or I am getting exhausted, I just keep saying their names out loud to myself,” Herndon told the Record-Courier. “They went through much worse, so I run for them and their families.”<doc-sep>

A Marine who ran the Boston Marathon in honor of three men he served alongside crawled across the finish line on Monday as his body almost gave up — but his mind didn't. Micah Herndon, 31, ran the race in 3 hours and 38 minutes, according to race results. But to hit that mark, he had to physically drag his body along the pavement to finish the race. PAUL BATURA: HOW 23 FAILURES LED ME TO WINNING AT THE BOSTON MARATHON Herndon, of Ohio, served several deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Record-Courier reported. During a tour in Afghanistan in 2010, three people he was with were killed when they were targeted by an IED. Marines Mark Juarez and Matthew Ballard, and Rupert Hamer, a British journalist, died. He said he ran the Boston Marathon on Sunday for them. “I run in honor of them. They are not here anymore. I am here, and I am able," Herndon told the news outlet. "I am lucky to still have all my limbs. I can still be active. I find fuel in the simple idea that I can run. Some cannot." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP He said that despite his small plights — whether his feet hurt or he's tired from running — he reminds himself why he continues, in true "Semper Fi" fashion. "I just keep saying their names out loud to myself. They went through much worse, so I run for them and their families.” In a Facebook post, Herndon shared a photo of a pair of orange Nike sneakers, but with a sentimental detail: three small golden plates featuring the names of Juarez, Ballard and Hamer are weaved in with the shoelaces. The plates served as a reminder to Herndon of why he keeps running. Videos posted online Monday show Herndon kept his word. Close to the end, he crawled to the finish line, finishing the race 11,334 overall.

It was a monumental evening for the Oklahoma Sooners women’s gymnastics program, posting a score of 198.3375 — the second-highest overall team score in the history of the event — to finish the season undefeated and capture the fourth national championship in program history Make it four. The Sooners go UNDEFEATED and win their fourth national title! Quick Recap: https://t.co/NQnFKpdpGk pic.twitter.com/j7IpWqoWe1 — Oklahoma Women's Gym (@OU_WGymnastics) April 21, 2019 Oklahoma began on the uneven bars and posted a score of 49.450, which was good for second amongst the four squads. However, OU really asserted itself in the second rotation, posting an incredible 49.6125, led by a 9.9625 from NCAA individual champion Maggie Nichols. Alicia Keys hits "this girl is on fiiiiiire" as @MagsGotSwag12 is on FIRE and sticks her landing! It's a 9.9625 for the junior! — Oklahoma Women's Gym (@OU_WGymnastics) April 21, 2019 This @OU_WGymnastics beam team is out for blood tonight. That was one of the best sets I’ve seen from them all year. — Meg McDonald (@Meg__McDonald) April 21, 2019 Oklahoma kept it going in the third rotation with a 49.6500 on the floor, as Nichols and Olivia Troutman led the way with 9.9500 scores. Senior Brenna Dowell also impressed with a 9.9375. Hey @Lin_Manuel, @brennadowell loves Hamilton, so we made her into Hamilton for our final meet of the season! She just CRUSHED her final floor routine for a 9.9375! pic.twitter.com/scTw3QwXbA — Oklahoma Women's Gym (@OU_WGymnastics) April 21, 2019 Heading into the final routine, Oklahoma had a sizable lead on the opposition and simply needed to take care of business on the vault. They did that and much more, posting a score of 49.6250 with a big punctuation from Dowell. About as close to perfection as you can get pic.twitter.com/F9z3mbYopz — espnW (@espnW) April 21, 2019 Unfortunately, the men’s team wasn’t able to take care of business to claim the program’s 13th NCAA Championship, which would’ve been the 10th for head coach Mark Williams. Some late slip-ups on the high bars sunk the team’s hopes of claiming a fifth straight title, as Stanford ended up edging the Sooners by .7 points. The loss also snapped the program’s streak of 114 consecutive victories. The streak comes to an end in Champaign. OU takes second with a team score of 414.556 to Stanford’s 415.222. Thank you for all your support, Sooner Nation. This team will be back. Thank you seniors for some incredible careers. pic.twitter.com/XyrHoSxHM9 — Oklahoma Men's Gym (@OU_MGymnastics) April 21, 2019 Stanford - 415.222 Oklahoma - 414.556 Nebraska - 407.489 Michigan - 406.354 Illinois - 405.358 Penn State - 399.725 OU was led by Genki Suzuki, who finished third in the overall results with a score of 83.198. It’s rough for the season to end like this, but it can’t be overstated how incredible the careers have been for the program’s seniors. Yul Moldauer, who suffered a setback on the final rotation, is an Olympic hopeful, so while his OU career has come to a shocking end, his future is incredibly bright. We also need to appreciate how incredible this run has been for this program and reflect on the dynasty OU has sustained for so long. You’d best believe this team will be back for blood in 2020, so I’d fully expect the Sooners to be back on top beofre too long. Until then, hats off to this Stanford team.<doc-sep>After winning the women's NCAA gymnastics title in 2016 and 2017 and finishing runner-up in 2018, Oklahoma takes the stage again on Friday to begin its title hunt. Here's what you need to know about the Sooners: THE BIG STAGE When the No. 1 Oklahoma women’s gymnastics team takes the competition floor this weekend at the NCAA Championship in Fort Worth, Texas, it will begin its quest for a fourth national title. The top-seeded Sooners will compete in Semifinal II at 6 p.m. CT on Friday against No. 5 Denver, No. 8 Georgia and No. 15 Oregon State with the top two teams advancing to the NCAA Four on the Floor on Saturday night. Competing on the opposite side of the bracket for a shot at the title will be No. 2 UCLA, No. 3 UCLA, No. 6 Utah and No. 7 Michigan. BACK TO WORK Coming off a spectacular season that ended in heart-breaking fashion as the Sooners finished as the 2018 NCAA Runner-Up, the 2019 Sooners entered the season refocused and ready to fight for another national championship. After beginning the season at No. 2 in the nation, OU reclaimed the top spot after week one and never relinquished its position as the No. 1 team. For the fifth consecutive season, the Sooners entered the postseason as the No. 1 overall seed and won their 10th consecutive regional championship. This weekend, OU will look to add a fourth national title to its collection. OU tied with Florida to win its first national championship in 2014, becoming just the sixth school to ever earn a title, before snagging its first outright win in 2016 and adding another in 2017. BRACKET: PDF for the 2019 women's gymnastics championships POSTSEASON PROWESS Postseason has become a strength of the Sooners under head coach K.J. Kindler. Since 2010, OU owns nine seasons in which it has captured a conference and regional championship in the same season, accomplishing the feat in 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2010. The Sooners have advanced to the NCAA Championships 19 times in program history and every season dating back to 2004, a streak of 16 straight. OU has never missed NCAA competition under Kindler’s leadership. ROTATION ORDER: 1. OKLAHOMA Georgia Denver Oregon State 2. Oregon State OKLAHOMA Georgia Denver 3. Denver Oregon State OKLAHOMA Georgia 4. Georgia Denver Oregon State OKLAHOMA QUEENS OF THE HILL After starting the season at No. 2, the Sooners wasted no time taking back the top spot in the rankings, claiming the No. 1 ranking after the first weekend. OU did not relinquish its No. 1 ranking all season, marking the eighth straight year the Sooners have finished within the top two of the regular season national rankings based on national qualifying score. The Sooners entered the postseason as the No. 1 overall seed for the fifth consecutive season. TOP REGIONAL TEAM The Sooners secured their spot at nationals in dominating fashion as they won their 10th straight regional title, earning a first-place finish at the NCAA Athens Regional. For the third consecutive season, OU posted the highest regional score with a 198.475, the highest road score in NCAA history. Senior Nicole Lehrmann and junior Maggie Nichols claimed the top spot on vault (9.95), while Nichols added a regional title on bars (9.975). Sophomore Carly Woodard earned the title on beam (9.925) and freshman Olivia Trautman took home the top mark on floor (9.975). Senior Brenna Dowell was the all-around regional champion with a 39.550. INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS In addition to determining the squads competing in the Four on the Floor, Friday’s semifinals will serve to crown individual national champions. Scores will be combined from both sessions to determine the winners. In its history, OU has had five gymnasts combine for 11 individual NCAA titles. Kelly Garrison (1987 and 1988) won all-around honors twice and claimed bars and beam titles, Taylor Spears (2014) was on top of the podium on beam. Maggie Nichols and Nicole Lehrmann shared first-place honors on bars in 2017. In 2018, Nichols took home the all-around title, along with bars and floor and Brenna Dowell earned her first national title on vault. WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS: Everything you need to keep track of the NC championships SOONERS AGAINST THE FIELD Oklahoma has faced four of the seven teams in the 2019 NCAA Championship field this season. OU holds a 7-0 record against those teams, defeating Denver, Georgia, Michigan and UCLA throughout the season. The Sooners will be seeing Big 12 foe Denver for the fourth time this season at semifinals. MATCHUPS AT A GLANCE: OU Denver Georgia Oregon State NCAA Seed No. 1 No. 5 No. 8 No. 16 NQS 198.115 197.545 197.315 196.625 Regional 198.475 197.375 198.050 196.900 Average 197.808 197.175 196.838 196.320 High 198.475 197.775 198.050 197.450 ALL-AMERICAN GIRLS Seven members of the gymnastics squad combined to earn a program-best 16 regular season All-America honors from the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA). In the seven years that regular season All-America accolades have been awarded, the Sooners have totaled double-digit honors six times. Seniors Brenna Dowell and Nicole Lehrmann, juniors Jade Degouveia and Maggie Nichols, sophomores Anastasia Webb and Carly Woodard and freshman Olivia Trautman all received recognition from the association. Dowell led the way with four accolades, including her first all-around recognition. Could not have scripted Senior Night any better! I’m so thankful for the opportunity to represent this school and especially for my family who’s been beside me for this crazy and amazing journey! I love you guys 😍❤️ pic.twitter.com/HY6D0QgnW8 — Brenna Dowell (@brennadowell) March 16, 2019 TOP TOTALS Of the nation’s top totals, the Sooners boast three in the top five and six in the top 10 this season. OU holds the No. 1 spot with a 198.475, the No. 3 spot with a 198.325 and the No. 5 spot with a 198.300. The Sooners are the only team with five scores over 198.200 this season. OU also boasts the sixth-best score with a 198.275, seventh-best with a 198.200 and 10th-best with a 198.075. HISTORY: Every NC women's gymnastics champion ever VAULTING TO THE TOP On Jan. 11, the Sooners became the first team in the NCAA to field a lineup of six 10.0 start value vaults since the devaluation of the Yurchenko full. OU has competed six Yurchenko 1.5s in nine meets this season and is one of just three teams (Florida, Nebraska) to accomplish the feat. Of the nine meets, the Sooners have posted at least a 49.350 in all nine, and higher than 49.500 in five meets. CLOUD 9.9 The Sooners have posted 189 scores of 9.9 or better this season. With 358 routines under their belts, that means that 52.8 percent of the routines competed have scored at least a 9.9. The Sooners have put up double-digit scores of 9.9 or better in 12 of 15 meets, tallying 18 in both regional meets; 17 against Florida; 16 against Alabama; 14 at the Perfect 10 Challenge; 13 at the Metroplex Challenge, at Michigan and the Big 12 Championship; 12 against Arkansas and UCLA; 10 each against Georgia and UNC. Congratulations to these 2⃣ #Big12 gymnasts on being named Regional Gymnasts of the Year: 🏆 @maddie_karr, Region 2 🏆 @brennadowell, South Central Region For more on their most recent honors » https://t.co/ThnEIWNSJv. #Big12GYM pic.twitter.com/kht30ZENFH — Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) April 10, 2019 CLUB 197 The Sooners have posted a score of at least 197 or higher in 58 of their last 59 meets. Currently, the Sooners’ streak is at 24 meets with a score of at least 197, and 14of those meets have featured a score of at least a 198. The Sooners are one of just two teams that have scored a 197 or better in every meet this year (UCLA). UCLA: Katelyn Ohashi looks to make final statement on floor TO 198 AND BEYOND With a 198.050 in their opening meet, the Sooners became the only team in NCAA history to break 198 in the first meet of the year. OU has posted at least seven marks of 198 or better for the second consecutive season.<doc-sep>As the UCLA gymnastics team practiced Thursday, a little more than 24 hours before the start of the NCAA championships, the Bruins behaved as they have all season. They danced between exercises and to each other’s floor routines, laughed while sporting shiny blue sunglasses and appeared relaxed, despite the grander stage. “Their whole approach is perfect for postseason,” said Kathy Johnson Clarke, 1984 Olympic gold medalist, who will be working the championships as an ESPN commentator. (Rahul Mukherjee / Los Angeles Times) Advertisement UCLA, ranked second in the nation behind Oklahoma, will need to remain unfazed as it attempts to defend its national title starting Friday at the Fort Worth Convention Center. The Bruins face Louisiana State, Utah and Michigan in one semifinal. Oklahoma, Georgia, Denver and Oregon State are in the other. The top two teams from each bracket advance to Saturday’s national championship meet. Oklahoma, Georgia and UCLA are the only teams with a qualifying score above 198.0. UCLA edged Oklahoma in last year’s national championship by a margin of .0375, but the Sooners defeated the Bruins in a dual meet earlier this season. “The biggest thing is having all of us hit what we’re capable of,” said Kyla Ross, a UCLA junior. “And I feel like then we’re gonna have another great meet.” The gymnasts compete for individual titles Friday, with the three top contenders for the all-around title facing off in the same semifinal. Ross, Utah’s MyKayla Skinner and Louisiana State’s Sarah Finnegan are the nation’s top ranked all-around gymnasts. Ross, the No. 1 all-around gymnast, achieved a “Gym Slam” — scoring a perfect 10 on each apparatus — twice this season. Ross said the Bruins plan to approach the championships as they did the Pac-12 Conference championships, where the team posted a season-high score of 198.4. The key: Be calm but focused. “We weren’t trying harder or anything,” Ross said. “We just went in and were very confident in all our routines. And that’s why we were able to get such a good team score. ’Cause we’re just having fun, but also dialing in.” Advertisement Sign up for our daily sports newsletter » blake.richardson@latimes.com @rblakerich_<doc-sep>

Individual event champions were crowned, and eight teams were cut to four, as the 2019 National Collegiate Women's Gymnastics Championships opened Friday at the Fort Worth Convention Center. National Champion x 2⃣! @OU_WGymnastics' Maggie Nichols is the co-Vault and All-Around @NCAA National Champion. pic.twitter.com/ECRujN0fk9 — Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) April 20, 2019 Heading into the championships, Oklahoma's Maggie Nichols didn't look like she would be able to defend her 2018 all-around title. But she did just that. SHOP: BUY THE OFFICIAL 2019 OKLAHOMA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS T-SHIRT Nichols turned in a 39.7125 to edge out UCLA's Kyla Ross and Minnesota's Lexy Ramler, who tied for second with a 39.6625. Nichols had a 9.9500 on the vault, a 9.9375 on bars, a 9.9000 on the balance beam and a 9.9250 on the floor exercise. Maggie Nichols repeats as women's gymnastics individual all-around champ "This is the best I've felt the whole season, even at the beginning," said Nichols. "It was so amazing to come out tonight and hit four really good routines. "I wasn't focused on winning the all-around. I just really wanted to go out there and hit my routines for my team and help advance to the second day. It all came together perfectly at the end, which was incredible, and I'm so ready for day 2." For the seventh consecutive season, we're going back to the finals! RECAP: https://t.co/UwL7TckhEZ pic.twitter.com/TzOKVYgSeT — Oklahoma Women's Gym (@OU_WGymnastics) April 20, 2019 Nichols suffered a heel injury in mid-January and hadn't done a floor routine at a meet since then and only twice in competition all season. The junior had also skipped vaulting, except for the Perfect 10 Challenge on Feb. 15 and at the Athens Regional two weeks ago. "I've been training floor for a few weeks now, and I really had to step up this week because we had an injury in our floor lineup," Nichols added. "We came up with a new floor routine for me, and I was really confident that I could do it. I've been really focused outside of the gym to get really healthy, and I've been feeling really good." NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL The other individual national champions are LSU's Kennedi Edney, Ross, Nichols and Auburn's Derrian Gobourne, who all turned in a 9.9500 in the vault. LSU's Sarah Finnegan won the uneven parallel bars with a 9.9500. Michigan's Natalie Wojcik is the balance beam national champion after turning in a 9.9500. Ross, Florida's Alicia Boren, Denver's Lynnzee Brown and Oklahoma's Brenna Dowell shared the floor exercise title; all scored 9.9500. 2019 #NCAAGym Championships All-Around Results 1. Maggie Nichols, OU- 39.7125 2T. Lexy Ramler, Minnesota- 39.6625 2T. Kyla Ross, UCLA- 39.6625 4. Sarah Finnegan, LSU- 39.6500 5. Kennedi Edney, LSU- 39.6000 6. Lynnzee Brown, Denver- 39.5750 7. MyKayla Skinner, Utah- 39.5500 pic.twitter.com/VfNAcEd06C — FloGymnastics (@FloGymnastics) April 20, 2019 There were few surprises in the semifinals of the team competition, as all of the top seeds advanced to Saturday's final. No. 1 Oklahoma (197.8500) and No. 5 Denver (197.0375) moved on from the second session, while No. 2 UCLA (197.6750) and No. 3 LSU (197.5125) advanced from session one. Kennedi Edney: LSU gymnast chasing improvement, success before championships Denver just edged out Oregon State after the teams were tied at 147.6500 after three events. The Pioneers pulled it out with strong performances on the bars. It is Denver's fifth trip to the team championships, but the first time the Pioneers have reached the final round. Ross led UCLA with first-place finishes on vault (9.9500) and floor (9.9500) in the first session. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist finished fourth on the balance beam (9.9000) and a big step on her dismount on the bars contributed to a 12th place tie (9.8625) Here is where we started 9/7/18. I’ve enjoyed every moment this year! Excited for one more dance this weekend 💙💛 #NCAAgym #UCLAGymnastics pic.twitter.com/DRIapkqA9S — Valorie Kondos Field (@OfficialMissVal) April 18, 2019 It was dicey for LSU early in session one. The Tigers struggled on the beam to open but rallied to finish second on the floor and win the vault and bars. A wobble on the beam cost Utah's MyKayla Skinner a shot at the all-around title. Skinner, the all-around runner up the past two seasons, finished in the top three of each of the other three events, but a tie for 21st on the beam dropped her to 7th place.

Football has often been described as the 'beautiful game' and when in turn it's implemented as a video game, it doesn't get more picturesque than Pro Evolution Soccer (PES) 2019 on PlayStatiion 4, Xbox One and PC. Konami's latest release is a real gem when it comes to the action on the pitch. After getting used to the slower pace of the game, you begin to notice the new features and subtleties that breath life into this new title. Online features were not yet available while we were playing so instead this review will focus on PES' bread and butter: the gameplay. The beautiful game is epitomised by the magnificent gameplay in Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 As any football game should, PES is undoubtedly at its best when it comes down to the gameplay. After a few games, everything suddenly clicked as I adjusted to the more thoughtful, cautious pace which you won't find in FIFA 19. Concentrating more on build-up play, you'll been enlightened to the wonderful array of passes you have at your disposal as you orchestrate delightful, flowing moves. The passing in PES truly is a treat for any seasoned football fan. From lofted, pin-point balls which land perfectly to the target player to through balls which pick apart defenses expertly. Intelligently finding the space and carving opportunities for your forwards with a variety of passes feels incredibly satisfying and rewarding to the point where you'll watch all of the replays to reflect on the masterpiece you created. Crossing is just as satisfying, especially the early cross variant which most of the time will swerve perfectly away from the defender straight to a forward who you didn't realise had so much space. The undoubted highlight is the wonderful passing which help you create masterpiece goals The intelligence of your AI teammates is tremendous when you're on the attack, players are always making runs and finding space which help create rewarding goals when paired with the smooth passing mechanics. However, the same cannot be said for the AI when defending. In fact, defending in general in the game is disappointingly flat. While attacking players will neatly hold their arms up to block off opposition, it never feels like defenders fight back. While attacking players furiously run and search for space, centrebacks frustratingly stand still and hope that the opposition walk into them. That paired with the efficiency of passing in the game makes winning the ball back a very tall task, especially when referees are far too quick to blow the whistle and dish out cards. Despite the addition of 'magic moments' which unleash players personality and flair, I found dribbling to be frustratingly dull. Movement is quick but rigid and while you certainly can run passed players it's almost too effortless as you simply walk through anyone who stands in your way with little consideration or thought - AI defenders simply make no effort to stop those runs. There are skill moves in the game but the system feels awkward, nobody wants to have to hold, press and move a combination of three different buttons at once when reactively trying to avoid a challenge. While FIFA is all about show, PES is about technique and unfortunately dribbling suffers for that Still, that doesn't make PES any less enjoyable. It's simply a different style and different way of playing. For those who enjoy meticulously crafting precise passing moves, you'll absolutely adore this game. FIFA is all about style while PES focuses on substance. Rather than make a song a dance, Konami offer a neat alternative in the football gaming market which offers a pure footballing experience. In multiple instances in the game, you'll see the gameplay is simply a nod to the sport that we have loved watching since we were young. Any football fan will ooh and ahh at a perfectly weighted lob over the goalkeeper or a vicious shot will sizzles into the top corner. Alongside its impressive passing, PES is rich with exceptional shooting. Cristiano Ronaldo's shots will leave any goalkeeper helpless with wild swerves and dips while Lionel Messi will expertly curve the ball passed the goalkeeper with the outside of his foot. Longshots feel phenomenal when executed right, rocketing through the air with incredible power before rustling in the back of the net. However, many of these shooting animations feel lackluster and don't match the weight of your shot - the ball appears to magically swing of players feet while the player doesn't look like he physically put much effort in. The featured stadiums in the game are jaw-droppingly beautiful, you can see and feel the scale Still, when it comes to the gameplay PES is mostly a fun and gratifying experience but the same cannot be said for everything off the pitch. For starters there's certainly a lack of content when compared to its counterpart. Master League is an excellent time-sink but is largely unchanged from previous years. On top of that the severe lack of licensed teams has to be mentioned, it's something which won't bother hardcore PES fans but is will be a major bummer to anyone less familiar with the series. The new additions such as the Scottish and Russian leagues don't come close to filling the hole left by the UEFA making the jump to FIFA. Playing as the likes of Hertfordshire (Watford) or East Sussex Blues (Brighton) is frustrating and with lower rated players who lack Magic Moment traits, the gameplay feels comparatively bland to the top teams. Many won't release but soon after release you can fix some of these frustrations by downloading fan-made licensing packs but this is sadly blocked if you play on Xbox One. But the absolute worst part of the game are the menus which are annoyingly old fashioned, unsightly and simply aren't practical. Trying to select your team become incredible tedious as you navigate the awkward menu which is needless squished into half of the screen. Players images and names overlap each other which is an unacceptable design flaw in this day and age.<doc-sep>Konami's focus on mobile gaming, in addition to its other interests such as pachinko machines and casinos in Japan, seems to have hurt the console ambitions of every franchise it owns in recent years. Back in April, its football sim Pro Evolution Soccer was dealt another blow, after Konami opted not to renew its deal with UEFA, a partnership that had been around since 2008. Naturally, its big-moneyed rival EA Sports took advantage of the opportunity, adding the Champions League to its crown of jewels in the upcoming FIFA 19, out later in September. The UEFA licenses were one of the few things Konami’s PES could boast of in a gaming market that places a high value on playing with official kits in official stadiums under official branding. And in its hour of need, PES 2019 – the latest iteration now out on PC, PS4 and Xbox One; previous-gen consoles PS3 and Xbox 360 have been left behind for the first time in over a decade – doubled down on the charm offensive of lesser-known leagues. Thanks to that, there are seven new licensed leagues in PES 2019 from Belgium, Russia, Scotland, and Turkey, among others. At the same time, the biggest leagues remain nearly devoid of licenses, except for Arsenal and Liverpool in the Premier League English League, and Barcelona in La Liga the Spanish League. The Serie A Italian League is better off as always, with all 20 clubs except Juventus available in PES 2019. Germany's Bundesliga continues to be missing though France's Ligue 1 is fully licensed. Of course, enterprising players can always "fix" matters by making use of the game's convenient import function, what with PES' dedicated and always-helpful community having already released unofficial kits and name changes. The addition of several new leagues is beneficial to every game mode: it increases the player roster available in Master League, the manager mode, and myClub, the PES version of FIFA's Ultimate Team (colloquially known as FUT for short), while boosting the club choices for Become A Legend, the player career mode, and all casual kick-off modes be it offline or online. Konami will hope that the additions can bring in football fans from beyond the big European countries looking to play with their local teams. Of course, over the long run, it's the action on the pitch that matters more. Having chosen to mould itself around jogo bonito – football’s nickname popularised by the legendary Pelé – for the past few years, PES 2019 finds the franchise at a curious stage, seemingly trying to infuse a sense of realism into its penchant for style. It’s the only way to explain the duality of the gameplay this year, where the frequency of first-touch football and ease of give-and-go is in contrast with scoring from long shots and no-look passing, the last of those likely a result of the new player traits. The pace of play, the size of the pitch, and simple defence controls all contribute towards first-touch football being more routine in PES 2019 than it is in real life, and most of it tends to be quite good, even with the teams not high on the pecking order. And it’s much too easy to construct one-two passes in Konami’s latest, with AI defenders not tracking opposition runs very well. For what it’s worth, the difference in player speed with and without the ball is managed well, so you can catch up at times if you’re alert enough. In the interest of making scores more realistic – PES was synonymous with goal-fests in prior years – Konami has introduced a few welcome changes. One of the big ones is an adjustment of the utopian delivery of crosses and a tweaking of the accuracy of headers, making it tougher to score off aerial balls whipped from wide areas. Long shots are a lot more realistic than in EA’s FIFA 18, thanks to built-in inaccuracies in shooting and more equipped goalkeepers, though weirdly enough, keepers aren’t that great when it comes to shots from narrow angles. Fouls is another aspect where PES 2019 is more realistic than FIFA, with Konami’s AI liable to be aggressive and make mistakes, more so in derby matches, just as human players tend to be. PES 2019 also dials up the realism for no-look passes and through balls, with stats playing a big role. If the player in control doesn’t have a high passing value or the new player trait, chances are he will overshoot it and punt the ball off the pitch. Unfortunately, defending continues to be the hill to die on for Konami; in addition to not tracking forward runs, ball retrieval mechanics feel outdated, and it’s high time PES reconsidered its homing-missile approach in favourable of a more realistic model. Konami’s Fox Engine is also showing its age when it comes to visuals, though the over-sharpening troubles we had with the demo weren’t a factor in the full release. PES 2019 introduces snow weather to the available options where it’s geographically appropriate, but outside of some additional slipping, there’s no accumulation of snow on the pitch as with FIFA. And though it’s only a matter of decoration, Konami could do well to put more effort into the overall presentation – hell, the PES community works harder than the developers in that regard. Off the pitch, PES 2019 is touting several improvements to both myClub and Master League. For the former, they include the introduction of “featured players” – the equivalent of FUT’s Team of the Week – in addition to tweaks to player purchase and trade, skill and position trainers, and an overall ranking system among other things. Our big gripe with myClub – and this applies to FUT as well – continues to be how it shifts attention and time from on-pitch action towards off-field matters. Dividing our time between myClub and Master League, it was clear that we could play more matches in the latter.<doc-sep>PES 2019's release date has finally arrived, and fans are getting their hands on this year's Pro Evo worldwide. The new edition contains improvements in players' energy depletion, meaning you now have to spend more attention to how much you keep that right trigger pressed down. Huge advances have also been made in the on-pitch presentation, with new lighting techniques meaning matches look more realistic than ever. Our critic, Richard Wakeling, was impressed by this year's game, and he awarded it a 9/10 in our PES 2019 review-in-progress. Take a look below to check out what other critics thought of this year's Pro Evolution Soccer. Alternatively, check out GameSpot sister site Metacritic for a wider view of critical opinion on the popular sports game. Game: Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 Pro Evolution Soccer 2019 Developer / Publisher: Konami Konami Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC PS4, Xbox One, PC Release date: Out now Out now Price: $60 / £50 / AU $97 GameSpot -- 9/10 (Review-In-Progress) "For as long as EA continues to develop FIFA and hold a monopoly over official licences, PES will be the scrappy underdog just hoping for a surprise upset, even when it's fielding the likes of London Blue and PV White Red. The lack of licences for top-tier leagues remains a disheartening sticking point, but PES continues to make brilliant strides on the pitch, building on what was already an incredibly satisfying game of football to produce one of the greatest playing football games of all time. It might be lacking off the pitch, but put it on the field against the competition and a famous giant killing wouldn't be all that surprising." -- Richard Wakeling [Full review-in-progress] IGN -- 8.2/10 "You shouldn't buy PES 2019 for its new modes--there aren't any of note. Nor should you buy it for major changes to existing modes--the ones made are minor. If you do opt in this year, it should be for the focus on player individuality that sets this iteration apart from all previous years. It's not just a case of introducing bespoke animations, but accurately reflecting each player's ingrained habits, too. Football, after all, is a battle that's both physical and psychological. From PES 2019's crisp and robust action to the mind games unfolding behind the scenes, this is a game successfully capturing both sides." -- Benjamin Griffin [Full review] Game Informer -- 8.5/10 "It's easy for me to sit and revel in what I love about PES, jogging through instant replay just to gawk at a foot flick a ball on to a teammate or charting out the future of my Master League club. But occasionally that reverence is broken by an ill-suited moment that illustrates that more work needs to be done. The franchise is steps away from greatness, which makes some of its foibles frustrating." -- Matthew Sato [Full review] GamesRadar+ -- 4/5 "PES 2019 is still very much a hard sell to all but the most ardent who will religiously buy Konami's newest entry and the quantifiable new features are very much lacking this year. Hardcore FIFA fans, too, will find little here to tempt them outside of the handful of exclusive leagues and features; Master League is very much mired in the mid-'00s with its bland menus and odd quirks, and MyClub but a pale imitation of Ultimate Team. "Regardless, of all that, PES 2019 is a game you'll like, and very much enjoy in extended spells. The nagging feeling, despite the superb football, remains: more could have been done to set it apart from its contemporaries, and even past Pro Evo entries--but you'll be having too much fun to care otherwise." -- Bradley Russell [Full review] Eurogamer -- No Score "The harsh, inescapable truth about PES 2019, though, is that quality on the pitch can't make up for the disappointment of the overall package. Even if you were to fall in love with its more sim-like gameplay, PES 2019 as an overall offering falls flat. Off the pitch, PES remains a shambles. Konami's licensing problems are well documented, but the addition of the Scottish, Russian and Turkish leagues, among half a dozen other officially-licensed leagues that appear in the game, does not make up for the loss of the Champions League license, which had been a PES mainstay for a decade. There are no new game modes. No new game modes! Beyond that, there are some basic, fundamental features PES lacks that do not sit well in 2018. Where are the women teams, for example? "Despite it all, I keep thinking about the football. You know, the actual football. It really is a marvel and it matters so, so much. So much good comes from it--gorgeous passes, stunning shots, realistic tackles--but it finds itself stifled by a football video game that's stuck in the dark ages." -- Wesley Yin-Poole [Full review]<doc-sep>My cab driver is a fiery, sunburst-haired Celtic fan who has plenty to say about the current state of Scottish football. As we drive from Glasgow airport to Celtic Park to play PES 2019, the latest version of Konami's long-running football video game series, he mentions a player who arrived to play in the Scottish league thinking the standard would be awful, but told press he was impressed by the level of play and enjoyed the challenge. All the Scottish transfers last season amounted to as much as Chelsea paid for one player, he adds. Celtic don't have enough money to compete for signings with Premier League teams, he laments, so the club has to bleed young players through. Thankfully, manager Brendan Rodgers is good at that. As we wrap around Celtic Park on the hunt for the entrance to the stadium, our cab driver whispers a song from the terraces. Welcome to Paradise. Pro Evolution Soccer's ongoing struggle in the face of EA Sports' cash-rich FIFA series is well-documented, but it's been a particularly tough year for Konami's licensing team. First, PES lost the Champions League and the Europa League to FIFA after a decade of exclusivity. Then it saw German club Borussia Dortmund unceremoniously tear up its contract with Konami to appear in PES 2019 - even after official screenshots showing Dortmund players in virtual action were released to the media. Official licences mean so much in the world of virtual football. EA Sports' long-running and exclusive deal for the Premier League licence and its ability to simulate the Sky Sports Super Sunday feel in-game is one of the main reasons FIFA has found such success in the UK for so long. In PES, on the other hand, Chelsea FC is called London FC. If you want to play as Manchester United, you have to buy FIFA. Data-changing option files are available for the loyal PES fan to download and install, but, let's be honest, the casual football fan doesn't bother with such fuss. Konami hit back in its thankless licensing fight with EA Sports by announcing the addition of new official leagues for PES 2019, such as the Turkish league (Konami expects big things of PES in Turkey this year), the Russian league and the Scottish league, the latter of which is why I'm at Celtic Park to play the game. Amid cups of coffee on white tablecloths and cans of Irn-Bru chilling in ice-filled bowls, banks of consoles house the PES 2019 demo build. A handful of press are in one of the larger rooms upstairs in Celtic Park, the kind of room football clubs reserve for corporate functions and club shindigs. One wall is all glass, and it gives us a great view of the pitch from upon high. I can feel the history. I remember the glory days of Henrik Larsson and Stilian Petrov and John Hartson, but pictures and statues shout proudly of the even better glory days, when Celtic was the best team in Europe, when the Lisbon Lions roared in Portugal in 1967. Celtic have a history - a really, really good history. So has PES. Its glory days, for me, were on PS2. My university friends and I would often play four-player PES before a night out (every time the ball went out for a throw-in or a goal kick we'd have a drink). The transition from ISS Pro Evolution on the PSone to Pro Evolution Soccer on the PS2 was hugely successful. Pro Evolution Soccer's early years blew me away. I don't think I even knew a rival football video game existed. But then, with the transition to the next-generation of consoles, Konami, well, there's no nice way to put this: Konami completely ballsed it up. Since then, EA Sports and its marketing might has crushed PES to become the undisputed king of video game football. FIFA sells tens of millions of copies each year and brings in billions of dollars through Ultimate Team. In the UK, a PES heartland little over a decade ago, Konami's game is an afterthought. I myself turned to the dark side, as I know so many did, in the move from PS2 to Xbox 360. But old habits die hard. I play FIFA with the "alternate" control scheme (swapping the shoot and cross buttons around) because that's how PES played back in the day. FIFA is my game, but PES is in my blood. And so we come to Celtic Park and the prospect of an officially-licensed Old Firm derby. What a thought! But first, a presentation from Lennart Bobzien, European PES brand manager. Bobzien, who is intimately involved with the club and league negotiations that result in deals for the likes of the Scottish league in PES, points out that David Beckham as he is now, that is, David Beckham 2018, aka 43-year-old David Beckham, is in the game and playable. I wonder what Olden Balls' pace stat is? PES 2019 has ex-Brazil striker Romario, exclusively. Ronaldinho is also in PES 2019 (there were rumours he was exclusive to FIFA). Scott Brown complained about the size of his nose in PES on social media, apparently. Then, a slide on the officially-licensed Rangers, which, I imagine, is the first time a slide on Rangers has ever been shown in Celtic Park. Liverpool are officially licensed. Quick subs give you a choice of players to pick from - FIFA doesn't do that. Liverpool striker Firmino can do his famous no-look pass in the game. PES 2019 is due out on 30th August - over four weeks before FIFA launches. Will that help? I'm not sure. It's time for hands-on, and PES 2019 makes an immediate concession to FIFA. Do you want standard or alternate controls, the game asks? Alternate sets R2 on dash and circle for shoot, while standard has square for shoot and R1 for dash. Konami knows it needs to let people play PES as they play FIFA. This is the world it lives in.<doc-sep>

Konami Pro Evolution Soccer keeps handing its haters fuel. If the series doesn't have big-name licenses, the FIFA crowd says, it's not worth playing. PES has destroyed this notion with an excellent return to form over the last few years, but for the first time in a while, this year's game throws up more questions than answers. First things first: PES 2019 plays a brilliant game of football. It's more challenging than ever, is beautifully detailed in 4K HDR and will be celebrated by those already invested in the series. Konami have sought to give players more control and opportunities to play their personal brand of football. As such, PES 2019 takes no prisoners in its search for realism on the pitch. Last year's game tasked players with learning a more intricate style, one that favoured intelligent shifts of momentum over holding sprint and relying on breakneck speed. PES 2018 capitalised on the solid base built across years of reworking the series after a dire run on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. To the naked eye, you'd think PES 2019 was the same game sporting graphical enhancements and new skill moves, but subtle tweaks have a major impact. The most immediately noticeable upgrade is the physical feel of the ball. There's a weighty response to each pass that just makes sense if you've ever played football. You'll know straight away when you've made a dud lay-off or overhit a simple pass because the ball reacts properly. Possession doesn't easily snap together, and you're forced to work harder to maintain control. Video Play Button Videos you might like Mistakes are far more common because of this. The AI squeezes space out of the pitch more aggressively, actively trying to win the ball back just as you build rhythm. Even on mid-range difficulties, the opposition is drilled to remain disciplined if a result is within reach, only breaking free of their shackles once chasing a late goal. PES 2019 calls on players to demonstrate their full range of passing to consistently win matches. There are genuine lulls in play as teams cancel each other out, with cross-field balls and neat flicks becoming vital to manoeuvring through a tight midfield. Subtle feints and shifts of body weight remain key to escaping trouble and need to be considered before receiving the ball. One-touch play is make or break, as it either tears the opposition apart or leaves you massively exposed on the break. Konami A lack of responsiveness can interrupt the flow of matches. It's not uncommon to run into teammates who step into the way while you're dribbling, and there are moments where you'll wonder if your button press has registered at all. Defenders are slow to turn and compete when a pass is played behind them, even if you read the situation by switching players ahead of time. If you can nip ahead of the centre-back when a cross comes in, you're going to often score. Aerial challenges from goal kicks also feel weighted in favour of the forward by virtue of their being closest to the ball, particularly on tougher difficulties or against a friend. These aren't game-breaking issues, but when the physical battle is so fierce and unpredictable in midfield, it's disappointing that patterns emerge in other situations. This is also true of the controlled shot, which continues to be an overpowered route to goal from anywhere inside the final third. Goalkeepers are slightly more reactive to deflections and face up well to rising strikes, but they still can't cover the goal to consistently stop curlers. PES 2019 eases this burden somewhat by having the best net physics ever seen in a football game. Just like the feel of the ball is correct, Konami have nailed a key component of the sport that is easily overlooked. The lifelike ripples and bulges add to the thrill of scoring and are evidence that the little details are taken seriously. Adding to that, referees are far stricter and now give a decent number of fouls in each match. This has long been a complaint of the community, so it's good to see bookings dished out realistically for both teams, as the computer now uses plenty of sliding tackles. Flying into a challenge or using too much force is a risky tactic of breaking up play. This kind of attention to detail is the series' greatest shield against the volley of abuse that will inevitably be hurled from FIFA lovers.

Read Also It’s official! The much-awaited first look and title announcement of ‘Thalapathy 62’ will be unveiled on June 21. As speculated earlier, the first look will be a pleasant treat for fans on the eve of Thalapathy Vijay’s birthday, who will be turning 44 this Friday.Taking it to Twitter, Sun Pictures wrote, “The First Look and Movie Title of #Thalapathy62WithSunPictures will be revealed on June 21st at 6pm.”It must be noted that the makers have already completed 80 percent of the shoot and are planning to wrap up in the coming months. Reports suggest that the team is somehow planning to release ‘Thalapathy 62’ on Diwali this year.Made on a lavish budget, the yet-untitled project is being produced by Sun Pictures and has dialogues by famous writer Jeyamohan. The film marks Vijay’s third collaboration with AR Murugadoss after ‘ Thuppakki ’ and ‘Kaththi’. Keerthy Suresh will reportedly play the female lead. Later this month, the team will head to the US to shoot an important sequence featuring Vijay and Keerthy.Touted to be a political drama, the film has music by AR Rahman and also stars Radha Ravi , Pala Karuppiah, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and Yogi Babu in important roles.<doc-sep>On the eve of ‘Thalapathy’ Vijay ’s birthday, the makers have released the much-awaited first look of ‘ Sarkar ‘ and boy, it looks impressive! Popularly known as ‘ Thalapathy 62 ’, the film has now officially been titled ‘Sarkar’ and the makers took to Twitter to release the first look poster.Sporting a casual outfit, Vijay looks dapper in the first look poster. Needless to say, the still is already creating waves on the internet.For Vijay’s birthday, fans have planned several celebrations and “#HBDThalapathyVijay” has already started trending on social media.According to latest reports, the makers have completed 80 per cent of the shoot and are only left with a month-long schedule. Recently, Vijay was spotted at Binny Mills shooting an important sequence for the film.Made on a lavish budget, 'Sarkar' is being produced by Sun Pictures and has dialogues by Jeyamohan. The film marks Vijay’s third association with AR Murugadoss after blockbuster films such as ‘ Thuppakki ’ and ‘Kaththi’.Touted to be a political drama, the film has music by Academy Award winner AR Rahman. It also stars Radha Ravi, Pala Karuppiah, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and Yogi Babu in important roles. ‘Sarkar’ is slated to release on Diwali this year.<doc-sep>It's official, Thalapathy Vijay’s magnum opus political action thriller film with director AR Murugadoss has been titled as Sarkar. It's official, Thalapathy Vijay’s magnum opus political action thriller film with director AR Murugadoss has been titled as Sarkar. In the first look poster, the actor sports a stylish beard and holds a cigar which worked well with his loyal fans who are in a celebratory mood as they are gearing up for the birthday (22 June) of their matinee-idol. For the first time, the production house has exclusively used Sun TV to launch the first look poster as the channel has a wide reach and enjoys high TRP among all the television networks in Tamil. Talking about the film, Murugadoss said, "Audiences gave an astounding response to my previous two collaborations Thuppakki and Kaththi with Vijay sir. As a team, we are working hard to deliver a unique content and hoping that people would embrace our product once again." Sources say that Sarkar is the costliest film ever produced in the actor’s career surpassing his previous film, Mersal. The makers of Sarkar have completed nearly 60% of the shoot in Chennai. Touted to be an intense political action thriller film, Vijay would be seen in his most stylish avatar in the film driving swanky cars and stylish costumes. Keerthy Suresh plays the romantic interest of Vijay in the film and Varalaxmi of Vikram Vedha fame also plays an important role. In an earlier interaction with Firstpost, Keerthy said that after Mahanati, she has given bulk dates for Sarkar as her character is very crucial in the story proceedings. Veteran villain actor Radha Ravi and popular producer Pala. Karuppiah are playing the two cunning politicos in Sarkar. Popular writer Jeyamohan has penned the dialogues in the film and our sources say that as bold political lines have worked in favor of Vijay in films like Kaththi and Mersal, Murugadoss has spiced up the film with powerful lines attacking the system. In his last film Mersal, dialogues criticising GST and digital India garnered national attention and the producers earned free publicity through continuous debate shows in prime news channels. Vijay will also be soon leaving to the USA for a brief schedule of Sarkar. “Unlike Vijay’s previous film Mersal, this one will not have any revenge angle and purely revolves around flaws in the system. There is a surprise twist in the characterisation of Vijay in the film”, said a source close to the team. The film also has a good scope for the background score and hence, more than songs, AR Rahman has asked the team to give him more time for re-recording. Murugadoss is planning to wrap up the shoot in the month of August and decided to spend nearly two months for the post-production. In his previous collaboration Kaththi, Murugadoss was criticized for the poor VFX work in the scenes featuring Kathiresan and Jeevanandam (both played by Vijay). So, the director doesn’t want to compromise with the visual quality this time in Sarkar. A huge political gathering setup was recently shot for the film and high volatile debate show discussing an important topic were also recently shot for the film. In the first look poster, team Sarkar has also reconfirmed the Diwali release plans which means the film will clash with Suriya's political action drama NGK in both Tamil and Telugu.<doc-sep>The wait is finally over! As announced, the title of Vijay's upcoming film with AR Murugadoss was unveiled in the popular TV channel. The film which was tentatively called as Thalapathy 62 is now titled as 'Sarkar'. Along with the title, the makers also unveiled the first look poster of the film. This is a treat for Vijay fans ahead their idol's birthday which is tomorrow. The first look poster is stylish with Vijay sporting a new look. The film marks the third collaboration of Vijay and director AR Murugadoss. They earlier made Thuppaki and Kaththi, which turned out to be huge blockbusters. The film stars Keerthy Suresh as the female lead. Keerthy has quickly become a sought-after heroine in both Tamil and Telugu film industries, after her commendable performance in Savitri biopic Mahanati. She has already acted alongside Vijay in the film Bairavaa. Interestingly, the film has politician Pala Karuppiah in the antagonist role. AR Murugadoss is known for giving depth to the characterization of his villains and the unique casting has created a lot of anticipation. ALSO READ: Thalapathy 62: Leaked video of Vijay performing a bike stunt goes viral<doc-sep>

Vijay starrer Sarkar will hit screens this Diwali. Vijay starrer Sarkar will hit screens this Diwali. And Sarkar it is! After much trepidation, Vijay’s 62nd film has been named Sarkar to mark the actor’s birthday which falls on June 22. The announcement was made by Sun Pictures who are bankrolling the high budget film. The first look poster of the film was also unveiled along with the title announcement. “Here is the First Look of Thalapathy Vijay’s SARKAR. #Thalapathy62isSARKAR @actorvijay @ARMurugadoss @arrahman,” the tweet read. The poster of Sarkar has a dapper Vijay lighting up a black cigarette, sporting a uber-cool pair of shades. The poster elegantly merges Vijay against a sea of skyscrapers. Looking at the title and the classy, sleek style of the poster, it is likely that the film will definitely have several socially relevant themes. In a first, Vijay sports a salt and pepper look which makes him dashingly sophisticated. Complete with ear studs and a high-end wrist watch, Thalapthy is a picture of opulent elegance. Later in the evening, another poster from Vijay starrer Sarkar was released to mark his 44th birthday on June 22. It featured a dapper Vijay staring intently at a laptop screen, sitting in a high-end vehicle. Speaking about the project to media, AR Murugadoss said, “I am confident that this picture will be bigger than our previous films Kathithi and Thuppaki.” Earlier there was severe speculation that the film will be titled Vere level after a poster went viral on social media. Apart from Vijay, Sarkar also stars Keerthy Suresh, Varalakshmi Sarathkumar and Yogi Babu among others. The film will have music by AR Rahman. Sarkar will be edited on the table of Sreekar Prasad and will have cinematography by Girish Gangadharan. Earlier, AR Murugadoss confirmed that the film will hit the screens this Diwali. Sarkar will be one of several high-profile films that will hit screens this Diwali. Producer SR Prabhu recently confirmed that NGK will also be a Diwali release. Ajith’s Viswasam and Vikram’s Dhruva Natchathiram are also said to be Diwali releases.

Jennifer Lopez wore a body-hugging silver mosaic Tom Ford dress to the Oscars 2019 red carpet. She was accompanied by boyfriend Alex Rodriguez, who also wore Tom Ford. Jennifer stays in great shape by doing TruFusion workouts and training with A-Rod at the gym. Jennifer Lopez is basically everywhere right now. She's returning as a judge on the third season of World of Dance when it premieres on Tuesday, she performed a Motown tribute at the 2019 Grammy awards (while also wow'ing everyone with her super-toned arms on the red carpet), and now she's presenting at the 2019 Oscars, too. Jennifer showed up to the Oscars red carpet with boyfriend Alex Rodriguez in a skin-tight body-hugging Tom Ford dress that showed off all her curves. MARK RALSTON Getty Images J.Lo started teasing her Oscars appearance early, posting a #TBT of herself walking the Oscars stage in a black Badgley Mischka dress in 1999. "If I ever felt like a true princess this was the moment... there’s just something about the #Oscars...," she wrote. This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. So how does Jennifer look so great? Well, she works damn hard for it, of course. J. Lo and A-Rod recently wrapped up a 10-day no sugar, low-carb challenge. Jennifer told Ellen DeGeneres that part of her motivation for doing the challenge was her role as a stripper in the movie Hustlers. (A-Rod later posted a video of Jennifer practicing her pole-dancing skills, so safe to say she's taking her preparation for the role very seriously.) J.Lo pretty much serves up the best inspiration: Jennifer also works out like a champ. She and A-Rod hit up workout studio TruFusion on the regular. The studio offers yoga, bootcamp classes, kettlebell, and Pilates classes in studios heated up to 120 degrees. The fit couple also regularly posts workout videos to Instagram that show them going HAM at the gym, doing everything from lifting weights to banging out bodyweight exercises. This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Amanda Woerner Executive Digital Editor Amanda Woerner is the executive digital editor at Women's Health and a certified personal trainer. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io<doc-sep>You don't have to be nominated for an Oscar to win the red carpet. Jennifer Lopez stole the show Sunday night at the 91st Academy Awards in a long-sleeved gown featuring thousands of broken mirror pieces. J.Lo never disappoints, and she's been attending the Oscars for more than 20 years -- but this may be one of her best looks to date. As stunning as the look photographed, the ensemble was even more striking in videos as it reflected every last camera flash. Both Lopez and Rodriguez were wearing designs by Tom Ford. The star is turning 50 this year. It's truly a modern mystery. By J.Lo's side was beau Alex Rodriguez, who opted for a white tuxedo jacket and black bowtie. In other words, he was appropriately dressed to grace Lopez's presence. Although Lopez is no stranger to the Oscars red carpet, this is her first time attending with Rodriguez, who she's been dating since 2017. See more couples at the 2019 Academy Awards:<doc-sep>Jennifer Lopez is making our jaws drop at the 2019 Oscars! The star arrived on the red carpet wearing a gold-and-silver embroidered mosaic, mirrored long-sleeve gown by Tom Ford, paired with long soft tresses, coordinating earrings, clutch, smokey eyes and nude lips. Her boyfriend Alex Rodriguez also wore Ford via a white jacket, bow tie and black trousers. Lopez went on a 10-day no sugar, no carbs diet at the end of January with Rodriguez, and it looks like it paid off! J.Lo is taking a break from preparing for her new movie, Hustlers, in which she will play a stripper. Rodriguez documented his boo practicing a pole dance routine to the song "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" via Instagram Story. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic A few weeks ago, Lopez stunned in a mint green Ralph & Russo hat and dress on the GRAMMYs red carpet before heading to the stage to perform a Motown tribute that involved multiple outfits. Lopez will be presenting at tonight's ceremony. Other presenters include Awkwafina, Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg and Brie Larson. For more fabulous looks from the red carpet, click through the slideshow below. Related Gallery RELATED CONTENT: Charlize Theron Debuts Darker, Shorter Hair at Oscars 2019 Kacey Musgraves Is Picture Perfect in Pink Tulle Gown at 2019 Oscars Awkwafina Looks Fierce in a Lavender Pantsuit on the 2019 Oscars Red Carpet<doc-sep>

It’s always a treat to see Jennifer Lopez on the red carpet, and she absolutely did not disappoint when she showed up to the Oscars on Feb. 24. Check out her gorgeous look here! Jennifer Lopez is an absolute red carpet QUEEN, so it was no surprise when she showed up to the 2019 Academy Awards looking beyond incredible on Feb. 24. The triple threat superstar, who is in attendance at the Oscars as a presenter, showed off her amazing figure in a curve-hugging, Tom Ford metallic dress. The ensemble featured long sleeves and a high neckline, but J.Lo’s bod was still front and center in the covered-up ensemble. To complete the look, Jennifer wore her hair swept to the side, and she looked truly AMAZING! The last time J.Lo attended the Oscars was back in 2015, and she looked like an absolute princess in a blush-colored ball gown. The ensemble featured a plunging neckline, which allowed Jen to some some skin, and included beading all throughout the top portion of the dress. She pulled her hair back into a tight ponytail for the show, keeping the focus totally on her neckline! Later that night, she changed into a silver embellished gown with an even deeper-cut neckline for the Vanity Fair Oscar party. Seriously, this woman knows what she’s doing! Of course, Jennifer had an amazing accessory added to her red carpet look at this year’s show — her boyfriend of two years, Alex Rodriguez, of course! The two are more in love than ever, and are always a standout couple at award shows. As always, A-Rod looked like a total hunk, but he totally let Jen have the spotlight. Jennifer is currently training to play a stripper in a new movie called Hustlers, and she’s been working hard to get her body in shape for the film. Recently, Jen started her second trial of a 10-day no sugar/no carb diet, and it’s certainly paying off — at 49 years old, she’s more fit than EVER! We can’t wait to see where she pops up next!

Meghan Markle’s New York City baby shower was an extravagant affair. (Photo: Getty Images) Meghan Markle’s closest friends hosted a luxurious baby shower for her at The Mark Hotel in New York City last week, and they didn’t leave empty-handed. Serena Williams, Amal Clooney and Jessica Mulroney were among the friends in attendance at the shower — which took place in the hotel’s 10,000 square-feet Penthouse that goes for $75,000 a night — who received a lavish parting gift that included a $225 Away Carry-On Suitcase. Yahoo Lifestyle can confirm attendees were gifted a personalized Cuyana Classic Structured Leather Tote ($195) in black and blush. They also received a blush-colored Tote Organization Insert ($95) and a monogrammed Zipper Pouch ($95) at the Feb. 20th baby shower. Attendees were gifted a personalized Cuyana Classic Structured Leather Tote ($195) in black and blush and a blush-colored Tote Organization Insert ($95). (Photo: Cuyana) Inside the sleek tote was a chic Jo Malone London Green Tomato Leaf Candle, which is available at Nordstrom for $67 and features an earthy scent with notes of cassis and moss. Jo Malone London Green Tomato Leaf Candle ($67). (Photo: Nordstrom) There was also an affordable beauty product in the mix: Honest Beauty Magic Balm, a $13 Target best-seller with a 5-star average rating. “I love this balm, I use it on my lips, brows, cheekbones, or anywhere I am dry on my face and you only need a little,” writes a Target reviewer who is a fan of the balm. Honest Beauty Magic Balm ($13). (Photo: Target) According to People, guests also received Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powder ($65), Susanne Kaufmann Body Butter ($81) and products from Rodin in their Cuyana totes. The editors at Yahoo Lifestyle are committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. At times, we may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.<doc-sep>Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window) Being friends with a duchess comes with some serious perks. Meghan Markle, 37, gifted friends who attended her New York City baby shower on Feb. 20 with a bag full of freebies, according to People. Guests like Serena Williams and Amal Clooney were bestowed with Cuyana leather totes in black and blush ($195) as well as Cuyana’s small leather zipper pouches ($85) and blush organization inserts ($95) packed with some of the expecting royal’s favorite home and beauty products. The gift bags included items such as a Jo Malone Green Tomato Leaf candle ($67), Susanne Kaufmann Body Butter ($66), and products from Honest Beauty and Rodin as well as her longtime favorite skincare product — Tatcha “The Rice Polish” Foaming Enzyme Powder ($65). The shower was held at The Mark Hotel’s 10,000-square-foot, two-floor penthouse, which is said to go for $75,000 per night. The Mark’s chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten created a special menu for the party, and guests enjoyed a flower-arranging class before leaving with all their new swag in tow.<doc-sep>Just last week, Meghan Markle's gal pals threw her a lavish baby shower bash at New York's The Mark Hotel, complete with a floral arranging activity and the cutest cookies. The penthouse where the shower was held costs a cool $75,000 per night, so we're sure it was quite the party. And while guests arrived with gifts in hand for Baby Sussex and the mom-to-be, Meghan also gave her friends sweet gift bags after the shower. People reports that each guest was given a leather tote from Cuyana (they range from $175 to $215) along with matching pouches, and inside were a few of the duchess' favorite products including a Jo Malone Green Tomato Leaf Candle, Tatcha Rice Polish Enzyme Powder, Susanne Kaufmann Body Butter as well as products from Honest Beauty and Rodin. Photographers also caught several new pieces of AWAY luggage being delivered to the hotel (shop here!). Sounds like the makings of the perfect girls night in to us! After her baby shower, Meghan jetted off to Morocco with Harry for a three day whirlwind tour of meetings (the UK Ambassador as the King, nbd) and engagements. The 37-year-old is due with her first child this spring. See inside the penthouse where Meghan had her baby shower:<doc-sep>

Meghan Markle’s New York City baby shower had quite the impressive gift bags. According to a new report from People, the guests—including Serena Williams and Amal Clooney—received Cuyana leather totes filled with various home and beauty products. Some items: a Jo Malone Green Tomato Leaf Candle, Susanne Kaufmann Body Butter, Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powder, and products from Rodin Olio Lusso and Honest Beauty. (Honest Company, founded by Jessica Alba, is also known for their natural baby products—perhaps the perfect fit in the Duchess of Sussex’s eco-friendly nursery.) Also handed out? Away suitcases, which were spotted being wheeled into the Mark Hotel before the baby shower began. It’s just the latest tidbit to come out about the glamorous affair, held in the five-star property’s 10,000-square-foot penthouse. Desserts were provided by Jean-Georges Vongerichten and, according to his Instagram Story, included macarons, stork cake pops, and bunny-shaped cookies. The guests also participated in a fashionable group activity. “I hope she won’t mind me sharing this, because I’ve never seen anything like this at a baby shower,” Gayle King said on CBS This Morning. “They brought in somebody to explain how to arrange flowers. We all each made an individual vase.” The arrangements were then donated to Repeat Roses, which delivers them to hospices, homeless shelters, and treatment centers. Some of the recipients of the royal bouquets were pediatric cancer patients at the Ronald McDonald House New York. And it looks like the Duchess may not be done celebrating her impending arrival. According to Us Weekly, Kate Middleton will throw a celebration for those across the pond. “There is still going to be some sort of private, baby-centric event for Meghan’s U.K. people, and Kate will host,” a source tells the outlet. After all, who doesn’t love a royal party?