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Chris Brown seemingly has a mystery new lady in his life as the couple have been spotted partying in Europe. While the rapper has been linked to rumoured girlfriend Ammika Harris as far back as 2015, not much is known about the 25-year-old or how the pair initially met. Capitol riot probe commission blocked from being created by Republicans In her bio on Instagram, she describes herself as “blasian with Cherokee blood”, hinting at a black, Asian and Native American heritage. It’s also believed she attended the University of California in LA and currently still resides in the city. The couple were seen packing on the PDA in Paris nightclub Cirque Bonheur over the weekend, a trip that was no doubt overshadowed by Chris’ arrest on an accusation of rape. The dad-of-one was detained with two other people on Monday after a 24-year-old woman filed a report of rape, claiming the attack occurred on January 15. Metro.co.uk has contacted reps for comment. MORE : Chris Brown’s girlfriend shares updates from snowy Paris as singer is arrested on rape accusation MORE : Drake announces UK tour with six dates at London’s 02 Arena with Assassination Vacation Tour<doc-sep>Troubled R&B belter Chris Brown packed on the PDA with his Insta-model girlfriend Ammika Harris at Parisian hotspot Cirque Bonheur on Saturday night. The 29-year-old Grammy winner has been romantically linked to the 25-year-old UCLA alum as far back as August 2015. The Undecided singer was sporting Boston Bruins gear as he partied with the self-described 'Blasian with Cherokee blood.' Intimate: Troubled R&B belter Chris Brown packed on the PDA with his Insta-model girlfriend Ammika Harris at Parisian hotspot Cirque Bonheur on Saturday night True love? The 29-year-old Grammy winner has been romantically linked to the 25-year-old UCLA alum as far back as August 2015 Ammika bears more than a passing resemblance to Chris' ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran, who was granted a five-year restraining order against him back in 2017. Harris should be wary of the Virginia-born ex-convict, who also notoriously beat up pop diva Rihanna back in 2009. On Monday, French publication Closer reported that a 24-year-old woman has accused Brown of raping her on the evening of January 15. The victim filed a complaint with the police of the 1st judicial police district about the alleged incident, which she claimed happened at Le Mandarin Oriental in Paris. Still going strong: The Undecided singer was sporting Boston Bruins gear as he partied with the self-described 'Blasian with Cherokee blood' He has a type: Ammika (L) bears more than a passing resemblance to Chris' ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran (R), who was granted a five-year restraining order against him back in 2017 Legal woes: On Monday, French publication Closer reported that a 24-year-old woman has accused the Virginia-born ex-convict of raping her on January 15 (pictured Sunday) Setting: The victim filed a complaint with the 1st judicial police district about the alleged incident, which she claimed happened at Le Mandarin Oriental in Paris (2015 stock shot) Chris is already facing six months in jail for two counts of having a restricted species (capuchin monkey) without a permit and his next LA court date is February 6 - according to TMZ. The heavily-tattooed hip-hop star is claiming the 2017 video of his daughter Royalty cuddling the animal was shot in Las Vegas not his Los Angeles home, and he doesn't own Fiji. The Black Pyramid Clothing owner shares joint custody of the curly-haired four-year-old with his Houston-based babymama, Nia Guzman-Amey. 'Is this your baby?' Chris is already facing six months in jail for two counts of having a restricted species - capuchin monkey - without a permit and his next LA court date is February 6 (pictured in 2017 with his daughter Royalty)<doc-sep>UPDATED: Chris Brown has been detained by police in Paris on rape charges, according to multiple news reports. A 24-year-old woman claims that the singer assaulted her in a hotel suite in the city on the night of January 15-16 at the club Le Crystal and then returned to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, where she claims that he raped her, according to TMZ. According to the Associated Press, Brown was detained Monday on potential charges of aggravated rape and drug infractions and remained in custody Tuesday, a judicial official said. Investigators have two days to determine whether to free him or file preliminary charges. A Paris police spokesperson told Variety that Brown remained in custody (as of 12 p.m. ET, and that two other men — reported to be Brown’s bodyguard and another friend — were also detained. French police are said to be investigating the woman’s claim; authorities declined to identify her. Reps for Brown and his label, RCA Records, did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment; RCA announced it has signed a new deal with the singer on Jan. 7. Brown did comment on the situation via Instagram, denying the allegation. “I WANNA MAKE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR…… THIS IS FALSE AND A WHOLE LOT OF CAP!” he wrote. “NNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEERRRRRR!!!!!! FOR MY DAUGHTER AND MY FAMILY THIS IS SO DISPRESPECTFUL AND IS AGAINST MY CHARACTER AND MORALS!!!! !” https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs80CzIhQGT/ Brown, 29, has been involved in multiple violent incidents over the past decade, beginning with a February 2009 assault on then-girlfriend Rihanna the night before the Grammy Awards, to which he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years’ probation and 1,400 hours of community service and counseling. In 2017, a judge granted Brown’s former girlfriend Karrueche Tran a permanent restraining order against Brown after she claimed he had punched her, pushed her down stairs and sent threatening texts. In 2012, his and Drake’s entourages were involved in a brawl in a New York nightclub in which eight people were injured. Also that year, Brown attended a party (dressed as an Islamic terrorist) where Rihanna was present, in violation of the restraining order she’d taken against him after the assault; separately, he threw a chair at a large window in a fit of anger after an interview on “Good Morning America” after interviewer Robin Roberts asked him about the incident. The following year, he was arrested for felony assault in Washington D.C. after he and his bodyguard were involved in an altercation with two men outside a hotel, although the charge was later reduced to a misdemeanor; he spent 36 hours in jail. Also that year, he and his entourage were involved in an incident with singer Frank Ocean in Los Angeles in which a member of Brown’s entourage allegedly punched and threatened Ocean, although no charges were brought; also in 2013, Brown’s probation was revoked after an alleged hit-and-run incident in Los Angeles. In October he entered a rehab facility but was ejected for violent behavior; the following month he was sentenced to three months at an anger-management treatment center. The following March, he was arrested after being ejected from a facility where a judge had ordered him to remain after his 90-day treatment. In May was sent to jail and later sentenced to 131 days for probation violation; he was given an early release on June 2, 2014 but remained on probation. The following January, his probation was revoked after he violated its terms by traveling outside Los Angeles county to for a private performance at a nightclub, where a fight during the performance resulted in gunfire and five people were shot. In June of 2016, he was sued by former manager Michael Guirguis on charges of assault and battery, and in August of 2016, he was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after a woman called police and said he had threatened her. An hours-long standoff with police ensued; Brown was arrested and released on $250,000 bail. In April of 2017, he was accused of punching a photographer, although charges were not brought against him. In July of last year, Brown was arrested in West Palm Beach, Fla. on a felony battery warrant, according to multiple news reports. The singer was led offstage in handcuffs at the Coral Sky Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach at around 11 p.m., according to the Tampa Bay Times. He was booked and released less than an hour later after posting $2,000 bail. Additional reporting by Elsa Keslassy.<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) Vigils & tributes to George Floyd one year since his murder 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 LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 15: Singer Chris Brown attends a progress hearing at Los Angeles Superior Court on January 15, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. Brown was first placed on probation after the 2009 domestic violence case in which he plead guilty to assaulting his then-girlfriend, singer Rihanna. (Photo by Lucy Nicholson - Pool/Getty Images) Editor’s Note: A version of this story was originally published in 2016. (CNN) — Arguably Chris Brown’s most publicized trouble was his 2009 arrest for viciously beating his then-girlfriend, fellow singer Rihanna. Afterward, Rihanna told Oprah Winfrey that she forgave Brown, and insisted he “made that mistake because he needed help.” Brown’s problems haven’t stopped. On Tuesday, the singer was back in the news: he was arrested in Paris and released over accusations of aggravated rape and drug violations, the Paris prosecutor’s office said. Chris Brown arrested in Paris on allegations of rape, source says Brown, who is not facing any charges, and his attorney have denied the allegations. They said they plan to file a defamation lawsuit against his accuser. Brown’s musical career has been marked with as much controversy as success. When he burst onto the music scene in 2005 at the age of 16, Brown was touted as “the new Michael Jackson.” His fame grew when he and Rihanna began dating in 2008. With their matching places on the charts, the pair quickly became music’s “it” couple. But their romance took a dark turn just hours before the 2009 Grammy Awards, when Brown assaulted Rihanna, whose birth name is Robyn Fenty. “Robyn F. turned to face Brown and he punched her in the left eye with his right hand,” a police report of the incident read. “He then drove away in the vehicle and continued to punch her in the face with his right hand while steering the vehicle with his left hand. The assault caused Robyn F.’s mouth to fill with blood and blood to splatter all over her clothing and the interior of the vehicle.” Brown pleaded guilty to a felony assault charge and received five years probation, community service and an order to attend a year of domestic violence counseling. The high profile nature of that crime a decade ago – along with circulation of a photo of Rihanna’s battered face – has continued to color public perceptions of Brown. What followed has not helped to restore his image. He has feuded with fellow recording artists, done stints in rehab and has landed in jail for violating probation. A 2014 report from his rehab facility attributed Brown’s aggression to bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and drug use. “Mr. Brown will also require close supervision by his treating physician in order to ensure his bipolar mental health condition remains stable,” a letter from the facility reportedly stated. “It is not uncommon for patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Bipolar II to use substances to self-medicate their biomedical mood swings and trauma triggers.” Some of Brown’s other troubles include: Being accused of threatening a woman with a gun at his Tarzana, California home in 2016.<doc-sep>

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Chris Brown’s girlfriend has been posting on Instagram while her boyfriend was arrested on an accusation of rape. The R’n’B singer is in custody in Paris after a woman filed a rape complaint. Brown, 29, and two other people were detained on Monday, with AP reporting they are still in custody today. While the singer remains in custody, his girlfriend Ammika Harris has been updating her socials from Paris. Chris has been detained in Paris (Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Radio.com) Around a half hour before the new of Chris’s detainment broke, Ammika shared a short clip to her Instagram story showing snowfall in the French capital. From behind a filter which shot arrows and hearts around her, Ammika said: ‘It’s snowing. I’m going back inside because I’m getting cold, too cold.’ The 25-year-old also shared a picture of a flower arrangement. The social media model was pictured partying with Chris in Paris over the weekend as they enjoyed a night out at Cirque Bonheur. Ammika had previously been linked to Chris as far back as 2015. A 24-year-old woman has accused Brown of raping her on the evening of 15 January; the victim filed a complaint with the police about the alleged incident. She claimed the attack happened at Le Mandarin Oriental in Paris. The claims were first published by Closer magazine, who allege the victim has also accused Chris’s bodyguard and his friend of abuse. A police official told the Associated Press that the complaint was filed with police in the 17th arrondissement of northwest Paris. Metro.co.uk has contacted Brown’s reps for comment. MORE : Chris Brown detained in Paris after a rape accusation

Delhi Capitals begin their IPL 2019 journey with a win over Mumbai Indians In the third match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 edition, Mumbai Indians (MI) took on a revamped Delhi Capitals (DC) in their home ground at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday evening (March 24). Put into bat, DC rode on Rishabh Pant's swashbuckling 27-ball 78* and contributions from Shikhar Dhawan and Colin Ingram to post 213 for 6. In reply, MI were in trouble but evergreen Yuvraj Singh's classy 53 took them close to victory before they eventually lost by 37 runs. In pursuit of 214, MI started their chase with two experienced campaigners in the middle. Skipper Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock failed to kick off the chase in style. Rohit fell in order to take on Ishant as the pacer got his first scalp in the tournament since the 2016 edition. de Kock followed suit. He was also removed by the 30-year-old. There was more trouble for MI. Suryakumar Yadav succumbed to the pressure and ran himself out for 2. The chase was lifted by the dangerous pair of Yuvraj and Kieron Pollard. The duo took on Axar Patel and gained momentum from thereon. Amidst the run-flow, the West Indian perished off Keemo Paul. The shift from spin to pace worked in Shreyas Iyer and Co's favour. MI never managed to up the ante from thereon. However, they will take a lot of positive from Yuvraj's half-century (his last fifty also came versus the Delhi franchise in the 2017 edition while representing Sunrisers Hyderabad). The all-rounder finished with an impressive 53 off 35 balls. Batting first, DC started the innings by losing Prithvi Shaw early. Iyer and Dhawan were trusted to take the innings forward but the former fell after a decent start. Dhawan then got along with Colin Ingram. The latter's inclusion proved to be a masterstroke from the unit as he looked comfortable out there owing to his purple patch in the format across various leagues recently. The innings got a major lift post-Rishabh Pant's arrival. He led the charge versus the MI bowlers and particularly smacked Jasprit Bumrah in the death. The wicketkeeper-batsman smashed 7 4s and 7 6s. As a result, 89.74 % of his runs came in boundaries. He struck at 288.89 to become the difference in the final outcome. By virtue of this result, DC lead MI 12-11 in overall head-to-head encounters.<doc-sep>Mumbai: Rishabh Pant's utterly destructive 78 powered Delhi Capitals to a 37-run win over Mumbai Indians in the IPL at Mumbai on Sunday, giving further proof of why he should be on the World Cup-bound plane to England. Pant got those runs off just 27 balls and while the relentless onslaught would do his confidence a world of good, Jasprit Bumrah's shoulder injury two months before the ICC showpiece left the Indian cricket fraternity on tenterhooks. The Delhi dazzler's seven towering sixes and as many fours at a Wankhede Stadium that was made to look like a tiny ground left the Mumbai Indians bowlers, including the world's best pacer Bumrah, traumatised, and gave rechristened Delhi Capitals the fresh beginning they longed for. Sent into bat, Delhi Capitals notched up an imposing 213 for six in the stipulated 20 overs, and buried under a pile of runs, there was not much of a riposte from the hosts, who were stopped at 176 in 19.2 overs after an injured Bumrah failed to show up with the willow. Such was the 21-year-old Pant's assault that Delhi raked in 99 runs in the last six overs. Pant smashed the world's best fast bowler, Bumrah, for a few sixes as well. Pant, playing his natural game, mercilessly punished the Mumbai bowlers after South African Colin Ingram (47 off 32 balls 7x4, 1x6) and Shikhar Dhawan (43 off 36 balls; 4x4; 1x6) pulled the visitors out of the rubble and laid the foundation of a big total with their 83-run stand for the third wicket. The young wicket-keeper was brutal on Hardik Pandya, whom he hammered for two sixes and a four in the 16th over to start the destruction and then spared none. He struck two sixes and a four off debutant Rasikh Salam in the 19th over. Pant was also brutal on death overs specialist Bumrah. Rahul Tewatia complimented the stumper with an unbeaten 9. Earlier, the duo of Dhawan and Ingram rallied the Delhi innings after they lost two quick wickets -- Prithvi Shaw (7) and skipper Shreyas Iyer (16) -- inside the first four overs - and also took the Mumbai attack to cleansers. Ingram upped the ante in the eighth over, slashing Hardik for a four and then a six. But Ben Cutting gave Mumbai the much-needed breakthrough as he removed Ingram, who was caught by Hardik in the 13 over. Dhawan also threw his wicket away as Delhi slumped from 112 for two to 131 for four. But then it was the Pant show that would set the Wankhede alight. Later, barring veteran Yuvraj Singh (53 off 35 balls; 5x4 and 3x6), who made his first appearance for Mumbai, no other batsman stood tall. Yuvraj did roll back the years, with his fluent hitting, but his knock went in vain. Kagiso Rabada (2-23) removed Yuvraj in the 19th over to seal the victory for his team. Chasing 214, Mumbai Indians were never in the fray. They lost skipper Rohit Sharma (14) and Suryakumar Yadav (2) early. Quinton De Kock (27) hammered Trent Boult for two fours and a six in the third over and then found momentum in the sixth over as he hit two consecutive fours off Ishant Sharma. But Ishant (2-34) took revenge as de Kock holed to fine leg where Boult took a good catch as Mumbai slumped to 45-3. But then West Indian Kieron Pollard (21) and Yuvraj tried to resurrect the innings with their 50-run stand. Pollard hammered Rahul Tewatia for a six and a four, while Yuvraj stuck two fours and a six in the 1oth over off Axar Patel as Mumbai amassed 20 runs. As the two were looking good, Keemo Paul removed Pollard. Hardik (o) followed suit as Mumbai lost half the side on 95. After Krunal Pandya (32 off 15 balls) departed, Mumbai's hopes were solely pinned on Yuvraj and he could not take the side home. For all the latest news, opinions and analysis from IPL 2019, click here For the full schedule, date, time and venue of all the matches of IPL 12, click here<doc-sep>Delhi Capitals’ wicket-keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant joined an elite list of players after slamming a breathtaking half-century during the team’s tournament opener against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. Pant scored an unbeaten 78 off 27 deliveries to power Delhi to 213/6 in 20 overs and his stunning innings included seven sixes and seven boundaries. Pant’s strike rate at the end of the innings read 288.8. Also Read: IPL 2019, MI vs DC live cricket score in Mumbai Due to his onslaught, Pant now finds himself at the tied 11 spot in the list of fastest fifties in the cash-rich league. The record of fastest fifty is with Kings XI Punjab’s KL Rahul who went past the 50-run mark off just 14 deliveries last season against Delhi. Pant’s seven maximums also helped him enter a select group of players as he now stands at the joint fifth spot in the list of most sixes by a Delhi batsman in an innings in IPL. Moreover, Pant’s strike rate of 288.8 is the third best by a Delhi batsman in the history of the competition. He is only behind Chris Morris and Carlos Brathwaite in this list. This innings will certainly boost Pant’s confidence after putting on some underwhelming performances in the India shirt recently. Also, this might be the innings that changes his fortunes and helps him kick-start his bid to seal a spot in India’s world cup squad.<doc-sep>

Wankhede bore witness to a spectacle as Rishabh Pant, with a license to kill, decimated Mumbai Indians with a blitzkrieg worth remembering. The southpaw walked in at 112/3 in the 13th over and went on to lambast Mumbai bowlers, including the usually indomitable Jasprit Bumrah. Pant blasted 78 in 27 balls with seven fours and as many sixes in his stunning onslaught on Sunday night. The wicket-keeper batsman raced to his half-century in just 18 balls which makes it the joint fifth fastest fifty in the history of the league. KL Rahul with a 14-ball half-century last season tops the chart. Pant kick started his innings with four dots and a single off the next ball but then went on a carnage, smashing Ben Cutting for two fours and a six in the same over. At 16 off 9 balls, Pant lost his partner, Shikhar Dhawan, but least perturbed, went about dismantling Hardik Pandya with two sixes and a four in succession. Rohit Sharma took his time to bring in Bumrah against Pant. By the time the strike bowler came on, Pant had raced to 41 in 15 balls. In the past, Bumrah has had immense success against the swashbuckling southpaw. Of the 17 balls he has bowled at Pant before today, Bumrah has dismissed him thrice and conceded runs at a rate of 47.05. He has even restricted the southpaw from hitting a boundary off him. 10 of the 17 balls he had bowled at Pant were dots. However, the story took a turn today. Well set on 41 by the time the premier Indian seamer was on, Pant smashed him for 18 in 7 balls including a semi-sweep for six over deep square leg. The southpaw smashed two sixes and a four off Bumrah and turned his record around against the death bowler. Since Bumrah came into the attack, Pant slammed 37 in 12 balls including four sixes and two fours. Pant is also the holder of a unique record. In the last six overs of an IPL innings, Pant holds the record for scoring the maximum amount of runs. Against Sunrisers Hyderabad last season, the wicket-keeper batsman bludgeoned 79 off 28 balls. Today, he faced just 22 balls in the same period but scored 77 off them, mercilessly slogging the Mumbai bowlers all around Wankhede.

The Last of Us Part 2 trailer at E3 2018 was anything but subtle. It bookended unspeakable gore with sweet teenage love, a stark juxtaposition that got crowds whooping. According to its co-directors, it’s designed to show the two worlds that Ellie inhabits — and imply a question. The Last of Us universe is inhospitable and inhumane. There is at least one pocket of something resembling pre-outbreak life, but most of the first game takes place in a world where humans are as much of a threat as the fungal infected. This is the world into which the game’s protagonist, Ellie, was born. We know from a line at the beginning of the The Last of Us Part 2’s E3 trailer that her pocket of what passes for normal human civilization in Jackson, Wyoming is vulnerable. And growing up in a world gone mad shaped her character — just as, I suspect, it would shape you and me. “The Last of Us is really about high stakes at its core, and we really wanted to show what is at stake for Ellie,” co-director Anthony Newman told Polygon at E3 2018. “In Jackson, Ellie has been able to find this sense of normalcy. She’s been able to kind of be a normal teenager and have teenage romance. We really wanted to show that side of her — that sweetness — and the relationships that are at stake for her in this world, and then transitioning into [a time] after a violent act is committed in Jackson kind of wrecks that world. This is the world that she’s forced to confront. “How did she get here? What is the context?” “So our game is a very holistic experience where it’s examining both the highs and lows — the sweetness and the brutality of the human experience. We really wanted to combine that into one experience for our audience.” In short, the juxtaposition between the kiss and the killing was intentional. And that’s something that its directors say will be a theme throughout the game. “It’s a game about what you would do and the lines you would cross in search for justice, and we’re seeing a side of Ellie, a part Ellie that we haven’t seen before,” co-director Kurt Margenau said. “And without talking too much about the story, it makes you think about how did she get here? What is the context with the situation? Which is kind of the point of it — to raise those questions in your mind. And what the game broadly addresses is that question in conversations about violence, presenting it very contrasting way for E3.” Part of what made the original game work was Ellie’s age. She was a young, relatively innocent teenager. When she said “Fuck, Joel!” in disbelief after some particularly gruesome killing, players felt the pang of her reaction. It was the tragic, if unavoidable reality of being a teenager in The Last of Us. In The Last of Us Part 2, Ellie is older. And tattooed. And apparently in love. Just like anyone, she’s dealing with different emotions at 19 than she was when she was 13. “It’s hard to know what’s inside someone’s mind and how they’re reacting” Devoid of that context, the trailer could be read differently. Were the people in the crowd at the PlayStation E3 event cheering because they cared about the characters? Where they cheering for good triumphing over evil? Did they understand the point — innocent teenage emotionalism juxtaposed with barbaric (if necessary) violence? Or did they just like to see buckets of blood sandwiched between kisses? It’s jarring. But then so is the world of The Last of Us Part 2. Naughty Dog was able to build a beautiful core of emotion, told through the gradual and often reluctant bond between a young girl and her surrogate father in the first game. Absent that context in the sequel’s trailer, it’s hard to read the reaction. The developers say they hope that the reactions were tied to viewers’ feelings for Ellie. “It’s a tricky thing because you don’t know why. It’s hard to know what’s inside someone’s mind and how they’re reacting the way they are,” Margenau said. “Some people have mentioned people the cheering for the violence. I mean to me, I don’t think people are going to be sitting at home cheering the violence in the game. I feel like it’s the empathy that they feel for this character that people know and just in the beginning you’re brought into her life and her world, it was very, for lack of a better term, like normal, boring way of like I am at a dance and I’m talking about everyday life stuff. And then, oh, now this person is in this very, very dark, different situation and you’re empathizing with her and you’re cheering for it, I guess literally as well as figuratively. Her method of getting out of that situation happens to be in this world very realistic.” Although the scene and the level in the trailer both happen in the game, “they don’t necessarily happen in that exact order,” Margenau said. Instead, Naughty Dog tied them together to convey the themes of the game, which includes Ellie’s sexuality. "It’s not an agenda that’s driving this” “What’s important in this game is showing some teenage life,” Margenau said. “And that means romance, it means angst, it means complicated relationships with your parental figure and your friends around you. And a part of what we’re showing here is just part of that kind of teenage romance of, yeah, she happens to be gay. She’s into someone who’s been a friend for a long time, Dina.” “We’re just interested in an honest portrayal of the trail of the world,” Newman said. “And it’s not an agenda that’s driving this. We’re just interested in creating unique characters that are honestly portrayed in a way that is, we think, relevant to the world as it is.”<doc-sep>The Last of Us 2 at E3 2018 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: The Last of Us 2 kicked things off for Sony at this year's E3 gaming expo. Sony provided a lengthy look at The Last of Us 2 gameplay, not to mention new story elements.You can take a look at the gameplay below. ORIGINAL: The PlayStation E3 conference will be a live stream event that will include a host of big titles and exclusives for the Sony PS4 console. Some will have already been revealed, while others will be coming from third-party partners. Kicking off tonight, the new E3 showcase will feature brand new footage from a number of high profile games. This will include The Last of Us 2, a title with a lot of hype attached. Being developed by Naughty Dog, a new E3 trailer is expected to be shown, as well as more details on the game’s PS4 release date. The PlayStation E3 conference will be going live at around 2:00am in the UK, meaning fans will need to stay awake to catch all the latest news. Will Naughty Dog show off the first real gameplay footage for The Last of Us 2? This is a big possibility. The game still seems a way off when it comes to the release date, however, that doesn’t mean we won’t see some big updates shared. From what we already know about the new Naughty Dog game, The Last of Us 2 will be set five years after the original game. It will follow Ellie on some kind of revenge mission, with no sign yet on what role Joel will play in the story. “An intense, harrowing and emotional adventure awaits – Ellie and Joel return for an epic journey in the sequel to the critically acclaimed game by Naughty Dog,” the official Sony description reads.<doc-sep>

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.

Apple announced new 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros in New York today, which now come with Face ID, a USB-C charging port, and a new “Liquid Retina” display. Aesthetically, they’ve got slimmer bezels that only come in black, like the new MacBook Airs. The black bezels, when paired with the Smart Keyboard Folio, make the iPad Pro look closer to a laptop than it ever has before. They also allow for the 11-inch model display to fit a bigger screen into the same overall dimensions as the prior 10.5-inch model. The iPads also lose their home buttons entirely in favor of the iOS 12 gesture controls found in Apple’s new iPhones. Swiping across the various edges of the screen now brings up the home screen, lets you switch apps, and pull up the Control Center, Notification Center, and Dock. The new iPad Pros bring a redesigned Apple Pencil as well, which has gesture controls, a flat side to prevent it from rolling away, and a new charging method via magnetic attachment. It’s sadly only compatible with the newer model, and first-generation Apple Pencils won’t be compatible with the new iPad Pro, either. Besides aesthetics, what differentiates Apple’s current lineup of 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros from the old 10.5-inch iPad Pro and 9.7-inch iPad is the processors. The new iPad Pros use the A12X Bionic chip, which is found in all of Apple’s latest iPhones, meaning extremely fast performance with apps. The 10.5-inch iPad Pro and 9.7-inch iPad use an A10X and A10 processor, respectively, which don’t make a huge difference in speed when compared to each other, but are a downgrade compared to the A12X chips, which are supposedly nine times faster. Out of all three, the 9.7-inch iPad would definitely be considered the “entry-level” iPad. Then there’s the issue of price. The cheapest you can pay for an iPad is $329, but if you go up to the 1TB storage option with LTE, the 12.9-inch model can run you up to $1,899. That’s quite the difference, so here’s a chart to help you through the myriad features and options available when you’re purchasing an iPad.<doc-sep>As rumors predicted, the new lineup of products Apple revealed at its late October event included a newly redesigned iPad Pro 2018 . But how does the refreshed tablet stack up compared to last year’s model? Here’s a quick-and-dirty comparison in case you’re debating whether to rush out and buy the new model or if the older, cheaper one will meet your needs. Spoiler: you might miss out on some cool new features that'll improve your quality of life. Read more: iPad Air (2019) iPad Pro 2017 design and colors Design The new iPad Pro 2018 comes in 11-inch and 12.9-inch screen models, but don’t mistake that for the same dimensions. Thanks to vastly reduced bezels, these tablets are actually smaller than last year’s versions overall, with 5.9mm thickness (down from 6.1mm) and other reductions amounting to 25% less volume. But the most obvious redesign is the frame. Gone is the rounded metallic back, replaced with flat-sided metal that looks very much like the iPhone 4’s squared-off appearance. (This is important for another new feature that we’ll touch on later.) iPad Pro 2018 comes in silver and space gray. Last year’s model comes in those colors along with gold and rose gold, naturally. Display The 11-inch iPad Pro 2018 model has a 2388 x 1668 display while the 12.9-inch one has a 2732 x 2048 screen, both at 264 pixels-per-inch density. This is the same as last year’s model, so don’t expect much disparity there. The iPad Pro 2018 has what Apple calls a ‘liquid retina display,’ which is a fancy way of saying “very nice LCD screen.” We first saw this in the iPhone XR , and while it’s not as crisp as an OLED display, it should be fine. Aside from reduced bezels, there’s something else missing from the iPad Pro 2018 screen: the old model’s Home button, which also contained its fingerprint sensor. With that gone, the new tablet relies on facial recognition via Face ID to unlock the device. If you relied on the fingerprint sensor to verify your identity within apps, it’s worth checking out whether they also work with Face ID. If not, you might need to stick with the older iPad Pro. But getting rid of the Home button is a bigger deal than you might realize. Without it, navigation around the iPad Pro 2018 is done entirely through gestures, including some new ones imported from the buttonless iPhones. If that’s too odd or cumbersome, stick with the old iPad Pro. Camera The iPad Pro 2018 retains its predecessor’s 12MP f/1.8 rear camera, which can shoot 4K video at 60fps or slow-mo in 720p at 240fps. Nestled in the top of the display (or side, or bottom, depending on if you’ve rotated it: the new iPad Pro now rotates freely to orient right-side up at all times) is the front-facing camera, which is still 7MP at f/2.2. But now the Pro has the TrueDepth suite of sensors featured in the iPhone X and XS lines. That means, you guessed it, Portrait mode (and Animoji, and Memoji) is go for takeoff. Which is an incredible feature if you’re brave enough to take fancy selfies with a tablet. You’re forgiven if this selling point doesn’t enter your purchasing calculus, but any technological progress is good progress, we suppose. Otherwise, the software got a couple tweaks, including some interesting AR capabilities through the new Neural Engine included in the iPad Pro 2018 processor. Performance The iPad Pro 2018 is powered by the new octa-core A12X Bionic chip (split between four performance and four efficiency cores) with a Neural Engine. Apple claims it delivers 2x faster graphics than its predecessor, and on stage, a digital artist breezed through manipulating an enormous 3GB (over 15,000 x 15,0000-pixel) photo without a hint of processing lag. Like the A12 Bionic chip appearing in the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR that it’s based on, the A12X is a 7nm chip. It looks to be the first chip of that size to appear on a tablet, which, at this point, is bragging rights (and the potential for better performance). Last year’s iPad Pro, on the other hand, has a hexa-core A10X Fusion chip (the immediate predecessor to the A12X, since Apple didn’t make an A11X). Until we take the iPad Pro 2018 for a proper spin, it’s unclear just how much faster the new model is over the old. Predictably, Apple has its own highly-quotable bragging points, like that the A12X has 10 billion transistors, its 7-core GPU can manage 5 trillion operations per second, and so on. Apple claims the iPad Pro 2018 manages up to 10 hours of battery life, though we won’t know how for sure until we put the tablet through its paces. That should match the old model’s longevity. In terms of storage, the new iPad Pro 2018 has the edge, coming in the same 64GB, 256GB and 512GB storage options as its predecessor – as well as the new 1TB tier. Packing that much space in an Apple tablet will cost you dearly, however, doubling the base-level $799 pricetag for an 11-inch 64GB Wi-Fi up to a staggering $1,549 for a full terabyte of space. Odds and ends If you’re bummed by the iPad Pro 2018’s switch to a flat-sided look, it has one big benefit. The new version of the Apple Pencil magnetically snaps to the side of the tablet and automatically starts charging and syncing. Otherwise, there’s a couple cute new tricks up the iPad Pro’s sleeve. First, say goodbye to Lightning, as the new tablet now has a USB-C port. Yup, your existing Apple tablet plugs are, once again, obsolete. That’s a bummer for folks who’ve invested in the old cable standard, but it enables the iPad Pro 2018 to more easily link up to accessories or to an external monitor for use as a secondary screen. Even better: you can connect the tablet to an iPhone and the latter will start charging off the iPad Pro’s battery. As a newer device, the iPad Pro 2018 is understandably compatible with more advanced connectivity standards, including Bluetooth 5.0 tech (last year’s has Bluetooth 4.2) and up to 29 bands of Gigabit-class LTE (compared to the 25 bands in last year’s model). The new model can tap into Galileo and QZSS positioning systems in addition to GPS and GLONASS. The only thing the new model gives up? CDMA capability in its LTE versions. Price and availability If you want the new iPad Pro 2018, you’re going to have to pay a bit more for it than last year’s model. It’s available starting at $799 (£769, AU$1,229) for the 64GB WiFi-only 11-inch and $999 (£969, AU$1,529) for the equivalent base-level 12.9-inch. That maxes out at $1,549 (£1,519 / AU$2,349) for a 1TB WiFi-only 11-inch model and $1,749 (£1,719, AU$2,649) for a 1TB WiFi-only 12.9-inch model, though you should expect to tack on around $150 if you want an LTE-connected tablet. Pre-orders are open now and the tablets will be available on November 7th. You can still get the 10.5-inch iPad Pro 2017 for its original price of $649 (£619, AU$979). Sorry, no discount for waiting til the new models arrived, but you might get lucky with Black Friday or other seasonal holiday deals as retailers try to offload their inventories of old iPad Pros. Takeaway The iPad Pro 2018 has a new chip and a slick casing redesign that enables some cool interactivity with the revamped Apple Pencil, which will suit some professionals nicely. But the price bump on an already-pricey secondary device to $799 minimum is hard to stomach. At that price point, should you just buy a decently-specced laptop? It’s hard to advocate for an expensive performance tablet, but if that’s your bag, you’ve never had it so good. The Face ID expands the screen real estate nearly to the edges and the USB-C connectivity means you’ll be able to directly link up to far more devices. Whether that justifies a spending the equivalent price of a new computer on this tablet is entirely up to you (and your wallet).<doc-sep>Apple today revealed the all-new iPad Pro, with an edge-to-edge LCD "Liquid Retina" display, slimmer bezels, no Home Button, Face ID, and a magnetic attachment support for the new Apple Pencil. The new 11-inch iPad Pro has the same footprint as the previous 10.5-inch iPad Pro, but now with a bigger display thanks to the slimmer bezels. The 12.9-inch version is actually smaller than the previous 12.9-inch model but with the same screen size. Apple put the same Liquid Retina display in the iPad Pro as the one found in the iPhone XR, using rounded corners that follow the curves of the iPad Pro's unibody enclosure. Apple says the display is its brightest and most color accurate iPad display yet, with wide color support, True Tone, and anti-reflective coating that provides a natural and accurate viewing experience inside and outside. Both models are 5.9mm thin -- "the thinnest iPad design ever" -- and the 12.9-inch version has seen a total 25 percent reduction in overall volume. “The new iPad Pro is a huge step forward for powerful, creative, mobile computing; it has an all-new thinner design, speeds through projects with the super-fast A12X Bionic chip and unlocks with a glance using Face ID in any orientation — while you’re sitting or standing, with iPad Pro on your desk or lap, with the new Smart Keyboard Folio and new Apple Pencil,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “There has never been a mobile device anything like the new iPad Pro; it has a gorgeous edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display that curves into the corners, breakthrough performance that outperforms most laptops, Face ID, support for the new Smart Keyboard Folio and new Apple Pencil, advanced new cameras and sensors for the best AR experiences ever in any device, a high-speed USB-C connector, louder speakers, faster wireless and more, all packed into a thinner device that has all-day battery life and is 25 percent smaller in volume.” Powering the iPad Pro is a new A12X Bionic chip, which Apple says is its smartest and most powerful tablet chip yet. A12X Bionic has eight total cores (four performance cores and four efficiency cores) that provide up to 35 percent faster single-core performance. There's also a seven-core GPU to deliver up to twice the graphics performance, fueling new AR experiences and console-quality graphics. During the keynote, Apple compared gaming performance on the new iPad Pros to that of the Xbox One S. iPad Pro comes with Apple's next-generation Neural Engine for advanced machine learning in everything from photography, AR, and Face ID. This marks the first time that Face ID is available outside of an iPhone, and on iPad Pro it's designed to work while holding the tablet in any position or even while seated and attached to the new Smart Keyboard Folio. Like on iPhone X and newer, Face ID uses the TrueDepth camera system to map and recognize your face and securely unlock iPad Pro, pay with Apple Pay, access secure apps, and more. You'll also now be able to create and interact with Animoji and Memoji on iPad Pro using the front-facing TrueDepth camera. Throughout all of these features and daily use cases, Apple says iPad Pro has a 10-hour battery life. The tablets also have a new USB-C connector that is replacing the old Lightning connector, offering users the chance to charge an iPhone while on-the-go, transfer data between devices, and drive external displays up to 5K. On the accessory side of things, the second generation Apple Pencil can magnetically attach to iPad Pro for pairing and wireless charging. The new Apple Pencil supports tap-based controls, so you can select a different brush tool in Photoshop, for example, by double tapping on Apple Pencil. Additionally, a new Smart Keyboard Folio protects the front and back of iPad Pro while providing a full-size keyboard The 11-inch and 12.9-inch are available in Silver and Space Gray in 64GB, 256GB, 512GB, and a new 1TB option. 11-inch models start at $799 (Wi-Fi) and $949 (Wi-Fi + Cellular), while 12.9-inch models start at $999 (Wi-Fi) and $1,149 (Wi-Fi + Cellular). You can pre-order the new iPad Pro, Apple Pencil ($129), and Smart Keyboard Folio ($179 11-inch and $199 12.9-inch) today on Apple.com, and they will launch on Wednesday, November 7. Apple is also launching a new Smart Folio for iPad Pro in a protective, polyurethane folio design that will be available in a variety of colors for $79 (11-inch) and $99 (12.9-inch). Countries where the iPad Pro will be available at launch include: the U.S., Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UAE and U.K. Later this year, the new iPad Pro models will be available in Colombia, Greece, Greenland, Guatemala, India, Israel, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Macedonia, Mexico, Morocco, Peru, Qatar, Russia, Thailand, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.<doc-sep>

Apple has revealed major changes to the iPad Pro lineup, with new models sporting an iPhone X-inspired design with near edge-to-edge displays, as well as the removal of the Home button in favor of using Face ID. The new models, all running on iOS 12, depart from the previous design language used in the iPad and earlier iPad Pro models, with the large bezels replaced by a thinner version, giving the impression of the screen taking up more room on the front of each tablet. In order to enable the almost edge-to-edge design, Apple has removed the Home button from the front of the iPad Pro. As its replacement, Face ID performs authentication, as well as providing the same Animoji and MeMoji functionality as the iPhone X, while similar gestures to unlock and access other elements have made the transition from the smaller screen. Unlike the implementation used on the iPhone X and iPhone XS, the TrueDepth camera system is not housed within a notch at the top. Instead, there is enough of a bezel around the edge to allow for the camera array to be installed without encroaching into the main display area. The move to the iPad has led to changes in the way Face ID functions, with it now able to recognize the user's face regardless of its orientation. The removal of Touch ID has also led to it using the gestures introduced with the iPhone X, including swiping up to return to the Home screen. The two new iPad Pro models side-by-side In terms of size, the larger 12.9-inch model keeps its screen dimensions but gains a smaller enclosure, while the 10.5-inch version has been increased to 11 inches, with the bezel changes allowing it to fit in within the same-sized body without majorly changing the case dimensions. Both models are 5.9mm thick, with the size changes now making the 12.9-inch iPad Pro 25 percent smaller in terms of volume, while the 11-inch version weighs just one pound. The screens are LCD Liquid Retina displays with rounded corners, using the same pixel masking techniques as used on the iPhone XR, as well as a new backlight design. Support for wide color, True-Tone, and the 120Hz ProMotion technology are also included. Powering the two models is the all new A12X Bionic, produced on a 7-nanometer process and consisting of 10 billion transistors. The 8-cores onboard include four performance cores and four for efficiency, with single core performance up 35 percent and multi-core workloads 90 percent faster. Apple claims the iPad Pros are faster than 92 percent of all portable PCs sold in the last year. Apple's on-stage list of specifications for the new iPad Pro models The apple-designed graphics processing of the iPad Pros consists of a 7-core GPU, which is said to be a thousand times faster than previously. It is said to be the equivalent of the graphics of an Xbox One S, in a product that's 94-percent smaller. The chip also uses the latest generation of neural engine, capable of 5 trillion operations per second. A major change to the iPad Pro line is the change from using a Lightning port to USB-C. The change enables the iPad Pro to connect to data accessories and 5K displays at the same time. It is also possible to charge out from the iPad Pro to another device using USB-C, so an iPhone could be recharged by being connected over USB-C. Using USB-C to connect the iPad Pro to a camera and a display While the new models switch the front 7-megapixel camera for a similar-resolution TrueDepth camera, the back version is still a 12-megapixel shooter, equipped with Smart HDR, a quad-LED True Tone flash, and an f/1.8 aperture. It continue to be able to record 4K video at up to 60fps, with 120fps at 1080p and 240fps at 720p slo-mo video options. The new models continue to use four speakers for audio, this time with woofer and tweeter pairs. There is also Gigabit-class LTE connectivity, as well as eSIM support for cellular network access. Supplying power to the iPad Pros is an 18-Watt USB-C adapter, one that Apple was previously rumored to be working on, but doesn't appear to be available separately from the devices. Battery life is rated at 10 hours for both models. The new iPad Pro models are available in 64-gigabyte, 256-gigabyte, 512-gigabyte, and 1 terabyte storage capacities, in a choice of Silver and Space Gray finishes.

Despite Sennheiser’s well-known status when it comes to all things headphone-related, years have gone by as company after company turned out true wireless earbuds while Sennheiser opted to not release a set of its own. Now, it seems that rather than rush to market, Sennheiser decided to take its time and get it right. The headphone maker unveiled the Momentum True Wireless at IFA 2018 in Berlin, and it appears that they might have been worth the wait. The Momentum True Wireless feature the latest version of Bluetooth and support for both AptX and AAC codecs, delivered via 7mm drivers. The Transparent Hearing feature lets you choose just how much ambient noise you let in — you can keep the outside world at bay or let it in if you’re on a run in a busy area. Support for both Siri and Google Assistant is integrated as well. During our hands-on (or is that ears-on?) time with the Momentum True Wireless, it quickly became apparent that these will be the go-to true wireless earbuds for anyone who puts a premium on sound quality. Everything we love about the Momentum series, including the bump in lower midrange and the high frequency response, is here. The fact that they use a magnetic field to split the signal between each earbud instead of Bluetooth also means that there is much less latency than you’re likely used to in this type of earbud. Previous Next 1 of 8 Rich Shibley/Digital Trends Rich Shibley/Digital Trends Rich Shibley/Digital Trends Rich Shibley/Digital Trends Rich Shibley/Digital Trends Rich Shibley/Digital Trends Rich Shibley/Digital Trends Rich Shibley/Digital Trends While a series of taps along with a few voice commands is all it takes to control the Momentum True Wireless, you can also use the free Sennheiser Smart Control app to adjust the earbuds’ built-in equalization to make them even more to your liking. The Momentum True Wireless feature roughly four hours of playback time in the buds themselves, while the included charging case can charge them two times, for a total of up to 12 hours of playtime. True wireless earbuds weren’t the only new product Sennheiser brought to IFA this year. The company also showed off its new GSP 550 gaming headset, which is capable of providing gamers with 7.1-channel Dolby surround sound. Ventilated earcups help to keep you cool during even the most intense gaming sessions, while the adjustable pressure mechanism in the headband lets you adjust them so they stay snug on your head without getting too tight. The headphones even feature a volume knob on the earcups for quick adjustments during gameplay. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless will ship beginning in November and will retail for 300 euros, or roughly $350, though who knows if the name will remain the same when they come to the U.S. For a peek at the competition, take a look at our current list of the best fully wireless earbuds, as well as the best earbuds — wired or otherwise. The GSP 550 gaming headset will ship in October and will retail for $250. Editors' Recommendations<doc-sep>The world of truly wireless earphones can be summed up as follows: there are AirPods, the Jabra Elite 65t, and all the unsatisfying others. I’m not griping, though: having two great options to choose from is still two more than we used to have. But now, Sennheiser, the manufacturer of some of the best headphones in every price class, has made its fashionably late arrival to the truly wireless competition. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless are the first pair of entirely wireless earphones that Sennheiser has built since a long-forgotten pair in the earliest years of Bluetooth. I made it a point to rush over and check out these new Momentum buds as soon as I learned about them. I deliberately disregarded all the spec and pricing information; I just wanted to get my hands on them. My very first impression is there’s absolutely no way to intuit how to control these things. They have no physical buttons and no user-friendly hints, just the occasional beep in response to my taps. A friendly Sennheiser staffer enlightened me that one tap on the left earbud will play or pause, two taps will advance tracks, three taps will rewind, hold your finger on the left bud to lower volume, hold your finger on the right earbud to raise it, and a single tap will activate Google Assistant or Siri, depending on your device. If that sounds convoluted, don’t worry, it’s reasonably easy once you know what’s what. Sennheiser plans to walk users through everything with an accompanying app, which isn’t yet ready to demo. Their sound is pleasant, warm, and inviting The comfort of these earbuds is as good as you can hope for with truly wireless earphones. I thought the Elite 65t were among the leaders in this category, but Sennheiser’s offering is even nicer to wear, finding a superior fit. On a related note, the Momentum True Wireless have outstanding passive noise isolation. That’s to say, they act almost like noise-canceling headphones but without consuming power to actively cancel out noise. Top marks. Sound impressions from a trade show are always a dicey affair, but I can at least preliminarily say that I like the sound of the Momentum True Wireless. It’s pleasant, warm, and inviting, and vocals are a particular highlight. I did find the bass a bit wooly, and there’s a thick filter positioned at the nozzle of these buds, probably to thicken out the bass, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s just a really relaxed and friendly sound. I think in noisy and stressful environments, which is where such wireless earphones tend to find their use, people will appreciate a tuning like this very much. The 7mm transducers inside these new earphones are an entirely new design, though they do use some of the same materials as you’ll find in Sennheiser’s flagship wired earphones, the IE800. I’ve been asking every headphone company I know to switch to USB-C charging for its battery-powered headphones, and Sennheiser has listened. The Momentum True Wireless have a USB-C-powered case, which is roughly double the size of the AirPods case, but still compact enough to tuck into a small pocket inconspicuously. The buds can hold a four-hour charge, and their case can top them off twice more, for a total of 12 hours of power socket autonomy. You can charge the full set from flat to full in 1.5 hours. I really like that the magnetic holder of the case is strong enough to hold the earbuds in place even when the case is upside down. The Momentum True Wireless are IPX4-certified for “splat and splash” resistance, and with their comfortable and secure fit, I can see them presenting a good option for those seeking a good pair of sports earbuds. Probably the biggest stumbling block with these earphones will be their price, which at $299 /€299 is at the upper end of the range when it comes to truly wireless audio. I still consider the AirPods the champ that everyone else has to beat, but Sennheiser’s greatest advantage is in the area where the AirPods are weakest: noise isolation. Plus, I personally would love to ditch my last remaining Lightning cable and have all my gadgets that need power accept a USB-C plug. That’s the future I’m waiting for. Sennheiser promises to have the Momentum True Wireless available to buy in November. Photography by Vlad Savov / The Verge<doc-sep>Enlarge Image Sennheiser I've liked most of Sennheiser's Momentum headphones, the best of which have been the over-the-ear models. Now the new Momentum True Wireless earphones are joining the line, with an expected ship date of mid-November. At $300 they cost almost twice as much as Apple's Airpods ( ), but Sennheiser promises that they have "uncompromising sound performance and the highest quality materials." Their 4 hours of battery life doesn't quite measure up to the AirPods' or Jabra Elite 65t's battery life, but the included fabric-wrapped case delivers two additional charges. No word on whether there's a fast charge feature that gives you an hour's worth of battery life from a short charge, but I suspect it's there. Sennheiser Sennheiser does make some great microphones, and these earphones should perform really well as a headset. "Noisier environments present little challenge thanks to the two-mic-beamforming technology, which optimizes voice pick-up for crystal clear phone calls and voice assistant interaction," the company says. I look forward to trying out the Momentum True Wireless earphones before they're released and will post a full review as soon as I get my hands on a pair. In the meantime, here's a look at their key features: 7mm dynamic drivers AAC and Qualcomm aptX codec support 4 hours of battery life (charging case delivers two extra charges) USB-C charging Two-mic-beamforming technology optimizes voice pick-up for cell-phone calls You can adjust EQ settings via Sennheiser Smart Control companion app for iOS and Android devices Price: $300 (no word yet on international pricing but we'll add it as soon as we get it) Availability: Mid-November Enlarge Image Sennheiser Read more: All of CNET's coverage of IFA 2018 IFA 2018: Key announcements on day 1<doc-sep>

Photo : Sennheiser Here’s the frustrating thing about Sennheiser. The company makes consistently terrific (and terrific-looking) products that cost a little more than you want to spend. At least that’s the case with the new Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless earbuds. They are handsome, and they cost $300. The Momentum True Wireless earbuds promise premium sound in a package the size of a large nut. The buds themselves come packed with AAC codec support as well as Qualcomm aptX and aptX Low Latency support. According to Qualcomm, devices with aptX support can deliver higher definition audio streams, while aptX Low Latency makes audio sync better with video which is especially helpful for gaming. (The latter is also a rarity, as only one other set of truly wireless earbuds support aptX Low Latency.) Like many other wireless headphones, the Momentum True Wireless offer one-touch access to Siri and Google Assistant. Sennheiser also says they’ll get four hours of battery life that can be topped up in the included charging case. What should really set the Momentum True Wireless apart, however, is sound quality. At least, that’s what set the original Momentum Wireless headphones apart in our testing. Sennheiser has long enjoyed a reputation for great audio fidelity, and it seemed surprising a few years ago when it managed to make the jump to wireless headphones without compromising sound quality. While initial impressions of the Momentum True Wireless from folks at IFA in Berlin are very positive, we’re looking forward to doing a full review. But once again, these things are not cheap. Sennheiser says the Momentum True Wireless earbuds will ship in November. They will cost $300, which is almost double what you’d pay for a set of Apple EarPods. Let’s hope they’re worth it. [Sennheiser]

Editor's note: This story was updated to reflect that a mandatory evacuation was ended. About 100 sections of Dauphin County roads remain closed Thursday, Dauphin County officials say. All bridges crossing the Swatara Creek in Derry Township, Swatara Township, Hummelstown and South Hanover remain closed, officials said Thursday. The Swatara Creek near Hershey crested above 17 feet Wednesday night, the second highest level recorded. The creek is receding but it was still at 14.8 feet at 11 a.m. Thursday, well above flood stage. The creek is expected to remain above flood stage through late Friday. The mandatory evacuation of Joyce Lane area of Swatara Township was lifted about 1 p.m. Thursday and residents allowed to return home. While the Hershey area and Swatara Township have seen substantial flooding, other parts of Dauphin County have been impacted as well. A vehicle was struck by a falling tree on Route 225 in Halifax Township, severely injuring the driver, Dauphin County officials said. First responders in northern Dauphin County are assisting residents with flooded basement. Routes 39 and 743 have suffered some damage from the flooding. PennDOT is expecting to repair Route 743 Friday. PennDOT is scrambling to finish road repairs ahead of some big weekend events in Hershey. For updated information on road closures, visit 511PA.com and click the box marked "incidents." Markers will then be placed on areas where crashes or closed roads are reported, as well as the time of the last update. The Susquehanna River at Harrisburg reached flood stage earlier today, rising above 17 feet. The river is expected to crest at 17.9 feet, which is lower than some earlier forecasts. County officials are assessing the damage today along the Swatara Creek. For the latest updates on the forecast, check PennLive's weather page.<doc-sep>The morning commute might be a tricky one thanks to road closures as a result of overnight flooding. A dispatcher with Dauphin County 911 confirmed that there were numerous closures throughout the county, and could not provide a complete list. A dispatcher with Cumberland County 911 said no reports of flooded roadways have been reported yet, but anticipated that could change. 511PA.com indicated as of 4:53 a.m. that many roadways are closed as a result of flooding. Here are some of the closings reported: PA 442 eastbound between Exit: US22/US322 West and Firehouse Road PA 325 in both directions between Peters Mountain Road and Carsonville Road Grayson Road / Milroy Road / Nyes Road in both directions between Devonshire Heights Road and M Street near Paxtonia Oak Grove Road / Hoernerstown Road / Vine Street / Middletown Road / Hanover Street in both directions between Knight Drive and Devonshire Heights Road near Hummelstown Seventeenth Street and Hummel Avenue in both directions between Hempt Bros. and Tenth Street near Lemoyne Posts on social media also indicate other roads that have been closed. CAMERON ST IS CLOSED BETWEEN HERR AND DIVISION DUE TO FLOODING — CAT Transit (@CATTransit) July 24, 2018 ALL RT 81..RT 82.. AND RT 23.....PLEASE EXPECT SOME DELAYS TODAY DUE TO FLOODING IN HARRISBURG. BUSES WILL BE DETOURING COMING INTO HARRISBURG TO ACCOMMODATE FLOODED STREETS IN HARRISBURG. — CAT Transit (@CATTransit) July 24, 2018 Closed in #Middletown on Hwy 230 Both EB/WB at Hwy 341 #traffic https://t.co/FBhe2hUCBg — TTWN Harrisburg (@TotalTrafficMDT) July 24, 2018 Closed in #MiddlePaxton on Hwy 443 EB at US 22 #traffic https://t.co/FBhe2icdZQ — TTWN Harrisburg (@TotalTrafficMDT) July 24, 2018 Overnight rain also had an impact on roadways in Schuylkill County. The heaviest impact was on the western municipalities of Pine Grove and Tremont boroughs, as well as Pine Grove, Tremont, Washington, Frailey and Porter townships, according to an email from John Matz of the Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency. "Throughout Monday, water had subsided from roadways, allowing crews to inspect damage, clear debris and make repairs," he said. "With the evening rains, there was some local flooding on roads that typically are the first to flood." An advance element of the Keystone Incident Management Team is working with county and first-response staff to develop an incident action plan, which will guide response and recover operations and Tuesday and possibly into the rest of the week. That task force is comprised of the counties of Berks, Columbia, Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill and Wyoming and also supported with staff from the counties within the South Central Mountain Task Force. "A more detailed assessment of damage will be completed in the coming days," Matz said. "This will include local action to identify structures that have been damaged and pose an immediate hazard, as well as damage sustained by residents, businesses and public property such as roadways, storm water systems, culverts, bridges, etc." The results of that assessment will then be forward to the state to determine if the impact can trigger a declaration from the Small Business Administration or FEMA, he added. For more traffic information, follow live traffic updates, accident reports and road closures below from PennDOT, Total Traffic Network and other Twitter sources. Get a look at conditions on local roads -- via PennDOT traffic cameras -- anytime here on PennLive. For Pennsylvania Turnpike updates and possible travel delays visit the Turnpike website here. Tweet us at @pennlive with any incidents you see on your commute or send a submission to submissions@pennlive.com.<doc-sep>

Flooding in Dauphin County has caused the closure of Pa 743 in Derry and East Hanover Township, but is only one of more than 30 road closures across the region. PennDOT reports 743 is closed between Route 22 and and Hershey Park Drive as of 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. Early Tuesday evening, PennDOT advised motorists that Route 39 over the Swatara Creek between Derry and South Hanover townships in Dauphin County will be closed at around 7 p.m. The closure is due to flooding and concern about pressure from the water flow on the bridge carrying Route 39 over the Swatara Creek. The bridge will reopen after flood waters have receded and conditions permit. Sandbeach Road, which runs parallel to Route 743, is also closed closed between Route 22 and Hersheypark Drive, and Canal Road between Route 743 and Sandbeach Road is also closed. PennDOT press officer Greg Penny said most of those 30 road closures are in Dauphin and Lebanon Counties, east Cumberland county and some of York County. Penny said their biggest concern is around Swatara Creek. "The biggest of advice, in addition to asking people to be patient and take it slow, is to not drive through moving or even standing water on a road - it's surprising how easily water current can lift up and carry vehicles," Penny said. "In standing water, their vehicles can become disabled." Updated information on road closures can be found at 511pa.com, PennDOT's travel information website. For more traffic information, follow live traffic updates, accident reports and road closures below from PennDOT, Total Traffic Network and other Twitter sources. Get a look at conditions on local roads -- via PennDOT traffic cameras -- anytime here on PennLive. For Pennsylvania Turnpike updates and possible travel delays visit the Turnpike website here. Tweet us at @pennlive with any incidents you see on your commute or send a submission to submissions@pennlive.com.

No one watched Auburn’s run through the NCAA Tournament on the edge of their seat more than Charles Barkley. The former Auburn and NBA star had a front row seat for the Tigers’ Final Four run all the way until it came to an end after dramatic final 1.5 second when No. 1 see Virginia beat No. 5 seed Auburn 63-62 on Saturday night. “Wow,” Barkley said. "Well, I want to say this: It might have been a good call. You can’t put yourself in that situation. Give the kid from Virginia great courage to make all three of those free throws, but I think it was a foul. “Man, my guys played as hard as they could. They got down double digits, got the lead. It was just a tough loss, man. It hurt. That really hurt.” In the end, Barkley said you have to make that call. “It’s terribly deflating for all of the Auburn fans and all those kids, and even for me as a fan and commentator watching the game in that way,” he said. "But, based on what the rule says and how the officials have been asked to call the game, it had to be called. "It was a good call but give that kid credit for making those three free throws. "It’s frustrating, because we are so close to the championship game. While many were talking about the final 1.5 seconds of the thrilling national semifinal, there was a play right before it in which Auburn fans would have loved to have back. With Auburn up 62-60 and 5.4 seconds left, Virginia’s Ty Jerome dribbled up the court and lost his dribble off his show that wasn’t touched by a defender. Jerome then picked the ball up and dribbled again. That’s a double dribble. It wasn’t called. “As we start to watch Ty Jerome dribbling the basketball, it bounces off his back foot,” CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore said. "It doesn’t go far either. There’s no defense that touches it. He regains possession with both hands and starts a new dribble sequence. By rule, this is a double dribble. “It is very unusual. What happens most times when you have a deflection off the back heel, the ball goes a lot further than a bounce or two from your body.” “As Ty Jerome brings the ball up the court, he accidentally bumps the ball off his back foot … he then re-possesses this ball with both hands. That ends his dribble.”@GeneSteratore explains a missed double-dribble violation on Ty Jerome near the end of the game. pic.twitter.com/763pV0sXyA — CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 7, 2019 Gene Steratore: "I think as we watch this in live action, it didn’t jump off the screen." Charles Barkley: "Man, I wanna cry right now." pic.twitter.com/GQAzfLzkJP — CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 7, 2019 Barkley admitted he didn’t know the rule when it came to the double dribble. “This should have been a double dribble, but they didn’t call it,” Barkley said. “Gene said it should have been a double dribble because he picked up his dribble (after dribbling it off the back of his foot.) I actually didn’t even know that rule.” In the end, Barkley gave credit to Virginia for making the plays but said he was heartbroken. “I really want to cry right," Barkley said. "I’m not gonna lie.” Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.<doc-sep>Auburn alum Charles Barkley has been the Tigers’ biggest supporter during their Final Four run this year, and for a few seconds there, he probably thought he was going to get to cover his alma mater in the national championship game. But a controversial foul call in the final second led to three free throws by Virginia guard Kyle Guy – and an Auburn loss. Barkley weighed in on the situation after the game. With 1.5 seconds to play and Auburn clinging to a 62-60 lead, Ty Jerome found Guy in the corner for what would have been the game-winning three-pointer. Guy missed, but a foul was called on Auburn’s Samir Doughty. Barkley told viewers on CBS that he believes the referees made the right call. Barkley also said that the referees missed the double dribble call on the previous play – but added that he admittedly didn’t even know that rule. They called a foul here. pic.twitter.com/pAP492ihP8 — Kyle Boone (@Kyle__Boone) April 7, 2019 Listen to Charles Barkley on the late foul on Auburn… ‘It might have been a good call You can't put yourself in that situation. I think it was a foul. My guys played as hard as they could. ‘That hurt. That really hurt.’ Virginia won 63-62 at the Final Four. pic.twitter.com/4gxtC2pLWx — Auburn Gold Mine (@AUGoldMine) April 7, 2019 The Auburn alum also gave Guy a lot of credit for hitting all three free throws despite the pressure. Auburn fans are upset about both calls, but the double dribble seems to be the more legit gripe. Virginia is off to the national title game and will face the winner of Michigan State vs. Texas Tech. That game will be played on Monday night.<doc-sep>It’s no secret that Charles Barkley has been pulling for Auburn throughout the NCAA tournament. Barkley played at Auburn from 1981-1984 before his lengthy NBA career, and was named the SEC Player of the Year during the 1983-84 season. After a history like that, it would be strange if he wasn’t openly rooting for his alma mater. So, naturally, Barkley was extremely animated throughout the crazy ending of Virginia’s 63-62 win against the Tigers in the Final Four on Saturday night in Minneapolis. [Best Bracket Millionaire: Who’s going to win it all?] Virginia rallied back in the final seconds at U.S. Bank Stadium, thanks to a huge 3-pointer and then three free throws from guard Kyle Guy with just 0.6 seconds left in the game to seal the one-point win. Barkley was standing behind the basket when Guy hit the corner 3-pointer, and seemed like he was in a state of shock when it fell — turning around into a robot-like move with his arms frozen out to the side. Charles Barkley was stunned into doing the robot on that last Ty Jerome three pic.twitter.com/x7UGk8ugj0 — Ricky O'Donnell (@SBN_Ricky) April 7, 2019 Barkley then looked extremely confused during the final play — like most of the arena — initially thinking that the Tigers had won when the buzzer sounded. Yet after raising his arms to celebrate, Barkley froze, realizing that the foul was called. Agony for Auburn and Charles Barkley. pic.twitter.com/q4biAlCc4L — Chris Emma (@CEmma670) April 7, 2019 Charles Barkley’s reaction to the foul call: pic.twitter.com/IIZUobbnjE — Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) April 7, 2019 Despite the loss, Barkley still opened up the postgame show on CBS agreeing with the foul call in the final sequence and seemed to handle the defeat extremely well. While he admitted that he wanted to “cry right now” during the broadcast, he insisted that he didn’t want to take anything away from Virginia’s win. Story continues “Well I want to say this. It might have been a good call,” Barkley said to start the show, still surrounded by his stuffed tiger, Auburn flag and pom-poms. “You can’t put yourself in that situation. Great kid from Virginia, great courage to make all three of those free throws. But I think it was a foul ... It’s just a tough loss man. That hurts.” Chuck was on an emotional roller coaster watching his Auburn Tigers in the #FinalFour 🎢😬 pic.twitter.com/7ayvWUenef — NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 7, 2019 More from Yahoo Sports:<doc-sep>

Charles Barkley had a rough night. Barkley looked absolutely stunned after the Auburn Tiger’s loss to the Virginia Cavaliers. Even as the Auburn alumnus offered analysis on the CBS postgame broadcast, he still seemed to be in shock after his Tigers squandered a four-point lead in the final 17 seconds for a 63-62 loss. Virginia’s Kyle Guy put up six points in the final nine seconds, which sent the Cavaliers to the national championship game in the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Guy nailed a three-pointer in the closing moments. When he got the ball back after a crazy sequence — which included an uncalled double dribble by the Cavaliers — Guy shot another three-pointer at the buzzer. He drew a foul and went to the line, where he hit 3 of 3 and won the game for Virginia. Here’s how Barkley reacted to that missed three-point attempt, which was followed by a foul call. Agony for Auburn and Charles Barkley. pic.twitter.com/q4biAlCc4L — Chris Emma (@CEmma670) April 7, 2019 Auburn had rallied from being down, 57-47, during the second half. There was reason for encouragement for the Tigers, whose fans and players had moments of overconfidence followed by devastating disappointment. As exhausted and hurt as Barkley must have been, he stepped on the CBS broadcast and provided a fair assessment of the game’s closing moments. “I want to say this. [The 3-point foul] might’ve been a good call. Can’t put yourself in that situation to five that kid from Virginia great coverage to make all three of those free,” he said. “But I think it was a foul. And man, my guys played hard as they could. … It’s just a tough loss man. It hurts. That really hurts.” Thanks to TNT, we got a closer look at Barkley’s emotional roller coast during the dramatic moments of the game. Chuck was on an emotional roller coaster watching his Auburn Tigers in the #FinalFour 🎢😬 pic.twitter.com/7ayvWUenef — NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 7, 2019

In devastating news out of Canada, three travel YouTubers have died after falling off of a waterfall in British Colombia. Ryker Gamble, Alexey Lyakh, and Megan Scraper were part of the YouTube channel High On Life, where members of the collective posted videos of their travels. Gamble and Lyakh were co-founders of the group with another friend, Parker Heuser; Scraper was Lyakh's girlfriend of five years, according to the Vancouver Sun. The group confirmed the deaths via a video posted to the channel on Friday, July 6 titled "To Our Friends and Family". In the video, a group of Gamble, Lyakh, and Scraper's friends face the camera while Heuser shares the information about their deaths and speaks in honor of the lives they lived. "On July 3, 2018 we lost three very dear friends of ours, Ryker Gamble, Alexey Lyakh, and Megan Scraper," Heuser says. "There are truly no words that can be said to ease the pain and the devastation that we are all going through right now. They were three of the warmest, kindest, most driven and outgoing people you could ever meet, and the world has lost a great deal of light from the passing of our friends." He also describes them as people who stood for "positivity, courage, and living the best life you can." Through tears, Heuser also reads a passage written by Gamble and Lyakh about feeling free in your life and recognizing the power of living on your own terms. According to the BBC, police said that the group were swimming at the top of Shannon Falls when they "slipped and fell into a pool 30m (98ft) below." The Vancouver Sun reports that Scraper first fell, and that Gamble and Lyakh were attempting to save her, but they were all swept into the below pool system. Cpl. Sascha Banks told the newspaper in a statement, "It looks beautiful, it’s a sunny day, but given the extensive water flow that comes off the mountains, and the number of incidents that we’ve had in the Squamish area lately, people just need to be prepared." She continued, "Unless you have the knowledge of that area, the expertise and the right equipment you should not be up there." This particular area of the falls has reportedly become more popular since the Sea to Sky Gondola opened in 2014, which helps hikers get to the trails. That said, John Wilcox of the Squamish, B.C. Search and Rescue told the Vancouver Sun that while there have been accidents, including dogs and people falling into the water, he's never responded to a fatality. Lyakh and Gamble previously made headlines when they violated U.S. national park rules at Yellowstone in 2016 and served a week in jail after being sentenced in January 2017. According to the CBC — which called the group's activity a "tour of environmental disrespect through various U.S. national parks" — a third friend, Justis Price-Brown was also involved, but they only had to pay fines. In additional, Lyakh, Gamble, and Price-Brown were all banned from public U.S. lands for five years. The group pleaded guilty to various charges, including walking off of the boardwalk and creating a "hazardous or physically offensive condition." While some of their adventures may have been not only controversial but illegal, it's clear that the group had quite the influence. In addition to over half a million subscribers on YouTube, High on Life has 1.1 million followers on Instagram. As noted in the YouTube video about the trio's passing, fans can honor the way the vloggers affected their lives by using the hashtag #HOLInspired. A description under the video also notes that a GoFundMe page has been set up to help with the memorial costs.<doc-sep>Two Canadian men known for adventurous YouTube videos died while trying to rescue one of their girlfriends from being carried away by a waterfall in British Columbia, Canada, Vice reported on Thursday. Featured Video Hide Ryker Gamble, Alexey Lyakh, and Megan Scraper were all killed in the incident. The CBC reports that Scraper slipped and fell into the rushing current, and Gamble and Lyakh jumped in to try and save her. All three were swept over the falls. Advertisement Hide Scraper was Lyakh’s longterm girlfriend. Gamble and Lyakh were part of a group of YouTube personalities called High On Life SundayFundayz, Vice reports. The group’s YouTube videos and Instagram posts, which show a passion for travel and high-risk exploits around the globe, have attracted millions. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjp9wKCHLyR/?taken-by=rykergamble Last year, Lyakh and Gamble spent seven days in prison and drew criticism after they trespassed in Yellowstone National Park for a vlog. But they continued traveling, and just two weeks ago, Gamble wrote on Instagram that life “isn’t about responsibilities, tough decisions and hard work.” “It’s about feeling bliss and living in the moment,” he wrote. Advertisement Hide On social media, fans, friends, and family members have written tributes to the three killed. “You’ve lived your lives to the fullest against all odds and left behind a legacy,” one commenter wrote on Gamble’s Instagram. “You died due to a heroic and selfless act surrounded by loved ones in a beautiful place doing what you love.” H/T Vice<doc-sep>The travel and vlogging communities are mourning a major loss as it has been revealed that three of the "High on Life" YouTube travel vloggers passed away after they slipped and fell during a hike at a Canadian waterfall. After a two-day recovery effort, the bodies of popular YouTubers Ryker Gamble and Alexey Lyakh were found, as well as Lyakh's girlfriend, Megan Scraper. The accident took place at Shannon Falls in British Columbia, Canada after the crew went on a hike. The three were reportedly swimming in a pool atop the waterfall when Scraper slipped and fell. As the two men tried to help her back to safety, they also lost their footing and fell nearly 100 feet into a pool below them. The "High on Life" collective is a popular group of vloggers based in Vancouver, sharing their travel adventures for the world to see. Since the tragedy on July 3, the remaining members of the group have released a video to tribute the lives of Ryker, Alexey, and Megan. In the video, the three were described as some of the "warmest, kindest, most driven and outgoing people that you could ever meet." Watch their video message below. RIP Ryker Gamble, Alexey Lyakh, and Megan Scraper. [via]<doc-sep>

Three YouTubers have died after falling 30 metres over a waterfall in Canada, it has been announced. BBC News confirmed that vloggers Ryker Gamble, aged 30, Alexey Lyakh, also aged 30, and Megan Scraper, aged 29, all died on Tuesday (July 3) at Canada's Shannon Falls in British Columbia. The trio contributed to the channel High On Life, who post travel videos on YouTube with more than 500,000 subscribers. High On Life also have 1.1 million subscribers on Instagram. According to police, Gamble, Lyakh and Scraper were swimming at the top of the waterfall, but tragically slipped and fell into a pool that was 30 metres below them. The Vancouver Sun reports that after Megan, who was Alexey's partner, slipped and fell, he and Ryker attempted to help her, but all three ultimately lost their lives. In a statement, High On Life said: "They were three of the warmest, kindest and most driven and outgoing people you could ever meet." The group also shared some touching words about their friends in the description of a GoFundMe Page set up for them in the hopes of raising $50,000. "There are truly no words that can be said to ease the pain and the devastation that their families are all going through right now," they wrote. "Our gift to them is to use the money raised to cover the costs of the Celebration of Life that will commemorate all three of these beautiful lives. "In addition, a Legacy Fund will be established to support causes that align with the values and aspirations of Ryker, Alexey and Megan – empowering others to pursue their passions and dreams, and to live life to the fullest."

Detroit News staff and wires As quickly as Michigan State climbed in the Associated Press women’s baskeball rankings, the Spartans’ tumble was just as rapid. Michigan State (13-5) dropped six spots in the new AP Top 25, released Monday, checking in at 23. That’s one week after the Spartans jumped six spots to No. 17. The week included losses to Ohio State and then-No. 20 Rutgers sandwiched around a victory at home against then-No. 9 Maryland. Rutgers, the Big Ten leader, jumped six spots to No. 14. Maryland dropped to No. 11. Utah earned its first appearance in the AP poll in a decade, entering at No. 21. The Utes (16-1) last were ranked in the final poll of the 2008 season. They were one of four teams to enter the Top 25 after 13 ranked teams lost last week. Utah was joined by Florida State at 22, Texas A&M at 24 and Missouri at 25. While there was change at the bottom of the poll, the top eight teams stayed virtually the same with Notre Dame leading the way. The Fighting Irish received 22 first place votes from the 30-member national media panel. Baylor broke a tie with UConn for second, garnering seven top ballots. The Huskies got the other one and dropped to third. Louisville and Oregon rounded out the first five teams in the poll. Stanford is sixth, followed by Mississippi State, N.C. State, Oregon State and Marquette. It’s the first time that the Golden Eagles have ever been ranked this high. Tennessee dropped out of the poll after losing its fourth straight game last week. Minnesota, DePaul and Indiana also fell out of the Top 25. WOMEN’S ASSOCIATED PRESS TOP 25 Record Pts Prv 1. Notre Dame (22) 18-1 735 1 2. Baylor (7) 15-1 713 2 3. UConn (1) 16-1 703 2 4. Louisville 17-1 651 4 5. Oregon 17-1 623 5 6. Stanford 16-1 608 6 7. Mississippi State 17-1 578 7 8. N.C. State 18-0 549 8 9. Oregon State 15-3 472 10 10. Marquette 16-3 460 14 11. Maryland 16-2 442 9 12. Texas 15-3 376 11 13. Syracuse 15-3 358 12 14. Rutgers 15-3 343 20 15. Kentucky 16-3 331 16 16. Arizona State 13-5 265 19 17. Iowa 14-4 261 22 18. Gonzaga 17-2 258 13 19. South Carolina 12-5 245 15 20. Iowa St. 14-4 145 18 21. Utah 16-1 138 — 22. Florida State 16-2 134 — 23. Michigan State 13-5 109 17 24. Texas A&M 14-4 45 — 25. Missouri 15-4 43 — Others receiving votes: BYU 32, Tennessee 23, Minnesota 21, Drake 20, UCF 20, Clemson 11, South Dakota 11, California 9, DePaul 8, Miami 6, Boise St. 3, Indiana 1.<doc-sep>We're just halfway through January and it’s clear that this is one of the most wide-open seasons in women’s college basketball this decade. Notre Dame lost to UConn, which lost to Baylor, which lost to Stanford, which lost to Gonzaga, which just lost to BYU. By no means should the transitive property ever apply in sports, but this indicates how exciting this season is going to be down the stretch leading into the NCAA tournament. So as a look ahead, here are the 15 best games remaining this Division I women’s college basketball season that could have significant impact on NCAA tournament seeding. POLL: AP Top 25 | USA Today Coaches Top 25 Poll Notre Dame at Tennessee - Jan. 24 It doesn’t get much more historic than this. Tennessee hasn’t made a Women’s Final Four since 2008, but the Lady Vols still have had tournament success since the late, great Pat Summitt retired after the 2011-12 season. Notre Dame, of course, has the talent to repeat as national champions. Tennessee has a lot of youth on its team, which has led to some struggles this season, but this is a chance at home to really assert itself as an elite team this season. UConn at Louisville - Jan. 31 Smack dab in the middle of conference play, these two 2018 Final Four participants will square off in one of the biggest games of the year that is certain to attract national attention. Unless the two championship contenders meet in the NCAA tournament, this will be the last time super seniors Asia Durr for Louisville and Katie-Lou Samuelson for UConn will square off. The Huskies won the last matchup on Feb. 12, 2018, in Storrs. David Butler II | USA Today Sports Images Katie Lou Samuelson is just one of several stars on UConn. South Carolina at Kentucky - Jan. 31 UConn vs. Louisville will be the game of the day, but this marquee SEC matchup should receive a lot of attention as well. The Gamecocks are two years removed from a national championship and look completely different, but seem to be hitting their stride. South Carolina still wants to be known as the team to beat in the SEC, but Wildcats senior Maci Morris and freshman Rhyne Howard have been incredibly difficult to stop this season. Baylor at Texas - Feb. 4 The Baylor Bears are more than the team that knocked off UConn from the ranks of the unbeatens. Baylor is one of the best rim-protecting teams and eats up just about every ball around the rim. The only thing is, so does Texas. These are the two programs expected to compete for the Big 12 title, and its safe to say it will be won on the glass with Baylor being the nation’s leader in rebounding margin, and the Texas Longhorns ranked third. Baylor also leads the country in assists per game, in which Texas ranks just inside the top 100. Oregon at Stanford - Feb. 10 Sabrina Ionescu vs. Alanna Smith. These two players are the heart and soul of the Ducks and the Cardinal, two teams that are legitimate Final Four contenders. Ionescu and Smith are two candidates for Pac-12 player of the year and likely will be first-team All-Americans. This is the only time Oregon and Stanford will meet in the regular season. Tennessee at Mississippi State - Feb. 10 By this time, Tennessee’s true colors will shine a bit brighter. Mississippi State is still searching for that elusive national championship after two straight runner-up seasons. Teaira McCowan has made Mississippi State go for a third straight season now. As one of the nation’s best post players and rebounders, Tennessee will have to throw everything at her to try to steal a big road win. South Carolina at UConn - Feb. 11 One of the best things about women’s basketball is that the top of the top play each other nearly every season. South Carolina and UConn have met in February annually since the 2014-15 season. UConn is still its dominant self, while Dawn Staley is still trying to find consistent production since the departure of WNBA No. 1 overall pick A’ja Wilson. There will be a much different feel for this installment of Gamecocks vs. Huskies. MORE: UConn's Megan Walker outscored the entire Tulane team. Here's how Oregon State at Oregon - Feb. 15 One could argue that Oregon State has become a fixture as an elite team in women’s college basketball. The Beavers have made five straight NCAA tournaments, been to two regional finals in the past three seasons and made the Final Four in 2016. The Oregon Ducks aren’t in that conversation yet, but they’re certainly near it. There likely won’t be better a better game to watch in the Pac-12 all season than this one, or the game in Corvallis. Maryland at Iowa - Feb. 17 The Big Ten has flown under the radar a bit, but certainly has some of the best players in women’s college basketball. Near the top of that list has to be Iowa forward, and the nation’s leading scorer, Megan Gustafson, who also is one of the leaders in rebounds per game. Iowa also leads the nation in total team assists. Maryland has a team capable of making its first Final Four since 2015. This should be the Terrapins toughest test left on its schedule. Jeffrey Becker | USA TODAY Sports Images Megan Gustafson has become on the country's best forwards at Iowa. Notre Dame at NC State - Feb. 18 The NC State Wolfpack have to be the biggest surprise in women’s college hoops this season. NC State has won three combined tournament games in the past two NCAA tournaments, so they’re not necessarily new to spotlight. But it’s doubtful anyone expected this team to be the last unbeaten in women’s college basketball. A game against Notre Dame at home, however, is the type of game that can lift a team’s perception to being championship caliber. Oregon at Oregon State - Feb. 18 Three days after the showdown in Eugene, the two northwest rivals play in Corvallis. Maryland transfer Destiny Slocum has become an elite scorer for the Beavers. If any team is going to beat Oregon, it has to limit turnovers and slow the game down. The Ducks have the NCAA-leading assist-to-turnover ratio. South Carolina at Tennessee - Feb. 24 The struggles of South Carolina and Tennessee are outlined above. By this point in the year, they could be completely different teams. Mississippi State is the likely runaway winner for the SEC regular season title, but this will be important for tournament positioning. South Carolina’s final four games also include Kentucky and Mississippi State. Tennessee is a likely NCAA tournament team, but based on the way things look right now, there’s no guarantee. RELATED: Jan. 15 - Team of the Week | Starting Five of the week Notre Dame at Syracuse - Feb. 25 Three years since Syracuse made its first-ever Final Four and national championship game, the Orange have rebuilt itself into one of the top teams in a loaded ACC with two transfers leading the way. In her second season since transferring from junior college, Tiana Mangakahia picked up where she left off. She’s the Orange’s leading scorer and one of the nation’s assists leaders after averaging 17.5 points and 10.2 assists per game in 2017-18. This is a legitimate test for Arike Ogunbowale and the Fighting Irish. NC State at Louisville - Feb. 28 As great as NC State has been, the Wolfpack still have to prove itself in a marquee road matchup. The back-to-back trips to Florida State and Syracuse on Feb. 7 and Feb. 13 should serve as a valuable measuring tool for just how much NC State can achieve this season. But if the Wolfpack truly want to be known as one of the premier teams in the country, it has to win games — or at least be extremely competitive — in games at Louisville and at Notre Dame. What a treat this game will be as the penultimate regular-season game. Matt Cashore | USA TODAY Sports Images Asia Durr is one of the best all-around scorers in the game. Mississippi State at South Carolina - March 3 Most probably expect Mississippi State to clinch the SEC regular season by this point. If not, South Carolina can play the role that so many teams played against the Gamecocks in recent years — spoiler. In the first matchup this season, McCowan had an astonishing 26 points and 24 rebounds, 12 of which were on the offensive glass.<doc-sep>

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Senior center Jenna Allen scored 16 points and freshman guard Nia Clouden added 15 to lift No. 17 Michigan State to a 77-60 victory over No. 9 Maryland on Thursday night. The Spartans (13-4, 3-3 Big Ten) led almost throughout, racing out to a 20-4 advantage in the first quarter. Maryland (15-2, 4-2) closed to within three at halftime, but Michigan State took control again in the third in this matchup between the highest-ranked Big Ten teams in this week's AP Top 25. Overall, this is MSU's second all-time win over Maryland, but the Spartans have captured two of the last three meetings. Nia Clouden with a season-best nine rebounds as the Spartans worked to out-rebound the No. 8 rebounding team in the country tonight, 37-30!#GoGreen 🏀 pic.twitter.com/hCrDYEIgIP — Spartan Basketball (@MSU_WBasketball) January 18, 2019 It was the second victory over a top-10 team for the Spartans this season. They beat No. 3 Oregon on Dec. 9. Overall, Michigan State has defeated four ranked teams this season, with all four victories coming at the Breslin Center. MSU is 4-1 against ranked squads with its only loss coming against then-No. 13 NC State, which is currently undefeated. Michigan State made five 3-pointers in the first quarter. The Spartans made only one after that, but they kept playing with confidence. Junior guard Taryn McCutcheon scored 12 points for Michigan State, which had lost three of its previous four games. Junior guard Shay Colley and sophomore forward Sidney Cooks both added 11 points as five Spartans reached double figures. RELATED: Everything you need to know about the recent AP rankings Brianna Fraser led Maryland with 22 points, while Taylor Mikesell added 12 for the Terps. The Spartan offense was aggressive to start the game. Michigan State used a 9-0 and a 15-2 run in just over four minutes to take a 15-4 lead early in the first quarter. Allen came out swinging with seven points in the first five minutes of action. The run extended to 14-0 after a McCutcheon steal and a layup as MSU went up 20-4 with 3:28 left in the first period. A pair of Fraser free throws stopped the run and made the score 20-6. The 25 points allowed in the first half were the fifth-most this season for the Terps. The Spartans led 37-34 at halftime but pushed the lead back to double digits in the third and stayed in control after that. In the third quarter, Maryland cut the lead to 40-37 before an old-fashioned three from Colley put MSU back up by six. After a pair of Colley free throws MSU re-took a double-digit lead 49-39 with 4:57 remaining. Michigan State out-scored Maryland 22-13 in the period. The Spartans play Sunday at Rutgers, which is the last remaining Big Ten team without a conference loss. Post-Game Notes vs. Maryland • Thursday's upset win over No. 9/9 Maryland was Michigan State's fourth home win over a ranked team, marking the first time that the Spartans have defeated four ranked teams at home since 2004-05 when MSU defeated No. 18/17 Iowa, No. 11/12 Minnesota, No. RV/24 Purdue and No. 2/3 Ohio State. MORE: Women's basketball scores | Women's basketball stats • The upset victory was MSU's third home win over a ranked team, joining No. 3 Oregon (88-82 on Dec. 9), No. 16 Iowa (84-70 on Dec. 30) and No. 18 Minnesota (Jan. 9), marking the second time in last four seasons that the Spartans have beat four ranked teams in the same season . . . in 2015-16, the Spartans topped No. 16 Northwestern (home), No. 5 Ohio State (home) and No. 9 Ohio State (neutral). • The Spartans are now 4-1 this season against ranked opponents, improving to 23-15 overall at home vs. ranked foes under head coach Suzy Merchant. DOWN GO THE TERRAPINS! @MSU_WBasketball knocks down No. 9 Maryland in East Lansing!#ncaaW pic.twitter.com/UMdS0rBer1 — NCAA Women’s Basketball (@ncaawbb) January 18, 2019 • Michigan State is now 10-0 this season at home this season and have a 13-game home winning streak dating back to last year. • Overall, it is the second-straight season and fourth in last six seasons that the Spartans have defeated three or more ranked teams in the same season . . . last year, MSU beat No. 22 South Florida (neutral), No. 11 Maryland (away) and No. 21 Michigan (home) . . . in 2015-16, the Spartans topped No. 16 Northwestern (home), No.

The Lakers have decided not to extend the contract of head athletic trainer Marco Nunez, moving on from the man who replaced legendary trainer Gary Vitti in 2016. Nunez had been with the organization since the 2008-09 season, first as an assistant to Vitti. The news broke during the Lakers’ exit interviews when players and the head coach typically speak. Sixteen players were scheduled to speak on Wednesday in the wake of Magic Johnson’s abrupt resignation Tuesday as president of basketball operations, but no team executives or coach Luke Walton were on the schedule. LeBron James was scheduled to address reporters on Tuesday, but chose not to. Injuries have frustrated the Lakers this season and as an organization they have tabbed that as their main problem. Only Kentavious Caldwell-Pope played in all 82 games. Advertisement James missed 18 games with a groin injury and 27 overall as the Lakers tried to preserve his health. Rajon Rondo missed 36 games and had two hand surgeries. Lonzo Ball missed 35 with a severe left ankle sprain. “I know they have my best interest [in mind,]” Ball said about the Lakers’ training staff. “Certain things just come up later. … It sucks. I can’t really say too much other than that. I don’t like being hurt.” Sign up for our Lakers newsletter » Ball missed 30 games last season because of knee and shoulder injuries. This season, Brandon Ingram also missed 30 games. He sustained an ankle injury early in the season and he had a blood clot that ended his season in early March. James’ injury began a spiral for the Lakers, who were in fourth place in the Western Conference after defeating defending champion Golden State on Christmas in Oakland. They went 6-11 while James was out and began to panic about their future. The trade deadline caused an erosion of trust in the locker room both among players and between players and the front office. When James became healthy, he thought the Lakers would return to the level at which they played before his injury, but they never did. Players repeated the mantra that injuries derailed their season during their exit interviews on Wednesday, but none blamed Nunez. Advertisement “He was doing a great job,” said Lance Stephenson, who missed games late in the season because of a sprained left second toe. “He’s been doing a great job. It’s definitely tough because that was my guy. I worked with him a lot. He did an amazing job with me.” tania.ganguli@latimes.com Follow Tania Ganguli on Twitter @taniaganguli<doc-sep>Following an incredibly disappointing season wrought with injuries, the Los Angeles Lakers have fired longtime athletic trainer Marco Nunez, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Nunez originally joined the Lakers for the 2008-09 campaign as an assistant and had remained with the organization ever since. Then, after the retirement of Gary Vitti in 2016, Nunez was promoted to the head athletic trainer role. This season, Lakers players missed a whopping 212 games to injury, the most in the NBA. No one on the roster seemed safe from the injury bug, as even LeBron James, who has been the epitome of health throughout his 16-year NBA career, missed over a month due to a groin issue. Los Angeles fell to the Portland Trail Blazers by a score of 104-101 on Tuesday night, finishing with a record of 37-45 on the year. This was not how things were supposed to go in James’ first season with the club. After signing LeBron last July, the Lakers seemed poised to bring in another big name to join him, but Paul George signed back with the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs traded Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors. The Lakers then attempted to acquire Anthony Davis in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans before the Feb. 7 trade deadline, but their efforts were rebuffed in spite of reportedly making the Pelicans a Godfather offer that included all of their young talent plus draft picks. To put the cherry on top, Magic Johnson stepped down team as the team’s president of basketball operations on Tuesday.<doc-sep>The Los Angeles Lakers had legitimate momentum this season, but had that derailed by a litany of injuries to key players that never stopped. Organizationally, they’ve also developed a pattern of having players come back on the later side of prognoses if not after the promised return dates have passed altogether. As a result, the Lakers have made their first firing of the offseason, and it’s somewhat promising, even if literally everyone was hoping it would be Rob Pelinka (who is currently coordinating exit interviews and seems safe, for now): The Lakers fired athletic trainer Marco Nuñez on Weds, sources told ESPN. Nuñez joined LAL as an asst trainer in 08-09 & ascended to the head position in ‘16, succeeding Gary Vitti. LAL players had missed 212 games due to injury in ‘18-19, 9th most in the NBA, per Spotrac — Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 10, 2019 The Lakers have already removed Nuñez’s name from the training staff employee page, which seems notable. Nuñez was promoted to the position he held last season after Gary Vitti stepped down in 2016, as McMenamin points out. For what it’s worth, Lakers players didn’t hold Nuñez or his staff directly responsible for the team’s injury struggles this year. “I know they have my best interests. Certain things just come up later,” Lonzo Ball told reporters at his exit interview Wednesday morning before the news of Nuñez’s dismissal broke. “I trust them. It sucks. I can’t say too much other than that, I don’t like being hurt.” Ball has yet to play in 100 NBA games — he’s played in 99 — despite being two full seasons into his career. His injuries as much as (if not more than) anything have really taken a toll on the Lakers’ hopes since he was drafted, seeing has his primary backups have been Tyler Ennis and Rajon Rondo. Josh Hart, who missed 19 games last year and 15 this year (though was hampered severely in many of the games late in the season by knee tendinitis he eventually addressed surgically), echoed Ball’s sentiment. “It was just freak accidents that you really can’t blame anyone for. We knew that’s a part of the game, and we just wanted to take it a game at a time,” Hart said. “It was frustrating just with how it ended and not making the playoffs and that kind of thing, but we have a longer summer so we can focus on getting better getting stronger and getting our bodies right.” Lance Stephenson keeps mentioning injuries. I asked if Marco Nunez could have done something to limit those. "No he was doing a great job. he’s been doing a great job. It’s definitely tough because that was my guy. I worked with him a lot. He did an amazing job with me.” — Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) April 10, 2019 Tania Ganguli of the L.A. Times updated the story with an interesting tidbit. Apparently, this move had been in the works for quite some time: The Lakers considered firing Nunez after last season and this move fits with the emphasis they have placed on injuries. As an organization, they've decided to peg injuries as the main problem this year. They've certainly had a lot of injuries, but other factors share blame. — Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) April 10, 2019 Injuries weren’t the only problem for the team, but they certainly were a large one, and so while this is almost undoubtedly a step in the right direction, that’s only if the Lakers learn from their mistakes. Nuñez was promoted from within with basically no known candidate search beforehand. Yes, he had technically been groomed for almost a decade before receiving that promotion, but a team’s medical and training staff is far too important to not even interview other candidates. If the Lakers follow this move by merely promoting whoever is next in line to Nuñez, they risk yet another disappointing season for the exact same reasons they find themselves here in the first place. But hey, based on Pelinka’s continued presence with the team, learning lessons doesn’t really seem like something the Lakers are all that interested in doing. Let’s hope they prove me wrong. For more Lakers talk, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts.<doc-sep>The chaos following a tumultuous season that ended with a bang thanks to the surprise resignation of Magic Johnson has engulfed another member of the Lakers operation. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reports the Lakers have fired head athletic trainer Marco Nuñez, following a season in which basically every marquee player for the Lakers suffered an injury. An injury to Lonzo Ball on Jan. 19 effectively ended his season, while LeBron James also had the longest injury absence of his career. In addition to figuring out their new power structure without Magic Johnson, the Lakers will also need to find a new leader for their training staff. When the players who did participate in exit interviews were asked about Nuñez and the staff, most of them commended him for his effort, while Lonzo Ball wasn’t too pleased with the results. Josh Hart has referred to the Lakers' medical staff and coaching staff as "professionals" who dealt with a lot of things they couldn't control. Says no one should "knock them." — Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) April 10, 2019 Lonzo Ball on his trust in Lakers' medical staff: "I know they have my best interests. Certain things just come up later. I got the MRI, they didn't see the two bone bruises. I got another, they ain't seen 'em." — Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) April 10, 2019 As far as immediate next steps for the Lakers, the early reports are that general manager Rob Pelinka will be even more powerful in the new Lakers power structure.<doc-sep>

Just hours after Magic Johnson abruptly stepped down from his post as the president of basketball operations, the Los Angeles Lakers have made another staffing change. The Lakers fired head trainer Marco Nuñez on Wednesday morning, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. The Lakers fired athletic trainer Marco Nuñez on Weds, sources told ESPN. Nuñez joined LAL as an asst trainer in 08-09 & ascended to the head position in ‘16, succeeding Gary Vitti. LAL players had missed 212 games due to injury in ‘18-19, 9th most in the NBA, per Spotrac — Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 10, 2019 Nuñez has been with the organization for a decade, having started as an assistant trainer. He led the training staff for the past three seasons. It’s easy to see why they made the change, as the Lakers were riddled with injuries this season. According to Spotrac, Lakers players missed 212 appearances due to injury this season, the ninth-most in the league. According to Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register, 148 of those appearances came from the top eight leaders in minutes. LeBron James was the most notable Lakers player to go down with an injury after he strained his groin on Christmas Day. James missed five weeks while recovering, and the team dropped from a tie for fourth place in the Western Conference to ninth place in that time. He played just 55 games all year, a career-low. Lonzo Ball played in only 47 games after spraining his ankle in January, marking the second-straight year his season was cut short due to injury. Brandon Ingram had surgery to remove a blood clot in March, and played in just 52 games. Rajon Rondo missed 36 games this season, too, dealing with a finger injury early in the season. Now, it’s not fair to blame Nuñez or the training staff completely for those injuries. Injuries happen in sports all the time, regardless of how great a trainer or training staff is. Many players, including Lance Stephenson, said they liked Nuñez. Story continues “[Nuñez] was doing a great job. He’s been doing a great job,” Stephenson said Wednesday, via Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times. “It’s definitely tough because that was my guy. I worked with him a lot. He did an amazing job with me.” Josh Hart, who had his season cut short due to knee tendinitis, praised the training staff on Wednesday, too. “I work day-in and day-out with the medical staff, and they’re people who are amazing at their craft,” Hart said, via the Orange County Register. “They take their time out their day, even more so being here early. They’re the ones that sacrifice the most and put the most time in. I guess you can call it an endorsement, but they shouldn’t be knocked or blamed for this because that’s not their fault.” More from Yahoo Sports:

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill weighs race so heavily in its admissions process that it is the predominant factor in determining whether many black and Hispanic students get in, according to court papers filed on Friday by an anti-affirmative action group that is also suing Harvard. The group, Students for Fair Admissions, says the university is excluding white and Asian applicants in favor of less qualified black and Hispanic students. The plaintiffs accuse U.N.C., a public flagship university, of using race “at every stage” of the admissions process, in violation of the law, “even when the application gives no indication that race affected the student’s life in any way.” “This is wrong,” the university said in a brief in its defense, also filed Friday. An applicant’s race does not provide an automatic boost or guarantee admission, the university said. Rather, “This factor, like all others, is always considered in the context of everything else known about a candidate and in light of the range of contributions the candidate might make to the University.”<doc-sep>Many on campus saw Silent Sam as a monument to white supremacy and cheered when a crowd toppled the statue in August. The statue is in storage, with decisions pending on its future. Folt announced Monday that she had ordered the removal of the statue’s pedestal, citing safety concerns. Her action angered some on the UNC System Board of Governors. The board accepted Folt’s resignation, effective at the end of this month.<doc-sep>Socioeconomic diversity isn’t good enough for us Harvard University’s fight against an admissions discrimination lawsuit by Asian-American plaintiffs has sucked up most of the media attention for the past several months. But the same plaintiff group, Students for Fair Admissions, is also suing the University of North Carolina on the same grounds, and UNC’s defense of its race-conscious admissions protocol may raise a few eyebrows. Both sides filed briefs in federal court Friday, Inside Higher Ed reports, “outlining for the first time in detail their takes on the issues at Chapel Hill.” UNC’s take: We need to look at race in admissions to uphold our academic standards. At issue is whether race-neutral alternatives would produce sufficient diversity in each admitted class. UNC claims it did the math on some of these ideas, such as the “Top 10” program used in Texas, which guarantees admission to state-funded colleges for the top 10 percent of each high school’s graduating class. UNC actually would have more black and Latino students under this system, but they “would not have been as academically qualified”: The average SAT of admitted applicants would have dropped from 1317 to 1262 and the projected grade point average of first-year students (based on the high school records and test scores) would have dropped from 3.26 to 3.16. Further, UNC’s analysis said that so many slots would have been taken up with top 10 percent students that “hundreds” of worthy applicants from underrepresented groups who either not in the top 10 percent or who attended private or magnet schools wouldn’t have been admitted. Another idea – automatic admission of “the top 7.5 percent of high-poverty schools and the top 3 percent at low-poverty high schools” – would lower average SAT scores by 100 points even as it increases black and Latino admissions. UNC also forecasts higher dropouts of admitted students if it switches to this model. MORE: Asian Americans have lowest Harvard admit rate over nearly 20 years UNC’s ultimate problem with race-blind admissions, however, is that it doesn’t just want “socioeconomic diversity”: “SFFA’s most drastic tactic is to effectively ask this court to impose a new constitutional standard,” the brief says. “SFFA would have the court compel universities to abandon effective race-conscious admissions if they can achieve increased socioeconomic diversity, even to the detriment of racial diversity. This argument ignores that socioeconomic diversity — although separately important — is not the same as racial diversity.” ‘Yes, give these brown babies a shot at these merit $$’ The plaintiffs’ brief highlights UNC’s starkly different choices based on the race of potential applicants, based on documents SFFA obtained in discovery. Contrary to its claims about academic merit plummeting under a race-neutral system, UNC requires white and Asian students to have much higher ACT scores in order to receive recruiting materials. Its admissions officers “were regularly briefed” on the racial makeup of admitted applicants who were likely to enroll – a practice that stopped after the suit was filed – and officers’ notes are full of explicit appeals to race. One officer wrote about an applicant with the minimum qualifying ACT score: “yes, give these brown babies a shot at these merit $$.” According to an analysis by the plaintiffs’ experts, Asian-American males would have much better chances of getting accepted, based on grades and test scores, if they were Hispanic or African American. For in-state Asian-American applicants, it jumps from 25 percent to 67 percent (Hispanic) and 90 percent (black). An out-of-state black applicant with the same grades and test scores would have a 99 percent chance. Inside Higher Ed does not name the plaintiffs’ experts, and Students for Fair Admissions has not responded to a College Fix request for briefs Monday. But a group of “leading economists and econometric scholars,” including Brown University’s Glenn Loury, gave thumbs-up to SFFA’s statistical analysis in the Harvard case. Read the article. MORE: Economists approve statistical model that finds Harvard discriminates IMAGE: Ranta Images/Shutterstock Read More Like The College Fix on Facebook / Follow us on Twitter<doc-sep>

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — North Carolina's flagship public university is defending its use of race in admitting students and wants a lawsuit filed against it by a group representing past and potential applicants and parents to be dismissed. The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill filed written arguments in federal court on Friday, as did lawyers for the organization called Students for Fair Admissions that sued in 2014. The plaintiffs contend the university's practices are unconstitutional and fail to comply with U.S. Supreme Court guidance from a University of Texas case, The News & Observer of Raleigh reported. "UNC's use of race is the opposite of individualized; UNC uses race mechanically to ensure the admission of the vast majority of underrepresented minorities," the group's legal brief says. Chancellor Carol Folt and Provost Bob Blouin, in a campus-wide message Friday, said the school's admissions policies and practices comply with the letter and spirit of the law. The university also has a longstanding commitment to diversity, the school's brief said. "In its academic judgment, the university has determined that pursuing the educational benefits of diversity is integral to fulfilling its mission to prepare the next generation of leaders," the school's filing read. Students for Fair Admissions also sued Harvard University over its admissions policies, and a trial in the case wrapped up in November. The judge, however, has yet to rule in the closely watched case. In the Texas matter, the Supreme Court said race can only be considered in college admissions if it's used in a narrowly tailored way to achieve a compelling government interest. The court also said universities should first try "workable race-neutral alternatives." UNC says such alternatives don't promote the university's diversity goals. Edward Blum, president of Students for Fair Admissions, said the group's filing contain calculations from an expert witness saying an Asian-American male applicant from North Carolina with a 25 percent chance of getting into the school would have his probability increase to about 67 percent if he were Latino. It would rise to more than 90 percent if he were African-American. But UNC-Chapel Hill, which wants U.S. District Judge Loretta Biggs to hold a hearing on its dismissal motion, says there are no racial or ethnic quotas in the admissions process, and race is one of many factors considered. "No reasonable trier of fact could conclude on this record that the university uses quotas, engages in racial set asides or point allocations, or intentionally discriminates against applicants based on race," the school's brief said. More than 4,300 first-year students entered UNC-Chapel Hill last fall, with over 43,000 first-year applications filed.

As Ohlheiser wrote, Musk soon “started a Twitter argument over how much credit he deserved for offering to help save the youths,” during which argument he showed off an email of himself corresponding with one of the British divers and incidentally claimed that the Thai official in charge of the rescue had not been in charge.<doc-sep>Elon Musk could face legal action after referring to a British cave diver who played a key role in the Thai rescue operation as a “pedo”. The billionaire Tesla and Paypal founder published two tweets on Sunday night describing Vernon Unsworth as “pedo guy” without offering any evidence, and then betting someone “a signed dollar it’s true”. It comes after Mr Unsworth, a 63-year-old volunteer who played a key role in the mission to rescue 12 boys and their football coach last week, said that Mr Musk’s offer of a miniature submarine to save the boys was nothing more than a “PR stunt”. Recommended Elon Musk disputes reports his Thai cave rescue submarine was useless Mr Musk directed his Space X company to develop a 5’6’’ rigid device that could protect the boys and provide them with oxygen while they were being extracted from the Tham Luang caves. But the entrepreneur has become increasingly defensive since Thai officials declared the submarine “not practical” to navigate the narrow, winding and jagged-edged passageways making up part of the cave system. Mr Unsworth, who runs a diving company in Chiang Rai and whose knowledge of the Tham Luang caves and network of contacts proved vital to the rescue effort, said in an interview that Mr Musk’s submarine “had absolutely no chance of working” and that the inventor could “stick his submarine where it hurts”. Mr Musk replied by questioning the involvement of “this British expat guy” and promising to produce a video showing how his submarine could have saved the boys, adding: “Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it.” The tweets have since been deleted. Asked by reporters at the cave site what his reaction was to Mr Musk’s tweets, Mr Unsworth said he was “astonished and very angry”. He said he had not read the tweets himself, but been told about them. “I believe he’s called me a pedophile,” Mr Unsworth, 63, told the The Guardian. “I think people realise what sort of guy [Mr Musk] is.” And asked if he would take legal action against Mr Musk over the “pedo” allegation, Mr Unsworth said: “If it’s what I think it is, yes.” He told the AFP news agency he would make a decision on what to do when he flies back to the UK this week, after helping with the clean up operation. He added that the episode with Mr Musk “ain’t finished”. The Thai cave rescue came to a dramatic conclusion last Tuesday night, when an international team of rescuers escorted the last group of boys and their 25-year-old coach out of the caves after an 18-day ordeal. Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Show all 100 1 /100 Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures The 12 boys and their coach in the cave REUTERS Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures A rescue team stands in the entrance to the cave AP Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures A relative shows a picture of the boys after they were found on 2 July AFP/Getty Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Thai military inside the cave complex EPA Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures The 12 boys and their soccer coach who were rescued from a flooded cave arrive for a news conference in the northern province of Chiang Rai, Thailand, REUTERS Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures The boys and their soccer coach rescued from a flooded cave play soccer REUTERS Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures The young footballers and their coach appeared healthy when they appeared before the media for the first time since the rescue AFP/Getty Images Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures EPA Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Coach Ekapol Chantawong REUTERS Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures The 12 rescued members of the Wild Boar soccer team are greeted by their classmates on a mini soccer pitch EPA Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Rescued Thai football coach Ekkapol Chantawong together with 12 children pays tribute to Thai navy diver, Samarn Kunan, who died whilst attempting to rescue the boys AFP/Getty Images Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Twelve young footballers and their coach rescued from a Thai caves being treated in hospital EPA Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Rescued soccer team members posing with a sketch of the Thai Navy SEAL diver who died while trying to rescue them AP Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Players writing messages on a drawing of former Navy SEAL diver Saman Kunan who died during attempts to rescue them AFP/Getty Images Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Rescued "Wild Boars" football team members (top row L to R) Adul Sam-on, 14, Ekkarat Wongsukchan, 14, Phipat Photi, 15, Chanin Wiboonrungrueang, 11, (middle row L to R) Pornchai Khamluang, 16, Duangphet Promthep, 13, Peerapat Sompiengjai, 16, Sompong Jaiwong, 13, (bottom row L to R) Mongkol Boonpiem, 13, Prachak Sutham, 14, Nutthawut Thakamsong, 14, and Phanumas Saengdee, 13, recovering at the hospital in Chiang Rai province AFP/Getty Images Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures AFP/Getty Images Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures The life vest belonging to Duangpetch Promthep, the rescued captain of the "Wild Boars", REUTERS Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Divers from the rescue mission, from left to right: Chris Jewell, Mike Clayton, Rick Stanton, Lance-corporal Connor Rae, Josh Bratchley, Gary Mitchell and Jim Way who helped to save 12 schoolboys and their football coach from a flooded cave in Thailand, speak to media after arriving back at London's Heathrow Airport PA Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Volunteers gather for a ceremony before the clean up operation at the Tham Luang cave AFP/Getty Images Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures The last four Thai Navy SEALs come out safely after completing the rescue mission inside a cave where 12 boys and their soccer coach have been trapped since June 23, in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand. Thailand's navy SEALs say all 12 boys and their soccer coach have been rescued from a flooded cave in far northern Thailand, ending an ordeal that lasted more than two weeks. Royal Thai Navy/AP Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures People celebrate AP Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures A woman lifts her child near the hospital, seen at left, as ambulance transporting members of the children's football team arrives AFP/Getty Images Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Volunteers react after hearing all boys were rescued REUTERS Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures REUTERS Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Getty Images Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Rescue personnel work at the Tham Luang cave REUTERS Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Rescue personnel work at the Tham Luang cave REUTERS Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures REUTERS Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Onlookers at the junction in front of Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital watch and cheer Getty Images Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Journalists celebrate after a news conferenc REUTERS Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures An ambulance, reportedly carrying members of the rescued football team, arrives at a hospital AFP/Getty Images Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Thai Navy divers in the Tham Luang cave Thai Navy SEAL via Getty Images Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Rescue personnel work at the Tham Luang cave REUTERS Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Thai media listen Chiang Rai province acting Gov. Narongsak Osatanakorn AP Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Police and military personnel use umbrellas to cover a stretcher near a helicopter and an ambulance at a military airport in Chiang Rai as rescue operations continue for those still trapped inside the cave in Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park in the Mae Sai district. Four boys among the group of 13 trapped in a flooded Thai cave for more than a fortnight were rescued on July 8 after surviving a treacherous escape, raising hopes elite divers would also save the others soon AFP/Getty Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Thai military medical personnel walking inside a restricted area as preparations are made to transport rescued boys from Tham Luang cave to a hospital EPA Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Thai authorities placing a rescued boy in an ambulance EPA/Chiang Rai Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Paramedics, believed to be carrying a boy who has been evacuated after being trapped inside a flooded cave, approach a helicopter in Chiang Rai Chiang Rai Tourist Police via Reuters Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures This frame grab from video tweeted by Elon Musk shows a "tiny kid-sized submarine" being tested in a pool at Palisades Charter High School, in California. Musk's Space X rocket company tested the submarine that could potentially help rescue the remaining children and their coach trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand. Elon Musk via AP Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Thai military personnel preparing to move the boys to a hospital EPA Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Emergency workers carrying one of the boys rescued from the cave EPA/Chiang Rai Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures A Thai nurse walks past an ambulance at a covered area of the Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital EPA Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Indian schoolchildren hold placards and pictures during a prayer event for the safe rescue of young football players and their coach AFP/Getty Images Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures An ambulance exits from the Tham Luang cave area AFP/Getty Images Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures A military helicopter carrying rescued schoolboys approaches to land at a military airport in Chiang Rai. REUTERS Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures A group of volunteers prepare to leave in search of alternative entry points to the Tham Luang cave area AFP/Getty Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Thai soldiers drag a water pipe to bypass water from the mountain and to not get back inside the cave AP Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Hundreds of rescuers with equipment continue the rescue operation Getty Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Monks lead out family members of the boys from the cave site after a morning prayer Getty Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Thai rescue workers take a break AFP/Getty Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Water pumps push water out of the cave Getty Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Relatives, of the 12 schoolboys and their soccer coach trapped inside a flooded cave in the Tham Luang cave complex cook, for rescue workers and volunteers near the cave complex REUTERS Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Rescue teams carry water pipes to the entrance of cave complex AP Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Thai soldiers and police officers are seen as rescue operations continue for the 12 boys and their football team coach trapped in Tham Luang cave at Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park in the Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province on July 7, 2018. More than 100 chimneys are being drilled into the mountainside in a frantic bid to reach a Thai youth football team trapped in a cave complex below, the head of the rescue mission said on July 7 AFP/Getty Thailand cave rescue operation: in pictures Family members pray in front of a Buddhist statue near a cave where 12 boys and their soccer coach have been trapped since June 23, in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai province, in northern Thailand Saturday, July 7, 2018.<doc-sep>

Tesla's stock fell Monday after a British diver involved in the mission to save 12 Thai boys and their soccer coach said he is considering legal action against Elon Musk because the company's boss labeled him “pedo guy.” Spelunker Vernon Unsworth had called a submarine crafted by a team of Musk’s technicians a “PR stunt.” Billionaire Musk suggested the vessel — made out of a SpaceX rocket part — could be used to assist rescuers in freeing the soccer team from a flooded cave system in Chiang Rai. “He can stick his submarine where it hurts,” Unsworth said of Musk’s submarine idea in an interview with CNN. “It just had absolutely no chance of working. He had no conception of what the cave passage was like.” In response, Musk launched a scathing attack on the cave explorer on Twitter. On Sunday, he said in a now-deleted series of tweets that he would release video footage of the cylindrical vessel sailing through one of the caves. He then made the baseless claim that Unsworth was a pedophile, saying: “Sorry pedo guy, you really did ask for it.” After another Twitter user challenged him on his remarks, Musk said: “Bet ya a signed dollar it’s true.” Those tweets have since been deleted. “I believe he’s called me a pedophile,” Unsworth told The Guardian newspaper. “I think people realize what sort of guy [Musk] is.” When asked whether he would consider pursuing legal action against the Tesla CEO, Unsworth reportedly said: “Yes, it’s not finished.” Representatives for Musk’s companies Tesla, SpaceX and The Boring Company were not immediately available when contacted by CNBC. Tesla's share price fell more than 3 percent on Monday. According to The Guardian, James Anderson, a partner at Baillie Gifford, Tesla's fourth-largest shareholder, said he would express his opinion on the situation with the automaker. The report did not provide any further details. Musk has previously stated that it would sometimes be better to not respond to criticism on social media. During a Q&A with Bloomberg, the entrepreneur said: "I have made the mistaken assumption — and I will attempt to be better at this — of thinking that because somebody is on Twitter and is attacking me that it is open season. And that is my mistake. I will correct it."

Welcome to the third and final day of the 2019 NFL draft. Four rounds full of action are waiting for us, and a total of 152 selections — seven of which belonging to the New England Patriots. What the champions will do with their draft capital is, true to form, anyone’s guess but it would not be surprising to see at least some of them invested in the remaining needs that need to be filled. Working off colleague Michael McDermott’s list from yesterday, let’s take a look at where the Patriots stand in regards to holes that still need to be filled and what they could about it: Pass catching tight end While New England was in a position to pick potential targets such as Irv Smith Jr. (2-50 to the Minnesota Vikings) and Jace Sternberger (3-75 to the Green Bay Packers) they decided against investing in a receiving tight end. This leaves the club with limited options after three rounds, unless it decides to swing a trade for players such as the Vikings’ Kyle Rudolph or Seattle Seahawks tight end Nick Vannett. Possible targets: Kaden Smith (Stanford), Foster Moreau (Louisiana State), Tommy Sweeney (Boston College) Developmental defensive tackle Nine primary interior defensive linemen have heard their name called so far during the draft, but none because of the Patriots. Same as at the tight end spot, New England was in a position in rounds two and three but decided against pulling the trigger. However, the depth at defensive tackle is better in this draft than at tight end, which means that some projected day two options are still available at this point in time. Possible targets: Gerald Willis (Miami), Renell Wren (Arizona State), Daylon Mack (Texas A&M), Kingsley Keke (Texas A&M) Developmental quarterback Only two passers were drafted yesterday, which means that there are plenty of late-round options still available at this point in time. While, yes, there is a reason for that, New England could find value in developmental players such as North Carolina State’s Ryan Finley or Boise State’s Brett Rypien — both of which would fit New England’s scheme and could be groomed behind Tom Brady and, for 2018, Brian Hoyer. Possible targets: Ryan Finley (North Carolina State), Brett Rypien (Boise State), Tyree Jackson (Buffalo), Jarrett Stidham (Auburn) Developmental wide receiver The Patriots filled their immediate need at wide receiver by drafting N’Keal Harry with the 32nd overall selection. However, a double-dip is still possible if the right chance presents itself today. After all, some intriguing options are still on the board that appear to fit in well with what the Patriots are doing — the most prominent of which, of course, being Clemson slot receiver Hunter Renfrow. Possible targets: Kelvin Harmon (North Carolina State), Riley Ridley (Georgia), Emanuel Hall (Missouri), Hunter Renfrow (Clemson), Greg Dortch (Wake Forest)<doc-sep>FOXBORO, Mass. — New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and director of player personnel Nick Caserio took it easy on their team’s beat reporters in the 2019 NFL Draft. That’s to say they didn’t send writers desperately opening a new tab to google the name of a second-round pick projected as an undrafted free agent. There were no Tavon Wilsons, Duron Harmons or Jordan Richards’ in this year’s class. There wasn’t even a Geneo Grissom or Ja’Whaun Bentley. The Patriots really didn’t go too far off the board with any of their 10 selections. Round 1, No. 32: WR N’Keal Harry, Arizona State Round 2, No. 45: DB Joejuan Williams, Vanderbilt Round 3, No. 77: DE Chase Winovich, Michigan Round3, No. 87: RB Damien Harris, Alabama Round 3, No. 101: OT Yodny Cajuste, West Virignia Round 4, No. 118: OL Hjalte Froholdt, Arkansas Round 4, No. 133: QB Jarrett Stidham, Auburn Round 5, No. 159: DT Byron Cowart, Maryland Round 5, No. 163: P Jake Bailey, Stanford Round 7, No. 252: CB Ken Webster, Mississippi The Patriots did move up and down the draft board to make seven trades. They only selected players at three of the draft slots they owned heading into Day 1 of the draft Thursday. And one of those spots, No. 101 overall, was actually traded to the Rams then sent back to the Patriots in another deal. There shouldn’t be many reasons for Patriots fans to complain about this class. They filled needs at quarterback, wide receiver, offensive tackle, defensive end, defensive tackle and defensive back. Running back, guard and punter weren’t considered priorities, but New England, as usual, balanced need and value with this year’s picks. They only ignored potential needs at tight end and linebacker.<doc-sep>Even with six Lombardi Trophies in the case, there was an urgency about the 2019 NFL Draft. Bill Belichick and Nick Caserio couldn’t afford to churn out a stinker this time around. Not with championship No. 7 in their sights, one that would set them apart from the rest. Not with Tom Brady about to turn 42. Not with the future of the dynasty resting on how the roster is replenished given an aging group and a host of needs. And not with other AFC teams continuing to inch closer with a bullseye firmly set on the Patriots. After a span of drafts dating back to 2013, where the team hasn’t produced a Pro Bowler since Jamie Collins, the braintrust really had to deliver. While it’s tough to know how any draft pans out in the immediate, it’s hard not to like what the Patriots did over the course of the three days. With the exception of tight end, which was a top need, they checked off all the boxes, including nabbing a possible successor for Brady with the selection of Auburn’s Jarrett Stidham in the fourth round. Maybe he turns out to be the heir apparent. Maybe he’s not the guy. The point is this is no Danny Etling. They’re taking a shot with someone of note to possibly follow Brady, which is the way to go at this stage. Brady is still capable of carrying a team and winning Super Bowls, but it’s always a good idea to be prepared. The Patriots still haven’t re-signed the legend beyond this season. So they’ll bring in Stidham, who has many traits the team likes, including a quick release. After last year’s draft, newly elected Hall of Famer Gil Brandt, a former Cowboys executive and SiriusXM NFL analyst, told me to watch for Stidham as a future Patriot with the 2019 class, which was considered a weak quarterback class. It’s easy to see why Brandt drew an early line between Stidham and Foxboro. Stidham has the type of measurables the Patriots appreciate in quarterbacks. He has the quick release, the great arm, and a certain game intelligence that’s so important. During a conference call with the media, Stidham mentioned how the Patriots, unlike other teams, “like to find out how smart you are and really challenge you in that way.” Beyond the Brady successor, they really needed to get help for the four-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback. Their receiving corps was woefully thin. Ditto the tight end group. And, their presumed left tackle, Isaiah Wynn, is coming off a torn Achilles, while their swing tackle, LaAdrian Waddle, fled in free agency. On Day One they went against type, choosing receiver N’Keal Harry out of Arizona State with the 32nd pick, getting him ahead of the Cardinals (at No. 33), who were hot on his trail. Belichick never picks receivers that high, much less in the first round, but he needed a playmaker of Harry’s ilk. The 6-foot-2, 228-pounder is a big-bodied wideout, something they lack, especially with Josh Gordon on indefinite suspension and Rob Gronkowski retired. His calling card is an ability to make contested catches. If he can learn the system and get in sync with Brady, he’ll be a huge asset in the offense. The Pats also added tackle Yodny Cajuste from West Virginia, checking off another top need. He could fill the swing tackle role and add a layer of insurance should Wynn struggle. The tight end? They added running back Damien Harris of Alabama in the third round, instead of a Gronk successor. That’s a bit of a head scratcher. It makes sense if you consider the team’s shift to a run-based offense along with Sony Michel’s bum knees, and needing a solid backup if he goes down. Rex Burkhead has been injury prone. They did bring back special teams ace Brandon Bolden, but Harris seems like a more solid backup. Why did they avoid the tight end? Austin Seferian-Jenkins is a nice addition when healthy, but he rarely stays healthy. Is Benjamin Watson headed back to New England? Or might the Patriots pry Kyle Rudolph out of Minnesota, given the Vikings drafted Irv Smith Jr.? Rudolph, who has a year remaining on his deal, might be expendable at this point. We’ll see how that develops. On the defensive side, the Pats plugged the pass rusher need with Michigan defensive end Chase Winovich. Love the pick, love his motor. Winovich looks to be in the Mike Vrabel, Rob Ninkovich mold. They also grabbed Vanderbilt cornerback Joejuan Williams. While cornerback wasn’t a top need, this also appears to be a great pick by Belichick. Williams is 6-foot-4, 211 pounds. The way Belichick deploys his defense, matchups are so important, and Williams is a great piece to have especially against the taller wideouts and tight ends. We saw how well Belichick was able to maneuver his chess pieces against three great offenses (Chargers, Chiefs, Rams) during the postseason. You can never have enough in the secondary. Williams should be another great matchup piece for Belichick. At the outset, Belichick was armed with a league-high 12 picks. He wound up trading out a bunch of times, making 10 in all. “We just try to find players that we like and we think fit,” Caserio, the team’s director of player personnel, said following the completion of the draft. “Look, the draft, it’s an inexact science. For me to sit up here and tell you anything different – I mean, look, everybody puts a lot of time into a lot of the resources and even with that sometimes it’s a 50-50 proposition. We just try to work through our process and try to stay consistent.” After assembling a promising 2018 class that includes Michel, cornerback J.C. Jackson, linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley and offensive tackle Wynn, the Pats are well on their way to bolstering the young talent on the roster after the 2019 haul. They’ll be in the hunt for No. 7 and keeping the dynasty thriving.<doc-sep>Ranking NFL draft prospects regardless of position can be a futile enterprise and one that might seem especially foolhardy not long after all seven rounds have passed by. Yet balancing various needs and assessing the worth of disparate prospects is exactly what general managers will have to do this week starting Thursday, when the first round begins in Nashville, Tennessee. With that in mind, USA TODAY Sports ranked the top 50 prospects.. Keep in mind this is a reflection of expected value, not draft position: 1. Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State: Bosa might not earn the same acclaim former top pass rushers and No. 1 overall picks Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney did, but he's the most promising prospect in his class. His approach is surprisingly advanced for a player of his experience, as he integrates refined hand work and jolting power with his quick first step. Comparisons to older brother Joey, the Chargers' standout and former No. 3 overall pick, are inevitable but apt. 2. Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama: The Crimson Tide have produced a litany of first-round defenders during Nick Saban's reign, yet Williams is more than just next in line. The Outland Trophy winner needed only one season as a starter to emerge as college football's most dominant defender. Though he looks the part of a space-eating defensive tackle, Williams vexes offenses by routinely disengaging from blockers or evading their grasp with his abnormal elasticity. 3. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston: The three-time All-American is in a class of his own at firing off the snap and snaking into the backfield. Improving his hand usage will be crucial in his push to keep stronger offensive linemen from negating him, but he's difficult to double-team given his aptitude for squeezing through blocks. MOCK DRAFT:Where will former Iowa TEs T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant land in first round? QB NEEDS:Ranking all 32 teams by need for a passer BOOM OR BUST:Drew Lock, Rashan Gary among 13 volatile prospects 4. Jonah Williams, OT-G, Alabama: The lingering question about whether he has the length to excel at left tackle has obscured Williams' overall value as the best offensive lineman available. A technician determined not to be outsmarted or outworked, Williams handles his duties both in pass protection and run blocking with elevated poise. Even if he moves to guard, he has all the making of a high-end starter. 5. Josh Allen, DE-OLB, Kentucky: Returning for his senior season appears to have paid off for Allen, who might have been a first-round pick last year but instead diversified his set of pass-rush moves while becoming a consensus All-American. He still needs to become less reliant on his pure speed around the corner, but his skill set is in high demand. NFL draft analysis:A deeper dive on where top Hawkeyes, Cyclones are projected to be selected 6. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa: Amid the proliferation of tight ends who primarily operate flexed out wide, Hockenson is somewhat of a blend of old school and new. The Mackey Award winner fights for every pass thrown his way and piles up yards after the catch, but he carries that same aggressive mind-set to his work as a blocker at the line of scrimmage. 7. Brian Burns, DE, Florida State: Flexibility is the hallmark of Burns' game, as he can bend and turn the corner with ease to close in on quarterbacks. Proving that the 21 pounds of bulk he added isn't just for show will be an important step since he's too often pushed around when trying to set the edge or dip inside. 8. Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson: Coaches and general managers who place a premium on locker room leadership will gravitate toward Wilkins, who graduated in two and a half years and was the heartbeat of the Tigers' College Football Playoff title team. A rubbery rusher who easily finds the ball, Wilkins is best aligned for a team that will allow him to get upfield. 9. Andre Dillard, OT, Washington State: Perhaps the most fluid and fleet-footed pass protector this draft class has to offer, Dillard could find himself in high demand given the prevalence of speed rushers in the NFL. 10. Noah Fant, TE, Iowa: After sharing the spotlight with Hockenson on the Hawkeyes, Fant could be in line for a more sizable share of targets in the NFL. Cutting down on drops and bulking up should be the top items on his to-do list, but his combination of size (6-4, 241 pounds) and speed (4.50-second 40-yard dash) should fluster linebackers and safeties trying to keep up in coverage. 11. Jeffery Simmons, DT, Mississippi State: If not for a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in February, Simmons would be widely recognized as one of this class' top-tier defensive talents. A possible redshirt year of recovery could push him down draft boards, but a patient team could get a steal if he's able to recapture his explosiveness. 12. Devin White, LB, LSU: Follow the ball, and White likely won't be far behind. The Butkus Award winner can fly from sideline to sideline both in coverage and in pursuit of ball carriers, though reeling back on some of his more aggressive tendencies would give his game a needed sense of control. 13. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State: In his first year as a starter, Haskins demonstrated a mastery of the Buckeyes' offense, throwing for a Football Bowl Subdivision-high 4,831 yards and 50 touchdowns. Yet the transition to the pros could prove jarring, as learning to make more reads and maintain poise in the pocket will be essential steps for him to take advantage of his impeccable arm strength. 14. Byron Murphy, CB, Washington: Measurements don't tell the full story on Murphy, who is very nearly the complete package in his on-field work despite lacking prototypical height, length and long speed for the position. While he might not be a shutdown corner in the most literal interpretation, he thrives both in yielding little room for receivers to operate and contesting throws in his area. 15.<doc-sep>

The 2019 NFL draft is less than a week away, and the first-round outlook is still defined by its lack of clarity. While all the team needs have come into focus, the overall picture at the top of the draft remains blurry. That uncertainty begins with the Cardinals, who haven't yet tipped their hands as to their plans with the No. 1 overall pick. And while several general managers have spoken openly about their desire to move up or down the order, the Browns and Giants' Odell Beckham Jr. trade in March has been the only swap this spring to involve a first-round pick. NFL mock draft (trade edition):How could trades impact former Iowa TEs T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant? With the draft starting Thursday, here's USA TODAY Sports' latest projection: 1. Cardinals — Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma: Draw your own conclusions about whether general manager Steve Keim was being sincere when he said last week that the team hasn't made a decision on what to do with the No. 1 pick. The mystery surrounding the selection has even taken its toll on incumbent starting quarterback Josh Rosen, who called the uncertainty "annoying." Maybe Arizona has a draft-day surprise up its sleeve, but Murray still seems like the engine Kliff Kingsbury would want to power his souped-up offense. 2. 49ers — Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State: For all of the uncertainty still lingering at the top of the draft, San Francisco's outlook is relatively simple: If Bosa is available, he should be John Lynch's selection. With Dee Ford and DeForest Buckner already in place, Bosa could be the final piece for a formidable front four capable of setting the tone for the rest of the 49ers' defense. 3. Jets — Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama:Having broadcast his desire to trade back, general manager Mike Maccagnan can only hope that some team gets itchy to move up the order for a quarterback. Should Gang Green remain here, Williams projects as the kind of defensive staple who would maximize the team's return with his knack for creating havoc in the backfield. NFL draft:Drew Lock, Rashan Gary among 13 boom-or-bust prospects QB needs:Ranking all 32 teams by need for QB in draft More:NFL's 'Lying Season' before draft means dirty tricks, misinformation are the norm 4. Raiders — Josh Allen, DE/OLB, Kentucky: Even if the Khalil Mack jokes and ridicule directed at Jon Gruden don't stop after this selection, Allen looks to be the best available remedy for a pass rush that generated a league-worst 13 sacks in 2018. No one will confuse the consensus All-American for Mack, but he makes life difficult for quarterbacks with his speed rush, and he's still adding moves to his arsenal. 5. Buccaneers — Devin White, LB, LSU: Tampa Bay might be hoping for one of the top linemen to fall here, as the pass rush would stand to benefit from an edge threat opposite Jason Pierre-Paul or a replacement for Gerald McCoy, who still could be cut. White, however, shouldn't be seen as merely a consolation prize, as his range and playmaking ability might prove instructive for a defense that has looked adrift. 6. Giants — Daniel Jones, QB, Duke: If Dave Gettleman has identified a first-round passer he's comfortable crowning as Eli Manning's successor, he shouldn't risk having that quarterback snapped up between this point and the Giants' second pick at No. 17. Though the move still might come as a surprise on draft night, speculation tying Jones to Big Blue has amplified recently. Jones could be a quick-triggered distributor for the seemingly Saquon Barkley-centered offense. NFL draft analysis:A deeper dive on where top Hawkeyes, Cyclones are projected to be selected 7. Jaguars — T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa: Nick Foles alone won't resuscitate Jacksonville's decrepit offense. In adding Hockenson, the Jaguars would give their new starting quarterback a reliable and dynamic target who also is adept at opening holes in the ground game. 8. Lions — Montez Sweat, DE, Mississippi State: Could Sweat's decision not to attend the draft be a harbinger for a tumble? The two-time all-Southeastern Conference selection explained his change of heart by saying he wanted to be with family in Georgia, but a heart condition flagged at the combine could give teams pause. If Detroit is comfortable with his medical outlook, Sweat would make a fitting pass-rush partner for Patriots expat Trey Flowers. 9.

Getty Images In a UFC matchup of two former NFL defensive ends, Greg Hardy knocked out Austen Lane in less than a minute. Hardy, making his professional mixed martial arts debut after previously winning three amateur fights, needed just 57 seconds to knock out Lane, who was 4-0 as an MMA fighter heading into the fight. The knockout victory makes it virtually certain that the UFC will give Hardy more fights, and in bigger venues than tonight’s fight, which was part of the UFC’s minor-league “Contender Series.” Hardy clearly has a future in the UFC. “This means everything. It’s awesome. I don’t really have the words,” Hardy said afterward. “I got lucky, came in, did what I was supposed to do and it worked out.” The UFC has taken criticism for signing Hardy, whose NFL career is best remembered for a domestic violence incident that ended his tenure with the Panthers. But the UFC isn’t apologizing, and Hardy appears to be in the UFC to stay.<doc-sep>Jeff Bottari/DWTNCS LLC/Getty Images UFC President Dana White announced the MMA promotion is signing former NFL defensive end Greg Hardy to a contract following his knockout victory over Austen Lane during Week 1 of the second season of Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series. MMAFighting.com passed along the news after Hardy's win 57 seconds into the first round. "I'm ready for the big show," Hardy said before the signing was confirmed, per Simon Samano of MMAjunkie. "I love the opportunity. I train at the best gym in the world, and I have full confidence and faith that those guys are there to get me ready for whatever comes next." He was dominant in the win over Lane, another ex-NFL player, showcasing immense power with a couple of heavy shots to cause the stoppage inside the first minute. Mike Bohn of USA Today noted White hinted the 2013 Pro Bowl selection could still gain more experience before officially making the jump to the UFC. Hardy played six seasons in the NFL. He spent five years with the Carolina Panthers, who selected him in the 2010 draft, and one with the Dallas Cowboys in 2015. Video Play Button Videos you might like In July 2014, he was found guilty on two counts related to domestic violence against a woman. The charges were dismissed on appeal in February 2015 after the accuser couldn't be contacted for the jury trial. Jeff Wagenheim of ESPN commented on the Hardy signing: White didn't provide a timetable for Hardy's first official UFC bout.<doc-sep>Greg Hardy needed just 57 seconds to leave an impression on UFC president Dana White in his professional mixed martial arts debut on Tuesday night. The much-maligned former defensive end recorded a first-round knockout of fellow NFL alumni Austen Lane during "Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series" at the UFC's Ultimate Fighter gym in Las Vegas. The 29-year-old Hardy (1-0) earned a UFC contract from White -- along with light heavyweight Alonzo Menifield who scored a knockout in just eight seconds -- but it will be a developmental deal where Hardy could fight outside of the promotion to gain more experience before he fights under the UFC banner. If White's reaction means anything, the former Carolina Panther and Dallas Cowboy seems to have a bright future. "Hardy has no experience, tonight was his first professional fight … but man he can punch," White said after the event. "Obviously, there's a lot more to that guy … so what we're gonna do is we're going to bring Hardy in and put him on a … This guy is going to need more experience, and we've done this before. "I don't know if he goes away, we've talked about some ideas to help this guy grow and he's already with a great team. He's with Dan Lambert and his crew down in Florida. Now he just needs some experience." Training out of American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida, Hardy recorded first-round stoppages in all three of his amateur fights after walking away from the NFL in 2015 seeking a fresh start. At 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, he very much looked the part of menacing MMA heavyweight against Lane, who was a fifth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2010. "This is definitely the top feeling I've probably ever had," Hardy said after winning the contract. "There's nothing like being in the Octagon and facing another man. Transitioning has been some of the hardest work I've ever done and it's made it 10 times sweeter." Hardy was warned for an eye poke in the opening seconds after the two traded punches. But a sweeping right hook from Hardy caught Lane, 30, perfectly on the chin and dropped him to one knee. Lane, who appeared to be out on his feet as he rose up, partially turned his back to Hardy just as a left hook caught him flush in the face to floor him again. Referee Mark Smith instantly called off the fight. "Austen came out fighting hard like I thought he would," Hardy said. "It was just a great fight and I got lucky. I did what I was supposed to do and it worked out. "I just saw him leaning. My coaches have always been working with me on the hook, coming over and keeping my head behind my shoulders and finish it hard. That's what I did. I took the coaching and got the finish." Hardy comes to MMA with plenty of baggage stemming from 2014 arrest for assaulting his ex-girlfriend, which led to a lengthy football suspension. But despite the recent outcry from critics that Hardy is undeserving of the opportunity and UFC should avoid the negative public relations that comes with giving him a tryout, Hardy told media members on Monday that he's only here "because Dana White is an angel." "This means everything," Hardy said. "It's awesome. I don't really have the words, I'm just super excited. I'm just really glad I got the opportunity."<doc-sep>Simon Samano MMAjunkie Say what you will about Greg Hardy the man, Greg Hardy the fighter just made the statement of his young MMA career. Hardy, the former NFL All-Pro defensive end, probably punched his ticket to the UFC with an emphatic KO victory over fellow ex-NFL player Austen Lane on Tuesday night at Dana White’s Contender Series 9. The event took place at The Ultimate Fighter Gym and streamed live on UFC Fight Pass. “I’m ready for the big show,” Hardy said after his win. “I love the opportunity. I train at the best gym in the world, and I have full confidence and faith that those guys are there to get me ready for whatever comes next.” What comes next will be up to UFC President Dana White, who awarded Hardy a contract afterward, though he hinted it could be a developmental deal. Hardy (1-0), who trains with American Top Team, came out throwing heavy hands early, but Lane (4-1) responded, leading to a brief exchange between the two big men. An eye poke by Hardy just 25 seconds in forced a brief stoppage. When they returned to action, Lane landed a solid two-punch combination that Hardy ate well. Moments later, the fight was over when Hardy landed a huge right hook across the chin that dropped Lane to one knee. He bounced back up only to eat a left that put him down for good, forcing the referee to stop the fight at the 57-second mark of Round 1. It was Hardy’s first MMA fight as a professional. He’d had just three amateur bouts since November, with none of them exiting the first round. White reacted to Hardy’s knockout on the Contender Series by letting an “Oh (expletive)!” and jumping out of his seat. Hardy landing a spot on the Contender Series was met with controversy given his checkered past. He was convicted for assaulting his ex-girlfriend in July 2014, only to have the charges dropped after the alleged victim refused to testify in his appeal. White is well aware of Hardy’s past, but the UFC boss believes the NFL veteran deserves a chance to rebuild his life. “The reality is, if this guy stays clean for the next 10 years, goes on to win a world title, becomes one of the greatest mixed martial artists to ever live, he’s always going to be looked at – he’s always going to hear it,” White told MMAjunkie. “That’s always going to be in the story that’s written about him. Other opponents he fights are going to call him a woman beater. That’s going follow him for the rest of his life. You don’t shed that. That stays with you forever, and he’s done all the things right so far. “The guy paid his dues. He hit rock bottom. He built himself back up, and the guy’s out there just trying to make a life and a living.” Although he’s taking a risk in providing Hardy with a platform, White said Hardy will remain under the microscope, and even the smallest of errors will be noticed. “He’s the type of athlete, and he’s the type of guy that, if he does anything wrong, there will be no mercy for him,” White said. “I mean, everybody’s going to jump on him. You talk to the people in his camp, they love the guy. Men and women. They think he’s a great guy and a guy who (was) probably doing drugs, drinking and made a big mistake.” Going forward, it doesn’t appear Hardy will make his official UFC debut anytime soon. He has just one pro fight, after all, and White said he wants to see Hardy gain some more experience before taking on the UFC heavyweight division, which includes some of the most experienced fighters in the sport. White has a tentative plan in mind for Hardy’s developmental stage, though, but it remains to be seen exactly how it will play out. “The way I see it is, what I would love to do, in a perfect world, this is not what I’m doing, but in a perfect world this is what I would like to do,” White said. “If he can turn around and come back, I would like to have him fight on the last episode of the Contender Series. Then I would like to put him on a bunch of ‘Looking For A Fight’ cards, get him some experience and then we’ll decide when we think he’s ready for the UFC. “If you see him, you see that he has power. He’s a big heavyweight. He needs to work more. He needs to get some more fights. We’ve done deals where, for example, Cyborg was under contract with the UFC but fought in Invicta. Alexa Grasso was under contract with the UFC. Mackenzie Dern was under contract with the UFC and fought in other places. I have a few ideas of what to do with this guy and let him develop. He’s with a great team already, he’s training with great guys. They say he’s a hard worker. They say all positive things about him out of that gym. We’ll try to build him up and see what he can do.” Contributing: Mike Bohn and John Morgan<doc-sep>

Former NFL defensive end Greg Hardy knocked out former NFL defensive end Austen Lane, in the very first minute of their UFC fight on Tuesday night. The UFC Contender Series appearance is the first professional fight for Hardy. The former Cowboy breezed through three amateur bouts prior to his fight with Lane, and, given that Lane lasted a mere 57 seconds with Hardy, his first professional fight didn’t offer a significantly higher degree of difficulty. https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/1006710854702845952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tmz.com%2F2018%2F06%2F12%2Fgreg-hardy-ufc-knocks-out-austen-lane-fight%2F Lane came into the fight with a 4-0 record as a professional. “This means everything. It’s awesome. I don’t really have the words,” Hardy said. “I got lucky, came in, did what I was supposed to do and it worked out.” The sixth round, 175th overall pick NFL draftee first signed with the Panthers in 2010 but was let go in 2014 after he was convicted of domestic abuse and sentenced to 18 months in prison. Hardy spent a single season with the Dallas Cowboys after turning free agent in 2015 but has been out of the league since. Hardy’s conviction was later vacated and his arrest expunged from his record. But the player found himself shunned by the league despite the cleansing of his record after photos of his girlfriend’s injuries were made public. MMA kingpin Dana White has made mention of Hardy’s past as a domestic abuser saying that he still felt it was appropriate to give the former footballer a shot. “I’m not saying he should be welcomed here,” White said according to Sporting News. “I’m saying, I’m a guy who believes that if you make a mistake, your life isn’t over forever. When you make mistakes, it’s about how you act from there on out.” After his showing on Tuesday night, it’s clear that the UFC will be giving Hardy many more opportunities. Soon after the victory, the 29-year-old former Carolina Panther signed a developmental contract with the UFC. Follow Dylan Gwinn on Twitter @themightygwinn

(CNN) The two British volunteer rescue divers who found a Thai soccer team trapped in a flooded cave network are well acquainted with harrowing rescue attempts. John Volanthen and Richard "Rick" Stanton are expert cave divers skilled in navigating perilous underwater passages, a colleague says -- and they've been called abroad before to help with difficult rescues. On Monday, Volanthen and Stanton found 12 boys and their soccer coach alive some nine days after the team went missing -- up to 1 kilometer underground in a narrow cave system in northern Thailand. "Many people are coming," one of the divers told the group . The men reported their discovery to Thai authorities running the search, and Thai Navy SEALs have been tending to the soccer team while officials develop plans to extricate the group Richard Stanton, left, and John Volanthen in northern Thailand on Tuesday, a day after they located the trapped team. The BBC reported that Volanthen is an IT consultant from Bristol, and Stanton is a retired firefighter from Coventry. Both have extensive cave diving experience and are members of a volunteer team -- the British Cave Rescue Council -- that makes itself available for rescue efforts around the world, BCRC liaison officer Chris Jewell said. Jewell talked to both men on Monday night, after they exited the cave. "Rick and John installed a guideline -- a line that can then be subsequently followed by the Thai Navy SEALs," Jewell said in a Skype interview with CNN from Manchester, England. The men left behind a couple of lights and some food before heading back, Jewell said. "Rick and John have now stepped back from operational diving whilst the Thai Navy SEALs continue to conduct work in the cave, making multiple trips to the boys to drop off supplies and look after them whilst they plan the extraction," he said. 'Few cave divers in the world have (their) skills' Both men have been honored for their previous rescue work. In October 2010, the volunteers were called to France, where they tried to find a diver who didn't re-emerge after exploring a submerged cave more than a kilometer long. John Volanthen Any exploration was difficult, requiring specialized equipment and "lengthy, planned decompression stops," an account from the UK's Royal Humane Society said. The missing man had been the only person to ever explore the chamber beyond 700 meters, and he was trying to go beyond that when he disappeared. "Few cave divers in the world have the skills and equipment to follow this man, and the nearest were Richard and John," the society's account said. Richard Stanton After multiple dives, Volanthen and Stanton found a way past a blockage and discovered the diver's body. Princess Alexandra awarded them a Royal Humane Society medal at Buckingham Palace for the rescue attempt in 2012. Stanton also helped with a rescue of 13 British cavers in Mexico in 2004, the BBC reported . The firefighter was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire at the end of 2012 for services to local government. 'A gnarly dive' Their skills were on display Monday. One of the divers described their work in an email to a BCRC official. "The description in his email was it was a bit of a gnarly dive, which means there were complications and problems," said Bill Whitehouse, the council's vice chairman. "Quite a strong flow, current, so they're having to swim against the current and pull themselves along the walls. The visibility in the water wouldn't have been very good." Volanthen's mother, Jill Volanthen, told the BBC she had "absolute pride" in her son's work, and she felt "absolute relief" for the children. "But I don't think it's all over yet. Let them get them out first," she said of the trapped team.<doc-sep>LONDON - Two British volunteer divers who helped find a youth football team trapped in a cave complex in Thailand have a history of difficult rescues around the world. Mr Richard Stanton and Mr John Volanthen, who have day jobs as a fireman and Internet engineer, respectively, negotiated a long and winding path through flooded caverns to find the 12 young boys and their coach nine days after they went missing. "The British divers Rick and John were at the spearhead" of the forward search party, said Mr Bill Whitehouse of the British Cave Rescue Council, an informal grouping of rescue teams around Britain. "They managed to dive the last section and get through into the chamber where the missing party was on a ledge above the water." Also read: All 12 boys and their football coach found alive in Thailand cave after 9 days Mr Whitehouse, who has spoken briefly to the team that also included a third Briton, Mr Robert Harper, as well as other international and Thai experts, described the difficulties of the search. "They were diving upstream in the system, so they were having to swim against the current or pull themselves along the walls," he told the BBC. "I gather the actual diving section was about 1.5km, about half of which was completely flooded," he said, adding that the total dive was about three hours. [[nid:419933]] Mr Volanthen, an Internet engineer in Bristol in the south-west of the country, and Mr Stanton, a fireman from Coventry in central England, are no strangers to difficult dives. Mr Stanton, in his mid-50s, told his local newspaper in 2012 that his biggest achievement was helping rescue six British soldiers trapped in caves in Mexico. In 2010, he and Mr Volanthen also helped in an attempt to find Mr Eric Establie, an experienced French potholer who became trapped underground in the Ardeche region of southern France. Mr Establie's remains were found eight days after he went missing. [[nid:420194]] "All of the cave rescue missions are quite shocking, but the most challenging one was in France," Mr Stanton said in the interview, to mark his receipt of an MBE honour from Queen Elizabeth II. But Mr Stanton insisted that cave diving was still only a hobby which he started at the age of 18. In Thailand, the diving team have avoided the media, with Mr Volanthen, who is said to be in his 40s, telling reporters when he arrived at the site: "We have got a job to do." Besides them, specialists from Australia, Britain, Japan, China, Myanmar and Laos, as well as more than 30 US military personnel, joined about 1,000 Thai rescuers in the massive search-and-rescue operation.<doc-sep>When authorities in Thailand were assembling a group of rescuers to search for a soccer team lost in a flooded cave, their first calls went to a retired firefighter and an IT consultant in England. Rick Stanton and John Volanthen were the first to reach the 12 boys and their coach inside the Luang Nang Non Cave in Chiang Rai province on Monday. It is their voices that can be heard talking to the boys and giving them calm reassurance in a dramatic video released by the Thai navy. They are working with Thai navy SEALs, who are leading the rescue operation. Stanton, the retired firefighter from Coventry, and Volanthen, who does IT consulting work in Bristol, have years of experience in cave rescues and have helped map the Luang Nang Non Cave. "Brits are probably one of the best cave-diving teams," said Dinko Novosel, head of the European Cave Rescue Commission, even before the search mission proved successful. Chris Jewell, a member of the British Cave Rescue Council, confirmed that the divers on the video were Stanton and Volanthen. 12 boys and their soccer coach found alive in cave system in Thailand News 0:59 Divers found the boys, coach about two kilometres inside the labyrinth-like system of caves 0:59 It's not the first time they have lent their expertise to an international rescue effort. Stanton, who was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire, or MBE, in 2012, previously described his most memorable life-saving effort as the 2004 rescue of six soldiers trapped by rising floodwaters in Mexico. "They were trapped for nine days, and we had to teach a few of them to dive through a considerable length of passage to get them out," Stanton told the Coventry Telegraph newspaper in 2012. "It took about nine hours to get them all out." Push to go farther Stanton also tried to rescue French cave explorer Eric Establie in 2010. Establie's remains were discovered in southern France after a dramatic eight-day operation. Alex Daw, a West Midlands Fire Service watch commander who supervised Stanton for six years, said his experience as a firefighter serves him well. Besides that, Stanton also is known as a tinkerer — a technician always making sure his equipment will help him go "farther, further under water, in the dark." The soccer players and coach were found on Monday by cave-diving experts who made their way through treacherous passages until they found all 13 of them — alive. (CBC) "If the kids have got someone there like him, they're safe," Daw said without hesitation. "He's cool, calm and collected." Volanthen was Stanton's partner on the French rescue attempt. Volanthen told the Sunday Times in 2013 that cave diving is not the pursuit of those who crave thrills. "The flight response now isn't always appropriate," he said. "Panic and adrenaline are great in certain situations, but not in cave diving. The last thing you want is any adrenaline whatsoever." Both men are members of the South and Mid Wales Cave Rescue team. A third Briton, Robert Harper, is working with them in Thailand after Thai authorities contacted the British Cave Rescue Council for help when the boys disappeared June 23. The British divers left London on June 26 with special rescue equipment, including radios designed to work in caves. Brits helped survey caves British cavers have helped survey and catalogue many caves in Thailand because there are only a few people with such experience in the country, the council said in a statement last week. "Many British cavers, including specialist cave divers, active on such expeditions, also serve as volunteers in cave rescue teams across Britain and Ireland and bring with them valuable knowledge of the layout of overseas cave systems," the council said. Rescuers and stores of equipment are still being sent in to assist the rescue operation after the 12 boys and their soccer coach were found alive in the cave where they had been missing for over a week. (Linh Pham/Getty Images) The euphoria of finding the soccer team and their coach alive has quickly turned to the sober reality of how to extract them from the cave. Heavy rains are forecast, and that could worsen the flooding in the cavern, possibly forcing authorities to have them swim out through a narrow, underwater passage. Gary Mitchell, the assistant vice-chairman of the British Cave Rescue Council, said that helping the boys dive out could take time, particularly since they are assumed to have no diving experience and because they will be in a weakened state. Three British cave divers, Rick Stanton, left, John Volanthen, centre, and Robert Charles Harper are seen as they arrived at Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park near the Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai on June 27. (AFP/Getty Images) "They may start to dive them out in small batches into small, into other chambers, other pockets of air, and do that over a staggered period of time," he told The Associated Press. "Obviously, the biggest risk really is current rainfall. If it keeps raining or starts to rain and water levels rise then there's a bit more immediacy required." New opening may not be an option Drilling an opening would be a problem because of the need for determining with pinpoint accuracy where they are inside the cave. While stressing that the Thai military is in charge, Mitchell believes they are working under the assumption that the group is about 800 metres to a kilometre below the surface — meaning the need to drill through solid rock. "Drilling from the top of a jungle mountain ridge is really tricky," he said. Thai searchers also have been searching for a fissure that might lead to a shaft that could be a kind of "back door" to where the soccer team is sheltered. So far, they have not found one that goes far enough. For Stanton, such curiosity about finding the right path in a cave seems to motivate him. He once told the online site Divernet: "I'm only interested in the cave, where it's going and how it ends. I suppose that's what motivates me — I don't know why, but that's it."<doc-sep>

Rick Stanton and John Volanthen were the first rescuers to reach the group of young footballers and their coach trapped in a cave in northern Thailand. Mr Stanton and Mr Volanthen, along with a third Briton, Robert Harper, joined the international rescue effort after Thai authorities contacted the British Cave Rescue Council (BCRC) seeking expert help. After 10 days without a sign, and with monsoon rains pouring down, the divers finally found the frightened boys and their coach on Monday. In footage of the moment the divers arrived in the chamber, a rescuer with an English accent is heard trying to reassure the group that help is coming. However, the man warns that they are not going to be able to get the boys our immediately, saying: "Not today. There's two of us, you have to dive." Image: British cave divers John Volanthen (left) and Richard Stanton in Thailand BCRC vice chairman Bill Whitehouse explained how Mr Stanton and Mr Volanthen led the search party. "The British divers Rick and John were at the spearhead of that," Mr Whitehouse said. "They were pushing ahead with the other divers following on behind, creating dumps of air bottles. "They managed to dive the last section and get through into the chamber where the missing party were on a ledge above the water." Here's some more info on the hero divers. Image: (L-R) Mr Stanton, Robert Charles Harpe and Mr Volanthen arrive at the caves :: Rick Stanton Mr Stanton is regarded as one of the world's leading cave rescue experts and was made an MBE at the end of 2012. A former fireman from Coventry, Mr Stanton is in his 50s and is believed to have been part of a rescue mission to evacuate six Britons who were trapped in a cave in Mexico in 2004. With more than 30 years of experience cave diving, his former colleague Alex Daw at West Midlands Fire Service says it "is not surprising" Mr Stanton was involved in the rescue and that there is "no one better to help them out... [they] couldn't be in safer hands". "We are all really proud," he added. Divernet, a publication for scuba divers, described Mr Stanton as "arguably the main face of British cave diving". In a 2007 interview, he told Divenet that he learnt to dive when he joined a club at university but taught himself how to cave dive. Image: Rick Stanton. Pic: West Midlands Fire Service He highlighted some of the challenges of cave diving. “Most of the ocean is largely unexplored, but it's still all mapped out. You know how deep it is and what's likely to be there if you dive it... but with caving you don't know whether to go up, down, left or right. You could go one way and find the best chamber in the world. There's no technology that will tell you that - you just have to be there," he said. Ahead of a dive it is common to feel tense, Mr Stanton admits. His own coping mechanism is to visualise the dive and to draw upon patterns of previous dives, he said. "You can't afford to get tense, as there is still a lot occupying your mind. Nor is there time to go into half an hour of trance," he said. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 'They're all alive!' “I see myself doing the dive, not like a film or a snapshot but in critical segments, what I'm doing at set points, how I'm doing it, and what happens if something goes wrong." :: John Volanthen Mr Volanthen is an IT consultant in his 40s. Based in Bristol, he set a world record for the longest dive from the surface of water in a team with Mr Stanton in 2011. Image: Mr Volanthen has said cave diving requires a 'cool head' He said in an interview with The Sunday Times magazine in 2013 that caving requires a cool head and that "the flight response now isn't always appropriate. Panic and adrenaline are great in certain situations but not in cave diving. "The last thing you want is any adrenaline whatsoever." The pair contributed to The Cave Diving Group Manual and Mr Volanthen is a keen marathon runner.

Samsung’s foldable smartphone has been shipped to reviewers around the world, but many devices have already encountered problems. Android Police reported on the “disastrous display issues” experienced by the device, noting that many reviewers around the world are experiencing problems with the smartphone’s display. Reviewers have reported that their $1,980 Galaxy Fold has already broken, with the display breaking and flickering for unknown reasons. CNBC tech editor Steve Kovach uploaded a video of his broken device to Twitter, showing how the Fold’s display broke after just one day of normal use. Some users – such as YouTuber Marques Brownlee – tried to peel off what looks like a screen protector on the Galaxy Fold’s display only to find that trying to peel off this layer completely breaks the display. Other users have reported their device displays flickering and turning off after only a few days, even when this protective film was left undisturbed on the device. Samsung said it is investigating the issues with the Galaxy Fold, and it has advised reviewers not to remove the protective film on the display. After one day of use… pic.twitter.com/VjDlJI45C9 — Steve Kovach (@stevekovach) April 17, 2019 Now read: Samsung fights back against Huawei in South Africa<doc-sep>Samsung Galaxy Fold: The issues and the 'fix' Watch Now It didn't take long for reviewers who got their hands on early samples of Samsung's $2,000 Galaxy Fold smartphone to start reporting that their devices were experiencing catastrophic display damage along the hinge. And since the hinge that allows the display to fold is the flagship feature of the Galaxy Fold, this is a pretty big deal. Headlines such as "My Samsung Galaxy Fold screen broke after just a day" are not what Samsung needs right now. After all, Samsung is still trying to shake off the ghosts of past issues such as the Note 7 battery fires and people jamming the S-Pen into their device the wrong way. But Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy Fold launch, scheduled for April 26, is still on. Must read: iPhone battery draining fast after installing iOS 12.2? Here how to diagnose the problem and get more battery life But what's going on here? Is this a design flaw, or is it user error? Samsung is coming out of the gate strong on this, having released a statement that points the finger of blame at the reviewers: "Separately, a few reviewers reported having removed the top layer of the display causing damage to the screen. The main display on the Galaxy Fold features a top protective layer, which is part of the display structure designed to protect the screen from unintended scratches. Removing the protective layer or adding adhesives to the main display may cause damage. We will ensure this information is clearly delivered to our customers." This is interesting. So, there's a protective layer on the display of the Galaxy Fold that is part of the structure of the display that can be peeled off? Having a crucial part of the display that looks like a screen protector that needs peeling off seems like a poor design. Having anything important that can be peeled off is a bad idea, because it will either be peeled off by idle fingers, or it will eventually peel off in day-to-day use. Another point is that Samsung is back to covering up potential design flaws by telling the user to not do things that they shouldn't be able to do in the first place. This was the company's response to the S-Pen issue with the Note 5. However at least one of the affected reviewers did not remove the protective film. In fact, this reviewer believes the problem may be down to debris getting into the hinge mechanism. Must-see offers Samsung Galaxy Fold at Best Buy The Galaxy Fold launches in the US and at Best Buy on Sept. 27. Buy it here. Read More This feels like a design flaw. And given that it affects the main feature of the Galaxy Fold (the bit that allows it to fold), then that's a big deal. While Samsung may be right that some of these failures are down to reviewers peeling off a vital protective layer on the display, even this sounds like a design flaw. The protective layer should be bonded to the display in such a way that it is difficult for the user to peel it off. It certainly shouldn't look like a bit that needs to be peeled off. And if reviewers peeled it off thinking it was removable (reviewers handle a lot of stuff, and are, on the whole, smarter than the average bear when it comes to tech), customers are going to do the same, irrespective of whether Samsung tells them not to. By sticking to the April 26 launch date and releasing the Galaxy Fold with nothing more than a warning to not peel off the protective layer, Samsung is playing with fire. Again.<doc-sep>Samsung’s latest smartphone, the $2,000 Galaxy Fold, isn’t out yet—it’s set to be released on April 26—but it seems that the device it’s called “the future” is falling flat before it’s even hit customers’ hands. Four review units of the Fold all experienced screen failures today (April 17). Devices given to The Verge, Bloomberg, and CNBC all appear to have had similar issues with half or more of the foldable screen failing after what the reporters have described as regular use: Samsung told Quartz that the Fold is supposed to be durable enough to withstand being folded at least 200,000 times, which would equate to about 300 unfolds every day for two years. (The average person checks their phone between 80 and 300 times each day.) While it’s unclear what’s behind the failures, in one case, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman pulled off a film over the device’s flexible display that Samsung said was not supposed to be removed. YouTuber Marques Brownlee also removed the film and apparently experienced the same issue. (Samsung told reviewers this some time after handing out devices.) Samsung wasn’t immediately available to comment on the failures. Quartz’s review unit still seems to be in working order, and we’re planning to have our review out in the coming days, but we’ll keep updating this story as it… unfolds.<doc-sep>Update: Samsung has confirmed it's investigating the Galaxy Fold problems, mentioning that there should have been clearer indications that the screen protector shouldn't be removed and that it will replace all broken repair units. The Samsung Galaxy Fold is an ambitious foldable phone, but one with mounting durability problems, according to a handful of press who got early access to it. We've seen a total of five broken Fold screens – four in which it isn't working at all and one instance in which half of the 7.3-inch tablet-like display is flickering. Reviewers and analysts from CNBC, Bloomberg, The Verge, Android Central and YouTube tweeted about their experience after one and two days with the phone. My colleague opened the Galaxy Fold and it started doing this. So, long answer to your question @WilfredFrost, the hinge doesn’t seem very rugged after all. After two days: pic.twitter.com/Z1F8iwjURaApril 17, 2019 See more Me, @stevekovach, and @markgurman have Review Units of the Galaxy Fold with broken screens.https://t.co/AR56AV7RLaApril 17, 2019 See more In some but not all cases, Samsung has already replaced the broken review units. If problems persist, it may run into its other dilemma: a shortage of Fold units. Calling it now: The Galaxy Fold has a jelly scrolling problem. The left side of the screen refreshes slightly faster than the right side leading to text that looks like it's rising and falling whenever you scroll. It's subtle and not that distracting but it's definitely there.April 17, 2019 See more Don't remove the film Not everyone we talked to has had a problem with the Samsung Galaxy Fold screen, so we wouldn't call this widespread. But, again, it's been two days – it's very early. The biggest take away for soon-to-be-Fold-owners is this: don't remove what looks to be protective plastic film on the screen. It's actually supposed to be there, as some people have found out the hard way that doing so may break the display. The screen on my Galaxy Fold review unit is completely broken and unusable just two days in. Hard to know if this is widespread or not. pic.twitter.com/G0OHj3DQHwApril 17, 2019 See more PSA: There's a layer that appears to be a screen protector on the Galaxy Fold's display. It's NOT a screen protector. Do NOT remove it.I got this far peeling it off before the display spazzed and blacked out. Started over with a replacement. pic.twitter.com/ZhEG2BqulrApril 17, 2019 See more At least it's not on fire The official Samsung Galaxy Fold launch is April 26 in the US and May 3 in the UK and Europe. There's not much time to correct the issue if it becomes more pervasive. There are at least two good things for people who pre-ordered. Samsung is offering a one-year warranty in most markets when you purchase the Fold, and at least it's not catching on fire yet. We'll continue to update this story as we hear more from the tech reviewer community.<doc-sep>

Facepalm: Some reviewers are reporting screen problems with their Galaxy Fold review units. While this doesn't seem like a good look for Samsung, some of the issues may be the reviewers' own fault for not paying attention. Members of the tech press have only had the Galaxy Fold for a couple of days and are already experiencing issues. According to The Verge, their review unit somehow got a piece of debris stuck underneath the screen causing a small bulge. Eventually, the bulge gave way and the screen broke. To his credit, he seems to have treated the phone just fine, or at least as well as he would any other phone. He does say that a piece of molding clay that his team uses for video shoots could have somehow made its way into the phone. Fortunately, Samsung is sending a replacement unit although they haven't made an official statement on the matter. Both Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Marques Brownlee aka MKBHD had completely unusable review units as well. However, this was likely because both Mark and Marques peeled off a protective layer of the screen. Apparently, they thought it was removable (possibly a regular screen protector). To be fair, Samsung does have a label on the phone explicitly warning not to remove the protective layer. The phone comes with this protective layer/film. Samsung says you are not supposed to remove it. I removed it, not knowing you’re not supposed to (consumers won’t know either). It appeared removable in the left corner, so I took it off. I believe this contributed to the problem. pic.twitter.com/fU646D2zpY — Mark Gurman (@markgurman) April 17, 2019 PSA: There's a layer that appears to be a screen protector on the Galaxy Fold's display. It's NOT a screen protector. Do NOT remove it. I got this far peeling it off before the display spazzed and blacked out. Started over with a replacement. pic.twitter.com/ZhEG2Bqulr — Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) April 17, 2019 Dear future #GalaxyFold owners, I know I always say "No one ever read the instructions"... PLEASE READ THIS ONE!!! (This is the wrap over the screen of the Galaxy Fold) pic.twitter.com/LuQPRfDZIE — Des (@askdes) April 17, 2019 Last but not least, Steve Kovach from CNBC tweeted that the screen on his Galaxy Fold was flickering. After one day of use... pic.twitter.com/VjDlJI45C9 — Steve Kovach (@stevekovach) April 17, 2019 While cynics will likely point out that a ~$2,000 device should be flawless, keep in mind that this is new technology in a first generation product. Samsung likely knew there would be kinks to work out as early adopters discovered them. While that doesn't absolve Samsung, it does mean that we should expect a few bumps (literally and figuratively) on a phone that's otherwise pretty revolutionary. That said, everyone remembers the Galaxy Note 7 disaster and any structural problems with a Samsung mobile device (especially one this expensive) is sure to be met with some trepidation. Samsung probably only made a limited number which would surely help the company to better manage any problems that arose. The Galaxy Fold is currently out of stock and seems to be in high demand. Hopefully, that demand pushes Samsung to iron out the quirks with this first generation Fold into a much improved second generation.

Looks from the Fendi Fall 2019 collection. Photo: Imaxtree Outside of the Fendi runway show on Thursday in Milan was the usual crowd of bottlenecking lines, loiterers and a group of anti-fur protesters, but inside was a whole different story. As soon as guests entered the venue, the Italian house's tribute to the late Karl Lagerfeld and his 54-year-long tenure as creative director was immediately felt: Above the catwalk's entrance was his handwritten signature in lights; at every seat was a touching tribute card that commemorates his death; and show notes came with sketches of Lagerfeld's final collection for Fendi. It's no secret that Lagerfeld was not only incredibly prolific, but also a master of his craft. The Fall 2019 collection introduced new takes on some of Fendi's design signatures, including the newly relaunched Baguette bag, which is currently undergoing a large push from the luxury house with an aim to recapture its nostalgic magic. This season, the handbag is updated in an embossed pillow patent faux leather and a multi-strap utility harness — both of which you'll surely see all over Instagram sooner rather than later. While plenty of street style stars wore their best Fendi logomania from seasons last to the show, they'll need to switch gears come fall: Lagerfeld revived his curling "Karligraphy" double-F monogram, which appears on everything from stockings and socks to turtleneck bodysuits, shirts and fur coats. What Lagerfeld does best is balance modernity with refinement: Tailored garments were strong-shouldered and nipped in at the waist. Dresses were adorned with large bows in the back, and outerwear boasted laser-cut leather or zipper embellishments. As many tributes from figures throughout the industry can attest, Lagerfeld's design genius will not soon be forgotten. The runway finale was emotional to say the least. David Bowie's "Heroes" played as models (some who appeared to be on the verge of tears) made their last lap across the catwalk and the crowd gave a standing ovation for creative partner Silvia Venturini Fendi. After, the room went dark and a video featured a not-too-long-ago Lagerfeld sketching his first-ever design all the way from 1965, showing that at Fendi, his memory will always live on. See Fendi's Fall 2019 collection in full in the gallery below. 43 Gallery 43 Images Sign up for our daily newsletter and get the latest industry news in your inbox every day.<doc-sep>Fendi paid poignant tribute to its longtime creative director Karl Lagerfeld at the show Thursday in Milan, just two days after his death at age 85 from pancreatic cancer. It was the legendary designer’s last collection for the Italian house and his inestimable contribution was celebrated from start to finish. Guests at the showroom at Via A. Solari, where the presentation is always held, were greeted with a step-and-repeat wall featuring a large black F and red heart with Lagerfeld’s signature. Many stopped to photograph it. A small card with the same graphic and the date he passed printed on the back (19.02.2019) was found on each seat, on top of a folder of show notes and copies of five of his signed sketches of the collection. After the models, who included Kaia Gerber and Gigi and Bella Hadid, made their way down the runway, a video of the designer sketching his first day at Fendi was screened. It was a fitting end to his five-decade collaboration with the Roman fur specialist. The prolific fashion icon, who also designed the Chanel haute couture and ready-to-wear lines in addition to his signature collection, was named to the Fendi team in 1965. He turned the Roman fur specialist into a global status brand by lightening the weight of the coats and using different colored pelts to create patterns. Outside the show, a large group of anti-fur protesters held up signs and chanted animal rights slogans. While the collection showcased signature Fendi fur coats and double-F monogram clothing, some of the most memorable pieces were high-collar shirts — an undeniable nod to Lagerfeld, as stated in the show notes. He was famous the world over for wearing a powdered ponytail, dark glasses and a starched, high-collar, white button-down. “The bond between Karl Lagerfeld and Fendi is fashion’s longest love story, one that will continue to touch our lives for years to come,” said Silvia Venturini Fendi, the creative director of menswear, accessories and kidswear, in the show notes. Fendi will fill his role until a successor is named.<doc-sep>He may have been best known for his tenure as the creative director of Chanel, but Karl Lagerfeld was also the head of women’s wear at Fendi from 1965 until his death, at age 85, this week, just a few days before Fendi presented its fall/winter 2019 collection at Milan Fashion Week. Still, as it did last month when Chanel announced that Lagerfeld was too “tired” to appear at either of its couture shows, the show must go on—though not without a few finishing touches that Fendi added at the last minute, in tribute to the designer. Upon arriving to the show on Thursday, attendees found that a card featuring a heart, Lagerfeld’s signature, and the date of his death had been placed upon their seats, along with several sketches that Lagerfeld had made of what turned out to be his final collection for the house. Also scrawled in the late designer’s signature handwriting was the phrase “Love Karl,” which was printed above the runway. That soon served as the backdrop for a host of models wearing ponytails similar to Lagerfeld’s signature ’do—including Kaia Gerber and Bella and Gigi Hadid, all of whom had shared tributes to the designer on their Instagram accounts less that two days earlier. (The Hadids had also brought giant bouquets to Fendi’s headquarters the night before.) Gigi Hadid closed the show, which ended by switching from “Heroes” by David Bowie to a video of Lagerfeld sketching his first collection for the house, back in ’65. Adding to the speculation that she’ll soon be named as Lagerfeld’s successor at the house, Silvia Venturini Fendi—Fendi’s creative partner and the creator of its iconic Baguette bag—stood in for Lagerfeld to (tearfully) take his bow. Backstage, The New York Times reported, everyone—models, hairstylists, and executives alike—joined her in her tears. Invalid Date Whereas Fendi has yet to announce its plans moving forward, Virginie Viard has been appointed as Lagerfeld’s replacement at Chanel, whose own fall/winter 2019 runway show will take place during Paris Fashion Week early next month. The fate of Lagerfeld’s beloved millionaire “heiress,” Choupette, also remains unknown, but given her fortune thus far, it seems likely she may soon become the world’s richest cat. Related: How Karl Lagerfeld Became Fashion’s Andy Warhol<doc-sep>

After 54 years as creative director, Karl Lagerfeld's final collection for Fendi hit the runway today at Milan Fashion Week, just two days after his death. An emotional occasion, the Italian fashion house paid tribute to its late creative director in a series of touching ways throughout the show. Upon arrival, every seat was topped with a moving tribute card commemorating the designer's death and show notes came with sketches of Lagerfeld's final collection. Closing out the Fendi runway for the first time was Gigi Hadid, who frequently worked with Lagerfeld over the last few years. The model, who appeared to be in tears, wore a sheer, bright yellow dress down the runway. Making for an emotional finale walk, many models held back tears as David Bowie's "Heroes" played. For his last Fendi collection, Lagerfeld sent a range of tailored suiting, feminine dresses, and laser-cut leather pieces down the Fall 2019 runway. Unexpected pops of color came in the form of buttery leather pieces, sheer dresses, and a new range of the brand's nostalgic baguette bags. Following an emotional standing ovation, the fashion house played a tribute video to its creative director of 54 years. The video features Lagerfeld being asked to sketch what he looked like on his first day at Fendi in 1965, five decades earlier. The designer, wearing his signature leather gloves, sketches himself while looking back fondly on the time. "A heartfelt tribute to Karl Lagerfeld, Fendi's Ready to wear and Couture designer for over five decades. Karl, you will be dearly missed," the brand wrote on its social media accounts.

Last updated on .From the section England Everton's Jonjoe Kenny played his second game of the tournament England Under-21s were held to a goalless draw by Mexico in their second fixture at the Toulon Tournament. Aidy Boothroyd's side beat China in their opening game on Saturday but rarely found any rhythm against Mexico. Goalkeeper Freddy Woodman saved a first-half header by Roberto Alvarado in the game's best opening. The point leaves England behind Mexico in Group A going into their final match against Qatar in Fos-sur-Mer on Friday. Mexico top the group on goal difference, with one side guaranteed a place in the knockout stage. The second-placed team with the best points tally from the three groups will also reach the semi-finals. England won the event in 2016 and 2017 and started their 2018 campaign well with a 2-1 win over China. But match-winner Tammy Abraham was left out as one of five changes to face Mexico and Boothroyd's side created little. Forward Eddie Nketiah forced an early save with a shot from outside the box but the scrappy encounter lacked quality in the attacking third.<doc-sep>ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/Getty Images England under-21s will have to beat Mexico on Saturday if they're to win the 2018 Toulon Tournament after becoming the first team in more than a decade to feature in three consecutive finals. An Eduardo Aguirre hat-trick led Mexico to a 3-1 victory over Turkey in their semi-final outing on Wednesday, while England beat Scotland by an identical scoreline to qualify for the final at the Stade Francis Turcan. The Young Lions drew 0-0 against El Tricolor when they met in Group A, where they advanced into the semis as best-placed runners-up after finishing behind Mexico in their pool via goal difference. A little more than a week later and one of these teams will be crowned kings of the youth tournament, with Mexico looking to win a second Toulon title and England hoping to add their third in as many years (eighth overall). Read on as we preview Saturday's Toulon final, complete with live-stream schedule and discussion of who's likely to come out on top in the youth showdown. Video Play Button Videos you might like Date: Saturday, June 9 Time: 5:30 p.m. BST/12:30 p.m. ET Venue: Stade Francis Turcan, Martigues, France Live Stream: FreeSports (UK) TV Info: FreeSports (UK) Preview England under-21 manager Aidy Boothroyd almost saw his men make a shock first-round exit from France, and it was a telling sign that not scoring enough goals was the reason for their scare. Mexico only scored once more than them in Group A but have carried on their scoring exploits in the knockout phase, particularly through the tournament's top scorer, Eduardo Aguirre, per FootballTalentScout: The Tampico striker, on loan from Liga MX outfit Santos Laguna, took his Toulon tally to seven after bagging a hat-trick against Turkey and will need to be kept quiet if England are to triumph. Aguirre isn't the only man England need to keep tabs on, though, as Mexican football blogger Nayib Moran lauded America prospect Diego Lainez, who just so happens to be celebrating his 18th birthday on Saturday: Saturday's final will pit contrasting styles against one another. Mexico's under-21s have scored 28 times in their last 10 games, while England have managed to net 22 in that time. The upshot is that while El Tri have kept only three clean sheets in their last 10, England have managed almost double that with five. England's youth assortment are no slouches in attack, however, and Arsenal prospect Eddie Nketiah proved as much with a brace in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Scotland. Bloggers Patrick Timmons and Jeorge Bird showed how goals tend to follow the Gunner wherever he goes and praised him after his performance against the Scots: But those were his first goals of the tournament, and while he's England's joint-top scorer alongside Tammy Abraham with two apiece, Aguirre is far ahead on seven for the competition. While the senior side has gone through its struggles in recent major tournaments, England's under-21s are enjoying one of their greatest eras. Squakwa discussed how the seniors might line up in the World Cup: There's little arguing these two are deserving finalists in France, but Mexico have looked the more adventurous outfit. England may boast a more composed average across their XI, but bank on Mexico's risk-takers to finally undo the Young Lions' hold over the Toulon Tournament come Saturday. Prediction: Mexico Win AET<doc-sep>England U21s remain on course for a third straight Toulon Tournament success after coming from behind to beat Scotland U21s 3-1 in the semi-final in Aubagne. Michael Johnston (30) had given Scot Gemmill's side the lead with a brilliant solo effort but two goals in five minutes after the break turned the contest England's way. Callum Connolly brought England level (45) before Eddie Nketiah's stunning strike (50) completed the turnaround. The Arsenal striker secured victory with his second of the game in the 69th minute and Aidy Boothroyd's side will now face Mexico, who beat Turkey 3-1 in the other semi-final earlier in the day, in the final on Saturday (kick-off 6.30pm BST). Meanwhile, Scotland will play Turkey, also on Saturday, in the third-place play-off (kick-off 4pm BST). Image: Aidy Boothroyd's side will play Mexico in the final on Saturday Scotland created the game's first real opening as Oliver Burke outmuscled Jake Clarke-Salter to get in on goal. The West Brom star hammered the ball past Freddie Woodman but the ball came crashing back off the near post. Seven minutes later it was England's turn to hit the woodwork as Nketiah's cross deflected off Jason Kerr and onto the post, but again the ball bounced away to safety. In what was a tight affair, it took a moment of magic from Johnston to break the deadlock. Picking the ball up just inside the England half, the Celtic star produced a brilliant piece of skill to skip past the challenges of Connolly and Kieran Dowell before bursting past Jonjoe Kenny and firing into the far corner. The Young Lions, who won the tournament in 2016 and 2017, needed a spark after the break if they were to keep their grip on the Toulon Tournament trophy and they got it through Nketiah. The 19-year-old picked out the run of Connolly immediately after the re-start and the Everton midfielder had an easy tap in from close range to level the scores. Five minutes later and the turnaround was complete. Nketiah nutmegged Anthony Raslton before cutting in on his right foot and striking the ball powerfully past Robby McCrorie and into the far corner. The Arsenal youngster rounded off an impressive second-half performance 11 minutes from time, twisting and turning past Ralston and Ryan Porteous before sealing his side's place in the final with an impressive left-footed finish.<doc-sep>

England U21s boss Aidy Boothroyd believes the Young Lions' Toulon heroics can give them a Premier League breakthrough. They face Mexico in Saturday's final aiming for a third straight Toulon Tournament title after their semi-final win over Scotland. Four of the starters who beat Scotland 3-1 had top-flight experience, while Tammy Abraham came off the bench. 0:55 Watch England U21 beat Scotland U21 3-1 to reach the final of the Toulon Tournament Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah scored twice on Wednesday and could now force his way into Boothroyd's plans for Euro 2019, with the U21s on course to qualify. The 19-year-old, who made three Premier League appearances last season, also has new Gunners boss Unai Emery to impress and Boothroyd feels Nketiah and his team-mates can use Toulon to further their Premier League dreams. Image: Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah scored twice in England's 3-1 win over Scotland "If they can do it at world level they can do it in the Premier League," said Boothroyd. "We have some very talented players and they can play in the Premier League, I have no doubt. They just need a little belief and opportunity from some of the head coaches. "Whenever a young player has an opportunity they have to take it and Eddie's certainly done it with his goals. We're always hoping when they leave us they can get into the position where they can become regulars for their clubs. "He should be with the U19s but he's given me a problem for when I have to pick a squad in September." Image: England U21s are targeting a third straight Toulon Tournament success England drew 0-0 with Mexico in Group A last week as the Mexicans topped the table by one goal. They beat Turkey 3-1 on Wednesday, with Eduardo Aguirre scoring a hat-trick. He has scored seven times in the tournament and has scored more than 10 per cent of the overall goals in France. Image: Tammy Abraham has Premier League experience with Swansea England are the only team to stop the 19-year-old from scoring and Boothroyd expects a tight match as the Young Lions go for a hat-trick of titles. "It's a really tough tournament to come to, let alone get to the latter stages and the final," he added. Image: Boothroyd's side drew 0-0 with Mexico in the opening game of the tournament "The fact we've done it with two different managers, two different teams and now we're trying to make it a hat-trick puts a little pressure on us. "If we're going to be successful these are the things we have to deal with. It's two really evenly matched teams, there's not an awful lot between us."

Steph Curry was mic’d up at the 2019 NBA All-Star Game, and the Golden State Warriors two-time MVP delivered with some exceptional soundbites. The superstar was making his sixth consecutive All-Star Game appearance, and gave fans a little bit of a behind-the-scenes experience by wearing a mic for much of the weekend. While warming up for the game, Curry hilariously lamented at how exhausted he was after landing a highlight dunk, stating “I need a nap.” “It’s got to be the shoes.” @StephenCurry30 mic’d up for last night’s #NBAAllStar game pic.twitter.com/jEZoWoQMjj — Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 18, 2019 Later, in the game itself, Curry got caught having some funny and endearing moments with his teammate Klay Thompson, who was on the opposing team for the All-Star Game. Curry wanted to defend Klay and, after forcing his fellow Splash Brother into a difficult shot, excitedly praised his own defense. Curry also had some exceptional moments at Saturday’s All-Star practice. In addition to his comments about James Harden, which he likely didn’t mean to have go public, Curry had a cool moment talking with Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer. The coach of Team Giannis and the three-time champion point guard talked about the minutes Curry would receive in the game, before shifting their focus to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Both of them pushed for a competitive game, with Bud telling Curry that “if you’re going hard, I can promise you number 34 is going hard too,” a reference to the Greek Freak. Curry then sang the praises of the work ethic of Milwaukee’s young MVP candidate. It pretty neat. "If you're going hard, I can promise you No. 34 is too." ️ Coach Bud and Steph Curry Mic'd Up at #TeamGiannis Practice: pic.twitter.com/14nxHFymxm — Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 16, 2019 The mic’d up features are always awesome, so hopefully we see more of these from the NBA going forward.<doc-sep>CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Before the NBA All-Star game game ended, Stephen Curry needed to give the hometown crowd one last parting gift. He didn’t heave a shot from halfcourt. He didn’t shoot a 3. He didn’t even attempt a floater. Instead, Curry did not something that rarely defines his game. He threw down a dunk. With the clock ticking down to zero, Team LeBron had no inkling to play any defense. And why would they? They were about to cement a 178-164 win over “Team Giannis” in Sunday’s NBA All-Star game. And rarely does anyone play defense in an All-Star game anyway. So, Curry took threw the ball down hard on the court. Then he leaped in the air, caught the ball and finished with a reverse dunk. Unlike when he slipped on a dunk attempt in the Warriors’ win last month over the Lakers, Curry completed a play that would’ve warranted a 10 in the slam dunk contest. “For all of you all that saw me in L.A. a couple months ago, I redeemed myself,” Curry said. “So that was the best part of my night.” Curry did not have his best night before a hometown crowd that remembered him during his time at Charlotte Christian and Davidson. He had 17 points, while shooting 6-of-23 from the field and 4-of-17 from 3. Yet, Curry still offered plenty of highlights reels. Beyond his dunk and 4-point play over Klay Thompson, Curry threw a lob that only Giannis Antetokounmpo could finish midway through the second quarter. After Joel Embiid intercepted a pass, he found Curry on the fast break. He then threw a hard bounce pass that seemingly appeared out of reach. Not for Antetokounmpo, who used his 6-foot-11, 242-pound frame to throw down a one-handed dunk. “I bounced it really high and there was a lot of time in between when it hit the ground to him dunking it,” Curry said. “Obviously, timing was unreal with his length, finishing it, and getting it before it came down. Pretty bang-bang play. Just glad we had that connection.” It was a connection that only Curry and Antetokounmpo could make. “That was the first time,” Antetokounmpo said. “I think that pass was going to Joel, but I was able to sneak in there and make it look like good pass for me. It was a nice play.” Klay Thompson subscribes. You can too for just 11 cents a day for 11 months + receive a free Warriors Championship book. Sign me up! Klay relishing his dad’s appearance Curry wasn’t the only Warrior with a former NBA player of a father in the arena for the NBA All-Star Game. Mychal Thompson also attended to watch his son, Klay. Thompson also had a deep appreciation for the other former stars in attendance – such as Bill Russell, David Robinson, Julius Erving and Allen Iverson – and for a couple who played Sunday night but will soon be returning as former players. “It was great. It’s a dream to be here with your family,” Klay said. “It’s such a unique experience, not only to be here with the greats of today but of those of the past. It’s great to be able to do what we love. I’m happy the NBA does such a great job of bringing back the past legends who put this sport on the map.To have them watching our skills, it’s a surreal feeling. Want Warriors news delivered to your phone? Sign up for a free trial of Mark Medina’s Warriors text messaging service * * * Klay, KD praise D-Wade and Dirk Thompson also expressed a deep appreciation for Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki, who were making their final All-Star Game appearances. “Those guys are such legends, especially from my childhood,” Thompson said. “I watched those guys battle it out in Finals and the regular season. Those are two who have had so much impact on the youth. You would practice the fadeaway. You would practice the Euro step that Dwyane Wade set a precedent with. For them to honor them like they did, they deserve it, because they were true global superstars who took our game to new heights.” And Kevin Durant wished they weren’t leaving the game anytime soon. “Those guys look good to be in the league for so long and still playing at a high level,” Durant said. “D-Wade, I was telling a couple of guys, I feel like he could play a few more years. And Dirk to play 20 years in the NBA is just ridiculous.” The 40-year-old Nowitzki even knocked down three consecutive 3-pointers. He then waggled three fingers low to the ground after each one. “It shows you how talented he is,” Thompson said. “He’s a gamer. The guy is a showman as well. We’re going to miss watching him and his ability on the court. He went out so gracefully. You couldn’t ask for a better career. He’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer and maybe the best European player of all time.” WARRIORS HQ PODCAST: Be sure to visit our podcast page at mercurynews.com. You can also get notified of new episodes on iTunes, Google Play Music, Spotify, Stitcher and SoundCloud. * * * Follow Bay Area News Group Warriors beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.<doc-sep>To say that Stephen Curry had a blast with All-Star Weekend taking place in his hometown of Charlotte would be a massive understatement. Curry was part of some of the top highlights of NBA All-Star Weekend, and here’s an attempt at sharing the top 10. FINISHING STRONG Curry had an off-night – by Curry standards from long range – but he did score the final basket on one of the top dunks of the All-Star Game. PREGAME SMASH Perhaps we should have saw Curry’s dunk coming, as he threw down some pretty vicious slams pregame. ASSIST OF THE NIGHT Curry’s dunk to end the game didn’t technically count as an assist, but this one to Giannis Antetokounmpo sure did. 4-POINT PLAY ON KLAY Curry made four 3-pointers during the All-Star Game, and there’s no doubt he’ll most remember the one on which he was fouled by fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson. The shot was great, but the reaction was even better. DEFENDING KLAY That Curry-Thompson battle wasn’t the first of the night, as Curry took great pride in defending in his Warrior teammate earlier in the game. Steph locked down Klay pic.twitter.com/lHh5kTxxyA — Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) February 18, 2019 RESPECT FROM A LEGEND At halftime, Curry caught up with 2016 Hall of Fame inductee Allen Iverson. One of the most lethal scorers in NBA history, Iverson embraced Curry and told the Dubs guard that he’s in his all-time ‘top five’ of greatest players in the game. HE GOT IT FROM HIS MOMMA One would probably assume that Stephen Curry’s range has something to do with his father being a longtime NBA player known for his 3-point range, but this shot from his mother, Sonya Curry, suggests otherwise. The shot, and the reaction to it, speaks volumes. When your mom hits a half court shot... UNDERHAND.#RuinTheGame pic.twitter.com/8FtDUS9C0v — Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 15, 2019 CURRY WINS BET WITH BROTHER Among the competitors in the MTN DEW 3-Point Contest were the Curry brothers, Stephen and Seth. The two had a bet, as the loser between them would have to pay for all family tickets for whenever they play against each other for the rest of their careers. Seth got 16, and Steph beat that and then with a hot end to his round. Round 1 pic.twitter.com/M0A56UQizt — Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 17, 2019 THROWING IT BACK TO 1992 When Dell Curry competed in the 3-point contest in 1992, his almost 4-year-old son watched courtside, wearing a multi-color windbreaker that just screamed 1990s. On Saturday, while watching the dunk contest, Curry watched courtside while wearing a multi-colored jacket that screamed 1990s. drip on 100,000 pic.twitter.com/ylURP2b3wd — Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 17, 2019 JR. NBA DAY One of the great All-Star Weekend traditions is giving back to the community in and around the host city. With this one taking place in Curry’s hometown, giving back and spending time with youth was that much more meaningful for Curry and his entire family.<doc-sep>

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It was a game within the game. Team LeBron vs. Team Giannis, and Steph Curry vs. Klay Thompson. Curry and Thompson, fellow Splash Brothers on the Golden State Warriors, went from teammates to rivals Sunday night. "Yeah, we're obviously each other's biggest supporters, but we kind of do it in a fun way," Curry said. "We talk so much trash to each other. ... And we almost like get happy when the other one misses. It's just a weird kind of vibe, but it comes from a good place." After the game, Curry marveled about his one-handed bounce pass that soared into the air and Giannis Antetokounmpo soaring, too, before the Greek Freak caught the ball and dunked it. But it was not his favorite play. ALL-STAR INSPIRATION:Team LeBron rallies after J. Cole halftime show DID YOU SEE THAT? Top must-see moments from the All-Star Game No, the one Curry relished the most was a 3-pointer he hit over Thompson, who was called for the foul. Curry made the free throw to convert the four-point play that Thompson figures to be hearing about for a while. Curry played for Team Giannis, Klay Thompson played for Team LeBron and the trash talk was on early in Team LeBron’s 178-164 victory. "From the time he checked in, we were going back and forth," Curry said. "I wanted to guard him every chance I got, and him vice versa. So I feel like any possession I touched the ball with him on me, I was just going to shoot no matter what. "It worked out in my favor, that possession (with the four-point play.) He feel asleep for a hot second, tried to close out, and I sold the call for sure. Nice to see that one. If I was going to make one shot out of the 23 I took, it had to be that one." And Thompson had his moment, too, draining a 3-pointer and pointing at Curry, who finished with 17 points on 6-of-23 shooting while Thompson finished had 20 points on 7-of-16 shooting. “So, yeah, I was yelling at him — I'll yell at him even when we're playing for the Warriors and we're on the same team," Curry said. "I think it's because we feed off of the competition, and trying to be better than each other at shooting the basketball. So that'll always kind of be the vibe for sure." Kevin Durant, who as a member of the Golden State Warriors has grown familiar with the Curry-Thompson dynamic, said, "Those guys are always joking around and seeing who can make the most shots. Their chemistry together is second to none. So we know we're going to be talking about that play, those two plays for the next couple of days." Follow USA TODAY Sports' Josh Peter on Twitter @joshlpeter11.

Find out how to watch Vikings vs. Packers on Sunday, Sept. 16. Two NFC North powerhouses will square off on Sunday when the Packers host the Vikings. Kickoff from Lambeau Field in Green Bay is slated for 1:00 p.m. ET. Aaron Rodgers led the Packers to a stunning second-half comeback in Week 1 by taking down fellow division rival Chicago. After exiting with a leg injury in the first half, Rodgers threw for 273 yards and three touchdowns in the final 30 minutes. He led Green Bay to a 24-23 victory. Minnesota took care of business at home in Week 1 by overwhelming San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in a 24-16 victory. Safety Harrison Smith dominated the contest and tallied seven tackles, one sack and one interception. Here's how to watch Sunday's game: Time: 1:00 p.m. ET TV: FOX Live Stream: You can stream the game on fuboTV. fuboTV now features NFL Redzone as well as SI TV, available on the Sports Plus package. Sign up now for a free seven-day trial. Next three games: Packers: at Redskins (9/23); vs. Bills (9/30); at Lions (10/7) Vikings: vs. Bills (9/23); at Rams (9/27); at Eagles (10/7)<doc-sep>It’s the first installment of the Border Battle on Sunday, as the Minnesota Vikings will travel to Lambeau Field to take on Aaron Rodgers (and the rest of the Green Bay Packers, too, I suppose). Both of these teams are 1-0, so the winner will be taking an early edge in the race for the NFC North division crown. So, how can you follow all of the action from Lambeau Field on Sunday afternoon? Well, that’s what we’re here to help you figure out. Television Info This all-NFC battle will be aired on FOX, which is KMSP-9 in the Twin Cities, with kickoff scheduled for noon Central time. If you’re outside of the Twin Cities area and are wondering if your local affiliate will be carrying the contest, here is the coverage map from 506 Sports. The Vikings/Packers game is shown in red. If you’re looking for this one on your DirecTV Sunday Ticket package, you can find in on Channel 711. The play-by-play team this week will be the same as last week, with Charles Davis and Kevin Burkhardt manning the booth. I still don’t have a decent site for Canadian television listings, so no insight on where to see this one north of the border. My apologies. If anyone has a decent source, please pass it along. For our friends in the United Kingdom, it doesn’t appear that the game will be shown on any of the usual networks that you can find the NFL on. Kickoff is at 6:00 PM UK time, and your best bet is likely going to be on NFL Game Pass. For our men and women in uniform overseas, this game will, surprisingly, be shown live on the American Forces Network, and specifically on AFN Sports 2. Kickoff time is set for 1800Z, which means a 1900L kickoff for viewers in Central Europe, 2130L for everyone in Afghanistan, and Monday morning at 0200L for fans in Japan and Korea. Radio Info If you’re not going to be anywhere near a television for this one, you’ll be able to hear the call from Paul Allen and Pete Bercich on the Vikings Radio Network. That link goes to a list of Vikings Radio Network affiliates across the Upper Midwest. See if yours will be carrying the game. There are a couple of other places you can find it online as well, including the TuneIn radio service as well as the KFAN site (if you’re on a desktop or laptop computer only. . .it won’t work on phones or tablets). If you’re going to be listening via satellite radio, you can have the Vikings’ feed on Sirius Channel 99. If you have an XM radio, you’re going to be stuck with the Packers’ feed on Channel 225. If you’re using the SiriusXM Online App, the Vikings’ permanent home there is Channel 819. Referee Info Per the good folks at Football Zebras, the officiating crew for Sunday’s contest will be led by Tony Corrente. Corrente was the head referee for one Vikings’ game in 2017, as he officiated the team’s 30-23 victory over the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Thanksgiving Day. Weather Info Well, hey, look at that! It’s an outside game! That means we need to take a serious look at the weather forecast with our friends at WeatherNation. From the looks of the forecast, it might be a bit of a warm one on the other side of the border, with the temperature at kickoff time of about 80 degrees and holding steady at that mark throughout the game. Winds will be coming out of the southeast at 5-10 miles an hour. Streaming Info There are several legal subscription services that are available in order to stream the game legally. Among them are Fubo.tv, USTVNow, and Sling TV. If you’re overseas, your best bet is going to be NFL GamePass. Since it has recently been brought up, I want to make it perfectly clear that streams from Reddit or other places are not. . .I repeat, not. . .legal. If you’d like to argue about that, you can argue it somewhere else, because the moderators won’t listen to that garbage. Until Reddit, or anywhere else, has a deal with the National Football League, those streams are illegal and not welcome to be put up on this site. If you want to use them, go find them on your own and don’t be plastering them in the comments section here unless you’d rather not be in the comments of the Game Thread. . .or any other thread. . .here at DN. That should be all of the information you need in order to keep track of all the action from U.S. Bank Stadium between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon. We’ll have our Open Thread for the first quarter up about an hour before kickoff or so, and we hope that you’ll join us here for all of the fun!<doc-sep>The Green Bay Packers (1-0) stay at home in Week 2 to host the division-rival Minnesota Vikings (1-0). The Packers are 9-3-1 against the Vikings under Mike McCarthy at Lambeau Field and lead 60-53-2 in the all-time series. Green Bay’s biggest question mark for this week is the health of Aaron Rodgers. Last week Rodgers was carted off the field in the first half but returned in the second half to lead the Packers to a legendary comeback win over the Bears. Although Mike McCarthy has been saying they’re taking the injury day-by-day, the quarterback confidently told NBC’s Michelle Tafoya on Sunday night, “I’m playing next week.” Rodgers or not, the Packers face yet another stout defense loaded with playmakers and a talented offense led by Kirk Cousins. Once the board is set and the pieces are moving, this matchup may come down to the wire for the second week in a row. On a more optimistic note, the Packers have scored 23-plus points in 10 of the last 12 home games vs. Minnesota. And one of the games they didn’t was last year’s shutout with Brett Hundley under center. FOX will broadcast the game. Kevin Burkhardt (play-by-play) and Charles Davis (analyst) will call the game from the booth with Pam Oliver reporting from the sidelines. The game can be heard over Milwaukee’s WTMJ (620 AM) and the Packers Radio Network, which is made up of 50 stations in five states. Wayne Larrivee (play-by-play) and Larry McCarren (analyst) will call the game. The game will also be aired nationally on Sports USA Radio and on the WTMJ feed of Sirius Satellite Radio. Here’s the information you need to know to watch Sunday’s game: What: Green Bay Packers (1-0) vs. Minnesota Vikings (1-0) When: Sunday, Sept. 16 at 12:00 p.m. CDT Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI Referee: Tony Corrente TV Channel: FOX Radio: Packers Radio Network, USA Sports Radio, Sirius Satellite Radio (WTMJ feed) Live stream: fuboTV (try it free) Televised areas (via 506sports.com):<doc-sep>The Green Bay Packers are getting ready to face Minnesota Vikings on Sunday and it's a vital divisional game for both teams. They come in with a 1-0 record and a win on Sunday would give that team an early lead in the NFC North. The Packers are looked at as a small favorite because of Aaron Rodgers. But if Rodgers can't play, the line could move in the Vikings favor in a big way. How to Watch Where: Lambeau Field When: Sept. 15 Time: Noon CT TV Broadcast: FOX - Kevin Burkhardt (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analyst), Pam Oliver (sidelines) Radio Broadcast: WTMJ-620 AM - Wayne Larrivee (play-by-play), Larry McCarren (analyst) The Packers and the Vikings have become an interesting rivalry. Both teams have gone to war over the years because they are in the same division, but the Vikings feel like they are a team that can make a Super Bowl run. They have made the playoffs the last two years and they were one win away from the Super Bowl. What's interesting about that is, the Vikings were able to win the division and reach the NFC title game with a backup QB in Case Keenum. But the backbone of the Vikings is the defense and based on what they were able to do last week against the 49ers, the Vikings are one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl. Don't miss a single snap of the Packers against the Vikings! Here's how to catch the game However, now that Aaron Rodgers is back, the Packers feel like they can take the NFC North crown back from the Vikings and make a Super Bowl run of their own. What Rodgers was able to do against the Bears was something we may never see again, and it shows that as long as he's under center, the Packers have a chance to win every game. Along with Rodgers and the roster moves the Packers made this offseason, they are a team that could be on their way to winning their fifth Super Bowl and 14th NFL championship. Last Sunday, the Packers were able to come away with a 24-23 victory over the Chicago Bears after being down 20-0. And they did it in dramatic fashion as Aaron Rodgers threw for 212 yards and three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. Rodgers injured his knee in the second quarter, but he was able to return at the start of the second half and he put together one of the greatest comebacks in his NFL career. So Green Bay comes into Sunday's game with a lot of momentum. The Packers are facing a Vikings team that took down the San Franciso 49ers 24-16. Kirk Cousins made his Vikings debut and threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns. But the story of the game was the defense as they forced four turnovers including three interceptions and one of those picks were returned for a touchdown by safety Harrison Smith.<doc-sep>

The Green Bay Packers will face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday and it's a vital divisional game for both teams. They come in with a 1-0 record and a win on Sunday would give that team an early lead in the NFC North. The Packers are looked at as a small favorite because of Aaron Rodgers. But if Rodgers can't play, the line could move in the Vikings favor in a big way. Last week, the Packers were able to come away with a 24-23 victory over the Chicago Bears. And they did it in dramatic fashion as Aaron Rodgers threw for 212 yards and three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. Rodgers injured his knee in the second quarter, but he was able to return at the start of the second half and he put together one of the greatest comebacks in his NFL career. So Green Bay comes into Sunday's game with a lot of momentum. The Packers are facing a Vikings team that took down the San Franciso 49ers 24-16. Kirk Cousins made his Vikings debut and threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns. But the story of the game was the defense as they forced four turnovers including three interceptions and one of those picks were returned for a touchdown by safety Harrison Smith. Don't miss a single snap of the Packers against the Vikings! Here's how to catch the game How to Watch Where: Lambeau Field When: Sept. 15 Time: Noon CT TV Broadcast: FOX - Kevin Burkhardt (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analyst), Pam Oliver (sidelines) Radio Broadcast: WTMJ-620 AM - Wayne Larrivee (play-by-play), Larry McCarren (analyst) Follow: CBS Sports app Stream: fuboTV, NFL app The Packers and the Vikings have become an interesting rivalry. Both teams have gone to war over the years because they are in the same division, but the Vikings feel like they are a team that can make a Super Bowl run. They have made the playoffs the last two years and they were one win away from the Super Bowl. What's interesting about that is, the Vikings were able to win the division and reach the NFC title game with a backup QB in Case Keenum. But the backbone of the Vikings is the defense and based on what they were able to do last week against the 49ers, the Vikings are one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl. However, now that Aaron Rodgers is back, the Packers feel like they can take the NFC North crown back from the Vikings and make a Super Bowl run of their own. What Rodgers was able to do against the Bears was something we may never see again, and it shows that as long as he's under center, the Packers have a chance to win every game. Along with Rodgers and the roster moves the Packers made this offseason, they are a team that could be heading to Atlanta in February.

Market heavyweight Reliance Industries closed 2.53 per cent lower to 965 level after the conglomerate's chairman Mukesh Ambani unveiled a mega fixed-line broadband initiative and announced plans for an e-commerce platform that may rival the likes of Amazon. VK Sharma, Head Private Client Group & Capital Market Strategy at HDFC Securities said," Reliance saw profit booking as the company unveiled its foray into the broad band services known as 'Jio Giga Fiber'. This is a smart move by the company in a sector that has not seen keen penetration. The stock had risen 6% in the run up to the AGM, so a correction was not out of place." Shares of cable TV service providers Den Networks and Hathway Cable closed 10.73 percent and 15.40% lower after Reliance Industries launched ultra high speed fixed line broadband services for homes and enterprises. The stocks fell on the likely impact of this new fiber broadband service on existing cable TV service providers' customer base. Earlier, the Reliance Industries stock crossed the 1,000 level in early hours before the conglomerate held its 41st annual general meeting today. At 10:24 am, the stock was trading 1.21% or 12 points higher at 1,003 level on the BSE. The stock is just 3.28% away from 52 week high of Rs 1035.80. It has been rising for the last three days, clocking 4.36% gains during the period. The stock has gained 39.03% during the last one year. Since the beginning of this year, the stock has delivered 8.67% returns. HDFC Securities on May 3 gave a price target of 1,178 level for the stock. The stock was trading at 963 level when the target was assigned. The recommendation said investors can buy the stock at 973 level. 26 of 37 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, five "hold" and six "underperform" or "sell", according to Reuters. On May 3, 2018, HDFC Securities gave a buy call on the stock when it was trading at 963 level. The brokerage assigned a target price of 1,178 for one year. On April 28, 2018, Motilal Oswal too gave a buy target of 1,150 for the next one year. The price of the stock stood at 999 level when the recommendation was posted. Equirus Securities gave a target price of Rs 1045 on April 29, 2018 post its Q4 earnings, which does not seem out of sight now. The brokerage said, "We expect the full benefit of vertically-integrated petrochemical expansion and an improvement in Reliance Jio's operating metrics to drive a 13% operating profit CAGR over FY18-FY20E. RIL's stock has been outperforming the benchmark and building in strong growth for Reliance Jio." In Q4 of last fiscal, Reliance Industries reported its highest quarterly net profit of Rs 9,435 crore on record earnings from petrochemical and retail business and rise in profitability of its upstart telecom unit, Jio. Consolidated net profit of Rs 9,435 crore, or Rs 15.9 per share, in January-March was 17.3 per cent higher than Rs 8,046 crore, or Rs 13.6 a share, in the same quarter of the last fiscal, the company said. The company's total revenue stood at Rs 109,905 crore, which rose 30.5 per cent as compared to Rs 84,189 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. RIL's net profit was at Rs 7,533 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year. The firm has been clocking a rise in its net profit during the last five financial years, with an exception of FY 17 when it reported Rs 29,800 crore in net profit, Rs 100 crore less than the previous financial year. It reported its highest net profit of Rs 36,100 crore for FY18, a record rise of Rs 6,300 crore compared with the previous financial year.<doc-sep>live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More × Shares of Reliance Industries ended 2.5 percent lower after its 41st annual general meeting in which company announced the launch of JioGigaFiber. The company launched 'Jio Giga' Router & 'Jio Giga TV' set-top box, which enabled the voice command feature on the TV as well which weighed on shares of Cable TV companies such as Hathway Cable, Den Networks as well as Siti Network. Siti Network ended 1.6 percent, Hathway Cable was down 15.4 percent, and Den Network was down 10.7 percent, hitting 52-week low of Rs 64.25. At company's 41st AGM Mukesh Ambani, CMD of the company said that Reliance has doubled its customer base for Jio to 215 million within 22 months of the beginning. Mukesh Ambani says data usage increased to 125 crore GB to 240 crore GB and voice usage increased from 250 crore minutes per day to 530 crore minutes per day. "The video consumption increased from 165 crore hours per month to 340 crore hours per month," he added. Telecom stocks such as Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular ended with 0.8 percent and 1.2 percent cut respectively. Jio will be present in every district, taluka & gram panchayat of India. Capacity utilisation of Jio network less than 20 percent currently. Jio can multiply capacity utilisation without additional investments. "We are on track for 99 percent population coverage with 4G LTE," Ambani said. "We will now extend fiber connectivity to homes, merchants, small and medium enterprises and large enterprises simultaneously across 1,100 cities to offer the most advanced fiber-based broadband connectivity solutions," he said further. Disclosure: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.<doc-sep>New Delhi: Shares of Reliance Industries Ltd closed over 2% lower on Thursday after the company laid out future plans for Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd at its annual general meeting. RIL shares fell 2.53%% to close at ₹ 965 per share on BSE. In intraday trade, the stock hit a high of ₹ 1,008.50 and a low of ₹ 960.10. On BSE, 12.90 lakh changed hands, while 1.87crore shares traded on NSE. At the company’s annual general meeting, RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani today announced Reliance Jio’s fiber-based fixed line broadband services, Jio GigaFiber. Reliance Jio is targeting 5 crore Jio GigaFiber home customers and 3 crore small merchants and shop-keepers, said Ambani. After the announcement of Jio GigaFiber, shares of broadband providers declined with Den Networks Ltd plunging 11.40% to Rs66.05 and Hathway Cable and Datacom diving 18.48% to Rs19.85. Mukesh Ambani predicted that optical fixed line broadband is the future and is confident that Reliance Jio will take India to the top 5 in fixed line broadband services globally in the coming years. Moreover, RIL also introduced two bonanza offers for Reliance Jio customers. Jio Phone 2, an upgraded version of JioPhone, will be sold at an introductory price of ₹ 2,999 and your old feature phones can be exchanged for a new JioPhone for just ₹ 501. Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now! ! Topics<doc-sep>

live bse live nse live Volume Todays L/H More × Reliance Industries share price gained as much as 1.5 percent in morning on Thursday ahead of its 41st Annual General Meeting today. The rally was in addition to 2 percent gains seen in the previous session. The main focus in the AGM would be on its telecom business, Jio, which is expected to be one of key drivers to its earnings going ahead. The AGM will begin at 11 am at Birla Matushri Sabhagar, 19, Sir Vithaldas Thackersey Marg, near Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Centre, in Mumbai. For the last few years, RIL has made massive Jio-related announcements during the AGM and the trend is expected to continue. Not to forget, the highly-anticipated JioPhone was launched at the same event last year, which was made available for a refundable deposit of Rs 1,500. Reports suggest that RIL could well announce the commercial launch and prices for its broadband venture, JioFiber service. So what is JioFiber and how is it different from other broadband connections? JioFiber is the latest offering from Jio for your home. It offers ultimate broadband experience to surf, stream, game and work, because of its ultra-fast upload and download speeds and effective functioning in merely "milli seconds". JioFiber connectivity comes directly to your home unlike in most cases where the fiber reaches only until the building and the last few meters of end connectivity is done using the traditional cable which drastically reduces the speed and user experience due to patches and inferior cable qualities of such patch up. The current offer as listed on the Jio website is the JioFiber preview offer which gives you ultra high-speed internet up to 100Mbps for 90 days along with a monthly data quota of 100 GB and a complimentary access to a host of Jio's premium apps. The stock price rallied more than 7 percent in 2018 so far, on top of more than 70 percent rally seen in the last year. Meanwhile, its subsidiary Reliance Brands has purchased 12.5 percent equity stake in Future101 Design Private Limited (Future101) for Rs 9.5 crore, the company said in its filing. The acquisition of minority stake is in the nature of strategic investment, it added. Future101, incorporated in July, 2013 is engaged in manufacturing, distribution and sale of luxury apparels, etc. in India. Future101 belongs to a similar industry as Reliance Brands Limited. We expect growth in this sector and value creation from this investment. Future101 reported annual turnover of Rs 22.18 crore, Rs 20.85 crore and Rs.17.11 crore in FY 2017-18, FY 2016-17 and FY 2015-16, respectively. "No regulatory approvals were required for the said acquisition of shares. The investment does not fall within related party transaction and none of RIL's promoter / promoter group / group companies have interest in Future101," RIL said. At 10:44 hours IST, the stock price was quoting at Rs 999.60, up Rs 9.55, or 0.96 percent on the BSE. Disclosure: Reliance Industries Ltd, which owns Reliance Jio, is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.

A steam pipe burst in New York City's Flatiron district Thursday morning, causing smoke to engulf the area and roads to be shut down. The explosion left a hole in the middle of Fifth Avenue near 21st Street, NBC New York reported. The pipe that burst was 86 years old, according to NBC. There were not yet any reports of injuries at the scene, though a number of streets were shut down and subways were rerouted away from the area. There were also concerns about potential asbestos contamination, The New York Times reported. Anyone nearby the pipe explosion was urged to take a shower and change and wash their clothing. New York City Police said those in the area should expect to see emergency vehicles Thursday. Photos from the scene showed smoke billowing out from a hole in the ground. "A miracle no one was hurt from the steam pipe explosion," City Council Speaker Corey Johnson wrote on Twitter. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.<doc-sep>NEW YORK—A nearly century-old steam pipe exploded in Manhattan Thursday morning, tearing open a city street and sending mud and asbestos spewing into the air as commuters headed to work, officials said. The blast erupted in the Flatiron District at 6:39 a.m., emitting thick plumes of roaring steam that rose at least 22 stories high, and grayish debris blanketed nearby streets. “All of a sudden I heard ‘Pow!’” Shella Eckhouse said. “There was debris coming down and steam flying. I was covered in mud.” Ms. Eckhouse, a Manhattan resident who works at a jewelry business, was riding a Citi Bike to an exercise class in Chelsea when the pipe exploded just a few feet away. She said she “pedaled so fast” to get away as quickly as possible. The site of the steam pipe explosion in Manhattan. Photo: John Moersdorf/Reuters Within minutes she had parked her Citi Bike, made her way to the gym, toweled herself down and started class. More than 100 firefighters and medical personnel, as well as 25 firetrucks, responded to the scene. Five people suffered minor injuries, the Fire Department New York said. Firefighters and police cordoned off a four-block area around the site at Fifth Avenue and 21st Street. Officials said 49 commercial and residential buildings in the area, including 28 in the main blast area, had been evacuated, and residents wouldn’t be able to return for at least a few days. Mayor Bill de Blasio said debris from the explosion tested positive for asbestos but air in the area was clean. “There is real concern about whether any debris entered into buildings or into air-conditioning systems,” he said Thursday, after arriving at the scene hours after the blast. People work near the scene of a steam pipe explosion on Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District. Photo: brendan mcdermid/Reuters “So there is going to be thorough assessment to make sure that all the buildings are clean and safe,” he said. Those who were in the vicinity of the Manhattan blast were advised to bag their clothing and shower. Con Edison has set up decontamination stations where people can drop off exposed clothing. The explosion left a large crater on Fifth Avenue and 21st Street and a smaller hole on Fifth Avenue and 20th Street. Mr. de Blasio said Fifth Avenue between 19th and 22nd streets would likely be closed until the weekend. The mayor said investigators were still trying to determine what caused the explosion. The steam pipe that exploded was 20 inches in diameter and from 1932, according to Con Edison. However, a Con Edison official said steam pipes have no expiration dates and age doesn’t necessarily play a factor when they fail. Ernest Hinnant, who works in the area at a co-working company, got off the subway at Union Square just before 6:45 a.m. He noticed the steam but thought it was coming from a restaurant. When he turned toward Fifth Avenue, he saw a cloud plume and heard the roar of steam. “There’s a solid sort of substance coming out of the cloud that’s sort of coating the ground. At first I honestly thought that the solid substance was ash and it was a fire, but it’s just gray and not ash,” Mr. Hinnant said. He said two cars were “totally covered in whatever is falling out of the thing.” The blast disrupted the morning commutes of riders on the R and W subway lines. Those trains bypassed 23rd Street in both directions because of the incident, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. A shaken Ms. Eckhouse attended her exercise class after the explosion, but she was somewhat philosophical about what occurred. “It’s New York City,” she said. “Anything can happen anytime.” Members of the New York Fire Department set up near the explosion. Photo: Elizabeth Shafiroff for The Wall Street Journal Write to Zolan Kanno-Youngs at Zolan.Kanno-Youngs@wsj.com and Charles Passy at cpassy@wsj.com<doc-sep>A steam pipe exploded as the work day began in New York City today (July 19), opening a hole in the busy Flatiron District of Manhattan and sending steam spewing several stories into the sky. The blast came at 6:30am, and the steam was still rising from the site at time of publishing. No serious injuries have been reported. “The steam turned white, then gray, then black and continued to alternate colors, indicating the possible presence of a fire underneath the ground,” NBC New York 4 reported, though there has not been confirmation of a fire. Because many of the city’s steam pipes were laid decades or as much as a century ago, officials are concerned that the exploded pipe might have been coated in asbestos, as was common before it was banned as a construction material in the 1970s. People in the neighborhood of the explosion were waiting in line to be “hosed down” according to WCBS Newsradio 880 reporter Alex Silverman: New York City is home to the largest steam-power system in the world, first set up in the 1880s. Beneath the streets, 105 miles of pipes snake from five steam generating plants to 2,000 of the city’s buildings, providing heating and cooling. Restaurants and hospitals use that same steam to disinfect things. In the winter, when demand for steam heat is highest, 10 million pounds of steam move through the system per hour, according to Con Edison, the city’s electricity and steam utility. The last big New York steam explosion was 11 years go, on July 18, 2007 near Grand Central Terminal, one of the city’s main commuter hubs. Steam escaping from an 83-year-old pipe shot debris “40 stories in the air, raining mud on midtown,” according to NBC New York 4. That blast killed one person and injured dozens. The force of the 2007 explosion flipped over a tow truck and opened a hole in the middle of the street that stretched as much as 40 feet across, according to the New York Times.<doc-sep>

“Our concern is the debris that was thrown off by the rupture,” he said. “Some of that is still visible on the street and on the building facades -- that all needs to be cleaned up.” He said officials will conduct an assessment to ensure no asbestos remains in the area before they open it back up for business and residents. Officials said the air cleared of asbestos shortly after the explosion, however, authorities warned people who were in the area during the incident that they should bag their clothing and shower. “The challenge is anything that might cause repeat exposure,” de Blasio said. “One time brief exposure is generally not a problem.” I'm at 23rd Street and 5th Avenue with an update on this morning's steam pipe explosion. https://t.co/ypJR9de4oZ — Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) July 19, 2018 Update 12:50 p.m. EDT July 19: Streets closed Thursday morning when a nearly century-old steam pipe exploded in New York City could remain closed for several days if officials confirm the pipe was lined with asbestos, according to The New York Times. New York City Fire Department Commissioner Dan Nigro said officials were working under that assumption on Thursday because the pipe was installed in 1932. City officials told the Times that the exteriors of buildings in the area will have to be decontaminated if asbestos is confirmed. In a statement obtained by WPIX, officials with the utility company Con Edison warned people to stay clear of the area of the explosion, on 5th Avenue and 21st Street in Manhattan. “Environmental testing is being conducted to determine whether asbestos or other contaminants are present, but as a precaution anyone in the vicinity of the rupture who was covered in material is advised to bag their clothing and shower,” the statement said. According to The Associated Press, there are more than 100 miles of steam pipes running beneath Manhattan. Update 11:15 a.m. EDT July 19: New York City Fire Department Commissioner Dan Nigro said five people suffered minor injuries when a high-pressure steam pipe that was installed in 1932 exploded Thursday morning. “The major disruption is that not only did this steam line burst, but it caused the disruption of a gas line, a water main and some electrical power,” he said Thursday at a news conference. Officials said 28 buildings were evacuated by 11 a.m. Thursday, up from the 11 reportedly evacuated in the immediate aftermath of the explosion. #FDNY members are on scene of a 3-alarm steam explosion, 141 5th Ave Manhattan. 11 buildings have been evacuated and there are currently no injuries reported. pic.twitter.com/KsMmTkZpSB — FDNY (@FDNY) July 19, 2018 Nigro said authorities sent samples to be tested for asbestos because of the age of the burst pipe. “We are operating as if the samples will come back positive,” Nigro said. Original report: According to WNBC, the blast occurred about 6:30 a.m. EDT Thursday near the intersection of 21st Street and Fifth Avenue. >> Read more trending news Authorities have not reported any injuries in the explosion, which "spewed debris all over the streets," the news station said. Fire crews were still at the scene an hour later, and officials closed streets in the area as commuters headed to work.

After Taeler Hendrix accused Jay Lethal of derailing her ROH push, after she refused to sleep with him, the ROH World Champion took to Twitter to deny all allegations levied by his former valet. Hendrix has now responded to Lethal’s denial: deny all you want. you sent me this before you pulled me aside at a live event, told me what you told me. just because the business has been a certain way for so long. I'm tired of it and I'm fighting for what's right. pic.twitter.com/CxUkFsGOrY — Taeler Hendrix (@Taeler_Hendrix) July 8, 2018 Hendrix also apparently called out her detractors with: the people that typically are the most politically correct are also typically the ones full of the most bullshit. — Taeler Hendrix (@Taeler_Hendrix) July 8, 2018 RELATED: Jay Lethal Denies Allegations Made By Taeler Hendrix<doc-sep>Watch Gallery Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons, Taeler Hendrix Ring Of Honor released a statement to Sean Radican of PWTorch regarding the allegations Taeler Hendrix made against Jay Lethal that her push in the company was stifled when she wouldn’t agree to sleep with Lethal. The statement is below: We were troubled to hear the allegations that surfaced last night on Twitter. We take these matters very seriously and will be investigating this situation thoroughly, reviewing all evidence related to the matter. Ring of Honor strives to provide an environment and workplace where male and female wrestlers are free from any misconduct or abuse. We will take appropriate action upon the conclusion of our findings. Jay Lethal won the ROH World Title from Dalton Castle on June 30. You can read PWTorch’s full write-up by going here. RELATED: Taeler Hendrix Claims Her ROH Push Was Sabotaged For Not Sleeping w/ Jay Lethal; Hendrix Issues Follow Up<doc-sep>Watch Gallery Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons, Taeler Hendrix Taeler Hendrix has issued the following statement on Twitter responding to criticism she has received following her allegation earlier today that her ROH push was ‘sabotaged’ for not sleeping with Jay Lethal: Let the hate roll in. Doesn't change what happened. I came forward privately long ago & now it's public. If I stay silent I'll be part of the problem. I can't live w/ that. I'll fight for what's right. Threatening me/supposed burned bridges changes nothing. Let the hate roll in. — Taeler Hendrix (@Taeler_Hendrix) July 4, 2018 Related: Taeler Hendrix Claims Her ROH Push Was Sabotaged For Not Sleeping w/ Jay Lethal; Hendrix Issues Follow Up<doc-sep>After former Ring of Honor talent Taeler Hendrix made some accusations heinous in nature in regards to the company's champion in Jay Lethal, they've spoken up about the situation. Hendrix accused Lethal of getting her fired from Ring of Honor because she wouldn't sleep with him. Below is Ring of Honor's response: Related Article Satoshi Kojima To Face Joe Doering At IMPACT Against All Odds We were troubled to hear the allegations that surfaced last night on Twitter. We take these matters very seriously and will be investigating this situation thoroughly, reviewing all evidence related to the matter. Ring of Honor strives to provide an environment and workplace where male and female wrestlers are free from any misconduct or abuse. We will take appropriate action upon the conclusion of our findings. Taeler tweeted the following earlier this week, which caused the stir. I don't. it should have been the house of Hendrix. what has truth or jay done ? what do they draw ? being a funny guy with a book.... the other one only talks about his time in Impact copying legends... faaaaarealll bruhhh the legacy is copying legends.... https://t.co/lgHnM9SO9A — Taeler Hendrix (@Taeler_Hendrix) July 4, 2018 also the dude your standing up for is the same dude that told me because I didn't sleep with him they sabotaged me and took me off TV. that being the all mighty Jay. — Taeler Hendrix (@Taeler_Hendrix) July 4, 2018 he was always better at kiss ass. I like working hard and earning my shit. — Taeler Hendrix (@Taeler_Hendrix) July 4, 2018 if you think that is a cult you should check out both of their wrestling schools.. lol — Taeler Hendrix (@Taeler_Hendrix) July 4, 2018 I know this is going to be on wrestling sites. My name is Taeler & this is my statement: attorneys on my behalf have an ongoing investigation. I know I'm not the only one & ppl that have known of this investigation have been supportive. I'll continue to fight for what's right. — Taeler Hendrix (@Taeler_Hendrix) July 4, 2018 I know this is going to be on wrestling sites. My name is Taeler & this is my statement: attorneys on my behalf have an ongoing investigation. I know I'm not the only one & ppl that have known of this investigation have been supportive. I'll continue to fight for what's right. — Taeler Hendrix (@Taeler_Hendrix) July 4, 2018<doc-sep>

Watch Gallery Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons, Taeler Hendrix Popular independent wrestler and former Ring of Honor wrestler Taeler Hendrix has shared the following on Twitter responding to a fan who said they missed The House of Truth in ROH: I don't. it should have been the house of Hendrix. what has truth or jay done ? what do they draw ? being a funny guy with a book…. the other one only talks about his time in Impact copying legends… faaaaarealll bruhhh the legacy is copying legends…. https://t.co/lgHnM9SO9A — Taeler Hendrix (@Taeler_Hendrix) July 4, 2018 A fan prodded Hendrix regarding her response leading her to go further and leveled the following allegation that her ROH push was sabotaged because of her unwillingness to sleep with Jay Lethal: also the dude your standing up for is the same dude that told me because I didn't sleep with him they sabotaged me and took me off TV. that being the all mighty Jay. — Taeler Hendrix (@Taeler_Hendrix) July 4, 2018 Hendrix has just released the following regarding her allegations: Silence is acceptance that allows a corrupt system to divide & conquer. I don't accept that anymore. Silence is deafening and acceptance is blinding. We deserve better. 💯✌💀 — Taeler Hendrix (@Taeler_Hendrix) July 4, 2018 I know this is going to be on wrestling sites. My name is Taeler & this is my statement: attorneys on my behalf have an ongoing investigation. I know I'm not the only one & ppl that have known of this investigation have been supportive. I'll continue to fight for what's right.✌ — Taeler Hendrix (@Taeler_Hendrix) July 4, 2018 Jay Lethal has yet to comment. Related: Ring Of Honor Announces Jay Lethal As New World Champion; Dalton Castle & Lethal Comment (Video)

The Telegraph Two of the surprise packages of this clay-court season have been British – initially Dan Evans, who made a deep run in Monte Carlo, and more lately Cameron Norrie, who played his second final in three weeks on Sunday. Unfortunately, Norrie wasn’t able to land a maiden ATP title in Lyon. But then he was up against Stefanos Tsitsipas, who has been the dominant force of 2021 outside the slams, and now stands at No 1 in the table of most rankings points gained since January 1. Nevertheless, it had been a hugely creditable effort for Norrie to go this far, especially when you consider that he took out top seed Dominic Thiem on Thursday, and then trounced big-hitting Russian Karen Khachanov in Saturday’s semi-final, losing only two games in the process. Norrie has come to clay late in his career, but it feels like this is developing into his favourite surface. He has one of the heaviest left-handed forehands in the game, loaded with top-spin, and uses it like a miniature version of Rafael Nadal. The result has been a tally of 14 wins and only four losses since he began his European clay-court swing in Barcelona. So while the French Open, which starts next Sunday, has traditionally been a graveyard of British hopes, there are reasons to hope that this year’s event could deliver some more positive results. Norrie’s previous final in Estoril had been a nervewracking affair which he eventually lost on a deciding-set tie-break to the more experienced Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Sunday was more straightforward for Tsitsipas, who needed only 69 minutes to hammer home a 6-3, 6-3 victory. It was Tsitsipas’ second title of the clay-court sequence, after he won Monte Carlo in mid-April, taking out Evans in the semi-final along the way. He has become a serious contender to upset the establishment – specifically Nadal and Novak Djokovic – at Roland Garros over the next few weeks. “I felt in good shape from the beginning of the tournament,” said Tsitsipas afterwards. “I am proud of today’s match, I knew it would be a difficult one against Cameron, who has been showing great tennis this week. He has been winning against good players and showing what the left hand can do on clay. “It was not an easy match today. I had to handle the nerves and I am proud of my performance and the way I stayed focused towards my goal.” On this year’s results, meanwhile, both Evans and Norrie stand among the world’s 20 most successful men. Evans is at No 16 and Norrie No 14. The next challenge for them both is to convert that ATP Tour form into a deep run at a major.<doc-sep>Following arguably the most exhilarating win in franchise history, the Sharks will start their second round playoff matchup against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday at 7 p.m. at SAP Center, with games continuing every other day for however long the best-of-7 series lasts. Game 2 is Sunday in San Jose at 4:30 p.m. and games 3 and 4 will both be at 7 p.m. at the Pepsi Center in Denver on April 30 and May 2, respectively. Start times for games 5, 6 and 7 will be determined at a later date if the series lasts that long. The first four games will be televised by NBC Sports Network. The Sharks scored four power play goals in a span of 4 minutes and 1 second in the third period to erase a three-goal deficit in Game 7 of their first round series with the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday in San Jose. Barclay Goodrow then scored with 1:41 left in the first overtime to give the Sharks a 5-4 win, which clinched a four-games-to-three series victory. The Sharks finished the regular season with the second-best record in the Western Conference and will have home ice advantage for this round and for the conference final, should they make it that far. The Avalanche finished the regular season in the second wild card spot with a 38-30-14 record and upset the top-seeded Calgary Flames in the first round four-games-to-one. The other Western Conference series between the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars begins Thursday in St. Louis. Radio broadcasts for all Sharks games will be on 98.5 KFOX and the Sharks Radio Network. (all times Pacific) Game 1 — Avalanche at Sharks, Friday, 7 p.m., NBCSN Game 2 — Avalanche at Sharks, Sunday, 4:30 p.m., NBCSN Game 3 — Sharks at Avalanche, Tuesday, 7 p.m., NBCSN Game 4 — Sharks at Avalanche, May 2, 7 p.m., NBCSN *Game 5 — Avalanche at Sharks, May 4, TBD *Game 6 — Sharks at Avalanche, May 6, TBD *Game 7 — Avalanche at Sharks, May 8, TBD * if necessary<doc-sep>After finishing off the Western Conference regular season champion Calgary Flames last Friday night, the Colorado Avalanche finally know their opponent for the second round. The San Jose Sharks advanced last night after what will likely do down as the most wild game of these 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs. Colorado will take on a San Jose team that was able to come back from being down 3-1 in the series as well as a three goal deficit in game seven to dispose of the Vegas Golden Knights. The third period of game seven is almost too wacky to describe. Trailing 3-0 with half a period left in the game, the Sharks would score four goals in a 4:01 span. They would then blow a one goal lead in the final minute before ultimately ending the hopes for Vegas in overtime. It was the type of excitement hockey fans live for and proof that nothing is predictable in the NHL. It will be interesting to see if San Jose can ride the momentum into the next round or if the emotional high of games six and seven leads to a short term let down. They’ll only have two days to prepare for the NHL’s hottest team so there’s a good reason to hope Colorado can steal the game one. The Avalanche will travel to San Jose for their first game Friday night at the SAP Center. According to Sportsnet, the remainder of the series will follow every second day with games at the Pepsi Center on Tuesday and Thursday of next week. The schedule means that the Avalanche will have an entire week between games - something that can only help a team looking for a long playoff run. Sam Girard is skating with the team but still hasn’t been cleared for contact, hopefully the extra time will be enough for him to work his way back into the lineup. This will be the first playoff matchup between these two teams since the Sharks eliminated the Avs in the first round of the 2010 playoffs.<doc-sep>SAN JOSE — The Sharks were still recovering Wednesday after their epic Game 7 win over the Vegas Golden Knights the night before put them in the second round of the NHL playoffs. Now here comes a team that just knocked off the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. The Sharks’ reward for beating the Golden Knights 5-4 in overtime on Tuesday is getting to play the Colorado Avalanche, which right now isn’t playing like a team that just squeaked into the postseason to claim the west’s second wild card spot. The Avalanche knocked off the Calgary Flames in five games in its first round series and have been waiting, and resting, since last Friday to see who they would play next. For complete Sharks coverage follow us on Flipboard. Certainly they had to be loving what they saw coming out of Las Vegas and San Jose. The Sharks beat the Golden Knights in Game 6 on Sunday in double overtime and less than 48 hours after that game ended, came back in dramatic fashion Tuesday to complete an exhausting seven-game series. Game 1 of the second round series is Friday night at SAP Center. “I was watching almost every game between Colorado and Calgary, and they actually surprised me how well they played against Calgary,” said Sharks center Tomas Hertl, who had six goals and two assists in the series, of the Avs. “They were flying.” The Sharks had the day off Wednesday so there was no medical update on captain Joe Pavelski, who was bleeding after the back of his head slammed against the ice surface at SAP Center midway through the third period Tuesday. Pavelski’s helmet stayed on during the scary incident, but he needed to be helped off the ice with the Sharks still trailing 3-0. His teammates said they saw Pavelski after the game and felt he was much improved. There’s also health questions regarding Joonas Donskoi, and whether Erik Karlsson’s leg issues can improve at all. Like our Sharks Facebook page for more San Jose Sharks news, commentary and conversation. Add it up and this is going to be a tough challenge considering how well Colorado is playing right now. The Sharks had to deal with two terrific Golden Knights lines in the first round — one centered by Paul Stastny and the other by William Karlsson. Although the Avalanche don’t have quite the same kind of one-two punch, their top line right now is playing as well as any trio in hockey. Against the Flames, Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen combined for 17 points in five games. Gabriel Landeskog was no slouch, either, with one goal and three assists. They all averaged over 21 minutes of ice time per game. MacKinnon is the driving force, though, and has the ability to create all kinds of headaches for the Sharks defense. MacKinnon, listed at 6-foot and 205 pounds, is nearly as quick as Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid, but at over 10 pounds heavier, can move like a locomotive through the neutral zone. He finished the regular season with a career high 99 points in 82 games, and had three points in three games against the Sharks this season. “For sure you have to ready for their top line,” Hertl said. “MacKinnon is one of the best players in the NHL. That line, Rantanen, Landeskog, they almost owned the series. Young team, a lot of speed and we have to be ready.” Without question, the Sharks will want to have defensemen Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Brent Burns on the ice against that line as much as possible this series. Over the last three games of the Vegas series, both Vlasic and Burns were only on the ice for one 5-on-5 goal against — Max Pacioretty’s third period goal in Game 7. Asked before Game 7 what tells him that he made an impact on the game, Vlasic said, “Shutting down the top line. That’s my job. You look at the last two games and if I kept them off the scoresheet, I did my job.” This series may not be quite as nasty as the one against the Golden Knights. Although emotions can bubble to the surface at a moments notice, the Sharks and Avalanche combined for just 32 penalty in three meetings this season, all Sharks wins. San Jose beat Colorado 5-2 on April 6. But with it being the last day of the regular season, both teams just wanted to get out of that game healthy. “Playoffs is a different scenario, right? You start over from scratch, and it’s best of seven,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar told reporters Wednesday. “There are adjustments to be made in the middle of the series. Our goal will be to go in there and have a real good start and pick up where we left off against Calgary.” Also, Semyon Varlamov, not Philipp Grubauer, started in goal April 6 for the Avalanche. Grubauer was a difference-maker for the Avs after the All-Star break, going 9-3-2 in 14 games. In that time, his save percentage and goals against average were .948 and 1.69, second only in both categories to Dallas’ Ben Bishop (.962, 1.15). Related Articles San Jose Sharks reach last-minute settlement over Google’s downtown development NHL Draft Lottery: San Jose Sharks now know their chances of winning San Jose Sharks final grades: Too many key players fell short of expectations Items from Patrick Marleau’s historic night to be on display Bob Boughner believes associate coach will be an NHL bench boss soon Martin Jones, meanwhile, enjoyed a complete turnaround within the first round. In the first four games against the Golden Knights, according to statistician Darin Stephens, Jones had a .838 save percentage through the first four games. In the last three games, that mark jumped to .946. This will be the fifth time the Sharks and Avalanche will meet in the playoffs, with the last coming in the first round in 2010. The Sharks won that series in six games. “It’ll be another tough series,” Hertl said. “We have to be ready.<doc-sep>

All signs pointed to Las Vegas until San Jose unleashed a furious attack to send the Avalanche to northern California to begin Round 2 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Avalanche will face San Jose in the Western Conference quarterfinals, starting Friday, after the Sharks rallied to defeat Vegas, 5-4 in overtime in Game 7 of their first-round series Tuesday night. “Real good team. Hundred-point team,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said of the Sharks, whose 101 points was the conference’s second most behind Calgary (107). “Big, strong, fast, lots of shooters, mobile D-corps. They’re getting the goaltending now. They’re a tough team, no question, and they’ve given us trouble all year.” The Avs went 0-3 against San Jose in the regular season, losing 5-4 in Denver and 4-3 and 5-2 in San Jose. But Colorado also was 0-3 in the regular season before winning four of five games against top-seeded Calgary in a first-round playoff series. “Playoffs is a different scenario, right? You start over from scratch and it’s best-of-seven and there’s adjustments to be made in the middle of the series,” Bednar said. “Our goal will be to go in there and have a real good start and pick up where we left off against Calgary.” Game 1 is Friday, with the game time still to be determined. Game 2 is Sunday in San Jose before the series moves to Denver for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively. The Avalanche is an NHL-best 12-2-2 since March 17. But San Jose — which defeated the Avs in the regular-season finale to snap Colorado’s 10-game points streak (8-0-2) — also brings momentum into the second round. The Sharks trailed 3-1 in the series against Vegas and rallied from a 3-0 third-period deficit to defeat the Knights in Game 7, scoring four power-play goals to take a 4-3 lead before the Knights tied it to force OT in the final minute of regulation. “An unbelievable hockey game, exciting start to finish,” Bednar said. “Two teams laying it all on the line. Really good hockey game. Really fun to watch … I was on the edge of my seat the whole night and I didn’t have a team I was rooting for.” The Avs will be the fresher team Friday. They clinched their series against Calgary last Friday. Colorado has played 319 minutes of playoff hockey, including 19 minutes of overtime against the Flames. San Jose has played 469 minutes thus far in the postseason, including 49 minutes in OT. This will be the fifth time the Avs and Sharks have met in the postseason, with both teams having won two series. Colorado captured the first two (1999, 4-2; 2002, 4-3) and San Jose won the last two (2004, 4-2; 2010, 4-2). Colorado is looking to advance to its first Western Conference Final since 2002, when the Avs lost in seven games to the Detroit Red Wings. San Jose won the Western Conference in 2016 before losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the ensuing Stanley Cup Final.

T he man behind the Instagram Egg, the world’s most popular post with over 52 million likes, was revealed today as a London advertising professional. Chris Godfrey, 29, who works for creative agency The & Partnership in central London, said he posted the picture as an experiment to see if “something as universal and simple as an egg” could beat the then-record breaking image of Kylie Jenner’s new born daughter Stormi. Mr Godfrey posted the image on January 4 with the caption: “Let’s set a world record together and get the most liked post on Instagram. Beating the current world record held by Kylie Jenner (18 million)! We got this.” It now has over 52 million likes, with the account - world_record_egg - followed by 10 million people around the world. Speaking to the New York Times, Mr Godfrey said he picked an egg because: “An egg has no gender, race or religion. An egg is an egg, it’s universal.” Mr Godfrey has since enlisted the help of two friends Alissa Khan-Whelan, 26 and CJ Brown, 29, to help run the egg account. Ms Khan-Whelan told the New York Times they decided to “put any speculation to bed” by revealing their identities now. The trio, who live in south east London, spoke to the American publication as the egg featured in a commercial aired during the Super Bowl last night. Shown on streaming service Hulu, the clip shows the egg cracking under the pressure of being famous in an advert for Mental Health America, a non-profit organisation based in Alexandria, Virginia. The advert reads: “Hi, I’m the world_record_egg. (You may have heard of me.) Recently I’ve started to crack. If you’re struggling too, talk to someone.” In the past two weeks, several pictures of the egg with various cracks on it were posted to Instagram as a campaign teaser. Mr Godfrey said to the publication the past few weeks had been “crazy” and a “real journey” - and said he was determined to use its success for good. “It’s not really about me,” he said. “It’s just about the egg and sort of where we can take it and what we can do with it.” However, he did admit the success had been a “fluke.”<doc-sep>The Instagram account @world_record_egg was originally designed as a fun way to challenge and question social media, its creators say. However, the account quickly morphed into an opportunity to focus on mental health positivity and to encourage people to speak up. Following nearly a month of suspense, the mysterious Instagram account that became famous for a picture of an egg – which came out of left field to break Kylie Jenner's record for likes on a single post – revealed its identity late Sunday night. "Identity" is a loose term, though: The egg serves as part of a mental health awareness campaign. Egg Gang – a group comprising Chris Godfrey, 29, who works in advertising at The & Partnership in London, and two friends, according to The New York Times – is responsible for the Instagram account. The mysterious original post of a brown egg from Jan. 4 now has over 52 million likes, and the account has 10 million followers. The group "declined to talk about the money it has been offered or the big names it has come into contact with," according to the Times. Nick Tran, Hulu’s vice president of brand marketing and culture, said that Hulu agreed to partner with Egg Gang because they believed in their mission of spreading mental health awareness and wanted to enable them "to share their message as broadly as possible.” "It wasn’t just a stunt – it was really about a vision they had to promote something good in the world,” Tran said. Tran also said that Hulu did not want this video to be exclusive to Hulu customers, noting that he believed viewers would record the video off their phones and share it with the world. At the start of the video, the egg – which is slightly cracked, has drawn-on eyes and makes some sounds – introduces itself. Then, it notes, "Recently I've started to crack. The pressure of social media is getting to me." The egg then makes a direct plea to viewers, stating, "If you're struggling too, talk to someone." The final still of the episode directs viewers to mentalhealthamerica.net. The site belongs to Mental Health America, a nonprofit founded in 1909 that is "dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and to promoting the overall mental health of all Americans." The organization currently has over 200 affiliates in 41 states. Erin Wallace, chief communications officer at Mental Health America, said that the Egg Gang reached out to them regarding using their website at the end of the video. However, Mental Health America was not part of the production of the video. The reaction to the video "has been great, and we are thrilled that World Record Egg used its big reveal to shine a light on mental health," Wallace said. "It’s important for people to speak up about their mental health, and to seek help if they need it." Follow USA TODAY intern Ben Tobin on Twitter: @TobinBen<doc-sep>The creators of the World Record Egg, which some marketers have estimated opened a multi-million dollar advertising opportunity, was created by advertisers after all. The account, which cracked Kylie Jenner's record for the most ever Instagram likes on a photo, was developed by 29-year-old advertising creative Chris Godfrey, with help from friends Alissa Khan-Whelan and C.J. Brown, The New York Times reported Sunday. Before The Times revealed the identity of the people behind the account, many tried to take credit for its invention. Marketers told The Atlantic the opportunity to crack out of the famed egg could be worth as much as $10 million to a brand. The egg's creators said those claims of the opportunity's value were "greatly exaggerated," according to The Times. But the revelation that the egg was created by an advertising creative suggests the inventor understood the buzz it could create. Godfrey, who works for The & Partnership in London, told The Times he chose an egg for the universality of the object and said he was inspired by Jenner's record-setting photo. The original egg photo had over 52 million likes as of Monday. Now, the egg has its own commercial, produced and aired with streaming service Hulu. The commercial appears to be an extension of the account's mental health initiatives, which include donating a cut of merchandise proceeds to mental health charities. In the commercial, the words, "The pressure of social media is getting to me" appear above an image of a cracked egg. The ad directs viewers to the website of Mental Health America, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people with mental illnesses. An MHA spokesperson told CNBC the World Record Egg reached for permission to list the organization's site in the video, but MHA was not involved in the production of the commercial.<doc-sep>

Eugene the Instagram Egg finally cracked under the pressure of social media scrutiny last night, and the event, aired exclusively on Hulu, was revealed to be a public service announcement advocating for mental health awareness. The 20-second-plus animation – watch it below – was the latest (and initially unplanned) development for the Egg that broke Kylie Jenner’s record number of Instagram likes. The brainchild – as finally revealed yesterday by The New York Times – of 29-year-old London ad man Chris Godfrey, the brown Egg made its first mysterious Instagram appearance on January 4, under the name World Record Egg, with the simple: “Let’s set a world record together and get the most liked post on Instagram. Beating the current world record held by Kylie Jenner (18 million)! We got this”. That first Egg Instagram currently has 52M likes. The second Egg was posted January 18, but this time had a tiny crack near. Three other Instagrams followed in the following weeks, each with increasing crackage. Finally, on Feb. 2, the Egg appeared, more cracked than ever, and with a football stitching down its side. The message: “The wait is over All will be revealed this Sunday following the Super Bowl Watch it first, only on @Hulu”. The Hulu reveal, now available to watch on Instagram, was an animated short in which the Egg cracks and collapses, with a caption reading: “Recently I’ve started to crack. The pressure of social media is getting to me. If you’re struggling too, talk to someone.” The animation directs viewers to Mental Health America’s website. Godfrey, who told The Times he developed the Egg concept with several friends, said the idea initially was simply to beat Jenner’s record. The Egg’s widespread popularity led to the teaming with Mental Health America, which Godfrey told the newspaper will be “the first of several causes” the Egg will help promote. Within four hours of the animation’s posting on Instagram today, the Egg has scored nearly 5 million likes.

WASHINGTON — Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., publicly apologized Wednesday for any "harm caused" by her past claims of Native American ancestry, responding once again to a controversy that has dogged her nascent presidential campaign. "This is about my family, my brothers, and it is about an apology from the heart," she told reporters outside her office on Capitol Hill. Warren said she had a "good conversation" last week with the leader of the Cherokee Nation, Principal Chief Bill John Baker, who said in a statement Friday that she had apologized for releasing the results of a DNA test that showed she has distant Native American ancestors. "I told Chief Baker that I am sorry, that I extended confusion about tribal citizenship and tribal sovereignty, and for harm caused. I am also sorry for not being more mindful of this decades ago," Warren said Wednesday. The White House hopeful had hoped to put this issue to rest months before entering the 2020 presidential race, but it was revived this week after the Washington Post uncovered a form she filled out in 1986 to become a member of the Texas Bar Association in which, in her own handwriting, she listed her ethnicity as "American Indian." Still, Warren insisted she never received favorable treatment by claiming Native ancestry, as Republican critics — including President Donald Trump who has dubbed her "Pocahontas" — have long maintained. "That is a claim that has been fully investigated, and it has now been shown completely that nothing about my background ever had anything to do with any job I got in any place," she said. An exhaustive investigation by the Boston Globe found no trace of favorable treatment and that employers were mostly unaware of her heritage at the time of her hiring. The newly revealed bar registration form says the ethnicity information is "for statistical purposes only.” Still, the controversy has persisted in part because of Warren's own attempts to put it to rest, including by taking the DNA test and making it public, which backfired by angering indigenous activists who viewed it as an attempt to appropriate their culture.<doc-sep>Warren has been trying for the past year to get past the lingering controversy over her past assertion that she is Native American. In addition to the DNA test, she released employment documents over the summer to show she didn’t use ethnicity to further her career. And in a speech a year ago she addressed her decision to call herself a Native American, though she didn’t offer the apology that some wanted at the time. But as Warren undergoes increased scrutiny as a presidential candidate, additional documents could surface to keep the issue alive.<doc-sep>Goaded by a mocking Donald J. Trump, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., revealed last October that she’d taken a DNA test and it showed she’s possibly 1/1024th indigenous, with roots possibly stemming from as far as South America. But what was supposed to be big unveiling, cutting off a potential line of attack were she to face Trump in 2020, all but crashed and burned so remarkably that some close advisors went on record to say she had dimmed her chances at locking the Democratic nomination. And it’s necessitated an apology tour, including this week, when she apologized on camera to the Cherokee Nation for claiming to be Native American for more than 30 years. But, yet again, she has missed the point. Not only will Trump’s mockery and churlish cheap shots — like calling her “Pocahontas — get even nastier, the Massachusetts senator has not been and will not be the real target of those slurs. Native Americans will be and always have been Trump’s real target, because Elizabeth Warren is not one of us. And those slurs and that mockery will be seen as increasingly acceptable by Americans because they are pouring from the maw of the president, and that will last for as long as she vies for the Democratic ticket, and perhaps even longer. And the rotten ridicule of indigenous peoples, our cultures and our imagery will be the inevitable result of her campaign and she knows this. Should Warren somehow become the Democratic nominee in 2020, every Trump rally will resemble a Washington, D.C. NFL team tailgate party on Thanksgiving — brutal affairs brimming with faux-headdresses and mocking war-whoops. A simple Google search today demonstrates how blistering Trump’s rally-goers are with their anti-Native imagery. Just look up “Warren Native American” and you’ll immediately be inundated with Photoshopped photos of Warren with a feather headdress atop her head and ruthless memes calling her “Chief Sitting Bulls***” and “Princess Liar-watha.” Warren, of course, set this in motion, and there’s no turning back. (At some point, though, she will probably hire a Native American advisor or two, or maybe form a Native advisory council of sorts, if only for the optics.) For decades, Warren has claimed to be of Native ancestry — she said then that her great, great, great grandmother was Cherokee and that “high cheekbones” run in her family — and the political difficulties of that claim has haunted Warren since it was first discovered during her Senate campaign that she listed herself as Native American in staff directories whilst a law professor. And, on Sunday, The Washington Post learned the Massachusetts senator wrote down on a State of Texas bar registration card in 1986 that she is “American Indian.” Here’s the thing, though: Warren said during a recent rally that she “is not a person of color.” But it’s unclear why, if she knew that she was not a person of color, she would have listed herself as one, or whether we are then to believe that she only recently discovered she is, in fact, not a person of color. The bigger question, though, is if Warren didn’t have her sights set on the presidency, whether she would be addressing the issue of her ancestry – including her professional use of it while not engaging with Native peoples — at all. After all, she refused to do so during her first Senate run. So, if she was satisfied with her Senate seat, would she have taken a DNA test, apologized to the Cherokee Nation or ever have sat down with the National Congress of American Indians in a less-than-veiled attempt to win their support? We know the answer to those questions. But, as she said to the Washington Post, “I can’t go back” — and neither can the rest of us. No matter what else happens, no matter who is chosen to lock horns with Trump in 2020, the president will continue to weaponize the name “Pocahontas” and hurl it at Warren like a bully throws a snowball filled with rocks, just for twisted kicks. And when he does so, it won’t really be at Warren’s expense but at ours, the Natives. When the president uses the name as an unscrupulous dig at Warren, he will continue to demean the real Pocahontas’ memory, and he will do so for years to come ,because Trump lacks as many morals as he does fresh material. But because Warren is now officially gunning for his job, the Indian taunts are about to get seriously more foul and far more frequent. It been a little more than month since Warren’s announcement entering the race, and the cruel, callous cracks from the president are no longer just trickling in, but are now at a steady stream. For her, it’s a potential political liability. For us, it’s a continuation of hundreds of years of slurs, insults and dehumanization, and it appears we’ll see a deluge of it as long as Warren’s on the campaign trail.<doc-sep>

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., on Wednesday was once again forced to apologize for claiming Native American ancestry on a 1986 registration card for the Texas state bar, and left the door open that there may be more documents out there with a similar claim. The controversy appears to be difficult for the senator to put behind her. She had been planning to formally launch her presidential campaign on Saturday. A reporter on Wednesday asked if she would drop out of the race and she responded, "Thank you." KAYLEIGH McENANY SAYS INSTAGRAM REMOVED HER WARREN POST Fox News' Shepard Smith called Warren's actions "cultural appropriation." A Boston Globe columnist wrote flatly: With latest revelation, Elizabeth Warren can't beat Donald Trump. Questions about Warren’s heritage date to at least 2012, when her Republican opponent seized on the issue during her first Senate campaign to wrongly argue she identified as a Native American to advance her career. President Donald Trump frequently deploys a racial slur to criticize Warren. Warren, who apologized last Friday to the Cherokee Nation for revealing the results of a DNA test last autumn that showed just a trace amount of Native American lineage, was asked if there are any other documents where she claimed the ancestry. "So all I know is during this time period, this is consistent with what I did because it was based on my understanding from my family's stories," she said. "But family stories are not the same as tribal citizenship." The registration card was first reported by The Washington Post. Fox News has verified the document, which marks the first known instance of Warren claiming Native American ancestry on an official document. Hillary Chabot, a reporter at The Boston Herald, wrote that the senator is looking to distance herself from the scandal, but brought up the wealth issue as another potential headache for Warren. GET THE FOX NEWS APP "Warren has worked hard to craft a narrative as a scrappy Dust Bowl native ready to take down vast corporations and billionaires like Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz. But she usually fails to mention her own vast wealth," she wrote, pointing out that Warren and her husband are worth as much as $11 million. Paulette Jordan, a former Democratic state representative in Idaho and a member of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, told The Associated Press, “It’s not exactly how you’d want to enter the arena” as a presidential candidate. WARREN WORTH MILLIONS She apologized in private last week to the principal chief of the Cherokee Nation for “causing confusion on tribal sovereignty and tribal citizenship and the harm that resulted,” said tribal spokeswoman Julie Hubbard. “I am not a tribal citizen. Tribes, and only tribes, determine citizenship,” Warren said, adding, “I have apologized for not being more sensitive to that distinction. It’s an important distinction.” Fox News' Paul Steinhauser and the Associated Press contributed to this report

PlayStation 4 owners who have had just about enough of the myriad issues surrounding Anthem may apparently request for a refund from Sony, according to some users on Reddit. A Reddit user who goes by the name forthemasters created a thread on the Anthem sub-Reddit to vent about some of the problems with the game on the PlayStation 4. The Redditor claimed that upon encountering a crash or an error, the game sometimes went back to the main menu, or closed and brought up the PlayStation 4 dashboard. There were allegedly also certain instances during matchmaking that the console completely turned off. EA doesn’t seem to know why Anthem is causing this to happen to PS4 players. Another Redditor, Terry2Toke, encountered the same console shutdown issue, adding that it happens as if the PlayStation 4’s power plug was pulled out of the socket. That means that the console needs to fix itself, as well as the attached external HDD. This raises the concern that there is a risk that the PlayStation 4 will suffer damages. It appears that Sony is aware of the problems that Anthem players on the PS4 are facing, and apparently, it is easy to receive a refund for digital copies of game purchased through the PlayStation Store. A Reddit user who goes by the handle SoundAndFury 87 claimed that Sony is offering a complete refund for Anthem, “no questions asked,” with the process taking only 5 minutes. Another frustrated Anthem player, bluetidepro, confirmed that it was easy to get a refund for the “broken” game, after telling Sony’s support chat that it has crashed the PlayStation 4 multiple times. It took about 10 to 15 minutes of waiting in the queue, but the support team helped immediately and, after being provided account information, quickly refunded the game. Not all users who tried to get a refund for Anthem were granted the request though. It remains unclear what PlayStation 4 players have to say to receive approval for their refund request. Sony actually has a strict policy when it comes to refunds for digital downloads. The last major game that received a rash of refund requests was No Man’s Sky, and BioWare likely does not want Anthem to be in the same company as that controversial game. Editors' Recommendations<doc-sep>Sony is reportedly offering complete refunds to players who purchased “Anthem,” according to Reddit users. The latest release from BioWare’s slate hasn’t experienced the smoothest launch out there, with frustrating bugs continuing to plague users. After the game’s day one patch 1.03 was released, it was purported to have resolved game crashes and other issues, such as consoles like Xbox One and PlayStation 4 shutting down when the crashes happen. That does not appear to be the case, and thus PlayStation 4 users have in fact began requesting refunds. Variety contacted PlayStation’s support chat for a refund, and the representative was more than happy to accommodate our request after waiting in a lengthy queue of other customers. There were no questions asked other than typical account verification inquiries. One specific Reddit thread about PlayStation 4 console crashes found several other users saying that they’ve been given refunds on digital versions of Anthem through Sony. “Sony is aware of the issue and is offering a complete refund on Anthem no questions asked. Took me 5 minutes,” said user SoundAndFury87. Other players mentioned that they simply needed to speak to Sony via the official support chat and, through explaining the nature of the “broken” game, they were issued refunds straight away, no questions asked. “Just provided some account info after that, that they needed, and then it was refunded,” the user reported. This experience hasn’t been the same for every user, with multiple Redditors stating that they were either refused a refund of told to simply stop playing the game. So far, Sony has yet to release an official statement on the matter. While there is a thread on the official Electronic Arts forum about the situation, neither EA or BioWare have offered their thoughts on the matter just yet. “Anthem” is a multiplayer-centric online shooter akin to “Destiny,” in that it’s a looter shooter at its very core. It’s been plagued with several issues since launch, and recently received a loot drop overhaul in response to various fan complaints. It’s experienced its fair share of growing pains after a tumultuous beta period and subsequent launch. The game is currently available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.<doc-sep>

PlayStation 4 owners have reported mixed results in their attempts to get refunds on digital copies of the game. Anthem’s launch hasn’t been a smooth one, and despite the day one patch 1.03 purporting to have fixed the issue of the game crashing, it appears to still be an issue for some players, who are reporting that the game is shutting down consoles when it crashes – both Xbox One and PS4. One such thread on the subject of PS4 console crashes has seen players pipe up, claiming that they’ve managed to get refunds on their digital copies of the game from Sony. “Sony is aware of the issue and is offering a complete refund on Anthem no questions asked. Took me 5 minutes,” said redditor u/SoundAndFury87. A second commentor said that they contacted Sony via its support chat and explained that “The game is broken on PS4,” saying they didn’t want to risk the game bricking their console, and that it’s ultimately a defective product. “And they helped right away, no problem at all. Just provided some account info after that, that they needed, and then it was refunded,” they added. Others have attempted to get a refund from Sony without any success. “I tried with Sony Support (chat) and was refused a refund. So, this doesn’t seem to be working for most of us,” said u/ka13b. Another user said that Sony support just advised them to stop playing the game. The situation is reminiscent of the No Man’s Sky debacle, which saw an unprecedented amount of refund requests on both Steam and PS4. There’s a thread on the EA forum on the topic, bu so far, there doesn’t appear to be a pertinent update from EA or Bioware.

cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: '36af7c51-0caf-4741-9824-2c941fc6c17b' }).render('4c4d856e0e6f4e3d808bbc1715e132f6'); }); if(window.location.pathname.indexOf("656089") != -1){console.log("hedva connatix");document.getElementsByClassName("divConnatix")[0].style.display ="none";} NEW YORK — On Thursday, Saudi Arabia and Russia opened the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament before 81,000 fans at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium amid concerns over the host’s human rights record.While Saudi Arabia and Iran will serve as this year’s Middle Eastern hopefuls, Israel has failed to reach soccer’s quadrennial competitive mountaintop since 1970, in Mexico.It’s not wholly for want of talent or trying, but perhaps because of a political and geographic decision that keeps Israel from playing its closest neighbors.In 2018 World Cup qualifying, Israel competed in the Union of European Football Association’s Group G along with 2012 champion Spain and 2006 champion Italy, as well as Albania, Macedonia and Liechtenstein. Israel’s bordering neighbors — with the exception of Egypt, an African state that is part of the Confederation of African Football — played in the Asian Football Confederation, or AFC.That makes for tough sledding for the Israelis, who are forced to face perennial powerhouses like Spain and Italy. (Even still, Israel managed to put up strong performances, losing 1-0 to both of those formidable squads. )The Israeli Football Association once competed in the Asian confederation, initially joining in 1954. But many AFC members soon initiated a sporting boycott of Israel. The boycott reached a fever pitch in 1958: Israel, in qualifying for the year’s World Cup, won its group in the African and Asian zone without facing a single opponent, due to politically motivated withdrawals by Turkey, Indonesia and Sudan.Although Israel continued to compete within the AFC, hosting and winning its 1964 Cup, rivals from mostly Muslim countries — including Afghanistan, Indonesia and Iran — pulled out of the competition, generating an unprecedented, unnecessarily Lilliputian bracket featuring Israel, India, South Korea and Hong Kong.In 1974, amid growing pan-Arab nationalism and solidarity with the Palestinian people, the AFC expelled Israel from the confederation in a 17-13 vote organized and led by Kuwait. That forced the Jewish state into 20 years of wandering in the soccer desert. Israel eventually secured full membership in UEFA, the European bloc, in 1994. Israel remains the only state in UEFA not to maintain any territory on the European continent.Israel says it found an amiable, if not always easy, refuge in Europe.“We prefer our clubs and national teams playing at the European level,” Shlomi Barzel, a spokesman for the Israeli Football Association, told JTA. “We find a warm, welcoming and challenging home in Europe.”Still, European soccer culture can be antagonistic toward Jews, ostensibly “Jewish” teams and visiting Israelis. When Hapoel Tel Aviv played the Siroki Brej club in Bosnia in 2007, Brej fans shouted “Sieg Heil” and made Nazi salutes. During a 2013 Budapest-hosted friendly between the Hungarian and Israeli national teams, fans of the former greeted the latter with chants of “stinking Jews” and “Heil Benito Mussolini.”Despite growing European anti-Semitism, Israel still appears to see its players as goodwill ambassadors of the country’s values. (For example, the team captain, Bibras Nathko, is a Muslim Circassian.) If playing in Europe hurts its World Cup chances, it also gives Israel validation as a Western, tolerant and democratic country.The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on its official cultural page dedicated to sports, prominently advertises that “Israel’s athletes such as … soccer player Yossi Benayoun (who played for England’s renowned Chelsea FC), regularly make an impact and a name for themselves,” adding that “Israeli soccer players are having an increasing impact on the world stage, with 20 Israeli soccer players currently playing in top European clubs.”Anti-Israel bias has “absolutely no effect” on the team’s ability to compete internationally, Barzel told JTA, speaking on behalf of the association.“We enjoy good hospitality wherever we visit and [we are] happy to host all visitors,” he said. “We are sure that the feeling is mutual.”Except, of course, in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Lebanon, among other AFC and Confederation of African Football members, who refuse to allow their respective athletes to compete against Israelis.The Israeli Association, however, refuses to either entertain or pontificate upon the merits of a potential return to the Asian conference, although the confederation is comprised of states that on the soccer pitch are demonstrably inferior to those in Europe.Asked if Israel would have a better chance in World Cup qualifying if competing in Asia, Barzel provided a defiant and frank rejoinder: “No.”Asked if Israel would be willing to return to the AFC by invitation, Barzel responded similarly.“No,” he said. “We are staying in Europe.”<doc-sep>Pro-Palestine protestors outside the training venue of the Argentine team on Tuesday. (Source: Reuters) Pro-Palestine protestors outside the training venue of the Argentine team on Tuesday. (Source: Reuters) Why the match became controversial? The friendly between Argentina and Israel, the two-time world champions’ last warm-up game was originally scheduled for Haifa, a northern port city, for Saturday, but was later shifted to the Teddy Kollek Stadium in West Jerusalem. Most countries don’t recognise Jerusalem as Israeli territory as its eastern part was taken by the Jewish state in the 1967 Middle East War. Israel regards the city as its “eternal and undivided” capital while Palestinians see the East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Palestinians, among them millions of Argentina and Lionel Messi fans, considered moving the match as a political decision in the backdrop of the United States moving its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, ostensibly aimed at giving legitimacy to Israel’s claim to Jerusalem. What was the Palestinian response? Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Football Association, termed the change of venue a motivated move, a part of Israel’s 70th Independence Day celebrations. Sports “should be kept away from politics,” he stressed Rajoub, claiming Israel was using football to deflect attention from its actions in the territory. He added that there was huge support for South American football teams, and Argentina in particular, and that connection would be jeopardised, if they played in Jerusalem. He called on Palestinians to burn Messi’s posters and t-shirts if the match went ahead. He claimed the match was to take place in a stadium “built on one of the at least 418 Palestinian villages destroyed by Israel 70 years ago, Al Malha.” There were protests on Palestinian streets as well, with people urging Messi not to play in an occupied land and “stand up for human rights.” There were pro-Palestine protestors at the training venue of the Argentine team in Barcelona. What triggered the Argentine pullout? Argentina, aiming for their first World Cup in 32 years, could do without a distraction just before the tournament. There must have been security concerns as well. There were threats made to Argentine players and their families, including alleged pictures of dead children. “What has happened in the last 72 hours, the actions, the threats that have occurred have led us to take the decision not to travel,” Claudio Tapa, head of the Argentine Football Association, said. “(We) apologise. I would like everyone to take this decision as a contribution to world peace.” Terrorist group IS had circulated images of a beheaded Messi on the internet, as part of its threat to target the upcoming World Cup in Russia. The decision may also have been prompted by ongoing violence along the Israeli-Gaza border, that have claimed more than 115 Palestinians lives with nearly 3,700 more wounded, according to Palestinian estimates. Losing a big chunk of international fan following for a friendly, which didn’t mean much in the bigger picture, wasn’t considered worthwhile. “In the end, they’ve done right thing, and this is behind us,” Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain told ESPN. “Health and common sense come first. We felt that it wasn’t right to go.” How did Isreal react? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Argentine President Mauricio Macri and urged him to intervene, to no avail. Defence minister Avigdor Lieberman blamed “Israeli-hating inciters” and “anti-Semitic terrorist supporters”. However, some Israeli opposition leaders lamented the “spectacular own goal” scored by the government when it insisted on moving the match to Jerusalem. They even offered to play the match in Barcelona, but that seems far-fetched. The Israel Football Association said it will file a complaint to FIFA against its Palestinian counterpart for allegedly pressuring Argentinian players and staff into cancelling the friendly. Sports minister Miri Regev rejected that moving the match to Jerusalem is what resulted in the match’s cancellation. She claimed the Argentinians had not objected and that Messi himself had wanted to visit sacred Christian and Jewish sites in the holy city. How did Palestinian take to the pullout? “What happened… is a red card from the rest of the world to Israelis,” Rajoub told a news conference on Wednesday. “The Argentine national team realised that Israel is making political use of it and so decided to cancel the game. It is a victory of “ehics and values” in sport. The press conference in Ramallah, West Bank, was held under a picture of Rajoub with the Argentine legend with the caption “From Palestine, thank you Messi.” The news of the cancellation was welcomed with cheers in Gaza.<doc-sep>Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government was smarting on Wednesday from a symbolically powerful setback after Argentina cancelled a friendly football match against Israel following pressure by Palestinians and their supporters. The cancellation was painful, not only because it disappointed fans, but also because it marked one of the biggest successes yet for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement that seeks to isolate Israel. Palestinian groups welcomed the news of the cancellation, saying Israel, through the friendly, had been attempting to “sports-wash” abuses against Palestinians, including recent killings by snipers of unarmed Palestinians during protests at the Gaza border. The sold-out match, scheduled to take place on Saturday evening at the Teddy Stadium in West Jerusalem, had been eagerly awaited by Israelis anxious for a glimpse of Lionel Messi in Argentina’s final warm-up before next week’s World Cup in Russia. But fans were stunned when the Israeli embassy in Argentina announced the “suspension” of the game due, it said, to “threats and provocations” against Messi. Israel’s opposition did not accept the explanation at face value. It said the government had triggered the Argentinian cancellation through its own actions. “Turning the game into a political event caused its cancellation,” Zuheir Bahloul, a member of the Knesset from the Zionist Union party and a former football commentator, told The Independent. In particular, the right-wing culture and sports minister, Miri Regev, had erred in moving the venue from the northern city of Haifa, which was Argentina’s preferred locale to Jerusalem, which Israel claims as its “eternal, undivided” capital but whose eastern part Palestinians envision as their own future capital. The issue has become all the more charged since the US last month moved its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, infuriating Palestinians. Ms Regev also depicted the friendly as linked to the 70th anniversary celebrations of Israeli statehood. “The moment the Argentinians saw that the game was taking on a political colouring they got cold feet,” Mr Bahloul said. “The result is that the fans, including myself, lost out on the visit of the prophet of the religion of football, a very special prophet who, with his team, did not make it to the holy land.” The Palestinian campaign was led by Jibril Rajoub, head of the Palestinian Football Association, who on Sunday called on Arab and Muslim fans to burn pictures and T-shirts of Messi if he attended the friendly. The Israeli government blamed antisemitic elements for the fiasco. Avigdor Lieberman, the hard-right defence minister, wrote on Twitter: “It is a shame that the football nobility from Argentina didn’t withstand the pressure of the inciters and haters of Israel whose only goal is to harm our basic right to self-defence and bring about the destruction of Israel. We will not surrender in the face of a group of antisemites and terror supporters.” Ms Regev blamed Argentina’s decision on “terror groups that began sending messages to players and their families with clear threats to harm their lives and those of their children. Among other things, films and pictures of children’s bodies were sent to the players.” This happened because of the inappropriate politicization by minister Miri Regev. We actually deserve this punishment for injecting politics too much into sports Shmuel Einhar, Israeli Arsenal fan Fans were divided over who to blame for the cancellation. “This happened because of the inappropriate politicisation by minister Miri Regev. We actually deserve this punishment for injecting politics too much into sports,” said pensioner Shmuel Einhar, an Israeli Arsenal fan. Matvey Barsukov, 42, a health worker, disagreed, saying: “Argentina should not have caved into the pressure of BDS. Sports, music and culture should bring nations together. Argentina made a mistake and it’s a shame.” Palestinians were elated by Argentina’s move. PLO Secretary General Saeb Erekat said Argentina, its people and team had upheld international law in the face of Israeli violations including killings of innocent Palestinians along the Gaza border. The Argentinian decision “means the world doesn’t surrender to state terrorism, robbery and threats that are implemented by the Israeli government and backed by US President Donald Trump. Tibet play in alternative 'World Cup' in London Show all 14 1 /14 Tibet play in alternative 'World Cup' in London Tibet play in alternative 'World Cup' in London Tibet players celebrate their goal against Northern Cyprus Con Chronis/CONIFA/Getty Tibet play in alternative 'World Cup' in London Fans at the match between Northern Cyprus and Tibet Con Chronis/CONIFA/Getty Tibet play in alternative 'World Cup' in London Players line up before the CONIFA World Football Cup 2018 match between Northern Cyprus and Tibet at Enfield Town Con Chronis/CONIFA/Getty Tibet play in alternative 'World Cup' in London CONIFA World Football Cup 2018 match between Northern Cyprus and Tibet at Enfield Town Con Chronis/CONIFA/Getty Tibet play in alternative 'World Cup' in London Tibet players celebrate their goal against Northern Cyprus Con Chronis/CONIFA/Getty Tibet play in alternative 'World Cup' in London Tibetan players warm up during the CONIFA World Football Cup 2018 match against Northern Cyprus Con Chronis/CONIFA/Getty Tibet play in alternative 'World Cup' in London Tibet fans wave flags during the CONIFA 2018 World Football Cup match between Abkhazia and Tibet at Queen Elizabeth II Stadium in Enfield AFP/Getty Tibet play in alternative 'World Cup' in London A Tibet fan reacts after her team fail to score a goal against Abkhazia AFP/Getty Tibet play in alternative 'World Cup' in London Tibet took on Abkhazia at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium in north London AFP/Getty Tibet play in alternative 'World Cup' in London Tibet players applaud after the full-time whistle AFP/Getty Tibet play in alternative 'World Cup' in London Tibet fans AFP/Getty Tibet play in alternative 'World Cup' in London Tibet players sit on the team bench after the full-time whistle AFP/Getty Tibet play in alternative 'World Cup' in London A young Tibet fan holds a football in the hope a player will sign it AFP/Getty Tibet play in alternative 'World Cup' in London Tibetan national football team meet the Dalai Lama OHHDL “The international community won’t surrender to the actions of the Israeli government and its crimes against the Palestinian people.” Israel says its use of force against Palestinian demonstrators is necessary to prevent a penetration of its border that would endanger nearby communities. Fadi Quran, Ramallah-based senior campaigner for the Avaaz online activist network, said: “Argentina’s decision has brought a spark of hope to millions of Palestinians who felt forgotten. “From Palestine we say thank you Argentina for taking a moral stance and reminding the world that Palestinian lives matter.” Mr Quran dismissed Israeli assertions that Argentina’s move came about because of threats to players, saying Avaaz had worked closely with BDS and encouraged 200,000 members in Argentina and Spain to send messages to the Argentinian Football Federation demanding withdrawal from the match. “We got the message to them that they were being played by the Israeli government and they bravely took the right position.”<doc-sep>

The Israeli and Palestinian football associations traded accusations Wednesday over the cancellation of a World Cup warm-up match between the Jewish state and Argentina in the disputed city of Jerusalem. Israel accused the Palestinians of "football terror", saying their threats saw Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi and his team abandon what would have been Argentina's final friendly match ahead of the World Cup. The Palestinians rejected the allegation, saying the Argentinians pulled out of the match as they realised Israel was using their presence for political gain. The encounter was called off on Tuesday after a campaign by the Palestinians following its relocation to Jerusalem. "We are confronting a football terror from the Palestinian Football Association and its president (Jibril Rajoub)," said Rotem Kamer of the Israel Football Association. He accused them of threatening players and their families, without providing any evidence. "We are seeing it as crossing a red line and we cannot accept it," Kamer said, adding an official complaint would be sent to world football's governing body FIFA. The sold-out game in Jerusalem was hotly opposed by Palestinians, who claim the eastern part of the city, occupied and later annexed by Israel, as the capital of their future state. It had originally been scheduled to take place the northern Israeli city of Haifa but was moved after pressure from Israel's hardline sports minister, Miri Regev. Palestinians were already angered by US President Donald Trump's transfer of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in May, which sparked protests in Gaza in which dozens of Palestinians were killed. - 'Red card' - Israel considers Jerusalem its "indivisible" capital. Ahead of the game Rajoub had urged Messi not to take part and called on fans to burn shirts bearing his name if he did. Speaking on Wednesday, he thanked the Argentinians for the cancellation, saying he hopes they will win the World Cup. "I think what happened yesterday is a red card from everybody to the Israelis to (get them to) understand that they (only) have a right to organise, or play football within their internationally recognised borders," he said in English, pointing out the final status of Jerusalem is supposed to be the subject of negotiations between the parties. Rajoub laughed off Israeli threats of action, denying there was any intimidation. "The Argentinian Football Association cancelled the agreement it signed with the Israelis because it reached the conclusion that this match is a political one." Israeli media said that late Tuesday Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Argentine President Mauricio Macri, with whom he has good relations, in an effort to save the match but that Macri had said he was unable to intervene. Netanyahu is currently visiting Europe and his office could not immediately confirm the reports. Israeli daily Yisrael Hayom, considered close to Netanyahu, expressed ire at Argentina with its front-page headline: "They surrendered to terrorism: The game against Argentina has been cancelled." - Argentina players 'not willing' - Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie said before confirmation of the game's cancellation that he believed his country's players had been reluctant to travel to Israel for the match. "As far as I know, the players of the national team were not willing to play the game," Faurie said. The Argentina squad practised on Wednesday morning at FC Barcelona's training ground, just a few hours after the friendly match was called off. "Argentina is seven days from the World Cup. We want to focus on what is really important and which is before us," a spokesman for the country's football federation told AFP in Barcelona, where the national team has been training ahead of the start of the tournament in Russia on June 14. The status of Jerusalem, always a key sticking point in the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, surged back to centre-stage when Trump tore up decades of US policy to recognise it as Israel's capital in December. The United States shifted its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem in May on the 70th anniversary of the creation of Israel, in a move met with condemnation from the Palestinians and many of Washington's international allies. At the same time, Israel has faced fierce criticism over its use of lethal force against Palestinian protesters on the Gaza Strip border with the Jewish state. Israeli troops have killed at least 125 Gazans since March 30, during protests and clashes along the border over the return of Palestinians to land they fled or were expelled from during the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 has been spotted receiving the stable Android Pie update. The update, which is initially rolling out in Bulgaria and Slovakia, comes weeks after Samsung kicked off the Android 9 Pie beta programme for the Galaxy Note 8. The new software version brings One UI -- the custom one-handed interface that was launched for the Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, and Galaxy Note 8 late last year. Samsung has also provided the February 2019 Android security patch. The Galaxy Note 8 update is apparently rolling out as an over-the-air (OTA) update and comes in over 571MB of size. The Android Pie update with One UI skin for the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is initially rolling out as an over-the-air (OTA) build in Bulgaria and Slovakia, reports SamMobile. A screenshot confirming the update rollout highlights that there is software version N950FXXU5DSB2. The update also carries the February 2019 security patch. Samsung is reportedly rolling out the Android Pie update for the Galaxy Note 8 users who're a part of its beta programme that debuted last month. Likewise, the users who're on Android Oreo are also said to be capable of receiving the new update. The new software package is apparently sized at 571.73MB, though it would be smaller in size for the beta testers. Official changelog detailing all the new features through the Android Pie update is yet to be released. However, it is clear since the new version brings Android Pie, it comes with One UI that is specially designed to ease one-handed operations. You can check the availability of the Android Pie update on your Galaxy Note 8 by going to Settings > Software update > Download updates manually. Users who're already testing One UI can find the availability of the latest update by going to the Download and install option from the Software update section. We're weren't able to independently confirm the Android Pie rollout for the Galaxy Note 8 users in India. Nevertheless, considering its arrival in Bulgaria and Slovakia, the new version should reach global units in the coming future. To recall, Samsung released Android Pie-based One UI for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ back in November last year. The update reached the 2019 flagships in December and debuted on the Galaxy Note 9 last month.<doc-sep>It was only a matter of time before the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 began to get its slice of the Pie, considering that its open beta was on in its final stages a few days ago. Today, the much-awaited update has started rolling out in Bulgaria and Slovakia for non-beta users. It is also available for beta participants who should get it OTA in the next few hours. The stable update comes with software version N950FXXU5DSB2 and includes the February 2019 security patch (which was also available on the beta). Some users on Reddit claim that they have received the update in India as well, but we don't know anything about it just yet. As expected, the update brings with all the new Android Pie goodies along with Samsung's new OneUI design interface. It brings more minimal icons, notifications shades, navigation gestures, a system-wide dark theme, and much more ASUS ROG Phone Finally Gets Stable Android Pie Update To download the update on your Note 8, open the Settings app on the phone, tap Software update, then tap the Download and install option. It may not be available in all regions just yet, so you may have to wait a few days, depending on where you are located. Based on what we've seen with the Galaxy S9 and Note 9, it shouldn't be too long before an international rollout is underway. In their Android Pie roadmap posted earlier this year, Samsung promised that the Galaxy Note 89 would get its update 'mid-February'. The Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus are next in line, according to the schedule and we should see something come of that in the next few days. We can also expect carriers to roll out the update to their devices before the month ends if things go smoothly.<doc-sep>We’ve seen the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 get four separate Android Pie beta programs prior to this point. Now, unlocked Note 8 users in Eastern Europe are seeing the full One UI OTA hit their devices. [Update (02/19): We’ve reports via SamMobile show that the Note 8 Android Pie update is now rolling out to a number of other nations. Galaxy Note 8 users in Iran, Russia, India, Saudi Arabia and some other Asian markets can now download the full One UI update. We do expect this update to rapidly begin rolling out globally so this is a bit of a heads-up that it could be coming your way soon. Head to your System Update section to get started.] It’s great that Samsung seems to has turned a corner in the past few weeks and months, with even the four-year-old Samsung Galaxy S6 receiving the January security patch. Maybe this is the start of a commitment to improving all software updates. Back to the Note 8 update, this news comes via Reddit user /u/Teo_Yanchev, who posted a screengrab of the update being downloaded to their unlocked Galaxy Note 8 device. The full One UI overhaul also brings with it the February 2019 security patch and weighs in at a pretty hefty 1.9GB. As this is such a large upgrade over the previous Android Oreo Samsung Experience UI, you could kind of expect such a massive OTA file size. Build numbers N950FXXU5DSB2, N950FOXM5DSB2, N950FXXU5DSB1 are rolling out right now to anyone in Eastern Europe — Bulgaria to be precise. There are no reports of users in other regions as yet, but we do expect the update to be rolling out worldwide in the coming days. We’re not entirely sure if this update brings the Night Mode scheduling that we’ve recently seen the Galaxy S9 and S9+ receive. If not, we expect a further update to head out in the next couple of weeks to add this neat little feature amongst a few other bug fixes and tweaks. For anyone with the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, get excited as we’ve seen with the Galaxy Note 9 and the Galaxy S9, this update almost changes the entire experience with your device. It’s also worth pointing out that the Samsung update roadmap did state that the Android Pie update would come this month. Again, kudos has to be given to Samsung for keeping their word on this update schedule so long as it continues. More on Samsung: FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more news:<doc-sep>With the successful rollout of the stable Android Pie for the Galaxy S9 and Note9 lineups, Samsung is now focusing on bringing the Galaxy S8/S8+ and the Note8 a piece of the Pie. They entered the beta stage just last month and the Note8 is already receiving its fourth update. Here's what it has to offer. As you can see, the changelog is all about those bug fixes, which is a strong indication that the final and stable version of the software is almost baked for the February launch. However, we assume the rollout will be gradual and not all markets will get a taste of the Pie this month. The Galaxy S9/S9+ and the Note9 rollout took a solid few weeks before everyone received it so some of you may get it in March. Anyway, the update weighs in at 577MB and carries a build number N950FXXU5ZSB2. Via<doc-sep>

Samsung Galaxy Note 8’s official One UI update rolls out in Eastern Europe and India Update 1 (2/15/19 @ 3:22 AM ET): Very shortly after the publication of this article, we received tips that the stable Android Pie-based One UI update is now rolling out in India as well. Samsung has gradually improved its handling of smartphone updates. The company recently updated the four-year-old Samsung Galaxy S6 with January 2019’s security patch update. Now comes a sweet delight for another, more recent flagship – the Galaxy Note 8. The stable version of Samsung’s new One UI, which is based on Android Pie, is now rolling out to the Exynos Samsung Galaxy Note 8 in certain parts of Europe. At least one user reported on Reddit about receiving the Android Pie update. The user, /u/Teo_Yanchev, notes that they are from Bulgaria in Eastern Europe. Checking Samsung’s FOTA servers, we can confirm that build numbers N950FXXU5DSB2/N950FOXM5DSB2/N950FXXU5DSB1 are rolling out in the BGL and ORX regions, which are Bulgaria and Slovakia respectively. Meanwhile, users from the U.S. have yet to receive the update, so it appears to be a region-wise roll-out. Image credit: /u/Teo_Yanchev on /r/GalaxyNote8 As per the changelog, the update brings Android 9 Pie with One UI and February 2019 security patches to the device. The update is almost 2GB but that is justified for the visual and performance upgrade it promises. After recently pushing the update to its flagships from 2018 – the Galaxy S9/S9+ and Galaxy Note 9, Samsung has been taking older phones more seriously. Last month, it started beta-testing One UI for the Note 8 as well as the Galaxy S8/S8+ in regions including South Korea, the U.S., and India. The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 received its fourth beta earlier this week and we now have the first stable build. Samsung Galaxy Note 8 XDA Forums If you’re not familiar with One UI, it is the redesigned UI from Samsung which replaces the earlier Samsung Experience UI. It brings more minimal icons, an Android Pie-like notifications shade, navigation gestures, a system-wide dark theme, and much more. For an in-depth dive, you can take a look at this comparison between One UI and the older Samsung Experience UI. As for this update for the Galaxy Note 8, while it has started rolling out for parts of Eastern Europe, we’ve yet to learn about availability in other regions. The update roadmap that was shared by Samsung tells us the update should begin rolling out this month, though. Meanwhile, if you’re using a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 in either Bulgaria or Slovakia and haven’t received the update yet, you should get it in a few weeks. Lastly, we’ll update you when we witness a wider roll-out of the update. Update 1: India Too Users in India are also receiving the stable One UI update on their Exynos Samsung Galaxy Note 8. One of our readers sent us the following screenshots of the update notes. Multiple users on Reddit are also getting the update. Thanks for the tip, @SamuraiTron1 on our Telegram group!

Boeing will suspend delivery of its 737 Max jets, it announced yesterday, but continue to produce them. It currently builds 52 aircraft a month, many of which are Max models, and entirely shutting down production would prove costly. But the policy may only last so long. Boeing’s production facility in Renton, Wash., has only limited capacity for storing the airplanes, according to the WSJ. Boeing may, however, be able to apply for special permits to fly the planes to other storage sites, according to Reuters. Meanwhile, big questions hang over the Max’s software. Pilots from Southwest Airlines and American Airlines requested software updates for some of the 737 Max’s automated systems last year, reports the NYT. They were promised updates within six weeks, one pilot said, but they have still not arrived. Similarities between the two recent crashes point to potential problems with the automated system that requires the update. And the U.S. Air Force has also lost trust in Boeing. In a case unrelated to the Max debacle, Air Force officials said that quality control issues with a new aerial refueling tanker caused it to suspend deliveries in February. Britain’s Parliament votes to delay Brexit British lawmakers yesterday voted to postpone the country’s departure from the E.U., but narrowly failed to wrest control of the Brexit process from Prime Minister Theresa May’s government, write Ellen Barry and Stephen Castle of the NYT. “Mrs. May fended off — by just two votes — a remarkable power grab by lawmakers frustrated at months of political deadlock that has left the country in limbo with just 15 days to go before its scheduled departure from the bloc. They later voted by 412 to 202 for a motion that means that Britain will almost certainly not leave the E.U. as scheduled on March 29.” “What remains unclear now is how long the delay will be. Mrs. May plans to hold a third vote on her unpopular plan for withdrawal, despite have suffered two staggering defeats on it already. If the prime minister should succeed in a third attempt, she would then request a short delay — no more than three months — from E.U. leaders.”<doc-sep>TPG Growth managing partner Bill McGlashan has been fired from the prominent private equity firm after allegations that he participated in a massive college admissions cheating scheme to get his son accepted at USC. “Bill McGlashan has been terminated for cause from his positions with TPG and Rise effective immediately,” TPG said in a statement. “After reviewing the allegations of personal misconduct in the criminal complaint, we believe the behavior described to be inexcusable and antithetical to the values of our entire organization.” San Francisco-based TPG Growth is best known for its landmark investments in such companies as Airbnb and Uber. It also helped launch the Burbank movie studio STX Entertainment. McGlashan also stepped down from the company’s social impact arm the Rise Fund that he co-founded with U2 singer Bono and Participant Media founder Jeff Skoll. McGlashan, 55, apologized to TPG board members in a Thursday memo, saying the companies would be “best set to continue their mission” without him. Advertisement “I am deeply sorry this very difficult situation may interfere with the work to which I have devoted my life,” the Mill Valley financier said in a statement. Full coverage: Dozens charged — including Hollywood actresses — in connection with college admissions scheme » The U.S. Justice Department indicted McGlashan this week for his alleged involvement in the college entrance exam and college recruitment scams dubbed “Operation Varsity Blues” by prosecutors. The Justice Department’s widespread investigation led to the arrests of Hollywood celebrities and corporate titans. According to the 204-page charging document, McGlashan agreed to donate $50,000 to Key Worldwide Foundation, the Newport Beach charity at the center of the scandal with the understanding that its leader, William Singer, would arrange for his son’s ACT test to be corrected by a proctor, in exchange for a bribe. McGlashan’s son received a 34 out of a possible 36 on the exam. McGlashan and Singer also conspired to make a fake athletic profile for McGlashan’s son, in order to get him admitted to USC as a football kicker, even though his high school didn’t have a football team. McGlashan agreed to pay $250,000 in connection with the athletic recruitment scheme. McGlashan had Hollywood ties through TPG. On Wednesday morning, he resigned from the board of STX Entertainment, the studio known for the raunchy comedy “Bad Moms” and the Kevin Hart-Bryan Cranston comedy-drama “The Upside.” McGlashan is also the co-founder of Evolution Media, an investment and advisory firm TPG launched with talent firm CAA. TPG said Jim Coulter will take over managing partner responsibilities for TPG Growth and Rise. ryan.faughnder@latimes.com Advertisement @rfaughnder<doc-sep>As the fallout continues from the bribery scandal involving several elite U.S. universities, Bill McGlashan has resigned from TPG and The Rise Fund, its $2 billion impact-investment platform he co-founded with U2’s Bono, Richard Branson and others. TPG is the majority owner of CAA, the Hollywood uber-agency for which it paid $225 million in equity for a majority stake in 2014. TPG also helped launch STX Entertainment among other Hollywood entities. McGlashan stepped down from the STX board on Wednesday. McGlashan, who founded and was managing partner of TPG Growth, had been put on administrative leave by parent company TPG after he was among 50 people indicted for their part in a nationwide college bribery scam. The FBI indictments were announced Tuesday. McGlashan, who also has invested in such Silicon Valley giants as Uber and Airbnb, is charged with trying to game the system to get his son admitted to USC. He faces counts of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud. The exec is among a group of 33 parents who collectively paid millions in bribes to coaches at such top schools as UCLA, USC, Yale, Georgetown and Stanford so their children could gain admission as recruited athletes – even if they weren’t. Felicity Huffman, Lori Loughlin and Loughlin’s fashion designer husband Mossimo Giannulli also among those named in the indictments. Here is McGlashan’s resignation memo:<doc-sep>President Joe Biden stops to talk to the media as he drives a Ford F-150 Lightning truck at Ford Dearborn Development Center, Tuesday, May 18, 2021, in Dearborn, Mich. QAnon is spreading in churches. These pastors are trying to stop it Left: James Kendall is the Senior Pastor at Grace Community Church in Madera, California. Kendall gave a sermon at his church warning congregants about QAnon. Right: Ben Marsh is a pastor at First Alliance Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He has seen members of his church share conspiracy theories on their social media pages. Carlos Ghosn says he has to tell his side of the story TOPSHOT - Former Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn looks on before addressing a large crowd of journalists on his reasons for dodging trial in Japan, where he is accused of financial misconduct, at the Lebanese Press Syndicate in Beirut on January 8, 2020. - Ghosn arrived at the venue, making his first public appearance since skipping bail in Japan. The fugitive tycoon, who denies any wrongdoing, skipped bail while awaiting trial on multiple charges of financial misconduct including allegedly under-reporting his compensation to the tune of $85 million. (Photo by JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images) B25_25594_R James Bond (Daniel Craig) prepares to shoot in NO TIME TO DIE, an EON Productions and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios film Credit: Nicola Dove © 2020 DANJAQ, LLC AND MGM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. (CNN Business) — The private equity firm TPG says it has fired executive William McGlashan, who this week was charged in a nationwide scheme to get students into elite colleges. McGlashan was “terminated for cause” after the company reviewed the allegations outlined in a criminal complaint that named him, according to a statement from TPG. The firm said the firing was “effective immediately.” He had been on administrative leave since Tuesday. As part of the conspiracy, parents allegedly paid a college prep organization to take the test on behalf of students or to correct their answers. Additionally, the organization bribed college coaches to help admit the students into college as recruited athletes, prosecutors said. The scandal involves dozens of wealthy parents, coaches and college prep executives. McGlashan agreed to pay $250,000 to participate in both parts of the scheme, according to the complaint. The goal was allegedly to get his son admitted to the University of Southern California. “[W]e believe the behavior described to be inexcusable and antithetical to the values of our entire organization,” TPG said in a statement. McGlashan says he resigned from TPG. In a letter to the company’s board of directors, which was provided to CNN Business by McGlashan’s spokesperson, he wrote that “the progress we have made is too important for you to be distracted by the issues I am facing personally.” “Though it breaks my heart to write this, I feel it is now the right thing to resign from The Rise Fund and TPG Growth,” McGlashan wrote. “As you can imagine, my primary concern at this point is for my family. I will also be focused on addressing the allegations that have been presented, and there are aspects of the story that have yet to emerge that I wish I could share.” McGlashan is the founder and served as managing partner of TPG Growth, which has invested in companies such as Airbnb, Spotify and Uber. He also started TPG’s Rise Fund, which has partnered with Bono and focuses on investments that promote environmental and social good. In December 2017, McGlashan allegedly paid $50,000 to the charitable arm of the college prep group with the understanding that the company would correct his son’s answers on the ACT. His son ultimately received a score of 34 out of a possible 36, the complaint said. McGlashan, whose conversations were recorded by wiretap, is also accused of working with the college prep company on a so-called “side door” admission plot. This involved creating a fake athletic profile for his son, who would be presented as a football kicker. That would allow USC to accept him as a recruited athlete, according to court documents. In August 2018, during a recorded conversation with a co-conspirator, identified as Cooperating Witness-1, McGlashan agreed to look for a photo of his son that could be photoshopped onto a football kicker. “Okay. Okay. Let me look through what I have. Pretty funny. The way the world works these days is unbelievable,” McGlashan said. He repeatedly expressed a desire to keep the scheme hidden from his son.<doc-sep>

The college admissions scandal that broke earlier this week has put the private equity firm TPG and one of its senior executives in a fight over whether he quit or was fired for cause. On Thursday evening, TPG emailed a statement to CNBC's Leslie Picker that said William McGlashan, who had been the head of its growth buyout fund, had been "terminated for cause." He had been on administrative leave since Tuesday, after he was charged in the nationwide scheme that involved parents bribing college coaches and arranging for falsified standardized test scores to gain admission for their children to several elite universities. "After reviewing the allegations of personal misconduct in the criminal complaint, we believe the behavior described to be inexcusable and antithetical to the values of our entire organization," TPG's statement said. Dozens of people have been charged in the ongoing case. But McGlashan is disputing the terms of his departure, saying he resigned. In an email to CNBC around the same time the firm sent its email, a spokesman for McGlashan said he has resigned from TPG's Rise Fund and TPG Thursday afternoon. "The progress we have made is too important for you to be distracted by the issues I am facing personally," said the text of a message from McGlashan to TPG board members that was forwarded in the spokesman's email. TPG Growth has invested in startups like Airbnb and Uber. McGlashan, a Yale and Stanford Business School graduate, also started the Rise Fund, which is aimed at investments that promote social good. The Rise Fund first launched with the musician Bono and raised $2 billion in 2017. The second iteration of the fund recently had its first close of fundraising, which brought in another $1 billion, a person with knowledge of the matter said. Given the McGlashan's implication in the college bribery scandal, TPG has told investors that they will have the opportunity to "reaffirm" their commitments to the second Rise Fund, or pull their investment if they so choose, a person said. Prosecutors allege McGlashan paid $50,000 to the charitable arm of a college admissions counseling firm, which was going to correct his son's answers on a standardized test to boost the score. They also allege he arranged to fake an athletic profile of his son to help gain him admission to the University of Southern California. CNBC's Leslie Picker contributed reporting.

INDIA TOUR OF ENGLAND, 2018 Monday blues remind England of harsh fallibilities by Vithushan Ehantharajah • Published on England dropped two catches on Day 3 and watched Virat Kohli roar his way through to an authoritative hundred. © Getty They will tell you that the beauty of Test cricket is in the ebbs and flows. But sometimes it does neither. Sometimes it is a stream of predictability that cares not for your enjoyment. Sometimes it just happens to a side and, on a day like today, India rode that wave of inevitability more or less all the way to victory. Sometimes, as England found out on Monday (August 20), you just have to accept it. Sometimes, you have to take your medicine. Even time, that scarce commodity in the modern world, was no pressure on India. They started day three with a lead of 292 and a relatively clear forecast for four and five that meant only a plague of locusts and four blokes on fiery horseback could have given them something to fear. Whenever a fielding team is in England's situation, they are always at the mercy of the batting captain. But when that batting captain is Virat Kohli, someone with points to prove and holding as many grudges as international hundreds (58 now thanks to Test century number 23), then you are out of luck. Kohli is more likely to entertain carbs than mercy. During his knock, he overtook the previous record of most runs by an India captain during a Test series in England. One imagines when Kohli eventually looks back on his time as India captain, he will take heart from being the most successful when wearing the armband. But he'd take greater pride from being regarded as the most ruthless. Days like today buff up that narrative. It cannot have been much fun to watch for England fans in the stands or neutrals at home. But grinding teams into the dirt is what all the best Test sides do. Steve Waugh's Australia made history - and enemies - by doing it so frequently. They destroyed many a team running up the scoreboard in the third innings. Even the England side that reached the top of the ICC rankings in 2011 made this their trope: batting teams out of matches, putting overs into the already heavy legs of opposition bowlers and not just winning games but inflicting scars that carry over into the rest of the series. How England fans must long for those days of complaining about conservative declarations when they saw James Anderson, the best English bowler of theirs and anyothers' lifetimes, hurtling towards the advertising boards at third man in the 108th over, stopping the ball from reaching the rope as the batsmen ran three to take India's lead to 507. Like the early stages of grief, there is a very set pattern to how these days play out for the side on the receiving end of the shellacking. England wish there were only six points of note, but really there can be any number to compound the misery. You are very much scrabbling around in a field of infinite dimensions filled with an infinite number of rakes. The first comes early. After getting bowled out inside a session to relinquish a 168-run lead in the first place, Jos Buttler vowed that England would not throw in the towel. Early wickets were a must. At the start of the ninth over, with India 310 ahead, Cheteshwar Pujara edged James Anderson low to Buttler's left at second slip. Having moved to the ball with two hands, the white-ball wicketkeeper, perhaps reacting as he would if gloved up, continued with his left hand while the right stayed put. The catch was dropped, but he'd be back in gloves soon enough. About 20 minutes later, a ball left through to Jonny Bairstow moved late and took with it the left middle-finger of the Yorkshireman. A fracture would be later confirmed, but in the immediate aftermath, Bairstow was in agony and Buttler was already halfway to the changing room to fetch his 'keeping gears. That first pluck at the seams. What usually follows at this juncture is desperation. Just when the lead ticks over to "impossible to chase", which in this era of apps over application, was the 292 lead India started day three with. Now, at 325, Kohli is the subject of a reviewed "not out" decision. Thing is, he hit the ball into his front pad. He knows that. So does the umpire. And, deep down, maybe Joe Root did too when he made that "T" sign and waited to be told so by the big screen. India, with no need to push the game along at anyone else's pace, were happy to take the scenic route to their insurmountable total. Pujara, who started the day on 33 off 67, took 80 more balls to tick over to a 18th fifty. Acceptance was around the corner. Root was forced to think ahead. Before the series started, Stuart Broad admitted that both his and James Anderson's workload would have to be scrutinised as they entered a period of five Tests in six weeks. But after just three days' play at Lord's, the feeling from the England camp was that, actually, maybe they can make it through if they continue to make such light work on the opposition. When Root rolled his arm over in the 58th over, India had won another battle. Having waited 40.3 overs, we had the first dismissal of the day. It was too late to matter, but the ironic cheers were not for the breakthrough. For England had not only taken a wicket, but they also held a catch. To Alastair Cook, no less: a player with the worst catching success (70%) of any regular slipper since the start of 2015. Go and get the guitar. But once the gallows humour had been indulged, it was back to conserving scores and preserving dignity. Both are tested when the new ball becomes available. Invariably it's taken. It always is in this situation.<doc-sep>Virat Kohli’s masterclass in the England Test series has left the hosts’ assistant coach Paul Farbrace gushing, and urging his batsmen to learn from how the world’s best batsman has dominated quality bowling in seaming conditions. The India skipper has showed oodles of patience to score two brilliant centuries in the series. The highlight of his 149 in the Edgbaston Test was his self-denial as England spearhead James Anderson’s probing line outside off-stump. His 103 at Trent Bridge, for his 23rd century on Monday, was another composed knock, reining in his natural aggression to steer his team towards a famous win that will help narrow the series lead to 1-2. Kohli again showed great technique to tackle swing bowling, especially Anderson. ALSO READ: Like master, like apprentice: Stunning similarity between Kohli’s and Tendulkar’s 58th international tons He has amassed 440 runs so far in the five-Test series, a remarkable turnaround for a player who made a meagre 134 runs from 10 innings on the 2014 tour. As England began their fight for survival after being set an improbable target of 521, Farbrace hoped his batsmen would show character and stave off defeat. Asked if the Trent Bridge knock made Kohli the best batsman in the world, Farbrace told reporters: “You would be hard-pressed to argue against him being seen as the best player in the world at the moment. “The way that he has developed, played through this series; he has played fantastically. It’s fantastic to see someone playing the game in that way. “He’s a high-quality player and he’s shown that he’s learned a lot on this tour alone. The way he has tinkered (with technique), the way he has practised and worked on his game, he thoroughly deserves the runs he’s scored. England’s woeful slip catching though has helped Kohli. In Edgbaston, he was dropped by Dawid Malan on 21 off Anderson. He was also dropped on 51 in that knock. In Trent Bridge, the edge off Anderson when on 93 was let through his hands and legs by gully fielder Keaton Jennings for four. Farbrace said: “Our bowlers might argue that he’s been given too many chances, but the bloke has shown he is high quality. “I’m a big believer in players learning from players. I think our players should be watching the way he has played, the way he lets the ball come. He almost takes the third and fourth slips out of the game the way he plays at the ball. “So, you are looking for the best players to learn from the best players and trying to adapt their game to suit (them). And there is no better exponent of that than him.” ‘Dropping catches can be soul-destroying’ Though England won, the pace spearhead was left holding his head in dismay after Keaton Jennings let a nick from Kohli again through his hands. On 93 then, he hit 103 to put India in a perfect position to clinch victory. Anderson was also left fuming after Cheteshwar Pujara, on 40, was dropped by Jos Buttler at second slip. Pujara made 72 in a 113-run stand with Kohli. READ: It is not always about scoring big hundreds, says Cheteshwar Pujara “We’ve got some good catchers, but you can’t keep shelling chances the way we are. That comes down to two things; concentration not being good enough, or confidence, when you start to miss chances that starts to eat away at you. “Our bowlers stuck at the job really well. 70 runs scored in the first session, and we keep plugging away. When bowlers are creating opportunities and catches are being dropped, that can be soul-destroying.” Farbrace slammed the England batsmen for not showing intent in the first innings, where England were bundled out for 161 in a single session on Day 2. “The key for us is showing the right intent, and from yesterday’s innings that would be the biggest disappointment. We lost two wickets in two balls, and the intent went out of our innings. “We can defend, and we can say we’ve got lots of good players, and players at different stages of their careers, but the key is to show you can do it in the middle. They played well tonight, but it’s about continuing that on. Intent doesn’t just mean scoring quickly; it means defending well, leaving well, rotating strike.<doc-sep>INDIA TOUR OF ENGLAND, 2018 Kohli ton headlines India's day of dominance by Vishaal Loganathan • Last updated on The star of the innings was Virat Kohli, who firmly put paid to all the ghosts of the 2014 horror by slamming his second hundred of the series. © Getty As far as domination goes, it doesn't get better than what India enjoyed at Nottingham on Monday (August 20). Already in a great position at 124 for 2 with a lead of 292, India hammered England into the ground with a disciplined, even if at times bordering on slow, batting effort. By the end of the day, and with two more to go, India amassed 352 for 7 decl, leaving England facing a world record chase for a series victory. The star of the innings, as it has already been thrice in six innings in England, was Virat Kohli, who firmly put paid to all the ghosts of the 2014 horror by slamming his second hundred of the series. This time around, however, the other batters too came to the party. Cheteshwar Pujara played 208 balls for 72, Rahane played 94 for his 29, while Hardik Pandya slammed a quick-fire 50 at the end. It had started from the previous day; Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul had already set a solid base the last evening, Kohli and Pujara took full advantage. Like Sunil Gavaskar time and again emphasises, the pair gave the first hour to the bowlers. Anderson and Co. were given a lot of respect as runs came in a trickle. Pujara offered the only chance of the morning, but was dropped by Jos Buttler at second slip. England's depressing position was further exacerbated when Jonny Bairstow was taken off the field with an injured finger, which the ECB later confirmed was broken. India stepped up the scoring soon after. By the end of the session both batsmen had brought up their fifties as India ended with 194 for 2 at lunch. Pujara had put on a show of his temperament, blocking away majority of his deliveries and picking just the bad ones for scoring. Kohli was a tad more attacking, but by his free flowing standards was still slow. It almost seemed as if India were intent on batting long and making England toil hard on the field. Given the amount of time to go in the game, it made complete sense. India continued to grind England in the next session when Ben Stokes broke the monotony by getting Pujara out for 72, with a ball that bounced a tad more to take the edge through to Cook at first slip. It was hardly a jolt India felt. Kohli started to chance his arm a bit more and runs flowed more freely now, while Rahane looked comfortable defending. India could still afford to play slowly and pile on the runs, and with England taking the new ball, the priority for quick runs went on the back seat again. Kohli, now in his zone, easily played off the bowlers scoring heavily on the leg side before cashing in when the bowlers went wide. By tea, he had reached 93, and India 270 for 3. With the lead now well over 400, murmurs of declaration started floating around. Kohli had gotten out for 97 in the first innings, which was only the second time he was out in the 90s. It could have been the third if Keaton Jennings had held on to a catch. Anderson induced the edge with Kohli swinging hard, but Jennings somehow let the ball go right through him for a boundary. In the next over, Kohli dabbed Woakes wide of slip to bring up his 23rd Test hundred. He raised his arms in delight and pointed the bat to his wife in the stands. Not long after, he was out LBW to Woakes, failing to put bat on a flick. Pant followed soon after, out caught off Anderson for 1, but in Pandya India found the fireworks they were looking for. Pandya had already left his impression on the game with a fifer the previous ball. Now with bat, he proved how handy he can be. Stylish flicks, exaggerated drives, vicious cuts and wild slogs all made an appearance as he slammed a run-a-ball 52, studded with 7 fours and a six, as a declaration loomed. India's lead quickly went past the 500-run mark, and 20 runs later, Kohli called back Pandya and Ashwin. India had declared on 352 for 7, leaving England a record 521 to chase down. That is 189 runs more than their highest-ever successful chase - 332 v Australia in 1928. India faced their most frustrating time in one and a half days when England's openers refused to buckle. Jennings and Cook played with caution, and survived a few close calls, as they ended the day at 23 for 0. But it was an all-round happy day for India. Brief scores: India 329 & & 352/7 (Virat Kohli 103, Cheteshwar Pujara 72) lead England161 & 23/0 by 498 runs. © Cricbuzz TAGS RELATED STORIES<doc-sep>Former England captain Michael Vaughan heralded Virat Kohli as the best player in the world after his century put the tourists in command of the third Test. Kohli scored 103 to add to his first innings 97 and declared on 352-7 to set England a mammoth 521 at Trent Bridge. "There are many really great players but he is the stand-out across all the three formats of this era by a country mile," Vaughan told Test Match Special. "He's got the gift to play all around the wicket in every single format." Kohli outshines the rest - leading run-scorers in series Runs Average Highest score Balls faced Kohli (India) 440 73.33 149 753 Bairstow (England) 206 51.50 93 313 Pandya (India) 160 32.00 52* 276 Rahane (India) 158 26.33 81 352 Woakes (England) 145 145.00 137* 182 Kohli's second century of the series, coming after he was dropped by Keaton Jennings on 93, took him to 440 runs in six innings, more than twice as many as the second leading scorer in the series. The 29-year-old's prolific form is in stark contrast to his first tour of England four years ago, when he made only 134 runs in 10 innings with a top score of 39. "On this tour he has left well and made the bowlers bowl to him," Vaughan added. "It looks to me as though he has been working on this for some time and come with a clear plan. "He is a wonder player. There were questions about if he could bat in English conditions. No question in my mind; he is the best batsman in the world across all three formats. He is an unbelievable player." Kohli's 23rd Test century moved him level with Steve Smith, who is top of the Test batting rankings. England assistant coach Paul Farbrace, though, thinks that the India captain should be rated above the Australian. "You would be hard pressed to argue against him being seen as the best player in the world at the moment," Farbrace said. "The way that he has developed, he has played fantastically in this series. I like the way that he plays the game. It's fantastic to see someone playing the game in that way. "He's a high-quality player and he's shown that he's learned a lot on this tour alone. He deserves the runs that he's scored. "Our bowlers might argue that he's been given too many chances, but he's shown he is high quality. "I'm a big believer in players learning from players. Our players should be watching the way he has played."<doc-sep>

Last updated on .From the section Cricket Third Specsavers Test, Trent Bridge (day three of five) India 329 & 352-7 dec: Kohli 103, Pujara 72, Rashid 3-101 England 161 & 23-0: Jennings 13*, Cook 9* England need a further 498 runs to win Scorecard England face a huge challenge to save the third Test after a century from India captain Virat Kohli on day three at Trent Bridge. Kohli's exemplary 103, added to 72 from Cheteshwar Pujara and Hardik Pandya's unbeaten 52, allowed the tourists to declare on 352-7, setting England a notional 521 to win. The home side were given nine overs to bat, Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings battling to the close on 23-0. That was something of a positive end to a difficult day for England, who dropped each of Kohli and Pujara and lost wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow to a fractured finger. Bairstow injured the middle finger on his left hand when trying to take a delivery from James Anderson, with Jos Buttler donning the gloves for most of the day. England say Bairstow is likely to bat in their massive task of making the largest fourth-innings score to win a Test or surviving for two days to save it. However, the most likely outcome is that England will be bowled out at some point and India will reduce their series deficit to 2-1. India's lesson to England England find themselves in this hopeless position after being rolled over for 161 in their first innings on Sunday. In losing all 10 wickets in a session, the hosts' inadequate defensive technique against the moving ball was exposed. On Monday, they were given a lesson in watchfulness, patience and judgement by an India team that accumulated without fuss on a good pitch, albeit against reduced movement. It has been a fine improvement by the tourists, who were bowled out for 107 and 130 in the second Test at Lord's to extend a run that had seen them pass 200 just once in nine innings in England. Kohli, Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, who took 94 balls over his 29, were all determined, with expansion only coming from Pandya's run-a-ball hitting as India moved towards a declaration. Even if they are beaten, England's shot-makers need to show similar application in the remainder of this match. Kohli outshines the rest - leading run-scorers in series Runs Average Highest score Balls faced Kohli (India) 440 73.33 149 753 Bairstow (England) 206 51.50 93 313 Pandya (India) 160 32.00 52* 276 Rahane (India) 158 26.33 81 352 Woakes (England) 145 145.00 137* 182 Kohli does it again Although Kohli endured a miserable tour four years ago, averaging only 13.40, he said before this series that he did not feel the need to prove himself in English conditions. Still, this second, almost inevitable, century took his tally to 440 runs at an average of 73.33 this summer. From 124-2 overnight, Pujara and Kohli extended their stand to 113. Pujara - solid in defence - played cuts, wristy flicks and punches down the ground. Kohli, who left the ball with care, drove on both sides of the wicket and cashed in any time leg-spinner Adil Rashid dropped short. Pujara was denied what seemed a certain century when Ben Stokes found extra bounce to take the edge, while Kohli enjoyed luck in the 90s - he edged James Anderson through Keaton Jennings and, from the next ball, nicked short of first slip. In the next over, he guided Chris Woakes to third man to complete his 23rd Test ton, celebrating by blowing a kiss towards wife Anushka Sharma. It was Woakes who had Kohli play around his pad to be lbw, the skipper disappointed not to see a review go his way, but still able to leave to a standing ovation. Virat Kohli blew a kiss to his wife, Anushka Sharma (left), after bringing up his century England's tough day Though the day belonged to India, little blame can be attached to the home bowlers, who performed admirably throughout. However, England's catching remains substandard - Buttler was slow to move to his left at second slip when Pujara, on 40, groped at Anderson. Soon after, Buttler was required to take the gloves when Bairstow was struck on the end of the finger attempting what looked like a regulation take off Anderson. In obvious pain, he left the field with a cap covering his hand and an X-ray revealed what England described as a "small" fracture.

FEBRUARY 28, 2019 - BOSTON, MA: The Boston Police Department is seeking the publicÕs assistance in locating this man who is identified as Louis D. Coleman III, 32-years-old, of Providence, Rhode Island. The BPD is also looking to locate the red motor vehicle which Coleman is believed to be operating. Last seen in the Providence, Rhode Island area on Thursday, February 28, 2019, police are seeking the publicÕs assistance to locate Coleman as well as Jassy Correia. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Jassy Correia, Louis D. Coleman, or the red vehicle is urged to contact 911 immediately. Courtesy of the BPDnews BOSTON MA. - FEBRUARY 27: The Boston Police Department is issuing a Missing Person Alert and asking for the public’s help in efforts to locate 23-year-old Jassy Correia (center). Correia was seen shortly after leaving the Venu Nightclub in the area of 255 Tremont in Boston in the company of an unknown male (left) at about 12:15AM on Sunday, February 24, 2019. Correia was later seen entering a motor vehicle (right), believed to be a red Nissan Altima, with the same male in the area of Tremont and Herald Streets. When last seen, Correia, who is approximately 5’7” tall, was wearing big hoop earrings, an orange jumpsuit and a jean jacket with an image of red lips and pink wings on the back of it. on February 27, 2019 in Boston, MA. Courtesy Photo Jassy Correia Courtesy Photo BOSTON MA. - FEBRUARY 27: Image of Jassy Correia leaving the club. The Boston Police Department is issuing a Missing Person Alert and asking for the publicÕs help in efforts to locate 23-year-old Jassy Correia. Correia was seen shortly after leaving the Venu Nightclub in the area of 255 Tremont in Boston in the company of an unknown male at about 12:15AM on Sunday, February 24, 2019. Correia was later seen entering a motor vehicle, believed to be a red Nissan Altima, with the same male in the area of Tremont and Herald Streets. When last seen, Correia, who is approximately 5Õ7Ó tall, was wearing big hoop earrings, an orange jumpsuit and a jean jacket with an image of red lips and pink wings on the back of it. on February 27, 2019 in Boston, MA. Courtesy Photo PROVIDENCE, RI- February 28, 2019: Providence and Boston police search the area of an apartment building on Clifford Street that may be tied to the disappearance of Jassy Correia on Thursday, February 28, 2019 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Staff photo By Nicolaus Czarnecki/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) PROVIDENCE, RI- February 28, 2019: Providence and Boston police search the area of an apartment building on Clifford Street that may be tied to the disappearance of Jassy Correia on Thursday, February 28, 2019 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Staff photo By Nicolaus Czarnecki/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) PROVIDENCE, RI- February 28, 2019: Providence and Boston police search the area of an apartment building on Clifford Street that may be tied to the disappearance of Jassy Correia on Thursday, February 28, 2019 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Staff photo By Nicolaus Czarnecki/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) PROVIDENCE, RI- February 28, 2019: Providence and Boston police search the area of an apartment building on Clifford Street that may be tied to the disappearance of Jassy Correia on Thursday, February 28, 2019 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Staff photo By Nicolaus Czarnecki/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) PROVIDENCE, RI- February 28, 2019: Providence and Boston police search the area of an apartment building on Clifford Street that may be tied to the disappearance of Jassy Correia on Thursday, February 28, 2019 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Staff photo By Nicolaus Czarnecki/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) A Missing Person flyer for Jassy Correia is posted outside the Venu Nightclub at 100 Warrenton Street in Boston, Massachusetts on February 28, 2019. (Staff Photo By Christopher Evans/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) Venu Nightclub at 100 Warrenton Street in Boston, Massachusetts on February 28, 2019. (Staff Photo By Christopher Evans/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) BOSTON MA. - FEBRUARY 27: An image of a Person of interest as the Boston Police Department is issuing a Missing Person Alert and asking for the publicÕs help in efforts to locate 23-year-old Jassy Correia. Correia was seen shortly after leaving the Venu Nightclub in the area of 255 Tremont in Boston in the company of an unknown male at about 12:15AM on Sunday, February 24, 2019. Correia was later seen entering a motor vehicle, believed to be a red Nissan Altima, with the same male in the area of Tremont and Herald Streets. When last seen, Correia, who is approximately 5Õ7Ó tall, was wearing big hoop earrings, an orange jumpsuit and a jean jacket with an image of red lips and pink wings on the back of it. on February 27, 2019 in Boston, MA. Courtesy Photo BOSTON MA. - FEBRUARY 27: An image of a car of interest as the Boston Police Department is issuing a Missing Person Alert and asking for the publicÕs help in efforts to locate 23-year-old Jassy Correia. Correia was seen shortly after leaving the Venu Nightclub in the area of 255 Tremont in Boston in the company of an unknown male at about 12:15AM on Sunday, February 24, 2019. Correia was later seen entering a motor vehicle, believed to be a red Nissan Altima, with the same male in the area of Tremont and Herald Streets. When last seen, Correia, who is approximately 5Õ7Ó tall, was wearing big hoop earrings, an orange jumpsuit and a jean jacket with an image of red lips and pink wings on the back of it. on February 27, 2019 in Boston, MA. Courtesy Photo A suspect in the disappearance of 23-year-old Jassy Correia is under arrest and a body has been recovered, Boston police announced late today. Louis D. Coleman III, 32, was placed under arrest in Delaware, police said. Authorities added they are awaiting a positive identification of the body discovered. The FBI is assisting in the case. “The cause and manner of death are pending. This remains an active and ongoing, multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional investigation. Additional information will be provided when available,” Boston police said in a statement. At a press conference outside Coleman’s apartment building in Providence, police Chief Hugh Clemens said “evidence of the crime is there in Delaware.” Clemens said video surveillance was “very helpful” in the investigation. Police were seen searching a red car off Interstate 95 South in Delaware earlier today, according to Delaware Online, the website for the News Journal newspaper. The news site reported the scene was in Stanton, Del. The car was believed to match the one sought in the Correia case, the website reported. Police were seen arresting a suspect at the scene in a photo posted by Delaware Online. The news site reports the car’s trunk was open and a medical examiner’s van arrived at 3:45 p.m. The car was towed away just before 4 p.m. Delaware State Police told the Herald it was putting out an alert with more details shortly. Breaking: A police chase involving an apparent suspect from Massachusetts ended on I-95 in Stanton on Thursday. #netDE https://t.co/ejYwBfKgPT — Delaware Online (@delawareonline) February 28, 2019 Boston police had been seeking Coleman in connection with the alleged kidnapping of Correia, a mom who was reported missing from Boston since Sunday. “Just give her back please,” Correia’s cousin, Katia Depina, told the Herald earlier today. Police say Coleman was last seen with Correia when she got into a car with the suspect early Sunday morning near the Venu Nightclub on Tremont Street. The car, seen on surveillance video in the area of Tremont and Herald streets, is believed to be a red Nissan Altima. Police said Correia was wearing big hoop earrings, an orange jumpsuit and a jean jacket with an image of red lips and pink wings on the back. She is described as having light brown skin, brown hair and eyes, and is 5-foot-7 tall and 110 pounds. Her family expressed deep concern, saying Correia had been celebrating her birthday with friends. A missing persons report was filed Wednesday morning. Depina described her cousin as an outgoing, carefree and friendly young woman who was close to her family. They became concerned when Correia didn’t show up Sunday to pick up her 2-year-old daughter from her grandmother’s house and wasn’t answering her phone.<doc-sep>Image : Jassy Correia, right, was last seen entering a red Nissan Altima with Louis D. Coleman III, left. ( BPDNews.com ) Police have called off a manhunt for a woman from Boston after her remains were found in a trunk. Advertisement According to a report, 23-year-old Jassy Correia, mother of a two-year-old daughter, was last seen alive entering a red Nissan Altima after leaving Venu, a nightclub, early Sunday alongside 32-year-old Louis D. Coleman III, identified as a person of interest by police. Coleman, a resident of Providence, R.I., was arrested in Delaware. Correia’s remains were located in the trunk of his car. “We received some devastating news today and Jassy is no longer with us,” said Kathia Depina, Correia’s cousin, Thursday night to NECN. A missing person report was filed Wednesday after Correia’s brother and father were unable to locate or contact her. “If I don’t see my daughter,” Correia’s father Joaquin told NECN earlier this week, “I don’t know how I’m going to live.” Joaquin’s concern grew after his happy birthday text to his daughter on Tuesday went unanswered. A search warrant for Coleman’s Providence-area apartment was issued, though Providence Police Chief Hugh Clements declined to give details on what was uncovered. Advertisement According to Clements, police in Providence, Delaware and Boston remain unclear as to which agency will take up the case. “She was a mother, she was brave, she was strong,” Depina told NECN. “She did not deserve this. She went out to celebrate her birthday and never returned home. She did not deserve this. We want justice for her death.”<doc-sep>

The body of a 23-year-old mother who vanished after leaving a Boston nightclub last weekend was discovered Thursday in the trunk of a vehicle driven by the man suspected of abducting her, the woman's family said. Louis D. Coleman III, 32, of Providence, R.I., who on Thursday morning was named as a suspect in connection with the disappearance of Jassy Correia, was arrested in Delaware after a police chase. Inside the trunk of Coleman's car, cops found Correia's body, the 23-year-old's family told WBZ-TV. The Boston Police Department said in a statement that a body was indeed "recovered," however, police were still "awaiting a positive identification." MASSACHUSETTS POLICE ID SUSPECT WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH MISSING MOTHER, 23, LAST SEEN AT NIGHTCLUB “The cause and manner of death are pending," the statement said. Correia, who's survived by her 2-year-old daughter, was reportedly last seen at the Venu Nightclub early Sunday “in the company of an unknown male” and was seen getting into a red car with him. Police also released surveillance footage from that night in hopes of eliciting more tips in the case, which had been described as a possible kidnapping as late as Thursday morning. MASSACHUSETTS WOMAN REPORTED MISSING AFTER LEAVING BOSTON BAR IS FOUND; SUSPECT CHARGED WITH KIDNAPPING Boston 25 News reported Coleman will remain in custody in Delaware and it was not immediately clear when he will be charged. Providence Police said Coleman does not have a criminal history. It was not immediately clear if Correia and Coleman had any kind of relationship. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Sign up to FREE email alerts from Football London - Arsenal Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Arsenal are on the lookout for a new midfielder and Unai Emery will be hoping to have a new addition at his disposal in the coming weeks. Lucas Torreira is expected to arrive from Serie A side Sampdoria ahead of the season, while Sevilla duo Ever Banega and Steven N'Zonzi have been linked with a move to the Emirates. Both have played key roles for the La Liga side in recent seasons and they can be snapped up now due to release clauses in their current contracts. The Argentine midfielder can move now if a club meets his €20million release clause, with former Blackburn Rovers player N'Zonzi available for €40m. Given there could be some exits from the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan ahead of August, the Spanish side have moved quickly to strengthen in the middle of the park. (Image: Michael Steele/Getty Images) Swansea City midfielder Roque Mesa, who spent the final months of the season on loan at the Andalucia-based club, has signed a permanent deal with the La Liga team after an underwhelming spell in Wales. Much was made of the 29-year-old's arrival from Las Palmas, yet he was sent out on loan in January after only making 16 appearances for the Swans. Signed on a four-year contract for £11m a year ago, it is believed that Sevilla have paid £8m to clinch the Spaniard's signing on a permanent deal. With Mesa now on board at Sevilla, that could potentially pave the way for Banega to exit ahead of the transfer deadline. Having played under Unai Emery before at Valencia and his current club, the new boss knows exactly what he will be able to get from the Argentine international. Banega was in action for his country on Tuesday night and he earned rave reviews in their late win over Nigeria. Speaking on BBC after Banega's sublime pass for Lionel Messi's goal, Rio Ferdinand said: "The way that he has dictated this game completely, he’s the instigator of any of the good moves that come from this Argentina team. "His first thought once he gets it is ‘who can I play forward?’. "In forward areas, you have to take risks, and they know that he’s on the pitch, and [his pass for Messi’s goal] is a killer for any defender on the pitch." 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>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. Arsenal transfer news LIVE: Ever Banega fears, Sokratis announcement date, Ozil request Miguel Layun boost Arsenal have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Sevilla star Miguel Layun. The Mexico star has said: “I’m just like everyone, waiting for something to be confirmed. In a tournament like the World Cup I’m totally focused on what I want to achieve here, but of course there is always that issue of not knowing what will be of my future. “Participating at such an important club in Europe was very special. I expressed that it would be a dream to be able to continue with the team. “I still haven’t ruled out the possibility of staying at Sevilla, because for me it would be very nice. “It’s complicated. But I think if they had the intention [to sign me] they would have already communicated with me and with my agent.” Sokratis announcement date Sokratis Papastathopoulos is one of Arsenal's top defensive targets. And Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has claimed the Borussia Dortmund star is primed to be announced as a new Gunners signing at the start of next month. “That deal is expected to be announced on July 1,” Sheth told the Transfer Talk podcast. “It seems to be all done according to our information.” Ever Banega worries Sevilla are reportedly fearful Ever Banega will quit the club for Arsenal to link up with Unai Emery once again. Emery managed the player during his time at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, winning three Europa League titles together. And Spanish newspaper Marca say Arsenal's interest in Banega has Sevilla concerned. They reportedly plan to talk with the player about his future after his participation at the World Cup ends. With Argentina facing an early exit unless they beat Nigeria, those talks could come alot sooner than perhaps the player would like.<doc-sep>

Arsenal must sign Golovin rather than Banega this summer Arsenal have been linked with Sevilla and Argentina midfielder Éver Banega, with The Daily Star reporting that the Spanish side have already signed his replacement. What’s the story? With Sevilla confirming the signing of Roque Mesa from Swansea this week, rumours linking new Arsenal boss Unai Emery with Banega have become even more prominent. The experienced Banega has played for a number of top European clubs including Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Inter Milan and has a release clause of £17.6m. However, Arsenal are also in for CSKA Moscow’s playmaker Aleksandr Golovin, as cited by Metro, who is rated at €18m by Transfermarkt and their transfer budget may mean it is Golovin or Banega rather than both. Who should Emery choose? A more attacking player than Banega, Golovin has quick feet and likes to use his pace to run at defenders whereas Banega will generally sit deeper and attempt to pick out a defence-splitting pass. Valued at €18m by Transfermarkt, Golovin scored five goals and created four assists in 27 league games for CSKA last season and can play out-wide when needed. At just 22-years-old, the Russian youngster has been impressing at the World Cup this summer, with a goal and two assists so far from his side’s three group games. Banega is clearly a quality player but if Emery wants to build for the future at Arsenal then Golovin may be the better option. With his pace and trickery he could create problems for Premier League defenders and would offer something different to Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. [brid playlist=”4766″ player=”12034″ title=”World Cup 2018″]

It has been almost a week since Swedish House Mafia updated their website to include a countdown timer. Today at 5 a.m. EST the countdown clock ended and the timer became a live video. At about 5:10 a.m. the guys came into frame and began a press conference entirely in Swedish. During the conference Steve, Seb and Axwell spoke about why they broke up, and why they decided now was time to return. The guys noted that positive response to their Ultra reunion, and how the man who organized the reunion was brought to tears when he saw them back together. New Music When asked about new music, the guys confirmed they have already been working on new music, and it will be similar to the music of today, but still in the style of Swedish House Mafia. They did not explain further what “the music of today” sound means to them but we can only imagine that the sound of Swedish House Mafia will be updated. New Performances When asked about touring the guys were STILL tight-lipped, citing that only one show has been confirmed. Stockholm, Sweden on May 4th, 2019 at Tele2 arena will be the next Swedish House Mafia performance. They did say more dates would be announced later. More Information When asked about the guy's individual side projects they explained that moving forward they will be giving 100% attention to Swedish House Mafia. Steve Angello and Axwell/\Ingrosso will be put on hold indefinitely. When asked about if they regretted breaking up 5 years ago, they all agreed that it was the right choice. They were sick of Swedish House Mafia and needed a break. Now, they believe the time has come to once again join forces. Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading. Watch The Full Press Conference Below<doc-sep>Celeb obsessed? Get a daily dose of showbiz gossip direct to your inbox Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Swedish House Mafia are back! The DJs have announced the news fans have all been waiting for - they're getting back together five years after their split. The EDM supergroup - made up of Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso - have kept followers on the edge of their seats for a whole week with a countdown clock on their official Twitter account. And as the countdown officially ended this morning, they appeared to share the big news of their reunion. SHM have announced that they'll be reuniting for a show in their home city of Stockholm, in Sweden, next year. (Image: FilmMagic) (Image: Publicity Picture) And to add even more excitement, they'll also be going on tour with brand new music. Posters of the group had also popped up around the Swedish capital before the big announcement, which saw all three members speak entirely in Swedish. They didn't give any details about where and when they'll head out on tour following the Stockholm gig, meaning fans will have to wait a little big longer to see if the guys are coming their way. They did, however, confirm that further live dates will be released in the future. (Image: Twitter) (Image: BBC) It's reported that the group, who influenced a generation of EDM stars, will put their individual projects on hold while they worked together on their new music. The trio formed in 2008 and went on to become one of the world's biggest house DJ groups. They picked up plenty of awards in their time, including a Grammy in 2012 for Save The World, and another in 2013 for Don't You Worry Child. Tickets for the gig in Stockholm will go on sale on Saturday, October 27. Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@trinitymirror.com or call us direct 0207 29 33033<doc-sep>The legendary dance music trio Swedish House Mafia appear to be ready to make their grand return to the capital of Sweden. A few days ago, the official Swedish House Mafia website displayed a mysterious countdown timer. Fans of the trio went crazy with speculations of new music or shows. It now appears that the trio will be returning home for another event. Just a few hours ago the Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, and Steve Angello all posted the same image teasing the potential event to their personal Twitter profiles. It showed the word "Stockholm" three times, each apparently representing a member of the group. The dance music world has been eagerly awaiting more developments on the trio's reunion since their massive surprise appearance at Ultra Music Festival earlier this year. While it's too early to say for sure, a Stockholm show seems as likely as anything. At the time of writing, a less than eight hours remain on the SwedishHouseMafia.com countdown timer. Fans will soon find out what the EDM supergroup have in store for them. H/T: Your EDM FOLLOW SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swedishhousemafia/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/swedishousemfia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swedishhousemafia/ SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/officialswedishhousemafia<doc-sep>

Swedish House Mafia have announced they are reforming Now this is a surprise we have time for. At a press conference in Stockholm on Monday morning, Swedish House Mafia announced that they will be reuniting. With whispers and rumours swirling ever since their surprise performance at this years Ultra Music Festival in Miami, the super group, made up of Axwell, Steve Angello and Sebastian Ingrosso, have today confirmed that they will reunite for a homecoming show at the Tele2 Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. The group will premiere brand new, never-before-heard music at the newly announced show, which is their first concert together on home turf in over six years. Fans of the EDM giants guessed that something might have been coming after a series of mysterious Swedish House Mafia-inspired posters started appearing across Stockholm - the group's website also housed a countdown, which we now know was counting down to Monday's press conference (which you can watch below). Swedish House Mafia https://t.co/OdID5ChWwK — Swedish House Mafia (@swedishousemfia) October 22, 2018 It was in 2012 that Swedish House Mafia, who at the time were one of the biggest electronic touring acts on the circuit, announced that they would be disbanding despite them being at their peak. On their final farewell tour, they performed across the globe, immediately becoming the world’s fastest and best selling electronic artists of all-time. Paying their respect to their hometown, selling out three shows at Friends Arena Stockholm and playing to 133,000 fans, making it the first and last performances in their home country, they closed out their UK account with a sold out farewell show at the Milton Keynes Bowl. According to their press release: "Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, and Steve Angello have now chosen to put the past behind them and come together, not just as Swedish House Mafia but as artists, and more importantly as three best friends with a message." Tickets to the historical return will go on sale on Saturday, 27 October at 12am via livenation.se.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's baby boy arrived this morning—and according to an announcement from Buckingham Palace, the new parents are currently spending quality time with their child in their home, Windor's Frogmore Cottage. Thanks to royal reporter Katie Nicholl's intel, we have details on the room in which Harry and Meghan are likely spending a lot of time: the nursery. Nicholl told ET in January that the royal couple had a very specific approach in mind when they decorated their baby's bedroom. A view of Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, Harry and Meghan’s new home. GOR Getty Images "According to sources who are helping with [their new home] renovations, the nursery itself is going to be very modern," Nicholl said. "Don't expect to see any baby pink or baby blue. Apparently, it's going to be a monochrome palette—whites and grays, I'm told, will be the color theme for baby Sussex's nursery." Nicholl added that this was because—at least at the time—the couple were waiting to find out their baby's gender. Frogmore House in Windsor. Max Mumby/Indigo Getty Images The couple didn't stop at the color scheme when designing Baby Sussex's nursery. According to a report from Vanity Fair, also courtesy of Nicholl, the royal couple went all out on the renovations. Meghan apparently created a mood board specifically for the nursery, which was outfitted with "top-of-the-line cameras, security windows, and a state-of-the-art stereo system." Harry was said to be geeking out over the tech, while Meghan is likely behind the choice of eco-friendly vegan paint. All of this was implemented by Vicky Charles, the design director of Soho Farmhouse. Harry and Meghan are both said to be fans of Soho House's aesthetic—so much so, it seems, that they'd like to take it home with them. 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>Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's baby is only a few months away from gracing us with its royal presence. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced the pregnancy on Oct, 15. It also happened to be the first day of their royal tour that took them to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga. "Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019," Kensington Palace announced in a statement that day. "Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public." The news of Meghan's pregnancy came just about five months after their May 19, 2018 nuptials at St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Since then, she's allowed her baby bump to take center stage in many of her royal outings. On Monday, the Duchess shared some tidbits about her due date during at outing in Birkenhead, Merseyside, including her due date. Here's everything we know so far about Meghan and Harry's baby.<doc-sep>When Kensington Palace released a statement announcing Meghan's pregnancy in October, they said Meghan "is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019" Countdown to Royal Baby Is On! Meghan Markle Reveals First Child's Due Date It won’t be long until Meghan Markle and Prince Harry become a family of three! During the couple’s visit to the town of Birkenhead on Monday, the Duchess of Sussex told the crowd when she’s due to give birth to their first child. Get push notifications with news, features and more. “We asked her how her pregnancy was going and she said she was six months and she tapped her tummy,” well-wisher Carla Gandy from nearby Wallasey, who was there with her 4-year-old daughter Sofia, tells PEOPLE. Meghan told others gathered in Hamilton Square that she’s due in late April. When Kensington Palace released a statement announcing Meghan’s pregnancy in October, they simply said Meghan “is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019.” BRITAIN-ROYALS-VISIT Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Credit: PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex visit to Birkenhead, UK - 14 Jan 2019 Meghan Markle | Credit: Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock Rebecca Blundell, who was in Hamilton Square with daughters Lily, 6, and Lottie, 2, says Harry asked how to spell Lily’s name. “Meghan came up straight after and said that he’s going to be a fantastic dad,” Blundell shares. One young mom was cradling her son, Oliver. “She said her pregnancy had gone so quickly,” the woman, who wished to remain anonymous, says. “I asked her how she was coping on those high heels. She said, ‘One day at a time!’ ” BRITAIN-ROYALS-VISIT Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Credit: PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images Jo Richards was lucky to meet Meghan in Chester, during Meghan’s first solo outing with the Queen, and again in Birkenhead. “I explained to Meghan I’d seen her in Chester and she remembered,” Richards tells PEOPLE. “She said ‘I’ve changed since you saw me last.’ ” Richards’ friend Jean Elliott told the Duchess she thought she was having a girl. “Meghan said there are ‘strong opinions about that, but it’s a 50/50 split!’ ” says Elliott. Prince Harry and Meghan Duchess of Sussex visit to Birkenhead, UK - 14 Jan 2019 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Credit: Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock Meghan, 37, previously hinted that her first child would be an April baby through her jewelry. As she kicked off the Sydney Invictus Games in October, fans noticed that she was wearing three stacked rings with different colored stones by Canadian brand Ecksand. RELATED VIDEO: Meghan Markle Drops a Hint About Baby’s Due Date During Christmas Day Outing Royal blogger @DuchyOfSuccess noticed that the stones may represent the birthstones of Harry and their future son or daughter. “I’m hoping Meghan’s stacked rings represent their birthstones and Baby Sussex is an April baby,” she shared on Twitter. Meghan may have chosen the emerald stone to symbolize, peridot, the “evening emerald,” which is her own birthstone (for August). Emerald could also represent the month of May, which is the couple’s wedding month. Harry, a September baby, would be represented by the blue sapphire. The Duke And Duchess Of Sussex Visit Australia - Day 5 Meghan Markle in October | Credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage; Inset: Chris Jackson/Getty<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. Meghan Markle could choose to have her baby at home, it has been revealed. The couple announced they were expecting their first child as they touched down in Australia for their first overseas tour, five months after their wedding. The child will be born in Spring, the palace said. Will we get ICONIC photo of Meghan Markle's baby outside Lindo Wing? REVEALED: Kate Middleton 'WILL want another baby' – because of Meghan But instead of giving birth at the Lindo Wing as previous royals have, Meghan is reportedly looking at home birth. Prince William and Kate have chosen the Lindo Wing as the private maternity wing where they had all three of their children. Patients pay £7,500 a night for the facilities at the Lindo Wing, where expectant mums are offered a champagne toast for the arrival of their child. There has only been speculation where Meghan and Harry could choose to have their first child, as the palace has not confirmed where they could choose.<doc-sep>

We've been following Meghan Markle's pregnancy avidly ever since she and Prince Harry revealed they were set to become parents back in October last year. But despite being ~super~ invested in this currently non-existent child, we actually know very little about it - starting with exactly when it's due. Up until now, all Kensington Palace has said about the royal baby is that it's due in "spring 2019", which you might have noted spans approximately four months of the year. So that isn't exactly helpful when it comes to giving us much detail. But according to ITV News' royal editor Chris Ship, today Meghan shared the exact month her baby is due: and it's April. Meghan is visiting Birkenhead today along with Prince Harry, in the couple's first joint official engagement of the year. While in Merseyside, the royals are visiting a number of local organisations that support and empower groups within the local community, including young people and women. Chris Ship is one of several royal correspondents following the Duke and Duchess of Sussex around on their visit to the town near Liverpool today, and he overheard Meghan share the month of her due date in a conversation she was having with one of the women in the crowds. For those who want to know about these things: Meghan told one lady in the crowd that she is 6 months pregnant and another woman that her due date is around April 👶 pic.twitter.com/G6iXu5BaPC — Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) January 14, 2019 "For those who want to know about these things: Meghan told one lady in the crowd that she is 6 months pregnant and another woman that her due date is around April," wrote the royal expert. And this is BIG NEWS, mainly because now we know what month we should cancel all plans in exchange for camping outside a hospital. The details on her pregnancy also correct speculation that Meghan was further along her pregnancy than we initially thought. The size of the Duchess' bump led people to believe she was either due very early spring (around the beginning of March) or that she and Harry are expecting twins. Meghan and Harry stopped to chat to people who had come to greet them Getty Images Granted, Meghan's bump is very prominent. But considering we've never seen a pregnant Meghan Markle before these last few months, and that every woman carries differently during pregnancy, we can't really make any assumptions. Looks like we'll just have to wait and see what turns up, when. Follow Cat on Instagram. Catriona Harvey-Jenner Digital Features Editor Cat is Cosmopolitan UK's features editor covering women's issues, health and current affairs.

James Corden looks seriously terrified in this clip with Tom Cruise as they prepare to “jump out of an aeroplane” as Corden describes, at 15,000 feet over Perris, California. It’s clearly Corden’s first attempt at skydiving and Mission Impossible: Fallout star Cruise admits he’s shocked Corden didn’t back out for this Late Late Show segment. After they greet one another, Cruise says “I’m just so impressed that James is going skydiving. I mean, between you and me, I was half expecting him to text me and tell me he was canceling.” Quick cut to Corden who explains, “I’ve actually been trying to get ahold of Tom for the last couple of days to cancel, but apparently I had his number saved wrong in my phone. So, I’d also like to take this time to apologize to Tom Hiddleston for all the messages I sent him about my case of food poisoning.” Before they board, Corden asks Cruise how long they’ll “be in that aeroplane,”. Cruise replies, “About 15 minutes.” Corden quips, “Is there a meal service?” After all is said and done, the two land back on terra firma unscathed. Check out the priceless video above.<doc-sep>He is famed for performing his own stunts. So Tom Cruise was naturally keen to show off his skills as he put on an incredible display during an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden, where he joined the British funnyman in launching out of a plane in Perris Valley, California. The Mission Impossible legend, 56, encouraged James to embark on the stunt, which saw the duo fall 15,000 feet from a plane, and while the host was attached to an expert, showing his incredible skill, Tom jumped out alone. Jumping out: Tom Cruise was naturally keen to show off his skills as he put on an incredible display during an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden, where he joined the British funnyman in launching out of a plane in Perris Valley, California As the show opened, Tom admitted he did not expect James to go though with the stunt as he was convinced he would pull out at the last minute. He said: 'I’m just so impressed that James is going skydiving. I mean, between you and me, I was half expecting him to text me and tell me he was cancelling.' In response to the cheeky jibe, James joked about trying to cancel, as he said: 'I’ve actually been trying to get a hold of Tom for the last couple of days to cancel, but apparently I had his number saved wrong in my phone. 'So, I’d also like to take this time to apologise to Tom Hiddleston for all the messages I sent him about my case of food poisoning.' The launch: The Mission Impossible legend, 56, encouraged James to embark on the stunt, which saw the duo fall 15,000 feet from a plane, and while the host was attached to an expert, showing his incredible skill, Tom jumped out alone Wah: He said: 'I’m just so impressed that James is going skydiving. I mean, between you and me, I was half expecting him to text me and tell me he was cancelling' Fearful! As they headed into the plane, dressed in the necessary jumpsuits and protective garb, James managed to put his nerves aside enough to teach Tom the legendary 'Big Fish, Little Fish, Cardboard Box' dance Another one... In 2016, the pair collaborated again to recreate a host of famous scenes from his films - including the legendary in the original Mission Impossible moment As they headed into the plane, dressed in the necessary jumpsuits and protective garb, James managed to put his nerves aside enough to teach Tom the legendary 'Big Fish, Little Fish, Cardboard Box' dance. Despite seeming to mask his nerves, he then proposed they never do such a dangerous task again as he said to the clearly-tickled actor: 'You know, next time you come on the show, let’s just do a chat.' He went on: ‘The worst problem is in all of this is, if we both die, I will get zero press. I mean, I will be a footnote. The story will be: “Tom Cruise dies – also that guy who occasionally drives around in a car”.’ Leg it! Tom is famed for performing his own stunts (pictured filming at Blackfriars Bridge in London, during filming for Mission Impossible 6 in January) Dangerman: He was lauded as a 'fantastic stunt rider', as he continues his legendary stunts (pictured in 2015's Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation) Preparing: As the show opened, Tom admitted he did not expect James to go though with the stunt as he was convinced he would pull out at the last minute All systems GO! Tom was a picture of calm as he encouraged James to go forth Talking about the successful stunt on the show, Tom revealed why he is so keen to do his own stunts: 'I want to entertain an audience, we come up with great stories and we’re able to put a camera in places that you normally can’t so it’s not just stunts. It’s storytelling and character. ‘I can’t help it. I’m 100 per cent when I do something and I just want to give the audience the very best so that’s what I try to do.’ It would not be the first time Tom took someone skydiving - as he admitted doing so with his late mother, Mary Lee South, as a Mother's Day treat while he was filming Days Of Thunder in Florida in 1990. He recalled how he surprised his mum, who died last year at age 80, at the airfield, with her calmly replying when he told her what he had planned: 'Alright darling let's go do it.' Woo! It would not be the first time Tom took someone skydiving - as he admitted doing so with his late mother, Mary Lee South, as a Mother's Day treat while he was filming Days Of Thunder in Florida in 1990 Wah! He recorded the jump, kissing his mum in the air, and sent the footage to his three sisters who had no idea what they had done He recorded the jump, kissing his mum in the air, and sent the footage to his three sisters who had no idea what they had done. Getting them to open the videos all at the same time, he smiled: 'They opened it and put it on and saw what we were doing and just [beep]ed themselves. They were like, ''What are you doing to our mother!'' Of his late mom, he said: 'She wasn't necessarily a daredevil but she had just a wonderful sense of adventure. She was someone who the cup was always half full. There was always a smile there, just a lovely, lovely woman.' Trimming up: Tom also spoke about one of his favorite movie set rituals - sending cakes to his crew, stuntmen and co-stars to live vicariously through their enjoyment as he keeps off sugar to stay in shape Having a giggle: While Tom seemed to find the situation hilarious despite James appearing absolutely terrified Larking around: The duo proved their long-time friendship as they played around Tom also spoke about one of his favorite movie set rituals - sending cakes to his crew, stuntmen and co-stars to live vicariously through their enjoyment as he keeps off sugar to stay in shape. He said: 'I love sugar but I can't eat it because when I'm training I'm doing all these movies, so I send it to everyone, I send it to the stunt team, and I wait for the calls. Corden then told how the superstar had done a similar thing for him. 'On the morning of the Grammys I woke up to someone knocking on my door, it was like 8am, and they presented me with an incredible chocolate cake and it was from Tom Cruise saying, ''Good luck with the Grammys'',' he recalled. Laughing, he said: 'And I was like, ''This is how you look so good -- you make everyone around you fat!'' While filming 2012 movie Jack Reacher, Tom was described as 'one of the best stunt drivers I’ve ever met' by the film's second unit director Paul Jennings.<doc-sep>

The mission: skydive from 15,000 feet in the air with Tom Cruise. Level of terror induced in James Corden from the task? 11 out of 10. On a 110 degree day in Perris Valley, Calif., James Corden took to the sky with “Mission Impossible — Fallout” star Tom Cruise to attempt to “jump out of an aeroplane,” as the talk show host described, for a “Late Late Show” segment. In the clip, Corden repeatedly expresses his disbelief that he is actually completing the stunt. After greeting one another, Cruise jokes how “I’m just so impressed that James is going skydiving. I mean, between you and me, I was half expecting him to text me and tell me he was canceling.” The video then cuts to Corden explaining how his attempts to back out of the bit failed. “I’ve actually been trying to get a hold of Tom for the last couple of days to cancel, but apparently I had his number saved wrong in my phone. So, I’d also like to take this time to apologize to Tom Hiddleston for all the messages I sent him about my case of food poisoning.” After training on how to arch during the freefall, which, according to the “Cats” star, made him “feel like a rumba” rolling around on the ground, Corden taught Cruise the “big box, little box, cardboard box” dance routine — which he previously taught “Carpool Karaoke” participant Justin Bieber — before heading up into the air. In between stretches mid-flight, Corden told Cruise: “You know, next time you come on the show, let’s just do a chat.” But despite a parade of expletives on Corden’s part before falling out into the air, both actors made it through their skydiving adventure unscathed, all scored to the “Mission Impossible” theme. “Mission Impossible — Fallout” is in theaters now. Watch the clip from tonight’s “The Late Late Show with James Corden” above.

The Eiffel Tower is installing bulletproof glass and metal fencing to protect it from terrorist attacks. The panels are nearly 10 feet high and more than 2 inches thick and will be positioned on the north and south ends of the Paris monument, according to NPR. The east and west ends will now have metal fencing, a measure put in place to protect against possible cars ramming into the monument's grounds. ADVERTISEMENT The report notes that plans for these protective measures were announced in 2017. The bulletproof glass and metal fencing replace temporary barriers that were installed in 2016. The temporary barrier was put in place after a series of terrorist attacks in France. Bernard Gaudillere, president of the Société d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel, which operates the tower, told ABC that these measures were taken "to increase the security" because the square surrounding the tower is easily accessible to anyone. ABC also reports that the new perimeter will cost $40 million and will be completely installed by July. "When you are on site, you see that the 3-meter high walls, compared to the scale of the monument, are absolutely not visible," the architect overseeing the project previously told The Associated Press. "It will really look as if the square [under the Eiffel Tower] was open." The French have been hit by multiple terrorist attacks in recent years, including one in Paris in November 2015, which killed 130 people and wounded hundreds. The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria claimed responsibility for that attack.<doc-sep>Thick bulletproof glass walls and metal fencing around the Eiffel Tower are intended to protect the nearly 7 million annual visitors to France's most popular landmark. The security upgrade began last year, and comes after a series of attacks by Islamic militants that have left more than 240 people dead since 2015. The new walls are part of a €35 million ($41 million) security upgrade due to be finished in mid-July. The bulletproof glass is 6.5 cm (2.5 inches) thick and guards the Quai Branly Boulevard, which faces the river, as well as the Avenue Gustave Eiffel, which separates the "Iron Lady" from a park. Terror attacks in France since 2015 December 11, 2018: Strasbourg shooting A gunman opened fire at a Christmas market in the eastern city of Strasbourg, home to the European Parliament. At least two people were killed and 12 injured. Prosecutors opened a terror investigation. France immediately raised its national security alert to its highest level in anticipation of copycat attacks. Terror attacks in France since 2015 May 12, 2018: Paris knife attack A man wielding a knife attacks bystanders in a central neighborhood in Paris, killing one person and wounding another four. French prosecutors open a terror probe into the attack, citing witness accounts that the assailant shouted "Allahu akbar" ("God is greatest"). The militant "Islamic State" (IS) group claims responsibility for the attack, calling the knifeman one of their "soldiers." Terror attacks in France since 2015 March 23, 2018: Trebes hostage crisis An attacker claiming allegiance to IS perpetrates a string of violent crimes in the southern town of Trebes during the morning hours. He kills a man while stealing a car and then fires shots at police officers before entering a Super U grocery store, where he takes hostages. Police shoot dead the attacker. Four people are killed, including including policeman Arnaud Beltrame. Terror attacks in France since 2015 October 1, 2017: Marseille train station knife attack A man fatally stabs two women at the Marseille train station. The perpetrator, Ahmed Hanachi, is shot dead by police on patrol. IS claims responsibility for the attack in a post by its news agency Amaq. In it, they call Hanachi one of the group's "soldiers." Two Interior Ministry officials resign after it is revealed that Hanachi was an undocumented immigrant who they had failed to detain. Terror attacks in France since 2015 April 20, 2017: Champs-Elysees police shooting A gunman opens fire on police on the Champs-Elysees, Paris' most iconic boulevard. One police officer is killed and two individuals are injured before police shoot the gunman dead. A note praising IS is found next to the gunman's body. The terrorist group also claims responsibility. The attack occurs just days before the first round of the French presidential election. Security is tightened. Terror attacks in France since 2015 February 3, 2017: Machete attempt at Louvre Soldiers shoot and severely injure a knife-wielding man outside the Louvre museum in Paris after he assails them. One soldier is lightly injured. The attacker had two further machetes in his backpack. A subsequent investigation reveals the Egyptian national had traveled to France from Dubai on a valid tourist visa. A Twitter account associated with the man's name refers to IS in posts. Terror attacks in France since 2015 July 26, 2016: Murder of Normandy priest Two teens enter a church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, Normandy and slit the throat of an 85-year-old priest in front of five parishioners. Police shoot the 19-year-olds dead as they try to leave. IS takes responsibility and publishes a video of the teens pledging allegiance to the group. Many French Muslims attend the next Sunday's Mass to show solidarity with Catholics and condemn the attack. Terror attacks in France since 2015 July 14, 2016: Truck attack in Nice On Bastille Day, France's national holiday, a truck drives through crowds in Nice that had gathered to watch the fireworks on a major seaside promenade. Before being shot dead by police, the driver kills 86 and injuries more than 400 others. IS claims responsibility, stating that the attacker had responded to IS calls to target civilians living in coalition nations fighting IS in Syria and Iraq. Terror attacks in France since 2015 November 13, 2015: Paris attacks France's most deadly terror attack: IS jihadis armed with automatic weapons and explosives undertake coordinated attacks in Paris including at the Bataclan concert hall, the national stadium and various street cafes. The mass shootings and suicide bombings kill 130 people, injuring hundreds more. IS claims responsibility. Then-President Francois Hollande calls it an act of war by IS. Terror attacks in France since 2015 August 21, 2015: Thalys train tragedy averted A deadly attack is averted: On a high-speed train from Amsterdam to Paris, a man opens fire with an assault rifle that subsequently jams. Other train passengers tackle the man, preventing deadly violence. Four are injured including the attacker. The assailant had been known to French security officials for past drug-related activities and statements in defense of radical Islamist violence. Terror attacks in France since 2015 June 26, 2015: Beheading, truck explosion near Lyon Yassin Salhi beheads his boss and displays the head, along with two Islamic flags, on the gate outside a gas plant near Lyon. He also tries to blow up the factory by driving his van into the gas cylinders. The attempt fails, but unleashes a smaller explosion, injuring two. French authorities claim links between the man and IS. He commits suicide in prison. Terror attacks in France since 2015 January 7-9, 2015: Charlie Hebdo, Jewish supermarket attack Two men with automatic guns storm the offices of satire magazine Charlie Hebdo, killing 12 and wounding 12 others. A different gunman kills a police officer the next day, then four more during a hostage-taking on January 9 at a kosher grocery. Police eventually shoot all three gunmen dead, but not before they claim allegiance to IS and al-Qaida. Author: Cristina Burack Bernard Gaudillere, head of the SETE, the company which manages the Eiffel Tower, told journalists this week that the bulletproof glass is "rock-solid for absolute security."<doc-sep>PARIS has installed a 10ft anti-terror wall around the Eiffel Tower using bulletproof glass to protect visitors from potential attacks. The permanent structure, unveiled on Thursday, replaces the old metal fencing with 450 clear panels which are two inches thick and weigh 1.5 tonnes each. 5 Paris has unveiled an anti-terror wall its built to protect visitors from terror attacks at the Eiffel Tower Credit: AP:Associated Press The company operating France's most-visited monument says the walls have been put up at the north and south ends of the site to protect visitors from terror attacks. Two graphic grids have been erected on the two other sides of the site and bollards against vehicle ramming attacks will be set up all around. Soldiers and police will keep patrolling outside and inside the area, as they have done since the deadly November 2015 attacks in the French capital. The glass walls allow visitors to admire the views from the nearby Champ-de-Mars gardens to the other side of the Seine River that cuts through Paris. 5 The bulletproof glass panels are more than two inches thick and weigh over a tonne Credit: AP:Associated Press 5 Construction workers build a new security bulletproof glass barrier around the monument Credit: AP:Associated Press The renovation, which also embellish the gardens beneath the tower, is part of a £261million (300 million euro) project announced last year to modernize the 129-year-old tower. The security renovation should be completed by September. Jose Luis Fuentes, an architect at Dietmar Feichtinger Architects, which is in charge of the project, said: "When you are on site, you see that the 3-meter high walls, compared to the scale of the monument, are absolutely not visible. "It will really look as if the square (under the Eiffel Tower) was open." 5 The famous landmark has also got a new metal barrier at two of the other ends of the structure Credit: AP:Associated Press 5 Architect Dietmar Feichtinger poses in front of a new security bulletproof glass barrier in Paris Credit: AP:Associated Press Between six and seven million people visit the Eiffel Tower every year. Fences were put up at the tower ahead of the Euro 2016 football tournament - but the city's assistant mayor said the site needed further protection. Jean-Francois Martins, the assistant mayor for tourism, said last year the wall would be designed to stop individuals or vehicles from storming the site. Euro 2016 final marred by fan violence in Paris as hooligans riot near Eiffel Tower MOST READ IN NEWS 'GOBSMACKED' Queen 'gave Harry OK for Oprah series after misleading pitch about soldiers' ROD LIDDLE Ousting right-on National Trust boss is a victory against wokery DRUMMER DEAD School Of Rock star dies at 32 after being hit by car as Jack Black mourns HOUSE ABOUT IT You won't believe what this ordinary London home looks like on the inside Exclusive TOM'S LEGACY Captain Tom Moore — who raised £39m for charity — left family £73k in will JABS HOPE Scientists 'crack cause of blood clots linked to Covid jabs & know how to fix it' "The terror threat remains high in Paris and the most vulnerable sites, led by the Eiffel Tower, must be the object of special security measures," he said. "We will replace the metal grids to the north and south with glass panels which will allow Parisians and visitors a very pleasant view of the monument." Martins added: "We have three aims - to improve the look, make access easier and strengthen the protection of visitors and staff." Eiffel Tower lights switch off after injuries of three French students in Westminster terror attack 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 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.<doc-sep>To boost security, the Eiffel Tower will soon be surrounded by glass walls. Paris -- The Eiffel Tower will soon be surrounded with bulletproof glass walls to protect the iconic monument from terrorist threats. Since the terror attacks that killed 130 people in Paris and Saint-Denis on Nov. 13, 2015, the iconic tower has been under constant surveillance. French soldiers and policemen patrol the site 24 hours a day. But the company that operates the tower, SETE, said the site still needed more security. "The square of the Eiffel Tower was still, at the time, accessible to anyone very easily," Bernard Gaudillere, SETE's president, told ABC News. "Therefore we decided to build a new perimeter around the Eiffel Tower to increase the security." The new perimeter will be unveiled to the public next month. But ABC News was given access to the construction site for a preview. Temporary barriers were set up around the 1063-foot tower in June 2016. They are now being replaced by permanent bulletproof glass walls on the northern and southern ends of the landmark, and by metal fences on the eastern and western sides. Visitors will have access to the Eiffel Tower through these fences. "The two glass walls are 10 feet high," Gaudillere said of the new, permanent walls. "They are bulletproof and very solid." He also said 420 blocks will also be installed in front of the glass walls to prevent a vehicle attack like the ones that have occurred in New York and across Europe. The new security perimeter, which costs $40 million, will be completed and unveiled in July. But critics, including people living in the neighborhood near the Eiffel Tower, say that the walls will drastically change the appearance of the landmark, making it look like a fortress. Jean-Sébastien Baschet, the president of an organization called Les Amis du Champ-de-Mars, said in a statement last year that the new perimeter would affect local residents' access to the gardens near the tower. "The privatization of the gardens located right next to the Eiffel Tower is unacceptable and incompatible with the notion of cohabitation, which is very important to our neighborhood," Baschet said in a statement posted to the group's website in May 2017. Baschet did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment. Others see the barriers as necessary to protect visitors. "It will look much better than the temporary barriers that were installed two years ago, but most importantly, the security of our visitors will be increased, and this is our absolute priority," Alain Dumas, technical director for the Eiffel Tower operating company, told ABC News. Gaudillere said the threat of terrorism at the tower is very real. In August 2017, a man with a knife tried to breach security at the Eiffel Tower. He was quickly surrounded and arrested on the scene by French police. No one was hurt in the incident but the tower was briefly evacuated. After a difficult year in 2016 in which the numbers of visitors to the Eiffel Tower felt below 6 million people for the first time in 15 years, there has been a rebound. In 2017, more tourists came back to the monument, Gaudillere said, adding: "We expect the upward trend to continue in 2018."<doc-sep>

Goodbye metal fencing, hello glass walls: Paris authorities are building a permanent security belt around the Eiffel Tower, replacing the current fencing around it with more visually appealing glass walls. The company operating France’s most-visited monument says see-through panels are being set up at the north and south ends of the site. Each panel, made from over 6-centimeter (2.36-inch) thick armored glass, measures 3 meters (nearly 10 feet) high and weighs 1.5 tons. In all, 450 glass panels will compose the two walls north and south of the monument. Open gallery view Members of the media make images of the new glass security fence which is under construction around the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, June 14, 2018. Credit: \ BENOIT TESSIER/ REUTERS Open gallery view The new glass security fence, that is under constructioni, is seen around the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, June 14, 2018. Credit: \ BENOIT TESSIER/ REUTERS Two graphic grids have been erected on the two other sides of the site and bollards against vehicle ramming attacks will be set up all around. French soldiers and police will keep patrolling outside and inside the area, as they have done since the deadly November 2015 attacks in the French capital. The glass walls being installed allow visitors to admire the views from the nearby Champ-de-Mars gardens to the other side of the Seine River that cuts through Paris. The renovation, which will also embellish the gardens beneath the tower, is part of a 300 million euro ($350 million) project announced last year to modernize the 129-year-old tower that has become the most recognized landmark in Paris. The security renovation should be completed by September. “When you are on site, you see that the 3-meter high walls, compared to the scale of the monument, are absolutely not visible,” said Jose Luis Fuentes, an architect at Dietmar Feichtinger Architects, which is in charge of the project. “It will really look as if the square (under the Eiffel Tower) was open.” Between 6 and 7 million people visit the Eiffel Tower every year. Open gallery view Architect Dietmar Feichtinger poses in front of a new security bulletproof glass barrier under construction around the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, Thursday, June 14, 2018. Credit: Francois Mori/AP Open gallery view The new glass security fence, that is under construction, is seen around the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, June 14, 2018. Credit: \ BENOIT TESSIER/ REUTERS Open gallery view A member of the media makes images of the new glass security fence which is under construction around the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, June 14, 2018. Credit: \ BENOIT TESSIER/ REUTERS Open gallery view Tourists and visitors queue to pass the security check at the entrance to the new glass fence around the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, June 14, 2018. Credit: \ BENOIT TESSIER/ REUTERS Open gallery view Construction workers build a new security bulletproof glass barrier under construction around the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, Thursday, June 14, 2018. Credit: Francois Mori/AP

Toronto police say they have located a vehicle believed to have been involved in a shooting that left two young sisters wounded at a suburban playground. Supt. Mark Barkley told reporters at the site of Thursday's shooting that the vehicle was located around 11:30 this morning. "That vehicle is subject to an ongoing investigation," Barkley said. "The vehicle was located at Liverpool [Road] and Highway 2." Barkley said police continue to "pursue every possible investigative lead to look for, identify and apprehend all persons involved in what transpired here." Supt. Mark Barkley told reporters Friday that police have located a vehicle believed to have been involved in the shooting. (CBC) Earlier today, police released images of a vehicle believed to have been involved in the shooting. Detectives said they were searching for a black Nissan Versa (model between 2007 and 2011), which they believe was used as a getaway car. Police are trying to track down the shooter and driver involved in the brazen daytime attack in Scarborough. The sisters, aged five and nine, were rushed to the Hospital for Sick Children after the shooting at 10 Alton Towers Circle, near McCowan Road and Steeles Avenue. The younger girl was shot in the abdomen and the older girl was hit in the ankle. Both underwent surgery but are expected to recover. Thursday's brazen daytime shooting took place at Alton Towers Circle in Scarborough. (CBC) 11 children at park during shooting Investigators said the shooter arrived at the park from a nearby parking lot. He then approached the playground on foot before firing at least seven shots into the busy area. "Some cowards came into this neighbourhood and opened fire into a playground," Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders told reporters at the scene. There were 11 children and one adult male at the playground during the shooting, Det.-Sgt. Jim Gotell said. Two of several bullet holes are circled in a wooden fence at the playground where the two young sisters were shot and wounded. (Sebastien St-Francois/CBC) Police believe the adult was the intended target. A source with knowledge of the investigation told CBC News that initial reports indicated two masked people were seen in a vehicle in the area. 'They just want to be kids' A day after the attack, local residents described the community as family oriented, where neighbours look out for each other. "It's always been everybody is there for everyone. If a child gets hurt and you may be doing something, somebody is there to help your child," said Dinette, who CBC News agreed to conceal her last name due to fear of retaliation. She said her daughters regularly played with the sisters. "They're beautiful little girls, very loving, very happy," she said. "They just want to be kids. They just want to play like any other child." Another resident, Albert Tsui, told CBC News his son goes to school with one of the girls' siblings and regularly plays in the park with them after school. His son was practising piano when the shooting occurred. "It's too close to us," he said. "I don't think this should be happening in our community." Emergency crews were called to the playground around 5 p.m. Thursday. (Linda Ward/CBC) Police said the victims' school has been contacted and counsellors will be available for any students affected. In a statement today, the Toronto Catholic District School Board said that like many others in the city, its members have been touched by the horrific shooting. "TCDSB is on public record in support of legislation to curb gun violence in the city, and indeed across the country," it said. The school board said supports are in place for staff and students as they try to deal with what has happened. "These supports will remain in place as long as needed." 'Thugs and cowards' Meanwhile, Ontario premier-designate Doug Ford said that no effort will be spared to track down those responsible and bring them to justice. "We have a bunch of thugs running around the city with guns, shooting people, and my prayers and thoughts go out to their families and the two little kids," Ford said Friday. "I also think that once we catch these thugs and these cowards that they get locked up, they get locked up for a long time." 'Heartbreaking' Ford assured the affected families that those responsible will be caught. "It's heartbreaking. Every single person here, most people, have children, and you can't even comprehend what the families are going through," he said. "These innocent two little kids being shot in the streets of Toronto? What's the city coming to?" Ontario premier-designate Doug Ford called the shooting 'heartbreaking.... you can't even comprehend what the families are going through.' (CBC) Ford said millions of dollars are being allocated to Toronto and Ottawa police to be able to fight guns and gangs. "Our government will assist our Toronto police — I believe the best police anywhere for a city in North America — and we're going to make sure that we give them all the resources they need, make sure that we help them out because this can't happen." 'Totally unacceptable act' Toronto Mayor John Tory also weighed in on the shooting, and he too promised that those responsible will be caught. "Today, two young girls woke up in SickKids Hospital, victims of a totally unacceptable act of gun violence," he said. "Since the shooting I have been in contact a number of times with Chief Mark Saunders, and he has assured me that the Toronto Police Service is doing everything possible to catch those who are responsible for this despicable crime." Toronto Mayor John says he has been assured by the police that they doing everything possible to catch those responsible. (CBC) Tory reiterated that he wants no stone left unturned in dealing with this crime. "I believe … every Toronto resident, without exception, wants this shooting solved, and I want the people that are involved with this brought to justice. I know that Chief Saunders shares my determination that the cowards who perpetrated this despicable act will be apprehended and face swift justice," Tory said.<doc-sep>Two girls, aged five and nine, were rushed to SickKids Hospital following a daylight shooting at a playground in east Toronto Thursday. Police say they are searching for two suspects — the shooter and the driver of the getaway vehicle. Emergency crews were called to the scene at 10 Alton Towers Circle, near McCowan Road and Steeles Avenue in Scarborough, around 5 p.m. ET. Eleven children were in the park at the time along with one adult male, who is believed to have been the intended target, Det.-Sgt. Jim Gotell told reporters at the scene. Two girls, aged five and nine, were rushed to SickKids Hospital following a shooting at a playground in east Toronto. Gotell said the two children were sisters and were shot when a man with a handgun arrived at a nearby parking lot in a vehicle, approached the park on foot and opened fire before fleeing. Police believe at least seven shots were fired. A source with knowledge of the investigation told CBC News initial reports indicated two masked people were seen in a vehicle in the area. Younger girl shot in abdomen, paramedics say The younger of the two girls was shot in the abdomen and taken to hospital with critical injuries. Her condition has since been upgraded to stable. The older sister was shot in the ankle. Both had to undergo surgery. "Some cowards came into this neighbourhood and opened fire into a playground," Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders told reporters at the scene. Eleven children were in the park at the time along with one adult male, who is believed to have been the intended target, Det.-Sgt. Jim Gotell told reporters at the scene. (Mark Boschler/CBC) The children were "obviously" not intended targets, he said, describing the act as "disgusting." This is a traumatic experience for all the kids in the neighbourhood. - Stacy London, nearby resident Police have not yet released a description of the suspects or the vehicle. Investigators are now looking to identify the children who were in the park at the time of the shooting and want to speak with the man believed to have been the intended target. Residents thought they heard firecrackers Stacie London, a nearby resident and nurse, ran outside when she heard the commotion and saw people crowded around the park, many of them crying. One woman was holding the girl with the abdomen wound and another was tending to the older girl. Stacie London, a nearby resident and nurse, ran outside when she heard the commotion and saw people crowded around the park, many of them crying. (Mark Boschler/CBC) "There was a lot of blood, so I ran home to get some gloves and then I ran back and just assessed to see if she had any open areas," she said. Within just a few minutes, she said, emergency crews arrived on scene. London said she knows both girls and is relieved to see their conditions have been upgraded to stable. But she's concerned things could have been much worse, she said, and worries about the lingering effects of the shooting. "This is a traumatic experience for all the kids in the neighbourhood because this is a park that they play in all summer long," she said. "It was quite shocking." Police said the victims' school has been contacted and counsellors will be available for any students affected. Nearby resident Stephanie Wu was walking home along McCowan Road when she saw approximately 10 emergency vehicles race by. When she got back to her apartment on Alton Towers Circle, she said, she realized just how close her home was to the crime scene. "People are a little shaken up," she told CBC News. Her neighbours told her they thought they'd heard multiple firecrackers go off, before learning there had been gunfire. Toronto Mayor John Tory and premier-designate Doug Ford have also expressed their concern over the incident.<doc-sep>Share this Story: Sisters, 5 and 9, shot in Scarborough playground 'quiet and friendly': Babysitter Sisters, 5 and 9, shot in Scarborough playground 'quiet and friendly': Babysitter Article content The babysitter of the nine-year-old girl, who was shot along with her five-year old sister Thursday at a Scarborough townhouse complex playground, tentatively returned to the scene of the shooting Friday morning to pick up her mail. But Joyce Willis, who has lived at Alton Towers Circle since 1995 without any incidents of violence, said, “I feel like something was missing.” We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Sisters, 5 and 9, shot in Scarborough playground 'quiet and friendly': Babysitter Back to video Safety, perhaps? We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or “(I’m) very sad. I was looking for that here because we’re a tight community,” she said. “(It’s a) very good neighbourhood. I’ve been living here since my daughter was seven. She’s 30 now.” Willis, who had yet to speak to the mother of the children on Friday, said the two gunshot victims are “quiet kids and friendly.” “They call out, ‘Hi, Joyce!’ It’s sad,” she said. “Oh my God, I didn’t go to sleep last night until 4:30 a.m.” Toronto Mayor John Tory and Toronto Police Supt. Mark Barkley, of 41 and 42 Division, visited the playground Friday afternoon and explained the two girls were recovering in hospital. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content They also revealed a vehicle believed to have been used by the shooter to flee the scene — previously described as a black, four-door 2007 to 2011 Nissan Versa — was found in Pickering, near Liverpool Rd. and Hwy. 2, shortly before the noon-hour. Barkley released no further details but asked that the family’s privacy be respected. “We are dealing with a family that needs all the support they can get in this incident,” he said. “(The investigation) will continue non-stop until we have in our custody everybody responsible for this incident.” As Friday progressed, several people approached what’s believed to be the family’s townhouse across the street from the playground, but no one answered the door and the playground was empty all day. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Ten bullet holes that had been marked by police were visible in the fence behind it. Police believe a man opened fire from the complex’s parking lot on another man, who was standing near the playground where 11 children were playing. More On This Topic What is Toronto coming to? : Ford SISTERS SHOT AT PLAYGROUND: Photo of vehicle of interest released Tory and Barkley spoke to residents of the community, including a nine-year-old Jessica Cunningham who stood in the street with her emotional father Darren. “The police are here to keep you safe and we’re going to get to the bottom of this, okay?” Tory told the young girl, who nodded quietly. Barkley said his personal reaction to the shooting of the two girls was: “Why? How? Who? Find them. Get them in jail.” Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Willis says she was in her backyard, not far from the playground, just after 5 p.m. Thursday and heard “seven gunshots in a row.” She said living in Toronto is “not safe, because every week, I hear (about) somebody getting hurt. It’s very sad and kids under 10 (in this case, were shot).” The sisters underwent surgery for their gunshot wounds at Sick Kids hospital and are now in stable condition. Willis said the family has eight children in total — “six small, and two big ones.” She added it will take a lot to make the community feel safe again. “What will make me feel safe again is to know the kids are free to play without incident. People coming in should be screened. Screen them, because I mean, you’re not living here, why are you coming in? We have a lot of strange faces coming here. I’d like security here.” jstevenson@postmedia.com We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or 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 Toronto Sun Headline News Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Toronto SUN, 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 Toronto Sun Headline News will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again Trending<doc-sep>Share this Story: SISTERS SHOT AT PLAYGROUND: Cops locate suspect vehicle in Pickering SISTERS SHOT AT PLAYGROUND: Cops locate suspect vehicle in Pickering Photo by Toronto Police/Supplied Article content Investigators have located the suspected getaway vehicle used by the gunman who shot two young sisters in Scarborough Thursday. Toronto Police announced Friday morning they were looking for a “vehicle of interest” described as a black, four-door 2007-2011 Nissan Versa sedan. And by the afternoon cops revealed the suspect vehicle was found abandoned in Pickering. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or SISTERS SHOT AT PLAYGROUND: Cops locate suspect vehicle in Pickering Back to video The city’s latest victims of gun violence, two girls believed to be just five and nine years old, were shot as they played in a parkette at a townhouse complex on Thursday. The gunfire erupted in the complex near McCowan Rd. and McNicoll Ave. just after 5 p.m. and two youngsters were rushed to Sick Kids hospital — one believed to have been shot in the chest, the other in the leg. Heard about the two children shot near McCowan Road and Steeles Avenue. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their families. I will be monitoring the situation closely. — Doug Ford (@fordnation) June 15, 2018 Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content A third child was grazed in the neck but did not need to be hospitalized. “This is a cowardly act…despicable,” Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders told reporters on the scene, adding officers were canvassing the neighbourhood and looking for surveillance video. “All, I know is I’ve got two young children who are shot — that’s disturbing,” the city’s top cop said. “We are going to everything and anything we can to restore safety in this neighbourhood.” Few details were immediately available, but Toronto Paramedic Services Deputy Commander Steven Henderson confirmed the two victims whisked away to hospital are “under ten years old.” “One of the patients has serious but non-life threatening injuries. And the second has serious and possibly life-threatening injuries,” he said. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content CTV reports the victims are sisters, five and nine years old. The youngest victim was reportedly critically injured and underwent emergency surgery, but by late Thursday night both girls were listed in stable condition. One shaken eyewitness, who was in one of the townhouses at the time, told CTV the shooting happened at a playground. 2 CHILDREN SHOT-Vehicle/Suspect(s) to ID~Info call police 416-808-4200~Anonymous tips Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477~Thurs Jun14/2018 5:01pm police responded to reports of a shooting at McCowan Rd Alton Towers Circle area~2 girls aged 5 & 9 shot~11 children in park at time ^sm pic.twitter.com/mViWBENx2t — Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) June 15, 2018 Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Some area residents heard eight or nine gunshots ring out but initially thought it was fireworks. “I was upstairs in the bedroom, I heard shots, I looked up, I see a car drive away, I came out, three little ones were hit,” an unidentified man told CTV. “I just seen one occupant, that was it. (The car) had tinted windows. It’s senseless,” he said. “My kids would have been out there too at the same time.” Nurse Stacy London told CTV she had just arrived home from work when she heard what happened. She rushed to the scene to administer first aid. “I ran through and there were two kids on the ground,” said London. “Very small kids. My first reaction was, ‘Oh, my God,’ because these kids we’ve known from very small.” We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Cops are looking for the shooter who fled the scene heading eastbound in a vehicle with tinted windows that was driven by a second person. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Police are also searching for a male who was in the townhouse complex parking lot, not far from the parkette, and is thought to have been the shooter’s intended target. We will work with police to do everything we can to bring swift justice to all those who threaten our city’s safety with gun violence and to help this neighbourhood and all neighbourhoods hurt by violence. — John Tory (@TorontosMayor) June 15, 2018 Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Ontario Premier-designate Doug Ford took to Twitter in the wake of the shooting and said he is “monitoring the situation closely.” “My thoughts and prayers are with them and their families,” he tweeted. Gunplay in the city has increased steadily each year since 2014 when there were 81 shooting occurrences and 101 shooting victims as of June 11 of that year. This year, Toronto had endured 181 shooting occurrences and 234 shooting victims in the same time period. Of the 40 murder victims so far in 2018, 18 were killed by guns. — With files by Chris Doucette jstevenson@postmedia.com We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or 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 Toronto Sun Headline News Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Toronto SUN, 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.<doc-sep>

Share this Story: Toronto police searching for 'cowards' who shot two young sisters at playground Toronto police searching for 'cowards' who shot two young sisters at playground Two girls, aged five and nine, are recovering in hospital. Police believe the intended target was a man who was among the 11 children in the playground Photo by HO / Toronto Police Handout via Canadian Press Article content TORONTO — Two sisters, ages five and nine, were seriously injured during a “brazen” daylight shooting at a playground in Toronto’s east end, authorities said Thursday. Toronto police Det. Sgt. Jim Gotell told reporters at the scene that the girls were rushed to the Hospital for Sick Children and both are expected to survive. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Toronto police searching for 'cowards' who shot two young sisters at playground Back to video He said at least seven shots were fired and investigators believe the intended target was a man who was among the 11 children in the playground. “We’ve had a lot of co-operation from the public in regards to this shooting,” Gotell said. “It’s a very horrible event that happened this evening, a very brazen attack on two young girls, so we’re getting a lot of sympathy from members of the public and members of this community.” Gotell said investigators are looking for the male shooter and the driver of a getaway vehicle. Police have not provided descriptions for a suspect vehicle, but Gotell said they will release that information soon. Article content “A male approached the park with a handgun and started to fire into the park,” he said. “At the time of the shooting the male suspect was on foot and he left the area in a car.” Toronto paramedics said they received a call about a shooting around 5 p.m. and rushed the girls to a trauma centre. It’s a very horrible event Deputy Cmdr. Steve Henderson said earlier Thursday that one of the girls had serious injuries that could be life-threatening, while the other suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. But Gotell said the five-year-old’s condition in hospital has improved. “At the time of the incident happened, we were fearful for her life,” he said. “But her condition has upgraded in hospital and she is not expected to be in a life-threatening situation at this time.” Article content Earlier in the evening, Toronto police Chief Mark Saunders told reporters that both girls required surgery, and called those behind the shooting “cowards.” “I can tell you that we are putting every resource on this to make sure we apprehend the person who would be motivated to do something like this in the city of Toronto,” he said. “We will be taking aggressive action toward resolving this particular investigation.” Photo by Jack Boland/Postmedia/File Officers canvassed the area for a suspect and collected footage from security cameras, Saunders said. Toronto Mayor John Tory echoed Saunders’ statement, promising that police will do everything possible to catch the “cowards” behind Thursday’s shooting. “I cannot imagine the anguish the family and friends of the two girls shot while playing in a park are experiencing tonight,” Tory said in a statement. Article content “This entire city wants these girls to make a full recovery and this entire city wants justice for them.” Meanwhile, Ontario premier-designate Doug Ford said on Twitter that he was aware of the incident. “My thoughts and prayers are with them and their families,” Ford said. “I will be monitoring the situation closely.” Gotell said investigators were looking to speak with anyone with information about the shooting, particularly the man believed to be the intended target. We would like the suspects to contact police and turn themselves in, because we’re coming for you “This is a horrendous crime…. It’s not often we see two young girls shot in a public playground as they are playing,” he said. “We would like the suspects to contact police and turn themselves in, because we’re coming for you.” Investigators are also working to identify all the children at the playground during the shooting, Gotell said. “We want to speak to their parents as well, because obviously they suffered a psychological trauma by being there,” he said.

Sergey Karpov / TASS / Scanpix / LETA The Russian Orthodox Church hopes to erect an “Orthodox Vatican” in Sergiyev Posad, just outside Moscow, that would require the demolition of several downtown buildings, according to the BBC Russian Service. Journalists learned about plans for an “open-air temple” at the walls of the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius with a platform stage that would allow the church to hold outdoor mass. The new church will feature a library, a complex of various church institutions, a youth center, a “congress center,” and a media center. The “Orthodox Vatican” would gobble up real estate currently occupied by the Sergiyev Posad town administrative building, two hotels, a shopping mall, an outdoor market, an amusement park, and several residential buildings. They’re all slated for the wrecking ball. In August, arch-priest Leonid Kalinin (who heads the church’s art and architecture council) first announced the plans to “cleanse the town of its Soviet legacy” and transform it into “the spiritual capital of Orthodoxy.” At the time, Kalinin said the development project already had the approval of Patriarch Kirill and Vladimir Putin. The president’s administration initially ignored the BBC’s inquiries about the proposed “Orthodox Vatican,” but Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later said the matter is a regional issue that doesn’t require consent from the head of state. Officials decided a year ago to remodel Sergiyev Posad, and the “Strelka” design firm is drawing up blueprints based on a state procurement order. The plan will reportedly go to the authorities in November for approval, followed by public hearings. Town officials and spokespeople for “Strelka” say they only learned about the church’s apparent plans to build an “Orthodox Vatican” from reports in the news media. The blueprints drawn up by “Strelka” say nothing about a mass demolition of buildings in the area. The town’s plan would remove only a few “awful” abandoned homes, former Mayor Sergey Pakhomev told the BBC. Sergiyev Posad, meanwhile, still hasn’t located funding for its remodeling project. Meduza is you. We’re only here thanks to you. Pledge today<doc-sep>Moscow (AFP) - The Russian Orthodox Church on Friday slammed its Istanbul-based rival for sending representatives to Ukraine and vowed to retaliate as the two churches are locked in negotiations over Ukraine's religious future. The jab comes a week after Russia's Patriarch Kirill met with Bartholomew I of the Constantinople Church, who is expected to rule in the coming months on a Ukrainian appeal to cut spiritual ties with Moscow. Patriarch Kirill, who has strong connections to the Kremlin and is seen as an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is determined to prevent this from happening. Writing on Russia's popular Telegram app, the Russian church spokesman Vladimir Legoyda called this "nothing more than an unprecedented brutal invasion of the canonical territory of the Moscow Patriarchy". "Such actions cannot remain unanswered," Legoyda said. He added that Constantinople did not inform Moscow prior to the decision. The Orthodox church in Ukraine is split between a branch whose clerics pledge loyalty to Moscow and one that is overseen by the unrecognised Kiev-based Patriarch Filaret. Ukraine's Moscow loyal church joined Legoyda's sharp criticism and put the blame directly on Bartholomew. "The responsibility for possible negative consequences of this step lies with the Constantinople patriarchy," it said in a statement published on its website. Earlier the Constantinople Church said it had sent two bishops "in preparation to gift the autocephaly (the right to form a church) to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine." Ukraine's appeal to Patriarch Bartholomew comes against the backdrop of an ongoing, four-year conflict between Kiev and Russian-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine that made many Ukrainians turn away from the Moscow church. Kiev hailed last week's summit between Bartholomew and Kirill as a success, with the country's foreign minister calling the news from Turkey as "historic". Story continues Were Moscow to lose control of the Ukrainian church, it would be seen as a blow to the prestige of the Russian Orthodox Church and Russian spiritual influence in general. Bartholomew I, known as Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, is regarded as the "first among equals" of the world's estimated 300 million Orthodox Christian believers. His term in office has been marked by rocky relations with the Russian Orthodox Church, which usually gives short shrift to the idea he is the spiritual leader of Orthodox believers.<doc-sep>

Russia's Orthodox Church said on Friday it had suspended relations with Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople. The ruling body of the Russian church said it would no longer take part in structures chaired by Bartholomew, who is accused of sending two bishops to Ukraine in what is said to be a step towards formal recognition of an independent church there. The Ukraine Orthodox Church has been part of the Moscow Patriarchate's orbit for hundreds of years. However, since Moscow's 2014 annexation of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine, many Ukrainian parishes have rejected the Moscow Patriarchate. They have formed a separate church and have been pushing for its recognition. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, strongly condemned the move while opening a meeting of the Holy Synod on Friday, comparing it to the actions of the Ecumenical Patriarchate's actions during the split in the Russian Orthodox Church in the 1920s. Kirill said he will stop mentioning Bartholomew I in his prayers. Kremlin opposes Orthodox split Ukrainian pro-Western President Petro Poroshenko has called for Ukrainian Orthodox clerics to be granted full ecclesiastical independence from Moscow. Kyiv considers the Russian Orthodox Church a tool for the Kremlin to wield influence. The Moscow Patriarchate, meanwhile, sees itself as the only legitimate Orthodox Church in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said on Friday that the state can't interfere in the church's affairs, but that "preservation of the Orthodox unity is the only preferable scenario for Moscow, as well as for the entire Orthodox world." Historic seat of Constantinople Bartholomew I's title, Archbishop of Constantinople, refers to the old Greek name for Istanbul, Turkey's largest city. The city fell to the Muslim Turks in 1453 but has remained the historic seat of Orthodoxy. Russia has, however, long been home to the world's largest Orthodox Christian Church and is currently the most powerful with the largest number of worshippers. kw/sms (AFP, 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.

Tip times have been announced for Sweet 16 games in the 2019 NCAA tournament. Michigan State basketball will face LSU in Washington, D.C., on Friday at 7:09 p.m. on CBS. Michigan basketball will play Texas Tech in Anaheim, Calif. on Thursday, tipping at approximately 9:39 p.m. on CBS. [Best of the Big Ten newsletter: Sign up for your weekly guide to Big Ten sports] Here's the full Sweet 16 schedule: Thursday's Games West Semifinal Anaheim, Calif. (1) Gonzaga vs. (4) Florida State, 7:09 p.m., CBS (2) Michigan vs. (3) Texas Tech, approx. 9:39 p.m., CBS South Semifinal Louisville, Ky. (2) Tennessee vs. (3) Purdue, 7:29 p.m., TBS (1) Virginia vs. (12) Oregon, approx. 9:59 p.m., TBS Friday's Games East Semifinal Washington, D.C. (2) Michigan State vs. (3) LSU, 7:09 p.m., CBS (1) Duke vs. (4) Virginia Tech, approx. 9:39 p.m., CBS Midwest Semifinal Kansas City, Mo. (1) North Carolina vs. (5) Auburn, 7:29 p.m., TBS (2) Kentucky vs. (3) Houston, approx. 9:59 p.m., TBS<doc-sep>The 2019 March Madness matchups get a bit sweeter with high seeds filling the Sweet 16 bracket for Thursday’s and Friday’s games. No. 4 Florida State will kick off Thursday’s four-game slate hoping to defeat No. 1 Gonzaga in the Sweet 16 for the second straight year. No. 12 Oregon, the only double-digit seed remaining in the NCAA Tournament, will try to end the night with an upset against No. 1 Virginia. Here’s the full schedule, game times, sites and TV channels for Day 1 of the Sweet 16: NCAA Sweet 16 Schedule, Day 1 Thursday, March 28 (all times Eastern) 7:09 PM – (4) Florida State vs. (1) Gonzaga, CBS (Honda Center – Anaheim, CA) 7:29 PM – (3) Purdue vs. (2) Tennessee, TBS (KFC Yum! Center – Louisville, KY) 9:39 PM – (3) Texas Tech vs. (2) Michigan, CBS (Honda Center – Anaheim, CA) 9:59 PM – (12) Oregon vs. (1) Virginia, TBS (KFC Yum! Center – Louisville, KY)<doc-sep>The short-handed Hokies upset the Zion Williamson-less Blue Devils in February, and revenge is on the menu with both squads at full strength. (1:20) For a selection of those who have reached this round of the 2019 NCAA tournament, the Sweet 16 represents a significant goal achieved. For others, it's merely a way station. All of the 16 want to move on, of course, but which programs and fan bases have come to expect it? We ranked them on the basis of their winning tradition in college basketball, using both recent and historical track records as our rough guide. Dell Curry was a star at Virginia Tech from 1982-83 to 1985-86 before his long NBA career. courtesy of Virginia Tech athletics NCAA tournament appearances: 11 National championships: 0 Final Fours: 0 All-time program icon (player): Dell Curry All-time program icon (coach): Charles Moir NBA players (all time, active rosters): 14 Buzz Williams, who has led Virginia Tech to three straight NCAA appearances for the first time in school history, also has the Hokies in the Sweet 16 for just the second time ever (1967). Excitement over this run might be tempered just a bit for Virginia Tech fans given the rumors swirling around Williams and Texas A&M -- if he leaves, can a true basketball tradition be sustained in Blacksburg? Darvin Ham was known for his ferocious dunking while a player at Texas Tech (1993-94 to 1995-96) and later in the NBA. Getty Images NCAA tournament appearances: 17 National championships: 0 Final Fours: 0 All-time program icon (player): Darvin Ham All-time program icon (coach): Gerald Myers NBA players (all time, active rosters): 10 Texas Tech's back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances are extremely notable for a program that has never enjoyed any level of consistent relevance in college basketball. Chris Beard is the first coach in Tech history to get the Red Raiders to the second weekend more than once. Will he stick around Lubbock long enough to elevate the program's tradition on a more meaningful, extended basis? We shall see. Charles Barkley was the SEC Player of the Year in the 1983-84 season. Focus On Sport/Getty Images NCAA tournament appearances: 10 National championships: 0 Final Fours: 0 All-time program icon (player): Charles Barkley All-time program icon (coach): Sonny Smith NBA players (all time, active rosters): 22 The Tigers will play on the second weekend for the first time since 2003. The last (and only) time they won a game on the second weekend was 1986, when No. 8-seeded Auburn beat UNLV before falling to eventual champion Louisville in the Elite Eight. Long story short: Anything Auburn does from here is gravy, and a momentary diversion for the fan base from obsessing over Gus Malzahn's playbook. Dillon Brooks led Oregon to its lone post-World War II Final Four appearance. Danny Moloshok/AP Photo NCAA tournament appearances: 16 National championships: 1 (1939) Final Fours: 2 (2017, 1939) All-time program icon (player): Dillon Brooks All-time program icon (coach): Dana Altman NBA players (all time, active rosters): 30 The Ducks won the first NCAA tournament, back when the field was eight teams, and didn't make it back to the Final Four stage until Dillon Brooks led them there in 2017. Oregon has become a team you've gotten used to seeing this time of year, though certainly the Ducks have a ways to go to establish what you'd call a national brand in the world of college basketball. Dave Cowens was an eight-time NBA All-Star and a Hall of Famer after his FSU career. Florida State University/Collegiate Images/Getty Images NCAA tournament appearances: 17 National championships: 0 Final Fours: 1 (1972) All-time program icon (player): Dave Cowens All-time program icon (coach): Leonard Hamilton NBA players (all time, active rosters): 36 Florida State has had some good teams and outstanding players -- the Sam Cassell/Charlie Ward/Bobby Sura era in the '90s was fun -- but this is inarguably a football school in a football state. After the rocky beginning to the Willie Taggart era on the gridiron, FSU fans might be a little thirstier for a run on the hoops side than they would have been otherwise. Bernard King was a three-time SEC Player of the Year for the Vols. Tennessee Athletics/Collegiate Images/Getty Images NCAA tournament appearances: 22 National championships: 0 Final Fours: 0 All-time program icon (player): Bernard King All-time program icon (coach): Ray Mears NBA players (all time, active rosters): 36 The women's basketball program (eight national titles) has historically been far superior to the men's, though given that the Lady Vols haven't reached the Final Four since 2008, that shadow isn't as long as it once was. Same goes for a once-proud football program, which has had four winning seasons in the past 11. We bring all this up to say that while there aren't expectations per se for a men's basketball program that peaked with an Elite Eight appearance under Bruce Pearl in 2010, many of those who wear Tennessee orange would probably be cool with an identity built around a Final Four-caliber men's hoops program. Shaquille O'Neal averaged 21.6 points and 13.5 rebounds per game over his career at LSU. USA TODAY Sports NCAA tournament appearances: 22 National championships: 0 Final Fours: 4 (2006, 1986, 1981, 1953) All-time program icon (player): Shaquille O'Neal, Pete Maravich All-time program icon (coach): Dale Brown NBA players (all time, active rosters): 43 For what is widely perceived to be a football school, LSU has a decent hoops tradition. That tradition is more about individual performance than team accomplishment -- neither Shaq nor Pistol Pete ever reached the second weekend of the NCAA tournament -- but Final Four appearances are viewed as an achievable goal in Baton Rouge. The Tigers have been to the Final Four on four occasions but have been blown out every time they've gotten there. The Hakeem Olajuwon and Phi Slama Jama era is the most revered in Houston annals. Andy Hayt/NBAE/Getty Images NCAA tournament appearances: 21 National championships: 0 Final Fours: 5 (1984, 1983, 1982, 1968, 1967) All-time program icon (player): Hakeem Olajuwon All-time program icon (coach): Guy V. Lewis NBA players (all time, active rosters): 34<doc-sep>After the first round of the NCAA tournament concluded, we decided to reseed the field entering the second round. Maybe you loved your team's seed. Maybe you hated it. (Purdue and LSU fans, we know you hated it.) Either way, we're back to do it again. Here's our reseeding of the Sweet 16: Tournament Challenge 2019 How's your bracket? Check out Tournament Challenge for live updates with a chance to win $10,000 in Amazon.com gift cards and a trip for two to the 2019 Maui Jim Maui Invitational! 1. Duke Blue Devils (Original seed: No. 1; Reseed: No. 1) My goodness. The Blue Devils needed miraculous shots by Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett in the final seconds of a win over an inspired UCF squad in the second round to advance to the Sweet 16. After the game, head coach Mike Krzyzewski said his team got "lucky." That's a reasonable verdict after Aubrey Dawkins missed a game-winning tip-in at the buzzer. Sure, Williamson had 32 points and a clutch shot in the final seconds, and Barrett had a go-ahead put-back. But that's not the narrative right now. This is: UCF, a 9-seed, made a Duke squad that connected on 40 percent of its 3-point attempts look vulnerable. The same question remains, though: Can any team in America beat Duke when Williamson plays the way he did against the Knights? For the past five months, the answer has consistently been "no." 2. Gonzaga Bulldogs (Original seed: 1; Reseed: 1) A week ago, Gonzaga endured complaints about its status as a top seed after scoring 47 points in a loss to rival Saint Mary's in the West Coast Conference tournament title game. Yet Gonzaga's best-in-America offense had proved itself in a victory over Duke (10-for-19 from the 3-point line against the Blue Devils) at the Maui Invitational and in seven wins in WCC play by 30 or more points. That same powerful unit has reached the Sweet 16 after registering 170 points in 135 possessions in wins over Fairleigh Dickinson and Baylor. Brandon Clarke (36 points, five blocks against Baylor) has been the most dominant player on a squad that has lost one game over the past 100 days. 3. North Carolina Tar Heels (Original seed: 1; Reseed: 1) The greatest seasons of Roy Williams' tenure at North Carolina have all been attached to savvy, gritty, tougher-than-hell point guards. In 2005, he had Raymond Felton. Four years later, he won a title with Ty Lawson, a 5-foot-11 star. In 2017, Joel Berry fought through multiple injuries to help UNC capture its third national championship under Williams. Now, after two rounds of NCAA tournament action, it's fair to wonder if Coby White, who recorded 17 points and six rebounds in Sunday's win over Washington, will be the next player to fulfill that role for a title team in Chapel Hill. Plus, if Nassir Little has truly found his niche within Williams' scheme -- he scored 39 points combined in the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament -- this stacked squad might chase a fourth ring for Williams. 4. Virginia Cavaliers (Original seed: 1; Reseed: 1) Now that Virginia has advanced to the Sweet 16 and put last year's first-round loss to UMBC behind it, the Cavaliers should be viewed as serious contenders to win the national championship. They've lost to Florida State and Duke twice (the Blue Devils made 63 percent of their 3-pointers in the second game), and they're more talented than they were a year ago, when they didn't have De'Andre Hunter in that loss to UMBC. Proof? Kyle Guy missed 13 of 15 shots in Virginia's win Sunday over Oklahoma, which possesses a top-25 defense. But the Cavaliers still managed to secure a 63-51 win, as Mamadi Diakite (14 points) stepped up for his team. Virginia has offensive options it lacked in past years. That's what makes this Virginia team different. 5. Texas Tech Red Raiders (Original seed: 3; Reseed: 2) About 48 hours before its loss against Texas Tech on Sunday in the second round, Buffalo dropped 91 points on Arizona State. The Bulls had been widely recognized as one of America's best offenses after finishing top-25 in adjusted efficiency and averaging 84.9 PPG this season. They made 56 percent of their shots inside the arc in MAC play. They had scored 82 or more points in six consecutive outings. And then they met Texas Tech, America's most efficient defense, per ESPN Analytics. The Red Raiders held Buffalo to a season-low 58 points. Chris Beard's squad can guard anyone, and Jarrett Culver is a top-10 pick who continues to enhance his stock. That's a recipe for a run to Minneapolis. 6. Michigan State Spartans (Original seed: 2; Reseed: 2) Cassius Winston has carried Michigan State throughout a turbulent season. He has played without sidekick Joshua Langford (foot) for three months, and Nick Ward has averaged just under 13 minutes per game since returning from a five-game absence due to a fractured hand. So Winston is still the catalyst for a Michigan State squad that has surrendered more than 65 points three times since a three-game losing streak in February. Winston followed his 26-point effort in a 76-65 first-round win over Bradley with 13 points, nine assists and two steals in a 70-50 win over Minnesota, which lost Jordan Murphy to injury early in the game. The Spartans continue to ride one of the most talented players in the field on offense combined with a top-10 defense. 7. Michigan Wolverines (Original seed: 2; Reseed: 2) The Wolverines reached last year's national title game after holding their first five opponents in the NCAA tournament to an average of 58.6 points and relying on a defense that ended the season ranked third overall on KenPom. This season's team, on a per-possession measurement, is even better. Montana, the Big Sky's most efficient offense, and Florida, a middling offensive team in SEC play, combined to average 52 points per game in first- and second-round losses, respectively, to Michigan.<doc-sep>

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images The second quartet of Elite Eight participants will be determined during Friday's Sweet 16 action. The eight programs still alive in the East and Midwest Region of the 2019 NCAA men's basketball tournament are looking to join Gonzaga, Texas Tech, Virginia and Purdue in the next round. Friday's matchups include an all-ACC battle, an expected high-paced affair and a pair of clashes featuring experienced coaches going up against strong teams from the south. Michigan State and LSU open up Friday's slate, which concludes with Kentucky hoping to take the court with a previously missing key player against Houston. 2019 NCAA Tournament Bracket Video Play Button Videos you might like Sweet 16 Schedule All Times ET. Friday, March 29 East Region: No. 2 Michigan State vs. No. 3 LSU (7:09 p.m., CBS) Midwest Region: No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 5 Auburn (7:29 p.m., TBS) East Region: No. 1 Duke vs. No. 4 Virginia Tech (9:39 p.m., CBS) Midwest Region: No. 2 Kentucky vs. No. 3 Houston (9:59 p.m., TBS) Predictions Johnson, White Lead UNC Past Auburn Points are expected to light up the scoreboard when North Carolina squares off against Auburn in Kansas City, Missouri. The Tar Heels and Tigers both play at a fast pace and possess a wide array of scorers, but it will be North Carolina's top shot-makers who shine the most Friday night. Any one of six players could lead North Carolina in scoring on any given night, but on Friday, the team's top two scorers will make the biggest difference. Cameron Johnson comes into the clash with Auburn with 34 NCAA tournament points and at least 13 points in each of his past 12 games. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images Freshman Coby White has been scoring at a similar rate, as he's hit the double-digit mark the last nine times he's stepped on the court. Johnson and White will help the Tar Heels put the Tigers under pressure early because of how fast they get up and down the court. Roy Williams' team is one of the few in the nation capable of pulling down a rebound, surging up the floor and taking an efficient shot in a 10-second span. In the second-round win over Washington, the Tar Heels shot 50.8 percent from the field and knocked down nine three-point shots. If they shoot as efficiently Friday, they should be on their way back to the Elite Eight. Johnson, White and the rest of the UNC guards will also attempt to replicate the defensive performance from the second round, in which they limited Washington's three starting backcourt players to 22 points. Auburn's Jared Harper and Bryce Brown combined for 43 points in the second-round triumph over Kansas, and if the Tar Heels are able to stop them from getting into a rhythm, they will be one step away from their third Final Four in the past four seasons. Kentucky Thrives with or Without Washington Since the NCAA tournament began, the top story involving Kentucky has been the health of PJ Washington. The 20-year-old entered Kansas City without a cast on his foot or the scooter he used to get around during the first weekend of the tournament. However, Washington isn't guaranteed to play against Houston, even though he's been working his way back to playing shape, per Guy Ramsey of the team's official website. "He wants to play," Kentucky head coach John Calipari said. "Now, it's can he play? We don't know." Washington added: "I definitely want to play in this tournament. This is what I've been working for all year and just to sit out was definitely hard on me. To see our guys winning definitely picked me up a little bit and then to see how excited everybody was is just kind of funny, I guess." Although a healthy Washington would provide a significant boost to Kentucky's production on both sides of the ball, the sophomore's presence on the hardwood won't determine the final result. Charlie Riedel/Associated Press Kentucky proved in the second-round win over Wofford that it's capable of playing terrific perimeter defense and frustrating an opponent's top shooter. Houston's guards may not go 0-for-12 from three-point range like Fletcher Magee did, but they won't take many easy shots because of how well Ashton Hagans, Tyler Herro and Keldon Johnson defend the three-point line. If the Wildcats can frustrate Houston's Corey Davis Jr. and Armoni Brooks, they will be able to build up an advantage on the scoreboard.

It was sold as a next generation aircraft. But it has now been involved in two fatal crashes in just five months. The Boeing 737 Max 8 entered the market in 2017, a part of the 737 Max class, and became an instant hit. Within the first six months, more than 4,000 Boeing 737 Max 8 planes had been ordered. It quickly became the company’s best-selling plane ever. The new model was advertised as a rare win-win for both airlines and passengers. “It’s going to give them max efficiency, which leads to profitability; max reliability, and to the flying public: max passenger appeal.” ‘The demand for something new.” Boeing debuted the new planes in response to market pressures. In late 2010, Boeing’s archrival, Airbus, had just announced a new fuel-efficient version of its best selling A320. Boeing countered with the introduction of the 737 Max — “The Max uses 14 percent less fuel than current 737s —” its own version of fuel- and cost- efficient aircrafts. Their message to customers was: These are new planes that aren’t that new. “Boeing 737 —” “Newest arrival in the Boeing family of airliners, the 737 attracts a crowd.” Boeing’s first 737 model took off in 1967. “A new queen of the sky.” For the Max class, Boeing upgraded the engine and design. They added more cabin space, bigger windows and multicolored ceiling lights to help modernize the planes. But the company kept the 737 name because it evoked a legacy of reliability and built trust. “I’ll tell you what, it’s just a beautiful, beautiful airplane. Not only were they able to modernize the airplane with new engines, and new winglets, but they were able to keep that classic iconic 737 look.” But that isn’t the whole story. The new model was also designed to help carriers save money. “Which means CEOs like the Max. Really like the Max.” Major changes to the plane would have required pilots to be retrained. But Boeing’s position was that the new models handled enough like the old ones. Though the 737 Max 8 planes did actually have a number of changes, including the size and location of the engines. The higher and more forward position of the larger engines can cause the plane’s nose to pitch up, a potential danger. To compensate for this, Boeing added a computerized system called MCAS to prevent the plane’s nose from getting too high and causing a stall. But the F.A.A. initially said pilots did not need to be informed of this system update. Experts say that the lack of training for the new system may have helped cause a deadly crash with a Max 8 off the coast of Indonesia in October, killing 189 people. All of the Boeing 737 Max 8s in the world are believed to have been grounded, while a second crash in Ethiopia is investigated. Boeing said it supported the decision to ground the planes and is cooperating with investigators.<doc-sep>The Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday grounded all Boeing 737 Max jets in the U.S., citing new evidence that showed similarities between two fatal crashes of the popular planes that have killed 346 people in less than five months. The move marks a stunning turnaround for the U.S., which has stood by the American-made aircraft as dozens of countries around the world grounded the planes. The crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 on Sunday came less than five months after a Lion Air Boeing 737 Max 8 — the same type of plane — plunged into the Java Sea minutes into the flight from Jakarta, Indonesia, killing all 189 people on board. Both planes were new, delivered from Boeing just months before their doomed flights. New satellite data shows the plane's movement was similar to the October crash, the FAA's acting administrator Daniel Elwell told reporters on a call Wednesday. The agency also took physical evidence into account, but Elwell declined to elaborate. "It became clear the track was very close and behaved similarly to the Lion Air flight," Elwell told reporters on a call Wednesday. "My hope is the FAA, the carriers, the manufacturers and all parties will work very hard to make this grounding as short as possible so that these airplanes can get back up in the sky." The FAA, which is investigating the crash along with Ethiopian authorities and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, said the grounding will remain in effect during the investigation. The FAA did not have enough data to warrant grounding the planes earlier, he said. "We are a fact-driven, a data-based organization," said Elwell. "Since this accident occurred we were resolute in our decision that we would not take action until we had data to support taking action. That data coalesced today and we made the call." The NTSB said it is sending a three-member team to help investigators download and analyze data from the Ethiopian Airlines plane's black boxes, which arrived in France on Thursday. Those devices contain flight data and cockpit voice recordings that will likely shed light on what brought down the Ethiopian Airlines plane. Boeing said it recommended taking the 737 Max planes out of service out of an "abundance of caution" after talking with U.S. aviation regulators. "On behalf of the entire Boeing team, we extend our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives in these two tragic accidents," CEO Dennis Muilenburg said in a statement. "We are doing everything we can to understand the cause of the accidents in partnership with the investigators, deploy safety enhancements and help ensure this does not happen again." President Donald Trump said he spoke with Boeing's CEO, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and the acting head of the Federal Aviation Administration, Daniel Elwell about the decision. U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. is grounding flights by Boeing Co.'s 737 Max aircraft following the model's second crash in five months on Sunday. Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty Images "They are all in agreement with the action. Any plane currently in the air will go to its destination and thereafter be grounded until further notice," Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday. Of the more than 370 Boeing 737 Max jets in global fleets, 74 are flown by U.S. airlines, according to the FAA. Those include United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and American Airlines. Southwest Airlines' fell by about 1 percent while Delta was about flat. Boeing investors lost $26.6 billion in the first two trading days this week with shares sliding 11 percent from $422.54 Friday to $375.41 at Tuesday's close. The company's market value fell from $238.7 billion on Friday to $212.1 billion by the end of Tuesday. Shares of Boeing slipped by more than 2 percent after Trump's announcement, but closed up 0.5 percent for the day at $377.14. It is very uncommon, but not unprecedented, for the FAA to ground all jets of a certain type. In 2013, the agency ordered the then-new Boeing 787 Dreamliners grounded because of lithium-ion battery malfunctions. (They were flying again about three months later.) However, in that case, European regulators and other airlines followed the FAA's lead. With the Boeing 737 Max planes, the U.S. grew increasingly isolated as country after country decided to ground the jets. Southwest Airlines planes stand on the tarmac at San Francisco International Airport Jan. 19, 2018. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Lawmakers and labor unions representing flight attendants urged airlines and the government to ground the planes. Countries from India to Italy had decided to take the planes out of service, unnerving travelers and putting airlines in the tough position of alienating customers and defending the safety of the plane. United and Southwest loosened some of their ticket change fees for flyers nervous about traveling on the plane. The pilots at the controls of fatal Lion Air flight battled an automated, anti-stall system, possibly due to erroneous information from the plane's sensors, investigators have indicated. Boeing added the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, known as MCAS, to the new 737 models, which automatically pushes the nose of the plane downward to help it recover from a stall. If the data the sensors are receiving is inaccurate, the results could be catastrophic. Boeing earlier this week said it is working on a software fix as well as updates to pilot manuals and training and the FAA said it would mandate those changes by April. The FAA's Elwell said the agency did not tie its order to the software changes Boeing is preparing but said he is confident it would make it "far less likely" that pilots will have to deal with that kind of malfunction, adding that he is "absolutely" confident the federal certification of the Boeing planes. He said that the 35-day government shutdown did not delay the addition of the software to the Boeing planes. While passenger flights of the Boeing 737 Max models are banned under the order, Boeing can still operate test flights of the aircraft.<doc-sep>The Federal Aviation Authority said it made the decision "as a result of the data gathering process and new evidence collected at the site and analyzed today." Elaine Thompson / AP President Donald Trump announced the US is grounding all Boeing 737 Max 8 and 9 planes three days after a deadly crash in Ethiopia involving one of the aircrafts. "We're going to be issuing an emergency order of prohibition to ground all flights of the 737 Max 8 and the 737 Max 9 and planes associated with that line," he said from the White House on Wednesday afternoon. He added the grounding would be in place "until further notice" and that the Federal Aviation Authority had received new information, including physical evidence from the site of the crash in Ethiopia. Trump said pilots and airlines have been notified and any affected planes currently in the air will be grounded upon landing. "The safety of the American people, of all people, is our paramount concern,” Trump said. Until Wednesday, the US had been one of the last major holdouts to ground the plane models that have now been involved in two deadly crashes. The first was a Lion Air Max 8 jet that crashed in the Java Sea on Oct. 29, 2018, killing all 189 people on board. The second was on Sunday, when an Ethiopian Airlines flight went down shortly after takeoff, killing all 157 passengers and crew on board. The UK, France, Germany, Ireland, India, China, Australia, Indonesia, and Canada have all grounded the planes in their airspaces. In a statement, the FAA said it made the decision "as a result of the data gathering process and new evidence collected at the site and analyzed today. "The evidence, together with newly refined satellite data available to FAA this morning, led to this decision." #FAA statement on the temporary grounding of @Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operated by U.S. airlines or in a U.S. territory.<doc-sep>Gain a global perspective on the US and go beyond with curated news and analysis from 600 journalists in 50+ countries covering politics, business, innovation, trends and more.<doc-sep>

A worker stands on a platform near a Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplane being built for TUI Group at Boeing Co.’s Renton Assembly Plant Wednesday, March 13, 2019, in Renton, Wash. Photo : AP President Donald Trump announced this afternoon that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would order all Boeing 737 Max-8 and Max-9 planes grounded in the U.S. following Sunday’s plane crash in Ethiopia that killed 157 people and an October crash in Indonesia that killed 189. The U.S. is the last major country on the planet to ground the planes. “Boeing is an incredible company. They are working very, very hard right now, and hopefully they’ll very quickly come up with the answer, but until they do the planes are grounded,” President Trump said. He added that the FAA would soon be making an announcement about what he called an “emergency order.” In a statement to Gizmodo, American Airlines, one of the three U.S.-based carriers that fly the planes, said that it was informed by the FAA earlier today “that based on new information, they are grounding the United States Boeing 737 MAX fleet out of an abundance of caution.” From American Airlines: American Airlines has 24 aircraft affected by this directive. We appreciate the FAA’s partnership, and will continue to work closely with them, the Department of Transportation, National Transportation Safety Board and other regulatory authorities, as well as our aircraft and engine manufacturers. Our teams will make every effort to rebook customers as quickly as possible, and we apologize for any inconvenience. Canada became the second to last country to ground the 737 Max just a few hours ago. Canadian officials said that “there are similarities” between the two crashes which prompted the decision. President Donald Trump seemed to echo the sentiment coming from Canada when he said at the White House today that there has been “new information and physical evidence that we’ve received from the site.” Trump added that all airlines have been notified and that they “are agreeing with this” decision to ground the planes. It could not immediately be determined whether the airlines actually agree with the decision. Investigators are still investigating the cause of Sunday’s crash, but the crash in October may have been related to automation in the aircraft that forced the nose of the plane down unnecessarily. Officially, it’s not yet clear that Sunday’s crash had anything to do with automation, but this decision by both the United States and Canada sure makes that seem more likely. China, Indonesia, Australia, and Malaysia were among some of the first countries to ground the 737 Max before other countries in Europe followed suit. Boeing released a statement that curiously makes it sound like it was their recommendation to ground the plane. As aviation experts have pointed out, the CEO of Boeing reportedly implored the president to not ground the planes in a phone call earlier this week. From Boeing: Boeing continues to have full confidence in the safety of the 737 MAX. However, after consultation with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and aviation authorities and its customers around the world, Boeing has determined — out of an abundance of caution and in order to reassure the flying public of the aircraft’s safety — to recommend to the FAA the temporary suspension of operations of the entire global fleet of 371 737 MAX aircraft. “On behalf of the entire Boeing team, we extend our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives in these two tragic accidents,” said Dennis Muilenburg, president, CEO, Chairman of The Boeing Company. “We are supporting this proactive step out of an abundance of caution. Safety is a core value at Boeing for as long as we have been building airplanes; and it always will be. There is no greater priority for our company and our industry. We are doing everything we can to understand the cause of the accidents in partnership with the investigators, deploy safety enhancements and help ensure this does not happen again.” Boeing makes this recommendation and supports the decision by the FAA. A software fix for the aircraft was in the works at Boeing back in January, but as the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday, “the federal government’s recent shutdown also halted work on the fix for five weeks.” Boeing has most recently said that it will deliver a software update no later than April.

John McCain’s widow, Cindy, followed her husband's casket into the Arizona capitol Wednesday, flanked by two of the senator's sons and the rest of his seven children. Inside, Cindy kissed her husband's coffin. His daughter, Meghan, fought unsuccessfully to hold back her tears. Arizona, the state John McCain represented for 30 years, was home. The son of a Navy admiral, he moved frequently growing up and once said the Hanoi Hilton Prison was the longest he'd ever lived anywhere until he moved to the state. After family members said their farewells, an honor guard of state troopers was posted by the casket. McCain’s remains will later move to the U.S. Capitol, where he will lie in state before this weekend’s burial at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. His funeral is set to take place Sunday, where former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama will give eulogies. McCain died at age 81 Saturday after losing his battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. RELATED STORIES<doc-sep>The family of late Arizona Sen. John McCain tearfully paid their respects at a memorial service honoring him Wednesday at the Arizona Capitol. McCain’s widow, Cindy McCain, was the first to say goodbye as he laid in state, touching his flag-draped casket and gently resting her head on it and kissing it before walking away. Meghan McCain, the late Senator’s daughter who publicly and fervently defended her father, followed. She wept as she walked up to the casket and touched it with her with right hand, leaning on it for support as she walked away audibly sobbing. Meghan McCain, daughter of Sen. John McCain, touches the casket during a memorial service at the Arizona Capitol on August 29, 2018, in Phoenix, Arizona. John McCain will lie in state at the Arizona State Capitol before being transported to Washington D.C. where he will be buried at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis. Sen. McCain, a decorated war hero, died August 25 at the age of 81 after a long battle with Glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. Jae C. Hong - Pool/Getty Images When he passed away on Saturday, Meghan shared an emotional farewell statement to her father on Twitter, writing “All that I am is thanks to him. Now that he is gone, the task of my lifetime is to live up to his example, his expectations, and his love.” McCain has six other children, who are generally less visible in the public eye than Meghan – a host on ABC’s The View. McCain adopted his first wife Carol’s sons from a previous marriage, Doug, 58, and Andy, 56, before having one child with Carol – his oldest daughter Sidney, 51. He went on to have three children with his second wife Cindy — Meghan, 33, Jack, 32, and Jimmy, 30. The couple also later adopted their daughter Bridget, 27, from Bangladesh. All seven of his children sat together after publicly mourning their father at the Capitol Wednesday. The Arizona Capitol viewing was also open to the public Wednesday afternoon for those who want to pay their respects. The full schedule of memorial events honoring McCain can be found on his website. (L-R front) Cindy McCain, wife of US Senator John McCain, with her sons Jack, Jimmy, and daughter' Meghan and Bridget (R rear), attend the memorial service for Snator McCain at the Arizona Capitol on August 29, 2018, in Phoenix. Ross D. Franklin - AFP/Getty Images The late Senator served in Congress for more than three decades and was widely admired for his patriotism and military service in the Vietnam War. He died Saturday after succumbing to an aggressive form of brain cancer. Wednesday would have been his 82nd birthday. McCain planned his own funeral, and asked former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama to eulogize him. He requested that President Donald Trump not attend his funeral. McCain’s body will be flown to Washington D.C. later this week and buried at his final resting place in the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis. Get our Politics Newsletter. The headlines out of Washington never seem to slow. Subscribe to The D.C. Brief to make sense of what matters most. 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>

The late Sen. John McCain’s daughter Meghan McCain wept uncontrollably at the start of her father’s funeral services Wednesday. She sobbed as she walked up to his casket at the Arizona Capitol. She followed her mother, Cindy McCain, who patted, then leaned over and placed her cheek against the casket holding her husband’s body. Meghan McCain, daughter of Sen. John McCain, during a memorial service at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix on Wednesday. (Jae C. Hong / AP) Meghan McCain patted the coffin with one hand while holding the other over her stomach. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey remembered McCain as a “fighter.” “None of us were ready for this. We never would have been ready for this,” he said at the private service. “John McCain’s fight for America isn’t over,” he said. “It’s a fight all Americans are obligated to continue on John’s behalf.” Cindy McCain, the late senator’s wife, lays her head on his coffin. (Ross D. Franklin / AP) Arizona National Guard members carried the casket into the Arizona State Capitol Museum rotunda, for McCain to lie in state on what would have been his 82nd birthday. A funeral will be held at North Phoenix Baptist Church on Thursday, and McCain will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol rotunda Friday. On Saturday, there will be a procession and funeral at the Washington National Cathedral. A private funeral will be held at the Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Md., followed by a private burial at the Naval Academy Cemetery, on Sunday. With News Wire Services

“But I’m concerned about the stopgap nature of the reopening,” she said. “. . . What reason is there for me or anyone to have any confidence at all that these same people will have their minds made up in three weeks?”<doc-sep>Now that the federal shutdown is over, National Parks sites in the Bay Area either open or will be tomorrow as employees get things ready for the public after more than a month off the job. #abc7now @JohnMuirNPS @RosieRiveterNPS pic.twitter.com/R93ExZPxsO — Laura Anthony (@LauraAnthony7) January 29, 2019 OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- For many federal workers in the Bay Area, Monday was the first day back on the job in more than a month. Others, like TSA workers, remained on the job during the partial government shutdown. The only difference is now they'll finally get paid. "They seemed to be a little bit more jolly," said Joey Santore, moments after arrived at Oakland International Airport from Texas. He told ABC7 News that he noticed something different about the TSA workers he encountered along the way. "I did notice they were a little bit kinder than usual. It seems their spirits were a little more perked up, yes," he said.The 400 TSA workers in Oakland stayed on the job throughout the federal shutdown, without getting paid for the past month. But soon, their paychecks will be in the mail. "It was incredible," said Oakland International Federal Security Director David Von Damm. "Literally when we got the news, we had people working over twelve hour days Saturday and Sunday to get everyone's pay processed. What's good about this, they'll not only be getting a month's worth of pay, we also have another pay period presently, so it will be a good payday for everybody. "Von Damm said his employees will receive a check for their back pay this Thursday and then another a week from Thursday for the current pay period.Unlike their counterparts at the TSA, National Park Service employees were furloughed. That meant no work and no pay for 35 days.On Monday they were back on the job, but the visitor's center at several East Bay parks, like at the John Muir Historical Site in Martinez, remained closed for one more day. "All the employees came back today and we're interested in getting the site safe and ready for the visitors to come and to learn about these stories," said Tom Leatherman, the NPS superintendent for four sites in Contra Costa County including John Muir, Rosie the Riveter, Pt. Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial and the Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site.The National Park Service employees all over the Bay Area are back on the job but the question remains - will the respite be brief? There could be another shutdown in mid-February. "You know as things get closer, I'm sure we'll get more nervous," said Leatherman. "But right now I guess we're hopeful that we'll be able to continue to operate and that's what we're going to focus on right now."<doc-sep>WASHINGTON—By the end of the week, hundreds of thousands of federal employees heading back to work should receive pay they missed during the government shutdown. About 380,000 furloughed federal employees are set to return after President Trump and lawmakers struck a deal Friday to end the partial government shutdown. They will join the 420,000 employees deemed essential who kept working, without pay, in the wait for delayed checks. Mick Mulvaney, acting White House chief of staff, said Sunday the timing by which federal employees get paid will depend on the payroll provider. “Some of them could be early this week. Some of them may be later this week, but we hope that by the end of this week all of the back pay will be made up and of course the next payroll will go out on time,” Mr. Mulvaney said in an interview on CBS’s Face the Nation. Mr. Mulvaney said that whether federal contractors will earn back pay depends on their contracts. President Trump announced Friday that he has agreed to a plan to reopen the government for three weeks while negotiations over border funding continues. WSJ's Gerald F. Seib explains three things to know about this agreement. Photo: Getty Most employees missed their second paycheck on Friday, and aren’t due to receive another for two weeks. Congress voted this month to provide furloughed workers with back pay, but guidance from the Office of Personnel Management doesn’t specify when or how back pay will be awarded. Andy Watson, 45, was furloughed from the U.S. Geological Survey in California. Mr. Watson said he and his wife, who was also furloughed, drew down savings and negotiated to postpone a mortgage payment while they missed multiple paychecks. While he doesn’t expect to get paid this Tuesday, which would normally have been a payday, Mr. Watson says he is glad to return to work. “But I know it’s going to be stressful,” he said. “It’s going to take a while to get back to normal.” The acting director of the Office of Management and Budget issued a memo Friday to all agencies telling them to take the appropriate steps to reopen the government. Separately, OMB published a checklist outlining recommendations for agencies to consider as they reopen. For instance, OMB suggests agencies have adequate staffing for payroll and benefits processes. It also recommends agencies take into consideration “employee morale” and potential support. The logistics of getting the government up and running could prove complicated. Many workers have been away from office computers and work phones for more than a month, and will return to expired passwords and a backlog of work. In some cases, agencies that work with the government will continue to struggle. The Alliance Against Homelessness of Bergen County, N.J., a nonprofit that provides housing for roughly 20 formerly homeless people with disabilities, faces a funding shortfall that could spell the disaster for the small organization. Funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, largely closed since Dec. 22, make up about half of the group’s annual budget. “How do I keep the doors open?” said Gina Plotino, the group’s interim executive director. Even with the government now open, she said, the delay in the grant process will create a funding gap that will be tough to bridge. “Am I going to make formerly homeless people who are now living off the streets…am I going to make them homeless again?” she said. “That’s my dilemma.” And if there is another shutdown in three weeks, she said, “the delays will cripple us.” — Andrew Duehren and Kate Davidson contributed to this article. Write to Sarah Chaney at sarah.chaney@wsj.com<doc-sep>Federal employees returned to work Monday with pay, as government agencies work to expedite back pay for hundreds of thousands of workers who were furloughed or worked without pay during the partial government shutdown. White House Budget Director Mick Mulvaney said he hopes all federal workers will receive back pay by the end of the week, depending on the agency. At Muir Woods in Mill Valley, furloughed park rangers returned to the trails. They spent the day answering questions and giving tours of the towering redwood trees. “The trails were, I don’t want to say empty, but peaceful and quiet,” T.J. Gerckens, a visitor from Ohio, said. “It was clean. I expected to see a lot of litter. There was no litter.” Some people said they checked online to make sure the park was open. The National Park Service website said some parks that were affected by the shutdown may not reopen immediately. “I don’t think there was any kind of disturbance because of the shutdown,” Kush Shrestha, a visitor from New York, said. The Coast Guard in Alameda said the focus on Monday was to ensure employees receive back pay as quickly as possible this week. The same goes for the NTSB, air traffic controllers, and the TSA. At the Ron Dellums Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Oakland, hundreds of employees returned to work with pay after struggling to make ends meet for a month. “It’s sad that it had to come to the point where it held people kind hostage in the middle of two sides,” a woman named Ms. Parmer said. Advertisement Multiple reports said most employees should receive back pay by this Thursday, Jan. 31.<doc-sep>

Hundreds of thousands of federal government employees headed back to work Monday, and their back pay is on the way, but it could be a while before it's back to business as usual. For example, congressional sources estimate it will take at least a year for IRS to recover from unanswered taxpayer questions and other work that piled up during the shutdown. The backlog of unanswered letters to IRS increased to 5 million pieces of mail during the shutdown and IRS is still receiving more than 700,000 pieces of a mail a day. The IRS told members of Congress last week that more than half of employees called back to work to start processing tax refunds those employees couldn't go back to work due to financial difficulties or were unreachable. The IRS also told members of Congress 25 information technology staff left to look for other jobs every week during the shutdown. Meanwhile, federal workers are expected to receive back pay from the 35-day government shutdown by later this week, though the exact timeline varies by agency. At some departments, payroll staff worked through the weekend to start processing checks for more than 800,000 employees who were furloughed or worked without pay during the shutdown. Some of those employees have said they're already worried about the possibility of another shutdown in three weeks, when the temporary budget agreement between the president and Democrats in Congress is set to expire. Employees at several agencies are being told to expect money in their accounts by Thursday, Jan. 31 -- including the Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Housing and Urban Development. National Park Service employees should also get their first paycheck with back pay on Wednesday and the rest on Friday, but many NPS staff were being paid the last several weeks after the agency announced it would tap into reserve funds to keep parks open. Agency leaders welcomed their employees back on social media and in person as many came back to the office for the first time in weeks. While the government officially reopened over the weekend, the Smithsonian museums and National Zoo are set to reopen on Tuesday and some national parks in remote areas may need more time to remove snow or ice before visitors can enter safely. Federal workers will also have some logistical hurdles on their first day back at work. Some agency heads tweeted that extra resources and IT support would be available to help employees who couldn't access their computer or email during the shutdown and may now be locked out due to expired passwords. ABC News' Anne Flaherty and Benjamin Siegel contributed to this report.

LONDON -- Police in Northern Ireland said Sunday they suspect Irish Republican Army dissidents were behind a car bombing outside a courthouse in the city of Londonderry. Two men in their 20s have been arrested over the attack, which caused no injuries. Attackers hijacked a pizza delivery vehicle, loaded it with explosives and left it outside the city-centre courthouse on Saturday evening, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said. The device exploded as police, who had spotted the suspicious vehicle, were evacuating the area. The force said a warning call was made to a charity in England and passed on to police minutes before the explosion. Police released surveillance camera footage of the car being parked in front of the courthouse, and of the driver sprinting away. Images also showed a group of young people walking past the car shortly before it blew up. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the bomb had been a "crude" and unstable device, and called the attack "incredibly reckless." "The people responsible for this attack have shown no regard for the community or local businesses," he said. Hamilton said the "main line of inquiry" was that the bomb had been planted by a group known as the New IRA. More than 3,700 people died during decades of violence before Northern Ireland's 1998 peace accord. Most militants have renounced violence, but small groups of IRA dissidents have carried out occasional bombings and shootings. Northern Ireland's power-sharing government has been suspended for two years because of a dispute between the main Protestant and Catholic political parties. Uncertainty about the future of the Irish border after Brexit is adding to tensions. Politicians from both sides of Northern Ireland's political divide condemned the attack. John Boyle, who is mayor of the city also known as Derry, said violence "is the past and it has to stay in the past." Arlene Foster, leader of the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party, called the bombing a "pointless act of terror." Mary-Lou McDonald, president of Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein, said it was a "mindless and outrageous attack on (the) people of Derry."<doc-sep>DUBLIN — The police in Northern Ireland arrested four men on Sunday in connection with a car bombing outside a courthouse in central Londonderry the night before that drew condemnation from across the political spectrum. The bomb, which had been planted in a hijacked delivery van, caused no casualties or major damage. But after receiving a warning, the police had little time to evacuate children from a youth club nearby and hundreds of people from a luxury hotel and a masonic hall before the device exploded around 8.10 p.m. Saturday. The explosion followed a pattern of attacks in the city attributed to republican groups opposed to the peace agreement that ended the “Troubles” in Northern Ireland 20 years ago. The delivery van used in the attack had been hijacked shortly before in Brandywell, a nearby nationalist area of the city. The police arrested two men in their 20s, then later on Sunday detained two others, age 34 and 42, Reuters said. The police did not identify them or provide a possible motive.<doc-sep>Londonderry, Northern Ireland (CNN) Police in Northern Ireland have released CCTV footage of a car bombing that shook central Londonderry on Saturday night. In one of the four videos that were posted on the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Twitter, a group of young people can be seen walking past the vehicle minutes before the explosion. Police release CCTV footage of explosion outside courthouse on Bishops Street in Derry/Londonderry last night. pic.twitter.com/tqzqBdCZnv Four men have been arrested in connection to what police suspect to be an attack by the "New IRA." Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton told reporters: "For this investigation, our main line of inquiry is against the New IRA. The New IRA, like most dissident Republican groups in Northern Ireland, are small, largely unrepresentative and just determined to drive people back to somewhere they don't want to be." The police confirmed in their statement that at least two armed men hijacked a pizza delivery car and installed a bomb inside, which was then driven to the location before it was detonated. In two clips released by the police, the car can be seen stopping before the driver jumps out and runs away. Hamilton described the attack as "a callous act, a deliberate act against the people of Derry and against the local police service. A deliberate attempt to harm this community and one we must all condemn." The police also posted on Facebook that a second suspicious car was checked. "Now we're just dealing with an extensive crime scene," police said. John Boyle, the mayor of Derry/Londonderry posted on Twitter : "Absolutely appalled by this terrible act of violence tonight right in the heart of our city. I utterly condemn this attack which could easily have resulted in loss of life or injury. The perpetrators do not speak for the people of Derry and Strabane!" #Derry #Londonderry #NorthernIreland Police closed street in center city - "suspect car bomb" exploded - level of violence unseen here in years pic.twitter.com/I3tHr8vp16 — Nic Robertson (@NicRobertsonCNN) January 19, 2019 Police said it appeared that nobody was hurt in the attack. 'We have lived through this before' Gina McFeely said she was in her flat, getting ready to go to her nephew's 21st birthday party, when she heard a loud bang. "Everyone in the neighborhood came out into the street," she said. "Then I saw the car in flames, flames going up, and I said, 'Oh my God!' It's been a long time since a bomb went out in Derry. It was a shock." Despite the explosion, she went ahead to the party. "It doesn't make me afraid -- I am from Derry, we have lived though this before -- but it makes me angry," McFeely said. "We don't want to go back to this." On scene in Derry/Londonderry where police say a suspected car bomb exploded in Bishop Street - incidentally meters away from the hotel where our crew stayed last night. pic.twitter.com/Xo3UxgICdD — Milena Veselinovic (@M_Veselinovic) January 19, 2019 A history of violence Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister Simon Coveney condemned the car bombing, tweeting, "There is no place and no justification possible for such acts of terror, which seek to drag Northern Ireland back to violence and conflict." The bombing raised fears that sectarian violence might be revived in Northern Ireland, which has been split over the question of whether to remain part of the United Kingdom or become part of Ireland. More than 3,500 people died in the decadeslong conflict known as "the Troubles." The Good Friday, or Belfast, Agreement of 1998 was a turning point for the region ending years of bloodletting. In recent years, the two main political parties -- the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein -- had worked together in a power-sharing executive, but it collapsed in 2017 and despite extensive talks has yet to be restored. Even the name of the city has been disputed, with nationalists, who are in favor of a united Ireland, calling it Derry and unionists, who want to remain part of the United Kingdom, calling it Londonderry. The city has a population of about 240,000 in its metro area. It's about 112 kilometers (70 miles) west of Belfast. Politicians react Sinn Fein MP Elisha McCallion posted on the party website, "This incident has shocked the local community," she said. "In particular, there are many elderly residents who live in the area who have been alarmed by this incident." Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster used her official Twitter page to thank emergency services for their quick action "which helped ensure there have been no fatalities or injuries." "This pointless act of terror must be condemned in the strongest terms. Only hurts the people of the City. Perpetrated by people with no regard for life," she said.<doc-sep>Police in Northern Ireland have arrested four men in connection with Saturday night’s car bomb in Derry city. Two suspects, both in their 20s, were detained early on Sunday after what police called an “unbelievably reckless” attack outside a courthouse in the heart of the city. Two more men, aged 34 and 42 years, were arrested in Derry on Sunday evening. The New IRA, a dissident republican group, was the main line of inquiry, the assistant chief constable, Mark Hamilton, told a media briefing near the scene. Police release CCTV footage of explosion outside courthouse on Bishops Street in Derry/Londonderry last night. pic.twitter.com/tqzqBdCZnv — PSNI DC&S District (@PSNIDCSDistrict) January 20, 2019 Authorities have released CCTV footage of the car stopping outside the courthouse, the driver running away from the vehicle, and the subsequent explosion. Police said they received approximately 10 minutes’ warning before the bomb exploded outside a courthouse on Bishop Street at 8.10pm, giving little time to evacuate hundreds of people from a nearby hotel, the Freemasons’ hall, youth club and other sites. There were no casualties. A pizza delivery vehicle hijacked a short time earlier is believed to have been used in the attack. Witnesses said they heard a loud bang and saw a large plume of smoke. Police release CCTV footage of car stopping outside courthouse on Bishops Street in Derry/Londonderry last night. pic.twitter.com/CLfXEyip4c — PSNI DC&S District (@PSNIDCSDistrict) January 20, 2019 Police release CCTV footage of driver running away from car outside courthouse on Bishops Street in Derry/Londonderry last night. pic.twitter.com/0nXw7qzDt9 — PSNI DC&S District (@PSNIDCSDistrict) January 20, 2019 A police forensics team was examining the scene on Sunday, with cordons sealing off access to the charred wreckage of the vehicle. “At around 7.55pm last night officers on patrol in Bishop Street spotted a suspicious vehicle and were making checks when, around five minutes later, information was received that a device had been left at the courthouse,” Hamilton said in a statement released earlier on Sunday. “We moved immediately to begin evacuating people from nearby buildings, including hundreds of hotel guests, 150 people from the Masonic Hall and a large number of children from a church youth club. The device detonated at 8.10pm.” The attackers failed to kill or injure anyone, said Hamilton. “The people responsible for this attack have shown no regard for the community or local businesses. They care little about the damage to the area and the disruption they have caused,” he added. No one claimed responsibility but suspicion fell on dissident Irish republicans opposed to the peace process. A spate of bomb attacks in Derry in 2015, including a device found under a police officer’s car, was blamed on dissident republicans. They caused no casualties. The Northern Ireland secretary, Karen Bradley, expressed concern and urged anyone with information about the attack to contact the police or Crimestoppers. Bradley said: “This attempt to disrupt progress in Northern Ireland has rightly been met with utter condemnation from all parts of the community. The small number of people responsible have absolutely nothing to offer Northern Ireland’s future and will not prevail. “Our voices across the political spectrum are united. This is intolerable violence and we want to look forward and build a peaceful future for all in Northern Ireland. ” Simon Coveney, Ireland’s foreign minister, said the attack was an attempt to drag Northern Ireland back into violence and conflict. Arlene Foster, the leader of the Democratic Unionist party, called it a “pointless act of terror” perpetrated by people with no regard for life. The Foyle Sinn Féin MP, Elisha McCallion, also condemned the blast. She said: “Derry is a city moving forward and no one wants this type of incident. It is not representative of the city. I would encourage anyone with information about this incident to bring it to the police.” A handful of small, radical republican groups reject power-sharing in Northern Ireland and accuse Sinn Féin of selling out by accepting the 1998 Good Friday agreement, which drew a line under the Troubles. Saoradh, a fringe political party backed by New IRA prisoners, attributed the attack to “republican revolutionaries” and linked it to the centenary of the Soloheadbeg ambush on police in Tipperary, widely seen as the start of Ireland’s war of independence against Britain. “It seems 100 years later Volunteer Sean Tracey’s comrades continue the unfinished revolution,” said the party’s website. The attack bore all the hallmarks of the New IRA, which has made a point of targeting police and courts, said Marisa McGlinchey, the author of a forthcoming book, Unfinished Business: the Politics of ‘Dissident’ Irish Republicanism. The group rejected the term dissident and sought to link itself to the IRA, which fought the war of independence a century ago, said McGlinchey, a professor at Coventry University. “It’s a very deliberate strike to try to underline continuity.” Ireland’s culture minister, Josepha Madigan, is due on Monday to lay a remembrance wreath at the Solohead memorial. Monday is also the 100th anniversary of the first meeting of the Dáil, a breakaway parliament set up by Irish MPs who shunned Westminster. Northern Ireland has drifted in a political vacuum since a row between Sinn Féin and the DUP collapsed the power-sharing executive at Stormont in 2017. Brexit has compounded the instability by reviving contention over the border and and Northern Ireland’s constitutional status. Andrew Adonis, the Labour peer, accused Brexiters of playing fast and loose with the region’s peace and stability. “The prime minister should be in Derry-Londonderry today discussing the state of the city and security – & then go Belfast to meet all the parties & break the deadlock to set up a Northern Ireland Assembly & Government. Instead, Brexit, Brexit, Brexit,” he tweeted.<doc-sep>

AFP | The Police Service of Northern Ireland tweeted a photograph of a suspected car bomb outside a courthouse in Londonderry. Police in Northern Ireland said Sunday they suspect Irish Republican Army dissidents were behind a car bombing outside a courthouse in the city of Derry/Londonderry. Four men have been arrested. Advertising Read more Two men in their twenties were detained hours after the explosion on Saturday evening outside the city's courthouse. Two other men aged 34 and 42 were arrested in the city later on Sunday. No one was injured by the blast. The device was placed inside a hijacked delivery vehicle and exploded Saturday night as police, who had received a warning, were evacuating the area. There were no reports of injuries. The Police Service of Northern Ireland posted a photograph of a vehicle in flames and urged the public to stay away. Police and army bomb-disposal experts remained at the scene on Sunday. Army Technical Officers are at the scene of last night’s car bomb in #Derry. The wreckage of the vehicle can be seen on the road just outside the Court House. The area around Bishop Street within remains sealed off this morning pic.twitter.com/DFWfwXanO6 Leona O'Neill (@LeonaONeill1) January 20, 2019 Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said the bomb had been a "crude" and unstable device, and called the attack "incredibly reckless." "The people responsible for this attack have shown no regard for the community or local businesses," he said. "Fortunately it didn't kill anybody but clearly it was a very significant attempt to kill people here in this community," Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton told a news conference. 'Republican dissidents main line of inquiry" Hamilton said the "main line of inquiry" was that the bomb had been planted by a group known as the New IRA, one of a small number of groups opposed to a 1998 peace deal that largely ended three decades of violence in the British-run province. They have carried out sporadic attacks in recent years. Two men, both in their twenties, have been arrested by detectives investigating explosion outside Bishop Street courthouse in Derry/Londonderry. PSNI (@PoliceServiceNI) January 20, 2019 Northern Ireland's power-sharing government has been suspended for two years because of a dispute between the main loyalist and republican political parties. Uncertainty about the future of the Irish border after Brexit is adding to an already tense situation. John Boyle, who is mayor of the city, said violence "is the past and it has to stay in the past." 'Terrorist attack' Former Northern Irish first minister Arlene Foster, who heads the province's Democratic Unionist Party, referred to it as a "pointless act of terror", while the Republic of Ireland's Foreign Minister Simon Coveney called it a "car bomb terrorist attack". The @mayordcsdc John Boyle says that the city is shocked and saddened at tonight’s explosion pic.twitter.com/Ze5dcnpODz Leona O'Neill (@LeonaONeill1) January 19, 2019 Foster, who leads the pro-British DUP, said: "This pointless act of terror must be condemned in the strongest terms. Only hurts the people of the city. "Perpetrated by people with no regard for life." She said the swift actions of the emergency services had helped ensure there were no fatalities or injuries. Coveney, also Ireland's deputy prime minister, tweeted: "I utterly condemn the car bomb terrorist attack in Derry this evening. "There is no place and no justification possible for such acts of terror, which seek to drag Northern Ireland back to violence and conflict." City in shock Elisha McCallion, the local Member of the British Parliament from the Irish republican party Sinn Fein, condemned the bomb attack. "This incident has shocked the local community," she said in a statement. "Thankfully, no one appears to have been injured. "Derry is a city moving forward and no one wants this type of incident." A 1998 peace deal mostly ended three decades of conflict that killed 3,600 people and was fought between unionists, who want Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom, and nationalists, who want the province to join the Republic. Some sporadic violence continues among small, splinter groups but car bombings are rare in the province. (FRANCE 24 with AP, AFP and Reuters) Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe

Petition says court should “command” the government to decide the question of voluntary acquisition of British citizenship by Mr. Gandhi and consequently determine his Indian citizenship. The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear a plea to direct the Election Commission of India (ECI) to debar Congress president Rahul Gandhi from contesting the Lok Sabha polls and “becoming a Member of Parliament” after he had “voluntarily acquired British nationality.” A Bench, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi, was responding to the plea by Delhi residents Jai Bhagwan Goyal and Chander Prakash Tyagi, who said they were “social and public spirited persons” who protected democratic institutions. The petition, which has arraigned the Central government, the ECI and Mr. Gandhi in person, said the court should “command” the government to decide the question of voluntary acquisition of British citizenship by Mr. Gandhi and consequently determine his Indian citizenship. It wanted the court to decide whether a person who has voluntarily acquired British citizenship should be allowed to contest from Amethi and Wayanad, and then “fill a seat” in Parliament. It was evident that Mr. Gandhi had acquired British nationality, and this was incident from the incorporation certificate of U.K. company BACKOPS Limited and the returns filed by the company, it said. The petition wanted a declaration that Mr. Gandhi “is not an Indian citizen and he is incompetent to contest as per the provisions of the Constitution read with the Representation of the People Act, 1951.” The plea follows a notice issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs to Mr. Gandhi on the question of his “dual citizenship”. Dismissal of plea in 2015 On November 30, 2015, the Supreme Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by a lawyer seeking a CBI investigation against Mr. Gandhi for allegedly declaring himself a British national before company law authorities in the U.K. The court found it too “frivolous” and called it an attempt by the lawyer to start a “roving inquiry”. Also Read MHA raises issue of Rahul’s citizenship A Bench of then Chief Justice H.L. Dattu and Justice (now retired) Amitava Roy berated the lawyer, M.L. Sharma, saying PIL pleas were not meant to target an individual or an organisation but was a medium to resolve human suffering through good governance.<doc-sep>NEW DELHI: A PIL filed in the Supreme Court on Thursday sought annulment of Rahul Gandhi ’s candidature from Amethi and Wayanad constituencies by citing the Blackop Ltd papers in which the Congress president was allegedly shown to be a UK citizen, as claimed by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy The petition, filed by Jai Bhagwan Goyal and Chander Prakash Tyagi, alleged that since Rahul had “declared himself to be a British national”, he was not entitled to Indian citizenship and hence barred from contesting elections or holding the post of president of a registered party. The petition was mentioned for urgent hearing before CJI Ranjan Gogoi , who did not pass any orders.The petitioners requested the SC to direct the Centre to probe the Blackop papers and decide the “effect of voluntary acquisition of UK citizenship on Rahul’s Indian citizenship”. They also requested the court to direct the Election Commission to bar him from contesting from Amethi and Wayanad as no foreigner could be allowed to contest polls under the Representation of the People Act.Swamy had earlier alleged that Rahul had floated a company, Backops Ltd, declaring himself to be of British nationalitywith a United Kingdom address.He had further claimed that Rahul held 65% of the total shares issued by this company. Congress, however, had rubbished Swamy’s charge and said Rahul was mistakenly mentioned as a British national in the annual return forms of the firm.<doc-sep>Rahul Gandhi Frognal Way Amitabh Bachchan Rajiv Gandhi Lok Sabha elections Ajitabh and Amitabh Bachchan British citizenship The bungalow at 2, Frognal Way in London. (Photo by Danish Khan) ByandRecords accessed by Mumbai Mirror suggest it should not be difficult for the Home Ministry to carry out its own investigation – ask UK’s Companies House or Ajitabh Bachchan.The questions raised over Congress president’s citizenship by his opponents may or may not become an election issue, but they have brought to the fore the special relationship the Gandhis and the Bachchans once shared.Investigations carried out by Mumbai Mirror have revealed that the residential address quoted by BJP parliamentarian Subramanian Swamy in his complaint against Rahul – 2,– is where superstar’s brother Ajitabh and his family lived before moving to India.While it is well-known how close Amitabh was to the Gandhis before the now-famous estrangement, Ajitabh too stood by Sonia Gandhi and her children through thick and thin. This perhaps explains why before taking the plunge in active politics, Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra had made it a point to meet both Amitabh and Ajitabh Bachchan in New Delhi and seek the blessings of her “mamun”.According to Bachchan-Gandhi insiders, Priyanka has always had her own equation with Amitabh and Ajitabh that was distinct from the one that she shared with their wives Jaya and Ramola. Apart from the fact that she called them ‘mamun’, Amitabh-Ajitabh had regular presence in the children’s lives and met them regularly on their visits to Delhi. They were a pillar of strength to both Rahul and Priyanka in the aftermath of their father’s assassination in May 1991.Following Swamy’s complaint, which alleges that Rahul is a British citizen and he thus should be stripped of his parliamentary seat, the Union Home Ministry has given the Congress president and the party’s candidate in the ongoingfrom Amethi in Uttar Pradesh and Wayanad in Kerala two weeks to file his response.However, records accessed by Mumbai Mirror suggest it should not be difficult for the Home Ministry to carry out its own investigation. A 2003 filing with the UK’s Companies House lists Rahul as a director of Backops Ltd – the company that Swamy has mentioned in his complaint – with its registered office in Winchester outside London.Frognal Way – listed as Rahul’s residential address – falls under the Camden council’s polling district CB and it does not have him as a registered voter between 2003 and 2008. However, the names of Ajitabh Bachchan, his wife Ramola, daughters Namrata and Nilima and son Bhim appear on the electoral register between the years 2003 and 2005.Nobody is registered from the address in the 2006 electoral list, but from 2007 onwards the owner of the property Alexander Isaacs and his family are on the voting list.Britain allows citizens from Commonwealth countries living in the UK to vote in its elections, and hence a name on the UK electoral list does not necessarily mean that the individual is a British citizen. However, it is highly unusual for a British national to be not on the electoral register given the relative ease with which one can register to be a voter.As far as Rahul’s British nationality is concerned, it is not unusual for errors to creep in in documents especially if papers handled by accountants or tax consultants. Under British law, a UK national can simultaneously hold any other citizenship or passport and hence a mistake in filling nationality details does not entail great legal consequences. However, the UK Companies House can take action if wrong details are deliberately given.Ascertaining whether Gandhi had a British nationality at any point of time should not be that difficult if the UK home office agrees to cooperate with New Delhi. Gaining ais quite an elaborate affair and involves attending a citizenship programme conducted by the local council.The Election Commission in India or the Union Ministry of Home, thus, has multiple sources to find out whether Rahul Gandhi took British citizenship or not. Or it could just ask Ajitabh Bachchan for leads.<doc-sep>

Rahul Gandhi is contesting from Amethi in Utter Pradesh and Wayanad in Kerala. A petition was filed in the Supreme Court Thursday seeking direction to the Centre and the Election Commission to debar Congress President Rahul Gandhi from contesting the Lok Sabha election till the issue of his citizenship is decided. The Home Ministry recently served a notice to Mr Gandhi asking him to clarify within a fortnight his "factual position" on a complaint questioning his citizenship status. The plea filed in the top court has said that the petitioners were "dissatisfied" with the "inaction" of the Centre and the poll panel in "deciding the question of voluntary acquisition of British citizenship" by Gandhi in spite of a November 2015 communication by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy in this regard. The petitioners -- Jai Bhagwan Goyal and C P Tyagi -- have alleged that since prima facie evidence in this regard has been produced before the Home Ministry and the EC, Mr Gandhi should not have been allowed to contest the ongoing Lok Sabha elections from parliamentary constituencies he has decided to -- Amethi in Utter Pradesh and Wayanad in Kerala. The plea, filed by advocate Barun Kumar Sinha, also sought a direction to the EC to remove Gandhi's name from "electoral roll till the decision of the question of acquisition of his British citizenship". The plea was mentioned for urgent listing before a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi. The lawyer appearing for the petitioners told the bench, also comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, that the matter be heard next week. "We will see," the bench said. In a recent letter to Mr Gandhi, the Home Ministry had said it has received a representation from Mr Swamy in which it has been brought out that a company named Backops Limited was registered in the United Kingdom in 2003 with Rahul Gandhi as one of its directors. The Home Ministry had said Subramanian Swamy's letter mentioned that in the British company's annual returns filed on October 10, 2005 and October 31, 2006, Rahul Gandhi's date of birth has been given as June 19, 1970 and had declared his nationality as British.

In China, Vietnam and elsewhere, rhino horn is erroneously believed to have medicinal properties, even though it is made from the same material as human fingernails.<doc-sep>The Sibuya Game Reserve staff and authorities are unsure how many poachers out of the group of three were killed and eaten by the lions Following close behind the controversial news of a Kentucky woman shooting and killing a black giraffe comes a story in which the hunters become the hunted. South Africa’s Sibuya Game Reserve shared a press release on Thursday regarding the mauling death of a group of poachers. The park reports that between Sunday evening and Monday morning, three poachers entered the reserve, likely looking for rhinos. Get push notifications with news, features and more. “They were armed with, amongst other things, a high powered rifle with a silencer, an axe, wire cutters and had food supplies for a number of days – all the hallmarks of a gang intent on killing rhino and removing their horns,” reads the park’s press release. Around 4:30 a.m. Monday morning, the reserve’s anti-poaching dogs began to act agitated, but when a handler heard a loud commotion coming from a nearby pride of lions, they figured it was this ruckus that caused the dogs to act out. It wasn’t until Tuesday afternoon that park officials found human remains near the lion pride that had been making noise the day prior. “At about 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday 3rd July one of our field guides on game drive alerted the Anti-Poaching Unit that there appeared to be human remains as well as other items in the immediate vicinity of the lions. I was immediately called to the scene where along with the APU we found the high powered rifle, gloves, wire cutters and the remains of a back pack with food, water and other supplies,” Sibuya Game Reserve owner Nick Fox wrote in a statement. Pride of lions resting under a tree, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana Credit: Getty Based on this evidence, Fox thinks it is clear that the dogs responded to the poachers’ presence, but that the poachers unknowingly walked into a group of six lions, causing the commotion the handler heard, before the canines could respond. The lions likely attacked and ate at least one if not all of the poachers. Authorities are currently examining the scene where the remains were found to get more details. “As it was already dark it was not possible to investigate the area until first light at which time we arranged for our vet to dart the entire pride of lions so that Police forensic teams assisted by our Anti-poaching unit could comb the immediate area for clues,” Fox wrote in his statement about what happened after the remains were found. “At this stage it is not clear exactly how many poachers were killed but the Police forensic team continue to investigate.” “The only body part we found was one skull and one bit of pelvis, everything else was completely gone,” Fox told Newsweek. “There is so little left that they don’t know exactly how many people were killed, we suspect three because we found three sets of shoes and three sets of gloves.” BBC reports that police are also patrolling the area to ensure that the poachers — if any survived — don’t return to hurt any of the animals in the reserve.<doc-sep>At least three suspected poachers who broke into a reserve to hunt rhinos are thought to have been killed and eaten by a pride of lions. A head and body parts were found in the Sibuya Game Reserve near Kenton-on-Sea in Eastern Province, South Africa. Three pairs of shoes were also recovered in the area, as well as a number of hunting rifles, wirecutters and an axe. It is thought the group were looking to steal rhino tusks when they were attacked by lions, according to newspaper The South African. A police helicopter was called to search for the poachers but none were located. The lions are our watchers and guardians and they picked the wrong pride and became a meal Nick Fox, game reserve owner Owner Nick Fox, 60, said: “We found enough body parts and three pairs of empty shoes which suggest to us that the lions ate at least three of them but it is thick bush and there could be more. “They came heavily armed with hunting rifles and axes which we have recovered and enough food to last them for several days so we suspect they were after all of our rhinos here. “But the lions are our watchers and guardians and they picked the wrong pride and became a meal.” A police spokesperson confirmed the deaths and said the items that were left behind would be taken to a laboratory to confirm if the group were poachers. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut.<doc-sep>

A male and female lion stand over a lion cub in Eastern Cape, South Africa. This is where a pride of lions slaughtered at least three poachers who entered the Sibuya Game Reserve to hunt rhino horns. A pride of hungry lions in a South African reserve just saved the day, at least for a herd of rhinos. The poachers, who had illegally entered that reserve with a gun and axe to kill those rhinos, were not so lucky. The big cats mauled and killed at least two — possibly three — poachers, leaving behind just their bloodied and partly-eaten body parts, according to news reports. The illegal entrance and subsequent mauling attack happened at the Sibuya Game Reserve sometime between Sunday night (July 1) and Monday morning (July 2), according to a statement by the reserve. "They were armed with, amongst other things, a high-powered rifle with a silencer, an axe, wire cutters and had food supplies for a number of days — all the hallmarks of a gang intent on killing rhino and removing their horns," Nick Fox, owner of the reserve, said in the statement. [In Photos: The Last 5 Northern White Rhinos] The horns are prized for their medicinal value and used in traditional Chinese medicines, though there is no science to back up their touted "cure-all" powers. In addition, the horns are now seen as a status symbol, according to Save the Rhino, a U.K.-based conservation charity. And South Africa is home to the most rhinos in the world — both the critically endangered black rhino and the near threatened white rhino — making them a target for poachers, who are often armed with guns and other equipment. Some will even tranquilize a rhino before sawing off its horn, "leaving the rhino to wake up and bleed to death very painfully and slowly," according to Save the Rhino. In 2017, poachers killed 1,028 rhinos in South Africa, compared with 13 in 2007. In this case, at 4:30 a.m. local time Monday, one of the anti-poaching dogs on the reserve alerted her "handler" that there was a problem nearby. "At the same time, the handler heard a loud commotion coming from the lions, so he suspected that this was what had alerted her and was not concerned," Fox said. Because lion activity at night is not uncommon, the handler didn't think much of it. Then, on Tuesday afternoon, one of the field guides found what appeared to be human remains near the lions' range. "Clearly, the poachers had walked into a pride of six lions, and some, if not all, had been killed," Fox said. A forensic team from the local police is now investigating the crime. Currently, Fox said, it's not certain how many poachers were killed. Original article on Live Science.

Harrison was in charge of United academy that produced famous Class of '92; Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes among those to pay tributes Tributes are paid to former Manchester United youth coach Eric Harrison, who has passed away at the age of 81 Former Manchester United youth team manager Eric Harrison has died at the age of 81. Harrison, who was diagnosed with mixed dementia four years ago, passed away peacefully on Wednesday night surrounded by his family. Harrison became youth team manager at United in 1981 and was in charge of the club's academy when it produced the famous Class of '92, which included Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Gary Neville. Image: Harrison was in charge of United's academy when it produced the Class of '92 He also spent four years as Wales assistant manager under Mark Hughes and was awarded an MBE for his services to football in the Queen's New Year Honours list in 2018. Manchester United offered their condolences to Harrison's family in a statement, which read: "We are extremely saddened to report that our former youth coach Eric Harrison passed away last night. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Eric's family and friends at this sad and difficult time." Former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson paid tribute to Harrison on Thursday, describing the Yorkshireman as "one of the greatest coaches of our time". We are extremely saddened to report that our former youth coach Eric Harrison passed away last night. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Eric's family and friends at this sad and difficult time. pic.twitter.com/vS94a8MKxr — Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 14, 2019 "Eric's contribution to football and not just at Manchester United was incredible," said Ferguson. "He built character and determination in those young players and prepared them for the future. He was a teacher, he gave these players a path, a choice and he only did that through his own hard work and sacrifice. "He was able to impart that education to the young which made him one of the greatest coaches of our time." We’ve lost our mentor , our coach and the man who made us. He taught us how to play , how to never give up , how important it was to win your individual battles and what we needed to do to play for Manchester United Football Club. Eric we owe you everything ❤️ pic.twitter.com/iv0uisTGCl — Gary Neville (@GNev2) February 14, 2019 Eric Harrison had a huge influence in shaping the club and its dedication to developing young players over the last 30 years . His place as a club legend is definitely assured . RIP 🙏🏾👹 pic.twitter.com/jfgOfEpnuj — Ashley Young (@youngy18) February 14, 2019 A group of former United players paid tribute to Harrison in a statement released through Beckham's Instagram. "We've lost our mentor, our coach and the man who made us," it read. "He taught us how to play, how to never give up, how important it was to win your individual battles and what we needed to do to play for Manchester United Football Club. 0:56 Former United assistant manager Steve McClaren says the Class of '92 had the utmost respect for Harrison "He was always watching and always with us every time we played, I can still hear him telling me NO MORE HOLLYWOOD PASSES. "I can still see him as we played on The Cliff training ground looking down on us either with a proud smile or a loud bang of his fist on the window knowing any minute he would be on his way down to probably advise me in the most polite way to stop playing those passes. Ryan Giggs: "I’ve known Eric since I was 13 and was a big part of my career. A great man and a tough coach, he instilled in us the principles of the game. He loved going away with Wales under Mark Hughes’ tenure and without a doubt is one of the biggest influences on my career." pic.twitter.com/vyYGNFrRCo — FA WALES (@FAWales) February 14, 2019 "More importantly he made us understand how to work hard and respect each other and not just on the pitch. We won't forget the life lessons he gave us. "Eric we love you and owe you everything. Gary, Phil, Ryan, Paul, Nicky and David." Wales manager Giggs also paid personal tribute to Harrison, who he described as a "great man." 2:01 Nicky Butt says Harrison should be remembered for developing good human beings as well as world-class footballers "I've known Eric since I was 13 and [he] was a big part of my career," he said via the Football Association of Wales' Twitter account. "A great man and a tough coach, he instilled in us the principles of the game. He loved going away with Wales under Mark Hughes' tenure and without a doubt is one of the biggest influences on my career." Scholes, who was appointed Oldham manager earlier this week, added: "He is the one who taught us how to play football the Manchester United way. 0:57 Paul Scholes says Harrison made the Class of '92 'streetwise players' "Eric was special - he told you how it was. If you were doing well, he'd be the first one to pat you on the back, shake your hand, and tell you that you were doing well. "If you weren't doing too well, you knew about it and that's what prepared us very well for the manager. "I think that preparation from being 16 to 18 was ideal for us. It made us ready for everything that came our way. "He was a genius as a coach, he taught us everything we know. The way he delivered it was special. He was a tough man to play for, but that's what made us into the streetwise players that we became."<doc-sep>Originally they were called Fergie’s Fledglings, then the Class of ’92, though it was fitting that Eric Harrison’s death at the age of 81 led everyone at Manchester United to acknowledge where the credit for a remarkable generation was due. “Eric we owe you everything,” Gary Neville said. “We’ve lost our mentor, our coach and the man who made us. He taught us how to play, to never give up and how important it was to win your individual battles.” United said Harrison served the club “with distinction as a mentor of young players, including a number of prodigies who achieved great success with club and country”. That number included both Neville brothers, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt, as well as Robbie Savage and Keith Gillespie who left United to make successful careers elsewhere. The core of the side who won the Youth Cup in 1992 stayed at the club to win every domestic honour possible and advanced together to long international careers. A former Halifax, Hartlepool and Barrow player, Harrison had been at United for five years, having joined from Everton in 1981, when Alex Ferguson arrived as the manager. Ferguson reorganised his scouting department soon after taking over but wisely left his head of youth development alone. Harrison led United to Youth Cup victories in 1992 and 1995, and Ferguson praised his ability to instil character and determination into his young charges. Eric Harrison with the Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson, at the launch of the coach’s book The View from the Dugout in 2001. Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA In that Ferguson believed in youth and demanded players who knew how to stand up for themselves and knew what it meant to play for United, Harrison was a perfect fit for the next couple of decades, as the manager who built a treble-winning side around the coach’s products was quick to accept. “When I came as manager I was lucky enough to have Eric on the staff, so I got to see the work he did, not just with the Class of ’92 but with all the young players,” Ferguson said. “He built character and determination into those players and prepared them for the future. He was a teacher, he gave his players a path, and it was his ability to impart an education, to make good human beings as well as footballers that made him one of the greatest coaches of our time.” Quick Guide What happened next? Where the Class of ‘92 ended up Show GK Kevin Pilkington Had a handful of first-team games and several loans, then left in 1998 for Port Vale. Now coaching and, at 44, an occasional sub for Cambridge. DF John O’Kane Left for Everton in 1998 after a series of loan spells. Later captained Hyde United, retired in 2006 and set up a children’s coaching centre. DF George Switzer Released in July 1993, joined Darlington on a free but only lasted a season. Then settled at Hyde and retired from football in 2013. DF Chris Casper After two first-team appearances, joined Reading in 1998. Had to retire aged 26 after a double leg fracture. Now sporting director at Salford. DF Gary Neville Went on to captain United and won 85 England caps. Now Sky’s top pundit and a Salford City co-owner, via an unhappy spell coaching Valencia. MF David Beckham Became the first English player to win titles in four countries: England, Spain, the US and France. Now co-owns Inter Miami and Salford City. MF Nicky Butt Spent 12 trophy-filled years at United, winning 39 England caps. Now United’s academy head, and another Salford City co-owner. MF Simon Davies Played 20 times and scored in the Champions League but couldn’t become established. Moved to Luton in 1997. Now a Man City youth coach. MF Ben Thornley A hugely talented winger whose future at United was undone by a serious knee injury. Played for Huddersfield and others, now works on MUTV. FW Colin McKee Struggled to break through and was sold to Kilmarnock in 1994. Stayed in Scotland, retiring in 2001 after a 12-year career with 10 clubs. FW Ryan Giggs Another one-club man, retired with a huge haul of personal and club honours, and an OBE. Now manager of Wales and a Salford co-owner. (Sub) FW Robbie Savage Left United without an appearance, joining Crewe. Went on to a big club career, 39 Wales caps and a huge haul of yellow cards. Now a pundit. (Sub) MF Keith Gillespie Stuck behind Andrei Kanchelskis at United, moved to Newcastle. Won 86 Northern Ireland caps and spoke out about gambling addiction in 2013. Among those joining the squad the following season … DF Phil Neville Won multiple titles alongside his brother before moving to Everton in 2005. Manager of England Women and a Salford co-owner. MF Paul Scholes Spent his career at United, retiring after 718 games, 155 goals and multiple honours. Now manager of Oldham and a Salford co-owner. Was this helpful? Thank you for your feedback. David Beckham, who visited Harrison in 2017 after learning he had been diagnosed with dementia, said he could still hear his coach’s voice telling him to cut out the Hollywood passes. “I can still see him watching us play at The Cliff training ground, looking down with either a proud smile or a loud bang of his fist on the window, knowing any minute he would be on his way down to advise me in the most polite way to stop playing those passes,” Beckham said. “More importantly he made us understand how to work hard and respect each other, and not just on the pitch. We won’t forget the life lessons he gave us.” Having been released by United before playing a senior game, Savage had to make a career at Crewe before joining Leicester and then Birmingham, but he still has a letter from Harrison encouraging him not to give up on his dream of becoming a footballer. “Eric, along with my family, was the reason I didn’t,” Savage said. “He told me he believed in me and to this day I have always been thankful. He was a massive part of my education.” He instilled values that stood us in good stead for the rest of our lives. I'll be for ever indebted to him Phil Neville Phil Neville, now in management himself along with Giggs and Scholes, described Harrison as being “like a second father” to young players. “On and off the pitch, the way you spoke to the kitman or the canteen ladies, the way you dressed, your timekeeping, he instilled values that stood us in good stead for the rest of our lives. I’m a manager now and the standards I try to give my players are the standards he taught me. He was a truly remarkable man and I’ll be for ever indebted to him.” The manager of the England women’s team went on to recount how Harrison was still offering advice even after Neville had left United for Everton. “He watched us beat Arsenal 3-1 at Goodison Park,” Neville said. “He rang me to tell me he had seen me turn my back on Thierry Henry, and that was something he used to work on with me every single day. Even when I was 31 he still hadn’t given up on me. “I would have loved Eric to grab hold of some of the young players coming through nowadays and put them through what we were put through, because it was special. I don’t get sad when things like this happen. I just feel blessed and lucky I was touched by someone who had an unbelievable effect on my life.”<doc-sep>

Eric Harrison, the coach credited with producing Manchester United’s famous Class of 92 youth side, has died at the age of 81. News of his death was confirmed on Thursday by United, where Harrison spent 17 years as a youth team coach after moving from Everton in 1981. “Manchester United is extremely saddened to report that our former youth coach Eric Harrison passed away on Wednesday,” the club said. “Eric served United with distinction as a mentor of young players, including a number of prodigies who achieved great success with club and country after graduating to the first team at Old Trafford.” Harrison, who played as a wing-half for Halifax and Hartlepool before turning to coaching on his retirement in 1972, was responsible for producing the group of players who were originally known as “Fergie’s Fledglings”, including David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes, who went on to play for the first team under Sir Alex Ferguson. Neville wrote on Twitter: “We’ve lost our mentor, our coach and the man who made us. He taught us how to play, how to never give up, how important it was to win your individual battles and what we needed to do to play for Manchester United Football Club. Eric we owe you everything.” In 2017, when Harrison was awarded an MBE for his services to football, Ferguson said: “If you wanted a teacher who would give you the right way forward, the right path, Eric was that man. He was fantastic in his time at United. When I came in as manager, I decided to keep him on the coaching staff. As I got to know him and the work he was doing, I realised it was a great decision.” In a statement released on Thursday, Ferguson paid tribute to his long-serving member of staff. “Eric’s contribution to football and not just at Manchester United was incredible,” he said. “When I came as manager I was lucky enough to have Eric on the staff as head of youth development, so I got to see the work he did and not just with the Class of 92 but with all the young players. “He built character and determination in those young players and prepared them for the future. He was a teacher, he gave these players a path, a choice and he only did that through his own hard work and sacrifice. “He was able to impart that education to the young which made him one of the greatest coaches of our time. On a personal level Eric had a wicked, dry sense of humour and was straight-talking and I admired that in him.” Allow Instagram content? This article includes content provided by Instagram . We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue'. Allow and continue Beckham paid tribute to Harrison. “He was always watching and always with us every time we played, I can still hear him telling me NO MORE HOLLYWOOD PASSES,” he wrote on Instagram. “I can still see him as we played on The Cliff training ground looking down on us either with a proud smile or a loud bang of his fist on the window knowing any minute he would be on his way down to probably advise me in the most polite way to stop playing those passes. “More importantly he made us understand how to work hard and respect each other and not just on the pitch. We won’t forget the life lessons he gave us.”

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 Federer is the heavy favourite to win his ninth Wimbledon title when the competition gets underway on Monday. The Swiss star will enter the tournament as the No 1 seed, despite dropping his world No 1 crown with defeat in the Halle Open final at the weekend. Rafael Nadal is expected to be his closest challenger and the Spaniard admitted he will be watching the draw closely. “I played very well on clay and it always helps,” Nadal said. “Then you have to consider the Wimbledon court that is very special and the draw is very important as well. “It's a tournament where you never know how things go, even if I have good memories from last year. “I lost (to Gilles Muller in the fourth round) but I was playing at a very good level.”<doc-sep>THE biggest and most prestigious event in tennis is back with the 132nd edition of Wimbledon. In the men’s draw, Roger Federer is the clear favourite after claiming his eighth Wimbledon title last year. However with Novak Djokovic back in form — not that he’ll admit it — Rafael Nadal back on top of the rankings and Australia’s Nick Kyrgios looking in ominous touch, a Federer victory is far from certain. FOX SPORTS is broadcasting The Championships from Wimbledon. SIGN UP NOW MURRAY’S 350-DAY DROUGHT OVER IN HUGE WIMBLEDON BOOST NADAL AIMS TO END WIMBLEDON WOES Serena Williams returns to The Championships after sitting out last year’s event due to the birth of her first child, and will be more eager than ever to reassert her dominance on the women’s tennis scene after being forced to withdraw from the French Open due to injury. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Wimbledon! WHERE IS IT? Wimbledon will take place at the historic All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, where the event has been held since 1877. WHEN IS IT? The 2018 tournament will commence on July 2, and run for two weeks. In Australia, play will commence from 8.30pm AEST. HOW TO WATCH Foxsports.com.au will be live streaming matches from two courts at Wimbledon from day one to day six of the tournament. Click here to watch the live streams, or click here to sign up for a Fox Sports Digital Subscription. FOX SPORTS is broadcasting The Championships from Wimbledon. SIGN UP NOW THE DRAW The official draw will took place on Friday, June 29. Full report here. SEEDINGS MEN 1. Roger Federe (SUI)r 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 3. Marin Cilic (CRO) 4. Alexander Zverev (GER) 5. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 6. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 7. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 8. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 9. John Isner (USA) 10. David Goffin (BEL) 11. Sam Querrey (USA) 12. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 13. Milos Raonic (CAN) 14. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) 15. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 16. Nick Kyrgios (AUS) 17. Borna Coric (CRO) 18. Lucas Pouille (FRA) 19. Jack Sock (USA) 20. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 21. Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) 22. Kyle Edmund (GBR) 23. Adrian Mannarino (FRA) 24. Richard Gasquet (FRA) 25. Kei Nishikori (JAP) 26. Hyeon Chung (KOR) 27. Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 28. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 29. Damir Dzumhur (BIG) 30. Filip Krajinovic (SRB) 31. Marco Cecchinato (ITA) 32. Fernando Verdasco (ESP) WOMEN 1. Simona Halep (ROU) 2. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 4. Sloane Stephens (USA) 5. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 6. Caroline Garcia (FRA) 7. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 8. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 9. Venus Williams (USA) 10. Madison Keys (USA) 11. Angelique Kerber (GER) 12. Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) 13. Julia Goerges (GER) 14. Daria Kasatkina (RUS) 15. Elise Mertens (BEL) 16. Coco Vandeweghe (USA) 17. Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 18. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 19. Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) 20. Kiki Bertens (NED) 21. Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 22. Johanna Konta (GBR) 23. Barbora Strycova (CZE) 24. Maria Sharapova (RUS) 25. Serena Williams (USA) 26. Daria Gavrilova (AUS) 27. Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) 28. Anett Kontaveit (EST) 29. Mihaela Buzarnescu (ROU) 30. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 31. Shuai Zhang (CHN) 32. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) THE CONTENDERS MEN ROGER FEDERER Having seen longtime rival Rafael Nadal tighten his iron-grip on Roland Garros, Roger Federer aims to extend his personal dominance of Wimbledon by claiming a ninth title at the All England Club. Despite his 37th birthday fast approaching, and having been stunned by Borna Coric in the Halle grass court final last weekend, Federer will still start Wimbledon as the overwhelming favourite to clinch a 21st major. Federer set new records 12 months ago when he defeated a hobbling Marin Cilic in the final, becoming both the tournament’s oldest champion and first to claim eight titles. That victory came after he decided to skip the entire claycourt season, a strategy he repeated this year as the Swiss sit at home watching Nadal romp to an 11th French Open. Roger Federer out for a ninth Wimbledon crown. Source: AP RAFAEL NADAL Nadal’s Grand Slam count now stands at 17, just three behind Federer with whom he has split the last six majors. The world number one has endured a bittersweet relationship with Wimbledon despite being champion in 2008 and 2010. He missed the 2009 tournament with injury and since finishing runner-up to Djokovic in 2011, has gone out in the second round in 2012, first round in 2013 and last 16 in 2014. In 2015, he was beaten in the second round, missed 2016 while, 12 months ago, lost 15-13 in the fifth set to Luxembourg journeyman Gilles Muller in the fourth round. After winning Roland Garros this month, Nadal hinted he may skip Wimbledon and also sat out Queen’s. But the 32-year-old Spaniard has been practising on grass in Mallorca and is cautiously optimistic. NOVAK DJOKOVIC Djokovic, the 2011, 2014 and 2015 champion, retired with an elbow injury in the quarter-finals in 2017 as his form continued to sink after the emotional high of completing the career Grand Slam at Roland Garros 12 months earlier. Like Nadal, Djokovic had hinted he may sit out Wimbledon after the indignity of losing to world number 72 Marco Cecchinato in the French Open quarter-finals. But the rejuvenated 12-time major winner shook off the self-doubt and made the Queen’s final at the weekend, losing to Cilic despite having had a match point. Djokovic is at least back in the top 20 unlike 2013 and 2016 Wimbledon champion Murray who is ranked at 156. Novak Djokovic finding form. Source: Mega ANDY MURRAY Former number one Murray suffered a hip injury in a five-set loss to Sam Querrey in the quarter-finals in 2017 and underwent surgery in January. The 31-year-old only returned at Queen’s losing a tough three-setter to Nick Kyrgios in his opener. However on Tuesday, he eased past fellow injury-plagued Slam winner Stan Wawrinka in straight sets in Eastbourne. It’s still unclear where or not Murray will play. MARIN CILIC The 6’6” Croatian will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of many champions before him, by going on to win Wimbledon after winning at the The Queen’s Club. Last year’s runner-up is in fine form; fresh off a win over Novak Djokovic, and will be looking to last longer than his quarter-final exit at the French Open. Can he do one better than 2017? ALEXANDER ZVEREV Elsewhere, a lot will be expected of world number three Alexander Zverev who made the fourth round last year. However, the 21-year-old lost his only grass court match this summer to Coric in Halle. NICK KYRGIOS We never really know what to expect with Kyrgios. But if the ‘right’ version shows up, the Australian can genuinely go toe-to-toe with the best in the world. The 23-year-old’s best finish at Wimbledon came in 2014; a quarter-final loss to Milos Raonic as a wildcard. Nick Kyrgios Source: Mega WOMEN SERENA WILLIAMS All eyes will be on Serena Williams when Wimbledon gets underway next week as the seven-time champion bids to win her first Grand Slam crown since becoming a mother. Williams’ two-year reign as Wimbledon champion ended 12 months ago when she missed the grass-court Grand Slam while she prepared for the September birth of her first child. The 36-year-old was beaten by Venus at Indian Wells in March and suffered a dismal first round exit against Naomi Osaka in Miami. Williams played her first Grand Slam for over a year at the French Open last month, reaching the fourth round before a shoulder injury forced her to quit ahead of her clash with old rival Maria Sharapova. GARBINE MUGURUZA Muguruza has the power and poise to trouble Williams, but the 24-year-old’s form comes in fits and starts. The Spaniard, who also reached the Wimbledon final in 2015, dropped just one set in seven matches at the All England Club en route to her second Grand Slam title last year.<doc-sep>Serena Williams will be the No 25 seed at next week’s Wimbledon, the All England Club announced this morning. The decision has been much debated since the AELTC’s spring press conference at the start of May. The main counter-argument was that the woman ranked No 32 – who turns out to be Dominika Cibulkova, the former Australian Open finalist – would be denied the benefit of all her hard work over the past year. Cibulkova spoke to reporters late on Tuesday night to express her dissatisfaction. “Why should I not be seeded if I have the right to be?” she said. “It’s just not fair if there is a player [who misses out] and it’s me now. I have the right and I should be seeded and if they put her in front of me then I will just lose my spot that I am supposed to have. I don’t know if something like this ever happened before.” During the spring press conference, it emerged that club officials did not then know whether they had the discretional power to award a seeding to Williams – who has barely played in the last 18 months because of her pregnancy and motherhood. The confusion was soon eliminated by a swift call to Steve Simon, head of the Women’s Tennis Association, and since then Williams’ results – which consisted of three wins and a withdrawal at the French Open – have been closely monitored.<doc-sep>

Summer is officially here, which means the start of Wimbledon, tennis’ most prestigious event of the year, is just around the corner. Wimbledon 2018 will be held from Monday, July 2, to Sunday, July 15, at the All England Club in South West London. The first round of play will begin on the 2nd at 11:30 a.m. BST on the outside courts and 1 p.m. on the main show courts: Centre Court and No. 1 Court. The women’s singles final will take place on the second-to-last day, Saturday, July 14, followed by the men’s singles final on the 15th. Wimbledon is not only the oldest tennis tournament in the world, but also, along with the Australian Open, French Open and U.S. Open, one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments. It is the only major still played on grass. Here’s everything you need to know—from the Wimbledon schedule to the deal with Wimbledon prize money—about The Championships, Wimbledon. Where does the action go down? Crowds gather outside centre court on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. Steven Paston/PA Images via Getty Images Wimbledon 2018, just as the tournament has since 1877, will take place at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London. Matches with star appeal—a.k.a. those involving top-seeded players or local favorites—generally take place on the club’s two main show courts, Centre Court and No.1 Court, with the finals and semifinals of main events like men’s and women’s singles always reserved for Centre Court. But don’t be fooled, there’s still plenty of action to catch on the club’s remaining 17 courts. Unfortunately, there were a number of player complaints last year about the condition of the Wimbledon courts, with Britain’s number one seed Andy Murray describing the playing surface of Centre Court as “not as good as previous years.” The Wimbledon scheduling committee has also previously come under fire for assigning higher-profile courts to men’s matches rather than women’s. Who is playing at Wimbledon 2018? Venus Williams awaits a serve from Ana Konjuh at Wimbledon 2017. Roland Harrison/Action Plus via Getty Images There’s going to be plenty of top tennis talent to keep an eye out for at Wimbledon 2018. In addition to last year’s women’s and men’s champions, Garbiñe Muguruza and Roger Federer, star players like Serena and Venus Williams, Rafael Nadal, Caroline Wozniacki, Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep are all expected to compete in the tournament. Serena recently pulled out of the French Open ahead of a highly-anticipated fourth-round match against Maria Sharapova due to a chest injury. However, as a seven-time Wimbledon champion, she is still considered a favorite to take home the coveted Wimbledon trophy. The official draw and seeding for Wimbledon 2018 will be determined on June 29. Prize money The All England Club will award a total of £34 million (about $45.1 million) in prize money to competitors at Wimbledon 2018, with the men’s and women’s singles champions each receiving £2.25 million ( about $2.3 million). This is a 7.6 percent increase on the amount of prize money awarded at last year’s Wimbledon Championships. The club has also introduced a new “50:50” rule in an attempt to prevent injury withdrawals in the first round of the men’s and women’s singles events. Players can now claim half of their first-round prize money if they withdraw on site by the Thursday before the start of the main draw, with the remaining half going to their replacement. However, if a player competes in the first round and “retires or performs below professional standards,” they may be subject to a fine equal to the sum they received as prize money. See a full breakdown of the Wimbledon 2018 prize money at Wimbledon.com. Tickets You can purchase tickets for Wimbledon 2018 through sites like StubHub and Ticketmaster—where several hundred Centre Court and No.3 Court tickets will be sold online the day before play. A limited number of tickets will also be available on the day of play to those who line up in the queue at the All England Club. For those who can’t make it out to the grounds this year, Wimbledon 2018 will be available to stream on WatchESPN, Hulu Live, SlingTV, and DirecTV Now as well as the BBC Sport website and app. Write to Megan McCluskey at megan.mccluskey@time.com.

Some Christian Leaders Slam Paula White for Saying Jesus Wasn't an Illegal Refugee Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Both conservative and left-leaning Christian leaders are speaking out in response to President Donald Trump's spiritual adviser, Paula White, after she claimed in a recent interview that Jesus as a child refugee was different than refugees crossing into the United States illegally today. "Maybe there should be a moratorium on Protestants quoting or citing the Bible when discussing border policy or immigration," Mark Tooley, president of the Washington-based think tank Institute on Religion & Democracy, wrote in a blog post Tuesday. "Whether conservative or liberal, the end result is typically unpleasant." In an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, White detailed her recent trip to a foster facility for undocumented immigrant children in Virginia and was asked if her trip made her think of any scriptures. She didn't specifically mention any scriptures but went on to criticize those who she claims are using the Bible "out of context" in their opposition to Trump's policies. "I think so many people have taken biblical scriptures out of context on this, to say stuff like, 'Well, Jesus was a refugee,'" White, the senior pastor at New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka, Florida, said. "Yes, He did live in Egypt for three-and-a-half years. But it was not illegal. If He had broken the law then He would have been sinful and He would not have been our Messiah." White's argument drew the ire of some Christian scholars, leaders and activists. Tooley, a conservative Methodist scholar, argued that while baby Jesus and his family could have fled legally within the Roman empire from Israel to Egypt, White misused Scripture "to support current border policies." "We Protestants in our politics often want to think we have direct guidance from Him on public policy issues, as proven by a few select Bible verses we learned in Sunday school," Tooley wrote. "But the Bible almost never gives us such detailed counsel for contemporary statecraft. Instead we have Scripture, the church and Christian tradition offering broad principles about human dignity and divine justice that should inform our debate and decision making." Matthew Soerens, the director of church mobilization at the evangelical refugee resettlement organization World Relief and a national coordinator for the Evangelical Immigration Table, told the Huffington Post that the concept of illegally entering a country didn't apply during Jesus' time because it was before the creation of the modern visa-issuing nation-states. "We have no reason from the text to think that his parents requested refugee status in advance of their flight," Soerens, a critic of the Trump administration's illegal immigration and refugee resettlement policies, explained. "Much like many Salvadoran or Honduran families today who are fleeing gang violence, their response to a credible threat to their family's safety was to try to reach a foreign country where they would be safe, protected from those seeking to do them harm." Soerens also pushed back on White's notion that breaking a government's immigration laws is considered "sinful." "The Bible does give Christians instructions for relating to the civil authorities in ways that honor the law, but it never claims that all laws are just or should be obeyed," Soerens said. "In a democratic form of government, being 'subject to the governing authorities' as Paul writes in Romans 13:1 includes advocating peacefully for laws that are more just, with a particular concern for those who are marginalized, including those fleeing persecution." John McCullough, president of the refugee resettlement agency Church World Service, also told the Huffington Post that there was no evidence that Jesus and family were "legally admitted" into Egypt. "Fortunately, the Egyptian authorities did not exercise any kind of zero tolerance policy," McCullough argued. Far-left Christian social justice activist and NAACP leader Rev. William Barber, a minister with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), also weighed in but suggested that Jesus was a law breaker. "Jesus was a refugee & did break the law," Barber wrote in a tweet. "He was crucified as a felon under Roman law. Christian nationalists like @Paula_White are enabling injustice w/ biblical interpretations that echo #SlaveholderReligion." Left-leaning Jesuit priest James Martin, editor at-large with American Magazine, agreed with Barber and added that Jesus broke religious and civil laws. "No. Jesus 'broke the laws' both religious and civic, several times, which is one of the reasons he was crucified," Martin stated in a tweet. "He healed on the Sabbath, permitted his disciples to pluck grain, had contact with the unclean, and so on. Plus, he was indeed a refugee." Although Tooley was critical of White's comment, he claimed that the Christian leaders who are hammering the argument that Jesus broke the law and was crucified for it are missing the point that Jesus was "the very fulfillment and perfection of the law." "His enemies distorted the law with their own self-serving pharisaic interpretations, which He repeatedly admonished," Tooley wrote. "None of us can claim infallible authority in our political preferences," he concluded. "And we should be reluctant to deploy Bible verses as political debating points. Paula White's misuse of scripture to support current border policies instead of provoking ridicule should instead inspire reflection on why we Protestants, conservative and liberal, repeatedly make her mistake." White's comment comes after Attorney General Jeff Sessions received much backlash last month after he cited Romans 13 to justify the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" illegal immigration enforcement policies.<doc-sep>Paula White: 'Jesus as a Refugee' is different to those who are entering the US illegally Amid the hysteria surrounding the separation of immigrant families who recently entered the United States illegally, one of President Donald Trump's spiritual advisers, Paula White, is speaking out in support of stronger border laws and explains the difference between Jesus as a refugee and those who break immigration laws. White recently visited the Youth for Tomorrow facility in Bristow, Virginia, a foster facility that is taking care of several unaccompanied immigrant children who were trafficked into the U.S. from countries like and Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. After visiting the center, White told CBN News in an interview published Monday that what is being portrayed in the media about the situation is misleading and warned that some people are taking the Bible "out of context" on this issue. The Florida-based pastor said that the "center was amazing" and "beyond phenomenal." "They care for the children," White, the senior pastor at New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka, said. "Not just three square meals, psychiatric care, clinician, medical care, chapel, events, schooling, language, and love." She said that each child is given an assessment when they arrive, which includes medical and debt evaluation. White explained that she learned while visiting the center just how many unaccompanied children are in debt to human traffickers who brought them illegally into the U.S. White said that at the center she visited, "all of the children" faced some sort of debt totaling between $3,000 to as much as $10,000 "because they have been smuggled." She also said there are cases in which parents had mortgaged their homes or put their land up to pay for their child's trafficking. "These were unaccompanied minors," she was quoted as saying. "If we are going to be compassionate. We have to have stricter border security and laws." White told CBN News National Security Correspondent Erik Rosales that her visit had "100 percent" strengthened her views on border security. "While I recognize how well we are taking care of these children, I also recognize the situation," she said. "We are talking about children that are being trafficked." In many cases, the children being smuggled are doing so in order to avoid violence or persecution associated with gangs in their homelands. However, there is much concern about the journey through dangerous terrain required to complete the trip, which has led to an increase in deaths in recent years. During the interview White was specifically asked if there were any biblical scriptures that came to mind during her visit. "I think so many people have taken biblical scriptures out of context on this, to say stuff like, 'Well, Jesus was a refugee,'" White responded. "Yes, He did live in Egypt for three-and-a-half years. But it was not illegal. If He had broken the law then He would have been sinful and He would not have been our Messiah." While the Trump administration has received much scrutiny for detaining immigrants who enter the country illegally — just as the Bush and Obama administrations did, as previously reported by The Christian Post here and here — it should be noted that families seeking asylum at entry points are not separated, except in cases where a parent has a criminal record. Families that didn't report to entry points and crossed into the country illegally were more likely to be immediately separated, which many evangelical leaders opposed. According to the New York Times, officials within the Customs and Border Protection have said that the administration's zero-tolerance illegal immigration policy does not apply at ports of entry because seeking asylum is deemed legal. White's interview comes as the U.S. government will not meet the court-imposed deadline to reunite immigrant children with their families. Under the initial federal court order last month, the administration was given 14 days to reunite children younger than 5 with their families. The government had until Tuesday to reunited 100 children age 5 and younger with their families. However, the government was granted an extension by a federal judge. As the federal government plans to reunite just under 60 children with their families on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw said she's encouraged by the direction things are headed. "There's no question that the parties are meeting and conferring," District Judge Dana Sabraw said Monday. "This is real progress and I'm optimistic that many of these families will be reunited tomorrow, and then we'll have a very clear understanding as to who has not been reunited, why not, and what time-frame will be in place." As there was over 2,300 children (younger than 18) who needed to be reunited, it was reported last month that the federal government had already reunited over 500 children with their families. Bethany Christian Services, a foster agency that was taking care of immigrant children separated from their families, assured Tuesday that it's in the process of reuniting all immigrant children under the age of 5 with their families. "The forced separation of refugee children from asylum-seeking families is a gaping wound in our country, and this wound cannot even begin to heal until every child is reunited with their families," Bethany President Chris Palusky said in a statement. "It is never OK to separate a child from its family when they're seeking asylum. They are fleeing. The definition of refugee is someone who is fleeing for their lives or security." Of the more than 12,000 children who recently entered the U.S. illegally, over 2,300 were separated from their parents as part of Trump's policy. Responding to criticism about the administration's actions, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said on June 18 at a White House press briefing: "The Obama administration, the Bush administration all separated families. ... They did — their rate was less than ours, but they absolutely did do this. This is not new." Since the Obama administration didn't keep a record of the number of children who were separated from families after crossing the border illegally, those numbers are unknown, DHS officials recently told McClatchy news.<doc-sep>Paula White, an American evangelical pastor and one of U.S. President Donald Trump's spiritual advisors, has voiced her support for zero tolerance regarding border laws and has stated that Jesus' three-and-a-half year stay in Egypt did not qualify him as a refugee during an interview with CBN, published on July 9th. White preaches the "prosperity gospel", a subset of the Christian faith popular in the United States, which advocates that donations given to the Church will come back around and make the donor richer. White was a guest of Trump at the U.S. Embassy opening in Jerusalem. Professor Anthony Pinn, religious studies professor at Rice University, has described the prosperity gospel as "as a way to religiously rationalize material acquisition." White, a friend of Trump's and one of his spiritual advisers, gave a sermon at his 2016 presidential inauguration, becoming the first prosperity preacher to perform at the ceremony. In the interview with CBN, after she visited the Youth for Tomorrow foster care center, where some of the children separated from their parents under Trump's "zero-tolerance" immigration policy are being housed, she praised the center's efforts, and said the center was "beyond phenomenal". She also claimed that she learned that most of the children were in debt ranging between $3,000 and $10,000 to human traffickers and said the visit strengthened her views on the needs for tightened border security. When asked about whether there was a part of the Bible which her visit brought to mind, she said: "I think so many people have taken biblical scriptures out of context on this, to say stuff like, 'Well, Jesus was a refugee'". "Yes, He did live in Egypt for three-and-a-half years. But it was not illegal. If He had broken the law then He would have been sinful and He would not have been our Messiah." Many on Twitter, both religious leaders and laymen alike, took to their keyboards to quickly rebuke her statement:<doc-sep>click to enlarge photo illustration by Chris Tobar Rodriguez "I think so many people have taken biblical scriptures out of context on this, to say stuff like, 'Well, Jesus was a refugee,'" White responded. "Yes, He did live in Egypt for three-and-a-half years. But it was not illegal. If He had broken the law then He would have been sinful and He would not have been our Messiah." Jesus, as a dude, had a whole entire point when it came to the law. If the law only serves the law, and makes it harder to serve God and your neighbor, tear up the whole entire law. — Allison Hantschel (@Athenae) July 12, 2018 Rip it down. Throw the moneylenders out of the temple. Tell the high priests to fuck themselves. Stand up for the hookers and the homeless. That's why they nailed Him to a tree. That's it, that's the story. He was a threat to power. — Allison Hantschel (@Athenae) July 12, 2018 Paula White, an Apopka televangelist who last year said defying President Donald Trump was " fighting against the hand of God ," has once again opened her mouth and shoved her entire stiletto-heeled boot on in there. This time around she's praising baby jails to the high heavens, and opining that Jesus wasn't an illegal. (Actually, our favorite thing White has ever said was: "I don't want pie in the sky by and by, I want some ham where I am," in a sermon instructing her congregation to tithe . What an elegant way of phrasing "Give me all your cash or else. ")In an interview with CBN News that aired Monday, White praised the detention centers where thousands of migrant children are being held without their parents, saying that they are "falsely narrated" in the media. After touring one facility, she said, she found the center "amazing," adding, "Not just three square meals – psychiatric care, clinician, medical care, chapel, events, schooling, language, and love. "CBN's National Security Correspondent, Erik Rosales, then asked White whether "any biblical scriptures that came to mind during her visit." Her stunning reply:It's been some time since I read any part of the Bible besides the dirty parts (the Song of Solomon), but I'm, uh,Jesus ran into some trouble with law enforcement right around his 33rd birthday.Many, many, many, many Christians have weighed in on Twitter to disagree with White – too many to share here, but this is a fair representative:<doc-sep>

A spiritual adviser to President Donald Trump said that Jesus would have been "sinful" and not "our Messiah" if he had broken immigration law when fleeing persecution as a baby with his family. Televangelist Paula White made the comments to the Christian Broadcasting Network when asked about what biblical scriptures came to mind as she visited a migrant detention center in Bristow, Virginia. "I think so many people have taken biblical scriptures out of context on this, to say stuff like, 'Well, Jesus was a refugee,'" White told the news outlet in an interview published Monday. "And yes, he did live in Egypt for three and a half years. But it was not illegal. If he had broke the law, then he would have been sinful and he would not have been our Messiah." White also praised the care for the children at the center, saying they received "three square meals" as well as medical and psychiatric care, among other amenities. Her comments concerning Jesus' immigration status refers to Mary and Joseph's flight to Egypt after their son's birth. King Herod, fearful of Jesus, announced his intent to kill all newborns in Bethlehem, as recounted in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus' family stayed in Egypt until Herod died, according to Matthew. However, Matthew Soerens, national coordinator for Evangelical Immigration Table, cast doubt on White's logic about whether Jesus could have even broken an immigration law in the first place, telling HuffPost that there's "no reason from the text to think that (Jesus') parents requested refugee status in advance of their flight." "Much like many Salvadoran or Honduran families today who are fleeing gang violence, their response to a credible threat to their family's safety was to try to reach a foreign country where they would be safe, protected from those seeking to do them harm," Soerens also told HuffPost. Calling Jesus a refugee has been a popular refrain among some faith groups in response to policies — like President Donald Trump's "zero tolerance" policy — that seek to toughen national immigration enforcement. During his Christmas Eve mass last year, Pope Francis compared Mary and Joseph's journey to those of many migrants fleeing their homes for survival or a better life. "So many other footsteps are hidden in the footsteps of Joseph and Mary. ... We see the tracks of entire families forced to set out in our own day," Francis said in December. "We see the tracks of millions of persons who do not choose to go away, but driven from their land, leave behind their dear ones." Under Trump's "zero tolerance" policy to criminally prosecute anyone crossing the border illegally, more than 2,000 children were separated from their parents. Before Trump signed an executive order that aimed to end family separations, Francis told Reuters in June that he supported a statement by U.S. Catholic bishops calling the practice "contrary to our Catholic values" and "immoral." Follow Ryan Miller on Twitter @RyanW_Miller

The 2018 New York Yankees regular season is officially over, which means it’s time for the playoffs to begin. The Yankees host the AL Wild Card Game against the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday night, and Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone have yet to determine their final postseason roster. The Yankees get to prepare a one-game roster for the one-game playoff; should they advance, they will get to make another roster for the ALDS. Given that this is just a roster for one game, the Yankees can have fewer starting pitchers on the roster and more relievers and bench players. Here’s my stab at what Boone’s roster will look like for the big game on Wednesday. Starting lineup: This part is relatively straightforward. At this point, we know who makes up the Yankees’ starting lineup, the big question is just how the bats will be ordered. On Friday night against the Red Sox, we saw the Yankees’ likely playoff lineup: This configuration makes sense. Andrew McCutchen has supplanted Brett Gardner as the left fielder and leadoff hitter, Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks make up a nice bridge to the middle-of-the-order power in Giancarlo Stanton, Luke Voit and Didi Gregorius, and the 7-8-9 of Miguel Andujar, Gary Sanchez and Gleyber Torres is probably the best lower third of a lineup in all of baseball. This is the most fearsome that the Yankees’ lineup has looked all year, and it couldn’t come at a better time. Starting pitchers: The Yankees will only start one pitcher in the Wild Card Game, but that pitcher is still to be determined. The Yankees have many options: they can go with the ever-steady J.A. Happ on regular rest, clutch Masahiro Tanaka on six-days rest, or staff ace Luis Severino on eight-days rest. CC Sabathia is a tested veteran, but is probably best saved for a potential ALDS. No matter who the starter is, the Yankees will employ a quick leash and warm the bullpen at the first signs of trouble. I do think that the Yankees put three starting pitchers on the Wild Card Game roster, being Happ, Tanaka and Severino. The two who don’t start will be rested and could contribute out of the bullpen in case of emergency. Meanwhile, Sabathia will benefit from the extra rest and gear up for a big ALDS start. Bullpen locks: The Yankees’ bullpen is one of their strong suits. While some teams only have a few true relief aces, the Yankees have six relievers who are certain to make the postseason roster. Aroldis Chapman has been gearing up since his return from the disabled list, and may be Boone’s postseason closer. Dellin Betances and Zach Britton are dynamic setup men, while David Robertson, Jonathan Holder and Chad Green function as firemen or middle relief choices. Expect to see many of these six relievers on Wednesday night. Flex: As currently constructed, the Yankees have nine players in their starting lineup, one starting pitcher, six relievers, and two starters who can work out of the bullpen if needed. That leaves seven spots up for grabs, which will likely go to five bench players and two more relief pitchers. You can never have too many pitchers in a one-game playoff. Matchups are king and the starter is not likely to go more than five innings, so the bullpen will be relied upon heavily. In that respect, Lance Lynn and Stephen Tarpley get the nod for me. Lynn has shown that he can contribute in long relief, which may be necessary if the starter bombs or if the game goes into extra innings. Tarpley has been favored as a lefty specialist by Boone, and he could be used in a high-leverage matchup against powerful lefty slugger Matt Olson if needed. I’d rather have too many pitchers than not enough on a postseason roster, and Lynn and Tarpley have earned their spots. As for the bench, some spots are locks. Austin Romine will be the backup catcher, Gardner the backup outfielder, Adeiny Hechavarria the backup infielder, and Neil Walker the utility man. That leaves one spot left, and the Yankees could go in a couple of different directions. If Boone wants a pinch-runner specialist with defensive versatility, then Tyler Wade’s his guy. If he wants some lefty pop off the bench, then Greg Bird could get the call. If he wants to play it safe, Ronald Torreyes or Kyle Higashioka offer depth at crucial positions. For just this one game, I’d add Greg Bird to the postseason roster. If the Yankees are down late and need a shot into the short porch, Bird does provide more power than anyone else on that bench. At the same time, he’s barely hit .200 this season and has looked lost for weeks at a time. I wouldn’t include Bird for a full series roster, but I think he gets the last roster spot for the Wild Card Game as a potential pinch-hitter. This spot could get cut heading into the ALDS anyway, to make room for Sabathia. Who’s left behind? According to my 25-man Wild Card Game roster, some notable veterans will be left to watch the game from the televisions in the clubhouse. Sonny Gray and Tommy Kahnle were a big part of last year’s postseason roster, but have regressed too much this year to be on the roster when the Yankees need consistency the most. At this point, Gray and Kahnle cannot be trusted under the bright lights of October. Wade, Torreyes and Higashioka also didn’t make my postseason roster, but I’d expect to see them get the call in case of injury as the postseason winds on. Meanwhile, young pitchers like Chance Adams, Justus Sheffield, Jonathan Loaisiga are just too green for me to include on the final roster. Veterans A.J. Cole and Luis Cessa don’t make the cut, either. Much gets made of who makes the postseason roster and who doesn’t, but in all likelihood, we’ll only see around 15 of these players in the game anyway.<doc-sep>BOSTON — C. C. Sabathia can still vividly recall the nerves from that day 17 years ago. As a rookie for the Cleveland Indians, Sabathia was making his first postseason start, and adrenaline was pumping through his veins. But Sabathia contained the rookie’s anxiety to lead Cleveland to victory in Game 3 of that 2001 American League division series. Looking back at that game on Sunday, Sabathia credited his older teammates — like Kenny Lofton, Omar Vizquel, Roberto Alomar, Jim Thome and Ellis Burks — for helping him cope with the moment. [Follow our live coverage of Yankees vs. Athletics] “Just having veterans around keeping me calm, that was the biggest thing,” he said. It is not altogether uncommon for rookies to perform well in the playoffs: Sabathia, Chipper Jones, Derek Jeter, Miguel Cabrera and Madison Bumgarner all impressed in their first postseason. In 2015, Noah Syndergaard led the Mets to their only victory in the World Series, and in 2016, the Dodgers carried seven rookies on their postseason roster, led by Corey Seager.<doc-sep>The Yankees have finally ended weeks of speculation. Aaron Boone announced in a press conference earlier today that Luis Severino would start for New York tomorrow night in the AL Wild Card Game versus the Athletics. The decision was a long time coming. For months now, the Yankees have been all but destined for the one-game playoff. They had weeks to deliberate, and waited until nearly the last moment to choose between three cogent candidates: Severino, J.A. Happ, and Masahiro Tanaka. In the end, Severino’s abundant talent appears to have swayed the Yankees’ decision makers, though that doesn’t mean the Yankees are down on Happ and Tanaka. If the Yankees pull off a victory in the Wild Card round, both will surely factor heavily into an ALDS showdown with the Red Sox. There’s even a chance one of Tanaka and Happ could appear in the Wild Card Game itself out of the bullpen, given the Yankees will likely approach the game as an all-hands-on-deck sort of affair. Severino, 24, logged 191.1 innings worth of 3.39 ERA (2.95 FIP) ball in 2018. That doesn’t paint a complete picture, however, as the right-hander ranked among the game’s best pitchers in the first half. In advance of the All-Star Game, he owned a 2.31 ERA with a 2.75 FIP, and found himself on the short list of Cy Young candidates. The wheels came off shortly thereafter, as he pitched to a 5.57 ERA with a 3.37 FIP in the 63 innings since. There’s no telling how long Boone will let Severino go tomorrow. Severino lasted merely one out during last year’s Wild Card Game. In any event, Boone will likely have a short leash with all of his pitchers, as an extended poor outing from anyone could doom the entire season. Severino will be the first one to toe the rubber, and will help set the tone for the game. What do you think about the decision to start Severino? Let us know in the comments below!<doc-sep>Considering Greg Bird was slated to hit third in the Yankees’ lineup before missing the first eight weeks of the season because of right ankle surgery, a case could have been made that without a solid year from the left-handed-hitting first baseman the Yankees would not have advanced to the postseason. When the Yankees beat the Mariners 4-0 at Safeco Field on Friday night, the Yankees were a virtual lock to be one of the two AL wild-card teams. Yet, it has been accomplished without much of a contribution from Bird, who has been nailed to the bench lately by Luke Voit’s hot bat. Bird’s last start was Aug. 29 in a 4-1 loss to the White Sox at home in which Bird went 1-for-3. In the past eight games, Bird’s only action was as a pinch-hitter on Sept. 2 against the Tigers. He did not play Friday. With the A’s starting three right-handers in Oakland this past Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Bird didn’t get off the bench. Outside of being hurt, Bird has been an everyday player at every level of professional baseball, and sitting while healthy is an adjustment. “You get used to it,’’ Bird said of being a spectator in the dugout. “I am doing the same stuff I always did as far as preparing mentally and make sure you are ready [to pinch-hit]. I do what I need to do.’’ With the Mariners starting lefty James Paxton, Bird was not in the starting lineup for the eighth straight game Friday night. Bird’s return as a starter is directly related to Voit’s bat staying productive. Voit entered Friday night’s action hitting .356 (16-for-45) with a major league-leading seven homers and 13 RBIs in 13 games since Aug. 24. So what happens if Voit — who went 2-for-4 — stays hot? Certainly he would be on the roster for the wild-card game against the A’s. And with utilityman and switch-hitter Neil Walker having played first base in 32 games this season the Yankees would have both sides of the plate covered. That could leave Bird on the outside after starting all 13 postseason games a year ago when he hit .244 (10-for-41) with three homers and six RBIs. His seventh-inning homer in Game 3 of the ALDS accounted for the lone run in the game and kick-started a three-game winning streak that vaulted the Yankees into the ALCS against the Astros. That seems a long way from Friday, since Bird was hitting .197 with 11 homers and 35 RBIs in 76 games and was in a 9-for-79 (.114) slump and a .417 OPS in his past 23 games (20 starts). Gleyber Torres’ second-inning homer was his 100th career hit. At 21 years and 268 days, he is the fourth-youngest Yankee to reach 100 hits. The only Yankees to reach the century mark at a younger age are Mickey Mantle, Ben Chapman, and Joe DiMaggio. As an impending free agent Adam Warren understood there was a possibility he would be moved at the July trade deadline to a team in contention for a postseason spot. Still, the July 30 trade to the Mariners for international pool money came as a shock and a disappointment. “Really surprised,’’ Warren said. “All the work we put in, and I thought I was having a good year. It was really tough on me. Everyone knows how I feel about the Yankees.’’ As a free agent Warren would consider a third term with the Yankees. “I love being a Yankee, I’ll always keep my options open if they want me back,’’ Warren said.<doc-sep>

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 28: Gary Sanchez #24 of the New York Yankees celebrates with Andrew McCutchen #26 after hitting a home run against the Boston Red Sox during the third inning at Fenway Park on September 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) After a very successful 100-62 regular season the real season for the 2018 Yankees starts Wednesday night from the Bronx in the AL Wild Card game against the Oakland A’s. Who will get the start? Who will make the 25-man roster? I’ll answer these questions and more with my predictions below. Luis Severino will get the start Who will start the Wild Card game for the Yankees has been the number one topic of discussion surrounding the Yankees for the last month. Between Masahiro Tanaka, J.A. Happ and Luis Severino you could make a strong case for any one of them to start. I would go with either Happ or Tanaka because they’ve been the Yankees top two starters in the second half, but I think Severino will get the nod. Sevy struggled for the majority of the second half but he finished strong over his final three starts of the season pitching to a 2.03 ERA with 18 K’s. That has the Yankees believing he’s back to his pre-All-Star form when he was their ace and a leading candidate for the AL Cy Young award. Sevy has the best stuff of any starter in the Yankees rotation which could give him the best chance to dominate the A’s right-handed heavy lineup. Happ or Tanaka would be safer choices but Sevy provides the most upside so it would be hard to keep him on the bench with the season on the line. Another factor is that Happ has been excellent throughout his career against the Red Sox, the Yankees potential opponent should they advance to the ALDS. And although the Yankees say they aren’t looking ahead you know they’d love to have Happ start Game 1 in Boston on Friday with Tanaka following him for Game 2. Greg Bird, Tommy Kahnle, and AJ Cole won’t make the roster Projected Bench: Austin Romine, Adeiny Hechavarria, Neil Walker and Brett Gardner Now that Luke Voit has taken over as the everyday first basemen there’s really no need for Greg Bird on the playoff roster no matter how far the Yankees advance. With Neil Walker’s ability to play all over the infield he can serve as the backup to Voit and as a pinch hitter off the bench. Brett Gardner lost his starting job to Andrew McCutchen but he could still provide a lot off the bench as a late game pinch runner or defensive replacement. The same goes for Adeiny Hechavarria who could be used as a defensive upgrade for Miguel Andujar at third if the Yankees have a late lead. Austin Romine rounds out the bench backing up Sanchez. Projected Bullpen: LHP J.A. Happ RHP Masahiro Tanaka RHP Lance Lynn RHP Sonny Gray LHP Stephen Tarpley RHP Jonathan Holder RHP Chad Green RHP Dellin Betances RHP David Robertson LHP Zach Britton LHP Aroldis Chapman With the Wild Card game’s single elimination format, it will be all hands on deck for the Yankee bullpen Wednesday night. That means we could see guys who usually start games enter in relief. Should Sevy falter as much as he did in last year’s Wild Card game we could see Tanaka or Happ enter the game early to give the team some length. However, since there is no tomorrow guaranteed for the Yanks they could opt to use all their high leverage guys in relief of Sevy regardless of how deep he pitches into the game. We could see Green, D-Rob, Betances, Chapman, and Britton combine to pitch as many as six innings if that’s the route Boone wants to go. Although you run the risk of one or two of them not having their best stuff which is something we’ve seen haunt the Yankees at times this season. One name to keep an eye on throughout the game is rookie Stephen Tarpley who is likely going to be on the roster after he really impressed the coaching staff to finish off his season. Tarpley is a lefty specialist who held left-handed hitters to a .067 AVG in September. He could be a nice weapon to have come in and face A’s lefty slugger Matt Olson.

“I have two kids, and as a white mother, there is almost no circumstance that they would be taken away from me — ever,” said Victoria Farris, who slept Wednesday night in All Souls Church after participating in civil disobedience training. “I was awake one night because I couldn’t sleep thinking about all those [immigrant] mothers and terrified children. I realized I had to do something more than protest, more than make a sign and march.”<doc-sep>Hundreds of women plan to join an act of civil disobedience in Washington, D.C., on Thursday to protest the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" immigration policy. The protest is organized by the Women's March, which did not specify what it was planning to do that would risk arrest for protesters. ADVERTISEMENT The Women's March first announced the planned "mass civil disobedience" last week. It held training meetings for those planning to participate on Wednesday. We’re in DC kicking off our direct action training for tomorrow’s #AbolishICE #EndFamilyDetention action right now! Hundreds of women are here, ready to escalate. #WomenDisobey @tkocreative pic.twitter.com/3eFt3RXf9S — Women's March (@womensmarch) June 27, 2018 TOMORROW: #WomenDisobey because @ICEgov has got to go, because migration is not a crime, and because we won’t sit back while this administration puts people behind bars for seeking refuge and a better life. #AbolishICE #EndFamilyDetention https://t.co/5EQ5CUIr2u — Women's March (@womensmarch) June 28, 2018 Organizer Linda Sarsour told The Hill last week that the group was holding the protest even after 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 decided to sign an executive order ending the separation of migrant families. "The Women's March and our allies are advocating against child camps but we're not advocating for family camps," Sarsour said. "We don't trust this administration to follow through. We're also demanding answers for the hundreds of children who have already been separated from their families with no clarification about what that reunification plan looks like. This administration has not told us how they plan to reunite children who have already been separated from their families," she added.<doc-sep>Washington DC How to Attend the Families Belong Together Protest in DC On Saturday, June 30, demonstrations worldwide will protest against the Trump administration policy that has led to the separation of families and the detention and abuse of thousands of immigrant children. The administration came under fire last week as heartbreaking audio, pictures, video, and stories -- showing children in cages inside ICE detention centers -- were made public, prompting a massive national outcry. President Trump's response was to sign an executive order to keep families from being separated, but that order does nothing to reunite families still separated or solve the crisis created by the Trump's administration's zero-tolerance approach. This weekend, in at least 628 demonstrations around the world, people are taking to the streets to demand that the administration put a stop to those policies. The demonstrations on June 30 known as the Families Belong Together protests are being organized by a number of different non-profit and activist groups. The lead partners in the effort are the ACLU, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, National Domestic Workers Alliance, and MoveOn. US Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington put out the call to action on Monday, June 18. Here's everything you need to know about the one in DC this weekend. Where and when will the protest take place? The protest is from 11am-2pm in Lafayette Square in DC and is wheelchair accessible. As of now, there is no specified marching route. How do I get there? Public transportation is the best way; either the train or the bus. You can plan your Metro route The protest is from 11am-2pm in Lafayette Square in DC and is wheelchair accessible. As of now, there is no specified marching route.Public transportation is the best way; either the train or the bus. You can plan your Metro route here . There are also some groups that are organizing buses to DC for those outside the city. If you want to hop on one, use Google to find out whether someone is organizing one near your hometown. (It’s how I got the Climate March in DC last year!) If you want to organize your own bus, tell dclogistics@moveon.org and they can support you in finding a place to park it once you arrive. Can I bring signs? Yes, signs are welcome. Some examples of what to write: Keep Families Together; La Families Merecen Estar Unidas; Families Belong Together; Familias Unidas No Divididas; End Family Detention. Here’s a helpful little How should I prepare for the weather? The organizers of this event want everyone to wear white to unify under one color and show solidarity. Which is convenient, because white is also a good color for the hot, sunny day it’s predicted to be. It’s always good to start drinking water early on if you’re going to be outside in the heat all day to stay hydrated. Wear breathable clothing to stay comfortable and as dry as possible. Yes, signs are welcome. Some examples of what to write: Keep Families Together; La Families Merecen Estar Unidas; Families Belong Together; Familias Unidas No Divididas; End Family Detention. Here’s a helpful little chart on messaging Do’s and Don’ts, plus some sign ideas of your own if you're making them The organizers of this event want everyone to wear white to unify under one color and show solidarity. Which is convenient, because white is also a good color for the hot, sunny day it’s predicted to be. It’s always good to start drinking water early on if you’re going to be outside in the heat all day to stay hydrated. Wear breathable clothing to stay comfortable and as dry as possible. How else can I be a part of the movement? Before: Sign the petition to get updates on ways to take action, add your name to demand to stop separating families, and sign up for emails from Families Belong Together and National Domestic Workers Alliance Sign the petition to get updates on ways to take action, add your name to demand to stop separating families, and sign up for emails from Families Belong Together and National Domestic Workers Alliance here . Find out more about donating on the Families Belong Together homepage . If you want to get your organization involved, they provide a form for that, too During: Share your experiences on social media using the #FamiliesBelongTogether hashtag. Bring people! (This is a family-friendly event.) You can sign up to be a volunteer at the event as well. After: Direct others on how they can help, donate, and get involved in the Families Belong Together actions too. Vote in November! Can I buy merchandise to support the cause? The families separated at the border cannot get released until they pay the amount of their bond, which ranges from $1,500 to $10,000. All merchandise purchased here (via What if I cannot make it to DC? You can The families separated at the border cannot get released until they pay the amount of their bond, which ranges from $1,500 to $10,000. All merchandise purchased here (via The Outrage ) will be donated to RAICES Bond Fund and to the FamiliesBelondTogether.org. campaign to reunite families that have been separated at the border and stop Trump’s ‘zero-tolerance’ policy that is detaining families indefinitely. Also, jackets spoofing Melania Trump's are on sale, after her decision to wear an "I really don't care" jacket to a Texas detention facility. RAICES family reunification and bond fund is a nonprofit that provides free and low-cost legal services to immigrant families in Texas.You can search for any of the hundreds of Marches popping up worldwide by zip code. Each event is likely to last about 2 hours. Start times and location are posted on the event page for the event in your town. You can message the host from your Event Dashboard after you RSVP and you ask any specific questions you may have. Sign up here for our daily DC email and be the first to get all the food/drink/fun in town.<doc-sep>

Outside a detention center in McAllen, Texas. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images On June 30, organizers throughout the country will host “Families Belong Together” protests in response to the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance immigration policy. Under the initial iteration of the policy, over 2,000 immigrant children were ripped away from their parents while attempting to cross the border, and placed in detention centers alone. On June 20, Trump signed an executive order ending the family-separation policy — but took no action to address the thousands of families that had already been torn apart. It’s for this reason that organizers of the June 30 protests say that the demonstrations are still necessary to send a message to the Trump administration: Keep families together. Below, here’s what you need to know about the upcoming demonstrations. 628 Protests are Happening Worldwide This year, there are more than 628 protests planned in every state, as well as in international locations, on June 30. Altogether, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to demonstrate across the country. The national organizers behind the Families Belong Together events are the National Domestic Workers Alliance, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, the ACLU, the Women’s March, and MoveOn. There are now hundreds of #FamiliesBelongTogether events in **ALL 50 STATES** and seeing solidarity events pop up around the world. Thousands or tens of thousands of ppl already committed in DC, Minneapolis, Nashville, Austin, Chicago, LA, NYC, MANY more: https://t.co/0KcLXHgAUb — Anna Galland (@annagalland) June 22, 2018 The Main Protest is in D.C. The main demonstration is scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C., where the ACLU expects 300,000 people to be in attendance. We are ready to have a mass mobilization. This has to be taken right to the White House and to @realDonaldTrump's doorstep.https://t.co/OclGJhMjvy #EndFamilySeparation pic.twitter.com/d9DwEuqoGB — Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) June 19, 2018 “Donald Trump and his administration are cruelly separating children from their families,” reads the MoveOn website dedicated to the event. “But we won’t allow it to continue.” Attendees Are Being Asked to Wear White Per the FAQ on Families Belong Together’s website, “The lead partners of this action are calling upon participants to wear white — as a striking visual symbol that will also connect attendees in solidarity to each other and channel historic social justice movements unified by one color of clothing.” There are Demonstrations Before June 30 Before the mass demonstration on June 30, a handful of local and national organizations are hosting related rallies against the Trump administration’s family-separation policy. Where: The Freedom Plaza, Washington, D.C. When: June 27, all day The Center for Community Change is hosting a day of events to protest Trump’s immigration policies. Where: Tornillo, Texas When: June 27, 12 p.m to 4 p.m. United We Dream is calling for immediate direct action to abolish U.S. Customs and Border Protections, as well as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, in Tornillo, the city where one of the largest “tent cities” for immigrant children is located. RSVP to the Facebook event here. Where: Lafayette Park, Washington, D.C. When: June 28 More than 2,000 women, led by the Women’s March and other partners, will partake in “a mass civil disobedience.” We are calling for all women to join us for a mass civil disobedience in DC on Thursday, 6/28, to demand this administration stop criminalizing undocumented immigrants and tearing children away from their parents.#WomenDisobey to #EndFamilyDetention https://t.co/7IxTkxYr6N pic.twitter.com/TQ9nKKxntf — Women's March (@womensmarch) June 20, 2018 Where: Linear Park, 1501 E. 7th St, Brownsville, TX When: June 28, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The ACLU and other organizations will host a rally at Linear Park, which is directly in front of the Brownsville Federal Court in Texas, the epicenter of Trump’s immigration crisis. RSVP to the Facebook event here. There are more ways we can help families separated at the border. Please see here.

Eddie Murphy’s long-time girlfriend, Paige Butcher, is pregnant with his 10th child. A rep for the actor confirmed the news to People. Eddie and Paige’s second child together will be born at the end of 2018. ‘Eddie Murphy and long-time girlfriend Paige Butcher are pleased to announce that they are expecting their second child in December.’ Paige Butcher is expecting her second child with actor Eddie Murphy at the end of this year Paige Butcher and Eddie Murphy welcomed their first child together in 2016, four years into their relationship The couple have been together since 2012. They welcomed daughter Izzy Oona Murphy in 2016. She’s currently the youngest of Eddie’s children. His oldest, son Eric Murphy, is 29. Here’s what you need to know about Paige Butcher. Who is Paige Butcher? Paige Butcher is a model and actress from Perth, Australia. She’s 39 years old. As an actress, Paige has appeared in several of her beau, Eddie Murphy’s, films as well as others. You may recognize her from Something’s Gotta Give or Big Momma’s House 2. Paige and Eddie began dating in 2012. They have kept much of their relationship under wraps. Neither has accounts on social media sites. Speaking on her decision to delete her Twitter and Instagram after she started dating Eddie, Paige explained: ‘I’m in a relationship with a celebrity, so I feel like there’s already enough of me out there. ‘I felt like I was giving out too much information. I was giving people too much access. I like to keep as much private as possible.’ Paige Butcher daughter Paige Butcher and Eddie Murphy have one child together already. Their daughter, Izzy Oona Murphy, was born in 2016. She’s two years old. Paige is occasionally spotted out and about, running errands with her baby girl in tow. In July the duo were photographed holding hands while making their way through a shopping center. Eddie Murphy baby mamas Eddie Murphy has children with five different women, including Paige Butcher. Eddie, 56, and Paige have one young child together and are expecting their second. Before he and Paige started dating, the actor was in a relationship with Nicole Murphy. The two were married from 1993 to 2006. Live look at Eddie Murphy this Thanksgiving: pic.twitter.com/Y4LHawAAWZ — Chicks in the Office (@ChicksInTheOff) August 28, 2018 During that time they had five children: Bria Murphy, 28; Zola Ivy Murphy, 18; Shayne Audra Murphy, 23; Bella Zahra Murphy, 16, and Miles Mitchell Murphy, 25. After his divorce from Nicole, 50, Eddie moved on with Mel B. The pair have an 8-year-old child called Angel Iris Murphy Brown. Eddie famously has no contact with her. Eddie Murphy got TEN KIDS?! pic.twitter.com/x4QNfN3lvc — Auntie Ash (@astoldbyash) August 28, 2018 Eddie also has a son with Tamra Hood Johnson. Christian Murphy is 27. The actor/comedian shares oldest son, Eric Murphy, with Paulette McNeely. Eddie Murphy net worth Eddie Murphy’s net worth is estimated at about $85 million.<doc-sep>Eddie Murphy is set to welcome his 10th child, following the confirmation that his girlfriend Paige Butcher is currently pregnant. Loading… The two already have a two-year-old daughter called Izzy, but Murphy also has eight other children from previous relationships. A rep confirmed that Butcher was pregnant with Murphy's child to Entertainment Tonight, who reported that the baby is due in December. Advert 10 Butcher and Murphy have been dating since 2012, welcoming their first child in 2016. Credit: PA When daughter Izzy was three months old, Murphy said he wasn't fussed about the large age gap between his children - the eldest of whom was approaching 30 at the time. "They're grown, I wouldn't say 'old'," he said in a 2016 interview with Entertainment Tonight. Advert 10 "None of my children are gray and balding." He also said that he wouldn't change a thing, as his children were a huge part of his life. "The brightest part of my life is my kids," he added. "My world revolves around them - even the old, gray bald ones," he joked. Advert 10 The actor and comedian also has five children with ex-wife Nicole Mitchel: 28-year-old Bria, 25-year-old Myles, 23-year-old Shayne, 18-year-old Zola and 16-year-old Bella. He has also fathered son Eric, 29, with ex-girlfriend Paulette McNeely, and another son called Christian, 27, with ex-girlfriend Tamara Hood. Murphy also has an 11-year-old daughter called Angel, whose mother is Spice Girl Mel B, aka Melanie Brown. Credit: PA Advert 10 After news emerged that Brown was pregnant with Murphy's child, he used a TV interview to announce that their relationship had actually ended, much to her surprise - and that he'd be demanding a paternity test to prove it was actually his. Brown was shocked by the bombshell, telling OK! Magazine at the time that they had been 'soulmates'. "A friend of mine called me to tell me. I was shocked, then I felt disgusted. We were madly in love with each other, and then this happens," she told the magazine. "I tried to call Eddie and I couldn't get through. Then I got through, and he said he would call me back and that was it. He never called back." Advert 10 She added: "I don't feel humiliated. I think the only person who has humiliated themselves is Eddie. His behavior was unacceptable. "Maybe one day Eddie will tell me why this happened." In the 10 years since, the two have remained fairly tight-lipped about what went on, though it did later transpire that Murphy was indeed the father.<doc-sep>

Congratulations are in order for Eddie Murphy. The 57-year-old star is expecting his second baby with his girlfriend Paige Butcher. A spokesperson for the Hollywood actor told HELLO! in a statement: "Eddie Murphy and longtime girlfriend Paige Butcher are pleased to announce that they are expecting their second child in December. This will be the tenth child for Murphy, the second for Butcher. Their daughter, Izzy, is two years old." Eddie started dating Paige in 2012 following his break-up with HLN anchor Rocsi Diaz earlier that year. They welcomed their first child together in May 2016, at the time revealing her adorable name – Izzy Oona. Australian model Paige, 39, is credited with sparking Eddie's desire to want to return to stand-up comedy. Paige is due in December The Nutty Professor actor has eight other children from previous relationships. His eldest child is Eric, who he welcomed with his girlfriend of the time, Paulette McNeely. He also has a son Christian with ex-girlfriend Tamara Hood. Eddie also has five children with his ex-wife Nicole Mitchell, who he was married to from 1993 to 2006: Bria, Myles, Shayne, Zola, and Bella. MORE: Did you notice this endearing detail about Kate's church outing? Eddie also has an 11-year-old daughter Angel Iris with Spice Girl Mel B. The couple dated for six months in 2006, but split after the US funnyman announced the end of their relationship on a Dutch TV show. He originally questioned the paternity of the little girl, but has since acknowledged she is his. Paige and Eddie also have a two-year-old daughter Izzy MORE: Have Harry and Meghan reunited with the Cambridges at Balmoral? Mel spent 15 months finalising a child support settlement with Eddie in LA courts. They came to an agreement in 2009 and both signed non-disclosure contracts, preventing them from discussing the settlement in public. Reports estimated the final sum to amount to £35,000 a month until Angel turns 18 – a total of about £7million. Like this story? Sign up to our newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.

Bloomberg (Bloomberg) -- Eric Li’s factory making glass lampshades for companies including Home Depot Inc. is being stretched to its limits with sales doubling their pre-pandemic level.But like many Chinese manufacturers, he doesn’t plan to expand operations -- a reticence that could slow the pace of China’s economic growth this year and prolong a shortage of goods being felt around the world as demand picks up.Surging prices of raw materials means “margins are compressed,” explains Li, owner of Huizhou Baizhan Glass Co. Ltd., in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, which makes about $30 million in annual revenue. With the global economic recovery still uneven, “the future is very unclear, so there is not much push to expand capacity,” he adds.The combination of higher input prices, uncertainty about export prospects and a weak recovery in domestic consumer demand meant Chinese manufacturing investment from January to April was 0.4% below the same period in 2019, according to official statistics (comparing to 2019 strips out the distortion of last year’s pandemic data).Due to the vast size of China’s manufacturing sector, that poses a risk both to the nation’s growth -- which is currently predicted to reach 8.5% in 2021, according to a Bloomberg tally of economists’ estimates -- and to a global economy that’s grappling with supply shortages and rising prices.Falling ProfitsWeaker-than-expected investment could have a “sizable” impact on GDP growth this year, said Citigroup Inc.’s China economist, Li-gang Liu. Lower investment may dent imports of capital goods and equipment from developed economies like Japan and Germany, “which in turn could drag their economic recovery and rebound as well,” he added.AnHui HERO Electronic Sci & Tec Co. Ltd. is one of those companies feeling the squeeze. Based in the eastern province of Anhui, the company manufactures capacitors used to make electronic circuits, with sales mainly in the domestic market. Jing Yuan, the founder, says orders are up as much as 30% year-on-year, but profits are down 50% due to increasing materials costs that are not easily passed onto clients.The company is under “huge cash pressure” as it needs to pay half a month in advance of delivery in order to secure copper and other metals, which they previously paid for months after receiving, he said. “The commodity issue has to be addressed by the government,” he added.What Bloomberg Economics Says...Chinese industry is absorbing significant cost pressures from rising commodity prices -- damping the inflationary impact for the rest of the world. Will it last? Our analysis of gross margins suggests it could for a while longer: downstream industries -- where the cost crunch is most severe -- still have a small cushion.David Qu, China economistFor the full report, click here.Input shortages mean some manufacturers aren’t able to make use of their existing facilities, so expansion would be of little use. Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio Inc. suspended production at one of its factories last month, due to a shortage of microchips.Modern Casting Ltd., which makes iron and steel products in Guangdong, issued a note to clients this month saying it would not be able to meet its current orders due to high raw material costs. A member of staff who answered the phone at the company’s office confirmed the note, but declined to give further details.Growth TransitionOn top of the higher input costs, Chinese companies face a bumpy transition toward domestic consumer spending to sustain its post-pandemic recovery.Exports, China’s strong-suit last year, may begin to slow as vaccine roll-outs cause consumers in wealthy countries to shift spending back to services. Meanwhile, the growth rate of Chinese consumer spending has yet to fully recover.Investment sentiment among Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises is below levels seen even in 2018-9 when uncertainties from the U.S.-China trade war were a brake on expansion plans, according to a regular survey of more than 500 Chinese companies by Standard Chartered Plc.“Demand is still mainly underpinned by exports, so domestic companies are aware that this is not sustainable,” said Standard Chartered’s China economist, Lan Shen.While some export-oriented sectors have been pushed to their limits, large amounts of slack remain for manufacturers targeting Chinese consumers due to subdued domestic demand.Retail sales growth was 4.3% in April on a two-year average basis, which strips out base effects from the pandemic, less than half pre-pandemic growth rates. Overall capacity use at China’s manufacturers fell to 77.6% in the first quarter from 78.4% in the previous three months, with the automotive sector hit hardest by overcapacity following three years of declining sales volumes.Even for electric vehicles whose sales are surging, most companies have already built their capacity and will now focus on incremental upgrades. “The majority of the investment has been done,” said Jochen Siebert of JSC Automotive Consulting.China ordered state-owned companies to expand last year, with their investment growth of 5.3% in 2020 from the prior year easily outstripping the 1% increase in private investment. But for a sustainable pick-up in investment, the market, not the state, needs to feel confident.Carsten Holz, an expert on Chinese investment statistics at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, estimates that privately-owned companies have accounted for 87% of manufacturing investment in 2015, the most recent year of available data. They are more sensitive to input costs.“There is a pandemic plus insecurity about future trade given a new U.S. administration, neither of which is conducive to investment that relies on long-term growth prospects,” Holz said.Mixed PoliciesTransport bottlenecks are also a challenge for export-oriented manufacturers. Gordon Gao, who exports gardening products from China, said that he has had to reject 80% of orders this year due to port delays. In one case, an order placed before mid-February could only be shipped three months later when a client finally secured a container.Beijing has tried to improve conditions for private companies by ordering a crackdown on speculation to curb commodity prices and easing access to bank loans.Yet the government continues to gradually withdraw fiscal and monetary stimulus measures introduced amid the pandemic last year. It set a relatively unambitious target of “above 6%” growth for this year, and the Communist Party’s Politburo signaled last month it would prioritize reforms to control house prices and debt growth.“The policy stance has definitely shifted away from supporting growth and back toward de-risking the financial sector,” said Adam Wolfe, an economist at London-based Absolute Strategy Research. “The risks for economic growth seem tilted to the downside, especially for capital-intensive, construction-linked sectors.”For manufacturers such as Li, a longer period of domestic growth and control over input prices will be needed before capacity expansion is on the cards. While his company of 200 workers took on new permanent staff before the pandemic, for now he’d rather pass the risks of investment on to others.“I wouldn’t do that now, I would rather hire some temporary workers and outsource the rest,” he said.More stories like this are available on bloomberg.comSubscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source.©2021 Bloomberg L.P.<doc-sep>Texas Capital (TCBI) reported earnings 30 days ago. What's next for the stock? We take a look at earnings estimates for some clues. Shares of Wynn Resorts, Limited WYNN have witnessed a sharp decline of more than 8% in the last two trading sessions. The downside can be primarily attributed to disappointing gambling revenues from the Macau region in May. Other stocks such as Melco Resorts & Entertainment Ltd. MLCO and Las Vegas Sands Corp. LVS, which belong to the same industry and has highest exposure to Macau region, have also declined following the news. Gambling revenues from Macau increased 12.1% to 25.5 billion patacas ($3.16 billion) in May. The metric not only lagged analyst expectations but also decreased 0.9% from the figure registered in April. Although gambling revenues were up for the 22nd straight months, it still remains below the highest level achieved in 2012. A tough operating environment in Macau weighed on casino stocks from June 2014 to most part of 2016. In fact, the crackdown on corruption in China compelled Macau officials to impose restrictions on high rollers to stop billions of dollars from being siphoned off illegally from mainland China to Macau. As a result, footfall declined at the local casinos, leading to a constant decrease in gaming revenues. A slowdown in China, tighter visa policies, political unrest and a smoking ban on mass market gaming floors compounded the woes. Nevertheless, Macau's gambling revenues marked a turnaround and have been rising since the second half of 2016, with new resorts attracting high rollers and leisure gamblers. What’s Lies Ahead for Wynn Resorts? Wynn Resorts generates a solid share of its revenues from Macau resorts. Apart from the gaming business in Macau, the company has been increasingly focusing on boosting non-gaming revenues. Given the decent visitation pattern in Macau, infrastructure development and government’s efforts to boost tourism in Macau, non-gaming sources are expected to drive revenues moving ahead. Moreover, the company’s full-scale integrated resort in Cotai, Macau, is poised to witness increased visits from tourists and leisure gamblers over the long term. This, in turn, should fortify Wynn Resorts’ position in the Cotai strip. Story continues Notably, such projects are expected to draw business and leisure travelers, and provide a solid platform for growth. In fact, building resorts in Asia should help the company capitalize on strong consumer spending trend in the region. Meanwhile, in Wynn Palace, the company is working on two new restaurant concepts that are expected to add significantly to the non-gaming business. Also, the government of China is considering measures to support Macau’s economy and introduce favorable policies, which are expected to improve visitation pattern and increase tourism and traffic in the region. These stratergic initiatives include approval of Macau’s maritime expansion plans that is expected to boost shipping and tourism. Also, the government has allowed mainland Chinese cities to offer multi-entry permits. In a year’s time, Wynn Resorts’ shares have gained 33.7%, outpacing the industry’s rally of 17.1%. Zacks Rank & a Key Pick Wynn Resorts has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A better-ranked stock in the same space is Penn National Gaming, Inc. PENN sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). The company’s earnings have surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in two of the trailing three quarters. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +21.9% in 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +115.0%, +109.3%, +104.9%, +98.6%, and +67.1%. And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 19X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation. See Them Free>> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS) : Free Stock Analysis Report Wynn Resorts, Limited (WYNN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Penn National Gaming, Inc. (PENN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited (MLCO) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research<doc-sep>

Wynn Resorts, Limited (NASDAQ:WYNN) stock been one of the hottest in gaming, nearly doubling in the last three years and outperforming most of its major gaming rivals. The company has benefited from growing revenue in Macau, the completion of Wynn Palace in the Cotai region of Macau, and anticipation of the company's newest market, Boston, where Encore Boston Harbor is under construction. What hasn't stopped Wynn Resorts stock is the loss of Steve Wynn himself. The company's founder resigned amid sexual misconduct allegations and has sold all of his shares to prevent potential headaches for the company. That's allowed a new management team, led by CEO Matt Maddox, to refocus Wynn Resorts on profitability and growth. Here's why I think that focus will drive the stock higher in the long term. Wynn Resorts' core is strong One of the ways we judge performance of gaming companies and the value of their stock is by looking at earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), which is a proxy for the cash flow coming from a resort. This is a good metric because it pulls out non-cash costs like depreciation, which are big expenses for the multibillion-dollar resorts that Wynn Resorts owns. EBITDA for Wynn Resorts is been growing rapidly because of the addition of Wynn Palace in Macau. In the first quarter of 2018, EBITDA was up 32% to $564.3 million, driven by Wynn Palace's growth. To try to get an idea of Wynn Resorts' value for investors, a ratio like enterprise value (net debt plus market cap) to EBITDA is valuable because it's more representative of value in the gaming industry than a P/E ratio, which includes non-cash costs like depreciation. I've calculated EV/EBITDA below and I've annualized Q1 2018's EBITDA because this is a better representation of ongoing EBITDA than just trailing-12-month numbers. Metric Value Q1 2018 EBITDA annualized $2.26 billion Net debt $7.20 billion Market cap $20.90 billion Enterprise value to EBITDA 12.4 times An EV/EBITDA ratio of 12.4 is on the low end of where gaming stocks are trading, and you can see that it compares favorably to Las Vegas Sands, Melco Resorts, and MGM Resorts. If investors were just buying Wynn Resorts' current business, not any growth projects, I think the current valuation would make it a good investment. But the company has a lot of growth prospects that could make it a huge winner for investors. Wynn Resorts' vision for the future There are three areas of growth Wynn Resorts is focusing on: Las Vegas, Boston, and Japan. In Las Vegas, Maddox has pulled back plans to build a new tower and is focusing on an entertainment and convention addition where the golf course used to sit behind Wynn Las Vegas. The investment is currently budgeted at $360 million and historically annual EBITDA for each dollar of capital invested is slightly over 10%. Expanding in Las Vegas isn't a game-changer, but it could bring some growth to Wynn Resorts. Encore Boston Harbor is currently under construction with a $2.5 billion budget and will be the company's first foray outside of Las Vegas or Macau. There's no real precedent that shows what revenue or EBITDA will be in Boston, but there's a decent proxy from MGM a few hundred miles south. MGM National Harbor near Washington, D.C., was completed in 2016 at a cost of $1.4 billion and generated EBITDA at an annualized rate of $168 million in the first quarter. The annualized EBITDA return of over 12% of total construction costs proves that East Coast gaming has high potential, and Wynn Resorts hopes its new location near downtown Boston will be a bet that pays off in the long term. The wild card is Japan, which is expecting to open up a few gaming licenses in the next year or two. Estimates have put the gaming market in Japan at $10 billion to $40 billion, which could make it bigger than the $6.5 billion in gaming revenue on the Las Vegas Strip over the past year. Maddox has made Japan a high priority, and if Wynn Resorts won a gaming license there, it could be a game-changer. With shares trading at a decent value based on existing operations, these growth projects are icing on the cake for Wynn Resorts investors. Wynn's financing wild card One untapped option Wynn Resorts has to generate value is selling its real estate assets to a REIT.

Sandra Harwitt Special for USA TODAY Sports NEW YORK — It wouldn’t be advisable to think Rafael Nadal is on the verge of retirement just because he was brought down by a persistent knee injury during the US Open semifinal Friday. Yes, his knees have been a problem throughout much of his career. Yes, he plays an exceptionally physical brand of tennis that has taken its toll on his body. Yes, he had to walk off court after losing the first two sets 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 against Juan Martin del Potro. But no, the world No. 1 has no immediate plans of hanging up his rackets. At least, not yet. While the defending and three-time US Open champion clearly was upset to have to abandon a match, he was emphatic about this being just another blip in a very fruitful career that already has produced 17 Grand Slam titles. “I know the things are going the right way,” he said, after handing del Potro a ticket to play for his second US Open title and second Grand Slam. “I am playing well. I am enjoying (being) on the court. I am having a lot of success. I am very competitive at the age of 32. A lot of people in this (media interview) room, including myself, never will think that at the age of 32 I will be here fighting for titles, fighting for the first position of the rankings.” Nadal is hoping the knee injury is just another flare-up of an old problem, one that he and his team have been managing for years. While he did offer this: “The problem this time was something a little bit more aggressive because (it) was in one movement,” he walked that back quickly to suggest it’s comparable to previous experiences. “I know what I have,” he said. “Similar thing as always. Just about doing the treatment. 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.” More:Best-of-five or best-of-three? Some argue players, fans better served with shorter matches More:Serena Williams powers past Anastasija Sevastova to reach US Open final Although he admitted to not being able to put a time frame on how long he’ll need to nurse the knee back to health, he isn’t expecting a long layoff. “I am sure (it) will not be six months off,” Nadal said. “It’s 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.” Throughout his lengthy career - he won the first of his record 11 French Open titles in 2005, which also was his first Grand Slam trophy - he’s been sidelined for extended periods with injuries. Each time it happens, most notably because of knee problems, the chatter is about whether he’s finished, the reasoning being his game demands too much from a person to keep enduring. He’s heard it all and dismisses all the speculation. And so far he’s proven all the theorists wrong. He always returns. And wins. “All my career everybody say that because of my style I will have a short career,” he said. “I still here. I still here because I love what I’m doing. I still have the passion for the game. “I’m going to keep fighting and working hard to keep enjoying this tour and keep having chances to compete at the highest level. So that’s all.” And considering Nadal’s reputation as one of the great fighters on the court, and his history in making successful comebacks, it’s probably advisable for fans to take him at his word when he says he’ll be back.<doc-sep>Rafael Nadal was bidding for his 18th Grand Slam title Rafael Nadal insists he remains determined to fight for titles at the "highest level" after his US Open defence ended in retirement. The world No 1 was forced to stop his semi-final encounter against Juan Martin del Potro after losing the opening two sets 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 against the 2009 champion. Nadal suffered a recurrence of his persistent knee injuries during a gruelling third round victory against Karen Khachanov and the problem became worse during the first set on Friday. Nadal had tape applied to his right knee twice during the match against Del Potro "I still have the passion for the game," Nadal said. "I am going to keep fighting and working hard to keep enjoying this tour and keep having chances to compete at the highest level. So that's all." #Nadal retired with right knee pain vs. #DelPotro in the #USOpen SF and it was the 3rd time in 283 #GrandSlam matches (54 tournaments) he has retired in a match. — ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) September 7, 2018 The Spaniard has suffered with tendinitis in his knee during his career and he spent eight months away from the game between 2012 and 2013 "The pain on the knee is always very similar," he said. "The problem is this time it was something a little bit more aggressive because it was in one movement. "I know what I have. I know what is going on with the knee. 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." The 32-year-old won his 17th Grand Slam title at the French Open in June and has only lost four matches all year so far with two of those defeats coming through an injury enforced retirement. "It's not about losing. It's about not having the chance to fight for it," Nadal, who retired in his Australian Open quarter-final against Marin Cilic with a torn inner hip muscle, added. "I have fought all my career against these kinds of things too. I have missed a lot of opportunities. It is tough, these moments. But at the same time I have to keep going and working hard to get more opportunities. 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. Rafael Nadal "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." Nadal dismissed the assertion that his body was more at risk of injury due to his game style, which relies on power and athleticism. "All my career everybody say that because of my style, I will have a short career," Nadal, who is three behind Roger Federer in Grand Slam titles, added. I am going to keep fighting and working hard to keep enjoying this tour and keep having chances to compete at the highest level. Rafael Nadal "I am still here. I am still here because I love what I am doing. While there was frustration for Nadal, victory for Del Potro saw the Argentinean return to a Grand Slam final for the first time in nine years when he memorably won the US Open aged 20, beating Nadal and Federer on the way. "Of course it's not the best way to win a match," Del Potro said during his on-court interview. Juan Martin del Potro offered some words of consolation to Nadal after the match "I love to play against Rafa because he's the biggest fighter in this sport and I don't like to see him suffering on court like today so I'm sad for him but I'm also happy to move forward." After fearing his career was over following a trio of operations to his injured left wrist, which forced him to miss the best part of two years, the 29-year-old returned and rebuilt his game. At Indian Wells he won his maiden Masters 1000 title and reached Grand Slam quarter-finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon prior to arriving in New York. "It means a lot to me. I didn't expect to get in another Grand Slam final. This is my favourite tournament, my biggest memories on a tennis court came on this court in 2009." We have every major tennis event covered from all angles via our website skysports.com/tennis. On the move? Head to our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsTennis to join in the conversation. Tennis is back on Sky Sports screens with the Laver Cup in September while we will also have coverage of the ATP Finals in November with every match live on Sky Sports.<doc-sep>Juan Martín del Potro returns to contest the final of the US Open on Sunday nine years after winning the title, but he did not enjoy the manner of his victory over Rafael Nadal, who had to quit during a grand slam match for the third time in his career. “It’s not the best way to win,” the popular Argentinian said after winning the only two sets, 7-6 (3), 6-2. Hobbling on one good leg, the 32-year-old defending champion had already left the court for the locker room, where he received quick treatment on the knee injury that cut him down at the end of a long and arduous campaign, then explained to the media that he was in too much pain to continue. Nadal had already figured in the two longest matches of the tournament – over four hours and 49 minutes against Dominic Thiem in the quarter-finals, and four hours and 23 minutes beating Karen Khachanov in round three – and it was obvious the workload had taken its toll on a player who has been plagued by injury throughout his career. Del Potro added courtside: “I love to play against Rafa because he is the biggest fighter in the sport and I don’t like to see him suffer like he did today. But I am also so happy to be in the final again. The key to the match was the first set. It was a really tough one and I did well in the tie-break, served well.” The winner understood better than most the quandary that faced Nadal, having been unable to defend his title here in 2010 and then drifting into the wilderness for years as he sought a solution to persistent wrist problems that threatened to end his career. “It means a lot to me,” he said of his return. “I didn’t expect to get in another grand slam final, and in my favourite tournament, in New York at the US Open. My biggest memories are on this court when I beat Rafa than Roger [Federer] – but I was a kid. Now I am nine years older, of course.” Nadal said later: “I had some issues during the tournament. In the second or third match, then I think it was a little bit better. But at two-all and 15-love in the first set I felt something on the knee. After that I was just trying to wait for some improvement. “But it did not happen today. I waited as much as I could. You could imagine, it was very difficult for me to say goodbye before the finish. But at some point I had to make a decision. But it was so difficult for me, so much pain. It was not a tennis match at the end, one player playing, and the other just staying at the other end.” When they met here last year, Nadal, on average, stood more than 12 feet behind the baseline to receive, and he stuck to that formula again, his racket poised to switch from slice to the top spin of his formidable forehand. Del Potro hugged the line then, and again on Friday. Nerves rattled as they exchanged breaks twice in the first set, before Del Potro properly imposed himself in the shootout. From there to the end, it became increasingly obvious in nearly every exchange that it was no long an even fight. Nadal needed more attention to his throbbing knee after three games, and it clearly was hurting as he twisted and turned to counter Del Potro’s fierce forehand. Carlos Moya looked on anxiously from the player’s box, knowing the end was not far away. Sign up to The Recap, our weekly email of editors’ picks. Patched up, Nadal resumed battle, his kneecap bulging above the tape. On the changeover and a set and 1-4 down, he gave Moya a resigned look, but finished the set. Eight times he has had to retire during a match – twice at the Australian Open, against David Ferrer in 2011 and most recently in the fifth set against Marin Cilic in the quarters this year, when his hip gave up on him, as well as withdrawing from the French Open after two quick wins in 2016, when a wrist injury also forced him to miss Wimbledon. “I guess there comes a point when the body needs rest at some point along the line,” Jimmy Connors said, adding to the debate ignited here about whether slams should introduce best-of-three matches in the early rounds. There are passionate advocates on both sides of the argument. Connors, who played for more than 20 years and was No 1 in the world for 160 weeks in a row, added: “His game seems to be so much more physical than other players.” For how much longer is now the central debate he must have with Moya and his advisers.<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.

The top 10 nominees to take their place in the All-Star Mile, determined by public vote, has been announced by Racing Victoria. Who made the cut? The Australian public have voted in a diverse field of horses into the inaugural running of the $5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) to be run at Flemington on March 16. The field is headed by three topliners Grunt, Alizee and Amphitrite, who finished third, fourth and fifth respectively. The most popular horse in the voting was South Australian runner Balf’s Choice who topped the voting and in the finish he past the Queensland trained Urban Ruler who finished second. THE FIELD 1. Balf’s Choice (Ryan Balfour, SA) 9,793 2. Urban Ruler (Chris Munce, QLD) 8,428 3. Grunt (Mick Price, VIC) 7,097 4. Alizee (James Cummings, NSW) 6,744 5. Amphitrite (David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig, VIC) 5,784 6. Foundry (Terry Kelly, VIC) 5,558 7. Material Man (Justin Warwick, WA) 5,358 8. Man of His Word (Dean Krongold, VIC) 5,135 9. Moss ‘n’ Dale (Peter Gelagotis, VIC) 5,072 10. Mr Money Bags (Robbie Griffiths, VIC) 5,013 In addition to Mick Price’s Grunt and Lindsay Park’s Amphitrite there were another four Victorians in the top 10. They are Terry Kelly’s Foundry, Dean Krongold’s Man Of His Word, Peter Gelagotis’ Moss ‘n’ Dale and Robbie Griffiths’ Mr Money Bags. James Cummings’ brilliant four-year-old mare Alizee has also gained a spot. West Australian galloper Material Man has also got into the field. Balf’s Choice received the majority of the votes Racing Victoria (RV) Chief Executive, Giles Thompson, said he was delighted with how the notion of public voting had gone. “To receive near on 140,000 validated eligible votes is a resounding endorsement of The All-Star Mile and shows that Australian sports fans have embraced the concept in its first year. WILDCARD PROMOTION: Click here for your chance to win $250k “This is a unique race and from the moment the voting opened we have seen tremendous engagement, with owners and trainers coming up with new and inventive ways to encourage people to vote for their horses. “The top 10 reflects the views of the Australian public and it’s terrific that a wide cross-section of racing participants now have the opportunity to compete in a $5 million race. The fact that horses from five different states have been voted into The All-Star Mile ensures that it will be a truly national race.” Already the first of four wildcards has been handed out with Sydney star Happy Clapper into the field. Top class gallopers such as Hartnell, Best of Days, Brave Smash, Mystic Journey, Redkirk Warrior, Extra Brut, Ringerdingding, Almandin, Rekindling, Tom Melbourne, Le Romain, Manuel and Land Of Plenty missed out. Geelong footballer Joel Selwood with All Star Mile hopeful Grunt Several of them will be in action in the Futurity Stakes and the winner according to Racing Victoria’s executive general manager racing Greg Carpenter will almost certainly get a wildcard. He also said the winner of the Australian Guineas would most likely get a wildcard. The three wildcards will be announced by March 4. They received 139,426 validated eligible votes. Happy Clapper is the first wildcard runner Winx rejects Star allure Glenn McFarlane Racing Victoria’s Greg Carpenter has conceded champion mare Winx won’t run in the $5 million All-Star Mile at Flemington next month. But Carpenter said that would not stop him having one last crack at connections to change their mind. As the top 10 votegetters for the race were announced on Thursday — and Happy Clapper was revealed as the first of four wildcards — Carpenter said he was pleased with the provisional field, but forecast changes for next year. Those include a plan for international representatives — voting is likely to be expanded overseas — as well as reassessment of the minimum performance requirements for entry. Winx returned with a dominant win in the Apollo Stakes at Randwick last Saturday. Picture: Getty Images Carpenter made a recent unsuccessful approach to Winx’s owners in a bid to have the mare headline the inaugural race, but could not sway them to alter their Sydney farewell plans. “She is not going to run,” Carpenter said. “She is not out of my ­picture, but she is out of their (the owners’) picture. “They are very singular about maintaining her ­unbeaten run through her ­Sydney campaign. “I am not offended when people say no to me, but to be fair, I will offer them one more (chance). The cost of a phone call is very inexpensive, so I will add one more.” Carpenter said the unique nature of the race — with a popular vote allocating the first 10 slots — was always going to produce “an eclectic field”. Alizee is the favourite for the All-Star Mile. PIcture: AAP But he stressed the 11 confirmed starters — plus three wildcards — would produce a competitive field. “We have four Group 1 winners in the popular vote (Grunt, Alizee, Amphitrite and Foundry) … and we have also added Happy Clapper as the first wildcard, and only Winx is more highly rated in the southern hemisphere than Happy Clapper,” he said. “We have three more wildcards, which will add that quality element.” Carpenter said the winner of Saturday’s Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Caulfield — if it is not Alizee and Material Man, who are already in the race — would almost certainly be given a wildcard. South Australian galloper Balf’s Choice topped the vote with 9793 votes. Mr Moneybags gained an entry only after Chris Waller declared The Autumn Sun a non-starter.<doc-sep>Sometimes you just have to chase the dream, even when you know that there's virtually no chance of it coming true. For Racing Victoria the impossible dream is the superstar Winx running in Melbourne. Alizee (right) will race in the All-Star Mile. Credit:AAP For the owners of the 10 horses revealed on Thursday as the highest vote-getters in the popular poll to make the field for the first running of the All-Star Mile, the impossible dream of winning a large chunk of the $5 million on offer suddenly became a reality - one that's much easier to attain with Winx an abesentee. The highest-rated horses to make their way directly into the field are the Godolphin mare Alizee, the pre-post favourite, the group 1-winning Flemington specialist Grunt and the improving three-year-old filly Amphitrite, formerly trained by Darren Weir but now in the care of the Hayes training partnership.<doc-sep>He hasn’t won a race since 2017, but one horse is guaranteed a $90,000 windfall when he runs at Flemington next month - and it’s all because of people power. He hasn’t won a race since 2017, but one horse is guaranteed to bring home at least $90,000 - a third of his total prize money to date - when he runs at Flemington next month. Even Urban Ruler’s owners admit he will be only a 200-1 chance of winning the $5 million All-Star Mile in Melbourne on Saturday, March 16. But they say they will be happy if the Queensland runner beats just a couple of horses to the finish line. THESE HORSES MADE THE CUT FOR THE ALL-STAR MILE GRUNT ZEROES IN ON RICH MILE DOUBLE The five-year-old gelding has today been confirmed a starter in the All-Star Mile after finishing second in the popular vote - thanks largely to the 800 people who make up the Hancox Racing syndicate that owns him. And it guarantees decent prizemoney for his owners - who each paid $1250 for one-800th of a share in six horses, including Urban Ruler. “The fairytale is that (the race) is paying $90,000 for finishing anywhere from sixth down to last so it will be a good pay day for him, considering his total prize money is about $270,000,” said syndicator Shelley Hancox. People power has pushed Urban Ruler to a berth in the $5 million All-Star Mile, guaranteeing a minimum $90,000 pay day. Picture: AAP The Chris Munce-trained horse led the public vote for much of the All-Star Mile polling, but finished in second place behind Balf’s Choice. He is one of 10 runners decided by a public vote, with the first of four wild cards - Happy Clapper - also announced this morning. That’s despite the fact that Urban Ruler finished eight lengths off the pace to beat just one of 13 home at Doomben earlier this month, in his return to the track after four months off. Ms Hancox acknowledged that Urban Ruler’s inclusion in a race that includes Group 1 winners Grunt, Alizee and Amphitrite might raise a few eyebrows. “There is a minimum benchmark and he qualified under the conditions of the race,” she said. “I understand people may raise eyebrows if we were running an out-of-form horse, but if he’s sound and healthy on the day there’s no reason for him not to have the chance to go round.” Urban Ruler will be the popular underdog in the All-Star Mile. Picture: Annette Dew People power got Urban Ruler into the race, and Ms Hancox expects about 200 of Urban Ruler’s owners - “pensioners and mums and dads who want to dip their toes into the water of owning a racehorse” - to cheer him on at Flemington. “It’s already created a huge buzz, with owners coming from across Australia and New Zealand because their horse is running in a race worth so much money,” she said. Urban Ruler’s most recent of six career wins was over 1200m at Geelong in October 2017. He has found success at Flemington before, triumphing over 1400m and finishing second over a mile in the Silverbowl Final in 2017. Urban Ruler would be a rightful shoe-in to graduate from the “people’s horse” to the “people’s champion” should he pull off mission improbable at Flemington racecourse. “I’d love to think so,” Ms Hancox said. “But given it’s weight-for-age conditions, I don’t think we’re expecting any fairytale. “He’s definitely not hopeless at the track, but he doesn’t like racing inside horses, so that’s a bit of a problem. “I think he’s probably entitled to be 200-1 … if he beat a couple home, I’d be perfectly happy. We are realists.” The remaining wildcards will be announced on March 4.<doc-sep>The Autumn Sun officially out of All Star Mile Image: Bruno Cannatelli Star colt The Autumn Sun is officially out of contention for the $5 million All Star Mile Star colt The Autumn Sun is officially out of contention for the $5 million All Star Mile and has been withdrawn from the vote. With 10 of the 14 runners to be chosen by the public, the Chris Waller-trained triple Group One winner was in the lead when the final three days of polling were blacked out from Friday. Racing Victoria canvassed connections of the top 24 ranked horses before the black-out to determine whether they would be taking up a position in the race if voted in. RV said on Tuesday connections of all other horses in the top 10 has indicated they would accept. The top 10 will be announced on Thursday morning with one of the four wild cards also tipped to be revealed in the next week. Fans who submitted an eligible vote for The Autumn Sun remain in contention for the $500,000 prize money pool on offer to the public. They will be placed in the second chance draw for the opportunity to be named owner/ambassador for one of the wild card entries to be announced on or before Monday, March 4. *Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.<doc-sep>

Balf's Choice has stormed up the leaderboard With voting to close in 72 hours, the All-Star Mile voting leaderboard has been blacked out. As per the regulations of the new race, the vote count will be hidden for the final stages of voting, which closes at midday on Monday. Here's how the leaderboard looked moments before the blackout: Here are the horses that sit just outside the all-important Top 10: Extra Brut - 4377 votes Amphitrite - 4287 Land of Plenty - 3542 Tom Melbourne - 3247 Mystic Journey - 3151 Ringerdingding - 2804 Happy Clapper - 2481 Manuel - 2206 Penny to Sell - 1853 Magic Consol - 1591 Hellova Street - 1441 Hartnell - 1375 Redkirk Warrior - 1339 Le Romain - 1292 Main Stage - 1283 The voting process was clouded in controversy his week with the revelation people had been submitting multiple votes. READ: Multiple vote rort mars All-Star Mile The horses inside the Top 10 have first rights on a spot in the $5 million feature at Flemington on March 16. Should connections of any horse decide against taking their spot in the race, the pecking order falls to 11th (and so on) to determine the 10 'voted in' horses. Racing Victoria are set to announce four wildcard entries to make up a final field of 14, with that announcement expected on or before March 4. The Top 10 will be announced by Racing Victoria on February 21. RELATED ARTICLES - Celebrities endorse All-Star Mile hopes - Syndicator defends All-Star Mile entrant - Gun colt and battler dominating vote

She may be less than five years old now, but give the MCU another couple of phases (we're about to begin Phase Four) and she’ll be old enough to become an Avenger in her own right. In the comics, the character of Morgan Stark is actually a male cousin of Tony’s and an antagonist. But Marvel did just debut a young female as Tony Stark’s Iron Man successor with Riri Williams, a 15-year-old genius and woman of color who first debuted in 2015 as Ironheart. Could it be possible that the MCU has plans to merge the two characters in a future phase? The MCU has never followed the comics exactly, instead choosing to put its own spin of the comic book canon, so it’s not hard to see how Morgan could eventually become the new Iron Man in the vein of Riri.<doc-sep>WARNING: If you couldn’t tell by the headline, this post contains huge, massive, potentially life ruining spoilers for Avengers Endgame. Don’t keep reading unless you want to know how Tony Stark’s character arc ties up. In hindsight, there seems to have been no other way for Tony Stark’s story to end. With all 21 of the previous MCU films in mind, it feels like it was all leading up the final moment where Iron Man snapped his fingers and saved the universe, but in the process forfeited his own life. While Endgame wrapped up a few character arcs, Tony Stark and Iron Man’s was the only one that was pitch perfect. There’s no doubt that Iron Man was the corner stone of the MCU and that, without the success of the first film, the subsequent franchise offerings wouldn’t have happened. Endgame honors that by giving Tony Stark the most fitting of send offs. Not only does Tony redeem himself for the Ultron tragedy, but he’s also secured his own legacy into something more positive than just being known for a high body count. While some characters were short shrifted, Endgame had plenty of satisfying moments for Tony Stark and offered closure on some lingering storylines. Primarily, Tony found the family he always wanted with Pepper, reached a mutual level of trust and admiration with Steve Rogers, and, in a twist, made amends with his father, Howard Stark. Endgame picks up right where Infinity War left off, and Tony doesn’t spend much time stranded in space. As he returns to Earth, he and Steve have an emotional reunion outside Avengers HQ. The reunion quickly turns into animosity again though, as Tony refuses to forgive Steve for bailing on the Avengers after Civil War. Despondent, Tony abandons the team, reunites with Pepper and they have a daughter, Morgan. There are some lovely scenes of Tony Stark as a father, enjoying domestic life, that make his eventual decision to help the team try to defeat Thanos again all the more heart-wrenching. One of the main motivators of his decision is that he still hasn’t gotten over the guilt of having Peter Parker vanish in his arms. He knows he can’t be happy if there’s a chance to bring him back. So, he sucks up his pride, figures out a solution and (finally) reaches an understanding with Steve. While Age of Ultron has been among the more poorly received Marvel films, it plays a large role in Endgame. It would be tempting to think of Tony’s death as tragic, and it is in many ways, but for Tony, it’s a better end than what he imagined in the vision Wanda induced in Ultron. As he told Nick Fury at the time, the real tragedy wasn’t that he died, but that he had lived while his friends had all perished. Thanos has, in affect, been inside Tony’s head since the events of the first Avengers movie, making this final standoff all the more compelling. Tony’s sacrifice is also a call back to a key scene in the first Avengers film, that shows how much the character has changed and evolved. As he and Captain America bicker, Cap undercuts him by saying that Tony isn’t the kind of guy to lay down on the wire, to let the other guy crawl over him. Of course, he proves that’s not true by carrying a missile through a worm hole, but in Endgame the sacrifice is permanent. His last words are also a reminder of a pivotal moment in the first Iron Man film, when instead of denying who he is to the public, he simply states, “I am Iron Man.” Those are the same words he utters after Thanos remarks, “I am inevitable.” The strain of holding all six Infinity Stones and snapping his fingers is too much for Tony though, and he dies surrounded by his friends. It’s the exact inverse of his vision in Ultron. The final funeral scene also features a call back to the first Iron Man film, as Pepper sets the first arc reactor Tony ever had adrift on the river over a bed of flowers. While it seems clear that Tony really is dead, that doesn’t mean he won’t show up in subsequent MCU films. While Chris Evans, who plays Captain America, has been vocal about hanging up the shield for good, Robert Downey Jr., hasn’t yet addressed whether or not he’ll be back to play Tony Stark. Endgame does leave the door open for him to reappear in many creative ways. First, there’s the fact that he seems to have recorded many messages for Pepper and his daughter Morgan for them to play back at appropriate times. Plus, considering how adept Tony is at creating artificial intelligence, there’s room to speculate that he creates an AI of himself to be Peter’s guide in the Spider-Man suit. Plus, the MCU has now introduced time-travel as just a thing anyone can do, so a visit to the past to check in on a younger Tony Stark isn’t out of the question. While Endgame botched a couple of key endings, Tony Stark’s was an elegy to the power of redemption.<doc-sep>Where does Spider-Man go from here? In the real world, audiences will be following Tom Holland’s Peter Parker to Europe when the web-slinging superhero’s second solo MCU outing, Spider-Man: Far From Home, premieres in theaters on July 5. That’s mere weeks after the Universe-changing results of Avengers: Endgame. **SPOILER WARNING: This story contains spoilers for Avengers: Endgame. ** Marvel has yet to reveal exactly when Spider-Man: Far From Home takes place within the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s chronology. When the film’s first trailer dropped, many fans assumed it would take place between the events of Spider-Man: Homecoming and Avengers: Infinity War, given Peter’s mirky (dusty) status at the end of Infinity War. It was the safe theory; most fans were confident Peter would return in Avengers: Endgame — and, yes, he does, alongside every other hero we lost to the Snap — but they could not be absolutely, 100 percent sure. Now, Peter is back ... but we’re still not sure about when Far From Home takes place and, in fact, have more questions than ever. One thing is for certain, though. If Far From Home does take place after Endgame, Peter Parker is going to be facing down many changes. Never mind that his young life was put on hold for five years. Never mind that his non-Snapped peers have aged out of high school and tried to move on (though this is a major question that needs answering as well). Never mind any of that — because Tony Stark is dead. Video of SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME - Official Teaser Trailer Tony's death marks the end of an era for the MCU. Robert Downey Jr. was the franchise's founding father, boasting the most appearances (and lines) in the series and driving the plot, and his loss is going to have a seismic impact, not just on the in-world universe but on the fans as well. On top of Pepper Potts’ reassurances — “You can rest now” — and the knowledge that he’s leaving his 4-year-old daughter behind, fans also had to witness Peter Parker’s reaction to seeing his mentor and father figure pass before his eyes. While Tony died for a valiant cause, saving both his world and the universe from Thanos’ terror, that doesn’t make his death hurt any less or have any less of an impact on those around him. The MCU has only ever alluded to Spider-Man’s origin story, in part because we already know it: His parents die and young Peter Parker is raised by his aunt and uncle until a radioactive spider bite, a dead uncle and the great power equals great responsibility lesson, in that order. The MCU didn’t show any of Peter’s relationship with his Uncle Ben, but used Tony as a father figure in his place. As the MCU’s resident youngest hero, it made sense for Peter to find solace and mentorship in one of the founding Avengers. While Spider-Man has run solo in past films, trying to figure out the whole superhero thing on his own terms, the MCU’s Spider-Man had Mr. Stark to teach him the ropes. As of the end of Endgame, the MCU’s Spider-Man has died, come back to life, lost three fathers (his dad, Uncle Ben, and Tony), and is maybe about to head off to Europe to find yet another father figure in the form of Jake Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio. Assuming Marvel isn’t pulling the wool over fans’ eyes ahead of Far From Home, the normally villainous Mysterio is on Peter’s side for at least part of the film. Entertainment Weekly released a new image from Far From Home on April 25, one day ahead of Endgame’s premiere, showing Mysterio and a mask-less Peter shaking hands. In Far From Home, it seems, Peter has Mysterio and Nick Fury on his side, but that's about it. The various teases from Holland and director Jon Watts included with the photo still don’t tell us when the movie will be taking place, but Watts’ comment about Peter needing a vacation at the beginning of the film is suspicious. Granted, Homecoming wasn’t kind to its titular hero, either, but Endgame is even more brutal. Add this to Watts’ quote that “If Tony Stark was sort of the mentor in the previous films, we thought it would be interesting to play Mysterio as almost like the cool uncle,” and we’re getting somewhere (though hopefully he's not the kind of cool uncle we saw in Into the Spider-verse). Tony was still wildly protective of Peter in Infinity War, meaning that if Far From Home takes place before that, there’s no way he would have let something as small as the Atlantic Ocean stop him from coming to Peter’s aid in Europe if Peter were in trouble with a bunch of Elementals. The logical conclusion is that Peter really is on his own in Far From Home because Tony is dead. And where does that leave Peter? With a lot of responsibility, that’s for sure.<doc-sep>Even when Spider-Man got dusted during Thanos's Snapture in Avengers: Infinity War, we knew he couldn't be gone for long. Why? Well, he had the sequel Spider-Man: Far From Home to attend to. Since the MCU movies aren't necessarily connected together in a linear fashion (cough, Captain Marvel), it can be confusing to straighten out Peter Parker's story in chronological order. Luckily, Spider-Man's timeline is straightforward for the most part, except for a potential time issue. Here's how it unfolds between Infinity War and the upcoming Far From Home. In the big picture, Far From Home basically takes place after Avengers: Endgame. In June 2017, Sony executive Amy Pascal told Fandom that the Spider-Man sequel would "start a few minutes after Avengers 4 wraps as a story." Let's put that into the context of everything that goes down in Endgame. Five years after the snap, the Avengers get the Infinity Stones and undo Thanos's damage. Peter returns along with a brigade of formerly dusted superheroes as Thanos wreaks havoc on Earth. Before Tony sacrifices himself by wielding the powers of the Infinity Gauntlet, he and Peter get to hug it out one last time. While Spider-Man isn't in much of Endgame, his character anchors Tony's emotional arc. Tony is Peter's mentor, and Peter's loss is the reason why Tony gets back into the superhero game. After the battle, Peter returns to school, solemn and shell-shocked, but relieved to see his friend Ned. Though five years have gone by, no one looks older than they were in Spider-Man: Homecoming. And why would Peter go back to school with classmates in their 20s? One explanation for this would be that all of Peter's classmates (or at least the important ones) got dusted in the Snapture. We'll have to see how Far From Home deals with this. The Spider-Man sequel's trailer maintains the franchise's light tone, but when Peter packs his bag for Europe with his friends, he notably leaves behind his suit. He's probably processing Iron Man's heartbreaking death, but likely won't have that much time to grieve — Nick Fury drags him out of his Euro vacay to deal with Mysterio in the promo. Still, we'll be here if you need another hug, Peter.<doc-sep>

Avengers: Endgame spoilers ahead. Before Avengers: Endgame even came out, it was clear that at least some of the superheroes who turned to dust were going to return, simply because they were set to be in more movies. In particular, Spider-Man (Peter Parker) had to be saved, because his next film is already confirmed and hitting theaters only two months after Endgame. So, yeah, Spider-Man will be there, but what about his mentor? Will Robert Downey Jr. be in Spider-Man: Far From Home Well, he's not on the IMDb page, so the answer is no. Just kidding! That means nothing when it comes to these movies. As you know if you've seen Endgame (or if you are a spoiler reader), Tony Stark dies at the end of the new movie after using the Infinity Stones himself to snap Thanos and his army out of existence. So, whether or not Downey appears in Far From Home will depend on when it takes places and whether it has any flashbacks. Conveniently, we have the answer to the first part of that. Producer Amy Pascal told Fandom in June 2017 that Far From Home would "start a few minutes after Avengers 4 wraps as a story." If this is still the case, then Peter Parker's school trip to Europe is probably a way for him to escape from the loss he just went through. It would also explain why he feels like just being a normal kid and leaves his Spidey suit behind when he packs for the trip, as shown in the trailer. It also sounds like Nick Fury could be stepping into the role left behind by Stark, but seeing as he's a very different person, he'll serve as a point of contrast for Peter and for viewers. "If Tony is like the supportive cool uncle, Fury's more like the mean new stepdad," director Jon Watts told USA Today. "Fury doesn't see himself in Peter Parker. Fury sees Peter Parker as an asset that he needs who is too preoccupied with a bunch of high school problems." And if the timeline thing wasn't clear enough, again, this makes it sound like Stark's not going to be there. There is still a chance that Downey could show up via a flashback. Battling Thanos with pretty much every MCU superhero and seeing his hero die would be pretty haunting for Peter Parker, so he could have a nightmare about it that we see. It would be strange, though, if Downey filmed any new scenes for Far From Home. His character got a sendoff in Endgame that was respectful of his fans and made for a memorable moment. To then see him pop up again in new scenes in Far From Home would feel kind of rude. Far From Home is all about starting a new chapter. Presumably, for Peter after his loss and the big battle, but also for fans and for the franchise. As Marvel's Kevin Feige recently confirmed, it's the last movie in Phase 3 of the MCU, so it will really set the stage for the next group of films. It's a clean slate for Peter and for fans, and so it probably doesn't include Downey.

Happy Birthday to Penguins’ captain Sidney Crosby, who turns 31 today and makes us all feel very old in the process. It seems like just yesterday he was a baby faced 18-year-old beginning his rookie season in the NHL. In just a few short weeks, Crosby will embark on his 14th season as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Here’s a brief look at everything Crosby has accomplished at just 31 years of age: 3x Stanley Cup champion 2x Conn Smythe Trophy winner 2x Hart Trophy winner 2x Art Ross Trophy winner 2x “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner 3x Ted Lindsay Trophy winner 4x NHL First Team All-Star 7x NHL All-Star 7x Penguins MVP Award 2x Olympic Gold Medalist World Junior champion IIHF World Championship winner World Cup of Hockey champion 3x Dapper Dan Sportsman of the Year 8x ESPY Award winner Emmy Award winner Member of the “Triple Gold” club It’s safe to say Sid has done a lot in only 31 years, and I think I speak for all Penguins fans when I say we are certainly glad he’s our captain. Hopefully he can add a few more items to that already long list before he hangs up the skates for good. Of course, all awards above are great and have help build this unprecedented era of Penguins, but watching Crosby work on the ice is a truly special experience in of itself. Before we wrap this up, let’s take a look at some of Crosby’s best moments in a Penguins uniform. First NHL Goal You always remember your first, and I’m certain Sid still remembers his first career goal all the way back in 2005 in just his second-career game. Shootout Goal vs. Canadiens The 2005-2006 version of the Penguins wasn’t good, but Crosby was a very bright spot on an otherwise wasted year. One of his signature moments was this shootout goal against his boyhood side Montreal Canadiens. Overtime Winner Against Flyers It’s unfortunate this game led to Crosby being labeled as a diver for the rest of his career, but it did mark the beginning of a rather successful career against the Penguins’ cross-state rival. Snow Globe Shootout Winner When the NHL came up with the idea for outdoor hockey games, you have to imagine this was the dream scenario. Having the game’s biggest name delivering in the biggest possible way in front of a national audience as snow hell from the heavens in Buffalo. Dueling Hat Tricks Billed as rivals since entering the league, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin met in the playoffs for the first time in 2009. It was a seven-game thriller that the Pens won, but may be best remembered for the dueling hat tricks by Crosby and Ovechkin in Game 2. First Stanley Cup Triumph A year after coming so close to victory, the Penguins finished off Red Wings in Game 7 in Detroit to capture the third Stanley Cup in franchise history and the first of the Crosby era. Golden Goal in Vancouver American fans avert your eyes. Crosby etched his name in Canadian sports lore with the golden goal over the United States to win ice hockey goal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Crosby Scores 51 Goals 2010 was very good to Sidney Crosby both internationally and with the Penguins. On top of wining the gold medal for Canada, Crosby topped 50 goals for the first time in his career to split the “Rocket” Richard trophy with Steven Stamkos. Concussion Comeback Goal Following his golden goal in 2010, Crosby took his game to another level and cemented himself as the best player in the world. He was playing at a historic pace the following season before it was derailed due to a concussion. It took almost a year for Crosby to return to the ice, but when he did, it looked like he never left. Crosby Wins Second Hart Trophy Three years after having his career derailed due to concussions, Crosby returned to the top of his game to win the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer and was awarded his second Hart Trophy as league MVP. A Return to the Mountain Top Just when it seemed like the Penguins may never win another Stanley Cup during this Crosby era, they come through in 2016 to deliver the franchise its fourth Stanley Cup title. Crosby takes home his first Conn Smythe as playoff MVP. 1,000 Points You have to be very good to score 1,000 points in the NHL, and Crosby is pretty great at the whole hockey thing. He reached the milestone in 2017 with an assist to Chris Kunitz against the Winnipeg Jets. Returning to Heinz Field with a Goal A little over six years since that fateful night at Heinz Field that resulted in a career altering concussion, Sidney Crosby returned and erased that memory with a better one. Another “Rocket” Richard The run of success Crosby enjoyed beginning in 2016 was filled with both individual and team awards. As the Pens defended their Stanley Cup title, Crosby led the league in goals for the second time in his career. Back-to-Back and Another Conn Smythe Winning the Stanley Cup is hard enough, but winning in back-to-back seasons seemed like a thing of past until the Penguins were able to accomplish the feat in 2017. Crosby took home his second-straight Conn Smythe. Making the Hard Look Easy Since scoring off the ice is too easy for Crosby, he ratcheted the difficulty up a few notches and decided to start scoring goals out of mid-air instead. His goal against the Canadiens was just one of many he scored in the latter part of last season. Phew! Recalling all of those accomplishments was quite exhausting. It’s hard to believe Sid is already 31 and about to begin his 14th season in the NHL. Let’s hope we can add a few more highlights to this list next year when the captain is celebrating his 32nd birthday. Happy Birthday, Sid. Here’s to many more great memories in a Penguins uniform.<doc-sep>Throughout his NHL career, Sidney Crosby has been about being the youngest to achieve everything possible. He was once the youngest player ever to score 100 points in a season. Was, at the time of his appointment, the youngest team captain in NHL history and was the 11th youngest to reach 1,000 points in his career. That was the way of Sid the Kid. As he turns 31, he’s not a kid anymore. He’s a grizzled veteran of 13 NHL seasons, who suffered career-threatening concussions and an assortment of other bumps and bruises as the game has given him almost as much as he has given back. Crosby didn’t have to be good when he came into the NHL in 2005. He had to be great. He started his career at a time the league was coming off a year-long lockout NHL owners needed to restructure spending and finance as multiple franchises edged to the brink of folding. The beginning of Sid the Kid was a period when the NHL’s golden scoring age had closed. Star power was in a vacuum as Wayne Gretzky had long since retired, Mark Messier played his last season just before the lockout, Mario Lemieux’s skills had diminished to the point he lasted only 26 games into Crosby’s rookie year and Steve Yzerman retired following Crosby’s rookie year (2005-06). And Crosby was great. He instantly became the star to which the NHL hitched its wagon and Crosby drove the Penguins to Stanley Cup glory in only four years. Those days are waning but they are not gone. Crosby has been remarkably consistent the last four years and even played every game last season for the first time in his career. He’s two years removed from winning the Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy as the NHL’s goal-scoring leader and remains the NHL’s active leader averaging 1.29 points per game. Though Crosby is not done by any stretch, turning 31 is often the fulcrum where the great players’ peak begins to shift from wax to wane. At that age, Gretzky scored 121 points, but only broke the century mark twice more in his career. Lemieux put up the last of his 100-point seasons then retired for the first time because of back ailments. The ageless Jaromir Jagr notched 74 points as a 31-year-old with the Capitals and Rangers and only beat that total twice more in the 13 years since. Messier had the last of his 100-point campaigns at 31, while Yzerman had 85 and never broke 80 again, Only Gordie Howe truly excelled after 31 as the game itself leaned toward a more dynamic offensive product. In the 20 years that followed, Howe put up at least the 73 points he scored with Detroit 11 times, including an incredible 102 at 47 with the Houston Aeros of the WHA. Howe, though, is the exception but Crosby is still widely considered to be one of the two best players in the world beside Edmonton’s Connor McDavid. If there is anyone who will be surprised if Crosby, like Howe, plays until he’s 50? He’s got the drive, the will and is in better physical shape than most who came before. Because of his drive, there could be a time when people say ‘Crosby is the oldest NHL player ever to…’. It is difficult to bet against him. Until then, Crosby will continue to add to his totals and move steadily up the NHL’s all-time lists – and potentially put another Stanley Cup ring or two (or three?!) on his fingers, before his photo hangs in a renovated bank vault in downtown Toronto where the aged remain ageless in the Hockey Hall of Fame.<doc-sep>If you need a fix of Sidney Crosby playing hockey, check out this video of his recent summer training in Nova Scotia. You can get glimpses of his buddy Nathan MacKinnon training as well. Sid’s goal at the 1:46 mark is a beaut. You know it’s August when every detail is fun to watch. The drill around the 2:50 minute mark in traffic to control the puck, keep possession, and get a shot on net is good. Just watching the cross-unders and him wind up speed through the neutral zone is a thing of beauty at this point. The Captain looks fast, strong, and fit out there. We really need it to be fall already. *** It’s been a long time since we’ve had a personal, heated, and hated rivalry boil over in hockey. Maybe the Detroit-Colorado days? Perhaps Pittsburgh-Philly from 2012 era, or Penguins-Islanders from 2010-11. However, none of that was as personal and pointed as the beef going on right now between Ryan Kesler and Ryan Johansen. There’s been no love lost between these two on the ice, and randomly now they’re chirping at it each other publicly on Twitter, which you almost never see from players in pro hockey. @RyanJohansen19 How’s summer training going? Want to meet me in the streets before we get going on the ice? — Ryan Kesler (@Ryan_Kesler) August 5, 2018 I'll pay for your parking — Ryan Johansen (@RyanJohansen19) August 6, 2018 The first Ducks vs. Predators game of the season is Monday, November 12. There might be some fireworks in that one. *** In an ever-expanding social media world is there a line of decency or expectation of privacy? I don’t know, and it can be odd, but the pictures are out there, so congrats to Brian Dumoulin on his wedding this weekend. It’s pretty cool to see some old faces like Chris Kunitz, Ian Cole, and Scott Wilson pop up here. Conor Sheary too, but he hasn’t been gone long enough to miss yet. Also, there were current teammates like Crosby and chug brother Justin Schultz. I was somewhat surprised Sid took the weekend off from training to attend. (Kidding...kinda). It feels a little TMZ-ish to post, but it’s the offseason, and pictures were posed and posted for the world to see. Congrats to Dumo and his new wife; it looked like a nice party!<doc-sep>

8/7, 8/7, 8/7... That can only mean one thing: One of the best reasons to watch Sidney Crosby play hockey is that you never know when you might see something that you’ve never quite seen before. You know, like this: Or this: #Skillz A post shared by Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) on Nov 9, 2015 at 12:49pm PST Or this: Sidney Crosby is a Magician! He just scored a goal off of Henrik Lundqvist' head and HE MEANT TO DO IT... #ImDone pic.twitter.com/pdanxBkZ2f — Bar South N Celly™ (@BarSouthNCelly) April 1, 2017 A casual between-the-legs backhand pass on the power play: It might do down as a secondary assist, but this Sidney Crosby pass is everything #Penguins pic.twitter.com/ZZN7UlJN6Q — Sporting News Canada (@sportingnewsca) November 5, 2017 Okay, so maybe his between-the-legs passes aren’t that unique: He’s also demonstrated some hockey I.Q. by not touching the puck first (would have stopped play for a hand pass), but then as soon as the dopey Ranger makes an ill-advised play on it, Crosby’s there to instantly deposit it intoto the back of the net from behind the net about one second later: That Crosby guy is pretty good at hockey, eh? pic.twitter.com/drLRT3YHKX — Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 18, 2017 One more for the road: Finesse at its finest. pic.twitter.com/QH0biTqosy — Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 7, 2017 You can do everything right defensively to take away the pass lane, but you can’t really take it away from Crosby: Sidney Crosby passed it through Alzner's legs to set up a goal pic.twitter.com/ymS1zxddmE — Hockey Highlights (@BestHockeyClips) January 17, 2017 I think my favorite example from last season was this goal against the Devils. Crosby beats the goalie with a shot that hits the post and ricochets back to him, so he simply swats it out of mid-air and beats the goalie again; this time, he scores. Usually Crosby’s happy to score, but in this celebration you can see he actually impressed himself. Crosby is here for opening day in OT. ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/hy4PUGJn00 — NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) March 30, 2018 The only limitations of remembering and celebrating great Penguins moments with Crosby are pretty much just your own memory. Whether it’s edge-work on his skates, incredible passing plays, finding pucks from awkward positions (like falling or from his butt and still playing them), scoring from bad angles, scoring from mid-air, etc. Crosby’s probably the most clever and uniquely skilled player that there ever was when it comes to coordinated plays and making the most out of unusual positions. Here’s a really interesting article exerpt about Crosby off the ice and his “brand” (if you will) from Sportsnet: Crosby is the most sought after name in hockey, and other brands have lined up to work with him. But after more than a dozen years in the spotlight, the public still knows very little about his identity beyond the rink. We know he’s obsessed with the game. We know he’s polite off the ice and capable of flashing a mean streak on it. We know he’s deeply connected to Cole Harbour, N.S. — his hometown — and to his family. We know he enjoys fishing, studies World War II history, is a Blue Jays fan, and that he’s relatively frugal with his fortune. While other sports superstars lead outsized, lavish lives, Crosby seems content to stay out of the glare of modern celebrity. He shares little of his political beliefs or his stance on social issues. There are no Instagram posts of flashy cars or swanky holidays, and no leaked photos from wild weekends. Any romantic links remain in the vault. Crosby is the anti-celebrity, the superstar we’ll never know the way we seem to know most other superstars. And that hasn’t lessened his popularity one bit: Twelve seasons into his NHL career, Crosby’s sweater is still the league’s best-seller, and his $4.5 million in annual sponsorship revenue, as reported by Forbes, outstrips any other player in the game. Last year, when Sid turned 30, it was a sudden realization that, even though you kinda knew he was closer to the end than the beginning of his career, seeing the number three at the start of his age drove it home. Now, at 31-years-old, he’s still under contract for the next seven seasons. Given the way he was working out and looking in the video posted yesterday, it doesn’t look like Crosby is slowing down or that is never-ending love of the sport has dwindled a bit.

Dream team Mindy Kaling and Priyanka Chopra are officially making a movie together—and it's safe to say that fans are already getting hyped for it. Deadline announced that the as-yet-untitled comedy will take place in both America and India and "revolves around a big wedding in India and the ensuing culture clashes." And the two aren't only doing the behind-the-scenes producing, either—they're reportedly both starring in it as well. As Deadline reported on Friday morning, it was being called "Crazy Rich Asians meets My Big Fat Greek Wedding" as rights to it were being auctioned off. (Apparently more than a few big studios were trying to get in on it: Legendary, Sony, Netflix and Amazon Studios were all contenders, with Universal coming out the victor in the bid.) Even more excitingly, Kaling and Dan Goor (co-creator of Brooklyn Nine-Nine) will be writing the script—and Kaling might even direct. Both Kaling and Chopra expressed their excitement about working together on their social media channels. "PROUD," Chopra captioned a photo of the herself, Kaling, and Goor on Instagram. "My dream team is making a movie. Can’t wait for this one!🙌🏾💃🏾🌟🕺🏾💜🎬 @priyankachopra #DanGoor @universalpictures," Kaling wrote. The actresses shared the good news on Twitter as well, where Chopra added, "Two women with a passion for telling good stories, just got the green light to THEIR story THEIR way. So proud of this incredible partnership with @mindykaling and @djgoor! We are about to show you what it means to be modern, global, and Indian. See you at the cinema!" Fans were obviously excited to hear that Chopra and Kaling are pairing up—not only is it important for representation, but as Chopra mentioned, it's a project that they get to do their way. Lilly Singh, who will soon be the first South Asian woman to host a network late night show, simply wrote "DAMNNNNN ❤️❤️❤️." Another fan tweeted, "I’m so grateful that you have single handedly brought so many Desi people to our screens in the last ten years or so! Even though I don’t know you, it makes me so happy to see your success, I feel like a didi💕."<doc-sep>View this post on Instagram #PROUD @mindykaling @DanGoor A post shared by Priyanka Chopra Jonas (@priyankachopra) on Apr 12, 2019 at 8:43pm PDT If there is one Bollywood star who has successfully managed to make a career in Hollywood it is Priyanka Chopra. She started her journey in America with music videos like Exotic and In My City. Later, she went on to bag the lead in the TV show Quantico. She was last seen in the Hollywood film Isn’t it Romantic which has received positive reviews across the world. The global superstar will now be seen alongside Mindy Kaling in a wedding comedy.Priyanka Chopra took to social media to confirm the same as she shared a picture with Mindy and Dan Goor, the executive producer of the project. Check out the picture below.Rumour has it that it is expected to be a mix between Crazy Rich Asians and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Mindy will be involved in the writing of the screenplay and will also share screen space with Priyanka in the film. The project will be co-produced by Mindy Kaling under her company Kaling International and by PeeCee under Purple Pebble Pictures along with Dan Goor.<doc-sep>This is the latest big development for Kaling, who is having a winning 2019: along with exploring motherhood with her absolutely adorable daughter Katherine , Kaling has several projects in the works. She’s developing a coming-of-age comedy series for Netflix centering on a cast of Desi women and recently posted an open casting call for several roles on the show, which begins shooting in Los Angeles this summer. In January, Amazon Studios bought the distribution rights to Kaling’s comedy Late Night for $13 million after its premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival , and the film is set to be released in June.<doc-sep>#PROUD @mindykaling @djgoor https://t.co/aXbTqQmIKh — PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) 1555130848000 After several days of speculations revolving around Priyanka Chopra and Mindy Kaling collaborating for a film, it has finally been confirmed that the two versatile actresses will be teaming up for a film based around a big fat Indian wedding.As per reports, Universal Pictures will be developing the film after winning an auction for a pitch. Kaling, who will write the screenplay with Dan Goor , is attached to star alongside Priyanka and will potentially direct the film. Kaling will produce under her Kaling International, Priyanka for Purple Pebble Pictures, Howard Klein for 3 Arts, alongside Goor.While details of the film are yet to be revealed, it is rumoured that the film would be like 'Crazy Rich Asians' meets 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'. PeeCee even took to Twitter to write, "Two women with a passion for telling good stories, just got the green light to THEIR story THEIR way. So proud of this incredible partnership with @mindykaling and @djgoor! We are about to show you what it means to be modern, global, and Indian. See you at the cinema! "Not only that but she even shared a picture with Kaling and Goor and captioned it as "#PROUD @mindykaling @djgoor. "Meanwhile, PeeCee will soon be seen in Shonali Bose 's 'The Sky Is Pink' which also stars Farhan Akhtar and Zaira Wasim in significant roles. The film which is based on motivational speaker Aisha Chaudhary is slated to release on 11 October 2019.<doc-sep>

Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Mindy Kaling announced their major Hollywood project for Universal Pictures today. The Quantico star took to Instagram to share a photo with Mindy and producer Dan Goor to announce their next which will be a romantic comedy. Read on. If there is one Bollywood actor who has managed to successfully hit the right mark in Hollywood as well, it is none other than our Desi Girl Jonas. After trying to venture into Hollywood with music videos like ‘In My City’ and ‘Exotic’, Priyanka managed to make a mark in Hollywood with her TV show, Quantico. With her recent hit Isn’t it Romantic, Priyanka is on a roll and following the success streak, PeeCee announced her next big project with none other than Mindy Kaling. The Quantico star will be seen alongside Mindy Kaling in wedding comedy. The two announced the same together on Instagram as well. Priyanka and Mindy will be coming together for a wedding comedy for Universal Pictures. After the production giant won an auction for a pitch by Priyanka, Mindy and Dan Goor’s project, they are now working on the wedding comedy together. Dan Goor is an executive producer, while Mindy Kaling is known for her role in Ocean’s Eight and has also produced The Mindy Project. Talking about the concept of the wedding comedy, Priyanka and Mindy will be seen together in the film which is being touted as a mix between Crazy Rich Asians and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Mindy will be engaged in writing the screenplay of the film and will star with Priyanka Chopra in the wedding comedy. Also, the film will be co-produced by Mindy Kaling under her company Kaling International and by PeeCee under Purple Pebble Pictures along with Dan Goor. Priyanka also shared a photo with Mindy Kalin and producer Dan Goor on Instagram. Check out the photo: Meanwhile, Priyanka will be seen in a Bollywood film, The Sky is Pink which also stars Farhan Akhtar and Zaira Wasim. Helmed by Shonali Bose, the film is about motivational speaker Aisha Chaudhary who was suffering from pulmonary fibrosis. The Sky is Pink shoot wrapped up last month after the crew came back from Andaman and Nicobar islands. It is slated to release on October 11, 2019. Read More

The expected tenor of the book is underscored by its unsettling cover, an extreme close-up of a squinty-eyed Trump depicted through a gauzy red filter. The hush-hush project derives its title from an offhand remark that then-candidate Trump made in an interview with Woodward and Post political reporter Robert Costa in April 2016. Costa asked Trump whether he agreed with a statement by then-President Barack Obama, who had said in an Atlantic magazine interview that “real power means you can get what you want without having to exert violence.”<doc-sep>The anti-saving money theme emerged when committee Democrats acted to support President Joe Biden's January Executive Order directing "federal agencies to procure carbon pollution-free electricity and clean, zero-emission vehicles." That directive is being ignored by the Postal Service, a federally owned corporation funded entirely by the revenue it brings for delivering letters and packages. Maloney called this one of the 'common sense, simple provisions that should have bipartisan support.' Electricity will power less than 10% of the planned fleet of mail delivery vehicles and perhaps none. Democrats denounced Postal Service plans to buy 231,000 "outdated, dangerous, and gas-guzzling" vehicles instead of powering them with electricity as part of Biden's climate change agenda. Democrats also moved to require the Postal Service to help voters track ballots from the time they are mailed to when they are received by local elections officials. This is a service postal customers can already get for many kinds of packages and letters. Adding tracking makes sense. Consider all the baseless claims by Republicans about mail-in voting being riddled with fraud and their efforts to discourage mail-in voting for this reason. The committee initially had a bipartisan agreement to pass the Postal Service Reform Act. But when amendments were introduced to update the postal fleet to electric vehicles and to secure the elections ahead of 2022, the House quickly became divided, with Republicans "strongly objecting" on both issues. A Dumpster Fire Postal carriers became front-line essential workers during the pandemic. Tens of thousands of exposed workers needed to quarantine, disrupting some mail delivery. But the risk of getting Covid is not the only way postal workers put their lives on the line daily. Aging post office delivery trucks keep catching on fire, a July 2020 report from Vice showed. From May 2014 to July 2020, a mail truck caught fire on average every five days. But postal workers kept getting into the vehicles which on average are 25 years old. Of the 407 vehicles which caught fire in those six years, 125 were so thoroughly destroyed that investigators were unable to identify why the fires occurred. In 26 incidents, letter carriers went into the burning trucks to save as much mail as they could. It's clearly evident the Postal Service desperately needs and deserves a significant overhaul of its fleet. But that may be years off despite a $6 billion contract awarded to a Wisconsin defense contractor with a troubled history of cost overruns, poorly performing vehicles, weak finances and preferential treatment in the government procurement process. When Trump-backed Postmaster General Louis DeJoy unveiled his plans in late February to purchase a fleet of mail delivery vans, Congress questioned why he disregarded the Biden administration's directive to move to electric vehicles. Lawmakers have called for an SEC investigation into a $54 million stock purchase made a day before DeJoy announced that he had awarded Oshkosh Corp. the contract worth up to $6 billion. Questioned during a March Congressional hearing, DeJoy let slip that at least 90% of trucks would be gasoline-powered. However, it's doubtful that any of the vehicles would be electric vehicles. DeJoy's pick, the combat vehicle maker Oshkosh Defense, in its 2020 annual report, stated that they were not even capable of producing electric vehicles. "We may not have the expertise or resources to successfully address these pressures" to build EVs "on a cost-effective basis or at all," the company disclosed. My colleague Jillian S. Ambroz reported in early March on DeJoy's ridiculous assertion that mail delivery trucks built with gasoline engines could eventually be retrofitted to run on battery power. Ambroz later reported on Oshkosh Defense, for now the winner of the Postal Service fleet contract, having troubles building military vehicles as promised and on budget. Where Were Ford and GM? One of the mysteries of the Postal Service fleet contract is why neither Ford nor General Motors bid for the work. Both companies make trucks. Both also say they are racing to make only non-fossil fuel vehicles, and just this month Ford unveiled an electric version of its F-150 truck, the nation's No. 1 selling automobile. When pressed why he was committing to a fleet using fossil fuels, DeJoy cited the Postal Service's inability to afford the upgrade to electric vehicles. However, Democrats argue that purchasing a gas-guzzling fleet would not only be irresponsible to the planet but saves money over the life of the fleet. The average letter carrier truck is driven 17 miles per day, easily within the range of even modest-sized battery packs. EVs don't require costly engine maintenance, oil changes and the like, making them cost-efficient. That would mean fewer jobs or hiring truck mechanics. Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) introduced an amendment to the postal bill to provide the $8 billion in upfront money that DeJoy had said is needed to acquire a fleet of electric vehicles and make other improvements. Lynch's bill made the funding contingent on at least 75% of the new mail delivery trucks being electric or other zero-emission vehicles. Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), the ranking member, opposed the amendment. Comer said he opposed political people trying "to further mandate Green New Deal type policies on these federal agencies." McConnell's Obstruction The GOP opposition seems to be motivated more by Mitch McConnell's vow to oppose Biden's agenda 100% than with life cycle costs and efficiency in government. Republicans also claimed that the $8 billion dollar investment was a fiscal issue, but the math doesn't back up the arguments. Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) said that while initial costs for EV trucks are greater, tremendous savings in maintenance and gas costs more than offset the initial expense. "We were spending $2 billion dollars a year on maintenance of these vehicles," she said. "We're spending $500 million dollars a year on gas for these gas-guzzling vehicles. This is stupid not to support this amendment." Newly elected Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) argued against upsetting the gasoline-fueled status quo for mail trucks. "We've got a money problem folks," he said, arguing that Congress shouldn't spend $8 billion in an attempt to "use the Post Office as a vehicle for the ecological social change that some in this chamber actually want to see happen." In other words, Donalds cares more about defeating Biden's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions than operating the government efficiently. Over Republican objections the Lynch amendment to provide the Postal Service with the funding they need for electric vehicles ultimately passed. Republicans didn't accept the initial vote, pushing instead for a recorded vote. The ultimate vote count was 24 ayes vs 15 nays in a straight party-line vote. It should be noted that Trump sycophant Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) did not seem to be present and did not vote. And despite his protests, Donalds did not even participate in the vote. The funding was passed with a stipulation that 75% of the vehicles be electric, casting doubt on the ability of Oshkosh Defense to deliver. Confidence in Mail-In Voting Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.), the committee head, sponsored a bar code amendment. It would require that mail-in ballots use Postal Service bar codes to ensure voters can track their ballots and give local election officials the ability to track ballots once they're in the custody of the Postal Service. Maloney said, "After the November 2020 election, in which a record number of mail-in ballots were cast, it has never been more important to ensure that election officials have the ability to track ballots once they are in the custody of the postal service," she continued. "This common-sense requirement would enable boards of election to confirm when a ballot was sent and give voters confidence that their votes have been counted." This, Maloney said, is one of the "common sense, simple provisions that should have bipartisan support." Maloney is right, especially since Republicans from Donald Trump on down have claimed massive fraud in mail-in balloting despite not being able to produce any evidence. However, Comer, the ranking Republican, argued against tracking of ballots.<doc-sep>Bob Woodward, the indefatigable Washington Post journalist who has chronicled several presidential administrations in best-selling books, has his latest subject: Donald J. Trump. Simon & Schuster plans to publish “Fear: Trump in the White House,” on Sept 11. The book reveals “the harrowing life inside Donald Trump’s White House and how the president makes decisions on major foreign and domestic policies,” the publishing house said in a statement, adding that the book draws from “hundreds of hours of interviews with firsthand sources, contemporaneous meeting notes, files, documents and personal diaries.” Jonathan Karp, the president and publisher of Simon & Schuster, called the book, Mr. Woodward’s 19th, “the most acute and penetrating portrait of a sitting president ever published during the first years of an administration.” Image Mr. Woodward’s book about President Trump is set to be released on Sept. 11. The book’s title can be traced back to a remark Mr. Trump made in an interview with Mr. Woodward and another reporter in 2016 when Mr. Trump was running for office, The Washington Post reported.<doc-sep>

(CNN) — Donald Trump is about to get the Bob Woodward treatment. The Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and author will release “Fear” – his first book on the Trump administration – on September 11, 2018, just weeks before the midterm elections that could deliver a strong verdict on the President’s first two years in office. According to sources with knowledge of the book, “Fear” is based on hundreds of hours of taped interviews with first-hand sources and provides an in-depth, probing account of Trump’s thoughts and decisions on everything from national security to the Russia investigation to the 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. In addition to interviewing dozens of administration officials, the source said, Woodward was given memos, documents, diaries and notes, including some handwritten by the President. “Fear is the most intimate portrait of a sitting president ever published during a president’s first years in office,” one source said, adding that the book will take readers behind the scenes of the Trump White House with extensive in-the-room accounts of meetings with the President. “It will give readers a front row seat to Trump and his time in the White House,” said the source. “You are in the Oval office, the Situation Room, Air Force One and the White House residence. You are face to face with Trump and the book documents detailed conversations, meetings, policy debates and critical decisions.” The cover of the 448-page book features a photo of stern Trump in a red hue with “Fear” in white block letters. Woodward, famed for his coverage of the Watergate scandal that led to President Richard Nixon’s resignation, has written or co-authored 18 books including penetrating looks at George W. Bush and Barack Obama’s presidencies. These books, including “Obama’s Wars” about the President’s handling of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and “State of Denial: Bush at War” about the waning years of Bush’s administration, have been controversial, partly because they have relied on confidential information, but are deeply reported and have broken new ground on otherwise private meetings. The source said that all the interviews for this book were recorded with the permission of the respective sources. Trump did not sit down for an interview with Woodward, the source said, but his last interview with the author in 2016 inspired the title. “Real power is, I don’t even want to use the word, fear,” Trump told Woodward and Robert Costa, national political reporter at the Washington Post. Considering Trump’s past responses to in-depth coverage of his presidency, the President is almost certain to react aggressively to Woodward’s book. When Michael Wolff published “Fire and Fury” earlier this year, Trump personally attacked the author for the dishy tome, calling Wolff “a mentally deranged author” and labeling the tell-all “fake.” “Michael Wolff is a total loser who made up stories in order to sell this really boring and untruthful book,” Trump tweeted. “He used Sloppy Steve Bannon, who cried when he got fired and begged for his job. Now Sloppy Steve has been dumped like a dog by almost everyone. Too bad!” But Wolff, who is known for taking some creative liberty, is far different than Woodward, who is known as a meticulous note-taker and fact-checker. One source with knowledge of the book said Woodward – who spent the last eight months reporting and writing “Fear” – primarily used first-hand sources for the book, relying on people who were in the room with the President when the decisions were made.

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. UPDATE ONE: Fans believe that Respawn Entertainment may have already dropped hints regarding the new Legends characters coming to Apex Legends next month. A new post on Reddit looks to offer a theory on what could be coming next to the free-to-play Battle Royale game on PS4, Xbox One and PC. Having zoomed in on a recent trailer that shows two silhouettes, and done some other digging, it appears that more unused Titanfall 2 concepts could be added to the game in the future. The Reddit theory explains: "What you're looking at is a robot-pilot looking silhouette on the left and a human with jet-pack or tech-based stuff on their back, if you've followed this subreddit daily then you might know Bloodhound was in the Titanfall artbook and then was re-used for the Apex Legends game years later. "Our character in the left is a Simulacrum red-hooded pilot from the concept art that was never used, and our character on the right is Talchum, the Korean legend found hidden in Pathfinder's official art. "Judging by Titanfall 2 classes being re-used for this game, we might be getting a stim based legend and a double jump/jet pack." ORIGINAL: Apex Legends is getting new Legends in the future, and they may be released with some other more surprising content.<doc-sep>New Apex Legends update is out now 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 Apex Legends fans on Xbox One may have just noticed a new update going live. The new patch launched earlier today on the Microsoft platform without any detailed in-game patch notes. Respawn Entertainment chose instead to post a short description on what they had added to the game via their social media feed. And from the sounds of it, there won’t be the need for a big patch notes announcement later tonight. According to the post on Twitter, Apex Coins have been fixed in the new update, and that’s about it. “Hey Legends. We just pushed out a small patch on Xbox only to fix the purchasing of Apex Coins,” the Respawn message reads.<doc-sep>Apex Legends: THRILLING trailer for new game release 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. Apex Legends gamers on PS4, Xbox One and PCs have been given early patch notes ahead of a big update launching this week. Apex Legends fans have been given a few hints about what’s set to come in the next patch for the hottest new Battle Royale game around. The next Apex Legends patch looks set to bring with it stability, performance and quality of life improvements. The new Apex Legends update, which is set to launch this week, could also take steps towards addressing the crash issues which have affected the game. News of the upcoming Apex Legends patch was revealed in a post online by community manager Jay Frechette. It was also revealed that a live stream is being prepared to give fans a rundown on what they can expect from Apex Legends season 1. The first ever Apex Legends Battle Pass is set to launch in March. Apex Legends early patch notes - Major download coming THIS week APEX LEGENDS - EARLY PATCH NOTES THE CRASHES We know this has been frustrating for many of you across all platforms. We hear you and we take this issue seriously. Improving stability, performance, and quality of life is a big priority for us and we have a lot of work to do. We pushed our first patch out earlier this week and we’ve got many more coming [including one next week!]. We’ll always provide patch notes when these come out. No I can’t tell you what’s in it yet. READ MORE: Apex Legends PS4 crossplay BOOST - Sony gives big cross-platform update to PlayStation fans Titanfall 2 single player gameplay trailer WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I REPORT SOMETHING? We’re always listening and looking for reported issues. As you can imagine, when you drop your game out of nowhere and 25 million people show up in the first week, there’s going to be all kinds of issues, bugs, exploits, etc. discovered. Our customer service team provides daily reports and many folks on the dev team are finding and emailing links of reported issues across social channels and reddit. We’ve also got some rad tools that capture all kinds of data from the game, measure sentiment, and provide insight into what the most talked about things are around Apex Legends. When issues are reported they are curated by our wonderful QA team who attempts to reproduce the issue based on the info they have. If they are able to reproduce it, a ticket is created and they are added to the rest of the known issues, prioritised, scheduled, and assigned to the proper devs to address it. How do we prioritise? We use data to inform us of how many people are being affected, how damaging the exploit could be, how much resources it would take to fix it, etc. Apex Legends early patch notes - Major patch coming to PS4, Xbox One and PCs HELP US HELP YOU If we can’t reproduce the issue locally, it’s pretty impossible to fix it. That’s why it’s super important that when you report an issue you’re experiencing, you provide as much information as possible. If you just post: “My game keeps crashing. Fix it.”, there’s not a lot we can do to help you, and we really want to help you! So, help us help you. Best place to report bugs is using the link below and following some steps: https://answers.ea.com/t5/Bug-Reports/bd-p/apex-legends-bug-reports-en What platform are you playing on? Origin ID / Gamertag / PSN What were you doing leading up to the issue? Can you reproduce it? What are the steps? PC players - provide hardware specs, OS version and GPU driver version. If possible, it’s great if you can capture a screenshot / picture or video. Pay attention for dev updates. Apex Legends early patch notes - Live stream coming detailing season 1 Battle Pass CHEATERS As of today over 16,000 cheaters have been identified and banned from the game. Cheaters suck. If you run into one, please try and capture the evidence and let us know here: https://www.easy.ac/en-us/support/apexlegends/contact/report/ Even if you don’t get proof, get their ID and flag it and we can investigate the account. We have heard your feedback about a report feature in the game. I’ll just say that’s a very good idea. Apex Legends is out now on PS4, Xbox One and PCs<doc-sep>

Respawn Entertainment has released a small update for Apex Legends, its extremely popular battle royale title. The patch, which was fully detailed on Reddit, is available now for PS4, Xbox One, and PC. Generally, it is focused on reducing crashes and addressing gameplay bugs. [Update: While this patch may not have any new content in it, it's been followed very soon by the addition of a new gun. Havoc is now live in-game and features some wrinkles we haven't seen from one of the game's weapons before.] Players on Sony's console should have a more stable experience, as Respawn has addressed an issue with GPU hangs and also resolved crashes that happened when a button was pressed in the loading process. An issue where players would occasionally move slower after a revive has also been resolved, as has one that caused crashes because of Mirage's special ability. Finally, on Xbox One, crashes related to Gibraltar's Epic skin have been addressed. Take a look at the full patch notes below. Apex Legends February 19 Patch Notes Fixes for PS4 crash issues. Addresses issues we saw with GPU hangs. Fixed crash when pressing button early in load process. Fixed issue where players would sometimes move slowly after revive. Fixed issue with Mirage Ability causing crashes. Fixed issue with Gibraltar Epic skins on Xbox One causing crashes Apex Legends launched on February 4, somewhat unexpectedly. The game has taken the world by storm and hit 25 million players in its first week of availability and, at one point, reached "well over" 2 million peak concurrent players. Of course, Fortnite is still very much the genre leader, with 200 million players and a peak concurrent record of 8.3 million players, but it's been a very strong start for Apex Legends in a highly competitive genre. In GameSpot's Apex Legends review, critic Phil Hornshaw awarded the game 9/10. "Apex Legends is a mix of smart shooter ideas that makes for a competitive, team-based game that gets at all the best parts of battle royale while addressing a lot of the weaknesses," he said. "Respawn's intense focus on team play makes Apex more than just a worthy addition to the genre; it's an indicator of where battle royale should go in the future." If you've been playing the game and need a little help improving, make sure to check out our Apex Legends character guides. Each of the playable Legends requires some getting used to, and you'll have to consider their strengths and weaknesses in battle if you want to be the champion. Our character breakdowns will help you do that. We're still working our way through the roster, so we'll have guides for the remaining heroes soon.

The Kansas City Chiefs have revealed their first injury report of the regular season, and thankfully there's nothing notable listed outside of the heel injury to safety Eric Berry, which kept him out of practice Wednesday. Berry, who has been sidelined with the injury since the preseason, remains day to day, although Chiefs Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance Rick Burkholder told reporters Wednesday he has been making progress towards a return. "I know there’s been a lot of questions about Eric Berry," Burkholder said, per Chiefs.com. "I know coach [Reid] has said that it’s “day to day,” and it is literally day-to-day. He won’t practice [Wednesday] but he’s spent a lot of time with us. He’s improving and getting better every day, and so we’ll continue with that process.” Other than Berry, whose availability for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers is still uncertain, there were four players listed on Wednesday's injury report, although all of them were full participants in practice. Among those mentioned were defensive end Allen Bailey and linebacker Reggie Ragland, who both missed time in the preseason due to the injuries listed but seem to be in no danger of missing time this week. Here's a look at the full report: * S Eric Berry (did not play, heel) * DE Allen Bailey (full participation, knee) * DT Justin Hamilton (full participation, ankle) * WR Marcus Kemp (full participation, ankle) * LB Reggie Ragland (full participation, knee) Don't miss a single snap of the Chiefs season opener! Here's how to catch the game Burkholder also commented Wednesday on the statuses of safety Daniel Sorensen and wide receiver Byron Pringle, both of whom are on injured reserve. Sorensen, Burkholder said, is recovering according to plan from the knee surgery he had in the preseason. “It was four weeks ago today that he had the surgery,’ Burkholder said, per Chiefs.com. “He’s been with us constantly doing pool work. Every day he’s in here—going to meetings and all of that. We won’t know anything for two more weeks before we study that. But he’s where he’s supposed to be right now. He’s working hard, so in a couple of weeks we’ll give you an update on him." While Sorensen remains a candidate to return off injured reserve later this season, Pringle will be sidelined for the entire year. Burkholder revealed that upon examination doctors found something bigger than the hamstring injury Pringle sustained in the preseason finale against Green Bay, and as a result he's got a long recovery in front of him. “On Byron Pringle, who got hurt in the Green Bay game, he did pull his left hamstring, but when we did the MRI, we found that he had a left inguinal hernia, and that hernia needed immediate attention," Burkholder said, per Chiefs.com. "So, he had surgery [Tuesday] at the University of Kansas Medical Center by Dr. John Alley, so he’s got an extended recovery ahead of him for a hernia. And then in the meantime, the hamstring will also get attention, but the hamstring will heal up quicker than a hernia will, so he’s going to miss some time."<doc-sep>The Kansas City Chiefs have released their official injury report headed into their game Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. As expected, Chiefs starting safety Eric Berry will in all likelihood be held out of the game. The Chiefs’ younger safeties like Eric Murray and Armani Watts, as well as veteran returnee Ron Parker will be asked to step up in Berry’s place. “He’s OK,” Reid said of Parker when asked if he is ready to go. “He got enough practice time during training camp for [Atlanta] that he’s in good shape. He’ll be fine and he knows what we’re doing, so that’s not a problem.” Chargers<doc-sep>Eric Berry is doubttful for the Chiefs and Joey Bosa is out for the Chargers which means both teams will be making defensive shifts on Sunday. After not practicing at all this week, Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry has officially been listed as ‘doubtful’ on the team’s final injury report. This doesn’t exactly rule him out for the game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, but it remains highly unlikely that the star safety will play. Berry hasn’t practiced since August 11, which makes it extremely rare that a player would suit up for a game without at least a single practice or two. As for the rest of the Chiefs who showed up on the injury report, they were all full participants in practice and are expected to play. Without Berry, it appears the Chiefs will plan to use Ron Parker and Eric Murray as their safeties against the Chargers. While this isn’t necessarily an ideal situation, the hope is that they should hold up against Philip Rivers and the Chargers impressive offense. The hope for Berry now is that he’ll be available for Week 2 when the Chiefs play the Steelers. The Chargers received some bad news as well on Friday with word that their star defensive end Joey Bosa was listed out on the club’s final injury report. Without Bosa, fellow pass rusher Melvin Ingram will receive more focus from Bob Sutton in the Chiefs game plan. NFL Network pundit Ian Rapoport tweeted this afternoon that while Bosa’s original foot injury had healed, he suffered an injury to the same foot that was the reason for him being listed as out against the Chiefs. Bosa’s original injury healed. But he suffered a new injury to the same foot on Wednesday and is week to week moving forward https://t.co/ESrsps9lpf — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 7, 2018 This is not good news for the Chargers’ season with Bosa being listed week to week. This likely means that the Chargers will be without Bosa beyond Week 1. Aside from Bosa, defensive tackle Justin Jones was a full participant for today’s practice once more, warranting little cause for concern.<doc-sep>Bob Levey/Getty Images A foot injury has put Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa' status for Sunday's season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs in jeopardy, according to The Athletic's Lindsay Jones. "He'll be ready when he's ready," Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said on Thursday, according to Jones. "There's a possibility he won't be with us [vs Chiefs]." Bosa is already one of the NFL's most dominant pass-rushers as he enters his third season as a pro. While Bosa found himself on the trainer's table often during his rookie season, he made a major impact after being selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft, earning 10.5 sacks in 12 games. He followed that up with an injury-free season in 2017 that yielded 70 tackles, 12.5 sacks and his first trip to the Pro Bowl. The edge-rusher promises to be a linchpin within L.A.'s defense for many years to come. Bosa is listed as a 3-4 defensive end, but he plays several different positions, including rush linebacker, and there is no one player capable of replacing everything he brings to the table. Video Play Button Videos you might like With regard to down linemen, Isaac Rochell is the likely beneficiary should Bosa miss time, while outside linebackers such as Melvin Ingram, Kyle Emanuel and second-round rookie Uchenna Nwosu will be tasked with taking on a greater pass-rushing responsibility. Los Angeles has plenty of talent defensively, but the team's inability to stay healthy has been the main issue in terms of making progress in recent seasons. Bosa is the latest example of that. However, he still has a bright NFL future and all the makings of a perennial All-Pro.<doc-sep>

With less than 72 hours before the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers are set to battle in the season opener, both teams are faced with the realistic possibility that one of their standout defensive players may not be on the field. For the Chiefs it's safety Eric Berry, who missed practice Thursday for the second consecutive day with a heel injury, and for the Chargers it's defensive end Joey Bosa, who is fighting a foot injury he's been dealing with since the preseason. Chiefs vice president of sports medicine and performance Rick Burkholder told reporters Wednesday Berry was making progress in recovering from the injury, which has been plaguing him since early August. It's still uncertain whether or not Berry can play against the Chargers, however. "We will see if he can practice and then go from there," Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Wednesday, per Chiefs.com. "I want to see what he’s got, if and when he can go. Then I’ll make the decision off what I see there.” If Berry cannot play, chances are the Chiefs will turn to Ron Parker and perhaps Eric Murray at the safety position. “(Berry) hasn’t practiced for a while now," Reid said. "We are very confident in the guys that can step in and go. If he doesn’t practice today, which he’s not, then we go with the next man up. That’s how we go. We’re used to that here, philosophically, we are used to it. If he can go he can go and if he can’t then we expect the next man to do a great job.” Don't miss a single snap of the Chiefs season opener! Here's how to catch the game One player who will be in the lineup for the Chiefs -- and is looking forward to it -- is linebacker Reggie Ragland. Ragland missed a good portion of training camp and preseason games due to knee swelling, but he'll be on the field and at 100 percent Sunday, which will be the first time he's played in an NFL season opener after missing the past two while recovering from a torn ACL. “I’m excited," Ragland said Thursday, per Chiefs.com. "I know everything happens for a reason. God done brought me this far not to let me go, I’m a firm believer in that. So whatever happens, happens, but for the most part he brought me here today and I’m taking it one day at a time. When Sunday comes, I’m going to be very excited, though, to finally have an Opening Day and play. It’s been a long time coming so I’m excited about it.” Bosa's status seems to be as questionable as Berry at the moment after he sat out practice Thursday. Even though he practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday, there's a realistic possibility Bosa may not be on the field Sunday. "It’s a possibility he might not be with us," Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said Thursday. "We’re hopeful, but it’s possible." Here's a look at the full injury reports for each team. Kansas City Chiefs (Wednesday, Thursday) * S Eric Berry (did not participate, heel) * DE Allen Bailey (full participation, knee) * DT Justin Hamilton (full participation, ankle) * WR Marcus Kemp (full participation, ankle) * LB Reggie Ragland (full participation, knee) Los Angeles Chargers (Wednesday) * DE Joey Bosa (foot, limited) * DT Justin Jones (ankle, full) Los Angeles Chargers (Thursday) * DE Joey Bosa (foot, did not participate) * DT Justin Jones (ankle, full)

The centre back collided with team-mate Toby Alderweireld during the first half of the Champions League semi-final against the Dutch outfit. Vertonghen was treated on the pitch for several minutes after sustaining a nose injury. Mauricio Pochettino (centre) and Jan Vertonghen (left) Image credit: PA Sport Champions League Guardiola says leaving players out of final is 'terrible' 6 MINUTES AGO After undergoing a kit change, he was given the all-clear by the Spurs medics before he became unsteady on his feet and he was forced to come off. Spurs maintain that all procedures were correctly followed and they insist Vertonghen was not concussed. A statement on the club’s official website read: “Jan was immediately withdrawn as a result of the player informing medical staff that symptoms were developing suddenly and that he no longer felt stable standing up. We have been advised that this was the result of a presyncopal episode, a near faint. “The specialist has recommended that the player undertakes a brief period of rehabilitation before returning to training.” Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino backed his side’s medical staff in the aftermath of the loss. He said: “First of all, we must protect the player’s integrity [health]. Our medical staff followed the protocol and they decided it was possible to restart the game and possible for Jan to play again. “But, of course, Jan started to feel unwell and we needed to change him. “Of course I was worried. That is normal because for me the most important is the health of the player. If they say to me ‘change’, I am not going to doubt that. In that type of situation, the medical staff are the bosses. Never am I going to question them.” Pochettino will be hoping that Vertonghen will be passed fit for the second leg away to Ajax on Wednesday (8pm). Bundesliga Quick, strong and ready for the Premier League – Expert view on Ibrahima Konate 32 MINUTES AGO<doc-sep>VI-Images/Getty Images Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen suffered a nose injury against Ajax in the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, with the club confirming the player did not have a concussion. Spurs announced on their official website the Belgium international will rehabilitate after almost fainting on the field of play, leading to his substitution in the first leg in London. A statement read: "Following a thorough review over the past 48 hours by our medical staff as well as by an independent neurologist with special interest in sport-related concussion today, it has been concluded that Jan Vertonghen did not suffer a concussion during Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Ajax." "The Belgium defender suffered an injury to his nose due to a challenge during the game which resulted in heavy bleeding. He was deemed fit to continue playing after an on-field assessment. All Football Association concussion guidelines were followed." Per Spurs' official website, Vertonghen had alerted medical staff in the home dugout he was feeling unstable after a collision with defensive partner Toby Alderweireld after 31 minutes. The player initially returned to the field of play after treatment but only lasted a short period before his substitution. TV cameras showed Vertonghen struggling to walk as he was helped off the pitch. Videos you might like The news of a nose injury will bring relief for Spurs as they prepare for the second leg at Ajax. Mauricio Pochettino's men also have vital games in the Premier League approaching, with upcoming matches against Bournemouth and Everton. Spurs are four points clear in the race for a Champions League spot next term, and Vertonghen's availability will be important before the conclusion of the season.<doc-sep>The Spurs defender was injured in Tottenham’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Ajax. Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen has posted a Twitter message in which he informed fans of his condition following his head injury against Ajax on Tuesday night. The Belgium centre-back collided with Spurs teammate Toby Alderweireld and Ajax’s Andre Onana during the Champions League semi-final at the Tottenham Hotspur Arena. Vertonghen was treated for five minutes on the pitch, was initially given the all-clear and attempted to play on but was eventually helped off by medical staff after appearing unwell. Gareth Bale Is BACK...FIVE Months Late On Wednesday afternoon, Tottenham issued a statement on their website in which he was assessed on the day, that “tests today have been clear” and that testing will continue for the next few days. Spurs also said they would be seeking independent advice and that Vertonghen – who reported no ill-effects on Wednesday – is due to see a neurologist, who specialises in elite athletes, on Thursday. Vertonghen’s tweet on Wednesday read: This content could not be loaded Not the way I wanted the game to go last night. Feeling ok today. Thanks to both sets of fans for the positive messages #UCL #COYS pic.twitter.com/I9l4GaBznX — Jan Vertonghen (@JanVertonghen) May 1, 2019 Some Spurs fans replied to his post and expressed their relief and well wishes: This content could not be loaded Good to hear you’re feeling okay now, Jan. Was very worrying at the time. Need you in these next few games. — Noz Ahmed (@NozAhmed) May 1, 2019 This content could not be loaded Swift recovery pal #COYS — Talking THFC (@TalkingTHFC) May 1, 2019 This content could not be loaded Get well soon Jan, we are all behind you. — Daniel. (@Danderweireld) May 1, 2019 This content could not be loaded Great to hear that you’re okay Jan, steady steps and eyes on finishing the job in the 2nd leg — Freddie ⚖️ (@Freddie_LR) May 1, 2019 This content could not be loaded super jan, we love you so so much — georgia (@8winks) May 1, 2019 This content could not be loaded You’ve been an integral part of this team this season and it was heart breaking to see you go off like that. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Jan. #COYS — Lilywhite Spurs (@Lilywhite_Spurs) May 1, 2019 This content could not be loaded The whole thing scared the hell out of me if I’m honest. Glad you’re feeling better but please take all the time you need, the fellas will manage. #COYS — DMD (@BoMatkin) May 1, 2019 This content could not be loaded Just take it steady for a few days. Would imagine that your head & nose is sore a bit today. Best wishes to you. — Tom Salter (@salter_tom) May 1, 2019 Tottenham face Bournemouth away in the Premier League in Saturday’s early kickoff before travelling to the Johan Cruijff ArenA for Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Ajax, who lead Mauricio Pochettino’s side 1-0 from the first leg. In other news, Report: How Tottenham's players actually feel about Pochettino returning, as Spurs enter talks<doc-sep>Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has defended his medical staff for controversially allowing Jan Vertonghen to play on despite suffering a head injury in his side's 1-0 Champions League semifinal first-leg loss to Ajax on Tuesday. - Miller: Spurs beaten but still have hope for second leg against Ajax Pochettino, and later the club, said the defender had passed initial concussion tests administered by doctors, but moments after re-entering the field of play he walked to the touchline and seemed to pass out before being helped away down the tunnel. After the game, Vertonghen insisted he was fine despite having to be helped off the pitch but Pochettino admitted Spurs would continue to monitor the defender for signs of concussion. Asked whether he was comfortable with the decision to allow Vertonghen to return to the pitch, Pochettino said: "I wasn't involved. That was the doctor's decision. The rules and protocol are so important, and our medical staff followed the protocol. Now he's OK, he walked away, I hope he is OK, but you know very well that we need to keep an eye on him. "We must protect the players, of course. I was out of the conversation, our medical staff followed the protocol and they decided he could continue the game, but then he started feeling unwell and he had to come off." Vertonghen suffered a horrible-looking knock in the first half after challenging for a high ball and accidentally clashing heads with teammate Toby Alderweireld. Players from both sides expressed concern and frantically waved Tottenham's medical staff onto the pitch as the Belgian defender lay on the turf. He received treatment for several minutes, blood pouring from his nose, and initially seemed OK to continue and able to walk around the edge of the pitch with no aid. The Spurs physiotherapists assessed Vertonghen and decided he could re-enter the field of play, but almost immediately his knees buckled and had to be helped down the tunnel by two members of the Tottenham backroom staff, appearing to be in some distress. However, after the game Vertonghen insisted that he was fine while walking through the mixed zone and telling journalists he had suffered no concussion and no broken bones, with only a small patch on his nose. Pochettino was asked if the sight of the defender virtually collapsing on the touchline affected him or his decision-making. "In this moment you are focused on the game, it's difficult to think too much," he said. "You must liaise with the medical staff. The most important thing is the health of the player. "I wasn't involved [in the decision] and I don't want to be involved in the future. If they said 'change' [substitute the player], I'm not going to doubt them. I will listen and will never question the decision of the medical staff. "For me, first of all it's your life. We must protect the player and of course I was out of the conversation and our medical [staff] followed the protocol and decided it was possible to restart the game and it's time to play again. "But of course it was Jan in that moment and the following action that he started to feel unwell and we check him with the doctor." The club released a statement on Wednesday, updating Vertonghen's status, saying: "Jan Vertonghen has undergone further assessment today [Wednesday 1 May] after sustaining a head injury in last night's Champions League semi-final first leg against Ajax. He also suffered a small cut to his nose that was bleeding heavily. "The Belgium defender was assessed on the pitch yesterday immediately after the incident with our medical team strictly following Football Association concussion guidelines. "Following testing he was judged to be alert and answered all questions correctly and lucidly, deeming him fit to return to the field of play. "All available video footage was relayed to our on-pitch medical team and they were able to confirm that he had suffered no loss of consciousness. "Jan was immediately withdrawn as a result of the player informing medical staff that symptoms were developing suddenly and that he no longer felt stable standing up. "Tests today have been clear and testing will continue for the next few days. Additionally, as is standard Club policy with certain injuries, we shall also be seeking independent advice and Jan is due to see a neurologist, who specialises in elite athletes, tomorrow. The player has reported no ill-effects today." Brain injury charity Headway have suggested temporary concussion substitutions as one way to ensure "longer off-pitch assessments are conducted" and said "the pressure on club medical staff is enormous and unfair, particularly in such high-stakes games such as a Champions League semifinal." FIFPro echoed that and pointed to NFL procedures "where a player can be taken out for 10 or 15 minutes, you can take time to make a decision." The European players' union also called for independent doctors to be used rather than club specific medical staff and called for changes to be implemented in time for the Women's World Cup this summer. The Spurs' boss was not pleased with his team's performance overall -- with a Donny van de Beek goal leaving his team with plenty of work to do next Wednesday in Amsterdam -- but took full responsibility for the performance. "The attitude was there, but we didn't find a way to play," said Pochettino. "We didn't show the energy that we wanted to show. They showed more energy than us. The way we conceded the goal was painful. They were more proactive than us. "Our approach to the game was not good. I am the manager so I have responsibility."<doc-sep>

Tottenham have issued a statement to confirm that Jan Vertonghen did not suffer a concussion during Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg defeat to Ajax. The Belgian was injured in a clash of heads with teammate Toby Alderweireld and Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana in the 31st minute of the match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and was left covered in blood as he lay on the ground. Having left the pitch to receive treatment, Vertonghen then came back on for a few minutes, during which he appeared unsteady on his feet. He was eventually replaced by Moussa Sissoko in the 39th minute of the match, which Spurs went on to lose 1-0. Tottenham's medical staff were roundly criticised online for their treatment of the defender, with claims that they didn't follow concussion protocol. (Image: Getty Images) But Spurs now say that an independent review found that Vertonghen wasn't concussed at all. "Following a thorough review over the past 48 hours by our medical staff as well as by an independent neurologist with special interest in sport-related concussion today, it has been concluded that Jan Vertonghen did not suffer a concussion during Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Ajax," read a Spurs statement . "The Belgium defender suffered an injury to his nose due to a challenge during the game which resulted in heavy bleeding. He was deemed fit to continue playing after an on-field assessment. All Football Association concussion guidelines were followed. (Image: EPA-EFE/REX) "Jan was immediately withdrawn as a result of the player informing medical staff that symptoms were developing suddenly and that he no longer felt stable standing up. We have been advised that this was the result of a presyncopal episode, a near faint. "The specialist has recommended that the player undertakes a brief period of rehabilitation before returning to training."

Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.<doc-sep>Another hot, windy day is expected to make Tuesday’s efforts to fight the High Chateau fire in Teller County, Colorado, difficult. The number of crew members assisting with the fire near Cripple Creek has doubled, from 205 to 400, according to an update from the Teller County Sheriff’s Office website Tuesday morning. Fire officials announced Monday night that they had reached 15 percent containment on the fire, which has burned more than 1,300 acres and destroyed multiple homes.<doc-sep>UPDATE: July 4, 2018, 2 p.m. EDT—The Spring Creek fire continued to grow Tuesday, expanding to 94,093 acres, The Denver Post reported. The week-old fire, which remains 5 percent contained, has destroyed at least 104 homes. According to KKTV, pre-evacuation orders have been issued in Las Animas County. Pre-evacuation orders are in place for south of the Huerfano/Las Animas county line south to County Road 42, east to CR 21.7 and west to Highway 12, the Huerfano County Emergency Management said. The pre-evacuation order also includes the Cuchara Pass Ranches, Timber Creek Ranch, Timber Ridge at Cordova Pass and Spanish Peak Ranch Estates. Original story: Colorado fire officials continue to battle several large wildfires, including the 416 fire outside of Durango and the rapidly growing Spring Creek fire near Fort Garland. On Saturday, the Costilla County Sheriff's Office announced that a 52-year-old Danish man had been arrested on arson charges for starting the Spring Creek fire. 416 Fire The 416 fire has been raging in the western part of Colorado since June 1. Since then, the fire at San Juan National Forest has expanded to 49,301 acres and remains at 37 percent containment. As of Monday, 363 fire personnel were working to contain the fire. According to The Durango Herald, efforts to contain the 416 fire shifted to the northeast perimeter in order to enhance fire lines guarding Purgatory Resort. "We completed firing operations along the south end, and that's a critical piece of the puzzle for us," Don Ferguson, a public information officer for the fire, told the newspaper. On Sunday, Incident Commander Joe Reinarz said in a statement that cooler weather has slowed the fire's progress in the north and northwest, while allowing firefighters to tackle the south and southwest portion along Forest Road 171. However, a change of wind direction will likely result in an increase in smoke to the area along the Highway 550 corridor. Spring Creek Fire The Spring Creek fire first ignited on June 27, around 9 miles northeast of Fort Garland, Colorado. It has quickly expanded to become the largest wildfire currently burning in the state. As of Monday, the Spring Creek fire measured 56,820 acres and was only 5 percent contained. Officials announced that 550 fire crew were working to contain the human-caused fire. The Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team announced that hundreds of residents have been evacuated and an undetermined number of homes have been burned, The Denver Post reported. Residents east of Trinchera Ranch Road and south of Highway 160 in Fort Garland are under a mandatory evacuation, the Costilla County Sheriff's Office said. According to The Denver Post, the Blanca Fort Garland Community Center has been designated a shelter. Navajo Ranch residents living along County Road 350 and south of Highway 160 are also being asked to evacuate, according to the Huerfano Emergency Dispatch. The Costilla County Sheriff's Office said Saturday that 52-year-old Jesper Joergensen was arrested on arson charges in connection to the Spring Creek fire. Joergensen, who is Danish and not a U.S. citizen, did not intentionally start the devastating fire, police told residents during a meeting Sunday. Weston Pass Fire The Weston Pass fire was ignited on June 28 by a lightning strike about 9 miles southwest of Fairplay, Colorado. On Monday, officials measured the fire at 6,417 acres. The fire, which is 10 percent contained, is expected to be fully contained by July 29. According to KDVR, Park County officials were forced to shut down a large portion of Highway 285 on Saturday. The highway was closed in both directions between FairPlay and Antero Junction. Over 300 fire crew are working to contain the fire. Officials expect the fire to grow due to winds out of the west, with gusts reaching 25 mph. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said smoke from the fire is causing issues for residents of Fairplay and Hartsel. In a statement, officials urged residents to relocate if smoke was present indoors and was making them sick. "If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy," the statement said. High Chateau Fire Another fire ignited 7 miles northwest of Cripple Creek, Colorado, on June 29. Officials said the High Chateau fire has spread to 1,328 acres and remains at 0 percent containment. According to The Denver Post, more than 1,000 homes have been evacuated or are under pre-evacuation orders due to the fire. Burro Fire The Burro fire, which has been burning since June 8, reached 4,415 acres and is 40 percent contained. Only 27 fire crew are assigned to contain the fire. Officials said the northwest side of the fire is active again and that growth on the southern side of Bear Creek is moving slowly down drainage toward Highway 145. Badger Creek Fire The Badger Creek fire in the northern part of Colorado has reached 21,190 acres and is 80 percent contained. Some 150 fire crew continue to work to fully contain the fire. Authorities announced that Highway 230 and Highway 10 have been reopened to all traffic. However, the Albany County Emergency Management issued a pre-evacuation notice for residents along Highway 10, north of New Jelm to Woods Landing, and along Highway 230 from Woods Landing to the Fox Creek Road turnoff, as well as north along Fox Creek Road to Forest Road 311A.<doc-sep>UPDATE: 12:28 p.m. ET—A Friday morning update from the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team said the Spring Fire in Colorado had expanded to 23,889 acres and confirmed that structures had been lost, though the exact number was unknown. Red flag conditions were in the forecast with warm temperatures, low humidity and wind gusts up to 35 miles per hour expected in the area, according to the update. Additionally, there was no time estimate for when the portion of Highway 160 that was closed overnight would reopen. Original story: A fire that broke out in Colorado on Wednesday rapidly expanded in size Thursday evening into Friday. The Spring Fire, in the southern part of the state, was one of several burning Friday. Others included the 416 fire and the Sugarloaf fire. The fire reached more than 14,000 acres of burn Friday, and evacuations were underway for those in the immediate and at-risk areas. Homes in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains had been already evacuated by Friday. Pre-evacuations were ordered for La Veta and Cuchara, KWGN reported. There was zero percent containment as of Friday morning, and the fire was spreading, according to the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control. Weather predictions for the area of nearby La Veta called for temperatures in the 90s Friday and in the high 80s for the following days. The hot, dry conditions could make it easier for fires to spread. The threat of fire was prompting authorities to close down roadways and evacuate neighborhoods out of precaution. The Colorado Emergency Management Twitter account was sharing some news about closings, as was the San Luis Valley Emergency website. US-160 was closed in both directions because of the fire between Fort Garland and Walsenburg, the Colorado Department of Transportation tweeted. It was unclear when it might reopen. Road closures were causing delays in mail delivery as well. "We have 230 deliveries we could not make yesterday, and that mail is being held at the post office," a spokesperson for the USPS in Colorado told Newsweek. The amount of mail being held at the post office could increase. "To collect the mail we ask that [people] bring their ID," said the spokesperson referring to residents who want to retrieve the mail that couldn't be delivered. As of Thursday, before the fire rapidly expanded, some structures had already been lost, according to San Luis Valley Emergency. There were two shelters set up for those who evacuated and needed a place to stay. One was located in Walsenburg, and the other was in Fort Garland, the map from the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control showed. While some neighborhoods near the fires haven't been evacuated yet, officials are warning residents to be ready to flee in short notice if necessary, KOAA reported.<doc-sep>

The Spring Fire in Colorado is the largest wildfire that is ablaze in the state. There are currently nine wildfires burning across Colorado, all ranging in size and intensity. The Spring Fire, which was first reported on Wednesday, June 27, has consumed more than 50,000 acres and is only 5 percent contained. It has caused numerous evacuations and road closures. The Spring Fire Is Located 160 Miles South of Denver The fire is located just east of Fort Garland in Costilla and Huerfano Counties. It is approximately 160 miles south of the state’s capital of Denver. According to CBS Denver, more than 2,000 homes had to be evacuated because of the blaze. Mandatory evacuations were issued for Forbes Park, Wagon Creek Estates, Tres Valles, Paradise Acres, Raspberry Mountain, Pine Haven, and the Cuchara Valley. Navajo Ranch, Major Ranch, and those living in homes along CR 530 and south to Highway 160 have also been forced to evacuate. More than 1,400 homes in Huerfano County were forced to evacuate as of July 1. @MattMakens #SpringFire photo credit Paul Duarte. Estimated at 1,200 acres. This is gonna get ugly folks. Nothing but Piñon, Juniper, sage and grass….. pic.twitter.com/Ss7pesqhC9 — Anna Marie White (@CorgiMom1969) June 28, 2018 “It’s a very challenging fire, I’ll be honest with you, with all the wind changes,” Shane Greer, part of the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team, told residents on Sunday, according to CBS Denver. Hundreds of firefighters have been battling the flames over the past five days. “On Thursday, officials said 80 to 100 firefighters were battling the blaze, along with fixed-wing aircraft dropping fire retardant and helicopters making water drops. At one point, fire crews were pulled out of the area due to the danger of advancing flames. Dry conditions, rough terrain and strong winds gave the fire the upper hand,” CBS News reported. It’s these conditions that prohibit emergency personnel from containing this fire. The warm, dry weather coupled with the sustained winds (8-13 mph with higher gusts), continue to fuel this fire and make it difficult to contain. Police Believe the Fire Was Started by a Human & Have Arrested Jesper Joergensen on Suspicion of Arson A man by the name of Jesper Joergensen was taken into police custody, suspected of arson. As previously reported by Heavy, authorities believe that Joergensen started the fire last week. “The initial cause of the fire was human caused,” the Costilla County Sheriff’s Department wrote on Facebook. “The investigation was lead by our office with the assistance of CBI, State arson investigators, CSP, and Immigration and Customs agents. Jesper Joergensen, 52, was arrested without incident by Costilla County deputies. Jesper is being held on Arson charges. The investigation is still on going so information on this matter is limited,” the post continued. You can see footage of the Spring Fire in the video below. VideoVideo related to spring fire map: current location of the wildfire 2018-07-02T11:11:36-04:00 Anyone with questions about the Spring Fire can call a hotline set up at 719-480-8719.

ABUJA (Reuters) - Lying in bushes by the side of a road, the security officer played dead and hoped the militants would mistake the blood pooling from a colleague’s body as his own. He did not risk looking up to see what was happening, but he could hear. “We warned you civilians not to take part in elections, but you refused,” said a fighter loyal to the extremist group Islamic State. “Cut their throats.” Kashim Shettima, governor of the war-torn northeastern Nigerian state of Borno, issued a statement two days later saying three people were killed when insurgents attacked his motorcade on route to an election rally. But survivors of the Feb. 12 assault, along with two Nigerian and two international security personnel, put the toll much higher. Reuters was unable to confirm precise figures. One survivor said he saw about 40 bodies; another estimated that as many as 100 died. The militants also took between 100 and 200 people captive, officials said. The scale of the attack raises concern about the ability of militants from Boko Haram and a breakaway group calling itself Islamic State West African Province to disrupt voting in a delayed presidential election on Saturday, despite government assurances that only remnants of the insurgency remain. “Islamic State and Boko Haram have over the past weeks ceaselessly warned locals that voting in the elections is tantamount to apostasy,” said Fulan Nasrullah, a researcher who tracks the groups at the Global Initiative For Civil Stabilisation, a Nigerian-based think tank. “They have both explicitly threatened to attack the voters who go out to vote in these communities or who work with the electoral commission or otherwise carry out activities in support of the elections.” Others interviewed by Reuters asked not to be identified because they said the government and military command had ordered them not to discuss the ambush, which could be damaging to both Shettima, a government politician, and Buhari. The president, who is seeking a second term, has vowed to defeat the insurgents once and for all. A spokesman for the state governor did not respond to requests for comment on the accounts provided to Reuters, saying there might be a response later. A regional military spokesman referred questions to the state government. Buhari urged Nigerians “to go out and vote,” assuring them in a televised address on Friday that adequate security measures were in place. FATAL CHOICE Shettima’s motorcade left the state capital Maiduguri in the morning, bound for the market towns of Mafa, Dikwa and Gamboru. The 85-vehicle convoy included buses full of supporters headed to campaign events, officials said. In Dikwa, the local army commander urged the governor to stop for the night, according to one of the survivors and a Nigerian security official. Dusk was approaching, and the risk of an ambush was too high. But Shettima decided to press on, they said. The governor’s office did not answer questions about the decision. At 6:45 pm, as the convoy snaked past the village of Maula, dozens of fighters armed with rifles and rocket-propelled grenades attacked. It was unclear how they found the convoy. Survivors heard grenades slam into the middle of the convoy, followed by a hail of bullets. The governor, who was in the front half of the convoy, escaped, they said, but those riding at the back were trapped. “They then came out with two pickup trucks mounted with anti-aircraft guns, all of the fighters in military camouflage, while the rest of them came from the roadside, firing on us,” said a security official who was part of the motorcade. Some people tried to escape by turning back. Others abandoned their vehicles and ran into the bush. “As they ran, the insurgents opened fire,” the official said. “I would not be surprised if 100 people lost their lives.” ‘CUT THEIR THROATS’ Lying in the bushes next to his colleague’s body, the officer who was playing dead heard the militants begin to gather survivors by the roadside. There, as the wrecks of the convoy vehicles smoldered, some were killed, he said. He later saw two fresh bodies, their throats slit. The fighters ordered other survivors into the remaining vehicles and drove away with at least 100 people, said one of the witnesses and an international security official who looked into the attack. A Nigerian intelligence official put the number of captives as high as 200. After the insurgents were gone, the hiding officer joined a flood of survivors fleeing through the bush, making for nearby towns and a military base. More than 200 men and women managed to escape, trekking through the night, another witness said. The intelligence official and other security personnel corroborated the witnesses’ accounts. At least 60 bodies were taken to a hospital morgue in Maiduguri after the attack, some with their throats cut, said a humanitarian worker who looked into the incident. A morgue official declined to comment. It wasn’t immediately clear whether any Islamic State fighters were killed. “SUPREME PRICE” The ambush was part of a surge of attacks as Islamic State and Boko Haram seek to sow chaos during the election. Tens of thousands of people have been displaced since December. Last Saturday, the day voting was supposed to take place before it was delayed for logistical reasons, six people were killed in a bomb blast in Maiduguri. There have also been reports of dozens of people abducted from buses as they returned to their home areas to vote. The state government and military authorities declined to comment on those reports. The morning after the ambush, soldiers returned to the scene, said one of the security officials who survived the attack. There, they recovered the body of one soldier, two civilians and 23 vehicles, leaving soon after. The troops did not check far inside the bush, the survivor said. On Tuesday, Shettima told reporters in the capital Abuja that he would return after the election to Gamboru - the town his convoy had tried to reach - “ready to pay the supreme price if need be”.<doc-sep>Political leaders and public figures were falling over themselves this weekend to condemn the mosque attacks in New Zealand, while dozens of Christians were slaughtered by Muslims in Nigeria to the sound of crickets. The mosque attacks were indeed a horrific affair and worthy of universal condemnation. Presidents, prime ministers, royalty, and religious leaders rushed to extend their condolences to victims and their families — as well they should — while decrying the hate that purportedly motivated the shootings. Without exception, the mainstream media gave top billing to the shootings, with newspapers carrying the story on their front pages and television news channels leading off their broadcasts with the story. The bizarre aspect of the coverage was not, in fact, the attention paid to a heinous crime committed in New Zealand, but the absolute silence surrounding the simultaneous massacre of scores of Christians by Muslim militants in Africa. As Breitbart News alone reported among major news outlets, Fulani jihadists racked up a death toll of over 120 Christians over the past three weeks in central Nigeria, employing machetes and gunfire to slaughter men, women, and children, burning down over 140 houses, destroying property, and spreading terror. The New York Times did not place this story on the front page; in fact, they did not cover it at all. Apparently, when assessing “all the news that’s fit to print,” the massacre of African Christians did not measure up. The same can be said for the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, the Detroit Free Press, the LA Times, and every other major paper in the United States. The news shows from the three major television channels did not mention the story, and nor did CNN or MSNBC. There are several possible explanations for this remarkable silence, and none of them is good. Since, in point of fact, Muslim radicals kill Christians around the world with alarming frequency, it is probable that one more slaughter did not seem particularly newsworthy to the decision-makers at major news outlets. Muslims being killed, on the other hand, may strike many as newsworthy precisely because it is so rare. A second motive for the media silence around the massacre of Christians in Nigeria may be geo-political and racial. New Zealand is a first-world country where such things are not supposed to happen, whereas many people still consider Africa to be a backwards place where brutal killings are par for the course. Moreover, the slaughter of black Christians in Africa may not enkindle rage among westerners the way that the murder of white and brown Muslims in New Zealand would. Finally, the story simply does not play to the political agenda that many mainstream media would like to advance. How much mileage can be gained from Muslims murdering Christians, when Christians in America are often seen as an obstacle to the “progress” desired by liberals? The left sees Christians in the United States as part of the problem and seeks to undermine their credibility and influence at every turn rather than emboldening them. Anti-Christian bias has been rightly called “the last acceptable prejudice,” one that few bother condemning. “No one much cares about offending Christians,” wrote the coalition of African-American pastors in an essay last Tuesday. “In fact, mocking, belittling, and blaspheming Christianity is becoming a bit of a trend in our culture. Anti-Christian bigotry truly is the last acceptable prejudice.” “The hypocrisy on display is astounding,” the pastors continued. “Christianity is the dominant religion of our country. It is the foundation of our government and morality. And yet, Christians are treated as fair game for mockery and insult.” Christians are by far the most persecuted religious group in the world, but the mainstream media routinely ignore this fact as if it were unimportant or uninteresting. As a result, many people do not even realize how widespread the persecution is or that 75 percent of the victims of religious persecution around the world are Christians. Whatever the reason — or reasons — for the media silence surrounding the most recent massacres of Christians in Nigeria as well as numerous other such events, it should give right-thinking people pause. By all means, the lethal shootings of dozens of Muslims in New Zealand is a massive story and merits extensive coverage. But it only stands to reason that similar coverage should be devoted to the slaughter of Christians. For the moment, it serves as a poignant reminder that a double standard is at work when it comes to news coverage, and that it is Christians who inevitably draw the short straw. Follow Thomas D. Williams on Twitter Follow @tdwilliamsrome<doc-sep>The recent death toll of Christians in Nigeria has reached 120 with this week’s slaughter of more than 50 by Fulani Muslim militants in the Kaduna state of Nigeria, the Christian Post reported. The Fulani jihadists, who have become a greater threat to Nigerian Christians than the Islamist terror group Boko Haram, stormed the villages of Inkirimi, Dogonnoma, and Ungwan Gora in the Kajuru Local Government Area last Monday, destroying 143 homes, killing 52 people, and wounding dozens more. The assailants reportedly split into three groups, the first of which fired upon the people, the second set fire to buildings, and the third chased down people fleeing from the scene. Victims of the assault included women and children. Monday’s incident followed an attack the day before in the Ungwan Barde village in Kajuru, where 17 Christians were killed and dozens of homes were burned. In the first week of March, Muslim extremists massacred more than 30 Christians in Karamar village, setting fire to several houses and a church. The terrorists reportedly shot at families trying to escape the fire, killing 32. The spate of recent attacks against communities has taken place within the predominantly Christian Adara chiefdom of southern Kaduna. The governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the Kajuru Local Government Area to try to contain the violence. In late February, militants attacked the Maro village, killing 38 Christians and torching homes as well as a Christian church. The Christian Post reported that Fulani militants killed thousands of Christians in 2018 alone in what many are calling a Christian genocide in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. Last December, a leading Anglican bishop in Nigeria, Dr. Benjamin Argak Kwashi, said that the Muslim Fulani militants represent the number one terrorist threat facing Christians in Nigeria. “The government is able to provide protection [to the Christians], but what’s obvious to everybody is that the government is unwilling,” Kwashi told Breitbart News. “The Fulani herdsmen are a bigger threat,” Kwashi added. “Boko Haram operates in the northeast and scantily moves into other areas, but the Fulani herdsmen are widespread. They’re everywhere now. So the Fulani are a bigger threat.” Follow Thomas D. Williams on Twitter Follow @tdwilliamsrome<doc-sep>

LAGOS, Nigeria, March 21, 2019 (LifeSiteNews) — Muslim terrorists continued to descend on Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, killing more than 140 people in predominantly Christian localities since February while much of the world was focused on the isolated murder spree by a deranged shooter at a New Zealand mosque on March 15. Scores are believed to have died Monday in Michika, a small town in Nigeria’s eastern Adamawa State, a predominantly Christian area. Fleeing residents told local media that the attack was unleashed by the extremist Muslim sect known as Boko Haram, which continues to wreak havoc in Nigeria. Added to attacks by Muslim Fulani herders elsewhere in Nigeria, the death toll among Christians at the hands of Muslim extremists may have surpassed 100 since the beginning of March alone. Boko Haram has continued to raid Christians for several years despite Nigerian army efforts and the presence of foreign military advisers. Nigeria is the 12th worst country in the world for persecution of Christians, according to Open Doors USA’s 2019 World Watch List. Besides attacks committed by Boko Haram, Muslim Fulani herdsmen killed thousands of Christians in central Nigeria in 2018. Local media reported that homes and businesses were bombed and burned by Boko Haram insurgents in Michika. Residents fled to Adamawa’s state capital, Yola, or nearby Mubi and Uba. A witness identified as Bala said his aunt’s husband and their daughter were killed. “I also know of a retired soldier and local businessman that were killed in front of their houses,” said the witness. Another witness, who declined to give his name out of fear for his safety, said the number of people lost or injured is uncertain. He added that many are stranded in the bush after fleeing. Relatives have been unsuccessful in reaching them, he said. While the Nigerian military statement did not provide the number of civilian casualties, it stated that Boko Haram militants “were completely routed … and many neutralized.” Col. Sagir Musa said Boko Haram fighters “met their Waterloo and suffered heavy casualties” at Michika. Musa said the army’s “gallant troops” engaged the terrorists and “completely routed” them. He claimed that Boko Haram forces evacuated the corpses of their comrades under cover of darkness, thus altering the body count. Residents, however, criticized the army’s response time. In the Kaduna state of central Nigeria, approximately 50 people, including women and children, were killed Feb.25 in the predominantly Christian Adara chiefdom by Muslim Fulani raiders. In addition, more than 140 homes and business were destroyed. Kaduna Gov. Nasir El-Rufai imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew this week. Thousands of people have fled their homes because of the violence. This attack followed on the heels of attacks in February that killed at least 66 people. A Sunday attack in the Ungwan Barde village in Kajuru resulted in 17 people killed. Dozens of homes have burned in February. Another attack in Maro in Kaduna state saw about 38 Christians killed. According to Christianity Solidarity Worldwide, a United Nations-recognized NGO that advocates for persecuted Christians, victims in Monday’s attacks included women and children gathered for prayer at a church. The 400 attackers broke up into three groups. One group killed people, the second set buildings ablaze, and a third group ran down fleeing residents. CSW believes that El-Rufai may have exacerbated Muslim sentiments with a claim that 66 Fulani people were killed in Kajuru, Kaduna state. The national government refuted the governor’s claim and the Kaduna State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria accused him of lying. According to Morning Star News, Rev. Bakari Ibrahim of the ECWA Evangelical Missionary Society asked for prayers. He said his organization evacuated about 100 children from Kufana. “Please pray for peace in Kaduna state — hundreds have been displaced and hundreds killed by the Fulani jihadists,” said Rev. Ibrahim. CSW called on Nigeria’s government to ensure safety and security for all, regardless of religious affiliation. Aid to the Church in Need interviewed Catherine Ibrahim, a woman from northeastern Nigeria who was forced to watch as Boko Haram terrorists hacked her husband to death three years ago while she watched. “They butchered my husband mercilessly,” Ibrahim recalled, “and they made sure that I saw it all. I can’t forget the fear in his eyes. I don’t want to say more than this. I hate to remember.” Their two children, daughter Salome (7) and son Daniel (5), were abducted by the Muslims.

Products in this story are independently selected and featured editorially. If you make a purchase using these links we may earn commission. The "When a Man Loves a Woman" singer clarified about the awkward encounter after he appeared to fall asleep during an interview on Australia's The Morning Show Michael Bolton Appears to Fall Asleep During a Live Interview — But Crooner Says He Can Explain Celebrating 50 years in the entertainment industry appeared to be quite exhausting for Michael Bolton! On Tuesday, the Grammy-winning singer and songwriter was set to chat with the hosts of Australia’s The Morning Show ahead of the release of his newest 50th-anniversary album, A Symphony of Hits. Get push notifications with news, features and more. Things didn’t go quite as planned for Bolton, however, when he experienced some difficulties with sound — and what appeared to be staying awake — during the live interview. Following his grand introduction on The Morning Show, Bolton, 65, did not respond or even acknowledge the hosts and seemed to shut his eyes for an on-camera snooze. Even as they checked in again, the singer did not flinch and remained in the same position. michael-bolton Credit: The Morning Show “Maybe he’s just updating Instagram,” joked host Larry Emdur, as the awkward silence continued. “What time is it in Florida?” co-host Kylie Gillies asked. “Cocktail time,” Emdur joked. At one point, Bolton sat up straight and appeared to open his eyes to announce, “It’s gone silent,” before returning to his slumped position. The hosts were ultimately unable to catch the crooner’s attention and explained that they would “check the technical side of things.” When they were finally able to get the connection working, the hosts acknowledged the “technical difficulties,” before welcoming Bolton to the program and conducting the interview as originally planned. “I can hear you perfectly,” the singer told the hosts, which prompted Emdur to pump his fist in victory. The second interview was eventually shared to the morning program’s Twitter account. Other than reassuring the sound worked properly, Bolton made no mention of the awkward encounter during their conversation. But later, he acknowledged the mishap on his social media accounts and clarified that he was not sleeping, but rather tweeting. “I got my first record deal when I was 15 and I haven’t slept since! !” Bolton joked, alongside a GIF of him wearing pirate attire from his “Jack Sparrow” music video with The Lonely Island. “In all seriousness there were technical issues with the live feed and they caught me tweeting!” he added. “We had a great interview once they fixed the glitch. #FakeNews #50thAnniversary #SymphonyOfHits” Aside from the milestone album, Bolton most recently lent his smooth voice and focus to the embattled city of Detroit in a documentary called Michael Bolton Presents American Dream: Detroit, which was released in May. “I didn’t set out to make a documentary about Detroit,” Bolton told PEOPLE of teaming with Fathom Events for the project. “I was first pulled into the city by its rich musical history and then a much deeper story started to reveal itself. I didn’t know where it was leading but I felt so personally compelled to follow.” Bolton said that beyond his love of Motown and Hitsville USA, he was moved by all the ways the people of Detroit are working to bounce back following the Great Recession, which nearly crippled the once powerful city. RELATED VIDEO: Michael Bolton on His Crazy, Sexy Viral Comeback Said Bolton, “For about five years, we started following people and places and witnessing the determination of the city as a whole — made up of diverse, amazing individuals from all walks of life — to create opportunity out of challenge, to make art from its scars.” As for why the New Haven, Connecticut, native says the citizens of Detroit means so much to him, “These people have become my heroes,” said Bolton. “I was so immediately and irresistibly inspired by this relentless will, because it renews the spirit for me of the American Dream that I grew up with and that fueled me to chase my own dream.” For Bolton’s celebratory 50th anniversary album, the singer rerecorded and remastered many of his biggest hits, complete with a full symphony orchestra.<doc-sep>For our money, we don't think it gets any better than this Michael Bolton interview. Last week, the 65-year-old When A Man Loves a Woman crooner appeared via satellite on the Australian program The Morning Show to promote a new album that celebrates his entire catalog, A Symphony of Hits, which is set for release on Friday. Just as the interview was starting, he appeared to fall asleep. Bolton later laughed off the incident, joking that it was "fake news." Co-host Larry Emdur posted on his Instagram page a clip, which has gone viral. "Michael, you got us OK?" Emdur asked, then chuckled and said, "Maybe he's just updating Instagram." "Hi Michael, it's Kylie and Larry, we're with you live," co-host Kylie Gillies said.<doc-sep>Everyone knows that live TV is unpredictable. But Morning Show hosts Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur weren't quite expecting American singer Michael Bolton, 65, to sleep through a live interview this week. Larry, 54, recalled the incident on his Instagram page on Wednesday, sharing a hilarious video of Michael snoozing through his segment. Wake up Mike! The Morning Show's Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies were left speechless this week when American singer Michael Bolton (pictured above) awkwardly slept through his interview 'It's why I LOVE live TV. I can't promise you gold like this again today but hot damn we're going to try,' Larry captioned the clip. Michael - who is known for his hits including When a Man Loves a Woman - was doing a live cross from Florida. The crooner was asleep as soon as the hosts introduced him in preparation for the chat. Getting some sleep! Michael - who is known for his hits including When a Man Loves a Woman - was doing a live cross from Florida. The crooner was asleep as soon as the hosts introduced him in preparation for the chat 'We're looking forward to talking to the great man, Michael Bolton, who joins us live now from Florida. Good morning and welcome back to the show,' Larry said as Michael snoozed. 'Michael, you got us okay?' Larry asked. Realising he was asleep, Larry joked to viewers that Michael was 'updating his Instagram.' Kylie then tried to wake Michael up by talking to him, but to no avail. Eventually Michael opened his eyes and seemed to be in a haze, telling the crew: 'It's gone silent.' Fans flocked to comment underneath Larry's clip, with one writing: 'Hangover? Jet lag? Nap time? Bored?'<doc-sep>

Someone get Michael Bolton a pillow! The Grammy-winning artist, 65, appeared on Australia’s The Morning Show to talk all the details of his new album, . But the chat was perhaps a little sleepier than hosts Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies expected. They connected with the “When a Man Loves a Woman” singer via video chat, but Michael failed to respond to the TV stars. Michael didn’t realize that they were attempting to get his attention, so he decided (as all busy adults do) to use his few minutes of downtime for what appeared to be a quick nap. Larry and Kylie continued to try to speak with him, and at one point Michael even stirred a little and said, “It’s gone silent.” But he seemed to quickly close his eyes again, because who among us doesn’t want to sneak in some shut eye when possible? As it turns out, Larry was right when he joked, “Maybe he’s on Instagram.” Michael later took to Twitter to respond to the mishap with a good-natured comment that will only make you and your mom love him more. I got my first record deal when I was 15 and I haven’t slept since!! In all seriousness there were technical issues with the live feed and they caught me tweeting! We had a great interview once they fixed the glitch. #FakeNews #50thAnniversary #SymphonyOfHits pic.twitter.com/xE3aV7GelL — Michael Bolton (@mbsings) February 6, 2019 “I got my first record deal when I was 15 and I haven’t slept since! !” he wrote. “In all seriousness there were technical issues with the live feed and they caught me tweeting! We had a great interview once they fixed the glitch.” Though we would have supported Michael’s right to sleep regardless, we’re glad it can all be chocked up to social media. Sweet dreams! Megan Stein Megan Stein is the executive editor for The Pioneer Woman, and oversees entertainment, features, and news for the website.

UPDATE: 2:45 p.m. ET—The County Fire in Yolo County has rapidly spread since it started Saturday. By noon on Sunday in California, it was burning across more than 22,000 acres aided by Red Flag conditions, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It was so large that ash was traveling to nearby towns and falling there. The police in Benicia, California, tweeted that there was ash falling and smoke visible there, more than 50 miles away. Additionally, mandatory evacuations were ordered for the area north of Highway 128, south of County Road 23, west of County Road 89 and east of Berryessa Knoxville Road, said a release from Cal Fire. Original story: Another wildfire started burning in California on Saturday afternoon, having since grown to cover more than 15,000 acres. The fire is burning near Guinda and was originally named the Guinda Fire. The name was changed to the Country Fire as it grew in Yolo County, California, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The fire started Saturday afternoon around 2:15 p.m. PT and in less than 24 hours grew to cover 16,500 acres of burn with zero containment. There was so much smoke from the fire that a satellite in space was able to pick it up, according to the Sacramento National Weather Service. #CountyFire (formally #GuindaFire) [update] near County Road 63 and Highway 16, Rumsey Canyon (Yolo County) is now 1000 acres. Evacuations in effect https://t.co/z2FpwZ89SK pic.twitter.com/hgsMHZ6Xma — CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) July 1, 2018 There were mandatory evacuations in place for County Road 63 to County Road 76, west of Highway 16 and the Murphy Ranch area, according to Cal Fire. Those displaced by the fire can go to the shelter at Rumsey Grange Hall at 16960 Yolo Ave. in Esparto, off of Highway 16. As of Sunday morning in California, there were 110 fire engines working to fight the fire along with 29 fire crews, 12 helicopters and more. The conditions for a fire were perfect, and a Red Flag warning was in place, meaning the temperatures were higher, the humidity was low and the winds were blowing, said the Cal Fire website. A map of all of the fires in California is available online, including the nearby Pawnee Fire. Updates about the fire were available on the Cal Fire Facebook page for anyone looking for evacuation information and maps of the fire. A video feed from the nearby Cache Creek hotel and casino showed the smoke from the fire overwhelming the mountains in the distance. On Saturday night, authorities weren't sure if any structures had been destroyed but knew there were some in the immediate area that could be in danger, The Sacramento Bee reported. Those in the area should pay attention to the local announcements from authorities and be ready to evacuate if they're asked to for their own safety.<doc-sep>CalFire says County Fire has grown to 22,000 acres, burning into Napa Co. Zero containment. pic.twitter.com/qmKyngSxSP — Cornell Barnard (@CornellBarnard) July 1, 2018 BROOKS, Calif. (KGO) -- Cal Fire is battling a monster fire in Yolo County which exploded in size overnight. Red Flag fire conditions didn't help more than 1,000 firefighters battling the 32,500-acre County Fire in Yolo County Sunday. Cal Fire says the blaze is now 2 percent contained.It has now moved into Napa County towards Lake Berryessa. "We knew coming into this weekend that we were going to have very hot and dry weather conditions and we've been under a Red Flag Warning now for most of the weekend," said Cal Fire spokesperson Chris Anthony.That's what they got, and now those brutal conditions are working against fire crews.Scorching hot temperatures and gusty winds proved challenging for fire crews. Fire helicopters made dozens of water drops on the blaze centered in the mountains between Yolo and Napa Counties.The fire grew to 22,000 acres overnight after starting Saturday afternooon at roughly 16,000 acres. It's now at 32,500 acres burned. Cal fire says the fire is burning towards south towards Solano County and west towards Lake Berryessa.A mandatory evacuation order remains in effect for many residents in Yolo County but some refuse to go.Frank Greer is under a mandatory evacuation order, but he's not leaving his ranch and prized cattle behind. He's got faith in the firefighters, he says. "I didn't want to leave the place and have to haul pets out. I put stuff out after that in the living room, photos and stuff," he said, just in case he has to leave. "I think this is the worst fire I've seen in 25 years," Greer added.Meantime, Joe Kneppers fears the worst about his mountaintop farm. "I'm not holding out hope. If it's not touched, I'm ecstatic. If it isn't, it's done," he said.Cal Fire says about 30 structures are threatened, some of them may be homes. They say it could be days before this monster fire is under control.Residences served by Highway 128, between Monticello Dam and Pleasant Valley Road.North of Highway 128South of County Road 23East of Berryessa Knoxville RoadResidences served by Highway 128, between Monticello Dam and Pleasant Valley RoadEvacuation Advisory:North of Quail Canyon RoadSouth of Highway 128East of the Blue Ridge mountainsWest of Pleasant Valley RoadFor questions regarding Yolo County evacuations or advisories, please dial 2-1-1 For questions regarding Solano County evacuations or advisories please dial (707) 398-8261Evacuation center: Guinda Grange Hall in the Community of Guinda 16487 Forest Ave. Guinda, CA 95637Northbound County Road 87 from Highway 128, Berryessa Knoxville Road, from the Pope Creek Bridge to the Napa/Lake County line, Eastbound Highway 128 at Markley Resort, Westbound Highway 128 at Pleasant Valley Road, Pleasant Valley Road, South from Highway 128 remains open to serve traffic into Solano CountyThe fire sent smoke across the Bay Area , as far west as Petaluma and as far south as San Francisco and Redwood City, according to the National Weather Service in San Francisco.<doc-sep>In California these days, the start — and end — of wildfire season is anyone’s guess. Not long ago fire officials eyed the autumn months as the time large blazes were most likely to ignite, after hot summer months had left brush and woods primed to burn. But this year, as in recent years, the fires have come early. And they aren’t likely to end any time soon. Already this summer, several hundred firefighters have battled the Pawnee fire in Lake County that started June 23 and, so far, has burned more than 14,000 acres and destroyed 22 structures. On Saturday night, the County fire in the Yolo County countryside roared to life as firefighters ordered evacuations and battled to get a toehold on the 32,500-acre blaze in the face of hot, gusty winds. By Sunday night, the fire was 2% contained. Advertisement 1 / 8 A firefighting air tanker drops fire retardant on a hillside ahead of the County Fire Monday in Esparto, California. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images) 2 / 8 Firefighters watch as flames from the County fire climb a hillside in Guinda. California authorities have issued red flag weather warnings and mandatory evacuation orders after a series of wildfires fanned by high winds and hot temperatures ripped through thousands of acres. (Josh Edelson / AFP/Getty Images) 3 / 8 A cow walks through a burning pasture in Guinda. The latest blaze, the County fire, sparked in Yolo County has burned 44,500 acres. (Josh Edelson / AFP/Getty Images) 4 / 8 Jack Miguel of the Keyes Fire Department attacks a hot spot during the County fire in Capay Valley, Calif. (Paul Kitagaki Jr. / Sacramento Bee) 5 / 8 An air tanker drops retardant ahead of a fire line as the County fire burns near Brooks. (Josh Edelson / AFP/Getty Images) 6 / 8 Flames rise around an outbuilding as the County fire burns in Guinda, Calif. Evacuations were ordered as dry, hot winds fueled a wildfire burning out of control in rural Northern California. (Noah Berger / Associated Press) 7 / 8 A wildfire burns near Lake Berryessa in Napa. Smoke from the Yolo County fire was contributing to poor air quality in Napa, Sonoma, San Mateo and San Francisco counties, according to the National Weather Service. (Paul Kitagaki Jr. / Sacramento Bee) 8 / 8 A meteorite falls from the sky, caught in a long time exposure image over the County fire at sunset as it burns out of control in Brooks. (PETER DASILVA / EPA / Shutterstock) “Fire season doesn’t seem like the right term to use anymore. The new normal for us is nearly a year-round fire season,” said Chris Anthony, a Cal-Fire division chief who was part of the team battling the County fire Sunday. “Twenty-two thousand acres in less than 24 hours at the end of June is not a good sign of things that might come.” The County fire began Saturday afternoon and, by dusk, had spread to a few thousand acres in and around Guinda, a rural community about 50 miles northwest of Sacramento. Fire officials, however, warned that red flag conditions — a perilous mix of low humidity, strong winds and high temperatures — could fuel the fire overnight. By dawn it was clear they had been right to worry. The fire had more than quadrupled in size and by noon had surpassed 20,000 acres, according to Cal-Fire, the agency that coordinates responses to wildfires across the state. Donna Harden, 58, who lives across the street from the Western Yolo Grange hall in Guinda being used as the town evacuation center, said she had been watching the fire’s progression since it started and was prepared to leave town if the flames got closer. “My stuff is packed,” Harden said. “I’m ready to go at any minute. I think I packed too much but it’s OK.” Her adult daughter, who lives in nearby Esparto, had come to help pack and water the house’s perimeter, which was mostly dirt. The Grange hall was empty Sunday afternoon except for a bulletin board that displayed the latest news on the fire. A rush of firefighters and equipment, which Anthony said had been staged in the area because of the nearby Pawnee blaze and red flag conditions, swarmed the area starting around 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The gusty winds, Harden said, made for an unpredictable fire that changed directions several times. Although fires in nearby canyons aren’t uncommon, she said, she couldn’t recall a fire coming so close to her home in the nearly 30 years she lived here. Advertisement “It’s scary,” she said. “If you look at it from here, it looks so far away. But, oh my God, it’s really close. It’s really close.” As the fire continued to spread Sunday, it pushed west into Napa County and authorities significantly increased the area under mandatory evacuations to include a sparsely populated area of rugged terrain from Lake Berryessa to California 89, about 25 miles away. Evacuation orders were expanded late Sunday to include homes along or off California 128 from Monticello Dam to Pleasants Valley Road. About 300 people fled the area, Anthony said. More than 1,000 firefighters, meanwhile, endured triple-digit temperatures as they worked on the ground to contain the fire as pilots overhead dropped fire retardant from air tankers and helicopters. Officials said 116 structures were threatened by the fire. Advertisement Anthony, the Cal-Fire division chief, said crews were making progress as they raced to dig fire breaks along the northern and eastern perimeter of the fire before a forecasted shift in winds, which could reverse the direction of the blaze. A change in wind direction, he said, would also bring somewhat cooler temperatures and higher humidity, which would help firefighters get control of the fire. But firefighters were hampered by flying embers that ignited spot fires well ahead of the main fire line. “It takes just the smallest spark or the smallest ember to start more fires,” Anthony said. Wyatt Cline, 62, held forth on the porch outside the Guinda Corner Store, which he runs, trading rumors with neighbors about what caused the fire and what direction they expected it to go. Guinda is a town of about 500 people, nestled in a valley dotted with orchards growing almonds, walnuts and olives. Fires in this part of Yolo County aren’t unusual, said Cline, who retired after 31 years with the Woodland Fire Department. “But a fire of this magnitude is unusual.” Advertisement The region is painfully familiar with wildfires. In October, on the other side of Lake Berryessa from where the County fire is currently burning, the Atlas fire erupted. It was one of several enormous blazes that burned in and around the state’s famed wine country, killing dozens of people and causing billions of dollars in damage. Brian Paddock, the owner of a 15-acre organic almond orchard on the edge of the evacuation area, said he and family members watched from the roof of their house Saturday night as a ridge a mile away was engulfed in flames. “I’d never seen anything like it. It took on a life of its own. Flames were 150 feet in the air,” he said. Satellite imagery from the National Weather Service and photos posted on social media showed winds had carried the smoke from the fire 75 miles into the Bay Area, blanketing the region in an eerie yellow haze. Advertisement The Yolo County fire is one of several burning throughout the state. Last year’s massive firestorm that swept through Northern California wine country scorched at least 245,000 acres, killing 44 people and destroying roughly 8,400 homes and other buildings. Cal Fire investigators determined that downed power lines owned by PG&E and falling tree limbs largely were responsible for setting off the fires. melanie.mason@latimes.com Advertisement joel.rubin@latimes.com Follow @joelrubin on Twitter Mason reported from Guinda and Rubin from Los Angeles Times staff writer Alene Tchekmedyian contributed to this article. Advertisement UPDATES: 8:30 p.m.: This article was updated with new acreage and containment figures, as well as more information about the fire behavior. 6:15 p.m.: This article was updated with new information from fire officials.<doc-sep>

Click HERE if you’re having trouble viewing the gallery or video on your mobile device. A wildfire burning in Northern California has scorched 44,500 acres in Lake, Yolo and Napa counties as of Monday morning, and mandatory evacuations remain in place for areas threatened by the County Fire. Smoke and ash from the County Fire affected air quality in the Bay Area on Sunday, resulting in the the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to issue a smoke advisory, which warned the negative impacts on air quality could continue into Monday and linger until Wednesday. The County Fire started just after 2 p.m. Saturday, southwest of the Guinda community, about 50 miles west of Sacramento. It moved quickly southward through Yolo County. As of 10:07 a.m. Monday, it had burned roughly 44,500 acres, and had reached some of the western edges of Napa County, near Lake Berryessa, said Chris Anthony, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, which also is known as Cal Fire. State fire crews are also still battling the Pawnee Fire in Lake County, which was 73 percent contained as of Sunday night. The Pawnee Fire has burned 14,500 acres and destroyed 22 structures. Thousands of firefighters from all over the region and the state fought the two blazes Sunday, which were driven by “red flag” conditions including high temperatures, strong winds and low humidity, Anthony said. “Given the conditions we were under, it was explosive in terms of its growth and spread,” he said of the County Fire. No deaths or injuries had been reported as of Sunday afternoon in connection with the fire. Crews battling the County Fire had 3 percent containment Monday morning with more than 1,200 firefighters in place. Agencies from the Bay Area and from as far away as San Diego, Modoc and Mendocino counties have sent firefighters to the area, Anthony said. Mandatory evacuations are in place in Yolo and Napa counties for all areas north of Highway 128, south of County Road 23, east of Berryessa Knoxville Road, and west of County Road 89, according to Cal Fire. Evacuation advisories were issued for the areas south of County Road 81 and west of County Road 85. An evacuation center has been set up at Guinda Grange Hall at 16487 Forest Avenue in Guinda. And while the County Fire hadn’t spread into Solano County as of Sunday afternoon, the Solano County Sheriff’s Office issued evacuation advisories for areas north of Quail Canyon Road, south of Highway 128, east of the Blue Ridge mountains and west of Pleasant Valley Road. “What’s unusual about this fire is really just the intensity of the fire at this particular point in the summer,” Anthony said. “We’re seeing fire behavior we normally wouldn’t see until September or October.” Anthony said the rapid spread of the fire is partly due to the large amount of grasses that grew as a result of spring rains in the region, and have since dried out. “Overall, this is the new normal for us. We’re seeing fires grow with greater intensity than what historically we’ve seen,” Anthony said. “The fires seem to be getting larger and more damaging across the landscape.” A high-resolution look at the #CountyFire smoke plume flowing SW atop the marine stratus layer. Taken by MODIS this afternoon #cawx pic.twitter.com/eBkt7M9LZ0 — NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) July 1, 2018 While those affected by heavy smoke should find shelter indoors with filtered air Sunday and Monday, smoke from the fires could be pushed out of the region by some westerly winds on Tuesday and Wednesday, the air quality management district said. Meanwhile, the Pawnee Fire — which began June 23 in Lake County and destroyed 22 structures — jumped outside of firefighter containment lines Saturday afternoon, burning up more than 400 acres, bringing the total acres burned to 14,500 as of 8 p.m. Sunday. The flare-ups forced evacuations for people in the Double Eagle subdivision, many of whom had just been allowed back to their homes on Thursday after previous evacuation orders were cleared, according to Tricia Austin, a spokeswoman for Cal Fire. An evacuation center was still operating at Lower Lake High School, at 9430 Lake Street, in the southern part of Lake County. Just over 2,200 firefighters worked the Pawnee Fire as of Saturday evening. By Sunday afternoon, that had been reduced to 1,064 firefighters as crews had the fire 73 percent contained. “They had good work overnight, so they’re feeling confident today,” Austin said.

Figure out how you can watch Bellator 208 on Saturday, Oct. 13. The second semifinal in the heavyweight grand prix will happen at Bellator 208 on Saturday, Oct. 13 when Chael Sonnen goes against Fedor Emelianenko. The winner of this bout will face the winner of the Bellator 207 match between Matt Mitrione and Ryan Bader that will take place on Friday. Sonnen (30-15-1 MMA, 2-1 BMMA) is coming into this match on a two-fight winning streak after dropping his first Bellator bout to Tito Ortiz. After defeating Wanderlei Silva at Bellator 180 by unanimous decision, Sonnen earned another victory by unanimous decision. At Bellator 190 on Jan. 20, almost a year to the date of Sonnen's first Bellator fight, he beat Quinton Jackson in the opening round of the heavyweight tournament to get a spot in Saturday's semifinal. Coming off a first-round knockout of Frank Mir at Bellator 198, Emelianenko (37-5, 1-1 BMMA) is looking to string together consecutive victories for the first time since June 2016. A first-round knockout at the hands of Mitrione halted the five-match winning streak Emelianenko brought with him into his Bellator debut at Bellator 180. The two fighters are close in height, weight and age with the 42-year-old Emelianenko weighing slightly more than the one-inch taller and one-year younger Sonnen. Bellator 208 will take place in Uniondale, NY and there will be four other matches across four different weight classes on the card to go along with Sonnen and Emelianenko. Benson Henderson (25-8 MMA, 2-3 BMMA) is matching up against Saad Awad (23-9 MMA, 11-5 BMMA) in a lightweight bout. There will be a middleweight fight featuring Alexander Shlemenko (56-11 MMA, 12-4 BMMA) and Anatoly Tokov (26-2 MMA, 2-0 BMMA). A featherweight contest will see Henry Corrales (15-3 MMA, 3-3 BMMA) take on Andy Main (12-3-1 MMA) in Main's Bellator debut. The other fight on the card is a heavyweight tilt pitting Cheick Kongo (28-10-2 MMA, 10-2 BMMA) against Timothy Johnson (12-4 MMA) in Johnson's first Bellator bout. How to Watch Time: 9 p.m. ET TV Channel: Paramount Live Stream: Watch live online on DAZN Bellator. Sign up now for a 30-day free trial.<doc-sep>Bellator MMA has long been looking to crown a heavyweight champion, and the promotion is slowly moving toward that goal. The semifinals of the Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix take place this weekend, with some pretty big names aiming to be called the heavyweight king of the company. After Friday night saw Ryan Bader thoroughly dominate Matt Mitrione to earn a spot in the final, only one fight remains before crowning the first heavyweight champion in the promotion since 2016. Can't get enough MMA? Subscribe to my podcast In This Corner with Brian Campbell where we break down everything you need to know in the Octagon. Saturday night, the action continues at Bellator 208 in Uniondale, New York, as two marquee names in Chael Sonnen and Fedor Emilianenko do battle in what should be a treat. The card start at 9 p.m. ET and is simulcast on Paramount Network and DAZN. Let's take a closer look at this semifinal matchup: Fedor Emelianenko (37-5, 1 NC) vs. Chael Sonnen (31-15-1) The sexiest potential matchup on paper from a name standpoint when this tournament was launched has now become a difficult fight to handicap given the contrast in styles, natural weight and the tossup as to who is more removed from their respective prime. In many ways, breaking down this fight isn't that different from Bader-Mitrione in the sense that it matches a pure wrestler against one of the most dangerous strikers in heavyweight history. The question comes down to who can implement their style first to gain control in this three-round fight and how much will Sonnen's size disadvantage as a natural middleweight offset the fact that the 42-year-old Emelianenko is well past his prime? It's all debatable at this point, which makes this bout so fun to break down. But Sonnen isn't willing to simply declare that Emelianenko is washed up (nor will he concede the same about himself at age 41) and points to Fedor's 48-second knockout of former UFC champion Frank Mir in April as proof. "I think [Emelianenko] was something very special. I think that he still is but I do hope Father Time has caught up with him," Sonnen said. "He has a size that I've never had to deal with and he has power I've never had to deal with. I haven't bought into the fact that Fedor's not in his prime. We are in a world heavyweight tournament and he's in the final four. I don't buy into it yet. "I've got real concerns about Fedor, I've got real concerns about taking him down. I've got real confidence that I can keep him there if I get him down. That power is something else too. I'm looking forward to it, I think it's going to be fun to go out and deal with that but I think it's something that has created some stress in my week." Favorite Underdog Weightclass Fedor Emelianenko -250 Chael Sonnen +210 Heavyweight Benson Henderson -420 Saad Awad +335 Lightweight Anatoly Tokov -115 Alexander Shlemenko -100 Middleweight Timothy Johnson -130 Cheick Kongo +110 Heavyweight Henry Corrales -530 Andy Main +415 Featherweight Sonnen, who out-wrestled Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in January to advance, expects to weigh at 220 pounds. Emelianenko, meanwhile, came in at 240 for his first-round bout against Mir. Prediction Mitrione believes victory is very achievable for Sonnen, but it will come at the cost of entertainment. "I think Chael can make it miserable," Mitrione said. "If Chael wins, it will be an incredibly boring fight and there won't be a finish. If Fedor wins, it could be on the ground or standing up and it will be a horrendous and vicious knockout." "It's really who can implement their game plan and it's no secret -- Chael is going to go in there and look to take you down and lay on top of you and control you," Bader said. "If he can get two takedowns, he can win the fight. But if Fedor goes out there and stops his first two takedowns, I think Chael is going to panic a little bit. He's going to start getting tagged up and Fedor is going to run away with this fight. For me this fight is 50/50 and I really believe it comes down to the first two takedowns." For all the rightful talk of Emelianenko being past his prime and having done a poor job of evolving his game over the years, he has retained a level of hand speed and explosion that remains dangerous for the division. Not only did he finish Mir after luring him into a war in the opening seconds, he knocked down Mitrione with a right hand in 2017 on a double knockdown before being stopped seconds later. The main decline for Emelianenko has surrounded his chin and once legendary punch resistance. It's a weakness that likely won't show itself as much against Sonnen, who is essentially moving up two divisions from his ideal weight and was never a one-punch threat on his feet. The big question, outside of whether Fedor can stop Sonnen from shooting, is whether Sonnen's chin can hang in there amid the constant threat that the fight could be over with one punch. Sonnen was floored multiple times in his 2017 decision win over Wanderlei Silva and has historically been vulnerable during chaotic fights in which he hasn't been in control. Sonnen has also succumbed to mental errors in some of his biggest fights when he hasn't been the frontrunner. Doing that just once against Emelianenko could bring an end to the fight. Bader's prediction about the first two takedown attempts being the most telling result as to who ultimately wins the fight could be true as Sonnen has little chance to do so should he be forced to stand up. Pick: Emelianenko via second-round knockout<doc-sep>Bellator 208 takes center stage this Saturday (October 13th) and will be capped off with a legends bout that will determine who advances into the finals of Bellator’s Heavyweight Grand Prix, and gets a shot to be crowned the promotion’s 265-pound champion. Bloody Elbow has your betting odds! The main event of the evening has Fedor Emelianenko moderately favored to advance into the next round, with a moneyline of around -275. His opponent Chael Sonnen is sporting a stout underdog tag of around +215. The oddsmakers even have Fedor favored to finish his foe, as there is a prop bet of ‘Emelianenko wins inside the distance’ with a line of -165. On the flipside, ‘Sonnen wins inside the distance’ hits at a heavy underdog mark of +500. In the co-main event, former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson is substantially favored, with a moneyline around -450, to pick up back-to-back wins for the first time in his Bellator career. Standing across from Bendo will be sizable underdog Saad Awad, who looks to cash in on a +325 moneyline to extend his winning streak to five-straight. Bellator 208 has a pair of pick’em bouts on the books. Cheick Kongo can be found at both plus and minus odds, ranging from -110 up to +113, as he takes on fellow UFC vet and Bellator newcomer Timothy Johnson. Johnson currently sits at around the -135 mark. Bellator’s former middleweight champ Alexander Shlemenko and Fedor Emelianenko’s protege Anatoly Tokov can both be found at favored odds for their 185-pound matchup, with Shlemenko sitting around -120 and Tokov teetering around -110. Opening up the main card will be the widest available betting line for the entire event. Henry Corrales is massively favored with a moneyline of around -550, while Andy Main sits as the card-high underdog at around +375. Whether or not this bout ends early comes to us at pick’em odds, with ‘Fight goes to decision’ at -140 and ‘Fight doesn’t go to decision’ at +100. Bellator 208 takes place this Saturday, October 13th, and will air live on the Paramount Network at 9:00 P.M. ET. The prelims will begin at 7:00 P.M. ET. Check out the Bellator 208 betting odds, courtesy of OddsShark.com: For an in-depth breakdown of each Bellator 208 tilt, check out The MMA Vivisection with Bloody Elbow’s own Zane Simon, Vic Rodriguez, and Eddie Mercado. Stay glued to Bloody Elbow for all of your event coverage including play-by-play, results, highlights, and more! Happy hunting!<doc-sep>

One spot remains in the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix final, and it will go to either Fedor Emelianenko or Chael Sonnen, who meet Saturday night in the main event at Bellator 208. The preliminary card (6:30 p.m. ET start time) can be watched online via Bellator.com, while the main card (9 p.m. ET start time) will be broadcast on the Paramount Network. If you don’t have cable or can’t get to a TV, you can watch a live stream of Paramount on your computer, phone or streaming device by signing up for one of the following cable-free, live-TV streaming services: Philo TV Paramount is included in Philo’s main 40-channel bundle, which is the cheapest among all streaming services if you plan on keeping it long-term. You can sign up for a free 7-day trial right here, and you can then watch Fedor vs. Sonnen and all of the Bellator 208 main card fights on your computer via the Philo website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the Philo app. If you can’t watch live, Philo also allows you to DVR programs and watch them up to 30 days later. And even if you forget to DVR something, Philo also comes with a 72-hour rewind feature, which allows you to replay any event that has aired in the last three days. Sling TV Paramount is included in the “Comedy Extra” add-on, which can be added to either the “Sling Orange” or “Sling Blue” channel packages. You can sign up for a free 7-day trial of any bundle you want, and you can then watch the Bellator 208 main card on your computer via the Sling TV website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the Sling TV app. If you can’t watch live, you can get 50 hours of cloud DVR storage as an additional add-on. Preview Fedor Emelianenko–though he disappointingly never came to a deal with the UFC-is widely regarded as the greatest MMA heavyweight fighter of all-time, while Chael Sonnen is a former UFC middleweight title contender who gained a lot of popularity for both his trash talk and his 2010 Fight of the Year against Anderson Silva. Together, even at 42 and 41 years old, respectively, they make for one very compelling fight. Fedor’s chin may not be what it used to be, as evidenced in his first-round KO loss to Matt Mitrione at Bellator NYC in June 2017, but he also still has some devastating power, as Frank Mir learned during the first round of their Grand Prix quarterfinal fight in April. The latter was easily Fedor’s most impressive performance in years, and if that’s a sign of what’s to come on Saturday, then Sonnen may be in trouble. But the Oregon native doesn’t seem too concerned. “I think he’s got some tools that I need to avoid and I’ve got some places that I want to put him in the fight too,” he said. “It ain’t rocket science though, it boils down to an ass-whipping contest.” Sonnen was also impressive in his quarterfinal matchup, beating Quinton Jackson via unanimous decision at Bellator 192 in January. That marked his second consecutive win after beating Wanderlei Silva at Bellator 180. Of course, while Fedor vs. Sonnen is the clear headliner, there are a handful of other intriguing fights on the Bellator 208 card. Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson will take on Saad Award, Alexander Shiemenko will battle Anatoly Tokov, Cheick Kongo–who was the last person to fight for the Bellator heavyweight title–goes up against Timothy Johnson, and Henry Corrales faces Andy Main in a featherweight bout.

Penn State vs. Kent State is part of this Saturday’s afternoon slate. The Nittany Lions are looking to advanced to 3-0, while the Golden Flashes sit at 1-1 under new head coach Sean Lewis. PSU bounced back nicely from a near-loss to Appalachian State to open the year, blowing out rival Pitt on the road last weekend, 51-6. Kent State, one of the worst teams in college football last year, nearly picked off another Big Ten opponent in Week 1, falling at Illinois 31-24. Last week, it blew out Howard. ESPN’s FPI prediction for Penn State vs. Kent State is out. As you’d expect, Penn State is a heavy favorite against the Golden Flashes. FPI gives the Nittany Lions a 99.3-percent chance to win. Via ESPN: Penn State vs. Kent State will kick off at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday from Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pa. FS1 will broadcast the contest. [ESPN]<doc-sep>No. 11 Penn State has momentum on its side after an emphatic victory over Pitt at Heinz Field. The Nittany Lions will wrap up their non-conference schedule with a matchup with the Kent State Golden Flashes at Beaver Stadium. Here’s all the media and miscellaneous information you need to know prior to Saturday’s matchup. Television Saturday’s game is set to kick off at noon and will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1. Tim Brando, Spencer Tillman, and Holly Sonders will call the game as part of the broadcast. Radio Penn State Sports Network — Steve Jones, Jack Ham, and Derrick Williams Local: 93.7 FM/1450 AM, Sirius: Ch. 132, XM: Ch. 196 Weather Clouds will cover Beaver Stadium at kickoff, but they should make way for sunny skies as the game progresses. Temperatures in the low 70s are expected for kickoff, but they should warm up into the mid-to-high 70s as the clouds clear, according to AccuWeather. Last Meeting The Nittany Lions last faced off against the Golden Flashes in 2016, winning 33-13 to kickstart an eventual Big Ten championship season. The game was quarterback Trace McSorley’s first as Penn State’s full-time starter at the position and the first of 24 victories he has in his collegiate career. The Nittany Lions have yet to lose to Kent State in five all-time meetings. Injuries Defensive end Shane Simmons and wide receiver Justin Shorter were once again left off of the team’s depth chart this week due to undisclosed injuries picked up during training camp. There is no timetable for either player’s return. Media Coverage Onward State will have you covered throughout today’s game. You can find big plays, photos, analysis, and more on our main @OnwardState Twitter account and Facebook page, and play-by-play commentary from @OnwardStSports on Twitter. Sports editors Derek Bannister (@dBannister42) and Mikey Mandarino (@Mikey_Mandarino) will be in the press box, while photographers Matt Sniegowski (@m_sniegowski) and Shannon Soboslay (@shansobo) will be on the field. Onward State<doc-sep>No. 11 Penn State (2-0) is back in Beaver Stadium at noon on Saturday for a MACtchup with the Kent State Golden Flashes. The Nittany Lions have momentum after a commanding 51-6 away victory over Pitt in week two, so our staff is confident that James Franklin’s squad will keep the good times rolling to finish out the non-conference slate. Ethan Kasales (2-0): Penn State 48, Kent State 17 Penn State’s final non-conference game should offer an opportunity to get an extended look at the team’s host of young contributors like PJ Mustipher, Pat Freiermuth, and Micah Parsons. I anticipate the Nittany Lions starting fast against Kent State after struggling offensively in the first halves of their first two games. Matthew Fox (2-0): Penn State 41, Kent State 10 With one last contest to go before Big Ten play opens up next week, expect Penn State to win comfortably in this one. Appalachian State gave the Nittany Lions a scare in week one, but James Franklin’s young squad responded well last week by clobbering Pitt. The second half should provide Franklin an opportunity to get a look at a few of his promising young freshmen. Brian Bachman (0-0): Penn State 55, Kent State 13 Expect Penn State to jump out to an early lead and not look back in its final tune-up before Big Ten play. I predict Miles Sanders’ first 200-yard performance of the season and plenty of garbage-time work for Sean Clifford to build on his Heisman campaign. Keep an eye out for a few other highly-rated newcomers like Jahan Dotson, Rasheed Walker, and Jayson Oweh to make their Penn State debuts. Appalachian State gave James Franklin’s team some issues in week one, but I have a hard time seeing this Kent State team make any noise with a now-stable Nittany Lion offensive and defensive line. Anthony Fiset (1-0): Penn State 69, Kent State 0 The Nittany Lions touched up Pitt for 51 points last week, coming only three touchdowns with missed extra points away from the nicest point total possible. After a quick Google search, Lane Kiffin’s FAU is the only team in recent memory to drop 69 points in a game with a 69-31 thrashing of North Texas last season. Hopefully, Trace McSorley can get Heisman voters’ attention this Saturday with a very nice performance of his own — in the first half at least. Who knows? By the time the fourth quarter rolls around, James Franklin might pull me out of the student section to get some reps under behind center. The real question here is does he ice the kicker to preserve a shutout up 69-0? Yes, yes he does. Mikey Mandarino (2-0): Penn State 52, Kent State 3 Penn State’s offense is firing on all cylinders after a decisive victory over Pitt, so I expect Ricky Rahne’s unit to drop another fifty-burger Saturday afternoon. The real story of the game should be how well players lower down on the depth chart perform in garbage time late in the game. If players like Ricky Slade, Mac Hippenhammer, and Pat Freiermuth can put in impressive performances, they could push for more minutes and bigger roles on offense. Austin Smith (1-0): Penn State 59, Kent State 10 I expect more of the same from the Nittany Lions this weekend after thrashing Pitt in week two. Coach Franklin should get his squad out to an early lead and get some inexperienced players a lot of valuable game experience. Miles Sanders will rush for 100+ yards again, and Trace McSorley will throw for more than 200 yards. And who knows, maybe Sean Clifford will show some more of that magic we saw at Heinz Field. Kent State even lost to Illinois last weekend, which shows that this won’t be another repeat of Appalachian State. Steve Connelly (2-0): Penn State 38, Kent State 0 Just get out of non-conference play and keep everyone healthy. Before thrashing Howard last week, the Golden Flashes kept up with Illinois in a tight loss. In reality, that’s probably not saying much considering the Illini went winless in Big Ten play last season. Trace McSorley’s first Penn State start came the last time the Nittany Lions took on Kent State. He posted a two-touchdown, 209-yard passing performance, and the rest is history. The best part of this game might be the nostalgia comparing the uncertainty fans had in the stands for the young quarterback back in that 2016 season opener to the borderline Heisman contender we believe we’re watching on Saturday. Derek Bannister (2-0): Penn State 63, Kent State 6 Kent State is pretty not good. In fact, over the past few decades, the Golden Flashes have been among the very worst teams in the FBS and have gone bowling just twice. A new coaching staff will help out in some MACtion, but Kent State is really no match for Penn State. Expect Franklin to get the running game going early against a conservative defense. Nick Saban’s alma mater doesn’t stand a chance. Elissa Hill (2-0): Penn State 45, Kent State 10 The last two weeks I’ve predicted Penn State’s matchups with App State and Pitt would be just a little too close for comfort. This week, however, I’m not too worried about that. I’m betting Juwan Johnson will be back in top form against the Golden Flashes, and combined with KJ Hamler should give Trace McSorley some great opportunity to throw deep. We should also see plenty of production in the run game, giving us a better look at what Miles Sanders is capable of and how his backups in Mark Allen and Ricky Slade are progressing. Though not a nail-biter, this game should be fun to watch as these Nittany Lions do Nittany Lion things.<doc-sep>Penn State has yet to put it together completely and the next two weeks should be the chance to iron out all the details before the White Out against Ohio State. We’ll see lots of freshman and giving the depth chart a run to see who can and can’t contribute when it becomes crunch time. Kent State runs tempo, so it would be better to get it under control prior to halftime, which has been an issue in the first two games. Penn State 48, Kent State 17 Dylan Going to make this short and sweet. Penn State a lot, Kent State a little. Penn State up 35+ at halftime and Sean Clifford and the rest of the freshman play a ton in the second half. Penn State 54, Kent State 10 Marty Penn State is very good. Kent State is very bad. This one will be over in a hurry on Saturday, and then we can all spend the rest of our Saturday enjoying beverages and watching football. Trace will account for at least four touchdowns, Miles Sanders goes over 100 rushing yards again, and Juwan Johnson puts worries about his struggles to rest. The DL will have another big day, too, and Micah Parsons gets his first college sack. Penn State 52, Kent State 7 Pat Koerbler My only worry about this game is me having to maybe sit in the rain. Penn State 40, Kent State 9 Dena Poor Kent State. Penn State 49, Kent State 6 Chris Lucia I’m still concerned about our defense, but we get two tune up games to continue to straighten things out. Many backups get some quality reps this week. Penn State 56, Kent State 7 Aaron If last week’s second-half defense is anything close to being for real, the Lions will keep Kent State out of the end zone. Penn State 49, Kent State 3 Dlando Up tempo offenses do concern me a little, and the defense is still shaky. That said, the offense is pretty good. Penn State 48, Kent State 10 Bscaff Kent State plays D1A football exclusively because Penn State will hand their AD a $500,000 check immediately after their kids absorb a severe beating on Saturday. Tim Woody Barrett and Justin Rankin could be a handful for the first couple of drives, but with no army to support them and a defense that’s not going to slow down PSU’s offense, this should (hopefully) get ugly fast for the Golden Flashes. Penn State 49, Kent State 10 Cari (originally appearing on PennLive) What a difference a beatdown of an historical rival, in their stadium in crappy weather, will make. A week ago, many Penn Staters were lamenting the close call against App State, predicting barely a bowl game for the 2018 Nittany Lions. But as a famous coach once opined, a team makes the most improvement between weeks one and two - and the Lions showed that to a T last week in Heinz Field, where they bent but didn’t break in the first half, and absolutely demolished their opponent in the second. It was an impressive performance, worthy of jumping back up a few places in the polls. The next two weeks will see the Lions face opponents who themselves squared off the first week of the season; Kent State got the short end of that stick, and they’ll get first crack at PSU. Even though they have some talent returning, they aren’t the Kent State that Darrell Hazell coached up enough to get a gig at Purdue. After KSU’s successor, Paul Haynes, oversaw more of a regression to the mean, this past year the Golden Flashes hired former Syracuse and Bowling Green Offensive Coordinator Sean Lewis, whose offenses are incredibly exciting and innovative. He hasn’t had enough time to implement everything he’d like, so the Flashes won’t be near where they’ll eventually get under him on offense, but they’re on the right track. This should be a decent test for the young Penn State defense. PLAYER(S) ON THE SPOT: Juwan Johnson and DeAndre Thompkins. Thompkins has made incredible strides in the punt return department; he’s one of the best in a bit for the Lions, as evidenced by his touchdown against Pitt. But in the wide receiver spot, he and Johnson both seem to have a case of the dropsies in 2018; so much so that Brandon Polk now has a shot at one of the starting roles. If they can’t come down with more of Trace McSorley’s well-thrown passes, they both may be passed on the depth chart by true freshmen Justin Shorter and Jahan Dotson, both incredibly talented and waiting in the wings. DON’T BE SURPRISED IF … We don’t see backup QB/LION Tommy Stevens again. He’s a weapon waiting to be unleashed - but there’s no point in tipping our hand before the primetime matchup against Ohio State. He’ll probably get a few snaps at Illinois, but nothing too imaginative. PREDICTION: This week will likely be one of the easiest of the season, and don’t expect James Franklin and co to mix up the playbook more than necessary. The offensive line has stepped up so far this season, so they should be trying to ram it down KSU’s throat --and it should work gangbusters. Penn State 59, Kent State 13 (with PSU’s field goal in the first quarter, making fans nervous that the offense will stall out. It won’t.) Jared (originally appearing in the Game Preview) Kent State has the youngest coach in the nation, led by 31-year old Sean Lewis. It’s only been two games, but he seems to have the Flashes on the right track, which is not easy considering just how historically awful the Kent State program has been — the Flashes have never won a bowl game, and just have two appearances in its long history. Kent State nearly pulled off an upset of Illinois in week one, and then followed it up with a 54-14 beatdown of Howard.<doc-sep>

Penn State and Kent State continue the 2018 college football season on Saturday afternoon, meeting in Beaver Stadium for a noon kickoff. The game will air live on FS1, but you can follow along in a different way with the Lions247 with Fight on State in-game thread. The Nittany Lions look to improve to 2-0 on the season and the Golden Flashes are coming off of a blowout win over Howard last week. Kent State hung tough with Illinois in week one, and the Nittany Lions will see the Fighting Illini next week in Champaign. Check out updates from the Lions247 with Fight on State staff and keep up with other Penn State fans at the link below. Kent State comes into town following its first victory under the direction of Sean Lewis, who is the youngest head coach in college football (32 years old) by two years. The Golden Flashes run a tempo offense averaging more than 80 plays per game through two weeks and surpassed 50 points for the first time in 10 years last Saturday (54-14 win over Howard). Kent State has never defeated an opponent representing the Big Ten, and lost on the road at Illinois in Week One despite holding a 17-3 halftime lead. Penn State is 5-0 all-time against the Golden Flashes, including a pair of shutouts this decade (2010 and 2013). These teams last met in the 2016 season opener, which was Trace McSorley's first collegiate start. Penn State scored the final 20 points to pull away for a 33-13 win.

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) Vigils & tributes to George Floyd one year since his murder 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 Kubrat Pulev of Bulgaria celebrates his victory over Dereck Chisora of Britain after their European Heavyweight Championship boxing match in Hamburg, Germany, 07 May 2016. Photo by: Lukas Schulze/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images (CNN) — Kubrat Pulev, the 37-year-old Bulgarian heavyweight champion who knocked out Bogdan Dinu in Costa Mesa, California, over the weekend was so “elated” after his victory, he decided to kiss the female reporter who interviewed him afterward. Jenny Sushe, a contributor for Vegas Sports Daily, talked to Pulev after the fight, asking him how he maintained his cool during the “savage” match and when he planned to return to the ring. He decided to conclude the interview with a kiss. “(A little) embarassing,” Sushe said on Twitter. “Strange.” Pulev says Sushe was “actually a friend of mine” and that later that night, she joined him and his friends for a post-fight celebration. “On the video, after our kiss, we both laughed about it and thanked each other,” he said on Twitter. “There really is nothing more to this.” For the most commented kiss in the world! pic.twitter.com/T1Ktlprff4 — Kubrat Pulev (@KubratPulev) March 26, 2019 But Vegas Sports Daily called Sushe the “victim of an unwanted, unexpected and unsolicited forceful kiss.” The news outlet said in a statement it is investigating the incident to determine the appropriate next steps. “What happened to Ms. Sushe was completely blindsiding and unwarranted and we share in her shock, hurt, embarrassment and general outrage,” the statement read. “We want to make it clear that women should feel safe and comfortable to exercise the duties of their job, free of abuse, advances, harassment, etc in the workplace.” Female reporters harassed by athletes, passersby This isn’t the first time a female sports reporter has received unwanted attention while working. Last summer, Brazilian sports journalist Júlia Guimarães was reporting from the World Cup when a man leaned in and tried to kiss her on the cheek while she was speaking to the camera. “Don’t do this! Never do this again,” she shouted at the man. “Don’t do this, I don’t allow you to do this, never, OK? This is not polite, this is not right.” “Never do this to a woman, OK? Respect.” She later told Globo Esporte: “This time I responded but it’s sad people don’t understand why people feel they have the right to do that.” In May, 21-year-old tennis player Maxime Hamou was banned from the French Open after he grabbed a Eurosport journalist close to him and kissed her repeatedly while holding her around her neck and shoulders. “I want to offer my deepest apologies to Maly Thomas if she felt hurt or shocked by my attitude during her interview,” Hamou wrote on his Instagram account. Also in 2018, former Sunderland manager David Moyes was charged by England’s Football Association for telling a BBC reporter after a post-match interview she might “get a slap.” CNN’s Vasco Cotovio, James Masters and Gianluca Mezzofiore contributed to this report.<doc-sep>WATCH: Caroline D'Amore Discusses 'Surreal' MTV's 'The Hills: New Beginnings' Experience & Pizza Girl BusinessThe Los Angeles native discusses what it was like to join the cast of "The Hills: New Beginnings" and her new line of sauce. SEC Football: CBS Sports Announces 2021 Schedule Including Alabama At Florida On September 18The SEC on CBS kicks off on September 18 with an SEC Championship game rematch between the Crimson Tide and Gators. Mayweather Vs. Paul: Showtime Sports Announces Broadcast Team For June 6 EventThe network announced its plans for the broadcast of the pay-per-view exhibition bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Logan Paul. The 74th Annual 'Tony Awards' And 'The Tony Awards Present: Broadway's Back!' Come To CBS September 26thCBS and Tony Award Productions will celebrate Broadway’s highly anticipated return to live theatre with a multiplatform event The Tony Awards Present: Broadway's Back! Sunday, September 26th (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) broadcasting on CBS and available to stream live and on demand with Paramount+ or the CBS app. Champions League Final: Christian Pulisic 'Could Be The Difference' For Chelsea Against Manchester City Says Micah RichardsThe Champions League on CBS Sports analyst says Pulisic could have a "huge impact" on Saturday's final for Chelsea as they look to upset the favorites, Manchester City. ⚽⚽⚽ UEFA Champions League Final: How To Watch, Coverage Plan For Chelsea Vs. Manchester CityThe all England final featuring Chelsea and Manchester City is getting wall-to-wall coverage on CBS and various platforms. 📺📺📺<doc-sep>

Kubrat Pulev's team have released a video claiming to show reporter Jenny Sushe partying with the boxer's entourage after she was "forcefully kissed" and allegedly "groped on the buttocks" by the heavyweight contender. Sushe, real name Jennifer Ravalo, is pursuing legal action against Pulev after he kissed her on the mouth mid-interview following his victory over Bogdan Dinu last weekend. She claimed that the boxer also groped her while off camera following the interview's conclusion. At a press conference, Sushe - who was working as a backstage reporter at the event - claimed she was "humiliated" by the incident, and branded it "disgusting." Also on rt.com 'I felt humiliated': Reporter speaks out after being kissed & 'groped' by boxer Kubrat Pulev But in response to Sushe's comments, Pulev's team have released a video that purportedly shows her in good spirits during a post-fight party, sitting on the lap of one of Pulev's team. The caption accompanying the video reads: "3:00 AM, few hours after the famous kiss, Jenny Sushi in the context of a sexually abused woman!" Meanwhile, Pulev's popstar girlfriend Andrea has taken to social media to pledge her support to her man and to take a dig at Sushe, whose main job is as a naked sushi artist. She posted a photo to Instagram showing her in the ring kissing Pulev after one of his fights. And she posted a message to Twitter to comment on the situation, saying: "There are days when I really want to have a magic wand and turn back time and pick a moment in history I want to live in. "Over the last fewdays I have been thinking of the last century, when the birth of the sexual revolution made Marilyn Monroe and Madonnaicons, when the kiss was an act of love, friendship and passion and not a 'sexual assault.' "In a piece in Vegas SportsDaily I find Jenny Sushe as a victim, that she is hurt and shocked. How can someone upload a video and plead how hurt they are by it? "Tome it is more of a joke, a rather comical situation. "When it comes to the sushi... We all love it, but only when the fish is fresh and the rice not overcooked." The California State Athletic Commission has called on Pulev to appear before them to explain his actions and clarify his future behavior. "We take this incident seriously," said CSAC Deputy Director of Communications Veronica Harms. "Before he will be licensed to fight in California again, boxer Kubrat Pulev must appear in front of the commission and demonstrate that he will conform to this principle of respect." The next hearing of the Commission is set to take place on May 14, and Ravalo herself is expected to be present.

ARSENAL host Manchester United tonight in one of the biggest FA Cup clashes in recent history. The two teams have great history in this competition, not only as regular winners, but after their incredible semi-final clash 20 years ago. 4 Predicted starting line-up for Arsenal against Manchester United tonight 4 Predicted starting line-up for Manchester United against Arsenal Ahead of tonight's game at the Emirates, we bring you all the latest team news and predicted starting XIs. Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil headline the potential starters but what about the other 20 stars on display? Check out in our comprehensive round-up below. ARSENAL 4 Mesut Ozil looks set to start for Arsenal in the FA Cup tonight Credit: Getty HENRIKH MKHITARYAN returned to training to give Arsenal a huge boost ahead of Friday's clash against Manchester United. The Armenian has been out of action since December after he fractured a metatarsal in his right foot against Spurs - but tonight's game could come too soon. Mesut Ozil wrapped up warm as he trained on Thursday after his return to the squad for last week's win over Chelsea. The German, who has fallen out of favour under Unai Emery, could start the FA Cup clash against United. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette look set to continue their partnership up-front for the Gunners. Meanwhile, with the likes of Hector Bellerin out through injury, the Arsenal back-four all-but picks itself MAN UTD 4 Alexis Sanchez may return to the Man United starting XI tonight Credit: Getty ALEXIS SANCHEZ looks set to start when he returns to the Emirates for the first time as a Manchester United player. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that the Chile striker will be involved in the fourth round FA Cup clash. Solskjaer said: "He'll be involved. I think he'll love it if the crowd turn against him. He's been fantastic in training, his attitude has been spot on so hopefully he'll enjoy the game." However, David De Gea was nowhere to be seen, with Sergio Romero or Joel Pereira set to be given the nod for the clash. Marcus Rashford raised concerns when he was subbed off during the win over Brighton with a knee problem but is still tipped to start. Solskjaer confirmed that Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Marouane Fellaini are the only three unavailable players.<doc-sep>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 There was another refreshing sound bite from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Thursday when it was suggested to him United's visit of Burnley on Tuesday comes 'straight after' the FA Cup game at Arsenal. "It's not straight after," Solskjaer interjected. "We've got plenty of time." Managerial complaints about fixture congestion are as tedious as gripes about spying at a training ground. United's four days of recovery time are, if anything, generous. Manchester City travel to Newcastle on Tuesday, despite hosting Burnley on Saturday, whereas Liverpool - already out of the FA Cup - play on Wednesday. Jurgen Klopp made nine changes to the Liverpool team beaten by Wolves in the third round and, come May 12, it might be cited as a significant result in their path to a first championship in 29 years. Still, this is a coach without a trophy in almost seven years and Liverpool have hoisted one League Cup in the last 12. If they let it slip again, the Wolves loss will feel more galling. Solskjaer presided over the same number of alterations for United's soporific game with Reading and was fortunate to emerge with another clean sheet. Sergio Romero was voted United's man of the match by supporters and only Phil Jones retained his place at Tottenham eight days later. If there is a United player, past or present, who appreciates squad rotation it is Solskjaer and he talked at his unveiling about giving players a 'clean slate'. Six days on from an edgy ending against Brighton when United again tired in the last 30 minutes, they warrant a mere change at Arsenal. Solskjaer has already promised one or two changes and David de Gea was not among the travelling squad, which has understandably vexed United fans. That overshadows the Alexis Sanchez sub-plot after Solskjaer clarified he will 'be involved' on his return to the Emirates Stadium. Anthony Martial has underwhelmed, if not underperformed, of late and been substituted in every game on Solskjaer's watch. Then again, Sanchez last completed 90 minutes in the first game of the season. Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now Paul Pogba has vindicated Solskjaer's indulgence but Sanchez has come across as too tentative. United are only behind Arsenal in the Premier League table on goal difference and in an occasion such as Friday night's you need your best players. It is the FA Cup, not the Carabao Cup. Martial has been the better left winger this term. And so what if Romelu Lukaku or Fred or Eric Bailly are in need of playing time. United's needs are greater and Marcus Rashford enjoyed a midweek break in Paris as he recovered from his indefatigable excursions against Brighton. It is not just the five goals in the last six that merit another start; United are better with him at the apex of their attack. Luke Shaw for Diogo Dalot would be the only sensible swap. Bailly has not had a run-out since he lunged at Ryan Fraser nearly a month ago and, if Shaw for Dalot is to be the only adjustment, Solskjaer will have selected that XI in four out of his eight matches. Settling on a first XI is one of the key factors behind United's current form and Solskjaer has not fallen into the sentimental trap his caretaker predecessor did. Ryan Giggs used 23 players and made 20 changes in his four league games in the dugout. Solskjaer's player count is at 25 - a statistic skewed by the defeat of Championship relegation fodder Reading. The team for Brighton was unchanged until Shaw withdrew after the warm-up. Solskjaer's last United appearance came in the 2007 FA Cup final loss to Chelsea and he has spoken of his memories of watching Norman Whiteside curl the ball around Pat van den Hauwe as a 12-year-old making that awe-inspiring walk from the old Wembley tunnel to the centre circle. In an era where pseuds are obtusely wondering whether trophies matter, they do to Solskjaer. "I don’t really think about it that way," he replied when asked if an FA Cup triumph could secure him the position of full-time manager. "I am still here just to help the team, and do my bit until I go back." Sensible reply, given the previous FA Cup-winning United manager was swiftly sacked. That did come straight after.<doc-sep>Alexis Sanchez ­tormented Arsenal on his return to the Emirates, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer won again for Manchester United. The Chile striker was booed from his first touch in his first appearance back at the ­Gunners following the ­move to Old Trafford last January. But the former home ­favourite responded by setting United on their way to an eighth consecutive victory with his first goal since ­October. Cup specialist Sanchez, dogged by ­injury since his transfer, has now scored 10 goals and given nine assists in 20 FA Cup appearances during his time at Arsenal and United. Jesse Lingard found the net two minutes after Sanchez’s opener – with Romelu Lukaku again providing the assist – before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted his 17th goal of the season. A third from sub Anthony Martial ensured Solskjaer continued his perfect start.<doc-sep>Arsenal vs Manchester United: TV channel, live stream, squad news & preview The Gunners are out to bring an end to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's winning streak and they have wind in their sails after making light work of Chelsea The fourth round of the FA Cup kicks off on Friday when the competition's two most successful clubs, Arsenal and Manchester United, lock horns at the Emirates Stadium. Unai Emery's side come into the game on the back of a convincing 2-0 victory over Chelsea and they will be eager to build on that performance as they look to end an inconsistent streak. However, they face a serious test in the form of the resurgent Red Devils, who have strung together a record-breaking seven consecutive victories under the guidance of interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The sides could not be separated when they last met in December at Old Trafford, but scenarios at both clubs have altered significantly since then so fans should expect an entirely different affair. Game Arsenal vs Manchester United Date Friday, January 25 Time 7:55pm GMT / 2:55pm ET TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch In the United States (US), the game can be streamed live online on ESPN+. US TV channel Online stream N/A ESPN+ In the United Kingdom (UK), the game will be shown live on TV via BBC One and it can be streamed live online using the BBC iPlayer app. UK TV channel Online stream BBC One BBC iPlayer Squads & Team News Position Arsenal squad Goalkeepers Cech, Leno, Martinez Defenders Sokratis, Koscielny, Mustafi, Lichtsteiner, Monreal, Jenkinson, Kolasinac, Medley, Mavropanos, Osei-Tutu, Pleguezuelo Midfielders Elneny, Ramsey, Ozil, Torreira, Maitland-Niles, Iwobi, Guendouzi, Xhaka, Smith Rowe, Willock, Saka, Gilmour Forwards Lacazette, Aubameyang, Nketiah, John-Jules Arsenal make three changes to the side that beat Chelsea 2-0 in the Premier League last weekend with Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Petr Cech and Alex Iwobi all coming in. Mesut Ozil again has to make do with a place on the bench but Danny Welbeck and Henrikh Mkhitaryan aren't yet fit to return. Arsenal XI: Cech; Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Koscielny, Kolasinac; Torreira, Xhaka, Iwobi, Ramsey; Aubameyang, Lacazette. Subs: Leno, Mustafi, Montreal, Lichtsteiner, Eleneny, Guendouzi, Ozil. Position Man Utd squad Goalkeepers Grant, Romero, Pereira Defenders Lindelof, Bailly, Jones, Smalling, Rojo, Young, Dalot, Shaw, Darmian Midfielders Pogba, Mata, Lingard, Andreas, Fred, Herrera, Fellaini, Matic, McTominay, Gomes, Garner, Greenwood Forwards Sanchez, Lukaku, Martial, Rashford, Chong Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez have both been recalled to the starting XI as Solskjaer makes five changes to the side that beat Brighton last weekend. Sergio Romero starts in goal with David de Gea rested from the squad. Defenders Eric Bailly and Luke Shaw also come in with Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial on the bench. Man Utd XI: Romero; Young, Lindelof, Bailly, Shaw; Herrers, Matic, Pogba, Lingard; Alexis, Lukaku. Subs: Grant, Dalot, Jones, Fred, Mata, Martial, Rashford. Betting & Match Odds Home side Arsenal are narrow favourites to win the match, with bet365 giving odds of 31/20 on a Gunners victory. United are priced at 9/5 to win in north London and a draw is available at 13/5. Click here to see more offers for the game, including goalscoring markets, correct score predictions and more. Match Preview Manchester United have been riding the crest of a wave since Solskjaer's return to Old Trafford and their upturn in fortunes has shown little sign of slowing down as they seek their eighth win in a row. The Norwegian has scythed the gap to the Gunners in the Premier League to the point where they are now level on points and he will be desperate to ensure the run continues by knocking their long-standing rivals out. Historically, games between the sides have been packed full of incident and, while both teams have fallen short of their usual high standards in recent years, a knockout tie has plenty of potential. "When you get the draw and you see that it’s Arsenal, it’s one of those ‘wow’ moments," Solskjaer told the official Manchester United website ahead of the game. "It’s a tough one but it’s a fantastic challenge. We’ve played Arsenal so many times in the FA Cup. "I’ve actually played in two semi-finals against them in 1999 and 2004 and we won both of them, so let’s hope that’s a good sign.” Emery is relishing the prospect of coming up against the resurgent Red Devils and believes that a win at home can serve as a springboard. Article continues below "For this competition, it’s the best match to play," the Spanish coach told reporters. "We are looking forward to playing this match on Friday because it’s at our stadium, the Emirates, in front of our supporters. "We feel very well in front of them and we want to create a new atmosphere over 90 minutes on Friday, together with our supporters."<doc-sep>

Manchester United is through to the FA Cup fifth round after beating Arsenal 3-1 at the Emirates on Friday to remain unbeaten under new coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Red Devils jumped out to a 2-0 lead, saw the lead cut it half and then put the game away late in another fantastic display from the club. United led 2-0 after just 33 minutes, and despite not seeing much of the ball, the result never seemed in doubt after the half start. Let's break the result down with three quick takeaways. Lukaku's passing was on point Romelu Lukaku is often criticized for his touch, especially his first touch, which sometimes is off and prevents him from making an impact. In this affair, he was a bit more confident on the ball and showed off the touch with his passing skills, assisting the first two goals. The first assist to former Arsenal man Alexis Sanchez was a lovely little ball to break the backline. Take a look: The second to Jesse Lingard was a patient, well-timed pass when his teammate dropped into space in the box, putting the ball away calmly. Lukaku has been more of a role player off the bench as of late, so a strong performance here should lead to more minutes in upcoming matches. This was his first start since Jan. 5, and he delivered with some fine passes. Arsenal's defense is banged up An already struggling defense lost the Spanish defender Hector Bellerin to an ACL injury last weekend, and then Laurent Koscielny picked up a nasty cut and was taken off on Friday. Sokratis also left the game injured. You've got a weak backline that lost both central defenders in one game. That's bad news moving forward for the Gunners. When healthy, the Arsenal defense has looked poor for the most part, especially at tracking back. Friday's match was no different, as the defense was a step behind United the entire night. It's time for Unai Emery to find some new defenders or change the system around, because this team's defense has holes. Koscielny and Sokratis looked sharp last weekend against Chelsea, and in this one it was like night and day. United's plan worked to perfection Remember the trend we saw at the World Cup where having the ball didn't really mean you were dominating the game? That's the trend we've seen in other competitions as well. The game seems to be shifting to one where the most important factor is getting forward in numbers, with possession not really mattering as much. That's what United did. The Red Devils sat back for the most part and looked to go on the counter attack, and it resulted in the second and third goals. With 37 percent possession, United finished with four shots on frame and put three of them away. Two of those goals were because of the speed and numbers they had going forward. It's a recipe that continues to work for United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and so far nobody has been able to stop them. CBS Sports was with you the entire way during Manchester United's FA Cup victory. Relive updates from the match below. If you are unable to view the live updates below, please click here.

It’s going to be an interesting time in the U.K. and it’s certainly going to be an interesting time with NATO. NATO has not treated us fairly, but I think we’ll work something out. We pay far too much and they pay far too little. But we will work it out and all countries will be happy. So I have NATO, I have the U.K., which is in, somewhat, turmoil and I have Putin. Frankly, Putin may be the easiest of them all. Who would think? Who would think? We do have a lot of allies, but we cannot be taken advantage of. We’re being taken advantage of by the European Union. We lost $151 billion last year on trade, and on top of that, we spend at least 70 percent for NATO. And frankly, it helps them a lot more than it helps us. So we’ll see what happens. We have a long, beautiful week. I think that getting along with Russia, getting along with China, getting along with others is a good thing, not a bad thing. I’ve said that many times for many years.<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 on Monday called upon North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members to increase their contributions to the alliance, reiterating past criticism ahead of his trip to a NATO summit this week. “The United States is spending far more on NATO than any other Country. This is not fair, nor is it acceptable. While these countries have been increasing their contributions since I took office, they must do much more. Germany is at 1%, the U.S. is at 4%, and NATO benefits Europe far more than it does the U.S,” the president wrote on Twitter. The United States is spending far more on NATO than any other Country. This is not fair, nor is it acceptable. While these countries have been increasing their contributions since I took office, they must do much more. Germany is at 1%, the U.S. is at 4%, and NATO benefits....... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2018 Trump’s tweets come before the NATO summit in Brussels and a meeting next week with Russian President Vladimir Putin. ADVERTISEMENT The president in the Monday tweets also criticized European nations over trade. “By some accounts, the U.S. is paying for 90% of NATO, with many countries nowhere close to their 2% commitment,” Trump said. “On top of this the European Union has a Trade Surplus of $151 Million with the U.S., with big Trade Barriers on U.S. goods. NO!” ...Europe far more than it does the U.S. By some accounts, the U.S. is paying for 90% of NATO, with many countries nowhere close to their 2% commitment. On top of this the European Union has a Trade Surplus of $151 Million with the U.S., with big Trade Barriers on U.S. goods. NO! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 9, 2018 The president frequently references a $151 billion trade deficit with the EU. A recent fact-check in The New York Times estimates that the U.S. deficit with the EU is approximately $101 billion after factoring in trade in services. Trump repeatedly criticized trade deals while he was a candidate and has maintained the attacks while in office. Earlier this month, he threatened to impose tariffs on all European cars entering the United States. -- This story was updated July 10 at 3:16 pm.<doc-sep>Last month, he sent letters to leaders whose countries are not living up to their NATO defense spending pledges, warning that the United States might cut them off if they don’t pour more money into their militaries. But NATO members, including Germany, argue they have boosted contributions as part a pledge to kick in at least 2 percent of annual economic output by the middle of the next decade.<doc-sep>BRUSSELS — Behind President Donald Trump’s frequent attacks on European allies is a deeper neglect of the trans-Atlantic relationship: unfilled positions, truncated meetings, missed or crossed signals and confusion over basic policies. Aides to the president insist that Trump’s disputes with Europe are part of a long history of disagreements between leaders who, in the end, are inextricably bound by deeper shared interests and values. Churchill and Roosevelt. Johnson and de Gaulle. Kohl and Reagan. Each relationship had frictions and stumbles, only to yield to a stronger Western alliance. But as they braced for Trump to barrel into Europe this week with visits to NATO and Britain and a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior officials from more than a dozen countries, most of them steeped in decades of experience with the trans-Atlantic relationship, insisted that the breaches under this administration go well beyond the types of policy disagreements of the past. They spoke to POLITICO largely on condition of anonymity out of fear of worsening the situation, or redirecting Trump’s ire at their own capitals, which each have different interests and priorities in Washington. Despite those differences, they voiced a consistent message of concern: pointing less to Trump’s rhetoric than to a more organic breach of collaboration, a collapse of institutions and, most worrisome to them, the obliteration of any sense of predictability. For instance, for more than a year and a half into a four-year term, dozens of positions crucial to the trans-Atlantic relationship remained vacant, leaving their European counterparts stranded and grasping for interlocutors, on everything from trade policy to Russian sanctions. One senior American diplomat in Brussels said European officials, desperate for lines of communication — and thrown off balance by the churn in the White House — pleaded for more visits by members of Congress, especially Republicans. Only at the end of June did the Senate finally confirm Gordon Sondland, a hotel magnate and longtime Republican Party fundraiser, as ambassador to the European Union, and he just took up the post on Monday. The most prominent envoy Trump has sent — Richard Grenell in Germany — has stirred controversy by seeming to threaten to meddle in European politics, telling the right-wing news site Breitbart: “I absolutely want to empower other conservatives throughout Europe, other leaders." Sign up for Morning Trade A speed read on global trade news — weekday mornings, in your inbox. Email Sign Up By signing up you agree to receive email newsletters or updates from POLITICO and you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service. You can unsubscribe at any time and you can contact us here. This sign-up form is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Several key European ambassadorships remain unfilled, including in Ireland, which is at the center of the sensitive negotiations over Britain’s withdrawal from the EU, and Poland, which is in a fierce battle with Brussels over alleged rule-of-law violations. This month, Trump finally nominated an ambassador to Albania, days after a crucial EU summit where leaders decided to postpone membership talks with the strategic Balkan nation for at least a year. Trump has still not appointed U.S. envoys to numerous United Nations institutions in Europe, nor to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, which has a crucial role in monitoring the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, the U.S. ambassador in Estonia, a career diplomat, announced he was retiring, partly in response to Trump's negative comments about the EU. The disarray has had a direct effect on the delicate process of setting agendas for trans-Atlantic meetings — some of which, such as a NATO leaders meeting in 2017, were foreshortened for lack of an agenda — and others, like the recent disastrous G-7 summit in Quebec, collapsed for what many Europeans regarded as the inability of any of Trump’s aides and advisers to make policy commitments on behalf of the president ahead of such conclaves. The State Department, for over a year and a half, has yet to articulate a cohesive policy toward Europe that might fashion some sense of order or a ranking of priorities out of Trump’s often impulsive criticism. Trump has cheered Brexit, but his administration has not made clear how it hopes the future relationship between the United Kingdom and Europe will evolve. There is even deeper uncertainty on Ukraine and Russia policy, with Trump’s special envoy on Ukraine, Kurt Volker, negotiating directly with Putin’s point man Vladislav Surkov, outside the formal Minsk 2 peace process being led by France and Germany, and making no discernible progress. U.S. diplomats interceded late, and in vain, to try to help persuade EU leaders to formally open membership talks with Albania, and the country that will now be known as the Republic of North Macedonia after settling its name dispute with Greece. European officials said the Trump administration had misread the landscape in Brussels — where there is minimal appetite for expansion — and wrongly thought France could be pressured to change its mind and bring the rest of the bloc along. All of these missteps, they said, were the result of an alarming lack of communications and disregard for trans-Atlantic institutions, some of which have been in operation since the end of World War II. One diplomat from a Western European country who recently visited Washington said that in the early months of Trump’s administration there was often no one to talk to — not at the White House, or the State Department. But if you reached someone, they tended to be forthright — reflecting the potpourri of views that arrived with Trump in his early days. Now, the diplomat said, dissent has been purged and administration officials merely regurgitate the common line. “It’s all talking points,” the diplomat said. “You can read it all in press releases.” Now, after 18 months of trying — and failing — to flatter, cajole and convince Trump that Europe and the U.S. are still on the same side, European leaders say they have all but given up.<doc-sep>

President Donald Trump criticized NATO on Tuesday in a pair of tweets ahead of his seven-day European trip this week, accusing U.S. allies of exploiting America on defense spending. "Getting ready to leave for Europe. First meeting — NATO. The U.S. is spending many times more than any other country in order to protect them. Not fair to the U.S. taxpayer. On top of that we lose $151 Billion on Trade with the European Union. Charge us big Tariffs (& Barriers)!" the president wrote in a tweet, adding in a later tweet, "NATO countries must pay MORE, the United States must pay LESS. Very Unfair!" Trump will attend the NATO summit in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday, then travel to England, where he will meet Prime Minister Theresa May and Queen Elizabeth II before heading to Scotland. He will cap it off with a summit on Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki. Trump has previously attacked NATO, the military alliance of 29 countries across North America and Europe formed in the aftermath of World War II, for shortchanging the U.S. and vowed to upend the crucial relationship if other member countries did not contribute more. Donald Tusk, president of the European Council, responded to Trump's claims on Tuesday, criticizing the president for attacking its allies. "America does not have, and will not have a better ally than Europe," Tusk said at a joint E.U.-NATO declaration Tuesday. “Dear America, appreciate your allies, after all you don’t have all that many." Tusk noted that Europe has promised to increase common defense spending, but noted that the E.U. contributes more than Russia and as much as China. Trump’s visit is expected to draw large protests in the U.K. Tens of thousands of demonstrators are expected to march in London, Scotland and elsewhere during his trip amid growing trade tensions between Europe and the U.S. and objection to the president's immigration policies. Before departing for his trip on Marine One on Tuesday, Trump continued to criticize the E.U. for its NATO contributions and reacted to Tusk's comments about the scarcity of America's allies. "Well, we do have a lot of allies, but we cannot be taken advantage of, we are being taken advantage of by the European Union," Trump said, adding that NATO "helps them a lot more than it helps us." He also dismissed criticism of him meeting with Putin, saying that it was in America's interest and that he did not see Russia as an adversary, but as a "competitor." "I think that getting along with Russia, getting along with China, getting along with others is a good thing, not a bad thing," he said. Trump quipped that his meeting with Putin "would be the easiest of them all," adding that Britain is in "turmoil" following the resignations of Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Brexit Secretary David Davis. Trump, who called Johnson a "friend," added it would be "up to the people" if May is to remain prime minister, but said they have a good relationship.

HALIFAX — Multiple people were killed in an early-morning fire Tuesday that witnesses said quickly engulfed a home in a Halifax suburb. Police and fire officials would not discuss the number of deaths, but a neighbour said the family that lived in the house included seven children ranging in age from three months to 17-years-old. Two people were taken to hospital, including a man who suffered life-threatening injuries. A woman was expected to survive her injuries. Police said only there were “fatalities related to other individuals” who were in the home. Danielle Burt, who lives next door on Quartz Drive in Spryfield, said she heard a loud bang and a woman screaming just after 12:30 a.m. She fled the house with her four children and saw the parents outside in a harrowing scene. “The mother was on the grass, praying I guess, bowing her hands down, and pulling on my husband’s arm to call 911,” she said, becoming emotional. “She said the kids were inside and the dad was sitting on the steps. I think he had gone back in because he was really burnt. It was just awful.” Another neighbour who didn’t want to be identified, told The Canadian Press that she was startled awake by screams. “We heard horrible screams and then got up and saw the flames,” she said. “It was horrible. We called 911 but it took a long time to get through because apparently everyone was calling 911 at the same time.” The woman said she and her husband heard men yelling and they saw a woman in distress in the street. “I saw a woman kind of flailing around on the road, she looked to be in a lot of distress,” her husband said. “The police were kind of helping her, I don’t know if they were holding her back from going back, but she was kind of falling down, they were lifting her up.” The woman said the fire spread very quickly as they watched. “It was really scary,” she said. “I was nervous it was going to hit the house next door but it didn’t. And then the fire crews finally got here, but there were flames shooting out the front of the house, like shooting out the windows. It was horrible.” The woman said she saw at least two body bags taken from the home. The home, which was extensively damaged in the blaze, is situated in a newly built residential neighbourhood. The street was closed for a time to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic as the investigation ensued and police asked people to stay out of the area. “Our entire municipality is heartbroken and our thoughts are with the loved ones of the family,” Halifax Mayor Mike Savage said in a tweet. Halifax District Fire Chief Mike Blackburn said the fire was very heavy when they arrived, but firefighters were able to “knock it down” quickly. He wouldn’t discuss the number of deaths, but suggested fire fighters were deeply affected by what they saw. “They’ll process this over time but it’s very difficult and it’s not going to get any easier.” Aly Thomson, The Canadian Press<doc-sep>An imam, who has been speaking to the woman who lost seven children in a Halifax house fire Tuesday, is shedding new light on what may have happened. The fire ripped through the home on Quartz Drive in Spryfield not long after midnight. Seven children ranging in age from four months to 14-years-old died. Their father, Ebraheim Barho, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries and their mother, Kawthar Barho, was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Ibrahim Al-shanti, who has been visiting with Kawthar, says the mother told him everyone had gone to bed upstairs that night. She told him she had come downstairs to make milk for the baby. Story continues below advertisement “She came down to make milk for the baby and she noticed [the fire]. She called her husband, who tried to put it off. And he pushed the lady out away from the fire,” he said. Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "She came down to make milk for the baby and she noticed [the fire]. She called her husband, who tried to put it off. And he pushed the lady out away from the fire," he said. “She called the father, she woke him up, he came down and tried to put the fire off. Apparently, he has before faced the same problem, and was able to put it off or something. So, unfortunately, it was not the case yesterday.” WATCH: Syrian community rally to support family killed in Halifax fire 2:09 Syrian community rally to support family killed in Halifax fire Syrian community rally to support family killed in Halifax fire – Feb 19, 2019 Natalie Horne, a spokesperson from the Hants East Assisting Refugees Team (HEART), says Kawthar recounted a similar course of events to her. “From what I understand, and again this is through Kawthar, through translation, she saw the couch on fire and the fire spread upwards towards the bedrooms where the children were sleeping,” she said. Story continues below advertisement Next-door neighbour Danielle Burt told Global News on Tuesday she saw a distraught Kawthar and badly-injured Ebraheim outside their home while flames spread quickly up the house. Halifax Fire described arriving at the scene to find heavy flames in the first and second storey of the house. While they were able to put the fire out relatively quickly, all seven children were found dead inside. The family had arrived in Nova Scotia in September 2017 as privately-sponsored refugees from Syria. HEART, which sponsored the family, has identified the victims as Ahmad, 14; Rola, 12; Mohamad, 9; Ola, 8; Hala, 3; Rana, 2 and Abdullah, who was born in Canada last year. View image in full screen The Barho children all perished in a house fire in Halifax Feb. 19, 2019. They are (L-R) Rola, 12; Ahmad, 14; Ola, 8; Mohamad, 9; Hala, 3; Rana, 2; Abdullah, four months. HEART Society/Facebook The family had initially lived in the East Hants area, but moved to the home on Quartz Drive last fall. Horne says the Barhos were planning to return to East Hants and were planning to move next week. Story continues below advertisement “They were really looking forward to that, and the kids were just really looking forward to reconnecting with their friends and classmates and all the community sponsors that had helped out in their first year in Canada,” she said. Leno Ribahi, an Elmsdale businessman who has helped the Barho family settle into Nova Scotia, says Ebraheim remains in critical condition in the ICU. Al-shanti says the family’s mosque and the community are now looking to help the couple by bringing their family members to Canada to be by their side. “We will be in contact with the officials to bring them here. We will sponsor them as a community,” he said. “The sooner they come, the better.” Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We will be in contact with the officials to bring them here. We will sponsor them as a community," he said. "The sooner they come, the better." WATCH: Fire engulfs Halifax house, killing 7 kids from same family 2:31 Fire engulfs Halifax house, killing 7 kids from same family Fire engulfs Halifax house, killing 7 kids from same family – Feb 19, 2019 Ribahi says the community would like to see Kawthar’s mother and brother come in time for the funerals, at the very least. Al-Shanti says the funerals are expected to take place Thursday or Friday at the Ummah Mosque in Halifax. Story continues below advertisement Meanwhile, fire investigators continue their investigation into what caused the fire. — With files from Alicia Draus and Ross Lord Follow @RebeccaLau<doc-sep>Seven children from a family of Syrian refugees were killed early Tuesday in a fire that destroyed their home in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the authorities and friends of the family said. Pictures of the house posted online showed a gutted and blackened husk whose roof and second floor appeared to have been destroyed. Friends of the family said they had planned to move out of the home next week. The police said the fire erupted shortly before 1 a.m. and caused life-threatening injuries to the children’s father and less severe injuries to their mother. Both were taken to a nearby hospital. “They are from Raqqa, which is one of the worst affected areas in Syria,” said Abdallah Yousri, an imam at Ummah Masjid and Community Center, a mosque the family attended. “They fled from there to be burned over here. It is unbelievable.”<doc-sep>All seven of the Barho children died in a fire at this home in Halifax. (CNN) — The loss of one child is devastating. The loss of seven? Unimaginable. But that’s the grim reality the Barho family faces after all seven of the family’s children died in a house fire in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The family from Syria sought refuge in Canada in 2017 to escape the civil war that’s decimated their home country. The fire struck early Tuesday morning, Halifax Regional Police said in a statement. A neighbor said she heard a loud noise at the time the blaze started. “I heard a huge bang … followed by a woman screaming, so I jumped up out of bed and looked out the back window, and all I could see was flames shooting out from the back door going out onto their deck,” Danielle Burt told CNN partner CBC. “It happened all so fast. The house went up really quickly.” The father, Ebraheim Barho, was badly injured trying to rescue his children and is hospitalized in critical condition, according to the HEART Society, the East Hants, Nova Scotia-based refugee team that sponsored the family. The mother, Kawthar Barho, escaped uninjured but is devastated over the loss of her children. “She’s finding it difficult to accept what has happened, and she just repeats the name of her children over and over again and asks to see them,” HEART Society member Natalie Horne told CBC. The children were identified in a post on the Facebook page of the mosque where their funeral will be held: – Ahmed, 15; – Rola, 12; – Mohammed, 10; – Ghala, 8; – Hala, 4; – Rana, 3; – Abdullah, 4 months old. “For the past year and a half, the children have been able to enjoy life as kids should be able to: going to school, riding bicycles, swimming, having friends, running in the yard, celebrating birthday parties and hanging out with the neighbours on their porch swing,” the HEART Society wrote in an online post. “They loved every minute of it, and it seems impossible we won’t hear their laughter and feel their hugs again.” The family received a warm welcome back in September 2017 when they first came to Canada. A YouTube video of the family’s arrival at the airport in Halifax shows the Barhos descending down an escalator as a small crowd, some waving signs shaped like maple leaves, cheered. The family had planned on moving to a town north of Halifax next week, the HEART Society said. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has worked to make Canada a welcoming place for refugees, expressed his condolences in a tweet, saying “words fail when children are taken from us too soon.” Friends of the family started a GoFundMe page that by Wednesday afternoon had already raised more than $279,000 to help them with expenses, including finding a new home. At a vigil for the children, held Tuesday night in front of the remains of the burned home, neighbors tried to grapple with the tragedy. “I don’t think there are words for a mother right now, to have lost all of her children,” neighbor Melissa Hawks told CBC. “I hope she knows that the community is here for her and I hope over time she’ll be able to become strong again,”<doc-sep>

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — Seven children, all members of a Syrian refugee family, died early Tuesday in a fast-moving house fire described as Nova Scotia's deadliest blaze in recent memory. The father, Ebraheim Barho, was reported fighting for his life after apparently trying in vain to save his children, who ranged in age from about 3 months to the mid-teens. The mother, Kawthar Barho, also was hospitalized with injuries but was expected to survive. In an interview from the hospital, Imam Wael Haridy of the Nova Scotia Islamic Community Centre said the Barhos had fled Syria's civil war. "We're here in hospital with a desperate mother who lost seven of her kids," Haridy said, adding: "She's saying to us, 'Am I going to get my children back?' ... It's so hard. It's so sad." He said officials were conducting DNA tests to confirm the identities of the dead children before they can proceed with a traditional Islamic burial process. The family was among 1,795 Syrian refugees who have come to Nova Scotia in recent years. News of the deadly fire was a blow for the Canadians who sponsored them. "Everyone is devastated, and our loss pales in comparison to the parents," said Natalie Horne, vice president of the Hants East Assisting Refugees Team. Horne said the family arrived on Sept. 29, 2017. She identified the children as Ahmad, 14; Rola, 12; Mohamad, 9; Ola, 8; Hala, 3; Rana, 2; and Abdullah, born in November. She said the family came from Raqqa, Syria, and lived in Elmsdale, Nova Scotia, for over a year before moving to Halifax to be closer to refugee support services, such as English-language training. But she said the family missed the support of the community in Elmsdale and had been planning to move back in a few more days. Police said the cause of the fire remained under investigation. Halifax Fire Deputy Chief Dave Meldrum said it was the deadliest fire anyone could remember in the East Coast province. "Words fail when children are taken from us too soon, especially in circumstances like this," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a tweet. Danielle Burt, who lives next door to the family, said she heard a loud bang and a woman screaming just after 12:30 a.m. Tuesday. Burt fled the house with her four children and saw the parents outside in a harrowing scene. "The mother was on the grass, praying I guess, bowing, her hands down, and pulling on my husband's arm to call 911," said Burt, her voice breaking. "She said the kids were inside, and the dad was sitting on the steps. I think he had gone back in because he was really burnt. It was just awful." Rich Farrell, who lives down the street, said he and other neighbors ran to the house to try to help but the flames spread too quickly. "It's so frightening, but in the space of 30 seconds it went from what looked like a little bit of flame to the whole thing just becoming engulfed," Farrell said.

CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 31: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders reacts after an offensive penalty during the second quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on December 31, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) The Packers let Jordy Nelson go because they believed he’d lost a step. It’s clear Derek Carr disagrees with the Green Bay front office. Jordy Nelson used to be one of Aaron Rodgers’ favorite receivers. The Raiders are hoping he can develop the same sort of chemistry with Derek Carr. Early indications are the Oakland signal caller is very optimistic about the wide receiver’s chances to have a bounce-back season. Carr insists that Nelson is still “one of the fastest skill guys” on the team. That says a lot since the Raiders also have Amari Cooper and Martavis Bryant as key parts of their receiving corps. Simply put, the Raiders quarterback thinks Green Bay made a big mistake in letting Nelson leave. That’s a sentiment that’s shared by man Packers fans. “I can’t say enough good things. I can’t believe Green Bay let him go, but I’m glad he’s here,” Carr told the East Bay Times. The real test, of course, will happen when Nelson lines up against an opponent in a regular season game. Looking fluid while running routes in training camp are one thing. Making tough catches down the field when it really counts is an entirely different manner. Fortunately, Nelson isn’t going to be cast as the Raiders’ only deep threat. Cooper and Bryant both have the ability to stretch defenses vertically with their top end speed. That should allow Nelson significant room to work underneath. Expect the former Packers wideout to show off whatever speed he has left horizontally as well as vertically. Nelson’s ability to burn linebackers and safeties on crossing routes should be his biggest boost to Carr and the team’s passing attack. New coach Jon Gruden already seems to understand that. He has confidence in Nelson to run “any route” in the playbook. That description sounds a lot like a player who’s going to operate out of the slot than someone who will regularly line up out wide. A veteran head coach like Gruden should have the experience to get the most out of a fellow veteran like Nelson. Time will tell whether the Packers made a mistake by letting Nelson go, but the Raiders clearly believe Green Bay’s loss is their gain. If he can enjoy a bounce-back season in 2018 it could help Oakland’s offense take a serious step forward.<doc-sep>NAPA — Jordy Nelson turned 33 two months ago. He’s coming off an underwhelming season after which his longtime team cut him loose. You would think the Raiders are getting a serviceable receiver toward the end of his career, one with a tank not quite on empty but inching closer to it. But don’t tell anybody with the Raiders that. If you do, they’ll refute it. Heavily. “The thing that you hear about that he can’t run anymore,” quarterback Derek Carr said, “that’s false.” “I can tell you, he’s one of the fastest skill guys that we have still. He can run. You see that by his route running. If he can win on underneath routes, that means DBs are scared about what he can do over the top. He’s still Jordy Nelson, that’s for sure.” Get Raiders news in your inbox. Sign up now for the free Raiders HQ newsletter. Nelson may not be a No. 1 receiver anymore, but he can still sprinkle in plays like one every now and then. A couple impressive downfield routes and grabs proved just that during Day 1 of training camp on Friday. Nelson caught his fewest passes since 2012 last season (53) and tallied his fewest receiving yards (482) since 2009. He only found the end zone six times. You have to go all the way back to 2010 to find the last time he caught fewer than that many touchdown passes. Granted, Aaron Rodgers only logging seven games last season due to a collarbone injury played a significant role in Nelson’s slide, but he’s tasked with rebounding from a down year nonetheless. “He’s wired in,” Raiders’ head coach Jon Gruden said. “You can see why he was a security blanket for Rodgers all those years. He can still run. He’s proven to us he can still run. We can line him up anywhere we want and he can run any route we draw up. We’re really encouraged by him.” You’ll mainly see Nelson on the outside, lined up across the field from Amari Cooper. Nelson seems to sit firmly in the Raiders’ No. 2 receiver spot. Cooper is the clear No. 1, and Gruden hardly showered Martavis Bryant with praise Friday, saying the first-year Raider is still a work in progress. Not only do the Raiders hope they reap the benefits of Nelson’s skillset, they believe he adds a much-needed veteran presence in a youthful receivers room. Cooper is 24, Bryant 26, Ryan Switzer 23 and Seth Roberts 27. “He’s a tremendous leader,” Raiders’ offensive coordinator Greg Olson said. “He’s a mentor to the younger players. I think they really appreciate that, including Amari. I think that’s a good relationship there with those two. You see them together a lot and talking and that’s been real positive … just his professionalism that he brings to that room. “As we’ve seen the first three days you’ve been out here, he’s made some impressive catches and he’s shown exceptional speed after the catch.” Carr faced the task of meshing with Nelson after he formed one of the league’s most dependable quarterback-wide receiver combos in Green Bay. Carr began that mission even before Nelson signed, picking him up from the airport when he landed in the Bay Area for his visit back in mid-March. Since then, the two have continued to hit it off. They may never reach the Rodgers-Nelson pinnacle, but the Raiders would gladly take anything close to that. “He’s just a guy that it’s easy to throw to him because he’s open,” Carr said. “There are some guys that are good at running some routes, a guy will be there that’s strong at catching the ball or whatever. He just gets open. He’s very route savvy. He’s very smart.<doc-sep>Jeff Chiu/Associated Press Jordy Nelson may be coming off a disappointing 2017 season, but Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr is confident the 2014 Pro Bowler hasn't lost a step. "I can tell you, he's one of the fastest skill guys that we have still. He can run," Carr said of Nelson, per the East Bay Times' Matt Schneidman. "You see that by his route running. If he can win on underneath routes, that means DBs are scared about what he can do over the top. He's still Jordy Nelson, that's for sure." Carr added he "can't believe Green Bay let [Nelson] go." Nelson had 1,257 yards and an NFL-high 14 touchdowns in 2016. Last year, he caught 53 passes for 482 yards and six touchdowns. Most concerning, he was 103rd in yards per reception (9.1) among qualified players. Nelson ranked 40th in Bleacher Report's NFL1000 year-end rankings. Marcus Mosher and Joe Goodberry questioned whether he was starting to show his age: "He just doesn't have the quickness to explode out of his breaks, and defensive backs are afraid of his speed. Nelson turns 33 this offseason, and it wouldn't be surprising if the Packers decide to move on from him. Nelson might have to transition to the slot if he wants to continue his career." The Raiders took a relatively big bet on Nelson. Oakland released Michael Crabtree, with Nelson and Martavis Bryant the most notable additions to the passing game. Nelson will clearly start the year as the No. 2 target behind Amari Cooper. Carr was a Pro Bowler for the third year in a row in 2017, but his numbers were down across the board compared to 2016. His completion percentage fell from 63.8 to 62.7, while his passer rating dropped slightly from 96.7 to 86.4. Video Play Button Videos you might like Should Carr's confidence in Nelson ultimately be misplaced, it could be another underwhelming season for the 2014 second-round pick, who's entering the first year of his five-year, $125 million extension.<doc-sep>

After going through the first few days of training camp with new Raiders wide receiver Jordy Nelson, it's starting to sound like Derek Carr has been pretty impressed by his new teammate. Apparently, Nelson has been so good in his short time with the Raiders that Carr seems somewhat shocked that the Packers ever released him. "I can't say enough good things," Carr said about Nelson, via the East Bay Times. "I can't believe Green Bay let him go, but I'm glad he's here." The Packers' decision to dump Nelson was one of the most surprising moves of the offseason, and that's mainly because the veteran receiver was extremely close with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. After Nelson was cut, Rodgers made it pretty clear on multiple occasions that he was unhappy with the team's decision. Of course, the Packers' decision had nothing to do with Rodgers and everything to do with money. By cutting Nelson, the team freed up more than $10 million in cap space for the 2018 season. The Raiders ended up signing Nelson less than 48 hours after he was released in March. Obviously, Carr doesn't care why Nelson got cut, he just cares that the veteran receiver is now turning heads in Oakland. According to Carr, the 33-year-old receiver hasn't lost a step. "The thing that you hear about that he can't run anymore, that's false," Carr said. "I can tell you, he's one of the fastest skill guys that we have still. He can run. You see that by his route running. If he can win on underneath routes, that means DBs are scared about what he can do over the top. He's still Jordy Nelson, that's for sure." Although Nelson's numbers weren't impressive in 2017 (53 catches, 482 yards), you could easily blame that on the fact that he didn't get to play with Rodgers. After Rodgers broke his collarbone, Nelson spent the rest of the season catching passes from Brett Hundley. This year, Nelson will be catching passes from Carr, something the Raiders quarterback sounds pretty thrilled about. "He's just a guy that it's easy to throw to him because he's open," Carr said. "There are some guys that are good at running some routes, a guy will be there that's strong at catching the ball or whatever. He just gets open. He's very route savvy. He's very smart." Carr isn't the only person in Raiders training camp who's been impressed with Nelson, either, coach Jon Gruden also seems to like what he's been seeing. "He's wired in," Gruden said. "You can see why he was a security blanket for Rodgers all those years. He can still run. He's proven to us he can still run. We can line him up anywhere we want and he can run any route we draw up. We're really encouraged by him." If Nelson gets anywhere close to matching his numbers from 2016 when he put up 1,257 receiving yards and led the NFL with 14 touchdown catches, then the Raiders decision to sign him could go down as one of the best moves of the offseason.

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 07: Kevin Knox #20 of the New York Knicks is fouled by Antonius Cleveland #0 of the Atlanta Hawks during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) Every Wednesday we take you beyond the Toronto Raptors, around the NBA, to catch-up on the most important news and articles from around the web. Summer League Standouts: DeAndre Ayton vs Marvin Bagley was the showdown everyone came to watch. However, it was Harry Giles who stole the show with a monstrous 17-point performance in his Summer League debut. You may remember Giles from his time as the number one basketball prospect in the United States during his senior year of high school. Injuries have cost him the past two seasons, but if he can stay healthy, Kings fans have reason for excitement. During Summer League, first round picks typically get the majority of attention. However, Keta Bates Diop of the Minnesota Timberwolves has been playing spectacular. After dropping 24 on the Toronto Raptors, Diop has continued his great play. For every standout performance there is an equal dud. Though it is still early, Atlanta’s Trae Young has struggled. During both the Utah and Las Vegas Summer Leagues Young has shown ability as a playmaker, but has struggled mightily from the field. Free Agent Signings: After signing Ersan Ilysova with their mid-level exception, the Milwaukee Bucks continued to improve their frontcourt shooting by signing Brook Lopez to a one-year $3.8 million deal. In what seemed like an inevitable transaction, the Phoenix Suns signed Devin Booker to a max-contract extension. The financials of the deal will not kick in until the 2019-2020 season, but it was nice for both sides to lock in their immediate future. Despite losing Luc Mbah a Moute to the Los Angeles Clippers and Trevor Ariza to the Phoenix Suns, the Houston Rockets appear to be playing hard-ball with restricted free-agent Clint Capela. According to Yahoo, the two sides remain far apart. Best national articles from around the web: From Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes: NBA Free-Agency Roundup: Are Rockets the Biggest FA Losers in the West? A roundtable from ESPN: 5-on-5 debate: Assessing an East no longer under King James’ rule From the Ringer’s Pablo Ugetti and Haley O’Shaughnessy: NBA Rookie Stock Watch: Summer League Weekend Edition. Make sure to checkout ever Wednesday as we go search across the internet for the best stories from around the entire NBA.<doc-sep>Which Las Vegas metaphor should we go to here? The Raptors are shooting some cold dice, they’re having bum luck at the roulette table, and you can forget about even looking at that deck of cards. After going winless in three games, Toronto’s Summer League squad shouldn’t even be in the casino. And yet, here we are, with the first game in the knockout section of the tournament. Every team gets into it, but from how the Raptors have been handling themselves, it may just be time to fold’em. Yes, you better believe I’m cueing up the appropriate music right now. In other, more basketball-related news, as we’ve reported multiple times now (even in the heading of this here article), the Raptors will be without Malcolm Miller in tonight’s contest. There’s been no update as of yet on Fuquan Edwin, but he’s sat out the entire tourney so far, so let’s just hedge out bets on that one. Meanwhile, the Nuggets have a full squad, including their recent first round pick Malik Beasley (19th in 2016). Both Malik Beasley and Thomas Welsh are available to play tonight vs Raptors. Coach Jordi Fernandez will have Denver’s full Summer League roster at his disposal for the Nuggets’ opening round game of the tournament portion of Summer League. — Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) July 11, 2018 Whether the Raptors like it or not, it’s time to shuffle up and deal once again. Here’s my full preview from earlier today, and now... let’s watch. Where to Watch: NBA League Pass, 10pm EST Lineups: Toronto — Rawle Alkins, Malachi Richardson, Codi Miller-McIntyre, OG Anunoby, Shevon Thompson Denver — Monte Morris, DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell, Kenrich Williams, Tyler Lydon, Kennedy Meeks Injuries: Toronto — Fuquan Edwin (left knee), Malcolm Miller (shoulder) Denver — None, those lucky ducks.<doc-sep>Rawle Alkins had an off night, but the Toronto Raptors will live to play another day. The Raptors topped the Denver Nuggets 85-77 to advance to the second round of the Las Vegas Summer League playoffs. The Nuggets move to the consolation bracket and are eliminated from title contention. Alkins started at shooting guard, but was held to five points, three rebounds, and three assists in 18 minutes. The former Wildcat was 1-for-9 from the field, missed two 3s, but went 3-for-4 from the charity stripe. Through four Summer League games, Alkins is averaging 6.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 16.8 minutes. He is shooting 31 percent from the field, including a 3-of-10 mark from 3. The Raptors will take on the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday. Grant Jerrett was the other ex-Wildcat scheduled to play Wednesday, but he did not appear in the Clippers’ 89-74 win over the Washington Wizards. Jerrett is averaging 2.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Thursday’s schedule can be found below. Jerrett, Allonzo Trier (Knicks), Kadeem Allen (Celtics), Kobi Simmons (Grizzlies), Deandre Ayton (Suns), and Chance Comanche (Magic) are all set to suit up.<doc-sep>Timberwolves vs. Raptors Sunday, 2 p.m. Cox Pavilion, Las Vegas NBA TV Both of these teams are looking to get their first Summer League win of 2018 on Sunday afternoon. The Raptors are coming off a 90-77 loss to the Pelicans on Friday, while the Wolves are coming off a 70-69 loss to the Nuggets. Toronto has some intriguing names on its roster. There’s OG Anunoby, who started 62 games last season as a rookie. Malachi Richardson was a first-round pick two years ago. And Marquis Teague, the brother of Wolves guard Jeff, saw some time with the Memphis Grizzlies last season. Also keep an eye on Rawle Alkins who is looking to crack an NBA roster after being undrafted last month out of Arizona. The Wolves also have their fair share of names to watch, albeit with less NBA experience. Josh Okogie and Keita Bates-Diop were the team’s 2018 draft picks. In his Summer League debut, Okogie finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals. Bates-Diop added nine points and seven rebounds. Those are solid numbers, but the two shot a combined 5-for-21 from the field and 2-for-12 from the 3-point line along with committing nine turnovers. Those hiccups were expected in their first NBA action. Amile Jefferson tore up the G League last season and finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds on Friday. And then there’s Jared Terrell, who the team signed to a two-way contract earlier this week. He finished with five points and three rebounds. This will be a good test for the young Wolves against guys who have more NBA experience than most Summer League players.<doc-sep>

OG Anunoby leads the Raptors summer league team in Vegas Wednesday marked the sixth day of action at the Las Vegas Summer League. With teams now seeded and placed in the bracket, it’s win or go home. Two of the three former Hoosiers that played on Wednesday were able to keep their hopes for a summer league title alive. OG Anunoby posted a big time performance on Wednesday night as he led the Raptors to their first win in summer league play. In the 85-77 win over the Nuggets, Anunoby finished with 22 points and four rebounds while going 9-17 from the field. Anunoby only hit two three pointers on the night, but he has shown more of an ability to put the ball on the floor and finish around the basket this summer. The added creativity has allowed Anunoby to be much more aggressive when he receives a pass from his teammates. “They do a good job of telling me to be confident and aggressive, and the players also do a good job of trying to get me involved,” said Anunoby in his postgame interview with ESPN. Throughout his rookie season, Anunoby spent a lot of time learning from the established veterans on the Raptors roster. With Anunoby being the most established player on the summer league roster, it is now his turn to help guide some of the less experienced players. “It feels good. I need to be more of a leader so I’m working on it right now. I’m used to Kyle (Lowry) and Demar (Derozan) telling me what to do so I’m just trying to help all the other guys get through it,” said Anunoby. “It’s just me helping other guys stay confident and stay ready to shoot.” Next up for the Raptors is a matchup with the Hornets in round two of the summer league bracket. Former IU guard Robert Johnson didn’t see a lot of playing time on Wednesday, but he definitely made the most of his limited time on the floor. In the Hawks 107-101 win over the Pacers, Johnson only played five minutes but finished with five points and one rebound while going 2-2 from the field. Johnson and his Hawks teammates will return to action for a Thursday matchup against the Trailblazers. Former IU big man Thomas Bryant was also in action on Wednesday. In the Wizards 89-74 loss to the Clippers, Bryant finished with eight points and seven rebounds. Bryant also had a nice one handed flush after he came streaking down the lane. The loss moved the Wizards to 1-3 in summer league play. Next up for the Wizards is a consolation matchup with the Mavericks on Friday evening. Bracketed play will continue on Thursday as former IU standouts James Blackmon Jr., Christian Watford, Troy Williams, and Robert Johnson will all be in action. The peegs.com team will keep you up to date on the former Hoosiers as the summer league continues.

As the 2018 regular season approaches, it's time to test the fantasy football mock draft waters. For the most part, under standard point-per-reception settings, running backs and wide receivers will dominate the first round of the draft. Choose the foundation of your roster wisely—go with a tailback expected to see approximately 25-30 touches per game. When splitting hairs at running back, who goes No. 1 and so on and so forth? Should owners automatically take last year's fantasy football star, Todd Gurley, in the top spot? How many wide receivers should you expect to see come off the board in the opening round? Is there a surprise name to watch? The first-round mock draft below illustrates selections for a 12-team PPR league with a starting lineup that features two running back spots. All picks have 2018 projection totals in parentheses, per FantasyPros. We'll also go deeper into three picks that may stand out to readers. Top Team Names 1. Trubiskuits and Gravy Mitchell Trubisky goes into his second season in the NFL, with first-time head coach Matt Nagy coming over from the Kansas City Chiefs and a revamped offense featuring top-flight wideout Allen Robinson. It's all good when you have an offensive mind leading the team and a Pro Bowl receiver who can stretch the field at 14 yards per reception—almost as good as biscuits and gravy. 2. Baker's Dozen Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield may not see the field until later in the season. He could serve as a backup for the entire year if Tyrod Taylor flourishes under center. Nonetheless, that shouldn't stop anyone from hopping on the rookie's bandwagon after two impressive performances in the preseason. Baker's Dozen could also represent a 13-win season for the Browns. Sure, it's a lofty expectation for a team coming off an 0-16 season, but we're all allowed to dream. 3. Fournetteflix and Chill When football season arrives, there's less time for Netflix, so why not replace it with a clever football team name that sounds similar such as Fournetteflix and Chill? From the outside, Leonard Fournette seems to have a laid-back personality, but his run style says something different. Yes, the team label is a bit misleading if you drafted him to steamroll defenders for touchdowns. 1st-Round Mock Draft 1. RB Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys (252.3) 2. RB Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers (270.2) 3. RB Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams (276.5) 4. RB David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals (249.2) 5. RB Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (218) 6. RB Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs (212.3) 7. WR Odell Beckham Jr. New York Giants (176.2) 8. WR Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers (207.5) 9. WR DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans (190.1) 10. RB Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers (213.6) 11. RB Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers (174.9) 12. WR Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers (162.5) 1st-Round Takeaways Why Is Ezekiel Elliott No. 1? Tom Pennington/Getty Images Last year, Gurley delivered the goods for Yahoo fantasy football owners, finishing with 319.30 points—62.70 more points than Pittsburgh Steelers ball-carrier Le'Veon Bell. This season, turn your attention to Dallas Cowboys tailback Ezekiel Elliott, who should undoubtedly see a lot of action as a rusher and receiver out of the backfield. In 2017, Elliott led the league in rushing attempts per game and yards per game, with 24.2 and 98.3, respectively, per Team Rankings. The 23-year-old has led the NFL in the latter category for the last two terms. His overall fantasy numbers didn't rank among the best at his position because of a six-game suspension last year. If Elliott avoids off-field transgressions and plays through the majority of a 16-game season, he could lead the league in rushing yards per contest for a third consecutive campaign. The Cowboys lost their two top pass-catchers in the red zone when they cut wideout Dez Bryant and tight end Jason Witten retired. Their absences will likely add on to the All-Pro running back's responsibilities in the passing attack. Quarterback Dak Prescott targeted Elliott fewer than 40 times in each of the first two terms, but it's possible he could lean on him early in the season while building chemistry with the team's new wideouts Allen Hurns, Deonte Thompson and Michael Gallup. With the third-year veteran's prospective workload, he's a safe option as the No. 1 pick in fantasy drafts. Why Did Todd Gurley Fall Outside the Top 2? Jae C. Hong/Associated Press Gurley single-handedly led fantasy teams to the championship round in 2017 as the leader in points at his position. However, expect his production to drop a bit this year, though not enough that he falls out of the top three. The Los Angeles Rams acquired wideout Brandin Cooks via trade and immediately extended his deal before he played a down in the offense. The fifth-year pass-catcher logged three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. That streak will likely continue under head coach Sean McVay, who's the offensive mind pulling the strings behind the league's top-scoring offense in 2017. Cooks essentially replaces Sammy Watkins, who caught 39 passes for 593 yards and eight touchdowns last year. The upgrade at wide receiver could affect Gurley's production in the passing game. In 2017, the 24-year-old running back logged 64 receptions for 788 yards, respectively ranking first and second in those categories for the team. Assuming Cooks continues to produce at the level of a No. 1 wide receiver, the star running back doesn't have to carry a major load in the short-passing game. Gurley remains a safe selection early in the draft order, but he's going to come down to earth with another high-end asset demanding a high volume of targets. Davante Adams' Rising Stock Streeter Lecka/Getty Images The Green Bay Packers decided to part ways with quarterback Aaron Rodgers' most reliable red-zone threat over the past several seasons in wideout Jordy Nelson. In 2016, the 33-year-old pass-catcher led the league in touchdown receptions with 14 as the Comeback Player of the Year following a lost campaign with a torn ACL. He's signed a two-year deal with the Oakland Raiders.<doc-sep>0 of 13 Elsa/Getty Images A great way to jump back into fantasy football is with an early-preseason mock draft. If you haven't been keeping up on offseason activity in great detail, this exercise allows you to test potential strategies and get an overall feel for how drafts may shake out, at least in the early rounds. Do not construct strict draft plans based on what you see in mocks. Your drafts can and will look different with more than a few curveballs thrown in along the way. The mock draft in this article opens with a moderately surprising first overall pick, which then causes a domino effect for the next five picks. That can be a positive or negative, depending on who you expect to be there. But either way, you have to react accordingly. The best advice is to try mocking yourself from different spots in the draft. If you open your draft with Saquon Barkley at No. 7 overall, see if your team ends up taking another RB in the second round versus what it looks like if you take a WR. Take one of the top TEs in the third round, and find out if it causes a serious weakness at another position. Take yourself out of a comfort zone and see how you adjust. This mock draft is a 12-team, points-per-reception (PPR) format with a starting lineup of 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 FLEX (RB/WR/TE), 1 K and 1 D. I used the draft simulator at FantasyPros to create it. I picked from the No. 9 spot, and the auto-generated teams around mine were compiled by using the expert consensus rankings and composite average draft position. In addition to analyzing each round, I’ll take you inside the strategy and process for each of my personal picks.<doc-sep>Fantasy football draft preparation is changing on a weekly basis. One week you are excited to have Derrius Guice as your No. 2 running back. The next he’s out for the year with a torn ACL. Injuries happen, guys’ average draft positions rise and fall and names move up and down the depth chart. Thankfully, I (along with the FantasyPros’ Mock Draft Simulator) am here to help. The Mock Draft Simulator allows owners to set custom league settings and run a mock draft in a few minutes, without having to wait on lobbies or for other owners to make their picks. So it’s easy to get a feel for your draft after every preseason game. In my ongoing series this month of mock drafts, today, I’ll run through a mock draft in which I picked in the middle of the round. My drafts running down early and late picks can be found here and here, respectively. Each time, I am using a standard 12-team format. Here are the league settings: Below is a rundown of my roster, along with the round I selected each player. Complete a mock draft in minutes with our free Draft Simulator >> Quarterback: Philip Rivers (Rd. #10), Jimmy Garoppolo (Rd. #11) It sounds silly on the surface to take quarterbacks in back-to-back rounds, but I was already feeling pretty comfortable with my starting lineup, so I figured I would go with Rivers (who is relatively safe and reliable) and Garoppolo (a high-upside guy who could be trade bait or a top-10 quarterback). Rivers has finished four of the past five years as a top-12 quarterback in total fantasy points, and will now have second-year receiver Mike Williams fully healthy in the lineup after he was injured for most of 2017. I will never have to be overly concerned about playing Rivers in any given week. Meanwhile, Garoppolo could easily be my every-week starter if he can live up to the hype. In his five starts last season, he was on pace to throw for nearly 5,000 yards had he been the starter all year. The touchdown-to-interception ratio concerns me, but with a healthy Pierre Garcon and a new weapon in Jerick McKinnon, he could break out early and be a potential trade target for other owners or my regular starter. And, if not, I have Rivers already. Running back: Saquon Barkley (Rd. #1), Royce Freeman (Rd. #5), Mark Ingram (Rd. #6), Kerryon Johnson (Rd. #7), Matt Breida (Rd. #13) This is a running back group that is primed for late-season success – it’s just going to be about surviving until then. Barkley is going to be a workhorse back in New York, so no need to worry about playing him Week 1. But Freeman and Johnson both have to wrestle away the starting jobs with their respective teams, and Ingram is suspended for the first four games and has a bye in Week 5. Still, there’s a lot of potential here. It’s no secret that I’m high on Ingram this year, so I will be eager to use him as soon as he’s back in the lineup. Then there’s Freeman, who looks to be the starter, but still has to beat Devontae Booker. Freeman’s stock has been rising since Week 1 of the preseason, so I am happy to get him in the fifth round. He looked good in his NFL debut, carrying the ball four times for 38 yards and a touchdown. If Denver didn’t see him as a bellcow, they likely would have run him more during the first preseason game. It’s a good sign that they want him to have fresh legs. I also could see Johnson becoming the Lions’ starter by midseason. LeGarrette Blount could vulture some red zone touches, and touchdowns, but Johnson is the quicker back of the two and looked great in the preseason game against the Bears. He averaged 4.9 yards per carry, and also had a 57-yard run that was negated by a penalty. Wide receiver: A.J. Green (Rd. #2), Stefon Diggs (Rd. #3), JuJu Smith-Schuster (Rd. #4), Jamison Crowder (Rd. #8), John Ross (Rd. #14) My top three receivers are all guys who finished inside the top 18 in total fantasy scoring among wideouts last year, which I can definitely live with. Smith-Schuster is one of only 17 players in NFL history to have at least 900 receiving yards, seven touchdowns and 55 catches in their rookie year, according to Pro-Football-Reference. Among that group, he is second in catch percentage behind only Michael Thomas of the Saints. Some other names in that group include Randy Moss, Odell Beckham and Keenan Allen. There’s a ton of upside with him, and Green is a known quantity at this point who is a lock to be a top-12 receiver. I was able to get Crowder in the eighth round again, which I did in the first of my mock drafts. That’s still great value, and even better considering Guice is down for the year. I could see Alex Smith relying on Crowder a lot to catch short passes and make things happen in the open field a lot more now. John Ross is also the ideal lottery ticket. I took him with my last position player spot, so I won’t be kicking myself if I cut him in Week 4. But he also has the speed and opportunity to be a solid flex guy this year. He is also a potential handcuff for Green if he gets hurt at any point in the season. Tight end: Jordan Reed (Rd. #9), George Kittle (Rd. #12) I accidentally went heavy-handed on 49ers, but I think Kittle makes a good pairing with Reed. When he’s healthy, Reed is one of the best fantasy tight ends, but he’s only started 13 games over the past two years. If Reed only plays five or six games, Kittle is a guy I don’t mind plugging in for the other eight. Besides that, Kittle has legitimate upside to be a top-10 fantasy tight end this season, especially with a lack of depth at the position.<doc-sep>Elsa/Getty Images Luckily, fantasy football leagues aren't won based solely on the draft, but if fantasy managers don't stockpile the right talent on their initial rosters right out of the gate, it can be a long season. Draft day normally lands somewhere between the last two weeks of the preseason and the days leading up to the regular season kickoff, so until then, fantasy football enthusiasts are scrambling to gather any and all information to help them build useful strategies in selecting winning teams. The long, arduous fantasy season will require owners to make adjustments due to injuries and performances, but no amount of tinkering can overcome an underwhelming draft. For those looking to secure end-of-the-season bragging rights, mock drafts are a great way to get in some practice before the big day. Below is a 10-round mock draft to help owners avoid getting stuck with overvalued players and zeroing in on potential sleeper picks and players who will net quality production this year. In each of the 10 rounds, we'll pick one quarterback, one tight end, one place-kicker, one team defense/special teams, three wide receivers, two running backs and one reserve player (either a wide receiver, tight end or running back). Video Play Button Videos you might like For the ninth and 10th round, we'll select kickers and defense/special teams, respectively. Each round will feature 10 players. We'll pick fifth in the odd-numbered rounds and sixth in the even-numbered rounds. Round 1 RB Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh RB Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams RB David Johnson, Arizona WR Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh WR DeAndre Hopkins, Houston RB Ezekiel Elliot, Dallas WR Julio Jones, Atlanta RB Saquon Barkley, Giants RB Alvin Kamara, New Orleans RB Kareem Hunt, Kansas City No. 5 selection: WR DeAndre Hopkins Le'Veon Bell, Todd Gurley and David Johnson are easy choices for the first three picks. They are the kind of every-down running backs that will net fantasy football success. Antonio Brown is a no-brainer for the fourth pick because he's paced the league's receiving corps in fantasy points for the last four years straight. With a healthy Deshaun Watson back in the fold under center, DeAndre Hopkins should see a lot of targets this season, keeping him at the top of the class as far as volume, making him a safe bet at the fifth pick. Round 2 WR Odell Beckham Jr., Giants RB Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville RB Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers WR A.J. Green, Cincinnati WR Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers WR Davante Adams, Green Bay WR Michael Thomas, New Orleans WR Mike Evans, Tampa Bay RB Christian McCaffrey, Carolina RB Dalvin Cook, Minnesota No. 6 selection: WR Davante Adams Odell Beckham Jr. and A.J. Green won't be on the board when this pick comes up, so Davante Adams is a great talent in this spot, especially considering that he ended the season as a top-12 wideout even though Aaron Rodgers' backup Brett Hundley started seven games. This year, Adams will be Rodgers' No. 1 target and they will build on their chemistry as the season unfolds. This will no doubt lead to his first 1,000-yard season and, hopefully, a third straight year with double-digit touchdowns. Tim Warner/Getty Images Round 3 TE Rob Gronkowski, Green Bay RB Devonta Freeman, Atlanta RB Jerick McKinnon, San Francisco WR Mike Evans, Tampa Bay TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City RB Joe Mixon, Cincinnati RB Doug Baldwin, Seattle WR T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis TE Zach Ertz, Philadelphia WR Stephon Diggs, Minnesota No. 5 selection: RB Joe Mixon Joe Mixon got off to a slow start last season until Jeremy Hill was sidelined. From Week 8 to Week 12, the former Sooner went on to average 17.6 touches per game before suffering a concussion in Week 13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mixon was on pace to be the 13th ranked back before his injury, signalling that this year, if the Bengals can improve on the offensive side of the ball, he'll be a steal in the third round and rack up those fantasy points. Round 4 RB LeSean McCoy, Buffalo WR Adam Thielen, Minnesota WR Tyreke Hill, Kansas City RB Derrick Henry, Tennessee QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay WR Amari Cooper, Oakland Raiders RB Kenyan Drake, Miami RB Jay Ajayi, Philadelphia WR Golden Tate, Detroit WR Josh Gordon, Cleveland No. 6 selection: WR Amari Cooper Amari Cooper's ankle injury, coupled with Derek Carr's bad back, made last season one to forget for the former Alabama wideout. Cooper logged two straight 1,000-yard seasons before last year's dud, so he'll likely bounce back, especially considering the Raiders cut bait with Michael Crabtree. Jordy Nelson and Martavis Bryant will be new targets for Carr, but it's Cooper who has chemistry with the Raiders' quarterback, meaning he's got a good shot at taking home WR2 status. Joe Robbins/Getty Images Round 5 WR Demaryius Thomas, Denver WR Allen Robinson, Chicago WR Juju Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh WR Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona RB Alex Collins, Baltimore WR Alshon Jeffrey, Philadelphia RB Royce Freeman, Denver RB Rashaad Penny, Seattle QB Tom Brady, New England RB Derrius Guice, Washington No. 5 selection: RB Alex Collins Alex Collins is a bargain here with this pick considering that he's No. 38 on average draft position (ADP). Last year, Collins was just shy of rushing for his first 1,000-yard season. With Kenneth Dixon out with a soft tissue injury, he'll likely get his chance to be the workhorse back and build on the 973 yards and six touchdowns he ended with last year. Round 6 WR Jarvis Landry, Cleveland TE Greg Olsen, Carolina WR Brandin Cooks, Los Angeles Rams RB Mark Ingram, New Orleans RB Ronald Jones II, Tampa Bay QB Cam Newton, Carolina RB Sony Michel, New England WR Pierre Garcon, San Francisco WR Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams WR Michael Crabtree, Baltimore No. 6 selection: QB Cam Newton The fact that Kelvin Benjamin called out his abilities as a quarterback will be all the fuel Cam Newton needs to have a stellar year.<doc-sep>

Adam Hunger/Associated Press By this point in August, you've probably read a number of mock drafts and done a few practice drafts yourself as you prep for fantasy football. You're immersed in the land of mock drafts. 'Tis the season. But for the following mock draft, I did things slightly differently. Using my top-50 rankings, I put together a five-round mock draft from all 10 starting slots in a 10-team, non-PPR league. While I didn't stick exclusively to the rankings—I didn't want to give a team two quarterbacks, for example—I mostly used a "best player available" philosophy for these teams. Below, you'll find the results of that mock in a neat and tidy package. Note that the number next to the player's name represents my overall value for the player, not the draft slot they were selected in. I'll also give my thoughts on each team. Let's dive in. Team 1 1. Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams Video Play Button Videos you might like 20. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings 40. Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks 43. Josh Gordon, WR, Cleveland Browns This ended up being a team with a ton of potential upside. Evans is one of the most talented wide receivers in the league and could easily finish as a top-three receiver. Had Cook not been injured last season, he might have been a first-round pick this year. Keep in mind that he rushed for 354 yards and two touchdowns in four games last year, which projects to 1,416 yards and eight touchdowns over a full season. And then there's Gordon, who has elite potential but remains a mystery away from the Browns. I really like the shape of this team. Gurley and Wilson are safe options at their positions, Evans and Cook seem like safe bets to at least be solid contributors and Gordon is worth the gamble in the fifth round. It's a fine start to a draft. With this squad, you can probably just continue to pick the best player available as the draft continues, especially considering that the elite tight ends aren't available. Unless this team can get a guy like Evan Engram at tight end before the run on that position begins, I'd probably wait. Team 2 2. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers 19. T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts 22. Devonta Freeman, RB, Atlanta Falcons 38. Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota Vikings 41. Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers It's a solid start for this squad. Bell and Newton are safe and productive options at their respective positions. Freeman is a steady RB2. Diggs just got an upgrade at quarterback in Kirk Cousins. And Hilton should have a major bounce-back year as Andrew Luck returns. I don't love this group as much as Team 1, but there is a strong foundation in place here. Like Team 1, this team can continue to seek out the top players or values on their board. Team 3 Charles Krupa/Associated Press 3. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys 17. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints 23. Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots 34. Doug Baldwin, WR, Seattle Seahawks 48. Kenyan Drake, RB, Miami Dolphins I really like the first four picks here. Elliott is as safe as they come at running back, while the wide receiver pairing of Michael Thomas and Doug Baldwin finished eighth and 13th, respectively, in non-PPR leagues last year. This team should get solid production from those two. Finally, a healthy Gronkowski provides incredible value at tight end, where at his best he puts numbers that would be elite for wideouts, let alone tight ends. That leaves Drake as this team's question mark. He looked good after Jay Ajayi was traded to Philadelphia last season, but Frank Gore's presence looms. Drake should still be the starter, but personally, I'd rather have a better RB2 in place by this point. If I picked this team, I would add at least two more running backs in my next three or four picks. And I'd probably wait on quarterback, where there's a ton of depth to be had well down the board. Team 4 4. David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals 16. Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers 24. Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland Raiders 39. Jay Ajayi, RB, Philadelphia Eagles 42. Deshaun Watson, QB, Houston Texans There's lots of potential in this group. Johnson was fantasy's MVP in 2016, so his return to injury should be accompanied by another huge season.

The picture is getting clearer as to which defenses to target and which to avoid when we choose players for our FanDuel DFS lineups. Also, there have been a plethora of injuries at crucial skill positions, which provides us with solid value plays in almost every spot in the lineup. As far as the Vegas odds go, we have four games with an over/under above 50 total points, but two of them aren’t in the main slate on FanDuel. That leaves us with CIN/ATL and NO/NYG as games to target with high projected totals. These write-ups are posted every Saturday before the final injury report comes out. If news comes out prior to kickoff, look for updated advice and suggestions on my Twitter page, @CharlieSideHstl. Win $1 Million playing FanDuel’s NFL Sunday Million >> Quarterbacks Andy Dalton (CIN): $7,400 @ ATL In back-to-back games, the Falcons defense has allowed three passing touchdowns apiece to the Saints and Panthers. Both Drew Brees and Cam Newton also threw for over 330 yards during those contests. Last week, Dalton surpassed the 330-yard passing total when he compiled 352 yards against Carolina. This season, Dalton is averaging just under three passing TDs per game, too. Look for Dalton to continue to 330-yard/3-TD performance streak against Atlanta in Week 4. Other Notables Philip Rivers (LAC): $7,800 vs. SF Russell Wilson (SEA): $7,500 @ ARI Eli Manning (NYG): $7,100 vs. NO Running Backs Chris Carson (SEA): $6,400 @ ARI Last week, Carson led the league with 32 rushing attempts. He notched 102 rushing yards and found the end zone against the Cowboys. Carson even caught two passes for 22 yards in that game. On Sunday, he’ll face the Cardinals defense who’s allowed the most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. Opposing backs have scored a league-most five rushing touchdowns against Arizona. If Carson continues to keep Rashad Penny on the sidelines, Carson could have a profitable game for his DFS users. Giovani Bernard (CIN): $6,400 @ ATL FanDuel refuses to raise Bernard’s price, even though Joe Mixon is still out. Last week, Bernard tallied 17.1 FD points against the Panthers. He’ll get an easier opponent in Atlanta this week. The Falcons defense has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing RBs. Also, opposing RBs have caught 36 passes against Atlanta, which is the most in the NFL. Bernard is more of a receiving RB, too. He’s been targeted 17 times this season, which is tied for 12th-most among running backs. Other Notables Jordan Howard (CHI): $7,200 vs. TB Carlos Hyde (CLE): $6,800 @ OAK Sony Michel (NE): $5,900 vs. MIA Wide Receivers Keenan Allen (LAC): $8,100 vs. SF Even though Allen is questionable, I’m willing to roll the dice on the Chargers No. 1 WR. The Chargers are projected to score the most points in the main slate (28.5 points). As for his opponent, the 49ers, they’ve allowed five receiving TDs to WRs in the first three weeks. However, Allen is questionable for Sunday’s game with the rare knee/tooth injury report. On Wednesday, it was reported that Allen had a knee issue. On Thursday, a tooth issue was added to the list. If Allen isn’t able to go, Mike Williams ($6,300) and Tyrell Williams ($5,400) would be strong value plays. Jarvis Landry (CLE): $7,000 @ OAK Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs have an extra game on the field and they lead the league in targets (56 and 44, respectively). Behind them are Antonio Brown (42 targets), Michael Thomas (40 targets) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (38 targets). While Smith-Schuster may be a surprise, some might also be shocked to see that Landry is one target behind him (37 targets). It will be interesting to see if Baker Mayfield continues to look Landry’s way. Cleveland’ No. 1 receiver has tallied 15 targets in two of the three games in 2018. Sterling Shepard (NYG): $6,200 vs. NO Evan Engram is on the shelf. Odell Beckham Jr. will likely get Marshon Lattimore in coverage. That leaves Shepard as the receiver to benefit from the current situations. The Saints have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. In the first three weeks of the season, three receivers have notched at least 100 yards and a TD against the Saints (DeSean Jackson, Mike Evans, and Calvin Ridley). Shepard could fill that role in Week 4. Other Notables Will Fuller (HOU): $7,600 @ IND Allen Robinson (CHI): $6,500 vs. TB Tyler Boyd (CIN): $5,800 @ ATL Tight Ends Trey Burton (CHI): $5,600 vs. TB After Vance McDonald owned the Bucs defense on Monday night (four receptions for 112 yards and a TD), the Bucs defense is now a target for DFS tight ends. Burton has been on the receiving end of at least four Mitchell Trubisky passes and has tallied four receptions in back-to-back outings. Other Notables Jimmy Graham (GB): $6,000 vs. BUF George Kittle (SF): $5,700 @ LAC David Njoku (CLE): $5,200 @ OAK Defense Chargers (LAC): $4,400 vs. SF With C.J. Beathard at the helm for the 49ers, I’ll take the defense he’s facing in Week 4, and probably in the future, as well. Sure, the Chargers defense was torched for 38 against the Chiefs and 35 against the Rams, but they held the Bills in check (20 points in Week 2). Other Notables Eagles (PHI): $4,600 @ TEN Seahawks (SEA): $4,400 @ ARI Bears (CHI): $4,300 vs. TB Create Optimal FanDuel lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool >> Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | SoundCloud | TuneIn | RSS Adam Meyer is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Adam, check out his archive and follow him @CharlieSideHstl.<doc-sep>Gregory Shamus/Getty Images Stacking, which 4for4 Fantasy Football defines as "playing players in the same game whose production is correlated," is always an optimal strategy to win large-sized daily-fantasy tournaments like the FanDuel Sunday Million or DraftKings Millionaire Maker. Per Bryan Mears of FantasyLabs, all 17 winning Millionaire Maker lineups last year had stacks, with some of them even containing multiple stacks. The key is to find the right stacks involving players who won't break the bank. If you can stack some players with lower salaries, it can afford you the opportunity to take some of the top names on the slate, like New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara this week. Below you'll find three different value-based stacks that could help you win a tournament on Sunday. Stacks and Value Picks Video Play Button Videos you might like Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen ($5,100 DK, $6,400 FD) and Green Bay Packers WR Geronimo Allison ($4,700 DK, $5,900 FD) This first one may look unorthodox at first glance as it involves a quarterback and pass-catcher on opposite sides. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen may have a fantasy season reminiscent of San Francisco 49ers signal-caller Colin Kaepernick in 2016. Like Kaepernick, Allen's team may not win many games or score a ton of points, but he'll be fantasy viable every week because of his rushing ability and a need to throw late with his team down. He's the type of quarterback you don't need to stack a teammate with. No Bills receiver has more than six catches this year, so it's hard to peg someone with him anyway. Bills running back LeSean McCoy could be an option, but how effective will he be coming off a rib injury that forced him to miss last Sunday's game? Allen's Bills team is a 9.5-point underdog, per OddsShark, heading into its road matchup with the Green Bay Packers, so McCoy may not get as many touches if he's involved in a negative game script for running backs anyway. If the Bills find themselves losing by multiple scores, then Green Bay Packers wide receiver Geronimo Allison may have played a part. The third-year pro has received an increase in playing time with wideout Jordy Nelson now playing with the Oakland Raiders, and Allison has responded by catching 13 passes (on 18 targets) for 209 yards and two touchdowns. Of note, his touchdowns have been on 39 and 64 yards, so quarterback Aaron Rodgers is clearly looking his way downfield to break off a big play. With Allison getting six targets a game, he'll get more chances to make that long touchdown reception, which could go a long way toward a monster performance. Detroit Lions RB Kerryon Johnson ($4,400 DK, $5,700 FD) and Detroit Lions D/ST ($2,500 DK, $3,500 FD) at Dallas Cowboys The Detroit Lions opened their season with a 48-17 loss to the New York Jets and were down 30-13 to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2. Since then, they've outscored opponents 40-10, losing by just three to the 49ers and taking down the New England Patriots 26-10. Perhaps the trajectory continues to go up and the Lions put forth a dominant outing against Dallas, whose offensive struggles have been well-documented (see here for some takes from NFL analyst Warren Sharp, for example). The Cowboys have scored just 41 points through three games, and they haven't yet managed a 200-yard passing performance. On the other side of the ball, Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee will not be playing as he recovers from a left hamstring injury. Lee was the fourth-best linebacker against the run last year, per Pro Football Focus. With him in the lineup last year (11 of 16 games), the Cowboys went 8-3 and allowed more than 21 points just twice. Without Lee, the Cowboys went 1-4, and the team allowed 28 or more points four times. All of this could lead to a big day from rookie running back Kerryon Johnson, who had 16 carries for 101 yards last Sunday, and a Lions defense that held Pats quarterback Tom Brady to just 133 passing yards and one touchdown. Cincinnati Bengals QB Andy Dalton ($5,400 DK, $7,400 FD), WR Tyler Boyd ($4,600 DK, $5,800 FD) and TE Tyler Eifert ($3,800 DK, $4,600 FD at Atlanta Falcons Per 4for4, a QB+WR2+TE1 three-man stack combined for just 75 or more points just two percent of the time. While the odds of a three-man stack exploding are far less than a two-man stack getting it done (such as a quarterback and his No. 1 wide receiver), you can reap significant rewards if you take the right grouping. There's a situation this week that may call for it. The Cincinnati Bengals are facing an Atlanta Falcons team missing three defensive starters—safeties Ricardo Allen and Keanu Neal and linebacker Deion Jones. Atlanta just allowed 43 points to the New Orleans Saints. Granted, the Saints have one of the best offenses in football, but the Bengals aren't going to be a giant step down in quality. Per Football Outsiders, New Orleans is fourth in offensive efficiency, while the Bengals are seventh. Cincinnati is also eighth in passing offense. The Bengals' two primary weapons Sunday should be running back Giovani Bernard and No. 1 wideout A.J. Green. But Bernard is fighting a thigh injury that kept him limited at practice Thursday. If he's unable to go or is slowed down Sunday, then we could see other players assume more touches, such as wideout Tyler Boyd or tight end Tyler Eifert. Those latter two should be busy. Boyd has averaged seven targets per game through three weeks, and he's amassed 12 catches for 223 yards and two touchdowns in his last two games. Eifert is coming off a six-catch, 74-yard afternoon against the Carolina Panthers. In a game with a large 53-point over/under total—the second-biggest point total on the board, per OddsShark—they can both link up with Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton for a ton of yardage and multiple scores.<doc-sep>Need Fantasy Football lineup advice? Talk to CBS Sports on your Google Assistant to get insights on the best sleepers and to help decide between players. Just start with, "Hey Google, talk to CBS Sports." One thing to ask yourself occasionally is "why am I here?". This can be relevant to a variety of situations, including the lobby of your favorite DFS site. Are you going there to try to scratch out a small profit in 50/50s or head-to-heads? Are you just there for the smaller contests with your friends? Or are you hoping to take down a GPP? If it's the latter, your have to think about ownership. Thankfully, @UFCollective collective can help with that. I've used their projections to give you four high-upside plays that should have low ownership this week. You can get their full projected ownership here. Andrew Luck QB • Projected FP 20.7 Projected FD Ownership 3.16% Projected DK Ownership 3.53% I know, Andrew Luck has not been good. He's not making the deep throws. He couldn't even throw the Hail Mary at the end of last week's game. I'm tired of hearing about it and you know Luck is. He's said as much. He's also said he can make all the the throws. While I don't quite believe Luck on the second point, I do agree with Pete Prisco the Hail Mary is being overblown. What matters more to me than how far Luck can throw the ball is how many times he can throw it, because he may approach 50 this week. The Texans pass defense has been extremely generous and this game has serious shootout potential. If there's also a little extra chip on Luck's shoulder about the deep ball I won't complain about it. Kenyan Drake LV • RB • 41 Projected PPR FP 13.7 Projected FD Ownership 1.09% Projected DK Ownership 1.12% View Profile It's no wonder why Kenyan Drake's ownership is as low as it is. He only touched the ball seven times last week in what we thought was a plus matchup against the Raiders. Well, we know the Patriots are bad against the run, even if it's because they choose to be. They've allowed 4.7 yards per carry and 143 yards per game. It sure seems like it would make sense for Adam Gase to rely on his running game and his defense. Speaking of that defense, they're the third best in terms of FanDuel scoring so far this year, they're the cheapest defense on the slate, and no one is going to play them. That's about all you could ask for out of a contrarian defense. Stacking Drake and the Dolphins is a solid bet on the type of game this will be, even if no one else wants to make that bet. Taylor Gabriel CHI • WR • 18 Projected PPR FP 14.99 Projected FD Ownership 2.36% Projected DK Ownership 2.62% View Profile Taylor Gabriel has 22 targets through three weeks of the season. Most of them came with Anthony Miller as a part of the offense. Miller is out this week and Gabriel could be looking at double-digit targets for a very low price on either site. Most of those targets will come out of the slot, a position Tampa Bay has struggled defending. If this seems too cute to you, Allen Robinson and Trey Burton could both take advantage of this spot as well. Geronimo Allison DET • WR • 18 Projected PPR FP 14.1 Projected FD Ownership 2.44% Projected DK Ownership 2.66% View Profile Geronimo Allison has been a tough player to project this year. The production has largely been good but the targets, especially last week, were concerning. Assuming Randall Cobb is out, the second part shouldn't be a concern. If Cobb is out Allison becomes close to an auto-play, but his ownership may go up a little. Even if Cobb plays, Allison has upside against a Bills team that has approximately one good defensive back. This is the same team that shut down Stefon Diggs last week but saw Kirk Cousins throw to Adam Thielen 19 times last week. So who should you sit and start? And what shocking QB could win you Week 4? Visit SportsLine now to get Fantasy football rankings for every single position, and see which shocking QB finishes in the top 12 this week, all from the model that out-performed experts big time last season.<doc-sep>

RotoBallers, welcome to Week 4 of the daily fantasy football season. In this column, you will find my recommended FanDuel DFS Lineup Picks to target for Week 4 of the NFL season. The goal is to identify players to start on FanDuel this week based on various factors including the opponent, the player's opportunity, analysis of the game's matchups, and the FanDuel price. Let's find some DFS lineup sleepers, and win on FanDuel. Good luck in Week 4! Find me @DFS_Tom if you have any questions. All you early birds can get a full-season NFL Premium Pass. Exclusive access to our preseason Draft Kit, rankings and projections, 15 in-season lineup tools and over 150 days of Premium DFS tools and cheat sheets. Sign Up Now! FanDuel Quarterbacks - Week 4 DFS Picks Andy Dalton - QB, CIN @ ATL (FD - $7,400) Dalton has been very consistent to start the season and doing so in a bit of a quiet fashion. He has two or more touchdowns in each of his three games this season and is now up against the Falcons, who come in with the 25th DVOA vs the pass. This game has an over-under set at 52, making it the highest on the slate, so we should be in for plenty of offense. Dalton does have five interceptions to start the season, with four coming in his most recent game, but interceptions have high variance, so I wouldn't be too worried. The Falcons defense has allowed 300 yards and three touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks in the past two weeks, a level of production Dalton should be able to reach this week. Ryan Tannehill - QB, MIA @ NE (FD - $6,800) Tannehill and the surprising 3-0 Dolphins are on the road in New England against the Patriots who need to win. If everyone is expecting the Patriots to come out hungry and put up some points, this will lead to a positive game script for the Dolphins, as they should be playing from behind. This will lead to plenty of opportunity for passing rather than running the ball, thus, putting Tannehill in a great spot. He has two or more touchdown in each game this season but has yet to break the 300-yard threshold. More of a tournament option this week compared to cash games. FanDuel Running Backs - Week 4 DFS Picks James White - RB, NE vs MIA (FD - $6,100) With the news coming out this week that Patriots' running back Rex Burkhead is going to IR, we should see an expanded role for White in the offense. He is clearly the pass-catching back for New England, as rookie Sony Michel is doing most of the rushing, albeit very inefficiently. White has posted 11.9 or more FanDuel points in each of his three games this season, with two touchdowns in the passing game so far. He has 20 targets through these first three games, playing on 52% of the snaps, and an aDOT sitting at 4.59. Great in any format this week. Jordan Howard - RB, CHI vs TB (FD - $7,200) Howard has seen 15 or more rushing attempts in two of the three games this season, along with 17 or more total touches in all three games. He should continue to see a large role in the offense, simply for the fact that Bears' quarterback Mitch Trubisky isn't very good. He is having trouble pushing the ball downfield, which should allow Howard to see more work this week since they are up against the Buccaneers, who have the 18th DVOA vs the rush and the 28th DVOA vs running backs in the passing game. FanDuel Wide Receivers - Week 4 DFS Picks Sterling Shepard - WR, NYG vs NO (FD - $6,200) When it comes to wide receivers, I always look for players who are seeing the volume in terms of targets. Not looking for a one-off guy who can catch a 50-yard touchdown, I want a consistent part of the offense. Shepard is appearing that type of receiver this season, as he has seven targets in two of the three games this season and should be in a spot to repeat that this week, as he is up against the Saints, who come in with the 32nd DVOA vs the pass. Shepard has an aDOT of only 9.17, which should play into the hands of Eli Manning, who hasn't shown the ability to throw the ball downfield.

India will kick off their World Test Championship (WTC) cycle with a two-match series in the West Indies in July-August next year and play South Africa next at home in a three-match series, the International Cricket Council announced on Wednesday. ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma clears Yo-Yo test, ready for England tour The ICC released the men’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) from 2018-2023 on Wednesday. The inaugural WTC will run in two cycles – 2019-2021 and 2021-2023 and feature nine top-ranked Test teams. It will run from July 15, 2019 to April 30, 2021 and the top two ranked teams will play the final at Lord’s in June. Teams will play six series in the two-year cycle on a home-and-away basis against opponents mutually selected, the statement said. India will follow their Caribbean series by hosting South Africa (3 Tests) and Bangladesh (2 Tests) in Sept-Oct, 2019 with a two-game away series against New Zealand in early 2020 in the next competition as part of the Test championship cycle. ALSO READ: ‘The hardest day’s cricket I’ve ever had in my life’ - Tim Paine on Australia’s annihilation at Trent Bridge The WTC will kick off with the Ashes series in England next summer. The ICC bid to provide focus to international competition will include a 13-team men’s ODI league that will act as qualification for the ICC Cricket World Cup. The 12 Test teams and Netherlands will figure in the ODI competition, which will run from May 1, 2020 to March 31, 2022. Each side will play eight series over two years, home-and-away. India’s first ODI series in the league will be away in Sri Lanka, in June 2020, which will start the build-up to the 2023 World Cup to be held in India. ALSO READ: MS Dhoni’s wife Sakshi alleges threat to life, applies for arms licence Hosts India and seven highest-ranked sides as on March 31, 2022 will qualify directly for the tournament while the bottom five sides will compete in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier to find the last two sides. The Test and ODI championships have been scheduled in a way that would allow teams to plan bilateral series outside them. “The agreement of this FTP means we have clarity, certainty, and most importantly context, around bilateral cricket over the next five years,” ICC CEO Dave Richardson said in the statement. ALSO READ: South Africa’s Dale Steyn hopes to find place in starting XI for Sri Lanka Tests “Bringing context to bilateral cricket is not a new challenge, but with the release of this FTP, our Members have found a genuine solution that gives fans around the world the chance to engage regularly with international cricket that has meaning and the possibility of a global title at the end.” The structure of men’s FTP includes the ICC Cricket World Cups (2019, 2023), ICC World T20s (2020, 2021), World Test Championship cycle 1 (2019-2021 with final), cycle 2 (2021-2023 with final) and all bilateral Tests, ODIs and T20Is.<doc-sep>FUTURE TOURS PROGRAMME: 2019-2023 ICC unveils FTP involving Test Championship by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on The Championship will involve nine teams who would contest for the top spot playing three home and three away series © Getty International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Wednesday (June 20), its Future Tours Programme (FTP) for a five-year period (2018-2023) which includes the World Test Championship and a 13-team ODI league. Test championship, the premier offering of this new FTP, will involve nine teams who would contest for the top spot playing three home and three away series over two two-year cycles, with the first cycle beginning in 2019. The final of this cycle is most likely to be held at the Lord's in July 2021. According to the new FTP, ICC preserved the five-match Ashes Test series under the new Test championship cycle with Australia slated to tour England in 2019 and the return series to be played in 2021-22. The 13-team ODI league will see the inclusion of the winners of the World Cricket League Championship, Netherlands, playing alongside the twelve Test playing nations. The league limits every series to a three-match fixture, beginning in 2020 and will run up to 2022. Also, not all matches will impact the Test Championship and the ODI league. In the year preceding the 50-over World Cup, the ODI league will be suspended during which teams can play more than three matches in a series, e.g the ongoing five-match ODI series between England and Australia, as a bilateral series. The top eight teams in the league will gain automatic qualification to the main event while the other spots will be decided through the World Cup Qualifiers. "The agreement of this FTP means we have clarity, certainty and most importantly context around bilateral cricket over the next five years. The World Test Championship will get underway next year with the ODI league kicking off in 2020 as part of the qualification towards the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023," ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said. "Bringing context to bilateral cricket is not a new challenge, but with the release of this FTP, our Members have found a genuine solution that gives fans around the world the chance to engage regularly with international cricket that has meaning and the possibility of a global title at the end," Richardson added.<doc-sep>The International Cricket Council on Wednesday released the men's Future Tours Programme (FTP) from 2018-2023. The FTP provides clarity and certainty around all bilateral international fixtures and incorporates all three formats of the game. A World Test Championship has been created along with a 13-team men's ODI league that will act as a qualification pathway for the ICC Cricket World Cup. Nine top-ranked sides will participate in the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship, which will run from July 15, 2019 to April 30, 2021. The sides will play six series in the two-year cycle on a home and away basis against opponents they have mutually selected. The two top-ranked sides will then progress to the June 2021 final to decide the World Test champions. In addition, the 12 Test playing nations and the Netherlands, will participate in the 13-team ODI League, which will run from 1 May 2020 to 31 March 2022 and all the sides will play eight series over a two-year cycle on a home and away basis against mutually agreed opponents. India's opening series in the World Test Championship is against the Windies in the Caribbean in July 2019, while their first ODI series in the league is against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka in June 2020. This league will serve as a qualification pathway for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. India (as host) plus the seven highest-ranked sides in the ODI league as on 31 March 2022 will qualify directly for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, while the bottom five sides will get a second chance to qualify through the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier. The principles followed by Members in the creation of this men's FTP are as follows: Scheduling the appropriate amount of cricket in each format (home and away) for each Member; With matches scheduled at the preferred time of year in each territory; Inclusion of existing series that have already been committed to commercial partners (mainly in 2019-20); Providing optimum preparation for ICC Events by playing the same format immediately before the tournament; Sufficient time for Members to schedule their preferred bilateral content outside of World Test Championship and ODI league; Periods when individual Boards want to allow their national team players to be available to compete in domestic T20 leagues. ICC Chief Executive David Richardson congratulated the Members for their efforts in the preparation of the men's Future Tours Programme: "The agreement of this FTP means we have clarity, certainty and most importantly context around bilateral cricket over the next five years. The World Test Championship will get underway next year with the ODI league kicking off in 2020 as part of the qualification towards the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Promoted "Bringing context to bilateral cricket is not a new challenge, but with the release of this FTP, our Members have found a genuine solution that gives fans around the world the chance to engage regularly with international cricket that has meaning and the possibility of a global title at the end." As part of the agreed international cricket structure, the ICC Board has already approved an additional ICC World T20 in place of the ICC Champions Trophy as well as giving Twenty20 International Status to all 104 Members.<doc-sep>

ICC Announces Plan for World Test Championship and ODI League New Delhi: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for the much-talked about World Test Championship, that is scheduled to be played between 2019 and 2021, on Wednesday. India’s opening series in the World Test Championship is against the Windies in the Caribbean in July 2019, while their first ODI series in the league is against Sri Lanka in June 2020. Last year, the ICC approved a Test league comprising of top 9 teams in ICC rankings, playing each other over a two year period. Each team will play six series which will culminate with the top 2 playing in the Test championship final — which is likely to be held in Lord's. "Nine top-ranked sides will participate in the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship, which will run from 15 July 2019 to 30 April 2021. The sides will play six series in the two-year cycle on a home and away basis against opponents they have mutually selected. The two top-ranked sides will then progress to the June 2021 final to decide the World Test champions," the ICC said in a statement. The 13-team ODI league will comprise of 12 Test playing nations and the winner of World Cricket League Championship — Netherlands. Every series in the said ODI league will comprise of just three matches and it will be held from 2020 to 2022. The ICC also confirmed that not every series will fall under the purview of World Test Championship or the ODI league. The international cricket body insisted that Ashes 2019 and 2021-22 will have its own separate identity. The ODI League will be suspended a year before the World Cup which means that a series can have more than three ODIs during this period. The top eight teams in this ODI league will get direct entry into the showpiece event while World Cup qualifiers will decide the fate of other teams. "The agreement of this FTP means we have clarity, certainty and most importantly context around bilateral cricket over the next five years. The World Test Championship will get underway next year with the ODI league kicking off in 2020 as part of the qualification towards the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023," ICC Chief Executive David Richardson was quoted as saying in the release. "Bringing context to bilateral cricket is not a new challenge, but with the release of this FTP, our Members have found a genuine solution that gives fans around the world the chance to engage regularly with international cricket that has meaning and the possibility of a global title at the end," he added. According to the new FTP, Afghanistan and Ireland — the teams which acquired Test status recently — won't be a part of the Test Championship. Afghanistan is slated to play a five-day match against Australia in 2020. While their Trans-Tasman rival New Zealand will travel to Sri Lanka before hosting England, Australia and India.

A new interview and behind-the-scenes footage reveals that the animated watchfaces on the Series 4 Watch — Fire, Water, Liquid Metal, and Vapor — were actually shot using live video, despite looking like digital effects. "It's more of a story about the design team. We could have done this digitally, but we shot this all in a studio," Apple's VP of User Interface Design, Alan Dye, told Cool Hunting. "It's so indicative of how the design team works — bringing our best and varied talents together to create these faces." The behind-the-scenes clip shows that Apple's video crew used a vertical camera setup paired with a physical frame meant to simulate the dimensions of the Watch while also constraining the fire, water, and other materials shot towards the lens. The Series 4 uses a larger OLED display than its predecessors, with thinner bezels. The new watchfaces are meant to highlight this, as effects rush toward the edges of the screen. The same faces are also available on other devices running watchOS 5, though they don't fill the entirety of the screen. Check out AppleInsider's hand's on with all the new watch faces.<doc-sep>Apple introduced a boatload of features with its Apple Watch Series 4 as well as a changed designed. However, there are the little things that lots of people seem to forget, such as how the company managed to get those decorated watch faces on its wearable. Turns out that it took a lot of work for those faces to be featured on the latest smartwatch lineup and we will be talking about it right here. Apple Watch Series 4 Faces Were Made Using High-Resolution Videos of Real Fire, Water and Vapor According to a video posted on the YouTube channel Coolhunting, the description reveals a lot of things that Apple did not talk about during its keynote, but word gets around real quick. ECG Feature on Apple Watch Series 4 Isn’t All That Useful, According to Cardiologists “These Apple Watch Series 4 faces are more special than Apple let on during their keynote. They're not rendered—each face is a high-resolution video shot in a studio using real fire, water and vapour elements. This exclusive behind-the-scenes video shows how they were made.” The full versions of these were actually created in order to show off the larger Apple Watch Series 4 display, but thankfully, the tech giant did not forget about the older models, as support for the previous-generation wearables has not dwindled away. The only difference is that everything looks better on a larger display. If you want, you check out the video given below to see how Apple managed to accomplish such a feat and let us know down in the comments what you think. You might also like to check out: News Source: YouTube (Coolhunting)<doc-sep>Apple Watch Series 4 marks the the first redesign to Apple's popular wearable. AppleInsider walks through the top ten features that make it worth a purchase for users new and old. Display The new display is the first, and most obvious, new feature of the Apple Watch Series 4 This nearly edge-to-edge display is more than 30-percent larger than previous Apple Watches. Even though the display is larger, the size of the Apple Watch overall has only grown ever-so-slightly outwards, while getting a tad thinner. Ceramic back On previous iterations of Apple Watch, the back case was metal, with a glass cover for the heart rate monitor, Ceramic is now swapped for the glass on the higher-end stainless and Edition models. The swap allows for the new ECG sensor, which Apple will take live in a software update later in the year. Digital Crown Apple made a big deal about the Digital Crown this year. It actually has more parts, but is overall able to be smaller and more compact. Cellular models no longer have a large red dot, instead adopting a more subtle red ring. There is also improved haptic feedback, which is very much akin to the glass trackpads on the MacBook Pros. As you rotate the crown, you will feel a tapping, very much making it feel as if there are mechanical notches that are being tripped. There is also a new metal cap on the crown that acts as an electrode for taking that ECG we mentioned earlier. ECG Speaking of the ECG functionality... this is entirely new on the Apple Watch Series 4. After the software patch rolls out, users can simply hit start, hold a finger on the side of the Digital Crown, and it will take your reading. This is endorsed by the American Heart Association as well as approved by the FDA. It won't replace a doctor's visit, but it does add a lot to the Apple Watch. New watch faces Series 4 contains two exclusive watch faces, as well as several slightly modified ones introduced with watchOS 5. The exclusive ones include Infograph and Infograph Modular. Infograph is the most complication-dense face Apple has created, with support for roughly nine complications — depending on what you count as a complication. Infograph Modular is a slightly updated version of the popular Modular watch face we've seen many times. Also new are edge-to-edge version of Vapor, Liquid Metal, and Fire & Water. Older models restrict these to a circle within the display, so they look much more at home on the Series 4. Gold color Just like with the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, Apple Watch Series 4 got the gold color treatment. Available in either stainless or aluminum, these new color isn't a gaudy yellow, but more of a subtle tint instead. It also has a slightly copper hue, which should increase the broad appeal. Bluetooth 5 In 2017, the iPhone X got Bluetooth 5, but the Apple Watch Series 3 stuck with 4.2. Series 4 brings Bluetooth to parity with the iPhone. Bluetooth 5 has increased throughput and range which should be helpful with any Bluetooth connected accessories or when paired to the latest iPhones. Gyro Apple has upgraded the gyroscope accelerometer to now detect twice the dynamic range and up to 32 g-forces. Paired with the faster processor, it can sample eight times faster, which allows it to add new features, such as fall detection. Whether you slip, trip, or fall, the Apple Watch's new gyroscope accelerometer will detect it, and alert you on your wrist. It will give you the option to say you're ok, or to call emergency services. If the Apple Watch doesn't detect any movement within 60 seconds, emergency services will automatically get that call. S4 chip S4 is the brains behind the Apple Watch, and is now twice as fast as its predecessor in the Series 3. We especially noticed this speed when launching apps, or querying Siri. The "Silicon in Package" in the S4 incorporates some other previously discrete chipsets, and takes up much less space than in the past. According to Apple, it is the only product in the world that runs completely on a SiP. Speakers Walkie-Talkie is a new feature in watchOS 5. That, coupled with the ability to answer FaceTime calls, chat with Siri, make phone calls — all over Wi-Fi or cellular — speakers are more important than ever for Apple Watch. Apple has now tuned the speakers to improve the audio quality, as well as boost the volume by 50-percent. This is instantly noticeable as soon as you try them out. As a bonus, Apple moved the microphone to the opposite side to help reduce echos during phone calls. Pick one up<doc-sep>

The Apple Watch Series 4 has multiple new watch faces for users to choose from, including Fire, Water, Liquid Metal, and Vapor faces that were custom-designed for Series 4 to interact with the edges of its larger display. Apple briefly showed off these faces during its September 12 keynote in Cupertino, but more information about the making of the watch faces has been shared today in a new behind-the-scenes video by Cool Hunting. Left image via Cool Hunting Alan Dye, vice president of user interface design at Apple, revealed that the visuals seen in each Fire, Water, Liquid Metal, and Vapor Apple Watch face were not rendered through a computer, but were shot using high resolution video capturing real fire, water, liquid metal, and vapor elements. The watch faces were captured in one of Apple's design labs, which can be seen in the video below. play Talking to Alan Dye, Vice President of User Interface Design at Apple, about this particular project he shared that “it’s more of a story about the design team. We could have done this digitally, but we shot this all in a studio. It’s so indicative of how the design team works—bringing our best and varied talents together to create these faces.” ...When asked about how these face concepts were chosen Dye shared that “in terms of design in general, for every thing we do there’s probably 100 things we don’t do and that’s just part of the design process.” Dye said that while the design team could have gone digital for the faces, they opted for the live effects recorded in a studio: The visual faces aren't the only new watch faces on Series 4. You'll also be able to choose from the Infograph face, which supports up to eight complications, as well as a redesigned Modular watch face. watchOS 5 also has a few new watch faces, including one for the mindfulness app Breathe. Apple Watch Series 4 launches tomorrow, September 21, and ahead of its debut reviews for the smartwatch have already emerged. Most reviewers say that this generation is definitely worth an upgrade if you're on an older model Apple Watch, thanks to the new screen, haptic digital crown, improved health tracking, speed, and more.

A terminal at Houston's George Bush International Airport remained closed Monday for a second day amid a shortage of security workers who have gone unpaid during the partial government shutdown, officials said. The airport tweeted that the closing of Terminal B's security checkpoint and ticketing counter is attributed to “staffing issues” related to the shutdown, which entered its 24th day on Monday. Flights were still operating out of Terminal B, but passengers were directed to checkpoints and ticketing counters in other terminals. “Advice to always get to @iah 2 hours before your flight is especially important today,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner tweeted Sunday. “Shortage of TSA workers, unpaid during the US gov’t shutdown, is causing this change.” It wasn’t immediately clear when the terminal would reopen at Houston's airport, which is ranked among the top 20 in the world for its number of take-offs and landings, according to a 2018 report by the Airports Council International, a trade group. Miami International Airport temporarily closed Terminal G because TSA workers called in sick during the ongoing partial government shutdown, which entered its 22nd day on Sunday. CRISTOBAL HERRERA / EPA A TSA spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An automated email reply referenced a “lapse in federal funding” and said messages would only be returned “after appropriations are enacted.” Passengers were affected Monday at another major airport, Washington Dulles International, where a checkpoint was closed and screening operations were consolidated after TSA officials said there was a significant number of workers who called out. But officials said it was due to the nearly foot of snow that had already fallen in the D.C. area. As of Sunday morning, a note posted on the agency’s website said TSA experienced a national rate of 7.7 percent unscheduled absences, compared with 3.2 percent one year earlier. Despite those shortages, a department spokesman tweeted Sunday that “security standards remain uncompromised at our nation’s airports.” Similar closings and so-called “sick outs” have struck other airports around the United States. Dallas/Fort Worth experienced a 2 percent jump in no-shows earlier this month, while Miami International Airport closed one of its concourses on Friday after workers called in sick at twice the normal rate, according to Reuters. Airport spokesman Greg Chin told The Associated Press that the terminal was scheduled to reopen Monday. TSA, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, employs 51,000 officers across the country, many of whom earn about $30,000 a year. Rudy Garcia, president of the union for Dallas TSA employees, said last week that employees who aren’t getting paid for their work would likely try to make money elsewhere. “If you don't have a check to pay your bills, what are you going to do?" he said. "You will look for something outside of what you're doing now."<doc-sep>George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston has closed the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints in one of its terminals because of a lack of available security staff amid the government shutdown. Ticket counters and the security checkpoint in Terminal B closed down over the weekend. The airport told Business Insider the checkpoint would remain closed until the TSA could provide enough people to staff it. Terminal B's gates will remain open, with passengers flying through the facility needing to be screened at other terminals. United Airlines is Terminal B's largest tenant. George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston has closed the security checkpoints in one of its terminals because of a lack of available Transportation Security Administration workers amid the government shutdown. In an alert posted on Twitter, the airport announced on Sunday that ticket counters and the TSA checkpoint in Terminal B had been shut down. Authorities at IAH announced that the checkpoint would be closed on Monday as well. "Due to staffing issues associated with the partial shutdown of the federal government, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoint and the ticketing counter in Terminal B at George Bush Intercontinental Airport remains closed," the airport said in a statement. An airport official told Business Insider that the checkpoint would remain shuttered until the TSA could muster up enough employees to staff it. The TSA was not immediately available for comment on the matter. Terminal B remains open amid the closing of the checkpoint. As a result, passengers with flights operating out of Terminal B are being instructed to pass through the security screenings at Terminal C or Terminal E. Read more: The TSA is giving unpaid security screeners a $500 bonus during the government shutdown Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston advised passengers to arrive at the airport at least two hours ahead of their flight. Terminal B's main tenant, United Airlines, says its operations at IAH are running normally. Miami International Airport has also experienced a shortage of security screeners, prompting the airport to shut down one of its terminals for part of the weekend. Read more: Miami's airport is shutting down one of its terminals this weekend over a shortage of TSA screeners amid the government shutdown TSA employees have been working unpaid since the government shutdown commenced on December 22. Even though the workers are eligible to receive back pay once the shutdown is over, many live paycheck to paycheck. This has resulted in a dramatic spike in the number of employees who are calling out of work or quitting altogether. On Friday, TSA Administrator David Pekoske announced that screening officers would receive a $500 bonus for working during the holidays.<doc-sep>

Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Sunday closed the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at one of its terminals amid the ongoing government shutdown. "The @TSA security checkpoint at Terminal B has been closed, and passengers will be routed to either Terminal C or E," the airport said in a statement shared on its official Twitter account. The @TSA security checkpoint at Terminal B has been closed, and passengers will be routed to either Terminal C or E. if you have a flight, please allow extra time, and check https://t.co/a5cyZuGvqF for wait times. #fly2houston — Houston Bush Airport (@iah) January 13, 2019 The statement added suggestions for travelers about allowing for "extra time" for "check and wait times." ADVERTISEMENT A spokesperson with Houston Airports told KHOU, a local ABC affiliate, that the announcement came in response to staffing issues at the airport. There are not enough agents to operate security checkpoint screenings, KHOU noted. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner (D) blamed the government shutdown, which began on Dec. 22, in part for the closure. "Shortage of TSA workers, unpaid during the US gov’t shutdown, is causing this change," he said in a tweet Sunday night, adding that arriving two hours before one's flight is "especially important" due to this event. Advice to always get to @iah 2 hours before your flight is especially important today. Shortage of TSA workers, unpaid during the US gov’t shutdown, is causing this change. Terminal B is solely @united flights. pic.twitter.com/ijCKa4k1NP — Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) January 13, 2019 The news comes as a government shutdown, which is now into its fourth week, impacts thousands of federal employees around the nation, including TSA workers. The shutdown was triggered after Republicans and Democrats could not come to an agreement on a new congressional spending bill. 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 demanded that funds be included for a wall along the southern border, which Democrats oppose. A union president for the TSA said last week that some agents have already walked off their jobs amid the shutdown. "Every day I’m getting calls from my members about their extreme financial hardships and need for a paycheck. Some of them have already quit and many are considering quitting the federal workforce because of this shutdown,” Hydrick Thomas, the TSA council president for the American Federation of Government Employees, said Wednesday. The shutdown led to TSA workers holding a protest outside Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport last Thursday.

DONALD Trump was forced to endure perhaps one of the most humiliating moments for a US president in front of the UN General Assembly, where those gathered audibly laughed at him. And not in a good way. Speaking at his once-a-year speech at the UN General Assembly, Mr Trump bragged that his administration “had accomplished more than any other administration in history”. There was awkward audible laughter and the US president looked around the room and smiled broadly. “Didn’t expect that reaction, but that’s OK,” the US President said. Mr Trump has long claimed that his predecessors’ weak leadership prompted other nations “to laugh” at the US. Some in the audience also grumbled during Mr Trump’s remarks when he said “we reject the ideology” of globalism and criticised nations such as Germany for agreeing to an oil pipeline with Russia. When Mr Trump criticised socialism, a member of the Swedish delegation frowned with disapproval. Mr Trump also boasted of US economic and military might, a rejection of “global governance.” . @realDonaldTrump-Everyone was literally laughing at you today. — Scott Dworkin (@funder) September 25, 2018 congratulations on your Nobel International Laughingstock Prize — Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) September 25, 2018 The world laughs in the face of @realDonaldTrump boldfaced lies. https://t.co/bIxsPSZCYX — Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) September 25, 2018 Mr Trump said he had asked Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to take a “hard look” at US foreign assistance, saying that the US is the world’s largest donor of foreign aid “but few give anything to us.” He said the review will examine what is working and what is not working and whether countries that receive US aid “have our interests at heart.” Mr Trump said going forward “we are only going to give foreign aid to those who respect us and, frankly, are our friends.” He also talked up his administration’s relationship with North Korea and its progress towards denuclearisation. “I would like to thank Chairman Kim for his courage and for the steps that he’s taken — though more work remains to be done,” Mr Trump said, noting existing “sanctions will remain in place until denuclearisation occurs.” Progress between the US and North Korea is a “moment that is far greater than people would understand,” Mr Trump said. Mr Trump declared that the “bloodthirsty killers known as ISIS have been driven out of the territory they once held in Iraq and Syria,” and he called for a “political solution” in the latter country that reflects “the will of the Syrian people.” In his second major address before the United Nations General Assembly, President @realDonaldTrump laid out a vision of cooperation between strong, sovereign nations. https://t.co/hLKFb3X9Ps — The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 25, 2018 Audible laughter at the United Nations after President Trump says his administration has accomplished more than any other administration in history. #UNGA — David Gura (@davidgura) September 25, 2018 The world is -- literally -- laughing at @realDonaldTrump https://t.co/DrBsYydnM7 — David Pakman (@dpakman) September 25, 2018 It was fun watching everyone at the UN laugh at you when you spoke. — James Kosur (@JamesKosur) September 25, 2018 And he delivered a message to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, saying the United States “will respond if chemical weapons are deployed by the Assad regime.” Earlier, Mr Trump held up the whole world. The US President ran a bit late for his once-a-year speech at the UN General Assembly, forcing organisers to change the order of speakers. Mr Trump was scheduled to speak second at Tuesday’s session, after Brazilian President Michel Temer. Instead, Mr Temer’s speech was followed by an awkward pause as UN officials prepared the podium to accommodate the No. 3 speaker, Ecuador’s President Lenin Moreno Garces, who is in a wheelchair. Mr Trump’s motorcade arrived during Mr Moreno’s speech at the UN headquarters in New York. The White House did not immediately explain why Mr Trump was late. Mr Trump’s “America First” policies and criticism of allies have clashed with the multilateral spirit of the UN General Assembly.<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 Donald Trump showcased a mixture of surprise and pride after he had world leaders at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly meeting laughing in the middle of his speech. As the US President praised the work of his administration since his election in 2016, murmurs among the attendees could be heard developing into laughter as Mr Trump spoke. Mr Trump said: "In less than two years, my Administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country." As the audience laughed, Mr Trump added: "So true. Didn’t expect that reaction."<doc-sep>WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump called reports that world leaders laughed during his speech to the United Nations "fake news" during a news conference Wednesday. "They weren't laughing at me, they were laughing with me," Trump told reporters Wednesday. The president's speech Tuesday began with him saying his administration "has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country." The comment was followed by laughter from diplomats in the crowd and Trump saying, "I didn't expect that reaction, but that's OK." The president said the laughter was taken out of context and covered unfairly in the media. "Well that's fake news," the president said. "That's fake news and it was covered that way." He said the leaders "respect what I've done" and the crowd was having "a good time with me." "I said our country is now stronger than ever before, it's true," the president said. "And I heard a little rustle and I said it's true and I heard smiles." When laughter was heard, Trump says the crowd was laughing along with him. "We had fun," Trump said. "They weren't laughing at me." More:Nikki Haley: World leaders laughed at Trump because they love his honesty Trump's message was an echo of comments made by UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, who said the laughs were made because world leaders love "how honest he is." Haley said on Fox News that the press was wrong to portray the laughter as disrespectful to the president. "They loved how honest he is," Haley said on the Fox and Friends show. "It’s not diplomatic and they find it funny." She said diplomats were "falling over themselves" to get a picture with Trump and tell him "how great his speech was." "They love that he’s honest with them and they’ve never seen anything like it, so there’s respect there," she said. "I saw that the media was trying to make it something disrespectful. That’s not what it was. They love to be with him."<doc-sep>

After the laughs, President Trump said, 'Didn't expect that reaction, but that's okay' United Nations Audience Laughs at President Trump After He Boasts About His Accomplishments President Donald Trump drew laughter from the group of world leaders gathered at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday after he boasted about his administration’s accomplishments. “One year ago, I stood before you for the first time in this grand hall,” Trump, 72, said at the start of his speech. “I address the threats facing our world, and I presented a vision to achieve a brighter future for all of humanity. Today I stand before the United Nations general assembly to share the extraordinary progress we’ve made.” He continued, “In less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country. … So true.” UN General Assembly, New York, USA - 25 Sep 2018 Credit: JUSTIN LANE/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock After the crowd broke out into laughter, an apparently flustered Trump responded, “Didn’t expect that reaction, but that’s okay,” which earned him some applause. Trump has often tweeted in the past about countries laughing at the United States. On Tuesday, critics on Twitter mocked Trump over the UN moment, with many arguing that the crowd was laughing at him rather than with him. “American Presidents used to set the global agenda at the UNGA. Now Trump gets laughed at,” tweeted Ben Rhodes, former President Barack Obama’s deputy national security adviser. “So Stephen Miller wrote the speech that got Trump laughed at by world leaders in a moment that will be broadcast again and again all over the world? Huh,” wrote Mother Jones editor-in-chief Clara Jeffery.

Firefighters are battling another active wildfire in southern Utah, which started Thursday afternoon and now covers an area of nearly 6,000 acres, officials said. The so-called Black Mountain Fire ignited approximately three miles south of Minersville in Beaver County after a car crashed on Highway 130 and rolled into dry grass, according to Nick Howell, a local public information officer. The fire is the fifth to take hold in Utah in the space of just two days, with particularly dry conditions exacerbating the situation. It is currently moving east of Minersville, although officials don't think the town is under threat. Emergency management director for Beaver County, Les Whitney, tried to allay the fears of the town's residents, suggesting that the highway is a good fire break. "We want them to know that we're doing our very best to take care of them and to stop this fire from crossing Highway 130 and getting on the west side towards Minersville," he told Deseret News. The highway has been closed while firefighters combat the fire. Several fire crews from California have been making their way into Utah in order to assist local efforts. Utah Governor Gary Herbert warned residents in the state to be cautious and follow fire restrictions during a press conference on KUED Channel 7. "With the fireworks, with local and state fire ordinances, they are there for a reason, especially as dry as we are. That is probably our main concern from a human-caused standpoint as we approach the holiday period," he said. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a red flag fire warning for much of central and southern Utah on Thursday. A red flag warning is a forecast warning issued by the NWS to inform firefighting crews and land management agencies that conditions are ideal for wild fires to ignite and rapidly spread.<doc-sep>At a Glance Evacuations have been ordered in California, Colorado and Utah as wildfires rage. Officials said one person died in a fast-moving wildfire near the California-Oregon border. Numerous homes remain under evacuation orders in Colorado as firefighters battle numerous large wildfires. A wildfire in central Utah has destroyed an estimated 90 structures, including homes. Deadly wildfires blazing in the West continue to trigger evacuations and destroy homes amid hot, dry conditions. A fast-moving, wind-driven fire broke out overnight Friday in Goleta, California. Twenty structures were destroyed and 2,500 people were evacuated from the area, according to Santa Barbara County officials. The evacuation orders were greatly reduced Saturday afternoon, allowing many who fled Friday to return home. Dubbed the Holiday Fire, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department said the blaze was first reported on Holiday Hill Road and quickly consumed nearby vegetation. The fire burned about 100 acres as of Sunday morning and was 80 percent contained. In Los Angeles County, another fire broke out in the mountain slope above Burbank, according to the Associated Press. Helicopters responded, dumping water on the blaze. Officials deployed a supertanker, which can carry 19,200 gallons of water, retardant or suppressant, from Colorado to help fight the fires in California on Saturday. A California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesperson told the Associated Press that one death has been confirmed near the California-Oregon border, but the victim has not been identified. It's believed that the fire is directly responsible for the death. The blaze jumped Interstate 5 and forced officials to close the southbound lanes on the Oregon side of the state line, according to the AP. The fire was sparked Thursday afternoon and forced evacuations in the town of Hornbrook, California, the report added. The fire, named the Klamathon Fire, has burned more than 47 square miles and is 25 percent contained. Cal Fire said numerous homes were damaged, destroyed or threatened by the flames. A firefighter was injured while battling the blaze. Around 1,000 firefighters are now at work on the Klamathon fire, KDRV reports. Forty structures have been destroyed and hundreds of homes in two states are being threatened. Around 750 people were evacuated over the "extreme fire behavior with movement in multiple directions," according to Cal Fire. Gov. Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency for Siskyou County as a response to the fire. (MORE: Scotland Records Its Highest Temperature on Record) Another Northern California inferno, named the County Fire, still threatens 1,000 homes, but authorities are hopeful that cooler weather will help crews get the blaze under control. The fire has sent smoke pouring into the Bay Area, turning the skies a hazy orange hue; the smoke can also be clearly seen from space. Smoke from the County Fire is seen over California in this image acquired July 1, 2018 by NASA's Aqua satellite. (NASA) Since being sparked Saturday, the blaze has burned more than 138 square miles of land in Yolo and Napa counties and was 58percent contained as of Sunday morning, according to Cal Fire. A brush fire also forced evacuations Friday afternoon in Southern California, northeast of San Diego. Homes near Interstate 8 in the town of Alpine were in immediate danger as the flames spread rapidly, and residents were told to flee to safety immediately, according to Fox 5 San Diego. Off ramps for Interstate 8 remain closed in both direction to Tavern Road and West Willows Road. The County of San Diego proclaimed a local emergency Friday. Multiple structures burned as fire crews attempted to put out the flames, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. At least 400 acres of land were scorched by the so-called West Fire, according to Cal Fire. It was 5 percent contained as of Friday evening. Advertisement The wildfire was fueled by dry conditions, moderate winds and temperatures well into the triple digits. Alpine, a town of about 14,000, is located about 25 miles northeast of downtown San Diego. Colorado A 52-year-old Danish man was arrested last week on charges of arson in connection to the Spring Creek Fire burning in southern Colorado. The blaze has scorched over 167 square miles and was 55 percent contained as of Sunday morning, according to Inciweb. It is now the third-largest wildfire in the state's history. The 2002 Hayman Fire was the largest in Colorado's history, burning 215 square miles. The 2013 West Fork Complex Fire comes in second. It scorched 171 square miles. (MORE: Why We're Entering the Deadliest Time of Year For Lightning) At least 130 homes have been destroyed by the fire, authorities told the AP. The fire is one of several burning in the state amid dry, hot and windy conditions. But despite the dangerous conditions, fire officials were confident that they were gaining control of the conflagration. "We’re holding our own," Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team incident commander Shane Greer told residents, as reported by USA Today. "There’s some good firefighting going on out there." A tornado was reported near Fairplay on the edge of a wildfire on Thursday afternoon at an altitude of roughly 10,000 feet, the AP also said. The 416 Fire, which started June 1 and has scorched more than 84 square miles, was 50 percent contained on Sunday. Utah A wildfire in central Utah has destroyed 90 structures, officials told the AP, and evacuation orders have been expanded to include more people yet again. The Dollar Ridge Fire burning west of Timber Canyon and south of the Strawberry River was sparked last week. It has consumed more than 77 square miles and is 30 percent contained, according to Inciweb. (MORE: Wildfire Safety and Preparedness) "Extensive evacuations" were ordered in the Pinion Ride, Currant Creek Stream and Strawberry Pinnacles Junction area, KUTV reported. Authorities have expanded evacuations several times, and an estimated 1,000 homes are threatened by the fire, the AP reported. Evacuees were told to go to the town of Duchesne, the report added. The state's Department of Transportation closed U.S. Highway 40 because of smoky conditions and urged drivers to seek alternate routes. High winds and dry conditions have fueled the fire's rapid advance. The cause of the fire is believed to be due to human activity.<doc-sep>

GUINDA, Calif. (AP) — The Latest on wildfires in the Western United States (all times local): 5:17 p.m. A Utah wildfire has ballooned closer to a popular fishing reservoir, forcing authorities to shut down high tension power lines and order evacuations for a campground and more neighborhoods of homes and cabins. The fire burning near Strawberry Reservoir was fueled Wednesday by high winds, heat and very dry conditions. The area is roughly two hours southeast of Salt Lake City. Fire officials didn’t have an update on the fire’s size Wednesday evening or details on how many homes or people had been forced to flee. The fire has destroyed about 30 structures so far, but it’s been too dangerous for officials to get an exact count. State and federal officials were consulting Wednesday evening about whether to close U.S. Highway 40 through the area. ___ 11:05 a.m. Officials have ordered more Utah residents to evacuate their homes as crews struggled to gain control over a wildfire burning near a popular fishing reservoir. The fire burning near Strawberry Reservoir has grown to 62 square miles (160 square kilometers) over three days amid high wind gusts, steep terrain and extremely dry conditions. It has destroyed about 30 structures and led officials to evacuate several hundred homes and cabins in the area about two hours southeast of Salt Lake City. Officials on Wednesday didn’t have an updated count of buildings evacuated or destroyed. But they extended evacuations to an area dotted with trees and cabins stretching about 20 miles (32 kilometers). The blaze started Sunday. Officials believe it was human-caused but they’re still investigating how it started. ___ 10:35 a.m. Crews battling a Northern California wildfire that’s threatening nearly 1,400 buildings are hoping to take advantage of cooler weather to tackle the flames. Fire spokesman Israel Pinzon says Wednesday is expected to be the coolest day of the week, with temperatures 10 to 15 degrees lower than the triple digits that firefighters have faced. Roughly 2,500 people had been forced from their homes. Pinzon says officials lifted some mandatory evacuations Tuesday night, though he didn’t know how many people were allowed to return home. The fire has burned through about 129 square miles (334 square kilometers) in rural counties northwest of Sacramento. It is 25 percent contained. No structures have been damaged or destroyed. ___ 10:20 a.m. A southern Colorado wildfire that has destroyed more than 100 homes is still growing. Officials said Wednesday that the fire has burned 147 square miles (381 square kilometers) since it began June 27. Officials estimated that the fire about 205 miles (330 kilometers) southwest of Denver is still just 5 percent contained. They say preventing the fire from spreading further south toward the small mountain town of Cuchara is a priority Wednesday. Crews are watching for small fires inside neighborhoods as unpredictable winds persist. Nearly 1,000 firefighters are in the area. ___ 8:45 a.m. Crews are making progress against a Northern California wildfire that threatens hundreds of buildings but say wind and dry vegetation could still fuel the blaze. California officials said the fire in rural counties northwest of Sacramento was 25 percent contained as of Wednesday morning. That’s up from 15 percent the previous day. It has burned through 129 square miles (334 square kilometers) after igniting Saturday. Some areas have been under evacuation orders for days. It’s among the massive wildfires burning in the Western United States and putting some Fourth of July plans on hold.

Indonesian transportation officials have said Boeing's 737 MAX 8 planes will not be grounded, despite uncertainty surrounding Monday's crash of Lion Air's brand-new jet. Flight JT 610 crashed into the Java Sea 13 minutes after taking off from the Indonesian capital of Jakarta with 189 people on board. Nobody is expected to have been found alive. According to a Reuters report, the Indonesian government on Tuesday ordered an inspection of all Boeing 737 MAX 8 airplanes in the country but has stopped short of grounding the aircraft. The crashed plane had only been in operation since August 15 and had logged a total of 800 hours of flight time, according to Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Commission. Lion Air has suggested that the plane had previously revealed a technical problem on a separate flight, but this had been subsequently fixed. The accident is the first to be reported involving the widely sold Boeing 737 MAX. The single aisle jet is Boeing's bestselling commercial aircraft. In 2011, Lion Air ordered 230 737's, including 201 737 MAX jets, according to Boeing. The MAX 8 has also been ordered by airlines including American Airlines, United Airlines, and FlyDubai. Boeing said in a statement Monday that it "stands ready to provide technical assistance to the accident investigation" while the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are both sending investigators to Indonesia. Flight JT 610 was enroute to the mining town of Pangkal Pinang on Monday when the plane suddenly lost altitude at 5,000 feet, falling into the Java Sea. Officials have said the pilot had asked to return to Soekarno-Hatta airport but then lost contact with air traffic control. Indonesian divers have resumed searching the area on Tuesday and are using underwater "pinger locators" to try to find the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder. Sonar vessels and an underwater drone kept up the hunt for the wreckage overnight. Reuters contributed to this report<doc-sep>It has been dubbed the 'short haul plane of the future' and the 'new darling of the aviation world'. But mystery surrounds why Lion Air's brand new Boeing-737 MAX 8, which went into service for the carrier just months ago, crashed this morning off Indonesia with 189 people on board. The ill-fated aircraft, which plunged into the sea from 5,000ft minutes after take-off from Jakarta, was delivered to Lion Air in mid-August and put in use within days, according to aviation website Flightradar24. The Lion Air aircraft crashed about 13 minutes after taking off for Indonesia. It is not clear how many people were on board (pictured is the plane) Debris could be seen on the water north of Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, as rescue ships arrived at the scene in the wake of the disaster It was leased from China Minsheng Investment Group Leasing Holdings Ltd., according to the official China News Service. Malindo Air, a Malaysian subsidiary of Jakarta-based Lion Air, was the first airline to begin using the 737 MAX 8 last year. The model replaced the similar 800 in the Chicago-based plane maker's product line and has been ordered by carriers including American Airlines, United Airlines, Norwegian and FlyDubai. Many consider the 737 MAX 8, with a range of 3,550 nautical miles and top speed of 530mph, the darling of the aviation industry thanks in part to its suitability for the increasingly popular short-haul market. It adds fuel efficiency and a seat capacity of 210 to the workhorse reputation of the existing single-aisle 737. According to CNN, one of the selling points of the MAX range is its LEAP jet engines which Boeing says 'redefine the future of efficient and environmentally friendly air travel.' This, the firm says, means the 737 MAX is between 10 per cent to 12 per cent more efficient than their predecessors The doomed Lion Air jet was brand new and had logged only 800 hours of flight time, according to the head of the National Transportation Safety Commission, Soerjanto Tjahjano. Members of an Indonesian rescue team carry a body bag at Tanjung Priok Harbour, Indonesia, in the wake of the disaster This morning, the firm's chief executive said the flight had undergone repairs for an unspecified 'technical problem' in a previous flight. But this, he said, had been 'resolved according to procedure'. Edward Sirait said his company was operating 11 of the same model and that there were no plans to ground the rest of them. So far, there have been few details about the circumstances surrounding the crash. The cause will only be confirmed after an investigation is carried out. Today's tragedy is the first major incident involving that kind of plane. Aviation analyst Gerry Soejatman told the BBC 'very old aircraft are usually at the highest risk (of accidents), but very young aircraft also carry a high risk'. He added: 'If it's very new there are sometimes snags that only reveal themselves after they are [used routinely]. These usually get sorted [within] the first three months.' Rescue workers are at the site where it is believed the Lion Air flight JT610 crashed just minutes after taking off. Divers (pictured) are trying to locate the wreckage Another, Jon Ostrower, editor of aviation publication The Air Current, told the BBC there were 'always new teething issues... that's common, but a far cry from something that would threaten the safety of an airplane'. Boeing says the 737 MAX series is the fastest-selling airplane in its history, with almost 4,700 orders. The firm, just days out from its first commercial delivery of the 737 MAX in May last year, reportedly suspended its release due to an engine issue, according to airline safety and product review site airlineratings.com. It said the engines were a product of a joint venture between US-based General Electric and France's Safran Aircraft Engines. Today, US-based Boeing Co. said it was 'deeply saddened' by the Lion Air crash and was prepared to provide technical assistance to Indonesia's crash probe.<doc-sep>"They have all come hoping for some closure and certainty," she says. Her younger sister was on the plane. "We want a body to grieve. She was the youngest in our family, so we all loved her very much. It feels very painful to lose the baby of the family."<doc-sep>VIRGIN Australia says it will closely monitor the investigation into the crash of Lion Air flight JT610 as it prepares to roll out its own fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8s next year. Until Monday’s disaster, which saw the budget airline’s brand new MAX 8 plunge into the ocean off Indonesia just 13 minutes after take off, killing all 189 on board, the fourth generation 737 was the most sought-after plane in the industry. But with the cause of the Lion Air crash still unknown, speculation on whether the fault lies with the pilot, Indonesian maintenance crew or the manufacturer itself is mounting. “The (737 MAX 8) itself is extremely reliable, stronger and more powerful than the earlier 737s,” Australian Aviation magazine publisher and former fighter pilot Christian Boucousis told news.com.au. “Obviously there was some kind of catastrophic event, but it’s too early in the investigation to say whether it’s an issue with the aircraft, pilot error, a terrorist attack or bomb, or a maintenance fault. “But it’s a very curious thing. (The crash) happened at a very benign stage of the flight, while the weather was good. It’s unusual.” Virgin Australia has ordered 30 MAX 8 planes, the first of which are scheduled to arrive in November next year. The company has also ordered 10 Boeing MAX 10s — the fifth and largest variant of the series — which will join the Australian fleet from 2022. Mr Boucousis said he could understand why some Australians might not want to set foot on a 737 MAX 8 until the cause of the crash is known. Lion Air flight JT610 had only been in service since August 15 but had performed erratically on at least one occasion prior to the fatal flight, according to customers. The company is one of Boeing’s biggest clients, forking out $22 billion in 2011 for 201 737 MAX 8 planes. Lion Air Managing Director Daniel Putut was scheduled to meet with Boeing representatives following an inspection of the company’s 10 remaining MAX 8s earlier on Wednesday. “Of course there are lots of things we will ask them, we all have question marks here, why? What’s the matter with this new plane?” Mr Putut told AP. In the immediate wake of the crash, aviators were quick to point the blame at Indonesia, which has a terrible aviation safety record. Just 10 months ago, pilot fatigue and flight-crew errors caused a near midair collision between another Lion Air flight and a Batik Air jetliner near Surabaya. Data from Flightradar24 shows flight JT610 struggled from the moment it left Jakarta airport at 6.20am, climbing and falling erratically before plunging 1480 metres in just 21 seconds. It has since emerged that Lion Air flight JT610 experienced similar issues during a flight from Jakarta to Bali less than 24 hours before its fatal flight on Monday, raising the possibility of mechanical failure. Passengers on the Sunday flight say soon after take off, the aircraft began climbing and dropping like a rollercoaster, causing people to vomit and panic. They also took to social media to complain about issues with the airconditioning and cabin lighting. Aviation specialist Philip Butterworth-Hayes said it was unusual for an aircraft to experience altitude difficulties during take off, which was typically controlled by the plane’s automatic systems. “This doesn’t fit an automatic flight profile,” he told CNN. “Unless, the aircraft was trying to correct itself at the time for a number of reasons.” Mr Butterworth-Hayes said the Flightradar 24 data showed “an unusually unstable vertical flight profile. “Exactly at the same time as the speed increased there was an altitude dip, which meant that at that point there was quite some loss of control.” Former US National Transportation Safety Board air crash investigator Peter Goelz said the data clearly showed issues with both the speed and altitude of the plane. “There is something obviously wrong in both the air speed and the altitude which would point to the flight control systems,” he said. “These are fly-by-wire systems — highly automated — and pilots may not be able to troubleshoot failures in a timely manner.” Mr Boucousis said he had heard “many rumours and theories” about what may have caused the crash but said the truth could not be known until the plane’s black boxes — the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and the flight data recorder (FDR) — were recovered. “It’s unlikely to be an MH370 type situation because the plane went down in about 30m of water so hopefully the CVR and the FDR can be retrieved and we can find out what happened in those 13 minutes between taking off and crashing into the ocean.” On Wednesday afternoon Indonesian authorities announced the possible discovery of the plane’s fuselage in the waters of Tanjung Karawang, 15 nautical miles from the area where the it lost contact. Hopes were dashed however when it turned out to be a large piece of debris. Boeing said it was ready to provide technical assistance to investigators but directed all inquiries to Indonesian authorities. “The Boeing Company is deeply saddened by the loss of Flight JT 610. We express our concern for those on board and extend heartfelt sympathies to their families and loved ones,” it said in a statement. “Boeing stands ready to provide technical assistance to the accident investigation.” Virgin Australia said it would monitor developments ahead of the scheduled arrival of its first 737 MAX 8s in November next year. “We will continue to monitor the outcome of the Lion Air incident and should any recommendations come out of that investigation, Virgin Australia would be fully compliant with implementing these recommendations,” it said in a statement. .<doc-sep>

A brand new Lion Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying 189 passengers and crew crashed into the sea shortly after takeoff from Jakarta, Indonesian authorities said Monday. Search and rescue officials said they didn't expect to find any survivors. The plane entered service on Aug. 15. Flight JT610 hit the water 13 minutes after departing at 6:20 a.m. (7:20 p.m. ET Sunday) bound for Pangkal Pinang, the capital of the Sumatran island of Bangka-Belitung. Some personal items belonging to people on board were recovered from the water, along with small pieces of debris, rescue officials said. Rescuers search the waters for wreckage off the northern coast of Indonesia's Java island on Monday. BASARNAS / AFP - Getty Images It was carrying 189 people — 178 adult passengers, three infants, six crew members and two pilots. The pilot asked controllers to return to Jakarta three minutes after taking off. "We're still trying to figure out the reason," said Soerjanto Tjahjono, head of Indonesia's transportation safety committee. The pilot was cleared to land back at Jakarta but plunged into the sea about 10 minutes later. Edward Sirait, president of the budget airline, told reporters that the plane had also encountered a technical problem on its previous flight that was resolved by engineers. "This aircraft last flew from Denpasar [Bali] to Cengkareng [Jakarta airport] and it was released to fly," he said. "There was a report about a technical problem, but we have worked on the technical issue based on the procedure from the aircraft manufacturer." Bambang Suryo Aji, the director of the national rescue agency, said the search effort was focused on finding bodies. Family members of passengers aboard a crashed Lion Air jet mourn at Pangkal Pinang airport on Monday. Hadi Sutrisno / AFP - Getty Images It's the world's first crash involving a Boeing 737 MAX 8, which is a significantly revamped version of the single-aisle workhorse. Across all models, the 737 is the best-selling commercial jetliner in history and has a strong safety record. A spokeswoman for CFM International, the manufacturer of the plane's two LEAP-1B engines, confirmed to NBC News that the company had been notified that the plane was missing. She said the company had no further information. Boeing said in a statement that it is ready to provide technical assistance to the accident investigation. "The Boeing Company is deeply saddened by the loss of Flight JT610," the statement read. "We express our concern for those on board, and extend heartfelt sympathies to their families and loved ones." Items found in the sea that are believed to be from the wreckage of the Lion Air flight. AFP - Getty Images Relatives of those on board gathered in Jakarta. Feni, who, like many Indonesians, uses a single name, said her soon-to-be-married sister was on the flight, planning to meet relatives in Pangkal Pinang. "We are here to find any information about my younger sister, her fiancé, her in-law to be and a friend of them," Feni said. "We don't have any information. We're confused. We hope that our family is still alive." Data from flight tracking service FlightRadar24 show that the first sign that something was amiss came about two minutes into the flight, when the plane had reached 2,000 feet. At that point, it descended more than 500 feet and veered to the left before climbing again to 5,000 feet, where it stayed during most of the rest of the flight. It began gaining speed in the final moments and reached 345 knots (397 mph) before data were lost. Lion Air, which is privately owned, had a fatal accident in 2004 when an MD-82 crashed upon landing at Solo City, killing 25 of the 163 people on board, according to Aviation Safety Network. Fast growing Lion Air is one of the fastest low cost carriers on the planet. Like many Indonesian airlines, it has struggled with its safety record, suffering a major crash and multiple runway excursions, overruns. #JT610 — Jon Ostrower (@jonostrower) October 29, 2018 It has also had at least six other non-fatal accidents, including one in which a jet crash-landed in water short of the runway in Bali in 2013. The United States imposed a decade-long ban on Indonesian airlines in 2006 over the country's patchy safety record.

The driver of the semi-truck that crashed into a bus full of the Humboldt Bronco hockey team's players and staff in April -- killing 16 and injuring 13 more -- is pleading guilty to the accident. Jaskirat Singh Sidhu wasn't driving distracted, per CBC News, but rather he didn't realize that he was approaching an intersection and blew threw a stop sign. On Tuesday morning, he pleaded guilty to 16 counts of dangerous driving causing death and 13 counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm. Sidhu was driving nearly 100 kilometers per hour (or about 62 miles per hour) into the intersection. According to a statement in the case, "No tire skid marks due to braking were left by the semi-tractor unit," going on to say Sidhu "failed to recognize that his vehicle was approaching an intersection and did not heed the stop sign." Sidhu's lawyer Mark Brayford said that Sidhu told him: "His position to me was, 'I just want to plead guilty.' Mr. Sidhu advised me, 'I don't want to make things any worse.'" Sidhu's lawyer added that Sidhu is "overwhelmed by the expressions of sympathy and kindness that some of the families and players have expressed to him, in spite of the fact that their grief is entirely his fault." Alcohol, cell phone use or drugs didn't play a part in the accident, according to the case.<doc-sep>“He wanted the families to know that he’s devastated by the grief that he’s caused them,” Brayford said. “And he’s overwhelmed by the expressions of sympathy and kindness that some of the families and players have expressed to him in spite of the fact their grief is entirely his fault.”<doc-sep>At least 14 killed in hockey team's bus crash (CNN) — The driver of a tractor-traiiler that crashed into a bus, killing 16 people, pleaded guilty Tuesday in a Canadian provincial court. Jaskirat Singh Sidhu pleaded guilty to 16 counts of dangerous driving causing death and 13 counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm, said Dawn Blaus, spokeswoman for Saskatchewan Law Courts. The crash happened April 6, 2018, as members of the Humboldt Broncos hockey team were headed to the town of Nipawin for a playoff game. The tragedy was felt across Canada, where hockey is the dominant sport. For young players, long bus rides to tournaments are often considered a rite of passage. Ten players, age 16-21, were killed, along with six adults – the bus driver, an athletic therapist, the head coach, an assistant coach and two employees of Humboldt’s FM radio station. At least 13 other people on the bus were injured. The driver of the truck was not hurt, authorities said. The sentencing phase of Sidhu’s case is expected to begin January 28 in Melfort, Saskatchewan. Blaus said the sentencing could last three to five days. During that time, victim impact statements will be read. CNN’s Janet DiGiacomo and Ralph Ellis contributed to this report.<doc-sep>The driver of the semi-truck that collided into a hockey team bus in Canada last April, killing 16 people on board, pleaded guilty Tuesday to all charges against him. Jaskirat Singh Sidhu’s lawyer said that his client wanted to do the right thing by not dragging the victims’ families through a lengthy trial. "His position to me was, 'I just want to plead guilty. I don't want you to plea bargain. I don't want a trial,'" attorney Mark Brayford said outside court. “Mr. Sidhu advised me: 'I don't want to make things any worse. I can't make things any better, but I certainly don't want to make them worse by having a trial.'" INJURED HUMBOLDT BRONCOS GET VISIT FROM STANLEY CUP Sidhu, 30, was driving a transport truck westbound on Highway 355 in rural Saskatchewan last spring when he collided with the Humboldt Broncos hockey team bus, investigators said. The team was headed to a playoff game in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. The crash killed 16 people and injured 13 more. Sidhu pleaded guilty to 16 counts of dangerous driving causing death and 13 counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm. The maximum penalty for dangerous driving causing death is 14 years; it's 10 years for dangerous driving causing bodily harm. NHL PLAYERS, FANS PAY TRIBUTE TO HUMBOLDT BUS CRASH VICTIMS Some of the victims’ families saw closure in the guilty omission. "All I've ever told my kids is, speaking about accountability and responsibility and to hear him use his own words to plead guilty, it's powerful," Scott Thomas, whose 18-year-old son Evan died in the crash, said outside court. “If he spends a day, if he spends 10 years, time is irrelevant. He was guilty. He acknowledged that. That's all I needed to hear,” Thomas continued. “The rest of the sentence doesn't matter to me. It really doesn't. It is not going to bring Evan back. I've got to spend the rest of my life with it. He's got to spend the rest of his life with it." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Michelle Straschnitzki, whose son Ryan was paralyzed in the crash, said she’s glad the families involved would avoid an “exhaustive and heartbreaking trial.” Still, she said she hoped “he doesn't get an absurdly reduced sentence as per our justice system." Sidhu is set to return to court on Jan. 28 for sentencing. The Associated Press contributed to this report.<doc-sep>

Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, the truck driver who collided with the bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team, pleaded guilty to 29 charges. (Kayle Neis/The Canadian Press via AP) Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, the man driving the transport truck that crashed into the bus holding the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to all charges related to the accident. The crash, which happened on April 6 in Saskatchewan, Canada, killed 16 people and injured 13 others. Many of the victims were between 16 and 21 years old and players on the hockey team. Sidhu, 29, is facing 16 charges of dangerous driving causing death and 13 charges of dangerous driving causing bodily harm. ‘I don’t want a trial’ After the hearing, Sidhu’s lawyer Mark Brayford spoke on behalf of his client. He discussed Sidhu’s desire to move forward as quickly as possible, as not to cause more pain for the families of those who died in the crash. Via the Canadian Press: “His position to me was, ‘I just want to plead guilty. I don’t want you to plea bargain. I don’t want a trial.’ Mr. Sidhu advised me: ‘I don’t want to make things any worse. I can’t make things any better, but I certainly don’t want to make them worse by having a trial. '” Brayford also expressed Sidhu’s deep sorrow over everything he caused. “He wanted the families to know that he’s devastated by the grief that he’s caused them,” Brayford said. “And he’s overwhelmed by the expressions of sympathy and kindness that some of the families and players have expressed to him in spite of the fact their grief is entirely his fault.” New safety measures According to the Canadian Press, the crash caused the Saskatchewan government to do a review to improve safety at the intersection where the crash happened. Sidhu’s rig collided with the bus at an intersection which had a stop sign posted from Sidhu’s direction. However, safety review found that a crop of trees on private property affected sight lines in the directions that Sidhu and the bus were traveling. The report of the review suggested having the trees removed and posting more and larger stop signs to warn drivers of the intersection earlier. The Canadian Press reported that there had been at least six collisions at that intersection between 1990 and 2017, and one that happened in 1997 resulted in the deaths of six people. More from Yahoo Sports: • UFC star sends would-be mugger to emergency room • Woman who ran onto field is carried away at title game • Record-setting quarterback declares for NFL draft • NFL clears up what really happened with Parkey’s kick

Roxanne Pallett DENIES apologising just to protect her career FREE now for the biggest moments from morning TV SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up fornow for the biggest moments from morning TV 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. During her interview, Roxanne Pallet apologised for “overreacting” after she accused Ryan Thomas of “punching her in the ribs” after the pair had a play fight on Celebrity Big Brother 2018. But Jeremy Vine was blasted on social media for “going way too soft” on the former Emmerdale actress. Internet trolls even changed the presenter’s Wikipedia page following the discussion where they criticised her behaviour. Moments after the show aired, his entry read: “His interview on his new show was the psychopath Roxanne Pallett. “The interview descended into complete chaos when Roxanne accused a member of Vine's production team of trying to drown her. “Footage later emerged showing that the production team member and actually passed her a glass of water.” Jeremy addressed the hack and posted on his account in view of his 667,000: “I see my Wikipedia page has been edited after this morning's show @JeremyVineOn5.” The star also replied to a viewer’s comment who quipped that he and Roxanne should get married due to them both being “hated”. One person wrote on Twitter: “Oh Jeremy! I think he should marry Roxanne and they can become the worlds most hated couple, I bet he really regrets having her on now!” Jeremy replied: “I think she is engaged to someone else.” Roxanne Pallett: Jeremy Vine was blasted for going easy on Roxanne during the interview Roxanne Pallett appeared on Jeremy Vine on 5 Yesterday, viewers raged online and slammed Jeremy for not grilling Roxanne enough. One viewer raged: “@theJeremyVine why didn’t you challenge Roxanne Pallett? You were way too soft. Another said: “Watching Jeremy Vine and the most pathetic interview with Roxanne Pallett. Disgusting how not one member of that panel has spoken frankly and have turned her to be the victim here. Let’s take a second to think what could have happened to Ryan had this not been on camera…” A third added: “Just watched the #RoxannePallett interview, what a weak interview by Jeremy Vine!!! She said the only thing she regrets is saying the word 'deliberately' she is nothing but a disgusting liar! She's only sorry that things haven't gone her way the silly b***h.” After her interview with Jeremy, Roxanne spoke to Emma Willis in a pre-recorded chat which was broadcast on last night’s episode of Celebrity Big Brother. Roxanne Pallett apologised for accusing Ryan Thomas of punching her Jeremy Vine responded to a Twitter user Jeremy Vine's Wikipedia page was hacked<doc-sep>The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Get the latest North East news and updates delivered straight to your inbox Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Celebrity Big Brother villain Roxanne Pallett branded herself the “most hated girl in Britain” following the ‘punchgate’ scandal. The former Emmerdale actress quit the Channel 5 show after claiming Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas had punched her - which many viewers defended as play fighting. But years before the punchgate scandal dominated headlines, Roxanne caused a stir on another popular reality show. A resurfaced clip shows Roxanne had a terse exchange with outspoken judge Jason Gardiner during their time together on Dancing on Ice. The Mirror reports during their appearance on This Morning in 2009, the pair had an awkward disagreement live on TV. In the clip, Roxanne made snide comments about her fellow skater Zoe Salmon. And Jason was having none of it. Watch what was said above. It comes as former Blue Peter presenter Zoe accused Roxanne of “ruining lives” during their time on the dancing show. Joining the many celebrities speaking out against Roxanne’s treatment of Ryan Thomas, Zoe tweeted: “In tears for Ryan Thomas. So many of us have suffered because of #Roxanne she’s caused hurt and pain. “The amount of people coming forward is astonishing. Her behaviour scars. I’ll never forget how she treated me on Dancing on Ice. I pray she’ll change & stop ruining lives.” It was reported this week that Roxanne was leaving the celebrity world for good following the CBB backlash. She withdrew from hosting her radio Breakfast show and the pantomime she was due to appear in over Christmas.<doc-sep>Emma Willis Praised Over ‘Brutal’ Roxanne Pallett Interview Celebrity Big Brother host Emma Willis has been praised by viewers over her ‘brutal’ interview with Roxanne Pallett. The 42-year-old sat down with the former Emmerdale star who caused public outrage last week when she claimed Ryan Thomas had ‘punched repeatedly, unprovoked and completely deliberately’. Roxanne, who has dubbed herself ‘the most hated girl in Britain’ left the Channel 5 show on Saturday morning and is now facing a huge backlash from the public. “It felt like it was blown out of all proportion in your mind, but even two days later when you re-enacted it on Ben [Jardine], it was totally different. So how could you get something so wrong in your head?” Willis asked. Roxanne replied: “Watching it feels like a completely different scenario to what it felt at the time.” Unimpressed with her answer, Emma said: “But surely watching something doesn't change the way it felt? So why suddenly would you have a different perspective on it? Can you imagine if those cameras hadn't been there? You would have ruined somebody."<doc-sep>“It’s all just Panto,” Davina McCall would frequently whisper to Big Brother contestants if they left the house to boos. Not so for Roxanne Pallett who after walking out of the Celebrity Big Brother house last week, has had to step down from her Pantomine role this Christmas after being branded ‘the most hated girl in Britain’. I haven’t watched this series, but it’s been impossible to escape the media furore surrounding ‘punch-gate’. Pallett appeared to falsely accuse fellow contestant Ryan Thomas of intentionally punching her. On the surface, her accusation did seem malicious. However, as someone who has experienced psychological distress, I suspected that perhaps the play fight had psychologically triggered her. Her version of events, she later confirmed, was in her mind at the time very real. She’s since viewed the footage and admitted “I got it wrong”, she’s apologised. It takes courage to admit when you are wrong and say sorry, which she first did on Channel 5’s Jeremy Vine show. Despite being “advised not to” appear. This did not pacify the baying mob. I’ve observed countless celebrities, the mainstream media and apparently the general public condemn a woman who is potentially vulnerable. Pallett has worked with Domestic Violence Charity Women’s Aid who lay plain that while play fighting may not seem serious, if you have been in an abusive relationship it can seem frightening and even trigger memories of the abuse. “Domestic abuse means you don’t feel safe in your home environment, and as a woman who has previously spoken about being in a violent and abusive relationship, Pallett clearly did not feel comfortable going to sleep in the same room as someone who had physically hurt her, even if that was not his intention,” the statement read. Anyone who has experienced trauma may have experienced their mind playing tricks on them, often diagnosed by medical professionals as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In an interview with Big Brother host Emma Willis, Pallett said: “Watching it seems like a completely different scenario to how it felt at the time.” I can’t imagine that angry mobs on social media reflect the views of the majority, so I was disappointed to see Willis apparently play up to their demands. In an interview which lacked sensitivity, she cut off Pallett mid-sentence a number of times, as she tried to express her feelings in the moment of the incident. Denise Welch, a high profile spokesperson on mental health issues heavily criticised Pallett on Loose Women, saying: “She’s apologised because she was caught out.” In her interview with Willis, Pallett said: “I need to go away and think about why I used humour when something actually bothered me in my mind.” Watching, I recalled reading about how laughter can be used as a defence mechanism when feeling threatened. The dominant argument on social media, also made by Willis in the interview, is that had the camera’s not been there, Thomas would have been ruined. This narrative collapses under scrutiny. We’re talking about the Big Brother house. The cameras are always rolling. Why would Pallett consciously lie, knowing the incident would have been recorded? She’s now admitted, that she was not thinking straight and on viewing the footage leaving the house she saw immediately that she had made a terrible mistake. Following the two interviews, she has been dismissed by many as fake. Words like “Narcissist”, “Psycho” and “Bitch” are being thrown about on social media. Her social media profiles have been taken down. She made a mistake, but does the punishment fit the crime? It was only in June this year that reality TV star Sophie Gradon was found dead from suspected suicide. People forget that celebrities are human beings, with feelings and vulnerabilities. Big Brother could have chosen not to air the play fight or the accusations following. Mental health support could have been provided to Pallett in private. Instead, they have chosen to throw a likely vulnerable woman to the wolves. Airing my unpopular opinion on twitter, Loose Women’s Denise Welch told me to “shut up.” I was then bombarded with abusive messages from her followers. Some going as far as to make judgements about the state of my own mental health. I would like Pallett to know that not everyone hates her as she seems to believe. I don’t hate her. It’s not fair to condemn a person for bad behaviour when it’s impossible to tell if that behaviour is character, or a sign of mental distress. I wish her well as she takes time out to reflect and tries to “become a better person.”<doc-sep>

Celebrity Big Brother host Emma Willis has been praised for her "strong but fair" interview with former contestant Roxanne Pallett. Pallett exited the show under controversial circumstances after she alleged that her former CBB housemate Ryan Thomas had punched her during her time in the house. The former Emmerdale actress appeared in a pre-recorded interview with Willis where the presenter grilled her about the allegations she made against Thomas. Emma Willis grills Roxanne Pallett over the false allegations she made against Ryan Thomas Willis proposed to Pallett: "It’s very easy to say sorry but to really mean it is a different thing." Pallett responded: "I am the most hated girl in Britain. It is a lot to deal with. I am crippled with emotion and shame, that I would have put someone in that position. I am devastated and I am sorry." 42-year-old host Willis also urged Pallett to "consider the implications" of the false allegations. "Can you imagine if those cameras hadn’t have been there? You would have ruined him." Pallett replied: "It cripples me with embarrassment and shame. Seeing Ryan distressed..." Willis fired back: "You have had the luxury of time and research. A lot of people aren't buying your apology", and went on to call her behaviour "worrying". Viewers rushed to social media to praise Willis for her approach to the interview. Vogue Williams said "she didn't let her off lightly" while Sun columnist Dan Wootton said it was a "sensational interview". Also that was a great interview by Emma Willis, she didn’t let her off lightly...@bbuk — Vogue Williams (@VogueWilliams) September 3, 2018 OK, how good is @EmmaWillis? Sensational interview. Firm but fair, emotional but measured. She asked the questions we all wanted. Sadly the answers are hard to get your head around. #cbb #cbbuk — Dan Wootton (@danwootton) September 3, 2018 Thank god for @EmmaWillis — Charley Webb (@MissCharleyWebb) September 3, 2018 "COULD YOU FORGIVE YOU?" Emma Willis removing her ear piece the second Roxanne started with the crocodile tears saying "thanks everybody" is one of the most iconic Big Brother moments ever. ???? Anyone remember when Nasty Nick was hated just for having a pencil?????‍???? #cbb pic.twitter.com/su6S2zRGpg — Joe Saunders (@JoeSaunders) September 3, 2018 How the iconic Emma Willis reacts when Roxanne turns on the waterworks and tries to go for the sympathy vote...#CBB pic.twitter.com/gBZbb0HWLR — ? ?????????????? ? (@DigitalOutcry) September 3, 2018 Emma Willis was READY for Roxanne Pallett. Thank you Emma. That was exactly the grilling we wanted #CBB pic.twitter.com/rYCjkn4VSf — Darren Haywood (@darren_haywood) September 3, 2018 Wow! @EmmaWillis interview was strong but fair. She left no stone unturned and left Roxanne nowhere to hide. Rather than baying for blood though, she looked like a very very disappointed parent - which is far worse in my opinion. Well done Emma. — Tony Maudsley (@TonyMaudsley1) September 4, 2018 . @EmmaWillis Extremely well handled. Straight talking, pertinent & fair. #Roxannecbb Your eyes said it all. — James Dreyfus (@DreyfusJames) September 3, 2018 You can watch the interview below. The full Emma Willis Roxanne Pallett interview. You make your own mind up ? #CBB #CBBRoxanne pic.twitter.com/uxLQ0vivGS — Auntie Pegg (@AuntiePegg) September 3, 2018 Meanwhile, it has been announced that Pallett will not return to her job as presenter of a radio breakfast show. She joined Minster FM in York and North Yorkshire earlier this year, hosting the breakfast show with Ben Fry. A statement from the radio station, which was read out on air, said: "As a result of discussions today with her representatives, Minster FM can confirm that Roxanne Pallett has stepped down from her position at the station with immediate effect to take some time out and reflect on recent events. "Roxanne will not be returning to Minster FM." For more TV news click here.

For the first time ever, all 30 teams are participating in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. It’s an opportunity for young players and rookies to prove themselves, and it’s also the first chance for NBA fans to get a glimpse of some of these players in action. Play begins on Friday, July 6 and will run until Tuesday, July 17—with playoffs and a championship game in between. Four of the Wildcats’ recent draftees—Mikal Bridges, Donte DiVincenzo, Jalen Brunson, and Omari Spellman—are expected to play. Three more alumni are also in it: Ryan Arcidiacono, Daniel Ochefu, and Kris Jenkins. Villanova Player List Player Team Player Team Omari Spellman Atlanta Hawks Daniel Ochefu New York Knicks Kris Jenkins San Antonio Spurs Mikal Bridges Phoenix Suns Jalen Brunson Dallas Mavericks Donte DiVincenzo Milwaukee Bucks Ryan Arcidiacono Chicago Bulls Josh Hart Los Angeles Lakers Every team will get to play three games, before being seeded for the playoffs. Last year, Hart and his Lakers won the league, beating the Portland Trail Blazers in the final. Here are the Summer League games that feature some Villanova Wildcats.<doc-sep>Jesse D. Garrabrant/Getty Images The Las Vegas Summer League rolls on Saturday with 10 games at two venues. Cleveland, Milwaukee and New Orleans were the only teams to win their openers in Las Vegas by double digits, while Philadelphia's Furkan Korkmaz stood out among individuals with 40 points. Deandre Ayton, Mohamed Bamba and Collin Sexton were among the rookies to make debuts for their respective teams during Friday's action. Saturday marks the fourth time Trae Young graces the floor for the Atlanta Hawks, and after a rough three games in Salt Lake City, he has an opportunity to prove his poor showing in Utah was just a fluke. Saturday Las Vegas Summer League Schedule Portland vs. Utah (3 p.m., NBATV) Video Play Button Videos you might like San Antonio vs. Indiana (3:30 p.m., ESPN2) Miami vs. New Orleans (5 p.m., NBATV) New York vs. Atlanta (5:30 p.m., ESPN) Oklahoma City vs. Brooklyn (7 p.m., NBATV) Phoenix vs. Sacramento (7:30 p.m., ESPN) Detroit vs. Memphis (9 p.m., NBATV) Chicago vs. Cleveland (9:30 p.m., ESPN2) Boston vs. Denver (11 p.m., NBATV) Philadelphia vs. Los Angeles Lakers (11:30 p.m., ESPN) Games on the ESPN networks can be live-streamed on WatchESPN or the ESPN app. Young Looking To Put Doubters To Rest There's no way to sugarcoat how poor Young performed for the Atlanta Hawks in the Utah Jazz Summer League. In three games, the Oklahoma product shot 23 percent from the field and 12.5 percent from three-point range, as Uproxx's Brad Rowland noted: Although Young's skeptics are growing, there are NBA players standing up for him, including Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who came to his defense on Twitter: Three Summer League games are an incredibly small sample size to judge Young's career off of, but the numbers are concerning because of how high he was drafted and what the Hawks gave up in exchange for his rights. No matter how much he likes it, Young will be always be tied to Luka Doncic because of the draft night swap between the Hawks and Dallas Mavericks. With the pressure already starting to mount, Young needs to put together a strong showing in Las Vegas, starting with Saturday's matchup with the New York Knicks. If Young is able to rebound from his rough start in Utah, the critics will lay off until the regular season, but if another poor shooting night occurs, the pressure will only grow with expectations through the roof going into October. Korkmaz Looking To Follow Up 40-Point Showing With Another Impressive Game Philadelphia 76ers fans didn't need another young talent to brag about, but they have that in Forkan Korkmaz. The 20-year-old Turkish shooting guard produced the top individual performance of the opening set of games Friday, as he scored 40 points in a loss to the Boston Celtics. Korkmaz, who was selected with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, became the first player since Anthony Morrow to eclipse 40 points in a Summer League game, per ESPN Stats & Info: Korkmaz has an opportunity to better his case for regular-season playing time once again Saturday, as the Sixers play the Los Angeles Lakers in the last of the 10 games. Although 2018 NBA draft picks Zhaire Smith and Landry Shamet are intriguing names to watch, Korkmaz might be the most important on Philadelphia's roster. If the Sixers can build depth from within through a player eager to make the transition to the NBA, it will soften the blow a bit after failing to acquire LeBron James in free agency. If Korkmaz turns into a key contributor off the bench, the roster headlined by Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Dario Saric could challenge the Celtics for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90<doc-sep>Ethan Miller/Getty Images The 2018 NBA Summer League was in full swing on Friday, with 10 games being played in Las Vegas. Earlier in the week, summer-league games had been played in Utah and Sacramento. But with the action shifting to one spot, the basketball world was focused on Nevada. After all, top-10 picks Deandre Ayton, Trae Young and Collin Sexton were among the rookies expected to take the court. But, of course, there were plenty of others looking to show what they can do. Below is a look at Friday's action from Las Vegas. 2018 NBA Las Vegas Summer League Schedule/Results — July 6 Houston Rockets 92, Indiana Pacers 89 New Orleans Pelicans 90, Toronto Raptors 77 Video Play Button Videos you might like Orlando Magic 86, Brooklyn Nets 80 Charlotte Hornets 88, Oklahoma City Thunder 87 Milwaukee Bucks 57, Detroit Pistons 47 Boston Celtics 95, Philadelphia 76ers 89 Cleveland Cavaliers 72, Washington Wizards 59 Phoenix Suns 92, Dallas Mavericks 85 Denver Nuggets 70, Minnesota Timberwolves 69 Golden State Warriors 77, Los Angeles Clippers 71 Aaron Holiday Shows He Can Become Sidekick for Oladipo The Indiana Pacers pushed the eventual Eastern Conference champs to seven games in the first round with Victor Oladipo leading the way, and now, they may have found another star-in-the-making via the 2018 NBA draft. Since being taken with the 23rd overall pick last month, Aaron Holiday has done nothing but impress his new team. The former UCLA Bruin's shot selection quickly earned praise from the coaching staff, and the summer league gave him a chance to put on a show for Pacers fans. Before the game even started, the 6'1", 187-pound point guard showed off his athleticism. Once the game tipped off, Holiday was Mr. Do It All. He dropped 23 points while shooting an impressive 9-of-15 from the floor, and he added five rebounds and three assists. And while he can finish at the rim, he also can shoot from range. He made three of his six attempts from beyond the arc. Bleacher Report scout Jonathan Wasserman was among those impressed by the rookie's summer-league debut: Unfortunately for Holiday and Co., Indiana didn't have answers for Trevon Duval (20 points) and Danuel House (20 points). In the end, a strong team effort from Houston helped the Rockets hold on for a 92-89 victory. Even with the result, though, the Pacers have to be encouraged from what they see from their first-round pick. A backcourt featuring Holiday and Oladipo has the potential to give opposing defenses headaches. Trevon Bluiett Proves His Long-Range Game Translates to the NBA Trevon Bluiett went undrafted out of Xavier last month, and that could be leaving some teams kicking themselves for not taking a chance on him. The 23-year-old shooting guard may not have had the best skill set in his class, but he certainly looks like he can fit into today's NBA. Throughout the course of his four-year career with the Musketeers, he went from shooting 32.6 percent from downtown as a freshman to 41.7 percent as a senior. Still, nobody felt he was worthy of a draft pick. The consensus second-team All-American put on an absolute show in Vegas on Friday, draining six of his eight shots from three-point range: Not only that, but he also proved he can play some defense: Overall, he put up 24 points, six rebounds, two assists and one block. Not bad for an undrafted rookie. Bluiett will have to show that Friday was no fluke and he can continue to knock down shots from the perimeter with consistency. He has the track record that shows he can, and that he will put in the work to improve. As the Rockets and the Golden State Warriors have shown, teams can never have too many sharp-shooters. Bluiett still has a long way to go to make a roster, but he certainly got off to a good start to the summer league. Isaac, Bamba Give Magic Promising Frontcourt The Orlando Magic may be in the midst of a six-year playoff drought, but that may soon be a thing of the past. And it's all thanks to their promising young frontcourt. Jonathan Isaac (No. 6 overall pick in 2017) and Mohamed Bamba (No. 6 overall in 2018) were both on the court in Vegas on Friday, and it gave Magic fans a glimpse of what could be an exciting duo. Isaac was limited to just 27 games last season due to an ankle injury. Well, he looked healthy against the Brooklyn Nets, putting up 20 points and seven rebounds. While Isaac has already had a (limited) chance to play for Orlando, Bamba is looking to show he can help his team in a variety ways: To recap: This 7'1" center can attack the rim, protect the rim and hit a jumper from distance. That's tough to contain. RealGM's Dave DuFour's insight should have Orlando fans excited for the future: With Aaron Gordon back, this Magic squad—when healthy—could be one to keep an eye on as it develops over the next few years. Isaac and Bamba both have intriguing skill sets, as Friday's action showed. Malik Monk Poised to Take Next Step Following Quiet Rookie Campaign After being taken with the 11th overall pick in last year's draft, Malik Monk faced adversity from the start of his career as he had to battle an ankle injury as he entered the league. That would set the tone for what would be a tough rookie campaign. The 6'3", 200-pound guard averaged 19.8 points on 45 percent shooting in his lone season at Kentucky. In his first year as a pro, he averaged 6.7 points in 13.6 minutes per game. He shot just 36 percent from the floor and 34.2 percent from three-point range. Charlotte fans should be encouraged by what they saw on Friday, though. The second-year player had a strong summer-league opener behind 23 points, including 15 in the first: While he struggled from deep as a rookie, he made four of his nine shots from three-point range on this day. He also showed that he is healthy enough to attack the basket: It's just one summer-league performance, but it's still a promising sign for the Hornets. In fact, Charlotte chief operating official Pete Guelli hopes basketball fans were paying attention: With Kemba Walker entering the final year of his contract, the time is now for Monk to show he was worthy of being a lottery pick. Having had some time to get himself healthy after his first 82-game grind, he looks ready to take a big step forward in 2018-19. Former First-Round Pick Henry Ellenson Shows Promise with 16 Points Henry Ellenson has averaged just 3.7 points per game in two seasons since the Detroit Pistons selected him with the 18th overall pick in the 2016 draft. And even though he may not have had the greatest shooting night, he managed to find ways to score. The 6'11", 245-pound power forward had 16 points in a 57-47 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks—and that's after going scoreless in the first half. He struggled to find his shot, going just 4-of-11 from the field and 1-of-6 from three-point range. But that didn't stop him from being aggressive. He also got to the free-throw line, making all seven of his attempts. With 2017-18 Coach of the Year Dwane Casey taking over in Detroit, Ellenson will get a fresh start. That comes after he was a DNP (did not play) more often than not last season, appearing in just 38 games. Earlier this month, Ellenson told The Athletic's James L. Edwards III he has made tweaks to his shot and that the coaching staff wants him to shoot more triples. He expects to see a "big difference" during summer league, and while his shots may not have been falling with consistency Friday, he showed he can still put up points. Former First-Round Pick Furkan Korkmaz an Outside Option for Sixers The Philadelphia 76ers were able to re-sign JJ Redick in free agency, but if they want to more perimeter shooters, Furkan Korkmaz may be in the running for more minutes in 2018-19.<doc-sep>

The NBA Summer League at Las Vegas has tipped off. For the first time ever, all 30 teams are in participation. A schedule of games for the next week and a half is available. Each time a former Wildcat hits the court for Summer League play, we will recap how they did and include a few highlights (if available). This will also serve as a discussion board. We will try to keep it updated as soon as the games are over, so check back often! Donte DiVincenzo Per Matt Velazquez of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Donte DiVincenzo did not play in Friday’s Summer League opener. The 6-foot-5 guard sustained a groin injury and although he participated in pre-game warm ups, he did not play in the Bucks’ 90-63 win against the Detroit Pistons. Up Next: vs. Dallas on Sunday, July 8, at 7 p.m. ET (NBA TV) Jalen Brunson Jalen Brunson got his first taste of Summer League play in the loss against the Phoenix Suns. Through 23 minutes of play, Brunson had six points, four boards, and three assists. He was 3-for-14 overall and 0-of-5 from beyond the arc. Up Next: vs. Milwaukee on Sunday, July 8, at 7 p.m. ET (NBA TV) Mikal Bridges Mikal Bridges enjoyed a great first Summer League game. He was dialed in from the moment he stepped onto the court. He played a big role in the Suns' 92-85 win over the Mavericks. Bridges cracked the starting five and through 18 minutes of play, he had 14 points, three rebounds and a block. Offensively, he was near-perfect on the floor, going 5-of-6 overall and 4-for-5 from long range. Up Next: vs. Sacramento on Saturday, July 7, at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Calexico, Carlsbad, El Cajon, National City, Ramona and San Diego are among hundreds of U.S. cities hosting protests today of Trump administration zero-tolerance policies that led to the separation of several thousand families at the U.S.-Mexico border in recent months. The #FamiliesBelongTogether movement is spearheaded by progressive advocacy group MoveOn, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and the National Domestic Workers Alliance. “Trump and his administration have been systematically criminalizing immigration and immigrants, from revoking Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals to ramping up intimidating ICE tactics,” MoveOn’s website reads. “Join us on June 30 to send a clear message to Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress: families belong together!” The San Diego rally will be also attended by members of NextGenCalifornia, a liberal advocacy group founded by Tom Steyer, who has made headlines in recent months for financing a campaign to impeach President Trump. Advertisement Demonstrators are demanding the Trump administration reunite separate families immediately as well as end family detentions and zero-tolerance prosecution of undocumented border crossers. Though Trump signed an executive order last week reversing his administration’s family-separation policy, more than 2,000 children are still waiting to be reunited with their parents.<doc-sep>For the second weekend in a row, thousands of San Diegans gathered at rallies across the county protesting the Trump administration’s immigration policies that have separated families seeking asylum or caught crossing the border illegally. The local marches are part of a national movement called Families Belong Together, which coalesced Saturday with major demonstrations in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and 700 other cities across all 50 states. About 2,500 protesters gathered at Waterfront Park in downtown San Diego at the county’s biggest demonstration. Another drew some 400 people in Carlsbad, while smaller groups protested in El Cajon, Ramona and National City. The San Diego marches are part of a national movement called Families Belong Together, which coalesced Saturday with major demonstrations in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and cities across the country. Advertisement Public outrage has mounted in recent weeks over the separation of children from their parents at the Southwest border. The Trump administration, which for the past two months has had a “zero tolerance” policy to criminally prosecute all those who cross the border illegally, has said the separations are a natural consequence of sending someone to jail. There is also evidence that families have been separated when they request asylum at ports of entry, even when they have identification documents purportedly supporting their maternal or paternal ties. President Donald Trump walked back some of his hard line rhetoric earlier this month by signing an executive order that promises to end family separations when possible. The order did not address a plan to reunite the 2,000 or so children who had already been separated, and late Tuesday night a San Diego federal judge granted an injunction that requires the government to make reunifications within 30 days. 1 / 32 Hundreds of people gather at Waterfront Park for the Families Belong Together rally and march. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 2 / 32 Mary Mitchell of Encinitas, an opponent of the Trump administration immigration policies, was one of several hundred people to protest the policies during the Families Belong Together rally at Cannon Park in Carlsbad by holding a Lock them Up sign. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 3 / 32 Darla Scott-Meers holds a sign as she and hundreds of people gather at Waterfront Park for the Families Belong Together rally. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 4 / 32 A notice placed on the back of one of the basketball hoops, one of several places in Cannon Park where The City of Carlsbad announced that a municipal code requires that a permit is required for a gathering of 50 or more persons in the park. Because of this, the Families Belong Together rally was almost cancelled. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 5 / 32 Hundreds of people gather at Waterfront Park for the Families Belong Together rally and march. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 6 / 32 Rhythm Turner, left, and Laura Payne, called Rhythm and the Method, sing during the Families Belong Together rally. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 7 / 32 Enrique Morones of Border Angels speaks during the Families Belong Together rally. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 8 / 32 At it’s peak, several hundred people attended the Families Belong Together rally, protesting the Trump administration’s immigration policies, at Cannon Park in Carlsbad. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 9 / 32 Jon Anderson, left, of Carlsbad, a Trump administration immigration policies supporter, waves a Long Live ICE sign while standing next to Joaquin Castillo, right, of San Francisco, an opponent of the policies, during the Families Belong Together rally at Cannon Park in Carlsbad. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 10 / 32 A surfer walks along the Coast Highway in Carlsbad across from Cannon Park while hundreds were protesting the Trump administration’s immigration policies during the Families Belong Together rally. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 11 / 32 Two women listen during the Families Belong Together rally. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 12 / 32 Geri Afshari of Encinitas was one of the protestors during the Families Belong Together rally at Cannon Park in Carlsbad who protested the Trump Administration’s immigration policies. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 13 / 32 San Diego police officers on bicycles watch protesters walk past after police closed down portions of Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway for the Families Belong Together march. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 14 / 32 At it’s peak, several hundred people attended the Families Belong Together rally, protesting the Trump administration’s immigration policies, at Cannon Park in Carlsbad. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 15 / 32 Paul Moment, from Cardiff, holds a sign as he and hundreds of people gather at Waterfront Park for the Families Belong Together rally. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 16 / 32 Mark Gritzmaker of Carlsbad was one of the hundreds of people to protest the Trump administration’s immigration policies during the Families Belong Together rally at Cannon Park in Carlsbad. Photo by Howard Lipin/San Diego Union-Tribune/Mandatory Credit: HOWARD LIPIN SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE/ZUMA PRESS (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 17 / 32 The march begins at Waterfront Park during the Families Belong Together rally and march. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 18 / 32 Ronnie Huber of Oceanside, an opponent of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, was one of several hundred people to protest the policies during the Families Belong Together rally at Cannon Park in Carlsbad. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 19 / 32 Carlsbad Police officers watch the crowd in Cannon Park during the Families Belong Together rally, protesting Trump administration’s immigration policies. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 20 / 32 Thousands of people walk down Harbor Drive during the Families Belong Together rally and march. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 21 / 32 At it’s peak, several hundred people attended the Families Belong Together rally, protesting the Trump administration’s immigration policies, at Cannon Park in Carlsbad. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 22 / 32 Thousands of people walk down Harbor Drive during the Families Belong Together rally and march. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 23 / 32 Jon Palmer carries his daughter Marin, 4, on his shoulders as they and thousands of people march north on Pacific Highway during the Families Belong Together rally and march. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 24 / 32 5-year-old Esmi Magadan of Rancho Bernardo sits on her dad, Fidel Magadan’s shoulders during the Families Belong Together rally at Cannon Park in Carlsbad, protesting the Trump administration’s immigration policies. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 25 / 32 At it’s peak, several hundred people attended the Families Belong Together rally, protesting the Trump administration’s immigration policies, at Cannon Park in Carlsbad. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 26 / 32 Magaly Hurtado of Rancho Bernardo, an opponent of the Trump Administration immigration policies, was one of several hundred people to protest the policies during the Families Belong Together rally at Cannon Park in Carlsbad by yelling her feelings and holding a Love Not Hate Makes America Great sign. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 27 / 32 12-year-old Zachary Gottschalk of Portola Valley in Northern California was one of the hundreds of people to protest the Trump administration’s immigration policies during the Families Belong Together rally at Cannon Park in Carlsbad. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 28 / 32 At it’s peak, several hundred people attended the Families Belong Together rally, protesting the Trump administration’s immigration policies, at Cannon Park in Carlsbad. (Howard Lipin / The San Diego-Union-Tribune) 29 / 32 Thousands of people cross Broadway as they march north on Pacific Highway during the Families Belong Together rally and march. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune) 30 / 32 Thousands of people march north on Pacific Highway during the Families Belong Together rally and march.<doc-sep>Politics & Government Protesters Arrested for Draping Banner From San Diego Hotel Demonstrators protesting zero-tolerance immigration-enforcement policies draped a banner from the roof of the Westin hotel in San Diego. Reply SAN DIEGO, CA – Demonstrators protesting zero-tolerance immigration-enforcement policies draped a banner from the roof of the Westin hotel in downtown San Diego Monday as part of a "Free Our Future" event, leading to several arrests. It wasn't immediately clear how many protesters were taken into custody, but the arrests occurred around 2 p.m. Demonstrators were also seen locking arms and blocking the entrance to the Edward J. Schwartz building on Broadway. They were warned by police at least twice that they were causing a fire hazard and could be arrested if they continued to block the federal building entrance. But no arrests had been made as of mid-afternoon, according a member of Mijente, the organization that arranged the protest. Hundreds first gathered at Chicano Park around 9 a.m. before marching downtown. Many of the protesters held signs calling for the abolishment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Mijente member Maru Mora told City News Service that protesters blocked the federal building because "these are places where we have seen the criminalization of our community." The action coincides with the expected San Diego introduction of Operation Streamline, a fast-track prosecution program that moves migrants through the criminal justice system in group hearings. Originally introduced by President George W. Bush in 2005, the program has lately been used only in select Arizona and Texas cities. Grassroots groups such a Junto Global, Puente and GLAHR attended the rally.<doc-sep>

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- 10 people were arrested Monday in a protest against the Trump administration’s immigration policies at Chicano Park. Protesters gathered as early as 9 a.m. to march toward downtown in protest of a program called Operation Streamline. The protesters who were arrested had climbed on top of the Westin San Diego Gaslamp hotel at Horton Plaza to unfurl a banner. Their attorney said they wre charged with trespassing, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice. Demonstrators with the group Mijente, as well as community members and people from different California cities, Arizona and even Georgia filled the park as they protested ICE and the zero-tolerance policy. PHOTOS: March held against immigration policies The program has so far been used in Texas and Arizona and groups undocumented immigrants together for criminal federal court hearings. The result is quick mass deportations. The program hasn’t been used in California yet and protesters believe the policy isn’t welcome in San Diego or the U.S. Judges and attorneys from San Diego recently sat in a Tucson courtroom to see how the process works and how they’ll prosecute similar cases in San Diego once the program is implemented. Critics of the program say it takes away the right to due process while supporters say the goal is to reduce the rates of illegal re-entry and secure the border. Chicano Park starting to fill up as protest and #FreeOurFuture event set to start in less than 10 minutes. @10News pic.twitter.com/QSi2dg2n8Z — Mimi Elkalla (@10NewsMimi) July 2, 2018

American Airlines announced on Sunday it will extend some flight cancellations through June 5 due to the federally-mandated grounding of Boeing’s 737 Max jet. The largest U.S. airline, which operates 24 Max jets, said it would result in about 90 flights each day being canceled, based on its current schedule, and said the decision was made in order to avoid last-minute flight disruptions. “By proactively canceling these flights, we are able to provide better service to our customers with availability and rebooking options,” American said in a statement. The airline said in late March that it was extending its cancellation of flights through April 24, which also affected 90 flights each day. The Federal Aviation Administration followed many other countries in grounding the Max jets following two accidents that occurred within five months of each other. An Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed last month killing 157 people. Prior to that, in October, a Lion Air Max jet crashed off the coast of Indonesia killing 189 people. Both accidents were linked to the aircraft’s flight-control software, known as MCAS, that was designed to prevent the aircraft from stalling. Boeing said it was working on changes to the system, which will now rely on multiple angle of attack sensors, will push the aircraft’s nose down only once and will make changes more subtly, giving pilots more control. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX BUSINESS APP Boeing said last week it would cut production of the 737 Max starting in mid-April to 42 airplanes per month from the current 52 per month. The company’s CEO, Dennis Muilenburg, said the 737 program and related production teams would not face any layoffs. “We are coordinating closely with our customers as we work through plans to mitigate the impact of this adjustment,” Muilenburg said in a statement. “We will also work directly with our suppliers on their production plans to minimize operational disruption and financial impact of the production rate change.”<doc-sep>Passengers look out at American Airlines flight 718, a Boeing 737 Max, parked at its gate at Miami International Airport as people load for the flight to New York on December 29, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The Boeing 737 Max flew its first commercial flight since the aircraft was allowed to return to service nearly two years after being grounded worldwide following a pair of separate crashes. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) MARANA, ARIZONA - MAY 16: Decommissioned and suspended jetBlue commercial aircrafts are seen stored in Pinal Airpark on May 16, 2020 in Marana, Arizona. Pinal Airpark is the largest commercial aircraft storage facility in the world, currently holding increased numbers of aircraft in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) Airbus CEO: Could ramp up production by second half of 2021 Hayden A. Smith, 17, is a plane spotter and photographer and took this photo of UAL Flight 328 on Saturday, February 20, as it flew overhead in Aurora, Colorado. ATLANTA - APRIL 30: A Boeing 757 with a new Delta Airlines logo sits on the tarmac following the company's emergence from bankruptcy at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport April 30,2007 in Atlanta, Georgia. The 757 sports new branding that will appear on more than 900 planes, at airports and on advertising. (Photo by Barry Williams/Getty Images) 757 Delta CEO: The goal is for a good summer in the US JetBlue CEO on when tickets to London will be available MARANA, ARIZONA - MAY 16: Decommissioned and suspended jetBlue commercial aircrafts are seen stored in Pinal Airpark on May 16, 2020 in Marana, Arizona. Pinal Airpark is the largest commercial aircraft storage facility in the world, currently holding increased numbers of aircraft in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) RENTON, WA - MARCH 11: The Boeing 737-8 is pictured on a mural on the side of the Boeing Renton Factory on March 11, 2019 in Renton, Washington. Two of the aerospace company's newest model airliners have crashed in less than six months. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) (CNN Business) — American Airlines plans to cancel flights well into April because of the Boeing 737 Max grounding. American, the world’s largest airline, said Sunday it is canceling about 90 flights a day out through April 24. Before Sunday’s announcement, American had only canceled flights through March 28. “By proactively canceling these flights, we are able to provide better service to our customers with availability and rebooking options,” American said on its website. Customers that are affected will be contacted by American and given options for another flight. The airline has 24 737 Max jets in its fleet. American said it is still waiting for more information from the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, National Transportation Safety Board and other regulatory authorities before resuming flights. The global fleet of 371 of the 737 Max jets was grounded indefinitely on March 13 after two of the planes had fatal crashes. A Lion Air flight crashed in October and an Ethiopian Airlines flight crashed on March 10. Other countries had already suspended the planes immediately following the Ethiopian Airlines crash. The causes of the crashes have yet to be determined but the focus has been on an automatic safety feature which may have forced the nose of each plane lower when it incorrectly believed the plane was in danger of going into a stall. Boeing and the FAA said they are working on an upgrade of its software to deal with that safety feature. Boeing said at the time of the grounding that it expected that update to be available “within weeks.” Boeing also announced on Friday that it is cutting the production rate for all of its 737 planes from 52 a month to 42. CEO Dennis Muilenburg added that Boeing was creating a committee to review how it designs and develops jets in order to ensure the “highest level of safety.” “We have balanced [cancellations] across our system,” said the airline. It said both international and domestic flights are affected. “We will vary by day as we look to impact the fewest number of customers.” American operates 3,300 flights its mainline system daily on average, and another 3,400 through regional carriers and partner airlines. Southwest Airlines (LUV), which has 34 737 Max jets, said it is only canceling five days out at this point. It said it is also trying to rework the schedule to affect the fewest possible number of customers. Southwest has a revised schedule through April and May that “intends to reduce drastically last-minute trip disruptions and same-day cancellations” because of the grounding of the 737 Max, a spokesman said in an email to CNN Business. CNN’s Chris Isidore and Chuck Johnston contributed to this report.<doc-sep>This post has been corrected to reflect that Ethiopian Airlines is the second carrier which experienced a Boeing 737 Max crash. American Airlines [s:aal] said Sunday it was extending the grounding of its Boeing 737-Max aircraft through at least June 5, resulting in the cancellation of about 90 flights per day throughout the carrier's system. "American continues to await information from the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, National Transportation Safety Board other regulatory authorities and Boeing that would permit the 24 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in our fleet to resume flying," the airline said in a posting to customers on its booking site. American said reservation personnel would be contacting affected customers to assist them in rebooking flights. Boeing's [s:ba] 737 Max has been grounded worldwide following crashes of Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines planes that investigators believe were both caused in part by the failure of a flight-control software system.<doc-sep>FILE PHOTO: An American Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8, on a flight from Miami to New York City, comes in for landing at LaGuardia Airport in New York, U.S., March 12, 2019. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton /File Photo (Reuters) - American Airlines said on Sunday it will extend cancellations of 90 flights a day through June 5 because of the grounding of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft following two deadly crashes in five months. The extended cancellation by the largest U.S. airline is the latest sign that the airplane is not expected to return to service anytime soon. American Airlines said on March 24 it had canceled 90 flights a day through April 24. On Friday, Boeing said it plans to cut its monthly 737 aircraft production by nearly 20 percent.<doc-sep>

An American Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 arriving from Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport is seen taxiing to its gate at the Miami International Airport on March 12, 2019 in Miami, Florida. American Airlines will extend flight cancellations through June 5, more than a month longer than previously announced, as Boeing 737 Max planes remain grounded. American previously announced it would cancel approximately 90 flights a day through April 24. The extension is sure to cause headaches for travelers, and hints at the industry disruption caused by a global grounding of the Boeing 737 Max. Boeing is working to fix software shortcomings on the planes after two fatal crashes and an international probe. It announced Friday it plans to cut production of the 737 Max beginning in Mid-April. American flies 24 of the 737 Max planes and said it is awaiting information from U.S. regulatory bodies. Customers affected by the cancellations will be contacted by American representatives with available re-bookings. "We know these cancellations and changes may affect some of our customers, and we are working to limit the impact to the smallest number of customers," the company said in a statement to CNBC. Here's the airline's full statement: American continues to await information from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), other regulatory authorities and Boeing that would permit the 24 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in our fleet to resume flying. In an effort to provide more certainty and avoid last minute flight disruptions, American has extended cancellations through June 5. This will result in the cancellation of approximately 90 flights each day based on our current schedule. By proactively canceling these flights, we are able to provide better service to our customers with availability and rebooking options. American's Reservations team will contact affected customers directly by email or telephone. We know these cancellations and changes may affect some of our customers, and we are working to limit the impact to the smallest number of customers. WATCH: Ethiopia says Boeing should review 737 Max controllability

The greatest Apple product comeback story of the past few years has, without a doubt, been the Apple Watch. Launched with great fanfare four years ago, the initial version tried to do way too much with way too little, and it had confusing software to boot. Worst of all, it was unclear what the original Apple Watch was even for. No single thing stood out. Then Apple did what Apple often does: iterated, refined, and fixed. But as much as there were software and hardware improvements to the Series 2 and Series 3, the most important refinements were to the Apple Watch’s purpose. It gained clarity. It was for fitness and notifications. Eventually, when it was ready, Apple added better connectivity. Now, with the Series 4, Apple is iterating again. And, importantly, it’s learned how to iterate the product’s hardware and its purpose at the same time. The Series 4 has finally achieved something like the original goal of the Apple Watch. It’s not quite a do-anything computer on your wrist, but it can be different things to different people now. With apologies to the new iPhones, the Apple Watch Series 4 was the most impressive thing Apple announced last week. After using it for the past week or so, I think it lives up to the hype. For the first time since the original Apple Watch, the hardware has been fully redesigned, with a new body and new sizes. But it’s not a major overhaul. These still look like the Apple Watches you’re used to: they have the same rounded-corner lozenge shape, the same glass that curves around to match the body, and the same digital crown and single-button layout. Before we get too far, we should talk pricing. This Watch is not especially cheap. The smallest, least expensive model comes with GPS and Wi-Fi and costs $399. But if you start piling on the upgrades, you can quickly jack up the price to something that feels exorbitant, especially if you’re upgrading from a Series 2 or Series 3. It’s $29 more for the larger size, $100 for LTE compatibility (plus $10 per month or so from your carrier), and the stainless steel models are $200 more (and only come with LTE). Add in Apple Care, and you can end up spending a lot — though it’s nothing like the wild “Edition” prices of yore. (Don’t even get me started on the Hermès model.) The larger sizes don’t feel that much bigger than the older models The two new sizes are 40mm and 44mm, but they really don’t feel that much bigger on your wrist than the old sizes. I was using the 42mm Series 3 and the 44mm size is only subtly bigger, but it’s also subtly thinner. To me, it feels about the same, but I think the trade-off of size for thinness is worth it. I suspect the same will be true for people who prefer the smaller size, but my recommendation is to go to a store and try one on before buying. I’m really happy — and impressed — that Apple managed to make existing Watch bands fully compatible with the new sizes. Even my old third-party bands fit seamlessly into the new Watch body. Things look different when the screen turns on. The screen on the Series 4 is just incredibly good. Apple says it’s 30 percent bigger, which is one of those specs that’s easy to just sort of pass over when you read it. But 30 percent is a lot, and you absolutely notice it right away. It’s still OLED so the blacks are truly black and blend into the watchface glass. But if you pick a full-screen watchface, you’ll see that the screen also goes closer to the edges of the Watch than before, including the rounded corners. The overall effect makes the square display on my Series 3 look dumpy and cramped by comparison — even though, until last week, it was arguably the best smartwatch screen on the market. As John Gruber writes, “The Series 4 displays take up so much more of the face of the watches that the new 40mm watch’s display is larger than the display on the old 42mm models — the new small watch has a larger display than the old large watch.” Beyond the size and the screen, there are a few other subtle exterior differences to note about the hardware. The rear of the Watch is now ceramic instead of metal to allow for a better wireless signal. If you spring for the LTE model, the garish red dot on the digital crown has been replaced with a much more subtle red ring. The microphone has been moved between the two buttons so that it’s further away from the speaker to help reduce echo in calls. The speaker has been boosted to provide more volume. It really is way louder, and I haven’t heard any distortion during phone calls. Last year’s Apple Watch had some issues with LTE at launch, though Apple fixed it up fairly quickly. This year, I haven’t had any major problems with LTE. In fact, several people I called with the Watch simply didn’t believe I wasn’t on a phone. It sounds good, and the louder speaker means you can hear it without holding the thing next to your ear. But it does take the Watch a minute (sometimes two) to switch on LTE and get connected. That’s not radically worse than what happens when you pull your phone out of airplane mode, but on the Watch, it’s always a little less clear what’s happening and why when data is not coming in. On the inside, there’s a faster S4 processor, a W3 chip (which is just Apple’s W2 chip with Bluetooth 5.0 support), and an accelerometer and gyroscope that are able to take samples of your movements more often (which is how Apple was able to add the new fall detection feature). Apple’s also tied haptics to the digital crown, so when you spin it, you feel little ticks that precisely correlate to what’s happening on the screen. It’s completely unnecessary but pretty neat. Battery life has been stupendous Last but certainly not least: the battery size is about the same. Battery life on the Series 4 is as good or better than on the Series 3 Watch. Apple claims 18 hours of regular use or six hours of outdoor workouts. I haven’t done a six-hour outdoor workout (and I don’t plan to), but my testing shows the battery life far exceeds Apple’s own claims. I took the Watch off the charger on Saturday morning and wandered around Oakland for four hours while disconnected from my phone. I used LTE for maps, a couple calls, and GPS for tracking my outdoor walk “workout.” I was still at 50 percent at the end of that day, and I didn’t get below 20 percent by the end of my lazy Sunday (which also involved an hour or so of GPS tracking and some LTE data). The battery life is so good that I wish Apple gave me an option for an always-on ambient screen, maybe by turning off some radios. Alas, you still have to turn your wrist to see the time. watchOS 5 is kind of a grab bag of new features, which sounds dismissive, but I don’t mean it to be. It’s a good sign that watchOS is ready to be laden with features instead of rethought from the ground up, as it was in years past. There’s support for podcasts, Walkie Talkie mode, slightly improved (and grouped!) notifications, and a bunch of fitness and health options. But the thing people will probably pay the most attention to are the new watchfaces that are available on the Series 4 Watches. They’re designed to show off the new rounded-corner screen. Some are just sort of flashy animations, while others are chock-full of new complications in phantasmagoric colors. Of the new watchfaces, I am most fond of the animated ones. Apple says that the fire, water, and vapor animations were all created with practical effects.<doc-sep>Alongside a trio of new iPhones, Apple on Wednesday introduced the impressive Apple Watch Series 4, which brings a larger screen and more health-related features to your wrist without bulking it all up. Putting it on, I immediately noticed the extra screen real estate. Where the Apple Watch Series 3’s display felt like it was surrounded by some indiscernible bezel, the Series 4 adds over 30% more screen real estate to the Apple Watch without making it feel cumbersome. That double-digit percentage increase is both not much and more than enough. It allows for more complications (think widgets, just on your watch), which gives you either more information at a glance or just a larger, easier to read clock. You can also look at pictures, but I suggest you just pull out your phone for that. No one wants a giant watch, after all. Diehard Apple Watch fans can breathe easy: The 40mm and 44mm versions look nearly identical in width compared to their 38 and 42mm predecessors. And while the watches might be bigger, they’re backwards compatible with existing bands. Speaking of breathing, Apple has taken its health features up a notch, including a new watch face that guides users through a deep breathing exercise. The Apple Watch Series 4 also added the ability to conduct an electrocardiogram test (ECG) using the updated digital crown and a series of electrodes integrated into both the crown and the heart rate monitor. (Unfortunately, the ECG feature won’t be available when the device ships next week; the company says it will arrive later this year.) Thanks to Apple’s improved gyroscope and accelerometer, the new Apple Watch can now detect falls and alert your emergency contacts if you’re rendered immobile after a tumble. While I only spent a few minutes wearing it so far, the advances made in the latest version of Apple’s wearable device might be the best example of why Apple has such an advantage when it comes to smartwatches, especially compared to the competition. With its complete control over the Apple Watch’s manufacturing process, down to the new S4 processor, Apple’s advantage is readily apparent. The worst part? It’s not even the competition’s fault, really. Google and its WearOS has been hamstrung due in part to a lack of advancement from companies like Qualcomm, which, after two years, has finally announced a new processor for WearOS devices. That lack of progress has left the field wide open for the Apple Watch Series 4 to capture anyone in the market for a new smartwatch this year, even with the first smartwatches powered by Qualcomm’s new chip debuting as early as next month. The Apple Watch Series 4 will start at $399 for a GPS version, and $499 for an LTE version. There’s also, as always, the Apple Watch Hermes version of the wearable, which brings a custom watch face and Hermes band, starting at $1,249. You can pre-order an Apple Watch Series 4 starting Sept. 14, and expect it to ship or show up in stores on Sept. 21. For current Apple Watch owners looking to update the software to WatchOS 5, you can do that on Sept. 17. The Leadership Brief. Conversations with the most influential leaders in business and tech. 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. Write to Patrick Lucas Austin at patrick.austin@time.com.<doc-sep>Alongside the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR, Apple used the special event at the Steve Jobs Theatre in Cupertino earlier this week to unveil the Apple Watch Series 4. The launch represents the biggest redesign to Apple's smartwatch since its introduction in 2015. Not only does the Apple Watch Series 4 come with a case that's noticeably thinner, but Apple has also refreshed the materials used. More significantly, though, the Apple Watch Series 4 comes with displays that are 30 percent bigger than before. This is partially down to 40mm and 44mm sizes that the new watches will be available in, up from 38mm and 42mm that we had seen in all Apple Watch models launched till date. We had a chance to spend some time with the 44mm variant of the Apple Watch Series 4 right after the launch event, and our very first takeaway was that the new model, while bigger, didn’t look as chunky as some of the other smartwatches like the Samsung Galaxy Watch. Apple Watch Series 4 with the Infograph watch face The iPhone X-inspired corners are more rounded than before and they make sure that despite its bigger size the watch doesn’t look as ‘boxy’ as before. The ceramic and sapphire crystal back felt nicer than our Series 3 Watch, but we didn’t spend enough time the new watch to comment on its overall fit and comfort in the long run. The Digital Crown now includes haptic feedback, which also felt like a nice touch. The LTE variant now sports a red ring along the edges of the crown, instead of the giant red dot on the Series 3, though we still don't understand why this design element exists at all. The Apple Watch Series 4 comes with watch faces that have been redesigned to utilise the additional real estate on offer and some of them — like the Infograph watch face pictured above —will let you put more complications on the screen than ever before. There's a new Modular Infograph watch face with, among other things, a new kind of complication that can be used for stuff like score sand stock updates. The new watch faces will give some much-needed choices to Apple Watch owners, though an Apple representative confirmed that these watch faces will not be available for older Apple Watch models. If you’ve built up a large collection of Apple Watch bands over the last couple of years, however, there’s some good news for you. Despite the larger cases with the Apple Watch Series 4, you will be able to use bands you’ve purchased for use with existing and older Apple Watch models. The 38mm Apple Watch bands will fit right on the new 40mm models, while your 42mm bands collection will be welcomed on the new 44mm variants. The Apple Watch Series 4 feature that grabbed the biggest headlines was the ability to perform an ECG by just placing your finger on the Digital Crown. Unfortunately, this feature wasn’t being demoed at the hands on area, as it will be made available in the US via a software update that will ship on an unspecified date. It should roll out in other countries as and when Apple gets regulatory approval from the local bodies. As you would expect, the Watch also comes with a host of other improvements like enhanced cellular reception — made possible by the ceramic and sapphire crystal back — a processor that’s up to two times faster than the one in the Series 3 watch, second-generation optical heart sensor, improved accelerometer and gyroscope that enable fall detection, Bluetooth 5.0 support, and 16GB storage standard on both GPS and GPS+Cellular models. Just like the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, the Series 4 Apple Watch will also be available in a new Gold colour option. iPhone XR First Impressions While Apple hasn’t officially announced the India price and release date of the Apple Watch Series 4, Gadgets 360 exclusively reported that the new range will start retailing at Rs. 40,900. Stay tuned to Gadgets 360 for details related to the watch's India launch data and our detailed review. Disclosure: Apple sponsored the correspondent’s flights and hotel for the launch event in Cupertino. Will Apple ever launch reasonably priced iPhones in India? We discussed this on Orbital, our weekly technology podcast, which you can subscribe to via Apple Podcasts or RSS, download the episode, or just hit the play button below.<doc-sep>

Shop for Apple Watch Series 4 See all prices $70 at Amazon Sarah Tew/CNET The newest Apple Watch Series 4 is now available alongside new iPhones, and this year, it's the product line with a more dramatic story to tell. While the iPhone XS and XS Max are more subtly-upgraded "S"-year evolutions of 2017's iPhone X ( ), the Apple Watch Series 4 is the biggest year-over-year makeover Apple's wearable has seen in its three-plus-year history. New for 2018 is the Apple Watch's first big redesign ever: The screens are bigger, the body is thinner. And the watch's already-impressive heart and health tracking gets a truly groundbreaking addition: A built-in electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), the first-ever to be integrated directly into a smartwatch. The feature is already FDA cleared in the US, where it is scheduled be activated by a software update later this year. Now playing: Watch this: Apple Watch Series 4: A guided tour The Apple Watch Series 4 start at $399, £399, AU$599 for the standard model, and $499, £499, AU$749 for the LTE model. Models climb up from there depending on size, material (stainless steel versus aluminum), band choices and additional styles (Nike+, Hermes). I got my hands on the Apple Watch Series 4 earlier this week, in the new stainless steel gold option. This will be an ongoing review looking at the watch and its features. I'm already liking the new, larger watch faces and their additional customization options, so let's start there. Originally published Sept. 19, 4:40 p.m. PT. Updated Sept. 21, 2:50 p.m. PT with additional impressions on battery life. First impressions: All-new design, larger screen The Apple Watch S4 is the biggest design update since the watch launched in 2015. Apple followed the model of its recent iPhone designs here: The Series 4 cuts down the bezel surrounding the screen versus last year's Series 3, effectively squeezing larger screens into the same size chassis. It's still a squircle but the look is much more refined. It's thinner, too: Apple cut the depth of the Watch from 11.4mm to 10.7mm, so it's less bulbous on your wrist. New sizes: The Apple Watch still comes in "small" and "large," but thanks to the economy of sizes from the redesign, the smallest new Apple Watch has a display that's close to the size of the previous large one. The new watch sizes are 40 and 44mm, vs. the previous 38 and 42mm. Sarah Tew/CNET New watch faces stand out: New watch faces come with the larger display, and many existing Apple Watch faces have been subtly upgraded to be bigger or otherwise take full advantage of the new real estate. Some add a lot of new complications, or bits of information. (Complications are basically at-a-glance pieces of watch information that double as app launchers.) The watch's richer complications show more info, now, and even some graphics. More shortcuts means launching apps faster -- or not having to launch them at all, because the info you need is already on the screen. The new S4-exclusive faces, called Infograph and Infograph Modular, are fantastic. But sometimes, they can feel like a bit too much. For a full analysis, read my watch face impressions. These new watch faces are, in my opinion, the key to how the Series 4 can differentiate over older models. Right now, there aren't as many as I expected. Those that are here are already my most-used. The rest of Apple's watch faces end up being pretty familiar. There are 25 of them, with a ton of customization and variation. But Apple still doesn't have a watch face store, meaning that you're limited to the ample but contained collection of faces Apple has on-watch. These can be customized, but the limits become clear fast. Apple's main competitors -- Fitbit, Samsung, Google's WearOS -- all allow third-party watch faces: When will Apple allow this to happen? Sarah Tew/CNET Other thoughts on the new design: The fuller display and its iPhone X-like curved edges is a big upgrade, and the slightly thinner design makes the older S3 watch look more square and bulbous. The digital crown on the side has subtle haptics now, so turning it produces realistic-feeling click mechanisms. It's satisfying, but not necessary. The side button below lies more flush now. More importantly, the onboard speaker is louder and clearer, making Siri and phone calls a lot more useful (especially in emergencies).

The San Francisco 49ers are among the teams that have been mentioned in connection for Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell with the official start of free agency less than two days away. Ralph Vacchiano of SNY reports the 49ers are among those showing interest in Bell, tweeting earlier today, "I've heard from multiple NFL sources who tell me they believe the Jets are still the favorites to land Le'Veon Bell. The Bears, 49ers, Eagles and Raiders are other teams I've heard mentioned in connection with the Bell sweepstakes." Chris Mortensen of ESPN also mentioned the 49ers as a potential suitor for Bell during an ESPN broadcast, according to a tweet from Evan Silva of Rotoworld. Bell, 27, will be looking for a significant contract after reportedly turning down a five-year, $70 million deal with $33 million guaranteed from the Steelers in 2018 and sitting out the season after choosing not to play under the franchise tag for the second consecutive year. The 49ers have room to give him the money Bell is looking for, but they also already have a number of candidates in the backfield in Jerick McKinnon, Matt Breida, Jeff Wilson, and possibly Raheem Mostert, who the team extended a restricted free agent tender to last week. If in fact the 49ers are seriously interested in Bell, it'll bring into question how all those pieces might fit and which, if any, of the players currently under contract might wind up on the outside looking in. Chances are the 49ers wind up looking elsewhere for a running back if they decide to add one in free agency, although the thought of Bell joining Kyle Shanahan's offense is certainly fun to think about. At this point, it's anyone's guess where he'll wind up, although the safe bet is that he won't be back with the Steelers, even though they left the door open to the possibility back in February. "We are going to leave that door open as we do with all of our players," Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said recently. "When a player comes back to us after they’ve been on the market for a while it’s usually a really good environment because they know what’s out there for them, and if we can do something better, great. But in the meantime we had a young man named James Conner and another one named Jaylen Samuels who stepped up and filled that position very well for us, so you look at the kind of money it may take to take a guy like Le’Veon off the market and weigh what it would do to what else we want to be able to do. We will have to balance that out, but we will always leave that door open."<doc-sep>Rumor: 49ers potentially in the market for RB Le’Veon Bell By David Bonilla Mar 11, 2019 at 12:44 PM • Now, there is a rumor — and we stress rumor — from Chris Mortensen of ESPN that the 49ers might be interested in former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell. The New York Jets, however, are still viewed as the clear favorites to land him. Evan Silva of Rotoworld reported the chatter from Mortensen. ESPN's Chris Mortensen mentioned on NFL Live that he's heard #49ers are potentially in the market for free agent Le'Veon Bell. #Jets still viewed as clear favorites. — Evan Silva (@evansilva) March 11, 2019 There was a report in September that both the 49ers and Jets "The Jets and 49ers have also made exploratory calls, though nothing has advanced beyond a preliminary stage and San Francisco's interest is likely mitigated by the season-ending injury to quarterback I've heard from multiple NFL sources who tell me they believe the Jets are still the favorites to land Le'Veon Bell. The Bears, 49ers, Eagles and Raiders are other teams I've heard mentioned in connection with the Bell sweepstakes. — Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) March 11, 2019 Bell, who played college football at Michigan State, was a second-round draft pick by the Steelers in 2013. During his five NFL seasons (2013-17), he has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times (2014, 2016, 2017) and named first-team All-Pro twice (2014, 2017). Bell held out during the entire 2018 season and will become a free agent on Wednesday. He has posted 1,200-or-more yards in three of his last four seasons played. In 2014, he rushed for 1,361 yards on 290 carries and eight touchdowns. In 2016, Bell rushed for 1,268 yards on 261 carries and seven touchdowns. 2017 saw him rush for 1,291 yards on 321 carries and nine touchdowns. A suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy and a season-ending MCL tear shortened Bell's 2015 season to just six games. Are the San Francisco 49ers in search of yet another running back in free agency? The team signed Jerick McKinnon last offseason to be its featured back in 2018. Unfortunately, McKinnon suffered a torn ACL before the start of the regular season.Now, there is a rumor — and we stress rumor — from Chris Mortensen of ESPN that the 49ers might be interested in former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell. The New York Jets, however, are still viewed as the clear favorites to land him. Evan Silva of Rotoworld reported the chatter from Mortensen.There was a report in September that both the 49ers and Jets made an "exploratory call" to the Steelers regarding Bell. Nothing came of that report. "The Jets and 49ers have also made exploratory calls, though nothing has advanced beyond a preliminary stage and San Francisco's interest is likely mitigated by the season-ending injury to quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo ," wrote Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports in September.Bell, who played college football at Michigan State, was a second-round draft pick by the Steelers in 2013. During his five NFL seasons (2013-17), he has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times (2014, 2016, 2017) and named first-team All-Pro twice (2014, 2017).Bell held out during the entire 2018 season and will become a free agent on Wednesday. He has posted 1,200-or-more yards in three of his last four seasons played. In 2014, he rushed for 1,361 yards on 290 carries and eight touchdowns. In 2016, Bell rushed for 1,268 yards on 261 carries and seven touchdowns. 2017 saw him rush for 1,291 yards on 321 carries and nine touchdowns.A suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy and a season-ending MCL tear shortened Bell's 2015 season to just six games. More San Francisco 49ers News 49ers to travel over 28,000 miles in 2021, most in the NFL By David Bonilla May 13, 2021 The San Francisco 49ers are set to travel over 28,000 round-trip miles between cities to face the opponents on the team's 2021 schedule. That ranks as the most travel distance among NFL teams, per ESPN Sports Analytics. pic.twitter.com/u223tCVwtx— Brian Burke (@bburkeESPN) May 13, 49ers-Raiders returns to preseason schedule in 2021 By David Bonilla May 13, 2021 Lost in the 2021 NFL schedule release's manufactured hoopla was the return of a preseason rivalry matchup. No, it won't be during the regular season. It is a preseason matchup. The NFL is reducing the preseason to three games after eliminating it entirely for one season in 2020 due to the pandemic, and after adding a week to the regular season. The San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders — then in Oakland — faced each other in an annual exhibition matchup for 11 consecutive seasons between 2001 and 2011. The rivalry game, previously labeled as the "Battle of the Bay," returns in 2021, with the Raiders scheduled to visit Levi's Stadium to close out the three-game preseason schedule. San Francisco opens its exhibition schedule by hosting These two 49ers rookies earned rare 'gold helmet' during pre-draft evaluations By David Bonilla May 13, 2021 According to assistant general manager Adam Peters, the San Francisco 49ers award a "gold helmet" designation to draft prospects who are "exemplary" in several areas, including leadership and intelligence. He told Matt Barrows of The Athletic that last year's fifth-round pick, offensive lineman Colton McKivitz, received the designation. Heading into a draft, only 15-20 prospects earn the "gold helmet." This year, the 49ers ended up drafting two players who earned the designation — quarterback Trey Lance, selected No. 3 overall, and safety Talanoa Hufanga, the last of three fifth-round Reporter humorously sums up reactions to 49ers rookie Trey Lance wearing a Dodgers hat By David Bonilla May 13, 2021 Without commenting on it, we shared the following video with fans yesterday, and the reaction was interesting. It features new San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance wishing "the best of luck" to the Santa Clara women's soccer team in the College Cup. The Broncos have a new fan in San Francisco @49ers first round draft pick @treylance09!#SCUBroncos<doc-sep>Don Wright/Associated Press Le'Veon Bell is finally on the open market, and multiple teams are interested in signing the former Pittsburgh Steelers running back. According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN (via Evan Silva of Rotoworld), the New York Jets are the clear favorites to sign Bell, but the San Francisco 49ers are also interested in him. Ralph Vacchiano of SNY added a few other possibilities for Bell: Among all of the options, the Jets and 49ers perhaps make the most sense. They both could use an offensive playmaker like Bell and have plenty of cap space. Per Spotrac, San Francisco ranks seventh in the league with around $54.2 million available, while the Jets have the second-most space at $80.9 million. Either team could use some of that cap room to add a player who can improve its offense and help out its franchise quarterback. The Jets didn't have a single player with at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage last season. Promising players such as wide receiver Robby Anderson and running back Isaiah Crowell were inconsistent, while veterans failed to make much of an impact. Adding Bell—who has topped 1,800 yards from scrimmage in each of his last three full seasons—could take pressure off Sam Darnold and turn around an offense that finished 29th in total yards last year. The 49ers gave Jerick McKinnon a four-year, $30 million contract last March, but he tore his ACL in the preseason and missed the entire 2018 campaign. Second-year running back Matt Breida showed potential in his place, although he pales in comparison to Bell, a two-time first-team All-Pro. Video Play Button Videos you might like If San Francisco releases McKinnon after June 1, it can save $3.75 million toward the 2019 cap, per Spotrac. Although Bell missed the entire 2018 season due to a contract dispute, he is a proven difference-maker. He could make an enormous impact for either of these teams.<doc-sep>

The San Francisco 49ers already have some decent offensive potential with young players such as quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and tight end George Kittle, but could they add a veteran star on top of that? According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN, the 49ers may be looking to do just that, as Mortensen is reporting that San Francisco may be in on free-agent running back Le’Veon Bell. The New York Jets are viewed as the favorites for Bell, mainly due to the fact that they have $102 million in cap space, but the Niners would certainly be an interesting destination. Bell sat out the entire 2018 campaign due to a contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also held out through Week 1 of 2017, but returned in Week 2 and ended up rushing for 1,291 yards and nine touchdowns while hauling in 85 receptions for 655 yards and couple of scores on the season en route to a Pro Bowl appearance and a First-Team All-Pro selection. The 27-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Michigan State University, was originally selected by the Steelers in the second round (48th pick overall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. Since then, Bell has made three trips to Honolulu and has earned a pair of First-Team All-Pro selections, most notably in 2014 when he racked up 1,361 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground while catching 83 passes for 854 yards and three scores. Bell is said to be seeking a contract worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $15-16 million annually. The 49ers are coming off of a 2018 campaign in which they won just four games.

The early-morning shooting that killed a veteran police sergeant and left another officer and one suspect wounded was at least partially captured on video, Birmingham Police Chief Patrick Smith said Sunday night. “We do have some video, and at some point, that will be released as well,’’ Smith said. “That’s up to the outside agency (SBI) when they are comfortable they have the investigation under control.” The police chief, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and other police and city officials held a press briefing Sunday evening, about 15 hours after 44-year-old Wytasha “Wyt” Carter became the city’s 52nd officer to die in the line of duty. “The truth is, as we stand before you this evening, this is a press conference none of us wants to have. This is a very hard time for our community right now,’’ Woodfin said. “It’s important that we keep in mind that the officers out here who continue to work and serve this community every single day, I want them to hear directly from me that even in this time that is tough, I want them to keep their head up, to know that their mayor, their city council and the entire community is with them.” “We want to encourage them to keep working hard. We want them to know we have their back,’’ the mayor said. “We want them to know they’re not grieving alone. We want them to know that in this hard time, there is comfort.” The ordeal began at 1:59 a.m. Sunday when officers were working a special detail dealing with a rash of car break-ins in that area. An undercover officer spotted at least two suspects who appeared to be trying door handles to see if they were locked in the 900 block of Fifth Avenue North outside the 4 Seasons Bar and Grill. The officer called for backup, and the sergeant arrived. The officer and the sergeant approached two suspects. "The officers approached one suspect and patted him down where they found what they believed to be a weapon,'' Smith said. “They asked him about it, he armed himself and fired upon our officers. "What I can tell you is it appears our officers were unable to respond,'' the chief said. “They were taken completely by surprise. We can’t go into great detail because we are still in the infancy stage of the investigation.” Carter, the second officer – who has been on the force just under two years – and a suspect were rushed to UAB Hospital’s Trauma Center by Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service. “Both of them were shot in very critical areas,'' the chief said of the officers. Carter was pronounced dead at the hospital. Authorities have not released the name of the surviving, but critically-wounded, officer. “As we continue to pray for Sgt. Carter’s family, please keep in mind to yield the prayers to our officer who is still in intensive care at UAB,’’ an emotional Smith said. “Trust me when I tell you he’s not completely out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination. His condition is very critical and for me, as chief of police, it’s very difficult to look both of their families in the eye and explain to them the tragedy that we’ve had to endure and for one of them that their loved one will not be coming back. It’s a very difficult thing.” As is standard procedure, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s State Bureau of Investigation is leading the probe because of the officer-involved shooting. Because of that, Smith said, Birmingham officials can release few details. The hospitalized suspect is 31 years old. Smith and Woodfin said they did not know his condition. The second suspect, who was handcuffed and arrested shortly after the shooting, is 18. The chief said he did not know when formal charges could be brought against the pair. Smith said they have not ruled out the possibility that there was a third suspect. “We are keeping all options open,’’ he said. “We’re trying to determine how many people were there and exactly what occurred.” North Precinct commander Capt. James Jackson said counselors are on hand to help police officers cope with their grief. “Right now our officers are really needing the continued support of the community and the prayers, so we definitely ask that you continue to do that,’’ Jackson said. “These families are definitely hurting so we ask for your compassion for them as well.” The chief said the support from Alabama and beyond has been overwhelming and much appreciated. “I’ve gotten emails and phone calls and text messages from people all across the country and from police departments that, quite frankly, some of them I’ve never heard of but they still share and feel the pain of what we are having to endure today,’’ he said. Of the fallen officer, Smith said this: “Everyone around him who has worked with him has indicated he was a very compassionate, natural-born leader. They enjoyed working with him, working around him, they appreciated his friendship, his compassion and everything he brought to the Birmingham Police Department.” “Trust me when I tell you we’ve endured a great loss and not only does North Precinct feel it, it is felt all across this department,’’ Smith said. “Our hearts and our prayers are with his wife, his daughter, his son, his mother, and father and sister brother and the rest of their family.” Smith also praised the surrounding law enforcement agencies, some of whom immediately sent officers from their cities to vast crime scene in Birmingham. “When our officers asked for help, they came without hesitation,’’ he said. “This is a very difficult day, for me as chief of police and it’s a very difficult day for every single person of this department so please bear with us.”<doc-sep>Advertisement Birmingham police sergeant killed, officer injured after confronting car burglary suspect Stay with WVTM 13 News for the latest updates Share Shares Copy Link Copy A car burglary investigation near downtown Birmingham turned deadly early Sunday morning when a suspect opened fire on two officers, killing one of them.The shooting occurred on 5th Avenue North, where an undercover officer and a uniformed sergeant encountered a pair of car burglary suspects just before 2 a.m. Smith said one suspect pulled a gun and opened fire after being confronted by the officers. "The officers approached the suspects to investigate when one suspect produced a weapon and began to fire at the officers," Birmingham police said in a release. The chief said the sergeant, who has been identified as 44-year-old Wytasha Carter, was "mortally wounded" and the officer was critically injured.Birmingham police said Carter had been with the department since 2011 and was promoted to sergeant in February of last year. The Phillips High graduate and U.S. Air Force veteran began his law enforcement career as a correctional officer in Shelby County. Carter, who is survived by his wife and children, is the first Birmingham officer killed in the line of duty in more than 14 years. On June 17, 2004, three officers were shot and killed while serving a drug warrant in Ensley, marking the deadliest day in department history. "This is one of the roughest hours of your career," Smith said. "There's not a chief, not an officer that ever wants to have to deal with this. This is a very difficult thing for the family, very difficult for the department. "VIDEO: Birmingham PD chief, mayor on deadly shootingSmith said one 31-year-old suspect was injured in the shooting and taken to UAB Hospital for treatment. The second suspect, who is 18 years old, was taken into custody. The police chief said officers are trying to determine exactly how many people were involved, and they are looking into the possibility of a third suspect.The conditions of the injured officer and wounded suspect are unknown at this time.The State Bureau of Investigation is leading in investigation into the shooting. Birmingham Mayor Randall released this statement about Carter's death and police risking their lives every day to protect the city. Here is Woodfin's full statement:"Sgt. Wytasha Carter laid down his life for the city he served. This husband and father was a true public servant and will be honored by each of us. "As this investigation continues, I ask that everyone pause and reflect on how our Birmingham police officers go out every day to protect our community. We also remain in prayer for the second officer who was shot along with Sgt. Carter. He is currently in critical condition. "As the scripture teaches us, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. ""Each day, Birmingham police officers risk their lives when they report for duty. This is a time of mourning for our city, but please know our police officers will be dedicated to justice and continued service for the people of Birmingham. "Birmingham City Councilman Hunter Williams released a statement on behalf of the council and said they will work with the mayor to combat violence in the city. "The Birmingham City Council stands with the law abiding citizens, families, and victims, and will cooperatively work with Mayor Woodfin and other law enforcement agencies to combat this senseless act of violence," Williams said. "We know the negative impact of gun violence on the health and safety of our communities must be met with swift and certain punishment. The Birmingham City Council fully stands behind all of the men and women of the Birmingham Police Department in their efforts to make sure justice is served. "In a statement, Governor Kay Ivey said Sgt. Carter's death is a terrible loss for the entire state of Alabama. Here is the governor's full statement:"We began today with the heartbreaking news that Birmingham Police Sergeant Wytasha Carter was killed in the line of duty and a second officer still remains in critical condition. On behalf of the entire state of Alabama, I offer my deepest sympathies and prayers as we mourn the death of Sergeant Carter, which came far too soon. This is a terrible loss for Sergeant Carter’s loved ones, his fellow law enforcement officers and our entire state. Let us keep Sergeant Carter, his wife and children close to our hearts during this difficult time. ""I offer my fervent prayers to the second officer still fighting to stay alive. I also pray for the doctors, nurses and staff working to help this officer survive the tragedy. To this officer, know that the people of Alabama stand behind you. ""We must never forget the tremendous sacrifice that our law enforcement make each and every day. We certainly will always remember Birmingham Police Sergeant Wytasha Carter and his ultimate sacrifice for the people of Birmingham who he served so well. "Look for more updates on WVTM 13 and in the WVTM 13 News App.WVTM 13 coverage of deadly officer shooting:Funeral plans announced for Sgt. CarterSecurity video shows scene of deadly shootingFOP President talks grieving process for law enforcementMayor: Violent crime "has to be declared a public health crisis"Birmingham police chief speaks about department's lossJefferson County attorney remembers fallen Birmingham officerBirmingham PD North Precinct mourning loss of slain sergeantVIDEO: Birmingham PD salute for slain officer as body leaves hospitalFriends and colleagues remember Birmingham Police Sgt. Wytasha CarterBirmingham police chief, mayor on shooting that left 1 officer dead, another injuredBirmingham police sergeant killed, officer injured after confronting car burglary suspectCheck out the outpouring of messages shared on social media from law enforcement agencies around the state:Alabama Attorney General Steve MarshallAlabama lost a police officer, another is critically injured in Birmingham. We stand with them and their families.<doc-sep>EMBED >More News Videos Police surround the location of a suspect in the killing of Officer Corona. BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- One Birmingham police sergeant was killed and another officer critically wounded early Sunday morning in a shooting as they questioned two people suspected of trying to break into cars in Alabama's largest city.Two suspects are in custody, one of whom was shot and is receiving medical treatment, officials said.Police identified the officer who was fatally shot as Sgt. Wytasha Carter, 44, who had been with the department since 2011. They haven't released the names of the wounded officer or the suspects.Birmingham Police Chief Patrick Smith said the officers approached the two suspects just before 2 a.m. outside a nightclub in downtown Birmingham, after a plainclothes officer spotted one checking door handles on cars parked outside the venue. Smith said one suspect opened fire after being confronted by the officers. "This is one of the roughest hours of your career," Smith said at a news conference, according to local media reports. "There's not a chief, not an officer that ever wants to have to deal with this. This is a very difficult thing for the family, very difficult for the department. "Officers were working a special detail in response to a rash of car break-ins in that area. When the undercover officer spotted suspects who appeared to be testing door handles on cars, he called for backup and Carter arrived, officials said. "The officers approached one suspect and patted him down where they found what they believed to be a weapon," Smith said. "They asked him about it, he armed himself and fired upon our officers. "Smith added: "It appears our officers were unable to respond. They were taken completely by surprise. We can't go into great detail because we are still in the infancy stage of the investigation. "Carter began his law enforcement career in 2002 as a correctional officer with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office and worked for two other police departments before transferring to the Birmingham department. He was promoted to sergeant in February 2018.News outlets said this is the first Birmingham officer killed in the line of duty in more than 14 years.Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin called for prayers on Twitter. "Join me in praying for the family of the Birmingham Police officer killed early this morning, and the officer who is currently in the hospital. They were shot while serving and protecting our city," he tweeted.U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town issued a statement calling the shooting "a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers all law enforcement face while we sleep."<doc-sep>The legacy left behind by Houston's first Sikh deputy Mourners sign a banner dedicated to Dhaliwal on Wednesday, in a hall near the arena where the funeral is being held. A Utah state trooper heroically pulled an unconscious man from his car seconds before a train rammed into it. Firefighter gets one last ride home in fire truck Heroic officer always at right place at right time Clerk had whole paycheck stolen, officers stepped in to help See boy's sweet reaction to getting bike after his was stolen Learn more about the heroic officer who distracted rioters WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: Officer Eugene Goodman, named acting deputy sergeant of arms of the Capitol Police, attends the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. During today's inauguration ceremony Biden becomes the 46th President of the United States. Officer Goodman was instrumental in leading a mob of Trump supporters away from the Senate chamber during the attack on January 6. (Photo by Jonathan Ernst-Pool/Getty Images) 91-year-old police officer still on the job in Arkansas Watch “New Day” and “CNN Newsroom” each Friday to see inspiring stories of officers going above and beyond the call of duty. (CNN) — Three police officers have been gunned down across the US in the last five days – two in Southern cities and a third in California. They are among seven police officers killed so far in 2019: four in firearms-related deaths and three in traffic accidents, according to the National law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. The three fatally shot are: Sgt. Wytasha Carter Birmingham Police Department In Birmingham, Alabama, Sgt. Wytasha Carter was fatally shot early Sunday while investigating a call about vehicle burglaries, police said. He and another officer had encountered two suspects when one of them pulled out a weapon and fired. The officers and one of the suspects were shot. A second suspect was taken into custody. The 44-year-old Carter later died of his injuries, police said. The second officer is in critical condition. Carter had been with the Birmingham Police Department since 2011 and had been promoted to sergeant in February 2018, police said. He started his law enforcement career in 2002 as a correctional officer with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and served as an officer for the Leeds and Fairfield police departments before transferring to Birmingham, the police department said. He is survived by his wife and two children. Officer Natalie Corona from Facebook/Davis Police Dep't In Davis, California, a man on a bicycle shot Officer Natalie Corona, 22, on Thursday night as she responded to a triple-car crash, police said After shooting Corona, the suspect reloaded his gun and shot at a firefighter and a fire truck that were also responding to the traffic collision. Then he fled. A manhunt ended hours later when police found the suspected shooter dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a home in Davis. Corona was a rookie police officer whose father is a retired Colusa County sheriff’s sergeant. Officer Chateri Payne from Facebook In Shreveport, Louisiana, newly hired Officer Chatéri Payne was in uniform and getting ready for work when she was gunned down Wednesday night, police said. No one has been arrested in the shooting, and it is not known what led to the killing, police said. Payne was hired in July as an academy cadet and graduated in November. “We have lost one of our own. She was young, and she was beautiful. She was proving herself to be a capable professional, dedicated to serving the Citizens of Shreveport,” the Shreveport Police Officers Association said. CNN’s Joe Sutton, Susannah Cullinane and Jason Hanna contributed to this report.<doc-sep>

Sgt. Wytasha Carter had been with the Birmingham Police Department since 2011. (CNN) — An Alabama police sergeant was killed and another officer critically wounded in a shooting in Birmingham early Sunday, police said. The officers were investigating a call about vehicle burglaries when they encountered two suspects just before 2 a.m. local time, according to Birmingham Police Department Sergeant Johnny Williams. “The officers approached the suspects to investigate when one suspect produced a weapon and began to fire at the officers,” Williams said in a press release. The officers and one of the suspects were struck by gunfire and taken to UAB Hospital. A second suspect was taken into custody. Sergeant Wytasha Carter, 44, of Birmingham, later died of his injuries, police said. He is survived by his wife and two children. Injured officer not ‘out of the woods’ The second officer is still in a “very critical” condition, Birmingham Police Chief Patrick Smith said Sunday during a news conference. “Trust me when I tell you, he is not completely out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination,” Smith said. The police chief said the injured officer has been with the Birmingham Police Department for about two years. “For me as Chief of Police, it’s very difficult for me to look both of their families in the eye and explain to them the tragedy that we have had to endure and – for one of them – that their loved one will not be coming back,” he said. “Sgt. Carter’s family has endured a lot. In a matter of moments, everything they knew as true and their expectation of tomorrow has changed.” He said both suspects are local and about 18 years old. Asked if there was a third suspect, Smith said police were keeping all options open. “We’re trying to determine exactly how many people were there,” he said. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin said the entire community was mourning Carter’s death. “Sgt. Carter is a husband, a father, a son, a brother who lost his life in the line of duty today,” he said, imploring people to keep praying for Carter’s family and the police community. ’A very compassionate, natural born leader’ Carter had been with the Birmingham Police Department since 2011 and had been promoted to sergeant in February 2018, police said. He began his law enforcement career in 2002 as a correctional officer with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and served as an officer for the Leeds and Fairfield police departments before transferring to Birmingham, the police department said. Carter had also served with the US Air Force and had an arts degree from Belford University, police said. “Everyone around him, who’s worked with him, has indicated that he was a very compassionate, natural born leader,” Smith said. “They enjoyed working with him, working around him.” The State Bureau of Investigation is the lead agency investigating the shooting, he said. CNN’s Artemis Moshtaghian and Carma Hassan contributed to this report.

Lewis Thompson set up his camera along the rim of the Grand Canyon before stepping in front of the lens to take a photograph. The 40-year-old Colorado man tripped and lost his balance as he stepped on a crack. He plunged 700 feet over the edge to his death. The year was 1925. The Grand Canyon had been christened as a national park only six years earlier. Thompson's death marked the first accidental fatal fall from the rim of the park. The story is a familiar one, though. Dozens of people have died in similar ways in the nearly 100 years since Thompson's fatal fall. Initial reports indicate at least two of the three people who died in Grand Canyon National Park and along the West Rim of the canyon recently could be the latest victims of accidental lethal falls. A 67-year-old California man died April 3 after falling from the edge of the South Rim in Grand Canyon Village, near the Yavapai Geology Museum. Park officials said his body was found 400 feet below the rim. A 50-year-old tourist from Hong Kong fell to his death barely a week earlier, on March 28. The man was trying to take a photo at Grand Canyon West's Eagle Point — close to the Skywalk located on the Hualapai Reservation outside the park — when he stumbled and fell. The body of a Japanese tourist was found March 26 in a wooded area south of Grand Canyon Village, away from the rim. All three deaths still were under investigation by the Investigative Services branch of the National Parks Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner, according to park spokeswoman Vanessa Ceja. Author: There's a disconnect about the danger "They have a cognitive disconnect between danger being a great opportunity for a photo, instead of a legitimate threat to their life," said Michael P. Ghiglieri, author of "Over the Edge: Death in the Grand Canyon." No amount of signage, railings or even verbal warnings will be enough to end the falls, Ghiglieri added. Sixty-four fatal falls have been recorded in the park's history, Ghiglieri said. Forty-nine of the victims were male and 15 female. Many deaths involve someone going around a guardrail to get closer to the edge or accidentally driving off the rim. This number does not include any death that was ruled a suicide. Ghiglieri referenced an unfortunate summation of the deaths he said was often used by the park's Search and Rescue team: "There are no new accidents, just new people making the same mistake." The latest numbers will be included in the latest edition of Ghiglieri's book, which was scheduled to be released later this year. More on the Grand Canyon:100 things you should know Blind veterans kayak through Grand Canyon No new railings, signage planned Park officials currently don't plan to add increased railing or signage in light of the string of deaths, Ceja said. Ample signage is already commonplace in highly traveled areas of the 277-mile-long canyon. Grand Canyon Village, the heavily visited area where two of the deaths occurred, features many signs warning visitors to not pass the rails and to watch their footing. The park will continue to rely on education to help keep visitors safe, Ceja said. "We post on social media, visitors get information at the entrance gate, on the shuttle and at the information center," Ceja said. "Rangers will talk to people if something needs attention. We do put all that information out there to really encourage people to stay safe." 1 death from a fall in 2018 Only one person fell to his death in the park in 2018. Andrey Privin of Illinois died in July after he climbed over the railing at Mather Point, a popular viewpoint at the South Rim. Some visitors said they saw Privin throw his backpack over the railing and onto an intended landing spot before jumping. He fell 500 feet to his death. About 12 people die each year within the park, Ceja said. The deaths can be attributed to everything from accidental falls to heat-related deaths and drownings during rafting trips on the Colorado River.<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>

Crime & Safety Man Falls To Death At Grand Canyon; Third Fatality In 2 Weeks The National Park Service said the man's body was found 400 feet below the South Rim. Reply (1) This Oct. 22, 2012, file photo shows a view from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. (Rick Bowmer, File/Associated Press) A 67-year-old man fell to his death at Grand Canyon National Park on Wednesday, marking the third death at the park in less than two weeks. The National Park Service said in a statement that around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, rangers responded to a call reporting that someone had fallen over canyon rim east of Yavapai Geology Museum. The man's body was found 400 feet below the rim and recovered by the park's helicopter and a technical rescue team, the NPS said. The museum is located on the South Rim in Grand Canyon Village. An investigation is ongoing. "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," the park said in a statement. On March 28, a Hong Kong man slipped and fell at Grand Canyon West while taking photos, park officials said at the time. The man was presumed dead. That same week, authorities were also working to identify a person whose body was found in a wooded area south of Grand Canyon Village. The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the U.S., drawing nearly 6.4 million visitors last year.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A man wanted for killing a fitness-center manager Monday with a hatchet had previously been fired by his victim about 14 months ago, police said. A manhunt is on for the suspect, 36-year-old Domenic Micheli of Nashville. The victim, 46-year-old Joel Paavola, 46, of the Nashville suburb of Franklin was attacked with the hatchet and another "cutting instrument" at about 7 a.m. CT at a Balance Training location in Belle Meade, a 3-square-mile city within Nashville that has about 3,000 residents. U.S. Secret Service said Micheli was arrested in Washington, D.C., on April 27 for driving his car to a checkpoint near the White House and refusing to move. He was arrested without incident, they said. "(It's) just a senseless, brutal, violent attack this morning on Mr. Paavola as he was there in the business," said spokesman Don Aaron of the Metro Nashville Police Department. Video surveillance shows a man that police believe to be Micheli pacing in a parking garage below the shopping center before the attack, Aaron said. The suspect was driving an older model Toyota Yaris, possibly silver. ► Nov. 2:Virginia man assaults wife with hatchet, takes his own life with chainsaw ► Oct. 19:Man in Halloween mask attacks neighbor with hatchet, police say ► September 2016:California cop shoots hatchet-wielding man The suspect was armed with a hatchet and a large knife or potentially another hatchet, the police spokesman said. A murder warrant was drafted late Monday morning. Paavola trained Nashville restaurateur Randy Rayburn for a few years at another gym. Rayburn said he was heartbroken to hear the news of his former trainer's death. ► March 2016:7-Eleven customer shoots, kills hatchet-wielding man ► August 2015:Tennessee movie theater shooter armed with pellet gun, hatchet Paavola was regarded as a fitness guru and gave speeches about healthy lifestyle choices at schools and for other groups. “I went through boot camp twice with Joel. He was one of the nicest, most dedicated human beings,” Rayburn said. “Joel was one of the most enthusiastic and well-rounded people I’ve ever known in my life.” A Facebook page under Domenic Micheli's name includes at least one reference to himself as the "Sun of God." A post from June 1 reads: I've sensed there has been some Confusion about things recently Amongst the people. Some people, even the strong faithful Have indeed waivered in their belief of Me as being the Sun of God And their leader. They say, this is a fine mess he has made Of things. Belle Meade, where notables such as singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and former Vice President Al Gore have homes, is known for being a safe place with an active local police presence. But the affluent town had two prominent murder cases in 2016. Contributing: Nate Rau, The Tennessean. Follow Natalie Neysa Alund and Andy Humbles on Twitter: @nataliealund and @AndyHumbles .<doc-sep>Metro Nashville Police have asked the public’s help in locating a suspect wanted in connection with a fatal attack involving a hatchet. Domenic Micheli, 36, is wanted for allegedly brutally killing his former employer with a hatchet and some kind of bladed instrument. Micheli reportedly used to worked at Balance Fitness, which is owned by 46-year-old Joel Paavola. According to Metro Nashville Police officials, the call came from the gym on Harding Pike in the Belle Meade area just before 7 a.m. Monday. Ppolice say Micheli walked in the gym and Paavola who was working with clients in a workout routine. Witnesses reported that Micheli hit Paavola with the hatchet and blade multiple times before running out with his weapons and driving away in an older model small silver Toyota, either a Prius or a Yaris. The car was seen earlier in the morning by a surveillance camera in the parking garage underneath the strip mall. Micheli was arrested in Washington, D.C. for unlawful entry at a checkpoint near the White House. Paavola died en route to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. A gofundme account was set up for Paavola, who was married with five children. Micheli was arrested Tuesday night by Kentucky State Police on I-65 near Bowling Green. He was driving the Toyota Prius.<doc-sep>

Cops are tracking down a man who allegedly killed his ex-boss with a hatchet. A manhunt is underway to track down a fired gym employee who allegedly killed a co-worker with a hatchet, Metro Nashville Police Department officials said. Authorities said that Domenic Micheli, 36, showed up at his former Balance Training gym workplace Monday morning with a hatchet and allegedly stabbed his former supervisor -- who has been identified by Nashville police officials as 46-year-old Joel Paavola. Nashville police issued a tweet reporting that Paavola apparently fired Micheli in early 2017. In a subsequent tweet that included a recent photo of Micheli with a full-grown beard, police said he is believed to be driving a gold-colored, "older-model Toyota Yaris." "This picture more closely resembles what Domenic Micheli looks like now," police tweeted. The wanted man had a brush with the law less than two months ago when he tried to gain access to the White House grounds. According to the United States Secret Service, Micheli was arrested on the evening of April 27 for Unlawful Entry and Failure to Obey when he tried to breach a vehicle checkpoint. Micheli allegedly ignored officers' command and was brought into custody. It's unclear how the case was adjudicated. Micelli's alleged breach comes on the heels of another man who tried to trespass on White House property only to allegedly commit a killing soon after. Travis Reinking was caught by Secret Service agents on July 7, 2017, trying to hop a barrier at the White House. Less than a year later, around dawn on April 22, the 29-year-old man approached a Waffle House near Nashville, Tennessee, half-naked and armed with a rifle. Reinking allegedly shot four people to death and wounded four others before customer James Shaw Jr. wrestled his rifle away and threw it over the counter. Authorities tracked Reinking down 34 hours later hiding in the woods. ABC News' Jack Date contributed to this report.

Robinson, 27, said the snide response left her very upset and had her questioning whether or not she should change her name. She said she was named after her father, Herman, who died when she was young.<doc-sep>A black woman claims she received an email from a company in Missouri on Monday denying her of a job she applied for because her name was “ghetto.” Hermeisha Robinson said in a post, which has since gone viral on Facebook, that she had been rejected from a position she believed she was “well qualified for” by a company because of her name. ADVERTISEMENT According to a screenshot Robinson shared in her Facebook post, the email said the following: “Thank you for your interest in careers at Mantality Health. Unfortunately we do not consider candidates that have suggestive ‘ghetto’ names. We wish the best in your career search.” “They discriminated against me because of my name which they considered it to be ‘ghetto’ for their company!” Robinson said in the Facebook in regards to the email she received from what appeared to be an employee at the company’s location Chesterfield, Mo. “My feelings are very hurt and they even got me second guessing my name trying to figure out if my name is really that ‘ghetto,’” Robinson continued in the post. “I would like for everyone to share this post because discrimination has to stop!” Robinson’s post has since garnered more than 5,000 reactions and 10,000 shares on Facebook as of Wednesday afternoon. Kevin Meuret, the owner of the company, told KSDK the company believes a former employee is behind the email and has since filed police reports to St. Louis County, Chesterfield and the state, which are all places where he believes the hacking may have originated. Robinson was reportedly one of nearly 20 applicants who received the email. Dorneshia Zachery, another woman in the area, told KMOV she also received the email from the company. “My name has meaning to me,” Zachery told the local station. “It’s not ghetto.” Meuret told KSDK he has since reached out to Robinson to apologize. Local police in Chesterfield also told KSDK on Tuesday that they are currently investigating the matter.<doc-sep>A woman says her job application at a health clinic was rejected because her name is too “ghetto,” but the company claims it’s the victim of a hack job. On Monday, Hermeisha Robinson, 27, shared a Facebook screenshot of an email she received from Mantality Health, a medical office in Chesterfield, Mo. She wrote: “I am very upset because today I received an email about this job that I applied for as a customer service representative…I know I’m well-qualified for the position as they seen on my resume. They discriminated against me because of my name which they considered to be ‘ghetto’ for their company! My feelings are very hurt and they even got me second-guessing my name trying to figure out if my name is really that ghetto.” Robinson asked her followers to share her post “because discrimination has to stop!” The photo showed an email which read, “Thank you for your interest in careers at Mantality Health. Unfortunately, we do not consider candidates that have suggestive ‘ghetto’ names. We wish you the best in your career search.” It was allegedly signed by a nurse practitioner named Jordan Kimler (Mantality has stated that, while this is a real employee, Kimler has nothing to do with the hiring process at the company). The post was shared 11,000 times and obtained 5,700 reactions from people calling the email “cruel,” and urging Robinson to sue for discrimination. Robinson did not return Yahoo Lifestyle’s request for comment. A representative of Mantality Health, a clinic that treats men with low testosterone, did not return Yahoo Lifestyle’s request for comment; however, a statement on the company website reads, “The password for the outside job board site used by Mantality was compromised on August 13, 2018. We are currently working with law enforcement to identify the perpetrator and consider appropriate legal action. We share the anger and frustration of those who received these bogus emails.” CEO Kevin Meuret told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the hacking was probably committed by an ex-employee. “I’m a father of three daughters, and that young lady getting that [response] is horrible,” Meuret told the paper. “That young lady opened something that must have felt like a freight train, and that’s unacceptable.” Story continues Reports were filed with the Chesterfield Police Department (which did not return Yahoo Lifestyle’s request for comment) and the cybercrime department of St. Louis County. Meuret also said that 20 other applicants received false emails and that he is trying to obtain the hacker’s IP address from the employment website Indeed.com, as that is how Robinson applied for the position. Company spokesperson Jack Gamache also told local news station KMOV that its Indeed.com account was compromised. But according to KMOV, Indeed says hacking is unlikely. “Account security is of utmost importance to Indeed and something that we diligently monitor,” read a company statement. “Account holders are responsible for use of their password and we recommend frequent updates and complete confidentiality of your password. Our investigation into this particular account shows no evidence of compromise.” An Indeed spokesperson did not return Yahoo Lifestyle’s request for comment. Another victim named Dorneshia Zachery told KMOV, “The company looked at my name and said we don’t care about what you’ve done in life — your name is going to dismiss you completely.” Robinson’s cousin Miltina Burnett posted a Facebook photo of the offensive email and wrote that the incident made her loved one “cry and question her name, whether she should change her name to fit in corporate America.” Burnett also explained that Robinson’s late mother chose the unique moniker for her daughter. “I have never seen something so outright racist.” In a follow-up post, Burnett says she was contacted by the company’s clinical director “saying that [a] disgruntled ex-employee sent that racist email to potential candidates.” Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.<doc-sep>

Screenshot of the email Hermeisha Robinson received from Mantality Health Screenshot : Hermeisha Robinson ( via Facebook ) We’ve all heard people say that those with Afrocentric or non-European sounding names stand a greater chance of being eliminated early in the job- hunting process. There are even some who suspect that their name is why they never got a call back after submitting their resume, but I believe this is the first time I have ever heard of a company directly saying so. Hermeisha Robinson wrote in a Facebook post Monday that she received an email from a representative of Mantality Health in Chesterfield, Mo., in which she was told the company would not consider hiring her because of her “suggestive ghetto name.” “Thank you for your interest in careers at Mantality Health,” a person named Jordan Kimler wrote. “Unfortunately, we do not consider candidates that have suggestive ‘ghetto’ names. We wish the best in your career search.” Robinson wrote that she was very upset because she knows she is well qualified for the position. She also said the company’s email had her second-guessing as to whether her name is actually ghetto or not. Another woman in the same area, Dorneisha Zachery, told KMOV that she received the same email from the same company. “The company looked at my name and said we don’t care about what you’ve done in life, your name is going to dismiss you completely,” Zachery told the news station. Jack Gamache, a representative of Mantality, told KMOV that the company’s account on the Indeed.com job posting website was hacked. CEO Kevin Meuret told the station that the company believes at least 20 people received similar emails. “This is not a reflection of who we are as a company,” Meuret said. “This is deplorable.” Meuret clarified that while the person whose name appears in the email signature is, in fact, a Mantality employee, they have absolutely nothing to do with the hiring process. He also said that person “is a great employee.” Chesterfield police are investigating the hacking claim and looking to the possibility that a disgruntled employee sent the emails. For their part, Indeed has spoken up and said they see no evidence of hacking on their end. “Account security is of utmost importance to Indeed and something that we diligently monitor. Account holders are responsible for use of their password and we recommend frequent updates and complete confidentiality of your password. Our investigation into this particular account shows no evidence of compromise,” the company told KMOV.

Experts suggest removing pool toys so the water is not attractive to kids. A video of a toddler scaling a locked and covered ladder to reach an above-ground pool has now gone viral online, serving as a warning for all families. The concerned father said he posted the video to stress the importance of watching young ones near a pool. "It was scary because everything happened so fast," Wyman told ABC News. "He was four feet from us and when I turned to see what actually he was doing, he was up the ladder like an American ninja." His wife, Tonya Wyman, added, "You just have to watch them. Every minute. Every day." Their video has more than 20 million views on Facebook. Earlier this month in Fort Worth, Texas, two toddlers nearly drowned in an above-ground pool just feet away from their mothers. Tanah Zuniga and her sister, Karly James, were inside the house when James' 2-year-old son and Zuniga's 17-month-old son somehow managed to unlock the back door and climb into the pool. A backyard surveillance camera showed the moment the 17-month-old followed the 2-year-old into the water. Zuniga's son immediately went under before being rescued and resuscitated. "Five minutes underwater drowning and I pulled him out blue and white," she told ABC News. Expert advice for keeping kids safe around pools There are more than 3 million above-ground pools in the U.S. and drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1 to 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jim Spiers, president of the nonprofit Stop Drowning Now, said one major problem is leaving pool toys and floats in the pool where kids can see them. "These are very intriguing to children," he said. "They are going to want to go in and get them." Other Expert Suggestions -- Never take your eyes off kids who are in or near a pool. -- If you need to go inside, bring them with you. -- When the pool is unoccupied secure it with multiple protective layers (i.e. fences, gates). -- Install alarms on back doors, windows and gates that will sound if a child gets too close.<doc-sep>Summer is here and unexpected accidents involving pools can happen in a flash, but are children at risk even with proper safeguards in place? A video recently posted to Facebook shows a 2-year-old boy named Cody scaling a locked safety ladder that his folks had installed to keep him from getting into the family pool. The footage, recorded by his father, shows Cody climbing to the top of the ladder with ease before his mom jumps in to keep him from falling into the pool. Keith Wyman, Cody's dad, was awestruck at what he saw. "If a toddler — a 2-year-old, 3-year-old — wants to get something, they will get it," he told Inside Edition. "I was shocked to see how fast he could get up there... not only to climb a ladder, but to climb a safety ladder that was locked." Cody's not the only kid beating swimming pool safety measures. In another clip posted online, a youngster shows his dad how he can scale the fence surrounding the pool. In yet another video, a 2-year-old climbs a pool's gate and before unhooking the latch on top, allowing the gates to swing open. His safety-minded mom posted the video on Facebook to show parents "just how quick and clever a 2-year-old can be." Swim-safety expert Jim Spiers tells Inside Edition no matter what kind of protective measures you have, keeping an eye on youngsters by the pool is crucial. "There's no better way to protect your child than supervision," he said. RELATED STORIES<doc-sep>EMBED >More News Videos Jeff Smith reports on pool safety. ATTLEBORO, Massachusetts -- Pools can be very dangerous for young children, and a video making waves around the internet is serving as a warning for parents.The video shows a 2-year-old boy climbing the outside of a locked pool ladder. He was able to almost get all the way to the top before his mom took him down.Little Cody's parents thought the ladder was safe. "As far as I'm concerned, no ladder is safe," dad Keith Wyman said.The ladder was locked, covering the steps. But Cody, who is as energetic as they come, was able to grab onto the slits in the door and pull himself up.His dad said he couldn't believe what he was seeing. "My heart dropped," Wyman said.Cody climbed the closed ladder once before. When he tried a second time, his parents made the recording to send a message. "You could do all these things, safety precautions, but your eyes, you have to keep them on them at all times," mom Tonya Sostre said. "You think you're safe, and it's not the case. Because it's not safe. "The family returned the ladder, but all the other designs were similar. They are reaching out to the manufacturer to push for a design change.Tom Brino, of Pool Safety Systems, specializes in removable safety fences and winter safety covers. He emphasized that the most important deterrent is a physical barrier surrounding the pool area, saying 99 percent of accidents can be avoided just by having a good fence and/or safety cover.The fencing his company installs is a mesh that is so fine, it is both transparent (for good visibility around the pool area) and almost impossible for a child to climb by virtue of the small spacing between threads. He said that it would be akin to climbing a vertical trampoline.A good safety cover is also important when the pool is closed for the season, and Brino says it should be able to support the weight of a child or an adult if he/she were to walk on it. Other safety gear includes alarms that can detect if someone has entered the water, but the physical barriers should prevent that from happening in the first place.Another thing to remember is to stay vigilant around children in a pool area, and this means being able to clearly see to the bottom of the pool at all times. You should always be facing the pool and never depend on your hearing. Smaller children can make surprisingly little noise if they enter the water, and ears are no replacement for eyes.According to the USA Swimming Foundation, between Memorial Day and Labor Day 2017, 163 children drowned in swimming pools.For more tips on pool safety, watch the segment below.----------<doc-sep>

Keith Wyman purchased a protective covering for the ladder on his family’s new above-ground pool. It was intended to keep his toddler from danger. Instead, the 2-year-old was able to climb the cover by pulling himself up on the slats. “Two seconds. He was that fast,” Wyman told NBC Boston. The Massachusetts father filmed his diaper-clad son, Cody, climb up the ladder gate again. Just as the boy reaches the top of the platform, his mother intervenes and pulls him off — much to the dismay of the determined toddler. “So I bought this ladder with the pool. And (I'm) watching my son, with it locked and shut, pull himself up this ladder,” he says in the clip. Who’s big idea was it to have this door put on the ladder with slots like that, with a 2-year-old that can pull himself up and climb this thing?” Wyman then posted the recording online to serve as a warning to other parents. The video has more 20 million views and 616,000 shares since the Massachusetts dad posted the video to his Facebook account. Wyman said he went back to the store where he purchased the ladder and gate, but noticed all the other options were similarly designed. The family now plans to install a fence around the pool to better protect it, but hope their video raises awareness. “It was an eye-opener,” Wyman, said. “It was a life lesson and we want to get this out there, to tell everybody that it is pool season. It’s pool season. Watch your kids.”

Here’s a handy guide to the six-nation cricket tournament in the UAE The 2018 Asia Cup gets under way in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from September 15 to 28. The 50-over tournament features six teams. Here’s all you need to know about the tournament: Who are the participating teams and what is the format? The six participating teams are India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong. The teams are split into two groups. Group A consists of India, Pakistan and Hong Kong while Group B has Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Each team plays the other in the same group once. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the second stage, called the Super Four. The four teams in this stage will play each other once. The top two will qualify for the final in Dubai on September 28. The tournament reverts to the 50-over format. The previous edition, in 2016, was played as a Twenty20 tournament, in order to prepare the teams for the ICC World T20 that followed after the tournament. This time though the change in the format should help the teams (save for Hong Kong) prepare for the 50-over World Cup in England next year. What happened at the qualifying tournament? With India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan having sealed their spots, for the sixth spot, the 2018 Asia Cup Qualifier tournament was held in Malaysia from August 29 to September 6, 2018. The participating teams were Hong Kong, UAE, Malaysia, Oman, Nepal, Malaysia and Singapore. UAE topped the group with 8 points while Hong Kong came second. The two teams qualified for the final. Rain reduced the final to 24 overs a side. UAE managed 176 for 9 batting first. Hong Kong sneaked through by two wickets in the final over to seal their qualification for the main tournament. What is the status of Hong Kong’s matches? Hong Kong doesn’t have official one-day international status. The team had earlier lost its ODI status after finishing poorly in the (50-over) World Cup Qualifiers earlier this year. However, the ICC has confirmed that all of Hong Kong’s matches in the 2018 Asia Cup will be recognised as official one-day internationals. What is India and Pakistan’s head-to-head record in the Asia Cup? Since the tournament’s inception in 1984, India and Pakistan have played each other 12 times, with India winning 6 (5 ODIs plus 1 T20) and losing 5. In the 2018 edition, there is the prospect of the two sides meeting up to three times, first in the group stage, at the Super Four and the final, should they finish in the top two. Schedule Group Stage September 15: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka September 16: Pakistan vs Hong Kong September 17: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan September 18: India vs Hong Kong September 19: India vs Pakistan September 20: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan Super Four September 21: Group A winner vs Group B runner-up September 21: Group B winner vs Group A runner-up September 23: Group A winner vs Group A runner-up September 23: Group B Winner vs Group B runner-up September 25: Group A winner vs Group B winner September 26: Group A runner-up vs Group B runner-up September 28: Final<doc-sep>Asia Cup 2018 Schedule, Fixtures, Teams: Rohit Sharma will lead India as captain in the Asia Cup. (Source: File) Asia Cup 2018 Schedule, Fixtures, Teams: Rohit Sharma will lead India as captain in the Asia Cup. (Source: File) Asia Cup 2018 Schedule, Fixtures, Teams, Time Table, Match Date and Time: At the culmination of a grueling tour of the United Kingdom where India played Ireland and England, Men in Blue return to Asia to participate in multi-team tournament – the Asia Cup. Apart from India, five other nations – Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Hong Kong will participate in the tournament which will get underway from September 15. The tournament, which will run for nearly two weeks, will see Rohit Sharma leading India with Virat Kohli rested. Here is the full schedule of Asia Cup 2018: Asia Cup 2018 full schedule Group Stage 15 September: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (Dubai) – Bangladesh won by 137 runs 16 September: Pakistan vs Hong Kong (Dubai) – Pakistan won by 8 wickets 17 September: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) – Afghanistan won by 91 runs 18 September: India vs Hong Kong (Dubai) – India won by 26 runs 19 September: India vs Pakistan (Dubai) – India won by 8 wickets 20 September: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) – Afghanistan won by 136 runs Super Four 21 September: India vs Bangladesh (Dubai) – India won by 7 wickets 21 September: Pakistan vs Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) – Pakistan won by 3 wickets 23 September: India vs Pakistan (Dubai) – India won by 9 wickets 23 September: Afghanistan vs Bangladesh (Abu Dhabi) – Bangladesh won by 3 runs 25 September: India vs Afghanistan (Dubai) – Tied 26 September: Pakistan vs Bangladesh (Abu Dhabi) Final 28 September: Asia Cup 2018 Final (Dubai) Note: All the matches will begin at 1700 hrs IST (5 PM IST).<doc-sep>After the end of a hectic England tour, the Indian team travels to UAE to participate in the Asia Cup, where continent’s top teams battle it out against each other. Other than the Asian giants India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Hong Kong will be seen in action too. In skipper Virat Kohli’s absence, Rohit Sharma will lead the team. Ambati Rayudu makes a comeback to the team and so does Kedar Jadhav. There is only one new inclusion in the team, that of fast bowler K Khaleel Ahmed. India play their opening game against Hong Kong on 18 September. Here is the full schedule of the Asia Cup 2018: League Stage 15 September: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka in Dubai 16 September: Pakistan vs Hong Kong in Dubai 17 September: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi 18 September: India vs Hong Kong in Dubai 19 September: India vs Pakistan in Dubai 20 September: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi Super Fours 21 September: Group A Winner vs Group B Runner-up in Dubai 21 September: Group B Winner vs Group A Runner-up in Abu Dhabi 23 September: Group A Winner vs Group A Runner-up in Dubai 23 September: Group B Winner vs Group B Runner-up in Abu Dhabi 25 September: Group A Winner vs Group B Winner in Dubai 26 September: Group A Runner-up vs Group B Runner-up in Abu Dhabi Final 28 September: TBC vs TBC (All the matches will begin at 1700 hrs IST)<doc-sep>

The seasoned Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Rohit Sharma were among the limited overs specialists who left for Dubai on Thursday to take part in the Asia Cup. To be played in the 50-over format by six teams, the Asia Cup starts from Saturday. Apart from India, other Asian nations – Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong will participate in the tournament which is slated to commence from Saturday, September 15. Virat Kohli has been rested from the Indian squad and Rohit Sharma will lead the team in his absence. Here is the full schedule of Asia Cup 2018: Asia Cup 2018 full schedule. All matches will begin at 17:00 hrs IST. Group Stage 15 September: Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka (Dubai) 16 September: Pakistan vs Hong Kong (Dubai) 17 September: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) 18 September: India vs Hong Kong (Dubai) 19 September: India vs Pakistan (Dubai) 20 September: Bangladesh vs Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four 21 September: Group A Winner vs Group B Runner-up (Dubai) 21 September: Group B Winner vs Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi) 23 September: Group A Winner vs Group A Runner-up (Dubai) 23 September: Group B Winner vs Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi) 25 September: Group A Winner vs Group B Winner (Dubai) 26 September: Group A Runner-up vs Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi) Final 28 September: Asia Cup 2018 Final (Dubai) When is Asia Cup 2018 starting? Asia Cup 2018 will start on September 15, 2018 Where will Asia Cup 2018 be held? Asia Cup 2018 will be held in the United Arab Emirates What time does Asia Cup matches begin? The matches will begin at 17:00 hrs IST Which TV channels will broadcast Asia Cup 2018? Asia Cup 2018 will be shown on the Star Sports Network. How do I watch online live streaming of the Asia Cup? Asia Cup 2018 live streaming will be available on Hotstar. You can also catch the live updates on https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports-news/

By IANS NOIDA: Samsung India has decided to set up its new 35-acre Samsung Electronics facility at Sector 81 in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Moon Jae-in who is on a visit ot India will be inaugurating the facility on Monday. One of the first electronics manufacturing facilities set up in the country in the early 1990s, the plant started by manufacturing TVs in 1997. The current mobile phone manufacturing unit was added in 2005. In June last year, the South Korean giant announced a Rs 4,915 crore investment to expand the Noida plant and, after a year, the new facility is ready to double production. The company is currently making 67 million smartphones in India and with the new plant being functional, it is expected to manufacture nearly 120 million mobile phones. Not just mobiles, the expansion of the current facility will double Samsung's production capacity of consumer electronics like refrigerators and flat-panel televisions, further consolidating the company's leadership in these segments. According to Tarun Pathak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research, the new facility gives Samsung an advantage by reducing the time to market. "This will help Samsung bring some local features to the devices powered by R&D here. Apart from this, the company can also bring in export opportunity for Samsung to SAARC and other regions," Pathak told IANS. Samsung has two manufacturing plants -- in Noida and in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu -- five R&D centres, and one design centre in Noida, employing over 70,000 people and expanding its network to over 1.5 lakh retail outlets. Established in 1995, Samsung India laid the foundation stone of Noida plant next year. In 1997, production commenced and the first television was rolled out. In 2003, refrigerator production began. By 2005, Samsung had become a market leader in panel TVs and in 2007, the existing Noida facility started manufacturing mobile phones. In 2012, Samsung became the leader in mobile phones in the country and the Noida facility rolled out the first-ever "Galaxy S3" device. Today, Samsung is the market leader across mobile segments. The company currently has over 10 per cent of its overall production in India and aims to take it to 50 per cent over the next three years. "For Samsung, India is among the top five smartphone markets globally. The US is saturated and Korea and Brazil are not growing significantly. India is a big opportunity across price segments, including 2G feature phones. It makes sense for Samsung to build a bigger manufacturing base here," Jaipal Singh, Senior Market Analyst, IDC, told IANS. "They are now looking at building a complete ecosystem. After smartphones, they can go into building top-of-the-line products in other categories like TVs, refrigerators as advance manufacturing in India still lags behind. With the new facility, Samsung is going to have an edge over its rivals," Singh noted. According to HC Hong, President and CEO, Samsung India, a bigger manufacturing plant will help them cater to the growing demand for Samsung products across the country. Samsung India, that registered 27 per cent growth in mobile business revenue for the financial year 2016-17 -- accounting for a whopping Rs 34,300 crore of its reported Rs 50,000 crore sales - won't be able to hide the smile when the new facility kicks off production from July 9. (Nishant Arora can be contacted at nishant.a@ians.in) --IANS na/vm/sac<doc-sep>What is it? The quantity of coal imported by Indian power plants in two months ending May 2018. Why is it important? This is down from 10.13 million during the year ago period, an indication that there could be a decline in power generation. The lower imports is thanks to higher coal prices (up 25% from year ago) and a weaker rupee. Tell me more: Power plants designed to use imported coal have been running on lower capacity. Power plants in general are facing a shortage in coal supply, with coal stock of 15.3 MT in June, against the usual 35.5 MT. 120 million What is it? The number of mobile phones Samsung can manufacture at its Noida factory after expansion. Why is it important? This would make it the largest mobile manufacturing factory in the world, according to the South Korean mobile maker. It would invest $716.57 million over the next three years to expand its plant capacity. It is expected to add 1000 jobs, and would help the government’s Make in India campaign. The plant was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Moon Jae-In on Monday. Tell me more: Last week, Samsung said its earnings in the second quarter grew at the slowest pace in more than a year. Analysts attributed it to the slump in sales of its smartphones. 6 What is it? The number of educational institutions that have been granted ‘eminent’ status by the government of India, enabling them to get ₹ 1000 crore of government funding over the next five years. Why is it important? The Human Resource Development ministry faced criticism for including Reliance Foundation’s Jio Institute, which is yet to be set up, in the list. The other five are well established. HRD ministry later said it was included under the under greenfield category for new or proposed institutions. Tell me more: The other five educational institutions are: Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, the Indian Institutes of Technology at Mumbai and Delhi, Manipal Academy of Higher Education and BITS, Pilani. 8549 What is it? The number of products for which China has agreed to cut import tariffs, in an agreement with India. India, in turn, has agreed to cut tariffs for 3142 products. Why is it important? The Indo-China agreement comes at a time when China is fighting a trade war with US, raising concerns about globalisation, and economic growth. From cars to whiskey, a range of products are likely to feel the impact. Tell me more: In China, the reduction in tariffs for Indian medicines, especially anti-cancer drugs, which costs a tenth of its alternatives, has caught attention. A recent Chinese film on cancer, Dying to Survive, highlighted the high costs and the need for Indian drugs. 52 crore What is it? Tax amount charged on Indian Institute of Management for the years 2009-10 to 2014-15, on the fees it collected for four postgraduate programmes. Why is it important? The premier B-school has appealed to Human Resources Development ministry for help. It’s likely to emerge as yet another high profile tax disputes. The government has often been accused of ‘tax terrorism’ arising from “high unrealistic target setting, leading to high-pitched assessments, and the long time taken to settle appeals." Tell me more: Revenue department has slapped charges considering the institute to be a ‘commercial coaching centre.’ The dispute has been going on for some years, with IIM-A arguing that it is liable to pay service taxes for its consulting revenues, and not for educational programmes such as PGP. howindialives.com is a search engine for public data Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now! ! Topics<doc-sep>NEW DELHI: Samsung ’s Noida mobile phone plant, the world’s largest mobile manufacturing factory that was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi and South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Monday, will start production of high-end Galaxy Note 9 from the end of this month.A senior official of the company said the new-generation device will also see manufacturing in India as it gets introduced globally. “The Noida facility is producing all high-end Samsung models. The production of Galaxy Note-9 will start from July-end and the device will likely hit the domestic market by August-end,” the official added.The official said, “Before the expansion, the company was exporting 10% of the production output (around 5 million units per month). The export of cellphones to Russia, Dubai, eastern European countries and Africa will certainly increase after the plant expansion (7 million units per month). The company is targeting to increase the export to 30% by 2020.”Note 9 is expected to be powered by 1.8 GHz octa-core processor and on board storage of 64 GB with the option of expandable memory by up to 2 TB. It is likely to have a 6.0" inch display and be powered by a 4000mAh battery. It is also likely to have a fingerprint sensor and graphical performance that can make games run smoothly.<doc-sep>This week Samsung is opening what it’s calling the world’s largest mobile phone factory in the world’s second largest smartphone market. Expansion, which will be fully complete in 2020, is expected to nearly double Noida (New Okhla Industrial Development Authority), India’s current phone producing capabilities from 68- to 120 million phones per year. The electronics giant has been producing phones in the country for well over a decade (while the original factory dates back to 1996), while much of the competition has mostly been dabbling. Earlier this year, for instance, Apple started a manufacturing trial run of the iPhone 6S, after having previous done a small batch of the iPhone SE. Along with bringing jobs, such localized manufacturing could also go a ways toward helping bring the cost of devices down. India’s government, naturally, is excitedly embracing the announcement as art of its “Make in India” initiative. As such, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on-hand for the opening ceremony, along with South Korean president Moon Jae-in, repping his home country’s largest company. “Our Noida factory, the world’s largest mobile factory, is a symbol of Samsung’s strong commitment to India, and a shining example of the success of the Government’s ‘Make in India’ program,” Samsung India CEO HC Hong said in a release tied to the news. “Samsung is a long-term partner of India. We ‘Make in India’, ‘Make for India’ and now, we will ‘Make for the World’. We are aligned with Government policies and will continue to seek their support to achieve our dream of making India a global export hub for mobile phones.” India represents a massive — and growing — smartphone market. Last year the country passed the U.S., becoming the number two market after China. A commitment to local manufacturing will no doubt go a long way for Samsung, which currently ranks as the number two smartphone maker in the country, behind Xiaomi.<doc-sep>

Samsung India aims to double annual mobile production capacity by 2020 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in on Monday inaugurated Samsung’s mobile manufacturing plant, touted as the biggest in the world, in Noida. With this plant, set up on an investment of ₹4,915 crore, the South Korean electronics major plans to make India an export hub, with 50% of its overall production coming from here in the next three years from the present 10%. Samsung said it will almost double its manufacturing capacity to 120 million by 2020 from 68 million now. Speaking at the event, Mr. Modi said that the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative was not just an economic policy measure, but also a commitment of better ties with friendly nations such as South Korea. He added that 30% of the phones made at the Noida plant would be exported. Mr. Modi, who travelled with Mr. Moon to Noida in the Delhi Metro, said India’s growing economy and rising neo-middle class create immense investment possibilities. The move comes at a time when companies globally are seeking to grab a pie of the exploding smartphone market in India, which is the world’s fasted growing smartphone market, where shipments grew 14% to 124 million in 2017, as per IDC. It overtook the U.S. last year to become the world's second-largest smartphone market after China. All Samsung mobile phones, including the flagship Galaxy S9, S9+ and Galaxy Note8, are made at the Noida plant. The Prime Minister noted that India now ranks second, globally, in the manufacture of mobile phones, with the number of mobile phone manufacturing factories rising from just 2 to 120, in about four years’ time, creating 4 lakh direct employment opportunities. “Samsung has played a leading role in employment generation... they have give employment to 70,000 people all over the country...This new plant is going to get employment for one thousand more people,” Mr. Modi said. President Moon said he was happy that Korean companies are taking part in fast paced growth of India and assured that the Korean government will do its utmost to provide all support.

BRITAIN'S youngest lotto winner claims she is happier as a working mum after blowing her £2m jackpot. Callie Rogers was just 16 when she scooped the National Lottery prize - splashing the cash on three boob jobs, clothes, parties and extravagant gifts to friends and family. 5 Callie Rogers said she was happier as a working mum Credit: Rex Features The mum-of-three said she now believed the age limit for playing the lottery - which is 16 - should be raised. Speaking on This Morning, she said many people tried to take advantage of her, saying: "At the time you don't realise because you want everybody to like you. "It just became too much to cope with, not knowing who liked me for me anymore and having all the stress of all the money. "I just wanted to go back to having a normal life. I'm 31 now, I still struggle with trust issues." 5 Callie was just 16 when she won the jackpot Credit: PA:Press Association 5 The mum says there should be an age limit for winners of a lotto jackpot Credit: Rex Features At the time of her win, Callie was living with foster parents in Cockermouth, Cumbria. She was working as a Co-op checkout girl, earning just £3.60 an hour. But her life changed overnight with the win, with the teen splashing £18,000 on three boob jobs, £300,000 on clothes and £500,000 on gifts to friends and family. She said: "I wish I was a bit older at the time of winning it because I think at 16 you're still just a child and overnight you've just got to grow up and become an adult, which was really difficult. 5 Callie said her life was turned upside down by the win as a teen Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 5 Speaking to Lisa Snowdon and Rylan Clark-Neal, Callie said she felt better as a working mum Credit: Rex Features She recalled how she would spend her time in the pub, feeling forced to buy drinks for new “pals” who would sell stories about her. She said she fell into a depression, struggling with the expectations of her new life. Callie said she tried to take her own life when it became "too much to cope with, not knowing who liked me for me anymore and all the stress of having all the money." She added: "I still struggle with trust due to it, but I'm a lot better than I was. I'm starting to be able to trust people again." MOST READ IN NEWS 'GOBSMACKED' Queen 'gave Harry OK for Oprah series after misleading pitch about soldiers' ROD LIDDLE Ousting right-on National Trust boss is a victory against wokery DRUMMER DEAD School Of Rock star dies at 32 after being hit by car as Jack Black mourns HOUSE ABOUT IT You won't believe what this ordinary London home looks like on the inside Exclusive TOM'S LEGACY Captain Tom Moore — who raised £39m for charity — left family £73k in will JABS HOPE Scientists 'crack cause of blood clots linked to Covid jabs & know how to fix it' But she said she was now in a steady job, loving relationship and was happy as a working mum. Speaking to Closer Magazine, the mum said: "It was too much money for someone so young. Even if you say your life won’t change, it does and often not for the better.” She added: "The pressure to splash out and live a glam party life has gone – and I prefer it."<doc-sep>The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Get email updates with the day's biggest stories Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice The UK's youngest lottery winner has called for age limit to be raised after she revealed how she blew her £1.8m jackpot on drugs, partying and boob jobs. Callie Rogers, 31, admitted she struggled with fame and fortune that the win brought her. She was just 16, the minimum age for the game, when she collected her cheque in 2003. She blew £18,000 on boob jobs, £250,000 on cocaine, another £300,000 on clothes and gave away £500,000 to friends and family. She told ITV's 'This Morning' that she battled depression and tried to take her own life. "I wish I was a bit older at the time of winning it," she said. (Image: REX/Shutterstock) (Image: Press Association) (Image: Sunday Mirror) "At 16 you're just a child, then suddenly overnight you've got to become an adult. "You don't have any understanding of money and the concept of what it brings. There were people who came along who I did not know before and have not been in my life since. "At the time, you just want everybody to like you. The money did bring problems with my family, and friends as well. It just became too much to cope with." She moved of her foster parents' home into a new £180,000 house. Now a mum-of-three in a happy relationship, she said: "Not knowing who liked me for me, and having all the stress of all the money, I just wanted to go back to having a normal life. I still struggle with trust issues." (Image: Press Association) (Image: Press Association) (Image: Sunday Mirror) Before hitting the jackpot she was earning £3.60 an hour as a Co-op checkout girl in Cockermouth, Cumbria. Within weeks she met Nicky Lawson, father of her eldest two children, and had moved out to be with him. She quit work and splashed out on designer clothes, lavish presents for her biological parents and holidays, spending quarter of a million pounds on cocaine. "So-called mates would come over until the early hours to party," she recalled in 2013. "Suddenly, I was a local celeb and people would come up to me in pubs and I felt pressure to buy them all drinks. For so long, I drifted with no aims." (Image: REX/Shutterstock) (Image: Sunday Mirror) She moved to Workington, Cumbria with her fireman partner Paul Penny, and son Blake, who has cerebral palsy, settling down with a steady job. Camelot said they gave 'extensive advice and support' to Callie as they take their duty of care 'very seriously'. "She did not take up independent financial and legal advice offered," said a spokeswoman. "However, our winners' team helped her to handle the media interest." Callie's case isn't the only Lotto winner whose life spiralled out of control following a big win. 'Lotto lout' Michael Carroll won £9.7m in November 2002 aged just 19. He proclaimed himself 'King of the Chavs'. In 2006, the BBC reported that he was almost broke, having spent his fortune on new homes, drugs, parties, jewellery and cars. "I only started to think about three things - drugs, sex and gold," Carroll previously admitted. "The dealer who introduced me to crack has more of my lotto money than I do." In 2010 he applied for his old job as a binman but said he had no regrets how he splashed his winnings. Jane Park, Britain's youngest lottery winner at the time, threatened to sue EuroMillions claiming the win ruined her life. Jane was just 17 when she bagged £1million in prize money after buying her first ever ticket. Speaking to the Sunday People , she said: “I have material things but apart from that my life is empty. What is my purpose in life?” "I thought it would make [my life] ten times better but it’s made it ten times worse." Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now She was once snapped shopping for a Mercedes, despite facing a possible drink-driving ban. She treated herself to a £25,000 BMW, a £17,000 VW Beetle and a £18,000 Range Rover customised in purple in honour of her football heroes Hibernian. She splashed out £4,500 on a boob job, lip fillers and Botox. Anyone over the age of 16 can play the National Lottery. But the age limit was agreed at the launch of the game in 1994, and not set by Camelot. It will be reviewed as part of the next licence competition process.<doc-sep>

Winning the lottery at the age of 16 was never going to end well. Loading… Britain's youngest ever lottery winner, Callie Rogers, managed to fritter away the almost £2m that she won at the age of 16 back in 2003 but, speaking today on This Morning, she says that she is happier now than she was then. Callie won £1.87m and spent it exactly the way that you might imagine a 16-year-old would: there was £300,000 on clothes, £18,000 on new boobs and a full half a million that she simply gave away to her mates and family. Advert 10 Callie has also said she spent £250,000 on cocaine during their relationship, reports MailOnline. "I wish I was a bit older at the time of winning it," she told stand-in hosts Rylan Clark and Lisa Snowden. "At 16 you're just a child, and then suddenly overnight you've got to become an adult." Callie was working on the checkouts in the local Co-Op in Cockermouth, Cumbria, when she won her money. Advert 10 The cash earned her plenty new friends, but she now realises that they didn't necessarily have her best interests at heart. Credit: PA "There were people who came along after I won the lottery who weren't in my life before, and aren't in my life now," she told This Morning. "At the time you don't realise because you want everybody to like you. It just became too much to cope with, not knowing who liked me for me anymore and having all the stress of all the money." Advert 10 She struggled with depression and tried to take her own life, but has since rebounded and says that she is now doing better than ever. "I just wanted to go back to having a normal life," she continued. "I'm 31 now, I still struggle with trust issues. "I still struggle with trust due to it, but I'm a lot better than I was. I'm starting to be able to trust people again." After her win, she began a life of luxury and partying. She bought a bungalow that cost £180,000 and claims to have spent a full quarter of a million on cocaine, as well as expensive holidays and designer clothes. Advert 10 "I got up late and lived on takeaways," she said in 2013. "And so-called mates would come over until the early hours to party. "Suddenly, I was a local celeb and people would come up to me in pubs as if they were my best friend and I felt pressure to buy them all drinks. I didn't know who to trust." "For so long, I drifted with no aims. Now I have a job and my family to care for." Credit: ITV/This Morning Advert 10 Callie had two kids and subsequently retrained as a nurse. She lives on the straight and narrow now with her partner Paul, a fireman, and her child Blake, who suffers from cerebal palsy. "It was too much money for someone so young," she conclused. "Even if you say your life won't change, it does - and often not for the better. It nearly broke me, but thankfully, I'm now stronger."

The first lady's spokesperson is firing back at T.I over the rapper's “disgusting” music video that features a character, who looks like Melania Trump, wearing nothing but that infamous "I Really Don't Care, Do U?" jacket. "Like it or not, she is the first lady and this is the White House," Stephanie Grisham, Melania Trump's spokeswoman told USA TODAY in a statement Tuesday. She continued: "It’s disrespectful and disgusting to portray her this way simply because of politics." The statement comes after Atlanta rapper T.I. released a NSFW presidential-themed video teaser for his new album "Dime Trap" Friday. The message about his dislike for President Donald Trump was clear, "Dear 45, I ain't Kanye," he tweeted, with the video. The clip begins with real footage of Trump boarding Marine One solo. It then cuts to T.I. watching from a set the looks like the Oval Office, with a voice-over noting that the first lady's absence from Trump's trip, which "has a lot of people wondering." After the coast is clear, T.I. takes a seat behind the Resolute Desk and lights a cigar as a woman wearing nothing but the first lady's notorious green Zara jacket (which she told ABC News was directed at the left-wing media) and a pair of heels steps in front of him, disrobes and begins dancing suggestively on the desk. Later, T.I. watches as she sprays paint over the eyes of her husband's portrait. "These kinds of vulgar attacks only further the divisiveness and bias in our country - it needs to stop," Grisham added. More: Melania says controversial jacket was a message 'for the left-winged media' More:Here's every word of Kanye West's bizarre meeting with President Trump The president, who spent the weekend campaigning and welcoming Pastor Andrew Brunson home from captivity in Turkey, has yet to acknowledge the T.I. video on his social media channels. T.I. has been busy on social media lately. He made waves last week when he went after West following the rapper's appearance at the White House. The rapper, who collaborated with 'Ye on the 2006 track "Swagga Like Us," publicly unfriended West in an NSFW Instagram post. "At one time it was a pleasure to work alongside you... now, I’m ashamed to have ever been associated with you," he wrote. "I’ve reached my limits. This is my stop, I’m officially DONE!!!!" The rapper, whose real name is Clifford Harris Jr., revealed he'd turned down West's invitation to join him at the White House and called the meeting the "most repulsive, disgraceful, embarrassing act of desperation & auctioning off of one’s soul to gain power I’ve ever seen." Contributing: Cydney Henderson Related: Chrissy Teigen says John Legend, Kanye West 'learned a lot' from political debate<doc-sep>While her husband was trading Twitter insults with a porn star, Melania Trump’s team on Tuesday went to war with a rapper over his video of a first lady lookalike stripping in the Oval Office. “Dear 45, I ain’t Kanye,” rapper T.I. wrote on Twitter (inset) with a promo for his new album, “Dime Trap.” In the NSFW clip, the Atlanta-based rapper is in the Oval Office, where he observes President Trump take off on Marine One. “Melania Trump did not go to Mar-a-Lago with the president this weekend, which has a lot of people wondering,” a voiceover is heard saying. T.I. then sits behind the Resolute desk and the ersatz FLOTUS struts in, removing her jacket, which reads “I Really Don’t Care Do U?” — like the one Melania wore while visiting migrant kids along the US-Mexico border. The double then climbs naked onto the desk and grabs T.I.’s tie as he puffs on a cigar, later defacing her husband’s presidential portrait with red spray paint as she leaves. The video, posted Friday, had been viewed more than 1.57 million times by Tuesday afternoon. Stephanie Grisham, a first lady spokeswoman, slammed the salacious post and called for a boycott of T.I.’s music. “How is this acceptable? #disgusting” Grisham tweeted Saturday. It wasn’t immediately clear if the controversy helped or hurt sales of “Dime Trap,” T.I.’s 10th studio album, which was released Oct. 5. During Melania’s recent trip to Africa to promote her Be Best anti-bullying campaign, she told ABC News she wore her jacket with the infamous message to troll reporters.<doc-sep>A spokesperson for Melania Trump has called for a boycott of rapper T.I. after he released a video featuring a first lady look-alike stripping in the Oval Office. In the promotional video for his new album, a woman resembling the first lady strips in the Oval Office. She dons a jacket that reads, "I really don't care, do u?" in reference to a similar jacket Melania Trump wore earlier this year to visit migrant children in Texas. She recently explained that she wore the jacket to troll reporters. "How is this acceptable? #disgusting #boycottT.I.," the first lady's spokesperson Stephanie Grisham Saturday tweeted and Melania Trump retweeted. T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, tweeted Friday "Dear 45, I ain't Kanye" before sharing the video. Those tweets follow T.I. posting on Instagram that he was done working with rapper Kanye West, who is a President Donald Trump supporter. In a statement to Fox News Grisham said: "Like it or not, she is the First Lady and this is the White House. It’s disrespectful and disgusting to portray her this way simply because of politics. These kinds of vulgar attacks only further the divisiveness and bias in our country - it needs to stop." A rep for the rapper did not immediately return Fox News' request for comment. The first lady said recently in an interview with ABC News that she feels like she is "the most bullied person in the world." “If you really see what people are saying about me," the first lady said in the interview. "It’s why my ‘Be Best’ initiative is focusing on social media and online behavior to educate the children of social-emotional behavior so when they grow up, they know how to deal with those issues." The Associated Press contributed to this report.<doc-sep>

(CNN) — First lady Melania Trump’s spokeswoman on Tuesday went after rapper T.I., whose most recent music video features a Trump lookalike dancing without clothes in a fake Oval Office. “Like it or not, she is the first lady and this is the White House,” Stephanie Grisham, Trump’s communications director, told CNN in a statement. “It’s disrespectful and disgusting to portray her this way simply because of politics. These kinds of vulgar attacks only further the divisiveness and bias in our country – it needs to stop.” T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, stars in the video as himself, seated at a fake Resolute Desk in a setting made to look like the Oval Office. Video footage of President Donald Trump taking off from the White House in Marine One plays, and shortly afterward, a woman enters the “Oval Office.” The woman is wearing only a jacket, which reads: “I really don’t care do u?,” a clear nod to the controversial Zara jacket the first lady wore during a June trip to Texas. The woman in the video, who has a clear resemblance to Melania Trump, then proceeds to strip off the jacket and dance atop the desk. On Friday, T.I. tweeted the video with the accompanying statement: “Dear 45, I ain’t Kanye.” The reference to rapper Kanye West comes on the heels of West’s visit to the White House last week where he elaborated on his support for Trump. In response to T.I.’s video debut, Grisham tweeted Saturday from her official Twitter account: “How is this acceptable? #disgusting #boycottT.I.” Shortly thereafter, Melania Trump’s @FLOTUS account retweeted Grisham’s tweet.

Seth Wenig/Associated Press After six long months, NFL fans saw their first game since Super Bowl LII. The Baltimore Ravens and Chicago Bears kicked off the 2018 preseason in the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday. Now that we've celebrated the 2018 Hall of Fame inductees for their hard work and dedication to the game, exhibition play comes into full focus, with four weeks of action on the slate before the regular season begins September 6. Coaching staffs will assess rosters of up to 90 players as September 1 cuts approach, mandating an active headcount of 53. Every team has at least one starting spot up for grabs—two clubs have major decisions at quarterback. In other scenarios, head coaches will test the strengths and weaknesses of their projected starters. Secondly, players on the bubble are prepared to fight for roster spots and avoid meetings with the Turk. Take a moment to check out the full 2018 preseason schedule, with television and live-stream viewing information for national broadcasts. We'll also highlight the biggest storylines to follow through August. Video Play Button Videos you might like 2018 Preseason Schedule Hall of Fame Weekend Thursday, August 2 Ravens 17, Bears 16 Week 1 Thursday, August 9 Carolina at Buffalo: 7 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Chicago at Cincinnati: 7 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Tampa Bay at Miami: 7 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Cleveland at New York (Giants): 7 p.m. ET, NFL Network, NFL Game Pass Pittsburgh at Philadelphia: 7 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass New Orleans at Jacksonville: 7 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Washington at New England: 7:30 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Los Angeles (Rams) at Baltimore: 7:30 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Tennessee at Green Bay: 8 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Houston at Kansas City: 8:30 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Dallas at San Francisco: 10 p.m. ET, NFL Network, NFL Game Pass Indianapolis at Seattle: 10 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Friday, August 10 Atlanta at New York (Jets): 7:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network, NFL Game Pass Detroit at Oakland: 10:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network, NFL Game Pass Saturday, August 11 Minnesota at Denver: 9 p.m. ET, NFL Network, NFL Game Pass Los Angeles (Chargers) at Arizona: 10 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Week 2 Thursday, August 16 Philadelphia at New England: 7:30 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Pittsburgh at Green Bay: 8 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass New York (Jets) at Washington: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, WatchESPN Friday, August 17 Kansas City at Atlanta: 7 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass New York (Giants) at Detroit: 7 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Buffalo at Cleveland: 7:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network, NFL Game Pass Miami at Carolina: 7:30 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Arizona at New Orleans: 8 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Saturday, August 18 Jacksonville at Minnesota: 1 p.m. ET, NFL Network, NFL Game Pass Oakland at Los Angeles (Rams): 4 p.m. ET, NFL Network, NFL Game Pass Cincinnati at Dallas: 7 p.m. ET, NFL Network, NFL Game Pass Tampa Bay at Tennessee: 8 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass San Francisco at Houston: 8 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Chicago at Denver: 9:05 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Seattle at Los Angeles (Chargers): 10 p.m. ET, NFL Network, NFL Game Pass Monday, August 20 Baltimore at Indianapolis: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, WatchESPN Week 3 Thursday, August 23 Philadelphia at Cleveland: 8 p.m. ET, Fox, Fox Sports Go Friday, August 24 New York at New York: 7:30 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Denver at Washington: 7:30 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass New England at Carolina: 7:30 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Seattle at Minnesota: 8 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Detroit at Tampa Bay: 8 p.m. ET, CBS, CBS All Access Green Bay at Oakland: 10:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network, NFL Game Pass Saturday, August 25 Kansas City at Chicago: 1 p.m. ET, NFL Network, NFL Game Pass Houston at Los Angeles (Rams): 4 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Tennessee at Pittsburgh: 4 p.m. ET, NFL Network, NFL Game Pass San Francisco at Indianapolis: 4:30 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Baltimore at Miami: 7 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Atlanta at Jacksonville: 7 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass New Orleans at Los Angeles (Chargers): 8 p.m. ET, CBS, CBS All Access Sunday, August 26 Cincinnati at Buffalo: 4 p.m. ET, Fox, Fox Sports Go Arizona at Dallas: 8 p.m. ET, NBC, NBC Sports Week 4 Thursday, August 30 Miami at Atlanta: 7 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Indianapolis at Cincinnati: 7 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Cleveland at Detroit: 7 p.m. ET, NFL Network, NFL Game Pass New England at New York (Giants): 7 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass New York (Jets) at Philadelphia: 7 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Carolina at Pittsburgh: 7:30 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Jacksonville at Tampa Bay: 7:30 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Washington at Baltimore: 7:30 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Buffalo at Chicago: 8 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Minnesota at Tennessee: 8 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Los Angeles (Rams) at New Orleans: 8 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Dallas at Houston: 8 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Green Bay at Kansas City: 8:30 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Denver at Arizona: 10 p.m. ET, NFL Network, NFL Game Pass Los Angeles (Chargers) at San Francisco: 10 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Oakland at Seattle: 10 p.m. ET, Regional Service Network, NFL Game Pass Biggest Preseason Storylines Who Wins Quarterback Competitions for the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills? Seth Wenig/Associated Press We will see two intriguing quarterback battles in the AFC East. The Buffalo Bills and New York Jets will utilize the preseason to evaluate the most important position on the roster. The Jets selected quarterback Sam Darnold No. 3 overall in April's draft, but he just signed his rookie deal Monday. He will compete against the 39-year-old Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater, who looks to take another step in a recovery from a significant knee injury two years ago. There's a twist to the competition, with Bridgewater's trade value set to rise or fall based on his performances. The 25-year-old's departure could clear the way for Darnold to start. If he's shaky in exhibition play, the Jets may opt to audition him through the regular season to spark interest. The Bills quarterback battle features three inexperienced signal-callers. The front office signed fifth-year veteran AJ McCarron, but he's only started three NFL games. General manager Brandon Beane moved up to No. 7 overall to take Josh Allen in April's draft. Nathan Peterman goes into his second season after two starts with the team in 2017. Through training camp, McCarron saw first-team reps on back-to-back days, per WKBW reporter Joe Buscaglia: Despite his minimal advantage in experience, McCarron's five years in the league should help him read vanilla coverages in the preseason, giving him a slight edge in the quarterback battle. What Can We Expect from Quarterback Patrick Mahomes? Charlie Riedel/Associated Press The Kansas City Chiefs decided to trade quarterback Alex Smith in January, turning the huddle over to their 2017 first-round pick, whom they traded up to select at No. 10. Patrick Mahomes started against the Denver Broncos in the 2017 regular-season finale. He threw for 284 yards, an interception and zero touchdowns. During the offseason, the Chiefs added wideout Sammy Watkins, who provides another dynamic receiving threat alongside Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce in the passing attack.<doc-sep>Not only is this the all-important third (technically fourth) preseason game for the Chicago Bears, but it’s also a game that will pit teacher vs. pupil as Andy Reid, head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, will match wits against his protege, Bears head coach Matt Nagy. The Nagy vs Reid storyline will get plenty of mention, but the Mitchell Trubisky vs. Patrick Mahomes narrative will get a few mentions as well. Both second year quarterbacks saw their respective teams trade up in the 2017 NFL Draft to acquire them. What will you guys be watching for when these two teams play on Saturday? Time, TV channel, and streaming info Date: Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018 Time: 12:00 p.m. CT Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois TV: This game will be live on the NFL Network and on locally in the following places per 506 Sports. WFLD (FOX/32 - Chicago) WIFR (CBS/23 - Rockford) WYZZ (FOX/43 - Peoria) WRSP (FOX-55/27 - Springfield/Champaign) WSBT (FOX/22.2 - South Bend IN) WANE (CBS/15 - Fort Wayne IN) WTVW (ABC/25 - Evansville IN) WAWV (ABC/38 - Terre Haute IN) KLJB (FOX/18 - Quad Cities) KFXA (FOX/28 - Cedar Rapids IA) WOI (ABC/5 - Des Moines) WIFS (57 - Madison WI) Announcers: Adam Amin (play-by-play) and Jim Miller (color) Radio: WBBM 780 AM and 105.9 FM, and in Spanish on Latino Mix 93.5 FM and Univision 1200 AM Replay: Full replay schedule at NFL Network Online Stream: NFL Gamepass Weather: High 70’s, partly cloudy [NFL weather] Odds: Bears -2.0 [OddsShark] SB Nation Chiefs site: Arrowhead Pride Bears vs. Chiefs prediction: Bears 24- Chiefs 19 via Oddshark Latest articles from WCG: And I did a quick podcast spot a couple days ago which you can check out here.<doc-sep>Sling TV: The challenges -- both business and technical-- of live streaming TV content Watch Now Six years ago, when I first covered how to watch the NFL on the internet, it was not easy. Now, you have a wide variety of choices. But being able to watch any game you want whenever you want is still a challenge. For example, you can watch almost all available games on Sling TV, except CBS (ZDNet's parent company) Sunday afternoon games. So, before buying into a service, take a hard look to see if it will deliver your must-watch games. Also: Football fans don't care about sports. Wait, what? DIRECTV'S NFL SUNDAY TICKET $73.49 a month Available only if you can't get DirecTV satellite service The most comprehensive package for Sunday NFL games is DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket. But, there's a catch, and it's a big one. NFL Sunday Ticket is only available for cord-cutters if they can't get DirecTV satellite service. And, no. NFL Sunday Ticket is Not available on DirecTV Now. So, odds are, you can't get this package. Still, it doesn't hurt to check if it's available for your address. If you're a student, and your school address qualifies you can get NFL Sunday Ticket for $24.99 a month -- but don't count on it. NFL GAMEPASS $99.99 a season Watch all NFL games the day after they air Another all-football, all-the-time option, but that's easy to get, is NFL GamePass. For $99.99 a season, you can watch all NFL games... the day after they're played. Also: NFL bets on AWS for machine learning You also can't watch local games on it. So, for instance, I can't see the Carolina Panthers. To sweeten the deal, GamePass includes live NFL game radio broadcasts. It's not for me, but if you're the kind of person who can't watch enough football, it's for you. OVER-THE-AIR ANTENNA Free football Local channels play local games and big-name games The cheapest cord-cutter option is to avoid any cord except the one from your over-the-air antenna (OTA) to your TV. Your local CBS, Fox, and NBC channels carry most games. The one exception is ESPN's Monday Night Football. The only problem is this only gives you the local games and big-name games of the week. So, for example, in Asheville, N.C., I'll be able to watch almost all the Carolina Panther games with my HD Stacker TV Antenna and a Channel Master Titan 2 High Gain Preamp. But, as good as that gear is, I'll never get regular Pittsburgh Steelers games. VERIZON'S NFL MOBILE APP $1.99-a-month in-app purchase for NFL RedZone Can't use Chromecast to cast to a bigger screen Another inexpensive way to watch pro football, if you have a Verizon Wireless smartphone, is to use Verizon's NFL Mobile app on your Android smartphone or iPhone. With that, you can watch live regular season games, the playoffs, and the Super Bowl. Verizon NFL Mobile also includes access to the NFL Network. For a $1.99-a-month in-app purchase, you can watch every touchdown from every game on Sunday afternoons with NFL RedZone. Also: NFL adopts HP's 3D-scanning tech to bring customized cleats AMAZON PRIME Watch Thursday night games on Prime Video I sure don't think about Amazon Prime when I think football, but you can watch Thursday night games on Amazon Prime Video. Amazon Prime is available on essentially all streaming devices and PCs. CBS ALL ACCESS Starts at $5.99 a month; carries local affiliate's games NFL games come with advertisements CBS All Access, is available in many, but not all, markets. It carries CBS's Sunday afternoon games. This streaming service costs $5.99 a month. There's also a version without advertising for $9.99. NFL games, however, come with advertisements on both streams. You can watch CBS All Access on Roku Players, Apple TV, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Chromecast, Android TV, PS4, Amazon Fire TV, and Fire TV Stick. You can also watch it with most web browsers. Also: 5 free sites to help you prepare for your fantasy football draft CNET DIRECTV NOW Doesn't offer NFL Sunday Ticket or RedZone DirecTV Now offers four channel plans: Live a Little for $40 a month (65+ channels); Just Right for $55 a month (85+ channels); Go Big for $65 a month (105+ channels); and Gotta Have it for $75 a month (125+ channels). But none of them offer NFL Sunday Ticket. For football fans, DirectTV Now offers Fox, NBC, Telemundo (if available in your market as a live local broadcast channel), ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports 1, NBCSN for all plans, and Fox Sports 2 for the top two plans. It doesn't offer CBS, NBC, or FOX in all areas, or RedZone. DirecTV Now supports Android and Apple smartphones and tablets. On PCs, it works best with the Chrome and Safari web browsers. You can also watch it with newer Amazon Fire TV devices, Apple TV, Chromecast gadgets, and Roku. This service doesn't work with PlayStation or Xbox game consoles. HULU WITH LIVE TV Starts at $39.99 a month; offers CBS Sports, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, etc Your local affiliates may be available to you, too Hulu with Live TV's plan is $39.99 a month. It comes with 50+ live channels. Depending on your market, your local NBC, ABC, Fox, and CBS live broadcast channels may be available to you. You must check to make sure. For example, I get all the major networks over my antenna, but Hulu with Live TV only offered me Fox. Also: How to get started in fantasy football CNET For sports, Hulu offers CBS Sports, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, and NBCSN. Neither NFL Network nor RedZone are available. The Hulu service supports Apple and Android smartphones and tablets, the Amazon Fire family, Roku devices, and Xbox One and Xbox 360. It does not, however, support PS4. PLAYSTATION VUE Starts at $44.99 a month; offers ESPN, NBC Sports, NFL Network, etc Also offers Sports Pack add-on package for $10 a month Despite its name, PlayStation Vue doesn't require a PlayStation. You can watch it on Amazon Fire devices, Android TV gear, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, and PlayStation 3 and 4. You can also view games on Android and Apple smartphones and tablets and any computer that supports Flash. PlayStation Vue starts at $44.99 a month for the Access package and goes up from there. The Core package costs $49.99 a month, while Elite costs $59.99 and the Ultra costs $79.99. Also: How the NFL and Amazon unleashed 'Next Gen Stats' TechRepublic In some areas, live-broadcast feeds for ABC, CBS, and/or FOX are not available. So, check before giving them your credit-card number. Vue's programming includes ESPN, NBC Sports, the NFL Network, and "TV Everywhere" credentials for WatchESPN, NBCSN, and Fox Sports Go. PlayStation also offers Sports Pack add-on package for $10 a month, which includes Red Zone and multiple Comcast Sports Network Channels. SLING TV Requires two Sling TV packages for $40 a month GameFinder feature lets you search for specific games For Sling TV NFL fans, you'll need two packages. These are Sling TV Orange for $25 and Sling TV Blue for $25. The better deal is to get both for $40 a month. The Orange package includes ESPN 1 and 2, while FOX, FS1, FS2, NBC, NBCSN, and NFL Network live on the Blue package. NFL Redzone is available on Sports Extra Pack Blue, which costs $5. CBS games are not available. To see what channels are available on which of Sling TV's many packages use Sling TV's Explore Channel page. Sling TV also boasts a unique feature: GameFinder. This allows you to search for broadcasts featuring specific teams, locations, and games near your home. If you can't see the game on their services, they'll tell you that, too. Also: Who needs cable or satellite TV? Cord cutting picks up speed Sling TV supports more devices than any of the other thin-TV streaming networks. These include Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Android TV, ChromeCast, Roku, Xbox One, and its own Android TV-based AirTV player. The AirTV also supports OTA TV.<doc-sep>

Ready or not, here comes football. The start of the 2018 NFL regular season is just two weeks away, so this week's slate of preseason action is as much an appetizer for the real games as it is one of the biggest chances for bubble players to solidify spots on teams' 53-man rosters. Most clubs view the third week of the preseason as the "dress rehearsal" before the start of September, and while countless starters will remain sidelined or limited so as to avoid injury, there's no denying that Week 3 offers perhaps the best preview of what's to come. Here, we've got you covered with a glimpse at each and every matchup on tap: How to watch TV: All preseason games will be shown locally, so check your local listings. Five different games will be shown on national TV. Stream: ESPN, NFL Game Pass, NBCSports.com, fuboTV Note: Nationally televised games will be designated with an asterisk (*). So which teams can you count on to beat their projected NFL win totals, and which clubs are destined to come up short? Visit SportsLine now to get the top five win-total picks from an accomplished handicapper who hit 70 percent of his NFL picks last season. Preseason Week 3 games Thursday, Aug. 23 *Eagles at Browns, 8 p.m. ET, FOX: The stars of "Hard Knocks" will host the defending champions in what figures to be our longest look at reigning Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles this preseason. The Eagles will still look a lot different than they will in the Sept. 6 opener, but this should be a nice test for Hue Jackson's bunch, particularly rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield. Desperately wish you had a 30-minutes-or-so, daily NFL podcast in your podcast app every morning by 6 a.m.? Put some Pick Six Podcast in your life and join Will Brinson as he breaks down the latest news and notes from around the league, as well as the win totals on a team-by-team schedule. It's a daily dose of football to get you right for that commute or gym trip. Subscribe: via iTunes | via Stitcher | via TuneIn | via Google Play Friday, Aug. 24 Patriots at Panthers, 7:30 p.m. ET: Carolina is already pretty banged up at some key positions, so we'll see how long the Panthers starters go in this one. But the same can be said for Patriots QB Tom Brady. The ageless all-star played an entire half in Week 2 vs. the Eagles, so can we really expect him to go beyond that this time around? If so, it'd be a surprise. Giants at Jets, 7:30 p.m. ET: This has the potential to be one of the week's best games, if only because even more eyes are on Jets backup/trade chip Teddy Bridgewater. If Teddy lights it up again, what will New York do? Keep standing pat? Sam Darnold has also shown promise, so this game isn't so much about the G-Men as it is figuring out the Jets' quarterback room. Broncos at Redskins, 7:30 p.m. ET: Here we should get our first look at Adrian Peterson in uniform for Washington, which is now sporting some big names out of the early 2010s. More importantly, this should give Denver an extended look at Case Keenum as the starter after some hit-or-miss moments in the first two games. The Broncos are also continuing to feel out backup Chad Kelly. Seahawks at Vikings, 8 p.m. ET: Minnesota looked sharp under Kirk Cousins in Week 1 and then stumbled a bit in Week 2, so this should be a nice opportunity for the ex-Redskins signal-caller to establish a rhythm before the regular season. Seattle will also have a chance to solidify its opinion of a running back spot in transition, not to mention test its ability to hold up vs. the Vikings "D." *Lions at Buccaneers, 8 p.m. ET, CBS: Both of these teams will need contributions from young running backs in 2018 if they want to make some noise, so this game will give those backs a larger opportunity to find space and get comfortable. Kerryon Johnson has shown some burst in Detroit, whereas Ronald Jones has gotten little going in Tampa, which -- remember -- also has QB issues. *Packers at Raiders, 10:30 p.m.

The economy, which in the first quarter notched its second-fastest growth pace since the third quarter of 2003, is gaining speed, with other data on Thursday showing business spending on equipment accelerated in April. Activity is being boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic's easing grip and nearly $6 trillion in relief provided by the government over the past year. "The economy is off and running," said Scott Hoyt, a senior economist at Moody's Analytics in West Chester, Pennsylvania. "Going forward growth will be supported by the pent-up savings that households have amassed during the pandemic." Initial claims for state unemployment benefits fell 38,000 to a seasonally adjusted 406,000 for the week ended May 22, the Labor Department said. That was the lowest since mid-March 2020 and marked the fourth straight weekly decline in applications. The decrease was led by Washington state, Florida and New Jersey. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 425,000 applications for the latest week. Though claims remain well above the 200,000 to 250,000 range that is viewed as consistent with healthy labor market conditions, they have dropped from a record 6.149 million in early April 2020. Pandemic-related restrictions on businesses have been rolled back, with more than half of adults in the United States fully vaccinated against COVID-19, leaving factories, construction sites, restaurants and bars, among many, clamoring for workers. The labor shortage, despite nearly 10 million Americans being officially unemployed, has been blamed on the safety net, strengthened during the pandemic by the government, to provide a temporary lifeline following the unprecedented economic and human carnage caused by the virus. (Graphic: Jobless claims, https://graphics.reuters.com/USA-STOCKS/jznpnrygmpl/joblessclaims.png) Republican governors in at least 23 states, including Florida and Texas, have announced they are ending unemployment programs funded by the federal government next month, including a weekly $300 subsidy, which businesses say are discouraging the jobless from seeking work. There is, however, no consensus that the generous unemployment benefits are keeping people home. According to JPMorgan economist Daniel Silver, an analysis of unemployment rates, wage growth and labor force participation rates in the 23 states suggested the early termination of the special benefits programs was motivated by politics rather than economics. "While some of these states have tight labor markets and strong earnings growth, many of them do not," said Silver. "It therefore looks like politics, rather than economics, is driving decisions regarding the early ends to these programs." U.S. stocks were trading higher. The dollar was steady against a basket of currencies. U.S. Treasury prices fell. BACK AT WORK A survey by Poachedjobs.com, a national job board for the restaurant/hospitality industry, found most had returned to work, with a full schedule of 30-40 hours a week. For others, uncertainty about future restrictions on indoor dining and fears of contracting the virus, whether they are vaccinated or not, were keeping them away. Fewer than 100,000 people filed claims last week under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program for the self-employed, gig workers and others who do not qualify for the regular state programs. The early termination of PUA and broadening economic re-engagement could push claims even lower and shrink the jobless rolls in the months ahead. The claims report showed the number of people continuing to receive benefits after an initial week of aid dropped 96,000 to 3.642 million in the week ending May 15. The so-called continuing claims, which are reported with a one-week lag, covered the period during which the government surveyed households for May's employment report. The decline strengthens expectations that hiring picked up this month, though raw material shortages across industries could be a constraint. The dearth of workers and scarcity of inputs were blamed for the modest 266,000 jobs created in April, a slowdown from the 770,000 added in March. In a separate report on Thursday, the Commerce Department confirmed that gross domestic product increased at a 6.4% annualized rate last quarter. The unrevised estimate followed a 4.3% growth rate in the fourth quarter. Before tax corporate profits slipped $0.2 billion after decreasing $31.4 billion in the October-December period. A rise in domestic nonfinancial corporation profits was offset by lower domestic financial corporation and international profits. "Over the year, profits should be boosted more directly by services industries as we expect consumer spending to transition back to the much-larger services category," said Jay Bryson, chief economist at Wells Fargo in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Graphic: GDP, https://graphics.reuters.com/USA-STOCKS/xlbpgaqdqpq/gdp.png) The strong growth momentum held early in the second quarter, with another report from the Commerce Department showing orders for non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft, a closely watched proxy for business spending plans, jumped 2.3% in April. These so-called core capital goods orders increased 1.6% in March. Shipments of core capital goods gained 0.9% after rising 1.5% in March. Core capital goods shipments are used to calculate equipment spending in the GDP measurement. (Graphic: Core capital goods, https://graphics.reuters.com/USA-STOCKS/bdwpkwomapm/corecapgoods.png) With households sitting on at least $2.3 trillion in excess savings, demand booming, inventories low and profits rebounding, businesses are likely to continue investing in equipment to boost production, supporting manufacturing. "Supply chain bottlenecks and shortages of certain materials are holding back some producers, but firms are clearly investing in increased capacity," said Chris Low, economist at FHN Financial in New York. (Reporting by Lucia Mutikani; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Andrea Ricci)<doc-sep>2ND UPDATE: The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed Tuesday that a bullet from an officer’s gun killed Trader Joe’s assistant manager Melyda Corado during Saturday’s shootout with a murder suspect outside the Silver Lake store. LAPD Chief Michel Moore said in a press conference today that Corado was hit as she exited the store’s front doors during the exchange of gunfire. She went back inside and collapsed behind a counter. She was eventually pulled out by employees, but could not be revived. “I know that it’s every officer’s worst nightmare to hurt an innocent bystander during a violent engagement,” Moore said. “I spoke with the officers this morning — they’re devastated. They were devastated in the immediate aftermath of this event.” The suspect, Gene Atkins, who was being pursued by police after allegedly shooting his grandmother. He and the LAPD exchanged gunfire after he crashed into a light pole outside the store during a pursuit, before entering and beginning what ended up being a three-hour standoff. Atkins will be arraigned today after the Los Angeles District Attorney filed more than 30 counts against him including murder and six counts of attempted murder. Bail was set at $9 million. UPDATED, SUNDAY AM: The gunman who took hostages at a Silver Lake Trader Joe’s and got into a shootout with police has been identified as Gene Evin Atkins, age 28. Atkins was booked in the Los Angeles County jail on suspicion of murder because of the death of Melyda Corado, a manager at the Trader Joe’s who was killed in an exchange of gunfire between Atkins and police. He could be arraigned as early as Monday and will likely face additional charges, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department said. He is being held on $2 million bail. LAPD Chief Michel Moore told the Los Angeles Times that Corado was killed when she exited the store during the shootout. Moore said it is not clear whether police or Atkins fired the fatal shot. Atkins himself was wounded in the arm during the exchange. The Silver Lake Trader Joe’s store remained closed on Sunday. “Yesterday marks the saddest day in Trader Joe’s history as we mourn the loss of one of our own,” the company’s statement reads. Atkins shot his grandmother to start the incident that led to the Trader Joe’s standoff. She is in stable condition at a local Los Angeles hospital. She has been identified as Mary Elizabeth Madison. 2ND WRITETHRU, 8:20 PM: A woman was killed during a three-hour standoff at the Trader Joe’s in Silver Lake that played out on live TV and ended with a suspect taken into custody. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said at a news conference that the woman was shot inside the store but did not provide further details. “Our officers rescued that woman from inside and attempted to render aid with the assistance of LA Fire, but unfortunately were unable to revive her,” LAPD Chief Michel Moore said later at the news conference. Asked if he knew who shot the woman inside the store, Garcetti said, “No information right now, sorry.” Multiple local TV news stations and CNN were live on the scene of the standoff. Police had cordoned off multiple blocks around the store on Hyperion Avenue near Los Feliz Boulevard and Rowena Avenue and told news crews at the scene not to show the market on live TV as they assessed the situation. Garcetti later thanked the media for cooperating with that request. Several hostages were seen exiting the store while LAPD crisis negotiators communicated with the suspect, who had answered his cellphone. He ended up handcuffing himself inside the store and was taken into custody “without incident.” #UPDATE: We have successfully taken the suspect into custody without incident. The situation remains fluid as officers move forward clearing the location. — LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) July 22, 2018 Police said it remains an active investigation and that “the area will remain closed as the investigation continues. Garcetti said there “about 40 or 50 people” inside initially and that a “steady stream” of hostages either escaped during the incident, were rescued by officers or released by the gunman. Moore said the incident began at about 1:30 PM on 32nd Street in South L.A. when the suspect shot his grandmother “as many as seven times” and fled in her car. He dragged an unidentified second woman into the grandmother’s 2015 Toyota Camry sedan and took off in it. Hollywood-area officers located the car using LoJack and began a pursuit that led to northeast area of L.A. “During the course of that pursuit,” Moore said, “the gunman inside fired on our officers multiple times.” The chase ended when he struck a power outside the Trader Joe’s. “There are shell casings we believe from the suspect’s weapon in the middle of the street,” Moore said, “but as the suspect exited the vehicle, an additional gun ensued between the officers and the suspect.” He said the suspect was wounded in the left arm but “went into the store,” which was crowded with Saturday afternoon shoppers and numerous employees. “Inside the store, a young woman was shot and killed,” Moore said. He said identify had not yet been confirmed. “Once inside the store, the suspect — still armed with a handgun — took numerous citizens and store employees hostage and held them against their will. Over the next three hours, [officers] were able to rescue a number of the customers and the store employees from other entry points in that store. Additionally, the gunman released a number of hostages.” Garcetti said the suspect’s grandmother was undergoing surgery at a local hospital and was “critical but alive.” The younger woman also was shot, but Moore said it was unclear whether that happened earlier or during the pursuit. Police did not update the condition of that victim nor did they disclose her relationship to the suspect. A Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman said earlier that a 20-year-old woman was in stable condition at a local hospital with unspecified injuries but did not offer any other details. Los Angeles Fire Department public information officer David Ortiz said 18 ambulances and 100 firefighters are at the scene during the standoff. Police didn’t disclose how many officers were there, but dozens could be seen in TV coverage — including many SWAT team members — and a Bearcat armored vehicle was set up the entrance of the market. Sharpshooters had been positioned rooftops of nearby buildings. The store is at 2738 Hyperion Ave., between Los Feliz and Rowena Avenue. Ortiz said a family-reunification center is set up at the LAPD’s Northeast Station, 3353 North San Fernando Road. President Donald Trump was briefed on the hostage situation and sent out this tweet at 5:21 PM PT: Watching Los Angeles possible hostage situation very closely. Active barricaded suspect. L.A.P.D. working with Federal Law Enforcement. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 22, 2018<doc-sep>

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A man shot his grandmother and girlfriend Saturday and then led police on a car chase that ended when he crashed into a pole and ran inside a busy supermarket as bullets from officers shattered the front doors. About three hours after he took hostages in the store, the suspect surrendered. One woman was killed inside the supermarket, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said. Officers with riot gear, armed with rifles, stood along the side of the Trader Joe’s in the Silver Lake area on Saturday afternoon and used mirrors to try to look inside as hostages periodically came out the front door with the hands raised. At least one person was injured but expected to survive. There is an active police incident at the Trader Joe’s near the intersection of Hyperion Ave and Griffith Park Blvd in #Silverlake. Please stay clear of the area. A Public Information Officer is responding and more information will be released as it becomes available. — LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) July 21, 2018 The suspect walked out with a cluster of four hostages and appeared to be already handcuffed as the group emerged through the front door. Police immediately surrounded the suspect, searched him and then brought him to a waiting ambulance. The man appeared to have blood on his left arm. Investigators believe the suspect, whose name hasn’t been released, had shot his grandmother and girlfriend around 1:30 p.m. in South Los Angeles and then fled in a 2015 Toyota Camry, Sgt. Barry Montgomery, a Los Angeles police spokesman, said. Officers spotted the suspect’s car near Hollywood and tried to pull him over, but the man refused to stop and led officers on a pursuit, he said. During the chase, the suspect shot “multiple rounds” at officers, though no officers were struck by the gunfire, he said. Breaking: Trader Joe’s worker drags out person after shots fired in Silver Lake. Officers looking for stolen car suspect. pic.twitter.com/J2yxU2M3rL — Jeff Nguyen (@jeffnguyen) July 21, 2018 At least one officer is believed to have returned fire, Montgomery said. The suspect eventually crashed his car outside of the Trader Joe’s supermarket and then ran into the store. An Associated Press employee who lives in the area reported seeing a car crashed into a utility pole outside the store. Don Kohles, 91, was walking into the supermarket when he saw a car being chased police crash into a pole just outside. Police fired at the driver, shattering the store’s glass doors and Kohles and others inside took cover and laid on the floor as the suspect ran into the store, he said. He could hear others around him sobbing as the man ran toward the back of the store and yell at people, but Kohles said he never heard any more gunshots. After about 30 minutes, police came inside and rushed some of the customers out, he said. People frantically tried to flee from the store and some were seen climbing through windows, jumping down about 8 feet (2.44 meters), and others darted through the back door. Christian Dunlop, a real estate agent and actor who lives nearby, said he was watching from the corner when he saw four people flee out the front of the store. An employee was dragging an injured woman by the hands out the front door, he said. One woman who was injured was taken to the hospital in stable condition, according to David Ortiz, a fire department spokesman, though it was unclear how she was injured. Officials said they had 18 ambulances and 100 firefighters staged at the scene. Montgomery said the situation was still unfolding and hostages were still inside the store. Officers are “trying to get the suspect to surrender and bring this to a peaceful conclusion,” he said. President Donald Trump tweeted that he is “Watching Los Angeles possible hostage situation very closely” and that Los Angeles police officers were working with federal law enforcement. Follow @WJZ on Twitter and like WJZ-TV | CBS Baltimore on Facebook (© Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)