text
stringlengths 5
144k
| label
int64 0
9
| id
int64 0
100k
| label_text
stringclasses 10
values |
|---|---|---|---|
French police are looking for two brothers, Cherif and Said Kouachi, in connection with the attack on a French magazine. CNN's Fred Pleitgen reports. | 8 | 2,100 | video |
CNN terror analyst Paul Cruickshank and former State Dept. special representative to Muslim communities Farah Pandith on "The Lead." | 5 | 2,101 | news |
"It's all that thing's fault," Mike Nicholas says as he points over his shoulder at a sectioned shoebox Ford. But the club coupe isn't the target of Nicholas' ire. It's the old magazine he found inside it. What Nicholas found was event coverage for "The Hot Rod Hillclimb" in the March, 1954 Hot Rod. As writer Jim McKinley explained, in 1952 the Denver Sports Car Club ran up Leavenworth Mountain at the edge of Georgetown, a little historic mining camp about an hour due west of the Mile High city. This event reportedly amused the members of the local hot rod timing clubs. So in 1953, exactly a week after the sporty car club returned to make its second annual trip up the hill, the hot rodders elected to show the tea-and-crumpets crowd how it's really done. "I thought, 'How the hell didn't I hear about this?'" Nicholas continues. "I mean Georgetown is just over the hill from Denver. I had to find out more about it." What he found was indeed under his nose the whole time; turns out a good friend and mentor, Jim Nielsen, not only knew about the event but actually participated in it. What the event coverage didn't reveal in fact couldn't is that the rodders returned in 1954 for their own second-annual event. In fact they would've returned for a third run if Governor Edwin Johnson hadn't outlawed racing on public roads. Talk about a wet blanket! Now to explain Nicholas' mixed emotions (which really aren't at all negative) about this discovery. If idle hands are the devil's playground then call him Saint Nicholas; the guy runs at about 8,000 rpm. What's more, his sweetie, Amy, is wired the exact same way. He worked up a bunch of local enthusiasts (no real challenge actually), called upon family, sought sponsorship, and set about re-creating the 1953 event 60 years after the first. Despite the less-than-favorable weather, the 2013 Hot Rod Hillclimb met rousing success, enough success to justify a second one. But because the 2014 event benefitted from the prior event's promotion, it attracted even more cars. A lot more cars in fact: more than 75 compared to about 30 in 2013. The rules are simple. To honor the spirit of the early events, only cars with engines available prior to 1955 can participate (unless owned by Legacy members, but that's a different story). Though now paved, the road takes the same path it did more than half a century ago. Entrants start at the water tower in town and drive 2-1/8 miles nearly 1,000 vertical feet punctuated by six switchbacks, two straightaways, and a sharp bend to stop just shy of the original finish line. Gallery: 14 Classic Cars That Will Make Any Car Buff Swoon As noted in the last sentence, the event is a drive. Regulations and insurance by themselves make a true race on public roads difficult and, in this limited scope, impossible. Racing also eliminates the possibility for spectators to watch the event from the roadside, a major component of the weekend. But just because entries aren't racing doesn't mean they can't get with it … within limitations of course. Which brings up another issue: logistics and their cost. Though it seems easy enough, Nicholas discovered the true price of throwing what amounts to a big party for a few hundred of his best pals. The rangers that cover the event don't show up out of interest. Buses that transport spectators up the hill don't drive themselves. The event includes live music, a pancake breakfast, and other sub events like rocker-cover races, each imposing its own cost. The insurance, permitting, and bonding fees would probably make your head spin. Yet it costs a fraction of what it takes to park your car on a fairgrounds. In fact if it weren't for the collateral, like T-shirts, sweatshirts, and posters there's no way this event would happen. Kayleena Bambina prepares to flag Cal Kennedy in the freshly recreated T-33 roadster, the first car to officially run the hill this year. De Luxe Speed Shop's Scott McCann's 1932 has a rich Colorado drag history. But nobody knew about it until McCann stripped the top paint layer to reveal identifying traits from its racing career. The car raced from 1949 to 1953 and slumbered to 2012 when McCann bought it. You know an event's worth the effort if Squeak Bell shows up. He and his gal ventured out from Bakersfield. His Olds-powered rod has history to the '40s when someone carved the door tops for Darrin dips. It's not precious; he runs it like a rented mule. Related: American Graffiti '55 Chevy Gasser Replica With its stock axle, mechanical brakes, and running-board aprons flapping in the breeze you'd swear Mark McCann's 1928 Ford rolled off the streets of Los Angeles in 1939. Another DeLuxe car, this one runs a two-port Riley. It ran surprisingly well up the hill. During the week John MacKichan attends to history at Speedway Motors' Museum of American Speed. But on the weekends he lives history, in this case with a sweetheart of a barn find 1931 roadster. Aside from reanimating it, he hasn't done anything but drive it. His daughter Jessica (also from Speedway) came out in her Model 40 coupe but its Chevy V-8 forbid it to run. According to Nicholas, without Dave Scroggs' help and Scroggs Paint Magic sponsorship there would be no event. That and his status as a Legacy member explains why the Chevy engine in his 'Bones-built Deuce coupe gets a dispensation. Scroggs works at Bandimere; his dad won his class at the 1954 event. So far climb-specific cars don't run the hill but Troy Hastings' 1931 Dodge comes about as close as possible. It ran the jalopy circuit until 1962. It's nothing if not unique it sits on a 1938 Chevy truck chassis and runs Stovebolt power for one thing. It's no accident that it matches the barricades; Hastings and a few others supplied them. Related: Hot Rods Storm the Jersey Shore Though from California, Dick Rush's 1928 has a history nearly as long as the hillclimb. It runs a 324 Olds against a 1937 Buick transmission. It underwent modest changes over the years like a Drag Star manifold and the side pipes but that's the natural progression of an honest old hot rod. Without Mike and Amy Nicholas' passion and unbridled energy this event would've died another neat idea. To add to the burden Mike recreated one of the legacy cars. Read about it in the sidebar. Larry Filipczak works in GM's engineering department; his roadster runs a Flathead. The chassis is actually the one from under the Bell Plumbing roadster that ran the 1953 and 1954 events. Last year this car sat next to its former other half, the body on Steve Schwalb's car, for the first time in 40 years. The L on Jim Nielsen's badge designates him a Legacy member. He won the 1953 meet in the Nielsen-Netherly-Rexrode 1932 Ford coupe and ran 1954 with a 1940 Ford sedan that his friend still owns. This year he drove the 1932 Ford that he bought in 1954. Entertainment came in various forms: DJ Big Mike spun favorites all weekend and original (and covers) from Barnyard Stompers, The Lucky Few, and The High Gear Daddies (shown) filled the streets at various points. Gene Palmer's a Colorado native, so it stands to reason he should fly the flag for local parts. In this case he hit the mother lode: a pair of Stephens overhead-valve cylinder heads for Flatheads. One of reportedly four sets made they make the Arduns in his Charlie's sedan delivery seem almost ordinary. In fact during the post-show hangover Nicholas pondered the viability of not promoting a third-annual Hot Rod Hillclimb, a legitimate possibility for an event that makes just enough money to cover its costs. But as weary as they are, Nicholas' eyes light up as he runs down ideas to make a potential future event better than the one that just ended. Last year, for example, he came up with the idea to hold a navigational rally for pre-'65 vehicles so more people could participate. It met great success this year. And according to Jeff Norwell artwork Nicholas justified an event for 2015, a record for an event that never made it past its second annual meeting in more than 60 years. We urge you to make the opportunity to attend or, better yet, participate. People come from all over the country a few from Canada and California, and one from Alabama if you can believe it. It's about the friendliest show we've ever attended, one absolutely lacking pretention. It's in a beautiful place. And with the diversity of characters you're bound to meet some interesting people. Oh yeah, you get to drive fast up hills. What's not to like about that? Recreating the Kennedy/Scroggs T-33 Dozens of hot rods climbed the hill in 1953 and 1954 but one stood out, a 1934 Chevrolet roadster owned by Cal Kennedy and Don Scroggs, Dave's dad. The car actually began as a 1936 pickup that the duo drag raced. But after a spell they swapped the pickup body for the cut-down roadster. And in 1954 they equipped its Stovebolt with a highly desirable Wayne head, a design that equipped each port with its own intake and exhaust port (Chevrolet heads have several Siamese ports). Kennedy and Scroggs drag raced the car for some time before scuttling the project. But as luck would have it, Cal Kennedy robbed it of a few parts before letting it go, among them the Wayne Chevy. In fact that engine sat until early 2014 when Kennedy dragged it from the crawlspace under his house. The occasion was a new car, a new old car. Galvanized by the first event's success, Mike Nicholas resolved to recreate the Kennedy-Scroggs roadster. He took a few liberties, like using a coupe body, and you would too if you knew how rare the roadsters are. Otherwise the car is remarkably faithful right down to the actual gauge panel and fuel tank the original car used. Yeah, that was in storage, too. Typical for these sorts of projects, if not for the last minute nothing would get done. In fact the night before the first day of events Nicholas and his crew, among them Tom Wentworth, Phil Trill, and Dave Scroggs and Cal Kennedy himself, worked in a time crush that would've driven a mere mortal to clutch his chest. In fact it wasn't until close to midnight that the roadster rolled out of the shop for a celebratory romp (of course on a closed course with a professional driver, wink). After a few teething incidents that time probably already forgot the roadster recreation came to life and, for the first time in 60 years, roared up the mountain. "Being able to do this alongside Cal, and Dave (Cal's partner's son) was nothing short of priceless," Nicholas notes. "Dave Scroggs and Wayne Kennedy, the sons of Don and Cal, heard the tall tales of the this particular Wayne motor their entire lives, to be present while both of them heard the motor run for the first time in their lives, it was spiritual." Due to his dad's status as a Stripper (thankfully the club and not the profession) our own Frank Wallic is a Legacy member. We give him some guff but he really is one of the industry's more talented craftsmen and his McCulloch-blown roadster testifies to it. Kevin Tutor's one of those guys we run into all over the place but this is the first we've seen of his late Model A coupe. Its understatement black details and stock heads among other things give it an honest, old-timey look. And its T5 transmission gave it the right gear for every part of the hill. There's a reason Tim Elmer's 1934 Ford coupe has a Bonneville chop: he lives just east in the Salt Lake area. The lack of convention is more than skin deep: he runs a 21-stud Flathead … with a 4-inch-stroke Merc crank and a Zephyr overdrive trans. His brother, Kris, showed up in a 1931 Ford roadster, a display cabinet of the parts he casts. The event has grown, grown so much that it occupies Georgetown's entire city center. The cool part is the party happens among the cars. In some cases you're encouraged to touch! Chris Marshall's '32 Deluxe coupe had our attention and everyone else scratching their heads. It runs a 337 Lincoln Flathead, an exceedingly uncommon choice as the lack of speed parts proves. This speaks to the diversity of the characters. The Early V-8 Ford Club usually frowns upon hot rod shenanigans. Dick Fell is a member yet he flogged his 1940 Fordor so hard I think the door handles rubbed the ground! Many thanks to him for toting me up that hill in that altitude. What's especially surprising about the run is the number of bona-fide old hot rods. As the story goes this 1928 roadster remains largely unchanged since it was stored decades ago and the unorthodox windshield testifies to a very old build. It runs Thickstun head covers and a PM7 manifold on a 59A Flathead. Chevys in Fords are so common that Chevys in Chevys almost seem rare. Dave Overholt's 1931 runs a hopped-up, late-model 292 against a TH350 and staggeringly deep (and appropriate for this run) 4.56 gears. He drew inspiration from the Kennedy-Scroggs roadster (see sidebar). Kennedy (foreground) synchronizes the three Strombergs while Tom Wentworth (standing) and Mike Nicholas (seated) watch. We were high from the fumes and deaf from the pipes. In other words, it couldn't have gotten much better. Here's Kennedy at the helm of the original T-33 at the 1955 NHRA Drag Safari hosted by the Denver Timing Association and the Strippers Car Club, both dominant forces at the early hillclimbs. Note the body's proportions. Kennedy and Scroggs sectioned the body the length of the doors. And here's Kennedy 59 years later and his wife LuAnne just about to make that first trip up the mountain. It's not the hillclimb but here's a shot from the archives. In 1955 the Strippers Car Club and the Denver Timing Association hosted one of NHRA's Drag Safaris. And here's the car in its present state, once again Kennedy at the wheel wearing, if you can believe it, the same helmet he wore as a lad. | 9 | 2,102 | autos |
COLUMBUS, Ohio - There's no gray in his beard, and both the recent video and numbers show he certainly has not lost a step. There is a way to make Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith feel a little like an old man, though. By sharing this mind-numbing stat: Ohio State is 22-0 over Smith's four-year career when he catches a touchdown pass. From Akron in his first college game 2011 to Alabama on the first day of 2015, 22 wins. And no losses. "I really didn't know that stat until someone brought it up (last week)," Smith said. "It's unique." Sure, Ohio State has only lost 10 games, total, in Smith's four years -- and seven of those were in his freshman season -- but that's still pretty impressive. There's one left, next Monday in the national championship game vs. Oregon, and Smith has one remaining goal -- for the game and the streak. "Just keep catching touchdowns," he said. With four in the last two games, Smith's speed and ability to catch the deep ball have eased the transition for big-armed quarterback Cardale Jones, the fifth Ohio State quarterback from whom Smith has caught a pass and the fourth to throw Smith a touchdown. Smith has 30 touchdowns in his career, starting with one in that opener vs. Akron on Sept. 3, 2011. "I don't even remember that one," he admitted. He beat a Russell Wilson-led Wisconsin team with a 40-yard touchdown catch later that season. Then, late in 2011, everything changed for Ohio State as Urban Meyer was hired as head coach. The Buckeyes went from 6-7 in 2011 to 12-0 but banned from the postseason the next year, and that's when Smith made what he calls his biggest touchdown catch, a 63-yarder in what became a 17-16 win at Michigan State. "We needed a big play," Smith said. "It was hard to score for both teams. It was a battle." Smith remembers "freezing up" a defender with a quick move off the line. "Then I ran away from him," Smith said. "There have been so many plays...but (the one at Michigan State in 2012) kind of turned the game around a little bit. Winning that game was an unbelievable moment. With Urban coming here, he really didn't believe in his team that much at the beginning. I feel like after that game, that's when he started believing in his team. After that point, he started coaching the team different. "Instead of him complaining or us complaining about something, it was more the finer details that we needed to do to keep winning. I think he constantly reminded us that we have to grind to win. That's what we did. Last year we did it and had the hiccups in the last two games. With this year, I think it's starting to click. I think right after that Virginia Tech loss, it really sunk in to everyone. We just went on with the season." The Buckeyes are playing for the national title despite losing Miller 10 days before the season, going to a redshirt freshman, then going to another first-time starting quarterback for the Big Ten Championship Game. The play of the receivers -- not just Smith, but fellow senior Evan Spencer, sophomore Michael Thomas and freshman runner/receiver combo Jalin Marshall -- has helped those transitions and pushed the Buckeyes to this point. For a personal encore in November, Smith went to Michigan State and torched the Spartans, again, for 129 yards and a touchdown on six catches in a game Ohio State rallied to win and keep itself alive for the final spot in the College Football Playoff it claimed after beating Wisconsin on Dec. 6, 59-0, as Smith scored three times and 137 yards. This year's Michigan State game marked just the second time on the season Smith had more than two catches. He admits to being frustrated and wondering how or why that could happen, but trying not to let his frustration show. His speed helped Ohio State's kick coverage teams even when he wasn't getting a bunch of passes thrown his way, and at midseason Meyer said he believed Smith was the best punt coverage gunner in the country. His long journey has included coaching changes, quarterback changes and patience. "I felt like if I would have complained to the coaches about my role it probably would have turned on me," Smith said. "I just had to do my job, keep working." That strategy has worked. Smith has 32 catches for 886 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season, 120 catches for 2,458 yards and 30 touchdowns in his career. "I feel like we're way more effective when we throw deep," he said. Ohio State wins when Smith gets going. The proof is in 22-0. | 1 | 2,103 | sports |
ST. LOUIS -- All three seasons under Jeff Fisher, the St. Louis Rams have been near contending status but have fallen short with one of the youngest teams in the NFL. Adding veterans might be just what's needed to end a string of 11 years without a winning record. Another theory is that the Rams (6-10) need the players they've been nurturing to continue to improve. "You've got a good feel now for who they are, what our strengths are, what are weaknesses are," general manager Les Snead said Wednesday. "I'm not saying the answer is `Let's go take the veteran free agent.' It could be the boring answer is our guys are becoming veterans, so I think that helps." The biggest need, either in free agency or the draft, is a quarterback who can challenge injury-prone Sam Bradford for the starting job after 25 consecutive games missed due to knee injuries. Snead said the two fill-ins last season, veteran Shaun Hill and neophyte Austin Davis, would be acceptable second-stringers. The Rams failed to address quarterback early in last year's draft, settling for Garrett Gilbert in the sixth round. Gilbert ran a spread offense at SMU and needed time to learn the more complicated pro attack, time that the Rams did not have after Bradford was sidelined in the preseason. "All of a sudden we went from having a healthy starting quarterback to `Boy, we're in if you want to call it `intensive care,'" Snead said. "Like where Garrett is now with New England and Brady, you've got a little more time to develop. "As opposed to, we need someone to play tomorrow." The Rams had two first-rounders last year, but went for promising offensive tackle Greg Robinson at No. 2 overall and defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who led rookies in sacks and is headed to the Pro Bowl. They added starting running back Tre Mason in the third, but passed up a chance to get a quarterback in the fourth round when they took safety Maurice Alexander. With Bradford in the lineup, the Rams can make a case for finishing .500 or better. Snead recalled being in his office with Fisher and chief operating officer Kevin Demoff in late August after the bad news came in on Bradford. All believed the Rams had enough talent to overcome it. "We actually believed as a group we would beat the odds," Snead said. "Usually when you go to your No. 2 quarterback it's hard to be above .500. Nothing against No. 2s." Among the lowlights -- St. Louis squandered a 21-point lead against Dallas and a 14-point cushion against San Francisco, both at home. "Hey, I have replays in my mind," Snead said. "The whole Dallas thing, didn't close that one. The interception at the goal-line, that's a flashback. "All of those things could have gone the other way so you're going to lose sleep over that." The Rams have another pressing issue to address with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer leaving Wednesday to take the same job at Georgia. Fisher said after the season finale that he didn't anticipate staff changes and complimented Schottenheimer's work, but the move after three seasons didn't come as a total surprise. Don't expect an immediate replacement. Fisher went the entire 2012 season without a defensive coordinator after Gregg Williams was suspended in the Saints bounty gate case, finally hiring Tim Walton as defensive coordinator in mid-February of 2013. He took his time firing Walton after the 2013 season, restoring Williams to the post. "I think there's always a list," Snead said. "I think Jeff's philosophy has always been, `Be patient, don't rush into it.' I think that's what you'll see." | 1 | 2,104 | sports |
Watch Wake Forest's Codi Miller-McIntyre capitalize off the Duke turnover by racing to the hoop on the fast break and finishing with the authoritative one-handed dunk in this ACC Must See Moment! | 1 | 2,105 | sports |
Cartoonist Matt Davies reacts to the attack on Charlie Sebdo, an incident which left 12 people dead in France | 5 | 2,106 | news |
Ball movement. Playoff momentum. Playoff matchups. Salary cap issues. Scott Brooks. Just a list of things that don't matter as much as Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant playing well. We sort of knew it before it was confirmed in November, but it's shown to be gospel the past two games. Nothing matters for this team if Durant and Westbrook play poorly, so worrying about peripherals such Andre Roberson's minutes or Jeremy Lamb's absence or even Serge Ibaka's down year are just contextual issues. No matter what happens, if Durant and Westbrook continue this odd, disturbing trend, the Thunder aren't going to beat anyone, much less make the playoffs. They were bad against Golden State on Monday and it resulted in a 117-91 loss. They were bad once again Wednesday and the Thunder lost again, this time to a far less superior team, 104-83 to the Kings. In November, Oklahoma City lost because Westbrook and Durant didn't play, due to injuries. That manifested into a 3-12 start. The past two games, both have played, but they have been shockingly bad.If one struggles, games can be had. If both play well, the Thunder almost always win. If both no-show, OKC has no chance. Let's start with Durant. Monday against the Warriors, Durant seemed disengaged. He finished with 14 points. The only time he scored fewer was when Durant had 10 against the 76ers on Dec. 5. Wednesday, against the Kings, Durant once again was slow to start, but finished with xx points, yet was minus xxx in the plus-minus category. And Westbrook? In the first six quarters of the past two games, Westbrook was 7-for-30. Wednesday, Westbrook was 3-for-19 and scored just 10 points, his lowest total since scoring two before getting hurt against the Clippers on Oct. 30. Westbrook was 5-for-21 against the Warriors Monday. His plus-minus number for this week's two games is minus-36 and his 3-of-19 shooting against the Kings was beyond dreadful. The Kings have missed the playoffs for eight seasons in a row, yet they looked like the team trending upward on Wednesday. Meanwhile, entitlement to the playoffs, because Westbrook and Durant are healthy doesn't seem to have much gravitas. The Thunder are now 17-19 and four games behind eighth-seeded Phoenix and San Antonio. Kind of silly to be worrying about how Dion Waiters (one-of-nine and four points) looked in his debut or how he'll fit in when Durant plays poorly. Ridiculous to trifle on about Reggie Jackson and his attitude when Westbrook turns it over seven times in 27 minutes. No one else is going to carry the team. Not Waiters, not Jackson, not Ibaka. They are complement players, not leading men. OKC's formula has never changed. Sure there are different parts and different elements to consider and tinker with, but when Durant and Westbrook struggle, this team has no chance to win. Follow Andrew Gilman on Twitter: @andrewgilmanOK | 1 | 2,107 | sports |
Louisville forward Montrezl Harrell is fixing his headband, then realizes an alley-oop pass is coming his way and jams it home in this ACC Must See Moment! | 1 | 2,108 | sports |
By Zack Cox Stephon Marbury's NBA days are a thing of the past, but his basketball career still is going strong. The former Boston Celtics guard now laces up his Starburys for the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association, and he's reached a level of celebrity he never attained while playing in the U.S. Marbury is a two-time CBA champion, had a statue erected in his honor in 2012, and this week was recognized as a "role model" by the Beijing government. The 37-year-old tweeted out news of his commendation Wednesday. He was the only athlete and the only import honored. "It's bigger then basketball. God is great!!!" Marbury wrote on Twitter in response to the news. Marbury played 13 NBA seasons for five teams after being drafted fourth overall in 1996. He wrapped up his career with a 23-game stint with the Celtics in 2009 before deciding to take his talents overseas. | 1 | 2,109 | sports |
The action cam market is crowded. GoPro isn't the only name you think of anymore, making it increasingly difficult for alternatives to stand out. Most of them are the same, but some companies are getting increasingly creative with their ideas. 360-degree video isn't necessarily new, but never has it been more accessible thanks to the 360fly. You want crazy? the 360fly will give you crazy. | 8 | 2,110 | video |
By NESN Fergie performed at halftime of Wednesday night's Los Angeles Clippers game, and nobody was more excited for the show than Steve Ballmer. Ballmer, who bought the Clippers over the summer in the wake of the Donald Sterling fiasco, caught the mini-concert from his courtside seat and proceeded to break out some aggressive and we do mean aggressive dance moves. Check out the video here . Steve Ballmer, we love you. | 1 | 2,111 | sports |
MINNEAPOLIS -- Andrew Wiggins' inaugural signature moment will have to wait. But the fact the Timberwolves rookie took the final shot in Wednesday night's 113-111 loss to Phoenix, regardless of the result, paints a fitting picture of where Wiggins stands in the Minnesota pecking order -- and, furthermore, within the next generation of NBA stardom. At the top. The Wolves (5-29) were scrambling to get a last-second shot off after Isaiah Thomas missed the second of two free throws with 5.5 seconds left. Thaddeus Young swooped in for the rebound, Chase Budinger brought the ball across half court, and instead of spotting up for a 3-pointer as he has in many late-game situations throughout his career, Budinger delegated to a wide-open Wiggins on the right wing. The ball went to him by chance, not design. Wiggins' squared-up, smoothly released look bounced off the iron. "I thought it was going in," Wiggins said. "I was confident. I thought it was right on target. It just came up a little short." But it's the kind of shot Wiggins will be taking again -- and again, and again -- if his career continues along its present trajectory. And had coach and president Flip Saunders possessed a timeout, there's a good chance he would've drawn something up for Wiggins, anyway. "I thought when it left his hands, it was going in," Saunders said. "He continues to grow and be a main focus. . . . For us and the organization, that's the most positive, because you can see the vision with that piece." Because Wiggins, even at the age of 19, even among a losing streak that's now at 13 games, is the future. And the present. With 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting Wednesday, he became the third Wolves rookie ever to score 20 or more points in five consecutive games. He's averaging 21.5 points over his past eight games and leads all NBA rookies in scoring at 13.9 points per game. He's attacking, a point of emphasis for the No. 1 overall pick whom Cleveland traded in order to obtain Kevin Love. "It's very gratifying, because I think everyone in here knows, the biggest question the national media always asks me, 'Is he passive?'" Saunders said in his postgame press conference. "That was the question coming out, and he's showing more and more that he's getting more aggressive." He's defending. Through 33 games, Wiggins ranks third among rookies in steals and fifth in blocked shots. "We need him to guard all those guys," Saunders said of the Suns' fleet of guards. "We needed him to guard (Eric) Bledsoe, we needed him to guard (Goran) Dragic, we needed him to guard (Gerald) Green, we needed him to guard Thomas. We needed him to guard all four of those guys, but we could only put him on one of them." And most importantly, a team with fellow youngsters and wily veterans trusts him with the game on the line. But Wiggins' latest rookie-of-the-year-like performance wasn't enough to snap the Wolves' longest losing skid since dropping 18 straight spanning the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons. A 15-point, fourth-quarter takeover from former Minnesota swingman Green and an errant Budinger inbounds pass -- which Bledsoe took the other way for a slam that made it 107-102 Phoenix (22-16) with 55.1 seconds left -- helped take care of that. And while the signs from Wiggins are promising, the defeats eat at him. "It's hard losing, obviously," Wiggins said. "We always got to think positive and towards next game, think of the things we did good." There were plenty from Wiggins again Wednesday. But until the Wolves get healthy and execute down the stretch, it's a hollow point of pride. At least in the present. "I see growth in all our young guys," said point guard Mo Williams, who had his sixth double-double of the season with 23 points and 11 assists but left late in the fourth quarter with a sprained ankle. "The growth is good, it's great for you guys to write about, a good story, but we don't like losing. "Losing sucks." Follow Phil Ervin on Twitter | 1 | 2,112 | sports |
Spontaneous self-portraits of celebrities ranging from Buddy Holly to Audrey Hepburn It's So Easy! Decades before the iPhone, there was another kind of selfie: those miniature self-portraits taken in an old-school photo booth. Here are 30 classic examples. James Dean In 1949, the year he graduated from high school. Norma Jeane Baker Last month, New York's Swann Galleries sold this portrait of Norma Jeane in her early teens taken in a coin-operated photo booth several years before she became Marilyn Monroe for $18,750. Marilyn Monroe Marilyn with a couple of kids she took to Playland in San Francisco shortly before her marriage to Joe DiMaggio in January 1954. She'd planned to take the girls family friends of the DiMaggios on rides, but drew so much attention that it became impossible. For the full story, click here. Mick Jagger and Chrissie Shrimpton The model-actress (supermodel Jean Shrimpton's kid sister) was Mick's girlfriend from 1963 to 1966. Audrey Hepburn With her husband Mel Ferrer (right) and Truman Capote, A few years later, Hepburn played Holly Golightly in "Breakfast at Tiffany's," the 1961 film version of Capote's novella even though the author thought the part should have gone to Marilyn Monroe. Edie Sedgwick In 1965, the year she became an Andy Warhol superstar and the press anointed her "Girl of the Year." Marlon Brando Showing us what he thinks of Hollywood In 1960 with his then soon-to-be second wife, Mexican-American actress Movita Castaneda. Jack and Jackie John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier in the early '50s, just before they were married. Jack and Jackie, Take 2 And in another photo booth, when they were newlyweds. Miles Davis The jazz legend as a young boy. Paul and Linda McCartney In the '70s Wings' heyday with two of their children. Stuart Sutcliffe and Astrid Kirchherr They met in 1960 at a club in Hamburg, Germany, where he was playing bass as an early member of the Beatles, and quickly became engaged. Sutcliffe quit the band the next year to pursue painting, but in 1962 suffered a brain hemorrhage. He died in Kirchherr's arms in an ambulance on the way to the hospital at age 21. Belinda Carlisle In the late '70s, around the time she became lead singer of the Go-Go's. Madonna Striking a pose or four in a Times Square photo booth in 1982, the year she recorded "Everybody," her first single. Elvis Presley The King, back when he was still just a prince. Elvis Presley and June Juanico "He was the love of my life," said Juanico, who met Elvis in her hometown of Biloxi, Mississippi, when he was a regional star and dated him through the releases of "Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel." Charles Schultz The creator of Peanuts when he wasn't much older than Charlie Brown. Cate Blanchett The Australian actress went on to play Katherine Hepburn, Queen Elizabeth and Bob Dylan, so the range she displays here comes as no surprise. Tiny Tim In 1966, two years before his breakthrough on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In." Bill and Hillary Clinton The future president and first lady in the '70s. Tom Waits and Rickie Lee Jones In 1979, the year she released her first album, after appearing on the cover of Waits' "Blue Valentine." René and Georgette Magritte The Belgian surrealist and his wife before the war, in 1929. The Magrittes, Take 2 That René such a kidder. Bebe Buell and Stiv Bators A model, singer, Playboy Playmate and elite groupie, Buell eclipses the punk rocker she called "a wonderful boyfriend my favorite." They met in 1979. Morrissey The pre-Smiths Moz. Ansel Adams The famous American landscape photographer in 1936. The Beat Generation Poets (clockwise from top left) Gregory Corso, Allen Ginsberg, Peter Orlovsky and Paul Carroll in 1959. Cyndi Lauper The real fun would come later. Waylon Jennings and Buddy Holly In New York in 1959, just before they headed to Chicago to join the rest of the band and begin what would be Buddy Holly's final tour. Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper died in a plane crash a few weeks later. Jennings, who'd given up his seat on the plane and taken a bus, survived and talked of feeing guilty for decades after that. | 6 | 2,113 | entertainment |
A policewoman and a city employee were seriously hurt Thursday after a man opened fire with an automatic rifle outside Paris, police said, but no link has yet been established with Wednesday's deadly attack on a satirical magazine. The gunman is still on the run, said Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve -- who rushed to the scene at Malakoff just south of the city -- contradicting information given earlier by a source close to the case, who said the suspect had been detained. Police initially said the two victims were critical, but Cazeneuve said just the policewoman was fighting for her life. The incident comes on a day of mourning in France after Islamist gunmen stormed the office of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday, killing eight journalists, two police and two others. The men are still thought to be on the run, and there has so far been no claim of responsibility for the massacre that has deeply shocked France. | 5 | 2,114 | news |
Rula Jebreal and Nicholas Kristof join CNN Tonight to offer insights regarding Islam and a potential connection to the attack on Charlie Sebdo | 8 | 2,115 | video |
The #2 Blue Devils were able to fight off a persistent Wake Forest squad in Winston-Salem, winning 73-65 to remain unblemished on the season. Justise Winslow recorded a career-high, scoring 20 points to go along with 7 rebounds. Devin Thomas led Wake Forest in scoring for the second consecutive game, posting 24 points of his own. | 1 | 2,116 | sports |
Why ruin a good thing? These stars looked just fine until fear of aging and the pressure of the limelight led them to go overboard with cosmetic procedures Courteney Cox Jennifer Aniston said her "heart breaks" when she sees actresses who've undergone cosmetic procedures. "I am grateful to learn from their mistakes," she told Yahoo Beauty. Some took Aniston's remarks as an unkind reference to her old "friend" Courteney Cox, who reportedly had work done. Meg Ryan Back when Harry met Sally, Ryan was known as "America's sweetheart." These days, Harry might not recognize her. Mickey Rourke The star of "The Wrestler" actually looks better than he did several years ago, when as Rourke told the Daily Mail he "went to the wrong guy to put my face back together" after it was damaged in the boxing ring. Kim Novak One of Alfred Hitchcock's iconic icy blondes, Novak shocked the audience when she presented at the 2014 Oscars. She later admitted she'd had fat injections in her face. John Travolta Travolta's "frozen face" also drew stunned comments after his appearance at the Oscars. Lara Flynn Boyle When Boiyle was only in her her 30s and costarring on "The Practice," there were reports of Botox and collagen treatments, a prelude to "work" that dramatically changed her appearance. Melanie Griffith Word around Hollywood is that Griffith is taking a break from cosmetic surgery, allowing the results of past procedures to fade. Sylvester Stallone According to several reports, the star of "Rocky" and "Rambo" has the same plastic surgeon as Jackie Stallone, his spunky 94-year-old mom. Cher "Yes, I have had a facelift, but who hasn't?" said Cher, describing herself with tongue in implanted cheek as "the plastic surgery poster girl." Axl Rose The lead singer of Guns N' Roses disappeared in the mid-'90s as the band fell apart. Then he returned with a whole new look. Madonna Last spring Madonna posted a selfie on Instagram that observers say unintentionally revealed a facelift scar behind her right ear. Maybe they're mistaken, but it's safe to say that the macrobiotic Material Girl doesn't look 100 percent natural of late. Donatella Versace "I'm not like this genetically," the Italian designer said at last year's Vogue Festival in London, adding that she uses "tons of cream." Not to mention …. Ray Liotta The "Goodfellas" star has denied rumors that he's gone under the knife, but his preternaturally taut skin has prompted speculation about Botox, possibly coupled with a facelift. Jennifer Grey The breakout costar of "Dirty Dancing" expressed regret about the 1987 nose job that radically altered her appearance. Yet it evidently didn't scare her away from cosmetic surgery forever. Barry Manilow Could it be magic? Earlier this year, the veteran hit machine told the Express that if recent photos of him look strange, it's because he's been having steroid treatments for chronic hip pain. La Toya Jackson Between the chin and cheek implants and the pointy little nose, La Toya seems to be following in the footsteps of her legendary brother Michael, the late King of Pop. Burt Reynolds "I inherited my smooth skin from my father," Reynolds told OK! Magazine. But he had cosmetic surgery around his eyes, the actor admitted, because of injuries sustained during the fight scenes in many of his movies. Faye Dunaway Of course, it's been a while since she robbed banks with Warren Beatty. But an array of treatments, reportedly ranging from Botox to an eyebrow lift, have made the star of "Bonnie and Clyde" and "Chinatown" look a bit like … someone else. Gary Busey The star of movies ranging from "Point Break" to "The Buddy Holly Story," Busey suffered a serious motorcycle accident in 1988, while riding without a helmet. So he's got an excuse. Lisa Rinna Rinna revealed on NBC's Today Show that, after the silicone in her lips hardened, she had most of it removed. But don't tell her to give up her Botox. | 7 | 2,117 | health |
Hall of Fame elect Pedro Martinez always appreciated how much New York Yankees fans wanted to win. | 1 | 2,118 | sports |
By Ryan Wong Jay Cutler takes abuse from Bears fans on Twitter every now and then. The only problem for Jay Cutler? The Jay Cutler on Twitter is not THAT Jay Cutler. Jason Isaac Cutler changed his name to "Jay" in high school and he would go on to become a world champion bodybuilder who won the Mr. Olympia titles in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010 (insert joke about Jay Cutler and championship titles here). Bodybuilder Jay Cutler has his own website called JayCutler.com which he began before the other Jay Cutler ever started a game of college football. Nevertheless, when quarterback Jay Cutler has a bad game, bodybuilder Jay Cutler often takes abuse from Bears fans on Twitter. The bodybuilder talked about his experiences in an interview with DNAinfo: "It's been a little tough for me sometimes on Twitter, especially on Mondays," said Cutler, who lives in Las Vegas. "There's … animosity." Despite the fact that his name is causing him some unearned hate on Twitter, Jay Cutler remains a fan of (the other) Jay Cutler: "I'm still a fan," he said. "This guy has a great contract, and he's still there. He was still trying to carry that team, and I have to respect that. I've won and lost, and it's easy for people to say he's finished, and then you perform again, and they're back on the bandwagon. I respect the guy." So, a lesson to all Bears fans. Bodybuilder Jay Cutler is not quarterback Jay Cutler. And try to get it right when you're on Twitter so that you're not harassing the wrong guy. | 1 | 2,119 | sports |
Any time the Clippers and Lakers face off, the same questions arise during the pre-game press conference. Is this a rivalry? Whose town is this? What is more important: the Clippers' present, or the Lakers' past? How do two teams coexist in the same city? Most of these themes are cliched and pointless. We've been discussing it for almost four years now. Really, who cares? There is no clear-cut answer to any of the questions, as the perception of the "rivalry" says more about your ideals and allegiance than anything else. The outcome of four regular-season games isn't going to change that. Los Angeles is predominantly a Lakers town because of the franchise's storied history, and it's going to remain that way for the foreseeable future. That being said, the Clippers have been much, much better than the Lakers since Chris Paul arrived in 2011, and have the brighter future over the next half-decade (and possibly beyond). While the Lakers are busy flaunting their rings and retired jerseys, and dismissing the notion of a rivalry, the Clippers claim to be focusing on what they can control: the present and the future. With a 114-89 thrashing on Wednesday night, the Clippers have now won five in a row and nine of their last 10 against their neighbors. That's the current state of these matchups, rivalry or not. "Both teams can say that this game did not mean anything," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said after the victory. "Yes, it does not mean anything in the big scope of everything. But when you play people you know, those games are fun. You always want to beat guys that you see all of the time. You could see the energy in the building." The Clippers raced out to a monster lead and never looked back, as Chris Paul (24 points, 11 assists and 3 steals) and Blake Griffin (27 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals) and DeAndre Jordan (10 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks) played like the three best players on the floor. "I think that any time - throwing their record out - [a game against the Lakers] is going to be good," Matt Barnes said. "They are going to play a little better than they normally play. We are going to play a little better than we normally play. The crowd is electric. That [a blowout victory] is just what has been happening lately." Here are five takeaways from the game: Pace and space The Clippers' offense was amazing tonight -- especially in the first and third quarters. There was a unique level of pace, passing and off-ball movement that the team just hasn't been able to muster consistently. Of course, the Clippers' offense has been far from a concern, ranking third-best in the NBA. But on nights when they can get out in transition, force the defense into several rotations, and take care of the ball (just six turnovers), they can reach a special level offensively. "The ball movement was fantastic," Rivers said. "We need that every night. It was beautiful to watch." Barnes breaks out Matt Barnes is currently going through a very public breakup with his wife, and he has admitted to being distracted by it at various points this season. Combine that with his shooting slump to start the season, and there was a legitimate concern that the Clippers' paper-thin wing rotation would be in even worse shape. But Barnes has bounced back recently, averaging 10.5 points on 48.7 percent shooting from the floor and 39.5 percent shooting on 3s since December 3rd. He scored 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting on Wednesday and, more importantly, held Bryant to 4 points (2-of-12 shooting) on defense. "I thought Matt did a great job on him," Griffin said. Stepping on the gas pedal One of the most consistent criticisms of the Clippers this season has been their inability to extend and/or maintain double-digit leads against inferior opponents. For a myriad of reasons, usually the bench's performance and a lack of focus, the Clips tend to lose big leads and then grind out unnecessarily close contests. Wednesday night, the Clips extended their lead to as many as 43 points, and the bench actually did a solid job of maintaining it until the end the fourth. "It was a mindset," Griffin said. "We said at halftime that we have to keep the pedal, keep going, and come out with energy and focus. We did just that." Not to nitpick, but... The Clippers were basically perfect Wednesday night, but there was one area in which they really struggled. When they paid too much attention to Bryant, sending either a double team or shading over with helpside defense, he was able to pick them apart, finding one of the Lakers big men inside for uncontested finishes. Virtually all of Bryant's seven assists led to easy baskets inside, and the Lakers scored 52 points in the paint -- a ridiculous amount. Holding a good Lakers offense to just 89 points is impressive, but the Clips need to tighten up their backside rotations. C.J. Wilcox update The Clippers' 2014 first-round draft pick was assigned to the team's D-League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, on Tuesday. But before Wilcox departs for Indiana, he was activated and inserted on the bench for Wednesday's game, and even made a rare appearance in garbage time, scoring 2 points on 1-of-4 shooting. "I just want [C.J.] to play, to be honest," Rivers said. "He hasn't been playing with us, and we haven't had a lot of practices. ... We will send him down, most likely, tomorrow." Stats used in this article are from NBA.com/Stats . | 1 | 2,120 | sports |
Once you're back to work and back to reality it can be tough to stick to your New Year's resolutions, but there are a few apps that can help. Krystin Goodwin (@Krystingoodwin) has the best apps to keep your New Year's resolutions. | 8 | 2,121 | video |
A wave of M&A in the digital ad space may leave no room for start-ups | 3 | 2,122 | finance |
Former NBA great Charles Barkley shares his displeasure with today's NBA and the media that covers the sport in this segment from The Seth Davis Show. | 1 | 2,123 | sports |
Comedians Conan O'Brien and Jon Stewart react to the attack on Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical magazine. | 8 | 2,124 | video |
On Pro Football Now, Sports Illustrated NFL analyst Aaron Nagler and The MMQB contributor Jenny Vrentas discuss the fates of Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, Larry Fitzgerald and Ndamukong Suh. | 1 | 2,125 | sports |
10 Resolutions You Won't Break Before the Super Bowl 10 Resolutions You Won't Break Before the Super Bowl Sure, you have good intentions heck, great intentions when you form New Year's resolutions. But your ambitions need a little more than an end goal if we really want to succeed. You may want to lose 20 pounds this year or stop drinking so much coffee, but how exactly do you plan on doing that? Licensed clinical therapist and certified personal trainer Matt Lawson explains that in order to reach your goals, you must create resolutions that you can commit to, that you have the means to commit to, and that you're able to develop effective strategies to achieve. It's a new year, and as he puts it, "in order to get better results you have to try a new way." You don't have to toss your resolutions out the window, just tweak them a bit. Here are ten resolutions you won't break before February 1. 1) I will cook more meals at home Instead of saying you'll eat healthier this year (that's vague), define just how you'll do that. One place to start: stop eating out and ordering in so often. Tell yourself you'll cook five meals at home per week and you'll be well on your way to a healthier self. 2) I will replace one cup of coffee with tea Though small doses of coffee do come with health benefits, it's no secret that you can overdo it (and a lot of us do). Rather than saying you're going to quit cold turkey never works! give yourself a little leeway and commit to a once daily swap to something that's gentler on your body, like tea. 3) I will buy lunch only on Fridays It's easy to buy lunch every day, but the problem with that is two-fold: wasted money and a bigger waistline. If losing weight and saving more money are on your list this year, stick to eating out one day per week and take time on Sundays to prep your lunches for the week ahead. "You have to commit to consistent, persistent behavior toward the goal," says Lawson. Soon enough it will become a habit! 4) I will strength train three days a week Did you just get a new gym membership or splurge on a new fitness wardrobe? Nothing wrong with that. But having the proper tools at your disposal and saying you'll get in shape won't get you a great body. You also need to choose a manageable number of days you can get to the gym every week, and stick to it. And be realistic. If you can't get to the gym seven days a week, don't say you will. However, don't settle for once a week either. 5) I will turn off my cell phone for one hour every night "I will get a better handle on stress this year" is a great resolution. Stress is a major contributor to unhealthy lifestyle habits such as poor eating and sleep deprivation. But you can't exactly wish away a pile of student loan bills or a boss from hell. What you can control is how you let stress impact your life, so try this. If your phone is buzzing at all hours of the day from emails and texts, preventing you from relaxing, shut it off for an hour every night. 6) I will go on two new dates per month Being single has its perks, but it's also fairly easy to fall out of the game. (If you've started trading happy hours for solo Netflix marathons, you're out of the game.) Commit to a set number of new dates per month. Doing so will keep you in the swing of things without feeling overwhelmed. It will also prevent you from waking up one morning with the inevitable realization: "Wow, I'm single." 7) I will set price alerts for cheap flights on my phone A new year brings new adventures, or so you hope. Traveling is high on your to-do list, but it's easier said than done. A great way to jumpstart your New Year's travel plans is to download an app like Kayak, and set price alerts for all the places you want to go. When a flight drops to that magic price, book it! How can you pass up a good deal? Once the flight is booked, you're that much closer to getting where you want to be. 8) I will try a new recipe once a week Want to become a better chef this year? Well, practice makes perfect. But saying you're going to cook more is overwhelming and non-committal. Saying you'll experiment with one new recipe per week is almost fail-proof. Baby steps. By next year you could be a pro. Think about it. 9) I will use a refillable water bottle If you're among those who are looking to be more environmentally conscious or less wasteful this year, bravo. Think about how many coffee cups you throw out every day, or how many plastic water bottles you guzzle then toss. Buy a refillable water bottle or a travel coffee mug and take it with you everywhere. You'll instantly scale back your carbon footprint. Also, don't forget most coffee shops give you a discount if you bring in your own cup. I think you just became a better person with more money. 10) I will treat myself to a new jacket This goes for almost any raggedy item in your closet. Rather than saying "I can't wear my weathered college sweatshirt in public anymore," go out and buy a new one that you're excited about. If your goal is to look better this year, break-up with your old sneakers or stained slacks and treat yourself to a new pair. | 7 | 2,126 | health |
Autoblog Senior Editor Seyth Miersma took the 2015 Chevy Corvette Z06 for a hot lap at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch in Pahrump, Nevada. | 9 | 2,127 | autos |
Alabama and the SEC aren't the entire world -- at least not in the greater macro sense. But when it comes to college football, the conference has been the center of the universe for the past decade or so. A dominant force in the BCS era, at least one SEC school reached the title game in the system's final eight years and only Florida State last season prevented an incredible eighth straight SEC championship. That all changed on the first day of 2015, the dawning of a new era in the sport. No. 4 Ohio State went into last Thursday's College Football Playoff semifinal (the f irst in the sport's history) Sugar Bowl against No. 1 Alabama as the underdog. Plenty of critics wondered if the Buckeyes deserved to be the final team in the playoff, as they catapulted into the top four of the final standings after a 59-0 dismantling of Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game. Debate only further intensified when TCU, one of the Big XII teams in the mix for the fourth playoff bid, crushed Ole Miss, the only team to beat Alabama this season, in the Peach Bowl on New Year's Eve. Then came New Year's Day and the Buckeyes' chance to prove the doubters wrong. Led by a third-string quarterback in his second start and winners of a conference maligned by many, the Buckeyes had a chip on their shoulder in the Superdome. It's a theme that ended up being exemplified by a 21-year-old fan in the stands shown on TV flaunting four words that would soon go viral. **** "No matter where you are from, you can conquer anything" -- that's how Ohio Against The World , an apparel company based in the northside neighborhood of Cincinnati describes the motto of its brand on its Facebook page . While the base of the concept is focused on the Buckeye State, the company calls its creed a "mindset that everyone should incorporate into their lifestyle." "You don't necessarily have to be in a major city but you can have a major idea and be resourceful enough to follow through," said James Sutton III, a brand manager who has been with the company since the start in 2009-10. Ohio Against The World's products are relatively simple looking. One snarky Twitter user would never ever purchase the apparel. Those hoodies are actually $50, in black (with white and grey lettering) and red (with black lettering). They also sell snapback hats and tees. The meaning of "Ohio Against The World" is much more significant to the people who have devised and built it. "Just tell them to keep watching," Sutton III said about critics. The biggest success story is that people are rallying around the idea that you can be something larger than yourself or be your best self is what people are connecting to." During the summer, the brand received greater exposure when Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James sported one of its hats in an Instagram post about his diet, which ended up going viral. The moment served as a wakeup call for the group. "We weren't prepared at that time," Sutton III said. "But we also promised ourselves that if another situation happened like that again, we would be able to compete with Nike or Puma or Reebok or any other brand for that matter." A similar situation would arise again, on the first day of the New Year, just not involving one of the most prominent athletes in the world this time, but instead a not-so-famous college kid. **** De'Nard Pinckney wasn't yet sure of his plans for ringing in 2015 -- until he got a call from his cousin J.T. Moore, a senior tight end for the Buckeyes. "He asked what I was doing for New Year's," Pinckney said. "I was like 'What are you doing?' He was like, 'Well, obviously we're going to play down in New Orleans.'" Little did Pinckney know then that the phone call would be the trigger that would eventually lead to a viral moment and night he won't soon forget. In the beginning of December, Pinckney, along with siblings -- an older brother and sister, as well as a younger brother - decided they would take their cousin up on his offer to watch the Buckeyes play the Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl. Pinckney, who played football for Fordham University in New York, wasn't born a Buckeye but bred into one, moving to Ohio when he was 10 or 11. "Coming up here, we knew nothing about Ohio State and all that - the hype and everything like that," Pinckney said. "It [Buckeye fanhood] developed when I was 14 or 15, when I really got into college football." After a 13-hour drive down to the Big Easy, the Pinckney clan was there in the Superdome, De'Nard clad in a grey sweatshirt emblazoned with "Ohio Against The World" in black, capital letters. About that shirt -- it wasn't even De'Nard's. "I've been playing football in New York for four years so basically all my gear comes from my school," Pinckney said. "I didn't really have any Ohio State shirts or jerseys or anything like that." But he had to rep the Buckeyes for his cousin's big game, so his friend Emily, who goes to Ohio State, was able to help out. "She says, 'Nothing I have is going to fit you - but I have this sweatshirt,'" Pinckney said. "And I immediately go, 'Please tell me it's the Ohio Against The World shirt.'" Another phone call, another serendipitous exchange. Pinckney's borrowed sweatshirt made people take notice as he tailgated before the game. Soon, people around the world would be seeing it. After Ohio State's Michael Bennett made a big third-down sack on Alabama's first drive of the second half, a couple boisterous Buckeye fans -- De'Nard and younger brother, J.J. - were shown on the TV broadcast of the game. "I remember we see the play and we just start going crazy. My phone's in my pocket," Pinckney said. "My older brother, Bernard, he's like 'De'Nard, look at your phone.' He's like 'Check your phone.' "I look at my phone. I have like over 200 text messages and Twitter notifications," Pinckney said. "And I'm like 'What's going on?'" A screenshot of De'Nard, in the "Ohio Against The World" sweatshirt, and J.J. in OSU garb beside him, was only trending worldwide. As the game continued, and the Buckeyes ultimately knocked off the Crimson Tide 42-35, "Ohio Against The World" grew into a social sensation and rallying cry for the fanbase. "After the game, I knew it had gotten around the world but I didn't know how crazy it was," Pinckney said. "We were walking out of the stadium and people keep stopping me like 'Hey, Ohio Against The World kid, you're everywhere." On Bourbon Street, Pinckney said, he couldn't go ten steps without being stopped to take a picture or to high five a group of people. Ohio pride -- never lacking. ***** "We saw probably 30,000 visitors to the site within 24 hours, which we never saw," Sutton III said about the unprecedented surge in traffic to OhioAgainstTheWorld.com generated by the Sugar Bowl. While Sutton III said they couldn't yet measure the impact on sales, the company has been garnering interest in different places even before the Buckeyes win: "Ohioans are everywhere. Major cities - we get orders from L.A. and New York and Miami - and then you also get these little towns in Iowa or Oklahoma." Milirary bases too, plus a bevy of other places around the world from Asia to London to - how about this one -- the state of the Buckeyes' opponent in Monday's title game. "We ship a lot of T-shirts to Oregon, so don't be surprised if you see Ohio Against The World shirts in Oregon," Sutton III said. You also shouldn't be surprised if you see the brand in Dallas or Arlington in the coming days. "We're all going down to the game," Sutton III said. "We'll be down in Texas looking to connect with new supporters and old supporters alike, and help push the Buckeyes to a win." De'Nard Pinckney, affectionately known as "Ohio Against The World kid," won't be at "JerryWorld" Monday. For his now-infamous sweatshirt, Pinckney said: "I think I'm going to try to throw it on one last time for the National Championship, then frame and save it for my kids, and tell them, 'Hey, once upon a time, your old man, he was world famous.'" Fame in the age of social media - sure can be fleeting. So can glory in college football, as the loser Monday will quickly learn. Ohio State is once again an underdog (seven points, to be exact, to Oregon at the time of this writing), a position with which it's plenty familiar. "We've heard from a few of the Buckeyes players and they've embraced the idea," said Sutton III. "We definitely support them. It's 'Ohio Against The World.'" Watch out, World. | 1 | 2,128 | sports |
Now that Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have welcomed a baby girl, Ryan is definitely in the running for Hollywood's hottest dad - along with that other sexy Ryan, of course. | 6 | 2,129 | entertainment |
As we get ready for the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, we look at the venues each game will be played at. Which team has the biggest home field advantage this weekend? | 1 | 2,130 | sports |
The role political satire plays in France is unlike anything in the US | 8 | 2,131 | video |
Las Vegas A man tests Samsung's Gear VR headset at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) on Jan. 6. New York City A lone police officer faces forward as other colleagues turn their backs while Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks during the funeral of New York Police Department Officer Wenjian Liu at Aievoli Funeral Home, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Liu and his partner, officer Rafael Ramos, were killed Dec. 20 as they sat in their patrol car on a Brooklyn street. The shooter, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, later killed himself. Chicago A woman and the Chicago skyline are reflected in the snow covered, curved surface of the "Cloud Gate" sculpture in Chicago, Jan. 6. Paris Crowds gather in central Paris to show solidarity and pay respect to the victims killed by gunmen at the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on Jan. 7. New York City People in New York take part in a vigil to pay tribute to the victims the shooting at Charlie Hebdo . Argentina Jorge Lacunza of Argentina asks for help from fans after getting stuck on the top of a sand dune during day 4 of the Dakar Rally on Jan. 7, between Chilecito, Argentina and Copiapo, Chile. Washington, D.C. House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio kisses House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, after being re-elected to a third term during the opening session of the 114th Congress on Jan. 6. Sofia, Bulgaria People dive into icy waters of a lake to catch the holy cross (upper left) as part of Epiphany Day celebrations, on Jan. 6. Allahabad, India An Indian Hindu Holy man carries a glass as he walks out of his tent to perform a ritual ahead of the annual month long Hindu religious fair "Magh Mela", in Allahabad, India, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015. Bischofshofen, Austria Stefan Kraft of Austria soars through the air while competing in the 63rd Four-hills Ski Jumping Tournament. Birmingham, England Amateur contestants pose in telephone booths during the annual European Elvis Tribute Artist Contest and Convention on Jan. 2. Iltsi, Ukraine Men wearing traditional Hutsul clothing take part in Orthodox Christmas celebrations at Holy Trinity Church on Jan. 7 in Iltsi, Ukraine. New York City Winter storms brings cold weather and light snow to the city on Jan. 6. London A dancer performs during a dress rehearsal of The English National Ballet's Swan Lake at the London Coliseum on Jan. 6. Newark, N.J. JayVaughn Pinkston of Villanova looks up at his shot against Seton Hall during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game on Jan. 3 at the Prudential Center. Harbin, China A man clad in a teddy bear suit leans on a snow sculpture during the 16th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival on Jan. 5. Arlington, Texas Jermaine Edmondson of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a 42-41 win against the Baylor Bears during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on Jan. 1. Miami Rebekah Monson (left), and her partner Andrea Vigil participate in a wedding ceremony at the marriage license bureau in Miami. On Jan. 5, Florida became the 36th state in the U.S. to legalize same-sex marriage. Kalofer, Bulgaria A Bulgarian man breaks the ice as he wades in the icy waters of the Tundzha River, during a celebration to commemorate Epiphany Day in Kalofer, Bulgaria, Jan. 6. Teesside, England A person collects bait for fishing as morning light spreads out, reflecting off the wet sand at low tide. California Joggers form a group along a trail as the sun sets at the Baylands Nature Preserve. Harbin, China Beluga whales and their trainers present "The Heart of Ocean" show at the Harbin Polarland, Jan. 6. Harbin, China People visit ice sculptures illuminated by colorful lights during the opening day of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival in China on Jan. 5. London The Holly Man, a character from pagan myths and folklore, holds the crowns of the new King and Queen, during a performance in a folk play near the Globe Theatre. New York City Former President Bill Clinton arrives for Mario Cuomo's funeral at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in New York, Jan. 6. Cuomo, 82, died at his Manhattan home on Jan. I, hours after his son Andrew Cuomo was inaugurated for a second term as New York's governor. New York City An Elmo character stands in front of a U.S. flag on a screen at Times Square, Jan. 5. Gaza Strip Palestinian children look out through a hole in their war-damaged house in Gaza. Heavy rains and near-freezing temperatures deepened the misery of people in the region, where streets are still strewn with wreckage from the 50-day war with Israel in 2014. Las Vegas A woman reacts as a goatee is superimposed on an image of her face in the Future Mirror at the Panasonic booth during the International CES at Las Vegas. Cowes, England A salvage tug boat lights the hull of the stricken Hoegh Osaka cargo ship on Jan. 4. Houston James Harden of the Houston Rockets NBA team waits under the basket before the game against the Miami Heat at the Toyota Center on Jan. 3. Chicago A woman walks along a frozen beach at Lake Michigan in Chicago. Minsk, Belarus People celebrate the pagan winter festival called 'Kolyadki' in the village of Osovo, near Minsk, on Jan. 7. Vilnius, Lithuania People parade through the streets as part of the Three Kings Day celebrations on Jan. 6. | 5 | 2,132 | news |
6 Foods That Deserve a Star Turn in 2015 Some foods get all the glory. We tend to put certain foods on a pedestal only to be replaced by the next big superfood . I'm personally over this entire superfood craze. Sure, the basic concept is good: Some foods are more nutritious than others. That's a fact. But every single fruit or vegetable deserves to be on a superfoods list. Sometimes, highly coveted foods start getting a little too big for their britches. I'm talking to you, chia seeds . We tend to give the latest "it" foods more credit than they deserve. When a food achieves superfood status, the claims often get even more aggressive and the food starts showing up in a pill. No food, beverage or supplement is going to swiftly melt away belly fat, torch your metabolism or detox your body. Enough of this magical thinking. My wish for 2015 is that we stop worshiping trendy foods and give other, more humble, edibles a chance. If you put all your focus on a short list, you miss out on so many other wondrous foods that have just as much if not more to offer. Here are six overshadowed foods that I think deserve a chance at stardom this year. Rutabaga I'm happy that some trend trackers predict "ugly root vegetables" like rutabaga will steal some of the spotlight away from kale in 2015. These sturdy, gnarly vegetables that grow under the earth don't get much respect, but I'm hoping that changes soon. Chefs are beginning to showcase root vegetables more often including rutabaga, turnips, kohlrabi, celeriac and parsnips. France recently introduced an ugly root vegetable campaign to help combat food waste, and First Lady Michelle Obama paid tribute to the turnip in a fun music video . So there's hope yet for rutabaga and other root vegetables. Try roasting chunks of rutabaga with a drizzle of olive oil, or boil and mash them with a little milk or cream, just like potatoes . Their tough skins are easier to peel than you might think. Parsley With kale getting all the love, other dark leafy greens have been pushed aside. I'd sure like to see parsley get a little more attention. Parsley often gets dismissed as a measly garnish, but this vibrant herb is a nutrient powerhouse. Parsley is packed with vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene) and is a rich source of vitamin C, vitamin K and folate an important B vitamin. Parsley also contains beneficial flavonoids and volatile oils. Of course, you need to eat more than a sprig on the side of your plate to reap the benefits. Tabbouleh is my favorite way to eat parsley. You can use the curly or flat-leaf varieties. Just make sure that parsley dominates over the bulgur, which makes it a more authentic Lebanese dish and ensures that you get a hefty amount of the leafy green in every bite. I also like to make chimichurri sauce and salsa verde with parsley, which are great on grilled meats and fish. Millet Quinoa quickly rose to the top of the whole grain heap, which left other equally-deserving whole grains in its shadow. Millet is vying to be the next quinoa and this tiny ancient grain just might do it. Currently, millet has a bit of an image problem since it's primarily used as birdseed here in the U.S., but I think things will turn around in 2015. Millet is a protein-rich, gluten-free grain the same credentials that skyrocketed quinoa to fame. Yet millet may have an advantage over quinoa because it doesn't need to be grown overseas. There have been numerous challenges with the growing global demand for quinoa, which is primarily grown in the Andean mountains of Bolivia and Peru. Millet can be grown just about anywhere, and it seems American farmers are making a go of it. Millet also has a significantly lower water footprint than other grains, which offers environmental advantages and frees farmers the expense of irrigation. Try making a couscous with millet, or enjoy as a porridge-like hot cereal for breakfast. Onions Known more for making you cry when you cut them or giving you bad breath when you eat them, onions actually have a lot to boast about. We tend to underestimate all white vegetables thinking that pale produce can't be as valuable as deeply hued varieties. That's not necessarily true. Onions, like garlic, belong to the Allium family. Both bulbs are rich in sulfur-containing compounds that are responsible for their distinctive odors and for many of their health benefits. Onions are especially high in quercetin one of the most well-studied flavonoids believed to protect against heart disease , stroke and certain types of cancer. Population-based studies have found that people who consume a lot of onions and other Allium vegetables have lower risks of stomach, colon and prostate cancer. Onions are also rich in fructans a type of carbohydrate that acts as a prebiotic, helping to fuel beneficial bacteria in our digestive tract . Sesame seeds Chia seeds and flaxseeds are the new kids on the block, stealing all the thunder, but I happen to like one of the oldest seeds known to man: sesame seeds. Thought to be the oldest condiment on the planet, sesame seeds are packed with healthy fats , protein, fiber, calcium and other minerals. You can find sesame seeds in a range of colors, including white, black, red and yellow. Try adding it to salads, vegetables, Asian stir-fry and noodle dishes, homemade energy bars, and baked goods for a nutty taste and delicate crunch. I also like to use sesame seeds as a coating for salmon and other fish fillets. Sesame seeds are the main ingredient in tahini, which is a staple at our house. Add a jar of this sesame seed paste to your shopping cart to make your own hummus. Tahini is also great for making salad dressing s and sauces. Dates There are lots of modern-day superfruits bragging about antioxidants, but I like an old-fashioned date. Dates are among the most ancient of fruits, but they've fallen out of favor in recent years. I predict dates will soon be enjoying a resurgence. These sweet, dense fruits are loaded with both soluble and insoluble fiber, and they're packed with potassium 50 percent more than a banana. While they certainly contain more calories than most fruits, dates can be a satisfying snack or dessert. I also like all of the new date products on the market now including the pitted bits for baking and the individual snack packs. While you're at it, check out these other foods that are poised to break through in 2015: cauliflower, peas, radishes, seaweed, labneh, savory yogurts, kimchee and matcha. Copyright 2014 U.S. News & World Report | 7 | 2,133 | health |
Notable injuries across the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang suffered a concussion on March 28 when a check by Arizona's Shane Doan sent him flying backward into the boards. He isn't likely to return to the playoffs, according to reports out of Pittsburgh. Detroit Red Wings right wing Erik Cole will miss the final regular-season games and the playoffs with a spinal contusion. Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan suffered a lower-body injury on April 7 and is day-to-day. Montreal Canadiens left wing Max Pacioretty left an April 5 game after hitting his head on the boards. He will miss the team's final regular-season games but could be back in the playoffs. New York Islanders forward Frans Nielsen sat out an April 7 game with an undisclosed injury. Detroit Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader is day-to-day with a hand injury. Chicago Blackhawks center Brad Richards (upper body) will miss the final three games of the regular season but should be back for the playoffs. Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mike Weber will have season-ending surgery to repair a lower-body injury. St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (front) and left wing Alexander Steen (right) are out with lower-body injuries but have resumed skating. Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson, hit in the head by a puck on April 5, is being evaluated for a concussion. Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Christian Ehrhoff, who crashed into the boards on March 24, won't play on April 7 because of a head injury. Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (left) is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury. Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) is out three months after surgery for a broken clavicle. He was hurt on a cross-check from Alex Petrovic. He has resumed skating and taking shots. The Columbus Blue Jackets announced on March 30 that recently acquired right wing Rene Bourque is done for the season with a stress fracture in his back. Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Jason Garrison left the ice with an upper-body injury on March 28 after being boarded by Detroit's Justin Abdelkader. He's out three to four weeks. Florida Panthers center Nick Bjugstad had back surgery on March 27 and will miss the rest of the season. Philadelphia Flyers winger Wayne Simmonds, hit by a teammate's shot, is out of the rest of the season. Boston Bruins defenseman Dougie Hamilton is out indefinitely with an upper-body injury, the team said March 24. He was resumed skating. Pittsburgh Penguins Pascal Dupuis, who has a blood clot in his lung, has been declared out for the season, but is expected to be good to return next season. Philadelphia Flyers left wing R.J. Umberger will have surgery on his right hip and abdomen. He'll miss 10 weeks, ending his season. New York Rangers defenseman Kevin Klein left a March 11 game after being hit in the arm by an Alex Ovechkin shot. He will miss three to four weeks. Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Braydon Coburn will miss four to six weeks with a lower-body injury. Nashville Predators left winger Eric Nystrom will miss four weeks with a lower body injury. Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) will miss six to eight weeks with a broken foot. Columbus Blue Jackets forward David Clarkson will miss four to six weeks with a torn oblique muscle, the team announced March 4. Florida Panthers goalie Al Montoya suffered a groin injury March 3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He will miss at least two weeks. The Anaheim Ducks announced March 4 that forward Tim Jackman would miss four to six weeks with a lower-body injury. Ottawa Senators goalie Robin Lehner is out with concussion after a collision in the crease with teammate Clarke MacArthur. MacArthur, who also suffered a concussion on the play, has returned. Edmonton Oilers goalie Viktor Fasth hurt his knee trying to stop Blake Wheeler's shootout attempt. Arizona Coyotes center Martin Hanzal will have back surgery and is likely done for the season. Minnesota Wild forward Jason Zucker will have surgery for a broken clavicle and will be out for three months. Winnipeg Jets forward Evander Kane had shoulder surgery on Feb. 7 and will be out four to six months. He was later traded to the Buffalo Sabres. The Minnesota Wild announced on Feb. 6 that left wing Matt Cooke, right, had sports hernia surgery and will miss five to six weeks. He has resumed practicing. Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (bottom) had knee surgery on Jan. 26 and is out three to eight weeks. Arizona Coyotes left wing Mikkel Boedker had his spleen removed Jan. 18 and will be out for four to six weeks. Buffalo Sabres center Cody McCormick, left, who was hospitalized on Jan. 11 with a blood clot in his left leg, is likely done for the season, coach Ted Nolan told reporters on Jan. 18. Los Angeles Kings left wing Tanner Pearson suffered a broken left fibula during a Jan. 10 game against the Winnipeg Jets. He had surgery and will miss three months. Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzen (concussion) went on the injured list on Jan. 8, two days after he was hurt in a game against the Edmonton Oilers. Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas, hurt in a Dec. 29 game while with the Lightning, had arthroscopic knee surgery on Jan. 6. He will miss the rest of the regular season. Edmonton Oilers right wing Tyler Pitlick is out with a lacerated spleen. Wild defenseman Keith Ballard is out indefinitely because of facial fractures and a concussion. He was hit by Islanders forward Matt Martin on Dec. 9. He said on Jan. 5 that he's still having concussion symptoms and might consider retirement. New Jersey Devils captain Bryce Salvador is dealing with a lower-body injury. New Jersey Devils forward Ryane Clowe has been put on injured reserve with a concussion, retroactive to Nov. 6. Washington Capitals defenseman John Erskine, who was injured during the preseason, had surgery to repair a disk in his neck. Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Nathan Horton, who missed much of last season with injuries, has a back issue. He has been traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. | 1 | 2,134 | sports |
The Volvo S60 sedan is getting a little more rough-and-tumble. On the heels of the V60 Cross Country wagon at the 2014 Los Angeles auto show , the 2016 Volvo S60 Cross Country makes its public debut at the 2015 Detroit auto show. Volvo says the new model imbues its sedan with the virtues and capabilities of a crossover; while high-riding, toughened wagons are common (the Subaru XV Crosstrek, Audi Allroad, and similar), a soft-roading sedan is an unusual idea. Still, Subaru once offered a Legacy Outback sedan, so it's not without precedent. As with the V60 , the 2016 Volvo S60 Cross Country is slightly modified from the regular sedan to better cope with mild off-roading. Its suspension is raised 2.5 inches compared to the standard sedan, and plastic cladding protects the car's fenders. The available 18- and 19-inch wheels come with high-profile tires to better cope with rugged use, and in the U.S. the S60 Cross Country will be offered only with all-wheel drive. "The S60 Cross Country is the sole contender in the crossover sedan segment," Volvo senior vice president for sales and marketing Alain Visser said in a statement. "We have identified a clear niche in the market for a more capable sedan with rugged styling cues and a higher stance." When it goes on sale in the U.S. this summer, the 2016 Volvo S60 Cross Country will initially be offered with the sedan's 250-hp, 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five T5 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. Later on in the vehicle's life, we expect it to also offer the 2.0-liter turbo-four T5 Drive-E engine and eight-speed automatic that return up 25/37 mpg (city/highway) in the regular S60 sedan, as well as either Volvo's T6 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six or the new T6 Drive-E twincharged 2.0-liter inline-four. Pricing and other details on the 2016 Volvo S60 Cross Country will be announced closer to the time it goes on sale alongside the V60 Cross Country this summer. The cheapest all-wheel-drive S60 sedan currently on sale, the 2015 S60 T5 AWD, starts at $36,175 with destination. Source: Volvo | 9 | 2,135 | autos |
Wearables aren't just for your wrist or your waistband, they're also for your dog's collar. Jen Markham (@jenmarkham) has a rundown of gadgets for pets showcased at this year's Consumer Electronics Show. | 8 | 2,136 | video |
Maria Sharapova: 2002 and 2015 Anna Kournikova: 1992 and 2011 Phil Mickelson: 1993 and 2014 Danica Patrick: 2005 and 2014 Alex Rodriguez: 1993 and 2014 Diego Maradona: 1979 and 2014 Barry Bonds: 1998 and 2014 Pete Carroll: 1994 and 2014 Lou Holtz: 1988 and 2013 Rick Pitino: 1983 and 2015 LeBron James: 2002 and 2014 David Beckham: 1993 and 2014 Serena Williams: 1998 and 2015 Tom Brady: 1999 and 2014 Shaquille O'Neal: 1989 and 2014 Roger Federer: 2000 and 2015 Tiger Woods: 1990 and 2014 Floyd Mayweather, Jr. : 1990 and 2014 Amar'e Stoudemire: 2002 and 2014 Clint Dempsey: 2004 and 2014 Andre Agassi: 1988 and 2014 Ana Ivanovic: 2005 and 2014 Cristiano Ronaldo: 2003 and 2015 Lleyton Hewitt: 1998 and 2015 Venus Williams: 1996 and 2015 Aaron Rodgers: 2003 and 2014 Clayton Kershaw: 2007 and 2014 Xabi Alonso: 2004 and 2014 Landon Donovan: 2000 and 2014 Dwight Howard: 2004 and 2015 David Ortiz: 1998 and 2014 Rafael Nadal: 2003 and 2015 Lionel Messi: 2005 and 2014 Kobe Bryant: 1996 and 2014 Arturo Vidal: 2006 and 2014 Mezut Ozil: 2006 and 2014 Tim Tebow: 2006 and 2013 Peyton Manning: 1996 and 2014 Zack Greinke: 2004 and 2014 Tim Duncan: 1994 and 2014 Gael Monfils: 2005 and 2014 Ryan Lochte: 2006 and 2014 Arjen Robben: 2002 and 2014 Vince Carter: 1999 and 2015 Fernando Alonso: 2001 and 2014 Kevin Pietersen: 2002 and 2015 Daniele De Rossi: 2004 and 2014 Sergio Ramos: 2004 and 2015 Bethanie Mattek-Sands: 2003 and 2014 Cesc Fabregas: 2004 and 2015 Andrea Pirlo: 1998 and 2014 Mahendra Singh Dhoni: 2005 and 2014 Lasith Malinga: 2004 and 2014 Michael Clarke: 2003 and 2014 Fernando Verdasco: 2004 and 2015 Feliciano Lopez: 2002 and 2015 Tony Parker: 2001 and 2014 Marc Gasol: 2006 and 2015 Ernie Els: 1994 and 2014 Virat Kohli: 2008 and 2014 | 1 | 2,137 | sports |
The key to a happy marriage may be having a spouse who's also your best friend, according to a new study on marital satisfaction released by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Married people tend to be healthier , more social, and happier overall, and researchers have long sought an answer as to why this is the case. Is it because marriage itself leads to increased well-being, or simply because happy people are more likely to get married? Controlling for pre-marital happiness, the study concluded that marriage does lead to increased well-being and it does so much more for those who have a close friendship with their spouses. Friendship, the paper found, is a key mechanism which could help explain the causal relationship between marriage and life satisfaction. The study found that those who consider their spouse or partner to be their best friend get about twice as much life satisfaction from marriage as others. Additionally, the study found that those with the most difficult lives or middle-aged people, which is when most experience a dip in personal well-being can benefit the most from getting married or living with a romantic partner. This is because partners can provide each other with a unique kind of social support and help each other overcome some of life's biggest challenges. Finding support in long-term relationships, then, may be the key to achieving lasting happiness. This is not necessarily true, however, for marriages in Latin America, the Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa, where the study found that marriage actually leads to a decline in happiness. Despite the benefits of marriage found in the US, Americans are getting hitched less often than they once did . As life expectancy rises and women become more financially independent, young people in the US are putting off marriage more than ever before. In 2005, 90% more single-person households existed than in 1970, according to the US Census Bureau. We first read about the study in The New York Times . | 4 | 2,138 | lifestyle |
Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning discuss the upcoming AFC Divisional playoff matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos. To see more Colts videos download the Colts DeskSite. | 1 | 2,139 | sports |
Along with the GAC Motor GS4 SUV coming to the 2015 Detroit auto show, the Chinese automaker also mentioned it was bringing a pair of plug-in electric hybrids. Now, Guangzhou has revealed some details of the GAC Motor WitStar PHEV SUV. Guangzhou calls the GAC Motor WitStar PHEV SUV an unmanned concept car due to its host of autonomous driving technology. Based on the automaker's B-class passenger vehicle platform, the WitStar is powered by a gasoline engine and electric motor, though no specific details about the engine, transmission, electric motor, or batteries were revealed. The automaker, however, said the PHEV SUV has an all-electric range of more than 62 miles and an overall range of more than 370 miles and can achieve up to 117 mpg (2 liters of fuel to drive 100 km on the NEDC cycle). Acceleration from 0-31 mph (0-50 km/h) is said to be "within 4.5 seconds," while top speed is about 99 mph (160 km/h). Guangzhou boasts that the WitStar is also able to climb grades steeper than 32 percent. Guangzhou says the WitStar is loaded with autonomous driving tech based around laser radar, millimeter wave radar, a high-speed CCD camera, infrared camera, and GPS. Information from the sensors, cameras, and GPS system are used to develop a real-time 3D map around the vehicle and control vehicle functions such as acceleration, steering, and braking. Styling of the GAC Motor WitStar seems to be a mishmash of several vehicles. Some staffers saw the Nissan Cube or Kia Soul in the front grille and headlights, while others saw a Mitsubishi Outlander front end with cues from the Range Rover. As for the concept's large, upright front bumper with vertical side intakes, we can safely say we've never seen anything quite like it. Another prominent feature is the set of double-wide gull-wing doors, which combine with the front end to make the WitStar look some kind of winged beast. GAC Motor also shared an image of the previously mentioned GA6 GT PHEV sedan concept, though the automaker didn't provide any details about the vehicle. GAC Motor will publicly debut all three of its show cars at its Detroit auto show press conference on Monday, January 12. Source: GAC Motor | 9 | 2,140 | autos |
12 Ways to Eat Clean All Year Long If you're into good health and a fit physique, chances are you are already making an effort to eat clean. But with temptations all around us, it's not always easy to stay the course. Luckily, eating well doesn't have to mean suffering through bland meals and the same old boring entrées day after day. These 12 clean-eating foods aren't just good for your body. They're also packed with flavor and variety so you can enjoy what you're having on a daily basis. "Clean eating is about engaging in a diet rich in nonprocessed foods things that come from the earth," says Manhattan-based nutritionist Sharon Richter, R.D. "Think fruits, vegetables, and lean protein sources, like fish." If you haven't already, add these dozen delicious foods to your diet starting today. 12 Ways to Eat Clean All Year Long DARK GREEN VEGETABLES These healthy finger foods are a powerful source of cardiovascular-boosting folate and also very low in carbs (four spears of asparagus contain only 2.5 grams). So, whether it's raw broccoli, asparagus, or baked kale chips, these slimming snacks have the satisfying bonus of crunch. 12 Ways to Eat Clean All Year Long SHELLFISH The sea offers up endless varieties of flavorful combinations. Enjoy shrimp cocktail, raw oysters, and clams with a spritz of lemon for a super-low-fat, no-carb protein meal, with an added boost of zinc, vitamin B, and vitmain D. 12 Ways to Eat Clean All Year Long CINNAMON Not only does this spice conjure up images of warm kitchens and yummy baked goods, it also happens to be incredibly good for you. A natural bacteria fighter and memory booster, cinnamon is also a great flavor enhancer on treats like baked apples, Richter says. One teaspoon has only two grams of carbs and six calories. 12 Ways to Eat Clean All Year Long POMEGRANATE Pomegranates are a potent source of antioxidants, kicking bad cholesterol, jacked-up blood pressure, and carcinogens to the curb. A half cup of seeds has 16 grams of carbohydrates, but it's also got three healthy grams of fiber and 15% of your daily dose of vitamin C. Enjoy pomegranates sprinkled on a salad, livening up some whole grains, or decorating a lean protein. 12 Ways to Eat Clean All Year Long MATCHA It's easy to be tempted by a high-calorie, cream-laden latte, but one grande Starbuck's peppermint white-chocolate mocha has 410 calories and 12 grams of fat. Instead, opt for matcha. This powdered, whole-leaf green tea has zero carbs and is loaded with antioxidants that boost energy and improve brain function. 12 Ways to Eat Clean All Year Long DARK CHOCOLATE It's kind of hard to believe something that tastes so decadent could be good for cardiovascular health not to mention help fight premature aging and cancer. But it's true: A one-ounce square is only a 13-gram carbohydrate indulgence. 12 Ways to Eat Clean All Year Long TOMATOES Condiments are a big no-no when trying to eat clean, so instead of reaching for corn-syrup laden ketchup or sodium-packed salsa, go for chopped tomatoes with slivered fresh basil for minimal carbs and plenty of vitamin C. 12 Ways to Eat Clean All Year Long ROASTED GARLIC Aromatically irresistible and delicious as a spread on whole-grain toast points, garlic is also a powerful antioxidant and immune-boosting power food that increases blood flow and lowers cholesterol. That's not all: One clove of roasted garlic has only one gram of carbs. 12 Ways to Eat Clean All Year Long CITRUS Abundant throughout the country, citrus fruits are versatile, colorful, immune-boosting beverage companions. Yes, fruit does have carbs that six-ounce glass of orange juice has 18 grams per ounce but it's accompanied by a whopping 150% serving of your daily requirement of vitamin C. 12 Ways to Eat Clean All Year Long LEAN MEATS Opt for lean, baked turkey or chicken breast for your main course and you can have a clean, protein-packed meal with half the fat of beef. Bonus: A three-ounce serving is a low-carb treat with nearly 20 grams of protein. 12 Ways to Eat Clean All Year Long WHOLE GRAINS Refined grains have their healthy bran and germ stripped away, so all their good-for-you properties are lost in the process, too. Whole-grain crackers, bread, pita, popcorn, and brown rice, on the other hand, are great sources of munchable complex carbohydrates (a one-ounce serving of whole-wheat crackers has about 19 grams of carbs, and the carb content of one cup of air-popped popcorn is only six grams)with loads of magnesium, selenium, and fiber. They're also low in fat but big on texture and flavor. 12 Ways to Eat Clean All Year Long SALMON The next time you eat out, feel free to order up the salmon entrée. You'll not only get a healthy shot of omega-3 fatty acids but also a jolt of B3s and 12s to boot, says Richter. Just make sure you look for wild-sourced versions, as they tend to be healthier than farmed fish. | 7 | 2,141 | health |
Subaru is recalling almost 200,000 vehicles in the U.S. because the brake lines on certain models may rust. The recall is expected to begin later this month. The Problem: On certain Impreza , WRX, STI, and Forester models, corrosion may occur when salt water splashes on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector. This corrosion may cause brake fluid to leak, and drivers may have a harder time stopping or slowing their vehicles. Cars in "salt belt" states, where salt is used to clear roads of ice in the winter, are vulnerable to the problem. Subaru recalled about 660,000 vehicles for the same issue several months ago, but the automaker deemed the recall "inadequate" because dealers weren't given proper instructions to repair the vehicles. The Fix: Subaru will notify owners and will repair the brake line system free of charge at dealerships. An anti-corrosion wax on the four-way joint connecter area of the brake line should fix the problem. The recall is scheduled to begin January 26. Number of Vehicles Potentially Affected: The recall involves model-year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester models. This comes out to a total of 198,900 vehicles. The recall applies specifically to vehicles currently or previously registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Vehicles that have never been registered in these states are also eligible for the repair at the owner's request. Source: NHTSA | 9 | 2,142 | autos |
CNBC's Jim Cramer says there are still opportunities in the retail sector and shares his thoughts on Shake Shack's IPO. | 3 | 2,143 | finance |
Winner of the 1984 Heisman Trophy Doug Flutie joins us to break down the College Football Playoff National Championship. What are the keys to this matchup? | 1 | 2,144 | sports |
Nordic countries do everything better, as Americans commonly note. Denmark , Finland , Iceland , Norway , and Sweden have better pop music , better prisons , better schools , better working conditions for women , better healthcare , and so on ; who's to say a Nordic diet wouldn't be better, too? Now multiple research studies suggest that a Nordic diet may indeed be one of the world's healthiest. We're not talking about subsisting on stereotypical Scandinavian fare liked reindeer meatballs and Wasa crackers , and it won't be necessary to do any grocery shopping at Ikea . This is the New Nordic Diet, which actually isn't so new anymore. It was created in 2004 by a cohort of Danish chefs and nutritionists , and built on concepts that are all-too-familiar now, including local, seasonal, simple, rustic, and fresh. It's a wonder it hasn't been evangelized by Gwyneth Paltrow yet, though perhaps appearing in Vogue's most recent print issue is tantamount to the same thing. The diet, which comes with a 10-point manifesto , is not so different from the Mediterranean diet in the sense that it promotes moderate consumption of fat, protein, and antioxidant-packed ingredients. What olive oil, nuts, beans, and sardines are to the Mediterranean, canola oil, berries, root vegetables, and cod are to Scandinavia. It's predominantly plant-based, though fish are considered an essential component, and no meat is off limits as long as it's organic/free-range/caught in the wild and is eaten sparingly. Root vegetables are a staple, and that includes white potatoes. Seaweed, snails, and all edible marine things are on the table, so to speak. All orchard fruits are included. Olives, tomatoes, and cucumbers aren't mentioned but that's just because those things don't grow in Scandinavia, not because they're "bad." If tomatoes or olives exist in a wild landscape near you, then eat them! The epitome of New Nordic cuisine is represented at Noma , the Copenhagen restaurant where co-founders Claus Meyer and René Redzepi serve sheep's-milk mousse, potato chips dusted with dried seaweed, and other modern twists on hunted-and-gathered food . Covering the emergence of this type of cuisine in 2011, the New York Times noted Redzepi prefers the term "authentic cuisine" over "new Nordic" to describe the style, which "seeks to turn the culinary dial back toward the natural world." Dishes are frequently served on shells, beds of hay, twigs, and juniper branches. It's all about terroir , in a way, but it "can be taken up by any chef anywhere." It also can be taken up by the rest of us, apparently to the benefit of one's health. In 2013, the Journal of Internal Medicine published a study linking the diet to better cholesterol and lower inflammation in subjects with metabolic syndrome. In 2014, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published another that concluded a diet based on the New Nordic principles " produces weight loss and blood pressure reduction in centrally obese individuals." That study was conducted in Denmark, and all subjects both those on the Nordic diet and the control group subjects, who followed an "average Danish diet" were allowed to eat as much as they wanted and could deviate from the prescribed plan occasionally, though all food intake was monitored . In the end, those who had generally followed the Nordic diet had eaten fewer calories each day over a six-month period. Danish researchers say that converting from an average Danish diet to the New Nordic diet will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, too. And just this week, the University of Eastern Finland came out with more evidence that a healthy Nordic diet might reduce the type of fatty tissue inflammation that's associated with being overweight. | 7 | 2,145 | health |
Charles Barkley discusses why he has no respect for the NCAA and what he would do if an Auburn booster asked for money to recruit a player. Don't miss the full interview with Seth Davis only on CampusInsiders.com. | 1 | 2,146 | sports |
The St. Louis Cardinals are looking to make a big free agent move as they target David Price, Max Scherzer, and Cole Hamels. How dominate would another arm in the rotation make the Cards? | 1 | 2,147 | sports |
Hero aids bicyclists after accident | 5 | 2,148 | news |
Looking for a side job? If you're determined to earn more in 2015, now's the time to look for sources of income outside of your 9-to-5 gig. You'll be in good company: The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nearly 5 percent of working adults in the United States hold more than one job, and half of this group works both part-time and full-time. Many more adults likely have second sources of income but are paid in cash, making the data hard to track. If you're drawing a blank on how to earn some extra greenbacks on the side, click ahead for 10 suggestions to jumpstart your thinking and doing. 1. SELL YOUR STUFF Garage sales, Craigslist, eBay, and buy/sell/trade groups are all practical and productive platforms for selling the stuff you don't use anymore. If the item isn't serving its purpose in your home, why hold on to it? Free yourself of clutter while putting extra cash in your wallet. 2. PICK UP A CONSULTANT JOB SELLING PRODUCTS There are many products you can sell to earn side cash. Mary Kay (personal and beauty care), Jamberry (nail art), and Thirty-One (wallets, totes, purses) are examples of companies that sell merchandise directly to consumers through independent consultants. Find a product you love and can stand behind, learn the ropes, and start selling. 3. MOW LAWNS Sure, mowing the lawn may seem like a chore for the high school kid down the street, but plenty of people need help with their lawns and yards. Offer up your services and if you feel capable, tack on weeding, planting, trimming trees, raking leaves, and spreading mulch. Whatever you can do for a fee, let your neighbors know. 4. WRAP PRESENTS Do you pride yourself on wrapping beautiful packages? Offer to help friends and family with their holiday/birthday/anniversary gift-wrapping chores. This definitely is not everyone's favorite task, and you're bound to get some takers. 5. TEACH If you have a passion, share your knowledge with others. Teach music, cooking, woodworking. Tutor local students in math, English composition, your native language. Earn a certificate to become a yoga or fitness instructor. These types of classes can fit around a full-time work schedule because many like-minded individuals have daytime obligations. 6. EDIT/WRITE/DESIGN In this Internet era, anyone with a way with words or a background in writing or editing can turn this skill to income-generating advantage. Writing and editing projects usually can be completed from the comfort of home, at any time of day or night. Depending on the company, the payout can be handsome. Ditto for graphic design. 7. CLEAN OR ORGANIZE HOUSES/ROOMS If you happen to be super organized and obsessive about cleanliness, one or both of these traits easily translates into side income. You probably won't have to do much advertising or searching for this type of work, either. Offer to help out a friend or two, mention your specialty on Facebook, and word of mouth is likely to net you a few jobs and a fistful of dollars. 8. SHOP FOR OTHERS It's probably a safe bet that there are loads of people who need a little help here and there. Parents with small children know that running errands is miserable with the kids in tow and some would gladly pay a small fee for you to take on this chore. Same goes for the senior set -- especially when the weather is bad or sickness hits. Post a notice on your favorite social media, in your local community center, and at church to let others know you're available. 9. DRIVE PEOPLE These days you don't need to sign on with a taxi service to earn money driving people around. Companies like Uber make it really easy to earn some cash on the side. All you need to sign up as a driver is a four-door car, a valid driver's license, car insurance, and a clean driving record. (Check local ordinances to make sure this is legal.) 10. BABYSIT/PETSIT/HOUSESIT Are you fond of babies or pets or plants? Consider watching out for these beloved family members in your spare time and take home extra cash. Babysitting used to be reserved for teenagers, but companies like Care.com can help you find such opportunities at any age. | 3 | 2,149 | finance |
Jan. 8 -- Wood Mackenzie Integrated Energy Vice President Skip York discusses the price of oil "Bloomberg Surveillance." (Source: Bloomberg) | 3 | 2,150 | finance |
Zach Johnson looks to defend his Hyundai Tournament of Champions title. Jessica Marksbury lets us know what Johnson's chances are against this field. | 1 | 2,151 | sports |
Jim Cramer discusses his big theme for markets today. | 3 | 2,152 | finance |
Celebrities couples with big age difference Comedian and writer Stephen Fry (57) has announced his marriage plans with Elliott Spencer (27). Here's a look at other celebrity couples with a big age gap... Sam Levinson and Ellen Barkin Actor-director Sam Levinson dated actress Ellen Barkin from 2008-2011. They have an age difference of 31 years. Aaron and Sam Taylor-Johnson English actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson met Sam Taylor-Johnson on the sets of Nowhere Boy (2009). They have been together since, despite the 23-year age difference. Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore with 16 years of age gap were together for a decade before calling it quits. Susan Sarandon and Jonathan Bricklin Following her split from Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon confirmed dating Jonathan Bricklin, who is 30 younger than her. Ben Foster and Robin Wright Together since early 2012, Ben Foster got engaged to House of Cards star Robin Wright who is almost 15 years older. The couple however called it off in November 2014. Naveen Andrews and Barbara Hershey Lost star Naveen Andrews was in a relationship with actress Barbara Hershey for a decade. They have an age difference of 21 years between them. John Travolta and Diana Hyland John Travolta was in a relationship with Diana Hyland until her death in 1977. Travolta is 18 years her junior. Jeff Goldblum and Emilie Livingston In November, actor Jeff Goldblum said "I do" to gymnast Emilie Livingston, who is 30 years younger to him. The marriage ceremony was attended by family and friends in Chateau Marmont, Los Angeles. Johnny Depp and Amber Heard Actor Johnny Depp got engaged to actress Amber Heard in March 2014. The duo has an age gap of 23 years. Annette Bening and Warren Beatty The duo met on the sets of Bugsy in 1991, when he was 54 and she 33. The 21-year age gap didn't come in their way of their happiness and the duo are going strong. Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart began dating in 2002. The couple, who are 23 years apart, got married in 2010. Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones Exactly 25 years apart, Oscar winners Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas have had their share of rough years in marriage. However, the couple continues to be together despite all odds. Stephen Fry and Elliott Spencer Comedian and writer Stephen Fry is set to marry his partner Elliott Spencer, who is 30 years younger. This news was made public on January 6, 2015, roughly a year after the pair started their relationship. Bradley Cooper and Suki Waterhouse Bradley Cooper and Suki Waterhouse are a happy duo despite the 17-year age gap. Mary Kate Olsen and Oliver Sarkozy Although 17 years apart in age, Mary Kate Olsen found love in Oliver Sarkozy (second from right), the half brother of former French president Nicolas Sarkozy. Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Thomas The actor married his yoga instructor Hilaria, who is 26 years younger, in 2012. The couple gave birth to a daughter last year. Donald Trump and Melania Knauss At the time of his third marriage to model Melania Knauss, the businessman was 58 years old. The duo have an age gap of 17 years. Celine Dion and Rene Angelil Celine met Rene for the first time when she was a kid. Little did she know that Rene, 26 years older, would be her manager and husband. The Canadian singers got married in 1994. Bennett Miller and Ashley Olsen The Moneyball director Bennett Miller is almost two decades older than actress Ashley Olsen. They started seeing each other in 2014. Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and Arrested Development actress Portia de Rossi are 15 years apart. | 6 | 2,153 | entertainment |
The Milwaukee Bucks will sign veteran power forward Kenyon Martin to a 10-year contract, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein . Martin could be with the team as soon as Thursday, after it committed to signing him, ESPN reports. When he does arrive, Martin will play for his former teammate Jason Kidd, who is now a first-year coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. MORE: Barkley on MJ friendship | Grizzlies want trade for Deng, Green | NBA mock draft Martin will provide toughness and experience for a young team that could use a dose of both. How long he will stick around remains unclear, however. Martin can sign two 10-day contracts before a team must commit to keep him for the remainder of the season. Previously, Martin signed two 10-day deals with the New York Knicks last season and was kept through the end of the year. Martin is a former No. 1 pick and All Star who can try to fill a void left in the middle by the absence of big man Larry Sanders. For his career, which spans 14 seasons, Martin averages 12.5 points and 6.9 rebounds. | 1 | 2,154 | sports |
Some industries can never seem to catch a break When it comes to making customers happy, some industries cable TV, anyone? can never seem to catch a break. The least popular industries in America are those we can seldom afford to avoid. But some industries do better than others, according to the University of Michigan's American Consumer Satisfaction Index . TV and video player manufacturers (86) and credit unions (85) are the top two favorites of 2014 in terms of customer satisfaction, with third place shared by automobile manufacturers (82), despite several high-profile recalls, full-service restaurants (82), Internet brokers (82), personal care products (82) and soft drink companies (82). On the other hand, it's probably no surprise that the most popular products also provide the most instant gratification. People fall over each other (literally) for large-screen televisions and video players on Black Friday. Credit unions may have fewer ATMs and less sophisticated online banking services than most large financial institutions, but they typically focus on face-to-face service and low fees: They charge 70% less than national banks for checking accounts and provide higher interest rates nearly 10 times than regional banks, according to a recent survey of 2,000 checking accounts by financial website WalletHub . Click ahead for the least favorite industries for Americans. More on MarketWatch : 10 reasons to quit the U.S. for Europe Internet service providers (63) -3.1% year-over-year This service is increasingly provided by cable providers as part of a package and costs more if you just want Internet alone. Internet service providers, or ISPs, are also the first service to be blamed often rightly so when consumers suffer slow speeds and videos that repeatedly buffer. And there may be less choice in years to come. If AT&T's (T) acquisition of DirecTV (DTV) is approved by regulators and Time Warner Cable's (TWC) deal with Comcast (CMCSA) goes through, roughly half of U.S. households could end up getting their Internet access and television service from two giant companies. More on MarketWatch: What AT&T, DirecTV deal means for you Subscription TV services (65) -4.4% year-over-year Some people resent having to pay for channels that they don't watch, even if they're getting more movies and TV shows than they could watch in one lifetime. Despite having nearly 200 channels to choose from, the average American watches only 17, according to Nielsen. But that's still pretty good economies of scale for most people, according to Dan Rayburn, a principal analyst with business consulting firm Frost & Sullivan. People may grumble about paid-TV services, but they don't cut the cable cord. Less than 1% of customers have cut the cord in any one quarter, Rayburn says. More on MarketWatch: Whatever happened to the cable TV revolution? Airlines (66) Flat year-over-year Airline customers have a lot of hurdles to clear before they even step foot on a plane: They include being penalized when they want to change their flights and grappling with increasingly complex baggage fees. (After that, they must contend with shrinking legroom and having to pay for Wi-Fi and food onboard.) Perhaps we are too hard on the airlines, they're just trying to run a business. "People don't get upset with Disneyland for its profit margins," says Christopher Elliott, author of "Scammed," a book about how to avoid shady deals. That's because it's designed to make people feel happy, he says, as long as others don't skip the line. But there's still no accounting for the behavior of other passengers. As technology consultant Jeff Kagan puts it: "Flying is no longer fun." More on MarketWatch: The worst thing about flying? These people Health insurers (70) -4.1% year-over-year Insurance premiums continue to rise . And the amount that comes from out-of-pocket expenses including copays and deductibles rose 40% to $2,649 per person on average in 2014 from last year, according to a report by professional services firm Towers Watson. That said, roughly 10 million previously uninsured people now have insurance post-Obamacare. And health-care reform in Massachusetts which has many similarities with Obamacare has helped cut debt and reduce the number of bankruptcies in that state, according to a 2014 study by economists at the Federal Reserve of Chicago and the University of Notre Dame. Social networks (71) +4.4% year-over-year Many people who use social networks like Twitter and Facebook appear to resent their data being used for advertising, even if the service is free. "While social sites and search engines have been accumulating an avalanche of user data for a decade or more, it's only become an issue for users in the past few years as it receives greater attention," says John Bonini, content marketing manager of Impact Branding & Design in Wallingford, Conn. In December 2013, hackers even leaked online account names and partial phone numbers of 4.6 million user of Snapchat, a service that sends messages designed to disappear after being viewed. U.S. Postal Service (72) -6.5% year-over-year The holiday season aside, the U.S. Postal Service is going out of fashion as people use texts and emails to keep up with friends, and even send birthday greetings over Facebook. It posted a $1.96 billion loss in the year ending June 30 and increasingly relies on its package-delivery service. Last September , the U.S. Postal Service was given the go-ahead by regulators to cut the prices on some Priority Mail packages by nearly 60%, impacting around 50,000 parcels a year. More on MarketWatch: 7 things you shouldn't have delivered to your home Wireless companies (72) +2.6% year-over-year People feel powerless when they get spotty cellphone service and dropped calls, says technology consultant Kagan, but both Verizon Wireless VZ, -0.60%, a subsidiary of Verizon, and AT&T T, +0.90% customer service provide troubleshooting tips and ask consumers to report them. Verizon had a wireless market share of around 44% in the third quarter of 2014, according to financial services firm Cowen & Co., while AT&T had a 39% market share, followed by Sprint, T-Mobile and regional cellphone companies. This has given the biggest cellphone companies the clout to phase out unlimited data plans. More on MarketWatch: 6 unlimited offers that aren't actually unlimited Fixed-line telephone companies (73) -1.4% year-over-year More than half of American homes no longer have a landline, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bringing usage back to levels not seen since World War II. "People say the land line telephone is going away, being replaced by wireless," Kagan says. "But that's not entirely true." It's being replaced by cables that will carry everything including fixed-line phone calls, television, and Internet, he adds. What's more, people may (understandably) bristle while reading their landline bills when they can talk to friends overseas on FaceTime and Skype for free via cellphone or the Internet. More on MarketWatch: 5 phone calls you still need to make Online news and opinion (74) +1.4% year-over-year Consumers often have a love/hate relationship with online news sites, which either delight them or clog their online news feeds, Bonini says. Some readers may like one site, but hate a particular columnist, while other sites have fans that love everything they publish, as they are split along ideological and political lines, targeting conservatives or liberals. "People hate the news sites that represent a varying opinion or political stance than their own," Bonini adds. One site's niche target audience is another's bias, he says. Indeed, recent studies have shown that news, books, musicians and even movies are favored by either Democrats or Republicans. More on MarketWatch: Facebook's 'like' button separates Democrats from Republicans Investor-owned utilities (75) -2.6% year-over-year Consumers often have little choice about where to source their electricity. Like many industries on the American Consumer Satisfaction Index list, utilities are highly concentrated, which can mean low competition on price, as well as little pressure to innovate and respond to consumer demand, says Aram Sinnreich, media professor at Rutgers University. U.S. retail residential electricity prices for the first half of 2014 averaged 12.3 cents per kilowatt/hour, up 3.2% year-over-year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration; that's the highest first-half annual growth since 2009. | 3 | 2,155 | finance |
Discussing today's early trading action, CNBC's Bob Pisani reports all 10 sectors in the S&P 500 are up and health care is leading the way. | 3 | 2,156 | finance |
For first-time home buyers or would-be landlords, these properties are a steal. For those living in metropolitan areas with sky-high median home values, a quality, $75,000 home in a well-known city might sound like an outlandish myth. Contrary to this assumption, this type of home does exist. Whether you are looking for an affordable starter home or seeking an investment opportunity, these $75,000 homes are sure to impress. Kansas City, MO 11722 Fremont Ave, Kansas City, MO For Sale: $70,000 This 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home has been thoroughly revitalized. Upgrades include hardwood flooring, tiled baths and fresh interior/exterior paint. See more Kansas City homes for sale. Springfield, MA 11 Crown St, Springfield, MA For Sale: $75,000 This roomy 4-bedroom, 1-bath home boasts an impressive 1,703 square feet of space. See more homes for sale in Springfield. Portland, OR 1633 N Jantzen Ave, Portland, OR For Sale: $65,000 Who says living on the water is always expensive? This quaint floating home squashes this misconception. See more homes listed in Portland . Huntsville, AL 3623 Jonquil Dr NW, Huntsville, AL For Sale: $74,900 A complete remodel throughout the home makes this 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom rancher a great buy. See more Huntsville homes for sale. Phoenix, AZ 19820 N 13th Ave UNIT 233, Phoenix, AZ For Sale: $72,500 This 2-bedroom, 2-bath town home comes with access to a community pool and spa. See more homes for sale in Phoenix . Columbia, SC 2305 Ramsgate Dr, Columbia, SC For Sale: $75,000 Situated on a 0.35-acre lot, this 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offers ample yard space. Large windows and an open floor plan enhance this home's light and bright interior. See more homes listed in Columbia . Oklahoma City, OK 2944 NW 31st St, Oklahoma City, OK For Sale: $74,900 This 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom bungalow has received recent upgrades, including new countertops, cabinets and roofing. See more Oklahoma City homes for sale. Kent, WA 25232 105th Pl SE APT R2, Kent, WA For Sale: $65,000 This cozy, 1-bedroom, 1.5-bath condo has an open floor plan and features a master bedroom with a walk-in closet. See more homes for sale in Kent . Memphis, TN 4539 Verne Rd, Memphis, TN For Sale: $74,900 This 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom home has been updated throughout, including upgraded kitchen amenities, new hardwood flooring, fresh paint and a new roof. See more homes listed in Memphis . Des Moines, IA 1012 Carrie Ave, Des Moines, IA For Sale: $69,000 This adorable 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom bungalow boasts a stylish interior, complete with gorgeous hardwood floors and a sun-drenched kitchen. See more Des Moines homes for sale. | 3 | 2,157 | finance |
From fighting robotic dinosaurs to the latest in immersive gaming platforms, here is some of the coolest new technology from CES 2015 in Las Vegas. | 8 | 2,158 | video |
By Vincent Frank When the clock hits zero in Denver on Sunday night, only four teams will remain that have a chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy next month. Each NFL Divisional Playoff matchup brings something different to the table. Four teams that played last weekend will have to travel on the road to take on a rested opponent in a hostile environment. Of those four teams, the Baltimore Ravens are looking to continue what has been an amazing playoff run in recent seasons, while Cam Newton's Carolina Panthers are attempting to shock the football world in the Pacific Northwest. For one of the final times this season, let's check in on the top storyline for each NFL Playoff matchup this upcoming weekend. Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots: Joe Flacco's Playoff Excellence Hits the Road Joe Flacco has thrown 13 touchdowns compared to zero interceptions (116.3 rating) in his last five postseason starts (all wins). The interesting thing here is that four of those five wins have come away from home. He's now tasked going against a quarterback in Tom Brady that is 12-3 in his postseason career at home. Some may conclude that Baltimore doesn't stand much of a chance against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, but that's more simple-minded than anything else. This is the third postseason matchup between the Ravens and Patriots in four years. The teams split their previous two meetings, both coming in New England. In those two games, Flacco completed 60 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and one interception. If he performs at the level we have seen in January's of the past, Baltimore stands a good chance of going into New England and coming out on top. If not, Brady and company will once again find themselves hosting an AFC Championship game. Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks: Any Way the Carolina Hangs with the Defending Champs? Seattle is currently 11-point favorites at home against a Panthers team that finished the regular season with a losing record. The defending champs have also lost a total of two home games since Christmas Eve of 2011. Needless to say, pretty much everything is working against Cam Newton and company in this one. But how do the Panthers go into CenturyLink and make a game out of it? That's the million-dollar question right there. It has to start with a running game that is averaging nearly 200 yards per game over the Panthers' last six outings. They will have to succeed against a Seahawks run defense that has yielded less than 65 yards in five of the past six games and has given up a total of 39 points during that span. The key here is going to be to create third-and-manageable situations in order for the Panthers play-action pass to work against the Legion of Boom. If this happens, Carolina has a fighting chance to keep it close and pull off one of the biggest upsets in NFL Playoff history. Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers: Two Hottest Quarterbacks in the NFL Over the course of his past 13 regular season home starts, Aaron Rodgers has thrown 36 touchdowns compared to zero interceptions. Yes, that's ZERO interceptions in 400-plus pass attempts. On the other hand, Tony Romo and the Cowboys are playing some tremendous football. In the midst of a five-game winning streak that has seen Dallas outscore its opponents by a combined 90 points, this team isn't going to be an easy out here. The Cowboys have also won nine consecutive road games dating back to Week 16 of the 2013 season, a streak that includes what has to be considered a surprising victory against the Seahawks in Seattle back in Week 6. Over the course of those nine games, Romo has thrown 24 touchdowns compared to three interceptions. In fact, the veteran signal caller has 38 touchdowns and six interceptions on the road since the start of the 2013 campaign. It doesn't take a genius to realize what is going on here. Both Rodgers and Romo are playing some great football. And to be honest, the one who performs better on Sunday afternoon will likely advance to the NFC Championship game against either Carolina or Seattle. Indianapolis Colts at Denver Broncos: Andrew Luck Versus Peyton Manning Sunday night's playoff game will represent Manning's 24th career postseason outing. It will also represent Luck's fifth-career playoff game. In more ways than one, this is the old guard versus the new guard. Now add into account the fact that Manning will be going up against the team that he made 19 of those playoff starts for, and this takes on even more meaning. Luck has an opportunity to earn his first trip to the AFC Championship Game. Not only that, he can prove to all the fans in Indianapolis that it's clearly time to move on from the successful Manning years to a new era of Colts football. For Manning, it's one of his last chances to earn a second Super Bowl ring. While the veteran has indicated he will play next season, his future after that is questionable. | 1 | 2,159 | sports |
Foundation is a beauty product many of us wish we could forgo, but the majority of us weren't blessed with even, blemish-free skin. After all, finding the perfect one shouldn't be as difficult as finding your soulmate on Tinder. And, swiping a screen to locate an elusive love match is much more enjoyable than sifting through countless formulas that cake, crease, quickly disappear, or make your complexion dull and flat. Luckily for you, we turned to four makeup professionals to identify breathable bases that deliver the flawless coverage you covet and give tips on how to apply it. Ahead, 10 foundations that will make any BB-cream addict a convert. Don't forget to let us know your favorites in the comments. Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page! Photo: MCV Photo. Foundation is a beauty product many of us wish we could forgo, but the majority of us weren't blessed with even, blemish-free skin. After all, finding the perfect one shouldn't be as difficult as finding your soulmate on Tinder. And, swiping a screen to locate an elusive love match is much more enjoyable than sifting through countless formulas that cake, crease, quickly disappear, or make your complexion dull and flat.Luckily for you, we turned to four makeup professionals to identify breathable bases that deliver the flawless coverage you covet and give tips on how to apply it. Ahead, 10 foundations that will make any BB-cream addict a convert. Don't forget to let us know your favorites in the comments.Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page! Photo: Via Kevyn Aucoin. New-ish to the market, this luxury foundation feels like cashmere on your skin. Makeup artists Desirae Cherman and Edward Cruz both rave over it. "It's my newest obsession," said Cherman. "It's super lightweight and feels like a serum going on. And, it's formulated with anti-aging ingredients." For application, Cruz swears by dual-fiber brushes, which are easy to spot because of their black-and-white bristles. "Apply a small amount of foundation directly to your cheeks and forehead, and then buff in circular motions outward until you see a polished and natural finish." Photo: Via Perricone MD. Anti-aging, SPF 30, and weightless on the skin: This one kills it in every department. Makeup artist Andre Sarmiento tells us Perricone's cleverly named formula is for people who want to feel like they have absolutely nothing on their skin. "For me, it's mostly skin care, with just enough tint to give the complexion a healthy glow," he said. "It absorbs, and then it's like nothing was there all that's left behind is healthy-looking skin." You can keep things simple and use fingers to apply, or Sarmiento suggests a buffing brush, which diffuses lighter foundations to almost nothing. Photo: VIa Giorgio Armani. This product basically started the foundation-as-serum trend. It's pigment suspended in oil and dispensed in a dropper, which drives home the fact that it's intended to be applied with your fingertips. "It feels like you have nothing on, since it's formulated to adapt to your skin texture and tone," said Cherman. "Plus, it provides a good dose of hydration!" To boost longevity of this lightweight base, Sarmiento uses a combination of primer and setting spray to seal it in place. "I start with a long-wear primer, like Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, and apply the makeup as usual," he said. "Then, I finish by misting the Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray onto a Beautyblender and use the loaded sponge to do one last blend of the base. That way everything still feels light, but is totally locked into place." Photo: Via Shiseido. During the winter months, when our complexions tend to look more weathered, a light base that offers medium-to-full coverage can be a lifesaver. According to Cruz, this foundation provides full coverage while sheering out beautifully in areas that need less attention. The formula also comes packed with long-lasting skin-care benefits. For long-wear, Cruz swears by the Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder because it's colorless, won't cake, and can be reapplied all day without changing the look of your makeup. Photo: Via Chanel. A holy grail for beauty gurus and makeup artists alike, this soft-fluid makeup is the epitome of natural perfection. Cherman swears it's amazing when you want just a tiny bit of coverage and a gorgeous, even glow. "It's made with water-light textures, so your skin looks and feels refreshed," Cherman said. For a truly natural finish, she advises using a wet sponge to apply. This helps the foundation become one with the skin instead of just sitting on top. For those with oily skin, dust a translucent powder over your T-zone to keep shine at bay. Photo: Via L'Oréal. We love a good drugstore buy just as much as you do, and when it comes to foundation, you simply can't go wrong with a classic. Cherman loves this breathable base because it's easy to apply, lightweight, and has a ton of shade options. Makeup artist Adam Breuchaud recommends setting makeup with a finely milled, light-reflecting powder like Laura Mercier's Secret Brightening Powder. Photo: Via Yves Saint Laurent. With an endless range of shades and comfortable, long-lasting wear, it's no wonder this foundation is one of Sarmiento's favorites. Unlike most of the other options on this list, the formula dries to a luminous matte finish, which makes it the perfect choice for oily or combination skin. It also boasts true long-wear properties, even though it feels light going on. For a lightweight, controlled application, Sarmiento highly recommends using your fingertips. "Rubbing product between your hands warms and diffuses it," he said. "Plus, that way you apply the product like moisturizer, and really work it in and thin it out." Photo: Via By Terry. One of the only foundations of its kind, this innovative base makes application a one-step process. Its built-in brush dispenses the product with a simple click. Sarmiento is a huge fan because of its portability and effortless use. "It works to brighten and neutralize unevenness in skin tone," he said. "Instead of masking uneven tones, this product has pigments that cancel them out. As a result, you need very little of this light-as-air foundation." Photo: Via Bobbi Brown. Bobbi Brown herself calls this base "the ultimate nude foundation." The iconic stick makeup was made for on-the-go gals. While it provides buildable coverage, Sarmiento swears its thin texture is breathable and light. For flawless application, lightly dab where needed and blend with your fingers. With this method, you can use it both as a concealer and a foundation without it looking too heavy. Photo: Via Givenchy. This creamy fluid works wonders on imperfections while imparting a glowing visage. It's another stellar option if you're in need of optimum coverage, but still crave that no-makeup feel. "This foundation builds beautifully to a full coverage, but keeps a dewy, healthy look to the skin," said Breuchaud. To thin it out, he suggests mixing it with a dollop of your daily moisturizer. Bonus: It contains SPF 20. Like this post? There's more. Get tons of beauty tips, tutorials, and news on the Refinery29 Beauty Facebook page. Like us on Facebook we'll see you there! | 4 | 2,160 | lifestyle |
The CFP National Championship takes place on Monday between Oregon and Ohio State, but who are the players to watch for? Our guys let you know their top players in the big game. | 1 | 2,161 | sports |
Spice up your Valentine's Day by spending a weekend at one of these romantic spas. Ojai Valley Inn & Spa Where: Ojai, California Just 90 minutes northwest of Los Angeles, the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa , bordering Los Padres National Forest, is a luxury destination specializing in rest and relaxation. Romance is in the air of this modern Spanish Colonial-style complex as the glow of lanterns that dot the gardens provide a welcome warmth. Many of the 305 guestrooms and suites feature fireplaces and private verandas, perfect for a bubbly toast at sunset. Willing to customize to couple's needs, Ojai offers their signature Pink Moment Turndown service for Valentine's Day, which includes a rose petal arrangement, a bottle of rosé champagne, and chocolate-covered strawberries. Insider Tip: Lavender is the signature scent of Ojai, with blossoms throughout the grounds. Stop by the hotel's gift shop where custom Ojai lavender creams and lotions make for ideal souvenirs. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Santa Barbara and the Central Coast Travel Guide Suncadia Resort Where: Cle Elum, Washington Tucked to the east of the Cascades, and sprawling 6,400 acres, Suncadia Resort is a weekend in the country that delivers constant romantic luxury. All completed within the last decade, Suncadia's accommodations range from a classic lodge to luxury vacation homes perfect for complete serenity and privacy. The Resort's Glade Spring Spa is a marvel with its rustic wooden structure and infusion of natural rock finishes. The steam rooms, salt soaks, and picturesque hot tub are shortcuts to paradise. Opt for one of the resort's romance packages for the weekend away and they'll throw in a $100 dining credit at one of the resort's fine restaurant options. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Washington Wine Country Travel Guide Little Palm Island Resort & Spa Where: Little Torch Key, Florida Endless sea and sky await in the privacy of your own hideaway at Little Palm Island Resort & Spa , a one-of-a-kind romantic oasis. Consisting of all suites, the resort caters to guests' every need, offering amenities that can be added to any stay. Enhance the atmosphere with fun additions such as a martini bar preset in your room, beachside wine and cheese service, and Moroccan bath oils for the luxurious soaking tubs in each suite. Little Palm makes the most of its dreamy setting by offering elaborate turndown service packages that include customized champagne flutes, candlelit suites, and bottles of fine champagne, guaranteeing bliss. Their Valentine's Day special, Love, Island Style, runs the month of February with highlights including a bottle of Laurent Perrier champagne and a romantic sail across the Keys. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Florida Keys Travel Guide The Point Resort Where: Saranac Lake, New York Upstate New York's six-million-acre Adirondack Park is home to the treasured The Point Resort , a destination perfect for couples. Featuring 11 guestrooms that are individually named and outfitted, each of the luxury units feature a fireplace and ornate country finishes that provide for an ideal oasis. Saranac Lake serves as a picturesque backdrop as the local Upper Saranac Lake freezes over for ice skating, ice fishing, and curling. The Point Resort is an adults-only destination, which allows for complete quiet in the forest setting. Insider Tip: Enjoy the rustic outdoors with a cocktail, as The Point provides guests with an open bar throughout each stay. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Adirondack Travel Guide Big Cedar Lodge Where: Ridgedale, Missouri Known as a wilderness destination, Big Cedar Lodge is the ideal romantic vacation for reconnecting with nature. Dedicated to conservation and preserving its natural surroundings of the Ozark Mountains, the Lodge is designed with inspiration from the local Osage Indian Tribe. Settle into wilderness life with a private log cabin on the water, where a cozy deck, grill, and full kitchen can be put to use by a special add-on delivery basket of fresh meat and produce. The resort's romantic package includes a carriage ride around the grounds and a $50 credit for room service. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Missouri Travel Guide Hotel Viking Where: Newport, Rhode Island Stately and classic, the towering Hotel Viking estate wows as a landmark of Newport's beach town. The Gilded Age comes to life at Hotel Viking where opulent suites offer a taste of royalty. A custom romance package at the hotel offers the chance to reserve one of the specialty suites with interior designs in the style of some of Newport's most recognizable mansions. Upon arrival at the grand hotel, the romance package has champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, and truffles waiting for you. Slip into cozy robes and head down to the SpaTerre , where a $300 credit can be used on one of the custom Body Indulgences. The mood continues with a $150 credit to dinner at One Bellevue , a fine dining experience featuring New American cuisine. Insider Tip: For the best view of Newport's dazzling estates, opt for the hotel-affiliated Bird's Eye View Helicopters , where the remarkable shoreline gems can be admired from above. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Newport County and East Bay Travel Guide The Woodlands Resort Where: The Woodlands, Texas Located just 30 minutes outside of Houston, The Woodlands Resort is a 440-room complex featuring 36 holes of golf, a decadent health spa, and five swimming pools. Couples seek out the suites of The Woodlands for their modern and immaculate elegance and hint of fun. The Woodland's Enchanted Romantic Package makes for a most special Valentine's weekend retreat as alarm clocks are replaced with doorbells that deliver breakfast in bed, turndown service that includes Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries, and unlimited access to spa favorites, including the sauna, steam room, whirlpool, and Forest Oasis Waterscape , a low-key water park that features a double-helix slide and lazy river. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Houston Travel Guide Kiawah Island Golf Resort Where: Kiawah Island, South Carolina South Carolina's Kiawah Island Golf Resort , the main attraction on the island, is a sprawling, sophisticated multi-faceted resort on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Offering a refuge for rejuvenation, lodging options range from the definitive Sanctuary Hotel to the more private resort villas and premier homes. Offering a special package this Valentine's Day, all couples receive a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine accompanied with a single rose upon arrival. Dinner is included and served at The Ocean Room , the elegant on-site steakhouse. Return to your enclave to find a rose petal turndown that provides the perfect nightcap to a day of bliss. Insider Tip: Kiawah's rooms with a scenic view do not all necessarily mean "ocean view." For endless horizon views and incredible sunrises, be sure to insist on the ocean view accommodations. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Charleston Travel Guide Acqualina Resort & Spa Where: Sunny Isles Beach, Florida In between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Acqualina Resort & Spa 's Mediterranean-style, oceanfront villa provides peace and quiet for couples wanting to escape the rat race. The towering complex maintains its own pristine 400-foot beach property, complete with 98 hotel rooms and suites. Take note of the 20,000 square foot ESPA spa , where Roman waterfalls, Finnish saunas, and ice fountains make for a memorable day spent relaxing. A special Valentine's Day package welcomes couples with a bottle of champagne, an intimate beachfront dinner, and a rose petal turndown. Insider Tip: Add a little adventure to your weekend away by stopping at La Dolce Vita Beach Services on the Acqualina grounds, where kayaks are available for rent. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Florida Travel Guide The Mayflower Grace Where: Washington, Connecticut The Mayflower Grace , located two hours from New York City, is a treasured country estate that operates as a boutique luxury resort. The 30-room hotel is designed almost completely with white on white finishes, providing a clean and subtle touch of sophistication. A weekend getaway becomes an escape into a winter wonderland as a Valentine's Day snow adds yet another layer of white to the grounds. Dining at The Mayflower Grace is a romantic experience as Muse by Jonathan Cartwright offers elegant seasonal cuisine with local ingredients in a soft and inviting room. Insider Tip: Request a room close to the spa as the grounds are spacious and the chilly February air can make your quick jaunt to relaxation a cold one. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Connecticut Travel Guide | 2 | 2,162 | travel |
Dangerously cold air has sent temperatures plummeting into the single digits around the U.S., with wind chills driving them even lower. Passengers brave a temperature of minus 9 degrees F for a ride on an outdoor deck of a ferry making its way through arctic sea smoke off Portland, Maine, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015. Dangerously cold air has sent temperatures plummeting around the U.S. Snow cover and clouds from the Great Lakes to the Mid-Atlantic are seen in an image from NASA's Suomi NPP satellite taken at 02:45 EST (07:45 GMT) January 8, 2015. A dog wears a scarf and coat to battle the cold while walking with its owner on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015 in New York. A man wearing a Miami Heat winter hat braves the cold, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015 in New York. Drayson Klingensmith, 3, of Johnstown, Pa. helps his father shovel snow on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015. on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015. Dangerously cold air has sent temperatures plummeting into the single digits around the U.S., with wind chills driving them even lower. City of Atlanta Water Department workers, who asked not to be identified, work to cap a broken water pipe Thursday, Jan. 8, 2015, in Atlanta as an arctic blast of frigid weather brought the coldest temperatures in a year to Georgia. Ice builds up along North Avenue Pier in Chicago, January 7, 2015. A man walks dogs wearing winter coats in New York, January 7, 2015. Commuters try to stay warm as they wait for a train in Chicago, Ill., January 7, 2015. President Barack Obama walks toward Marine One, on the snow covered South Lawn at the White House, January 7, 2015. Members of the press protect themselves from the snow, kicked-up by Marine One as it landed on the South Lawn at the White House, January 7, 2015. Commuters try to stay warm as they wait for a train in Chicago, Ill., January 7, 2015. People take pictures as waves crash at North Avenue Beach along Lake Michigan's shore in Chicago, Jan. 7, 2015. A man uses a snow blower to clear his sidewalk in Chicago, Jan. 7, 2015. A pedestrian crossing the Smithfield Street Bridge braces against the cold wind, in downtown Pittsburgh, Jan. 7, 2015. Two women (one obscured by the other) walk along a frozen beach at Lake Michigan in Chicago, Illinois, January 7, 2015. Traffic along Interstate 64 near Lewisburg, W.Va., is reduced to one lane due to blowing snow, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015. Workers dig as they try to find the break in a steam pipe Wednesday morning, Jan. 7, 2015, in Trenton, N.J. Forecasters say temperatures in the single digits and teens will combine with the wind to make it feel like it is 15 degrees below zero in some parts of the state. The National Weather Service says there's a risk of frost bite and hypothermia if people don't bundle up. A man and his children sled in Rock Creek Park in Washington on January 6, 2015 after snow fell for the first time this winter. Sixteen-month-old Giant panda cub Bao Bao plays in the snow with her mother Mei Xiang at the Smithsonian's National Zoo as a winter storm hit Washington January 6, 2015. The storm was part of a bitter cold snap freezing most of the eastern half of the United States, driving the mercury below zero in the Midwest, with freezing temperatures as far south as Atlanta Wednesday evening, forecasters said. A worker uses 2 shovels to help clear the sidewalk entrance to the visitors entrance to the US Capitol Building in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. A vintage bicycle rests on a barn side during the season's first snowfall on January 6, 2015 in Myersville, Md. Jim Nather, owner of JJN Landscaping and Design in Media, uses a leaf blower to clear a customer's driveway in Swarthmore, Pa., as an Alberta Clipper sweeps through the area dumping up to two inches of snow on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. Laurence Connor of Kensington has a stand-off with his pooch Bethany over who should get control of the ball. Despite the wet and snowy weather today the sun came out before dusk which made for chilly but sparkling outdoors photos. They are in a soccer field next door to Oakland Terrace E.S. in Washington, DC. Tin Nguyen helps push a car on traffic-clogged North Shore Drive near the intersection with Wiehle Avenue on Tuesday, January 6, 2015, in Reston, VA. Many were surprised that Fairfax County Schools were in session with no delay as the blanket of snow caused major bus delays and heavy traffic all around the region. Snow coats the evergreen trees in Bowie, Maryland. The D.C. Metropolitan Area received the first snowfall of the season on January 06, 2014. Snow and ice blast away from a vehicle Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, after several inches of snow fell overnight in Chicago. Paul Linquist braves sub-zero temperatures to shovel snow from the steps of the Minnesota State Capitol in preparation for the start of the 2015 legislative session, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, in St. Paul, Minn. A woman walks down a set of stairs through the snow on Jan. 6, 2015. in the Fordham Heights neighborhood of the Bronx borough of New York City. A man makes his way to work in Washington during the first snowfall of the year, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. Charles Martinez looks over the partially frozen Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. A woman walks down a snowy sidewalk on January 6, 2015 in New York City. A woman and a child walk under first winter snowfall in Washington January 6, 2015. Clearing a path for the new Congress, employees of the Architect of the Capitol use tractors to remove snow from in front of the U.S. House of Representatives as more snow continues to fall January 6, 2015 in Washington, D.C. A man throws salt onto a snowy sidewalk on January 6, 2015 in the Fordham Heights neighborhood of the Bronx borough of New York City. Clearing a path for the new Congress, employees of the Architect of the Capitol shovel snow off the steps of the U.S. House of Representatives as more snow continues to fall January 6, 2015 in Washington, D.C. People wait in a heavy snow for the train to arrive January 6, 2015 in Vienna, Virginia. The White House is seen under first winter snowfall in Washington, January 6, 2015. A camper rides a bicycle through a snow-coverd campground following a winter storm in Joshua Tree National Park, California. Snow clings to palm trees at a subdivision home after a storm brought snow to many southern California locales, in Yucaipa. A light snow blankets the east front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, January 6, 2015. Brittany Magnus, of Oak Park, is bundled in fur and down walking along Oak Park Avenue heading to the train and work on Monday, Jan. 5, 2015 in Chicago. School children pass by buses immobilized by snow and ice on Wilson Boulevard in Arlington, Virginia, January 6, 2015. Snow and ice caught school districts and commuters off guard on Tuesday and caused treacherous roads around the Washington, D.C., area. Charles Martinez sits on a railing to take a selfie overlooking the partially frozen Lake Michigan in Chicago, January 5, 2015. A light snow falls on a tour group outside the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015, as temperatures hover around freezing. A man cleans the snow from a street in downtown Washington, DC, on January 6, 2015. Commuters wait for a bus in below-normal temperatures, Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, in Chicago. Forecasters expect significant snowfall and continued freezing temperatures this week in northern Illinois. A photographer braves the cold to shoot photos along Lake Michigan, Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, in Chicago. People around the state woke up to below-normal temperatures Monday. The coldest temperatures were in northern Illinois, where the National Weather Service said it was 2 degrees below zero at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. A light snow blankets the sidewalks in the Capitol Hill neighborhood in Washington January 6, 2015. A man rides a bicycle on a street in downtown Washington, DC during a wet snow January 6, 2015. The first significant snowfall of the year wrecked havoc on the morning rush hour in the Washington, DC area. Commuters cross the Chicago River on their way to work as temperatures hovered around zero degrees Fahrenheit during the morning rush on January 5, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. Temperatures are expected to remain in the single digits today and three to six inches of snow are expected to fall this evening. Ice forms as waves crash along Lake Michigan in below-normal temperatures near Oak Street Beach, Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, in Chicago. Forecasters expect significant snowfall and freezing temperatures this week in northern Illinois. A member of the U.S. Secret Service stands post outside the White House during an early morning snowfall January 6, 2015 in Washington, DC. A recent blast of arctic air brought subzero temperatures and the first snow of the year to the nation's capital. A bike commuter walks on an ice-covered path near Lake Michigan, Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, in Chicago. Forecasters expect more snow and freezing temperatures this week in northern Illinois. Commuters make their way to work as temperatures hovered around zero degrees Fahrenheit during the morning rush on January 5, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. A light snow blankets the east front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington January 6, 2015. A pedestrian, left, walks a path near the Chicago River seen here from the North Avenue bridge on a cold and brisk Monday morning, Jan. 5, 2015 in Chicago. | 5 | 2,163 | news |
Bacon and Shiitake Bake and Other Easy Breakfast Casseroles Bacon and Shiitake Bake and Other Easy Breakfast Casseroles Casseroles aren't just for dinner; these easy-to-make oven-baked dishes are perfect for breakfast. Baked French Toast Casserole Perfect for serving overnight guests for breakfast, this casserole can be prepared the evening before, then baked in the oven, no slaving away over a hot stove required. Serve with powdered sugar, maple syrup, or fruit syrups for easy customization. Click here for the recipe. Bell Pepper Frittata This vegetarian-friendly frittata requires little effort and is ready to eat in minutes. A 5-minute cook on the stovetop followed by a quick broiler blast to melt the cheese is all the cooking time this egg-y dish requires. Click here for the recipe. Berry-Baked Oatmeal Gloopy oatmeal is uninspiring, unlike this fantastic berry-baked version. An oatmeal mixture layered atop mixed berries creates a vibrant breakfast casserole that can easily be reheated (assuming there are any leftovers). Click here for the recipe. Chicken Cobb Breakfast Bake Leftover chicken gets a second chance for brunch, paired with grape tomatoes, bacon, avocado, and green onions (and baked in a sea of eggs and shredded cheese). Your mouth will appreciate every flavorful, fluffy bite. Click here for the recipe. Eggland's Best Breakfast Casserole Feeding a crowd couldn't be easier with this simply egg-based breakfast casserole. Ordinary slices of bread and beaten eggs are transformed into a hearty casserole after a brief bake in the oven. And it can be customized to suit your guests' tastes or dietary restrictions. Click here for the recipe. Gluten-Free Baked Berry French Toast Gluten-free is the way to be with this tremendous baked berry French toast. Layer your choice of berries on top of slices of gluten-free bread, drench in an egg bath, and bake until golden brown. Click here for the recipe. Ham, Asparagus, and Tomato Strata Great for entertaining, this savory strata makes for a beautiful brunch that can be prepared the night before serving. Plus leftover ham and vegetable plate extras get used up. Click here for the recipe. Pumpkin, Chorizo, and Kale Frittata Impress your foodie friends with this fabulous frittata. Pumpkin, chorizo, kale, goat cheese, and caramelized onion relish inject a complexity of flavors that even the most sophisticated of palates will appreciate. Click here for the recipe. Smoked Salmon and Potato Breakfast Casserole If you're fond of bagels and lox, you'll love this easy breakfast casserole. Smoked salmon and salmon flavored cream cheese paired with grated red potatoes create a scrumptious salmon-starred hash of sorts in creamy casserole form. Click here for the recipe. | 0 | 2,164 | foodanddrink |
Troy Aikman on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers playing with a calf injury in this weekend's divisional playoff game against the Cowboys. | 1 | 2,165 | sports |
When your favorite bling just doesn't have the same sparkle, instead of purchasing expensive cleaning solutions or bucking out for a professional scrubbing, try this easy DIY jewelry cleaner. Using ingredients you already have in your pantry, this concoction costs pennies to make and doesn't use any harsh chemicals - just the power of science. And you can give your old toothbrush a new life by gently scrubbing jewels postsoak. Before you know it, your special gems will be dazzling. What You'll Need: Small bowl 1 tablespoon salt 1 tablespoon baking soda 1 teaspoon dish detergent 1 cup hot water Aluminum foil Paper towel Old toothbrush Directions: Gather what you need for making the jewelry cleaner. You can use your favorite dish detergent - or make your own - to add a serious grease-busting aspect to this concoction. The salt, baking soda, and aluminum foil create a chemical exchange called an ion transfer, which naturally cleans metals. Line the bowl with a square of aluminum foil, and then top with the salt, baking soda, and dish detergent. Now add the hot water and watch as the liquid fizzes. Drop in your jewelry and let sit in the cleaner for 10 minutes. Remove your jewelry and use the toothbrush to gently scrub around any prongs, groves in the jewelry, or gemstones. We tested this cleaner on gold, silver, sterling, diamonds, and other gems with glittering results. Rinse after cleaning, and pat dry. You'll love how your jewelry sparkles after the quick cleaning, which is safe to do over and over. | 4 | 2,166 | lifestyle |
If doing yoga is your New Year's resolution, but you're a little nervous to take a class, this sequence is designed with you in mind. Dedicated to toning every part of your body, these basic poses may look simple, but they offer an amazing and effective burn, especially in your legs, tush, and arms. Unroll your mat and complete two Sun Salutation A's and two Sun Salutation B's to warm up. This should take about eight to 10 minutes; take your time moving slowly and holding Down Dog for five full breaths. Then move on to this 19-pose sequence, following through on the right side, then on the left, and end in a well-deserved Savasana. Within 30 minutes you'll feel strong, open, and calm. Side Fierce Begin standing at the front of your mat with feet together.As you inhale, bend the knees and squat down, raising the arms into the air. Exhale to cross your left elbow over to your outer right knee. Press your palms together, and actively push your bottom elbow against your thigh to lift and rotate your chest up, increasing the twist. Pull your left hip back slightly, making sure both knees are parallel.Stay in Side Fierce for five breaths. Rotated Side Angle Prayer From Side Fierce, keep your arms and torso where they are as you carefully step the left leg back into a lunge position.Continue to press your palms together firmly, pushing into your bottom arm to lengthen the spine and increase the twist. Gaze over your right shoulder, breathing for five full breaths. Downward Facing Dog From Rotated Side Angle Prayer, release the twist and bring the palms to the floor.Step the right leg back coming into plank position. Now you're ready to do a vinyasa. Exhale to bend the elbows behind you, lowering the body until your elbows are at 90 degrees, called Chaturanga.Inhale as you swoop the chest forward coming into Upward Facing Dog, resting on the feet, and exhale to lift the hips coming into the upside-down V-shape shown above known as Down Dog.Try to keep equal weight in the hands and feet as you breathe deeply, enjoying this pose for five breaths. Three-Legged Dog From Downward Dog, step the feet together so your big toes are touching. Keep the left heel on the mat and inhale to raise your right leg in the air, coming into Three-Legged Dog.Hold here for five breaths with the shoulders parallel to the floor, keeping the belly still and breathing into the chest. Knee-Up Plank From Three-Legged Dog, shift your weight forward, bringing your shoulders over the wrists, as you bend the right knee into the chest. Hold here in Knee-Up Plank for five breaths. Arching Three-Legged Dog From Knee-Up Plank, shift your weight back, raising the right leg into the air. Actively bend the right knee, lift your head up, and turn to look over your left shoulder, arching the spine. Think about drawing your head and foot toward each other. Stay here for five breaths, keeping the core strong. Warrior 2 From Arching Three-Legged Dog, step the right foot forward between the hands and lift the torso up.Open the hips, arms, and chest to the left side of your mat, gazing over the right fingertips.Hold here with the right thigh parallel to the floor for five breaths. Goddess From Warrior 2, straighten the right leg, and turn the toes so both heels are pointing in (photo above shows the front view of the pose).Bend your knees coming into a wide squat until your thighs are parallel with the ground. Your knees should be directly over your ankles, so adjust your feet if you need to.Lift your arms up, bending your elbows so they are at 90-degree angles, opening the palms away from you.Hold here for five deep breaths. Warrior 3 From Goddess, straighten your legs, and step your right foot to the front of your mat so the feet are together. Shift weight into your right foot, and extend your arms overhead. As you lift your left leg behind you, lower your chest so your torso and left leg are parallel to the floor. Draw your belly in to protect your lower back. If your lower back hurts, place your hands on your hips.Balance in Warrior 3 for five deep breaths. Burning Low Lunge From Warrior 3, release the left foot back, coming into Warrior 2 position. Bring your right arm to the inside of your right leg.Lower your torso and reach your right arm underneath your bent right knee. Interlace both hands in front of your right ankle.Keep all the weight in your legs, resisting the urge to lean into your hands. If this is too intense for your thigh muscle to hold (it's an intense move!), then rest one or both hands on the floor. Breathe deeply in this low lunge for five breaths. Beginner's Sage From Burning Low Lunge, release the left hand to the top of the mat.Step your right foot back, stacking the legs and heels, balancing on the outside edge of the left foot.Extend your right arm above you, keeping the core strong for five breaths. Quarter Dog From Beginner's Sage, lower both forearms to the mat.Either relax your head between your arms or gaze between the hands.Hold Quarter Dog for five breaths. Extended Locust From Quarter Dog lower your belly onto the mat.Extend the arms and legs, lifting your feet and hands as high as you can, breathing deeply for five breaths. Up Dog From Extended Locust, release the palms to the mat directly underneath the shoulders.Press into the palms to lift the chest and legs off the mat, scooping the chest forward, balancing on the hands and the tops of the feet. .Gaze up toward the ceiling, keeping the thighs strong and the shoulders relaxed.Hold like this for five deep breaths. Intense East From Up Dog, lift the hips and come into Down Dog. Step or hop the feet forward and sit down extending both legs out in front of you.With big toes touching, place your hands six to eight inches behind you so your fingertips are pointing toward your hips. As you inhale, press into your hands and feet, lifting your hips as high as you can so your spine is in a long line. Lower your head behind you, pressing into the outside edges of your feet to engage your inner thighs. Hold Intense East for five deep breaths. Half Wheel From Intense East, exhale to lie on your back.Bend your knees, and place your feet flat on the floor. Walk your heels as close as you can to your tush, and turn your heels out slightly, so the outside edges of your feet are parallel with the outside edges of your mat.Lift your hips up, and place your hands on either side of your lower back. Rock your weight from side to side, so you can pull your shoulder blades closer together.Stay here for five deep breaths, actively pressing your feet into the floor to lift your hips up and increase the stretch in your torso and neck. Wide Boat From Half Wheel, lower your back to the mat.Kick your feet overhead and use the momentum to rock yourself up to balance on the butt with the legs out wide. Extend the arms in front of you.Keep lifting through the chest, holding for five breaths. Standing Forward Bend From Wide Boat, bend the knees and release the feet to the mat. Bring one hand behind you and push into the floor to help rock your weight into your feet. Straighten the legs and fold the torso over the thighs. With the feet hip-distance apart, hold the big toes with the first two fingers and thumbs of each hand. Pull the elbows out wide. If you can't reach the toes, hold opposite elbows.Actively draw the shoulders away from the ears, using the abs to draw the torso closer to the legs rather than using your upper body strength. Stay like this for five deep breaths, nodding the head up and down and side to side to release the neck. Low Squat From Standing Forward Bend, release hold of the big toes, bend the knees and squat down deeply so the thighs are parallel with the floor.Extend the arms in front of you to help you stay balanced. Breathe deeply for five breaths.If this is your first side, come to stand and start the sequence from the beginning, repeating through on the left side. If this is your second side, move on to the last pose below, Savasana (yay!). Savasana Lie on your back, and close your eyes. In order to relax and open your body fully, extend your arms a few inches away from the body, with your palms facing up.Bring about 15 to 20 inches between your feet, allowing your feet to fall open with your toes pointing out. Actively shrug your shoulders and shoulder blades down toward your hips. Lengthen through your spine as much as possible, and try to press the small of your back into the floor.After you've found a comfortable position, enjoy the stillness for five to 10 minutes. | 7 | 2,167 | health |
The first big motor show of the year what's in store at the 2015 North American International Auto Show? 2015 North American International Auto Show Preview Last year's Detroit Motor Show showed the American car industry in resurgence. Will this year's North American International Auto Show (to give it its full name) be the same? We're sure hoping so, as with many credible debuts this year, the vehicles and concept lined up for Detroit 2015 are just as mouth-watering. Click on to find out more. Get the latest news from the 2015 Detroit show here! Acura NSX Finally, Acura! After years and years of NSX concepts we'll get to see the production-ready version at Detroit. Audi Q7 We'll go in alphabetical order and start with Audi. The four-ringed firm has already revealed what its new Q7 SUV will look like, but we'll get to see it in the metal at Detroit. And the metal's quite important, as the new Q7 will be up to 700 lb lighter than before. There'll be a hybrid version too, for extra efficiency. BMW 6 Series Not a major new model for BMW, but a revised version of its 6 Series family. That means Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe and the M6 in all forms. While the changes to the exterior styling are subtle, BMW claims higher quality materials inside the cabin make the 6er even more attractive. Buick Cascada It's been a while since Buick offered a convertible, but starting 2016 it will offer the all-new Cascada. As with the Regal and the Encore, the Cascada is an international product it wears the Opel badge across the Atlantic. Power comes from a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder that's good for 200 hp. Pretty car, isn't it? Related link: 2016 Buick Cascada First Look Cadillac CTS-V The Cadillac CTS-V returns! Beyond its sharp looks, it will boast a 640-hp V8 from the Chevrolet Corvette. It's said to be good for more than 200 mph. No doubt, it'll sound great, too. BMW, Mercedes-Benz, beware! Related link: 2016 Cadillac CTS-V first look Chevrolet Volt GM continues to plug away at the plug-in hybrid market with the second-generation Volt. It receives a brand new powertrain and rides on a new platform. GM has paid careful attention to the car's weight, shaving away nearly 250 lb, benefiting the car's performance and range. Related link: 2016 Chevrolet Volt first look Ford Supercar 2016 marks 50 years since the legendary Ford GT40 won the famous 24 hours of Le Mans endurance race. So with the Blue Oval thought to be going back to France to stick it to Ferrari once more, and this is the result. It's the new GT and it packs a 600-plus horsepower turbo V6 engine, carbon ceramic brakes and (believe it or not) no air conditioning. Star of the show? Related link: Ford GT first look Infiniti Q60 Concept Although we already have the Q60 Coupe, it's really just a re-badged G37 Coupe. Here's a first look at what its successor will be like. It takes inspiration from the striking Q80 Concept which we saw late last year. Related link: Infiniti Q60 Concept First Look Lexus GS F For years, we've heard rumors that Lexus would create a performance version of its GS sedan to compete with the BMW M5, Audi S6, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG. That car will finally debut in Detroit. It packs the 5.0-litre V8 from the RC F, plus other performance goodies. Enthusiasts should rejoice like the RC F, it has a naturally aspirated motor. Related link: 2016 Lexus GS F first look Mercedes-Benz GLE BMW no longer has the 'sports activity coupe' market to itself with the X6. Mercedes is getting in on the action, turning its ML SUV into a sporty coupe off-roader. Expect the swoopy four-door GLE to sell in droves. The top-of-the-line GLE 63 AMG S boasts some serious firepower: 577 hp. It goes on sale this August. Related link: 2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 63 S first look MINI John Cooper Works The 2015 JCW is the most powerful MINI ever. Forget downsizing, like the new MINI Cooper S, the JCW uses a 2.0-litre turbo unit (not the older 1.6) and produces 230 hp. Quite the range-topping model, with all the cute quirkiness of modern MINI. Related link: 2015 MINI John Cooper Works first look Nissan Titan Nissan aims to shake up the half-ton segment once again, just as it did when it was introduced over a decade ago. Boasting more imposing styling and a more refined interior, buyers can spec it with V6 and V8 engines. But the big news is the availability of a Cummins 5.0-litre Cummins turbodiesel V8 which develops 310 hp and 555 lb.-ft. of torque. That out-muscles the Ram's V6 EcoDiesel by some margin. Ram 1500 Off-Road Performance Truck We've heard that Chrysler Group's big reveal will come in the form of a Ram truck that will take on Ford's mighty SVT Raptor. Inspired by the Ram Runner Concept (pictured), you can bet that this thing will have a Hemi and be tough as nails to boot. Toyota Tacoma The Toyota Tacoma is one of the longest standing production vehicles on sale today. To say it's due for an update is a bit of an understatement. An all-new model will debut at Detroit packing a new 3.5-litre V6 motor and new Tundra-lite styling. Is it enough to give the new Chevy Colorado a run for its money? Related link: 2016 Toyota Tundra First Look Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE Concept Volkswagen is committed to growing its sales in North America and knows that it has to double down on SUVs. It will have two all-new crossovers in North America by 2017, but a third, previewed by the GTE Concept could be on its way. Power comes from a V6 plug-in hybrid drivetrain good for 360 horsepower and it will return 70 MPGe. Related link: Volkswagen Cross Coupe GTE Concept first look | 9 | 2,168 | autos |
MANHATTAN, Kan. -- A couple of years ago, Kansas State coach Bruce Weber headed to Texas on a scouting trip to see Marcus Foster. He was playing in an AAU tournament, but his team was so laden with talent that Foster barely got into the games. Until this past weekend, that may have been the last time Foster truly saw the bench. The All-Big 12 guard started every game as a freshman last season, averaging 15.5 points while helping the Wildcats reach the NCAA tournament. But after a slow start this season, and a poor response to it, Foster found himself riding the pine during a game at Oklahoma State. "It was tough, something I hadn't been through in a while," he said. Not only did he go scoreless in 14 minutes in the loss, Foster responded to his demotion by sulking on the bench. He showed poor body language. He seemed disinterested. And in what perhaps the cardinal sin of team sports, Foster appeared to have given up on his team. Foster spent the bus ride after the game thinking about things. He thought about the way everything seemed to come easy last season, and what had suddenly gone amiss. He thought about the way he had become the face of an entire program as a sophomore, and how much the rest of the guys on the bus -- including Weber -- were counting on him to turn things around. With newfound resolve, Foster had two of his best practices of the season on Monday and Tuesday. Once again relegated to the bench Wednesday night, he responded by pouring in 23 points, hitting the crucial free throws that lifted Kansas state to a 58-53 victory over TCU. "It was kind of like, `I'm back.' It was a good feeling," Foster said afterward. "Going through such a slump like that, it can really hurt a player's confidence." It can really mess with a player's psyche. Foster has never been one to sulk. When he wasn't being recruited by many Division I schools, he played harder. When he finally impressed Weber enough to earn a scholarship offer, he thanked him by getting in better shape and honing his game ahead of his debut season. Foster has always met challenges head-on. Until this past weekend. "Me just not being me, honestly," he explained. "Bad body language, bad attitude. That's something I've never done. Something that's never going to happen again." Something that can't happen if the Wildcats (8-7, 1-1) have any prayer of playing for a Big 12 title, or clawing their way into the NCAA tournament after a horrendous non-conference showing. Kansas State has had enough trouble scoring this season, averaging 66.2 points to rank 215th out of 345 teams in Division I. They're last in the Big 12 in scoring margin, rebounding, blocked shots and several other categories. In other words, they desperately need their best player at his best. Foster scored 34 points in a win over Texas last year. The Wildcats scored 46 points total in a New Year's Eve loss to Georgia, when Foster first drew Weber's ire. Already, he's had a dozen games of at least 20 points, and his game against Oklahoma State was his first scoreless outing. "For us to be successful," teammate Wesley Iwundu said, "Marcus plays a big part in it." Weber only obliquely reference what got Foster into hot water Wednesday night. He alluded to comments made by Kobe Bryant about the way basketball players have taken a "me-first" approach to the game, and how skills have eroded beginning at the AAU level and into the college ranks. "Too many people worry about being a great college player. Worry about today, worry about that," Weber said. "You can't worry about the future. Who knows what will happen? I just wish kids would appreciate their opportunity more. This is a rare opportunity to play college basketball." Weber was asked whether Foster had done enough to earn back his spot in the starting lineup. The Wildcats head to No. 16 Oklahoma, which has established itself as one of the league favorites, for another important game Saturday night. "If he comes back (Thursday) and Friday and plays his butt off, I'm all for it," Weber said, "but you know, this is about him not only now but in the future, too. I think he'll respond well." | 1 | 2,169 | sports |
The 7 Most Common Running Injuries, And How to Prevent and Treat Them The Most Common Running Injuries Whether it's the result of poorly planned training or an unfortunate curse cast unto you by the Running Gods, these are, according to Jason Karp, PhD, creator of the Run-Fit Specialist certification and author of Running a Marathon For Dummies, the most common running injuries, and the proper treatment protocols for a speedy recovery. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Knee Pain) According to Karp, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome is "the fancy medical term for knee pain" and it accounts for about 25 percent of running-related injuries. Though, he makes a point to note that this does not mean running is "bad for your knees." Symptoms include discomfort "behind, below, or around your patella" (the knee bone) that usually presents itself in gradual stages and that's worsened while running or walking up and down stairs. Karp says knee pain can be caused by a number of different factors, including "strength imbalances, weakness in the hip muscles, and excessive or insufficient pronation", to name a few. For many runners, knee pain can be avoided by maintaining adequate lower body strength, especially in the quadriceps, hamstrings, hips, and glutes. If this is an injury you're already dealing with, in addition to strength training, Karp recommends using orthotics (especially if you over- or under-pronate), knee braces, and if necessary, reducing the amount of running you do and eliminating hills from your routes. Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome (IT Band Pain) Runners experiencing pain near the outside of the knee are likely dealing with Iliotibial Band (IT band) Friction Syndrome, an injury that, according to Karp, represents about 12 percent of all running-related injuries. It's attributed to several different causes, some of which include "excessive or abrupt increases in running mileage, excessive amounts of downhill running or unidirectional track running, stiff shoes, high-arched feet, and weakness in the hips and glute muscles". To treat IT band pain, Karp first recommends stretching the affected area (see exercise number 5 here) as well as icing, foam rolling, and if the pain is especially severe, taking a break from running until it no longer persists. Achilles Tendonitis and Tendinosis According to Karp, when compared with non-runners, runners are 30 times more likely to develop Achilles tendonitis and tendinosis. Tendonitis referrers to inflammation in the area while tendinosis refers to a breakdown of the tendon's collagen fibers. Karp says that pain in the Achilles is typically the result of tendinosis. This injury is commonly due to inappropriate increases in mileage, excessive amounts of interval training, hill running, weakness or a lack of flexibility in the calf muscles, over pronation, or insufficient recovery time between workouts. To treat tendonitis and tendinosis in the Achilles, Karp especially recommends taking your training down a few notches. "Back off on the types of workouts that put extra stress on the Achilles tendon, such as interval training and hill running," he writes. He also suggests icing the area, strengthening your calf muscles, and if you over-pronate, investing in a new pair of shoes that offer more medial support. Plantar Fasciitis This extremely common running injury, which is usually most pronounced during the first few steps after getting out of bed in the morning, is similar to Achilles tendinosis in that it is a breakdown of the small muscle fibers on the bottom of your foot. Runners suffering from plantar fasciitis will most likely experience pain in the heel or arch of the foot. Karp warns that this injury can be especially stubborn, so his first recommendation for treatment is to rest; reduce the volume and intensity of your training. He also suggests strengthening and stretching your calf muscles, gently massaging your feet with a golf or tennis ball, and wearing a tension splint overnight, which will hold your foot in a flexed position in order to stretch the bottom of your foot. Shin Splints Karp says that shin splints are one of the most common injuries among novice runners who are new to the sport. This is because their bones aren't accustomed to the impact of running. Shin splints are described as pain felt along the inner border of the tibia, or your shin bone. According to Karp this is not a serious injury, but if left untreated shin splints could lead to a stress fracture, which is much more dangerous. Like many other common running injuries, shin splints can result from increasing workout mileage or intensity too quickly, but they're also sometimes a result of running on hard surfaces (like concrete), excessive pronation, and tight calf muscles. Many times shin splints will heal on their own, but Karp suggests treating the discomfort by icing the area and taking preventative measures by strengthening your lower body muscles (especially the calves) and investing in sneakers with "shock-absorbing characteristics". Stress Fractures While the stress our bones experience from running actually helps to strengthen them, a stress fracture (a hairline fracture in a bone) can occur when the "bone remodeling" process is disrupted and the bone can no longer adapt to the stress.Similar to other common running injuries, stress fractures are often the result of increasing mileage too quickly and not allowing for adequate recovery time between workouts. However, they can also occur due to low bone mineral density as a result of osteoporosis or a calcium or vitamin D deficiency. Karp warns that female runners are at a higher risk for stress fractures due to factors such as low estrogen levels, an inadequate caloric intake, and a lack of muscle mass in the lower leg. Symptoms present in the form of a "gradual onset of pain", usually experienced near the end of a running workout. The pain is typically sharp and felt at a specific point on the bone where swelling can sometimes occur. If diagnosed with a stress fracture, Karp says it's absolutely necessary to stop all running for anywhere from four to eight weeks. He also recommends icing the area, exercising to strengthen the muscles that surround the joints located above and below the fracture site, and as a preventative measure, supplementing with vitamin D, especially when training for a long-distance race. Chronic Muscle Strain According to Karp, chronic muscle strain, or a "partial tearing of the muscle" due to "excessive tension", is the most common muscle injury among runners. He says this is typically the result of long-distance running and muscle weakness. Described as "a gradual onset of pain coming from deep within the muscle", a chronic muscle strain will usually first present itself after a running workout, but will eventually become bothersome while running, too. You will also experience pain by pressing the affected area, where you'll likely feel a "hard knot". Karp says that in addition to rest, the only treatment proven to be effective is deep tissue massage. | 7 | 2,170 | health |
On the heels of the deadly attack at Charlie Hebdo in Paris, CNN's Nic Robertson examines the recent history of worldwide terror events. | 5 | 2,171 | news |
The Devils were limited to 14 shots on goal in Boston on Thursday night, and Milan Lucic and Carl Soderberg scored to give the Bruins a 3-0 win. | 1 | 2,172 | sports |
8 Foods That Help Fight the Flu Get vaccinated, wash your hands, don't touch your face it's second nature (or at least it should be) come flu season especially because this one is particularly nasty. But, little do most germaphobes know, what's on your plate can also help keep you from coming down with the flu and, if you are unfortunate enough to get it, kick the virus' butt. Stock your kitchen with flu-fighting foods. Greek Yogurt Probiotics do more than just make you poop. "Probiotics are healthy microorganisms that can help support bacterial balance in the gut," says dietician Jaime Mass, RDN, LDN. Research published in the journal Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology shows that balanced gut bacteria are associated with improved immune system function and reduced susceptibility to infection. To get your healthy gut bacteria, look for yogurt and kefir with "live and active cultures." Sauerkraut and supplements are also good sources. Chicken Noodle Soup Mom was right…chicken noodle soup has powerful anti-inflammatory properties preventing white blood cells from congregating in your respiratory tract meaning it can help soothe your symptoms, according to research from the Nebraska Medical Center . Meanwhile, chicken soup is an easy way to get in fluids as well as vitamins and minerals when you're down and out. "When we're sick, we don't want to eat and don't want to drink, but you need to continue to eat and give your body nutrients and energy you need for immune system to function properly," says Michael P. Angarone, DO, assistant professor of infectious diseases and medical education at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. He notes that, when you're sick, both fevers and heavy breathing can cause you to lose extra fluid. If you're gluten intolerant, tell your nurse to make chicken and rice soup or pick up a can from your favorite gluten-free brand. Green Tea When you're sick, fluids are critical. But even if you feel fine and dandy right now, green tea's high levels of polyphenols and catechins (including epigallocatechin gallate, aka EGCG, which is among the most powerful known antioxidants) can help fight off viruses and promote healthy immune function, Mass says. "These are just the properties related to flu season; don't forget the potential support you could receive for your heart, brain, joints, metabolic, and overall cell health by drinking green tea." To see how much EGCG is in your green tea, check out consumerlab.com. Whey Protein Powder It'll pump up your muscles and your flu-fighting powers. "If the whey is processed carefully and at low temperatures, it will contain naturally occurring immunoglobulins and lactoferrin," Mass says. "Lactoferrin is actually a component of the immune system, supporting our overall immune health and helping us to fight off infections." Always buy high-quality products and look for immunoglobulins and lactoferrin on your label. Ginger As if a stuffy nose and headache weren't bad enough, the flu can also come with vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. If that's you, eat some ginger. "Components found in ginger such as galanolactone may act via the central nervous system to affect serotonin levels and alleviate nausea," Mass says. "In fact, the compound acts on the same pathway as some common anti-nausea remedies." Try ginger tea, ginger ale, a hard ginger candy, or even pickled ginger. (Just don't eat the raw fish if your stomach is sick.) Citrus Fruits "Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that can effectively fight off free radicals in the body," Mass says. "Whether or not vitamin C fights the flu is controversial in the literature, but if you ask me whether or not you should eat vitamin C-rich foods, the answer is 'yes and all year round!'" Great, healthy options include citrus fruits, berries, leafy greens, pineapple, and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. Angarone notes that vitamin C appears to have the biggest health benefit in people who exercise regularly. Sardines Hm, sardines. "Now you can see why most people are deficient in vitamin D," jokes Mass. She notes that most of our vitamin D intake comes from sun exposure, which is lacking during the dark and short winter days. So if you don't put forth some serious effort to eat D-rich foods, you can easily become deficient in the winter. "Vitamin D has been found to be an essential part of our immune system regulation. In fact, there are vitamin D receptors on our immune cells and vitamin D may help both your innate and adaptive immune response," she says. Your doctor can evaluate your vitamin D levels with a simple blood test. If cod liver oil, sardines, and herring aren't your thing, you may want to try a vitamin D supplement. Beef "Zinc can help support your body's ability to make white blood cells, and white blood cells are the fighters for the immune system," Mass says. While the jury is still out, it's possible that zinc may also reduce how long you feel an infection's symptoms, according to Angarone. Foods rich in zinc include beef, chicken, lamb, spinach, sesame seeds, lentils, and chickpeas. You've got lots of great options here. | 7 | 2,173 | health |
Is 'Skins owner Dan Snyder the worst owner in the NFL? The guys make their picks. | 1 | 2,174 | sports |
All eyes were on Florida Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo as he took his place in between the pipes at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia. Playing in Vancouver for the first time since being traded to the Panthers on the eve of the 2014 trade deadline, Luongo, who was a fan favorite during his eight seasons with the Canucks, was meet with a chorus of cheers and "Lu" chants as he took the ice on Thursday night. During a break in play in the first period, the Canucks paid tribute to Luongo, who served as captain from 2008 to 2010 and holds or shares nearly every franchise goaltending record. You can follow Jameson Olive on Twitter @JamesonCoop or email him at [email protected] . | 1 | 2,175 | sports |
Bad news for Green Bay Packers fans, their star quarterback may not be 100% for Sunday's playoff game against the Cowboys. Aaron Rodgers has a slight tear in his calf in addition to his strain. Rodgers is still expected to play during Sunday's divisional round game against Dallas, but nobody knows if he's capable of playing through it. | 8 | 2,176 | video |
For one match, Venus Williams and Svetlana Kuznetsova had dogs serve as their 'ball boys.' Cute emergency! | 1 | 2,177 | sports |
Beyond Apple Juice: 11 Kids' Drinks Around the World Kids in the States might love their apple juice, but what are kids around the world quenching their thirst with each day? Australia Down Under, while kids have access to the goods like Pepsi and Coke, they'd rather reach for a cordial. A cordial is a fruit-based concentrated syrup that mixes with water, similar to Kool Aid. Last year, Australian-owned and -made Fruities hit the market as the only kid's cordial free of preservatives and anything artificial, "so mum can be free from worry." Croatia Orangina is a favorite citrus-y bubbly treat for kids in Croatia. It's their soft drink of choice, but if their parents have a say, they'd rather make them a very weak latte. Drinking coffee is a social thing in Croatia . Families gather together at cafés to catch up with friends and it is not uncommon for parents to serve their little ones a little coffee with loads of milk mixed in. England Tea is taken seriously in England, and they start young. In fact, when someone says "let me be mother," they are offering to play the role of a mother pouring tea for her family. In 1950, it was reported that 55 percent of 4-year-olds drank tea with their meals. While that number has dropped with the ease of finding soft drinks and juices, the tea trend is back on the rise in the U.K. as parents look to combat obesity and sugar overload. India There's not much Indians love more than a good movie and mangoes. Maaza , the most popular mango juice brand in India, has been around since 1976, and in 1993 was acquired by Coca-Cola. Popular with kids for its bright taste and color, it's thicker than juice, not quite a purée. New Zealand Kids in New Zealand are reaching for cans of Milo, a chocolate malt beverage that can be prepared with hot or cold milk or water. Produced by Nestlé, Milo tapped into its market and launched the Play Movement campaign to encourage kids and parents to incorporate play into every day. Also very popular in Australia and Indonesia, Milo is similar to Nesquik, but the powder has a crunchier consistency. And the best part? Leaving some crunchy powder at the top and scooping it out with your spoon. Italy On every breakfast table in Italy is a mini glass bottle of succo di frutta, fruit juice. Despite its name, it's nowhere close to the fruit juice sold in the States. Italian succo has more of a pulp or purée consistency and comes in flavors like apricot, pear, and peach. Sounds like they are priming kids for the Bellinis that come later in life. Russia In Russia, fruit juice is a homemade affair. Kompot is a mix of whatever fruit you have on hand apples, peaches, sour cherries, or strawberries, for example boiled down in water (usually without sugar if it's ripe enough) until the water is infused. It's then cooled and enjoyed by kids all day long. South Korea In South Korea, kids aren't afraid of their probiotics. The drinking-yogurt aisle alone in South Korean supermarkets is bigger than some Manhattan bodegas. Yakuruto made by the Yakult Corporation, one of the largest food companies in South Korea is a popular yogurt drink that is sold in easy-to-carry mini tubes, perfect for kids' little hands. Sweden Swedish kids are skipping juice at breakfast. Instead, they drink Swedish filmjolk , a sour milk drink that is high in lactic acid and aids in a healthier digestive system. It's available in plain or sweetened varieties enhanced with sugar, jam, cinnamon, or berries. Taiwan Kids in Taiwan steer toward the traditional with drinks like winter melon "tea" and Suanmeitang. Suanmeitang literally translates to "sour plum soup," but it's a cold drink made from sour plums and rock sugar, popular for warding off summertime heat. Winter melon 'tea' is also a cold drink made from winter melon syrup, water, and cardamom. It's said to have heath benefits and even makes skin bright. Tanzania Tanzania is a tea producing country, so it's only natural that kids would indulge in the stuff that's close to home. Chai is popular part of family culture and is common in most households across all socio-economic levels. If they're drinking juice, it's most likely Azam fruit juice in tropical flavors like mango, guava, pineapple, and more. Look for the popular little triangular single-servings at stores and shops all over the country. | 0 | 2,178 | foodanddrink |
Urban Meyer said that he would not like to see the College Football Playoff expand to eight teams. Meyer wants more scholarships if the Playoff gets longer. Agree or disagree with the Buckeyes coach? | 1 | 2,179 | sports |
Arizona continued its hot streak on the power play with three goals with the man advantage on Thursday night. Shane Doan, Mikkel Boedker, and Ekman-Larsson did the damage on the way to a 4-1 win. | 1 | 2,180 | sports |
The Rangers scored three 2nd period goals to secure a 4-3 win in Los Angeles. New York has won 12 of its last 13. | 1 | 2,181 | sports |
Kate Middleton may be taking it easy now that she's nine months pregnant, but she's proven in the past that she's not afraid to work up a sweat. Kate's been active since Saint Andrew's school, where she played tennis and swam, and her sporty days haven't stopped since she became a duchess. She showed off her athletic skills in front of the cameras during her royal tour of New Zealand and Australia in 2014, and now we've rounded up all of her most active moments (remember that cricket game?). Hockey Javelin Volleyball Ping-Pong Three Tins Basketball Canoeing Cricket Skiing Ping-Pong Sailing Hockey Soccer | 6 | 2,182 | entertainment |
Guests Fareed Zakaria and Mike Rogers discuss the notion that individual terror attacks are ultimately an attempt to attract financing and membership | 5 | 2,183 | news |
Guinea Pigs and 9 Other Animals You Didn't Know People Ate Guinea Pigs and 10 Other Animals You Didn't Know People Ate Some cultures around the world eat cats and dogs, but unusual sources of meat don't stop there. Camel Prized as a delicacy in the Middle East , camel is known to taste like beef or lamb and be a good source of vitamin E. It is not eaten every day; in parts of the Middle East, camel is often served as a delicacy as weddings and other special events. In Syria and Cairo, for example, there are special butchers you go to for camel meat. The hump of the camel is often said to be the best part as it is more tender and meatier than other parts of the animal. Camel are often slow- cooked with curries and marinades. Cane Rat Cane rats , served in Ghana as well as in Cameroon and Nigeria, have a sweet taste. Despite their name, cane rats don't look like rats at all; they are about the size of cats and look like guinea pigs. Cane rat meat is lean, and it is low in cholesterol. It is commonly served as a soup or on a plate with rice. Cat In Switzerland, some restaurants have cat on the menu and serve it in white wine or garlic sauce. People in parts of China and Peru eat cat as well. This winter, Newsweek reported on a petition in Switzerland by animal rights activists to ban the consumption of cat and dog meat. Emu Emus, flightless birds native to Australia, are a healthy protein (low in fat and high in vitamin C) and their oils are used to relieve arthritis and muscle pain. Guinea Pig Guinea pigs are served as a dish called cuy in South America, usually with potatoes and rice. During the annual Peruvian Guinea Pig Festival , animals are dressed up and paraded around before being killed and barbequed. The taste of cuy is similar to that of rabbit. Hákarl This delicacy, popular in Iceland, is rotten shark from Greenland that is gutted, fermented, and buried in sand in a shallow pit for up to five months before being dug out and hung to dry for another four or five months. Hákarl is said to have an overwhelming stench of ammonia. Kiviak A popular dish for winter in Greenland, Kiviak is made from small seabirds called auks, is eaten for holidays and birthday celebrations. It is said to smell and taste like cheese. The seabirds are fermented inside seal skin for months before they are ready to eat. Starfish Starfish is served as street food in some areas of China like Shanghai and Beijing , fried with black vinegar dip. The taste has been compared to that of crabmeat. Stinkbugs Stinkbugs are eaten in Mexico at the Día del Jumil festival on the first Monday after the Day of the Dead. They are commonly served alive, but they can also be served in tacos. The taste has been compared to cinnamon and iodine. Zebra Exotic animals like the sweet and gamey zebra are mainly eaten in South Africa. Like that of many wild animals, zebra meat is low in fat. | 0 | 2,184 | foodanddrink |
And just like that, the stock market weakness that cast a pall over the start of 2015 has been reversed thanks, once again, to dovish chatter from the Federal Reserve. This time, it was comments from Chicago Fed president Charles Evans Wednesday night that "raising [interest] rates would be a catastrophe," given low inflation and mediocre progress in the housing market. With stocks at a major technical support level (the 125-day moving average), it was enough to send equity futures soaring in the overnight session. The positive vibes continued into the cash session after an intra-day plunge in crude oil was reversed. 5 Stocks to Buy for January In the end, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.8%, the S&P 500 gained 1.8%, the Nasdaq gained 1.8%, and the Russell 2000 gained 1.7%. Retail stocks were up big as holiday results trickle out. Aeropostale (ARO) gained nearly 24% thanks to an increase in fourth-quarter earnings guidance on solid profitability. The Retail SPDR (XRT) gained 1.4% to push to a new record high. It's worth remembering that the market dives in October and again in December were reversed thanks to comments from Fed officials that the era of ultra-easy monetary policy would continue. In October, it was that another round of bond buying stimulus could be started should the economy lose momentum. In December, it was that the Fed would be "patient" in the pace and timing of its rate hikes. What's interesting is that following Evans' comments last night, headlines were filled with chatter suggesting the Fed might still, in fact, be preparing to pull the punch bowl away. The Wall Street Journal's Jon Hilsenrath who is frequently used by Fed officials to leak information argued that a case could be made for the recent strength in long-term Treasury bond motivating the Fed to hike earlier and more aggressively than expected. Why? To prevent potential asset price bubbles as capital flows into the United States from overseas. Also, I'd argue that resulting drop in long-term yields and the associated drop in inflation expectations could result in some negative psychological feedback loops in the marketplace. If the Fed could force rates higher, it would push cash out of bonds, normalize inflation expectations, and remove this atmosphere of doubt about the health of the economy. Traders now turn their attention to Friday's jobs report, with expectations high for another solid print. Analysts are looking for a job gain of around 250,000 and a slight decline in the unemployment rate to 5.7%. The risk is that this will be interpreted as increasing pressure on the Fed to raise rates ahead of its next policy announcement later this month. If so, the selling pressure that we've seen over the last few weeks could rematerialize. Technically, stocks remain in a neutral position with the NYSE Composite climbing back over its 200-day moving average but still below its 50-day moving average. However, extended investor sentiment, a multi-month rollover in market breadth, and the elevated level of the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) suggests the selling pressure isn't over yet pressure that has kept the NYSE Composite in a sideways range since last summer. I'm recommending investors use this time to build positions in precious metals as the group looks set for a bounce on the rising risk of global currency and bond market troubles in the months to come. The Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners (GDXJ) is up more than 1% for Edge subscribers since added earlier this week. The team at SentimenTrader notes that the GDXJ is one of the areas with the least investor optimism among the most active ETFs on the market. It has been struggling to break out of extreme pessimism territory for the fifth time in the past two years. So a powerful rebound is really, really overdue here as global financial risks rise. Anthony Mirhaydari is founder of the Edge and Edge Pro investment advisory newsletters. More From InvestorPlace 10 Best Stocks for 2015 3 Best Actively Managed ETFs to Buy Now The Far-Reaching Effects of Crashing Oil Prices The post The Fed Saves Stocks Again appeared first on InvestorPlace . | 3 | 2,185 | finance |
10. Nestlé Rich Milk Chocolate Nutrition: 80 calories, 3g fat, 14g carbohydrates per serving (20g) Tasting Notes: "Tastes like sweet milk where's the chocolate?!" "Chlorine smell, doesn't taste like chocolate." "Tastes like malted Ovaltine." "Tastes fake somehow." "Foamy top layer looked appetizing but the clumpy texture and strange saltiness are real turn-offs." 9. MarieBelle Aztec Hot Chocolate Nutrition: 135 calories, 9.5g fat, 10.5g carbohydrates per serving (42g) Tasting Notes: "Needs more time to dissolve, a lot of small clumps." "Somewhat bitter taste, reminds me of baking chocolate." "Very intense chocolate taste, like a melted candy bar, cloying." "Smells like brownie batter or flourless chocolate cake, not milky enough." "The richness is a little overpowering." 8. Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Nutrition: 120 calories, 2g fat, 23g carbohydrates per serving (21g) Tasting Notes: "Frothy, sweet, but again, where is the chocolate?" "Too sweet, tastes synthetic." "Not chocolatey enough." "Tastes like artificial non-dairy creamer, coats your mouth in an unpleasant way." "Reminds me of my childhood." 7. Ghirardelli Hot Cocoa Double Chocolate Nutrition: 140 calories, 1.5g fat, 35g carbohydrates per serving (39g) Tasting Notes: "Not bad, but a little boring." "Medium body, a little powdery on the tongue." "Good consistency, but there's a fake sugar taste and it's not chocolatey enough." "Very sweet, so, so sweet." 6. Swiss Miss Fat Free Nutrition: 50 calories, 0g fat, 10g carbohydrates per serving (16g) Tasting Notes: "Wish it was more chocolatey, but it has that iconic hot cocoa smell." "A little clumpy." "Artificial flavor, light body." "Reminds me of the kind you get in a New York City deli just to keep your hands warm." "Tastes and smells like that classic, traditional hot chocolate you make at home." 5. E. Guittard Grand Cacao Drinking Chocolate Nutrition: 150 calories, 7g fat, 26g carbohydrates per serving (40g) Tasting Notes: "Tastes like bittersweet dark chocolate, not too creamy or overpowering." "Aroma is like smelling into a can or dark chocolate powder." "Texture is like thin pudding mix." "Good, chocolatey flavor." "Slightly bitter, not very sweet." "Very thin and kind of grainy." 4. 365 Organic Hot Cocoa Mix Milk Chocolate Nutrition: 110 calories, 0g fat, 24g carbohydrates per serving (28g) Tasting Notes: "Slight hazelnut flavor." "Smells strongly of almond, not chocolatey enough." "Weak finish, not a pure chocolate taste." "Smells like Lucky Charms marshmallows (tastes like them too)." "Too sweet." "Good consistency." 3. Trader Joe's Hot Cocoa Mix Nutrition: 150 calories, 3g fat, 26g carbohydrates per serving (35g) Tasting Notes: "Very creamy, smooth, texture." "Kind of reminds me of Kahlua or almond paste." "Rich, but not a pure chocolate taste (Coconut? Almond?)." "Thick texture, creamy but overly sweet." "Smells like a cupcake." 2. Godiva Hot Cocoa Milk Chocolate Nutrition: 130 calories, 2.5g fat, 25g carbohydrates per serving (30g) Tasting Notes: "Rich, strong, sweet (but not too) chocolate flavor." "Tastes like chocolate pudding." "Smooth texture." "Super dark chocolate flavor, made me want to drink a whole cup." 1. Starbucks Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Nutrition: 120 calories, 3.5g fat, 24g carbohydrates per serving (28g) Tasting Notes: "Good, deep chocolate taste, not bitter, not too sweet." "Would be great with homemade whipped cream or marshmallows." "Grown-up hot chocolate." "Smells like classic hot chocolate." "Tastes high-end." "Like melted chocolate, but there's a slightly chalky aftertaste." | 0 | 2,186 | foodanddrink |
10 Facts You Didn't Know About Coca-Cola Fact #1 Coke is the world's most widely distributed product, and is sold in more than 200 countries that's more countries than there are in the United Nations. Fact #2 When Coca-Cola first appeared on the market in the 1860s, it was marketed "nerve tonic," made to help ease the woes of modern civilization. More and more people were displaying signs of what was called "neurasthenia," or neurotic and psychosomatic symptoms. Coca-Cola would change all that. Fact #3 Coca-Cola, at the time, was said to cure opium and morphine addiction and even Sigmund Freud was a believer. Freud was excited by Coca-Cola because he said it cured him of periodic depression and gave him a sex drive. That explains a lot. Fact #4 When Coca-Cola came out, coca was being made into tablets, wine, liqueurs, hypodermic injections, and coca-leaf cigarettes. Fact #5 Ever wondered where the "cola" part of the name came from? The kola nut, it turns out. The kola nut, found in Africa, where it had been an integral part of life for centuries, was said to have lots of medicinal effects, and the alkaloid better known as caffeine. Fact #6 Coca-Cola spawned from cola wine (so that cola-flavored wine "debuting" in France isn't so new, after all.) It was because of Prohibition and the temperance movement (Atlanta was one of the first dry cities in America) that promoted execs to make Coca-Cola non-alcoholic. Fact #7 The inventor, John Pemberton, is said to have relied heavily on cola wine because he was a morphine addict. At the time, many Civil War veterans were said to have developed morphine addictions to manage pain; in the meantime, Pemberton turned to morphine, and later, coca to relieve his illnesses and pain. Fact #8 The first celebrity endorsements for Coca-Cola (different from the "Coca-Cola girls," who appeared in the annual calendar), were singer Hilda Clark and opera star Lillian Nordica. Fact #9 Coca-Cola positioned itself as a soldier's drink during World War II. Although the company took a hit during World War I, because of sugar rations, the company took far less of a hit during World War II, largely in part to its war efforts. Soldiers were said to depend on Coca-Cola heavily during wartime, as a pick-me-up; said one base surgeon, "I cannot conceive of a greater calamity worse than a loss of the base supply of Coca-Cola." In 1942, Coca-Cola was exempt from sugar rationing when sold to the military and bases; while other soda drink companies took hits up to 50 percent, Coca-Cola remained strong in the market. Fact #10 Coca-Cola essentially shaped the Santa Claus we know today, thanks to its ads. Pre-Coca-Cola ads that appeared in the 1930s, the depictions of Santa Claus showed Santa as a tall and "gaunt" man usually dressed in blue, green, or yellow. Then, Swedish-American artist Haddon Sundblom drew a fat, jolly man wearing Coca-Cola red and drinking well, what else? and forever changed what Santa looked like. Some say this was Coca-Cola's first attempt to market to children, albeit subtly. | 0 | 2,187 | foodanddrink |
Despite a large drop in the national crime rate, many areas remain dangerous The number of violent crimes dropped across the United States by 4.4% in 2013 compared to the year before, according to estimates released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In the last decade, the number of violent crimes declined by nearly 15%. In a previous interview with 24/7 Wall St., John Roman, senior fellow at public policy research organization The Urban Institute said, "A 4.4% reduction in violent crime is astonishing. If you saw a similar increase in GDP, or a similar decrease in unemployment, it would be huge national news." Despite the national improvement in crime rates as well as significant improvements in some of the most dangerous states a number of states were much more dangerous than the rest of the nation. In fact, South Carolina and Delaware had among the largest decreases in violent crime and still had some of the highest violent crime rates in 2013. Nationwide, 368 violent crimes were reported for every 100,000 people in 2013. Such crimes include murder, rape, aggravated assault, and robbery. In America's 10 most dangerous states, there were well more than 400 violent crimes reported per 100,000 residents. Based on violent crime rates published by the FBI's 2013 Uniform Crime Report, these are America's most dangerous states. Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter were especially common in the most dangerous states. All but one of the states reported a higher murder and nonnegligent manslaughter rate than the national rate of 4.5 incidents per 100,000 people. In Louisiana, nearly 11 murders were reported per 100,000 people, the highest in the nation. Aggravated assault accounted for a large portion of violent crimes reported in these states. While 229 incidents of assault were reported per 100,000 Americans across the nation in 2013, at least 300 were reported per 100,000 residents in all but one of the most dangerous states. New Mexico led the nation with an estimated 450 aggravated assaults per 100,000 state residents. In addition to violent crimes, other sorts of crimes were also more common in these states compared to national figures. For example, there were more than 3,000 property crimes reported per 100,000 residents in eight of the most dangerous states. The national rate, by contrast, was 2,730 per 100,000 Americans. While violent crimes are committed for a variety of reasons, socioeconomic indicators are powerful predictors of crime. Just as in large U.S. cities, income plays a major role at the state level. A typical household earned less than the national median household income of $52,250 in seven of the 10 states in 2013. Households in Alaska and Maryland were the exceptions, with nation-leading median incomes of more than $72,000. Crime rates tend to be higher in large urban areas. Several of the 10 most dangerous states were home to cities that had relatively high violent crime rates. Nine of the 50 most dangerous large U.S. cities were located in one or more of the 10 most dangerous states. Memphis, Tennessee; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Baltimore, Maryland in particular had nearly the highest violent crime rates among U.S. cities and likely contributed substantially to their states' overall crime problems. People living in the nation's most dangerous states were also far more likely than other Americans to live in poverty. The poverty rate in six of the 10 states was higher than the national rate of 15.8% in 2013. Nearly 22% of New Mexico residents lived below the poverty line, the second-highest nationwide and the highest on this list. Educational attainment rates are yet another factor contributing to violent crime. Lower levels of education result in lower incomes later in life, which in turn can contribute to higher crime rates. In addition, as Roman explained in a previous discussion at the city level, poor education is part of several structural disadvantages that make crime very difficult to address. According to Roman, addressing these underlying economic and social issues is critical to reducing crime. For example, cities that "have been successful [at reducing crime] have promoted immigration, they've reduced economic segregation, and they've encouraged gentrification." He added, "I think all three of those things are controversial. But I think the data suggests the results are overwhelming." To identify the most dangerous states in America, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed violent crime rates from the FBI's 2013 Uniform Crime Report. Property crime rates also came from the FBI's report. The data were broken into eight types of crime. Violent crime was comprised of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault; and, property crime was comprised of burglary, arson, larceny, and motor vehicle theft. In addition to crime data, we also reviewed median household income, poverty rates, and educational attainment rates from the 2013 Census Bureau's American Community Survey. Click ahead for the five most dangerous (and the five safest) states in America, and then visit 24/7 Wall St. for the complete report . No. 5 Most Dangerous: Louisiana > Violent crimes per 100,000: 510.4 > Population: 4,625,470 > Total 2013 murders: 498 (9th highest) > Poverty rate: 19.8% (3rd highest) > Pct. of adults with high school diploma: 83.1% (4th lowest) More than 17% of Louisiana residents received food stamps in 2013, well above the 13.5% who did nationwide. Low incomes may be the result of low education attainment rates. Only 22.5% of Louisiana residents aged 25 and older had at least a bachelor's degree as of 2013, among the lowest rates in the country. These relatively poor socioeconomic factors likely contributed to higher crime rates. There were 510 violent crimes reported per 100,000 residents in 2013, a 2.8% increase over 2012. While crime rates dropped across the country, Louisiana was one of a handful of states where violent crime rates increased. Criminal activity in New Orleans and Lafayette, which both reported some of the higher violent crime rates among large U.S. metro areas in 2013, also contributed largely to Louisiana's crime problem. No. 4 Most Dangerous: Tennessee > Violent crimes per 100,000: 579.7 > Population: 6,495,978 > Total 2013 murders: 328 (18th highest) > Poverty rate: 17.8% (12th highest) > Pct. of adults with high school diploma: 85.6% (tied-12th lowest) The aggravated assault rate in Tennessee fell 7.9% in 2013 from 2012 to nearly 437 incidents per 100,000 residents. Despite the drop, this was the second highest such rate in the country. Aggravated assault incidents accounted for more than 75% of all violent crimes in the state. Low education attainment rates and high poverty rates may partly explain the frequency of such crimes. As of 2013, less than 25% of residents 25 and over had at least a bachelor's degree, and nearly 18% of all people lived in poverty. Both rates were considerably worse than the national figures. Crime is particularly concentrated in Memphis, where 1,656 violent crimes per 100,000 city residents were reported in 2013, the third highest among all U.S. cities. The poverty rate and other economic factors were also much worse in the city than in the state as a whole. No. 3 Most Dangerous: Nevada > Violent crimes per 100,000: 591.2 > Population: 2,790,136 > Total 2013 murders: 163 (25th highest) > Poverty rate: 15.8% (24th highest) > Pct. of adults with high school diploma: 85.2% (10th lowest) Nevada's violent crime rate fell 2.9% between 2012 and 2013 to 591.2 incidents per 100,000 Nevada residents, the third highest rate in nation. While there were significant improvements in the state in some types of crime, incidents of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter and rape rose 29.8% and 15.6%, respectively. While a politically charged issue, experts agree that background checks severely undercut the availability of firearms on the black market, where many perpetrators of violent crime and the severely mentally ill acquire weapons. Violent crime rates may be expected to increase in the future, as Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval vetoed a bill that would have required background checks on all firearm purchases. No. 2 Most Dangerous: New Mexico > Violent crimes per 100,000: 596.7 > Population: 2,085,287 > Total 2013 murders: 125 (21st lowest) > Poverty rate: 21.9% (2nd highest) > Pct. of adults with high school diploma: 84.3% (6th lowest) New Mexico's violent crime rate rose 6.6% between 2012 and 2013 the most in the nation to nearly 597 per 100,000 residents. The increase in violent crime came despite Governor Susana Martinez's avowal in 2011 to be tough on crime. As in other dangerous states, the concentration of crime in New Mexico's larger cities may have contributed to the state's crime problem. Albuquerque, for example, the state's largest city, had an estimated crime rate of 775 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, more than twice the national rate. New Mexico residents were also among the nation's poorest in 2013, with a median household income of $43,872 and a poverty rate of nearly 22%. No. 1 Most Dangerous: Alaska > Violent crimes per 100,000: 602.6 > Population: 735,132 > Total 2013 murders: 34 (11th lowest) > Poverty rate: 9.3% (2nd lowest) > Pct. of adults with high school diploma: 91.6% (tied-6th highest) Alaska was the nation's most dangerous state in 2013 and the only state with more than 600 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. Incidents of murder and nonnegligent manslaughter and rape both rose nearly 10% in 2013 from 2012, despite falling across the country in 2013. Alaska residents have struggled with sexual assault for years. According to a 2010 survey of Alaskan women, 37% of respondents reported being the victims of rape or sexual assault. As of 2013, rapes were reported nearly four times as frequently as they were nationwide. High violent crime rates in Alaska may seem incongruous with the state's socioeconomic environment. As of 2013, fewer than one in 10 residents lived in poverty, and thanks to a permanent fund that pays residents a share of oil profits, the state had the second highest median household income in the country, at $72,237. Visit 24/7 Wall St. for the complete list of the most dangerous states in America No. 5 Safest: Kentucky > Violent crimes per 100,000: 198.8 > Population: 4,395,295 > Total 2013 murders: 167 (24th highest) > Poverty rate: 18.8% (6th highest) > Pct. of adults with high school diploma: 84.1% (5th lowest) Less than 85% of Kentucky adults had at least a high school diploma as of 2013, and 22.6% had completed at least a bachelor's degree, both among the lowest rates nationwide. A typical family made just $43,399, also one of the lowest median incomes in the country. In addition, nearly 19% of state residents lived in poverty, more than 3 percentage points above the national rate. Unlike in many other states with similarly poor socioeconomic conditions, the conditions do not seem to exacerbate criminal activity. Kentucky had among the lowest crime rates last year, at fewer than 200 incidents per 100,000 people. The state's violent crime rate also fell 11.6% in 2013 from the year before, the fourth largest reduction nationwide. No. 4 Safest: Wyoming > Violent crimes per 100,000: 197.7 > Population: 582,658 > Total 2013 murders: 17 (3rd lowest) > Poverty rate: 10.9% (6th lowest) > Pct. of adults with high school diploma: 93.5% (the highest) The violent crime rate in Wyoming dipped slightly between 2012 and 2013 to 197.7 incidents reported per 100,000 residents. This was despite murder and nonnegligent manslaughter and robbery rates each increasing by more than 20%. Still, a total of only 1,152 violent crimes were reported in Wyoming, fewer than in every state except Vermont. Wyoming's income was among the most evenly distributed in the country, which may have contributed to the state's low crime rates. A typical household earned $58,752 in 2013, among the higher incomes in the nation. Additionally, Wyoming adults are quite educated, with nearly 94% having received a high school diploma as of 2013, the highest proportion in the country. No. 3 Safest: Virginia > Violent crimes per 100,000: 187.9 > Population: 8,260,405 > Total 2013 murders: 316 (19th highest) > Poverty rate: 11.7% (9th lowest) > Pct. of adults with high school diploma: 88.4% (23rd lowest) As in several other safe states, Virginia's low violent crime rate can be partly attributed to financial stability among residents. A typical household earned $62,666 last year, the eighth highest such income in the country. The state also had among the lowest poverty rates, at 11.7% in 2013. By contrast, nearly 16% of Americans lived below the poverty line last year. In addition to a low violent crime rate, property crimes were also particularly uncommon in Virginia. For example, there were only 322 burglaries reported per 100,000 state residents, the second-lowest rate nationwide. No. 2 Safest: Maine > Violent crimes per 100,000: 121.6 > Population: 1,328,302 > Total 2013 murders: 24 (8th lowest) > Poverty rate: 14.0% (20th lowest) > Pct. of adults with high school diploma: 91.8% (5th highest) There were just 69 incidents per 100,000 residents of aggravated assault reported last year in Maine, the lowest rate reviewed. This was despite incidents increasing 12.9% in 2013 from 2012, the largest increase in the nation. In fact, incidents of aggravated assaults declined across the nation. Mainers, who are perhaps more dependent on their vehicles because they live in one of the nation's most rural areas, are also fortunate to have one of the country's lowest motor vehicle theft rates. There were fewer than 69 motor vehicle thefts per 100,000 residents reported last year, second only to Vermont. No. 1 Safest: Vermont > Violent crimes per 100,000: 114.9 > Population: 626,630 > Total 2013 murders: 10 (the lowest) > Poverty rate: 12.3% (12th lowest) > Pct. of adults with high school diploma: 91.5% (tied-9th highest) Vermont is the safest state in the country, with a violent crime rate of just 115 incidents per 100,000 residents. The state also led the nation in nominal terms, with a total of only 720 violent crimes reported in 2013. Violent crime in the state has also fallen dramatically. Vermont's violent crime rate fell 19.2% in 2013 from 2012, the largest improvement in the country. As in other safe states, Vermont's relatively well-educated population may have contributed to its low crime rates. Nearly 36% of adults had attained at least a bachelor's degree as of last year, and 91.5% had completed at least high school, both among the highest rates nationwide. Visit 24/7 Wall St. for the complete list of the safest states in America | 3 | 2,188 | finance |
It's time to catch up with some of our favorite ladies from the '80s and '90s Molly Ringwald, "Sixteen Candles" Oh, Molly Ringwald. Where would '80s high school movies have been without her? She taught us how to cleverly apply lipstick with our cleavage, single-handedly put redheads on the map and gave us all hope that we, too, could walk off into the sunset with our own Jake Ryan, if only we just believed. What She's Doing Now These days, the actress plays mom to an 11-year-old daughter named Mathilda, and twins Roman and Adele (born 2009), whom she shares with her husband, writer Panio Gianopoulos. She also recently starred in the ABC Family hit "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" until 2013, when she left to pursue other dreams like the release of a jazz album titled "Except Sometimes. "Next up on the agenda? Ringwald is rumored to be cast in the upcoming flick "JEM: The Movie." (We hear it's going to be truly outrageous.) Mia Sara, "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" Who could forget Sloane Peterson? That hair. That awesome fringe jacket. That super cool, laid-back attitude. After her role in 1986's "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," Mia Sara was the cool girl everyone wanted to be. What She's Doing Now Though Sara has continued to act starring in some lesser-known films like "Timecop" and "The Set-Up" none of her later roles ever quite returned her to the '80s fame she once had .Today, she's a published poet living in Brooklyn with her husband Brian Henson, son of Jim Henson. (Yes, that Jim Henson). She's also the proud mom of two kids, whom she shares with ex-husband Jason Connery, son of Sean Connery. (Yes, that Sean Connery.) Sherilyn Fenn, "Twin Peaks" 24 years ago Fenn blew us away in David Lynch's "Twin Peaks" as the sultry Aubrey Home. Remember the cherry stem scene? We do! And we're thrilled Lynch is bringing it back - wonder if Fenn will play a role? What She's Doing Now Fenn continued acting - her latest role was in an episode of the TV show "Psych" where she and other "Twin Peaks" actors played homage to the cult classic. Fenn has two sons and in 2009 started a blog, "Postcards from the Ledge." Kellie Martin, "Life Goes On" Twenty years ago, actress Kellie Martin was best known for playing smart-as-a-whip Becca Thacher on ABC's "Life Goes On." But these days, the actress has added a few more lines to her résumé ... What She's Doing Now She's the busy mom of one and a toy store CEO. Yep, Martin has been running Romp, an eco-friendly online toy store, since 2012. And while she's still a working actor nabbing recurring roles over the years on popular shows like "ER" and "Army Wives" Martin's heart really lies with her business. The actress first fell in love with Romp back in 2006 when her daughter Maggie was born, and was brokenhearted to later hear it was going to close. Soon, the Yale graduate talked her husband into buying out the business, appointed herself CEO and never looked back. Kim Fields, "The Facts of Life" Actress Kim Fields has sure come a long way since her days as Tootie on "The Facts of Life." Though the show came to an end in 1988, she was soon able to land another long-running role on the popular '90s sitcom, "Living Single," where she played the gossip-loving Regine. What She's Doing Now It was there on "Living Single" that Fields discovered she actually liked being behind the camera even more than being in front of it, and tried her hand at directing a few episodes. In the years since, the actress has been so successful at it, she's gone on to direct and/or produce full-time. In 2009, Fields even moved her family down to Atlanta to work for Tyler Perry, and still lives there with husband Christopher Morgan, and sons Sebastian, 7, and Quincy, 7 months. As for the acting bug? It seems to have bitten her again. In July 2014, Fields starred in the Hallmark Channel's "For Better or Worse" alongside former "Facts of Life" co-star Lisa Whelchel. Candace Cameron, "Full House" Despite landing the role of sweet and wholesome DJ Tanner at just 11 years old, actress Candace Cameron was one of the few child stars who managed to grow up in the spotlight without becoming another sad tabloid story. What She's Doing Now After "Full House" wrapped in 1995, Cameron went on to marry Russian hockey player Valeri Bure, who coincidentally watched episodes of "Full House" before emigrating from Russia so he could learn English. Fun fact: It was Dave Coulier (aka, Uncle Joey) who wound up playing matchmaker for the pair. Candace Cameron-Bure is now mom to three kids Natasha, Lev and Maksim and though she stepped away from the acting biz to focus on being a stay-at-home mom, she returned to the spotlight in 2014, placing third on Season 18 of "Dancing With the Stars."And by the looks of Instagram, she's still BFFs with Kimmy Gibbler (aka Andrea Barber.) Jenna Von Oy, "Blossom" After playing perky and fast-talking Six on "Blossom," Jenna Von Oy followed it up with another recurring spot on "The Parkers." There, she played the quirky and sarcastic Stevie Von Lowe, until that show wrapped in 2004. What She's Doing Now Though she's remained largely out of the spotlight over the last 10 years, that doesn't mean she hasn't been keeping busy. Von Oy has since moved to Nashville, released not one but two country music albums, voiced several animated characters, gotten married and had a daughter, and is currently penning two books while keeping up her blog, The Cradle Chronicles. Oh, and she's expecting Baby No. 2 in November. (Did you get all that?) Von Oy also recently appeared on "Celebrity Wife Swap," where she traded lives for a week with former "Real Housewife" Jill Zarin. Kelly McGillis, "Top Gun" After starring in blockbuster hits like "Top Gun" and "The Accused," Kelly McGillis became a Hollywood "It" girl by 1989. But that very same year, the actress decided to leave the spotlight behind and start a family. What She's Doing Now Away from the glare of Hollywood, McGillis wed millionaire yacht salesman Fred Tillman, spent six months sailing around the Caribbean and set up house in Key West, Fla., where she and Tillman welcomed two daughters, Kelsey and Sonora. She even opened her own (aptly named) restaurant, Kelly's, and spent much of the '90s waiting tables and raising kids. But McGillis' marriage proved to be a rocky one, and came to an end in 2002.Seven years later, the actress would make headlines again after an interview revealed a secret she had held inside for years: She is gay. McGillis has since found happiness with partner Melanie Leis and moved to Northern California, where she continues to act and teach drama. Lisa Bonet, "The Cosby Show" Lisa Bonet shot to fame pretty much as soon "The Cosby Show" began. (It's rumored that she got even more fan mail than the Cos for playing wild and carefree Denise Huxtable.) But her lax and unprofessional behavior on set which included showing up late and being continually argumentative eventually earned her the boot. What She's Doing Now Bill Cosby later offered Bonet a role in the spinoff show "A Different World," but she didn't fare too long on that series, either. Her surprise pregnancy and engagement to rocker Lenny Kravitz disrupted the show's storyline and eventually led her to be written off yet again. Following her split from Kravitz in 1999, Bonet went on to marry "Game of Thrones" actor Jason Momoa and have two more children before curiously changing her name to Lilakoi Moon (allegedly for privacy reasons). As for the pregnancy that ended her "Different World" gig? It led to the birth of her daughter, Zoe, who now has a budding acting career of her own. Jennifer Grey, "Dirty Dancing" Jennifer Grey first rose to fame in 1986's mega-hit "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," playing Ferris' uptight big sis Jeannie. But she really waltzed her way into our hearts the following year, when she starred opposite a hunky Patrick Swayze in "Dirty Dancing." What She's Doing Now Unfortunately, a string of flops followed her throughout the '90s, causing her acting career to seriously stall, but she's since reclaimed a bit of the spotlight since appearing on and winning Season 11 of "Dancing With the Stars." Grey now lives in Venice, Calif., along with her actor/director husband Clark Gregg. The pair have been married since 2001 and are the proud parents to a daughter named Stella, who was born later that same year. Annie Potts, "Ghostbusters" In her decades-long career, actress Annie Potts has left no stone unturned. The Emmy-nominated actress has graced the silver screen (most notably in flicks like "Pretty in Pink" and "Ghostbusters"), lit up the small screen (who can forget her as the hilarious Mary Jo in "Designing Women"?) and even headed to Broadway.. What She's Doing Now And though the actress first debuted on stage in 2009 in "The God of Carnage," it looks like she's back for more. Earlier this year, she won the role of Berthe, a trapeze-swinging grandmother in Broadway's classic show "Pippin." In between all her star-turning roles, Potts was also married four times (most recently to director James Hayman), and is mom to three sons Clay, 33, James, 22, and Harry, 18. | 4 | 2,189 | lifestyle |
The lob took over 2014, and with so many stars committing to the chop, one has to assume that they're probably working their way toward longer locks. So what will be 2015's style mainstay? Get ready for "the swag," because it's already gaining traction on runways and red carpets. Celebrity hairstylist Sunnie Brook, who has worked on the manes of Dianna Agron, Lana Del Rey, and Chrissy Teigen, spoke with Byrdie about this look in November, coining the term herself. "It's a modern take on the shag haircut. Most shags look like Christmas trees - they're not very flattering. So we're swagging it up," says Brook. I visited Sunnie at Ramirez-Tran salon in Los Angeles (yes, the salon with the most Instagram-worthy hair) to learn all about the new style. Turns out I was a perfect candidate for the cut, so goodbye went my long hair, and in came curtain bangs and sexy layers with movement. Take a look at the transformation in the video above! Plus, learn who's the best candidate for the look, plus styling tips to keep your swagger in check. | 4 | 2,190 | lifestyle |
How to Motivate Yourself to Lose Weight Stay On Track Even creating balance has a starting line. Before you start cutting out unhealthy foods and hitting the gym twice a day, it is helpful to get into the mental mindset of losing weight, and really making strides towards an entire life change. Carry a Water Bottle It may seem like a silly thing, but if you're a mindless muncher, having a full bottle of water at your desk can help you resist taking that doughnut from the morning meeting. "Last thing you want to confuse for thirst is hunger," warns Keri Gans, nutritionist and author of The Small Change Diet. Eat With Intention Motivating yourself to lose weight is a multifaceted issue. A huge part of it is not only eating "better," but also understanding what those foods can do for your body to keep you focused on your weight loss goals. "Don't think of losing weight as a punishing task of self-denial," warns medical weight loss expert Dr. Sue Decotiis , M.D. "Consume a protein-filled breakfast and a lunch and dinner of vegetables and protein. To help the fat burning and stave off the cravings, start [with] a strong probiotic [a food that will help digestion, like yogurt] to enhance the gut's ability to signal fat cells and to promote satiety." Keep Eating Depriving yourself is a surefire way to have an opposite effect and will cause you to overeat. "Rev up your metabolism with small meals and snacks," says Jacqueline Gomes, registered dietitian and owner-operator of CKO Kickboxing in Lyndhurst, N.J. "Plan to eat a snack that consists of carbs and protein about two hours before your workout." Keep the Good Foods in Sight For folks who like to snack, it is all about choosing wisely. "Don't hide your fruit and vegetables in a low shelf or drawer in your refrigerator," suggests Gans, "but put them front and center so you see them when the door opens. [That serves as] a gentle reminder of what you should be grabbing." Leave Little Reminders for Yourself Sometimes actions speak louder than words. Physically surrounding yourself with positive and subtle reminders can keep your motivation up. "Lay out your workout clothes the night before so they are the first thing you see when you wake up," advises Gans. Make Clear Goals To really motivate yourself to get into the swing of living a healthier lifestyle, you have to tackle issues head on. "Saying 'I want to lose weight' is too vague," states Tsilimparis. "But saying 'I want to lose five pounds in two months' is a more concise goal you can aspire to." Pencil It In Just as Tsilimparis suggested, writing down everything can help keep you focused, even outside of what you ate that day. "When you first start an exercise program," says Gomes, "It's helpful to jot down your gym time into your planner so that you don't make other appointments or other plans during that time." Plan Ahead Sometimes staying motivated means surrounding yourself with positive choices and preemptive decisions. There are little things you can do around the house to help keep you on track. "Plan your meals for the week," instructs Gomes. "Hit the grocery store with a list of foods that correspond to specific meals. Pre-prepping meals on the weekends save a lot of time during the week. Pack it to go. Pre-packed lunches and snacks make choosing healthier foods throughout the day easy." Start Slowly There is a lesson in the saying "Rome wasn't built in a day." Doing too much too fast can cause enough frustration and exhaustion to make you want to quit. "Start off [exercising] with three nonconsecutive days a week. It's just the right amount of activity to keep you healthy while not burning you out." This also applies to your diet in general. "Don't make your goals too large," cautions Gans, "but rather choose one small change each week to work on. For example, instead of focusing on eating healthy at all meals throughout the day, pick one improve it, and then move on to another." Tell People Don't keep your goals to yourself, it will only make them harder to accomplish! "When you tell people, you are accountable for your actions," says Tsilimparis. "You have so many outs if you keep it a secret." | 7 | 2,191 | health |
Ana Ivanovic foudht back from a set down to defeat Kaia Kanepi and move into the semi-finals of the Brisbane International. | 8 | 2,192 | video |
By Sam Quinn This week, we will go game by game in the NFL playoffs and break down the upset chances of each of the Divisional Round's road teams. Read our other previews: Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots , Carolina Panthers vs. Seattle Seahawks , Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers Indianapolis is in a really unique position this weekend against the Broncos. See, the Colts are terrible. They are a terrible football team, and terrible football teams almost never make it to the divisional round of the playoffs. This is a problem because, well, the Denver Broncos are not a terrible football team. They are, in fact, a rather good one. I don't want this to come off as insulting, because the Colts aren't here by accident. Their roster is just built, both by design and injury, around a few great players. Andrew Luck, beyond his unnecessary risk taking with those damn interceptions, finally is the kind of quarterback who can win 10 games nearly on his own. T.Y. Hilton is one of the best receivers in football, ditto for Anthony Costanzo at left tackle, and Vontae Davis is the winner of the 2014 "Best Man-Coverage Corner, Non-Revis Division" Award. That's just it. That's the entire team. That's literally everything they have. They a few useful players in certain situations Jonathan Newsome as a pass-rusher, Reggie Wayne on third downs and they have a few surprisingly effective veterans like Mike Adams and Corey Redding if you squint, but otherwise, yeah, that's the team. Four guys. Literally everyone else on the roster is replaceable, and not replaceable in the sense that the Colts could lose them, replaceable in the sense that the Colts should be actively looking to replace them. The beauty of teams like this is that they have incredibly high variance. Their level of play changes greatly from week to week, and that has been Indy's season in a nutshell. Six wins of 16 or more points, but three losses of 17 or more along with falling behind 24 0 against Denver. If any team were going to be blown out this week, it would logically be the Colts. But they're equally capable of getting hot, knocking off a few contenders, and finding themselves in the Super Bowl. If they were to catch lightning in a bottle like that against Indy, here's how they'd have to do it. 1. Manufacture a Running Game Indy's running game has totally expectedly transformed into the football version of the Van Houten marriage: falling apart in front of our eyes, very uncomfortable to watch, and totally lacking in dignity because it didn't go to Gudger College . Their best running back, Daniel Herron has averaged more than four yards per carry in only four games this year. We're one Zurlon Tipton injury away from Trent Richardson getting double digit carries in a playoff game, and more importantly, former No. 3 overall pick Trent Richardson is in his third year in the league and is relying on an injury from something called a "Zurlon Tipton" just to see the field. What the hell is happening? But the Colts are still insistent on running the ball, because for some reason, offensive coordinators believe that crashing head first into the offensive line for a two-yard gain 20 times per game helps their passing offense, or something. It's such an antiquated philosophy. If you can't run the ball then don't run the ball, you have Andrew Luck and T.Y Hilton, that's an automatic 21 points. Anything less and you've screwed up. If you want more than go create more. This isn't 1930. The running game is not all dives and counters anymore. If traditional running isn't working then manufacture rushing opportunities. Hilton is one of the best open-field players in football, give him one jet-sweep every quarter. Establish the play-action game early so the defense can't cheat on running downs. Use extra six-offensive linemen sets (the Colts saw firsthand just how effective this can be). Get creative. Clearly a traditional running game isn't doing anything for you. Go study some Seattle tape, or Philadelphia tape, find ways to create rushing opportunities that go beyond "Herron runs into defensive tackle." You're an NFL offensive coordinator now, Pep Hamilton, this is your job. Denver doesn't lose to teams that don't get creative on offense anyway. Remember the Super Bowl? Seattle lined up Percy Harvin out wide, in the slot, in the backfield, as a returner, at second base, and just outside the Grassy Knoll. It gave them fits all night. The Patriots throttled them in Foxboro with their patented "you don't know nor does it matter where Gronk will line up this play" offense. You will not beat the Broncos in a traditional football game in Denver. You have to get somewhat creative. The Colts can throw with almost anyone. Figuring out a running game is the key to their offense. 2. Pressure Peyton Manning Getting pressure on Peyton Manning is nearly impossible, but when it does happen, he's a different quarterback . Last year, Pro Football Focus measured every quarterback's stats with and without pressure, and Manning's numbers were jarring. Manning's quarterback rating against no pressure was 121.4. Against pressure? 89.6. Suddenly, you're going from arguably the greatest quarterback of all time to one who is just very good. But those stats just measure the regular season, and only one regular season at that. Anecdotally, just look at last year's Super Bowl. Manning may have only been sacked once, but Seattle pressured and hit him all night. In fact, most of Manning's most embarrassing playoff losses have been the result of pressure. He was sacked three times against the Ravens in 2012, five times in his 2005 loss to Pittsburgh and a combined seven times in his consecutive losses to New England in 2003 and 2004. Again, I'd like to stress just how difficult it is to pressure Manning. Difficult isn't a strong enough word. It's next to impossible. He releases the ball so quickly that even the best-disguised blitzes often can't reach him before a throw has been made. But Manning is so smart that, if given enough time, he will always find an open receiver. There's no such thing as beating him with coverage. This is a non-starter. If the Colts are going to win, they have to find a way to generate pressure. There really hasn't been much rhyme or reason to Indy's pass-rush this season. They finished tied for ninth in the league with 41 sacks, but how they came to that number makes almost no sense. They had three zero sack games and three single-sack games, but they also had seven games with at least four sacks. They're also fairly well spread out. Most of the good games come early in the season and the stretch of one-sack games came at the end, but Indy had three sacks in Week 1 and four in Week 17. Their two zero-sack games were consecutive, but sandwiched between two four-sack games. Indy's pass-rush tends to either show up or not. If they're going to beat the Broncos, they'd better hope it does. 3. Make a Special Teams Play Special teams often play a big part in playoff games against Manning. Sean Payton realized in 2009 that Manning's control over the game was so great that he had to steal a possession, so he tried an onside kick to start the second half. Seattle scored a touchdown on a Percy Harvin kick return that sealed the game. Even Mike Scifres, a punter, swung a 2008 wild-card game by punting arguably the greatest game in NFL history: a 52.7-yard average on six punts, including a long of 67 yards. Upsets in general often include special teams plays, but doing so against Manning is of even greater importance because he has such control over the game. Anything you can do to disrupt his rhythm, whether it's stealing a possession or pushing him back against his own end zone, is critical. Indianapolis actually does have a very good special teams unit, especially when it comes to defending kicks and punts. But even so, the playoffs tend to offer expanded opportunities to steal yards and points on special teams. Rex Ryan, for example, would always send Antonio Cromartie back to return kicks in the playoffs because he knew the stakes were great enough that he could afford to risk injury. Often, teams decide that all bets are off and use every weapon in their arsenal to win playoff games. The Colts should do the same here. They are not as good of a football team as Denver, not even close. They are playing on the road, in a hostile environment against one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. They should try something extreme. They should let Hilton return kicks. He's their most dangerous returner. Josh Cribbs might be a legendary returner, but he's also 31 and doesn't offer nearly as much explosiveness as Hilton or even Davis. Go for the home run; try to win the game instead of not losing it. The Verdict We saw this game play out four months ago. The Colts just aren't good enough to hang with the Broncos. This feels like one of those games where Denver races out to an early lead, Indy claws back, but the Broncos end up winning comfortably. The Colts could make it interesting by getting more creative with their game plan, but ultimately this ends up as a 34 21 Broncos win. | 1 | 2,193 | sports |
Boasting over 1.2 million active shops and $1.35 billion in gross sales in 2013, Etsy isn't just some dinky arts-and-crafts site not by any stretch of the imagination. Consequently, navigating its inventory can feel overwhelming, even if you know exactly what you want to shop. Take jewelry, for example: Weeding through a seemingly endless number of rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings can feel like a trip down the rabbit hole. Of course, it helps to have knowledgable and experienced online shoppers (why, hello there) to walk you through the retailer's best jewelry offerings. Ahead, we're extolling the virtues of 10 bookmark-worthy sellers. We're also sharing our favorite pieces ranging from raw-cut diamond rings to sleek, metal chokers to shop at each boutique. Go ahead and cross "supporting small businesses" off your 2015 to-do list. Midwinter Co. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work with your partner or spouse? Caelen and Samantha Bird are proof it's possible. The married couple from Delaware quit their jobs to focus their energies on Midwinter Co., an independent jewelry and decor brand that's fair trade and eco-friendly. Midwinter Co. Rough Diamond Ring in Sterling, $150, available at Etsy . Midwinter Co. "The jewelry we design offers a new, fresh perspective of the raw beauty and character of natural gems," says Samantha Bird. "We use perfectly flawed diamonds, rough uncut gemstones, and high quality, uniquely styled metals. Every stone is hand picked for color, shape, quality, and beauty." Midwinter Co. Genuine Black Diamond Earrings, $105, available at Etsy . Midwinter Co. As added incentive to shop: 10% of profits are given to carefully selected charities. Midwinter Co. Black Tourmaline Herkimer Diamond Ombre Necklace, $55, available at Etsy . Studio Meg Designs For minimalist brides-to-be, this is one shop you need to check out. Los Angeles-based designer Megan Bengtson is a self-described "architect by day, artisan by night." It's evident in her modern, wedding-focused rings. Studio Meg Designs Unique Engagement Ring Set, $550, available at Etsy . Studio Meg Designs Bengtson spends her free time designing on a small scale which makes Etsy an ideal platform to showcase her work. Studio Meg Designs Modern Black Diamond Engagement Ring, $250, available at Etsy . Studio Meg Designs In addition to traditional (not to mention budget-friendly) engagement rings, she features subtler, more unique bands like those shown here. After all, not everyone is into major bling. Studio Meg Designs 14K Teeny Diamond Specked Wedding Band, $275, available at Etsy . Belle Accessoires Barbara Romankiewicz's Austrian-based Etsy boutique is not only super affordable (everything is under $25), but innovative, too. Her hand-painted, wooden-bead jewelry features cool colorblocking and a luxe feel without the luxe price tag. Belle Accessoires Pastel Wooden Geometric Necklace, $24.37, available at Etsy . Belle Accessoires Romankiewicz is a freelance graphic and web designer by day, and jewelry aficionado the rest of the time. "Wood, water-based acrylic paint, natural gemstones, brass, and copper are the materials I love to work with," she says Belle Accessoires Black Dipped Tiny Silver Wooden Stud Earrings, $8.53, available at Etsy . Belle Accessoires "I love simple, minimalist style but also all kind of colors," Romankiewicz adds. Meant for everyday wear, her assortment of necklaces and earrings come in a wide range of color combinations our favorites are the ones that contrast brights with pastels. Belle Accessoires Handpainted Wooden Geometric Necklace, $21.94, available at Etsy . The Angry Weather At first glance, the Angry Weather's jewelry is very much inspired by the elements featuring cloud-shaped necklaces and lightning bolt studs. The brains (and hands) behind these designs is Canada-based Iveth Morales. The Angry Weather 14K Rose Gold Lightning Bolt Stud Earrings, $190.58, available at Etsy . The Angry Weather "I find inspiration in nature: mountains, forests, deserts, the weather, the universe; also in homey objects, the idea of a refuge for the mind and body, childhood memories, my husband and daughter, illustration and photography," says Morales. The Angry Weather Refuge Stud Earrings in Sterling Silver, $51.95, available at Etsy . The Angry Weather Simple but beautiful, this stacking ring holds special meaning for Morales. "In Mexico there's an old saying: 'every grain of sand counts,'" she explains. "It's used to say that every act of kindness is important no matter how small it is because when you put all those 'grains of sand' together, they form something big, something wonderful. This is what this ring reminds me of every time I wear it." The Angry Weather Dainty Gold Stacking Rings, $370.56, available at Etsy . Enzo Luccati The NYC-based jewelry line Enzo Luccati specializes in raw diamond engagement rings that cater to young couples on a budget. EnzoLuccati 14-K Raw Diamond Ring, $695, available at Etsy . Enzo Luccati In an effort to have every piece look as organic is possible, the designer seeks out diamonds and other gemstones in their rawest form, as well as recycled silver whenever possible. EnzoLuccati 14K Emerald Drop Pendant Necklace, $395, available at Etsy . Enzo Luccati Conventional jewelry with pristine-looking gems isn't for everyone. For those with a strong connection to nature, an imperfect emerald with its rough edges may have an even greater appeal. EnzoLuccati Esmeralda Oxidized Sterling Silver Stud Earrings, $95, available at Etsy . Pieces of Starr Starr Miller lists Delfina Delettrez, Anna Dello Russo, Bliss Lau, Lynn Ban, and unicorns (yes, unicorns) among her design inspirations. "I love unicorns and wish I could forever live in a world with animals, fairies, and mermaids," Miller says. "I also like the appeal of jewelry that makes me feel strong and badass I don't usually wear dainty jewelry." Pieces of Starr Garnet Paired Ring, $115, available at Etsy . Pieces of Starr Miller handcrafts all of her statement jewelry in her Atlanta-based studio. What's more, she's committed to sustainable production and local sourcing for all of the materials used. Pieces of Starr Starr Ear Jacket, $135, available at Etsy . Pieces of Starr Pieces of Starr is nothing if not bold. Even its simple gold choker offers plenty of edge. Pieces of Starr Round Choker, $130, available at Etsy . Therese Kuempel Jewelry Therese Kuempel is a Chicago-based metalsmith and sculptor. Her designs feature stones like onyx, opal, turquoise, quartz, and druzy which, paired with uniquely-molded metals, gives wearers an ethereal look. Therese Kuempel Crystal Facet Cluster Ring with Druzy, $60, available at Etsy . Therese Kuempel Jewelry According to Kuempel, "there is something inherently satisfying about watching metal melt, and seeing wax creations come to metal fruition." We'll take her word for it. Therese Kuempel Pyramid Necklace, $55, available at Etsy . Therese Kuempel Jewelry Read up on the history and symbolism of the stones Kuempel uses in her work namely onyx, turquoise, and quartz here. Therese Kuempel Onyx Crystal Cluster Earrings, $60, available at Etsy . Anatomi Madison, Wisconsin-based jewelry line Anatomi has the whole raw-gemstone thing on lockdown. Here, you can shop one-of-a-kind geode druzy rings, raw garnet necklaces, and much more. Anatomi 14K Dark Grey Geode Druzy Ring, $265, available at Etsy . Anatomi Not only are the sourced stones incredibly unique, the designer also works with recycled 14-karat gold, when possible. Anatomi 14K Green Uvarovite Garnet Necklace, $531.25, available at Etsy . Anatomi In addition to relatively simple claw settings (like the one shown here), there are most advanced and complicated filigree styles which require plenty of metalworking to perfect. Anatomi 14K Prong-Set Blue Grey Geode Studs, $215, available at Etsy . TheFORMA FORMA is helmed by Galit Barak; a jewelry designer and master's student at Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art. Though based in Karkur, Israel, Barak's clean, geometric designs are available to shop internationally through the convenience of Etsy. FORMA Sterling Silver Stacker Ring, $85, available at Etsy . TheFORMA "'Forma' is the Latin word for form," says Barak on The Etsy Blog. "I aim to create the right form for an idea, feeling, or material. I like to keep my designs clean, smart and simple, and I believe that good design is very straightforward." FORMA Oxidized Sterling Silver Studs, $165, available at Etsy . TheFORMA Barak draws inspiration from her surroundings "natural rocks and crystals, urban landscapes, architecture and mechanisms," to name a few. "I also work on conceptual art jewelry, where I strive to be innovative, stretch boundaries, and create unfamiliar layouts." FORMA Gold Knuckle Ring, $215, available at Etsy . Datter Industries Turning her drawing into jewelry, illustrator Kaye Blegvad began Datter Industries in New York City in 2010. At her Etsy shop you'll find quirky cat studs, watchful eye and protective hand rings made by hand and finished individually in her studio. Datter Industries Silver Tiny Cat Earrings, $71.45, available at Etsy . Datter Industries "I draw my inspiration from all over the place ancient artifacts, talismans, ritual, the occult, weaponry, and the natural world," says Blegvad. Datter Industries Watchful Eye 9K Gold Ring, $372.79, available at Etsy . Datter Industries If you like symbolic and occult jewelry, Datter Industries is a must-visit. Datter Industries Golden Protective Hand Ring, $65.24, available at Etsy . | 4 | 2,194 | lifestyle |
There's a lot of love in the animal kingdom, especially in places where you'd least expect it Bear and Cat How Muschi the cat got into Mausi the bear's enclosure at the Berlin Zoo in 2001 is still unknown, but the two now share a living space and can't stand being apart. Follow us on Facebook. Dog and Duckie When Dennis the duckling lost his mother to a fox, Fred the yellow labrador stepped in to take over parenting duties. The duo even take swims together. Follow us on Facebook. Tiger and Piglets Saimai the tiger was raised by a sow, so it's no surprise that she bonded with some piglets at a tiger farm in Thailand. Follow us on Facebook. Cheetah and Dog Kasi was an orphaned cheetah cub and Mtani a rescued Lab pup when they were socialized together at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. It ends up that the two were an excellent match and have been zoo mates and best pals ever since. Follow us on Facebook. Dog and Kangaroo A German Pointer named Rex discovered a joey in the pouch of a kangaroo that was hit and killed by a car. Rex brought the joey to his owner, who then took the little marsupial to a wildlife sanctuary. But Rex is sure to stop by and visit the joey, with whom he formed a fast and lasting bond. Follow us on Facebook. Gorilla and Bunny Eager to offer 47-year-old Samantha the Gorilla some companionship, the Erie Zoo gave her a rabbit named Panda. Now the gentle gorilla pets and feeds her new companion, and she has a best friend to spend time with. Follow us on Facebook. Hippo and Turtle Orphaned by a tsunami, Owen the hippo was moved to Haller Park in Kenya and placed in a enclosure with Mzee, the Aldabra giant tortoise. The 130-year-old reptile gladly accepted the new companion and the pair became inseparable. Follow us on Facebook. Dog and Owl When Shrek the owlet came to live in the same home as Torque the dog, the baby bird had free reign of the house. Soon enough, she was sneaking snuggles on the sofa with her new pooch pal. Follow us on Facebook. Giraffe and Ostrich At Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, you'll find Bea the giraffe and Wilma the ostrich walking around their enclosures and nuzzling noses. Follow us on Facebook. Snake and Hamster Aochan the rat snake formed a surprising bond with a hamster that was supposed to be dinner. The two share a cage at the Tokyo Zoo, and the hamster is now known as Gochan. Follow us on Facebook. | 4 | 2,195 | lifestyle |
It's all too easy to get caught up in every wedding-related detail as if it was a matter of life or death and let's be honest, some, such as your dress, basically are! But there are a few things that, with the advantage of hindsight, some brides wish they had never given a second thought. Here, three dish on what was worth the worry, and what simply wasn't. Worth It: Stressing Over the Back-Up Plan "I am so glad we had a rain plan," one bride says. "It was something we went back and forth on many times, because the only rain plan available to us through our venue cost an extra and very hefty fee. Plus, I wasn't planning an outdoor wedding to have our ceremony inside!" But, after much debate and rearranging her budget, the bride paid the extra cost and opted to reserve an indoor ballroom in addition to an uncovered space beside a vineyard. When it began to drizzle just minutes before she would have walked down the grass aisle, the bride was glad she spent the extra money. Not Worth It: Stressing Over Chairs She wasn't, however, worried post-wedding about how she cut costs to make room in her budget for the back-up plan. "I had my mind set on Chiavari chairs for the ceremony, because I feel like everyone chooses the white garden chairs. But at $2 more per chair, we scrapped our plans for the Chiavari chairs and settled on the white ones our venue had available," the bride says. "Do you think I noticed those chairs on my wedding day? Nope. And I also don't focus on them when I look at our photos. I can't believe I was upset over chairs when making the switch saved us nearly $400!" Worth It: Stressing Over the Dress This bride wanted to find the perfect dress, so even after slipping on dozens of "perfectly beautiful but not perfect for me" gowns, she explains, she pressed on. "My mom finally pulled me aside one day and said, 'You've looked gorgeous in at least 10 dresses, and it's probably about time you choose one of those,'" she recalls. "I started to worry I was a crazy, like, it can't be this hard for someone to fall in love with a dress, right? It took me three months to find it, but when I did, I knew immediately it was The One. Even though it eventually became really stressful to keep searching, I can't imagine having worn anything different for our wedding." Not Worth It: Stressing Over Family Logistics "Have you ever seen those really awkward aisle walks, with a mom on one side and the dad on the other, and the bride looks like a waddling penguin in the middle?" a bride, married now six months, asks. "Well, I was petrified that was how I would look if I walked down the my mom and my dad. But my parents are divorced, and I'm actually a lot closer to my mom than I am to my dad. I almost didn't ask her to walk with us because I was so scared of looking stupid. But can I tell you how glad I am that I got over it? Not only did we not look stupid, but my mom totally deserved to give me away." Worth It: Stressing Over the Honeymoon "Every hour, every penny that went into planning that trip was totally worth it," a bride says. "Is it shameful to admit there may have been a spreadsheet weighing the pros and cons of each destination? But ultimately, because we took the time to explore every place and option, we found incredibly good deals and were able to travel to three European countries over two weeks." | 4 | 2,196 | lifestyle |
Check it out you've got a new engagement ring , a new fiancé and you're floating on Cloud 9. Congratulations! Enjoy this special time. You don't have to plan the wedding right away you can enjoy a lengthy engagement honeymoon if you like but there are a few things that you have to do as soon as you get engaged. 1. Insure the engagement ring . If your fiancé didn't insure it before he gave it to you, that's the first phone call you have to make the next morning. You'll need to fax a copy of the appraisal to your insurance company and they'll create a rider for your policy to cover the ring. It's not that expensive, but it's priceless if something unfortunate happens. Do not wait. And if you cannot insure it immediately (perhaps it's a family ring and you need to have it appraised first), don't start wearing it out of the house yet, and keep it in a safe or hidden when you're not at home. Especially if you've posted photos of it on social media sites . 2. Get two ring holders . One for your dresser and one for the kitchen. Never set an engagement ring on the kitchen counter too many have died in the garbage disposal that way. 3. Tell your parents and other immediately family before you tell the rest of the world. In person when possible, via phone if not. Don't let somebody who loves you find out you're engaged via the social media grapevine . Just because your grandmother isn't on Facebook doesn't mean your aunt won't call her the minute she sees a picture go up. Don't text the news. Don't send them a private message via email or any form of social media. Let your fingers do the walking and actually talk to them so they can hear the joy in your voice. 4. Start making a guest list as you think of people you want to invite although not everybody will make the final cut. This will give you a better idea of how many guests each set of your parents can invite and how many guests total you'll need to be budgeting for at the reception when you start planning. 5 . Get a big picture view of the next 12 months personally and professionally for you and your fiancé. Block out the time periods when you can't get away from work. Eliminate weeks that you're already committed to other weddings and family events. If you have siblings graduating, block out those times too. When you're ready to choose your wedding date , you'll be able to look at the whole year or more ahead of you and figure out potential wedding dates that work for both of you and your families. More from Brides 20 Ways to Throw the Best Wedding Ever How To Find The Perfect Wedding Dress For Your Body Type The Top Fall 2015 Wedding Dress Trends | 4 | 2,197 | lifestyle |
Brendan Rodgers admits the loss of Steven Gerrard to LA Galaxy at the end of the season will leave a 'void' at Liverpool, but insists it's an opportunity for the club and other players. | 1 | 2,198 | sports |
You don't need to wear a suit and tie to work to make six figures. Though it may require self-employment, the support of a labor union and, in some cases, not a small amount of risk to your safety, you can earn over $100,000 at a traditionally blue collar job. "There are several occupations that have that potential," says Carl Van Horn, professor of public policy and director of Rutgers John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. "A lot of them are in the trades." As third-level students leave college saddled with debt, others are looking for alternative ways to earn $100,000 or more a year. On Thursday, The Wall Street Journal interviewed a 24-year-old welder who earns $140,000 a year and attended Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas. Here are 5 other jobs with the potential to bring in a six-figure salary: Police officers New York Police Department salaries can go as high as $131,000 a year, depending on the rank and tenure, according to information confidentially submitted to careers website Glassdoor by NYPD employees. A police officer's salary ranges from $50,000 to $116,000, while a sergeant's salary can run from $105,000 to $131,000, excluding overtime. "These income levels for police vary by region," Van Horn says. "A person who is doing police work at Port Authority is very different from a police officer in the rural community." In 2013, some 20 NYPD employees brought in over $50,000 in overtime. As the recent killings of police officers in New York has shown, they often face life-or-death situations every day. Bartenders A six-figure salary for bartenders is not common -- the Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median salary at $18,900 a year -- but bartenders in upmarket bars in major cities like New York and L.A. can make hundreds of dollars a night in tips. Most bartenders take home between $45,000 and $73,000, including tips, according to Rob Doherty, author of "Highball: The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Professional Bartender." "It's possible for a bartender to find just the right situation to rake in the much sought after $100,000," he writes. The best bartenders remember everything there is to know about their customers, often share opinions on issues of the day and never forget their names. Contractors and construction managers All those fixer-uppers add up. The national average for contractor salaries is $65,239, according to Glassdoor, but can vary from $32,000 to $110,000, depending on the scale of the work. "It's a field that's so broad, from large construction companies to one-man operations," Van Horn says. And the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that pay for construction managers can range from $82,790 to $144,520. Although a bachelor's degree may not be required, rigorous training, substantial experience and/or formal certification/licensing may be necessary, says Patrick O'Keefe, director of economic research at CohnReznick, an accounting and advisory firm. More than half (57%) of construction managers were self-employed in 2012, the BLS found. But it's demanding: "The need to meet deadlines and to respond to delays and emergencies often requires long hours. Many managers also may be on call 24 hours a day." Farmers and ranchers "Farmers in the Midwest and up and down the east and west coasts can bring home six figures," says Scott Dobroski, career trends analyst at careers website Glassdoor. They work in industries where their products never go out of fashion. "After all, everyone in America drinks orange juice," he says, although the price of oranges and orange juice can be volatile. While the median annual wage for farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers is $70,110 a year, it can rise to $119,530 a year, as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. California farmers have the highest annual mean wage of all states in this industry ($93,630 a year versus $75,960 a year in Florida), the BLS says. California's most valued commodities in 2012 included milk ($6.9 billion in revenue a year), grapes ($4.5 billion a year) and almonds ($4.4 billion a year), according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Oil rig workers While most geologists, engineers and drilling consultants have a bachelor's degree, there are some oil rig jobs that don't require one. Oil rig foremen/superintendents, directional drillers and oil rig managers are among jobs that don't typically require a bachelor's degree and can command six figure salaries or close to, according to a report by RigZone, a jobs site for the industry but they often require years of experience and oil and gas worker salaries fell 3% in 2013 for the second consecutive year. Working on a rig can be lonely, laborious and dangerous, but salaries have been rising in recent years, he adds. North Dakota had the highest fatality rate in the country in 2012 (17.7 per 100,000 workers) followed by Wyoming (12.2), Alaska (8.9) and Montana (7.3), according to a report by AFLCIO, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. | 3 | 2,199 | finance |
Subsets and Splits
No saved queries yet
Save your SQL queries to embed, download, and access them later. Queries will appear here once saved.