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Kurdish militia have driven Islamic State group militants from the Syrian border town of Kobane after months of heavy fighting, a monitor and spokesman said Monday, dealing a crucial blow to the jihadists. Across the border in Iraq meanwhile, a top army officer announced troops had "liberated" Diyala province from IS jihadists. In Syria, the Kurdish advance marked the culmination of a battle lasting more than four months in which nearly 1,800 people were killed. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor said the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) had pushed IS militants from all of Kobane. They "expelled all Islamic State fighters from Kobane and have full control of the town," Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said. "The Kurds are pursuing some jihadists on the eastern outskirts of Kobane, but there is no more fighting inside now." The monitor said Kurdish forces were carrying out "mopping-up operations" against remaining IS forces in the Maqtala district, on the eastern outskirts of the town. YPG spokesman Polat Jan also announced the news on his Twitter account, writing: "Congratulations to humanity, Kurdistan, and the people of Kobane on the liberation of Kobane." Mustafa Ebdi, an activist from the town, told AFP that "fighting has stopped". YPG forces are "advancing carefully in Maqtala because of the threat of mines and car bombs," he added. - Heavy coalition bombing - The advance by Kurdish fighters came after 24 hours of heavy bombing by the US-led coalition fighting IS in Syria and Iraq. In a statement, the Pentagon said the coalition had carried out 17 air strikes against IS positions in Kobane in the 24 hours from January 25 alone. The targets included "tactical units" and "fighting positions" as well as an IS vehicle and staging areas, the statement said. The loss of Kobane, also known as Ain al-Arab, would be an important defeat for IS. The group has lost 1,196 fighters since it began its advance on the town on September 16, according to the Observatory. At one point, the jihadist group looked poised to overrun Kobane, which lies on the Syrian-Turkish border. It wielded sophisticated weapons captured from military bases in Syria and Iraq and committed hundreds of fighters to the battle. But Kurdish forces gradually pushed back the jihadists with the help of the US-led air raids and a group of fighters from Iraq's Kurdish peshmerga forces. Analysts say the loss of Kobane is both a symbolic and strategic blow for IS, which set its sights on the small town in a bid to cement its control over a long stretch of the Syrian-Turkish border. Since the group emerged in its current form in 2013, it has captured large swathes of territory in both Syria and Iraq. It has declared an Islamic "caliphate" in territory under its control, and gained a reputation for brutality, including executions and torture. - 'Kobane sets an example' - But its apparent failure in Kobane could put the brakes on its plans for expansion in Syria. "Despite all that manpower, all that sophisticated weaponry, IS couldn't get the city, so it's a big blow for their plans and its a great achievement for the Kurds," Kurdish affairs analyst Mutlu Civiroglu told AFP. "Kobane sets an example on the ground, showing that when you have skilled fighters on the ground with the support of air strikes, this danger, these forces, can be stopped and eliminated." Civiroglu said YPG forces would likely spend the next few days clearing Kobane before expanding outwards to surrounding villages captured by IS. Civilians were largely spared in the fighting because the town's residents evacuated en masse, mostly across the border into Turkey, in the early stages of the battle. Over the border in Iraq, the army announced another defeat for IS, with the recapture of Diyala province. "We announce the liberation of Diyala from the (IS) organisation," Staff Lieutenant General Abdulamir al-Zaidi said. "Iraqi forces are in complete control of all the cities and districts and subdistricts of Diyala province." The general said there would still be clashes however against IS in the rural Hamreen mountains, which stretch across multiple provinces, including Diyala. | 5 | 3,500 | news |
Which Haute Couture SS15 designers should you be tracking? For a sneak preview of the preparations for their all-important runway shows in Paris this week, here are a selection of the most addictive accounts to watch. Jean Paul Gaultier All eyes will be on Paris's enfant terrible Jean Paul Gaultier on Wednesday as he unveils his latest haute couture offering, after bidding farewell to the ready-to-wear industry after more than three decades on the scene. Connect to the acclaimed designer's Instagram account to experience the designer's bold new wholly Haute Couture vision. See him put the final touches on an SS15 Haute Couture gown worn by 90s supermodel Nadja Auermann, epitomized in a classic black and white still. instagram.com/jpgaultierofficial Elie Saab Among the most anticipated designers on the Paris Haute Couture calendar, Lebanese couturier to the stars Elie Saab stokes Instagram followers' pre-show excitement with a photo of "those final moments, breath held tight, just before." A photo depicting a chain reaction of models and stylists closing zippers and fixing hair conjures up some of the magic Elie Saab is sure to provide on Wednesday. instagram.com/eliesaabworld Karl Lagerfeld No ones-to-watch list would be complete without a mention of Karl Lagerfeld's Instagram profile. Join 1.1 million followers and enter the enchanting realm of Chanel's Creative Director. Here you'll find a curious mélange of New Year's greetings from Lagerfeld, must-have accessories, and exclusive behind-the-scenes campaign images of Chanel's latest muses including Kendall Jenner, in pole position. instagram.com/karllagerfeld Julien Fournié / Alexandre Vauthier Tune into French designers Julien Fournié and Alexandre Vauthier's accounts to take a look at exclusive show and after party invitations. Vauthier reveals the shiny silver carton guests are receiving ahead of his show on Tuesday while Fournier posts a picture of his black and white invitation to party at saucy Pigalle-based Le Carmen after his show on Wednesday. instagram.com/julienfournie / instagram.com/alexandrevauthier | 4 | 3,501 | lifestyle |
KFC has introduced a hot dog wrapped in a cheese-stuffed chicken breast. The so-called "Double Down Dog" has caused a stir on social media. It appears to be a hot dog version of the infamous "Double Down," a sandwich that uses chicken patties in place of bread. Only 5o items are available at participating restaurants in the Phillipines, according to an advertisement. Kim Bhasin at Bloomberg spotted a photo of the real thing. This is the totally absurd KFC Double Down Dog, spotted in the wild. From @TheDaddest : pic.twitter.com/pMaOWAlWv0 Kim Bhasin (@KimBhasin) January 26, 2015 While this menu item is bizarre, it actually represents a few current food trends. Restaurants have been ramping up offerings of protein as more diners watch their carbs. Taco Bell released an entire protein menu last year. And the item's popularity on social media is free advertising for KFC. Here's a photo of the original Double Down. | 3 | 3,502 | finance |
If you're a Patriots fan, you're probably having the worst week ever right now. Your team is going to play in the Super Bowl against the Seahawks on Sunday. But all anyone wants to talk about at the moment is #DeflateGate and the Pats' alleged cheating ways. However, you do have at least one good thing going for you right now… Free air pressure checks at an auto shop in Maryland! The sign above was spotted in Cockeysville, Md. and promises free air pressure checks for anyone who walks into the shop and declares his or her allegiance to Bill Belichick & Co. Of course, you'll have to answer 101 questions about #DeflateGate while you're there, and you'll probably end up getting into one or two arguments with the mechanics on duty (we're guessing the people of Cockeysville aren't Pats fans). But hey, it won't cost you anything! A trip to the Super Bowl and a free air pressure check? Hmmm…Suddenly, this week isn't look so gloomy for Pats fans after all. [ via Eye on Football ] Send all complaints, compliments, and tips to [email protected] . | 1 | 3,503 | sports |
Doctors at Children's Mercy Kansas City have figured out a way to keep tabs on some of their sickest patients with the CHAMP app | 7 | 3,504 | health |
William La Jeunesse reports from Los Angeles | 5 | 3,505 | news |
Back in 2012, astronomers in the Netherlands discovered the first large ring system outside our solar system, circling either a giant planet or brown dwarf star called J1407b. A new analysis of that data finds that the ring system is actually massive the more than 30 rings in the system are each tens of millions of kilometers in diameter and the system itself is much bigger and heavier than the famous rings circling Saturn. The scientists analyzed data from the transit of the system in front of the star J1407 basically looking at how the rings eclipsed the light from the distant star as they passed in front of it, a process that took several weeks due to the size of the system. "We could make a detailed model based on the rapid brightness variations in the star light passing through the ring system," said Leiden Observatory's Matthew Kenworthy in a statement . "If we could replace Saturn's rings with the rings around J1407b, they would be easily visible at night and be many times larger than the full moon." The planet at the center of the ring system is much larger than either Jupiter or Saturn and its rings are about 200 times larger than those around Saturn. There were also large gaps spotted in the rings that the scientists say indicate that exomoons may have formed or are in the process of forming amid the rings. "J1407's eclipses will allow us to study the physical and chemical properties of satellite-spawning circumplanetary disks," said Kenworthy. A paper on the new analysis of the system has been accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal and is available online via arXiv . | 5 | 3,506 | news |
Lane Kiffin will return to Alabama next season and remain the team's offensive coordinator, the Crimson Tide announced Saturday. David Carr lets us know if this is the right move for Kiffin. | 8 | 3,507 | video |
The next cruise ship from Carnival will feature the world's first IMAX theater at sea and a suspended, open-air cycling circuit that offers riders panoramic views of their ocean surroundings. It's called the Carnival Vista and is billed as the company's most innovative ship in an ever-competitive industry, in which cruise brands are perpetually tripping over themselves, trying to snag claims of first, most and biggest. Set to debut in the spring of 2016, the Carnival Vista boasts bragging rights to bringing the world's first IMAX theater to the high seas. At the theater, Hollywood blockbusters, documentaries and IMAX classics will be projected on screens three decks high. Next door, meanwhile, the Thrill Theater offers moviegoers a 'multi-dimensional' cinematic experience, complete with special effects. SkyRide, an open-air cycling attraction, is likewise billed as an industry first. Adventure-seekers climb aboard hanging recumbent-like bikes and pedal their way around an 800-foot (244-meter) suspended track with panoramic views, 150 feet (46 meters) above sea level. Nearby, the Skycourse is a suspended ropes course that also challenges guests to work for their views. The ship's water park, the largest in the company's fleet, will also feature a Kaleid-O-Slide, the company's first water tube attraction that takes riders on inflatable rafts down a series of twists and turns, and 'kaleidoscopic visual effects.' Carnival is hoping to compete with Royal Caribbean, which dominated cruise headlines this year when it launched Quantum of the Seas, a game-changing vessel that features an onboard skydiving chamber, bumper car ring and observation capsule that whisks passengers 90 meters above sea level. The Carnival Vista will debut May 1, 2016 and serve a Mediterranean itinerary with port of calls throughout Italy, France, Spain, Croatia, and Turkey to start. The vessel has a guest capacity of 3,936. For more info visit www.carnival.com/carnivalvista . | 2 | 3,508 | travel |
Facebook is serious about spreading its service to people in countries without fast cellular networks or cutting-edge smartphones. Its new Android app, Facebook Lite , which isn't available in the United States or Europe, is targeted at people with poor internet service or who are limited to 2G networks. Facebook Lite clocks in at a 252KB download about one tenth the size of Facebook's main Android app, which is around 25MB depending on your device. The app is based on the software that Facebook on feature phones uses, but it sports Android-specific features like push notifications and camera uploads. Unlike Facebook's main app , Facebook Lite also includes Facebook Messenger. This isn't the first version of Facebook targeted at developing countries Facebook previously used the "Facebook Lite" moniker in 2009 for a similarly stripped-down version of its website found on the web at lite.facebook.com. Facebook shut that site down in 2010 . In addition to lightweight versions of Facebook for Android, Facebook continues to adapt its service to feature phones without browsers as part of the Facebook Zero project . As part of the Facebook-led Internet.org program , Facebook and Facebook Messenger don't count against users' data caps in regions of Zambia. Plus, Facebook owns WhatsApp , which is the most popular messaging service in many developing nations. Facebook Lite is only available in eight countries to start. People in Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Zimbabwe with certain Android devices can download it from Google Play now . Facebook's director of global connectivity Chris Weasler spoke at Gigaom's Structure Connect conference in 2014, telling a story about how Facebook employees reworked the Facebook app to make it 50 percent lighter on data usage after finding out they could barely use the service on Nigerian networks. This article was written by Kif Leswing from GigaOm and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. | 5 | 3,509 | news |
The White House has proposed an alternative Medicare model. The proposal would phase out fee-for-service, reports CNBC's John Harwood. | 3 | 3,510 | finance |
The Obama administration on Monday set an ambitious goal to rework hundreds of billions of dollars in Medicare payments to doctors and hospitals in an effort to reduce waste and make older Americans healthier. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell said she wants Medicare to make 50% of its payments to doctors and hospitals on the basis of the quality of care they provide, rather than the quantity, by the end of 2018. Hitting that goal would mark a big change in a program that paid providers $362 billion for their services in 2014. The effort faces a long climb ahead amid potential resistance from health-care providers and skepticism from beneficiaries and lawmakers. Medicare, which covers more than 50 million Americans, started to pay some doctors and hospitals on the basis of their performance as part of a provision in the 2010 Affordable Care Act. Currently, around 20% of payments are made in this way, and the federal government said Monday it will aim to get that share to 30% by the end of 2016 as an interim goal. Ms. Burwell, who started her career as a management consultant, hopes that setting a goal is what Medicare needs to move away from its current fee-for-service model. There is widespread agreement in the health-care industry, and among politicians from both political parties, that paying providers by volume contributes to abuse and wasteful spending. The Department of Health and Human Services didn't set out specific plans for how it would increase the number of providers under a pay-for-performance system, saying the marker was intended to kick-start exploration of that. The goal won't apply to the Medicare Advantage plans offered by private insurers, or the Medicaid program run jointly by states and the federal government for low-income Americans. The secretary on Monday was flanked by top insurance industry, health system, medical association and consumer-group executives as she announced a goal that she described as historic. The officials flooded the lobby of the 1970s Health and Human Services building on the national mall ahead of the announcement, and pledged their support around a conference table with her. Many health-system executives who have participated in early pay-for-performance pilots say they are participating in such alternative payment pilots as a way to gain experience, and that making them financially viable is difficult while the fee-for-service system is still in place. American Medical Association President Robert Wah said many of his members were frustrated and anxious about changes in the system and that while he was "encouraged" by the announcement, physicians needed more flexibility in the way the payments would be administered to be able to participate. Hundreds of health systems have already signed up to participate in pilot programs designed to encourage quality treatment, although the experiments have proved costly and cumbersome for some. In one model, hospitals or doctor groups contract to care for large pools of patients, and if they lower the total cost of their care while meeting quality measures, they get to split the savings with Medicare. So-called Accountable Care Organizations typically emphasize preventive care to reduce hospitalizations and emergency-room visits, but doing so requires a substantial investment in data systems and care coordinators that aren't reimbursed by Medicare. As of last month, there were 424 organizations in that program, covering 7.8 million Medicare beneficiaries. While many have successfully met quality standards, their record on cost-savings has been mixed. Last fall, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said the 220 ACOs that started in 2012 and 2013 had generated more than $700 million in savings to date, but only 52 of them cut costs enough to share in those savings and 115 didn't achieve any savings. Last month, the federal health agency proposed a host of rule changes to address long-standing complaints about how patients are assigned and savings are calculated in hopes of spurring more participation. Ms. Burwell said Monday that those changes were one of the ways the agency expected to be able to meet its interim goal by the end of 2016. In the other model, known as bundled payments, providers agree to accept one overall Medicare price for all the services involved in an episode of care such as a hip replacement or heart bypass for as long as 120 days. If providers deliver the care for less, they keep the savings. If complications occur, they must absorb the extra cost. As of last July, more than 6,000 doctors, hospitals and nursing homes were candidates for Medicare bundles covering 48 conditions but many may opt out when Medicare releases the pricing information. During the program's first year, 236 participated and 86 dropped out. HHS also said Monday it intended for almost all Medicare payments to have some link to outcomes by 2018, for example by penalizing providers that have higher rates of hospital-acquired infections. "Not everyone is going to be able to move at the speed we would like, but we want everyone to be moving," Ms. Burwell said. | 3 | 3,511 | finance |
U.S. President Barack Obama joins Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi celebrations. Ravi Agrawal reports on the leaders' blossoming "bromance". | 5 | 3,512 | news |
There's one fact that makes the measles virus really scary: it's one of the most infectious diseases known to man. A person with measles can cough in a room, leave, and if you were unvaccinated hours later, you could catch the virus from the droplets in the air that they left behind. No other virus can do that. If your parents were born before 1960, there's a good chance they suffered through a measles infection. They may have lived to tell about it, but they may have had friends who didn't. In the US, before a vaccine was introduced in 1963, there were four million measles cases with 48,000 hospitalizations and 500 deaths every year. By 2000, because of the vaccine, the virus was declared eliminated here: enough people were immunized that outbreaks were uncommon, and deaths from measles were scarcely heard of. But there has been an uptick in measles cases recently, which leads us to the second fact that most disturbs public-health officials: it's an entirely preventable illness. Most everybody who gets the proper doses of the vaccine will never get sick with measles, even if they're exposed. Despite this, there are still intense pockets of transmission around the world, especially in low-income countries but also in places like the US and Canada. In America, we're in the middle of what appears to be a pretty big measles outbreak, with more than 80 cases in 14 states. We're burdening the health system and a generation of doctors who have never seen measles with a disease that could have been prevented with routine vaccinations. Here are nine questions you were too afraid to ask about this deadly virus: 1) Why are we talking about measles again? There's a big outbreak right now that started in December at the happiest place on Earth Disneyland theme park in Orange County, California and has since spread to thirteen other states and Mexico. Though "patient zero" the first case hasn't yet been identified, as of Jan. 29, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) linked 67 of the confirmed cases back to an initial exposure at the Disney park, and these people have now spread the virus to others. In total, since January 1, 84 people have been diagnosed. About 15 percent of these patients have been hospitalized. So far, none have died. In Arizona , the situation is particularly worrisome: officials believe up to 1,000 people have potentially been exposed. To put these numbers into context, Anne Schuchat, Assistant Surgeon General, said America has had more measles cases in January than it usually faces in an entire year. 2) Why did the Disney outbreak spread so quickly? Health officials believe that the fact that "patient zero" was surrounded by people who weren't vaccinated helped the virus spread around California and beyond. More than 80 percent of those who get measles in this outbreak were not vaccinated against the disease, including six infants who were too young to get their shots (since the measles vaccine is not licensed for use on children younger than 12 months). 3) What does measles feel like and is it deadly? Measles is a deadly, infectious disease that typically strikes children. After an incubation period of ten to 12 days, measles comes on as a fever, cough, stuffy nose, and bloodshot and watery eyes. Loss of appetite and malaise are common, too. Several days after these initial symptoms, an uncomfortable spotty, rash begins to spread all over the body, starting on the face and neck, and moving downward. The rash usually lasts for three to five days and then fades away. In uncomplicated cases, people who get measles start to recover as soon as the rash appears and feel back to normal in about two to three weeks. But up to 40 percent of patients have complications from the virus. These usually occur in the very young (children under five), in adults over 20, and in anybody else who is undernourished or otherwise immuno compromised. Children under five have the highest probability of death. The most common complication from the measles is pneumonia, which accounts for most measles-related deaths. Less frequently, measles can lead to blindness, croup, mouth ulcers, ear infections, or severe diarrhea. Some children develop encephalitis (swelling of the brain), which can lead to convulsions, loss of hearing, and mental retardation. Again, these complications mostly arise in people whose immune systems are already weakened because of their age, preexisting diseases or malnutrition. According to the CDC , the horrible mathematics of measles looks like this: one out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia; one in 1,000 will develop encephalitis (swelling of the brain); one or two in 1,000 children will die. 4) What does a measles rash look like? 5) How do you prevent measles? With a vaccine. Measles is prevented through the combination MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) shot. The CDC recommends that children get two doses: The first dose, at 12 through 15 months of age. The second dose, at 4 through 6 years of age. Immunity from the vaccine lasts for decades, but you should ask your health provider about booster shots if you're an adult. The vaccine is known to be extremely safe and very effective: it contains a live but weakened version of the virus, and it causes your immune system to produce antibodies against the virus. Should you be exposed to actual measles, those antibodies will then fire up to protect against the disease. Again, side effects are rare and mostly very mild. According to the CDC , for example, fevers after the MMR vaccine occur in one out of six people, and mild rashes, in one in 20. More severe problems are virtually non-existent: serious allergic reactions happen in less than one in a million cases. Deafness, seizures, and permanent brain damage are "so rare that it is hard to tell whether they are caused by the vaccine." So the benefits of the vaccine the protection of children and the communities they live in vastly outweigh the harms. 6) How easy is it to get measles? If you're not vaccinated, it's extremely easy to get measles. In an unimmunized population, one person with measles can infect 12 to 18 others . That's way higher than other scary viruses like Ebola, HIV or Sars. (With Ebola, one case usually leads to two others. With HIV and Sars, one case leads to another four.) Measles is an airborne virus, transmitted by respiratory droplets from the nose, mouth, or throat of an infected person. So usually through coughing or sneezing. Small particle aerosols from someone with measles can stay suspended in air for long periods of time after they've left a room, and the virus can live on surfaces for up to two hours. What worries health officials is that the measles virus can spread in a person four days before the onset of the telltale rash. So people with the virus start being contagious before they'd ever know they had measles. (They stop being contagious about four days after the rash appears.) In exceptionally rare cases, even if you are vaccinated, you can still get measles. In less than five percent of vaccinated people, their immune systems just don't kick in even with the shots. Researchers aren't sure why. Getting only one dose of the vaccine instead of the recommended two also seems to increase people's chances of getting measles if they're ever exposed. In the recent California outbreak , because of some combination of the above, five people who had been vaccinated still contracted measles. 7) Is there a treatment for measles? There is no treatment for measles. Doctors can help patients avoid the more severe complications (blindness, pneumonia) by making sure patients have good nutrition and enough fluids. For eye and ear infections that can arise, doctors can prescribe antibiotics. And because measles depletes its victims' vitamin A levels, doctors usually give patients two doses of vitamin A supplements. 8) How often do parents refuse to vaccinate their children? Overall, MMR vaccine refusal is not that common in the US. Only about two percent of the population refuses vaccines outright. Across the country, 92 percent of young children got the MMR vaccine, according to the CDC's latest data in 2013. That's nearly enough for what's known as "herd immunity": in order for any vaccine to be effective, you need to have a certain percentage of people in a population immunized. This means diseases can't spread through populations very easily, and it protects even those who aren't or can't be vaccinated. With the MMR vaccine, 95 percent of people need to get the shot. California is just about average: 91 percent of children got the MMR vaccine, according to the CDC's 2013 survey. But, hidden in the statistics about state and national averages are geographic clusters of unvaccinated people. They are by no means guided by a singular ideology. They may be the vaccine-hesistant Amish, vaccine-refusing Christian Scientists, Jenny McCarthy acolytes, granola crunchers who don't want to put "unnatural" things in their kids' bodies, or simply worried parents who delay immunizing their children. All 50 states have had school immunization requirements since the early 1980s, but parents can ask for exemptions for their kids. The exemption rate in California schools according to state data last year was 0.29 percent for medical reasons and 2.95 for personal belief reasons. In recent years, the number of kids who are getting all their required immunizations at school dropped by three percent, from about 92 percent in 2009/2010 to 89 percent last year in California. The CDC found that this amounted to an exemption rate of 3.3. percent in the state. This is lower than Oregon's high of 7.1 percent, but it's higher than the median state exemption rate of 1.8 percent . Again, these overall figures hide clusters of vaccine refusal, including around the the Disney outbreak. The New York Times reported that there are pockets of California with extremely high exemption rates, including parts of Los Angeles and Orange County where the rates exceed 10 percent. This data visualization from the website Silk shows elementary schools in California with some of the highestvaccineexemption percentages, including one where nearly half (43 percent) of children didn't get their required vaccines: There's some relationship between these clusters and the ease of getting an exemption from vaccines. An analysis in Mother Jones found that of the 20 states that allowed "personal-belief" exemptions for children, less than a third made it difficult to allow parents to opt-out, and nine states made it pretty easy by requiring parents to only sign a form. Meanwhile, 48 states allow people to refuse vaccines on religious grounds, and every state allows for medical exemptions (ie, an allergic reactions). To be clear, not all of these vaccine refusals have to do with scientific denialism and the anti-vaxx movement. Sometimes, religious beliefs are a factor. Sometimes, it's a disproportionate worry over side effects or just busy parents just don't have time to bring their kids to necessary doctors' appointments. What's clear, according to Mother Jones, is that in places where getting a non-medical exemption is easier, fewer kids get their required shots. 9) Will we ever eradicate measles? The measles virus could theoretically be wiped off the face of the planet, never to infect another human again. That's because it fits the profile of diseases that can be eradicated: people, and not animals, are the only carriers of the virus (so eradication wouldn't require killing off an entire animal species), we have an effective vaccine, and we have readily available and accurate diagnostic tests to identify the disease. Globally, there's some good news on this front: in 2013, about 84 percent of the world's children received one dose of measles vaccine by their first birthday, which is an increase from 73 percent in 2000, according to the World Health Organization . But this isn't enough for total eradication. While most (about 95 percent) of today's outbreaks occur in developing countries, particularly in Africa and Asia, as we've seen in the Disney case, measles can take off anywhere as long as there are enough people who did not get the vaccine. In the US, the disease is experiencing an uptick. Last year, the New England Journal of Medicine reported that there were more measles in 2014 than during any year in the past two decades. There is a key reason why measles is spreading in the US: because the disease hasn't been eliminated everywhere, travelers are bringing measles to the US with them. In an examination of 2014 measles outbreaks from the beginning half of last year, the CDC reported, "Of the 288 cases, 280 (97 percent) were associated with importations from at least 18 countries." Many of these travelers were coming back from the Philippines, which has been dealing with a massive outbreak since fall 2013. Of the cases examined in 2014, 195 involved US residents who were unvaccinated. Eighty-five percent of these people had refused vaccination because of religious or personal beliefs. "What we've seen since the epidemic of measles was interrupted in 2000 is that we are continually getting measles coming in from overseas," says Jane Seward, deputy director of the viral diseases division at the CDC. "More often than not, it's US residents who go overseas for a trip to say, Europe, where they don't think they need to be vaccinated. They bring measles back." So it's not a rising anti-vaxx tide in the US that has caused this vaccine-preventable disease to return, Seward says: "The people getting measles are those that travel abroad, come back, and live in a community among people who weren't vaccinated." Some years, we get 40 "importations." Last year, there were about 65. "This is more than normal," she added, "and it reflects travel patterns and where measles is active globally." This is exactly what happened in a situation that led to more than half of the measles cases in 2014: an Amish missionary traveled to the Philippines where the disease was circulating in a massive outbreak involving tens of thousands of people. He was unvaccinated, got infected with measles, and brought it back to his community, where many of his family and friends were unvaccinated because of fears over side effects from the MMR shot. Disneyland, too, may have been the perfect incubator for a measles outbreak, with its mixture of international travelers and very young unimmunized children, in a state where vaccine refusal is not all that uncommon in some communities. It's also a potential harbinger of more to come. As Schuchat says, "This is a wake-up call to make sure that we keep measles from regaining a foothold in our country." | 7 | 3,513 | health |
Rosamund Pike, nominated for her role in Gone Girl , was simply glowing last night on the SAG Awards red carpet. We loved her whimsical Dior gown, but loved her makeup look even more. We caught up with makeup artist Melanie Inglessis who created Rosamund's stunning look. "I'm always inspired by the dress," Melanie said, "and tonight Rosamund is wearing an elegant, yet modern and playful asymmetrical style. To honor the dynamic, I wanted her makeup to remain neutral with a pop of color on the lip." To prep Rosamund's skin, Melanie used a variety of nourishing products from Sisley Paris , including the Sisleya Essential Skincare Lotion , Floral Spray Mist and Eye Contour Mask to brighten and moisturize her skin all through the night. Melanie explains the rest of Rosamund's gorgeous look, below: "It's important to use a primer that locks in moisture but also creates a flawless canvas, like the MAKE UP FOR EVER Step 1 Skin Equalizer Mattifying Primer , which comes out in March. I then feathered out MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation all over the face followed by Sisley Phyto-Cernes Eclat Concealer for under the eyes. "To contour, I blended CHANEL Soleil Tan de Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base , worked the product below the cheek bone, then gently swiped it across the top of the forehead and bridge of the nose for a sun-kissed glow. To add freshness to Rosamund's makeup look I softly blended MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Blush in Peachy Pink to the apples of the cheeks. "Since I planned to focus on the lips I wanted to create soft definition on the eyes by applying MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Matic Eye Shadow Pencil in Metallic Golden Taupe to the top lid crease and softly smudged the color along the bottom lash line, ensuring it connected on the outer corner. I then defined the eyes with CHANEL Quadra Eyeshadow in Prélude . I applied my favorite mascara, MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Lash Mascara , to the top lashes to create a more intense look. "Rosamund's lips are the focus of tonight's makeup look and I wanted to add a pop of fun, matte color that would last for hours on the red carpet. I used MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Lip Liner Pencil in Orange Red to line the lips and filled in with CHANEL Rouge Allure Velvet Luminous Matte Lip Colour in La Pétillante ." | 4 | 3,514 | lifestyle |
Win the weekend with any one of these touchdown-worthy recipes. Warm Skillet Bread and Artichoke Spinach Dip This cheesy app comes complete with its own freshly baked dippers. Get the recipe from Seasons & Suppers . Browse even more awesome Super Bowl recipes Peanut Butter Football Dip Make sure to snap a photo of this adorable football-shaped snack because it won't look like that for long! Get the recipe from Crazy For Crust . Football and Field Layered Dip Layered dip gets an upgrade with this super cute field preparation. Get the recipe from Creative Juice . Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dip This decadent-looking buffalo chicken dip will actually spare you a few calories on game day. Get the recipe from Gimme Some Oven . Jalapeño Popper Dip Instead of making time-consuming jalapeño poppers, just make a big batch of this dip and watch it disappear. Get the recipe from The Country Cook . Lasagna Dip Ooey-gooey, cheesy pasta sauce meets game-time snack in this clever recipe. Get the recipe from Creme de la Crumb . Related: Mac and Cheese Recipes for Grown-Ups Football Cookies and Cream Dip Died coconut is a cute field-like garnish, but it also pairs perfectly with this cookies and cream dessert dip. Get the recipe from Creative Juice . Spinach Artichoke Dip Spinach artichoke dip is a game day classic and it's a great way to sneak not one, but two veggies into your Super Bowl spread. Get the recipe from I Wash... You Dry . Pizza Dip Get all the flavors of a pizza, but don't worry about having to actually make one. Get the recipe from What Megan's Making . Homemade Cheesy Chili Dip The gooey cheese attached to the chip in this chili dip photo says it all. Get the recipe from Pinch of Yum . Related: Beef Chili Recipes Peanut Butter Brownie Batter Dip This chocolate peanut butter swirl situation definitely makes a case for dessert dips being superior to savory ones. Get the recipe from Pinch of Yum . Related: Crazy For Crust Chili Cheese Dip This dip contains the exact amount of cheese everyone wishes they could get away with putting on their bowl of chili. Get the recipe from Mom Endeavors . Bacon Jalapeño Corn Dip You're not going to be able to wait until next year's Super Bowl to make this spicy bacon dip again. Get the recipe from Host the Toast . Bacon Cheeseburger Dip Bacon + cheesy goodness = everything we've ever wanted in a dip. Get the recipe from Raining Hot Coupons . Cheesecake Cake Batter Dip Don't forget dessert! Serve this indulgent dip with graham crackers and it will taste just like a deconstructed piece of cheesecake. Get the recipe from I Wash... You Dry . Related: Chocolaty Cheesecake Recipes | 0 | 3,515 | foodanddrink |
PROPER PORTIONS A New Year's resolution to lose weight and establish healthy habits may seem to demand a pricey diet plan. But there's a simpler -- and cheaper -- approach: portion control. As portion sizes in America have increased over the past few decades, so have rates of obesity and related health problems. A key part of maintaining a healthy weight is eating right-sized meals that meet daily caloric requirements. Cheapism.com has rounded up a variety of portion control tools that measure recommended serving sizes for frugal dieters seeking a helping hand. MEAL MEASURE PORTION CONTROL PLATE (STARTING AT $8) For consumers who dine at home and share entrees family-style, this portion-control tool measures food right on the plate. The four sections follow the USDA's recommended serving sizes for fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, and protein. (There are also halfway markers inside the cups.) Hundreds of reviewers posting on Amazon rate this tool 4.2 stars overall, and many comment that they didn't realize how much they were overeating until they tried this tool. It comes in blue, yellow, or red and is dishwasher-safe. PORTIONMATE (STARTING AT $14) This portion-control tool is designed for on-the-go assistance. The six rings, which measure out exact portions from 1 to 8 ounces, nest inside each other and fit easily into a purse or backpack. The rings are dishwasher-safe and come with a nutrition and meal-planning guide that includes calorie counts for more than 500 foods. LAPTOP LUNCHES PORTION PERFECT BENTO BOX ($20) Prepping and bringing lunch to work saves calories and money compared with eating out at restaurants with large portion sizes. The Laptop Lunches Portion Perfect Bento Box simplifies that effort. Inside are removable compartments that hold measured portions of protein, carbohydrates, vegetables, and fruits, as well as healthy fats such as salad dressing (three of the containers have lids). Laptop Lunches also offers a free Lunch Ideas app and menu suggestions. The lunchbox is American-made and dishwasher-safe. PRECISE PORTIONS PORTION CONTROL BOWLS (STARTING AT $30 FOR FOUR) The leafy-vine design on these porcelain bowls subtly measures out 4-, 8-, 12-, and 16-ounce portions of cereal, soup, and more while looking stylish enough for the dining table. The measurements reflect guidelines set by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American Diabetes Association. The set comes with a portion-control and menu-planning guide that doubles as a placemat. The company sells a variety of other portion-control dishware and glasses, including compostable bamboo dishes and plates with lids for travel. BLUEAVOCADO RE-ZIP REUSABLE STORAGE BAGS ($9 FOR TWO 1-CUP BAGS) BlueAvocado reusable storage bags are designed to help you take along individual portions of healthful snacks wherever you go. They come in a range of sizes and present a green alternative to plastic bags. Each bag has a double-lock seal, is freezer-safe, and contains no BPA or PVC. Tote around nuts, dried fruit, or raw veggies, to name just a few diet-friendly options. HEALTHY STEPS PASTA BASKET (STARTING AT $8) Pasta is one of those foods that are easy to overeat. Dole out the correct size for a single serving of noodles with this dishwasher-safe pasta basket. You can dunk the silicone basket right into a pot of boiling water to cook one portion, or use several to prepare a family meal. The basket also can be used to steam vegetables or fish. SUPER HEALTHY KIDS MYPLATE SECTION PLATE (STARTING AT $8) Kids are notoriously obstinate when it comes to eating all their fruits and vegetables. The MyPlate Section Plate encourages children to consume a balanced diet. It comes in two styles: one with three sections and one with four. Either way, about half the plate is designated for fruits and vegetables. The remainder is divided into sections for whole grains (one-third cup) and protein (one-quarter cup) -- serving sizes in line with USDA recommendations for ages 2 to 8.The plate is dishwasher-safe and BPA-free. OBJECTS AROUND THE HOUSE (FREE) Even the thrifty tools on this list are unnecessary if you know a few tricks for gauging proper portion size. Men's Health matches a range of foods with everyday objects that approximate one serving. Any beef on your plate should be no bigger than a deck of cards, for example, and a single serving of ice cream is about the size of a tennis ball. | 7 | 3,516 | health |
Even though it's only available in the Philippines. KFC's Double Down , the sandwich that turned fried chicken patties into buns, has returned. This time, the famous fried chicken patty forms a bun for a hot dog . Images of the sandwich are creating a lot of feelings on the internet, though we'd probably still taste it if it was available in the U.S. It is currently only available in the Philippines , and even then each location is limited to serving just 50 Double Down Dogs each day. Twitter users have lost no time in noting the sexual innuendo that comes with this sandwich. Here, gaze upon it: This hot dog doesn't look like it's been sexually responsible pic.twitter.com/dJAx2HbCpc The Daddest (@TheDaddest) January 26, 2015 | 0 | 3,517 | foodanddrink |
ATLANTA - A car belonging to a missing suburban Atlanta couple was discovered on Monday submerged in a lake, and two unidentified bodies were found separately, Georgia police said. Authorities in Georgia had been searching for the couple since they went to another part of the state to buy a vintage car off Craigslist. "It's a sad ending for us here in this community," Telfair County Sheriff Chris Steverson told reporters. "It hurts us to know someone came to our community and met this fate." Bud Runion, 69, and his wife, June Runion, 66, of Marietta, were last seen on Thursday when they set off for Telfair County in southern Georgia to buy a 1966 Mustang convertible from a purported seller who responded to their ad on Craigslist, Steverson said. The couple's last telephone call was to a disposable cellphone owned by Ronnie Towns, 28, whom Steverson described as a suspect in the case. Towns was interviewed by authorities shortly after the couple disappeared and has been charged with criminal intent to commit deception and lying to investigators, Steverson said. Towns turned himself in to authorities on Monday morning, he added. Towns did not own a 1966 Mustang convertible, the sheriff said. "I don't think he had a car that was even similar to the one being sought by Mr. Runion," Steverson said. Before finding the two bodies, search teams combed the rural county about 160 miles south of Atlanta using all-terrain vehicles, aircraft and boats, Steverson said. (Editing by David Adams, Colleen Jenkins and Peter Cooney) | 5 | 3,518 | news |
The Seattle Seahawks' cornerback is back at it, speaking his mind about the NFL's handling of 'deflate gate' just a week before Superbowl XLIX. | 1 | 3,519 | sports |
The stories are numerous, yet extreme, and thus widely covered. You've probably heard at least a few. In South Korea, one couple was so committed to their virtual baby that their actual 3-month-old died in her crib , malnourished, dirty, and all alone while her parents binged on the game Prius. In New Mexico, a woman was sentenced to 25 years when her 3-year-old daughter, who weighed just 23 pounds, starved to death ; records show the mother had been on World of Warcraft from noon to 3 a.m. the day she found her daughter's limp body. There's the teenager in Ohio who shot his parents in the back of the head with a 9mm handgun when they told him his gaming had gotten out of hand. And the adolescent in Vietnam who strangled an elderly woman to steal $6 for a video game he wanted. There are also cases of actual physical breakdowns after sitting for so long, such as the 20-year-old in England killed by a blood clot that traveled to his lungs to create a fatal blockage on the day when he played his Xbox for 12 hours straight, or the 32-year-old man in Taiwan who just last week suffered heart failure after gaming at a café for three days straight. There has even been a case of Google Glass addiction reported at a Navy treatment center, where the patient was being seen for alcoholism. Are these cases of internet addiction, where the problem stems from actual compulsions to immerse oneself in the virtual world? Or did all these people suffer from other psychological problems for which cyber cravings are but a symptom? Internet addiction sometimes called "problematic," "compulsive," or "pathological" internet use as well as internet "dependency" has been debated since the mid 1990s, and is now widely considered a real affliction in East Asia. In China, where the internet is sometimes called "electronic heroin," it was declared an official disorder in 2008 and boot camps to cure adolescents of their dependency have sprung up and now number into the hundreds . (These camps are becoming increasingly controversial, however, due to a lack of professional treatment standards, as well as numerous deaths in the camps .) In the US, though the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder V (DSM-V) now includes "Internet gaming disorder" in its "conditions for further study" section, it does not yet recognize "Internet addiction" as a disorder. In 2008, the same year China recognized it as a disorder, an editorial in the American Journal of Psychiatry called for its inclusion in DSM-V , citing literature out of South Korea showing that roughly 80% of those needing treatment may need psychotropic medications, and roughly 20 percent were hospitalized. Indeed, in just the past two years, researchers around the globe are studying what many call subsets of an umbrella affliction (such as online gaming, shopping, gambling, and pornography), and while it has yet to be recognized by the American Psychiatric Association, internet addiction is now pretty much taken for granted as a disorder among many researchers. Here's a sampling of what's been studied in recent months: Prevalence of addiction among youth Social anxiety among internet addicts Cognitive performance when iPhones are out of reach Genes that may be involved in internet addiction Depression, hostility, and social anxiety when time online is reduced Text neck as a result of chronic slouching over screens Suicidal ideation and attempts among adolescent internet addicts Impact of early parenting on internet addiction Impact of parental depression on a child's risk factors for Internet addiction Insomnia and sleep quality in chronic MMORPG players Problem pillaging in cyber games Gender differences among adolescents Neuroimaging suggestive of behavioral addictions Of course, not everyone is so sure that problematic, compulsive internet use should be included as a behavioral addiction in DSM-V. Dr. Nicki A. Dowling, a psychologist who focuses on problem gambling , has written in the journal Addiction that at least when it comes to gaming, "criteria are in need of widespread empirical testing and validation," and "the classification and assessment of internet gaming disorder has resulted in inconsistent evidence relating to its phenomenology, prevalence, cross-cultural application, course, biomarkers and treatment." She further clarified in an email to me that "it is probably the activity, rather than the medium, that has the addictive properties." Instead, she wrote, "I would be more in support of gaming disorder, with subtypes relating to Internet use, rather than Internet addiction, with subtypes relating to specific online activities, because I tend to subscribe to the view that it is the activity, rather than the medium, that promotes the impairment of control." In other words, gamers gonna game, just like shoppers are going to shop and gamblers are going to gamble. Still, precisely because it is the job of the developers of games and shopping sites and gambling destinations to lure in as many repeat customers as possible, the online environments for these activities have become particularly "sticky," as Dr. Patricia Wallace told me. She heads up Johns Hopkins University's Center for Talented Youth (CTY) online programs and IT, and has written an overview of compulsive online activity that can lead to sharp disruptions of students' social and educational lives. "The online environment creates different features that make it even more compelling, that add to it and make it different from what you would have in real life," she said. "[Developers are] tapping every fundamental psychological discipline to make the game as sticky as they can make it. It's not that I'm faulting them, it's their job to build things that will create revenue, but it is a conflict going on here." Wallace adds that while compulsive Internet use tends to be most marked in adolescents, it tends to fade to less problematic use in high school and college. She surmises that part of the allure of many online games and activities is the creation of identities at a time when children are still sorting out for themselves who they want to be: "We're looking at identity formation, where they can craft a persona online that doesn't have all the drawbacks that their middle school persona may have in real life. They can be a 25-year-old man or an athlete or anything, so they have a little more control over their online reputation, and that's another motive for people." Dr. Kimberly Young , a professor at St. Bonaventure University and the psychologist who founded the first in-patient internet addiction clinic at Bradford Regional Hospital in Pennsylvania, runs a "dual diagnosis clinic" and said that "most addictions are co-occurring with other disorders." Right now, their license is only for adults, she said. "But I see a bigger need for internet addiction treatment of adolescents and few places really address this specifically." This article was written by Elizabeth Armstrong Moore from GigaOm and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. | 5 | 3,520 | news |
With the brunt of 2015's first major blizzard bearing down on the tri-state area, the normally crowded airspace over the East Coast is all but empty. People from New Jersey to Maine are preparing to get hit with two to three feet of snow at the beginning of this week. Weather forecasters have warned of a "crippling and potentially historic" snowstorm. Airlines operating in the region have preemptively cancelled thousand of flights this week ahead of the storm. As a result of this lighter traffic load, the Federal Aviation Administration is now reporting delays of 15 minutes or less at all major airports in the northeastern portion of the US. Earlier in the day, the FAA issued a ground stop that prevented flights inbound to LaGuardia and Newark from taking off from their points of origin due to poor visibility and runway conditions in the NYC area. Both ground stops have since been lifted. You can see how empty the airspace over the Northeast is compared to the rest of the US (the green spot on the map is the snow): There are hardly any planes in the area: United Airlines announced on Monday that it will cancel all flights out of its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport. "On Tuesday, the airline will cancel all flights at its New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) as well as flights at LaGuardia (LGA) and John F. Kennedy (JFK) airports, Boston (BOS) and Philadelphia (PHL)," United said in a statement. The airline also announced that it would be severely limiting Monday service in and out of major airports in the Northeast. Newark is United's largest East Coast hub. According to NJ.com , the airline is responsible for 70% of all flights out of the airport. For updated information click here . | 2 | 3,521 | travel |
CHICAGO A radio ad in which President Barack Obama endorses Mayor Rahm Emanuel for re-election was set to begin airing Monday in Chicago. "If you want a mayor who does what's right, not just what's popular, who fights night and day for the city we love, then I hope you'll join me. Vote for Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday, February 24th," Obama says in the 60-second radio spot. The endorsement ad comes less than a month before the election, in which Emanuel is seeking to hold onto the strong support from African-American voters who helped him win the mayor's office in 2011 without having to go to a runoff election. At that time, Emanuel had just stepped down as the chief of staff for Obama, who remains very popular in his hometown. In the four years since, Tribune polls show many African-American voters in Chicago have grown disenchanted with the mayor, in part because of high crime and Emanuel's 2013 decision to close dozens of public schools, many over the protests of residents in neighborhoods with large black populations. Obama nods in the ad to Emanuel's reputation for rubbing people the wrong way as he pursues his agenda, but defends the mayor's record on education. "Before Rahm Emanuel was mayor of Chicago, he was a key part of my team at the White House," Obama says. "And let's be honest, at times the guy can be a little hardheaded. But there's a reason Rahm fights as hard as he does. He loves our city, and he believes every child in every neighborhood should have a fair shot at success." "Chicago had the shortest school day of any American city until Rahm insisted that our kids get the same educational opportunity as other kids," Obama says. He goes on to tout Emanuel's move to make full-day kindergarten standard, and to gradually raise the minimum wage in Chicago to $13 an hour by 2019. The Emanuel campaign did not respond to questions about which radio stations will air the ad, how long it will air or how the endorsement from the president came together. The campaign did release a statement from Emanuel saying he's "thrilled to have President Obama's support during this critical election." "I look forward to continuing working with (Obama) as his mayor and friend over the next four years," Emanuel's statement reads in part. | 5 | 3,522 | news |
Big ambitions and bigger rockets, what's not to love? On January 20th, I witnessed my very first rocket launch an Atlas V rocket punching into space to drop a communications satellite for the US Navy into orbit 22,000 miles above Earth. That required about 2.5 million pounds of thrust: a very large explosion that must be precisely controlled in order to be successful. It's not as ambitious as the things that are coming next, but I found it awe-inspiring all the same. For the last several years, the space program has been in a bit of a lull. The last time NASA sent humans beyond low-Earth orbit was the Apollo program in the 1970s. Since then, the US space agency has focused on sending people to the International Space Station and probes beyond. Actually, the US hasn't ferried its own astronauts to the ISS since 2011; we've hitched rides with Russian cosmonauts aboard the Soyuz. But last April , NASA announced it would begin launching US astronauts itself starting in 2017, and it awarded contracts to Boeing and SpaceX to do just that. Nasa is looking more ambitious NASA itself is looking more ambitious since the test launch of Orion , an Apollo look-alike designed to carry humans beyond the ISS perhaps even as far as Mars. In fact, the agency's goal is to get to Mars in the 2030s. The agency has been working with new technology, including Microsoft's Windows Holographic and helicopter drones for Mars; recently, NASA began 3-D printing objects in space. Recently, the agency suggested sending humans to airships floating in Venus' atmosphere . Obviously, more than a few people are dreaming big. And it's not just dreams, either. NASA's budget rose by 2 percent to $18 billion this year more than the agency asked for. Almost $3 billion has been allocated to support NASA's human spaceflight endeavors. An Atlas V rocket awaits its mission. ( NASA/Bill Ingalls ) It's not all rosy. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) is overseeing the Senate subcommittee on Space, Science, and Communication. He doesn't believe in human-caused climate change, which could potentially jeopardize some of NASA's environmental research. But space is important to his constituency. Private companies including Boeing and SpaceX have operations in Texas, and NASA's Johnson Space Center is located in Houston. Even if NASA's missions face an uphill battle, more countries than ever are participating in space programs; ESA's nail-biter of a landing on a comet last year suggested that NASA isn't alone in its audacious goals. Meanwhile, SpaceX, the Sierra Nevada Corporation, Orbital Sciences, Virgin Galactic, and a handful of others have announced their own ambitions for commercial spaceflight. In other words: Space exploration is back in a very big way. The biggest explosion I've seen in person That message hasn't necessarily reached everyone. When I told friends that I'd be attending a rocket launch today, they were surprised they hadn't known there was one. In fact, launches have been occurring regularly for a while now. Of course, space isn't safe or routine. Last year, SpaceX , Orbital Sciences , and Virgin Galactic all had serious accidents within the span of about two months; a test pilot on the Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo was killed. At first, I was worried the Atlas rocket wouldn't launch at all wind and interference created delays. But then, a little after 8PM, the hold ended. I was almost queasy from excitement. I wasn't ready for how bright the Atlas launch would be. For a few moments, it was daylight again even though I was four miles away from the rocket. After the light came the roar: not deafening, but loud. That launch was probably the biggest explosion I've ever seen in person, and it was definitely cooler than the ones I've seen in the movies. I watched the sky until the bright dot faded from view. One thing was very clear to me: I need to go to more rocket launches, because I definitely want to see that again. I'm a simple woman. Huge, planned explosions make me very happy. Space is difficult. That's exactly why I think it's exciting. It was astonishing to watch the Atlas rocket leave Earth. I can hardly wait to see what will happen next. | 3 | 3,523 | finance |
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. Strolling through the corridors of the spacious art gallery that is Michelle Wie's life, one is moved to smile, laugh and, at times, wonder if the young lady needs a psychologist. Having spent half her 25 years on a public stage, many of the images of the towering Hawaiian known as the Big Wiesy are familiar: the child prodigy who grew to play against men; the jaw-dropping power; the bubbly personality that leaves her smiling and giggling most of the time; and the unbroken spirit that eventually toppled the titanic burden of expectation when she hoisted the hardware at the 2014 U.S. Women's Open. Away from the intense spotlight, however, and the clouds of criticism that clung to her for years, Wie found comfort in challenging norms and spending time alone with skulls, robots and women with big hair. While golf remains her priority as the LPGA starts its 65th season Wednesday in the Coates Golf Championship in Ocala, Fla., and the course has been her sanctuary during the toughest of times, the world disappears when she picks up a paint brush and attacks a blank canvas. PHOTOS: MICHELLE WIE ARTWORK ON AND OFF THE COURSE The artist in Wie stretches her imagination and produces paintings such as a robot devouring a teddy bear, a man wearing a gas mask while holding a peace sign, a woman whose hair stretches to the sky and skulls that make you think she's been commissioned by the Sons of Anarchy . "I have two hanging above my TV in the bedroom and my mom's like, 'Aren't those scary? How can you go to sleep?'" Wie tells USA TODAY Sports as she sits in the Carnoustie Room at the PGA National Resort & Spa talking about the art that nearly covers all of the wall space in her home in Jupiter. "I actually think the skull paintings are happy paintings. " I don't know how to explain them. But they release some dark feelings in me, and to me, they make me happy." But don't rush to judgment: Wie seems perfectly sane and doesn't have deeply rooted demons waiting to surface and cause havoc. Art is just one liberation that soothes her soul, for she also makes some of her own clothes turning a $6 T-shirt into a stunning top, for instance and has a flair in the kitchen with a taste for experimentation. She's a speed reader with a degree in communications from Stanford and an abstract thinker who constantly scans horizons looking for unconventional ways to get from Point A to Point B. Whether she's painting, cooking, sewing or hitting a golf ball. While it's logical to assume her most somber works came about when her game hit rock bottom and criticism of her parents being too hands-on reached its highest levels eight years ago, Wie explains she's just one who colors outside the lines. With boundless energy and rarely constrained by boundaries, Wie refuses to live life painting by the numbers. Simply, the art of Wie is her release. "Life is a tough game. There is a struggle within everyone and there are happy emotions inside everyone, and I think it's important to have both of them and be in tune with both," says Wie, who has dabbled in different mediums such as watercolor and spray paint and always has a notepad at the ready when she feels the urge to sketch. "I've always lived my life trying new things. Try and play with the guys, try to make my own clothes, try this and try that. I love trying new foods, no matter how bizarre they are. "Yeah, I had pink hair, so what? I am who I am. … I never wanted to be afraid to fail. I envision something and it might not come out the way I expected it to come out once I start painting. And that helps me know I'm not perfect." Her search for perfection, ironically, is what led to some of her worst golf. Always trying to hit perfect shots and then getting down on herself when she couldn't live up to that lofty standard often left her lost on the course. "It's kind of like art; I envision what I want to happen, and 99% of the time it doesn't turn out the way you want," Wie says. "So you evolve with the painting, with the hole you are playing, with the life you are living." By all accounts, she's progressing just fine. Despite injuries to her hands and wrists, 2014 was a two-win season for Wie and was by far her most consistent campaign. Coupled with her envied ball-striking, her lampooned tabletop putting stance where she bends at the waist until her back is parallel with the ground spoke to her ingenuity and proved to be one of her strengths (she didn't three-putt once during her win in the U.S. Women's Open). "Nowadays she's very peaceful," good friend and colleague Christina Kim says. "She's still goofy, but she is mature beyond her years. A lot of the crap that revolved around her all those years was tough to take but she dealt with it. "She has everything she's beautiful and ridiculously smart and super fun. She's multifaceted. She's like the tide she just goes with the flow. But she is not satisfied. There's more out there in the world for her. " … With her personality and her flair, she has the ability to be a world changer. She has a kind and caring heart for so many things." Wie's revival the past several years has coincided with the LPGA tour's recovery. The season opener, which has attracted 19 of the top 20 players in the world, including No. 1 Inbee Park, No. 2 teenage phenom Lydia Ko and No. 3 Stacy Lewis (the reigning player of the year), is the first of 33 events this season. That's up from 23 in 2011. And nearly $20 million more in prize money is there for the taking. Coming off a storybook year when stars won and the scope of worldwide talent continued to get deeper and younger, the LPGA is looking to ride the momentum into 2015. "The level of play has risen so much. Every single year you have to work that much harder to keep your head above water," Wie says. "All those young players are hungry. It really is motivating. People are so consistent. You have to be on your "A" game every week." Wie is No. 6 in the world but still the headliner. She's been a lightning rod for attention since she was in the seventh grade and qualified for her first women's professional event. At 13, she won the Women's Amateur Public Links. At 14 she played in the Sony Open on the PGA Tour, where the Big Easy, Ernie Els, played a practice round with her and called her the Big Wiesy. At 15 she nearly won three majors. Just before turning 16, she turned pro and signed lucrative deals with Sony and Nike. She has four wins, including a major, but to critics, that falls far below what was expected of the girl wonder. But now that she's as comfortable as she's ever been with the spotlight and in her own skin, she's a week-in, week-out threat to find the winner's circle. "Michelle moves the needle," Lewis says. "Her winning the Open on the biggest stage we have, we couldn't have asked for a better story. And the best thing is she silenced the critics, who have criticized all her decisions her decision to turn pro, her decision to go to school, her decision to play against the men, all of it. And she's only 25. She still has a ton of great golf ahead of her." The two are neighbors in south Florida and often hook up for practice rounds when the two are home. "I like playing with players who are better than me," Lewis says. "When I play with Michelle I want to know how she hits her shots. We feed off each other. She's very creative, just like her art. She's creative in everything the way she dresses, the way she carries herself, the way she plays golf. "I've asked her about her art, all the skulls and all the black, and she can't explain it, but it certainly is creative." As for the skulls, Wie says she's been infatuated with them since she was a kid. A walk in the dark through her home can stop anyone's heart because of the collection of skulls that spans the household. "I've always been in love with skulls, but they aren't real ones," Wie laughs. As for the black, it's her favorite color. In middle school, she went all Goth walking around with her hair covering one eye, wearing black from head to toe, including her nail polish, and sporting studded belts. Marilyn Manson and Blink-182 made her pump up the volume. Around this time, and out of necessity, Wie discovered her unique take on style could materialize by being creative with cloth. "I started making jump suits because I couldn't find any tall enough," she says. "Or a maxi skirt because I couldn't find one long enough. Making my own clothes was just another thing I could try and be me." Wie already is planning for her future, insisting she will go back to school to study business. Down the road, she says, she has her eye on being an entrepreneur, saying she's obsessed at the moment with Shark Tank . Perhaps one day she will open her own gallery. Or restaurant. Or start a line of her own clothing. One thing is for sure Wie won't change her ways. "I'll always experiment," she says. "I'll always paint. I'll always try new things. I never want to be stuck in a mold. I have always searched for what would make me happy. And I'm not going to stop doing that." | 1 | 3,524 | sports |
When a blizzard is upon you and there are concerns about power outages, one of your first instincts is to run to the grocery store. But once you're there, what do you buy? Forget anything that requires refrigeration, because that'll go to waste as soon as your refrigerator shuts down. And forget anything that requires a microwave, too. We've already prepared you with all the food safety tips you need to weather the storm , but here are the top 10 foods you should stock up on, according to Taste of Home . 1. Canned soups: Dinner. Done. Bonus if it's cream of anything, then you can use it as a base for many dishes. This is one of our most popular recipes. 2. Beans: Ever so versatile and loaded with protein, which will give you energy to shovel snow off your car. Eat 'em straight out of the can. Smash 'em up and slather on tortillas (stock up on tortillas, too). Or make this chili. There may be a couple of ingredients you'll want to pick up for this recipe, too. 3. Chocolate: This is a necessity. In times of duress, dunk a piece of chocolate into your emergency peanut butter supply. Or down a handful of chocolate chips. Or toss them into granola bars for a survival treat that will keep you energized and happy. 4. Grains: Having a good base for meals is essential. Stock up on easy-to-make basics like rice, pasta and quinoa, which is also a good source of protein. 5. Pancake/Baking Mix: This kitchen staple can be used for so much more than just pancakes! Try whipping up some biscuits, dumplings, pot pies or sweet pies the next time you find yourself short on baking ingredients. You can toss those dumplings into a good pot of canned soup, while you're at it. And if your power goes out and you don't have a gas stove, here are a few more ideas to get you through those cold, dark days: 6. Peanut (or other nut) Butter: A good source of protein and good-for-you fats. It typically needs no refrigeration. 7. Salmon or tuna in a pouch or can: For a quick take on a salad, toss them with some canned diced tomatoes and add in seasonings like dried basil, garlic salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. 8. Bread/crackers (sweet and savory)/tortillas: From sandwiches to snacks, these will make perfect meals possible in a pinch. 9. Honey: An ingredient that holds up for months in your cupboard, honey is good for glazes and sweetening but also adds an extra level of subtle flavor to peanut butter and marshmallow crème sandwiches or simply drizzled on a good dark or wheaty bread. In a pinch, it can also help relieve a sore throat. 10. Marshmallow crème (Fluff): For a peanut butter and marshmallow crème sandwich. Drizzle a little honey into the mix for added fun and flavor. Want to read more from HuffPost Taste? Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Pinterest and Tumblr . | 0 | 3,525 | foodanddrink |
Seema Sirohi of Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations spoke to the BBC about widespread media reaction to footage appearing to show the American president chewing gum during the parade. | 8 | 3,526 | video |
NASA has gotten really good at successfully landing robots on Mars, but we're still decades away from getting humans there. Thanks to a new partnership with Microsoft, the space agency is about to bridge the gap between robot and human exploration by using immersive augmented reality. Windows Holographic and HoloLens made up one of the most exciting announcements at Microsoft's big event this week. During and after the event, the demonstrations ranged from using the augmented reality goggles to play a living room-sized version Minecraft to working with a CAD-like software. But the most audacious demo was of OnSight, a program developed for HoloLens by NASA's Ops Lab . It lets scientists explore a virtual Mars using data collected by the Curiosity rover. It's collaborative, too: scientists in different locations can join the session remotely, appearing in each other's HoloLens as humanoid avatars. Our own Tom Warren tried it out in Redmond and said it was jaw-dropping . Ops Lab is in charge of building systems for controlling robots and spacecraft at NASA's Jet Propulsion. Some of their projects include controlling articulating arms , building immersive environments , and controlling robots like Robonaut 2 and Athlete using technology like the Oculus Rift and a Kinect sensor. The Ops Lab team is already integrating OnSight into the Curiosity team's software so how did they get there? The partnership began over five years ago. During the Project Natal days of Microsoft's Kinect, Ops Lab's project manager Jeff Norris was introduced to Kinect (and HoloLens) creator Alex Kipman. The two hit it off. "Our teams started talking about how we could use technologies that were being developed in his incubation group to better control robots and spacecraft," Norris tells me. A partnership five years in the making Not long after that, Kipman showed Norris an early version of what would eventually become Windows Holographic and HoloLens. At that moment Norris says he knew there was potential, and they started figuring out how they could use it in space exploration. That collaboration resulted in a program that will expand the capabilities of the Curiosity team scientists. OnSight takes the data and images from the Curiosity rover and uses HoloLens to make a room appear to be the surface of Mars. Mission scientists will virtually step onto the surface and move around with an extra sense of perspective and presence not afforded by two-dimensional images, and that will improve the quality of conclusions drawn from things like shape and layout of geological features. HoloLens will also be aware of where a scientist's computer is, cutting it out of the virtual scene and letting a user control a mouse seamlessly between the desktop and the surface. Curiosity scientists will mostly interact with OnSight by using the global interactions built into Holographic. There are gesture and voice controls, and each scientist's avatar has a "gaze ray" that draws a line to what they're looking at, making it easier for other participants to follow along. Being able to use a computer while wearing HoloLens another part that impressed us in Redmond will let scientists take advantage of the raw data available in MSLIC, a program that provides the raw data from Curiosity that has been fully integrated with OnSight. The Ops Lab team views presence whether real or virtual as a critical tool for the explorer. "What a geologist is doing when they're looking at a scene is they're trying to understand a story that this environment has to tell them," Norris says. "One of the chapters of that story is the shape of the environment the way that the rocks are worn, the way that they form lines and curves. That information is one of the ways that they divine what's happening." Head-mounted displays yielded more accurate results He cites a study the Ops Lab team performed over a year ago: 17 rover scientists were given standard images of a Martian scene provided by MSLIC. They then viewed the same scene through a head-mounted display. In both cases, the participants were asked to draw a map of the shape of the environment and flag the location of certain points of interest. The scientists' estimation of distances was more than twice as accurate while wearing the head-mounted displays, and their estimation of the angles of objects was more than three times as accurate. More surprisingly, Norris says the scientists were accomplishing this increased accuracy without any basic VR or AR training only one of the people in the admittedly few person study had ever even worn a head-mounted display before. "That's what really put the wind in our sails to go further with this," Norris says. While the Curiosity team has already been able to do great work with two- and three-dimensional images of the surface, OnSight is the next evolved step in how they analyze the data. It's a better option than viewing a 3D-model (or stereoscopic images) because of the power of proprioception, or the body's sense of self. "Your body, as you're walking around in a place on Earth, knows where it is. And your eyes are presenting to your brain images of what you see at that position," says Norris. The integration of those things is essential to building a mental model of your environment, and it's why the Ops Lab team is so excited about the work they've done with OnSight. Ops Lab was already working on immersive interaction, using an Oculus Rift. But the Rift presented its limitations for NASA, like its need for wires and how it closes users off from their surroundings. HoloLens relieves both of those problems, so the Ops Lab team started an intense development period about a year ago to create OnSight so intense that a portion of Norris's team actually moved to Redmond to live and work shoulder to shoulder with the HoloLens team. Ultimately, the goal is to test OnSight in actual operations later this year, though Norris couldn't say when. But Curiosity scientists already professed excitement in a video released this week by JPL. Geologist Fred Calef says not only is OnSight "like teleportation," but it will also save time. Katie Stack Morgan says the enhanced visualization will help the team make better decisions about operating the rover in general an important issue considering the problems the team has had with things like wheel degradation. That doesn't mean OnSight is close to being a finished product. "There's a lot of work to do," Norris says. "It's no trivial undertaking to bring a new capability into mission operations." And beyond Curiosity, nothing is set in stone but Norris says there is vision to take this past Mars to other planets in the solar system. "This is a new tool in the toolbox of explorers." | 3 | 3,527 | finance |
Nobody disputes the savagery of what Ronald Salazar did to his kid sister. He strangled Marina "Estefani" Salazar, raped her and then slashed her throat from ear to ear inside their South Miami Heights home in July 2005. Marina was only 11. Salazar himself was just 14 years old. It is his youth at the time - and a troubled upbringing on the streets of El Salvador - that a Miami-Dade judge now considers in re-thinking a prison sentence for Salazar. Now 24, he was originally sent to prison for life in a murder that disturbed South Florida. His sentence was reversed after the U.S. Supreme Court in 2012 banned mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole for juveniles convicted of murder cases. He will be the first juvenile defendant in Miami-Dade to be re-sentenced because of the court's decision in Miller v. Alabama. Monday concludes the hearing, which lasted three days last week. Salazar himself may testify in trying to sway Circuit Judge Ellen Sue Venzer to give him a term of less than life behind bars. His parents, Samuel and Nuvia Salazar, came to the United States from El Salvador in 1991 but left their son with his grandmother because he was too young to make the dangerous overland crossing. Ronald Salazar did not join them until more than a decade later. After a few turbulent years in Miami, the troubled teen killed his sister. He wiped the knife clean, returned it to its kitchen drawer and created a cover story about two men storming the house to kill the girl. At trial, prosecutors had ample DNA evidence and chilling videotaped confession. Salazar claimed he was insane and suffered a mental breakdown rooted in his parental abandonment in El Salvador. During the re-sentencing last week, defense attorneys sought to portray Salazar as deeply scarred by his parents leaving him with his grandparents during his formative childhood years in El Salvador. Former lawyers, acquaintances and psychologists testified that Salazar grew up sans contact with his biological parents. His grandmother - whom he mistakenly believed was his mother - died and his grandfather was mostly abusive and absent. The judge also heard that Salazar ran with street gangs and was sexually abused at the age of 7. His parents finally sent for him in what turned out to be a month-long journey to be smuggled into the United States. "When he gets here, they've got a good life with three siblings he'd never met," said his former public defender, Nushin Sayfie, now a Miami-Dade circuit court judge. Once in Miami, the defense witnesses testified, Salazar became the black sheep, shunned by sisters and afforded little affection from his parents. Salazar claimed that his parents told him that a witch doctor had removed a "voodoo" spell from his father only to cast it upon the child as he was in the womb. "It certainly did not make him feel welcome, wanted or part of that family," psychologist Lisa Potash testified. "It made him feel there was something wrong with him." Seething with resentment, Salazar lashed out, frequently getting in trouble. He was ultimately committed for a psychological evaluation after threatening to kill himself and his family. But soon after his release, Salazar killed his sister. Another psychologist testified that Salazar today is "psychologically tortured by what he did to his sister." But prosecutor Reid Rubin, during cross examination, pointed out that Salazar had boasted of the murders - and that he could still have his parents killed even from behind bars. In jail, Salazar claimed to idolize another notorious Miami teen killer: Michael Hernandez, who at 15 viciously stabbed his classmate to death inside a bathroom at Southwood Middle School. Hernandez, like Salazar, is awaiting a new sentence under the high court's Miller decision. The Supreme Court opinion barred the mandatory life prison terms because science has shown that young people's brains are not fully developed and that they are susceptible to impulses and the influences of others. A judge can still mete out life in prison, but only before considering the youth of a defendant. Across Florida, appeals courts have split on whether to give young defendants tough sentences that are less than life - or revert back to before the sentencing laws were changed in 1994, when parole would be possible after 25 years. The state long ago effectively abolished the parole system, but a commission still exists to examine longtime inmates eligible for release because their cases date back to the early 1980s or before. Legislators last year tweaked the law to allow for judicial "review" after 25 years for juveniles convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison - a sort of quasi-parole system. But the change in the law does not apply to cases from before July 1, 2014. | 5 | 3,528 | news |
Whether you're looking to lose weight or perk up your appearance, doctors say you can get the look you want without surgery | 7 | 3,529 | health |
You're not alone if you're in the dark about home insurance coverage for power outages. The issue sparks lots of questions, and the answers are all over the grid, depending on your insurance company, your home insurance policy and the state you live in. Coverage also varies depending on the damage you suffer and the cause of the outage. Here's how insurance generally applies in the following situations: You lose power because of a winter storm. Your home insurance may cover loss of your refrigerated food due to power loss, up to the policy's limit, which is commonly $500. However, policies generally won't pay for additional living expenses such as a hotel room if you can't live at home simply due to a power outage. Home insurance will pay for additional living expenses if your home has actual damage from a storm. Lightning strikes your home and fries your electronics. Standard home insurance typically covers damage from lightning, and some home insurance policies cover electronics damaged by power surges that are the result of lightning strikes, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). Some home insurance policies also cover damage due to other power surges. Keep in mind there may be a limit on the payment per damaged item. You opt for a hotel room. Home insurance pays for the costs of temporarily relocating if your home is damaged by a "covered loss," such as a fire, and is uninhabitable while repairs are made. Generally a standard policy will not pay for a hotel stay simply because the power was out. Although your home might feel uninhabitable without air conditioning during an August heat wave, it technically is livable. The same goes for the winter when temperatures drop and the heat goes out. Water water everywhere. If a power outage causes your pipes to freeze and burst, then home insurance would come to the rescue. However, if you purposely left your home without power and the pipes burst as a result, then you probably would have trouble getting your claim paid. Keeping your home heated is part of your responsibility to maintain the property. Here's more about insurance for water damage . Food spoils when the fridge is off. Standard home insurance policies typically cover food spoilage if the power was out due to some other covered loss -- such as a fallen tree that damaged your house and knocked out electricity. But some insurance companies offer coverage for food spoilage from any type of power outage. This coverage sometimes is included in the policies or offered as an endorsement, which is a policy add-on you can purchase by paying a higher premium. The deductible for food spoilage is sometimes waived or lower than the deductible for other damage. Your best bet for deciphering coverage for power outages is to contact your home insurance company or agent. In addition, do what you can to prevent disasters that could result from outages. Invest in surge protectors to safeguard electronics and figure out how to turn off the water, in case the pipes freeze. Shutting off the water quickly helps prevent the pipes from bursting. The III also recommends installing an emergency release valve, which protects the plumbing from the pressure caused by frozen pipes. If you also have tree damage, see information about insurance for downed trees . | 3 | 3,530 | finance |
By Mark Ross The 49th edition of the NFL's annual showcase game, also known as the Super Bowl, will take place this Sunday. From its humble start 48 years ago, the Super Bowl has grown into the most-watched event of the year. With all of the hype, anticipation and subsequent analysis related to aspects like commercials, the halftime show or alternative programming choices, it's not hard to lose sight of the game itself. After all the whole reason for having a Super Bowl in the first place is to determine the annual champion of the most popular, and lucrative, sport in America. Along those lines, here are the most amazing, interesting, intriguing and/or bizarre statistics culled from 48 years of Super Bowl history: 111,500,000: Average audience of Super Bowl XLVIII FOX's broadcast of Super Bowl XLVIII last February was the most-watched television program in U.S. history, according to the NFL. Even though Seattle beat Denver by 35 points, the average audience of 111.5 million people surpassed the previous mark of 111.3 set during Super Bowl XLVI (New England vs. New York Giants) three years ago. Three of the last four Super Bowls have set average viewership records. You're up, NBC. $4.5 million: Average cost of a 30-second commercial for Super Bowl XLIX Considering the viewership records the Super Bowl has set in recent years, it should come as no surprise that the cost of air time has gone up as well. NBC's going rate for a 30-second spot during its upcoming Super Bowl XLIX broadcast was between $4.4 and $4.5 million, up from FOX's $4 million price tag the previous year. Consider that for Super Bowl I, which was played in 1967, a 30-second spot cost just $42,000. Then again, more than 110 million people weren't watching when Green Bay beat Kansas City 48 years ago either. 3,734,938: Combined attendance for all 48 Super Bowls Despite the threat of some wintry precipitation, a sellout crowd of 82,529 packed MetLife Stadium last February for the first outdoor, cold-weather Super Bowl. That continued the Super Bowl's sellout streak (all but Super Bowl I) and also pushed the all-time attendance mark past 3.7 million. Weather should not be an issue one way or the other come Sunday. For one, the game is out in Glendale, Ariz., which usually sees temperatures in the high 60s this time of year. Secondly, University of Phoenix Stadium, which hosted 71,101 seven years ago for Super Bowl XLII, has a roof that can be closed if necessary. 6,329: Media credentials issued for Super Bowl XLVIII As expected, media participation for last year's Super Bowl was at an all-time high with New York City, the media capital of the world, serving as the backdrop and host city for many of the events surrounding the game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The previous record was 5,156 for Super Bowl XLVI, which took place in Indianapolis in 2012. While it's unlikely this year's game in Glendale will draw more media than last year's, it should still comfortably exceed the 338 credentials that were issued for Super Bowl I. 6: Most Super Bowl starts by a quarterback and appearances by a head coach Tom Brady and Bill Belichick will forever be entwined, so it's fitting that each lead the way at their respective positions in Super Bowl appearances. Brady's sixth start breaks a tie with John Elway for the most in history, while Belichick will tie Don Shula with his sixth appearance this Sunday. A win over Seattle also would put Brady and Belichick in select company. Brady would tie Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw for the most wins by a starting quarterback (four), while Belichick would tie Chuck Noll for the most by a head coach. 24-24: Coin toss winners' record in the Super Bowl For the second year in a row, the Super Bowl winner won the coin toss, but deferred. Following Baltimore's lead the year before, Seattle won the toss, but elected to give the ball to Denver, the highest-scoring offense in NFL history, to start the game. The Seahawks' strategy paid off, as the Broncos' first snap resulted in a safety, setting the tone for what ended up being a 43-8 rout. Seattle is just the fifth team in Super Bowl history to defer, and all of these instances have taken place in the last six years. The Seahawks joined the Ravens and Packers (Super Bowl XLV in 2011) as the only teams to defer and go on to win the Lombardi Trophy. 12 seconds: Quickest score in Super Bowl history Last year, an errant shotgun snap from Denver center Manny Ramirez to Peyton Manning resulted in a safety for Seattle after Knowshon Moreno covered up the ball and was "tackled" in the end zone. Just 12 seconds into Super Bowl XLVIII, the safety not only gave the Seahawks a 2-0 lead, it also marked the fastest score in the game's history, surpassing Devin Hester's 92-yard kickoff return, which took 14 seconds, to open Super Bowl XLI. Coincidentally, Manning played in that Super Bowl too, as his Colts overcame the 7-0 deficit to beat Hester's Bears 29-17. 59 minutes, 48 seconds: How long Seattle led Super Bowl XLVIII Thanks to the quickest score in Super Bowl history (see above), the Seahawks jumped out to a 2-0 lead on the Broncos just 12 seconds into the game. A field goal following the free kick staked Seattle to the first-ever 5-0 lead in Super Bowl history and that was all that the Seahawks would need. A 22-0 halftime lead ballooned to 36-0 before Denver finally got on the scoreboard on the final play of the third quarter. By the time Seattle put the finishing touches on the 43-8 rout they had led Super Bowl XLVIII for all but the first 12 seconds, when the game was tied 0-0. 9: Defensive players who have been named Super Bowl MVPs A 69-yard interception returned for a touchdown and a fumble recovery were enough to earn Seattle linebacker Malcolm Smith MVP honors in last year's Super Bowl. Relatively unknown entering the game, Smith wrote his name into the record books as the ninth defensive player to be named MVP of the biggest game of the year. Not surprisingly, quarterbacks lead the way with 26 of the 49 (Super Bowl XII had co-MVPs) awards, followed by running backs (seven) and wide receivers (six). Smith's recognition last year broke a three-way tie between linebackers, defensive ends and safeties (2 each) for the most Super Bowl MVPs given to a defender. And while a return specialist (Desmond Howard, Super Bowl XXXI) has been named MVP, the same can't be said for a tight end, offensive lineman or kicker. You reading this Rob Gronkowski? 36-3: Record of the team with fewer turnovers in the Super Bowl Just like the score, Seattle dominated Denver in the turnover department, picking Peyton Manning off twice and recovering two fumbles (one by Manning), in the 43-8 rout last year. The Seahawks returned one of the picks for a touchdown and turned two other Bronco miscues into scores as well, which is yet another reason why they tied the record for the third-largest margin of victory in Super Bowl history. 9: Bills' Super Bowl record for turnovers While Seattle dominated Denver in the turnover department (4-0) last year, it still pales in comparison to what Dallas did to Buffalo in Super Bowl XXVII. The Cowboys crushed the Bills 52-17, as the AFC champs coughed up the ball a record nine times. Strangely enough, Dallas also claims the No. 2 spot for takeaways with eight against Denver in its Super Bowl XII win and forced Baltimore into seven miscues in a losing effort in Super Bowl V. How did the Cowboys lose to the Colts after forcing seven turnovers? 414: Kurt Warner's record for passing yards The former grocery bagger threw for a Super Bowl-record 414 yards in St. Louis' win over Tennessee in Super Bowl XXXIV. This included his 73-yard game-winning touchdown pass to Isaac Bruce with just over two minutes remaining. Warner also owns the No. 2 passing performance (377 yards for Arizona in Super Bowl XLIII loss to Pittsburgh) and the No. 3 performance (365 yards for St. Louis in Super Bowl XXXVI loss to New England). 204: Timmy Smith's Super Bowl rushing record Denver began Super Bowl XXII by taking a 10-0 lead into the second quarter over Washington. But then Doug Williams and Timmy Smith happened. The record 35-point second quarter put the game all but out of reach by halftime. The game was special for a variety of reasons. First, Williams was the first black quarterback to win the Super Bowl, while Smith became the only player to top 200 yards rushing. He finished with 204 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries as the Redskins set the Super Bowl record for total offense (602 yards). Ironically, Smith ended his NFL career with just 602 yards rushing (21 games). 22.6: Lowest QB rating for a Super Bowl winner Ben Roethlisberger completed 9-of-21 passes for 123 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in Pittsburgh's Super Bowl XL win over Seattle. It is the worst performance by a Super Bowl-winning quarterback. But Big Ben can take some solace in this: at 23 years and 340 days old, he's the youngest quarterback to ever win the big game. 13: Demaryius Thomas' Super Bowl receptions record It's little consolation, but Thomas' 13 catches in last year's loss to Seattle set a new receptions record. Thomas' output, which totaled 118 yards and a touchdown, topped the previous mark of 11, which was shared by four players: Cincinnati's Dan Ross (Super Bowl XVI), San Francisco's Jerry Rice (XXIII), New England's Deion Branch (XXXIX) and the Patriots' Wes Welker (XLII). At the time, the record meant more to Rice and Branch than Ross and Welker, as not only did their teams win, but each also took home MVP honors following their 11-catch efforts. 10: Largest comeback in Super Bowl history Powered by the aforementioned quarterback-running back duo of Doug Williams and Timmy Smith, Washington turned a 10-0 deficit in Super Bowl XXII into a 42-10 rout. It's the largest comeback in Super Bowl history, a mark that was tied in Super Bowl XLIV. In that game, New Orleans fell behind Indianapolis 10-0 before coming back to win 31-17. The Saints' comeback also is memorable in that it featured the first onside kick ever attempted before the fourth quarter in a Super Bowl. 7: Fewest rushing yards by a team in a Super Bowl Seattle held Denver to just 27 yards rushing in its runaway victory last year, yet another example of how dominant the Seahawks' defense was. As impressive as that statistic is, however, it still doesn't compare to what Chicago's defense did in Super Bowl XX. Regarded as one of the best defenses in NFL history, the Bears' Monsters of the Midway were unstoppable during the 1985 season and the Super Bowl was no different. Led by Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary and the enormous, yet versatile William "The Refrigerator" Perry, Chicago held New England to a record-low seven yards rushing in the 46-10 rout. The Patriots' 123 total yards of offense that game is the second-lowest total in Super Bowl history as well. 3: Fewest points scored in a Super Bowl The 1971 Miami Dolphins are the only team to ever play in a Super Bowl and not reach the end zone. Miami's 24-3 loss to Dallas in Super Bowl VI still stands as the fewest points scored by a team in the history of the game. The 1974 Minnesota Vikings are the only other team to score fewer than seven points on Super Sunday. In the Vikings' defense, they did reach the end zone albeit via a defensive touchdown when Terry Brown recovered a Steelers' fumble in the end zone. But Fred Cox missed the extra point, as the Vikings also set the Super Bowl record for fewest yards of total offense with 119. 1: People to win the Super Bowl as a head coach and player Tom Flores won two Super Bowls as the head coach of the Raiders and was technically on the 1969 Kansas City Chiefs roster. However, he did not see any time on the field in Kansas City's win against Minnesota in Super Bowl IV. Mike Ditka, a Hall of Fame tight end for the Bears, Eagles and Cowboys, caught two passes for 28 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl VI. He then led the Bears to a win in Super Bowl XX in 1986 to become the only Super Bowl-winning coach who also earned a ring as a player. 0: Super Bowls without at least one field goal attempt Four times has a Super Bowl featured one combined field goal attempt, but never has a Super Bowl lacked for at least one field goal try. Super Bowl VII, XXIV, XXXIX and XLII each featured just one three-point attempt. | 1 | 3,531 | sports |
AC Milan announced Monday that Stephen El Shaarawy has been ruled out for at least two months after suffering a compound fracture of his fifth metatarsal in Saturday's defeat to Lazio. The Italy international played the full 90 minutes as the Rossoneri fell to a 3-1 defeat, despite taking an early lead through Jeremy Menez. News of El Shaarawy's absence has added to coach Filippo Inzaghi's troubles, with the 22-year-old now set for an extended period on the sidelines. A statement on Milan's website read: "Stephan El Shaarawy has undergone medical tests with the specialist, Professor Niek van Dijk. The footballer, at the end of the game against Lazio, reported the compound fracture at the base of the fifth metatarsal bone on his right foot. "He will be out for approximately six weeks and after this period we will carry out further medical checks under the supervision of professor Van Dijk, before he returns to action." El Shaarawy has endured a frustrating last 18 months, with a separate foot injury keeping him out of action for several months last season. He emerged as one of Milan's stars during the 2012-13 campaign, scoring 16 goals in 37 appearances in Serie A, only to feature just seven times in all competitions last season. | 1 | 3,532 | sports |
By Steve DelVecchio The longer the NFL goes without releasing any actual evidence that supports the claim that the New England Patriots deliberately under-inflated footballs, the more skeptical people become. The number of skeptics may increase when you hear who allegedly called attention to the issue. Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com reports that multiple sources have told him that NFL vice president of game operations Mike Kensil is the "driving force" behind the Deflategate investigation . Kensil, who was on-site at the AFC Championship Game in Foxboro, was the director of football operations for the New York Jets for nearly 20 years. He apparently took an interest in the possibility of the Patriots using under-inflated balls earlier this season. Uh oh. Kensil was with the Jets until 2006. That means he was a member of the team's front office in 2000 when Bill Belichick left the Jets high and dry to instead accepted a job as head coach of the Patriots. His father also served as president of the Jets for 10 years starting in the late 1970s. While Curran notes that Kensil has a "strong reputation" around the league and is a respected professional, you can see how this would add another ugly element to the investigation if the NFL is unable to find any evidence that the Patriots knowingly broke rules. That said, Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh has already been accused of tipping the NFL off about New England's game balls. There are several conflicting reports floating around. The one thing they all seem to have in common is the assertion that the NFL may have tried to catch the Patriots in the act rather than warning them and protecting the integrity of a playoff game. | 1 | 3,533 | sports |
Bill Monbouquette, who grew up outside Boston and pitched a no-hitter during an eight-year run with the Red Sox, died Sunday at age 78. The Boston Globe reported Monbouquette's death but did not give a cause. He had been battling leukemia for several years. IN MEMORIAM: Notable sports deaths of 2015 The right-hander made his big-league debut for the Red Sox in 1958 at age 21. Two years later he settled in Boston's starting rotation and stayed there until he was traded to the Tigers following the 1965 season. Monbouquette made three All-Star games in that span, but the highlight of his career came on Aug. 1, 1962, when he no-hit the White Sox at Comiskey Park. He struck out Luis Aparicio for the final out in a 1-0 Boston win one of only 36 times the All-Star shortstop struck out that season. Monbouquette also pitched for the Yankees and Giants before calling it quits after the 1968 season at age 31. In 11 Major League seasons, he went 114-112 with a 3.68 ERA. | 1 | 3,534 | sports |
SAG Awards 2015: Winners and Highlights A look at all the winners and other highlights from 21st annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held on January 25, 2015, in Los Angeles. Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series William H. Macy accepts the award for Outstanding performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series for Shameless . Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Uzo Aduba accepts the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series award for Orange is the New Black . Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series The winning cast of the Netflix series Orange is the New Black pose backstage with their award. Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role Patricia Arquette accepts the award for her role in the movie Boyhood. Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role J. K. Simmons accepts the award for his role in Whiplash . Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role Eddie Redmayne accepts the award for his role in the movie The Theory of Everything. Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series Viola Davis accepts the award for her role in How to Get Away with Murder . Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries Frances McDormand accepts the award for her role in Olive Kitteridge . Outstanding Action Performance by Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series Nikolaj Coster-Waldau who plays the role of Jamie Lanaster in the TV show Game of Thrones arrives at the 21st annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. The show won the award for Outstanding Action Performance by Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series. Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role Julianne Moore poses in the press room with the award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a leading role for Still Alice . Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture The cast of Birdman accepts the award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series The cast of Downton Abbey pose backstage after winning the award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series (File Photo) Actor Kevin Spacey won the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series for his role in the TV show House of Cards . He was unavailable to collect his award. Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries (File Photo) Actor Mark Ruffalo who was unable to attend the SAG Awards won the Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries award for his role in the film The Normal Heart. Lifetime Achievement Award Actress Debbie Reynolds poses backstage after accepting her Lifetime Achievement Award. Say cheese Actors Julianne Moore and Steve Carrell smile for the cameras. On stage (From left) Adrien Brody, Jeff Goldblum and Tony Revolori speak on stage. Selfie time Eddie Redmayne in selfie mode with fans. Backstage Drama Actor Michael Keaton poses in the trophy room. Michael Keaton along with the cast of Birdman won the award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. Jumping jack Raini Rodriguez and Rico Rodriguez arrive at the awards. All smiles Reese Witherspoon is all smiles as she chats about at the awards. Sneak peek Adrienne C. Moore and Annie Golden in the trophy room. Sitting pretty Adrien Brody and Lara Lieto are seen backstage. Meet and greet Meryl Streep (L), Jennifer Aniston (C) and Julia Roberts are seen together. Posing for a picture Billy Bob Thornton (L), Robert Duvall (C) and Matthew McConaughey pose for a photograph. Proud winners The cast of " Orange is the New Black " poses in the press room with the award for outstanding performance by a ensemble in a comedy series. | 6 | 3,535 | entertainment |
@The_TargetGuy wants to know what the Browns should do with Josh Gordon. | 1 | 3,536 | sports |
The Los Angeles Kings released Mike Richards on Monday, finally shaking up their relationship with the veteran center who has lost his scoring touch. A person familiar with the move informed The Associated Press on Monday on condition of anonymity because the Kings had not announced the decision. If the Kings can't work out a trade for Richards, he could be assigned to their AHL affiliate in Manchester. Richards has been a key part of the Kings' two Stanley Cup championship teams in the past three seasons, playing a responsible two-way role and providing leadership. But his plummeting offensive production hasn't matched his exorbitant contract for years in Los Angeles, which acquired him from Philadelphia in 2011. Richards, who turns 30 next month, has only five goals and 10 assists in 47 games with Los Angeles this season. He has a minus-7 rating and has won only 48 percent of his faceoffs while playing on a depth line with the Kings -- not the numbers expected of a player with a $5.75 million annual salary cap hit for the next six seasons. Los Angeles coach Darryl Sutter and general manager Dean Lombardi have ardently defended Richards and his declining offense in recent years, but Lombardi finally made the move long anticipated by Kings fans after apparently trying to trade Richards in recent weeks. Richards scored 89 goals over three seasons with the Flyers from 2007-10, and the club signed him to a 12-year, $69 million contract extension in December 2007. The Kings traded Wayne Simmonds and Brayden Schenn for Richards when Philadelphia general manager Paul Holmgren decided to break up his core by trading his captain and goal-scorer Jeff Carter, who ended up being reunited with Richards in Los Angeles several months later. Richards' contract still runs through 2020. His scoring production has dropped every year since 2010, down to just 11 goals last season. The Kings' payroll already has been squeezed this season by the suspension of defenseman Slava Voynov. If Richards clears waivers and gets sent to the AHL, the Kings would clear $925,000 in cap space. The defending Stanley Cup champions are in need of a lineup spark after hitting the All-Star break in ninth place in the Western Conference. Los Angeles slumped into the break, losing four straight and seven of eight. Los Angeles is likely recall youngster Nick Shore to take Richards' roster spot. | 1 | 3,537 | sports |
1. Bake them cupcakes. If you're not me, cupcakes are really easy to make. Dye your icing pink and now they're Valentine's Day cupcakes. Basically, anytime there's a holiday, just slap some icing on some cake and change the color. Life hacks! 2. Learn a song. Even if you don't know an instrument, you can teach yourself a few chords on a piano or a guitar (or iPhone piano) and sing them something. They'll appreciate the thought. 3. Write them a love note. A real love note. Like, old-school, 18th century, handwritten love note. 4. Make them an origami love note. This is a little more creative, but it'll also be much shorter if a letter sounds too daunting. 5. Make them a romantic mixtape. Smooth jams, songs that make you think of them, and your song are all fair game. Pop it on a thumb drive so they know it's real, and not just some fleeting Spotify playlist that can be eroded by the oceans of time. 6. Visit the place you met. Assuming you met in, like, a coffee shop and not your friend's dad's basement 10 years ago. 7. Give them a back rub. You've probably got some hand lotion lying around, and you'll have to do this for 10 minutes tops before they fall asleep or get bored. 8. Or give them a front rub. Way less boring. 9. Paint them a picture. You don't have to be good, just grab some watercolors and make a self-portrait. Or try and make a self-portrait and then tell them the results are abstract and they wouldn't understand. 10. Make them a nice dinner. It doesn't matter if you're a great cook or if you know how to make their favorite dish. Just take a swing at it, light some candles, and it's suddenly romantic, no matter how badly you somehow burned the chicken. 11. Have a romantic movie marathon on Netflix. If you're really feeling daring, search "romantic comedy" and click on one blindly. Good luck. 12. Bring them a bunch of (non-Valentine's Day) junk food. No one likes playing candy roulette with a bunch of tiny mystery chocolates. Throw some double-stuff Oreos and Swedish Fish in a bag and give them some candy they actually want. 13. Agree to do one thing with them that you've always hated and swore you wouldn't do. Did your partner always want you to try ballroom dancing? Or finally sit down and understand how football is played? Do they want you to watch a movie you're pretty sure you can't stand? Tell them that today, they get to pick what you do, or grab them a coupon to that ballroom dancing class (and then hope they lose it). 14. Leave little love notes for them everywhere. Put them in their gym bag, their car, their pillow, and as many places as you can find reminding them how much you care about them. 15. Take some nude pictures. Send the pics to them throughout the day, and let them know what to expect when they get home. 16. Clean their room. Is it terribly romantic? No. Is it really practical and something they'll appreciate? Yes (assuming you don't inadvertently hide all their stuff while you clean). 17. Spell out "I LOVE YOU" in bacon for breakfast . This is romantic even if they're vegan (although they definitely won't eat it and you probably shouldn't do it). 18. Have a picnic in your living room. February where you live is probably too cold for a picnic outside, but set one up in your living room with a bottle of champagne and some fancy cheese. 19. Read them a romantic poem. If you're really good, you can try writing your own. If you're not feeling so daring, then just steal something from Keates or Lord Byron. 20. Make them a list of all the things you love about them. You should be able to get over a hundred. Personality quirks and specific memories are all fair game. 21. Make them a scrapbook. You'd be surprised what you've got lying around and can put together quickly. Find some old movie stubs, print out some pictures from Facebook, add some stickers, and you're done. 22. Set up a beer or wine tasting in your own home. Grab a few different kinds and walk them through the wines and their pairings. Follow Frank on Twitter. | 4 | 3,538 | lifestyle |
Airlines have canceled thousands of flights ahead of a "historic" winter storm churning toward the northeastern United States. | 8 | 3,539 | video |
By Jason Rowan A keen attention to detail is widely considered a highly sought-after quality when it comes to any vocation or profession. Unfortunately for the NFL, the individual or individuals responsible for putting together a framed photo collage that touts the accomplishments of the Seattle Seahawks came up woefully short in that capacity. ESPN.com's Mike Sando happened upon an otherwise pretty nifty piece of Seahawks memorabilia featuring the team's oft-controversial running back, Marshawn Lynch. Among the photographs in the collage featuring Lynch include him hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, but another photo highlights the running back engaging in a celebratory act that resulted in the NFL fining him last week. Yep, the NFL actually was selling a collage that included Lynch committing his crotch-grab from the NFC Championship Game following his late-game touchdown - a gesture the league deemed "obscene" and in turn fined Lynch $20,000 in a ruling that came down last week. You can see a photo of the collage here . To make matters worse, the ad showcasing the collage - which was going for a whopping $149.95, no less - actually included a link to an ESPN.com article that reported on said fine. Oops. The NFL has put the kibosh on the sale of the item, with NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy saying, "Any play that results in a fine may not be used commercially." The listing on NFL Shop now does not feature an image including Lynch's groin grab and the item is referred to as "discontinued." The NFL previously has come under fire for selling items that highlight acts by players deemed unsavory or inappropriate by the league. In 2010, the NFL pulled an item available for purchase that featured Pittsburgh Steelers lineback James Harrison laying a hit on Cleveland Browns receiver Mohamed Massaquoi that resulted in the imposition of a $75,000 fine. But as far a Lynch is concerned, it seems anything involving the running back has the potential for controversy. He is without a doubt one of the most compelling - and arguably misunderstood - players who will play in Super Bowl XLIX. Between strains of marijuana being named after him, Skittles-infused sausage being sold in Seattle in his honor and the possibility he will accrue an obscene amount of fines for violating the league's stringent policies regarding player's media availability, Lynch will be one to watch during Super Bowl week. | 1 | 3,540 | sports |
Facebook Inc's Oculus VR is getting into movies with an in-house studio dedicated to making virtual-reality films and premiered its first short piece at the Sundance Film Festival on Monday. Tapping talent from both Pixar, the animation studio behind computer graphics imagery (CGI) films "Toy Story" and "Monsters Inc," and the video gaming world, Oculus' Story Studio will develop film content for virtual reality and advise other filmmakers seeking to try the technology. Facebook bought Oculus last year for $2 billion. So far the business has largely focused on video games for its pioneering wrap-around Rift headset. But virtual reality has recently been enticing Hollywood's filmmakers to expand into the 360-degree panoramic view offered by headsets. Oculus debuted "Lost" on Monday, the first of five short animated films that it is making over the next year. Directed by former Pixar artist Saschka Unseld, now the creative director of Story Studios, "Lost" places the viewer in the midst of a forest where a mechanical creature bounds into the scene. Oculus' Chief Executive Brendan Iribe described it as "a real-time version of a Pixar experience that you're inside of." This year at Sundance, the largest U.S. independent film gathering, part of the event has been dedicated to virtual-reality short movies by filmmakers including Chris Milk and Felix & Paul, to draw the independent film community. Oculus also hopes to explore VR film experiences in real time, which would allow viewers to interact inside the headset with objects and characters. "This is really tuning in to what a lot of people who are extending 360-degree film into VR cannot do yet," Iribe said. "It's getting into the heart and soul and magic of VR." But virtual-reality films are still a long way from becoming mainstream as the headsets to display them have yet to reach the mass market. While Samsung Electronics Co Ltd offers its Galaxy Gear VR headset with its Galaxy Note 4 smartphone and Google Inc has its Cardboard VR device to use with smartphones, the consumer version of Oculus' Rift headset is still in development. There are also technological and creative constraints to developing film in virtual reality, said Unseld. Challenges include computers running too slowly to handle the intensive rendering of graphics in real time, as well as how to find a format for storytelling in a 360-degree environment where the viewer can look anywhere. "Film has very linear storytelling, it's one-dimensional," Unseld said. "In VR, you need to find a three-dimensional way of telling the story where the space around you matters." | 6 | 3,541 | entertainment |
The nation's housing czar says new lower annual premiums on Federal Housing Administration loans will not cause another taxpayer bailout. The government insurer of home loans came back into the black last year, after requiring a $1.7 billion taxpayer infusion in 2013. "We're not changing who qualifies for an FHA loan. What we're talking about here is affordability," said Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro in an interview Monday on CNBC's " Squawk Box ." The FHA is part of HUD. The FHA, which does not originate but insures home loans with down payments as low as 3.5 percent, raised its annual premiums 140 percent during the housing crash. That priced thousands of borrowers out of the market. As of Monday, the premium falls by half a percentage point, from 1.35 percent of the loan balance to 0.85 percent of the loan. "This is a very prudent step in the direction of providing middle-class families with opportunities for buying a home," said Castro. It is also about protecting the health of the FHA's insurance fund, which has gained $21 billion in value in the past few years, largely on the backs of new borrowers with pristine credit. Last year mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the government-sponsored enterprises) announced they would offer a 3 percent down payment loan for both new borrowers and those who wish to refinance. The FHA stood to lose considerable market share if its best borrowers jumped ship to those new loans, which unlike the FHA, do not require mortgage insurance for the life of the loan. Losing those best borrowers could hurt the FHA fund. "Certainly [Federal Housing Finance Agency] Director (Mel) Watt and the GSEs are doing some noteworthy things," admitted Castro, "but that is not the ultimate driver of this decision. The driver really is what is in the best interest of keeping the fund strong." | 3 | 3,542 | finance |
The SAG Awards felt a bit sleepy after the recent Tina Fey and Amy Poehler-hosted Golden Globes extravaganza, but that didn't stop everyone from pulling out the poppy red lipstick and hairspray and giving it their best shot on the red carpet Sunday night. Click through (double click to analyze every single flawless pore more closely) for the best looks from Emma Stone to (yes) William H. Macy. This article was written by Cheryl Wischhover from Fashionista and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. | 4 | 3,543 | lifestyle |
Billionaire financier George Soros wants to invest in or buy a large automotive dealership group, potentially following in the footsteps of Warren Buffett, Automotive News reported. Two representatives of Soros Fund management, which Soros chairs, attended the National Automobile Dealers Association convention in San Francisco over the weekend to research the industry and find potential investing opportunities, the industry trade publication said, citing four sources familiar with the situation. A deal by Soros would follow a similar move last year by Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRKa.N), which announced the purchase of the Van Tuyl Group auto dealership. Soros is interested in the car business as a way to diversify his fund's holdings and cash flow opportunities, and buying a large dealership group was one option, the sources told Automotive News. Soros Fund is in talks with an undisclosed number of dealership groups and has proposed "different transactions to different people," the publication said, citing one of the sources. Soros Fund representative Vipul Tandon declined to comment to Automotive News and a spokesman could not immediately be reached by Reuters on Monday. Tandon spoke at a private dinner on Saturday attended by about 40 dealers, a source told the publication. | 3 | 3,544 | finance |
It's definitely more waistline-friendly. For one New Hampshire woman, the decision to eat fast food resulted in some fast cash. According to the Associated Press , Janelle Jones stopped at a Burger King drive-thru last Friday and, after receiving her order, was surprised by the contents of the take-out bag. Instead of a spicy chicken sandwich and sweet tea, there was $2,631 in cold hard cash. Jones tells the Foster Daily Democrat that she went home to talk to her husband Matthew about what to do. Upon examining the bag closer, they found that it was filled with two bank deposit pouches and a loose $100 bill. Matthew Jones admits that the couple "considered the possibility of keeping the money" but decided against it due to their religious beliefs: Jones and his wife are Jehovah's Witnesses and he believes that "Jehovah sees everything." The couple returned the cash to the Burger King shortly after. Is is unclear if Jones ever received the chicken sandwich and tea she originally ordered. Surprisingly, Burger King isn't the first fast food chain to hand a customer cash instead of their meal. In 2013, an employee of a McDonald's in Tennessee accidentally gave a drive-thru customer thousands of dollars in cash also intended for the bank in place of the breakfast they ordered. As was the case at the New Hampshire Burger King, the customer in question quickly returned the money. Maybe fast food restaurants should invest in bank deposit bags so as to avoid confusion in the future. | 0 | 3,545 | foodanddrink |
Photo: Getty Michelle Obama and husband attended the India's State Dinner at Rashtrapati Bhawan, the Presidential Palace, in New Delhi. For the occasion, she wore a navy brocade jacquard dress by Carolina Herrera that managed to match every single person and thing in the room. I t's the most extraordinary example of pulling together a picture that's ever transpired in the history of color coordination. For the record, black and navy do indeed match, regardless of what you say mom! | 4 | 3,546 | lifestyle |
This new technology really will change everything Printable Limbs for Jedis Liam Porter was born without a lower left forearm. He has been fitted for prosthetics his whole life. But they were difficult to use for precision work. They were also heavy and clunky. A nonprofit organization that "prints" 3D limbs and donates them to users presented the 7-year-old Georgia boy with one custom-sized for his arm and custom-designed for his obsession with "Star Wars." "Clone Wars" arms aren't the only thing 3D printing technology has made possible. These printers are outputting just about everything in our lives, sometimes saving life itself. Printable Bike Some 3D printers have turned out bikes of all shapes, sizes and materials including some with a titanium frame. This one, composed of a powder made from nylon and metal, is as strong as steel but weighs 65 percent less than aluminum and could change the way we get around town. Imagine the reach and low maintenance costs of city bike-share programs! Printable Health Care When 3D graphics designer Michael Balzer was getting mixed messages from his wife Pamela Shavaun Scott's doctors after learning she had a tumor behind her eye, he decided to put the tools of his career and business to use and printed his wife's skull in 3D. From there, he was able to show her doctors what they couldn't see with their own high-tech instruments. And Scott got the medical treatment that she needed. Intricate Cake Toppers Bridezillas of the world, rejoice! Now, you CAN design your own cake topper and no one can tell you it's impossible. 3D printing technology will not only revolutionize the baking world, it's also being thought of as a solution to the food problem for long-lasting journeys into space. Printable Cars The three-wheel Urbee2 is made from 40 large printed parts. The car is futuristic and cool, but is less a demonstration of highway driving and more a show of the direction manufacturing could go as 3D printing technology becomes more widespread. Printable Fashion The fashion world has been an early adopter of 3D printing technology. Designers are using it to create custom-fit clothing, original fabrics and usable, built-in tools as with this printed dress for Dita Von Teese. 3D Printed Bass Guitar The Hive bass guitar features a wooden inner core that links the neck to the bridge and is customizable to suit the musician who will play it. The eponymous (and clever!) design features the honeycomb look and a few hidden bees inside the body of the instrument. Printed Houses A Chinese company has started printing out houses. They're small and simple, and take only hours to create and assemble. This inexpensive method, which doesn't need lots of labor or shipped-in materials, could be an answer to the next humanitarian crisis where families are displaced. Printed Organs It's only a matter of time before printed organs fill the needs of patients on organ donation lists. Until then, this new technology can create organs identical to those that doctors will soon operate on. Instead of going it cold for a tumor removal procedure, surgeons will be able to take a practice run (or two). Printable Shoes From sports gear to one-off original footwear, 3D printing will soon cover us from head to toe and then some. These intricate wedge-heel slip-ons include a useful (but risky?) cellphone holder. And we thought shoe phones were only for old-timey detectives. And Just Plain Cool Stuff This 3D-printed lamp (is that what it is?) is an example of the crazy cool stuff 3D printing will give us. Forget about the clean lines of mid-century modern. We've got the simplicity of inexpensive, mass-manufactured gear. | 4 | 3,547 | lifestyle |
The Detroit Pistons know it's going to be tough to replace everything that Brandon Jennings brings to the table. But D.J. Augustin came pretty close Sunday night, when he moved into the starting lineup in Toronto and scored a career-high 35 points in 37 minutes of Detroit's 114-110 loss. "He handled the minutes fine and played well offensively," coacg Stan Van Gundy said after the game. "We played well offensively. We just played no defense." Most important for the Pistons, Augustin found the 3-point shot that he's been struggling with all season, hitting 5 of 9 triples while still being able to get to the basket and giving out eight assists. "When you come out early and play a lot of minutes, you get more comfortable rather than coming off the bench," Augustin said. "You get a rhythm quicker, and you are able to play through that rhythm. I felt good tonight." Rookie Spencer Dinwiddie, playing just his 10th game, held his own in his 11 minutes of action. He hit only one shot, but had two assists without a turnover and kept the offense moving. Augustin and Dinwiddie aren't great defensive point guards, but that wasn't a strength for Jennings either, so the question will be if they can keep Detroit's offense playing as well as it did in the 14-3 surge after Christmas. Sunday's game showed that they can do it, at least for one night, but they'll get another test when they face LeBron James and the red-hot Cavaliers Tuesday at the Palace, then travel to Philadelphia one night later to face the terrible 76ers. Given Detroit's roster situation -- they're still paying $14 million to Josh Smith, can't trade Greg Monroe and obviously won't be able to trade Jennings -- a major move for a point guard isn't going to happen. That means Augustin is going to start, but Van Gundy indicated before Sunday's game that he does plan to use Detroit's empty roster spot to add a third point guard. An obvious candidate would be New York's Pablo Prigioni. Phil Jackson is dismantling the Knicks roster as part of the rebuilding process, and Prigioni could almost certainly be acquired for a second-round draft pick. Prigioni has started 48 games for the Knicks in his three-season career, but his role with the Pistons would be playing 15-20 minutes a night behind Augustin. Prigioni is a good 3-point shooter -- something that's very important in Van Gundy's offense -- and a good ballhandler, but he won't give Detroit the ability to slash to the basket that Jennings provided. Prigioni also fits Detroit's needs as a one-year player. Assuming Jennings returns in time for next season -- which would fit the timeline of other players with similar injuries -- Detroit could buy out the last year of Prigioni's contract for only $290,000. The biggest negative is that the Argentinan is already 37 years old, having spent most of his career playing in Spain. His stats have declined a bit this season, but it's hard to know if that's because of the aging process or being stuck on a horrible Knicks team. Prigioni would come in as a No. 2 point guard, moving Dinwiddie back to an emergency role. But if the Pistons don't get him, the most likely option would be a D-League player on a series of 10-day contracts. That player would be third on the depth chart, with Dinwiddie keeping the rotation spot with the second unit. Gary Talton of Fort Wayne would be a possibility, as he leads the league in assists at 10.2 a game, while Bryce Cotton and Vander Blue would give the Pistons more scoring while still providing decent ballhandling. Seth Curry might be the most intriguing possibilty, given his father's and brother's success in the NBA and his own 49.5 3-point percentage. He's not a traditional point guard, but he could help Van Gundy's offense, which is on pace to destroy every franchise record for 3-point attempts. No matter which way Van Gundy decides to go, Pistons fans should expect to see a new face on the bench as soon as Tuesday. | 1 | 3,548 | sports |
Your job, social life, and general laziness can knock a new healthy habit off-course, but new research suggests there's someone who can help: Your partner. In a new study of 3,722 cohabitating or married couples involved in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), people were more likely to accomplish healthy goals (i.e., quit smoking, get active, or lose weight) when their partners set their sights on the same goal.Specifically: 66 percent of women stuck to their workout goals when their partners jumped on the fitness train too. Meanwhile, only 24 percent of women whose partners made no extra effort ended up staying on track. The same pattern played out when women in the study tried to lose weight: 36 percent of them were successful when they dieted with a partner, while only 15 percent hit their weight loss goals alone.Obviously, support (and sympathy) from a significant other can motivate you to reach your goals and generally make your efforts less painful. To see for yourself, try this workout designed for couples. Start with one circuit of the exercises listed below in the order listed, then progress to two or three cycles in one session. 1. Chest Press and Plank: Have your partner lie flat on the floor with his legs extended. To get into position, stand at his head with your feet framing his head and your toes pointing toward his toes. Place your palms on the ground near his shoulders and walk your hands straight out to a plank position with your palms outside his legs. Your body should form a straight line between the top of your head and your heels, and your wrists should be directly below your shoulders. From this position, have your partner grab one of your ankles in each hand and engage his upper body as he presses both of your feet straight up off the ground. Next, have your partner lower your ankles with control and without touching them back to the ground to complete one rep. You should keep your entire body in one straight line the entire time. After 10 to 12 reps, switch positions. What it works: Both of your arms, cores, and chests. 2. Push-Up to Plank With Reach: Face your partner and step backward until you're about one arm's length apart from each other. Next, both partners frame their feet with their hands and step backward into plank position with the body in a straight line between the top of the head and heels, and the wrists underneath the elbows. From this position, bend your elbows to lower your entire body a few inches from the floor. Extend your elbows and press away from the floor to complete the push-up and return to plank position. Then, both partners lift their right hand off the ground and stretch it straight forward to touch the other partner's hand. Place the hand back on the ground, complete another push-up, and touch left hands to complete the rep. Continue alternating hands for 10 to 12 push-ups. What it works: Both of your chests, arms, backs, and cores. 3. Back-to-Back Side Plank With Touch: Get into plank position beside your partner with your right arm nearly touching his left arm. Turn your toes away from him to balance on the right side of your right foot. Stack your left foot on top of your right foot. Next, lift your left arm straight up to the sky and stack your left hip over your right one. Have your partner mirror this position by doing a plank on the opposite side: He turns his toes away from you and balances on the left side of his left foot, and stacks his right foot on top of his left foot. He then lifts his right hand off the ground and extends it straight up to the sky. Your backs should be nearly touching. Touch the back of your extended hands together, then lower the extended arm and reach under your opposite arm to touch hands underneath the plank. That's one rep. Continue to alternate touching hands above and below your bodies for 10 to 12 times while you hold the side plank. Then switch positions and repeat the same number of reps on the opposite side. What it works: Both your arms, abs, obliques, chests, and backs. | 7 | 3,549 | health |
Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski, the team who received so many accolades for their Sochi Olympics coverage of figure skating for NBC, have been added to the team covering Super Bowl XLIX for the peacock network . What's particularly cool is the role they'll have in the coverage. While most of the other reporters and commentators will be inside the stadium in front of teleprompters or in studios or on the field away from the crow, Weir and Lipinski will be reporting from tailgate parties at University of Phoenix Stadium. Weir, who has been so very openly gay for years, can certainly hold his own with the high-energy, likely-to-be-slightly inebriated crowd, once saying of a performance , "[For my performance] they kind of sat back and had their cognac and cigarettes and they were relaxing and watching, and [my competitor's] was more like a vodka shot, let's-snort-coke kind of thing." Given Weir's past attire choices, we're so hoping he goes all football for this potentially spectacular occasion. "We're looking forward to Johnny and Tara bringing their fun perspective and style to the show," said NBC Super Bowl producer Sam Flood . Let there be fireworks! | 1 | 3,550 | sports |
Almost exactly a year ago, supermarkets cashed in as shoppers rushed in and ransacked store shelves in anticipation of snowy weather and the polar vortex's subzero temperatures hitting a broad swath of the country. This week, it's largely the same story in the Northeast, what with a historic blizzard said to be threatening New England and much of the Mid-Atlantic region. Over the weekend, the panic hoarding began, with shoppers emptying grocery store shelves and grabbing every last loaf of bread, carton of eggs, and bottle of milk in sight. On Sunday, shoppers at one New Jersey supermarket reported it being nearly impossible to find a parking spot outside the store, while inside the scene was one of empty coolers where milk used to be, employees fighting through crowds to restock shelves, and endless lines snaking away from cash registers. Likewise, shoppers have been sharing photos of the crazy mob scenes over the weekend inside grocery stores in Boston, New York City , and elsewhere with #Snowmaggedon2015 , #Blizzardof2015 , or whatever your preferred nickname is for the storm. By now, this kind of pre-storm mad rush at the supermarket is to be expected. Heck, it's far more reliable than the actual weather forecasts ever are. And to some extent, this behavior is reasonable. We're relentlessly instructed to take precautions, prepare for the worst, go the route of better safe than sorry, and … you get the gist. You don't want to be stuck in a blizzard without a shovel or enough food to last for a few days, after all. Yet, as with so many other things involving human beings, there's a tendency to go completely overboard. What starts out as a prudent and sensible shopping excursion can quickly devolve into a frenzied, agitated exercise in hoarding at an overcrowded supermarket or hardware store, as the ugly, primal side of humanity rises to the surface. During the polar vortex of early 2014, for instance, some supermarket customers reported that meat and bread were swiped from their shopping carts while their backs were turned. Ever since Superstorm Sandy left gas stations without gas and led to some instances of price gouging where gas was available, drivers have been known to flock to the pumps to fill up when a big storm is in the forecast. Far more often than not, of course, it's wholly unnecessary to wait in line for 30 minutes or longer just to top off your gas tank. What is it, then, that pushes us over the edge? Why do shoppers head out to the store in preparation of some snow and perhaps a couple days without power, and then they (OK we) wind up hoarding all manner of goods as if preparing for the apocalypse ? Part of the explanation is mob mentality. When we see others streaming into stores and snatching up perishable goods by the cartload, we feel pressure to do the same. Perhaps , we think, these crazed shoppers all around us know something we don't? It's easy to see how this mentality snowballs excuse the pun when an epic blizzard is expected. This kind of thinking also pushes consumers into the realm of irrationality on days like Black Friday, when the bustle of crowds and competition causes people to overreact and buy things they wouldn't have had there not been dozens of shoppers fighting to get their hands on some supposedly hot, must-have holiday purchase. Consumer psychologist Kit Yarrow , an author and frequent TIME and MONEY contributor, explained via email that no matter if it's Black Friday or the day before a blizzard or hurricane is about to hit, when crowds descend on stores we essentially revert to cavemen. "Clearly we're responding to emotions and crowds, and our brains are a few steps behind," said Yarrow. What else could explain the act of rampaging through the supermarket and "greedily grabbing the last can of Spam"? "It starts with a normal impulse to stock up on things that might not be available for a few days," Yarrow said. "Panic hits when the stores are jammed with other shoppers and the shelves look a little bare. It's not so much a thought as it is an impulse that hits, and it's associated with the caveman parts of our brain that take over when we perceive we might be in physical danger. We are prewired to fight for food when we sense that resources are scarce." Afterwards, we're likely to look back on our behavior with puzzlement, and perhaps embarrassment. "Shoppers are going to find that canned food in the back of their pantries someday and wonder what they were thinking," said Yarrow. "The fact is, they really weren't thinking. Primal brain took over." Try to keep this in mind when, inevitably, the next "historic" storm is on the horizon and your supermarket seems to have been invaded by hoarding barbarian masses. By then, however, it'll probably be too late. You'll be in the store, not thinking, and instead following the primal impulse to race to get the last loaf of bread before it's gone. Speaking of which, anyone have any good recipes that involve Spam? Somehow, I have a bunch in the pantry, though I don't remember even buying them. | 3 | 3,551 | finance |
HAGATNA, Guam (AP) A Guam jury has found a teacher not guilty of raping an 11-year-old girl in 2007 while she was staying at his apartment. Pacific Daily News (http://is.gd/SFYDlF) reports Francis Jude Taitano was found not guilty Monday on charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Jurors deliberated for two hours before reaching a verdict. Taitano's attorney, Mark Kondas, says his client just wants to move on with his life. Taitano had been facing 15 years to life in prison. Assistant Attorney General Jeremiah Luther says one of the problems in the case was the amount of time it took for the incident to be reported. The allegations were reported in 2013. Luther says he doesn't know if the decision will be appealed. | 5 | 3,552 | news |
South Korea's four-time Olympic swimming medallist Park Tae-hwan has failed a dope test, local media reported on Monday. But his management were quick to blame an injection given to the national pin-up by a local doctor. Park, one of South Korea's most decorated athletes, received chiropractic treatment at a local hospital prior to last year's Asian Games, when he was given an injection that contained a banned substance, news agency Yonhap reported his management agency as saying. "At the time, the hospital offered to give Park an injection and he repeatedly asked if it contained any illegal substances," the management statement said. "The doctor said there would be no problem. And yet it turned out the injection contained a banned substance. "He hasn't even taken cold medicine so that he wouldn't fail doping tests. Park is more shocked by this result than anyone else." The agency said they were planning to take legal action against the hospital. Cornel Marculescu, executive director of world swimming body FINA, declined to comment to AFP, saying only that FINA's anti-doping commission would meet in late February. Park won 400m freestyle gold and 200m freestyle silver at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, becoming South Korea's first Olympic swimming medallist. He also won silver in both events at the 2012 London Olympics, along with 400m gold in the world championships in 2007 and 2011. The 25-year-old swimmer had a disappointing time in the pool in front of an expectant home crowd at the 2014 Asian Games, managing only a silver and five bronzes. | 1 | 3,553 | sports |
Emeril and Sopranos star Steve Schirripa create just-for-men pizza with all their favorite toppings. | 0 | 3,554 | foodanddrink |
Earnings season continues in full force this week as technology sector giant Microsoft Corporation kicks off with quarterly results after the closing bell Monday. Meanwhile, iPhone maker Apple Inc. and Yahoo! Inc. will follow suit Tuesday, followed by social networking company Facebook Inc. on Wednesday. Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. is scheduled to issue its second quarterly report Thursday since going public in September. Internet giant Google Inc. will post results Thursday, along with online retail giant Amazon.com, Inc. This week marks the pinnacle earnings season for the S&P 500, as 140 companies are scheduled to report. Thus far, 73 companies have released results, of those 52 percent have beaten earnings per share consensus and only 43 percent have beaten on revenues, according to research firm Estimize . Expectations for S&P 500 earnings growth for the fourth quarter stand at 5 percent with revenues anticipated to come in with 1.2 percent growth. Information technology has moved into the third spot for highest sector growth for the fourth quarter, and Estimize expects the sector's net income to grow 12.3 percent and 7 percent on sales. Driving growth in the tech space is the semiconductor industry, poised to increase profits by 30.1 percent and revenues by 14.8 percent year-over-year, followed by the internet software & services industry, which is estimated to post earnings per share growth of 19 percent and revenue growth of 12.3 percent. The "weakest link" among information technology sectors this quarter, according to Estimize, is software, with earnings per share expected to be down 7.6 percent from the year-ago quarter. Here's a deeper look at the tech, telecom, consumer discretionary and industrial companies reporting this week. Microsoft Corporation After the U.S. financial markets close Monday, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) will issue quarterly earnings after the world's largest software company beat expectations in the previous quarter and tallied record first-quarter sales, driven by the company's cloud strength and hardware progress . "The biggest challenge for Microsoft is turning around the Nokia and mobile business in the right direction as this remains an overhang on the name and a barrier to penetrating the golden goose of consumer spending," Daniel Ives, an analyst at FBR Capital Markets & Co, told International Business Times following the company's first quarter earnings report on Oct. 23. Wall Street expects Microsoft Corp. to report fiscal second-quarter net income of $5.91 billion, or earnings per share of 71 cents, on revenue of $26.34 billion, according to analysts polled by Thomson Reuters. That compares with a profit of $6.56 billion, or earnings per share of 78 cents, on revenue of $24.52 billion during the same period a year earlier. In the last three months, shares of Microsoft Corp. have gained 1.25 percent to $47.42. Apple Inc. Tech giant Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) will post quarterly results after the markets close Tuesday after the company smashed expectations for sales and profits during the previous quarter following the release of the company's iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Strength overseas has been a big part of Apple's success, as international sales accounted for 60 percent of Apple's fourth quarter revenue. Analysts will keep a close eye on how a strong U.S. dollar will affect the tech giant's revenue and overall guidance for the current quarter. Apple Inc. is expected to report fiscal first-quarter net income of $15.32 billion, or earnings per share of $2.57, on revenue of $67.5 billion, compared with a profit of $13.07 billion, or earnings per share of $2.07, on revenue of $57.59 billion a year ago. In the last 3 months, shares of Apple have gained 8.06 percent to average $111.49 and in the last 12 months shares have soared 44.43 percent to $94.27. Yahoo! Inc. Following the closing bell Tuesday, Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO) after the Internet company's previous quarterly earnings and revenue that beat analysts' expectations in October. Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer said in October that the company's search business is growing at 6 percent annual pace and expects gross revenue in mobile will exceed $1.2 billion in revenue this year. Analysts will be eyeing the Sunnyvale, California-based company's mobile advertising growth for the fourth quarter, as Yahoo is expected to pass Twitter Inc. in the U.S. mobile advertising space in 2015, according to eMarketer. The research firm estimates the company will take nearly 3.2 percent of the $18.99 billion U.S. mobile advertising market in 2014, and will account for 3.74 percent of the country's mobile ad market, pushing Yahoo past Twitter for the first time. Yahoo is forecast to take 3.69 percent share in 2015, according to eMarketer. Yahoo is expected to report fiscal fourth-quarter net income of $277.33 million, or earnings per share of 19 cents, on revenue of $1.19 billion, compared with $481.94 million, or earnings per share of 33 cents, on revenue of $1.2 billion a year earlier. Shares of Yahoo have jumped 10.40 percent to $49.44 in the last three months, and have gained 34.65 percent to average $39.98 in the last 12 months. Facebook, Inc. Social networking giant Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) will post quarterly results after the closing bell Wednesday. Facebook reported quarterly earnings and revenue that beat analysts' expectations in October, but shares of the company initially fell over 10 percent following the report after the company expected expenses would increase between 50 percent and 70 percent over the next year as it looks to invest in new areas, such as video. Wall Street projects Facebook to report fiscal fourth-quarter net income $1.40 billion, or earnings per share of 25 cents, on revenue of $3.78 billion, compared with a profit of $780 million, or earnings per share of 20 cents, on revenue of $2.59 billion a year ago. In the last three months, shares of Facebook have fallen 3.11 percent to $76.56, but in the last 12 months shares of the company have soared 45.26 percent to average $70.02. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE:BABA) will release results before the opening bell Thursday, its second report following its massive $25 billion initial public offering in September. In November, Alibaba posted quarterly earnings for the July-to-September period that were in line with expectations while revenue surged 54 percent from a year earlier, mainly driven by growth in online marketing service and commission revenue. During its earnings call with shareholders on Nov. 4, Alibaba made a huge revelation on how it may try to take on Google Inc. in China. The company's Executive Vice Chairman Joe Tsai said the Chinese e-commerce giant is planning a "long-term" effort to build out its experimental mobile phone operating system to become a competitor to Google's Android operating system. Wall Street expects Alibaba to report fiscal third-quarter net income of $1.9 billion, or earnings per share of 56 cents, on revenue of $4.45 billion. Following the company's last quarterly earnings report, shares of Alibaba have gained 6.07 percent to $106.49. Google Inc. After markets close Thursday, Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG) is slated to post earnings after the company turned in weaker-than-expected results for the third quarter. Investors will be eyeing the search giant's long-term growth prospects, as its core business remains advertising. Google's cost per click, or how much it earns when a user clicks its advertisers' ad, continued to fall in the previous quarter, dropping 2 percent year over year. Fiscal fourth-quarter net income of $4.95 billion, or earnings per share of $5.75 billion, on revenue of $18.47 billion, compared with a profit of $4.1 billion, or earnings per share of $4.95, on revenue of $16.86 billion a year ago. In the last three months, Google's (GOOGL) Class A shares have fallen 2.67 percent to $534.98, while the company's Class C shares (GOOG) have dropped 1.38 percent to $528.70. Amazon.com, Inc. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) will turn in results after the closing bell Thursday, after missing Wall Street estimates in the previous quarter, warning investors of weaker-than-expected sales for the holiday quarter. Investors will be watching how the internet giant performed overall during the holiday quarter after heightened competition from other retailers such as Target Corporation and Best Buy. Analysts will also be watching for how Amazon plans to lower its shipping losses. Fiscal fourth-quarter net income of $90.33 million, or earnings per share 18 cents, on revenue $29.70 billion, compared with $239 million, or earnings per share of 51 cents, on revenue of $25.59 billion a year earlier. Shares of Amazon have gained 6.81 percent to $308.24 in the last three months, while shares have dropped 19.79 percent to $326.25 over the last year. | 3 | 3,555 | finance |
Why didn't anybody tell me? You Can't Do It All It's easy to come into motherhood with high expectations for yourself you're going to be the best mom, grow your career, be the perfect wife, get in shape, start that business, travel, enjoy your hobbies and take care of your home. New moms: It's OK to adjust your expectations. You might only be able to focus on a few roles, to the exclusion of others. This isn't failure; this is being normal. Trust Your Instincts Ever since you announced your pregnancy, strangers and friends alike have been giving you unsolicited advice. You might feel tempted to believe them, but you have to eventually learn to trust your instincts. No one knows your baby better than you. Milk Woes Feeding your baby can be harder than you imagined. Pain, clogged ducts and insufficient supply are difficulties for many breastfeeding moms. Formula-feeding moms might have trouble finding the right formula, particularly with a sensitive baby, as well as have to constantly sanitize bottles, or fumble with scoops and kettles at 3 a.m. Be ready to tackle cluster feeding or acid reflux. About Face If you were lucky enough to have a glowing pregnancy, you might forget about stocking up on your favorite skincare products. You'll want to have enough to last for the first months of motherhood. No new mom should have to run out of face wash or moisturizer. During those exhausting first weeks, simple comforts can mean the most. You Can Ask for Help Somehow, I got it into my mind that I had to do everything by myself. Between caring for the baby, cleaning and cooking, I was soon on the edge. But you know what? Being a good mom isn't about being a martyr; do ask for help. Taking a nap while a trusted relative hangs out with the baby, asking your spouse to pick up dinner on a tough day, or hiring a monthly cleaning service are all great ideas. Seize the (Quiet) Day Life after the baby is better in a myriad of ways, but some things you'll miss. One of them is quiet. I wish someone had told me to read the books that I'd been meaning to read. If you don't, you end up having to put them off for at least a year about the time needed for life to feel normal again. I found moments of peaceful silence were scarce as a new mom, and when I had one, I napped. Be Smart About Sleep I was in labor for 15 hours. I got to hold my daughter at around 3 a.m. and then proceeded to be awake for most of the next day. My husband and I were so excited about being parents, we both stayed up with the baby those first few weeks. A smarter choice is to sleep in shifts. That way, you'll each feel better. New motherhood is a marathon, not a sprint. Mom Friends Are Hard to Find The ideal mom friend is a woman you'd like even if she didn't have a baby. So, don't beat yourself up if you leave the mommy-and-me group feeling like you don't belong. For new moms who are shy: Your babies are the perfect conversation starter. One or two good mom friends is all anyone really needs. You're More Than a Mom The first months feel all-consuming, but you're still you. Don't forget to nourish the other parts of your identity. Giving yourself a break from motherhood isn't selfish, it makes you more balanced. Whether this means having your mom watch the baby for an evening or making plans to go back to school, caring for yourself is a way to care for your family. Err on the Side of Frugality The baby care market is a multibillion dollar industry. You might want that new gadget, developmental toy or adorable baby outfit you come across, but you don't need any of these to be a good mom. | 4 | 3,556 | lifestyle |
Ongoing instability in Yemen should not derail plans to close the Guantánamo Bay detention facility, Barack Obama's former envoy for the closure urged on Monday. Clifford Sloan, who resigned on 31 December as the State Department's special envoy for shuttering the infamous detention center, said the 47 Yemenis currently approved for transfer would not be returned to their home country. "The focus with regard to the Yemenis at Guantánamo has been on resettling them to other countries, because of the perilous security situation in Yemen. That was true before the very recent events as well as since the very recent events," Sloan told the Guardian in an interview on Monday. Since Houthi rebels overran the capital of Sana'a last week and ousted the US-backed president , Republican congressional opponents of the long-stalled closure have seized on Yemen's compounding chaos to argue against transfers from Guantánamo. Yemenis comprise the largest nationality represented within the 54 remaining detainees whom six executive agencies unanimously approved for release in 2010. "It is only the restrictions that Congress has placed into law that has prevented all these folks from already having been shipped back to Yemen," Representative Mac Thornberry, the chairman of the House armed services committee, said on Thursday . Since his party's loss in the November midterm congressional elections, Obama has accelerated Guantánamo transfers, running head-on into furious GOP criticism. After the most recent transfer, which sent five Yemeni detainees to Oman and Estonia on 14 January, Republican senators on the armed services committee asserted that the detainees had " potential ties to al-Qaida " and deepened their push to pass a bill to make closing the facility more arduous. Sloan said it was a mistake to consider the Guantánamo Yemenis cleared for transfer, whose release carries the approval of the Pentagon and the uniformed military, a particular threat to national security. "Any suggestion that the Yemenis are uniquely dangerous is just flat-out wrong and is belied by the facts," Sloan said. "There's a particular difficulty with the detainees from Yemen because of the situation in their home country and also because of the large number of Yemenis at Guantánamo. But it certainly does not relate to a correlation to the security issues presented by those individuals." Sloan said he was "very pleased and gratified" by the willingness of foreign countries, from Slovakia to Uruguay , that have been willing to resettle former Guantánamo detainees. Bolstered by recent rhetorical support from Pope Francis , the administration is signaling that it expects an even greater pace of transfers from Guantánamo in the coming weeks. But even if the administration can resettle the 54 detainees awaiting transfer, it still must determine the fate of the other 68 before Obama can fulfill his pledge to close the detention center. The vast majority of those 68 are not expected to face war crimes charges before US military tribunals. Obama's preferred pathway to adjudicating their fates is to perform quasi-parole hearings, known as Periodic Review Boards, whereby the administration comes to a consensus about whether or not they pose a continuing threat. US officials recently interviewed by the Guardian expressed skepticism that Obama can shutter Guantánamo without picking up the pace of the review boards. Sloan urged the administration to intensify the process, which thus far has cleared six detainees for release and recommended three for continuing detention. "The pace of the Periodic Review Boards needs to be accelerated, to reflect the importance and the urgency of the task the Periodic Review Boards have in front it. That can be done while maintaining the fairness and rigor of the proceedings," Sloan said. Sloan also urged Congress to remove what he called its "irrational ban" on moving detainees to the United States to face prosecution in federal criminal courts, and rejected the GOP effort at preventing the facility's closure. "I think there is no basis for additional restrictions," he said. | 5 | 3,557 | news |
Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said that going forward he has no intentions of keeping Rajon Rondo on the bench during crunch time, this despite doing so during the team's 102-98 Friday night loss to the Bulls . That move, which on Friday Carlisle described afterwards as "coach's decision" while declining to explain further, was brought up by reporters again on Sunday night prior to the Mavericks' game against the Pelicans . Here, via ESPN Dallas , is what Carlisle had to say: "The other night's an aberration most likely," Carlisle said before Sunday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. "We have a closing five. I just deviated from it the other night. I don't expect that to happen very often. Going forward, we play the whole game to set up the last five or six minutes to have a chance to win or catch somebody or close it out with a lead. Rondo's going to be in there most of the time. There's no doubt about that." Rondo is averaging 11 points, seven assists and six rebounds in 18 games with the Mavericks, who acquired him from the Celtics in December. Dallas is 11-7 over that stretch. Against the Bulls on Friday, though, Rondo had just six points and four assists. When asked his thoughts on the situation, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said, "I'm in favor of letting someone who I think is a top-three coach in the league coach. That's what I'm in favor of." Here are the rest of Cuban's thoughts, also via ESPN Dallas. "Sometimes coaches coach by feel and you lose track of things, but it happens. There's been times that Dirk [Nowitzki] hasn't closed, times Monta [Ellis] hasn't closed. You pick any guy in particular that we've had over the years. With Rick in particular, when something's going, it happens." Sunday against the Pelicans Rondo was back on the floor during crunch time. He was unable to lead the Mavericks to a win -- they loss 109-106 -- but did come close to recording a triple double, as he scored 17 points, dished out nine assists and pulled down eight rebounds. | 1 | 3,558 | sports |
At age 6, Rebecca's body began to develop in ways that seemed unusual. Her mother, Ellen, had noticed a change in Rebecca's breast area, but some of the other little girls, the chubbier ones at least, also seemed to be carrying extra weight there. But there was also the hair that had begun to appear under her daughter's arms. "People assumed she was so much older than she was, but still she would cry sometimes, and people would look at you like, How old is that kid?" says Ellen, who spoke to Newsweek under condition of anonymity. When a test showed Rebecca's bone age to be 10½, a pediatric endocrinologist diagnosed "precocious puberty". While the exact cause is unknown, this endocrine disorder is triggered by the early release of hormones in the brain, a circumstance that hurls a child into sexual maturation years before the usual age. This sudden sexual development in a child so young can be unnerving to parents. "My daughter is 7 years and 10 months old. She started having body odor at 5 and breast buds at 6," one mother wrote recently in a group chat about the condition. She wrote, too, of her daughter's "roller-coaster emotions", a common complaint from parents observing massive mood swings, PMS-like symptoms and other "teen emotions" in daughters just beginning the first grade and in some cases even younger. The condition affects individuals in different ways. According to Ellen , the most troubling sign in Rebecca was growing six inches in one year. "There was a lot of stress mainly due to her height," says Ellen. "People would say, 'Oh, she's so tall!,' not thinking or anything, and you could see her little face get sad." "People thought I was older," says Rebecca, who is now 14. "[Like] I had failed kindergarten or something." Her mother says, "She had to be very mature a lot of the time, but on the flip side, she was all into Disney and still a little girl." Unlike Rebecca, many precocious kids lose their interest in Disney and little-girl things and begin to act, well, the age of their bodies. The mother of one 8-year-old wrote that her daughter "is a very sexual being. Although she does not by definition understand what 'sexiness' means, she exhibits a very particular awareness of her body and wants other people to notice her". Another mother observed, "It is really as if my 6-year-old has a 12-year-old trapped in her body." Living in a Sea of Chemicals In girls, puberty is commonly defined as breast development, growth of pubic hair and menarche, the beginning of the menstrual cycle. At the turn of the last century, the average age for an American girl to get her period was 16 to 17. Today, that number has plummeted to less than 13, according to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey . The trend has been attributed to the epidemic of overweight children and a greater exposure to pollution, which does bad things to developing bodies and accelerates the timing of a girl's first menstruation. Environmental toxins also cause many girls to develop breasts at an earlier age than in the past. Compared with 20 years ago, American girls today begin developing breasts anywhere from one month to four months earlier, a significant difference. At the same time, the number of girls who begin to develop early is increasing. "Just a generation ago, less than five percent of girls started puberty before the age of 8; today that percentage has more than doubled," note Dr. Louise Greenspan and Dr. Julianna Deardorff in The New Puberty: How to Navigate Early Development in Today's Girls . Among the toxins causing this trend, the biggest offenders are plastic compounds, in particular phthalates , man-made chemicals found all over the place: in plastic food and beverage containers, carpeting, shampoos, insect repellents, vinyl flooring, shower curtains, plastic toys and in the steering wheels and dashboards of most cars. Our bodies cannot metabolize phthalates, which interfere with the endocrine system the body's system of glands and hormones and harm fat cells. Indirectly, phthalates may cause weight gain and so influence the timing of puberty. "The No. 1 factor that was pushing girls into puberty early was their body mass index," says Dr. Frank Biro, director of education and a professor in the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. Our children are living in a "sea of chemicals", says Dr. Marcia E. Herman-Giddens, a professor of public health at the University of North Carolina. She argues that children are speeding into puberty before they're ready, and that this early maturation is both the symptom of bodily damage that has already occurred and the probable cause of health consequences they may expect in the future. Getting Hit On "It's one of the most robust findings in studies of psychological development," says Dr. Laurence Steinberg, a professor of psychology at Temple University, and author of Age of Opportunity: Lessons From the New Science of Adolescence . He is referring to recent research demonstrating how earlier-maturing girls are more likely to become depressed. One 2014 study , for instance, finds "girls with earlier [puberty] timing had higher levels of depression symptoms at age 10 years". Another study echoes these findings, while also suggesting such effects may be long-lasting. Along with higher rates of depression, younger girls who enter puberty earlier than their peers are more prone to obesity and drug abuse. When children enter puberty, their brains undergo changes brought on by the flood of pubertal hormones that "makes them especially attentive to what other people think of them and especially responsive to social reward", says Steinberg. Dopamine, a neurotransmitter crucial to the experience of pleasure, floods and effectively remodels the pathway between the behavior-regulating prefrontal cortex and the brain's reward center. "The adolescent brain is one where the accelerator is pressed to the floor before there's a good braking system in place," says Steinberg. "This gap between when the brain is easily aroused and when the braking is in place creates a period of vulnerability." With puberty occurring at a younger age, this period begins earlier, when a girl may be inadequately prepared. After all, early maturing girls naturally attract unwanted attention. "You encounter a young lady in the mall and she looks like she's 15 years old," says Biro. "You will interact with her like she's 15, but suppose she's 11?" And because of the way her brain is being flooded with hormones, a young girl hanging out with older kids most likely wants to please and may be more inclined to go along with the crowd. Meanwhile, no matter how physically developed a girl is, her psychosocial maturation remains anchored to her chronological age. "These young girls get, let's use the term 'hit on', by older boys and men and how can they be prepared to deal with it? Obviously, grown women have a hard [enough] time dealing with unwanted sexual attention," observes Herman-Giddens. The brain is highly plastic, and stressful experiences like these take their toll. Early-maturing girls are more likely to smoke cigarettes , they are at high risk for substance use , and they have higher rates of eating disorders . Though most of this fallout is experienced while they are young, some of the consequences extend into adult life. Substance problems and depression experienced at a young age can easily return, for instance. Then there are health problems that those who undergo early puberty are more likely than the general population to experience later on in their lives, like higher blood pressure and cardiovascular problems. "Puberty is considered one of those windows of susceptibility," says Biro, when the body is especially sensitive to the negative health impact of social and environmental stressors. In particular, the actively maturing breast tissue of a girl, unlike the breast tissue of a full-grown woman, is more vulnerable to damaging environmental pollutants. Today's girl is both starting puberty earlier and going through it more slowly, according to Biro, which means a girl remains in this high-risk state for a longer amount of time. In an article he co-authored with Deardorff and others, Biro found up to a 30 percent increased risk for breast cancer when a woman experiences her first period at a younger age. And "for each year that age of menarche was delayed, the risk of premenopausal breast cancer was reduced by 9 percent, and risk of postmenopausal breast cancer was reduced by 4 percent." Early breast development also opens the door to reproductive tract cancers, says Herman-Giddens, since "if you're starting to develop breasts, your body is making estrogen". Estrogen, especially when combined with stress hormones, is a known cancer-causing agent. Having had an earlier start to puberty, an early-maturing girl produces more estrogen over the years and so elevates her lifetime risk of reproductive cancers. Able to Conceive in Kindergarten There is a medical solution for patients who, like 6-year-old Rebecca, are diagnosed with precocious puberty. Hormone treatments can essentially halt the process of sexual maturation. Then, at an appropriate age, the drugs are withdrawn and puberty plays out. Some girls diagnosed with precocious puberty have no choice but to medicate in order to prevent serious bone and growth problems. Rebecca fell into this category. While precocious children may stand half a foot taller than their peers in kindergarten, these same children also tend to stop growing at a young age and so never reach their predicted adult heights. Often, they fail to reach five feet tall. As the average age of the onset of puberty continues to rapidly decrease, the line between endocrine disorder and so-called normal development has begun to blur. "A lot of girls who we are labeling as premature puberty now are probably normal, healthy girls who are at the lower end of the new normal," says Dr. Paul Kaplowitz of Children's National Medical Center. Which makes it pretty difficult for parents to know whether they should be medicating their young daughters. In these edge cases, the decision to undergo hormone therapy is a matter of balancing potential benefits and harms. According to Dr. Alan Christianson, author of The Adrenal Reset Diet , the medications themselves may have both short-term side effects, such as headaches, hot flashes and vaginal bleeding, and possible lasting complications, such as thyroid gland disorders. Another barrier to treatment is the expense: The drugs cost a minimum of $15,000 a year, excluding lab costs. In Ellen's case, most of this was covered by insurance, but she still ended up having to pay a few thousand dollars a year. Which is why many parents decide there's nothing more to do for an early-maturing daughter other than guiding her, the best they can, through the vulnerable years. That, though, is often a difficult and solitary road to walk. As Ellen says, "Precocious puberty is not like allergies or something where you can just find other mothers on the playground or at the school going through the same thing with their kids." But many other parents do choose medication. Having seen very young girls struggle with their periods, Kaplowitz says he's "OK" with treating those early-maturing girls who "are likely to start their period well before age 10". More than a few girls today begin breast development shortly after turning 8 and then continue growing at a rapid pace. Outward manifestations of maturation are one thing. Usually, though, it's not height problems or breast development that propel parents to opt for medical treatment. "In my experience, it is largely because parents are worried about whether their girls can handle periods at an early age," says Kaplowitz. In the words of one mother in a chat room, the possibility that her daughter "could menstruate at any time (she was already having discharge by about 3 or 4) trumped the height factor.... The mere possibility of her being able to conceive in kindergarten was enough for me to decide to treat her." | 7 | 3,559 | health |
The government is forcing one of Dr. Oz's favorite supplement peddlers to pay out $9 million to consumers after making deceptive and unsubstantiated claims about weight loss products. Several years ago, you had probably never heard of the green coffee bean supplement for weight loss. But after Dr. Oz featured the supplement on his daily talk show, it became one of the hottest weight loss wonders around. Now, the Federal Trade Commission just announced a giant settlement with one of the supplement marketers, Dr. Lindsey Duncan as well as the companies he had a stake in, Pure Health LLC and Genesis Today, Inc. On the Oz show, Duncan made miraculous claims: that the pills could lead to nearly 20 pounds of weight loss and a reduction of 16 percent body fat in 12 weeks without exercise. He said this was all backed by science. But he never mentioned his financial conflict of interest in companies that made the pills. According to the FTC: Shortly after Duncan agreed to appear on Dr. Oz but before the show aired, he began selling the extract and tailored a marketing campaign around his appearance on the show to capitalize on the "Oz effect" a phenomenon in which discussion of a product on the program causes an increase in consumer demand. Of course, the science behind the green coffee bean supplements was dubious. One of the studies that was featured on the Oz show to tout the green coffee bean extract for weight loss has even been retracted by the study authors. For this peddling, the FTC went after Duncan and his companies and they won. Under settlement, the FTC says, "the defendants are barred from making deceptive claims about the health benefits or efficacy of any dietary supplement or drug product, and will pay $9 million for consumer redress." "Lindsey Duncan and his companies made millions by falsely claiming that green coffee bean supplements cause significant and rapid weight loss," said Jessica Rich, Director of the FTC's bureau of consumer protection, in a press release. The settlement comes amidst a series of attacks on the science behind the Oz Show, and this isn't the first time the FTC has taken down claims made on the show. Last September, the FTC settled another $3.5-million suit against Applied Food Sciences , the company that sponsored the retracted green coffee bean study. Last summer, senators dragged Oz up to Capitol Hill last summer to berate his bunk weight-loss prescriptions. "The scientific community is almost monolithic against you," S en. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) admonished him. In December, researchers writing in the British Medical Journal examined the health claims showcased on 40 randomly selected episodes of the two most popular internationally syndicated health talk shows, The Dr Oz Show and The Doctors. What they found was disappointing but not exactly surprising: about half of the health recommendations had either no evidence behind them or they actually contradicted what the best-available science tells us. That means about half of what these TV doctors say to their millions of satellite patients is woo, and potentially harmful and wasteful woo at that. | 7 | 3,560 | health |
Beyonce and her lawyers went after Etsy.com for selling coffee mugs and other merchandise with the name 'Feyonce' on it. Sean Dowling (@SeanDowlingTV) has the details. | 8 | 3,561 | video |
Cycling outcast Lance Armstrong has said he would take banned substances again if faced with the same circumstances that saw him dope in 1995. In an interview with the BBC on Monday, the American said it was not possible to win cleanly when he was dominating the Tour de France with a record seven wins from 1999 to 2005 but that the race could now be won by a 'clean' rider. Asked, if he would cheat again, Armstrong said: "If I was racing in 2015, no, I wouldn't do it again because I don't think you have to. "If you take me back to 1995, when doping was completely pervasive, I would probably do it again." Armstrong, who insisted he was clean when he came out of retirement in 2009 and 2010 -- contrary to USADA's report -- added: "When I made the decision, when my team made that decision, when the whole peloton made that decision, it was a bad decision and an imperfect time. "But it happened. And I know what happened because of that. I know what happened to the sport, I saw its growth." Armstrong, 43, was stripped of his Tour titles and given a life-ban from cycling by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) in 2012, having denied for years he was a drugs cheat. The cancer-survivor eventually made a public confession in a television interview with US chat show host Oprah Winfrey in 2013. On Monday, he also said he deserved a reduction in his ban after twice speaking to the Cycling Independent Reform Commission (CIRC, a campaign group looking to clean up the sport. He was also keen his Tour titles be restored, with Armstrong saying the absence of a winner was equivalent to the years when the race wasn't run because of the First and Second World Wars. He added that good had come from his participation in the sport, saying Trek Bicycles, his supplier, had increase sales from $100 million (£66.5 million) to $1 billion as the story of how he overcame cancer to again become a champion racer brought new fans into cycling, while his charity foundation, Livestrong, was able to raise $500 million. "Do we want to take it away?" he said. "I don't think anybody says 'yes'." As for the Tour de France titles now erased from the record books, Armstrong said: "I think there has to be a winner, I'm just saying that as a fan. "There's a huge block in World War One with no winners, and there's another block in World War Two, and then it seems like there's another world war. "I don't think history is stupid, history rectifies a lot of things. If you ask me what happens in 50 years, I don't think it sits empty... I feel like I won those Tours," Armstrong added. | 1 | 3,562 | sports |
What are some simple tricks you know? | 8 | 3,563 | video |
Purr-fect: Cat Cafes Around the World Cat cafes are ideal places to unwind in the company of furry creatures. Take a look at the cat cafes around the world. Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium, London This cafe in Shoreditch offers its customers tea, sandwiches, cake and scones in the company of cats! Visitors pay a cover charge of around US $8 for couple of hours of feline company. Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium, London The café, a brainchild of Lauren Pears, is home to 11 rescued cats. The venue has been carefully designed to cater feline's emotional and physical needs. Cafe Neko, Vienna, Austria It was Vienna's first cat cafe that opened in May 2012, after three years of negotiations with city officials over hygiene issues. Visitors get to sip coffee with the hosts settling on their laps or purring under the chair. Cafe Neko, Vienna, Austria Neko means cat in Japanese. The café, opened by Vienna resident Takako Ishimitsu, has feline residents that come from local animal shelters. Pee Pee's Katzencafe, Berlin, Germany The cafe was first of its kind in Berlin, and was opened in 2013. Pee Pee's Katzencafe, Berlin, Germany It houses two cats, which the visitors can pet while enjoying tea and cake. Cat Cafe, Singapore Opened in December 2013, the cafe is home to 13 cats that were either abandoned or rescued from the streets. Customers can enjoy a cup of coffee while they mingle with the feline inhabitants. La Gatoteca in Madrid, Spain The cafe is first of its kind in Madrid. It is currently home to around ten different cats and if a customer is particularly taken with one of the furry friends, they can adopt it too. Miagola Cafe, Turin, Italy The cafe opened in the city in early 2014. Miagola Cafe, Turin, Italy It has an area where children can play with the cats, and learn more about animals. Le Cafe Des Chats, Paris This is the first cat cafe in Paris, and a prior reservation is a must for this place. The cafe houses around 12 cats, but they are not up for adoption. However, if a visitor wishes to own a pet, the staff guides them in the procedure. Cat Cafe, Tokyo, Japan Around 16 breeds of cats live in the cafe, which offers a paradise for cat lovers. Cat Cafe, Tokyo, Japan The cafe's cats are up for adoption if the visitors are interested. Cat Cafe Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia It was Australia's first cat cafe opened in July 2014. Cat Cafe Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia The café, which opened in July 2014, charges on hourly basis. Prior reservation is mandatory. Cat Town Cafe, California The cafe has become America's first permanent feline-friendly coffee shop. Customers, who don't have cats at their homes, get a chance to play with cute kitties. Cats Republic, St. Petersburg, Russia The Russian cafe includes an exhibition area, a library and a separate hall with cats living inside. According to the owners of the cafe, visitors can pay around US $5-10 to play with the cats. Cat Cafe, New York, US The Cat Cafe in New York was a pop up cafe that opened on April 24, 2014, for only four days. The cafe was created by Purina ONE cat food, and served complimentary "cat'achinos." Cat Cafe, New York, US The promotional cafe featured cats and beverages in Manhattan. People queued up in numbers to have coffee in the company of feline fellows. | 2 | 3,564 | travel |
Scott Dixon's teammates spent the final three hours of the Rolex 24 at Daytona raving about his talent while watching him seal a victory in one of the most prestigious endurance races in the world. The three-time IndyCar champion would take none of the credit. Dixon, who carried the heaviest load for Chip Ganassi Racing's four-driver lineup, insisted Sunday's win was a team effort that included many people from Ganassi's sprawling organization. But there's a reason Daytona 500 champion Jamie McMurray, Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan and NASCAR's newest hotshot, Kyle Larson, didn't spend too much time worrying about the outcome during Dixon's lengthy final stint in the car. They knew The Iceman would get the job done. ''It's really hard to appreciate the talent that guys have from other series until you race with them,'' McMurray said. ''It's crazy the pace that Scott is able to have in the car. I think Scott is one of the most talented guys in the field. He's an incredible driver.'' The praise also came from Larson, who improved from his underwhelming debut last season by learning from Dixon, and Kanaan, who has raced against Dixon for 14 seasons. ''I got beaten by Scott for a long time,'' Kanaan said. ''He's a very, very smart and complete race car driver. He can adapt to anything. It's unbelievable how he can make a bad car still be fast, and I think that's something that I try to learn from him every time I watch him.'' There was no need for Dixon to carry the team in the twice-round-the-clock race around Daytona International Speedway. The Ganassi group brought a pair of strong cars to the race and both set the pace early. Had the clutch not broken in the homestretch on the No. 01, that Scott Pruett-led car might have been racing for the win in the final hour. The Dixon-led No. 02 ''star car'' had no major issues, and, still in contention after daybreak, it became clear they'd use the New Zealander to close out the race. Larson drove an abbreviated stint and stayed in the car only long enough to make Dixon eligible to finish the race. IMSA rules state a driver can only be in the car for a total of four total hours in a six-hour period, and Dixon climbed in with 3 hours, 32 minutes remaining. It was a long final stint for Dixon, who drove three times for more than seven hours during the 24-hour race. His task in that final stretch was to conserve fuel, maintain the pace and follow strategy to give Ganassi its record sixth victory in the race. He did it with what appeared to be ease, and seemed fresh and ready to drive another three hours as he celebrated in victory lane. ''It's not easy whatsoever. I feel the load just as much as any of these guys,'' Dixon said. ''Pressure is what you make of it, and as long as you get out of the car and you know you've done the best that you could, you should be happy with that. I think for all of us here this weekend, the best that we did was good enough to get the victory.'' Dixon, so selfless and so content for so many years in the shadow of famous former teammate Dario Franchitti, cares far more about final results than accolades. But Dixon has earned any praise heaped his way for steadily building one of the most prolific careers in open-wheel history. He's won three IndyCar titles, the 2008 Indianapolis 500 and his 35 career victories tie him for fifth on the all-time list with Bobby Unser. The only drivers ahead of Dixon are named Foyt, Andretti and Unser. He's won the Rolex twice, and as he begins his 14th season with Ganassi, he's the longest tenured driver in the temperamental owner's history. Dixon is also the only active driver to finish in the top three in points every year since 2006. It's that streak - he lost three consecutive championships to teammate Franchitti, who also won a pair of Indy 500s in that span - that has likely led to him often being overlooked. Ganassi team manager Mike Hull, who has been with Dixon his entire IndyCar and sports car career, said the driver gets plenty of appreciation within his organization. ''He's one of those people that have enormous ability, has terrific passion, wants to make himself better every day,'' Hull said. ''He's not complacent with where he is presently. I'll guarantee you, he'll come back here to race again, and he'll want to improve himself over where he just finished today. ''He's very direct with what he wants with his race car, and then he's unselfish. He gives back. The younger drivers have a great mentor in Scott Dixon.'' | 1 | 3,565 | sports |
The Health and Human Services Department is shelling out billions of dollars on three new federal programs that essentially do the same thing. The Affordable Care Act provides funding toward new initiatives aimed at improving the quality of care. But a new report from the HHS Inspector General found that at least three other programs that serve essentially the same purpose are being used by many of the same hospitals. Because of this, the inspector general said the agency is paying significantly more than it should be to achieve the same results. CMS has a $4 billion contract with quality improvement organizations that are set up to help improve care and reduce readmission rates at hospitals. Some of the work they do includes reducing the use of physical restraints in nursing homes and increasing the use of electronic health records. But many of the hospitals collaborating with those organizations are also involved in two separate federal programs that provide the same or similar services. Those programs the Hospital Engagement Networks and the Community-Based Care Transition Program---have cost about $500 million to set up. The report claims that 80 percent of the hospitals that collaborated with quality improvement organizations also collaborated with the two federal programs in 2013. Over that same time period, 85 percent of hospitals that partnered with the organizations also worked with independent entities like insurers and state and local government programs for similar purposes. The auditors said that the overlap of programs not only wastes money but also makes it difficult to measure which programs are most effective. They criticized CMS for not having better management over the programs and their partner hospitals. "The overlap among CMS's quality improvement efforts raises concerns about how well CMS coordinates those efforts," the inspector general said. The IG recommended that CMS ramp up its coordination over the programs to avoid further duplication. The agency concurred, though it cautioned the IG to assume that any money had been wasted. "It is important to note that focus on the same goals through different means does not necessarily equate to duplication, waste or inefficiency," CMS officials said in their response to the report. Duplication among federal programs is nothing new. Last year, the Government Accountability Office estimated that the government spent about $45 billion in redundant federal programs . The GAO keeps a list of the agencies that are most fraught with overlap and duplication and the Health and Human Services Department is no stranger to that list. Last year, the auditors reported that 10 different agencies within HHS provide similar services relating to AIDS outreach in minority communities while 11 different agencies perform autism research without properly coordinating their efforts. The latest IG report just adds a few new programs to that list. "Our findings underscore that overlap remains a concern," the auditors said. Top Reads from The Fiscal Times: The 10 Worst Places for Obamacare in 2015 How Obamacare Will Impact Your 2014 Taxes Unintended Consequences of Obama's Tax Cuts | 3 | 3,566 | finance |
Any notion that the NFL's investigation into the New England Patriots' usage of underinflated footballs during the AFC Championship Game might be done prior to the kickoff of Super Bowl XLIX can pretty much be put to rest. Ted Wells, who was appointed by the league to assist with the ongoing probe, released a statement Monday prior to the Patriots' arrival in Arizona, site of Sunday's Super Bowl saying he doesn't expect the matter to be resolved for "several more weeks." Furthermore, Wells essentially gave the Patriots an organizational pass from talking about the matter this week even though it is clearly the frontburner issue as the buildup to the big game begins in earnest. "We are in the process of conducting a thorough investigation on the issue of the footballs used in the AFC Championship. This work began last week, stretched through the weekend, and is proceeding expeditiously this week notwithstanding the Super Bowl," said Wells, a prominent lawyer who also investigated the Miami Dolphins' locker room bullying scandal during the 2013 season. "We are following customary investigative procedures and no one should draw any conclusions about the sequence of interviews or any other steps, all of which are part of the process of doing a thorough and fair investigation. I expect the investigation to take at least several more weeks. "In the interim, it would be best if everyone involved or potentially involved in this matter avoids public comment concerning the matter until the investigation is concluded. The results will be shared publicly." *** Follow Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis | 1 | 3,567 | sports |
On Sunday night, markets looked like they would be roiled by the election of the anti-bailout/anti-austerity Syriza party in Greece which threatens to undermine the stability and adherence to the 2012 Greek bailout terms that Europe has enjoyed. Futures were also weighed down by the increased intensity of fighting in Eastern Ukraine. But as the cash trading session opened, the buyers drove the major average higher for incremental gains. In the end, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained a fraction, the S&P 500 gained 0.3%, the Nasdaq gained 0.3%, and the Russell 2000 gained 1%. Crude oil was caught out again, dropping 1.1% to close at a fresh low of $45.11 a barrel. But energy stocks, in a surge of short covering ahead of earnings announcements from the sector later this week, diverged to climb 1.4%. 3 Reasons to Sit This Market Out During the energy meltdown of the last few months, energy stocks have separated from crude oil a number of times; all of which were resolved by renewed selling pressure on the likes of Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) and Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM). CVX reports on Friday while XOM reports next Monday. Overall, earnings have been a bit of a disappointment so far: With just over 16% of S&P 500 companies on the books, the overall earnings growth rate stands at 0.2% vs. 1.7% at the end of the quarter according to FactSet data. This week will be heavy with reporting as about a third of the S&P 500 announces. Watch for the impact of lower energy prices as well as the stronger dollar, which reduces repatriated profits from overseas (made worse by slowdowns in Europe and Asia). After the close, both Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX) missed on top- and bottom-line results for Q4, sending shares sharply lower in after-hours trading. Back to Europe. We've seen a massive sea change in the politics of Greece as that country with a 26% unemployment rate struggles with Europe's ultimately self-defeating austerity regimen that has tipped the country into a debt-deflation nightmare. Three years ago, the center-left Pasok party had 160 seats in parliament, and was the party that was in control when the eurozone crisis first broke out in 2010. Syriza had 13. Now, Pasok is set for between 12 to 15 seats while Syriza is on track for upwards of 158. In fact, the party is on the verge of an outright majority; which wouldn't require smaller parties to form a coalition government. Next steps are for Syriza to elect a new president and then start the task of negotiating with Europe to modify the terms of its bailout and secure debt relief. Long story short: After much posturing, Germany and the other creditor nations will likely accommodate more lenient terms. But before we get there, there will be much hand-wringing over the prospect of a Greek exit from the eurozone and whether or not this increases the odds of too-big-to-fail countries like Italy or Spain breaking away. Syriza campaigned on, and has a mandate to pursue, this initiative. Turning the knife, they are calling for the same level of debt restructuring that Germany was given in 1953 despite the still fresh memories of Nazi horrors. This is democracy in action against the austere self-interests of Berlin. So ultimately Sunday's election could be a step toward finally ending the eurozone crisis for good; but it's likely to frighten a lot of investors about a possible breakup of the world's largest economic bloc first which, admittedly, remains a possibility. And this comes amid a marked increase in commodity and currency market volatility, and a massive compression in long-term bond yields, that suggests that pretty much all markets aside from stocks are already feeling pretty nervous. Core eurozone bond yields are in outright negative territory already. The U.S. 30-year yield and the Japanese 10-year yield are at record lows. There have been a number of surprise central bank actions, from the ending of the Swiss rate peg to rate cuts in Denmark, India, and Canada and rate hikes in Russia and Brazil. Any near-term selloff in stocks will surely result in the Federal Reserve pushing back the timing of its first rate hike to the back half of 2015 or later. This Wednesday's policy announcement is probably too soon for such a shift although it's being felt out in leaks to the media which means the bulls would have to wait until March 18 for this catalyst. Between then and now, there will be trouble. I response, I have recommended by Edge subscribers reestablish long positions in volatility via the leveraged VelocityShares Daily 2x VIX Short-Term ETN (NASDAQ:TVIX). We recently closed a trade in TVIX, holding between Dec. 1 and Jan. 20, for a 46% gain. I'm also focusing on precious metals, with the Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners (NYSEARCA:GDXJ) up 9% for clients since Jan. 6. Anthony Mirhaydari is founder of the Edge and Edge Pro investment advisory newsletters. More From InvestorPlace 10 for 10: Dividend Stocks for Every Sector 5 Vanguard Funds No One Needs to Own Don't Trade or Invest Based on the Northeast Winter Storm The post Greece Elects Syriza, Wall Street Shrugs appeared first on InvestorPlace . | 5 | 3,568 | news |
NEW YORK, Jan 26 (Reuters) - The daughter of late comedienne Joan Rivers filed a medical malpractice lawsuit on Monday against the New York outpatient clinic that treated the entertainer a week before her death last year. Rivers, who was 81, suffered cardiac arrest during an examination of her throat and vocal cords at the Yorkville Endoscopy center on Manhattan's Upper East Side and died a week later, on Sept. 4, at a New York hospital. Earlier this month a government health agency, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, found the Yorkville facility had fallen short of the conditions necessary to qualify for coverage as a supplier of outpatient surgical services. The clinic was given until March to correct its deficiencies or face revocation of its federal accreditation and funding. The malpractice lawsuit was filed by Rivers' only child, her daughter Melissa, in New York state Supreme Court seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. The lawsuit alleges that the Yorkville clinic failed to properly advise the elder Rivers about the risks of her treatment and acted with reckless disregard for her health and safety. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Writing by Steve Gorman: Editing by Cynthia Johnston) | 5 | 3,569 | news |
Top-ranked Park In-Bee of South Korea and second-ranked New Zealand teen Lydia Ko will try to follow stellar 2014 campaigns with hot 2015 starts when the LPGA season begins Wednesday. The inaugural $1.5 million Coates Championship in suburban Orlando, Florida, marks the opening of a 33-event global calendar offering $61.6 million in prize money. The opening tournament features a field of 120 with a Wednesday to Saturday schedule to avoid a final-day conflict with American football's Super Bowl spectacular. Park, the 2013 Player of the Year, and Ko, whose three wins last year included the season-ending Tour Championship, will be joined by 91 of the world's 100 top-ranked players, including 2014 Player of the Year Stacy Lewis, fellow American stars Michelle Wie -- the reigning US Women's Open champion -- and Lexi Thompson, Norway's Suzann Pettersen and South Korea's Ryu So Yeon. "The Coates Golf Championship has one of the strongest playing fields the LPGA will see all season," said event director Lenny Francoeur. The tournament will also mark the LPGA debut for 16 rookies trying to push their way into tour stardom starting at the Golden Ocala Golf Club, which features eight tribute holes to other famed legendary courses, including Augusta National and the Old Course at St. Andrews. Cheyenne Woods, the 24-year-old niece of 14-time men's major winner Tiger Woods, begins her 2015 campaign this week. She won her 2014 opener at the Volvik Ladies Masters on the Ladies European Tour. LPGA stars begin their globetrotting next month with the Bahamas LPGA Classic, the Women's Australian Open and the LPGA Thailand event plus the HSBC Women's Championship in March at Singapore. | 1 | 3,570 | sports |
The Dropkick Murphys, the Boston rockers known for their left-wing politics, have voiced outrage after union-busting Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin played their music at a conservative forum. "Please stop using our music in any way. We literally hate you!!! Love, Dropkick Murphys," the band tweeted over the weekend. Walker, who became a national name for stripping most public-union workers of their collective bargaining power, took the stage to the Dropkick Murphys' music Saturday at the Iowa Freedom Summit, a conservative gathering seen as a venue for White House aspirants to test the waters. While it is not new for US musicians to oppose politicians' use of their songs, the Republican governor could scarcely have found a less sympathetic band. The Dropkick Murphys, who mix punk elements with Irish-inspired melodies, in 2011 released the song "Take 'Em Down" in support of Wisconsin workers fighting against Walker's anti-union agenda. The track played in Iowa for Walker, "I'm Shipping Up to Boston," was the Dropkick Murphys' cover of a song by Woody Guthrie, the folk singer famous for his left-wing protest music. With musicians often leaning left, Republican candidates have faced particular difficulty finding suitable music on the campaign trail. In the last presidential race, the Somali-born rapper K'naan protested when his music was used by Republican candidate Mitt Romney, whose playlist later featured musicians with conservative views such as Meat Loaf. | 6 | 3,571 | entertainment |
29 Days to a Healthier Relationship Where is the love? You've tamed the laundry, hit a home run at work, and dished up a family dinner. Forget anything? Oh, right your partner! It's easy to simply co-exist with the person next to you in bed. But a rise in "gray" divorce (couples over 50 calling it quits) suggests that neglecting your relationship is a bad idea. Isn't it time to add a little love to your to-do list? Try these 29 libido-boosting ideas. Try something new together Climbing out of a dating rut can be difficult. But couples who participate in exciting activities get a big boost in relationship satisfaction, according to a study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. So grab your significant other and get ready for a good but different time. Laugh it up: Crack up at a comedy club with your sweetie. Get comfy in the kitchen: Take a cooking class (bonus points for learning a foreign cuisine). Hit the road: Rent a fun car a Prius, a Volkswagen Beetle, a Smart Car, a Mustang and go for a mini road trip. Gossip It's tempting -- and often prudent -- to keep couple conversations behind closed doors, but you may actually benefit from blabbing to a close friend. "Many couples live very privately and discuss these issues with the shades down, but relationship issues like this can often benefit from hearing how people that you trust dealt with a similar situation," says Ken Robbins, MD, a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin Madison. Whether it's hearing how a friend dealt with her husband's infidelity or other big hurdles, a little empathy can put things in perspective. Tweak your diet Eat up! Almonds, avocados, and arugula can boost your sex drive and improve fertility. Be open about your spending Nearly 40% of married people admit to lying to their spouse about a purchase, according to a 2004 poll, and money is the number-one reason couples fight. Don't fret if you're a spendthrift and your partner pinches pennies. "It's probably not a good thing to have the exact same philosophy about money," says Dr. Robbins. You don't have to be a financial martyr, but don't hide your spending habits, either. Slip on something red Research shows that men find women who wear red sexier than those who wear "cool" colors such as blue and green. Any doubts as to what you should wear for date night? Assess your sex drive If you're not interested in sex, but you would like to be, there might be a medical explanation. Reduced blood flow: Diabetes and high blood pressure are among the health problems that can restrict genital blood flow. Hormonal issues: Menopause, breast-feeding, birth control pills, and thyroid problems can dampen sexual desire. Medication side effects: Antidepressants and chemotherapy agents such as tamoxifen are frequently to blame. Make an appointment with your primary care doctor if you've noticed an unwanted decrease in your libido. Hit the gym If you want to be "hot-blooded," then improve your circulation. Physical fitness can increase blood flow, which in theory can make sex more pleasurable, since sexual arousal for both men and women involves increased blood flow to the genital area. And that can increase desire itself if it feels great, you tend to want to do it more. Make your bedroom tech-free We hear it over and over again: The bed should be used for sex and sleep only. But still our beds are cluttered with laptops, Blackberries, and Netflix rentals. How can you cuddle up to your partner when you're stuck in extension cords? This month, try clearing all your gadgets from your bedroom and explore each other instead of the Internet. Help your partner quit smoking Erectile dysfunction, a yellow grin and loads of wrinkles, stained wallpaper, increased risk of balding -- can you name one good reason why you shouldn't help your partner quit? Of course quitting isn't easy, but smokers who have support are more likely not to light up. Recognize and congratulate small milestones, and realize that your partner may be crankier than usual. Sometimes the best thing you can be is a sounding board, or even an emotional punching bag, for whenever a bad craving strikes. Keep things hot when you're apart Sure, it sounds a little intimidating at first, but phone sex is a great way for couples to bond when one of you is on the road. First, dim the lights and slip into something sexy. Start by telling your husband what you're wearing, where you are, etc. Talk about the last time you had sex or what you would be doing to him if you were home. If the goal is an orgasm, describe what you're doing to yourself, and ask him to do the same. Just relax and have fun! Turn up the heat Dig into a dish made with chiles they contain capsaicin, a substance that stimulates nerve endings, triggers the release of endorphins, and ramps up heart rate. Give your bedroom routine a boost Think of ways to pique his interest outside the bedroom. Next time you take a shower, wear just the towel around for a while. Titillation will spur him to be more spontaneous. To explore new territory, write down your fantasies and put them in a "fantasy jar." Then take turns picking out of the jar and act out the fantasies. This can build intimacy, trust, and great sex. Embrace the quickie Few of us can afford the luxury of leisurely sex, says Jennifer Berman, MD, the director of the Berman Women's Wellness Center and author of For Women Only. And holding out for the perfect moment can lead to infrequent sex. The solution? Embrace the quickie. For extra excitement, break out of the bedroom: Five-minute romps are perfect for unusual locations, even if that just means your shower or sofa. Eat an elegant meal for less! Need a little extra something to put the sizzle back into your Valentine's Day? Skip the overcrowded, overpriced restaurants and cook something special for your partner. Or, for extra relationship points, start chopping away together. Remember that you're a team Expanding your brood requires adjustment. "Sex lives of people who have children are worse there's data to prove it," says Andrew Goldstein, MD, an obstetrician and gynecologist at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. When possible, get a friend or relative to occasionally help out at night so mom and dad have some time to cultivate their relationship one-on-one. Especially as kids get older, make sure they understand that mom and dad need time to themselves. Watch your waistline Wedded couples tend to have fatter waistlines, which can spell trouble in terms of sexual attraction and general health. A 2007 study found that your chances of becoming obese increase by 37% if your spouse becomes obese. So unless you want "till death do us part" to include chronic health issues like heart disease and diabetes, it's important to establish healthy eating habits early on. Spend couple time checking out local farmers' markets on the weekends in an effort to consume fresher, low-calorie fare. Or... Make an exercise date A 1995 study found that couples who work out together are more likely to stick with an exercise program. And some experts suggest that couples who exercise more frequently tend to have better sex lives. Try a life sport that you can enjoy together for decades to come, like golf, tennis, or hiking. Work on your working relationship Given the state of the economy, it's likely that you or your partner is facing some tough employment choices. Both partners need to respect the other's role and recognize their situation as shared. Open communication can help you weather the storm and make your relationship even stronger. Find family and friends dealing with this same issue. Talking about shared struggles can help couples gain perspective and give them a chance to feel good about using their experience to help others. Get some shut-eye Snoring away and having passionate sex may seem like exact opposites, but experts insist that getting enough sleep is the number-one aphrodisiac. Too tired for intimacy at night? Change your schedule to include some cuddling or a quickie before work. Love your body Is your libido lagging? Many women withdraw if they feel overweight. News flash: "Women have a talent for disliking the very things about themselves that other people find very attractive," says Los Angeles based sex therapist Linda De Villers, PhD. Feel free to ask your partner what he likes about your body; his compliments can help you feel more positive. Eat more seafood Oysters are one of the best sources of libido-boosting zinc. But other types of seafood can also act as aphrodisiacs, too. Oily fish -- like wild salmon and herring -- contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for a healthy heart. Swap in seafood instead of your usual meat or poultry a few times a week. You'll be doing your heart and your sex life a favor. Search for the big O Elusive? Yes. Attainable? Certainly. Although every woman is unique, the woman-on-top position is a good place to start, says Berman. For most of us, clitoral stimulation is key to an orgasm, and this position lets you rub your clitoris against your partner's pelvic bone for dual stimulation. Sex from behind, or doggie-style, is another great option because it stimulates the G-spot in the vagina while also allowing you or your partner to rub your clitoris by hand. It also makes it easy to massage other erogenous zones like the nipples, which increase your chance of reaching the big O. Stop comparing yourself to other couples It doesn't matter whether you're having sex five times a week or five times a year, as long as both of you are happy. In fact, a 2008 study found that couples who reported any kind of marital intimacy -- everything from holding hands to sex -- exhibited lower levels of a hormone produced by stress. Have a pre-date You've rushed home from work, hopped in the shower, and turned on the hair dryer while feeding the kids -- you'd probably rather take a nap than hit the town. So have the babysitter come early on date night so you can relax with music and unwind with your partner before you head out. Get away "People are overworked and stressed, and they translate their overworked, stressed lives to a lousy sex life." suggests Irwin Goldstein, MD, the director of San Diego Sexual Medicine and editor in chief of the Journal of Sexual Medicine. When your to-do list gets to be too much, take a couple's tripor send the kids to their grandparents' house and have a staycation . It may be just what you need to recharge your relationship. Don't be afraid to get help When a marriage is rocky, it can make both partners feel depressed. But only middle-aged women -- not men -- seem to have health problems associated with marital strife, such as high blood pressure, excess belly fat, and other factors that boost risk for heart attack and diabetes, says a recent study. The bottom line? If your relationship feels rocky, get help. Be understanding if your partner seems skittish It's got to be nerve-racking to propose marriage to your sweetie. But as freaky as Jaws? A survey of British men found that guys are just about equally frightened by shark attacks and popping the question! So cut the guy some slackor better yet, take the heat of him and do the proposing yourself! Realize that all couples fight... ...but once you've settled your grievances, you've set the stage for amazing makeup sex . It's natural to feel turned on after an argument adrenaline and dopamine (your hormone of desire) levels rise, giving you that excited feeling. One caveat: If it always takes a blowout to get you two connecting, then you should seriously consider talking to a couple's counselor. Work on yourself first When you are feeling depressed, your partner feels the strain too. If you tend to isolate yourself when you're feeling blue, it can take a serious toll on your relationship. Antidepressants can help pull you out of a funk, but are less effective for mild depression than moderate or severe depression. They can also cause side effects like a decreased libido. If you notice a dip in your sex drive, discuss alternative medications with your doctor or seek non-drug treatments like talk therapy or exercise. | 4 | 3,572 | lifestyle |
Mike Richards' run with the Los Angeles Kings has come to an end. The 29-year-old center was sent to Manchester (N.H.) of the American Hockey League on Tuesday. That will enable the salary cap-strapped team to save $925,000 off his $5.75 million cap hit. The feisty-two player was acquired by the Kings from the Philadelphia Flyers in 2011 and won two Stanley Cups in Los Angeles. But his goal totals and ice time have diminished over the years. He scored 18 goals and averaged nearly 19 minutes in 2011-12. This season, he has five goals in 47 games and is averaging less than 14 minutes a night. He has five-plus years left on a 12-year, $69 million contract that he signed with the Flyers. The Kings placed him on waivers on Monday, but other team had claimed him. Richards hasn't played in the AHL since the 2005 playoffs with the Philadelphia Phantoms, after his Ontario Hockey League season ended and the NHL season was canceled. PHOTOS: NHL player power rankings | 1 | 3,573 | sports |
Many Hungarians chose "bad instead of good" in helping deport Jews to Nazi death camps, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Monday in his first acknowledgement of his country's complicity in the Holocaust. "We were without love and indifferent, when we should have helped, and very many Hungarians chose bad instead of good, the shameful instead of the honourable," Orban said at a memorial in a Jewish cemetery in Budapest on the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz camp. The Holocaust was a "national tragedy for Hungary and irredeemable loss for the Jewish community," he said. Some 600,000 Hungarian Jews perished during the Holocaust, most deported with the aid of local gendarmerie to Auschwitz after Germany occupied Hungary in March 1944. Approximately half a million people or every third victim in Auschwitz was a Hungarian Jew. Unlike Hungary's president Janos Ader, Orban had not explicitly acknowledged Hungarians' role in the deportations before Monday. During events to mark the 70th anniversary of the Holocaust last year his government was accused by Jewish organisations of "whitewashing history". The government sparked particular anger by commissioning a statue that honours "all victims of the German occupation of Hungary", and which shows an eagle attacking the Archangel Gabriel, a Hungarian symbol. Orban denied it was a Holocaust monument. The head of the main Jewish group Mazsihisz, Andras Heisler, however called Orban's presence at the service Monday an "important demonstration" that "Jews have been part of the Hungarian nation for centuries". | 5 | 3,574 | news |
In 24 days, the pitchers and catchers of the 2015 Kansas City Royals will convene at the club's complex in Surprise, Ariz. James Shields, the leader of the rotation the past two seasons, is not expected to be there. This fact should not shock. Yet Shields still remains a free agent, a man without a team, as the season creeps ever closer. The situation has not gone unnoticed to Royals general manager Dayton Moore. While he maintains an affinity for Shields, who revitalized the team's culture en route to the World Series, Moore expressed doubt about a reunion, even as Shields' asking price figures to drop. The Royals already flaunt a fully stocked pitching rotation. They doled out a two-year, $20 million contract to Edinson Volquez to plug the hole created by Shields' absence. Moore hopes Kris Medlen can contribute by midseason as he rehabilitates from Tommy John surgery. The team's payroll figures to surpass $110 million, and could finish more than $20 million ahead of last season's franchise record. To sign Shields, the organization would likely be forced to engineer a series of corollary maneuvers to wedge him into the budget. "I'm not sure there's a fit at this time," Moore told The Star in a telephone conversation on Monday. "But who knows?" At this point, the entire industry continues to guess about Shields' destination. His agent, Page Olde, has ignored media requests for months. Jon Heyman, the dogged baseball columnist for CBS Sports, mentioned in a recent post that Odle had not returned more than 30 text messages. The Star has had similar bad luck. But the consensus culled from conversations with rival officials is Shields has not found the robust market for his services that was once expected. In the past few weeks, he has been tied to teams like Arizona, Detroit, Miami and St. Louis. Those reports have often been met with denials of interest from team officials. His landing spot remains a mystery. Perhaps Milwaukee will strike late, as they have in years past with pitchers like Kyle Lohse and Matt Garza. Perhaps Toronto will open its wallet. Perhaps Boston will desire a bona fide Opening Day starter. The only likelihood, at this point, is Shields signs for less than expected. At the outset of the offseason, Shields sought at least a five-year contract, according to people familiar with the situation. His resume compares well enough to that of Jon Lester, who cashed in with a six-year, $155 million contract with the Cubs. From 2011 to 2014, Shields threw 932 2/3 innings with a 3.17 ERA. In those same four seasons, Lester completed 830 frames with a 3.61 ERA. But Lester is two years younger than Shields, with less mileage and a more impressive arsenal stocked in his left arm. For the Royals, the situation bears a passing resemblance to one they experienced last winter. They pounced on Jason Vargas when they found the demands of Ervin Santana to be untenable. Then the team watched as Santana settled for a one-year, $14.1 million contract with Atlanta. This time around, the Royals understood from an early juncture perhaps since the day they acquired him before the 2013 season they were unlikely to retain Shields past 2014. Subsequent conversations between Odle and Royals officials revealed the gap between the two sides remained a gulf. So Moore moved forward. The Royals re-stocked their rotation, and prepared for life without Shields. "You're always open-minded," Moore said. "There's no reason to ever completely close the book, and move on from opportunities that would make your team better. But obviously we had to put our team together, based on what our beliefs were and are." | 1 | 3,575 | sports |
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Kyle Busch said Monday he has not gotten involved in his older brother's personal issues and is disappointed he has been mistaken for Kurt in coverage of assault allegations against the 2004 NASCAR champion. Kurt Busch spent four days over the last two months in a Delaware courtroom as part of a hearing regarding an ex-girlfriend's request for a no-contact order. Patricia Driscoll alleged Busch assaulted her in September during an argument at Dover International Speedway. "Haven't spoken to him, don't know nothing, trying to stay away from it all and let him handle his business," Kyle Busch said. But he's been dragged into it as the case drew national attention earlier this month when Kurt Busch testified he believes Driscoll is a trained assassin. In several instances, Kyle has been wrongly identified as the NASCAR driver involved. "I think it's stupid. I think people need to do a little bit more background before they write names or say names if they don't know what the heck they are talking about," he said. "It's not that hard to differentiate between two people that have the same last name. I think people need to do a better job and not be so slackish." Busch said the mistaken identity has not been an issue with longtime sponsor M&M's, but he wasn't sure if that would change if he is continually linked to his brother's legal issues. A court ruling on Driscoll's request for a no-contact order is expected any day, and the Delaware Attorney General's office has not decided if Kurt Busch will be charged with assault. "It hasn't been bothersome from a sponsorship standpoint, yet, that I know of," Kyle Busch said. "I know it could be if it continues to keep going, but it's the wrong brother. But I think the relationship I have with the Mars family is far beyond that, hopefully." | 1 | 3,576 | sports |
Khloé Kardashian loves playing pranks on her siblings. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star - who has two sisters, a brother and two half-sisters - reportedly enjoys joking around with her older sister, Kim Kardashian West, by hiding her shoes. A source shared: "[Khloé] loves to play practical jokes, especially on Kim. "She would hide her clothes and shoes and Kim would panic. Khloé would think it was the funniest thing." Despite constantly messing with her sister's wardrobe, the 30-year-old television personality thinks Kim, 34, is a "slob" for leaving all her clothes everywhere. The Kardashians' former housekeeper added: "She couldn't handle that Kim would just leave her clothes on the floor for someone to pick up. "She thought her sister was a slob." Meanwhile, Khloé previously admitted that the reality show has made the family come together more. She said: "The show brings our family closer together. When things are good in your life, you want to be boastful and shout from the rooftops. "And when things are going badly, it can be natural to want to hide away. But I hope people watch our show and relate to all of our ups and downs. I hope it helps our fans in some way." | 6 | 3,577 | entertainment |
Budweiser is set to remind you to never betray a Clydesdale on football Sunday with this ad featuring their classic Clydsdale. | 8 | 3,578 | video |
Bud Light is bringing Pac-Man to football Sunday with this awesome #UpForWhatever commercial that features a board big enough for humans to play in! | 8 | 3,579 | video |
We've heard it a million times: Young Millennials would rather spend their time in the virtual world than drive to see actual people. But new evidence is beginning to dispel that notion. Most recently, a study from MTV reveals 72 percent of Millennials would rather give up texting for a week than their car. According to the data, three in four Millennials would also forego social media for a day as opposed to their ride. But perhaps more importantly, the study shows Millennials have a genuine enthusiasm for cars and are logging more miles than any other generation. Seventy percent of young people say they "like driving a lot," compared to just 58 percent of Baby Boomers and 66 percent of Gen-Xers. Over 80 percent of Millennials find buying or leasing a new car exciting, and three in four Millennials say they couldn't live without their car. A whopping 85 percent of Millennials look forward to owning their dream car one day, versus 59 percent of Boomers and 72 percent of Gen-Xers. They are also more eager to learn about new cars (73 percent) than their older counterparts. Not only do they desire to drive, but they are actually driving quite a bit. Young people on average claim to drive 934 miles a month, compared to just 544 for Boomers and 790 for members of Gen X. Eight in ten Millennials say they get around by car more than any other form of transportation, which goes against previous studies that showed a decline in driving among young people. These results mirror a study from last month from the U.S. Census Bureau, which declared that Millennials are driving to work as often as young people in the 1980s . Related link: Cars novice drivers should avoid So what can automakers do to appeal to younger buyers? Most Millennials say their car should express who they are, and 81 percent said they wish there were "more affordable ways to customize my car." Eighty-seven percent also express frustration with the buying process, saying it should be more transparent. Half of Millennials said they can't relate to car advertisements . It is true that Millennials had been delaying their driver's license exams, but it looks like that hasn't stopped them from a big part of the car market today. "The insights gleaned from this first auto study show a generation that emphasizes car ownership and the critical role it plays in their day-to-day lives," said Berj Kazanjian, MTV senior vice president for Ad Sales Research, in a recent statement. "Millennials, like other generations, see car ownership as a way to establish independence, but Millennials also see car ownership as a way to craft their unique adult identity." Conducted in spring of 2014, the "Millennials Have Drive" study included responses from 3610 Millennials ages 18-34. Important to note is that the pool of Gen Xers and Baby Boomers in the survey was much smaller, with just 400 and 403 from each group respectively. A follow-up automotive study will be released by MTV later this year. Source: MTV | 9 | 3,580 | autos |
"Shake It Off" cop dances with handcuffed women. CNN's Jeanne Moos has the sequel. | 5 | 3,581 | news |
Lyft and Uber's ridesharing war is raging on in San Francisco, where the two companies are trying to undercut one another by slashing the prices of the carpooling services both launched last year. UberPool and Lyft Line, as the services are called, group together riders who are headed in the same direction into the same car, allowing them to split the cost of their ride. Uber was the first to announce a price cut, taking to its blog on Thursday to let San Francisco riders know that all UberPool rides within the city would top off at $5. The startup -- which has raised more than $4 billion in funding -- also announced reduced prices for rides going shortly outside of San Francisco, including $15 rides heading as far south as San Francisco International Airport. Just one day later, Lyft tried to one-up its rival by announcing an ultra-low-cost "Match MUNI" campaign designed to get riders to skip using San Francisco's public transit system and use Lyft Line instead. Lyft customers who use the special code MATCHMUNI will be charged only $2.25 for Lyft Line rides that start and end in areas north of Cesar Chavez St. and east of Stanyan St. -- that includes rides downtown, the Financial District, North Beach and the Mission District. Both company's price cuts are for a "limited time," but neither has said when exactly they will end. Fortunately for drivers, the two companies said they will continue to be paid based on normal time and distance rates. The price cuts are just the latest example of the bitter rivalry between the two ridesharing startups. In the past year, the two companies have tried to poach each other's drivers, steal customers with price cuts, and even accuse each other of trying to disrupt the other's system by making and canceling thousands of ride requests. | 3 | 3,582 | finance |
Movies have given us some of our favorite songs, including the insanely popular " Let It Go " from " Frozen ," which scooped up the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2014. And do you remember which movie featured Pharrell Williams' toe-tapper " Happy "? As we approach Oscar night, check out our list of the film world's most radio-friendly, chart-topping songs, and see if you can recall the film soundtracks they first appeared on! Bryan Adams, "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" Bryan Adams' massive hit spent seven weeks at No. 1 ( see the video ) on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1991. It came from the soundtrack to an adaptation of a classic English tale about a man who stole from the rich to give to the poor, but it was played by an award-winning actor with an American accent. BING: WHICH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK IS IT ON ? Blondie, 'Call Me' With six straight weeks on the top of the charts, Blondie's hook-up anthem ( watch a video of it ) helped make this movie's lead a star, along with his controversial full frontal nudity. BING: WHICH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK FEATURED 'CALL ME' ? Jon Bon Jovi, 'Blaze of Glory' Long known as the front man of his iconic '80s band, Jon Bon Jovi saw the biggest hit of his solo career with a power ballad about hyper-masculine bravery in the face of certain danger. But "Blaze of Glory" wasn't the song originally requested for this film ( which other 1986 mega-hit was ?). BING: WHICH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK FEATURED 'BLAZE OF GLORY' ? Boyz II Men, 'End of the Road' Before Boyz II Men had become a household name, they had notable success with their debut record , but it was a ballad on the soundtrack to a 1992 film starring this comic actor and a then-virtually-unknown Halle Berry that made the group bona fide music stars. BING: WHICH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK FEATURED 'END OF THE ROAD' ? Coolio, 'Gangsta's Paradise' Eventually spending three weeks at No. 1, Coolio's " Gangsta's Paradise " became an instant classic when it appeared in a true story of a former Marine (played by this actress ) who heads an inner city classroom. BING: WHICH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK WAS IT ON ? Destiny's Child, 'Independent Women' Destiny's Child's feminist anthem spent a whopping 11 weeks on top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart when it was used in a blockbuster movie about three other super-strong ladies ( see the video ). BING: WHICH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK IS IT FROM ? Celine Dion, 'Because You Loved Me' Everyone knows Celine Dion's other mega-hit from one of the biggest blockbusters of all time , but what about this Grammy-winning, No. 1 hit from a small drama starring Michelle Pfeiffer and one of Hollywood's great leading men ? BING: WHICH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK FEATURED 'BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME' ? Goo Goo Dolls, 'Iris' In the late '90s (and even today at karaoke clubs), the Goo Goo Dolls' infectious yet earnest hit single ( hear it ) was on radios everywhere, but it first appeared on the soundtrack to a forgettable Nicolas Cage film. BING: WHICH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK IS 'IRIS' FROM ? Whitney Houston, 'I Will Always Love You' Practically everyone knows " I Will Always Love You " as Whitney Houston's signature song, but this country legend wrote and recorded it in 1973. The song remains much more memorable than the 1992 romantic drama in which it was featured. BING: WHICH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK FEATURED 'I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU' ? Lisa Loeb, 'Stay (I Missed You)' This singer was a complete unknown when her famous neighbor recognized her talent, leading him to shoot a video for Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories' hit song " Stay (I Missed You) ." The song ( check out the video ) landed a spot on the soundtrack to his classic Generation X ensemble film. BING: WHICH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK FEATURED THE SONG ? Madonna, 'Crazy For You' While this early '80s film didn't star Madonna ( what was her first scripted flick ?), it did briefly feature her as a lounge club singer belting out this song, which would go on to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. BING: WHICH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK FEATURED 'CRAZY FOR YOU' ? Roxette, 'It Must Have Been Love' Before she shot to mega-stardom, Julia Roberts appeared alongside this male heartthrob as a hooker with a heart of gold in a modern Cinderella story with a killer soundtrack. " It Must Have Been Love " wasn't Roxette's first No. 1 hit ( what one was ?). BING: WHICH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK FEATURED THE SONG ? Lionel Richie, 'Say You, Say Me' Reigning at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for four straight weeks, this heartfelt song by Lionel Richie was made famous after appearing in a drama starring Gregory Hines and this legendary Russian ballet dancer . BING: WHICH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK FEATURED 'SAY YOU, SAY ME' ? Seal, 'Kiss From a Rose' Film has seen many superheroes, but it was this actor's turn under the direction of Joel Schumacher that also spawned Seal's mega radio hit ( remember his first big U.S. hit ?) BING: WHICH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK FEATURED 'KISS FROM A ROSE' ? Simple Minds, 'Don't You Forget About Me' Who could forget this quintessential '80s movie containing one of film's most iconic closing scenes, when this actor raised his fist as this powerful teen anthem played through the credits? "Don't You (Forget About Me)" was one of Simple Minds' biggest hits, thanks to this rocker , who passed on recording it. BING: WHICH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK FEATURED THIS SONG ? Starship, 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now' With its parent band's counterculture roots in psychedelic '70s rock, Starship took radio by surprise when " Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now " rocketed up the charts after appearing in a romantic fantasy film starring this '80s heartthrob as a department store window dresser. BING: WHICH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK FEATURED THIS HIT ? UB40, 'Can't Help Falling in Love' The original version of this song , crooned by Elvis himself, appeared in this 1961 romantic comedy , but was covered UB40 more than 30 years later for the soundtrack to a sexy psychological thriller starring Sharon Stone and this Baldwin brother . BING: WHICH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK FEATURED THE SONG ? Stevie Wonder, 'I Just Called to Say I Love You' Stevie Wonder's heart-warming anthem ( watch the video ) won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song after appearing in a romantic comedy written and directed by this comedy veteran . BING: WHICH MOVIE SOUNDTRACK FEATURES THE SONG ? Bette Midler, 'Wind Beneath My Wings' Bette Midler wasn't the first to record "Wind Beneath My Wings" ( who was ?), but her 1989 rendition won a Grammy for Song of the Year. It was featured in a tearjerker flick that also starred Midler ( and who else ?) BING: WHAT MOVIE IS IT FROM ? Barbra Streisand, 'Evergreen' Barbra Streisand and Paul Williams ( check out his songwriting cred ) won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and took home a Song of the Year Grammy for this one ( hear Babs sing it ). It's from a 1976 remake of a classic film. BING: WHAT MOVIE IS IT FROM ? Prince, 'When Doves Cry' Dig if you will, Prince's first No. 1 song in the U.S. ( see the video for it ). It's from a 1984 musical drama starring The Purple One himself and the film won an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. BING: WHAT FILM IS IT FROM ? | 6 | 3,583 | entertainment |
Researchers looking for the remains of Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes said Monday they found part of a casket at a Madrid convent bearing the initials of the "Don Quixote" author. The team made the find over the weekend inside an alcove in the crypt at the Convent of the Barefoot Trinitarians during excavations aimed at solving the mystery of the writer's final resting place. "Remains of caskets were found, wood, rocks, some bone fragments, and indeed one of the fragments of a board of one of the caskets had the letters 'M.C.' formed in tacks," forensic anthropologist Francisco Etxeberria, who is leading the search, told a news conference. Cervantes is recorded as having been buried at the convent's chapel in the centre of the Spanish capital a day after his April 22, 1616 death -- the same week that William Shakespeare died -- but the exact whereabouts of his grave are unknown. Etxeberria's team launched in April 2014 what is the first significant search for the remains of the greatest writer of the Spanish Golden Age. Using infrared cameras, 3D scanners and ground-penetrating radar, they identified 33 alcoves where bones could be stored. They resumed their search on Saturday after a break of several months to probe the alcoves. Researchers will now have to examine the bones to try to determine if Cervantes' are among them. Etxeberria cautioned the search was far from over. "These two letters could be very interesting" but "from an anthropological point of view, we have not made any advances," he said. Researchers will rely on war injuries suffered by Cervantes to help them identify the remains. Cervantes was shot twice in the chest and once in his left hand during a 1571 naval conflict, the Battle of Lepanto, in which the Holy League led by Spain defeated the Ottoman fleet. His bones would still show signs of the injury. If the remains do belong to Cervantes they would remain buried in the convent, which is still inhabited by nuns and has been designated part of Madrid's cultural heritage since 1921. Born near Madrid in 1547, Cervantes has been dubbed the father of the modern novel for "The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha", published in two parts in 1605 and 1615. His influence on the Spanish language has been so great that the language is often referred to as "the language of Cervantes". | 5 | 3,584 | news |
U.S. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid on Monday was released from a Washington hospital following 3-1/2 hours of surgery to repair injuries to his eye and broken facial bones stemming from a New Year's Day accident. A spokesman for the 75-year-old Nevada senator said the surgery was successful in removing a blood clot and additional blood from his right eye and repairing facial bones. The spokesman said it was not yet known whether Reid would regain vision in his eye, which was damaged during an accident involving exercise equipment. The spokesman said Reid will recuperate at home this week. (Reporting by Richard Cowan; Editing by Dan Grebler) | 5 | 3,585 | news |
Ekaterina Makarova continued her impressive rise as a grand slam contender by dismantling listless third seed Simona Halep 6-4 6-0 to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open on Tuesday. The 10th-seeded Russian, who made her maiden grand slam semi-final at the U.S. Open last year, leaped on Romanian Halep's serve, breaking her twice in the first set and three times in the second to roar to a 5-0 lead. A shell-shocked Halep was utterly overwhelmed and meekly surrendered the match by crunching a backhand wide of the tramlines after 69 minutes. Makarova will play the winner of Maria Sharapova and Eugenie Bouchard for a place in the final. (Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Peter Rutherford) | 1 | 3,586 | sports |
There are dozens of over-the-counter cold and flu medications to choose from, but what works? Experts reveal the methods that actually get results. Cold and flu remedies The average American gets three colds a year, each lasting for nine to 14 miserable days, so it's no surprise that we spend spend billions of dollars on over-the-counter cold and flu remedies annually. Turns out that by and large, we're wasting our money. Evidence suggests that few remedies -- herbal, over-the-counter, or homeopathic -- are likely to influence the course of a cold or the flu. That said, some do work. Zinc Does it work? Maybe. Some evidence suggests that zinc lozenges (like Zicam and Cold-Eeze) may ease symptoms and shorten the duration of the common cold , but most studies are small and don't provide "robust" evidence of benefit, says Joy P. Alonzo, Pharm.D., assistant professor of pharmacy practice at Texas A&M Health Science Center Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy in Kingsville. "I don't recommend it," she says. And there may be a drawback to some forms of zinc: In 2009, taking zinc nasal products was linked to a permanent loss of taste and smell in some people. The FDA has warned consumers not to use three zinc-based nasal products, but that warning doesn't extend to oral products, like zinc tablets or lozenges. Echinacea Studies on whether the herb Echinacea reduces the duration of the common cold are a mixed bag. So much depends on the treatment's preparation -- juice, root-and-herb or tincture -- which can vary widely. One study found that Echinacea pills were about as effective as placebo bills in shortening the length of a cold. What's more, Echinacea is closely related to ragweed. Allergic reactions to oral Echinacea -- like rashes and gastrointestinal problems -- are uncommon. But if you have ragweed-triggered seasonal allergies, you may be more likely to experience side effects with Echinacea. Decongestants Do they work? Yes. Over-the-counter decongestants relieve stuffy sinuses by shrinking the blood vessels that stop up the nose. Choose a product that contains pseudoephedrine (like Sudafed). You'll have to ask for it at the pharmacy counter -- in 2005, the FDA put limits on how much an individual can purchase because pseudoephedrine is commonly used to make methamphetamine. That said, the drug is safe for most people and among the most effective cold remedies available. "The quick rule of thumb is if you can buy it without showing an ID, don't bother. It's not going to work," says Ally Dering-Anderson, clinical assistant professor of pharmacy practice at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Those with high blood pressure should stick to spray-based decongestants such as Afrin 12 Hour. This won't stray into your bloodstream, says Alonzo. Vitamin C Vitamin C in mega-doses comes brightly packaged as Emergen-C and Airborne, but there's no concrete evidence that large doses of C can reduce the duration or severity of colds or the flu. Vitamin C is water soluble, so anything over the recommended dietary allowance -- which is 90 milligrams a day for men and 75 for women -- will be eliminated from the body when you urinate. The better approach: Fill up on whole foods loaded with vitamin C , which are also loaded with other important nutrients to keep your body strong and healthy. Expectorants Expectorants such as Mucinex thin the nasty mucous draining down the back of your throat, which helps you cough it up and out. These products can help, but the best expectorant may be as near as your kitchen sink. "All you need to do is drink more water ," say Dering-Anderson. If you find water too bland for your tastes, try lemonade, tea, or even coffee, she says. You can also turn on the hot water in the shower and breathe it in or try a cool-mist humidifier. Defend This homeopathic remedy claims to fight multiple symptoms of a cold including "hacking cough" or "rattling/tickling cough." According to Alonzo, there's no data that show either way whether Defend works. In fact, the National Institutes of Health says that there's little to no evidence that any homeopathic products work. Homeopathic products are not as tightly regulated as drugs. Antihistamines Do they work? Yes. If your symptoms include runny nose and scratchy throat, an antihistamine may provide temporary relief. Often used to treat allergies , common brand names include Claritin, Zyrtec, and Benadryl. Claritin and Zyrtec aren't likely to make you drowsy. Benadryl will, but that can be a good thing when you need to get some rest, says Dering-Anderson. Sambucol Does it work? Maybe. Another homeopathic remedy, Sambucol consists of extracts from the black elderberry plant. One 2004 study reported that the extract cut flu symptoms down by four days. But the study was small, involving only 60 people; the researchers relied on participants' own reports of how they were feeling; and it was funded by the manufacturer of the product. Pain relievers A pain reliever may be the first thing you reach for when you come down with a cold, and with good reason. "Pain relievers for coughs and cold can be very effective," says Alonzo. They can also help with fever. Anti-inflammatory meds like Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen) have the advantage of reducing tissue inflammation , but you should take Tylenol (acetaminophen) instead if you're taking blood thinners to prevent blood clots or if you have stomach problems, congestive heart failure, or asthma and nasal polyps. Theraflu Theraflu is basically a dose of acetaminophen along with several other anti-cold ingredients and has a warning about the risk of liver damage if you take more than the recommended dose or mix with alcohol or other acetaminophen-containing products. Better bet: Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen alone and brew yourself a cup of tea or soup, says Dering-Anderson. You'll get the warm, soothing fluids without the extra drugs. Related: 7 Healthy Chicken Soup Recipes Cough suppressants A hacking cough is one of the most disabling symptoms of cold or flu, and suppressants containing dextromethorphan (abbreviated as "DM") may be able to help a little bit. But keep in mind that a cough can be part of the natural healing process. "It's your lungs saying to your brain, 'We've got to get this stuff out of here,'" says Dering-Anderson. "You can't turn off a cough and expect to get better." Related: Can't Stop Coughing? 8 Possible Reasons Combination products Do they work? Yes, but…Combination products claim to treat all the nagging symptoms of colds and flu: pain, cough, sniffles, runny nose, you name it. The chemical cocktail may get the job done, but that doesn't mean you should use them -- especially ones that contain acetaminophen. If you're taking other products with acetaminophen, it's just too easy to go overboard and run the risk of liver damage, says Dering-Anderson. Oscillococcinum The main ingredient of this homeopathic remedy is heart and liver extract from the moscovy duck, which is native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. A 2012 review of studies on almost 50 years of research on oscillococcinum found "insufficient good evidence" to say that "oscillo," as it's affectionately called, has any effect on the treatment or prevention of the flu . Brewer's yeast Does it work? Maybe. The same stuff used to ferment beer is sold in a supplement form under the name EpiCor. In a 2010 study in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, researchers from the University of Michigan and the company that makes the supplement found that people who took 500 milligrams of EpiCor daily for 12 weeks had fewer colds than those taking a placebo. For those who did fall ill, the supplement had no effect on duration or severity. Brewer's yeast contains high amounts of vitamin B , which many folks believe has immune-boosting properties. Ginger tea Does it work? No. There's no research that shows ginger or ginger tea having any concrete effect on cold and flu symptoms, says Alonzo. That said, sipping a steaming cup of tea or any other hot liquid may help you feel more comfortable. Eucalyptus oil The strong smell of eucalyptus oil may be why many people turn to this when they're congested and miserable. But the extract can actually be dangerous, says Alonzo. "If you put it on your nose and breathe it in and get it into your lungs, you're setting yourself up for chemical pneumonia," she warns. Nor should it be rubbed on your chest. Instead, you could put a couple of drops on your shower floor and then turn on the hot water. This may provide some systemic relief. "The fragrance is soothing," Alonzo says. Goldenseal Extracts from this plant are touted not only for colds and respiratory tract problems , but also for eye infections, diarrhea, canker sores, and even cancer. The problem? There's no evidence that it actually works for any of these indications, and it interacts with a number of drugs, such as cyclosporine, an immune-suppressing drug used by transplant patients; digoxin, which is used to treat heart rhythm problems; and other drugs metabolized by the liver. Ginseng Does it work? Maybe. There is some -- though not a lot -- of evidence that this herb may boost immune function if taken consistently. One Canadian study found that taking ginseng daily over the course of four months not only prevented some colds but also reduced the severity and duration of cold symptoms. A review of existing studies found some benefit for North American ginseng if taken for two to four months. Pelargonium sidoides Extracts from this South African plant are approved to treat bronchitis in Germany, but haven't been approved by the FDA in the U.S. A 2011 study in the journal Phytomedicine found that in lab studies, certain concentrations did in fact interfere with replication of some viruses. In a 2009 study in Rhinology, Pelargonium sidoides was found to have a relieving effect in people suffering from sinusitis, although that study was funded by the manufacturer. Does it work? Maybe. Vitamin D As soon as one study proclaims that vitamin D lowers the risk of upper respiratory infections, another study turns up to refute the claim. What we do know is that vitamin D is essential for bone health and is found in fish eggs, fortified food as well as natural sunlight. A balanced diet may be the best protection for your immune system. Related: 12 Ways to Get Your Daily Vitamin D | 7 | 3,587 | health |
Real Madrid is adamant that it has fully complied with FIFA rules despite world football's governing body opening an investigation. FIFA has requested information from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on all of the underage players representing the Spanish giants, as well as clubs which have collaborations with the Champions League holders. The governing body's investigation is centered on the signing of 51 players, but Real Madrid has released a lengthy statement protesting its innocence and insisting that it has not broken any such rules with regards to any underage players - expanding on each case to display its innocence in each case. "Real Madrid defends the protection and the correct and healthy development of minors via its strict adherence, without exceptions, to the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, and is in complete agreement with such investigations being carried out to this end," the statement read. "Real Madrid have responded diligently, supplying all the information required by the Committee within the established deadlines and in complete documentary detail. "Both Real Madrid and the RFEF, through which the informative investigation is being processed, have been left totally satisfied with the information supplied and have verified the strict adherence to the registration regulations in absolutely every case." Barcelona was handed a two window transfer ban for irregularities in its acquisitions of young players last year, a ban which was upheld following appeal, but Madrid director Emilio Botragueno quickly dismissed any possibility of the club receiving such a ban. | 1 | 3,588 | sports |
Most people would kill to have courtside seats at an NBA game. But this woman might regret her decision. During Sunday's Clippers-Suns game in Phoenix, Glen "Big Baby" Davis tried to save the ball from going out of bounds, and a fan paid the price. This is what it looks like when a 6' 9", 289-pound man sits on someone's face. | 1 | 3,589 | sports |
Kobe Bryant in a Wizards jersey, playing alongside Michael Jordan. It sounds absolutely nuts, but it almost happened. According to Michael Lee of The Washington Post, if Jordan had played a little bit longer in DC, Bryant would have made an effort to join him a few miles from the White House. | 1 | 3,590 | sports |
Iron-willed Czech Tomas Berdych ended eight years of tyranny under nemesis Rafa Nadal to storm into his second Australian Open semi-final on Tuesday after Maria Sharapova inflicted another grand slam reality check on Eugenie Bouchard. Stunned by Sharapova's 6-3 6-2 demolition of the seventh-seeded Canadian, the Rod Laver Arena crowd were knocked off their seats by Berdych's 6-2 6-0 7-6(5) victory over the 14-times grand slam champion. Ekaterina Makarova had earlier set the tone on a cloudy day of shocks, dumping third seed Simona Halep 6-4 6-0 to set up an all-Russian semi-final with Sharapova. But it was Nadal's humbling on a mild summer's day that rocked Melbourne Park to its foundations and shook the biggest monkey in the men's game off the back of Berdych. The big-serving Czech's 17-match losing streak to the Spaniard was the equal longest in the professional era and after fending off Nadal in a tight third set, the seventh seeded Czech reveled in his 'Vitas Gerulaitis moment'. "I start pretty well, but you're playing Rafa and you have to keep going to the last point," the 29-year-old said courtside. "We set up the great plan for today's game and it worked. "I'm just putting myself in the best possible position right now, really trying to go one by one." The first two sets were over in exactly an hour, with Berdych serving masterfully, saving all four break points conceded and sealing the match with a raking second serve that Nadal could only bunt back into the net cord. On the comeback trail after injury and illness, Nadal battled hard to save three match points, but his second set whitewash was his first bagel since playing great rival Roger Federer at the 2006 Wimbledon final, adding to the surreal atmosphere over center court. "It was just not my day. I didn't play with the right intensity, the right rhythm," Nadal said. "It was a day when the opponent played better than me. "I made him play very easy so you cannot expect to win quarter-finals ... helping the opponent to play well." Berdych will play the winner of sixth seed Andy Murray and local hope Nick Kyrgios, who clash in the evening session. DOMINATING RUSSIANS Though similarly one-sided, it was old stager Sharapova maintaining her domination in the earlier quarter-final. Bouchard said she had learned a lot from her gutting French Open loss last year when Sharapova overhauled her from a set down, but nothing could have prepared her for the 78-minute demolition that Sharapova inflicted upon her. The Canadian wore a look of grim determination as she waited in the player's tunnel to maker her center court entrance, but it was masking a head full of nerves. She double-faulted and committed two unforced errors to gift three break-points in the opening game. Her opponent used just one to break her before charging to a 3-0 lead. Completely dictated, Bouchard had nowhere to hide from her second serve which the strong-willed Russian feasted upon. Sharapova was stingy, giving up only two break points for the match, none in the first set, and saving both. In full flight, she swooped in for the kill with a string of smoking winners, sealing it with a crunching inside-out forehand. As Sharapova blew kisses, Bouchard headed straight for the exits, biting her lip. "Am I happy that I was able to lift my game after having a couple matches where I wasn't satisfied? Yeah, absolutely," Sharapova said. "But the toughest is what's to come. I hope that I'll be able to take that and play even better." It was a depressingly similar story for third seed Halep, who had cruised into the quarter-finals by smiting a succession of lower-ranked opponents. She ran head-first into a brick wall in the form of lithe left-hander Makarova, a grand slam doubles champion who announced herself with a run to last year's semi-finals at Flushing Meadows. Halep also has major credentials, reaching last year's French Open final and favored to go one step further in time. Instead, she froze, later admitting she had felt "a little bit too stressed" before a ball was struck. Makarova, however, was a bouncing, hustling ball of energy. She broke twice for a 3-0 lead before her opponent had blinked, pouncing on anything short and despatching the Romanian's top-spin bombs with disdain from the baseline. The Russian lost focus only briefly in the second set, falling 0-40 in the second game, but saved all three break points before motoring to victory in 69 minutes. The 26-year-old lefthander, who describes herself as shy off-court, has not lost a set all tournament. Her matches have lasted a tick over one hour and 11 minutes on average and she will head into her clash with Sharapova fresh and in top form. "I'm not shy on the tennis court. It's a big stage," she said. "I never beat (Sharapova), so it will be tough." (Editing by Sudipto Ganguly) | 1 | 3,591 | sports |
Social media sites, including Facebook (FB) and Instagram, appeared to be down on Tuesday morning in Europe and the United States, with the outage affecting desktop and mobile sites. Just after 6 a.m. GMT, attempts to access Facebook brought up an error message telling users that "something went wrong" and the problem would be fixed as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Instagram - a photo uploading site that is owned by Facebook - went to a blank page on a desktop computer with the mobile application failing to load any new data. Chat app AIM and dating app Tinder were also hit by the outage. | 3 | 3,592 | finance |
As blizzard conditions move into the Northeast , mass-transit is getting ready to shut down. The 29 million people affected by the winter storm are advised to get home as soon as possible and stay off the roads. There's also bad news for travelers. Numerous airports have closed in preparation for the first blizzard of 2015. Nearly 5,200 flights were canceled, Flightaware reported. Naturally, hundreds of stores and restaurants have also shut their doors as they brace for the storm. New York: state of emergency The MTA will suspend service on trains, buses and subways at 11 p.m. -- the first time subway service has been suspended for snow. "If you don't have to travel between now and later this evening, we urge you to stay home," the MTA said in a statement . For those who want to get home as soon as possible, "26 extra trains were added to LIRR and Metro-North schedules with those trains departing from Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal." The Long Island Expressway will also close at 11 p.m. "The roads are very dangerous," Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo told a press conference Monday. "The roads are already very, very dangerous. It's only going to become more dangerous." Cuomo does not plan to open the subways for the morning commute. Numerous flights MacArthur Airport and nearly 500 John F. Kennedy Airport have been grounded. JFK asks to check their website to see which flights were canceled. LaGuardia Airport also asked travelers to check their flights to determine if they're among the 700 canceled. "Weather conditions have caused disruptions in flights to and from LaGuardia Airport. Please check with your airline to determine if your flight is affected," LGA said in a statement . New Jersey: state of emergency PATH trains will run on their regular Monday schedules until 9 p.m. The weekend schedule will kick in after that. New Jersey Transit will stop at 10 p.m., and AMTRAK is operating at "reduced frequencies." Newark Airport has canceled nearly 500 flights. Speed restrictions of 45 mph are in effect for the full length of the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike. Gov. Chris Christie announced a travel ban to take effect at 11 p.m. for nonemergency vehicles. Boston: state of emergency As many as 300 flights at Logan International Airport were canceled by 7:32 p.m. "This is going to be very challenging," said Ed Freni, director of aviation at Massport, the Boston Globe reported. "Our goal is to stay ahead of the storm and keep the airport ready to start to ramp back up." Like New York, Boston also has a driving ban. "Whiteout conditions and treacherous roads will make driving anywhere extremely dangerous starting around midnight tonight and extending through most of Tuesday," Gov. Charlie Baker said at a news conference Monday. "I can't stress this part enough. Please stay off the roads." Connecticut: state of emergency Gov. Dannel P. Malloy declared a state of emergency at 5 p.m. Monday. "People need to take this storm seriously," Malloy said in statement . "If current predictions are accurate, we will need people to stay off the roads so that emergency personnel and utility crews can get to the places they need to get to, and to make sure that our plows can keep critical roadways clear." Follow me on Twitter @mariamzzarella | 5 | 3,593 | news |
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Tayshaun Prince scored 19 points, and the Boston Celtics held off the Utah Jazz for a 99-90 victory on Monday night. BOX SCORE: CELTICS 99, JAZZ 90 Tyler Zeller had 14 points and seven rebounds for Boston, which grabbed control with a big second quarter. Jared Sullinger had 12 points and nine rebounds, and Avery Bradley also scored 12. Prince, who was acquired from Memphis in a three-team trade on Jan. 12, was 7 for 10 from the field and 3 for 4 at the free-throw line. Gordon Hayward had 26 points for Utah, and Enes Kanter finished with 20. Boston outscored Utah 38-14 in the second quarter, shooting 60 percent from the field in the period. | 1 | 3,594 | sports |
College football's 2014 season has ended, and the focus shifts from the national championship picture to signing day, spring practice and early preseason rankings for 2015. While last year and Ohio State's national title victory over Oregon is still fresh in our minds, it's never too early to think about next season. While repeating as a national champion in college football isn't easy, Ohio State opens as the overwhelming favorite for 2015. The Buckeyes return nearly everyone from last year's team and are only getting better with the addition of a solid recruiting class. Elsewhere in the East Division, all eyes will be on Michigan with the arrival of Jim Harbaugh. Wisconsin is the favorite to win the West, but Nebraska and Minnesota aren't far behind. Early Big Ten Rankings for 2015 East Division Rankings 1. Ohio State 2014 Record: 14-1 (8-0) The defending national champions are a heavy favorite to repeat in 2015. Of course, that's easier said than done, as only one team during the BCS era (Alabama) was able to claim back-to-back titles. Ohio State's path to the championship next season is favorable. Michigan State, Minnesota and Penn State visit Columbus next year, with the season finale at Michigan the toughest road game in conference play. The quarterback battle between Cardale Jones, J.T. Barrett and Braxton Miller (if he stays at Ohio State) will be one of the nation's most intriguing storylines to watch this preseason. Regardless of which quarterback starts, the supporting cast is loaded with returning talent. Running back Ezekiel Elliott is one of the leading candidates for the 2015 Heisman Trophy, and four starters are back on the line. Receivers Devin Smith and Evan Spencer and tight end Jeff Heuerman will be missed, but Michael Thomas (14.8 ypc) and Jalin Marshall (6 TDs) are capable options. Tackle Michael Bennett, end Steve Miller and cornerback Doran Grant are the biggest losses on defense. However, with end Joey Bosa and linebacker Darron Lee returning, the Buckeyes aren't likely to take a step back in defensive production. 2. Michigan State 2014 Record: 11-2 (7-1) Coach Mark Dantonio has guided Michigan State to four seasons of at least 11 victories in the last five years. The Spartans could hit that mark in 2015, but Dantonio's team isn't without question marks. Coordinator Pat Narduzzi left to be the head coach at Pittsburgh, and Mike Tressel and Harlon Barnett will call the defensive signals next season. The promotion of Tressel and Barnett ensures continuity for a group that limited Big Ten offenses to just 4.7 yards per play in 2014. And the transition of Tressel and Barnett into their new role was made easier by the return of end Shilique Calhoun (eight sacks in 2014). Each level of the defense has personnel to replace, but the biggest area of concern has to be in the secondary where safety Kurtis Drummond and cornerback Trae Waynes departed East Lansing. Barnett and Tressel will be counting on young players like Montae Nicholson (safety) and Darian Hicks (cornerback) to step up next season. Quarterback Connor Cook won't have top receiver Tony Lippett or running back Jeremy Langford, but the offensive line should be one of the top units in the Big Ten. 3. Penn State 2014 Record: 7-6 (2-6) High expectations surrounded coach James Franklin's first season at Penn State, but the Nittany Lions needed a win over Boston College in the Pinstripe Bowl to finish with a winning record and won only two games in Big Ten play. Even though expectations were certainly higher than seven wins, scholarship limitations, injuries and overall depth issues was largely to blame for last year's record. Depth issues will continue for this team into 2015, but there's plenty of reasons to be optimistic for improvement. Quarterback Christian Hackenberg is still one of the nation's most talented signal-callers. Hackenberg has a talented group of receivers and a solid running back in Akeel Lynch at his disposal. However, the passing game and offensive production won't take a step forward unless the line performs (44 sacks allowed in 2014) at a higher level. Left tackle Donovan Smith left early for the NFL, but the coaching staff hopes incoming junior college recruit Paris Palmer helps to fill one of the voids on the line. Despite the problems on offense, Penn State's defense was one of the best in the nation. Coordinator Bob Shoop must replace end Deion Barnes and linebacker Mike Hull, but the Nittany Lions should remain one of the top defenses in the Big Ten. 4. Michigan 2014 Record: 5-7 (3-5) With Jim Harbaugh taking over in Ann Arbor, Michigan will be one of the nation's most intriguing teams in 2015. Sure, the Wolverines have some personnel issues, but this team will be better with Harbaugh at the helm. How much? That's hard to say. Michigan will be challenged in its non-conference schedule with games against Utah, Oregon State and BYU, while road trips to Maryland, Minnesota and Penn State are slated for conference play. On the bright side for Michigan, Ohio State and Michigan State visit Ann Arbor next year. Lost in the Brady Hoke hot seat talk and a struggling offense was the play of the defense in 2014. The Wolverines limited Big Ten foes to 23.5 points per game and allowed only 4.8 yards per play. New coordinator D.J. Durkin should keep this defense near the top of the league, and the secondary will benefit from the return of talented freshman Jabrill Peppers from injury. Harbaugh's background and experience should help a struggling offense. Michigan averaged only 20.9 points per game last season and has several question marks heading into 2015. Is Shane Morris the answer at quarterback? Can this team develop a consistent rushing attack? Also, who steps up to replace Devin Funchess at receiver? Improvement should be expected. Michigan hasn't been hurting for talent. However, now the team has the right coaching staff in place. 5. Rutgers 2014 Record: 8-5 (3-5) Rutgers was pegged by most to finish last in the East last season, but coach Kyle Flood's team surprised with an 8-5 record and a fourth-place finish in its division. The hire of Ralph Friedgen as the team's offensive play-caller paid dividends and was a key piece in this team's improvement. The Scarlet Knights averaged 26.7 points per game, and quarterback Gary Nova finished his last season of eligibility with the best overall performance of his career. Chris Laviano and Hayden Rettig will battle to replace Nova this spring. Talented running backs Robert Martin and Josh Hicks should anchor the offense until a quarterback emerges, and top receiver Leonte Carroo is back after considering a jump to the NFL. Flood and coordinator Joe Rossi will spend the offseason looking for a few answers after the defense allowed 6.6 yards per play in conference games in 2014. Each level of the defense has key departures, but the return of tackle Darius Hamilton, linebacker Steve Longa and end Kemoko Turay provides plenty of hope for improvement. 6. Maryland 2014 Record: 7-6 (4-4) The Terrapins have recorded back-to-back seven-win seasons and finished with a .500 mark (4-4) in their first year in Big Ten action. Coach Randy Edsall's team may have trouble hitting seven wins in 2015 with the attrition on both sides of the ball, but Maryland should be a bowl squad. The departure of C.J. Brown leaves Caleb Rowe and Perry Hills competing for the starting quarterback position this spring. Rowe attempted 54 passes in a reserve role last season and appears to have a slight edge over Hills. In addition to finding a new signal-caller, Edsall must replace top receivers Deon Long and Stefon Diggs and three starters on the offensive line. Diggs' big-play ability will be missed, but the receiving corps may not miss a beat if Amba Etta-Tawo and Juwann Winfree develop as expected, and Levern Jacobs (47 catches in 2013) quickly shakes off the rust after missing 2014 due to suspension. The offense has big shoes to fill at a couple of positions, but the rebuilding effort is even bigger on defense. Coordinator Brian Stewart has only three returning starters from 2014, and the losses in the front seven are heavy. 7. Indiana 2014 Record: 4-8 (1-7) Coming off a 5-7 mark in 2013, Indiana seemed to have a little momentum going into the 2014 season. And with 16 starters back, a reasonable expectation even in a tougher division was a bowl appearance. However, the Hoosiers lost all momentum after quarterback Nate Sudfeld was injured and ruled out for the season halfway through the year. Without Sudfeld, Indiana's quarterback situation was a major problem. The Hoosiers tossed only one touchdown pass over the final six games. Running back Tevin Coleman carried the offense and finished 2014 with 2,036 yards and 15 scores. Coleman left Bloomington for the NFL, but UAB transfer Jordan Howard should be a solid replacement. Defense has been an ongoing issue for Indiana in recent years, and this unit showed some albeit still not enough progress on the stat sheet. The Hoosiers gave up 7.4 yards per play in Big Ten games in 2013 but cut that number to 6.4 in 2014. With most of the depth chart coming back, can Indiana's defense show marked improvement next year? West Division Rankings 1. Wisconsin 2014 Record: 11-3 (7-1) Wisconsin has played in three of the four Big Ten Championship Games, and the Badgers are the early favorite to claim a spot in the 2015 version from the West Division. New coach Paul Chryst returns to Madison after a three-year stint as Pittsburgh's head coach. Chryst is back in familiar surroundings and scored a key addition to his staff when defensive coordinator Dave Aranda agreed to stay in Madison. The Badgers' formula for success won't much under Chryst, as the rushing attack and defense will carry this team next season. Melvin Gordon is a huge loss, but Corey Clement is ready to step into the No. 1 role. Improving the passing game is a priority for Chryst, and in addition to getting better play from quarterback Joel Stave, the receiving corps needs more big-play ability. Tackle Rob Havenstein and guards Kyle Costigan and Dallas Lewallen are huge losses from an offensive line that was one of the best in the nation last year. Despite the return of just three starters, the Badgers ranked second in the Big Ten with just 4.7 yards per play allowed in conference games. Aranda will have to replace linebackers Marcus Trotter and Derek Landisch, but this unit should be one of the best in the conference once again. 2. Nebraska 2014 Record: 9-4 (5-3) New coach Mike Riley inherits a program that has won at least nine games in seven consecutive seasons. And the new coaching staff isn't starting with an empty cupboard, as there's plenty of talent to keep Nebraska in contention for the West Division title in 2015. The biggest departure on offense is standout running back Ameer Abdullah, but the rushing attack can turn to Imani Cross (5.1 ypc in 2014), Terrell Newby (4.4 ypc) and sophomore Adam Taylor. Quarterback Tommy Armstrong needs to raise his completion percentage (53.3 in 2014), and the junior should benefit from an opportunity to learn under Riley and underrated coordinator Danny Langsdorf. Getting the defense back on track is another spring priority for the new staff. Nebraska slipped from No. 2 (2013) in yards per play allowed (conference-only games) to No. 9 in 2014. Tackles Vincent Valentine and Maliek Collins need to anchor the line with the departure of end Randy Gregory, while the back seven suffered a few departures with safety Corey Cooper, cornerback Josh Mitchell and linebackers Trevor Roach and Zaire Anderson expiring their eligibility. Junior Nate Gerry should be one of the Big Ten's top defensive backs next season. 3. Minnesota 2014 Record: 8-5 (5-3) The Golden Gophers were a win against Wisconsin away from playing for the Big Ten championship. Can Minnesota take the next step in 2015? In order for coach Jerry Kill's team to contend for the West, improving the passing game and finding a replacement for running back David Cobb is atop the spring priority list. Quarterback Mitch Leidner is an effective runner (452 yards, 10 TDs in 2014), but he completed only 51.5 percent of his throws last year. Adding the passing game concerns is the departure of standout tight end Maxx Williams to the NFL. Although Cobb's sheer production from last season (1,629 yards, 13 TDs) will be tough to replace, Rodrick Williams and Berkley Edwards have showed flashes of potential in limited work. Linebacker Damien Wilson, safety Cedric Thompson and cornerback Derrick Wells are big losses, but the defense should be a strength. Cornerback Briean Boddy-Calhoun might be one of the nation's most underrated defenders. 4. Iowa 2014 Record: 7-6 (4-4) Since the Big Ten expanded and added divisions in 2011, Iowa is just 15-17 in conference play. And needless to say, the fanbase is getting even more restless with coach Kirk Ferentz after a disappointing 7-6 record in 2014. Despite a favorable schedule no Ohio State or Michigan State and Wisconsin and Nebraska visiting Kinnick Stadium the Hawkeyes finished 7-6 and lost four out of their final five games. Improving on last year's win total is possible with another favorable slate, but Ferentz has a couple of key personnel concerns to address. Will it be Jake Rudock or C.J. Beathard under center? Also, how will the offense replace standout left tackle Brandon Scherff? End Drew Ott should be one of the top linemen in the Big Ten next season, but the talented duo of Carl Davis and Louis Trinca-Pasat will be missed on the interior. Cornerback Desmond King is one of the conference's rising stars on defense. 5. Illinois 2014 Record: 6-7 (3-5) Under Tim Beckman, Illinois has improved its win total by two games in each of the last two years since a 2-10 debut in 2012. While improvement has been noticeable, the Fighting Illini is just 4-20 in conference action. 2015 seems to be a make-or-break year for Beckman, and there's enough returning personnel to expect another bump in the win column. Quarterback Wes Lunt was off to a good start last year before a leg injury limited the Oklahoma State transfer in the second half of 2014. Lunt should regain the controls of the offense after Reilly O'Toole expired his eligibility after the Heart of Dallas Bowl. The Fighting Illini returns some solid skill talent, including running back Josh Ferguson (1,162 total yards) and receiver Mike Dudek (1,038 yards, 6 TDs in 2014). However, this team won't take a step forward unless the offensive line improves after giving up 37 sacks last season, and the defense finds a way to cut down on its points allowed. Illinois has allowed three consecutive seasons of 32 points or more, and there's pressure on coordinator Tim Banks to produce results. 6. Northwestern 2014 Record: 5-7 (3-5) Since winning 10 games in 2012, the Wildcats are just 10-14 over the last two seasons. And this program has missed out on bowl appearances in back-to-back years for the first time since 2006-07. There's enough talent in place for Northwestern to finish a spot or two higher than No. 6 next season, but a quarterback has to emerge to return to the postseason. Zack Oliver and Matt Alviti received limited snaps in 2014 and neither showed enough to enter spring as the clear No. 1 option. Redshirt freshman Clayton Thorson is a name to watch under center next year. Running back Justin Jackson returns after a standout freshman season (1,187 yards and 10 TDs), but the receiving corps loses Kyle Prater (51 catches) and Tony Jones (35 catches). Safety Ibraheim Campbell and linebacker Chi Chi Ariguzo are the biggest losses from a group that limited Big Ten opponents to 5.3 yards per play. Despite losing Campbell and Ariguzo (honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2014), the defense should be the strength for coach Pat Fitzgerald's team next year. 7. Purdue 2014 Record: 3-9 (1-7) The Boilermakers made slight progress in coach Darrell Hazell's second year. Purdue's win total improved by two games, which included a Big Ten victory over Illinois. Of the Boilermakers seven losses in conference play, only two came by a touchdown or less. Needless to say, this team has a ways to go before it can contend for a winning season. The first priority for Hazell is settling on a quarterback. Will Austin Appleby remain the starter over Danny Etling? Or will redshirt freshman David Blough make a push for the No. 1 spot? The team's top rushers (Akeem Hunt and Raheem Mostert) depart, leaving Keyante Green (199 yards in 2014) as the top option at running back. The defense limited Big Ten opponents to 5.7 yards per play last season, which was an improvement from giving up 6.5 yards per play in 2013. However, this unit still has room to grow, and most of the core returns for 2015. Safety Frankie Williams should be in contention for All-Big Ten honors, and the linebacking corps features promising sophomores in Ja'Whaun Bentley and Danny Ezechukwu. | 1 | 3,595 | sports |
CHANDLER, Ariz. Bill Belichick didn't talk Deflategate. The New England Patriots coach didn't have to. Belichick can thank prominent attorney Ted Wells and defiant owner Robert Kraft -- for getting him off the hook after Wells effectively issued a statement effectively preventing Belichick and his players from discussing the issue with Monday's statement that the league's investigation will "take at least several more weeks.'' Belichick and his players sidestepped the underinflated footballs issue when the AFC champions appeared for Monday night's Super Bowl XLIX arrival news conference at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa. The team was honored at a downtown Boston send-off pep rally before boarding their afternoon charter flight just ahead of a historic blizzard forecast to hammer the Northeast. Owner Robert Kraft came out first and emphatically denied any wrongdoing by his organization, particularly his beleaguered coach and quarterback and demanded an apology from the league if the investigation clears his coach and quarterback of any wrongdoing. Belichick was grateful for the support of a loyal owner who stood by him. "I have a great relationship with Mr. Kraft, I really appreciate the opportunity every day to coach the New England Patriots,'' Belichick said. "In order to work out a trade, Mr. Kraft gave up quite a bit in the trade for me to be part of this organization when I resigned from the New York Jets (in 2000). "And for his support that he and his family have given me…I'll be forever indebted. We have a great professional relationship and we have a great personal relationship.'' As for addressing further questions about underinflated footballs, Belichick wasn't going there. "I've had two lengthy press conference, my entire focus and attention is going to be on the Seattle Seahawks,'' Belichick said. He was asked about a Fox Sports report that a Patriots locker-room attendant is now the focus of the league's investigation. "I've covered everything I could cover in the previous week and my attention is focused on the Seattle Seahawks,'' Belichick said. "Right now, the only thing I'm focused on is the Seattle Seahawks." During an impromptu Saturday news conference Belichick disavowed any knowledge that 11 Patriots footballs were tampered with during last Sunday's AFC Championship Game rout of the Indianapolis Colts. ESPN first reported 11 of a dozen balls the Patriots used in the first half of the championship game were below the league-mandated 12.5 pounds per square inch. Kraft came strong in defending the reputations of Belichick, Brady and by association his organization. "If the Wells investigation is not able to definitively determine that our organization tampered with the air pressure of the footballs, I would expect and hope the league would apologize to our entire team, and in particular, coach Belichick and Tom Brady for what they have had to endure this past week,'' Kraft said. "I am disappointed in the way this entire matter has been handled and reported upon. We expect hard facts as opposed to circumstantial leaked evidence to drive the conclusion of this investigation." The league announced Friday that Wells, NFL executive vice president Jeff Pash and an investigative firm specializing in forensic evidence were leading its probe into the deflated football allegations. "We are in the process of conducting a thorough investigation on the issue of the footballs used in the AFC Championship,'' Wells said in his statement. "This work began last week, stretched through the weekend, and is proceeding expeditiously this week notwithstanding the Super Bowl. "We are following customary investigating procedures and no one should draw any conclusions about the sequence of interviews or any other steps, all of which are part of the process of doing a thorough and fair investigation. I expect the investigation to take at least several more weeks, in the interim, it would be best if everyone involved or potentially involved in this matter avoids public comment concerning the matter until the investigation is concluded.'' Wells, who conducted the investigation into the 2013 Miami Dolphins locker-room Bullygate scandal, said the results will be shared publicly. | 1 | 3,596 | sports |
We give Roy Williams 120 Seconds of Glory for his comments in the postgame press conference on Monday. | 1 | 3,597 | sports |
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will fly a 30-member delegation, including top officials and respected Republican foreign policy veterans, to Riyadh on Tuesday to meet Saudi Arabia's new King Salman as the crisis in neighboring Yemen continues to boil. The hastily scheduled trip to pay respects following the death last week of King Abdullah underscores a strengthening U.S.-Saudi alliance that extends beyond oil interests to regional security. Cutting short a three-day trip to India, Obama's visit comes as Washington struggles with worsening strife in the Middle East and counts Saudi Arabia among its few steady partners in a campaign against Islamic State militants who have seized swathes of Iraq and Syria. Obama is slated to arrive in Riyadh at 3:25 p.m local time (1225 GMT), and will leave around four hours later. Following Abdullah's death last Friday, Obama will try to get relations off to a smooth start with Salman, who takes power after a period of sometimes tense relations between Washington and Riyadh. Obama will bring with him Republican elder statesmen James Baker, secretary of state in the George H.W. Bush administration, Republican Senator John McCain who leads the Senate Armed Services committee, and several other Republican foreign policy leaders from past administrations. Baker is revered among Gulf Arabs, particularly in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, for his role in orchestrating the alliance against Saddam Hussein in 1990-91. YEMEN HEADACHE The U.S. security headache worsened last week with the take over of Yemen's government by Iran-backed rebels - a setback to U.S. efforts to contain al Qaeda militants there and to limit the regional influence of Shi'ite Iran. The Yemen government's collapse will be of deep concern to Saudi Arabia because of the long border they share and because of the advance of Iran, Sunni Saudi Arabia's main regional rival. Saudi Arabia's role in rallying Arab support for action with Western countries against Islamic State militants has won praise in Washington, which with other Western nations also values the kingdom as an important market for defense equipment. The leaders are likely to discuss Syria, Iran and oil prices, said Simon Henderson, an expert on U.S.-Saudi relations at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. "The most interesting question for President Obama will be whether King Salman and his team of advisers have an order of priority that differs from King Abdullah's," Henderson wrote in a comment on Monday. IMPATIENCE WITH WASHINGTON Despite an alliance between the two countries that has long been a cornerstone of U.S. Middle East policy, Riyadh has made clear its impatience with the Obama administration's failure to do more to oust Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and its anxiety over U.S. led efforts to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran. This added to a sense among Saudi rulers that Obama was neglecting old Arab allies, most notably with the U.S. abandonment of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak when he was toppled by mass protests in early 2011. Saudi Arabia remains unhappy with Obama's resistance to large-scale U.S. arming of the mainstream Syrian rebels. The booming domestic energy sector has the United States less reliant on Saudi oil supplies. But the kingdom's willingness to keep oil output high despite tumbling global oil prices has bolstered the U.S. economy and U.S. efforts to pressure oil producers Russia and Iran with economic sanctions. Still looming, however, is the prospect of a nuclear deal with Iran, which would be major legacy achievement for Obama but which Saudi Arabia worries could help strengthen Tehran's influence in the region. U.S.-Saudi relations improved after Obama made a fence-mending visit to Riyadh last March. Obama's Secretary of State John Kerry and CIA Director John Brennan will be part of Tuesday's delegation, as will top Obama advisers Susan Rice and Lisa Monaco. Other Republicans in the large delegation will include Brent Scowcroft, national security adviser to Presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush, and Condoleezza Rice, secretary of state for President George W. Bush. Also included are former national security advisers Sandy Berger of the Clinton administration and Stephen Hadley from the George W. Bush White House. (Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick in Washington and William Maclean in Dubai; Writing by Stuart Grudgings; Editing by Douglas Busvine and Raju Gopalakrishnan) | 5 | 3,598 | news |
Think twice before filing an insurance claim over that fender-bender or other minor damage. It could cost you big time. One $2,000 property damage claim is enough to hike your auto insurance rate at renewal by an average 41 percent, according to new data from InsuranceQuotes.com . A typical consumer would pay $1,250.50 per year, they say, instead of $814.99. "That's pretty hefty," said Laura Adams, senior analyst at the site. Bodily injury claims tend to be even more expensive, raising rates by an average 45 percent. There's also some variation depending on the state you live in, based on varying insurance regulations. (See chart below for some of the priciest states.) Price jumps stem from insurers' perception of you as an increased risk. "Statistically, if you file a claim, you're more likely to file a second or third claim," said Adams. If one claim is expensive, a second is exorbitant, spiking rates by an average 93 percent. Increased rates typically stay in effect for two to three years, she said, provided you don't have any more accidents. Not all claims trigger big price hikes. Comprehensive claims which include damage to your car from vandalism, animals and natural disasters generate a small increase of 2 percent on average. Often, that's because such incidents are out of the driver's control, said Adams. "If a tree falls on your car, yes, that's what your insurance is for," she said. "Those kinds of claims move the needle very, very little." The lesson for drivers: Use insurance as intended, to cover significant losses only. "Think of your policy as something to pay a cost that you would not normally be able to pay out of pocket," said Michael Barry, a vice president with the Insurance Information Institute, an industry group. Raising your deductible is one strategy that can help reduce the chances of filing a small-ticket claim while also saving you money. "Since the Recession, a lot of people have increased their deductible to $1,000 from $500 to save on their premiums," said Barry. "For a driver with a $1,000 deductible, it would have to be a significant accident to file a claim." Even just increasing it from $200 to $500 can reduce premium costs by 15 to 30 percent, according to the insurance institute. "The flip side of that is, you're taking on more of the risk," Barry said. Don't raise the deductible to more than you can afford to pay in an emergency. If you're unsure whether to take on the bills yourself, ask your insurer what the long-term consequences of filing could be, said Adams. It's also worth checking to see if your insurer has an "accident forgiveness" clause that could limit or negate the rate hike, and what the terms of that protection entail. Shop around when it's time for renewal. Accident or no, the typical consumer already overpays by $368 a year, according to a 2013 NerdWallet.com study. But don't expect to pull a fast one. Insurance claims are recorded in the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange, aka CLUE, where other insurers can see them, said Barry. You won't be getting an accident-free rate, but you might still find a better deal than your current insurer is willing to offer. | 3 | 3,599 | finance |
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