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A South Korean military court on Tuesday handed down a death sentence to a young conscript who killed five colleagues in a shooting spree at a guard post near the border with North Korea last year. The court martial in the eastern city of Wonju condemned the 22-year-old sergeant, surnamed Lim, to death for committing what it called "premeditated and cruel" killings, Yonhap news agency said. Lim remained silent, keeping his head lowered throughout the sentencing. The case will now go to an appeals court and then to the Supreme Court, an automatic procedure in South Korea in the case of death sentences. South Korea has not carried out any executions under its death penalty since 1997 following international pressure, with such sentences effectively translating into life in prison. In his pre-sentence statement on January 23, Lim said he was deeply remorseful for his actions. "I feel deeply sorry for the victims and their relatives," Lim said in the statement. "I am overcome with remorse... How happy would I be, had it been merely a dream and had it been possible to return to the past?" In June last year Lim threw a grenade and opened fire on members of his unit, killing five and wounding seven, near a frontline guard post. He was captured alive after he wounded himself in a failed suicide attempt following a 24-hour standoff with thousands of troops. Lim, who was listed as a soldier requiring special observation, told investigators he carried out the attack in revenge for constant mockery and harassment against him. Barrack-room bullying has long tainted South Korea's military service. It has been blamed for numerous suicides and incidents where conscripts have turned their weapons on their comrades. Conscripts, most of them in their early twenties, account for the lion's share of the military's 690,000 active personnel. In 2011 a 19-year-old marine conscript killed four colleagues on a western island near the border. Eight soldiers were killed in 2005 when a conscript threw a grenade and sprayed bullets over the sleeping men at a frontline guard post. In both cases the men were court-martialed and sentenced to death, although the penalty was not carried out. In October last year, an army sergeant was sentenced to 45 years in prison for beating a private to death, while four other soldiers received jail terms of up to 30 years. Prosecutors said the private had been subjected to regular bullying and assaults, including sessions of crude water-boarding. | 5 | 6,400 | news |
Motorola sold more than 10 million handsets during the third quarter of 2014 , marking a new company sales record, and helping to drive new owner Lenovo to increased revenues. The figures show the impact of Motorola on Chinese giant Lenovo, the largest PC manufacturer in the world, which said it planned to make a third of its revenue from smartphone sales after it purchased Motorola from Google last year, in a deal worth $2.91 billion . The acquisition has been beneficial for Lenovo the company's revenue increased 31 percent during the third quarter, rising to $14.1 billion. Lenovo said it was able to beat investor expectations off the back of smartphone sales, which more than doubled. Gross profit for the quarter also rose to $2.1 billion, an increase of 54 percent year-on-year, but operating profit decreased slightly, dropping 3 percent from the same quarter last year to $325 million. Motorola's sales figures are still dwarfed by Apple and Samsung Importantly for Lenovo, the acquisition of Motorola gives the Chinese company a strong brand in the US and Europe. Revenue shot up in the Americas during the third quarter, rising 88 percent year-on-year, and making up 30 percent of the company's worldwide revenue. But while Motorola's sales figures mark a company record and help Lenovo boost its cash flow, the smartphone maker's sales are still dwarfed by competitors Apple and Samsung both sold more than 70 million smartphones in the last fiscal quarter. | 3 | 6,401 | finance |
David Oyelowo, who plays Martin Luther King in the Oscar-nominated Hollywood film "Selma", says he had to leave Britain because of a lack of opportunities for black actors. "We make period dramas (in Britain), but there are almost never black people in them, even though we've been on these shores for hundreds of years," Oyelowo said in an interview with the Radio Times. "I remember taking a historical drama with a black figure at its centre to a British executive with greenlight power, and what they said was that if it's not Jane Austen or Dickens, the audience don't understand," he told the television listings magazine. "And I thought 'OK -- you are stopping people having a context for the country they live in and you are marginalising me. I can't live with that. So I've got to get out'," the actor said. Oyelowo, who returned to London at 13 after spending some of his childhood in Nigeria, first came to prominence with a series of performances for the Royal Shakespeare Company in his early 20s. Martin Luther King is the latest in a string of big-screen roles the 38-year-old actor has won since leaving Britain in 2007 for the United States. His comments come after The Imitation Game star Benedict Cumberbatch highlighted the lack of diversity on British screens. Last year actors including Idris Elba, the star of "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" and comedian Lenny Henry expressed their dismay at the small numbers of people from ethnic minority backgrounds working in the television industry. Oyelowo told the Radio Times: "There's a string of black British actors passing through where I live now in LA. We don't have 'Downton Abbey', or 'Call the Midwife', or 'Peaky Blinders', or the 50th iteration of 'Pride and Prejudice'. "We're not in those. And it's frustrating because it doesn't have to be that way. I shouldn't have to feel like I have to move to America to have a notable career," he said. "Selma" has been nominated for just two Oscars, despite receiving rave critical reviews and being a hit with audiences in the US. Oyelowo shrugged off the lack of nominations, saying: "We made a film that is not your typical biopic, that doesn't feel like, 'Oh, here come the strings'. We made the movie we wanted to see, not what we thought the Academy would like." | 6 | 6,402 | entertainment |
Oklahoma quarterback Trevor Knight finally responded to Katy Perry on Super Bowl Sunday after Perry confessed her feelings for Knight on College GameDay in October. Is this considered a Twitter win for Knight? | 1 | 6,403 | sports |
Efficiency is key in the NBA. Where do the Nuggets stack up against the most efficient team in the league? Have you ever heard the phrase, Work Smarter, Not Harder? It's supposed to help you manage your time more wisely aka become more efficient. Just how efficient are the Nuggets on the offensive end this season? Let's find out. One area the Nuggets have become pretty good at is create possessions. To wit, the team currently ranks fifth in the NBA in pace. Now, when one hears the word pace, they think speed. You must break that habit. Pace in the NBA means the number of possessions a team creates in 48 minutes. Here is how the top five teams shake out: 1.) Golden State Warriors : 101.32 2.) Phoenix Suns : 99.23 3.) Boston Celtics : 98.89 4.) Houston Rockets : 98.59 5.) Denver Nuggets: 98.36 And for the heck of it: 6.) Philadelphia 76ers : 97.90. That's some pretty mixed company. The Warriors, Suns, and Rockets own a combined 98-45 record. The Celtics, Nuggets, and 76ers own a combined record of 45-98, which is the exact opposite - strange, but true. It doesn't appear that creating possessions means much of anything, especially if you're not efficient. Let's see how the Nuggets shape up in the efficiency department. Thanks to the fine folks at Synergy Sport Technology, we get some handy charts on where the Nuggets are shooting, and just how effective they are in different areas on the court. The following chart read just how you think it could. Blue = cold/low and Red = hot/high. Here is how the Nuggets breakdown so far this season: That chart is not so pretty. Only two red zones, no orange, three yellow, two green, four light blue, and five dark blue zones. That's nine problem areas for the Nuggets, all the three-point zones and even around the rim. That's trouble. Now, let's take a look at the most efficient team in the NBA, the Los Angeles Clippers . Your eye will notice the first difference, right away. Clippers shooting: Looking good for the Clippers with seven red zones, five orange, one yellow, two green, just one light blue, and no dark blue zones. Very important to note is the Clips are red near the rim, red in two of the five three point zones, and much better than Denver in the corner three departments (an area that teams really work to get open looks at). To contrast that, let's take a look at the least efficient team in the NBA, the Philadelphia 76ers. Again, you'll notice a big difference between the Sixers and the Clippers right away. 76ers shooting: Not a good look for the young Sixers. They have no red, no orange, one yellow, no green, three light blue, and a horrible 12 dark blue zones. If you look over the Sixers roster, not too many names say: He can shoot the three, and it shows on the chart. Of the three, the Sixers and the Nuggets are a lot more comparable than the Clippers and either team. This got me wondering, are the Clippers getting better shots than the Nuggets? Let's take a look at some of the key areas and the attempts: Three Pointers Corner Threes Midrange Around the rim Just outside paint Total Clippers 1,258 363 858 1,396 451 4,326 Nuggets 1,119 280 636 1,926 461 4,422 The Nuggets have created 96 more shots with their pace, and the Clippers rank 14th in pace with 96.26 possessions created per 48 minutes. What stands out above? The Clippers create more threes and more corner threes, but the Nuggets shoot far less midrange shots and create many more around the rim. When you think Chris Paul and the new Blake Griffin , you think midrange. When you think Ty Lawson , you think attacking the rim. But when you toss the 76ers into the mix, they have taken just 478 midrange shots. It would be even more interesting to get the numbers on when the shots are taken. Like how close is a defender when shots are taken? It's not just about where shots are coming from, but about how that shot is taken. One thing is for sure: the Nuggets haven't been very efficient, no matter where their shots are coming from this season. | 1 | 6,404 | sports |
Rick Strom gets you caught up on the day in sports, including Virginia's win at North Carolina, the Pelicans ending the Hawks win streak and the Rangers victory over the Panthers. | 1 | 6,405 | sports |
Parents have long suspected it, but now doctors have proof: the more time teenagers spend on computers or mobile phones, the less they sleep -- especially if the gadget is used just before bedtime. The evidence is so strong, the experts said, that health watchdogs should overhaul guidelines for electronic device use by youngsters. The team carried out an investigation among nearly 10,000 people aged 16 to 19 in Hordaland county, western Norway, in 2012, they reported in the journal BMJ Open on Tuesday. The teens were questioned about their sleeping patterns, how long they looked at a screen outside of school hours and the type of gadget they used. The respondents said they needed between eight and nine hours' sleep on average to feel rested. Those with screen time of more than four hours per day were three-and-a-half times likelier to sleep fewer than five hours at night, the probe found. They also were 49 percent likelier to need more than 60 minutes to fall asleep. Adults normally nod off in under 30 minutes. The study also confirmed what many parents of a sleepy teen have experienced already -- using an electronic device in the hour before bedtime badly affects both onset of sleep and its duration. In particular, teens who used a computer or mobile phone in the last hour were 52 and 48 percent likelier to take more than 60 minutes to fall asleep. They were also 53 and 35 percent likelier to lose out on two or more hours of sleep. Somewhat smaller risks of delayed or shortened sleep were observed among youngsters who used an MP3 player, tablet, game console or TV in the final hour before bedtime. - But why? - The researchers, led by Mari Hysing at a regional centre for child health in the city of Bergen, point to several possible explanations. One is quite simple: that teenagers are getting to bed later -- screen time eats into sleep time. Another idea is that the bright light from devices interferes with circadian rhythm, the day-night system that tells our brain when we should sleep and when we should wake up. There could also be muscle pains, tension or headaches, for instance from playing a game for too long. The media content, too, may play a role by causing "increased psychophysiological arousal" -- which means the mind is spinning just as it should be slowing down for the night. "The recommendations for healthy media use given to parents and adolescents need updating, and age specific guidelines regarding the quantity and timing of electronic media use should be developed," the study said. The current recommendation by the American Academy of Pediatrics set down in 2004 is to not have a TV in the bedroom. "It seems, however, that there may be other electronic devices exerting the same negative influence on sleep, such as PCs and mobile phones," said the study. "The results confirm recommendations for restricting media use in general." | 7 | 6,406 | health |
TUNIS, Tunisia The man stands furtively on a street corner near the broad avenue cutting through Tunis, his face masked by a hoodie, his tense eyes scanning the workday crowd for any hint of Islamic State militants. He was one of them before he left Syria, only a year ago, and he is afraid. Now he chain-smokes as he describes the indiscriminate killing, the abuse of female recruits, the discomfort of a life where walls were optional and meals were little more than bread and cheese or oil. "It was totally different from what they said jihad would be like," said the man, Ghaith, who asked to be identified by his first name only for fear of being killed. While foreigners from across the world have joined the Islamic State militant group, some arrive in Iraq or Syria only to find day-to-day life much more austere and violent than they had expected. These disillusioned new recruits soon discover that it is a lot harder to leave than to join. Even if they escape, they are trapped in limbo, considered a threat by both their former comrades-in-arms and their homelands. Thousands of returnees are now under surveillance or in jail in North Africa and Europe, where they are often held to be terrorists and security risks. They are viewed with even more suspicion after the Jan. 7 massacre at the Charlie Hebdo newspaper in Paris, orchestrated by a pair of French-born brothers who laid low for years before putting their weapons training to use. "The men who manage to leave Islamic State or al-Nusra have to do so secretly," said France's top anti-terror judge, Marc Trevidic. "Not everyone who returns is a budding criminal. Not everyone is going to kill far from it. But it's probable that there is a small fringe that is capable of just about anything." At other times, would-be escapees don't make it out alive. Many emirs, or unit leaders, simply order death for those they suspect of disloyalty, according to Islamic State propaganda, analysts and those who managed to leave. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the militant group has killed 120 of its own members in the past six months, most of them foreign fighters hoping to return home. The same propaganda productions that call for skilled recruits in engineering, medicine and finance also distribute videos showing the execution of fighters who have strayed. The Associated Press talked to more than a dozen former fighters as well as their families and lawyers about life in the Islamic State group and escape from it. Many of them spoke only on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution. Their accounts were similar. ___ PROOF OF DEVOTION Ghaith went to Syria for jihad to reap what he believed would be the rewards of paradise. But once there, Ghaith said, he was highly disturbed to see female recruits forced into sex in the camps, often "married" for the night by different men. "It was by force, because they couldn't say no or they would be killed," Ghaith said. Several others described the same phenomenon to AP, all with evident discomfort. Some men described arguments in the camps over whether such treatment was permissible under Islam. Ghaith's reluctance to participate in killings soon attracted attention. One night, fellow fighters woke him with a knife to the throat and demanded he recite a particular Quranic verse on Islamic warfare to prove his devotion. Ghaith left the Islamic State by one of the only ways possible he surrendered to Syrian soldiers while scouting a checkpoint. He was held for four days before being turned over to his parents, who were in Syria along with a delegation of families seeking their children. ___ THOSE WHO DIE Unlike Ghaith, the only way out for Youssef Akkari was death. Akkari began going to the mosque more after one of his friends drowned. There he fell in with a local band of religious youths who talked to him about religion, war and the evil of Syrian leader Bashar Assad. His brother, Mehdi Akkari, known by his rapper handle DJ Costa, described how Youssef would spend hours in his room listening to religious chants and reading on his laptop. One day the family received a message that he was in Turkey and would soon cross over into Syria. Then Youssef lost his glasses and became useless to the Islamic State as a fighter in Syria, according to his brother Mehdi. So he was put in charge of preaching jihad to arriving Tunisians, who included doctors, computer experts and even cooks. The camp was comfortable with good food, Youssef reported, but the jihadis were a band of criminals who stole cars and belongings from other people's houses. After seven months, Youssef began to plot his escape, along with two brothers. The brothers never made it. Their commander found out and had them killed immediately. Youssef got just enough warning to hide out. He turned himself in to Kurdish fighters who took him to Turkey, and ultimately made his way back to Tunisia, his brother recounted. But resuming a normal life in Tunisia proved impossible for Youssef, with police harassment on the one hand and his terror of vengeful militants on the other. He returned to Syria and died in an airstrike just outside the northern city of Kobani in October, in a car filled with foreign fighters. The circumstances of his death are unclear. Islamic State militants consider death appropriate for those who try to escape. "If one leaves the caliphate, you are no longer a Muslim ... and should be punished," explained Amandla Thomas-Johnson of CAGE UK, which works to reintegrate former extremist fighters in Britain. ___ NO IDENTITY The Islamic State group works to prevent recruits from leaving from the time they join. The first step is the removal of passports and identity documents so foreign fighters cannot go home freely. Islamic State propaganda videos, for example, have highlighted French fighters burning their passports and leaving their so-called infidel life behind. Hamad Abdul-Rahman, an 18-year-old Saudi who made the trip last summer, said he was met at the Syrian border by seasoned militants who escorted him to a training camp in Tabaqa, Syria. "They took all my documents and asked me if I want to be a fighter or a suicide bomber," Abdul-Rahman told AP from a maximum-security prison in Baghdad, where he was jailed after surrendering to Iraqi forces. Abdul-Rahman was shackled, handcuffed and hooded during the interview and flanked by two armed guards. He chose to fight. There were a lot of foreigners in his camp, he said, some speaking German, French, Russian, Arabic and Tajiki languages. The days began with dawn prayers and lessons in Sharia, or Islamic law. After breakfast, they played sports, followed by weapons and combat training. After noon, they would repeat the rotation. In early September, he surrendered. An Iraqi defense ministry video aired on state television showed Abdel-Rahman minutes after his arrest, dehydrated and dirty, identifying himself to Iraqi soldiers. Another Tunisian recruit, Ali, said he stayed in a camp with about 500 people for two months in the winter of 2013, eating little, bathing less, and following orders to go ambush soldiers in the nearby mountains. Then he was tapped to become a courier between Syria and Tunisia, taking back news, money and propaganda videos to raise more recruits. After four courier trips in three weeks, he left the group in disgust. On one trip to Tunisia, he simply stayed. He described his journey while sitting in a public park in Tunis, dropping his voice low if anyone approached. When a man sat near him, he moved to the other side of the park. "I feel like I was a terrorist, I was shocked by what I did," Ali said. His advice for would-be jihadis: "Go have a drink. Don't pray. It's not Islam. Don't give your life up for nothing." ___ FIGHT OR FLIGHT The predicament for governments is to figure out whether a recruit is returning home to escape from the Islamic State or to further spread its ideals and its violence. France alone has detained 154 returnees and says about 3,000 need surveillance. Britain has arrested 165 returnees, after about 600 went to Syria. And Germany considers about 30 of its 180 returnees extremely dangerous, according to government figures. Imen Triki, a lawyer who represents returnees in Tunisia, says the majority escape because they are dismayed to find reality so different from the high-gloss, HD video version of jihadi life portrayed in Islamic State propaganda. "We can say maybe 65 to 70 percent of the people that leave want to return because they find a different situation than what they expected," Triki said. However, there is often no way to prove it. After the January terror attacks that left 20 dead in Paris, including three gunmen, the French government seems in little mood to give the benefit of the doubt to anyone with ties to al-Qaida or Islamic State militants. "De-radicalization, de-programming, it's not in French culture. (For many people in France), they need to be punished. That's it," said Justice Minister Christian Taubira. "These are the people who can bear witness, who can dissuade others." French lawyer Martin Pradel said his client is one of 10 men from Strasbourg who left for Syria last winter after seeing images of victims thought to have been killed by chemical weapons from Assad's government. The men planned to take up arms on behalf of Syrian civilians, whom they felt had been abandoned by the international community, Pradel said. But they ended up crossing into territory controlled by the group then known as ISIL, which suspected they were spies or enemies. They were jailed for two weeks, and then transferred and locked up again for three weeks. In the process, two of the French recruits died in an ambush. The men decided to leave, one by one so as not to draw attention. "They left at night, they ran across fields, they practically crept across the border," Pradel said. His client surrendered to Turkish authorities. Since he lacked ID, he was taken to the French embassy for temporary transit papers. In France, he was placed under surveillance for three months and then detained. He remains jailed, along with the others who traveled with him. The French government accuses the Strasbourg men of running a recruiting ring for extremists and is deeply suspicious of anyone who claims to have turned away. It was a similar escape for four Frenchmen from Toulouse, according to their lawyers. Pierre Dunac, the lawyer for Imad Jjebali, said the men went to Syria in hopes of helping besieged civilians. But they ended up in territory taken over by Islamic State and were imprisoned somewhere near the Turkish border for refusing to obey orders. They were awaiting a trial of sorts, which they assumed would end badly. One day, Dunac said, their jailer gave them their papers. He told them, "I'm going to pray," and he left them alone right by the door. "They understood that he was letting them leave," Dunac said. "Why? It's astonishing. ... They themselves didn't understand why. "They knew only which was north and south, and they walked to the border." Like the young man from Strasbourg, the group surrendered to Turkish soldiers, and the men were deported to France. The French government has acknowledged that it botched arresting them upon their return as planned, with agents going to the wrong airport. The men have since turned themselves in and are in jail facing terrorism charges. In Tunisia, where close surveillance of 400 returnees is far more common than arrests, Ghaith is now a free man by most measures. But he does not act like one. He neck still bears a scar where his fellow fighters held the knife, a reminder of a life he entered enthusiastically but came to hate. "It's not a revolution or jihad," he said. "It's a slaughter." ___ Hinnant reported from Paris. Associated Press writers Zeina Karam in Beirut; Nicolas Vaux-Montagny in Paris; Vivian Salama in Baghdad; and Danica Kirka in London contributed. | 5 | 6,407 | news |
Teenagers who while away the hours on an electronic device whether it's a computer, cell phone, tablet or TV tend to have more problems with sleeping at night, a new study finds. The cumulative amount of screen time a teen gets throughout the day not just before bedtime affects how long they sleep, according to the study, published today (Feb. 2) in the journal BMJ Open . "One of the surprising aspects was the very clear dose-response associations," said the study's lead researcher Mari Hysing, a researcher and a psychologist at Uni Research Health, a research company based in Norway. "The longer their screen time, the shorter their sleep duration." [ 7 Tips to Sleep Soundly Tonight ] For the study, the researchers collected data from more than 9,800 teenagers ages 16 to 19 who participated in a survey on their use of electronics and their sleep habits, including bedtime, sleep duration and how long it took for them to fall asleep. The researchers found that boys and girls tended to use different types of devices. Boys reported spending more time with game consoles, whereas girls favored smartphones and MP3 music players. Nearly all teens in the study said they used their devices within an hour of going to bed, and those who used electronics before bedtime were more likely to need more than 1 hour to fall asleep, the researchers found. And at every level of electronics use, the teens who used their devices more took longer to fall asleep than the teens who used their devices less: Those who used electronics for more than 4 hours were 49 percent more likely to take longer than an hour to fall asleep compared with those who used their devices less than 4 hours, the researchers said. The teens who used any device for more than 2 hours daily were 20 percent more likely to need more than an hour to fall asleep than those who used devices less than 2 hours. The teens' use of devices was also linked with the total amount of time they spent sleeping. For instance, teenagers who spent more than 2 hours emailing or chatting online were more than three times as likely to sleep less than 5 hours compared with students who had less screen time, the researchers said. The teens typically reported needing 8 to 9 hours of sleep to feel well rested. Disruptive technology It's unclear why screen time may disrupt sleep, but it's possible that the light from electronic devices interferes with the body's internal clock, which controls the circadian rhythm , the researchers said. The devices could also stimulate the nervous system, making it difficult to fall asleep, the researchers said. The findings may help researchers write new guidelines for screen time use among teenagers, they added. "Use of electronics is an integral part of teenage life," Hysing told Live Science. "However, teenagers can be aware of how much time [they] spend on screens, and try to log off at night to ensure a good night's sleep." "Parents could start with being good role models and restrict their media use both during day and nighttime," she added. "Helping the teenagers get good media and sleep routines is an important part of parenthood." Follow Laura Geggel on Twitter @LauraGeggel . Follow Live Science @livescience , Facebook & Google+ . Original article on Live Science . 7 Strange Facts About Insomnia 10 Facts Every Parent Should Know about Their Teen's Brain 5 Things You Must Know About Sleep | 5 | 6,408 | news |
Cuban state media released the first photographs of former president Fidel Castro in nearly six months in a bid to quiet rumors that his health is failing. The images showed the 88-year-old Castro at his home along with his wife Dalia during a meeting with the leader of a students' union, and were published in the state-run newspaper Granma and other official media. Castro had remained quiet publicly after the United States and Cuba announced in December that they were going to restore diplomatic relations after a half century of enmity stemming from the Cold War. That silence prompted chatter on social media and in foreign media that Castro was sick or even had died. The article accompanying the new photos said the meeting took place January 23. The headline says, "Fidel is extraordinary." The photos show Castro wearing a blue sweat-suit with a blue-checked collared shirt. The images come after weeks of feverish speculation concerning the Cuban revolutionary leader's medical condition after he disappeared from the public eye. The last time he was seen in public was January 8, 2014, when he attended an art gallery opening near his home. Swirling rumours of Castro's demise have cropped up often since he stepped down from office during a health crisis in 2006. Raul Castro, the longtime armed forces chief, took his brother's place at Cuba's helm. The Granma article said that the meeting between Castro and the student leader came four days before Castro finally broke his silence on the diplomatic breakthrough with the US and said that, although he was wary of his old enemy Washington, he did not oppose it and viewed the historic change as a "positive step." Perdomo said his talks with Castro were as if he were talking to an old friend. He said he got a call the night before from Castro and was moved when he finally heard a voice he had often heard from afar. "How are you, Randy,?" said Castro, according to Perdomo. He said they talked about the articles that Castro has published in Granma, and about astronomy and the importance of science in human advancement. Last week the communist leader met with a Brazilian theologian, Frei Betto, who advocates liberation theology -- the idea that it is the Catholic Church's responsibility to help the poor. "The commander is in good health and in good spirits," Betto said the next day. But no photos of the meeting were published. Castro took notes on what Betto said, according to the Brazilian. Betto said he found the former Cuban leader "in good health, thin but lucid." In mid-January Castro sent a letter to Argentina football legend Diego Maradona -- a friend of his -- and this also eased fears that he was on his last legs. | 5 | 6,409 | news |
The New York State attorney general's office accused four major retailers on Monday of selling fraudulent and potentially dangerous herbal supplements and demanded that they remove the products from their shelves. The authorities said they had conducted tests on top-selling store brands of herbal supplements at four national retailers GNC, Target, Walgreens and Walmart and found that four out of five of the products did not contain any of the herbs on their labels. The tests showed that pills labeled medicinal herbs often contained little more than cheap fillers like powdered rice, asparagus and houseplants, and in some cases substances that could be dangerous to those with allergies. The investigation came as a welcome surprise to health experts who have long complained about the quality and safety of dietary supplements, which are exempt from the strict regulatory oversight applied to prescription drugs. The Food and Drug Administration has targeted individual supplements found to contain dangerous ingredients. But the announcement Monday was the first time that a law enforcement agency had threatened the biggest retail and drugstore chains with legal action for selling what it said were deliberately misleading herbal products. Among the attorney general's findings was a popular store brand of ginseng pills at Walgreens, promoted for "physical endurance and vitality," that contained only powdered garlic and rice. At Walmart, the authorities found that its ginkgo biloba, a Chinese plant promoted as a memory enhancer, contained little more than powdered radish, houseplants and wheat despite a claim on the label that the product was wheat- and gluten-free. Three out of six herbal products at Target ginkgo biloba, St. John's wort and valerian root, a sleep aid tested negative for the herbs on their labels. But they did contain powdered rice, beans, peas and wild carrots. And at GNC, the agency said, it found pills with unlisted ingredients used as fillers, like powdered legumes, the class of plants that includes peanuts and soybeans, a hazard for people with allergies. The attorney general sent the four retailers cease-and-desist letters on Monday and demanded that they explain what procedures they use to verify the ingredients in their supplements. "Mislabeling, contamination and false advertising are illegal," said Eric T. Schneiderman, the state attorney general. "They also pose unacceptable risks to New York families especially those with allergies to hidden ingredients." The attorney general's investigation was prompted by an article in the New York Times in 2013 that raised questions about widespread labeling fraud in the supplement industry. The article referred to research at the University of Guelph in Canada that found that as many as a third of herbal supplements tested did not contain the plants listed on their labels only cheap fillers instead. Industry representatives have argued that any problems are caused by a handful of companies on the fringe of the industry. But New York's investigation specifically targeted store brands at the nation's drugstore and retail giants, which suggests that the problems are widespread. "If this data is accurate, then it is an unbelievably devastating indictment of the industry," said Dr. Pieter Cohen, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and an expert on supplement safety. "We're talking about products at mainstream retailers like Walmart and Walgreens that are expected to be the absolute highest quality." In response to the findings, Walgreens said it would remove the products from its shelves nationwide, even though only New York State had demanded it. Walmart said it would reach out to the suppliers of its supplements "and take appropriate action." A spokeswoman for GNC said that the company would cooperate with the attorney general "in all appropriate ways," but that it stood behind the quality and purity of its store brand supplements. The company said it tested all of its products "using validated and widely used testing methods." Target did not respond to requests for comment. The F.D.A. requires that companies verify that every supplement they manufacture is safe and accurately labeled. But the system essentially operates on the honor code. Under a 1994 federal law, supplements are exempt from the F.D.A.'s strict approval process for prescription drugs, which requires reviews of a product's safety and effectiveness before it goes to market. The law's sponsor and chief architect, Senator Orrin G. Hatch, Republican of Utah, is a steadfast supporter of supplements. He has accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the industry and repeatedly intervened in Washington to quash proposed legislation that would toughen the rules. Mr. Hatch led a successful fight against a proposed amendment in 2012 that would have required supplement makers to register their products with the F.D.A. and provide details about their ingredients. Speaking on the floor of the Senate at the time, Mr. Hatch said the amendment was based on "a misguided presumption that the current regulatory framework for dietary supplements is flawed." Critics say it is all too easy for dangerous supplements to reach the market because they are not subject to a review or approval process. Under current law, supplements are assumed to be safe until the authorities can prove otherwise. And in general, they are pulled from shelves only after serious injuries occur which is not uncommon. In 2013, for example, an outbreak of hepatitis that struck at least 72 people in 16 states was traced to a tainted supplement. Three people required liver transplants, and one woman died. It is not only consumers. Hospitals have been affected, too. In December, an infant at a Connecticut hospital died when doctors gave the child a popular probiotic supplement that was later found to be contaminated with yeast. After the child's death, the F.D.A. issued a warning to the public that reiterated its limited control over supplements. "These products are not subject to F.D.A.'s premarket review or approval requirements for safety and effectiveness," the F.D.A. stated, "nor to the agency's rigorous manufacturing and testing standards for drugs." As part of its investigation, the attorney general's office bought 78 bottles of the leading brands of herbal supplements from a dozen Walmart, Target, Walgreens and GNC locations across New York State. Then the agency analyzed the products using DNA bar coding, a type of genetic fingerprinting that the agency has used to root out labeling fraud in the seafood industry. The technology allows scientists to identify plants and animals by looking for short sequences of DNA unique to each organism, which can then be quickly analyzed much like the bar codes on grocery items and compared with others in an electronic database. The technology can single out which plants a supplement contains by identifying its unique DNA. Dr. Cohen at Harvard said that the attorney general's test results were so extreme that he found them hard to accept. He said it was possible that the tests had failed to detect some plants even when they were present because the manufacturing process had destroyed their DNA. But that does not explain why the tests found so many supplements with no DNA from the herbs on their labels but plenty of DNA from unlisted ingredients, said Marty Mack, an executive deputy attorney general in New York. "The absence of DNA does not explain the high percentage of contaminants found in these products," he said. "The burden is now with the industry to prove what is in these supplements." Related: "What's in Those Supplements?" | 5 | 6,410 | news |
ARTEMIVSK, Ukraine The United Nations on Tuesday sharply criticized both the Ukrainian government and the pro-Russian rebels for turning bus stops, schools, markets and hospitals into battlegrounds where civilians are getting killed. Indiscriminate shelling and an escalation in the fighting in eastern Ukraine have killed at least 224 civilians in the past three weeks alone, the U.N. said, raising the overall death toll to 5,358 people since April. Hostilities between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian troops resumed with a vengeance in January after a month of relative calm. The latest peace talks broke down Saturday, with both sides blaming the other for prolonging the fighting. "Bus stops and public transport, marketplaces, schools and kindergartens, hospitals and residential areas have become battlegrounds ... in clear breach of international humanitarian law," U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said, adding that 545 civilians were wounded in the last three weeks as well. He blamed the high civilian death toll on "the indiscriminate shelling of residential areas in both government-controlled territory and in areas controlled by the armed groups." The U.N. estimates more than 5 million people still live in the conflict zone. Rebels in the separatist stronghold of Donetsk said Tuesday that artillery fire killed at least eight people and wounded 22 others in the past day, while Ukrainian military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said five servicemen had been killed and 27 wounded in the same period. The rebels' main offensive is now directed at Debaltseve, a railway junction between the rebel-held cities of Luhansk and Donetsk. Separatists last week captured the nearby town of Vuhlehirsk, but say they are not planning to storm Debaltseve itself because of the potential for civilian casualties. Donetsk rebel leader Alexander Zakharchenko was quoted as saying his fighters were helping to evacuate Vuhlehirsk because of the heavy fighting. Ukraine accuses Russia of arming the rebels, a charge that Russia denies. But Western military experts say the sheer amount of heavy weapons in rebel hands belies that denial. The U.S. and the European Union have imposed economic sanctions on Russia for its actions in Ukraine. | 5 | 6,411 | news |
Samsung plans to launch a range of smart refrigerators, air conditioners and washing machines as its seeks to expand its business in Internet-connected homes, a top executive said on Tuesday. The South Korean tech giant is seeking to plough more resources into the so-called Internet of Things (IoT) as the market for smartphones -- one of its core product categories -- becomes increasingly saturated. The new appliances will work on Samsung's Tizen operating system, which the company has touted as a platform not just for phones but for a range of connected home appliances that can communicate with one another. "We are preparing launches of Tizen-powered TVs, refrigerators, air conditioners and other premium-priced home appliances this year," B.K. Yoon, head of Samsung's consumer electronics unit, told reporters. The firm -- the world's top mobile phone maker -- plans to eventually make all its new products Internet-connected by 2020, he added. "I think we have to make preparations for the IoT for future growth, as we previously grew in size by switching from... feature phones to smartphones," Yoon said. Yoon unveiled the company's first-ever Tizen smart TVs at a consumer electronics fair in Las Vegas last month. As part of its efforts to expand beyond the increasingly saturated smartphone market and meet demand for online-connected homes, Samsung bought SmartThings, a US home automation startup last year. Tizen -- Samsung's home-grown system -- is a key part of the firm's campaign to carve out a niche in mobile software and services, to complement its hardware role. By developing Tizen, Samsung has also tried to lower its reliance on Google's Android platform that powers the vast majority of Samsung's mobile devices. But the use of Tizen so far has been limited to a handful of Samsung gadgets including a low-end smartphone and wearables. | 5 | 6,412 | news |
LOS ANGELES The gap in bachelor-degree attainment between the nation's richest and poorest students by age 24 has doubled during the last four decades, according to a report released Tuesday. The percentage of students from the lowest-income families those making $34,160 a year or less earning a bachelor's degree has inched up just 3 points since 1970, rising from 6 to 9 percent by 2013. Meanwhile, college completion for students from the wealthiest families has risen dramatically, climbing from 44 to 77 percent. "It's really quite amazing how big the differences have become between those from the highest and lowest family incomes," said Laura Perna, a University of Pennsylvania professor and executive director of the Alliance for Higher Education and Democracy, one of the two organizations that published the study examining college costs and degree attainment. The study comes amid renewed debate on college affordability spurred by President Barack Obama's proposal to make two years of college free. If adopted in every state, the proposal would benefit a projected 9 million students each year. It would cost taxpayers an estimated $60 billion over 10 years a price the Republican-controlled Congress is likely to be hesitant to embrace. Among the report's other findings: The percentage of students from all income levels enrolling in college has increased, shrinking the gap in enrollment between rich and poor "somewhat" during the last four decades. There was a 46-point gap between the two groups in 1970, compared with a 36-point gap in 2012. But completion gaps are growing: While 99 percent of students entering college from the highest-income families those making $108,650 or more a year graduate by 24, just 21 percent of students from the lowest-income families finish by that age. Perna said there are a number of factors contributing to the widening divide, including access to the information and support needed to enter college and graduate; college readiness; and the availability of higher education that meets people's needs, particularly for students who might have children, limited access to transportation and full-time jobs. She also noted that the likelihood of finishing a degree varies dramatically by the type of institution. Students from the poorest families are overrepresented in public two-year institutions, which tend to have lower completion rates, while those from wealthier families are abundant in doctoral-granting institutions. The Obama administration has expanded the availability of Pell grants and supported a tax credit for tuition costs, but the study says the amount of the maximum Pell grant award has not kept up with the rising cost of college. College costs were more than two times higher in 2012 than in 1975 at the start of the Pell grant program, which provides aid to low-income students based on need. Pell grants covered 67 percent of college costs in 1975 but only 27 percent in 2012. "We sometimes think that low-income students are taken care of because of the federal program. But you can see it covers so much less than when it was first established," said Margaret Cahalan, director of the Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education, the second institution involved in the report. The study shows the burden of paying for college has increasingly shifted from state and local governments to students and families. That, Perna said, should prompt an important question: Who should pay for college given the individual and societal benefits? "Students only have so many resources they can use to pay the costs," Perna said. Michael Kramer, 29, is the first in his family to attend college. The son of a country club maintenance supervisor and a factory worker, he went straight to jobs in retail and plumbing after graduating high school, unable to afford college. He eventually enrolled in a community college while working full time and is now taking out loans to help finish his bachelor's degree at the University of California, Los Angeles. "We're a country that says everybody should be getting higher education, and nowadays, to get any decent job, you need a bachelor's degree," Kramer said. But for low-income students like him, Kramer said the high cost of college often means making a difficult choice between fulfilling basic food and housing needs and obtaining a postsecondary education. "It's a continuous cycle that they get stuck in," he said. ___ Follow Christine Armario on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cearmario | 5 | 6,413 | news |
HONG KONG Australian stocks jumped to a near-seven-year high after an interest rate cut Tuesday and Chinese stocks rebounded from a losing streak, leading most other global markets higher as jitters about Greece's new government subsided. KEEPING SCORE: European shares were up in early trading. France's CAC 40 added 1.4 percent to 4,693.18 and Germany's DAX gained 1.4 percent to 10,974.63. Britain's FTSE 100 rose 1.3 percent to 6,869.18. U.S. stocks were poised to open higher, with Dow futures up 0.4 percent to 17,361. Broader S&P 500 futures gained 0.4 percent to 2,024.50. DECISION DOWN UNDER: The Reserve Bank of Australia decided to cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter point to a record low of 2.25 percent in an attempt to revive the economy, which is weighed down by falling commodity prices. Like other countries that have taken similar action recently, Australian policymakers felt that with inflation easing as oil prices slump, they have more space to maneuver to bolster economic growth by cutting rates. THE QUOTE: "Global markets remain choppy but the medium-term fundamentals remain in check, with central banks being the key drivers of sentiment and price action," said IG strategist Stan Shamu in a commentary. Markets have been reassured by signs that Greece's new government could reach a compromise with other euro nations over the terms of its international bailout that has imposed harsh austerity on the country. "After all the negative tape about Greece after fears primarily fuelled by Syriza coming into power, it seems we are starting to see a degree of calm prevail," Shamu said. CURRENCIES: The rate decision pushed the Australian dollar 1.8 percent lower to 76.5 cents from about 78 cents Monday. In other currencies, the dollar slipped to 117.40 yen from 117.45. The euro fell to $1.1338 from $1.1341. ASIA'S DAY: Australia's S&P/ASX 200 jumped 1.5 percent to close at 5,707.40, the highest level since May 2008, after the central bank's decision was announced at midafternoon Sydney time. The Shanghai Composite Index in mainland China surged 2.5 percent to 3,204.91. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 dipped 1.3 percent to 17,335.85 and South Korea's Kospi was little changed at 1,951.96. Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.3 percent to 24,554.78. CHINA REBOUND: The bounce in China's Shanghai Composite Index followed a five-day losing streak. Sentiment was boosted by growing speculation that authorities could introduce more stimulus after a pair of dismal factory reports. Higher oil prices lifted energy stocks such as PetroChina, which rose 4.2 percent. ENERGY: U.S. benchmark crude oil gained $1.10 to $50.67 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose $1.33 to close at $49.57 on Monday, its highest level in nearly a month, but is down about 38 percent in the past three months. Brent crude, a benchmark for international oils, rose $1.63 to $56.38 a barrel in London. | 3 | 6,414 | finance |
Samsung Electronics Co. hinted that the next Galaxy S smartphone will feature a wraparound screen as the South Korean company seeks an innovation edge to regain sales from Apple Inc. Invitations to a March 1 event coinciding with the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona included the statement "What's Next" under the image of a curved line that resembles the shape of the Galaxy Note Edge, which debuted last year with a wraparound screen. The image, which also resembles the letter S, is in silver against a black background. The e-mailed statement didn't name the new product. The unpacking is scheduled for the day before the annual showcase in Spain from March 2 to 5. That was the same event that Samsung chose last year to unveiling its Galaxy S5 phone. Samsung lost its outright lead in the global smartphone market last quarter as the success of larger-screen iPhones lifted Apple into a tie as the biggest producer. The Suwon-based company is using its display technology in more mobile devices to win back consumers from Apple and Chinese producers such as Xiaomi Corp. and Lenovo Group Ltd. Wraparound screens allow users to read messages and news from an angle. Samsung also is using more metal casings for its smartphones, the type of cover used by most of its high-end competitors. Samsung, which uses plastic bodies on its high-end Galaxy S phones, is cutting its lineup to focus on devices where it has a competitive edge. Both Apple and Samsung shipped 74.5 million smartphones in the December quarter, Strategy Analytics said in an e-mailed statement Jan. 29. Both had 19.6 percent of the market, which for the Galaxy maker was 10 percentage points lower than a year earlier. Apple's iPhone 6 and 6 Plus have gained in the world's largest market of China, where consumers want a bigger device to perform the role of a phone and tablet computer. The Cupertino, California-based company posted 70 percent revenue growth in China last quarter and may get another boost from the Lunar New Year holiday this month. For Related News and Information: Top Stories:TOP Top Technology news: TTOP To contact the reporter on this story: Jungah Lee in Seoul at [email protected] To contact the editors responsible for this story: Michael Tighe at [email protected] Robert Fenner | 5 | 6,415 | news |
TUNIS, Tunisia In Tunis, Ghaith stands furtively on a street corner, his face masked by a hoodie, his tense eyes scanning the crowd for any hint of Islamic State militants. He chain-smokes as he describes the indiscriminate killing, the abuse of female recruits, the discomfort of a life where meals were little more than bread and cheese or oil. He recounts the knife held to his throat by fellow fighters who demanded he recite a particular Quranic verse on Islamic warfare to prove himself. "It was totally different from what they said jihad would be like," said Ghaith, who asked to be identified by his first name only for fear of being killed. Ghaith eventually surrendered to Syrian soldiers. While foreigners from across the world have joined the Islamic State militant group, some find day-to-day life in Iraq or Syria much more austere and violent than they had expected. These disillusioned new recruits also soon discover that it is a lot harder to leave than to join. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the Islamic State group has killed 120 of its own members in the past six months, most of them foreign fighters hoping to return home. Even if they manage to get out, former fighters are considered terrorists and security risks in their own countries. Thousands are under surveillance or in jail in North Africa and Europe, where former militants massacred 17 people last month in terror attacks in Paris. "Not everyone who returns is a budding criminal. Not everyone is going to kill far from it," said France's top anti-terror judge, Marc Trevidic. "But it's probable that there is a small fringe that is capable of just about anything." The number of French returnees has recently increased, their enthusiasm dented by the reality of militant life and by the allied bombing campaign, according to a top French security official who spoke anonymously because the issue is sensitive. Some foreign recruits have written home to say they are being held against their will, the official said. The Associated Press talked to more than a dozen former fighters, their families and lawyers about life in and escape from Islamic State, many of whom spoke only on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution. Youssef Akkari used to spend hours in his room in Tunisia listening to religious chants and reading, according to his brother, Mehdi Akkari. One day the family received a message that he was going to Syria. But he lost his glasses and couldn't fight, his brother said, so he was put in charge of preaching jihad to new recruits instead. After seven months he began to plot his escape, along with two brothers. The brothers were discovered and killed. Youssef turned himself in to Kurdish fighters and made his way back to Tunisia, where he felt trapped between police harassment and his terror of the vengeful militants. He returned to Syria and died in an airstrike in October. The Islamic State group works to prevent recruits from leaving from the time they join. The first step is removing their passports and identity documents. Hamad Abdul-Rahman, an 18-year-old Saudi, said he was met at the Syrian border last summer by militants who escorted him to a training camp in Tabaqa, Syria. "They took all my documents and asked me if I want to be a fighter or a suicide bomber," Abdul-Rahman told AP from prison in Baghdad, where he was shackled, handcuffed and hooded. He chose to fight. In early September, he surrendered to Iraqi forces. An Iraqi defense ministry video shows Abdul-Rahman minutes after his arrest, identifying himself to soldiers. Another Tunisian recruit, Ali, escaped after he was made a courier in the winter of 2013. He made four courier trips between Syria and Tunisia in three weeks, taking back news, money and propaganda videos. On the last trip to Tunisia, he simply stayed. "I feel like I was a terrorist, I was shocked by what I did," said Ali, dropping his voice low and moving when people approached. His advice for would-be jihadis: "Go have a drink. Don't pray. It's not Islam. Don't give your life up for nothing." The predicament for governments is to figure out whether a recruit is returning home to escape from the Islamic State or to spread its violence. France has detained more than 150 returnees including eight on Tuesday and says about 3,000 need surveillance. Britain has arrested 165 returnees, and Germany considers about 30 of its 180 returnees extremely dangerous. There is no way to prove their intentions. "(For many in France), they need to be punished. That's it," said Justice Minister Christian Taubira. "These are the people who can bear witness, who can dissuade others." French lawyer Martin Pradel said his client is one of 10 men from Strasbourg who left for Syria last winter to take up arms on behalf of Syrian civilians. But they crossed into territory controlled by militants, who suspected they were spies or enemies. They were jailed for two weeks, then transferred and locked up for another three. Two of the French recruits died in an ambush. The men decided to leave, one by one so as not to draw attention. "They left at night, they ran across fields, they practically crept across the border," Pradel said. His client surrendered to Turkish authorities. Since he lacked ID, he got temporary transit papers from the French embassy. He is now in jail in France, where the government accuses the Strasbourg men of running a recruiting ring for extremists. It was a similar escape for four Frenchmen from Toulouse, according to their lawyers. Pierre Dunac, the lawyer for Imad Jjebali, said the men went to Syria in hopes of helping civilians, but ended up in Islamic State territory and were thrown in jail. One day, Dunac said, their jailer gave them their papers. He told them, "I'm going to pray," and he left them alone right by the door. "They understood that he was letting them leave," Dunac said. "Why? It's astonishing. ... They themselves didn't understand why." The men surrendered to Turkish soldiers and were deported to France. They are now in jail facing terrorism charges. In Tunisia, where close surveillance of 400 returnees is far more common than arrests, Ghaith is now a free man by most measures. But he does not act like one. He neck still bears a scar where his fellow fighters held the knife. "It's not a revolution or jihad," he said. "It's a slaughter." ___ Hinnant reported from Paris. Associated Press writers Zeina Karam in Beirut; Jamey Keaten and Nicolas Vaux-Montagny in Paris; Vivian Salama in Baghdad; and Danica Kirka in London contributed. | 5 | 6,416 | news |
LONDON (AP) British lawmakers in the House of Commons voted Tuesday to allow scientists to create babies from the DNA of three people a move that could prevent some children from inheriting potentially fatal diseases from their mothers. The vote in the House of Commons was 382-128 in favor. The bill must next be approved by the House of Lords before becoming law. If so, it would make Britain the first country in the world to allow embryos to be genetically modified. The controversial techniques which aim to prevent mothers from passing on inherited diseases involve altering a human egg or embryo before transferring it into the mother. British law currently forbids any such modification and critics say approving the techniques could lead to the creation of "designer babies." Defects in the mitochondria can result in diseases including muscular dystrophy, heart, kidney and liver failure and severe muscle weakness. The technology is completely different from that used to create genetically modified foods, where scientists typically select individual genes to be transferred from one organism into another. In the House of Commons, health minister Jane Ellison kicked off the debate by urging support for the change. "This is a bold step to take, but it is a considered and informed step," she said, of the proposed technology to help women with mitochondrial diseases. Critics, however, say the techniques cross a fundamental scientific boundary, since the changes made to the embryos will be passed on to future generations. "(This is) about protecting children from the severe health risks of these unnecessary techniques and protecting everyone from the eugenic designer-baby future that will follow from this," said David King, director of the secular watchdog group Human Genetics Alert. The techniques would likely only be used in about a dozen British women every year who have faulty mitochondria, the energy-producing structures outside a cell's nucleus. To fix that, scientists remove the nucleus DNA from the egg of a prospective mother and insert it into a donor egg from which the nucleus DNA has been removed. This can be done either before or after fertilization. The resulting embryo would end up with the nucleus DNA from its parents but the mitochondrial DNA from the donor. Scientists say the DNA from the donor egg amounts to less than 1 percent of the resulting embryo's genes. Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration held a meeting to discuss the techniques and scientists warned it could take decades to determine if they are safe. Experts say the techniques are likely being used elsewhere, such as in China and Japan, but are mostly unregulated. Rachel Kean, whose aunt suffered from mitochondrial disease and had several miscarriages and stillbirths, said she hoped British politicians would approve the techniques. Kean, an activist for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, said her mother is also a carrier of mitochondrial disease and that she herself would like the option one day of having children who won't be affected. "Knowing that you could bring a child into this world for a short, painful life of suffering is not something I would want to do," she said. A spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron said he was a "strong supporter" of the change. Cameron had a severely disabled son, Ivan, who died at age 6 in 2009, from a rare form of epilepsy. Lisa Jardine, who chaired a review into the techniques conducted by Britain's fertility regulator, said each case will be under close scrutiny and that doctors will track children born using this technique as well as their future offspring. She acknowledged there was still uncertainty about the safety of the novel techniques. "Every medical procedure ultimately carries a small risk," she said, pointing out that the first baby created using in-vitro fertilization would never have been born if scientists hadn't risked experimenting with unproven methods. Yet Kean said she understood the opposition to the new technology. "It's everybody's prerogative to object, due to their own personal beliefs," she said. "But to me the most ethical option is stopping these devastating diseases from causing suffering in the future." ___ Associated Press Writer Jill Lawless contributed to this report. | 5 | 6,417 | news |
When I worked for the British military, I could look out my window and see the training exercises. The troops would be running in their boots with loaded backpacks in the rain or crawling through the mud while a sergeant barked (not necessarily encouraging) words at them. These drills came to mind when I saw someone wearing a Tough Mudder T-shirt, and it made me think that in some ways we're trending back-to-basics in our exercise regimens even as high-tech fitness options are mainstream. Low-tech workouts have exploded in popularity. Take CrossFit: With its farmer's and yoke carry exercises, it's a throwback to an earlier time when our agricultural ancestors did those too. The difference is that they didn't do yoke carries in a CrossFit "box" to get in shape but in the fields, because it was part of their job. You don't get much more low-tech than working out in a warehouse using mostly body weight. On the other end of the spectrum is the trend toward high-tech equipment to aid our workouts. As a popular holiday gift, a lot more people are wearing fitness trackers with sophisticated movement technology on their wrists. Gyms have high-tech weight machines that set up your workout, record your weight, reps, sets and more and then upload it to your virtual workout log in the cloud. From the workout de jour to basic calisthenics, we have a plethora of choices on how we can break a sweat, but I'm not going make a judgment on all these types of exercises. As far as I'm concerned, they're all a slice from the same cake. My personal definition for exercise is very basic: Move in a challenging way on a regular basis, and do it safely. Simple. Here are some guidelines I give to my clients that can help you navigate your workout options: What I preach to my clients as well as the hundreds of people I talk with at conferences and speaking engagements is safety, effectiveness and efficiency. Safety is always first: Before you even lace up your shoes, check in with your physician. Based on your medical history, your physician will qualify what type of exercise is OK and what you should avoid. When a client comes to me, the first question I ask is if they've been cleared for an exercise program, so make sure an exercise professional screens your health and fitness status and history. When I know how much exercise you've done in the past six months and any medical conditions, it gives me parameters on the dose and type of program I'll prescribe for your fitness level and age. My life work is motivating people to exercise, so I applaud enthusiasm for jumping into exercise, but I want it to be sustainable. If you've been channel surfing for the past year, it's not recommended that you jump off the couch and run a 10K, no matter how good the cause. Progression should come with time. If your goal is a 10K, find online or in-person resources to help you to work your way up to that distance so you don't get hurt or burned out from too much too soon. A key to working out safely is guidance and correct form, so keep that in mind if you opt for a fitness app or video. On the Official 7-Minute Workout , you'll hear my voice walking the user through the exercises and explaining proper form. You'll also rate your fitness and motivation levels in order to select the exercises and rest time for an appropriate workout. Granted, it's not the same as a live person, but as a virtual personal trainer, it works quite well. Once you've determined your workout is safe for you, the next step is making sure it's effective. By effective, I mean challenging in intensity for your level. If you go for a leisurely walk, it's exercise, but it may not necessarily increase your fitness level. You need to challenge your body to become more physically fit. Physically we operate in four zones: rest, comfort, discomfort and pain. The first, rest, includes sleep and is critical for recovery. The comfort zone might be walking at a moderate pace. The discomfort zone means you're challenging yourself, and pain is when you're doing too much and it literally hurts. The upper and lower ends are easier to decipher, but you need to gauge individually your comfort and discomfort zones. On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is sleep and 10 is pain, 5 to 6 is moderate discomfort, 7 to 8 is vigorous and 9 is pushing the limit of discomfort. The talk test is a valid assessment of where you are in the zone. If you can talk comfortably, such as when you're on a brisk walk, you're likely exercising at a moderate level (5 to 6). If you can talk, but need to pause for a breath every few words, you're likely operating in a vigorous (7 to 8) zone. The efficiency component is simply the "bang for your buck." At Johnson & Johnson's Human Performance Institute , we work with many executives and other time-crunched individuals, and the biggest barrier to regular exercise is time. What we tell them is they can save workout time by exercising harder for a shorter duration because the value of a high intensity workout is its efficiency. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recommended amount of moderate activity is 150 minutes per week, but that can drop to 75 minutes per week with a vigorous workout. You might be breathing harder and out of your comfort zone, but the reward is a shorter workout with similar health and fitness benefits as a longer, moderate workout. Like all good things, a little intensity will yield results. Whether you choose to strap on your fitness tracker while using technological savvy weight machines in a gym or run in the rain through an obstacle course, what's important is that you're moving on a regular basis, and in a way that's challenging to you. Copyright 2015 U.S. News & World Report | 7 | 6,418 | health |
U.S. stocks rose, after the Standard & Poor's 500 Index rebounded from its biggest monthly decline in a year, as oil prices rallied for a fourth day and Staples Inc. and Office Depot Inc. surged on merger speculation. Office Depot Inc. jumped 18 percent after the Wall Street Journal reported the company is in advanced merger talks with Staples Inc. Staples rose 8 percent. Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp. climbed more than 2.3 percent, tracking oil's longest rally since August. The S&P 500 added 0.7 percent to 2,034.60 at 1:11 p.m. in New York, paring an earlier advance of as much as 1 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 176.47 points, or 1 percent, to 17,537.51. The Nasdaq 100 Index was little changed as biotechnology companies slumped. Trading in S&P 500 companies was 32 percent above the 30-day average. "The fact that oil is stabilizing takes some edge of the edge off the argument that the global economy is really in trouble," Bruce Bittles, chief investment strategist at Milwaukee-based RW Baird & Co., which oversees $110 billion, said in a phone interview. "The markets are a little oversold after being down in January, which is also part of the strength today." The S&P 500 rebounded 1.3 percent Monday as a rally in crude sparked gains in energy shares. The index lost 3.1 percent in January, the worst performance in a year, after reaching an all-time high on Dec. 29. Energy Gains Energy shares in the S&P 500 are up 6.2 percent over the past three session, the most since December, as crude oil has soared almost 17 percent. Caterpillar Inc. climbed 3 percent on Tuesday, also its best gain since December. Shares fell 6.6 percent last week after the company blamed lower oil prices in cutting its 2015 profit outlook. Oil and gas explorer EOG Resources Inc. rose 4.3 percent, and energy services company Schlumberger Ltd. added 3.1 percent. Health-care stocks fell 0.6 percent for the only decline among 10 primary groups in the S&P, and the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index lost 2.4 percent for the third straight loss. The index is down 4.8 percent from an all-time high on Jan. 26. Luminex Corp. fell 12 percent drop after the company predicted first-quarter and yearly revenue below analysts' estimates. Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. declined 7.9 percent after Deutsche Bank analyst Alethia Young said the company's diabetes data don't appear as strong as similar drugs. Greece Retreat U.S. equities followed European stocks higher on Tuesday after Greece retreated from a plan to ask the euro area to write down debt. That eased concern that the nation would defy its creditors. Stocks briefly pared gains after a person familiar with the matter said Germany expects negotiations with Greece to drag on until the current round of bailout funding runs out. U.S. factory orders declined in December, dropping 3.4 percent, data showed on Tuesday. Economists predicted a 2.4 percent retreat. "Bullish sentiment remains elevated," Benedict Goette, founder of asset-management firm Compass Capital AG in Zurich, said in an e-mail. "For the next one-to-two weeks, U.S. markets will be trying to find a new direction and will be prone to fake-outs -- up as well as down -- and this could be a very challenging trading environment." Walt Disney Co. and Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. are among 25 S&P 500 members reporting financial results today. About 78 percent of the companies that posted earnings this season have beaten analyst estimates, while 54 percent have topped sales projections, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Auto Sales Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. climbed after January data showed the two led automakers with the biggest U.S. sales. GM rose 2.9 percent after an 18 percent sales increase, and Ford added 2.6 percent as it reported a 16 percent gain in light-vehicle sales. Arch Coal Inc. added 17 percent after reporting a narrower fourth-quarter loss compared to a year ago after raising output at lower-cost mines. The company also suspended its 1-cent quarterly dividend to preserve liquidity, Chief Financial Officer John T. Drexler said in a statement. Whiting Petroleum Corp. rose 13 percent to $37.34 after being raised to buy from hold by Stifel Nicolaus & Co. equity analyst Michael Scialla, who projects the shares to rise to $45 in the next 12 months. | 3 | 6,419 | finance |
Premier League clubs spent a record £950 million ($1.4 billion, 1.2 billion euros) combined in the 2014/15 pre-season and mid-season transfer windows, according to a report published by financial analysts Deloitte on Tuesday. The report said spending in the January transfer window concluded Monday equalled the £130 million amount during last year's corresponding buying period. Although Monday's deadline day was relatively low key, with Premier League leaders Chelsea's signing of Colombia winger Juan Cuadrado from Fiorentina the headline purchase, clubs stil spent more on the final day of this particular window -- £45 million -- than they did at the climax of the January 2014 market (£35 million). However, the final figure of £130 million was well below the record January spend of £225 million in 2011 when Chelsea broke the record for a transfer between two British clubs by signing striker Fernando Torres from top-flight rivals Liverpool for £50 million. Nevertheless, the total spent by clubs across the two windows has surpassed the previous highest of £760 million in the 2013/14 season and is a further example of the increased financial strength of leading English clubs, who have benefitted from increased television and other broadcast revenues. "Given the record level of spending seen in the summer (pre-season),it is not entirely surprising that we haven't seen a new record for the January window," said Dan Jones, partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte. "However, with all Premier League clubs recording record revenues, we might have expected one or two more major deals in this window." He added: "Despite the relative restraint we have seen in the January window, 2014/15 is still a record season for Premier League spending. "Last season saw Premier League spending surpass the £700 million threshold for the first time, and the revenue growth at Premier League clubs is such that they have been able to record a combined transfer spend this season of over £950 million." | 1 | 6,420 | sports |
Results are in for the seventh year of what's sometimes called The Million-Dollar Bet--Warren Buffett's 10-year wager that the S&P 500 would outperform a sampling of hedge funds--and, for now at least, it's looking like a rout for the CEO of Berkshire HathawayBRK-B. Under the terms of the wager, Buffett is betting (with his own money, not Berkshire's) on the stock market performance of an S&P 500 index fund while Prot?g? Partners, a New York money manager, is banking on five funds of hedge funds (the names of which have never been publicly disclosed) that Prot?g? carefully picked at the outset. Through the seven years, Vanguard's 500 index fund, as represented by its Admiral shares, is up 63.5%. That's the portfolio carrying Buffett's colors. Prot?g?'s five hedge funds of funds are, on the average--the marker the bet uses--up an estimated 19.6%. (The "estimated" takes into account that not all of the five funds have final figures for 2014). A charity of the winner's choice will receive $1 million--or more, which we'll get to in a moment--at the bet's end. This was the sixth straight year that the contest has tilted in Buffett's direction: The Admiral shares were up 13.6% in 2014 and the average gain for the funds of funds was 5.6%. Only in the first year of the bet--which began in 2008, a year that was a train wreck for both the economy and the stock market--did the funds of funds win, so to speak. They were down , on average, only 24%. The Admiral shares plummeted by 37% that year. In Fortune (which exclusively wrote about the beginning of the bet in 2008 and has since annually made public how the bet stands), Buffett pictured himself after the 2008 tumult as a tortoise, up against a hare. Since then, Buffett has stuck to the plot of the Aesop fable and methodically moved ahead of his rival. With only three years left in the bet, is there a scenario that would leave Prot?g? closing the yawning gap and winning? One scenario, maybe, and it is articulated by Ted Seides, the Prot?g? partner who in 2007 negotiated the bet with Buffett (after Buffett, in a speech, threw out a challenge to the hedge-fund world). Says Seides: "The odds now are that we'll need to see a severe market contraction for our side of the ledger to stage an epic comeback." And he adds the deeper meaning of such a contraction. "One lesson from 2008 is that no one wins when that occurs," says Seides. To amend that statement only slightly, this contest will definitely have one certain winner: The charity that gets the proceeds of the bet. The odds say that will be Girls Inc. of Omaha, which Buffett designated to get the money if he emerged the victor. The amount handed over, though, is not likely to be $1 million, because of changes that Buffett and Prot?g? made in the wager a couple of years ago. The original bet stipulated that each side in the bet would put up $320,000 to be invested in a zero-coupon bond that after 10 years would be worth $1 million. Thus the name of the bet. But, when the recession hit, interest rates went down so insistently--which sent zero-coupon bonds up --that the valuation of the bond that Buffett and Prot?g? bought was by the fall of 2012 very close to the promised land of $1 million. The two contenders then agreed that the bond would be immediately liquidated and the proceeds put into the B stock of the company that Buffett heads, Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett also issued a guarantee: He will pay the winning charity $1 million if the Berkshire stock bought isn't worth that much at the bet's end. And what's happened since those changes? Berkshire, like the S&P 500 overall, has done well, and the bet's stock is now worth about $1,680,000. That's a tough figure for headline writers to handle. In its annual rundown, Fortune will probably stick to the "Million-Dollar Bet," even as that description--for the minute, at least--understates the case. Carol J. Loomis, who retired recently from Fortune as a senior editor-at-large, is a long-time friend of Warren Buffett's, a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder, and editor of Buffett's annual letter to shareholders. | 3 | 6,421 | finance |
It's something everyone should know -- yes, even you. Even if you can hardly boil yourself a pot of spaghetti, you should still know how to finely chop an onion . It'll come in handy for recipes galore -- soups, marinades and dips all benefit from the aromatic flavoring and crunch of the bulb. Today is the day you learn how to do it. Watch below, it's easy: Cut off the top of the onion but keep the root intact -- it'll keep the vegetable together as you chop. Helen Rennie Next, set the onion on its other side and cut it in half. (Remember: keep that root in tact.) Helen Rennie Now peel the skin off the onion. You may want to peel off a couple of the edible layers along with the outside, as these tend to be dry. Helen Rennie It's time for another incision. Use a "fanning" technique rather than cutting straight down. Position the onion with the root facing away from you. Cut through the onion by positioning the sharp point of the knife on an angle. Do not cut all the way through the onion: An attached root keeps everything together and makes the final dicing process a breeze. Helen Rennie And dice you will. Place the onion cut-side down and slice perpendicular to the cuts in previous step. Cut through the entire onion until you reach the root. Now do the same on the other half. Helen Rennie There you have it: The onion is chopped. Now you can move on to things like Julia Child's incredible French onion soup . Want to read more from HuffPost Taste? Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Pinterest and Tumblr . | 0 | 6,422 | foodanddrink |
NEW YORK Coke is coming out with premium milk that has more protein and less sugar than regular. And it's betting people will pay twice as much for it. The national rollout of Fairlife over the next several weeks marks Coca-Cola's entry into the milk case in the U.S. and is one way the world's biggest beverage maker is diversifying its offerings as Americans continue turning away from soft drinks. It also comes as people increasingly seek out some type of functional boost from their foods and drinks, whether it's more fiber, antioxidants or protein. That has left the door open for Coke step into the milk category, where the differences between options remain relatively minimal and consumption has been declining for decades. "It's basically the premiumization of milk," Sandy Douglas, president of Coca-Cola North America, said at an analyst conference in November. If developed properly, Douglas said it is the type of product that "rains money." Fairlife, which Coca-Cola formed in partnership with dairy cooperative Select Milk Producers in 2012, says its milk goes through a filtration process that's akin the way skim milk is made. Filters are used to separate the various components in milk. Then, more of the favorable components are added, while the less desirable ones are kept out. The result is a drink that Fairlife says is lactose free and has 50 percent more protein, 30 percent more calcium and 50 percent less sugar than regular milk. The same process is used make Fairlife's Core Power, a drink marketed to athletes that has even more protein and calcium than Fairlife milk. Sue McCloskey, who developed the system used to make Fairlife with her husband Mike McCloskey, said Fairlife will be marketed more broadly to women who are the "gatekeepers" for their families' nutritional needs. Even while touting its nutritional advantages, however, Fairlife will need to be careful about communicating how its drink is made. Jonas Feliciano, senior beverage analyst for market researcher Euromonitor, noted people want drinks that "do something for me," but that Fairlife's juiced-up nutritional stats may make people hesitant about how natural it is. "They have to explain that this is not an abomination of nature," Feliciano said. Already, Fairlife has been subject to some teasing. After the drink was referenced in Coke's analyst presentation, comedian Stephen Colbert referred to it as "extra expensive science milk" and made fun of the elaborate way it's made. "It's like they got Frankenstein to lactate," he said. Colbert also took a dig at the wholesome image Fairlife is trying to project, noting that it's made by the "nature loving health nuts at Coca-Cola." That may explain why Coca-Cola is distancing itself from the product; a representative for the Atlanta-based company referred questions to Fairlife's outside representative. In a phone interview, Fairlife CEO and former Coke executive Steve Jones said he thinks his company can help reverse the ongoing decline in milk consumption by offering a superior product. Major retailers including Wal-Mart, Target, Kroger and Safeway have agreed to carry it and Coca-Cola's Minute Maid team plans to make it available wherever milk is sold. The drink, which comes in a sleek plastic bottle reminiscent of milk cartons, has already started appearing on shelves and is expected to continue rolling out nationally over the next several weeks. At a supermarket in Indianapolis, a 52-ounce bottle of Fairlife was being sold for $4.59. By comparison, the national average cost for a half-gallon of milk, which is 64 ounces, is $2.18, according to the USDA. For organic milk, the average is $3.99. Fairlife is just one of many ventures by Coca-Cola, which also recently took stakes in energy drink maker Monster Beverages and Keurig Green Mountain, which makes single-serving coffee machines and pods. Over time, Coca-Cola is hoping premium milk can become a significant driver of growth. For now, Fairlife is still trying to find its footing in the marketplace. This summer, the company ran ads in the test markets of Minneapolis and Denver featuring women wearing nothing but milk splashes in the shape of dresses. The images were accompanied by phrases like, "Better Milk Looks Good On You," leading them to be deemed sexist in some corners. Jones said the ads were intended to be "disruptive," since new products need to grab people's attention. But moving forward, Fairlife plans to focus on its authentic milk taste and the farmers who produce it in national marketing, which will roll out around the end of March or April. While declining to provide details, Jones said Fairlife intends to "crank up the awareness level very, very quickly." ___ Follow Candice Choi at www.twitter.com/candicechoi | 0 | 6,423 | foodanddrink |
Less of a completely new model and more of an evolution, the latest mid-engined V8 supercar from Ferrari is the first in history to get a turbocharger. To be precise, it's a twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V8 and when both turbos are scrolling up the result is 660bhp, a substantial improvement over the normally aspirated V8 that powered the 458 Italia, this car's predecessor. But as well as more power, it's also faster -- faster than its current closest competitor, the McLaren 650S. Ferrari is claiming a 0-100kph time of just 3 seconds and a top speed of 208mph (334kph). Most impressively, thanks to a smaller cubic capacity and horsepower generated by turbos, the 488GTB is more economical than the car it will be replacing. But emissions is the only area in which Ferrari is holding back. The 488GTB has a revised double clutch, seven-speed paddle-shift gearbox and updates to the intelligent traction control and differential system and to the stability control, meaning that drivers will be able to use more of the car's ferocious power more of the time without leaving the track in a tight bend. The exterior that wraps around all of this engineering excellence is once again designed by Pininfarina and picks up where the 458 Italia left off. The new car retains the same proportions and stance but appears more balanced. The biggest visual differences between the old and new car are the front nose air inlets and the side venting over the rear wheel arches that improve cooling and down force -- the inlets are actually integrated spoilers. Inside, the cabin has had another upgrade too. Ferrari is persisting with the multifunction steering wheel which is great on the track but confusing on normal roads but the infotainment system is new as are the lever switches and even the air vents. The car will make its official debut in Geneva in March, and expect it to be joined in the not to distant future by a convertible version. | 9 | 6,424 | autos |
NEW YORK ( TheStreet ) -- The major oil companies are tightening their belts as crude prices slide, but it won't be long before an M&A frenzy begins in the sector, analysts say. The targets will be U.S. explorers and producers, both large and small. Crude oil prices are approaching $43 a barrel, their lowest levels in six years and a fall of 60% from June's near-term peak in benchmark prices. Major U.S. oil companies are moving aggressively to turn off the spigots of supply, which is expected to keep rising this year, causing oil revenue to take a colossal hit. But once the industry has assessed the damage, analysts say, the fittest will start to look for investment opportunities. The best opportunities will be in the U.S., the most attractive area to explore and produce oil. "I've seen this movie before and I know how it ends," said Oppenheimer analyst Fadel Gheit, who's been covering the oil industry for 30 years. After extensive cost cutting in an industry that's been propped up by high prices -- Gheit estimated there's been an extra $35-a-barrel "fluff" in oil prices -- companies will take this as a good investment opportunity to capitalize on the weakness of competitors. "When it's done, the industry will be more resilient and in better financial shape," said Gheit, who owns shares in the oil majors, including BP , Royal Dutch Shell , Exxon Mobil , Total , ConocoPhillips and Devon Energy . It was speculation-driven price inflation above oil's fair value -- which analysts put at around $65 a barrel -- that fueled the development of the U.S. shale drilling industry. Thanks to that speculation and soaring oil prices, drilling technology has improved, making the U.S the most attractive area to explore and produce oil, Gheit said. While Gheit sees the potential for mega-mergers strengthening as the downturn wears on, Howard Weil analyst Blake Fernandez said the majors are looking for takeover targets with portfolios that are located in specific regions, preferably in the U.S. "Most of the appetite I'm hearing from the majors is very rifle-shot oriented -- meaning assets consolidated in one or two basins -- rather than far flung assets all around the world. Ultimately they go in and divest certain assets they're not interested in," said Blake. Persistently low oil prices are laying the groundwork for a busy oil industry M&A environment over the next 12 to 18 months, Blake said. Although the smaller players would be reluctant sellers with their stock prices at depressed levels, banks will become increasingly nervous about lending to already-leveraged exploration and production firms the longer the downturn in crude oil continues. Reduced access to capital will force some sellers hands, Blake said. "Majors haven't done a good job on shale in the U.S -- they feel they've missed the boat on E&Ps because of costs being too expensive," the analyst said. "This sets up the opportunity to buy acreage at a cheaper cost." The likelihood that oil prices -- and therefore revenue -- will stay low for an extended time makes industry consolidation a given now. "Oil prices are not likely to go up because they've been over-inflated since 2010," Gheit said, adding that crude oil below $65 is also unsustainable and driven by speculation. Citi, in a note to clients last week, projected total capital spending among oil explorers and producers will be slashed by about 34% in 2015 to approximately $61.7 billion. Capital spending is projected to exceed after-tax operating cash flow by about 23% this year, the report said. With lower cost structures and good balance sheets, the strongest oil companies will continue to reduce costs, analysts say. They'll be demanding more service for less money from providers because fewer and fewer projects will get financed. Once they find their sea legs, the fittest companies will look to snatch up rivals with weaker balance sheets that have strong oil portfolios. "We will see a lot of capital spending then, and a lot of M&A," said Gheit. Among them are likely to be mega-deals like the Exxon and Mobil merger of 1999 to form Exxon Mobil . "The longer-term horizon companies will take advantage of the smaller companies that will make their own portfolio better," Gheit said. Because of their sheer size, the only way to grow will be through deals. Among the companies that will be able to withstand the pressure of low prices, Gheit said, are EOG Resources , Pioneer Natural Resources , and Noble Energy , which have low cost structures, good balance sheets and will continue to cut costs. Fernandez pointed to Exxon Mobil's $35 billion merger with XTO to beef up its natural gas business, which was not well received by investors after natural gas prices plunged. For now, he thinks a merger of equals is less likely than buying a company with a smaller market cap of $5 billion and below. "Never say never, but it doesn't ever sound to me like there's a ton of synergies to having a merger of equals," said Fernandez, who owns a small position in Royal Dutch Shell. Given a continued crude slump, however, "I wouldn't be surprised if that trends up to $15 billion if there's an opportunity out there," he said. | 3 | 6,425 | finance |
Toymaker Hasbro is celebrating the 80th anniversary of Monopoly's introduction in France by replacing the fake money in 80 sets with real cash. The sets will be distributed among 30,000 specially branded editions of the game, with only one of these replacing every note on the board with real money (a total windfall of €20,580 or $23,348). Ten additional sets will contain €300 ($340) in twenties, fifties, and a single €100 bill while 69 other sets will offer €150 ($170) in tens and twenties. "We wanted to do something unique," brand manager Florence Gaillard told the AFP . "When we asked our French customers, they told us they wanted to find real money in their Monopoly boxes." The sets containing real money are slightly thicker than normal but weigh the same Hasbro says that although there's no difference in weight between the normal sets and those with real money, the Euros do make the boxes slightly thicker a dropped detail that sounds like a bit of a ploy to encourage French shoppers to try and sniff out the sets. Gaillard adds that the operation to stock the sets with real money was carried out in secret, with the company employing a bailiff to handle and count the notes. "When they asked me, I was giddy as a child," the bailiff told the AFP, proving that even for adults, the lure of a real-money Monopoly set might be too much to handle. | 5 | 6,426 | news |
United Parcel Service Inc (UPS.N) said on Tuesday it will start applying surcharges for residential packages this year after its costs soared during the recent disappointing holiday season. UPS also reported that fourth-quarter profit fell from a year ago but forecast earnings within the range of estimates. UPS, the world's largest package delivery company, warned in late January it would report a fourth-quarter profit below its forecast and market expectations. The Atlanta-based company had mobilized more workers and equipment for an anticipated surge in holiday packages, but the extra business failed to materialize. The additional costs primarily affected the company's domestic ground package unit. As a result of the poor quarter, UPS Chief Executive Officer David Abney said on a conference call that the company would apply surcharges for residential packages in particular. The additional charges will be applied over several years as contracts with major customers are renegotiated. "These pricing strategies will be designed to ensure we are properly compensated for the value we provide," Abney said. UPS went through a second consecutive challenging peak season. In 2013, the company was caught off-guard by a late rush of online packages that left an estimated 1.3 million parcels undelivered on Christmas Eve. UPS spent $500 million last year on network improvements and worked closely with retail customers to prevent a repeat of the miscues in late 2013, but the rising popularity of e-commerce made forecasting volumes a moving target. UPS forecast full-year 2015 earnings in a range of $5.05 to $5.30 per share. Analysts estimated $5.15 a share this year. UPS reported fourth-quarter net profit of $1.15 billion, down nearly 2 percent from $1.17 billion a year earlier. Earnings per share came in at $1.25, unchanged from a year earlier and matching the expectations of analysts. Quarterly revenue rose 6 percent to $15.9 billion from $15 billion a year earlier, including a 7.5 percent increase in revenue from its domestic ground package business. Operating expenses jumped more than 20 percent to $9.2 billion from $7.65 billion, which caused a more than 60 percent drop in operating profit at the domestic ground package unit. On a GAAP basis, the company reported adjusted earnings per share of 49 cents due to pension-related charges. In early trading, UPS shares were up 1.2 percent at $101.47. | 3 | 6,427 | finance |
The Edmonton Oilers defeated the San Jose Sharks 5-4 in shootouts on Monday night. With a win over the Sharks, the Oilers have snapped a 15-game losing streak in California. | 1 | 6,428 | sports |
During the 2013 Boston Marathon, Rebekah Gregory DiMartino was standing on Boylston Street, feet way from one of the bombs that exploded near the finish line. She survived, but suffered traumatic injuries, leading to the amputation of her left leg below the knee in November. She's currently learning to walk with a prosthetic leg, and has set the goal of running the Boston Marathon herself this spring. She told her story to Joseph Stromberg. When we were standing there, watching the marathon, my five-year-old son Noah was getting a little bored and antsy. So I told him that he could sit on my feet and play with the rocks on the ground. That's where he was when the bomb went off. Originally, I thought it had been 10 or 15 feet away from me. But the FBI recently told me that it was three feet away. I was also told that, if Noah had been standing up like he was before, he would have died instantly. But because he was sitting on my feet, the backs of my legs shielded him. My legs took the brunt of the impact and he survived. What brought me to Boston It was my birthday weekend, and my then-boyfriend's now husband's mom was running the Boston Marathon. So my son Noah and I flew from Texas to Rochester New York, where they lived, and a big group of us drove to Boston. We stayed in the city, and went to a Red Sox game, and did some other touristy stuff. And being at the marathon, at first, was a really cool experience. It was just really neat watching all the runners go by. Until, of course, the bomb went off. When the bomb went off It almost felt like watching an explosion in a movie in slow-motion. Everything was so chaotic that I didn't really have time to register complete thoughts that made sense. Bones were lying next to me on the sidewalk. There were body parts and blood everywhere. It was the most horrific scene you could possibly describe. I watched one girl, standing right in front of me, take her last breath. That's one of the hardest parts of moving forward from this I can't control the nightmares I have when I'm asleep. Immediately, I started frantically trying to figure out where my son was. I couldn't hear anything, because my eardrums were blown out immediately, but somehow, I could hear him screaming. I don't know how, but I'm certain of it. Then I saw him out of the corner of my eye, so I tried to lift my arm up and pull him towards me. When I did that, I realized that the skin had totally peeled off my hand, and my bones were sticking out. My skin was peeled back to my wrist. At that point, I said, "God, if this is it for me, take me, but let me know that Noah's okay." And right then, my aunt who didn't get as seriously injured picked Noah up and sat him down next to me. For me, it was a sign that I really was going to die right then. I saw that Noah was okay, and started worrying about myself. The aftermath After medical personnel got there, I was taken to an ambulance. Inside it, everyone was focusing on my legs, but I kept wanting them to pay attention to my arms my hand and my wrist were hurting so badly. Then I heard someone yelling, "We have an amputee!" And at that moment, I knew that if I were to make it, my legs might be gone. We got to the hospital, and I was coherent enough to give them my mom's number to call. After that, they rushed me into emergency surgery and put me in an induced coma. My recovery I stayed in a coma for about a week, and then I started waking up, and realizing where I was. I thought I was an amputee. My mom actually had to take a picture of my legs and show me that I hadn't lost them. But my left leg was destroyed from the knee down: my bones were crushed, my arteries were severed, the bomb had just taken chunks out of my muscle tissue. On my right leg, I had more superficial injuries, like shrapnel that had ripped apart my skin, and some fractures. My left hand had to be put back together with pins and stitches. Weirdly, the blast shifted all my teeth two of them fell out, and two had so much internal bleeding that they turned black. And of course my eardrums had burst, and half of my left eardrum is still gone. With injuries like this, I was in and out of surgery every other day. Before they could even start to close me up, they had to clean out my wounds take out the ball bearings, the nails, the BB's, all the shrapnel from the bomb. I developed osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone that almost took my leg at the start. Then, when they went in for surgery, the infection was gone, so they wanted to try salvaging the leg. In total, I had 11 surgeries in Boston. Then, after 39 days, I was flown to Houston, where I was living, and had another couple of surgeries. Altogether, I was in the hospital for 56 days. When I got back to my mom's house, I weighed 79 pounds. And I'm 5'8". I was in terrible shape it was a total body recovery. Why I decided to have my leg amputated Initially, I was completely bedridden. I had a hole in my foot, and they took blood vessels and other tissue out of my spine, and used it to fill the hole. At first, I could only have my foot on the ground for ten minutes every hour. It slowly increased from there, but it was a very long process. As months went by, I tried to build up endurance, but I kept having to have surgeries on my leg. They tried fusion, where they fused all my bones together. They tried putting rods through my bones to pull my foot up so I could bear weight on it. The whole time I was in a wheelchair, or in crutches. I was constantly in extreme pain I didn't go four hours without pain medication from the day of the bombing. We tried every avenue possible to save my leg. But gradually I realized that all it was doing was holding me back. Eventually, I was just done with it it wasn't helping me live the life I wanted to live. I thought that if all I had to do was chop my leg off, then let's get on with it. Let's do it. How my leg amputation saved me Coming out of surgery was the most liberating feeling I'd felt in a long time. I was so relieved. And even with the pain from the surgery, I still had less pain the day after than I'd had the previous 18 months. I really felt like that day, I took my life back. I was done living in limbo. Since then, I've been adapting to not having a leg. It's still definitely weird to me to look down and not see it there. But every time I do, I'm reminded of how blessed I am to still be here. It really puts things into perspective for me. It prevents me from taking any moment for granted, ever again. I have a constant reminder, and I'm genuinely glad about that. I took my first steps on December 31, with a test socket, in the doctor's office. It was awesome. I kept joking that I was starting my year off on a new leg, and I really was. Then, on January 7, I got to take my new leg home. I nicknamed her Felicia, and did a birth announcement on Facebook , because she's really a new addition to my family. It's been hard. Having a prosthetic is not the most fun thing in the world. They say it gets easier over time, but it hurts your bone is grinding on a piece of carbon fiber. Imagine your elbow rubbing up against a hard surface for a couple of hours. I'm having to teach myself how to walk all over again. It's a learning process, every single day. I'm an extremely new amputee, so I'm learning tricks of the trade from others my trainer at the gym here is also a below-the-knee amputee, so he's been extremely helpful. He pushes me, but he knows when not to push me. It's been a blessing to have him around. Why I'm running the Boston marathon I wasn't really a runner before. I was the person standing on the sidelines, eating chocolate-covered pretzels, watching other people run the marathon. I did run a half marathon a few years back, but I hated every minute of it. It was awful. But somehow, Boston has given me so much motivation. It makes me want to show people that this has brought me down, for an extended period of time, but now, I'm moving forward. I'm just going to keep getting better, and doing more and more. I have to run that marathon for myself, and for everyone watching to see that it's only made me stronger. My thoughts on the bombing In Boston, the bomber was actually brought in to the same hospital as me, and every time I had to go to surgery, I'd pass him. The guards would be standing there, and my mom says that that's when she got really angry she just wanted to go in there and kill him. But I haven't spent much time thinking about it. Most of this time, I've just been focusing on recovery, and trying to get through to the next day. I have not kept up with anything in terms of what he's doing, and the case, and anything like that. However, I'm going to be testifying at the trial . There is a part of me that's somewhat hesitant. But I know I need to help in any way that I can. If something unexpected happened with the trial result, and something I could have said would have made a difference, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. So I'm going to go there, say what I need to, and then move forward. That trial won't change anything in my life. Spending my time being angry at him, or upset, will only delay me from reaching my goals. I'm going to run the Boston Marathon. I can't wait to reach the starting line. Lead image: John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images | 7 | 6,429 | health |
U.S. stocks rallied on Tuesday on continued momentum from strengthening oil prices and encouraging developments in the Euro zone. "We've got a continuation of strength. Looks like the two major drivers of yesterday's strength are still with us today," said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at Wunderlich Securities. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI) surged more than 275 points, or 1.6 percent, to 17,641, before paring gains. Taking the lead, Caterpillar (CAT) rose more than 3 percent. Exxon Mobil (XOM) and Chevron (CVX) followed, each rising by nearly 3 percent or more. "With crude between $50 and $55, a lot of people are going to see Caterpillar as cheap," said Marc Chaikin, CEO of Chaikin Analytics. Oil extended the past few days' gains to trade as much as more than 7 percent higher on Tuesday to hold above the key $50 level. We're "obviously seeing a rebound in some of the oil sector," said Randy Frederick, managing director of trading and derivatives at Charles Schawb. "Overall the market has been weak, until late yesterday, so it'll be interesting to see if it holds up." The Nasdaq underperformed the major indices, with Apple (AAPL) in the red. Biotech declines also put pressure on the S&P. Hogan was not concerned about the divergent performance. "You've got a consistently stabilizing energy market," he said. That "broader type move is more impactful on the Dow and the S&P than the Nasdaq." The energy sector traded 2.9 percent higher to lead advancers on the S&P 500, on track for 4 straight days of gains. Firming oil prices and news out of Greece cheered U.S. markets into the close on Monday, putting the S&P 500 above 2,000 points in the close and the Dow up nearly 200 points. The S&P closing above that key level is "significant," said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at Rockwell Global Capital. "Perhaps it will set the stage for less volatility in the month of February and more tranquility as the ECB launches its quantitative easing program." Greece's Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis unveiled proposals on Monday to end the confrontation with its creditors by swapping outstanding debt for new growth-linked bonds, the Financial Times reported. On Tuesday, Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis meets with his Italian counterpart in Rome. "This is a back and forth that's going to go on for a while," Frederick said. "The question is where it may go. We've got several weeks before we find out what happens." Back in the United States, Minneapolis Fed President Narayana Kocherlakota reiterated on Tuesday that the Federal Reserve should keep interest rates near zero this year, or risk slowing U.S. job growth and inflation's return to the U.S. central bank's 2-percent goal. Earlier, St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank President James Bullard downplayed the Fed's nod to international developments in its latest policy statement, saying it was simply an acknowledgement of constant U.S. central bank discussion on the potential impact of global market events. Bullard repeated his view that the Fed needs to raise rates sooner and then move gradually higher after that. He also said that the oil price plummet is distorting market-based inflation expectation measures, and that these measures should be set aside until energy prices stabilize. Factory orders for December posted a greater-than-expected decline of 3.4 percent. Analysts expected a decline for the month, especially with Monday's weaker ISM manufacturing numbers. A smaller-than-previously reported drop in business spending plans supported a likely rebound in the months ahead. Auto sales come out throughout the day, and analysts are encouraged by the initial reports . "If you were concerned, I think the consumer is spending on bigger ticket items," Hogan said. U.S. futures gained on Tuesday, following European and Asian bourses higher as oil prices rebounded. Reporting before the bell, UPS (UPS) matched estimates with adjusted quarterly profit of $1.25 per share, while revenues were above forecasts. However, the company said its results were below its own expectations, and it also forecast full-year results below Street forecasts. It plans to address these issues with cost and revenue actions, although UPS adds that customers were "delighted" with its service during the holiday season. BP (BP.-GB) posted better-than-expected replacement cost profit of $2.2 billion for the fourth quarter, despite taking a $3.6 billion impairment cost. In a television interview, CEO Bob Dudley warned that oil prices could remain as low as $50 per barrel " for some time ." London-listed shares of BP rose as much as 4 percent after the results were out. Things heat up later in the day with results from Disney , as well as Gilead Sciences . The S&P 500 (.SPX) traded up 21 points, or 1.04 percent, to 2,042, with energy leading gains across all sectors. The Nasdaq (.IXIC) rose 27 points, or 0.60 percent, to 4,704. The major indices are still down about 1 percent for the year. The CBOE Volatility Index (.VIX) (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, traded just under 18. Four stocks advanced for every decliner on the New York Stock Exchange, with an exchange volume of 558 million and a composite volume of nearly 3 billion as of 2:16 p.m. The U.S. 10-year Treasury (US10Y) yield rose to 1.77 percent. The U.S. dollar fell against major world currencies. Crude oil futures jumped $3.42, or nearly 7 percent, to $53.01 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Gold futures closed down $15.30 at $1,260.30 a barrel. Reuters contributed to this report. More from CNBC.com: How to rent the Apple Watch before buying it Uber to develop driverless cars in Google challenge Shopping smart for health care? Good luck with that | 3 | 6,430 | finance |
Nest Labs took Apple's user-friendly product model and turned the humble thermostat into a $3 billion sale to Google by making it easy to use and connecting it to the internet. A new startup, the San Francisco-based Eero , wants to do the same thing for the device that actually hooks your stuff up to the internet the router. As anyone who has tried to set up a home wireless network knows too well, routers tend to use arcane software that requires user manuals and patience to navigate; they often refuse to recognize devices sitting right next to them; and they periodically stop working for seemingly no reason at all. Even when they're up and running, there are often dead zones that no number of additional routers can seem to fix. Eero is meant to be easy to use. Founder Nick Weaver says this should be a device that older and less tech-savvy people can set up without help. It doesn't require users to log on to a random IP address or wait for a technician to come and set a router up instead, users just download an app and connect via Bluetooth. Weaver says users should be able to set up an Eero in about a minute and that anyone who has successfully set up an Apple TV or a Chromecast should be able to navigate the Eero. It remains to be seen whether Eero's setup will actually cut the number of tech support calls from parents to their kids, but once the routers are up, they should be easier to use than routers from internet providers. Eero's app replaces having to enter cumbersome Wi-Fi passwords to get access to the network anyone with the app can request access to a Wi-Fi network. (If someone doesn't have the Eero app perhaps because they can't access the internet to download it Weaver says there is still an option to connect using a password, like a standard router.) Eero was designed by the team behind several other internet-connected devices, including the Nest thermostat, the GoPro Hero 3 camera, and the Roku 3 streaming media device. Eero looks like a gadget that could be proudly displayed near an iMac or a Jawbone Jambox, and it has a high-end price tag to match. A set of three Eero devices, which Weaver said will be required to fully cover most houses, will cost $300 and can be pre-ordered starting today. (For comparison, a Nest thermostat costs $250, and an Apple Extreme router costs $200.) Eero is not the only one trying to become the backbone of the smart home. Intel agreed Feb. 2 to purchase Lantiq , a company that makes processors for smart-home routers. Samsung bought SmartThings in August, and of course Google purchased Nest last year. Samsung showed off its smart washers and fridges at CES 2015, and Google's Nest announced a slew of new smart-device partners last month. Apple is also working on HomeKit its own framework for controlling smart-home devices although the product details haven't yet been unveiled. | 3 | 6,431 | finance |
From the Plains to the Northeast, a second brutal winter storm in a week has left behind a deadly trail and record amounts of snow. | 8 | 6,432 | video |
Source: Instagram user thedrybarIt's no secret that I get professional blowouts every chance I get (see: Instagram). In addition to loving the sleek look and bouncy feeling of hairstylist-created waves, I am obsessed with the fact that I don't have to wash my hair for two days (three if I'm lucky). This saves so much time in the morning - you ladies know what I'm talking about. Waking up, pulling my locks out of a topknot, and watching them snap back into place is a seriously joyous morning occasion. And I will do just about anything to preserve my style for as long as possible.I thought I knew all of the tricks to saving my "done" strands - sleep on a silk pillow case, just wash the front pieces, rely on dry shampoo, etc. - but then I met lead Ghd hairstylist Lorna Moore in London last December at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, and she told me some new tips that blew my mind. Source: Instagram user thedrybarFirst, she alerted me that my face lotion might be spoiling my blowout. Her theory: leave about an inch of skin between your hairline and the rest of your face bare. "Moisturizer travels," she explained. "So if you take it right up to your hairline, [the product] will travel into your hair. Whereas if you give yourself a little border around your hairline, it will travel, but it will go up to it rather than into it." Brilliant. Finally an easy trick to control greasy roots.Second, I learned I was missing some key spots when I apply dry shampoo. Usually, I mist it in my roots, massage it in, and brush it through. Moore made me aware that we also need to spray it around the ears and the nape of the neck. "Those areas can get greasier from oily skin so that helps the style last longer," she said. Plus, if you work out, those are the first places to get sweaty. Hope this helps you have your cake blowout and eat it take your yoga class, too!Pinterest Image Source: Shutterstock | 4 | 6,433 | lifestyle |
By Braden Gall Teenagers are complicated, fickle, naive creatures who seldom have any perspective on the trappings of adult life or that every action carries a consequence. Few 16-year-old kids in this country know what they want to do with the rest of their lives. Hell, many adults still struggle with this question. It's why uniforms, shoes, weather, license plates and even a coin flip have been used to select a university in the recent past. And I don't expect National Signing Day 2015 to be much different. Here are some of our favorites from over the years: Related: Wild National Signing Day Predictions for '15 What Fred Wanna To Do? My personal favorite came from Florida State Class of 2005 five-star signee Fred Rouse. On our national radio show on Sirius, he was asked, where are you going to college? And Rouse responded with "You know, a lot of people want me to go here or there. But I had to think, you know, what Fred wanna do? And Fred want to go to Florida State." I think I have replayed that clip a thousand times since. The first-person, verbally illiterate announcement was absolutely hilarious. Unfortunately for everyone involved, his career wasn't nearly as entertaining on the football field as it was on radio airwaves. The Imaginary Scholarship Nothing compares to Kevin Hart's story no, not the 5-foot-4 comedian. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound lineman at Fernley (Nev.) High wanted to play college football so badly that he wrote his own fairytale ending complete with press conference. On Feb. 1, 2008, Hart held a historic announcement at his high school in which he picked Cal over Oregon. "Coach Tedford and I talked a lot, and the fact that the head coach did most of the recruiting of me kind gave me that real personal experience," Hart said at the announcement. There was only one problem. Jeff Tedford had never spoken to, visited or contacted Hart. Neither had Oregon, Washington or Oklahoma State, his other finalists, for that matter. Eventually, Hart admitted the entire recruitment was fictitious and apologized to all parties involved. The Forged Signature In 2011, Reserve (La.) East St. John defensive back Floyd Raven had decided that Texas A&M was the right school for him. There was only one issue, however, his letter of intent had already been sent to Ole Miss. The Rebels' admissions department couldn't read the signature and asked for a second copy. Raven's mother wanted him to go to Ole Miss so badly, that she had forged the signature and sent it to Oxford without her son's knowledge. Eventually, Floyd learned of his mother's "betrayal" and sent the appropriately signed paperwork to Texas A&M. Lone Star Identity Theft The Ron Weaver saga wasn't really a huge story on National Signing Day since he completely duped an entire university with identity fraud in 1996. In fact, it is the last documented case of identity fraud in major college football. Ron Weaver signed with Texas and played every game of the regular season in the 1996 season under coach John Mackovic as a 23-year-old defensive back. There was only one problem. Weaver was actually a 30-year-old by the name of Ron McKelvey who had used up his collegiate eligibility when he played at Sacramento State back in 1989. He duped Mackovic, the University of Texas at Austin and the NCAA which later found no wrongdoing in the case by the school. Weaver was suspended the day before the Longhorns lost to the Hokies in the Sugar Bowl. The Coin Flip It takes thousands of hours of labor and thousands of dollars to recruit athletes at the highest level. But in 2009, Atco (N.J.) Winslow Township linebacker Ka'Lial Glaud trimmed the entire process to a few cents. After taking five, school-funded official visits, Glaud had narrowed his list to West Virginia and Rutgers. But the linebacker was still so torn he couldn't make up his mind. So naturally, he decided to let chance decide his fate as he literally flipped a coin between the two programs. Heads he goes to WVU, tails he goes to Rutgers. He has posted 47 total tackles in three seasons for the Scarlet Knights. Post-Announcement Flip-Flop Flip-flops happen in recruiting all the time especially, as National Signing Day draws near. Cyrus Kouandjio, the nation's No. 2 player in 2011, however, made heads spin in record time. An offensive tackle from Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha, Kouandjio's older brother, Arie, was already at Alabama. Yet Cyrus announced on ESPN that he would be attending Auburn. No more than five minutes after the bright TV lights had gone out, however, the younger Kouandjio recanted his pledge to the Tigers. He never sent in his letter of intent to Auburn and three days later it was revealed he had officially signed with Alabama via Twitter. Longtime commitments are snaked away at the last minute every season, but never has a kid committed on national television only to decide to sign with someone else five minutes later. The Case of the Stolen LOI Arkansas' Alex Collins, a four-star running back from Miami, was one of the biggest stories on NSD '13. He announced he was signing with Arkansas but it was reported that his mother, Andrea McDonald, had absconded with her son's Letter of Intent and went into hiding. She wanted him to stay close to home and play for the University of Miami and made sure everyone knew about it. So Collins had to have a second ceremony where he signed another LOI, this time with his father's approval. While this was going on, it was reported that McDonald hired an attorney to "represent the family's interests." Her efforts ultimately fell on deaf ears and Collins, wearing, of course, a camouflage suit, signed with Bret Bielema and Arkansas where he became SEC Freshman of the Year. The Announcement Props I am not one who enjoys recruiting announcements. They are filled with superfluous rhetoric from coaches, analysts and handlers. Every now and then, however, if done with style, an announcement can be fun or infuriating. Georgia's Isaiah Crowell made fans coo when he pulled out an actual Bulldog puppy to signify his decision to play for Mark Richt in Athens. Andre Smith sent the Crimson Tiders into hysterics when he pulled out the houndstooth hat at his announcement for Alabama. But Antonio Logan-El's live announcement back in 2006 was met with a slightly harsher response. The Forestville (Md.) High offensive lineman had been committed to Maryland for the better part of a year. While dressed in Maryland red in front of a Terps crowd at the ESPN Sportszone in Maryland including head coach Ralph Friedgen's wife Logan-El first pulled out a Florida hat before tossing it to the ground. He then pulled out a Tennessee hat. That, too, was tossed aside before picking up the Terps black and red headgear. After a few nice words, Logan-El threw his Maryland hat to the ground and held up a picture of Joe Paterno and announced he would be heading to Penn State. The decision was met with screams of "traitor" and violence nearly resulted. Who is Brian Butler and why do we care? The most recent and bizarre trend for elite recruits is to wait until after National Signing Day to make a decision. Terrelle Pryor, Orson Charles, Latwan Anderson, Vidal Hazelton, Seantrel Henderson, Cyrus Kouandjio and 2011's top prospect Jadeveon Clowney all signed their LOIs well past NSD. But Wichita (Kan.) East running back Bryce Brown, and his handler/mentor/coach/agent/leech Brian Butler, set a new low for recruiting sludge back in 2009. Brown had been committed to the Hurricanes from the early stages. He did not sign on NSD and instead took a couple of extra visits to Tennessee and LSU after Signing Day. The calendar flipped to March without a decision, and Butler, who was a convicted felon and fledgling rapper, set up a website in order to charge $9.99 per month for recruiting updates on his protégé/meal ticket. Eventually, Miami (and others) stopped recruiting the troubled tailback until halfway through March, when Brown got "a sign from god" to go to Tennessee. Bryce lasted one year in Knoxville before transferring back home to Kansas State. He played in two games in 2011, got three carries and comically declared for the 2012 NFL Draft where he was a seventh-round pick of the Eagles. | 1 | 6,434 | sports |
European human rights judges have upheld the right of British courts to impose "whole life" prison sentences in the most heinous cases of murder. The ruling at the European court of human rights confirms that a power does clearly exist in British law that provides those spending the rest of their lives behind bars with the possibility of release in highly exceptional circumstances. The case was brought by a triple murderer, Arthur Hutchinson, now aged 73, who was sentenced to spend the rest of natural life behind bars for the murder in 1984 of three members of a Sheffield family and the rape of their daughter. Hutchinson had claimed that his whole-life sentence amounted to inhuman and degrading treatment as he had no hope of release. The issue of the legality of whole-life sentences under European human rights law has been a key question in the debate over the future of Britain's relationship with Europe. The ruling, which effectively ratifies an agreement brokered by the former attorney-general, Dominic Grieve, will go some way to taking some of the sting out of the highly charged political debate in Britain over human rights law. The Hutchinson ruling also overturns a 2013 judgment by the European human rights court involving three killers, Jeremy Bamber, Douglas Vintner and Peter Moore, that it was unclear whether the justice secretary, Chris Grayling, had the power to release a whole-life prisoner in exceptional circumstances. The six-to-one ruling in the Hutchinson case says the justice secretary does clearly have a power to release such prisoners and it is sufficient to comply with article 3, which bans inhuman or degrading treatment. The original confusion about the law in this area stems from the 2003 Criminal Justice Act, which scrapped the need for a minister to automatically review a whole-life sentence after the prisoner had served 25 years. No alternative review mechanism was put in its place, but the justice secretary retained a discretionary power to release a prisoner in exceptional circumstances. This power is also subject to judicial review. This provision had been tested and found to be legal by the court of appeal in London in February 2014 in a case involving two killers, Ian McLoughlin and Lee Newell. In its ruling that there had been no human rights violation, the new Strasbourg human rights court said: "Domestic law thus provided a whole-life prisoner hope and the possibility of release in the event of circumstances in which the punishment was no longer justified." Notorious killer whose series of appeals have failed The challenge to the whole-life sentence was brought by one of Britain's most notorious killers, Arthur Hutchinson, who has no hope of release from his cell in Frankland prison, County Durham. Hutchinson was in 1984 sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison after being convicted of triple murder, rape and aggravated burglary. Sir Leon Brittan, the then home secretary, imposed a whole-life tariff on Hutchinson for the murder and rape of the Laitner family in Sheffield in September 1983. He stabbed to death Basil Laitner, his wife Avril, and their son, Richard, on the wedding day of one of their daughters. He repeatedly raped their other daughter after dragging her into the wedding marquee and handcuffing her. He later broke into the family home and stole a watch and money. The trial judge in the case sentenced him to life imprisonment with a recommendation he serve at least 18 years. The lord chief justice, however, recommended that he serve a whole-life sentence and not be released. This recommendation was confirmed by the home secretary on 16 December 1994. Hutchinson appealed against his whole-life sentence in 2008 but both the high court and the court of appeal found that, given the seriousness of his crimes, there was no reason to deviate from the whole-life term. | 5 | 6,435 | news |
Sampdoria striker Samuel Eto'o will stay at the Serie A club despite an apparent fallout with head coach Sinisa Mihajlovic. | 1 | 6,436 | sports |
"Yes, You Can Make It In Fashion" is a HuffPost Style series that profiles men and women across every area of the fashion industry and explores how they rose to the top, how they thrive and practical advice they have for young people trying to break into their world. Whenever we hear about people hustling their way to the top of the fashion industry, we want to celebrate them (and find out everything they know). In an incredibly competitive field, anyone who can stand out from the pack deserves a ton of credit. So we were curious to find out how two former Elle editors managed to create one of the most popular, widely-read style sites on the Internet. To get the scoop, we chatted with Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power, founders of the Los Angeles-based online fashion magazine, Who What Wear , to find out everything they've learned since they launched in 2006. Here's how they built their empire: (Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr, respectively) On how working in print helped them launch Who What Wear: Katherine Power: I think it helped our credibility tremendously and the fact that we had a significant amount of relationships. That was one of the biggest reasons that we never spent any money on audience acquisition or on marketing the brand. Not only did working at a traditional print brand like Elle give us the experience and the credibility and really sort of made us style experts, but also then we had contacts in the media. I used to book all of the celebrity covers for Elle Girl, which was our teen magazine, so I had relationships with publicists and celebrities that ultimately ended up being Who What Wear supporters Hillary Kerr: I think at the end of the day we had training. And training is so incredibly valuable, especially going into digital media which didn't have the same acclaim or perceived substance that it has now. At that time it was still considered so much the Wild West, we were actually licensing the photos and doing the reporting, and doing the research and making very professional-looking stories, merely because we had tackled this whole project as professionals, this was never a hobby. On Katherine's decision not to go to college: KP: I think I was born an entrepreneur from the time that I was little and I think you're either born with that or you're not... I had always wanted to work and I enrolled in college and got an internship around the same time and was just so fascinated by the internship and the fact that I could start working that I ultimately decided that that was for me and you know, lucky for me, my parents were supportive of that. But I don't think it works for everybody. On why Hillary got a master's degree from NYU: HK: I was a little bit slower figuring out what I wanted to do and I didn't really feel like I had the necessary internships or training to make me an attractive candidate for working at a print magazine when I was fresh out of college, so I went directly into grad school and .... I really used that time not only to work on my technical skills, but I interned every semester at a different place and over the summers. I think that's actually where I got the majority of my actual work skills. So if you are interested in a certain career path, I highly recommend interning as quickly as possible, as early in your career as possible. By the time that I was hired at Elle, I had done five internships in two years and I was absolutely certain that that was the job I wanted and sure enough when I got the job, it was a dream. So, long story short, grad school is great, if that's where your path takes you, but I think the internship piece of it is more important, personally. On the one quality Katherine has that Hillary doesn't: HK: I would one thousand percent bet money on Katherine's visual sensibilities over mine. She has such an eye for composition and for angles and for lighting and just the entire visual side of things. Like I get it, but she definitely has a master class is in. Also she is a morning person and I will never be that [both laughs]. And I have big respect for that because, who gets up that early? On the one quality Hillary has that Katherine doesn't: KP: Hillary is an unbelievable writer which I think unfortunately, just because of how the business has grown, she doesn't get to share that as much with the readers of our site. Someone reminded me the other day that Who What Wear invented this fashion-friendly voice that now everybody has adopted and you know we were the first publication to make fashion very approachable and friendly and that really came from Hillary's brain, that voice. (Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power, respectively) On what they look for when they hire someone new: KP: We look for really entrepreneurial people. You can tell based on the jobs they worked and how quickly they've made a difference at those companies -- whether it be a revenue contribution or a contribution growing an audience and then what they have taken on on the side. Someone who has a great job but also operates their own really successful blog or Pinterest board, sort of going above and beyond to really build their career is always really attractive to us because we look for people who can wear a lot of hats and take on a lot of different things whether it's exactly in your job description or not. HK: Yeah, that sweet spot between hustle and passion and experience is always attractive. On interview deal-breakers: HK: I think a certain informality can be a bit of a problem just because yes, it's the Internet which is a bit more casual and yes Katherine and I have put ourselves out there quite a bit for work, but at the end of the day, it's still a formal job interview and when people are extremely overly familiar or casual, that can be problematic. Other than that I would say, never ask a question that you could Google, especially about us or the company. My personal pet peeve is when someone comes in and then asks the question like, how did you guys get started? And to me, that for a job interview, you should have done a little bit more research. On how working in Los Angeles has helped their business: KP: We started the business at a very crucial time for fashion. It was right around 2004-2005 where we started to see a shift from the big fashion houses and designers influencing what people would wear, to celebrities influencing fashion houses and runway collections and people. So it was a shift in where the trends were coming from and celebrities happened to be in Los Angeles, so for us, it was a great connection to be able to communicate that from an L.A. point of view. HK: I do believe that being removed from the centralized hub of the fashion industry actually gives us great perspective on it. I'm sure you've seen this on Instagram, where you're looking through your feed and it's like every single person I know in New York is at the exact same event and I think the fact we have a different world has been really helpful in so many ways because we are not part of that day-to-day Manhattan crowd, as much as I love it. On the one piece of advice they would tell their younger selves: HK: Take more vacation. [Laughs] KP: Honestly, I wouldn't actually tell myself anything. I think what we didn't know helped us get so far so quickly because I think if we had known more it would have caused so much more speculation and just over analyzation and doubt to a certain extent. So I think it was better that we didn't know what we were getting into -- we just had this very large goal that we had our eye on and it worked. So I don't know that I would tell myself anything different. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. | 4 | 6,437 | lifestyle |
NEW YORK (AP) "To Kill a Mockingbird" will not be Harper Lee's only published book after all. Publisher Harper announced Tuesday that "Go Set a Watchman," a novel the Pulitzer Prize-winning author completed in the 1950s and put aside, will be released July 14. Rediscovered last fall, "Go Set a Watchman" is essentially a sequel to "To Kill a Mockingbird," although it was finished earlier. The 304-page book will be Lee's second, and the first new work in more than 50 years. The publisher plans a first printing of 2 million copies. "In the mid-1950s, I completed a novel called 'Go Set a Watchman,'" the 88-year-old Lee said in a statement issued by Harper. "It features the character known as Scout as an adult woman, and I thought it a pretty decent effort. My editor, who was taken by the flashbacks to Scout's childhood, persuaded me to write a novel (what became 'To Kill a Mockingbird') from the point of view of the young Scout. "I was a first-time writer, so I did as I was told. I hadn't realized it (the original book) had survived, so was surprised and delighted when my dear friend and lawyer Tonja Carter discovered it. After much thought and hesitation, I shared it with a handful of people I trust and was pleased to hear that they considered it worthy of publication. I am humbled and amazed that this will now be published after all these years." Financial terms were not disclosed. The deal was negotiated between Carter and the head of Harper's parent company, Michael Morrison of HarperCollins Publishers. "Watchman" will be published in the United Kingdom by William Heinemann, an imprint of Penguin Random House. According to publisher Harper, Carter came upon the manuscript at a "secure location where it had been affixed to an original typescript of 'To Kill a Mockingbird.'" The new book is set in Lee's famed Maycomb, Alabama, during the mid-1950s, 20 years after "To Kill a Mockingbird" and roughly contemporaneous with the time that Lee was writing the story. The civil rights movement was taking hold by the time she was working on "Watchman." The Supreme Court had ruled unanimously in 1953 that segregated schools were unconstitutional, and the arrest of Rosa Parks in 1955 led to the yearlong Montgomery bus boycott. "Scout (Jean Louise Finch) has returned to Maycomb from New York to visit her father, Atticus," the publisher's announcement reads. "She is forced to grapple with issues both personal and political as she tries to understand her father's attitude toward society, and her own feelings about the place where she was born and spent her childhood." Lee herself is a Monroeville, Alabama native who lived in New York in the 1950s. She now lives in her hometown. According to the publisher, the book will be released as she first wrote it, with no revisions. "To Kill a Mockingbird" is among the most beloved novels in history, with worldwide sales topping 40 million copies. It was released on July 11, 1960, won the Pulitzer Prize and was adapted into a 1962 movie of the same name, starring Gregory Peck in an Oscar-winning performance as the courageous attorney Atticus Finch. Although occasionally banned over the years because of its language and racial themes, the novel has become a standard for reading clubs and middle schools and high schools. The absence of a second book from Lee only seemed to enhance the appeal of "Mockingbird." Lee's publisher said the author is unlike to do any publicity for the book. She has rarely spoken to the media since the 1960s, when she told one reporter that she wanted to "to leave some record of small-town, middle-class Southern life." Until now, "To Kill a Mockingbird" had been the sole fulfillment of that goal. "This is a remarkable literary event," Harper publisher Jonathan Burnham said in a statement. "The existence of 'Go Set a Watchman' was unknown until recently, and its discovery is an extraordinary gift to the many readers and fans of 'To Kill a Mockingbird.' Reading in many ways like a sequel to Harper Lee's classic novel, it is a compelling and ultimately moving narrative about a father and a daughter's relationship, and the life of a small Alabama town living through the racial tensions of the 1950s." The new book also will be available in an electronic edition. Lee has openly started her preference for paper, but surprised fans last year by agreeing to allow "Mockingbird" to be released as an e-book. | 5 | 6,438 | news |
I've already lost in both of my MasterChef Junior betting pools. Yes, both I chose the same kids twice because I thought I could double my winnings, and I chose terribly. They went down in the first and second episodes, respectively, and now I must watch with the knowledge that, in a few weeks, I'll have to give a friend $10, even though my children were robbed. The agony of defeat. Giphy If you don't know: MasterChef Junior is a cooking competition show hosted by Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich, and Graham Elliot. The contestants are all 8 to 13 years old, and often adorable. Sometimes they need step stools to reach the counters, and sometimes they need help carrying stand-mixers across the kitchen. Quite a few have proclaimed that they're not just there to compete they want to make friends. They somehow all know how to make pasta from scratch, and while they're doing it, the hosts offer kind, thoughtful advice. Many hugs are exchanged when someone starts crying. It's the greatest show on television. Kids gonna kid. Giphy "ZERO REGRETS. I have never sent as many frantic text messages during a TV show as I do during Master-Chef Junior ." Which explains its non-ironic following among foodie and media crowds. TV writer Pilot Viruet admits , "on paper, MasterChef Junior is everything that I normally dislike about television. … Turns out, it's nearly impossible to remain immune to [its] many charms." At Eater, Alison Leiby writes , " It is perhaps the purest competition show on television and I'm already obsessed with it." Superfan Beejoli Shah told me in an email, "I never really got into MasterChef … but after reading this article about how MasterChef Junior avoided being campy by having so much heart, I knew I had to give it a try. ZERO REGRETS. I have never sent as many frantic text messages during a TV show as I do during MasterChef Junior . These kids are amazing! They are so extraordinarily nice to each other, in ways that the adults on MasterChef usually aren't they are filled with joy about everything." YouTube: Cory likes sausage But back to the betting scene. I've never been one for organized gambling among friends. I've never enjoyed gambling, and even a run of low-key fantasy football left me feeling far more aggressive and competitive than it should have. I just want to watch the show or the game or whatever without thinking about this other thing, and without feeling like I'm winning or losing against people I like. But somehow, Masterchef Junior has changed all that. My two pools were started by completely separate groups of friends, with slightly different rules. In one we were assigned a child (Kyler 4 life ), and in the other we were allowed to choose two, earning points for each week he or she lasts. There are frantic texts and recap emails and theories about whose parents must be insane. We all have our favorites as well as contestants who slightly creep us out, and predictions about what these children will grow up to be like. As you can see, everyone is putting their money on Ryan Kate. Jaya Saxena "I think cooking competitions have the same appeal as sports," says fellow fan Kevin Nguyen. "The stakes are totally trivial, and yet it's so easy to get completely wrapped up in it." And in a show like MasterChef Junior , the stakes are at their absolute lowest, which is part of what makes it so fun. In fantasy football, you supposedly have a better chance if you know more about the sport (though one friend of mine won her office league by choosing players based on hotness, in case you need a strategy). In the MasterChef Junior leagues, there's no way to be an expert, so victory and defeat quickly lose all meaning. Sure, you may have a hunch that a 13-year-old is more likely to win than an 8-year-old, but your predictions break down when you see what a beautiful try-hard is each and every contestant. It makes you feel like any of them could win. Even if you guess the outcome, what sort of bragging rights would you have? Watch those fingers. Giphy Case in point: Here's my dismal run. Jaya Saxena The competition isn't that big a deal for the kids, either. It's not that the $100,000 in prize money is anything to sneeze at; it's that the kid isn't going to be doing much with it. Their parents will (we hope) put it in a college fund, or teach them how to invest it, or maybe if they come from lesser means it'll be a big help right now. Most of the kids, as in any junior soccer league, seem more preoccupied with getting their hands on the actual trophy. After the show, they'll go home, go back to school, and do chores when their parents ask them. The messy, dangerous consequences of normal reality shows, meanwhile, are often what draw us to them, but the uncomfortable truth is that, because it's a form of "reality," actual lives are on the line. People's reputations are ruined, fortunes lost, and relationships shattered. And yes, this has happened with kids and adults alike, whether they're teen moms or next best models or toddlers in tiaras. We know things could completely unravel at any moment, which we admit is the allure, but it's hard to escape the guilt that comes with it. A brief history lesson. Giphy What Master-Chef Junior does and it's all too rare in TV is reward people for their talents and their talents alone. To Nguyen, MasterChef Junior is "better than most reality TV, because instead of watching adults act like children, we're watching children act like children. So there's plenty of melodramatic crying, and it's adorable and sweet." Maybe that's why it feels fresh the emotions are built into the contestants, rather than spliced together. The kids aren't as performative as contestants on other shows. There's editing, of course, and some of the stars will go on to milk their newfound fame, but so far, it's all been pretty innocent. Logan, the 12-year-old winner from last season, has a blog and a Twitter account , both moderated by his mom, and so far shows no signs of getting into the reality show circuit. What MasterChef Junior does and it's all too rare in TV is reward people for their talents and their talents alone. It relies not on professional levels of expertise that can make or break your career, nor does it embrace pageantry and humiliation. The kids do what they do quite well, but whether they win or lose, they'll keep on being kids. They will be praised for their hard work and bullied for trying too hard. They will get in trouble and go through puberty. Better things will happen to them, and far worse things will happen to them, and they might not grow up to be chefs at all. They're just happy to be there, and so are we. Truth. Giphy Photo via Fox | 0 | 6,439 | foodanddrink |
This past summer, Google started noticing ads for vacation homes that didn't exist. The ads themselves weren't fishy there was no malware or counterfeit goods but there was something suspicious behind them. The photos were all pulled from other listings or from stock photo sites, and didn't match with the addresses. The ads were real, but the homes weren't. The point was to convince users that they were real for just long enough to get a deposit, at which point the company could safely disappear. Once Google got wise to the scam, they cracked down, poring through the system for any rental deals that might be bogus. Fake Ebola treatments were a big target For Google's Bad Ads team, it's a common story. The summer before , a similar scheme had played out with Chinese car ads, to similar effect. This morning, the group released its 2014 year in review, running down 2014's most popular schemes. All told, the group banned more than 214,000 advertisers over the course of the year, disabling more than 500 million bad ads. It's a sliver of the total traffic on AdWords, but active investigation is a necessary step to maintain the system's reputation, and Google attacks it with the usual pragmatic engineering ethos. Another common scam came with this summer's Ebola outbreak. When the first US cases of the disease were reported, search traffic for "ebola" went through the roof, attracting scammers. Shortly afterwards, the first phony ebola treatments surfaced, selling discredited treatments for the disease . Since AdWords has a blanket policy against misleading claims, the ads were easy to weed out once identified. Because of the immense scale involved, bad ads are typically flagged through algorithms and then investigated in-person. Google has a number of quirkily named tools designed specifically for that purpose the index of ads is known as Beaker, while the analytics tool is called Bunsen but the key moment in each case is noticing something's not right. "Once we have a lead on where we think there's going to be problems, we can use those tools to operate on a lot of different kinds of badness," said Ads Engineering director Vikaram Gupta. | 3 | 6,440 | finance |
By Matt Yoder Hockey blogging czar Greg Wyshynski posted an article last Friday about a meeting with NHL referee Tim Peel at Yahoo! Sports' Puck Daddy . Wyshynski has been a noted critic of Peel and his officiating over the years. As Puck Daddy tells it, Peel requested a meeting to clear the air and get in touch personally. The story goes like many others where someone meets their harshest critic the two meet at a local establishment for a drink, come to a common level of understanding and respect and there's a promise to still hold Peel to account but recognize his humanity. All good, right? Well, not so much. According to 98.5 Sports in Montreal, the NHL suspended Peel. For what exactly? The report doesn't make it clear, at least according to the rough Google translate version. Peel met Wyshynski in New York between games in Washington and New Jersey. Peel did miss the game in New Jersey, but he was back working Saturday in New York for Hurricanes-Rangers . The report says the referee was "suspended indefinitely" (and also calls Wyshynski a fan) but that doesn't seem to be the case. There obviously are some factual inconsistencies here. Wyshynski bashed the outlet on Twitter Tuesday morning for the inaccuracies. "So, as I said last night," Wyshynski writes on Twitter , " @985Sports blew the story. Good to know Ron Fournier reports news about as well as he ref'd NHL games." Could the NHL really have suspended Peel for posing for a picture with Wyshynski? For having an adult beverage? Did they see what their players were doing at the All-Star Game?!?! It seems more likely … and this is just a best-guess and intuition … that the NHL wasn't too fond of Peel opening up about the relationship between the referees and league office and sat him for a game. It's not a good look for the league that referees are only given two shirts and are responsible for washing them both in every city. Further, the league probably would rather not have certain emphases given to their refs aired and discussed in public. And most of all, the league really doesn't want to see refs publicly comment and validate sentences like this one from Wysh, "In talking to Peel, you start to see a pattern: The NHL asks its officials to manage the game a certain way, and they have to do it." So let this be a lesson to anyone in sports, if it wasn't clear already, be very careful going out for a drink with a blogger. | 1 | 6,441 | sports |
Deadline Day Transfer Update | 1 | 6,442 | sports |
Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko said Tuesday he has "no doubt" the US will provide weapons for the fight against pro-Russian separatists, after Washington signaled it may be ready for the risky move. "I have no doubt that a decision on the possible delivery of arms to Ukraine will be approved both by the United States and by our other partners," Poroshenko said. "We have to have the means to defend ourselves," he told journalists in the eastern city of Kharkiv after at least 19 civilians and five government troops were killed in fighting with pro-Russian rebels over the previous 24 hours. US Secretary of State John Kerry will jet into Ukraine on Thursday in a show of support for the country's pro-Western leadership as hopes grow in Kiev that long-standing demands for the US to supply arms could be met. President Barack Obama's administration had previously ruled out sending weapons to Ukraine's government but the failure of economic sanctions to force Moscow to halt alleged military support for the separatists has prompted a second look at the option. While Kerry is not expected to make any announcements during his trip, a Ukrainian diplomatic source said Kiev was hoping to get more "clarity" on its request during the visit and an upcoming meeting between Poroshenko and US Vice President Joe Biden in Munich. Washington -- fearful of getting into a proxy war with Russia -- has so far provided non-lethal assistance to Ukraine, including flak jackets, medical supplies, radios and night-vision goggles. But a senior US official told AFP Monday that "what's being discussed is perhaps we should begin providing defensive weapons" to Ukraine. - Death toll soars - As the United States weighed up its options, intense fighting remains focused around the battleground town of Debaltseve, a strategic railway hub between the rebel strongholds Donetsk and Lugansk where separatists are fighting to encircle Ukrainian forces. Fighting has surged in recent weeks after separatists tore up a tenuous ceasefire deal and pushed into government-held territory. Elena Gura was having breakfast with her 16-year-old daughter in Donetsk when a shell crashed through her kitchen ceiling. "We escaped with 300 hrvyna (around 15 euros, $18) and some identity papers," she told AFP after miraculously escaping her destroyed house, her hair and clothes still wet from the firefighters' hose. The United Nations said Tuesday the civilian death toll has risen by 224 in the past three weeks and that the total of those killed in the conflict since April now stands at over 5,358 people. "Any further escalation will prove catastrophic for the 5.2 million people living in the midst of conflict in eastern Ukraine," warned UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein Hopes of defusing the conflict look more distant than ever after the latest attempt at truce talks collapsed in acrimony in the Belarussian capital Minsk over the weekend. The rebels say they are willing to stop fighting only if Kiev agrees to redraw the demarcation line agreed in a September ceasefire deal to include gains they have made since in recent days. - Rebel call-up - Life for civilians trapped in the crossfire continues to deteriorate rapidly. "The situation is getting worse by the day," the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Ukraine, Michel Masson, said in a statement. "People are hiding in basements for days on end and those who dare to venture out to collect basic aid risk being wounded or killed." Ukraine and its Western allies accuse Moscow of sending thousands of regular army troops and weapons to support the rebels. Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations but the rebels appear to be equipped with the heavy weaponry of a regular army. As rebels continued to push their offensive, their leaders have announced a mass mobilisation aimed at boosting fighter numbers to 100,000. The voluntary call-up -- which has been met with scepticism by some in rebel-held territory -- is set to start on Monday, insurgent leader Alexander Zakharchenko said. Kiev authorities announced at the end of January that they were also calling up 50,000 troops in the face of the latest separatist push. | 5 | 6,443 | news |
Even if you can't make it to Bourbon Street, you can have a great Mardi Gras celebration at home! TC Newman (@PurpleTCNewman) shows you the best ways to throw a Mardi Gras party. | 8 | 6,444 | video |
A low cost of living can help stretch a fixed income Choosing a retirement destination with a low cost of living can really help stretch a fixed income. But the place you select should offer more than just affordability. Safety, livability and economic stability are equally important qualities to retirees. Using data on more than 200 metropolitan areas across the U.S., we identified the places with the cheapest living costs specifically for retirees. We placed particular emphasis on reasonable price tags for the two biggest retirement budget-busters, health care and housing, and we also looked at states' tax burdens on retirees. Plus, in case you find that you want or need to go back to work to earn extra income, we sought out economically healthy areas with relatively low poverty. We favored areas with large populations of adults over 65, and because safety is paramount we weeded out cities with above-average crime rates. After narrowing the field to 32 finalists, we selected the 10 affordable cities that, as a group, offer retirees diverse choices in terms of size, climate, geography and lifestyle. Click ahead to see which locale best suits your retirement plans. Grand Junction, Colo. Metro population: 146,562 Share of population over 65: 15.1% (U.S.: 13.2%) Cost of living for retirees: 4.6% below the U.S. average Colorado's tax rating for retirees: Friendly This small Colorado town offers retirees some big advantages. Residents 55 and older get a generous retirement-income exclusion from state taxes, and there is no inheritance or estate tax. Plus, living costs are comfortably below average. The city's median home value is $217,700, compared with $236,200 for the state as a whole, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Active retirees will especially enjoy the free amenities afforded by nature. The weather is mild, and the landscape offers plenty of opportunities for scenic hiking and biking, as well as fishing. Numerous national parks and forests are a short drive away. Colorado Mesa University, located in the heart of downtown Grand Junction, adds to the local attractions with its intellectual and cultural events. Take advantage of the Golden Scholars Program, which offers courses at the university for just $25 per credit hour (down from about $329 per hour for in-state undergrads). By auditing classes, you also gain computer and library access and receive discounts on sporting, music and theater events. Pittsfield, Mass. Metro population: 130,866 Share of population over 65: 18.8% Cost of living for retirees: 3.5% above the U.S. average Massachusetts's tax rating for retirees: Not friendly Think Boston in the Berkshires without Beantown's high cost of living, which is 39.1% above the national average for retirees. Local housing is particularly affordable, at 5.5% below average among retired residents, compared with a whopping 81.2% above average in Boston. Indeed, while the median home value is $330,100 in Massachusetts, it's just $176,500 in Pittsfield. You can use those savings to offset the state's less than favorable tax situation. The Bay State has its own estate tax, and property taxes run high. But Massachusetts does offer one tax advantage to retirees: It does not tax Social Security and most government-employee pension income. In addition to the fall foliage, the area offers plenty of diversions throughout the year. The Pittsfield State Forest, for example, is open year-round, offering cross-country skiing in winter and camping, fishing and hiking in summer. Music lovers have the nearby Tanglewood Music Center, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Art fans will want to make the short drive to the Clark Art Institute, in Williamstown, and contemporary-art complex MASS MoCa, in North Adams. Prescott, Ariz. Metro population: 211,280 Share of population over 65: 24.3% Cost of living for retirees: 2.1% below the U.S. average Arizona's tax rating for retirees: One of the 10 most friendly states You can't talk about retirement without mentioning Arizona. Not only does it offer a warm, sunny climate and desert setting, the Grand Canyon State is also the fifth friendliest when it comes to retiree taxes. For example, the state exempts Social Security benefits from taxes, as well as up to $2,500 of some other types of retirement income. Plus you won't face an inheritance or estate tax. Located about 100 miles north of Phoenix, the state capital, Prescott proves more popular as a retirement haven the 65-and-older crowd make up only 12.4% of the Phoenix-Scottsdale metro area's total population. And while slightly more expensive than Phoenix proper, which sports retiree living costs 3.6% below the national average, Prescott is much gentler on fixed incomes than Scottsdale, where costs are 12.9% above the national average for retired residents. Decatur, Ala. Metro population: 153,478 Share of population over 65: 14.3% Cost of living for retirees: 9.6% below the U.S. average Alabama's tax rating for retirees: Friendly When it comes to taxes, Alabama is certainly a sweet home for retirees. The Yellowhammer State doesn't tax most retirement income, including Social Security. Also, homeowners age 65 and older are exempt from state property taxes, and exemptions from local property taxes are available based on income. Living costs are equally favorable. The area's retiree health care and housing costs are particularly cheap, at 8.3% and a whopping 30.2% below average, respectively. While the median home value is $176,700 in the U.S., it's just $122,500 in Alabama and $120,400 in Decatur. Situated along the Tennessee River in northern Alabama, the city stands out because of its low crime rate especially compared to nearby metro areas such as Florence-Muscle Shoals. So enjoy all the boating, fishing and birding the region has to offer. Vero Beach, Fla. Metro population: 138,203 Share of population over 65: 27.5% Cost of living for retirees: 0.7% above the U.S. average Florida's tax rating for retirees: One of the 10 most friendly states Everyone knows that retirees flock to the Sunshine State for the warm weather and beautiful beaches. Even more attractive is the tax picture. Florida has no state income tax, estate tax or inheritance tax, and it doesn't tax Social Security or retirement income. (See 10 Most Tax-Friendly States for Retirees for more on Florida's taxes.) Many of Florida's popular and affordable retirement hot spots are clustered along the Gulf, including Fort Myers, Sarasota and Tampa. But on the Atlantic side our pick is Vero Beach, which offers peaceful beaches and is a haven for golf, water sports and fishing all for living costs on par with the national average. Housing costs for retirees are notably affordable, at 15.2% below average. Pittsburgh Metro population: 2.4 million Share of population over 65: 17.4% Cost of living for retirees: 3.7% below the U.S. average Pennsylvania's tax rating for retirees: Friendly The biggest city by far on this list still manages to be affordable. Housing costs are especially low, at 17.7% below the national average for retirees. Indeed, the median home value is a miniscule $89,400 in the city, compared with $164,700 for the state as a whole, according to the Census Bureau. Plus, Pennsylvania's tax laws are favorable to retirees Social Security benefits and distributions from 401(k)s, IRAs, deferred-compensation plans and other retirement accounts are left alone. Despite its Rust Belt reputation, Pittsburgh offers sophisticated seniors plenty of cultural attractions, including the Andy Warhol Museum, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and a vibrant jazz scene. The presence of many educational institutions, including Duquesne, Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh, adds further appeal. Also, the city is among the safest on this list and has a poverty rate of just 12.1% (compared with 14.9% for the U.S.). Sherman, Texas Metro population: 120,641 Share of population over 65: 15.6% Cost of living for retirees: 12.6% below the U.S. average Texas's tax rating for retirees: Friendly The smallest city on this list provides some of the biggest savings. The Sherman metro area, about an hour north of Dallas, offers the lowest overall living costs among our top 10 retirement hot spots. Housing for retirees is exceptionally cheap, at 24.7% below average. The median home value is $98,100 in Sherman proper and $79,100 in Denison (also part of the greater metro area) well below the state's $128,900 median. And Texas frees retirees from state income taxes. Enjoy charming small-town amenities, such as boutique shopping, unique cafés and several community gatherings throughout the year, including an Earth Day festival and free "Shakespeare in the Grove" performances. Also explore the 12,000-acre Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, home to about 500 different wildlife species. When you feel the urge for big-city stimulation, hop in your car and head to Dallas or Fort Worth. St. George, Utah Metro population: 139,484 Share of population over 65: 17.3% Cost of living for retirees: 8.4% below the U.S. average Utah's tax rating for retirees: Not friendly Utah may not be tax-friendly for retirees, but St. George's low living costs help make up the difference. Prices on everything from groceries to health care fall below the national average. And the city's affordability isn't limited to the retired set it also ranks as one of our Cheapest Cities You'll Want to Live In regardless of age. Outdoorsy retirees will appreciate St. George's location just south of some state parks and conservation areas, west of Zion National Park, and north of the Grand Canyon. Athletes who are age 50 and older can even participate in the Huntsman World Senior Games, an annual competition hosted in St. George. Sports include archery, basketball, golf, softball, track and field and much more. Or try your luck in Las Vegas, a two-hour drive away. Roanoke, Va. Metro population: 308,238 Share of population over 65: 16.4% Cost of living for retirees: 8.3% below the U.S. average Virginia's tax rating for retirees: Mixed You can find cities with beautiful scenery and attractive living expenses near the East Coast, too. Roanoke's cost of living for retirees is below average in every category. In fact, groceries are the most affordable of all the cities on this list, at 8.3% below average. Health care and housing are also very affordable 5.5% and 13.7% less than the U.S. average, respectively. Nestled between the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains, Roanoke is a haven for those looking to hike through their retirements. You can find more than 600 miles of hiking trails in the Roanoke Valley including the Appalachian Trail ranging from easy strolls to challenging climbs. If you'd rather take in the views with less effort, try a scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, or visit nearby Smith Mountain Lake. For an even more leisurely afternoon, grab a pint at one of the many local craft breweries or hit up three at once by going on the Roanoke Craft Beer Tour. Punta Gorda, Fla. Metro population: 160,380 Share of population over 65: 34.5% Cost of living for retirees: 3.8% below the U.S. average Florida's tax rating for retirees: One of the 10 most friendly states Of the great many retirement hot spots in Florida, Punta Gorda tops our list (though it's not so great for young singles). Along with the state's favorable tax situation, credit the city's high ranking to its strong senior presence the 65-and-older share of the metro area's population is the greatest of all 223 places we considered. And all those retirees have plenty to keep them busy. The city offers 18 miles of bike paths and pedestrian trails including the scenic Harborwalk along Charlotte Harbor that connect the various neighborhoods and parks. You can also enjoy boating and other water activities, as well as the charms of Fishermen's Village, a semi-open-air mall that's home to a marina, shops, seafood restaurants and free concerts. If you prefer more bustle, try Tampa, about 100 miles north of Punta Gorda, with a total metro population of nearly 2.8 million. The big city keeps bills small with living costs that are 5.5% below the national average. But seniors aren't as dominant as in Punta Gorda, making up 17.4% of Tampa's population. | 3 | 6,445 | finance |
Netflix stock is one of the top performers of 2015 thanks to strong earnings and subscriber growth. And it just sold $1.5 billion in bonds to fund future expansion. | 3 | 6,446 | finance |
Lacey Spears charged with feeding her son fatal amounts of salt | 8 | 6,447 | video |
The Kansas Jayhawks avenged a loss earlier in the season to Iowa State on Monday. The Jayhawks took down the Cyclones 89-76 as Wayne Selden Jr. scored 20 points for KU. | 1 | 6,448 | sports |
Peter Thiel, the technology financier, has a funny way of defining a monopoly "the kind of company that is so good at what it does that no other firm can offer a close substitute." While not exactly useful for consumers, it's good advice for entrepreneurs: Strive for monopoly power, he says. Otherwise, competition drains away your profits. Google is a monopoly, Thiel says, just as Microsoft once was. Now we face the question: Is Uber? I've argued before that the car-service platform has developed as its primary product something of a commodity business: That's why Uber has to be so aggressive about under-cutting its competitors' fares while still guaranteeing driver wages, moves that put pressure on its profit margins, just as Thiel worries. The technology behind matching mobile customers with cars just isn't that difficult to implement at scale at least, not difficult enough to keep competitors out. Of course, this isn't to diminish Uber's successes or the strength of its network: Like Facebook in the social world, it is the dominant platform, in part because of momentum it has the most regular users, the most cars and the most brand visibility. Its strategy has been to ride that early lead to a dominant position in the market. And so far, so good, even if regulatory battles are boosting its burn rate. But now it may face an even larger challenge: Bloomberg reports that Google, an investor in Uber, is developing its own car-sharing app designed to take advantage of the company's development of self-driving car technology and has proceeded far enough that the company's top lawyer is considering stepping down from Uber's board. While a cryptic tweet and a Wall Street Journal story cast doubt on whether Google is all that close to launching an Uber competitor, it's likely not coincidental that Uber is going for broke and hiring an entire lab of Carnegie Mellon engineers and scientists to develop its own self-driving cars. Uber CEO Travis Kalanick has talked about putting self-driving cars on the Uber platform before, though he walked back those comments in the face of criticism from the human drivers he still needs to keep his business afloat until we reach a driverless utopia. But even Google is years away from street-legal robot cars for one thing, they just don't handle adverse weather conditions all that well. In the meantime, however, there's no reason Google couldn't launch Google Cars to start building out its own network. It surely has the capital and the technical expertise to do so, and with so many Google users in the world, it has a waiting market. But perhaps Google's executives realise that, using Peter Thiel's logic, the car service business isn't that profitable because it's so competitive. Perhaps Google and Uber alike feel the real killer app to protect a car service's juicy profit margins is ditching the labor altogether and making automatic cars a truly difficult product to substitute even if putting a fleet on the road is massive capital investment. Pity the poor drivers. | 5 | 6,449 | news |
The FBI is asking for the public's help tracking down a woman who has robbed about nine banks in six Metroplex cities since November. The woman is believed to have robbed about nine banks in Arlington, Mansfield, Grand Prairie, Irving, McKinney and Mesquite from Nov. 3 through Sunday, FBI spokeswoman Katherine Chaumont said. On Sunday, she robbed a Mesquite bank, Chaumont said. On Jan. 24, she got away with an undisclosed amount of cash from a First Convenience Bank inside a Mansfield Kroger at 3001 Matlock Road. The woman, carrying a black leather purse with metal studs, threatened the teller and demanded money, according to authorities. She was last seen running north across the parking lot, according to Bandit Tracker. On Jan. 1 she robbed a First Convenience Bank in a Kroger store at 5330 S. Cooper St. in Arlington. On Dec. 18, she robbed a Wood Forest Bank in a Tom Thumb store at 1701 Randol Mill Road in Arlington. Her first documented robbery was Nov. 3 at a First Convenience Bank, 2350 SE Green Oaks Blvd. The Dallas FBI Violent Crimes Task Force calls her the "black hoodie bandit" because that's typically what she wears. She has targeted bank branches in large retail stores. "As far as I know, she has never threatened anyone with violence," Chaumont said. The woman usually enters a bank and hands over a note demanding money, Chaumont said. After she receives the cash, she takes off in a silver car or a Chrysler PT Cruiser, according to police. The woman is black, in her 30s to 40s, about 5 feet 2 and about 160 pounds. She has a mole or piercing above the right side of her lip. She usually wears a black hoodie, black pants, black shoes and oversize black sunglasses. Monica S. Nagy, 817-390-7792 Twitter:@MonicaNagyFWST Do you recognize this woman? If so, please call the Dallas office of the FBI at 972-559-5000 or your local police department. A reward of up to $10,000 is offered for information leading to the indictment of the woman. | 5 | 6,450 | news |
LONDON (AP) New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie canceled plans to talk with reporters in London on Tuesday after his comments on vaccinations sparked a political flap at home. The Republican governor and likely presidential contender had originally been scheduled to address the media three times during the final day of his three-day trip to the United Kingdom. Instead, the availabilities vanished from his schedule, which included lunch with the chancellor of the exchequer and a visit to the famous Globe Theatre. "Is there something you don't understand about, 'No questions?'" Christie snapped when a reporter asked whether he'd discussed the Islamic State group during his meetings with dignitaries during the visit to the Globe. "We're just not having press availability today," his communications chief Maria Comella said when asked for an explanation. Billed as an official trade mission, the trip doubled as a chance for Christie, a likely presidential contender, to broaden his foreign policy resume and build relationships with world leaders. But coverage of the trip has been dominated by remarks he made Monday after touring a pharmaceutical facility, that "parents need to have some measure of choice" when it comes to whether to vaccinate their children. Christie's office quickly backtracked, releasing a statement that declared that "with a disease like measles there is no question kids should be vaccinated." But the comments drew scorn, first across social media and later from medical professionals, newspaper editorial boards and national Democrats, who accused the governor of ignoring medical science. A measles outbreak centered in California has sickened more than 100 people, focusing attention on parents who choose not to vaccinate their children. Some do so for religious or philosophical reasons, while others cite a concern that vaccines can lead to autism and developmental disorders a link debunked by rigorous medical research. Trips to London have sometimes been problematic for Republican presidential contenders. Mitt Romney, the 2012 GOP nominee, angered officials here when he suggested that they weren't prepared for the upcoming Olympic games. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal stirred controversy in January when he told a think tank audience that some countries allowed Muslims to establish autonomous "no-go zone" neighborhoods in cities where they govern by a harsh version of Islamic law. British Prime Minister David Cameron had called such assertions bunk. Christie's international travel, including the trip to the United Kingdom and past trips to Canada and Mexico, were paid for by Choose New Jersey, an economic development agency started after Christie became governor and funded by corporate donations. State taxpayers are on the hook for the cost of the state troopers who make up Christie's security detail. His administration has not released information on those costs, despite previously promising it to The Associated Press. Choose New Jersey hasn't returned calls seeking comment from the AP on how much they're spending on Christie's travel. Taxpayers spent nearly $40,000 on security costs for Christie's 2012 trip to Israel, according to documents released at the time to AP. Those costs covered Christie, his family and 13 delegates invited by the governor. ___ Follow Jill Colvin on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/colvinj | 5 | 6,451 | news |
Dunkin' Donuts is expanding its U.S. menu with cold blended drinks, including a milkshake-like frozen Dunkaccino, as it and other fast-food chains seek to boost sales in a competitive market, an executive told Reuters on Tuesd The coffee-and-doughnut chain will also offer fruit smoothies and reduced-calorie versions of its popular Coolatta drinks, said John Costello, president of global marketing and innovation for parent company Dunkin' Brands Group Inc (DNKN.O). Suggested prices for the 16-ounce size of the drinks will be less than $3. Starbucks Corp (SBUX.O), the company's more upscale rival, has a nearly $3 billion business selling icy, blended Frappuccino drinks. McDonald's Corp (MCD.N), Dunkin's most direct U.S. competitor, added fruit smoothies and frappes a few years ago as part of its McCafe menu expansion. The vast majority of the nearly 8,100 U.S. Dunkin' Donuts restaurants will install new blenders this year as part of the drink expansion, Costello said. The cost for that new equipment varies, but is less than $6,000 per restaurant, the company said. Tests of the new frozen beverages suggest that they will be popular in the afternoon and evening, when coffee chains work to lure customers, Costello said. The new drinks did not significantly affect service speed in restaurants where they are available, he said. Dunkin' Brands, which will report fourth-quarter results on Thursday, did not disclose sales of Dunkin' Donuts' new frozen drinks. | 3 | 6,452 | finance |
Janet Yellen was sworn in as Fed chief exactly a year ago. And by almost any measure she had a great first year. A year ago the unemployment rate was at 6.7%. As of the last jobs report, it's down to 5.6%. A year ago the S&P was at 1741.89. Now it's over 2020 (not that she cares about that, necessarily). It's true that inflation is below the Fed's target, though a major contributor to that is the collapse in global commodity prices, which is outside of the Fed's control, and also likely welcome news for the U.S. economy. (The Fed worries about falling inflation, since declining prices could discourage consumption and investment.) But Yellen's most impressive accomplishments go beyond just the basic economic scoreboard. "I think Yellen has done an excellent job in terms of economic stewardship," said Carl Ricadonna, an economist at Bloomberg, who gives Yellen an A for her first year. "Time and time again, some private sector economists have cried wolf with respect to an imminent flare-up of inflation pressures" because of the Fed's "quantitative easing," or bond-buying stimulus, program and other factors, "and this has never materialized. Chair Yellen has had a steady, deliberate approach to policy setting." Yellen also made some tough policy decisions under trying circumstances "She faced the difficult task of bringing quantitative easing to an end and setting the stage for the first rate hike without triggering unwanted market turmoil," said Tim Duy, an economist at the University of Oregon and the author of the blog Tim Duy's Fed Watch. "Moreover, she had to do so with a fairly contentious group of policymakers ranging across the hawk-dove spectrum. The successful guidance of the FOMC through this process, along with the gradual communication shifts in the post-meeting statements, was a clear success for Yellen in her first year as Fed chief. " Yellen correctly read the data throughout the year. The most impressive call came in the spring of last year, when inflation started showing a pickup. Core CPI moved from 1.6% in February to nearly 2% by May, and lots of people on Wall Street started talking about how the Fed was behind the curve. Yellen didn't buy it, and indeed she was correct, as inflation has drifted steadily lower ever since then. "She lets the data guide her decision making, but does not do so blindly. Her admonition to dismiss high inflation readings as 'noisy,' for instance, proved to be correct and highlighted her analytical skills," Duy wrote to Bloomberg. So in her first year, Yellen has presided over impressive economic conditions, successfully transitioned away from QE, and ignored the inflation scare in the spring of 2014, while also ignoring all of the second guesses from private sector economists who said she was asleep at the wheel. What's more, she did all this without causing major financial market disruptions and with a sharply divided board. Not bad! The test might get even harder this year. Yellen will be challenged by the apparent contradiction between a solid recovery and flagging inflation, said Neil Dutta, an economist at Renaissance Macro. "I think 2015 will be far more difficult for the Fed's communication strategy. The economy is doing well, labor markets are tightening, bank lending is up and yet inflation is weak. Ironically, I think Yellen's job this year will be to help convince the markets that the fellow that she beat out to steer the Fed, Larry Summers, is wrong. The markets seem priced for secular stagnation. I don't think Yellen believes it." Duy offered similar thoughts. "This upcoming year might be more of a challenge," he said. "Setting the stage for raising rates is not the same as actually raising them. Financial market participants are increasingly doubtful the Fed can carry through on its plans given the weak inflation data." So year two is likely to be a challenge. In addition to the soft inflation data and falling long-term interest rates, the Fed is looking to raise rates at the same time as central banks around the world are loosening policy. The good news is that Yellen has shown excellent judgment so far. To contact the author on this story: Joseph Weisenthal at [email protected] | 3 | 6,453 | finance |
From the outside, it looks like a simple, one-story home in the small city of Madera, California. But step inside and you'll find a household numbering 23 people, all related, with roots in the same village in the arid highlands of Oaxaca. Oaxaca, a state in southern Mexico, is one of its country's poorest areas. All of the adults here say they left when the agricultural work they used to do there dried up. Now parents and their kids share a three-bedroom space and a converted one-car garage, and work in the fields of Madera, one of California's agricultural hubs. Down the hallway, music blasts from one of the family's bedrooms, where six people sleep in bunks and share beds. My guide, Francisco we'll use first names only because the parents in the house are undocumented notes that the song is one of his favorites, an upbeat, traditional chilena tune from Oaxaca. While the parents are undocumented, their children are US-born. That means President Obama's recent executive action could provide temporary legal status for the adults. But when I ask Francisco how that might alter his life in this crowded home, he's not sure. Francisco can't read or write in English. He says he belongs to Mexico's indigenous Triqui community, and that "people like me are meant to work in the fields." For years, his family has traveled up and down the West Coast, harvesting asparagus and grapes in California and berries in Oregon and Washington. But travel has always been risky, with the fear of deportation hanging heavy during those long road trips up and down the coast. Francisco says he's not sure what other jobs he'd qualify for; he's just getting his head wrapped around the idea of considering other work. But he would like a change. Francisco, now 40 years old, was injured in the fields. More than a year ago, he was laying under a farm vehicle, trying to fix it, when it suddenly started rolling forward. The parking brake was off. A wheel ran over his hip, and he's now unable to do any heavy manual work. His wife, Victoria, has also worked the fields since she got to the United States 15 years ago. But she's idle at the moment: The grapevine pruning season hasn't started yet. Victoria says she'd feel safe to look for steadier work if she had legal status, maybe a job in a restaurant or a hotel. Pruning can be dangerous. She was recently pulling the vines "they're like really long sticks" and part of it flicked off and entered her eye. Her son, Heriberto, remembers seeing his mom come home with her eye bloody red. "They suffer just for us, to get a future," he thought. Heriberto is a 14-year-old eighth grader and has worked the fields, too, piling into a car to harvest berries in Oregon and Washington during the summer. But now his parents say he must focus on his education. No more field work. I ask him what he wants to do. "I want to go into mechanics, but first I want to get into the Army, defending the country where I was born," he says. Soon his parents might be able to make choices, too, including leaving the fields. The next question: Who will take their place? | 5 | 6,454 | news |
Molly Line reports from Boston | 8 | 6,455 | video |
At least seven people have been burnt to death after suspected anti-government protesters set a bus full of passengers on fire in eastern Bangladesh, amid spiralling political unrest against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, police have said. Several passengers were also critically injured in the attack on Tuesday in the town of Chauddagram, which was blamed on activists from the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by two-time former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia."Seven passengers were burnt to death in the bus after the petrol bomb was thrown at 4am," district police chief Tuttul Chakrabarty told the AFP news agency."Five of the passengers are fighting for their life as 40-80 percent of their bodies were burnt. They have been shifted to a hospital in the capital," he said."It's an act of murder and we're going to hunt down culprits."The deaths bring the toll in the month-long protests aimed at toppling Hasina to 54 - most of them victims of firebomb attacks on buses and lorries - as opposition activists try to enforce a transport blockade.Authorities have stepped up the pressure on 69-year-old Zia, who has been holed up in her office since January 3, in a bid to halt the violence. She called for the protests early last month, urging supporters to enforce a nationwide blockade of roads, railways and waterways to force Hasina to call a fresh election. The opposition does not recognise the January 2014 parliamentary elections which it boycotted. Authorities on Monday ordered a probe into allegations of murder against Zia over the deadly protests, while a media magnate who is one of her closest aides was arrested. 'People burning in bus' Survivors of Tuesday's attack said the bus was packed with local tourists returning overnight from the resort town of Cox's Bazaar to the capital Dhaka."I woke up hearing loud cries and saw people burning in the bus. I jumped through the window and found a friend in flames. I doused the fire but his condition is critical," one survivor told private Ekattur TV.Up to 15 people were slightly injured after they jumped from the vehicle's windows to try to escape the blaze, the police chief added.In another attack on Tuesday, at least one person died and four people suffered burn injuries after a petrol bomb was thrown at a moving train outside Dhaka, police said.Hundreds of people have been injured since the protests started, while local media say more than 850 vehicles have been gutted or damaged and inter-city transport services have ground to a halt. Nationwide crackdown Security forces have launched a nationwide crackdown - but the arrest of more than 10,000 opposition supporters appears to have done little to quell the unrest.Zia denies her group is responsible for the violence and has demanded the release of detained opposition officials and leaders.To press her demands, her party announced that a three-day strike that had been set to end on Tuesday would now be extended until Thursday.Hasina has accused her bitter rival Zia of trying to trigger anarchy. Authorities last week charged the opposition leader with abetting and instigating the firebombings.Western countries including the EU, the impoverished nation's biggest export destination, have urged Hasina's government and the opposition to hold talks to resolve the crisis. | 5 | 6,456 | news |
Opium, "magic" mushrooms and other psychoactive substances have been used since prehistoric times all over the world, according to a new review of archaeological findings. The evidence shows that people have been consuming psychoactive substances for centuries, or even millennia, in many regions of the world, said Elisa Guerra-Doce, an associate professor of prehistory at the University of Valladolid in Spain, who wrote the review. Guerra-Doce's previous research showed the use of psychoactive substances in prehistoric Eurasia. The new review "brings together data related to the early use of drug plants and fermented beverages all over the world ," Guerra-Doce told Live Science. For example, the evidence shows that people have been chewing the leaves of a plant called the betel since at least 2660 B.C., according to Guerra-Doce's report. The plant contains chemicals that have stimulant- and euphoria-inducing properties, and these days is mostly consumed in Asia. Researchers have found the remains of human teeth that have the characteristic reddish, bloodlike "betel stains" in a burial pit in Duyong Cave on Palawan Island in the southern Philippines, according to the report. [ Trippy Tales: The History of 8 Hallucinogens ] Researchers have also found the reddish stains on the teeth of human remains that date between 2400 and 2000 B.C., and that were excavated from the Bronze Age site of Nui Nap in Vietnam. In that case, the teeth were stained by betel nuts, and it is possible that it was used for aesthetic reasons, as opposed to being used because of its psychoactive properties. San Pedro cactus These days, San Pedro cactus which contains chemicals with hallucinogenic properties is used in healing ceremonies by people living in the Andean mountains of South America, primarily in northern Peru, according to Guerra-Doce's paper. But the earliest evidence of San Pedro cactus usewas found in Guitarrero Cave, in Peru's Callejón de Huaylas valley. Researchers found pollen and traces of the cactus in the parts of the cave that were occupied the earliest, which date back to between 8600 and 5600 B.C. Other evidence shows that a larger sample of material from the cactus found in the cave dated back to 6800-6200 B.C., according to the paper. 'Magic' mushrooms The use of hallucinogenic mushrooms in Mesoamerica has been documented, thanks to the discovery of so-called mushroom stones, which are small sculptures resembling a mushroom. The sculptures have been found at numerous sites dating back to between 500 B.C. and A.D. 900 in Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador, according to the paper. It's less clear how long ago magic mushrooms may have been used in Africa and Europe, according to Guerra-Doce. However, there are mushroom-looking pictographs in the prehistoric mural paintings found at Villar del Humo in Cuenca, Spain, which may represent hallucinogenic mushrooms. Opium poppy The earliest evidence of opium poppy use in Europe comes from the Neolithic site of La Marmotta in Italy, which dates back to the mid-sixth millennium B.C., according to the study. The domestication of the plant in Europe likely began around that time, in the western Mediterranean, and then spread to northwestern Europe by the end of that millennium. "Apart from its use as a food plant, there is also uncontested evidence for the exploitation of its narcotic properties," Guerra-Doce wrote in the review. For instance, traces of an opium poppy capsule were found on the teeth of a male skeleton buried at a mining site near Barcelona that dates back to the fourthmillennium B.C. Traces of opiates were also found in the bones of another male buried at the site. Tobacco It is not clear exactly when humans started using tobacco, but it is generally assumed that the plant was native to South America, according to the study. Pipes for smoking have been discovered in northwestern Argentine archaeological sites that date to 2100 B.C. Researchers suspect the pipes were used for smoking either tobacco or other hallucinogenic plants, according to the paper. Nicotine has been detected in the hair of mummies from several periods within the pre-Hispanic times in South America, according to the paper. In North America, the oldest smoking pipes found date back to the second millennium B.C.; however, these pipes could have also been used for smoking other plants, Guerra-Doce reported in the study.The earliest remains of actual nicotine in a pipe in North America date to 300 B.C. The review was published online Jan. 2 in Time and Mind: The Journal of Archaeology, Consciousness and Culture. Follow Agata Blaszczak-Boxe on Twitter . Follow Live Science @livescience , Facebook & Google+ . Originally published on Live Science . 11 Odd Facts About 'Magic' Mushrooms The Drug Talk: 7 New Tips for Today's Parents Understanding the 10 Most Destructive Human Behaviors | 5 | 6,457 | news |
They protected then served. Suburban Chicago police officers who arrested a pizza delivery driver on drug paraphernalia charges after he skirted a red light ended up delivering the hot pie themselves to a startled customer. "A confused resident accepted the pizza, and was very glad that the police were there to deliver the pizza, rather than talk to them," Oswego, Illinois, police wrote in a Facebook page about their Jan. 25 escapade. Officers busted the pizza driver and a friend that night after the driver went through a parking lot to avoid a red light. Once stopped, cops found drug paraphernalia and arrested the delivery man, who was en route to deliver a pie. The customer lived nearby, the receipt showed. "The pizza was already paid for, and the delivery location was within a few blocks," Oswego Police Chief Jeff Burgner told the Chicago Tribune. "They decided one should go ahead and make the delivery." Officers in the town, which sits about 48 miles southwest of Chicago, then posted to Facebook about their stint moonlighting as delivery drivers. The post went viral, earning the officers accolades for their dedication. "Nice job by the Good Guys!" wrote one user. "Thanks for not enforcing asset seizure on behalf of the folks waiting for their 'za!" wrote another. "That is so cool. Way to go. Get the bad guy. And deliver the food. I would have tipped the cop," wrote another among the dozens of comments attached to the post. No word on if the officers got a tip for their effort, but Burgner said he's happy with the positive attention the story has received. "The post was written to show the human side of police officers. That's one thing I like about the attention it's getting," Burgner told the Tribune. Arrested were Nicholas Parello and Dakota Albright, both 19. It's unclear who was working at the time and for what restaurant. "We try to do all we can to help our residents, but I think this is the first time we've delivered a pizza," Burgner said with a laugh in an interview with Only Oswego. [email protected] | 5 | 6,458 | news |
From the Plains to the Northeast, a second brutal winter storm in a week has left behind a deadly trail and record amounts of snow. | 8 | 6,459 | video |
The first half of 2015 will be "good news for consumers" and bad news for oil producers, says Richard Mallinson, geopolitical and oil analyst at Energy Aspects. | 3 | 6,460 | finance |
Apparently those comments weren't kosher. The Democratic National Committee on Monday pulled back remarks its chairwoman, Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, reportedly made about Jews marrying outside the faith. Last month, Wasserman Schultz told a Jewish Federation audience in south Florida, "We have the problem of assimilation. We have the problem of intermarriage," according to audio obtained by the Shark Tank political blog and quoted by the Daily Caller. The congresswoman continued, "We have the problem that too many generations of Jews don't realize the importance of our institutions strengthening our community particularly with the rise of anti-Semitism and global intolerance," as illustrated by the terror attacks that claimed lives in Paris in January. In a Monday statement issued by the DNC, Wasserman Schultz sought to explain herself. "At an annual Jewish community event in my congressional district, I spoke about my personal connection to Judaism and in a larger context about the loss of Jewish identity and the importance of connecting younger generations to the institutions and values that make up our community," she said. "I do not oppose intermarriage; in fact, members of my family, including my husband, are a product of it." Wasserman Schultz, who became DNC chairwoman in 2011 after her nomination by President Obama, went further than the commander-in-chief on the Paris attacks by attributing them to "Islamic fundamentalists." [email protected] | 5 | 6,461 | news |
Selfies were the cause of a deadly plane crash in the United States last year, government investigators have concluded. Amritpal Singh was likely taking photos of himself while flying a small airplane at night near Denver, Colorado, when he became disoriented by the flash of his cellphone, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The plane plunged into the ground, killing Singh and his passenger, Jatinder Singh, an Indian musician, shortly after midnight on May 31, 2014. It's the first time the NTSB has blamed a plane crash on the pilot taking photos. Cockpit photography is increasingly popular among pilots, some of whom have large social media followings for their photos from the air. In December, Quartz detailed the trend among commercial airline pilots, who are generally prohibited from using their phones while flying. Many pilots find the practice harmless, but safety experts say even a few moments of distraction in the cockpit can be dangerous. One airline pilot featured in Quartz's investigation posted a photo of himself to Instagram with the caption, "About to land this plane but first, #lmtas," shorthand for "let me take a selfie." As a pilot flying a Cessna 150K aircraft under general aviation rules, Singh was not violating Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations by taking photos in the cockpit. Nevertheless, investigators concluded in their report, "It is likely that cell phone use during the accident flight distracted the pilot and contributed to the development of spatial disorientation and subsequent loss of control." The investigators also noted that Singh hadn't been flying frequently enough to carry passengers at night or in the weather conditions present at the time of the flight, according to his logbook. Singh had a GoPro camera with him the plane, another common trend among pilots. The camera and memory card survived the crash, and investigators observed Singh and his passengers on flights immediately before the one that crashed "taking self-photographs with their cell phones and, during the night flight, using the camera's flash function during the takeoff roll, initial climb, and flight in the traffic pattern." There was no GoPro recording during the short flight that crashed. | 5 | 6,462 | news |
ISIS and Kurdish forces battle over territory, oil fields | 8 | 6,463 | video |
Janet Yellen was sworn in as the first woman chair of the Fed this day last year. Here's what the data says about her short tenure so far. | 3 | 6,464 | finance |
INDIANAPOLIS In this season of dreadful losing streaks and gloomy injury reports comes a sparkle of optimism from the straightest shooter within the Indiana Pacers organization, no less. On Tuesday, Larry Bird, the Pacers' president of basketball operations, met with reporters and for the first time in more than five months and entertained the notion of a Paul George comeback this season. While re-enforcing his belief that the Pacers (17-32 and 4½ games out of the last playoff spot) can still win and make something out of this season, Bird expressed his hope of George playing. Though Bird repeatedly stated that he does not know for sure if a George comeback will happen, he would not be opposed to giving George some game action in the remainder of the 2014-15 season. "I'm always in a win-now mode. I want to win and that's been my goal, to try to get into the playoffs," Bird said. "Hopefully, down the road, we'll see where Paul's at. We still have no idea whether he's coming back or not, but it seems like every week he's getting better and better. If we do have an opportunity to get into the playoffs and he can get some games under his belt and (then) get ready to go next year (then we could play him)." Bird's statement marked the first time a Pacer official has acknowledged that George, if healthy, could possibly return this season. George will meet with the media Thursday. "I always say if the player is ready to play, he's got to play," Bird said. "We're not going to hold (George) back if he's able to go out there and play. I think it's important because when you're out like that, you lose something. He's going to get beat up, he's going to get knocked around, he's not going to look good but I still think it's important, if he's able to play, he should be out there." After August 1 when George suffered an open fracture of the tibia and fibia bones (in less scientific words, his lower right leg snapped like a twig), the Pacers have continued with the belief that George would miss the full season. Even back in October, when George sans boot and air cast showed encouraging signs of improvement in videos posted on his Instagram account, Bird stuck a pin in that balloon. "That means nothing. He's got a rod in his leg, holding that bone together and it's gotta heal," Bird said then. "Looks good against his dog and when he's standing out there in front of you guys, he looks pretty good. Other than that he don't do nothing." Without revealing specifics, head coach Frank Vogel said George has participated in team non-contact drills. Also, any ticket-buying fan can witness George's pre-game workout routine that he religiously does on the road and at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Also, George has dunked in practice and, according to his teammate Roy Hibbert, he can make athletic between-the-leg moves that Dominique Wilkins had been known for in All-Star dunk contests. The seven-month anniversary of the injury will come on March 1, marking the date for George's leg to be healed, according to Bird. "I just know he's out there running around, he don't look very good but he's out there running around. And they tell me seven months and that bone will be completely healed and it's just how much further he'll come along after that," Bird said. "We'll go from there. I have no clue whether he's going to play or not but if he gets healthy and they say he can play and he wants to play, we'll put him out there." From this sparkle of optimism now comes a dose of reality. "I think you've just got to be smart," Vogel said after the team's practice. "Like Larry said, if the doctors say he can go, then I think he should get on the court and try it as soon as he's ready to but we all understand that's a long time from now." Vogel would only go as far as saying that the Pacers would "consider" readying George for team practice after March 1, if doctors say it's safe. However, in Vogel's opinion, even George practicing seems like a faraway goal. And playing? That's even further down the road in his view like, the 2015-16 season. "Playing this year? I don't believe he's going to play this year," Vogel said. "Yeah. I don't believe he will." Candace Buckner writes for The Indianapolis Star and is a member of USA TODAY Sports' NBA power rankings panel. | 1 | 6,465 | sports |
WASHINGTON (AP) President Barack Obama and Jordanian King Abdullah II vowed not to let up in the fight against the Islamic State group Tuesday, as Jordanians mourned the death of a military pilot held captive by the militants. Obama hosted Abdullah at the White House for a hastily arranged meeting, hours after a video emerged online purportedly showing 26-year-old Lt. Muath Al-Kaseasbeh burned to death by the militant group. Abdullah, who was on a previously scheduled trip to Washington, arrived after nightfall and made no remarks to reporters as he and Obama sat side by side in the Oval Office. In the meeting, Obama offered "his deepest condolences" to the king over the pilot's death, the White House said. "The president and King Abdullah reaffirmed that the vile murder of this brave Jordanian will only serve to steel the international community's resolve to destroy ISIL," said White House spokesman Alistair Baskey, using an acronym for the extremist group. Al-Kaseasbeh, who fell into the hands of the militants in December when his Jordanian F-16 crashed in Syria, is the only pilot from the U.S.-led coalition to have been captured to date. His death sparked outrage in Jordan, where the country's participation in the coalition against the Islamic State group has not been popular. The video emerged following a weeklong drama over a possible prisoner exchange with an al-Qaida operative imprisoned in Jordan. Before dawn Wednesday, Jordan executed two al-Qaida prisoners. In a statement before his meeting with Abdullah, Obama vowed the pilot's death would "redouble the vigilance and determination on the part of our global coalition to make sure they are degraded and ultimately defeated." "Lieutenant Al-Kaseasbeh's dedication, courage and service to his country and family represent universal human values that stand in opposition to the cowardice and depravity of ISIL, which has been so broadly rejected around the globe," Obama said. Vice President Joe Biden, who held a previously scheduled lunch with Abdullah in Washington Tuesday, also condemned the killings and called for the release of all prisoners held by Islamic State militants. The king also held previously scheduled meetings with senators on Capitol Hill. Abdullah, a close U.S. ally, has portrayed the campaign against the extremists as a battle over values. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., emerged from talks with Abdullah predicting that Jordan would have a "strong and forceful" response to the pilot's death. "The Jordanian response will be more engaged, not less engaged, when it comes to destroying ISIL," Graham said. "The king feels that the gloves are off and that it now is time if you can't negotiate with these people, you're going to have to take it to them, and I think it's going to be more than Jordan." ___ Associated Press writers Deb Riechmann and Josh Lederman contributed to this report. Follow Nedra Pickler on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nedrapickler | 5 | 6,466 | news |
"Game of Thrones" spoilers ahead. On Monday, a Reddit post popped up showing the IMDb page of former "Game of Thrones" actress Michelle Fairley with a curious new listing. In addition to her character Catelyn Stark, Fairley was also cited as playing another character, the Hooded Woman, in episode 10 of the show's upcoming season: What non-book readers may not know is that this would be some of the biggest news in all the Seven Kingdoms. A return to "Game of Thrones" would most certainly mean Fairley was coming back in the form of Lady Stoneheart , a zombified version of Catelyn Stark out to avenge her family. IMDb pages are notoriously unreliable , but the listing is still up as of the writing of this post. Is it too good to be true? Yes, it is. At least for now. "There hasn't been any discussion about her returning to the show after Season 3," a representative for Fairley told HuffPost Entertainment "As of now, this is completely incorrect." Last year, fans freaked out when Lady Stoneheart didn't show up in the Season 4 finale since the character plays a big role in the books. Various theories have sprung up as to how the HBO show will make up for the absence, with one of the most popular being Sansa Stark taking on Lady Stoneheart's vengeance . It should be noted that Fairley's reps did say "as of now," leaving the door slightly open for a possible return. Image: Giphy "Game of Thrones" Season 5 premieres Sunday, April 12, on HBO. | 6 | 6,467 | entertainment |
AUSTIN, Texas -- As we blast down the straightaway of the Circuit of the Americas in a 2015 BMW X6 M, we can't help but think, "What a brilliant, dumb car." Well, really, we're thinking, "Brake. Brake! BRAKE!" And sure enough, this 5,185-pound sport/utility vehicle -- sorry, sports activity coupe, per BMW marketing -- slows just enough for us to screech around a hairpin, where we promptly nail the throttle and let the all-wheel-drive system and torque-vectoring rear differential figure out what to do with 553 lb-ft of torque. Yes, the X6 M is back. If you are a purist who hoped M GmbH's dalliance with SUVs would end in tears, prepare to be disappointed. BMW has sold some 9,000 X6 Ms and 10,600 mechanically identical X5 Ms worldwide since 2009, a healthy total considering both vehicles cost about $100,000 without options and that they launched at the same time as a global financial crisis. Offering a second generation of both models is thus a no-brainer. Related link: Research the BMW X6 What was not a given -- and what even the E30 M3 diehards should appreciate -- is that M engineers have used the success of the X5 and X6 M to invest more into making them true M cars. "With the first-generation, there were compromises," admits Walter Haupt, chief vehicle integration engineer. The new trucks, he hopes, will make the M3 or M5 owner feel instantly at home. Related link: Research the BMW X5 The M familiarization program starts inside. We plop into racing-style buckets and take in a cabin filled with optional carbon fiber, orange leather, and exposed stitching. The difficult-to-use automatic shifter we know from regular BMWs has been replaced with the equally difficult-to-use automatic shifter we know from M3s and M5s with dual-clutch transmissions. This vehicle's automatic is still of the torque converter variety -- now with eight speeds rather than six -- but M engineers have eliminated its idle creep so that it feels more like the dual-clutch transmission in other M cars. Really. Other aspects of the heightened M experience are more substantive. The V-8, for instance, has been upgraded to the same one that powers the M5. The twin-turbo, 4.4-liter configuration is unchanged, but those turbos are larger and are supported by new internals -- crankshaft, pistons, and connecting rods -- as well as variable-valve-lift technology. That yields 12 more hp and an additional 53 lb-ft of torque, for totals of 567 hp and 553 lb-ft. No surprise, the X6 M is pretty damn quick. BMW claims a 4.0-second 0 to 60 mph time. It does this with almost no drama: no wheel slip, no perceptible turbo lag, and with wonderfully smooth upshifts. It sounds subdued inside the cabin, despite the fact that the Sport+ mode opens electronically controlled exhaust flaps. The BMW X6 M also stops and turns more like an M car. Larger front brake calipers grip larger rotors, which weigh less, because the M's hubs are aluminum. The X6 M now has different upper control arms than the standard X6, which increase the camber of the front wheels. Polyurethane bushings connecting the rear subframe to the body replace rubber bushings. All these changes are less effective, however, than a simple tire swap. The last X6 M and X5 M used run-flat tires, as do most regular BMWs. This time, M developed grippier, non-run-flat tires with Pirelli and Michelin. The real-world bonus is that the softer sidewalls better absorb road imperfections. The real-world downside is that if you get stuck on the side of the road, you'll have to rely on a can of fix-a-flat and hope the closest tire shop stocks 20- or 21-inch performance tires. You don't need to drive the BMW X6 M on a track to appreciate all these improvements, but you should, and you can, if you pick up the vehicle at BMW's performance center in Spartanburg, South Carolina. At Circuit of the Americas, the queue of Long Beach Blue X6s looks rather ludicrous in the pits -- like a family of platypuses preparing to dive into an Olympic-size swimming pool -- but the experience behind the wheel feels perfectly natural. The steering, now electrically assisted, feels as sharp and nicely weighted as in any M car as we dial into turn one. The torque-vectoring rear differential, which carries over virtually unchanged from the previous model, still works wonders at getting this big vehicle to rotate under throttle. It is now ably assisted in this effort by the 21-inch Michelin summer performance tires, which maintain grip under extreme duress and, even when pushed beyond their limits, are progressive and predictable. After several admittedly sloppy laps, only the brakes remind you that you're driving a heavy vehicle as the brake pedal begins to soften. Let us be perfectly clear: The 2015 BMW X6 M is still a dumb car. It's uselessly large, excessively heavy, and, even with a promised 20 percent improvement in fuel economy, won't be terribly green. (U.S. fuel economy numbers have not yet been announced.) If you have more than $100,000 to spend and desire both the people-moving capabilities of an X5 and go-fast capabilities and looks of a BMW M4, we have a suggestion for you: Buy an X5 and an M4. Yet who are we kidding? We love this thing. For the truth is: Few dumb ideas are as well-thought-out as the 2015 BMW X6 M. 2015 BMW M6 M Specifications On Sale: Spring 2015 Price: $103,050/$116,550 est (base/as tested) Engine: 4.4L, twin-turbo V-8/567 hp @ 6,000-6,500 rpm, 553 lb-ft @ 2,200-5,000 rpm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Layout: 4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine, AWD crossover Weight: 5,185 lb 0-60: 4.0 sec Top speed: 155 mph | 9 | 6,468 | autos |
ELKHART, Ind. A 17-year-old boy who has entered a mayoral race in a northern Indiana city says he may be young but he's a strong leader who wants to "revitalize the fun-loving community." Caleb Owens formally filed last week to run for mayor as a Democrat in Elkhart. He will face two-term incumbent Dick Moore in the May Democratic primary. Two Republicans also are running for mayor. Owens is an Indiana Army National Guard member and a music minister at an Elkhart church. The Concord High School senior lives with his grandparents. He leaves for basic training as a National Guard member in July. Owens tells The Elkhart Truth (http://bit.ly/1DANXve ) that if elected mayor he'd work with city council, community churches, city government and residents. ___ Information from: The Elkhart Truth, http://www.elkharttruth.com | 5 | 6,469 | news |
QUITO, Ecuador (AP) -- Victor Estrella Burgos became of the oldest first-time winner of an ATP event in the Open Era, beating top-seeded Feliciano Lopez of Spain on Sunday in the Ecuador Open final. The 34-year-old Dominican won 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5) in his first ATP final. He was the first Dominican to reach a top-level ATP final. Seeded No. 8, Estrella Burgos defeated Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci 7-6 (5), 7-5 on Saturday to reach the final. Tennis' Open Era began in 1968 when professional and amateurs could play in all tournaments. | 1 | 6,470 | sports |
PROVIDENCE, R.I. Rhode Island's gardeners, boxers and shameless swearers beware: you could be breaking the law and not even know it. A law restricting the amount of seaweed Barrington residents can take from the public beach to use as fertilizer has been on the books for nearly 200 years. Since at least 1798 it's been illegal to arrange to meet another person and engage in a fight a deed punishable by jail time of up to 10 years. And drivers who pass another vehicle on the left are still supposed to give a "timely, audible signal" an easing of the original 1916 law specifying that a bell or horn should be used. A Rhode Island lawmaker wants to repeal these outdated laws and many others a process that would happen every year if his proposal is passed. Some of the laws aren't just archaic, they're unconstitutional and problematic, said House Majority Whip John Edwards. Officials in the town of Smithfield decided in 2013 to enforce a law banning the distribution of anonymous negative campaign literature, despite a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that struck down a similar law in Ohio and upheld the right to anonymous free speech. The Rhode Island chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union sued the state and the town. In October, a federal judge declared that the 91-year-old state law was unconstitutional. The state and the town paid a total of about $4,500 for the ACLU's legal fees, according to ACLU Executive Director Steven Brown. "Repealing these laws is not just an academic exercise," said Brown, who is urging lawmakers to pass Edwards' bill. The proposal would create a joint committee within the General Assembly to review laws and recommend which ones are no longer needed. The legislature would consider the suggestions at the start of each new year, said Edwards, a Democrat. Edwards got the idea from Kansas, which in 2011 established an office to identify laws and regulations that are out of date, unreasonable and burdensome. The office has proposed repealing about 175 statutes and roughly 75 have been abolished so far, said John Milburn, a spokesman for the Kansas Department of Administration. The office takes suggestions for laws to be stricken. A recurring request is to repeal the ban on marijuana, but that's not something the office has been willing to advocate for, Milburn said. One of this year's recommendations is to repeal a statute enacted in 1917 that requires the Kansas Department of Transportation to review plans for large bridge projects. Milburn said it's unnecessary because licensed engineers now design the bridges. Tennessee created an Office of the Repealer in 2013 to cut the size of state government. Rhode Island State Librarian Thomas R. Evans compiled a list of the state's "strange but true" laws that are still in effect. Several involve livestock. One bars the sale of "spirituous or intoxicating liquors" near outdoor religious meetings. The House Judiciary Committee recommended further studying the possibility of creating the joint committee of the repealer. A similar bill failed to gain traction in the previous two sessions. "We're adding, adding, adding new laws every year. It's time to start reducing the laws that people have to comply with," Edwards said. "They're just burdensome." One law still on the books in Rhode Island would be of particular note to anyone who gets busted for an antiquated offense (feeding garbage to swine without a permit, for example): Every person guilty of profane swearing and cursing shall be fined up to $5. | 5 | 6,471 | news |
OC Donut Bar in California is pulling out all the stops with mouth watering doughnut flavors including the Big Poppa Tart. Buzz60's Leigh Scheps (@LeighTVReporter) shows us some other tasty treats. | 0 | 6,472 | foodanddrink |
To celebrate the 80th anniversary of Monopoly in France, Hasbro is releasing a limited special edition of the game, replacing the fake paper money in 80 of those sets with real Euro notes. Jen Markham (@jenmarkham) has the story. | 8 | 6,473 | video |
A new drug to treat moderate to severe binge-eating disorder called Vyvanse was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the fifth obesity-fighting drug to gain approval in just two years. The move comes on the heels of the FDA's approval of a first-of-its-kind medical device to fight obesity. Up to 30 percent of individuals with obesity may be binge eaters to some degree, according to Dr. Susan McElroy, an obesity and binge eating disorder (BED) treatment specialist who took part in the clinical research on Vyvanse. While crossover exists between obesity and BED, there is a difference between the two conditions, says Dr. McElroy, and only seven to 10 percent of those seeking treatment for obesity meet clinical criteria for BED. The new drug is not approved for weight loss, nor should it replace treatment for obesity, says Dr. McElroy, who calls Vyvanse a safe and effective tool for treating BED. Nevertheless, BED can hinder success in behavioral weight loss programs and even that of bariatric surgery, so the drug should be considered an important tool in reducing obesity, according to Dr. Martin Binks of The Obesity Society (TOS) in the US and Professor of Nutritional Sciences at Texas Tech University. In mid-January, the FDA approved a weight loss gadget that nullifies hunger nerves between the brain and the stomach. Called the Maestro Rechargeable System, it's the first device the FDA has approved for obesity since 2007. The system is made up of a rechargeable electrical pulse generator that connects to wire leads and electrodes that are surgically implanted in the stomach. It works by sending electrical pulses to block the abdominal vagus nerve which tells the brain when the stomach is empty. In the wake of the FDA's approval of new anti-obesity drugs lorcaserin (Belviq), phentermine/topiramate (Qsymia), naltrexone/bupropion (Contrave) and liraglutide (Saxenda), The Obesity Society has created the first pharmacological guideline for obesity treatment. The guideline, which was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism on January 15, is intended to provide health practitioners a roadmap for treating obesity by means of drugs. | 7 | 6,474 | health |
A four-year-old viewer destined to become the next great golfer shows off his skills in our studio. | 8 | 6,475 | video |
1. USC The Trojans close with a fury, adding five highly regarded players on National Signing Day and one, five-star defensive lineman Porter Gustin the night before. The nation's top cornerback Iman Marshall has instant impact all over him, as does running back Ronald Jones, especially with Javorius Allen headed to the draft. Gustin and Marshall are joined on defense by fellow five-stars Osa Masina and Rasheem Green for what should be a formidable bunch. Looking for a sleeper? Quick-footed receiver Deontay Burnett was once committed to Washington State, offered by several schools late and will come in as a blue-shirt, meaning he will be in scholarship in 2016. Signees List 2. Alabama The Tide lost their crown at the last second to the Trojans, but still haul in an outstanding class highlighted by five-star prospects like cornerbacks Kendall Sheffield and Minkah Fitzgerald, massive defensive tackle Daron Payne and wide receiver Calvin Ridley, an outstanding athlete who could pay dividends right away. Running back Damien Harris joins what has been an embarrassment of riches at that position the last several years, and handing off to him will be quarterback Blake Barnett, a five-star prospect from California. Nick Saban and his bunch continue to stockpile talent that will have them in the national title hunt consistently. Linebacker Joshua McMillon was one of several key Signing Day adds. Signees List 3. Auburn The Tigers class is highlighted by five-star defensive end Byron Cowart, who spurned in-state Florida to choose Auburn on Signing Day. Bruising running back Jovon Robinson and playmaking wide receiver Jason Smith are two JUCO prospects who should play immediately. Fellow wideout Darius Slayton is ultra-talented and could be a future star. Two lower end four-stars who could have a higher end impact are offensive lineman Kaleb Kim and fullback Chandler Cox, who will have an opportunity to see time early on. Signees List 4. UCLA How about the way the Bruins closed? They landed the number one player at three positions on Signing Day, including the nation's top running back Sotonye Jamabo who has excellent size and an impressive package of all-around skills. The nation's top tight end Chris Clark figures into the mix from the moment he steps on campus. Wide receiver Cordell Broadus was projected to USC by many, but becomes a Bruin. Both he and Clark will have the nation's number one quarterback, Josh Rosen throwing to them. Five-star defensive end Keisean Lucier-South is among the standouts on defense in what was an impressive class. Signees List 5. Tennessee When you talk Tennessee, you have to start with the nation's number one player, massive defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie, who, assuming the year off of high school ball did not put too much rust on, has the tools to play right off the bat. He'll be joined by another talented defensive lineman in Kyle Phillips. Drew Richmond was a key late flip. Five-star receiver Preston Williams and five-star JUCO running back Alvin Kamara are big-time talents. The Volunteers raided the Midwest too, landing linebacker Darrin Kirkland, a one-time Michigan commit who enrolled early, and running back John Kelly, a tough, hard-nosed kid with great balance. Signees list 6. Georgia Georgia's opponents will have fearsome defensive line group to deal with for the next few years, as this highly ranked Bulldogs class is led by some talented defensive linemen. The top dog is the nation's number two overall player, in-state defensive tackle Trenton Thompson, who could be a high NFL Draft choice someday. He's joined by Jonathan Ledbetter, D'Andre Walker, Natrez Patrick, Michael Barnett and Chauncey Rivers, all four-star prospects on the defensive line. On offense, highly regarded receiver Terry Godwin may play as a true freshman, and is joined by four-star JUCO running back Chris Carson. Cornerback Rico McGraw, a one-time Alabama commit, and offensive tackle Patrick Allen were key Signing Day additions. Signees List 7. Notre Dame The additions of running back Dexter Williams and wide receiver Equanimious St. Brown helped the Irish retain their lofty ranking. The crown jewel of Brian Kelly's class is five-star tight end Alize Jones, who flipped from UCLA late in the process and will continue the Irish's tradition at the position. Offensive lineman Tristen Hoge and smart, instinctive in-state linebacker Josh Barajas were also highly rated, heavily recruited prospects. Quarterback Brandon Wimbush, a one-time Penn State commit, is an athletic passer who fits the Irish scheme. Wide receiver Miles Boykin comes in from the Chicagoland area off of an impressive senior season and has great size (6-foot-5, 210 pounds). The Irish also will bring in the nation's top kicker, Justin Yoon. Signees List 8. Texas The additions of three Signing Day commits, with four-star running back Chris Warren among them, moved the Longhorns into the national top ten. Charlie Strong and his staff kept five-star Malik Jefferson, a linebacker with 4.4 speed, in-state and he should pay big dividends, possibly right away. He's joined at linebacker by Dallas native Anthony Wheeler. JUCO offensive tackle Brandon Hodges may be able to help right away. Offensive lineman Patrick Vahe, a top 100 national prospect, should be a future stalwart on the offensive line for the Honghorns. In-state defensive tackle Du'Vonta Lampkin gives Strong more beef up front. Signees List 9. Ohio State The Buckeyes had a big Signing Day, adding offensive tackle Isaiah Prince and wide receiver K.J. Hill, but also keeping running back Mike Weber, who took a late visit to Michigan, and has an opportunity to be the back of the future in Columbus. In a year in which the Buckeyes played three quarterbacks, two signal-callers with impressive accolades, Torrance Gibson and Joey Burrow join the ranks. Linebackers Justin Hilliard, Jerome Baker and Nick Conner join defensive end Jashon Cornell in the defensive class. Late additions at defensive tackle Robert Landers and DaVon Hamilton could pay big dividends despite not being "on the radar" guys until late in their senior seasons. Four-star cornerback Denzel Ward also has big-time ability. Signees List 10. Texas A&M Defensive tackle Daylon Mack, a five-star, was a big Signing Day addition. After Johnny Manziel and then Kyle Allen, the Aggies continue their roll at quarterback with five-star Kyler Murray, who is not big (5-10, 178 pounds), but put up gaudy stats and can make all the throws. He will have some weapons at his disposal in five-star Christian Kirk and good-sized JUCO target Damion Ratley. He will also have highly regarded offensive tackle Connor Lanfear protecting him. Of course, the Aggies did not forget the defensive side of the ball as safety Justin Dunning and defensive end James Lockhart were ranked among the nation's best at their position. Signees List 11. Florida State Quarterback Deondre Francois, cornerback Marcus Lewis, and wide receiver Auden Tate, all four-star commits, picked Florida State on Mational Signing Day. The Noles have four five-star prospects including defensive end Josh Sweat, who was injured as a senior, but has major ability. Safety Derwin James was the top ranked player in Florida and the nation's top safety. Cornerback Tarvarus McFadden has outstanding size and cover skills, and wide receiver George Campbell brings 4.3 speed in a 6-foot-3 frame. Physical 230-pound running back Jacquez Patrick and raw, but highly athletic offensive tackle Abdul Bello could be future pros and immediate impact may come in the form of JUCO linebacker Lorenzo Phillips. Signees List 12. LSU The Tigers have a dynamic duo at cornerback coming in with two five-stars, Kevin Toliver and Donte Jackson. Toliver, a Florida native, has outstanding size and tools, while Jackson is a speedy all-around athlete with dynamic ability. The Tigers went down to Texas and picked up massive 6-foot-5, 346-pound road grading offensive lineman Maea Teuhema, who will pave the way for another top 50 national prospect, running back Derrius Guice, and two other four-star running backs, David Ducre and Nicholas Brossette. Wide receivers Tyron Johnson and Jazz Ferguson bring size and ability on the outside. Four-star offensive tackle Toby Weathersby was a big Signing Day commit as was wide receiver Derrick Dillon. Signees List 13. Penn State The Nittany Lions have 12 commits in the Scout 300. Cornerback John Reid is a fantastic athlete with the speed and footwork to play on an island. The class' highest ranked commit is defensive end Kamonte Carter, an edge-rusher from Virginia. Offensive tackle Sterling Jenkins is raw, but has the tools and 6-foot-8 frame to play on Sundays. James Franklin and company have also brought in some offensive firepower in the form of three four-star receivers Brandon Polk, Irvin Charles and Juwan Johnson and two four-star running backs, Saquan Barkley and Andre Robinson. Signees List 14. Oklahoma The Sooners went near and far for this class. Three of the top commits are Ricky DeBerry a five-star from Virginia, athletic defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, who will come all the way down from Canada, and offensive tackle Dru Samia, a California native. Of course, the Sooners stuck to the Midlands too, landing highly ranked offensive lineman Bobby Evans and big, physical cover-corner P.J. Mbanasor, both from Texas and four-star safety Will Sunderland from their home state. JUCO wide receiver Dede Westbrook, who led the nation in receiving at Blinn College. Safety Prentice McKinney was a Signing Day grab from Texas. Signees List 15. Clemson The Tigers have a strong class, particularly at the top, where five-star offensive tackle Mitch Hyatt leads the way. Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is one of the nation's best, and showed it with a strong performance at the Under Armour All-American Game. Wide receiver prospect Deon Cain is a high school quarterback with explosive athleticism. Mark Fields is one of the nation's top cover corners. Four-star wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud picked the Tigers on Signing Day and has open field ability and return skills. Signees List 16. Mississippi The JUCO ranks were kind to the Rebels, as they add several potential difference makers. Cornerback Tony Bridges has great size (6-2, 190 pounds) as well as physicality and ball skills. He is expected to step in and not only start, but become one of the conference's best. Quarterback Chad Kelly will have an opportunity to compete for the job right away, and defensive tackle D.J. Jones chose Ole Miss over Alabama and Florida State. Offensive linemen Javon Patterson is a talented addition. Wide receiver Van Jefferson, a one-time Georgia commit, has NFL bloodlines and comes in with sure-hands and plenty of polish. He looked at other schools late, keeping him in the fold was key. He and five-star Demarkus Lodge, who committed on Signing Day, add major star power to an already talented position. Signees List 17. Michigan State The Spartans closed with a flurry and flipping Kentucky commits David Dowell and Andrew Dowell while adding four-star Cassius Peat moved the class way up. Ten Scout 300 commits for Mark Dantonio including outstanding offensive linemen Kyonta Stallworth and Noah Listermann. Four-star linebacker Tyriq Thompson, a Michigan legacy, is already on campus, and Dantonio has compared quarterback Brian Lewerke, who put up huge stats as a senior, to Kirk Cousins. Running back L.J. Scott, the class' top commit, may play as a freshman and look out for athletic defensive tackle Raequan Williams, who has pro potential. Signees List 18. Mississippi State The Bulldogs did well in-state, picking up four four-star prospects from within state lines. That group is led by the nation's third ranked safety Jamal Peters and athletic defensive tackle Fletcher Adams. They also did a great job in the JUCO ranks, landing offensive tackle Martinas Rankin, wide receiver Donald Gray, linebacker Traver Jung and defensive end Jonathan Calvin. Rankin is expected to compete immediately for the left tackle job. Four-star linebacker Leo Lewis was a big Signing Day addition. Signees List 19. Arizona State Landing four-star defensive tackle Joseph Wicker on Signing Day moved the class up several spots. The Sun Devils will get instant impact from five-star JUCO linebacker Davon Durant, a big, physical prospect who could see time at a few different positions. Four-star quarterback Brady White is an smart, accurate passer who will have a 240-pound running back to handoff to in Virginia native Jaason Lewis. ASU pulled quick-footed cover man Stanley Norman and linebacker Khaylan Thomas, both Scout 300 prospects, out of California. Signees List 20. South Carolina The Gamecocks signed the nation's top JUCO prospect, defensive end Marquavius Lewis, whose complete package of skills along with his strength make him a good bet to make a big impact next Fall. Coming in with him is in-state product Shameik Blackshear, a long, athletic kid with great upside. Of course, head coach Steve Spurrier never forgets offense, and wide receiver Jalen Christian and running back A.J. Turner both have the speed and athleticism to excel in his offense. Two other JUCO prospects, defensive ends Dante Sawyer and 6-foot-7 Ulric Jones should see the field next year as well. Signees List 21. Oregon The Ducks picked up seven Scout 300 prospects, including athletic quarterback Travis Waller, who has the skill set to be successful in their offensive scheme. He will have a couple of weapons in speedy Georgia native Taj Griffin and big, physical wideout Alex Ofodile from Missouri. The top prospect in the class is Hawaiian defensive end Canton Kaumatule, a five-star and top 20 national prospect. Hard-hitting Fotu Leiato, a late add, will be a head-hunter at linebacker or safety and on special teams. One of the last additions to the class was Kirk Merritt, a fast slot who can play in the backfield and catch passes. He should also serve as a return man. Signees List 22. Arkansas The Razorbacks and head coach Bret Bielema made sure the top in-state talents stayed at home, landing four-star quarterback Ty Storey, who will have the state's top prospect, big, athletic tight end Will Gragg to throw to. Another in-stater, 6-foot-6 defensive end Jamario Bell has major upside as well. Florida was also kind to Bielema as they landed guard Jalen Merrick and defensive tackle Hjalte Froholdt. Froholdt is already on campus. Another four-star prospect, center Zach Rogers, comes over from Texas. Signees List 23. Washington Head coach Chris Petersen has had some good quarterbacks over the years, and he signed a top 100 national prospect in Jake Browning, a smart, accurate passer who comes in from California. They Huskies did well in-state too, landing defensive end Benning Potoae shortly before Signing Day and grabbing 6-foot-6 offensive tackle Henry Roberts out of storied Bellevue. His bookend will be another big in-state prospect, 6-foot-7 Trey Adams. The beneficiary of having those big bodies up front will be running back Myles Gaskin. Signees List 24. North Carolina Picking up four-star defensive end Jason Stowbridge just before Signing Day boosted the class into the top 25. The top five recruits in the class, defensive end Jalen Dalton, defensive tackle Aaron Crawford, offensive tackle William Sweet and center Tommy Hatton are all in the trenches. The beneficiary of those big offensive lineman is athletic quarterback Anthony Ratliff-Williams. A sleeper to watch is cover-corner Corey Bell. Signees List 25. Stanford The top two players in the class come from in-state. Wide receiver Trent Irwin catches everything thrown his way and should be a fan favorite. Safety Frank Buncom is a good-sized kid with excellent ball skills. He's joined by a similarly talented safety, Justin Reid, who comes in from Louisiana. Bruising 210-pound running back Cameron Scarlett is a hammer who could see early time. He will be joined by h-back Reagan Williams who the Cardinals had to stave off a late offer from Michigan on. He and hard-nosed fullback Houston Heimuli along with Scarlett bring some serious battering ram short-yardage potential to Palo Alto. Signees List | 1 | 6,476 | sports |
Austria's Anna Fenninger opened the world championships in spectacular style by adding the Super-G gold to her Olympic crown on Tuesday and stealing the spotlight from American ski queen Lindsey Vonn. The event was pushed back 30 minutes and the start lowered due to high winds on the Raptor course but Fenninger would not be distracted clocking a time one minute, 10.29 seconds down the blustery piste. Fenninger topped an impressive leaderboard with double Sochi Olympic gold medallist and defending champion Tina Maze of Slovenia crossing .03 behind to grab second and Vonn, the most successful women's ski racer of all time, taking third. "It was a really amazing moment, I was dreaming about that moment because I had (start) 22 today, I was dreaming about that and it comes true," said Fenninger. "I was watching all the girls until 10 and I saw it was a challenging course and windy. "It was difficult, I didn't recognize that Lindsey or Tina are in front, I was just focused on me and it worked." While gold went to Fenninger the day belonged to hometown girl Vonn, who grew up in the Vail Valley honing the skills that put her on top of the podium more times than any other women's alpine skier. With International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach and boyfriend Tiger Woods looking on from the finish area, Vonn triggered a massive roar from the packed grandstands as she pushed out of the start hut. The excitement faded as Vonn trailed by 0.28 seconds at the first interval and by nearly a half-second at the second but she mounted a dazzling charge down the bottom half. When she crossed the finish line the crowd exploded as her named topped the leaderboard, the American skier turning to the pulsating grandstand and punching both hands into the air. But the celebration was short-lived as Maze, the next racer onto the course, bumped her from top spot. In many ways, Vonn's bronze could be taken as victory. "I'm disappointed but at the same time I'm happy, said Vonn, who returned to action this season after a year out following a high speed crash at the 2013 championships that left her racing future in doubt. "A world championship medal is always a good thing." (Editing by Frank Pingue) | 1 | 6,477 | sports |
Felicity Jones is negotiating with Disney and Lucasfilm to lead a new standalone "Star Wars" movie from director Gareth Edwards, this according to The Hollywood Reporter . A representative for Jones had no comment; a representative for Lucasfilm was not immediately available. Per THR, Jones beat out "Orphan Black" star Tatiana Maslany and Rooney Mara for the part in the film, which is set for release in December of next year. It's unclear what role Jones would play, but a previous rumor had her set to star as a young version of Princess Leia . Carrie Fisher played Princess Leia in the original trilogy and will reprise her role for the upcoming "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." According to TheWrap, Aaron Paul is also being sought to play the male lead in Edwards' standalone feature. Jones has some blockbuster experience. She co-starred in "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" as Felicia Hardy, a character who eventually becomes Black Cat in the Marvel Comics series . "I like watching bigger films," she told HuffPost Live last year . "As long as there's something you find when you read the script -- some response you have to it -- then I think go for it. I think the world needs both [small films and blockbusters]. Sometimes you do just want to go to the movies and be entertained." Jones is nominated at this year's Oscars in the Best Actress category for her role in "The Theory of Everything." For more on the "Star Wars" spinoff, head to THR . | 6 | 6,478 | entertainment |
Oil prices surged higher for a third straight day Tuesday, hitting late-2014 peaks on hopes of rebounding global energy demand and production cuts that could curb the supply glut. The US benchmark, West Texas Intermediate for March delivery, soared $3.48, or seven percent, to $53.05 a barrel, the highest WTI close since December 31. In London, Brent North Sea crude for delivery in March jumped $3.16 (5.8 percent) to settle at $57.91, its best reading since December 30. "The strong rally continues in the oil market as both Brent and WTI front-month futures extended gains and climbed higher... supported by increased appetite amid hopes of a rebound of the global oil demand in the first half of 2015," said Myrto Sokou, analyst at Sucden brokers. WTI has gained $8.53, or nearly 20 percent, since the rally began Friday on signs the industry is quickly tightening exploration activities. The Baker Hughes North America rig count reported on Friday fell sharply for the week to January 30, dropping by 128 rigs to 1,937 for the week to January 30. That compared with 2,393 a year ago. Deep cuts in capital spending by major oil companies, including new announcements Tuesday by BP and BG Group, also suggested there would be tighter supplies in the future. "A lot of factors are at play. Obviously, the capital spending cuts just keep coming, with BP, and we're seeing one of the fastest drops of spending across the sector I can remember," said Phil Flynn of Price Futures Group. In addition, the oil market was feeling the pinch of a weaker dollar Tuesday, he said. "It's not just about supply and demand -- the dollar definitely has an influence." Some analysts cautioned the current oil price rebound likely would not last because supplies still far outweigh demand. "Oil ... has enjoyed the combination of weakening supply and rising demand fundamentals to maintain its surge for another day," said Chris Beauchamp, market analyst at trading firm IG. "Oversupply does not disappear overnight, however, and the jury is still out on whether this bounce (in prices) has much further to run." | 3 | 6,479 | finance |
Ladies, if you're planning a special night out for Valentine's Day, there are a few beauty apps that can help you get beautified in a snap! Krystin Goodwin (@krystingoodwin) has the best beauty apps to prep for your Valentine's Day outing! | 8 | 6,480 | video |
A Florida man has been arrested after police say he illegally trapped and killed five small alligators for a homemade "Super Bowl Dinner." Richard Nixie, 30, was busted at his DeBary home just two hours before the big game even started Sunday after trapping the American alligators which were described as less than 5-feet in length. The average adult female American alligator, in comparison, is said to grow to be 8.3-feet while the male's average is 11.2-feet. The gators are federally protected while considered threatened. Their hunting is legal but only during harvest seasons and with a permit, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation. Nixie was charged with possession and taking alligators without a proper tag. Records show he was released from the Volusia County jail on $500 bail. [email protected] | 5 | 6,481 | news |
Nico Rosberg had little to worry about in Formula One's pre-season testing on Tuesday, completing 151 trouble-free laps for Mercedes at Jerez, but did express concern about the uncertainty hanging over his home German Grand Prix. Germany has a race scheduled for July 19 but neither the Nuerburgring nor Hockenheim circuit have so far agreed to host it. Formula One's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone warned on Monday that the race was looking unlikely due to commercial reasons and past poor attendances at both venues but he was trying to rescue it. Rosberg, whose mother is German and his father the Finnish world champion Keke, said he was saddened to hear that nothing was confirmed. "For as long as I can remember, the German Grand Prix was part of the Formula One World Championship, so I really hope our Grand Prix will be held this year and beyond that," he said after the third day of testing in southern Spain. "The fans deserve to have a great show every year because there are so many great supporters out there. Also there is plenty of Germany in F1, with us German drivers like (Ferrari's) Sebastian (Vettel), Hulk (Nico Hulkenberg) and myself, plus of course Mercedes-Benz," added the 29-year-old. "So I really hope that Bernie and the promoters find a good solution for everybody." Rosberg won last year's race at Hockenheim, becoming the first winner for Mercedes in Germany since Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio in 1954. He was also the first German home winner for a German team since the championship started in 1950 but, despite his team's domination, only 52,000 people attended on race day. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Ken Ferris) | 1 | 6,482 | sports |
The genius of of the great Michelangelo expressed itself in many ways, from some of the greatest paintings every made, to some of the most beautiful sculptures. Now a possible late discovery of the master has prompted a flood of visitors to a museum in England. A team of art experts in England believe they have found convincing proof that Michelangelo was behind a pair of previously overlooked bronze statues. They show a pair of muscular, apparently drunken young men waving triumphally as they sit riding completely naked astride a pair of panthers. Dr. Victoria Avery, the Keeper of Applied Arts at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, was part of the team who helped to identify the origin of the statues. Here's how she described the moment when she realized that the sculptures might be the work of the great Italian genius: "It was mindblowing! To have in front of one these nude, lithe, athletic, muscled males! And then to be able to touch them! It's been a huge privilege." Until recently, the sculptures had been assumed to be more recent. However, a scan of the metal showed that they had both been made with unusually thick cast metal, a practice typical of Italian sculpture during Michelangelo's time. Scholars also uncovered copies of sketches by Michelangelo that appear to show the same subject matter. Other clues: Michaelangelo's telltale attention to detail in the design of male pubic hair and of young men's feet. According to Avery, the sculptures show male followers of Bacchus, the Roman God of wine, drunkenness and celebration. Although it is unusual to depict naked men on panthers in the service of Bacchus, or any other purpose, there are some precedents for this imagery. Avery says they were probably made for enjoyment of local dignatories. "It was a good excuse to show people having a wild time and a bit of nudity under the guise of an intellecutal ancient subject" she says. "The link between nudity, drunkenness and panthers makes us think they are definitely a pagan subject." The news that a pair of Michelangelo sculptures are on display created that rush of visitors at the Fitzwilliam. For Avery, the interest is far from surprising. "They are absolutely stunning you really need to come and see them in person,'' she says. "Two very atheltic, highly muscled men, seated astride snarling ferocious panthers." | 5 | 6,483 | news |
Archwell Maramba is going to jail for 9 years in Zimbabwe after he was convicted of eating pythons, which are classified as a protected species. Gillian Pensavalle (@GillianWithaG) explains. | 8 | 6,484 | video |
The marketing team working on "Magic Mike XXL" is brilliant. The first poster for the film, due out July 1, is ... just ... perfect. Channing Tatum, respected Hollywood A-lister, is shirtless, wearing a bandana, flat brim and jeans. He's ... coming. Look, but you can't touch...until tomorrow. Tune in to @theellenshow! #MagicMikeXXL - A photo posted by Channing Tatum (@channingtatum) on 3 February, 2015 at 12:03pm PST The sequel also features Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez and Gabriel Iglesias, Elizabeth Banks, Donald Glover, Amber Heard, Jada Pinkett Smith, Andie MacDowell and Michael Strahan. They're coming too, we assume, and so is a trailer -- at least judging by Tatum's tease to watch "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" on Wednesday. | 6 | 6,485 | entertainment |
Marion Cotillard is no stranger to the Academy Awards, but she was genuinely surprised that she earned a nod for best actress this year for her little-seen film Two Days, One Night. We spoke with Marion at yesterday's Oscar Nominees Luncheon about how life has changed since she won her first Oscar for La Vie en Rose and why this year's nod is especially meaningful for her. | 6 | 6,486 | entertainment |
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. Two tasks should be among the most basic at any casino: Keep track of how many slot machines are in use, and shuffle the cards before using them. Yet two Atlantic City casinos have been fined for failing at those jobs. In actions made public Tuesday, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement fined Caesars Atlantic City $5,000 for losing two slot machines and filing monthly reports indicating that all machines were accounted for. The machines are still missing. It also fined the Golden Nugget Atlantic City $4,000 for using unshuffled cards in four blackjack games in August, then realizing its mistake and handing a gambler who lost $1,600 in the tainted games a stack of chips to cover his losses. Both are forbidden, according to state gambling regulations. In the Caesars matter, the gambling enforcement division fined the casino for violating records-keeping regulations. In November 2013, the casino was moving slot machines to and from storage spaces when it realized it could not locate or account for two. Yet, it filled out monthly reports indicating that all its machines were accounted for. Kerry Langan, a spokeswoman for the enforcement division, said the two slot machines at issue have not yet been located. A spokeswoman for Caesars Entertainment did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. However, the company reached a settlement with the state and agreed to pay the fine. The unshuffled cards incident in August was just the latest for the Golden Nugget. On Aug. 8, a blackjack dealer introduced cards into the game without shuffling them first, according to documents outlining a settlement of the charges between the enforcement division and the casino. Four rounds of blackjack were played before casino staff realized what had happened. As soon as they did, they decided to compensate a gambler who had lost $1,600 during the four games by handing him a stack of chips from the table inventory to cover his losses. By law, chips cannot be removed from a table except in return for money, credit or in other defined circumstances. In its complaint, the enforcement division acknowledged the dealer had acted "inadvertently" in using unshuffled cards. The Golden Nugget had no immediate comment Tuesday. The casino is also embroiled in litigation stemming from the use of cards it bought from a manufacturer that were supposed to be pre-shuffled but weren't. That allowed gamblers to win $1.5 million when they recognized the emerging pattern of cards. ___ Wayne Parry can be reached at http://twitter.com/WayneParryAC | 5 | 6,487 | news |
Out of the 25 players James Franklin expects to sign with Penn State on Wednesday, only one, he said, asked about the full cost of attendance benefit that will be available to them this fall, adding a few thousand dollars in spending money to each scholarship. Colorado's Mike MacIntyre had a similar experience, getting only a few questions about the long-discussed stipend, which was voted into NCAA policy in January by the five high-resource conferences. Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said some of the players he recruited this year weren't even aware they would be part of the first freshman class in the cost of attendance era. But that is likely to change once the book closes on the 2015 recruiting class and football coaches turn their attention to high school juniors. Though discussion about cost of attendance and other new benefits for college athletes was not a huge part of this year's cycle, recruiting is about to enter new territory in the next year. Whereas coaches used to go into homes with pictures of weight rooms and presentations about academics, they will soon be armed with dollar figures and cost of living adjustments. And though practically everyone in college athletics recognizes that the scholarship was not sufficient and a stipend was long overdue, there will be differences between what schools can offer, which means it is now part of the recruiting process for better or worse. "There's going to be much more awareness of it and people are going to be using it," Franklin said. "The (schools) that are above other (schools) in terms of the amount of aid they're going to be able to give, they're going to be throwing that number around. For anybody to think this won't be a factor in the process next year is being really naïve." *** Call it an unintended consequence of the new NCAA, which has been jarred loose from its long-held paradigm of writing bylaws to ensure an equal playing field. A series of legal challenges and the evolution of public attitudes about college sports created an urgency for reform, which manifested itself last year in the push for the five power conferences the SEC, the Big Ten, the ACC, the Pac 12 and the Big 12 to gain autonomy over certain areas of the rulebook. Though nearly a year of conversation preceded the January vote to offer full cost of attendance which is "permissive" legislation, meaning schools outside the Power Five can participate if they wish determining what it means in practice for each school and each athlete is still a complicated and somewhat murky process. Each college's financial aid office is required under Federal guidelines to publish a full cost of attendance number, which includes an estimate of incidental expenses. Exactly what is included in that number, however, can vary from school to school and even from person to person depending on factors like distance from home or whether they have a child. In the autonomy session last month, the SEC proposed a rule that would require schools to disclose what they're including in the full cost of attendance, but it was voted down by the other conferences. "It was really more of a system to make sure everybody stays in line with what the university cost of attendance is and you don't wake up all the sudden and some institution triples it one day," Auburn athletics director Jay Jacobs said. "Maybe people thought it was too bureaucratic, too much paperwork. Maybe people didn't quite understand it, but we know if we go through a year of this and there needs to be checks and balances, it wouldn't surprise me if the other conferences caught up." It's not hard to envision a world coming to fruition in which those checks and balances might be necessary. Jacobs, for instance, said the average full cost of attendance benefit for Auburn athletes is likely in the neighborhood of $6,000 per year, with an additional $1,500 if they enroll in summer school. That number would rank among the highest in the SEC and perhaps even a couple thousand dollars more per year than some of the regional schools Auburn regularly recruits against. Will that be an advantage Auburn can point to in a close recruiting battle? You better believe it. "We think student-athletes are going to choose Auburn because it's the best place for them to come and get an education and compete, but certainly having a higher number than most in the Southeastern Conference is going to be helpful," Jacobs said. "Having the lowest number in the SEC could be hurtful. The way we recruit and the quality of student-athlete we want, we hope that number isn't a deciding factor but human nature says it could be depending on the circumstances." At minimum, it's going to mean a lot of conflicting information for parents and recruits as they try to determine exactly what schools are offering and what the cost of attendance number means for them. Arizona State, for instance, is operating under the assumption that Southern Cal and UCLA schools it often competes against in recruiting will be able to offer more money. But assistant athletics director for recruiting Patrick Suddes said the Sun Devils already have come up with a chart breaking down the differences in average rent and food prices between Tempe and Los Angeles. Freeze acknowledged that Ole Miss has been proactively talking to recruits in this year's class about cost of attendance and comparing Ole Miss' estimated number to other schools. "The best salesmen are the ones who are going to benefit," said Arkansas State athletics director Terry Mohajir, whose school is going to offer cost of attendance for football. "It's going to be a lot based on perception, in my opinion. I'm not sure anybody is going to really discuss (publicly) what they're offering to a 'T' because, strategy-wise, it might be best not to discuss it. If you're doing less, you don't want people to know that." *** It could turn out that everyone's overthinking it. In the end, traditional factors like distance from home, playing time and relationship with a coaching staff are going to determine more recruiting battles than a $200 per month difference in a stipend check. "I don't think this is Armageddon," Kansas State athletics director John Currie said. "I don't think it causes complete chaos in the market. Historically, coaches have worked pretty hard to display all the benefits they offer, and this is a great benefit. This is $100 million being transferred to student-athletes annually from the 65 schools, so let's be proud of it. Let's not hide from it." But the impact of money being injected into the process can't be underestimated, either, especially when it comes time for coaches to explain why they can't offer as much as another school. It's one thing to compare locker rooms; it's another when a family can compare schools based on the amount of a monthly check. "If you go in five homes a week, for a couple it won't matter but for a couple it will and those are legitimate questions you need to have answers to," MacIntyre said. "When I first started coaching, they just wanted a scholarship and you got a dorm room. It just keeps evolving, but all of that is better for the student." Once the 2016 recruiting cycle starts, coaches will get a feel pretty quickly for how much the cost of attendance matters and who it favors. Though in theory the cost of living adjustments should make cost of attendance figures relatively equal, Franklin said he's skeptical that most recruits will delve deeply into what the numbers mean. "This is part of the equation we have to deal with now, and there are going to be some kids choosing a school based on money rather than that's where they want to go; there's no doubt," Franklin said. "I'm happy for the student-athletes, but there is concern when it goes completely away from the model that we're all used to that we're all able to offer the same thing. Now there's another factor and whenever anything is new like this, you never really completely understand the unforeseen consequences." Contributing: George Schroeder | 1 | 6,488 | sports |
Family and friends of Bobbi Kristina Brown are entering their fourth day of waiting for any positive information from doctors that could hint toward her possible survival. The 21-year-old daughter of R&B singing couple Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston was found face down and unresponsive in her bathtub this past Saturday and was taken to Fulton Hospital just outside of Atlanta, Ga., where she remains in a medically induced coma. Brown's husband, Nick Gordon, and a friend discovered her unconscious body just after 10:00 a.m. on Saturday and administered CPR until ambulances arrived at their home in Roswell, Ga. While Brown was reportedly alive and "fighting for her life" at the hospital on Monday, doctors are unsure as to exactly how long she was deprived of oxygen and what effect that could have had on her. 3-Year Anniversary Of Whitney Houston's Death Yet another tragic event for the Brown family comes less than two weeks before the anniversary of Whitney Houston's death. Houston, who was found submerged in a bathtub at a hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 11, 2012, died in an eerily similar fashion as her daughter. Brown repeatedly expressed how hard she was hit by the death of her mother. "I can sing her music, but to hear it now, I can't," Bobbi Kristina told Oprah Winfrey in a 2012 interview. "I can hear her voice telling me, 'Keep moving, baby. I got you.' She's always with me. I can always feel her with me. She used to always say, 'Do you need me?' And I said, 'I always need you.'" Brown's father has not left his daughter's side at the hospital for even a moment. Facebook While the Los Angeles County coroner's office originally ruled Houston's death to be an "accidental drowning," it later added "the effects of atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine." A toxicology report also revealed traces of marijuana, Xanax, Benadryl, and Flexeril. Although an initial search of Brown's home by the Roswell Police Department revealed no drugs or evidence of drug use, drugs were discovered during a secondary search of the home, TMZ reported. Coping With The Loss Of A Parent The death of a parent is always a devastating moment for any child, no matter what age they are. Certain factors often intensify the grief felt by the child, including the relationship between parent and child, both parent and child's age at the time of death, and the suddenness of the parent's death. Common emotion and reactions to the death of a parent include confusion, anxiety, remorse, fear, frustration, yearning, and depression. Brown, who was 19 at the time of her mother's death, not only dealt with the suddenness of her mother's death, but also dealt with her mother dying at the relatively young age of 48. Above all else, the bond that Brown shared with her mother and how open she was with her feelings over the loss of her mother may have intensified her grief. Brown with her mother and R&B legend Whitney Houston. Facebook A study conducted by psychologists from Stanford University found that people who dwell on the loss of a spouse or parent for too long tend to be at a higher risk for long-term depression compared to people who recover from their grief within a month. Researchers found that, on average, people who had lost a loved one were faced with four additional stress factors that year which accurately predicted if they would be depressed six months after the death of a loved one. "Depression is a normal response to the loss of a spouse or parent," lead researcher Susan Nolen-Hoeksema said in a statement . "But there are big differences in people as to how long that depression lasts. Most people show significant recovery from a grief-related depression within six months, but people who are still very depressed after six months are at high risk for remaining depressed for a very long time after that." The Houston-Brown family remains by Brown's side and report that she is still "fighting for her life." Countless movie stars, musicians, and entertainers have extended their thoughts and prayers for the family while they deal with their second tragedy in the past three years. Check back for any developments or updates on Brown's condition. | 7 | 6,489 | health |
Florida's got a Burmese Python problem and the state is enlisting the help of volunteers to help capture a snake that is among the five largest in the world. Not a great idea, says Patrick Jones (@Patrick_E_Jones). | 8 | 6,490 | video |
A young viewer shows off his incredible guitar skills in the 'Rachael Ray' studio. | 8 | 6,491 | video |
The Jordanian government has expressed outrage at the murder of pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh by Islamic State, who released video purportedly showing their hostage being burned alive. Rough Cut (no reporter narration) | 8 | 6,492 | video |
Chris Christie clammed up in London Tuesday after taking heavy rhetorical fire for saying parents should have more choice in which vaccines their kids receive. The Republican New Jersey governor - and potential 2016 White House contender - had touched off the firestorm just after a U.S. recurrence of measles led President Obama to promote vaccination as safe and effective during a TV interview. Hillary Clinton, Obama's fellow Democrat - and possible candidate to succeed him - racked up more than 20,000 retweets on her chime-in: "The science is clear: The earth is round, the sky is blue, and #vaccineswork. Let's protect all our kids. #GrandmothersKnowBest." Christie has been roundly attacked for saying government should "strike a balance" between vaccination requirements and parental concerns about the side effects of immunization. The Democratic National Committee, for one, on Monday ridiculed Christie for wearing a "tin foil hat" and suggested he stop pushing "junk science" related to unproven connections between inoculation and developmental disorders. But both Clinton and Obama have acknowledged the fears of the anti-vaccination crowd to varying degrees in the past. During her 2008 run against Obama for the Democratic nomination for president, Clinton said in response to an Autism Action Network questionnaire that she was "committed to make investments to find the causes of autism, including possible environmental causes like vaccines." Obama responded to the same questionnaire, but didn't go as far as Clinton on linking autism and vaccines. The then-Illinois senator did address the issue on the 2008 stump, however. "We've seen just a skyrocketing autism rate. Some people are suspicious that it's connected to the vaccines. This person included," Obama said at a campaign appearance in Pennsylvania, pointing to a member of his audience. "The science right now is inconclusive, but we have to research it." Obama, whose response was videotaped and posted to YouTube, followed up by saying while the causes of autism should be studied, "vaccines are also preventing huge numbers of deaths among children, and preventing debilitating illnesses like polio. And so we can't afford to junk our vaccine system." [email protected] | 5 | 6,493 | news |
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) When John Smoltz plopped down in a director's chair inside the Baseball Hall of Fame and stared at all the bronze plaques on the walls, the moment was both magical and a bit overwhelming. ''This is a pretty incredible place. Some elite people,'' the 47-year-old Smoltz, a first-ballot Hall of Famer, said Tuesday after his pre-induction tour. ''To know that I'll be a part of it is something that still hasn't set in yet.'' The former hard-throwing right-hander of the Atlanta Braves is a member of the class of 2015 to be inducted July 26. He was elected a month ago with fellow pitchers Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez, and Craig Biggio. Smoltz, Johnson and Martinez easily made the 75 percent voting threshold on their first tries. They are the first trio of pitchers voted in together by the baseball writers. Biggio, an all-star at both catcher and second base for the Houston Astros, made it on his third try. The awkwardness Smoltz felt at last summer's induction ceremony was fresh on his mind Tuesday after glancing at a display featuring former Atlanta teammates Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine and manager Bobby Cox. They were enshrined last July, and Smoltz worked the broadcast for MLB Network. ''Last year, in an awkward way, it was like, `We'll see you next year.' I said, `One way or another you will. I'll either be covering it, or I'll never cover it again.' It looks like I'll never cover it again,'' he said. ''I'm glad the process is the way it is. I never dreamed that this would be even a reality, let alone a possibility.'' Smoltz, who was named on 455 ballots (82.9 percent), won the 1996 NL Cy Young Award and went 213-155 with 154 saves. He is the only pitcher with 200 wins and 150 saves and the last of only 16 to reach 3,000 strikeouts, registering 3,084. He also was 15-4 in the postseason during a 21-year career. Smoltz, along with right-hander Maddux and lefty Glavine, formed a formidable starting rotation that helped Cox guide Atlanta to a record 14 consecutive division titles (not including the strike-shortened 1994 season). Smoltz, who had a number of major injuries, had an elbow ligament replaced in his throwing arm and missed the 2000 season, then spent most of four seasons in the bullpen before returning to Atlanta's starting rotation. ''When I walk in this room, I may not have the most eye-popping stats, but I have one of the most unique careers,'' Smoltz said. ''Changing positions two times, risking a lot, trying to win a championship, for me was the forefront of everything I did.'' Pre-induction tours have been given to those elected for the past two decades and include a stop in the bowels of the Hall of Fame, where some amazing artifacts not on display are stored. Smoltz had visited the Hall of Fame before during his playing days when Major League Baseball sent teams to play in an annual exhibition game at Doubleday Field just down Main Street, but there was never time to stop and soak in the game's past. There was on this day, and Smoltz was in awe as he sat in the Plaque Gallery. ''When I think of Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb and what's behind me is just incredible,'' he said. ''I've always had a decent perspective of the evolutional changes (of baseball), but I never really got a chance to see them up close. To hold a bat, to hold a ball from 1906 or 1905, is pretty incredible. ''The day you get in the Hall of Fame, it's like a 20-time view of your career,'' Smoltz said. ''People start looking at you differently. That's hard for me. I don't think that way.'' | 1 | 6,494 | sports |
Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich managed to eke out a 1-1 draw at home to Schalke 04 on Tuesday despite playing over 70 minutes with 10 men following Jerome Boateng's dismissal. The defending champions have failed to win both games since the return to action after the winter break, but they maintained their eight point lead at the top of the table. Second-placed VfL Wolfsburg -- who inflicted the leaders first league defeat of the season last Friday -- had to come from behind to draw 1-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt. Bayern coach Pep Guardiola was far from disappointed at dropping points at home. "I'm very happy. It's never easy against Schalke, we controlled the game and had our chances in front of goal," said Guardiola. "We wanted the three points, but our performance was much better. "We played very well when it was 11 versus 11, but there is no need to talk about the red card." Arjen Robben's second-half header gave Bayern the lead before Schalke captain Benedikt Hoewedes equalised five minutes later. "We had more control in the game today than against Wolfsburg and did not allow them to counter," said captain Bastian Schweinsteiger referring to the 4-1 defeat. "But in Stuttgart (on Saturday) we need a win and a good performance." Bayern had Boateng dismissed with just 17 minutes gone for a foul on Schalke's Sidney Sam. But Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer easily saved Eric Choupo-Moting's weak effort from the resulting penalty. Schalke had personnel problems as Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, last season's league top scorer, is suspended while injury meant the Royal Blues played their third-choice goalkeeper for the second half. Bayern suffered an early set back as centre-back Boateng was shown a straight red for bringing down Sam. It was the first penalty Bayern have conceded at home in the league all season, but Neuer easily stopped Choupo-Moting's weak effort. Schalke gave 19-year-old goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther his debut for the second-half after Fabian Giefer, who had replaced first-choice Ralf Faehrmann, was unable to come back out as he had suffered a thigh injury. The teenager made a key save to deny Robben early in the second-half, but Schalke fell behind soon afterwards. Xabi Alonso's corner found Robben unmarked and he headed home on 67 minutes. The lead lasted five minutes as Bayern made the same mistake to leave Schalke skipper Hoewedes free to power home a header to level the scores. "It's annoying to go 1-0 up and then to draw," fumed Robben. "We played really well against a super defensive side and considering we played with 10 men, we played great." - De Bruyne rescues Wolfsburg - Wolfsburg needed a late goal from Belgian international Kevin de Bruyne to rescue a point. Wolves opted to leave Andre Schuerrle out of the matchday squad having signed the Germany winger for a club record 32 million euros ($36million, £24million) from Chelsea on Monday. The visitors were brought back down to earth after beating Bayern as Frankfurt's Stefan Aigner put the hosts ahead in the 58th minute and nearly added a second soon after. But De Bruyne, who scored twice in the 4-1 romp over Bayern, underlined his stellar season by scoring two minutes from time to leave him with six goals and 11 assists this season. Borussia Moenchengladbach consolidated third place with a 1-0 win at home to Freiburg, Patrick Herrmann scoring his second goal in as many games. Wednesday's action will see ailing giants Borussia Dortmund, presently bottom of the table, bid to claim three much-needed points when they host fifth-placed Augsburg. | 1 | 6,495 | sports |
Dani Alves is ready to leave Barcelona this summer because the club has still not offered him a new contract, the defender's agent has said. The right back's current deal expires at the end of the season but it was thought he would sign an extension as a result of Barca's transfer ban, which prevents the club from making any signings until 2016. "They haven't contacted us," agent Dinorah Santana told Cadena SER. "I interpret that silence to mean they don't want Dani Alves, so we will begin searching for a new club. We won't wait for Barcelona, they have to take the plunge. Alves has spent seven years here and he has behaved like a professional at all times. "Barcelona have not had a sports director for a month and Alves is free to negotiate with any club. Zubizarreta didn't tell us anything." Alves joined Barcelona in 2008 after spending six years with Sevilla, where he won the UEFA Cup in successive seasons in 2006 and 2007. The 31-year-old has since gone on to lift the Champions League twice with the Blaugrana, as well as four La Liga titles. | 1 | 6,496 | sports |
British actress Rosamund Pike is nominated for a best actress Oscar for Gone Girl, and when she stopped for a Q&A at the Oscar Nominees Luncheon with reporters, she was happy to keep discussing the film and its controversial ending. It's especially nice to see the first-time nominee seem a little overwhelmed, albeit adorable and composed as she admits to her experience feeling like "a game show." | 6 | 6,497 | entertainment |
Jay Z and Beyoncé Beyoncé is launching her own vegan food delivery service in the US.The 'Pretty Hurts' hitmaker, who participated in a meat-free challenge with husband Jay Z in December 2013 in a bid to adopt "a healthy lifestyle," has teamed up with her personal trainer Marco Borges for the new venture, 22 Days Nutrition, which will provide customers with organic, plant-based, gluten-free, soy-free and dairy-free meals for three weeks.The 33-year-old star, who is close friends with lifestyle guru and clean-eating advocate Gwyneth Paltrow, said in a statement: "I am so grateful that I took the challenge and credit Marco with leading by example. He is the most energetic person I know and it's all because of his decision to live a healthy lifestyle. He came up with a great program to get people motivated to make better nutritional choices. I am excited to partner with him."The meals will range in price from $9.76 to $16.50 each and Beyoncé is confident anyone will be able to stick to the program.She said: "All you have to do is try. If I can do it, anyone can."The 'Drunk in Love' hitmaker and Jay Z decided to eat vegan food for 22 days shortly before his birthday in late 2013.The 45-year-old rapper explained the reason for their experiment on his blog at the time, writing: "Psychologists have said it takes 21 days to make or break a habit. On the 22nd day, you've found the way."This all began a few months back when a good friend and vegan challenged me to embrace a 'plant-based breakfast' everyday. It was surprisingly easier on me than I thought."It just feels right! So you can call it a spiritual and physical cleanse." | 6 | 6,498 | entertainment |
An unusual dog that is part pit bull and part dachshund is waiting to be adopted in Georgia. | 8 | 6,499 | video |
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