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It wasn't long ago that the Chicago Bulls were undoubtedly Derrick Rose's team. He was their leader, soul and MVP. But as injuries have taken their toll on the point guard, Jimmy Butler has emerged to fill some of the leadership void. It hasn't always been a smooth transition. Rumors of a potential rift between Butler and Rose have floated around the Bulls for most of the offseason, if not longer. The two players have done their part to squash any speculation of a beef, but the whispers won't go away. And now, a report from the Chicago Sun-Times quotes a former member of the Bulls as saying that while the two are friendly and respect each other personally, Butler isn't enamored with Rose's work ethic: According to the source, Butler considers Rose a friend, but "doesn't have a lot of respect for his work ethic." In Butler's mind, Rose was considered the face of the franchise, and if the face of the franchise wasn't busting his butt in practice every day, especially last season, what was the message to the rest of the team? "We all saw this coming," the source said. This is an issue that hasn't been much of a public kerfuffle to this point, as Rose and Butler have hardly shared the court in recent years thanks to Rose's injuries. But if the point guard is healthy in 2015-16, the relationship between the two could be something to keep an eye on. MORE NEWS: Want stories delivered to you? Sign up for our NBA newsletters.
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sports
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The staff are pretty split on this one. Name Result FCD VAN Comments Becky Chabot Win 2 1 Dallas but barely. Last minute goal and we spend most of the match not looking great and floundering. Ben Lyon Win 2 1 I know, a homer pick, but hear me out. Over Mauro Diaz's 37 games in MLS, FC Dallas averages 1.86 points per game. Will he play Wednesday? I'm not sure, but the team does have some practice playing without him at least. Vancouver is fresh off a road draw with San Jose that was a wrestling match masquerading as a soccer game and won't be peak for this one. Frankly, we're in better shape and a better team, so here's the result we need to make the last 3 weeks interesting. Brian Wachholz Drew Epperley Draw 1 1 Both teams shuffle players in and out of the lineup with the short turnaround. Vancouver gets a crap late goal that pisses Oscar Pareja off in an epic fashion. Jason Poon Win 2 0 Dallas pulls off a gutsy performance led by a Matt Hedges headed goal late in the first half, then followed by a wonder goal from Michael Barrios in the dying seconds to seal it. Jeremy Villanueva Mohammad Bushnaq Loss 1 2 I hate to sound doomy and gloomy, but I need to differentiate myself from the other predictions and this is a road game. It'll be close, but FC Dallas won't be able to pull back from a 2-0 deficit falling just short in their comeback efforts. Nathan Hill Win 2 1 FCD gets a huge 3 points by starting out strong which is the key. Two early goals get answered by Vancouver but a stout defensive performance preserves a massive result. Portland starts sending scouts to scope out Oscar Pareja since Caleb Porter is floundering. Ryan Scalon Loss 2 3 FC Dallas loses a close one giving up a late winner that's absolutely heartbreaking. But more importantly we get out of the injury free. Please don't get injured anyone... Scott Hiney Draw 2 2 2-2. It's tough but I think that this team knows what this game means and I think we see Mauro really rise to the occasion and lead an offensive attack that does enough to get a point. Taylor Hester Draw 1 1 Vancouver takes the lead early but a late goal from Blas Perez off the bench gets FCD a point on the road.
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sports
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A day after Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy gained attention for his ill-advised comments his first public ones since spending most of 2014 on paid leave from the Carolina Panthers before serving a four-game suspension this year regarding his upcoming 2015 debut against the New England Patriots, others around the league were loathe to address his statements directly. "No, I'm just getting ready to play," Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said. "I'm focused on my job. He's a great player. It takes a lot of different things to handle a guy like that. He's been a great player since he's been in the league. We're going to have to prepare for him and be ready for all the different types of moves that he's got." Hardy said Tuesday he hoped to come out "guns blazing" against the Patriots in his first game back after serving his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. "I love seeing Tom Brady," Hardy said when asked of the matchup. "He's cool as crap. Have you seen his wife? I hope she comes to the game, I hope her sister comes to the game, all her friends come to the game." While with the Panthers, Hardy allegedly threw his ex-girlfriend onto a bed covered with guns. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was one of the few NFL personalities willing to address Hardy's comments. "Well, you're not allowed to have guns on the football field," Jones told Sports Illustrated . "We all know that's just a way of expressing yourself. I hope his guns are ablazin'." On Hardy's remarks about Brady's wife, Jones added: "When I saw him marry her (Gisele Bundchen), Tom went up in my eyes 100%. She's very, very attractive and it shows what an outstanding individual Tom is." Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said he had nothing to add when asked about Hardy's comments at the NFL owners meetings Wednesday. "Yeah, I saw them, but I've got no comment about it," said Jones. Reminded that Hardy had quite a few comments a day earlier, Jones replied: "He did, but I won't." NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he had not heard Hardy's remarks but added "we have high standards in the NFL and we expect people to follow them."
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sports
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The Florida Gators and Miami Hurricanes are nearing a deal to kick off the 2019 college football season inside Orlando's Citrus Bowl, according to the Orlando Sentinel's Mike Bianci . These two teams, which haven't played since 2013, once made up a thriving rivalry, until Florida dropped Miami from its schedule in 1987. But according to Bianci, it's just a matter of time before this deal is finalized . The Hurricanes have won seven of the last eight games and lead the all-times series 29-26.
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sports
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The company once run by its founder, Dave Thomas, will soon have a new chief executive. Wendy's (NASDAQ: WEN ) President and CEO Emil Brolick will retire from the fast food chain in May 2016. He will be replaced in both positions by current Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Todd Penegor. The outgoing CEO will continue to serve on the company's Board of Directors upon his retirement to ensure continuity of leadership and strategic focus for the brand, the company wrote in a press release . A transition to the new CEO will begin in the first quarter of 2016. Brolick has served as CEO since September 2011, and he previously spent 12 years with Wendy's, from 1988 to 2000, in various leadership roles. "Since returning to Wendy's four years ago, Emil Brolick has guided The Wendy's Company to a path of profitable and sustainable growth, while transforming one of America's most iconic brands," said Nelson Peltz, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "We are grateful for Emil's service, and thrilled that we will continue to benefit from his strategic guidance as a member of the Board." The company is currently conducting an external search for a new CFO. A smooth transition Brolick's decision to announce his retirement well in advance of it actually happening allows for a smooth transition to Penegor. That should benefit the company, which has been trending in the right direction for the last couple of years. It took the outgoing CEO some time, but he has managed to give shareholders significant returns. Source: YCharts.com The new CEO should be able to assume command while his predecessor is still around to help with the transition. Given that the two have worked together for over two years, that's likely to help the company keep up its momentum. Penegor joined Wendy's in June 2013 and has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer since December 2014. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from September 2013 to December 2014. Before that, he held a number of management positions at Kellogg from 2000 to 2013, including serving as CFO of various divisions. This is how it should be Penegor will be able to put his stamp on the company, but this setup allows him to take his time and not act rashly. Transitions often happen due to poor performance, and with them usually comes an overhaul of operations. That's not the case here, as the transition seems to be planned and logical, which should lead to minimal upheaval. The next billion-dollar iSecret The world's biggest tech company forgot to show you something at its recent event, but a few Wall Street analysts and the Fool didn't miss a beat: There's a small company that's powering their brand-new gadgets and the coming revolution in technology. And we think its stock price has nearly unlimited room to run for early-in-the-know investors! To be one of them, just click here . Daniel Kline has no position in any stocks mentioned.
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finance
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In the throes of New York Fashion Week, I met perhaps the chillest models in Manhattan: Jasmine Tookes and Tobias Sorensen. In their Soho hotel suite, they laughed, cooed about their first date, and completed each other's sentences. It would have been nauseating if they weren't so casually adorable, and if they weren't also there to work as the two new faces of Calvin Klein's Eternity Now fragrances, an eau de parfum for women and a cologne for men . Read on to find out about their dating rituals and how Jasmine takes care of her dreamy skin. How did you two meet? Tobias Sorensen : We met in New York through some friends in common at a random night out. Jasmine Tookes : At a nightclub. T.S. : I spotted Jasmine right away standing a couple of tables over and I couldn't stop looking. I went up to her finally and introduced myself and asked her for her phone number. Before I left the club, I went back to her and told her that I'd love to take her out for coffee if she was interested. She goes, "Uh, can I see your phone again? I believe I may have typed in the number wrong." She had given me a fake number at first! After the club, we would see each other out randomly in the city, but she was playing really hard to get. I would text her and she would wait three or four days to respond. J.T. : Or not respond at all. T.S. : So things took a while, but then J.T. : Two months later we went on a real date. T.S. : Then things went really fast. We pretty much moved in from Day One. We went on vacation together to Turks and Caicos two months into our relationship. We walked into our hotel room in Turks and the bathroom, the whole shower was this glass cube. You could lie in bed and literally watch the other person shower. We barely knew each other. J.T. : So awkward. T.S. : Jasmine called her mom, and was like, "Shit, there's this glass shower and no privacy!" J.T. : I was nervous. T.S. : I was happy, a happy boy. What does Eternity Now smell like to you? J.T. : The women's fragrance is very fresh and fruity. It smells like you're very clean like you just stepped out of the shower on a spring day. T.S. : The men's fragrance is very masculine, very sexy. It has a twist of sandalwood. It's New York. When I think of Eternity Now I think it reflects me and Jasmine's relationship. I think back to where we met and being crazy in love. Describe each other's natural scent. J.T. : [ To Tobias ] Do you really want me to say? T.S. : [ Laughs nervously. ] J.T. : He has a good natural scent. He just smells like man. T.S. : Jasmine is always very fresh-smelling. I guess it's the moisture from her skin; I love that smell. What is your first scent memory? T.S. : The smell of cedarwood and fresh grass. My family had a house in Sweden in the middle of the forest, and I remember as a kid, I would wake up in the early morning with the windows open and smell cedarwood. J.T. : For me, it's sandalwood. My mom always had candles that smelled of sandalwood, so every time I would look for a fragrance I would ask: "Do you have anything that smells like sandalwood?" I love it. It's very fresh to me and musky. How do you treat your skin? J.T. : I have a dermatologist in Los Angeles, Dr. Pearl Grimes , and I use all of her products for breakouts or anything like that. Or I like to use vitamin C serum, or vitamin E the little pill capsules and you pop them and rub them all over your face before you go to bed to moisturize. T.S. : She taught me that trick. I use Le Mieux . J.T. : I also have a little face steamer at home I like to use if I know I'm going to have a big event the next day. I'll exfoliate maybe once a week, but I like to keep everything very natural and not take too much off of my skin. T.S. : I've never been really focused on taking care of my skin. But as I've gotten older, I've learned to take more care. Jasmine teaches me tricks, like buying more expensive products, but I don't really have a routine. Which skin-care products do you use on your body? J.T. : My thing ever since I was a little kid is to use baby lotion, like the Johnson & Johnson in the pink bottle, or baby oil . The second I get out of the shower, I lather baby oil all over my skin so that it stays soft and smooth. What's your holy-grail makeup product? J.T. : I love a good eyelash curler. I'm a makeup junkie. I love to mix foundations because it's hard to find the right shade. I just fell in love with Armani Luminous Silk foundation and it's golden. How do you treat your hair? J.T. : I care about my skin so much, but for my hair I don't use anything special. When I'm not working I try not to put any heat on it at all. But as far as products go, I just use random shampoo and conditioner. I just bought the Kardashian Beauty blow-dry spray . It is amazing. It makes your hair super-shiny. And their dry seed oil after you're done straightening or giving your hair waves, you run that through and it's really nice. I would never think to use it, but it's good. Tobias, how did you get the scar on your face? T.S. : I was attacked by a bulldog when I was 6 years old. J.T. : And now he has a bulldog. T.S. : I love bulldogs. I love all dogs. My family bought me a dog pretty fast after that experience for me to get over that fear and face it. I never really thought about this whole industry because of this big scar. On my first day of work at a clothing store in Copenhagen, I was scouted by the men's head booker from Elite. I was in school back then, studying business. They told me from the beginning not to expect too much. But my scar became my trademark. It's just funny how things change. This interview has been edited and condensed.
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FKA twigs FKA twigs claims she's "quite traditional" at heart. The 'Two Weeks' hitmaker, who is engaged to 29-year-old actor Robert Pattinson, only works hard because she wants her future children "to have a nice life" and her grandchildren "to be proud" of her achievements. She said: "I'm quite traditional. You know that saying, 'You can take the girl out of the country but you can't take the country out of the girl'? I grew up in Gloucestershire, and there's a certain format that people fit into. And I'm actually quite happy with that format. I'm quite happy to say, 'Go to school, work hard on your GCSEs, do your A-Levels, get married, have children. Send your kids to a nice school. Make sure you're in the right catchment area.' "I do this because I want my children to have a nice life, and I want my children's children to have a nice life. And I want my grandkids to be proud of what I've achieved. And I want to be a role model, but not for the world." Despite her desire to settle down, the 27-year-old singer, whose real name is Tahliah Barnett, isn't afraid to be overtly sexual. Asked whether her performances have been inspired by Bjork's early career, she told the October Nowstalgia issue of Paper magazine: "Obviously Bjork is a very sexual and beautiful woman, but she often keeps her sexy on a down-low. I don't really do that. I throb. Do you know what I mean? I have that throbbing energy, and I accept it, and I harness it when I need to. It's not even a conscious thing."
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entertainment
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It's time to get rid of your phone and listen up! Smart phones have occupied too much of our lives and we need to do something to stop it. This ostrich is incredibly active in the anti cell phone initiative. When this family goes on a safari, an ostrich snags the boys cell phone out of his hands and eats it!. Obviously the ostrich is mad that the boy is not enjoying nature!
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Algae spreads along eastern Dominican shores, hampering business and tourism in some sectors of the Caribbean country. Linda So reports.
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The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG has long been a favorite of ours. With a body only slightly larger than a Honda Civic and a massive 6.2-liter V-8 cranking out supercar power, how could it not be? Apparently others felt the same way. Globally, Mercedes managed to sell 40,000 copies of the previous-generation C63 coupe. Sans AMG treatment, though, the C coupe was less impressive. Neither its shape nor its dynamics raised the pulse; it came across more as a two-door sedan than a serious performer. For the 2017 model year, Mercedes-Benz has set out to fix that. Even the base models get far more sensual lines and a sportier setup. AMG could have taken this newly athletic coupe, added a regulation number of black mesh grilles, and sat back to watch the sales roll in. But Affalterbach wanted more. Think of the new AMG C63 as a gesture of appreciation for the faithful. AMG vehicle development chief Oliver Wiech says, "We felt a duty to lift it to the next level." Related Link: Research the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Design Unlike its predecessor, the new C-class coupe is a car of classic proportions. The front clip is shared with the sedan, but from the A-pillars back every line is new. The low and compact coupe wears a relatively upright windshield and a softly sloping greenhouse. Wide, horizontal LED taillights are somewhat reminiscent of the AMG GT and the new S-class coupe. This beautiful and sensual shape undergoes a character transformation in AMG trim. The whopper from Affalterbach is wider by 2.5 inches up front and 2.6 in the rear. Both the front and rear fenders are new and the effect is dramatic. Its proportions move this car close to the S-class coupe, distancing it from the base model far more than any of its competitors. Daimler insiders say that the changes for the AMG are nearly as extensive as those necessary for a completely different body style. Chassis The new C sedan is a capable performer in its class, but the coupe should do everything better. A 1.6-inch lower roofline and seating positions dropped 0.8 inch reduce the center-of-gravity height. The steering has been recalibrated to improve driving dynamics. Again, the AMG C63 ventures further. Both the front and rear multilink suspensions are redesigned to the extent that the AMG shares no part of its rear axle with the regular coupe. Optional carbon-ceramic brakes and forged aluminum wheels reduce unsprung mass. The 255-wide front tires roll on 18- or 19-inch wheels. Out back, the 285-wide rubber is carried by 18-, 19-, or 20-inch wheels. A conventional limited-slip differential is standard, while an optional electronically controlled unit is bundled with dynamic engine mounts similar to those found on the AMG GT S and the Porsche 911 GT3. Engine As with the C-class sedan, the coupe lineup begins with the C300, fitted with Daimler's 241-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four. Rear-wheel drive is standard; four-wheel drive is an option. The next step up is the C450 AMG Sport coupe, powered by a twin-turbo'd 3.0-liter V-6 rated at 362 horsepower. While it is derived from the European-market C400, a non-AMG model, the company insists that the 450 is "an integral part of the AMG family." The radically overhauled C63 coupe stands in contradiction to that notion. We expect a sub-five-second zero-to-60 time. Top speed is governed at 155 mph, and four-wheel drive is standard. Then there's AMG's twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 that produces 469 horses in the C63 and 503 in the C63 S. The ultimate C-class will charge to 60 mph in less than four seconds and top-out at a governed 155 mph, or an optional 180 mph, which is 6 mph higher than its predecessor. This is essentially the same engine that powers the AMG GT and successor to the legendary 6.2, which made its final appearance in the last-gen C-class coupe. The AMG C63 is rear-drive only. Interior The driver looks at the same dashboard that graces the C-class sedan, and that's a good thing; this interior serves as the current segment's benchmark, with its rich materials and optional Burmester stereo system. Back-seat passengers clearly play second fiddle. The rear cabin is snug, even more so than in the preceding C coupe. Chief designer Gorden Wagener fought to sacrifice rear-seat and trunk space for the benefit of style, and we think it's worth it. Adults never fit in the back of cars in this class anyway. No market is more important for the C-class coupe than North America. With its far stronger focus on sportiness and style than before, this Benz is easily distinguished from its predecessor. Prices will remain close to the C-class sedan's, or around $40,000 to start, with the AMG C63 commanding about $70,000. Look for the C300 to arrive next March with the C450 AMG and AMG C63 following in September. A C-class convertible will eventually emerge, but for excitement, look no further than the C63. Follow MSN Autos on Facebook
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autos
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Eddie Redmayne just gave an interview where he discusses that his life hasn't changed much since winning the Academy Award for his role in, The Theory of Everything, and he still takes the subway.
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video
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Enjoy the delights of fall, from pumpkins and freshly baked pies to corn mazes and hay rides, at America's best pumpkin festivals. New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival Where: Laconia, New Hampshire The New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival (October 24, 2015), relocating from its historic roots in Keene to Laconia this year, is a festival known for its epic proportions. Having broken the world record nine times since 1992 for the most lit jack-o'lanterns in one place at one time (30,581 in 2013), 2015 is on target to break that record yet again. The festival is an homage to all things pumpkin with popular events such as the annual 5k and 10k race, where orange gourds line the street course. Stroll through the festival's food and craft fair for lots of homemade, pumpkin-inspired treats and crafts, as well as pumpkin-carving inspirations for your own projects. Plan Your Trip : Visit Fodor's New Hampshire Lakes Region Travel Guide The Great Pumpkin Farm Fall Festival Where: Clarence, New York About 30 minutes outside of Buffalo, the Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence hosts an extraordinary daily festival (September 12 October 31, 2015). Anything and everything pumpkin-related goes on these family-friendly farm grounds. Contests from pie eating (with separate heats for adults and children), pumpkin decorating, as well as scarecrow making add to the festive fall spirit. The well-themed "FSI: Farm Scene Investigation" corn maze experience has its own interactive app, adding a new digital layer to the disorienting fun. Other highlights include magic shows four times daily, a petting zoo, and pig races. Insider Tip: For more flora appreciation, head to the seasonal gardens of the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens , where a vast array of plant life is on display. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Buffalo Travel Guide Siegel's Cottonwood Farm Pumpkin Festival Where: Illinois This fall, explore the 40 acres of Siegel's Cottonwood Farm , located about an hour outside of Chicago in Cresthill, IL. Take aim and fire at the one of the farm's most popular attractions, the Sniper Zombie Paintball Ride, in which paintball guns are attached to a military-grade carrier, which cruises along a half-mile course of zombies and targets. The festival runs daily from September 26 October 31, 2015, but be sure to purchase your tickets for the Sniper Zombie Paintball Ride ahead of time, as it will sell out. For a more relaxing ride, take the hayrack trip to the pumpkin patch, where you can pick thousands of pumpkins right from the vine. Insider Tip: On weekends only, Siegel's offers their home-brewed sodas that rank high among the favorites of the festival. Try their cherry wine and sarsaparilla flavors. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Chicago Travel Guide Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival Where: California Just 45 minutes north of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, pumpkins, squash, and gourds are the main attraction at Underwood Family Farms. Featuring over a dozen varieties of pumpkins, the Fall Harvest Festival (October 3 October 31, 2015) will lure you in with live music and the smell of chargrilled burgers permeating the air. Aimed at families, the festival features a unique combine slide where children can climb up through a retired John Deere harvester and slide down. For a laugh, stop by Farmer Craig's Chicken Show, where animatronic chicken cluck along to your favorite songs. Complete with a dizzying corn labyrinth, hay pyramid, and tractor-drawn wagon ride, the harvest celebration at Underwood Farms is as extensive as they come. Insider Tip: America's Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College gives visitors close-up interactions with the 150 animals on-site, along with students who are eager to help and inform. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Los Angeles Travel Guide Autumn at the Arboretum Where: Texas Step into the colorful world of Pumpkin Village, where over 75,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash make up this unique spectacle amidst the fall foliage. The Dallas Arboretum's annual Autumn at the Arboretum (September 19 November 25, 2015) features a wonderland of pumpkin-lined pathways, pumpkin-adorned huts, and gardens. Cinderella's Carriage, a popular centerpiece, is built of steel and resembles a giant white pumpkin. Picnics in the garden are encouraged, so bring a warm beverage to enjoy in the crisp fall air. Insider Tip: Be sure to purchase tickets to the Children's Garden ahead of time, as entry times are reserved and often sell out. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Dallas Travel Guide Hiram House Pumpkin Festival Where: Ohio Now in its 43rd year, the Hiram House Pumpkin Festival (October 11, 2015) brings the best of fall harvest culture to the Cleveland area on 172 acres of the Chagrin Valley. Baked apples and spicy nachos are highlights, in addition to burgers, pizza, and funnel cakes. Kids can make their own gooey slime, create their own candles, and try their arms at the archery range. Compete in the carnival duck races, where competitors pump water down a chute to push their plastic duck to the finish line, or head over to the petting zoo, where you can find ducks of the real variety. Pony rides and carnival games complete the experience of the festival as you leave with a hefty pumpkin ready to be decorated. Insider Tip: For the best deal, get the $20 all-day wristband; it'll get you access to the best activities of the festival and make the most of your visit. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Cleveland Travel Guide Walters' Pumpkinfest Where: Kansas Walters' Pumpkinfest (September 19 October 31, 2015), just outside of Wichita, is home to some of the most unique and playful autumn activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Start with the powerful PumpGun Cannon, a vintage-themed pick-up truck outfitted with a blaster cannon that gleefully sends pumpkins hundreds of feet in to the air. Feel like you're moving but going nowhere? You've probably wandered on to the Human Gerbil Wheel, where you get to run in place like the little guys. Slingshot your pumpkin into oblivion with the Punkin Chunkin, or fly across the farm yourself on the Zipline. Unique pumpkin salsas, pumpkin chili, and pumpkin soup are only some of the Walters' farm-fresh goods you'll find in the gift shop. Insider Tip: Stay past sunset on Friday and Saturday nights for a thrilling adventure through the corn maze, with only a flashlight to guide you. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Kansas Travel Guide Shady Brook Farm's PumpkinFest Where: Pennsylvania Near the New Jersey state line in Yardley, PA, Shady Brook Farm has been in operation for over 100 years, making it one of the oldest working farms in the area. Shady Brook's annual PumpkinFest (October 2 31, 2015) brings out the best of the farm during its traditional apple and pumpkin harvest. Hop on the wagon to visit the enormous pumpkin patch where the pumpkins come in all sizes. The on-site store has freshly baked pies, cookies, and locally made ice cream. Come nighttime, the farm turns in to a small horror village where four hair-raising thrill attractions await. Insider Tip: While in Yardley, stop for dinner at the Yardley Inn on the Delaware River for a chicken Waldorf sandwich and pad thai mussels. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Pennsylvania Travel Guide Craven Farm's Fall Festival Where: Washington Craven Farm, located in Snohomish, WA, goes all out for its fall festival (September 26 October 31, 2015) each year, and 2015 is no exception. Kids' demand has brought back the meet-and-greet experience with the princesses from Frozen. After having worked up an appetite from the sing-a-long, Craven Farm's freshly made apple cider donuts and kettle corn will more than suffice. For kids, the best of the fest continues at the 3-D adventure, where the walls of the barn come alive through the magic of 3-D glasses. The Pumpkin Slinger lets kids send pumpkins flying towards targets; those with precise aim win a Craven Farm temporary tattoo. Insider Tip: See the majestic Washington landscapes from a hot air balloon, popular in Snohomish. Over The Rainbow hot air balloon rides are perfect for sunrises and sunsets, with Seattle appearing in the far distance. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Seattle Travel Guide South Jersey Pumpkin Show Where: New Jersey The motto at the South Jersey Pumpkin Show (October 9 11, 2015) is "the bigger, the better." As the highlight of the weekend-long festival in Woodstown, competitors in the Big Pumpkin Weigh-Off compete for $4,000 in prize money. (The largest pumpkins can weigh up to nearly a thousand pounds!) Marvel at New Jersey's largest pumpkin pie before heading over to the dessert contest, where visitors can sample pumpkin and apple desserts once the judges have had their taste. Seek out the fabled Headless Horseman and hear his tragic story in a live reading of Washington Irving's classic tale each night of the festival in the haunted graveyard. Insider Tip: The following weekend, the Southwind Vineyard hosts its annual Wine & Art Weekend with grape stomping, wine glass painting, and much more. Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's New Jersey Travel Guide
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travel
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Agribusiness slashes costs amidst disappointing earnings
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finance
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More than 80,000 people on Wednesday took to the streets of Brussels to protest austerity measures implemented during the first year of the center-right coalition government's tenure. The protest marks the second of its size within a year, with the last one occurring in November 2014. Three of Belgium's main unions joined the protests on a common platform that renounced policies implemented by the center-right government under the leadership of Prime Minister Charles Michel. The protest was a response to what unions said were cuts in social services and tax measures aimed at benefiting employers. The unions also cited an increase in retirement age along with a freezing of the link between wages and inflation. Violent turn While police estimated that more than 80,000 people participated in Wednesday's protest, organizers said they mobilized around 100,000 participants, just shy of last year's 120,000 demonstrators. However, similar to November's demonstration, Wednesday's protest was marred by violence when around 200 protesters clashed with police. At least three people were arrested and one officer injured, DPA news agency reported. Police responded to the attack by using tear gas and water canons. Belgium has witnessed several significant demonstrations by various groups, including taxi drivers and farmers. ls/sms (AP, dpa)
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Sixth-grader Iris Gupta wants to change how we treat one of our most annoying problems: Allergies. The 12-year-old Maryland native is one of the 10 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists for her work with nanoparticles and allergies. The challenge is the "ultimate middle school science competition" for kids in grades 5-8 across the US. This year's finalists worked on projects ranging from new ways to keep people from driving while intoxicated to devices that measure car temperatures. Allergies are your immune system's response to a substance that's not harmful to other people. They're the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the US. Here's how Gupta's project works: Typically, people treat the symptoms of allergies with antihistamines like Benadryl or Claritin. The medication inhibits histamines, the compounds our bodies release in response to an injury or allergen. But Gupta wanted to figure out if there was a way to treat allergies before they ramp up. She started looking into gold nanoparticles, which could block allergens from binding to the body's Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies , a part of the blood responsible for fighting off allergens. The nanoparticles, which are relatively inexpensive, could be injected or inhaled at the beginning of allergy season, and could stave off the inflammation and discomfort we experience when our IgE response gets initiated. Scientists have looked into the idea of using nanoparticles to stop allergies before, but more work needs to be done before they're put into use. Before she could really run with her idea, though, Gupta needed to figure out the right size of nanoparticle to use. She found that the best results came from those that were 20 nanometers in size. The 20-nanometer nanoparticles matched up well with IgE, Gupta explains in her project video , preventing the IgE from acting up when an allergen entered the body.
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Pandora has announced plans to acquire ticket-sales company Ticketfly. But can ticket sales help the company stand out in a crowded music market?
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finance
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Hillary Clinton has finally taken a side on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and it turns out she's not a fan.
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Shopper's Market: Jeanenne Tornatore of Orbitz.com tells you where the deals are
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Here, some unique, edgy--and yes, even pretty--looks to steal from the boys. Fact: There's an endless amount of good hair inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram. Little known fact: Some of our favorite styles are coming from guys. That's right, and we are taking notice of the singers, actors, and male models who are spending more and more time tending to their hair. Here, some unique, edgy and yes, even pretty looks to steal from the boys. NATURAL Justise Winslow If you want to embrace your natural texture, look no further than Justise Winslow. The NBA star's cut draws the eyes up, making it flattering for both men and women. One styling trick for the curls: "Don't touch them," says Matt Fugate, a stylist at Sally Hershberger Downtown. Instead, "put in product with a little bit of hold, like Gorilla Snot Gel , then hands-off for the rest of the day." LONG AND STRAIGHT James Valentine You, too, can have hair as glossy and long as James Valentine's, but it might mean giving up shampoo at least in part. The Maroon 5 guitarist probably doesn't wash his hair very often, since you need natural oils to create the strength to keep it healthy. "Women think they need products to make hair look like that," says Fugate. "When I had long hair, I washed it every week or two weeks." And if you weren't born with pin-straight hair, a flatiron will do the trick. Just don't forget the heat protection. TOUSLED WAVES Ashton Irwin Teenage girls across the country are probably eyeing the 5 Seconds of Summer drummer for a totally different reason, but we can't stop staring at his textured waves. Ashton Irwin's halo cut leaves plenty of face-framing layers to play with. "You would want to use your favorite styling cream and a good sea-salt spray to tousle it," says Fugate, who recommends using the cream to twirl hair into ringlets while it's wet. Yes, this style looks pretty hot on a guy, but it would also be great on a woman: It draws the eyes right to the cheekbones. MESSY BUN Brock O'Hurn Brock O'Hurn, a personal trainer in Los Angeles, has a sick body and the best #manbun on Instagram. The trick to achieving a perfectly imperfect top knot is to throw up your hair on your head really fast, without giving yourself too much time to think about it. The more disheveled the better, explains Fugate. And don't be afraid to use the elastic to create wonky shapes. Fold it over different parts of the hair to create cool bubbles and knots. We've also noticed that the social-media star tends to leave out a few inches of his ends, which plays a big part in the relaxed feel. CONTROLLED CRAZY Robert Pattinson Robert Pattinson: famed actor, talented musician, and master of pomade. Seriously, to what else could you credit his perfectly disheveled coif? "To get this look, it's important to keep your hair shorter at the crown and gradually longer as it gets closer to the face," says Fugate. "He probably uses pomade liberally and vigorously, smashing it into the hair down into the roots." To achieve a similar edge with decidedly less product, hold up sections of hair as you blow-dry them to get lift at the roots. FLOPPY CURLS Benedict Cumberbatch A mop top can easily turn dorky, but the soft waves and the way Benedict Cumberbatch rocks it with so much confidence makes it effortlessly cool. While hair is wet, weigh it down a bit with some leave-in conditioner spray to help the bang area flop on to the forehead. "With this, you don't want to use any gel," says Fugate. "You want it to remain touchable." If you're working on growing out a shorter style, like a pixie, this style works really well. Just maybe skip the sideburns. BLEACH Lucky Blue Smith There's nothing new about extreme blonde, but model Lucky Blue Smith's double process is brighter, cooler, and edgier than your standard platinum. "It's such an icy-cool tone," says Fugate. "There's zero warmth in there." Before you hit the bleach, a few things to consider: Going this blonde will take several visits to a colorist (you must remove all traces of yellow in the hair), the maintenance level is extremely high, and you could end up with major breakage. WAVY BOB Miles McMillan "Miles McMillan's hair is so cool," says Fugate. "I like how it's just hanging. I like his skewed part, and he's embracing his natural texture." Although the model's cut looks similar to a bob, there's a bit more crop in the back. But it definitely works on women, too: Style by hand-scrunching waves with a bit of styling cream while wet, then let the cut work its magic. Fugate recommends scrunching the hair dry using paper towels rather than a cloth towel, which can lead to frizz. BUZZED SIDES G-Dragon Bowl cuts, bubble-gum pink Mohawks, teased curls K-pop superstar G-Dragon appears to change his hair daily. This look with buzzed sides and a slicked-back top is the one we're most likely to adopt. One detail not to miss: "You want to make sure that when you push it back, the hair comes to a point, as opposed to all over the place, which can look like a weird comb-over," says Fugate. FAUX-HAWK Miguel Jontel Pimentel Grammy-winner Miguel Pimentel's haircut is designed to show off great bone structure: Cropped tight above the cheekbones, it "follows the shape of his head to form a soft, modern take on a faux-hawk," says Fugate. "It's clean and sleek and works for both men and women."
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WASHINGTON Local law enforcement and city officials voiced collective frustration Wednesday with a convergence of social ills, including an erosion of public support for police, that is driving dramatic increases in violent crime in some pockets of the U.S. Entrenched poverty, the explosion of heroin addiction and easy access to firearms also were recurring themes at a gathering involving representatives of more than 20 cities called by Attorney General Loretta Lynch to re-focus attention on what she described as the "devastating effects of crime across the country,'' even as violence in much of the nation has continued to decline. "These are not just communities, these are neighborhoods, neighbors, people we know,'' Lynch said, referring to some cities where fatal shootings and other murders have already far eclipsed totals from last year. Among the delegates were representatives of Baltimore, Chicago, St. Louis and Milwaukee cities all struggling with persistent surges in violence that are testing communities' capacities to respond. "We also cannot avert our gaze from the fact that police in cities feel like they are not being supported by the federal government,'' said Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn, referring to a recent federal focus on the operations of more than 20 police agencies in recent years prompted by allegations of officer misconduct. "Right now, officers feel like they are being defined by everything they are working against.'' In Milwaukee, where murder is up 80% over last year to 115 killing so far this year, Flynn said officers are confronting both the crime problem and are working to shake a perception that they cannot be trusted. It is a view, he said, that is being driven by dramatic videos of police encounters involving agencies with no connection to Milwaukee. "Every incident, regardless of where it happens, they are made to feel they must answer for,'' the chief said. "It's hurting them. National policing policy is being driven by random YouTube videos.'' In St. Louis, where murders are up 60% to 155 this year, Mayor Francis Slay said the city's problems are similar to other communities struggling against rising violence, including the scourge of heroin addiction. Slay said city leaders who gathered here Wednesday talked about heroin in the same way authorities grappled in the 1980s and 1990s with cocaine addiction that fueled a historic U.S. crime wave. "There is no one thing that anyone can point to,'' Slay said. "We are awash in guns; there are far too many guns. But drugs also are putting us on a faster course to rising violence.'' At the end of the daylong conference, Lynch cautioned that solutions "will not be immediate and certainly won't be easy.'' "I am confident that we are identifying ways to improve public safety,'' the attorney general said. She referred to the federal government's commitment to assist the re-entry of newly-released offenders back to their communities and a recent expansion of the federal violence reduction network, designed to provide crime-plagued communities with increased access to existing federal investigative resources. "I am encouraged by the spirit of engagement, the commitment to action...exemplified by the people in this room today,'' Lynch said. Follow @bykevinj on Twitter
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A British supporter of the radical Islamist group ISIS posted online what he said was the home address of the U.S. Navy SEAL who claims to have shot dead al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden on Saturday, saying that it was the group's "number one target." U.S.-based jihadi monitoring service SITE Intelligence told Reuters on Tuesday that the threat to Robert O'Neill was posted on Twitter and had been circulated widely by ISIS supporters online. Twitter suspended the account in question, and also removed the tweet that shared the alleged address. A message posted on Saturday from a Twitter account claiming to belong to Sally Jones, a British jihadi convert and widow of ISIS's slain cyber chief Junaid Hussain , posted the address in a tweet that included a link to a text file hosted on the text-sharing Pastebin service. The tweet also included the hashtag #RunRobertRun. O'Neill, 39, appeared on Fox News late on Tuesday to respond to the online threats against his life and said U.S. authorities were helping to ensure his security. "I've been ready for this since we killed Osama bin Laden. I have stuff in place," he said. "I've talked to some FBI and local law enforcement and they are putting stuff in place to assist. "This should be a call for every service member. They are all targets," he added. U.S. President Barack Obama (2nd L) and Vice President Joe Biden (L), along with members of the national security team, receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House, May 1, 2011. White House/Pete Souza/Reuters Last November, O'Neill told The Washington Post that he had killed the al-Qaeda leader, who had become the most wanted man in the world following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York. O'Neill said he was the first SEAL to enter bin Laden's bedroom in his Abbottabad compound and that he shot the terrorist mastermind as he stood behind one of his wives. His account is disputed by another SEAL present during the raid , Matt Bissonnette, who published a bestselling book in 2012 saying that he killed bin Laden. O'Neill told Esquire in 2013 about the moment he shot the extremist leader, saying that bin Laden used his wife as a shield. "In that second I shot him, two times in the forehead. Bap! Bap! The second time, as he is going down. He crumbled to the floor in front of his bed and I hit him again." O'Neill is now a motivational speaker and a contributor to Fox News. Fox News released a documentary on O'Neill earlier this year entitled "The Man Who Killed Usama bin Laden."
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Photo Gallery of almost all the Mopars of Drag Week 2015, plus a few surprises. "Hey, did the white Valiant run yet?" "I dunno, which white Valiant?" "How about the yellow Road Runner?" "Which yellow Road Runner?" "What about the Hemi car?" "Can you be more specific?" You get the picture? There are a ton of Mopars running Drag Week and at the moment of this writing, our fastest Dodge is in the pits getting rained on while changing a transmission with the help of the guy who's currently second in the same class. Wow. Follow MSN Autos on Facebook Anyway, the quickest and fastest of all the Chrysler products would be John Faraone in his 1972 Australian Valiant Charger, he ran a 7-second pass at Indy before getting sidelined by ECU problems. He's here now for exhibition passes, but out of competition, which leaves Canadian Matt Blasco to fly the five-sided flag for the Mopar camps in the fast classes. 2015 is Matt's first year at Drag Week, and man is he making waves in the Pro Street Power Adder class with a combination that had never been tested on a drag strip before this week. His best E.T. so far was a 7.702 at 185.33mph in a $150 1972 Dart Swinger that looks like it couldn't get out of its own way. The outside of the Dart might be rough, but the engine is a gem, a Keith Black 572-inch stroked 440 with 91mm turbos and Indy Predator heads. Matt's mom bought the car for him when he was 15, and supported him as he took the car from slant six to 440 to 440 with nitrous, then blower, then turbo, then bigger turbo, then aluminum block, then aluminum block and a single turbo and finally the combination we see here at Drag Week. She recently passed away and Matt and co-driver Jordan Brandon thought coming to Drag Week would be a good tribute. "It's way harder than I thought it would be," he admitted. "The longest I've ever driven the car the whole time I've had it was 100 miles, even when it had the slant six, but I'm more than tickled with how nice everyone has been." Racers are nice people, Matt. Matt's not the only A-body. Clark Lamb is back with his 1968 Barracuda, now partially through a fuel injection swap. Charley Ogle is in his gold Challenger, with a new hood replacing the big cowl from 2014, and there are plenty of other E-bodies filling out the pony car ranks. In family Mopar news, the Gebharts are back with a plethora of Pentastars, including Dale Gebhart's 400-powered Gremlin. Speaking of AMCs, there is a Marlin, and several Javelins running, although Mopar fans will be disappointed to hear that the crowd-pleasing flamed Jav of Bryant Goldstone is big-block Chevy powered. While you're fuming over that, better sit down, because that's not the only Chevy-swapped Mope. The clean, silver 2010 SRT Challenger that Jaime Hochbaum has been campaigning is * Gasp * LS-powered. Hey, he thought the Challenger was the prettiest of the new modern muscle, and he bought a theft & recovery Challenger shell, and already had an LS motor. It was a logical decision, even if it will give Tim Kuniskis nightmares. Don't worry there, Dodge CEO, it hasn't got all the bugs worked out yet so the Hellcat is safe. As always, there are a lot of very pretty, very stock-looking cars that aren't at all stock, like Rick Callahan's F.A.S.T. class Road Runner. So shiny, so Hemi. There is a pair of buttery yellow Road Runners, perfect for comparing the difference between 1968 and 1969 B-bodies, and to prove that we Drag Weekers care about going green, there's a Sassy Grass '69 packing a Hemi running in Street Race Big Block N/A.
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In the eyes of Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, one draft per season is quite enough. Cuban recently suggested that the NBA add a supplemental draft to the calendar for undrafted free agents of the current and past three years. Essentially, this supplemental draft would help teams fill out their summer league rosters and put players in a better position to earn guaranteed money. Here's more on Cuban's plan, via HoopsRumors.com : "I would have a supplemental draft every summer for undrafted free agents of the current and previous 3 years," Cuban wrote in an email to Hoops Rumors. "If you are more than 3 years out you are not eligible and just a free agent." The supplemental draft would have two rounds, and teams would hold the rights to the players they select for two years, Cuban added. Players can opt out and choose not to make themselves eligible, but those who get picked would receive fully guaranteed minimum-salary contracts when they sign, according to Cuban's proposal. "That would make it fun a few weeks after the draft and pre-summer league," Cuban wrote. "It would prevent some of the insanity that goes on to build summer league rosters." (h/t ProBasketballTalk )
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Colin Kaepernick's shoddy performance with the 49ers has caused much speculation on how his future career will be impacted. However, Kaepernick was quick to squash any rumblings about his position. "I don't play for job security," Kaepernick said, via ESPN.com . "Whether football is here or not, I will be fine. I go out, I play to win. I'm not worried about job security when I step in this building." MORE: Jennifer's 8: Clay Matthews checks Kaep | Week 5 picks straight up For Kaepernick to get back in the good graces of 49ers fans, that means he needs to step it up. In his last two games, he has only completed 22 of 44 passes, no touchdowns and has had five interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. According to head coach Jim Tomsula, he had a sit down with Kaepernick and told him to stop second-guessing himself. "If you are, stop," Tomsula said he told Kaepernick. "Can't have it. Can't play that way. Don't play not to make a mistake; Just play. Play to make the play." Now the 49ers will face the Giants Sunday, and neither quarterback nor coach wants to be in the position they have been in the past three games. "Just play to win," Kaepernick recalled of Tomsula's advice. "If something happens, it happens. But we have to go out and make sure we're making plays. "It's something that you're going to have that in the back of your mind. You're going to make sure that you protect the football. I put our team in a bad situation in the Arizona game. I wasn't going to allow that to happen again."
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Bieber, you really messed up now. It's only fitting that Ronda Rousey has joined the list of those who loathe Justin Bieber, especially considering that Bieber once was apart of Floyd Mayweather's ring walk entrance in one of his fights. The reason for Rousey not being a fan of the Biebs anymore? According to an interview with Cosmopolitan , he was 'very rude' to Rousey's teen sister by refusing to take a picture with her. Bieber has made the wrong enemy here now.
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Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari offered a reality check Wednesday afternoon to those expecting the Wildcats to pick up where they left off last year. "This year's team, as we speak, we stink," Calipari said, via the Courier-Journal.com . PHOTOS: Ranking the best college basketball transfers | MORE: Dyshawn Pierre to sue Dayton over sexual assault investigation Speaking before a crowd of about 800 at a Louisville hotel for the Wildcat Tipoff Luncheon, Calipari admitted it's still early, but he is concerned. "I said to them two days ago: 'There's one really good thing that's happening,'" Calipari said. "They said, 'What's that, Coach?' I said, 'We're not playing tomorrow, so we're OK. I'm not going to panic yet.'" Given Kentucky lost seven players to the NBA draft this past offseason, everyone expected Calipari to reload the Wildcats this year. As always, he'll have an abundance of talent, including sophomore point guard Tyler Ulis, junior forward Marcus Lee and senior forward Alex Poythress. Newcomers include Skal Labissiere, a 6-11 phenom already being touted as a possible No. 1 overall pick in next year's NBA draft, and Isaiah Briscoe (rated the No. 1 point guard in the class of 2015 by ESPN). While Labissiere has not been cleared by the NCAA to play yet, he is practicing with the team. While the talent is there, Calipari wants to temper expectations, especially early, as the young team comes together. "The greatest thing is we got great kids; they are gonna do what we ask them to do," Calipari said. "Please understand: They are children. They are 18 and 19 years old. I'm telling you, early on, we're going to be ugly. We gotta hope that Tyler is so good that we get by being ugly."
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You won't see eggs, Greek yogurt, kale, or boring chicken breast on this list.
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Pure Storage had a tough debut on the NYSE, highlighting a difficult market for IPOs. The flash storage memory company has focused on growth, and had yet to turn a profit. Bobbi Rebell reports.
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Yikes.
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As we settled into the passenger seat of Bernd Fittkau's 1965 Mustang, we asked him what he liked about American cars. In understandable English, but with a thick German accent, he said, "I like the sound. You can hear it. You can feel it," and then he sunk his right foot into the pedal and off we were, on a drive around Lubbock, Texas, while attending the big Mustang Roundup show. Bernd is stationed with the German Air Force at the flying training center at Holloman Air Force Base outside of Alamogordo, New Mexico. While he was in the States, Bernd couldn't wait to go hunting for his dream car, an early Mustang. Friends back home suggested an inline-six, but Bernd said, "No way, if I buy a Mustang it has to be a V-8." We wondered how a young man in Germany could be so smitten with an early Mustang, having been raised around Porsches, BMWs, and Mercedes. We asked if there were very many Mustangs in Germany, to which Bernd replied, "Actually no, but Germans like them, apparently, because prices are very high, especially for the first years, like the 1964½ and the 1965 Mustang. I would pay for this kind of car at least 30,000 Euros, which is about $35,000." Back at the show and parked in his space, Bernd got out and showed us an album with photos from the day he bought the car all the way through the restoration. "I took it apart to bare metal," he said. "I had every single screw in these two hands, then I put it back together and here we are today." As excited as Bernd was to show his Mustang, he seemed to look forward even more to getting his car home to drive. "I bought her here, I got her here, and I will take my baby back home. The weather in Germany isn't perfect for old cars, but as soon as the sun comes out I will hit the road." Follow MSN Autos on Facebook
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autos
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When the Detroit Pistons traded for Marcus Morris this offseason, it set about an interesting chain of events. The Phoenix Suns, who at the time were clearing cap space to chase big time free agents, ran into some issues after the trade. Mainly, they missed out on LaMarcus Aldridge, and at least temporarily upset Marcus's brother Markieff in the process. While Markieff Morris did report to training camp for the Suns, it's hard to tell how long that relationship will last. Could the Morris brothers be reunited in Detroit? A recent report says that the Pistons are monitoring the situation with Markieff closely. ICYMI from earlier chat @freep : #Pistons monitoring situation with Markieff Morris in Phoenix. #Suns Vincent Ellis (@Vincent_Ellis56) October 6, 2015 Here's more from Sean Highkin at ProBasketballTalk : "Markieff's unhappiness with the Suns started when they traded his brother, so he would obviously jump at the chance to reunite with Marcus. And they don't have much in the way of power forward depth beyond the other Morris twin and Ersan Ilyasova, so it would be a good fit from a basketball standpoint. But with the brothers' felony assault charges pending, reuniting them on the same roster might not be the best idea, and it also opens up the possibility of having to trade one of them in the future and the other one being unhappy. So far, the Suns have shown no inclination to trade Markieff, but if that changes, the Pistons are an interesting destination to keep an eye on."
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EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) Harry Gallatin, the Hall of Fame basketball player who was a seven-time All-Star forward for the New York Knicks in the 1950s, died Wednesday. He was 88. The Knicks and Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, where Gallatin was a former coach and athletic director, confirmed the death through Gallatin's family. He died in Edwardsville. Gallatin spent nine seasons with the Knicks, one in the Basketball Association of America and eight in the NBA, and finished his career in 1957-58 with the Detroit Pistons. The former Truman State star averaged 13.3 points and 11.9 rebounds in 630 regular-season NBA games. He led the league in rebounding with a 15.3 average in 1953-54 and was an All-NBA first-team selection that season. Called ''The Horse'' for his rugged play, the 6-foot-6 Gallatin never missed a game or practice in his career. He played 610 consecutive games with the Knicks, a team record that still stands, and was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1991. Gallatin coached at Southern Illinois-Carbondale from 1958-1962, going 79-36 with the Salukis. He then coached in the NBA, going 111-82 in 2 1/2 seasons with the St. Louis Hawks and 25-38 in parts of two seasons with the Knicks. Gallatin served as Southern Illinois-Edwardsville's athletic director from 1967 to 1972. He started the school's basketball program in 1967 and coached the Cougars for three seasons. In 1973, Gallatin became the men's golf coach, leading the team to 18 NCAA Division II championship appearances.
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For most of us, having a parent who loves our kids and wants to be involved in their lives is a gift. And many of us develop a new appreciation and respect for our parents after we become parents ourselves and feel that we owe them a debt of gratitude. But do we owe them naming rights for our children? No. No, we don't. A recent article in The New York Times shared the story of Frank and Jennifer Hudock, who were offered $10,000 by Frank's parents to name their baby Frank instead of the name they had chosen, Max. Apparently, according to "professional baby name watchers," this kind of bribery is a new trend, as more traditionally minded grandparents are faced with grandchildren who are to be named "Sherlock" and "Bouillabaisse." Says The New York Times writer Alyson Kreuger: Maryanna Korwitts, a naming consultant... said one client's grandfather offered a family business if a baby could be named for him. Another... suggested a dream wedding the mother never had and could not afford on her own the price being the right to name the firstborn. First, let's move past the fact that there is such a thing as a baby-naming consultant (People, please. If you hate having money, I have other ideas for what you could do with it.) and instead focus on these insufferable grandparents who think they deserve the right to name their grandchildren. I have written them a short letter addressing the issue: Dear Grandparents of the World, Hello! It's us, your children. Usually we use our time together to talk about the latest deadly virus or how your identity has been stolen... again... but today I want to talk about your rights regarding your grandchildren's names. Here's the thing: You don't have any. That may come off as a little harsh, so let us explain why. You see, we are your children, and you named us. That was your chance. You're done now. And now we are having our own children, the ones we have to take care of 24/7, the ones we have clean poop off of and argue with about the importance of shoes. You're done with that part too. Because these are our children, not yours, and therefore we get to pick the name we will be screaming for the next 20 years or so (after which the screaming turns to resigned sighs). Don't get us wrong: We love that you love our kids. We love that you want to be part of their lives and that you provide free child care. But those are things you're supposed to do because you're their grandparents . We don't tip doctors when they get diagnoses correct, and we don't give grandparents naming rights for being there. So please, grandparents, get over yourselves. Whether your grandchild is named Henry or John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt shouldn't affect your love for them or for us. By now you should understand that your children's lives are no longer yours to control, and we are going to make a lot of decisions you don't agree with. That's Max instead of Frank. That's clown college. That's face tattoos. That's life . And by the way, if you have $10,000 lying around, there's a thing called "college" coming up that we could really use that for. Thank you, Your kids Follow us on Facebook.
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After this crowd photo at a movie premiere in Massachusetts went viral, it started a discussion - are smartphones ruining or enhancing our modern life experience?
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Saturday's Tigers-Gamecocks game has been moved from Columbia to Baton Rouge due to major flooding in South Carolina. Ray Crawford and Pete Fiutak talk about the impact of the move both on and off the field.
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FOX411: Tom Hanks finds a Fordham University student's ID and attempts a viral photo to find her
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Pop superstar joins the cast of FX's horror hit
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- The NCAA has talked with Ohio State freshman JaQuan Lyle, whose recruitment by Louisville is mentioned in a book by an escort alleging that strippers danced and had sex with Cardinals players and prospects. OSU spokesman Dan Wallenberg confirmed via email that Lyle met Tuesday with the NCAA, as first reported Wednesday by Yahoo Sports. The email did not mention Louisville, but noted there were no issues at Ohio State. Former Cardinals forward Chane Behanan didn't have must to say Wednesday about allegations in Katina Powell's book, ''Breaking Cardinal Rules: Basketball and the Escort Queen,'' that he participated in shows paid for by former basketball staffer Andre McGee. Behanan says, ''all I know is what I've heard'' in the book, in which he is pictured with Powell.
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Kia's latest debut, set to roll out this week in Chicago, isn't just a regular Soul hatchback with some extra-funky styling. Add hybrid power, all-wheel drive, and off-road capability, and you have the Trail'ster concept. Kia says the Trail'ster can tackle off-roading adventures thanks to a number of mechanical and exterior upgrades. Armored aluminum skidplates protect the undercarriage from jagged rocks and ice, and coil-over shocks allow for stability on uneven surfaces. A rear-axle-mounted, electric all-wheel-drive system brings enhanced traction and improved acceleration at launch. To accommodate the outdoor lifestyle, the Trail'ster features Pirelli snow tires. It also has roof rack fittings with aluminum cross rails for carrying snowboards or mountain bikes. Foglights up front aren't for show; they provide extra illumination for excursions off the beaten path. But the real action happens inside the hybrid drivetrain. The Trail'ster experiments with turbocharging in the form of a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 185 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque. Also powering the Trail'ster is a 27-kilowatt hour, 270-volt electric motor with 35 hp and 100 lb-ft of torque paired with a 1.2-liter lithium-ion battery located stored under the cargo floor. This provides a combined total of 220 hp and 285 lb-ft of torque, which is significantly more than the traditional Soul's 130-hp, 1.6-liter engine or 164-hp, 2.0-liter engine. Unlike other hybrid systems that are joined through the transmission, there is no mechanical connection between the Trail'ster engine, which is located in the front, and the electric motor in the rear. This creates two separate power sources for a "through-the-road" hybrid system. The electric motor plays the role of assisting the gasoline engine during heavy loads or while off-roading. Kia says that the "through-the-road" hybrid system and a downsized turbo engine will increase torque and traction while improving fuel economy. The automaker postulates that should this concept reach production, it would ideally achieve 25-30 percent better fuel economy in the city and 5-10 percent improvement on the highway over the traditional 2.0-liter, gas-powered Soul. And unlike the Track'ster and GT4 Stinger concepts that have faded into the background, it looks like there could actually be a future for the Trail'ster on the not too distant horizon. Tom Kearns, chief designer at Kia's design center in California, deemed the Trail'ster a "near-future look at how the production Kia Soul would logically evolve into an AWD-capable version that's built to escape the city streets and roam into the mountain wilderness." Kia says that because the model is based on the Soul, it should provide plenty of space for gear and passengers. The interior, which promotes subtlety, differs from the rest of the Soul lineup. Brown, leather-trimmed seats and aluminum accents flood the cabin, as do high-gloss paint, a thick, tactile gearshift, and all-wheel-drive controls.
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CALGARY, Alberta (AP) Daniel Sedin had a goal and two assists to help the Vancouver Canucks open the season with a 5-1 victory over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Jannik Hansen, Brandon Sutter, Alex Burrows and Henrik Sedin also scored for the Canucks in a rematch of last April's Western Conference quarterfinals. The Flames won that series in six games to advance to the second round, where they lost in five to Anaheim. Vancouver defenseman Ben Hutton recorded his first point in his NHL debut with an assist on Hansen's goal. Canucks goalie Ryan Miller made 29 saves. Jiri Hudler scored for Calgary and Karri Ramo finished with 39 saves. Vancouver stretched its lead to 4-1 at 8:17 of the third when Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman knocked down a long, off-speed shot by Burrows, but tipped it into his own net past Ramo. Henrik Sedin scored on a sharp-angled wrist shot with 3:29 left to cap the scoring. Hansen got the Canucks on the scoreboard first when he took Hutton's cross-ice pass along the boards and beat Ramo top corner glove side with a blast from the top of the circle at 10:34 of the first period. Sutter doubled the lead with about 2 minutes left in the period in his first game in a Canucks jersey. He batted a rebound out of the air past Ramo with a deft touch. Hudler broke through for the Flames at 3:39 of the second. Canucks defenseman Luca Sbisa turned the puck over under pressure from Sean Monahan, and Johnny Gaudreau got the puck and passed it to Hudler who beat Miller between the pads. Daniel Sedin restored Vancouver's two-goal lead with 5 seconds left in the period. A shot by Dan Hamhuis deflected off Ramo and then Sedin and into Calgary's net to make it 3-1. Calgary's Micheal Ferland and Vancouver's Derek Dorsett fought just seconds after the opening faceoff. Flames winger Brandon Bollig and Canucks forward Brandon Prust then traded punches 8 minutes into the game. NOTES: The Canucks acquired Sutter from Pittsburgh in July in exchange for forward Nick Bonino, defenseman Adam Clendening and a draft pick. ... The Flames fell to 0-5-1 in their last six season-openers and have lost their last two to the Canucks. ... Calgary's scratches were forward Mason Raymond and goalie Joni Ortio; Vancouver's were forward Jake Virtanen, defenseman Yannick Weber and goalie Jakob Markstrom.
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Relive Wednesday's top stories, including Cubs ace Jake Arrieta's dominant performance against the Pirates and the Canadiens 3-1 victory over the Maple Leafs.
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LOS ANGELES (AP) -- After the Los Angeles Kings scored a goal on their first shot, coach Peter DeBoer thought his San Jose Sharks played a practically perfect game for his debut. And as usual in this rivalry, both teams left the building with hard feelings about some heavy hits. Captain Joe Pavelski had a goal and two assists, and Joonas Donskoi scored in his NHL debut in the Sharks' 5-1 victory Wednesday night in both clubs' season opener. Joe Thornton and Brent Burns had a goal and an assist apiece, and Tomas Hertl also scored as the Sharks thoroughly dominated their California rivals in DeBoer's successful start with his new club. Pavelski was outstanding in his first game since being named the permanent captain of the Sharks, who won a season opener at Staples Center for the second straight year. "Not much went wrong tonight," said DeBoer, the former New Jersey coach tasked with revitalizing a perennial contender. "I think the game was the culmination of a month of hard work." Those details included several crushing hits and a parade of third-period penalties -- all the typical stuff in this West Coast series. Kings forward Milan Lucic topped it all and punctuated his debut with a match penalty for following Logan Couture to the Sharks' bench and clobbering him with 1:19 to play, setting off a major scuffle. Couture had exited the penalty box and upended Lucic with a low check moments earlier. "I just finished my check," Couture said. "That's hockey, right? You're supposed to finish your checks. I didn't think there was players that you're not allowed to hit in this league." Kings coach Darryl Sutter thought Lucic deserved "a minor penalty ... at best." "I don't know why I got a match penalty," Lucic said. "I didn't cross any line." Martin Jones made 19 saves in his own debut for the Sharks against his former team, stopping everything after the Kings' first shot. Nick Shore scored 1:49 into the first period. "I thought we did a good job bouncing back," Jones said. "We were really solid, start to finish." Jones came up through the Kings' system and spent the past two years as Jonathan Quick's backup before leaving last summer in a trade with Boston, which flipped him to San Jose. Quick stopped 27 shots for the Kings, who lost their season opener for the third time in four seasons under Sutter. "We were pretty sloppy," Kings captain Dustin Brown said. "Sloppy in our rushes, sloppy in our (defensive) zone. That was probably most of it. We weren't competing in the corner and making hard plays coming out of our zone. We didn't play very well." San Jose routed the Kings 4-0 and chased Quick from last year's season opener, spoiling Los Angeles' banner-raising ceremony for its second Stanley Cup title in three years. Both California clubs then missed the postseason, but returned last month with renewed optimism after an unusually long summer for two regular playoff teams. "This is a team that takes pride in being competitive, and tonight it just didn't seem to be that way all the way through," new Kings defenseman Christian Ehrhoff said. Even before Lucic and Couture exchanged pleasantries, the game featured plenty of the heavy hits and hard feelings common to this simmering rivalry. Brown blasted Couture with an aggressive, open-ice check during the first period, but Couture stayed in the game despite a cut on his nose from Brown's helmet. Los Angeles defenseman Matt Greene then leveled Barclay Goodrow with a debatable check in the third period, setting off two fights. And Couture barreled into Quick during a 2-on-1 with 3:30 to play, prompting Quick to smack Couture in the face. Jones had little work to do while the Kings managed just eight shots in a 36-minute stretch, but he came up with an excellent stop in the second period on a point-blank chance for Tyler Toffoli, his former roommate. Donskoi, a Finnish free agent who won a roster spot out of training camp, scored in the third period. The 23-year-old former Florida draft pick had spent his entire pro career in Finland. NOTES: Los Angeles went 0 for 6 on the power play, including 90 seconds of 5-on-3 play. ... Shore's goal was the second-fastest in Kings home opener history, topped only by Pat Conacher's goal 30 seconds into the 1995 opener against Colorado. ... Dodgers RF Andre Ethier watched the game on the glass.
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Take a look at Wednesday's coolest videos, which include a Buffalo Bills fan's best Randy Orton impression and a wakeboarder's adventure through the streets of South Carolina.
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Our favorite bizarre-cars auto show, the biennial Tokyo event, kicks off later this month, and on the heels of the odd stuff from Honda, Suzuki, and others comes Toyota's odd stuff. The steampunk Kikai [above] joins the FCV Plus hydrogen-fuel-cell concept and the Margaret Keane like Kirobo robot/friend. Let's take a closer look. FCV Plus Whereas Toyota's currently available fuel-cell vehicle, the Mirai , was hit with an ugly stick, the FCV Plus is a futuristic machine as might have been imagined around the time of the original iMac. Toyota says the FCV Plus would fit right into "a sustainable society in which hydrogen energy is in widespread use." There are electric hub motors at all four corners, with a hydrogen-fuel-cell stack between the front wheels and an airy, blue-glass-wrapped cabin. When not in use, an external hydrogen source can be hooked up to the car so that it may produce electricity to be plugged back into a user's home or the power grid. See more news from the Tokyo Motor Show Kikai Concept The Kikai, as Toyota puts it, "takes the machinery, normally hidden beneath the body, and makes an open display of its beauty." To us, this three-seater resembles a cross between a Ford T-bucket hot rod and a dune buggy. We're digging the cycle fenders and the steelie-style wheels. Inside, the concept's cabin features a center driving position, with two rear seats behind. Four freestanding gauges perched on a curved bar comprise the dash, and little windows in the footwells allow one to gaze at the workings of the front suspension. There appears to be little point to the Kikai other than to produce an interesting-looking thing and we're okay with that. Kirobo Mini This unsettling little guy is said to have been inspired by the robot astronaut Kirobo, who we are pretty sure is some kind of famous robot astronaut over in Japan. Anyway, Kirobo Mini, who is four inches tall, is intended to be brought along by its owners wherever they go and to "communicate with them in a meaningful way." Toyota further claims that interactions with Kirobo will be accompanied by "expressions and gestures," which will bring "smiles to [peoples'] faces through daily exchanges that chart the course of an evolving relationship." Awwww! Follow MSN Autos on Facebook
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It's not often that the benches clear in October as they did in Wednesday's NL Wild Card between the Pirates and the Cubs, but there have been a few other memorable postseason dustups in the annals of MLB history that roused stadiums and caused ejections in the midst of teams' quests for a World Series title. Wednesday night's incident came about after Cubs starter Jake Arrieta beaned two Pirates batters. When Arrieta came up to bat in the top of the seventh, he was plunked by reliever Tony Watson. Arrieta, who took exception to the gesture, exchanged words with Watson, and the benches cleared. The only punch that was seen thrown was from Pirates first baseman Sean Rodriguez, which was intended for David Ross but nearly landed on the face of Cubs rookie Kyle Schwarber. While violent brawls have grown increasingly rarer in baseball over the last decade, they were once abundant, and it didn't take much to incite an all-out melee. That was apparent in Game 5 of the 1977 ALCS between the Royals and Yankees, when a fracas broke out after George Brett slid hard into Yankees third baseman Graig Nettles after legging out a triple. Despite throwing punches, neither Brett nor Nettles were ejected from the game, which demonstrates just how much baseball -- and society -- has progressed in its diminished tolerance for violence, as players now would be ejected and slapped with hefty fines if they were to act like Brett and Nettles did nearly four decades ago. There was a more infamous brawl-inducing slide that preceded Brett's, which was carried out by Pete Rose in Game 3 of the 1973 NLCS between the Reds and Mets on a double play ball turned by Mets shortstop Buddy Harrelson. Nowadays, as we saw in Wednesday's NL Wild Card, players are much tamer in their approach to confrontations. They understand that throwing a punch and subsequently being ejected and suspended or inciting a serious brawl in which someone gets injured isn't worth it, particularly in the postseason. However, that doesn't mean modern-day bench-clearings aren't amusing to watch. Example: Tigers slugger Victor Martinez and A's reliever Grant Balfour chirping at each other in Game 3 of the 2013 ALDS. The most memorable bench-clearing incident in recent World Series history came in Game 2 of the 2000 Subway Series between two of the most exciting players in baseball at the time: Yankees ace Roger Clemens and Mets slugger Mike Piazza. Clemens' decision to throw the barrel of the broken bat in Piazza's direction brought on plenty of criticism, as he had hit Piazza in the head with a fastball earlier in the season. A few years later, Clemens found himself in the middle of one of the most unforgettable brawls of all time, which occurred in Game 3 of the 2003 ALCS between the bitter-rival Yankees and Red Sox. Clemens wasn't the most memorable figure in this brawl, though. That designation belongs to Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer, who infamously charged Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez at full speed. Martinez reacted by throwing the 72-year-old Zimmer on the ground. As entertaining as these incidents are to watch and reminisce upon, let's hope that the entertainment for the rest of 2015 postseason comes from the intense competition on the field and not extra-curricular activity, particularly with a heated rivalry series coming up between the Cubs and Cardinals in the NLDS.
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NEW YORK (AP) The NFL is moving slowly toward Los Angeles, and rapidly around the rest of the globe. On the same Wednesday that the owners approved an extension and expansion of the international series of regular-season games, they discussed at length the desire of three teams to relocate to LA. The Rams want to leave St. Louis, the Chargers want to vacate San Diego, and the Raiders seek to move from Oakland. Commissioner Roger Goodell expects owners will vote on franchise relocation, but when is another matter. Goodell said the owners expressed interest ''in wanting to be there, but also recognize we need to find solutions. Our relocation policy is very important.'' So the league is being cautious and thorough. ''When you start out with nothing and you are trying to find a solution, you try to find all the pathways that can lead to success,'' said Eric Grubman, the NFL's point man for relocation to LA. ''If you find one, people aren't necessarily optimistic it's going to be successful because there's a failure rate. If you find 100, then people are very optimistic. When we attacked it, we had to find more than one thing that can work. ''So what happens when you find more than one thing that can work and it's in the NFL and it involves multiple owners and multiple cities? Then suddenly the picture becomes very murky because not everyone can get exactly what they want. And that's the scenario that's most likely to play out.'' Los Angeles has not had an NFL franchise since 1995, when the Rams and Raiders left. The current timetable calls for submission of applications to relocate in January, when the owners could vote. There has been speculation that timetable could be moved up to December, when the next owners meeting occurs in Dallas. But Pittsburgh Steelers President Art Rooney said he doesn't envision that. ''I don't think we'll move up the deadline,'' Rooney said. ''We have cities that still are putting together their proposals'' to keep their teams. Grubman admitted for a team or two to call LA home next season, the latest it could get approval would probably be March or April. The Rams are proposing a stadium in Inglewood, California, while the Raiders and Chargers jointly have one planned for Carson. Those teams' owners were excused from a round table session during Wednesday's fall meetings, and the other 29 owners voiced their opinions on approving any moves to LA. Goodell said it's ''very positive'' to have two alternatives in what he also called ''the entertainment capital of the world.'' Neither California team has had success in getting public funding for a new stadium; Goodell noted that has been happening ''for decades.'' Missouri has come through with a plan for a $1 billion stadium to keep the Rams, but there are delays in that proposal. While LA remains an uncertainty, more games in the United Kingdom - and probably in other locales abroad - are coming. The owners approved more international games through 2025, including quite possibly in Mexico, Germany and Canada. ''We think it's time to expand our international series to other countries and respond to the growing interest in our game not only in the U.K., but elsewhere around the world,'' Goodell said. Mexico, where one regular-season game was played in 2005 and drew a record attendance of 103,467, is a front-runner for next year. ''That's our biggest fan base, our most vibrant market,'' said Mark Waller, the league's vice president/international. ''It would be a logical place to start.'' The NFL will announce the 2016 international games this fall. Three games are being held at London's Wembley Stadium this season for the second straight year, and that number could be increased. Earlier this year, the NFL agreed with English Premier League club Tottenham to play at least two games a season at its new stadium in north London, which is scheduled to open in 2018. That is a 10-year deal. The league also is looking at Toronto and Vancouver, and several cities in Germany have expressed interest in hosting games. The Pro Bowl also could land in international sites. Brazil has expressed interest in the all-star game, and Waller said Australia, South Africa and Asia also were potential sites, but probably not before early 2018. Also Wednesday: - Goodell reiterated that the league will continue to vigorously pursue in court reinstating Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's four-game suspension for using underinflated footballs in the AFC championship game. Brady had the suspension set aside in federal court last month. - In the wake of the officiating mistake at the end of Detroit's loss to Seattle on Monday night, Goodell said rules for use of instant replay in officiating ''clearly will be discussed again'' by the powerful competition committee. - The league approved a cross-ownership proposal for Rams owner Stan Kroenke. He will be allowed to transfer ownership of the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche to his wife, and retain the Rams. The NFL has prohibited an owner from also having other sports franchises in different cities. - SiriusXM satellite radio extended its deal to carry NFL broadcasts for six more years. SiriusXM has partnered with the NFL since 2004. --- AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this story. --- AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
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NEW YORK Amazon is launching its site for handcrafted goods called Handmade at Amazon on Thursday, hoping to capitalize on shoppers' appetite for homemade goods ahead of the holiday season. The move throws down the gauntlet to craft-selling site Etsy. But at least at the time of launch, the two sites will have a very different seller base, fee structure and stances on manufacturing. Amazon started offering invitations in May to join Handmade, giving sellers access to Amazon's 285 million shoppers. The Seattle-based retailer says the site, which will carry everything from $30 walnut cufflinks from Australia to $325 handmade quilts from Wisconsin, sprang from customer feedback and site searches for crafty items. "We had thousands of searches every day from customers looking for handmade or handcrafted items," said Peter Faricy, vice president for Amazon Marketplace. That focus also pits it directly against Etsy Inc., which started 10 years ago as a marketplace for homemade goods and went public in April. But they're a bit different in size and scope. At launch, Handmade at Amazon will include about 5,000 sellers from 50 states and 60 countries offering 80,000 items. Amazon takes a 12 percent fee from overall sales made by Handmade at Amazon sellers and includes payment processing, discounted shipping and access to other Amazon services. There's no listing fee or monthly fee to start. In contrast, New York-based Etsy has 1.5 million sellers and 21.7 million buyers as of June 30. It takes a 3.5 percent fee on overall sales and a 20 cent listing fee per item listed. They also differ in terms of manufacturing policy. Amazon says sellers have to fill out an online application to be approved to sell on the site and all items sold on the site must be "factory-free" and not made by manufacturers. New York-based Etsy, on the other hand, started letting some merchants apply to use manufacturers for some products in 2013. In September, Etsy said it was creating a new Etsy manufacturing marketplace to make it easier for its sellers to find "responsible production assistance." Manufacturers can apply to be part of the program and Etsy approves them based on certain criteria. The divide on manufacturing highlights the challenge that platforms for handmade craft sellers face: They want to preserve the personal nature of handmade goods but also help their sellers (and themselves) grow and make more money. Etsy CEO Chad Dickerson said Etsy Manufacturing grew out of trying to help sellers that have reached a point where they need outside help to grow. "It's really about providing access to values-aligned producers, often in the sellers' own community," he said. As far as competing against Amazon, Dickerson said that about half of Etsy sellers already sell via multiple venues, and of those sellers, Etsy is still usually their primary source of income. "We believe that Etsy is the best platform for the creative entrepreneur," he said. "Etsy has a decade of experience understanding the needs of artists and sellers and supporting them in ways that no other marketplace can." ___ This story has been corrected to show the name of the new Amazon site is 'Handmade at Amazon', not 'Amazon Homemade'.
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Trust is like oxygen in the workplace: we need it to survive, says Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of "Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job." "Without it, you can cripple or destroy your career," she adds. When your boss and team members trust you, they believe you have integrity and character and as a result, your career growth has the best chance for success, Taylor explains. "Whether you're managing others or being managed, engendering trust will bode well for your work life and advancement: you'll be given more responsibility; be a better motivator; attract and retain better employees and clients; and will be a more credible leader." Here are some of the biggest signs your boss or coworkers secretly don't trust you: 1. Your colleagues withhold information. "If you are always the last to know something, then that's a pretty big red flag that people don't feel as though they can trust you with information," says Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of "The Humor Advantage." 2. You get little team support. People don't want to spend their time and energy supporting an employee they don't trust. "So when their help, like their communications, is minimal and delayed, that's a strong sign there is a lack of trust," Taylor says. 3. People seem to have their guards up and are not friendly. It's never a good thing when your coworkers are unfriendly, cold, or quiet around you. If they act like you're going to Tweet their next comment or run to the boss to tattle on them, they probably don't trust you, Taylor says. 4. You are never, or rarely, left 'home alone.' This can actually take on a literal meaning as it affects your ability to telecommute and occasionally work from home, Kerr explains. "But other signs include not being allowed to handle important client conversations alone, or being left alone to manage even a minor project." 5. Conversations stop or change focus whenever you enter the room. Again, this is a clear indication that people don't feel comfortable including you in certain topics, and a lack of trust is often the reason why, he says. 6. Your coworkers don't rely on you. If they feel like they can't depend on you, they won't. "Do they opt to handle things on their own, even if it would be easier or more appropriate for you to do?" asks Taylor. If so, it's likely because your team doesn't trust that you'll get the job done. 7. You aren't included in higher-level meetings that require a degree of confidentiality. This is a rather obvious sign that senior leaders don't trust you to be discreet, Kerr says. "It could be that they fear you'll betray their confidences, or that you'll somehow use the information in an inappropriate way against them." 8. Someone always double-checks your work. If your boss or anyone else at work always has to review your reports or work, then that's a major sign that they don't trust your attention to detail or to complete things as thoroughly as they would themselves, Kerr explains. 9. You're not invited to social outings. If you're not trusted, coworkers will probably be reluctant to socialize with you during lunch or after work because they fear that personal conversations won't be kept private, says Taylor. 10. You're grilled with endless questions. A classic sign of mistrust is when you seem to get a barrage of never-ending questions about your projects and actions, typically from a manager, says Taylor. 11. Your colleagues ostracize you. "If you don't feel part of the group, there's probably a trust issue here," she says. 12. Rumors spread about you. Colleagues may want to get revenge and gossip about you if they feel undermined. "There's no justification to this, but it can be human nature," says Taylor. 13. You're constantly given very detailed instructions. If your boss or a teammate lays out an exhaustive list of detailed instructions on how to complete something, rather than just tell you where the finish line for a goal is, it's a big sign that they don't trust that you either know how to do it or will do it properly in their eyes, Kerr says. 14. People don't want to work on your team. When you need to get work done in a team structure, you may find it difficult to recruit staff members if you're not considered a trustworthy boss or coworker, Taylor says. 15. Your staff won't admit to mistakes. "If you're a manager who is mistrusted, your team will be reticent to admit to their mistakes," Taylor explains. "Perhaps they felt they were unfairly blamed for past projects. They may fear that the criticism will be unbearable. The path of least resistance is to stay mum as long as possible." 16. Your boss lashes out or disciplines you. Few bosses have tolerance for distrustful employees. "You may get verbal and/or written warnings about times when you didn't divulge facts or misrepresented the truth," says Taylor. "You may come to read unflattering comments by colleagues, and they may go into your personnel file. This fallout can derail not only your job, but your entire career. You may ultimately be terminated; lose a potential reference; and get a negative reputation in your field." 17. You're the only one required to get certain approvals/submit reports/provide notes/etc. When you require approvals for even minor expenditures or decisions, this is a huge sign that you aren't trusted to do the right thing, says Kerr. Another red flag: When you're required to provide your employer with a doctor's note to leave 15 minutes early for an appointment. "And if you are the only employee required to submit certain reports or accounts, then obviously you aren't being trusted to do things ethically on your own," he adds. 18. Your coworkers put everything in writing. If your colleagues think you might steal their thunder and credit, try a land grab for their area or projects, or misspeak on their behalf, they're not going to take any chances. "They'll most likely copy the boss and others as a defensive measure," says Taylor. 19. You're micromanaged. If you're boss is siddenly micromanaging you, it's probably because they don't trust you, based on a history of missed deadlines or past promises. "Your every move is under scrutiny and you seem to be spending much of your time and energy covering your tracks versus doing actual work," she says. 20. Colleagues repeat their requests. "Bosses and coworkers who don't trust you may be afraid you're not listening or don't care," Taylor explains. "They'll be super-emphatic and repetitive in their requests, to be sure you don't fall short of their needs." 21. Your opinion isn't highly valued. Under a thin layer of mistrust lies anger. "So even your most brilliant contribution may not be given much consideration because colleagues may harbor negative feelings," Taylor says. Kerr agrees. "There can be many reasons someone never asks you for input, and a lack of trust is one them," he says. They may not trust you with their idea that they are asking input on, or they don't trust that you'll offer objective and worthwhile advice. 23. They're always saying, 'Don't share this.' When you constantly hear statements like, "Please don't share this with anyone," "Keep this between us," or "I don't want this to go any further," you have a sign that your coworkers fear that you may not be discreet. "They may have had a bad experience in the past," Taylor says. 23. You can see it in their eyes (and facial expressions, and body language). People often report picking up "vibes" from their fellow employees that they aren't trusted, and much of that comes from subtle body language cues shifting eyes, a lack of eye contact, or closed arms might be an indication that people don't have full confidence in you, Kerr explains. Trust your gut. If you feel like you're not trusted, you probably aren't.
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LUXEMBOURG The European Union on Thursday took measures to buttress its porous external borders and toughen up its migrant return program in an attempt to build a credible refugee policy that would continue to embrace those fleeing for their lives yet punish those seeking economic gain. Facing their toughest refugee emergency since World War II, the 28 EU nations committed to speed up and intensify the deportation of people who do not qualify for asylum, including more special flights out and detention for those who might slip into illegal residence. It all was to underscore one key message: Europe feels overwhelmed and needs to be far more rigorous in sending economic migrants back if it wants to find enough goodwill among its population to continue harboring true refugees. "Increased return rates should act as a deterrent to irregular migration," the conclusions of the meeting said. More than 500,000 people have arrived this year seeking sanctuary or jobs. But of the people who fail to obtain asylum or residency in the 28-nation EU, less than 40 percent actually go back, and all agree that should change quickly. "We need to see Europe upping its game," Britain's interior minister, Theresa May, said. "If there is no return policy there is no basis for the refugee policy," said French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, adding agreements should be quickly made with many of the developing nations from where tens of thousands of economic migrants leave in desperation for a better life in Europe. At the same time, he put to the EU nations a far-reaching plan to beef up the external borders by committing member states to contribute more personnel to the EU's border agency and eventually set up a largely autonomous international "corps" that could intervene wherever a crisis appears. French officials said that in the short term, member states would be obliged to contribute more personnel to the Frontex border agency based on their population, wealth and other criteria. Last week, Frontex appealed for 775 additional staff to deal with the migrant crisis in Greece and Italy. It would roughly double the staff the agency has there now, mainly on some 30 vessels in the Mediterranean. In the long term, France proposes a multinational European border guard corps which would have much more autonomy to act and contain crises. On Thurdsay, the EU also earmarked more than 400 million euros ($451 million) in additional funding to tackle the refugee emergency. Most of the money 300 million euros will be used to help Syrian refugees in countries outside the EU, including Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. It will also fund the creation of 120 jobs in the three key European agencies working on the migration frontline; Frontex, the EASO asylum support office and the policy agency Europol. Some 56 million euros will be devoted to humanitarian aid. ___ Lorne Cook wrote from Brussels.
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GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson, calling for a focus on families with "traditional, intact values," said Wednesday that not "every lifestyle is exactly of the same value," and attacked what he called the "p.c. police." "We have got to stop paying attention to the 'p.c. police,' who say every lifestyle is exactly of the same value," Carson said in an radio interview with Sirius XM. "No, it's not of the same value. It is very clear that intact, traditional families with traditional, intact values do much better in terms of raising children. So let's stop pretending that everything is of equal value." Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, argued that children born out of wedlock or raised by single parents are tied to higher rates of poverty and crime. "We need to face the fact that when young girls have babies out of wedlock, most of the time their education ends with that first baby," Carson said. "And those babies are four times as likely to grow up in poverty, end up in the penal system or the welfare system. You know, I'm not making this stuff up. That's well-documented. That's a problem." Carson has continually railed against what he sees as a decline in traditional values and family structures, particularly when discussing problems facing the black community. He said during a visit to New York's Harlem in August that to address urban violence, "we need to be talking about, 'How do we instill values into people again?' And those are family and faith." Carson, the only black candidate running for president in either party, has pointed fingers at "the hip-hop community" for damaging the black community. He also has dismissed the Black Lives Matter movement as "silly" and "divisive" and has called the distinction between saying "black lives matter" and "all lives matter" a product of "political correctness going amuck."
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FONTANA, Calif. FBI agents dug up more than $500,000 on Wednesday from the backyard of a Southern California home where an armored truck driver who admitted stealing $1 million had once lived. The money, in the form of $20 and $100 bills, was found inside a trash bin buried in the backyard of the Fontana home, FBI spokesman Laura Eimiller said. Cesar Yanez, who lived in the home, pleaded guilty in August to conspiracy and bank robbery for the 2014 heist of a Loomis armored truck. The 38-year-old former Loomis driver was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison. His fellow driver, Aldo Vega, 28, of Pomona, also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing. Yanez's wife, Leticia Yanez, and a family friend, Jovita Guzman, face trial in March. At the time of Yanez's sentencing, only $115,000 had been recovered, most of it from the Fontana house, and U.S. District Judge Otis D. Wright II said he suspected Yanez knew where the rest was hidden. Eimiller said FBI agents and Los Angeles police, acting on a tip, found most of it Wednesday in neatly wrapped bundles. About $300,000 is still missing. Prosecutors say the money was part of a multimillion-dollar shipment being delivered to a Bank of America branch in Los Angeles when Yanez and Vega stopped their truck in a restaurant parking lot. They removed the $1 million and hid it in a trash can, authorities said, adding they believe Yanez's wife picked it up. They believe Guzman, 40, of San Bernardino, delivered some of it to Vega.
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Not the best display of football you will ever see, but both teams at least were going for it. The final game for both Costa Rica and Haiti in the 2015 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying tournament took place at a sun soaked and beautiful Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Wednesday evening. It certainly was not the best patch of soccer that you will ever see, but there were some quality moments throughout the night. Both teams had already been eliminated from contention for a semi-finals berth, so this game was more about pride. The first half was a fairly dull 45 minutes of soccer with neither side really having a great chance at goal. But the second half....things were a bit more fun in the final 45. In the 50th minute, Costa Rican goalkeeper Carlos Martinez Dittel was shown the yellow card for what appeared to be handling a back-pass in the box which led to an indirect free kick. Ah, the Indirect Free-Kick. Not often given, but oh so fun John Patrick Rosch (@patrickmac05) October 8, 2015 Haiti then stepped up and Pierre Paulson absolutely blasted the ball into the back of the net from about eight yards out to make the score 1-0. It looked like it would end up a 1-0 victory for Haiti, but Dylan Flores had other ideas. In the 82nd minute he crushed the ball from about 25-30 yards out to make it 1-1. Both teams made an effort in the final 8 minutes (plus stoppage time) but neither could find a winner and the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
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An American journalist has been found guilty of helping hacktivist group Anonymous deface the website of the Los Angeles Times. Prosecutors said Matthew Keys, 28, provided the hackers a password to access systems belonging to Tribune Co, the newspaper's parent company. Prosecutors said Keys used online chat channels to encourage the hacktivists. Sentencing will take place in January, but he is not expected to receive the maximum possible sentence of 25 years. A spokesman for the US Justice Department told Reuters the sentence would likely be less than five years. Keys' lawyer said he planned to appeal against the verdict. Keys was charged with conspiracy to cause damage to a protected computer, transmission of malicious code, and attempted transmission of malicious code. He was found guilty on all three counts. "The mere fact that they brought this case against a journalist whose only crime was committing an act of journalism is beyond belief and expectation," Keys said after hearing the verdict. "Time and time again, this Justice Department has targeted reporters and their sources to advance their own investigations and agendas." Court documents said the incidents took place in December 2010, shortly after Keys had lost his job at California-based TV station Fox 40 KTXL, also owned by Tribune Co. Keys went on to work for Reuters as the agency's social media editor, but was let go after he was charged in 2012. 'Elect Chippy 1337' Prosecutors said Keys' actions were "anonymous revenge". Under the online pseudonym AESCracked, Keys was said to have shared log-in details for the LA Times' content management system - CMS - the software used to enter content, such as articles or pictures, to be published on the newspaper's website. With this information, an unidentified Anonymous member using the name "sharpie" is said to have edited a story on the LA Times site. A headline was altered to read: "Pressure builds in House to elect CHIPPY 1337". Within the article, the opening paragraph was also changed to include the phrase "reluctant House Democrats told to SUCK IT UP". The defacement was "live" on the LA Times site for about an hour, the defence said. Tribune Co said it cost at least $5,000 to fix and investigate the incident which, as Vice's technology site Motherboard points out, is the threshold amount for being able to bring charges under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. A spokesman for Tribune Co, Gary Weitman, said: "We are pleased that the justice system worked. We will let today's verdict speak for itself." Media sites targeted Anonymous, a loosely organised group of mostly low-level hackers, often targeted mainstream media websites and social media profiles. One splinter group Lulzsec took credit for posting a story to The Sun's website stating that its owner, Rupert Murdoch, had committed suicide. In another instance, on the website for US broadcaster PBS, a story was posted saying that rapper Tupac Shakur, who was shot and killed in 1996, was in fact alive and living in New Zealand. Key members of Lulzsec were arrested after hacker-turned-informant Hector Xavier Monsegur - known as Sabu - helped police establish real identities behind the hackers. As a result, Monsegur was given a reduced sentence of one year under supervision. Follow Dave Lee on Twitter @DaveLeeBBC
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TORONTO (AP) -- Carey Price and the Canadiens spoiled Mike Babcock's coaching debut with the Maple Leafs. The reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy-winning goalie made 36 saves to help Montreal beat Toronto 3-1 on Wednesday on the first night of the NHL season. It was the kind of dominance that has become commonplace for Price. "We're used to that," said captain Max Pacioretty, who scored on the team's first shot of the game and added an empty-netter. "We definitely relied on him a little bit too much tonight, but that's what we're used to. He plays that way every night." Price was the difference on a night the Leafs carried the play for long stretches and had a 37-30 shots edge. Alex Galchenyuk scored the winner in the third period. "We obviously would've liked to maintain a little bit more offensive-zone pressure," Price said. "But at the end of the day it worked for us, and we'll definitely take the win." Babcock left the Detroit Red Wings after last season to coach the Maple Leafs. He spent 10 seasons in Detroit, leading the Red Wings to the 2008 Stanley Cup title. "There's no moral victories in the NHL," Babcock said. "You either won or you lost. It's real simple that way. But obviously the process is there, and they're trying." James van Riemsdyk had a power-play goal for Toronto early in the second period. "He won the MVP last year for a reason so he's a tough one to score on," van Riemsdyk said about Price. "But we've got to stick with that process, and we'll have some success." Bernier finished with 27 saves. "I thought their goaltender was real solid," Babcock said. "I thought ours was real solid after the first shot." Babcock made the first coach's challenge in NHL history and was successful in overturning a goal. Babcock challenged Jeff Petry's apparent goal in the second period, arguing that Tomas Plekanec interfered with Bernier. Referees Frederik L'Ecuyer and Dan O'Rourke looked at the replay by the penalty box at Air Canada Centre and determined Plekanec made incidental contact with Bernier. Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban appeared to suffer a left leg in the third when he was boarded by Leo Komarov. Subban stretched his leg on the bench, tested it several times during stoppages and stayed in the game. NOTES: Defenseman Matt Hunwick, signed to a one-year contract July 1, was one of the alternate captains for the Maple Leafs, along with Tyler Bozak. ... Several Blue Jays players were in attendance as the Maple Leafs honored the baseball team for its first playoff appearance since 1993.
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Colin Kaepernick's stock has never been lower. It's gotten so bad, there are actually San Francisco 49ers fans calling for Blaine Gabbert the owner of a 66.8 career passer rating to start behind center. This comes just two years after respected football analyst Ron Jaworski said the 49ers young quarterback could one day become the best to ever play the position . Kaepernick's apparent regression has led some to ask what happened to the 27-year-old . But that's the thing. Kaepernick hasn't gotten any worse. He's still the same quarterback who led the 49ers to the doorstep of the franchise's sixth Lombardi Trophy and that's the problem. Kaepernick has not regressed. He has stagnated, while the rest of the team has gotten worse around him. Let's go back to when his stock was at its highest, after the Niners' Week 1 win over the Green Bay Packers in 2013. Kaepernick threw for a career-high 412 yards and three touchdowns. On the tape of that game, he's the same quarterback making the same mistakes, only with a much larger margin of error. He had questionable accuracy: He was too quick to leave a clean pocket, causing him to miss open targets: And he took too long to come off his initial target. But back then, Kaepernick had time to slowly work through his progressions. When Kaepernick was at his best, the offensive line was at its best as well. Only LT Joe Staley and LG Alex Boone remain from what was once the best offensive line in the NFL. Once Kaepernick's salary jumped, the team has asked him to do more. What was once a passing game designed specifically for quickly creating clear throwing options has slowly evolved into a more traditional scheme. "I know everybody wants to get down on him but give the kid a chance to grow into the position," said former NFL QB Kurt Warner , who worked with Kaepernick in the offseason. "I have no idea what his future is going to be, but it's a young man that's never really had to play the position like they're asking him to play it now and he's trying to learn and he's learning under the gun." In other words, the 49ers are trying to fit a $100 million square peg into a round hole that is not as talented as it used to be. It might be too late in the game for Kaepernick to relearn how to play the quarterback position he turns 28 in November but he still has the physical tools to operate in a successful offense around him. But it will take a lot of cap space to pay a dominant offensive line and running game and a coach willing to play to a mobile quarterback's strength to put Kaepernick in a position to succeed again. Right now, San Francisco has neither of those. The 49ers have Kaepernick under contract until 2020, paying him, on average, $19 million a year. That may be too much money for a guy who has proven incapable of elevating the players around him, but it's unlikely Kaepernick would be willing to rework his deal. And, given the structure of the contract, San Francisco can easily move on from the 2011 second-round pick. At this pace, Kaepernick might not be on the roster in 2017. If you want the "old" Kaepernick back, give him the right supporting cast. You're not going to find it in San Francisco, though. Now, on to the rankings... LAST WEEK vs. SF: 22-32, 224 yards, 1 touchdown The 49ers defense kept Rodgers and company at bay for the most part, but the 2014 MVP still provided us with a reminder that he's the best in the game . LAST WEEK: Bye Brady and the Patriots were on bye last weekend, but he's slowly closing in on the top spot in these rankings after a ho-hum performance for Rodgers. If I had to pick an MVP favorite at this point in the season, New England's quarterback would be the guy. LAST WEEK vs. CLE: 23-38, 358 yards, 3 touchdowns Rivers was at his best on Sunday against Cleveland despite playing behind a depleted offensive line. If it seems he's always a step ahead of opposing defenses, it's because he is. Just ask the Browns defense . LAST WEEK vs. HOU: 19-27, 256 yards, 1 touchdown The Falcons didn't ask much of Ryan in a blowout win over Houston. When the Texans weren't presenting him with big play opportunities, he was using his underrated athleticism to create them on his own . LAST WEEK vs. DAL: 33-41, 359 yards, 2 touchdowns Welcome back, Drew Brees. After sitting out a week to rehab a sore shoulder, Brees dissected the Cowboys secondary and, more importantly, showed more zip on downfield throws. He was named NFC offensive player of the week for his effort. LAST WEEK vs. STL: 29-46, 352 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception The Rams put some pressure on Palmer, and there were times he was hurried into poor decisions. But for the most part, he handled everything St. Louis threw at him. Bruce Arians might have the best offensive scheme in the NFL, and Palmer is doing a fine job running it. LAST WEEK vs. BUF: 20-35, 212 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception How do you beat the Bills and their ferocious pass rush? Get the ball out quick. That's exactly what Manning did in the Giants' 24-10 win in Buffalo. Eli was sharp and decisive. We'd like to see that more consistently. LAST WEEK vs. DET: 20-26, 287, 1 touchdown It's impossible to evaluate Wilson with him running for his life nearly every pass attempt. He's still making the amazing escapes we have come to expect, but there's no telling if he's taken a step forward as a pocket passer without, you know, a pocket to pass from. LAST WEEK vs. TB: 11-22, 124 yards, 2 touchdowns Newton was also a difficult evaluation this week with the Panthers and Buccaneers playing in a torrential downpour in Tampa. He wasn't as sharp as he'd been the week before, but it's understandable given the weather conditions. LAST WEEK: Did not play Luck should be back this week after dealing with shoulder issues last week. We're still giving him the benefit of the doubt after struggling early in the season, but another uneven performance will push him out of next week's top 10. 11. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos 12. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals 13. Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders Manning's arm is going to be a liability all season. Finding open receivers is never going to be his problem; getting the ball to his intended target is another matter. Until the 38-year-old learns to deal better with his new normal, the Broncos offense will struggle. ... Dalton has benefited from playing with the league's best supporting cast, but there's no denying he has dramatically improved his deep ball accuracy. With that said, I'll be more willing to buy into Dalton's improvement if he impresses against a dominant Seattle defense. ... Carr keeps churning out solid performances, and that type of consistency will go along way in keeping the Raiders competitive. Give credit to new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave for taking advantage of Carr's prodigious arm talent this season. We haven't seen a lot of Jay Cutler this season, but his two appearances in 2015 have to be encouraging for the Bears, who are locked into at least another season of him behind center. His arm is still as strong as it always has been and the Bears' new offense under Adam Gase has put him in a better position to succeed with shorter throws and more clearly defined reads. But the biggest improvement this season has been his movement inside the pocket. Chicago's offensive line had a difficult time maintaining a pocket against the Raiders. Cutler did a good job of drifting, sliding and climbing into the little bits of real estate the line provided while keeping his eyes downfield. It's not a huge development, but these are the nuances of the quarterback position that Cutler has always lacked. Lost in the Jets' 3-1 start is just how poorly Ryan Fitzpatrick has been playing. Todd Bowles has made it clear Fitzpatrick is his starting quarterback, and it likely will cost New York in the very near future. Geno Smith is healthy again after a teammate broke his jaw, and it's fair to question why the Jets aren't giving him a shot at starting after he was named the starter in training camp. Smith's biggest weaknesses as a passer are his inconsistent accuracy and penchant for throwing into tight coverage. Fitzpatrick just happens to have the same weakness, which were on full display in London. When he wasn't throwing dangerous passes, he was missing wide open receivers. Smith isn't a great option, but he's younger and has a much better arm. Marcus Mariota had the week off, and Jameis Winston is probably wishing he did, too. We would give the rookie the "torrential downpour" excuse we gave Cam Newton, but five turnovers on mistakes we've seen him make before is hard to explain away with bad weather. Winston needs to start learning from these mistakes and showing that maturation on the field. Andy Dalton might not have established himself as a franchise quarterback just yet, but there's no denying how good this throw on the run with a pass rusher close on his tail was. Kaepernick gets this honor for a second consecutive week. It's not just that he threw it into double coverage, but he also missed a wide open Torrey Smith underneath. It's a bad throw and even worse decision.
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FIRE breathers blow clouds of flame from their mouths in Matrix-style 'bullet time'. The breathtaking footage, shot using 50 individual cameras, shows the balls of fire frozen in mid-air. The finished production, titled Inferno, showcases the artistry of fire breathers Mike Icon and Terry Lee Fields II. The hot-headed performers were filmed by Mitch Martinez, with each sequence featuring different fire breathing techniques showing one or both performers. To see more from Mitch click the following links: mitchmartinez.com https://instagram.com/mitchmartinez_dop/ https://twitter.com/cinemitch_dop Videographer / Director: Clipnn Inc. Producer: Mark Hodge, Nick Johnson Editor: Joshua Douglas
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Pope Francis, Edward Snowden, Angela Merkel, and a Russian newspaper are among the likely contenders for the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize. Paul Chapman reports.
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WASHINGTON Voters are beginning to learn about Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio. What they're not learning, however, is who is paying to promote his candidacy. The Florida senator is benefiting in unprecedented ways from a nonprofit group funded by anonymous donors. While other presidential candidates also have ties to secret-money groups, the Rubio arrangement is the boldest. Every pro-Rubio television commercial so far in the early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina has been paid for not by his campaign or even by a super PAC that identifies its donors, but instead by a nonprofit called Conservative Solutions Project. It's also sending Rubio-boosting mail to voters in those same states. Rubio is legally prohibited from directing the group's spending, and he has said he has nothing to do with it. But there's little doubt that Conservative Solutions Project is picking up the tab for critical expenses that the campaign itself might struggle to afford. Although Rubio is rising in national polls, his fundraising has so far been dwarfed by that of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson. By the end of June, Bush and his super PAC had amassed $114 million more than quadruple what Rubio and his super PAC collected. Ahead of what is expected to be a new and disappointing fundraising report next week, Rubio's aides have stressed that their thriftiness gives them a competitive advantage over campaigns with more money. Left unsaid was that a secret-money group is giving him at least an $8 million assist, according to information provided by advertising tracker Kantar Media's CMAG. The candidate has presented himself as being opposed to such unaccountable money. "I believe that as long as it's being disclosed that people have a right to participate in our political process," Rubio said in June at a voter forum in New Hampshire when asked about "the corrupting influence" of money in politics. Conservative Solutions Project does not disclose its donors. Its latest commercial shows Rubio, 44, speaking at the Iowa State Fair. "New ideas for a new age," a narrator says before ticking through a list of Rubio priorities: "throw out the tax code, overhaul higher education, repeal and replace Obamacare." Conservative Solutions Project has put $2.3 million into the 30-second ad over the past three weeks and is on deck to spend close to another $1 million keeping it on the air next week, according to CMAG information about advertising placements on broadcast, cable and satellite television. That follows a $3 million summertime ad campaign by the same group that promoted Rubio's strong opposition to a deal the White House and other countries struck with Iran on nuclear weapons. Conservative Solutions Project also has reserved nearly $2 million in additional satellite TV advertising space through Feb. 16, according to the advertising tracker. Although numerous candidates may ultimately benefit from allied nonprofits, so far it appears that only the entities helping Rubio and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal are advertising in the presidential race. America Next has spent about $380,000 boosting Jindal on TV, CMAG said. Bush also has a secret-money group in his corner, but it hasn't yet directly communicated with voters. Nonprofits are the edgier cousins of super PACs. Both can accept unlimited amounts of money from wealthy donors, corporations and unions, but only nonprofits can keep those names a secret. In exchange for that privilege, nonprofits are barred from making political activity their primary purpose. But gray area abounds. The two regulating agencies, the Federal Election Commission and the Internal Revenue Service, have been less than aggressive in pursuing potential violators. The Campaign Legal Center in Washington is suing the FEC for failing to require a nonprofit that was active during the 2012 presidential election to file finance reports. "Congress, the Supreme Court and the public have all recognized that voters have a right to know who is spending money to try to influence them on Election Day," said Paul S. Ryan, the center's senior counsel. "Transparency is how we hold politicians accountable and make sure they're not in the pocket of their benefactors." That's in line with public opinion: Seventy-five percent of voters, an equal share of Democrats and Republicans, said contributors to unaffiliated groups should be disclosed, according to a CBS News/New York Times poll in June. The Conservative Solutions Project declined to say who gave it the $16 million it claims to have. Although it shares a name and key personnel with the Rubio-focused super PAC, Conservative Solutions PAC, its mutual spokesman, Jeff Sadosky, said the two are "very separate and distinct groups." He said the nonprofit's work goes well beyond Rubio's presidential ambitions, pointing to a detailed study it did last year of voter behavior, which was made available on its website. Additionally, Sadosky said, Conservative Solutions Project highlights on its website the work of other conservative leaders, including Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk and Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton. But its bent toward Rubio is apparent even there: Visitors to the site are immediately routed to a video of the Florida senator speaking, the same footage on television in early primary states. ___ Follow Julie Bykowicz on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/bykowicz
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Let the dreams of championships commence. Players are now free to fantasize about adorning one of their fingers with a ring whether it's the first of their career or just the latest in a pre-existing collection... NBA Preseason 2015: Early Title Odds for All 30 Teams Let the dreams of championships commence. Players are now free to fantasize about adorning one of their fingers with a ring whether it's the first of their career or just the latest in a pre-existing collection. Teams can dust off space on the mantle for the Larry O'Brien Trophy, hoping and praying that spot will be occupied next summer. After all, everyone is undefeated right now. Even the lowliest bunches currently get to enjoy a bit of optimism while it's still possible, because, as the saying goes, anything can happen . But realistically, anything won't happen. Based on team strength and expected levels of upside, some organizations do emerge as the early favorites to follow up the 2014-15 Golden State Warriors as NBA champions. Others are bottom-feeders, doomed to fall below .500 during the early stages of the 2015-16 campaign and get more excited about the prospect of drafting Ben Simmons than making the playoffs. Here's hoping your favorite team isn't in the latter category. 30. Philadelphia 76ers: 350-1 The Philadelphia 76ers may be trending in the right direction, but that doesn't mean they're anywhere close to competing for a playoff spot in the weak Eastern Conference, much less a berth in the NBA Finals. As of now, optimism for this team involves hoping it wins more than it loses during the first month of the 2015-16 campaign. Without Joel Embiid or Dario Saric boosting the Sixers, they're going to war with too little star power. Jahlil Okafor could win Rookie of the Year while Nerlens Noel cements his second-half improvement from last year with a Most Improved Player selection, and they'd still struggle to remain truly competitive. Point guard is particularly problematic. Philadelphia will be attempting to get by with either Tony Wroten (fresh off an ACL tear), Kendall Marshall (still in possession of some upside), Isaiah Canaan or Pierre Jackson, and that's hardly something to brag about. This team is still firmly embroiled in the perpetual rebuild. And sadly, rebuilding and competing for a title are mutually exclusive concepts. 29. Denver Nuggets: 300-1 The Denver Nuggets probably won't finish last in the Western Conference, but the lack of an established star makes it rather difficult for them to have the upside necessary to compete for a title. Though overflowing with high-upside prospects would change that, Emmanuel Mudiay, Jusuf Nurkic and the others aren't quite enough to qualify as such. With Ty Lawson gone to the Houston Rockets, who's the best player on this roster? Danilo Gallinari and Kenneth Faried are the obvious answers, especially with the former coming off a great post-All-Star break portion of his return from ACL problems and continuing to thrive at this summer's EuroBasket festivities. But the Italian forward won't be competing for a bid in the midseason classic anytime soon, and the same is true of the young up-and-comers Denver controls Mudiay, Nurkic, Nikola Jokic and Joffrey Lauvergne. With Mike Malone taking over as the head coach and attempting to find the proper balance between building a defensive identity and taking advantage of the Mile High City's altitude, this season will inevitably be about adjustments and growth. Competing comes later. 28. Charlotte Hornets: 300-1 The Charlotte Hornets could be significantly better than many other bottom-feeders in the Eastern Conference, but they could also be much worse. While their competitors have plenty of known commodities on the roster as well as a few upside plays the former Bobcats are mired in uncertainty. Can Kemba Walker become more than a high-volume point guard who shoots below 40 percent from the field? Can Nicolas Batum serve as the defensive stopper while Michael Kidd-Gilchrist spends six months on the sidelines, as first reported by Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski ? Is Frank Kaminsky ready to make an immediate impact? Will having two porous big men playing major minutes mess with Steve Clifford's defensive schemes? The Hornets were a popular pick to break out heading into the 2014-15 season, but the acquisition of Lance Stephenson backfired in a big way and doomed this team from the start. One year after winning 43 games and advancing to the first round of the playoffs, Charlotte regressed badly, finishing with only 33 victories. Unless everything clicks, it's more than likely the Hornets finish right in between the two previous outcomes. And that's assuming they can even overcome the lengthy potentially season-long absence of MKG, coming off a season in which they were 12.2 points per 100 possessions better when he was on the floor. 27. Portland Trail Blazers: 250-1 LaMarcus Aldridge ? Gone to the San Antonio Spurs. Wesley Matthews? Attempting to recover from his ruptured Achilles, and doing so in a Dallas Mavericks uniform. Robin Lopez? Across the country and playing for the New York Knicks. Nicolas Batum? Traded to the Charlotte Hornets. Now, Damian Lillard is the only incumbent starter, and he's joined by plenty of new faces with substantial limitations. Even if Meyers Leonard and Ed Davis suddenly spring to life as emerging NBA stars, it's hard to imagine this team having enough chemistry and upside to make any semblance of noise in the loaded Western Conference. Having a top-flight point guard such as Lillard boosts their odds a bit, dragging them out of the basement. However, it's still far more likely that the Blazers end up adding the No. 1 pick of the next NBA draft to the 2016-17 roster. It's rebuilding time in Rip City. 26. Brooklyn Nets: 250-1 Even if the three-man combination of Joe Johnson, Thaddeus Young and Brook Lopez is enough to keep the Brooklyn Nets competitive on some nights, the utter lack of depth and the uncertain nature of the smaller positions will ultimately spell doom. Assuming that Jarrett Jack and Bojan Bogdanovic claim the final two spots in the starting lineup, the Nets will be looking at a second unit composed of Shane Larkin, Wayne Ellington, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Thomas Robinson and Andrea Bargnani. If you need to let out a shudder, now would be the appropriate time. "Expectations for the Nets used to be about competing for championships," ESPN.com's Mike Mazzeo wrote. "But when asked what his expectations are for this year's group, [head coach Lionel] Hollins replied, 'To go out and be as good as you can be. Where that falls, we'll see when it comes to April.'" Even if the Nets are as good as they can be, they're falling well short of a title. That much is already set in stone. 25. Los Angeles Lakers: 200-1 "It's wins and losses, but it's also what we're learning, what we're grasping," Kobe Bryant said at media day when asked how he'd define a successful season for the Los Angeles Lakers, per ESPN.com's Baxter Holmes . "Health is a big one. Last [two] years, we've been decimated by injuries. Knock on wood, that's not a problem that we have to worry about." Health and the learning process? That's typically not the ultimate focus for a team with a championship in its sights, and it speaks to Bryant's grudging acceptance that this isn't a title-caliber team. He might not say so in as many words, but it should already be clear the Lakers don't have the high hopes typically associated with this franchise. And they shouldn't. Though Bryant can still explode in the scoring column, especially while surrounded by a few other intriguing pieces, question marks abound. D'Angelo Russell is adjusting to the NBA after a rough go at it during summer league. Julius Randle is attempting to bounce back from the broken tibia he suffered during the first game of his rookie year. Jordan Clarkson is trying to prove he wasn't merely the product of opportunity. Roy Hibbert is fighting for redemption in a new location. Progress, not excellence, is all the Lakers can hope for. 24. Minnesota Timberwolves: 200-1 Rookies don't lead the charge when chasing after a title. In fact, they don't even serve as complementary players who spend a lot of time on the court. It's been quite a long time since a first-year player suited up in at least 16 postseason games the minimum required to win a championship and logged more than 33 minutes per game. Long enough that I'll be rather impressed if you can guess who the last to do so was. Yes, that's a challenge, considering he's one of only three throughout all of NBA history. If the Minnesota Timberwolves get over the hump, they'll do so with Karl-Anthony Towns serving as only the fourth player in NBA history to meet the aforementioned requirements. That's...unlikely. With Ricky Rubio back in business and joining reigning Rookie of the Year Andrew Wiggins, there's plenty of intriguing talent in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. That's especially true when you throw Shabazz Muhammad, Tyus Jones, Zach LaVine, Nemanja Bjelica and Gorgui Dieng into the mix. But while the 'Wolves should be a League Pass favorite and a constantly improving bunch, they have light-years to go before getting their hands on the Larry O'Brien Trophy. 23. Phoenix Suns: 120-1 Without Goran Dragic and Isaiah Thomas, the Phoenix Suns backcourt looks a lot different than it did with a three-headed point guard monster heading into the 2014-15 campaign. But different isn't necessarily bad, since both Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight are high-quality talents capable of playing the two backcourt spots. The question marks come from everywhere between those and the center position, where Tyson Chandler and Alex Len should form a strong one-two punch. Even though Markieff Morris backtracked on his desire to leave during Phoenix's media day festivities, the forward spots are up in the air. Unless Morris really does want to be a member of the Suns, and plays like it, power forward is problematic. And if T.J. Warren doesn't break out at small forward, the same is true at the 3. Phoenix won't compete for one of the bottom spots in the Western Conference, but the lack of established talent and utter absence of continuity should also prevent it from actually going for one of the eight coveted playoff spots. Instead, the Suns are mired in mediocrity without much immediate upside. Again. 22. Orlando Magic: 120-1 Will the Orlando Magic have enough spacing to make the proverbial leap in the NBA's weaker half? If Victor Oladipo continues knocking down outside jumpers and Elfrid Payton veers away from the Rajon Rondo school of nonshooting point guard development, there's a chance they actually could. After all, this team is brimming with unrealized potential, and simultaneous strides from all involved could make the Magic into one of the season's biggest surprises. Of course, the chances of Oladipo, Payton, Aaron Gordon, Tobias Harris, Nikola Vucevic and Mario Hezonja all moving in the right direction without even the tiniest misstep is still rather minimal. Given the youth of the nucleus, two steps forward and one back is the much more likely course of the rebuild, even if general manager Rob Hennigan has done a great job acquiring young talent. First, the Magic must develop an identity. Then, making the playoff push is a realistic possibility. Only after those two boxes have been checked can they begin thinking about a championship. 21. Sacramento Kings: 110-1 With George Karl pacing the sidelines and big personalities such as DeMarcus Cousins , Rajon Rondo and Rudy Gay in the locker room, there's always a chance the Sacramento Kings go volcanic and are forced to start over from scratch. The offseason was filled with plenty of dysfunction, even if the front office still managed to acquire an impressive amount of talent. And that's where the optimism comes into play. As much as the Kings deserve some ire and laughter for the way they handled certain situations during the offseason, this is a potent roster. Rondo, for all the trouble he endured with the Dallas Mavericks, can still be a quality defender and distributor when he puts his mind to it, and the other major additions Marco Belinelli and Willie Cauley-Stein, above all else do fill in some weaknesses. Plus, DeMarcus Cousins is a bona fide superstar capable of single-handedly winning games. That alone pushes them up a bit in the standings, even if there's palpable risk of combustion present in Sac-Town. 20. New York Knicks: 100-1 It's not a particularly good sign that the sentence "They actually roster a bunch of legitimate players!" is meant to be a massive compliment. But such is the case for the New York Knicks, who improved substantially this offseason simply by signing a number of veterans who actually belong in the rotations of competent NBA squads. Arron Afflalo should settle in as a nice two-way wing who can line up at either the 2 or the 3. Robin Lopez is a tremendously underrated center who should bring a (hopefully contagious) defensive mentality to Madison Square Garden. Players such as Kyle O'Quinn and Derrick Williams could contribute to lesser extents. And that's saying nothing of New York's two first-round picks. Jerian Grant should overtake Jose Calderon as the starting point guard rather early on, and Kristaps Porzingis' lanky 7-foot frame is bubbling over with potential. The combination isn't going to result in a team capable of challenging for supremacy in the Eastern Conference, but the playoffs no longer represent a pipe dream for the Knicks. They're still a ways off, but at least there's legitimate reason for hope in the Big Apple. 19. Detroit Pistons: 100-1 Now in his second year operating as both the head coach and general manager of the Detroit Pistons, Stan Van Gundy has managed to build a roster that's more tailored to his style. He's imitating the Orlando Magic teams that he experienced so much success with a few years back the ones that surrounded Dwight Howard with floor-spacers galore and became the prototype one-in, four-out system. In the Motor City, Andre Drummond is the new Dwight Howard. Around him, the Pistons have Reggie Jackson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Marcus Morris and Ersan Ilyasova in the presumptive starting five, a group bolstered by the presences of Brandon Jennings , Jodie Meeks, Stanley Johnson and others off the pine. That combination obviously isn't nearly on the same level as the Orlando one from Van Gundy's glory days. But it's another step in the right direction for a Detroit organization that is trying to get back into the playoffs for the first time since 2009, when they were swept out by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. 18. Dallas Mavericks: 80-1 On paper, the Dallas Mavericks look like a collection of big-name players. Deron Williams has All-Star appearances to his credit. Wesley Matthews emerged as one of the league's best three-and-D contributors while he was with the Portland Trail Blazers. Chandler Parsons served as a versatile stud with the Houston Rockets. Dirk Nowitzki is a future Hall of Famer. We'll ignore the center position. But each of the four aforementioned names is far from a sure thing. Let's run through them one more time. Williams hasn't played like an All-Star in years and the Brooklyn Nets flat-out waived him. Matthews is coming off a ruptured Achilles a notoriously difficult injury to recover from, especially for a player who will be 29 at the start of the season. No one knows when Parsons will be healthy or why he's stopped developing. Nowitzki is clearly declining as Father Time catches up to him. Again, we'll ignore the center position. The Mavericks have so much pedigree here that it's impossible to overlook them. But they're still fighting an uphill battle, and doing so with a terrifying lack of depth behind those expected starters, all of whom cary major question marks into the season. 17. Boston Celtics: 75-1 So begins a conglomerate of Eastern Conference teams who benefit in the title odds from playing in the NBA's weaker half. The Boston Celtics aren't truly a team capable of winning a championship, but they're masquerading as such because there's a strong possibility they can advance to the playoffs. And once they're at that stage of the season, anything can happen especially with Brad Stevens calling the shots and inspiring his hordes of guards and bigs. But the problem with the C's is simple. It's generally impossible to win without a superstar, and Boston doesn't have one. Though Marcus Smart, Jared Sullinger, Amir Johnson and others are all promising some with more enduring upside than others it's highly unlikely this team boasts so much as a single All-Star. Holding up the Larry O'Brien Trophy without representation in the midseason festivities is just about unfathomable. 16. Washington Wizards: 60-1 Not only do the Washington Wizards have one superstar in John Wall , but if Bradley Beal finally makes the leap, they could have two playing together in the backcourt. That said, it's tough to bet on the Florida product making such massive progress in just a single offseason after injury-created stagnation early in his career. His reputation is currently stronger than his production, after all. However, even if Beal doesn't earn celestial status quite yet, he can still team up with Wall to create one of the NBA's better guard combinations. Granted, it's the latter doing most of the heavy lifting, given his burgeoning status as one of the league's truly elite 1s. The bigger questions exist in the frontcourt, where Otto Porter, Jared Dudley and Kelly Oubre will need to replace Paul Pierce in seamless fashion. Additionally, the aging bigs Marcin Gortat and Nene must rebound from their late-season struggles and live up to their contracts if the Wizards are going to make any noise in the playoffs. Washington is the first team you could hypothetically bet on without simply wasting your money. But that still doesn't make this squad a good investment in the title race. 15. Toronto Raptors: 60-1 Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Jonas Valanciunas and virtually every other member of the Toronto Raptors core are still in place. But now DeMarre Carroll is coming to town after a breakout season with the Atlanta Hawks, hoping to help propel the Canadian representatives to the next level. Even though Carroll thrived as a go-to scorer during Atlanta's run to the Eastern Conference Finals, it's defense where he'll be able to help the most. Toronto allowed 107.7 points per 100 possessions during the 2014-15 campaign, placing them ahead of only the Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves. Obviously, that has to change if the Raptors will serve as a true contender, even in the weak East. Having DeRozan healthy for a full season should provide a boost, as should further development around the painted area from Valanciunas. But Carroll is coming off a year in which he allowed opposing 3s to post a player efficiency rating of just 13.2, per 82games.com , and that gives him the opportunity to aid the point-preventing unit most significantly. Plus, the Raptors, only one year removed from posting the fourth-best offensive rating in the Association, will still be a fine-tuned scoring machine. 14. Milwaukee Bucks: 50-1 The Milwaukee Bucks find themselves in the same territory as the Boston Celtics, seeing as there's no true star you can point to on the current roster. But unlike the C's, this squad has plenty of contributors with enormous upside (Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jabari Parker and Michael Carter-Williams), as well as two fringe All-Stars (Khris Middleton and Greg Monroe). Additionally, the Bucks have an identity. Under head coach Jason Kidd, this team has put together a swarming defense filled with lanky wingspans and players who are capable of switching on virtually every pick. Monroe doesn't fit in perfectly after signing a big deal during the offseason, but that's a sacrifice Milwaukee was willing to make, given the need for a go-to scorer in the post. As Charles F. Gardner explained for the Journal Sentinel, the Bucks can't help but be excited about their ability to shore up weaknesses and build upon pre-existing strengths: The Bucks ranked 15th in the league in paint points last season, averaging 42.5 per game (Memphis led the NBA at 46.6). But that number figures to go up with Monroe in the lineup. Milwaukee averaged just 6.6 three-pointers made per game and scored 20.3% of its points on threes, numbers the team hopes to improve as well. Monroe and fourth-year center John Henson worked out together in Miami during the summer and could form an imposing tandem in certain lineups. Henson said it's no easy task to guard Monroe in practice.Teams this young typically don't figure into the title picture, but the Bucks are talented and skilled enough on the defensive end that they could serve as an exception. 13. Indiana Pacers: 40-1 This is all about Paul George . Right now, the Indiana Pacers likely aren't the fifth-best team in the Eastern Conference, as their placement in this article would seem to indicate. Title odds aren't about where an organization will finish during the regular season; they instead focus on how possible it is for the squad to successfully navigate the postseason gauntlet. And the Pacers have something few other teams in their half of the league can claim a superstar capable of performing like one of the Association's top 10 players. If George fully recovers from the brutal leg fracture he suffered last summer and regains his pre-injury momentum, he's a two-way stud capable of single-handedly winning games on any given night, against any given opponent. Of course, the route to that point will be filled with trial and error. The Pacers must figure out how long they want to pursue the experiment that involves George lining up at the 4, and they're attempting to change the entire identity of a franchise that has always seemed to lean toward the defensive end. But if George regains his form and is joined by a slashing Monta Ellis, an insanely underrated George Hill and a version of Myles Turner who plays like anything but a rookie, the ceiling is quite high for this gold-and-blue-clad team. 12. Utah Jazz: 35-1 Overlook the Utah Jazz at your own peril. Boasting plenty of roster continuity, this franchise is bringing back all of the key pieces (save an injured Dante Exum), and the vast majority of them are young enough that they're still drawing from the seemingly limitless well of untapped potential. Rudy Gobert, Derrick Favors and Gordon Hayward could all make some noise in the All-Star conversations, while Alec Burks and Rodney Hood should look quite strong on the wings. Plus, we already saw a glimpse of what these Jazz can do. During the second half of the 2014-15 campaign, Utah went 19-10 (a 54-win pace) while posting a ridiculous defensive rating of just 99. To put that in perspective, the Golden State Warriors were No. 1 on the season-long leaderboard, ceding 101.4 points per 100 possessions. This shouldn't be too surprising. After all, no player who faced at least five shots per game at the rim was less porous than Gobert, according to NBA.com's SportVU databases . 11. New Orleans Pelicans: 35-1 Remember, betting against the New Orleans Pelicans is akin to betting against Anthony Davis. You don't want to do that. Ever. The unibrowed big man is coming off a historic season in which he challenged Wilt Chamberlain, LeBron James and Michael Jordan for all-time single-season supremacy on the PER leaderboard . Now, he's adding even more muscle and is increasingly comfortable shooting from beyond the arc, which means he's going to make the NBA into his own personal plaything. As if it wasn't already. But the Pelicans are still about more than Davis, and the pieces surrounding him are only getting better. More importantly, they're healthy. We still haven't seen what the core of Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans, Eric Gordon, Ryan Anderson and Davis can do when everyone is able to step onto the court simultaneously for a prolonged stretch, and that offers the hope of plentiful untapped upside. 10. Memphis Grizzlies: 33-1 The Memphis Grizzlies are trying to run it back one more time, rostering nearly the exact same core that has continuously failed to get them through the Western Conference in previous years. Maybe having Jeff Green for a full season will benefit this squad. Maybe Jordan Adams will break out and give the Grizz the floor-spacing presence they so desperately need off the bench. Maybe Jarnell Stokes, JaMychal Green and Brandan Wright can give the aged frontcourt a boost, keeping them incredibly fresh for the inevitable playoff efforts. Nonetheless, this feels like a team that's rather easy to pinpoint right between 50 and 55 wins. The floor is quite high, seeing as Memphis benefits quite a bit from extreme levels of roster continuity and the steady play of its veterans. But the ceiling is also a relatively low one, as there just aren't too many rotation members ready to improve by significant amounts and provide the team with unexpected boosts. The Grizzlies aren't just who we think they are; they're who we know they are. And as of now, that means their title hopes are wholly dependent on other Western Conference contenders getting knocked out prematurely or suffering unfortunate injuries to key pieces. 9. Miami Heat: 30-1 The Miami Heat roster enough big-name players that they feel like one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. But even with a full season of Goran Dragic and a healthy Chris Bosh , they need to prove they can overcome the inconsistency of Hassan Whiteside, the inevitable absences of Dwyane Wade and the wear and tear Luol Deng is constantly fighting through after years of grinding away under Tom Thibodeau's supervision. Right now, it's hard to look at this team objectively and remain convinced they're favorites for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Too much adjustment is needed, and too many question marks exist on the defensive end. Until Whiteside develops into a wall in the paint, he's one of those players whose block totals are a bit misleading. According to 82games.com , he allowed an above-average PER to opposing centers during his breakout season, and the Heat actually gave up an additional 2.9 points per 100 possessions when he was on the floor. NBA.com's SportVU data shows that he let opponents shoot 46.5 percent at the rim, which is hardly an elite mark. Optimism is understandably reigning supreme in South Beach right now. The return of Bosh, the addition of Justise Winslow and the star-studded starting lineup (on paper) all demand those kinds of feelings. Chances are, this will be a very competitive team that gets better as the year progresses. But the Heat are far from perfect. 8. Chicago Bulls: 25-1 Even though Derrick Rose is out with a left orbital fracture, the Chicago Bulls have talent galore. And with new head coach Fred Hoiberg calling the shots, they could get creative enough to maximize the strengths of Rose, Jimmy Butler, Pau Gasol , Joakim Noah , Nikola Mirotic and even Doug McDermott. Hoiberg's offense gets everyone involved, asking for plenty of screens in all areas of the court. Given the plethora of scoring options whose talents were mitigated last season en route to a No. 11 finish on the offensive leaderboard, this is good news. If nothing else, it will allow for more depth on the wings. But the Bulls still have some major concerns that prevent them from rising any higher in these standings. The frontcourt is composed of big-name players in Noah and Gasol, but they're not exactly in the midst of their athletic primes. The former has dealt with plenty of injuries and declined rather significantly in 2014-15, while the latter isn't a perfect fit for the uptempo system Hoiberg is likely to bring with him from his collegiate days at Iowa State. Beyond that, there's a glaring lack of depth in the backcourt, especially if Rose can't stay healthy. Having Aaron Brooks and Kirk Hinrich serve as the primary backups isn't exactly a positive. 7. Atlanta Hawks: 20-1 Expecting the Atlanta Hawks to take a massive step in the wrong direction is a big mistake. Losing DeMarre Carroll to the Toronto Raptors does hurt a team that admittedly overachieved during the first 60-win season in franchise history, but the vast majority of the key contributors are back. Once you throw in Tiago Splitter, Walter Tavares, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Justin Holiday, this team could feasibly be slightly more talented than the previous iteration, even if the ridiculous number of injuries and missed open shots during the playoffs left a sour taste at the end of the Eastern Conference Finals. As of now, the Hawks should still be the favorites for the No. 2 seed in the East. Mike Budenholzer's system will be even more familiar now that he has another year under his belt as a head coach. Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap and Al Horford all return after making the All-Star team. And lest we forget, Atlanta actually finished the 2014-15 season ranked No. 6 in both offensive and defensive rating. The only other team to place that high on both ends of the court was the Golden State Warriors. Carroll was the only major loss, and the Hawks' net rating was actually 0.5 points per 100 possessions better when he was on the bench. That admittedly speaks more about the depth and the strength of the system than Carroll's individual skills, but we'll still leave you to draw your own conclusions. 6. Houston Rockets: 13-1 The Houston Rockets seem to be flying under the radar as one of the true contenders in the Western Conference. It's a bit inexplicable, considering James Harden was a strong MVP candidate last year, Dwight Howard is still on the roster and Ty Lawson was a major acquisition during the offseason. If Lawson and Harden can coexist, this team which advanced all the way to the Western Conference Finals last year just gets even more dangerous. That's by no means a guarantee, considering the bearded 2-guard is most comfortable running the show and the new floor general has never been asked to spend much time playing off the ball. But that possibility of immediate cohesion exists, and it has to be an exciting one for the Rockets. Heading into the season, health serves as the only glaring weakness here. Dwight Howard hasn't exactly avoided injuries the last few years, and the power forward rotation is rather shaky. Terrence Jones suffered a number of maladies in 2014-15, while Donatas Motiejunas is recovering from back surgery. If health issues fade into the background and this rotation is ready to go, it can compete with anyone. 5. Los Angeles Clippers: 12-1 The Los Angeles Clippers took some gambles this offseason, and the cumulative impact should only make them even stronger. And they're already strong enough, seeing as Chris Paul and Blake Griffin will be rejoined by DeAndre Jordan after the ridiculous sequence that almost ended with the 7-footer jumping ship to the Dallas Mavericks. Out went Matt Barnes and in came Paul Pierce. But perhaps even more pertinent are the additions of Josh Smith , Lance Stephenson and Pablo Prigioni, all of whom are flawed players who can nonetheless help provide some semblance of depth in the Staples Center. The Clippers simply wore down last season, culminating in their inability to rebound after blowing a closeout game in the second round of the playoffs. Without any reliable backups outside of Jamal Crawford, they were far too reliant on the starting five. But imagine if everyone had been a bit more fresh, or if Paul had never injured his leg against the San Antonio Spurs. That's the reality we're looking at in 2015-16, as one of the league's best three-man nuclei is bolstered by legitimate NBA rotation members off the pine for the first time in a while. The Clippers may no longer be the sexy pick in the Western Conference, and parts of this roster feel a bit stale. That doesn't make them any less threatening. 4. Oklahoma City Thunder: 10-1 Kevin Durant is back, and he won't be playing nice as he seeks to reclaim his spot atop the NBA hierarchy after an injury-plagued 2014-15 campaign. When we last saw this forward take the court for a full season, he won the regular-season MVP award, and there's no reason to doubt his ability to wrestle that trophy away from Stephen Curry in 2015-16. But Durant alone doesn't make the Thunder into true contenders. Once more, he'll be playing alongside Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka . Enes Kanter and Steven Adams make for a nice offense-defense tandem at the center position, and there's depth across the board. This roster is loaded with upper-tier talent and capable backups, which should put less of a burden on Durant than he's shouldered in previous seasons. Plus, Scott Brooks is out as the head coach, replaced by Billy Donovan. And with the former Florida clipboard-holder comes hope that there will be far less reliance on isolation plays and basic sets than there was in the last era. OKC didn't make the playoffs last season, but unless that pesky injury imp decides to wreak havoc once more, they're a virtual lock this year. Now the Thunder can reasonably set their sights on a championship instead of just the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference they unsuccessfully chased during the last go-round. 3. San Antonio Spurs: 8-1 The San Antonio Spurs are just unfair. Faced with the prospect of watching Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili retire this offseason, they might have finally declined after years of rubbing shoulders with the NBA's best. Instead, Duncan and Ginobili are back...and they re-signed Kawhi Leonard to a big deal...and they stole LaMarcus Aldridge away from all other suitors...and they managed to convince David West to opt out of his contract with the Indiana Pacers, throw away eight figures and sign a paltry deal in San Antonio. So, yeah. Unfair. Fortunately for the rest of the NBA, the Spurs will need some time to adjust. Aldridge's ball-dominant ways don't make him a perfect fit in the offense Gregg Popovich typically runs, though everyone involved is talented enough that it shouldn't be a problem. San Antonio won't run away with the West and win 73 games, but this will inevitably be another typically excellent team. 2. Golden State Warriors: 6-1 It's worth noting how ridiculously good the Golden State Warriors were during their run to the franchise's first title in 40 years. Although many have spent the offseason trying to poke holes in their resume, pointing to curiosities like all the injured point guards they faced during the postseason, this team should get the accolades it deserves in due time. After all, it was one of the most dominant teams ever. According to my TeamRtng+ metric , the Dubs were the eighth-best regular-season squad in NBA history, and they didn't fall far from that pace during the playoffs. Now the Warriors are ready to pick up where they left off. There were no huge departures during the offseason, and the arrival of Jason Thompson could actually gasp make them even better. Until someone proves otherwise, the team that continues rostering the Splash Brothers and plenty of other positive contributors remains the cream of the crop in the Association. However, that still doesn't mean it has the best title odds. 1. Cleveland Cavaliers: 5-1 If we were ranking teams by their sheer on-court abilities, the Cleveland Cavaliers could reasonably fit in anywhere from No. 2 to No. 6. There's a case to be made that five teams in the Western Conference are actually superior squads the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets. In fact, the case is only strengthened by the persisting absence of Tristan Thompson (still without a contract), and the injuries to Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert. The lack of depth in the frontcourt is particularly questionable, seeing as the Cavs are currently counting on Love, Timofey Mozgov, Anderson Varejao (coming off a ruptured Achilles) and Sasha Kaun. But they still have LeBron James, so it's not like they're going anywhere. They're the clear-cut favorites in the East, even with all the aforementioned concerns, and they can afford to rest key players in Spursian fashion throughout the bulk of the regular season. Whether they're No. 2 or No. 6, the key to their status as the team with the best odds is simple they play in the league's weaker half. While the Warriors will have to navigate a Western Conference gauntlet that necessitates beating three strong teams just to reach the NBA Finals, the Cavs can basically sleepwalk until they're in the penultimate round. That's quite a luxury, and it's enough to boost them ahead of some superior squads. All stats, unless otherwise indicated, come from Basketball-Reference.com . Adam Fromal covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter: @fromal09 .
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Entering the 2015-16 NHL season, which coaches are on the hot seat? NHL analyst Brent Sopel makes his picks.
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How you "like" things on Facebook is about to change. Engadget has learned that the site is about to launch a "Reactions" feature that expresses multiple emotions, instead of the long-serving, lonely "like" (and long rumoured " dislike "). Our sources advise that Facebook will start testing the feature on users in Ireland and Spain as soon as tomorrow (Friday). The change is just another way to express your feelings about what friends or family post, but a welcome one, given that not everything shared on the social network is appropriate for a "like". This means even life's less glossy moments can finally have a more suitable response. Good old like remains, of course, but along with icons that show love, laughter, cheeky smiles, shock anger and, well, we're sure there'll be an extensive/ever growing list of options. The new reactions will apply to user posts and those from "pages" alike, with a breakdown of which responses each missive received. Although in Ad Manager, all reactions will still be considered as a "like" for now. There are no details about when this might start showing up in other regions, but Facebook is well known for testing new features on smaller sections of its audience before rolling them out wholesale.
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The oil change may be about to endure a change of its own. A big motor-oil maker plans to announce Thursday that it has achieved a breakthrough in engine-lubrication design that makes it easy to change the oil in a vehicle in as little as 90 seconds, Castrol, a division of BP, says the modification over current designs also lowers carbon emissions and fosters recycling. The new system, which Castrol has dubbed Nexcel, must be integrated into vehicle engines at the design stage. That means it won't hit mainstream cars for another five years about the length of time between major model changes for many automakers. Castrol said it's in discussions with several major automakers to speed adoption of the Nexcel system, which it brags is significantly faster than the 20 minutes it traditionally takes to get an oil change. It's "a revolutionary technology that's the most significant change in oil servicing since the introduction of the vehicle," said Steve Goodier, project leader. "The average driver will not notice a direct difference as far as driving it down the road is concerned. Where the driver will see a benefit and it's quite significant is time." A product development team of about 50 people, including technologists in the United Kingdom, U.S. and Germany, created the system. The company did not reveal many details about the technology, which it said also offers environmental benefits. It lowers carbon emissions when the car is driving and enables improved recycling of oil cells back into refined petroleum. "It means you do not waste a drop of lubricant during the oil-change process," Goodier said. The system will make its debut in the Aston Martin Vulcan supercar, which can only be driven on racetracks, not streets. But Castrol said that decision was made to speed the process of development and testing, allowing other automakers to gauge performance before adopting the system. A key test is whether the oil delivers smooth handling, braking and accelerating. Castrol said the technology "functioned smoothly" in a test in which a vehicle went from 62 miles per hour to a full stop in 1.6 seconds. The system has also been tested with everything from cheap minicars to racecars. What's unclear is how the technology could affect oil-change service locations, which generally charge anywhere from $20 to $55 for a standard oil change, according to consumer information website CostHelper.com . Nexcel would make it substantially easier for consumers to change their own oil, Goodier said. He said it's too early to discuss pricing for automakers that may integrate the system into their cars or consumers who experience the simplified oil-change process. Goodier said he "can't imagine" it would substantially disrupt the oil-change service business model. But fewer hours spent on oil changes in the shop could mean fewer jobs for technicians if service locations don't adapt. Follow USA TODAY reporter Nathan Bomey on Twitter @ NathanBomey .
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Gerrit Cole knew he would have to be nearly perfect Wednesday night in the National League wild-card game at PNC Park, but he was nowhere close. Rather than match Chicago Cubs ace Jake Arrieta, who was spectacular in a 4-0 win, Cole lost the second elimination game of his career for the Pirates. "It burns. It stings. … ," Cole said afterward. "All the negative things you can come up with, that's how it feels right now." It was a matchup a month in the making. Early in September, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle lined up Cole, a 19-game winner, to pitch the wild-card game on six days of rest. Arrieta, who went 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA, clearly was the Cubs' pocket ace. Wednesday, Cole's parents and his fiancee, Amy, were in the stands at PNC Park. The baseball team at UCLA, Cole's alma mater, gathered in its clubhouse to watch a former No. 1 overall pick make the biggest start of his young career. But under the bright lights of baseball's postseason Cole, a 25-year-old right-hander, was out of sync. He missed locations early and fell behind in counts. He allowed six hits and four runs over five innings, giving up two home runs in a start for just the second time this season. "I just wasn't good enough," Cole said. Dexter Fowler scored the first run of the game after taking advantage of Cole's struggles holding runners. Fowler singled leading off the game, then, after a soft pick-off throw, swiped second to move into scoring position. Cole's 25 steals against were fifth most in the majors this season. Kyle Schwarber poked an RBI single to left, giving the Cubs a 1-0 lead before Arrieta even took the mound, then blasted a two-run homer over the right-field bleachers in the third. Fowler hit a long solo shot to right-center field in the fifth to push the Cubs' lead to 4-0. "That first-inning run, those kind of things happen. So be it," Cole said. "The mistakes later, with the two home runs, were tremendously unfortunate." By the time Arrieta was hit on the hip with a fastball in the seventh and both benches cleared, Cole's only involvement was as a feisty fighter he explained later he was trying to "diffuse the situation." He yapped at the Cubs, his hair wild and eyes afire, but they would defeat him for just the second time in his career. Cole entered the game 7-1 with a 2.88 ERA in nine career starts against the Cubs. The Pirates won his final five starts of the regular season, but none of that mattered in a do-or-die wild-card game. The six hits off Cole were all by left-handed batters. Fowler and Schwarber, the Nos. 1 and 2 hitters in the Cubs order, were a combined 5 for 6. After the final out of the Pirates' regular-season finale Sunday, when they clinched home field for the wild-card game, Cole clapped his hands and looked skyward. "It comes down to the last game, it seems like, every year," he said later. "We never find a way to take the simpler road to the postseason." The road reached a dead end Wednesday. The next time Cole will take the mound at PNC Park likely will be opening day, April 4, 2016, against the St. Louis Cardinals. That game will be important, too, only less so. This time, the Pirates could use a head start. Stephen J. Nesbitt: [email protected] and Twitter @stephenjnesbitt.
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Charities in France have seen a rise in people wanting to give homes to refugees.
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A cat from Kalamo Township, Michigan is in stable condition after a crossbow was removed from his midsection earlier this week.
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. California wants more drivers to dump the pump and plug in. Climate change legislation signed Wednesday day by Gov. Jerry Brown calls for major utilities to compete as an alternative transportation fuel source by installing thousands of charging stations where people live, work and play. The provision was contained in a broader climate control measure requiring the state to boost renewable electricity use to 50 percent and double the energy efficiency of existing buildings by 2030. The bill's author, Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon, a Los Angeles Democrat, was forced to drop a key aspect of his proposal that would have pushed the state to cut oil use by half. State officials hope to see a big cut in greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging residents to fuel their cars and trucks with electricity a move that environmentalists say will pit utilities against oil companies in the marketplace. "It basically tells the electric industry to go eat the oil industry's lunch," said Max Baumhefner, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council. While oil companies aggressively lobbied against the oil reduction provision in the bill, California's largest private utilities Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric were among those pushing to boost the electric vehicle charging market. During the first half of the year, the three private utilities spent about $2 million lobbying state government on dozens of bills, including SB350. That was more than Chevron, Valero, Shell and BP combined in that same period, according to lobbying reports. The oil companies did not oppose the goal of increasing electric power for cars but point out that the state has policies to diversify transportation fuels. "We need to make sure Californians can move about our state and have access to reliable, affordable energy," said Catherine Reheis Boyd, president of the Western States Petroleum Association, which represents oil companies. For utilities, the bill is a business opportunity as much as it is a moral imperative for the Democrats who want to fight climate change. Two of Brown's top aides, who negotiated the bill, are former PG&E executives. The state is already a leader in the electric vehicle market, according to the state's Plug-in Electric Vehicle Collaborative, with four of every 10 electric vehicles in the nation sold in California. Still, they are only a fraction of the 1.7 million cars and light trucks sold in the state each year. "Companies are going to have to prove to consumers that it's in their best interest to make that switch from traditional fuel vehicles," said Travis Miller, director of utilities research at Morningstar Inc. in Chicago. "I don't know we're at the tipping point quite yet." One reason is the state's still-spotty charging infrastructure. Utilities plan to compete with private companies to install tens of thousands of new charging stations to diminish driver worries of getting stranded with a dead battery. The three utilities have separate plans before state regulators to spend more than $1 billion on charging stations. Most electric car owners do their charging at home, so utilities are targeting chargers for multi-unit complexes, which can be challenging to break into, and businesses. "The big opportunity is workplace. It's the other place where you really park your car for a long time," said Aaron Johnson, vice president of customer energy solutions at Pacific Gas & Electric. Consumer advocates are also watching the state Public Utilities Commission, which must approve plans to install the charging stations, to ensure ratepayers who will foot the bill for the charging stations do not overpay. The regulatory agency has come under fire for its cozy relationship with power company executives. Betty Plowman of the Western States Trucking Association said while the state's policies are laudable, electric vehicles aren't yet practical for many commuters. She's also worried about having to subsidize electric car drivers through her utility bill. "Who pays for that electricity? Is it a gift from the gods?" she said. Electric car drivers and building owners will pay for the electricity, but all utility customers will pay for the chargers through their bills. Utilities estimate the hardware will add a nominal amount 82 cents to $2 a year per San Diego Gas & Electric customer, according to Laura McDonald, who directs clean transportation for SDG&E. Critics such as Plowman said every penny counts for someone like her who is nearing retirement. Computer consultant Darshan Brahmbhatt switched to a Nissan Leaf about two years ago. Brahmbhatt, who lives in Folsom, a suburb of Sacramento, estimates his lease and extra electricity costs are about $225 a month, less than the $300 he was paying for gas alone. "It's kind of really worked out great," he said.
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CONCORD, N.C. NASCAR's Chase is often filled with tension-laced moments that can spill into ugly post-race confrontations. That has already happened this season, when Kevin Harvick went after Jimmie Johnson two weeks ago at Chicagoland. And although the folks in NASCAR and track marketing departments might not think so, it's an unfortunate byproduct of the pressure that comes from the Chase, which enters its second round Saturday with the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Qualifying for the race begins at 7:40 p.m. Thursday. "I think the incidents where I'm involved that anyone is involved in takes away from the great storylines the sport has to tell," said Brad Keselowski, who is no stranger to those kinds of postrace confrontations. After the 2014 Charlotte race, Keselowski found himself being chased down in the garage by Matt Kenseth, who was unhappy that Keselowski had rear-ended him on pit-road. Kenseth caught Keselowski between two haulers and placed him in a headlock before being pulled away. Crew members of both teams also got in to a shoving match. In 2013, Jeff Gordon, Keselowski and Harvick were in the middle of a post-race fight after a Chase race at Texas. The Keselowski-Kenseth moment at Charlotte is being featured prominently in a television commercial promoting Saturday's race. "I think it's ridiculous," Keselowski said of the ad. "But they don't pay me to promote the sport. They make their own decisions." Keselowski said what should be highlighted is the competition and excitement that's on display on the track not off it. "It makes me think back to great moments like Dale Earnhardt's 'pass in the grass' (at the 1987 all-star race at Charlotte) and think, 'We need moments like that,' " he said. "That should be what our sport is about. Not a bunch of junk going on post-race." The Harvick-Johnson set-to took place after the Chase's first race, during which Johnson bumped into Harvick, causing a tire to go down on Harvick's Chevy. A few laps later, Harvick crashed. Johnson sought out Harvick after the race to apologize, but was met instead by an irate Harvick, who punched Johnson in the chest before being restrained. Johnson, who was eliminated from the Chase last week at Dover, said he wasn't surprised Harvick was angry. Harvick hasn't addressed the incident directly. The drama comes from the stressful nature of NASCAR's playoffs. Johnson is testament to that. He was fifth in the standings going to Dover, needing to remain in the top 12 to advance to the second round. All Johnson needed to do was play it safe and he would likely advanced easily. But he finished 41st and out of the Chase when a rear axle seal broke in his No. 48 Chevy. "It's pretty stressful during (the Chase)," said Joey Logano, who advanced to the second round by finishing a safe sixth at Chicagoland, third and New Hampshire and 10th at Dover. "But I think you can just try to relax and enjoy the moment. But there's a lot on the line and you can over-think and over-analyze things and put yourself in a bad spot from doing that. A lot of times it's good to just get a little bit of rest and take a little bit of time off to recharge your batteries." That's what Keselowski said he's trying to do. "I haven't reflected on (last year's incident) at all," he said. "It doesn't feel like it's worth the time or energy to me." But there will always be the potential for a post-race flare up. Kenseth was asked about the head lock from 2014 and who might wind up on the receiving end of one the next time. "Hopefully it's not me," he said.
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Selena Gomez confirmed that she is suffering from lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects organs and tissues inside the body. During an interview for Billboard 's Oct. 17 issue, the singer revealed, "I was diagnosed with lupus, and I've been through chemotherapy. That's what my break was really about. I could've had a stroke." She recalled her recent hiatus, adding, "I wanted so badly to say, 'You guys have no idea. I'm in chemotherapy. You're assh*les.' I locked myself away until I was confident and comfortable again." You may remember Selena taking time off from her demanding career and canceling the Australian leg of her Stars Dance world tour back in January 2014, and while there was speculation that it was due to her breakup with Justin Bieber , we now know that wasn't the case. Furthermore, Selena is set to go on tour in May for her Revival album, which drops on Oct. 9.
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Argentina's president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner causes an internet sensation with her spontaneous dance moves during a campaign rally in Buenos Aires.
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Dubbed "the princess of migrants", a Nigerian baby born on the Italian ship that rescued her mother in the Mediterranean has become a symbol of hope for those braving the perilous crossing in search of a new life.
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Taylor Swift says she's handling matters by text messaging not Twitter now, after that incident over the summer when she misinterpreted Nicki Minaj 's vast criticisms of the MTV Video Music Awards. Speaking with NME for a new cover story, Swift did not want to talk about the clash with Minaj but did explain how she's preventing it from happening again. Listen to Taylor Swift's Playlist of 'Songs That Will Make Your Life More Awesome' "I don't want to talk about it," she told the magazine. "But I send text messages now. If there seems to be some kind of misunderstanding, I go to someone's management, I get their number and I text them. It's an important lesson for anyone to learn in 2015." As for that other famed Swift-related VMA incident when Kanye West interrupted her award acceptance speech in 2009, she spoke about their friendship that's followed. Taylor Swift's 'Wildest Dreams' Video Hits 100 Million Views on Vevo "Me and Kanye are on such good terms now, six years later," Swift said. "It took a while... But I had to tell Beck this story earlier. I was at dinner with Kanye a week after the Grammys, he stops what he's saying and he goes, 'What is this song? I need to listen to this every day.' I said, 'It's Beck, it's on an album called 'Morning Phase', I think you've heard of it…' We just burst out laughing. And he says, 'Hey, sometimes I'm wrong.'" The full story will be out with the new issue of NME on Friday, Oct. 9.
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SAN RAFAEL, Calif. Three drifters were arrested Wednesday in Oregon in the killing of a beloved California teacher of tantra yoga who was shot dead while walking his dog along a scenic hiking trail, authorities said. The suspects two men and a woman were arrested in Portland outside a community dining hall and were in possession of the victim's car, Marin County sheriff's Lt. Doug Pittman said. The arrests came two days after the body of Steve Carter, 67, was found on a trail in upscale Marin County, where he was living and caring for his cancer-stricken wife Lokita Carter. Authorities identified them as Sean Michael Angold, 24, Morrison Haze Lampley, 23, and Lila Scott Allgood, 18. The sheriff's office said none of the suspects has a known permanent address. Pittman said the trio was tracked to Oregon more than 600 miles to the north by detectives using GPS technology in the victim's car and hundreds of tips from people who thought they looked suspicious. Authorities were also aided by surveillance footage from a gas station in Point Reyes that showed the suspects with the stolen car about a half-hour after the slaying, Pittman said. "So many people are in possession of cameras in cars, homes, businesses," he said. "Those types of systems became crucial to the pursuit and apprehension." Mark Reano, owner of Greenbridge Gas & Auto in Point Reyes, said authorities came to the station early Wednesday for the video. "They grabbed it and went," said Reano, who did not see the suspects. Authorities have not provided a motive for the attack and said it did not appear the suspects knew the victim. Pittman said it was unclear if Carter might have been targeted for his car or other belongings. Marin County sheriff's Capt. Dave Augustus described the suspects as drifters. Their names were not immediately released. "We're not even sure who these people are right now," Pittman said. Authorities believe Carter drove to the trail near Fairfax in his 2003 Volkswagen that was missing after the attack. Followers credited Carter with improving their romantic relationships by teaching tantra, a philosophy of meditation, yoga and sexuality famously embraced by rock star Sting. Stunned students and supporters mourned their beloved teacher who was shot multiple times and was still holding the leash of his wounded Doberman pinscher when he was found. The dog is expected to recover. The Carters launched the Ecstatic Living Institute in rural Middletown, California, about 16 years ago to teach tantra to couples around the world. They held workshops nearby at the clothing-optional Harbin Hot Springs, which was destroyed last month in a wildfire. "He was my mentor," said Greg Whitmore, 37, a firefighter who attended several weeklong retreats led by the Carters. "It was intoxicating. People wanted to be around him." Last year, the couple turned the institute over to a former student, Logan Rose, and moved to Costa Rica in semi-retirement, teaching an occasional class. But soon after moving, Lokita was diagnosed with breast cancer. "It has been a very traumatic season for us with Lokita's cancer, then the Valley Fire that destroyed our beloved Harbin Hot Springs," Rose said. "This is the most devastating blow," Rose said of the homicide. "We are heartbroken." Lokita Carter didn't respond to requests for comment. Joya Petra Gallasch said Carter was responsible for adding her new first name during a training session at Harbin Hot Springs. She was depressed at the time and Carter led her to adopt the new first name of Joya, Gallasch said. "I've always been a super joyous person," Gallasch said. "He knew intuitively that it was time to get a new name. He exuded a form of brilliance." A hiker found Carter's body less than an hour after deputies responded to a report of shots fired and didn't see anything suspicious. Carter's brother, Michael Carter, said he knew of no one who disliked his brother. "I can't imagine that it's anything other than a random thing," he told the San Francisco Chronicle. "All of it seems very random and unbelievable. Nothing makes any sense." ___ Associated Press writer Janie Har contributed to this story.
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A total of six teams enter Week 5 of the NFL season with undefeated records. Of those six teams, all but one is going to face a difficult opponent this week. This makes for an intriguing slate of games around the league. The other main thing to look for as we enter the second quarter of the schedule is how teams that have yet to find a real identity are going to perform. The Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints will take on one another with both squads looking to avoid a 1-4 start to the season. In the same exact situation, the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens square off in a battle for last place in the AFC North. None of these four teams are completely out of the playoff conversation, but losses on Sunday would surely hurt. Here is your top storyline for each Week 5 NFL game. Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans: Andrew Luck's availability While Luck is officially questionable for Thursday's game against the Texans, everything seems to be pointing in the direction of him playing. Though, there's a chance Indy could sit him out after he missed last week's game with a shoulder injury. With a short week between games, the situation seems to be more up in the air than if the Colts were scheduled to play Sunday. Considering Matt Hasselbeck is also questionable due to an illness, Indy has to hope that Luck will be able to go. At 2-2 on the season, the Colts find themselves in first place in the weak AFC South. A win here against Houston could set into motion a lengthy winning streak for a squad that entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations. On the other hand, Indianapolis has not played anywhere near its best football. A loss here could lead to more questions for the odds-on favorites to win the division. Buffalo Bills at Tennessee Titans: time for a more consistent Bills team to show up At 2-2 on the season, Buffalo needs to find a way to right the ship following a disheartening home loss to the New York Giants that saw Rex Ryan's squad commit a ridiculous 17 penalties. More than anything else, this needs to change if the Bills are going to compete for a playoff spot in the AFC. With the New England Patriots looking the part of the best team in the NFL and the New York Jets seemingly vastly improved from previous seasons, Buffalo can't afford to fall to 2-3 on the campaign. It most definitely can't afford to do so against a vastly inferior Titans team. The NFL is all about consistency, and up until this point, Buffalo simply hasn't displayed that. Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens: battle for last place More than simply being a battle out of the AFC North cellar, these two teams need to find a way to move on from early-season struggles that have them at 1-3 heading into Week 5. For Baltimore, it's all about turning close losses into wins. After losing its first three games by a combined 14 points, this team took advantage of horrible coaching by Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers to pull off an overtime victory last week. Whether that late-game win was an outlier remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Baltimore must find a way to avoid a 1-4 start to the season if it wants to get back to the playoffs. In Cleveland, it's the same old story. Substandard quarterback play appears to be holding the team back from contention. In addition to this, another late-game mistake last week prevented the Browns from finding themselves with a .500 record. An off-sides call against cornerback Tramon Williams negated a last-second missed field goal from the San Diego Chargers, enabling the opposing team's kicker to re-attempt the game-winning field goal. Like clockwork, Cleveland found yet another way to lose. Unless Cleveland gets better quarterback play from either Josh McCown or Johnny Manziel it will likely find itself in the cellar when all is said and done. That's only magnified by bonehead mistakes with the game on the line the story of your Cleveland Browns of the past two-plus decades. Chicago Bears at Kansas City Chiefs: finding the end zone in Kansas City Seven scores, seven field goals. That's how Kansas City tallied 21 points against the Cincinnati Bengals last week. And despite putting up nearly 500 yards of total offense, Andy Reid's squad lost by 15. Losers of three consecutive games, the Chiefs need this to change in short order Sunday against an inferior Bears team. The key here is going to be Alex Smith finding anyone outside of Travis Kelce and Jamaal Charles in the red zone. In between the 20s, Smith has excelled in hooking up with new Chiefs wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, who is on pace for nearly 1,600 receiving yards this season. Maybe Smith can find a way to work him the ball near the goal line against a shoddy Bears defense. That would go a long way in Kansas City finding a way to break its three-game losing streak. Seattle Seahawks at Cincinnati Bengals: road team's pass protection woes As I mentioned in a piece earlier this week , Seattle is facing the real possibility of losing Russell Wilson to injury unless it finds a way to pass protect better moving forward. The franchise quarterback has been sacked 16 times in four games while finding himself under pressure 43 percent of the time he's dropped back to pass. Through four games, the right side of the line has allowed 17 quarterback hurries. That's where the Bengals are most likely going to attack, especially with Carlos Dunlap coming off that end. Wilson is tremendous at escaping pressure, but there's a limit to what he can actually do on the football field. This was magnified by the two fumbles he lost in the fourth quarter against the Detroit Lions on Monday night fumbles that very nearly cost Seattle the game. St. Louis Rams at Green Bay Packers: statement game for Jeff Fisher's squad As meaningless as in-season power rankings may be, it's readily apparent that NFL experts like what they have seen from the 2-2 Rams thus far this season. With wins against the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals, it's clear that St. Louis has the talent to compete with the big boys in the NFC. The unfortunate thing here is that the Rams remain one of the most inconsistent squads in the NFL. Unless they are able to actually follow up a solid performance with yet another good outing, this team isn't going to find itself in the conversation as a playoff contender in the NFC. Going up against an undefeated Packers team at Lambeau Field, St. Louis has a golden opportunity to prove to itself that it can be in the conversation among top contenders in an ultra-competitive conference. And in reality, the team has a few favorable matchups against Aaron Rodgers and Co. The likes of Robert Quinn, Chris Long and Aaron Donald should cause major issues for Green Bay's under-performing offensive line. In addition to this, a new-found running game with rookie Todd Gurley could help take some of the onus off Nick Foles. In the end, a win here by St. Louis will put it in the conversation. Though, based off what we've seen from Jeff Fisher-led squads in recent seasons, it's hard to imagine the Rams coming out on top. Jacksonville Jaguars at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: can Jameis Winston rebound? After a four-interception performance against the Carolina Panthers last week, Winston is now on pace to turn the ball over 32 times this season. While we already know this is unlikely to happen, the first-year quarterback needs to get back on track against what is a below-average Jaguars defense on Sunday. From my estimation after charting Winston's game against Carolina, 16 of his 39 targeted passes were inaccurate. That's an insanely high number. Though, this really isn't the main issue. Much like in his college career, Winston struggled mostly with decision making last week. He can't continue to throw the ball into narrow windows at the highest level football has to offer. This may have worked at Florida State, but the NFL is on an entirely different level than the ACC. That's where the progression needs to be found. It's going to take in-game experience. It's also going to force Winston to overcome rookie mistakes and rocky waters. But at the end of the day, this is where the former Heisman winner needs to improve. Going up against a struggling Jaguars pass defense, there's a decent chance Winston will find a way to rebound this week. New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles: must-win game for both squads Things are obviously more dreary for the Saints, who still find themselves three games out in the NFC South after defeating the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. With two teams in that division currently undefeated, New Orleans simply can't afford to fall to 1-4 on the season. That would make it a near impossibility for the team to earn a playoff spot. For the Eagles, losing four of their first five after a drama-filled offseason wouldn't necessarily give skeptics more confidence in Chip Kelly. And every week Philadelphia remains behind Dallas is a week closer to both Dez Bryant and Tony Romo returning to action for the defending NFC East champs. Yes, this is an absolutely huge game between two teams currently in last place. Despite just being just one game behind the other three teams in their division, the Eagles can't afford to fall at home in what may turn out to be one of their most favorable matchups remaining on the schedule. And if the Saints were to fall to 1-4, it would likely spell the end of their playoff aspirations. Washington Redskins at Atlanta Falcons: two vastly improved football teams Most of the talk leading up to this intra-conference matchup is focusing on what has been an elite Falcons offense under first-year head coach Dan Quinn. Though, the Redskins could easily find themselves talked about in a positive light (imagine that) with a win over an undefeated Falcons squad. At 2-2 on the season, Washington actually finds itself in a three-way tie for first in the NFC East. Playing potentially the best football of his career, Matt Ryan has put up six touchdowns compared to two interceptions while leading the Falcons to an average of 34.2 points per game this season. One of the primary reasons Ryan has had so much success early on is the balance Atlanta has shown on offense. The team has put up 100-plus rushing yards in three of the first four games with second-year running back Devonta Freeman scoring seven touchdowns on the ground. For comparison's sake, Atlanta tallied 100-plus rushing yards just four times while accumulating 11 touchdowns on the ground last season. Coming off a tremendous late-game victory against Philadelphia, the Redskins have also performed at a much higher clip than last year. While it may seem like a small improvement in the grand scheme of things, two wins in their first four games is a pretty big deal for a downtrodden Redskins squad. If they are able to win on Sunday, it will be the first time since 2011 that this franchise has entered Week 6 with three wins. Playing much more competitive football, Jay Gruden and Co. have a golden opportunity to prove that their early-season competitiveness isn't an exception to the rule. Arizona Cardinals at Detroit Lions: time for the home team to actually win a game There is a strong argument that Detroit should be 1-3 right now and coming off an unlikely win over the Seattle Seahawks in the Pacific Northwest. That angle has been about as played out as conversations regarding Eli Manning's elite status. As Lions head coach Jim Caldwell indicated shortly after the tough loss, it's simply time for this team to move on . At 0-4 on the season, it's safe to say Detroit isn't going to the playoffs. This doesn't mean the team should just throw in the towel for the season. There is still a lot to play for here. Mainly, the Lions might be at the point where they have to start evaluating Matthew Stafford and whether he's the long-term solution at quarterback. It may seem crazy, but his lack of success against winning squads is starting to take on a whole new meaning (3-32 against teams that finish with a winning record). Can Stafford, even in what might amount to a lost season, buck this trend? If not, are the Lions prepared to make the decision to move on from him? New England Patriots at Dallas Cowboys: Tom Brady's red-hot start Realistically, the Cowboys' only hope of stopping Brady sits with the idea that he cooled off during New England's bye week. Outside of that, Dallas is going to have a heck of a time stopping the four-time Super Bowl champion. This means that Brandon Weeden and Co. are going to have to pick up the slack on offense. In his first game since returning from a shoulder injury, Saints quarterback Drew Brees completed 33-of-41 passes for 359 yards and two scores against this Dallas defense. Now going up against a quarterback in Tom Brady that has thrown 48 touchdowns in his past 17 games, the Cowboys could be in for a rude awakening. I just don't envision a scenario where Dallas is able to hold off Brady enough for its backup quarterback to outscore the future Hall of Famer. If that doesn't happen, Dallas will find itself losers of three consecutive with the Patriots remaining undefeated on the campaign. Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders: Jack Del Rio and Co. looking for that signature win Oakland is one late-game loss to the Chicago Bears from being 3-1 on the season. Alas, that simply isn't the case as this perennial bottom feeder looks for a big win against Del Rio's old squad at home on Sunday afternoon. Oakland has an opportunity to make a major statement in the AFC West. It has the offensive star power to do just that. However, the Broncos are more than primed to show everyone who is boss in what looks to be a significantly weakened division. With the likes of Aqib Talib and Chris Harris prepared to shut down what has been a surprisingly good Raiders wide receiver group, it's going to be up to second-year quarterback Derek Carr to find a way to beat what could be the best secondary in football. That's a mighty tall task for a young Raiders quarterback who is playing at an exceptionally high level. San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants: complete fall from grace for San Francisco? Players in San Francisco understand full well the product it has put on the field over the past three weeks. Just ask new wide receiver Torrey Smith: "We're a better team than what we're showing right now. We're better offensively than how we're playing. To be honest, we work too hard to go out there on Sundays and play like that," Smith said on Wednesday . "(Jim) Tomsula doesn't deserve this. The fans don't deserve to watch the way we play." Anyone who has watched the 49ers play the last three weeks knows exactly what Smith is talking about. In his first season as the team's head coach, Jim Tomsula is already being placed on the hot seat after four games. Losing by a combined score of 107-28 during a three-game stretch will do that. Doing so after replacing an extremely successful head coach will only lead to more questions. Is San Francisco in the midst of a meltdown that would rival some of the teams we saw prior to Jim Harbaugh's arrival? If so, who will take most of the blame for what might be the worst team in the NFL heading into Week 5? Colin Kaepernick has struggled , the offensive line is a hot mess and coaching hasn't been up to snuff. And in reality, those local to the scene in Northern California media and fans alike are losing patience. Can the 49ers stem this tide on the road in New Jersey? That's the question we are all looking to see answered when the team goes in front of the lights on NBC this upcoming Sunday night. Pittsburgh Steelers at San Diego Chargers: another prime chance for Michael Vick We already know Vick isn't the long-term solution in Pittsburgh. Once Ben Roethlisberger returns, the current Steelers starter will find himself riding the pine. This doesn't mean that Vick can just go out there and continue to lay eggs, much like we saw in a late-game loss to the Baltimore Ravens last week. Now going up against a desperate Chargers team on the road in another nationally televised game, Vick has to preform better if he's going to keep Pittsburgh afloat in the AFC North race. The question now becomes whether he can do just that until Big Ben returns.
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Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and the United Auto Workers averted a strike that would have sent the union's 40,000 members walking off the job. The UAW's bargaining committee made "significant gains" in reaching a tentative agreement, the union announced on its website, saying it would make details available pending the results of a vote Friday. Fiat Chrysler confirmed the accord Thursday in a statement and said it can't discuss specifics. "We heard from our members, and went back to FCA to strengthen their contract," UAW President Dennis Williams said in the union's statement. "We have made real gains and I look forward to a full discussion of the terms with our membership." A strike would have disrupted Fiat Chrysler's production amid the company's streak of 66 consecutive U.S. monthly sales gains and clouded an auto industry that has been a rare bright spot in U.S. manufacturing, with deliveries on pace for the best year in more than a decade. A walkout may have prevented the UAW from moving on to talks with General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co. that could yield more lucrative contracts. "That's good news because we don't want to strike if we don't have to," said Charles Bell, president of UAW Local 1700, which represents workers at the Chrysler 200 sedan assembly plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan. "As long as it's an agreement my people can deal with, it's good news." A work stoppage would have crimped the flow of cash to the unit, which generated generated about $1.6 billion in net sales a week last year. Automakers book revenue when they ship vehicles to dealers, and 18 of the company's 28 North American facilities are in the U.S. At the end of September, Fiat Chrysler said it had a 76-day supply of vehicles, or about 590,503 cars and trucks. Fiat Chrysler's UAW members had the right to strike for the first time since before the 2009 bankruptcy that led to the automaker's formation. Walkouts by the UAW have been rare for the past decade, with the last two in 2007 when workers struck GM for two days and Chrysler for six hours. The UAW said on Oct. 1 that its members voted about 65 percent against a proposed contract that would have granted raises to all employees and narrowed the pay gap for second-tier workers. The two sides resumed negotiations after that rejection, and the union on Tuesday notified the automaker of its intention to strike if an agreement wasn't reached by 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. The Fiat Chrysler accord, reached Sept. 15, would have boosted hourly base wages over the contract term to $29.76 at the senior tier and as much as $25.35 for the second tier, according to the UAW. The ratification bonus would have been $3,000. The automaker also had pledged to invest as much as $5.3 billion in the U.S. At about 45 percent, Fiat Chrysler has the largest percentage of hourly workers at the second-tier wage rates. Williams, the UAW president, sought to use the deal with Fiat Chrysler Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne to negotiate similar but more rewarding pacts from the other two companies. After top UAW executives met with leaders of local unions last week to hear the Fiat Chrysler workers' concerns, the union said it would start addressing those issues with detailed posts on the website and its Facebook page. A post Tuesday compared the $2,500 cost-of-living raises that workers would have received in the past four years, had those payments not been suspended, with the $9,000 profit-sharing checks they did receive. --With assistance from Craig Trudell in Tokyo. To contact the reporters on this story: Mark Clothier in Southfield, Michigan at [email protected]; David Welch in New York at [email protected] To contact the editors responsible for this story: Jamie Butters at [email protected] Subramaniam Sharma
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Deutsche Bank warned on Wednesday night that it might not pay any dividend at all to shareholders this year, estimating a net loss of 6.2 billion euros ($6.9 billion) for the third quarter. "The management board will recommend a reduction or possible elimination of the Deutsche Bank common share dividend for the fiscal year of 2015," the bank said in a . Shares in Deutsche Bank slumped after the announcement. Germany's flagship finance firm appeared to still be suffering a hangover from the financial crisis, with capital write-offs blamed for the bulk of the losses. The bank apportioned its major costs into three segments, the largest part down to goodwill write-offs at its investment bank as well as a shortfall in the valuation of its retail subsidiary Postbank. Those write-offs totalled some 5.8 billion euros. The company was also compelled to set aside 1.2 billion euros to deal with ongoing litigation. In addition, Deutsche Bank had to sustain a 600 million euro fall in the value of its share in China's Hua Xia Bank. The figures announced are preliminary, with the bank set to announce its third quarter results in full on October 29. rc/msh (AFP, dpa, Reuters)
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The NHL's very first coach's challenge occurred Wednesday when the Toronto Maple Leafs hosted the Montreal Canadiens. Jeff Petry fired the puck into the net, but Toronto goalie Jonathan Bernier appeared to be bumped by a Canadiens stick. The play was reviewed and the goal was overturned. The review went fairly quickly (the call was an obvious one), but it's interesting to see how the coach's challenge works in an actual game.
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The Cubs, Pirates and Cardinals dominated baseball in 2015, with the three top records in the MLB. But two of the teams will make early playoff exits.
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Heading up the Toyota lineup of debuts at the 2015 Tokyo auto show is the S-FR concept, which stands for Small, Front-Engine, Rear-Drive. Aimed at bolstering the company's performance image, the two-plus-two sports car boasts a compact configuration; Toyota characterizes it as an entry-level sports coupe one that is headed for production. Toyota isn't yet sharing details of the car's mechanicals, but we have it on good authority that it's powered by a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder, making about 130 horsepower, which ought to be enough to motivate the 2160-pound coupe. A wheelbase of 97.6 inches puts the S-FR about midway between Toyota's current compact rear-drive sports coupe, the Scion FR-S (101.2 inches), and the Mazda Miata (90.9 inches). So, too, does the concept's overall length of 157 inches, which is 10 inches shorter than the FR-S and three inches longer than the Mazda. At 66.7 inches wide, the Toyota is narrower than both cars, and it's also taller, at 52 inches. The S-FR clearly takes its inspiration from the Toyota Sports 800 from the 1960s, with a simple, rounded design that stands in stark contrast to recent Toyotas, which are a crazy quilt of angular sheetmetal. The black interior features similarly organic shapes and is brightened with neon-yellow, body-colored accents. See more news from the Tokyo Motor Show The S-FR is actually the lower end of a three-pronged sports-car lineup that will include the FR-S directly above it and the new Toyota-and-BMW co-developed Supra successor above that. The S-FR is expected to go into production in late 2016, with sales starting in early 2017 here's hoping those sales extend to American shores, as well. Follow MSN Autos on Facebook
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Hillary Clinton broke with the White House by opposing its major Pacific trade agreement, undercutting President Barack Obama's efforts to win congressional approval for the deal. Video: PBS Newshour. Photo: Reuters.
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Can the Rams' pass rush disrupt Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' offense? CineSport's Brian Clark and the Post-Dispatch's Jim Thomas preview Sunday's game at Lambeau Field.
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Nicole Musicco, MD and head of APAC at the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, discusses the fund's portfolio diversification.
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In a hall filled with psychedelic ice sculptures, there are shrieks of excitement as a toboggan careers down an ice run, its occupants snugly wrapped up against the sub-zero temperatures. But this is no fun park in an icy Siberian wasteland -- this is tropical Bangkok. "It feels good," 28-year-old Songphol Taesinlapasathit tells AFP, his breath visible in the chilled air. "I want to move here so that I can run away from the hot weather," he adds. Across the notoriously sweltering metropolis, locals are flocking to a growing number of attractions offering Thais the chance to experience something few ever witness at home -- snow and ice. While foreigners head in droves to the now military-run nation to soak up the sun on palm-fringed beaches, many of those visiting the Harbin Ice Wonderland on the outskirts of Bangkok are looking for the exact opposite. More than 600 tonnes of ice have been used to create a smorgasbord of sculptures ranging from colourful octopuses to a mock Eiffel Tower. Named after the northeastern Chinese city that holds an annual ice sculpture festival, temperatures inside the frozen Thai version are kept at minus 15 Celsius (five Fahrenheit), a whopping 50 C swing from the sticky Bangkok streets outside. It is just one of a number attractions that have sprung up in Thailand with an icy theme. Many malls and attractions now offer ice skating rinks and winter wonderlands filled with artificially created snow. While foreigners love Thailand for its year-round warmth and the chance to top up their tans, the tropical sun is often a bane to Thais in a culture where pale skin is prized, especially on women. Locals routinely carry umbrellas on sunny days to protect themselves from the harsh rays and it is not unusual to spot Thais dressed in long sleeves and wide-brimmed hats during trips to the beach. - 'Large amounts of electricity' - But finding respite from the heat is not without consequence. One of Southeast Asia's more wealthy and urbanised nations, Thailand burns through huge amounts of fuel to keep its malls, offices and homes cool. Bangkok is a particularly acute offender, with residents using up twice as much electricity on average as their fellow Thais, according to one academic study from 2013. Malls play a significant role in this consumption. An investigation last year by Mekong Commons, a regional environmental website, found that some of Bangkok's biggest malls used up more electricity on their own than entire rural provinces. Some fear the latest craving for an artificial arctic experience will only add to this excessive consumption. "They definitely eat up large amounts of electricity," Gunn Panprayun, a professor at Mahidol University's Environment and Resource Studies faculty, told AFP. "Those ice and skate places will help destroy the environment for sure as they use up natural resources," he added. It is not just at home though that Thais look for fun out of the sun. Thanks to the huge expansion of budget airlines across Asia regional ski destinations are significantly more affordable for middle-income countries like Thailand. Billboards and travel brochures routinely tempt Thai holidaymakers to "touch real snow" in the mountains of northern Japan, South Korea and China. Since waiving visa requirements in July 2013, Japan has seen a huge influx of Thai tourists. In 2014, 95 percent of Thais travelling abroad on holiday -- 430,000 -- headed to Japan, spending just over half a billion dollars, according to Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports. For those unable to afford a trip abroad, Thailand's northernmost mountains are the only area of the country that sees a frost during its brief winter. Traditionally, couples go there for romantic New Year's Eve breaks -- a chance for a triste away from the heat of the lowlands. The rest of the year, snow parks offer a cheap alternative to an overseas break. At one visited by AFP in an affluent eastern Bangkok neighbourhood, machines were churning out fresh flurries onto slopes filled with excited locals trying their hand at skiing or making snow angels. Saowanee Nimthong, 27, was one of many visitors taking selfies with friends. "If there was snow in Thailand, at least once in my life I would walk around naked to see how long I could stay out," she said with a giggle before returning to her friends.
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FLINT, Mich. All along, through months of complaints from residents of this city about the peculiar colors and odors they said were coming from their faucets, the overriding message from the authorities here was that the water would be just fine. Yes, there had been a boil order when fecal coliform bacteria turned up in some neighborhoods last year. And yes, the extra chlorine that was pumped in to solve that problem seemed to create another one increased levels of a different contaminant. Still, the guidance from Flint officials about the temporary water supply they switched to in 2014 partly to save money sounded assuring. In a notice sent to residents in July, city officials declared: "This is not an emergency. If a situation arises where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified within 24 hours." Sign Up For NYT Now's Morning Briefing Newsletter The soothing talk has vanished. In recent weeks, testing has shown increased levels of lead in the blood of some Flint children and health officials pointed to the water as a possible source. First, the city advised residents to run their water for five minutes before using it, to use only cold water for drinking and cooking, and to install lead-removing water filters. Then county officials issued an emergency advisory recommending that people not drink Flint's water unless it is tested for lead or filtered. And last Friday, after corroborating that lead levels had risen in some children, state officials called for the water to be tested at all Flint public schools and for stepped-up efforts to replace lead service lines; they also promised $1 million to provide filters. Officials met in Flint on Wednesday afternoon, and talks were underway, officials said, for additional solutions that could be announced as early as Thursday. Private groups have raced to donate bottled water to schools, where the water fountains are now shut off, as well as filters to families who cannot afford them. Saying "we're just in a heck of a bind," Robert J. Pickell, the Genesee County sheriff, began serving bottled water and food that need not be cooked in water to hundreds of inmates in the county jail. Some residents have begun washing their children and pets with bottled water. And Flint's mayor, Dayne Walling, who had attended a 2014 event to celebrate the switch to the new water supply, called for returning to the city's old water supply and urged state officials to provide millions of dollars to help pay for it. The contaminated water was just the latest blow to Flint, an economically battered city that has struggled for years with factory closings, job losses and population decline. Along Saginaw Street downtown, where at least one business had an "un-leaded" sign posted by a jug of water, residents had lingering questions: Would filters really do enough to make the water safe? What about unfiltered showers? Could they rely on the water at work and at restaurants? And why had it taken so long for leaders to figure out that there was a problem? "I don't think people know what's going on at all," said Chris Thornton, 49, who described the first blast of water from his faucets some days as looking like urine, smelling like bleach and tasting of metal. After his wife, Ronda, 50, felt sick to her stomach for months, the Thorntons began buying jugs of bottled water, though the price on top of an already steep water bill has been overwhelming. "As far as my family," Ronda Thornton said, "we've just given up on the city's water." Flint's water problems are tied inextricably to its fiscal woes. In 1960, nearly 200,000 people lived here. But auto plants closed, and the population has dropped by half. By 2011, Flint's shrunken tax base and seemingly intractable budget problems prompted Gov. Rick Snyder to appoint an emergency manager for the city. Over the next four years, the city had four managers overseeing operations. Along the way, the city switched its water supply. For decades, the city bought water from Detroit, which treated water from Lake Huron, then piped it here, 70 miles to the northwest. But with the costs mounting, Flint's leaders decided they could save millions by joining a new regional authority that would draw and treat its own water from Lake Huron. There was one complication: Flint needed an alternative water supply from April 2014 until the new regional system is expected to be ready next year. In the interim, Flint switched to using water from the Flint River, which state officials say had been a backup source in the past. Ask residents about the Flint River, and many of them roll their eyes. They say it was once as a dumping ground for car parts, grocery carts and refrigerators. Recent years have brought significant improvements and intensive restoration campaigns, though a Flint River Fest set for Friday has been postponed, organizers said, given the "current drinking water crisis." Even now, state officials say that treated Flint River water is safe and capable of meeting state and federal standards. Officials say the problem may be that some of the aging pipes and service lines that carry water into Flint's homes and businesses contain lead and are being corroded by water. The water Flint used to get from Detroit was treated with chemicals intended to prevent such corrosion. For months, questions about lead and other risks multiplied. "Everyone kept saying 'It's safe! It's safe! It's safe!' " recalled Melissa Mays, a Flint resident who says she was sickened by the water and has helped organize residents over the issue. Then in September, a researcher from Virginia Tech released findings from the water in hundreds of Flint homes showing elevated lead levels. Blood tests released by a local pediatrician and corroborated last week by state officials analyzing their own testing showed an increase in lead levels in children in some neighborhoods since 2014, when the city began drawing water from the river. "We all have a concern about Flint's drinking water in terms of what we're seeing in terms of lead." Governor Snyder said last week. Mayor Walling notes that the move to river water occurred when an emergency manager controlled the city, though the City Council did vote to support the city's plans for a new, regional water system. He acknowledged supporting the move in a state of the city address, but says that he had not been given sufficient information about the safety risks. "I had to work with what I knew at the time," Mr. Walling, who is up for election next month, said in an interview. But for many residents, the authorities failed the city by taking so long to react. "Anytime you have to weigh money against the health and welfare of people, it always has to be the health and welfare you go with," said the Rev. Alfred Harris, a local pastor who has stopped conducting baptisms at his church because of concerns about the water. "We've been talking about this for the last 14 months, and they did not give a sincere ear to any of us. Shame on you!" LeeAnne Walters said her son, Gavin, 4, who has immune system issues, had suffered direct consequences. After the switch to river water, which sometimes looked brown in the their house, Gavin dropped to 27 pounds, far below the weight of his twin brother, she said. He sometimes seemed unable to pronounce words he knew, she said, and then test results showed an elevated lead level in his blood. "He is going to deal with the side effects of this for the rest of his life," Ms. Walters said. "I don't think there's a word angry enough to describe my anger. I trusted the city, and I helped the city poison my kid. Who thought this could happen in the United States?"
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Celebrities are just like us: Inappropriate Halloween costume edition. Pretty Little Liars star Ashley Benson has drawn backlash from an Instagram post in which she referred to a lion Halloween costume as "Cecil the lion" the African lion who was shot and killed by an American dentist earlier this year. Benson's original caption read, "Help! Can't decide on my Halloween costume this year! What do you guys think of this cecil the lion costume?" The actress has since edited the post to read as simply "lion costume," though not before screenshots were taken and spread around social sites. Commenters on the Instagram post lambasted Benson for "callous insensitivity."
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Jackie Collins fans are getting a final goodbye from the author, who lost her life to stage 4 breast cancer on Sept. 19. Nearly three weeks after the beloved, best-selling novelist's death at age 77, Collins' team has released her final message to fans. "As you may have recently heard, I revealed that I have been LIVING life to the fullest with Stage 4 Breast Cancer for the past six and a half years," she explained in a letter shared on her personal website . "Cancer does not have to be a death sentence! You, or someone you love, can live an extraordinary life regardless. Be kind and be grateful. Never underestimate the power of your mind. Embrace what you love, and LIVE life to the fullest, as tomorrow is not promised to any of us." With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Collins urged the importance of early test screenings. "Early detection can save lives! Get regular mammograms, and/or tell your loved ones too," she wrote adding, "Even if you've been screened, and you have a gut feeling that something in your body is off, get a second opinion!" After being diagnosed in 2009, Collins kept her disease a private matter only telling her three daughters. Her sister Joan was later informed during a recent trip to London. Collins sat down with PEOPLE exclusively just days before her passing on Sept. 14 at her Beverly Hills home for what would be her final interview . "I have a chronic disease. We're all going to go at some time. I want people to see me as an example of strength and doing things my way."
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Stevie Wonder is paying BIG TIME in his divorce from his second wife Kai Millard Morris!
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Russia launches new airstrikes while Syria says it's started a major attack against terrorists. CNN's Arwa Damon reports.
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The FTSE 100 has made a staggering recovery over the past seven days. From a low of 5,879 printed on 29 September, the index has rallied 7.7%, to 6,332 at the time of writing. However, the big question is: will this rally continue? There's been little in the way of encouraging economic news released during the past week, and while the price of oil has rebounded, other commodity prices have remained relatively unchanged. Value hunting The consensus seems to be that the past week's rally has been driven by value hunters seeking bargains in a depressed market. Many analysts believe that sections of the market such as the miners, banks and oil companies are oversold. For example, Morgan Stanley recommended that investors buy miners yesterday. The bank's analysts cited the stable economic data released from China during the past few months, which should boost commodities in the long-term. Anheuser Busch Inbev's offer for SABMiller has also helped lift the index, and oil's near 10% rally from the lows at the beginning of October has sent the likes of Shell and BP soaring. But this rally may be short lived. Some analysts are suggesting that after Chinese traders return to their desks following Golden Week -- the seven-day holiday marking the country's National Day on 1 October -- commodity prices will lurch lower again. This could drag the miners and FTSE 100 back to the lows seen at the end of September. A long-term view Of course, the long-term investor shouldn't be concerned with what the FTSE 100 is going to do in the next few days and weeks. As a wealth of research has shown, it is almost impossible for the average investor to beat the FTSE 100 over the long-term. Specifically, according to research conducted by a number of financial institutions, the average investor has only returned 2.5% per annum including dividends over the past two decades. On the other hand, the FTSE 100 has risen at a rate of around 5.4% per annum over the same period. During this period, the market has seen the dotcom bubble and the financial crisis. Those two events have sent the FTSE 100 surging to a high of nearly 7,000 and crashing to a low of around 3,000. Most analysts and academics agree that the reason investors tend to underperform is because they trade too much. Or in other words, investors try to beat the market by attempting to be clever, but on average, they only end up losing money. Fees eat away at returns and many investors often buy high and sell low, erasing much of their capital in the process. The best way to avoid these dismal returns and rack up a performance that is at least in line with the wider market, buying and holding a fund that tracks an index is an excellent way to go. It's up to you Figures show that buying a tracker fund is one of the best ways to build wealth with minimal effort . Even billionaire Warren Buffett has recommended using a tracker. If you're looking for more wealth-building tips, I'm confident that you can benefit from reading this new report from The Motley Fool . The report takes you through the seven key steps all successful investors follow, and could help you become a stock market millionaire. Titled, " How You Could Retire Seriously Rich " explains how spending just 20 minutes a month could help you create a portfolio that could bring you closer to financial freedom for life. Click here to check out the report -- it's completely free and comes with no further obligation. Rupert Hargreaves has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.
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Plans to speed up the deportation of failed asylum seekers are being discussed at a meeting of EU ministers in Luxembourg. The home affairs ministers are expected to approve measures including the detention of those who may abscond before they can be expelled. More pressure could also be brought to bear on many countries of origin to take people back. EU states are grappling with a huge influx of asylum seekers. More than 600,000 people have arrived in the EU so far this year, many fleeing war, poverty and persecution. Most refugees qualify for asylum under international law. But last year more than half a million non-EU migrants were found to be "illegally present" in the 28-nation bloc. Most were ordered to leave, but EU countries deported only about 40% of those listed for removal. BBC Europe correspondent Chris Morris says that after months of talks on how to redistribute tens of thousands of migrants, the EU is turning its attention to keeping unwanted migrants out and sending home those whose asylum applications are rejected. However, there is a limited amount that the EU as a whole can do as deportations are the responsibility of individual member states, he adds. Going into the meeting, UK Home Secretary Theresa May said "we need to crack down on those who are abusing our asylum system. "The UK has a good record in this area, but on returns [of migrants] we need to see Europe upping its game, and we stand ready to support that." A draft text produced for Thursday's meeting reads: "The EU and its member states must do more in terms of return. Increased return rates should act as a deterrent to irregular migration." The European Commission has put forward an "action plan" on migrant returns, which calls on member states to "use detention, as a legitimate measure of last resort", to help prevent irregular migrants moving elsewhere in the EU. Many EU politicians are under domestic pressure to expel more migrants, amid a nationalist backlash across Europe. In the eastern German city of Erfurt about 8,000 people protested against Chancellor Angela Merkel's welcome for refugees - a record number for that city. The rally was organised by the conservative Alternative for Germany (AfD) party In Finland arsonists tried to set fire to a migrant reception centre in the southern town of Lammi. Focus on Balkans EU foreign ministers along with delegations from Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and the Balkan states will join the Luxembourg talks later on Thursday to discuss ways of stemming the flow of migrants. Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon are home to tens of thousands of Syrian refugees, many of whom have made their way to Europe. German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere told reporters on Thursday that "the important thing today is to improve the EU's external border protection". The EU border force Frontex must be strengthened, Mr de Maiziere said - a point echoed by Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner. Both countries plan to send asylum specialists to help Italy and Greece, where new EU "hotspots" are being set up to register migrants. Ms Mikl-Leitner also stressed that return agreements with non-EU countries had to be properly enforced, so that failed asylum seekers go home. "For Austria it's important to get that with Algeria and Morocco, as there are problems in both of those countries," she said. EU solidarity plea On Wednesday, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged EU members to act together to tackle the migrant crisis. In a rare joint address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, they called for a revamped European system for dealing with asylum claims. Mrs Merkel has been criticised by some in Germany for openly welcoming more Syrian refugees. Germany has taken in far more migrants than any other EU nation, while others have refused to sign up to a quota system. The EU launched a new operation in the southern Mediterranean on Wednesday in which naval vessels will be able to board, search, seize and divert vessels suspected of being used for people smuggling.
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For just the third time on record, scientists say they are now watching the unfolding of a massive worldwide coral bleaching event, spanning the globe from Hawaii to the Indian Ocean. And they fear that thanks to warm sea temperatures, the ultimate result could be the loss of more than 12,000 square kilometers, or over 4,500 square miles, of coral this year with particularly strong impacts in Hawaii and other U.S. tropical regions, and potentially continuing into 2016. The event is being brought on by a combination of global warming, a very strong El Nino event, and the so-called warm "blob" in the Pacific Ocean, say the researchers, part of a consortium including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as well as XL Catlin Seaview Survey, The University of Queensland in Australia, and Reef Check. "This is only the third time we've seen what we would refer to as a global bleaching event, an event that causes mass bleaching in the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Atlantic-Caribbean basin," said Mark Eakin, who heads NOAA's Coral Reef Watch . The prior events, Eakin continues, "were in 1998 and 2010, and those were pretty much one year events. We're looking at a similar spatial scale of bleaching across the globe, but spanning across at least 2 years. So that means a lot of these corals are being put under really prolonged stress, or are being hit 2 years in a row." The total loss could amount to 5 percent of the world's corals in 2015, according to Eakin. That's not as bad as the loss in 1998, but there's a fear that if the event continues into 2016, the losses would grow. "We've been hearing worrying reports of bleaching from various places, and now the bad news is officially here, with worse news likely yet to come with the strengthening El Nino," says Nancy Knowlton, an expert on coral reefs with the Smithsonian Institution, of the news. "No reefs that experience unusually warm waters are likely to escape unscathed, but reefs already suffering from overfishing and pollution may have a particularly rough time recovering, based on what we have learned from past bleaching events." Coral bleaching occurs when warm ocean waters considerably warmer than corals evolved to live with for an extended period of time leave the organisms stressed and cause them to banish the symbiotic algae that provide corals with both their color and also nutrients. Without them, corals turn white, and become very vulnerable thus, following bleaching, coral die-off can occur. How much coral death happens depends on how much temperature stress the corals actually experience, and how prolonged it is. The current bleaching event began in 2014, where it was observed in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. These areas experienced "the highest thermal stress we've ever seen," said Eakin. Then it spread across the Pacific to Hawaii, which is at particular risk right now, along with many areas in the Caribbean. Major bleaching has also been observed in the Indian Ocean. According to NOAA, 95 percent of all U.S. coral reefs are expected to see ocean temperatures that can lead to bleaching sometime this year. Of those areas, says Eakin, 60 percent are expected to be "hit with severe thermal stress and we're going to see a lot of corals dying." NOAA models predicted the global bleaching event during the summer further confirmation came from observations in the field by organizations like the XL Catlin Seaview Survey, which organizes expeditions around the world to observe the state of corals, and Reef Check, which coordinates and crowd-sources citizen scientist reports from reef areas. The first globally observed coral bleaching event occurred in 1998, during the last very strong El Nino event when it happened, scientists had never seen anything like it. "This 1998 event caught us all by surprise," says Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, who directs the Global Change Institute at the University of Queensland and is also chief scientist at the XL Catlin Seaview Survey. At the same time, though, the event "really proved that the ability to measure temperature from space could predict where and when bleaching was going to occur, and as we found out later on, how intense it was going to be." That's because the phenomenon of coral bleaching is so closely connected to temperature. Indeed, because of this relationship, scientists can now use computer models to predict coral bleaching events ahead of time. "If you're 1 degree [Celsius] warmer than your long term summer temperature for about 4 to 6 weeks, you'll find the first sign of bleaching," says Hoegh-Guldberg. Coral reefs comprise less than .1 percent of the ocean's total area. But they're vitally important both to ecosystems and to people who depend on them. "One in every four species of fish live on a coral reef, there are over a million species that live on coral reefs, at least two-thirds of them are pretty unknown to science," says Hoegh-Guldberg. "Coral reefs provide food and livelihood to 500 million people." "Coral reefs are the underwater equivalent of rainforests, and by removing the corals, you remove the trees of that underwater world," adds Richard Vevers, head of the XL Catlin Seaview Survey. Unfortunately, as the planet's oceans continue to absorb the bulk of the extra heat that is being contributed by global warming, the outlook for corals isn't good. Already half of the world's reefs have already been lost due to causes ranging from bleaching to pollution in the last 50 years, according to Eakin. And a staccato of scientific studies have predicted continual decline of corals as warming ticks upward, one of them led by Hoegh-Guldberg in 2007. That report found that over the course of this century, as warming continues, "corals becoming increasingly rare on reef systems." And once corals die, the consequences are not easily reversible. "At best, you're talking about a recovery time of 10 to 20 years," says NOAA's Eakin. "And most of these places are getting hit once every 5 years." Some of the corals killed off can be several hundred years old. One estimate valued the U.S.'s coral reefs alone at $ 2.4 billion per year, when taking into account the tourism and other economic benefits they provide. "Local protection coupled with more serious efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions are needed if we want coral reefs to be part of our future," says the Smithsonian's Knowlton.
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- The Vancouver Whitecaps tied FC Dallas 0-0 on Wednesday night to clinch a playoff spot for the second straight season. Vancouver (15-12-5) is third in the Western Conference, a point behind FC Dallas (15-10-6) and the Los Angeles Galaxy. Dallas had the best chance to win it, but substitute Blaz Perez's shot in the 90th minute slipped just wide of goalkeeper David Ousted's far post.
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The NHL is back. Regular-season hockey finally returned on Wednesday night, with players embarking on a quest to win the Stanley Cup and a large collection of individual awards. Speaking of individual honors, let's take a look at some NHL Awards predictions for the 2015-16 campaign. Hart Trophy (MVP) : Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks Getzlaf has been a finalist for this award in the past, but he's never won. He's the No. 1 center and likely leading scorer for a Ducks team that probably will win the President's Trophy. Getzlaf also is a quality defensive player, and he makes a huge impact on the Ducks power play and penalty kill. This should be the season when his impressive all-around game is rewarded with some individual hardware. Art Ross Trophy (leading scorer) : Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins Crosby has never tallied less than 84 points during a season in which he's played 77 or more games, making him the best bet to win another scoring title as long as he's healthy. The addition of elite goal scorer Phil Kessel, something Crosby has been lacking on his line for the last several seasons, only strengthens his case for the Art Ross. Maurice Richard Trophy (most goals) : Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals Ovechkin won this trophy last season with 53 goals, 10 more than Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos in second place. He ranked fifth in even-strength goals with 28, but he really made an impact on the power play with a league-leading 25 tallies. Fifty goals should be enough to claim this award, and the Capitals captain has reached that mark six times in the last 10 seasons. Norris Trophy (best all-around defenseman) : Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings Doughty arguably is the best defenseman in the league. He plays nearly 30 minutes per game, excels defensively against elite competition, contributes to both special teams units and drives puck possession at a high rate. Doughty has been a finalist for this award in the past, including last season, and he finally should win it in 2015-16. Calder Trophy (top rookie) : Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers Did you really expect anyone else? McDavid is the most talented rookie to enter the league since Mario Lemieux, and he's going to be surrounded by top-tier offensive players in Edmonton such as Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The No. 1 pick from the 2015 draft should tally between 65 and 80 points, which likely would be enough to secure the Calder in a unanimous vote. Frank J. Selke Trophy (best defensive forward) : Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins Bergeron has won this award in three of the last four seasons and there's no reason to pick against him in 2015-16. The Bruins' top center consistently ranks near or at the top of most puck possession metrics, defends the opponents' best forwards every game, excels on the penalty kill and dominates in the faceoff circle (most faceoff wins and best faceoff win percentage last season). Bergeron winning the Selke is the safest pre-season prediction you can make. Vezina Trophy (best goaltender) : Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens Price led all goaltenders in save percentage last season and allowed two or fewer goals in 44 games. He also ranked in the top 10 in save percentage on high-danger scoring chances and won a career-high 44 games. Price is the league's best netminder, plays for a marquee franchise and is in the prime of his career. Don't be surprised if he becomes the first back-to-back Vezina winner since Martin Brodeur in 2008. Jack Adams Award (best coach) : Claude Julien, Boston Bruins The Bruins are being underrated entering the new season. They made a lot of changes over the summer, but their offense should be more potent and the goaltending still is elite thanks to Tuukka Rask. There are concerns on the blue line, mostly youth and inexperience, but few, if any coaches in the league, are better equipped to teach and develop defensemen than Julien. His defense-first approach and the subtle changes made to improve Boston's breakouts should help this team return to the playoffs. Earning a postseason berth, which would exceed a lot of experts' expectations, could vault Julien to the top of the Jack Adams candidates list.
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Oil surged above $50 a barrel in New York for the first time since July on speculation that demand is picking up. West Texas Intermediate crude advanced 3.4 percent. Demand will climb more this year than previously projected amid cheaper fuel prices, OPEC Secretary-General Abdalla Salem El-Badri said yesterday in a statement to the International Monetary Fund. A "new capital discipline" in the industry will allow demand to catch up with supplies, boosting prices, according to Gary Ross, founder and chairman of PIRA Energy Group. Gains accelerated on reports that Russian cruise missiles meant for Syria landed in Iran. "The most significant development now is the OPEC secretary general talking up the demand number," Bob Yawger, director of the futures division at Mizuho Securities USA in New York, said by phone. "He's also predicting a significant drop in production growth, which is adding support." Oil fell to a six-year low in August amid speculation a global glut will persist through next year. U.S. stockpiles remain about 100 million barrels above the five-year average and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries continues to pump more than its quota. WTI for November delivery rose $1.62 to settle at $49.43 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was the highest settlement since July 21. Futures touched $50.07. The volume of all futures traded was 45 percent higher than the 100-day average at 3:01 p.m. Rising Consumption Brent for November settlement advanced $1.72, or 3.4 percent, to $53.05 on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The European benchmark crude closed at a $3.62 premium to WTI. Global oil demand will increase by 1.5 million barrels a day this year, El-Badri said in the statement to the IMF's International Monetary and Financial Committee. Commercial oil inventories in developed countries remain about 190 million barrels above the five year average , he said. It will take the U.S. shale industry at least nine months to ramp production back up and boost output after prices rise to more profitable levels, Ross said at PIRA's annual conference Thursday. Ross predicted last year's rout before turning bullish this year. Russian Missiles Four Russian cruise missiles intended to land in Syria fell short and crashed in rural Iran, a U.S. defense official said Thursday. The official, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive military information, said the U.S. wasn't certain what damage was caused by the missiles fired from vessels in the Caspian Sea. "The geopolitical premium is getting prices back into the market," Stephen Schork, president of the Schork Group Inc. in Villanova, Pennsylvania, said by phone."When the Russians are firing cruise missiles that are falling in Iran you have to be concerned that things will spiral out of control. The tension in the Middle East is escalating." Venezuela's Oil Minister Eulogio del Pino said OPEC and non-OPEC crude-producing countries will hold a technical meeting Oct. 21. The South American country has been calling for a meeting for the last month as low prices batter it's economy. Saudi Competition Saudi Arabia, OPEC's biggest producer, led the group's decision last November to compete for market share rather than support prices. The kingdom cut November 2015 pricing for oil sales to Asia and the U.S., signaling it's still fighting to capture market share. "I don't know if this meeting is going to go anywhere, but they're meeting because they're a little concerned about what the heck they're going to do if Iran starts dumping oil on the market," Phil Flynn, senior market analyst at the Price Futures Group in Chicago, said by phone. "The Saudis are afraid if they cut production some other producers will just fill the void." --With assistance from Grant Smith in London and Barbara Powell in Houston. To contact the reporter on this story: Mark Shenk in New York at [email protected] To contact the editors responsible for this story: David Marino at [email protected] Susan Warren, Carlos Caminada
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finance
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Sony Corp said it was cutting the price of its PlayStation 4 videogame console to around $350 from $400 to boost sales ahead of the year-end holiday season. Thursday's announcement follows similar price cuts of the console in Asia, including its home market Japan, and adds pressure on rival Microsoft Corp, whose Xbox One system has lagged the PlayStation 4 in global sales. Videogames, along with sensors, have helped lead a turnaround at Sony which is still struggling with weak smartphone and TV sales. In July, Sony raised its full-year operating income forecast for its game and network services division to 60 billion yen ($501.3 million) from a previous 40 billion yen, due to solid PlayStation demand. (Reporting by Ritsuko Ando; Editing by Miral Fahmy)
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered police to prevent government ministers and Knesset members from entering al-Aqsa Mosque compound, according to Israeli media. Clashes have rocked the Jerusalem site, which is holy to both Muslims and Jews, in recent weeks amid a spike in tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. The Haaretz newspaper quoted an official as saying that the prime minister gave his directive during a security consultation last week and has not yet formally informed the cabinet ministers of his directive. Muslim Knesset members will still be allowed to access the mosque. Some Jewish politicians have visited the site in recent weeks, including Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel, who has come out in support of the right of Jews to pray in the compound. Jews and non-Muslims can visit the site but are banned from praying there. The al-Aqsa compound is the third-holiest site in Islam and the most sacred in Judaism. It is located in occupied East Jerusalem, which Israel claimed to annex in 1967 in a move never recognised by the international community. US concern The White House expressed deep concern on Wednesday about the escalating violence in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem and urged Israelis and Palestinians to restore calm. "The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms violence against Israelis and Palestinian civilians," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said at a news briefing. "We call upon all parties to take affirmative steps to restore calm and refrain from actions and rhetoric that would further inflame tensions in that region of the world." Palestinians clashed with Israeli forces across the West Bank on Wednesday, including in Jericho, Bethlehem, Hebron and Ramallah, where students of Birzeit University had called for a "Day of Rage". Several Palestinians were seriously wounded by Israeli fire, just hours after two stabbing incidents in East Jerusalem and the Israeli city of Kiryat Gan. The Red Crescent and the Palestinian health ministry say more than 1,600 Palestinians have been injured since October 3 as Israeli forces have used live ammunition and rubber-coated steel bullets to push back protesters.
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Hillary Clinton's private email server was the subject of attempted cyberattacks originating in China, South Korea and Germany after she left office in early 2013, according to a congressional document obtained by The Associated Press. (Oct. 7)
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video
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INCHEON, South Korea (AP) -- The Presidents Cup wasn't an hour old when Nick Price looked at the scoreboard and had that sinking feeling. It was filled with American red. And there wasn't much Price or the International team could do about it Thursday in an opening session that ended just like so many others in this one-sided affair. Phil Mickelson and Zach Johnson capped off a performance that was as businesslike as their handshakes, and the Americans had a 4-1 lead after foursomes in which they never trailed in any match except the one they lost. "A tough day for us," Price said. "Having said that, we are only five points into 30. We still have another 25 points left out there. So we've got a long way to go, and that's that I told my team. Just to keep their chins up and do the best they can tomorrow." The International team was adamant that the number of matches be reduced -- it was lowered from 34 to 30 -- to keep it a close contest. After one day, maybe having one less match on Thursday helped. It could have been worse. The Americans, who have lost the Presidents Cup only one time since it began in 1994 and are going for their sixth straight victory, had a lead after the opening session for the fifth straight time. The margin was their largest since a four-point lead in 2007 at Royal Montreal. That makes the five matches of fourballs on Friday even more critical. U.S. captain Jay Haas put Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson in the first match, followed by Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker. "He's going for the kill," Price said. "If we get momentum going, it can change things." All the momentum belonged to the Americans on Thursday. Bubba Watson and J.B. Holmes ran off four straight birdies early in their match against Adam Scott and Hideki Matsuyama, and that set the tone. They wound up winning a tight match when Scott and Matsuyama missed key putts and ended it on the 16th hole. "That was my whole goal," Watson said. "Get out there fast, change the color so the other guys see that and it sparks them going forward." Watson and Holmes didn't deliver the first point. That came from Fowler and Walker, who are unbeaten as a team but picked up their first win. They halved their three matches at the Ryder Cup last year, and they had the shortest match at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea, 5 and 4, over Anirban Lahiri and Thongchai Jaidee. The lone International victory came from Louis Oosthuizen and Branden Grace of South Africa, who took advantage of some sloppy play by Matt Kuchar and Patrick Reed in a 3-and-2 victory. Kuchar hit a tee shot into the water on No. 11, and he hit a wedge so far on No. 14 that it didn't even reach the creek. Grace went 0-4 in his Presidents Cup debut two years ago, and the South Africans gave the International team at least some hope. "I know we're behind," Grace said, glancing at a scoreboard behind him. "But one point is better than none." The Americans got help from top to bottom. Spieth, coming off a year of two majors, the FedEx Cup and the No. 1 ranking, and Dustin Johnson made for a formidable duo. They set the tone early when Spieth holed a 20-foot birdie putt on No. 2, and Johnson stepped up on the next hole and hammered a tee shot nearly 350 yards. They halved that hole, but a message was sent. "Me hitting bomb drives, Jordan holing putts," Johnson said. "That's what you want to get in their heads." Johnson had a few wild drives, too, but they restored their cushion early on the back nine and coasted to a 4-and-3 victory. Mickelson had to rely on a captain's pick for the first time since the inaugural Presidents Cup in 1994. Players wanted him on the team for his experience and enthusiasm, and the Hall of Famer showed he was more than capable with a club in his hand. Mickelson holed a bunker shot on the par-3 13th to go 2 up, and he came up big with a key drive on the 18th with water down the right side. Jason Day, coming off a five-win season that included his first major, did his part to extend the match. Day holed a 40-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole to keep alive hopes of at least earning a half-point. But on the closing par 5, Mickelson's big drive set up nothing more than a 7-iron for Zach Johnson, and he put it 10 feet below the hole. Day's eagle putt from about 18 feet slid by on the left, and he and fellow Aussie Steven Bowditch conceded the eagle to Mickelson for a 2-up U.S. win. "It's tough when you go out there and you see all the red and we're down," Price said. "I'm certainly not despondent about the whole thing. I think this team is going to bounce back a lot quicker than maybe any of the other teams we've had. I don't know, we'll have to wait and see."
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The ¼-mile drag race. It's the benchmark for straight-line performance, and in this video from Motorcyclist we pit BMW's S1000RR, Ducati's 1299 Panigale S, and Yamaha's YZF-R1 against each on the dyno, on the scales, and at the strip.
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The corner of Clark and Addison turned into a raucous party Wednesday night as joyous Cubs fans celebrated the winner-take-all wild-card game win over Pittsburgh, the team's first postseason victory in 12 seasons. Hundreds of fans spilled into the streets, giving high-fives to willing strangers, taking group selfies and screaming at the top of their lungs. "It's like a dream come true to get this far," said Hugo Osorio, of Portage Park, as he celebrated outside the ballpark. "This is just the beginning." "We're in, and we're going all the way," said Leslie Morales, of Bolingbrook. Police shut down the intersection outside Wrigley Field as the Cubs closed in on a 4-0 win in Pittsburgh. Fans waved flags, chanted the name of Cubs ace starting pitcher Jake Arrieta and sprayed beer into the air. And after all the buildup to the game, it didn't take long for some fans to start looking forward to the next series. Game 1 of the National League Divisional Series against the rival Cardinals is set for Friday in St. Louis. "See you Friday, Cardinals!" one fan yelled. "See you Friday!" Wrigley Field itself was dark and quiet, but the old ballpark will be alive and aglow next week, with Game 3 slated for Monday at the Friendly Confines. Fans across the city and suburbs joined in, glued to their televisions throughout the evening. In River North, cheers echoed down Hubbard Street after the Cubs escaped a sixth-inning jam with their lead intact. And at a watch party in the theater room of the Admiral at the Lake senior living facility on Foster Avenue, longtime fans gathered, hoping the Cubs could take the first step in a deep playoff drive. "I'm holding my breath," said Jane Purdy, 72, wearing her Cubs cap signed by star first baseman Anthony Rizzo and her 2003 National League Championship Series shirt. "I think it's great they've made it this far. For everyone who has been a fan for so long, I'd like to see them go all the way." Even near U.S. Cellular Field, home of the White Sox, the taverns made television space for the Cubs game. "I'm not totally coldhearted," said Billy Guide, 44, owner of the Cork & Kerry at the Park. "We're pulling for them. We really want to see them do well." Bars in the shadow of the Cell remain loyal to the Sox but opted for citywide support in showing the Cubs game Wednesday night, along with the Blackhawks home opener. Guide said he received calls from University of Chicago students and others nearby to ask whether they'd be able to catch the action from Pittsburgh. Guide admitted he may not have made the same decision in the past. "We're lucky to have two baseball teams but we never pulled for each other," Guide said. "It just feels different this year. It really does." Guide said Cubs manager Joe Maddon visited the area when he was with Tampa Bay last year and endeared himself to the South Side. Maddon is one of the reasons Guide said he felt OK about supporting the Cubs. Down the street at Turtle Bar & Grill, half the TVs were tuned to Cubs-Pirates and the other half to Blackhawks-Rangers. Sox fan Jim Frobes was not joining the Cubs bandwagon. "Forget the Cubs," said Frobes, 21. "You pick one team and you stick with them. You've gotta go through the good and the bad." Back on the North Side, nervous crowds at the bars, many of which had lines to get inside for most of the game, erupted in jubilant relief after the final out, then burst into a chorus of "Go Cubs Go!" The epicenter was the area around Wrigley, where fans jammed into bars, wandered the streets in the jerseys of their favorite Cubs players and cheered as the Cubs took a lead into the late innings. While watching the game at Cubby Bear at Clark and Addison streets, Joe Alvarado wore a blue "Mission October" shirt and the same hat he bought the last time the Cubs were in the playoffs, now torn and distressed. Before he came out to Wrigleyville for the game, the 38-year-old was working at Midway Airport, where he refuels planes for Southwest. "You see every passenger that comes out of there, and this whole week really it was a sea of blue (shirts)," he said. "It was beautiful." In the road, Israel Araujo chanted "Let's go Cubbies!" with a group of friends and strangers. The 20-year-old held his phone up in the air, filming the crowd as he jumped and shouted. Tracy Kiger and his wife, Kathy, stood together in front of Wrigley Field as they watched the Cubs crowd flood the intersection of Clark and Addison. The couple came from Momence for the wild-card game Wednesday, the same day as their 14th wedding anniversary. "This is the first time I've been to something like this," Kathy Kiger said, pointing at the sea of people in the street. "I've been to Cubs games before, but this is pretty cool." "The way the kids are playing right now they have a good chance of winning, and they're young," said Araujo. "It's crazy right now. It's gonna get crazier." The senior citizen crowd that gathered to watch the game at the Admiral's movie-theater style room was small, with some perhaps deterred by the absence of a high-definition television and free snacks, residents said, but no less rabid than the louder crowd near Wrigley. The residents cheered Cubs' hits and groaned when a Pirates batter reached first base. The fans' forecast for a Cubs' World Series appearance was mixed, but that was beside the point. They had come to watch the game together, preferring to share the experience with others, instead of alone in their apartments. "It's fun to watch with people," Purdy said. "I just think baseball brings people together." [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
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2002 Honda 954RR Crash
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