The vacant Bronzeville site has entertained its fair share of grandiose proposals Megadevelopments like Lincoln Yards and The 78 might have dominated the headlines in recent months, but a plan for the multiphase redevelopment of Bronzeville's sprawling Michael Reese hospital site is also coming into focus. It's been a long time coming for the Near South Side parcel which saw its namesake hospital was demolished more than a decade ago. Despite its proximity to McCormick Place, Interstate 55, and 31st Street beach, the 100-acre site has remained vacant and fenced off. In a recent interview with the Chicago Sun-Times , departing Chicago Planning and Development Commissioner David Reifman expressed regret about the lack of progress at the Michael Reese site and alluded to a long-term plan to construct a new soccer stadium for the Chicago Fire. The office of 4th Ward Alderman Sophia King says it hasn't discussed any stadiums just yet, but it did post conceptual plans showing what the first phase of the Reese redevelopment could look like. The latest proposal for Michael Reese At a town hall meeting hosted by Alderman King in April, a team led by Chicago-based Farpoint Development shared new details and updated renderings of the Micheal Reese redevelopment proposal with the community. Clustered around the corner of 31st Street and Cottage Grove Avenue, the phase one vision includes affordable housing for seniors and artists, a life sciences facility, a data center, retail space, public plazas, performance venues, art installations, and the adaptive reuse of the Singer Pavilion the most prominent surviving structure from the demolished hospital complex. The developers plan to repurpose the existing Singer Pavilion structure. "This was an early attempt to put together a plan based on concerns and feedback collected from neighbors and the alderman's community advisory committee," Alderman King's chief of staff Prentice Butler told Curbed. "It's important to Alderman King that community voices are being heard and represented at the beginning of the process, not the middle." Among the recommendations were the desire for affordable housing and art that reflects the cultural legacy of the neighborhood. Future phases would extend to vacant lots to the north, west, and east and call for an improved Metra stop and restored street grid. Butler stressed that April's town hall presentation represents an early vision and that the development team must still take control of the site and navigate the city's approval process before any work can begin. Farpoint Development could not be reached for comment. An aerial overview of the Phase 1 conceptual plan. There's a thoughtful community-driven approach and practical scale, which makes this plan far different from some of the more grandiose schemes that have been proposed for the city-owned site since Michael Reese Hospital was demolished a decade ago. Here's what else was planned for Michael Reese After acquiring the site in 2008, the administration of former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley planned to use the parcel as the Olympic village as part of the Windy City's bid for the 2016 games . Chicago lost the event to Rio de Janeiro in 2009 and the Bronzeville site sat fallow. In 2014, the Reese site was shown as a potential site for the Barack Obama Presidential Center. The project, however, eventually settled on a more controversial location further south in Chicago's Jackson Park where a lawsuit continues to delay construction . A rendering of Chicago's unbuilt 2016 Olympic village. That same year, critics of the lakefront location of the proposed Lucas Museum of Narrative Arts suggested the Reese Site as a possible alternative , but the city gave it little serious consideration. Caught in the middle of a legal battle between the city and parks' activists, the Lucas Museum ditched Chicago in favor of Los Angeles . By 2016, the City of Chicago was ready to get the Reese property off its hands and started a search for a private developer . Mayor Emanuel presented the 49-acre former hospital site and the adjacent 28-acre truck marshaling yards as "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to transform the Near South Side. The city selected the Farpoint-led team to serve as Reese's master redeveloper in 2017. The official announcement was short on specific details, but said the plan could include a logistics center, an event space, and more than 5 million square feet of commercial and residential development. The sudden frenzy surrounding Amazon's HQ2 search led the developer to super-size its vision for the Michael Reese site rebranded the Burnham Lakefront  to between 8 million to 14 million square feet. Designed by architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the renderings showed new high-rise towers, public plazas, and landscaped bridges reaching across the rail tracks and Lake Shore Drive. The ambitious 2017 Burnham Lakefront plan was aimed at attracting large corporate tenants namely Amazon. Amazon passed over Chicago for its second headquarters, but multiple megadevelopments that had hoped to attract the tech giant  Lincoln Yards , The 78 , and the River District  forged ahead to secure zoning change and controversial tax increment financing (TIF) deals during the final days of the Emanuel administration. The Michael Reese project, however, seems to be deliberately taking its time. "We are trying to avoid the experience of Lincoln Yards," Farpoint's Scott Goodman said in April at a panel discussion hosted by The Real Deal . "We're trying to solve for a lot of those problems up front."


GENEVA   Alexander Zverev saved two match points after waiting out two long rain delays to win his first title this season, beating Nicolas Jarry 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (8) in the Geneva Open final on Saturday. Fifth-ranked Zverev clinched when Jarry sent a forehand long after more than 2 ½ hours on court and almost six hours after play began. It was the German's 11th career title, worth 90,000 euros ($101,000) prize money, and first since November at the season-ending ATP Finals in London. Zverev struggled through a second set interrupted by two rain delays of at least an hour before 75th-ranked Jarry levelled. The Chilean has lost both finals he reached on tour. His next opponent, at the French Open that begins on Sunday, is eighth-seeded Juan Martin del Potro. ___ More AP Tennis: https://apnews.com/apf-Tennis and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


According to state police, the driver of an SUV lost control near Exit 4 around 9 a.m. Friday and hit the back of a pickup truck. The pickup truck then hit an embankment and overturned, according to state police. State police said a passenger in the truck, 41-year-old Namitha Alicea, of Colonial Beach, Virginia, was killed. A dog also died. The driver of the truck and two people in the SUV were taken to a hospital, state police said. READ MORE: Woman, dog killed in crash on I-83 in York County; Road partially open CHECK OUT WGAL: Stay in the know with the top stories of the day. Get all the latest Harrisburg, Lancaster and York news, weather and sports from the WGAL News Team.


WASHINGTON   Mayor Pete Buttigieg's candidacy has fueled speculation about how the American electorate would react to its first gay president. But, according to Buttigieg, he would not be the first gay president. In an interview with "Axios on HBO" aired on Sunday evening, Buttigieg asserted that it's "almost certain" he would not be the first gay president. Buttigieg, the South Bend, Indiana mayor running for the Democratic nomination, had been asked if Americans might react adversely to his sexual orientation. He responded: "I'll respond by explaining where I want to lead this country. People will elect the person who will make the best president. And we have had excellent presidents who have been young. We have had excellent presidents who have been liberal. I would imagine we've probably had excellent presidents who were gay   we just didn't know which ones." More: Buttigieg back in South Bend after police shooting More: Buttigieg says he would vote to impeach Trump, talks Al Franken resignation during Fresno town hall When asked specifically if the United States ever had a gay president, he said, "I mean, statistically, it's almost certain." He wasn't sure which one, though. "My gaydar even doesn't work that well in the present," Buttigieg added. Some have speculated, though, that Buttigieg would not be the first gay president. In a Washington Post column at the end of March, Ezekiel Emanuel, vice provost for global initiatives at the University of Pennsylvania, speculated that James Buchanan, who was president from 1857 to 1861, might actually have been the first gay president. Emanuel argued that Buchanan might have had a relationship with William Rufus King, a politician who served as a senator, ambassador, and Franklin Pierce's vice president briefly before King's death. King and Buchanan lived together before Buchanan became president, and after the two stopped living together, Buchanan noted in a letter to a friend that he was now "'solitary and alone,' having no companion in the house with me. I have gone a wooing to several gentlemen, but have not succeeded with any one of them." Buchanan also added that he would not be able to give "ardent or romantic affection" to a woman if they lived together. More: Like what you're reading? Download the USA TODAY app for more This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Candidate Pete Buttigieg: 'almost certain' that the United States has had gay presidents


The weather forecast for Saint Paul has light rainfall ahead for the next week, starting on Monday, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . The highest chance of rain is expected on Monday at 70%, with the possibility of light rainfall of 0.67 inches. The next few days will also see warm temperatures, expected to stick around through Saturday. Temperatures will reach a high of 82 degrees on Friday, then turn cooler on Sunday. Skies will be cloudy today and partly cloudy tomorrow. Winds will reach a modest high of 16 mph on Friday, while today will be quieter with a top speed of just 6 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


When New Zealand's first settlers arrived in the country in around 1300, they found a series of islands with lots of seafood, not much by way of edible plant life, and some of the most extraordinary flightless birds the world had ever seen. Over millions of years, New Zealand had developed a unique ecosystem. It has almost no native mammals and is instead home to a vibrant array of avian life at most recent count, some 378 species, many of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Without the risk of mammal predators, a striking number are shockingly defenseless, and spend their lives trotting sweetly and vulnerably along the forest floor. Moa should not have been at risk. These enormous birds stood twice the height of an adult man, and weighed nearly three times as much. They had few natural predators, beyond the now-extinct Haast's eagle, with their size weapon enough against almost anything. But they were slow, unwieldy, and possibly quite delicious. With few alternative sources of food, New Zealand's newly-arrived Maori people quickly grew accustomed to killing and eating them. Within a century, the birds were gone forever. Earlier this year, however, a New Zealand tractor driver had an exceptional brush with some of these long-dead giants. While taking his dogs for a swim in a river in a remote area of New Zealand's South Island, Michael Johnston noticed some unusual markings in the clay, and contacted the local Otago museum. Days later, museum experts used snorkels and underwater cameras to find seven moa footprints preserved in the river's hard clay, beneath about three feet (one metre) of water. They are the first tracks from the bird ever found on the island, and believed to be as much as 12 million years old. Recent wet weather in the area seems to have eroded the bank, exposing the clay slab below, with its seven footprints. Each is roughly a square foot (30 cm) in size. Museum experts are now extracting the footprints from the clay, with a view to eventually making them available for researchers to study. So my job today was to document the #moafootprints dig. As @OtagoMuseum Director @KaneFleury tells me I'm not trusted with a spade but rumour has it I can point a camera. Here's another timelapse I shot #newzealand #moa pic.twitter.com/l3smAVFH7I   Ian Griffin (@iangriffin) May 10, 2019


Thousands gathered at Navy Pier Thursday for the Fourth of July fireworks display.


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Worcester? We've rounded up the latest rental listings via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to hunting down a rental in Worcester with a budget of $1,300/month. Read on for the listings. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 26 Portland St. Listed at $1,250/month, this 500-square-foot studio apartment is located at 26 Portland St. In the residence, you can anticipate hardwood flooring, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. The building has a fitness center. For those with furry friends in tow, know that cats and dogs are welcome on this property. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. Walk Score indicates that this location is very walkable, is relatively bikeable and has good transit options. (Take a look at the complete listing here .) 507 Main St. Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom spot over at 507 Main St. It's listed for $1,275/month for its 400 square feet. In the residence, you can expect in-unit laundry, stainless steel appliances, a walk-in closet and granite countertops. Pet owners, take heed: Cats and dogs are welcome. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. According to Walk Score, the area around this address is extremely walkable, is bikeable and offers many nearby public transportation options. (Check out the complete listing here .) 34 Esther St. Listed at $1,300/month, this 1,092-square-foot three-bedroom, one-bathroom abode is located at 34 Esther St. In the unit, you can expect an eat-in kitchen. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: This spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. According to Walk Score's assessment, the surrounding area isn't very walkable, is somewhat bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. (Take a look at the complete listing here .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- The New York Yankees were frustrated by their play and slugger Luke Voit getting hit yet again. Willy Adames and Ji-Man Choi had run-scoring infield singles in the sixth after tempers flared during the top of the inning when reliever Yonny Chirinos hit Voit on the left shoulder, and the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 7-2 Saturday night. BOX SCORE: RAYS 7, YANKEES 2 Yandy Diaz homered twice and drove in four runs for the Rays, who reopened a 1-game lead over the Yankees. Voit was hit by Chirinos (5-1) one batter after DJ LeMahieu's tying solo homer. "It's frustrating," said Voit, who didn't speculate whether he was thrown at intentionally. "He can hit me anywhere else. This one is up and in. It's a situation that can be career ending. He's a sinkerballer. and that was pretty straight." Although there was no on-field incidents after Voit was hit, Yankees starter CC Sabathia went to the top of the Yankees dugout and yelled toward Tampa Bay players. In his final start last season, Sabathia was ejected at Tropicana Field and given a five-game suspension for hitting Jesus Sucre with a pitch after Rays pitcher Andrew Kittredge threw a pitch behind Austin Romine. "It's just the same thing, you hit a home run and then they throw up and in," Sabathia said. "It's stupid." Voit has been hit five times; only Kansas City's Alex Gordon with eight has more among AL players. Jonathan Holder (2-1) was warming up in the Yankees bullpen during the top of the sixth preparing to come in for Sabathia, who gave up two runs, three hits and four walks in five innings. Avisail Garcia greeted Holder with a single and advanced to third on a stolen base and a throwing error by Gary Sanchez, whose seven errors are the most among big league catchers. LeMahieu, a Gold Glove infielder, could not get his glove down to receive the throw. "I should have had Gary's ball," LeMahieu said. Guillermo Heredia walked, and Garcia scored on Adames' single to LaMahieu, who was shifted and gloved the ball on the shortstop side of second base. LaMahieu made a sliding backhand stop on the outfield grass, but the ball popped into the air as he tried to throw. The left-handed-hitting Choi followed with a bouncer to LeMahieu in short right field and beat the second baseman's one-hop throw. Heredia kept running and scored from second on the hit as the ball bounced away from Voit at first. Sanchez was hit hard on his catching helmet by Heredia's backswing in the eighth. Sanchez stayed in the game and underwent postgame tests. "Feel good right now," Sanchez said through a translator. "Got to wait and see how I feel tomorrow." With the Yankees' bullpen short after being used extensively the previous two days, manager Aaron Boone brought in Nestor Cortes Jr. in the seventh, the 36th player and 17th pitcher used by New York this season. The 24-year-old left-hander gave up a three-run homer to Diaz in the eighth. Cortes was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after the game, an indication right-hander Chad Green could be recalled after three appearances for the International League club to regain his mechanics. Garcia homered in the second and Diaz added a third-inning shot off Sabathia, who has allowed eight homers over 30 1/3 innings in six starts. Diaz has nine homers. In parts of two previous seasons he went deep one time. "I've actually surprised myself," Diaz said through a translator. "I've never had those numbers in the past, but I'm swinging hard and I've been getting good results." Clint Frazier hit an RBI double in the fifth, when Michael Tauchman into an inning-ending double play with runners at the corners. DOUBLE CATCH Tommy Pham made two catches on one play in the fourth inning. The Rays left fielder caught Brett Gardner's fly ball and then used his bare hand soon after to grab a contact lens that popped out. Pham, who went 0 for 4, was on the field postgame hitting balls at home plate off a tee. TRAINER'S ROOM Yankees: CF Aaron Hicks (back strain), expected back Monday, went 3 for 4 with two doubles and a homer for Scranton. ... SS Troy Tulowitzki (strained left calf) is scheduled to resume hitting and defensive drills during the upcoming week. ... DH-OF Giancarlo Stanton (left biceps/shoulder) is doing limited baseball activities. Rays: RHP Tyler Glasnow (6-1), who left his start Friday night in the sixth inning, is expected to miss four to six week with a right forearm strain. Glasnow will not throw for seven to 10 days. UP NEXT Yankees RHP: Masahiro Tanaka (2-3) will start Sunday's series finale against Rays LHP Blake Snell (3-3). ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


A traffic camera reporter rushed to help out a dog who became stranded in the middle of an Arizona highway during rush hour traffic. Thanks to his quick thinking, she's alive. Sean Dowling (@seandowlingtv) has more.


Which Lexi Thompson will it be at this week's U.S. Women's Open? The one who has missed the cut in two of her last four starts? Or the one who has top-4 finishes in the other two starts during that stretch? "It's been a little bit of an up-and-down season so far. I've had some really good tournaments where my game has fallen in together, and some off weeks," Thompson said Tuesday. "I didn't play so good last week in Virginia, but I got to go home for two days and really work hard on my game with my dad. So my game feels like it's in a good spot." Thompson is making her 13 th start in the U.S. Women's Open, contested this year at the Country Club of Charleston (S.C.). Considering she is only 24 years old, that's quite a stat. Thompson made her USWO debut in 2007, missing the cut as a 12-year-old. She remembers well how distance   not an issue in her current game   was a big factor as a pre-teen competing in the national championship. Full-field tee times from the U.S. Women's Open "I can reach the fairways now. When I was 12, I couldn't reach the fairways," she said. "I was aiming for the mowed strips walking up to them." Though Thompson has competed in this event more so than any other in her decorated career, she hasn't had a great deal of success. Thompson has only three top-10s. Her best result, however, came last year at Shoal Creek Golf Club (T-5). Thompson addressed the media on Tuesday in Charleston and one of the topics centered on her return to social media, following a brief break. "Honestly, I mean, I love social media in a way that I get to reach out to my fans, give them an inside look of what my training's like, what my practicing is like, or even my life off the golf course   that I'm a normal 24-year-old girl. I love giving an insight of my life to fans that look up to me or just are interested. So that way, I love social media," she said. "But the break was definitely needed. I think now I'm just posting and not really looking at the comments and everything. Just trying to look at the positive of everything. "It wasn't really one thing [that led to the hiatus]. It was just a matter of people not looking so much at the positive that was going on or how hard I was working. I think that's what people don't really realize, how much we sacrifice, how much we put into the game as athletes in general. We're not perfect. We're human beings, and we're going to have bad weeks, bad seasons. We're not robots. They can't expect that much from us."


Former Detroit Lions starting cornerback Nevin Lawson revealed he is facing a 4-game suspension to start his first season with the Oakland Raiders. Lawson was with the Lions from 2014-2018, and was a starter for the final three years after beginning as a nickel back. He left the Lions this offseason and latched on with the Raiders on a 1-year contract, hoping to bet on himself and prove he can be worthy of a long-term deal. That plan will take a big hit if Lawson is indeed suspended. The cornerback took to his social media feed to try and preemptively explain any forthcoming suspension: pic.twitter.com/1jPLxCtowt - Nevin Lawson (@nevin_lawson) August 6, 2019 If he is suspended, he will be the second 2018 Lions player now with another team to be suspended for PEDs, joining WR Golden Tate of the New York Giants. MORE: 'Bachelor in Paradise' 2019 cast guide: Meet all 37 contestants Raiders release first depth chart of 2019 season Browns release their initial preseason depth chart Quick hits, observations from Packers' first joint practice with Texans Rookie Tony Pollard making presence felt in Ezekiel Elliott's absence


You can leave your umbrella at home for today, but light rainfall is in the forecast for Cambridge starting on Wednesday, according to the seven-day forecast from drone-powered weather service Saildrone . Wednesday's forecast shows the highest chance of rain at 91 percent, with expected rainfall of 0.32 inches. Also expect hot temperatures today and Wednesday. The weather will bring a high temperature of 93 degrees today, then drop slightly from Thursday to Monday. Skies will be mostly cloudy today and partly cloudy Sunday and Monday. Winds will remain somewhat calm in the course of the week, with the highest speeds today at only 9 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Cruise ships undergo regular inspections for cleanliness before leaving port but not every cruise line is created equal, and some are germier than others. Before you set out on your next cruise vacation, find out which items on board aren't as clean as they might look at first glance. Seasickness isn't your only concern Forget a rocking ship and a queasy feeling in stormy waters: Cruise ships can be a breeding ground for infection and illness simply because they have a group of people living in the same spaces for days on end. You may have heard of Legionnaire's disease, but there are some less exotic germ concerns you need to know about. Ice machines During a recent inspection by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of one particular ship, the ice machine was found to be among the most unkempt items on the boat. According to Fodor's , they were described as having 'a reddish purple drip,' 'black debris,' and 'pink and brown debris.' Yuck. Check out these tips for avoiding illness when you're having too much fun to be sick . Beer taps For some revelers, there's nothing more relaxing than lounging by a cruise ship pool while knocking back an ice cold beer. However, as The Cheat Sheet revealed, health inspectors discovered one ship's taps were extremely dirty. They reported that the taps had 'a buildup of a brownish substance on the dispenser's interior.' As it turned out, these taps hadn't been cleaned in more than two months. The Brewers Association advises cleaning beer taps at least every two weeks. If you're heading out to sea, read up on the things cruise lines won't tell you . Elevator buttons If you're taking the lift to travel up and down the many decks of a cruise ship, you may want to cover your hand with a napkin before pressing the button. According to Today.com , the Rossen Reports team went on board a four-day cruise to find out which parts of a ship are the germiest. Not surprisingly considering how often they people touch them the elevator buttons tested at 370 on a bacteria meter (anything over 100 is considered a 'fail'). Lounge chairs It's might be tough to relax poolside once you hear this: The Rossen Reports team tested the bacteria levels on those, too, and came up with a 773 twice as dirty as the elevator buttons and well above the allowable score of 100. It may not be a bad idea to bring a travel pack of sanitizing wipes to give your preferred chair a once-over before settling in for an afternoon at the pool; you can also spread a towel over the lounge before laying on it. And be prepared for some people watching: These are the craziest things cruise workers have seen on the job . Air Cruise ship cleaning crews have a tough time scrubbing the air yet the air quality on ships leaves a lot to be desired. Ryan David Kennedy , an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University's Department of Public Health, says he ran air quality tests on four different cruise ships finding pollution levels similar to those in Beijing. Kennedy cited the ships' exhaust systems as the culprit. The cruise industry calls foul on the study, however: 'Globally, the cruise industry has already invested $1 billion in new technologies and cleaner fuels, to significantly reduce ships' air emissions,' said Megan King, a representative for Cruise Lines International Association trade group, when interviewed by USA Today . Food The endless buffets are the cornerstone of many cruises. The idea of an all-you-can-eat spread excites budget-minded passengers. However, the staff has to cook up massive amounts of food to keep the customers happy, and that can lead to unsafe food practices. As National Geographic points out, food is more likely to become contaminated with a virus when it has been sitting out for a lengthy period of time. Whether you're a veteran cruiser or first-timer, you'll want to check out these cruise hacks for your next trip. Buffet serving utensils Those overflowing food trays aren't the only thing you need to worry about at the buffet. Although staff thoroughly cleans serving utensils before putting them out, consider how many people touch those same utensils as they help themselves to a meal. And the utensils usually sit out through the entire meal service. Conde Nast Traveler recommends avoiding common serving utensils all together if possible. Play areas If you're setting sail with the spouse and young ones, know that the kiddie play areas can be germy. During a CDC inspection , one ship's play areas were described as having 'large toys on the floor soiled with dust and debris beyond a day's worth of accumulation.' Not only that, but inspectors found black sediment and glitter in a play pool and what is only described as a 'sticky substance' on a ball slide. Skip the ball pool and check out these cruises with incredibly cool amenities . Food storage areas According to the CDC report , a ship's provisions corridor pantry turned up an unwelcome surprise. Bags of shallots, onions, and other produce were being kept in a shopping cart that was 'excessively soiled with dark debris.' Dark debris doesn't sound like a mystery ingredient we'd like to try in our next meal. Kitchenware While the dishes you're eating off of on a cruise ship are sparkling clean, the equipment that the staff used to prepare your food may be less than sanitary. On one ship, CDC inspectors found an old piece of dough stuck to a French baguette molder machine. And the machine's motor and wiring 'was heavily soiled with a thick layer old flour debris.' Additionally, pots and pans were found with their nonstick finish worn off. All this said, most cruise ships are meticulously maintained and offer a great vacation option: You may pay more for the base fare, but these all-inclusive cruises define luxury without nickel-and-diming you on board .


When you're trying to get pregnant , it's very easy to get swayed into trying or buying whatever product, holistic treatment, or lifestyle claims that will help you conceive. Getting pregnant and figuring out your fertility status is often a confusing and stressful process, so it makes sense why you'd gravitate toward certain plans or programs, including so-called "fertility diets." But can eating certain foods increase your fertility, or boost your chances of getting pregnant ? It's not so simple. Diet is one piece of the fertility puzzle , and it happens to be a piece that you can control, along with your alcohol consumption, smoking habits, and stress levels . But, "you're not going to unblock a fallopian tube or cure a lack of sperm with just diet alone," explains Rachelle LaCroix Mallik , MA, RD, LDN. Rather, your nutrition matters for your overall health, and there's good research that it can affect your fertility as well. It's almost impossible to say that one particular diet is better than others for fertility, because everyone has specific health concerns and food allergies, explains Serena Dovey, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist with KindBody , a women's health and fertility clinic in New York City. Not to mention, there are so many diverse health conditions that affect a person's ability to get pregnant. In recent years, research has examined how adopting a "pro fertility" diet can affect women who are having trouble ovulating properly, Mallik says. And we know that ovulatory issues account for most cases of infertility. This " pro fertility diet " was developed by researchers, and includes a few key strategies from other studies and diets that are believed to help people with ovulatory concerns. For example, the diet suggests prioritizing eating whole grains, dairy, soy or plant-based protein, fish, and organic produce . It also encourages people to take folic acid , B12, and vitamin D supplements. "Researchers showed that the more likely people were sticking to these kind of dietary patterns, the more likely they were to have live births if they were undergoing assisted reproductive technology or fertility treatments," Mallik says. But again, this is just one fraction of the population of people with fertility issues. Although this diet has been shown to be promising, it's important to take the suggestions with a grain of salt. "Nutrition isn't necessarily a silver bullet," Mallik says. "It's not the only thing that's going to improve your fertility, but it can certainly make a difference in conjunction with some of these other modalities." Along with your diet, you might be experimenting with acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, stress-reduction techniques, and other holistic treatments that are meant to help with fertility. And when you're trying so many things to get pregnant, it's impossible to say which one actually "worked" for you. To that same point, it's important to be wary of any "diet plan" that makes sweeping promises, or guarantees that it'll get you pregnant. Those are often not backed by scientific evidence or good quality research, Dr. Dovey says. "It makes me roll my eyes to a degree," she adds. If a diet is overly restrictive, or focuses on weight loss, that's also a red flag, Mallik says. "I think diets can be harmful, because there ends up being guilt and blame, and [the advice] may not even be relevant," she says. Sometimes, your doctor or reproductive endocrinologist might suggest losing weight before undergoing IVF   and technically, obesity is a factor that leads to decreased success with IVF. But, in that case, it'd be wise to work with an RD who can provide personalized nutrition advice for you and your health needs. For anyone else, focusing on weight alone instead of prioritizing health-promoting behaviors may not lead to the ideal outcome   in this case, getting pregnant, Mallik says. Or, even if it does, it could leave you with some negative feelings about certain foods. Overall, while a "fertility diet" might seem like the quick fix you need that's standing between you and your pregnancy, it's important to focus on habits that are sustainable in the long term. Related Video: Smoking Weed Could Affect Fertility in Men and Women, Study Says (Provided by Veuer)


Editor's note: The opinions in this article are the author's, as published by our content partner, and do not necessarily represent the views of MSN or Microsoft. Woo buddy, that was fun . But for some fans, it was apparently too much fun. The U.S. women's national team started its 2019 World Cup campaign with an absolute drubbing of Thailand, winning by a record score line of 13-0. Like many sports, there are unwritten rules of decorum when it comes Playing The Game . Baseball players get upset about things like bat flips and bunting during no-hitters . In soccer, players generally subdue their reactions to goals in lopsided matches or against former clubs. But this is the World Cup, and the USWNT wasn't about to cheapen the accomplishment of scoring World Cup goals just because Thailand was severely overmatched. And that was what happened: The USWNT celebrated goals No. 12 and 13 like they were goals No. 1 and 2. ALEX MORGAN FOR THE RECORD! @alexmorgan13 's 5th ties Michelle Akers' single-game #FIFAWWC record … and makes it 12-0 USA! pic.twitter.com/52Z0ePG6vI - FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 11, 2019 NO MERCY! @CarliLLoyd was not going to come up empty on a record-setting night for the @USWNT . pic.twitter.com/ifWl0kgYIn - FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 11, 2019 On the ninth goal of the game, Megan Rapinoe had an elaborate bench celebration. RAPINOE JOINS THE PARTY! 9-0 USA! Come for the @mpinoe goal, stay for the celebration pic.twitter.com/DhF7Th17qj - FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 11, 2019 Unsurprisingly, plenty of soccer fans took issue with the celebrations. Fox Sports host Rob Stone went as far as to say that the USWNT should have pulled back after going up huge. Fox's Rob Stone following the USWNT's 13-0 win. "This got humiliating at some point. It just became an exercise in target practice…You know what I wanted to do? Pull it back, knock it around." - John Ourand (@Ourand_SBJ) June 11, 2019 Others focused on the celebrations. Thailand just went over to its fans and god bless them. Bobby Bowden famously said, 'It's not my job to stop my team, that's your job.'. But part of me thinks wheeling away in celebration of goals No. 11, 12, 13 isn't right. - Andrew Das (@AndrewDasNYT) June 11, 2019 0.0 problem with the score line as this is THE tournament BUT celebrating goals (like #9) leaves a sour taste in my mouth like many of you. Curious to see if anyone apologizes for this postgame. #USWNT #FIFAWWC https://t.co/XfGh2e2Jms - Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) June 11, 2019 What a disgraceful display of behaviour by the US at the World Cup. Celebrating goals 11, 12, 13?!They should be ashamed. It's unacceptable pic.twitter.com/hgbiZAhDiM - Peyvand (@coachPeyv) June 11, 2019 All due respect, but would you really be celebrating the goals at this point. 13! - Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) June 11, 2019 Celebrating after scoring 6 goals against an opposition which has never played a WC match before just shows how classless #USWNT is #WWC2019 - EverdayReporter (@eknoorSB) June 11, 2019 Soccer Gods watching the #USWNT celebrating goals 8-13 as hard as they celebrated the first one… pic.twitter.com/8GvTv3wttH - Michael Morrison (@TheProdigalTwit) June 11, 2019 And it was a reasonable argument in some sense. Why celebrate like that against a far inferior opponent that lacked the support and resources from its federation? But you also have to think of where the USWNT was in that moment: It was the first game of the World Cup. They were playing exceptionally well and having fun playing the game they love. There shouldn't be anything wrong with that. Thailand didn't stand a chance, and everyone knew that from the opening whistle. Yet, Alex Morgan - who scored five goals - said after the game that they went into the match with the mentality of every goal counting. They at least backed that up. Could they have toned down the late celebrations? Sure, if they felt like it. But they didn't. If we really want to see U.S. Soccer players not celebrate goals, there is the USMNT for that. The USWNT earned their spot as the world's best. They can celebrate that all they want. MORE: See all 13 (!!) goals from USA's destruction of Thailand in their opening game of World Cup Kevin Durant Has a $31.5 Million Player Option; Will Warriors Offer Him Supermax Contract? Watch as jury convicts former NFL player Kellen Winslow Jr. of raping homeless woman How Kevin Durant's Achilles injury alters Kyrie Irving's free agency News: Do Cowboys have best group of QBs across the entire league?


Editor's note: The opinions in this article are the author's, as published by our content partner, and do not necessarily represent the views of MSN or Microsoft. On Wednesday, Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill into law that would ban nearly all abortion care in my home state of Alabama. Not surprisingly, a media frenzy ensued. #Alabamaabortionban trended on Twitter, an airplane circled the state capitol proclaiming "Abortion is OK" and reporters called me nonstop for comment. But the new law, which does not take effect for six months and faces inevitable court challenges, will not change my daily routine as an OB-GYN. Just as I have for the last 15 years of my medical career, I will continue to deliver babies, give prenatal care -- and provide abortions. As a mother and a physician, this abortion ban is deeply personal. I carry both these identities with me as I care for women and honor their decisions to become parents or to terminate their pregnancies. I understand the struggle to make that choice. I became pregnant when I was in high school. Because of my fear and lack of resources, I didn't confide in my mother or grandmother until it was too late to have an abortion. I love my children with all my heart, but I know that everyone should be able to make this decision for themselves. Of course, seeing the bill become a reality has taken its toll. I am angry at the politicians who do not see women as responsible decision makers and therefore believe the care I provide should be outlawed. I am enraged that the state of Alabama would force me to choose between what is ethical and medically appropriate care and breaking the law. I am appalled that I could get a more severe penalty (up to 99 years in prison) for providing safe abortion care than someone who commits second-degree rape. And I hate that I am being placed in the position of reassuring my patients that abortion is still legal today -- and for the foreseeable future -- despite the actions of politicians in Birmingham. I am frightened for Alabamians because, should this law ever go into effect, doctors like me will leave Alabama rather than stay and practice substandard medicine. And I am afraid for patients, particularly when I reflect on treatment I recently provided for one woman. She was 22 weeks pregnant and had a condition called preeclampsia, which is when high blood pressure puts the health of the mother and baby at risk and can result in death. The only option in that situation was to immediately deliver. The patient understood the high stakes and instead decided to end her pregnancy. But it took time (which we did not have) to convince the hospital and other physicians that this was the correct course of action because of the already hostile climate for abortion. I fear what could happen to women in this situation if the law and its criminal penalties go into effect. Physicians will hesitate in how to care for complex health situations -- and Alabama is already a state with an unconscionably high maternal mortality rate. According to the Alabama Department of Public Health , in 2017, there were 31 pregnancy-related deaths out of 100,000 live births for white women. That number more than doubled for black women. When compared to the CDC's national average figures of 12.4 deaths per 100,000 for white women and 40 deaths per 100,000 for black women, these numbers are particularly stark. But I remain hopeful for my state and my patients. The law will almost certainly be stopped in court. The outpouring of attention and activism is invigorating. Donations of all sizes are being made to clinics and abortion funds like ARC Southeast , the Yellowhammmer Fund , URGE and the Alabama Women's Center (where I work). I'm also encouraged that other states, from New York to Vermont, are taking steps to protect abortion access. And until I am told otherwise, I will continue to provide the best reproductive healthcare I can. Bottom line: Alabamans deserve better. We all do. So, I cling to a vision of a world in which people are not afraid to talk about their abortions, in which insurance covers the full cost of abortions and in which all women have access to high-quality maternity care and contraception. I urge the politicians in Alabama, and those around the country, please stop trying to make it harder for people to access health care. Instead, help me turn this vision into a reality.


Yellowstone is for you if you like snowmobiling, cross country skiing, geyser viewing, or just sipping hot buttered rum by a roaring fire.


Go ahead, just try to scroll through Instagram right now and not come across a running post. No luck? That's because it seems like everyone and their mother is lacing up their new running shoes, hitting the pavement, and losing major pounds in the process. Clearly, the classic endurance-building, heart-pounding, leaves-you-dripping-in-sweat activity is the key to weight-loss success, right? Honestly, it's a hard... maybe . The only real way to know if running will help you lose weight is to try it, says Charlie Seltzer, MD , a weight loss physician and exercise physiologist based in Philadelphia, PA. "Some people can do mini-sprints for 10 minutes three times a week and get some weight loss. But you also see people who train for Ironman triathlons who don't lose any weight, even though they're running 50 miles a week." Plus, there's the whole thing about how weight loss in general is totally specific to each individual, based on their body type, how much they need to eat, how much weight they'd like to lose, and so on. But how do you know if running is worth a try to lose weight? Here are the basics, so you can decide whether to lace up your sneaks-or choose another workout instead. Wait, so how much running would I have to do to lose weight? Tbh, you'd have to commit to a serious schedule. That's because if you want to lose, say, a pound a week, you need to burn about an extra 500+ calories every day. To do that via running alone, that'd likely ballpark around a 45-minute run every day of the week for a 160-pound woman, says Janet Hamilton, CSCS, an exercise physiologist, running coach, and founder of Running Strong in Atlanta, Georgia. But really, that's not terribly realistic. Something a bit more doable, like a 30-minute run four days a week, would burn about 350 calories per run for the same 160-pound woman-which would lead to a weight loss of about 0.4 pounds each week, Hamilton says. So it's not as much, but it's still something. Are there any downsides to running for weight loss? There aren't necessarily negatives to running for weight loss, but there are a few thing to keep in mind: First, knowing that the way your body responds to running for weight loss may be totally different than the way your best friend's body responds, says Dr. Seltzer. That's because exercise can tweak body composition, hormones, metabolism, and appetite in super individualized ways-all of which contribute to weight loss. Another could-be hiccup: As you up your running routine, your body might fight back by burning fewer calories throughout the rest of the day in order to hold onto precious energy, per a 2018 review in Obesity Reviews . It's an evolutionary conservation mechanism that dates back to not knowing when your next meal was coming, explains Dr. Seltzer. Not only that, but you could also see an uptick in your appetite-a small 2019 study in the journal Physiology & Behavior found that after moderate-intensity cardio five days a week (to burn 500 calories a day) for 12 weeks, overweight women lost body weight and fat, but in the process, their hunger levels went up and they ate more calories. Okay, what about stomach fat? Can you lose that by running? That, my friends, is called "spot-reduction" or "targeted fat loss," which is basically impossible (you can't pick-and-choose which spots of your body you want to tone). "You can burn fat by running, but where the fat comes from is largely genetically predetermined," says Seltzer. Of course, when it comes to burning body fat in general, running in any form can help with fat loss. One 2019 review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that both interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training (i.e., going for a 30-minute jog) both reduced body fat percentage (though HIIT activity burned more-but more on that later). Why? Simply because, well, you're burning calories while running. Is there any way to make running more effective for weight loss? A lot of research out there that shows high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts (think: sprints, hills, etc) seem to be most effective for weight loss, says Hamilton. In fact, HIIT might burn a third more body fat than moderate-intensity exercise (like jogging), possibly because you're working harder and your body keeps burning fat post-exercise, per the same 2019 review British Journal of Sports Medicine . Don't love HIIT? Level up to Hamilton's go-to weekly running routine to burn more calories for weight loss: one longer workout to increase endurance and stamina, another that adds hills (to strengthen your hips and provide intensity), and one interval training run (one minute running as fast as you can, one minute of walking recovery) to boost power and speed. All right... But what if I'm really not into running? Ultimately, the most effective form of exercise for weight loss is the one you enjoy the most, says Hamilton. That's because you'll stick to it. (Read: No hard feelings if you and the pavement aren't fast friends.) "If the idea of running for weight loss makes you feel horrible, don't do it," says Dr. Seltzer. After all, there are tons of other calorie-torchers like jumping rope, kickboxing, biking, rowing, and even yoga . And while strength training might not seem like a huge calorie-burning workout, it can boost metabolic rate so that you're burning more calories throughout the day. Dr. Seltzer adds that you can even give it bigger cardio component by resting less between sets to keep your heart rate elevated. Bottom Line: Running can definitely help you shed pounds-as long as it's something you do often and regularly; paired with a healthy diet and lifestyle choices; and, you know, something you actually want to do. Gallery: 20 ways to overcome a weight-loss plateau (Eat This, Not That!)


MOORESVILLE, N.C.   No more Mr. Nice Guy? Well, Ryan Blaney may be ready to take Alice Cooper's advice in exchange for his first trip to Victory Lane in 2019. Known for being one of the more considerate drivers on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series circuit, Blaney might need to add a pinch of edginess in order to break into the win column before the NASCAR Playoffs commence. After an event held by Team Penske and BodyArmor, where Blaney hosted lunch and a question-and-answer session with more than 50 kids at the Mooresville, North Carolina shop on Wednesday, the driver of the No. 12 Ford reflected on how his respectable racing manner has developed over the course of his career. "I've always done the 'give respect, get respect' type of thing," Blaney told NASCAR.com. "I'll race you how you race me. I've never really wanted to move anybody out of the way for wins or spots, but sometimes you have to and there's sometimes I look back on it and wish I had been more … mean and moved people out of the way sooner." But that's not Blaney's technique. It never has been after learning tricks of the trade from his father, former Cup driver and World of Outlaws champion Dave Blaney, also known for his clean approach. The Blaney style and charisma even dates back to grandfather Lou while earning victories in the modified and sprint car ranks over his 47-year career. "I've just never really grown up racing like that," Blaney said. "That's not how my dad or grandpa raced. That's not really what I enjoy. But you might have to change up the way you drive. It's not the thing of wrecking people all the time, but maybe being a touch aggressive. It's just how this racing has to be nowadays. That's what people enjoy. "Maybe I'll just start being more mean," he pondered. "I'll start being a jerk, but I don't want to hear anybody complaining if I'm a jerk out on the race track." During the race weekend at Michigan back in June, Stewart-Haas Racing's Daniel Suarez shed light on just how much the driver etiquette on the race track has changed over the past handful of years with a focus on the new style of racing. "There's just no more respect or polite drivers out there," Suarez said. "If you're polite, you won't last." Blaney agreed with the comments by Suarez but noted how it shouldn't be taken in a negative way. It's simply a product of the aerodynamics package amplifying a boldness that's always been around. "It's always been aggressive," Blaney said. "It's just showing up a little more because this package lets you do that. It gives you the ability to go three- or four-wide racing, especially on restarts." RELATED: Suarez on current state of driver etiquette While Blaney is having a fairly consistent regular season with six top fives and eight top 10s, he feels he's been on the receiving end of bad luck that has prevented his Team Penske squad from achieving victory. "It's easy to blame luck, but some days I've felt really unlucky," Blaney said. "That's just kind of how racing goes." Blaney believes the team has been doing everything in its control to give it a fighting chance, but the potential not matching the results is where the frustration lies as the postseason nears. "If we do the best of our abilities and if the very best we can do is third or fourth, you have to be proud of that," he said. "I know the best of our abilities is winning races. We're really close." Sitting 11th in the regular-season points standings with six races remaining before the 16-driver playoff field is set, Blaney heads into the Pocono race weekend with a confidence that stems from the speed in the car in the season's first trip in June paired with the 2.5-mile track being the site of his first career victory in 2017. "I'm looking forward to it," Blaney said. "I thought our car at the first Pocono race was really good. … Obviously, we'd like to get in Victory Lane before the playoffs. Get some cushion and get locked in. We have a good points cushion, but you can have two or three really bad races and be biting your nails." RELATED: GCOE: Blaney and crew celebrate 101st episode | Blaney's odds for Pocono? ]]>


The Los Angeles Lakers are in the market for a starting center for next season and one of the names that's been mentioned in connection to them is former Clippers center DeAndre Jordan . After spending a year between the Dallas Mavericks and New York Knicks, Jordan is a free agent and a target for several teams. One of the teams that hadn't been mentioned in relation to Jordan until recently was the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets have long been connected to Kyrie Irving, but have more recently been connected to Kevin Durant. Durant is a close friend of Jordan and Marc Stein of the New York Times reports the Nets are looking to bring him in. The Nets are exploring the feasibility of signing Kevin Durant's close friend DeAndre Jordan in free agency, league sources say, in hopes that would make the prospect of teaming up in Brooklyn with Kyrie Irving even more enticing to Durant - Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 24, 2019 Jordan could potentially be a target for the Lakers with their cap space, but the Nets are expected to enter free agency with a league-high $67 million in cap space to pursue star players and role players alike. While Jordan's Defensive Player of the Year days are likely behind him, he would provide some solid depth for the Nets center since they will likely lose Ed Davis this summer. Davis, on the other hand, could be a nice alternative for the Lakers if they are looking to get a defensive-minded center to replace JaVale McGee. MORE: Mystery of fish caught with wedding ring attached solved NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Los Angeles Lakers 'think they have a strong shot' at signing Kawhi Leonard according to report D'Angelo Russell and Lakers Both Interested in Reunion The Celtics have made Kyrie Irving's number 11 jersey available


Chinese imports of American goods plunged in July as a tariff war with Washington intensified. Imports of U.S. goods fell 19% from a year earlier to $10.9 billion, customs data showed Thursday, though that was an improvement over June's 31.4% fall. Exports to the United States declined 6.5% to $38.8 billion. Beijing has retaliated for U.S. tariff hikes in a dispute over trade and technology by imposing its own punitive duties and suspending purchases of American soybeans and other goods. The latest data follow President Donald Trump's threat last week to extend punitive duties to an additional $300 billion of Chinese imports. China's total exports rose 3.3% over a year earlier to $221.5 billion, rebounding from June's 1.3% contraction amid weakening global consumer demand. Imports shrank 5.6% to $176.4 billion, an improvement over the previous month's 7.3% decline. "Shipments in and out of China held up better than expected last month, but a sustained turnaround still looks unlikely in the near-term," said Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics in a report. China's central bank rattled global financial markets this week by allowing its yuan to weaken to an 11-year low against the U.S. dollar. That would make Chinese goods less expensive abroad but the currency's 5% decline this year against the dollar is too small to completely offset U.S. tariffs of 25% percent. China's global trade surplus widened by 60% over a year ago to $45.1 billion. The surplus with the United States was little changed but stood at $28 billion, a level that might fuel American pressure for Chinese concessions in trade talks. Imports of U.S. goods were down 28.3% in the first seven months of 2019 compared with a year earlier, according to the General Administration of Customs of China. Washington and Beijing are locked in an increasingly costly tariff war over U.S. complaints China steals or pressures companies to hand over technology. The United States and other Chinese trading partners complain Beijing's plans for government-led development of global competitors in robotics and other fields violates its market-opening commitments. Trade has weakened since Trump started hiking tariffs on Chinese goods last June. Beijing retaliated with its own penalties and ordered importers to find non-U.S. suppliers. The fight has battered exporters on both sides and disrupted trade in goods from soybeans to medical equipment. Trump and President Xi Jinping agreed in June to resume negotiations but talks last week in Shanghai ended with no sign of agreement. Envoys are due to meet again next month. Economists warn the truce is fragile because the two sides still are separated by the disagreements that caused talks to break down in May. Trade weakness has added to pressure on Xi's government to shore up economic growth and avoid politically dangerous job losses. Beijing agreed last year to narrow its trade surplus with the United States by buying more American natural gas and other exports but scrapped that plan after one of Trump's tariff hikes. The Chinese government said in June that any purchases must be at a reasonable level, suggested Beijing was becoming more cautious about making big commitments before it sees what Washington offers in exchange. Chinese leaders express confidence their economy can survive the tariff fight. Importers of American soybeans and other goods are trying to switch to Brazilian, Russian and other sources, but supplies are limited and costs are higher. Farmers who use soybeans as animal feed have been told to switch to other grains. While American exporters have been hit hardest, Chinese industries including electronics that Beijing sees as its economic future have suffered double-digit declines in sales to the United States, their biggest market. Economists say even if a settlement with the U.S. is reached, China's exports this year will be lackluster due to weak global demand, putting pressure on manufacturers that support millions of jobs.


Mid-Market , Tenderloin Police clashed with a group of protesters during yesterday's SF Pride parade after the protesters blocked the parade route for an hour, demanding the exclusion of police and corporations from the event. A representative for SFPD said that two protesters were taken into custody: Taryn Saldivar, 21, of Oakland, and Kenneth Bilecki, 27, of Santa Rosa. Both are charged with resisting arrest and interfering with a parade route, while Saldivar has also been charged with battery on a police officer. Police say the protest started at 11 a.m., near Sixth and Market streets. According to the Bay Area Reporter , protesters broke through the barricades and formed a human chain across Market, arms linked through rainbow-painted pipes. Protest at #SFPride .... A human chain at 6th and Market is blocking the parade route to protest the presence of police and corporations. pic.twitter.com/Lseox7IoBG   David Ingram (@David_Ingram) June 30, 2019 Displaying a banner that read "Queer and Trans Against Kops and Korps," the group chanted slogans like "F  the police!" and "Pride was a riot" as officers attempted to push them out of the way, said the Chronicle . By 12:01 p.m., police had expelled the protesters from the route, and the parade continued. In an official statement, SFPD that one protester "actively fought" with police officers, and that an officer sustained minor injuries as a result. Other protesters allegedly threw water bottles at officers. Photographs and video from the event, which show officers pushing a protester violently to the ground, have drawn criticism of SFPD's response on social media. #SFPD in action. This is their response to a PEACEFUL queer protest at #SFPride #prideisprotest #PoliceBrutality #shameful #inhuman #policeareourenimies #fuckthepolice #keepcopsoutofpride #queerlivesmatter #translivesmatter #SFPride2019 #SFprideparade pic.twitter.com/nUaOfdto3a   Ashlee Richards (@Ashlee_withanE) June 30, 2019 The protester depicted in the video, who uses they/them pronouns, said in a statement that officers broke their cane and glasses. They said they were held at the police station for several hours before police allowed an EMT to take them to the emergency room. "In addition to mocking my disabilities and claiming I was 'faking,' the officers misgendered me repeatedly   even at one point referring to me as 'it' and the 'guy with the long hair,' despite knowing my name and pronouns," said the protester, who asked not to be identified out of fear of further harassment. Protesters sit in protest of police brutality. Police pushes protester and starts havoc. Hear my cries and my screams. Terrifying. My first pride parade as a local. @SFPD #SFPride #SFPrideParade #protest @SFPride pic.twitter.com/7BjxK0ouEd   Kate (@kawaiianta) July 1, 2019 The protester said they were discharged from the ER without a replacement cane, as well as their phone, Clipper card, or house keys. Unable to walk unassisted, they only were able to make it home because their partner found them at a bus stop. "What happened to me is just one example of why I supported a protest whose intention was to demand 'no cops at Pride,'" their statement concludes. With the protester's consent, their friends have started a GoFundMe campaign to collect money for medical expenses for injuries sustained during the arrest, as well as future legal expenses. Full statement from one of the people arrested at the SF Pride protest yesterday: pic.twitter.com/v2DBGYa3yZ   Matthew Gerring (@mbgerring) July 1, 2019 The parade protesters have distributed a list of demands , calling for the exclusion of police from Pride because they "uphold white supremacy, hetero-patriarchy, gender binaries and capitalist rule." They also call for corporations to be removed from the event, arguing that they "profit from our communities while simultaneously exploiting, investing and benefiting from the prison industrial complex." In addition to those demands, the protesters call for greater visibility of "Black and Brown trans women" in the Pride celebration, an end to pre-Pride sweeps of homeless encampments, greater accessibility at Pride for disabled people, and an official acknowledgement that the parade takes place on land that was taken from Native Americans.


ATLANTA (AP) -- Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez may have found a new pinch-hitter in his team's latest win. Stephen Strasburg showed he can shine in the batter's box as well as on the mound. Strasburg had a three-run homer among his three hits and set a franchise-record for a pitcher with five RBIs, as the surging Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 13-4 on Thursday night. Strasburg's hitting made up for a so-so night on the mound, as he allowed three runs and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. BOX SCORE: NATIONALS 13, BRAVES 4 "Stephen wasn't as sharp as he could be but man he swung the bat really well," Martinez said. "He might be a pinch-hitter coming up here for the rest of these games." Strasburg, who won the Silver Slugger Award in 2012, said he may have been a little lucky at the plate. "It's just how crazy this game is," Strasburg said. "Sometimes you just run into the ball." Strasburg is the first Nationals pitcher to drive in five runs in a game and have two hits in one inning. His homer was the highlight of an eight-run third inning that also included a two-run double by Victor Robles, an RBI triple by Adam Eaton and a run-scoring double by Anthony Rendon. The Nationals, who have won 14 of their last 18 games, cut Atlanta's lead to 5 1/2 games in the NL East by winning the opener of a four-game series. The Braves have lost three straight. Strasburg (12-4) improved to 3-0 against Atlanta this season by winning his fifth straight start. His effort on the mound was overshadowed by his career highs in hits and RBIs. Strasburg led off the third with a single to center. After the Nationals knocked rookie right-hander Kyle Wright (0-3) out of the game in the long inning, Strasburg hit Touki Toussaint's second pitch 420 feet over the Washington bullpen behind the left-field wall for an 8-1 lead. Strasburg's big night at the plate continued when he hit a two-run single off Toussaint in the fifth. All the time spent running the bases, including scoring from first on Eaton's triple, may have drained Strasburg. He was pulled in the sixth after giving up a run-scoring triple to Ozzie Albies and Brian McCann's RBI single. Nick Markakis hit a line-drive homer off right-hander Kyle McGowin in the eighth. The opposite-field shot barely cleared the left-field wall. Wright allowed seven runs and seven hits with three walks -- all in the third inning -- in 2 2/3 innings. Wright was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett before the game. "I just kind of beat myself a little bit," Wright said. "I think it was lack of feel with the fastball." Rendon had three hits, including two doubles, and a walk. TRAINER'S ROOM Nationals: RHP Max Scherzer (mid-back strain) played catch but did not throw in the bullpen as expected and may not start on Sunday. Braves: RHP Kevin Gausman (right shoulder tendinitis) is on track to come off the IL and start on Sunday after throwing on Thursday. "Talking to him, he feels really good where he's at right now," Snitker said. DUGOUT DANCER Strasburg celebrated the homer by dancing with his teammates in the dugout . "Stras isn't much of a dancer," said first baseman Ryan Zimmerman. "Maybe his wedding is the last time he danced." ROSTER MOVES The Braves also reinstated outfielder Ender Inciarte from the 10-day injured list and optioned right-handers Bryse Wilson and Huascar Ynoa to Gwinnett. Inciarte, who had been out since May 15 with a lumbar strain, did not have a hit as he started in center field with Ronald Acuna Jr. moving to left field. Inciarte, a three-time Gold Glove winner, isn't returning to a regular job. Rookie Austin Riley has taken over in left field. "Just filling in," said manager Brian Snitker when asked about Inciarte's role. "I'm not going to feel like I'm forced to get him in." CHARLIE ON THE HILL Utility infielder Charlie Culberson made his second pitching appearance of the season with a scoreless ninth. He also recorded a scoreless ninth against San Diego on May 2. UP NEXT Nationals: LHP Patrick Corbin (7-5, 3.39) will face the Braves for the first time this season on Friday night. Braves: RHP Julio Teheran (5-6, 3.71 ERA) is 6-6 with a 4.13 ERA in 21 career starts against Washington, including 0-2 with a 6.57 ERA in 2018. Teheran had been scheduled to start on Thursday night, but the start was pushed back when Wright was recalled. ------ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP--Sports Related slideshow: 2019 MLB season (provided by imagn)


Use these car-buying tips and avoid buyer's remorse. Whether you're buying a new or used car, knowing what to do   and what not to do   can mean the difference of hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the term of your loan and the life of your vehicle. Whether it's your first car or your fifth, these 30 car-buying tips can help you win the negotiation and save money. Before even setting foot in a dealership, make sure you've put yourself in a position to leverage the best car deal possible. Do: Consider the Type of Car You Need There's no shortage of different kinds of cars for sale, so the first thing to consider is how you'll use your car. You might want to buy a dream car but it might not fit your lifestyle. Evaluate your family's needs, the demands of your commute and the vehicle's central purpose before narrowing down your selection. For example, if you have a family of six, you're going to need a vehicle with more seating than a typical sedan. Or, if you have a long commute every day, you might need a car with better gas mileage. Don't: Neglect Your Research The only way to figure out how to buy a car is to do your homework. Research isn't always the fun part of buying a car, but it might be the most important. Read reviews and look into different brands, models and financing options online before you even visit a dealer. Do: Identify the Fair Market Value and Average Selling Price Use a widely accepted source like Kelley Blue Book to find out the fair market value and average selling price of the car you're considering. When car dealers know you've done your homework, they are more likely to offer their best deal first. Do: Consider Total Cost of Ownership Buyers tend to be preoccupied with new car prices, and the cost of secondhand cars, for that matter. Every car costs more than the sticker price indicates. It's up to you to explore every fee and cost associated with the vehicle you're considering, including loan payment amounts, gas, insurance, and maintenance. Do: Know Your Credit Score There is a direct correlation between your credit score and the loan you'll be able to secure. Your FICO credit score, which ranges between 300 and 850, is an approximate representation of the risk you pose to lenders. "Before ever visiting a dealership, a car buyer needs to know what his or her credit rating is and how that will impact the financing options," said Karl Brauer, executive publisher at COX automotive. "The best way to do this is to get a report from one of the major credit-tracking companies." Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion can provide your credit report and score. Do: Raise Your Credit Score Use the time you're car shopping to boost your credit score. "A better credit score will mean better financing terms and lower interest," said Brian Moody, executive editor at Autotrader. "The ads people see on TV for low lease payments or low-interest rates all have fine print   that fine print says 'for buyers who qualify.' Translation: buyers with excellent credit," said Moody. One of the fastest ways to quickly boost a score is to pay down credit card debt because credit-card utilization carries a lot of weight with credit reporting agencies. Do: Get Preapproved When you get approved for financing before you enter negotiations with a dealer, you force the dealer to match or beat the rate your bank or credit union has already offered, which gives you a bargaining chip to enter negotiations. "If you have no backup plan, you're stuck with whatever the dealer is willing to do," said Moody. This is true and for both new cars and used cars, which are sometimes called pre-owned cars. Do: Shop Within Your Budget Your shopping strategy must be based on deciding among the cars you can afford, not the cars you want. "The most common mistake is buying a car that's too expensive given the shopper's budget," Moody said. "The best way to combat this is to work out a budget, figure out what cars or what kinds of cars are within your budget and start there." Don't: Confuse Shopping With Buying Shopping and buying are separate phases. They each have different purposes and require different strategies. "Shopping is when you set aside time for research, [a] test drive, etc.," Moody said. "During that time you're just evaluating the various cars. Once you've decided on one car, return to the dealership that has the car you like on a separate occasion and let them know you're ready to buy. Shopping is not buying." Do: Shop in Two Phases Although shopping is a separate phase from buying, it contains two steps of its own. "Think of choosing the car you want as a completely separate exercise from purchasing the car," said Joni Gray, editor in chief of Autobytel. "Take time and have fun researching options, features, and price to get to your shortlist and test drive two to three cars to come to your final decision." After shopping for a car, it's time to shop for auto financing. "Then, get back to your computer after your decision is made and start researching the finance options your selected dealers are offering," Gray said. Learn more: Expert Tips for Getting the Best Car Insurance Rates Do: Shop Different Dealerships That Have the Same Brand Dealerships that share a brand name often have different inventories and different prices or deals. Don't assume the new cars you're shopping are the same at two dealerships   even if they're both local. "Shoppers should always cross-shop dealerships of the same brand in their town," Moody said. "If you know you want a Ford Fusion, be sure to ask two or three local Ford dealers for their best price and give the other dealerships a chance to beat it." The concept holds used cars for sale as well as new cars. Do: Consider Certified, Pre-Owned Vehicles Cars lose value quickly, even if they haven't sustained a lot of wear and tear and are still in great shape. If a certified, pre-owned vehicle has low mileage, the previous owner has likely swallowed the cost of depreciation for you without beating up the car. "Cars' values begin to drop as soon as the cars are driven off the dealership lot," said Cindy Balser, senior vice president at KeyBank. "Given that, purchasing a used car over a new car might make more financial sense." Do: Shop for the Best Interest Rate The interest rate on your loan is just as important as the price of the car. A deal on a car's price isn't good if an exorbitant interest rate on your loan is going to jack up the overall cost over time. "A dealer might be able to get you the best rate," said Joe Wiesenfelder, executive editor of Cars.com. "Especially in the case of factory incentives like low or 0 percent financing, but you won't know it unless you go in with another quote or two from, say, your own bank or a credit union. The dealership is a middleman, and you might be able to save by going directly to the source." Do: Work Your Contacts Word of mouth is still one of the most reliable forms of advertising. Leverage your networks both in real life and on social media. Many people will be more than happy to share their good experiences with dealerships   or vent about their dreadful ones. "Buying a car is like searching for a job," said Sanjay Salomon, staff writer for Boston.com. "When you're looking, you should turn to your network of family, friends, and coworkers. Maybe someone in your circles can connect you with someone who can help you make the best possible decision for getting the right set of wheels." Don't: Let Price Be the Only Factor For most people, the price is a major determining factor when buying a car   but don't let it be the only factor. Sacrificing quality for the price is likely to cost you more money in the long run. "The biggest mistake people make when purchasing a car is they buy for price   not for quality," according to CarMax. "Make sure the vehicle has gone through a rigorous quality inspection so you can feel confident it will last for the long haul." Do: Buy Online to Save Time Many shoppers are hesitant to buy online because a car is something they want to see up close before they decide. But buying online can open up an enormous range of options that no dealer could fit in a lot. You could even visit a dealership to see the models you're considering up close, then go online to get a better deal or find a certain color the dealership didn't have in stock. Do: Check Social Media One thing that might help you score a great deal   or get some features added to your vehicle you wouldn't know about otherwise   is to check social media. Check Twitter and Facebook for special deals or incentives dealerships post to attract buyers. Don't: Forget About Promotions and Rebates Other than Twitter and Facebook, dealers might offer special incentives or deals right at the dealership that they haven't advertised anywhere else. You might get special savings just by asking   from rebates to online discounts and more, always ask about special promotions. Do: Test Drive More Than One Vehicle Don't fall in love at first sight. When you test drive a car, it might feel like the perfect fit   but you have no frame of reference if you don't compare it with similar models. Test drive many different vehicles   makes and models   to find the kind of car you really want. Don't: Show Your Hand Like a game of poker, don't reveal your cards until you have to. If you tell the dealer what you hope to pay each month, you hand over your leverage. "It is never a good idea to reveal the payment you are looking for at the dealership," Gray said. "This will almost always lead you to take a loan on for more years than is viable." Don't: Rely on Dealership Financing Typically, dealership financing isn't the best because dealers like to make money through their financing departments. Shopping around for financing is just as important as shopping around for cars. Generally, credit unions offer the lowest interest rates. Don't: Just Focus on Monthly Payments Most people go into the buying process knowing roughly what they can afford to pay each month. But fixating on monthly payments can cause you to ignore important considerations or cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. "Most people have an ideal monthly payment in mind and try to focus on this at the dealership," said Ron Montoya, senior consumer advice editor for Edmunds. "Problem is, you lose track of the other important aspects of the deal. You need to know the purchase price of the car, interest rate, term of the loan and what you're being offered for the trade-in." Do: Ask for Perks When the Price Won't Budge Sometimes it's simply not possible to get a dealer to come down on the sticker price. But that doesn't mean you can't save money. "Even if your dealership isn't willing to budge on the price of the car … ask for other perks like free oil changes, accessories or regular car washes," Moody said. "This way, you can save money without getting the dealer to come down on the car's price." Don't: Let Dealers Shop Your Application Even if they're doing it to try to get you the best rate, dealers can inadvertently harm you by shopping your application to too many lenders at the same time. "Think twice about letting the dealer pull your credit report and shop your application," said Gerri Detweiler, credit educator and education director at Nav, Inc. "We've heard reports from consumers who have found 10, 25 or more inquiries on their credit reports as a result of one dealer blasting their applications to numerous lenders. While some credit scoring models don't count all car loan inquiries in a short period of time, not all have this buffer," said Detweiler. Do: Buy at the End of the Year As the year winds down, dealers are looking to dump their remaining inventory in anticipation of receiving the new year's models, which makes early winter a great time to shop for deals. "Most bargain hunters know the end of the year is a good time to get a deal on a car," said Christian Gulliksen, senior editor of CarsDirect. "But if you're buying a Mercedes-Benz or a BMW, there is another reason to put off a purchase until December. For the last few years, this is when the sales battle between Germany's premium brands has climaxed in a burst of incentives," said Gulliksen. Do: Ask Questions and Know What You're Signing Before you sign anything, make sure you've asked enough questions so that you're not unsure about every aspect of the deal. If the dealer is at all reluctant to answer questions or you feel like you're being rushed into signing, walk. "People don't always take time to completely understand the financing," Balser said. "For example, a payment schedule with a low-interest rate might sound like a good idea. But if the low rate comes with a short repayment term, the payments might be a budget buster. Take time to understand all terms of the loan, including the total loan amount." Don't: Forget About Extra Fees Don't learn about extra fees after you sign. It is your job to factor in "hidden" expenses beforehand. "Tax, title and license fees can possibly add thousands of dollars to the amount you finance," Gray said. "After you get quotes for the price of your car, do the research on the cost of licensing in your state, the sales tax in your state, city, and county and the documentation fee   which also varies from state to state. After that, you'll know the real amount you'll be financing." Do: Consider How Long You'll Keep Your Car The value of your car drops the moment you drive it off the lot. But that doesn't mean that's when it's worth the most to the owner. "The truth is, it's never worth more to the owner than when it's paid off because only then do you reap the return on the investment you made by financing it," Wiesenfelder said. "Repair costs can be troubling because they're unpredictable and come as lump sums. But the reality is that $2,000 a year in repairs for a car that's paid off is still considerably cheaper than a new car note." Don't: Get Impatient and Rush the Process Car buying can be an arduous, difficult process, and it's natural to get frustrated and settle for something that is just "good enough." But doing this will almost always lead to buyer's remorse. "Don't rush the purchase," Montoya said. "Many people want to do it all in an afternoon. Test drive one day, compare prices another day, then close the deal on the third day." If you rush through the car buying process, however, it could end up costing you more than you can afford   or you could just end up unhappy. Do: Take a Selfie With Your New Car Once you find the best car for your needs and sign the paperwork, show it off. Take a selfie with your new car and post it on Instagram. Let the world know you got a good price on a great vehicle   then drive off into the sunset. Click through to find out more on cars you can own for under $300 a month. More On Cars New and Used Car Loan Interest Rates Explained How to Get Out of a Car Loan You Can't Afford 50 Ways You're Throwing Money Away Best Rewards Credit Cards of 2019 Jamie Young contributed to the reporting for this article.


Samsung's just-announced Galaxy Note 10 is not compatible with Gear VR, the company's virtual reality headset that works only with a phone slotted in front of the lenses, according to a tweet from tech analyst Anshel Sag . The decision to shut off support for its headset on its newest flagship phones casts doubt on the future of both the Gear VR and phone-based headsets, as standalone devices with built-in displays like the Oculus Go are on the rise. Samsung didn't mention Gear VR during today's Unpacked event, and it hasn't updated the headset since 2017. The most recent phones to support it were all four of the Galaxy S10 phone models announced in February, but only via an adapter. (The same was true of last year's Galaxy Note 9 .) The Gear VR still has a product page on Samsung's store, but it doesn't seem to be available for purchase anymore. You can still purchase it on Amazon for $99.99 . It's not clear whether Samsung will provide an adapter that works with the Galaxy Note 10. I just got confirmation from @Samsung . No version of the #Note10 is compatible with the GearVR. Not a huge loss tbh. Standalone is where it's at. #VR   Anshel Sag (@anshelsag) August 7, 2019 Despite its absence today, Gear VR may still have life ahead of it, as my colleague Adi Robertson has written about . The device was bundled with previous Samsung phones, is still compatible with many older models of Samsung phones, and is used as a tool to showcase VR at events like film festivals. Until standalone headsets drop in price, Gear VR remains one of the lowest-cost ways to bring VR into classrooms and events beyond the DIY efforts like Google Cardboard. It's also still receiving app updates and new releases alongside newer models . But with Gear VR not being compatible with Samsung's newest flagship phone, and with Google announcing in May that the Pixel 3a wouldn't support Android's built-in Daydream platform, it's hard not to think that phone-based VR may be on the decline.


WIMBLEDON, England - Roger Federer will attempt to make history Sunday that another aging tennis star could not. In the Wimbledon men's singles final against Novak Djokovic, the 37-year-old Federer aims to become the oldest player to win a major championship in the Open era. Serena Williams, also 37 and 49 days younger than the Swiss legend, hoped to achieve that record Saturday but was brushed aside in the women's final by Simona Halep, 6-2, 6-2. But the way Federer has eluded Father Time has blown away even fellow icons of the sport. "It's definitely remarkable, the way Roger looks at almost 38," said three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe, now an ESPN analyst, before mentioning the ageless yet 41-year-old New England Patriots quarterback. "Tom Brady is amazing, but he's part of a team. He's not having to do it all on his own like Roger." Federer is facing a formidable challenge, one every bit as daunting as his relentless showdown with Rafael Nadal in a three-hour semifinal Friday. Djokovic is the world's No. 1 player and defending Wimbledon champion. He and No. 2 Federer will play each other for a record 16th time in a Grand Slam tournament; no two men have met more often on the biggest stages. "We've played each other so, so much," said Federer, an eight-time Wimbledon champion playing in his 12th final at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. "I don't mind that. I think it's more of a clear game plan." Overall, the two have played each other 47 times, and Djokovic has a 25-22 advantage. All three of their grass-court meetings have come at Wimbledon, with Federer winning a semifinal in 2012, and Djokovic beating him in the 2014 and '15 finals. Djokovic, 32, is angling for his fifth Wimbledon singles title, which would tie him with Bjorn Borg and leave him trailing only Pete Sampras (seven) and Federer. "I'm going to go out there and fight and give it all," Djokovic said. "It's finals of Wimbledon. This is the kind of match that I always dreamt of as a young boy with a tennis racket. This is what I worked for. I wanted to be in this position." Djokovic is trying to tie Nadal for most career wins over Federer in a major championship (10). The Serbian star currently has nine, and no one else has more than two. "If I think of Novak, one thing that jumps out at me is his jump back and to the left," Federer said. "You know how he's able to defend on that side, which I think has won him numerous matches and trophies. He does that better than anybody." That said, Federer wasn't planning to do any extensive physical work after his victory over Nadal. He has already done what he can do to prepare. "I don't have much energy to train very much right now," he said in the aftermath of the Nadal match. "Honestly, it's about recovery, hitting some balls (Saturday), warming up the next day. "I don't think there's much I need to do in terms of practice. This is like a school; the day of the test, you're not going to read, I don't know, how many books that day. You don't have the time." ___ Doubles marathon The Colombian team of Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah defeated France's Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin in an ultra-close doubles final that lasted nearly five hours. Every set but the last was decided by tiebreaker: 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 7-6 (6), 6-7 (5), 6-3. Farah is a two-time NCAA team champion and the 2008 NCAA doubles champion from USC. Mahut was involved in the longest match in history, against American John Isner in the opening round of Wimbledon in 2010. That lasted 11 hours 5 minutes over three days with Isner winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (3), 70-68 for a total of 183 games. Visit the Los Angeles Times at www.latimes.com Related slideshow: Best of 2019 Wimbledon (Provided by imagn)


Joe Gomez has responded to the jeering that Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk received during their Nations League game clash and said that it didn't benefit England during the game. The Dutch defender was the centre of attention to a large portion of England fans during the match and was subject to booing throughout, a reaction that club mate Gomez, could not understand. From the offset, every touch the Ballon d'Or candidate made was met with a negative atmosphere from the travelling Three Lions faithful and despite spending the evening watching on from the sidelines, the young Reds defender couldn't understand it. Speaking ahead of the third place play-off with Switzerland (as quoted by the Liverpool Echo ) he said: "I don't know where it was coming from, I hadn't see him do anything wrong. It doesn't pose much benefit for us as a team. "We get on the ball and play the same way, I don't see the relevance with it. Maybe they were just following on but I don't think it affected us or the way we play as a team" he continued. Virgil van Dijk, PFA Player of the Year, imperious Liverpool footballer, European champion, role model, class act on and off the field, supporter of the Red Cross, paid for Christmas party at Anfield for 120 kids suffering from cancer, is being booed by England fans #NEDENG   Henry Winter (@henrywinter) June 6, 2019 Whether it affected the England players or not, it certainly didn't seem to affect the Netherlands centre-back as he put in another colossal performance to lead his team to a 3-1 victory after extra time. It was a dominant display that players and fans alike have become accustomed to over the last couple of seasons from the centre back. Van Dijk and his side will go on to play Portugal in the UEFA Nations League final on Sunday (19:45 BST) as he goes in search of his second piece of silverware in as many weeks; while Gomez and England will take part in the third place play-off versus Switzerland earlier that same day (14:00 BST).


WASHINGTON, Oct 20 (Reuters) - The Federal Trade Commission, which enforces U.S. laws against deceptive advertising, said on Tuesday that it had closed a probe of Wal-Mart Stores Inc regarding products advertised as "Made in USA." The FTC closed the probe without action after Wal-Mart dropped all "Made in USA" logos from products on its website, the FTC said in a letter to the company that was posted on the agency's website. Wal-Mart has since redesigned its "Made in USA" logos for some products to be more informative about how much of the product was made domestically and how much was made overseas, the FTC noted in its letter. "Based on your actions and other factors, the staff has decided not to pursue this investigation any further," FTC staff attorney Julia Solomon Ensor wrote in the letter. The watchdog group Truth in Advertising had said in July that it had found more than 100 instances of products labeled "Made in USA" when the manufacturers' label disagreed. Wal-Mart did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Will Dunham)


From the Oscar Niemeyer-designed Cathedral of Brasília to Gaudí's Sagrada Família, these houses of worship would attract non-believers simply for their design Completed in 1619, Isfahan's Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque is one of the most beautiful structures in Iran, if not the entire Middle East. The structure was designed by the Persian architect Sheikh Baha'i (1547 - 1621), a man who was also well-versed as a philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer. Designed by the Icelandic architect Guðjón Samúelsson, Hallgrímskirkja is a Lutheran church that has a prominence throughout Iceland's capital city, Reykjavík. Standing some 244 feet tall, the structure is the largest church in Iceland. Completed in 1986, Hallgrímskirkja took a whopping 41 years to be built. The Church of the Transfiguration, which was built in 1714, is located within an archipelago in the southwestern section of Lake Onega, in northern Russia. In 1990, the structure was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Built in 1866, the Neue Synagogue is located in Berlin, Germany. The style of architecture for the structure is labeled as Moorish Revival, a form that reached its height of popularity after the mid-19th century. The Chapel of the Holy Cross is a towering edifice, nestled between red rocks in Sedona, Arizona. The Roman Catholic chapel was completed in 1956. Subotica Synagogue, which was built in 1902 in the architectural style of Art Nouveau, is located in Vojvodina, Serbia. Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Mosque is a spectacularly symmetrical structure that many come to for prayer and inspiration. Designed by the Syrian architect Yousef Abdelky, the mosque was completed in 2007. The Great Synagogue of Florence in Italy is one of the largest synagogues in south-central Europe. Completed in 1882, it was designed in the Moorish Revival style of architecture. Thailand's Wat Rong Khun (also known as the White Temple) is a stunning sight for any visitor. Although it's one of roughly 33,000 Buddhist temples in Thailand, it certainly has its own distinct flair, as the interior includes such murals as Michael Jackson, Neo from The Matrix , and creatures from Avatar . Completed in 1372, Myanmar's Shwedagon Pagoda is a sight like no other. The sacred Buddhist temple is composed of bricks covered with gold plates. The Melaka Straits Mosque, which was completed in 2006, is located on a man-made island in Malaysia. Prague's Jubilee Synagogue, which is located on Jerusalem Street, was completed in 1906. Designed by the Austrian architect Wilhelm Stiassny, the beautiful structure was crafted in the Art Nouveau architectural style. Basilique du Sacré-Cœur, a Roman Catholic church, opened in 1914 and is located in the heart of Paris, France. It took seven architects and nearly 40 years to complete the structure. Designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, the Cathedral of Brasília is situated in the capital of Brazil. The structure is home the Roman Catholic population in the city. Sagrada Família, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, is located in Barcelona. Spain. The design, which was inspired by nature, is noticeable for any visitor, as the structure includes virtually no straight lines, while the interior is made up of tree-like columns. Located in Greece, the Monastery of Rousanou is a cathedral with roots dating back to the 16th century. In comparison to the surrounding rocks, the rock that the monastery was built on is situated at a lower elevation, making it much more accessible for its patrons. New Delhi's Bahá'í Lotus Temple averages 8,000 to 10,000 visitors each day. Completed in 1986, the structure cost roughly $10 million to build. The Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, is one of the most recognizable structures in the world. Named after the blue tiles surrounding the walls of interior, the structure was completed in 1616. The mosque contains the tomb of Ahmed I, the sultan of the Ottoman Empire from 1603 until his death in 1617 (and the man who commissioned the Blue Mosque to be built). Mexico's El Castillo (also known as Temple of Kukulcan) was constructed between the 8th and 12th century BC. Standing nearly one-hundred feet tall and located in Tinum (within the Mexican state of Yucatan), the pyramid was built by the pre-Columbian Maya civilization as a means to track the seasons. With this information at hand, they could better plan when to plant, harvest, and perform ceremonies throughout the year. Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is a major Shaivism water temple. Within Shaivism, which is a a part of Hinduism that views Shiva (destroyer of evil) as the Supreme Being, this beautiful temple is used for various ceremonies. Built in 1633, the Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is located in at the edge of Lake Bratan in Bali.