Looking to mix things up this week? From a networking event to a Marvel-themed trivia evening, here's a roundup of options to help you get out and about in the days ahead. 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. Midwest Cannabis Network From the event description: Midwest Cannabis Networking events for anyone interested in learning about or becoming a part of America's fastest growing industry. Our networking event will feature speakers that are leading the way in the industry here in the Midwest. Please join us for an hour of presentations from industry leaders followed by a happy hour. When: Tuesday, May 28, 6-8 p.m. Where: Godfrey Hotel - Roof Top, 127 W. Huron St. Admission: $15 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Lesbians Who Tech & Allies Chicago May Happy Hour From the event description: Please join us for our next Chicago Lesbians Who Tech + Allies 2019 Happy Hour at Cactus Bar and Grill! Let's geeky with techy folks, have some drinks, and make new friends. We'll ask you to fill out a name tag so that we can get better acquainted more quickly. When: Tuesday, May 28, 6-8 p.m. Where: Cactus Bar and Grill, 404 S. Wells St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Marvel Cinematic Universe Trivia From the event description: "There are two types of beings in the universe, those who play trivia, and those who do not." Whatever happens tomorrow you must promise me one thing. That you will stay who you are. Also, join us for Marvel Universe Movie Trivia at Pinstripes Chicago on Tuesday, May 28, starting at 7:30 p.m. for five unique and challenging rounds on your favorite Marvel Movies. When: Tuesday, May 28, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Where: Pinstripes, 435 E. Illinois St. Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Energy Policy in the 116th Congress: A Conversation with Rep. Sean Casten From the event description: The dynamics around U.S. climate and energy policy are more interesting than at any time in nearly a decade. Join EPIC for a conversation with Congressman Sean Casten (D-Ill.) to unpack the legislative agenda for energy and climate policy during this Congress and the broader prospects for renewable energy in the United States. When: Wednesday, May 29, 5:30-7 p.m. Where: Saieh Hall For Economics, 5757 S. University Ave., Room 146 Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets 2019 Young Leaders Fund Grant Reception From the event description: Care about the Chicago region? Want to learn more about small and emerging nonprofits working on the front lines to transform lives and communities? Join current, alumni, and prospective YLF members for a reception and award ceremony to honor the newly selected 2019 YLF grant recipients! When: Wednesday, May 29, 6-8 p.m. Where: River Roast, 315 N. LaSalle Drive Admission: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Fletcher Cox is pertinent to any success that the Eagles are going to have this season so it shouldn't be a shock to many that the training staff and coaches are taking the conservative approach to his training camp. Cox has dressed for all of the team's practices but has rarely gotten in any teamwork. That's likely to be the plan for the rest of training camp according to for Paul Domowitch of the Philadelphia Daily News who reported that Cox will be eased back into the practice rotation. "Everything is on schedule. I just need to keep following what the [Eagles] trainers tell me to do." Cox is in shape and ready to go after spending the offseason training with his friend and fellow Mississippi native, Deon Hodges. @thacover2 a few Eagles working out down in Dallas with their trainers. pic.twitter.com/IUUl7m3jDK - Steven Whitehead (@EATrainer) July 13, 2019 "The team's doing a great job of monitoring [the foot] and being on top of the details with it, from the therapy to his reps to his conditioning,'' said Hodges, who has been at the NovaCare Complex during camp helping with Cox's rehab. Cox has nothing to prove during this training camp so it's pertinent for the Eagles to get him the proper treatment while allowing him to grow chemistry with Malik Jackson and others before the season opener. MORE: Baker Mayfield's sassy response to Jets' trash talk won over the Browns offensive line Winners and losers from first week of Raiders training camp Roundup: Why Whitney Cummings Left Roseanne, MLB Trade Deadline Grades, Hulk Hogan Big WWE Role? Packers coach Matt LaFleur sidelines Josh Jones after practice fight Daniel Jones quickly winning over Giants teammates


Nike has made a habit of causing a buzz at majors, dressing its athletes in striking apparel and bold accessories. From Brooks Koepka's hats to Tiger Woods' mock neck golf shirts, Nike athletes always make a statement. The Open Championship is no different as three golfers wore a black-and-white print Nike golf shirt inspired by Irish folklore. Tony Finau and Jason Day wore the Nike Polo with black and white graphics during the first round of the tournament and Tommy Fleetwood donned the buzzworthy top on Friday. Related: British Open 2019: Here's what your favorite pros will wear at Royal Portrush (and where to buy each item) When asked about the monochromatic shirt post-round, Fleetwood said he was a fan of the style. "I personally like it," Fleetwood said. "I've had more comments than I thought, so maybe I do have a bit too much of a colorful style because I just thought it was normal." He's likely more accustomed to the unique design because it was inspired by Glasgow-founded design house, Timorous Beasties. The company specializes in modern toile and has popularized the look across Europe. Toile is a type of repeated decoration typically printed on the same fabric, often found on upscale fabric-backed chairs. The Toile print on the golf shirt was inspired by the Legend of the Giant's Causeway. The Giant's Causeway is a famous landmark in Northern Ireland where volcanic rock formed to look like thousands interlocking columns. If you look closely at the shirt, you'll see images of the famous rock structure mixed in with golfers, mythological creatures, geographical prints resembling Ireland and a few disguised claret jugs. Nike released The Nike Polo earlier this year and has remixed the design for each major. From Tiger Woods' "Frank" logo at the Masters to Rory McIlroy's washing machine decal at Royal Portrush, the simply designed shirt is made for customization. The small orange tag near the buttons of the shirt is a nod to the iconic orange shoe box Nike shoes come in. When purchased at select stores, the shirt comes in a shoe box inspired container. BUY NOW: $75 Related: Nike releases Pebble Beach-inspired golf shoes in the "No Denim Allowed" collection


Home repair is learned over time 40 things you should know about a home by age 40 Click or swipe through to see them all. How to Flush the Toilet When the Power's Out: Flush With a Bucket Even if a power outage stops your well pump or the city water supply, you can still flush the toilet. Dump a couple gallons into the bowl or fill the toilet tank. This works just as well as the usual flush, but won't refill the bowl. Still clogged? Here's our guide for how to unclog a toilet . Deal with Drainage Water has the potential to cause problems in any home, and the skills to deal with drainage issues can be a huge money saver in the long run. Extending downspouts is an easy fix, but knowing how to make a drainage plan is going to provide long-term results for minimal effort. Plus: Permanent Fixes for Damp Basements Understand Electrical Electrical overloads are easily created but can be incredibly dangerous for your home and everyone in it. A solid understanding of how the electrical circuits in your home function will not only make you a master homeowner, it will allow you to make as many DIY improvements as you want while maintaining the integrity of your electrical system. Here's how . Plus: The 8 Most Common Electrical Code Violations DIYers Make Test the Sump Pump or Risk a Flood It's easy to forget about your sump pump, but it's important to make sure it's in good working order. If you don't, you could end up like the homeowner who returned from a weekend trip to discover his entire basement floor covered in 1/2 in. of water. After shutting down the power, he waded over to the sump pump and noticed it wasn't working. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the cable attached to the float must have gotten tangled somehow. It took him two seconds to untangle the cable, and then he spent the next 15 hours dragging out waterlogged carpet, running the wet/dry vac and moving fans around. To avoid a similar disaster, be sure your pump has a vertical float switch. Also, check your pump at least a couple times a year by dumping water into the basin to make sure everything is working properly. Plus: Home Tech: Automated Water Leak Detection Clean Dryer Vents or Waste Energy and Risk a Fire A plugged dryer vent will cause your dryer to run inefficiently, and that's bad. A plugged dryer vent could also cause a house fire, and that could be deadly! Dryers that are centrally located in houses are most prone to plugging because of the longer ducts. Excess lint is only one reason ducts get clogged; nesting pests and stuck exhaust hood flappers can also cause backups. Stronger odors and longer dry times are two signs your vent is plugged. You'll have to remove the vent from the back of the dryer to clean it. Suck debris from the ducts with a wet/dry vac, or ream them out with a cleaning kit that includes a brush on a long flexible rod that attaches to a power drill. The kits are available at home centers. If your ducts need replacing, get smooth metal ducts, which will stay cleaner longer than the rough corrugated surface of flexible ducts. Avoid plastic ducting altogether; it can be a fire hazard. Plus: Slash Heating Bills How to Stop Under-the-Door Air Leaks If you can feel the breeze and see daylight under your entry door, it's costing you big-time. It also means you need to adjust your door threshold or install a new door sweep. Door sweeps start at $10. The hardest part about replacing them is usually taking off the door. Start by adjusting the threshold. Newer versions have screws that raise and lower them. Turn all of the threshold screws until the door opens and closes without much drag and any draft is eliminated. If that doesn't work, or your threshold doesn't have adjustment screws, replace the door sweep. Close the door and pop out the hinge pins with a pin punch to remove the door. Set the door on a work surface and remove the old door sweep. Caulk the ends of the door, then install the replacement sweep. Some sweeps are tapped into place and stapled along the door bottom; others are screwed to the side along the door bottom. If a drafty sliding patio door is your problem, here's how to fix it. How to Fix a Loose Doorknob Tighten a loose doorknob that has hidden screws. Just pop off the cover plate and then all you need is a screwdriver. And this is how you do it. How to Sharpen Lawnmower Blades The hardest part about sharpening a lawnmower blade is detaching the blade safely from your lawnmower. Once the blade is safely removed and held in a vise, a good file is all you need to add an edge to the blade. Just remember to make sure that you are sharpening the right side of the blade! When detached, it can sometimes be difficult to tell which way the sharpest edge is facing. Get complete instructions for sharpening lawn mower blades in our tutorial. Plus: Tune Up a Lawn Mower Touch-up Without Cleanup No need to mess up a brush to fix a wall wound. Just dip an old washcloth in the paint and throw it away when you're done. A washcloth leaves the same texture as a paint roller, so your repair will blend nicely. Here are tricks for storing paint brushes overnight . Suck Out Drain Clogs A wet-dry vacuum slurps clogs out of plugged drains. Even plumbers use this trick sometimes. If you need to increase suction, seal around the nozzle with a wet rag. Plus: Using a Shop Vacuum for Dust Collection Sizing a Ceiling Fan Ceiling fans can save energy and money for heating and cooling. A quick rule of thumb for sizing them matches the diameter of the fan with the largest dimension of a room. For 12 ft. or less, use a 36-in. fan. For 12 to 16 ft., use a 48-in. fan. For 16 to 18 ft., use a 52-in. fan. And for dimensions larger than 18 ft., install two fans. Placement of a ceiling fan for adequate air circulation is 7 ft. above the floor with the blades 8 to 10 in. from the ceiling. And to move more air at low speed, a fan with five blades is best. Regarding energy savings , research has proven that ceiling fans can save energy during the cooling season by creating a gentle breeze. You get your savings then by raising your thermostat by a minimum of 2 degrees. This decreases air conditioning energy used by 10 to 15 percent, or 5 to 8 percent per degree. By reversing your fan (so it runs clockwise) during winter, you pull heat from the ceiling and push it down to the floor for more even heat. Tennis Ball Parking Guide If you have ever wondered why a tennis ball was hanging from your friend's garage ceiling, here's why. To park your car in perfect position every time, hang a tennis ball from the garage ceiling so it just touches the windshield. It will show you precisely where to stop. No guesswork! Here are 11 Easy Garage Space-Saving Ideas . How to Seal Outlets and Ceiling Boxes The tiny gaps around outlets on exterior walls and ceiling boxes let cold air in (and warm air out). Sealing these areas takes just half a day and will help cut down on drafts (and your heating bill!). How to Fix Leaks and Drips Two annoying causes of wasted money and water are leaky taps and running toilets. In fact, according to the United States Geological Survey , a leaky faucet at one drip per second equals a loss of five gallons of water every day! Fortunately, both of these are easily remedied by any homeowner and won't take long to complete. Click here to learn how to fix a leaky faucet, and here to fix a running toilet. Plus: How to Find and Fix Roof Leaks How to Change Locks Tab62/Shutterstock Unfortunately, lost keys are a part of life. But why waste money on a locksmith when you can re-key a lock yourself? You can change your locks by removing the cylinder and adjusting the pins. Never worry about the cost of a new lockset again. Here's how to master this skill. Plus: Upgrade Door Locks With Keyless Entry Systems Paint Like a Pro The ability to do a good paint job is a skill that, once learned, will save you gobs of money over the course of your home ownership. While it takes patience and detail, fresh paint can make your home seem larger, cleaner and more modern not too bad for a few brushes, paint and a weekend or two. Check out our collection of painting tips aimed at making your painting projects look like you hired a pro. Plus: Painting Tools Every Homeowner Should Have How to Fix a Running Toilet There is a four-step strategy for fixing a running toilet. The fix will not only give your toilet a stronger flush, it can lower your water bill. How to Fix Squeaky Floors Silence those squeaky floors. This quick fix for silencing floor squeaks will take you just a day. Bonus: You don't need any special tools. How to Fix a Crack in Drywall It doesn't matter if your son's basketball got away from him or you nicked the wall moving a piece of furniture at some point you'll be faced with a crack in the drywall. You'll need a taping knife and utility knife, along with some drywall tape, pre-mixed joint compound and setting type compound to fix the crack so it doesn't come back. How to Fix Cracked Grout Even the best tile jobs will succumb to cracking grout at some point. If the grout between your bathroom floor tiles is crumbling, there is a quick fix that will save you from tearing up the floor and starting over. How to Fix an Unbalanced Washing Machine You threw a heavy load of towels in the washer and now it's unbalanced. With a level, pliers and a pry bar, you can have the washer balanced again in five minutes. How to Fix Common Refrigerator Problems Maybe your refrigerator isn't cooling as well as it should, or perhaps the ice maker suddenly stops working. Many refrigerator issues are simple DIY fixes. How to Fix a Water Heater Pilot Light There could be a few reasons the pilot light on your water heater goes out. A common cause is a bad thermocouple, which shuts off the gas to the pilot light. This simple fix will cost you $20, if you do it yourself. HVAC Annual maintenance wards off many HVAC problems. If you do have a failure, you can usually fix it yourself. If your AC unit is working but has become noisy, you can fix that , too! If it's your furnace that needs attention, you can perform routine maintenance , and handle simple repairs yourself. Plus: Learn how to choose furnace filters and how to replace furnace filters yourself. Garbage Disposal A garbage disposal is a bit scary when it's turned on and the blades are noisily chopping up kitchen waste. But, if your disposal gets stinky, fear not. It's easy to clean out the gunk and get rid of the smell. If the splash guard needs replacing, you can do that in 20 minutes ! If you need to replace the entire disposal you can replace it yourself. Light Switches Don't automatically avoid a project just because it involves electricity: Replacing a standard light switch with a dimmer switch is a very doable DIY project, as is replacing a three-way switch . Decks Many things can go wrong with a deck. Missing screws, warped boards, squeaky nails, wobbly railings, fortunately, many of these problems are well within the scope of the average DIYer. Inspect your deck for seven common deck problems and then repair whatever needs fixing . Plus: How to remove flaking deck stain. Fix Windows Obviously you can't glue broken glass back together. But, for windows that get stuck, let in drafts or have moisture issues, there are DIY solutions. Fix old windows, double-hung windows , window glass glazing and screens . You can also stop window drafts and learn how to avoid and remove window condensation . If you want to take on a larger task, you can even replace your windows ! How to Replace a Toilet Whether you're installing a better-flushing toilet or resetting the old one after remodeling, these DIY home improvement tips will help you do it faster and with fewer problems. Click here for a step-by-step guide to replacing a toilet. Foam a Loose Showerhead Family Handyman Here's an easy home fix that can be used beyond the bathroom. Fix a wobbly showerhead, or any wobbly pipe, with a few squirts of expanding foam . The foam encases the pipe in the wall and locks it into place, eliminating the wobble, so your showerhead will work like new . Can you think of an easier home fix? Solution for a Small Leak Some roof leaks are tough to locate. Sometimes the water shows up at a ceiling spot distant from the leak. If your ceiling has a plastic vapor barrier between the drywall and the attic insulation , push the insulation aside and look for flow stains on the plastic. Often water runs to openings in the vapor barrier, such as at ceiling light fixtures. If you can't see any telltale flow marks, and since the stain is fairly small, look at the underside of the roof for 'shiners.' A shiner is a nail that missed the framing member, in this case when the carpenter nailed the roof sheathing to the rafters. Moisture that escapes into the cold attic from the rooms below often condenses on cold nails. Sometimes you can spot this if you climb up into your attic on a cold night. The nails will look white because they're frosted. When the attic heats up a bit during the day, the frost melts and drips, then the nails frost up at night again and so on. The solution is to simply clip the nail with a side-cutting pliers. Lubricate a Lock with a Pencil Don't give up on a sticky lock, you can fix it with a pencil! Simply rub the teeth of your key with the pencil, coating it generously with graphite . Insert the key in the lock, which will deposit the lubricant inside. Repeat as needed until the key glides in smoothly. Fix a Broken Light Fixture Replacing a light fixture is one of those DIY jobs that's theoretically quick and simple, but often becomes a three-hour series of problems. We talked with two of our master electricians. They've seen all of those frustrations and offered these tips to help DIYers through the job quicker and safer . Fix a Shutoff Valve Family Handyman There's nothing worse than starting a sink or toilet repair only to find that the shutoff valve won't shut off . Some shutoff valves are easy to replace. For those that aren't, turn off the main water valve, remove the packing nut, and then unscrew the stem and take it to the hardware store to find a replacement washer. Clean any grit out of the valve body and pop on the new washer. The valve will work like new. Air Filter It is instinctual for homeowners to contact an HVAC tech when they notice irregularities in their cooling or heating system. These irregularities could be a direct result of a dirty or clogged air filter. We encourage homeowners to check their filters and replace if necessary. It's also beneficial for homeowners with pets, carpet, or for homes near fields or construction zones to have multiple filters for convenient replacement. Pro Tip: Mark your calendars! 1-in. filters should be changed every month, 2-in. filters should be changed every 2 months and 4 to 5-in. filters should be changed every 6 to 12 months. Clothes Dryer Repair Guide Most dryer problems can be fixed in an hour with a few basic tools and a continuity tester or multimeter, and you can do the work yourself with these simple instructions. Get the clothes dryer repair guide. Restore Free Flow to a Faucet Family Handyman When a kitchen or bathroom faucet loses pressure or starts spraying to the side, it's usually due to a dirty aerator screen . Luckily, cleaning a screen is an easy job. Start this fix by closing the drain plug (so you don't drop parts down the drain). Then remove the aerator using a rag or masking tape so you don't mar the finish with your pliers. To remove the sand and other deposits, soak the aerator in vinegar, then scrub it with a toothbrush. This usually solves the problem. If you have to disassemble the aerator to clean it, lay out the parts in the order you removed them so you can reassemble them correctly. Still having issues? Do a showerhead deep clean . How to Adjust Oven Temperatures If your oven cooking times are off, recalibrate your oven temperature to match an accurate oven thermometer. The procedure is in your oven's instruction manual. Learn how to adjust oven temperatures. Electric Stove Repair You can solve most electric range burner problems yourself and avoid the expensive service call. It's quick and easy to replace a burner or bad burner socket. Read the electric stove repair tips. How to Remove Carpet Yourself Depending on where you live, an installer will charge $3 to $5 per square yard for tear-out. By removing the carpet from a 12 x 15-ft. room, you'll save $60 to $100 for an hour's work. Talk to your installer to find out exactly what you'll save by doing it yourself.


FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)   A Florida city agreed to pay $600,000 in ransom to hackers who took over its computer system, the latest in thousands of attacks worldwide aimed at extorting money from governments and businesses. The Riviera Beach City Council voted unanimously this week to pay the hackers' demands, believing the Palm Beach suburb had no choice if it wanted to retrieve its records, which the hackers encrypted. The council already voted to spend almost $1 million on new computers and hardware after hackers captured the city's system three weeks ago. The hackers apparently got into the city's system when an employee clicked on an email link that allowed them to upload malware. Along with the encrypted records, the city had numerous problems including a disabled email system, employees and vendors being paid by check rather than direct deposit and 911 dispatchers being unable to enter calls into the computer. The city says there was no delay in response time. Spokeswoman Rose Anne Brown said Wednesday that the city of 35,000 residents has been working with outside security consultants, who recommended the ransom be paid. She conceded there are no guarantees that once the hackers received the money they will release the records. The payment is being covered by insurance. The FBI on its website says it "doesn't support" paying off hackers, but Riviera Beach isn't alone: many government agencies and businesses do. "We are relying on their (the consultants') advice," she said. The hackers demanded payment in the cryptocurrency bitcoin. While it is possible to trace bitcoins as they are spent, the owners of the accounts aren't necessarily known, making it a favored payment method in ransomware attacks. Numerous governments and businesses have been hit in the United States and worldwide in recent years. Baltimore refused to pay hackers $76,000 after an attack last month. The U.S. government indicted two Iranians last year for allegedly unleashing more than 200 ransomware attacks, including against the cities of Atlanta and Newark, New Jersey. The men, who have not been arrested, received more than $6 million in payments and caused $30 million in damage to computer systems, federal prosecutors have said. The federal government last year also accused a North Korean programmer of committing the "WannaCry" attack that infected government, bank, factory and hospital computers in 150 countries. He is also believed to have stolen $81 million from a Bangladesh bank. He also remains in his home country. The FBI had no comment Wednesday on the Riviera Beach attack, but said 1,493 ransomware attacks were reported last year with victims paying $3.6 million to hackers   about $2,400 per attack. Some of those were against individuals. Tom Holt, a Michigan State University criminal justice professor, said hackers often attack common and known vulnerabilities in computer systems. He said organizations' technology managers need to examine their systems for such flaws and teach their employees not to open suspicious email or click suspect links. The FBI says businesses also need to back up their data regularly on secure computers. Holt said most attacks originate outside the U.S., making them difficult to police. He said many victims wind up like Riviera Beach: They pay their attacker because it is likely the only way to retrieve lost data. "They might not pay the initial ransom that was suggested, but they may work with a third-party provider to negotiate the ransom down," Holt said. He said in almost all cases, the attackers decrypt the computers after payment, allowing the victims to retrieve their data. He said the WannaCry attacks were an exception   the hackers took the money but often didn't release the data. Some private WannaCry decryption attempts were successful.


MANHATTAN, Kan. - Hunter Rison's time as a Kansas State football player appears to have come to an end before it truly got started. Rison, a suspended sophomore receiver for the Wildcats, has entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal, according to a team spokesman. The news was first reported by Gopowercat.com . Rison is looking to transfer nearly two months after he was arrested for domestic battery in Manhattan. K-State suspended him indefinitely for violating team and departmental policy. "Our program will be one that is built on hard work and integrity and doing things the right way," K-State coach Chris Klieman said in a statement at the time. "We have extremely high expectations for our players on and off the field." Rison issued his own statement on social media the following afternoon. "This will be my only response," he wrote on Twitter. "I will continue to be myself ... A man of God, as well as a great student-athlete at this university. I have done nothing wrong." No criminal charges have been filed against Rison, according to the Riley County court database. Rison is still waiting for his first court hearing in a civil case, which is currently scheduled for 9 a.m. on July 16. Rison was served with a temporary protection from abuse order, which was made by the victim. Case records show Rison's attorney countered with a petition for protection for abuse and protection from stalking against the victim. Those orders were later amended and listed as temporary orders. Rison began his college football career at Michigan State and transferred to K-State last year with high expectations after catching 19 passes for 224 yards as a freshman. He sat out last season with a redshirt, per NCAA transfer rules, and emerged as a potential starter in spring practice. Klieman said Rison had "a bright, bright future here" in April, and Rison's teammates raved about his play this spring. Rison's father, Andre, is a former NFL star who played for the Chiefs from 1997-99. Visit The Wichita Eagle (Wichita, Kan.) at www.kansas.com


Chicago Bears fans already know the dominance that is Khalil Mack . Now, "Madden" players will get to enjoy all of his ferociousness in this year's edition of the game. Mack is one of just four players in "Madden NFL 20" who will have a 99 player rating. Aaron Donald (Rams) and Bobby Wagner (Seahawks) are the other two with the fourth yet to be revealed. EA Sports offered an exceptional description of the impact Mack will make in the game: Like a lion hunting his prey, if you lose sight of Mack after the snap in Madden 20, it's already too late. Elite pass rushers like Mack are a mix of strength, speed, and tenacity. His zone ability called Unstoppable Force highlights what makes Mack a true Monster of the Midway. When he enters the zone, his ability increases win rate and block shed speed against one-on-one pass blocks. Creating 99 problems for offenses everywhere. Welcome to the #99Club , @FiftyDeuce . pic.twitter.com/gJa8jT8y8V - Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) July 11, 2019 The Bears' decision to trade for Mack at the start of last season single-handedly changed the fortunes of the franchise. Not only did Chicago win the NFC North in 2018, but they're now considered a legitimate contender for a Super Bowl title in large part because of the defense led by No. 52. MORE: Chauncey Billups had a brutally honest take on why Carmelo Anthony isn't in the NBA Windhorst: Houston Rockets Trying to Land Russell Westbrook in Three-Team Trade NBA Depth Charts After Packers pass on Jalen Thompson, focus shifts to Natrell Jamerson Saints rookie Carl Granderson sentenced to serve six months in jail


HIKKADUWA, Sri Lanka   Sipping fresh coconut water while sunbathing on deserted Hikkaduwa beach, Alexi Konchayenko, a sports trainer from Ukraine, struck a stoical note. Bomb blasts can happen "anywhere, anytime," he said, adding that he was not afraid. "Sri Lanka is an amazing country. This is my first visit and I will tell my friends also to come." His is a lone voice   and a lone presence. Sri Lanka was the Lonely Planet guide's top travel destination for 2019, but since the Easter Sunday attacks on churches and luxury hotels, foreign tourists have fled. Many of those booked to come in the next few months have canceled. Hotel occupancy across the island has plummeted by 85% to 90%. The tropical beaches, restaurants and shops are empty. The coordinated suicide bombings on April 21 not only destroyed lives but also wiped out the livelihoods of Sri Lankans who depend on tourism. More than 250 people, including 45 foreigners mainly from China, India, the U.S. and the U.K., died in the Islamic State group-claimed blasts. Tourists normally come to Hikkaduwa, in the southwest, for the strong waves that are perfect for surfing and sparkling clear waters made for snorkeling. Today, of the 27 hotels, very few are open. Most, along with the eateries that line the 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) stretch of palm-fringed beach, are closed. Among the few hotels still open is Hikkaduwa Beach Hotel. On April 21, all 50 rooms were occupied; today, only a handful. "It's a real disaster. We don't know what to do right now," said Sanjeewani Yogarajah, an executive with the hotel. She said the attack has cost the hotel 5.5 million Sri Lankan rupees ($31,000), forcing the hotel's management to send half the staff home. Some tourism officials say the damage to the industry after the bombings is worse than during the 26-year civil war between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and the government which ended a decade ago. At least then, the violence was mostly contained to the north of Sri Lanka, they said. This time, no part of the island has remained untouched by the blasts. Lankesha Ponnamperuma, general manager of hotel chain Hikka Tranz, is one of the luckier ones. While most hotels report wholesale cancellations, he is surviving thanks to business from local residents. Last Friday, two-thirds of the 150 rooms were booked, mostly by domestic tourists. "I haven't sacked anyone yet. Instead, we are training our people to adjust their expenditure and helping them restructure their bank loans," Ponnamperuma said. The president of Sri Lanka's Hotels Association, Sanath Ukwatta, said hotels have offered 30-50% discounts to entice local residents. Such a strategy won't solve the problem, he said, but will "help at least to keep the hotels going." The manager of a clothing shop said the owner had shut the group's other two shops and the factory too. "Business collapsed after April 21," said Kumari, who declined to give her surname. According to government figures, there has been an 80% drop in arrivals since the attack. Tourism accounts for 4.9% of Sri Lanka's GDP. Last year, 2.3 million tourists visited the island, generating $4.4 billion in revenues, a nearly 12% jump from 2017. Around half a million Sri Lankans directly depend on tourism while 2 million depend on it indirectly. One of them is Mohomed Musflick, the owner of a souvenir shop in Galle which is full of wood carvings, local paintings and postcards. "I have not sold one item. There are no tourists and we are in a huge crisis," he said. While life is gradually returning to normal on the island with offices and schools re-opening, the tourism industry is in a somber mood over the slump in foreign tourists. Tour operators from Russia, Norway and Britain have canceled bookings going right up to April 2020. A travel ban issued by nearly a dozen countries is the greatest cause for concern. "The ban is our main worry. Until it is removed or softened, we can't start our marketing to attract tourists. If it is lifted soon, we are hopeful we can bounce back this year or otherwise definitely next year for sure," said Yogarajah. In the meantime, Sri Lanka's government should target "people and countries resilient to this kind of attacks and situations, such as Russia, Israel and India," said Anusha Frydman, managing director of the Lavanga Resort and Spa. The industry is clear about what else it wants from the authorities: Ensure that stringent security measures are in place to reassure potential visitors; persuade politicians to put their differences aside and adopt a bipartisan approach on national security; and work fast to get the travel ban lifted. To help the industry cope, the government has put together a relief package comprising easy loans at special rates and reduced taxes. The government also plans to formulate a $100 million insurance fund for compensation to any tourist injured or killed while visiting the island. "In the past we have had many serious crises and we have recovered. I am quite positive we can do it again," said Jan van Twest, general manager of the Fortress Resort and Spa near Galle, where 750 room nights have been canceled from May to October. "But we need to recover, recover very fast," he said.


For years, financial advisors have relied on a simple rule of thumb to guide people planning for retirement: withdraw 4 percent a year, and you have excellent odds of having enough money for 30 golden years. But with the era of low interest rates nearing its nine-year anniversary, that old approach is no longer working well unless you are among the wealthy, or at least have more than enough socked away for later life. According to recently published research by PwC, "households that have accumulated considerable wealth may use the 4 percent rule as a conservative yardstick. For most households, however, the rule is simply an opening bid. Retirement readiness is too complex to be codified by a simple rule of thumb." (Tweet this) Part of the problem with the 4 percent rule is that it was developed in the 1990s, when interest rates were significantly higher. Retirees with their savings in safe instruments such as bonds and annuities were getting more income than retirees today do with similar assets. Another problem, though one with a positive side as well, is that life expectancies have increased. Americans are living longer after they stop working, which means their savings have to last longer. A man reaching age 65 in 1970 could expect to live 13 more years, but by 2011 that figure was 18 years. A woman's life expectancy at age 65 rose from 17 years in 1970 to 20 years in 2011 (the most recent year for which such data is available from the Centers for Disease Control). Wealthy households do not have to worry as much about these issues since they are more likely to have accumulated more than enough money to support themselves in retirement. "They have enough money. It really doesn't impact them," said Anand Rao, a partner at PwC and an author of the study. But those with less savings have less of a margin for error. For them, PwC analyzed behavioral trends to describe another problem as well: the so-called sequence of consumption problem. The 4 percent rule expects people to draw down their money in a mostly linear pattern, but life is not linear. PwC found that retirees commonly spend more money much of it discretionary when they first retire, either because they don't know what they should be spending or because they are enjoying long-awaited activities such as travel. Spending tapers off in the middle of retirement, and then non-discretionary spending picks up later on, perhaps because of health-care needs. But households who overspent in the early years can wind up in a bind at that point. PwC's findings add to concerns raised earlier about the viability of the 4 percent rule. Research published in 2013 by Michael Finke of Texas Tech University, Wade Pfau of The American College, and David Blanchett of Morningstar Investment Management found that using historical interest rate averages, a retiree drawing down savings for a 30-year retirement using the 4 percent rule had only a 6 percent chance of running out. But using interest rate levels from January 2013, when their research was published, the authors found that retirees' savings would grow so slowly that the chance of failure rose to 57 percent. "The 4 percent rule cannot be treated as a safe initial withdrawal rate in today's low interest rate environment," they concluded. PwC has developed models to help investors and their advisors understand how prepared they are for retirement. Rao said the firm is also developing tools that mass market investors can use to determine how to draw down their savings. "The approach has to be much more personalized," he said. Michael Lonier, a financial advisor in Ramsey, N.J., who PwC acknowledges helped with the research, has a plan for helping his clients develop what he calls a dynamic spending process. He believes clients need to keep assets dedicated to their retirement needs invested in lower-risk assets such as bonds and annuities. On top of those funds is discretionary money. That is the only money Lonier would recommend that clients invest in anything with meaningful risk, like the stock market. As for drawdowns, he recommends "an actuarial view of the length of the plan remaining," or a calculation of how long a client's money has to last. Then he looks at clients' current balance net of recent market performance, and from there he can calculate how much is safe to draw down for a given time period. "If you do the household math, then you have a better sense of how much risk you are taking and whether it's a good idea," he said. Elvin Turner, managing director of Turner Consulting, a financial services consultancy, said the new research on the 4 percent rule also points to the fact that firms can use big data to better understand how people accumulate and spend their savings, and thus develop better plans for them. "The tools are much more sophisticated today." That's a good thing, he said, because people facing retirement today are looking at a much more complicated financial situation. "There is no longer a one-size-fits-all strategy," he said.


The clarity of Lake Tahoe's cobalt blue water improved dramatically in 2018, a year after the combined forces of historic drought and record-breaking rain resulted in the lake's lowest visibility levels since record-keeping began in 1968. Scientists measure water clarity by lowering a 10-inch-wide white disk into the lake and noting the lowest point at which the disk remains visible. In 2017, the disk was visible at an average depth of 60.4 feet   an all-time low. But the lake bounced back in 2018. The average clarity from 26 readings taken throughout the year was 70.9 feet, according to the UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center. The annual findings are typically released in the spring after the university analyzes the data it gathers each month in the previous year. The five-year average for lake clarity is 70.3 feet, about a foot more than the previous half-decade marks, researchers said. Policymakers are hoping to restore annual clarity levels to about 100 feet. Clarity measurements at Lake Tahoe have been recorded since 1968, when the disk could be seen at a depth of 102.4 feet. Geoffrey Schladow, the director of the research center, said he was heartened by the results. "Last year we had an anomolous situation," he said. "We had an off year and the lake has the ability to recover very quickly." Scientists at UC Davis attributed the uptick in visibility to a return to more normal rainfall patterns in 2018. That led to a decrease in spring runoff and brought less fine sediment particles and nutrients into the lake. The region had previously had a record wet year in 2017   more than 50 atmospheric river storms emptied over the region   after years of extreme drought. Heavy rains flushed out hillsides and sent sediment from stream beds into the lake, scientists said. The amount of silt that washed into the lake in 2018 was significantly lower   just 10% to 25% of what poured in the year before. Lake Tahoe's water tends to be the least clear in the summer after a typical snowmelt runoff, when warmer temperatures cause algae growth. The biggest culprit is the phytoplankton species Cyclotella gordonensis, Schladow said. The microscopic algae, which has become more prevalent in Lake Tahoe in recent years, scatters light. The lowest clarity recording last year was 50 feet in July, although the summer average between June and September was 61.7 feet. Clarity improved in the winter, with an average of 73.5 feet and one reading in March exceeding 100 feet. Environmental advocates cheered the news but said work is still needed to reduce urban runoff from entering Lake Tahoe and to restore wetlands and forest habitat around it. UC Davis scientists said the lake was responding to such efforts and has seen an improved clarity trend over the last 20 years, compared to when record keeping began in 1968. "For about 30 years it was almost a straight-line decrease," Schladow said. "Since the late '90s, that trend has changed. It is pretty flat. We are breaking that continuous downward trend." "We need to ensure Lake Tahoe is resilient to a changing climate where periods of drought followed by sporadic intense storms will be more common, if we hope to keep Tahoe blue," said Darcie Goodman Collins, chief executive of the League to Save Lake Tahoe. javier.panzar@latimes.com @jpanzar


Rutgers University President Robert L. Barchi will step down next summer as planned after eight years at the helm, he told the board of trustees at its meeting Tuesday in New Brunswick. "It has been my privilege and pleasure to lead this community during the past seven years, and this will continue to be the case during my eighth and final year," said Barchi, 72, who has led the three-campus university of more than 70,000 students since 2012. He will remain on the faculty, the university said. During his tenure, the university broke fund-raising records , expanded its health sciences program, and joined the Big Ten Athletic Conference. The school also saw growth in endowed professorships and the endowment, which stands at $1.3 billion, and launched more than $2.5 billion in new construction. "Under Bob Barchi's leadership, Rutgers' national rankings have risen, research at Rutgers has expanded overall and in critical areas, our student academic profile has enjoyed dramatic improvement, and the physical face of Rutgers has been forever changed," Board of Governors Chair Mark Angelson said in a statement. But Barchi's tenure was also marked by controversies, including a contentious negotiation period with the faculty union that resulted in a four-year contract this spring; and a scandal involving former basketball coach Mike Rice, who was fired after accusations he physically and verbally abused players and used antigay slurs. Some criticized Barchi's response to the Rice incident as too slow. He also has faced criticism for tuition increases, which have occurred every year under his leadership. Later in the meeting, after Barchi's announcement, the board approved a 2.9 percent increase in tuition and fees for undergraduate students for 2019-20. Not counting financial aid, a typical in-state, full-time student in the arts and sciences at Rutgers-New Brunswick will pay $15,407 in tuition and mandatory fees. That increases to $28,482 for room and board if the student lives on campus. (At Rutgers-Camden, the numbers are slightly lower, $15,264 and $27,955, respectively.) In 2018, Barchi earned $870,644 in total compensation , according to the Chronicle of Higher Education's annual report on public university presidents' salaries. A neuroscientist and Philadelphia native, Barchi became president of New Jersey's flagship university after a 40-year career in higher education in Philadelphia. He came to Rutgers from Thomas Jefferson University, where he had been president. He previously was a University of Pennsylvania professor and provost. Rutgers plans to launch a national search for his replacement.     ©2019 The Philadelphia Inquirer Visit The Philadelphia Inquirer at www.inquirer.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


When New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski retired in late March, a longtime position of strength quickly became a position of glaring need. Fast forward a few months later, former Patriot Ben Watson agreed to come out of his own retirement and signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the team . Watson's contract earns his the most money of any other Patriot tight end on the roster this season, and while it doesn't write anything in stone come September, the 38-year-old roster likely moves Watson to the top of the depth chart for New England, at least somewhat complementing that glaring need. While convenient for both sides, Watson said that one decision had nothing to do with the other. "I considered myself retired, I was processing as such and moving forward as such until late in April when (I) started thinking about it," Watson said. "So, no that wasn't a factor for me." It doesn't sound like Watson is counting Gronkowski out just yet, either. "Honestly, as we've seen before, guys feel like they may be retired and then maybe they come back," Watson said. "So, whatever happens in his situation, he's a fabulous player, great player, a guy that I watched for a while." Watson said the only two places he was considering playing were in New England, where he started as a first-round pick and played for six years, or New Orleans, where he played four of his last five seasons. What ultimately helped Watson make his decision? "It was more of a family decision, more of my wife and I talking about what it would look like for us, if we decided to do it, what it would look like for our family," Watson said. "Just kinda weighing the pros and cons of trying to play again at this point. Watson will join tight end depth chart that features Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Matt LaCosse. And despite never thinking he would return when he left in 2009, he's happy to be back. "You never know in the league," Watson said. "You never know if one practice is going to be your last day playing football, honestly. To play for this length of time, I consider it a blessing. I don't think it's me, I think God just provided an opportunity for me to keep going. You never know if you're going to come back, but I'm glad that I am." MORE: 'Jeopardy' fans ripped James Holzhauer for how he said Dr. Dre's name but here's why he did it Former NFL great Mark Gastineau has a GoFundMe for the fight of his life How the Bulls can help the Lakers facilitate an Anthony Davis trade Kevin Durant's contributions are stamped indelibly into Warriors' culture Spurs' DeMar DeRozan 'possibly could be on the trade block' to Lakers


A Nebraska meat supplier is recalling more than 167,000 pounds of ground beef due to possible E. coli contamination. According to a press release from the USDA , the recalled meat was processed by All American Meats in Omaha and shipped nationwide. The problem, according ot the USDA, was discovered on Oct. 30 when a sample tested positive for the bacteria. So far, there have been no confirmed reports of illness connnected with the recall. Beef with the following labels should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase: 80-lb. (approximate weight) boxes of "Ground Beef 80% Lean 20% Fat (Fine Grind)" with Sell By Date 11-03-2015 and case code 62100. 80-lb. (approximate weight) boxes of "Ground Beef 73% Lean 27% Fat (Fine Grind)" with Sell By Date 11-03-2015 and case code 60100. 60-lb. (approximate weight) boxes of "Ground Beef Round 85% Lean 15% Fat (Fine Grind)" with Sell By Date 11-03-2015 and case code 68560. 60-lb. (approximate weight) boxes of "Ground Beef Chuck 81% Lean 19% Fat (Fine Grind)" with Sell By Date 11-03-2015 and case code 68160. 60-lb. (approximate weight) boxes of "Ground Beef Chuck 81% Lean 19% Fat (Fine Grind)" with Sell By Date 11-03-2015 and case code 63130. 80-lb. (approximate weight) boxes of "Ground Beef Chuck 81% Lean 19% Fat (Fine Grind)" with Sell By Date 11-03-2015 and case code 63100. E. coli is potentially deadly   especially to children under 5 and senior citizens   and causes dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps within two to eight days of exposure to the organism. Copyright 2015 U.S. News & World Report


The rumor mill is humming on Sunday morning, with the back and front pages mentioning some intra-Premier League moves as well as some imports from Serie A. Crystal Palace entered the transfer window hoping to hold onto its two top stars, but is having its reserve tempted by big name suitors. Wilfried Zaha is being chased by a number of teams in his search for UEFA Champions League football, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka 's outstanding 2018-19 season has alerted any team in search for an answer at right back that could last a while. Sky Sports says that Manchester United has made a $51 million for Wan-Bissaka, who led Palace in tackles and interceptions in an exceptional season at Selhurst Park. Palace is in a strong position , with three years left on its deal with AWB. Liverpool's wealth of attacking options means it is able to sell young Harry Wilson , and are listening to offers regarding the $27 million winger. Wilson, 22, starred on loan to Derby County last season, as Frank Lampard 's Rams came up short in their bid to win the Championship playoffs. Newcastle, Southampton, and Brighton are being linked with Wilson. Aston Villa and Rangers were linked in a separate report, with more surely monitoring the situation. The Welsh international has two goals in nine caps, and scored 15 goals in the Championship last season. Arsenal is said to be close to taking a pair of players from Serie A's Sampdoria. Dennis Praet has been in the rumor mills for a while, often linked to Newcastle United only to see Rafa Benitez not allowed to pay for the midfielder. And now the Gunners are reportedly trying to bring the 25-year-old Praet and his 23-year-old teammate Joachim Andersen, a center back, to the Emirates Stadium. It would cost Arsenal around $53.5 million. Belgium's Praet posted two goals and three assists last season, while Danish back Andersen played 2880 minutes for the mid-table Serie A side. Follow @NicholasMendola


The Air Force is warning people against storming Area 51 in Nevada, after a Facebook event page , organizing a meet up at the "Alien Center tourist attraction," went viral. Conspiracy theorists believe that the U.S. government has kept UFOs and extraterrestrial life at the location, which is actually an Air Force training range. As of Wednesday morning, over 1.5 million people said they were "attending" the event, called "Storm Area 51, They Can't Stop All of Us." The event is scheduled for Sept. 20 at 3 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time. Another 1.1 million Facebook users indicated they were "interested." "We will all meet up at the Area 51 Alien Center tourist attraction and coordinate our entry," according to the Facebook page. "If we naruto run, we can move faster than their bullets. Lets [sic] see them aliens." "Naruto" refers to the running style of the Japanese anime character, Naruto Uzumaki. "The United States Air Force is aware of the Facebook post," Air Force spokesperson Laura McAndrews told ABC News in a statement. "The Nevada Test and Training Range is an area where the Air Force tests and trains combat aircraft. As a matter of practice, we do not discuss specific security measures, but any attempt to illegally access military installations or military training areas is dangerous." The range is the largest contiguous air and ground space available for peacetime military operations in the free world, according to the Air Force , spanning 2.9 million acres of land and 5,000 square miles of airspace which is restricted from civilian air traffic. The range is also used by the Department of Energy for testing, research and development. It's unknown how many of the 1.5 million Facebook attendees would actually travel to the remote location in Nevada for the event, as the page has sparked Internet memes poking fun at the idea of storming the Air Force range for the opportunity to see aliens. The Air Force did investigate UFOs under Project Blue Book from 1947 to 1969, but the project was headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, not at the range in Nevada. Project Blue Book concluded that none of the UFOs investigated were a threat to U.S. national security and there was "no evidence indicating that sightings categorized as 'unidentified' were extraterrestrial vehicles," according to the Air Force . The project's findings are available in the National Archives for public review. Earlier this year, the Navy updated its guidelines for how its pilots report the sighting of "unauthorized and/or unidentified aircraft" due to an increase in the number of reports in recent years. "There have been a number of reports of unauthorized and/or unidentified aircraft entering various military-controlled ranges and designated air space in recent years," Joseph Gradisher, spokesperson for Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare, told ABC News in May. "For safety and security concerns, the Navy and the [U.S. Air Force] take these reports very seriously and investigate each and every report. As part of this effort, the Navy has updated and formalized the process by which reports of any such suspected incursions can be made to the cognizant authorities," he said. Gradisher added that senior Naval intelligence officials and aviators "who reported hazards to aviation safety" have briefed congressional members and staff in response to requests for information.


Highway 50 re-opened Sunday evening after a police standoff forced officials to close both directions of the highway in the Rosemont area, Caltrans said. The events unfolded at about 2 p.m. Sunday in what started as a brandishing call, according to the California Highway Patrol. Officers tried to get the driver to pull over, but he did not comply, triggering a pursuit. The chase started on eastbound Interstate 80 at Northgate Boulevard. The driver crashed at some point, but kept driving. Authorities were able to get the driver to stop on Highway 50 just east of Watt Avenue. Westbound traffic was shut down at Bradshaw Road and eastbound traffic was shut down at Watt Avenue, Caltrans District 3 said in a tweet at 2:45 p.m. Sunday. The eastbound closure was later extended to Howe Avenue, and the agency asked drivers to avoid the area. The man involved in the standoff was peacefully taken into custody, the California Highway Patrol's East Sacramento office said just before 5 p.m. The roadway reopened a short time later. READ MORE: Highway 50 back open after police standoff CHECK OUT KCRA: Stay informed. Get the latest Modesto, Stockton and Sacramento news and weather from the KCRA news team.


The NL East-leading Braves have seen their advantage over the second-place Nationals dwindle a bit over the past couple of weeks. At 61-43, the Braves still own a 5.5-game cushion, but it appears their lineup is about to take two notable hits. The club could lose shortstop Dansby Swanson and right fielder Nick Markakis to the injured list, Gabriel Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution relays . Swanson injured the base of his heel Tuesday and hasn't played since. The Braves will make a decision Saturday on a potential IL stint for Swanson, per manager Brian Snitker. The news sounds far worse for Markakis, who took a 91 mph fastball off the left wrist from Phillies southpaw Cole Irvin on Friday. While the Braves wound up winning the game, they probably lost Markakis in the process. He'll see a doctor Saturday, but Markakis said after the game that "it doesn't look good," and Burns writes that Snitker was "pessimistic" about his status. Both Swanson and Markakis have been solid complements this year to the Braves' top-tier position players in Ronald Acuna Jr. , Freddie Freeman , Josh Donaldson and Ozzie Albies . The 25-year-old Swanson's on pace for a career season, having hit .265/.330/.468 (104 wRC+) with 17 home runs in 431 plate appearances. Markakis, 35, has posted a similarly effective slash line   .284/.358/.429 (105 wRC+) in 416 PA   with nine HRs. Part of Markakis' appeal throughout his career has been his commendable durability. He entered 2019 with six straight campaigns of 155-plus games under his belt, including a full 162-game slate last year, and has come back to appear in all 104 of the Braves' contests this season. That streak now looks like a sure bet to end. If the Braves do lose Swanson and Markakis, they could turn to Johan Camargo and/or Charlie Culberson at shortstop. Those two also count among the Braves' reserve outfield options, as do Matt Joyce and veteran Adam Duvall . A back-to-back 30-homer hitter with the Reds from 2016-17, Duvall's numbers plummeted during an '18 campaign divided between Cincinnati and Atlanta. Duvall has spent all of this season at the Triple-A level as a result, but he's likely to come up to help fill Markakis' void, per David O'Brien of The Athletic . Markakis' forthcoming absence could also enable the Braves to work the demoted Ender Inciarte into the mix more often. Inciarte made it clear Thursday he doesn't want to be traded, and it now looks especially unlikely in light of Markakis' injury.


The Washington Redskins have officially kicked off the 2019 season with training camp, which is held in Richmond, Virginia. The Redskins will practice from 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. ET, with a 4:40 p.m. walkthrough on Thursday, August 1 at the Bon Secours Training Center. All official city locations are $10 to park and are cash only. This fee will allow same-day re-entry with a parking pass. Follow along below for live updates from practice: A Twitter List by zacharycneel To view information about attending training camp practice, click here . To view the team's complete training camp schedule, click here. MORE: Baker Mayfield's sassy response to Jets' trash talk won over the Browns offensive line Winners and losers from first week of Raiders training camp Packers coach Matt LaFleur sidelines Josh Jones after practice fight Roundup: Why Whitney Cummings Left Roseanne, MLB Trade Deadline Grades, Hulk Hogan Big WWE Role? 6 Saints players who are making the most of training camp


After a 50-year absence, the PGA Tour returns to Minnesota this week with the inaugural 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities for the July 4th weekend. Fans can expect plenty of fireworks on and off the course. Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Jason Day and Patrick Reed are among the headliners in a field that features 11 of the top 30 in the FedEx Cup standings. Meanwhile, a concert featuring the Zac Brown Band is scheduled for a facility adjacent to TPC Twin Cities on Friday. The PGA Tour made an annual stop in Minnesota from 1930-69. The PGA Tour Champions stopped at TPC Twin Cities for 18 years going back to 2001. The Twin Cities area played host to several major men's and women's championships: the 1991 U.S. Open; 2002 and 2009 PGA Championships; and the 2008 U.S. Women's Open at Interlachen Country Club in Edina. The 2016 Ryder Cup was played at Hazeltine National in Chaska. This week, TPC Twin Cities will play at 7,468 yards and par 71. The Arnold Palmer track was revised with help from Tom Lehman for its PGA Tour debut and features 27 bodies of water - fittingly given that Minnesota is The Land of 10,000 Lakes. Here at the featured groups for this week. Tee times will be available later on Tuesday. 3M Open Featured Groups Brooks Koepka seeks his fifth major in 14 months at Royal Portrush starting on July 18. He is playing at the 3M Open this week in Minnesota. (Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Sports) Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed and Kevin Na : Koepka is No. 1 in the World and No. 2 in the FedExCup standings and has won twice this season. Na won the Charles Schwab Challenge and gave that sweet 1973 restored Dodge Challenger to caddie Kenny Harms . Reed has just one top-10 finish in 2019 - a T-5 last week in Detroit. They will go out at 1:30 p.m. ET Thursday from No. 1 and 8:20 a.m. Friday from No. 1. Bryson DeChambeau, Keegan Bradley and Charles Howell III : A four-time winner in the past two seasons, DeChambeau headlines this grouping. Bradley finished T-2 at the Travelers two weeks ago. Howell has one win this season. They begin play Thursday from No. 1 at 1:40 p.m. and No. 10 at 8:30 a.m. Friday. Phil Mickelson, Tony Finau, Nate Lashley : This group will feature two of the likely fan-favorites this week. Mickelson's Maniacs show up wherever and whenever he plays. And the backstory to Lashley's victory at the Rocket Mortgage Classic was an inspiration to all. Finau, meanwhile, has struggled this season. They are the lead featured afternoon group on Friday, starting from No. 1 at 1:30 p.m. and Thursday from No. 10 at 8:20 a.m. Jason Day, Hideki Matsuyama, Corey Conners : Ernie Els will likely be watching this group carefully as all three players are chasing spots on the 2019 International Presidents Cup team. Els and friends will take on Tiger Woods and the Americans at Royal Melbourne in Australia starting on Dec. 12 . Conners, a Canadian, became the first Monday qualifier to win on the PGA Tour in nine years when he captured the Valero Open in April. The second Round 2 featured afternoon group goes out Friday from No. 1 at 1:40 p.m. and from No. 10 on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. 3M Open: Round 1 Tee Times Here are the tee times and groupings for the first round of the 3M Open. 1st Tee - Thursday Tee Times (ET) Players 7:50 a.m. Robert Streb, Hunter Mahan, Kris Blanks 8 a.m. David Lingmerth, Kevin Streelman, Colt Knost 8:10 a.m. Fabián Gómez, Cameron Tringale, Sebastián Muñoz 8:20 a.m. Keith Mitchell, Martin Trainer, Satoshi Kodaira 8:30 a.m. Michael Kim, Austin Cook, Smylie Kaufman 8:40 a.m. Brice Garnett, Daniel Berger, Russell Henley 8:50 a.m. Brian Harman, Jonas Blixt, Jimmy Walker 9 a.m. Tyrone Van Aswegen, Ryan Blaum, Sam Burns 9:10 a.m. Morgan Hoffmann, Josh Teater, Ollie Schniederjans 9:20 a.m. Peter Malnati, Scott Langley, Trey Mullinax 9:30 a.m. Shawn Stefani, Wes Roach, Kyoung-Hoon Lee 9:40 a.m. Anders Albertson, John Chin, Matthew Wolff 9:50 a.m. Cameron Davis, Brady Schnell, Mark Baldwin 1 p.m. Rory Sabbatin, Beau Hossler, Hank Lebioda 1:10 p.m. Matt Every, Nick Taylor, Talor Gooch 1:20 p.m. Ryan Moore, Charley Hoffman, Nick Watney 1:30 p.m. Kevin Na, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed 1:40 p.m. Charles Howell III, Bryson DeChambeau, Keegan Bradley 1:50 p.m. Scott Piercy, Andrew Landry, Rod Pampling 2 p.m. Ted Potter, Jr., Chris Stroud, Cody Gribble 2:10 p.m. David Hearn, Luke List, Whee Kim 2:20 p.m. Alex Cejka, Arjun Atwal, Wyndham Clark 2:30 p.m. Lucas Glover, Robert Garrigus, Brandon Harkins 2:40 p.m. Curtis Luck, Adam Svensson, Alvaro Ortiz 2:50 p.m. Tom Lovelady, Sepp Straka, Craig Brischke 3 p.m. Nicholas Lindheim, Dylan Frittelli, Brian Dwyer 10th Tee - Thursday Tee Times (ET) Players 7:50 a.m. Harris English, Bronson Burgoon, Adam Schenk 8 a.m. J.J. Henry, Sangmoon Bae, Scott Brown 8:10 a.m. Danny Lee, Bud Cauley, Chad Collins 8:20 a.m. Nate Lashley, Phil Mickelson, Tony Finau 8:30 a.m. Corey Conners, Jason Day, Hideki Matsuyama 8:40 a.m. Sung Kang, Pat Perez, Mackenzie Hughes 8:50 a.m. Max Homa, Adam Hadwin, Brian Gay 9 a.m. Matt Jones, Johnson Wagner, Tom Lehman 9:10 a.m. Tim Herron, Alex Prugh, Tyler Duncan 9:20 a.m. Bill Haas, Roberto Castro, Sungjae Im 9:30 a.m. Roberto Díaz, Joey Garber, Justin Suh 9:40 a.m. Will Claxton, Doc Redman, Charlie Danielson 9:50 a.m. Julián Etulain, Chase Wright, Nyasha Mauchaza 1 p.m. Freddie Jacobson, J.J. Spaun, Carlos Ortiz 1:10 p.m. Martin Laird, Michael Thompson, Richy Werenski 1:20 p.m. Ben Crane, Scott Stallings, Chad Campbell 1:30 p.m. Troy Merritt, Brendan Steele, Si Woo Kim 1:40 p.m. Adam Long, Patton Kizzire, Ryan Armour 1:50 p.m. Cameron Champ, Jason Dufner, Chesson Hadley 2 p.m. Sam Saunders, Derek Fathauer, Denny McCarthy 2:10 p.m. Tom Hoge, Sam Ryder, Roger Sloan 2:20 p.m. Peter Uihlein, Joaquin Niemann, Zack Sucher 2:30 p.m. Anirban Lahiri, Kelly Kraft, Dominic Bozzelli 2:40 p.m. Seth Reeves, Kyle Jones, Viktor Hovland 2:50 p.m. Martin Piller, Kramer Hickok, Chris Thompson 3 p.m. Ben Silverman, Stephan Jaeger, Collin Morikawa 3M Open: Round 2 Tee Times Here are the tee times and groupings for the second round of the 3M Open. 1st Tee - Friday Tee Times (ET) Players 7:50 a.m. Freddie Jacobson, J.J. Spaun, Carlos Ortiz 8 a.m. Martin Laird, Michael Thompson, Richy Werenski 8:10 a.m. Ben Crane, Scott Stallings, Chad Campbell 8:20 a.m. Troy Merritt, Brendan Steele, Si Woo Kim 8:30 a.m. Adam Long, Patton Kizzire, Ryan Armour 8:40 a.m. Cameron Champ, Jason Dufner, Chesson Hadley 8:50 a.m. Sam Saunders, Derek Fathauer, Denny McCarthy 9 a.m. Tom Hoge, Sam Ryder, Roger Sloan 9:10 a.m. Peter Uihlein, Joaquin Niemann, Zack Sucher 9:20 a.m. Anirban Lahiri, Kelly Kraft, Dominic Bozzelli 9:30 a.m. Seth Reeves, Kyle Jones, Viktor Hovland 9:40 a.m. Martin Piller, Kramer Hickok, Chris Thompson 9:50 a.m. Ben Silverman, Stephan Jaeger, Collin Morikawa 1 p.m. Harris English, Bronson Burgoon, Adam Schenk 1:10 p.m. J.J. Henry, Sangmoon Bae, Scott Brown 1:20 p.m. Danny Lee, Bud Cauley, Chad Collins 1:30 p.m. Nate Lashley, Phil Mickelson, Tony Finau 1:40 p.m. Corey Conners, Jason Day, Hideki Matsuyama 1:50 p.m. Sung Kang, Pat Perez, Mackenzie Hughes 2 p.m. Max Homa, Adam Hadwin, Brian Gay 2:10 p.m. Matt Jones, Johnson Wagner, Tom Lehman 2:20 p.m. Tim Herron, Alex Prugh, Tyler Duncan 2;30 p.m. Bill Haas, Roberto Castro, Sungjae Im 2:40 p.m. Roberto Díaz, Joey Garber, Justin Suh 2:50 p.m. Will Claxton, Doc Redman, Charlie Danielson 3 p.m. Julián Etulain, Chase Wright, Nyasha Mauchaza 10th Tee - Friday Tee Times (ET) Players 7:50 a.m. Rory Sabbatin, Beau Hossler, Hank Lebioda 8 a.m. Matt Every, Nick Taylor, Talor Gooch 8:10 a.m. Ryan Moore, Charley Hoffman, Nick Watney 8:20 a.m. Kevin Na, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed 8:30 a.m. Charles Howell III, Bryson DeChambeau, Keegan Bradley 8:40 a.m. Ted Potter, Jr., Chris Stroud, Cody Gribble 8:50 a.m. Scott Piercy, Andrew Landry, Rod Pampling 9 a.m. David Hearn, Luke List, Whee Kim 9:10 a.m. Alex Cejka, Arjun Atwal, Wyndham Clark 9:20 a.m. Lucas Glover, Robert Garrigus, Brandon Harkins 9:30 a.m. Curtis Luck, Adam Svensson, Alvaro Ortiz 9:40 a.m. Tom Lovelady, Sepp Straka, Craig Brischke 9:50 a.m. Nicholas Lindheim, Dylan Frittelli, Brian Dwye 1 p.m. Robert Streb, Hunter Mahan, Kris Blanks 1:10 p.m. David Lingmerth, Kevin Streelman, Colt Knost 1:20 p.m. Fabián Gómez, Cameron Tringale, Sebastián Muñoz 1:30 p.m. Keith Mitchell, Martin Trainer, Satoshi Kodaira 1:40 p.m. Michael Kim, Austin Cook, Smylie Kaufman 1:50 p.m. Brice Garnett, Daniel Berger, Russell Henley 2 p.m. Brian Harman, Jonas Blixt, Jimmy Walker 2:10 p.m. Tyrone Van Aswegen, Ryan Blaum, Sam Burns 2:20 p.m. Morgan Hoffmann, Josh Teater, Ollie Schniederjans 2:30 p.m. Peter Malnati, Scott Langley, Trey Mullinax 2:40 p.m. Shawn Stefani, Wes Roach, Kyoung-Hoon Lee 2:50 p.m. Anders Albertson, John Chin, Matthew Wolff 3 p.m. Cameron Davis, Brady Schnell, Mark Baldwin 3M Open TV/Streaming Info (All Times Eastern) Thursday, July 4 Golf Channel Round 1 coverage: 2-6 p.m. PGA Tour Live Featured Groups: 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. PGA Tour Radio (Sirius 92, XM 208) Round 1: Noon-6 p.m. Friday, July 5 Golf Channel Round 2 coverage: 2-6 p.m. PGA Tour Live Featured Groups: 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. PGA Tour Radio (Sirius 92, XM 208) Round 2: Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, July 6 Golf Channel Round 3 coverage: 1-2:45 p.m. CBS Round 3 coverage: 3-6 p.m. PGA Tour Live Featured Groups: 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Featured Holes: 3-6 p.m. PGA Tour Radio (Sirius 92, XM 208) Round 3: 1-6 p.m. Sunday, July 7 Golf Channel Final Round coverage: 1-2:45 p.m. CBS Final Round coverage: 3-6 p.m. PGA Tour Live Featured Groups: 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Featured Holes: 3-6 p.m. PGA Tour Radio (Sirius 92, XM 208) Final Round: 1-6 p.m. https://compass.pressekompass.net/compasses/golfweek/whos-your-favorite-firsttime-pga-tour-wi MORE: Poker player wins 723K chips in 'bloodbath' hand at WSOP Main Event Former Steeler DeAngelo Williams throws shade at WR Ryan Switzer Three Potential Trade Destinations for Russell Westbrook DK Metcalf has heard your concerns about his route-running Bleacher Report names Raiders LB Te'Von Coney a potential UDFA star


It's been a busy few weeks in the NBA, as big names have been on the move ever since free agency began earlier this month. The Golden State Warriors have been right in the middle of all that action, as they lost Kevin Durant to the Brooklyn Nets and then parted ways with such mainstays as Andre Iguodala (via trade) and Shaun Livingston (waived). On Thursday, we were able to find out what Steph Curry thought about the state of the Warriors as he talked to the media after a practice round at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in Tahoe. Curry opened up about Durant's exit with this classy answer that you'd expect from such a strong leader: Video: #Warriors Steph Curry on Kevin Durant's exit to #Nets pic.twitter.com/XzM5GQRyFE - Cam Inman (@CamInman) July 11, 2019 He said, via The Mercury News : "I mean, the three years that we had were special. With K.D., we had three straight Finals appearances. We won two of them, and we accomplished a lot as a group. Everybody talks about the amount of talent that we had on our team, but that doesn't guarantee that you can figure it out on the court, that you can put all the pieces together to be successful. I'm really proud of what we accomplished. "The beauty of free agency is everybody has a decision, everybody has a choice. You want to find your happiness wherever that is. The beauty of the NBA is everybody has that decision at some point, especially guys that deserve it, like KD and other top free agents. I like to look at what we accomplished and focus on that and be extremely proud of this run that we had. Now we are going to have to recreate it in terms of what it means going forward." Curry talked about D'Angelo Russell, who's now a member of the Warriors: "The noise he made last year was amazing, what they did in Brooklyn and him taking the next step as a certified all-star. I haven't had much personal interaction with him, on or off the court other than playing against each other. Back when he was drafted, there were some comparisons of our game, how smooth he played, he can shoot, he can pass. Having a guy versatile like that only helps your team. "The chemistry will develop quickly. We'll be really purposeful about that and try to set the tone how we'll play this year. It's about encouraging each other and having confidence that we'll bring the best out of each other. Then when Klay gets back as well, we'll add him to the backcourt mix. It's going to be fun." On the loss of Iguodala and Livingston: "I'm the oldest on the team now, so I'm going to have to step my game up. It's a tough business. That's part of it. We knew at some point or another, whether it was this year or next year or the year after, there were going to be some hard decisions, some hard changes. "You talk about Andre and Shaun, two guys that do things the right way, having the ultimate level of professionalism and leadership, and just have a presence when they walk in the room, that makes them who they are, three-time champs, both of them. They have a lot left in the tank. So it's going to be fun, going to be hard to watch them on other teams. But look at all that we accomplished and those are things we'll remember for a lifetime. And on the new challenges : "It will develop as we get together as a group. A lot of changes. It's a tough way to end the Finals with K.D. and Klay getting injured, and obviously free agency. For us, our core, myself, Klay (Thompson), Draymond (Green), adding D'Angelo and a lot of hungry, young guys trying to prove themselves in the league, it'll look different in terms of the lineups and things like that. But the expectations of how we play, that championship-caliber basketball, that for us will always be the motivation and the challenge. "I'm excited, to be honest with you. Five straight years in the Finals and we've accomplished a lot, and three championships. There's a lot to be proud of. But everybody wants a new challenge in terms of how do you get back to that level." It will be interesting to see how the Warriors bounce back next season, but you know Curry is going have fun trying to lead them through their new challenges. MORE: Alex Morgan made a perfect trophy joke after winning Best Female Athlete at ESPYS Breaking down the Oklahoma City Thunder's future draft picks The Ringer believes Raiders could trade SS Karl Joseph to Cowboys After Packers pass on Jalen Thompson, focus shifts to Natrell Jamerson NBA Depth Charts


TAMPA, FL   A 48-year-old Tampa man threatening a sheriff's deputy with a knife has died after being shot by the deputy. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office was called to 8607 Misty River Court in Tampa around 6 p.m. Thursday for a report of a suicidal man. A relative of Lenny Blaine Griffin said Griffin's wife recently died, and he was having financial problems. He had taken medication and was threatening to kill himself. Deputy Nguyen Tran responded to the home, and Griffin's girlfriend let the deputy inside. Tran said Griffin came out of a bedroom carrying a large chef's knife. Nguyen ordered Griffin to drop the knife multiple times as Griffin approached him with the knife raised. Tran retreated from the home, through the front yard and into a neighbor's yard while continuing to order Griffin to drop the knife. When Griffin did not heed Tran's orders, Tran fired his weapon at Griffin out of fear for his own life. Griffin was transported to a local hospital where he later died. The sheriff's office had been called to Griffin's home several times because of Griffin's erratic behavior. Tran was hired by the sheriff's office in 2016. He has no prior internal affairs incidents other than a traffic crash. He's been placed on administrative leave while the shooting is investigated.


There's nothing like Khalil Mack running through a wall and straight towards his foes to get you pumped for the Bears' 2019 season. Mack, along with the Browns' Odell Beckham Jr. and the Giants' Saquon Barkley, appeared in Nike's newest commercial, which depicts the trio as superheroes come to life. Take your game to another dimension. @obj @saquon @52Mack_ pic.twitter.com/uMjP37vIX1 - Nike Football (@usnikefootball) May 30, 2019 "Take your game to another dimension," the ad says. Well, if there's anyone that's taken their game to a new dimension it's Mack, who in his first season with the Bears had an immediate impact on a defense that was arguably the best in the NFL in 2018. In 14 regular-season games, Mack totaled 47 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles and a pick-six. Mack recently said that his goal is to be the best to ever play the game. And while he does have a ways to go, he's definitely poised to be the next great Bears' Hall-of-Fame linebacker. "[Chicago outside linebackers coach Ted Monachino] asked me what I wanted to do, and what I wanted to be. I want to be the best. I want to be the best to play the game," Mack said. "We're trying to work toward that." Just like the commercial shows, you know Mack will be getting after the opposing quarterback this season. And often. MORE: NBA fans had so many memes for Steph Curry's exchange with Drake Giants get a chuckle: Odell Beckham already in hot water in Cleveland Five potential Chris Paul trade destinations Roundup: Spelling Bee Ends in 8-Way Tie; Kim Jong Un Executing People Again; Kids Go Nuts for 'Old Town Road' Report: Darren Sproles reconsidering retirement, eyeing Saints reunion


In February 2018, with the Padres in the middle of a rebuild and attempting to move closer to relevance, the club made the polarizing decision to sign free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer to a franchise-record contract. Although there didn't appear to be a wide market for the longtime Kansas City Royal, the Padres gave Hosmer an eight-year deal worth $144M . Hosmer stood out at times in Kansas City, including during a World Series-winning campaign in 2015, but fell on his face in other seasons. As a result of Hosmer's inconsistency as a Royal, there were plenty who either loved or hated the Padres' choice to hand him a headline-stealing payday. Those who opposed it gained the upper hand in his first year in San Diego, in which Hosmer hit a meek .253/.322/.398 in 677 plate appearances. He was a below-average offensive player by wRC+ (95) and less than a replacement-level performer by fWAR (minus-0.1). Considering the beginning of a long-term contract is when a player is supposed to be providing the most value, Hosmer's woeful 2018 production was downright alarming. The Padres needed a rebound from Hosmer coming into this season, and while he has gotten better, the respected veteran still hasn't given the Padres much bang for their buck on the field. The best thing you can say about Hosmer the Padre is that he has been available more than most players. He played in 157 games a year ago and has played in 86 of the Padres' 87 games in 2019. Along the way this season, Hosmer has slashed .293/.343/.45 with 13 home runs   just five fewer than last year   and 60 RBIs over 364 trips to the plate. He has also upped his weighted on-base average/expected wOBA from matching .310s last season to .341/.334 this year. Likewise, his 111 wRC+ and 0.7 fWAR count as vast improvements over what he offered in those categories in 2018. They're still far from great, however. In fact, the average major-league first baseman has posted a 110 wRC+ this season. Of course, the average major-league first baseman isn't on a $20M salary this year or locked into a big-money deal into his 30s. While FanGraphs credits the 29-year-old Hosmer with making more hard contact and less soft contact than he did last season, he continues to amass too many ground balls and too few fly balls. The typical batter hits grounders at an approximately 43 percent rate and flies 36 percent of the time. Hosmer is at 57.3 and 21.0 in those areas in 2019. It's hard to muster much in the power department with that combination as Hosmer's lifetime ISO (.155) and current ISO (.164) help prove. And Hosmer is one of the majors' slowest runners , making his grounder-heavy skill-set even less conducive to success. The ongoing grounder overload hasn't enabled Hosmer to take advantage of a 2019 hard-hit rate which Statcast places in the majors' 87th percentile or an exit velocity that betters 71 percent of his peers. Because Hosmer is also not walking much (6.9 percent this year, 8.2 lifetime), he continues to rely on a high batting average on balls in play to help buoy his numbers. That has paid off at times   including this season to an extent as Hosmer's .337 BABIP represents a 35-point increase over 2018. However, during seasons in which Hosmer's BABIP has sat around average or worse, his production has typically fallen well short of expectations. In further inauspicious news, the lefty-hitting Hosmer is amid his second straight abysmal season against same-handed pitchers. Southpaws limited him to an unsightly .179/.240/.287 line in his first year as a Padre. Hosmer has bumped that slash to .250/.320/.324 this season, yet wRC+ indicates it's still 24 percent worse than average. Struggles versus lefties aren't anything new for Hosmer, who has stumbled to a .668 OPS and an 81 wRC+ against them over his career. A season and a half into his contract, the Padres' choice to pay a premium for an inconsistent first baseman continues to look like a head-scratcher. That's all the more true when considering they already had well-compensated first baseman Wil Myers on the roster. Myers is now limited to the outfield, where he hasn't garnered consistent playing time of late because he's an ill fit in center and the Padres have superior hitters Hunter Renfroe and Franmil Reyes manning the corners. This has been a positive overall season for long-suffering San Diego, which is hovering around .500 and finds itself in playoff contention. The team still hasn't benefited as hoped from the Hosmer signing, though, and there aren't clear signs that's going to change.


TOKYO, July 18 (Reuters) - Japan is considering taking a dispute with South Korea over its compensation for wartime forced labourers to the International Court of Justice as the deadline for seeking third-country arbitration passes on Thursday, public broadcaster NHK reported. The question of compensation for South Koreans for labour during Japan's 1910-45 occupation of the Korean peninsula has soured the U.S. allies' relations, which took a turn for the worse this month when Japan restricted exports of high-tech material to South Korea. South Korea's Supreme Court last year ordered two Japanese companies to compensate the wartime workers in a ruling that Tokyo said violated international law. Japan believes the issue of compensation was settled under a 1965 treaty. With no mutually palatable agreement, Tokyo has pushed for third-party arbitration, which Seoul has rejected. Thursday is the deadline for making those arrangements. NHK said that once the deadline passes, Japan would continue to push Seoul for proposals to end the dispute while preparing for countermeasures - including considering going to the International Court of Justice. The case cannot go to trial, however, without agreement from South Korea, Kyodo news agency reported. Japan initially cited the dispute over compensation for the wartime labourers as being behind what it sees as broken trust with South Korea when it announced tighter export controls this month. Tokyo has stressed that the controls were not retaliation over the forced-labour dispute. In a separate report, Kyodo news cited Japanese government sources as saying Tokyo would reject Seoul's request to hold another working-level meeting to discuss the export controls. The most recent one, held last week in Tokyo, stoked tensions further as the two sides publicly contested the accounts of their frosty meeting. South Korea has appealed to ally United States to defuse the tension with Japan, warning of threats to global supplies memory chips and smartphones. A senior South Korean government official said on Wednesday the export curbs could hurt global technology companies including the operations of Samsung in the Texas state capital of Austin. During a visit to Seoul on Wednesday, David Stilwell, the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia policy, said the United States would "do what it can do" to help, but did not elaborate on what those steps might be and said it was fundamentally up to South Korea and Japan to resolve their differences. (Reporting by Chang-Ran Kim and Kaori Kaneko in TOKYO, Rishika Chatterjee in Bengaluru; Editing by Michael Perry)


Looking to get some fresh air? From walking tours to a harbor cruise, there's plenty to do when it comes to sightseeing activities coming up in Washington this week. Read on for a rundown. 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. Politics & Pints Capitol Hill Tour From the event description: Explore the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood in this two-hour walking tour. Cap it all off by grabbing a drink in the city's oldest commercial district. When: Saturday, July 20, 3 p.m. Where: U.S. Capitol Building, East Capitol Street NE and First Street SE Price: $20 Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Get 48% off hop-on, hop-off bus tour From the deal description: Open-top tour buses take passengers to 20 sites, such as the White House and the Lincoln Memorial. Riders hop off at will to explore. Where: 478 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Southwest Employment Area Price: $22 (48% off regular price); other deals available Click here for more details, and to score this deal Score 51% off harbor cruise From the deal description: Cruise the river with cold beverages in hand. Where: Washington Marina, 1300 Maine Ave. SW Price: $17 (51% off regular price) Click here for more details, and to score this deal Parking in DC can be tough, especially during popular events. To find free or cheap parking and to book parking in advance, see this map of DC parking from SpotAngels. And to get there by public transportation, check the Metro website for nearby stations and schedules. This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


There has been a lot of positive change when it comes to body diversity in the fashion industry from a host of brands extending their size ranges to curvy models finding more work in the industry that goes beyond jobs geared toward specialty lines and retailers. Curve Model Hunter McGrady Has an FYI: "Not All Plus-Size Women Are Ashamed of Their Bodies" There has been a lot of positive change when it comes to body diversity in the fashion industry from a host of brands extending their size ranges to curvy models finding more work in the industry that goes beyond jobs geared toward specialty lines and retailers. Slowly but surely, negativity surrounding "plus size" is dissipating - in fact, the word itself has undergone a rebranding of sorts with the term "curve" frequently taking its place - but not entirely, according to curve model Hunter McGrady . Speaking on the "Shattering the Comparison Culture: Dressing For You" panel Presented by Kohl's at this year's POPSUGAR Play/Ground , the Sports Illustrated cover star and newlywed witnesses her fair share of hate, but she chooses to meet the negativity with confidence and positivity. "Believe it or not, not all plus-size women are ashamed of their bodies," she said when discussing a high-neck, body-skimming wedding dress (á la Meghan Markle ) she designed in collaboration with Watters bridal for her recent nuptials. The model went on to explain how she's unafraid to wear figure-hugging outfits and refuses to limit herself because of how an outfit might make someone else feel. "I'll wear a crop top with shorts if I want to . . . I think it's so empowering," she shared. With hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram, the model also shared her favorite response to negative commenters: "Oh, don't be silly." Her own personal brand of thank you, next. Instead, she wants to inspire other women like her. "I put my body out there . . . I get a lot of hate, and it sucks . . . on the flip side, I see positivity . . . by being in the spotlight we get our message out there and people relate to the conversation," she says. While tinges of negativity can be hard to shake for anyone, Kohl's is striving to make women of all sizes and shapes feel their best when it comes to fashion, from the retailer's newly launched label EVRI - a line of clothing that ranges from 0X to 4X - to our very own POPSUGAR collection at Kohl's featuring stylish and affordable wardrobe staples from dresses to tops and jackets. Ahead, shop our picks from both collections and don't forget to channel Hunter's uplifting messages along the way. Hunter McGrady at POPSUGAR Play/Ground Hunter McGrady at POPSUGAR Play/Ground Hunter McGrady at POPSUGAR Play/Ground Hunter McGrady at POPSUGAR Play/Ground Hunter McGrady at POPSUGAR Play/Ground Shop the POPSUGAR Collection at Kohl's POPSUGAR Plus Size Button-Front Dress ($40, originally $54) POPSUGAR Plus Size Button-Front Dress POPSUGAR Plus Size Button-Front Dress ($40, originally $54) POPSUGAR Plus Size Button-Front Dress POPSUGAR Plus Size Button-Front Dress ($40, originally $54) POPSUGAR Plus Size Off-the-Shoulder Button Front Top POPSUGAR Plus Size Off-the-Shoulder Button Front Top ($28, originally $38) POPSUGAR Plus Size Off-the-Shoulder Button Front Top POPSUGAR Plus Size Off-the-Shoulder Button Front Top ($28, originally $38) POPSUGAR Plus Size Print Tie-Waist Dress POPSUGAR Plus Size Print Tie-Waist Dress ($40, originally $54) POPSUGAR Plus Size Print Tie-Waist Dress POPSUGAR Plus Size Print Tie-Waist Dress ($40, originally $54) POPSUGAR Plus Size Eyelet Tee POPSUGAR Plus Size Eyelet Tee ($36, originally $48) POPSUGAR Plus Size Belted Maxi Dress POPSUGAR Plus Size Belted Maxi Dress ($51, originally $68) POPSUGAR Plus Size Belted Maxi Dress POPSUGAR Plus Size Belted Maxi Dress ($51, originally $68) POPSUGAR Plus Size Tie-Front Slouchy Tee POPSUGAR Plus Size Tie-Front Slouchy Tee ($25, originally $34) POPSUGAR Plus Size Printed Midi Dress POPSUGAR Plus Size Printed Midi Dress ($51, originally $68) POPSUGAR Plus Size Slouchy Graphic Tee POPSUGAR Plus Size Slouchy Graphic Tee ($22, originally $30) POPSUGAR Plus Size Slouchy Graphic Tee POPSUGAR Plus Size Slouchy Graphic Tee ($22, originally $30) POPSUGAR Plus Size Slouchy Graphic Tee POPSUGAR Plus Size Slouchy Graphic Tee ($22, originally $30) POPSUGAR Plus Size Slouchy Graphic Tee POPSUGAR Plus Size Slouchy Graphic Tee ($22, originally $30) POPSUGAR Plus Size Ruffle Sleeve Dress POPSUGAR Plus Size Ruffle Sleeve Dress ($40, originally $54) POPSUGAR Plus Size Ruffle Sleeve Dress POPSUGAR Plus Size Ruffle Sleeve Dress ($40, originally $54) POPSUGAR Plus Size Ruffle Sleeve Dress POPSUGAR Plus Size Ruffle Sleeve Dress ($40, originally $54) POPSUGAR Plus Size Cropped Jean Jacket POPSUGAR Plus Size Cropped Jean Jacket ($40, originally $68) POPSUGAR Plus Size Mini Shirt Dress POPSUGAR Plus Size Mini Shirt Dress ($48, originally $64) POPSUGAR Plus Size Mini Shirt Dress POPSUGAR Plus Size Mini Shirt Dress ($48, originally $64) POPSUGAR Plus Size Mini Shirt Dress POPSUGAR Plus Size Mini Shirt Dress ($48, originally $64) POPSUGAR Plus Size Collegiate Sweater POPSUGAR Plus Size Collegiate Sweater ($40, originally $54) POPSUGAR Plus Size Printed Wrap Dress POPSUGAR Plus Size Printed Wrap Dress ($38, originally $64) POPSUGAR Plus Size Linen Blazer POPSUGAR Plus Size Linen Blazer ($51, originally $68) POPSUGAR Plus Size Slouchy Graphic Tee POPSUGAR Plus Size Slouchy Graphic Tee ($22, originally $30) POPSUGAR Plus Size Babydoll Swing Tee POPSUGAR Plus Size Babydoll Swing Tee ($25, originally $34) POPSUGAR Plus Size Babydoll Swing Tee POPSUGAR Plus Size Babydoll Swing Tee ($25, originally $34) POPSUGAR Plus Size Babydoll Swing Tee POPSUGAR Plus Size Babydoll Swing Tee ($25, originally $34) POPSUGAR Plus Size A-Line Dress POPSUGAR Plus Size A-Line Dress ($40, originally $54) POPSUGAR Plus Size A-Line Dress POPSUGAR Plus Size A-Line Dress ($40, originally $54) POPSUGAR Plus Size A-Line Dress POPSUGAR Plus Size A-Line Dress ($40, originally $54) POPSUGAR Plus Size Tie-Front Button-Up Tank Top POPSUGAR Plus Size Tie-Front Button-Up Tank Top ($30, originally $40) POPSUGAR Plus Size Tie-Front Button-Up Tank Top POPSUGAR Plus Size Tie-Front Button-Up Tank Top ($30, originally $40) POPSUGAR Plus Size Striped Sweatshirt POPSUGAR Plus Size Striped Sweatshirt ($28, originally $48) POPSUGAR Plus Size Button Back Tank POPSUGAR Plus Size Button Back Tank ($30, originally $40) POPSUGAR Plus Size Blazer POPSUGAR Plus Size Blazer ($40, originally $68) POPSUGAR Plus Size Blazer POPSUGAR Plus Size Blazer ($40, originally $68) POPSUGAR Plus Size Blazer POPSUGAR Plus Size Blazer ($40, originally $68) POPSUGAR Plus Size Wide-Leg High-Waisted Pants POPSUGAR Plus Size Wide-Leg High-Waisted Pants ($40, originally $54) POPSUGAR Plus Size Pocket Pullover Sweater POPSUGAR Plus Size Pocket Pullover Sweater ($32, originally $54) POPSUGAR Plus Size Pocket Pullover Sweater POPSUGAR Plus Size Pocket Pullover Sweater ($32, originally $54) POPSUGAR Plus Size Pocket Pullover Sweater POPSUGAR Plus Size Pocket Pullover Sweater ($32, originally $54) POPSUGAR Plus Size Graphic Sweatshirt POPSUGAR Plus Size Graphic Sweatshirt ($28, originally $48) EVRI Plus Size Tiered Maxi Dress EVRI Plus Size Tiered Maxi Dress ($68) EVRI Plus Size Knit-Faux-Wrap Top EVRI Plus Size Knit-Faux-Wrap Top ($27, originally $40) EVRI Plus Size All About Comfort Midrise Skinny More Curvy Jeans EVRI Plus Size All About Comfort Midrise Skinny More Curvy Jeans ($56) EVRI Plus Size Strappy Twist-Front Tankini Top EVRI Plus Size 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WACO, Texas (AP) Baylor is moving forward with plans to build a new basketball facility on the banks of Brazos River after a $100 million gift to the university. Athletic director Mack Rhoades said Tuesday that a portion of the sum from an anonymous donor to a university-wide campaign will provide a significant lead gift for the Baylor Basketball Pavilion. Baylor can now work to secure additional funding and approvals needed to design and build the fieldhouse with an arena of at least 7,000 seats and practice facilities. There was no immediate timetable provided for the new facility. The Ferrell Center has been the school's basketball home for the past 31 seasons. Baylor's women won their third national championship last month. The Baylor men went to the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in 12 years. ''The Ferrell Center has housed some great moments in Lady Bear history and we look forward to creating new memories in our new arena,'' said Kim Mulkey, the AP national women's basketball coach of the year. The largest gift in university history was made to the $1.1 billion Give Light campaign. The basketball facility, expected to cost about $105 million, is a signature project in the athletics master plan portion of that campaign. The pavilion will be built on the south side of the Brazos River between Baylor Ballpark, the school's baseball stadium, and the Ferrell Center. ''This is a game-changer for our program,'' men's basketball coach Scott Drew said. ''There's nothing more impactful than a new arena, especially one that brings our fans closer to the action.'' Once the basketball teams move into the new pavilion, the Ferrell Center will undergo significant improvements to meet the practice and competition needs of Baylor's volleyball and acrobatics and tumbling programs. --- More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25


Dozens Without Power in Dover Township, York County.