PARIS   When she scored the first of her two goals in Friday's 2-1 victory over France in the quarterfinals of the Women's World Cup, on a cunning and elusive free kick, Megan Rapinoe ran to the corner of the field and held her arms aloft. The gesture was not a mere celebration. It seemed to say, this is all of me. Take me for the bold, complex person that I am: big personality; social activist; champion of equal pay; national anthem protester; presidential critic; lavender-haired soccer star of ruthless and creative purpose. Sign Up For the Morning Briefing Newsletter Out, and out front, Rapinoe has perhaps become the representative athlete of our times   wearing the jersey of a nation that is divided, playing for a team that is not, fearless and unapologetic about demanding excellence from herself and fair and equitable treatment by others. Many sports teams tend to retreat into a bubble when it comes to difficult topics and moments, to offer bland and insipid "one game at a time" pablum. Not Rapinoe and this United States women's team. It sued U.S. Soccer for gender discrimination before the tournament. And once it arrived in France, Rapinoe (on camera) and her teammate Ali Krieger (on Twitter) jousted with President Trump. Krieger already had made news here, by suggesting that the Americans' depth left the United States not only with the best team in the World Cup, but also with the second-best. Some may consider their remarks audacious or disrespectful, but a journalist always wants to know what an athlete is truly thinking. Rapinoe and her teammates, then, are refreshingly, wonderfully candid. And Coach Jill Ellis seems uninterested in trying to tamp down any verbal brush fires or worried they will escalate into distracting conflagration. She appears to feel that self-assurance, on the field and off, is a necessary vaccine against wallflower reticence, which could hurt her team   any team   in the most demanding moments. "You can have all the tactics in the world, but that essence of self-belief, that's critical," Ellis said after the United States defeated Spain on Monday, with Rapinoe again delivering both American goals. Referring to Rapinoe, who will turn 34 on Friday, by her nickname, Ellis added, "Pinoe and other players have lived in these moments. It's fair to say they actually want those moments. When the game is on the line, you want to feel that this is a changing moment that you're in. I think that's part of what they're really good at in terms of embracing that moment." There are those who rebuke Rapinoe, arguing sports and politics shouldn't mix, but the two have always been inextricable. For better or worse, there are few bigger stages than an international sporting event to make a political statement. That has especially held true at the Olympics, from the Black Power salutes of the Mexico City Games; to the 1972 massacre of 11 Israeli athletes and coaches by Palestinian terrorists in Munich, Germany; to the United States boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. It would be irresponsible not to use her international platform to try to affect change, Rapinoe has often said. She stands in silent protest during the national anthem, declining to sing or put her hand over her heart. She said she would not visit the White House if the United States won its fourth Women's World Cup, and would encourage her teammates not to go, either. Her reasoning, she said, is that she did not want the American women's team's decades-long fight for equality and inclusivity to be "co-opted by an administration that doesn't feel the same way and doesn't fight for the same things that we fight for." Her boldness is nothing new for her, or for members of her team. It can be traced to the mid-1990s among American female soccer stars   a line that extends from players like Julie Foudy to Abby Wambach and now to Rapinoe   players willing to risk criticism in order to demand equitable pay, safe playing conditions and social justice. It was Foudy, for instance, who led the way in urging that the 1999 Women's World Cup be played in large football stadiums in the United States. The epic final that year, a penalty-shootout victory over China, drew a Women's World Cup-record crowd of 90,185 to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. "That team laid the foundation for a lot of things," said Jeffrey Gerson, a political science professor at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell who has led a number of panel discussions about the continuing struggle for equality in women's soccer. He added: "They also had this sense that they were being watched and on stage and carrying the torch for equality and cultural change for girls and women. This conversation has continued. There's a spirit that goes along with the team: anything is possible, don't be limited by the doubts of others." If anyone does not appear to be limited by the doubts of others, it is Rapinoe, who told The New York Times Magazine before the World Cup that it was important to buttress her activism with her play on the field. It is what she stresses to her younger teammates. "Everything is more and better," she said then. "I want them to understand that it's better because we earned it. But it's also better because we won. The most important thing is continuing to win." Related slideshow: Best photos of the 2019 Women's World Cup (provided by imagn)


With summer winding down and the fall semester fast-approaching, most newcomers -- whether it be recruits or transfers -- have already made it to the program they'll be on the roster for the 2019-20 season. Now that most of those pivotal decisions have been made, it's time to examine the landscape of college basketball and make heads or tails of how it's all shifted and settled. Because only a handful of schools are fortunate enough to identify and land instant-impact freshmen capable of becoming insta-stars -- Duke , Kentucky , Arizona among them -- the real impact newbies in many cases are graduate transfers: players who attained their undergraduate degree at another program and transferred to another school to finish their graduate studies. Let's take a look at the biggest names that were on the market but are now off it, and the impact each can have this season. 1. Kerry Blackshear Jr. , Florida Previous school : Virginia Tech 2018-19 stats : 14.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 2.4 apg His impact : Much was made about Blackshear's winding recruitment away from Virginia Tech -- and for good reason. He put up big numbers at Virginia Tech each of his last two seasons, and figures to be the most impactful graduate transfer in 2019. He's a huge reason the Gators are inside the top-10 of the CBS Sports Top 25 (and one) ; he's the anchor of a young but uber-talented Florida team that is primed to contend for more than an SEC title. 2. Chris Clarke , Texas Tech Previous school : Virginia Tech 2017-18 stats : 8.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 42.4 3p% His impact : While Blackshear, his teammate at Virginia Tech, was pumping up his stock last season, Clarke was on the pine, the result of a year-long suspension. Before the season, though, he was a breakout candidate after putting up stellar numbers -- particularly from the 3-point line -- in a smaller role. With Texas Tech losing four starters from its national runner-up team, Clarke should slot in as an instant contributor, the latest in a long line of successful Chris Beard reclamation projects. 3. Lamarr Kimble , Louisville Previous school : Saint Joseph's 2018-19 stats : 15.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.8 apg His impact : In his final three seasons at Saint Joseph's, Kimble was the poster-boy of consistency, averaging at least 10.0 points and 2.0 assists each season. He peaked in 2018-19 when he averaged career-highs in points, steals and offensive rebounds. As he enters his final season of eligibility at Louisville, he projects as a potential No. 2 behind All-America candidate Jordan Nwora -- and on a team that should be considered a title contender given its incoming talent and overall experience. 4. Nate Sestina , Kentucky Previous school : Bucknell 2018-19 stats : 15.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 38.0 3p% His impact : After playing sparingly in the two seasons before his senior year at Bucknell, Sestina emerged as an All-Patriot League performer when he averaged career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and minutes played. With PJ Washington leaving for the NBA after a stellar sophomore season, Sestina projects to fill a similar role as a stretch big with his career 36.4 3-point shooting percentage. 5. Admon Gilder , Gonzaga Previous school : Texas A&M 2017-18 stats : 12.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.2 spg His impact : A promising senior season at Texas A&M was derailed entirely by injuries as Gilder missed all of 2018-19. But before then in the three seasons prior, he was a steady-shooting guard capable of knocking down 3-pointers, getting hot like a microwave, and robbing opponents of the ball on a regular basis. In the final two seasons he was healthy, he ranked inside the top-100 nationally in steal rate. At Gonzaga, his all-around skill set as a 3-and-D guard should give him the opportunity to replace lost production from Zach Norvell, who left for the NBA, as well as outgoing senior Geno Crandall . 6. Justin Pierce , North Carolina Previous school : William & Mary 2018-19 stats : 14.9 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 4.1 apg, 32.4 3p% His impact : North Carolina is set to replace its entire starting lineup from a season ago. Pierce's versatility and size should give coach Roy Williams plenty of options on how to best deploy him. With his rebounding and floor-spacing, it's possible he could play the shooting guard, small forward, power forward or center at various points next season as the Tar Heels experiment with six incoming players. 7. Isaiah Moss , Kansas Previous school : Iowa 2018-19 stats : 9.2 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 42.1 3p% His impact : While his numbers dipped a bit last season at Iowa overall, his efficiency -- particularly as a 3-point shooter and rebounder -- improved. At Kansas, Moss can help offset the losses of Quentin Grimes , Lagerald Vick , Charlie Moore and K.J. Lawson with a 3-and-D-like game that could beautifully complement sophomore point guard Devon Dotson , big man Udoka Azubuike and rising wing Ochai Agbaji . 8. Shakur Juiston , Oregon Previous school : UNLV 2018-19 stats : 10.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.5 spg His impact : After starring at the junior college level at Hutchinson Community College, where he earned NABC Junior College Player of the Year honors in 2017, Juiston burst onto the scene at UNLV averaging 13.9 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals in two seasons before committing to Oregon this offseason. The 6-foot-7 forward solidifies the Ducks' frontcourt after losing Louis King and Ehab Amin this offseason. He'll be a tremendous co-star alongside Payton Pritchard . 9. Jayce Johnson , Marquette Previous school : Utah 2018-19 stats : 7.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.1 bpg His impact : Johnson was one of three (!) 7-footers on Utah's roster last season, and he was easily the most productive. He'll help provide quality depth in the frontcourt for the Golden Eagles and potentially team up with returning big man Theo John as one of the most lethal big men duos in the Big East next season. With Sam and Joey Hauser transferring out this offseason, John and Johnson -- which sounds like a law firm as much as it sounds like a formidable frontcourt -- could potentially play off one another at the power forward and center spots. 10. Anthony Mathis , Oregon Previous school : New Mexico 2018-19 stats : 14.4 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 41.6 3p% His impact : After an All-MWC Third Team season last year, Mathis and his sharpshooting are headed to Oregon along with Juiston to make an immediate impact. His reliable 3-point stroke should help offset some of Juiston's weaknesses as a pure shooter. 11. Christian Keeling , North Carolina Previous school : Charleston Southern 2018-19 stats : 18.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.8 apg His impact : Talk about a jack-of-all-trades: Last season at Charleston Southern, Keeling ranked in the top 10 among all Big South players in scoring (4th), rebounding (4th), free-throw percentage (8th) and blocks (8th). Alongside fellow transfer Pierce and a jumbo recruiting class that features projected top-5 pick Cole Anthony, Keeling has the tools to fit in perfectly as a do-it-all glue guy. 12. Jimmy Whitt, Arkansas Previous school : SMU 2018-19 stats : 12.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 4.0 apg His impact : A storybook ending is in the works for Whitt, who began his career at Arkansas and is set to end it after two seasons at SMU were sandwiched between it all. Whitt at SMU grew into a tremendously instinctive scorer and rebounder. At Arkansas he'll likely take a backseat to rising sophomore Isaiah Joe , a potential first-round pick in 2020, but in Year One under Eric Musselman he should be given a chance to thrive in his final collegiate season. 13. Jahaad Proctor , Purdue Previous school : High Point 2018-19 stats : 19.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.3 apg His impact : A Second-Team All-Big South performer last season, Proctor put up monster numbers and is in line to follow that upward trajectory at Purdue. The Boilermakers lost their heart and soul Carsen Edwards but still have a solid core in place to do what Matt Painter seemingly always does: compete for the Big Ten crown. Proctor's scoring should go a long ways to Purdue potentially repeating as conference champs. 14. Max Hazzard , Arizona Previous school : UC Irvine 2018-19 stats : 12.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.1 apg, 38.8 3p% His impact : The Anteaters of UC Irvine won 31 games last season being carried by Hazzard, who capped his year with a brilliant NCAA Tournament resume when he put up 19 points and four boards to lead his team to an upset win over No. 4 seed Kansas State . At Arizona he'll settle into a lesser role but an important one nonetheless as the Wildcats reload around Brandon Williams and incoming five-star freshman Nico Mannion. 15. Ryan Woolridge , Gonzaga Previous school : North Texas 2018-19 stats : 11.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 4.8 apg, 33.3 3p% His impact : Seniors Josh Perkins and Geno Crandall handled point guard duties last season, and Mark Few is planning for another upperclassmen in Woolridge to take over the responsibilities. At North Texas his assist rate regularly reached the 30 percent mark, which rated inside the top 10 among players in his conference. That number should spike not only in a new situation and with a year of experience under his belt, but also playing on a better team with more weapons surrounding him. Honorable mentions : The list of graduate transfers isn't endless, but it's not far off. We can't name them all. So in addition to the 15 listed here, keep an eye out on these players to potentially find major success at their graduate transfer spots next season: Luwane Pipkins ( Providence ); Jaevin Cumberland ( Cincinnati ); Derryck Thornton ( Boston College ); Lamont West ( Missouri State ); Haanif Cheatham ( Nebraska ); James Bolden ( Alabama ); Jonathan Laurent ( Oklahoma State ); Keith Stone (Miami); Donnell Gresham ( Georgia ); Edric Dennis Jr. (TCU)


With the Warriors severely depleted heading into next season, it stands to reason that the Houston Rockets are as well-positioned as any other team to take advantage and end the Warriors' five-year Finals run. After all, they've been the only Western Conference team to seriously push Golden State, and they have the sort of battle-tested formula that the retooled Lakers haven't yet developed. However, as a report from ESPN's Tim MacMahon makes abundantly clear, the Rockets organization is experiencing turmoil. "Too much damn turmoil," in fact. One "high-ranking" Rockets source summed it up for MacMahon: "There's some hard feelings right now everywhere." That starts with stars Chris Paul and James Harden. Paul's play declined this past season, and as he increasingly tried to slow the offense down and run set plays, Harden reportedly became more and more frustrated with him. When this led to "tense exchanges" during the Rockets' season-ending loss, Paul went out of his way to avoid the traditional postgame press conference with Harden. Paul's incessant jabbering also wore thin with Harden, according to MacMahon. He apparently continued to pester Harden all season long, about little details of his game, the team's style of play, and Harden's unwillingness to move off the ball. Harden snapped after the Rockets' season ended, telling Paul "he didn't always know best and had talked too much." "Chris wants to coach James," says a source familiar with the stars' dynamic. "James looks at him like, 'You can't even beat your man. Just shut up and watch me.'" The tension between the two can't easily be resolved by trading Paul either, as he's still owed $124 million over the remaining three years of his contract. Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta, who has reportedly complained about that contract to team staffers as well as rival executives, is the central figure in MacMahon's story, and his leadership of the team in the two years since he paid an NBA-record $2.2 billion comes off as uneven at best. Fertitta raised a full two thirds ($1.4 billion) of the money for the purchase from selling bonds , and he also assumed $175 million in debt and received a $275 million loan from previous owner Leslie Alexander. Questions about Fertitta's willingness to invest in the team naturally sprouted up when details of the purchase emerged, though he was clear with MacMahon that he's willing to dip into the luxury tax, just not the repeater tax. He can say what he wants, but the Rockets inarguably cut costs last year, opting to take on minimum salary players instead of using the mid-level exception to replace Trevor Ariza. GM Daryl Morey also snuck under the tax at the last second when he dumped Brandon Knight and James Ennis at the trade deadline. According to MacMahon, Fertitta's stubborn refusal to pay up is also at the root of discord between management and head coach Mike D'Antoni, who only has one year left on his contract. Negotiations on an extension broke down in late May shortly after Fertitta publicly raised questions about D'Antoni's age and willingness to keep coaching and Fertitta revealed in a press conference that he offered D'Antoni a $5 million base salary. However, D'Antoni's agent clarified that the offer was not actually for $5 million (which would be below the market rate for an established veteran coach such as D'Antoni), since it would be cut in half if D'Antoni was fired or if the Rockets failed to make the playoffs. Fertitta met with D'Antoni in West Virginia earlier this month, and though he says he offered more incentives in the deal and dropped the buyout language, his unwillingness to raise D'Antoni's base salary rankled D'Antoni's agent Warren LeGarie. "I have not heard from them since that trip to visit Mike," LeGarie says. "Mike is prepared to coach out his contract." The front office also let the bulk of D'Antoni's staff go after last season, and assistants are reportedly unwilling to commit to the team while D'Antoni's status is so unsettled. And so, the Rockets will head into the first season of Western Conference upheaval with a confused and shorthanded coaching staff and a pair of stars growing increasingly disgruntled with each other. Harden is good enough that he could win a championship for the Rockets next season in spite of all this, but he'll have to wade through more organizational chaos than ever before to do so. Morey responded to the story this morning on a Houston radio show , and chalked up the tension within the organization to competitiveness. "I'm frustrated, our top players are frustrated, Mike D'Antoni is frustrated. We want to take the last step and be the champion and I think it's good that there is tension in the sense that we all want to win."


You may be passive about visiting the doc, but make an exception in these cases. Sometimes, an itch is just an itch and a sore muscle is just a sore muscle. But when symptoms persist, or you start to notice certain patterns, it can signal that something more serious is going on. Click through the gallery above for five symptoms that are always worth a visit to your doctor. 1) A bump that won't go away How it feels: "You may think it's a pimple or a mole, and some men keep hitting it with their razor, making it bleed each time," says dermatologist Whitney Bowe, MD, of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. "Others complain of a new scratch or scar they don't remember getting." Why you need a doc: That mystery pimple could be basal cell carcinoma, a treatable form of skin cancer that strikes men more than women, possibly up to twice as often, according to the American Cancer Society. Track other hot spots scalp, eyelids, tips of ears, and back especially if you're outdoors a lot (paging golfers and lawn care lovers!). Basal cell doesn't tend to metastasize quickly the way melanoma does, but the longer you delay removing it, the more disfiguring your scar can be. "When we see it in men," says Bowe, "it's usually further along, because they've waited to come in." 2) Bathroom problems How it feels: You suddenly have to get up more than once a night to pee or it feels as if you need a revolving bathroom door during the day; your stream is weaker; or it s painful to urinate. Why you need a doc: An enlarged prostate is often to blame; it eventually happens to half of all men. Some guys can get away with doing nothing, but others need meds to cut discomfort. Less often, men require surgery to prevent blockage complications like kidney damage, says urologist Ryan Berglund, MD, of the Cleveland Clinic. A troubled flow can also signal issues including diabetes or, in rare cases, prostate cancer. 3) Bedroom problems How it feels: You're generally more limp than stiff. Why you need a doc: Any guy who suddenly develops issues getting it up should see a doctor, and not just for a Viagra prescription, says Berglund. Don t assume you're too young for erectile dysfunction (ED). About a quarter of men age 40 and under have some experience with it. Sure, the condition can come from stress and habits like drinking and smoking. But just blaming his lifestyle can overlook the real trouble: ED can be an early indicator of cardiovascular problems. Clogged vessels reduce blood flow to the heart and down south, too. Seeing a doctor early could help uncover the underlying cause and possibly even prevent a heart attack or stroke. 4) A prickly attitude How it feels: You're acting angry, irritable, or aggressive, or engaging in risky behaviors. Why you need a doc: Depression can manifest itself like this in men, and others do a lousy job of spotting it. Guys often don t present what most people consider classic symptoms. You may act angrier instead of being withdrawn or feeling sad. Or  you may drink more, drive faster, or gamble for higher stakes,  says Michael Addis, PhD, a professor of psychology at Clark University in Worcester, MA. You're also less likely to seek help or take antidepressants. If you're struggling, start with a physical. A doctor can probe your feelings without seeming shrink-y. Interestingly, low levels of vitamins B12 and D have been linked to depression, says Addis. Chronic pain and illnesses (even diabetes) can be associated with low spirits, too. Your MD can offer treatment or refer you to a therapist. 5) A never-ending cough How it feels: A constant dry hack that lasts four weeks or more (enough to drive you nuts), or frequent hoarseness. Take note at the dinner table: Food feels as though it s getting stuck or that you're having a tough time swallowing. Why you need a doc: This could be a sneaky sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (a.k.a. GERD), says gastroenterologist Seth A. Gross, MD, of NYU Langone Medical Center. Left unchecked over the years, GERD has the potential to cause esophageal cancer, which men are more than three times as likely to develop as women are. A steady cough could also signal asthma, postnasal drip, or much less commonly lung cancer or heart failure. 6) Call 911 if you have these symptoms. Stroke is the second leading cause of death around the world. Call for help right away if either of you shows any of these signs even if they go away: Weakness or numbness on one side of the body (usually in the face, arm, or leg). Blurry vision or loss of vision in one or both eyes. Difficulty speaking, slurred words, trouble understanding what others are saying, or the inability to repeat a simple sentence. Sudden dizziness or a severe headache.


Few in today's NBA are better at embellishing contact than Marcus Smart, but he is not apologizing for it one bit. Speaking with reporters on Monday, the Boston Celtics guard had a funny response to those who criticize him for his prevalent flopping. "The difference between me is, I flop on defense, your favorite player flops on offense," quipped Smart, per John Karalis of MassLive.com . Smart, who averaged 8.9 points and 4.0 assists per game for the Celtics last season, is indeed one of the league's premier floppers, especially now that the likes of Manu Ginobili and Luis Scola are no longer around. But for all of his comical flops that amuse Twitter , Smart does have a point because he did make First Team All-Defense last season. That's a sharp contrast from the offense-heavy players like James Harden and LeBron James, who often get flak for flopping.


Beginning a fitness program or workout routine may be the best and worst thing that you can do for yourself. It is the best because it will do wonders to your health, and it is the worst because of the difficulty in trying to maintain it. The intensive physical activity that comes with pursuing the workout routine designed for your body alone can reduce the risk of chronic disease, help you shed weight and improve your balance and coordination. When continued long enough, it will undoubtedly change your sleeping habits and self-esteem for the better. If you want to start but do not know what to do, here are a few steps that can help you build and jump-start the perfect workout routine for your body. 1. Assess your fitness level First, assess your fitness level. Evaluating and recording your baseline fitness scores can provide you benchmarks against which to measure your improvement. To assess aerobic and muscular capabilities, body composition and flexibility, make sure to check your pulse rate before starting the workout, how long it takes for you to finish one mile or 400 meters by walking, how many half sit-ups you can do at a time, your waist circumference and your body mass index. 2. Design your fitness program It is also crucial to carefully design your fitness program. Do this by considering your fitness goals, creating a balanced routine, incorporating activity into your daily routine and allowing yourself time for recovery. 3. Assemble your equipment correctly To be able to perform these tasks with less difficulty, do not forget to assemble your equipment correctly. You may start with choosing the kind of athletic shoes that is most suitable for your routine and consider using fitness applications for you to track all your activities, including the monitoring of calories and heart rate. Amid all these, the one thing that remains the most important is how you get started. When you begin your fitness program, always keep in mind that doing things in haste does not entail progress. Try to start slow and build yourself up with unstinting movements. To ace your fitness goal, it is important to listen to your body, be flexible and stay creative. Related video: How to Improve Your Bulgarian Split Squat | Form Check (Provided by Men's Health)


TCR Australia debutant Jean-Karl Vernay took a hard-fought pole position at Queensland Raceway, edging John Martin by 0.006s. The WTCR regular first put his Melbourne Performance Centre-run Audi on top midway through the 30-minute session with a 1m13.337s. He was then shuffled back as the likes of Dylan O'Keeffe (Ash Seward Motorsport Alfa) and Martin (Wall Honda) improved, before a final run saw the Frenchman grab pole by just six thousandths of a second with a 1m12.941s. "It was a very close qualifying," said Vernay. "We made it, but it was a very thin gap. I'm very happy, the team did a great job." The top four all finished within a tenth of the pole sitter, with Martin followed by HMO Hyundai driver Will Brown and O'Keeffe. Russell Ingall will start the first race from fifth in his MPC Audi, followed by Tony D'Alberto (Wall Honda) and Aaron Cameron (MPC VW). Garry Rogers Motorsport pair Jordan Cox (Alfa) and James Moffat (Renault) were next, while Andre Heimgartner (Kelly Racing Holden) rounded out the Top 10. All three races can be streamed live and free from anywhere in the world via Motorsport.TV.


Lamar Miller is the starting running back in the Houston Texans' offense, but the return of D'Onta Foreman could make for a dynamic one-two punch in the Houston backfield. Foreman tore his Achilles on Nov. 19, 2017, and it virtually consumed his 2018 season as he made just two regular season appearances. Now, entering his third season in the NFL, Foreman is in great shape and could provide the Texans' running game with a nice change of pace from the Pro Bowler in Miller. "I think he's been doing a great job," Miller told reporters June 12 about the progress Foreman is making. "He came back in great shape. He got leaner. He came with a different approach this year. Missing all of last year, so now heading into his third year, he's very comfortable with the offense." Miller produced 973 yards and five touchdowns on 210 carries along with 25 catches for 163 yards and a score in 14 starts for Houston in 2018. Maintaining that level of production along with the insertion of Foreman could yield favorable results. "We're looking forward to it," said Miller. "I'm going to be on him, make sure I'm pushing him. I'm pretty sure he's going to do the same so we can try to win football games." Since Foreman has persevered through his recovery from the torn Achilles, Miller says that the way the former Texas Longhorn works indicates a mindset change throughout the course of his rehabilitation. Said Miller: "I'm pretty sure everybody's seen some of the videos that he's been posting on Instagram and stuff. Just coming back, being in shape, leaner. You can tell that he took his offseason pretty seriously. So, hopefully he keeps improving." If the Texans can have an effective tandem in Miller and Foreman, it will help them fill the void left with Alfred Blue leaving for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Furthermore, it should help ease the burden of quarterback Deshaun Watson. MORE: LaVar Ball made a tasteless mid-interview remark to ESPN's Molly Qerim NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players What does new TE Michael Roberts bring to Packers? Report indicates Matthew Stafford played with a broken back in 2018 Javon Wims worked with starters during Bears offseason practices


The Canadian woman convicted in the murder of her mother and the attempted murder of her "classic tiger dad" secretly rebelled against the strict rules of her Vietnamese immigrant parents for years, according to a new account of the case. A childhood friend of Jennifer Pan, the Toronto-area woman who was 24 when she was arrested on suspicion she had hired a hit on her parents, revealed all her memories of Pan's struggles with her demanding parents in a tell-all memoir on Wednesday in Toronto Life magazine . Pan, now 28, her former boyfriend Daniel Wong and two accused hit men were convicted in December for the November 2010 killing, and they won't be eligible for parole until at least 2035, The Toronto Star reported at the time . And the picture painted in Toronto Life by Karen K. Ho contains many revelations about Pan's faked high school grades, college classes and life of romantic solitude that emerged during her 10-month trial, according to the Star . But the story of the girl who began employing what Ho says she called her "happy mask" after she wasn't named middle school valedictorian at their Catholic school strikes a familiar tone to the first-generation children of Asian immigrants everywhere, Ho told The Washington Post . "Ultimately, it's a horrible crime," said Ho, whose own parents came to Canada nearly penniless from Hong Kong. "But because so many people have gone through the experience of growing up like Jennifer, it's not unfathomable to them that someone would just break." She added, "You just grow up chronically afraid. This buildup of lies is because Jennifer felt like the alternative was just unfathomable." Ho recalls a girl who wasn't allowed to attend parties, go to dances, or have a boyfriend and started creating straight-A report cards to bring home to her middle class parents when she was a freshman in high school. Pan, she writes, had never gotten drunk or gone without her family on a vacation even by the time she was 22 years old. After high school, Pan pretended to enroll in the University of Toronto's pharmacology program and gained permission from her parents to sleep a few nights a week at a friend's apartment closer to campus than her parents' suburban home. She was actually going to Wong's house, though. Her parents finally caught on to the scheme and she confessed to them in early 2009. Bich Ha and Huei Hann Pan told her to quit the bartending and waitress jobs where she actually had been working and to stop seeing her boyfriend completely, according to Ho. They even scrutinized the odometer of her car to make sure she was only driving to the piano lessons she taught. "Living in my house is like living under house arrest," Pan wrote on Facebook in February 2009. She and Wong allegedly soon began speaking seriously about killing her parents. Pan made a failed attempt to hire a murderer to kill her father, she admitted in court in August 2014. But, on November 8, 2010, gunmen entered the house through an unlocked door, killed her mother and seriously wounded her father, who miraculously survived getting shot in the shoulder and face. Police investigators didn't buy the story she told of a home invasion, and, by April 2011, she was facing murder and attempted murder charges, CTV News Toronto reported at the time . Jurors found her guilty more than three years later despite her later contention that she was trying to off herself with the hit. Pan, her boyfriend and the alleged accomplices will appeal their convictions, according to Ho's story. Pan isn't allowed to contact her brother or her father after a judge upheld her family's request. And the saga continues to haunt. "What an intense story!," a Facebook user wrote underneath the magazine's post on Ho's story. "While my life has not been oppressed even close to her extent, it drives me crazy when I feel like my best [efforts] to satisfy my parents' wishes just result in failure. Not saying what she did was inevitable, but all that negativity must have done immense damage to her psyche." Yet such concerns may overshadow the exceptional nature of Pan's case, Jennifer Lee, a University of California, Irvine sociologist who researches Asian-American life, told the Post. "It's so easy to blame immigrant parents," Lee said. "The danger of highlighting cases like Jennifer's is that they contribute to a misconception that all Asian-American kids experience this extreme pressure and are mentally unstable." Lee added, "Jennifer's parents certainly had a role in making her feel trapped, but I think there's a broader discussion to be had about the expectations that teachers, peers and institutions place on people like Jennifer to fit that stereotype of the exceptional Asian American student." Follow on Twitter @tobysalkc tsalinger@nydailynews.com


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Milwaukee? We've rounded up the latest rental offerings via rental site Zumper to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to finding an apartment in Milwaukee if you're on a budget of $600/month. Take a look at the listings, below. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 2807 W. Michigan St. (Merrill Park) First, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom situated at 2807 W. Michigan St. It's listed for $600/month. Neither cats nor dogs are welcome. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. Walk Score indicates that this location is friendly for those on foot, is quite bikeable and has good transit options. (Take a gander at the complete listing here .) 2125 W. Kilbourn Ave. (Avenues West) Here's a studio at 2125 W. Kilbourn Ave. that's going for $600/month. Cats and dogs are not permitted. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. Walk Score indicates that this location is friendly for those on foot, is convenient for biking and offers many nearby public transportation options. (Check out the complete listing here .) 1579 N. Farwell Ave. (Lower East Side) Next, check out this studio that's located at 1579 N. Farwell Ave. It's listed for $600/month. In the unit, you'll find hardwood floors. Hairball alert: cats are permitted. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. Per Walk Score ratings, the area around this address is extremely walkable, is quite bikeable and has good transit options. (Take a look at the complete listing here .) 1767 N. Arlington Place (Lower East Side) Located at 1767 N. Arlington Place, here's a 250-square-foot studio that's listed for $600/month. In the unit, you can anticipate hardwood floors and a walk-in closet. The building offers on-site laundry and storage space. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: this spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. Walk Score indicates that the area around this address is extremely walkable, is quite bikeable and offers many nearby public transportation options. (See the complete listing here .) 4522 W. Burleigh St., #1 (Sunset Heights) Finally, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment over at 4522 W. Burleigh St., #1. It's listed for $595/month. The building boasts on-site laundry, assigned parking, outdoor space and secured entry. In the unit, there are hardwood floors. Neither cats nor dogs are permitted. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. Per Walk Score ratings, the surrounding area is very walkable, is fairly bikeable and has good transit options. (See the complete listing here .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


The deadline for underclassmen to withdraw their names from the 2019 NBA Draft was Wednesday, and a few players who worked out with the Oklahoma City Thunder have kept their names in the draft. While all of the prospects the Thunder worked out were not released publicly, the names that have surfaced were all mostly those that had the opportunity to return to school. With the draft three weeks away, the Thunder will continue preparing but some players brought in have returned to school. Here are some updates on five players who worked out with the Thunder: Jalen Lecque - Guard, Brewster Academy (New Hampshire) Jalen Lecque is a fifth-year high school prep star out of Brewster Academy, and he announced Wednesday that he would remain in the draft. Lecque, who will turn 19 on June 13, was a top recruit for North Carolina State before forgoing his college scholarship. Lecque is able to go straight from high school to the NBA because he is turning 19 in the same calendar year as the league's draft; he is also one year removed from his high school graduation class. Lecque reportedly worked out with the Thunder over the weekend. The 6-foot-4 guard has been called "Baby Westbrook" because of how his athleticism resembles that of Thunder guard Russell Westbrook. Just a kid from NYC staking his claim to greatness NC State commit Jalen Lecque's journey to becoming the 'Baby Westbrook' internet sensation has been electric ⚡ @jalenlecque10 Full Documentary: https://t.co/51XdjevCrF pic.twitter.com/jIRhjmUKNu - SLAM HS Hoops (@SLAM_HS) October 2, 2018 Martin Krampelj - Forward, Creighton Martin Krampelj announced on his Twitter on Wednesday that he would remain in the NBA Draft. Krampelj finished his junior year this past season, and he had one more season of eligibility left. pic.twitter.com/EKQonjaUjY - Martin Krampelj (@MartinKrampelj) May 29, 2019 A forward out of Creighton, Krampelj appeared to workout with the Thunder last Saturday. He took a picture with Grant Gibbs, an assistant coach with Oklahoma City Blue, the Thunder's G League affiliate. Gibbs also played for Creighton from 2011-2014. Thank you @okcthunder for the opportunity! ⚡ Creighton family will appreciate this picture I took with CU legend @DoubleGfor3 ⚡⚡ #thunderup pic.twitter.com/l2Et9opLLG - Martin Krampelj (@MartinKrampelj) May 26, 2019 In his junior season with Creighton, Krampelj earned Big East honorable mention, and he averaged a career-high 13.5 points per game, shooting 59.2 percent from the field while grabbing 6.9 rebounds a game. Oshae Brissett - Forward, Syracuse Oshae Brissett announced on Twitter he would remain in the draft on May 21. Brissett, a sophomore forward, worked out with the Thunder earlier this month, according to Adam Zagoria of Syracuse.com. Syracuse will always be home❤.. pic.twitter.com/r8SozVoylY - Oshae Brissett (@Obrissy) May 21, 2019 Brissett performed well in the NBA G League Elite Camp, and he received an invitation to participate in the NBA Draft Combine. The combine was held in Chicago from May 15-19. In his sophomore season with the Orange, Brissett ranked third on the team in points per game (12.4), and he was first in rebounds per game (7.5). Joe Wieskamp - Guard, Iowa Joe Wieskamp announced last Wednesday that he would remove his name from the draft and return for his sophomore season. Wieskamp worked out with the Thunder earlier this month, according to David Eickholt of Hawkeye Insider. In his freshman season with the Hawkeyes, Wieskamp averaged 11.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Wieskamp also shot 56.4 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from the 3-point line in 35 games for the Hawkeyes. In his first year at Iowa, Wieskamp proved to be a strong shooter after he finished fifth in the Big Ten in three-point percentage. Against Illinois on Jan. 20, Wieskamp recorded 24 points on 6-of-6 shooting from deep. As a freshman, he threw his name in the hat in order to receive feedback from NBA teams on how to improve next season. His decision to return to school wasn't all that surprising to most. Skylar Mays - Guard, LSU Skylar Mays, a junior guard from LSU, removed his name from the draft on Monday, per NOLA.com. Mays will now come back for his senior season after withdrawing himself from the draft. Ahead of the draft, he told The Advocate that the Thunder were one of the teams he worked out with. In his junior season with the Tigers, Mays was named to second-team All-SEC. This past season he averaged 13.4 points per game on 42.1 percent shooting. He also shot 31.3 percent from the 3-point line. ****** Now that the underclassmen deadline has passed, the Thunder will continue to bring in potential draft targets over the next few weeks. Since most of the prospects that have been linked to the Thunder are projected to be taken in the second round, the team may start working out projected first-round players. MORE: Five potential Chris Paul trade destinations This 'Jeopardy' contestant failing to beat James Holzhauer to buzzer sums up his epic run Belichick felt fortunate Harry fell to Pats in draft Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti shocked by C.J. Mosley's contract with Jets Observations from Lions Week 2 of OTAs: multiplicity squared


LONDON (AP)   Britain announced plans Monday to develop and deploy a Europe-led "maritime protection mission" to safeguard shipping in the vital Strait of Hormuz in light of Iran's seizure of a British-flagged tanker in the waterway last week. Briefing Parliament on the budding crisis, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt accused Iran of "an act of state piracy" that must be met with a coordinated international reaction. Iranian officials have suggested the Stena Impero was seized and taken to an Iranian port in response to Britain's role in seizing an Iranian oil tanker two weeks earlier off the coast of Gibraltar, a British overseas territory located on the southern tip of Spain. Hunt announced precious few details of the proposed protection mission, but said Britain's European allies will play a major role in keeping shipping lanes open. One-fifth of all global crude exports passes through the narrow strait between Iran and Oman. The foreign secretary said Iran must understand that its actions will only lead to a bigger Western military footprint in the region. "It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing this increased international presence in the Gulf, because the focus of our diplomacy has been on de-escalating tensions in the hope that such changes would not be necessary," Hunt said. He also sought to put distance between Britain and its closest international ally, the United States. Washington has broken with London on Iran policy as a result of President Donald Trump's rejection of the international accord designed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Trump pulled the U.S. out of the accord last year and re-imposed harsh sanctions, which have had a severe effect on Iran's economy. The foreign secretary said the planned European mission was not part of the U.S. policy of exerting "maximum pressure" on Iran. It was unclear which countries will join the protection force or how quickly it can be put in place. Hunt said he had consulted with foreign ministers of Oman, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Finland, Spain and Denmark. There are no British nationals among the Stena Impero's 23 crew members   most are Indian, as well as Filipino, Russian and Latvian nationals. Iran released new video showing the ship's crew for the first time Monday, an apparent attempt to show they were unharmed. Iran's government spokesman Ali Rabiei said that there are diplomatic solutions to the current crisis, but he also defended Iran's actions. "When you illegally seize a ship in Gibraltar... we don't deem it as necessary to show tolerance," he said. "Some countries have asked for the immediate release of the British tanker. Well, we ask those countries to make the same request to Britain first." Britain says it acted lawfully off the Gibraltar coast to prevent illegal oil shipments to Syria that would have violated European Union sanctions. It says Iran broke international maritime law by forcing the Stena Impero to change course and go to Iran. However, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the Stena Impero was in violation of "international law on safe passage" in the Strait of Hormuz on the day it was seized. Speaking Monday during a visit to Nicaragua, he said the British ship had "turned off its signaling" for longer than is allowed and "was passing through the wrong channels." Britain also says the tanker was in Omani waters at the time, which Iran disputes. The tanker crisis is unfolding in the final days of British Prime Minister Theresa May's leadership. The Conservative Party plans to name her successor Tuesday, and the new prime minister   either front-runner Boris Johnson or Hunt   is expected to take office Wednesday. Friday's seizure of the Stena Impero came amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran. In June, Iran shot down an American drone in the Strait of Hormuz, and Trump came close to retaliating with airstrikes. As the nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers unravels, the U.S. has expanded its military presence in the region. Iran has in turn begun openly exceeding the uranium enrichment levels set in the accord to try to pressure Europe into alleviating the pain caused by the sanctions. European nations are working to save the nuclear deal and have tried to come up with ways to keep trading with Iran, but have run smack into Trump's sanctions, which also target Iranian oil exports. In the newly released video on Monday, the Stena Impero crew is seen dressed in red uniforms and seated around a table onboard as an unidentified Iranian man is heard thanking them for their cooperation. A cameraman is heard telling them not to look at the camera. It wasn't clear if the crew was under duress to take part in the filming. Other choreographed shots show a man checking on the ship, the crew sharing a laugh and talking next to a coffee machine inside the ship. The crew's chefs are seen preparing food. Another video released by Iran's state broadcaster shows Iran's flag hoisted on the ship's bridge. Meanwhile, officials in Gibraltar say the ship's crew has been kept on board the vessel since its seizure July 4. Four Indian crewmembers, including the ship's captain, were arrested, but not charged, and were then bailed. The crew is comprised of Indian, Pakistani and Ukrainian nationals. ___ Associated Press writer Aya Batrawy from Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Jill Lawless and Danica Kirka in London contributed to this report.


NORTH MIAMI, FL   Miami-Dade police on Tuesday released surveillance images of the black, Chevrolet Impala that was driven by the gunman who opened fire on a 68-year-old congregant outside Young Israel of Greater Miami in North Miami over the weekend. Miami-Dade police described the gunman as black with a slim build and short cropped hair. They said he was between 20 to 25. The gunman's car had dark, tinted windows and was manufactured between 2006 and 2013. Yosef Lifshutz was shot a total of six times, including four shots in the leg, as he was waiting for services to begin outside Young Israel of Greater Miami around 6:34 p.m. Sunday, according to Miami-Dade police and Dr. Damon Salzman, president of the synagogue. "We want to put this at the highest level so this community here understands that we feel their fear," Director Juan Perez of the Miami-Dade Police Department told WPLG-TV Tuesday as he visited the synagogue where the shooting took place. Meanwhile, Mayor Gabriel Groisman of nearby Bal Harbour confirmed that the Young Israel of Bal Harbour synagogue in his community received what he described as a "suspicious package" on Monday morning. He said the package included threats and anti-Semitic rhetoric. "It must be known that the Jewish community will not cower in fear," the mayor said on social media. "We stand strong, united and proud." Salzman branded the shooting as the act of a "coward" and he called for donations to help cover the wounded man's ongoing medical expenses. "It does not take terrorist to try and kill someone isolated and defenseless. It takes a coward," insisted Salzman. "It takes someone without courage to attack an elderly defenseless man sitting in front of a place of sanctuary." Miami-Dade police said the incident occurred near the front entrance to the synagogue, which is located at 990 NE 171 St. Lifshutz was in stable condition at Aventura Hospital Trauma Center as of Monday. Security has been heightened at many U.S. synagogues since the Oct. 27, 2018, attack on the Pittsburgh Tree of Life synagogue in which 11 people were killed by a gunman. To make a donation to help Lifshutz, visit the synagogue website and note that the donation is for Yosef Lifshutz. To report a tip, call Miami=Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477) or 866-471-8477. Alternatively, visit www.crimestoppersmiami.com and select "Give a Tip" or text "CSMD" followed by the tip information to 274637.


The Detroit Lions made a handful of important offseason roster acquisitions in 2019, but adding Trey Flowers was their best, and frankly most necessary, move for helping the team take the next step forward in the Matt Patricia era. The Lions defensive line was transformed last season after general manager Bob Quinn traded for Damon Harrison and dropped him into the middle of the defensive line. The ripple effect transcended along the defensive line and the unit as a whole saw drastic improvement over the final half of the season. Harrison, A'Shawn Robinson and Da'Shawn Hand would finish the season as three of Pro Football Focus' top-13 highest graded interior defenders for the 2018 season, finishing 3rd, 11th and 13th respectively. Despite receiving such high marks, there was one area in which they struggled - pressuring the quarterback. None of the #Lions DI earned more than 25 pressures, led by Hand, and he was the only one with a pass-rush grade above 66.0 also neither Hand or Robinson hit 500 snaps on the season and Harrison just eclipsed 600 overall - PFF DET Lions (@PFF_Lions) June 25, 2019 According to information provided to Lions Wire by PFF's Brett Whitefield , Harrison only generated 11 pressures over the season, Robinson had 19, and Hand finished with 25. When we expand our examination of pressures out to the Lions starting EDGE rushers things improve but not significantly. Romeo Okwara was credited with 39, while Devon Kennard earned 33. Enter Flowers, who during the regular season was credited with 64 pressures, good for 10th in the league, adding another 14 in the post-season on his way to a Super Bowl victory. Adding in his postseason performance, Trey Flowers actually ranked 2nd among all edge defenders with 78 pressures last season. pic.twitter.com/NwdSb9Xomu - PFF (@PFF) March 11, 2019 For a defensive line that was stout against the run - Flowers excels in this area as well, finishing 8th in the league with 25 stops, per PFF - finding a player who can generate pressure was the missing piece to completing a defensive line that is expected to set the tone in 2019. MORE: Mike Trout's perfect 98.6 MPH throw to home plate had everyone in awe What might Kostas Antetokounmpo bring to the Lakers on offense? Roundup: Boris Johnson Named UK PM; Tay-K Sentenced to 55 Years; Tornado in Cape Cod The 21 dumbest ideas in NFL history Why are the Jets picking this fight with Quinnen Williams?


Making Baseball Cool Again The Puig bat lick MLB ballpark attendance may be down, but dugout morale surely is not. Coming of age players are redefining the standards of baseball and making the game their own. Cincinnati Reds right fielder Yasiel Puig is known for bringing his eccentric personality to the game. His handful of habits include bat licking, tongue wagging and even kissing his hitting coach, Turner Ward, after home runs. Tony Kemp home-run hugs Want to score a giant bear hug from Houston Astros 5'7" outfielder Tony Kemp? Put on your cap and step up to bat. Tony gives free hugs to anyone who hits a home run. The Houston Astros have been making the news with their line-up of dugout celebration routines. Mike Trout's leg kick On the peak of 250 career home runs, Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout has proven that the unconventional leg kick provides some serious power. The Chicago Cubs themed road-trips From onesies to zany suits, the Chicago Cubs know how to travel in style. Adam Jones' post-game dessert Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones is known for his celebratory creativity. Nothing is sweeter than a post-game pie to the face. The Bryce Harper hair flip Bryce Harpers luscious lock's may be just as celebrated as his batting average. White Sox giant "dinger" chain If you hit a home run with the Chicago White Sox you are rewarded a gigantic chain featuring the classic '80s White Sox logo. Freddie Freeman's long-sleeves Atlanta Braves first baseman Freedie Freeman wears sleeves for more than just a fashion statement. During an interview he stated, "I started wearing long sleeves in 2010 and it was partly for my mother because she passed away from melanoma skin cancer. It was a little tribute to my mother and also obviously I have the redish hair, pale skin and moles on my arms... All those things went into it and now I cannot play baseball without sleeves on, it's just kind of my thing now." The Dodgers' home-run dugout bubbles Toddlers are not the only ones fascinated by bubbles. The Los Angeles Dodgers turn on a soap bubble machine after every home run. Pedro Strop's crooked cap According to Chicago Cubs pitcher Pedro Strop his crooked cap goes back to when he was a child. Stating in an interview, "It goes back to when I was a little kid, if you see pictures of me in baseball or out of baseball, my hat is like that or backwards." Ichiro Suzuki's in the box routine Former Seattle Mariners outfielder Irchiro Suzuki's routine is far from ordinary. One of those routines included raising both of his arms in a crossbow form before his at-bat. The Sandoval bubble San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval doesn't let a ground ball coming his way stop him from blowing a bubble. Sandoval's habit is the epitome of "big league" chew.


Alexander Hernandez rebounded from his first UFC loss when he outpointed Francisco Trinaldo on the scorecards Saturday at UFC on ESPN 4. After experiencing a setback against Donald Cerrone earlier this year, Hernandez (11-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) took on another far more experienced opponent in Brazil's Trinaldo (23-7 MMA, 13-6 UFC). It wasn't the most exciting affair, but in the end his work was deemed more efficient by the judges and he got the unanimous decision. "I'll be the first to say that fight could've gone either way," Hernandez said in his post-fight interview with Jon Anik. The lightweight bout was part of the main card, which aired on ESPN from AT&T Center in San Antonio. There was little action to speak of in the first round of the fight. Less than 20 total significant strikes were landed over the course of the opening frame, with most of them being kick attempts from the outside and single punches at a time. It was much of the same in the second. Both sides were reluctant to commit to anything big, and despite Hernandez being the hometown fighter, there was still some restlessness from the crowd because of the lack of meaningful offense. Going into the third round, it was clear the fight was close. The statistics were relatively even, and it seemed as though the win was up for grabs. Neither man put it all on the table, though, and were content trading single shots at a time in hopes of putting the other out. It never happened, though, after time expired, NAME left with the nod from the judges by scores of 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28. For complete coverage of UFC on ESPN 4 , check out the UFC Results . MORE: LeBron James Boasts About '300 Mil Later' After Rich Paul Klutch Sale to UTA Dwight Howard on being called 'soft' by Kobe Bryant: 'I hated him for that moment' Kenny Golladay praises teammates, Patricia on Good Morning Football Bobby Portis Q&A: 'I love being underrated' 5 possible landing spots for former Cowboys WR Dez Bryant


The downward move arrives after President Trump said he was "not a fan" of cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin is still up more than 160% since the start of the year, despite the recent pullback. Bitcoin fell sharply on Monday, following President Donald Trump's criticism of cryptocurrencies. The world's most valuable virtual currency dropped about 10% to $10,175, according to CoinDesk data. It briefly dived below $10,000, dropping as low as $9,872. The reason for the downward move wasn't immediately clear. But it arrives after President Trump said last week that he was "not a fan of Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies, which are not money, and whose value is highly volatile and based on thin air." "Unregulated Crypto Assets can facilitate unlawful behavior, including drug trade and other illegal activity," Trump added. Trump was also critical of Facebook's plans to create a cryptocurrency, called Libra, which will be pegged to a basket of government-backed currencies and assets to maintain a stable value. Facebook should apply for a banking license if it seeks to become a bank, Trump said. Some in the crypto space shrugged off Trump's comments. Brian Armstrong, CEO of the digital currency exchange Coinbase, said it was an "achievement," putting crypto in the spotlight, while Fundstrat Global Advisors' Tom Lee called it "positive because cryptocurrencies and bitcoin really are in the main stage now." Nevertheless, bitcoin is still up more than 160% since the start of the year, despite the recent pullback. Analysts had attributed the digital coin's rise largely to news of big companies like Facebook getting involved in the space. Elsewhere in the market, ether and XRP   the world's second and third-largest cryptocurrencies respectively   were also in negative territory. Ether slipped nearly 17% to $221 while XRP fell 5% to around 31 cents. In other crypto news, Chinese police confiscated about 4,000 computers belonging to bitcoin miners accused of stealing electricity worth nearly $3 million last week. Bitcoin mining is known to be an energy-intensive operation, with a recent study saying it consumes as much energy as Switzerland.


KABUL, Afghanistan   A car bomb targeting a U.S. convoy exploded early Friday in an eastern Kabul neighborhood, leaving four Afghan civilians dead and three wounded and lightly wounding four American forces, authorities said. It was the second suicide attack in as many days to rattle the Afghan capital. The suicide bomber struck as the convoy passed through Kabul's eastern Yakatot neighborhood, where U.S. and NATO forces maintain complexes. Facilities operated by the Afghan National Security Forces located nearby. Firdous Faramaz, Kabul police chief spokesman, said four Afghan civilians were killed and three wounded in the attack. Bob Purtiman, public affairs officer with the U.S. military in Kabul, said four U.S. service members received minor injuries. The one-line statement did not elaborate. In a telephone interview, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid took responsibility for Friday's attack on the U.S. convoy in Kabul, claiming 10 U.S. soldiers were killed. Taliban claims are often exaggerated. Witnesses said the explosion was powerful, blowing out windows in neighboring buildings. Traffic on the streets was light because the bombing occurred on a Friday, the weekly day off. On Thursday, six people were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside an Afghan army academy and training center, also in the same area but several kilometers (miles) away from Friday's explosion. The Interior Ministry on Thursday said a soldier had noticed a suspicious person, and as he approached him the attacker detonated his explosives near the academy. The soldier's action likely saved lives. Both the Taliban and an Islamic State affiliate have infiltrated the capital in the past. In a series of coordinated attacks by Taliban fighters late Thursday in Charchino district in southern Uruzgan province, 11 soldiers and five police were killed, said Mohammad Karim Karimi, deputy provincial council chief. Karimi said he had repeatedly requested the government in Kabul to send additional security forces to the district, which has a strong Taliban presence. Attacks by the Taliban have continued unabated despite peace talks with the United States as well as a fresh round of talks with Afghan notables this week in the Russian capital Moscow. Following the Moscow talks, Suhail Shaheen, spokesman for the Taliban's political office in Doha, said "spectacular progress" was made on some issues, without elaborating. The Taliban have rejected repeated demands for a cease fire, saying the fighting will continue until U.S. and NATO troops withdraw from Afghanistan. They also continue to refuse to hold direct talks with the Afghan government, calling them U.S. puppets, yet several senior government personalities, including members of a Kabul peace council attended the Moscow meeting. The Taliban have said they will meet with members of the government, but as ordinary Afghans, rather than as government representatives. ____ Associated Press writer Kathy Gannon in Kabul, Afghanistan contributed to this report


Two Colorado K9s are getting bullet and stab protective vests thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Colorado Parks and Wildlife(CPW) K9 Samson's vest is sponsored by Troy DeCoux and friends of Pflugerville, Texas and will be embroidered with the sentiment "Born to Love -Trained to Serve-Loyal Always". Samson, a Belgian Malinois, is certified with the National Police Canine Association for handler protection, fugitive apprehension and various wildlife species odor detection, is working hard to help protect Colorado's natural resources and all of those who enjoy them. Samson's handler, Ian Petkash, is the wildlife officer for the Lake George District. K9 Kato of the Parker Police Department's vest is sponsored by NaturVet and will be embroidered with the sentiment "This gift of protection provided by NaturVet". Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a Massachusetts-based charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The program is open to dogs actively employed in the U.S. with law enforcement or related agencies who are certified and at least 20 months of age. The donation to provide one protective vest for a law enforcement K9 is $950. Since its inception, more than 3,400 protective vests have been provided in 50 states, through private and corporate donations, at a value of $5.7 million. SUGGESTED VIDEOS | Feature stories from 9NEWS


NEW YORK (CBSNewYork)   Cheers erupted outside the governor's mansion in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico when Gov. Ricardo Rosello announced overnight that he will be stepping down . Puerto Ricans have been outraged ever since chat messages leaked earlier this month between the governor and his inner circle that included profane, homophobic and sexist comments, including jokes about Hurricane Maria victims and sexist slurs about New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito . The governor's resignation will take effect on August 2. Secretary of Justice Wanda Vazquez will take his place. New Yorkers have been reacting to the news. "Just because we're not on the island doesn't mean we don't have opinions," said East Harlem resident Abigail Castillo. She still travels regularly to her native Puerto Rico, as recently as last week, when she participated in protests against Rosello, calling for him to resign. "I think the voices were definitely heard. Especially, it's really important for the Puerto Ricans in the diaspora to come out, to show out, to say we are here," she told CBSN New York's Natalie Duddridge. "It's about time! I don't know what took him so long, all his excuses, but thank God he's out," said East Harlem resident Rene Moran. Mark-Viverito took to the streets of New York City with hundreds of others over the last week at Union Square and Columbus Circle. Joining the protests was another well known Puerto Rican New Yorker, Lin Manuel-Miranda . The rallies here in New York were without incident, but some Puerto Ricans say the protests on the island went too far. "They can protest, but you don't have to burn stuff or attack the police. People got mad, they got out of control, and they were tired because look what happened after the hurricane. Where's the money for that?" said East Harlem resident David Garay. Even before the scandal, many Puerto Ricans in New York say they were concerned about the island's economy and slow recovery after Hurricane Maria. Now they hope the territory can turn over a new leaf. "There's need for food, for houses. They're still broke. We feel it over here because we're from over there, and it's not good," said Gloria Rodriguez. "Now it's time to elect the next successor, which I think is Wanda Vazquez, and let's see if we can just start from there," said East Harlem resident Eddie Caceres. Many say that start will be a long process, but they're eager for a new chapter, Duddridge reported.


We continue our look at the training camp previews for the Indianapolis Colts interior defensive line, highlighting one of the undrafted free agents to join the unit this offseason. Name: Sterling Shippy Position: DT Height: 5-foot-11 Weight: 283 Age: 23 Year Drafted: 2019 (UDFA) Background Arriving to Indianapolis as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL Draft, Shippy was one of the four players to sign a deal with the Colts following a strong showing at the team's rookie minicamp. Coming from Alcorn State, Shippy started 12 of 13 games in 2018, recording 38 tackles (19 solo) and eight sacks. 2019 Outlook Though he's shorter than expected for an NFL defensive tackle, Shippy is built like a tank and has shown the ability to combine strength and explosiveness off the line. He's athletic and strong with the ability to use those strengths in the Colts' attacking front. Shippy is likely competing for one of the final spots on the roster and in the defensive line room with guys like Caraun Reid and Jihad Ward. Bottom Line The Alcorn State product lacks height but makes up for it with strength, explosiveness and athleticism. He should be competing for one of the final spots on the interior and even if he doesn't make the initial cut, there's likely room on the practice squad for Shippy. MORE: UFC fighter Ben Askren had an excellent response to getting knocked out in 5 seconds Expected starting lineup for Lakers with LeBron James at point guard Honor thy father: Quinn Cook signed with Lakers for good reason Three Potential Trade Destinations for Russell Westbrook Mesmerizing speed could force Jon'Vea Johnson onto Cowboys roster


As the sun sets on Calais, a new barbed wire fence glints in the evening light, casting a shadow over the growing migrant camp known as the "New Jungle." Through the thick undergrowth of what was once an industrial dumping ground, tents and tarpaulin structures stretch into the distance. These are the makeshift homes currently providing insufficient shelter from the elements for more 3,000 refugees. On the other side of the fence, cars, and lorries trundle towards the port of Calais and the northern edge of the Schengen Area, where people can move freely across much of Europe. With Operation Stack in full force, and the British prime minister, David Cameron, expressing "every sympathy with holidaymakers", the body count at Calais quietly continues to rise. A migrant died on July 28 as he tried to reach the UK. He was the ninth person to lose his life to the Calais-Dover gauntlet between June and July. Cameron has pledged that the UK government will do everything it can to deal with this situation, but sitting in the detritus of the Calais camp, it is clear that the real crisis is humanitarian and is being fatally overlooked. We have made two visits to Calais, spending several days at a time interviewing the camp's residents. Our research is revealing the desperate conditions in which they are living. It is time the UK and French governments took responsibility for a shared issue. So far, all migrants are being given is more barbed wire. "When I first got to the Jungle, I thought to myself: 'is this really Europe?'," said Ilyas, a Sudanese migrant whose family were murdered by Janjaweed militia. He showed us the rudimentary "kitchen" he uses to cook a dusty tent propped up with branches, with no place to safely store food. Like many, he had taken the hard route to Europe, through the Sahara desert where three of his fellow passengers perished and then the equally deadly boat journey across the Mediterranean. Ilyas's friend showed us a shaky video he made on his phone of his eight-day sea crossing, this time from Egypt: "We did not have any water for three days," he explained, flicking through his phone to show happier images of friends and family in the country he was forced to leave. Their troubles did not end when they reached European soil. Migrants we met in Calais who landed on Italian shores report being abandoned by authorities. Young and able men, in particular, are kept in camps for no longer than a few days; many end up homeless and hungry on the streets of Italy. As Italian agencies struggle to cope with the record numbers of migrants crossing the Mediterranean, some report being explicitly told to travel to northern European countries such as France, Germany, and the UK. Others say they have even been shown a map. So a small minority of the 137,000 migrants who have arrived in Europe so far this year have ended up in Calais. The New Jungle less than one square kilometer in area is where thousands of migrants live in appalling conditions that would not meet any humanitarian standards. Toilet facilities are limited. There are two dozen portaloos and a few wooden toilet blocks with no handwashing facilities. Piles of rubbish attract rats and other pests. There is only access to cold water, often at some distance from the ad hoc living spaces. It is unsurprising then that many residents told us they are suffering from fevers, stomach pains and diarrhea. Some residents of the camp use chemical containers to transport water to their tents and every morning, men, women, and children as young as ten can be seen queuing for hours for a rare opportunity to gain access to a shower. At every turn, migrants can be seen limping and bedraggled, visibly injured by the increasing risks they are taking to enter the UK. Others say they are victims of police brutality and local thugs. Médecins du Monde is doing excellent work in the camp, but the scale of injury and illness is increasing. Calais is undoubtedly a humanitarian and public health crisis. Yet it is only a microcosm of the migration crisis as a whole. In the world today, a population the size of Italy has been forced from their homes, putting global numbers of refugees at a level not seen since the end of World War II. Developing countries not European nations host most of them. Turkey alone gives refuge to 1.7 million refugees from Syria. The next five countries hosting the largest numbers of refugees are Pakistan, Lebanon, Iran, Ethiopia, and Jordan. On the northern edge of the New Jungle, a huge bunker looms over the people queuing for a shower. Built during the World War II to protect Hitler from invasion, it reminds us that this is not the first time Calais has been on the frontline of efforts to keep out perceived existential threats. Britain's home secretary, Theresa May, has pledged to spend another £7 million ($10 million) to reinforce Fortress Calais with more barbed wire and an archipelago of migrant camps is spreading across the continent. For her, and for the British government, this is a security threat. Spending time with the residents of the Calais camp however, things look starkly different. It's time to wake up to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the heart of Europe. This article was originally published on The Conversation. You can follow them on Twitter @ConversationUK. We welcome your comments at ideas@qz.com.


Cincinnati Bearcats standout Jarron Cumberland withdrew his name from NBA Draft consideration and will return to the UC basketball program for his senior season, according to his Twitter. The former Wilmington High School star averaged 18.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game during his junior year for the Bearcats. Cumberland was not expected to be a first-round pick, according to the most recent mock draft updates. The former Wilmington High School star announced last month that he would "test the waters" and see where he stood in the draft process. Cumberland reportedly was not among 10 players advancing from the NBA G League Elite Camp that concluded Tuesday to the NBA Combine, per a report via Twitter from ESPN's Jonathan Givony. Cumberland was one of 30 players invited to the NBA G League Elite Camp in Chicago. Some have speculated on social media that Cumberland's cousin, Jaevin, a grad transfer from Oakland who starred with Jarron at Wilmington and would be immediately eligible to play during the 2019-20 season, might consider UC if Jarron were to return for his senior season. With the order set for the 2019 NBA Draft scheduled for June 20, former Moeller High School standout Jaxson Hayes of Texas projects as a lottery pick . LOVE UC? Subscribe today to get access to all of our coverage This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cumberland withdraws name from NBA Draft, to return to UC Bearcats


Former Tottenham, Liverpool, Stoke and England striker Peter Crouch has announced his retirement from football at the age of 38, ending a lengthy 20-year career that saw him turn out for 11 different clubs and play at two World Cups. Most recently, Crouch was released by Burnley in June at the end of a short-term contract at Turf Moor and has now confirmed his intention to walk away from the professional game. After a lot of deliberation this summer I have decided to retire from football ! Our wonderful game has given me everything. I'm so thankful to everyone who helped me get there and to help me stay there for so long. X   Peter Crouch (@petercrouch) July 12, 2019 "After a lot of deliberation this summer I have decided to retire from football!" the famously tall forward revealed on Twitter. "Our wonderful game has given me everything. I'm so thankful to everyone who helped me get there and to help me stay there for so long." Crouch started his senior career at Tottenham in the late 1990s, although he failed to make a first team appearance and joined QPR after loans at Dulwich Hamlet and in Sweden. He later joined Portsmouth in 2001 and then went on to make his Premier League debut with Aston Villa. After a second tier loan with Norwich, Crouch's breakout season came when he scored 12 Premier League goals for Southampton in the 2004/05 season. That helped take him to Liverpool, before returning to Portsmouth in 2008 and moving back to Tottenham a year later. Crouch famously scored the goal that secured Tottenham's Champions League qualification in May 2010 and he scored seven times in Europe's elite competition the following season. The player went to Stoke in 2011 and stayed for seven and a half years, by far the single longest stay of anywhere in his career. He played six games for Burnley in the second half of last season after a January move, although he failed to score. Crouch finishes his career with more than 200 senior goals in over 730 appearances. He also scored 22 times in 42 England games and was part of World Cup squads in 2006 and 2010.


Overhead squats are the hardest exercise EVER. As a CrossFit coach and avid exerciser, this is a hill I'm willing to die on. One day, after some particularly heavy sets, even my wrists were sore. When I mentioned this to my coach, he said my tender wrists might be indicative of a larger issue. Cue: The sigh heard around the box. Of course, I immediately went home and started googling my symptoms (I know, rookie mistake). Again and again, Dr. Google told me I had carpal tunnel syndrome. While a real doc assured me that I don't have carpal tunnel syndrome (and that my forearm muscles were just sore), I wondered: Could you actually give yourself carpal tunnel with your workouts? What Is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Simply put, carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by a pinched nerve in the wrist but to really understand what carpal tunnel is, you need a little Anatomy 101. Turn your palm toward you and make a fist with your hand. See all those things move in your wrist? Those are tendons. "The hand is closed by nine tendons which run down the wrist and create a 'tunnel' (known as the 'carpal tunnel')," explains Alejandro Badia , M.D., board-certified hand, wrist, and upper extremity orthopedic surgeon with Badia Hand to Shoulder Center in FL. "Nestled in the middle of the tunnel is the median nerve, which runs from your forearm into your thumb and most of your fingers." Surrounding the tendon is a lining called the tenosynovium. When this thickens, the diameter of the tunnel decreases, which can, in turn, compress the median nerve. And when that median nerve gets compressed or pinched? Well, that's carpal tunnel syndrome. That's why the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome often include tingling or numbness in the hand, or aching, soreness, weakness and pain in the wrists and hands, says physical therapist Holly Herman , D.P.T., and author of How to Raise Children Without Breaking Your Back . Sometimes a sign of carpal tunnel is a persistent ache that radiates into the first three fingers of the hand, but other times, "patients will report that it feels like their fingertips are going to explode," says Dr. Badia says. Many people who have carpal tunnel also report being woken up in the middle of the night from tingling or numbness in their hands. What Causes Carpal Tunnel? Anything that causes the body (specifically, the tendons and/or tenosynovium) to swell or retain water and therefore, causes the carpal tunnel to narrow can be linked to carpal tunnel syndrome. Unfortunately, according to Dr. Badia, the number one risk factor of carpal tunnel is your sex (ugh). "Being a woman is one of the biggest culprits of carpal tunnel syndrome," says Dr. Badia. In fact, women are three times more likely to have carpal tunnel than men, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (FYI: Women are way more likely to tear their ACLs too.) What gives? Well, the tenosynovium thickens in response to fluid retention and, as Dr. Badia explains, " Estrogen can cause you to retain water, which can cause the tendons and tenosynovium to swell and make the tunnel more narrow." That's why carpal tunnel syndrome is especially common during pregnancy and menstruation when estrogen levels naturally increase. (Related: Your Menstrual Cycle Phases Explained ). Estrogen levels aren't the only culprit; any condition that causes weight gain, fluid retention, or inflammation increases the risk of carpal tunnel. That's why " diabetes , hypothyroidism, autoimmune disorders , and high blood pressure are also linked to the syndrome," says Dr. Bandia. Even having a high-sodium (aka water-retaining) diet can exacerbate the symptoms. People who have previously experienced wrist or hand injury may be at higher risk, too. "A previous trauma like a fractured wrist can alter the anatomy in the wrist and can predispose you to developing carpal tunnel symptoms," says Dr. Badia. Can Working Out Cause Carpal Tunnel? Nope! Your workout can't cause carpal tunnel syndrome, says Dr. Badia; however (!) if you already have carpal tunnel syndrome or are predisposed to the syndrome, consistently bending or flexing your wrist while you work out can agitate the median nerve and exacerbate the symptoms, he says. So, exercises like planks, push-ups, snatches, mountain climbers, burpees, and, yep, overhead squats could worsen the symptoms. If you have carpal tunnel, your doctor may advise you to cut back on exercises that put your wrist in that position or to perform them on your first, says Dr. Badia. Pro tip: if that hurts your finger or knuckles, consider adding an ab mat or folded towel beneath your hand for comfort. (Or just do forearm planks instead.) Dr. Badia notes that a lot of cyclists come into his office with wrist complaints: "If you have carpal tunnel and you don't keep your wrist neutral while you ride and instead are extending your wrist constantly, it's going to exacerbate the symptoms." For this, he recommends wearing a soft brace (like this one or this one ) that forces the wrist into a neutral position while you ride. (Related: 5 Big Mistakes You Could Be Making in Spin Class ). How to Test for Carpal Tunnel If you think you have carpal tunnel, call up an expert. There are a few carpal tunnel tests they might do to diagnosis you. The Tinel's Test involves tapping the inside of the wrist right at the base of the thumb, explains Dr. Herman. If a shooting pain radiates into the hand, it's an indication that you may have carpal tunnel. The Phalan's Test involves putting the backs of your hands and fingers together in front of you with fingers pointing downward for 90 seconds, says Dr. Herman. If the sensation in fingers or hand changes, that means you might indeed have carpal tunnel syndrome. Other docs will go right to the third option: an electromyography (or EMG) test. "This is really how you diagnose carpal tunnel," says Dr. Bandia. "We put electrodes on the forearms and the fingers and then measure how the median nerve is conducting." If the nerve has been compressed, the nerve flow will be reduced. How to Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome It might sound obvious, but if your doctor thinks an underlying condition like diabetes or thyroid dysfunction is the cause, those should be treated first. Beyond that, there are surgical and non-surgical treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome. Typically, the first line of action is to wear a brace during activities that bring on symptoms (like biking, yoga, sleeping, etc) and to non-surgically reduce any inflammation with things like ice packs and OTC anti-inflammatory meds, says Dr. Herman. At the very early stages. Dr. Badia says vitamin B supplements may even help. If none of these "easy" fixes work, your doc may recommend a cortisone injection or surgery. A cortisone injection is an anti-inflammatory steroid that when injected around the median nerve can help decrease swelling of the area, and therefore relieve compression on the nerve  research shows it's one of the most effective treatments available. For less advanced cases, it can get rid of the syndrome completely, while in more advanced cases it may simply ease symptoms for a short period of time. For a long-term solution, "there's a super short surgical procedure that involves widening the canal by cutting one of the ligaments that's compressing the nerve," says Dr. Bandia. Otherwise? Drop and give us 20 you have no excuse not to plank, push-up, or burpee now. Slideshow: 10 Reddit transformations that will inspire you to make a healthy change (Shape)


The AFC West has quickly become one of the best divisions in football. One of the reasons is the overwhelming amount of talent on both sides of the ball. Today, we are taking a look at the five best safeties in the division, ranking them from No. 5 to 1. So without further ado, let us begin. 5. Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 1: Strong safety Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos intercepts a deep pass intended for wide receiver Amari Cooper #89 of the Oakland Raiders as free safety Bradley Roby #29 covers the play late in the fourth quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) Despite having a down year by his standards, Justin Simmons of the Broncos comes in at No. 5 on this list. Simmons started all 16 games for Denver for the first time of his career, totaling 97 tackles, four pass deflections and three interceptions. Simmons is a highly athletic free safety who finds ways to make plays in both the run and pass game. He needs to become a more consistent player to rise up this list, but he makes enough plays as a deep safety to overcome his faults. Entering his fourth year in the NFL, look for Simmons to make a leap this season. 4. Karl Joseph, Oakland Raiders Oct 15, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders strong safety Karl Joseph (42) reacts after a play against the Los Angeles Chargers during the second quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports Coming in at No. 4 is Karl Joseph of the Oakland Raiders. For the first time in his career, Joseph started to play like a first-round pick in 2018. In the team's final eight games, Joseph recorded 42 tackles, two sacks, two tackles for a loss, two quarterback hits and one interception. He was all over the field, making plays in both coverage and in the run game. Joseph may not be the Raiders' long-term answer at strong safety as Oakland drafted Johnathan Abram in the first round, but expect him to be difficult to take off the field in 2019. He's quickly turning into one of the better "box" safeties in all of the NFL. 3. Lamarcus Joyner, Oakland Raiders Dec 3, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Rams safety Lamarcus Joyner returns a first quarter interception against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports At No. 3 is a new addition to the AFC West in Lamarcus Joyner of the Oakland Raiders. Like a lot of the other safeties on this list, Joyner isn't your typical free safety. Depending on the game or the matchup, Joyner can play in the box, as a deep centerfielder, on as a linebacker. But his spot is as a nickel cornerback, matching up with slot receivers. With Karl Joseph and Johnathan Abram in Oakland, you can expect that Joyner will play a lot of snaps at cornerback, specifically, in the slot. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther is going to find ways to get all three on the field and Joyner's versatility will make that possible. 2. Tyrann Mathieu, Kansas City Chiefs Dec 3, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) against the Los Angeles Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Another new addition to the AFC West finds himself at No. 2; Tyrann Mathieu of Kansas City Chiefs. Like Joyner, calling Mathieu just a safety seems like an insult. Instead, he's a defensive playmaker who must be accounted for on every play. The knock on Mathieu early in his career has been his health. But he has now strung together back to back seasons where he has played in every game. In 2018, he recorded the most tackles of his career (89) and added eight pass deflections, three sacks, and two interceptions. Mathieu is still one of the league's best playmakers and should have no problem fitting in with the Chiefs. 1. Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers Oct 21, 2018; London, United Kingdom; Los Angeles Chargers free safety Derwin James (33) looks on in the first half against the Tennessee Titans during an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports At No.1 is none other than Derwin James of the Los Angeles Chargers. As a rookie, James quickly established himself as one of the best safeties in the entire league. He started all 16 games for the Chargers, finishing the year with 105 tackles, 13 pass deflections, 3.5 sacks, and three interceptions. James made the Pro Bowl and was named a first-team All-Pro selection at safety. He can cover, stop the run, blitz, and do whatever else the Chargers need him to do. He's one of the most versatile defenders in the entire league, and he was an easy selection as the best safety in the division. MORE: Most bizarre and incredible catches by fishermen in past decade Giants' Daniel Jones quickly destroying critical narratives These five upcoming NBA free agents hurt themselves in the playoffs Roundup: National Donut Day; Netherlands Defeats England in UEFA Semis; Flooding in Oklahoma City Cowboys News: Michael Gallup leg injury dampens final OTA session


SANTA MARIA, Calif.   A third body has been found in the rubble of a burned-out mobile home in California, bringing to five the number of dead in a shooting and fire that began during an argument at a pitch-and-putt golf course, authorities said. Santa Maria police identified Kurt Bracke, 70, and Richard Hanen, 78, as the victims who were fatally shot. Residents told The Santa Maria Times there had been a long-standing feud between the two men and the shooter that boiled over Friday at the golf course of the Casa Grande Mobile Estates in Santa Maria, a coastal city about 140 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The shooter has not been identified. "These three guys were threatening each other for a long time," Keith Castro said. Responding to a report of shots fired at the mobile home park on Friday morning, police found one man fatally shot inside the Casa Grande clubhouse and another dead on the grass nearby, the newspaper reported. Working defensive fire 519 west Taylor. BC 211, E2, E3, E4, E5 , and T1 all at scene actively fighting multiple fires pic.twitter.com/A5JqCdUHrf   Santa Maria Fire (@SMFDHQ) June 21, 2019 The gunman is believed to have fled to his mobile home, which then went up in flames after a small explosion. The blaze spread to nearby mobile homes before it could be put out by firefighters, where ammunition was exploding from the gunman's mobile home. "All throughout the firefighting efforts, ammunition was cooking off," Police Chief Phil Hansen said. Authorities initially found two bodies   one of which is believed to be the gunman's   in the rubble, but said Saturday an additional victim had been located. Their names will be released after the coroner's office confirms their identities. The gas valve to the mobile home park was turned off during the firefighting efforts, the Southern California Gas Company said in an email. It has since been turned back on. Santa Maria City Councilwoman Gloria Soto expressed her condolences to the victims' families on Twitter. "I am committed to working on local policies that keep our residents and their families safe," she wrote. Santa Maria police declined to release any additional information and Casa Grande Mobile Estates declined to comment on Sunday.


The New England Patriots signed receiver Dontrelle Inman to a one-year deal worth up to $1.4 million with $300,000 guaranteed at signing, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss. Inman will join a crowded receiver group, but this contract showed that the Patriots value having Inman around for training camp, and perhaps beyond that. Contract note: WR Dontrelle Inman's 1-year deal includes a $200k signing bonus, $100k of his base salary guaranteed, $300k in roster bonuses, and a $100k reporting bonus, in addition to incentives up to $1m. This reflects how he had other suitors. This isn't a minimum-level deal. - Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) May 16, 2019 Chances he makes the roster: 30 percent What it means for Inman: The receiver position is a bit of crapshoot for the Patriots. Julian Edelman and N'Keal Harry are locks. The rest of the receivers face considerable uncertainty. For Inman, he'll have to develop chemistry with Tom Brady while getting acquainted with the playbook. Meanwhile, he'll be fighting with Demaryius Thomas and Maurice Harris, who are trying to do the same. Phillip Dorsett and Josh Gordon will likely both be around as well - they have familiarity in the system, but have issues of their own to manage. As much as the Patriots showed interest in Inman, the team hasn't provided him with job security. To the contrary, he's probably on the outside looking into the roster bubble. He'll have to hurdle a few of his position-mates to make the team. But he has the talent to do so, with one season with the Chargers when he had 58 catches for 810 yards and four touchdowns. He was their No. 2 wideout. He'll likely be intent upon taking on a similar role in New England's offense in 2019. MORE: This photo of Kyler Murray led to more speculation about his height Patriots will prove Super Bowl LIII shutdown defense was no fluke Roundup: Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost Engaged, Robert F. Smith Pays Off Morehouse Student Loans NCSA: Five common recruiting myths Mike Clay projects the Giants to finish with two wins in 2019