Samsung is ready to launch the Galaxy Fold. The foldable handset was originally due to go on sale in April, until various hardware faults found by journalists forced the Korean smartphone manufacturer to postpone the release to run further tests. At the end of May, Samsung announced that the tests had not yet concluded, promising to produce a launch schedule "in a few weeks"; all preorders of the bendy handset were cancelled, and an expectant hush descended upon the industry. To Samsung's credit, a few weeks have elapsed, and the company has delivered the goods   sort of. The Korea Herald reports that Samsung's display vice president Kim Seong-Cheol has described the Galaxy Fold as "ready to hit the market". Speaking at the Korean Information Display Society on 18 June, Kim Seong-Cheol reported that "most of the display problems have been ironed out", saying that despite the myriad issues for which the handset has become known, he expects the Fold "to receive a lot of attention in the market" when it finally does launch. We don't like the sound of that "most", but Samsung has been careful not to pin down an exact release date, perhaps because the rumoured launch of the Galaxy Note 10 is fast approaching. The Korean firm denied reports that the Fold would launch before the Note 10, potentially in July. Tech journalists found that review samples of the Galaxy Fold were prone to warped or broken displays. In addition, it was quickly discovered that removing a protective film from the folding screen   frequently mistaken for part of the packaging   resulted in significant damage to the Fold. Since then, there's been no word on an exact release date for Samsung's game-changing handset.


Heading into the 2019 NFL draft, the Oakland Raiders knew what their biggest weakness was heading into the season; a lack of a pass-rush. That is why they spent the No. 4 pick on one of the most consistent edge players in all of the country in Clemson's Clelin Ferrell. If Oakland wants to have success next season, they are going to need some of their young players, including Ferrell, to be able to get to the quarterback. But what is a realistic expectation for Ferrell in his rookie season for the Raiders? According to BetOnline.ag, Ferrell's projected sack total sits at 5.5. To compare that number to some of his other draft colleagues, Josh Allen's is set at 7, while No.2 overall pick Nick Bosa is at 9. Ferrell is known more for his all-around game, rather than just creating sacks off the edge. However, he can certainly do that as well. According to Pro Football Focus, Ferrell had a pass-rush win rate of 22.6%, the seventh-highest in the 2019 draft class. While a line of 5.5 sacks may seem low for Ferrell (especially in comparison to others in the class), it looks about right. Ferrell is likely to be more of a help in the run game than Bosa or Allen as he proved to be an elite run-stopper at Clemson. Look for Ferrell to be in the backfield a ton in 2019, but for his sack total to only hover around six or so. MORE: Most bizarre and incredible catches by fishermen in past decade Wyatt Ray: What the Browns are getting in their new OLB Roundup: Denver Decriminalizes Magic Mushrooms, Howard Stern Book Details, Fox Sports Gambling App This is how the Boston Celtics head into the offseason Giants already see Deandre Baker as their No. 2 cornerback


RENTON, WA   Rather than kill his roommate, a 26-year-old Renton man reportedly broke into the King County Sheriff's Office Fairwood police substation and waited until deputies arrived to arrest him. As a kicker, the conspicuous vandal brought donuts as "a peace offering," KCSO officials said on Facebook. While the sheriff's office only shared news of the bizarre break-in on Thursday, the incident reportedly occurred sometime last week. After midnight, the man shattered the front window of the office located at 17620 140th Ave. S.E. in Renton, next to Rite Aid. When deputies arrived, they found the man kicking back with his feet up on a chair, watching TV in rear office. He'd apparently just smoked a cigar, officials said. "The deputy who responded asked the suspect if he broke the window to the storefront and the suspect casually replied, 'Yep,'" officials said in the Facebook post . "The suspect went on to explain that he would rather go to jail for breaking into the storefront than 'kill his roommate.'" Expecting to raise the ire of sheriff's office personnel, the man reportedly brought donuts to smooth things over. "What cop doesn't love donuts, right?" KCSO officials asked. The man was subsequently arrested, as he requested.


Kawhi Leonard created headlines on and off the court during the NBA finals due to his outstanding play, quirky personality and quiet confidence as he led the Raptors to their first-ever NBA Finals victory. But back when Leonard was being scouted as a prospect out of college, he may not have been quite so self-assured. One team that was interested in him coming out of San Diego State was the Phoenix Suns . While the Suns are known to make some questionable decisions, there is a rather unusual reason as to why they passed up the opportunity to draft Kawhi. It's fun to have a few laughs about NBA Draft combine interviews but never forget the Suns didn't consider Kawhi because of interview sweat pic.twitter.com/TTx9t7C2r5   Scott Howard (@ScottHoward42) May 11, 2017 That's right, the Suns opted against selecting the three-time NBA All-Star because he was sweating through his suit in an interview back in 2011. Who could blame him for being nervous while meeting with an NBA team? Apparently the Suns, as they let a little bit of sweat disrupt their decision-making process ahead of the 2011 draft. Instead of drafting Leonard, the Suns went with Markieff Morris with the 13th pick, who spent a touch more than four seasons in Phoenix. Wow they botched their draft over something simple as sweating during an interview?! https://t.co/alOuOp1NAw   Tyrone Williams (@UncleDilla) June 24, 2019 Though Leonard acts like a robot and appears to never get nervous while out on the court, even in the most high-pressure situations, it seems he was a little more skittish back in 2011 when interviewing with teams. Nevertheless, the Suns completely botched the 13th pick in 2011. If Kawhi had perspired a bit less, perhaps he'd be playing in Phoenix right now, rather than in Toronto. Related slideshow: 2019 NBA Finals (provided by imagn)


BEIJING, May 31 (Reuters) - China threatened on Friday to unveil an unprecedented hit-list of "unreliable" foreign firms, groups and individuals that harm the interests of Chinese companies, as a slate of retaliatory tariffs on imported U.S. goods was set to kick in at midnight. The commerce ministry did not single out any country or company, but the threat could further heighten tensions after Washington this month put Huawei on a blacklist that effectively blocks U.S. firms from doing business with the Chinese telecoms equipment giant. Beijing's "unreliable entities list" would apply to those who violate market rules and the spirit of contracts, block supplies to Chinese companies for non-commercial reasons, "seriously damage the legitimate rights and interests" of Chinese companies and harm China's national security, the ministry said. A deluge of sharply worded commentaries, criticism and warnings from China in the last two weeks has intensified a battle of words with the United States that could complicate the run-up to any meeting between their respective leaders next month. Earlier this month, Washington slapped additional tariffs of up to 25% on $200 billion of Chinese goods, accusing Beijing of reneging on its previous promises to make structural changes to its economic practices. That prompted Beijing to hit back with additional levies on the majority of U.S. imports on a $60 billion target list - due to take effect on Saturday. U.S. President Donald Trump has said he plans to meet his counterpart, Xi Jinping, during the G20 summit, set for June 28-29 in Osaka, though China has not formally confirmed this. Xi and Trump are likely to find it "difficult" to make major progress towards ending the trade war, a former top Chinese official said. The U.S. approach to trade talks had been "bullying and America First," whereas the principles of China's approach to negotiations were equality and cooperation, said Dai Xianglong, who headed the People's Bank of China from 1995-2002 and remains an influential figure in China. "I expect that at next month's meeting of the leaders in Japan it will be difficult to achieve major progress," Dai said, later adding that he was not confirming that the meeting would take place, but that he hoped it would. Dai also said he did not rule out stronger retaliation by China. He said heavy sales of U.S. Treasuries by China were a less likely option for retaliation as they would hurt China's own interests. PUBLIC RELATIONS BATTLE Since the latest round of U.S. tariffs, which caught Beijing by surprise, Chinese state media has gone on the offensive. The People's Daily, the ruling Communist Party's flagship newspaper, warned that China was ready to use its dominance of rare earths, crucial minerals used in electronics, to strike back in the trade war. Speaking at a separate briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang took umbrage at Trump comments on Thursday that China was becoming a "very weakened nation" due to companies leaving China because of the tariffs. "This is neither the first nor second time the U.S. side has said these lies," Geng said. "But the U.S. side seems to be very persistent, even obsessed with it, and is still repeating these lies." At the Beijing seminar on Friday, former Chinese vice commerce minister Wei Jianguo said initiating a trade war with China might be the biggest strategic mistake made by the United States since World War II or even its founding. There was a need to prepare for the likelihood for the trade war to ratchet up tensions to geopolitical areas including the South China Sea, said Wei, adding that the trade conflict might last for 30 years or even half a century. He suggested that China had many countermeasures it could take, including rare earths and against Boeing Co. or U.S. software. "There are lots of Chinese countermeasures, and, speaking honestly, we hope not to use them, because we always negotiate with the United States with sincerity and hope to achieve results," Wei said. Dong Yang, a former executive director at the China Association of Automotive Manufacturers, said at the seminar that U.S. auto parts suppliers could also be hit. "U.S. car components companies have presence in China, and set China as a global manufacturing base. The escalation of the trade war between China and the United States will seriously affect their development in China and the world," Dong said. Other parts suppliers from countries such as Germany, Japan, South Korea and France could also provide strong substitutes for U.S. components, he said. All those who spoke at the seminar were former, albeit senior, officials. The government has not organized media appearances for top leaders or trade negotiators to answer questions on the trade talks. Chinese officials rarely take questions from foreign media. (Reporting by Stella Qiu, Cheng Leng, Yilei Sun and Dominique Patton; additional reporting by Cate Cadell Writing by Ryan Woo and Ben Blanchard Editing by Paul Tait, Simon Cameron-Moore and Nick Macfie)


Kendrick Perkins has spent a deal of time spewing our hot takes since he officially announced his retirement back in April. The former Oklahoma City Thunder center has also taken some trips down memory lane. Although, Perkins has focused a bit more on the team he broke in the NBA with, the Boston Celtics, than his time in Oklahoma City. Perkins, of course, joined the Thunder in the 2010-2011 season when he and Nate Robinson were traded by Boston for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic. Perkins then played 273 games for Oklahoma City until he was shipped out in the middle of the 2014-15 season. In a recent interview on FS1's "Fair Game" with Kristine Leahy, Perkins talked about when he first joined the Thunder. Although there were some who still missed Green, the big man found a way to fit in. I actually gelled with those guys pretty quickly because they had this winning mentality. They were so young but it was just like, you could tell they had a passion for winning. And they looked up to me. So I instantly took a leadership role. But when Perkins looks back on the group he shared the floor with - which included Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Serge Ibaka - he felt the team was close, but there was something missing. We came together but it was still, like, it was a family, but it wasn't all the way in. Guys were still trying to find themselves. At the end of the day, they were still trying to decide if it was Russ' team or KD's team. So it was basically, when we got to the finals, it was "My turn. Your turn. My turn. Your turn." And then you have James who was the Sixth Man of the Year coming in off the bench and the ball might not swing his way. The Thunder were still experiencing identity problems when they reached the 2012 NBA Finals, Perkins first full season in Oklahoma City, which is why the big man feels that run was special. In the end, he chalks the loss up to Miami having more experience. MORE: Beyonce's perceived reaction to Warriors' owner's wife became a meme Warriors Fan Who Pushed Kyle Lowry Should Face Lifetime Ban From NBA [UPDATE] Cowboys News: Michael Gallup leg injury dampens final OTA session Damon Sheehy-Guiseppi keeps impressing in Browns minicamp 49ers' biggest offseason whiff was intentional


Maurizio Sarri has provided an update on the injury sustained to Ruben Loftus-Cheek ahead Chelsea's Europa League final clash with Arsenal, with the midfielder set for at least a four month lay-off. The Italian also admitted he will 'respect' Eden Hazard's decision if the Belgian opts to leave London and move to Real Madrid, although he has 'hope' that he will stay on at Stamford Bridge. Sarri says he cannot be certain but he estimates Loftus-Cheek may be able to return to training in four to six months. #UELfinal   Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) May 22, 2019 Chelsea will take on Arsenal in the final of the competition in Baku on Wednesday, with Sarri addressing the media ahead of the all-English European final. One of the key points the 60-year-old brought up was the loss of Loftus-Cheek, who ruptured his achilles during a charity friendly game against MLS outfit New England Revolution. "For sure, he will become one of the best midfielders in the world," he said of Loftus-Cheek, as relayed by Goal reporter Nizaar Kinsella . "I don't know the timing. Maybe four-five months. Training after five months then to train to play at the best of his abilities." Sarri on the severity of Loftus-Cheek's injury: "For sure, he will become one of the best midfielders in the world. I don't know the timing. Maybe four-five months. Training after five months then to train to play at the best of his abilities." #CFC   Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) May 22, 2019 Much of the discussions taking place ahead of the showpiece event have been surrounding the future of Blues' forward Hazard . The 28-year-old has been widely tipped to confirm his departure from the club and join Madrid , with an announcement set to come after Wednesday's match. Sarri was quick to state that he wants the player to remain in west London, although he is unsure of the Belgian's next move. Nevertheless, the Italian claimed his side must be ready for any eventual departure. "I want to respect his decision, I hope he will stay with us," he added. "We need to be ready if he decides something different. Hazard is good for every team [after being asked about Real Madrid], also for us."


Ferrari junior Callum Ilott says he felt it was important to rebound   after taking second in Formula 2 qualifying in Monaco   following his "weird" Alfa Romeo Formula 1 testing crash. Ilott is a rookie in Formula 2 with the Sauber Junior Team, having finished third in the GP3 Series in 2018. After a tricky start to the season, Ilott became the second rookie to score a podium this year with third place in the Barcelona sprint race two weekends ago. His front-row qualifying performance in Monaco is the best by a rookie in F2 this year so far. Ilott got his first test in a Formula 1 car at the post-Spanish Grand Prix test in Barcelona last week following that F2 podium, and crashed the Alfa Romeo car at Turn 3, after impressing the team early on. "I did a good job in the morning, but the crash negates a lot of the good stuff," Ilott told Motorsport.com. "That's unfortunate. I can't change it. "I wanted to come here and do a good job. I think from an outsider's perspective it's good to have a real rebound. "I think I had a turnaround last weekend when something just clicked [in the Barcelona F2 weekend]. "I'm disappointed it [the testing crash] happened, but whatever is done is done. I'm one of those guys who believes your biggest downs in life are your greatest lessons. "So that was a big down last week and in a lot of ways it taught me a big lesson. We'll have to see, but this weekend I've come back very strong and continued my progression and learning. "I in no way wanted it to happen but it's done now and I just have to keep on rising." The 20-year-old says there was more time to be made in his F2 qualifying lap, having topped his qualifying group by 0.007s ahead of fellow Ferrari junior Mick Schumacher. When asked if he was happy with his performance as it is unusual for rookies to do well in Monaco, he replied: "I'm an unusual person in some ways. "I felt I prepared well for this event, and I have a lot of confidence on street circuits. I think I've continued that a little bit here. "I'm happy. It's a fast car, you have to manipulate it a lot to make it work. "There were places I thought I could have braked later, but next year for sure if I come here I will do exactly that. "But I'm ahead of myself already I think in many ways. The target is just to go into a race, have a good start, good pitstops and do a good job." Callum Ilott, Sauber Junior Team by Charouz Photo by: FIA Formula 2


The opportunity to partner up with former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate James Harden has been the reported reason Houston was Russell Westbrook's preferred destination. However, he'd also welcomed the idea of heading to Miami to play with Jimmy Butler for the Heat - who appeared to be the frontrunners in the Westbrook trade talks before news broke on Thursday. But there may have been another reason Westbrook liked the idea of playing for the Rockets. According to Brett Dawson and Michael Lee of The Athletic , Westbrook is also "intrigued by the possibilities in Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni's offense." While with Oklahoma City, Westbrook had Steven Adams anchoring the paint. However, the point guard's game is all about what he can do off the drive. As much as he worked well with Adams off the pick and roll, Westbrook now has the chance to drive with no one taking up space in the key, while his Rockets teammates wait around the perimeter for him to kick the ball out. MORE: Poker player loses brutal 31 million chip hand with pocket aces at 2019 WSOP Main Event Three Potential Landing Spots for Chris Paul News: Major trade target at safety, levels to Cowboys WRs, NFL's best RB NBA Depth Charts After Packers pass on Jalen Thompson, focus shifts to Natrell Jamerson


Downtown is quite walkable, is convenient for biking and has good transit options, according to Walk Score's rating system . So what does the low-end pricing on a rental in Downtown look like these days   and what might you get for your money? We took a look at local listings for studios and one-bedroom apartments in Downtown via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to find out what budget-minded apartment seekers can expect to find in this Atlanta neighborhood. Read on for the cheapest listings available right now. (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. 32 Peachtree St. NW Here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo at 32 Peachtree St. NW, which, at 606 square feet, is going for $1,300/month. The building features garage parking and a fitness center. You can also expect to see air conditioning, hardwood flooring and a fireplace in the unit. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: This spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (See the full listing here .) 215 Piedmont Ave. NE Then there's this 550-square-foot condo with one bedroom and one bathroom at 215 Piedmont Ave. NE, listed at $1,325/month. Building amenities include assigned parking, a fitness center and concierge service. In the unit, expect to find air conditioning and stainless steel appliances. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: This spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. (See the listing here .) 300 W. Peachtree St. NW Check out this 609-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom space at 300 W. Peachtree St. NW, listed at $1,350/month. You can expect air conditioning in the apartment. Cats and dogs are not welcome. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. (Here's the listing .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Los Angeles should be fairly dry this coming week, but there is light rainfall in the forecast, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . The greatest chance of rain is forecast today at 39 percent. The immediate forecast also has cool temperatures in store for today. Temperatures will turn warmer from Monday to Thursday, with a high of 74 degrees on Tuesday and Wednesday. Skies will partly clear up on Saturday. Winds will continue to be light in the course of the week, with the highest speeds today at just 10 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


And so it begins. Kevin Durant is an unrestricted free agent. The two-time Finals MVP declined his $31.5 million player option with the Warriors, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski , who reports Durant is in New York evaluating his choices with business manager Rich Kleiman. It would've been shocking to see Durant accept the player option given how much he stands to make with a longterm deal, but it's important to know that is off the table. NBA FREE AGENCY: Latest news, rumors on Kevin Durant With Durant now on the market, the rumors regarding his next move will only intensify before free agency officially begins Sunday at 6 p.m. ET. The terrible Achilles injury he suffered in the NBA Finals hasn't reduced interest in him around the league. Durant will be expecting a full max contract from any general manager trying to sign him. Based on all the reporting to this point, he has four primary suitors, though an outside team could always emerge. Let's start with the obvious. ... Kevin Durant re-signs with the Warriors If Durant values financial security above all else, his free agency won't last long. The Warriors hold a clear advantage here with the ability to offer a supermax contract with an extra year and $57 million more than any outside team. Kevin Durant max contract Warriors New team Total $221 million $164 million Years 5 4 Average $44.2 million $41 million However, it's not that simple. One league executive told Bleacher Report's Ric Bucher that Durant is "really pissed off" with the Warriors because of how they handled his injury and the role the team played in his decision to take the floor against the Raptors in the NBA Finals. If Durant can't trust Golden State's medical staff, how could he stay? Another unconventional possibility: The Warriors agree to a sign-and-trade with Durant . ESPN's Brian Windhorst recently explained on "Get Up" why this could work for both sides. "For the lack of a better term, it would be a delayed sign-and-trade, because this is the only way Durant can get five years and play elsewhere. And I'll just be honest with you, the Warriors going to this is a bit of a last-ditch effort to not lose Kevin Durant for nothing. And what he would get out of it would be an extra $57 million coming off of a devastating injury. He would be protected and get all of his money. Now, you have to trust the Warriors that they'd actually work with you in a trade, but it's something that's at least been discussed as an option." Will this happen? Probably not. Being halfway in, halfway out creates problems. It would be best for Durant to either commit to the Warriors or start fresh. Durant knows the Warriors. It's an elite organization with a great coach in Steve Kerr and All-Star players in Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson (assuming he re-signs this summer). But even accounting for those factors, he could be leaning toward a switch to the Eastern Conference. Kevin Durant signs with the Nets Yes, the Warriors can offer Durant the biggest contract, but that doesn't necessarily mean they should be considered the favorites to sign him. The Nets   formerly known as the, "Oh crap, we just sent away our entire future to Boston" Nets   hold the best odds to land Durant this offseason. Brooklyn is "gaining confidence" it can pull off a Durant-Kyrie Irving double play in free agency, per Windhorst. The latest on Kevin Durant's free agency with @WindhorstESPN - oh, and @KendrickPerkins says don't count the Nets out. pic.twitter.com/Yo43heg6s9   Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) June 24, 2019 Durant has reportedly already met with Irving multiple times to discuss playing together, and Irving is also trying to recruit DeAndre Jordan , one of Durant's close friends. The Nets possess the cap space and flexibility to put all of the pieces together. It's difficult to know exactly what the Nets would look like following the potential signings of Durant and Irving, but the organization has done a terrific job building a strong culture. Brooklyn has developed guys like D'Angelo Russell, Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, Joe Harris and Jarrett Allen. General manager Sean Marks assembled a coaching staff and roster that made an unlikely playoff push in 2019. Imagine what could be accomplished with legitimate superstars. Going through the rehabilitation process in that kind of positive environment could be appealing to Durant. Whenever he does return, the Nets might be a ready-made contender in the East. Kevin Durant signs with the Knicks Once considered a lock to add Durant, the Knicks now find themselves behind the Nets. Warriors forward Andre Iguodala went so far as to say no one is going to the Knicks . It would be unwise to remove New York from the race, though. The Knicks will meet with both Durant and Kawhi Leonard at the start of free agency before shifting toward secondary targets, according to The Athletic's Frank Isola . The Leonard meeting feels like a swing for the fences, but Durant is still very much in play because the Knicks can present an opportunity unlike any other. If Durant brings the Knicks a championship, he will become a hero in New York and elevate his legacy. The fan base is so desperate that a trip to the Eastern Conference semifinals would be cause for celebration. There's nothing quite like finding success under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden (it doesn't hurt that he's also extremely close with Knicks assistant Royal Ivey; Durant is the godfather of Ivey's daughter). And Durant wouldn't have to do it all on his own. With Durant out for the entire 2019-20 season, the Knicks could develop youngsters RJ Barrett, Dennis Smith Jr., Kevin Knox and Mitchell Robinson, select another top prospect in the 2020 NBA Draft and roll over their cap space if they don't like their options this summer. The Knicks are willing to sign Durant with no other stars guaranteed, according to Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix . This could be his franchise, his chance to shut down any remaining critics who believe he just attached himself to an already up-and-running dynasty. Kevin Durant signs with the Clippers Los Angeles is locked in on Leonard, who will likely decide between the Clippers and Raptors in free agency. As The Athletic's Sam Amick said back in February, the Clippers' "grand plan" was forming a dynamic duo of Leonard and Durant. If Leonard wants to stay in Toronto, could Durant alone become Plan B? Much like the Nets, the Clippers have a strong foundation in place. General manager Michael Winger knows Durant from his days as assistant general manager with the Thunder. Team consultant Jerry West helped the Warriors bring Durant to the Bay Area. Head coach Doc Rivers just led a scrappy bunch to the playoffs and pushed Golden State to six games. Unfortunately for the Clippers, they might always be the second squad in LA. Durant might not want to be overshadowed by LeBron James and Anthony Davis in his own city. This wouldn't be nearly as exciting as being a Knicks legend. Still, the Clippers will be in consideration, per Wojnarowski . Don't be surprised if Durant at least meets with the front office when free agency kicks off. Related slideshow: The top picks in the NBA draft (Provided by imagn)


Frenkie de Jong is finally set for his Barcelona presentation on Friday, following his signing for the club in the January transfer window. The Netherlands midfielder signed a deal worth up to €86m with add-ons to move this summer, snubbing the likes of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in favour of a move to Catalonia. Considered to be one of the most promising footballers in the world, the ex-Ajax player has garnered further praise for his part in an impressive Netherlands side, playing a vital role in the Dutch team that knocked England out of the Nations League last month. The midfielder's  presentation will take place on 5 July and will include his signing of the contract, his reveal to the fans in the Camp Nou and a press conference to follow. De Jong has signed a five-year deal with the Catalonian giants, keeping him there until the 2023/24 season. The presentation will be streamed live on  Barcelona's website, as well as being broadcast on Barça TV.  Come to witness the presentation of a new talent!  @DeJongFrenkie21  Camp Nou  5 July  7pm  Full story: https://t.co/OyAH3qoOT2  #ReadyToColor pic.twitter.com/ZqdAKl7FeE   FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 2, 2019 De Jong joins an illustrious list of Dutch players to turn out for Barç, with the likes of Patrick Kluivert, Johan Cruyff and Ronald Koeman all donning the Blaugrana jersey before him.


Mother's Day is this Sunday, which means many family members are scrambling to pick out the perfect gift for the most important woman in their lives. Instead of flowers or chocolates, Kraft wants to help you give mom what she really wants   a night off. The food producer is offering to pay for the cost of a babysitter on Mother's Day with a promotion dubbed "Mother's Day Away." "Mother's Day is a day to celebrate Mom in all of her greatness, but we know the holiday doesn't stop the challenges of motherhood   temper tantrums, sleepless nights and picky eaters," Kraft's Head of Marketing, Sergio Eleuterio, said in a press release. "With Kraft 'Mother's Day Away' we are giving moms across the country the chance to have what they secretly really want: some time for themselves." The rules are pretty simple. After the babysitter is paid and out the door, moms can submit their babysitter bills from the holiday to www.kraftmothersdayaway.com . The offer ends at midnight on May 19 and will cover a maximum of $100 of the bill, per person or household. The offer is limited to $50,000 total and is only open to those in the U.S., its territories and military addresses. The company also released a cheeky video about the promotion Monday, with a mom speaking to the camera about what she really wants for the holiday, including "brunching at a kid un-friendly restaurant, or not having to hide in the bathroom to eat my cookies." The company is also encouraging moms to share how they would spend their "Mother's Day Away" by posting on social media and tagging accounts related to the brand.


The more core workouts you do, the more you start to ask: how long is it actually going to take for me to "get" abs? How Long Will It Be Until Ab Workouts Turn Into Abs? 2 Experts Gave Us This Helpful Timeline The more core workouts you do, the more you start to ask: how long is it actually going to take for me to "get" abs? The answer: it depends, but - good news - there are a few concrete things you can do to speed up the process, no matter where you're starting from. One important thing to remember: "Everyone has ab muscles!" Jackie Vick, NSCF, a personal trainer for GOLD'S AMP app , told POPSUGAR. The amount of time it will take you to build ab muscle, specifically, depends on how strong your abs are to begin with. To see your abs, it's going to depend on how much fat you need to lose, Jackie said. Click through the slideshow above and let's talk abs. How Long Does It Take to Build Abs? When we're talking specifically about strengthening and building your ab muscles - not necessarily seeing them   "it can take anywhere from four to eight weeks, depending on what exercises you're doing and your eating habits," said fitness coach Nick Leyden , MS, CSCS. (More on those aspects later.) When Will I See My Abs? Here's where it gets a little trickier. To get visible abs, the amount of time you'll need to put in "really depends on your body type," Jackie told POPSUGAR. The specific deciding factors are how much body fat you have and where you store it. "Some people tend to hold their weight in their thighs, glutes, and hips, where as others tend to hold it more in their midsection," Nick explained. That, in turn, depends on factors like genetics and hormones - things that can't always be solved through simple diet and exercise. (If you think hormonal belly fat might be a factor , it's especially important to see a doctor and discuss underlying conditions, such as PCOS , diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.) With that being said, the amount of time it takes for you to see the results of your ab workouts can range widely. Nick recommended thinking of it as a spectrum rather than one set timeframe. If you have 30 percent or more body fat, "it may take you six months or more depending on your diet and exercise. If you're closer to 20 percent, it may be closer to 10 to 14 weeks; 10 percent, around six to 10 weeks. You can get your body fat percentage tested and talk to a trainer to get a closer gauge for your body. A good estimate: at about 24 percent body fat, most women will see some ab definition . For men, it's closer to 17 percent. In general, the math is simple: the more belly fat you have, the longer it'll take to see your abs, even if you're building the actual muscles along the way. And if you want to see your abs faster, it will likely require changes to your fitness, diet, and overall lifestyle. Exercises to Get Visible Abs On the fitness side of things, you want to focus on building muscle and burning calories, Nick told POPSUGAR. Large, compound movements can help with the muscle-building, which will boost your metabolism to help you burn calories and fat after your workout is over. He recommended multi-muscle group moves like: Squats Deadlifts Lunges Pull-ups For ab training in particular, Nick recommended utilizing a variety of intensities and exercises to make sure you're targeting every part of your core. Try a mix of heavy ab training, rotational moves, and stabilizing exercises, including: Cable crunches Dumbbell crunches Russian twists Planks Pallof presses Double leg lifts V-ups Ab wheel roll-outs To target this area and burn fat more quickly, Nick recommended working out fasted and pairing a difficult ab workout with low-intensity, steady-state cardio or upper-body HIIT. (Fasted cardio in particular can burn more calories from fat , but it's important to note that some experts don't recommend fasted workouts for weight loss .) Jackie also recommended committing to a consistent gym routine; five days is a good goal for burning belly fat, with a mix of two or three days of strength training and the rest cardio. You should also be focusing on your core during every workout and exercise you do. "The more you engage your core , the more you will tone it," Jackie said. How to Eat to Get Visible Abs Nutrition-wise, it's about eating in a slight calorie deficit (burning more calories than you consume) and focusing on eating whole foods because processed food has been shown to lead to weight gain . Make vegetables a big portion of your diet; "they are high in volume and weight and fill up our stomachs, which helps us register the feeling of fullness," said registered dietitian and cocreator of Beachbody's 2B Mindset nutrition program Ilana Muhlstein , MS, RDN, in a previous interview . Working to overcome any overeating habits will help you target belly fat as well. Foods like nuts, lean protein (chicken, eggs, dairy), and whole grains are great choices if you're looking to reduce belly fat. Here are more foods to try , and 14 tips on burning belly fat through diet . Stay Consistent and Committed Jackie's biggest advice: "Get into a routine!" Not only will working out help you build muscle and see results, but "the more consistent you are in the gym, the more healthy you will want to eat," Jackie explained. To keep yourself from getting bored and plateauing, she recommended switching up your fitness routine every four weeks. Try switching to a new kind of cardio (like running or swimming) or incorporating new strength workouts; this 45-minute gym workout is a great one, and we have plenty of others you can choose from, too. Consistency, though, is the biggest key. "With strict diet, weight training, and cardio, a lot can happen in eight to 12 weeks," she told POPSUGAR.


Two lawsuits were filed Monday against the father of the Waffle House gunman accused of killing four people last year in Tennessee. The lawsuits allege that Travis Reinking used a rifle that dad Jeffrey Reinking gave him, according to the Journal Star newspaper. Travis Reinking had recently been released from a hospital's mental health unit at the time of the shooting, and prosecutors say it was against state law for his father to give him the weapon. The lawsuits were filed in Tazewell County by Sharita Henderson, who was one of four people wounded in the attack, and by Shirl Baker, the mother of victim DeEbony Groves. The legal actions were filed exactly one year after the mass shooting at the Nashville restaurant. Travis Reinking, who is from Illinois, is facing four charges of criminal homicide. His father has been charged in Illinois with unlawful delivery of a firearm. Both father and son have been slammed with multiple lawsuits. A judge ruled in November that Travis Reinking was found liable in a $100 million wrongful death suit filed by the mother of 23-year-old Akilah DaSilva, who was killed in the attack. The lawsuit accused both father and son of "unconscionable conduct." "At the time that Jeffrey Reinking returned the Bushmaster XM-15 rifle to Travis Reinking, both defendants had the intent and knowledge of the other's intent to accomplish by concert an unlawful purpose, or to accomplish by concert a lawful purpose by unlawful means," read the lawsuit. With News Wire Services


STERLING, Kan.   A man suspected in the 2015 disappearance of his girlfriend shot and critically wounded a Kansas undersheriff who attempted to arrest him on a federal firearm charge, then killed his own father and shot a sheriff in the leg before killing himself during a standoff, authorities said Tuesday. Kansas Bureau of Investigation senior special agent Steve Rosebrough identified the dead during a news conference as David Madden, a 37-year-old former Marine, and his father, 65-year-old Thomas Madden. David Madden was indicted last week for illegal possession of an AK-47 assault rifle, federal court records show. KBI spokeswoman Melissa Underwood said Undersheriff Chad Murphy, 48, was aware that Madden was wanted on the federal charge when he attempted to stop Madden in his car near the small town of Sterling around 5:10 p.m. Monday. Madden, who had a woman and child in the car with him, then shot Murphy four times, including once in the neck, KBI said. Murphy was flown to a hospital in critical condition and Madden fled. Sterling is about 70 miles (110 kilometers) northwest of Wichita. Madden then drove the three of them to his home in Alden to retrieve weapons, then the three of them traveled a couple of miles more to his father's home near Raymond, Rosebrough said. Madden apparently killed his father before Sheriff Bryant Evans, 53, and a deputy arrived around 5:40 p.m. The sheriff was shot in the leg in an exchange of gunfire with Madden and was taken to a hospital in good condition. Law enforcement subsequently surrounded the home. They found Thomas Madden's body first and his son's around midnight. Rosebrough said it is unclear whether the woman and child accompanied Madden willingly. The woman, who left the house before David Madden was killed, has been located and is being interviewed. Rosebrough didn't know the relationship between Madden, the woman and child. U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives spokesman John Ham said it's searching the home for explosives, along with the Kansas Highway Patrol. Madden had been under investigation in the disappearance of 22-year-old Megan Renee Foglesong, of Oneida, Illinois, who was last seen in Rice County in 2015. Former Rice County Undersheriff Brian Treaster told KAKE-TV in February that there have been six large searches for Foglesong and some small ones, too. He said previously that foul play was suspected, but didn't say why. KBI searches of Madden's home in early 2017 led to the discovery of two wooden crates containing two dozen pipe bombs, each wrapped with baling wire and black tape, and an AK-47 assault rifle that had been stashed under his bed. Madden told KBI agents that he found the weapon in Fallujah, Iraq, while he was stationed there. Federal weapon possession charges were not filed against Madden until earlier this month. It was unclear why there was a filing delay in the federal case. Madden was also listed as an absconder from a program that supervises felony offenders. A Kansas Department of Corrections spokeswoman didn't immediately return a phone message, and online records provided no details about why he was listed as an absconder.


STOCKTON (CBS13)   Flames ripped through a Stockton home overnight. The fire was sparked at a home on West Oak Street near West Fremont Street around 3:30 a.m. Friday. Firefighters at the scene reported seeing "significant" flames coming from the home, which caused the roof to partially collapse. A resident says she woke up to the smell of smoke. "I don't think it's finally hit me yet, the extent…of what happened here. I might want to joke around, 'oh yeah, we're gonna be living in the car, oh we get to go stay in a motel, but it's coming to me little by little,'" she said. Firefighters say they were able to confine most of the fire to the attic. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.


Buccaneers defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul is expected to miss several months of the 2019 season after injuring his neck during a car crash on May 2 . Although Pierre-Paul has yet to comment on his injuries, the Bucs' star did release a picture of himself on Friday, marking the first time since the accident that JPP has shared a photo that shows his current state of health. In a series of pictures that he posted to Instagram, JPP definitely seems to be in good spirits, but you can also tell that he's dealing with a very serious injury. Not only is JPP bedridden, but he also appears to be wearing a neck brace. Pierre-Paul shared the four photos below with the caption, "You can always find a way to smile when your going through something. Chillin with the man who molded me into who I am today. My PaPa." View this post on Instagram You can always find a way to smile when your going through something. Chillin with the man who molded me into who I am today. My PaPa A post shared by Jason Pierre-Paul (@iamjasonpierrepaul) on May 24, 2019 at 1:14pm PDT Pierre-Paul is wearing the neck brace because he fractured a vertebra in his neck during the crash , which took place just after 2 a.m. in Florida. Although JPP could have made the decision to undergo surgery, it appears that he's not going to do that. According to NFL.com, the Buccaneers star has decided to let his neck heal on its own with doctors expecting him to be able to play again in five to six months. Of course, not everyone is convinced that Pierre-Paul will be able to return that quickly. During an interview on May 10 , Bucs coach Bruce Arians didn't have any idea if JPP would be able to return this season. "I don't know what the answer is yet, if he's gonna play, if he's not gonna play," Arians said. "[You] just practice with the guys you have, just like if anybody else gets hurt, on the field or off the field. You march on." The injury to Pierre-Paul happened when his Ferrari spun out while he was driving on I-95 in South Florida. In the immediate aftermath of the crash, Pierre-Paul apparently didn't realize that he was injured. In the 9-1-1 call that he made, the Bucs pass rusher described himself as doing "OK." "I hit the median, but I'm OK," Pierre-Paul said in the 9-1-1 call, which was obtained by Andy Slater. "It's right in the middle. It has to be moved or a cop has to come, or somebody is going to hit it." The car crash came almost two years after Pierre-Paul lost part of his hand during a fireworks accident that also occurred near his family home in South Florida. Pierre-Paul is headed into his second season with the Bucs after spending the first eight seasons of his career with the Giants . The defensive end was traded from New York to Tampa in March 2018 and then immediately responded by having one of the biggest seasons of his career. The 30-year-old racked up 12.5 sacks in 2018, which led the Buccaneers. Related slideshow: Top picks of 2019 NFL Draft (provided by imagn)


If you know where to look, you can find forgotten relics of days gone by hidden all across the US. Once the playgrounds of the elite, these historic estates are now crumbling shadows of their former selves with some pretty fascinating stories to tell. From tragic tales of heartbreak and haunting to a prince from outer space, we reveal the curious past lives of some of America's most intriguing abandoned stately homes. Historic mansions left to wrack and ruin If you know where to look, you can find forgotten relics of days gone by hidden all across the US. Once the playgrounds of the elite, these historic estates are now crumbling shadows of their former selves with some pretty fascinating stories to tell. From tragic tales of heartbreak and haunting to a prince from outer space, we reveal the curious past lives of some of America's most intriguing abandoned stately homes. Elda Castle, Ossining, New York Set among almost 50 acres of dense woodland, this incredible ruined castle is located in New York's Westchester County. The vast stone mansion was built and designed in the late 1920s by David Thomas Abercombie   the cofounder of clothing giant Abercrombie and Fitch   and his wife, Lucy Abbott Cate. Love this? Discover the stunning stately homes struggling to survive Elda Castle, Ossining, New York The property's title, Elda Castle, comprises the first letter of each of the couple's four children's names in birth order. Long abandoned, nature has since taken over, however the 4,337-square-foot mansion is still undeniably enchanting. Once upon a time, this remote romantic home must've been the perfect country retreat for the Abercrombie family. Elda Castle, Ossining, New York Rewind to the late 1920s and this weathered residence was no doubt an elegant estate, with its idyllic courtyards and grand sweeping driveway. Sadly, David Thomas Abercrombie's time at the property was short-lived, as he passed away in 1931 at the castle, just a few years after its completion. Elda Castle, Ossining, New York Spread across two stories, the home features arched doorways, a cast iron spiral staircase, bespoke leaded windows and an outdoor fireplace. There are a generous 25 rooms in total   plenty of space for a large family to stretch out. Elda Castle, Ossining, New York While several subsequent owners have tried to rescue the crumbling castle over the years, none have been successful, creating something of a lore around the seemingly irreparable property. In 2017, the estate was put on the market for $3.7 million (£2.9m), however its fate is as yet unknown, and currently the home still lies dormant in its green oasis. Mongo's Castle, Memphis, Tennessee Built in 1896 by property developer Robert Brinkley Snowden, this previously palatial home was originally known as Ashlar Hall after the Ashlar stone used in its construction. The 11,000-square-foot castle was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 and in the 1990s it acquired the title of Mongo's Castle when a rather eccentric new owner snapped the estate up. Mongo's Castle, Memphis, Tennessee Robert Hodges, also known as the self-appointed Prince Mongo, purchased the 19th-century property and transformed it into a nightclub. Millionaire Hodges claims to be the 333-year-old alien ambassador from the planet of Zambodia. Inside, the castle shows signs of his extraterrestrial enterprise, with martini glasses still lingering on the bar. Love this? These amazing UFO homes are out of this world Mongo's Castle, Memphis, Tennessee Mongo ran his highly successful Memphis nightclub The Castle for years before it was closed down by the authorities due to overcrowding. In response, he moved partygoers to the parking lot outside the venue and brought in 800 tons of sand to transform it into a beach. Not long after, the quirky property was abandoned for good. Mongo's Castle, Memphis, Tennessee Once an atmospheric building with sweeping staircases and stained glass windows, the castle is now a shadow of its former self. Graffiti adorns the walls and the rooms are strewn with dusty belongings. In this abandoned office, flyers from Prince Mongo's unsuccessful bid for Memphis City Council litter the floor. Mongo's Castle, Memphis, Tennessee With a large pool to the rear of the property, we can just imagine late-night revelers spilling out onto the terrace here. Still desolate, the estate was snapped up by a new owner, Juan Montoya, in 2017, who has plans to renovate it in the near future. Until then, the former party pad remains devoid of life. Castle Mont Rouge, Rougemont, North Carolina Straight out of a Brothers Grimm fairytale, this fantastical castle on Red Mountain in Rougemont, North Carolina was built in 2005 by architect and sculptor Robert Mihaly to serve as his studio and home. Castle Mont Rouge, Rougemont, North Carolina Though Mihaly managed to complete much of the exterior, which has a total of 18 pinnacles and a turret, the building lacks adequate insulation and some of the windows are missing glass. To cap it all off, the inside spaces were never finished, which some reports have put down to the death of Mihaly's wife. Castle Mont Rouge, Rougemont, North Carolina The castle was pretty much abandoned in 2008, but Mihaly launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign in 2012 to raise the required funds to complete the interior and other outstanding jobs so he could move back into the dusty estate. Castle Mont Rouge, Rougemont, North Carolina Mihaly's campaign ultimately failed   he only managed to raise $12,763 (£9k), well short of his goal of $65,000 (£46k). To this day, the castle is still lacking windows and proper insulation, with the crumbling interiors reduced to a dire state. Yearning for a palatial property? Check out this enchanting stately home for sale Castle Mont Rouge, Rougemont, North Carolina The tenacious architect has refused to throw the towel in though and, having raised the required funding elsewhere, he's hoping to transform the formerly abandoned castle and get it ready for human habitation sometime in the future. Bannerman's Castle, Pollepel Island, New York One of the last things you'd expect to come across in Upstate New York, the dramatic ruins of a castle can be found on Pollepel Island, an islet in the Hudson River, not far from the town of Newburgh. Bannerman's Castle, Pollepel Island, New York The islet was purchased in 1900 by Scots-Irish immigrant Francis Bannerman VI, who bought the land to build an arsenal for his military surplus business. A year later, construction on his famed castle began. Bannerman's Castle, Pollepel Island, New York Bannerman designed the warehouse himself, incorporating a host of medieval touches, including ramparts, stained glass windows and romantic turrets. The idea was to create a wow factor fortified building that would serve as a huge ad for his business. Bannerman's Castle, Pollepel Island, New York The military surplus entrepreneur had a smaller castle-like building constructed next to the warehouse, which was his home for a number of years. But when he died in 1918, the complex was still unfinished. Bannerman's Castle, Pollepel Island, New York In 1920, a massive explosion destroyed part of the structure and the building went into decline. By the 1950s, the complex was left vacant and in 1969 a fire gutted much of what was left. Now the property of New York State, only the ruins of Bannerman's Castle remain. Ha Ha Tonka Castle, Camdenton, Missouri This romantic ruin may have a cheerful name, but its tragic history is anything but. In 1905, Kansas City businessman Robert McClure Snyder, Sr bought the land near Camdenton, Missouri, naming it Ha Ha Tonka, which means smiling waters in the local Native American language. Brave enough to take on the ultimate fixer-upper? Check out these amazing ruins for sale Ha Ha Tonka Castle, Camdenton, Missouri Construction began on an extravagant European-style pile that same year. Sadly, it wasn't meant to be. In 1906, Snyder, Sr, was killed in a car accident, making him one of America's first motoring fatalities, and the uncompleted castle passed to his sons. Ha Ha Tonka Castle, Camdenton, Missouri Snyder's sons managed to finish the castle, albeit on a less lavish scale than their father envisaged, and used the property as a vacation home for a time until the family fortune was lost following the stock market crash of 1929. Ha Ha Tonka Castle, Camdenton, Missouri The Snyders were forced to sell the castle, and it was converted into a hotel and lodge during the 1930s, but the business was only in operation for a few years. In 1942, a devastating fire completely destroyed the building. Ha Ha Tonka Castle, Camdenton, Missouri For decades, the destroyed castle remained largely forgotten. Thankfully, the state purchased the grounds in 1978 and shored up the ruins, creating Ha Ha Tonka State Park, and the site is now one of Missouri's most popular recreation areas. Dundas Castle, Roscoe, New York Yet another sprawling Upstate New York castle with a tragic past, this abandoned neo-Gothic pile sits on a thousand acres of land deep in the Catskill mountains and has been ominously dubbed the Castle of Sorrow. Dundas Castle, Roscoe, New York The castle was commissioned by wealthy New Yorker Ralph Wurts-Dundas in the late 1910s but he died in 1921 before its scheduled completion. A year later, his widow Josephine was committed to an asylum and the half-finished property passed to the couple's daughter Murial. Dundas Castle, Roscoe, New York Dundas reportedly left a fortune of $40 million, but his daughter Murial is said to have been duped out of the bulk of her inheritance by the castle caretakers. Construction ceased in 1924, leaving the castle in an unfinished state. Want more? Discover the amazing secrets of these abandoned stately homes Dundas Castle, Roscoe, New York Murial married, moved to England and ended up in a psychiatric hospital, like her mother. Following her death in 1949, Dundas Castle was bought by a group of freemasons and used as a retreat and vacation camp until the 1970s. It has lain empty ever since. Dundas Castle, Roscoe, New York A melancholy place, Dundas Castle is said to be haunted by the ghost of Josephine Wurts-Dundas and, according to local legend, the water in the ponds on the estate turns into blood when the moon is full. Carleton Island Villa, Cape Vincent, New York Located on picturesque Carleton Island in Upstate New York, this fine neo-Romanesque-meets-Tudor Revival mansion was built in 1894 as a summer escape for typewriter tycoon William Wyckoff and his family. Carleton Island Villa, Cape Vincent, New York Seemingly cursed, Wyckoff's wife had a heart attack and dropped dead a month before he moved into the property in 1895. Bereft and broken-hearted, Wyckoff met the same fate   he died in his sleep from a heart attack during his first night in the villa. Carleton Island Villa, Cape Vincent, New York The property passed to Wyckoff's son and remained in the family until the Great Depression, when the clan fell on hard times and sold the house to General Electric. World War II scuppered the company's plan to turn the mansion into a staff retreat and the property fell into serious disrepair. Carleton Island Villa, Cape Vincent, New York Following the war, General Electric pretty much abandoned the mansion. Structurally unsound, the death-trap tower has been demolished as a safety precaution and the rest of the property has been encircled in barbed wire. Looking for a place to make your own? Check out these abandoned American homes for sale Carleton Island Villa, Cape Vincent, New York Wyckoff Villa has actually been on the market for years but has failed to attract a buyer willing to part with millions of dollars to fund its renovation. If you're interested, the 12-bedroom wreck, which sits on nine acres, is listed with Howard Hanna for $495,000 (£350k). Dicksonia Plantation, Lowndesboro, Alabama Steeped in faded grandeur, this ruined Antebellum mansion near the town of Lowndesboro, Alabama dates back to 1830 and was remodeled in a Greek Revival style during the 1850s. Dicksonia Plantation, Lowndesboro, Alabama The house passed through a couple of prominent Southern families and was bought in 1901 by Robert Dickson, who named it Dicksonia. Like many mansions in this round-up, Dicksonia was destroyed by fire. Dicksonia Plantation, Lowndesboro, Alabama In 1939, a catastrophic blaze completely destroyed the property and a replica mansion was built the following year. The architect bent over backwards to ensure the new structure was fireproof, but to no avail. Dicksonia Plantation, Lowndesboro, Alabama The second incarnation of the house burned to the ground in 1964. The foundations were so damaged, the Dickson family were unable to rebuild the once-regal residence and the ruins were more or less abandoned to nature. Dicksonia Plantation, Lowndesboro, Alabama In the 1990s, the ruins and grounds scored a new owner who, rather than rebuilding the grand home, has decided to preserve what remains. Over the past 20 years, the exterior of the photogenic mansion has featured in movies and fashion shoots, and the grounds are available to hire for weddings and other events. Talk about unlucky! Love this? Step inside the grandest stately homes from around the world Mystery mansion, New York Back in New York, which seems to have more than its fair share of abandoned stately homes, photographer Bryan Sansivero chanced upon this enigmatic abandoned mansion in 2016. Located a few miles outside of the Big Apple, he captured the creepy house in all its eerie glory. Mystery mansion, New York The 57-room mansion, which dates from the 1930s, was abandoned in 1976 by its owner, who was known to snap up grand houses and bizarrely leave them to crumble. Like a horror movie set, the house remains frozen in time. Mystery mansion, New York The bulk of the mansion's fixtures and furnishing were inexplicably left to rot, including the grand pianos, antique sofas, marble fire surround and crystal chandelier that adorn the cavernous drawing room. Mystery mansion, New York Adding to the creepy vibe, vintage children's toys are littered around the house. Sansivero discovered this antique doll sitting menacingly on one of the mansion's discarded sofas. Mystery mansion, New York Vandals have scrawled graffiti on some of the walls, the paintwork is peeling off and some of the windows are broken, letting the elements in, but the mansion is actually in pretty good shape, all things considered. You can see more of Bryan Sansivero's stunning photography at his Instagram account . Loved this? Uncover the dark secrets of these beautiful stately homes


A former polio hospital that became a jail for civil rights protesters will be recognized with a North Carolina historical marker. A dedication program for the N.C. Highway Historical Marker was held Saturday in Greensboro with the marker placed later at a nearby intersection. It was in 1948 that polio spread rapidly, killing 147 people with 2,517 cases recorded in North Carolina. The epidemic hit Guilford County particularly hard. Citizens raised money, and the Central Carolina Convalescent Hospital in Greensboro was built just 95 days after fundraising began. It was racially integrated from the outset, treating and employing both whites and African Americans. The building then served as a jail for civil rights protesters in 1963. In May of that year, over 1,000 people marched in efforts to desegregate movie theaters and restaurants. READ MORE: Historical marker dedicated to hospital in Greensboro that treated polio patients CHECK OUT WXII: Get the latest Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem news of the day. Catch the top stories, sports and weather from the team at WXII12.


A 7.1 Southern California quake Friday evening had celebrities expressing concern over its intensity, and sympathy for people and pets affected by it. The quake, which struck at 8:19 p.m., had its epicenter near the town of Ridgecrest in the Searles Valley   the same region as the 6.4 magnitude quake that shook greater Los Angeles around 10:30 AM Thursday. "I feel bad for every animal thats [sic] dealing with earthquakes and fireworks this week tweeted Friday. "I miss mine so so so much and wish I could hold him." Also read: Southern California Hit by 7.1 Quake "Just heard about the earthquake in LA. Sending love to all my friends, family and, colleagues out there. Stay safe," said Mark Ruffalo . "That earthquake was intense," rapper Nikki Minaj put it succinctly. Friday's temblor follows a 5.4 magnitude earthquake that rattled the area around 4:07 a.m. Friday, but according to USGS Seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones , it and the July 4 quake are now understood to be foreshocks to the Friday night quake. "That earthquake was terrifying. Really thought it was the one," "Stuber" star Kumail Nanjiani said . Also read: Ava DuVernay, The Rock and More React to 6.4 SoCal Quake Here are a few more reactions from celebrities on Twitter: I feel bad for every animal thats dealing with earthquakes and fireworks this week pls keep ur babies close. I miss mine so so so much and wish I could hold him. - h (@halsey) July 6, 2019 Just heard about the earthquake in LA. Sending love to all my friends, family and, colleagues out there. Stay safe. - Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) July 4, 2019 It all seriousness, drop down and get under the strongest table or desk you have, cover your head, try to stay away from glass, keep slippers by the side of your bed in case one happens at night, hold on and wait it out. #earthquake - Mara "Get Rid of the Nazis" Wilson (@MaraWilson) July 6, 2019 That earthquake was terrifying. Really thought it was the one. - Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) July 6, 2019 These earthquakes ???????? - Kylie Jenner (@KylieJenner) July 6, 2019 That earthquake was intense - MEGATRON (@NICKIMINAJ) July 6, 2019 i hate earthquakes! ???????????? pic.twitter.com/yw7E0lpktj - Shane Dawson (@shanedawson) July 6, 2019 aye so is back to back earthquakes not hella worrisome orrrrrrr - Kehlani (@Kehlani) July 6, 2019 Dude. Come on son #EarthquakeLA - Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) July 6, 2019 I haven't felt earthquakes this big since I was a kid… ???? This one was just bigger than yesterday's. https://t.co/dJNvOifSqm - Jeffree Star (@JeffreeStar) July 6, 2019 Sitting in Dodger Stadium experiencing an #earthquake with 50,000 other people was unreal. Everyone trying to act casual but you can tell they are shaken. - DJ Qualls (@TheOnlyDJQualls) July 6, 2019


Joey Logano will start from the front as the lineup was set by the rule book for the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday at Daytona International Speedway (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC/NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). Does he merit a spot in your Fantasy Live lineup? We've dissected the numbers to offer a suggested lineup worthy of your Fantasy Live consideration. PLAY NOW: Set your lineup | How the game works | Tips to set your lineup RJ Kraft's Fantasy Live lineup for race day at Daytona: 1. Denny Hamlin 2. Ryan Blaney 3. Alex Bowman 4. Ryan Newman 5. Austin Dillon Garage: Ricky Stenhouse Jr. RELATED: Odds for Daytona | 10-lap averages | Weekend preview Analysis: I am treating this race as a bit of a reset for the final eight so that means the top drivers who I want to conserve uses with   Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Martin Truex Jr., Joey Logano and Brad Keselowski   are off limits. I don't want to be caught burning a use from a race that could see some wrecks. By and large, I am going with drivers who have fared well at Daytona in the past, as well as drivers I could see being aggressive for stage points. Blaney has the most stage points in the past three Daytona races   he simply struggles to get the finishes. Newman, Dillon and Stenhouse should all be aggressive for stage points as they need to make up ground in the standings, and Dillon and Stenhouse have won at Daytona in the past three years. I have five uses left on Hamlin and frankly, I'm not sure I'll use him that much down the stretch, so I'm plugging him in here to not leave a use on the table. Bowman gets the nod because I have the uses and he has been quietly solid at Daytona in the past three races here. Strategies make the bonus picks pretty tough to predict, so I am going to select a driver across the board for all three   the Stage 1, Stage 2 and race win   figuring that I'll get one of them right. Since I'm not playing Logano, I'll use the bonus picks as a chance to get points out of the man who will lead the field to green   I already got the five for the "pole." Each week in this space, we'll also highlight two Props Challenge items for players. MORE: Need Props help? The Action Network has you covered | Play the Props Challenge today 1. Which driver scores more points: Michael McDowell or David Ragan? Ragan has a win in this race   in 2011, but McDowell has been one of the best drivers at Daytona over the past two years   three top 10s in the past four races. Ragan has three finishes of 25th or worse in his last five Daytona starts. 2. O/U 13.5 different drivers score stage points. I like the over here. Simply put, do you think four drivers will score stage points in Stage 2 that don't earn stage points in Stage 1. I certainly do and the numbers in this race back that up. In this race last year, 15 different drivers scored stage points. In the 2017 edition, 17 different drivers earned stage points. ]]>


While most of Los Angeles is intensely focused on what potential stars are coming into town this summer, at least one member of the city's major teams is headed the opposite direction. USC wide receiver Keyshawn 'Pie' Young took to Twitter on Friday to announce his plans to transfer from the school. Life a Gamble shake up its time to wake up ‼ #ThankyouUSC pic.twitter.com/dvyk9iIgqm   MIAMI PIE (@youngpie_1) June 28, 2019 Young arrived as part of the Class of 2016 as a three-star prospect out of Miami. He was briefly moved to cornerback as a freshman and appeared in nine games as a backup but returned to his more natural position at receiver in 2017 (redshirting in the process). The junior was good friends with Jamel Cook , a fellow Floridian at USC who transferred last season. Young joins a growing exodus out of Los Angeles for the Trojans this summer as he's the sixth wideout to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Bru McCoy and Velus Jones Jr. eventually returned to the team but Clay Helton and company have still seen Randal Grimes (UNLV), Josh Imatorbhebhe (Illinois), Trevon Sidney (Illinois) and now Young depart.


Highly experienced coach Roy Rogers has landed a three-year deal with the Chicago Bulls. Rogers, who is 45-years-old, had just spent his last three seasons with the Houston Rockets under Mike D'Antoni. He will serve in the same position in Chicago as he did in Houston, as an assistant coach. The Rockets parted ways with him late last month in the midst of a wild and shocking exodus of multiple coaches. The former power forward played for the Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets. Rogers also had a few seasons playing abroad before joining the world of coaching as an assistant 2013 for the Brooklyn Nets. Rogers is known as a defensive guru, as is coach Jeff Bzdelik, who the Rockets also parted ways with in May . Former Rockets assistant Roy Rogers has agreed to a three-year deal to join the Chicago Bulls an assistant coach, league source tells ESPN. - Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 3, 2019 Rogers will serve under head coach Jim Boylen, who agreed to an extension with the Bulls last week. After finishing with a 22-60 overall record, the Bulls have the No. 7 pick in this year's 2019 NBA Draft. It appears the front office wants their coaching staff fully rounded out before the draft on June 20. MORE: James Holzhauer breaks his silence about the leaked 'Jeopardy!' result Darnell Savage, Josh Jackson could unlock full potential of Packers secondary Report: Suns, Bulls offering lottery picks for Lonzo Ball Raiders WR Tyrell Williams named 'breakout star' of OTAs Broncos sign offensive lineman Chaz Green


Looking to add a new companion to the family? There are dozens of lovable pups up for adoption at animal shelters in and around San Antonio, so you won't have to look far to find the perfect new pal. Hoodline used data from Petfinder to power this roundup of dogs available for adoption near you. Read on to meet some friendly, furry locals. (Details like pet availability, training, vaccinations and other features are based on data provided by Petfinder and may be subject to change; contact the shelter for the latest information.) Otis, Great Pyrenees Otis is a darling male Great Pyrenees dog staying at SNIPSA Inc. Otis gets along well with children, cats or dogs. He has mastered his house-training etiquette. He's already neutered and vaccinated. From Otis' current caretaker: As his foster mom states, Otis "is the best dog ever." Not only did this big boy ride phenomenally in the car, he had perfect manners as soon as he entered her home. He is the epitome of a gentle giant and would do amazing in a big family full of kids. Read more about how to adopt Otis on Petfinder . Katy, poodle and Maltese mix Katy is a female poodle and Maltese mix currently housed at Poquita Paws Rescue . Katy gets along well with other dogs. She is already spayed and vaccinated. No need to worry: She is already house-trained. From Katy's current caretaker: Katy is a 3-year-old female Maltipoo weighing 13 pounds. She is an owner-surrendered dog that was transported to our group from Houston. Unfortunately, this little girl was being tethered in the backyard continually. Even though she didn't get a lot of attention, she is a very sweet dog and loves attention. Read more about Katy on Petfinder . Tilly, Jack Russell terrier Tilly is a darling female Jack Russell terrier dog being kept at Pause for Paws . Tilly is eager to make friends, and she's happy to keep company with other dogs. She has mastered her house-training etiquette. She's been vaccinated and spayed. Here's more about Tilly: My name is Tilly and I am an older gal who loves to have a good time. I was found after a rainstorm and was picked up by kind people who looked really hard for my old home. Jack Russells are known for their high energy, but I would rather curl up in a lap in my golden years. Apply to adopt Tilly today at Petfinder . Pepper, border collie mix Pepper is a female border collie mix staying at VUN-VEQ Rescue . Pepper will get along great with kids, dogs or cats. She's mastered her house-training etiquette. She has been vaccinated and spayed. Notes from Pepper's caretakers: Pepper is heartworm-negative and on preventative. She loves people and gets along with other dogs. She is an active puppy. Apply to adopt Pepper today at Petfinder . Chubbs, Siberian husky and German shepherd mix Chubbs is a handsome male Siberian husky and German shepherd mix staying at VUN-VEQ Rescue . Chubbs is a social animal   he gets along well with cats, dogs and children. He is already house-trained. His vaccinations are already up to date, and he is neutered. Here's what Chubbs' friends at VUN-VEQ Rescue think of him: Chubbs is a great family dog. He is heartworm-negative and on preventative. Read more about how to adopt Chubbs on Petfinder . This story was created automatically using local animal shelter data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


PHILADELPHIA (CBS)   The owner of South Philadelphia institution Melrose Diner is vowing to reopen as soon as possible after a fire closed the 24-hour restaurant on Wednesday. Crews have wasted no time starting repairs on the diner. "My whole life, right here on this corner," said Ernest Houston, who's been an employee at the diner for over 60 years. Houston has reported to work at the Melrose every day besides Christmas since 1956, the same year the diner's current building went up. "I was a porter, then I moved up from porter to the night cook. Night cook to the day cook and then I went into maintenance," Houston said. "This is my home." Houston wasn't at work when he heard about the fire that broke out right around 6 p.m. Wednesday. His coworkers sprang into action, trying to put out the fire that they believe started in a vent here. "I look under the vent and there was like a plastic thing on fire, so we started pouring water on it but then it kept smoking, like building, so then me and all the cooks started getting buckets of water and pouring it all over the wall, like anywhere we can put it," waitress Paige Clarke said. All of the employees and customers got out safely. Owner Michael Petrogiannis said the cause of the fire was likely electrical. In the best-case scenario, he's hoping to reopen in a week and continuing a 63-year routine for Houston that he is anxious to resume. "It's like getting up in the morning and somewhere to come to and enjoy yourself with the customers and employees. It's great."


Pregnancy can feel pretty magical at times. I mean, your body is growing another human, NBD. But it can *also* feel pretty d*mn unfair when it forces you to give up your favorite things in the world ( wine ... sushi ... cheese ...) for nine months. Ugh. A beloved beverage that plenty of pregnant women don't want to give up but worry about? Coffee. That's because there is a lot of conflicting information and science regarding whether caffeine (in general, not just in coffee) can negatively impact the health of the fetus. So, we asked ob-gyns and a registered dietitian to help clarify whether mamas-to-be really need to completely give up their morning energy elixir (because let's be honest, pregnancy can be seriously draining ). The verdict, below. This is how drinking coffee impacts your body (and baby) while pregnant. Let's start with your body: Caffeine can increase blood pressure and heart rate , says Women's Health advisor Jessica Shepherd , MD, an ob-gyn and founder of Her Viewpoint. For a woman who is not pregnant and is healthy overall, that's fine and is part of why you feel so alert after a cup of coffee. But the issue if you're pregnant is that high blood pressure is a risk for low birth weight and has even been linked to early delivery, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). What's more, caffeine can cross the placental barrier (the placenta is the organ that provides your baby with oxygen and nutrients), and it's harder for a teeny, tiny growing fetus to metabolize the stimulant than it is for you to, says Amanda Baker Lemein , RD, a Chicago-based dietitian and WH advisor. Caffeine is also a diuretic, says Dr. Shepherd, meaning it makes you pee more and, in turn, can dehydrate you. And last time we checked, pregnancy comes with enough bathroom breaks as is. Don't get totally freaked out: Most experts agree that it's the *amount* of caffeine you consume that matters. The general takeaway from the available research on caffeine consumption and pregnancy is that things get riskier the more you drink. There is a lot of conflicting research out there, but the general scientific consensus is that consuming more than about 300 milligrams of caffeine daily may increase your risks of pregnancy loss and having a baby with a low birth weight, as the World Health Organization (WHO) concludes-due to those physiological effects that caffeine can have on the baby. So the big thing to remember is that you just don't want to drink cup-on-cup-on-cup of coffee. "There is a question of growth restriction in the fetus with lots of caffeine, but very little data," explains Mary Jane Minkin, MD, a clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology, reproductive sciences at Yale University. Moderate amounts of coffee are likely still safe for pregnant women, says Baker Lemein: "As a pregnant woman and RD, I have certainly not given up my daily cup of coffee and would be so sad to do so." What does a *moderate* amount actually look like? Keep coffee intake to about 8 ounces per day; this size generally contains less than 200 milligrams of caffeine. This piece of advice is also backed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG); the organization says that less than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day "does not appear to be" a factor you need to worry about in regards to miscarriage or preterm birth, per a committee opinion. Of course, other well-respected health organizations offer different recommendations (because nothing can ever be simple, huh?). The WHO , for example, says pregnant women should drink less than 300 milligrams day. Don't forget: Caffeine is in many other foods and drinks, too, including these ones: Tea (48 mg per cup) Chocolate (30 mg per bar of dark chocolate) Soda (37 mg in a 12-ounce bottle) Coffee and chocolate-flavored desserts (2 mg in one half-cup of coffee ice cream, for example) This means you need to keep tabs on your overall caffeine intake -by adding up what you consume in total from all caffeinated beverages and snacks. Ultimately, you should always speak with your ob-gyn about any caffeine concerns you have, or if you're just unsure about whether or not what you typically consume daily is safe. So just go easy on the coffee each day. And if you need a caffeine-free energy boost... ...take care of yourself naturally by prioritizing sleep and eating nutritiously (which, we know, might be super hard right now). "Although coffee is a stimulant and therefore helps keep you awake, the only real way to truly boost energy is through a balanced diet and proper sleep patterns," explains Baker Lemein. Eat enough throughout the day and go for energy-boosting foods (like oatmeal and strawberries, peanut butter and a banana, or hummus and cucumber slices), but without completely stuffing yourself to a brim. Overeating can also tire you out, pregnant or not, says Baker Lemein. Finally, drink lots of water and get some exercise (but stick to workouts appropriate for pregnant ladies, per your doctor's recs ). Both will help up your energy levels, which just about *every* soon-to-be mom craves big time. Video: Pot use during pregnancy has doubled since 2002, research shows (Fox News)


The Stonewall Inn is no longer the only historical LGBTQ site given landmark designation by New York City's Landmarks Preservation Commission. As of Tuesday, six other locales have been granted the same status. The sites include the Audre Lorde Residence in Staten Island, Caffe Cino and The LGBT Community Center in the West Village, the James Baldwin Residence in the Upper West Side, the Women's Liberation Center in Chelsea and the Gay Activists Alliance Firehouse in SoHo. The NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project , an organization dedicated to documenting buildings tied to influential LGBTQ trailblazers across the five boroughs, curated a list of more than 200 sites in an initiative titled "Historic Context Statement for LGBT History in New York City." The organization sent a truncated version of this list to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, which then, along with New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, identified the six places now designated as landmarks, according to Ken Lustbader, co-director of the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project. "We're thrilled that the city is recognizing these sites and establishing them as integral spaces in LGBT and American history," Lustaber told NBC News. "Millions of people will be in New York City visiting Stonewall for its 50th anniversary, but while Stonewall marked a turning point, LGBT history predates Stonewall and the city is full of places that reflect that rich history." The Audre Lorde Residence on St. Paul's Avenue in Staten Island was home to acclaimed writer, professor, activist and black lesbian feminist Audre Lorde from 1972 to 1987. Lorde, who lived in the home with her partner and two children, often worked in the house's study and wrote numerous books there, including "Coal," "The Cancer Journals" and "Zami: A New Spelling of My Name." Cafe Cino on Cornelia Street in Manhattan's West Village neighborhood is "widely recognized as the birthplace of Off-Off-Broadway theater," according to the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project. Joe Cino rented a ground-story space in the building in 1958, intending to run a small coffeehouse. Yet soon enough, patrons began staging avant-garde performances there. Caffe Cino became known for elevating the works of unknown playwrights, including William M. Hoffman, who credits his career to the space. Many of Caffe Cino's early productions featured gay characters and LGBTQ issues, and as a result, the space became a haven for gay men. Caffe Cino closed in 1968, a year after Cino's death. New York City's LGBT Community Center has served as a hub for the community since 1983. Located in the West Village of Manhattan, the center is the birthplace of The Gender Identity Project, which is the longest running provider for transgender and gender-nonconforming people in the state. The AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP), Dignity/New York and more than 400 other organizations have gathered in the center for meetings since it first opened its doors. The James Baldwin Residence on Manhattan's Upper West Side served as the iconic writer's home from 1965 until his death in 1987. Though the civil rights activist and literary intellectual did not self-identify as gay, he spoke openly about LGBTQ issues and wrote several novels that featured gay and bisexual characters, including "Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone" (1968) and "Just Above My Head" (1979), which were published while he lived in the 71st Street residence. Founded in the 1970s, the Women's Liberation Center was an integral meeting space for women's groups, including several that specifically focused on the city's lesbian community. The Lesbian Feminist Liberation, a group that sought to ensure lesbians were visible and heard at political and pride marches, and Lesbian Switchboard, a volunteer-led counseling hotline, were two of the many groups that met in the center. The Women's Liberation Center closed in 1997. NBC%20OUT The Gay Activists Alliance Firehouse , a firehouse in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood, served as the headquarters for the Gay Activists Alliance from 1971 to 1974. The group was considered the most influential American gay political activist organization in the early 1970s. The firehouse also brought together other LGBTQ groups, such as Gay Youth, the Lesbian Feminist Liberation and Gay Men's Health Project, for social events. "As people from around the world gather in New York to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Stonewall and World Pride, now is the perfect time to preserve our unparalleled LGBTQ history," Johnson wrote in an emailed statement. "New York City played such an important role in moving the LGBTQ civil rights movement forward and we owe it to those who fought in this movement to ensure that their legacy lives on." "These sites memorialize the diversity and intersectionality of the LGBTQ rights movement and will make excellent additions to the city's amazing list of landmarks," he added. FOLLOW NBC OUT ON TWITTER , FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM


Dallas will see a return of last week's hot temperatures as early as tomorrow, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Temperatures will heat up even more Wednesday and Thursday, with Wednesday's high temperature reaching 90 degrees. The immediate forecast also includes light rainfall. Today's forecast expects 0.58 inches of rain, while the chance of rain will be 0 percent throughout the rest of the week. Winds will reach a modest high of 16 miles per hour today, but will ease off a bit starting on Wednesday. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Missed the the most recent top news in Washington? Read on for everything you need to know. Historic tree that predates dedication of Washington Monument topples outside landmark A historic tree that predates the dedication of the Washington Monument toppled outside of the iconic structure this weekend, and now efforts are being made to try to save it. Read the full story on ABC Washington DC, WJLA . Three Washington contestants were on the Bachelorette season premiere. Here's how they did. | Washingtonian (DC) Last night at the Stoney's watch party, the rosé flowed and the drama brewed. Read the full story on washingtonian . Toll price of express lane in Washington D.C. spikes to $46 for Tuesday morning commute How much does it cost to get to D.C. from I-66? On Tuesday morning the toll nearly peaked $50! Read the full story on Fox 11 Los Angeles . This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Mindfulness is having a moment. A psychological practice in which the user develops the skill of bringing his or her full attention to the present moment, mindfulness has roots in Buddhism. Not that it's new to the West. It's been applied here in clinical psychiatric settings since the 1970s. Over the past few years, perhaps due to our increasingly connected and distracted world , mindfulness has been thrust back into the spotlight. Wellness experts, authors, and apps all promise you a calmer, more focused state of mind if you'd all just be a little more, well, mindful. It's not just hype. Scientific evidence supports its efficacy in creating a host of psychological benefits as well as an overall sense of well-being in people. Sounds good, right? Here's what you need to know about mindfulness, its benefits, and its risks. Also, should you decide to give it a try, some steps you can take to get started. Traffic jam According to Douglas Baker , a counselor and meditation instructor in Cambridge, Mass., many people respond to a stressful moment in their day by creating more stress for themselves. Mindfulness, Baker says, helps to stop that cycle. Want an example? Try a traffic jam. "You get stuck in traffic on your way to an important meeting," Baker says. "That's painful, there's inherent suffering in that." The problem is that we then add to the suffering. If you look at suffering in "units," you can assume that getting stuck in traffic is equivalent to, say, twenty units of suffering. But blaming yourselves or others for getting stuck in traffic "it's my fault! Actually, it's all these other idiots' fault!" creates a swarm of negative thoughts. Sitting and stewing with these thoughts in our car now adds an extra one hundred units of stress to the whole experience. "That extra hundred is optional," says Baker. "Nobody wants to be late. But we don't have to add those extra parts." Mindfulness & meditation The terms "mindfulness" and "meditation" have sometimes been used interchangeably, but there are differences, says Moria Joy Smoski , an associate professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Duke University. "Mindfulness is basically paying attention to what's present, setting aside the narrative or story or judgment about what we're noticing," says Smoski. "That's something we can do any moment of the day. It doesn't take anything special. You don't need bells or cushions for that." Take a moment. Stop. Pay attention. Notice what's there, and notice when our mind is trying to pull us into stories. Those are the mindfulness essentials. Meditation, meanwhile, is when you're engaged in a mental exercise such as breathing in a controlled way or repeating a mantra designed to bring you to a heightened state of consciousness. You can be mindful during meditation; mindful of your breath, mindful of the noises you hear around you, mindful of the thoughts that arise as you sit with your eyes closed. Think of it as performing a set of bicep curls, but for your mind. "Meditation practice is sort of like going to the gym so that you are stronger, more flexible, and have more endurance in your everyday life," says Smoski. It doesn't mean passivity Many people, when first starting out with mindfulness or meditation, think it means they have to be okay with every bad thing that happens to them. That a mindfulness practice will lead to a passivity that will stop the forward momentum in their lives, or make them more susceptible to being taken advantage of by others. Not so, says Baker. "It's not implying passivity as a life path," he says. "We just try to cut down on our unhelpful reactions." Another way to say it: "We come to understand when we're trying to control things that we don't really control." The benefits From research , we know that people who start a course of mindful practice generally report that they're better able to manage their emotions. "They find themselves feeling less anxious, less depressed, and are also more likely to use other effective forms of emotion regulation," Smoski says. And that can make the difference, she adds, between "my boss gave me a funny look and I'm going to get fired," and "my boss gave me a funny look   I don't know what that means, but I'm going to follow up and see if there's anything I need to change." The more we can be present with emotional experiences, the more flexibility and clarity we have in choosing how to act. Never too late Smoski mostly treats adults over 50. Overall, she says, there isn't anything too special about older people and mindfulness: it works just as well with younger people as it does with those middle-aged and older. And that can be reassuring to her patients. Sometimes patients tell her "I'm too old to learn new tricks." The great thing, however, Smoski says, is that mindfulness can be beneficial to you no matter your age. Miguel Farias, the co-author of " The Buddha Pill: Can Meditation Change You? ," says being older might actually be advantageous to your practice. "As we get older, we are usually more contemplative and less restless," says Farias. "So it's actually more 'natural' and easier to meditate when one is older." Mindfulness and cognitive decline Some of the best preventions for dementia and other ills include exercising, eating right and getting to bed at a regular hour. Smoski would add to that: "spend some time attending to your emotions.'' "I think mindfulness fits into that general healthy lifestyle," she says. And for those who feel like they're having memory slips, mindfulness does seem to slow cognitive decline. According to Smoski, groups of people in this category see improvements in cognition if they go to the "attention gym." "Folks who do mindfulness exercises, if you retest them six months down the road," she says, "do a little better cognitively than folks who don't do the exercises." Getting started Smoski recommends a guided class in MBSR , or mindfulness-based stress reduction. A guided class can help set the foundation for your practice   sort of like jump-starting a fitness regimen with a personal trainer, or a group aerobics class. If classes or one-on-one consultations aren't an option, there are online tools you can use. Baker recommends the online meditations and podcasts of Jack Kornfield , whom he describes as a "national treasure," and the online meditations of Jon Kabat-Zinn . Smoski recommends the free guided meditations at the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center . She likes them because they're relatively short. The use of apps like Headspace and Calm have also become more popular. "Apps are really helpful for reminding you to keep practicing," says Smoski. Set small goals Sitting still for five minutes or even one minute is a really difficult thing for many of us to do. Particularly when we've been programmed to just be going, going, going, all day. Baker says the key is not to judge yourself when you start, and to set benchmarks you'll actually hit. "Make your goals modest and really achievable," he says. "Say, 'maybe I can sit and do this funny little thing for a minute, and let me call that a success.' Or maybe you want to go for five minutes." Meditating for 30 minutes straight isn't feasible for most people in the beginning. So don't go crazy with your initial goals. What mindfulness isn't "Don't expect yourself to be free from your thoughts," Baker says. "That's one of the myths. Don't judge your experience if you're flooded with thoughts. We're training the mind to slowly be more focused." Even most experienced meditators don't hang out in a thoughtless place for an extended amount of time. And, to be clear, that's not even necessarily the goal: The goal is to change how you react to experiences, to cut down on suffering, and to make your reactions more positive. A word of caution A small number of people have negative reactions to mindfulness, says Baker. "It's a little like the warning label on a medication," says Baker, "'If you get bleeding from your ears and your eyes, call your doctor.'" "For many people meditation is a form of relaxation," says Farias. "They usually find it hard to focus at first but gradually find the experience relaxing   many people fall asleep." But for others, he says, it's not enjoyable at all. They find it hard to be quiet or become more anxious or depressed, or some emotions or thoughts may overwhelm them. Some form of discomfort for mindfulness beginners is to be expected. But if the discomfort becomes too much to the point that it's unmanageable stop and talk to your primary care physician or a mental health professional. You could see results quickly The timeline will vary for person to person, and getting too wrapped up in results can hurt your practice. But many people see changes in a month or two. "We definitely see measurable improvements in folks who do these standard 8-week mindfulness classes," says Smoski. "Certainly in a month or two, people will start seeing improvements." For someone who's doing exercises on their own, and not in a one-on-one or group setting, it can be harder to tell. But if you're struggling (to the point that it's still manageable), it's a good sign that you're making progress. But just because you're seeing improvements doesn't mean it's time to stop. Like going to the gym, mindfulness is not a "once and you're done" situation. You have to maintain your practice to continue to see results, just like you have to eat right and exercise regularly to maintain a healthy body. A tool in the toolbox What really matters about a mindfulness practice, Baker says, is whether or not it seems helpful for you. "Check your own experience," says Baker. "Don't blindly follow some teacher. It's got to work for you on some common sense level." And although mindfulness can be valuable to your overall wellness, it's not a silver bullet. Rather, it's one of many useful tools you can use to stay strong. "There are lots of pathways to health and well-being," says Smoski. "This is one of them." Watch: How to Meditate with Techniques You Can Actually Stick to No Meditation Experience Required (Provided by Real Simple)