Where to go if you love to eat It's no secret that great food and sampling local cuisine is a big motivator to many of us when we choose our next holiday destination. Travel comparison site Globehunters has analysed nine different criteria, including diversity of cuisines available, affordability and restaurants per 10,000 people, to determine the world's best food cities for 2019. Here we bring you the top 50 cities for food and highlight the dishes you can't miss. 50. Shenzhen, China The Silicon Valley of China has really come into its own in the last few years and has turned into a worthy foodie destination thanks to the diversity of options it offers. There's everything from cheap noodles from a hole-in-the-wall joint to high-end dinners. Seafood is a staple in Cantonese cuisine thanks to the region's location by the Pearl River Delta so take a walk down Leyuan Seafood Street where your food is fished straight out of a tank and cooked in front of your eyes. 49. Mumbai, India Mumbai has long been known for its legendary street food. Born out of necessity to feed the city's workforce, thousands of food stall cooks chop, spice, grill and fry to feed the ever-growing population. One of Mumbai's most famous street foods is chaat   a spicy, crispy and tangy dish with fried noodles, pulses, onions, cilantro and chillies, seasoned with chaat masala spice mix. Another unmissable treat is vada pav which consists of a deep-fried potato dumpling in a bun (pictured). 48. Cairo, Egypt Renowned for its well-spiced North African cuisine, Cairo's food is bold and hearty. Expect big flavors in stuffed pitta breads called hawawshi and hamam mahshi   a stuffed pigeon served alongside rice with onions, cinnamon, cumin and nuts. This dish is typically cooked on special occasions and is a real treat. For breakfast, try a hearty fava bean stew known as ful medames. 47. Antalya, Turkey An underrated foodie destination, Antalya's food scene has a lot to offer. A mix of excellent seafood, amazing grilled meats and influences from both North Africa and the Middle East, Antalya's food will leave you utterly satisfied. The Turkish also have a serious sweet tooth with sugary treats filling the markets. Don't miss out on the fried and syrup-soaked halka tatlisi and Turkish delight, locally known as lokum. 46. Penang Island, Malaysia Penang Island in Malaysia is on many foodie travellers' radar as its rich and varied history has brought together incredible flavors. From fragrant rice dishes cooked in coconut milk and tangy meat and seafood broths, to tandoori chicken and satay, there's something for everyone here. An absolute must-try is lok lok   meats and vegetables are skewered then dipped into boiling hot water to cook and eaten with one of the three dipping sauces   chilli sauce, sweet sauce or spicy peanut sauce. 45. Venice, Italy Built on more than 100 small islands, Venice will please any foodie. The trick is to step off the main streets and look past pizza and pasta on the menu. Due to Venice s unique lagoon location and the Adriatic Sea on the city s doorstep, Venetian cuisine is rich with seafood. Enjoy with a bellini   a cocktail of prosecco and peach purée that originates from this city. Read our guide to Venice to discover the best places to eat. 44. Orlando, Florida, USA A top family holiday destination, Orlando's food scene isn't just about theme park eats and family-friendly joints. Upscale fine dining destinations are complemented by a slew of food trucks and hole-in-the-wall places serving a diverse range of cuisines. Top spots include the intimate ramen joint Domu , Michelin-starred Kadence and Southern-inspired plates at Hamilton's Kitchen . 43. Hanoi, Vietnam Many popular Vietnamese dishes like phð (noodle soup) and bún chà (noodle salad, pictured) can be traced back to northern Vietnam and it's still believed by locals that you'll find the best versions of both of these dishes in Hanoi. Another must-try is chà cá lã vong, grilled fish that's first cooked in banana leaves and then cooked for a second time at the table in a skillet full of scallions and dill. It's eaten with vermicelli noodles, peanuts and fish sauce. 42. Istanbul, Turkey The dining options are plentiful in Istanbul but there's only one thing you really need to try in this legendary city where east meets west   a fresh fish sandwich called balik ekmek. At noon a cluster of fishermen cook their catch of the day right on the deck near the Galata Bridge. The charcoal-grilled fish is served in a piece of crusty bread with salad, onions and a generous squeeze of lemon   all you need for a filling lunch. 41. Beijing, China A great place to get a taste of China, Beijing's cuisine brings together the top dishes and ingredients in the country thanks to the city's long history as the home of the emperor. Generous with the use of aromatics like garlic and chilli, dishes are bursting with layers of flavor. Beijing's most famous dish is Peking duck but there are many other culinary delights you should add to your must-eat list, like steamed dumplings, spicy crayfish and many different golden-toasted flatbreads and pastries sold from street food carts. 40. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia There really isn't much you can't get in this dazzling city. From high-end restaurants to an endless stream of street food stalls and carts, variety is key in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia's national dish, nasi lemak, is the top meal to have here. The most basic version of the dish is coconut rice with sambal paste (a spicy shrimp paste), fried anchovies, peanuts and a hard-boiled egg. Other versions include serving it with fried chicken (ayam goreng) or chicken rendang on the side. 39. New Delhi, India Any Delhi local will tell you that there are two things that stand out about this city   its rich history and the abundance of sensational food. Dine out in sophisticated restaurants or sample the outstanding street food. Butter chicken, biryani and parathas are all among the best dishes to try. A favourite among Delhiites is chole bhature (pictured)   a hearty Punjabi dish made up of chickpea masala and fried bread, packed with rich, spicy flavors. 38. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Riyadh is famous for having some of the best restaurants in the region and beyond, and when it comes to dining out, the world is your oyster. Top picks include Lusin which serves excellent Armenian food, contemporary Japanese cuisine at Nozomi and Najd Village for traditional Saudi dishes. The Globe offers beautiful views over the city from its location at the top of the Al Faisaliah Hotel, and the menu blends European and Arabic ingredients and flavors. 37. St Petersburg, Russia The range and quality of food available in St Petersburg is constantly increasing with more award-winning restaurants than ever. However, Russian culinary history is fascinating so don't miss a chance to try traditional foods. Give savoury dumplings called pelmeni and sweet dumplings called vareniki a go   they're simple but delicious dishes. 36. Shanghai, China A diverse, vibrant city, Shanghai's atmosphere is very much reflected in its food. Doused in oil, sugar and soy sauce, the street food here is considered among the best in the country. Start with xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), one of the most-loved dishes in the city. Continue with steamed crabs and braised eggplant that have been cooked low and slow in a heady mixture of Shaoxing wine, aromatics and soy sauce, and finish the day with late-night, stir-fried street noodles. 35. Singapore Singapore is synonymous with street food so it's a must-try on a visit to the city-state. Order Hainanese chicken rice, a quintessentially Singaporean dish of poached chicken and seasoned rice that s available almost anywhere. There's also incredible laksa, chilli crab and roti canai, a flatbread cooked over a grill and served with many curry dishes. Find our full guide to Singapore here . 34. Moscow, Russia In Moscow, it's hard to know what to choose when it comes to food. There are countless top chefs serving innovative high-end dishes in grand imperial-era cafés, as well as plentiful places offering nostalgic cheap eats. Moscow is also one of the best places in Europe, outside of Georgia, to feast on Caucasus culinary delights. For a taste of the Russian high life, splash out on sampling different caviars, traditional pickles, and salted and smoked fish at the upscale Beluga restaurant. 33. Jerusalem No matter what your reason is for visiting the Holy City , you can't miss the abundance of great food on offer here. Influenced by a vast range of cultures, the food has parallels with North African and Mediterranean cuisine as well as many influences from other Middle Eastern countries. Head to the famed Machame Yehuda Market which has been going since the late 1800s and sample falafel, hummus, olives, halva, vegetable salads, grilled local fish, fabulous breads and the addictive honey filo-dough desserts. 32. Johannesburg, South Africa Although Cape Town has long been the favourite in the best South African food city battle, Johannesburg has slowly but surely edged its way towards the top spot. With a plethora of fine-dining restaurants on offer, Joburg also knows how to do laid-back and casual. The city's streets are crammed with enticing Somali and Eritrean cafés, Mozambican piri piri joints and Ghanaian restaurants serving spicy prawns. The return to traditional open-flame cooking has also gained popularity, meaning there's a wealth of steakhouses, Argentinian grills and more traditional South African eateries. 31. Toronto, Canada Constantly keeping diners on their toes, Toronto's food scene is ever-changing and evolving. All-star chefs experiment with menus themed around unusual ingredients, while there seems to be a new must-eat food truck dish every week. Current trends include wood-fire grilled artisan sausages made from bison, elk or wild boar, farm-to-table eating and creative vegan menus but, who knows, in Toronto all this might change in a day. Discover more about what to do and see in Toronto here . 30. Los Angeles, California, USA In the City of Angels you ll be spoiled for choice   LA is home to some of America's top restaurants, affordable eats and countless food trucks. If you want a snapshot of Los Angeles  food scene, head to the Grand Central Market and tuck into everything from falafel to pastrami sandwiches. 29. Jakarta, Indonesia As Indonesia is made up of more than 17,000 islands, it's no surprise that Jakarta's streets are filled with stalls and cafés selling foods from all over the country. Some of the top things to try include nasi Padang, a collection of different curries with lots of fresh herbs and spices; nasi uduk which is rice cooked in coconut milk and served with deep-fried chicken or tofu with a spicy chili sauce; and gado gado , fresh salad with a spicy peanut sauce. 28. Miami, Florida, USA There are too many restaurants and dishes to name but if you've only got time for one thing in Miami, make it the Cuban sandwich. A tasty celebration of the strong Cuban influences in Miami, the humble sandwich is filled with ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard, then toasted. There's also an abundance of food trucks, first-rate seafood and superb tacos. 27. Las Vegas, Nevada, USA There s no other place in the world as indulgent as Sin City and that applies to the food here too. There are 12 Michelin-starred restaurants as well as establishments run by some of the world s best chefs, so you re in for superb dining. If you re more of a casual eater, work your way through Las Vegas  generous offering of tacos, burgers, steaks and grilled sandwiches. 26. Prague, Czech Republic There are two distinct sides to dining in Prague. Come here in winter and you'll find cosy cellar gastropubs and quaint restaurants serving hearty dishes made with tender slow-cooked meats and creamy sauces. In summer, there's alfresco dining everywhere with pub-goers spilling out on the streets and enjoying a taste of the famous Czech beers. In recent years, a greater variety of cuisines are on offer with new Middle Eastern, Asian and vegetarian restaurants popping up across the city. 25. Hong Kong Hong Kong s food scene is known for its dim sum (pictured) and roasted meat. When in doubt, order a classic dim sum selection   pork dumplings, barbecue pork buns, shrimp dumplings, rice rolls and egg tarts. Don t leave the city without indulging in some char siu, which is barbecued pork, trying siu yuk roasted pork belly, and tasting roasted goose with a bowl of fragrant rice or noodles. Read our Hong Kong guide for more tips. 24. Dublin, Ireland Vibrant Dublin isn't just a destination filled with historical buildings and attractions. The city's food scene is very much focused on locally sourced, seasonal ingredients and good cooking. There's plenty of seafood to be enjoyed from Dublin Bay such as traditional smoked Irish trout. Obviously, drink is as much-loved here as food so book yourself on a tour of the Guinness brewery and enjoy a pint of the famous stout. Here's what you need to know to plan a trip to Dublin . 23. Dubai, UAE It shouldn t come as a surprise that Dubai has been rated as the top destination for the variety of cuisines available. This relatively new city is home to a diverse expat community and the best place to celebrate the flavours of the world, from brilliant street food dishes to sophisticated fine dining and everything in between. If you fancy something more unusual, try camel meat. It's a traditional ingredient in many Emirati dishes. Find out where to eat in Dubai with our guide . 22. Budapest, Hungary Budapest's dishes are rich, hearty and full of flavour. Many meals are loaded with sweet or smoked paprika   think goulash, a meaty stew served with potatoes; lecso, a thick vegetable soup with lots of peppers, tomatoes and onions; and chicken paprikash, a creamy paprika-spiced sauce with a stewed chicken leg. Café culture has a long and rich history in Budapest and many spots are beautifully decorated and only serve hot drinks and sweet treats. 21. Sydney, Australia From unique fusion dishes to a strong coffee culture only rivalled by Melbourne, Sydney is bursting with great food options. Seafood is obviously much-loved and it doesn't really get fresher than the offering at Sydney Fish Market. Try sushi donuts (pictured), a great example of the many influences that have converged in Sydney. There are also fantastic savoury pies, excellent pastries and a wealth of superb burger joints. 20. Taipei, Taiwan In Taipei, food is on sale around the clock with many night markets open until the early hours. If you only try one thing, make it the fluffy, deep-fried milk balls, one of the city s favourite treats. In the morning, don t pass up a Taiwanese breakfast of deep-fried dough stick, an egg-stuffed pancake and a wheat cake with egg or beef. For lunch, sample the many varieties of bao (steamed buns) on offer. 19. Chiang Mai, Thailand A street food lover s dream destination, Thailand s second city has been named one of the best places to eat in the world on a number of occasions. When in Chiang Mai, don t just linger on pad Thai, som tum and green curry   there s a lot more to enjoy from a seemingly endless supply of food stalls and markets. Try khao soi, a bowl of braised chicken and fried noodles drowned in a coconut curry broth. Other must-try dishes include sai oua, a fried northern Thai sausage, and a pork and ginger curry called gaeng hunglay. 18. New York City, New York, USA Shun the tourist trap restaurants of Times Square and go in search for the real taste of New York. You ll find it in the Neapolitan-style pizzerias, bagel shops, burger joints and food trucks serving anything from Belgian waffles to kimchi tacos. For an old-school New York food experience, head over to Coney Island and get a Nathan's hot dog. Read our full guide to the Big Apple for the lowdown on where to eat. 17. Münich, Germany Münich is best known for Oktoberfest and the hearty Bavarian food available across the city. It is doughy, fatty and full of carbs but considering the amount of Bavarian beer you re likely to drink, it s necessary. Get a pretzel, stewed sauerkraut and a weisswurst (a thick, white sausage made with veal and bacon) for lunch and when dinner rolls around, tuck into spätzle   little chewy dumplings served with a lot of cheese and crispy onions. 16. Milan, Italy This Italian metropolis offers great variety when it comes to its food. Celebrity chefs like Carlo Cracco and Claudio Sadler lead the city's high-end restaurant scene while modest family-run trattorias are where you'll find hearty and traditional Milanese meals like saffron risotto, polenta and osso buco (braised veal shanks). Milan is also the birthplace of panettone which is baked and sold here throughout the year. 15. Amsterdam, Netherlands A cheese lover s paradise, the Netherlands has some great varieties on offer, like Edam, Gouda, Emmental and Maasdammer. If you ve more of a sweet tooth, head to one of Amsterdam's many food trucks or street-side stalls for fresh stroopwafels, fluffy Dutch pancakes called poffertjes and oliebollen   sweet deep-fried donuts covered in icing sugar. For more cheese outside of the city, head to the Netherlands' Cheese Valley near Gouda. 14. Athens, Greece Located at the crossroads of many trade routes throughout history, Athens has soaked up influences from all over. Expect to see lots of Turkish-inspired dishes as well as spicy, aromatic street food eats that you can smell before you see. Sold on every street corner for around a Euro, koulouri are sesame seed-covered bread rings ideal for breakfast or as an on-the-go snack. Read our guide to Athens here . 13. Berlin, Germany Berlin is a brilliant city break destination that packs sightseeing, shopping and excellent food in one punch. Eat your weight in wursts (there are around 12 sausage varieties), tuck into eisbein (pork knuckles) served with sauerkraut and potatoes, nibble on a fresh pretzel and brace yourself for giant pork schnitzels. And, of course, there's plenty of beer. 12. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam With French and Chinese influences on traditional Vietnamese dishes and cooking, Ho Chi Minh City is the best place to get a taste for Vietnam. Come here for the city's famous soup canh chua (typically made with fish from the Mekong River Delta, pineapple, tomatoes and beansprouts in tamarind-flavoured broth) and stay for the abundance of smells and sights of the city's street food scene. It pays off to be adventurous here and just sample whatever looks appetising without even fully knowing what you're eating   you won't be disappointed. 11. Seoul, Korea The capital of South Korea is a multi-faceted city where modern skyscrapers meet Buddhist temples and 26 Michelin-starred restaurants exist alongside countless street food markets. Bulgogi (barbecued meat) and kimchi (spicy fermented cabbage) are both a must in Seoul, however a lesser-known Korean delicacy is sannakji, a kind of octopus sashimi. It s a dish not for the faint-hearted as the severed tentacles from live, raw seafood have a tendency to wriggle on the plate. You also can't miss out on the sticky, spicy goodness of Korean fried chicken. 10. Bangkok, Thailand Known for its ornate shrines and active street life, Bangkok is often the gateway for further adventures in Southeast Asia from the West. Linger for a while, though, and you ll discover a fabulous food scene. There are roasted meat and seafood dishes aplenty, plus tom yum, the national soup of Thailand, and som tum, a fresh papaya salad. 9. Florence, Italy An essential experience in Florence is sitting down for a bistecca alla Fiorentina or a Florentine steak   a large T-bone, big enough to feed two, seasoned and grilled medium-rare. Enjoy it with a bottle of Chianti, one of the finest Tuscan wines, and finish the meal with gelato. Although gelato is made all across Italy, Florence produces some of the best in the country. For the top eating spots, take a look at our guide to this fabulous city . 8. Vienna, Austria It was in the city s coffee houses where Viennese culture was shaped at the end of the 19th century. Pop in for a cup of Wiener melange   a shot of espresso served in a large cup with steamed milk and froth. It s best enjoyed with traditional desserts like apple strudel, a chocolate cake with apricot jelly called sachertorte (pictured) or Esterházy torte   liqueur-infused buttercream sandwiched between delicate layers of almond or hazelnut meringue, topped with white fondant. 7. Madrid, Spain Madrid s manicured parks, beautiful buildings and excellent museums offer the perfect setting for some of the best nightlife, entertainment and food. Enjoy platters of serrano ham and Manchego cheese with a glass of red wine at the San Miguel market. Have churros for breakfast and a calamari baguette (bocadillo de calamares) for lunch. You ll soon see that good food in Madrid means slow enjoyment and lengthy conversations with plenty of good wine. Find our full guide to the city here . 6. Rome, Italy It s almost impossible not to eat well in Rome. Obviously, there are countless pasta dishes on offer, including the much-loved carbonara and cacio e pepe (literally cheese and pepper), but you might not know that the Romans also have a penchant for deep-fried food. Places across the city sell morsels of crispy batter filled with the likes of salt cod (baccala), zucchini flowers (fiori di zucca), and rice with ragù and mozzarella (supplì). Read our expert's guide to Rome here . 5. London, England, UK Once you ve seen Big Ben and Buckingham Palace, it s time to dive straight into London s incredible food scene. Eat your way around the world in one of the many street food markets scattered across the city and treat yourself to a gastronomical adventure in an array of exceptional restaurants. If you re after a more local experience, go to a pub, order a pint and tuck into fish and chips, pie with mash and gravy, or a roast dinner on a Sunday. Read our guide to London to find out the best restaurants. 4. Lisbon, Portugal Thanks to its location on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon's food scene is rich with seafood. Find a tasca   a small, modest establishment usually with a couple of tables and a very limited menu   and stuff yourself full of sardines, salted cod and octopus, roasted in lashings of olive oil. Finish with a pasteis de nata, Portugal's famous custard tart. Read our Lisbon guide here . 3. Barcelona, Spain In Barcelona, food always comes first. Order one of the city's most famous dishes, paella, or go for tapas available pretty much anywhere in the Catalan capital and you'll be in for a treat. Be sure to leave room for dessert: crema Catalana is their take on a creme brûlée but it s still widely disputed whether it originated in France or Catalonia. Get the lowdown on where to eat in our Barcelona guide . 2. Tokyo, Japan Tokyo is a food hub with ultra-fresh sushi, warming ramen or soba noodles and delicious katsu curry. Don't miss the ultimate comfort food that is okonomiyaki: a thick pancake with a batter base and whatever you want in the middle, topped with mayo and barbecue sauce, and grilled on a hot plate at your table. Another highlight is yakitori: head to atmospheric area Omoide Yokocho and sit in any of the tiny establishments to feast on all manner of meat grilled on sticks. Read our Tokyo guide for more ideas on where and what to eat. 1. Paris, France In the French capital, start with pastries for breakfast, go for lunch in a typical French brasserie, enjoy macarons, caramels and chocolates in the afternoon, and finish the day with a gourmet dinner at one of the many haute cuisine establishments. Our guide to Paris will tell you everything you need to know about where to eat in this city.


Sergio Ramos has confirmed he will remain at Real Madrid this summer, and hopefully for the rest of his career, after the defender called a press conference to put bed to rumours of an exit from the Santiago Bernabeu. The club's fifth most capped player with 606 appearances has been the centre of speculation about his future, with suggestions he may seek a lucrative multi-million pound move to the Chinese Super League. Sergio Ramos: "I don't want the fans to be left in any doubt. I'm a madridista and I want to retire here" https://t.co/bubmyHrMXe … pic.twitter.com/hHPeJJ6WEH   AS English (@English_AS) May 30, 2019 During the snap press conference, Ramos put bed to any such speculation by declaring his desire to remain in the Spanish capital until he retires. The Spaniard joined the club from hometown side Sevilla in 2005 and has gone on the lift numerous titles - including four Champions League crowns and four La Liga trophies. He expressed his love for the club in front of the press, reiterating his wish to don the famous white shirt next season and beyond. "There has been too much speculation about my future and I wanted to reiterate my commitment to the club," he said, as relayed by AS . "My relationship with the president is similar to that of a father and son. I have no intention of leaving the club and wish to retire here. The relationship with Florentino is father-son and of course that dynamic can have moments of conflict too." The Los Blancos captain confirmed rumours that he had received an offer from an unnamed Chinese club, but stated that money was never at the forefront of his thinking as he nears the twilight years of his career. "There is an offer from China and If I didn't feel wanted than it's an alternative, but at present my deal is with Real Madrid and my plan is to see out my contract," he added. "Too many talk cheaply about Ramos and his desire to earn more money. I'm getting married in two weeks and my plan was to clean this whole matter up"


Yes, just one month after Liverpool lifted the trophy, the Champions League is back! The first leg of the first qualifying round of the Champions League came and went on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Celtic winning 3-1 away from home to Bosnian league champions FK Sarajevo in the most notable fixture of the round. Elsewhere, Welsh champions The New Saints conceded two very late goals against Kosovan side KF Feronikeli to draw 2-2 in their home stadium. Northern Irish champions Linfield FC lost by two goals to nil on home soil to Norwegian outfit Rosenborg FC, facing a tall order to overturn in the second leg. Here's a roundup of the standout fixtures from the first leg. FK Sarajevo 1-3 Celtic  Celtic got off to a tough start as a corner - unnecessarily given away by Jozo Simunovic - landed at the feet of Mirko Oremus, who finished powerfully. The Hoops, however, recovered well, scoring just six minutes later through Mikey Johnston, a sweet, right-footed finish that rifled past the helpless goalkeeper. Early into the second half Celtic established their dominance, with the young French striker Odsonne Edouard composed in front of goal to send his team ahead. The game was secured in Celtic's favour in the 85th minute when former Chelsea and Manchester City forward Scott Sinclair came off the bench to seal the win. The New Saints 2-2 Feronikeli The New Saints took the lead through Greg Draper, as he converted a penalty he won himself, after being fouled in the area. The Welsh side doubled their advantage in the 77th minute, after Aeron Edwards scored a poacher's finish, with victory at that point looking like a formality.  However, Mevlan Zeka headed home for the away team in the 89th minute, before a 93rd minute penalty was awarded for the Kosovans following a Simon Spender handball, which was duly dispatched by Astrit Fazliu. Linfield 0-2 Rosenborg Rosenborg took the lead through captain Mike Jensen, who controlled a deep cross to the back post and whose effort was helped by a deflection, allowing the ball to sneak in at the near post. Despite Linfield fighting back well in the second period, the quality of the Norwegians was clear, with Alexander Soederlund finishing coolly first time after a precision cross from Anders Konradsen, ending the match and making the tie extremely difficult for Linfield to overturn. Other Results: Partizani Tirana 0-0 FK Qarabag BATE Borisov 1-1 Piast Gliwice Sheriff Tiraspol 0-3 Saburtalo Ferencvarosi TC 2-1 Ludogorets Razgrad Slovan Bratislava 1-1 Sutjeska Niksic Dundalk 0-0 Riga FC Valur Reykjavik 0-3 NK Maribor FC Astana 1-0 CFR Cluj Ararat-Armenia 2-1 AIK HJK Helsinki 3-0 HB Torshavn Nomme Kalju 0-1 Shkendija F91 Dudelange 2-2 Valletta FC Suduva 0-0 Red Star Belgrade The second legs of the first qualifying round take place next Tuesday (16/7) and Wednesday (17/7).


Acrimony brims in our community following the stop of Tae-Ahn Lea , and our nation rightfully hungers for true discussion of police work and race. Louisville Police Chief Steve Conrad repeats Mayor Greg Fischer's political rhetoric while the police union attempts to speak truth to power, but the city holds the cards in a state hostile to unions. Absent are the voices of individual officers because LMPD policy 2.31 chills their First Amendment rights under threat of termination. No longer an officer, I can speak freely. The chief''s new policies will cost citizens their lives by contributing to a phenomenon known as "de-policing." "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by ineptitude." The officers of LMPD and the Metro Council already voted no confidence in the chief of police. How will the new policies encourage de-policing? Officers are human beings who will choose to avoid excessive physical, reputational and financial harm. Consider the new policy prohibiting handcuffing without "probable cause to believe the subject has committed an arrestable offense." Policy mandates officers arrest domestic violence perpetrators. As domestic violence requires substantial time to investigate, I would immediately handcuff the subject I reasonably suspected was the primary aggressor because I didn't want perpetrators unrestrained as they realized they were going away. The new policy forgoes reasonable suspicion for the higher probable cause standard where that standard for handcuffing didn't exist previously. While officers have a working knowledge of both standards, consider the writings of the U.S. Supreme Court in Ornelas v. US: "Articulating precisely what 'reasonable suspicion' and 'probable cause' mean is not possible. They are commonsense, nontechnical conceptions that deal with the factual and practical considerations of everyday life on which reasonable and prudent men, not legal technicians act ... the standards are not really, or even usefully, reduced to a neat set of legal rules." More: LMPD's new traffic stop rules will endanger lives, FOP leader says The Professional Standards Unit is the means by which LMPD leadership will enforce the new policies. PSU is in reality a bludgeon used to attack reasonable and prudent officers who under stress violate LMPD's vague and nontechnical 800+ pages of policies. I have been the subject of monthslong PSU investigations resulting from commonsense actions taken in extreme circumstances, forced to explain without a lawyer and under threat of punishment why I deployed my Taser against a deranged subject who had attempted to murder their significant other by shooting them in the head moments before my arrival, or why I struck with my fist a nude subject high on meth whose teeth trapped the finger of an EMS worker. Exonerating main charges, the department dispenses "secondary violations" like for "discourteous language." Any violation of this new handcuffing policy   which runs counter to all training and instinct   will land officers in PSU, as designed. Will officers be incentivized to slow-walk calls for service, lay down or retire on the clock? That's something only our officers understand, but are prohibited from voicing. Feeling the heat: LMPD changes traffic stop rules to restrict handcuffing and searches LMPD can't hire officers faster than they leave. Experienced officers are more confident and better communicators, leading to better citizen interactions. This is the officer the community demands. Adrenaline and stress can be inoculated against when exposed to them regularly; chilling officer activity prevents inoculation because officers will not practice police work required to trigger the requisite physiological responses. In training my palms dripped sweat as I drove lights and sirens for the first time. By the time I quit the department, I was unfazed by all but the most life-endangering encounters. Similarly, I learned to talk my way into private property and arrest criminals for what I found there by honing those skills constantly. Will newer officers feel comfortable rolling the PSU dice under new policies restricting the bread and butter of police work? When certain abilities are needed, will our officers have them? Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, "If you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you." Failed relationships, crippling injury, death, PTSD and suicide are borne out in the police profession statistics; examples from colleagues' and friends' experiences gazed at us daily. The commonwealth assaults its police, attacking benefits and making low-paying government work attractive. You can't train a biased person to be unbiased, despite the department's promotion of that fallacy, but the right people will be attracted with the right incentives. Policy changes are not the panacea. Officers being granted First Amendment rights and a seat at the community's discussion table is a better start. Joe Gerth: LMPD's new traffic stop policy is better, but still allows unequal policing Skylar Graudick is a former LMPD officer who served as recording secretary of River City Lodge 614 as well as a lobbyist for the Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: LMPD Chief Steve Conrad's traffic stop policy handcuffs the police


Here's the most recent top news you may have missed in Pittsburgh. How Pittsburgh plans to wade into new ways to get around Pittsburgh's flirtation with the world of microtransit has been restrained: The city's bike share program, Healthy Ride, and Scoobi, a ride-on scooter-share, are the only existing options. That will soon change. Read the full story on WESA . Police investigate vandalism to memorial honoring slain Pittsburgh officer The parents of slain Pittsburgh Police Officer Paul Sciullo were shocked when they came outside and saw the vandalism at their house. Read the full story on CBS Pittsburgh . Just Ducky tours not returning to Pittsburgh this year Just Ducky Tours has announced that there will be no duck boat tours in Pittsburgh this year. Read the full story on CBS Pittsburgh . Parx becomes 2nd Pennsylvania casino to launch internet sports betting Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh is scheduled to become the third casino to offer online sports wagering on Tuesday. Read the full story on Philadelphia Inquirer . 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.


Philadelphia will experience light rainfall today, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Today's forecast shows the greatest likelihood of rain at 99 percent, with expected rainfall of 1.09 inches. Also look for winds this coming week. Winds are predicted to rise as high as 19 miles per hour Saturday, while today will be quieter. Temperatures will reach a high of 68 degrees today. By Tuesday, temperatures will climb into the mid-70s. 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.


DALLAS (AP) -- Even without his trademark headband, LeBron James was easy to recognize. He was still wearing the No. 23 jersey and dominating with his play. BOX SCORE: CAVALIERS 127, MAVERICKS 94 James had 27 points and took over sole possession of the Cavaliers' career assists record as Cleveland beat the Dallas Mavericks 127-94 on Tuesday night. "The best thing about tonight is we played a complete 48 minutes," James said. "I just liked the way we approached the game. We shared the ball, and everyone fell into a rhythm." After starting a game without a headband for the first time since the 2003 preseason as a rookie, James clearly preferred talking about how the team played instead of the absence of what usually covers his hairline. James first took off his headband in the second quarter of Cleveland's home game Saturday and never put it back on against Phoenix, saying afterward, "It just happened." Not even coach David Blatt knew if it was a conscious decision by King James to go without the headband the entire night against Dallas. "But I'm liking it," Blatt said. "He played a great game." James, who finished 10-of-14 shooting with seven rebounds and eight assists in 29 minutes, was one of four players with more than 20 points for the Central Division-leading Cavs. They have won 12 of their last 13 games against Western Conference opponents and broke a 14-game losing streak in Texas. Kyrie Irving scored 22 points, while Kevin Love had 21 points and 14 rebounds. J.R. Smith also scored 21 points and Timofey Mozgov, the other starter, had 17 in the opener of a four-game trip. "We handled our business ... A test like this, with high intensity up and down in the first quarter," Irving said. "The second quarter, we locked down and everybody calms down, we get stops when we need them." Chandler Parsons led Dallas with 18 points, while Monta Ellis had 17 and Amare Stoudemire 15. Dirk Nowitzki scored 13 points on only 3-of-10 shooting. Dallas started the second quarter with a 31-26 lead, but James hit consecutive 3-pointers and then took the Cavs' assist record all to himself with a pass to James Jones for another 3-pointer that made it 35-all less than 2 minutes into the quarter. That was James' first assist of the game and his 4,207th in a Cleveland uniform, breaking a tie with Mark Price for the franchise record. "After the first quarter, it was our worst performance of the year, just flat out," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said, insisting that he was fully responsible for that. "Too many breakdowns, too many lack-of-concentration mistakes that are just normally beneath who we are. But it's on me, and I'm sick to my stomach about this." The trio of 3s started a 41-point second quarter for Cleveland, which led for good after Iman Shumpert had a steal and passed ahead to James for a fast-break layup that made it 39-38. The Cavs led 67-53 by halftime. ------ TIP-INS Cavaliers: Anderson Varejao, out for the season with a torn Achilles, posted video of himself shooting flat-footed shots earlier Tuesday. Blatt said Varejao's recovery is "protocol-oriented" and will be step by step. "Andy will try to push the envelope," Blatt said. "Since he's not coming back this year, we will not allow him to." Mavericks: Al-Farouq Aminu, who was defending James early in the game, didn't play in the second half after taking a hard hit to the left shoulder in a collision with Smith before halftime. ... Devin Harris returned after missing two games with a right hand injury, but got hit on it again. ------ KING RECORDS Back in Cleveland after four seasons with the Miami Heat, James was already the Cavaliers' career leader for points, field goals made and attempted, 3-pointers made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, steals and minutes played. He played his first seven NBA seasons with the Cavs. ------ HONORING THE MATRIX Cavaliers forward Shawn Marion, who is retiring after this season, spent the past five seasons with the Mavericks, and was part of their 2011 NBA championship team. At the end of the first quarter in his last regular-season game in Dallas, there was a video shown with highlights of his days as a Maverick. Marion missed his 11th game in a row with a left hip strain, but was on the Cleveland bench. He waved to acknowledge cheering Dallas fans when the video was over. "He's very much underrated in the history of the game, just how good an all-around player he is," Carlisle said before the game. UP NEXT Cavaliers: At San Antonio on Thursday night. Mavericks: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night.


FARMINGDALE, N.Y.   The crowds at the PGA Championship at Bethpage Black are loud and raucous. And hilarious. They yell "Go Tiger" far more often than they should, considering it's Saturday, and Tiger Woods missed the cut and isn't here. They use their cell phones to take a thousand pictures. They roar and yell and are having a grand old time. They could be attending a Yankees game. Or perhaps the Jets or Knicks or Islanders. They are New York sports fans who happen to be at a golf tournament, a major at that, and each and every one of them would give the green jackets at Augusta National a massive headache. Isn't it wonderful? The first two men's major golf tournaments of the year are five weeks and a few light years apart. At the prim and proper Masters, cell phones must be left at home or in the car, because they are not allowed on the grounds. Even journalists must leave their phones in the press center. This very-1980s policy receives nothing but praise from the golfers, who say they love the old-school notion of fans looking at them, not their phones   not to mention the lack of interruptions from phones ringing or otherwise making noise. MAJOR HABIT: Phil Mickelson posts another weird video at golf major SOARING: Brooks Koepka shatters 36-hole major scoring record MORE: Read Christine Brennan's previous columns GOLFWEEK: Get the latest golf news and analysis It follows that the galleries at the Masters are golf-savvy and mostly polite. I didn't hear one "You da man" last month in Augusta. But here? The "You da man" guys are drowned out by everyone else. "Nice hat," they yelled at leader Brooks Koepka, wearing the new and controversial vertical Nike cap. When Tiger missed the fairway with his opening tee shot Friday and blasted it into the gallery, the roar was deafening. It was a bad shot, but they didn't care. Tiger was coming their way, and some refused to move until security made them. Cheering a bad shot in golf? Oh, the horror. Golfers are so sheltered from big-time sports reality that they often have trouble dealing with one pithy comment and demand the perpetrator's ejection. Someday these pampered souls should try wearing a Michigan jersey in Columbus for an hour or so. Then there was the moment Saturday when Daniel Berger teed off and some goofball screamed, "Burgers for all!" Of course there was laughter. Everyone smiled. Can you imagine, happiness of this magnitude at a sporting event? Most people in and around the game of golf probably prefer Augusta National's sterile ways to the laissez-faire approach here this week. Not me. These New York crowds are having a ball, and their fun is infectious. They are enjoying the sunshine on a public golf course in the middle of a state park. There are little kids everywhere. Compare and contrast to the history of very private Augusta National, which until seven years ago didn't allow women to be members. Koepka, who has slapped palms with hundreds of New Yorkers going hole to hole this week, told CBS Saturday afternoon that he loves the atmosphere at Bethpage Black. "It feels," he said, "like a real sporting event." He's right. If golf is going to survive and thrive in the future, this is exactly the audience it needs, selfies and all. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Opinion: PGA's raucous crowds at Bethpage Black far more fun than prim, proper Augusta


Pinterest shares plunged by as much as 19% in late Thursday trading after releasing its first-quarter results, its first quarterly report as a public company. While visual-bookmarking platform reported quarterly sales that topped expectations, its sales guidance and adjusted loss per share both fell short. Pinterest managed to narrow its net loss from the same point last year. It lost $41.4 million during the first three months of this year, narrower than the $52.7 million lost during the first three months of 2018. "We were particularly encouraged by the strength we saw in US revenue and international user growth," Todd Morgenfeld, the chief financial officer, said in a release. Here's what Pinterest reported compared with what analysts polled by Bloomberg forecast: Revenue: $201.9 million versus $200.8 million expected. Adjusted loss per share: $0.32 versus $0.10 expected. EBITDA: -$38.4 million versus -$42.1 million expected. Full-year 2019 revenue outlook: $1.06 billion to $1.08 billion versus $1.09 billion expected. Wall Street has been concerned about two things when it comes to Pinterest, which debuted one month ago as one of a slew of young, money-losing technology companies to hit the market this year. Analysts point to worries like Pinterest's path to profitability, and how it can compete for digital advertisement dollars against other giants like Facebook and Google. "Despite strong fundamentals & a promising runway for future growth, we see the current risk/reward on shares as balanced given the stock performance & valuation since IPO," UBS analysts wrote on Monday. "Risk factors include competition for digital advertising budgets, the path to profitability in coming years (compared to current margin structure) & dual-class stock structure and management stability." The company's "quiet period" ended earlier this week, ushering in a deluge of Wall Street commentary that reflected a pretty lukewarm view. In their reports, some analysts cautioned that Pinterest's valuation is a bit too rich. "We are very constructive on PINS position in mobile advertising and the company's growth and margin cadence," Barclays analysts wrote in a Monday note to clients. "The only thing giving us pause is the current 12x 2020 revenue multiple and the track record of mobile advertising IPOs chopping around for a bit after the initial post IPO pop." The firm carries a $28 price target on the name and an "equal-weight" view. Wall Street is mostly neutral on the name. Of the analysts surveyed by Bloomberg, 12 recommend "hold," five say "buy," and just one recommends "sell." Looking to the next three quarters, analysts expect further losses on increasing revenue. Pinterest surged 7% on Thursday to their highest level in two weeks. Shares are up 60% since debuting on April 18.


They won by just three goals on Sunday instead of 13. And, despite insisting they didn't care what critics said, they did not celebrate quite as exuberantly as they did in their opening game. In fact, Carli Lloyd, the ageless 36-year-old veteran, made it a point to do a polite golf clap after heading home the first of her two goals on Sunday. She later ran over and slapped hands with her teammates on the sideline, as if to say, 'Yes, we heard the critics, but we're not going to ease off. We're still fired up.' As well they should be. The U.S. Women's World Cup team proved once again to be the most dominant team in this tournament with its 3-0 victory over Chile. Coach Jill Ellis made seven changes to the starting lineup   yes, seven   and the Americans still won with relative ease to clinch a spot in the next round. The main reason the score wasn't more lopsided was the phenomenal performance of Chilean goalkeeper Christiane Endler, the 6-foot former University of South Florida player, who looked right at home in Paris, where she plays for Paris Saint Germain. She made six world-class saves, including a fantastic kick stop on Lindsey Horan's clear shot and another great play on a shot by Christen Press. Endler, whose father is German and whose idol is German legend Oliver Kahn, made the goal look much smaller than it was. Former U.S. goalie Hope Solo tweeted: "Endler isn't average..she is spectacular! … Thank you @TIANEendler for bringing such pride to the GK position! Keep your head up!" Former U.S. star and TV analyst Julie Foudy tweeted: "Can we please give a slow clap for Christiane Endler, the GK for Chile. My word, what a game. Could have been 6 or 7 goals if not for her huge night." FOX analyst Alexi Lalas went a step further: "Christiane Endler, best GK in the world. I have spoken." The Americans scored three goals in the first 35 minutes and never scored again. They were held scoreless in the second half after scoring 10 second-half goals against Thailand. Clearly, the FIFA World Rankings are not accurate, as Chile was ranked No. 39, five spots below Thailand. The Chilean team, a World Cup rookie, has made its country proud, losing just 2-0 to Sweden and 3-0 to the United States. (Chilean players are also to be commended for their patriotism. When the abbreviated version of their national anthem stopped playing through the stadium loudspeakers, the players continued to belt out the next several stanzas.) Things are about to get more difficult for the Americans with Thursday's final group game against Sweden, a team that has been a thorn in the U.S. side in past tournaments. The starting U.S. front line   Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Tobin Heath   will be well-rested after sitting out the Chile game. One big question is whether Lloyd's performance on Sunday will earn her more minutes   or even a starting role   against Sweden. It should. Although she is turning 37 in July, Lloyd remains a force and has a nose for the goal. With her goals against Chile, she became the first player in Women's World Cup history to score in six consecutive games. Her confidence and energy are infectious. Problem is, the U.S. roster is loaded with talented players, and Ellis has chosen so far to bring Lloyd off the bench. It's a great problem to have. This team is so stacked its backups would have a realistic chance of winning the World Cup. And the next-11 players left off the squad would make a deep run, too. Kudos to Ellis for getting all her field players onto the field over the first two games. Most coaches would not have made seven lineup changes during a World Cup, but most coaches don't have players like Lloyd, Ali Krieger, Becky Sauerbrunn, Morgan Brian, Jessica McDonald, Tierna Davidson, Allie Long, and Emily Sonnett on their bench. Chances are, Ellis will go back to her Thailand lineup against Sweden. But those other players were worthy of playing time, and it was nice they got that chance. As we head into the final group-stage games, one thing is clear: the Women's World Cup has gotten better every four years. More depth. Fewer routs. More exposure. The TV audience in France for the opener was 10.65 million, meaning 48% of all TVs were tuned into the France-South Korea match. The previous high was 4.2 million for the 2105 quarterfinal. By contrast, last week's French men's Euro 2020 qualifier vs. Turkey drew 5.1 million. The England-Scotland game drew a record 4.6 million on the BBC. And 19.7 million Brazilian viewers tuned into to their game against Jamaica, the second-highest domestic TV audience ever for a women's soccer game. The only one bigger was the U.S. audience for the 2015 final between the United States and Japan. It was great to turn on the TV Sunday and see a sellout crowd of 48,000 packed into the Parc des Princes. They got their money's worth   even without seven U.S. starters.     ©2019 Miami Herald Visit Miami Herald at www.miamiherald.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Related slideshow: Best of Women's World Cup (Provided by imagn)


The Phillies have moved right-hander Jerad Eickhoff from the starting rotation to the bullpen, manager Gabe Kapler told reporters Tuesday ( Twitter link via Matt Breen of Philly.com). The Phils have not yet determined who'll start in his place, but Kapler ruled out top prospect Adonis Medina as an option, Breen notes. Eickhoff, 28, made an impressive return to the Phillies' rotation earlier this year after some prolonged injury troubles, pitching to a 1.50 ERA through his first five games of the season. Since that time, he's been tagged for 27 runs in 27 1/3 innings while yielding a sky-high 16 home runs (five in his most recent outing). Injuries limited Eickhoff to just 5 1/3 innings in 2018 and a total of 133 1/3 innings from 2017-18, but he did give the Phillies 197 innings of 3.65 ERA ball back in 2016. If Eickhoff's struggles continue in relief, he does have minor-league options remaining. Rotation alternatives in the big league bullpen include Ranger Suarez and Vince Velasquez , while Triple-A hurlers Cole Irvin , Enyel De Los Santos and Drew Anderson are all on the 40-man roster as well. The Phillies could also explore the idea of utilizing an opener or even look for another option outside the organization. It's been a rough year for Phillies starters, as Nick Pivetta has been inconsistent while neither Aaron Nola nor Jake Arrieta has pitched to expectations. Nola and Arrieta, in particular, have seen their struggles coincide with those of Eickhoff. The Phillies still have a 15-13 record over the past month despite their ineffective rotation, but the Braves have substantially closed the gap in what is now a tied division by playing at a 17-9 pace over that same stretch. Philadelphia is widely expected to be aggressive on the trade market this winter, and the rotation looks to be an increasingly logical target area for general manager Matt Klentak and his staff.


The Hurricanes are back in Raleigh tonight as they take on the Bruins in a pivotal Game 3 in PNC Arena. The Hurricanes take on the Bruins in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals as they try to climb back into the series in front of their home fans. The team hasn't lost a game on home ice yet this postseason, and they'll need to continue that streak in order to give themselves a chance to come back in the series. Game Notes The Hurricanes come into tonight's matchup down 2-0 in the series. Since the conference format's inception in the 1981-82 season, the teams claiming a 2-0 lead in the conference final won almost 94% of the time. The Canes have a tough hill to climb, but they've already done it once this postseason. With an assist in Game 2, Sebastian Aho has extended his point streak to four games. The streak is the longest by a Hurricanes player this postseason. Justin Williams ' goal in Game 2 was his 25th career playoff point (11g, 14a) with Carolina, which moves him to seventh on the team's playoff points list   a position previously held by Matt Cullen . (Can you guess the top six players?) Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen both recorded a point in Game 2. At least one of them has recorded a point on 16 of the Canes 38 goals this postseason (42.1%). Warren Foegele (5g, 4a), Andrei Svechnikov (3g, 2a), and Saku Maenalenen (1a) have combined for 15 points this postseason, giving the Canes the most points from rookies in the NHL this postseason. Yesterday at practice, Petr Mrazek was in the starter's net. The Hurricanes do not skate this morning, so we may not know until the pregame warmup if it will be Mrazek or Curtis McElhinney in goal tonight. Storm Advisory Why Canes skaters are doing too much in this series. [ The Athletic ] RDU International Airport had some advice for the Boston Bruins and their new partner plane that JetBlue unveiled yesterday. Welcome to Raleigh-Durham, where the local time is 12:25, and passengers in need of a wardrobe change can find @NHLCanes apparel at gates D1 and D5. https://t.co/GOVJXMTBeZ   RDU Int'l Airport (@RDUAirport) May 13, 2019 The weirdest controversies of this NHL Playoffs . [ ESPN ] Dylan Larkin lifted the United States past Finland yesterday in overtime in the World Hockey Championship. About Last Night The Blues avoided falling into the 2-0 series hole last night as they took down the Sharks in San Jose as Robert Bortuzzo (!) picked up his first career playoff goal. Despite the loss, Logan Couture stayed hot with two more goals in the span of two minutes. The series will resume in St. Louis on Wednesday tied at 1-1. Trivia answer: Eric Staal , Ron Francis, Rod Brind'Amour, Kevin Dineen, Ray Whitney, Cory Stillman


Stone Cold Steve Austin had lots of praise for Browns' quarterback Baker Mayfield in an interview with TMZ Sports. "It was awesome. That kid's got such a presence about him. What a head on his shoulders and the way he puts things into perspective," the WWE legend said of his interview with Mayfield. "… As a young man, boy, I'll tell you what - he has a lot of composure and a lot of 'it' factor, x factor, very charismatic and very confident." The interview is part of Austins new USA Network show, "Straight Up Steve Austin." Austin was a pretty good football player in his high school and college days in Texas. Austin was back in the WWE on Monday for the "Raw Reunion," which was nice way to promote the upcoming USA show. MORE: Bear bites woman in tent at Yellowstone, prompts action Behind the scenes with new-look Nets: 'We got stars without mortgaging everything'' Sherra Wright pleads guilty in killing of LeBron's former teammate Lorenzen Wright Greg Robinson's technical progress evident in Browns camp Theo Riddick release means it's Ty Johnson time


President Trump's nominee to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations publicly broke with him on climate change Wednesday, stating at her Senate confirmation hearing that she believes fossil fuels and human behavior contribute to the planet's shifting weather phenomena   but stopping short of endorsing a return to international pacts such as the Paris climate agreement. Kelly Knight Craft, now the U.S. ambassador to Canada, stressed to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that "human behavior has contributed to the change in climate. Let there be no doubt." "I also understand that fossil fuels have played a part in climate change," she later added. Subscribe to the Post Most newsletter: Today's most popular stories on The Washington Post But Craft rejected urging the United States to make a return to the Paris agreement , warning that such pacts could "imperil" American jobs . "We don't feel like we have to be part of an agreement to be leaders," she told senators, also arguing that the United States' withdrawal was legitimate because "we expected other countries to step up, and while they did commit, they really were not serious." Democrats had voiced concerns about how Craft would address climate change because of her family's investments   totaling tens of millions of dollars   in the fossil fuel industry. Craft pledged she would recuse herself from negotiations or meetings related to coal and potentially fossil fuels, promising to follow whatever ethics guidance she was given on oil and gas matters as well . "Where coal is part of the conversation within climate change at the U.N., I will recuse myself," Craft told Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) during the hearing. "If our ethics agreement called for me to recuse myself, absolutely, I will be in full compliance, I give you my word," she said. Craft's nomination comes as lawmakers are increasingly concerned about Trump's approach to the global community, particularly his embrace of totalitarian leaders and lack of attention to human rights matters traditionally prioritized by the U.S. government. Craft pledged to senators that if confirmed, she would focus on promoting the value of humanitarian aid and "miss no opportunity" to use the United States' seat on the U.N. Security Council to hold adversary nations like China and Russia to account for human rights violations. She also spoke of her responsibility as U.N. ambassador to advocate for the oppressed and persecuted, noting the civil wars in Yemen and Syria, the economic crisis in Venezuela and the "ethnic cleansing" of the Rohingya people in Myanmar. But Craft refused to cross Trump on specific policy positions, including the administration's decision to reduce its payment to the international organization and pull out of key bodies, such as the U.N. Human Rights Council. "[The U.N.'s] ambitions at times have gotten ahead of accountability. Waste and overlap remain problems," Craft said, arguing that the Trump administration had had "many recent successes at the U.N." that she was "eager to build on." In one particularly tense exchange with Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), who is close to the president but opposes his cuts in humanitarian aid, Craft argued that it was the responsibility of other nations to fill the shortfalls created by the United States pulling back its support   an argument that echoes Trump's talking points on other alliances, such as defense cooperation with NATO . "We are asking for people to step up and share this burden," Craft told Graham when he asked her about the president's budget. "Is the world safe enough for us to step down?" Graham asked. "No, sir, we are leaders within the United Nations, and we are leaders around the world," Craft answered, prompting Graham to retort: "Let's show it." Otherwise, Republicans and Democrats made very different demands of her and the approach she should take, if confirmed. "It is important that the U.S. continue to pressure the United Nations to spend its money efficiently and effectively," panel Chairman Sen. James E. Risch (R-Idaho) said , endorsing the Trump administration's approach . "While the United States benefits from being a member of the U.N., the United Nations benefits more, much more, from the United States being a member." The committee's top Democrat, Sen. Robert Menendez (N.J.), stressed that Craft would need to commit to "reforming and strengthening the United Nations, not irreparably damaging it." "I have deep reservations about your lack of qualifications for such a complex and challenging role," Menendez said. Several Democrats raised questions about whether Craft would be dedicated enough to her job, pointing out that she spent the majority of her nearly two-year tenure as ambassador to Canada away from her duty post in Ottawa. Menendez called her time away from the capital "staggering . . . very troubling and an abdication of leadership." But Craft argued that all of her trips had been "preapproved before travel" and that she had spent time on the road because she was involved in negotiating a new trade deal with Canada and Mexico. "I was not going to let this country down, nor Ambassador Lighthizer nor the president," she said, arguing that her duties included many trips to Washington, D.C., for negotiations and around Canada to promote the agreement. She was referring to U.S. Trade Representative Robert E. Lighthizer. "This was not a time to socialize, this was really a time to work," Craft said. Several Republican senators leaped to her defense. "You prioritized the top priority of this administration," Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said. Craft promised to "support the president's vision for peace and security" in the Middle East   but when asked directly by Sen. Christopher A. Coons (D-Del.) whether Trump's vision for the region included a two-state solution for Israel and Palestinian territories, she demurred. "I have not been part of the Middle East peace process," she said. "But if confirmed, I will tell you there will be no stronger friend than Kelly Craft and the United States for Israel and no stronger person to promote Israel in normalizing themselves in the system." But in a potential departure from Trump, Craft pledged to respect the findings of a U.N. investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi , who was also a contributing columnist for The Washington Post . Special U.N. investigator Agnes Callamard released a report Wednesday calling for added investigation of Saudi officials, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "We know there is an investigation," Craft said, referring to the U.N.-sponsored inquiry, "and we will follow this investigation where it takes us." Trump has continued to embrace Saudi officials and said he accepts the royal family's denials of culpability   infuriating members of both parties . "He did it," Graham, one of the biggest Republican critics of Trump's approach to Saudi Arabia, said of the Saudi crown prince. "Wouldn't have happened without him, he knew it was going to happen, he wanted it to happen, he caused it to happen, and this is just the tip of the iceberg of other things going on in this kingdom." "After this report's issued," Graham challenged Craft, "I want you to let the committee know, do you believe he did it." It could be July before the committee votes on Craft's nomination, a Senate aide said. karoun.demirjian@washpost.com


DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM)   The transgender woman who was shot and killed in East Dallas 10 days ago will be laid to rest later today. Funeral services for Muhlaysia Booker are being held at the Cathedral of Hope in Dallas. Hundreds of friends, family and city leaders went to the church to pay their respects. The memorial marks the second day of goodbyes for the 22-year-old. A crowd of people attended a wake for Booker at a funeral home in Oak Cliff Monday evening. One of the speakers addressed the congregation, saying, "We are here together today to demonstrate what it means to be community, and to stand together, and to know that we are stronger together, and that hate will never define us. Love will always win over hate." Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and several members of the City Council were in attendance. During the service the community was asked to "avoid the feeling of visceral disrespect in this moment and give grace for each person to mourn and heal from this tragic loss." A message of piece was expressed throughout the service. One speaker said plainly, "We believe in a God of love who makes no mistakes and who loves us just the way that we are." Booker, a transgender woman, was found shot to death near the Tenison Park Golf Course on May 18. Dallas police are investigating the murder but so far haven't said if they have any suspects in the case. It was just a month before her death when Muhlaysia Booker's name became known across the nation, after she was violently attacked in a parking lot of an Oak Cliff apartment complex. The cell phone video   showing a crowd looking on as a man viciously beat Booker   went viral. Many called the attack a hate crime against the transgender woman. Dallas police arrested a man for the assault, but have not connected the attack to Booker's subsequent murder. Detectives are still investigating the murder and ask anyone with information to contact Dallas police at 214-671-3675.


Clay Govier reckons he'll be kept out of his fields through the Memorial Day weekend as a torrent of rain drenches farms across the U.S. Midwest and Great Plains. While that may give Govier an unwanted break from fieldwork, the U.S. farmer will be kept busy by a dilemma: He has to consider whether it would prove more profitable to grow corn or switch to soybean once the downpour abates. Or plant nothing at all and make an insurance claim for his troubles. Adding to the confusion is a lack of clarity over a government aid package for those hurt by the trade war with China. "That is a bit of a conundrum right now," Govier said in a telephone interview. It's a decision that American farmers will have to make in coming days, after storms battering their fields reduced the planting pace for corn to the slowest on record for this time of year. While the wet weather has pushed up prices of the grain in Chicago to the highest level in a year, that doesn't mean there will necessarily be a rush of sowing as the sky clears. The farmers risk missing deadlines specified in crop-insurance policies that pay them in the event of a drop in prices or crop failure. Delayed planting can also cut yields as key grain development phases are pushed into peak summer heat. There's an old adage that states farmers lose a bushel of corn a day when planting after mid-May. Accelerating Losses Michael Cordonnier, owner of Hinsdale, Illinois-based Soybean & Corn Advisor Inc., said it's not quite so simple. From May 20 to May 25, losses in corn yield per acre could be only a third to a half bushel. From May 25 to May 30, the potential declines are three-quarters of a bushel. By June 1 to June 5, the declines jump to as much as 2 bushels per day. "The losses accelerate as you go forward," he said by phone. Another option for farmers is to instead make claims for so-called prevented planting, which pay out those who are unable to sow seeds due to extreme weather. That is if farmers don't switch to soybeans, which typically have a shorter growing season that helps minimize the risk the crop won't be harvested before winter hits. Though soy plantings have also been stalled by the rain, a decision to swap some corn acreage to the oilseed may hinge on the Trump administration's plan to help farmers hurt by the trade war with China that's roiled prices. Government officials were considering payments of $2 per bushel to soybean farmers and 4 cents per bushel to corn farmers, according to two people familiar with the payment levels, who asked not to be identified because the aid plan hasn't been made public. That could make a switch to the oilseed a good decision for farmers such as Govier. The outlines of the plan still could change since President Donald Trump can make adjustments any time before it's officially announced. "Details on the new trade mitigation program will be forthcoming shortly, but we want to be clear that the program is being designed to avoid skewing planting decisions one way or another," the USDA said in an emailed statement. The White House will hold meetings on the farm aid on Thursday, according to Press Secretary Sarah Sanders. "We want to make sure that the farmers are being protected as we go through the process of negotiating new trade deals," Sanders told reporters on Wednesday. Running Numbers Robb Ewoldt, who farms corn and soybeans in eastern Iowa near the Mississippi River, has only planted 20% of his corn and 60% of his soybeans, some of which will need to be replanted. He's never made a prevented-plant claim, nor has he been this late on his plantings. He's considering all options. Potential farm aid payments are "nothing to scoff at," he said. "We have a lot of time to think about it because we have another week of rain. We'll be running numbers." Karl Setzer, market analyst at Agrivisor in Bloomington, Illinois, said more details are needed, since no official government announcement has been made yet. "We do not know how payments will be based, so it remains a question if it will impact plantings or be based on last year's production," he said in an email. Soybean Oversupply University of Illinois Agricultural Economist Scott Irwin said that if the payments are tied to 2019 production, that could serve as an incentive to plant soybeans. "This would be exactly the opposite of what we need to be doing in the soybean market, which is badly oversupplied," he said. Govier too said it could be more profitable to make an insurance claim on acres he was unable to plant than to sow soybeans. For now, with the rain pouring down, he doesn't think he's going to get back into corn. "We might get this Memorial Day weekend off whether we want it or not," he said. ©2019 Bloomberg L.P.


In a season most Manchester United fans will want to forget, many will see the successful loan spells of a few youth players across the country as a sign of future success for the club, in a time in which the Red Devils need it the most. Here's how Manchester United's most prominent loan players have performed this season. Axel Tuanzebe The 21-year-old versatile centre-back has enjoyed an incredibly successful second season on loan at Villa Park, as he was vital in the club's elevated rise from mid-table mediocrity to Premier League promotion. Under the guidance of Dean Smith, Tuanzebe has been transformed into a top quality defender and it seems as though he could have a chance to return to Old Trafford. Speaking to United's official website , Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke highly of the young prospect, saying: "Obviously, he's had a couple of injuries, but he's a boy I can't wait to see in pre-season for us." With Phil Jones and Chris Smalling looking well off the pace in the Premier League, this young defender could get his chance in the big league next season. Rating: 8/10 Dean Henderson Dean Henderson's loan has been a rip-roaring success, as he successfully guided Sheffield United to Premier League promotion in no small part due to a fantastic season in between the sticks. Henderson kept 21 clean sheets in a season where he started all 46 league games, with Sheffield United conceding the joint lowest amount of goals in the Championship this season, only letting in 41. The Blades are confident of securing another loan spell for Henderson, with vast goalkeeping competition at Old Trafford keeping the youngster out of the picture for another few years, but United still may turn to the 22-year-old to solve their defensive problems. Rating: 9/10 You can check out some more information on two of United's most promising youngsters here . Timothy Fosu-Mensah After a relatively successful spell at Crystal Palace in the previous season, Fosu-Mensah was one of the many signings Fulham made to solidify their Premier League status, yet unsurprisingly this didn't go according to plan, as Fosu-Mensah was a part of a Fulham defence that conceded 81 goals in the league. In his defence, he only made 12 appearances for the Cottagers in a lacklustre lineup that looked well off the pace of the Premier League, so he can't take the brunt of the blame. This was Fosu-Mensah's second loan spell from Manchester United , but he could be utilised as a replacement for Antonio Valencia if he can recover from his knee injury in time and show Solskjaer that he is ready to fight for a place in the starting XI. Rating: 5/10 Joel Pereira Joel Pereira is no stranger to loan spells during his time at Manchester United, having had four in total during his four-year tenure with the club, but this season hasn't been his best. He was sent out on loan to Portuguese side Vitória de Setúbal at the start of the season, but had his loan terminated having only made nine appearances for the side and conceding 12 goals. He then was sent out on loan again to Belgian side Kortrijk, but faced steep competition and only made appearances in their unsuccessful playoff campaign. Similar to Dean Henderson, Pereira will most likely go out on loan again, or if Solskjaer wishes to free up some wage budget he may even have his contract terminated after another unsuccessful loan spell. Rating: 4/10 James Wilson Speaking of players who had their contracts terminated, we move on to James Wilson. Many United fans will remember Wilson bursting into the first team scene all the way back in 2014 where he made his senior debut against Hull City and scored two goals in a 3-1 win, but since then his career has sort of fizzled out, with many unsuccessful loan spells to his name he was given another chance to redeem himself after signing for Aberdeen on loan this season, but unfortunately for him he only scored three goals in 11 starts. Aberdeen are keen to re-sign the 23-year-old, but since returning to Manchester, Wilson has been released due to the huge dip in form he's experienced since his career peaked in 2014. This will come as a shock to United fans as many were still unaware he was even on the club's books. Rating: 2/10 Cameron Borthwick-Jackson  The 22-year-old experienced relegation in an underwhelming season with Scunthorpe in League One. He was a consistent first-team player for the Irons racking up 29 appearances, but if he can't quite cut it in one of the lowest levels of English football, how is he going to perform in the Premier League? Realistically he will either be sent out on another loan spell to a low-tier English club, or Solskjaer will cut out the middle-man and release him. Rating: 3/10


Celebrity fans are no strangers to professional sports and the St. Louis Blues welcomed their share to Game 4 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final on Monday night. St. Louis native and noted Blues fan Jon Hamm was on hand not only tonight during the Blues' 4-2 win, but on Saturday night for Game 3 as well. Jon Hamm approves. #stlblues #WeAllBleedBlue pic.twitter.com/GXoO5xkvnz   St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) June 4, 2019 "Quantum Leap" star Scott Bakula also made an appearance rooting on his hometown Blues. Scott Bakula @ScottBakula is here. #QuantumLeap This is for real. pic.twitter.com/eQt0tb6XSU   Raul Martinez (@RaulNBCBoston) June 4, 2019 MORE: Jim and Pam from 'The Office' a house divided over Bruins vs. Blues Former Blues player and NHL Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky also made the trip to St. Louis to take in a game. Nice hand for short-stint St. Louis Blues alum Wayne Gretzky. But he's no Bob Plager in this town. pic.twitter.com/AJ7xHrN3UM   Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) June 4, 2019 Game 4 wasn't the only showcase of celebrites for St. Louis. Game 3 also featured several notable names. St. Louis native Jenna Fischer, famous for starring on 'The Office,' was in the building on Saturday night to watch the Blues host the Bruins. Real question, though, is @jennafischer allowed at Chili's in St. Louis? #StanleyCup : https://t.co/x1v5IP9RaP @nbc : https://t.co/Ru1tdgCszT @Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/FPYyxtnBug   NHL (@NHL) June 2, 2019 Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce also drove down I-70 from Kansas City to cheer on the Blues. . @Chiefs quarterback Pat Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce are in the building cheering on the Blues tonight! #StanleyCup | #NHLBruins | #stlblues | #ChiefsKingdom (via @NHLonNBCSports ) pic.twitter.com/fodsh88V4X   Sporting News Canada (@sportingnewsca) June 2, 2019 The Blues also mustered support from former Rams Chris Long and Isaac Bruce. Chris Long is here. Jon Hamm is here. Isaac Bruce is here. Where's Jenna Fischer? pic.twitter.com/2Or3LOWHLk   Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) June 2, 2019 Who knew the Blues would be the hottest ticket in town? Related slideshow: Look who's watching (Provided by Yardbarker)


Former Detroit Lions EDGE Ziggy Ansah has a new home. Ansah has agreed to terms on a 1-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle prevailed over Buffalo in a negotiating battle to sign Ansah. The veteran was an unrestricted free agent after a disappointing end to his career in Detroit. Ansah bagged 12 sacks in 2017, leading the Lions to use the franchise tag and commit $17.1 million to keep him in 2018. But a recurring shoulder injury limited him severely, causing him to miss 9 full games and parts of others. He managed just 4 sacks, and shoulder injuries limited him to just 2 sacks in 13 games in 2016. The Lions made no effort to try and bring back Ansah. MORE: Most bizarre and incredible catches by fishermen in past decade This is how the Boston Celtics head into the offseason Stephen A. Smith: People Close To Jeanie Buss Imploring Her To Trade LeBron James Interesting PFF stats to know about the Packers in 2019 Rumor: People close to Jeanie Buss telling her to trade LeBron James


If you'll recall, landing new linebackers coach Matt House was a bit of a song and dance for the Kansas City Chiefs organization. At first, House was reported to be leaving his job as defensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky to join the Chiefs as linebackers coach. Then, abruptly, Kentucky refused to negotiate House's buyout on his contract. Eventually, they got the deal done , and now House is happily with the Chiefs. So what made this opportunity with the Chiefs so appealing for House? He's left behind a more prominent position, albeit at the college football level, to become a position coach with the Chiefs. When reporters questioned what brought him to Kansas City, House was quite honest. "Well you're working for an unbelievable organization, a Hall of Fame head coach, the opportunity to work with a defensive coordinator that you're familiar with and you believe in," House said following OTAs. "And then obviously the opportunity to win a championship. It's huge." Another bid for Andy Reid as a Hall of Famer from an assistant coach, and one that hasn't worked with Reid in the past. He respects what Reid is capable of a head coach. House obviously has strong allegiances to his new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo as they previously worked together. House was the defensive quality control coach and assistant linebackers coach during three seasons when Spagnuolo was head coach of the Rams. Each coach seems locked in, from the head coach all the way down to the quality control coaches. Everyone knows how close the Chiefs came to a championship appearance in 2018, and House knows this team will continue to compete for and pursue a Super Bowl victory. Winning a Super Bowl is the ultimate achievement for a football coach, so that had to make this decision very easy for him. MORE: NBA fans had so many memes for Steph Curry's exchange with Drake Giants get a chuckle: Odell Beckham already in hot water in Cleveland Four potential Clint Capela trade destinations Why Pats are one of the best teams at managing salary cap Alvin Gentry reportedly loves idea of Lonzo Ball, Jrue Holiday backcourt


Flyadeal's decision to go with Airbus reverses an earlier plan to buy 50 Boeing 737 Max jets valued at $5.9 billion, based on list prices Some analysts expect this order lost to Europe's Airbus is unlikely to be the last for Boeing. Boeing continues to work on fixing software that likely led to two deadly crashes and the model's grounding earlier this year. Boeing Sunday officially lost its first order to European rival Airbus in the aftermath of two deadly 737 Max crashes and the subsequent grounding of the plane by global regulators. Some analysts think this cancellation won't be the last. Flyadeal, the budget airline run by Saudi Arabian Airlines, announced Sunday it will buy up to 50 Airbus A320neo planes, the competing narrowbody model to Boeing's 737 Max, and operate an all-Airbus fleet. The move reverses a December plan to buy up to 50 737 Max planes valued at $5.9 billion, based on list prices. While it's the first official switch since the 737 Max was grounded, Indonesian carrier Garuda said earlier this year it was talking to Boeing about canceling its order after Boeing delivered just one of the 50 737 Max jets. Together, the two orders are valued at roughly $10 billion, at list prices, though carriers are often offered substantial discounts. "I don't think we've seen the ends of these announcements," industry analyst Henry Harteveldt of Atmosphere Research Group told CBS News' Kris Van Cleave. "The big issue is Airbus' production capacity. Airbus needs to find ways to increase its production capacity for its A320 line of aircraft, which isn't easy to do." Other carriers also are weighing options. Oman Air said in June it would start talks with Airbus if Boeing didn't provide "support and recovery" for the 737 Max. In April, flydubai said it may consider an Airbus order to replace its Max order. Before the 737 Max crashes, the world's two biggest plane makers were already dealing with huge backlogs and had been increasing production to meet rising global demand. The cancellation itself is a small dent in Boeing's backlog for the bestselling 737, including the Max version. Boeing's order backlog stands at 4,425, according to its website . The company reports second-quarter results July 24, when it typically provides an update on its orders. Saudi Arabian Airlines booked its Airbus order at the Paris Air Show last month as part of 100 planes it plans to buy from Airbus, according to Sunday's statement from the carrier. In a statement today, Boeing said it's "proud of its seven-decade long partnership with Saudi Arabia's aviation industry and we wish the flyadeal team well as it builds out its operations. Our team continues to focus on safely returning the 737 Max to service and resuming deliveries of Max airplanes." Related video: Boeing pl edges $100 million to victims of 737 Max crashes Delayed return? Saudi Arabia Airlines' current fleet already include 52 narrowbody Airbus aircraft, according to its website. Its Boeing aircraft are all larger models, known as widebodies. Saudi Arabia is also a big military customer for Boeing. Last month, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration discovered a new flaw in Boeing's 737 Max that could further delay its return to the skies. Still, some airlines are ordering the 737 Max. Boeing in June announced a letter of intent from International Airlines Group , parent company of British Airways and other carriers, to buy 200 of the model.Boeing last week said it would pay $100 million to the victims of the Lion Air and Ethopian Airlines crashes. --CBS's Kris Van Cleave contributed to this story.


Here's the most recent top news you may have missed in Baltimore. Artscape 2019: The English Beat, SWV and the James Brown Dance Party set to headline Baltimore summer festival The English Beat, SWV and the James Brown Dance Party are the headline acts for this year's Artscape. Read the full story on Baltimore Sun . At vigil for Baltimore 17-year-old, tributes to a dirt bike rider who inspired a neighborhood Antwane Knight, 17-years-old, was killed early Sunday morning. His friends and family remember him. Read the full story on Baltimore Sun . P.F. Chang's to close restaurant at Baltimore's Inner Harbor on July 28 The P.F. Chang's restaurant at 600 E. Pratt St. will close on July 28 after the restaurant announced that it will not renew its lease for the location. Read the full story on Baltimore Sun . Twenty-seven 'Black Rock Dogs' from Hampstead laid to rest in Baltimore County Volunteers, visitors and staff laid white flowers on a memorial arch, one-by-one, as 27 names were read aloud. Read the full story on Baltimore Sun . Four-alarm fire breaks out at abandoned mattress warehouse in Baltimore Baltimore firefighters were fighting a four-alarm fire at an abandoned warehouse in in the 1100 block of Madison Street. Read the full story on Baltimore Sun . 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.


The chairman of House Republicans' campaign arm on Thursday criticized the "send her back" chant that animated the crowd at Donald Trump's Wednesday night rally and added a new dimension to the president's attacks on four Democratic freshman women. "I didn't watch the rally last night, but there's no place for that kind of talk," said Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), who chairs the National Republican Congressional Committee and hails from the same state as the Democrat who was primarily targeted, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). "I don't agree with it." Emmer, speaking at a breakfast with journalists hosted by the Christian Science Monitor, was pressed later whether the chant was racist. He declined to address that question, instead saying it was "not acceptable." Emmer also stopped short of directly criticizing Trump for his comments about Omar and three other Democratic lawmakers, all of whom are women of color, calling the controversy "manufactured." Trump said on Twitter this past weekend that the four women should "go back" to where they came from   even though the three other progressive lawmakers, Reps. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, were all born in the United States. "There's not a racist bone in this president's body," Emmer said. "What he was trying to say, he said wrong. What he was trying to say is that if you don't appreciate this country, you don't have to be here. That goes for every one of us. That has nothing to do with your race, your gender, your family history. It has to do with respecting and loving your country." Emmer, who took over the NRCC in the days after Republicans ceded their eight-year House majority, signaled that the committee would seek to tie Democratic members in swing districts   even those with moderate voting records   with the four women and other Democrats who represent what he called "a new Red Army of socialists." On one hand, Emmer became the latest Washington Republican to express discomfort with the behavior of the party's base voters in the Trump era. But he also made no apologies for his committee's combative tone in characterizing Democrats as far-left socialists. "Our mission this cycle is to take back the majority, and I think we have a clear message on how to do that," he said. Trump's Wednesday night rally was held in Greenville, N.C.   home to a special election for a solidly Republican House seat this fall. Emmer expressed confidence that the party would not only win that race, but also a key, do-over election on the other side of the state held on the same day. A victory in that North Carolina race would boost to Republicans' efforts to turn the page after last year's disastrous midterm elections. "We will win North Carolina-09," Emmer said.


The Docket is weekly podcast with courts and crime reporter Elizabeth Zavala as she breaks down the trials in the Bexar County courthouse. The Docket is produced by Joy-Marie Scott and Chance Dorland. Listen and subscribe on: Apple Podcasts Google Play Stitcher TuneIn iHeart Radio All Episodes Prosecutors successfully argued to keep personal property, including a Bible, from convicted child killer Genene Jones, who is accused of murder in the deaths of five San Antonio children in the 1980s. At a recent hearing before Judge Frank Castro in the 399th state District Court, Jones' attorney, Cornelius Cox, asked the court to return Jones' address book, her personal Bible, letters and personal documents. On ExpressNews.com: Prosecutor: Notes in child killer's Bible make references to 'her own sin' Cox said she had those items while in prison for 34 years. He questioned the seizure of them, a decision made by former Bexar County District Attorney Nicholas "Nico" LaHood. "They wanted to harass her and annoy her," Cox told the court. "They took her Bible. Why did they remove that possession?" But Catherine Babbitt, chief of major crimes for the DA's Office, argued Jones' writings may be evidence in either a future competency trial or something else. Elizabeth Zavala covers county and state courts in San Antonio. Read her on our free site , mySA.com, and on our subscriber site , ExpressNews.com. | ezavala@express-news.net | Twitter: @elizabeth2863


Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo says it would be 'stupid' to think about the Europa League, despite his side strengthening their grip on seventh place following their victory against relegated Fulham. Wolves took the three points courtesy of a second half goal from Belgium international midfielder Leander Dendoncker. The Midlands club have now won 57 points in what has been a glorious first season back in the top flight. Seventh place would be enough to seal a Europa League qualifying spot next season if Manchester City beat Watford in the FA Cup final. City can also guarantee Wolves a seventh place finish by beating Leicester City in Monday night's match. Though City are favourites to win both matches, Espirito Santo isn't letting his side get carried away. As reported by Birmingham Live , The Portuguese tactician said in his post-match conference: "The final of the FA Cup has to be played.Thinking about the Europa League doesn't make sense. It would be stupid to think about that." Wolves are now unbeaten at home in their last 11 games, and the manager reserved praise for the club's supporters: "It was a special day for everyone and very special for the fans. Molineux has given us so much and they deserve nothing less than what we did. "The home factor is so, so important. We did it at home. Molineux has been so behind the team and pushed us so much, we cannot thank them enough." It has certainly been a memorable season for everyone involved with Wolverhampton Wanderers. The club has picked up Premier League victories against Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, and Espirito Santo stressed that it was a collective effort. "To do it the way we do it requires commitment of the players, commitment of the staff, the employees, everybody, the chef, the girl who prepares the chicken - this is all important," he added. The Wolves manager was even presented with an honorary doctorate in sport by the city's university prior to the Fulham match, in recognition of his contribution to the club and region. Espirito Santo said it was a "privilege" to receive the degree, but insisted that he didn't want to be known as "Doctor Nuno."