(Bloomberg)   The Taliban said it's nearing a peace deal with the U.S. to bring an end to the foreign military presence in Afghanistan, though it ruled out a halt to hostilities for now. "We are getting close," Mohammad Suhail Shaheen, a spokesman for the Taliban's Doha-based political office, said by phone on Thursday. If the U.S. makes "a reasonable and convincing proposal, the peace agreement will be concluded soon." The fundamentalist Islamic movement and the U.S. are due to resume negotiations soon in the Qatari capital after adjourning their seventh round of meetings earlier this month. U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani agreed Wednesday in a phone call that "now is the time to accelerate efforts to reach a negotiated end to the war," according to a State Department statement. Pompeo said in a Fox News interview late Thursday that he expects "real progress" in reaching agreement by September on "a complete reduction in the scope of the conflict," allowing for inter-Afghan peace talks to begin followed by the start of a withdrawal of U.S. and allied forces. The Taliban controls or contests about half of territory in Afghanistan. That's more than at any time since it was ousted from power in 2001 by an American-led invasion after the al-Qaeda group based in the country carried out the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S. The Taliban refuses to hold talks with the authorities in Kabul until it first reaches a binding deal with the Trump administration on withdrawing foreign forces. While it wants the 14,000 U.S. troops and allied NATO forces to leave Afghanistan, the Taliban is showing some signs of flexibility over the timetable, dropping its previous insistence that the withdrawal happen within months. "We hope the Americans come up with a reasonable timeline and that we can agree to," said Shaheen, who declined to say how soon the foreign forces should go. Troop Losses After losing more than 2,400 soldiers and spending more than $900 billion in Afghanistan since 2001, critics say the U.S. risks losing hard-won gains. President Donald Trump on Monday called the nearly 18-year campaign "ridiculous" and said he could win the conflict in a week but "I don't want to kill 10 million people." Ghani's office responded that Afghanistan "will never allow any foreign power to determine its fate." U.S. envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad described the latest round of talks that paused July 9 as the "most productive" ever. Among U.S. demands is a commitment by the Taliban to stop terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and Islamic State from continuing to use Afghanistan as a base of operations. Despite its conciliatory language, the Taliban insists it won't accept a single foreign soldier remaining on Afghan soil, fanning fears in Kabul that the U.S. will leave the government at the mercy of its armed opponents. "The Afghan people see it as occupation, whether it is 1,000 or 100 soldiers," Shaheen said. "So we want this to end." The Taliban won't consider a halt to violence until they thrash out a settlement with other Afghans after the U.S. commits to pull out its forces, Shaheen said. The U.S. maintains that no deal can take effect until the Taliban talks directly with the Afghan government, something the militant group has resisted . The Taliban will join negotiations that involve all of Afghanistan's political forces and not just the administration in Kabul, Shaheen said. It also refuses to recognize the result of the Afghan presidential election planned for Sept. 28, irrespective of the outcome of the talks with the U.S. "This election is not a remedy to the problem of Afghanistan," said Shaheen. "It only prolongs the war." To contact the reporters on this story: Henry Meyer in Moscow at hmeyer4@bloomberg.net;Eltaf Najafizada in Kabul at enajafizada1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Gregory L. White at gwhite64@bloomberg.net, Tony Halpin For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com ©2019 Bloomberg L.P.


Following another up and down season for Newcastle United in which many believed Rafael Benitez once again over-achieved, all eyes are now set on the big proposed takeover ahead of the upcoming pre-season. With Bin Zayed Group's wanting to take the reins at St. James' Park before the end of June , the Magpies could be looking at one of their most exciting transfer windows in recent times. New signings look almost a given in the north east if said takeover gets completed so here's when, where and how you can watch what could be a new-look Newcastle this summer. Wolverhampton Wanderers First up for Newcastle United in their pre-season programme is a trip to China to compete in the Premier League Asia Trophy, with first opponents coming in the shape of Wolverhampton Wanderers . Wolves had an excellent first season back in the Premier League , one that included taking four points off of the Magpies over the course of the year. Both teams will be looking at laying an early marker down during the summer and this match will prove an excellent first test for both squads off the back of a six week break. When Is Kick-Off? Saturday 17 July What Time Is Kick-Off? 11:00 (BST)  Where Is it Played? Nanjing Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium  TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports Football West Ham United or Manchester City The winner of Newcastle United & Wolverhampton Wanderers will then go on to play the winner of Manchester City vs. West Ham United in the final of the Asia Trophy; with the losers competing in a third place play-off. Although only pre-season, every club will be keen to impress against one another ahead of what is bound to be another extremely competitive Premier League campaign. Whatever people make of the trophy, silverware it is nonetheless, and players and managers alike will be wanting to get their hands on this one.  When Is it Played? Tuesday 20 July  What Time Is Kick-Off? 11:00/13:30 (BST)  Where Is it Played? Hongkou Football Stadium  TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports Football Hibernian From central Asia to central Scotland, Newcastle have a 10 day break following the Asian Trophy before they head to Scottish Premier League side, Hibernian. Managed by former Leeds United manager, Paul Heckingbottom, Hibs finished fifth in the SPFL following a below par year in which they ended the campaign with a five game winless run. Heckingbottom's side will still prove a respectable opposition for the Magpies and will definitely be wanting to get one over on the English team ahead of the 2019/20 season. When Is Kick-Off? Tuesday 30 July  What Time Is Kick-Off?  19:45 (BST) Where Is it Played? Easter Road TV Channel/Live Stream? N/A AS Saint-Etienne Newcastle United finish their pre-season campaign off with a home game versus Ligue 1 side, AS Saint-Etienne. Despite having an excellent season in France where they finished a very solid fourth, manager Jean-Louis Gasset chose to leave the club at the end of the year. The Saints will prove a tough test for the Magpies a week before Premier League matchday one, and should give Benitez and the Toon Army faithful a good idea of what to expect from the squad in the season ahead. When Is Kick-Off?  Saturday 3 August What Time Is Kick-Off? 15:00 (BST)  Where Is it Played? St. James' Park  TV Channel/Live Stream? N/A


Rory McIlroy dropped five shots in the first three holes of his second round at the PGA Championship Friday morning, leaving his hopes of playing the weekend in severe jeopardy. The former world No. 1 carded an opening 72 at Bethpage Black to be 2 over and any hopes he had of making ground early on Friday were quickly dashed. A double bogey at the troublesome 10th hole, where McIlroy started his round, was followed by another dropped shot at the 11th and things worsened at the par-four 12th as the Northern Irishman made a six. Playing partners Phil Mickelson and Jason Day also struggled on the 11th, the former making double bogey and the latter also dropping a stroke, with the trio taking 16 shots between them. McIlroy, who won the last of his four majors at the 2014 PGA Championship, was 7 over par, four shots off the projected cut line and in need of a swift turnaround in fortunes. Danny Lee, who was just one shot shy of overnight leader Brooks Koepka after round one, also had a miserable start. He was 6 over par through nine holes and back to even for the tournament. Jordan Spieth, looking to complete the career Grand Slam in Long Island this weekend, and Dustin Johnson each improved to 2 under, leaving them five shots back of Koepka, who was due to start his round at 1:49 p.m. local time. MORE : PGA Championship 2019: Brooks Koepka four clear as Danny Lee makes woeful start to Day 2 Dialed in early. Two birdies in three holes, and @DJohnsonPGA joins Spieth at 2-under (T4). pic.twitter.com/a9pH9Nk4TU   PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 17, 2019


Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen has said he's unsure whether to buy, sell or do both at the upcoming trade deadline, but the team is "shopping" at least a few players, Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote earlier this week. The list includes outfielder Adam Jones and the previously rumored duo of outfielder David Peralta and starter Robbie Ray , per Nightengale. Trading veterans wouldn't necessarily be a white-flag move on the part of Arizona, which could still find ways to remain competitive. Just last offseason, the Diamondbacks traded the longtime face of their franchise, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt , in a package that netted them multiple major league-ready pieces in right-hander Luke Weaver and catcher Carson Kelly . Both players have helped the Diamondbacks' cause during a 48-47 start that has put them a mere game behind the National League's last playoff spot, though Weaver has been out since late May with a forearm strain. Unlike Goldschmidt, it's safe to say Jones wouldn't return much in a deal. The longtime Oriole got off to a fast start with the D-backs this season after joining the club for a guaranteed $3M in early March, but Jones' offensive production has cratered since the beginning of June. Overall, the 33-year-old has hit .261/.310/.433 with 13 home runs and a personal-worst 90 wRC+ across 353 plate appearances. To Jones' credit, after a few dismal years in the outfield at the end of his Orioles tenure, he has essentially been a neutral defender in right this season (zero Defensive Runs Saved, minus-0.6 Ultimate Zone Rating). Even considering Jones' passable work in the grass and his well-regarded leadership, the five-time All-Star's production over the past couple years indicates he wouldn't move the needle much for a playoff hopeful down the stretch. It seems doubtful anyone would acquire Jones and expect him to offer a ton of on-field value, but regardless, he wouldn't be able to stop a trade from occurring. Thanks to the 10-and-5 rights Jones earned with the Orioles, he blocked a trade last year and finished the season in Baltimore.


The Philadelphia Eagles are in really good shape salary cap wise and have the heart and soul of their team signed through the 2021 seasons. That doesn't mean there won't be attrition of the roster with young guys moving in and a few veterans moving on. With Howie Roseman on the job accumulating draft picks and compensatory picks and just downright redefining what a salary cap guru is, here are four Eagles offensive players who'll be free agents next winter. Alshon Jeffery: The Eagles star wide receiver will be 30 years old by the time the Super Bowl has been completed, and although his 2019 salary is guaranteed at $11,750,000, with a prorated bonus of $2,975,000, Jeffery's salary in 2020 is not guaranteed past $1,000,000 for injury purposes per Over The Cap. View embedded content If Jeffery doesn't have a big year or isn't willing to restructure his deal, the Eagles could choose to move on. Jan 13, 2019; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor (13) runs after a catch during the first quarter of a NFC Divisional playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports Nelson Agholor (UFA) The Eagles exercised Agholor's 2019 fifth-year option this past offseason, but the wideout was the subject of trade or release rumors, up until the draft was completed. Agholor will be a free agent next season, and a huge year could force the Eagles to choose between him and Alshon Jeffery. Aug 16, 2018; Foxborough, MA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nate Sudfeld (7) passes the ball against the New England Patriots during the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports Nate Sudfeld (UFA): Sudfeld is the Eagles backup quarterback, but Howie Roseman loves compensatory picks, and with Carson Wentz entrenched as the franchise quarterback, the plan is for Sudfeld to show enough in camp and limited game opportunities, that he deserves to be a starter on his own team. Sudfeld could also return to Philadelphia on a team friendly deal. Jan 6, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard (24) runs the ball against Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) in the first half of a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports Jordan Howard (UFA): With Miles Sanders selected in the second round, this could be a one year rental for the Birds who traded for Howard. The Eagles are likely to wait and see how Howard performs in the Eagles' offense as the lead running back. If Howard can return to his status as one of the top rushers in the league, an extension could be on the horizon. Jun 11, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Andre Dillard (77) and offensive tackle Jason Peters (71) talk during Minicamp at Novacare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports Jason Peters (UFA): The future Hall of Famer will likely start his countdown towards retirement, but the fact remains this is probably Peters final season in Philly as a player. Aug 10, 2017; Green Bay, WI, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai (72) during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports Halapoulivaati Vaitai (UFA): The move to right guard has paid off, and now Vaitiai's versatility could get him paid on the open market. MORE: Kevin Durant clearly tried to avoid becoming a meme with his boring Nets announcement It looks like the Patriots won't be doing a Super Bowl champion visit to the White House NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Magic Johnson has already spoken to Kawhi Leonard, Uncle Dennis UPDATED Warriors free agency tracker: Durant will sign with Nets


CENTERVILLE, Texas (AP)   A Texas sheriff says a reality-based detective show played a role in the recent arrest of an 84-year-old woman in the 1984 shooting death of her husband. Leon County Sheriff Kevin Ellis said Wednesday that the arrest last week of Norma Allbritton was aided by the program "Cold Justice," which contributed its own investigator, a retired district attorney and other expertise. The death of Johnnie Allbritton in the couple's home near Buffalo was revisited in 2015 by sheriff's investigators and some evidence was later forwarded to the program. Buffalo is about 100 miles (160 kilometers) southeast of Dallas. Ellis declined to say what new evidence was presented to the grand jury that indicted Norma Allbritton on a murder charge. She bonded out of jail July 3. A message left Wednesday for her attorney wasn't immediately returned.


The Timberwolves have added another name to the list of interviewees for their head coaching job, according to Jon Krawcznyski of The Athletic ( Twitter link ), who identifies Bucks assistant Darvin Ham as a candidate for the position. Krawczynski doesn't specify whether the Wolves have already requested and been granted permission to meet with Ham, but it sounds like he's expected to interview with the club. Ham, who spent time with six NBA teams during his playing career, served as an assistant for the Lakers and Hawks before joining Mike Budenholzer's staff in Milwaukee. Led by new president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas, Minnesota is embarking on a search for a head coach , though the club hasn't ruled out the possibility of retaining Ryan Saunders, who is still a "prominent" candidate. In addition to Saunders and Ham, the Wolves are considering a list of contenders that includes Heat assistant Juwan Howard, Trail Blazers assistant David Vanterpool, and Pelicans assistant Chris Finch. It remains to be seen how much further Minnesota's search will expand, or what sort of timeline the team expects for its coaching hire. A report last Friday night indicated that the Wolves would make a decision on their head coach within 7-10 days, but that could have referred to the decision to open up the search beyond Saunders, rather than a final decision on a hire.


Patrick Cantlay won the Memorial Tournament by two Sunday at Muirfield Village. Here are the golf clubs he used to get the job done: Driver: Titleist 917D2 (9.5 degrees), with Mitsubishi Diamana Blue 73 X shaft Fairway woods: Titleist 915F (15 degrees), with Mitsubishi Diamana Blue 73 TX shaft Hybrid: Titleist 816 H2 (21 degrees), with Fujikura Speeder Evolution HB 95X shaft Irons: Titleist 718 AP2 (4-PW), with True Temper XP 115 shafts Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM5 (54 degrees bent to 53), SM6(56 degrees bent to 57), SM7 (60 degrees bent to 61), with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S300 shafts Putter: Scotty Cameron Newport GSS prototype Ball: Titleist Pro V1x


Anthony Lynn and his wife, Stacey, launched the Lynn Family Foundation two months ago. The foundation's first fundraising event is a golf tournament in Dallas on Monday. Then, the couple head to Tanzania to open a school for students in kindergarten through seventh grade. Lynn's foundation has partnered with Common Threadz to build the school, which they hope eventually expands to cover eighth through 12th grades. "There was a certain place in Tanzania where they didn't have schools and teenagers were going into the military and young ladies were getting hauled off into sex trafficking," Lynn said, via Joe Reedy of The Associated Press. "We thought that we needed education there. I helped a little bit, and we're going to go open it up." Last summer, Lynn received his undergraduate degree from UNLV after leaving Texas Tech six hours short to sign as an undrafted free agent with the Broncos. He was the first member of his family to attend college. "With the Africa trip and everything, it seems like I have a lot going on, but when I'm not coaching football, I am passionate about other things," Lynn said.


There's a brand-new bar in town. Called Papi's Tacos - Hampden , the fresh arrival is located at 3820 Falls Road in Hampden. Papi's, which also has an outlet in Fells Point, features build-your-own tacos, plus burritos, enchiladas, salads and more. The menu also lists 11 kinds of margaritas. With a 3.5-star rating out of seven reviews on Yelp so far, the new bar is still finding its footing. Meredith T., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on April 30, wrote, "I got the shrimp quesadilla and I was really shocked by how delicious this was. The shrimp was seasoned really well." Yelper Lizz C. added , "I had the enchiladas con huevos, my partner had the tostada desayuno and we split a pitcher of Bloody Mary's. The food was excellent." Papi's Tacos - Hampden is open from 11 a.m.-midnight on Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-1 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


WASHINGTON   Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., became the highest-ranking House Democrat to call for opening an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump. "I deeply respect the committee work of House Democrats to hold the president accountable, including hearings, subpoenas and lawsuits. All of our efforts to put the facts before the American people, however, have been met with unprecedented stonewalling and obstruction," the sixth-ranking House Democrat said in a statement Thursday evening, adding, "That is why I believe we need to open an impeachment inquiry that will provide us a more formal way to fully uncover the facts." Clark made her announcement the day after the former special counsel Robert Mueller testified before two House committees about his investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 election, possible coordination with the Trump campaign and subsequent efforts by the president to obstruct the probe. "Since the release of the Mueller report in April, it has been clear that the president committed impeachable offenses by welcoming interference from a hostile foreign power in the 2016 election and then attempting to obstruct the investigation into his unpatriotic actions," Clark said. "Moreover, he said he would do it all again if given the chance." Three other House Democrats also publicly called for moving ahead with impeachment since Mueller's testimony   Reps. Lori Trahan of Massachusetts, Peter DeFazio of Oregon and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware   which brings the number to 93 Democrats who are backing an impeachment inquiry, according to an NBC News count . There has been an active discussion for several months inside the House Democratic caucus about whether a formal impeachment inquiry should be launched. On Wednesday night, following Mueller's testimony before the House Judiciary and House Intelligence committees, House Democrats met behind closed-doors where they discussed ways that impeachment could move forward. Speaker Nancy Pelosi advocated for continuing House investigations into the president to gather facts and pursue litigation to make the strongest case possible if lawmakers decide to impeach. She said, more clearly than she has previously, that each member can decide on impeachment based on their conscience and constituents. Clark said in her statement that "an impeachment inquiry is a process, not an outcome, but I fear there is no amount of wrongdoing that we could uncover that would convince Senate Republicans to hold the President accountable."


NASHVILLE, Tenn.   K.J. Martin, son of 15-year NBA veteran Kenyon Martin, has signed his national letter of intent to play for new Vanderbilt coach Jerry Stackhouse. The new coach announced the signing Wednesday, saying the 6-foot-6 forward is a welcome addition with his skill, athleticism, toughness and heart. Stackhouse says he can't wait for Martin to arrive on campus this summer. The forward from Chatsworth, California, played with another Vanderbilt signee   and son of an NBA champion   in Scotty Pippen Jr. at Sierra Canyon High School. That team went 32-3 and won the California championship in the open division with Martin averaging 16.7 points and 9.8 rebounds. The three-star forward had offers from USC, UCLA, Georgetown, Memphis, West Virginia and Florida State among others. More: Kenyon Martin Jr., son of former UC Bearcats great, commits to Vanderbilt More: Kenyon Martin: Former UC Bearcats players 'are not happy' about John Brannen hire His father, who played at Cincinnati in college, played for New Jersey, Denver, the Clippers, the Knicks and Milwaukee in his NBA career. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: College basketball recruiting: KJ Martin signs with Vanderbilt Commodores


During the lean summer months, offseason speculation often runs rampant without actual football to quell the storm. This week, amidst all the ongoing contract talk surrounding QB Dak Prescott and WR Amari Cooper, somehow the notion that RB Ezekiel Elliott might get left out began to circulate. There was this ProFootballTalk article , questioning when Dallas would do a second deal with Elliott. Yahoo Sports also posted an article the same day, asking whether Elliott would be the "odd man out" in the Cowboys upcoming roster shuffle. Both articles cite this ESPN piece by Dan Graziano , in which he doubts the likelihood of Elliott receiving a contract extension within two years: "Based on conversations I've had with several people connected to this situation, I do not think Elliott gets an extension this offseason, or even next offseason. As vital a player as he is, the Cowboys don't feel the same urgency with this deal that they do with Prescott, Cooper or even cornerback Byron Jones. They've picked up the 2020 option . . . and because running back numbers always stay low relative to other positions, they feel good about their ability to use the franchise tag on him in 2021 if need be. They have sensible cost control over Elliott for at least three years." This flies in the face of everything the Dallas front office has publicly said about Elliott this offseason. They've called him the straw that stirs the drink , and claimed to have intentions of making Elliott the highest-paid RB in the league. There's definitely an order to the operations, but is the new Elliott deal ever actually coming, or will it be perpetually on the back-burner by design, allowing a "wait-and-see" approach? While the #Cowboys have made clear Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper are at the front of the line, they've also been talking contract with Ezekiel Elliott's reps … and everyone seems to be on the same page. @nflnetwork @NFLTotalAccess pic.twitter.com/phBOJkseqV - Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 21, 2019 Only time will tell, which is all there is between now and the start of training camp. Cowboys' Prescott 'may second' WR Amari Cooper's comments on QB's contract negotiations :: WFAA.com From his youth football camp back in his home state of Louisiana, Prescott agreed with Cooper regarding what makes him so deserving of a top-tier QB contract. Cooper recently told First Take that Prescott deserves the deal because of how seriously he takes each rep, something Prescott acknowledges as part of his approach. It's not just for his own sake, but his teammate's as well. "When it matters the most and you have to go win, you have to make the play, not only myself but my team, we have a lot of guys like that that want that opportunity in their hands," said Prescott. "They want to be able to make that play. They want their number called. So, I mean, I'm just surrounded by honestly a lot of great players. It makes my job easier at these times." Cowboys Legend Darren Woodson: 'Why I Really Left ESPN' :: 105.3 The Fan There really is no place like home, even when you're working for the Worldwide Leader in Sports. Just ask Darren Woodson, who recently joined Mike Fisher for a Frisco power lunch, right outside Woodson's new digs in The Star. After serving as an ESPN analyst on a variety of programs over the past 14 NFL seasons, Woodson left the network back in May. He revealed it had nothing to do with ESPN, except for the travel and wear-and-tear the grind it was having on his family and personal life: "Everything I've said about how great [ESPN] was is true, and everything I've said about how challenging TV was is true, too," Woodson says before expanding his chest with a deep breath and then letting it all out. "But, Fish … The travel! And being away from home! It just wasn't worth it anymore, on a personal level or a financial level. It just wasn't worth it." Rank'Em: Finding the Best Undrafted DB Ever :: DallasCowboys.com For most teams, the undrafted defensive backs are as unheralded as they come. Not for the Cowboys however, as some of the franchises' best and most memorable DBs are of the of the undrafted variety. Take a scroll through memory lane, as DallasCowboys.com counts down the top 10 UDFA DBs to come through Dallas. MORE: Dale Earnhardt Jr., sister Kelley open up about childhood relationship: 'We saved each other' Kyrie Irving to sign 4-year, $141 million deal with the Brooklyn Nets What would the Sixers look like without Jimmy Butler, Tobias Harris? New York Knicks Rumors: Kevin Durant, Julius Randle, Tobias Harris Still in Play Andre Iguodala: Mark Jackson was 'blackballed' from the NBA


With a home run early and a clutch two-run single late to break open the Orioles' 4-1 win at Toronto on Friday night, first baseman Chris Davis showed he might be in one of those spells where he's the Orioles' premier offensive threat. What brings those stretches to pass, however, is still something he admits is hard to pin down. "I have no idea," Davis said. "I wish I did. It would make this game a lot easier. Maybe it's getting a break here and there, trying to string some good at-bats together. It comes and goes honestly. If I knew what it was that made me tick, I'd be a lot better player." If this stretch continues, Davis will have two such productive stretches on his resume for 2019. He followed up his hitless three-week start to the season with three weeks of legitimate production, homering five times while batting .290 with a .952 OPS in 21 games after he got his first hit. He then went 26 games without a homer while batting .145 and striking out 43 times in 90 plate appearances before breaking his home run drought Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. All it takes is three straight games with a hit, as Davis has in July, to raise his average from .169 to .182, for the notion that he's on to something to take hold. Manager Brandon Hyde said the difference to him is Davis aggression and belief that he can hit the early fastball in an at-bat. "I think he's just feeling it at the plate," Hyde said. "I think he got some pitches to hit. I like when I see CD ready to hit from the first pitch, and I think he goes through spurts where he gets caught in between, maybe starts guessing a little bit. "But I like when he's on time with the fastball from the first pitch of the at-bat, and I think that helps him a lot, being ready to hit early on heaters and be on time with the fastball. It allows him to be able to stay on off-speed stuff. When he's overly patient, he's getting in deep counts   pitcher's counts   instead of counts where he can drive the ball. I like when he's ready to hit from the first pitch." Davis agrees. "I think I just am seeing the ball a little bit better, not fighting myself as much, a bit calmer, and just taking advantage of pitches in the zone and not missing those pitches, " Davis said. "I think that's the biggest thing. When I'm struggling, when I'm grinding I'm really fouling those pitches off and swinging through those pitches. I feel like really over the last week or so, I've felt a little bit more patient; feel like I'm seeing the ball a little bit better and I'm able to get my swing off." jmeoli@baltsun.com twitter.com/JonMeoli


A 7.1-magnitude earthquake shook, rattled and rolled Southern California early in July. It did more than slosh water out of swimming pools and bring Disneyland to a halt . It also redecorated the landscape. NASA's Advanced Rapid Imaging and Analysis (ARIA) team took a closer look at the Ridgecrest earthquake and its aftermath, crunched the numbers and figured out just how much it moved the earth around it. A colorful image highlights the action. The land west of the fault (in blue) moved as much as 2.7 feet (0.8 meters), while other areas (red and orange) moved as much as 2 feet (0.6 meters). NASA's Earth Observatory released a before-and-after GIF on Thursday that illustrates the ground displacement. We previously saw the crack created by the quake in satellite views . The ARIA team's work will help US government agencies assess the damage from the earthquake. "The analysis can be used to estimate where the fault moved deep and which areas have increased stress and higher likelihood of future earthquakes," NASA said . The good news is the fault has quieted down since the main earthquake on July 5. "The odds of a subsequent large earthquake continue to drop with time since the mainshock," the US Geological Survey noted . The ground may get a chance to settle into its new configuration.


The Houston Rockets made a big move in acquiring superstar Russell Westbrook from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Chris Paul as well as making other moves to make sure they're in the conversation not only for the Western Conference crown, but the entire NBA crown. After the moves they made in the offseason, the Rockets are now the 5th most expensive team heading into 2019-20 according to Sportrac . With a superstar duo of Westbrook and James Harden leading the way, the Rockets now hope that the money they have spent on this roster can catapult them to the NBA Finals. Most Expensive 2019 @NBA Teams 1. #TrailBlazers , $143M 2. #Warriors , $139M 3. #Heat , $138M 4. #Thunder , $137M 5. #Rockets , $134M 30. #Hawks , $102M Full List: https://t.co/r5T2k2OQ7E - Spotrac (@spotrac) July 22, 2019 The Rockets were the 12th most expensive team in 2018-19 so they spent some more money to make sure that they made the necessary improvements to their roster. With the Golden State Warriors losing Kevin Durant to the Brooklyn Nets and Klay Thompson expected to miss the majority of the season, now is the best chance for a Rockets team that has been oh so close to getting to the promised land. With the Warriors seemingly out of the way, now's the time for Houston to strike. MORE: Lakers' Quinn Cook Q&A: 'It feels like this team has been together a while' Brooks Koepka explained what's the most frustrating part of J.B. Holmes' slow play Phil Simms: 'Multiple' teams were set to take Daniel Jones before No. 17 Brooks Koepka Calls Out J.B. Holmes Following Disastrous Final Round at The Open 14 biggest questions for the Packers entering training camp


When it comes to my beauty routine, I'm lazy as hell. Waking up early to do my hair and makeup ? LOL. That's not happening. So, in an effort to not look like a crazy person when I roll up to work, I do all of the seemingly high-maintenance things, like skin lasers, peels, microblading , etc. I know it sounds extra, but it's how I do the whole woke-up-like-this thing in the morning. Which brings us to the latest high (ish) maintenance treatment I've tried: eyelash tinting. Tinting basically creates the illusion of mascara without you actually having to swipe it on pretty effing awesome. Keep reading to see exactly how lash tinting worked for me plus everything to know if you want to try it too. What is lash tinting? Think of lash tinting as a semi-permanent dye job for your lashes. Tinting won't add curl, length, or volume to your lashes (you'll need to try a lash lift or lash extensions for that), but it will darken and intensify their color with permanent , cream-based dyes (and in some cases, a semi-permanent vegetable-based dye), says Clementina Richardson , founder of Envious Lashes in NYC where I went to get my lashes tinted for the first time. What are the benefits of lash tinting? If you have naturally light or blonde lashes, you'll definitely see the most dramatic difference with a tint, says Richardson. If you have naturally dark lashes like me, you may not a see a super-huge difference in your lash color post-tint . I was really pumped to see some dramatic, noticeable change in my lashes, thinking they'd suddenly look super thick and dark, but, in reality, they kind of looked the same? Slightly darker, slightly fuller, but not a major difference. Where I did see a change, though, was with my lash tips, which are lighter than the rest of my lashes. Tinting them made my lashes look slightly longer and thicker as a result. How long does lash tinting take? Literally tinting your eyelashes is so fast the dye is painted on, then sits on your lashes for just 10 minutes. I walked into Richardson's studio and 25 minutes later, I was outside with my newly tinted lashes waiting for an Uber. How much does lash tinting cost? Like all beauty treatments, the price depends on where you live and where you go, but expect to spend anywhere between $45 and $75 dollars for your tint. How long does lash tinting last? About four weeks. The dye is permanent, so the tint itself shouldn't fade, but as your lashes fall out and new, un-tinted lashes grow in their place, you'll notice your eyelashes looking lighter and lighter. For the best, longest-lasting result, Richardson says to keep the eye area dry for 24 hours after your tinting treatment and use oil-free makeup removers and creams around your eye area. Does lash tinting hurt? No, it def doesn't hurt, but it does feel a teeny bit uncomfortable. I blame it on the little protective shields that are pressed up against your lash line during the treatment, coupled with the fact that anything on/near your eyes just feels weird. But the whole thing is so quick and speedy, it was honestly no big deal to me. Is lash tinting safe? Depends on who you ask. The FDA , for example, isn't down with lash tinting. As of now, the FDA hasn't approved any color additives for permanent dyeing or tinting of the eyelashes, which means that it's illegal for salons and studios to offer lash tinting in certain states. And if you have sensitive eyes or sensitive skin, proceed with caution, since certain dyes can cause irritation, or worst case scenario, blindness (scary, I know). However, if you ask the internet/celebrities/the entirety of the beauty world, lash tinting is considered a pretty low-risk beauty treatment. That said, the safety and efficacy of lash tinting totally depends on where you get it done. As a rule: Only go to well-reviewed salons or studios with licensed lash technicians (sorry, Groupon). And obviously, do your homework before making an appointment i.e., call ahead and read all the reviews online. One last thing about lash tints: If you're going to make an appointment for a lash tint, I def recommend making one for a lash lift at the same time (Richardson says she almost always does the two treatments together at her salon). During a lash lift, your lashes are curled with a special perming solution to create a super-lifted, wide-eyed look. The combination of the curl and tint is honestly just as good as extensions. Related video: Are Sheet Masks Worth the Money? Dermatologists Have the Answers (Provided by Buzz60)


Pep Guardiola has confessed he would one day like to return to Barcelona in some capacity, and that it will happen 'sooner or later'. The Manchester City boss also remained tight-lipped on the future of Atletico Madrid's Rodri, who has been strongly linked with a move to the Etihad this season, while also confessing his admiration for a couple of Barcelona-bound stars. Speaking to Marca , Guardiola rubbished suggestions that he may return to Barça as the club's president, insisting his knowledge of the role is slim at best, but did admit he one days wishes to return to Catalonia. "I will return to Barcelona sooner or later," he affirmed. "But as president, forget about it. To be president, you have to know [what you're doing] and be prepared; to have knowledge that I don't have. I'm trying to be a good coach; that hasn't gone too badly in this decade. I will return to Barcelona to live, sooner or later." City are yet to sign a player this window but have been the frontrunners to sign Atletico 's Rodri following the player's admission that he wishes to leave the club. The 48-year-old refused to be drawn to an answer on the move, instead simply revealing his admiration for the defensive midfielder. Listed among Man City's greatest ever players... But what's your favourite David Silva moment in a light blue shirt?  pic.twitter.com/x7SpJVQ0BX   90min (@90min_Football) June 26, 2019 "I have no idea," he stated. "We will see. He's a great player." The former Bayern Munich manager also acknowledged the talents of Neymar and Antoine Griezmann, with the latter widely expected to join the Camp Nou outfit while discussions are taking place surrounding a sensational return to the La Liga side for the Brazilian. He added: "The good [players] are always welcome in any team. The two [Neymar and Griezmann] are very good."


Congressional Republicans on Thursday floated a new disaster aid proposal to Democrats to break the logjam over Puerto Rico, but it is unlikely to end the bitter, monthslong stalemate that has frustrated both parties, according to multiple aides. The Republicans' latest funding offer would add billions of dollars to the Senate's existing disaster bill, which would dole out badly needed cash to states ravaged by wildfires, hurricanes and severe flooding. It includes hundreds of millions more for Puerto Rico, but falls short of resolving the key sticking point, which has pitted Democrats against President Donald Trump since last year. "It is a more realistic offer than last time, but that's not saying much," one Democratic aide said. Leaders of both parties are making a last-gasp push to distribute the money before Memorial Day as desperation grows in a half-dozen states from Iowa to California. But they keep running into hurdles, including from the president himself. Trump was in Florida on Wednesday night promising to swiftly deliver disaster aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael last October. But he continues to dig in against new funding for Puerto Rico, incorrectly claiming at an impromptu news conference on Thursday that the territory had already secured $91 billion in aid for a massive hurricane with a death toll of 3,000 people. The bill has also been held up by a push from the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), as he looks to free up more money for harbor maintenance funds for his home state. House Democrats are slated to vote Friday on their own disaster package, which includes long-delayed money for wildfire-ravaged parts of California, as well as swaths of the south   like Florida, Georgia and Alabama   that had been hit by hurricanes last summer. But on Thursday evening Trump sent a warning to GOP lawmakers. "House Republicans should not vote for the BAD DEMOCRAT Disaster Supplemental Bill which hurts our States, Farmers & Border Security," the president wrote on Twitter . "Up for vote tomorrow. We want to do much better than this. All sides keep working and send a good BILL for immediate signing!" House and Senate leaders are trying to work out the disaster aid package separately from the White House's newest emergency funding request, which seeks $4.5 billion for the mounting humanitarian crisis at the border. Some top Republicans, including some officials at the White House, had privately pushed to combine the two emergency aid requests. But Democrats have so far resisted the idea of adding any money for the Department of Homeland Security to an already politically fraught package. Spending leaders in both parties have said they are making progress after a weekend negotiating session that yielded largely no progress. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said Thursday that he was feeling "a little bit better" about talks. The wildfire and hurricane disaster package   as well as the separate border aid package   are seen as key tests for how the House Democratic leaders will work with Senate Republican to avoid a slew of fiscal battles later this year. That includes the annual funding deadline on Sept. 30, as well as fights over the debt ceiling and spending cuts. Caitlin Emma and Marianne LeVine contributed to this report.


Google Fit should now be that much more helpful when you're ramping down for the night. The fitness app now tracks sleep patterns from apps that share their data, giving you better sense of whether or not you need more shut-eye. You can add to and edit your sleep history if companion apps aren't providing a complete picture of your downtime. Accordingly, there's a new dark theme (in keeping with Google's recent trends ) that should be kinder to your eyes at night. There is an improvement that can help your daytime activities. Fit users on iOS now get route maps for their walks and bike rides, much like their Android counterparts do. This includes workouts tracked through smartwatches and linked mobile apps. The updates are rolling out over the course of the next week. They're simple additions, but they should help Google Fit provide a more holistic view of your fitness that extends well beyond your gym sessions and morning runs.


Interested in discovering the freshest new spots in Orlando? From a flotation therapy spa to an authentic Peruvian restaurant, read on to see the newest hot spots to open their doors recently. Kabooki Sushi - Sand Lake Kabooki Sushi - Sand Lake is an Asian fusion restaurant and sushi bar that's located at 7705 Turkey Lake Road. So far, it's been well-received: it's got a five-star rating out of 10 reviews on Yelp. The menu features both traditional and creative sushi rolls, a mix of standard Asian appetizers and a large drink selection that includes wine, imported beers and sake. Memories Of Peru Go to 5700 International Drive and you'll find Memories Of Peru , a new Peruvian restaurant offering traditional dishes from Peru. Look for seafood, beef steaks and whole chicken meals the menu . Indigo Float - Orlando A South Orange newcomer, Indigo Float - Orlando is a float therapy spa that's located at 25 W. Crystal Lake St., Suite 170. It's the first Indigo Float center to open on the East Coast. According to the business's website : "Floating, also know as REST, describes what happens when you spend a specific amount of time in an environment that's free from the distractions of light, sound, touch and gravity." This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


PEBBLE BEACH   We're told major championships are golf's grandest theater, though there are a handful of stages where the spotlight shines ever so brighter. Pebble Beach did nothing to refute its standing this week. It called for temerity and required fortitude, facilitated bravado and exposed pretenders. Brooks Koepka, that cross-breed of man and cyborg, further cemented his status as an era-defining player, while Gary Woodland exercised his 54-hole demons in declarative fashion. There were bids by Rory and Rahm and Xander, victory laps for Tiger and Phil, the arrival of Viktor Hovland. There was even a Bo Jackson club snap, all unfolding above seaside cliffs against an endless blue backdrop. "It's been an absolutely fantastic week, from start to finish," John Bodenhamer, USGA senior managing director of championship, told Golf Digest. "We wanted to make sure we showed the best Pebble Beach had to offer, and it led to some exciting golf." But the biggest story at the 2019 U.S. Open was what didn't happen. RELATED: Woodland as champion is good for golf RELATED: Tiger finishes strong RELATED: U.S. Open winners and losers The USGA, the governing body that runs this shindig, has been the prominent, if not the singular storyline in three of the past four U.S. Opens from toasted greens to self-inflicted rules snafus . Last year's gaffe at Shinnecock was particularly troubling, as a mistake the organization made in 2004 at the Long Island links, spent years profusely apologizing for and promising wouldn't happen again. . . happened again . Preparing a course for the world's best is far from an enviable task and one easy to criticize, and in themselves, those incidents could be chalked as happenstance or aberration. In the aggregate, not so much. Messing up the 2019 national championship, at the most iconic American golf venue outside Augusta National? No walking back around that corner. A fate the USGA took to heart. "I think it's critical," Bodenhamer said, in regards to operating a smooth week. "We needed a great U.S. Open, not just a good U.S. Open. Anything less would be unacceptable." Bodenhamer, who grabbed the setup reins from USGA CEO Mike Davis this year, has been true to his word. Pebble's fairway dimensions at this U.S. Open were demanding yet allowed for breathing room. The rough was gnarly and brutal and punishing, but far from unfair. Despite the bumpy reputation of Poa annua grass, the putting surfaces rolled true. Unlike years past, where approaches were rejected without prejudice, well-struck shots were received by the greens. An observation seconded by the field. If players had any qualms with the setup this week, they didn't share them. Quite the opposite, delivering glowing praise for the test they faced. "It's fantastic," Zach Johnson, who fired the first round of USGA jabs last year, said on Saturday. "Whatever they're doing it's great. You play quality golf you get rewarded." Tiger Woods shared a similar outlook, remarking the USGA did a "great job" of rewarding good shots with birdie opportunities. Compared to other sites in the U.S. Open rota, Justin Rose said the layout catered to a variety of skills and profiles. Koepka believed the greens were some of the best he's seen. It wasn't just those who played well that echoed such sentiments. Justin Thomas, who missed the cut, wrote on Twitter that "Pebble is perfect and has been such a great set up thus far. Getting firm and will show the best players come weeks end. Well done USGA." Added Billy Horschel: "Course was great. Setup was awesome. Fans were amazing." Even Phil Mickelson, the man driven to insanity at Shinnecock and who's treated the USGA with the friendliness of a TSA screener, was effusive in praise. "It's perfect. It's a perfect hard test," Mickelson said after a Sunday 72. "The guys that are playing well it gives them a chance to separate and make some birdies and reward great shots. It was perfectly done." The traditionalists that like their U.S. Opens painted black will correlate these points to the lower-than-usual scoring. Perhaps there's a bit of truth to that; it certainly doesn't hurt. The players beg to differ. Koepka and Mickelson said missing the fairway were death. A number of competitors declared the greens firmer than they appear. Oosthuizen mentioned any shot less than ideal was punished. But the best description goes to Rory McIlroy, who articulated the specifics of what made Pebble a challenge. "I think the greens are so small, and when it gets a little firm like this and they start to tuck pins in little corners, it's angles, it's all angles," McIlroy said. "You're trying to think and move ahead. It's a little bit like chess where you're crossing paths. "It just takes a little bit of concentration because there's some shots where you need to land the ball ten yards short of the pin and some holes, like back into the wind, it might only be three or four yards. But you can't go firing at pins because you're going to one-hop it over the back all day...Hitting the right trajectory, so the ball does what you think it's going to do when it hits the ground, basically." In short, Pebble Beach achieved that often chased but rarely captured ideal: a "proper" setup. A setup, more importantly, that was controversy free. So what was different in 2019? According to Bodenhamer, discipline. "The main takeaway from this week was sticking to our game plan and not panicking," he said. "We let the golf course play as it was." It wasn't perfect. Tournaments that annually rotate courses never are. Moreover, unlike other majors, what constitutes a bona fide U.S. Open setup is a request that can never be totally satisfied. One contingent disappointed if players reach red figures, players upset when the layout makes them the fool. The USGA erred, rightfully so, on the side of caution, with a handful of players chief among them Jon Rahm and Graeme McDowell wishing the gauntlet was tougher. Benign conditions prevented Pebble from having its full bark, a lack of wind off the Pacific and an ever-present marine layer lowering the course's defenses. In the four previous Opens at Pebble, a total of 12 players were under par. This week there were 31. Woodland's 271 was the second-lowest score in U.S. Open history. Not that the USGA seems to mind. "I know people don't believe this, but we don't set up a course with a score in mind," Bodenhamer said. "We are not chasing par, or to keep scores around it. Obviously the course was wet at times, which led to some of the scores you see, and we are more than happy with that." Just as critical, the week proved a detente between the players and governing body, providing hope their internecine battle may be coming to an end. It's worth nothing that, though reputations can be ruined in a day, it takes more than a week to repair them. The USGA is well aware, putting an emphasis on communication and transparency with the sport going forward. "There are a lot of different opinions out there," Bodenhamer conceded earlier this week. "We are better from listening to those perspectives. And we've engaged them." Pebble Beach won't change the past. It did go a ways in stopping the bleeding. In its biggest platform of the year, the USGA was an ancillary character, rightfully letting the golf steal the show. See the video. Related slideshow: Best of 2019 U.S. Open (Provided by imagn)


CHESTER, Pa. (AP) Ilsinho (Ill-SEEN-yo) had two goals and an assist to spark a second-half rally and the Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia Union beat the New York Red Bulls 3-2 on Saturday night. The Union (9-4-4) trailed by two goals when Ilsinho entered as a substitute in the 53rd minute. In the 60th minute, Ilsinho drove up the right side and swung a pass back to Jamiro Monteiro, who scored into the left corner. The Union tied it at 2-all a minute later when Ilsinho split a pair of defenders and punched home a right-footed shot. The Red Bulls' Sean Nealis conceded a penalty for a hand ball in the area in the 70th minute. Luis Robles set the franchise career saves mark for the Red Bulls (7-6-3) by blocking Monteiro's attempt on the penalty kick, but the Union took the lead for good on Ilsinho's putback. Robles passed Tony Meola (629 saves) and finished the night with 632 saves. Romero ''Kaku'' Gamarra opened the scoring for New York in the 29th minute. Brian White made it 2-0 with a chip shot in the 42nd minute.


From the Gold Rush to the shuttered factories of the midwest's former manufacturing strongholds, many American ghost towns share a similar history despite their varying eras and locations. America's ghost towns From the Gold Rush to the shuttered factories of the midwest's former manufacturing strongholds, many American ghost towns share a similar history despite their varying eras and locations. For some being bypassed by the railroad sealed their fate, for others it was the interstate. These abandoned towns show what happens to the infrastructure that remains when economic decline takes hold and residents move on. St. Elmo, Colorado A boom and bust in just 40 years, the town of St. Elmo got its official start in 1880. Then, opportunities for gold and silver mining in the town saw a peak population of 2,000 just a decade later. Hotels, saloons and dancing halls soon opened, alongside a general store and telegraph office. St. Elmo, Colorado Another key component to the town's initial success was the Denver, South Park and Pacific Railroad. Unfortunately the mines began to close, with the last and largest shutting down in 1922, along with the rail line. As quickly as St Elmo grew it emptied out too. Rhyolite, Nevada While named after the volcanic rock rhyolite, it was gold that brought industrialists and miners to the town outside of Death Valley in 1904. But the financial panic of 1907 marked the beginning of the end for Rhyolite, which would see its lights and power shut off in 1916. Rhyolite, Nevada In its, albeit brief, heyday the town boasted a stock exchange, red light district, hotels, stores, a school and an ice cream parlor, according to the National Parks Service. Since then Hollywood studios have used the town's crumbling infrastructure for filming scenes since 1925 and as recently as 2004. Bodie, California Straight from the pages of a western novel or the silver screen, Bodie had its heyday in the era of the California Gold Rush. The roots of the town began to grow in 1859 when a group of prospectors, including one named William S Bodey, found gold. But it was a few years later, after the establishment of a mill in 1861, that Bodie really became a place for people to call home. The town only really lasted five years, between 1877 to 1882, but in that time saw a population of more than 10,000. Bodie, California Bodie, which has more than 200 abandoned buildings, is now in the care of the California State Parks, which is quick to point out they are not restoring it, instead preserving it in a state of "arrested decay". The Bodie State Historic Park is open year round for visitors to explore the empty streets and peek through the windows of its saloons and other buildings, like the coffin maker's shop (pictured). Animas Forks, Colorado Nearly two miles above sea level on the Alpine Loop system of roads Aminas Forks is said to be the country's highest mining camp. Starting in the 1870s the town became a bustling community for gold and silver miners with a hotel, general store, saloon, and post office. Despite these amenities, every fall the residents of Animas Forks migrated en masse to the warmer town of Silverton, according to the Bureau of Land Management. Animas Forks, Colorado Like many ghost towns of the era, when mining profits began to decline so did Animas Forks. While it saw a brief rebound following the construction of a mill in 1904, and a rail line which ran through the area, they weren't enough to stave off the inevitable. The mill closed in 1910 and Animas Forks was a ghost town by the 1920s. Garnet, Montana The semi-precious red garnet stone may be found in this area of Montana, but it was with gold that the town of Garnet tempted prospectors and homesteaders to the area. Garnet boomed and attracted as many as 1,000 residents with its four stores, four hotels, school and thirteen saloons. But when the gold ran out all the inhabitants abandoned it within 20 years. In 1912 nearly half the town burned down, and by 1940 Garnet was a ghost town. Garnet, Montana However, restoration work began in 1970, and more than 30 buildings have been preserved. It's the most intact ghost town in the state, and currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Garnet Preservation Association. Their goal is to provide an educational experience about Montana's history for visitors. However, in winter, Garnet is only accessible to those traveling by snowmobile and cross-country skis. Shakespeare, New Mexico In the 1850s Mexican Springs was just a stop for stage coaches. That is until prospectors discovered silver in 1870, and the town grew to 3,000 people. The mines quickly depleted, but a rumour about diamonds being found in the area kept workers on. When the truth came out and people realized there were no diamonds, the population started to dwindle. But a rebrand to "Shakespeare" and the launch of a new gold and silver mining company in 1879 brought some brief respite... Shakespeare, New Mexico But the railroad would soon be built three miles away, kickstarting Shakespeare's second downfall, which would be further exacerbated by the 1893 depression. The town was declared a National Historic Site in 1970, and while privately owned, can be toured one weekend a month or by appointment. Billy the Kid and many more of history's most notorious wild west characters called Shakespeare home, or at least spent time in its saloons. They are featured in occasional living history re-enactments. South Pass, Wyoming This gold rush town experienced a typical boom and bust, and offered a place to stop on the Oregon Trail. It has more significantly made world history as the birthplace of women's suffrage. In 1869 during the first session of Wyoming's territorial legislature, a South Pass City saloon keeper introduced a bill to make Wyoming the first government in the world to guarantee women the right to vote. It passed, 50 years before the rest of the nation's women were given the right. South Pass, Wyoming The territory also appointed the first woman to public office when South Pass local Esther Hobart Morris was named justice of the peace. According to the Wyoming State Historical Society, starting on 14 February 1870, she presided over 34 cases during her term. Like many other towns of the era the gold wasn't to be found and the population dwindled. By 1949 the town stood empty. Ashcroft, Colorado In 1880 prospectors put together this mining camp's courthouse and streets in the space of just two weeks. By 1883 Ashcroft was a town of approximately 2,000 people, with two newspapers, a school, sawmills, and 20 saloons. But just five years later it went bust. The Aspen Historical Society says: "Only a handful of aging, single men made Ashcroft their home by the turn of the century. They all owned mining claims, but spent their time hunting, fishing, reading and drinking in Dan McArthur's bar." Ashcroft, Colorado In the 1930s two sportsmen planned to build a European-style ski resort in Ashcroft until the onset of World War II interrupted their plans. Following the war it was the nearby town of Aspen that began to develop into the skiing destination it is now. The United States Forest Service took over Ashcroft and granted a permit to the Aspen Historical Society for its preservation. Kennecott, Alaska Copper became a valuable mineral at the turn of the 20th century and the Kennecott Copper Corporation tempted workers to this remote town with higher salaries than any mine in the lower-48 states. Miners and their families made their homes in Kennecott where five different mines offered work. Kennecott, Alaska In 1925 a geologist (correctly) predicted the region's copper would be depleted, and to make matters worse, prices for copper dropped during the Great Depression. By 1938 Kennecott was a ghost town. Now a tourist attraction, the National Park Service acquired much of the town in 1998 and is rehabilitating many of its buildings. Centralia, Pennsylvania Located in the heart of Pennsylvania's coal country, Centralia retained a steady population of around 2,000 even when mining jobs disappeared. But a fire started in 1962 (who or how it set light is disputed), which spread throughout the system of abandoned strip mines under the town. The fire raged underground for decades causing health problems and structural issues for town buildings. In fact, it's still burning today over 50 years later. Centralia, Pennsylvania The town voted to relocate in 1983, and as of the 2010 census only 10 residents live in Centralia. The municipal building still remains, but most homes left empty by vacating residents have either been demolished or reclaimed by nature. Picher, Oklahoma After more than a century of lead and zinc mining, this town has been dubbed America's "most toxic". The mineral discovery in 1913 and the rapid establishment of a town lead to a population peak of more than 14,000 in 1926. The mines closed in the 1970s leaving groundwater contamination and other health risks, which would eventually lead to a decision by the state and the Environmental Protection Agency to evacuate the town in 2009. Picher, Oklahoma The Army Corps of Engineers reported in 2006 that more than 80% of the town's buildings, including its school, were badly undermined and could collapse at any time. Two years later a tornado ripped through the town destroying buildings (pictured) and killed several residents. In spring 2009 the school district dissolved and the post office closed. As of the 2010 census 20 people lived there. Abandoned projects the US government spent billions of taxpayers' money on Gilman, Colorado Part of the Colorado Silver Boom in the late 19th century, workers living in Gilman mined gold and silver well into the 1920s. As those mines depleted, extractions shifted to zinc and lead with operations continuing into the 1970s. Much like Picher, Oklahoma, the Environmental Protection Agency evacuated this former town in 1984 due to "high levels of arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead and zinc in the soil and in surface and groundwater". Gilman, Colorado Located eight miles southwest of Vail, a developer proposed building a private ski resort on Battle Mountain in 2005, which would include the former Gilman site. The company eventually backed out of the project. Thurmond, West Virginia The 1880s completion of the C&O Railroad and a new river bridge, paired with the region's rich coalfields created a good foundation for the town of Thurmond. Incorporated in 1903, the town's steam engine repair shop is considered one of the main reasons for its thriving economy. It would also be its downfall. Thurmond, West Virginia Road construction starting in 1917 was the beginning of the end. Then a series of devastating fires destroyed much of the town's infrastructure in the 1920s to 1930s. The final blow to the rail industry in Thurmond came in 1949 when the C&O Company purchased its first diesel engine and began phasing out its steam engines. Most of the town is now owned by the National Park Service, and the 2010 census found a population of just five. Rock Bluffs, Nebraska Located on the Missouri River, Rock Bluffs (also called Rock Bluff City) found prominence in the mid-19th century serving steamboats and freight wagons heading west. By the 1870s it had two trading houses, a mill, blacksmith, church and post office. At this time the thriving river town established the Naomi Institute, said to be the state's first higher education facility, which would later be called the Rock Bluff School. Rock Bluffs, Nebraska All that remains of Rock Bluffs is the school. Historians say the introduction of the railroad paved the way for the town's demise, as it went through nearby Plattsmouth instead and crossed the river on a bridge in Omaha. Now part of the Cass County Historical Society, visitors can see the school during open house events and children can visit for field trips. A recent fundraising campaign enabled the society to replace the school's roof this May. Incredible abandoned places in every US state Verendrye, North Dakota When Norwegian settlers arrived in the early 1900s, along with the railroad, they named their community Falsen. This rural outpost served as a vital stop on the line providing river water for steam trains. The town adopted the name Verendrye instead in the 1920s, a nod to the 18th century French explorer Pierre Gaultier De La Verendrye who was the first European to visit the area. At the time of its name change Verendrye's homes and farms lacked electricity, which stretched well into the Great Depression, and so residents started their own electricity cooperative in 1939, according to the still-in-existence Verendrye Electric Cooperative. Verendrye, North Dakota In 1941 the cooperative's directors made the controversial decision to relocate its headquarters in the nearby town of Velva, due to Verendrye being too isolated. With the decline of the steam engine, it no longer served as a stopping point for water. By 1970 the town was empty. All that remains at the former site is the façade of Falsen School, among the wheat fields of its newest occupant Ashley Farm. Adams, Tennessee This town can take a punch. Settlers first arrived in the 1790s but many of the early buildings were destroyed in the Civil War. By the 1880s it had rebuilt stores and mills, but for reasons unexplained it repealed its charter in 1899. It then reincorporated in 1908, and incorporated as a city in 1963. Up until the 1960s Adams thrived due to its location on both highway 41 and railroad connections between Chicago and Miami. Adams, Tennessee While there are still several hundred people living in Adams, the downtown has been abandoned ever since the railroad left and new interstates replaced local Highway 41. Local author Pat Fitzhugh says it is "practically a ghost town. Only a few small businesses operate there now; everything else is farmland. Most residents are either retired or work in nearby towns." The world's most expensive abandoned military bases Glenrio, New Mexico/Texas Glenrio's imprecise location straddling the state line created both conundrums and conveniences. Located on Historic Route 66, this early 20th century town took advantage of the double state situation, locating its gas stations on the Texas side to avoid higher taxes in New Mexico. Likewise they built bars and motels on the New Mexico side because Texas's county was dry. Glenrio, New Mexico/Texas The town thrived through the post-war era as cars on Route 66 stopped for fuel, food or to stay the night at a western-themed motel. The National Parks Service describes Glenrio as "a flash of neon in the desert, an overnight Mecca, and a spot of evening cool in the days before cars had air conditioning". But with the completion of nearby Interstate 40 in 1975, which bypasses the town, its dance halls, diners and gas stations were left abandoned. Rodney, Mississippi The town took its name in 1828 but European settlers had been there long before then: first the French, then the British, and finally the Spanish until it became part of the US's Mississippi Territory in 1798. Quite a few notable politicians of the 19th century visited Rodney including presidents Andrew Jackson and Zachary Taylor, and it was deemed so important it was almost named Mississippi's capital. Rodney, Mississippi From 1820 to 1860 the town flourished as an important river community until a sand bar developed and changed the course of the Mississippi, according to the National Park Service. Local history reports the town survived the Civil War, only for parts to succumb to fire damage in 1869. By the 1930s the town faced "benign neglect" and lacked any local government. Several churches and other buildings remain but the town is now private land. Cahawba, Alabama An undeveloped site in 1819, by 1820 Cahawba had become the state capital, though not everyone was happy about it in newly-formed Alabama. The opposition complained that the area was prone to flooding and used this to persuade the legislature to relocate in 1826. Within weeks the town is said to have been empty. According to the Cahawba Advisory Committee the opponents exaggerated the flood claims and the town recovered. Cahawba, Alabama Down river from Mobile, Cahawba then became a distribution point for cotton, and construction of the railroad in the 1850s triggered a building boom. By the Civil War it had a population of more than 3,000. Unfortunately it was all downhill from there. The Confederate Army established a prison for 3,000 captured Union soldiers in the center of town. Then in 1865 a flood did actually inundate Cahawba and people began to leave. Many of the buildings have since been lost to fire or reclaimed by nature. Ardmore, South Dakota In its earlier years one of the west's notorious thieves called this South Dakota/Nebraska border home. Having stolen horses since he was 14 years old, Doc Middleton was known as the "King of Horse Thieves," according to the Wyoming State Library. He had a saloon in Ardmore for a while before leaving the state. Ardmore, South Dakota Admore, which once boasted that it survived the Great Depression without one family going on welfare, is now abandoned. As the agriculture industry declined in the region so did the population, which hasn't had a census taken since 1980. Braddock, Pennsylvania Andrew Carnegie built one of the America's first steel mills here, as well as one of his many public libraries. The lavish architecture and amenities he bestowed on the town are still evident today, but while the 1920s saw a population of more than 20,000 in Braddock, the current figure is closer to 2,100. Braddock, Pennsylvania Why? The collapse of the steel industry took its toll in the 1970s and 1980s. In fact, the loss has had a disastrous effect on the town's infrastructure and its finances, with the entire system of water lines needing replacement. Batsto Village, New Jersey European settlers set up the Batsto Iron Works along the Batsto River in 1766, which became useful during the Revolutionary War when it manufactured supplies for the Continental Army. Iron production declined and the factory would switch to glassmaking in the mid-19th century, but struggled nonetheless. Hundreds of people are said to have lived in the village during this time, which would eventually include a sawmill, gristmill (pictured), and general store. Batsto Village, New Jersey A Philadelphia businessman called Joseph Wharton purchased Batsto in 1876, as well as property in the surrounding area. He upgraded his mansion as well as other village buildings. From his death in 1909 until 1954 the properties were managed by a trust in Philadelphia. Then the state of New Jersey purchased the properties, allowing any remaining residents to stay in the village's houses as long as they wanted. The last house was vacated in 1989. These 50 people own most of America


There are few teams better equipped to guide young cornerbacks than the Los Angeles Rams. Aqib Talib is an 11-year vet, Marcus Peters leads all active players in interceptions since he came into the NFL in 2015 and Nickell Robey-Coleman is one of the better slot corners in the game. It's a good mix of talent, experience and personality, particularly for a rookie like David Long. He's set up for success right out of the gate, having the chance to learn from those three corners and not be thrust into a starting role. He's taking full advantage of that opportunity and will soak up everything he can from the players ahead of him on the depth chart, specifically Talib and Peters. "Just how those guys work and their mindset about things. And just the mental aspect of being a corner," Long said after arriving to camp Wednesday. "Not so much the physical tools - those guys have a lot of physical tools that jump off the charts and that's why they're household names. Just being a better corner from the neck up. Also just being able to recognize things like tendency and formations. Those guys are really smart football players, and cornerbacks are kind of like quarterbacks of the secondary." Long, a third-round pick and California native, has a long way to go before he supplants a veteran for a starting job. He'll earn playing time as a rookie, to be sure, but that'll be in the event of an injury or in sub-packages when the Rams put four corners on the field. He's fine with earning his stripes, so to speak, and knows he won't be handed anything. "That's why we're here at training camp. Do the best I can to contribute, show what I can do and try to get on the field," Long said. MORE: Instant observations from Day 1 of Patriots training camp Mike Trout's perfect 98.6 MPH throw to home plate had everyone in awe Packers GM explains reasoning for releasing DL Mike Daniels Ranking the NBA's Top 10 Big Threes Chiefs rookie RB Darwin Thompson calls Patrick Mahomes 'a real-life Jug machine'


Virgin Atlantic is offering afternoon tea in the air. Qantas provides amenity kits with socks, eye masks, and earplugs. Qatar Airways promises to serve desserts that are 50 percent bigger. And all of these extras are being bestowed upon the poor, long-deprived souls of economy class. Yes, economy fliers, having become accustomed to having their knees jammed into their chests, are newly getting a little love from the airlines. There have been some notable recent improvements on allotted seat space (though according to FlyersRights.org , a nonprofit consumer advocacy group, the average space between economy seats has shrunk by three inches since 1978), while other extras, such as free food and entertainment, are making a comeback in coach. "After years of what seemed like this inexorable race to the bottom in economy, service has bounced off its lows in meaningful ways," says Seth Kaplan, the founding editor of the newsletter Airline Weekly . When fuel prices spiked and passengers tapered off due to the recession in the mid-2000s, "airlines cut everything and added fees to everything," he adds. "Now that they have more breathing room, they're asking themselves which of those things made sense and which were penny-wise and pound foolish." Foolish in the sense that even legacy carriers started to look a lot like ultra-low-cost airlines, such as Spirit and Frontier, and soon needed to distinguish themselves from those cheapest carriers by bringing back a few freebies in coach. Don't expect free checked bags on anything other than international flights anytime soon. But for many airlines, the following perks are back for those in the back of the planes. More Room in Coach Economy seating remains tight, but a few airlines are experimenting with innovations in comfort. In 2011, Air New Zealand introduced the Skycouch, a row of three economy seats that convert to a flat surface. That early innovation was copied last year by Joon, the low-cost carrier from Air France that flies within Europe (and a few destinations in Africa and South America), with the Cosy Joon configuration. Designed for families with young children, the seats convert to play areas or child-size beds when the headrest is inserted between the seat and the seatback in front of it to create a flat surface. In another family-friendly move, they cost just 20 euros more per seat than standard fares. This spring, All Nippon Airways will launch Tokyo Honolulu service on its new Airbus A380s with 60 couch seats , sets of three or four consecutive seats (bookable for one to four passengers) where the leg rests fold up to create a flat-surface bed, atop of which a mattress is provided. The cabin will also have a walk-up bar for drinks in-flight and a multipurpose room, perfect for changing clothes or having a stretch. Innovating a new solution for all-around comfort with reclining seats, Qatar recently announced a freshly designed economy cabin, coming in 2020 on its new Boeing 777x aircraft. It will feature a hard-shell seat that moves little relative to the row behind it but slides back to a 19-degree recline. That's a real improvement, when compared to the possible seat pitch found on low-cost airlines like Spirit; theirs max out at just three inches (according to SeatGuru.com , which maps airline configurations). The longer the flight, the more attention seems to be paid to economy cabin comfort. Qantas's Dreamliners rolled out in 2017 with more roomy economy seats featuring upgrades like personal device holders, USB ports, larger screens, and the airline's popular "footnet," a net that folds down from the seat in front of you, creating an ottoman. Last year, it started offering a complimentary amenity kit on select long-haul flights, too, including socks and eye masks, to aid onboard sleeping. While seating 10 abreast in economy is the new norm, Delta is holding the line at nine across on its 777s that fly internationally. Last month it introduced the roomier A220, which will eventually replace 20 percent of the domestic fleet, with seats affording a relatively spacious 18.6 inches in width whereas 17 inches is closer to the norm. Free Food and Elevated Culinary Offerings Free food is standard on international flights, but upgrades are ubiquitous as airlines concede that passengers are sated, diverted, and therefore happier when fed frequently. British Airways substantially increased its meal service in economy last year to include a welcome drink and snack, four-course meal, second meal, periodic snacks, and an open bar (formerly it offered only a three-course meal and a light second meal). In some cases, the food upgrades are qualitative. In February, Virgin Atlantic introduced afternoon tea in the air to economy fliers during daytime international flights from both the United States and United Kingdom. Designed by celebrity chef and master pâtissier Eric Lanlard, tea features a mozzarella and pesto sandwich and a scone with jam and clotted cream. In March, Qatar announced economy improvements upcoming in 2020: On the culinary front, dishes from appetizers to desserts will grow in portion size between 20 and 50 percent, with more choices on the menus and real cutlery. The airline's CEO Al Baker says the redesign "proves our commitment to offering the very finest experience to all of our passengers, no matter what class they are traveling in." Domestically, peanuts are back, as are pretzels and, on American, free Biscoff cookies. Both Delta and American have reintroduced free meals in economy on transcontinental flights. Yet, food for sale is here to stay in economy, at least on most domestic routes. Luckily, menu items have been improving. Last year, American partnered with Mediterranean fast-casual chain Zoës Kitchen to design hummus plates, sandwiches, and wraps. As of April, passengers on Southwest Airlines to Hawaii can get island-sourced craft beer and rum drinks, too. Entertainment and Wi-Fi Enhancements U.S. carriers are largely considered lax in their economy service offerings with one notable exception: They're the leaders in getting Wi-Fi in the air. The trend on many U.S. carriers (such as American and United) is to ditch seatback screens, which add weight to the aircraft, and instead rely on fliers using their own devices. Supported by airline-provided Wi-Fi, they can then access complimentary entertainment libraries (although note there's a charge to surf the web). Most new aircraft interiors even have mini seatback shelves designed to hold cellphones and tablets in place and have added seatback USB chargers to keep those devices running. American's recent Wi-Fi upgrade allows domestic fliers fee-free streaming from Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Go, and it's installing power at every seat on its 737s and Airbus aircraft. For passengers who want to go online or check emails, access starts at $10 for an hour. In the past year, Southwest Airlines has made all of its in-flight entertainment free, including movies and live TV. Wi-Fi bandwidth has increased speeds sevenfold and costs a reasonable $8 a day per device. JetBlue built its brand on comfortable seats with free TV and Wi-Fi. Now JetBlue's new Airbus A320s (which will make up the majority of the airline's fleet by this spring) not only offer slightly roomier 18-inch-wide seats but also come with seatback screens equipped with more than 100 channels of live TV that sync up with your personal device. There's power at every seat and free Wi-Fi gate to gate, including in the Caribbean and Latin America, which wasn't possible previously. International carriers aren't far behind. British Airways promises to have the fastest Wi-Fi possible on 90 percent of its fleet by year's end; more tech advancements in the international sector are imminent. In short, while reconfiguring aircraft interiors and offering extra amenities can cut into an airline's profit on their cheaper economy fares, these companies have realized that such improvements afford considerable bang for their buck when factoring in the payoff in customer satisfaction and loyalty.


Welcome to Day 1 of Denver Broncos training camp! The Broncos will practice from 9:15 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 18 at UCHealth Training Center (13655 E Broncos Pkwy, Englewood, CO 80112). Free parking will be available beginning at 7:00 a.m. and gates to the practice facility will open at 8:00 a.m. Lawn chairs are not permitted and shade is limited so fans are encouraged to wear proper headwear and footwear - staying hydrated is also important. Some players will be available to sign autographs after practice at the west end of the practice fields. Here's a look at the team's 2019 training camp schedule: Date Day Time 7/18 Thursday 9:15 a.m.-12 7/19 Friday 9:15 a.m.-12 7/20 Saturday 9:15 a.m.-12 7/21 Sunday 9:15 a.m.-12 7/22 Monday 9:15 a.m.-12 7/24 Wednesday 2-4:45 p.m. 7/25 Thursday 9:15 a.m.-12 7/26 Friday 9:15 a.m.-12 7/27 Saturday 2:15-4:15 7/29 Monday 2-4:45 p.m. 7/30 Tuesday 9:15 a.m.-12 8/3 Saturday 2-4:45 p.m. 8/4 Sunday 9:15 a.m.-12 8/5 Monday 9:15 a.m.-12 8/6 Tuesday 9:15 a.m.-12 8/10 Saturday 2-4:45 p.m. 8/11 Sunday 9:15 a.m.-12 8/12 Monday 9:15 a.m.-12 8/13 Tuesday 9:15 a.m.-12 The practice on July 21 will take place on Alzheimer's Awareness Day and fans in attendance will be encouraged to wear purple. The practice on July 27 will take place at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. For more information about attending practice, click here . MORE: Baker Mayfield believed the Patriots would trade up to draft him The top 100 players in the NFL today Rory McIlroy hit his first British Open shot out of bounds on his way to first hole quadruple bogey News: Cowboys' $100 million men underpaid, and more dangerous in 2019 LeBron James Boasts About '300 Mil Later' After Rich Paul Klutch Sale to UTA


Firefighters rescued a snake stuck in a drain.


Kamu Grugier-Hill knows the drill all too well, as a linebacker who's on the cusp of gaining a starting role, only to have another name get the nod. The Eagles don't have a star at linebacker, but in Nigel Bradham and Zach Brown, they have two blue-collar ballplayers, who bring consistency each and every Sunday. Behind them are undrafted free agents T.J. Edwards and Joey Alfieri, rookies who could be starting by the beginning of next season. Somewhere in that log jam of talents stands Grugier-Hill. Versatility is key on this team, and Grugier-Hill just might be the most versatile of the lot. Can that versatility translate into a role as a starter at linebacker is a whole different question? Eagles linebacker coach Ken Flajole said that the 25-year-old is just getting hitting his stride, and according to Les Bowen of The Inquirer.com, that could translate into more than just a special teams role. "He's shown a lot of good growth. He's made incremental progress, I think, every year that we've had him here. I fully expect him to be able to take the next step and be more than just a special teams guy and a spot player on defense. I'd like to think that he could be a real factor for us." The dilemma for Grugier-Hill is that the Eagles play nickel or dime packages most of the time, so even if he is extremely talented, the Birds only play two linebackers at a time and at 6-foot-2, 230, that may only mean third downs for the speedy linebacker. MORE: NHL fans sure enjoyed seeing Brad Marchand cry after Bruins' Game 7 loss NBA trade rumor rankings: Rockets on the move? A Party Like It's 1969: The Remarkable Resilience of Live Sports on Broadcast TV Davante Adams on Packers rookie S Darnell Savage: 'We got a steal' Instant analysis of Patriots trading for TE Michael Roberts


Nelson Piquet Jr scored his first podium of the year in the Brazilian Stock Car double-header at Santa Cruz do Sul, while Rubens Barrichello also shone with an outstanding recovery from a poor qualifying that moved him to third in the points race. After taking pole position on Saturday, Julio Campos dominated the first race on Sunday. He claimed his fourth win in the series, his first since 2016. Two-time champion Daniel Serra finished second and reclaimed the leadership of the 2019 title race. Former points leader Thiago Camilo started second, but retired early due to engine failure   and he also failed to start race two. Because of the oil spilled from the engine, Felipe Fraga and Gabriel Casagrande went off. Atila Abreu completed the podium, after a good fight with Max Wilson. Ex-F1 driver Ricardo Zonta, Abreu's teammate, finished fifth. After starting 20th, Barrichello made a very good recovery run, ending ninth. His Full Time Sports teammate Piquet finished 16th after starting 24th. In race two, Ricardo Mauricio started from the back of the grid, but the two-time champion managed to finish first after beating Denis Navarro at the finish of a thrilling race. Piquet completed the top three for his first podium this year. Guga Lima finished fourth, ahead of Galid Osman, while Zonta and Barrichello were 11th and 12th, respectively. "This is a track I did not know," said Piquet. "We had a hard qualy, so it's a relief to get this podium, which is very good for the championship and for the mechanics. They worked hard and deserved a good result. "I want to thank the team for all the effort and strategy we have adopted in both races. We still have work to do to reach the leaders' speed, but we are arriving and, every weekend, developing a little bit. "Today I had a new helmet, more like my father's, and I think it was he who gave me luck." Ricardo Maurício and Julio Campos winners of Santa Cruz do Sul Stock Car Brasil Photo by: Duda Bairros Mauricio's win vaulted him to the second place of the standings, while Barrichello is now third in the championship. "It was a fight day," said Barichello. "We had an accident in race one and ended up changing our tire strategy. I had to hold onto the track to score a few points even with the degradation. "In the last two stages, we have faced some problems, but we are going to keep our heads up, working to continue going forward." Stock Car Brazil point standings 1. Daniel Serra - 161 2. Ricardo Maurício - 140 3. Rubens Barrichello - 137 4. Julio Campos - 135 5. Thiago Camilo - 131 6. Max Wilson - 97 7. Felipe Fraga - 94 8. Marcos Gomes - 84 9. Galid Osman - 80 10. Cacá Bueno - 79


Editor's note: The opinions in this article are the author's, as published by our content partner, and do not necessarily represent the views of MSN or Microsoft. The air is thick with lamentations that our two political parties are tearing themselves (and the nation) to pieces. The Republican president has picked a Twitter fight on with four Democratic freshman congresswomen and the Democratic speaker of the U.S. House has chosen to violate House rules to pick a fight with the president. All this has been treated as unprecedented: Donald Trump's conduct by Democrats and legacy media, Nancy Pelosi's by Republicans and Trump supporters. That's true in a trivial sense. Twitter didn't exist before 2006; only seven current House members, not including Pelosi, were serving the last time a House speaker (Tip O'Neill) was called out (by Newt Gingrich) for violating House rules, in May 1984. But actually, there's precedent aplenty. Both parties are behaving in line with their historic character, apparent since they were founded amid swirling political controversies: the Democrats in 1832, the Republicans in 1854. The Republican Party was formed to oppose the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed slavery in the territories. It immediately attracted a core constituency tilted toward New England Yankees and their descendants across the Midwest. Ever since, it has been centered on one core constituency of people who are regarded by themselves and others as typical Americans, but who by themselves are not a majority of the nation. The Democratic Party was formed to oppose the Second Bank of the United States and to support Andrew Jackson, who won his second term with big majorities from Southwestern frontiersmen and workers in burgeoning cities in New York and Pennsylvania. Ever since, it has been a coalition of divergent constituencies, capable of winning robust national majorities in favorable times, but fractiously fissiparous in others. Today, the parties are behaving according to form. Voters identifying as Republicans express almost unanimous support of a president who won less than half the votes cast in 2016 primaries. That's better than Ronald Reagan or the George Bushes typically did. This despite the fact Trump has broken sharply from those Republican presidents' trade and immigration policies and decries the war in Iraq. On the surface, Democrats may seem united too. House Democrats voted unanimously to violate House rules and pass a resolution denouncing Trump for a "racist" tweet. But however genuine their rage, this was obviously a diversionary tactic to cover up loud dissension in the ranks. In response to Pelosi's dismissal of "the Squad" (the four first-termers Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, and Rashida Tlaib) as just four votes, their defenders have taken to accusing Pelosi of racism. These incessant allegations of racism should strike Americans as absurd. There is less racism today than at any time in the history of a nation that twice cast majorities of its votes for an African-American president. Trump's tweet was, as Fox News' Brit Hume commented, "nativist, xenophobic, counterfactual and politically stupid," but doesn't "meet the definition of racist, a word so recklessly flung around these days that its actual meaning is being lost." It's long since been lost for many reporters, who delight in headlining the latest Squad antics. Pelosi obviously fears that this isn't helpful if Democrats want to retain the House seats that gave them their majority: upscale districts whose white college graduate voters are repelled by Trump but aren't eager for Ocasio-Cortez's proposed abolition of airline travel or for the 70% tax rate that Bernie Sanders has praised. Nevertheless, Democratic presidential candidates seem to disagree with Pelosi's analysis. They have embraced, to the dismay of the New York Times ' Thomas Friedman , the abolition of private health insurance, free health care for illegal immigrants, and the decriminalization of illegal border crossing. In addition, they're promising free college, forgiveness of college debt, and ninth-month abortions   including, as Julián Castro reminded anyone who was wondering, "for someone in the trans community   a trans-female." These candidates fear attacks from one of the many constituency groups in the Democratic coalition, or, to put it more precisely, from their self-appointed Twitter representatives. Attacks from even one constituency (blacks, Latinos, gays, lesbians, transgenders, feminists, greens: the list goes on and on) might torpedo their attempts to climb into the first or second tier (or, for Joe Biden, his attempt to keep others out of them). For many in the media, the Squad's and the groups' issue positions sound nifty, and even their recent refusals to denounce Antifa violence seem understandable. But will they prove attractive to the suburbanites Pelosi worries about, or to blue-collar ancestral Democrats uncertain about voting again for Trump? It's likely they won't.


NEW YORK (AP) Rarely in modern baseball does a starting pitcher get to face the opposing lineup for a fourth time. For soft-tossing, back-of-the-rotation types, it's more like hardly ever. Jason Vargas began his career during a different era, and Mets manager Mickey Callaway was there to see him back in the day. So Callaway had no hesitation letting Vargas do things old school Wednesday night. ''He's just really earned the right,'' Callaway said. Vargas threw 117 pitches for his first shutout in two years, Amed Rosario hit a three-run homer and New York beat the San Francisco Giants 7-0 despite losing Robinson Cano hours after his return from the injured list. Michael Conforto and Adeiny Hechavarria each had a solo homer for the Mets, who ended a three-game skid with their second win in seven games. Vargas (2-3) was maligned by Mets fans as an unworthy No. 5 starter coming into the season, but the 14-year veteran has been stellar lately, allowing one run or fewer in seven of his past eight starts. Despite averaging just 84 mph on his fastball, the 36-year-old lefty struck out a season-best eight, allowed five hits and a walk, and threw his most pitches in five years. His previous high this season was 98. First baseman Pete Alonso gave Vargas the ball and a big hug after the final out of his eighth career shutout and 13th complete game. His previous shutout came on June 2, 2017, for Kansas City against Cleveland - Callaway was the Indians' pitching coach at the time. It was just the second time in Vargas' two years with the Mets he was permitted to face the opposing order a fourth time. ''I don't know if it's easier for somebody who played a little further back when that wasn't as big of a deal and you were able to keep going as long as you were able to show you were able to keep rolling,'' Vargas said. ''I think that Mickey was aware of that tonight. I think it probably made him feel a little better that he'd seen me do it against his club in Cleveland a few times. I think it's just part of having done it.'' Vargas faced the minimum over innings five through eight, then worked around Donovan Solano's single to finish the ninth. His one-man show came a day after Callaway removed a furious Noah Syndergaard in the seventh, then apologized to his team for a move that backfired. Callaway said he had a restless night thinking about that decision. ''I can sleep tonight,'' he joked. It was New York's second complete game this season - Syndergaard shut out Cincinnati on May 2. Tyler Beede (0-2) allowed six runs (five earned) in five innings for the Giants, who had won three straight. Beede was coming off his best start in the majors, going six innings in a 3-1 win against Miami. The 2014 first-round pick is still seeking his first major league win. ''He's got to get this figured out as far as being consistent with the command of his pitches,'' manager Bruce Bochy said. ''We all know he's got the stuff. He's got the equipment, but I think tonight was really a perfect case of you don't have to throw that hard to get hitters out.'' IN-N-OUT Cano played for the first time since straining his left quadriceps May 22 but was pulled at the start of the fifth inning with tightness in the muscle . He favored the leg running to first base on a rally-killing double play in the third. Cano doesn't think he'll need to go back on the injured list, but he'll be evaluated further Thursday before New York makes any determinations. ''It's just got tightness,'' Cano said. ''Nothing else.'' Hechavarria replaced him at second base to begin the fifth. ABOUT THOSE RUNS The Mets have homered in 12 consecutive home games, a first at Citi Field. Conforto hit a leadoff shot in the fourth and Rosario's drive made it 5-0, all before Beede got the first out of the inning. Conforto drove in another run an inning later with a sacrifice fly, and Hechavarria hit a leadoff homer in the seventh. Jeff McNeil had three hits for New York in his second game since coming off the injured list. TRAINER'S ROOM Giants: C Buster Posey was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain, retroactive to June 2. Posey was injured running out a grounder Saturday, and San Francisco had hoped he could avoid the IL. Bochy said he is hopeful Posey will be activated when he's eligible. ... RHP Trevor Gott was activated from the IL after dealing with a forearm strain. Mets: OF Aaron Altherr was designated for assignment to open a roster spot for Cano. UP NEXT Giants RHP Shaun Anderson (1-1, 4.09 ERA) faces RHP Zack Wheeler (5-3, 4.68) in a noon matinee Thursday to wrap up the three-game series. --- Follow Jake Seiner: https://twitter.com/Jake-Seiner --- More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports