Like any fire department, the station at Oakland International Airport hopes for the best, but always prepares for the worst. The firefighters are on duty for disasters and emergencies, like an aircraft crash, a fire at the passenger terminal or anything else that requires their attention. It's a specialized role and the station's equipment is tailored to its unique requirements. Just consider the two aircraft fire vehicles purchased at the end of last year by the Port of Oakland, which operates the airport. Forget any ideas about a bright red hook and ladder truck clanging through city streets, these Rosenbauer Panther AFF vehicles look more like something the military would use to neutralize landmines . Massive, yellow and almost streamlined, they're made to fight fires using long booms with water cannons (AFF stands for Aircraft Fire Fighting). Together, the two vehicles cost $1.4 million. Firefighters from the Oakland Fire Department can operate the booms from the vehicle's cab, though they'll use a standard fire hose if they have to enter a burning aircraft. Fully loaded, the 43-ton vehicles hold 3,170 gallons of water and 422 gallons of foam. A 750-horsepower engines lets them speed across the runway and apron to wherever they needed. Though the Austrian-designed and American-built vehicles are meant for airport use, one firefighter told me they can be deployed into the city if needed. For example, in one instance a few years ago, the long booms on one of the airport's vehicles were ideal for reaching a burning big rig truck on an elevated freeway. Follow MSN Autos on Facebook and Twitter


Looking to sample the best coffee around town? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top coffee spots in Detroit, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to meet your needs. 1. Avalon International Breads Topping the list is Avalon International Breads . Located at 422 W. Willis St. in Midtown, the bakery and coffee and tea spot, which offers sandwiches and more, is the highest-rated coffee spot in Detroit, boasting 4.5 stars out of 298 reviews on Yelp. 2. Astro Coffee Astro Coffee , located at 2124 Michigan Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the coffee and tea spot 4.5 stars out of 269 reviews. 3. Roasting Plant Detroit Downtown, check out Roasting Plant Detroit , which has earned 4.5 stars out of 257 reviews on Yelp. You can find the cafe, coffee roastery and coffee and tea spot at 660 Woodward Ave. 4. Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company Last but not least, there's Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company , a Midtown favorite with four stars out of 380 reviews. Stop by 3965 Woodward Ave. to hit up the coffee roastery, which also offers beer, wine and spirits and more, next time the urge strikes. 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.


Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Birmingham forward Jota on a two-year-deal, marking their first summer signing since returning to the Premier League. The winger has joined the Villains for an undisclosed fee and will link up with his former manager Dean Smith at Villa Park, who he had previously worked with at Brentford. We are delighted to announce the signing of @KingJota on a two-year deal! ✍ Full details  https://t.co/yJLsbzPbk5 #PartOfThePride #AVFC pic.twitter.com/581uMBlYFo   Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) June 5, 2019 Having spent his entire career in Spain prior to his move to England, Jota emerged as one of the Championship's finest forwards during his three years as Griffin Park, earning him move to St. Andrew's in 2017 for a club-record fee. "I worked with Jota at Brentford. He's a superb, talented player and Birmingham signed him as their record transfer," Smith said on the club's official website . "I'm really happy to have him back working with us. He's got great ability, great balance and a great eye for both goals and assists." Jota is the first of many expected to come through the door at Villa Park, as the club look to build a squad capable of retaining their Premier League status after securing their spot in England's top flight via the Championship play-off final. Jota said of the move: "I'm very happy to join a club like Aston Villa and I can't wait for the start of next season. "I can't wait to be in the #PL with this club."  @KingJota speaks for the first time as an #AVFC player. #PartOfThePride pic.twitter.com/QZPyUsstSC   Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) June 5, 2019 "It's been a long week with medicals and everything else, but it's great to now be a part of this big club. Becoming a Premier League player was important for me and something I've been looking for. This is one of the biggest clubs in England. "Everyone knows how big this club is. You can feel it every time you play them. I felt it from the other side of the city in those big derby games. I'll take a little more time off now and look forward to coming back and meeting with my new team-mates and the staff and get ready for the Premier League."


Wondering where to find the best bakeries near you? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable bakeries in Newark, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to satisfy your cravings. 1. Teixeira's Bakery Topping the list is Teixeira's Bakery . Located at 184 Ferry St., the bakery, which also offers coffee, tea and more, is the highest-rated low-priced bakery in Newark, boasting 4.5 stars out of 202 reviews on Yelp. Try the egg tarts, multiple varieties of fresh bread and sandwiches. 2. Pao Da Terra Bakery Next up is Pao Da Terra Bakery , situated at 135 Ferry St. With 4.5 stars out of 35 reviews on Yelp, the bakery and cafe has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for an affordable option. Stop by for a sandwich and a latte. 3. Cuba Bakery Cuba Bakery , located at 665 Mount Prospect Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the inexpensive bakery four stars out of 28 reviews. The spot offers sandwiches, pastries and more. 4. Nova Alianca Nova Alianca , a Latin American bakery and cafe, is another much-loved, low-priced go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 14 Yelp reviews. Head over to 121 Ferry St. to see for yourself. You'll find croissants, doughnuts, cakes and more at this spot. 5. Betel Bakery Finally, check out Betel Bakery , which has earned four stars out of 12 reviews on Yelp. Dig in at the bakery, which offers custom cakes and more, by heading over to 336 Ferry St. Look for pastries, sandwiches and much more on the menu. 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.


Despite showing few signs of aging on the football field, Tom Brady turned 42 ( FORTY-TWO ) on Saturday. Kind of incredible as he enters his 20th season with the New England Patriots, having just led them to their second Super Bowl victory in three seasons, sixth overall. Gisele Bündchen wished her husband a happy birthday on Instagram with a sweet message and some adorable photos of the couple. In her caption, written in English and Portuguese, she called him "the avocado to my toast", reminding us of the time they dressed up as avocado toast for Halloween one year and Brady described her as the "toast to my avocado." She wrote: Happy birthday love of my lifeeey! Life is so much better because we can share it with you! Thank you for being our rock, and the avocado to my toast ! We love you! ❤❤❤❤ Feliz aniversário amor da minha vida! A vida é muito melhor porque podemos compartilha-lá contigo. Obrigada por ser nosso porto seguro e o abacate da minha torrada. Nós te amamos! Brady - who has a well-documented love of avocado ice cream - is clearly very happy to be Gisele's avocado. From Halloween in 2017: MORE: This Patrick Mahomes throw from Chiefs practice can't be real Five potential Jeremy Lin landing spots in free agency Watch: Packers WR Trevor Davis makes incredible catch at Family Night Dez Bryant: Saints will get first opportunity to sign me Mike Priefer: Jamie Gillan 'getting better and better' every day Related slideshow: Best photos from NFL training camps (Provided by imagn)


Five things we learned after a heated Sunday at Watkins Glen that saw Chase Elliott roll into Victory Lane and emotions boil over for multiple drivers. Another idyllic Sunday at Watkins Glen International had parallels to the same movie that showed here last season: Chase Elliott holding off runner-up Martin Truex Jr. over the home stretch. Several other wrinkles emerged, including short-track-style tempers that erupted at several points on the 2.45-mile road course. With plenty to unpack, here are five topics with staying power from the Go Bowling at The Glen. SLUMP SALVATION: Chase Elliott had already locked up a playoff berth with a win in April at Talladega, but his second victory of the season had a galvanizing effect, helping to steady a ship that had been listing. Elliott's No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports outfit had sagged with finishes of 20th or worse in five of the last seven races. Sunday's effort stopped the skid. \"That's the biggest thing I wanted to do this weekend is perform to the potential to the team and the car and get back on track, and certainly we did that in style, which was fantastic,\" said No. 9 crew chief Alan Gustafson. \"But yeah, we needed to get out of that rut to get back on track and get focused on competing and improving and get some confidence back.\" STUDENTS VS. TEACHER: Kyle Busch's fingerprints are on the racing careers of William Byron and Bubba Wallace, two drivers that spent time under his tutelage at Kyle Busch Motorsports and won multiple Gander Trucks events for their then-team owner. How the times have changed. Those fingerprints are now dents in the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 after two retaliation-laced bumping contests with his former pupils transformed Busch from a pre-race favorite into an 11th-place finisher. Busch has made a habit of grooming young talent until it was their time to leave the nest. Sunday, they became birds of prey. PAYBACK APPROVAL: The Kyle Busch-William Byron dispute had multiple rounds in Stage 1 alone, with Byron attempting to exact revenge under orders from crew chief Chad Knaus, a directive that resulted in a damaged No. 24 Chevrolet. Team owner Rick Hendrick found out about Knaus' instructions later, but said if he were in a similar position, he'd advocate for Byron defending himself as well. \"Well, I think you have to stand your ground in this sport,\" Hendrick said. \"If you let people push you around, they're going to push you around. He's running up front, so I think this was his eighth front row start, and he's learning. ... I think probably in hindsight he would not have messed with Kyle and would have had a chance to have a really good finish with a good car.\" DANIELS' DAY: Cliff Daniels, the new crew chief for Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet, had a plenty eventful debut. Johnson's drive was derailed after contact with Ryan Blaney's car and later the retaining wall two-thirds of the way through the race. Daniels kept the team's composure intact and tried to offset the perils of road-course racing with a strategy on gathering stage points. But Daniels also took time to savor his big break. \"It was cool to take in the moment, walking down pit road the first time,\" Daniels said. \"Naturally, there's always butterflies before you start any race, so that was exciting. Obviously, I'm grateful for the opportunity and hoping to make everybody proud and make the most of it, so we'll just keep working from here.\" DiBENEDETTO'S DASH: Matt DiBenedetto's job status for 2020 has come under some speculation, with NBC Sports reporting that Leavine Family Racing -- a Joe Gibbs Racing affiliate -- has not yet picked up its option for next season. So a solid sixth-place performance Sunday -- his fourth top 10 in the last seven races arrived with an open embrace. \"It was cool and it's always so satisfying on these road courses for us to inch our way forward and pass some guys,\" DiBenedetto said. \"I wish we could have started a little further forward. I know we could have run a little bit better, but that's fine. It's fun to get so much support from all our team, Toyota, JGR and Procore. I just hope I can be a part of this for a long time to come.\"


President Trump on Thursday said he would impose a 5 percent tariff on all goods entering from Mexico unless it stopped the flow of illegal immigration to the United States, a dramatic escalation of his border threats that could have sweeping implications for both economies. The White House plans to begin levying the import penalties on June 10 and ratchet the penalties higher if the migrant flow isn't halted. Trump said he would remove the tariffs only if all illegal migration across the border ceased, though other White House officials said they would be looking only for Mexico to take major action. After the 5 percent tariffs are imposed on June 10, the White House said it would increase the penalties to 10 percent on July 1 and then an additional 5 percent on the first day of each month for three months. The tariffs would stay at 25 percent "until Mexico substantially stops the illegal inflow of aliens coming through its territory," a statement by the president said. Subscribe to the Post Most newsletter: Today's most popular stories on The Washington Post The economic consequences of Trump's new plan could be swift and severe. Tariffs are paid by companies that import products, so U.S. firms would pay the import penalties and then likely pass some costs along to consumers. Mexico exported $346.5 billion in goods to the United States last year, from vehicles to fruits and vegetables. And many manufactured items cross the border several times as they are being assembled. White House officials did not immediately explain how driving up the cost of Mexican goods might stem the flow of migrants. If the tariffs damaged the Mexican economy, more of its citizens would try to cross the border to find work in the United States, experts said. "Mexico is our friend and neighbor, a partner in trade and security," said Glenn Hamer, chief executive of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "The president's announcement is baffling and, if carried out, will be terribly damaging." Mexico vowed a response that could pitch the Trump administration into a full-scale trade war with one of its largest trading partners. This comes just days after the White House and China imposed stiff penalties on each other's exports. At a news conference, Mexico's deputy foreign minister for North America, Jesús Seade, said the threatened tariffs would be "disastrous" and added that Mexico would respond "strongly." In a letter sent Thursday evening, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador addressed Trump in harsh terms, a marked change from the diplomatic posture he has tried to adopt since being elected last July. "President Trump, social problems can't be resolved through taxes or coercive measures," López Obrador wrote. He said he would send his foreign minister to Washington on Friday "to arrive at an agreement that benefits both nations." But even as López Obrador suggested that there was a diplomatic solution, he unloaded on Trump for his administration's immigration policy. "How did a country of fraternity for all the migrants in the world become, from night to dawn, a ghetto, a closed space," where migrants are stigmatized and mistreated, López Obrador wrote. He went on: "The statue of liberty is not an empty symbol." Trump has often tried to use tariffs and other import penalties as a way to pressure countries into changing behavior, but he has not yet done it on such a scale. In addition, he wrongly has said the cost of tariffs are shouldered by the countries that he targets. Even some White House officials were caught off guard by the announcement, though planning within the West Wing escalated on Thursday afternoon. Vice President Pence was in Canada on Thursday, meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about ratifying an updated version of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico, but it's unclear if Trump's newest tariff threat could upend those discussions. White House officials believe Trump has powers under a 1977 law to impose tariffs on all imports from certain countries if he cites a "national emergency." And several months ago, Trump declared a national emergency along the Mexico border because of a surge in migrants crossing into the United States. But the 1977 law has never been used to impose tariffs in this way before, and Trump's new actions could face legal challenges because of the scope of companies that would be impacted. The new tariff threat combines two of Trump's favorite issues   immigration and trade   and comes as he has struggled to score victories on either one. A central element of Trump's campaign was his assertion that the United States was being "invaded" by people across the Mexico border, a sentiment that resonated with many supporters. He has tried to rework trade rules and build a wall to stop the flow of migrants, but so far his efforts have failed to stem the surge of people crossing the border. Crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border, driven by Central American migrants seeking asylum, have peaked to their highest level in more than a decade. One senior White House official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said there is broad support across the administration to push Mexico further by using tariffs to force action. Other aides, however, tried to talk Trump out of the idea, arguing that the threat would scare global markets and undermine passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, which was just sent to Congress on Thursday by the White House. The trade deal aims to curb the type of tariffs Trump is now threatening to impose on Mexico. "Trade policy and border security are separate issues," Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said in a statement. "This is a misuse of presidential tariff authority and counter to congressional intent. Following through on this threat would seriously jeopardize passage of USMCA, a central campaign pledge of President Trump's and what could be a big victory for the country." The president teased his plans on Thursday morning, telling reporters outside the White House that he was preparing a "big-league statement" about the border surge, without going into detail. "We are going to do something very dramatic on the border because people are coming into our country," Trump said. On Wednesday, more than 1,000 Central Americans crossed into the El Paso area to surrender to U.S. authorities, the largest group of migrants that U.S. border agents have taken into custody at a single time. Trump tweeted a video of the apprehension late Thursday, declaring that "Democrats need to stand by our incredible Border Patrol and finally fix the loopholes at our Border!" Deportations by Mexican authorities have increased threefold compared with the same period last year, according to the latest statistics, but the vast majority of Central American migrants appear to be successful at evading arrest en route to the U.S. border. López Obrador campaigned last year on a promise to decriminalize migration and told audiences it was not Mexico's job to assist the United States with the "dirty work" of deportations. Trump has backed down on previous threats aimed at Mexico. He abandoned his oft-repeated campaign promise to make that country pay for a border wall. Trump is now using the powers of his national emergency to redirect U.S. taxpayer funds for the construction of replacement fences and barriers along the border. In late March, Trump said he would immediately shut down the entire border if the Mexican government didn't take more steps to prevent the flow of migrants, only to announce a week later that he would delay any action for a year. White House officials had spent days frantically trying to design how such a shutdown would be implemented. The draft trade agreement sent to Congress on Thursday would, if ratified, replace the 1994 NAFTA deal. The draft allows Trump to send a final agreement in 30 days, a timeline intended to pressure House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who along with other Democrats wants changes to the agreement before any vote. The top imports from Mexico include vehicles, electrical machinery, machinery, mineral fuels, and optical and medical instruments, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The United States also imports a large amount of agricultural products from Mexico. A March 2019 report from the Congressional Research Service said that the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act had never been used before "to place tariffs on imported products from a specific country" but that it could be interpreted as giving the White House that power. Along the Mexico border, U.S. agents have detained more than 100,000 migrants for each of the past two months, and the numbers in May are expected to be the highest yet. In recent months, smuggling organizations have been moving large numbers of migrants from southern Mexico using "express buses" that reach the U.S. border in a matter of days. The buses make few stops and have lowered the costs for migration, making the journey faster, easier and cheaper for would-be customers. U.S. officials say corrupt Mexican officials are allowing the buses to pass through highway checkpoints and in other cases facilitating their travel to the border by providing security escorts. Mexican officials have said they're doing everything they can to regulate the migration surge, and they provide police escorts in some cases to prevent criminal organizations from kidnapping and extorting families traveling with small children. A Mexican official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic negotiations, said trade-related talks with U.S. officials have remained "positive," and noted that López Obrador was also preparing to send the trade deal to lawmakers for approval. The official declined to say whether the White House has conditioned the deal on a migration crackdown by Mexican authorities.


Much of the food we eat today has been processed in some fashion. Technically speaking, the bag of pre-washed spinach greens that has permanent residency in my fridge is a processed food . Making life in the kitchen less stressful   not to mention healthy eating much easier   is the gift of modern food processing, but the system isn't made up entirely of bagged lettuce and frozen fruit (another form of processing). Let's take a closer look at processed food and how it might be harmful to your health. What counts as processed food? Anything that takes a trip through a manufacturing plant is technically a processed food. Food may be processed for a number of reasons: to prevent spoilage (allowing you to keep items in your fridge or pantry longer); to make it more convenient (pre-washed salad greens, canned beans, and frozen fruits and veggies are prime examples); to improve flavor or texture by using certain additives; and to boost vitamin or mineral content (such the nutrients added to enriched, refined grains). Food might also be processed to keep it safer, say, by killing potentially harmful pathogens. For example, nitrates are added to certain cured meats and poultry to inhibit Clostritium botulinum, a life-threatening bacteria. While I certainly appreciate the advantages of processing food   less kitchen stress and a reduced risk of deadly bacteria are appealing!   there are downsides to processing as well. What's an ultra-processed food? There are degrees of processing and while there's no standard definition, essentially, an ultra-processed food is farther removed from its natural state. One classification system   NOVA , developed at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil   defines processed foods as modified whole foods with just two or three ingredients, which are usually used to make whole foods last longer or taste better. Examples of processed foods might be canned tuna (perhaps processed with salt and oil) or cheese. By comparison, they suggest that ultra-processed foods are formulations that are made with sugars, oils, fats, or salt, and that have little, if any, intact whole foods. These foods take a longer trip down the manufacturing process and may contain ingredients designed to make them more convenient or especially tasty. This classification system may be a useful research tool, and may even be helpful in guiding your own decisions, but it's still a bit of a loose categorization in my opinion. For example, they group white pasta   which lacks intact grains and includes added nutrients to make up for what was lost during processing   as minimally processed; I'd place it squarely in the more processed camp. (I took an informal poll among some RD friends who agreed with this assessment.) Even whole foods can be processed to varying degrees, and oats are a fine example of this. On one end, you have steel cut oats, which take a longer time to cook because they've been less processed; at the other end, you have instant oatmeal, which has been steamed and rolled to make it cook more quickly. Further processing of oatmeal might involve adding sugars and then additional processing might include flavor additives. According to researchers , a better way to assess how processed your food is might be to inspect the ingredient list for added sugars and industrial ingredients that you wouldn't find in your kitchen. Examples of these ingredients include (but aren't limited to) soy protein isolate, high fructose corn syrup, fruit juice concentrate, gluten, maltodextrin, inulin, and gums. These ingredients should tip you off to the fact that the product has taken a pretty long trip through a manufacturing process and have entered the highly processed zone. Why is processed food less healthful? Though there's no unified agreement over what foods fall in the heavily processed camp, there is widespread agreement that eating more whole foods is good advice. Evidence is steadily streaming in that processed foods are linked with weight problems and poorer health. That may be because these foods are often packed with sodium and/or sugar, which are linked to health troubles on their own. Or it may be that heavily processed foods contain additives, pro-inflammatory oils, or refined grains, all of which can be problematic. To be fair, much of the research we have doesn't prove cause and effect   just that there's a link, though it makes logical and perhaps even biological sense. We're just not sure what biological mechanisms are at play. A new study offers some proof   in this case, that these heavily processed foods might cause you to gain weight. 20 volunteers were placed on a heavily processed or a minimally processed diet for two weeks (volunteers participated in both diets in random order). The meals they ate were closely matched for calories, fiber, sugar, fat, carbs, and protein with the difference being the types of foods that were offered at mealtimes. A heavily processed breakfast might be a bagel and cream cheese; a less processed one might be unsweetened oatmeal, fruit, and nuts. Though the meals were matched for nutrients, participants could eat as much (or little) as they liked. In the end, they gained weight when eating ultra-processed foods and they lost it when eating less processed foods. And remember, these were the same people! They tended to eat faster when consuming more processed meals and ultimately ate an average of 500 calories more per day eating those foods, gaining an average of two pounds during the short study period. What's troubling is that highly processed foods make up a big part of our diets   up to 60 percent of the calories we consume by some accounts . Not surprisingly, foods that fall in the ultra-processed camp also contribute nearly 90 percent of added sugars to our diets. These foods are low in nutritional quality and have been linked with a higher rate of obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain forms of cancer, and GI diseases   basically, a vast spectrum of health concerns. They've also been linked with unfavorable shifts in your gut microbiome that might promote inflammatory diseases. What can I eat? Remember that processing is a spectrum so cutting way back on heavily processed foods doesn't mean you have to give up convenience or packaged foods . You can still rely on conveniently packaged whole or very minimally processed foods, like quinoa, canned beans, nuts, nut butters, and fruits and vegetables (such as frozen, dried, or unseasoned canned versions). And recall that what experts do agree on is that basing your diet on more whole foods (and especially plant-based ones ) and limiting added sugars, excess sodium, and heavily processed grains and snack foods is a healthful habit. Here are some pointers to help you on that front: Replace processed deli meats (even chicken and turkey) with leftover dinner meats or fresh meats (like a store-bought rotisserie chicken or store-bought fresh roasted turkey). Consider snacking on fresh or lightly processed foods over chips and other typical fare. Examples include nuts and seeds, roasted chickpeas, yogurt, fruit, boiled eggs, veggies, and plant-based dips, like hummus and guacamole. Go for water or flavored seltzer over juice drinks, soda, and other sugary sips. If you're not ready to go cold turkey, maybe add a splash of juice to a fizzy water. Plan ahead . One thing that makes ultra-processed foods so appealing is how quickly they cook up on busy weeknights. When you have easy-to-assemble ingredients handy, you don't need to rely on those kinds of packaged foods to solve your last-minute dinner dilemma. The beauty of planning ahead is that while it may take a little time in advanced, it spares you even more time in the long run, so it's a strategy that pays off. Want more tips like these? NBC News BETTER is obsessed with finding easier, healthier and smarter ways to live. Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .


With Guerschon Yabusele set to hit waivers , the Celtics don't have a set plan in place for their 15th roster spot, per Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe ( Twitter link ). As Himmelsbach explains, Boston could simply fill that spot in the coming weeks with a player, but there's still a good chance that there will be more change coming to the roster before opening night. It's even possible that the Celtics will add multiple players and enter training with more than 15 players on guaranteed contracts, Himmelsbach notes ( via Twitter ). While Tacko Fall has been a standout for the Celtics during Summer League play, there are currently no plans for him to slide into that 15th roster spot, according to Himmelsbach, who says the plan is still for Fall to enter training camp on an Exhibit 10 contract and proceed from there ( Twitter link ). The Celtics are currently back to exploring the free agent market for minimum-salary targets, tweets Mark Murphy of The Boston Herald. As Boston considers its options, here's more on free agency: The idea of the Hawks bringing back Vince Carter for another season remains a long shot, tweets Chris Vivlamore of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. According to Vivlamore, Atlanta still may add a veteran to its roster, but doesn't want to take minutes away from its young players, and Carter may be seeking a larger role. Lakers head coach Frank Vogel was among those in attendance at workouts for NBA veterans Marreese Speights and Lance Stephenson in Las Vegas today, according to Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype ( Twitter links ). An ESPN panel , including Dave McMenamin, Tim Bontemps, Malika Andrews, and others   weighs in on the most underrated and most questionable moves of the NBA offseason so far. After commissioner Adam Silver suggested that the NBA has some "work to do" on its free agency system, David Aldridge of The Athletic argues that the league should do away with its unenforceable tampering rules.


The wait for Pinehurst's new Jewish deli is nearly over. Zylberschtein's Delicatessen and Bakery passed its final inspection and will make its debut tomorrow, May 8, with from-scratch corned beef, pastrami, bagels, rye bread, and more. Zylberschtein's (11752 15th Ave NE) occupies a small, bright space with counter seating along a window and a large communal table. Ordering is done via counter, which is situated next to a map of Washington State showing off local vendors like Cairnspring Mills, Fresh Breeze Organic Dairy, and Tonnemaker Family Orchard. The restaurant will initially be open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fridays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Zylberschtein's will add hours on Sundays starting in June, and will be open seven days a week by fall. The menu features plenty of from-scratch cooking and family recipes, owner Josh Grunig says. In addition to drip and espresso coffee, he's serving bagels with Northwest-sourced lox, a pastrami sandwich on rye, matzo ball soup with sourdough toast, Russian potato salad, and a purple barley salad. The initial menu is a bit limited, but Grunig promises to add corned beef, knish, chopped liver, and more Jewish fare. He also has a liquor license application in the works. Standard Bakery's goods will be available for sale, too, including pies and cakes (whole and by the slice), tarts, cookies by the pound, and other pastries. Zylberschtein's is the first full-fledged restaurant for Grunig, who's developed a fan base for his baked goods through his Standard Bakery business. When a space became available in the same building that houses Standard, Grunig jumped at the chance to expand his offerings. The new deli is absorbing the bakery, and both businesses will operate under the Zylberschtein's banner. "Zylberschtein's is the full realization of my dream to be a small neighborhood bakery and deli," Grunig says. "This is what I have always dreamt about, building community through food. Using local ingredients and looking back at my family recipes is the main focus. Now I just want to be an exceptional neighborhood spot." All Coverage of Zylberschtein's [ESEA] All Coverage of Standard Bakery [ESEA] Zylberschtein's [Facebook]


CHICAGO (AP) Dallas Keuchel earned his first win for the Atlanta Braves and Nick Markakis hit a three-run homer Wednesday night in a 5-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Brian McCann also connected for the Braves, who won a matchup of NL division leaders for the second straight night. Keuchel (1-1) allowed three runs and eight hits over 5 2/3 innings in his second start with Atlanta. He remained in the game following a 48-minute rain delay in the fourth. The left-hander gave up four runs, three earned, over five innings in a loss last Friday at Washington. After a long wait in free agency, the 2015 AL Cy Young Award winner signed a one-year contract with Atlanta on June 7 that pays him $13 million. Four relievers combined to get the final 10 outs and hold the Cubs scoreless. A.J. Minter went 1 1/3 innings for his fourth save. Willson Contreras homered and tripled, and Kris Bryant also connected for the Cubs. Chicago starter Yu Darvish (2-4) had his string of 10 straight no-decisions snapped with the loss. He allowed five runs on five hits in five innings, walking two and striking out eight. He retired the last eight batters he faced after giving up Markakis' three-run drive with one out in the third. In 12 starts at Wrigley Field since signing with the Cubs prior to the 2018 season, Darvish is 0-5 with a 6.03 ERA. Atlanta jumped on top 1-0 with a manufactured run in the first. Ronald Acuna Jr. led off with a walk, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Contreras. One out later, Acuna scored on Darvish's wild pitch. McCann made it 2-0 on a long shot off the scoreboard in right in the second, and Markakis' homer extended the lead to 5-0. Contreras and Bryant hit solo shots in the fourth and fifth, respectively, to make it 5-2. In the sixth, Contreras tripled with one out and scored on a groundout by Jason Heyward. CLOSING TIME Craig Kimbrel has completed his minor league assignment and traveled to Chicago on Wednesday. The veteran closer might be activated prior to the finale of the four-game series Thursday afternoon. The Cubs finalized a three-year, $43 million contract with the 31-year-old on June 7. Kimbrel pitched in four games for Triple-A Iowa, allowing one run and two hits in 3 2/3 innings. He worked a clean ninth with two strikeouts on Tuesday in Iowa's 5-1 win over Omaha and threw 16 pitches. Kimbrel has 333 career saves, including 42 last season for World Series champion Boston. TRAINER'S ROOM Braves: RHP Mike Soroka (8-1, 2.07 ERA) is expected to make his scheduled start Friday in New York against the Mets. He left his outing Sunday against Washington after being hit on the right arm. UP NEXT The Braves will recall RHP Bryse Wilson (0-0, 8.31 ERA) from Triple-A Gwinnett to start against Cubs RHP Tyler Chatwood (3-1, 3.69) on Thursday. The 21-year-old Wilson lasted just 3 1/3 innings in his last start in the majors at Philadelphia on March 30, giving up four runs and five hits. Chatwood allowed three runs (two earned) and six hits in four innings against the Mets last Thursday. --- More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


MONTGOMERY, Ala.   President Donald Trump on Wednesday discouraged Alabama Republican Roy Moore from running for U.S. Senate in 2020, saying that Moore cannot win and the "consequences will be devastating" for his party and policies if Democrats retain the seat. Moore lost in the once-reliably red state in a 2017 special election amid the sexual misconduct allegations , which he denied, and is considering a second run in 2020. Asked about the president's tweet, Moore said Wednesday that he blames establishment Republicans he contends are trying to keep him out of the race because they are scared he will win. Trump, who backed Moore in 2017 despite the allegations, tweeted "I have NOTHING against Roy Moore," but warned that "Roy Moore cannot win." "Republicans cannot allow themselves to again lose the Senate seat in the Great State of Alabama," Trump wrote, adding that if Democrats retain the seat in 2020, "many of the incredible gains that we have made during my Presidency may be lost." Moore told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that, "everybody knows I can win and that's what worrying in Washington." "I think the president is coming under pressure from people in Washington, scared that I will run for the Senate, scared I will win and know I can win," Moore said. Moore said he has not made a decision about whether to enter the 2020 race, and that Trump's comments will not be a factor in his decision. He said he will announce a decision in June. Democratic Sen. Doug Jones defeated Moore in 2017 by 22,000 votes out of 1.3 million cast in a special election to fill the seat previously held by Jeff Sessions, who became Trump's attorney general. Republicans control the Senate 53-47 and view defeating Jones as a top priority. Jones, 65, is considered the most endangered Democratic incumbent facing re-election in 2020, a year when several GOP senators are vulnerable and control of the chamber will be at stake. Moore's nomination could have national repercussions. Democrats could accuse the GOP of ignoring the #MeToo movement and coddling a man accused of sexual misconduct. Moore says he expects to announce a decision in mid-June.


Cornerback Greedy Williams made a big prediction for how far the Browns will go this season after being selected in the second round of the draft. Williams said the team was headed to the Super Bowl and he now has a contract that will enable him to join them for the ride. The Browns announced on Tuesday morning that Williams has signed a four-year deal with the team. Williams was widely discussed as a first-round prospect in the pre-draft process, but wound up as the seventh cornerback off the board when the Browns took him with the 46th overall pick. While questions about his strength likely contributed to his eventual landing spot, his coverage ability should lead to early playing time in Cleveland. With Williams under contract, the Browns are left with one unsigned draft pick.


ST. LOUIS (AP)   St. Louis Cardinals closer Jordan Hicks has a torn elbow ligament and the team says it's determining what to do with the hardest-throwing pitcher in the majors. The Cardinals said Monday the right-hander has a torn ulnar collateral ligament, an injury that usually leads to Tommy John surgery. The rocket-armed Hicks has hit 105 mph with fastballs this season and routinely reaches triple digits with his heater. Hicks left Saturday's game against the Angels in the ninth inning after he had pitched 1 1/3 innings. The 22-year-old Hicks is 2-2 with 14 saves and a 3.14 ERA in 29 games. He has struck out 31 in 28 2/3 innings. Hicks made his big league debut last year, pitching in 73 games. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


When NFL Network recently released its list of the league's top five most underappreciated players, a pair of Tennessee Titans found their names. According to the network, safety Kevin Byard and newly added wide receiver Adam Humphries don't get enough credit. Byard was listed at No. 2, while Humphries was placed at No. 5. Here's what author Cynthia Frelund had to say about Byard. "Byard's versatility earned him the sixth-best contribution ranking among safeties in my model last season," she wrote. "He had four interceptions (tied for seventh-most in the NFL) in 2018 after picking off eight passes in 2017 (tied for most in the NFL). While he had half as many INTs in '18 compared to '17, he faced far fewer targets in '18 as teams were avoiding his coverage (he was targeted 54 times in '17, and 32 times in '18, per my model), which helps show how he changed the way offenses tried to attack the Titans' defense. Against the run, Byard allowed the second-fewest yards to opposing ball carriers when he was in on a tackle (among safeties). There's no way for me to know the defensive assignments on each play without knowing the calls that coordinator Dean Pees made, but I can use computer vision to see that when Byard tackled a rusher (either by himself or assisted), the opposing offense was only able to earn an additional average of 0.9 yards on the play (that's 0.8 yards less than the combined average of the top 20 qualifying safeties)." She also highlighted Humphries' reception percentage in comparison to others at his position around the league. "Only two wide receivers with more than 100 targets in 2018 had a higher reception percentage than Humphries (72.4), who made 76 catches for 816 yards," she wrote. "Context is important here because the Bucs did pass at the sixth-highest rate (63.1% of plays) and it certainly helps to be working in a receiving corps that includes Mike Evans and DeSean Jackson. However, Humphries spent more than 82% of his snaps in the slot. I used computer vision to track his slot performance against other high-volume slot receivers (21 receivers had at least 50 targets in the slot last season) and it showed he was able to get at least five feet from defenders at the time the ball arrived at the fifth-highest rate." Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce found his place atop the list, with Chicago Bears defensive end Akiem Hicks and Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Desmond King also included. MORE: Five potential Chris Paul trade destinations Kyle Busch was so frustrated during Coke 600 that he told Joe Gibbs he quit Roundup: NFL Owners Want 18-Game Season Again, Alex Trebek Cancer Near Remission, Israel Redoing Election ESPN graders not big fans of the Browns offseason moves Report: The Celtics are no longer the favorites to sign Kyrie Irving


Amelia Earhart and navigator Fred Noonan disappeared more than 80 years ago, on July 2, 1937, during the second to last leg of their around-the-world flight. After taking off from Lae, New Guinea, in Earhart's Lockheed Electra 10E, the pair aimed for tiny Howland Island, just north of the Equator. But they couldn't find it, and despite many attempts, no one has been able to find them. Now Robert Ballard , the man who found the Titanic , is planning to search for signs of the missing aviators. On August 7, he'll depart from Samoa for Nikumaroro, an uninhabited island that's part of the Micronesian nation of Kiribati. The expedition will be filmed by National Geographic for a two-hour documentary airing October 20. The National Geographic Explorer at Large brings a state-of-the-art research vessel, the E/V Nautilus , and extensive underwater expertise to this historic search. In addition to locating the Titanic , Ballard discovered the remains of John F. Kennedy's World War II patrol boat in the Solomon Sea , the German battleship Bismarck in the Atlantic, and many ancient ships in the Black Sea, as well as hydrothermal vents near the Galapagos . People have been looking for Earhart ever since she went missing. The U.S. Coast Guard and Navy scoured the area by ship and plane for two weeks. George Putnam, Earhart's husband, enlisted civilian mariners to continue the hunt. Eventually the U.S. government declared that the plane had most likely crashed and sunk into the Pacific. Nevertheless, theories about what happened to Earhart have abounded, including that she was captured and executed by the Japanese or even that she survived in obscurity as a housewife in New Jersey. Over the years, enthusiasts have searched for signs of Earhart or her plane in the Marshall Islands, on Saipan, and deep underwater. One prevailing theory, proposed by The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR), is that Earhart and Noonan landed on Nikumaroro. The coral atoll is located 350 nautical miles southwest of Howland, near the line of flight (157 NW 337 SE) that Earhart identified in her last confirmed radio message. The island features a flat reef where Earhart could have landed the Electra during low tide. TIGHAR has sent 13 expeditions to the island, including one with National Geographic that brought forensic dogs to search for Earhart's remains . The dogs homed in on an apparent campsite where a human may have died and decomposed long ago. No bones were found, but soil samples were collected and DNA testing is ongoing. "I fervently hope the expedition is successful," says Ric Gillespie, TIGHAR's executive director. He considers the Nikumaroro hypothesis long since proven. But, he says, "the public wants a piece of plane." Two strands of evidence compiled by TIGHAR convinced Ballard that Nikumaroro is the most promising place to look. A photograph of the island from October 1937 shows a blurry shape that could have been part of the Electra's landing gear. And radio messages logged in the days after Earhart disappeared suggest that she ended up a castaway on Nikumaroro. ( Did the bones discovered in 1940 on Nikumaroro belong to the famous pilot? ) All previous attempts to find evidence of Earhart's fate have proven inconclusive, but Ballard is undeterred. "I'm a hunter you have to become the prey that you're hunting," says the marine geologist and former Navy officer, who imagined himself facing Earhart's choices. "I put myself in that cockpit, and I began becoming Amelia." Next month's hunt will take place in the sea and on land. A team led by National Geographic Society archaeologist Fredrik Hiebert will comb specific sites on the island, while Ballard and Allison Fundis, Chief Operating Officer of the Ocean Exploration Trust , will oversee the underwater phase. Ballard's search strategy, honed over more than 150 deep-sea expeditions, calls for using sonar to map the ocean floor and deploying a variety of remotely operated vehicles, including one that can dive as deep as 13,000 feet. "This is by far the most sophisticated underwater technology we've ever had," says Tom King, an archaeologist who's participated in many expeditions to Nikumaroro. "It's going to be really interesting to apply Ballard's technology." Still, the odds of finding conclusive evidence are long. Ballard himself describes the area he's targeting as a "very high energy encounter of the ocean with a living reef" a place where an airplane would be quickly pulverized. Over the course of his long, distinguished career including recently being named to head NOAA's Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute Ballard has often said he's in the business of finding things. But the 77-year-old explorer seems a bit more philosophical about the upcoming expedition, which could be one of his last. "Maybe some things shouldn't be found," he says. "We'll see if Amelia is one of them."


Australian police on Tuesday arrested three men accused of links to the Islamic State group over an alleged plot to attack police stations, embassies and defence facilities in central Sydney. The men -- aged 20, 23 and 30 -- were arrested in raids in the city's suburbs after their online activities raised suspicion. Two of them will face charges of being members of a terrorist organisation and of preparations to carry out terror attacks. "We will say that they had a number of targets, including police stations, defence establishments, embassies and councils, courts and churches," Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Ian McCartney told reporters. The plots were said to be in the "early stages", but included moves to import weapons and explosives to target facilities in the central business district. The third man -- described as an "associate" -- will be charged with lesser offences. New South Wales police assistant commissioner Mick Willing said the men "knew each other via social media" including WhatsApp and Telegram, and shared a "like-minded philosophy". Late last year, Australia passed controversial laws allowing spy agencies and police to access encrypted communications from suspected criminals and terrorists. Police said one of the suspects had come under the watch of authorities after returning from Lebanon last year, alleging he had made plans to go to Afghanistan to fight with the Islamic State. Police said there was no further threat to the public.


David de Gea is set to sign a new six-year Manchester United contract worth around £375,000-a-week, which will make him the world's highest paid goalkeeper. The Spaniard has entered the final 12 months of his current deal and was strongly linked with a blockbuster move away from the club this summer.  #MUTOUR pic.twitter.com/hUq07QR0kY   David de Gea (@D_DeGea) July 19, 2019 However, according to The Telegraph , he will put pen to paper on a new six-year contract once United return from their pre-season tour, putting an end to the rumours of an exit from Old Trafford. De Gea had previously come close to leaving United, with the Red Devils forced to automatically extend his contract to prevent him walking away for free this summer. The likes of Real Madrid , Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain were all keen, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appears to have finally secured the Spaniard's future. It is believed De Gea has always wanted to remain with United but was adamant he should be paid closer to Alexis Sanchez 's bumper salary, which proved to be a huge problem in earlier negotiations. The constant breakdown in negotiations, coupled with a poor run of form towards the end of last season, left De Gea feeling utterly miserable, but the support he received from Solskjaer and his coaching staff is said to have helped motivate De Gea to get back to his best at Old Trafford. His new deal, which is worth almost £117m across the entire six years, will come as a huge boost to Solskjaer, who faces the possibility of losing a number of his key players this summer. The likes of Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku have been tipped to leave the club, but De Gea has now moved well away from the exit door. With De Gea's future all but secured, United will now authorise young goalkeeper Dean Henderson's loan move to Sheffield United . The 22-year-old, who spent last season on loan with the Blades, was being kept around Old Trafford just in case De Gea left the club, but he will now be able to complete a temporary switch to Sheffield United and pick up some much-needed Premier League experience.


When it comes to comfort food, no one does it quite like Midwesterners. Blue-Ribbon Butter Cake I found this buttercake recipe in an old cookbook I bought at a garage sale and couldn't wait to try it. I knew it had been someone's favorite because of the well-worn page.  Joan Gertz, Palmetto, Florida Get Recipe Slow-Cooker Tater Tot Casserole What's not to love about classic Tater Tot casserole especially when it's made in the slow cooker? You'll want to add this family-pleasing potluck favorite to your regular rotation.  Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado Get Recipe Rich Fruit Kuchens This German classic is such a part of our reunions, we designate a special place to serve it. Five generations flock to the "Kuchen Room" for this coffee cake.  Stephanie Schentzel, Northville, South Dakota Get Recipe Wisconsin Butter-Basted Burgers It's no secret Wisconsinites love their dairy in fact, they love it so much they top their burgers with a generous pat of butter. My recipe is a lot like the butter burgers you'll find in popular restaurants all over the state.  Becky Carver, North Royalton, Ohio Get Recipe Beer and Brats Nachos Head to the Midwest for the big game with a platter of these crunchy snacks enlivened with a beer-laced cheese sauce.  Kelly Boe, Whiteland, Indiana Get Recipe Buckeye Pie Everyone that eats this pie raves about it! You can cover the whole top with ganache, but leaving part of the filling bare is the traditional way to make it.  Mary Northrup, Alpine, New York Get Recipe Kansas City-Style Ribs Our family recipe for ribs has evolved to near perfection. These country-style beauties are a legend in our close circle.  Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin Get Recipe Grilled Corn on the Cob Corn on the cob is a comforting and cherished Midwest dish. It's amazing when grilled, and my recipe adds a few unexpected ingredients to make it taste even more like summertime.  Caitlin Dawson, Monroe, Ohio Get Recipe Strawberry Pretzel Dessert Need to bring a dish to pass this weekend? This make-ahead strawberry pretzel salad will disappear quickly at any potluck.  Aldene Belch, Flint, Michigan Get Recipe Lemon-Batter Fish My husband ranks this recipe as one of his favorites. A lot of fishing takes place in our area, which makes this a good choice for a regional recipe.  Jackie Hannahs, Cedar Springs, Michigan Get Recipe Midwestern Meat Pies When I moved to the Midwest in 1966, I discovered many ethnic foods that I had never heard of before. One of my friends introduced me to this runza recipe, and it quickly became a popular dish with my family.  Dolly Croghan, Mead, Nebraska Get Recipe Apple Cider Doughnuts Apple donuts remind me of family trips to South Dakota. We'd stop at Wall Drug for a dozen or so before camping in the Badlands. Maple glaze was and still is my favorite. Share a batch with friends and family who appreciate a hot, fresh apple cider donut.  Melissa Hansen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Get Recipe Meat Loaf with Oatmeal A simple blend of seasonings results in a hot and hearty meat loaf that's big on flavor and very satisfying.  Lauree Buus, Rapid City, South Dakota Get Recipe Church Supper Hot Dish This recipe was in my mother's church cookbook, and now it's in my church cookbook! Apparently is was too good to miss a generation. I often make this dish to take along to potlucks...and it seems that if I don't, someone else will! It's hearty and so tasty!  Norma Turner, Haslett, Michigan Get Recipe Sour Cream Cucumbers It's been a tradition at our house to serve this dish with the other Hungarian specialties my mom learned to make from the women at church. It's especially good during the summer when the cucumbers are fresh-picked from the garden.  Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio Get Recipe Sugar Cream Pie I absolutely love Indiana sugar cream pie; especially the one that my grandma made for me. Here, we serve it warm or chilled and call it "Hoosier" sugar cream pie.  Laura Kipper, Westfield, Indiana Get Recipe Homemade Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza Since I live near Chicago, I've managed to sample more than my share of deep-dish pizzas. This recipe lets you re-create the best of my town right in your town!  Lynn Hamilton, Naperville, Illinois Get Recipe Walking Tacos These Walking Tacos are great for an on-the-go dinner, campfire meal or easy game night supper. The ingredients transform a bag of chips into a taco in a bag!  Beverly Matthews, Pasco, Washington Get Recipe Stuffed Iowa Chops Here's a hearty dish for big appetites. The corn and apples make a tasty stuffing for the chops.  Judith Smith, Des Moines, Iowa Get Recipe State Fair Cream Puffs The Wisconsin Bakers Association has served this cream puff recipe at our state fair since 1924.  Ruth Jungbluth, Dodgeville, Wisconsin Get Recipe Sauerkraut Hot Dish We often serve this hearty dish at family gatherings, and the men especially seem to enjoy it. My sister gave me the recipe about 15 years ago. It's been a favorite ever since. The unusual blend of ingredients is a pleasant surprise.  Nedra Parker, Dunbar, Wisconsin Get Recipe Chicago-Style Hot Giardiniera I've been living in Chicago for the last 12 years and have grown to love the spicy giardiniera served at restaurants. So, I developed my own to use at home. We love it on everything from eggs to sandwiches and even pizza!  Andrea Quiroz, Chicago, Illinois Get Recipe Badger State Stuffing Your family will love the contrasting sweet, savory, and slightly tart flavors in this spin on a Thanksgiving classic. Feel free to use your favorite beer or dried fruit to make the dish your own.  Andrea Fetting, Green Bay, Wisconsin Get Recipe Old-Time Frozen Custard I think my most memorable summertime dessert for get-togethers has always been homemade ice cream. This recipe is so rich and creamy and the perfect indulgence on a hot summer afternoon.  Martha Self, Montgomery, Texas Get Recipe Deep-Fried Cheese Curds Cheese curds or cubes dipped in flour and beer, then fried, need only a good supply of crinkly toothpicks to turn them into a vanishing act.  Katie Rose, Pewaukee, Wisconsin Get Recipe Carrie's Cincinnati Chili Every time we had a gathering or company, folks would request my cincinnati chili. My husband convinced me to enter it in a local chili contest, and I won third place! It's quick and easy. If I don't have fresh garlic, I use minced garlic in the jar.  Carrie Birdsall, Dallas, Georgia Get Recipe Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches I have fond memories of my mother in the kitchen preparing her amazing beef dip sandwiches. They always made our house smell like an Old World Italian restaurant. And as good as the aroma was, somehow the taste was even better! Set out a jar of giardiniera for spooning on top.  Kira Vosk, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Get Recipe Chippers My two little guys can't get enough of this sweet-and-salty snack, which uses just three ingredients and is ready to eat in 15 minutes. The boys like to drizzle on the melted chocolate, too. Sometimes we replace the potato chips with apple slices.  Jami Geittmann, Greendale, Wisconsin Get Recipe Fruit & Nut Baked Oatmeal In this part of the Midwest, baked oatmeal is a Mennonite speciality. My daughters are always delighted if we have leftovers for them to take home. Fancheon Resler, Albion, Indiana Get Recipe Breaded Pork Tenderloin Meat is a hard sell with my teenage daughter, unless I make it look like a restaurant dish. Drizzle ranch dressing or barbecue sauce on top, and it's a home run.  Donna Carney, New Lexington, Ohio Get Recipe Meat Lover's Pizza Hot Dish I make this hearty casserole for the men who help us out during harvest time. Every year they say it's the best, hands down. Throw in any pizza toppings your family likes Canadian bacon, black olives and green peppers are some of our picks.  Brook Bothun, Canby, Minnesota Get Recipe Quick and Easy Swedish Meatballs Rich and creamy, this classic meatball sauce is a must in your recipe box.  Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Get Recipe Midwest Mary In the Midwest, Bloody Marys garnished with meats, cheeses and veggies are works of art. My beverage has skewers of bratwurst, cheese curds and dill pickles.  Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Get Recipe Ultimate Steak de Burgo When asked why Midwesterners prepare their beef well-done, President Truman responded that "only coyotes and predatory animals eat raw beef." Regardless of how you cook your steak, you'll love this traditional beef entree seasoned with butter, herbs and garlic. Serve it with French onion soup and a green salad to round out the meal. Get Recipe Wisconsin Kringle Be generous like Scrooge was as a changed man at the end of Charles Dickens', A Christmas Carol, and share the bounty of your kitchen with friends and neighbors. This recipe makes four kringles, so you'll have three to give and one to keep.  Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin Get Recipe Midwest Meatball Casserole I've relied on this recipe many times as a soothing finish to a hectic day...and since I usually have all the ingredients on hand, there's no last-minute rush to the store, either.  Judy Larson, Greendale, Wisconsin Get Recipe Chicken and Wild Rice Bake This recipe is a great example of Midwest food! Its ingredients, including the wild rice, can all be found in Minnesota. The dish is good for larger groups since the cook doesn't need to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.  Suzanne Greenslit, Merrifield, Minnesota Get Recipe Blueberry-Orange Muffins This recipe was given to me some time ago, and I've used it often since. In fact, it's so good that it won first prize at a county fair! Blueberries are plentiful here in the Midwest, and this is a delicious way to prepare them.  Irene Parry, Kenosha, Wisconsin Get Recipe Brats with Sauerkraut I've made many variations of this excellent main dish. The bratwurst can be plain, smoked or cheese-flavored, served whole or cut in slices, with a bun or without. It would be popular at a party or potluck. Get Recipe Hearty Beef & Cabbage Pockets I found a similar recipe many years ago and experimented with my own version until I had it just right. If you can't find the frozen rolls, you can use a homemade dough.  Elaine Clark, Wellington, Kansas Get Recipe Freezer Sweet Corn People ask me how to freeze corn on the cob because my frozen corn tastes as good as fresh! This way it stays crisp-tender and now I can have "fresh" corn any time of the year.  Judy Oudekerk, St. Michael, Minnesota Get Recipe Candy Bar Apple Salad This creamy, sweet snickers salad with crisp apple crunch is a real people-pleaser. It makes a lot, which is good, because it will go fast!  Cyndi Fynaardt, Oskaloosa, Iowa Get Recipe St. Louis-Style Toasted Ravioli I call toasted ravioli a "fan favorite" because it disappears faster than I can make it. With just five ingredients, this is how you start the party.  Kathy Morgan, Temecula, California Get Recipe Fair-Favorite Corn Dogs Bring the county fair home to your kitchen with these summer-ready corn dogs. A tip for dipping: Pour the batter in a tall Mason jar and dunk your dogs to create an even coating all around.  Taste of Home Test Kitchen Get Recipe Michigan Cherry Pie This tart Michigan cherry pie is delicious with the streusel topping but even better crowned with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  Diane Selich, Vassar, Michigan Get Recipe Oktoberfest Pork Roast This recipe was adapted from one my mom used to make when I was growing up. It has all of our favorite "fall" flavors, such as apples, pork roast, sauerkraut and potatoes. I often coat the slow cooker insert with cooking spray to prevent the potatoes and meat from sticking. Tonya Swain, Seville, Ohio Get Recipe State Fair Subs My college roommate and I first ate these meaty sandwiches at the Iowa State Fair. After a little experimenting, we re-created the recipe. We ate the subs often because they were fast to fix between classes and didn't break our next-to-nothing grocery budget.  Christi Ross, Mill Creek, Oklahoma Get Recipe Homemade Polish Pierogi My mother made many dozens of these and measured ingredients using the palm of her hand. We've passed the recipe down over the years as the family has grown.  Veronica Weinkauf, South Bend, Indiana Get Recipe Apples 'n' Cream Pancake This cozy recipe is delicious for breakfast or brunch. I usually make a double batch because everyone wants more! With our own orchard, we have plenty of Delicious and Winesap apples...they make this a true Midwestern meal.  Ruth Schafer, Defiance, Ohio Get Recipe Grilled Corn on the Cob Corn on the cob is a comforting and cherished Midwest dish. It's amazing when grilled, and my recipe adds a few unexpected ingredients to make it taste even more like summertime.  Caitlin Dawson, Monroe, Ohio Get Recipe Cheese Batter Bread Hearty breads are very much a part of our Midwest heritage. This bread has a unique flavor and is a family favorite. Get Recipe Chili Michigan Dogs Everyone in our family, from smallest kids to oldest adults, loves these hot dogs. Throw chili and dogs together in the morning or the night before, then just pop in a bun and top to serve.  Michele Harris, Vicksburg, Michigan Get Recipe


A former colleague of Attorney General William Barr is arguing that the AG misled the public about the results of the Mueller investigation in order to better establish a presidency exercising "unchecked" executive power. He also pointed forward an "unsolicited" anti-Mueller memo that Barr wrote before becoming AG. From a new op-ed in The Atlantic by Donald Ayer , who preceded Barr as Deputy Attorney General when George H.W. Bush was president: There can be no doubt that the primary effect of Barr's conduct to date has indeed been to befuddle and mislead, and create a public misimpression, for those who have not read Mueller's report, that the president may not have interfered with the investigation. But Barr never said that the president did not in fact interfere, only that there is no basis in fact and law to support a finding of criminal obstruction. Indeed, a careful review of Barr's conduct suggests that his mission is far more grandiose that just misleading people about the facts. Ayer described Barr as long being a "fierce advocate of unchecked presidential power." (Georgetown Law Professor Jonathan Turley , a friend of Barr's, previously told The New York Times the AG's "default" is Article II of the Constitution.) But Ayer now looks at the extent that Barr went to expand executive power. Ayer found that in the AG's opinion, there shouldn't even have been a special counsel: "in Barr's view, the only check on gross misconduct by the president is impeachment, and the very idea of an independent or special counsel investigating the president is a constitutional anathema." The article caught the attention of conservative attorney George Conway (who is, incidentally, husband to top Trump Senior Counselor Kellyanne Conway ). He called it a "brutal assessment." Here's what he highlighted. "Barr never said that the president did not in fact interfere, only that there is no basis [for] a finding of criminal obstruction. … Barr's conduct suggests that his mission is far more grandiose that just misleading people about the facts." https://t.co/JwKq6cIJI8   George Conway (@gtconway3d) June 30, 2019


By Adeshola Ore MELBOURNE, Aug 9 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - For the Anangu people, Uluru, the iconic sandstone rock that juts from Australia's "Red Centre", is a holy area, holding the stories of their ancestors. But it is also the country's landmark tourist attraction and, until recently, visitors could regularly be seen climbing the sacred rock formation. Now, it has become one of the latest regions in the country to grapple with the question of how best to protect indigenous cultural heritage. From mountains to beaches, Aboriginal groups across Australia are pushing back against public access to heritage sites, in an attempt to preserve areas of historical and spiritual importance. "Aboriginal people are very concerned about protecting sacred sites because they are our cultural landscapes," said Benedict Scambary, head of the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority. At the base of Uluru, previously known as Ayers Rock, placards share the history of the Anangu people and request that people not climb the rock formation. But visitors have continued to ignore the signs. So, two years ago, the park's management board voted to ban climbing on the site, starting in October 2019. Photos posted to social media in July showed long lines of tourists snaking up the rock, to get in one more climb ahead of the ban. Further south, in the state of Victoria, the Grampians National Park is another area rich with indigenous heritage and is known to rock climbers as a world-class climbing destination. In February the state environment body banned rock-climbing on eight sites which together make up about one-third of the park, citing various reasons, including damage to the indigenous rock artwork. "We welcome the government's decision to close down those sites," said Jason Mifsud, the chairman of the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, one of the three traditional owner groups that act as caretakers of the site. "The promotion of cultural heritage is the first principle, (along with) the celebration and story-telling that goes with that cultural heritage," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in a phone interview. MANAGEMENT PLAN The expansive, forested Grampians area in southern Australia is home to a large collection of indigenous rock art sites, which are used for sacred ceremonies. Parks Victoria said it instituted the recent ban to give it time to work on a new management plan in consultation with the area's traditional owner groups. The new plan will encompass environmental conversation, protection of Aboriginal cultural heritage and improved support of recreational activities, according to a Parks Victoria spokesman. The move has sparked fury from climbing groups who say they were not consulted about the ban and have been given no part in building the management plan. "We're really interested in sitting down with traditional owner groups and understanding if there's anything in the climbing activity that is problematic and then understanding how we can remove that impact," said Jackie Bernardi, vice president of the Australian Climbing Association Victoria. But Parks Victoria said it is in discussions with bodies that represent climbers and highlighted that the new management plan will include a public consultation phase. Mifsud of the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation said the group is willing to work with climbers and tour companies to find a long-term solution. But, he stressed, the plan "will not compromise on cultural heritage". HIDDEN SITES Mifsud said he has empathy for climbers who demonstrate respect for the heritage of the area, but noted that they could be damaging historical sites without even knowing it. There are still sacred places hidden around the area that few people can locate and nobody has yet recorded, he explained. Sometimes they are discovered by accident: In 2014, fires in the Grampians revealed a number of previously unknown Aboriginal artwork sites. There are also elders who can point the way to little-known culturally significant sites within the area, Mifsud noted. "It is the right and decision of our traditional owners to share or not share that cultural knowledge with the non-Aboriginal community," he said. "We need the space, time and resources to decide what that looks like." SETTING THE COURSE As debate continues over who has the rights to Australia's sacred rock formations, another dispute over access is taking place along the shore. In Western Australia, the state government and federal government are appealing a 2018 decision by the Federal Court to give native title holders exclusive access to a 40km (25-mile) strip of beaches north of the town of Broome. The native title law, passed in 1993, sets out the way Australia's indigenous people can seek native title over land and waters, based on a litigation process but with an emphasis on agreement. The Federal Court's decision, which dismantles public access to the beach, will be heard in the High Court later this year. The Broome beaches are popular with locals, but the Kimberley Land Council, which represents the area's traditional owners, says it is vital the local indigenous community's cultural connection to the beaches is not undermined by public access. "Culturally, Aboriginal people have an obligation to look after the country, whether that equates to managing it or making decisions about it," said the council's CEO, Nolan Hunter, in a phone interview. The idea of universal public access to land stems from Australia's colonial history, he added. A spokeswoman for Australia's attorney general stressed that the appeal by the federal and state governments does not challenge the native title rights to the beaches. It only "seeks to preserve existing public access to and enjoyment of specific parts of the beds and banks of waterways and coastal areas," the spokeswoman said. Over in Victoria, Mifsud hopes the results of these conversations about access to heritage sites will help set the course for the state's ongoing treaty negotiations with its indigenous community. Australia is the only Commonwealth country that does not have a treaty with its indigenous people, although the government has said it will hold a national vote within three years on whether to include recognition of indigenous people in its constitution. The Victoria government passed legislation in June 2018, which is set to make it the first Australian state to have a formal legislated agreement with its Aboriginal population. "If there is a dispute over the logic of supporting the preservation and protection of heritage ... there's much more work to be done in this country than many of us would like to believe," said Mifsud. (Reporting by Adeshola Ore, Editing by Jumana Farouky and Zoe Tabary. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's and LGBT+ rights, human trafficking, property rights, and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org) RELATED VIDEO: Australia's famous Uluru to be closed to climbers (Provided by The Washington Post)


You can bid on this amazing classic next month. Few names in the Ferrari stable inspire like this 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider. Elegant and potent, it's a well-rounded car for those who appreciate fine craftsmanship as much as driving. Since this particular car has undergone a restoration process by Motion Products where money was no object, every detail is absolutely perfect. Now this classic Ferrari, along with many other impressive cars, will be auctioned off at Pebble Beach August 16 and 17 through Gooding & Company. It was in 1958 that Ferrari decided to introduce a replacement for the 250 Cabriolet Series I, the more luxurious Series II. Of that, the California Spider was the more sporting version, appealing to enthusiasts who wanted more than just a good-looking, plush Italian roadster. That history has been well-preserved in this example, which is numbers-matching and comes with the original books, tool roll, and all the restoration records. The pedigree for this Ferrari is nothing short of impressive. Well-known collectors are included in the provenance, plus the car has been featured at some of the top exhibitions like Concorso Italiano in California and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It also boasts true motorsports experience, having achieved class wins at Sebring and Le Mans. The responsive chassis paired with a lively V12 engine and three Weber downdraft carburetors made this car a formidable competitor. A mere 106 California Spiders were built by Ferrari from 1957 to 1963. Of those, only 50 were long-wheelbase (LWB) models. The fact this one has the covered headlights makes it even more desirable, as only 38 were ever made. While not being the original color, this Ferrari does wear a period-correct Grigio Vinovo metallic-grey, which drapes the finely crafted panels elegantly. Every detail, outside and in, matches the original specifications of the car, making this easily one of the best examples of this model in existence today. More Cars Video: Granddad Sold Ferrari 250 GTO For $9,500, Now It's $70M Rare, Low-Mileage 1976 Ferrari 308 GTB Vetroresina Pops Up For Sale


Looking for family-friendly events to keep the kids busy this week? From a visit to an indoor playground to a team scavenger hunt, there's plenty to do when it comes to opportunities for learning and fun. Read on for a rundown of what to do this week. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Up to 45% Off Seascape Kids Fun From the Seascape Kids Fun deal description: Designed for kids of all ages, the ocean-themed, three-story facility includes an aquarium play room, where youngsters explore a play structure that circles a range for launching foam balls. Where: Seascape Kids Fun, 4771 E. Hunter Ave., Price: $14 (30% discount off regular price); additional deals are available. Click here for more details, and to nab this deal Up to 52% off Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt From the ScavengerHunt.com deal description: Participants gear up and launch the ScavengerHunt.com app to start their own adventure, racing against the clock at a time of their choosing. Where: 201 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim Price: $23 (42% discount off regular price); additional deals are available. Click here for more details, and to take advantage of this deal Up to 52% off at Operation City Quest From the Operation City Quest deal description: Operation City Quest sends players on real-life scavenger hunts. The goal? To find over a hundred notable objects in your city, each differing in points and difficulty and document the process along the way. The entire game is played via smartphone, which acts as a guide to the next destination. Where: 200 S. Anaheim Blvd., The Colony Price: $19 (52% discount off regular price); additional deals are available. Click here for more details, and to take advantage of this deal Up to 62% Off Zombie Scavengers From the Zombie Scavengers deal description: Teams use their smartphones to search the city, complete challenges and answer trivia questions to collect supplies necessary to survive a zombie apocalypse. This is a family-friendly mobile scavenger hunt that doesn't feature any actual zombies. Where: 200 S. Anaheim Blvd., The Colony Price: $15 (62% discount off regular price); additional deals are available. Click here for more details, and to nab this deal This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Oakland If you're feeling nostalgic for summer but you don't necessarily miss the extreme heat, check out Tucson. Fall and winter are arguably some of the most enjoyable times to visit Arizona, specifically the Sonoran Desert. Either plan to explore the multiple mountain ranges and parks surrounding the city, or explore the city's adobe row houses, restored mansions and many vintage shops, nightclubs and restaurants spread throughout the city. Whether you're trying to jet set ASAP or you're looking to plan your trip around the future's cheapest fares, take a look at these forthcoming flights between Oakland and Tucson, which we pulled from travel site Skyscanner . We've also included popular hotels, restaurants and attractions in Tucson to get you started on planning your ideal getaway. (Prices and availability are current as of publication and subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in the articles may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Cheapest Tucson flights The cheapest flights between Oakland and Tucson are if you leave on July 16 and return from Arizona on July 20. Delta currently has tickets for $259, roundtrip. There are also deals to be had in June. If you fly out of Oakland on June 30 and return from Tucson on July 2, American Airlines can get you there and back for $275 roundtrip. Top Tucson hotels Regarding where to stay, here are some of Tucson's top-rated hotels, according to Skyscanner, that we selected based on price, proximity to things to do and customer satisfaction. The JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa (3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd.) If you're looking to treat yourself, consider The JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa . The hotel has a 4.8-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $199. Recreational amenities include Starr Pass Golf Club with 27 holes of championship golf plus on-site pools, a waterslide, lazy river and the Hashani Spa. The Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa (3800 E. Sunrise Drive) There's also the 4.4-star rated The Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa . Rooms are currently set at $159/night. This spa resort is located in the mountains near Ventana Canyon Golf and Racquet Club, the University of Arizona and Tohono Chul Park. The Omni Tucson National Resort (2727 W. Club Drive) A third option is The Omni Tucson National Resort , which has rooms for $138/night. It has four stars. Featured Tucson restaurants Tucson has plenty of top-notch dining options. Here are a few of the most popular, according to Skyscanner. Cafe Poca Cosa (110 E. Pennington St.) If you're looking for a local favorite, head to the Cafe Poca Cosa , which has an average of 4.8 stars out of 49 reviews on Skyscanner. "I know of no other restaurant that makes Mexican food so healthy and delicious," wrote visitor Jeanine. The Cup Cafe (311 E. Congress St.) Another popular dining destination is The Cup Cafe, with 4.7 stars from 46 reviews. "Wow, what an amazing intimate patio! It is very romantic. The food was great and so was the coffee," wrote reviewer Dominicke. Village Bakehouse (7882 N. Oracle Road) If you're looking for a solid place to grab some treats, plan to visit the Village Bakehouse . It has five stars from seven reviews. "My daughter's favorite dish here is the stuffed French toast," wrote Dino. Featured Tucson attractions To round out your trip, Tucson offers plenty of popular attractions worth visiting. Here are some top recommendations, based on Skyscanner's descriptions and reviews. Sabino Canyon Recreation Area (5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road) First up is the Sabino Canyon Recreation Area . It has 4.9 stars from 88 reviews. Sabino Canyon holds the dual distinction of being perhaps the most beautiful and certainly the most popular site for miles around. Whether you desire a pleasant sightseeing trip or a strenuous hike, Sabino Canyon is a gorgeous host. "In the spring, expect to see waterfalls and pools. This is one of Tucson's truly beautiful areas," wrote June. Tucson Botanical Gardens (2150 N. Alvernon Way) Then, there's the Tucson Botanical Gardens . It has 4.8 stars from 87 reviews. In addition to the indigenous cactus and desert wildflowers on display, the space contains a garden devoted to native crops of the Tohono O'odham Indians, a butterfly garden, a zen garden and art contributed by local artists. Seven Falls (5700 N. Sabino Canyon Road) Finally, spend some time at the Seven Falls, with 4.9 stars from 20 reviews. "Take the lower Sabino Canyon tram to the Seven Falls trailhead and let the fun begin," wrote visitor Bill. "Take plenty of water and ample snacks so when you arrive at the Seven Falls you can relax, recharge and refuel." This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A helicopter crashed into a building in midtown Manhattan Monday afternoon, the FDNY has confirmed. The plane crashed into 787 Seventh Avenue. "MAN 2-ALARM 787 7 AVE, HIGH RISE HELICOPTER CRASH INTO BUILDING," the FDNY tweeted. MAN 2-ALARM 787 7 AVE, HIGH RISE HELICOPTER CRASH INTO BUILDING, -- FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) June 10, 2019 Gov. Andrew Cuomo arrived at the scene shortly after the crash. Buildings in the area were evacuated. Several streets in the area were also closed off. West 51st & West 52nd Street, 6th-7th Avenue is CLOSED to vehicular and pedestrian traffic as well. -- NYPD Midtown North (@NYPDMTN) June 10, 2019


PITTSBURGH (AP) The Chicago Cubs splurged on closer Craig Kimbrel last month in hopes of shoring up the back end of their spotty bullpen. So far, the seven-time All Star is fitting in for all the wrong reasons. Jung Ho Kang scored on Corey Dickerson's sacrifice fly to cap a frantic ninth-inning rally off Kimbrel and lift the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-5 victory over the struggling Cubs on Wednesday night. Kimbrel (0-1) came on to protect a one-run lead and pick up his second save since signing a three-year deal with Chicago. Instead he trudged to the dugout with his teammate walked off with his first loss since joining the Cubs. The Pirates used a walk, a flare that turned into a double and some aggressive base running to win their third straight. The closer walked Elias Diaz on a full count with one out. Kang followed with a double to right that Chicago's Willson Contreras couldn't track down. Diaz beat the throw to the plate from Chicago second baseman Addison Russell on Adam Frazier's fielders' choice. Kang sprinted home when Kyle Schwarber's heave from left field following Dickerson's fly ball was late to set off a giddy celebration. ''I think my stuff was moving and I was throwing it where I wanted to a little bit more, but didn't get the results,'' Kimbrel said. ''That doesn't always work out.'' Not the way the Pirates are playing. Pittsburgh has won 12 of 17 following a seven-game losing streak to pull within one game of .500 (42-43). ''That was nuts. Craziest ending to a game that I've ever seen,'' said Pittsburgh first baseman Josh Bell, who hit his 26th home run of the season and added a double to give him 59 extra-base hits, the most ever by a National League player before the All-Star break. ''I feel like that just adds to the momentum.'' Starling Marte collected three hits for the Pirates. Frazier's streak of hits in seven straight at bats ended in the first but he singled in the seventh. Melky Cabrera went 3 for 4 and delivered a two-run home run off Chicago starter Yu Darvish but was also thrown out at home by Contreras to end the eighth while trying to score on a single by Colin Moran. All it did was set the stage for Pittsburgh's 21st comeback win of the season. ''We play hard from the beginning to end,'' Diaz said. ''It's special.'' REELING CUBS Victor Caratini homered from both sides of the plate for the Cubs, including a go-ahead two-run shot in the seventh off Francisco Liriano to give the Cubs a 5-4 lead. Javy Baez added his 22nd home run for Chicago but the Cubs lost their fourth consecutive game. Chicago missed a chance to pull even with Milwaukee for first in the jam-packed NL Central, where all five clubs are separated by 4 1/2 games heading into July 4. ''These kinds of losses are difficult but you have to come back and play the next day,'' Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. ''That's how the game is set up. I do like the fact that we played a better brand of baseball. We did a lot of things well in spite of not having everybody out there.'' No team has been able to take control of the division. Chicago looked like it was ready to in early June, but an 8-19 stretch brought the Cubs back to earth. Chicago president Theo Epstein has threatened changes if the Cubs don't get going, and Chicago called up outfield prospect Robel Garcia on Wednesday after he racked up 21 home runs in the minors following a five-year stint playing in Italy. Garcia ended up striking out in the eighth in his first big-league at bat, but by then Caratini had already given the Cubs the lead. Caratini's fourth home run of the season and second of the game put Darvish in line to win his first game since April 27. Darvish endured a stretch of 10 straight no-decisions - the longest by any starting pitcher in 42 years - before a loss to Atlanta last week. He worked crisply for most of his 6 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and no walks while throwing 62 of his 86 pitches for strikes. TRAINER'S ROOM Cubs: RF Jason Heyward was held out of the lineup due to pain in his left side and his back. He hopes to play Thursday. Pirates: RHP Jameson Taillon (right elbow strain) plans to play catch in the near future and hasn't ruled out a return to the mound this year. Taillon, who hasn't pitched since May 1, said recent imaging on the elbow suggested he is healing. ... C Francisco Cervelli (concussion) has been cleared to practice. ... RHP Keone Kela (right shoulder inflammation) threw a bullpen session on Wednesday and is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Saturday. ... RF Gregory Polanco (strained left shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday. UP NEXT Cubs: Jose Quintana (5-7, 4.12) will try to win consecutive starts for the first time since April in the series finale on Thursday. Pirates: Jordan Lyles (5-4, 3.71) takes a three-game losing streak into Thursday. --- More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


Mariah Carey is officially engaged to her boyfriend, James Packer. The Australian billionaire businessman, whom she met at a movie premiere in Aspen and started dating last summer, popped the question last night with a colossal 35-carat diamond and platinum engagement ring , seen here exclusively for the first time. Yes, you read that correctly: 35 carats just about the same size as both Kim Kardashian West' s and Beyoncé' s engagement rings combined. It's even a couple of points up from Liz Taylor's famously spectacular 33 carats courtesy of Richard Burton. Packer called on jewelry designer Wilfredo Rosado, a friend of Carey's for more than 25 years, to create the showstopping ring. "I took the standards super high, and I wanted to create a ring that could not be measured up to," says Rosado. The design and construction took two weeks and an "army of craftsman" that included measurement specialists and an expert well versed in the handling of such a large stone. "What is really most interesting about the ring are the proportions the stone is so large, but we were able to create a beautiful balance with the overall simplicity of the design," says Rosado. "It was about mixing simplicity with volume, which is very difficult to do." Rosado included only two other (relatively) small, tapered baguettes on either side of the center stone, a look that he says he devised after having conversations over the years with Carey about the styles she prefers. "She obviously has a strong point of view about what she likes," Rosado says. "We have the same taste, and when it came down to it, I really wanted to create something for her that was about new beginnings. I wanted to give her something super sophisticated and something that took away all of the embellishments that a lot of people use when they design engagement rings these days. But it is epic. It's an epic ring for an epic time in her life." As for Packer's involvement? "We really only had just over two weeks to pull it off, working 12 hour a days, and I consulted with James about the ring three different times during the process," says Rosado. "He wanted to create something very rare and very beautiful around this diamond he chose, and I followed his lead." Rosado notes that he also left a small empty space on the backside of the band, as Packer said that he wanted to eventually engrave a special sentiment to Carey. While the designer might have had direction from the groom-to-be, Rosado still felt some creative pressure on a personal level. "This was the most challenging piece of jewelry I've ever designed," he says. "I wanted to create the most gorgeous ring for my dear friend, but I also wanted to create the most stunning ring for one of the most iconic divas of our generation. I also wanted to make a ring that was perfect, in all the technical ways a ring should be. For me, it was super stressful. I didn't want to fail her." We're going to go out on a limb here and say that Mimi is probably more than thrilled with her new piece of jewelry, not only for its size, but also for the shiny new future it represents. Here's to her new "Vision of Love"!


Manchester United cruised to a comfortable 4-0 win over Leeds United in a game that had a little more bite and zip to it than just a meaningless pre-season friendly, with the old rivals meeting for the first time in any context since 2011. In what proved to be a one-sided game, Mason Greenwood turned in a drilled cross from new United signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka seven minutes in. Marcus Rashford doubled it midway through the first half after a composed finish on the counter attack, while they twice hit the post. Leeds only brought 16 players to Australia, but United made 11 changes for the second half as expected and it was only a few minutes after the break when a Phil Jones header made it 3-0. Anthony Martial later converted from the penalty spot after Tahith Chong was brought down. Leeds did create some chances in the first half but disappointingly faded. Manchester United Key Talking Point The attacking shape chosen by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have pleased United fans, with interchanging forwards, pace and counter attacking on display in both halves, despite wholly different XIs on the pitch. In the first half, the speed of Rashford, Greenwood and Daniel James was complemented by the intelligent 'number 10' play of Juan Mata, while Paul Pogba pulled the strings from central midfield. Mata in particular has rarely been used centrally in his five-and-a-half years with the club and it will be interesting to see if it is a role he continues to play when the season begins. Leeds struggled to get close to United as a result and the likes of Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes, Jesse Lingard and goalscorer Martial kept that going after the interval. Andreas Pereira impressed in the deep lying play-maker role after replacing Pogba at half-time. Player Ratings Starting XI: Romero (6), Wan-Bissaka (7), Lindelof (6), Bailly (6), Rojo (5), McTominay (7), Pogba (8), Greenwood (7), Mata (6), James (7), Rashford (7) Substitutes: Pereira (6), Dalot (6), Smalling (6), Jones (6), Young (6), Matic (5), Andreas (7), Chong (7), Lingard (6), Gomes (7), Martial (6); Garner (6) Star Man - Paul Pogba was head and shoulders above anyone else on the pitch during his 45 minutes. His quality created the opportunity for United's opening goal and he went close to scoring on three occasions himself. If anything, it was almost a little too easy for him at times and the lack of a more challenging game invited a few moments of sloppiness. Daniel James was also sharp for the second game in a row, showcasing his searing pace on the counter attack and hitting the post, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka impressed at both ends of the pitch after an excellent defensive display and registering an assist. Leeds United Key Talking Point While predominantly on the back foot, Leeds weren't short of chances to score in the first half and did manage to create openings on a number of occasions. A combination of good saves from Sergio Romero, and wayward finishing, prevented them from making the breakthrough. But it was fatigue that really characterised the game for Marcelo Bielsa's side, who visibly started to tire very early in the second half. And with minimal options from the bench it was only ever going to strengthen their Premier League opponents' upper hand as the contest wore on. Player Ratings Starting XI: Casilla (7), Dallas (5), Cooper (5), Berardi (5), Douglas (5), Phillips (6), Forshaw (5), Harrison (6), Hernandez (7), Roofe (5), Bamford (5) Substitutes: Bogusz (5), Hosannah (5), Stevens (5) Star Man - Veteran Spanish midfielder Pablo Hernandez offered Leeds' most dangerous and consistent attacking threat and looked the most likely source of a goal until he went off in the second half. Others struggled to get into the game, although former Manchester United academy player Jack Harrison also impressed in parts against his former club. Looking Ahead Manchester United's pre-season schedule will next take to Singapore to face Inter just three days from now, followed by a further Asia tour game against Tottenham in Shanghai. Leeds, on the other hand, are staying in Australia to meet A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers. They will then play their final pre-season friendly against Cagliari in Italy on 27 July.