Shrouded in thick rainforest and centuries of mystery, the ancient Mayan city of Tikal is one of the greatest overlooked sites of antiquity in the West. We've all heard of Machu Picchu, but the scale and preservation of Tikal, located in the lowland tropical forest of eastern Guatemala, dwarfs the famed Incan ruins in Peru. Some of Tikal's skyscraping temples, which rise through the tops of dense jungle canopy, were the tallest buildings in the New World until the 19th century. If you want to feel what it was like wandering the central plaza of a bustling Mayan city in A.D. 800, Tikal is an outsized time capsule, complete with sound effects from howler monkeys, spider monkeys, raucous parrots and some 285 other bird species. The natural ambiance is as it was some 1,300 years ago, when for reasons that are still a mystery, the inhabitants of Tikal disappeared at the end of the 10th century. What it was, what it is Tikal was one of the major metropolises of the Mayan civilization and one of the biggest in the world. Located in the wilds of Tikal National Park about 200 miles north of Guatemala City in the southern part of the Yucatan Peninsula, it was settled as early as 600 B.C. Most of the major buildings viewable today date to its heyday, A.D. 550-900. With a population of 10,000 to 90,000 people, Tikal was larger than London in A.D. 800. Archaeologists have uncovered 3,000 structures over a six-mile-square area, with more than 200 sculptured stone monuments and altars. Unlike many archaeological sites, where the viewings tend to be mounds carpeted in grass or crumbling stone barely taller than a human, many of the edifices here remain on a monumental scale much as they were a millennium ago. That's especially true for the Great Plaza, the ceremonial center of Tikal, a place that seems to have been concocted by a wayward pharaoh. Tikal treasures Steep, pyramid-like temples reach for the sky around the Grand Plaza -- some 10 acres' worth, paved with limestone. The plaza was the scene of epic religious rites and chiefly dramas over the centuries, not to mention sporting events. There are several ball courts, one in the main plaza, where ancient sportsmen tried to keep a rubber-like ball in the air as long as possible without using their hands. It's uncertain how or if points were scored, but there was certainly an incentive to win. Experts say the penalty for losing was death for the leader of the luckless team. Others think it was the victors who were treated to the honor of a ceremonial death. The lofty Temple 1 must have been reserved for aerial acrobats. Getting to the top of this very vertical 170-foot staircase -- and getting back down -- requires the footing of a mountain goat. Facing this giant is Temple 2, which towers some 145 feet above the Great Plaza. It's surrounded by yet more temples in the Central Acropolis and at the North Acropolis. Temple 4 was once the tallest building in pre-Colombian America, towering 212 feet. You can climb to its roof for a spectacular vantage of the scenery. From the tops of the temples at Tikal, you can see the white rooftop combs of other temples poking through the rainforest canopy and ponder the far-flung location of this hidden civilization. Mayan mysteries For whatever reason, the Mayans chose a location that would hold tens of thousands of people yet had no river or major body of water. They relied completely on seasonal rainfall for their water supply, which they collected in reservoirs. This was an advanced civilization that knew engineering, math and astronomy possibly better than its European counterparts in the 8th century. Tikal residents created a calendar with 365 days, and their lunar cycle was only seven minutes off the best that modern instruments can calculate. While no one knows for certain what happened to the Mayans of Tikal, some think drought could have been the culprit that brought down this thriving civilization, as it did Native American societies in what's now the southwestern United States. Dependent on rainfall and with a growing population, Tikal was vulnerable to drought and extinction. Getting there Designated a World Heritage Site in 1979, Tikal has so much to take in, it's best to overnight at the site and spend a couple days marveling at it all. There are three main hotels at the entrance to Tikal National Park -- Jungle Lodge Hotel and Hostel, Hotel Tikal Inn and Hotel Jaguar Inn. The easiest access to Tikal is from the small town of Flores, Guatemala. Hotel-organized minibus trips to Tikal take about 75 minutes. Public buses depart for Tikal throughout the day from the Santa Elena bus station in Flores. The trip by public bus takes about two hours. Tikal National Park admission is $20, children 11 and younger free. Tikal walking maps are available at the visitors center for a few US dollars. Jungle Lodge Hotel & Hostel : 502 2477 0570; WhatsApp 502 3185 0223. $85 (standard double), $91 (premium), $153 (jungle suite). Jungle Lodge also has a hostel for those with lighter budgets ($55) Hotel Tikal Inn : 502 7861 2444. $85 (bungalow), $100 (junior suite), $50 (ranchon two single beds), $60 (main building room with two double beds) Hotel Jaguar Inn : 502 7926 2411. $74 (double room), $95 (triple room), $98 (bungalow), $123 (quadruple) Safety More than half of Guatemala's people live below the poverty line, with almost half of them in extreme poverty. Like its Central American neighbors, Honduras and El Salvador, the country has struggled with crime and drugs in recent years. The US State Department has put a Level 2 (exercise increased caution) travel warning on Guatemala with some Level 3 (reconsider travel) warnings on some areas, including the Petén region where Tikal is located. The State Department advises travelers to fly directly into Flores. Flores is a small town 66 kilometers (41 miles) from Tikal. Shuttle drivers from one of the hotels at Tikal can be arranged ahead of time to pick you up at the airport and go straight to hotels at Tikal National Park. Don't take taxis. The trip takes about an hour and 20 minutes and costs about $60.


MILWAUKEE (AP) After losing consecutive nail-biters in a matchup of NL Central contenders, Kyle Schwarber made sure the Chicago Cubs could breathe easier in the series finale. Schwarber hit a grand slam and a three-run homer to power the Cubs past the Milwaukee Brewers 11-4 on Sunday, averting a three-game sweep. The Cubs moved into a first-place tie with St. Louis, with Milwaukee one game back. ''It's nice to be able to hop out to a lead,'' Schwarber said. ''That was a really big game for all of us. We had a couple tough ones.'' Schwarber crushed a first-pitch slam deep into the second deck in right field off starter Zach Davies (8-4) with one out in the second inning for his 23rd home run of the season. ''It started with (Schwarber),'' Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. ''That set it up.'' The slugger took Davies deep again in the fourth with an opposite-field shot to make it 7-0. After the Brewers cut it to 7-3 in the fifth, Schwarber's infield single with two outs in the sixth kept the inning alive for pinch-hitter Victor Caratini, who hit a three-run homer off Milwaukee reliever Jeremy Jeffress. Schwarber, who has struggled at the plate lately, reached base all four times while batting eighth in the lineup. ''He's going to definitely feel better about himself,'' Maddon said. ''It's been a tough July for him overall.'' Christian Yelich's run-scoring double in the fifth, which extended his hitting streak to 16 games, chased Cubs starter Jose Quintana, who failed to get the win despite being staked to a seven-run lead. Quintana gave up four hits and three runs in 4 2/3 innings. Brad Brach (4-3) retired the only batter he faced for the victory. Davies was coming off his worst start, when he allowed seven runs in four innings of a 14-6 loss to Cincinnati on Tuesday. This time, he gave up seven runs and four hits in five innings. He had permitted only one earned run in 12 innings against the Cubs this season prior to Sunday. ''Obviously, I need to do better,'' Davies said. ''We played really good baseball the last two nights. I struggled today and put us in a hole.'' TRAINER'S ROOM Cubs: LHP Cole Hamels, on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain, gave up three runs and three hits, including two first-inning homers, over three innings in a 59-pitch rehab outing for Triple-A Iowa. ''We'd like to believe that his next start would be with us,'' Maddon said before the game. Brewers: RHP Corbin Burnes, on the IL with right shoulder irritation, pitched one shutout inning with a strikeout for Triple-A San Antonio on Saturday night. ''His next outing will be two innings and then we'll decide after that what's going on,'' manager Craig Counsell said. ... RHP Jimmy Nelson, on the IL with fluid in his right elbow, gave up four hits and four runs in 1 2/3 innings for San Antonio on Sunday. GRAND BLAST Schwarber's slam, the second of this career, traveled a projected 473 feet, the longest home run at Miller Park this season. It was the seventh grand slam by the Cubs this season. Taylor Davis, Kris Bryant, Albert Almora Jr., Willson Contreras, Javy Baez and Anthony Rizzo have the others. FUNDAMENTALLY SPEAKING Maddon praised his team's overall offensive effort, including Ian Happ drawing three walks batting in front of Schwarber, who beat out an infield single. ''I don't want to just be home run-reliant,'' Maddon said. ''I don't want us to do this new wave, analytical baseball that just tries to put balls in the seats all the time. I want baseball properly played. I want us to be fundamentally sound, and that includes offense.'' HOME RUN HAVEN Miller Park continues to be conducive to long home runs, Maddon insisted. ''This ballpark is like a driving range the way the ball comes off the bat,'' he said. ''It's incredible. I don't know what it is. It just comes off hot and it goes far easily in this ballpark.'' STREAK ENDS Keston Hiura's hitting streak was halted at 15 games. The Brewers rookie hit a walk-off, two-run homer on Saturday night. UP NEXT Cubs: Yu Darvish (3-4, 4.54 ERA) starts the opener of a three-game set at St. Louis on Tuesday night. Adam Wainwright (7-7, 4.63) pitches for the Cardinals. Brewers: Counsell hadn't announced who will take the mound Tuesday night at Oakland against Chris Bassitt (7-5, 4.09 ERA) in the opener of a three-game series. --- More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


It started with a question about what Miguel Cabrera said to an umpire that got him ejected from the Detroit Tigers dugout between the first and second innings of Sunday afternoon's 6-3 loss to the Red Sox . He had been arguing balls and strikes, of course   he had just been called out to end the bottom of the first inning on an elevated breaking ball from Red Sox left-hander (and ex-Tiger) David Price, raising his hands on the way back to the dugout   and soon enough, Cabrera was off, a frustrated and talkative freight train who was not going to be stopped. As the last-place Tigers broke for the All-Star break after finishing the first half at 28-57, Cabrera held court with reporters in his corner of the clubhouse, ending a frustrating first half by addressing Sunday's strike zone, the Tigers' leadership inside the clubhouse, Jack Morris' recent comments about it, and even trade rumors surrounding left-handed starting pitcher Matthew Boyd. "You can't argue the strike zone," Cabrera began. "That's why I think they threw me out." By the time he had finished, with most of the team headed their separate ways for a few days off, Cabrera had thoroughly covered his issues and even pulled in right fielder Nicholas Castellanos in to speak. [Want a newsletter just for Tigers fans? We have that! Take a peek at our most recent one   or just sign up here ] More on the Tigers: Detroit Tigers' future and stability, not the past, reason for Al Avila contract extension Like it or not, Detroit Tigers extending Al Avila is the right move. Here's why: "(Crew chief Joe West) told me I gotta be a leader and I told him, 'Yeah, that's why I'm here,'" Cabrera said. "'I'm trying to be a leader because it has not been fair the way the guys have been calling balls and strikes.' "The umpire said, 'Go be a leader.' That's a different thing because I want to be a leader here. I don't want to show people, like, Jack Morris say like he's not a leader. I say what are you talking about? You don't know what's going on here." With that transition, Cabrera spoke about Morris' comments to the Free Press last weekend . Talking about Cabrera specifically, Morris told the Free Press: "You can't ask a guy to be anything he's not. Miggy has always loved the game. He has fun playing the game. That's who he is." Cabrera said he heard of Morris' comments in the batting cage the next day, from Castellanos, who was fuming. More: 65 years ago today, Al Kaline did something amazing for the Detroit Tigers "I think here's what me and Miggy say," Castellanos said. "We all understand that Jack has an opinion   he's entitled to that, but who did he have in the clubhouse with him? What mentalities did those guys have? How much experience did those guys have? What place were those guys in their career? "Those are all ingredients that come into play when you're creating a team that's going to the World Series, and I think it's unfortunate that those are the kind of comments you make about a young clubhouse who are trying to not only keep their spot, but figure out who they are, because it's not like we have guys playing one position every day   how many utility guys do we have?   guys trying to keep their jobs in the big leagues while trying to play multiple positions while having success and not getting sent down." Cabrera, 36, is hitting .303 with five home runs and 36 RBIs this season. Chronic pain in his right knee has forced him into a role as the Tigers' designated hitter for the remainder of this season, and likely into the future. About his first half, he said, ""It was hard, because at one point, I would wonder, why I don't have my power?" Cabrera said. "When I find out the issue with my knee, I say, 'That's why.'" His increased time in the dugout has increased his chatter with umpires, which led, in part, to Sunday afternoon's ejection: Not only does Cabrera have fewer people to chat with, he also has the ability to go into the tunnel and look at real-time replays of his at-bats. "(West) told me that the last three games, they didn't want to throw me out of the game, kick me out," Cabrera said, "But they were getting tired of me." West told Cabrera to check the video. His conclusion? "They are not in the strike zone." But the strike zone was merely one of his talking points on a day in which the Tigers finished in a deeper first-half hole than any in Cabrera's time here. About the upcoming trade deadline, he implored the front office not to trade Boyd and spoke positively about the future, which contractually, he remains very much a part of. "We're not going to trade Boyd. Maybe Nick (Castellanos), maybe (Shane Greene)," Cabrera said. "But I mean, we got so much talent in the minor leagues and we got picks. When the owner says, 'OK, we're going to spend some money with this young talent,' then we're going to raise the game. I don't worry about that." More: Here's why Detroit Tigers' All-Star Shane Greene should outperform (vintage) J.V. Contact Anthony Fenech at afenech@freepress.com . Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech . Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter . This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera blasts criticism: 'You don't know'


Gil Brandt, 86, has spent a lifetime in the NFL. So he had many people to thank, squeezing in some 50 names in his 19-minute, 29-second Hall of Fame speech. Brandt was the first of eight inductees Saturday night in Canton. It seemed appropriate. He drafted 501 players in his 29 years as the Cowboys' director of player personnel and signed hundreds more. Fifty-three of his players went to 178 Pro Bowls, and 10 of his draft picks have busts in Canton, including Billy Shaw, who opted to sign with the AFL's Buffalo Bills instead of the Cowboys after the NFL team drafted him. Brandt named several of the former players he drafted or signed, including Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Everson Walls, Thomas Henderson, Mel Renfro and Cliff Harris. His best story was about his presenter, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Jones fired Brandt a few days after Aikman arrived in 1989. Jones bought the team earlier that year, firing Tex Schramm and coach Tom Landry. He kept Brandt until after the draft, but losing $29,000 a day on his new toy, Jones told Brandt he couldn't afford him. "Jerry and I have come a long way since our first three months working together," Brandt said. "When we parted ways following the 1989 draft, I could not have imagined how incredible the next three decades in the NFL would become. Jerry, thank you for today's wonderful presentation. Thank you for inducting into the prestigious Cowboys' Ring of Honor last season, and thank you for making me a free agent 30 years ago." Brandt has remained relevant, continuing to work for the NFL and SiriusXM NFL Radio to this day.


The Dallas Cowboys have one of the best rosters in the NFL in 2019, talented and deep. If the team gets the expected jump from some of their young up and comers, the Cowboys could become an elite team. The jump is what NFL people refer to as the improvement that happens between a players first and second year in the league. It is believed that most players make their biggest progress as a player from their rookie year to their sophomore season. Being around an organization full-time and having a complete off-season to prepare isone of the reasons players improve so much in their second year. Players are also now aware of the size and speed of professional football players. As good as some guys are, an adjustment period is needed. For the Cowboys, if they get 'the jump' from a few key players, it could pay big dividends. Leighton Vander Esch The man they call Wolf Hunter was a Pro Bowl player and made second-team All-Pro as a rookie, so it's crazy to think of how good he can be moving forward. Vander Esch can still get better and considering he hasn't played a ton of football in his life, his ceiling is ridiculously high. If Vander Esch makes a big leap this season, he might stake a claim as the best LB in the game. Vander Esch finished 2018 with 140 tackles, earning the NFL's highest tackle rate of 18.3% of his snaps . He also chipped in seven pass deflections and two interceptions. Continue… Connor Williams Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports Williams struggled with his strength in his first-year as a Cowboy and word is that he has put on significant weight this off-season, hovering around 315 pounds. After have some issues inside, the team moved Williams outside to tackle for some work late in the year. If Williams has added the weight and strength needed to improve, he gives the Cowboys versatility along the offensive line. A big jump from Williams could make him the elite offensive lineman the team envisioned when they drafted him in the second-round. Michael Gallup Gallup got better and better last year as the season went on and he flashed the potential to become a very good number two receiver. Continued improvement in his sophomore season could give Dallas one of the best receiver groups in the NFL. Continue… Dorance Armstrong Dorance Armstrong (AP Photo/Roger Steinman) In his first training camp, Armstrong flashed some potential. However, when the regular season came along, Armstrong only mustered 0.5 sacks. It looks like Armstrong has already begun to turn the corner in his second season. D-Linemen never get any shine during OTAs, so today is for them. With Tyron Smith & La'el Collins sitting out today, Dorance Armstrong & Kerry Hyder absolutely wrecked practice. Murdered it. I legitimately don't think Dak would've gotten a single throw out if sacks were allowed. - David Helman (@HelmanDC) June 12, 2019 We only have a short sample and it's only OTAs, but that's the type of jump the Cowboys would love from Armstrong. The team has DeMarcus Lawrence coming off of shoulder surgery, are not sure when Randy Gregory will return and traded for Robert Quinn, but it would be a huge boost to have another pass rusher. Armstrong making strides in year two would be huge for the Dallas defense. Dalton Schultz Schultz was another slow starter last year, but emerged as a better blocker late in the season. If Schultz adds strength, he could be a sleeper at tight end for the Cowboys. It would take a pretty big jump for Schultz to become the top TE on the roster, but if he makes big improvements, he could become a steal from the 2018 draft. Chris Covington The sixth-round pick didn't have much of a role last season, but if he progresses in his sophomore year, he could carve out more playing time, especially on special teams. The Cowboys have a solid group of LB's, but they will need some depth, which Covington could provide if he gets better in year two. You can chat with or follow @BenGrimaldi MORE: Why isn't Megan Rapinoe in the starting lineup for USA - England? 'You don't know me like that': Kevin Durant, the Warriors and a toxic locker room Stephen A. Smith: 'Andre Iguodala is planning on joining the Lakers' Do Cowboys have horses to absorb another Ezekiel Elliott suspension? Projected depth chart for the 76ers with Al Horford, Josh Richardson


The Giants' trade deadline plans remain unclear. San Francisco was expected to be sellers this month and was reportedly planning to move ace Madison Bumgarner. The team, however, has won eight of its last nine and entered play Monday just 2 1/2 games out of the second wild-card spot. President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said the Giants were still evaluating their options when he spoke with reporters over the weekend. "It's impossible to say what the next 10 days are going to present, both in terms of what our opportunity to contend is going to be and continue to be and what opportunities the market is going to present," Zaidi said, via MLB.com. Bumgarner holds a 5-7 record with a 3.65 ERA in 21 starts so far this season. "I feel like I've done a good job of blocking it out," Bumgarner told MLB.com about the trade rumors earlier this month. "Sometimes it's easier said than done, obviously. But winning solves everything. I'm just trying to win the game. It doesn't matter what may or may not happen. All we can control is what's going on right now." The four-time All-Star has spent his entire 11-year MLB career with San Francisco. He has won three World Series and taken home two Silver Sluggers during his time with the team. "I just figured, until they take (the Giants uniform) away from me, I'm not going to think about it that way," Bumgarner said. "Mindset is a big thing for me. I feel like that's a negative light on what we're trying to do, because we're trying to win. I'm not focused on whether it's my last start or not or whether they're going to decide to make moves or not." MORE : MLB trade rumors: Mets believe they can 'still get a solid return' for Zack Wheeler despite injury | MLB trade rumors: Red Sox could pursue White Sox slugger Jose Abreu, Blue Jays reliever Daniel Hudson | MLB trade rumors: Are the Yankees interested in Rangers starter Mike Minor? The Yankees, Twins, Brewers, Braves and Astros have all been linked to a potential deal for Bumgarner.


The OZY Top 25 : Each week we share an irresistible vacation hideaway, chosen by OZY staff. Woolen-garbed traders tempt her with mouse roulette; others shout " zwei taler "   two euro   to ride the wooden Ferris wheel. As we head into the medieval Christmas market, my daughter Ellie begs, "Oh, Mama, can I have a ride, dip a candle, play a game?" You can have it all, I think, until Mama runs out of taler. With 200 buildings harking back to the Middle Ages, Esslingen's old town is the perfect backdrop to its medieval Christmas market, Germany's biggest, which runs four weeks each year and draws a million visitors. Meandering past timber-framed fachwerk houses, the scent of warm spiced wine teasing your nose, you are happily transported back in time. "It's like turning back the clock 600 years," local tourism chief Michael Metzler says. Half of the 200 traders peddle products like capes, leather goods and pottery from their wooden stalls; the other half have more classical offerings like sausage, glühwein and ornaments. The river valley town of Esslingen, Stuttgart's charming southern neighbor, is nestled into the shadow of hillside vineyards and its famed Burg   a castle -like fort   with both the water and the regional grapes responsible for much of its splendor. Home to the first bridge over the River Neckar, Esslingen grew wealthy off tolls as pilgrims paid tribute to St. Vitalis, where the impressive church of St. Dionysius stands today. Just behind it is Germany's oldest sparkling wine maker , Kessler Sekt, established in 1826. The bubbly   Chancellor Konrad Adenauer's favorite   still undergoes in-bottle fermentation, maintaining a tradition begun by French-trained founder Georg Kessler. While staying in the town is affordable, with a double hotel room costing around $110, crossing the marketplace with children in December can be an expensive proposition   because it's pricey to pay for all that stockbrot, kinderpunsch, sausages, rides and candle dipping. And it tends to get very busy during the market's run, from around Thanksgiving to the day before Christmas Eve. Local mom Angela Pohle, who visits the Christmas market every day and loves it, tends to avoid going with kids in the evening, "because it's so crowded and near impossible to get through with a stroller." Local residents, Metzler admits, can find the month of noisy festivities a bit of a "challenge," but they also appreciate how special the market is. Medieval legend has it that the devil in disguise visited Esslingen's fruit market one day and asked a trader for an apple. Recognizing him, the tradeswoman instead gave him a red onion. The devil bit into it and was so disgusted that he fled, cursing the townspeople to forever be known as " onion people." It sounds like a quaint tale to muster business for the annual Onion Festival, held each August. But if you venture over to the medieval Church of Our Lady and look up, you'll find an ancient gargoyle of a devil leaning down over the town with an onion in hand. Today, the proud onion people of Esslingen happily greet visitors to all their festivities and markets, whether they're American moms looking for glühwein … or little devils screaming for more.


The weather report shows more warm temperatures are in store for Minneapolis, due to last through Sunday, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Temperatures will reach 83 degrees today and 81 on Tuesday. Light rainfall is also in store on Tuesday. Tuesday's forecast shows the greatest possibility of rain at 91 percent, with rain generally expected through Wednesday. Skies will be partly cloudy today and clear on Thursday. Winds will reach a modest high of 16 mph on Wednesday, while today will be quieter with a top speed of just 11 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


A new spot to score pizza and more has debuted in the neighborhood. Located at 5057 Woodward Ave. in Wayne State, the newcomer is called Shield's Pizza Detroit . Shield's Pizza Detroit's newest location serves up its's signature specialty pizzas, soups, sandwiches, burgers, pastas, ribs, salads and more. On the menu , look for pies like the spicy gold medal Detroit pizza, made with Romano cheese, Italian banana peppers and sweet red bell peppers. The new arrival has gotten good reviews thus far, with a four-star rating out of three reviews on Yelp. Angela G., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on June 15, wrote, "The pizza is amazing. It has cheese on the outside of the crust which is a great touch." And Colin D. added , "If you go to Shield's, I would consider the meat lovers pizza. It's the best I've ever had." Swing on by to take a peek for yourself. Shield's Pizza Detroit is open from 11 a.m. 11 p.m. on Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. midnight on Friday and Saturday and noon 9:30 p.m. on Sunday. Want to keep your finger on the pulse of new businesses in Detroit? Here's what else opened recently near you . 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.


.It's no secret Darren Till partakes in a massive weight cut to make 170 pounds. Throughout his UFC tenure, many have wondered if the 26-year-old welterweight should make the move up to 185. A video blog of Till's weight cut prior to his fight against Stephen Thompson in May 2018 intensified the conversation. According to the UFC Performance Institute vice president David French , Till (17-2-1 MMA, 5-2-1 UFC) has to cut over 30 pounds to make the welterweight limit. The Liverpool native has mulled over a move to 185 pounds in the past, but ultimately has never pulled the trigger. In his first interview since his loss to Jorge Masvidal in March, Till spoke to Fighters Only magazine and talked about a potential move up in weight. "The Gorilla" indicated TJ Dillashaw's recent unsuccessful drop to flyweight has made him reconsider large weight cuts. "Obviously TJ got popped for whatever he got popped for," Till said. "As I say, it's none of my (expletive) business really. I don't think he really should have been doing it and fair play he came out and said, 'Blah, blah.' But again, none of my business. "When he fought Cejudo he did look physically - he looked like me at 170 (pounds). He just didn't look like TJ, because TJ's a beast. (Henry) Cejudo's a very good fighter as well, but I think it would have been different at a higher weight." While Till did not directly say in what weight class he'll have his next bout, he indicated a move to middleweight might be a good fit. As he ran down the middleweight roster, Till expressed interest in a couple of matchups with top-tier talent at 185 pounds. "I do have to think about them things," Till said. "I wouldn't be small at 185. I'd be right in the mix in there with them guys. The great guy, the interim champ Israel (Adesanya) is a great fighter. The champ (Robert Whittaker) is a good fighter. There's a few beasts. The one guy who is a scary guy is Yoel (Romero)." Regardless of what weight class he chooses to compete in, Till plans on returning to action in 2019 . The welterweight contender is currently riding a two-fight losing streak. After being brutally knocked out in his last outing, Till lost a championship bout against Tyron Woodley at UFC 228. Prior to the Woodley bout, Till hadn't lost in six UFC appearances. Till holds wins over former UFC title challengers Stephen Thompson and Donald Cerrone. For more on the upcoming schedule, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site. MORE: MLB world pays respects to Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, who died Monday at age 27 Stephen A. Smith: 'Andre Iguodala is planning on joining the Lakers' Roundup: Tyler Skaggs; Total Solar Eclipse; Poison at Facebook Facility; Democratic Race NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Do Cowboys have horses to absorb another Ezekiel Elliott suspension?


With warm weather finally on the horizon, it's almost time to take your feet out of hiding and let them bask in the open-toe-sandal glory of spring. But now that they're out and on display, it might be time to address a problem a lot of us suffer from: peeling skin. "Peeling feet is definitely common, and there are various reasons why," says Rebecca Pruthi , a doctor of podiatric medicine and owner of Foot Care of Manhattan . "We're on our feet all the time and the constant pounding and walking can cause cracking and scaling of the skin," she says. But peeling feet can be about more than just pounding the pavement. Here are seven reasons why your feet might be peeling. According to Pruthi, the most common reason patients have peeling feet is a fungal infection (like athlete's foot)   although they might not always realize it. "A lot of times it just presents itself as peeling skin and patients don't have the itchiness, so they don't know it's a fungal infection," Pruthi says. So if your skin starts mysteriously peeling all of a sudden, get it checked out sooner rather than later. Once you have a fungal infection on your skin, it can easily infect your toenail , which Pruthi warns can be very difficult to get rid of. "What I find that happens is that the skin infects the nails, the nails re-infect the skin, back and forth, back and forth," she says. "So whatever presents itself first, you want to knock it away." Excess perspiration and moist environments often cause these foot infections, which lead to peeling. That might mean that your gym regimen , especially if there's some hot yoga thrown in, can contribute to your peeling feet. Pruthi warns that "anything you're doing barefoot, or if you're sharing mats, or if you're doing hot yoga in a moist environment" can lead to this bacterial or fungal infection. See a doc if you think you have it. (Dance your way fit with High-Intensity Dance Cardio , the first-ever socanomics DVD!) Many women, including Pruthi, love to wear strappy shoes in the summer. But as anyone who hasn't properly broken in her new heels knows, snug footwear can cause some serious friction. "Anything that causes friction can cause blisters, which can also result in scaling or peeling of the skin," Pruthi says. "Don't wear shoes for too long, wear natural materials that kind of mold to your feet, and as soon as you start to feel friction, change your shoes. Don't allow too much of that to dig into your skin." And you shouldn't only focus on the impact of your heels. Flip flops are also a culprit of foot discomfort and peeling. Nobody goes to the beach with the intentions of getting a beet-red, painful-to-touch sunburn . But while you might be good at remembering to lather sunscreen onto your face, back, and shoulders, Pruthi notices that "the feet always get the short end of the stick." So when you just dip your feet in the ocean and assume your lotion has stayed on... maybe reapply. Sunburns lead to peeling and other scary things . Don't let your feet be on the receiving end of dangerous UV rays unprotected! " Eczema is a skin condition that manifests through scaling of the skin," says Pruthi. It can cause peeling, itching, and dryness all over the body including the soles of your feet. Although many have experienced eczema since childhood, people can also develop the skin condition as an adult . Luckily there are many topical remedies available through podiatrists and dermatologists. Dehydration can make you tired , decrease your metabolism , contribute to break outs , and... that's right, cause your feet to peel, too! "If you're not hydrated enough, your skin starts to flake off everywhere on our bodies," Pruthi says. Remember: Water is your friend. (Just try not to go overboard .) Although there can be some eyebrow-raising reasons why your feet are peeling, it's not always a bad thing. "Naturally your body wants to slough off skin," Pruthi says. "So I always tell patients to get a pumice stone and just kind of in the shower rub your feet and get dead skin cells off so that it regenerates new skin." So show your feet a little love  and they'll love you right back. Slideshow: 50 foods the world's healthiest women eat every day (Provided by Prevention)


SEATTLE -- Deputies have found probable cause to hold a suspect for the 2009 disappearance of Nancy Moyer but charges are still yet to come. The man in question initially called 911 and implicated himself in Moyer's death but later recanted those statements. Despite recanting, prosecutors say his initial report and other circumstantial evidence have given them enough to find probable cause for murder in the second degree. Officers say their search may reveal additional charges, including illegal gun possession but the investigation is ongoing. ___ (c)2019 KCPQ-TV, Seattle Visit KCPQ-TV, Seattle at www.q13fox.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


Unfortunately for the Pittsburgh Steelers, finding, scouting and drafting cornerbacks has been a struggle. Even before the Artie Burns debacle, this team had used multiple draft picks outside of the first round on cornerbacks but none since Ike Taylor have become the type of player the Steelers needed. So instead, the Steelers have chosen to seek out cornerbacks in free agency with much more success. Once again, the front office has poured significant resources into the cornerback position in an effort to improve the defense. Here's how the group breaks down ahead of training camp. Starters If I were making a prediction about who the starting cornerbacks will be when the season starts, Joe Haden is a lock. Haden is one of the best free-agent signings the Steelers have made and his ability to improve the defense is evident. With that success, the Steelers went back to the free-agent well this offseason for Steven Nelson. Nelson's three-year, $25.5 million contract is the largest free-agent deal Pittsburgh has ever had and this alone should give him a serious edge to be the other starter. Nelson and Haden might be the best cornerback duo this team has had in some time. Backups As of now, the only real question about the reserves is whether or not Artie Burns steps up and salvages his career. Burns was the team's first-round pick in 2016 but got benched last season as he continued to struggle with confidence. But until he's ready - if he ever is - guys like Mike Hilton, Justin Layne and Cam Sutton are ready to go. Hilton is one of the best slot cornerbacks in the league and Layne is a highly-regarded rookie who showed excellent ball skills at Michigan State. Outlook Once Nelson and Layne get acclimated to the defense, this unit is going to be strong. It may be the best cornerback depth chart in the AFC North. Haden and Nelson are an incredibly promising duo and we know what Hilton is capable of. Pittsburgh likes to use a safety as the dime cornerback but with Layne on the team, this could change. 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 Report: The Celtics are no longer the favorites to sign Kyrie Irving 5 things we'll be watching at Lions week 2 of OTAs


Seattle had more new renters in the first three months of 2019 than nearly every other housing market in the country. That's according to a report from RealPage, a real estate software and data analytics firm. RealPage found 3,400 apartments in Seattle got new renters between January and March, marking the first time since last spring that more new units were filled with renters than were built. It also follows a dismal fall and winter when Seattle added new renters in just 286 units. The RealPage report found Seattle's rental demand is "stronger than it has been in a while," but still isn't outpacing supply. Over the last year, Seattle added 12,250 new apartment units, just over 10,000 of which were rented out. The only city that filled more empty apartment units at the beginning of 2019 was New York-White Plains, which filled 3,976 units. Rents in Seattle continued to grow by 3.1% at the beginning of 2019, which is just shy of the national average of 3.3%. However, renter relief could be in sight. Seattle is expected to build another 12,375 apartment units this year, according to a RealPage analysis of multifamily building permits. "With this competitive environment, rent growth is likely to soften slightly over the next few quarters as developers continue to bring new units to market faster than renters can fill them," the report said.


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Buena Park? According to Walk Score, this Chicago neighborhood is friendly for those on foot, is easy to get around on a bicycle and is a haven for transit riders. Data from rental site Zumper shows that the median rent for a one bedroom in Buena Park is currently hovering around $1,329. So, what might you expect to find if you've got a budget of $1,100 / month? Read on for a roundup of the latest rental listings, via Zumper. (Note: prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 823 W. Buena Ave. Listed at $1,051/month, this 420-square-foot studio is located at 823 W. Buena Ave. In the unit, you can expect hardwood floors and a walk-in closet. The building features on-site laundry, on-site management and concierge services. If you've got a pet, you'll be happy to learn that cats and dogs are welcome. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. (See the complete listing here .) 4070 N. Kenmore Ave., #304 Next, there's this studio apartment over at 4070 N. Kenmore Ave., #304. It's listed for $1,050/month. In the unit, there are hardwood floors, granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Good news for animal lovers: both dogs and cats are allowed here. (Take a gander at the complete listing here .) 4180 N. Marine Drive Here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom at 4180 N. Marine Drive that's going for $1,050/month. In the unit, you'll get hardwood floors, a dishwasher and air conditioning. The building offers assigned parking and a fitness center. When it comes to pets, both meows and barks are permitted. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. (Check out the complete listing here .) 851 W. Montrose Ave. Next, check out this studio that's located at 851 W. Montrose Ave. It's listed for $1,025/month. In the unit, you'll get hardwood floors, in-unit laundry and stainless steel appliances. The building offers a fitness center, a residents' lounge and secured entry. Neither cats nor dogs are permitted. Look out for a broker's fee equal to one month's rent. (Check out the complete listing here .) 4157 N. Clarendon Ave. Located at 4157 N. Clarendon Ave., here's a 352-square-foot studio that's listed for $1,001/month. In the unit, you can anticipate hardwood floors, a dishwasher and a walk-in closet. Amenities offered in the building include on-site laundry, a roof deck and a fitness center. Good news for animal lovers: both dogs and cats are welcome here. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. (See the complete listing here .) This story was created automatically using local real estate data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Spending time in First Ward? Get to know this Charlotte neighborhood by browsing its most popular local businesses, from a seafood spot to a New American eatery. Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places to visit in First Ward, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of neighborhood businesses. Read on for the results. 1. Sea Level NC Topping the list is cocktail bar Sea Level NC , which offers seafood and more. Located at 129 E. Fifth St., it's the highest-rated business in the neighborhood, boasting 4.5 stars out of 603 reviews on Yelp. This spot's fish offerings mostly come from local farms and coastal fishermen. 2. Aria Next up is Italian and New American spot Aria , situated at 100 N. Tryon St. With four stars out of 387 reviews on Yelp, it's proven to be a local favorite. You'll find the roasted NC trout, crispy chicken Parmigiana and more among this spot's entrees . 3. Hazelnuts Creperie Hazelnuts Creperie , a creperie and breakfast and brunch spot that offers desserts and more, is another much-loved neighborhood go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 89 Yelp reviews. Head over to 224 E. Seventh St. in the 7th St. Public Market to see for yourself. This spot specializes in crepes including the Nutella banana crepe. Breakfast crepes are served all day here. 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.


Tottenham Hotspur have put negotiations with Real Betis over midfielder Giovani Lo Celso on hold after failing to reach an agreement over a fee. The 23-year-old has been one of Spurs' top transfer targets this summer but, after sealing the signing of Tanguy Ndombele from Lyon for €70m , Mauricio Pochettino is eager to avoid spending so heavily once again. Tottenham have put negotiations for Real Betis midfielder Giovani Lo Celso on hold for now with the two clubs unable to agree on a fee, Sky Sports News understands.   Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 3, 2019 According to Sky Sports , Spurs have decided to end negotiations for now, although that could change if Christian Eriksen ends up leaving the club this summer. Lo Celso has an £88m release clause in his contract, but it is thought that Betis would be prepared to accept closer to £70m for the Argentine. However, given the expensive signings of both Ndombele and Jack Clarke, Spurs have pushed for a lower fee and have ultimately been unsuccessful. As a result, Spurs have begun to look for alternatives, and AS (via Sport Witness ) claim that Dani Ceballos of Real Madrid is their next target. Ceballos has been heavily linked with a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium all summer, but it is believed that they have now opened negotiations with Los Blancos to try and strike a deal. The 22-year-old has recently spoken of his desire to play regular football , hinting that a move away from Real may be the best option. The plan is for Ceballos to leave on loan, and AS state that Spurs have agreed to such a deal. Whilst Real don't want him to leave permanently, Spurs are said to be confident they could strike a deal to sign Ceballos on a long-term contract next summer, when he could become the club's marquee signing. The midfielder started just 13 La Liga games last season as he struggled to displace the likes of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in the starting lineup. Real have also been tipped to land either Eriksen or Paul Pogba , and signing either could push Ceballos closer to the exit door.


The Nuggets are withdrawing their qualifying offer to free agent forward Trey Lyles , sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic ( Twitter link ). The move will allow Lyles to become an unrestricted free agent. The timing of the decision makes sense, as word broke this morning that the Nuggets would acquire Jerami Grant in a trade with the Thunder. Grant figures to play most of the power forward minutes that Lyles would have seen if he had returned to Denver. Instead, the 6-foot-10 Canadian will likely sign with another team that might be positioned to give him a larger role. The 12th overall pick in the 2015 draft, Lyles had his best year as a Nugget in 2017/18, when he averaged 9.9 PPG and 4.8 RPG with a .491/.381/.706 shooting line in 73 games (19.1 MPG). However, he took a step backward this past season, as those numbers slipped to 8.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG and .418/.255/.698 shooting. Despite his struggles in 2018-19, the Nuggets issued Lyles a qualifying offer worth about $4.49M this summer, which made him a restricted free agent and gave Denver the right of first refusal if he had signed an offer sheet with a rival suitor. Having decided not to accept that one-year qualifying offer, the former Kentucky Wildcat will now get the opportunity to try to top it on the open market.


Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has said he would be open to having a "Muslim database" in the US in the wake of the Paris attacks. Mr Trump said in an interview with Yahoo Politics that he would consider "drastic measures" for monitoring the community. Asked if that may include registering Muslims in a database or using special ID cards, he did not rule it out. Islamic State militants said they carried out the attacks in Paris. The suicide bombs and shootings at various venues across the French capital killed 129 people on Friday. "We're going to have to do things we never did before," said Mr Trump, a frontrunner in the Republican race for the White House. "And some people are going to be upset about it, but I think that now everybody is feeling security is going to rule." He told Yahoo Politics certain things would have to be done "that we never thought would happen in this country in terms of information and learning about the enemy." The US is going to have to do certain things that were "frankly unthinkable a year ago," said the billionaire businessman, who has previously said mosques should come under surveillance and Syrians should be deported. Dozens of state governors and Republican lawmakers have called for a halt to the processing of Syrian refugees into the US. One of the suicide bombers in Paris is thought to have entered Europe with refugees fleeing the Syrian civil war. A bill tightening the vetting restrictions is due to come before Congress on Thursday. This week, President Barack Obama criticised Republicans as hysterical and un-American for saying the US should not accept Muslim refugees. How a Syrian refugee gets to the US


The Giants signed Mike Remmers in May with expectations he would win the starting right tackle job. The Giants surely still believe that happens   and certainly hope that happens   but the team has yet to see him to know for sure. Remmers did not take a snap in the spring, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the Newark Star-Ledger , as the eight-year veteran continues to rehab from offseason back surgery. Remmers signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Giants after refusing a pay cut with the Vikings. Changing teams allows Remmers to move back to his natural position of tackle after making most of his starts at guard in his two seasons with the Vikings. He will compete with Chad Wheeler , who made 14 starts at right tackle for the Giants last season. Wheeler allowed 5.5 sacks, according to STATS, Inc., and received one holding penalty, prompting the Giants to look for some veteran help in free agency. Remmers, 30, played for Giants coach Pat Shurmur when Shurmur was the offensive coordinator in Minnesota in 2017.


Variable valves are nothing new in the auto industry -- if you've heard one "VTEC Is kicking in" joke, you've no doubt heard 'em all. But that's not to say the idea behind variable valves has been completely explored, as we've learned from Hyundai and its latest piece of engine tech. Hyundai on Wednesday unveiled its new Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology. According to the automaker, it's capable of increasing performance by 4% while simultaneously improving fuel efficiency by 5% and decreasing overall emissions by 12%. Those are some pretty impressive numbers, considering how modern engines are already squeezing out as much performance and efficiency as possible. Unlike other systems we've heard about in the past, CVVD works by extending the time that a valve stays open. Specifically, the technology opens the intake valve during the middle and end of the compression stroke, which Hyundai claims reduces compression resistance, when the vehicle is at a constant speed and doesn't need maximum engine output. When a person puts the pedal down, the intake valve closes at the beginning of the cylinder's compression stroke, maximizing the amount of available air and improving performance. That duration bit is key to understanding the difference between this and other variable-valve technologies. Variable valve timing adjusts when engine valves open and close during the usual four-stroke cycle. Variable valve lift controls the amount of air entering the cylinder by changing how far the valve opens. CVVD, according to Hyundai, allows for more flexibility based on the current driving style. Hyundai's CVVD tech will make its debut in Hyundai's new Smartstream engine family, which will appear in the new Sonata and Venue vehicles to start. Specifically, it will be included in a 1.6-liter turbocharged I4 with 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. That motor will make its first appearance in the Hyundai Sonata Turbo, which is slated to come out later this year. 2020 Hyundai Sonata brings arresting style to New York This was originally published on Roadshow.


When's the last time you met a child named Gladys? Wanda? Garland? Stacker compiles a list of 50 baby names that are going extinct. These baby names are going extinct When's the last time you met a child named Gladys? Wanda? Garland? Probably not in a while; these names are among many on their way out. Baby names flutter in and out of popularity like any other fashion trend: Out go Antoinette, Napoleon, and Olga, and in come Oaklynn, Kashton, and Emberly . We're also living in a time of unprecedented name diversity. Thirty years ago, 80% of all baby girls in America had one of around 100 names; now that number is over 250 . Over the same period, that number for boys increased from 50 to 140. Though parents are looking wider for names to give to their babies, some didn't make the cut of the new millennium. Naming your baby can be a momentous decision. The internet is rife with articles on choosing a baby name and how a particular name can have a big impact on your child's future. Research proves that names are, in fact, important. Names can signal a person's gender, ethnicity, and even political leanings . In some cases, baby naming can mean big business: Erfolgswelle , a Swiss company, charges clients $31,000 for an "internationally unique" name. Blogs bemoan the perceived "baby name crisis," where parents desperate for unique names create new spellings for old favorites; just look at the increasing number of names ending in "nn," like Brooklynn, Flynn, Adalynn, Finn, and Quinn. While spending $31,000 for a unique baby name may not be in everyone's budget, this list of 100 baby names that are going extinct is 100% free. Using the Social Security Administration's historical archives of baby names, we calculated the historical average annual rank for baby names from 1880 to 2017 and then compared it to where those names placed in 2018. The list focuses on classically popular names that ranked in the top 1,500 names historically. From Wanda to Wilton, read on to find the top 50 vintage boys and girls names that are flying out of fashion. #50. Girl: Jean - Historical average rank: #504 - Today's rank: #2,389 (75 babies born) - Change in rank: down 1,949 spots #50. Boy: Willis - Historical average rank: #544 - Today's rank: #2,373 (55 babies born) - Change in rank: down 1,977 spots #49. Girl: Katharine - Historical average rank: #528 - Today's rank: #2,916 (56 babies born) - Change in rank: down 1,951 spots #49. Boy: Sherman - Historical average rank: #607 - Today's rank: #3,154 (36 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,015 spots #48. Girl: Edna - Historical average rank: #491 - Today's rank: #1,734 (117 babies born) - Change in rank: down 1,962 spots #48. Boy: Bennie - Historical average rank: #605 - Today's rank: #3,025 (38 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,063 spots #47. Girl: Irma - Historical average rank: #558 - Today's rank: #3,079 (52 babies born) - Change in rank: down 1,968 spots #47. Boy: Tommie - Historical average rank: #678 - Today's rank: #2,622 (47 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,071 spots #46. Girl: Gladys - Historical average rank: #463 - Today's rank: #3,422 (45 babies born) - Change in rank: down 1,990 spots #46. Boy: Wilber - Historical average rank: #1,504 - Today's rank: #2,826 (42 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,163 spots #45. Girl: Roxie - Historical average rank: #1,417 - Today's rank: #2,986 (54 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,009 spots #45. Boy: Norris - Historical average rank: #1,086 - Today's rank: #4,192 (24 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,216 spots #44. Girl: Rosetta - Historical average rank: #1,216 - Today's rank: #4,046 (35 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,071 spots #44. Boy: Leslie - Historical average rank: #448 - Today's rank: #3,084 (37 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,258 spots #43. Girl: Antoinette - Historical average rank: #493 - Today's rank: #2,916 (56 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,098 spots #43. Boy: Randolph - Historical average rank: #615 - Today's rank: #3,084 (37 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,267 spots #42. Girl: Clarice - Historical average rank: #1,059 - Today's rank: #3,281 (48 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,122 spots #42. Boy: Rudolph - Historical average rank: #638 - Today's rank: #3,281 (34 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,307 spots #41. Girl: Corrine - Historical average rank: #863 - Today's rank: #2,889 (57 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,176 spots #41. Boy: Bill - Historical average rank: #517 - Today's rank: #2,658 (46 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,315 spots #40. Girl: Johnnie - Historical average rank: #1,295 - Today's rank: #4,207 (33 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,242 spots #40. Boy: Rufus - Historical average rank: #814 - Today's rank: #3,966 (26 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,365 spots #39. Girl: Elva - Historical average rank: #1,040 - Today's rank: #3,228 (49 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,247 spots #39. Boy: Stewart - Historical average rank: #617 - Today's rank: #3,575 (30 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,381 spots #38. Girl: Olga - Historical average rank: #591 - Today's rank: #3,138 (51 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,274 spots #38. Boy: Grover - Historical average rank: #1,466 - Today's rank: #3,769 (28 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,412 spots #37. Girl: Pauline - Historical average rank: #524 - Today's rank: #2,763 (61 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,278 spots #37. Boy: Claude - Historical average rank: #524 - Today's rank: #2,492 (51 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,421 spots #36. Girl: Polly - Historical average rank: #1,179 - Today's rank: #3,182 (50 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,290 spots #36. Boy: Hubert - Historical average rank: #693 - Today's rank: #3,575 (30 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,486 spots #35. Girl: Roberta - Historical average rank: #673 - Today's rank: #2,889 (57 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,330 spots #35. Boy: Cary - Historical average rank: #995 - Today's rank: #4,452 (22 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,513 spots #34. Girl: Fannie - Historical average rank: #1,023 - Today's rank: #2,889 (57 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,403 spots #34. Boy: Shelby - Historical average rank: #808 - Today's rank: #3,670 (29 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,558 spots #33. Girl: Connie - Historical average rank: #506 - Today's rank: #2,425 (73 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,448 spots #33. Boy: Wilbert - Historical average rank: #705 - Today's rank: #4,063 (25 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,597 spots #32. Girl: Rhoda - Historical average rank: #1,209 - Today's rank: #3,422 (45 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,469 spots #32. Boy: Jim - Historical average rank: #447 - Today's rank: #2,974 (39 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,666 spots #31. Girl: Dolores - Historical average rank: #758 - Today's rank: #3,900 (37 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,473 spots #31. Boy: Cliff - Historical average rank: #1,429 - Today's rank: #4,584 (21 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,784 spots #30. Girl: Katheryn - Historical average rank: #929 - Today's rank: #2,854 (58 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,497 spots #30. Boy: Earnest - Historical average rank: #621 - Today's rank: #3,025 (38 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,807 spots #29. Girl: Aline - Historical average rank: #1,467 - Today's rank: #3,773 (39 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,516 spots #29. Boy: Dana - Historical average rank: #737 - Today's rank: #3,495 (31 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,837 spots #28. Girl: Lora - Historical average rank: #669 - Today's rank: #2,944 (55 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,562 spots #28. Boy: Wilbur - Historical average rank: #955 - Today's rank: #3,867 (27 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,923 spots #27. Girl: Dena - Historical average rank: #937 - Today's rank: #3,900 (37 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,670 spots #27. Boy: Cleveland - Historical average rank: #826 - Today's rank: #4,337 (23 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,945 spots #26. Girl: Jennie - Historical average rank: #501 - Today's rank: #3,422 (45 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,730 spots #26. Boy: Freeman - Historical average rank: #1,103 - Today's rank: #3,223 (35 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,986 spots #25. Girl: Cornelia - Historical average rank: #1,520 - Today's rank: #4,327 (32 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,853 spots #25. Boy: Homer - Historical average rank: #992 - Today's rank: #3,427 (32 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,992 spots #24. Girl: Eugenia - Historical average rank: #987 - Today's rank: #3,422 (45 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,996 spots #24. Boy: Horace - Historical average rank: #778 - Today's rank: #4,713 (20 babies born) - Change in rank: down 2,993 spots #23. Girl: Wilma - Historical average rank: #1,261 - Today's rank: #3,773 (39 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,032 spots #23. Boy: Burton - Historical average rank: #1,043 - Today's rank: #4,452 (22 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,046 spots #22. Girl: Verna - Historical average rank: #1,333 - Today's rank: #4,114 (34 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,040 spots #22. Boy: Wilfred - Historical average rank: #927 - Today's rank: #3,769 (28 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,394 spots #21. Girl: Jeanne - Historical average rank: #769 - Today's rank: #3,377 (46 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,214 spots #21. Boy: Merle - Historical average rank: #1,226 - Today's rank: #4,452 (22 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,508 spots #20. Girl: Helene - Historical average rank: #1,150 - Today's rank: #5,588 (22 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,223 spots #20. Boy: Carey - Historical average rank: #1,017 - Today's rank: #4,452 (22 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,567 spots #19. Girl: Ethel - Historical average rank: #1,508 - Today's rank: #4,327 (32 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,296 spots #19. Boy: Delbert - Historical average rank: #898 - Today's rank: #5,071 (18 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,686 spots #18. Girl: Hilda - Historical average rank: #711 - Today's rank: #3,481 (44 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,343 spots #18. Boy: Thad - Historical average rank: #1,398 - Today's rank: #6,004 (14 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,699 spots #17. Girl: Marcia - Historical average rank: #767 - Today's rank: #4,327 (32 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,438 spots #17. Boy: Al - Historical average rank: #1,031 - Today's rank: #3,966 (26 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,703 spots #16. Girl: Muriel - Historical average rank: #1,490 - Today's rank: #6,211 (19 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,683 spots #16. Boy: Lynn - Historical average rank: #1,000 - Today's rank: #5,484 (16 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,734 spots #15. Girl: Jeannette - Historical average rank: #765 - Today's rank: #5,423 (23 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,697 spots #15. Boy: Jess - Historical average rank: #700 - Today's rank: #3,357 (33 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,758 spots #14. Girl: Wanda - Historical average rank: #881 - Today's rank: #5,965 (20 babies born) - Change in rank: down 4,031 spots #14. Boy: Ferdinand - Historical average rank: #1,415 - Today's rank: #4,063 (25 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,862 spots #13. Girl: Mamie - Historical average rank: #1,416 - Today's rank: #5,965 (20 babies born) - Change in rank: down 4,070 spots #13. Boy: Bob - Historical average rank: #1,201 - Today's rank: #5,284 (17 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,896 spots #12. Girl: Bertha - Historical average rank: #726 - Today's rank: #4,740 (28 babies born) - Change in rank: down 4,078 spots #12. Boy: Phil - Historical average rank: #1,361 - Today's rank: #6,308 (13 babies born) - Change in rank: down 3,916 spots #11. Girl: Sallie - Historical average rank: #1,264 - Today's rank: #5,273 (24 babies born) - Change in rank: down 4,377 spots #11. Boy: Hal - Historical average rank: #1,409 - Today's rank: #3,670 (29 babies born) - Change in rank: down 4,101 spots #10. Girl: Phyllis - Historical average rank: #1,116 - Today's rank: #6,735 (17 babies born) - Change in rank: down 4,688 spots #10. Boy: Garland - Historical average rank: #1,054 - Today's rank: #4,713 (20 babies born) - Change in rank: down 4,456 spots #9. Girl: Kathrine - Historical average rank: #1,040 - Today's rank: #5,423 (23 babies born) - Change in rank: down 4,764 spots #9. Boy: Napoleon - Historical average rank: #1,268 - Today's rank: #4,063 (25 babies born) - Change in rank: down 4,502 spots #8. Girl: Lee - Historical average rank: #985 - Today's rank: #5,105 (25 babies born) - Change in rank: down 4,819 spots #8. Boy: Elbert - Historical average rank: #1,025 - Today's rank: #6,308 (13 babies born) - Change in rank: down 4,745 spots #7. Girl: Reba - Historical average rank: #1,371 - Today's rank: #5,588 (22 babies born) - Change in rank: down 4,891 spots #7. Boy: Irwin - Historical average rank: #1,273 - Today's rank: #4,713 (20 babies born) - Change in rank: down 5,404 spots #6. Girl: William - Historical average rank: #1,450 - Today's rank: #9,737 (10 babies born) - Change in rank: down 5,059 spots #6. Boy: Sandy - Historical average rank: #1,522 - Today's rank: #6,004 (14 babies born) - Change in rank: down 5,998 spots #5. Girl: Patsy - Historical average rank: #1,424 - Today's rank: #9,085 (11 babies born) - Change in rank: down 5,995 spots #5. Boy: Bert - Historical average rank: #1,307 - Today's rank: #7,083 (11 babies born) - Change in rank: down 6,213 spots #4. Girl: Catharine - Historical average rank: #1,535 - Today's rank: #10,471 (9 babies born) - Change in rank: down 6,734 spots #4. Boy: Lenard - Historical average rank: #1,475 - Today's rank: #6,308 (13 babies born) - Change in rank: down 7,333 spots #3. Girl: Margie - Historical average rank: #1,289 - Today's rank: #7,042 (16 babies born) - Change in rank: down 7,456 spots #3. Boy: Thurman - Historical average rank: #1,506 - Today's rank: #8,096 (9 babies born) - Change in rank: down 8,155 spots #2. Girl: John - Historical average rank: #1,495 - Today's rank: #8,099 (13 babies born) - Change in rank: down 8,418 spots #2. Boy: Carroll - Historical average rank: #1,542 - Today's rank: #8,774 (8 babies born) - Change in rank: down 10,668 spots #1. Girl: Sue - Historical average rank: #1,307 - Today's rank: #7,344 (15 babies born) - Change in rank: down 8,606 spots #1. Boy: Ned - Historical average rank: #1,430 - Today's rank: #6,664 (12 babies born) - Change in rank: down 10,780 spots


Manchester United are said to be confident of completing a £25m deal for Newcastle United's Sean Longstaff, despite the young midfielder recently claiming that he is content with life in the north east. Longstaff broke onto the scene in 2018/19 with some impressive performances in the middle of the park for the Magpies, but he unfortunately had his season cut short in March after sustaining a knee injury. The 21-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United over the past few weeks and, according to the Evening Standard , the Red Devils are now convinced that he is looking for a move to Old Trafford this summer. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer views Longstaff as an essential component in his United rebuild and the club's hierarchy are looking to submit a bid in the region of £25m to convince Newcastle to part ways with the youngster. The Daily Star claim that United are looking to finish complete the transfer as soon as possible, with the aim being to finalise the deal before the Red Devils head to Australia for their pre-season tour in July. Both reports come soon after Longstaff committed his immediate future to Newcastle, saying in an interview with club's in-house TV channel last week: "I'm massively flattered to have my name even mentioned in those conversations, but I'm 100 per cent focused on Newcastle. "I've always wanted to play for Newcastle and I've only had a little taste of that so for me, it's about getting fit as soon as I can and getting back on the pitch for Newcastle and making more memories of the future."


The two things that stand between Maxwell Freed and a healthy life are an unprecedented scientific breakthrough and several million dollars. Getting the money may prove to be the harder part. Two-year-old Maxwell lives in Denver with his twin sister, Riley, his parents, Amber and Mark, and their cat, Nittany. He loves hugs, his sister and bow ties. He was born with a very rare genetic disorder that could leave him with permanent, severe intellectual and developmental disabilities, and a form of epilepsy that's not treatable with current medications. Only about 50 people in the world are known to share Maxwell's problem. It's so uncommon that it's known only by the name of the affected gene: SLC6A1. His mother, Amber Freed, 38, left her job as a financial analyst in 2017 to devote herself full time to fighting to make that cure possible. Maxwell is a good candidate for treatment using the emerging technology of gene therapy , in which a functioning gene is attached to a harmless virus that can carry the new gene through the body and replace the faulty one. The Food and Drug Administration has already approved gene therapy for diseases like leukemia and lymphoma, and a team of medical researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, led by Steven Gray, is already working on ways to expand its use to diseases like Maxwell's. But his condition is very rare, which is where the money comes in. Amber and Mark are trying to raise the first $1 million to kick-start research, after which they hope a biotechnology company will step in and fund drug development ― which could cost as much as $7 million, the University of Texas research team estimates. The couple has already drained their savings seeding the nonprofit Amber founded, called SLC6A1 Connect , setting up medical conferences and traveling to meet with scientists and doctors. The couple decided to turn to GoFundMe to raise the rest of the money. "I realized that if anything was going to be done, it was going to be entirely us," Amber said. "We had to become the experts on this disease, because no one is going to do it for you. Ever. So that's what I did." Treatments for rare diseases are almost as rare as the ailments themselves, and money is a big reason. Medical researchers seeking scarce funding have a better chance if they focus on treatments that can help large numbers of people. Drugmakers, too, have less incentive to spend money on medicines only a few people will need. That's started to change as more novel cures have become available, but they often come at astronomical costs for patients. So while Maxwell's disease is far from common, the Freed family is facing the same problem as everyone who gets sick in the United States: Health care is very expensive, and we're all on our own to figure out how to navigate they labyrinthian health care system and afford care. Maxwell cannot speak. He's still trying to master walking, and he lacks the fine motor skills to do things like grasp a Cheerio. Maxwell is always at risk of what are called " absence seizures ," formerly known as "petit mal seizures." When these happen, he appears to be sitting still, staring at nothing, Amber said. These seizures typically last just seconds but were happening as many as 40 times a day until a few months ago. There were days last fall when he would scream for up to 12 hours at a time, "like he was being stabbed," Amber said. An experimental steroid treatment helped alleviate ― but not eliminate ― his symptoms, but it only works once. Amber and Mark don't know what will happen if or when the drug's effects wear off. "You never let your guard down," Amber said. "You think things are going OK with Maxwell, and there's a medical emergency." Maxwell now attends 12 different types of therapy to help him learn basic skills: horse, occupational, physical, speech, music, movement. The horse therapy has been the most helpful, Amber said. Riding a horse is supposed to help Maxwell understand movement. "We celebrate every milestone," Amber said, even as they worry his development could backslide with another setback. They're as surprised as anyone to find themselves needing to use a crowdsourcing platform to pay for his treatment. They both had good jobs, they had insurance, and they had a solid amount of savings. "We're far better off than most Americans, but our expenses are ridiculous and there's absolutely no safety net," Amber said. "You need to be Bill Gates rich. ... Here we are looking at raising upwards of a million dollars. Like, nobody in the world could possibly plan on something like this." Amber is clear-eyed about the prospects, but optimistic. She hopes some wealthy savior will learn about Maxwell and want to help. Maybe they'll get an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres' television show, or a big contribution from businessman Mark Cuban. So far, the Freeds have collected about $400,000, more than two-thirds of that through the GoFundMe campaign they began in November. They've also hosted more than 30 fundraising events through SLC6A1 Connect. Once they do raise that $1 million, they will still need a biotechnology or pharmaceutical company to finance the late stages of the clinical research. Amber has received positive feedback from several companies, but no commitments so far. The key, she explained, is to advance the science as far as possible so there's less financial risk for the drugmakers. Because the SLC6A1 gene also is associated with autism and schizophrenia, they believe the market for this type of gene therapy could be bigger than just patients like Maxwell. Children like Maxwell risk irreversible harm if they don't receive a cure by the time they hit preschool age. Maxwell, whose parents call him Mr. Snuggles, turned 2 in March. Around age 3 or 4, Maxwell's developmental disabilities would worsen and he likely would lose some of the basic skills he's already learned. His epilepsy would become more severe as well. Amber and Mark were ecstatic when the twins were born two years ago. Both parents had successful careers ― she in finance and he in the energy industry ― and were embarking on parenthood for the first time. Within a few months, however, they began to notice troubling signs about Maxwell's development. While Riley was reaching for toys and trying to grab her bottle, Maxwell wasn't. He didn't use his hands at all for the first year of his life. At first, the doctors didn't listen to Amber and Mark's concerns. So they sought a second opinion and got genetic testing, which identified the abnormality. Nothing had shown up in the genetic testing done while Amber was pregnant, and neither parent appears to be a carrier. "We were led to a sterile, bad-news room, with lots of doctors with sad faces," Amber said. "They told us he was diagnosed with SLC6A1, and I just remember thinking that it sounded like a flight number and didn't make any sense." While progress has been slow, identifying the problem has helped them pursue some treatment options. "In every single therapy appointment, when they're pushing him, he gives it his max, even though you can see his arms are shaking with fatigue and he's so tired he's about to fall asleep." But without a cure, he will likely regress. "We have this window now when we can help him, and we're fighting like the third monkey on the loading deck to Noah's ark and it's starting to rain," Amber said. "We're just in this race against time, because he could really lose everything." The family has stopped spending money on anything but the most essential needs. Amber rarely sleeps, and often goes days without leaving the house. She's also locked in a near-constant battle with their health insurance provider, Blue Cross Blue Shield, which has refused to cover therapy visits and clinic appointments in spite of doctors' insistence that they're necessary. The company cited the lack of billing codes for his rare disease. The family has already spent $30,000 out of pocket, she estimates. Amber knows this is all hard on Riley, who is old enough to know that something's wrong, but not old enough to understand. It's exhausting, and it's lonely. While their friends with children are researching preschools, Amber and Mark are setting up fundraisers and organizing scientists. "It's a lot of isolation, fear and just exhaustion," Amber said. "We can't just pick up and go to the zoo or go to a friend's birthday party. We can't do any of that. And it's just heartbreaking. This is so far from our expectation of what life would be like. And nobody understands what we're going through." They hope that raising the money could help them get Maxwell into a clinical trial for gene therapy by next spring. "It's like a profound existential sadness when you realize you have done everything right your entire life, worked hard, had a good career, you have good health insurance," Amber said. "Then you get this diagnosis, and if you want your child to have a chance at living, you need to raise millions of dollars yourself." Related Video: FDA Approves World's Most Expensive Drug to Treat Rare Disease (Provided by NBC News)


By Nuzulack Dausen DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - Tanzania wants to boost tourist numbers by putting a cable car on Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest mountain, and is in talks about the project with a Chinese and a Western company. Around 50,000 tourists climb Kilimanjaro annually. A cable car could increase tourist numbers by 50 percent by providing access to the mountain for those unable to climb it, Constantine Kanyasu, the deputy minister for tourism, said. The country is conducting feasibility studies on possible routes at the moment, Kanyasu told Reuters. "We are still doing a feasibility study to see if this project works," he said. "There are two companies one from China and another from a Western country that have shown interest." "This won't be the first time in the world, cable cars are there in Sweden, Italy, the Himalayas," he said. Kanyasu said the government was looking at business plans, potential investors and profits. The length of the route has not been finalised, with various options under consideration depending on cost and engineering issues, the minister said. An environmental impact assessment would also be carried out, he said. Porter and guide groups who take tourists up the mountain oppose the project because they fear cable cars will reduce the number of climbers. Loishiye Mollel, head of Tanzania Porters' Organization, said visitors normally spend a week climbing the mountain. "One visitor from the U.S. can have a maximum of 15 people behind him, of which 13 are porters, a cook and a guide. All these jobs will be affected by a cable car," he said. "We are of the view that the mountain should be left as it is." There are about 20,000 porters working between Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru, another mountain nearby, he said. Tanzania's earnings from tourism jumped 7.13 percent last year, helped by an increase in arrivals from foreign visitors. Tourism revenues raised $2.43 billion for the year, up from $2.19 billion in 2017. Tourism is the main source of hard currency in Tanzania, known for its beaches, wildlife safaris and Mount Kilimanjaro, which has three volcanic cones and is nearly 5,000 meters high from its base. (Editing by Katharine Houreld and Jane Merriman)


New Lakers head coach Frank Vogel says he won't feel threatened by the presence of former Nets and Bucks head coach Jason Kidd on his staff, he told ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk and other reporters on Monday. Vogel called Kidd an "incredible asset" during his introductory press conference. Lakers brass suggested to Vogel that he should bring in Kidd, who also interviewed for the job, as his lead assistant. Vogel and Kidd had a long discussion that made the former Pacers and Magic coach comfortable with Kidd joining his staff. "I am very good at blocking out noise," Vogel said. "I have been around this business a long time. I really don't give that (the possibility of Kidd eventually taking over) a second thought. You can say that about every coach in the league about their assistant coaches. It happens from time to time. I believe if you treat people with the right respect and do the job at the highest level, build an environment of positivity and collaboration, you can't worry about that stuff. You can't worry about looking over your shoulder." Vogel was essentially the Lakers' third choice to replace Luke Walton, who was let go immediately after the season. They were keenly interested in Monty Williams, who took the Suns job, and failed to complete negotiations on a contract with former Cavs coach Tyronn Lue. Vogel admitted he didn't have much of a relationship with Kidd before their long talk. "I had a great, lengthy interview process with Jason where we talked about every topic you can imagine, and came away thinking he's going to be an incredible asset to our program," Vogel said. There has been speculation that the addition of Kidd could be a means to woo Giannis Antetokounmpo if he becomes a free agent.


Looking for a new vegetarian spot to check out? Look no further than this recent arrival. Located at 17 Wyckoff Ave. in Bushwick, the fresh addition is called The Gradient . This new business serves up breakfast and brunch foods, with menu items including avocado toast with radishes and fried green plantains, a breakfast burrito with tofu, sweet potato hash and kale and a Brussels sprout salad with cashews and a poached egg. Most menu items can also be made vegan. With a five-star rating out of five reviews on Yelp so far, the fresh arrival seems to be a welcome addition to the neighborhood. Liz L., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on May 23, wrote, "The vegetarian/vegan food is delicious. I ordered the seitan wings and loved them. The speciality cocktails lived up to all the positive recommendations given to me by my friends. I absolutely will be back!" Yelper Chelsea L. added , "I'm not a vegetarian and everything we tried was absolutely amazing. We ordered the 'crab' cakes, French toast and the eggs Benedict. Overall, it had great food and was a great experience." Intrigued? Stop in to try it for yourself. The Gradient is open from noon 2 a.m. on Monday-Thursday, noon 4 a.m. on Friday, 11 a.m. 4 a.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. 2 a.m. on Sunday. Want to keep your finger on the pulse of new businesses in New York City? Here's what else opened recently near you . 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.


USA TODAY Sports' Brant James breaks down the AAA Texas 500.


Maintaining proper tire pressure and tire health can drastically improve handling and braking performance. Most drivers seldom spend much time thinking about the health of their tires. However, tires play an integral role in the safety and performance of our cars. There are a handful of indicators that tell drivers it's time for new tires including uneven tire wear, cracked rubber, and low tread. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Most drivers seldom spend much time thinking about the health of their tires. The fact that our tires are so often overlooked is most unfortunate. Tires play an integral role in the safety and performance of our cars. Maintaining proper tire pressure and tire health can drastically improve handling and braking performance. According to Edmunds.com senior consumer advice editor Ron Montoya, drivers should check their tire pressure at least once a month. Read more : 12 things you should keep in your car at all times in case of a disaster . "A lot of people just wait until the (tire pressure monitor) light to come on," Montoya said. "That's not when you should be replacing the air in your tires. At that point, it's actually a little too late and it's an emergency situation." But there will come a time when you will need to replace the tires on your car. Here are seven signs that it's time to for new tires. Falling air pressure If your tire is losing air pressure. That could be a sign of a small leak. You could either have the patched or replaced. Low tire tread. Naturally, when the tread on your tires gets too low, it's time for fresh rubber. An easy way to see if your tread is too low in the US is the penny test. Place a penny in the grooves between the treads on your tires with Lincoln's pointing down. If you can still see the top of Lincoln's head, then the tread is too shallow and new tires are in order. Uneven tire tread wear There will be instances where the tread on a tire wears off at different rates. Sometimes, parts of a tire can look perfectly fine while other parts are worn downs to the cords. Uneven tire wear can be the result of improperly inflated tires, misaligned wheels or even damaged suspension parts. Odd vibrations or noise. Weird or excessive noise and vibrations coming from your tires even on smooth roads could be an indicator of a myriad of issues ranging from worn suspension parts to poor wheel alignment to improperly inflated tires. Regardless, it's a sign something is wrong with your car and you should probably have your car looked at by a mechanic. The issue causing the vibration may have damaged the tire or caused uneven tread wear which means they may have to be replaced. Bubble on the side Sometimes bubbles can develop on the sides or even on the threads of tires. The bubbles can be caused by production defects but can also be the result of air getting in between the various internal layers of the tire. Either way, it's time for a new tire. Cracked rubber If the rubber in your tires has cracked, it's time for new tires. Cracks are a sign that the rubber has degraded that can be due to age or improper use. Old tires. If you've owned a car a long time and the tires haven't been changed, it's probably time for a fresh set even if they look like there's plenty of tread left. According to Firestone , most vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing your tires every six years while tire manufacturers recommend a fresh set after 10 years.


CAMBRIDGE   Every time Shelly Lowe's daughter went to Cambridge City Hall as part of a leadership program, the sight of the Native American under a sword on the Massachusetts state flag made the eighth-grader uncomfortable. "She was coming to City Hall on a weekly basis, and she described to her mother how difficult it was to be in sessions where she was confronted with the flag, and, in her mind, it really made her not want to be in City Hall seeing the flag," said Cambridge Vice Mayor Jan Devereux, Lowe's next-door neighbor. The flag, under fire for decades, depicts a Native American holding a bow in one hand and an arrow in the other, while an arm brandishes a sword above him. The motto, written in Latin, says "By the sword we seek peace, but peace under liberty." There has been an ongoing effort to change the flag, but now Devereux and city officials are taking a stand. City councilors voted last month to support a bill in the State House that proposes creating a commission to redesign the flag, which Native Americans and others say is offensive. And councilors took their stance one step further: they asked the mayor to remove the flag from City Hall's chamber. "What I have been told, not from our solicitor, is that it has to be displayed in City Hall   it does not say where," said Cambridge Mayor Marc McGovern. "So it is quite possible that we will move it from the chamber and put it somewhere else in City Hall." Lowe, the executive director of Harvard University's Native American Program, said moving the flag in City Hall is just a start. "We welcome indigenous students from across the world and especially students from this country, where they will live for one to four years, and it is very difficult to welcome them here to this place and to have them confronted with the state flag and state seal," said Lowe, who is of Navajo descent. "Students look up 'what does it mean?' and write down the symbolism   it makes the university and city itself not as welcoming as I think they would hope." Devereux said she had not paid attention to the flag's presence, or considered the negative impact it would have on indigenous communities, until she heard Lowe deliver an emotional speech about the flag during a public forum. Not everybody is happy about the proposed change. MA 4 Trump founder and Roxbury native Dianna Ploss said the movement to eradicate history is bad for the nation. "This is another step to destroy my history and is moving us closer to communism," Ploss, 55, said. "It's another step toward erasing our history   we're trying to equalize everybody, we're trying to get rid of the middle class." She said changing the flag does not change history and will only make people forget about what happened in the past, causing us to repeat it again. But Cedric Cromwell, tribal council chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, said in a statement the tribe is unhappy about the inaccuracies depicted in the state seal and extremely supportive of redesigning the flag. "A better understanding of the culture and ceremonial meaning behind certain artifacts and regalia, I would hope, will go a long way for the general public to better understand the offenses toward native people, including the troubling sword-wielding arm above the figure that currently exists on the state flag and a number of local municipal flags throughout the Commonwealth." Cromwell said creating a commission for redesigning the flag is an opportunity "to right yet another wrong"   the flag being one of many mischaracterizations of indigenous people. He said reviewing and revising flags at a grassroots level (like Cambridge) is refreshing and a positive change. Diamond Naga Siu can be reaced at diamondnaga.siu@globe.com . Follow her on Twitter @diamondnagasiu


Organized Team Activities and off-season workouts are a time where the media and fans can see their favorite teams' newest weapons, and get a sense for the product that will be plastered onto our TV's come September. For the Washington Redskins, there was a surprise standout on Monday, the first day of OTAs, and he goes by the name of Jimmy Moreland. Moreland, who Washington selected in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of James Madison, is a self-proclaimed "pick-machine," and he lived up to the billing in a padless session. According to Redskins.com , Moreland was able to come away with an interception off of rookie QB Dwayne Haskins after it was tipped into the air by fellow rookie WR Terry McLaurin. Once he secured the ball, Moreland raced up the sideline. Redskins coach Jay Gruden joked that at just 5'10" and 180 pounds, a day without pads is where guys like Moreland are destined to shine. After ribbing him though, he got serious and offered his real thoughts. "He's got great ball skills and he's got a great confidence about him," Gruden said, via Redskins.com . "He's a great competitor. I love the energy that he brings. He's a great competitor, and I think when the pads do come on for real, I think he'll be right there in the mix with everybody." In college, Moreland intercepted a school-record 18 passes, six of which he took to the house. If OTAs are any indication of what's to come, Washington got a steal in the seventh round. MORE: Drake rubbed Nick Nurse's shoulders during Game 4 and Twitter couldn't believe it NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Ranking the 5 best wide receivers in the AFC West VIDEO: Louisiana coach goes viral with 'Daddy Ball' speech on toughness Drake Is The Most Obnoxious Fan In All Of Sports When Cheering On The Raptors


While the United States women's national team celebrated another victory at the World Cup, the men suddenly found it easier to reach theirs. CONCACAF announced a revamp in its World Cup qualifying format, which should benefit the USMNT. What are the changes? Primarily, the qualifying process will be split into two separate competitions, a hexagonal and a knockout phase. In cycles past, the hexagonal, or "Hex", represented the final stage of qualifying with six teams playing a double round-robin to determine World Cup berths. Only now, those six teams won't have to play their way in. Instead, the Hex will be determined through the FIFA rankings published after the June 2020 window. In other words, the top six ranked teams from CONCACAF will just qualify automatically. From there, the top three finishers earn World Cup berths, and the fourth is still alive for another. We'll get to that in a second. So what do the rest of the teams in CONCACAF do? The teams ranked Nos. 7 through 35 will take part in the knockout phase, which will divide them into eight groups and pit the winners of each group against each other in a tournament, which will feature a two-leg elimination format. The winner of this knockout competition will face the fourth-place finisher from the Hex, and then that winner will go to an inter-continental playoff to determine the 2022 World Cup berth, which has been a feature of cycles past as well. Got all that? Here's the brass tacks for the USMNT. The FIFA rankings are determined through a complicated and frequently criticized point system, but the USMNT is basically always among the top six CONCACAF teams. In the most recent rankings, it's 30th in the world and second only to Mexico in the region, and would need to fall 46 spots to miss out on the Hex. So even given the hideous failure of the 2018 qualifying cycle, the USMNT isn't missing this upcoming Hex. As pointed out by the good folks over at Total Soccer Show, instead of playing regional minnows in an effort to qualify for the Hex, the USMNT can now schedule better opposition in friendlies during international windows. They also won't risk elimination at earlier stages of qualifying, although they've never failed to make the Hex anyway. Even after a solid Gold Cup, the USMNT can't strut around like World Cup qualification is a sure thing. But this news from CONCACAF sure doesn't hurt. More from Yahoo Sports: American League wins seventh straight MLB All-Star Game Governor Cuomo signs equal pay bill before USWNT parade Vikings preview: Don't blame Cousins for misfortunes Nets found out about Durant's decision on IG like we did