Morgan Stanley downgraded its view on global stocks, reflecting worries about returns, global growth and whether monetary policy easing will really help. Yet U.S. stocks have spent the early summer months shattering records and European indexes have registered double-digit gains this year. So what gives? "The most straightforward reason for this shift is simple -- we project poor returns," wrote Morgan Stanley strategist Andrew Sheets in a note Sunday. In fact, the next 12 months will see the weakest returns in six years in global stocks, according to the bank. The potential for stock indexes like the S&P 500, MSCI Europe, MSCI Emerging Markets and Topix Japan to surprise on the upside over the next year is limited, Morgan Stanley says. Global central banks, including the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank , have recently signaled that the next step for monetary policy will be to lower interest rates again. US stocks have already been soaring to record highs on the hopes that the Fed will cut rates this month, which would make it cheaper for companies to borrow money. But that's only one side of the coin. If the highly-anticipated rate cuts don't lead to improving economic data, the result will look quite different. "Our concern is that the positives of easier [monetary] policy will be offset by the negatives of weaker growth," Sheets wrote. Related video: Trump's trade war fuels global recession fear Over the past months, global economic data has worsened. Morgan Stanley's economists downgraded their forecasts for global growth following the G20 summit in June. Even though the United States and China are back at the negotiating table , the trade battle has already done considerable damage to investor and consumer confidence. Reversing that hit won't be so easy. The stock market has learned over and over that "when easier [monetary] policy collides with weaker growth, the latter usually matters more for returns," said Sheets. And as for the impending second quarter earnings season, "we think the market is underpricing the risk that companies lower full-year guidance," he added. On top of that, earnings estimates are way too high. The quiet summer months are making matters worse, because liquidity in the stock market tends to decrease in lockstep with holidays. One problem with lower liquidity is that it magnifies bad news in the market and price moves become exaggerated.


Low scores are fairly common at the Dogwood Invitational, a notable men's amateur event held at Druid Hill Golf Club in Atlanta. Webb Simpson shot a course-record 60 during a practice round in 2007, then shot consecutive 63s to win the event. Rory Hie shot the competitive course record with a 62 in the final round in 2008 to win the event. Brian Harman won with a closing 66 in 2009, Michael Johnson with a 64 in 2013 and Nate McCoy with a 65 in 2011. The winner's final-round score in the last decade has been no worse than a four-under 68. But during Thursday afternoon's third round, Alex Ross took red numbers at the Dogwood to, well, a new low. The 20-year-old Atlanta native who will be a junior at Davidson next fall shot a 15-under 57, making 13 birdies and an eagle. After shooting a 30 on his front nine, Ross shot a nine-under 27 on the back. https://twitter.com/davidsongolf/status/1136795880638443520 Ross' record round is made all the more intriguing by the fact that he played 36 holes on Thursday, recording a one-over 73 in the morning. In other words, he improved by 16 shots from morning to afternoon. This past season at Davidson, Ross started in 11 tournaments and had a 73.03 scoring average. He did not win an event, but did have four top-10 finishes. However, Ross' best career college score was just a 67. After an opening-round 75 on Wednesday, Ross sits a 11-under 205 through 65 holes, in a tie for ninth, four strokes back of Spencer Ralston and Jacob Solomon. Overall third-round scores at Druid Hills were fairly low; 17 of 45 rounds posted were 67 or better. In the pantheon of low numbers, Ross' round racks up with any score at any level. The record low score on the PGA Tour was a 58 from Jim Furyk at the Travelers Championship in 2017. Stephan Jaeger shot a 58 on the Web.com Tour and Ryo Ishikawa shot a 58 on the Japan Tour. Bobby Wyatt shot a 57 during a round at the Alabama Boys Junior in 2010. Explore Golf Digest All Access, with more than 30 video series to improve your game WATCH: GOLF DIGEST VIDEOS See the video. Every Hole at Pebble Beach Golf Links


Pinterest shares were on track to do something on Tuesday that the newly public stock has yet to do - end lower. The stock slipped as much as 7.7 percent, putting the social media company, which is known for its inspiration boards, on track to end a seven-day rally that began when it went public about two weeks ago. Even with the day's dip, it remains up around 71 percent from its $19 offering price. On Monday, Pinterest said that underwriters of its initial public offering had exercised their option to purchase an additional 11.3 million shares of Class A common stock. According to data compiled by Bloomberg, two analysts have the equivalent of buy ratings on the stock, while it has one hold rating and one sell. The average price target is $21, which implies downside of about 35 percent from current levels. Pinterest's decline comes in a broadly negative session for Internet-related names, pressured by a sell-off in Google-parent Alphabet Inc. following its reporting of weaker-than-expected first-quarter revenue. To contact the reporter on this story: Ryan Vlastelica in New York at rvlastelica1@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Catherine Larkin at clarkin4@bloomberg.net, Brad Olesen, Morwenna Coniam For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com ©2019 Bloomberg L.P.


Rugged laptops are often as thick as a briefcase and covered in what feels like an inch of rubber. That's great for if you're on a construction site, but won't work for students. You don't have to purchase a box with a keyboard to get a laptop that can survive a little abuse. Several laptops feel like everyday laptops and happen to have extra protection, such as the Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11e , which has reinforced hinges and rubberized corners. Best overall: Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11e This rugged convertible passes 12 military-grade tests along with 200 durability tests. It has reinforced hinges that allow the laptop to rotate 360 degrees and has rubber bumpers to protect the corners of the device. The keyboard is water-resistant, and the keys are even mechanically anchored to stay secured to the device. The display is Corning Gorilla Glass to prevent scratches. It runs on an Intel Quad-Core N4100 processor which can handle many day-to-day tasks for students. It only has a 42 WHr battery, but Lenovo states that it can last all day on a single charge. It also has a Kensington lock slot to keep it secure when a student uses it in a public place. Pros: Has passed 200 durability tests Has rubberized corners Is relatively affordable Cons: Uses a processor that isn't extremely powerful Best for college: LG gram 17 This laptop is almost impossibly thin considering what's inside. It has three USB-A 3.0 ports, a USB-C Thunderbolt 3 port, an HDMI 1.4 port, a microSD card reader, and headphone jack. The screen is a 2K 17-inch display, and the PC is powered by the Intel Core i7-8565U processor. In addition to all those ports, it has a large 72 WHr battery that will help it last all day. It is also MIL-STD-810G military stress-tested, which means that it has been tested to withstand shocks (meaning drops, not electricity), vibration, and humidity. The main drawback for some students is its price, which is too high for most high school students but affordable for some college students. The LG gram 17 has the screen size and benefits of a large laptop, but it weighs less than many 15-inch laptops. You may have to get a larger back to carry it in, but it will be lighter on your back than much of its competition. Pros: Great battery life MIL-STD-810G military stress tested Has many ports Extremely light Cons: Too expensive for most high school students Doesn't have discrete NVIDIA GPU Best Value: HP ProBook x360 11.6" G1 EE Notebook The HP ProBook x360 is built for students. It's affordable, durable, and can convert into a tablet. It passes the MIL-STD 810G1 protection test which means that it has been tested to withstand shocks (meaning drops, not electricity), vibration, and humidity. It also has Corning Gorilla Glass 4 and co-molded industrial rubber to help protect it. It also has a spill-resistant keyboard. Despite its price and ruggedness, it looks like a normal laptop. The Intel Celeron N335- Dual-Core processor isn't very powerful, but will be able to handle many day-to-day tasks. The 64GB of storage will be enough for some files, but you may have to rely on the cloud to free up space. Pros: Has Corning Gorilla Glass 4 for a sturdy screen Features co-molded industrial rubber to protect the body Is very affordable Cons: Has an Intel Celeron processor that isn't that powerful Only has 64GB of memory. Best semi-rugged: Panasonic TOUGHBOOK CF-54 This is a semi-rugged laptop, meaning it can handle more wear and tear than standard laptops, but it isn't a tank. It's spill-resistant and has a storage drive heater. It also has an option for a second battery that can be hot-swapped. That means you can switch in a charged battery without turning off your device. With two batteries combined, you can get up to 18 hours of battery life. You can also get the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK CF-54 with a dedicated GPS and several other outdoor features if your studies take you to the field. On the inside, this laptop runs on a 7th generation Intel Core i5 processor. It's an older chip but has enough power to handle everyday tasks and to get through work. Pros: Provides more protection than standard laptops Has an option for a hot-swappable battery Has options for add-ons such as dedicated GPS Cons: Runs on an older processor High price Bottom line Getting a laptop that can handle the everyday life of a student doesn't need to break the bank or require a clunky laptop that looks like it's from the 1990s. The Lenovo Thinkpad Yoga 11e has rubberized corners and reinforced hinges that help it stand up to the bumps and knocks of student life. While no laptop is going to be indestructible, reinforcing the weakest points of a laptop makes a big difference. The Thinkpad Yoga 11e does this well with its added durability on its corners, screen, keys, and hinges. Credits   The team that worked on this guide Sean Endicott is a tech lover who manages to go through too many devices because he isn't careful enough. He's learned a thing or two about making sure that the weak points of a device are reinforced.


Joe Biden continues to be the first choice among Democratic voters across the 2020 primary states holding contests through Super Tuesday. However, rivals Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris are gaining on him and have seen increases in the number of voters at least considering them, suggesting they could have more room to gain going forward. If we consider a 15% threshold as the minimum support needed to win convention delegates, then across the early states, four candidates would meet that benchmark: Biden, Warren, Harris and Bernie Sanders. Early contests by the numbers: Democratic delegate race tightens   CBS News Battleground Tracker poll The contest is tighter now among estimated delegates across early states, the true measure of the contest   delegates to the convention. By this measure, Warren is much closer to Biden due to stronger showings especially in very liberal areas. Biden's support continues to benefit from his perceived electability against President Trump and positive ratings of his time as vice president, and he does especially well with voters who would prefer that a candidate take a more polite and civil tone. But there may be a trade-off here, since Biden faces something of a passion gap when compared with other candidates who trail him. A majority of Democrats (56%) feel Warren will fight "a great deal" for people like them, and 54% believe this of Sanders, while a smaller percentage   38%   describe Biden this way. Respondents were given a list of candidate descriptions, and when asked to choose which candidate seemed the most "passionate," Warren and Sanders tested highest on this measure (28% each), followed by Harris (23%). Fewer Democratic voters put Biden at the top of the pack on this characteristic (14%). Warren is seen as the most "specific" of the top-tier candidates by a wide margin (42%) over the others. Related to that specificity, Warren also outpaces the field with voters who see her as most "prepared" in the campaign so far. (Those who see her as most specific also feel she is most prepared.) Harris, more than the others, is perceived as "strong" (32%), with Warren and Biden trailing her on this characteristic. The desired approach to campaigning may also mark a divide among Democrats. Most Democratic voters aren't as interested in the candidates highlighting their differences with each other (41%) as they are in hearing how candidates would run against Mr. Trump (59%). Biden is under greater consideration by those Democrats who are more interested in hearing how to defeat Mr. Trump than among those who are more interested in differences between the Democratic candidates. Warren is high on the list to be considered by both camps. Biden does best among people who want "someone with a more polite tone and civility, even if you don't agree on every single policy," while Warren does best among people who want the opposite. Turning to the early-voting states, Biden continues to have a comfortable first-choice lead in South Carolina, which would net him the bulk of delegates there; but New Hampshire is far closer, with Biden ahead of Sanders, Warren and Harris. Each candidate would get delegates out of the state. The first caucuses, in Iowa, are also tight, with Biden ahead within the top tier in percentage, and tight in the delegate count. The debates last month appear to have really benefited Harris and Warren, and this survey helps show why. They were the only candidates who impressed a majority of those who said they watched the debates live: 64% said they were impressed by Harris, and 58% said they were impressed by Warren (respondents were allowed to select multiple candidates). Harris' debate performance was one of the main reasons given by Democratic voters who said they are now considering voting for her, but had not considered her last month. Warren and Harris also both improved on their perceived electability versus Mr. Trump (+10 points for Harris and +6 for Warren)   that critical test for Democrats. However, both still trail Biden here. About half of Democrats reported watching the first Democratic primary debates live, with most of the others saying they saw highlights or read about them afterward. Most Democrats say the debates can tell you at least some about the candidates, though only three in ten say they can tell you a lot. Still, three in four Democrats say they are at least somewhat likely to watch the next debates. This CBS News survey was conducted by YouGov between July 9 and July 18, 2019. A representative sample of 18,550 registered voters in 18 states expected to hold early primaries and caucuses (Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia) was selected. This sample includes 8,760 self-identiﬁed Democrats and Democratic-leaning Independents. This sample was weighted according to gender, age, race, and education based on the American Community Survey, conducted by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, as well as 2016 presidential vote. The margin of error is approximately 1.5 percentage points. CBS News Battleground Tracker Toplines


A day after the away sides had strong first legs in the UEFA Champions League's second qualifying round, the hosts restored a bit of order. [ MORE: UCL Tuesday wrap ] Dundalk 1-1 Qarabag The Azerbaijani side went ahead in the fourth minute through Mahir Madatov, and out-attempted the hosts by 16-10. But club hero Patrick Hoban scored in the 78th minute to give the League of Ireland side a fighting chance against the European group stage regulars. Celtic 5-0 Nomme Kalju It took the Bhoys a while to get going, but when they did they flew through their Estonian visitors. Kristoffer Ajer scored in the 36th minute and both Ryan Christie and Leigh Griffiths scored before the end of the first half. Christie added another in the second half, with Callum McGregor finishing the tie with a 77th minute goal. 🗣 CalMac: "That's what we were looking for tonight; to really go for it and try to take a substantial lead into next week." 🗣 @Leighgriff09 : "I'm delighted to get a goal but I can't do it without my teammates behind me." McGregor and Griffiths on the Match 🎥 #CELKAL #UCL pic.twitter.com/qtvlCFvzVJ   Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 24, 2019 Elsewhere BATE Borisov 2-1 Rosenborg Ferencvaros 3-1 Valletta Red Star Belgrade 2-0 HJK Helsinki Maribor 2-1 AIK CFR Cluj 1-0 Maccabi Tel-Aviv Follow @NicholasMendola


FRANKFURT   It's a scary time to be in the car business. The internal combustion engine is under attack from electric challengers. Car ownership is becoming optional in the age of Uber. Regulators around the world are fining companies that don't do enough to cut carbon dioxide emissions, even as buyers demand gas-guzzling S.U.V.s. Global auto sales are slipping for the first time in a decade, disrupted by President Trump's escalating trade war. Sign Up For the Morning Briefing Newsletter With so much bearing down on them simultaneously, it's little wonder that companies like Fiat Chrysler and Renault were considering joining forces to survive. Fiat Chrysler's decision Wednesday night to withdraw its offer to merge with Renault, citing government demands in France, was another reminder that change is complicated for traditional carmakers. The aborted proposal to create the world's third-largest automaker was a response to the disruption threatening an industry that accounts for many of the world's factory jobs and is crucial to the economic fortunes of the United States, Japan and Europe. New technology has unraveled industries like entertainment, media, telecommunications and retailing, weakening the job security of millions of workers and helping to fuel populism. Carmakers, clearly, are next. "It's going to be the biggest change we've seen in the last 100 years, and it's going to be really expensive even for the biggest companies," said Erik Gordon, a professor at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. The major auto companies will spend well over $400 billion during the next five years developing electric cars equipped with technology that automates much of the task of driving, according to AlixPartners, a consulting firm. They must retool factories, retrain workers, reorganize their supplier networks and rethink the whole idea of car ownership. For the auto manufacturers, this upfront investment is a matter of survival. If they don't adapt, they could become obsolete. Yet no one is even sure whether customers are really willing to pay for the technology and whether it will ever earn a profit. Investors have already signaled who they think will come out ahead of this transformation. The electric carmaker Tesla, despite all its problems, is still worth more on the stock market than either Fiat Chrysler or Renault. Uber is worth much more than the two combined, even after reporting a $1 billion quarterly loss. [Read more about how the Fiat Chrysler talks with Renault fell apart. ] The stakes for society from this industrial realignment are high. Car companies like Volkswagen, General Motors or Toyota are among the last employers that operate vast factories where thousands of workers pour in and out of the gates at shift changes. Worldwide, eight million people work directly for auto manufacturers, and many times more work for companies that supply brakes, tires, sensors and other components. Those jobs are threatened. Last year global car sales declined for the first time since 2009. Though small, the decrease may signal the onset of a global recession because the auto industry is such an important economic catalyst, analysts at Fitch Ratings said in a recent report . The immediate cause of the dip in sales was Mr. Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods last year, which hurt the Chinese economy and brought sales growth there, the world's largest car market, to a standstill. American carmakers suffered, too. Ford's sales in China plunged 36 percent in the first three months of 2019, to 136,000 vehicles, because of the tariffs, the company said. But there are also ominous long-term trends at work. Related video: Proposed Mexico Tariffs Could Have A Major Impact On Automakers (provided by Newsy) China increasingly rules the global auto market and determines its course. In recent years, China's voracious appetite for vehicles has accounted for almost all of the growth in global sales. Chinese consumers bought 24 million cars last year, far more than any other nation. Americans were a distant second with 17 million cars. General Motors sells far more cars in Asia   947,000 in the first three months of this year   than it does in the United States. Auto sales in America and Europe are stagnant, and the growth in potential drivers is not encouraging. The number of young Americans acquiring driver's licenses has been falling since the 1980s, according to research by Michael Sivak, a former professor at the University of Michigan . Increasingly, car ownership is a luxury rather than a necessity. In urban areas, where more and more of the population lives, people can avoid parking costs and the expense of insurance by relying on ride services like Uber or Lyft or hourly rentals with services like Zipcar. The wavering relationship between consumers and cars has been hastened by the emergence of climate change as a potent political issue, as well as worsening air quality in major cities. Transportation accounts for about one-fifth of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide, according to the World Bank . Policymakers, responding to public opinion, have been forcing auto companies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Carmakers' ability to push back has been weakened since emissions cheating scandals were uncovered at Volkswagen and other carmakers, including Fiat Chrysler. In the European Union, carmakers must achieve average fuel economy equivalent to about 57 miles per gallon by 2021 or pay substantial fines. But European carmakers are behind on achieving the goals, in part because European consumers, like people in the United States and Asia, have developed a taste for thirsty sport utility vehicles. As a result, the car companies face penalties of 34 billion euros, or about $37 billion, the research firm JATO Dynamics estimates. The potential fines were one of the reasons that Fiat Chrysler sought a merger with Renault, which already has a longtime (if lately troubled) alliance with the Japanese carmaker Nissan. The French company offers battery-powered cars, like the subcompact Zoe, that would have made it easier for Fiat to hit the emissions targets. The Trump administration has been rolling back air quality regulations, but even in the United States, carmakers are under pressure because California and other states are requiring manufacturers to meet quotas for zero-emission car sales. On Thursday, in a letter to Mr. Trump signed by 17 companies, the automakers said a divided market in the United States, where some states apply the rolled-back federal rules and others have a stricter standard, would be "untenable." [Read more about the automakers' warning of "an extended period of litigation and instability."] Regulators and a growing segment of environmentally conscious car buyers are pushing the internal combustion engine toward obsolescence. China, Britain and France lead a list of countries aiming to phase out cars that burn gasoline or diesel by 2040. Norway is trying to convert entirely to electric vehicles by 2025. Auto executives in Detroit, Stuttgart, Yokohama and other carmaking capitals foresaw these seismic shifts years ago and have been preparing. BMW has been selling an electric car, the i3, since 2013. Nissan introduced the battery-powered Leaf in 2010. Traditional carmakers like G.M., Daimler, BMW and Volkswagen responded to the decline in car ownership with their own ride-sharing services, albeit with mixed success. But despite their size, automakers like Fiat Chrysler, Ford or Volkswagen are at a disadvantage to newcomers like Uber or Dyson, the vacuum cleaner maker, which is developing an electric car. The old-line carmakers still get almost all of their revenue from cars with internal combustion engines, and must maintain factory networks that quickly become a financial drain when not running at capacity. China is emerging as a new competitor   and it is battling saturation even in its domestic market. China is absorbing only half the cars that Chinese plants churn out each year. Big producers like Guangzhou Auto had been preparing to enter the United States until Mr. Trump imposed 25 percent tariffs on Chinese cars. So far, Chinese automakers have made some inroads to European markets. Zhejiang Geely Holding Group has a foothold after buying the Swedish carmaker Volvo from Ford in 2010. Geely also owns the British sports car maker Lotus and the company that makes London taxicabs, while its chairman, Li Shufu, owns about 10 percent of Daimler, the maker of Mercedes-Benz cars. The shifting balance of power in the auto industry is already squeezing the lives of thousands of workers. General Motors, girding for a possible downturn, shut down its plant in Lordstown, Ohio, in March , one of four factories in the United States that it plans to mothball by the end of this year, eliminating more than 10,000 factory and white-collar jobs. Volkswagen said Wednesday that it would create 2,000 new jobs in digital technologies while gradually cutting 4,000 jobs that would no longer be necessary because of automation. By some estimates, half of all auto industry jobs in Germany are at risk. Battery-powered cars have far fewer parts than cars reliant on gasoline or diesel, endangering suppliers of valves, pistons and other parts in conventional engines. The most important part of an electric car, the battery cells, usually comes from Asia. Mergers as big as Fiat Chrysler and Renault may prove too difficult to pull off, but carmakers are already forming dozens of smaller alliances. This year, Ford and Volkswagen agreed to develop new commercial vans and pickups together to go to market by 2022 and cooperate on technologies like electric cars and autonomous driving. BMW and Jaguar said Wednesday that they would cooperate to develop drive systems for electric cars. These partnerships can be difficult to manage, as Renault's recent experience with Nissan shows. The alliance of those carmakers survived for nearly two decades but is wobbly after the arrest in November of Carlos Ghosn , its chairman, on charges of financial wrongdoing. Mr. Ghosn denies the accusations. Mr. Ghosn was keenly aware of the need for automakers to combine forces, and, in part, his fervor undid his relationship with Nissan. In many ways, John Elkann, the Fiat Chrysler chairman, and Jean-Dominique Senard, the chairman of Renault, were trying to take his vision a big step further. Large-scale alliances are essential "to have a path for success in this transformative era," said Jim Press, former deputy chief executive of Chrysler. "The companies aren't going to do it alone." Keith Bradsher contributed reporting from Shanghai, Ben Dooley from Tokyo, and Liz Alderman from Paris.


The Yankees announced Wednesday that they have activated starter Domingo German from the injured list. Southpaw Stephen Tarpley was optioned down to open active roster space. German ultimately missed just shy of a month of action owing to a hip flexor strain. He'll rejoin the rotation this evening in a Subway Series matchup. The Yanks will hope that the 26-year-old can get back to the form he showed for most of the early portion of the season. Through his first 10 starts of the year, German carried a 2.60 ERA. He was tagged for seven long balls and 14 earned runs in his next three outings, though, leaving him with a cumulative 3.86 ERA over seventy total frames. Despite an array of health issues and a few performance lapses, the Bronx Bombers are now easily pacing the AL East. But the rotation figures to be the prime area of focus at the deadline. The team's need in that area will be reduced greatly if German can rediscover his groove. Tamping down on the long balls figures to be a key.


SEATTLE (AP) An early offensive punch from Robinson Chirinos, a solid effort by Houston's bullpen and another baffling play by Seattle's defense helped the Astros keep rolling. Chirinos homered to cap a three-run first inning, Houston's bullpen pitched six shutout innings and the Astros beat the Mariners 4-2 on Monday night for their sixth win in seven games. Chirinos' eighth home run capped a first inning in which Seattle's decision to use Cory Gearrin as an opener backfired. Gearrin (0-2) gave up an RBI triple to Josh Reddick, a run scoring groundout to Yuli Gurriel and Chirinos' long homer to cap his one inning of work before handing off to Wade LeBlanc. Chirinos was guessing he'd get a first-pitch fastball and was correct. ''My plan was to swing early. He's a guy that likes to throw his fastball first pitch and after that he starts to use his slider,'' Chirinos said. Houston tacked on another run in the sixth when Seattle's defensive problems resurfaced. With runners at the corners and one out, Gurriel hit a grounder to shortstop Dylan Moore. Alex Bregman broke from third to try and score and Moore threw to the plate, but catcher Omar Narvaez had taken several steps up the first base line believing Moore was going to try and turn a double play. The throw was on target and beat Bregman easily, but instead bounced to the backstop as a fielders' choice and the fourth run for Houston. Seattle manager Scott Servais said Narvaez was at fault. ''When the ball is hit the first thing you are thinking is it's a double play, and Dylan actually made the right read. He wasn't going to be able to turn a double play on that,'' Servais said. ''He made a very athletic throw to the plate, and Omar just vacated too early. You got to make sure he is committed to going to second before you trail the play to go back it up.'' Houston starter Corbin Martin was pulled after just three innings, but relievers Framber Valez (2-2) and Chris Devenski worked five scoreless innings. Ryan Pressly pitched the ninth for his third save. Martin has not been able to finish four innings in his last three starts. ''I was falling behind in the count. I wasn't as aggressive as I needed to be and throwing 30 pitches in the first inning that kind of slows down the rest of my outing,'' Martin said. Seattle got solo home runs from Mallex Smith and Edwin Encarnacion in the third inning, but the Mariners were 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position, leaving runners at either second or third base in each of the first five innings. Jake Marisnick saved a run in the eighth with a diving catch of Moore's liner to end the inning. WADE IN RELIEF LeBlanc threw eight innings, allowing one run and three hits over the final eight innings after replacing Gearrin. It equaled his career-high for innings pitched and set a club record for most innings pitched in a relief appearance, topping Bryan Clark's 7 2/3 innings in 1982. In his three starts since coming off the injured list, LeBlanc had not lasted past the fifth inning. ''There were things in the last two or three starts that were trending toward a quality outing,'' LeBlanc said. ROSTER MOVES Seattle placed RHP Chasen Bradford on the 10-day injured list with a forearm strain and recalled RHP Matt Festa from Triple-A Tacoma. Bradford pitched two innings on Sunday against the Angels but came out of the outing feeling soreness in his arm. Festa will be in his third stint with the Mariners this season having appeared in seven games. TRAINER'S ROOM Astros: Houston manager A.J. Hinch said 2B Jose Altuve, OF George Springer and IF Aledmys Diaz all went through an extensive running program before Monday's game. Altuve and Diaz also did some fielding drills. Hinch was pleased with the progress all three are making and said the club will get a better assessment of their recovery. Mariners: SS J.P. Crawford (ankle) did fielding drills before Monday's game and continues to progress faster than expected from his sprained ankle. Manager Scott Servais said there is a chance Crawford could rejoin the team on the next road trip. ... Seattle hopes 2B Dee Gordon (wrist) and IF Ryon Healy (back) will be able to go out on rehab assignments toward the end of this week. UP NEXT Astros: LHP Wade Miley (5-3) struck out a season-high nine in his last start vs. the Cubs. He's allowed three runs or less in 11 of 12 starts this season. Mariners: Seattle has yet to announce its starter for Tuesday's game. --- More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


A murdered man discovered in a Maryland trash can in 1985 has finally been identified through genetic genealogy, police said. The victim, Roger Kelso, was killed when he was about 20 years old, Anne Arundel County police officials said at a news conference Wednesday. The murder took place around 1963. His body, however, was unidentified when it was discovered 22 years later. The medical examiner said he suffered "severe upper body trauma" but police did not elaborate. After nearly six decades of being nameless, new technology has helped bring answers. "All these years and people still care," Kelso's sister, Maryellen Kelso, said at the news conference. In 2018, Anne Arundel County investigators turned to the emerging tool of genetic genealogy to help break the case. With genetic genealogy , an unknown person's DNA from a crime scene can be identified through his or her family members, who voluntarily submit their DNA to a genealogy database. By mapping a family tree of those who have submitted their DNA to the database, investigators can zero in on the unknown individual based on characteristics including age and where they lived. Genetic genealogy is not only to identify victims; it can also find suspected killers and rapists. In April 2018, the suspected "Golden State Killer" became the first public arrest of a suspect identified through genetic genealogy. Since then over 50 suspects have been identified through the technology, according to genealogy expert CeCe Moore. Moore is the chief genealogist at Parabon NanoLabs, which worked on the Roger Kelso case. On April 15, 2019, genetic genealogy analysts and investigators confirmed that the victim in the trash can was Roger Kelso, born on Aug. 28, 1943, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, said police. This month detectives did a nationwide death notification, speaking to Roger Kelso's relatives from Oregon to Arizona to West Virginia, said police. Detectives learned that he had failed to show up at a family gathering in 1963, police said. His body was found with coins in his pocket, the newest one dated 1963, police added. No one has been arrested in the slaying. It is not clear if recovered evidence has DNA that may help determine who killed Roger Kelso, police said. Kelso's sister called her brother a "gentle, trusting" person. "Without the use of DNA, without the use of family ancestry, we would have never known the answer," she said. "I just want to thank the police," she said. "I am so impressed." Police are still investigating the case as a homicide. Police ask anyone with information about Roger Kelso's activities in and around 1963 to call the Anne Arundel Police on their tip line at (410) 222-4700.


SACRAMENTO, Calif.   The California Legislature is trying again to force presidential candidates to publicly disclose their tax returns, hoping a new Democratic governor known for his clashes with President Donald Trump won't block them this time. The state Senate voted 27-10 on Thursday to require anyone appearing on the state's presidential primary ballot to publicly release five years' worth of income tax returns. The proposal is in response to Trump, who bucked 40 years of tradition by refusing to release his tax returns prior to his election in 2016. California's presidential primary is scheduled for March 3. If the bill becomes law, Trump could not appear on the state's primary ballot without filing his tax returns with the California secretary of state. "We believe that President Trump, if he truly doesn't have anything to hide, should step up and release his tax returns," said Sen. Mike McGuire, a Democrat from Healdsburg and the co-author of the bill along with Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat. The Legislature passed a nearly identical bill in 2017, only to have it vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown, telling lawmakers he was concerned the law was unconstitutional. Brown, a Democrat, refused to release his tax returns while in office. He left office in January and was replaced by Gavin Newsom, who has released his tax returns and embraced his role as a national "resistance" leader to Trump and his policies. Newsom's office didn't say whether he'd sign it. If the bill reaches his desk, "it would be evaluated on its own merits," spokesman Brian Ferguson said. McGuire said he has had "initial discussions" with the Newsom administration about the proposal. "I never want to put words into his mouth, but here's what I'll say: Gov. Newsom has led by example," by releasing his own tax returns, McGuire said. The bill would also apply to the more than a dozen candidates seeking the Democratic presidential nomination. But many of them have already released their tax returns. They include California Sen. Kamala Harris and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who released his tax returns last month after refusing to do so in 2016. Candidates would have to submit tax returns to the secretary of state's office, which would work with the candidates to redact some information before posting the returns online. All 10 Republicans in the state Senate voted against the bill, arguing it is unconstitutional. "I get that playing the resistance card may be good politics for the majority party, but I would submit that it's bad policy for Californians," Sen. Brian Jones said. McGuire said the office of the legislative counsel has some concerns about the constitutionality of the bill, but he noted the chief ethics lawyers for former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama say the bill is constitutional. "We can all debate on the floor about the constitutionality of this bill," McGuire said before the vote. "But we also have to look at what makes our democracy strong. The foundation of any successful government is transparency." ___ The legislation is Senate Bill 27.


For several decades, most police cars have been modified versions of passenger models sold by the major manufacturers. Most of the modifications are very significant. Some of them are common, like flashing lights on top and in grills. Other modifications are less easy to see but for law enforcement drivers are much more significant. These are the primary ways that police cars are different from cars sold in dealerships. 1. The Police Interceptor Utility is built by Ford and is fundamentally a modified Explorer. It is modified so that it can pass a 75-mile-per-hour rear-crash impact. According to Ford, no other vehicle in the world has this capacity. Such a crash would almost certainly result in death for passengers of some car models. These are the deadliest cars in history . 2. The vehicle also has built-in steel intrusion plates in both front seatbacks to protect officers from behind. 3. The doors of police cars can be modified to stop armor-piercing bullets . Based on U.S. Department of Justice standards, these doors can stop rounds from an AK-74. 4. StarChase uses a laser on the front of the police car to target a vehicle it is pursuing. The system then shoots a small device that adheres to the rear of the car being chased. The technology cuts down on the need for high-speed chases because suspects can be tracked at a distance. 5. Dodge makes Rear Cross Path Detection for police vehicles as "an ambush warning system that alerts officers to movement at the rear or side of a parked vehicle." 6. The screen on the instrument panel on the Dodge Charger Pursuit has been tested to operate in temperatures between −40° and 185° Fahrenheit. 7. Ford has a system called "silent mode" that makes police cars hard to see at night. It turns off all the lights inside and outside the vehicle. 8. One Ford police car model can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in just over five and a half seconds. Still, some automobiles are extremely hard to catch like these fastest cars on Earth . 9. Many police car seats are designed to accommodate officers who carry guns, handcuffs, batons and flashlights. 10. Plastic rear seats make for easy cleaning.


Editor's note: The opinions in this article are the author's, as published by our content partner, and do not necessarily represent the views of MSN or Microsoft. Just minutes into questioning former Special Counsel Robert Mueller, House Democrats on the Judiciary Committee made their exasperation apparent. Mueller was repeatedly asking members of Congress to reiterate questions and revisit specific portions of the 448-page report. Lines of questioning were repeatedly stymied by his refusal to address vast swaths of topics still under ongoing review by the Department of Justice. And this ought to shock absolutely no one. Outside of the depths of the Swamp, the question of President Trump's relationship with Russia is a closed case, and the obstruction question, punted by Mueller, has hence been rendered nearly irrelevant to public opinion. But Democrats hoping to revitalize the Mueller report by making Mueller himself testify didn't just miss the country's overwhelming indifference to the Russia question. They forgot that bringing a 74-year-old consummate career prosecutor to a show trial for political points would actually be extremely boring. Mueller has spent half a century serving the country, first joining the Marine Corps in 1968, then earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal for serving in the Vietnam War, spending a dozen years in U.S. Attorney offices, and running the FBI for another dozen. He could've ridden off into the sunset to enjoy his much deserved golden years. He certainly didn't need another item on his resume to go down in history as a great American patriot. But, at age 72, when tapped by former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to run the special counsel investigation into Russia's interference in the 2016 elections, Mueller stepped up to the plate. There's no question that nefarious actors within the intelligence community's ranks allowed politics to taint elements of the investigation. But there's not one shred of evidence that Mueller did his job with any less of the professionalism that colored the first 50 years of his career. The only, though still significant misstep that Mueller unilaterally made was his decision to punt the obstruction question and continued equivocation on whether he only did so per the standards of the Office of Legal Counsel or whether another factor was involved. Mueller spent two years and more than four hundred pages saying his piece. After the report's release, he explicitly told the public, "Any testimony from this office would not go beyond our report." He made it abundantly clear that he would become no one's political pawn and any congressional hearing would prove utterly redundant. Yet Democrats demanded their show trial anyways. Of course it's a dud. For one thing, even if Mueller's mental faculties are as pristine as ever and there's no evidence to believe otherwise, 74 year-olds tend to have slower physical fine-motor skills and diminished hearing. That does not lend itself well to hearings that beclown themselves as more analogous to WWE-style screaming matches than any serious legal inquisition. Furthermore, Mueller's a prosecutor, not a politician. He deals in specifics and legal stipulations, not sound bytes. So when Democrats and Republicans alike scream at breakneck speed for Mueller to comment on highly detailed verbiage from the report, of course he wants to reread, ponder, and then answer. It's highly professional. It's also highly boring. Beltway politicos minds have been made up on the Trump-Russia question since the summer of 2017, and the rest of the country has ceased caring. For the love of God, let Mueller and the American people move on from these inane theatrics.


Looking to sample the best frozen treats around town? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top frozen treat outlets in Pittsburgh, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to fulfill your urges. 1. Waffallonia Topping the list is Waffallonia . Located at 1709 Murray Ave. in Squirrel Hill South, the spot to score dessert, ice cream, frozen yogurt and waffles is the highest rated frozen treat spot in Pittsburgh, boasting 4.5 stars out of 300 reviews on Yelp. 2. Dave & Andy's Next up is Oakland's Dave & Andy's , situated at 207 Atwood St. With 4.5 stars out of 277 reviews on Yelp, the spot to score ice cream and frozen yogurt has proven to be a local favorite. 3. Mercurio's Shadyside's Mercurio's , located at 5523 Walnut St., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the spot to score pizza and gelato four stars out of 345 reviews. 4. The Milk Shake Factory Over in Southside Flats, check out The Milk Shake Factory , which has earned four stars out of 256 reviews on Yelp. You can find the spot to score desserts, ice cream and frozen yogurt at 1705 E. Carson St. 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.


ENTEBBE, Uganda The government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is selling off his country's gold reserves. Some of it has passed through a secretive operation in East Africa, a gambit that evades U.S. sanctions. On two early-March flights, at least 7.4 tons of gold with a market value over $300 million moved from Venezuela to a refinery in Uganda, say officials in Venezuela and Uganda, a foreign diplomat and Venezuelan opposition lawmakers, who have concluded Mr. Maduro's government exported the ingots. The gold arrived on a Russian charter jetliner in two shipments at the international airport in Entebbe, says Ugandan national-police spokesman Fred Enanga. The accompanying paperwork identified the ingots, some with stamped labels partially scratched off, as Venezuelan central-bank property, says a senior Ugandan police officer who saw the bars and documents. Flight records show the trips originated in Caracas, Venezuela. Get news and analysis on politics, policy, national security and more, delivered right to your inbox The shipments expose one link in a global underground economy many suspect is helping Mr. Maduro cling to power by bypassing the U.S.-dominated international finance system. Washington has recognized opposition leader Juan G as Venezuela's legitimate president, slapped financial and other sanctions on Venezuelan officials and institutions, and threatened penalties for others doing business with the regime. The standoff between the two leaders is reverberating beyond Venezuela, with some 50 countries joining the U.S. in backing Mr. Guaidó while others side with Mr. Maduro. What was once Latin America's richest economy is starving, its oil sales have dwindled and citizens are suffering through dayslong power outages and shortages of basic goods. Gold sales, U.S. and other officials say, are one of the government's final financial lifelines. Related video: How the U.S. Is Getting Pulled Into the Venezuela Crisis The gold that arrived in Entebbe passed through African Gold Refinery Ltd., or AGR, in a compound about 500 yards from the old runway before being exported to the Middle East, Ugandan police say. The refinery started operations in 2015. Some of the gold it processed was allegedly smuggled from conflict-torn eastern Congo and other African nations, according to officials with Ugandan police, the country's Financial Intelligence Authority and regional smugglers. Gold from AGR has made its way into supply chains at U.S. companies including General Motors Co., General Electric Co. and Starbucks Corp., the firms' filings for 2018 with the Securities and Exchange Commission show, despite U.S. measures to discourage use of so-called conflict minerals from Congo. GM prohibits suppliers from using forced or involuntary labor or engage in corrupt business practices, a spokesman says. GE declined to comment. Starbucks didn't respond to requests for comment. AGR General Manager Cherry Anne Dacdac says the company hasn't processed smuggled or conflict gold and declines to comment on the March shipments. She says all AGR's business is legal and that in a March 26 management meeting it agreed it won't accept transactions related to Venezuela. AGR has processed and exported more than 38 tons of gold since it started operations, Ms. Dacdac says. The scale of its operation helped drive gold in 2018 to overtake coffee as the leading export from Uganda, which mines little of it. The refinery appears to act with support from Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, court and other documents reviewed by the Journal suggest. A spokesman for Mr. Museveni says the president "backs the plant just as he does all other investors" in his quest to transform Uganda's economy. The Maduro government's prior gold sales have been an open point of contention. Between late 2017 and Feb. 1, 2019, the central bank sold at least 73.3 tons of gold, with a market value of around $3 billion, to companies in the United Arab Emirates and Turkey, the National Assembly's finance commission announced in February. The White House on Nov. 1 announced sanctions intended to stop Venezuelan gold sales. Since then, several dozen more tons have been removed from the central bank and secretly exported, say opposition lawmakers and a person familiar with the bank's reserves. The bank for weeks was left without power and water. "It's a fire sale," says one of the lawmakers, Ángel Alvarado, who is on the finance commission. "The regime is scraping the barrel, selling off anything of value to keep itself afloat." A U.S. Treasury Department official says: "Treasury is committed to holding accountable those operating corruptly in Venezuela's gold sector." Spokesmen for Venezuela's central bank and Information Ministry didn't respond to requests for comment. The Maduro government has said little publicly about its gold sales and routinely dismisses sanctions and accusations of wrongdoing as part of an international campaign to besmirch Caracas. AGR was founded in 2014 by Alain Goetz, 54, a Belgian businessman who has worked more than three decades in the African gold trade. Gold is almost impossible to trace to its origin once refined. The United Nations says gold is the primary mineral financing militias and parts of the military in eastern Congo, funding a conflict that has killed millions. Even before the Venezuelan shipments, AGR had drawn the scrutiny of Ugandan authorities for processing gold allegedly smuggled from conflict zones in Congo, as well as from South Sudan and Zimbabwe, much of which later leaves the country as Ugandan gold, according to Ugandan police, the country's Financial Intelligence Authority, regional smugglers and Congolese mining officials. Sydney Asubo, executive director of the Financial Intelligence Authority, Uganda's government body in charge of combating money laundering, says the agency reported the smuggling activities to authorities and requested prosecution. No charges have been filed, he says, pending the conclusion of an investigation of AGR by Uganda's Inspectorate of Government over suspicions of tax evasion, smuggling and money laundering. Ali Munira, a spokeswoman for the Inspectorate, which is charged with investigating corruption and other abuses, confirms there is an investigation but declined to comment on details. Mr. Goetz and AGR's Ms. Dacdac say they have complied with Ugandan and other laws. Mr. Goetz denies there are probes. Ms. Dacdac says she isn't aware of any investigations by the Financial Intelligence Authority or Inspectorate. America's 2010 Dodd-Frank Act included provisions to discourage companies from using raw materials that finance the Congolese conflict by tracing what they buy. The act doesn't make buying these materials illegal. AGR appeared in supply chains of 237 publicly traded U.S. companies in their filings for 2018. Mr. Goetz says he has sold AGR and retains control of Goetz Gold LLC, a Dubai trading company. Goetz Gold still handles the gold coming from AGR, he says. AGR's Ms. Dacdac didn't respond to requests to comment on whether Goetz Gold handles the company's gold. Uganda's company registry shows Mr. Goetz's AGR shares were transferred in February 2018 to Seychelles-based AGR International Ltd. Ms. Dacdac says that company is owned by individuals and companies originating from the Middle East. On March 2, the red-tailed body of a Boeing 777 owned by a Russian charter company, Nordwind Airlines, touched down at Entebbe at 6:35 a.m. after taking off more than 13 hours earlier from Caracas, plane-tracking website Flightradar24 shows. Nordwind didn't respond to requests for comment. Police and private security gathered on the tarmac to receive the cargo from the jetliner, which carried no passengers, says a person who witnessed its arrival. Airport handlers removed heavy parcels wrapped in brown cardboard, which didn't pass through the airport's regular customs procedures, says Mr. Enanga, the Ugandan police spokesman. Less than an hour after landing, the packages under a private-security escort reached the AGR compound just across the airport access road, he says. Inside the cardboard were 3.8 tons of Venezuelan gold. Another 3.6 tons on the same airliner from Caracas arrived at the refinery two days later, Mr. Enanga says. By the time the police's minerals unit, tipped off over the unusually large consignments, raided AGR on March 7, the first lot was gone, exported to the Middle East with its final destination listed as Turkey, he says. The senior Ugandan police officer and Mr. Goetz say the gold was sent to Goetz Gold in Dubai. AGR's Ms. Dacdac didn't respond to requests for comment on whether the company exported the gold to Goetz Gold. Mr. Goetz says Goetz Gold didn't send it to Turkey. Ugandan police seized the other 3.6 tons, ingots stamped with labels identifying them as Venezuelan central-bank property, says the senior officer who saw them. Some labels appeared scratched, as if someone had tried to disguise their origin, the officer says. Paperwork with the bars showed they were from the 1940s. Mr. Goetz and AGR's Ms. Dacdac say police never raided the refinery and never seized any gold. Ms. Dacdac says: "AGR presented all the necessary documentations as proof that the particular transactions have been declared and captured by the Uganda Revenue Authority." It wasn't the first time authorities identified Venezuelan gold handled by Mr. Goetz. Last year, Venezuela's central bank was selling gold to three trading firms in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, according to the February announcement by the Venezuelan parliament's finance commission, including to Goetz Gold, which bought 21.9 tons. Mr. Goetz says some of that particular Venezuelan gold passed through Goetz Gold but that it came from a company outside Venezuela and didn't break U.S. sanctions because contracts were signed before Nov. 1. After U.S. sanctions, the central bank's buyers were drying up. In late January, as another Nordwind 777 sat at Caracas airport, Venezuelan opposition lawmaker José Guerra, a former economist at the central bank, alleged in parliament that the plane was there to fly out 20 tons of the bank's gold. The U.S. publicly pressured the bank's buyers in Turkey and the U.A.E. "My advice to bankers, brokers, traders, facilitators, and other businesses," a tweet from national security adviser John Bolton's account warned on Jan. 30: "Don't deal in gold, oil, or other Venezuelan commodities being stolen from the Venezuelan people by the Maduro mafia." Two days later, Abu Dhabi-based Noor Capital, which had previously bought 27.4 tons of Venezuelan gold, according to the Venezuelan parliament's finance commission, announced it was stopping such purchases. Flightradar24 shows the Boeing 777 returned to Moscow. Noor Capital declined to comment beyond a Feb. 1 statement confirming it had bought 3 tons of gold from Venezuela's central bank on Jan. 21 and denying engaging in illegal actions. Two months later in Uganda, as police say that the seized Entebbe gold shipment sat in custody, relief came from President Museveni. In a letter dated March 26, a copy of which the Journal reviewed, Uganda's attorney general, William Byaruhanga, ordered the police minerals-protection unit to release the gold and withdraw officers from AGR. Police complied, says Mr. Enanga, the police spokesman. The order to release the gold, Mr. Byaruhanga wrote in the letter, came from President Museveni, whom he said he had met the day before at State House in Entebbe. "AGR is instructed henceforth," the letter said, to "cease and desist from any further importation of gold from Venezuela, until further notice," citing U.S. sanctions. Pressure on Uganda and AGR was rising from U.S. diplomats who had gotten wind of the shipments, says a person familiar with the pressure. The spokesman for Mr. Museveni says the president directed the attorney general to release the seized gold after investigators cleared the imports. Mr. Byaruhanga didn't respond to requests for comment. AGR's Ms. Dacdac says the company didn't seek Mr. Museveni's intervention. From there, the Venezuelan gold's trace fades. Some time in March, two tons of gold were put up for sale in Turkey at a steep discount to market prices, say people familiar with the matter. The origin was listed as Uganda, but customs documents showed it came from Venezuela's central-bank vault, one of them says. Unable to find a buyer, a second attempt was made to sell the gold at a steeper discount, one of the people says, adding that it isn't clear if anyone bought it. Mr. Goetz says Goetz Gold didn't offer the Venezuelan gold for sale in Turkey. There is a twist in the Venezuelan gold's tale, says the person familiar with the central bank's reserves: The bars almost certainly came from America in the 1940s, the person says, in payment to Venezuela for oil supplied during World War II.


Larry Bird's place in NBA history stretches from the record book to the rule book. A Hall of Fame player later became a successful coach and team executive. Along the way, he watched free agency transform from something rarely discussed to practically a year-round conversation   with his own name one of the talking points   and the 3-point shot go from afterthought to essential. He will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award during the NBA Awards on Monday along with Magic Johnson, his rival-turned-friend with whom he competed in some of the most important events   they were bigger than just games   in basketball history. Their meeting in the 1979 NCAA championship game is still the highest-rated college game on television, and the 1992 U.S. Olympic team they captained to gold in Barcelona was a pivotal moment in basketball truly becoming a global game. "We came in in 1980. Here it is 2019. Whoever thought we'd be around this long?" Bird said. "But it's a great honor and we've seen a lot in this NBA over the years, and a lot of good and it continues to get better." It's been a little rocky lately for Johnson, with his recent resignation as Lakers president and subsequent reports of a bad work ethic and bad working environment. Bird eventually decided to read some of the stories for himself and was dubious. "That's not him," Bird said. "That don't sound like Magic at all to me and I just hope everything works out for him because we have a good relationship." It grew through the 1980s, when the Lakers won five titles and the Celtics three. With the expectation of competing for the championship every year, Bird never thought about leaving Boston or even when he'd be able to consider it. That's not the way today's NBA works. "I always thought I was going to be in one place and play for Boston and I always felt like Kevin (McHale) and Robert (Parish), them guys felt the same way. I really don't know that, but that's what I thought because when you're winning at a high level, why change?" Bird said. "But free agency's different. Everybody makes their own decisions and the thinking of the game is different. Everybody's trying to brand themselves and have their own teams. I never thought about that. I just wanted to go out there and play and try to win that game that night." The salary cap was introduced in the NBA a few years into Bird's career and one of the spending exceptions allows teams to exceed the cap to pay their own veteran free agents more with an extra year on their contract. With Bird reaching free agency when the cap arrived in 1983, the rule became known as the Larry Bird Exception, or Bird Rights. Bird Rights are the biggest advantage an incumbent team owns in trying to retain a top player. Bird is glad the rule helps players earn closer to what he feels they're worth, though having your name on an important piece of NBA business isn't as cool as it sounds. "I know a few years ago I was hoping they'd take that out of the last Collective Bargaining Agreement because you're sitting at home sometimes and you hear your name and you're like, 'What are they talking about now?' and it's always the Bird Exception or the Bird Rule," Bird said. After averaging 24.3 points, 10 rebounds and 6.3 assists in his 13 seasons, the Indiana native coached the Pacers to the NBA Finals and later built an Eastern Conference contender as team president. He is the only person in league history to be voted MVP, Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year. Bird still does some scouting for the Pacers and is a fan of today's wide-open style of play and its heavy reliance on the 3-point shot. "My concern 15 years ago was everybody's going to be 6-(foot)-9 like Magic Johnson at the point guard and the little guys are going to get squeezed out. Now it's just the opposite," Bird said. "The big guys are getting squeezed out and the little guys are taking over, and the 3-point line has been there since 1980 and nobody utilized it until the last 15, 17 years. I can remember watching Kentucky play and Rick Pitino was shooting 3-pointers all the time and I go Jesus Christ, no way you can win like that. Now if you don't do it, you're not going to win." Bird won the first three 3-point contests at All-Star weekend and is on any list of the game's greatest shooters, though he said rarely even practiced the shot in an era when pounding the ball inside was the preference. "Matter of fact, when I played we never guarded guys out there," Bird said. Now teams have to   even when players are far behind the arc. Bird is amazed with what Golden State has done with its long-range shooting, marveling in particular at Klay Thompson's NBA-record 37 points in the third quarter of a game on Jan. 23, 2015. "I mean, to me, I just can't believe that," Bird said. "I played this game. I've been out there and I got hot before, but to score 37 points? I remember I scored 24 in a quarter and I go, 'Geez, nobody will ever do that again.'" Bird won Rookie of the Year after his first season and a gold medal after his last. In between, the game exploded in popularity and financially. The records may be broken, but Larry Legend's legacy will last forever. "I'm not a guy that talks about my past because I always look to the future, but you really sit down and look at it, I've been involved in a lot, it's pretty nice," Bird said. Related slideshow: Top picks in the NBA Draft (Provided by imagn)


Kevin Durant really was waiting for Drake after Sunday's Game 2 win in Toronto. Shortly following the Game 2 win, footage hit Twitter of an exchange between Durant, Klay Thompson and Drake in the tunnel of Scotiabank Arena. We saw as Durant and Thompson roasted Drake, who had suddenly gone quiet compared to his Game 1 antics (and his Game 2 attempt at trolling Durant ). But, oh man, a new angle of the exchange made it so much better. ABC7 News was in perfect position to show Durant peeking around a corner, waiting for Drake to walk by. Once he saw the Toronto rapper, Durant playfully shouted, "See you in the Bay, Aubrey." (Drake's first name is Aubrey). That view was so good. Durant was ready for the victory lap. pic.twitter.com/SiYX6mpXdf - warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) June 3, 2019 Plus, NBA fans waited little time to give the excellent photo the meme treatment it deserved. We knew this was going to happen - it was inevitable. I fixed it pic.twitter.com/G19U7lhkGE - BP⛽ (@bper32) June 3, 2019 pic.twitter.com/bCpibzOPKn - Saúl Valeriano (@SaulBoujee) June 3, 2019 "Kyrie on his way or not?" https://t.co/0GBqmf4HjL - Zach Harper (@talkhoops) June 3, 2019 When your about to go back into the class room but you see the homie in the hall https://t.co/Iihyhjr04v - David Okoh (@CDA_O) June 3, 2019 My bills waiting for me on payday https://t.co/pb5816fKaM - I'm finna make a scene (@MCdabber93) June 3, 2019 When you're at the grocery store and you're waiting for someone you went to high school with to leave the next aisle https://t.co/TLJR1uoQh0 - marco (@CirocE_Balboa) June 3, 2019 In the dms like lol https://t.co/7oIpsk6pdP - Monte (@TheREAL_Monte) June 3, 2019 We probably won't see a more meme-able photo all series. The Warriors and Raptors will meet for Game 3 in Oakland on Wednesday. MORE: James Holzhauer breaks his silence about the leaked 'Jeopardy!' result Report: Suns, Bulls offering lottery picks for Lonzo Ball VIDEO: Streaker On the Field During Champions League Final Report: Kevon Looney's X-Rays return as clean after injury scare Darnell Savage, Josh Jackson could unlock full potential of Packers secondary Related slideshow: Best of the NBA Finals (Provided by imagn)


MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO)   The Dakota County Attorney's Office says two officers were justified in the fatal April shooting of a 40-year-old man who investigators say exchanged gunfire with police after fleeing a traffic stop in Coon Rapids. John Fairbanks, of Cass Lake, died on April 18 after being shot at by Anoka County Deputy Sheriff Christopher Vitek and Coon Rapids Police Officer Alex Hattstrom, according to an investigation by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Investigators say Fairbanks fled a traffic stop and shot at the officers who were running after him, one of them being Hattstrom, who fired back. It's unclear if Hattstrom's bullets hit Fairbanks. The chase led police and responding forces to a neighborhood where a police dog found Fairbanks in a backyard. Pursing officers, one of which was Vitek, saw Fairbanks with a gun and told him to drop it. When he did not drop his gun, Vitek fired three shots, with at least two of the bullets hitting Fairbanks. He died at the scene. After reviewing the BCA report, which included body camera and other footage, Anoka County Attorney James Backstrom concluded this week that both Vitek and Hattstrom were justified in shooting at Fairbanks. "Although I have concluded that the use of deadly force by law enforcement officers was legally justified this instance, any loss of life is a tragic occurrence, and I wish to express my sympathy to the family and friends of John Duane Fairbanks." Under Minnesota law, deadly force is justified in the line of duty when police feel they are protecting themselves or the public from apparent death or great bodily harm. It is also justified to prevent the escape of someone believed to have committed a crime involving to the use or threat of deadly violence.


A digital rights group with roots in Massachusetts has launched the first major national campaign calling for a complete ban on government use of facial-recognition surveillance. "Imagine if we could go back in time and prevent governments around the world from ever building nuclear or biological weapons. That's the moment in history we're in right now with facial recognition," said Evan Greer, deputy director of Fight for the Future. "This surveillance technology poses such a profound threat to the future of human society and basic liberty that its dangers far outweigh any potential benefits. We don't need to regulate it; we need to ban it entirely." While many have called for additional oversight or a moratorium on facial recognition, Fight for the Future says the technology is too dangerous to be used for government surveillance at all. The launch came just days after a bombshell report that Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other government agencies have been conducting warrantless facial-recognition searches of driver's license databases. The House Committee on Homeland Security is holding on the subject Wednesday. State police spokesman David Procopio said the technology is an important tool for law enforcement. "Facial-recognition technology helps us, in concert with other investigative tactics, to identify unknown suspects in specific crimes, arrest them and seek justice for their victims. It is a valuable tool that, by helping identify someone who has committed a crime, helps us protect our communities and citizens," Procopio said. To date, two cities   San Francisco and Somerville   already have banned government use of facial-recognition technology, noting that a growing body of research is finding flaws in the technology, including difficulty accurately reading women's and darker-complected faces. It's also unclear exactly how many departments, agencies and corporations are using the technology. On Monday, The Washington Post reported that documents obtained through public records requests by Georgetown Law's Center on Privacy and Technology show that the FBI and ICE have turned state driver's license databases into a "facial-recognition gold mine," scanning millions of Americans' photos without their knowledge or consent. "What have we found?" said Alvaro Bedoya, the center's founding director. "That these systems include more than half of all Americans. That the vast majority of people have no idea that they are in a police face-recognition database. That no rules apply to the vast majority of these systems. That these systems tend to be biased in ways that disproportionately hurt women, young people and black people." Massachusetts lawmakers are concerned enough that they have called for a moratorium on the state's use of the technology. "People are applying for licenses without any inkling of how their photos will be used," said Sen. Cynthia Stone Creem (D-Newton), one of the moratorium's sponsors. "There's no due process. … Pressing pause at the state level doesn't foreclose a federal ban."


Jeremy Jeffress is a great reliever, but he's an even better acrobat. The Milwaukee Brewers reliever made an absolutely ridiculous catch on a screaming line drive off the bat of Twins' catcher Willians Astudillo that nearly took his head off. OHH MY GOODNESS JEREMY JEFFRESS! What a catch...hopefully the @brewers pitcher is okay. pic.twitter.com/lHKzbKhIny   Justus Cleveland (@JustusCleveland) May 28, 2019 That catch may have just proved that we're all living inside the Matrix. Even Neo would have been impressed with that. It's unbelievable. He might not have even seen the ball coming. Adding to the near-mythic nature of the catch is the fact that he probably saved a run. If that ball makes it through (or heaven forbid, gets a piece of him), that runner on second base is at least going to force a play at the plate. Hats off to Jeffress for an unbelievably good catch. Related slideshow: The 2019 MLB season (Provided by imagn)


Which one wore it better? We have two different takes on the venerable Dodge Challenger, one classic and one more modern but still special. The question is which is better: the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Six Pack or the 2013 Dodge Challenger SRT by Petty's Garage? Both are being offered by SYA! Musclecars and could be yours. Research the Dodge Challenger on MSN Autos Up first is the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T 440 Six Pack. It looks amazing with a glass-smooth Plum Crazy paint job and black accents on the hood. The wheels, bumpers, side mirror caps, and even the hood pins absolutely glisten in the sunlight. If it looks as if it just rolled off the factory line, there's good reason for that. The car went through a complete rotisserie restoration and has only racked up 500 miles since. Read More: Who Are You To Judge This Restored 1969 Pontiac GTO? The Cuban Mobile Is One Of The Most Ambitious Trucks In History One Of 78 Ultra Low Mile Camaro HTR 750 Up For Auction Dodge came late to the muscle car party, launching the Challenger in 1970. That means this Challenger R/T 440 Six Pack marks the maiden voyage of what became a legend. The 440 ci V8 breathes freely through three Holley two-barrel carburetors, the Six Pack, which is the key to this car's breathtaking acceleration. Essentially, this is a muscle car history lesson that growls and bites back. Then there's the modern iteration, the 2013 Dodge Challenger SRT by Petty's Garage. It has an almost completely blacked-out appearance, save for the badging and wheels, making it appear more sinister. The 6.4-liter V8 has been outfitted with a forged crankshaft, forged piston pins, and forged H-beam connecting rods. Thanks to aggressive tuning, it produces a mighty 605-horsepower at the rear wheels and 547 lb.-ft. of torque. A cat-back exhaust system by Borla Performance gives this muscle car a more aggressive sound on startup, at idle, and under acceleration. Petty's Garage adjustable front anti-roll bars, plus height adjustable coilover kit with tunable damping, bumper steer correction bushings, and a four-wheel alignment boost handling, which is completely necessary with all that extra power dumped in the car. Research the Dodge Challenger on MSN Autos This Dodge Challenger SRT was the third and final one built by Petty's Garage for 2013, making it quite special. The exterior and interior are definitely of showroom quality, so you'll impress even highly critical car fans. So, the question is which of these Challengers is the most compelling? See photos of both in the gallery above.


Back in 2002, the Pittsburgh Steelers spent a seventh-round pick on an unknown defensive lineman named Brett Keisel. Largely unheralded out of BYU, Keisel ended up being a fixture on the Steelers defense for 13 seasons. There's a real chance the Steelers got their new Keisel this year. Pittsburgh drafted Alabama defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs in the sixth round in 2019 and he has all the makings of a 10-year starter on the Steelers defensive line. Keisel came from a base 3-4 which helped with his transition to the league. But it was his effort and attitude which helped get him through four long seasons before he found his spot in the starting lineup. Buggs joins a Steelers' defensive line loaded with talent. Cam Heyward, Javon Hargrave, Stephon Tuitt and Tyson Alualu round out the top four on the depth chart. But if Buggs can hold on, an opportunity in a season or two his chance will come. He plays with the same time of fire and intensity we saw in Keisel all those years. Buggs had a huge 2018 season at Alabama with 9.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. Why did he slip to the sixth round? Age could be one issue as he will be 23 before the start of the season. But it is probably more to do with the league undervaluing the five-technique defensive end across the board as well as Buggs playing on such a talented Crimson Tide defense. Regardless, Pittsburgh got a great return from a late-round pick on Keisel and we think they did the same this year with Buggs. MORE: Kevin Durant calls 'BS' on Stephen A. Smith's explosive claims on First Take Elfrid Payton: 'I feel we embody what New York basketball was about back in the day' Stephen A. Smith Says Kevin Durant Told Russell Westbrook He'd Stay in OKC, KD Says That's BS 9 quarterbacks who will improve in 2019 T.J. Edwards named the Eagles' most exciting undrafted free agent addition


This week NASCAR heads to the Monster Mile at Dover International Speedway in Delaware and there are plenty of storylines around this one. It's undeniable that Kyle Busch has been the best driver across every series this year as he has now finished in the top 10 in every single race he has run. He has three career wins in Dover and four top 10s in his last eight races. This event is tailor made for him to win again. But Chase Elliott is coming off of his first victory of the season, is the defending champion at Dover and has five career top-5 finishes in six races at the mile-long track. He has to be in consideration for a win. And then again, Martin Truex Jr. has four top-4 finishes in his last five runs at Dover and Kevin Harvick has three top 10s, including a win, in his last four trips to the track. Video: Is Larson in danger of missing playoffs? (Provided by NASCAR) This one feels like it's anyone's game, but we'll go with Elliott to win this week as he strung victories together last year when he got hot and we have a feeling he'll do it again. The Gander RV 400 can be seen Sunday at 2 p.m. ET on FOX. What are the betting odds for the Gander RV 400? Kyle Busch 3/1 Kevin Harvick 4/1 Brad Keselowski 8/1 Martin Truex Jr. 8/1 Joey Logano 8/1 Clint Bowyer 12/1 Chase Elliott 12/1 Kurt Busch 14/1 Denny Hamlin 14/1 Aric Almirola 18/1 Ryan Blaney 20/1 Kyle Larson 20/1 Jimmie Johnson 20/1 Erik Jones 25/1 Daniel Suarez 50/1 Austin Dillon 80/1 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. 100/1 Ryan Newman 100/1 Alex Bowman 100/1 Paul Menard 100/1 William Byron 200/1 Matt DiBenedetto 200/1 Chris Buescher 300/1 Darrell "Bubba" Wallace Jr. 300/1 Daniel Hemric 300/1 Ryan Preece 500/1 Ty Dillon 2000/1 Michael McDowell 2000/1 David Ragan 2000/1 Field (all others) 1000/1 Which NASCAR drivers should you watch at the Gander RV 400? Kyle Larson has to figure it out at some point right? While he hasn't been good this year   he hasn't finished inside the top 18 in five races   he's one of the most talented young drivers on tour and he's just too good to keep down. Dover might be the race he gets it together as he has seven top 10s in 10 career races   including four in the top 5   at the Monster Mile. Denny Hamlin has two wins this season and is looking to have another year where he's always near the top of the pack at the end of seemingly every race. He has never won at Dover but he has five top-10 finishes in his last six races there. Jimmie Johnson is getting overlooked for this race. He has two top-10 finishes in his last four races this year which people seem to be ignoring and he has 11 career wins at Dover International Speedway in the Cup Series. Put that together with four top-10 finishes in his last five races there and you'd be silly to think he doesn't run well Sunday. One sleeper for the Gander RV 400 Daniel Suarez loves the Monster Mile. He has run four races in the Cup Series there and has finished in the top 10 in all four. He finished in the top 10 in Delaware in his last five races in the Xfinity Series and earned top-2 finishes in each of his two runs in the truck series. That means in his last 11 runs on the track at any level he has finished in the top 10. At 50/1 this feels like a steal.


The Detroit Lions held their third training camp of the 2019 offseason, and several defensive players continue to sit out, but the surprise absence from today's practice was starting running back Kerryon Johnson. PUP/NFI list (no changes): NT Damon Harrison (NFI) CB Darius Slay (NFI) NT Darius Kilgo (NFI) EDGE Trey Flowers (PUP) LB Steve Longa (PUP) WR Tommylee Lewis (PUP) After not making his way onto the practice field yesterday, Harrison was present and traveling with his position group today. Slay, Flowers, Kilgo and Lewis were working with trainers in a group setting, while Longa was the lone injured player still receiving one-on-one attention in another area. This is mildly concerning for Longa as it's been nearly a year since his ACL tear, but he was at least doing cardio work on the side. Still not participating on Saturday DT A'Shawn Robinson (Excused absence) EDGE Malik Carney LB Devon Kennard LB Christian Jones CB Marcus Cooper DE Jonathan Wynn Robinson continues to be an excused absence, and now after three days, there are starting to be rumbling concerns about why. At this time there is no concrete answer as to why he is not present. It's a waiting game. Kennard, Jones, Carney and Wynn were all seen exercising in the group training exercise, but it's unconfirmed if Cooper was also doing so. Additions on Saturday Kerryon Johnson Romeo Okwara Mike Daniels No indications were given as for why Johnson missed today's practice, but it was mildly disappointing that on the first day the team was in pads and focusing on running the ball, he was nowhere around. This is another situation in which we will just have to wait and see. Okwara wasn't seen leaving the field yesterday, but he was not in pads today and was part of the group training exercises. The Lions made a big move signing Mike Daniels to a contract in the last 24 hours, but he wasn't on the field today, which is typical as he will likely still need to be processed internally. MORE: Bear bites woman in tent at Yellowstone, prompts action Behind the scenes with new-look Nets: 'We got stars without mortgaging everything'' Sherra Wright pleads guilty in killing of LeBron's former teammate Lorenzen Wright Theo Riddick release means it's Ty Johnson time Giants' Saquon Barkley rips Daniel Jones critics: You don't know football


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) Juan Agudelo, Cristian Penilla and Carles Gil scored and the New England Revolution beat the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 in interim coach Mike Lapper's debut Saturday night. Lapper took over Thursday after Brad Friedel was fired. Agudelo opened the scoring with a volley in the 18th minute. Edgar Castillo ran behind Penilla's flick up the left channel and whipped in a cross as Agudelo cut in front of the defender to make the leaping connection. Penilla smashed home a penalty kick in the 29th minute for the Revs (3-8-2). The Earthquakes' Harold Cummings conceded the penalty by taking down Teal Bunbury in the area. Gil made it 3-0 in the 68th minute. Tajon Buchanan dribbled into the area, making two cutbacks and having his first cross attempt blocked before sending a second cross into Gil, who settled it and punched it home. Valeri Qazaishvili scored for the Quakes (3-6-2) in the 88th minute.


There are certain things you should never ask the Internet   paramount among them is medical advice. Take the seemingly harmless query: What to do about a skin tag? Among the top results Google spits out are some seriously dubious DIYs (including one that involves cutting off your blood flow with dental floss). We get the logic: If skin tags are harmless (which any derm will tell you they are), why can't we just remove them ourselves? Well, it turns out there are a host of reasons why you should leave even a simple snip to a pro. Below, three board-certified derms answer the web's three biggest skin tag questions   and set the record straight. What is a skin tag? "Skin tags are composed of skin that forms on a stalk," explains Ava Shamban , MD, a dermatologist based in Beverly Hills. These growths often pop up along the neckline, under breasts, and near armpits. Though skin tags are harmless and extremely common, according to dermatologist Jessica Wu , MD, they can become irritated when rubbing against clothing or necklaces. Why do skin tags appear? The Internet is flooded with theories as to why skin tags pop up, including having had too much sun damage as a kid, poor circulation, or increased sun sensitivity from using too many skin-care actives (like alpha and beta hydroxy acids or retinoids). But our derms debunk these myths. As New York-based dermatologist Sejal Shah, MD, explains, we don't exactly know why skin tags pop up. "One contributing factor may be friction between skin and clothing or adjacent areas of skin, which may explain why we often see them in skin folds. They are also more common in overweight or obese individuals," she says, pointing to a study that correlates increased BMI with the growths. "Other associated or causative factors that have been proposed include family history, hormonal changes of pregnancy, and impaired glucose metabolism." Furthermore, Dr. Shamban notes that hormonal changes (such as perimenopause) may, inexplicably, contribute to the formation of skin tags. But really, most of these are only theories. What's the best way to remove a skin tag? Proposed home remedies for eradicating skin tags include repeatedly applying cotton soaked with iodine, tea tree oil, or apple cider vinegar. But Dr. Wu says these likely won't work. As for the bevy of over-the-counter removal creams and kits, the derm is also wary. "I don't recommend using a tag removal cream. I've seen horrible, discolored scarring and open wounds develop as a result," Dr. Wu says. "An at-home liquid nitrogen freezing kit may help if the skin tags are small. But be careful and use them sparingly   freezing can leave marks on those with deeper skin tones." So what is the right way to rid your body of these barnacles? Hit up a derm for their expertise. "If skin tags are narrow and tiny, I clip them off with sterile surgical scissors, which are very sharp and fine so they don't traumatize the skin," Dr. Wu says. "If they are larger and/or wide, I might use an electrical needle to zap the surface. This is less likely to scar if a patient has a deeper skin tone or if the tag is darker." Knowing the above, it may be tempting to take a pair of shears to a skin tag yourself. But as Dr. Wu notes, "You're taking your chances. Every so often a patient comes in with an infection or bleeding that won't stop." Also if the growth is dark, grows quickly, and/or bleeds, it's important to have it checked by a derm, as it may be a suspicious mole disguised as a skin tag.


The U.S. Navy has identified the USS Abraham Lincoln sailor lost in a "man overboard incident" in the Arabian Sea last week, officials with the Navy's 5th Fleet said. Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Slayton Saldana has been listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN), the Navy's term for a missing sailor. Saldana is assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, part of Carrier Air Wing 7, assigned to the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. Following reports of the missing sailor last Wednesday, the Abraham Lincoln, along with the cruiser USS Leyte Gulf and a Spanish frigate, began conducting search and rescue operations which concluded on Friday. Saldana's fiance told the Ohio Times that the sailor's belongings had been found on the side of a ship catwalk early Wednesday morning. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and shipmates of our lost Sailor," Vice Adm. Jim Malloy, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces said in a statement. "During this tragic time, I want to thank the Spanish Álvaro de Bazán-class frigate Méndez Núñez for their assistance in the search operations, and all the Sailors involved in the search for their valiant efforts to find our shipmate." The Abraham Lincoln became the most-watched aircraft carrier in the world after it was rushed to the Middle East in early May in response to U.S. intelligence that indicated Iran and its proxies were planning an attack on U.S. forces in the region. ABC News was among the first group of media outlets permitted aboard the carrier when it arrived in the Middle East. At the time, U.S. officials said the Abraham Lincoln's deployment had deterred Tehran from direct attacks against American interests. But less than two weeks later, the U.S. blamed Iran for shooting down an American drone over the Strait of Hormuz. And last week, Marines on board the amphibious warship USS Boxer destroyed an Iranian drone in the strait that was "threatening the safety of the ship and the ship's crew."


Aurora is expected to see light rainfall this coming week, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Monday's forecast shows the greatest chance of rain at 81%, with rain possible through Thursday. The next few days will also see hot temperatures, lasting through Sunday. Temperatures will drop a bit from Monday through Thursday, reaching just 74 degrees on Thursday. Skies will be mostly cloudy today and tomorrow, turning cloudy on Sunday. Winds will remain somewhat calm throughout the week, with the highest speeds tomorrow at just 10 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Phillies fans were seeing double as Bryce Harper makes a sliding catch into the wall not once, but twice in the sixth inning.


Baltimore will see a return of last week's light rainfall this coming week, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Tuesday's forecast shows the greatest chance of rain at 75 percent, with rain likely starting Monday. The next few days will also see warm temperatures, forecast to persist through Wednesday. Temperatures will reach a high of 85 degrees today. Skies will be cloudy tomorrow through Sunday. Winds will reach a modest high of 14 mph on Sunday, while today will be calmer with a top speed of just 7 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.


The Chicago Bears are still nearly three months away from opening the NFL season against the Green Bay Packers, yet Mitchell Trubisky is already 1-0 against his counterpart Aaron Rodgers in the latest viral stunt sweeping sports stadiums everywhere: beer chugging. Last week, Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari and Rodgers took part in a beer-chugging competition during the NBA's Eastern Conference Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors. Bakhtiari took down three drinks while Rodgers couldn't even finish one, prompting other athletes and stars to showcase their own drinking skills during various sporting events. But one person who was silent following the stunt was Trubisky. At least he was until Friday evening at the Chicago White Sox game. After throwing out the first pitch with his offensive linemen in position to block, Trubisky and other members of the team made their way to their seats to enjoy a perfect night of baseball featuring the White Sox and the Cleveland Indians. Ceremonial 1st pitch from  @Mtrubisky10  and his O-Line. Threw a strike.  @ChicagoBears   @NBCSWhiteSox  pic.twitter.com/WS4iqEbg1S - Andy Masur (@Andy_Masur1) June 1, 2019 Later on during the game, the Sox cameras settled on Trubisky and his teammates in their suite, which of course meant they would chug their drinks for everyone to see. And they did not disappoint. After seeing Rodgers struggle to finish his drink last week, Trubisky had no problem putting his down, complete with a cup flip at the end for good measure. This is how you get it done, @AaronRodgers12 . pic.twitter.com/lCQumGGDnx - Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 1, 2019 Just to make sure everyone knew Trubisky wasn't messing around, he and left guard Kyle Long took down another drink together in a friendly contest. Shoutout cameraman @ChaseDaniel you were a good opponent 10 pic.twitter.com/CKvjM7ZdKo - 75 (@Ky1eLong) June 1, 2019 The games haven't started yet, but it's good to see Trubisky get a leg up on Rodgers and the Packers ahead of their first matchup come September. In all seriousness, the Bears' showing at the Sox game is also another reminder that this team's chemistry is growing by the day. Have you ever seen a quarterback throw out the ceremonial first pitch with five offensive linemen creating a clean pocket for him? The culture at Halas Hall appears unmatched and is a great sign as the team prepares for one more month before training camp begins. It's unclear whether the ability to chug a beer makes a player perform better on the field. But the Bears quarterback showed up in crunch time when Rodgers couldn't, and we call that a win. MORE: Most bizarre and incredible catches by fishermen in past decade Anthony Joshua Shocked In TKO Loss To Andy Ruiz Jr. Report: Suns, Bulls offering lottery picks for Lonzo Ball Kyle Shanahan on the cutting edge with 'positionless' offense Why N'Keal Harry stands out among Patriots WRs in Bill Belichick era


TREME, LA   A former New York City police officer has been indicted for fatally shooting a man outside of a Treme apartment building. The shooting happened in March 2019, outside of the Saint Ann Square Apartments in the 1900 block of St. Ann Street. The accused, 29-year-old Gerardo Bugallo-Beret, faces a mandatory lifetime prison sentence if found guilty of the murder charge. Bugallo-Beret, a resident of the apartment building, told investigators that 29-year-old Tyrone Reese had threatened his verbally. Bugallo-Beret claims he shot the victim in self-defense, but officers say Reese was unarmed when he was killed. Reese suffered multiple multiple gunshot wounds. Bugallo-Beret was arrested after waiting for police inside a vehicle in the parking lot, where the fatal shooting occurred. From July 2014   May 2016, Bugallo-Beret served as an NYPD officer. He reportedly left the force shortly after being charged with misdemeanor assault after a reported fight with a bouncer at a Greenwich Village bar. He has no previous arrest record in Orleans Parish. ___ (c)2019 WGNO-TV, New Orleans Visit WGNO-TV, New Orleans at www.wgno.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


LONDON, June 3 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - An art student had a clear message for Donald Trump on Monday - mowing "climate change is real" and a massive polar bear into grass underneath the U.S. President's flight path into London. Ollie Nancarrow, 18, spent the weekend cutting the message in huge letters into the lawn of his family home near Hatfield Heath in Essex, about 40 miles (65 km) northeast of London. In a bid to grab more attention at the start of the three-day state visit to Britain, Nancarrow also wrote "Oi Trump" and mowed a penis into another field, while other young climate activists prepared to join marches and protests in London. "I decided to mow the message because Trump especially, but many leaders from across the entire world, refuse to believe in climate change and refuse to do anything about climate change," Nancarrow told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone. "They worry about all these other issues but none of that matters if we don't fix the climate first." Nancarrow, who is also involved with an online eco-marketplace, said he had his parents' permission to carve out the message in the lawn. A growing global movement of young protesters demanding action on climate change - inspired by 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg who started a weekly vigil outside parliament last year - has spread from Sweden across Europe, and to countries from the United States to Australia. Trump has come under fire for plans to withdraw the United States from the 2015 Paris Agreement in which nearly 200 nations aimed to limit a rise in average world temperatures to "well below" 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times. Sara Arnold from Extinction Rebellion, a campaign group seeking rapid action to curb global warming, said anything like Nancarrow's stunt that put climate change in the news was welcomed. "It's a massive problem that the United States is not tackling climate change, but the UK is also massively lagging behind where we need to be on this," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "It's shameful that we're seeing children having to take responsibility into their own hands because of the inaction of governments and the rest of the public." A British government spokesman said Prime Minister Theresa May had raised climate change with Trump before and would do so again this visit as tackling climate change was "a priority." "As the Prime Minister has said previously, we were disappointed by the U.S. decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement in 2017 and continue to hope they will return," the spokesman said. (Editing by Belinda Goldsmith; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's and LGBT+ rights, human trafficking, property rights, and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org)