Jon Lester had a pretty blunt assessment of his counterpart after Thursday's Cubs-Cardinals game in St. Louis. The Cardinals shut out the Cubs 8-0 to take two of three in their series. Jack Flaherty took a no-hitter into the sixth before allowing a single to Nicholas Castellanos. It was the only hit the Cardinals staff allowed in the game. Flaherty went seven innings, walking two and striking out nine to improve to 5-6. "He pretty much shoved it right up our a es," Lester said of Flaherty after the game, via Patrick Mooney. The 23-year-old Flaherty is still figuring things out but has shown how dominant he can be at times. He allowed just one hit in a start twice last year and held his opponent scoreless four times. This was the fifth time this season he's held an opponent scoreless in a start, though he has yet to work more than seven innings in an outing. Lester, meanwhile, gave up five runs over five innings, raising his ERA to 3.86. Flaherty's ERA is 3.93 this season.


Interested in adopting a pet   or just taking a peek at some delightful doggies? There are dozens of great dogs up for adoption at animal shelters in and around Fort Worth. Animal shelters work hard to care for unhoused pets and connect them to loving homes. Hoodline used data from Petfinder to power this roundup of dogs currently available for adoption. (Details like pet availability, training, vaccinations and other features are based on data provided by Petfinder and may be subject to change; contact the shelter for the latest information.) Jet, Yorkshire terrier mix Jet is a male Yorkshire terrier mix currently housed at Ninja Paws Rescue . Jet will get along great with your cats, dogs and kids. Jet is already neutered and vaccinated. No need to worry: He's already house-trained. Here's what Jet's friends at Ninja Paws Rescue think of him: This is Mr. Jet, and he is as charming as he is handsome. While he is small in size, he is big on affection and cuddles. He's very gentle and just wants to be loved. Read more about how to adopt Jet on Petfinder . Charlie, terrier and chihuahua mix Charlie is a sweet male terrier and chihuahua mix currently housed at Saving Hope Animal Rescue Fund . Charlie is a social animal, and he's happy to keep company with other dogs. He is vaccinated and neutered. He is already house-trained. From Charlie's current caretaker: He gets along great with other little dogs and non-hyper large dogs. He loves kids and females, but seems to be a little shy with males. Charlie loves attention and sleeping on the bed with you. Read more about Charlie on Petfinder . Mikey, Brittany spaniel Mikey is a handsome male Brittany spaniel dog being cared for at Brittany Rescue in Texas, Inc. He has mastered his house-training etiquette. His vaccinations are up to date, and he's neutered. Read more about Mikey on Petfinder . Maya, Brittany spaniel Maya is a sweet female Brittany spaniel dog staying at Brittany Rescue in Texas, Inc. Fear not: She is already house-trained. Her vaccinations are already up to date, and she's spayed. A note from Maya: My name is "Maya" and my story is short   I came from a local shelter. I was surrendered because my family lost their home. I'm a sweetheart once I get to know you. I like other dogs   don't know about cats though. I'm fearful (especially of men), but in time I will learn to trust again. Read more about how to adopt Maya on Petfinder . Chelsea, Anatolian shepherd and Akita mix Chelsea is a darling female Anatolian shepherd and Akita mix being cared for at Saving Hope Animal Rescue Fund . Chelseais happy to keep company with other dogs, cats and kids. Her vaccinations are up to date, and she is spayed. She's already house-trained. Notes from Chelsea's caretakers: Chelsea was a cruelty case out of rural Texas, where she had a chain deeply imbedded into her neck. She is good with kids, cats, dogs and anyone who will give her love. Read more about how to adopt Chelsea on Petfinder . Cowboy, pointer mix Cowboy is an adorable male pointer mix in the care of Saving Hope Animal Rescue Fund . Cowboy gets along well with other dogs. He's vaccinated and neutered. He's mastered his house-training etiquette. From Cowboy's current caretaker: Cowboy is a loving and laid back boy approx 2-3 years old. He was living on the streets in the cold. He's doing amazing now and his personality is still coming through after months of discomfort. He loves his buddies and can't wait for a loving home. Apply to adopt Cowboy today at Petfinder . Gabe, chihuahua Gabe is a darling male chihuahua dog being cared for at Saving Hope Animal Rescue Fund . Gabe will get along great with your cats, dogs and kids. Have no fear: He is already house-trained. He already has all of his shots, and he is neutered. A note from Gabe: Hi, my name's Gabe. I'm a good, sweet boy and love to cuddle. Read more about how to adopt Gabe on Petfinder . This story was created automatically using local animal shelter data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Four people were killed in a late-night attack by suspected Muslim insurgents on a military outpost in Thailand's violence-wracked south, authorities said Wednesday. The attack comes as anger snowballs over the case of a Muslim rebel suspect who was left in a critical condition after spending several hours in a notorious army interrogation unit. The 15-year conflict in the Malay-Muslim majority 'Deep South' has left over 7,000 people dead, but garners little global attention. Rebels seeking autonomy for the culturally distinct 'Deep South' have been fighting the Buddhist-majority Thai state, which colonised the area over a century ago. Late on Tuesday militants struck the remote base in Pattani province, throwing grenades and laying down nearly an hour of automatic fire, an army spokesman told AFP. "Four people were killed including an army sergeant-major, two defence volunteers and a villager," said Colonel Thanawee Suwannarat. The rebels stole five machine guns, burnt tyres and scattered spikes on the road as they fled to hamper any chase, he added. Confirming the death toll, a Pattani police officer said two other people were in hospital in a critical condition, in one of the deadliest single incidents to hit the region in months. The attack comes four days after rebel suspect Abdulloh Esormusor was left unconscious after being arrested under martial law and taken to a notorious military camp in Pattani. Thailand's army is investigating how the 34-year-old came to be hospitalised with brain swelling hours after arriving at the Inkayuth camp. An army statement said the camp doctor recorded the suspect arriving in good health, but said he was later found unconscious after being held in the "interrogation centre". Inkayuth is the Thai army's biggest detention centre in the south, where rebel suspects are taken for questioning and held under the emergency laws governing the conflict-scarred region. The army has vowed to punish anyone found guilty of abuse. But critics say impunity reigns in the security straitjacket of the south -- no military personnel have ever been successfully prosecuted for abuses over the conflict. Sunai Phasuk of Human Rights Watch speculated Tuesday's attack "was in retaliation" for the treatment of Abdulloh. An umbrella group representing some of the shadowy rebel groups said they suspected "foul play" in Abdulloh's case and called for an international probe. Insurgents operating in small, secretive village-level cells carry out near-daily bomb attacks and shootings in the south -- including the murder of Buddhist civilians and Muslims perceived to be collaborating with the state. Attacks are often a swift and targeted kickback against arrests or deaths of suspected rebels or Muslim civilians.


A single-engine Cessna 172 airplane with two people aboard ran off the runway at Centennial Airport Friday morning, the seventh incident at the airport since February. The plane nose gear apparently collapsed, said Deborah Smith, airport spokeswoman. AIRCRAFT INCIDENT: Single-engine aircraft departed runway on takeoff. Nosewheel collasped. Two individuals on board. No injuries. @SouthMetroPIO assets have departed the scene. Main runway is closed awaiting removal of disabled aircraft. pic.twitter.com/K94NoNqFz9   Centennial Airport (@FlyCentennial) July 19, 2019 The two people aboard the plane were not injured, Smith said. South Metro Fire Rescue firefighters are on scene of the accident, she said. South Metro Firefighters are responding to an incident at Centennial Airport, follow @FlyCentennial for all incident updates and information. pic.twitter.com/AdlSmGXlzI   South Metro Fire Rescue (@SouthMetroPIO) July 19, 2019 The crashes at the Centennial airport all have been minor and no one has been killed. Most recently, on July 3 , a twin-engine airplane traveled off the runway and ended up in a grassy field. Related Articles FAA pushes back on claims of increased noise for south Denver metro communities Single-engine aircraft goes off runway at Centennial Airport Plane goes off the runway at Centennial Airport; no injuries reported Failed takeoff at Centennial Airport injures one person in third flight incident in two days


If you love live music, there's no time like the present when it comes to getting out and about in Denver. From a happy hour concert event to a performance by an acclaimed Australian DJ and producer, here are some local shows worth checking out this week. Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Stephen Kellogg at The Walnut Room, presented by HomeVibe From the event description: Come enjoy an intimate evening with Stephen Kellogg at The Walnut Room. When: Wednesday, July 24, 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) Where: The Walnut Room, 3131 Walnut St. Price: $40 (general admission, advance); $45 (general admission, day of show) Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Kendall Street Company at Lost Lake From the event description: Come see Kendall Street Company live at Lost Lake on Wednesday, July 24. When: Wednesday, July 24, 8 p.m.- Thursday, July 25, 2 a.m. Where: Lost Lake, 3602 E. Colfax Ave. Price: $10 (over 21, advance); $12 (under 21, advance); $12 (over 21, day of show); $14 (under 21, day of show); more ticket options available Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Fridays Uncorked featuring DeLeon at Bonacquisti Wine Company From the event description: Join us for a free summer concert featuring a live performance by the indie rock band, DeLeon. There will be a happy hour from 4-6 p.m. with $5 wine on tap and $5 appetizers. Bring a chair. Bring a friend. Bring your bad self. When: Friday, July 26, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Where: Bonacquisti Wine Company, 4640 N. Pecos St., Unit I Price: Free Click here for more details, and to get your tickets Hook N Sling live at Temple Denver From the event description: Australian DJ and producer Anthony Maniscalco, better known by his stage name Hook N Sling, has a proven history of releasing records that cut through the noise, showing a constant evolution ahead of the game. With several platinum-selling records to his name, as well as a packed tour schedule headlining almost every major club around the world, Hook has garnered an ever-growing international fan base. Known universally as a great composer, excellent performer and renowned remixer, the future is brighter than ever and this true artist promises that the best is yet to come! When: Friday, July 26, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Where: Temple Denver, 1136 Broadway Price: Free (complimentary admission before 11 p.m.); $30 (bar card package, valid all night) Click here for more details, and to get your tickets This story was created automatically using local event data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Police in San Francisco on Thursday confirmed they have made arrests in a homicide case that was opened after a dismembered body was found at a home during a welfare check earlier this week. Andrea Nakano reports. (5-23-19)


FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The final eight teams are set and the pairings are official . It all comes down to match play. Texas claimed the No. 1 seed after a three-round total of 7-over par, seven shots clear of No. 2 Duke (+14), who led the field after the first two rounds. Southern California finished third at 17 over, followed by Arkansas (+24), Wake Forest (+26), Arizona (+28), Stanford (+30) and Auburn (+39). Our experts on the grounds at the University of Arkansas' Blessings Golf Club make their match play predictions and select a national champion. LIVE BLOG: Latest news from the NCAA Championship LIVE SCORES: Team leaderboard PHOTOS: See the images from the championship Beth Ann Nichols Quarterfinals No. 7 Stanford def. No. 2 Duke No. 3 USC def. No. 6 Arizona No. 1 Texas def. No. 8 Auburn No. 4 Arkansas def. No. 5 Wake Forest Semifinals No. 3 USC def. No. 7 Stanford No. 4 Arkansas def. No. 1 Texas Finals No. 3 USC def. No. 4 Arkansas MORE: Maria Fassi's dream comes true with national title on home course Lance Ringler Quarterfinals No. 7 Stanford def. No. 2 Duke No. 6 Arizona def. No. 3 USC No. 1 Texas def. No. 8 Auburn No. 5 Wake Forest def. No. 4 Arkansas Semifinals No. 6 Arizona def. No. 7 Stanford No. 5 Wake Forest def. No. 1 Texas National Champion No. 5 Wake Forest def. No. 6 Arizona Adam Woodard Quarterfinals No. 2 Duke def. No. 7 Stanford No. 3 USC def. No. 6 Arizona No. 1 Texas def. No. 8 Auburn No. 4 Arkansas vs. No. 5 Wake Forest Semifinals No. 3 USC def. No. 2 Duke No. 1 Texas def. No. 4 Arkansas Finals No. 3 USC def. No. 1 Texas MORE: 7 reasons the Warriors are winning another title no matter who they play in the Finals Injury to Reuben Foster could help Chiefs, Redskins strike a deal Roundup: Great White Shark Tracked; James Holzhauer Wins Again; Donald Trump's Accounting Firm Magic Johnson confirms rumor that Lakers want to sign Kyrie Irving Browns players quickly start recruiting freshly cut DT Gerald McCoy


Considering 24 percent of the world's population celebrates Ramadan, it's time to get familiar with the holiday. Here are the basics of what Ramadan is. 15 Things About Ramadan You Should Know It's nearly that time of the year when the 1.8 billion Muslim people celebrating Ramadan around the globe are met with questions from inquiring minds unfamiliar with the holiday. Most often, they sound something like this: "Wait, you don't drink anything ? Not even water?" But there are many more elements to this distinctly holy month than just fasting (though it's certainly a big part of it). For the 30 days that make up Ramadan, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset and are encouraged to empathize with the less fortunate and increase their acts of worship. Considering 24 percent of the world's population celebrates Ramadan, it's time to get familiar with the holiday. So, without further ado, here are 15 things you should know about Ramadan. And for more insights into some of the holidays that people celebrate around the world, check out these 15 Reasons Why Hanukkah Is the Most Underrated Holiday Ever . 1. The timing of Ramadan dates back to the origins of the Qu'ran. The timing of Ramadan is determined by a moon sighting and it begins each year on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which is May 5 for 2019. Ramadan is a celebration of the time Muslims believe the first few verses of the Islamic holy book, the Qu ran, were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by God. As the story goes, Muhammad was visited by the angel Gabriel, who demanded that he read the first few verses of the revelations. Muhammad told Gabriel that he didn t know how to read, but the angel commanded him forcefully several more times until Muhammad was convinced that the revelations were from God. 2. Ramadan is a fast from food, water, bad deeds, smoking, and more. Ramadan is about encouraging pious behavior and devoting oneself to concentrated worship. That means excesses, like having sex and smoking, are discouraged. In fact, Muslims believe both the repercussions of sins and the value of good acts are multiplied during the holy days. And if you want to explore your spiritual side, check out 17 Easy Things You Can Do to Become a More Spiritual Person . 3. You could be fasting for 10 hours or 22 hours, depending on where you live. Fasting hours are determined by when the sun rises and sets, so Muslims fasting during summer months in the polar regions of the world observe longer hours. In 2017, for example, Muslims in Chile only had to fast for 10 hours, but those in Greenland went 21 hours without sustenance, as Al Jazeera reported. In places where there is no distinction between night and day, Muslims typically follow the schedule of the closest city where there is both dawn and sunset. They re also given the option of following the times observed in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. 4. If you're pregnant, you delay your fast. While most healthy, adult Muslims are required to fast, there are some exceptions. Women who are menstruating, for instance, are exempt from fasting. Women with [some] postpartum [health issues] are also exempt from the fast. Fasting is also generally not advised for those whose health may be negatively affected by it, like the chronically ill, the elderly, those breastfeeding, and young children. However, these missed fasts are supposed to be made up once the people in question are well enough to forego food. And if you want to know the best time to be pregnant, check out: Here s Why You Should Try to Get Pregnant During Winter Months . 5. Muslims eat a pre-dawn meal each day before they begin their fast. During Ramadan, Muslims rise before the sun to eat a meal called s uhoor, sahur or s ehri (among other names) that will sustain them throughout their many hours of fasting. But when fajr , which is the first of up to five daily Islamic prayers, arrives, Muslims stop eating to pray and begin their fast for the day. In some parts of the Muslim world, a person called Al-Mussaher in Syria and Musaharati in Egypt will even walk up and down the streets of a city, waking up sleeping families for the pre-dawn meal. And for foods that are believed to have more powers than just satiating your hunger, check out 20 Amazing Healing Foods . 6. Muslims tend to first have a date to break fast. Throughout the world, Muslims traditionally break their Ramadan fasts with a date, as advised by the Prophet Muhammad. Street vendors in Muslim countries sometimes even name their best dates after politicians and celebrities, from former U.S. President Barack Obama to Lebanese armed resistance group Hezbollah. 7. The fast is broken with a staple meal that differs by country. But dates aside, what you eat for the rest of your sacred break fast meal called iftaar  depends on where you live. In India and Pakistan, for instance, fried foods like samosas and pakoras and a fruit salad called fruit chaat are considered typical Ramadan food. Meanwhile, fattoush , a salad made of vegetables and pita, is commonly eaten in Egypt, and Indonesians eat kolak , a fruit dessert made from palm sugar, coconut milk, and pandanus leaf. A few countries over, a Lebanese iftaar will feature a number of main dishes like molokhia , a chicken stew, and mehshi koussa ablama , a stuffed zucchini. 8. Many mosques offer free break-fast meals. Mosques around the world are typically packed during Ramadan, teeming with the usual attendees alongside others who stop by only during this particular month. Many mosques will open their doors to the entire community for iftaar , inviting them to chow down on free meals typically cooked by volunteers. Mosques will also ramp up charity campaigns during Ramadan, both raising money and collecting goods to donate to the less fortunate. 9. In parts of the Muslim world, businesses are closed during fasting hours. During Ramadan, restaurants , malls, and cinemas are often closed everywhere from Oman to the United Arab Emirates. In some places, employees  working hours are also reduced, and the cities are all but deserted during the day. In the evenings, however, everything springs back to life as Ramadan bazaars pop up all over the place. Inside these bustling bazaars, vendors sell all sorts of food, clothing, and other trinkets. Cafes, including hookah bars, are also packed with people looking to socialize after a tough day of fasting. 10. In some countries, eating in public during Ramadan is banned. Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar have legislation banning eating in public and forbidding restaurants and other establishments from serving food and drinks during the fasting hours of Ramadan. In countries like Egypt, where there is a sizable Christian population that doesn t observe Ramadan, edicts like these have been met with backlash . And while warnings may be issued, there is little leniency in some places like Dubai , where violations by Muslims especially are treated as a criminal act. In Pakistan, people can be even be imprisoned for breaking public eating laws. 11. It is believed that the devil is locked away during the holy month. According to Islamic beliefs, the devil, or shayateen , is locked away in chains during the month of Ramadan, freeing Muslims from the burden of what are considered to be sinful temptations. The Prophet Muhammad is believed to have said , "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained." And since it is believed that the devil is locked way for these 30 days, Muslims are warned by Islamic scholars that committing sins during this month is more significant than during any other time of the year. 12. A number of historic events have happened during Ramadans past. Several historic events have taken place during the month of Ramadan. For instance, the Battle of Guadalete in the year 711 A.D., which occurred during the month of Ramadan, was the catalyst for the brief period of Muslim governance in what is now Spain and the majority of France. The conquest of Mecca, led by the Prophet Muhammad, also took place during the month of Ramadan in what people believe to be either 629 or 630 A.D. Today, Muslims face towards Mecca when reciting their daily prayers, the literal epicenter of the Islamic faith. 13. The end of Ramadan culminates in a multi-day celebration. Muslims around the world round off Ramadan with the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast called eid al-fitr . While traditions for eid  as it s colloquially called vary by country and culture, is it commonplace for gifts to be exchanged, meals to be shared, and new attire to be bought as friends and families gather in homes and mosques. In Muslim countries, the day is a public holiday, ensuring everyone has the time off to celebrate. 14. Ramadan traditions vary between different sects of Islam. As we ve mentioned, while all Muslims typically observe Ramadan in the same way, there are some small differences depending on a person s sect. For Sunni Muslims, for instance, the month of Ramadan has a special set of nightly prayers called tarawih . Sunni Muslims typically pray tarawih in congregation at the mosque, where the i mam , or Muslim leader, will attempt to complete a verbal recitation of the entire Qu ran throughout the month. Shia Muslims, on the other hand, have an additional holiday during the month that commemorates the martyrdom of Ali ibn Abi Talib , an important leader of the sect. The 19th, 20th, and 21st days of Ramadan are set aside for this commemoration. 15. Even some professional athletes fast during Ramadan. Muslim athletes including British boxer Amir Khan and Olympian fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad still participate in fasting during Ramadan, despite their strenuous training schedules. So how do they do it? Well, for Khan, it involves shifting his workouts to the middle of the night in order to avoid fasting hours, as he explained to the BBC . And Muhammad explained to HuffPost that he prioritizes his diet to ensure he has sustained energy throughout the day. Still, many Muslim athletes forgo fasting altogether, especially if they're competing internationally. Islamic scholars tend to agree that those traveling are exempt from having to fast, so long as they make up the missed fasts later in the year. And for some lesser known sports heroes, check out these 12 Famous Actors You Forgot Were Once Amazing Athletes .


Video by MSNBC HOUSTON   A private autopsy shows a Houston-area police officer shot a mentally ill woman in the stomach, chest and face when the two struggled during an attempted arrest, a lawyer for the victim's family said Wednesday. Attorney Ben Crump presented the autopsy report at a press conference. He and Pamela Turner's family said Baytown police must be held accountable for the May 13 killing that was caught on video. Police have said Officer Juan Delacruz opened fire after the 44-year-old woman hit him in the groin with his Taser during a struggle. Turner's family has presented the officer as the aggressor, and they repeatedly said Wednesday that he shouldn't have escalated a confrontation with a woman he knew had paranoid schizophrenia. "The police officer never de-escalated the situation ever," said Crump "Even when she was on the ground and he was a safe distance away from her he continued to escalate." Crump declined to say who performed the private autopsy on Turner, who was African American. In a video recorded by a witness and posted on social media, Delacruz can be seen standing over Turner and reaching down to try to grab her arms. Turner, who is lying on the ground outside her apartment complex in Baytown, yells "I'm pregnant." Moments later, something flashes as she reaches her arm out toward the officer. Suddenly, he pulls away from Turner, steps back and fires five gunshots. Slideshow by Chron Crump said Wednesday that the private autopsy found no evidence of Turner having been pregnant. Soon after the shooting, police said she was not pregnant, citing the medical examiner's office in Harris County The medical examiner's office has not released Turner's autopsy report. It ruled her death a homicide. Turner's funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at the Lilly Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Houston.


The hidden ball trick is one of the great joys of baseball and softball. In a game that is often so routine, sometimes you need an elaborate ruse to remind you how fun the game can be. We see the hidden ball trick work from time to time. But we've never seen used as effectively and at such an important time as what the ladies from the Trine University softball team pulled off over the weekend. Trine, a small university in Indiana, was playing in the NCAA Super Regionals with a spot in the DIII College World Series on the line. It was the bottom of the seventh, Trine had a two-run lead and two outs. One more out won the game and a World Series berth, but there were runners at first and second with the winning run at the plate. What to do? Pull off a hidden ball trick for the ages. A walk-off, pick-off! Whoever says D3 softball isn't as exciting as D1 please freaking watch. Trine wins Super regional and advances. Go Thunder 💙💙 #tusb @TrineAthletics pic.twitter.com/58BjlDSXRe   Jess ⚡ (@Jessica0820_) May 18, 2019 It's OK if you feel mesmerized and want to watch that five times in a row. Happened here too. Here's how it went down: The pitcher intercepted the throw to second base and pretended to relay it there. The middle of the infield and outfield acted like the throw was wild and pretended to give chase. The pitcher acted upset, all while running toward the baseline between second and third. The ball was in her glove the whole time, however, so when the runner took off, it was an easy tag out. It's a fun play to pull off in a random game in April. It's a bold move to try in the last inning of a championship game. If it feels like something out of a movie, that's not too far off. In "Little Big League," the team pulls off an epic hidden ball pick-off to trick Ken Griffey Jr . Big difference: That was Hollywood. This sent the team to the College World Series. More from Yahoo Sports: Raptors have reason to believe after Game 3 win Sharks lose at home in Game 5, rack up more injuries Report: Lonzo on Bulls' offseason wish list? Vikings owner expects big things from Cousins


Unsure where Atlanta's insiders are eating and drinking? It's easy to spot lines out the door, but some underlying trends are harder to see. We took a data-driven look at the question, using Yelp to deduce which restaurants have been most discussed this month. To find out who made the list, we looked at Atlanta businesses on Yelp by category and counted how many reviews each received. Rather than compare them based on number of reviews alone, we calculated a percentage increase in reviews over the past month, and tracked businesses that consistently increased their volume of reviews to identify statistically significant outliers compared to past performance. Read on to see which spots are worth exploring, right now. The Iberian Pig Open since May 2019, this tapas bar and Spanish spot is trending compared to other businesses categorized as "Tapas Bars" on Yelp. Citywide, tapas bars saw a median 3.2% increase in new reviews over the past month, but The Iberian Pig saw a considerable 109.1% increase, with a slight downward trend from a five-star rating a month ago to 4.5 stars today. It's not the only trending outlier in the tapas bar category: Bar.bacoa has seen a 15.4% increase in reviews. Located at 3150 Roswell Road NW, Suite A3 in South Tuxedo Park, The Iberian Pig offers Spanish small plates. Local Green Atlanta Whether or not you've been hearing buzz about Vine City's Local Green Atlanta , the seafood, breakfast and brunch and vegan spot is a hot topic according to Yelp review data. While businesses categorized as "Breakfast & Brunch" on Yelp saw a median 2.1% increase in new reviews over the past month, Local Green Atlanta bagged a 20% increase in new reviews within that time frame, maintaining a solid four-star rating. Open at 19 Joseph E Lowery Blvd. NW since January 2019, Local Green Atlanta offers such dishes as a shrimp burger, fish tacos and a barbecue jackfruit sandwich. Boxcar The West End's Boxcar is also making waves. Open since March 2019 at 1000 White St., the beer bar, wine bar and New American spot has seen an 18.5% bump in new reviews over the last month, compared to a median review increase of 2.1% for all businesses tagged "American (New)" on Yelp. Boxcar offers menu items such as lamb sliders, a vegan cheeseburger and pork chops. Over the past month, it's maintained a superior four-star rating among Yelpers. Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Atlanta Candler Park's Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Atlanta is the city's buzziest Southern spot by the numbers. The popular Southern and traditional American spot, which opened at 299 Moreland Ave. NE in 2018, increased its new review count by 6.4% over the past month, an outlier when compared to the median new review count of 2% for the Yelp category "Southern." Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Atlanta offers chicken in six levels of spiciness. On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina The well-established On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is currently on the upswing in the Mexican category on Yelp. While businesses categorized as "Mexican" on Yelp saw a median 1.9% increase in new reviews over the past month, this Mexican spot increased its new reviews by 4.6%   and kept its rating consistent at 2.5 stars. Review counts increased by more than 300% on a month-to-month basis. Open for business at 1 Buckhead Loop NE, Suite 130 since 2007, the business offers dishes such as enchiladas, chimichangas and fajitas. 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.


The Dominican Republic has been in the news for all the wrong reasons   and it's concerning potential tourists. 47. Campina Grande, Brazil Homicides per 100,000: 37.3 • 2017 homicides: 153 • Population: 410,332 • One of the main technological and educational centers in Brazil returns to the list after a 2016 hiatus. Prior to that, Campina Grande ranked 40th and 30th in 2015 and 2014, respectively. An uptick in violent crime last year linked to drug gangs put the city back on the list, underscoring the often haphazard results of law enforcement efforts. Brazilian crime tends to wax and wane depending on where military assets are deployed to fight gang activity. Police have been most effective combating competing drug gangs in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, where crime has dropped significantly. 46. Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa • Homicides per 100,000: 37.5 • 2017 homicides: 474 • Population: 1,263,051 • Though the homicide rate in Nelson Mandela Bay, which comprises the city of Port Elizabeth and surrounding area, declined for the third consecutive year, it remains one of the three most dangerous South African cities. This port municipality on the country's southern coast, as well as the other South African cities on the list, is enduring gang violence and a general sense of lawlessness in some areas. Overall crime in South Africa declined last year, led by a reduction in sexual and other forms of physical assault. The murder rate, however, has increased. 45. Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil • Homicides per 100,000: 37.5 • 2017 homicides: 184 • Population: 490,288 • As the homicide rate declined significantly in this oil-rich region in Brazil's southeast, the city's rank also dropped to 45th from 19th. In 2016, there were 56.5 homicides per 100,000 city residents. Like elsewhere in Brazil, police and military actions can have an impact on drug gang-related crime -- one of the main causes of homicides in the country. Crime activity largely depends on the prevalence of rival gangs, security operations, and level of poverty and unemployment. 40. Macapá, Brazil • Homicides per 100,000: 40.2 • 2017 homicides: 191 • Population: 474,706 • This mining-and-lumber city situated on the Amazon River delta in northern Brazil is the region's economic powerhouse. In addition to street-level crime plaguing much of the country, Macapá (as well as nearby Belém) faces a problem of violent, heavily armed river pirates, who raid vessels of gold, iron, lumber, and other valuable goods. 38. Reynosa, Mexico • Homicides per 100,000: 42.0 • 2017 homicides: 294 • Population: 701,525 • This northeastern Mexican border city resides in Tamaulipas state, which is home to the Gulf Cartel, one of Mexico's oldest criminal organizations. Now it seems the violence is hitting this city just across the Rio Grande from McAllen, Texas. This is the first time Reynosa has appeared on the list since Seguridad, Justicia y Paz began tracking annual homicide rates in 2013. Mexican law enforcement began noticing an uptick in violence in Reynosa in the spring of last year, after the April 22 killing of Gulf Cartel faction leader Juan Manuel Loisa Salinas, aka Comandante Toro, by local police. Loisa Salinas's death seems to have sparked a wave of killings in the city amid shootouts between different factions of the Gulf Cartel and with police. 36. Tepic, Mexico • Homicides per 100,000: 47.1 • 2017 homicides: 237 • Population: 503,330 • Like the Mexican border city of Reynosa, Tepic appeared on the list of the 50 most dangerous cities for the first time last year since Seguridad, Justicia y Paz began tracking homicide rates for its annual report in 2013. Late last year, the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara issued a travel warning after noticing an increase in violence and cartel activity in western Nayarit state, particularly around the cities of San Blas and Tepic. Last year, Nayarit's state prosecutor falsely claimed to have made great strides against violent crime. The prosecutor, Edgar Veytia, was charged and indicted on alleged drug trafficking conspiracy charges and extradited to the United States for trial. 35. Distrito Central, Honduras • Homicides per 100,000: 48.0 • 2017 homicides: 588 • Population: 1,224,897 • Gang violence in Honduras has led to waves of U.S.-bound migrants and refugees in recent years as the tiny nation (population 9 million) is home to two of the world's most dangerous cities. But the homicide rate in Distrito Central, which includes the capital Tegucigalpa and its sister city Comayagüela, declined significantly in 2017 to 48 homicides per 100,000 residents. In 2016, there were 85 homicides per 100,000 residents, when Distrito Central ranked 4th on the list. The drop in homicides has been attributed to an aggressive and coordinated assault on gangs and drug trafficking by national police and the military 31. Obregón, Mexico • Homicides per 100,000: 49.0 • 2017 homicides: 166 • Population: 339,000 • The homicide rate in this northern Mexican city has increased over the past two years as drug cartel activity and other crimes has made Obregón a more dangerous place. The U.S. State Department has maintained a travel warning for Sonora state for the past three years, warning against non-essential travel within Obregón and recommends to stay on main roads during daylight hours throughout the state. 19. Feira de Santana, Brazil • Homicides per 100,000: 58.8 • 2017 homicides: 369 • Population: 627,477 • Unlike the nearby port city of Salvador, Feira de Santana's homicide rate has been in the top 20 since 2016. The city is a crossroads for goods coming from the south and central parts of the country into Salvador, 60 miles to the southeast. This conduit enables drug trafficking that feeds gang-related activity. As the homicide rate dropped in Salvador, it has increased in nearby Feira de Santana. 11. Vitória da Conquista, Brazil • Homicides per 100,000: 70.3 • 2017 homicides: 245 • Population: 348,718 • Brazil's eastern Bahia state business center reported a jump in the number of homicides in the past couple of years, making it the country's fourth bloodiest city. Cities in country's northeast, which includes Bahia, have reported an alarming increase in murders. The World Bank estimated that murders in Bahia more than tripled between 2000 and 2010. After a notable drop in the murder rate in 2015 to 38.5 homicides per 100,000 residents, the rate has nearly doubled in the past couple of years. 1. Los Cabos, Mexico • Homicides per 100,000: 111.3 • 2017 homicides: 365 • Population: 328,245 • One of the most disturbing trends in violent crime in Mexico is what's happening on the southern half of the Baja California Peninsula. Both Los Cabos, which comprises the twin tourist towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, and the state capital of La Paz suddenly appeared on this year's list of the world's 50 most dangerous cities. Los Cabos reported the highest homicide rate of any of the cities Seguridad, Justicia y Paz considered -- and it has not appeared in any previous annual report. The number of murders in Los Cabos jumped last year to 365 from 61 in 2016. It appears that the Gulf of California is no longer a barrier to the violent criminal activity plaguing other northwestern Mexican states. 50. Cúcuta, Colombia • Homicides per 100,000: 34.8 • 2017 homicides: 290 • Population: 833,743 • The November 2016 peace deal between the government and FARC rebels not only put an end to a half-century of conflict in Colombia but also lowered the country's homicide rate to its lowest level in 40 years. The end of this hostility had an overall calming effect in this country of 49 million people. As a result, one Colombian city was knocked off the list, and the ranking of the remaining three cities declined. The ranking of Cúcuta, which borders Venezuela in the country's northeast, dropped to 50th from 48th. 49. Vitória, Brazil • Homicides per 100,000: 36.1 • 2017 homicides: 707 • Population: 1,960,213 • When police in this city north of Rio de Janeiro went on strike in early February 2017, the effect was immediate. Five days after the strike began, more than 100 people had been murdered, compared to four in the entire month of January. Severe economic conditions and poverty, exacerbated by the 2014 Brazilian economic crisis, the worst in the country's history, has caused a surge in crime and violence in many of the country's larger cities. Though the economy finally recorded modest growth in 2017, the police strike was an ugly reminder of how tenuous the security situation can be in the country's most violent cities. 48. Teresina, Brazil • Homicides per 100,000: 37.1 • 2017 homicides: 315 • Population: 850,198 • This industrial city is situated in Brazil's northeastern region, the country's poorest. The region's extreme poverty has contributed to Teresina having one of the highest homicide rates in the world. But the situation was a little less grim in 2017. Teresina's ranking dropped from No. 20 in 2015 to No. 38 in 2016 and to No. 48 last year as the country began to dig out of its worst recession on record and returned to growth last year. Economic growth can improve public security as more people find work. Often, however, that improvement depends on where people live and how much access they have to jobs. 44. Durban, South Africa • Homicides per 100,000: 38.1 • 2017 homicides: 1,396 • Population: 3,661,911 • This city on the eastern coast of South Africa experienced an increase in its homicide rate last year after just barely making the list at No. 50 in 2016. Like in South Africa's other bigger cities, the prevalence of gang activity and other types of violent crime can lead to murder. South Africa has one of the highest rates of violence and sexual assault against women, and, in Durban, kidnappings are disturbingly common. 43. Mazatlán, Mexico • Homicides per 100,000: 39.3 • 2017 homicides: 192 • Population: 488,281 • This coastal western Mexican city in Sinaloa state has long been a tourist destination despite its location near the home base of the country's brutal Sinaloa Cartel. Mazatlan had largely remained insulated from bloodletting in the countryside, but the city first appeared on Seguridad, Justicia y Paz's list in 2016, ranking as the 27th most dangerous city with 48.8 homicides per 100,000 residents. That same year, two Australian surfers were murdered in a botched robbery near Mazatlan that garnered global attention. Efforts by Mexican security forces to step up patrols and enforcement in the city may have helped lower the murder rate last year, but Mazatlan remained on the list for 2017. The U.S. State Department advises to avoid travel to Sinaloa and five other Mexican states. 42. Detroit, United States • Homicides per 100,000: 39.7 • 2017 homicides: 267 • Population: 672,795 • Detroit is one of four U.S. cities that routinely make it on the list of the world's most murderous cities, but for the third year in a row, Motor City's homicide rate has declined. Local authorities credit the lower murder rate to the city's five-year-old Ceasefire Detroit initiative aimed at dismantling local gangs and establishing youth-outreach programs in coordination with the U.S. Department of Justice. The FBI considers Detroit to be the country's most dangerous when factoring all violent crime, but its homicide rate is the lowest of the four U.S. cities that made the 2017 list. 41. New Orleans, United States • Homicides per 100,000: 40.1 • 2017 homicides: 157 • Population: 391,495 • New Orleans was forever changed by Hurricane Katrina, which struck the city in 2005 and radically shook up its demographics. Not only has the Big Easy nearly fully recovered from one of the worst and costliest storms in U.S. history, but also for the fifth year in a row it has been able to reduce its homicide rate from about 45 killings per 100,000 residents in 2013 to about 40 per 100,000 last year. A Washington Post analysis found that in many of the city's areas with high murder rates, arrest rates are relatively low and many murders go unsolved. 39. Porto Alegre, Brazil • Homicides per 100,000: 41.0 • 2017 homicides: 1,748 • Population: 4,268,083 • Following a relatively low rate of homicides in 2016, this port city in southern Brazil returned to the list last year. With its diverse nightlife, Porto Alegre attracts a significant amount of drug-related criminal activity and the ensuing gang-related fighting over turf. The city's absence from the list in 2016 seems to be a statistical blip. In the previous two years Porto Alegre ranked No. 43 in 2015 and No. 37 in 2014. 37. Palmira, Colombia • Homicides per 100,000: 46.7 • 2017 homicides: 144 • Population: 308,669 • This western Colombian city dropped in ranking -- from 31st last year. The decline in murder rate follows a peace deal between the government and FARC rebels that helped calm decades of civil conflict. Heightened security measures and community interventions in one of the country's most troubled regions helped reduce the homicide rate in 2016. That progress continued and gained traction after the November 2016 peace deal. 34. Manaus, Brazil • Homicides per 100,000: 48.1 • 2017 homicides: 1,024 • Population: 2,130,264 • The violent drug trade has thrived in the most populous city in the Amazon rainforest, whose ranking on the list rose from No. 46 last year. Manaus is home to a free trade zone and one of the country's busiest ports, but its proximity to cocaine-producing areas of Colombia and Peru makes it an enticing conduit for distribution to other parts of the country and to Europe. Drug trafficking has made the city a hotspot for gang-related activity. 33. Barquisimeto, Venezuela • Homicides per 100,000: 48.2 • 2017 homicides: 644 • Population: 1,335,348 • Venezuela's fourth most populous city is its fifth bloodiest. The homicide rate in this center for commercial transport declineed last year even as conditions in the country worsened amid food shortages, political unrest, and a national violent crime epidemic. Many of the country's people are caught between groups loyal to President Nicolás Maduro's strongman government and the criminal gangs emboldened by the country's chaos. 32. San Juan, Puerto Rico • Homicides per 100,000: 48.7 • 2017 homicides: 169 • Population: 347,052 • This U.S. commonwealth has suffered a crippling economic crisis and is still cleaning up after Hurricane Maria ravaged the island in September 2017. Poor economic conditions and the effects of the storm pushed the number of violent crimes and homicides in San Juan higher, placing the capital city on the list for the first time since 2013. Police officer became overwhelmed by the chaos following the hurricane, and amid the struggle to maintain law and order there was a spike in murders in the last three months of 2017. The higher rate of killings has continued, which means Puerto Rico may show up again on the 2018 list. 30. João Pessoa, Brazil • Homicides per 100,000: 49.2 • 2017 homicides: 554 • Population: 1,126,613 • João Pessoa enjoys the distinction of being the easternmost city in the western hemisphere, situated at the tip of where Brazil juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. In recent years, the city's homicide rate has fallen, gradually pushing the city's ranking upward from No. 4 in 2014 to No. 30 last year. The city has likely benefited from a study its crime patterns. This type of data was used by law enforcement to identify areas of the city where crime is more rampant. 29. Chihuahua, Mexico • Homicides per 100,000: 49.5 • 2017 homicides: 460 • Population: 929,884 • In March of last year, prominent Mexican investigative journalist Miroslava Breach Velducea was gunned down in cold blood in Chihuahua. A note found at the scene indicated that a local organized crime boss was behind the murder, which also shined a spotlight on the uptick in violence in the eponymous state capital. Indeed, the homicide rate in the city increased in 2017, pushing its ranking up the list from 40th in the previous year. While gun-related murders in the state are still much lower than they were in the 2010 to 2012 period, they have been edging upward since 2013, especially among low-level dealers of heroin and methamphetamine. 28. Cali, Colombia • Homicides per 100,000: 49.6 • 2017 homicides: 1,261 • Population: 2,542,876 • Once brutalized by the notorious Cali Cartel, this southwestern Colombia city is a safer place these days. Cali's ranking dropped from 21st in 2016 thanks to heightened security operations and the November 2016 peace deal between the government and FARC rebels that ended 52 years of civil conflict. The number of homicides per 100,000 has dropped from 66.4 to under 50 in less than four years. However the city remains the country's most dangerous in part because of dissident rebels operating in the region. 27. Valencia, Venezuela • Homicides per 100,000: 49.7 • 2017 homicides: 784 • Population: 1,576,071 • This economic hub in the country's northwest is both Venezuela's third largest and third most dangerous city. Like in the country's other three cities on the list, the homicide rate declined last year, but the country still remains among the most dangerous almost anywhere you go. As the country's deep economic crisis shows little signs of improving, especially as President Nicolás Maduro's regime has contributed to rising poverty, Venezuela will likely remain among the world's most dangerous countries for years to come. 26. San Pedro Sula, Honduras • Homicides per 100,000: 51.2 • 2017 homicides: 392 • Population: 765,864 • Like Honduras' capital city of Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula in the north of this tiny Central American country reported a drop in homicides amid an aggressive crackdown by authorities on gangs and drug traffickers. U.S.-funded programs to help community leaders confront crime in their areas appear to have also helped. As a result, San Pedro Sula's ranking dropped to No. 26 from No. 3 in 2016 and No. 1 in both 2014 and 2013. The country remains one of the world's most dangerous, but a little less so these days. 25. Salvador, Brazil • Homicides per 100,000: 51.6 • 2017 homicides: 2,071 • Population: 4,015,205 • Salvador has always been a historically, economically, and culturally important port city situated on the country's northeastern coast. But like other Brazilian cities, the economic disparity between the small number of wealthy elites and the larger number of poor residents has led to high rates of violent crime and drug gang-related activity. Unlike Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Salvador has not benefited from some of the policing strategies that have pacified the homicide rates in the country's two most well-known cities (but also have raised concerns of excessive force by police officers). While Salvador still ranks in the top 25 dangerous cities, the security situation has improved since 2015, when Salvador ranked 14th with 54.3 homicides per 100,000 residents. 24. Guatemala, Guatemala • Homicides per 100,000: 53.5 • 2017 homicides: 1,705 • Population: 3,187,293 • The Northern Triangle, as U.S. intelligence officials call it, consists of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. All three countries have been ravaged for years by gang activity and drug trafficking. Many in these countries come to the United States as undocumented immigrants or asylum seekers. The homicide rate in Guatemala City, one of the world's most dangerous cities for years, has been hovering at about the same rate since 2014, after a bloody spike in murders pushed the city to No. 8 on the list in 2013. 23. Maturín, Venezuela • Homicides per 100,000: 54.4 • 2017 homicides: 327 • Population: 600,722 • Maturín, situated in an oil-rich region in eastern Venezuela, has been hit hard by the country's political and economic crises, including President Nicolás Maduro's power grab and ensuing mass protests and counter-protests, hyperinflation, food shortages, crippling public debt, declining oil output and rampant crime. But like other major cities on this list, the homicide rate declined last year due a crackdown by state authorities on violent crime. Four out of five of the Venezuelan cities on this list have ranked in the top 10 most dangerous cities in the world at least once since 2013. 22. Recife, Brazil • Homicides per 100,000: 55.0 • 2017 homicides: 2,180 • Population: 3,965,699 • Having one of the highest per-capita GDPs in Brazil and a thriving technology hub has not done much to reduce this eastern Brazilian port city's homicide rate. After a period of improvement from 2007 to 2014 under a state crime-fighting program, murders have gradually ticked upward since 2015, when the homicide rate was 38.1 out of 100,000 residents. Violent crime was likely exacerbated by the country's crippling economic and political crises, pushing Recife's rank further up the list. 21. Baltimore, United States • Homicides per 100,000: 55.5 • 2017 homicides: 341 • Population: 614,664 • The number of murders in Baltimore increased to a record 343 in 2017 after a slight decline in 2016. But when adjusting for the city's declining population, the murder rate hit a record high of 55.5 murders per 100,000 residents. Reasons and explanations for the city's persistent murder problem include the rise in illegal guns, more street-level opioid dealing, and few job opportunities for the city's sizeable low-income population. Some have accused local police of neglecting several high-crime areas. The number of murders in Baltimore increased to a record 343 in 2017 after a slight decline in 2016. But when adjusting for the city's declining population, the murder rate hit a record high of 55.5 murders per 100,000 residents. 20. Juárez, Mexico • Homicides per 100,000: 56.2 • 2017 homicides: 814 • Population: 1,448,859 • Like in the city of Chihuahua, 225 miles to the south, there was an increase in the murder rate in the border city of Juárez in 2017 compared to 2016. And much like the eponymous state capital, the reasons seem to be linked to an increase in turf wars among street-level meth dealers with connections to larger criminal organizations. The city reported more than 700 murders last year, including 87 in December alone, as rival drug gangs escalated their activities. 18. Aracaju, Brazil • Homicides per 100,000: 58.9 • 2017 homicides: 560 • Population: 951,073 • With heavy government investment in infrastructure and promotion and pleasant weather year-round, Aracaju has emerged as a tourism center for eastern Brazil. But its homicide rate makes it Brazil's sixth most dangerous city, and the trend in recent years is worrying. Tourism can attract the drug trade, which can attract rival gang activity that requires heavy police enforcement to combat, as it does in Rio de Janeiro. In 2014, Aracaju ranked 39th on the list with 34.2 homicides per 100,000 residents; since then the murder rate has increased 72%. 17. San Salvador, El Salvador • Homicides per 100,000: 59.1 • 2017 homicides: 1,057 • Population: 1,789,588 • Like the other two countries of the Northern Triangle, El Salvador has been facing violent street gangs and drug traffickers that have turned many of its streets into war zones. As a result, thousands have fled the area's economic hardships and danger, attempting to enter the United States. In 2017, the homicide rate dropped in the capital city of San Salvador as police and military stepped up enforcement action, but the city has been in the top 20 most dangerous cities since 2014, hitting No. 3 two years ago. 16. Kingston, Jamaica • Homicides per 100,000: 59.7 • 2017 homicides: 705 • Population: 1,180,771 • The homicide rate in Jamaica's capital jumped last year after several years of improvement. The increase comes as local authorities stepped up enforcement actions against Jamaican "posses," a local term for criminal gangs, that fight over turf in Jamaica and its surrounding parishes. Like elsewhere, killing can spike after gang leaders are killed or arrested by police, as gang members seek retribution against police or snitches, or fight to replace the ousted leaders. Last year, Kingston fell back into the list of the top 20 most dangerous cities for the first time since 2013. The homicide rate in Jamaica's capital jumped last year after several years of improvement. The increase comes as local authorities stepped up enforcement actions against Jamaican "posses," a local term for criminal gangs, that fight over turf in Jamaica and its surrounding parishes. 15. Cape Town, South Africa • Homicides per 100,000: 62.3 • 2017 homicides: 2,493 • Population: 4,004,793 • Cape Town is by far the murder capital of a country plagued with violence. Last year, overall reported crime in South Africa's capital and largest city increased by 8%, but its homicide rate barely changed. Cape Town has been in the top 20 most dangerous cities since Seguridad, Justicia y Paz began tracking homicide rates in 2013, peaking at No. 9 in 2015. 14. Maceió, Brazil • Homicides per 100,000: 63.9 • 2017 homicides: 658 • Population: 1,029,129 • Unlike in Aracaju, 170 miles to the south, the homicide rate in the coastal city of Maceió increased last year from 51.8 homicides for every 100,000 residents in 2016 to 63.9 per 100,000, pushing its ranking from the 25th spot to 14th. It is an improvement from 2014, however, when this touristic city was the country's second most dangerous with 72.9 homicides per 100,000 residents. The trend shows that despite improved economic conditions in Brazil -- the country's crippling recession that began in 2014 ended last year -- many cities struggle with gang-related violent criminal activity, and police enforcement varies from brutal to non-existent depending on how crime is tackled. 13. St. Louis, United States • Homicides per 100,000: 65.8 • 2017 homicides: 205 • Population: 311,404 • Since 2014, this Mississippi port city has been among the world's 20 most dangerous cities on the annual list, and its homicide rate has gradually increased. The city's homicide rate is the same as some of the most murderous cities in Mexico and Brazil. Like other U.S. cities on this list, St. Louis authorities are struggling to bring killers to justice in the most marginalized neighborhoods in the city. In some areas, only one in three homicides result in an arrest of suspects. Like in other homicide-heavy U.S. cities, police are trying to build trust in communities to encourage people to report crime and to reach out to troubled youths. 12. Culiacán, Mexico • Homicides per 100,000: 70.1 • 2017 homicides: 671 • Population: 957,613 • Culiacán, in the northwestern state of Sinaloa, has long been a center of drug cartel activity. Last year, the city's consistently high murder rate jumped from 51.8 homicides per 100,000 residents to 70.1 per 100,000, owing largely to the street-level fallout following the extradition of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman Loera, the head of the Sinaloa Cartel, to the United States. Although he is in custody in Brooklyn, a cartel war broke out after Guzman's former political operator reportedly attempted to kill Guzman's sons. Confirming the links between cartel inner-struggles and the rise in murders is difficult, but one thing is certain: Guzman's removal has stemmed neither the local narcotics trade nor the blood it spills. 10. Belém, Brazil • Homicides per 100,000: 71.4 • 2017 homicides: 1,743 • Population: 2,441,761 • In 2014, 10 people were gunned down in Belém in what Amnesty International called an act of revenge for the murder of a military police force officer. The killings, which received global public attention at the time, underscored the tensions between criminal gangs and street-level officers in this Amazon River port city, a conduit of agricultural goods and mining commodities extracted from the Amazon rainforest. Belém made it into the top 10 most dangerous cities list in 2017 after ranking 26th, with 45.8 homicides per 100,000 residents, two years earlier. It is now Brazil's third most dangerous city. 9. Guayana, Venezuela • Homicides per 100,000: 80.3 • 2017 homicides: 728 • Population: 906,879 • Ciudad Guayana, a Venezuelan ports city on the banks of the Orinoco River has been on the list of the top 10 most dangerous cities in the world in the past two years, climbing from 17th in 2013. Like elsewhere in the country, the city is struggling with food scarcities and high crime amid Venezuela's years-long and worsening economic conditions. The country's spiraling crime rate has made it the top source of asylum seekers to the United States. 8. Victoria, Mexico • Homicides per 100,000: 83.3 • 2017 homicides: 301 • Population: 361,078 • Like Reynosa, 200 miles to the north, Ciudad Victoria has reported a sharp increase in murders since 2015 as simmering disputes between rival drug trafficking gangs have boiled over in the past couple of years. The murder rate in the capital of Tamaulipas state, one of the most lawless in the country, has nearly tripled in two years with little respite in sight; there were more murders in the first four months of this year than in the same period of 2017. 7. Fortaleza, Brazil • Homicides per 100,000: 83.5 • 2017 homicides: 3,270 • Population: 3,917,279 • As one of Brazil's wealthiest cities, this eastern port city holds a significant cultural and business cache. But unlike Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, also cultural and economic centers, gang-related killings in Fortaleza make it the country's second most dangerous city. In 2016, the city ranked 35th with 45.0 homicides per 100,000 people. And the city got off to a bad start in 2018 when 14 people were massacred in a nightclub in February. As with elsewhere in Brazil, effective police strategies to deal with criminal gangs have been elusive, partly because Brazil's crime problem is linked to racism, deep economic inequalities, and inadequate municipal services in the poorest neighborhoods. 6. La Paz, Mexico • Homicides per 100,000: 84.8 • 2017 homicides: 259 • Population: 305,455 • La Paz means "peace" in English, but the situation in this southern Baja California city on the coast of the Gulf of California has been anything but peaceful. This is the first time La Paz has appeared on the world's top 50 most dangerous cities list since Seguridad, Justicia y Paz began tracking homicide rates in 2013. This sharp increase in killings is perhaps one of the most troubling developments in Mexico's crime problems because the southern half of the Baja California state has been spared much of the violence taking place nearby. The area's low population has insulated the southern part of the peninsula from the centers of cartel power. But now it appears that Baja California is no longer insulated from the criminal enterprises taking place across the narrow gulf. 5. Tijuana, Mexico • Homicides per 100,000: 100.8 • 2017 homicides: 1,897 • Population: 1,882,492 • Tijuana, the gritty border city just south of San Diego, has always had a seedy reputation even if its residents blanch at the stereotypes perpetuated by Americans north of the border. But Tijuana's homicide rate has steadily increased over the past five years. Last year, the city reported a precipitous jump in the murder rate, topping 100 homicides per 100,000 residents, up from 32.5 per 100,000 in 2013. In just 12 months, Tijuana's ranking climbed to become the fifth most dangerous city. Like La Paz and Los Cabos -- two other cities on this list situated on the Baja Peninsula -- Tijuana appears to be in the midst of a wave of murders as street-level drug dealers fight over turf. 4. Natal, Brazil • Homicides per 100,000: 102.6 • 2017 homicides: 1,378 • Population: 1,343,573 • Natal is the capital and largest city in Rio Grande do Norte, the second largest oil-producing state in Brazil. Foreign travellers are lured to the city's stretches of white sandy beaches, and it is a major exporter of tropical fruits and seafood. But it also has been Brazil's bloodiest city over the past two years, with the murder rate rising from 63.7 homicides per 100,000 residents in 2014 to 102.6 per 100,000 in 2017. Interestingly, because crime rates have generally increased in other cities, Natal remained ranked as the world's fourth most dangerous city. It has been a rough decade for the residents of Natal, where two major criminal factions   the Primeiro Comando da Capital (or PCC) and Sindicato do Crime   fight turf wars as law enforcement forces struggle to quell the violence. 3. Acapulco, Mexico • Homicides per 100,000: 106.6 • 2017 homicides: 910 • Population: 853,646 • Acapulco, once the city that welcomed vacationing members of the Kennedy family and Hollywood stars, has become one of the hotspots for rival drug gang fighting. It has remained within the top five most dangerous cities in the world since Seguridad, Justicia y Paz began tracking homicides in 2013. Situated on the west coast of Guerrero, one of Mexico's most violent and impoverished states, Acapulco remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country despite the high homicide rate. 2. Caracas, Venezuela • Homicides per 100,000: 111.2 • 2017 homicides: 3,387 • Population: 3,046,104 • Venezuela's capital has been ranked the most dangerous or second most dangerous city in the world since this annual list has been published in 2013. Caracas could therefore very well hold the rank as the world's most dangerous place to live outside of a war zone. Venezuela's ongoing political and economic crises have likely contributed significantly to the skyrocketing crime rates in the country. Caracas was knocked off the No. 1 position only after an unusual spike in homicides put Los Cabos, Mexico -- on the list for the first time.


Activists held a vigil Thursday night in front of the White House to remember the recent victims of mass shootings in the United States. Over the weekend, two mass shootings - one in El Paso, Tex. and another in Dayton, Ohio - left more than 30 people dead. Another shooting, in Gilroy, Calif. at a garlic festival, killed three people. Thursday night at 7 p.m., local high school students organized a candlelight vigil at Lafayette Park in front of the White House. Protesters spoke and read poems in memory of the recent lives lost. "We're here right now and they're not," one activist said. "And that's not fair." Another speaker said she is originally from Dayton. "Nine people," she shouted. "Nine sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers taken from this earth." She asked people to not forget Dayton. " So many people before this have died...only for the world to move on," she said. "I will not allow this to happen to Dayton." She read the names of the recent victims aloud. "I love Dayton and I love my country but I am ashamed," she said. "I am ashamed that we stop talking about these tragic acts as soon as they happen... and focus on something lighter, something happier. The families of the victims do not have that option, so neither should we." WUSA9 crews at the vigil estimated about 200 people attended. RELATED: Lawyers: El Paso suspect's mom had called police about son owning rifle RELATED: Mayors push Senate to return to Washington for gun bill vote RELATED: Protesters chant as Trump visits Dayton, El Paso after mass shootings Download the brand new WUSA9 app here . Sign up for the Get Up DC newsletter: Your forecast. Your commute. Your news.


Training camp is less than a month away for NFL teams. Here's a look at some of the emergent stories from Chiefs opponents throughout the AFC West: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Oakland Raiders Josh Jacobs remains unsigned ahead of Raiders appearance on "Hard Knocks" One of the Raiders three first-round draft picks has yet to sign with the team. According to Vic Tafur of the The Athletic, negotiations between the Raiders and running back Josh Jacobs are not going well. The hold up seems to be over the timing of the payout of his signing bonus. "There is a growing sentiment that Jacobs will not be at camp when the rookies report on July 23," Tafur wrote . Training camp starts for the Raiders on July 23, but this also marks when filming begins for HBO's documentary miniseries "Hard Knocks," which will follow the Raiders throughout training camp. It's possible that we'll see a holdout between Jabobs and the Raiders unfold during the course of the series. The Raiders hope that Jacobs is a player who could help offset the loss of RB Marshawn Lynch, and take some pressure off of QB Derek Carr. Continue… Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Los Angeles Chargers An unexpected rookie standout The Chargers had a new defensive playmaker emerge during their rookie minicamp. Undrafted free agent safety Roderic Teamer had quite the two-day stretch, intercepting three passes over that span. "We have a free agent that's making a lot of plays right now out there," Chargers DC Gus Bradley said regarding Teamer . "He seems to be around the ball quite a bit. That's what you hope to see, the guys that understand the defense so that you can see their instincts." Teamer is a former Tulane Green Wave standout. The Chargers already have star S Derwin James and second-round pick Nasir Adderley on the roster. A third player entering the fold adds another weapon to an already potent secondary. Keep in mind that padded practices have yet to take place, but this is an encouraging for the Chargers, who will look to top the Chiefs in the AFC West in 2019. Continue… Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports Denver Broncos Broncos OLB Von Miller's quest to break NFL's all-time sack record Miller is 102.5 sacks away from breaking Bruce Smith's record for the most career sacks in NFL history. In an interview with USA TODAY's Lila Bromberg, Miller revealed his pursuit of the record. "Whenever you set out to do something, you just want to be the best," Miller told USA TODAY . "I've got an opportunity to do something great. Miller has 98 career sacks in eight seasons with the Broncos. The 30-year-old would need to average roughly 13 sacks per season in order to reach the record within the next eight seasons. Chasing the record is a daunting goal for Miller, but also a worthy endeavor. The Chiefs extended RT Mitchell Schwartz this offseason - rewarding a player that routinely faces off against Miller. In his last five games against the Chiefs, Miller has managed just 0.5 sacks. Improving against the Chiefs will be crucial in Miller's ability to top Smith's 200-sack record. Go back… MORE: Lakers land consolation prizes after missing out on Kawhi Leonard Russell Westbrook Chased Away Another Star Teammate How does Kawhi Leonard's decision effect the Boston Celtics NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Projecting T.J. Hockenson's fantasy value and when to target him in drafts


The Carolina Hurricanes have been beating the New York Islanders badly on the ice and are now doing so off it as well. The Islanders posted a GIF on Twitter Wednesday that showed Brock Nelson patting the head of Hurricanes goalie Curtis McElhinney after a Josh Bailey goal tied the score at 2 in the second period of Game 3 between the teams. Tag. You're it. pic.twitter.com/XRbUz0oxv0   x   New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) May 2, 2019 Carolina then ripped off three goals in the third period to win the game 5-2 and take a 3-0 lead in the Eastern Conference second-round series. In response, the Hurricanes savaged the Islanders on Twitter, saying they're playing hockey while the Isles are playing tag. They're out here playing tag. We're out here playing hockey. https://t.co/vv43ciaZPJ   Carolina Hurricanes (@NHLCanes) May 2, 2019 Yes, they sure are. The Hurricanes will have a chance at the sweep at home on Friday. Related slideshow: Best of the 2019 NHL playoffs (Provided by imagn)


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. Sometime around the sixth season of Will & Grace , a funny thing happened: The love that dare not speak its name became the love that could not shut up for a second and maybe talk about something else for a while. Mike Pence has been cast as the purse-lipped Roger Chillingsworth of the Trump administration   the narrative of every Republican administration must include at least one grim puritan (John Ashcroft, Dan Quayle, Gary Bauer) and even the New York Times cannot transmute Donald J. Trump into one of those. And so the vice president has been made into the personification of one of the silliest purported scandals of the Trump administration. This is Pride Month, during which organized homosexuality does its very best to remind the nation that some people have nonstandard sexual proclivities, that for some reason some people choose to organize both their personal identities and their communities around this fact, and to demand . . . well, that turns out to be a moving target, as surely is understood by anybody who remembers how fast we went from "Nobody is talking about gay marriage, you hysterical ninnies!" to "Gay marriage is a constitutionally mandatory thing, as James Madison obviously intended!" In the pre- Lawrence era, the urgent question was whether states could (and would) enforce the sodomy laws that made a crime of certain consensual sexual acts. In 2019, the urgent question is whether U.S. embassies around the world will run the rainbow flag up the pole and see who salutes it. Mike Pence said no. Not that anybody asked him, really. The matter was resolved within the State Department, through the usual processes. A few ambassadors asked for permission to fly the pride flag, and State declined to grant that permission. Others simply flew the flag on their own authority, acting in accord with the proverbial wisdom that it is easier to beg forgiveness than secure permission. But NBC News asked the vice president about the situation, and he affirmed that he believed the decision to have been correct. His argument contained no reference to scripture or moral theology, but rather relied on the straightforward belief that where sovereign U.S. diplomatic outposts are concerned, the only flag that should be flown is the one with the 50 stars and 13 stripes. The Trump administration itself observes Pride Month, and Pence insisted that "we're proud to be able to serve every American." But: "The State Department indicated that on the flagpole of our American embassies that one flag should fly, and that's the American flag, and I support that." Not exactly Savanarola, there. But, of course, there is outrage, and the outrage is directed at Pence, because that is what he is there for. So it's " Pence backs ban " at the Washington Blade and " Pence defends Trump's ban on pride flags at U.S. embassies " in the Guardian . Neither of those headlines is quite true, inasmuch as pride flags have not been banned, categorically. They simply will not be flown from the flagpole designed for the American flag, which is entirely appropriate. The question of social attitudes and political arrangements regarding gay people (and the others represented by the rainbow flag) is an inherently political question, and embassies abroad are not a fitting venue for advertising, adjudicating, and contesting domestic political controversies. This would be as true if the ambassadors had requested to fly a banner advertising the right to life or the Second Amendment. Some things are properly reserved to other purposes. The United States is a remarkably tolerant society; even before they were struck down by the Supreme Court, the laws criminalizing homosexual relations were an anachronism in a society which is broadly welcoming and accommodating of sexual differences. It is not universally so   the homicide rate among transgender African Americans is astounding . But the broad movement oriented toward advocacy for sexual minorities has become more hysterical and more insistent as the stakes have in general declined. This is characteristic of many similar political movements: We have much cleaner air and water today than we did a generation ago, but the environmental movement is six times as hysterical as it once was. It is a curious thing. The gay-rights movement conceives of itself as a civil-rights movement patterned on the one that grew to prominence in the United States in the postwar era. It is not entirely wrong to do so. But there were, in effect, two civil-rights movements: The one led by the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. demanded the full integration of African Americans as Americans and an end to the social, economic, and political separation that had marked American society and marks it still; the other one, led by Malcolm X, conceived of African Americans as a separate people with separate aspirations, a loosely nationalistic movement that not only accepted separation but demanded more of it. The more fruitful of those movements recognized one flag and demanded that the republic for which it stands live up to its best principles. The less productive one flew many other flags. Perhaps pride in one flag is enough, for all of our failures, as we move toward a still more perfect union.


This adorable baby elephant loved being hosed down. Adorably, they rolled around on the ground as their caretaker sprayed them with water.


Warriors guard Klay Thompson will have a "key role" in "Space Jam 2," according to The Athletic's Shams Charania. In addition to Thompson, Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, Lakers big man Anthony Davis, and the WNBA's Diana Taurasi and Nneka Ogwumike are expected to appear alongside Lakers forward LeBron James in the movie. It will be a hybrid sequel to the original "Space Jam" and has a projected release date of July 16, 2021. If "Space Jam 2" follows the same plot as the original, Thompson, Lillard, Davis, Taurasi and Ogwumike could have their basketball skills stolen by cartoon aliens. Thompson, who was first linked to the movie two weeks ago, has been open about his love for the original "Space Jam." It came out when he was 6. Thompson suffered a torn left ACL in Game 6 of the NBA Finals and is expected to undergo surgery soon in Los Angeles. He will become an unrestricted free agent June 30, but intends to re-sign with the Warriors. Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cletourneau@sfchronicle.com . Twitter: @Con_Chron


Even though defensive tackle Chris Jones has yet to take part in the Kansas City Chiefs' offseason program, he's playing a part in the development of third-round rookie DT Khalen Saunders. He reached out to Saunders and has helped him in numerous ways since he joined the Chiefs via the 2019 NFL draft. "Oh yeah. Me and Chris talked a little bit over social media and texts," Saunders said. "He helps me a lot, even when he's not here. He has helped me with my nutrition and diet because he is losing a little bit of weight, as well. He told me how to do that and how to be a professional about it. He's a help, even though he is not here right now." Jones could return to the Chiefs as early as today, and when he does, he'll surely bond with Saunders in person. Saunders is still learning the ropes on how to become a professional. Treating football as a job, is different from college, because it's a supplement to your education. Now, Saunders is taking in everything that he can from those around him. "There is a professional way to do everything," Saunders said. "That is what I've learned since I've been here. There is a right way, there's your way and then there's the professional way. The oldest guy on our defense, I think, is Tyrann. He's what, 27 or 28? That just shows you right there that it's a young group. I mean, he's 27, I'm about to be 23 on August 9, that's four years apart and he has that much more experience. Not just him but everybody, they just teach me a lot of things every day as far as coming in and getting ready to work, how you prepare to get ready to work and things of that nature." With the veteran players away, Saunders has received a little extra time with his position coach Brendan Daly. He spoke of Daly as an equal opportunity teacher who will take the time to coach up any player. "Even when they were here, he helps. That's his style," Saunders said of Daly. "He's very interactive no matter who it is. No matter if it is undrafted, first round, whatever, he is going to take that time for attention to detail for you. He details everything for you, regardless who is up. He wants you to do it right. At the end of the day, that is the sign of a coach that cares: if he wants everyone to do it right, not just the guys that he potentially will keep. He's coaching everybody the same. I love it." While backflips may still be on the mind of the media, his fans and teammates - Saunders has put them on an indefinite hold as he seeks to earn a job with the Chiefs. MORE: UFC's Thiago Santos shares brutal update on injuries suffered in loss to Jon Jones Instant observations from Day 1 of Patriots training camp Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, coach Matt LaFleur building relationship, offensive philosophy Chargers offensive line update during first day of training camp Chiefs rookie RB Darwin Thompson calls Patrick Mahomes 'a real-life Jug machine'


Please, don't do this on public roads. We can't go more than a day without someone somewhere spotting a mid-engined Corvette prototype. The new Corvette is one of the most anticipated new cars, and we're less than a month away from the big reveal. However, that hasn't stopped Chevy from continuing to finalize testing. Nor has it stopped some ambitious other drivers eager to test the new Corvette's performance. Except in the video above, the driver taking the video is downright dangerous with his on-road antics. The Latest C8 Corvette News: Mid-Engined C8 Chevy Corvette ZR1 Rendered Imagining Future Performer Get Your Daily Mid-Engined Corvette Spy Dose With Two New Videos Mid-Engined Corvette Debut Tickets Up For Auction, Already At $5k Detailed C8 Corvette Renderings Imagine The Supercar's Backside The brief video shows the camouflaged mid-engined prototype in traffic. The other driver taking the video attempts to entice the Corvette into some sort of performance challenge. It wouldn't be a street race. One, those are illegal. Two, no employee in a mid-engined Corvette would even think of taking such a challenge. And three, they're slowing to a stop in traffic. The driver holding the camera not only revs his engine in a perverse form of automotive peacocking but also chips his tires, which, seeing the traffic that's around, is dumb. The Corvette drive doesn't take the bait, cruise through the stop-and-go traffic before the video ends. While we have to wait until the official unveiling next month for all the performance details, the Corvette in the video is likely sporting GM's 6.2-liter V8 engine making 460 horsepower (343 kilowatts). Hotter versions of the Corvette will come later such as the ZR1 that could use a version of Cadillac's 4.2-liter, twin-turbo Blackwing V8. There are also rumors of a range-topping Corvette with all-wheel drive and a 1,000-hp (745-kW) hybrid powertrain. Chevy will reveal the C8 Corvette July 18 at a two-day event in Tustin, California with the actual unveiling happening the evening of the 18. Expect to see the car without camouflage, even though there are tons of renderings already available. Powertrain stats should be revealed as well, and they could be estimates, too, with the final numbers coming later. Source: Corvette: Sales, News & Lifestyle via YouTube via Corvette Blogger


Fearing that the Houston Texans may have jumped in the mix after firing their own general manager, the New York Jets have made a decision, naming Joe Douglas as the teams next GM. We've agreed to terms with Joe Douglas to be our next GM. pic.twitter.com/tzQiWzNmkp - New York Jets (@nyjets) June 8, 2019 Douglas, the Eagles VP of Player Personnel and the favorite to get the job, has been a friend of head coach Adam Gase for years, and now the two men will work together. Douglas has spent the last three years as the Eagles' vice president of player personnel after coming over from the Baltimore Ravens. MORE: Why Kevin Durant is doing the right thing by not watching Finals games from the bench Report: New Orleans likely to trade Anthony Davis to Celtics New York Knicks attending Game 4 of NBA Finals Packers seeing flashes in young TE Robert Tonyan Giants' Daniel Jones quickly destroying critical narratives


Melvin Gordon wants to be a Charger for life. The running back also wants to get paid. Thus, Gordon said Saturday he has no idea what's going to happen. "I want to end up with the Chargers. That's my home," Gordon said at SportsCon 2019 in Dallas. "I'm not going to sit here and be like, 'Man, I don't want to go back to the Chargers, dah, dah, dah.' Like that's the team that blessed me with an opportunity. They started my life. They changed my life. Of all 32 teams, that was the team that called me. I can't forget them for that. "But it's an opportunity right now where I know I need to take advantage of it. You know, I want to get paid. That's just kind of what it is. Hopefully I end up a Charger. That's the goal. I want to end up with the Chargers." Gordon's agents informed the Chargers that he won't show up to training camp without a new deal, and Fletcher Smith said Gordon is "prepared to sit as long as he has to." "I'm prepared to do what I need to do. That's just what it's going to be," Gordon said. Gordon, though, would not answer when asked if he's prepared to take the route Le'Veon Bell did last year with the Steelers if his representation can't work out a dael. He is scheduled to make $5.605 million this year. Gordon, who became eligible for a new deal after the 2017 season, said he does not know where talks stand. "My guess is as good as yours right now," Gordon said. "We're going to give them some time and see where it heads. We've still got some time out before training camp. But hopefully things get figured out." Gordon made clear his preference is to stay in Los Angeles. He has not requested a trade, but he's also willing to leave if that's what it takes to get paid what he believe he's worth. "Yeah, look, hey, I don't want my fans or my teammates to ever feel like I don't want to be with them," Gordon said. "I've bled with those guys. We had a lot of downs and now that we're up. I definitely want to be a part of the team and part of the squad. I love my teammates, and I love our fans. My fans know it. I show them so much love, on any social media platform I'm on. It doesn't have anything to do with me just wanting to leave because I want to leave. But at the end of the day, it's a business, so I've got to do what's best for me and my family."


What sort of bizarre world have we inherited that we find ourselves criticizing Porsche for sacrificing the practicality of one of its models in the name of style? Porsches aren't exactly paragons of practicality. But here we are, faced with the curious creature pictured here, the 2020 Porsche Cayenne coupe , a vehicle that one of us has already called Porsche's jumping-the-shark moment . Research the Porsche Cayenne on MSN Autos | Find a Porsche Cayenne near you We drove three different versions of the not-really-a-coupe SUV through the towns and over the hillsides of eastern Austria trying to decide whether the Cayenne coupe, a less practical version of the Cayenne SUV , is the ultimate sacrilege-a frivolous, heavy Porsche-or if it is a partial corrective step for the sacrilege of Porsche building a semipractical, heavy SUV lo those many years ago. At some point, we decided to stop pondering such matters and instead focus our attention on piloting this broad-of-beam, fat-tired vehicle down the narrow, paved goat paths of rural Austria without falling off the side of a mountain. Nothing focuses the mind on what's important quite like the possibility of being squashed by an oncoming MAN semi truck. Joining the Club It would have been easier to build up some righteous indignation about the vehicle if Porsche hadn't presented it to us with such candor. Typically, during the introduction of these sorts of "lifestyle" versions of an existing model, carmakers fire up their hyperbole machines. But Porsche's reps quite matter-of-factly noted that the mechanical elements of this somewhat sleeker SUV are identical to those of the standard Cayenne. So much for our plan to catch them obscuring the paucity of the model's changes in a cloud of obfuscation. So, yes, the Cayenne coupe, which goes on sale in the United States in the fall, feels and drives pretty much exactly as the new-for-2019 Cayenne does. It drives, in other words, like the Porsche of SUVs. It is more composed and precise and competent over the road than most any premium SUV you'd care to mention. That list of vehicles would include similarly style-oriented ute-like things such as the BMW X6 , the Mercedes GLE coupe , and the Land Rover Range Rover Sport . In terms of driving satisfaction, the Cayenne coupe's strongest competitors are those that share its basic Volkswagen Group MLB Evo platform and powertrain componentry, such as the Audi Q8 and the Lamborghini Urus . The Cayenne coupe forms a sort of bridge between the Audi and the Lambo, in fact. Like the Q8, the base-level Cayenne coupe is powered by an Audi-designed turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6. In the Porsche, it makes the same 335 horsepower as in the Audi but less torque (332 lb-ft versus 369). The base Cayenne coupe-like all Cayenne coupes, Cayennes, Q7s, Q8s, Uruses, and Bentley Bentaygas-uses an eight-speed automatic transmission. We expect it will provide straight-line performance similar to the Q8's, which is to say competitive but not particularly zesty. But predictably, regardless of the options, the Porsche Cayenne coupe is the sportier-driving of the two. With a curb weight in the neighborhood of 4800 pounds, the base coupe is a heavy thing but it feels as though it has its mass under better control than the Audi. At the top end of the Cayenne coupe lineup is the Turbo, which of course borrows the twin-turbo 541-hp 4.0-liter V-8 from the noncoupe Cayenne Turbo. That can't quite match the output or the aural drama of Lambo's version, which was developed by Porsche and makes 641 horsepower. We would be surprised if there weren't eventually a Cayenne Turbo S coupe that came close to or fully matched that output. But for now, the lineup consists of the base version, the Turbo, and the tweener, the Cayenne S coupe, which is powered by the twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6 familiar from the Audi RS5 and here making 434 horsepower. The S is the sweet spot of the coupe's range. It never feels burdened by the Cayenne's mass and carries an entry price more than $40K less than the Turbo model. Have It Your Way About the price: These things, like other Porsches, are expensive. The base vehicle starts at $76,550. The S rings in at $89,850. And the Turbo is a whopping $131,350. Those prices range between $5500 and $9600 more than those of the equivalent conventional Cayennes. But the coupe models get more standard equipment, including the Sport Chrono package that, besides the dashtop chronograph, brings what Porsche calls Performance Start (a launch-control system) and the drive-mode selector on the steering wheel with Normal, Sport, Sport Plus, and Individual settings. The coupe also provides a more permissive stability control setting called PSM Sport, adaptive dampers (a.k.a. PASM), and eight-way power-adjustable front seats (18-way chairs for the Turbo) as standard. And because this is Porsche, there is an absurdly long list of optional equipment. The loaded examples we drove carried between $34,910 and $56,400 in extras. Among the biggest-ticket items were carbon-ceramic brakes for $9080; a $7000 Burmester audio system; the $4900 Performance package with adaptive air springs, rear-axle steering, and a sport exhaust; the $3590 active anti-roll bars; and $2000 for adaptive cruise control. Potential buyers should note that most of these options cost slightly less on the considerably more expensive Turbo model. You also can get a six-disc CD changer for $560, but you can't have a factory tape deck for any amount of money. The heavy money, though, is in the Lightweight Sport package. For $14,440 (or $11,570 on Turbos), you can take between a claimed 39 and 48 pounds off a roughly 5000-pound vehicle. The package includes 22-inch forged alloy wheels, which are lighter than most other 22-inch wheels but almost certainly heavier than smaller wheels. Porsche also removes some sound-deadening material and adds a microsuede headliner and sporty body addenda. But the showstoppers are the carbon-fiber roof and the houndstooth fabric seat inserts. The carbon roof replaces the standard fixed glass piece. No body-color metal roof is offered. We suspect that has much to do with the fact that the roofline of the coupe is not as low as it appears. (In fact, Porsche claims it's only 0.8 inch lower than the regular Cayenne's.) You see, the body panel above the rear side window plunges down at a faster angle than the rear portion of the roof does. It's an optical illusion that gives the coupe a sportier look without making the rear seats useless. If the roof were painted the body color instead of being made of glass or this dark carbon fiber, the effect would be lost. As for the houndstooth seat inserts, they are a sort of self-conscious riff on vintage Porsche goodness. We think they look great. A Style Statement And for the most part, the whole vehicle looks pretty great. Sure, maintaining adequate headroom meant ditching the rear seat sliders, so coupe buyers will forgo that comfort amenity. They'll also lose five cubic feet of cargo space because of the faster back glass and the hatch-mounted adaptive spoiler. Can you deal with that and do you prefer the look of the coupe over the regular Cayenne SUV? Then maybe this isn't such a silly thing, comparatively speaking. The only thing we didn't like about the vehicle, apart from the price, was the Porsche Surface Coated Brake option. We dig the mirror finish on the rotors and the promise of dramatically reduced brake dust, but these brakes are grabby, making smooth stops a chore. And the available Lane Change Assist system added a quiet and disconcerting inconsistency in steering response whenever the SUV strayed too close to the lane lines. But the coupe version of the Cayenne is exactly as Porsche promises: It's a Cayenne with less cargo space and more style. No hyperbole needed. Research the Porsche Cayenne on MSN Autos | Find a Porsche Cayenne near you


A federal grand jury indicted the suspect in the Chabad of Poway synagogue shooting Tuesday on 113 counts, which carry a maximum penalty of death. John Earnest, 19, was indicted Tuesday in the Southern District of California for the April 27 shooting, which killed one person and injured three others . The indictment includes murder and the attempted murder of 53 people. Earnest was also indicted on federal hate crime charges. In addition, he was indicted on an arson charge for allegedly setting fire to the Dar-ul-Arqam mosque on March 24. Earnest is charged with entering the synagogue on the last day of Passover on April 27 and opening fire with an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle with a 10-round magazine. Authorities say he also had an additional five magazines strapped to his body. The shooter was stopped after being chased from the synagogue by a group of congregants including an off-duty border patrol agent . Investigators said that they found a manifesto online that included anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim remarks. Earnest allegedly said he only regretted not killing more people in the shooting. He said he drew inspiration for the shooting from the mosque shootings in New Zealand and the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh. Earnest is scheduled to be arraigned June 4.