Humanity's costliest construction endeavours. Humanity's costliest construction endeavors The human race has been making its mark on the planet since time immemorial, embarking on ever more ambitious, and expensive, constructions. The costliest run into tens and even hundreds of billions of dollars, and range from spectacular new cities to immense road and rail networks. Click ahead for look at the 30 most pricey megaprojects of all time, adjusted for inflation into today's money, and get ready for your jaw to drop. 30. Doha Metro, Qatar: $36 billion Phase one of the world's largest ongoing metro megaproject, Doha's rapid transit system, is 90% complete, and undergoing testing before the opening date is finalized. The metro system will eventually have four lines served by driverless trains stretching over 186 miles, and stopping at a total of 100 ultra-modern stations. 29. Beijing Shanghai High-Speed Railway, China: $39 billion China's most profitable high-speed railway commenced operations in 2011. The 819-mile railway is the longest high-speed line constructed in a single phase and carries over 130 million passengers a year. Needless to say, the line didn't come cheap   all in all, a total of $34.7 billion was invested in the project. 27 (tie). Yas Island, UAE: $40 billion Abu Dhabi's premier entertainment and leisure district, Yas Island boasts climate-controlled theme parks including Ferrari World and Warner Bros. World, luxury hotels, a concert venue that seats 35,000, a huge shopping mall, and more besides. And it's set to grow further with several additional attractions planned for the $40 billion development, including a SeaWorld aquarium. 27 (tie). Songdo International Business District, South Korea: $40 billion South Korea's new smart city was built from scratch on reclaimed land near the capital Seoul. The largest private property development in history, the 600-hectare state-of-the-art city features eco-skyscrapers, as well as copies of Venice's canals and New York's Central Park. The project was due for completion in 2018 but is yet to be 100% finished. Tax incentives were meant to attract inhabitants and businesses alike, but the city still lacks people with a population of just 100,000   a third of the 300,000 target. 26. Three Gorges Dam, China: $41 billion The world's largest and most expensive hydro-power project, China's Three Gorges Dam was completed in 2012 at a cost of $37.2 billion, considerably over budget. The final bill included relocating 1.3 million people who were displaced by the dam, which is so big it has literally slowed the rotation of the planet thanks to all the water it moves around. 25. Verkehrsprojekt Deutsche Einheit, Germany: $43.3 billion This bewildering megaproject to integrate and expand the rail and road system in Germany commenced in 1991 following the Reunification of the country. Though most of the supermassive project is now done and dusted, construction of VDE 8, the final and largest phase, is still ongoing and won't be fully completed until 2028. 23 (tie). Lusail, Qatar: $45 billion Lusail is Qatar's most eye-opening megaproject. A cutting-edge planned city, the development, which is projected to have a population of 450,000, will have everything from residential and shopping areas to marinas, artificial islands and an entertainment hub. Lusail's stadium, which is nearing completion, will serve as one of the venues for the 2022 soccer World Cup. 23 (tie). New capital of Egypt: $45 billion Egypt's pristine new capital, which is yet to be named, is taking shape in the desert 28 miles east of Cairo. Slated to cost $45 billion, the meticulously planned solar-powered city will wow with gleaming skyscrapers, the world's second-largest mosque, a stunning green space twice the size of New York's Central Park and a theme park four times bigger than Disneyland. It has stirred some controversy, as many ponder why the government haven't used this money to deal with the infrastructure problems that the existing city of Cairo faces. 22. Itaipu Dam, Brazil/Paraguay: $47.7 billion Completed in 1984 at a cost of $19.6 billion, the hydroelectric Itaipu Dam on the border of Brazil and Paraguay provides Brazil with 20% of its energy needs and Paraguay with over 75%. The hydroelectric project is considered one of the world's most ambitious, and has been described as being among the modern Seven Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. 21. Sound Transit 3, Seattle: $53.8 billion This visionary plan to expand the light rail system in Seattle was approved by the city's voters in November 2016. Spanning a hefty 62 miles, the 37-station project, which will be partly funded by local taxes, is estimated to cost a total of $53.8 billion and won't be fully completed until 2041. 20. Alta Velocidad Española (AVE), Spain: $69.9 billion Covering 2,010 miles, Spain's high-speed rail network is now the world's second most extensive. The Spanish government embarked on the project back in 1992 and the network is currently undergoing expansion, with several lines and extensions under construction. All in all, the entire project is expected to come in at $69.9 billion. 19. Suburban Rail Loop, Australia: $71.1 billion-plus Melbourne's Suburban Rail Loop, which has been dubbed "Victoria's Big Build," is a 56-mile orbital line that will link the city's CBD with the outer suburbs. Many are quoting that Australia's most extensive megaproject, which is expected to take more than 25 years to complete, will cost $35.4 billion, but it will cost at least $71.1 billion according to Alan Tudge, the minister in charge of infrastructure. 18. Honshu-Shikoku Bridge Project, Japan: $72.8 billion This system of three expressways and 18 bridges, which connects the islands of Honshu and Shikoku, was completed in 1999 and remains Japan's biggest and most expensive construction project. The final bill for the mammoth project stood at $48 billion in 1999, around $72.8 billion when adjusted for inflation. 17. South North Water Transfer Project, China: $79 billion-plus This incredibly demanding infrastructure project will eventually channel 1.6 trillion cubic feet of water a year from the Yangtze River in southern China to the H2O-deprived cities of the north. A total of $79 billion has already been spent on the project, which won't be finished until at least 2030. 16. Chūō Shinkansen, Japan: $80.7 billion Japan is investing 9 trillion yen in its maglev high speed line, which will link Tokyo to Nagoya and eventually Osaka. Journey times will be blisteringly fast on the cutting-edge trains, which will whizz along at speeds approaching 314 mph. The first phase is scheduled for completion in 2027, while the Osaka extension is expected to launch in 2045. 15. Al Maktoum International Airport, UAE: $82 billion Poised for completion in 2027, Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport is expected to be the world's largest airport in terms of freight handled, and around five million passengers per year are expected to pass through the airport. At present, however, very few airlines are operating passenger services. In total, the megaproject, which is named after the late Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is estimated to cost $82 billion. 14. High Speed 2 (HS2), UK: $92.7 billion Europe's single most expensive megaproject, the UK's High Speed 2 (HS2) network connecting London to Leeds will be built in two phases. The first phase linking London to Birmingham is scheduled for completion in 2026, while the second phase connecting the capital to Manchester and Leeds won't be ready until 2033. The estimated cost for the project was $73.7 billion in 2015, but MP Boris Johnson has already predicted it will total more than $92.7 billion. 12 (tie). Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Project, India: $100 billion India's most breathtaking construction project, the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor will include 24 industrial regions, eight smart cities, two airports, five power projects, two mass rapid transit systems and two logistical hubs. However, the first phase of the project, a freight corridor linking Delhi and Mumbai, has been delayed and may not be ready now until 2030. 12 (tie). King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia: $100 billion Named after the late King Abdullah, this glittering new Saudi city known as KAEC (pronounced "cake") will be larger than Washington, D.C., upon its completion, which is expected sometime in the early 2020s. Covering 66.8 square miles, the futuristic metropolis will include a CBD, industrial zone, residential areas and a port, and is expected to cost an eye-watering $100 billion. 11. Kashagan Field, Kazakhstan: $127.7 billion Construction of this offshore oil field in the Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan kicked off in 2001 but oil production didn't commence until 2013. The oil field sits in shallow, hydrogen sulfide-rich waters that freeze over in winter, making it one of the most challenging, and expensive, engineering projects of all time. 10. Madinat al-Hareer, Kuwait: $132 billion Kuwait is teaming up with China to construct Madinat al-Hareer, aka Silk City. The 96.5-square-mile development will blow the competition away with the world's tallest building, the Burj Mubarak Al Kabir tower, which will stand 3,282 feet tall. Other highlights of the megaproject, which is due for completion in 2044, include a new airport, nature reserve, hotels, spas and parks. 9. International Space Station: $160 billion The International Space Station is estimated to have cost $150 billion as of 2015. The space station, which shines brighter than Venus in the night sky, is a joint project among five participating space agencies: America's NASA, Russia's Roscosmos, Japan's JAXA, Europe's ESA, and Canada's CSA. 8. Masjid al-Haram, Saudi Arabia: $200 billion The world's largest mosque and Islam's most sacred site, the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca covers 99 acres and can accommodate up to four million pilgrims during the Hajj. The total cost of construction and maintenance of the holy building has been estimated at an incredible $100 billion, and Saudi Arabia is planning to spend another $100 billion on the site in the coming years. 7. Gulf Railway, Persian Gulf countries: $250 billion The Gulf Railway will connect all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states in the Persian Gulf and span a total of 1,353 miles. Initially scheduled for completion in 2020, the colossal $250 billion project has been delayed as a result of oil price fluctuations and disagreements between the six countries. Related: Late megaprojects that blew their budgets 6. Great Wall of China: $360 billion Stretching over 13,171 miles, the Great Wall of China dates back more than 2,300 years and took over 2,000 years to complete. Millions of workers toiled away constructing the remarkable architectural feat which, contrary to popular belief, isn't actually visible from space. Exactly how much it cost in today's money is open to question, but an upper estimate of $360 billion has been suggested. 5. Urban Renewal Project, Turkey: $400 billion Turkey's crumbling seismically unsafe infrastructure is set for a major overhaul over the next 20 years. The Turkish government is setting aside a staggering $400 billion to demolish over seven million buildings and replace them with earthquake-proof structures in what is shaping up to be the world's largest urban renewal project. 4. Neom, Saudi Arabia: $500 billion Billed as the planet's most ambitious city construction project, Neom in northwest Saudi Arabia will be the world's most futuristic urban area, stretching across three countries upon its completion. The first phase of the smart city is scheduled to launch in 2025, though a number of big-name investors and advisors, including British architect Norman Foster, have distanced themselves from the project following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. 3. U.S. Interstate Highway System: $532.9 billion Construction of America's Interstate Highway System began in June 1959 and the enormous network of freeways now stretches more than 47,856 miles. The total cost was estimated at $425 billion in 2006, that's $532.9 billion in today's money, making it the most expensive completed megaproject to date. 2. TEN-T Network, Europe: $550 billion The EU is investing a whopping $550 billion in the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) megaproject, which involves the construction and integration of hundreds of thousands of miles of road, rail, waterway, sea and airport networks throughout 28 member states. While several networks have been completed, a number remain under construction. 1. Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), global: $8 trillion China is going all out with its mind-blowing Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The biggest megaproject of all time, the BRI encompasses 7,000 infrastructure projects spanning 64 countries in Asia, Africa and Europe, and will create a new Silk Road for the 21st century. Due for completion in 2050, the vast initiative could cost up to a staggering $8 trillion. Read more: 28 jaw-dropping innovations that show China is leading the world


Here's what you need to know about what's happening in Seattle. Electric scooters are coming to Seattle, Mayor Jenny Durkan says The Durkan administration will craft a pilot program for scooter-share this fall, the mayor announced Wednesday. Until now, Seattle has banned scooter-share, and city law bars the use of motorized scooters on sidewalks and bicycle lanes. Read the full story on The Seattle Times . Rising Seattle housing prices fuel surge in unsold homes, study finds The number of homes for sale in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area is rising faster than it has in years, but the increase isn't fueled by a huge influx of homes on the market, says a new report released Thursday. Rather, the increase in available homes is mostly because prices are higher than buyers can afford, so homes are lingering on the market longer, inflating the inventory. Read the full story on KOMO News . Hate crime reports on the rise in Seattle, latest data shows More people are reporting hate crimes in Seattle, with the number increasing by the hundreds over the past few years. Read the full story on KING5 . This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Victoria Komada was born with both legs bent backwards, leaving her unable to walk for the first three years of her life. Her condition, bilateral tibial hemimelia, is a congenital deformity that causes missing bones and deformities in the legs and ankles, according to the Paley Institute. "We were looking for help everywhere," her mother, Marzena Drusewicz, told SWNS. According to the Good News Network , Victoria's family members, who live in Poland, were first told that both of her legs needed to be amputated, but they insisted there must be another option. They then found Dr. Dror Paley, a surgeon in Florida who said he would be able to reconstruct one of her legs   and it would cost $235,000. The family reached out to the public for help, and after raising the funds, they traveled in July to the Paley Institute in West Palm Beach, Florida, according to the Good News Network. Dr. Paley determined that he could fix the 3 year old's left leg, but her right leg would have to be amputated and could be fitted with a prosthetic. After the nine-hour surgery in July, Victoria's parents "had to twist six individual screws a few millimeters each day to coax the bones excruciatingly into place," according to the Eastern Daily Press. "That was a horrible time because she was crying all day and night," Drusewicz told the newspaper. "She was saying, 'I've had enough   what are you doing to me?'" "One day I was thinking I wanted to pack our stuff and come back home," she added. "We weren't eating or sleeping properly and there was so much stress with Victoria." But after another surgery in November   which fused together the bones in her left leg   things became easier. Miraculously, she was walking two days after her second surgery and plans to start school in September, according to the Good News Network. "We were so happy when she took her first steps, we started crying," Drusewicz told the outlet. "We were on the way to the car and she said, 'Mummy, can I show you something?'" She added: "Of course I was so scared and didn't know what was going to happen. [But] every week, she got better and better and now she is not in any pain at all. She can now walk normally and we can all start our life again now [that] we are home." "We achieved all that we said we would achieve for her. The reconstructed leg is very functional," Dr. Paley told the Good News Network. "She can walk and run and do sports now. She has had superb results." Looking back on their trying journey to her little girl's first steps, Drusewicz expressed gratitude for everyone who helped raise the money. "Thank you," the relieved mom told the Eastern Daily Press . "Sometimes there aren't enough words to describe the appreciation."


Monty Williams was already excited about the opportunity to coach the Phoenix Suns. "These jobs are hard to come by," Williams said. "There's only 30 (NBA head coaching jobs) and when someone commits to you being a head coach, that's a huge thing." General Manager James Jones liked him   a lot. "After our first meeting, I knew that if there was an opportunity to to get him here, that we had to do it," Jones said. As much as those two connected, a conversation Williams had with team owner Robert Sarver proved to be pivotal in the Suns landing the guy they wanted. "In my conversations with Mr. Sarver, I saw someone who didn't duck the tough questions," Williams said. "We both had tough questions for each other and in this day and age where people throw each other under the bus, make excuses, blame; I didn't see that. I saw a man who really wants to bring success to this city and I mean that with all of my heart or I wouldn't have come here." Are you a sports fan? Stay in the know. Subscribe to azcentral.com today . Williams provided insight into his talk with the team owner during his introductory news conference Tuesday at Talking Stick Resort Arena. "James and I are a lot a like in that we just want to do the right thing and I saw that with Mr. Sarver," Williams continued. "For him to take ownership of his past was huge for me because I had to do the same thing. He had tough questions for me and if you look at my past, I've done some things, said some things in the media I wish I could've taken back. So that's what I saw." Williams, 47, will be Phoenix's fifth coach in five seasons, but he signed a five-year deal which will provide more stability that the Suns desperately need at that position. "It'll be a combination of things," Williams said when asked why he'll succeed in Phoenix when the previous coaches haven't in recent years. "Continuity, having a staff here for a while and putting in a system that the players can rely upon, but ultimately it will come down to James, myself and the players pushing this thing forward. The players are going to have to embrace a level of work and commitment that it takes to be a champion." Williams replaces Igor Kokoskov, who went 19-63 in his one and only season as an NBA head coach. "They're getting a special person on and off," Philadelphia 76ers general manager Elton Brand said during last week's NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. "The relationships he has with his players, the environment he provides, they've got a special coach." The Suns haven't made the playoffs since 2010 when they reached the Western Conference finals under Alvin Gentry. They've posted five consecutive losing seasons, failed to win at least 25 games in the last four seasons and had the NBA's second-worst record this past season after posting the worst record in the league in 2017-18. Williams takes over a team that's not only been losing, but he has become accustomed to losing. His biggest challenge might be changing the culture and mindset of a floundering franchise under Sarver. "Everybody here wants to win and that's the main goal and I think he's going to lead us to that," Suns forward Mikal Bridges said. "I know what he's going to want out of all of us and that he's going to push us and I think that's what we need. People to push us to be really good, be great. I think he's that right person." Unlike Kokoskov, Williams has more than one year of NBA head coaching experience. He went 173-221 in five seasons in New Orleans, which included a pair of playoff appearances (2011, 2015). He was an associate head coach at Oklahoma City from 2015-16 before his wife was killed in a head-on vehicle collision. Williams stepped away from coaching, worked two years in the San Antonio Spurs' front office, before returning to coaching as an assistant in Philadelphia this past season. The 76ers reached the playoffs this season for a second consecutive year, but lost to the Toronto Raptors in a best-of-seven on a buzzer-beater by Kawhi Leonard in Game 7. The Suns hired Williams during the Toronto-Philadelphia series early this month. When that series ended, Williams began making the transition from Philadelphia to Phoenix. "Monty is a man of integrity," Jones said. "A very good coach. A very good man. His experience in all facets of basketball as a coach, player development on the offensive side of the ball and the defensive side of the ball, in the front office gives him a unique perspective that I think is well suited for our franchise." He's now in the desert and will look to help Phoenix return to the postseason for the first time in nearly a decade. The Suns have a young core led by Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, who is a finalist for this season's NBA Rookie of Year award. Booker finished the regular season tied for fifth in the NBA in scoring with Leonard, as both averaged 26.6 points a game. Ayton averaged a double-double of 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game, but that didn't stop the Suns from losing a franchise record 17 games in a row. That's what waiting for Williams in Phoenix. "They're young and the West is really difficult," Williams said. "That's no excuse for 19 wins, but the guys are talented on this team." The Suns have the No. 6 overall pick in next month's draft after falling in the lottery despite sharing the best chance to land the No. 1 overall pick along with New York and Cleveland at 14%. The Knicks landed the third overall pick while the Cavaliers dropped to fifth. "That's a big-time pick," Williams said. "I know people were upset that we weren't top-three, but I was like, it wasn't 26th. It was 6th. It's a big-time pick." Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin . Support local journalism. Start your online subscription . How Gonzaga's Brandon Clarke could fit with Suns This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Robert Sarver was instrumental in Phoenix Suns landing Monty Williams


In the market for a big man who could stretch the floor at the trade deadline, the Bucks made an effort to acquire Frank Kaminsky from the Hornets but were turned down, sources tell Sean Deveney of Sporting News . Having missed out on Kaminsky, Milwaukee instead sent a handful of second-round picks to New Orleans to acquire Nikola Mirotic . With Mirotic and Brook Lopez both headed for unrestricted free agency this summer, however, Deveney expects the Bucks to circle back to Kaminsky, who will be eligible for restricted free agency. Milwaukee's ability to land him will depend on a number of factors, including how serious the Hornets are about re-signing him and what happens with the Bucks' own free agent bigs. Still, it's a potential pairing to watch, particularly if Kaminsky becomes unrestricted and is available at a discount. Here's more on the Bucks: In a separate article for Sporting News , Deveney previewed the Bucks' offseason, suggesting that the team will make Khris Middleton its top priority in free agency this summer over Lopez, Malcolm Brogdon and others. After the Bucks' season ended last weekend, Lopez said he'd "love to be back," while George Hill   who is expected to be waived to avoid his full $19M guarantee   said that money has never been the most important factor for him in free agency, as Malika Andrews of ESPN.com relays. In an interesting piece for The Athletic , Eric Nehm spoke to Giannis Antetokounmpo about what the Bucks star learned during his first extended playoff run and how he'll apply those lessons going forward. "There are so many things I thought were tough in the regular season," Antetokounmpo said after playing three rounds of postseason basketball. "They're not." The Bucks recently worked out UNC forward Cameron Johnson , per Gery Woelfel of Woelfel's Press Box . The 21st player on ESPN's big board , Johnson may no longer be available by the time Milwaukee picks at No. 30.


The USYNT is under way against Qatar in a critical match that will determine whether the U-20 side makes it through to the knockout stage. The United States currently sits on three points through its first two matches, and a win would secure a spot in the knockout round. A draw would clinch a spot in the knockout stage at least via the third-place qualifier as four points would be enough to get them through, although in a less advantageous position. A loss would leave them in serious jeopardy for elimination. [ WATCH LIVE: Stream U.S. vs. Qatar in U-20 WC ] The U.S. can even still win the group, as Nigeria takes on Ukraine in the other Group D match, and Nigeria winning by a slim margin coupled with a big U.S. win would see them top the bunch. The countdown is on! ⏲ Your U-20 #USMNT starting XI vs. 🇶🇦 in the #U20WC pic.twitter.com/X59qjB3Fdu   U.S. Soccer YNT (@USYNT) May 30, 2019 Sebastian Soto earns his second straight start after his winning brace against Nigeria, supported by Timothy Weah and Konrad de la Fuente. Mark McKenzie wears the captain's armband with Paxton Pomykal on the bench, and moves from his natural central position to right-back in what appears to be a very fluid formation. Winning Group D comes with a massive advantage of playing a third-place qualifier in the first knockout round, while the group runner-up would likely draw tournament favorites France in the Round of 16. Follow @the_bonnfire


Pete Buttigieg can win the Democratic nomination for president, top party strategists say, as long as he can capitalize on his growing media attention and early grass-roots efforts in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary. Buttigieg has become an early primary sensation, coming out of nowhere to be seen as a real contender for the Democratic presidential nomination. Rivals are taking him seriously, and even a second-place finish in Iowa - where he held events Tuesday - could give the South Bend, Ind., mayor a significant boost, say Democratic strategists closely following the jockeying among candidates. "If he has a strong showing in one or both of those states, it's a game-changer," Lynda Tran, a founding partner at 270 Strategies, said of the contests in Iowa and New Hampshire. Another strategist backed that sentiment, saying Buttigieg "needs to dig in" in Iowa and New Hampshire "and allow his ever-growing grass-roots effort to send the loudest message." "If he does well in those early states, even if he comes in second, it'll cause a domino effect with the other states," the strategist said. Once a dark horse candidate with a surname few could pronounce, Buttigieg has soared in the polls in recent weeks, bypassing, at least in some polls, previously better-known political figures and candidates such as Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Cory Booker (N.J.). That success is critical in a crowded Democratic race with 19 candidates, and former Vice President Joe Biden expected to join them. More and more people are hearing his name - and learning to pronounce it. The political website fivethirtyeight.com said he was the second most-mentioned candidate on cable news last week. Since officially announcing his candidacy on Sunday, the openly gay Buttigieg has appeared on MSNBC's "Rachel Maddow" show to talk about the difficulty of remaining in the closet into his 30s. Smaller interviews have gone viral. After the fire at Notre Dame in Paris on Monday, Buttigieg - who knows seven languages - spoke to a reporter in French. The clip of Buttigieg speaking with French news outlet BFM TV had been viewed nearly 3 million times as of Tuesday morning. "To the people of France, I would like to say that Notre Dame Cathedral was like a gift to the human race. We share in the pain, but we also thank you for this gift to civilization," he said to the channel, according to a Business Insider translation . An Emerson poll out this week showed Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in first place with 29 percent from Democrats, followed by Biden at 24 percent. Buttigieg, while significantly behind those two candidates, came in third place with 9 percent - a dramatic uptick for the mayor that put him ahead of Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and former Rep. Beto O'Rourke (Texas), who are also battling to get to the top tier. Two polls last week in Iowa and New Hampshire also showed Buttigieg in third place behind Biden and Sanders in those two critical states. Buttigieg has aced an initial test of the crowded primary, winning attention and dollars for his campaign. The mayor raised $7 million for his campaign in the first fundraising quarter, $1 million of which was in the first 24 hours of his campaign announcement, according to his campaign. He also hasn't spent much of the money yet, allowing him to invest in early state infrastructure. Democrats do warn that Buttigieg's upward trajectory will be difficult to maintain without the right strategy. The days between now and the first Democratic debates on June 26 and 27 will be critical. "The transition from phenom to leading candidate is a delicate path, and you want to time it right - some strong debate performances, holding your own in tough interviews, a couple of early state wins - that could help him rack up sustained momentum, prominent endorsements and a path to victory," said Ben LaBolt, a Democratic strategist who served as a spokesman for former President Obama. It remains to be seen whether Buttigieg can win over the voters in Iowa and New Hampshire - an electorate that trends over 50. "They're more focused on experience in those states," said one strategist. But Chris Lehane, a veteran of presidential campaigns said the lesson from the last two presidential cycles in 2016 and 2008 is that voters "are looking for disruptive candidates defined as nonestablishment, not same old same old." "Pete checks all of those boxes and then to win he has to show he can put together a campaign which from a prescriptive sense can be broken down into three M's: message, mobilization and money," said Lehane. Julian Zelizer, a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University said winning the primary shouldn't be seen as a stretch for the 37-year-old mayor. "Not out of this world at all," Zelizer said. "Think Jimmy Carter 1976, Iowa and New Hampshire. Or more recently think Barack Obama in 2008. Both were unknown candidates, both faced major, well known, established, inevitable opponents and both won," he said.


Tottenham are already looking to bounce back after their Champions League Final defeat to Liverpool on Saturday night. Hugo Lloris has admitted to putting thought into the possible changes that might occur in north London as Spurs look to bounce back next season in a similar way in which Liverpool managed to do after their own defeat in the final 12 months ago to Real Madrid. Spoke with @HarryWinks post match, gutted for him. Was absolutely quality tonight. Praying he stays fit next season, hands down our best midfielder. #TOTLIV #coys #UCLFINAL pic.twitter.com/C4Y4UsU4P8   Ben Haines (@benhainess) June 1, 2019 Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool managed to banish those memories with victory over the weekend, and Lloris witnessed believes his Tottenham side can do the same after losing 2-0 to the Reds. "It is difficult to compare both projects," Lloris told the Mirror . "There is one club who sets out to win every competition in which they play... and that is not the case with Tottenham . "We work and try to stick with the philosophy of the board, manager and the club. We look to improve every season and we have shown improvements year after year. So, we now cannot throw everything in the bin after a Champions League Final defeat. It's been a big step for the club and the only thing we can look to do is come back stronger next season." Lloris also expressed his frustration with the team's overall performance during the final after they found themselves 1-0 down after a penalty was awarded to Liverpool after just 30 seconds. "It is always painful to lose a match like this," he said. "We were a bit too timid and woke up in the final 15 minutes. It's a shame. We could have done with showing more pressing and aggression to have made the game harder for Liverpool. We never managed to put them under pressure and go one-v-one." Daniel Levy has committed to backing Argentinian manager Mauricio Pochettino in the coming transfer market as changes are expected to be made in north London in a bid to go one better in next season's Champions League. When Pochettino arrived at Spurs five years ago, Levy stated: "He has a proven ability to develop each player as an individual, whilst building great team spirit and a winning mentality." Tottenham have improved massively but finally getting their hands on some silverware has eluded them for yet another year and winning next year will be top of everyone's agenda, with wholesale changes expected this summer. Asked whether he'd back an overhaul, Lloris said: "That decision belongs to the gaffer and the board. I am just a player. The only thing I can say is that getting to the Champions League final was a very big and emotional thing. "It is difficult for us to end the season in this way because you never know when you will get the opportunity to win this type of competition again. "It was a lesson in efficiency, maybe we had too much focus on the way to play rather than to win. They managed the game much better than us. "It was painful for everyone. To bring Tottenham to a Champions League Final will never match the feeling of winning it. But it is a very positive thing and we have to build from that to take the club to where it wants to go."


Got a hankering for sandwiches? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable sandwich sources in Aurora, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to venture next time you're on the hunt. 1. Peak To Peak Tap & Brew Topping the list is Horseshoe Park's Peak To Peak Tap & Brew , situated at 16701 E. Iliff Ave. With 4.5 stars out of 153 reviews on Yelp, the brew pub, which offers sandwiches and more, has proven to be a local favorite for those looking for a low-priced option. The brewery offers signature sandwiches, such as The Mo with smoked pulled pork topped with caramelized onions, pickle chips and barbecue sauce; the Italian with salami, ham and provolone cheese; and the Philly Cheesesteak with marinated sirloin beef steak topped with bell peppers, onions and provolone cheese. (See the whole menu here .) 2. Which Wich Jewell Heights - Hoffman Heights's Which Wich , located at 13700 E. Colfax Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the cheap spot to score sandwiches and more four stars out of 36 reviews. Try the Ultimate BLT with avocado and garlic aioli; the Cheeseburgerwich (think a burger sandwich) and the beef or chicken gyro. (Click here to view the menu.) 3. Benders Brat Haus Over in Tollgate Overlook, check out Benders Brat Haus , which has earned four stars out of 104 reviews on Yelp. Dig in at the spot to score burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches by heading over to 700 S. Buckley Road, Suite A. The menu features Italian, bratwurst and krautburger sandwiches, with the option of pairing them with either potato chips, warm or cold German potato salad or coleslaw. 4. Tortisimas Finally, there's Tortisimas , a City Center favorite with 4.5 stars out of 27 reviews. Stop by 15021 E. Mississippi Ave. to hit up the Mexican spot, which offers sandwiches and juice and smoothies, next time you're in the mood for cheap eats. On the menu, anticipate sandwiches like The Lambada with pork, egg , chorizo and American cheese and the Cubanisima. 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.


When the North Carolina Tar Heels were knocked out of the 2018 NCAA Tournament by Auburn, it was the end of an era for many great players. Seniors Luke Maye, Cam Johnson and Kenny Williams have completed their four years. Freshmen Coby White and Nassir Little decided it was time to pursue a career in the NBA. The big picture: It will be a completely different team in Chapel Hill. But the 2019 season brings a lot of hope for Tar Heel fans for a few reasons. Returning players: With the popularity of one-and-dones in the NCAA, coach Roy Williams lost key contributors in White and Little. But UNC does return several key players from last year's squad. These are the main guys who will have an extended role in the 2019-2020 season. Garrison Brooks: Brooks started all 36 games last season and averaged 8.6 points per game, which is the best average of the returning players. He will most likely start at center to begin the season. Sterling Manley: Manley was a solid backup for Brooks and played a big role for the Tar Heels coming off the bench. He will most likely split time with freshman Armando Bacot in the frontcourt rotation. Brandon Robinson: With guards White, Williams and Little all gone, the expectation is that Robinson will get more playing time. The senior will be heavily relied on for his experience and athleticism. Freshman studs: As usual, North Carolina brings in one of the best recruiting classes in the nation. The Tar Heels ranked eighth nationally and second in the ACC. Here are the freshmen to watch for this season. Cole Anthony: The son of former NBA player Greg Anthony, Cole is the No. 2 overall recruit in the 2019 class and will replace White at point guard. Anthony will be the catalyst for the offense, and will immediately be a starter. Armando Bacot: He is a classic UNC big who plays well on both sides of the ball. Because of Bacot's ability to get rebounds and finish in the paint, his frontcourt presence will be huge. Jeremiah Francis: A native of Pickerington, Ohio, Francis is a solid piece in the backcourt who can provide solid minutes off the bench. He also played with current Tar Heel Sterling Manley at Pickerington Central, where they were one of the top teams in the state. Transfer additions: One of the best players for UNC last season was Cam Johnson, who transferred from Pitt and had a great career in Chapel Hill. Coach Williams landed two transfers who could make a big impact for the Tar Heels. Christian Keeling: A transfer from Charleston Southern, Keeling is another piece joining a loaded backcourt. He led the Buccaneers with 18.6 points per game and will be a great offensive weapon alongside Anthony. Justin Pierce: Williams continues the trend of recruiting guards as he landed Pierce, who will be another exciting piece in the backcourt. His 46 percent field-goal percentage will be huge for a team that loves to shoot the ball. What to watch for: The Tar Heels have a loaded team, especially on the offensive end. Once again, Williams brings a team full of studs into Chapel Hill. These are some of the things to watch for this season. Lethal offense: The backcourt is full of shooters. They were fourth in the ACC last year, shooting 46 percent from the field. Expect that number to go up with the additions of Anthony, Keeling, Pierce and Robinson. Big-time bigs: One of Carolina's strengths every year is their rebounding ability. With Brooks and Manley coming back, they return an experienced backcourt and add Bacot, who excelled for IMG Academy, the best high school team in the country. National powerhouse: Once again, North Carolina will be one of the top teams in the country. It will have a complete team with great shooting, good defense and an experienced coach. Duke matchup: Coach Mike Krzyzewski brings in the best recruiting class in the ACC, with the Tar Heels ranked second. This rivalry will continue to produce some of the best basketball games all season. The bottom line: UNC is set up to have a great offensive year but it comes down to the team's defense. The Tar Heels gave up the second- most points in the ACC last season, so they need to improve in that area if they want to make it back to the national championship for the third time in five years.


Jason Day has never won the U.S. Open, but he's come close; he finished tied for second in both 2011 and 2013 and had five top 10s in the event. Steve Williams might be able to help the 31-year-old Australian break through. Golf Digest confirmed Monday that the veteran caddy will be on Day's bag at Pebble Beach for this week's U.S. Open. Williams, of course, won 13 major championships caddying for Tiger Woods and helped Adam Scott win the 2013 Masters. Williams supposedly retired in 2017, so his appearance this week at Pebble Beach with Day turned some heads. Day, the No. 16 ranked golfer in the world, said Tuesday at a U.S. Open media conference that it's not a one-off deal. Williams will caddy for him going forward, replacing Luke Reardon. Day admitted that he has "underachieved" so far in his career, but Williams can help him. "(I have) underachieved, yeah. Severely underachieved, I think," Day said . "And granted, I have to work on a few things, mentally and physically, with regards to my golf game. But I think I've underachieved up until now. I feel like I've got a game that when it's on, I can win most tournaments. And the big thing for me is to go ahead and believe that and have trust in my abilities that I can do that. "And now that I have Steve on the bag, I think hopefully that will flourish and I can make winning more of a habit. Day, a 12-time winner on the PGA Tour, said the 55-year-old Williams brings a wealth of "old school" experience. "It's nice to have someone with experience, that has unbelievable experience in major championships, and also, on top of it, have the experience of that winning pedigree with regards to the players that he's been with," Day said. "I mean you just have to look at the players that he's with, and it just kind of almost, to a certain degree, puts your mind at ease knowing that he knows what he's doing. He's very old school. If you take a young guy these guys, we work a lot with ups and downs, and he is very much sort of a feel guy. "So there's a little bit of communication that obviously needs to be done. But he's got an amazing history around a golf course like this. And he's been doing it for a very, very long time. He's very positive. I feel like ever since I put him on the   he started on the bag, I've worked a lot harder. And that's what I want to see." Williams definitely knows the Pebble Beach course, having helped Woods win the U.S. Open in 2000 by a major-championship-record 15 strokes. And Day knows the course well, too. Beyond those aforementioned second-place finishes, he tied for second in the Pebble Beach Pro Am last year and tied for fourth this year. Regardless of what happens this week in the U.S. Open, Day believes Williams can do great things for his career. MORE : U.S. Open 2019: Three under-the-radar players to watch | U.S. Open 2019: Brooks Koepka constantly tries to prove himself wrong | U.S. Open 2019: Tiger Woods explains why he was better at the Masters than the PGA "To have someone like Steve on the bag is very instrumental in my career with regards to where I want to go and the trajectory I want," Day said. "I also think that there's a lot to learn off a guy that's been out here for a very, very long time, who has caddied for Tiger Woods for 13 years, who caddied for Greg Norman for a lot of years, Raymond Floyd, the list goes on. Adam Scott. These are some tremendous   best players of their generation, of all time. "I told Steve, 'Look, I want to   my goal is to get back to No. 1 in the world. But I want to do everything I possibly can to get there. If I need to do whatever you need to tell me, I'll do it.' He said that being No. 1, there's a lot of sacrifice that comes along with that. And we both understand what that means."


Read on for the most recent top news you may have missed in Long Beach. Long Beach animal services looking for volunteers to bottle-feed, foster kittens In Long Beach, some adorable kittens need your help. Read the full story on ABC7 . Long Beach part of Metro Blue Line to reopen Saturday, northern half to close for 4 months The eight-month effort to update Metro's oldest rail line focuses on safety and reliability. Read the full story on Long Beach Press-Telegram . Long Beach boat owners, others come out to air grievances about Marina Drive More than 300 concerned residents were on hand last Thursday, May 23, at Long Beach Yacht Club to hear the city's plan to resolve parking problems around Alamitos Bay. Read the full story on Long Beach Gazettes . This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Anaheim's weather report has partly cloudy skies in store today, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Skies will become mostly cloudy beginning on Tuesday. The coming days will also see cool temperatures, expected to last through Thursday. Temperatures will make way for milder weather from Friday to Saturday, with a high of 68 degrees on Friday. Winds will remain light in the course of the week, with the highest speeds tomorrow at only 12 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


A Charlotte woman was killed in a skydiving accident in Chester County Sunday, officials said. Emergency crews were called to a "hard landing" at the Skydive Carolina facility on King Air Drive in Chester around 2:30 p.m. The 34-year-old woman was pronounced dead at 2:53 p.m., according to the Chester Coroner's Office. The victim has not been identified. The Chester County Coroner's Office, which is leading the investigation, is expected to release the name Monday afternoon. The Federal Aviation Administration may get involved in the investigation. In a statement, an FAA spokesperson said the FAA's role in skydiving accidents is limited to inspecting the parachute. Click here to sign up for the daily Wake Up Charlotte newsletter Skydive Carolina said the woman was a "highly experienced skydiver" with more than 800 previous skydives. Skydive Carolina officials say the skydiver was attempting an advanced landing maneuver when she was injured in the landing process. Officials say the parachute deployed and was working correctly. Skydive Carolina released a statement saying, "The Skydive Carolina community is in shock and mourns the loss of a fellow jumper who was a positive light to all." Last year at Skydive CarolinaFest, a 68-year-old woman with more than 15,000 successful skydives died after a malfunction in the air . In 2016, tragedy struck again at the fest when a 32-year-old man died after crashing into another diver mid-air. ALSO ON WCNC: 'It's very bittersweet' | Miracle on the Hudson passengers reflect before Aviation Museum closes WATCH: A Tennessee park visitor confronted a momma bear and her cubs, so she charged Proctor & Gamble donates $529,000 to US women's soccer team


If his speedy footwork is any indication of his recovery progress, Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders certainly looks like he will be healthy for Denver's season opener against the Raiders on Sept. 9. Sanders, who suffered an Achilles injury in December, seems to be ahead of schedule in his recovery and he has been working out with personal trainer Rischad Whitfield, who is known as the "Footwork King." Whitfield posted a video on Twitter earlier this week showing off Sanders' quick footwork. Solid work today with my dawg @ESanders_10 . We got those feet & hips working like crazy today. pic.twitter.com/Kk1UrllQ05 - Footwork_King (@footwork_king1) July 12, 2019 Sanders said earlier this month that he believes it is " realistic " for him to aim to return in time for Week 1. This season could mark the veteran's final year with the Broncos as Sanders is set to become a free agent in 2020. Sanders, 32, hauled in 71 receptions for 868 yards and scored six total touchdowns in 12 games last season. Sanders will have a base salary of $10.25 million this year, the highest total of his career. MORE: Poker player loses brutal 31 million chip hand with pocket aces at 2019 WSOP Main Event News: Indefinite suspensions rule day for Cowboys, 18-game seasons Three Potential Landing Spots for Chris Paul The perfect storm: Andre Iguodala a possible return to the Warriors WATCH: Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes throws football nearly out of Arrowhead Stadium


Though the Astros aren't committing to a rotation change just yet, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle writes that one may not be far off. Corbin Martin has not made it past the fourth inning since his debut outing. Martin's first showing was a good one, but in his four intervening starts, he has allowed 10 earned runs on 20 hits with a 10:11 K/BB ratio in 14 innings. The 'Stros are showing a fair bit of patience but obviously won't be satisfied with these sorts of results. Martin has struggled to get ahead of hitters, keep his pitch count down and stay in the zone. Though the organization can afford some added audition time with a nine-game division lead, it also will be wary of tempting fate while several of its best players are on the injured list. Skipper A.J. Hinch affirmed that the organization believes in Martin as a long-term option, citing his stuff and "mentality" as reasons for a "really good" long-term outlook. Hinch says that for Martin "to stay in the rotation and be effective, not just for the foreseeable future but his entire career, it's important for him to mix in some good outings and make sure he can get us deep in games." Whether Martin will get one more chance to turn the corner remains to be seen. The 'Stros certainly have alternatives. Collin McHugh would be an obvious choice, though he's on the IL. Josh James , Framber Valdez and Brady Rodgers could all slide over from the bullpen. It'd certainly be easy enough for the team to piggyback a few of those pitchers to get the length needed for a game or two, perhaps allowing one or more pitchers to stretch out fully on the fly. Looking down on the farm, there are two 40-man starters   Cionel Perez and Rogelio Armenteros   camped out at Triple-A. Neither has been particularly impressive to this point of the season, at least in terms of earned runs, though both have swing and miss capabilities. It might have been hoped that top prospect Forrest Whitley would be ready for a taste of the big leagues, but he has been hammered early on at Round Rock and doesn't seem likely to be tapped in the near future.


SEATTLE   After a night filled with home runs, it was Daniel Vogelbach taking a close pitch to walk, Domingo Santana dropping a well-placed double and Omar Narvaez's opposite-field single that capped the Seattle Mariners' rally. And all of it happened with two outs in the 10th inning. Santana hit a tying RBI double and then scored the winning run on Narvaez's single, as the Mariners rallied for a 6-5 win over the Oakland Athletics on Monday night. BOX SCORE: MARINERS 6, ATHLETICS 5 (10 INNINGS) Ramon Laureano hit a solo home run with two outs in the top of the 10th, the last of Oakland's five solo homers, to give the A's the lead. But Seattle had one rally left, all of it coming with two outs against Joakim Soria (1-3). Seattle snapped a four-game losing streak and won for just the third time in the past 15 games. "The past couple of series haven't really gone our way and there are a lot of competitive people in here and we want to win really badly," Vogelbach said. "There was a lot of emotion in that game. I'm glad we came out on top." Vogelbach, whose three-run homer in the eighth tied the score at 4-4, walked. Pinch-runner Dee Gordon stole second and jogged home when Santana hit a 2-2 pitch from Soria just fair down the left-field line to pull Seattle even at 5-all. Narvaez followed with a single to left field and Santana scored well ahead of Robbie Grossman's throw. "I really felt down when they got the home run in the 10th and it feels pretty good to bounce back," Narvaez said. "I know we haven't been pretty good lately, but today was the beginning." Oakland starter Mike Fiers and his bid for consecutive no-hitters had long been finished before the crazy 10th inning. Laureano homered on a 1-2 pitch from Brandon Brennan (2-2), his fifth home run of the season, and Soria was one strike away against Santana from recording the final six outs to get the victory. "What really hurt me was the walk," Soria said. "Like I said, I was running a little bit out of gas, but it's part of baseball, it's part of the game." Khris Davis homered twice for Oakland, ending a monthlong drought without a long ball for last year's AL leader. Davis hit his 10th home run on April 12 against Texas, but had none in his next 70 at-bats before golfing an 0-2 pitch into the left-field bullpens in the sixth inning. Seattle starter Yusei Kikuchi had retired 10 straight before Davis connected. Davis hit his second home run leading off the eighth inning. It was his 25th career multi-homer game. Mark Canha, activated off the injured list before the game, homered leading off the second inning and Matt Olson ended Kikuchi's night with a homer leading off the seventh inning. It was the third homer for Canha and second for Olson. Seattle trailed 4-1 entering the eighth before Vogelbach's second home run since April 20, jumping on the first pitch from Lou Trivino and hitting the 97 mph fastball out to center field. A's manager Bob Melvin was ejected moments after Vogelbach crossed home plate for arguing with home plate umpire D.J. Reyburn. Melvin seemed particularly upset with a 3-2 pitch to the previous batter, Edwin Encarnacion, who walked. "I mean everybody saw that. It had an effect," Melvin said. NO-NO NO MORE Less than a week after throwing the 300th no-hitter in major league history and second of his career, Fiers lost his bid for consecutive no-no's on the fifth pitch of the game when Mitch Haniger homered into the second deck of left field. It proved to be the only mistake Fiers would make, shaking off the rocky first inning to allow only two hits and one run over five innings before turning it over to Oakland's bullpen. "After that inning I kind of settled down and started trusting my stuff and just getting back to me, just throwing strikes," Fiers said. TRAINER'S ROOM Mariners 3B Kyle Seager is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday after missing the entire regular season thus far due to hand surgery. Seager is eligible to come off the 60-day injured list on May 25. ROSTER MOVES Athletics: Oakland designated for assignment Kendrys Morales to make room for Canha. Morales was acquired from Toronto on March 27. The 13-year major league veteran appeared in 34 games and hit .204 with one home run and seven RBIs with the A's. Mariners: Seattle recalled RHP Austin Adams from Tacoma and optioning Dan Altavilla to Double-A Arkansas. Adams was acquired from Washington on May 4 after he was designated for assignment by the Nationals. Adams had a three-game stint with Washington in April and appeared in one game. UP NEXT Athletics: LHP Brett Anderson (4-2) is 1-2 with a 6.16 ERA in his past four starts. Anderson started the season 3-0, but has given up 13 earned runs in the past 19 innings. Mariners: RHP Mike Leake (2-4) lost his last start despite allowing only one run over seven innings against the Yankees. He hasn't won since April 6. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports Related slideshow: The 2019 MLB season (Provided by imagn)


Los Angeles will see a return of last week's partly cloudy skies as early as tomorrow, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . The coming days will also see warm temperatures, due to last through Thursday. Temperatures will turn milder from Friday to Monday, reaching just 61 degrees on Saturday and Sunday. Winds will remain somewhat calm through the week, with the highest speeds on Thursday at only 10 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


An Indian woman has accused a driver contracted with online taxi company Uber Technologies of trying to sexually harass her after she hailed his cab, prompting the U.S.-based firm to suspend the driver and launch an internal investigation. Uber was banned in New Delhi in December after a woman passenger accused one of its drivers of rape. The company resumed its services in January after applying for a radio taxi license, which it still awaits. The latest accusation surfaced on social media on Sunday when the woman's brother, Ankush Pathania, posted a picture of Uber's response to the complaint and urged the company to take swift action. A police complaint was registered late on Monday. "My sister will now share her part of the story with the police," Pathania said. "We want the driver to be punished." Pathania's sister, a 21-year-old professional dancer, told Reuters by telephone the Uber driver kissed her hand after dropping her in Gurgaon city, near New Delhi, on Saturday night. She ran away when the driver tried to kiss her on the mouth. Indian law generally prohibits the identification of victims of sex crimes. The law is intended to protect victims' privacy and keep them from the media glare in a country where the social stigma associated with such crimes can be devastating. Authorities in New Delhi have maintained that Uber is banned in the capital and is operating without permission. However, India's federal transport ministry said in April such companies should be better regulated but not banned. Uber offers taxi services using its mobile application. In recent weeks, it has launched new safety features including stricter background screening of its drivers and an in-app SOS button that connects to the police. Police official Amit Kumar said both the woman and the Uber driver will be questioned. Uber's general manager for Delhi, Gagan Bhatia, said the company was willing to share the necessary information with authorities. "Uber has a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behavior," Bhatia said in a statement. (Reporting by Aditya Kalra; Editing by Douglas Busvine, Robert Birsel)


MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO)   A Twin Cities man is facing charges for allegedly fishing in the nude on a northern Minnesota lake. The Duluth News Tribune reports that the man, identified as a 59-year-old from Brooklyn Center, is facing three counts of indecent exposure in Otter Tail County. One of the charges stems from this week, when the man was allegedly fishing in the buff on a pontoon boat on Turtle Lake in Underwood. Someone called police Monday morning after spotting the man standing up on his boat, in full view of the caller's picture window. According to court documents, police found the man naked, and he admitted to fishing in the nude, saying he didn't think it was an issue because no one was around. The other exposure charges stem from two alleged incidents early last month, when a contractor working near Turtle Lake saw a man standing naked near the tree line.


The Indianapolis Colts are just a few weeks away from the start of training camp, which is set to officially begin on July 25 at Grand Park in Westfield. There will be several players to keep an eye on during the two-plus weeks of training camp-including some rookies who could make some unexpected noise. Here are four rookies who could surprise at training camp: LB E.J. Speed A fifth-round pick for the Colts in 2019 draft, Speed was largely unknown when the selection was made. Coming out of Division II program Tarleton State, the linebacker will be competing for a depth role in the middle of the defense. The Colts have been envisioning Speed working behind Darius Leonard as the WILL linebacker. He saw some work there early in the spring but saw less time as the workouts progressed. This isn't to say that Speed will surprise everyone and claim a starting role. However, the Colts really like his traits being an athletic, big and fast linebacker to work in their system. AP Photo/Michael Conroy WR Ashton Dulin One of the top undrafted free agents that joined the Colts, Dulin will be competing in a very crowded wide receiver room that likely won't have enough room to keep all of the talent competing for roles. Dulin will be fighting for one of the final spots in the wide receiver room and while there might be some players more talented, Dulin's athleticism is something the Colts might want to keep around. Even if that means keeping him on the practice squad, don't be surprised if Dulin makes some noise. Matt Kryger/IndyStar CB Marvell Tell III The Colts picked former USC safety Tell with the thoughts of moving him to the cornerback position to best use his length and athleticism on the boundary. Tell is certainly a project for the Colts, but he has immense upside. He's fighting for one of the depth roles in the secondary, and if he can prove to be a contributor on special teams-specifically as a gunner-he could easily come out of training camp as a winner. He didn't make a ton of noise during the spring, but he has a chance to surprise a lot of people training camp. Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images DT Sterling Shippy Another undrafted free agent to keep an eye on, Shippy will be competing in the defensive line room-which will have several spots up for grabs as reserve roles. Shippy put up some impressive numbers during the pre-draft process but failed to get selected. However, he's still an intriguing rookie given his strength and speed off the line. Shippy will have plenty of competition to go against during training camp, but don't be surprised if his name is called a few times throughout the two-plus weeks. MORE: Kevin Durant calls 'BS' on Stephen A. Smith's explosive claims on First Take Elfrid Payton: 'I feel we embody what New York basketball was about back in the day' 9 quarterbacks who will improve in 2019 The Steelers got their new Brett Keisel with Isaiah Buggs Kawhi Leonard Rumors: Decision Coming Friday? [UPDATING]


Besides Sheldrick Redwine, the Browns also have signed two other draft picks. They reached deals with sixth-round pick Drew Forbes and seventh-round choice Donnie Lewis, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports. The Browns made Forbes the 189th overall choice despite the Southeast Missouri offensive lineman not getting a combine invite. Cleveland traded right guard Kevin Zeitler in the offseason, with Austin Corbett next in line to replace him. Forbes, a three-year starter at left tackle, is expected to provide depth at the position and elsewhere in the line. Forbes earned first-team Ohio Valley Conference honors his senior year. Cleveland selected Lewis 221st overall. The Tulane cornerback was the third defensive back the Browns took with their seven picks. He had eight interceptions in his college career.


PROVO, Utah (AP) BYU guard Nick Emery said Tuesday he is retiring from basketball following a college career that began with high expectations but that ended with him at the center of an NCAA investigation. Emery used social media to announce he is stepping away with a year of eligibility still remaining. ''My time here has been rocky at times, but the good times definitely outweighed the bad,'' Emery wrote in an Instagram post also shared to his Twitter account. ''I've learned so many life lessons and this journey has been so rewarding. I am at a point in life where I am happy with what I've accomplished with basketball and I'm ready to start the next chapter of my life with my wife and son.'' The school confirmed the retirement. ''We are excited for Nick as he begins this next stage of his life,'' BYU head coach Mark Pope said in a news release. ''He has great things ahead.'' Emery made a splash right away at BYU, averaging a career-best 16.3 points per game during his first season and setting a BYU freshman record with 97 3-pointers. He helped the Cougars reach the semifinals of the 2016 NIT. After playing for two years, he withdrew from school for the 2017-18 season, citing personal reasons. The 6-foot-2 guard returned to the program in 2018 and he began his third and final season serving a nine-game suspension following the NCAA investigation. The NCAA last year placed the men's basketball program on probation for two years and said it must vacate 47 wins from Emery's freshman and sophomore seasons. The NCAA said Emery received more than $12,000 in benefits from four boosters, including travel to concerts and an amusement park and the use of a new car. The NCAA also accepted the university's self-imposed penalties of reducing one scholarship, disassociation of one of its boosters and a $5,000 fine. The NCAA didn't identify Emery by name but the university said the case involved him. Emery averaged 12.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game over his three seasons with the Cougars. With grad transfer Jake Toolson joining BYU from Utah Valley for the upcoming season, Emery's role with the Cougars would likely have been greatly reduced this fall. Toolson earned WAC Player of the Year honors as a junior after averaging 15.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists for Utah Valley. --- More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/Collegebasketball and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25


Dodge announced an incentive program named Power Dollars, which represents the next step in its mission to bring horsepower to the people. Starting on August 1, the automaker is luring enthusiasts into its showrooms by offering a $10 per horsepower discount on select models. The Power Dollars program applies to the 2019 Challenger (pictured), the 2019 Charger and the 2019 Durango . It's as simple as it sounds: if you buy a 500-horsepower car, you benefit from a $5,000 discount. The more horsepower you choose to put in your garage, the more money you save when you sign the dotted line. The 797-horsepower Challenger Hellcat Redeye comes with a $7,970 discount. At the other end of the spectrum, the Charger SXT powered by a 3.6-liter V6 rated at 292 horsepower is eligible for a $2,920 rebate . Research the latest new models from Dodge on MSN Autos The Grand Caravan has 283 horsepower, so it's not far from the Charger SXT, but it's not included in the program. The Journey with the same 3.6-liter V6 engine isn't in it, either. Dodge launched the Power Dollars program to boost sales, and likely to clear the remaining 2019 models out of its inventory before the 2020s arrive. But the company has another reason to make its muscle cars cheaper, one we don't think we've heard from an automaker yet. "Since bringing the Charger and the Challenger back to the market, Dodge has put 485 million horsepower into the hands of our loyal enthusiasts. The goal is to grow to a half-billion horsepower before the end of the year," explained Tim Kuniskis, the global head of Alfa Romeo , and FCA's head of passenger cars in North America, in a statement. It's 15 million horsepower short of the milestone. It needs to sell about 18,820 examples of the Hellcat Redeye to reach its goal, or approximately 51,370 units of the Charger SXT. Dodge pumps power to the people with $10 discount per horsepower originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 1 Aug 2019


Here's the most recent top news you may have missed in Orlando. Orlando attorney John Morgan doesn't like the new Wally's It's been a week of strong feelings and controversy in Orlando   friends and neighbors shouting at each other, angry phone calls and arguments. Read the full story on Orlando Weekly . Orlando police officer involved in accident The officer sustained minor abrasions to his arms. Read the full story on Graham Media: WKMG News 6 . Father wears 'short shorts' to teach daughter dress code lesson Orlando (WESH)   You could call it 'daddy dress code'   but without a doubt, a local father's video addressing what his daughter wears in public is making the rounds. It's one of the latest viral videos, and it originated in Orlando. Read the full story on FOX40 . This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


The Jets enter the middle of their offseason minicamp today. The three day event is the only time the entire team gets together during the offseason. The remainder of the offseason program is voluntary. The next time the Jets will be on the field will be for training camp to prepare for the season. While this minicamp draws a lot of attention, it will not have a major effect on the 2019 season for the Jets. It is merely a series of offseason practices. On today's podcast we discuss some things that actually will impact the Jets in 2019. Our normal offseason top five show is on Wednesday instead of Tuesday this week. Today we will discuss how the growth of late round Draft picks, Leonard Williams ' ability to take the next step, Adam Gase's potential growth as a coach, Le'Veon Bell's return to the NFL, and the degree to which Sam Darnold improves will impact the Jets in both the short and long runs.


As we near the start of training camp on July 25, we'll preview each position for the Chargers. We begin with the quarterbacks. Players on the roster Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Philip Rivers | #17 | 6-foot-5 | 228 pounds | North Carolina State Tyrod Taylor | #5 | 6-foot-1 | 217 pounds | Virginia Tech Cardale Jones | #7 | 6-foot-5 | 250 pounds | Ohio State Easton Stick | #2 | 6-foot-1 | 224 pounds | North Dakota State Offseason transactions The Chargers signed Tyrod Taylor to a two-year contract worth $11 million with $6 million guaranteed on March 13th. A month later, Los Angeles used their fifth-round selection of the 2019 NFL draft on Easton Stick out of North Dakota State University. Spring storylines Entering the final year of his contract, the talk of the offseason has been when will Los Angeles and Rivers sign a contract extension. Many are curious because the details would likely have some indication on how much longer the team believes he has to play in the league. The Chargers were in the market for a backup after spending the 2018 season with Geno Smith in that position. Coach Anthony Lynn knew Taylor well, having spent two seasons together in Buffalo. It didn't stop there when the Bolts used pick No. 166 to draft Stick. He was seen as a developmental player who will come in and compete with Cardale Jones for the No. 3 quarterback spot on the roster, not necessarily Rivers' long-term successor. Training camp focus It's obvious that Rivers will be entering training camp as the starter and leaving as the team's No. 1. We saw in 2018 that he can still sling it, as he threw for 4,308 yards, 32 touchdowns, 12 touchdowns and had a 105.5 quarterback rating. The primary attention will be shifted towards the guys behind the 38-year old veteran quarterback. This will be the first time that the Chargers have a proven backup in Taylor as he has 46 starts under his belt and a decent stat line over the past four years. How Taylor is getting adapted to the offense and seeing if offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt has special plays drawn out for him given his ability to win with his legs will be the main focal point with him. Stick and Jones will be battling it out for the No. 3 spot on the roster. Jones' latest appearance came last preseason. During the four games, he was below average, posting 13 completions out of 25 passes for 111 yards and one touchdown. Stick has a lot of things to work on in regards to becoming a better NFL quarterback but his 49-3 record as the Bison's quarterbacks, his intangibles and what he did show on tape may get the upper hand over Jones, ending the former Ohio State product's stint with Los Angeles. Player to watch Taylor gets the nod here. It's been awhile since the Chargers have had a backup with a proven resume. Sure, he may have had his ups-and-downs the past couple seasons but the 30-year old is still an enticing player and it'll be a lot of fun to watch him go up against one of the best defenses in the league to show what he has and how he looks in their offense. Prediction The Chargers will carry Rivers, Taylor and Stick on the 53-man roster. MORE: Lakers land consolation prizes after missing out on Kawhi Leonard 3 reasons why the the NFL will never have an NBA-like offseason NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Russell Westbrook Chased Away Another Star Teammate Could Serge Ibaka be a post-Kawhi exit trade target for Boston?


In a shocking move, the Oklahoma City Thunder agreed to trade one of their two superstars , Paul George , to the L.A. Clippers. The move facilitated the Clippers pairing George with free agent Kawhi Leonard , who reportedly agreed to a four-year pact with the Clippers Saturday morning. The landscape of the NBA has been altered, with the Clippers and the crosstown rival Lakers expected to dominate headlines next season. The process that led to the Clippers becoming a powerhouse included a lot of moving parts, a lot of communication and a heavily involved Leonard. Before George to L.A. became a possibility, Leonard had reached out to Kevin Durant about the possibility of the two teaming up with the Clippers, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne . Leonard told Durant he "admired him, and had tremendous respect for him as a competitor," according to Shelburne. While Durant appreciated the recruitment from Leonard, he was already set on pairing with Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan in Brooklyn. Therefore, the process moved on and Leonard set his sights on pairing with another superstar: Paul George. Here are some more tidbits on George and the big Clippers trade: In Shelburne's report, she noted that Leonard's camp attempted to delay the completion of the Anthony Davis trade to the Lakers until "as late as Sunday." No reason was provided to the Lakers, only that the request be honored if the organization wanted to stay in the running for Leonard's services. We had relayed that Leonard's free- agency decision was holding up a series of moves , the Davis trade being one of them. This was more than likely a ploy to buy time for the Clippers to secure a George trade. Shelburne also noted that Leonard, who is known for his quiet demeanor on and off the court, took an active, engaging role during free agency. "For a quiet guy, he's a hell of a recruiter," one source told her. Sam Amick of The Athletic heard a similar account of Leonard's activity during free agency: "Kawhi recruited the hell out of him," one source told Amick. "He did a number on Paul." The Thunder organization was blindsided by George's trade request, ESPN's Royce Young write s. It was just one year ago when George decided to forego free agency and re-sign with OKC on a long-term pact. The Palmdale, California, native had long been rumored to want to play for his hometown Lakers; now he will return home but will suit up for the Clippers. With George gone, the Thunder secured quite the haul for their now former superstar. While OKC had planned to compete next season, led by George and Russell Westbrook , the focus is now on a rebuild. Brett Dawson of The Athletic examined how and why the trade went down and which directions are available to the Thunder. Whether it's dealing Westbrook and going full rebuild or trying to build a roster more suited toward their MVP's style, OKC has a lot of decisions to make.


Minecraft, the online world that most parents simply don't understand, is now officially the most watched game of all time on YouTube. According to the video-sharing site, the virtual Lego game has also become the most searched-for term, behind "music". It bears out earlier research from YouTube video research firms Newzoo and Octoloy, which found that Minecraft material notched up more than 3.9 billion views on YouTube in March 2015 alone. None of this will come as a surprise to the many parents who have become 'Minecraft-widows', desperately trying to entice their children to go on a bike ride, throw a ball, visit the park - anything other than while away the hours watching other people build things with little green bricks on the internet. The fact that parents are worried about the varying levels of enthusiasm/obsession/addiction that their children display when playing Minecraft has been well-documented. In numerous posts and articles online, they complain that the game is taking over their children's lives, that they become irritated when they aren't playing it, they neglect homework, chores, even going to the toilet, to keep on playing. It has led some parents to ban or severely curtail Minecraft time. One father, explaining his decision to limit his twin boys' access to the game, said simply: "Minecraft, as with all successfully addictive games, is endless. My kids' childhood isn't, and I want them to spend it learning about the real world, not a virtual one." But for other parents, children playing the game is OK - at least they are doing something vaguely creative - but spending hours mindlessly watching others playing it represents a whole new level of obsession. There is certainly a rich vein of Minecraft-related content on YouTube - around 42 million videos that range from tutorials offering ideas on new things to create, "Let's Play" videos, essentially footage of other people playing the game, and new ways to modify their Minecraft worlds. There are also hundreds of channels devoted to Minecraft, including popular ones such as Yogscast and SkyDoesMinecraft. Some, dedicated specifically to children, have become internet sensations. Stampy, a YouTube channel narrated by a cat has more than 5.6 million subscribers and nearly 3.4 billion views. In 2014, it was the fourth most popular YouTube channel. Others are less appropriate, narrated by what one parent described as "helpful but sweary" adults. Bec Oakley is founder of MineMum, a blog intended to help guide parents through the minefield that is Minecraft. She is not surprised that it has become so popular on YouTube. "YouTube is this generation's television. It's how [children] entertain themselves, learn, share. Watching others play Minecraft allows them to extend their experience of the game, to share it with others and to learn from each other," she told the BBC. "There's a huge amount of content available, and much of it is incredibly engaging, educational or useful for kids," she added. She acknowledged that Minecraft is "definitely a game that kids can become obsessed with, and watching YouTube can be part of that obsession". But she added that she doesn't think it signals a problem in itself. "A better indication of that is how much time is being spent, and the flow on effect on health and mood. "It's important for parents to help kids enjoy their love of Minecraft in healthy ways - to talk with them about things like how to be healthy gamers, how to identify when they need a break, and to set rules for healthy game play with rewards for sticking to them." Mojang, the maker of Minecraft, never designed the game specifically for children. The brainchild of Swedish videogame programmer and designer Markus "Notch" Persson, Minecraft was inspired by a series of other games such as Dwarf Fortress, amusement park simulator RollerCoaster Tycoon and strategy game Dungeon Keeper. Eventually Mr Persson founded Mojang, which last year was bought by Microsoft. His firm has always encouraged fans to put videos up on YouTube. While Nintendo uses YouTube's Content ID copyright system to make its claim videos featuring its games - accruing any advertising revenue they generate along the way, Mojang has always taken a more relaxed approach. "We've essentially outsourced YouTube videos to a community of millions of people, and what they come up with is more creative than anything we could make ourselves... There's no damage to us from YouTube," Mojang's chief operating officer Vu Bui told the Guardian newspaper last year. At the same time as Minecraft has become a sensation, so too has YouTube begun to appeal to a younger audience - in February 2015, nine of the top 20 YouTube channels were aimed at youngsters. And it isn't just Minecraft videos that they are watching. My son, who never really took to Minecraft, will happily watch videos of other people playing Fifa. Often for hours. And children do get obsessed with things. There is a long list of toys and games that have been greedily coveted by kids, only to be discarded a few years later. And maybe Minecraft will also end up in the back of the toy cupboard - and children will return to watching cats on YouTube like every other self-respecting citizen.


Jaguars linebacker Quincy Williams injured his knee in training camp. Medical tests revealed a slight tear in Williams' meniscus, requiring arthroscopic surgery, Ian Rapoport of the NFL reports. The third-round choice will miss 4-6 weeks while rehabbing. That means Williams shouldn't miss much game time, if any. Coach Doug Marrone praised Williams earlier this week, saying, "When the ball is snapped, I think he might be the fastest player on our football field right now." Williams has seen time with the first unit. In four years at Murray State, Williams made 231 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, six pass breakups, three interceptions and three forced fumbles in 43 games.


Although sustainability may not be the first instinct when you consider renovating and repairing your home, there are many feasible steps you can take to become more eco-friendly. If you're with less eco-minded people, buying a house without your spouse could cut down on the total carbon footprint for your property Most green changes can save you money for future use. As the "go green" social movement levels to become more of a necessity, many homeowners are looking for new ways to make their own place of living an environmentally friendly space. These repairs can both better the well-being of your household and preserve funds. Utility companies such as DTE Energy Co (NYSE: DTE) may offer specific benefits for environmentally-friendly changes on a first-come, first-served basis. Why not start now? Here are three eco-friendly home repairs that can save you money. 1. Solar Roof Panels Solar roof panels are a highly efficient method for building a new roof. Although this installation seems like a big investment, many utility companies offer rebates and credits for installing solar panels in a new home. Excess electricity that's not used for the month can roll over and be stored in a solar system's own electrical meter. 2. Bamboo Bamboo is considered a sustainable plywood because it grows quickly, reaching maturity in four years. Bamboo is more durable and cost-efficient than traditional hardwood and can last for up to 50 years. In addition, it's easy to install yourself, which can save even more money in the process. Bamboo works well in both dry and moist settings, so utilizing it in floors or bathroom cabinets can both promote a sustainable home and give it a new, chic look. 3. Programmable Thermostat A programmable thermostat responds to your preferences and automatically sets those temperatures for your house each day. You can program the thermostat to turn on when you walk into the house and turn off when you leave. No one needs the air on when they're not home   so why spend money on it? This investment not only shrinks carbon footprints, it also shrinks energy bills. The Big Picture Not only can eco-friendly actions conserve natural resources and help the environment, they can also conserve money. These are just a few of the many green steps you can take to being a more efficient spender, citizen and human being. © 2019 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.


This story has been updated and clarified. A Cincinnati police captain, already under investigation by the IRS related to financial benefits he allegedly received, faces a federal bribery charge after officials say he asked a sergeant to pay $5,000 for a promotion. At a news conference Friday, U.S. Attorney Benjamin Glassman said Capt. Mike Savard "tried to shake down" the sergeant for cash. Savard, 52, was arrested Thursday. The 25-year veteran officer had his police powers suspended in January. City officials have never said why. Savard's attorney, Christopher McDowell, said it has been a "long-standing practice in the Cincinnati Police Department…to do what it is that my client has been charged with." He added that multiple police officers have told him the practice is common. "My client intends to fight these charges," McDowell said. "He is being harassed." Police Chief Eliot Isaac said during the news conference that early in his career he heard "chatter about this type of thing occurring." But now, because of the current retirement system, it would not be lucrative, and it is "extremely rare" for it to occur. Isaac said an administrative hearing next week will determine Savard's status with the department. Documents show the department's Internal Investigations Unit, in 2015, investigated Savard regarding off-duty details, leading to official reprimands. Savard worked and oversaw police details at Celebrities nightclub in Roselawn between 2014 and 2015. According to an internal investigation report, he would often receive the entire payments in cash and then disburse that cash himself to the other officers. That charge was sustained as a violation of department policy and he was formally reprimanded in June 2016. In September 2015, Savard and another officer worked on a detail at Ladder 19 Bar and Grill in Corryville. An internal investigation sustained accusations that Savard knew a promotor working with Ladder 19 did not follow protocol when arranging the detail, but Savard completed the assignment anyway. Savard was later reprimanded. Neither reprimand appears in Savard's performance evaluations, an Enquirer review of the captain's personnel file shows. The evaluations said Savard routinely met or exceeded standards. Savard also was under investigation for distributing cash tips to officers assigned to a detail at Celebrities in 2014. Those charges were deemed unfounded by an internal investigation. According to a federal complaint unsealed Friday, Savard asked for and received $5,000 from the sergeant in exchange for Savard's promise to retire early from the department, so the sergeant could be promoted. On May 20, Savard met with the unnamed sergeant, who was next in line to receive a promotion to lieutenant, the complaint says. Savard told the sergeant that he "was going to work out a deal to plead guilty" to federal charges related to the ongoing investigation, the complaint says, and that he was considering retiring in July. The complaint says Savard told the sergeant he would be willing to retire earlier, in June, if the sergeant paid him $5,000. The two met again on May 30, the complaint says, and the meeting was recorded by audio. When the sergeant expressed hesitation, the complaint says Savard told him he "may never have another chance" to get promoted. Savard said, according to the complaint: "If we work this out," he would leave June 21. When the sergeant offered to pay with a money order, Savard "stated he wanted cash," the complaint says. Savard was paid the $5,000 Thursday, and immediately arrested, documents say. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison on the bribery charge. The case is in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati. Savard was promoted to captain in April 2017, according to personnel records obtained by The Enquirer. He was in charge of the Special Services Section. He has received several commendations through the years, including for his work in an off-duty security detail at a birthday party for the late financier Carl H. Lindner Jr. in 1999. He graduated from a high school in Maine and served in the Marines for four years as a communication center operator in Arizona. He earns $113,000 annually with Cincinnati police, according to records. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Feds: Cincinnati police captain Michael Savard facing bribery charge


It's difficult to judge Jimmy Garoppolo's future production under Kyle Shanahan, especially considering his torn ACL in Week 3 last season, but there's a recent precedent that suggests the 49ers' signal caller may have MVP-level play in front of him. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan didn't get off to a particularly strong start in Shanahan's first year as Atlanta's offensive coordinator in 2015. In fact, it closely mirrors Garoppolo's start in San Francisco with Shanahan as the head coach. A mid-season trade in 2017 and last year's ACL injury have limited Garoppolo to just eight starts in Shanahan's scheme. He's completed 64.8 percent of his throws for 2,278 yards, 12 touchdowns, 8 interceptions and a 94.1 passer rating. Ryan's first eight starts were relatively similar. He had a 67 percent completion rate with 2,399 yards, 11 touchdowns, 7 interceptions and a 92.3 passer rating. Perhaps the biggest difference between the two is the volume of pass attempts. Ryan threw 312 times to just 267 for Garoppolo. Garoppolo had the superior yards-per-attempt at 8.5. It was 7.7 for Ryan. In a strange coincidence further connecting the two signal callers' first eight games, both players won their first five starts, lost their sixth, won their seventh and lost their eighth in Shanahan's offense. The similarities between Garoppolo and Ryan's first eight starts are worth noting because of the jump Ryan made in his second season in the scheme. His eight games to close 2015 went about the same as his first eight, but he took off in his second year. Ryan won the 2016 NFL MVP award on the strength of a 69.9 completion rate, 4,994 yards, 38 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, a 117.1 passer rating and 9.3 yards per attempt. While Garoppolo doesn't have the advantage of an entire 16-game slate, he does have more than a full season and two offseasons under his belt to study and learn the scheme to the extent that he can make quick, decisive throws that allow the rest offense to execute properly. Another reason to believe Garoppolo can make a big leap in 2019 is the weapons San Francisco added in the offseason. The additions of wide receivers Taylor Gabriel and Mohamed Sanu gave Ryan two more weapons to throw to after relying heavily on tight end Jacob Tamme and running back Devonta Freeman during the 2015 season. The 49ers' receiving corps hasn't been particularly stellar through Shanahan's first two years in San Francisco. They aimed to change that during the offseason by signing Jordan Matthews in free agency, and selecting receivers Deebo Samuel in Round 2, and Jalen Hurd in Round 3 of the draft. They also added running back Tevin Coleman who had success in Atlanta with Shanahan as the offensive coordinator. Ryan set an exceptionally high bar for quarterback excellence in Shanahan's offense during his 2016 MVP campaign. Expecting Garoppolo to meet or clear that standard in 2019 is probably unrealistic. However, there's certainly another level a quarterback as talented as San Francisco's can reach. Will he be the NFL MVP in 2019? Probably not. On the other hand, a bevy of factors point to Garoppolo taking a significant leap in his second full season in the 49ers' offense. Recovering from an ACL tear and entering 2019 with limited on-field experience could put him behind the substantial jump Ryan made, but the path is clear for Garoppolo to get there eventually. MORE: NBA world reacts to news that Klay Thompson tore his ACL in Game 6 loss This is how the Golden State Warriors head into the offseason Rapoport: Broncos have picked successor to become next owner 3 players Raiders could trade before start of 2019 season Flexible front four could be defining characteristic of 2019 Packers defense


NEW YORK (AP) Serena Williams will try again for a record-equaling 24th major title as one of 13 Grand Slam women's champions who gained direct entry into the U.S. Open. The top 98 men and 102 women based on this week's world rankings were automatically entered Wednesday into the field for the final major of the year, which will be played Aug. 26 through Sept. 8. Williams lost to Simona Halep on Saturday in the Wimbledon final. She also lost last year in the final at Flushing Meadows to Naomi Osaka of Japan, leaving her one behind Margaret Court's total of 24 Grand Slam titles. Along with Williams, Halep and Osaka, the rest of the Grand Slam champions in the women's field are No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, past U.S. Open champions Venus Williams, Sloane Stephens, Angelique Kerber, Maria Sharapova, Petra Kvitova, Victoria Azarenka, Caroline Wozniacki, Garbine Muguruza and Jelena Ostapenko. Both fields will be rounded out by 16 players from the U.S. Open qualifying tournament and eight wild cards. --- More AP Tennis: https://www.apnews.com/apf-Tennis and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


The Phillies were one of several teams linked to Rangers left-hander Mike Minor during offseason trade talks, and with the deadline approaching, "the Phillies continue to maintain interest in" Minor's services, NBC Sports Philadelphia's Corey Seidman writes. Needless to say, Minor has only elevated his stock in the eyes of any interested parties in the wake of his strong 2019 season. Minor ranked 31st on MLBTR's recent list of the top 60 trade deadline candidates , though the southpaw would rocket up the standings if the Rangers were to give a clearer indication that they were shopping Minor rather than retaining him for their own (perhaps fading) postseason push. A four-game losing streak has dropped Texas to 9.5 games behind the Astros in the AL West and five games out of a wild-card berth. The Rangers are still a solid 50-46 overall, and they begin a three-game series against Houston on Friday. Plus, the Rangers also play the last-place Mariners four times before the July 31 trade deadline, so there's even more of an opportunity to make up ground. Rangers GM Jon Daniels has reportedly remained open to the idea of dealing Minor even with Texas on the outskirts of the race, since Minor represents such a major trade chip for a team that, realistically, is still closer to a roster reload (if not an outright rebuild) than it is to being legitimate a contender. Minor is under contract through the 2020 season and owed roughly $13.46M between now and the end of his deal. Between that extra year of control, the very reasonable salary and Minor's impressive performance, he should net a substantial haul in a trade. With this in mind, the Phils would have to further deplete a minor league system that was already thinned out by some big offseason trades. Speculatively, Seidman writes that the Phillies might have to give up something like right-hander Spencer Howard , a young outfield piece (like Adam Haseley or former first overall pick Mickey Moniak ) and probably a third prospect as well (if one of a lesser caliber) for Minor. Philadelphia has already received trade interest in Howard, its second-round pick from the 2017 draft who has thus far posted big strikeout numbers in his young career, though Seidman notes that the Phillies "have been uninterested in moving" Howard in response to these prior offers. The Phillies are known to be looking at adding both starting and relief pitching at the deadline, with such names as Robbie Ray and Mychal Givens connected to the team in recent reports . Like Minor, these pitchers are all controlled beyond the 2019 season, which makes sense given the recent insinuation from president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail that the Phillies weren't likely to give up their top prospects for rental players.