Not that long ago, it was all doom and gloom at the Emirates Stadium No Champions League football. No more than £45m in the bank to sign new players. Shokdran Mustafi still at the club. But now, things are looking up. Now, while Mustafi may still be at the club, Arsenal have splashed more cash than anyone thought they had and look to be ready to push for a place in the top four next season. And that's because they've broken their transfer record to bring £72m man Nicolas Pepe to the club. The arrival of the Ivory Coast international will turn Arsenal's already dangerous attack into what could be an unstoppable force. Here is a few of the potential attacking options at Emery's disposal next season. 5-2-3 (Aubameyang - Lacazette - Pepe) Pros Emery tried his best to implement a back five formation last season, especially away from home. By playing a 5-3-2 it would mean he could stay defensive as well as including all of the biggest names up top. The explosive pace of Aubameyang and Pepe either side of Alexandre Lacazette would be a terrifying sight for any defender and would lend itself to dynamic counter attacking football. This could prove to be the answer to Arsenal's search for away points, but it would need an extremely strong two in the middle to make it work. Cons As mentioned, the front three would be brilliant together, however, with Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira as the only defensive minded centre midfielders of any quality at the Emirates, the middle of the park could be vulnerable. Moreover, this option may lack an aspect of creativity. By leaving out a playmaker the Gunners will be relying on their wing-backs to deliver the decisive pass. 4-3-3 (Mkhitaryan - Aubameyang - Pepe) Pros It's no secret that Emery often likes to play only one of the Aubameyang-Lacazette duo up top at once so that the other can make an impact off the bench. By using Henrikh Mkhitaryan out wide, Arsenal would be able to incorporate a player with vision into the starting lineup without using an attacking midfielder, giving extra strength to those in the middle. On the other side, Pepe could use his ability to cut in on his left and deliver in the final third to give Aubameyang some much needed support. Cons Without Lacazette's cool head in front of goal Arsenal could miss some golden opportunities. However, Pepe's 23 goals last season show he is no slouch in front of goal. The Gunners are known for their attacking football and playing a flat three in the middle may frustrate the fans when they are at home and failing to break down a resilient defence. 4-2-3-1 (Aubameyang - Ozil - Pepe - Lacazette) Pros This surely has to be the go to lineup for the upcoming season? The dynamism of Aubameyang and Pepe on each side will give full-backs a torrid time week in week out. With a world-class trio to hit at, Mesut Ozil will be in his element. The German will be able to sit at number ten and dictate the game with pass after pass. As the wide two are natural strikers there is also no chance that Lacazette will be left isolated. If that wasn't exciting enough, Pepe is known for his work rate and will be willing to track back if necessary. Dani Cabellos, Torreira and Xhaka will also be able to get in on the act, especially when the Gunners are in top gear at the Emirates. Cons With the defence in its current state, this formation will not work away from home In all honesty, the Gunners defence is simply not strong enough to cope with all four of these attackers on the pitch at the same time. On top of this, Arsenal's star of last season may begin to get frustrated if he is pushed out wide too often throughout the course of the season. 5-2-1-2 (Cabellos - Martinelli - Pepe) Pros This option shows the strength in depth going forward that Arsenal will have next season. It will be a long season and the build up to the winter break looks to be packed with matches that will test the whole squad. Originally signed as a striker, Pepe has shown at Lille that he is prolific up front. Combine this with the exciting talent that is Martinelli and Arsenal could score for fun even without their first choice strikers on the pitch. Playing Cabellos as an attacking midfielder could be the way that Emery links his midfielders and attackers away from home next season. He will surely work harder than Ozil in the middle, giving the Gunners some rigidity in the middle. Cons Obviously, this is a weaker lineup that the other options at Emery's disposal. Pepe and Martinelli may not have the strength and know-how to give experienced centre-back pairings any problems. Arsenal fans will be hoping Cabellos hits the ground running in London. However, the memories of Denis Suarez's failures last season will be fresh in their minds. 4-2-4 (Pepe - Aubameyang - Lacazette - Nelson) Pros Who needs defenders right? All Arsenal have to do is score more than their opponents. Perhaps we will see Emery's side involved in a few 4-4 draws come the end of the season. In all seriousness, judging from the club's summer signings there have been no efforts to provide an immediate fix to their current defensive woes and Arsenal will be leaking goals from left, right, and centre anyway, meaning they will need this explosive lineup to outscore the opposition. Cons Clearly, this formation will be found out in the Premier League . Away from home the Gunners would crumble under consistent pressure and at the Emirates they will be caught on the counter attack. This said, the squad is currently so one sided that playing with four up top would accurately represent how the squad looks on paper.


The Jacksonville Jaguars' offense came into organized team activities looking to make a statement, and they have yet to disappoint. That was especially the case Day 3 as quarterback Nick Foles had a strong day with his receivers throwing the ball down the field, particularly to the team's speed threats in Keelan Cole and Chris Conley. Nick Foles connects with Chris Conley on an 80-yard TD. A.J. Bouye in coverage. And absolute dime from Foles. #Jaguars - Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) May 24, 2019 Chris Conley just got behind A.J. Bouye, and Nick Foles dropped in a perfect pass way downfield. Best throw of the week. #Jaguars - Phillip Heilman (@phillip_heilman) May 24, 2019 Foles goes deep again and Keelan Cole rises up to make an outstanding contested catch. Offense goes wild and runs down the field to congratulate Cole. #Jaguars - Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) May 24, 2019 Foles is a player who many have raved about when it comes to the deep ball as it is a strength of his. With him bringing a strong sense of familiarity to the Jags' offense and a leadership presence that the team hasn't seen at the quarterback position for a while, Foles has undoubtably been one of the stars of the opening days of OTAs, as have the receivers. Cole, who will be fighting for the Jags No. 4 or No. 5 receiving spot, has been a star during OTAs, too, as he also hauled in one of the best catches of Thursday's practice from Gardner Minshew. With the Jags' top receiver in Marqise Lee missing last season, Cole struggled with the spotlight on him accumulating just 38 catches for 491 yards and a touchdown. However, it appears he was motivated by his decline and will look to bounce back with the cast around him being upgraded. Conley was one of the Jags' free agent acquisitions in March alongside Foles. The duo have a bit of history with each other after playing together in Kansas City, and it appears their connection might be one of the strongest on the roster. Due to being buried under the Chiefs' talented depth chart at the receiver position, Conley was only able to accumulate 32 catches for 334 yards and five touchdowns last season, but will have a huge opportunity in Jacksonville to become a starter. With the start he's gotten off to in OTAs, that definitely could happen in training camp, especially with Lee set to rehab until late in the preseason. Other Day 3 tidbits and absences Jaguars running backs coach Terry Robiskie met with the media to discuss how the Jags' running back group have fared so far while learning the new offense. Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette also met with the media Friday. He discussed how he's ready to move past his mistakes of the past amongst notable topics, and also discussed his connection with Foles. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey remained absent as he continues to train in Tennessee with his father. Linebacker Jake Ryan (ACL recovery) and pass rusher Josh Allen (knee bruise) were seen working on the sidelines riding exercise bikes, per Phillip Heilman of the Florida Times-Union . Receiver Marqise Lee, linebacker Lerentee McCray, defensive end Yannick Ngakoue and nose tackle Marcell Dareus all weren't in attendance Friday. Receiver Dede Westbrook worked inside after dealing with some soreness, but c oach Doug Marrone said he expects him to be back Tuesday . Listen MORE: 'Jeopardy' fans ripped James Holzhauer for how he said Dr. Dre's name but here's why he did it Former NFL great Mark Gastineau has a GoFundMe for the fight of his life How the Bulls can help the Lakers facilitate an Anthony Davis trade Kevin Durant's contributions are stamped indelibly into Warriors' culture Spurs' DeMar DeRozan 'possibly could be on the trade block' to Lakers


The Spurs want Rudy Gay to be on their roster in 2019-20. The veteran forward is set to be a free agent this summer after spending the last two seasons in San Antonio. Coach Gregg Popovich was asked when he met with reporters this week if the team was open to re-signing Gay. "We are hoping we can figure out a way to keep him here," Popovich said at his end of season press conference, via the San Antonio Express-News . Popovich said Gay was a positive presence in the Spurs' locker room. "He's a great teammate, has a great personality, great sense of humor," Popovich said. "He's a very outgoing individual. He's an easy teammate to be with, so he makes people feel comfortable. "For young guys just starting out … it's important to see the vets and be able to sit down and have a meal with them and laugh. (Gay) does that well." The 32-year-old averaged 13.7 points and 6.8 rebounds in 26.7 minutes per game this season. He shot 50.4 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from 3-point range. "Rudy is a scorer," Popovich said. "He's somebody who changes games. And he's gotten better rebounding-wise and defensively, which was never his forte. But he understands the importance of it and is just getting better every year." MORE : NBA free agency rumors: Jared Dudley could be interested in signing with Celtics | NBA free agency: Pacers planning to be 'super aggressive' this summer Gay has also played for the Grizzlies, Raptors and Kings during his 13-year career. He has averaged 17.6 points per game in that time.


The Arizona Cardinals have been to the Super Bowl only once and it was over a decade ago. That game is considered one of the best Super Bowls in the last 20 years. According to Touchdown Wire's Barry Werner , their Super Bowl against the Pittsburgh Steelers is the fifth-best in the last 20 years. The Cardinals had the lead and the Kurt Warner storybook was going to have another chapter added to it. Then, Santonio Holmes made a great grab of a Ben Roethlisberger pass and Pittsburgh was champion. It was one of the greatest finishes of all time. Many will say that the first three quarters were not all that compelling. However, the Larry Fitzgerald touchdown to take the lead, the Holmes catch and the final failed drive by Arizona gave it a great finish, one for the ages. The Super Bowls ranked ahead of this one all make sense. They were all iconic games. The Giants' win over the undefeated Patriots was fantastic. The Patriots' win over the Seahawks with a goalline interception was unforgettable. The Rams' win over the Titans, with Tennessee coming just inches from the goalline on the final play if the game was also historic, and the Patriots' rally to win after being down 28-3 caps a list of some great championship games. This is one list where the Cardinals are not slighted. They just need to make it back. Listen to the latest from Cards Wire's Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio . View embedded content MORE: Klay Thompson celebrates new deal with Warriors with hilarious 'Wolf of Wall Street' video Projected depth chart for the 76ers with Al Horford, Josh Richardson Stephen A. Smith: 'Andre Iguodala is planning on joining the Lakers' Roundup: Tyler Skaggs; Total Solar Eclipse; Poison at Facebook Facility; Democratic Race Do Cowboys have horses to absorb another Ezekiel Elliott suspension?


The Blockness Monster gets his due The NBA playoffs are almost at their conclusion, which of course means that we're in NBA superlatives season, where all of the "All-Whatever" teams and awards get announced. The Knicks , being a 17-65 team, really didn't have a lot to look forward to during NBA awards season except for the All-Rookie nominations. Luckily, the results (mostly) didn't disappoint: Knicks' Mitchell Robinson has been named to the NBA's second All-Rookie team.   Ian Begley (@IanBegley) May 21, 2019 That's right! Mitchell Robinson was rewarded for his stellar play this year by a nod from NBA writers as one of the 10 best rookies in the league this year. Mitch finished behind Luka Doncic , Trae Young , Deandre Ayton , Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marvin Bagley III for first-team honors, and behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander , Collin Sexton and Landry Shamet on the second team in voting. Not too shabby for a second-round pick that didn't play organized basketball last year! The Blockness Monster blocked nearly twice as many shots (161) as the next-best rookie, Jackson (82), combined with his ridiculous efficiency and lob ability on offense (he shot 69.4 percent from the field this year, which would have led the league if he had met the playing time minimums). Of course, Knicks fans might notice two names that were conspicuously absent from the first and second teams: 2018 No. 9 pick Kevin Knox and undrafted Allonzo Trier . Mitchell Robinson received 3 votes for first team All Rookie. Fellow Knicks Kevin Knox (22 votes for the second team) and Allonzo Trier (10 second-team votes) also received votes. Brooklyn's Rodions Kurucs had 10 second-team votes: pic.twitter.com/e1D4rYcgKU   Ian Begley (@IanBegley) May 21, 2019 Knox finished 12th overall in voting, with Trier coming in tied for 14th with Dallas' Jalen Brunson. Knox , if we're being honest, really didn't have a case to make it over anyone else that made the All-Rookie squads. His counting stats of 12.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game look fine on paper, but his 37 percent shooting from the floor and his defense were both pretty ghastly. And that's fine! He's only 19 years old and needs some time to fine-tune his game, and there were certainly flashes of a good player. Trier, though... you could make a real case for him as a second-teamer. Take Trier vs. Shamet , for example, both of whom averaged 22.8 minutes per game: Trier: 10.9 points/3.1 rebounds/1.9 assists per game, .448/.394/.803 shooting splits Shamet: 9.1 points/1.7 rebounds/1.5 assists per game, .431/.422/.806 shooting splits Seems like it should've at least been a little closer of a call for Trier, right? It probably came down to the fact that the Clippers were a surprise playoff team and the Knicks weren't, combined with Shamet playing in 15 more games. Hey, it's alright though. Knowing Iso Zo, it will just be another chip on his shoulder. Ahhh hell no   Allonzo Trier (@ISO_ZO) May 21, 2019 Was it?   Allonzo Trier (@ISO_ZO) May 21, 2019 Zo did take the time to congratulate his fellow Knick though: @23savage____ 2nd team all rookie   Allonzo Trier (@ISO_ZO) May 21, 2019 So, hey, at least the Knicks walked away with some hardware this offseason! Not that that means anything, considering the Knicks have had a player selected to an All-Rookie team in seven of the last nine seasons. Luckily, Mitchell Robinson seems like arguably the best one of them all, so hopefully he's a Knick for a long time.


Dire wolves prowled the Earth around 300,000 years ago, but thanks to fossil records and Game of Thrones their legend lives on.


Show her you can do-it-yourself in the kitchen, and it'll lead you to better places later. "The allure of domesticity is irresistible," says Rocky Fino, author of Will Cook For Sex. "Women are enamored with the idea of you cooking for them, whether the food is any good or not." Read our five tips for remaining calm in the kitchen. Back Of f Keep it simple. That Alain Ducasse cookbook you got for Christmas? Not tonight. "Most guys want to attack cooking like a master chef," says Fino. Instead, he suggests toning it down a bit. Best to keep the fare light. Take the extra time to get good, fresh ingredients. "Do that, and you're already rounding second before you've started." Show Off Your Skills Knowing your way around a pasta maker can pack more than a culinary punch. "Attention to subtle details and sensations in the kitchen and at the table suggest you'll be equally attentive as a sexual partner," says Paul Dobransky, M.D., author of The Secret Psychology of How We Fall In Love. Why bother rolling pasta by hand or deglazing a cast-iron pan? While a little more than half of the women we surveyed said a good meal turns them on, a whopping 96 percent said watching you cook the meal fires them up. Feed Her Comfort Foods "Listening skills land you in bed with a woman," says James Miller, Ph.D., a professor of human sexuality at the University of Rhode Island. "Surprising her with her favorite foods shows her that you've paid attention and care about her pleasure." Bonus: Serving or ordering foods she associates with safety, satisfaction, or sex inspire those thoughts at the table. Stagger Yourself Don't be afraid to serve the meal in courses. Sweating is not attractive. Sweating over whether you've timed everything to come out at the same time is really not attractive. "And she's not having any fun because she's not getting to hang out with you," adds Fino. "It adds a nice flow to the meal if you take it in 2 to 3 stages." Drink What You Like What about alcohol? "I say early and often. Wine enhances just about anything," advises Fino. "But pairing wine with food has become way too technical these days." Find something you like and stick with it. Start paying attention to bottle labels. And please, keep the wonkish wine notes to yourself. Do not let yourself use the terms quaffability or color density for any reason. There's just no wiggle room on this.


Eli Manning arrived at training camp on Wednesday, his 16th since joining the New York Giants back in 2004. He is now the longest-tenured player in Giants history, breaking the four-way tie he was in with Phil Simms, Michael Strahan and Mel Hein, who all played 15 years for Big Blue. "I'm excited about it," Manning told reporters upon reporting to camp on Wednesday. He did not look anywhere near his 38 years, appearing much younger. "I feel blessed, feel fortunate to still be doing this and playing football and coming to training camp, being around these teammates and these guys and the New York Giants. Excited, excited about the opportunities, excited about this team and getting to work. Making improvements and getting better and seeing what this season has in store for us." One problem with that, though. The Giants went out this offseason and got Manning's replacement. They spent the No. 6 overall selection in the NFL Draft on Duke's Daniel Jones. The writing is on the wall for Eli as he embarks on the final year of his contract, but he's not one to lean on his legacy or delve into nostalgia. "I try not to reflect much," said Manning. "It's all about what I can do this year and do right now. I think about the players we have on this team." At some point, the Giants will have to turn to Jones. The question in the minds of most is not if, but when, that happens. Manning knows this but is not buying into any talk of a quarterback competition or controversy. "I think you deal with it in, 'hey, I have a job to go out there and do my best'. It hasn't changed for 16 years and it never will. You go out there and you're competing against the defense." If Manning does show marked improvement over his recent performance the past few seasons, will the Giants simply just let him walk away? General manager Dave Gettleman has repeatedly said that you can't have enough good football players. If Manning lights up the skies in 2019, they'll be letting a Hall of Fame talent walk out the door because his career will continue on elsewhere. Considering they're in the worst six-year losing skein since the 1970s, they cannot afford to keep doing that. Ralph Vaccchiano of SNY is a veteran beat reporter that has covered the Giants for over 15 years. He believes that the door is till very much open for Manning to return after this season and outlined a scenario in which Manning could earn himself a contract extension. "Team sources have insisted to me that have not ruled out the idea of bringing Eli Manning back in the 2020 season. Of course, that's a long way away and a lot has to happen. As one team official told me, Manning probably has to have a stellar season and lead the Giants to the playoffs and then they will consider a contract extension. If it should be anything less than that, then Jones' time is probably coming sooner than later and Manning's time with the Giants probably is about to run out," Vacchiano said. Expectations are low for the Giants entering this season, but with a revamped offensive line ahead of him, it's entirely possible Manning grinds his way to another year (or more) with Big Blue. MORE: Mike Trout's perfect 98.6 MPH throw to home plate had everyone in awe Packers GM explains reasoning for releasing DL Mike Daniels Roundup: A-Rod Buys J-Lo a Porsche, PBR Hard Coffee, MLB Trade Deadline Bold Predictions Ranking the NBA's Top 10 Big Threes 10 things we'll be watching the first week of Lions training camp


Welcome to Cleveland, Ka'John Armstrong. The undrafted rookie offensive tackle from Eastern Michigan is the newest member of the Cleveland Browns. Armstrong was in minicamp this week on a tryout basis and the Detroit native showed enough promise to merit joining the team. The 6-5, 300-pounder has great length (his arms are over 35 inches long) and decent footwork but didn't always play to his size for the Eagles. There is potential for the Browns to try him at guard as well. Armstrong fills the roster spot opened when the team dumped Desmond Harrison. Last year's starting left tackle for the first half of the season was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday. MORE: LeBron says Warriors part owner should be held accountable for shoving Kyle Lowry Cowboys News: Michael Gallup leg injury dampens final OTA session Warriors' Minority Owner Mark Stevens Banned From NBA Games For One Year Packers working on better vision from second-year LB Oren Burks JaVale McGee says Lonzo Ball is working to get healthy: 'He hasn't missed a training session'


Jrue Holiday has long established himself as one of the best defensive guards in the NBA, evidenced by his pair of NBA All-Defense selections in recent years. This season, Holiday was named to Second Team All-Defense after being named First Team All-Defense last season. Lonzo Ball, meanwhile, has a defensive reputation that is quickly growing through his first two seasons in the league. In his sophomore season, Ball really began to flourish on the defensive end and started to gain some buzz for a potential spot on the All-Defense teams before an ankle injury ended his season abruptly. Still, the potential the two bring on the defensive end of the court is unquestioned. Holiday stopped by the broadcast of Friday's Pelicans-Knicks game and was asked about Ball's impact on the defensive end which led to a glowing quote from the veteran guard. Jrue Holiday sounds very happy to have Lonzo Ball in the backcourt with him pic.twitter.com/k2VlXNGwje - Lonzo Wire (@LonzoWire) July 6, 2019 And the full transcript of the quote: "I'm excited about that. I'm excited about that. So seeing Lonzo play ever since UCLA, play with my little brother, being able to play against him now for a couple years in the league, how he gets after it, how active he is, how he can pass, how he can even get to the basket and make plays. But his defense is where I feel like I love him the most because I'm a defensive guy. Being able to be aggressive, get steals then after steals, being able to make the right play, that's him." Holiday clearly has done his homework on Ball, which isn't a surprise. As he stated, he got as close a view of Ball as anyone could while watching his brother play with him in the backcourt at UCLA. The end result for the Pelicans could be a truly incredible defensive backcourt that may end up being the best in the league. Only time will tell but there's plenty of reason to be excited about the two so far. MORE: Report: Kawhi Leonard will keep us waiting until Saturday, at the earliest Three Teams That Should Take a Chance on DeMarcus Cousins 2019 NBA Summer League Rosters News: Cowboys who could be traded, triple-threat WRs, Eric Berry talk Za'Darius Smith could make Packers defense nasty on third down


Mobile payments and money transfer, both internationally and domestically, are a huge business, and there's a lot of money in the market   the global remittance market is estimated to reach $636 billion in 2017, according to the World Bank. Between incumbents like Western Union and newer companies like PayPal, there are a lot of players and members involved in the market. We've identified 10 people who are shaping the way we send money. Whether they're used to being in the public eye, or remain anonymous, we dug up some info on these impressive leaders in order to pay tribute to their hard work. 1. Jennifer Bailey, Vice President of Apple Pay Jennifer Bailey, the head of Apple Pay, is one of the most important people in payments today. Apple has jumpstarted the mobile payments industry in the US, getting Americans more interested in paying with their smartphones. Apple Pay was announced alongside the iPhone 6/6+ in September 2014 and launched the next month to great fanfare. Bailey has been integral in the development of Apple Pay, leading the initiative since it started. With Apple Pay adding big merchants like Best Buy and Kohl's, and adding new capabilities like supporting loyalty and private-label cards, the future looks optimistic for Apple Pay. One of the biggest difficulties for mobile wallets in the US getting customers aware of it   with Apple's expertise in marketing and the elegant user experience of Apple Pay, it's only a matter of time until Apple Pay takes off in the US. 2. Hikmet Ersek, CEO of Western-Union As the President and CEO of Western Union since 2010, Hikmet Ersek is one of the most powerful people in remittances. He's a Fortune 500-ranked global leader, which means his decisions have a big influence on cross-border money transfer services. That's why he's frequently featured in the media speaking on economic and social topics like globalization, migration, transformation and digital payments, and why he's a recurring speaker at the World Economic Forum and the Clinton Global Initiative. At Davos this year, he identified mobility, growth, opportunity, and education as the key themes the industry needs to address this year. Ersek has both grown and diversified WU, adding more than 500,000 agent locations, expanding into electronic and mobile channels, adding business payments, and broadening financial services. He joined WU in 1999, worked several international roles, then became COO before CEO. Before that, he worked for Europay/Mastercard and GE. 3. Bill Ready, Braintree CEO & PayPal SVP Bill Ready is already one of the most recognizable faces in the payments industry, guiding Braintree to an $800 million acquisition by PayPal in 2014. Braintree also owns Venmo, one of the hottest P2P payment apps available (especially with millennials). Most recently, Ready was promoted to SVP of Merchant and NextGen Commerce, where he'll be working with recent PayPal acquisition Paydiant to develop commerce tools for merchants. Under Ready, Braintree has seen tremendous growth and the V.Zero platform has received much acclaim. V.Zero is a payment API that helps developers easily and quickly add payment capabilities, which is integral for startups who are looking to monetize their mobile apps quickly and efficiently. V.Zero supports a number of different payment methods, like Bitcoin, Apple Pay, and Android Pay, which makes it even more appealling for companies. With PayPal spinning off from parent company eBay next month, Braintree will be an integral part of PayPal's success as an independent company. 4. Patrick Collison, Stripe CEO Stripe, another YC alum, is one of the hottest payments startups in the industry today. With a rumored valuation of $5 billion, Stripe acts as a payment processing platform, helping startups and large merchants easily enable payments in apps and on the web. Collison, and his brother John, founded the company in 2011, and has merchants like Postmates, Lyft, and Shopify as clients and also power Facebook's and Twitter's Buy buttons. Stripe is renowned for its focus on simplicity and making sure developers have everything they need to enable e-commerce and m-commerce transactions. Stripe also has a plethora of payment options, from Apple Pay to bitcoin to regular credit and debit card, making it an appealing platform for merchants in the US and abroad. Stripe also invested in Stellar, a non-profit started by Ripple Labs co-founder Jed McCaleb. Stellar focuses on using bitcoin's distributed ledger technology to make financial services easier and more efficient. 5. Dan Schulman, Paypal CEO Dan Schulman joined PayPal in 2014 as President and CEO to lead the company as it separated from eBay. Which is to say he's the head of one of the largest online payment companies. In 2013, Paypal moved $180 billion in 26 currencies across 193 countries. Schulman has a successful track record in taking over newly-acquired companies and growing fledgling companies until they are acquired. At the start of his career, he was President and CEO of Priceline Group, Inc. He also spent 18 years at AT&T. Schulman grew Virgin Mobile USA as its founding CEO from one of the first U.S. prepaid cell providers into a huge public company that was acquired by Sprint Nextel for $688 million. After that, Schulman led global strategy and expanded payment services as vice president of American Express. Under him, Virgin Mobile won the private sector award for bringing focus to the plight of homeless youth, and, at American Express, he worked to bring attention and introduce new products to 70 million U.S. adults underserved by traditional consumer financial institutions. 6. Brian Armstrong, CEO and co-founder of Coinbase Coinbase is an international digital wallet that lets you securely buy, use, and accept bitcoin currency. By founding Coinbase, Armstrong provided a much easier and safer way to exchange bitcoins. Armstrong has prior experience as a software engineer for Airbnb and previously founded Universitytutor.com, but it's clear he's hit his stride with Bitcoin. As CEO of Coinbase and Bitcoin expert, he has a lot of power to decide how the most widely used alternative currency will be brought further into the mainstream. Since inception, Coinbase has raised over $100 million from investors and expanded to 24 countries. Armostrong is one of the major leaders who will have a say in how Bitcoin evolves and grows. 7. Edrizio De La Cruz, Regalii One of the earliest startups to focus on international remittance, Regalii, a YCombinator backed company founded in 2012, is a battle-tested leader in the remittance market. Knowing firsthand how difficult and tedious it was to send money across international borders, De La Cruz, an ex-investment banker and Wharton MBA, focused on how to make the process simpler and faster for both immigrants and their families back home. Over time, the company's focus shifted to international bill pay, helping immigrants in the US pay their family's bills back home. Not only did Regalii's early data show that many immigrants used remittance solely to pay bills, but the international bill pay industry is an untapped billion dollar market with little competition. An early beta product launched in 2014 saw user growth double month-to-month, and Regalii has now turned its bill payment product into a worldwide platform, which large money transfer companies are using every day to pay thousands of international bills from the US. 8. Satoshi Nakamoto, Creator of Bitcoin We don't know if Satoshi Nakamoto is a person or a group of people, but we do know Satoshi Nakamoto is super important. There's speculation about almost every aspect of Bitcoin, but there's no denying its potential. Nakamoto created the Bitcoin protocol and reference software, Bitcoin Core, and in 2008 published a paper on the Cryptogtraphy Mailing list at metzdowd.com describing the digital currency. In 2009, Nakamoto released the first Bitcoin software that launched the network and the first bitcoins. Nakamato's contact with the community began to fade around 2010. He/she/they eventually handed over control of the source code repository and alert key functions of the software to Gavin Andresen, as well as control of the Bitcoin.org domain and several other domains to various prominent members of the Bitcoin community. Nakamoto is said to be in possession of roughly one million bitcoins, the largest amount owned by any single address. Bitcoin may have a long way to go before it revolutionizes remittances, but the impact of Nakamoto's creation is already being felt. 9. Will Graylin, Head of Samsung Pay Samsung Pay, Samsung's upcoming mobile wallet, is a source of much debate in the payments industry. Many experts think it has a long way to go to be as efficient as Apple Pay, but Samsung's multimillion dollar acquisition of LoopPay may help Samsung Pay be accepted by more merchants on Day 1 than Apple Pay was. Graylin was the head of LoopPay and became the head of Samsung Pay after the acquisition earlier this year. Graylin is a serial entrepreneur, having founded 5 tech startups, including LoopPay, and developed LoopPay's innovative technology to help the company become one of the biggest players in mobile payments before its acquisition. Samsung Pay will not only use NFC technology but LoopPay's innovative MST technology that lets a device emulate a magnetic card swipe, so merchants don't have to upgrade their equipment to accept Samsung Pay. It's an innovative way to enable mobile payments on a device without requiring costly upgrades on the merchant's end   both in terms of POS terminals and software upgrades. It remains to be seen how successful Samsung Pay can be, but the technology behind it is one of the more interesting solutions in mobile payments. 10. Iqram Magdon-Ismail & Andrew Kortina, Venmo Co-founders Magdon-Ismail and Kortina changed money transfer forever when they made it social. Former college roommates, they wanted an easier way to split costs so they built Venmo, a mobile-based platform that lets friends pay each other back in seconds. You can choose to name or describe each transaction so your friends can see what you've been using Venmo for on their feeds, while the transaction amount and all other info remains encrypted. Both guys are adamant about keeping Venmo free for consumers. They make money by charging merchants and through their API, rather than charging consumers. Remarkably, Venmo was acquired by Braintree for $26.2 million- just five months after its public launch. The pair made Inc Magazine's 30under30 in 2010. Before working together, Kortina worked at bit.ly and OMGPop. Magdon-Ismail worked at TicketLeap, Inc. and at iminlikewithyou.com


Although the Commissioner apparently gave everyone at the league office the week off, the boss showed up on Tuesday, for one apparent purpose: To scare Ezekiel Elliott . That's the only logical interpretation of Roger Goodell's decision to summon Zeke to 345 Park Avenue two days before the Fourth of July. Usually, a trip to the principal's office results at least in a brief period of detention. Elliott got only a stern talking to, stern enough to get him to rush to social media with the kind of heartfelt apology aimed at showing that he gets it, even if he doesn't. He'd better get it going forward, or he's going to get it. That's the only way to look at this. Goodell essentially has placed Elliott on double-secret probation, with one more false move resulting in a serious punishment. How serious it would be remains to be seen; the better course for Elliott would be to not test Goodell. The Commissioner easily could have suspended Elliott again. His menacing interaction of a 19-year-old security guard easily could have been pigeonholed into one or more of the various Personal Conduct Policy bullet points. (Assault, for example, can happen without battery, and assault is one of the prohibited activities under the policy.) Throw in the fact that Elliott would be regarded as a repeat offender, and a multi-game suspension would have been no surprise. The surprise continues to be the subtle shift that Goodell has undertaken from The Enforcer to something more magnanimous. Goodell seems to be more inclined to cooperate with players who have chronically violated the substance-abuse policy, and he also seems to be less inclined to punish under the Personal Conduct Policy players who haven't been arrested or charged. As noted after last year's bungling of the Kareem Hunt case, it's possible that the league overcorrected following the 2017 suspension of Elliott, which resulted from both a Keystone Cops investigation and a kangaroo court internal proceeding   and which sparked an attempt by Jerry Jones to jettison Goodell. The league may still be following that course correction, confident in Elliott's latest case that (unlike in Hunt's situation) there's nothing else that could come out that would make Goodell look foolish for not suspending Elliott. Elliott likely won't be so lucky if he makes Goodell look foolish for giving Elliott another chance. And that's the bottom line: If Elliott crosses the line or even gets close to it one more time, no one can say that Goodell rushed to judgment. Because, despite his tendencies of the not-too-distant past, Goodell no longer looks for knee-jerk reasons to flex his muscles by preventing talented players from using theirs on the football field.


North Michigan Avenue seems a little less magnificent lately. Retail rents fell in 2018 after soaring in recent years, and Chicago's undisputed top shopping destination has faced a long slog in filling high-rent flagship spaces. The Magnificent Mile's transition is indicative of a broader trend, as "high streets"   the world's most prestigious places to buy and sell goods   grapple with massive changes in consumer habits. The explosive growth of e-commerce and waves of retailer bankruptcies, combined with rents that skyrocketed in recent years coming out of a recession, have pummeled streets known for huge, attention-grabbing spaces. Experts say streets like North Michigan Avenue won't be knocked from their perch as the go-to destinations for retailers and consumers alike, and there already are signs of the Mag Mile bouncing back after a couple of years of slow leasing. "We've been an owner of Michigan Avenue retail space since the 1970s and we've seen a lot of cycles," said developer Lee Golub of Chicago-based Golub & Co., whose current investments include the ongoing Tribune Tower redevelopment. "Right now you have some spaces that are available. But the need for retail and the need to be on Michigan Avenue, I don't see that going away." Completed leases for marquee spaces on North Michigan Avenue averaged $450 per square foot in 2018, down from $550 the previous two years, according to commercial real estate brokerage Cushman & Wakefield. The area surveyed was between the Chicago River and Oak Street. Streets like New York's Fifth Avenue and Miami's Lincoln Road also are feeling the pinch. "North Michigan Avenue, like many retail corridors in the country where most of the properties are flagship spaces, has been hit particularly hard," said Chris Conlon, chief operating officer of Acadia Realty Trust, which owns three properties on the avenue. "Large-format stores, it appears to us, are the last to move. Those large-format stores up and down North Michigan Avenue have struggled to find their footing." Manhattan's Fifth Avenue, one of the priciest retail streets in the world, has seen asking rents for the highest-quality spaces fall 11 percent since prices peaked in the first quarter of 2017, The Wall Street Journal reported in May. Other top shopping locales, such as San Francisco's Union Square and Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Calif., have remained flat, according to the report. In Chicago, retailers, real estate investors and brokers remain bullish on North Michigan Avenue's long-term prospects, no matter how much the retail world continues to change. By the end of the year, the avenue is expected to get a caffeine-like jolt when the world's largest Starbucks   a four-level, 43,000-square-foot Roastery   opens in the four-level former Crate & Barrel building at Michigan and Erie Street. It will be just the third such Starbucks concept in the country, following openings in Seattle and New York. Farther south, the 20,000-square-foot riverfront Apple store that opened in October 2017 and an ongoing redevelopment of neighboring Tribune Tower into residential condominiums are further reminders of massive investments being made on the avenue. The commitments help offset the sight of big vacancies, including the former multilevel Apple store that remains vacant at 679 N. Michigan. "We like seeing Apple's store starting right at the river," said Jim Gabel, CEO of Canadian outdoor retailer Roots, which in May opened a two-level store about two blocks away at 605 N. Michigan . "We felt that was sending the right message in terms of people's commitment to Michigan Avenue. "Starbucks has its new 40,000-square-foot store that's opening a block away from us. That told us that people were making big investments in the street and that, as we are, they're planning to be there long-term." Massive flagships by some of the world's best-known brands are juxtaposed by the string of large vacancies that have cropped up in recent years, including spaces formerly leased to Garmin, Cole Haan, Harley-Davidson and Tommy Bahama. The latest pending vacancy is by Topshop, set to leave a large space at 830 N. Michigan after its London-based parent company announced plans to close all of its U.S. shops. Additionally, Acadia is seeking tenants to fill a four-story building at 717 N. Michigan now partially leased to the Disney Store , which is on a short-term lease. The Rye, N.Y.-based real estate investment trust has found it slow going the past couple of years there, but now is negotiating with a handful of potential tenants, Conlon said. "The coming of the Starbucks Roastery is very exciting, some retailers are going back on the offensive, and some digitally native companies are seeking first or second spaces" on the avenue, he said. "Up until late last year, it was very quiet" at the Disney building, Conlon said. "Going from zero calls to four or five options is very exciting to us." In a way, corridors like North Michigan Avenue are victims of their own success. Landlords' expectations rose in recent years along with rents, which eventually topped out. Landlords and tenants have been, in many cases, waiting each other out on new deals. "High street retail has been a massive outperformer in the last eight years relative to all real estate," said Spencer Levy, chairman of Americas research and a senior economic adviser for Los Angeles-based real estate brokerage CBRE. "Rents have gone up like lightning, and landlords got out over their skis a little bit." Owners of the best-located spaces held firm on rent prices during the two years that Toronto-based Roots looked at Mag Mile spaces, Gabel said. One aspect of negotiations that changed during that time was landlords' increased willingness to invest in front-end costs such as construction of new space, Gabel said. Flagship spaces have remained the most difficult to fill, said broker Greg Kirsch, the Midwest retail leader at Cushman & Wakefield. The Mag Mile has 3.3 million square feet of space combined, about 12 percent of which is vacant, Kirsch said. Excluding vertical malls such as Water Tower Place, the Shops at North Bridge and 900 North Michigan Shops and department stores such as Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, about 29 percent of the remaining space is vacant, he said. The large presence of department stores and vertical malls sets Michigan Avenue apart from many top streets. Those properties also have fared well during the street's transition. "We're seeing a lot of churn on Fifth Avenue in New York and Lincoln Road in Miami," Kirsch said. "Because of the strength of the department stores and vertical malls on Michigan Avenue, Chicago is a little more immune to that. "When you look at the health of the department stores, the vertical malls and the expansion of the market, it's a fundamentally positive story. The challenge is those flagship spaces." The Tribune Tower remake by Golub and Los Angeles-based CIM Group will reintroduce 47,500 square feet of retail space next year also in need of tenants. If the project succeeds, it has the potential to further anchor the southern tip of the Mag Mile and strengthen the avenue overall. Preliminary interest in space fronting Michigan Avenue and along Pioneer Court south of the tower has been strong, Golub said. He declined to identify potential tenants, other than to say there are talks to bring back former two-floor tenant Dylan's Candy . The candy seller is in short-term space at 663 N. Michigan Ave., the former Garmin technology store. Golub and CIM propose a second phase of the Tribune Tower project that would add the city's second-tallest skyscraper , a 1,422-foot-tall residential and hotel building, behind the landmark structure off Michigan Avenue. If approved by the city and built, the tower could continue the trend of adding residents and hotel guests to the area, which would mean more customers for restaurants, gyms and other services not typically associated with the Mag Mile. Smaller deals recently signed on the street include Lou Malnati's planned pizzeria in the Wrigley Building . North of there, the Purple Pig is set to move from its longtime home, to a larger space at 444 N. Michigan. Chick-fil-A plans to take over the Purple Pig's current space at 500 N. Michigan. "Consumers are demanding experiences, food and a moment in time," Kirsch said. "It's not just about buying things and putting it in a bag anymore." For many brands, North Michigan Avenue isn't the only place to offer goods or experiences, either. Just as Chicago's office market has become less centralized, retail's center of gravity is harder to determine in many large cities, CBRE's Levy said. Along multimillion-dollar homes in Lincoln Park, Armitage Avenue has grown into Chicago's launching pad for primarily online retailers to open a store. Damen and Southport avenues also are thriving on the North Side, and the Fulton Market district west of the Loop continues a rapid emergence as a place for corporate offices, top restaurants and shops. "We're seeing the proliferation of new high streets and new types of experiences," Levy said. "A high street doesn't have the same pull as it once did. The same could be said about the office market, where areas outside of the CBD (central business district) are also causing stress on rents." Despite those trends, flagships are still most likely to wind up on North Michigan Avenue, he said. That was the case with Roots, which explored other locations before picking the Mag Mile. Its new 11,400-square-foot "experience store" is the largest in the company's fleet of more than 220 shops throughout the world, Gabel said. "Our brand is not just connected to the community, but it's also usually well supported by tourists," Gabel said. "Michigan Avenue has 55 million people who shop the street every year." The store can accommodate online order pickups and returns, boost brand awareness, and offer personalized leather jackets and other customized orders. On the second floor, a loungelike space will serve as an incubator for local retail startups to test out their concepts for a few weeks at a time. The large, unique space and volume of foot traffic can't be duplicated elsewhere in Chicago, Gabel said. "There's the feeling that with retailers going under, there's a surplus of stores," he said. "The reality is, the 'A' stores are always in demand." rori@chicagotribune.com Twitter @Ryan_Ori


Buying a new car should be fun. But it's also expensive, and the process can be stressful. Here's how to buy a new car like a pro. Buying a new car should be fun. But it's also expensive, and the process can be stressful. If you don't go in well-organized and with the right attitude, you might not get the best deal. You'll be in a stronger negotiating position if you do your homework, arrange your financing, and know exactly what you want. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories . The best deal you negotiate on a new car is the one that makes you happy. Buying a new car is a stressful experience for most people, and although it gets less challenging with experience, the best way to enjoy the process is to be as prepared as possible. Car dealers aren't trying to rip you off, for the most part. They just want to sell you a car and make money doing it. Consumers, if they get stressed out over preparing to borrow or spend tens of the thousands of dollars, can end up undermining their negotiating position. Remember: the car dealer has the cars - but you have the money. I've bought plenty of cars and dealt with numerous dealers. For me, the best deals have always come from a good negotiation. It doesn't have to be exhausting, but you should plan on committing some time and effort. It's worth it if you consider that you'll probably use your new car nearly every day. You don't want to drive with regret. And you won't if you follow these guidelines. Continue reading in the gallery above. Get to know your car dealer. There's no substitute for relationships in the car business, which is still to a certain extent run on handshakes. When I lived in Los Angeles, I bought several cars from the same salesman - and also referred him business from friends. Thanks to our relationship, I probably saved a few thousand bucks. The ideal is if you've been buying your cars from the same dealership for decades. But even if that isn't your history, you'll likely get a better deal on your new cars the more times you buy a new car from the same folks. There's no guarantee, of course, and sometimes relationships can go bad. My father bought GM cars for years - Chevys, Oldsmobiles, Buicks - until those good old Detroit reliability issues and some unrelated business relationships sent him to Honda. But good deals come from people you know, so it's well worth it to invest some time in knowing your local car dealer. Don't forget that buying a car is all about salesmanship. Lots of people are intimidated by car dealerships and the whole car-buying experience. There are some alternatives to the traditional approach, such as Costco's program of set prices and various online presales processes. But in almost all cases, you're still going to have to visit a dealership, to deal with financing, insurance, and to take delivery of your car. Don't have any illusions here: you're entering a sales relationship. The car dealer wants to sell you a car. The sooner you get comfortable with that, the better the process will go for you. Salespersons have different personalities. Some go easy, some come on strong, and some are in the middle. But they all have the same end goal, and they want you to be happy with the car you buy. But they aren't selling you just a car. They can also sell car loans, insurance, and service contracts, as well as aftermarket features. My advice is to prepare for the sell-job and prepare yourself psychologically for the fact that you need the salesperson and the salesperson needs you. Yes, it's stressful to spend $30-40,000 on something, even if you're one of the few buyers who pays all cash. But if you come to the process with the understanding that you have much of the power in the relationship, you'll be happier. Don't be afraid to walk away. Another personal anecdote: Years ago, I went car shopping. I knew what I wanted, and I had my budget in mind. I found a vehicle at a dealership, dropped by, talked to the salesperson, discussed price - and said I had to think about it. The price wasn't a sticking point, but the dealer wanted to bit more than I was willing to pay. So I went home. That night, the salesman emailed me, said he and his manager had talked about my offer, and had decided to meet my offer. The lesson here is that if you want a good deal on a new car, you have to be willing to walk away. You won't always hear back from the dealership, but you should much of the time. Car dealers believe that if a person comes in with the intention to buy a new car, then that person should not leave without a fresh set of wheels. Get pre-approved for an auto loan. Financing a new car, even if your credit isn't great, shouldn't be a problem. You can simply do it at the dealership, but you're likely to get a better deal if you prearrange the financing with a bank you routinely do business with. Basically, you can go through a simple pre-approval process online, get approved for a loan range, and then take that documentation to the dealership and tell them that's how you'd like to complete the transaction. The dealership may then try to beat your deal, at which point you can decide if you want to stick with your bank or go with the dealer's option. To be honest, there isn't much difference as far as the service goes, but the interest rates can vary, and the dealer might be able to get a zero-money-down loan, if they have access to those offers. Know what you want before visiting the dealership   exactly what you want. There's nothing wrong with going to the dealership as a blank slate and asking the salesperson to just show you some cars. But these days, with vast amounts of new-car information available online, dealers expect customers to come in having done their homework. Americans usually buy their new cars out of available dealer inventory, so the one of the few ways to throw a dealer for a loop is to want something obscure or specific, in which case you might require a special order. For the rest of us, if you head over to Joe Local Smalltown Toyota with designs on a 2019 Highlander Limited, but you don't want to spend more than $40,ooo and have a four-year-old vehicle with normal mileage that's been well-maintained to trade in, chances are there will be something for you to test drive. If not, then Joe Local Smalltown Toyota can arrange to have a vehicle sent to the dealership. It helps to know what you want at the level of color, wheels, interior, and so on. But the trim-level is the bare minimum. Knowing exactly what you want is something of a defense against an upsell. The Highlander Limited Platinum is just a few grand more than the Limited, but the dealer may have one if they lack a Limited. If you're financing, the extra cost can kind of disappear. But if you know what you want, you can avoid busting your budget in the heat of the moment. But don't be completely inflexible. Of course, you might genuinely like the Highlander Limited Platinum more than the Limited. In which case, you can consider the intangibles of ownership and up your budget on the spot. You might also think you want a three-row SUV when a two-row crossover would actually meet your needs better - and cost less! In which case, the Toyota RAV4 that Joe Local Smalltown Toyota wants to show you or that are on his lot could be worth a look. Read our 2019 Toyota RAV4 review here » Don't trade in your old car if you want to maximize your money. The dealership is never going to give you as much on a trade-in as you'd be able to get from selling your old car privately. The dealership will, however, take your old car, knock some cost off your new car, and take care of all the paperwork for you. Personally, I prefer to let the dealership do the work. But if I wanted potentially hundreds or even thousands of dollars more, I'd sell the car myself. Play the market. Back to Joe Local Smalltown Toyota for a minute. Not far away, there's Beth Bigtime Tri-State Toyota, and Beth looks like she has some appealing offers on Highlanders. Joe and Beth probably know each other, so if you let them both know you want to buy a new SUV, you can sit back and let them bid against each other. Beth might have better pricing power, but Joe might be able to get you better financing terms through a bank he works with all the time. He might also throw in a year's worth of free oil changes. The new car market is ... a market! Treat it as such! Pick your time of year to buy   wisely. The old wisdom is that the best time to buy is at the end of the year, when dealerships are trying to clear their lots to make room for new inventory. There's something to that - automakers want to max-out their annual sales and might provide more incentives as the year closes out, providing dealers some sales support. But I like to say that there's never a bad time to buy a new car. Seasonality can work in your favor. The first part of the year can be sort of slow, especially if the weather in your region is bad. Sales usually heat up in spring and summer, but sometimes automakers and dealers are too optimistic about new models and end up stuck with sluggishly selling vehicles. These cars might be worth a look. Dealerships might also have models that haven't been redesigned or refreshed in a while and no longer have much buzz around them. You could secure a great price on a Prius from Joe Local Smalltown Toyota, given that the current Prius has been around for a while and has been declining sales-wise. Follow the offers. The dealer you bought your car from will certainly market services and new vehicles to you as often as possible. Take them seriously! This is your first shot at a good deal. You'll also see national advertising from automakers throughout the year, as well as regional, state, and local offers. Clearly, if you've just bought a new car, you can ignore all this. But once you've owned your vehicle for a few years, you might want to pay closer attention. Plus, it's a good idea to keep track of the overall economic situation. Interest rates, for example, have been ticking up, but if some recession warnings start to flash more urgently, rates could drop. At which point you might want to think about buying again. Don't be afraid of long-term loans. There's been a lot of noise about stretched-out loan terms. If five-year terms were what you were used to, you might now see loans as long as seven years on offer. Automakers, financing outfits, and dealerships are using longer-term loans to enable customers to afford more expensive vehicles. But they're also using them to give customers a monthly payment that works for them. When you get right down to it, your monthly payment is what matters most, as long as you're buying within your budget. So work from that number, rather than deciding that there's no way, no how you'd ever flip for a longer-term loan. If you can't get comfortable with paying the extra interest, you could always insist on a "normal" loan. And even if you do go for the longer term, if you intend to keep the new car for five years, refinancing is always a later option.


David Luiz in an Arsenal shirt? Giovani Le Celso at Tottenham? Wilfried Zaha to leave Crystal Palace? There is still plenty to sort out in the final hours of the summer transfer window, and our partners at Sky Sports will guide you through all of the developing deals from 9-10 a.m. ET. Watch our special Deadline Day show live on NBCSN and online via NBCSports.com from 11 a.m. ET, plus Sky Sports News' show from 9 a.m. ET, right here . Click on the link above to stream their transfer show live, while you can also turn on NBCSN to catch up with all the latest transfers ahead of the new Premier League season. Expect the unexpected ahead of the window shutting at 12 p.m. ET. Follow @JPW_NBCSports


Burlington Police are trying to identify a body found in a wooded area. Police say they got a call from the 300 block of Union Avenue just after 8 Saturday night. According to satellite images, the man's body was found in a residential area in a cluster of trees behind houses. Investigators say the man is about 60 years old with black and grey hair and a grey beard. He was wearing a green and blue plaid shirt with blue jogging pants. Burlington Police are still investigating his cause of death. If you have any information about the case, please call the Burlington Police Department at (336) 229-3500. For anonymous methods, call Alamance County-Wide Crimestoppers at (336) 229-7100 or text 8398 to 274637 for a text-a-tip method, both with possible cash rewards. Follow WFMY News 2 on Facebook and Twitter ► Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the WFMY News 2 App: Apple Users , Android Users


After a two-week break, the Xfinity Series returns to action today for the Alsco 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Here's all the info you need for today's race. (All times are Eastern) START: North Carolina Basketball Legend Phil Ford will give the command to start engines at 1:07 p.m. The green flag is scheduled for 1:1 6 p.m. PRERACE: Driver/crew chief meeting is at 10:45 a.m. Driver introductions begin at 12:30 p.m. The invocation will be given at 1 p.m. by Billy Mauldin, CEO and President of Motor Racing Outreach. U. S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Marc Wilka will perform the National Anthem at 1:0 1 p.m. DISTANCE: The race is 200 laps (3 00 miles) around the 1.5-mile track. STAGES: Stage 1 ends on Lap 45 . Stage 2 ends on Lap 90 . TV/RADIO: FS1 will televise the race. Coverage begins at 12: 30 p.m. The Performance Racing Network's radio broadcast begins at 12:30 p.m. and also can be heard at goprn.com. SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will carry PRN's broadcast. FORECAST : wunderground.com calls for a high of 90 degrees and a 20% percent chance of rain for the start of the race. LAST TIME: Brad Keselowski won this race over Cole Custer and Christopher Bell . STARTING LINEUP: Click here for the starting lineup.


A pair of teams could join Boston as conference semifinal losers on Thursday night as the Sixers and Blazers look to defend home court in Game 6 despite 3 2 deficits. Each team suffered blowout losses in Game 5. Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors pummeled Philadelphia as likely Most Improved Player Pascal Siakam zoomed his way to a game-high 25 points in a 125-89 victory. The Nuggets did some bullying of their own at Mile High. Nikola Jokic punk'd Zach Collins and Meyers Leonard en route to 25 points, 19 boards and six assists in Denver's 124-98, forcing Portland to summon another dose of Lillard magic at the Moda Center . A pair of eliminations is well within reach. We shouldn't bury Philadelphia or Portland just yet. Neither team is at a sizeable talent disadvantage at least at the top of their rosters and a slate of role players should shoot better in some friendly confines. But some serious adjustments will need to be made in order to save the Sixers and Blazers respective seasons. We at The Crossover outlined some remedies that could lead to a round-two comeback. Philadelphia 76ers Release Transition Simmons Tuesday night was perhaps the lowlight of Simmons' career in Philadelphia. He was frankly disinterested for large stretches in the halfcourt, spending much of the second half with his hands on his hips. Simmons had as many turnovers (five) as shot attempts. He attempted one foul shot. Simmons remained in the passenger's seat as Embiid battled sickness and exhaustion. Their long-term viability remains in question. Those questions won't be settled until at least July, so for now, let's focus on Game 6. The best antidote for a sluggish Simmons is to unleash the horses, stressing transition at every opportunity. Embiid's health will impact the speed Simmons can dial up, though Brett Brown's minutes splits can mitigate the damage. Toronto ground Philadelphia to a halt in Game 5. Simmons in transition is the Sixers best chance to revive their dormant attack. Make Kawhi a Playmaker Kawhi Leonard is currently on a different plane as a passer compared to his Finals MVP days in San Antonio, but forcing the ball out of his hands may be Philly's best chance at stopping Toronto's relative cyborg. Leonard is too comfortable working to his spot in single coverage. Jimmy Butler isn't big enough to defend him. Ben Simmons has even struggled. Embiid shouldn't be afraid to stray an extra foot from Marc Gasol. Big Spain doesn't want to shoot it anyway. Serge Ibaka, Fred VanVleet and even Siakam should be dared to make triples on the road. The Sixers may have to live with a few frustrating makes, but it's a far better alternative to letting Leonard bury them in an elimination game. Portland Trail Blazers Double Down on Size Jokic feasted his way through Game 5 with little impediment from Portland's front line. Enes Kanter shot just 2-9 and was subsequently ran off the flood, leaving the Blazers with a slight collection of bodies ill-equipped to stop the potential first-team All-NBA center. Collins and Leonard couldn't seal the interior. Al-Farouq Aminu was minus-22 in 24 minutes. Jokic is a solid rebounder, though a ground-bound one to put it charitably. Allowing him to gobble up 19 boards in 34 minutes is inexcusable. Portland head coach Terry Stotts may regret his decision to lighten Kanter's load so early. Even with a shoddy defensive reputation, his sheer mass is a better option than Portland's more mobile bigs. Perhaps Kanter can pair with Collins or Leonard and try his hand guarding Paul Millsap. The Blazers have been exposed without Jusuf Nurkic, but with limited options, a twin-towers approach may be prudent. High-Volume Lillard All due respect to Rodney Hood, but if the Blazers are going to go down, it might as well be on the back of Damian Lillard. Don't expect him to lay a Kyrie-Irving-level egg, especially on his home floor. Lillard is made for magic at the Moda Center and isn't afraid to let it fly in big games. He fired 33 shots in his 50-point Game 5 performance against Oklahoma City in round one. He's well equipped to keep the Blazers alive on Thursday. Related slideshow: Best of the NBA playoffs (Provided by imagn)


Check out this 1971 Chevy C/K K-20 that's currently up for grabs at $39,990 This incredibly late second-generation 1971 Chevrolet C/K K-20 presents the very best of 'egg crate' Chevy trucks; so-called after the fresh grille design implemented on the 1971 model year, for those unfamiliar with American automotive culture. More Chevys! This Chevy El Camino Redefines Utility Vehicles Only Six Of These Top Whack 1969 Chevrolet Biscaynes Ever Existed For collectors, this slight tweak to the aesthetic design makes all the difference. Manufactured for only a short time in this form, further differentiating aspects from the previous incarnation include a different rear view mirror (glued to the windshield rather than bolted to the top of the cab), molded plastic door panels, and elongated window cranks. It's the little things, y'know? So, looking for the perfect K-20? This example with Grands Rapids Classics has to be it. Boasting of only two owners, the truck retains nearly all of its original features and sheet metal   including the fenders, doors, cowl, and hood. To ensure that the Chevy survives another half century, it has just undergone a $20k respray, too. As such, this truck appears brand new. Per the advert, the body is laser straight with 'phenomenal paint' and all new rubber seals and trim. For those seeking a concours K-20, you'll want to act fast as this beast won't hang around for long. Priced at $40k, while you may balk at parting with such money for an old truck, we can assure you that prices for pristine examples of classic 1970s American pick-ups won't be going anywhere but up. Especially when radiating the same rude health as this example . Sold new on 10/6/1971 at John Koich Chevrolet of Independence, Oregon, the original dealership license plate surround is included with the sale. The new custodian will also receive the Protect-O-Plate, warranty book, owners mauals, original emission control systems book, and ownership documents. These files record the first ownership 'from new' lasting through until 2014, where it was then sold to the second owner   of whom Grands Rapids Classics received the truck from. The Chevy never left its hometown prior to arriving at GRC's dealership. Vehicles such as this 1971 Chevrolet C/K K-20 rarely become available in such condition, and this one has to be the best example we've seen in some time. Running and driving as though it's just left the factory, serious enthusiasts and collectors won't be disappointed with this machine. Get a closer look here .


Milwaukee will see a return of last week's light rainfall today, according to the seven-day forecast from drone-powered weather service Saildrone . Today's forecast expects 0.27 inches of rain, while the chance of rain will remain below 0 percent for the remainder of the week. The next few days will also see warm temperatures, due to persist through Sunday. The weather will bring a high temperature of 86 degrees on Monday. Skies will partly clear up on Tuesday. Winds will stay light over the course of the week, with the highest speeds today at just 11 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Aurora? We've rounded up the latest places for rent via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to scoring apartment rentals in Aurora if you've got a budget of up to $1,200/month. Take a look at the listings, below. (Note: Prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 14155 E. Montview Blvd. (Sable Altura Chambers) Listed at $1,109/month, this 860-square-foot two-bedroom, one-bathroom residence is located at 14155 E. Montview Blvd. In the residence, you can anticipate a dishwasher and hardwood floors. When it comes to building amenities, expect a swimming pool, assigned parking and on-site laundry. Neither cats nor dogs are allowed. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area requires a car for most errands, is bikeable and offers many nearby public transportation options. (See the complete listing here .) 10756 E. Virginia Ave. (Expo Park) Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom abode situated at 10756 E. Virginia Ave. It's listed for $1,121/month for its 650 square feet. When it comes to building amenities, anticipate on-site laundry. You can also expect a dishwasher, a walk-in closet and a fireplace in the residence. Pet owners, take heed: This rental is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. According to Walk Score, this location is moderately walkable, is very bikeable and has some transit options. (Take a gander at the complete listing here .) 298 S. Jasper Circle (Centretech) Here's a 630-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 298 S. Jasper Circle that's going for $1,130/month. In the apartment, expect to find hardwood floors, a fireplace and in-unit laundry. The building features secured entry. For those with furry friends in tow, this property is pet-friendly. The listing specifies a $200 pet fee. Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area is car-dependent, is fairly bikeable and has some transit options. (Check out the complete listing here .) 456 S. Ironton St. (Expo Park) Then, check out this 740-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom spot that's located at 456 S. Ironton St. It's listed for $1,133/month. The building has on-site laundry. You can also expect to see hardwood floors, a walk-in closet and a fireplace. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: This spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. According to Walk Score, the area around this address is somewhat walkable, is convenient for biking and has a few nearby public transportation options. (Take a look at the complete listing here .) 932 S. Helena Way (Center Pointe) Finally, located at 932 S. Helena Way, here's a 720-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom spot that's listed for $1,147/month. You can expect to find a fireplace, a walk-in closet and hardwood floors in the residence. Pets are welcome. According to Walk Score's assessment, this location is somewhat walkable, is relatively bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. (See the complete listing here .) Working with a tight budget? Here are the cheapest rentals recently listed in Aurora . This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Training camp has finally kicked off down in Houston, and there's good news for the Texans and quarterback Deshaun Watson. Fourth-year wide receiver Will Fuller has returned to practice. After his 2018 season was cut short in Week 8 with an ACL injury, he was limited throughout minicamp. However, on Thursday he was running routes and training as normal and looked in good shape as they kicked off this year's camp. Will Fuller, V & WR crew going through drills on 1st day of #TexansCamp . pic.twitter.com/zfHfxJIHRI - Drew Dougherty (@DoughertyDrew) July 25, 2019 Fuller brings much-needed speed to this receiver corps, and when on the field he acts as a perfect number two receiver to DeAndre Hopkins, stretching the field, creating space for All-Pro Hopkins, and giving Pro-Bowler Watson a deep threat. The former first-round pick out of Notre Dame has scored 11 touchdowns over the last two seasons, having played in just 17 games due to various injuries. During these years, he has proven to be an extremely dangerous player, catching 60 passes for 926 yards. MORE: Mike Trout's perfect 98.6 MPH throw to home plate had everyone in awe Ranking the NBA's Top 10 Big Threes News: Elliott expected in Oxnard, Cowboys great bet to win it all Packers GM explains reasoning for releasing DL Mike Daniels Roundup: A-Rod Buys J-Lo a Porsche, PBR Hard Coffee, MLB Trade Deadline Bold Predictions


Francesca's plans to close at least 30 stores this year as sales plunged 13 percent during its first quarter. The women's apparel and accessories retailer on Thursday reported a loss of $10.1 million on sales of $87.1 million during its first quarter that ended May 4. The Houston company reported a loss of $3.9 million and revenue of $100.4 million a year earlier. Michael Prendergast, Francesca's interim CEO, said the struggling retailer is still in the early stages of a turnaround, and that its first quarter performance is in line with its expectations. The company plans to sell off its current inventory by the end of the second quarter, offering steep discounts to consumers with the goal of offering new, better selling products later this year. "As the composition of our inventory continues to improve with a higher percentage of new product, we believe we can drive meaningful improvement in comparable sales in the second half of the year," Prendergast said in a statement. RELATED: Francesca's to close at least 20 stores this year amid lagging sales Meanwhile, Francesca's is burning through its cash. The company reported $17.5 million of cash on hand at the end of its first quarter, down from $21.8 million at the end of the first quarter of 2018 and $48.1 million at the end of the first quarter in 2017. Prendergast said Francesca's plans to cut $15 million in costs this year, negotiating with landlords to reduce rents and seek early lease terminations and close underperforming stores. The company closed eight stores during its first quarter, bringing its store count down to 722 nationwide. Debtwire , a publication specializing in distressed debt, issued a report last month that cast doubt on Francesca's future. "Francesca's is confronting a host of issues that makes it challenging to complete the year without filing for bankruptcy," Debtwire said in its report. "It does not seem likely that new management can quickly reverse the situation following a series of missteps over the past several years." Prendergast, in a conference call with analysts early Thursday morning, said he remains optimistic Francesca's can turn itself around. The company has introduced new apparel, jewelry and accessories, including shorts and dresses priced between $38 and $44, that have been selling quickly. One item, called the "Flawless Dress," sold 20,000 units over the past month alone, Prendergast said. Francesca's earlier this year announced it is exploring a "strategic financial review," including a possible sale of the company. Prendergast declined to comment on the review until it is completed. "We believe we can return this business to profitability and sustainable long-term growth," he said.


Lexi Thompson continues to build on strong momentum with yet another run into weekend contention. Jennifer Kupcho looks to break through as a pro three months after making history at the Augusta National Women's Amateur. Stacy Lewis takes another step to winning as a hometown favorite. Those three Americans put themselves in position Friday to win halfway through the Marathon Classic in suburban Toledo, but they'll have to get through two players looking to continue South Korea's dominance this year. Sei Young Kim posted the day's best round with a 7-under-par 64, taking the second-round lead at 11 under overall. She's one shot ahead of Jeongeun Lee6 (66), winner of last month's U.S. Women's Open. Kim and Lee6 are looking to give the Koreans their ninth victory in 18 LPGA events this year. They're each also looking for their second victories this season. Thompson (67), Kupcho (66) and Lewis (68) are all one shot back. "I feel good where my game's at," Thompson said. Her record demonstrates why. In Thompson's last eight starts, she has finished T-4 or better five times, a run that includes a victory at the ShopRite Classic and two runner-up finishes. It's a good time to be at top form. After taking two weeks off to rest, Thompson is embarking on a run of four consecutive weeks that will end with back-to-back majors. Full-field scores from the Marathon Classic "It was very much needed," Thompson said. "I played five weeks straight before that and was just mentally drained. I had two majors in that five-week stretch. Really, my whole career, I've never played five weeks straight." Thompson, 24, is the highest ranked American in the world at No. 4. After this week, Thompson will partner with Cristie Kerr at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational's inaugural team event in Michigan, then it's off to France for the Evian Championship and England for the AIG Women's British Open. Kupcho's profile soared winning the Augusta National Women's Amateur in April, but it has taken time to get used to the rhythms of life as a pro. She's coming off back-to-back missed cuts with a T-23 her best finish in her five LPGA starts since leaving the amateur ranks. Her growing popularity has added to the challenge in transitioning to the pro game. "So many time things, that it's definitely been hard to calm down and really focus on golf," Kupcho said. She's eager to have something more than the ANWA to talk to media about. "There are still people that are like, 'Oh, can we interview you for Augusta?' I'm like, 'That happened two months ago,'" Kupcho said. "I'm trying to move on and work on pro stuff." Lewis is looking for her 13th LPGA title, her first since becoming a mom and her first in Toledo, where she was born and where her parents grew up. She's got her child, Chesnee, with her this week and lots of local family and friends following her. "It's just a lot of fun this year to give them something to cheer about," Lewis said. "They were pretty pumped after the round yesterday. It's always fun to have them, and have those family dinners every night, and just be around everybody."


The weather forecast for Fort Worth has light rainfall forecast for the coming week, starting on Monday, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Tuesday's forecast shows the greatest likelihood of rain at 72 percent, with predicted rainfall of 0.36 inches. Also expect winds this coming week. Winds are expected to climb up to 19 mph on Monday, while today will be calmer with a top speed of just 8 mph. Temperatures will be warm today and tomorrow, then heat up more from Saturday to Sunday, with a high of 91 degrees on Saturday. Skies will be partly cloudy today and mostly cloudy tomorrow. 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.


Missed the the most recent top news in Chicago? Read on for everything you need to know. Delivery driver caught putting mouth on drink A Jimmy John's delivery driver was caught on camera apparently putting his mouth on a customer's drink before delivering an order in a northwest Chicago suburb. Read the full story on NBC LA . Police investigating 'sick and disgusting crimes' against teen with disability A 15-year-old Chicago girl with a disability who was seen being beaten by a group of people in a video posted online may have been sexually assaulted off camera at some other time, police said Wednesday. Read the full story on KTLA 5 Morning News . Streisand riffs on music and how Chicago has always brought her good luck Howard Reich conducts an email interview with Barbra Streisand, who talks about her evolving voice, anti-Semitism and the state of our world. Read the full story on Chicago Tribune . College student who vanished in Chicago more than 12 years ago subject of new documentary Jesse Ross vanished in November 2006 while attending a Model U.N. conference in Chicago. His disappearance is the subject of the documentary "When I Last Saw Jesse," which will be shown at the Gene Siskel Film Center in September. Read the full story on Chicago Tribune . Humboldt Park alligator trapper takes his Chicago celebrity back to Florida When Frank Robb swooped into Chicago and swiftly caught the Humboldt Park alligator, he instantly became a local celebrity. It looks like some of that fame has carried back to his native Florida. Read the full story on Chicago Tribune . 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.


Find out which TV characters probably can't afford rent. When the quirky neighbor slides into the lead's apartment and the studio audience applauds, there's probably one thing on your mind   how in the world do these characters even afford a Manhattan loft when they work half an episode per season? Okay, maybe you're actually paying attention to the story, but those with wandering minds want to know, so GOBankingRates compiled the cost of famous apartments based on current real estate listings for equivalent digs in 2018. Click through to discover the salary you need to afford rent in every state. Jerry's Apartment: 'Seinfeld' Jerry Seinfeld's character probably wasn't making as much money as the TV star himself, but his TV apartment on the Upper Wide Side wasn't just a TV home; it was a hub. Whether Kramer was sliding in or Elaine and George (the latter of whom suspiciously held down New York apartments without working much) casually strolled through to talk about their latest breakup, apartment 5A was where the magic   and most of the "nothing" in a show about nothing   happened. Though Jerry's one-bedroom isn't particularly fancy, it does have a nice skyline view. Today, a similar one-bedroom with a view on Jerry's 81st street Manhattan location will run you about $2,650, according to Zillow. Sheldon and Leonard's Place: 'The Big Bang Theory' Seinfeld's rent is a bit of a head-scratcher, but Jerry was admittedly a semi-successful working comedian. However, "The Big Bang Theory" actually keeps things a little more grounded when you look at average rental costs in California. A 1,000-square-foot two-bedroom upstairs apartment right down the street from Sheldon and Leonard's Los Robles location in Pasadena, Calif., rents in the neighborhood of $2,350, complete with a breakfast bar, just like the one on the show. Two full-time university scientists might just be able to pull that one off. Charlie's Flat: 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' If Leonard and Sheldon keep it real, Charlie keeps it way, way more real despite not residing in one of the cheapest places to rent. As a bartender who lives with his maybe-dad, Frank, Charlie's apartment building is basically a rathole under tyrannical slumlord Hwang. Though it appears to be a dilapidated one-room rental, Charlie's place actually has three doors, apart from the main entrance. Coupled with the fact that Frank has to sleep somewhere, this indicates that it's at least a one-bedroom, and you can land a much nicer, much bigger, much cleaner spot than what Charlie wallows in for as little as $750 monthly in South Philly. It's safe to assume that Charlie's lived-in location is even cheaper. Dexter's Condo: 'Dexter' The show might have called it 8240 Palm Terrace #10B in Miami, Fla., but Dexter's condo has a real-world location   the Bay Harbor Club at 1155 103rd Street on Bay Harbor Island. If you're looking to reside in Miami, be warned that the cost of living is expected to increase, but there are still options. Bay Harbor isn't currently selling, but $360,000   with an estimated mortgage of $1,416 per month   will buy you a similar 780-square-foot one-bedroom Miami condo. Just like Dexter's, it's right on the water, has green lawns and is walking distance from plenty of convenient places to stash dead bodies. Olivia Pope's Apartment: 'Scandal' "Scandal" production designer Corey Kaplan told Today of Olivia Pope's cozy, stylish apartment, "We didn't want the apartment to be large so Olivia can cocoon in her space." In real life, renting smaller also helps you be able to afford extra hidden costs. Olivia's place is large enough for a dining room and piano, though, so a 713-square-foot one-bedroom centrally located to her White House work (and her presidential mistress-ing) on Massachusetts Avenue fits the bill   a bill of $2,537 per month, that is. If you're not in D.C., here's a secret: The designers based the look off the Rococo stylings of the historic El Royale apartments in Los Angeles. Carrie's Brownstone: 'Sex and the City' The 1866 brownstone within the exterior facade for what was supposed to be Carrie Bradshaw's modest rent-controlled apartment in Greenwich Village actually sold for $9.85 million in 2012. Of course, the real thing is a five-bedroom with six fireplaces and herringbone wood floors. As for Carrie's fictional pad, a similarly sized and appointed one-bedroom on the very same East 73rd street currently goes for $5,995 per month   which is only slightly less realistic for a columnist with an addiction to Manolo Blahniks. Frasier's Condo: 'Frasier' Frasier's condo is all about that panoramic city view. It's also fairly unique among TV apartments for single characters, as it needs three bedrooms to accommodate his dad, Daphne and Eddie the terrier. Broker Jeff J. Reynolds of Windermere told Curbed that they estimated Frasier's pad would sell for about $3.5 million in 2018. If you'd prefer to rent, luxury view apartments on Harrison Street with three bedrooms will run you about $3,962. Mulder's Studio: 'The X-Files' Back when the show aired, the Washington City Paper nailed down the location of Special Agent Fox Mulder's apartment to 42-2630 Hegel Place in Alexandria, Va.   not too far from his basement office at the J. Edgar Hoover Building on Pennsylvania Avenue in D.C. Mulder sleeps on the couch, so we can assume he lives in a studio, but it looks roomy and somewhat old-fashioned. A 725-square-footer in the same neighborhood fits the description and goes for a relatively affordable $1,215 per month   more than doable on a federal agent's median annual salary of $82,860. The hallucinogenic tap water at Mulder's place is kind of a rental red flag, though. Nick, Winston and Schmidt's Loft: 'New Girl' Four roommates, four bedrooms, a bathroom big enough for a high school gym and high warehouse-like ceilings right in the middle of L.A.'s hip downtown Arts District: This is what Curbed Los Angeles describes as a "housing unicorn that likely does not exist at all." Curbed is right; as of mid-February 2018, no such listing exists on Zillow. But in 2016, Time and Trulia estimated that the massive loft would rent for roughly $7,395 per month or around $1,850 per roommate. Monica's Apartment: 'Friends' "Friends" waves away Monica's West Village apartment as inherited from her grandmother, but she better hope she has rent control. In 2016, the New York Post pegged her theoretical rent at a minimum of $4,500 per month, and the situation hasn't changed much. In 2018, a two-bedroom resembling Monica and Rachel's place right down to the exposed brick and rustic hardwood in the same 10014 zip code rents for $4,350. As for IT guy Chandler and struggling actor Joey across the hall? Just thinking about their rent is enough to give you the meat sweats. Click through to find out which money habits you should develop when renting an apartment   whether it's got a TV-sized price tag or not. Methodology: Unless otherwise noted, estimated rental and real estate prices are sourced from Zillow, accessed in mid-February 2018.


When Microsoft launched the original Surface Laptop last year, I was taken with its gorgeous, minimalist design. This year, I thought, the company can't possibly outdo itself on aesthetics. But then Microsoft went ahead and unveiled a matte black option that somehow managed to look classier than the three earlier color options. Beyond its elegant exterior, though, the Surface Laptop 2 promises powerful performance upgrades and a long-lasting battery that substantiate its stylish package. Microsoft hasn't changed a whole lot with the new Surface Laptop, even sticking to the same proprietary power charger instead of adopting the more-popular USB C. But despite that inconvenience and some unfulfilled promises, the Surface Laptop 2 still shines. Hardware Everyone whom I've showed the Surface Laptop 2 agrees with me: This is a gorgeous piece of hardware, thanks to its smooth aluminum case and sleek lines. My test unit's black color happens to be my favorite, but you can also get it in silver, burgundy and blue if you prefer. At 2.76 pounds (for the Core i5 version we received), the Laptop 2 is exactly the same weight as its predecessor. It's also about as light as the new Retina Display MacBook Air and the Dell XPS 13 without a touchscreen. The Laptop 2's bright, beautiful 13.5-inch display shows off every tiny detail, even in the gloomiest scenes in The Haunting of Hill House . The screen did get slightly hard to see in harsh light, though. The speakers were loud and clear enough for me to hear the ghostly creaks and squeaks so I was fully immersed in the show. I also like that Microsoft included a USB-A socket, a Mini DisplayPort and a headphone jack. That's more than you'll find on most competing laptops, but USB-C charging is a glaring omission here. Instead of a charging port that's compatible with the cable for your phone and most other devices, you get the proprietary Surface Power connector -- the same as on the previous Surface Laptop and Book. Worse, the socket is so shallow the charger dropped out of the laptop at the slightest provocation. Sure, it has magnets to help hold it in place, but that wasn't enough to keep the charger from falling right out when I accidentally flicked the wire. It's like MagSafe but flimsier. This was almost annoying enough to be a dealbreaker for me, but the Surface Laptop 2 has enough in its favor that I can overlook it. Keyboard and trackpad Part of what makes the Laptop 2 so appealing is its keyboard, which is swathed in Microsoft's soft Alcantara fabric. I'm not sure if it'll show signs of wear over time, but so far it has stood up to sweat better than other keyboards. If it does get dirty, you can clean it with some fabric soap and a wet cloth. The keys themselves are not only well-spaced and comfortable to type on, but also quieter than before. The sound is muffled, as if Microsoft stuffed a cushion under each button. This isn't a significant improvement, but nice to have when you want to get work done without bothering your neighbors. I was also impressed by the Laptop 2's glass-covered trackpad. It's smooth, responsive, roomy and frankly, a joy to use. I switched between virtual desktops and apps with three-finger swipes, scrolled with two fingers and zoomed in on pictures without lag or running out of room. Other PC companies should take note: This is how you make a good touchpad. Performance and battery life The original Laptop shipped with Windows 10 S, which ultimately held back that machine's potential. Microsoft subsequently made it possible to upgrade to the full version at no extra charge , but you'd still have to install the OS manually. This time around, Microsoft thankfully went with Windows 10 Home, unshackling the notebook from its limited app selection. Our review unit has an eighth-generation Intel Core i5 CPU with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, which was plenty powerful for most of my daily workflow. That usually involves dozens of browser tabs for research and writing, as well as Faststone Photo Resizer for batch converting and watermarking. The Laptop 2 took about 11 seconds to batch convert a set of ten photos, which is in line with other eighth-gen Core i5 machines I've tested. Its performance on benchmarks like PCMark, Geekbench 4 and 3DMark fall within range of similarly specced PCs as well and indeed beat the original Laptop, though not by much. PCMark 7 PCMark 8 (Creative Accelerated) 3DMark (Sky Diver) ATTO (top reads/writes) Surface Laptop 2 (Core i5-8250U, Intel UHD 620) 5,856 4,367 3,977 1.5 GB/s / 781 MB/s Surface Pro 6 (Core i5-8250U, Intel UHD 620) 5,981 4,400 4,678 1.5 GB/s / 660 MB/s Microsoft Surface Laptop (Core i5, Intel HD 620) 5,075 4,279 3,630 658 MB/s / 238 MB/s Dell XPS 13 (2018, Core i7-8550U, Intel UHD 620) 6,438 4,918 2,446 3.1 GB/s / 527 MB/s The Laptop 2 also held up well in day-to-day use. It didn't stutter as I flipped between virtual desktops, opening app after app, playing browser games and installing Steam. Once, it glitched after I had tried to lock and unlock it in quick succession repeatedly, but that's the only hiccup I've seen so far. Microsoft's claim that the Laptop 2 is 85 percent faster than the original is probably marketing hype. It certainly doesn't feel 85 percent faster, but it hums along smoothly nonetheless. I was also impressed by how quickly the Laptop 2 woke up and logged me in via Windows Hello. The device generally turned back on from sleep in less than a second, and was smart enough to recognize me from various angles. Battery life Surface Laptop 2 15:57 Surface Laptop 14:49 Surface Go 9:50 Dell XPS 13 (2018) 9:50 Apple MacBook Air (2018) 12:35 Surface Pro 6 15:34 It's rated for the same 14 hours of battery life as its predecessor, but the Laptop 2 actually beat the original in our battery test, conking out after close to 16 hours. Not only is that longer than the first Laptop's 14.5-hour result, it's also better than the XPS 13 (2018) and this year's MacBook Air with Retina Display. As much as I dislike the proprietary charging port, Microsoft's charger rejuices the Laptop 2 pretty quickly -- I rebounded to 35 percent after about half an hour. The competition Dell's XPS 13 and HP's Spectre 13 are excellent ultraportables. They offer similarly sharp displays, brisk performance, comfortable keyboards and longer-lasting batteries. The XPS even costs slightly less than the Surface Laptop 2, while the Spectre costs $100 more. Dell's system is a better machine all around, except it looks slightly dated compared to the Surface Laptop. In case you're not married to Windows, you might like the newly updated MacBook Air. Its keyboard takes a little getting used to, but it offers modern features, a useful fingerprint sensor and a generously sized trackpad. Cherlynn Low / Engadget Wrap-up The Surface Laptop 2 is more than just arm candy. With a brilliant screen, comfortable keyboard and reliable performance, the Laptop 2 is one of the strongest notebooks, and its $999 starting price is reasonable for what it offers. The lack of a USB-C charging port is frustrating, but if you can live with Microsoft's inconvenient cable, you'll find the Laptop 2 a satisfying upgrade. Product Specs CPU & GRAPHICS Intel 8th generation Core i5 & i7 Intel UHD graphics DISPLAY 13.5-inch Pixelsense LCD 2,256 x 1,504 (201 PPI); 3:2 aspect ratio MEMORY & STORAGE 8GB or 16GB RAM 128GB; 256GB; 512GB; 1TB SSD PORTS 1 x USB 3.0 Type-A 1 x miniDisplayPort 1 x Surface Connect Video Camera: Brian Oh Editor: Chris Schodt Script: Cherlynn Low Script editor: Terrence O'Brien Host: Cherlynn Low