It seems like we say this every off-season, but this time we really mean it: That was the wildest NBA off-season ever. Stars shifted teams, and with that contenders for the crown rose and fell (including the team with the crown). It was a summer where elite players, the ones who have true power, flexed that muscle and forced their way to where they wanted to go   in the middle of a contract or not. It was an offseason of drama that has the NBA reconsidering its free agent negotiation rules. It was everything fans have wanted. Here are the 10 biggest moments of the NBA offseason. 1) Kawhi Leonard chooses to join Clippers, gets Paul George to join him That Paul George ultimately chose the Clippers was not a total shock, The Clippers had all but stalked Leonard last season, to the frustration of the Toronto Raptors, and sources had told me (and other reporters had said the same thing) that this was a two-team race between the Clippers and Raptors. In the days leading up to Leonard's decision, there was tremendous confidence coming out of the Lakers' camp  they thought having LeBron James and Magic Johnson make separate pitches went incredibly well, and besides who had ever chosen the Clippers?   and they felt a little blindsided by the move. But in the end, Leonard wanted to come home to Southern California, something the Raptors simply could not compete against even though they did everything right, and Leonard did prefer to play with LeBron on the Lakers. The shocker was Paul George being recruited by Leonard then forcing a trade to the Clippers. That came together fast. Leonard wielded his superstar power and tried to recruit several stars to join him   Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving got calls   but George listened, liked what he heard, and demanded a trade. Nothing leaked because critical parts of the Clipper front office, starting with GM Michael Winger, were out of Oklahoma City and knew their GM Sam Presti. Then suddenly the bombshell landed, the Clippers were getting Leonard as a free agent and George in a sign-and-trade that sent a massive package back to Oklahoma City. No other move this summer changed the NBA landscape like this one. The Clippers are now legit title contenders, and maybe the favorites. The Lakers were left scrambling to fill out their roster. Oklahoma City got a massive haul of picks and players and is now embarking on a rebuild that likely will include the trade of Russell Westbrook at some point (they hope before the season, but it's a complicated deal to pull off). And Toronto, when it sobers up from its title celebrations, has some tough decisions to make about what's next, but they fall out of title contention in the East. 2) Anthony Davis traded to Los Angeles Lakers At the trade deadline in February, this is what Davis and his agent Rich Paul had pushed for, and what the highest levels of Pelicans ownership had pushed back against   Davis being traded to the Lakers to join LeBron. When David Griffin came in as the new VP of basketball operations with the Pelicans he brought in a new mindset: If the Lakers put the best offer on the table, we have to take it. Kyrie Irving leaving Boston meant the Celtics would not put out the offer the Pelicans most wanted, so the Lakers became the best deal available. The Pelicans got a great haul of players and picks to jump-start the rebuild   around Zion Williamson , winning the Draft Lottery cushioned the Davis blow in the Big Easy   and the Lakers got their star. The Lakers have two of the top seven players in the NBA, pus Kyle Kuzma , Danny Green , DeMarcus Cousins and an interesting assortment of veteran role players. The Lakers may not be a great regular season team in the deep West (four seed?), but if LeBron and Davis are healthy this team is incredibly dangerous in a playoff series. 3) Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving team up in Brooklyn. Or, will, eventually. Four years ago, Sean Marks took over as the GM of the Brooklyn Nets and the toughest rebuild job in the NBA. The previous regime had traded away draft picks and left the cupboard bare. Marks made smart decision after smart decision   finding Caris LeVert and Spencer Dinwiddie , trading for D'Angelo Russell and giving him the room to become an All-Star   and built a strong cultural organization with coach Kenny Atkinson. They got to the playoffs in the East last season without a true No. 1 option on the roster. All that impressed Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant enough to come be those stars. The pair had decided to team up as free agents even before the NBA season started   certainly long before Durant tore his Achilles in the NBA Finals   and while the Knicks had been rumored all season, when the pair surveyed the landscape they realized the Nets were the better choice right now. They took it. Brooklyn is now a contender… or should be in a year when Durant returns from his injury. This season it's Irving leading a young team again, which could get interesting. 4) Jimmy Butler chooses Miami, forces sign-and-trade there Philadelphia wanted to keep Jimmy Butler for obvious reasons   at the end of playoff games last season it was Butler with the ball in his hands as the playmaker for the team, while Ben Simmons was floating around in the dunker's spot. Butler, a wandering soul trying to find the right home for himself the past couple of years (we can safely say it was not Minnesota), decided on Miami. And the Heat wanted him   Pat Riley and Eric Spoelstra are grinders of the top order, and there was a great cultural fit. The problem: Miami was capped out. This had to be a sign and trade and it became a complex four-team one that at its core sent Hassan Whiteside to the Trail Blazers, Josh Richardson to the Sixers, Maurice Harkless and a future first-round pick to the Clippers, and Meyers Leonard to the Heat with Butler. Butler signed a max contract in Miami, and the Heat are a dangerous team again (and one on the hunt for another star to join Butler). Philly comes out of this well because… 5) Al Horford chooses to join Philadelphia The Sixers lost Butler, but they may just have gotten better this summer. In part because Josh Richardson is a very good player   he was asked to be a No. 1 in Miami last season and he's not that, but ask him to play a role and he will do it at a very high level, plus he's a good wing defender   and in part because that freed up the cap space to get Al Horford. Horford is the ultimate glue guy who can do everything well   shoots threes (36 percent last season), score in the post, protect the rim, play a stretch four next to Joel Embiid , play the five when Embiid is resting, and be a bit of a playmaker from the elbow. He gives them versatility, as does the re-signing of Tobias Harris . This is going to be a contending team in Philly, one with a great defense but one that has to answer a few questions over the course of the season. The big one: One minute left in a close game, who has the ball in their hands has a shot creator? 6) Kemba Walker signs in Boston Charlotte confused the NBA. Again. They let Kemba Walker walk for nothing. If they were not going to re-sign him at or near the max, then they needed to trade him last summer or at the trade deadline (despite the All-Star Game coming to Charlotte). Or, pull a Clippers/ Blake Griffin and re-sign him to the max then trade him in six months. But to get nothing for him? That is Boston's gain. Walker was a Third Team All-NBA guard last season who carried the Hornets averaging 25.6 points and 5.9 assists per game, he can take over, but he's also a smart facilitator with the right players around him   and he has that now with Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum . He's a better fit culturally for Boston than Irving because Kemba is a "come on guys, you're with me, let's do this together" kind of leader they need. Walker is going to have a strong year in Boston. (The Celtics are going to miss Horford more than Irving.) 7) Warriors get D'Angelo Russell back from Brooklyn in sign-and-trade Golden State didn't want Durant to leave and get nothing back, and they worked out a pretty good sign-and-trade for both sides. The Warriors get an All-Star point guard in Russell who can soak up a lot of minutes this season while Klay Thompson is rehabbing his ACL. While a lot of observers are not sure about the Russell/ Stephen Curry fit (*raises hand*) the Warriors are committed to try to make this thing work, and dream of a three-guard lineup where Thompson can slide to the three. If it doesn't work, they trade Russell at the deadline or next season, but for now he keeps them competitive in the deep West. 8) Utah trades for Mike Conley , lands Bojan Bogdanovic in free agency Utah is perpetually overlooked, and this may be too low on these rankings for the summer they had. The Jazz front office had coveted Conley for a while and now they were able to trade for him, providing a massive upgrade over Ricky Rubio and giving the Jazz a much-needed second shot creator next to Donovan Mitchell . Then, Utah went out and got Bojan Bogdanovic in free agency to play the four   he can defend, shoots threes, is 6'8″ and is one of those guys fans don't know but front offices love. Bogdanovic averaged more than 20 points per game in Indiana last season after Victor Oladipo went down. Utah may be the second-best team in the West going into next season. They are unquestionably contenders, whether fans think they are or not. 9) Malcolm Brogdon leaves Bucks for Pacers Indiana wanted an upgrade at point guard and another shot creator next to Oladipo (when he returns, which looks to be around Christmas or after). They got it in Brogdon, who averaged 15.6 points per game and shot 42.5 percent from three for the Bucks last season. Brogdon can play on or off the ball and has the versatility that will fit well with the Pacers, making them better. Just as importantly, losing Brogdon is a blow to the contending Bucks. They leaned on Brogdon for shot creation in key moments. Milwaukee kept Khris Middleton as a free agent, have Eric Bledsoe (who needs to have a good playoffs now), and of course there is the MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo . But losing Brogdon will hurt a little. 10) Knicks strike out with big free agents… then don't do so bad Expectations were high among Knicks fans (fueled in part by radio comments from owner James Dolan), and when Durant and Irving chose Brooklyn, and New York couldn't get a meeting with Kawhi Leonard, there was an unhappy fan base. To the point team president Steve Mills had to put out a "relax, we're still working on building this thing up" message to fans. Thing is, he's right. The Knicks were not getting the top free agents because the Nets and Clippers had built better cores, better stockpiles of young players that made up playoff teams even without a true alpha dog. Free agents liked those teams' cultures, they liked they could step in and win now. The Knicks are not there. But the Knicks also didn't do what the Knicks of a decade ago would have done and thrown good money after bad to sign any star free agent to save face. They kept their powder dry. They made a nice signing with Julius Randle and from there did a bunch of short deals that keep them flexible to chase the next star that comes available. That's how to build a team the right way. The Knicks may finally be getting there, but more patience is required (not usually a strong suit of New Yorkers). Related slideshow: 2019 NBA offseason moves (Provided by imagn)


A 43-year-old who assaulted two Hispanic men while yelling racial epithets at them and who has a history of bias-motivated crimes was sentenced to five years in prison, according to the Denver District Attorney's Office. Ryan Austin Lee also will serve two years of mandatory parole. A jury found him guilty in April of two counts of misdemeanor third-degree assault and two counts of felony bias-motivated crimes, a news release from the district attorney's office said. Lee reached through the window of a car on March 2, 2018, punched the driver and then grabbed the passenger, who was walking away, by his collar, threw him to the ground and kicked him. He was shouting racial slurs during the assault, the news release said. He was also sentenced to a one-year concurrent prison sentence for felony menacing and a bias-motivated misdemeanor charge from a 2017 incident, the DA's office said. He had received a deferred judgment for the 2017 crime, but it was revoked after the 2018 assault. In that incident, on March 10, 2017, Lee threatened and chased a mixed-race family   a husband, wife and 7-year-old child   in Garfield Park while wielding a hammer and yelling racial epithets, according to the district attorney's office. "Hate crimes are criminal expressions of bigotry that terrorize the entire community," DA Beth McCann said at the conviction, according to the release. "Mr. Lee shouted racial epithets while attacking the victims, which provided the jury with the motive needed to find Lee guilty of a hate crime." The maximum sentence Lee could have received was 15 years, the DA's office said. Related Articles Denver police bias-motivated crime unit investigating transgender woman's assault


1787: Constitutional Convention begins The Constitutional Convention begins at the Pennsylvania State House (Independence Hall) in Philadelphia after enough delegates show up for a quorum. 1842: Christian Doppler presents the Doppler Effect. Austrian physicist Christian Doppler presents his idea of the Doppler Effect, to the Royal Bohemian Society. He spoke about the principle of changing frequency of a wave as the source and the observer move towards or away from each other. 1862: Confederates win First Battle of Winchester Confederate General Thomas  Stonewall  Jackson notches a victory at the First Battle of Winchester, Virginia, as part of his Campaign through the Shenandoah Valley during the American Civil War. 1935: Babe Ruth hits last home run The legendary MLB player Babe Ruth hits the final home run of the game and his career. In rare form, Ruth went 4 for 4 on the day, hitting three home runs. 1935: Jesse Owens breaks 3 World Records in 45 minutes Jessie Owens breaks three world records at the Big Ten meet in Ann Arbor, Michigan - long jump, the 220-yard dash and the 220 low hurdles and tied the fourth world record in the 100-meters dash, in under an hour. 1963: Organisation of African Unity Leaders of 32 countries unite to create the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to "decolonize" the remaining bastions of white rule in Southern Rhodesia, South Africa, Mozambique and Angola. 1965: Muhammad Ali knocks out Sonny Liston Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali stands over fallen challenger Sonny Liston, after dropping him with a short hard right to the jaw in Lewiston, Maine. The bout lasted only one minute into the first round. 1968: Gateway Arch is dedicated in St. Louis The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is dedicated by Vice President Hubert Humphrey, who declared it  a soaring curve in the sky that links the rich heritage of yesterday with the richer future of tomorrow . 1979: American Airlines Flight 191 crashes All 271 people aboard and two people on the ground are killed in the deadliest aviation accident in American history when the Los Angeles-bound flight crashes moments after its takeoff from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois. 1986: Hands Across America takes place An estimated 7 million Americans participate in "Hands Across America" to raise money for the nation's hungry and homeless. 2011: Oprah Winfrey airs her last show Oprah Winfrey ends her famous talk show. The final episode of the "Oprah Winfrey Show" audience included her partner Stedman Graham, filmmaker Tyler Perry and her fourth-grade teacher, a woman she called Mrs. Duncan.


Ready for the red, white and boom? Nightly fireworks might already have begun but, before you light that Roman candle, there's a few safety measures you should follow if you value your fingers. About 9,100 people suffered fireworks-related injuries that required emergency treatment in 2018, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Fireworks Injury Report. Of those injuries, 62 percent occurred during a one-month period around July 4. Children 10 to 14 had the highest rate of injury, according to the report. The most commonly injured body parts were hands and fingers, and at least five people died in 2018 after being hit by fireworks shot from reloadable devices -- such as mortar and shell kits. "Most the time it's an erratic firework," said Darcy Downie, regional director for the Northeast Ohio Chapter of Prevent Blindness. Or people who do "really dumb things" without thinking, she added. But even people who follow safety precautions or are not participating can be injured by an errant explosive. The Prevent Blindness agency opposes fireworks because of their "erratic nature," Downie said. Even seemingly innocent sparklers burn hot enough to cause severe injury and resulted in 500 hospital emergency visits last year. Loud fireworks also spook farm animals and pets, increasing shelter populations around July 4. "They will run off," Downie said. She advised keeping pets inside or on a leash when fireworks displays occur. Safer light shows encouraged on July 4 include nontoxic glow sticks, glow-in-the-dark paint or flashlights covered with tinted cellophane. Prevent Blindness advocates will join others 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Ohio Statehouse for a news conference about the legality and safety of fireworks. It can be viewed live at facebook.com/events/1780461598766822 . In Ohio, you can purchase consumer fireworks but cannot legally discharge them in state. Only "trick and novelty" items that smoke, pop or sparkle are allowed, a according to the State Fire Marshal's Office. Phantom Fireworks, one of the nation's most prominent retailers, in Canton sells everything from 99 cent snaps to a $1,500 "grounds for divorce" assortment. Molly Whitehead, manager at the 2801 Faircrest St. SW store, described the latter as a "backyard show in a box." Customers show a driver's license when entering the store and receive a form about anti-terrorism and legally transporting the fireworks at checkout, Whitehead said. Each store aisle has safety pamphlets unique to the fireworks, and a general safety booklet is included with purchases. Phantom Fireworks provided these tips for a safe July 4: Never let children handle fireworksEnsure any onlookers or flammable material is far from the launch siteRead the directions and potential hazards for each firework before using itOnly use fireworks on a hard, flat surface that provides stabilityKeep fireworks as far as possible from your body and use an extended igniting device when lighting themLight only one at a time to prevent uncontrollable pyrotechnicsHave a fire extinguisher or water supply nearby in case of emergencyDo not use fireworks in strong windKeep other fireworks covered and far from ones being used to prevent accidental ignitionDispose of used fireworks by dousing them with water and then a sealed metal container outdoorsStore unused fireworks in a cool, dry place that is not accessible by childrenMore information can be found at fireworks.com/education-and-safety/safety-tips Reach Kelly at 330-580-8323 or kelly.byer@cantonrep.com On Twitter: @kbyerREP ___ (c)2019 the Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio) Visit the Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio) at www.ohio.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


Don't fall victim to these bad financial habits. 40 money habits that can leave you broke Big or small, some financial habits can zap a solid financial plan and leave smart savers with empty wallets. To avoid buyer's remorse and similar guilt about neglecting your finances, you need to be informed about what habits might be costing you extra. Click through to check out bad spending habits and identify how you can cut back on them. Your App Addiction In the list of things to waste money on, smartphone apps are a big one. Those $1.99 purchases seem inexpensive enough, but they can snowball   especially if you have kids who are adding to the overall purchase price or frequency. Consider free app downloads exclusively or cap yourself and your family with a monthly app budget. Check out 15 of the best budgeting apps   including plenty of free options. Not Checking Your Credit Report People with top-tier credit ratings qualify for the lowest finance rates when car or home shopping. Over a 30-year term, a quarter of a percentage point can add up to thousands of dollars. Check your credit history regularly and clean up any problems as soon as they arise. Having Wine With Dinner Buying wine with dinner is a pricey proposition. Restaurateurs routinely mark up bottles by about three times the wholesale price   sometimes more. Consider a BYOB-friendly restaurant instead or, if you can bear it, skip the wine altogether when dining out. Leasing Your Car A 2017 cost-comparison report by car cost site Edmunds found that the overall cost of leasing a compact SUV can be almost $10,000 more than the cost of buying a similar car used, and it is about $4,000 more than buying the same car new when you take equity into consideration. Drop the lease and invest the difference, and you can boost your overall financial scenario. Ignoring a 401k Match One in four employees doesn't save enough to receive the full 401k match provided by his employer, according to a 2017 report by investment advisory firm Financial Engines. That means the average employee leaves $1,336 in his employer's coffers each year. That's like telling your boss you didn't want a pay raise this year. It's recommended to max out your 401k contributions, but at the very least you should contribute enough to get your employer's match. Going Out for Lunch A 2015 survey by Visa found that the average American spends about $20 per week on eating out lunch. Over a year, that adds up to a staggering $1,043. No need to waste money on lunches out when a brown bag lunch is cheaper and, if packed correctly, can be more nutritious. Using Store Credit Cards Retail stores are notorious for offering a discount on an initial purchase if you sign up for the store card. Although that 10 percent or 20 percent discount might sound sweet when you're standing at the checkout line, signing up is far from a good idea. The store isn't offering the discount with sign-up just to be nice, said Daniel Zajac, certified financial planner and partner with Simone Zajac Wealth Management Group in Exton, Pa. "They know that most of their customers will not pay off the card and they will make up the discount and more in interest payments," he said. Instead, Zajak suggests shoppers bypass the discount and instead start to track expenses and debt. Overdrawing Your Account Are you wasting money on overdraft fees? America's three largest banks   JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo   raked in more than $6.4 billion in ATM and overdraft fees alone in 2016, according to CNN Money. Stop lining the pockets of bank presidents and set up overdraft protection. Or, monitor your accounts to make sure funds for any outstanding checks are covered. Keeping Your Gym Membership Your unused gym membership   even one you managed to save on   is not a good deal if you're not actually using it. Attracting members who won't actually come work out is a strategic move by many gym owners, according to NPR's Planet Money. Most Planet Fitness gyms, for example, can hold about 300 people, but the average location has 6,000 members, the show reported. The reason this business model works is because only a small fraction of members use the facilities on more than a semi-regular basis. The secret is to know yourself. If you're not going to work out, don't sign up to make gym payments. Accepting Bad Checks One fee levied by banks is a bounced-check fee applied to the person who tries to cash or deposit the check. That's right   some banks assess a fee against recipients of checks from people whose accounts have insufficient funds. The solution? Make sure anyone writing you a check has sufficient funds in the account it's coming from   if you can. Not Having Health Insurance "Young people, especially men, often think that they're invincible and don't need health insurance," said Steven Fox, a San Diego-based financial planner with Next Gen Financial Planning. "However, unexpected tragedies like a car accident or bad sports injury could result in significant financial setbacks on top of the other problems." College-age students can remain on their parents' health insurance plans until age 26, sign up for their school's health program or buy low-cost catastrophic coverage from commercial carriers, he added. Regardless of age, not having health insurance can be costly. Not only will you have to pay out of pocket if you do need medical attention, but you can be hit with a tax penalty if you're not covered. Ditching Your Change For people who still use cash when out and about, the amount of change received on a daily basis can add up. Don't just disregard your coins. Instead, save them in a jar and periodically bring them to your bank for sorting and deposit. You'll be surprised at how much you save over time. Not Checking in With Your Partner Couples who don't make a plan to check in with each other about spending choices run the risk of ruining a financial plan. Elle Martinez, founder of Couple Money, suggests a check-in for purchases over a certain dollar amount (she likes $100). "Double-dipping into the joint account can quickly drain things, so keeping one another in the loop is essential," she said. Smoking Cigarettes As many as 36.5 million Americans still smoke cigarettes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A pack of smokes costs between $5 and $13, depending on where you live. At half a pack a day, that's anywhere between $200,000 and $600,000 over the course of 40 years, assuming you'd invested that money at 8 percent instead. Give up this habit and save your money   and your health. Signing Up for a Premium Auto Loan "Being approved for a $20,000 auto loan doesn't mean that your budget for a car is $20,000," said Fox. That money needs to be repaid, he added, and young people pay a very high cost to borrow at an early stage in life. "Spending should be determined by a well-thought-out budget, not by the size of a line of credit," he said. Falling for a Bait-and-Switch Ever bring a sale item to the cash register only to find it's not actually on sale? Ever take a cab and get hit with a fare that's higher than expected? Avoid the bait-and-switch by saying "no" to items that don't turn out to be on sale and by asking cab drivers for a fare estimate upfront. Not Using a Budget It's easy to spend extra money when you don't have a plan for each of your dollars. A budget can be boring, sure, but it can also net you a beachside retirement 10 years early if implemented correctly. Making Impulse Purchases Adding a pack of gum to your shopping cart at the grocery store checkout might not seem like a big deal, but habitual impulse shopping is. Online retailers, for example, have added new tricks to entice you to return your abandoned digital shopping cart   such as by emailing you reminders and promotional offers   and making it easier than ever to make purchases, like offering in-store pickup. Those unplanned expenses can easily ruin a well-planned budget if not kept in check. Carrying Credit Card Debt Double-digit credit card interest rates are the norm, which means that people who carry a balance are taking a serious hit to their wealth. "By making the minimum suggested payments, you'll continue to pay that high-interest rate for many years, said Zajak. "I encourage clients to get their debt paid off as quickly as possible. Once that is complete, direct that money into another savings or investment vehicle and start amassing real wealth." Paying Yourself Last "I've been guilty of this, which is why I preach about it all the time," said Amanda Abella, business coach for millennials and author of Amazon best-seller "Make Money Your Honey." "If I don't give myself money first (for savings, personal bills or investing), then I notice I tend to spend more on business expenses within the month because I feel like I have the money to do so." Drinking Fancy Coffee David Bach's famous "Latte Factor" concept made Americans aware of what their coffee habits are doing to their bottom lines. A $4 cup of joe per day comes out to almost $240,000 when compounded at 6 percent for 40 years. Check out your own personal latte factor using Bach's online Latte Factor calculator. Not Keeping an Emergency Fund Without an emergency safety net in place, it's easy to break out the credit cards and ruin a well-thought-out budget if the car breaks down or the roof leaks. Having an emergency cushion of three to six months' worth of expenses can keep your plan in place when unexpected events occur. Buying Groceries Without a List People who shop without a list can easily fall prey to grocery shopping "creep," the phenomenon that happens when you add "just one more thing" to your cart several times per trip. You probably don't need chocolate-covered pretzels or frozen waffles. Having a list keeps you from running afoul of your spending plan and spending more than anticipated. Not Tracking 'Invisible' Expenses "It's easy to scrutinize your tangible expenses, like groceries and gas," said Paula Pant, founder of the Afford Anything blog. "But many people let money leak from their 'invisible' bills, like insurance premiums and mortgage interest." Pant suggested consumers take one day per year to shop for competing insurance plans and mortgage rates. "These expenses can move the needle far more than shaving 10 cents at the pump ever could," she said. Letting FOMO Get the Better of You Fear of missing out   aka FOMO   can cause you to spend money unnecessarily. "You need to turn off social media sometimes so that you don't always cave to FOMO," said Martin Dasko, author of "Next Round's On Me, How to Achieve Financial Freedom in Your 20s" and the Studenomics blog. "This dangerous habit convinces you that you're always missing out and that you need to participate in everything," Dasko said. "It's okay to stay in. It's okay to do your own thing. You're not always going to miss out." Paying for Monthly Subscription Services Online streaming services can easily add up, especially if you don't take the time to monitor how many monthly fees you're racking up. If you're not using them, cancel one or all of your Netflix, Hulu, Spotify and Pandora accounts. Splitting Lunch With a Friend "It might be a bit easier, simpler and faster to divide the bill evenly   but doing so has cost me more," said Jason Vitug, founder of Phroogal. "There was a time I was in a very tight budget but still wanted to eat with friends," he said, adding that his bill would have totaled $10 with tip and tax. When he was asked to split the bill and pay $25   which would have covered the meals and drinks of his friends  he objected. "The jokes followed, but I managed to break the social dining habit and help my finances," he said. Not Automating Your Payments One of the cornerstones to savvy money management is in savings and payment automation. "I automate retirement, savings, credit card payments and more," said Abella. "If someone isn't automating, then they are just more likely to miss financial goals or miss payments." Keeping Up With the Joneses Trying to keep up with appearances and match the financial spending patterns of people around you is a recipe for disaster. "People generally think they spend less than they actually do," said Chad Smith, CFP with Financial Symmetry in Raleigh, N.C. "Buying bigger houses, cars and other toys can easily blow past spending targets originally assumed in financial plans." Increasing Your Standard of Living "Too often, once people learn they are getting a raise, mental planning begins of how they can finally buy the next thing they've been waiting," said Smith. If they saved most or all of the raise instead of buying a new iPhone, he suggested, many people could reach financial independence much sooner than expected. Window-Shopping There is some real wisdom to the line of thought that if you don't see it, you won't want it. "Avoid window-shopping and you'll spend less," said Roger P. Whitney, CPF with WWK Wealth Advisors in Fort Worth, Texas. "It's amazing how 'need to have' pops into my head when I'm shopping." If you simply remove or avoid temptation, you're much more likely to spend less. Assuming Life Will Always Be Like It Is Today Not planning for future downfalls is one of the worst habits that can sabotage a financial plan, said debt freedom expert Jackie Beck. It's easy to assume life will always be as rosy as it is today but, for some people, that won't be the case. If you don't plan for life's downside, "you don't leave room for error, unexpected events, or emergencies   and that can wreak havoc on your budget," she said. Not Keeping Track of Your Cash Flow "Not everyone is into budgeting, but at the very least you need to understand where you're spending your money," said Martinez. "Free services like Mint and Personal Capital make it simple to set things up so you get updates on your balances and spending." Not Asking for Raise "If you are being underpaid or are underemployed, your focus should be on getting a raise, finding a side hustle or looking for a new job," said Kelly Whalen, founder of The Centsible Life. "You should always be looking for ways to earn more to help you increase your savings and reach your financial goals," she said. Your Brand Loyalty Brand-loyal customers often get the first crack at coupons and special deals, but they're also more likely to spend on things they don't truly need. People who shop exclusively for a particular brand are at risk of sabotaging a financial plan, said Tai McNeely, co-founder and financial educator at His and Her Money. "I know someone that loves Apple products so much that every time a new product comes out, he has to get it," she said. Buying an expensive product you don't need just because it's newly available is a surefire way to overspend. Going to Happy Hour It's easy to get in the habit of relying on food and drink to decompress after a long day at work. "I'd grab a drink with friends more often than I realized," said Jim Wang, founder of Wallet Hacks. "Spending $20 for a bunch of cocktails with friends isn't a big deal until you do it half a dozen times in a month and you wonder where that money disappeared to." Using an Out-of-Network ATM ATMs can charge up to several dollars per withdrawal, and those fees can sneak up on you. Even if the ATM is in a highly convenient location, consider that $3 per week can add up to $156 for the year, the cost of a fancy dinner out with a loved one or an extra deposit into an individual retirement account. Not Planning for Expected Needs "A lot of spending is due to last-minute decisions," said Carey Ransom, chief exploration officer at Aspiration. He offered these examples: "You're going somewhere, and you forget to bring water or a snack. You forget your umbrella and get stuck in the rain. You are late getting somewhere and have to park in a premium spot." Add many of those kinds of unexpected purchases up, and you might just blow your budget, he added. Neglecting Maintenance Any solid spending plan should budget for home and auto maintenance costs. Worn weather stripping, a poorly maintained HVAC unit or a clogged fan belt can create a bigger financial burden later on than the immediate cost of routine maintenance. Not Allowing Yourself Some Wiggle Room "If you try too hard to stick to a budget or plan, it can backfire," said Valerie Rind, author of "Gold Diggers and Deadbeat Dads." Instead, know that your plan is a roadmap. If you veer off track, accept and keep moving forward. If you don't beat yourself up, you're more likely to get back on track right away. More on Saving Money: How to Save Money Fast: 3 Ways to Save $1K in a Month 20 Cities With the Biggest Cost of Living Increase in 2017 Remake Your Finances in 2019 Watch: Driving for Uber Can Get You Free College Tuition We make money easy. Get weekly email updates, including expert advice to help you Live Richer™ .


Fit for greek goddesses. When you close your eyes and picture college housing, we'll bet all you can see is an ugly marled gray carpet and painted brick walls. While most students are stuck calling those hideous shoeboxes dorm rooms "home," others live large- really large. Like, elevators-and-spiral-staircases large. The only criterion for admission into these super-fancy, no-boys-allowed clubhouses? Greek letters. Zeta Tau Alpha at the University of Alabama This stunning house was built in January 2017 and sleeps 67 women. The three-story home has everything from a grand floating staircase foyer to a large patio with exterior TVs. ZTA symbols, including a light fixture found in the library that resembles their badge, are scattered throughout. Zeta Tau Alpha, Nu Chapter   The University of Alabama This stunning house was built in January 2017 and sleeps 67 women. The three-story home has everything from a grand floating staircase foyer to a large patio with exterior TVs. ZTA symbols, including a light fixture found in the library that resembles their badge, are scattered throughout. Zeta Tau Alpha, Epsilon Chapter   University of Arkansas This gorgeous, recently renovated house is 38,000 square feet, nearly the length of a city block. The home includes a dining room that can seat 275, a chapter room with space for 300 members to study or work out, and a library, making more than 45 percent of the space specifically intended for studying. The University of Kansas   Chi Omega Lambda Chapter This stunning Chi Omega house was constructed in 1925 and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. The expanded space now sleeps 86 women and includes a recreational television room and a technology-friendly study area. The Chi Omega Fountain in the front of the house was built in 1955 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Chi Omega chapter at the university, and is a favorite spot for graduation pictures. Phi Mu, Alpha Alpha Chapter   The University of Georgia This historic home was originally built in 1857, and Phi Mu, the first sorority at the University of Georgia, purchased it in 1964. The chapter then added a two-level dorm area, allowing housing for up to 68 members. In 1991, the house was designated an historic landmark. Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Gamma Chapter - University of Missouri A multi-million dollar renovation in 2012 added additional sleeping rooms and fully renovated the lower level of this beautiful, 25,000-square-foot house. It sleeps 102 members, has 39 rooms, 14 bathrooms, and is one of the few Alpha Delta Pi houses with a portrait of their founder, Eugenia Tucker Fitzgerald. Delta Zeta, Beta Gamma Chapter - University of Louisville This stunning pink house was named "Louisville Home of the Week" by the Courier Journal in May 2016. The three-story "Old Louisville" style home has eight bedrooms, a study room, and other common areas for chapter gathering. Kappa Alpha Theta, Delta Chapter - University of Arizona This 22,605-square-foot house was built in 1928 and sleeps 57 women. The gorgeous home comes equipped with a study room, formal living room, various lounging areas, a dining room, a craft room, two sleeping porches, an enclosed patio, and a sun deck. Alpha Delta Pi, Delta Sigma Chapter - University of Mississippi The massive Alpha Delta Pi at the University of Mississippi houses 64 women. The 18,624-square-foot home has two upstairs parlors, a sunroom, a sitting room with a grand piano, a study, front and rear porches, and a dining room with seating for 176 members. Chi Omega, Phi Gamma Chapter - Louisiana State University The Phi Gamma Chapter of Chi Omega was founded at Louisiana State University in 1924, but this gorgeous house wasn't built until 1967. Fifty-two women live in the home, whose first floor was renovated in the summer of 2016. More renovations are coming in summer 2018, this time to the second and third floors. Alpha Chi Omega, Lambda Chapter - Syracuse University The beautiful Alpha Chi Omega house at Syracuse University houses 38 women. The three-story home has eight bathrooms, a study room and craft room in its basement, and was recently renovated with new furniture and wallpaper. Alpha Gamma Delta, Gamma Alpha Chapter - University of Georgia This historic home was built in 1896 and now houses 71 Alpha Gamma Delta sisters. A new part of the house was added five years ago, but the house maintains many of its original features, including its flooring and the one-of-a-kind Tiffany glass on the front doors. Gamma Phi Beta, Delta Upsilon Chapter - University of Georgia This stunning home was built in 1905 and purchased by Gamma Phi Beta in 1983. Despite cycling through various owners over the years, the house has kept a number of original components, like the balcony, fireplace mantles, front doors, and foyer chandelier. The house sleeps 50 women, and a chapter room was built onto the back of the house in 2009. Delta Zeta, Beta Lambda Chapter - University of Tennessee-Knoxville This 15,000 sq. ft home sleeps 44 and includes a commercial kitchen, five executive suites, 16 3rd floor bedrooms, 16 bathrooms and six common areas. Along with an impressive interior space, there are two outdoor patios for Delta Zeta sisters to enjoy. Phi Mu, Alpha Delta Chapter - University of Mississippi The gorgeous Phi Mu home at Ole Miss has 26 bedrooms, each equipped with two closets and two vanities. The 30,000-square-foot house includes an upstairs and downstairs porch and a sundeck out back. The house bathroom was also recently renovated, with designers incorporating hints of Phi Mu into the details. Sigma Kappa, Beta Tau Chapter - University of Florida This stunning Sigma Kappa house at the University of Florida was recently completed in August 2016. More than 25,000 square feet, it sleeps 66 girls, has a kitchen and laundry room on each floor, and has a craft room. Alpha Phi, Beta Epsilon Chapter - University of Arizona Although this home was built in the 1930s, it recently underwent a renovation to add a chapter room, tanning porch, and extra bedrooms to house a total of 66 women. Kappa Kappa Gamma, Gamma Delta Chapter - Purdue University This gorgeous house was built between 1936-1937 and, despite additions, its entryway still features original wood. The home has 32 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, and four living rooms for chapter members to enjoy. Kappa Kappa Gamma, Beta Phi Chapter - University of Montana This historic Kappa Kappa Gamma house at the University of Montana was originally built by pioneer John R. Toole as a private residence, and the chapter bought it in 1931. The first floor is always decorated to the time period in which it was built, and in 1983 the house was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Kappa Kappa Gamma, Gamma Nu Chapter - University of Arkansas This stunning house is 46,350 square feet and includes a large dining room and multiple study and common areas for chapter members. The home underwent a year of renovations and reopened in 2013. Kappa Kappa Gamma, Delta Rho Chapter - University of Mississippi The Kappa Kappa Gamma house at the University of Mississippi was originally built as a red-brick colonial in 1948. Additions to the home - like a dining room and kitchen - and renovations helped transform the space into its current painted brick appearance. The house now sleeps 56 women and still maintains some original touches, such as the chandelier in the foyer. Kappa Kappa Gamma, Eta Chapter - University of Wisconsin The beautiful Kappa Kappa Gamma house at the University of Wisconsin houses 54 members. The home includes eight bathrooms, four study rooms, a room to watch TV, and a living room featuring a grand piano.


CLEVELAND (AP) Nearly two years ago, the U.S. men's soccer team was dealt its most devastating loss in three decades, absorbing an impossible-to-imagine setback that shattered an entire program. The Americans can soon get some payback, though with much less at stake. Coming off a shutout of an inferior Guyana team in its CONCACAF Gold Cup opener, the U.S. faces Trinidad and Tobago for the first time Saturday since Oct. 10, 2017, when the Soca Warriors stunned the Americans 2-1 and ended their streak of seven World Cup appearances. The embarrassing defeat still resonates within in U.S. soccer circles and epitomizes the beauty and cruelty of the international game. The U.S. only needed a tie against the world's 99th ranked team, which had nothing on the line, but failed in spectacular fashion before a sparse crowd that watched American soccer dealt a wound that's still healing. The U.S. squad became an instant punchline for pundits. The colossal defeat also led to a slow, seismic overhaul of the men's program, which has been overshadowed for decades by the powerful U.S. women, three-time World Cup champions who are currently feasting in France on all their opponents. But while many U.S. soccer fans want revenge for that soggy night in Couva, Trinidad, two years ago, this group of U.S. players is determined to look forward. There's nothing they can do to change the past. ''You look at how many of these guys were paying that day in Trinidad, not a ton,'' U.S. midfielder Wil Trapp said when asked if revenge was a motivator. ''For us, as a federation, there is a lot bit of that angle. But for us as players, it's about winning the game. Period.'' Following 18 straight exhibitions, the U.S. played its first competitive match in 20 months and dominated from the start Tuesday in St. Paul, Minnesota in romping 4-0 over tiny Guyana, ranked No. 177 worldwide. Tyler Boyd scored his first two goals after switching affiliation from New Zealand last month, the U.S. got a lucky bounce for another score and the Americans showed signs of improvement in new coach Gregg Berhalter's system, which places a premium on possession. After disappointing losses to Venezuela and Jamaica in June friendlies, Berhalter wasn't sure what to expect from his young squad, which includes only six players who were in Trinidad two years ago. Following the easy win, Berhalter made a point of not getting carried away with a result that improved the U.S. to 33 wins, one loss and four draws in the Gold Cup group stage. ''A decent starting point,'' he said. ''Not much more than that.'' Michael Bradley, restored to captain for the first time under Berhalter, echoed his coach in keeping the win in perspective. ''We're not going to go overboard because it was a game we should win and we did win,'' Bradley said. ''We handled things in a pretty solid way. We scored some good goals, we didn't give away a ton defensively and we'll continue to get better and continue to build as the tournament goes on. That's the most important thing.'' Playing on the home field of the NFL's Cleveland Browns, the Americans figure to get a much stiffer test from Trinidad and Tobago. The Soca Warriors lost their Group D opener 2-0 to Panama and need points to have any hopes of advancing. The on-field rivalry between the U.S. and T&T extends back to 1989. The island nation needed only a draw with the U.S. to qualify for the 1990 World Cup but were beaten 1-0 before an overflow crowd of 25,000 in the Trinidad's national stadium. There won't be nearly as much on the line this time for either squad. Bradley said this group of Americans can't worry about any history other than their own. ''Totally different team,'' he said. ''I'm not sure on the inside of the group it carries a whole lot of weight.'' --- More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


Green Bay Packers rookie receiver Darrius Shepherd is starting to earn the trust and respect of coach Matt LaFleur and quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Both LaFleur and Rodgers have been impressed with what Shepherd - an undrafted free agent out of North Dakota State - can bring to the table as a slot receiver. "Shep, I really like Shep. I think he's done a great job," LaFleur said after practice Tuesday . "We've been featuring him mostly in the slot. He has some really good short-area quickness, he can separate, he can double up on guys, he can run those choice routes." Shepherd was one of the most productive slot receivers in college football last season. He's also one of the most experienced, having caught 40 or more passes all four seasons at North Dakota State, including 62 as a senior in 2018. His early work at camp has earned him occasional snaps with Rodgers and the first-team offense. "He's a very shifty guy. He could play in the slot and be effective," Rodgers said after practice Tuesday . "I look forward to seeing what he can do Thursday night and the rest of the preseason." Shepherd wouldn't be on the field without knowing the offense. And both LaFleur and Rodgers highlighted the rookie's ability to learn the scheme and put it into motion on the field, all while not making mistakes. "You don't see a lot of mental mistakes from him, and for a young player that's pretty impressive," LaFleur said. "He comes in each and every day ready to work, he's attentive in meetings, and he's got the answers. I think he's done a nice job." Avoiding repeat mistakes is especially important to earning Rodgers' trust. "The key with him is he's been really good mentally," Rodgers said. "Not having any mistakes or repeat mistakes with the plays and the alignment. He's finding his feel with the routes." The Packers don't have a traditional slot receiver, even if several veterans - such as Geronimo Allison, Equanimeous St. Brown and Davante Adams - have taken snaps inside in the new offense. On multiple occasions, LaFleur has described the receiver room as needing different types of players and body types, like a basketball team, and Shepherd could provide something different. Shepherd also handled first-team punt returner snaps after Trevor Davis went down with an injury during Monday's practice. He comfortably caught several punts. With a strong preseason, Shepherd could position himself as an ideal practice squad candidate. He's smart, experienced in the slot, capable of returning punts and kicks and different than the rest of the players in the receiver room. Keep an eye on No. 10 when the Packers open the preseason Thursday night against the Texans. MORE: ESPN's Molly Qerim walked off set after Max Kellerman said Kobe's on his 'all-NBA worst team' 6 quick takeaways from Packers' joint practices with Texans 3 Predictions for the Browns' preseason opener against the Redskins Brett to Bryant? Kicker Maher might be Cowboys weakest link, for now Sergio Llull 'not closing the door' on Rockets, NBA


After 39 days of polling involving as many as 900 million voters, balloting in India's vast parliamentary election came to a close on Sunday, starting a countdown to the announcement of final results on Thursday. The first batch of exit polls predicted that Narendra Modi, the prime minister, would return to power. According to five different polls released by Indian media organizations Sunday night, Mr. Modi's party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, or B.J.P, and its allies were forecast to win a majority of seats in the lower house of Parliament. The Indian National Congress, the leading opposition party, seemed to have done marginally better than its stunning defeat in the last elections in 2014, but it remained a distant second to Mr. Modi's alliance. Most of the exit polls predicted Mr. Modi's party and its allies would win about 290 to 300 seats in the 545-seat lower house, which chooses the prime minister. Sign Up For the Morning Briefing Newsletter Though many Indians have complained about rising unemployment and despite accusations that the B.J.P.'s Hindu-first conservative creed is putting Muslims and other minorities at risk , Mr. Modi's popularity remains vast, particularly among India's Hindu majority. Many Indians credit him with programs that have helped the poor and cut through red tape and corruption. [ Read news and opinion coverage of India's elections by The New York Times. ] Here's a look at how the world's biggest election unfolded and what to expect in the next few days. Here come the exit polls Exit polls will start being released soon after the polls close Sunday evening, but the official results will not be released until Thursday. In the meantime, the surveys will drive big headlines in the Indian news media that either the B.J.P. or Congress   or both parties   will seize on as evidence of impending victory. "In the majority of the cases, exit polls have depicted the true picture,'' said Josukutty Cheriantharayil Abraham , an assistant professor of political science and director of the survey research center at the University of Kerala. "It may not be correct in terms of the number of seats or vote percentage, but it could definitely show the trends, who is likely to win and lose. In the past, that's been true for the majority of the cases, but there are cases it has gone wrong." It also bears remembering that this is a parliamentary election   it's about parties, not a simple choice between Mr. Modi and Mr. Gandhi. Local issues and rivalries always loom large in Indian elections. And deal-making with smaller parties organized around region or identity may yet play a big role in determining who will become prime minister. How will we find out the results? The vote itself has taken more than five weeks, conducted entirely on hundreds of thousands of computerized voting machines that were hauled from state to state across India's vast territory. But the official counting will take just part of the day on Thursday, because the totals are already noted in the voting machines themselves. The votes will be analyzed, and in some cases verified against printed ballot copies generated by each voting machine, starting at 8 a.m. on Thursday. The official results are expected to be announced around noon local time. What if no party wins a majority? It's very possible that the B.J.P. will not win 272 or more out of 543 parliamentary seats being voted on this year. If that happens, it will come down to deal-making to form a coalition. "Every leader of a major regional front knows that he or she might be able to provide the seats that will put the party over the top," said Milan Vaishnav, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington. "Many are waiting by the phone should their number be called on May 23." Here are three of the most influential regional parties waiting for that call. ■ Bahujan Samaj : The party counts Dalits, or low-caste Indians, as its core constituency. Mayawati, the party's leader, has not announced whom she would back in a coalition scenario, though many believe she is amenable to the B.J.P. if the party offers her a senior role in the government. ■ Telangana Rashtra Samiti : Based in Telangana, a state in southern India, the party has no regional political rivals and is likely to win around 17 seats. The party's leader, K. Chandrashekhar Rao, has already announced that it would join an alliance under the right terms. ■ Biju Janata Dal : A powerful party in Odisha, a state in eastern India, the B.J.D. faces competition from the B.J.P. on its home turf. It has allied with the B.J.P. before, but may think twice if its political independence is threatened. A record vote by Indian women For the first time, female voters are expected to cast as many as half the total ballots   and perhaps more. Given that officials expect up to 900 million total votes nationwide, that's a huge number. But more important, it means that Indian women's votes will at last be proportional to their numbers   even if they are not yet fairly represented in the number of parliamentary seats they hold. [ Read about how female candidates have struggled in India's long election season. ] Both in the number of female voters, and in total turnout across the country, the 2019 elections are expected to set records, further expanding India's role as the world's largest democracy. Watch here for updates on turnout numbers as they are announced. Violence was lower, but not absent Violence has almost always played a role in Indian elections, whether between parties or gangs, or on a larger scale in the form of communal violence between religious or caste groups. [ Our reporters visited a village in West Bengal State where homes were burned over sectarian tensions. ] This election has been relatively peaceful compared with previous ones. But since voting began last month, one person has been killed and several candidates have been attacked, among other clashes between supporters of various parties, according to local news reports. Modi meditates in the mountains The prime minister spent the last night of the election meditating in a remote Himalayan cave. At Kedarnath Temple in the northern state of Uttarakhand, Mr. Modi honored the Hindu god Shiva with a traditional offering of milk, honey, clarified butter and curd. The ceremony is believed to help to achieve goals and defeat enemies. The shrine's chief priest told Indian news channels that he had blessed Mr. Modi with at least three terms as prime minister and a Nobel Prize. On Twitter, Mr. Modi shared photographs of the " majestic" mountains and of himself praying at the temple , which was built in the eighth century and sits almost 12,000 feet above sea level. The Uttarakhand B.J.P. also posted images of Mr. Modi, dressed in a saffron robe, meditating in a nearby cave . (He was reported to still have Wi-Fi as part of a portable prime minister's office.) Mr. Modi meditated for 17 hours, the Indian news media reported, emerging Sunday morning to visit another shrine, Badrinath, before returning to New Delhi in the afternoon. Political opponents said Mr. Modi had violated election rules by speaking to the news media at Kedarnath after the end of the campaign period. At least one party, the All-India Trinamool Congress, complained to the Election Commission. Jeffrey Gettleman, Ayesha Venkataraman and Suhasini Raj contributed reporting.


Curious just how far your dollar goes in Newark? We've rounded up the latest rental offerings via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to hunting down a rental in Newark if you're on a budget of $1,500/month. Take a peek at what rentals the city has to offer, 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. 9 Vanderpool St. Listed at $1,425/month, this two-bedroom, one-bathroom spot is located at 9 Vanderpool St. The building features an intercom, a fitness center and on-site laundry. Cats are welcome. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. According to Walk Score's assessment, this location is very walkable, has some bike infrastructure and has good transit options. (Check out the complete listing here .) 102 S. 12th St. Located at 102 S. 12th St., here's an 850-square-foot three-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment that's listed for $1,450/month. In the apartment, expect to see hardwood flooring and central heating. When it comes to pets, both meows and barks are welcome. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. According to Walk Score, this location is very walkable, is relatively bikeable and offers many nearby public transportation options. (Check out the complete listing here .) 161 S. 10th St. Listed at $1,475/month, this 875-square-foot three-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment is located at 161 S. 10th St. The building boasts secured entry. The unit also comes with hardwood flooring and an eat-in kitchen. For those with furry friends in tow, know that cats and dogs are allowed on this property. Walk Score indicates that this location is very walkable, has some bike infrastructure and offers many nearby public transportation options. (See the complete listing here .) Working with a tight budget? Here are the cheapest rentals recently listed in Newark . 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.


A new look at Apollo-era seismic data revealed that the moon's insides might be warmer than scientists thought possible. Apollo 11 astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin poses with the US flag planted on the Sea of Tranquility. If you look closely, you can see Aldrin's face through his helmet visor. The view of Earth from the surface of the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission. Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin stands on the lunar surface, in an iconic photo snapped by fellow Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong. You can see Armstrong in the reflection in Aldrin's visor. Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin climbs down the ladder of the Eagle to the Moon's surface to join Neil Armstrong. Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison Schmitt, the only Apollo astronaut who was also a professional scientist, stands next to the U.S. flag with Earth in the background. The Apollo 17 lunar module from the perspective of the command module during a docking maneuver. The cloud of debris may consist of ice crystals. Astronaut Dave Scott pokes his head out of the Apollo 9 command module while it orbits Earth. Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong in the lunar module shortly after taking the first steps on the moon's surface. Night on Earth as seen from the Moon. Astronaut James B. Irwin with Apollo 15's Lunar Roving Vehicle. The first footprints on the Moon belong to Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong and will remain for millions of years. Gene Cernan, the commander of Apollo 17, walks on the lunar surface near the Van Serg crater. Earth, partially obscured in shadow, behind Apollo 14's lunar module. Rusty Schweichart holds a 70-millimeter Hassleblad camera during the Apollo 9 mission. The boundary separating night and day, called a "terminator," crosses the East African coastline. Apollo 16 astronaut John Young, along with Charles Duke, set up the first lunar surface cosmic ray detector. An Apollo 17 astronaut takes a sample of a rock on the Moon. An Apollo 15 astronaut walks next to tracks left by the Lunar Roving Vehicle. Apollo 15 was the first Apollo mission that packed a "moon buggy." The surface of the moon The Lunar Roving Vehicle on the Apollo 17 mission traveled about 22 miles in four and a half hours collecting data about the surface of the Moon. NASA designed the Lunar Roving Vehicle to operate in low gravity and allow the astronauts to traverse more ground during their short time on the Moon's surface. Astronaut Alan L. Bean was the Lunar Module pilot for the Apollo 12 mission. In this photo he is seen holding a container full of lunar soil. Astronaut Charles "Pete" Conrad Jr. took this picture and is reflected in the helmet visor. Alan Shepard mans a TV camera during Apollo 14. He was the first astronaut to hit a golf ball on the Moon. Earth seen from the Moon. Astronaut Charles Duke collecting samples during the Apollo 16 mission. He and John Young were the fifth lunar landing team and collected over 200 pounds of rock samples. An Apollo astronaut on a spacewalk, photographed from inside the lunar module. Apollo 17's lunar module, Challenger, taken from the command module during its ascent stage in lunar orbit. Apollo 7 lunar module pilot Walter Cunningham shuts his eyes to avoid the sun's glare. Earth seen from Apollo 13 A view of the Moon after leaving lunar orbit. An astronaut on a spacewalk with the Moon in the background. Looking back at Earth from Apollo 11.


Triple Eight team manager Mark Dutton says it was a crucial cue from his counterpart at DJR Team Penske Ben Croke that helped him tackle Nick Percat's burning Holden in Townsville yesterday. The T8 crew were heavily involved in battling the pitlane blaze, having been closest to the scene of Percat's burning Brad Jones Racing Holden. Led by Dutton, the team swiftly doused the Commodore with fire retardant before it could turn from a superficial external fuel fire to something more sinister. Dutton, however, admits he almost missed the drama unfolding on his own doorstep, having initially planned on running down to the BJR garage to battle the bigger of the two blazes. Read Also: Team to investigate cause of Supercars pitlane fire Gallery: Fire erupts in Supercars pitlane Townsville Supercars: Van Gisbergen prevails in fireball thriller It took a tip from DJRTP team manager Croke to alert him to the more immediate threat. "It was so exciting and fun because nobody got hurt and the car didn't burn to the ground," said Dutton. "Jordan, one of our pit crew, he was first on the spot. I was actually really excited to run down to the other end of the pitlane, if they needed a hand. That's where I was looking. [It was] Ben Croke from next door at DJR Penske who pointed down the pitlane [to pit exit]. "I didn't even know the car was there because I was excited about heading down that way. "So of course you run over and do what you can. You get to pull the [extinguisher] pin while you're running." Dutton added that the way other teams pitched in to help BJR contain both the fuel spill fire and the car fire proves that the camaraderie in the paddock is strong. "There's no team hats at that stage," he said. "It's all everyone's welfare, and everyone would do it for each other." Dutton's firefighting antics came as no surprise to race winner Shane van Gisbergen, who joked at how trigger happy with the extinguishers Dutton was during the star driver's recent demolition derby-style 30th birthday celebrations in New Zealand. "Every car that lit fire, Dutto was there [like] Superman with his fire extinguisher," quipped the Kiwi. "I think he's had some practice..." Nick Percat, Brad Jones Racing Holden Commodore Dirk Klynsmith / LAT Images Nick Percat, Brad Jones Racing Holden Commodore Dirk Klynsmith / LAT Images Nick Percat, Brad Jones Racing Holden Commodore Dirk Klynsmith / LAT Images


Mauricio Pochettino has been given the go ahead to rebuild Tottenham this summer ahead of a renewed push for silverware next season. Spurs' outside Premier League title challenge came up short this term, whilst the north Londoners have a battle on their hands to overcome a 1-0 deficit from the first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash with Ajax. ⏱  Mauricio: "If we are at our level for sure we will be close to winning." #PL ⚪ #COYS pic.twitter.com/ksFKgGWdDu   Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) 4 May 2019 Having completed the move to their new 62,000-seater stadium, Tottenham will look to push on all fronts once more next term and, according to The Sun , the club will hand Pochettino a huge warchest for the forthcoming transfer window. Speaking of the club's need for an overhaul, the Spurs boss said: "We need to rebuild, it is going to be painful. Everyone says Tottenham have an amazing house but if you want a lovely house maybe you need better furniture. "And it depends on your budget if you are going to spend money. We need to respect teams like Manchester City or Liverpool who spend a lot of money. "We are brave, we are clever, we are creative - now it's about creating another chapter and having the clear idea of how to build that new project." The financing of a new stadium put an initial strain on the club's finances, which was reflected by Spurs' recent lack of activity in the transfer market, with a total outlay of around £1 billion between the club's new stadium and training ground. However, the stadium is set to yield huge income with profits last year of £140m. MATCHDAY!  @afcbournemouth  Vitality Stadium  @premierleague ⏱ 12.30pm (UK) #PL ⚪ #COYS pic.twitter.com/dYGUCvwdQ3   Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) 4 May 2019 Spurs' Champions League run this season is also set to draw a further £85m, and Pochettino added: "The other day it was said to me, 'The depth of the squad is not at the quality of the new stadium'. "If we start next season still talking about that, nothing good will happen in the future. The problem is, what do we want for the next chapter of the club? "Now we've finished the training ground, the stadium, what does the club want to achieve and what are the fans going to expect from the club? We cannot live like we lived for the last five years. "We achieved a lot of things, overachieved maybe. I don't know. We need to fight for big things, behave like a big club and do things properly."


ASHEVILLE - Corrupt Buncombe County managers who participated in a yearslong kickback scheme with a longtime contractor soon will learn their potential prison sentences. Wanda Greene, Mandy Stone and Jon Creighton will appear Aug. 28 in a federal courtroom in Asheville before Charlotte-based U.S. District Judge Robert Conrad. The trio, once county government's highest-appointed officials, have pleaded guilty to charges connected to receiving bribes from Georgia-based contractor Joe Wiseman. Wiseman and Michael Greene, Wanda Greene's adult son and a former county employee, also are scheduled for sentencing Aug. 28. The court dates come more than a year since the first official pleaded guilty to charges, and nearly two years after the U.S. Attorney's Office confirmed it was investigating Wanda Greene and others. Noell Tin, an attorney for Wanda Greene, filed a sealed motion July 3 to postpone sentencing. Prosecutors allege several schemes Greene and her son are accused of using county-issued credit cards for personal purchases, including toiletries, a noncounty cellphone plan and thousands of dollars in gift cards. Greene, who thrice was indicted throughout the federal investigation, also is accused of spending more than $2 million to buy whole-life insurance policies for herself and other employees without the knowledge of county commissioners. MORE: ► Buncombe County used A-B Tech sales tax to pay salaries for Wanda Greene, Jon Creighton ► 'An insult and a disgrace': Top Buncombe staff receive raises, 6-figure bonuses ► Wanda Greene approved spending thousands more at swanky hotel event, out-of-state trips The most damning indictment , handed up in August, accused Greene, Stone and Creighton of taking vacations, sporting event tickets, wine, meals and other gifts from Wiseman in exchange for county contracts. Companies associated with Wiseman, including his own Environmental Infrastructure Consulting, received more than $15 million in work dating to the mid-1980s. Their guilty pleas Wanda Greene pleaded guilty in January to at least one charge in each of the four fraudulent schemes alleged by prosecutors: two counts of federal program fraud, one count of making and subscribing a federal tax return and one count of receipt of kickbacks and bribes. Stone, who succeeded Greene as county manager and then abruptly resigned after a year, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud the federal government. Creighton, the county's former assistant county manager and planning director, and Michael Greene, who served as Buncombe's business intelligence manager , also pleaded guilty to conspiracy . Wiseman never was indicted . He instead reached an agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office, pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. The conspiracy charges carry a maximum five-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine. Greene's plea agreement opens her up to the possibility of a 33-year sentence and a $250,000 fine. Status of civil suits Buncombe County, with the help of outside attorney Ron Payne, filed lawsuits against the indicted officials. They've all reached settlements, though the county's suit against Wiseman has yet to be resolved. Greene paid the county $750,000. Creighton paid $189,000 and Stone paid some $171,000. Greene's son paid $40,000. ► The Citizen Times has produced award-winning, investigative coverage of Buncombe County government corruption . Don't miss any of our reporting. Subscribe now. Buncombe also recovered more than $2 million from Guardian Life Insurance, which represents almost all public funds Greene spent on the whole-life policies. Payne also recovered about $82,500 from a county insurance policy, which reimburses all legal expense payments Buncombe taxpayers incurred since filing the two suits. In total, the county has recouped about $3.2 million. What prison time is Greene facing? Recommended sentencing guidelines in their plea agreements estimate how much prison time the ex-county officials are facing, but the final decision rests with Conrad. Based on federal guidelines, Greene's offense level falls within a 70- to 87-month sentence   as many as seven years. Points were added because of her aggravating role in the offenses, abuse of position of trust, her role as a high-level public official and income from criminal activity. A reduction was included for timely acceptance of responsibility. You can read more about the county officials' possible prison time here. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Buncombe investigation: Wanda Greene, corrupt officials to be sentenced


Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy was paid a financial settlement to a police officer stemming from a 2016 bar fight in Philadelphia. McCoy, along with his friend Tamarcus Porter, each paid a $55,000 financial award to settle the case. The initial incident occurred in the early hours on February 7, 2016. According to CNN , the argument allegedly started over a bottle of champagne. McCoy, along with three confidants, engaged in a fight with an off-duty police officer, Roland Butler. Butler sustained various injuries, including " a broken nose, lacerations to the face, broken ribs, a broken thumb, and contusions," via ESPN . A second man, also an off-duty police officer, came to the aid of Butler. He sustained a broken orbital bone in the melee. Two months after the incident, Philadelphia district attorney Seth Williams would not criminally charge McCoy, highlighting, " There is insufficient evidence to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, who started the fight and under what circumstances ." The settlement ends a three-year-long process, one that concludes the civil case with a binding arbitration hearing. McCoy, for his part, argued that he acted in self-defense. William Davis, a district attorney representing Butler, highlighted that, " [the arbitrator's] finding [of self-defense] was that that was absolutely untrue," via ESPN. McCoy has paid his settlement, while Porter has to complete his part of the agreement. The two-time All-Pro has been familiar with some off-field extracurricular activities, and this night-club chaos has only added to the list. In 2013, McCoy was sued for an alleged assault when he and his bodyguard forcibly removed a woman from a limo, according to NYUP.com. McCoy had a public disagreement with former coach Chip Kelly, telling that Kelly removed all the "good black players" from the Eagles," via SI.com . McCoy's "female only" party added to the off-the-field controversies. He's had multiple episodes with his son's mother, most recently highlighted with allegations of child abuse last September, via The Bills Wire . TMZ also shared a video of the bar fight involving McCoy. It can be viewed here . MORE: Packers camp notes: Rookie CB Ka'dar Hollman impressing early Baker Mayfield's sassy response to Jets' trash talk won over the Browns offensive line Giants' young linebackers ready to redefine the defense Ravens rookie WR Marquise Brown is even faster than you'd think 6 Saints players who are making the most of training camp


Teachers at three Manhattan public schools fear there's a silent killer in their midst. The schools   all co-located on the same Inwood campus at the corner of Broadway and Academy St.   closed their doors Wednesday for summer break amid a probe into whether something within their walls led to several teachers getting cancer. Two days before the last day of class, teachers at IS 52, the High School for Excellence and Innovation, and the Inwood Early College for Health and Information Technologies received teachers' union surveys inquiring into their cancer diagnoses, when they first learned they had the disease and how long they have worked at the uptown campus. The United Federation of Teachers survey   obtained by the Daily News and emblazoned with the boldface, all-caps title "CANCER CLUSTER INVESTIGATION"   also includes queries about teachers' physicians and the hospitals where they were treated. Five teachers at the school confirmed to The News that they had received the surveys Monday after a Friday meeting with UFT reps and Education Department officials. "They told us that the neighborhood was a cancer cluster site," a Spanish teacher at the High School for Excellence and Innovation said. "I got scared when I heard all that stuff. It was so random   it came out of nowhere." The teacher questioned the timing of both the meeting and the survey   just days before the summer break. "They waited until the end of the year," the teacher said. "It was weird." According to another teacher, air inspectors examined IS 52 on Friday. "Nobody knows what prompted it," the teacher said. "It was alarming." The probe began after about a dozen teachers all diagnosed with various forms of cancer got together to discuss why so many people at 650 Academy St. are falling ill, a source familiar with the matter said. That led to the teachers reporting their concerns to their principals, who then contacted Education Department higher-ups. Education Department spokeswoman Miranda Barbot confirmed that air testing took place, that radiation testing is underway and that the city is working closely with the UFT to assess the need for further tests. "The safety and well-being of our students and staff always comes first, and tests and surveys of this building do not show any abnormal results," she said in a written statement. "When teachers and the principal reported this concern, we immediately investigated and we will continue to closely monitor this building." She noted that the rate of cancer among staff in the building is lower than the national average. There are about 130 employees working in the three schools. A teachers union spokeswoman offered a slightly different view of the situation, noting that results of the air quality testing have not been finalized yet. "Results of the survey and other tests are being reviewed by environmental and occupational health and safety experts from Northwell Health," UFT spokeswoman Alison Gendar said. "We will keep staff informed over the summer of their review." Not everyone working on campus appeared concerned. An IS 52 English teacher described what was discussed at the Friday meeting as "a triangulation between where you work, where you live and the neighborhood." "It was nothing alarming," the teacher said. But one parent of a 6th-grade student at IS 52 was not reassured with the Education Department's handling of the matter. "They didn't inform us, call us, or send home any forms," said Alicia Carde, 34, of the Bronx. "We got no information about anything. I'm upset. I'm in shock. I fear for my daughter's safety."


The Senate this week took another step toward majority rule and away from the old model of affording all senators, regardless of party, the right to speak and even block actions they oppose. Exploiting a parliamentary routine dubbed the " nuclear option ," all but two Senate Republicans voted against 46 Democrats to limit floor debate after the vote that brings the initial discussion of a nomination to a close. The old rule allowed up to 30 hours of such "post-cloture" debate before a final vote on whether to confirm a president's appointee. The new routine reduces that time to two hours, and it applies to the consideration of most executive branch and all district court nominees. Subscribe to the Post Most newsletter: Today's most popular stories on The Washington Post The Senate move is important. First, by shrinking the time for post-cloture debate, it limits the ability for senators to go on record with their views about controversial nominees and, potentially, to sway colleagues about the appointment. Second, the way Republicans went about changing the rules will make it easier for future majorities to strengthen the majority party's power   which is new because the Senate has traditionally required supermajority support to get much done. Here's what happened and why. 1. The Senate bent the rules to change the rules If Republicans had followed the Senate's formal rules, they would have needed 60 votes to cut off debate. But Republicans failed to get those 60 required votes. So, they opted to " go nuclear " to get the change they sought: Republicans engineered a set of parliamentary steps that circumvented the chamber's rules. How did they do that? Instead of rewriting the rule, Republicans voted to set a new chamber precedent that reinterpreted the rule: From then on, "30" hours of debate would be interpreted to mean "two" hours of debate. And here's the kicker. The Senate adopts precedents by a simple majority vote, not 60. Reducing post-cloture debate doesn't make a radical change to the Senate's practice of advice and consent. But reinterpreting the meaning of the rule   without the necessary supermajority votes to change the letter of the rule   is why opponents dub the process the "nuclear option." Democrats called this breaking the rules to change the rules. Sure, this isn't as momentous as nuclear moves by Democrats in 2013 to ban filibusters of judicial and executive nominations or by Republicans in 2017 to ban filibusters of Supreme Court appointments. But it's still a big deal. The majority party is willing to circumvent the chamber's formal rules to gain even the smallest advantage. 2. Republicans paved the way to stack the federal bench Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) blamed Democrats, arguing that Democrats unduly stretched out post-cloture debate even on occasions when they had every intention of voting to confirm the nominee. But take a closer look. Using the Senate's official record of the timing of recorded votes, I tallied up how many hours elapsed between the moment the Senate invokes cloture to cut off initial debate and when the Senate votes on whether to confirm the nominee. As you can see in the figure below, the Senate rarely took the full 30 hours of debate. Half of the time, senators debated lower court nominees for less than 22 hours of post-cloture debate. For nearly every nominee, the two party leaders negotiated the timing of the confirmation vote. That's why post-cloture debate for some nominations stretched over 200 hours. To accommodate senators' schedules   including going home for a break   leaders put off confirmation votes long past the 30-hour mark. In other words, most nominations take far less than 30 hours. Even when they take more time, it's typically because both parties wanted it that way. What's more, Republicans similarly deployed post-cloture debate when they last served in the minority   even when they supported confirmation. So why did Republicans limit post-cloture debate to two hours? That guarantees that Senate Republicans will be able confirm more conservative nominees into vacant federal judgeships. One hundred thirty of 677 district court judgeships are vacant, with 56 nominees pending in the Senate   in part because the majority leader radically slowed down confirmation of judges during President Barack Obama's last two years in office. Thirty-eight of those nominees are ready to be considered on the Senate floor, so expect Republicans to confirm more judges and other Trump nominees in the weeks and months ahead. But bear in mind, the change won't resolve other bottlenecks in the White House and Senate that slow down the process of selecting, vetting and confirming nominees   delays that today leave hundreds of executive positions vacant. 3. Democrats lose a toehold for blocking nominees In the last Congress, when a majority cut off debate on a nominee, the Senate confirmed nearly every one of them after post-cloture debate expired. But not all. Two particularly controversial nominees were close to confirmation until Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) came out against both during post-cloture debate. With just two hours of post-cloture debate, opponents will be unlikely to change any minds. True, those might be the rare exceptions that prove the rule: Post-cloture debate generally is a weak tool for blocking nominees deemed unsuitable for lifetime appointments on the bench. If Democrats or a future minority want to slow down or block presidential nominations to the district courts, they can still take a stab at it in committee. But opponents' arsenals are smaller under the new post-cloture regime. 4. Another step toward majority rule This is the fourth time in eight years that a Senate majority has nuked a portion of the Senate's cloture rule. Each time, the Senate has chipped away at the parliamentary rights of senators and made it harder for a Senate minority to block an ambitious majority party. In the past, senators typically viewed the political costs of bending Senate rules as too high and instead deployed nuclear moves only on more minor procedural tweaks. But the more often the nuclear option is used, the less costly it seems. First, each party's base cheers the move, as it lets a majority party reach goals like confirming favored Supreme Court nominees. Second, each time it happens, Senate majorities seem to face less and less pushback from the minority party, making it less costly to do it again. In short, the nuclear option has become routine: Both parties do it, so neither party pays much for breaking the rules.


Chicago-based retail and renewable energy company ampCNG (AMP Americas) has secured $75 million in private equity funding, according to company database Crunchbase , topping the city's recent funding headlines. The cash infusion was announced on July 25 and financed by EIV Capital. According to its Crunchbase profile, "ampCNG is leading the transition to compressed natural gas (CNG) as a transportation fuel in the commercial trucking industry. They help the country's premier heavy-duty trucking fleets transition to cost-effective, clean, American natural gas. They currently own and operate 19 public access, ultra fast-fill, CNG fueling stations around the country and are expanding their fast-growing network to support the most dense transportation corridors in the U.S." The 9-year-old company also raised a $47 million round in 2017. Over the past year, six Chicago-based sustainability companies have secured venture funding, totaling $84 million in new investment to the local industry. In other local funding news, energy and small and medium businesses company NanoGraf Corporation announced a $7.5 million grant on July 23, financed by the United States Advanced Battery Consortium. According to Crunchbase, "SiNode Systems is a materials venture based out of Northwestern University that is commercializing a novel silicon-based anode technology developed by a research team led by Professor Harold Kung. SiNode aims to change the status quo of the industry by developing high-performance anodes for Li-ion batteries." Founded in 2012, the company has raised five previous rounds, including a $4.5 million corporate round in 2018. This story was created automatically using local investment data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Harry Maguire looks almost certain to play his last game for Leicester on Sunday as Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all prepare summer bids for the England centre-half. Chelsea will have the best chance to cast a final eye over the 26-year-old, as they will be the Foxes' opponents this weekend. Manchester United were heavily linked with a move for Maguire last summer after he impressed in England's World Cup campaign, and they don't appear to have cooled their interest   with The Sun reporting that new boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still eager to rejig his defensive options. Unai Emery has reportedly also made Maguire his number one transfer target after identifying his defence as the main area to improve in summer. Arsenal were treated to a display of the player's talents recently as Maguire and Leicester frustrated the Gunners in a 3-0 defeat that all but ended their hopes of a top-four finish. Tottenham could also be drawn into the bidding war as they seek a replacement in the event of Toby Alderwiereld 's departure. The serious interest from several of England's elite will make it very difficult for Leicester to hold on to their star, who now looks destined to leave. Leicester are not willing to let Maguire go on the cheap though, and will demand at least £60m, having taken into account John Stones ' £50m move to Manchester City three years ago. With so many big spenders interested, the Foxes should easily be able to drive the price up   which could help in Brendan Rodgers' quest to secure the long-term future of Youri Tielemans, who has been on loan at Leicester since January. Rodgers is eager to make that switch permanent but faces being priced out for the promising starlet who is expected to fetch upwards of £40m.


Succeeding at work isn't just in what you say. You may spend hours combing the internet researching exactly how to get a raise , impress your manager or find a mentor to help you conquer corporate politics. But career experts say the way you sit, stand and move can be just as important as your words in the working world. According to a MoneyLion survey, 65 percent of Americans believe their income will increase in 2018, so you want to make sure you're doing the right things to make those beliefs come true. Click through to see if your financial future is as bright as other Americans   and how you can use your body language to ensure that it is. Mirror Body Language When strategizing about how to ask for a raise, Bill Corbett, president of Corbett Public Relations Inc., recommends reflecting the body language you see from your supervisor.  In the case of a salary negotiation, if you are the boss, you may be more receptive to a person who is mirroring your positioning at the table,  said Corbett, who trains clients for media appearances and public speaking events.  For the person asking for the raise, if they fail to get in sync with the boss, the request may not be accepted or may be more challenging to secure.  Find out when you re in a great position to ask for a raise . Beware of the Bluff Not everyone sends the same signals when they aren t being completely honest, but heeding your own intuition and keeping an eye out for common body language indicators   such as their level of eye contact   as to whether someone is telling the truth can also assist you in office settings.  Understanding these movements, gestures, micro expressions and where people are looking can tell a quite a bit and will indicate if they are lying or telling the truth,  Corbett said. Practice Good Posture Proper posture is the fastest way to shift your body language and project a confident persona, according to Chris Williamson, director of the nonverbal communication and leadership training firm Eastern Pathways. "Stand tall with equal weight distribution across both legs and present yourself openly to the person you're speaking with," he said. Breathe If you need a quick jolt of energy and confidence before an important interaction in the office, April Klimkiewicz, owner of the career coaching firm Bliss Evolution, recommends taking a few deep breaths in while rolling your shoulders forward and up toward your ears and exhaling as you roll your shoulders back and down.  When you re done, your shoulders will be relaxed, your chest will be open rather than contracted, and you ll have more oxygen circulating through your blood and to your brain,  she said.  This will wake up your mind, help you stand   or sit   tall, and project confidence through your body language.  Dress and Speak the Part What you wear and how you communicate can have a subconscious effect on every aspect of your workplace behavior, including your body language. Alison Henderson, founder of Moving Image Consulting, recommends reading your office environment, then mirroring the managers and mentors you want to impress. "We simply move differently in business attire than jeans and a T-shirt. Speaking in slang terms will also affect our nonverbal behavior," she said. "Err on the side of proper dress, posture and language." Master Your Mindset Employees should think of themselves as strong professionals if they want to climb the career ladder   not as a new employee, one of the only women in a male-dominated office or as an IT intern   said Laurie Richards, president of the workplace coaching firm LR&A, Inc. "The appropriate body language will follow: shoulders back, head up, not nose in the air, confident eye contact without being aggressive, purposeful hand movements, standing on both feet, not one foot or crossed feet." Sit Strong Posture isn't only important when you stand. Sitting tall makes you come across as more confident and can increase your visibility to the people you want to impress, said career coach Karol Ward. "Make sure your weight is evenly balanced on your feet and when you are sitting … and you are not hunched over," she said. Make Eye Contact a Habit  Practice making eye contact when you meet people in the morning whether you are ordering your coffee, greeting your colleagues or ordering lunch,  said Ward, author of several books, including  Find Your Inner Voice: Using Instinct and Intuition Through the Body-Mind Connection.  Then, it will come as second nature even when you re asking for a raise or conversing with a coworker about an awkward situation. But Don't Stare It's also critical to remember not to make too much eye contact with someone, like holding a stare, which may come across as confrontational and offensive, said Caleb Backe, a certified personal trainer and health and wellness expert for Maple Holistics. "Try and remember that you shouldn't hold your stare for more than 3 to 4 seconds at a time, and you'll be fine   at least until you really know the person or if you're trying to get a very serious point across," he said. Smile Even though they may never meet clients in person, Dana Case, director of operations at the online legal filing service MyCorporation, also appreciates appropriate eye contact when she's interviewing prospective employees. She also recommends brushing up on basics you may have forgotten since high school speech class. "Make eye contact with the person you're speaking to and smile at them. If you feel jittery while speaking, use your hands to transfer those jitters into excited, energetic movements." And before you even have the job, smiling goes a long way in interviews , too. Uncross Your Arms Depending upon the context of the situation, crossed arms are considered a blocking move, even if you just happen to be cold, said Shelly O'Donovan, principal and lead body language trainer with Illuminate the Message. "It makes colleagues think you are opposed to what is being communicated or that you are not engaged in the topic," she said. Show Your Hands When Talking The hands are our trust indicators, said O Donovan, so it s important to integrate them when talking.  Yes, there is an appropriate level of hand movement, but not moving your hands at all can feel sneaky or untrustworthy,  she said.  Integrate a few key movements in slowly if you aren t used to showing your hands.  Minimize Nervous Gestures Almost unconscious movements can indicate nervousness or boredom, said O'Donovan. "How often do you tap your pen in a meeting, rub your arms, pace, tap your foot? If you can keep these in check you can make a much better impression at work," she said. Increase Your Awareness You can't stop bad habits or adopt good ones if you aren't aware of the image you're projecting now, O'Donovan said. When thinking about how to negotiate for a raise, for example, put some effort into editing your body language. "The best way to start learning body language is to take stock of how much you might be doing some of these cues. Ask a trusted friend to evaluate your body language and then remind yourself gently when you need to show your hands more or stop nervous gestures." Look for Cues Learning to read other people's body language is just as important as mastering your own moves when it comes to getting ahead in the office, said O'Donovan. "Is your boss tapping his foot during your meeting because he is bored or nervous? Is your co-worker crossing his arms because it is an icebox in the office or does he not want to talk about the subject you just raised? You'll be surprised how much you can learn and decode in others." Learning to interpret others' body language and mastering the messages your own moves are sending won't magically attract more money and meaningful mentors, but walking the walk may help you talk the talk when the time is right, said Williamson, the leadership coach with Eastern Pathways. "A more confident set of body language is likely to ultimately result in a genuine sense of self-confidence. It is that development of self-confidence that will enable someone to better negotiate a raise, find a mentor or resolve workplace conflict."