When the transfer window opens, everyone wants their club to go wading into the market to secure some new signings, and give you something to analyse in lieu of actual club football action. Last summer we didn't get a break from it. Fabinho and Naby Keita were both Liverpool players by July 1st, while Xherdan Shaqiri and Alisson both followed within a couple of weeks. There was no need for, say, entirely fabricated speculation surrounding Kylian Mbappe . But that is what happens in a quiet summer, even after the incumbent squad finished the season with 97 league points and a Champions League trophy. It's something that is necessitated by the fans flooding Liverpool 's reply and comment sections all over social media, inundating them with shallow responses about how the club is 'finished' for next season if Manchester United 'beat' them to Bruno Fernandes, or how 'the first team is fine but there is nothing on the bench.' Announce Pépé or Bruno Fernandes   fletch (@fletcher_xo) June 27, 2019 pic.twitter.com/A4FqS0Bz5L   Luke (@VanD1jk) June 29, 2019 Stop tweeting until it's an announcement    (@chielinilookout) June 29, 2019 That sort of frenzied attitude likely isn't reflective of the wider fanbase, who generally accept that not much is needed in the way of transfer business after an incredibly successful season, but the frustration levelled by some at the lack of movement throughout June is nonetheless worth addressing. Benefit of the Doubt It would be a worthwhile criticism if the club's current transfer strategy, which has facilitated the arrivals of Alisson, Mohamed Salah , Sadio Mane, Fabinho, Andy Robertson and pretty much the entire spine of the current first team, wasn't one of the most effective in world football. Virtually every transfer decision made over the last three years, including signing off on Philippe Coutinho's departure, has led to an obvious improvement in the first team. Waiting six months on Virgil van Dijk rather than panicking and moving for an alternative when it didn't happen in the summer of 2017, is another. Virgil Van Dijk in his first day at Anfield as a Liverpool player. The rest was history... pic.twitter.com/gbzyHxvoss   Señor (@EnRouteAnfield) June 26, 2019 It's not a decision made out of laziness, a lack of funds available, or out of managerial oversight; there is nothing about the club in recent years that would suggest any of these things. So surely, then, when the club are seemingly opting not to invest heavily for the first time in recent memory, we owe them the benefit of the doubt that it is the right call, regardless of what our opinions may be on the strength of the squad. Still Coming Together  It's difficult to fathom, especially after winning the Champions League and performing so consistently throughout the season, that the current group of players aren't yet at the peak of their powers. But they are still gelling as a group. Alisson, Fabinho and Keita - three players who will have to be on it if the Reds are to replicate their success - have played just one season of football with the current group, as has Shaqiri. Van Dijk is entering only his second pre-season, while Oxlade-Chamberlain is entering his first, as he returns from a year on the sidelines, and will have to be introduced like a new signing given how the team has evolved since his last run in it. Actual new signing Sepp van den Berg will require a slow introduction, Rhian Brewster is yet to debut, while Harry Wilson could also find himself in the picture, on top of the one or two additions who are expected from here. It's clear then that as good as things are at present, there is plenty of work left to do on squad chemistry. Throw another major ego in there, and you run the very real risk of upsetting the fragile balance of a squad that is on the precipice of something remarkable. Change of Pace The very fact that there is no clear room for a major signing is a positive sign. Previous squads have had gaping holes and the looming prospect of more being created, with key players being linked with moves away, but the current situation couldn't be farther removed. There is no player realistically available that would improve on the current front three, and with the sheer depth of what is available in midfield at present - with Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Gini Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Adam Lallana as things stand - there isn't much breathing room there. The defence - as the best in the Premier League, with three positions sewn up and the other being contested by Joel Matip, Joe Gomez, Dejan Lovren and now Van den Berg - speaks for itself, while there arguably isn't a better goalkeeper available, realistic or otherwise, than Alisson. In terms of outgoings, only a mind-bending offer would be enough to pry away any of the established first-team players as things stand, and that position is only solidified due to Liverpool now being a club at which players know they can compete on every front. Luis Suarez left for Barcelona to compete for silverware; Mohamed Salah will not be doing the same. All this isn't to say that the squad, as things stand, is perfect. Having just one left-sided defender is less than ideal, while the drop in quality behind the first-choice front three is stark. But if Klopp's tenure so far has shown us anything, it's that he knows better than us, so we should be safe in the knowledge that he has a plan to address whatever minor issues that do exist. Rather than getting anxious about a lack of movement, we should be breathing a sigh of relief, and enjoying the break from the necessarily hectic nature of recent summer windows. The season will be back soon enough.


Spicy words from the automotive executive. We've seen quite a handful of automotive executives throwing shade against competitors, but some of them weren't quite fond of subtleties. One of the most notable of them was when BMW Senior Vice President for Asia and South Africa Hendrik von Kunheim bluntly said that the Mercedes X-Class was a disappointment . Research Audi on MSN Autos There's a newly-ordained member of this group   Alpina product chief Thomas Cornu. In a visit to Australia for the launch of the Alpina B5 Touring, the auto honcho was pretty straightforward in his comment about the gasoline-powered Audi SQ5 , as reported by Carsales.com.au . "They started to produce a new SQ5 with a TFSI engine   and it was rubbish," Cornu commented. The shots fired didn't come without praise, though. Cornu commended the SQ5, albeit, in its TDI version that was taken out of the Australian market. He acknowledged that the car worked very well in the said market, as well as in Europe where it was a huge success. However, he continued that the gasoline version wasn't a good car, in terms of sales numbers and press reviews, which will lead to the return of the SQ5 TDI in 2020 in The Land Down Under. Of course, the Alpina vehicle on spotlight here was the Alpina XD3 (images in the gallery above), which is a pumped-up version of the BMW X3 but with a six-cylinder diesel mill that produces 329 horsepower (245 kiloWatts) and 516 pound-feet (700 Newton-meters) of torque. Well, the new SQ5 TDI is a force to be reckoned with: 2019 Audi SQ5 TDI Goes Official With Massive Torque Audi S5 Lineup Rumored To Get Diesel Engine From SQ5 TDI Alpina and the Audi S cars are rivaling names in their segments, producing performance-based versions of the normal BMW and Audi cars. It's interesting to see an executive throwing shade against a direct rival, though, but it is what it is and we think it's a healthy competition between these two. Follow MSN Autos on Facebook and Twitter


John Daly will play a PGA Tour event next week, just not the one you might expect. A winner of The Open in 1995 at St. Andrews, Daly had originally planned to take part in the tournament's return to Royal Portrush. But to do so Daly claimed that he would need to use a cart to manage the pain in his right knee stemming from osteoarthritis. Daly successfully petitioned the PGA of America to use a cart during the PGA Championship in May, but a similar request was denied by the R&A over the weekend. Daly subsequently withdrew from the Portrush field on Tuesday, days after sharing on social media that he had been hospitalized after suffering a spider bite while on vacation in England. But the 53-year-old's recovery seems to be going well, as he has been offered and accepted a sponsor exemption into next week's Barbasol Championship in Kentucky. Held opposite the final major of the season, the Barbasol is in its second year at Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville, Ky., after three years in Alabama. Like other events held opposite majors and WGCs, it is designed to give a playing opportunity to PGA Tour members who have not qualified for the week's biggest event. But the cart issue means they'll have a former champion golfer of the year in the field next week, as tournament director Bryan Pettigrew confirmed to GolfChannel.com that Daly will be allowed to use a cart at the Barbasol "if he wants one." According to Pettigrew, Daly initiated contact with the tournament three weeks ago to discuss the possibility of playing - well before the R&A struck down his cart request. "We have been trading emails since then and talking about him coming to Kentucky, and he had interest," Pettigrew said. "When we read about The Open and his considering to play across the pond, we decided we'd better get our official invite to him." The event will mark Daly's first PGA Tour start outside the majors since The Greenbrier a year ago. He is also expected to use a cart the following week at the Barracuda Championship in Reno, Nev., another opposite-field event held the same week as the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational.


Ferrari Formula 1 boss Mattia Binotto believes his team's fine for Charles Leclerc's unsafe release last week was the "proper" punishment, despite the FIA's acceptance harsher deterrents are required. Leclerc was released into the path of Romain Grosjean during the first round of pitstops in the German Grand Prix, and Ferrari was hit with a €5000 fine instead of a normal time penalty. That has been met with criticism and concern, with Red Bull driver Max Verstappen labelling it "completely wrong" ahead of this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix. As a result, the FIA has agreed with F1 teams that unsafe pitstop releases will be punished with time penalties rather than fines, following Ferrari's incident at Hockenheim. Read Also: FIA agrees to impose time penalties for unsafe releases Binotto said on Friday in Hungary that it was a "difficult" situation to judge and to act on, but believes it was the right call and that the judgement would be the same in similar circumstances. "During the weekend in Hockenheim the drivers and the FIA met on Thursday and discussed the approach [for a race with mixed conditions and more pitstop]," said Binotto. "What was key was to be safe to the mechanics in the pitlane. In the case of Charles, the Red Bull team was ready for the pitstop in front of him. "I think the way Charles drove was very safe in respect of the mechanics and the pit crew. Yes, he had to slow down to be careful with the car coming in but that's a racing situation. "I think as a team when you've got such traffic, what's key is safety first. Then we are in a racing situation. We've been fined, I don't think think there will be different judgement in the future. "I think the way it's been judged was the proper one." Verstappen adopted a similar position partly because he lost a podium in Monaco for a pitlane infringement, having made contact with Valtteri Bottas after being released from his stop. Red Bull team boss Christian Horner agreed with Binotto that it was "tricky" to judge but feels consistency is required in repeat situations. "I slightly crapped myself when I saw Romain Grosjean heading for me on the pitwall," Horner joked. "So from my point of view it looked really unsafe, a pretty frightening prospect. "It's a tricky one, Max got a penalty in Monaco for what was an unfair release. It was deemed it was because he touched the car of Bottas. "They are slightly different incident but what you want to see more than anything is an element of consistency. "Otherwise from a team point of view, from the guy releasing the car, what call does he make now? "It's a difficult one. When there's pitlanes like in Silverstone we had enough room for two cars to go side by side."


NEW YORK   Even when the rain finally stopped, the Yankee Stadium outfield was still soaked. And so, the game between the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees was postponed Monday night because of wet field conditions. Play never started and the game was called after a delay of about 2 hours, 15 minutes. It will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader Wednesday beginning at 3:05 p.m. After two days of steady showers in New York, the Yankees first announced the scheduled 6:35 p.m. start would be delayed   and later that the first pitch would be thrown at approximately 7:45 p.m. But after the rain let up and the tarp was removed from the infield, grounds crew members kept trying to dry the wet outfield with air blowers as Yankees players in full uniform waited in the dugout. With more rain potentially on the way late at night, New York manager Aaron Boone and Baltimore skipper Brandon Hyde huddled with umpires in the outfield for a while before the Yankees announced the game had been postponed due to "unplayable field conditions." "You're getting ready to play and everyone is getting hot and you get your pitcher warmed up and stuff and you realize, obviously, I think everyone saw by the images and what not, that it just wasn't playable there when we thought," Boone said. "Usually the field drains pretty well. It was just, obviously, a bad situation there where the standing water in left field and then, all of a sudden, the emerging thought that maybe more rain was on the way. Definitely the right call to put this one off." David Hess (1-4) had been slated to pitch for the Orioles. Luis Cessa (0-0) was pegged to fill in for New York after right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga went on the 10-day injured list earlier in the day with a strained rotator cuff. Loaisiga was in the rotation as a replacement for injured James Paxton. "Initially it was kind of, both pitchers get ready and kind of time everything around that, but then the water situation was more than anyone anticipated," Boone said. "You obviously saw our guys working hard trying to get all of that in every way they could. But it was taking a while, and then all of a sudden the reports emerge that some potential moderate rain was still on the way. So then you're talking about, when do we start this and pitchers being down, and so it became a pretty dicey situation and I think the wise move to put this one off." Orioles right-hander Andrew Cashner (4-1) and Yankees lefty J.A. Happ (2-3) will stay on turn and pitch Tuesday night as planned. Baltimore did not announce a starter for either game of the doubleheader. Domingo Germán will go in the opener Wednesday for New York, which is undecided for the nightcap. "I think, for the team, it's better. For both teams," Cessa said. Both teams have been doing plenty of waiting lately. The start of Baltimore's 5-1 win over the Angels at home Sunday was delayed by rain for 2 hours, 42 minutes. New York's 7-1 victory Sunday at Tampa Bay was held up for 43 minutes in the ninth inning due to a power outage at Tropicana Field. This time, the teams never even got going. "You're thinking about players and safety and all that, but then kind of in the middle of all that the weather report kind of changed a little bit," Boone said. "And right then, Brandon and I were both in agreement that we've probably got to do something here." TRAINER'S ROOM Yankees C Gary Sánchez and SS Gleyber Torres were both back in the posted lineup after sitting out Sunday. Sánchez was hit hard on his catching helmet by Guillermo Heredia's backswing Saturday night in the eighth inning but stayed in the game. Torres played Saturday, one day after getting hit by a pitch on the right elbow. ... New York OF-DH Giancarlo Stanton (biceps/shoulder) took at-bats at the team's complex in Florida. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


This has to be the linebacker's year. Ever since the Lions drafted him in the first round of the 2017 draft, Jarrad Davis has been showered with praises from coaches and teammates. His work ethic is noticeably outstanding, his internal drive is obvious. The only thing missing is consistent play. He clearly has the support of the organization, but he'll need to improve on the field if he's going to make it with the Detroit Lions long term. Let's take a closer look at Davis' 2018 season and what it may mean for his 2019 campaign. Jarrad Davis Expectations before 2018 Coming off an up-and-down rookie season, many were expecting a big improvement in 2018. Sure, it was a brand-new defense and scheme to learn, but head coach Matt Patricia has been billed as the linebacker whisperer, and expectations were that we'd see significant improvement with flashes of All-Pro play. In the final six weeks for 2017, Davis was PFF's fourth-best linebacker , so heading into Year 2, there were high expectations for the young linebacker. After all, we're talking about a first-round draft pick. Actual role in 2018 2018 stats: 16 games (16 starts): 100 tackles, 6.0 sacks, 5 passes defended, 1 FF PFF grade: 51.4 (80th among linebackers) Unfortunately, Davis couldn't carry over the momentum with how he finished 2017 into the 2018 season. Early on, Davis was making a lot of the same mistakes he made in his rookie season. He fit the wrong gaps. He would overrun a tackle. His mental processing, at times, just seemed a tad too slow, and it would turn a 5-yard gain into a 50-yard gain. PFF has the ugly details of his career thus far in a Lions uniform: Davis has missed 36 tackles over the last two years while allowing nearly 80.0 percent of the passes targeting him to be completed for a passer rating of 106.8. Last season, his run-defense grade of 33.7 was third-worst among 92 qualifying linebackers. However, there was one promising aspect of his game: his pass rush. Davis' unique combination of speed, size, and strength makes him a dangerous option as a pass rusher, and his career-high 6.0 sacks was a clear representation of that talent. According to PFF, Davis was credited with 27 pressures, good for fourth-most among all NFL linebackers. Outlook for 2019 Contract status : Signed through 2019 season Despite another rough season, coaches continue to sing Davis' praises. Here's just a sampling of what coaches have said this offseason. Lions LB coach Al Golden : "And he really made unbelievable gains, I thought last year, as a pass rusher, and I know he's hungry for it now. He's going to take the next step for us, for sure." Head coach Matt Patricia: "He's one of our better players and he's out there in front, and it's hard, because there hasn't been that consistent, dynamic guy next to him that maybe has 10 years of experience." Lions GM Bob Quinn: "It's really unique that, fortune I'd say, that we were able to get Jarrad Davis a couple drafts ago. He can really play in any defense, which is great. We drafted him for the previous defense but he's a really good fit in what we do now." Now Davis enters his third year, and he's in the perfect situation to succeed. He has a year of experience to absorb Patricia's defense. He has a talented defensive line in front of him that should allow him to roam pretty free. The Lions even drafted a versatile linebacker in Jahlani Tavai that should allow Davis to move around the defense and play to his own strengths. After two disappointing seasons, now is the time to shine for Jarrad Davis. No more excuses allowed.


Interested in adopting a pet   or just gazing at some cute-as-can-be kittens? There are dozens of darling kittens up for adoption at animal shelters in and around Washington. Animal shelters work hard to care for unhoused pets and connect them to loving homes. Hoodline used data from Petfinder to power this roundup of kittens currently available for adoption. (Details like pet availability, training, vaccinations and other features are based on data provided by Petfinder and may be subject to change; contact the shelter for the latest information.) Marie, domestic Marie is a charming female domestic kitten currently residing at City Dogs Rescue & City Kitties . Marie will get along great with other cats. No need to worry: She's already house-trained. She already has all of her shots. Here's what Marie's friends at City Dogs Rescue & City Kitties think of her: Marie is a sweet and outgoing kitten. She loves her sister Louise, and they would love to be adopted together. Read more about how to adopt Marie on Petfinder . Etta, domestic shorthair Etta is a winsome female domestic shorthair kitten staying at City Dogs Rescue & City Kitties . She's already house-trained. Her vaccinations are up to date. From Etta's current caretaker: Energetic Etta is eager to find her forever home. This sweet lady loves playing with toys and chasing and wrestling with her foster sister. When she isn't hanging with the other cat, Etta enjoys human companionship and follows her foster around the apartment to see what she's up to. Etta is also a champion napper and loves snoozing in sunny spots. Though a little shy when meeting new people, once she is comfortable around you she really opens up. Read more about Etta on Petfinder . Crueller, domestic shorthair Crueller is a charming male domestic shorthair kitten being kept at Lucky Dog Animal Rescue . Crueller loves other cats. He has been vaccinated. More about Crueller: I have bright orange and white fur with striking tabby stripes. Ready to make me your forever furball? I'm looking forward to lots of love and attention from my new family. Read more about Crueller on Petfinder . Cibatta, domestic shorthair Cibatta is a female domestic shorthair kitten being cared for at Lucky Dog Animal Rescue . Cibatta is happy to keep company with other cats. She has been vaccinated. Cibatta is a special needs pet, so please inquire about her specific care requirements. More about Cibatta: Fluffy and ready for petting. Unfortunately, I'll have one of my eyes removed, but don't worry, I'll still be super cute. I can't wait for you to shower me with lots of playtime, treats and snuggles. Read more about how to adopt Cibatta on Petfinder . Felicity, domestic shorthair Felicity is a lovable female domestic shorthair kitten being cared for at Lucky Dog Animal Rescue . Felicity is happy to keep company with other cats, dogs and kids. She has all her shots. Notes about Felicity: I'm ready to live the good life with my new family in the D.C. area. My foster mom says that I'm absolutely adorable and I am just the right amount of playful and snuggly. I'm also doing great with the foster's big lab. Apply to adopt Felicity today at Petfinder . This story was created automatically using local animal shelter data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Tottenham have downgraded West Ham United to Category B for ticket sales in the 2019/20 season, in a hammer blow to the Irons' ego. The various categories for such sales are defined by the anticipated demand for tickets as well as, by proxy, the prestige of the game, controlling the base price for the game. Spurs revealed the new pricing system on their official website , with just Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea making the cut for Category A. This left the Hammers , who had historically always been put in the top bracket, languishing alongside Brighton, Newcastle, Leicester, Everton, Wolves, Watford, Southampton and Crystal Palace in Category B. That means the lowest price for an adult at those games will be £43, and the maximum £95. As for lowly Category C, those spots are taken up by the big five that are Aston Villa, Sheffield United, Bournemouth, Burnley, and Norwich. While West Ham fans will receive this news just as it was announced that their club had agreed to sell star forward Marko Arnautovic , Spurs fans are comparatively ecstatic, having made two signings just this week, after two barren windows in the transfer market. The Harry Maguire latest. Leicester will settle for more than Van Dijk's cost, City reluctant to pay it, United happy to press on. Head to @90min_Football to read up  https://t.co/S3c5Q0Oju3   Scott Saunders (@_scottsaunders) July 4, 2019 The biggest of those two was Tanguy Ndombele who, speaking to the club's official website , declared upon his arrival: "I am very happy to be here and looking forward to playing in the new stadium. It's very simple for me   Spurs are in the top four teams right now in England. "I believe that my style of play is well suited to English football and Tottenham are giving me the opportunity to show that, so I am extremely happy to be here."


MICHIGAN   A local hospital is collecting cereal to make sure every Michigan child has breakfast this summer. The Children's Hospital of Michigan is hosting it's 10th Annual Cereal Drive to help needy and hungry children who rely on school meals for breakfast and lunch. In Southeast Michigan, more than 300,000 children rely on free or reduced-fee breakfast and lunch each day during the school year, organizers say. During the summer months, many of these children no longer receive adequate meals. Members of the Children's Hospital of Michigan's Professional Nurse Council are teaming up to fill the hunger gap for thousands of kids this summer. The 10th Annual Cereal Drive will begin Friday, May 31, and run through June 7. All cereal will be contributed to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan and will be distributed to over 500 community partner agencies. "We are so grateful for the abundant amount of community support that has made our Cereal Drive so successful over the past 10 years," said Luanne Thomas Ewald, Chief Executive Officer of Children's Hospital of Michigan. "Childhood hunger can lead to ongoing physical and mental developmental problems. As one of the top hospitals in the country, we have a duty to not only treat the children that come through our doors, but to also have a positive impact on all of the children in our state." The first drive was held in 2009 and collected 160,757 servings of cereal. Each year, the initiative has experienced significant growth, organizers said. Last year, the cereal drive collected 1,938,537 servings of cereal to help feed Michigan's children. "For most kids, summer vacation is carefree and fun. For 1 in 6 southeast Michigan kids, summer is a time of worry about where their next meal will come from. Children can't grow and thrive when they are hungry," said Gerry Brisson, Gleaners president and CEO. "Gleaners is fortunate to have an ongoing partnership with the Children's Hospital of Michigan to help change the lives of children in our community for the past decade." Supporters can make a donation of cereal from May 31 through June 7, 2019. Some local events will be held in Royal Oak, Campus Martius and Troy. Arrangements for large pickups can be made. For more information, visit https://www.childrensdmc.org/cerealdrive .


The Champions League final is fast approaching, and as football fans all over the world anxiously wait for Tottenham to face Liverpool at Wanda Metropolitano on 1 June, the two sides will be watching countless hours of match footage and reviewing scouting reports on each other's key players. So let's do the same, and take a look at some of the footballing monsters who will, in one way or another, decide the outcome of club football's most important game. Roberto Firmino The Brazilian forward stumbles into battle recovering from a muscle strain that has sidelined him for Liverpool's last three matches. Not the best of signs for the Reds, who will want their full attacking triumvirate to be at peak condition to bombard the gates of Tottenham throughout the encounter. But time is on Firmino's side, and though he's had a moderate season by his standards (16 goals and eight assists in 47 games), the forward is adept at coming up with a big goal when his side need it most. In fact, Firmino might be Liverpool's best weapon against Spurs - he scored in both league games against the Londoners this season. Lucas Moura The hero of the battle of Amsterdam - or should we say the monster who ripped out the souls of De Godenzonen - Lucas Moura is Spurs ' X-Factor. Indeed, the Reds would do well to keep an eye on the Brazilian, who comes into the match on absolute fuego after his hat trick performance against Ajax. He's bagged 15 goals this season (five of them in the Champions League), and will be integral to any chances Spurs produce on the night. A monster Liverpool must keep at bay if they are to prevail. Sadio Mane Co-winner of the Golden Boot in the Premier League this season, Mane has scored a goal every three games in the Champions League this campaign. In total he's grabbed 26 to go along with five assists in all competitions this term, and Tottenham will likely be analyzing the footage of his battle with Bayern in the heart of Bavaria, when his two strikes crushed Die Roten and proved just how dangerous he can be. Son Heung-min Absent for Tottenham's first leg defeat to Ajax, but very much present for the return battle in Holland, Son is a double-headed monster - a man who can score as easily as he can assist, represented by his 20 goals and ten assists in all competitions this season. Spurs are a different team without him - but with him in their ranks for this battle, the Lilywhites will be a force to be reckoned with in attack. Virgil van Dijk The man - or monster - who will be charged with stopping the Tottenham onslaught is the Dutch giant himself: Virgil van Dijk. He enters this battle with a war chest of loot in his wake: PFA Players' Player of the Year, Premier League Player of the Year, and a personal defensive record in which no player has successfully dribbled past him for the entire Premier League season. He has been the rock of Liverpool 's defence this campaign, as the Reds only let 22 strikes breach their defences (the best record in the league). No doubt his performance in Madrid will determine whether Liverpool claim the trophy or settle for runners-up once again. Harry Kane Blighted by injury this season, Tottenham's most powerful weapon may yet be fit enough to strap on his armour when the time comes. He might be rusty, and sure, he could run the risk of getting hurt again - but there's no question that all it takes for this particular beast to strike is one sniff of the goal. After that, the monster has the scent, and more often than not, he will finish. In limited playing time this season (39 games), Kane has scored 24 goals and added six assists. He might not start, but Mauricio Pochettino will certainly look to this deadly assassin when the time is right. Mohamed Salah The final piece of the Reds' attacking triumvirate, and the monster with perhaps the most to prove after he was shackled and controversially thrown to the pits by He Who Must Not Be Named in last year's Champions League final. But the Egyptian recovered from his wounds, shook off the naysayers who claimed he was a one-season wonder, and was again the Premier League's Golden Boot winner again this season (well, sort of). Make no mistake, Salah wants his opportunity to prove himself on club football's biggest stage. Tottenham, beware. This article is brought to you by Godzilla: King of the Monsters, in cinemas soon. Check out the trailer below:


No one would blame Jesus Aguilar if he wanted to hold a grudge against Manny Machado for the rest of his MLB career, but the Milwaukee Brewers first baseman says he has moved on from the dirty play Machado committed during the playoffs last year. When Machado was with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, he intentionally dragged his left leg along the first base bag on a routine groundout during the NLCS so he could clip Aguilar's leg on the way by. It was a bush league play by anyone's definition. Come on Machado, don't do this. pic.twitter.com/xyx37Zncip   Pitcher List (@PitcherList) October 17, 2018 Aguilar and Machado met again on Monday night when the San Diego Padres hosted the Brewers, and Aguilar was asked if there is any lingering bad blood between the two. Aguilar said Machado has apologized and they have "moved forward." Speaking of Machado, he is back on good terms with Jesus Aguilar after last year's NLCS stunt. "I've seen him a couple times," Aguilar said. "We've got the same agent. Everything is all right. He did apologize. He knows he was wrong, he apologized for it and we moved forward."   Todd Rosiak (@Todd_Rosiak) June 18, 2019 That wasn't the only dirty play Machado committed during the postseason last year, and those antics have contributed to him having a bad reputation across the league. Even if Aguilar has forgiven him, there are still plenty of people who don't think very highly of Machado.


ST. LOUIS   In the second period of Monday's 4 2 Blues win , Bruins winger Brad Marchand skated toward the St. Louis goal, circling behind the net. As he made the turn, his oh-so-slightly outstretched stick snared the pad protecting Blues goalie Jordan Binnington's left leg. Marchand, who has earned a reputation as Boston's foremost pest, had just been credited with an assist on the Bruins' shorthanded goal, which tied the game at two apiece. What better moment, then, for Marchand to burrow deeper into the rookie's consciousness? The hit was more a love tap, a Hey kid, that sucked for you, didn't it?  but Binnington fell to the ice, supporting himself on the frame of the goal, left knee buckling, then right. He fell, because maybe the momentum was enough to trip him. Or maybe not. Maybe there was a slight pause before the tumble. Maybe the kid can play that game, too. "It's playoff hockey," Blues defender Colton Parayko said after the game. "It's the finals. Everybody's trying to get under each other's skin, especially in a game like that, 2 2 at the time. … I think Binner did a really good job responding to it. That's one of the things, he likes those things, and he makes a statement." On Monday, Binnington was 48 hours removed from one of the most disappointing performances of his postseason, when he allowed five goals in an eventual 7 2 loss in the first Stanley Cup Final game played in St. Louis in nearly half a century. The numbers were grim: a .737 save percentage in a game in which Boston took just 19 shots while he was in goal. (Deposed former starter Jake Allen took the ice for the game's final 24:28, allowing the Bruins to score just once more.) But in reality, the goalie got shaky support from his defense. Three of the goals he allowed came on Boston power plays. And he's done this before, stumbled as his team has staggered to a lopsided loss; recall Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, Game 3 of the first-round series against Winnipeg. St. Louis won both series, carried by Binnington, who has gotten used to putting this team on his shoulders and dragging it fr om disaster. Following games in which his team has lost by two or more goals, Binnington has gone 10 3 with a .928 save percentage since taking over as the team's starting goalie in January. "Same old story, right?" Binnington said before Monday's game of his ability to come up big after losses. "Just prepare the same way. As a goalie things are going to happen, it's not always going to be perfect and you've got to regroup, pick yourself back up and move on to the next game." These playoffs, there's been plenty to regroup from: the game against San Jose in which an unnoticed and illegal hand pass sealed a Sharks win, getting pulled for Allen on Saturday. And Binnington has barely blinked. "On his bounce-back games, it's just his calmness and his mannerisms more than anything," Blues coach Craig Berube said Monday morning. "I think he goes back in there and he feels real confident about himself. Early on in games a lot of times you see his puck-handling ability and I know that he's dialed pretty well when I notice that kind of stuff." All season, Binnington has been a font of one-liners. In February, asked about a string of nerve-wracking games, he quipped: "Do I look nervous?" During the Western Conference semifinals, asked about Dallas coach Jim Montgomery's comments about his composure, the goalie claimed ignorance as to who exactly Jim Montgomery might be. The Sahara has nothing on Binnington's sense of humor, and his most entertaining moments are complete with a built-in pause: Is he kidding, or is he cocky? It's the former, even if at this point, Binnington has earned the latter. And it takes a dry sense of humor to do this Blues season justice. A perennial postseason presence finds itself among the dregs of the NHL in January, and then it's still playing in June. A city that lost its NFL team in 2016 and is desperate to remind the country that it's still a great sports town puts on a wild show Saturday Cardinals-Cubs at one end of Clark Avenue, Blues-Bruins at the other and proceeds to give its home fans a game that stung like a cold shower in January. The worst days here have just been preludes to the best ones, which has instilled as much confidence as it does insanity in the minds of St. Louis's long-tortured fans. The team born in 1967 won its first Stanley Cup Final game at home on June 3, 2019, a lifetime later. It won because Ryan O'Reilly, an offseason addition who's on his third team in 10 seasons, netted two goals Monday night . It won on Binnington's solid play in goal, thanks to his ability to stay the course after that shorthanded Bruins goal. It won for a city that needed this, a city Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo called an "underrated" sports town Monday night, a city where most men over the age of 18 from nameless fans to Mad Men star Jon Hamm are sprouting playoff beards. They're grooming them now, almost two months into this ride, sweating underneath them in the June heat, wiping beer from mustaches as they toast and bellow the lyrics to "Gloria." Binnington, though, has just a collection of light-brown whiskers. That's all the 25-year-old has mustered, a reminder of the age and inexperience (he'd played in just one NHL game before this year) that are so easy to forget. Behind the mask and the pads, he's a giant, a human shield. But in the locker room, he's a sarcastic rookie with stubble, just a few months removed from being second on the goalie depth chart for St. Louis's AHL affiliate. Since then, he has earned every compliment he's been given, every promotion, every accolade. This has been going on long enough since Jan. 7, through an 11-game winning streak that it's no longer fluky. Binnington's play is sustainable, his excellence understandable. But that doesn't mean it shouldn't still feel a little bit like magic.


Recent flooding events, with the promise of more to come as climate change-related weather events become more common, have meant and will mean that more people are likely to be surprised by rapidly rising water levels that could float even a heavy sport utility vehicle off the road and into deep water. In 2017, more than 1,800 Americans died in nearly 21,000 crashes when their vehicles caught fire or were either partially or fully submerged. These kinds of accidents are always fatal if the occupants cannot escape the burning or sinking vehicle. Escaping generally means being able to cut a seat belt and to break a window to get out. AAA evaluated six belt-cutting and window-breaking tools available for drivers to use to escape. Each tool is designed both to cut the belt and to break the window. One group included hammer-type tools with a cutting blade and the other group included spring-loaded devices that hook into the top of the side window frame and use a spring-powered cone to strike the glass. The best performing tool for cutting seat belts was the spring-loaded device (at the far right in the following illustration), which took an average of 1.32 seconds to cut a seat belt. The tool on the left took 2.46 seconds, and the one in the center took 13.5 seconds. The best performing hammer-type tool is at the far left of the tools in the next illustration, which took an average of just 1.51 seconds to cut the belt. The tool in the center took 2.00 seconds, and the one on the right took 23.06 seconds. None of the tools tested could break through laminated glass, such as the front windshield of a car or other light vehicle. Four of the six tools successfully broke through tempered glass, the kind most often used in vehicle side windows. None of the tools worked on laminated glass side windows either. John Nielsen, managing director of Automotive Engineering and Repair for AAA commented, "Our research found that generally vehicle escape tools can be effective in an emergency, but only if drivers know what type of side windows they have, otherwise they could waste precious seconds trying to break glass that will not shatter." A label stating the type of glass used in the side windows is often present in the bottom corner of the window. AAA provided this illustration of what a label looks like. Be sure to look at each window. The AAA report contains an appendix with a list of cars, crossovers, SUVs and pickups sold in the United States since 1970 that are equipped with laminated side windows. Referring to the tool illustrations, only the hammer-style tool on the left was able to break a tempered glass side window. Neither of the other two could crack or break the glass after five blows. Of the spring-loaded tools, the ones on the left and in the center broke the tempered windows with from one to three blows. The one on the right failed to break a tempered window in one out of three trials. The following chart summarizes AAA's results. Referring again to the illustrations, tools 1 through 3 from left to right are the hammer-type tools, while tools 4 through 6 from left to right are the spring-loaded tools. AAA recommends that drivers learn what kind of glass their vehicles' windows are made of, keep an escape tool readily accessible, and plan what to do in the event of an emergency. The group also suggests a mnemonic S-U-R-E way to react if you get trapped in a vehicle: S tay calm but work quickly to get everyone out U nbuckle or cut seat belts and get everyone ready to leave R oll down or break the windows, keeping two things in mind: If a window won't open or break, everyone should move to the back of the vehicle or wherever an air pocket is located. Stay with it until all of the air has left the vehicle. Once this happens, the pressure should equalize, allowing occupants to open a door and escape. If the vehicle is submerged, a hammer-style escape tool (as opposed to a spring-loaded-style) could be much harder to swing underwater. E xit the vehicle quickly and move to safety The risk of dying from drowning in a flooded car is serious, but it doesn't compare to the risks of those driving in some of history's most dangerous cars. These are some of the deadliest cars in history . ALSO READ: Deadliest Cars in History


NEW YORK (AP) Pete Alonso turned on a fastball and raised his arms high in triumph, still holding his bat. Fans at Citi Field roared, just like they had moments earlier for J.D. Davis and Michael Conforto. The New York Mets hit three home runs in an inning for the first time exactly two years, riding a raucous seventh-inning rally to beat the Miami Marlins 5-4 Monday night for a doubleheader sweep that moved them above .500 for the first time since early May. ''Getting to this point has been really tough,'' Alonso said, ''but now anything can happen.'' Jeff McNeil welcomed Robert Dugger to the major leagues with a home run on his first pitch as New York won the opener 6-2. Amed Rosario broke a 1-1 tie with a third-inning homer and Jacob deGrom (7-7) gave himself a three-run cushion with a two-run single. New York (57-56) had not been above .500 since it was 16-15 before play on May 3. The Mets dropped to 40-51 after losing their first game of second half but are 17-5 since. They trailed by eight games for the second NL wild card before play on July 25 but are just 2 1/2 games back. ''We still have a long way to go,'' Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. ''Hopefully we'll be selling out every game the next two months and do something really special.'' New York has won 11 of its last 12, but eight victories came against the teams with the three worst records in the NL and three more against the Chicago White Sox, who also have a losing record. Starting this weekend, the Mets play 24 of their next 27 games against NL East rivals Atlanta, Philadelphia and Washington plus Cleveland and the Chicago Cubs, both contending for division titles. ''We understand the road is going to get tough, but we're going to ride this wave,'' Conforto said. Curtis Granderson gave Miami a 4-2 lead against his former team in the nightcap with a two-run double in the fifth against Robert Gsellman. Davis, Conforto and Alonso all homered off Jeff Brigham (1-1) on full-count fastballs. Davis led off the inning with an opposite-field drive to right-center, and Conforto, who had a two-run single in the first, hit a 440-foot homer with two outs that went over the second deck seats in right field, just inside the foul pole. ''That's probably one of my best bullets,'' Conforto said. Alonso followed with a low laser just inside the left-field pole for his 35th homer, the rookie's first since July 26. ''Ever since Mercury came out of retrograde, I think I'm OK,'' he said. Miami dropped to an NL-worst 42-69 with its fourth straight loss. ''I got ahead of them pretty good, just did a poor job of executing my put-away pitches,'' Brigham said. ''That's what happens when you let the count run deep. They see a few pitches, and then you leave one out over the plate.'' Jeurys Familia (3-1) pitched a hitless inning, and with the crowd of 29,645 roaring, Seth Lugo got six outs for his second save this season and the fifth of his career. ''It was about as electric as I've ever seen it here,'' said Conforto, who debuted for the Mets' 2015 NL champions. Dugger (0-1), brought up despite a 9.34 ERA in seven starts at Triple-A, gave up six runs, five hits and four walks in five innings, striking out three , hitting two batters and throwing a wild pitch. The 24-year-old right-hander became the first starting pitcher to give up a home run on the first pitch of his debut since New York Yankees rookie Derek Jeter - the Marlins current CEO - went deep off the California Angels' Jason Dickson on Aug. 21, 1996, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. ''I said, wow, this is going to be a long game,'' Dugger recalled. ''I better step it up and start making pitches.'' Isan Diaz, a 23-year-old second baseman, made his major league debut and homered on a 1-2 fastball leading off the sixth, a 422-foot drive to right that was part of a 1-for-7 day. He was among the four prospects acquired from Milwaukee in January 2018 for outfielder Christian Yelich. A contingent of family and friends of the debutants cheered from the seats behind third base. Diaz's dad, Raul, was being interviewed on the Marlins' telecast at the time of the home run and screamed for about a minute. ''Obviously, this was his dream, as well,'' Isan said. ''I'm happy that I was able to finally be able to make our dream come true.'' SCUFFLING Another prospect obtained from the Brewers, 25-year-old outfielder Lewis Brinson, rejoined the Marlins and went 0 for 6 in the doubleheader, dropping his average from .197 to .181. Brinson was demoted to Triple-A New Orleans on April 30 after starting the season with no homers and four RBIs in 76 at-bats. SWITCHING To make from for Diaz at second, Starlin Castro played third in the opener for the first time since rookie ball in 2008. Rookie Jon Berti switched from third to shortstop, where he had played just 11 innings previously in the big leagues. TRAINER'S ROOM Marlins: OF Cesar Puello (strained left hip flexor) and 1B Neil Walker (sprained right index finger) were put on the 10-day IL. RHP Ryne Stanek, acquired last Wednesday from Tampa Bay, was activated. He had not pitched since July 19 due to right hip soreness. RHP Kyle Keller was optioned to New Orleans. Mets: McNeil left the nightcap in the third inning with a right calf cramp. ... 2B Robinson Cano was diagnosed with a torn left hamstring and went back on the IL, a day after getting hurt at Pittsburgh. ''That's devastating,'' Callaway said. UP NEXT Mets RHP Zack Wheeler (8-6) starts Tuesday night against Marlins RHP Jordan Yamamoto (2-4) - also part of the Yelich trade. --- More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports


Edrick Truitt recorded video May 26 of his encounter with police in Helena-West Helena, Ark. (Ed Truitt/Facebook)


HOUSTON   Alex Cora summed up Chris Sale's night at Minute Maid Park in five words. "It was a weird one," Cora said. Sale (1-6, 4.19 ERA) pitched well   he gave up three hits and four runs, only two earned, with two walks, five strikeouts and one home run   over six innings. But he was outdueled by Astros starter Wade Miley and, in a season in which wins have evaded him, this latest loss, a 4-3 result Friday, came in frustrating fashion when the Red Sox defense could not hold up behind him. "Yeah I mean that kind of stuff is going to happen, you just try to limit the damage," Sale said. "I'd put my defense up against anybody, it is what it is. I've had bad nights. We gave a couple extra outs but at the end of the day it's on me to pick them up, and they've picked me up when I've stutter-stepped or tripped a little bit." BOX SCORE: ASTROS 4, RED SOX 3 Three errors, though, is out of the ordinary. Two of them were costly Friday. The first came in the second inning. Houston scored the first run of the game when Aledmys Diaz made a good slide and beat Sandy Leon to home plate. First baseman Steve Pearce, who was charged with the throwing error on Josh Reddick's grounder, threw behind Sale and Leon came off the bag to cover. The catcher hustled back to the plate but couldn't make the tag. Diaz was initally called out, but the call was overturned on replay to give the Astros a 1-0 lead. "That was a great slide," acnowledged Cora. The second costly error came in the fourth and helped the Astros score two runs. Xander Bogaerts decided to throw home on a fielder's choice by Jake Marisnick but missed the throw. "I don't think I had any second thoughts about going to first or going to second," Bogaerts said. "Before that ball came I already had it in my mind that if it was a ball similar to that I was going home. Just didn't throw it where the catcher was. Once it came out of my hand I thought it was good but it kind of two-seamed away from Sandy." Cora agreed. "If he threw to the plate he felt like he had a chance at the plate, it just didn't happen," the manager said. But that error allowed a runner to score and another, Reddick, to move to third. George Springer then hit a sacrifice fly, driving in Reddick. The error in the fourth was Bogaerts's second error of the game. His first came in the third inning when he and Michael Chavis bungled a run-down on a fielder's choice. The Astros' other run was a solo homer by Marisnick in the third. Marisnick was equally pesky on defense. He robbed Andrew Benintendi of two hits, once with a diving catch in the fifth and another time by getting a good jump on a deep fly ball to lead off the ninth. Miley didn't need the help. He struck out six of nine on his first trip through the Red Sox batting order and pitched six innings of one-run ball, allowing four hits and two walks with eight strikeouts. All three Red Sox runs were solo homers. Bogaerts hit his in the sixth for the lone run of the night off Miley. Jackie Bradley Jr., who has found some power at the plate lately, hit another in the eighth off Ryan Pressly. It was the first run Pressly had allowed in 21 innings. The third was Christian Vazquez's solo shot in the ninth. That brought the tying run to the plate in Bradley. He struck out to end the game but, with the Red Sox in striking distance at the end, it made the defensive miscues seem that much worse. "You've got to play clean against them," Cora said. "They do more than hit it, they run the bases well, they're very athletic. Like I said, it was a weird one. Just one of those that if we play better defense we have a chance." Nora Princiotti can be reached at nora.princiotti@globe.com . Follow her on Twitter at @NoraPrinciotti . Related slideshow: 2019 MLB season (provided by imagn)


Kelly Osbourne has turned her life around: for the better. "I am [in a great place]," the 34-year-old reality star told British TV show Lorraine on Thursday. "I am almost two years sober and it's completely changed my life." With this has come a growth in self-confidence   and a realization that life's problems can't miraculously be swept away through self-medicating with drugs and alcohol. "I didn't think I could do anything if I wasn't drunk or high, because I was scared of everything. I let it get the better of me," said Kelly, who's in London ahead of hosting the 2019 British LGBT Awards on Friday. "Now seeing that I don't need that, and my life is better. … I don't have any drama in my life. I have accepted the fact that   and I know I have said this throughout my whole life, but I really understand it now   that I am not perfect, and I am never going to be, and I don't want to be." This is a far cry from Kelly's past as a hell-raising TV star . Back in August 2018   shortly after the overdose of friend Demi Lovato   she revealed just how dark her life had become before she sought help and entered rehab. "I gave up on everything in my life but most of all I gave up on myself," she wrote on Instagram. "Life on life's terms became too much for me to handle." Kelly told PEOPLE in a 2009 interview that she first encountered drugs at 13 when she gained access to liquid Vicodin after she had her tonsils removed. Her dramatic transformation hasn't been easy. The daughter of rocker Ozzy Osbourne and media personality Sharon Osbourne recently admitted that she was "ghosted" on a date after revealing her sobriety and has had to completely alter her social world to cope with life as a sober person. As with all recovering addicts, she also faces a life-long battle to remain clean. This partly explains why she's in London for the LGBT Awards. "It's the only community where I feel like I am home," she told the Lorraine show. "They have accepted me for the good, the bad and the ugly and liked me at my best and loved me at my worst." It's been 17 years since Kelly first tasted fame on her family's reality show, The Osbournes . Despite the ups and downs of her family life, she still describes herself as "so, so close" to her dad, who postponed all of his 2019 tour dates following a bout of pneumonia . "He was sat on the couch holding my dog, Polly, eating an ice cream, saying, 'Please don't go!'" she said about her trip to London. Meanwhile, brother Jack Osbourne (who has himself been sober for 16 years ) finalized his divorce from wife Lisa in March, following six years of marriage. The two agreed to joint custody of their three daughters: Pearl Clementine, 7, Andy Rose, 3, and Minnie Theodora, 15 months. "He is doing so, so, so well," said Kelly. "He never ceases to amaze me how no matter what stands in his way, he will always come through it. Living with MS and raising his three daughters and constantly working and juggling everything, I don't know how he does it."


Growing up, Dikembe Mutombo wanted to be a soccer goalie and a doctor. He became neither, but that didn't stop him from making an impact in medicine or defending goals. Mutombo, a native of the Congo who didn't start playing basketball until he was 17, developed into one of the NBA's best defenders   a 7-foot-2 shot-blocking, rim-protecting, rebounding center. Mutombo played 18 seasons in the NBA, was an eight-time All-Star, four-time defensive player of the year and is the second all-time leading shot blocker in NBA history For his accomplishments on the court, Mutombo will receive one of basketball's highest honors. He will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday. "I came here with nothing, and to see myself in the Basketball Hall of Fame is really a blessing," Mutombo said. He will be inducted into the Hall along with Louie Dampier, John Isaacs, Lindsay Gaze, Tommy Heinsohn, George Raveling, Dick Bavetta, John Calipari, Spencer Haywood, Jo Jo White and Lisa Leslie. As Mutombo grew taller and taller, one of his brothers took him to the basketball court, and he didn't like playing at first. "I said, 'I'm not coming back tomorrow, and he said, 'You're coming back tomorrow.' It was like taking a horse to the river. It will drink when it's thirsty. I had to have a passion for it, and I realized playing basketball would be good for me." Mutombo came to the United States to study at Georgetown, not play basketball. But former Georgetown coach John Thompson convinced him to play Mutombo admitted he wasn't good but improved quickly and realized by his junior season, "I knew that I had a chance to make it to the NBA," he said. He became a force on the defensive end, known for his trademark finger-wag after blocking or altering a shot. Mutombo credits Thompson for helping him become the man he is today. "Coach has always been a father figure to me," Mutombo said. "There's not too many things in my life that I have done without having a conversation about it with him. … He's always been there for me." Mutombo's biggest impact has been off the court through his humanitarian efforts. His Dikembo Mutombo Foundation focuses on "improving the health, education and quality of life for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo" with an emphasis on health care and disease prevention. He helped build a hospital in Kinshasa, Congo. Named after his mother, Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital is a modern facility providing health care to thousands of Congolese residents. "The hospital is doing great," Mutombo said. "I'm so happy to treat people, especially women and children. We're changing the way the way people view the medical system in Congo. It was the first new hospital in Congo in almost 40 years, and it has pushed the government to build two more new hospitals." Mutombo also wants to build a science and technology center with an athletic facility and a welcome house for doctors, nurses, medical students and educators who volunteer at the hospital. He is also involved with the Special Olympics, UNICEF and the NBA's Basketball Without Borders program. "Dikembe Mutombo is often referred to as one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players of all time," Hall of Famer and former NBA star Isiah Thomas said. "In a game that is mostly dominated by offense, Mutombo was a refreshing change by bringing domination on the defensive end. Most players get excited when they score, but Mutombo got excited when he stopped you from scoring. "His achievements, however, far exceeded the court. His commitment as a philanthropist and humanitarian to his homeland of Africa has earned him international respect and is to be admired by all. Dikembe Mutombo is a Hall of Fame player and person, and I salute him on all of his great achievements."


As far as leaks go, this is a big one. Between now and the highly anticipated big debut on July 18, we have a feeling we'll be seeing more of the mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette courtesy of the usual trio   rumors, leaks, and spy shots. Case in point, an interesting image has emerged on social media showing what is widely believed to be the rear end of the all-new C8. Low resolution, of course, but the photo does appear to be legit taking into account what the prototypes have been showing over the last few months. Research the Chevrolet Corvette on MSN Autos | Find a Chevrolet Corvette near you Attached below is a rendering based on recent sightings of disguised test vehicles, and you can easily see the resemblance is uncanny. "Evolution" is the key word here as the back of the new Corvette will not represent a significant departure from the outgoing front-engined C7. It does look more aggressive than the model it's about to replace thanks to those prominent quad exhausts flanking the diffuser along with the big vents below the intricate taillights. The full-width rear spoiler also adds a bit of drama to the C8's derrière and appears to be identical to what we've seen already multiple times on those camouflaged prototypes. The car's color is believed to be "Elkhart Lake Blue" rather than "Rapid Blue," with the image supposedly taken at the Bowling Green factory. We can also catch a glimpse of the bulging quarter panel along with the quarter glass and the side window, although the latter seems a bit off. It might be because of the bad camera angle making the car's side look slightly disproportioned in the upper half by giving the illusion of an unusually low roofline. With the grainy photo likely being taken with the first mobile phone that had a camera, this might not be the most flattering view of the C8. That being said, we have a feeling it will look much better in official images, and most importantly, in real life. Research the Chevrolet Corvette on MSN Autos | Find a Chevrolet Corvette near you Source: absolutehank / Instagram via Corvette Forum The C8 is Drawing Closer: Mid-Engined C8 Corvette Savagely Laps Nürburgring In New Spy Video Mid-Engined Chevrolet Corvette C8 Spied Running Around The Nürburgring C8 Corvette Caught On Video Testing At The Nurburgring C8 Corvette Gets Auto Show Treatment In Rotating Fan Rendering


The first prototype of just five Ford GT40 roadsters is up for auction with RM Sotheby's at Monterey Car Week . Among the rarest variants of one of the greatest racing cars ever, the GT40 is estimated to make up to $9 million (£7.4 million) when it crosses the block on August 15 2019. Incredible new Ford GT MkII is a no-limits Le Mans racer The open version of a Le Mans winner The roadsters were manufactured as a part of the batch of 12 prototypes that came before the 87 production GT40s. This particular car is the eighth of those 12, and the first of five roadsters. Following testing at Silverstone in 1965 with Dickie Atwood and Sir John Whitmore, the roadster made its way over to the USA with Shelby American, on a 'temporary importation for test purposes' basis. The car was tested at Shelby's Imperial Highway headquarters (next to LAX airport), then shown to Ford executives. This is allegedly the only GT40 that Henry Ford II, the man behind the mammoth GT40 programme, ever rode in. A representation of this car will likely be in the upcoming Ford v Ferrari movie, due out later this year. Half price hypercar: Bonhams in 'harmful' Koenigsegg estimate row F1 star at the wheel This roadster is also believed to be the only GT40 that F1 ace Jim Clark ever drove. The legendary champion demonstrated the car during some downtime at the October 1965 Watkins Glen Grand Prix. It also served as a testbed for the upcoming Mk IV Ford GT , which would go on to win Le Mans in 1967. Bouncing between various owners over subsequent years, the car was raced on and off by a latter-day owner. His faithful-to-period restoration meant it wasn't that competitive, but originality matters more to most collectors. The condition of this GT40 Roadster undoubtedly contributes to its hefty valuation. Prior to the sale in Monterey, it has been in the owned by the same collector for 26 years. Click to view slideshow. Read more Racing in the blood: the story of the Ford GT40 Porsche 917 meets Concorde   Golden jubilee of speed Incredible Elvis Presley hot rod heading to auction for first time The post Ford GT40 roadster could make millions in Monterey appeared first on Motoring Research .


MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) Josh Rosen kept going down and getting back up. Bidding for a starting job, Rosen overcame shaky protection to throw for 191 yards and direct three scoring drives of more than 60 yards to help the Miami Dolphins win their exhibition opener Thursday against the Atlanta Falcons, 34-27. Rosen went 13 for 20 with no touchdowns and one interception and played half the game. He shook off more than half a dozen hits as Falcons reserves manhandled the Dolphins' backups in the offensive line. ''That's football,'' Rosen said. ''We're all working on things. It's a physical game.'' Rosen is competing for the quarterback job with veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, who worked the first two Dolphins series and led them to a field goal. Fitzpatrick completed 2 of 5 passes for 20 yards. Atlanta backup Matt Schaub threw for 172 yards and led the team to four scores in the first half. ''He really managed the game in the way we wanted,'' coach Dan Quinn said. ''He delivered the ball on time to the right guys.'' Schaub went 12 for 19 with no touchdowns or turnovers for the Falcons (0-2), who have lost 10 consecutive exhibition games since 2017. Starting quarterback Matt Ryan was given the night off, a decision made partly because pregame rain made the field slippery. ''We decided that, for a couple of guys and not only him, we would wait in their best interests'' until later preseason games, Quinn said. Most Atlanta first-teamers saw little or no action. Undrafted Preston Williams, who has been Miami's best rookie in training camp, caught four passes from Rosen for 97 yards. That included a one-handed catch for a 36-yard gain. ''Preston can go get the ball,'' Rosen said. The Dolphins sat a few of their first-teamers, and most were out of the game by the end of the first quarter. FALCONS OFFENSE Running back Kenjon Barner broke two tackles and turned a short Schaub pass into a 37-yard gain that set up an Atlanta touchdown. Barner is competing for the backup job behind Devonta Freeman. Schaub went 7 for 8 for 77 yards on the Falcons' first possession, a 90-yard touchdown drive that took more than 8 1/2 minutes. Schaub, 38, is the front-runner to be Ryan's backup for the fourth consecutive season. ''I love what I'm doing, and the team believes I can do it,'' Schaub said. ''I believe I can still do it, and so that's why I'm here.'' MIXED RESULTS Rosen directed a 71-yard touchdown drive on his first series that included three defensive penalties. But Atlanta third-string linebacker Jermaine Grace intercepted Rosen to set up a field goal. ''The pick was pretty bad,'' Rosen said. ''There was some good, some bad and everything in between.'' TAKING A KNEE Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills, who has been kneeling during the national anthem since 2016, did so again. On Wednesday, Stills was critical of Dolphins owner Stephen Ross' plans to host a fundraiser Friday for President Trump. NEXT UP Falcons: play at home against the New York Jets next Thursday. Dolphins: play at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 16. --- More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP-NFL --- Follow Steven Wine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Steve-Wine.


The PGA Tour is back in the Land of 10,000 Lakes in time to celebrate Independence Day. The inaugural 3M Open continues Saturday at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minn., with Bryson DeChambeau in the lead after shooting a 9-under 62 on Friday. The 3M Open marks the start of the Tour's final stretch run of 10 events plus the British Open. At this point, the FedEx Cup race remains wide open and 11 of the top 30 players in the Cup standings are playing this weekend. Follow all the action Saturday here with our live blog. 3M Open Live Blog A Twitter List by golfweek 3M Open TV/Streaming Info (All Times Eastern) Saturday Golf Channel Round 3 coverage: 1-2:45 p.m. CBS Round 3 coverage: 3-6 p.m. PGA Tour Live Featured Groups: 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Featured Holes: 3-6 p.m. PGA Tour Radio (Sirius 92, XM 208) Round 3: 1-6 p.m. https://compass.pressekompass.net/compasses/golfweek/should-pga-tour-players-be-suspended-for MORE: Come on, Miami: Trade for Russell Westbrook and let's put a cherry on this sundae NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Russell Westbrook Chased Away Another Star Teammate NBA knew about 'discontent' between Russell Westbrook, Paul George Za'Darius Smith could make Packers defense nasty on third down


Republicans are in the dark about their party's backup plan for raising the debt ceiling amid growing anxiety that they will need to do so in a matter of weeks. Leadership wants to attach an increase in the nation's borrowing limit to a budget deal, which would let them consolidate two tough political votes. But while Congress has until January to avoid deep budget cuts, it appears increasingly likely it will have to vote to raise the debt ceiling before leaving for the August recess. Underscoring the urgency, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin sent letters to congressional leadership Friday requesting Congress vote before the recess, after first indicating to reporters that it was his "preference" lawmakers act this month. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), when asked how Congress could raise the debt ceiling without a deal on spending caps to avoid the budget cuts, said it was a "good question." "Did he have a suggestion about that?" the No. 2 Senate Republican asked, referring to Mnuchin, who has been sounding the alarm about the need for an expedited vote. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), an adviser to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), said it would be "very hard." Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of leadership and the Senate Appropriations Committee, laughed when asked if she knew what the party's alternate plan is for the debt ceiling. "No, I don't know what the backup plan is," she said. "I think if we could reach a caps deal then the debt limit would probably go in with it." Voting on the debt ceiling before the August recess would give lawmakers two weeks to cobble together a strategy. The House is set to leave town on July 26; the Senate is scheduled to be in session through Aug. 2. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), asked how to raise the debt ceiling without a budget deal, demurred on the tactics but argued it was imperative that Congress act. "That would be up to the leadership ... but I think raising the debt limit is imperative unless you want to see chaos through the world financial market," he said. He predicted that lawmakers wouldn't make a decision on strategy until the eleventh hour, saying that "urgency makes people active." "Generally, the Congress doesn't do anything ... until it's the deadline or on the brink of either success or disaster," Shelby added. Members are hoping they'll be able to come up with and vote on a larger agreement before the recess to raise the statutory defense and nondefense spending caps, which would allow them to stick with their original plan of wrapping the debt ceiling and eventual budget deal into one vote. In a potential sign of progress, Mnuchin met with GOP leadership last week and talked to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Tuesday, twice on Thursday and again on Friday and Saturday to try to negotiate a deal. They're expected to continue speaking Monday. But politics is also at play. Separating the debt ceiling from the budget negotiations could, the administration hopes , give Democrats less leverage in their demand for higher nondefense spending, which has emerged as a sticking point for Republicans. Divorcing the two issues would give lawmakers the following options: They could either hold a stand-alone vote on the nation's borrowing limit or quickly find another bill to attach it to that would get to President Trump's desk before the August recess. Thune said if lawmakers have to vote on the debt ceiling before leaving at the end of the month "the question then becomes how. What's the mechanism and what's the process, and is there something it can ride on?" "We'll see," he said when asked if there was other legislation moving that the debt limit could be attached to. "There are potential vehicles out there. It depends entirely on what comes together legislatively." But as legislation has slowed to a crawl in an era of divided government, there are few obvious bills moving that are expected to pass both chambers by the end of the month. The House and Senate are set to go to conference on a mammoth defense bill. Meanwhile, the Senate will take up the House-passed 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund, and both chambers are working on health care legislation. Asked how Congress could raise the debt ceiling, Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.), a Trump ally, said, "That's a great question. We have eight working days left." "It depends on what else they put in it. Frankly, I would rather have a clean one because it means the riders aren't in there," he said. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), who caveated that he was unclear on a backup plan, said he wouldn't be opposed to having a stand-alone debt ceiling vote. "I think some people would feel more comfortable having them attached," he said, referring to a budget deal and the debt ceiling. "But look ... we've spent the money. This is kind of like a family who has a credit card and then says, 'I'm not going to pay the bill.'" But holding a stand-alone vote on the debt ceiling would likely force Senate Republicans to rely on Democratic votes for passage. With a 53-47 majority, the Senate would need at least 50 votes, or 60 if Democrats tried to filibuster, to pass a stand-alone debt ceiling hike. That means Republicans could lose three from their party and still have Vice President Pence break a tie. Two years ago, 17 Senate Republicans voted against legislation to fund the government and raise the debt ceiling. In 2015, there were 35 Republicans who opposed legislation that included a two-year budget deal and suspension of the debt ceiling to prevent a government shutdown. A year before that, all 43 GOP senators who voted did so in opposition to increasing the debt limit, though a dozen initially helped defeat a filibuster. Cornyn, when asked if Republicans could get a simple majority for a debt ceiling increase, said he hadn't "whipped" the vote to measure support but added, "I think it would be hard." Capito said a stand-alone debt ceiling increase would be "a troubling vote for a lot of people." There are "some people that have never voted for it, you know, that never voted to raise it," she said. "If you have a primary I think you would be worried about that."


(Bloomberg) -- Chuck Hughey braves security lines at Pittsburgh International Airport at least once a week. Not to catch a flight, but to get an ice cream cone or cruise a few of the concourses. Is he nuts? Not at all, he will tell you, just a doting grandfather. He and 3-year-old Cleo spend quality time there, riding the trams between terminals and gliding along the moving walkways. "It's so convenient, so safe and so secure," Hughey, a 72-year-old retired school superintendent, said after a recent visit on what's called a non-traveler pass. "She loves to look out the big picture window and have a bottle of milk she got from Dunkin' Donuts and sit there and watch airplanes coming and going and the baggage carriers loading up the planes. We have a great time." Hughey's at the vanguard of a new phenomenon: terminal tourism. Programs adopted or being considered by a number of airports allow people beyond security checkpoints so they can meet arriving relatives or just hang out. It's a bit of a return to the days before the 9-11 terrorist attacks, when airport security was more relaxed and you didn't need a ticket for a flight to get inside. The programs are taking root as airports expand options to fill passenger dwell time, as it's called -- those often mind-numbing hours between when people make it through security and when their flights take off. Now many airports feature live music and art exhibits. There are spas, microbreweries, playgrounds, gourmet restaurants and wine bars. Pittsburgh was the first airport to open up to non-travelers, in 2017, and Tampa started doing so last month. Seattle-Tacoma is evaluating a pilot it tested earlier this year and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, the nation's busiest, may seek approval for a trial run. The idea is under consideration in Detroit and Austin. The seed was planted in 2006, when the Transportation Security Administration allowed access to restaurants and shops for overnight guests at hotels connected to terminals in Pittsburgh, Detroit and Dallas-Fort Worth. Today, broadening post-security access is an option for any U.S. airport, said Jenny Burke, a TSA spokeswoman. Some view it as a potential money-maker; officials with the facilities in Atlanta and Detroit figure they might see additional revenue from parking and concessions. A survey of visitors during Seattle-Tacoma's trial showed people stayed an average 2.5 hours -- though they spent only an average $10.29. At Pittsburgh International, the impetus was popular demand, said Chief Executive Officer Christina Cassotis. She was peppered whenever she appeared at public forums. "In the top five questions was always, 'Why can't we go back to the airport and see what's going on out there?"' Terminal tourists must have background checks ahead of time and go through the usual TSA security screenings. Each airport will need to continually evaluate security concerns at their location, and weigh those against the benefits of non-traveler access, said Richard Bloom, who teaches aviation security and global intelligence at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University . After weighing intelligence information and specific vulnerabilities, the program "might be fine for certain locations and not for others,'' he said. Pittsburgh doesn't limit the number of passes, and between 50 and 150 people use them daily. In Tampa, 100 non-travelers are allowed in on Saturdays. The available slots are fully booked through July and August is filling up, said Danny Valentine, an airport spokesman. The draw? According to Valentine, it's the 69 new shops and restaurants that recently opened, including RumFish Grill, with locally caught seafood on the menu, and Cigar City Brewing. The program was "in response to the desire from the public to try some of these." During Seattle-Tacoma's six-week experiment, the daily cap was 50 and about 1,100 people took advantage, most of them to surprise incoming passengers as they disembarked, said Perry Cooper, a spokesman. "People were super excited right off the bat." Airports work with TSA to determine the best days of the week and times of day to offer access, and how many visitors to allow. It doesn't appear to have created any bottlenecks so far, said Christopher Bidwell, senior vice president of security for Airports Council International-North America . "A lot of that is attributable to the fact it is coordinated well at the local level between the airport operator and the TSA." There's concern, though, that some facilities just can't handle any more foot traffic. A non-traveler program "is certainly an appealing prospect" as a revenue generator, said Paul Brown, assistant general manager of commercial development at Atlanta's airport. But the facility's screening checkpoints are straining to handle passengers, with 4% growth expected this year. Brown said a decision won't be made until there's an expansion of screening stations, a proposal awaiting city approval. In Tampa, "It's been tremendously popular," said Valentine. "Not only with people who want to come out to our shops and restaurants, but people who come out to do planespotting, to accompany a loved one or friend to see them off." To contact the author of this story: Mary Schlangenstein in Dallas at maryc.s@bloomberg.net To contact the editor responsible for this story: Susan Warren at susanwarren@bloomberg.net, Anne Reifenberg For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com ©2019 Bloomberg L.P.


It's the last Ferrari you can use a stick to row through the gears. If you want a new Ferrari with a manual transmission, unfortunately such a thing doesn't exist. Before you give up all hope, you do have a shot at this 2008 Ferrari F430 Spider , the last of the Italian automaker's gated manuals. It's an automotive holy grail, a unicorn every enthusiast will be envious of. The chance to save the manuals by owning such a fine automobile comes via GT Motor Cars . Another notable thing about this F430 is it's the last Ferrari to use a naturally-aspirated mid-engine configuration. Augmenting that raw power is the electronic differential born out of Formula One racing. That silky red exterior hasn't had paintwork done, a testament to how well cared-for this Ferrari has been. In fact, you'll be hard-pressed to find anything wrong with the exterior trim, wheels, and black convertible top. Brand new Michelin tires present and grip exceptionally well. The same thing goes for that Tan interior with Red stitching. Of course, with under 9,000 miles on the odometer, the immaculate condition of this car really should be no surprise. This F430 Spider has been fully optioned, so you're getting all the cool bells and whistles. In addition to all that, the lucky new owner gets all the books, tools, and even the factory cover for this fine machine. The original window sticker is also included. Ferrari made the F430 for the 2005 to 2009 model years, replacing the highly successful Ferrari 360. It introduced a number of modern innovations, but of course the ability to use a gated manual was retained. Now that this isn't a possibility with modern Ferraris, this F430 becomes that much more desirable to those who want a manual transmission. It's estimated only about 50 2008 Ferrari F430 Spiders came with the gated manual, making them quite rare indeed. For that and other reasons, this car should continue to appreciate in value. Continue the conversation on FerrariChat . More Ferraris Catch This 2013 Ferrari 458 Spider If You Can 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider Boasts An Impressive Past


The 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing and the presidential vision that launched the effort to make it happen is cause for great celebration at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Meanwhile, right next door, the Edward M. Kennedy Institute is commemorating the Civil Rights Act of 1964 , and "pivotal speeches given by legendary senators," including Ted Kennedy. Lost in that carefully curated exhumation of Camelot: the 50th anniversary of Chappaquiddick. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon, achieving the soaring goal for space exploration set forth by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 and accomplished six years after his assassination. On that same day, the front page of the Boston Globe carried the banner headline, "Ted Kennedy escapes, Woman dies as car plunges into Vineyard pond." A secondary headline, below the fold, read, "All is go for moon landing today." As Charles Fishman writes in Fast Company , that convergence of news makes for "an odd, even jarring collision of achievement and tragedy, braided once again into the story of the Kennedy family." In essence, on the very day JFK's space dream was posthumously realized, any hope of passing the torch to the sole surviving Kennedy brother was lost. Sadly, presenting Chappaquiddick in that context also keeps alive the idea of Ted Kennedy as tragic victim of circumstance, with second billing given to the true victim: 28-year-old Mary Jo Kopechne, who could very well be alive today had she not gotten into a car with the senator from Massachusetts. Reviewing the initial media coverage is a lesson in the deep investment attached to keeping Camelot alive. What also comes across is the temporary distraction provided by the moon landing, almost as if Jack were helping Ted from the Great Beyond. Ted Kennedy said he and Kopechne left a cookout on Chappaquiddick Island around 11:15 p.m. on July 18. Sometime after that, he drove his car off Dike Bridge and into Poucha Pond, leading to the death of his passenger. He didn't report the accident until the next morning. And in an era before cellphones, Twitter, and the 24-hour news cycle, it did not make newspaper headlines until July 20   the same day Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the moon. On July 21, the Globe's entire front page celebrated the moon walk. That day's editorial celebrated "Footprints on the moon"; and an accompanying editorial cartoon of JFK gazing off at the celestial heavens was captioned "Mission accomplished, Mr. President." The first Globe editorial about Chappaquiddick was published on July 24, under the headline "Senator Kennedy's accident," and it included these words: "Surely, everyone must feel great compassion, both for the lovely young woman who was buried Tuesday, and for Senator Kennedy, the sole survivor of four brothers, who have all given their lives to public service." It went on to describe Kennedy as a "superb" senator, "with a brilliant future ahead of him.'" On July 25, Kennedy gave a televised address, seeking "advice and opinion" on whether he should resign. On July 29, a Globe editorial, headlined "A good Senator," urged him to remain in office. Massachusetts voters agreed. In 1970, his first campaign after Chappaquiddick, Kennedy won reelection with 62 percent of the vote. Still, Chappaquiddick ultimately ended Kennedy's presidential aspirations. Today, it's an open question whether a senator from any state could stay in office after such an event. Senator Al Franken of Minnesota was forced to resign over charges that he groped women during photo ops. Alexander Acosta was forced out as labor secretary for a deal he struck 11 years ago, which allowed financier Jeffrey Epstein to avoid federal prosecution of sex trafficking charges. Obviously, no one died in either of those cases. Kennedy remained in office until his death, in August 2009, at age 77. Widely celebrated as "the lion of the Senate," he was known for his passionate advocacy of liberal causes, as well as for his ability to find common ground with Republicans. At the 50th anniversary of Chappaquiddick, his long life in public service should also be recognized as a privilege of very different times. Joan Vennochi can be reached at vennochi@globe.com . Follow her on Twitter @Joan_Vennochi .


Club membership stores such as Costco and Sam's Club have amazing deals on items in bulk, but will those items get used, and is the lack of selection smart for the items on your list? We weigh in on condiments, meat, skincare, canned goods, bakery needs, detergents, furniture, clothing, and much more. Worst of the Warehouse Sam's Club, Costco, and BJ's Wholesale Club make items a bargain by selling them in bulk , but the savings don't always add up. Sometimes, shoppers are actually better off buying the small size. The following items are just a few of the warehouse-club wares worth avoiding. Related: Sam's Club or Costco: Which Has Better Prices? Condiment Packs Costco sells a Heinz "picnic pack" with two 32-ounce ketchups, one 28-ounce mustard, and one 26-fluid-ounce pickle relish. Condiments have a long fridge life , but it isn't indefinite: Relish lasts nine months, ketchup lasts six, and mayo lasts just two, according to the Department of Agriculture. Unless you're hosting a big event and will use all of this, stick to the supermarket. Diapers Parents know that Amazon, Target, Walmart, and outlets already have cheap diapers. Warehouse club diapers are inexpensive, but the smallest quantity available at Costco in size 1 (from newborns up to 14 pounds) is 192 diapers . A child might outgrow the size before the package runs out. Smaller quantities are available at Target and Amazon   which have subscription services with delivery and discounted prices. Stylish Clothes and Shoes Costco and Sam's Club will occasionally offer club-only deals on Levi's jeans, Adidas sneakers, and Michael Kors handbags. But Costco admits it isn't a "fashion retailer," which means designer labels that turn up under its roof aren't there to set trends. It might just be an unpopular style that a designer label is trying to unload quickly. Let taste be your guide. Luggage With department and discount stores so willing to offer coupons and discounts for luggage sets, warehouse stores such as Sam's Club seldom have the overall best deals on luggage. It pays to shop around before packing up. Cereal Unless you like one particular cereal and can stomach 40 to 70 ounces of it over several weeks, you're better off hitting supermarket sales and getting more variety. Sale prices often dip below even the best bulk prices if you can keep track of your ounce counts. Cooking Oil Vegetable, corn, sunflower, canola, and olive oil are good for only three to five months after opening, according to the USDA. Those sold at the warehouse stores are great for restaurants, but they're going to be tough to use at their freshest by a small family. Eggs Costco sells extra-large eggs in packs of two dozen for close to $5. Safeway's extra-large eggs are roughly the same price for the same amount. Meanwhile, eggs at a supermarket can typically cost up to 50 cents less per dozen at a supermarket than at a warehouse store. Processed Snacks Trust a writer who's made many a regrettable trip through the candy, chocolate, and cookie aisle: If you bring it home, you're going to eat it. You're also going to see it as an infinite supply and not take stock of how much you're snacking . Consider the higher price of smaller packaging a tax on your vices. Liquid Bleach While Clorox puts the shelf life of liquid bleach at one year, some consumers say it starts to break down well before that time. If you're a janitor, maybe a three-count box of 12-ounce bleach bottles will come in handy. If not, turn to small bottles of generic to save money. Books and Blu-Ray Discs You can get deals on books and Blu-ray discs just about anywhere online. Without a back catalog to choose from and stocking only premium items such as new-release hardcovers, new Blu-ray/DVD/Digital combo packs, or Disney items, books and Blu-ray discs are warehouses' impulse buys, which is why Costco puts them so close to the end of its loop, just before the snacks. Liquid and Cream Eye Makeup According to Good Housekeeping, those multipacks of mascara and liquid eyeliners go bad in just three months. Cream eyeshadows have only six months, which might also make them bad warehouse club purchases, but powder eye shadows and pencil liners are good for up to two years. Skincare Products There are some really gross reasons not to buy in bulk. Ointments and creams break down after three to 11 months; and stuff that comes into contact with the hands have short shelf lives and can cause bacterial infections . Baking Powder and Dry Yeast Anyone who's ended up with flat bread, cookies, or pastry by accident knows the shelf life of baking ingredients is finite. The USDA gives baking powder and dry yeast six months at best after it's open, which doesn't make for great bulk purchases unless making giant batches at a time. Flour Like other baking items, whole grain or whole wheat flour is good for only up to six months after opening, while processed white flour gets eight months in the pantry or a year in the fridge. Even occasional bakers should resist the 25-pound bag. Probiotics You can raid the bulk vitamin section for most items, but not probiotics. Those expire after roughly a year, with some requiring refrigeration to get there. Laundry Detergent Liquid laundry detergent starts to degrade within six months of being opened. The container sizes sold at warehouse stores can last multiple years, but will not be nearly as potent by the end of the bottle. Dishwasher Detergent Dishwasher detergent fares even worse than laundry detergent. According to Good Housekeeping, dishwasher detergent retains peak effectiveness for only three months. You're better off hand washing in dish soap, which lasts 18 months. Nuts and Seeds You'll get two to nine months out of a jar of nuts after you open it, but it'll smell and taste odd almost immediately afterward. They contain a lot of natural fats, which tend to go rancid after a while. Freezing helps, but buying in smaller amounts from supermarket bulk aisles or on sale is smart. Bread Your grandparents kept bread in the freezer and you could too ... but why? Bread gets marked down at supermarkets and bakeries based on freshness and isn't all that costly to begin with. Unless you crave more-expensive seeded and multigrain breads or feel the need to hoard loaves, just pick it up as needed and scrounge the supermarket bakery section. Spices McCormick, which wants to sell you more spices, says herbs and seasoning blends last one to three years, and whole and ground spices for two to four. But the USDA agrees, and that makes buying spices in bulk a good idea only if you're actually going to use them in that time. Cheap dollar-store spices and loose spices present better, more manageable options. Canned Foods Yes, those big boxes of cans look like a great buy, but canned goods reward the patient shopper. The Canned Food Alliance and its partner supermarkets host Canned Food Month every February and drop prices to just cents per can. Since canned goods have incredibly long shelf lives, we recommend checking out those sales before sprinting to warehouse stores. Soda Supermarkets use cheap soda as a loss leader to bring people into the store and buy more items. It's why soda so frequently appears at the entrance to a store, and it's why it is often cheaper at supermarkets than at warehouse clubs. Whole Grains Oats, rye, barley, dry beans, and even brown rice have life spans measured in months, or maybe a year if you freeze them, the USDA says. Though white rice can hang out for up to two years in a pantry, forgo the 25-pound bags of everything else and stick to manageable sizes. Cold and Flu Medication A bulk pack of Vicks DayQuil/NyQuil Liquicaps at Sam's Club comes out to 28 cents per capsule, while a 24-pack at Walmart tends to work out to around 36 cents per capsule. Though Harvard Health says even expired medications can still be effective , keeping it in bulk almost ensures it will lose some of its potency before it's finished. Fresh Produce This depends on the household. At Costco, cucumbers come in packs of three, peppers in packs of six, and cherry tomatoes in 2-pound containers. If you have enough salad nights in a week to knock them out, splurge. If you don't think that six-count bag of avocados will keep long enough to make it worthwhile, pass and pick up a few singles at the supermarket. Sugar It doesn't spoil, so a 25-pound bag of it can be a great buy. But the 25-pound bag of store-brand pure cane sugar at Walmart sells for less than the same quantity of Domino Pure Cane Sugar at Sam's Club. Sunscreen and Lotion Sunscreen and lotion last up to three years under ideal conditions, but exposing it to heat also causes it to lose effectiveness more quickly. Inexpensive as that multipack may be, check the expiration date and be honest about how much you'll actually use in a summer . Paper Products Big packages of paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates, and other paper goods are warehouse staples. But when Sam's Club's 15 rolls of 150-sheet paper towels go up against Walmart's 12 rolls of 168 sheets , the warehouse's $1.17 a roll isn't all that much better than Walmart's $1.25. Laptops Even electronics retailers such as Best Buy are routinely undersold by online shops, and the warehouse stores can't come close to matching the best deals. Though the location of the best laptop deals varies by season, it's almost never at a warehouse store. Pasta Spaghetti at Sam's Club is roughly $1 a pound for the generic brand. Pretty good, until you see the Walmart generic selling for 64 cents a pound. Milk A gallon of 2 percent milk at Sam's Club is $2.49. At Walmart , it's $2.48. A penny's savings is not why shoppers go to warehouse clubs. Furniture Not only are you limited to a warehouse store's meager furniture offerings, but there's no room for haggling and no wiggle room on pricing. An independent furniture store will likely cut a bigger break. Beer There are people out there who really love warehouse club beer. Unfortunately, as BeerDates knows all too well, even warehouse club beer starts breaking down after three months or so. Those beers can be cheap with a volume discount, but they shouldn't be stockpiled. Meat Chicken and ground beef might be competitively priced during supermarket sales, but Costco notoriously sells rotisserie chicken as a loss leader , meats do fine in the freezer, and more exotic meats can also be better deals for club members.