Curious just how far your dollar goes in Phoenix? We've rounded up the latest places for rent via rental sites Zumper and Apartment Guide to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to finding affordable apartments in Phoenix if you've got a budget of up to $1,700/month. Read on for the listings. (Note: Prices and availability are subject to change.) Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in this article may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. 7160 E. Kierland Blvd. (Paradise Valley) Listed at $1,603/month, this 618-square-foot studio apartment is located at 7160 E. Kierland Blvd. In the residence, you can expect a balcony, a dishwasher and in-unit laundry. Good news for pet lovers: The property is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. Per Walk Score ratings, the area around this address is somewhat walkable, has some bike infrastructure and has a few nearby public transportation options. (See the complete listing here .) 18350 N. 32nd St. (Paradise Valley) Next, there's this two-bedroom, two-bathroom abode over at 18350 N. 32nd St. It's listed for $1,605/month for its 1,363 square feet. When it comes to building amenities, anticipate secured secured entry, garage parking and a gym. In the unit, you'll find hardwood flooring and a walk-in closet. The rental is pet-friendly. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. Walk Score indicates that this location requires a car for most errands, is fairly bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. (Take a gander at the complete listing here .) 1802 W. Maryland Ave. (Alhambra) Here's a 1,361-square-foot three-bedroom, two-bathroom spot at 1802 W. Maryland Ave. that's also going for $1,605/month. In the residence, expect to see in-unit laundry, a walk-in closet and a dishwasher. When it comes to building amenities, anticipate garage parking and secured entry. This property is both cat-friendly and dog-friendly. Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area requires a car for most errands, is fairly bikeable and offers many nearby public transportation options. (See the full listing here .) 13630 N. 34th Place (Paradise Valley) Next, check out this 1,408-square-foot three-bedroom, two-bathroom unit that's located at 13630 N. 34th Place. It's listed for $1,605/month. The building features additional storage space and a swimming pool. The listing also promises hardwood flooring and a fireplace in the residence. Good news for animal lovers: The property is both dog-friendly and cat-friendly. Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area is car-dependent, is convenient for biking and has a few nearby public transportation options. (See the complete listing here .) 4502 E. Indian School Road (Camelback East) Located at 4502 E. Indian School Road, here's a 1,198-square-foot three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment that's listed for $1,655/month. Expect to find hardwood flooring, a fireplace and in-unit laundry in the residence. Secured entry is listed as a building amenity. For those with furry friends in tow, this property is pet-friendly. According to Walk Score's assessment, the surrounding area is somewhat walkable, is convenient for biking and has some transit options. (Take a gander at the complete listing here .) Working with a tight budget? Here are the cheapest rentals recently listed in Phoenix . This story was created automatically using local real estate data from Zumper and Apartment Guide , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


Social Security can be a lifeline in retirement, particularly if your savings are sparse. Considering 45% of baby boomers don't have anything saved for retirement, according to the Insured Retirement Institute, a lot of retirees are going to be depending on their Social Security benefits just to get by. If Social Security is going to be your primary source of income, it's important to ensure you're doing everything you can to maximize your checks . However, there are a few common ways you may be sabotaging your benefits without realizing it. 1. Not knowing your full retirement age Your full retirement age (FRA) is either age 66, 67, or somewhere in between, and claiming at this age is the only way to receive 100% of the benefits you're theoretically entitled to. Yet only 24% of those age 50 and over know what their FRA is, a survey from the Nationwide Retirement Institute and The Harris Poll found. Furthermore, the survey also noted that nearly 70% of soon-to-be retirees believe they're eligible to receive their full benefits before they really are, with the average person thinking they can claim benefits at age 63 to receive their full amount. However, if you claim before you reach your FRA, your benefits will be reduced by up to 30%. Given the fact that Social Security benefits alone may or may not cover all your expenses (the average beneficiary only receives around $1,400 per month, according to the Social Security Administration), a 30% reduction could make it even more challenging to make ends meet with just your benefits. 2. Waiting until after age 70 to claim benefits While claiming benefits before you reach your FRA will result in smaller checks, waiting until beyond your FRA to claim will give you a boost in benefits. For those with a FRA of 66 years old, for example, waiting until age 70 can provide an additional 32% on top of your full amount. Some savvy workers, then, may think the best plan of action is to hold off on claiming benefits for as long as possible . A third of baby boomers say they plan to wait until past age 70 to retire, according to a survey from the Insured Retirement Institute, so on the surface, it makes sense to delay claiming benefits until past age 70 too. That sounds like a good idea in theory, but after you turn 70, you won't receive any additional benefits by waiting to claim. So for every month you wait past age 70, you're simply missing out on money. Even if you're still working at age 70 and beyond, it's a good idea to claim your benefits anyway. Because you've passed your FRA, the income you receive by working won't affect how much you receive in benefits -- so just consider the income you receive from Social Security icing on the cake. 3. Not understanding how divorce affects benefits If you've been divorced and your previous marriage lasted at least 10 years, you or your ex-spouse may be eligible for additional Social Security benefits. There is a lot of fine print to comb through, however, which is why it's easy to get confused when figuring out whether you're eligible to claim benefits based on an ex-spouse's work record. For those who are eligible, though, you could be earning extra money each month with no extra effort. If you're receiving more in Social Security benefits than your ex-spouse, you're not eligible to receive any additional money based on your ex-spouse's employment record. In addition, even if your ex-spouse is claiming benefits based on your record, your benefits won't be affected. In other words, your ex-husband or ex-wife cannot "take" benefits from you. But if you're the lesser-earning ex-spouse, you may be eligible to receive money based on your ex's work record. There are some caveats, though. First, you have to be at least 62 years old. Second, you have to be unmarried. Third, if your ex-spouse is eligible to receive Social Security benefits but hasn't claimed them yet, you need to have been divorced for at least two years before you can file for benefits based on their work record. Also, if you're eligible for your own Social Security benefits but the amount you'd receive is less than what your spouse is entitled to, the Social Security Administration will pay out your benefits first. Then if you're also eligible to receive benefits based on your ex-spouse's record, you'll receive an additional amount on top of what you're already receiving based on your own work record. Confused yet? If so, it's understandable. Let's look at a hypothetical example for some clarity. Say you and your ex-spouse were married 20 years but have been divorced 10 years, you're 62 years old, and you're not married. By claiming your own benefits, you'd receive $750 per month, and your ex is entitled to receive $2,000 per month in benefits at FRA. Because you meet all the requirements to claim on your ex's work record, you'll receive the $750 per month you're entitled to, but you might also get an additional amount of up to $250 per month based on your ex's work record to get you up to the maximum of half of $2,000, or $1,000. Exactly what you'll get depends on your own FRA and the age at which you choose to claim. Social Security can be a confusing topic, but it's crucial to understand at least the basics of how the program works -- especially if you're expecting to depend on your benefits for a good portion of your retirement income. By ensuring you're maximizing your potential earnings, you'll be setting yourself up for a happier and less stressful retirement. SPONSORED: The Social Security bonus most retirees overlook If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known Social Security secrets could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example, one easy trick could pay you as much as $16,122 more each year. Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Click here to learn more about these strategies.


Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. and Nordstrom Inc. will let online shoppers at other brands and retailers pick up or return orders at some stores, a sign of how retailers are partnering in new ways to draw customers as more shopping shifts online. Walgreens will start offering package pickup and returns at over 8,000 U.S. locations to partners such as Levi Strauss & Co. and Urban Outfitters Inc., which owns Anthropologie and other chains. Nordstrom will test doing the same at seven stores in the Los Angeles area with a group that includes Cole Haan, said the companies. To start, some brands will only allow package returns or pickup, but not both. For example, when shoppers want to return a product purchased on Levi.com they can choose to ship it to Levi, drop it off at a Levi store, or take it to a Walgreens store. "The main thing is this will drive more footfall into Walgreens," using the chains convenient locations as an asset, said Alex Gourlay, co-chief operating officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance. Get news and analysis on politics, policy, national security and more, delivered right to your inbox The arrangement is being brokered by Narvar Inc., a software and technology company that manages order tracking and customer communication around online orders and returns for hundreds of brands, including Levi and Urban Outfitters. About a dozen Narvar clients have decided to offer some piece of the service to their online shoppers at either Walgreens or Nordstrom so far, Narvar Chief Executive Amit Sharma said. Walgreens has struck about a dozen deals in recent years with companies, including grocer Kroger Corp., Microsoft Corp., and FedEx Corp., in a bid to increase pharmacy revenue and use services to expand the business amid falling sales. Walgreens is only offering Narvar's new service in locations with a FedEx partnership where store workers are already trained to handle the flow of packages, said Mr. Gourlay. Nordstrom also has experimented with new ways to use its department stores, offering temporary space to online brands like shoe seller Allbirds and opening a store that offers services like tailoring and manicures, but no clothes. With its latest test, Nordstrom is effectively helping brands like Cole Haan go around it to sell directly to shoppers online, hoping any downside will be offset by the people who visit its stores to make returns or pick up orders. "We are piloting this as another way to serve customers on their terms," said a Nordstrom spokeswoman. Other store chains have forged similar partnerships in response to the rise of Amazon.com Inc. and shifting buying habits. Department store Kohl's Corp. allows returns from Amazon at about 100 stores. Lord & Taylor, a department store chain owned by Hudson's Bay Co., last year started selling some products through Walmart Inc.'s website in a bid to increase sales. The industry is still grappling with how to navigate the logistic and competitive challenges these partnerships can bring. Happy Returns, a Santa Monica, Calif.-based startup, manages returns for brands in part by creating a network of other retailers willing to accept those returns. A pilot program with 7-Eleven Inc. ended last year after some shoppers found store workers didn't know how to process a return or said they were too busy to do so, said Happy Returns co-founder and CEO David Sobie. Related video: Drawing the Future of Shopping With Michael Rubin Because turnover is high among convenience store workers and they are usually managing several tasks at once, "it was hard for them to execute," he said. The company has expanded with specialty retailers Paper Source, Sur La Table and others, he said. A spokeswoman for 7-Eleven said the company is committed to testing new programs. The Happy Returns system was tested in fewer than 10 stores and the "process and technology did not work well with our store operations," she said. Through Narvar, Cole Haan will offer shoppers returns at Nordstrom, but not Walgreens, since the shoe seller already works with the department store, a Cole Haan spokeswoman said. Urban Outfitters, which also sells some of its clothing brands at Nordstrom, to start will offer online order pickup at Walgreens, not Nordstrom, in part because some see the department store as a more likely competitor, said people familiar with the plans. For now Narvar won't charge more for the service, Mr. Sharma said, offering it as part of its larger software services to clients. Walgreens and Nordstrom will handle the cost of managing packages in hopes of bringing more shoppers to stores, according to the companies. Brands hope adding more return and pickup locations will boost sales by offering convenience and reduce the cost of shipping. Sending more items in a single package or letting carriers like FedEx pick up more packages at one location can lower shipping costs. "We take advantage of pooling and make some of the returns more efficient," said Marc Rosen, Levi's president of direct to consumer. And the deal adds 8,000 more drop points where shoppers can make a return, he said. "It's allowing them to return our products at points they pass everyday."


Cheap luxury cars seem appealing until you discover what a nightmare they are to maintain. So this YouTube channel in Russia decided it would be a good idea to convert a Bentley Continental GT coupe into a make-shift tank. We fully support this decision. Though it looks like a Bentley (from the fenders up, anyway), this thing is totally bespoke underneath, with a custom frame and a solid rear axle used to power the tracks. The engine is a V-8, sending power rearwards through a torque converter automatic. Popular Russian YouTube channel AcademeG put the whole thing together, even managing to make the OEM Bentley steering wheel work with the system. Of course, the steering wheel doesn't turn the tracks-instead, the differential is left open, and when the car needs to turn, it applies brakes to the inside track, allowing power to continue flowing to the outside track, rotating the vehicle. It's incredibly cool to see in action: On the Bentley's maiden run, the tracks decouple from the wheels more than once. But that doesn't stop everyone involved from having the time of their lives. At one point, they nearly mange to get it airborne. Imagine having one of these things and a forest all to yourself? The possibilities are endless. If you're curious to see how this thing came together, AcademeG has a couple more videos documenting the build process: via /r/cars


A driver was critically injured when he crashed his vehicle through a fence and struck into a utility pole in Pittsburgh's Spring Garden neighborhood overnight. Police said the crash occurred around 2:40 a.m. Friday in the 1600 block of Spring Garden Avenue. City fire and EMS crews extricated the male driver patient and began CPR. He was transported to Allegheny General Hospital in critical condition, according to police. He was the lone occupant in the vehicle. The crash remains under investigation.


Fiorentina winger Federico Chiesa introduced himself onto the international stage in a big way in the past week when he produced two moments of magic against Spain in the European Under-21's Championship that's currently underway in Italy. He scored a sublime equalising goal in the 36th minute to bring Italy back into the game, before scoring a crucial tap-in that put them ahead in the 64th minute, they then went on to win the game 3-1. This performance attracted a-lot of attention to the 21-year-old who was already valued at well over £50m, and with most of football's elite wishing to sign him, you may need to be filled in on who this young starlet is. Here are four things you need to know about the Italian wonder-kid. His Father Is a Footballing Legend Enrico Chiesa was one of the most dynamic strikers of the 90's, well known for his thunderous volleys and powerful whipping free-kicks. He is the joint-ninth highest goalscorer of all time from free-kicks in Serie A , with 13 goals to his name from this set-piece. He was a lethal striker, whose partnership with Hernan Crespo in the 1998/99 season dominated Serie A. Sadly his career was plagued with injuries that set him back massively towards its latter stages. He signed for Fiorentina in 1999 and for La Viola he hit his highest goal scoring tally of 34 goals in 59 appearances, and now his son, Federico Chiesa, is producing the same kind of magic twenty years on. Strangely enough current Italian manager Roberto Mancini has managed both Federico and his dad Enrico, as his first managerial job in football came with managing Enrico at Fiorentina in the 2001/02 season. He Almost Made Gianluigi Buffon Retire In a similar vein to the culture shock Mancini must have faced after managing two generations of Chiesa men, Buffon was left shell-shocked once he realised he had played on the same pitch as both men in their prime When he sat down with Eurosport Buffon said: "I thought it might be time to retire. The first time I faced Chiesa, I was disoriented. It was my first time playing against the son of a former teammates and I thought it might be time to retire. However, I've taken on a few now and consider it a gift from life, something to be happy about." Buffon was teammates with Federico's father at Parma when he was only 18 years of age, when Enrico burst onto the scene at Parma, before transforming I Ducali into one of the most feared teams in Italian football in the late 90's. He Almost Gave Up on Football In an era where shorter players like Lionel Messi, N'golo Kante and Alejandro Gomez are thriving, it seems strange to think that Chiesa nearly gave up on football after being ridiculed for his short stature. During his early days at Fiorentina, Chiesa was relegated to play with the Under-15's squad due to his under-developed technique and slight build, leading him to only play one game in the whole season. Luckily his father made him prioritise his education as he knew of the cruel nature of the footballing world, Chiesa was enrolled into the International School of Florence where lessons were taught in English, and his fascination with motor studies almost made him pursue a career as a physicist. He continued to work his way through the lower levels of La Viola whilst keeping up his studies, being promoted to the Under-19 squad when he completed his degree. After came the biggest change in his fortunes when he was shifted from playing as a central striker, like his father, to the right-wing where he could utilise his small frame and lightning pace more effectively. He's Played at One Club His Whole Career Chiesa started his career in a footballing academy in the north of Florence at the age of five before moving to Fiorentina five years later. He has now been with the Tuscan club for 12 years and has finally begun to establish himself in a similar vein as his father. In 37 appearances in Serie A this season he scored six goals and got seven assists, transforming a dull Fiorentina side into a youthful and exciting force that shocked opponents. His name alone now inspires faith at the Artemio Franchi as he is continuing the legacy his father initiated almost twenty years ago, and it seems as though La Viola do not want to lose Federico as quickly as they lost Ernesto. Fiorentina owner Rocco Commisso told Corriere Della Sera that keeping Chiesa at the club is one of his main priorities: "I said on the day of my presentation that Chiesa represented Fiorentina in the national team, for me, he's the best. I won't sell him, not even for £100m. We don't need the money. "When I make a promise, I keep it. How could I begin my adventure in Florence by selling the player who represents us in the national team? I hope Federico has a great tournament, he's a player that excites me. He has passion and strength - characteristics I want to see at Fiorentina."


In the words of ESPN's Lee Corso, not so fast, my friend. While it had been widely assumed and reported in the days following the first reports of the Anthony Davis trade that the team would be unable to create max cap space, the Lakers front office is pursuing a work around to be able to add a third star alongside Davis and LeBron James. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski , the Lakers are in talks with a potential third team who they could send players Moe Wagner, Isaac Bonga and Jemerrio Jones to. The reason for this would be to create upwards of $32 million in space, should a third team agree to take those players on. Below is a simplified breakdown from the NBA Wire's cap expert Yossi Gozlan. Simplified Lakers path to AD + max cap space: 1. Agree to deals with free agent targets between July 1-5 2. Sign them on July 6, putting them over the salary cap 3. Execute trade that day and include Bonga, Wagner + JJ to a 3rd team to match salaries for AD without trade bonus - YossiNBA (@YoggiMane) June 19, 2019 This is a game-changer for the Lakers and gives them the ability to pursue another elite free agent, should another team accommodate them by absorbing their contracts. Of course, this comes back to another important question: why would another team simply help the Lakers by taking these players on to create max space? However, all it takes is one team to be fans of Moe Wagner and Isaac Bonga, as well as some 'fake 2nd round picks,' to make it happen. Due to the Davis trade, they also have no draft capital to give to other teams apart from going deeper and deeper into obligations. As of now, the Pelicans have pick swap rights for seven years so they don't have a lot of available picks at their disposal to give to a potential third team. It will be interesting to see whether that other trade partner materializes for the Lakers to potentially add a third elite player. However, they may just use that additional cap space to fill out a very empty roster with several players instead of one max level guy. MORE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. weighs in on NASCAR Truck Series feud, penalty options Rams trading Tyler Higbee to Patriots would make sense for both teams NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players 7 non-star free agents the Lakers could pursue with their cap space Fierce, fiesty WR competition for Cowboys behind Top 3 roster locks


Health updates: #Eagles CB Ronald Darby (ACL) is expected to start training camp on PUP, source said, but being active Week 1 is still a legit possibility. … Meanwhile, #Packers starting CB Kevin King (shoulder) will be active and healthy to begin training camp. - Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 23, 2019 There will be no health concerns for Green Bay Packers cornerback Kevin King to start training camp. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, King is expected to be "active and healthy" to begin camp, which officially kicks off for the Packers on Thursday morning. The report implies King will avoid the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to start camp. King was a limited participant during the Packers offseason workout program after finishing his second straight season on injured reserve. He's missed 17 of a possible 32 games since the Packers made him a second-round pick in 2017. Shoulder injuries have plagued King throughout his recent football career, and he landed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury after only six games last season, but it appears he'll enter the 2019 season with a clean bill of health. If King can avoid injury during camp, he'll have a strong opportunity to earn a starting role at cornerback opposite standout sophomore Jaire Alexander. The Packers are counting on King to become a core player in 2019. "He's a long, fast cornerback who can make plays on the football," coach Matt LaFleur said during OTAs. "He's definitely an important piece for us moving forward." MORE: The Twins pulled off a beautiful triple play against the Yankees and fans loved it NBA trade rumor rankings: What's up with CP3? The 21 dumbest ideas in NFL history VIDEO: Steve Austin Cut a Killer Promo at WWE Raw Reunion Terry Bradshaw: Odell Beckham's criticism of Giants is 'crazy'


Dear Pete, My husband and I have been gifting our daughter and her husband $10,000 per year for the last several years around the holidays. It's become a bit of a family tradition. We enjoy being able to provide them a little extra money and they enjoy receiving it. They use the money for vacations and for their SUV payments even though they don't have much money saved. Unfortunately, our financial situation has changed and my husband no longer feels like we can afford to gift them the money. We hinted this to our daughter, and she's quite upset. The idea of ruining their financial plans because of our misfortune bothers me, and I want to find a way to still pay them. Am I being foolish? My husband told me I should write you and ask. B.T. Boston Answer: Your husband is 100% right. You should write me and ask. While we're talking percentages, I might as well let you know there's a zero percent chance my answer won't upset you. I'm not necessarily trying to upset you, but the reality is the $10,000 gifts are what is ruining your daughter's finances. That's right, the disappearance of the gift isn't the problem. Years ago, a large manufacturer called my office for some help, as they were on the verge of eliminating overtime. That might not sound bad, but it was. For well over a decade, their workforce had become wholly dependent on their overtime pay. The company knew the good fortune which had once shined upon the company and its people had swiftly turned into a giant problem. A new Discovery?: The big bank is eliminating all fees on checking and savings accounts Booming economy: Are Americans' finances healthier because of it? The elephant in the room in that scenario, as well as yours, is the inefficient use of non-guaranteed yet regular additional income. When "extra" money significantly enhances lifestyle, and when "extra" money doesn't increase stability, disasters happen. I can tell that you sense your daughter and her husband have put themselves into quite the jam. It's not your fault. If your daughter was using the money to save for her kids' college education, fund an emergency fund or stabilize their future in any other way, you wouldn't be nearly as conflicted as you are right now. That's a tough pill to swallow. You and your husband were able to accumulate quite a bit of money. You were generous   arguably too generous   and your generosity has met its unfortunate end. You sacrificed your stability for your daughter to create some additional stability of her own, and now your less stable lifestyle will encounter her SUV, paid for by your generosity, every time you see her. Your generosity, now disguised as a family tradition, has transformed your adult daughter back into a dependent. You tossed her out into the world, and your December donation has boomeranged her back into your portfolio of responsibility. But still, it's not your fault. It is, however, worth asking: at what point does this all become your fault? You enter the spotlight of culpability the moment you give your daughter money, when you yourself are financially on shaky ground. Especially in light of what she consistently does with the money. At this point, you might be thinking "I don't care what my daughter does with the money. It's a gift." But that's simply not true. You do care what she does with the money. You care whether or not a person who you've theoretically helped become independent at one point in her life, has become dependent on you once again. Your daughter doesn't need the money. She wants the money. And based on what you wrote, you need the money but aren't sure you want the money. For that reason alone, my answer is a hard no. There's one last element to this which is disconcerting. If you need financial assistance from your daughter and her husband at some point in the near future, it doesn't seem as though they're equipped to provide it. They were given the opportunity to create stability with your gifts, but they chose stuff instead. They don't have a line to throw you if you find yourself drowning because they used the rope to climb the lifestyle ladder. While it may not be immediately clear, ceasing the $10,000 gifts will be the best moment of your daughter's financial life. She must become independent once again. Childcare: Parents, here's another expense you'll have to charge to your card this summer Peter Dunn is an author, speaker and radio host, and he has a free podcast: "Million Dollar Plan." Have a question for Pete the Planner? Email him at AskPete@petetheplanner.com. The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pete the Planner: Could giving my daughter some extra cash hurt her independence?


The Trump administration on Friday notified Congress it plans to sell $8.1 billion worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates without congressional approval   a move that has incensed members from both parties who have sought to cut off military aid for the Saudi-led coalition fighting Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen. The decision covers 22 pending transfers of munitions, aircraft parts, and other supplies "to deter Iranian aggression and build partner self-defense capacity," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement. "These sales will support our allies, enhance Middle East stability, and help these nations to deter and defend themselves from the Islamic Republic of Iran." Normally such sales are subject to congressional approval. But Trump is using a loophole in the Arms Export Control Act that allows him to bypass the process in case of emergency. The move is similar to Trump's declaration of a border emergency this year, which allowed him to divert military funds to pay for border barriers. Pompeo, who cited previous instances in which the arms sales authority was used by Presidents Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter, said the step was critical to help allies maintain their armed forces in a period of "increasing regional volatility." And he lashed out at Congress for delaying the shipments. "These national security concerns have been exacerbated by many months of Congressional delay in addressing these critical requirements, and have called into doubt our reliability as a provider of defense capabilities, opening opportunities for U.S. adversaries to exploit," Pompeo said. But he insisted that the decision would be "a one-time event." "This specific measure does not alter our long-standing arms transfer review process with Congress," he insisted. Nonetheless, the move was deeply unpopular on Capitol Hill, where lawmakers have sought to halt arms sales to the Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen. The coalition has been blamed for rising civilian deaths in that country. Trump recently vetoed legislation that would restrict American support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. In a statement Friday, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) confirmed that the relevant committees had been notified of the pending sales. "There is no new 'emergency' reason to sell bombs to the Saudis to drop in Yemen, and doing so only perpetuates the humanitarian crisis there," Murphy said. "This sets an incredibly dangerous precedent that future presidents can use to sell weapons without a check from Congress." Murphy said he's looking into new legislation to restrict the sales. "We have the constitutional duty to declare war and the responsibility to oversee arm sales that contravene our national security interests," he said. "If we don't stand up to this abuse of authority, we will permanently box ourselves out of deciding who we should sell weapons to." Several other members of Congress have announced their intention to block any further weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. "Every bomb sold to Saudi Arabia is another bomb for Saudi bomber jets to drop on Yemeni hospitals, weddings, markets, and school buses," Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), an outspoken opponent of America's involvement in Yemen, said in a statement. "Any claim from President Trump that selling weapons to Saudi Arabia constitutes an 'emergency' is a farcical attempt to obscure the shameful reality that 'made in the U.S.A' bombs are killing innocent civilians and fueling the world's worst humanitarian emergency in Yemen." Pompeo insisted, however, that the administration sees little choice but to bypass Congress. "The United States is, and must remain, a reliable security partner to our allies and partners around the world," he said. "These partnerships are a cornerstone of our National Security Strategy, which this decision reaffirms."


Nathan Peterman has been the worst quarterback in the NFL over the last two years, but that doesn't mean he's out of work. Peterman, who was cut by the Bills last year, is now on the Raiders. And coach Jon Gruden says Peterman is looking good in training camp. " Nate Peterman is growing on me," Gruden said. Peterman is competing with Mike Glennon to be Derek Carr 's backup, and the Peterman-Glennon backup quarterback competition will be a major attraction to Hard Knocks for fans of terrible quarterback play. In his two-year career Peterman has completed 68 of 130 passes for 548 yards, with three touchdowns and 12 interceptions. His 32.5 passer rating is by far the worst in the NFL for any quarterback with at least 100 passes over the last two years.


On Wednesday, New York City nonprofit Citymeals on Wheels is set to serve up its 60 millionth meal, marking a milestone for the organization which delivers food and companionship to over 18,000 homebound elderly residents. It comes at a critical time of rapid growth for NYC's elderly population. One in five New Yorkers are over the age of 65, and the number of residents 85 or older has increased by 35 percent this year. According to a report done in February, Brooklyn is home to more older adults than any county in New York. Queens follows, taking the second-largest older adult population in the state. To keep up with their needs, NYC is working on creating programs to help support the senior citizen population. Citymeals on Wheels is one such program to focus on the older generation. The organization, which has been around for 37 years, works in collaboration with the Department for the Aging and other non-profits to help prepare and deliver food to homebound senior citizens every day. According to Citymeals, there are over 167,000 food insecure seniors in the NYC area, meaning that they lack affordable and reliable access to healthy food. That's about one in 10 senior citizens. And, according to the study, 18 percent are living in poverty, having to choose between rent, medicine, and food. The recipient of the 60 millionth meal is Dorothy Driscoll, a former emergency nurse. Last year, Driscoll collapsed at home, and her Citymeals deliverer found her and got her to the emergency room. It wasn't the first time something like that happened, and it probably won't be the last, because according to Citymeals, 8 percent of their recipients don't come in contact with anyone besides their meal delivery person. Citymeals reports that 57 percent of meal recipients live alone, and additionally 40 percent rarely leave their homes. Beth Shapiro, Executive Director of Citymeals on Wheels said in a press release that "The simple act of delivering a nutritious meal and checking in is often all they need to age with dignity in their own homes and communities..."


Notable Sports Deaths of 2019 Bill Buckner, May 27 Bill Buckner played 22 seasons in the majors, was an All-Star once and won a batting title in 1980. Buckner died at age 69 after battling dementia. Bart Starr, May 26 Bart Starr, former Green Bay Packers quarterback and catalyst of Vince Lombardi's powerhouse teams of the 1960s, has died at age 85. Leidy Asprilla, May 22 Colombian soccer player Leidy Asprilla was found dead in southwestern Colombia, several days after she was reported missing. Asprilla, 22, played for Colombia at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016. Niki Lauda, May 20 Three-time Formula One world champion Niki Lauda, who won two of his titles after a horrific crash that left him with serious burns, has died. He was 70. Bob Schloredt, May 16 Washington Huskies quarterback and 2-time Rose Bowl MVP, Bob Schloredt, died Thursday, his family announced. He was 79. Gunther Cunningham, May 11 Longtime NFL coach Gunther Cunningham passed away at age 72 after a bout with cancer. Cunningham was a longtime NFL assistant coach and was the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs in 1999-2000. Dick Tomey, May 10 Dick Tomey, the coach who won more football games than any other in Arizona Wildcats history, has died at age 80 from cancer. MacArthur Lane, May 4 MacArthur Lane, who played for 11 seasons in the NFL died at age 77. MacArthur played with the with the Cardinals, Packers, and Chiefs from 1968 to 1978. Red Kelly, May 2 Red Kelly , who played on eight Stanley Cup-winning teams during an NHL career that spanned 20 seasons and lead to his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame, passed away at 91. Gino Marchetti, April 30 Baltimore Colts great, NFL Hall of Famer, and World War II verteran, Gino Marchetti died at age 93. Josef Sural, April 29 Czech international soccer forward Josef Sural died after a minibus crash. He was traveling on a private bus hired by Turkish Super Lig team Aytemiz Alanyaspor with six teammates. Kenny Arnold, April 27 A guard on the Iowa Hawkeyes last Final Four team in 1980, Kenny Arnold battled severe health problems for more than three decades before succumbing to them at the age of 59. Jimmy Banks, April 26 Jimmy Banks, member of USA's 1990 FIFA World Cup team and eventual soccer coach and mentor in his community, passed away after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 54. John Havlicek, April 25 John Havlicek spent all 16 of his NBA seasons playing for the Boston Celtics, producing a Hall of Fame career and becoming the all-time leading scorer with the Celtics. He died at the age of 79. Reggie Cobb, April 20 Reggie Cobb, a former running back for the Tennessee Volunteers and eventually a scout for the San Francisco 49ers, has died at the age of 50. John MacLeod, April 14 John MacLeod's coaching career with the Suns included nine playoff berths, a franchise-record 37 playoff victories, three Western Conference finals appearances and a trip to the 1976 NBA Finals, the first appearance in team history. MacLeod passed away at age 81. Forrest Gregg, April 12 Hall of Famer and Green Bay Packers legend Forrest Gregg passed away at age 85. The former offensive lineman was a six-time All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowler and played 15 seasons in the NFL from 1956 to 1971. Scott Sanderson, April 11 Former major league pitcher Scott Sanderson died after his battle with cancer at the age of 62. Sanderson compiled a 163-143 record with a 3.84 ERA with the Expos, Cubs, A's, Yankees, Angels, Giants and White Sox from 1978-96. Joe Bellino, March 27 Joe Bellino was the first Navy player to win the Heisman Trophy. He played for Navy from 1958-1960. He died at age 81. Clem Daniels, March 25 Former Oakland Raiders running back and AFL all-time leading rusher Clem Daniels has died. He was 83. Cal Ramsey, March 25 Cal Ramsey starred at NYU in the 1950s and went on to play and broadcast for the New York Knicks. He was 81. Brandon Adams, March 24 Georgia Tech defensive tackle Brandon Adams passed away. He was 21 years old. Chuck Harmon, March 19 Chuck Harmon was the Reds' first African-American player in 1954. He played first and third base for the Reds until he was traded to St. Louis in 1956. He was 94 years old. Johnny "Lam" Jones, March 15 Former New York Jets wide receiver and Olympic gold medalist, Johnny "Lam" Jones died after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 60. Kelly Catlin, March 8 Olympic track cyclist Kelly Catlin died at her home in California at the age of 23. Catlin (second from left) helped the U.S. women's pursuit team win the silver medal at the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016. Cedrick Hardman, March 8 Cedrick Hardman, the unofficial sacs leader for the 49ers, died at age 70. He unofficially had 112.5 career sacks with the 49ers from 1970-1979, before sacks became an official statistic in 1982. In this photo Hardman sacs Miami Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese in the 1972 Pro Bowl. Al Shrier, March 4 Longtime Temple University Athletics staff member Al Shrier worked at his alma mater for 65 years. He worked for the University until June 2018 and was 88 when he died. Ted Lindsay, March 4 Ted Lindsay played 14 seasons with the Red Wings and three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks between 1944 and 1965. During his 14 seasons with the Red Wings, they won 10 league championships in addition to their four Stanley Cups. Lindsay died at 93 years old while under hospice care. Damon Bullock, March 3 Former Iowa Hawkeyes running back Damon Bullock passed away suddenly at the age of 25. Bullock's Hawkeye football career lasted from 2011 to 2014. Fred Hill Sr., March 2 Former Rutgers head baseball coach Fred Hill Sr., the winningest coach of any sport in the state university athletic program's 150-year history, died at the age of 84 the school said in an announcement. Eusebio Pedroza, March 1 Eusebio Pedroza (right), former world champion boxer from Panama, has died. He defended the featherweight title more times than any other. He was 62. Don Newcombe, February 19 Don Newcombe, former Dodgers pitcher, did at age 92. Newcombe was the first MLB player to win the Rookie of the Year, MVP and Cy Young awards. Sam Bass, February 16 NASCAR artist Sam Bass (on the far right in photo) passed away at the age of 57. He was NASCAR's first officially licensed artist. Gene Littler, February 16 Gene Littler, 1990 World Golf Hall of Famer, has passed away. During his PGA career, he won 29 TOUR titles, five of which came after his cancer diagnosis in 1972. He was 88. Rick Rasnick, February 13 Rick Rasnick, who coached Eastern Michigan's football team from 1995-99 and led the program to its last winning season for over two decades, has died. He was 59. Gordon Banks, February 12 Gordon Banks, England's 1966 World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks died at aged 81. Fernando Clavijo, February 7 National Soccer Hall of Fame and 1994 World Cup team USA member Fernando Clavijo passed away of cancer at age 63. Frank Robinson, February 7 Hall of Fame baseball player and manager, Frank Robinson died. Robinson was the first   and still the only   player to win the MVP award in both the National and American leagues, and in 1975 he became the first African American manager in the MLB. Bob Friend, February 3 Pittsburgh Pirates former pitcher Bob Friend (left) died at the age of 88. Peter Magowan, January 27 Peter Magowan, former managing partner for the San Francisco Giants, passed away after years of illness at the age of 76. Magowan was instrumental in keeping the team in San Francisco, and was scheduled to be inducted in to the team's wall of Fame on February 9, 2019. Dan Orlich, January 18 Dan Orlich, believed to have been the oldest living former Green Bay Packers player, died Jan. 18 in Reno, Nevada. Orlich, who was 94, played from 1949-51 and was the last surviving player from the Curly Lambeau era. Jim McKean, January 23 Former Major League Baseball umpire Jim McKean (right) died unexpectedly after falling asleep. He was 73. Emiliano Sala, January 21 Emiliano Sala died in a plane crash on January 21 as he was en route to Cardiff, Wales, to play for Cardiff City Football Club. He was 28. Jimmy Rayl, January 20 Jimmy Rayl, a former Indianapolis Star Mr. Basketball and All-American at Indiana University, died at his home on Sunday. He was 77. John Coughlin, January 18 John Coughlin, a two-time U.S. figure skating pairs champion, took his own life after being suspended. He was 33. Turk Schonert, January 17 Former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Turk Schonert reportedly died of a heart attack. He was 62. Glen Wood, January 18 Glen Wood was a NASCAR Hall of Famer who helped build the legendary Wood Brothers Racing team. He was 93. Mel Stottlemyre, January 13 Former New York Yankees pitcher Mel Stottlemyre passed away of bone marrow cancer at age 77. J.D. Gibbs, January 11 J.D. Gibbs, eldest son of Joe Gibbs and co-founder of Joe Gibbs Racing, passed away due to complications following a long battle with a degenerative neurological disease. He was 49. Kwamie Lassiter, January 6 Former Arizona Cardinals safety Kwamie Lassiter passed away at age 49. Bryce Turner, January 5 California Golden Bears cornerback Bryce Turner died a week after he experienced a "medical emergency" during a non-team workout. He was 20 years old. George Welsh, January 2 George Welsh, former Virginia Cavaliers head coach, passed away at age 85. Jim Margraff, January 2 Jim Margraff, Johns Hopkins' all-time winningest football coach, died suddenly. He was 58. Larry Weinberg, January 1 Larry Weinberg, one of the founders and original owners of the Portland Trail Blazers, died at age 92. Tyler Trent, January 1 Tyler Trent, the Purdue student who sparked hope amid tears from a nation that followed his journey with terminal cancer, died at the age of 20.


It goes without saying, but BlackBerry isn't what it once was. The brand, which now relies on partners to manufacture its devices, has had a tough time sparking interest in its various smartphones. But there are still plenty of people who love having a physical keyboard on their smartphone, and Unihertz   the company that launched a pint-sized 4G Android phone back in 2017 after a successful Kickstarter campaign   sees an opportunity. The company's newest effort is called the Titan, and it lives up to its name in a number of ways, not least of which is its size. The phone features a large, backlit QWERTY keyboard that doubles as a trackpad, a 4.5-inch touchscreen, and a beefy design with IP67 water and dust resistance. In terms of important specs, the phone is powered by a massive 6000 mAh battery that sends its juice to a 2GHz, eight-core processor. The phone comes with 6GB of memory and 128GB of storage. A single rear lens snaps 16MP photos while an 8MP lens faces the front. The large central button on the front of the device is both a home button and a fingerprint sensor, and the phone supports wireless charging as well. The Titan (pictured next to an iPhone X above) is huge. It measures 6 inches tall and 3.6 inches wide. That's roughly as tall as an iPhone XS Max but over a half-inch wider. It also weighs in at a hefty 10.6 ounces (compared to 7.3 ounces for the XS Max, if we're comparing big phones). If you like toting around a tiny little phone, this ain't it, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I didn't find the size to be a problem when using it for this review, but I also have a history of preferring obscenely large phones, so take that for what it's worth. The keyboard is a mixed bag of sorts. It feels good, with firm keys and absolutely zero key wobble, and actually typing things out is a breeze. Because the phone is so tall and wide, there's plenty of room for large keys, and Unihertz made the most of it. That said, there are a couple of issues, including the aforementioned backlighting. The keys aren't uniformly lit and the rows on the sides of the phone are significantly brighter than the rest of the keys. The uneven lighting is easy to overlook but what's less forgivable are the significant issues with the keyboard's touch features. You can use the keyboard to swipe and gesture by dragging your finger across it, which is great when browsing a web page or scrolling through an app, but the feature isn't particularly smart, registering scrolls and swipes during password entry or regular typing. This leads the screen to scroll away from text-entry fields while you're in the midst of typing into them, and that's pretty frustrating. The screen is a high point, and at a resolution of 1,400 by 1,400 it's incredibly sharp and looks great. However, the 1:1 aspect ratio leads to some issues with apps, including first-party Google apps like YouTube and Chrome. For example, tapping the full-screen icon on a YouTube video rotates the video so that it's sideways on the device. This would make perfect sense on a phone screen that is taller than it is wide, but it's totally pointless on a square display. I guess we'll chalk that up to an Android quirk. The simple fact is most apps weren't built for a square display, and as good as Android is at adapting some apps to work on a 1:1 aspect ratio, many are quite difficult to use on this device. Pokemon Go, for instance, is basically unplayable due to everything on the screen being either too big or far too small. If you're using the device strictly for web browsing, email, and messaging you'll be just fine, but it's worth considering how your favorite apps will deal with the Titan's display. One of the Titan's biggest areas of appeal is its price. The phone can be had for as little as $259 via the Kickstarter campaign , and that's a mighty appealing price for a smartphone with features like a fingerprint sensor, wireless charging, and water resistance. Unihertz is positioning it as the best option for a person who wants a rugged phone with a keyboard, and it's hard to argue with that. As a business-minded device, it definitely pulls its weight, but it's probably not going to be anyone's first choice for media consumption or entertainment apps. Sign up for BGR's Newsletter . For the latest news, follow us on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .


Editor's note: Twenty-five years ago today, the Rockets defeated the Knicks in Game 7 of the NBA Finals at The Summit to win Houston's first major-league sports championship. The following story was originally published June 21, 2014. You can read our entire series about the Rockets' 1994 championship at HoustonChronicle.com/believeit ••• Two decades later, the images are still clear, as if Hakeem Olajuwon had just climbed down off one of the fire trucks that had made its way through downtown and allowed himself a moment to soak it all in. He remembered the sights of that day, from the Astrodome rally to the parade. He also recalled how he felt that day, how it filled him with a sense of pride and relief, triumph and accomplishment. He thought about that special series and season, about all it took for the Rockets to bring Houston its first major sports team championship. But more than everything that went into it, he remembered how it finally felt to be a champion. "That was an experience that is really indescribable," Olajuwon said. "It was unbelievable. Just to see everybody coming down, that's when you realize this series is over. We did it. "You play both sides. When I was driving down to the game, you play, 'Man, to win …' Every once in a while you think you could lose that game so you know you might. To see that finally it's over, that we won it, and to see the excitement of the whole city at the same time celebrating … unbelievable. I mean, unbelievable. Even after the game, I just got my stuff and jumped in the car, the limo. I tried to get on Richmond. "And the whole city was celebrating. The whole city jumped in their car. I mean, unbelievable. I've never seen anything like it." All part of the whole The Rockets won the championship after an intense, physical, unforgettable seven-game series against the New York Knicks. But they believed the Finals were the culmination of everything that went into the journey, as if removing any part of the championship season would have made it fall apart short of the title. The Rockets cited the Game 7 loss in Seattle in the previous season's Western Conference semifinals for providing the fuel. They pointed to the offseason additions of Mario Elie and Sam Cassell for adding fearlessness and toughness. They cited the 15-game winning streak to start the season that built confidence the team carried through the season. They described the deft touch of Rudy Tomjanovich for providing freedom to excel but also demanding defensive intensity that would mark the Finals showdown with the Knicks. By the time the Rockets reached the Finals, they were solid throughout the roster. Robert Horry had blossomed after he returned from the aborted trade to Detroit. Cassell grew into Kenny Smith's backup at the point, often closing games. Vernon Maxwell gave the Rockets the defiant swagger that would be key in the postseason. Olajuwon and Otis Thorpe provided the inside strength to match up with the Knicks' muscle. Yet, even with a deep and solid roster and a season's worth of experiences to prepare them, the Rockets evolved through the playoffs, growing from the Choke City losses against Phoenix to the Clutch City victory in the conference semifinals and from the very different test against Utah, the disciplined and gifted rival the Rockets respected as a worthy threat. "I knew if we can win it, we can win it all," Olajuwon said of the Western Conference finals against the Jazz. "Utah had an experienced team. They were very, very disciplined. Any mistake, they will capitalize. Against Utah, you had to be smart, not just talented. That always concerned me about Utah. They can beat us; we can beat them, too. I always worried about Utah because of their execution. We can overpower them. We had better talent. But if we didn't play smart, we would not win. "When we beat Utah, we knew we could win the championship." By the time the Rockets reached the Finals, the matchup seemed inevitable. The Rockets had been an undeniable Western Conference force since the winning streak, capped by beating the Knicks in Madison Square Garden. The Knicks had been the Eastern Conference team to beat in the season following Michael Jordan's first retirement. "When we got to the Finals, we had been through so much," Tomjanovich said. "It wasn't just when things went right. We went through some tough times that season, too. We had the streak to start the season, but people forget we slid in the middle of the season, too. We had the whole Choke City/Clutch City thing. When we played the Knicks, we were ready." Physical style From the start, the series would be the most grueling of the run to the title. The Rockets won Game 1 despite scoring just 13 fourth-quarter points, and the tone was set. The Rockets averaged 86.1 points per game in the series; the Knicks 86.9. When the Knicks won Game 2 with guard Derek Harper taking over late   as well as bottling up Smith with the strong hand-checking style permitted at the time   the series was certain to be a long, difficult slog to the finish. That style was widely panned with rules later changed to try to prevent the sort of holding in the backcourt that slowed the games that June. "I hear it all the time," Harper said. "The rules have changed. I think what they thought was it would help scoring. It hasn't. I don't think scoring has gone up with the rule changes at all. You should be able to get away with being more physical. That's how I came up in the league. That's basketball." NBA teams averaged 101.5 points per game that season; 101 this season. But in the Finals, nothing would come easily. For the Rockets, the series turned back in their direction as soon as it reached New York. Late in the regular season, Cassell had replaced Scott Brooks as the primary backup and frequent closer. He scored the final seven points, including the game-winning 3-pointer, to give Game 3 to the Rockets who regained homecourt advantage. "When we got to the Finals, I think older guys   Robert, Vernon, Otis and Hakeem   they didn't consider me a rookie anymore," Cassell said. "I was seasoned. I'd been through the Western Conference playoffs against Phoenix and Utah and Portland. They had great teams at that time. By the time the Finals came, when I got an open jump shot, they expected me to make them. It wasn't surprising when I made that shot in Game 3 in New York. I took it and I made it. "It was cool, man. New York's always been one of my favorite cities. Just to play in the Garden, at 9 o'clock, for the NBA championship, it was a fantastic feeling." Ignoring distractions The importance of Cassell's game-winner became even clearer throughout the week in New York. The Knicks overwhelmed the Rockets in Game 4. The Rockets faded badly down the stretch in Game 5. While the nation was transfixed by the O.J. Simpson slow-speed chase through Los Angeles, the Rockets had been stopped. The teams, of course, ignored the news out of Los Angeles, though the broadcast was on briefly in the tiny visitors' locker room at halftime and then again after Game 5. During the game, when fans turned away from the court to catch glimpses of the televisions in the suites and on the concourses, the players remained largely unconcerned. "I was not (aware of the Simpson chase,)" Harper said. "I wasn't even aware of my wife and kids, I was so focused. Anytime you get an opportunity to win a championship in your 12th, 13th year, the focus is team. We thought it was our time. "It was in reach. Coming here, if someone would have told me we wouldn't have won one of two games coming back to Houston, I would have bet the house on it. I thought we were the better team. They proved me wrong. Houston stepped up to the challenge, made more plays. It could have gone either way. It was a very even series. When I see Patrick (Ewing), I tell him it just wasn't for us. Sometimes, the stars don't align to win it all." Ewing had been sensational in Game 5. When the series returned to Houston, Olajuwon took it over. For all that was squeezed into those seven games, the Finals were very much about the showdown of the best centers at a time when centers ruled the league. Olajuwon and Ewing had brought out the best in one another since their meeting in the NCAA Tournament championship game in 1984. "When we played, there were a lot of dominant big men, which there aren't any more," Ewing said. "You had myself, Hakeem, David (Robinson), Shaq (O'Neal), (Robert) Parish, early in our career Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar). Even the lesser tier of centers were good. Those guys would be dominant in this game. It was great to battle against them and compete against them. And Hakeem was first team most of his career." Olajuwon sealed Game 6 when he reacted swiftly on a pick-and-roll and switched to John Starks just in time to get his fingertips on Starks' 3-point shot with two seconds left to secure the win. "After being here, working here in Houston for three years (as an assistant coach), every time we would come out they would play on the Jumbotron them beating us," Ewing said. "Sitting in the players' lounge for three years, seeing Hakeem blocking John Starks shot with me wide open at the free-throw line, so every time I see John I curse him out. 'Man, I was mmm-mmm wide open and you let Hakeem block the shot.' It was rough." Said Olajuwon: "When you are on the road, you don't want to go to Game 7. Like San Antonio (against Miami in 2013), Game 6 is your best opportunity to win. We were at home. We couldn't wait. We couldn't sleep until this game was decided." By Game 7, the Rockets guards   Smith, Cassell and especially Maxwell   came alive, while Starks misfired away. Starks went 2-of-18, missing all 11 of his 3-pointers, but never shied away from his shot and never was replaced as Knicks coach Pat Riley played him for 42 minutes despite his struggles. "It was a great series," Ewing said. "It went seven games. We had our opportunities to win. Unfortunately, they were able to prevail. Hakeem had an outstanding playoff run." Ewing paused for seven seconds, still feeling the pain of the loss, then quietly said, "It just wasn't in the cards." 'You've finally got it' Twenty years later, the Rockets still feel the elation. Tomjanovich sized up the feelings of his adopted hometown. "Houston has wanted this for so long," he said after Game 7, "and you've finally got it." Soon, he and the Rockets left The Summit to celebrate, soon discovering the party already had begun. The 1994 Finals would be defined in many ways over the two decades that followed, remembered for everything from the showdown of centers to the suffocating defenses, the Simpson chase to Olajuwon's triumph. But in the end, it was special in ways personal to the players who won it and the city they represented. "There's nothing like it," Olajuwon said. "You have to go through it to know. Everybody is a part of it. Unbelievable."


Like many who went to bed distraught and weary on Saturday night following yet another mass shooting in America - only to wake up on Sunday to news of another - Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr was no different. Kerr has repeatedly used his platform to advocate for stricter gun laws and the weekend's pair of mass shootings inspired more of the same. As the majority leader of the Senate, Mitch McConnell has the power to draft and bring to a Senate vote legislation that would restrict the sale of the assault-style rifles most often used by mass shooters in this country. Yet, despite the increased frequency with which these acts have devastated communities and families, elected officials have failed to change laws in the interest of public safety. When McConnell tweeted about the latest "sickening" massacre, Kerr clapped back: But apparently not 'sickening' enough to actually do anything about it, huh Mitch? But apparently not 'sickening' enough to actually do anything about it, huh Mitch? https://t.co/DbHSxgKUIi - Steve Kerr (@SteveKerr) August 5, 2019 Kerr also retweeted a meme from the The Onion, which eviscerated the continued legalized protection of AR-15 rifles at the expense of human life. "Truly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you." https://t.co/qHQdhAJmEK pic.twitter.com/oLp0WP7oAd - The Onion (@TheOnion) August 5, 2019 Kerr's commitment to ending gun violence at least in part stems from his personal experiences. His father, Malcolm Kerr, a professor living in Beirut, Lebanon, was killed by gun violence in 1984. But Kerr isn't the only person in Golden State who has been impacted by gun violence. More recently, during the 2018-19 season, Rapper Nipsey Hussle - who had appeared on Stephen Curry's 5 Minutes from Home web series - was shot to death in Los Angeles . Clifford Dixon, childhood friend of former Warrior Kevin Durant, was slain outside of an Atlanta-area bar on the night he had been celebrating what would become his last birthday. MORE: 'Bachelor in Paradise' 2019 cast guide: Meet all 37 contestants 5 takeaways from the Raiders' first depth chart of 2019 season Quick hits, observations from Packers' first joint practice with Texans Roundup: Dow Plunges; Lindsay Lohan; Hannah Brown Speaks Out; Ryen Russillo Leaving ESPN Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki make a great odd couple as rookie Browns LBs


Start your day off right by looking at some pets! There are dozens of pets up for adoption right here in Boston. Hoodline partnered with Petfinder , an online adoption site that lists "more than 315,000 adoptable pets from nearly 14,000 animal shelters and rescue groups" to bring you this roundup of pets near you. (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.) Mars, guinea pig Mars is a darling male guinea pig currently residing at MSPCA Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center . More on Mars: Hi, I'm Mars, a chatty guy looking for a great new home. I love to greet visitors and am very curious about them. I also have a stuffed luvvie in my igloo that I like to snuggle. Read more about Mars on Petfinder . Klaus, mouse Klaus is a lovable male mouse currently residing at MSPCA Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center . More about Klaus: Hi, I'm Klaus. I love Cheerios as treats, I am social, curious and will make a great companion. Read more about how to adopt Klaus on Petfinder . Milky Way, guinea pig Milky Way is a sweet male guinea pig being cared for at MSPCA Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center . Milky Way is vaccinated. Read more about Milky Way on Petfinder . Oreo, guinea pig Oreo is a male guinea pig currently housed at MSPCA Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center . He is vaccinated. Read more about how to adopt Oreo on Petfinder . Meatloaf, lizard Meatloaf is a lizard in the care of MSPCA Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center . Meatloaf is vaccinated. More on Meatloaf: Hi, I'm Meatloaf, an awesome bearded dragon looking for a great new place to call home. I am very relaxed. I eat insects, vegetables, fruit and especially blueberries! I am not very furry, but I will make a great companion for many years to come. Read more about Meatloaf on Petfinder . Hops, Californian rabbits Hops is a female Californian rabbit being cared for at MSPCA Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center . She's already been spayed. Notes on Hops: Hi, I'm Hops, a brown mixed breed rabbit. I'm a very sweet bunny who is looking for a person or family who will give me lots of love and attention. Apply to adopt Hops 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.


Pittsburgh will see a return of last week's light rainfall as early as tomorrow, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Tomorrow's forecast shows the highest likelihood of rain at 91 percent, with rain generally expected through Sunday. The next few days will also see warm temperatures, forecast to last through Tuesday. Temperatures will reach a high of 86 degrees on Friday. Skies will be partly cloudy today. Winds will continue to be light through the week, with the highest speeds on Sunday at just 10 mph. This story was created automatically using Saildrone's local weather forecast data, then reviewed by an editor. We also incorporate historic weather data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


A lead investigator in Oakland's deadly Ghost Ship warehouse blaze testified Tuesday that there was no evidence of arson near the fire's origin, and specifically no evidence of Molotov cocktails. In the trial's 10th day of witness testimony in Alameda County Superior Court, prosecutors zeroed in on witness Maria Sabatini's expertise on "fire bombs," prompting her to give the Alameda County courtroom a tutorial on how they're created. It was a preemptive strike against one of the defense team's core theories: that the Dec. 2, 2016, fire that killed 36 people   all but one of whom were attending an electronic music show at the warehouse   was ignited by a small army of arsonists. Defendants Derick Almena, 49, and Max Harris, 29, are each charged with 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter. Almena and Harris have been called the leader and second-in-command of the warehouse, respectively, and prosecutors have accused the men of creating a deathtrap that left the victims with "no notice, no time and no exits." Sabatini, who's now retired from the Oakland Fire Department, said the deadly blaze was "probably the most complex fire" she's investigated, and the scene was too damaged to determine an official cause of the fire. During a preliminary hearing in December 2017, Sabatini said the fire was "most likely" caused by an electrical failure. Though prosecutor Casey Bates on Tuesday did not specifically ask Sabatini for this opinion, he asked her to point out in photos different electrical appliances located near the origin. Among them were two scorched refrigerators and a toaster oven. Bates later steered the testimony toward Molotov cocktails, and Sabatini said she's built about 100 of them in training exercises. They consist of a bottle filled with an ignitable liquid and stuffed with a wick, which is then lit on fire. And when the bottle is thrown, Sabatini said, it has to land with enough force to break in order to detonate. "I've never seen one that was used indoors," she said. Sabatini testified that the origin of the fire was the back section of the warehouse, near two trailers and a kitchen area. Inside the warehouse, a load of wood, in addition to flammable liquids such as paint thinners and gasoline likely accelerated its path. When asked whether Sabatini noticed evidence of Molotov cocktails in the fire's origin area, Sabatini responded "no." Defense attorneys will continue cross-examination Wednesday. Prosecutors say few safety measures were installed in the 10,000-square-foot warehouse, where up to 25 people were living illegally. On the night of the fire, dozens more people entered the space for an electronic music concert, and many were trapped on the second floor when a makeshift stairwell bottlenecked with people. In addition to the arson theory, defense attorneys have suggested city and county officials should have recognized and taken action on any fire hazards when visiting the warehouse in the months and years leading up to the fire. Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy


Donna Messinger says she's been to every rally President Donald Trump has held in Arizona. "And I'm always first in line," she said. Messinger, 66, couldn't attend the president's 2020 re-election launch on Tuesday in Orlando, but she was an early arrival to the "MAGA Meet Up" hosted by campaign group Trump Victory and the Arizona Republican Party at the state GOP headquarters in Phoenix. "This is his coming out party," said Messinger, who wore a fuschia pink Women for Trump shirt and matching lipstick. "It's huge. I wanted to be with like minds. I wanted to celebrate and scream and yell and have people standing with me and behind me to promote President Trump's re-election." About 130 people attended the watch party, according to a count taken by Arizona Republican Party officials. Attendees, many wearing red Make America Great Again hats, crowded a room decorated with multiple cardboard cutouts of first lady Melania Trump and of the president giving two thumbs up. Follow Arizona politics? Our reporters stay on top of it all. Subscribe to azcentral.com . Before Trump took the stage, Kelli Ward, the Arizona Republican Party chairwoman , welcomed the crowd. "I look forward to working with and for all of you to win big in 2020, not just President Trump, but Republicans all the way down the ballot," Ward said. "We are going to hold our Legislature and expand our Republican majority." Though Messinger said the country's economic strength under Trump has impressed her, it's his efforts to improve border security and deport the country's undocumented people that have earned her continued support. "I want to continue with the immigration issues," Messinger said. "It's paramount now. It's gotten way out of hand. It's an important issue across America. They're coming in with more issues than we could ever have dreamed of, then they're being shipped out across America." Arizona, where Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton by about 3½ percentage points in the 2016 election, is considered a key battleground state in the 2020 election. Sharon Flint, 51, recently decided to join the battle, and she'll be fighting for Trump. A Facebook post making fun of the president posted by her brother prompted her to ride her bicycle to the Arizona Republican Party headquarters a few weeks ago, she said. "I was like, 'What can I do to help?'" Flint said, holding a small American flag in her hand. Flint and others faced the front of the room where three television screens showed Trump take the stage in Orlando. The crowd cheered for minutes when Vice President Mike Pence introduced Trump and the first lady, and as the president took the stage, they broke out into a chant of "Trump! Trump! Trump!" Ronna McDaniel, the Republican National Committee chairwoman, said Trump has kept his promises and "is delivering for all Americans." "As a result, we are seeing unprecedented engagement from every day Americans who want to be a part of this movement," she said in a written statement. "Just this week, we are training and activating thousands of new volunteers to add to our grassroots army. We are ready to re-elect President Trump and continue to Make America Great Again." Other Arizona watch parties had been scheduled for Phoenix's Ahwatukee area; Mesa; Sun City; Kingman; and Tucson. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Trump fans fired up about president's re-election launch


GREEN BAY, Wis.   When the Green Bay Packers used a fifth-round draft pick on Cole Madison last year, there was optimism that the former Washington State standout would be able to fill an opening at right guard. Madison didn't report for training camp. He put football on hold to focus on his life. "I love football, but, at that point, it was my health and my life was on the line," Madison said. "I had to go help myself before my football career. If I didn't get my chickens in order back then, I don't think I'd be here right now." After sitting out his entire rookie season, Madison joined the team for the start of offseason workouts in April and was expected to be on the field this weekend for the Packers' rookie camp. Madison would not detail exactly what had gone wrong, only saying that his issues had deep roots and were exacerbated by the suicide of Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski in January 2018. "I was going through some stuff for a long time that I was putting off and they caught up to me with the decisions off the field I was doing. I wasn't making good decisions and it led to bad thoughts," Madison said. "Tyler, if anything, helped me with knowing that other people go through things, too. It was a little light at the end of the tunnel   light in a dark area. "It was a first beginning step of a wakeup call for me, how I needed to handle my mental health, was after that entire situation. Me and him were great friends. I would have never known any of that was going on or vice versa. I had my demons going on and no one had any idea what was going on. It's just one of those things of taking that step when you've got those things and not to just bat them down and talk to someone and opening up." Through those conversations, things improved. By November or December, he said, he began to feel like his old self. "After that, it was getting over the hump, that period of, 'I feel like me again," Madison said. "I haven't felt like me in God knows how long and I finally started to feel positive, feel like, 'Hey, I can do this' and no second-guessing myself." With that, Madison began to think about football again; he didn't even watch football last year. He began to focus on getting ready physically. He's listed at the same 6-foot-5 and 308 pounds as he was at the scouting combine in 2018. He called his stamina "great." "I'm ready to roll," Madison said. "Took a year off, twiddling my thumbs, now I'm back and letting it loose." The Packers are eager to see if Madison can reach his potential. There remains a hole at right guard, though they fortified the offensive line with free agent Billy Turner and second-round draft pick Elgton Jenkins. "It was great to see Cole back in the building and doing some football things again," general manager Brian Gutekunst said. "That was a really, really pleasant surprise. I think he was very appreciative about the way we handled things last year. We're excited to see what he can do for us because he had a really good offseason last year before everything transpired. Very optimistic." New coach Matt LaFleur is implementing an outside-zone running scheme that is fueled by linemen with a blend of athleticism and power. Gutekunst called Madison an "absolute fit" for what LaFleur is trying to build. "We were really high on Cole when he was coming out," LaFleur said, thinking back to 2018 when he was offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans. "So, we feel like he adds a lot of value to what we can do with him in our system." Madison's return will be a day-by-day process. He hasn't put on pads or blocked somebody since the Senior Bowl in January 2018. His football comeback, however, is secondary to his personal comeback. "I can't remember the last time I'd wake up and feel positive and not go into bed with negative thoughts in my head," Madison said. "Just living life and being happy doing it, it's a blessing." ___ More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


Everton captain Phil Jagielka has confirmed that he will be leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the month, having spent the last 12 years at Goodison Park. Jagielka, who will turn 37 years of age a week into the 2019/20 Premier League season, was reduced to a fringe role this season after playing just seven times and starting only four games. Clarifying the situation on social media, Jagielka explained: "It's been hard to confirm my situation for next season as that decision hadn't been fully made by the club until now, unfortunately my journey at Everton has come to an end after 12 fantastic seasons. "I have been lucky enough to play over 380 games and lucky enough to be club captain for 6 years. All I can say is thanks to all the players I've played alongside, all the staff that have helped me in their own way, the chairman and of course the amazing fans. "Wishing everyone associated with this special clubs the very best for the future!" Manchester-born Jagielka joined Everton from Sheffield United in the summer of 2007 and was immediately a regular in David Moyes' Toffees team. He helped the club to consecutive fifth place Premier League finishes in 2007/08 and 2008/09 and was even named Premier League Player of the Month in February of the latter. On top of that, the player converted the winning penalty in the FA Cup semi final shootout against Manchester United at Wembley that season, but was cruelly ruled out of the final against Chelsea when he suffered knee ligament damage soon afterwards. Jagielka was also named Everton Player of the Year in 2008/09 and 2014/15. It remains to be seen what the next stage of his career might be.


Although Seahawks fans are surely frustrated by the surprising and controversial six-game suspension for Jarran Reed , they will be happy to hear that new defensive end Ezekiel Ansah will avoid the PUP list and will open training camp on the active roster. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network passes along the good news, though he cautions that Ansah will be limited early as he continues to rebuild strength in his shoulder. But as Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times notes, the fact that Ansah will not start training camp on the PUP list indicates that his recovery has gone at least as well as expected thus far. Although reports from May indicated that Ansah could miss games , this news suggests he could be ready for Week 1. Health, of course, has been an issue for the former Lions standout. The 30-year-old has 48 career sacks to his credit, including 14.5 from his Pro Bowl campaign in 2015. He also notched 12 sacks in 2017, but the years sandwiched in between have been filled with injuries and disappointment. Last year, Ansah registered four sacks in seven games after the Lions hit him with the pricey franchise tag. In case you missed it, the Seahawks bolstered their D-line by signing Earl Mitchell earlier Wednesday.


The market for hand sanitisers is expected to rise by 60 percent by 2024, which could be bad news for your car's interior . That's according to Ford engineers, who have warned that chemicals found in everyday products, such as hand sanitizers, sun lotions and insect repellent, can cause interior surfaces to wear prematurely. Higher sun protection factor lotions contain greater quantities of titanium oxide that can react with plastics and natural oils that are found in leather. Meanwhile, diethyltoluamide (DEET) is found in insect repellents, and many hand sanitizers contain ethanol. As a result, our car's interior is being subjected to a chemical attack. Mark Montgomery, senior materials engineer at Ford's Material Technology Centre, said: "From hand sanitizers to sun lotions to insect repellent, consumer trends are constantly changing, and new products are coming on to the market all the time. "Even the most innocuous seeming product can cause problems when they come into contact with surfaces hundreds and even thousands of times a year." The teams test at extreme temperatures to replicate the inside of a car parked at the beach on a hot day. In other tests, the engineers subject samples with ultra-violet light, equivalent to the brightest place on earth, for up to 48 days. Based on the findings, Ford reformulates the chemical constitution of protective coatings to protect the interiors. The same tests are also used for accessories, such as boot liners and plastic covers. 'Detective work' "Sometimes what we do requires a bit of detective work," said Richard Kyle, materials engineer, based in Dunton. "There were instances of particularly high wear in Turkey and we managed to trace it back to ethanol potentially being a contributing factor, and most likely a popular hand sanitizer that contained 80 percent ethanol   far higher than anything we'd seen before. "Once we knew what it was, we were able to do something about it." The post Are hand sanitisers wearing out your car's interior? appeared first on Motoring Research .


NEW YORK (AP) -- The Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins drew 12,653 Wednesday night   combined. Baltimore, Cincinnati, Minnesota and Tampa Bay set stadium lows this year. Kansas City had its smallest home crowd since 2011 and Toronto and San Francisco since 2010. The Marlins' average attendance is less than Triple-A Las Vegas. Major League Baseball's overall average of 26,854 through Wednesday is 1.4% below the 27,242 through the similar point last season, which wound up below 30,000 for the first time since 2003. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred attributes this year's drop to fewer season tickets but emphasizes day-of-game sales are up 6%. "Given the explosion of entertainment alternatives and the growth of the secondary market, it is not surprising that season ticket sales can be challenging," he said. "The clubs are responding to this challenge with creative and effective approaches. For example, sales of subscription tickets are double what they were a year ago. And the Twins recently had a $5 flash sale that produced crowds of over 30,000 in three of four games, and the largest single-game attendance since 2016." Nineteen of the 30 teams have seen their average fall from a similar point last year, with the largest drops in Toronto (6,963), San Francisco (6,463), Baltimore (3,839) and Detroit (3,686). Large rises have taken place for Philadelphia (10,383), Oakland (4,027), San Diego (3,465) and the Chicago White Sox (2,311). The Phillies signed Bryce Harper and the Padres added Manny Machado. "A lot of it comes down to competition. Fans want to know their teams are doing everything they can to compete for a championship every year," union head Tony Clark said. "I see every empty seat as a missed opportunity. Experiencing a game and seeing players perform in person creates a bond with baseball; our industry needs to find ways to convert those empty seats into lifelong fans." MLB's average peaked at 32,785 in 2007   the last year before the Great Recession and the next-to-last season before the New York Yankees and Mets moved to smaller stadiums. The average was at 30,517 in 2015 before sliding for three straight years, and last season's final figure of 28,830 marked a 4% drop, the overall number hurt by unusually cold and wet weather early in the season. Manfred points to other metrics that please MLB: Games top prime-time cable ratings in 24 of 25 markets and MLB.tv streaming is up 8.5%. He views increases for the Phillies, Padres, Athletics and White Sox tied to team performance. Florida remains a problem on both coasts. Despite a sparkling, eight-season-old ballpark with a retractable roof, Miami is averaging 9,554 in Derek Jeter's second season as chief executive   below the 9,582 average for Triple-A Las Vegas in its first season at a new 10,000-capacity stadium. Tampa Bay plays in one of the most outmoded facilities in the major leagues and drew 5,786 against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, the smallest home crowd for the Rays, who started play at Tropicana Field in 1998. "The more people there are, the more energy there's going to be," Tampa Bay outfielder Kevin Kiermaier said. "No matter what crowd you're playing in front of, you have to get motivated." A quartet of last-place teams has seen swaths of empty seats. Miami is on track to have the lowest home attendance in the National League for the seventh straight season. Tampa Bay is at the bottom of the AL for the fifth consecutive year. "Any time you're seeing less people show up to the ballpark, I think you're wondering why and you're wondering how you can change that," said Miami first baseman Neil Walker, accustomed to big crowds from his time in New York. "You've got to assume that it has a little bit to do with it being expensive to come to the ballpark." Having traded many veterans, the Orioles are 28th in the majors at 16,263. Baltimore topped 2 million in 21 of its first 25 seasons at Camden Yards, exceeding 3 million nine times. But the Orioles drew 6,585 against Oakland on April 8, the lowest in the ballpark's 28-season history except for a 2015 game closed to the public at a time when the city was plagued by rioting. "I wish fans were here. When we played in Wrigley, the energy level was off the charts," first-year Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. "I'm hoping that someday soon that will be the case here." Cincinnati's crowd of 7,799 against Milwaukee on April 1 was the lowest for a Reds' home game since 1984 at Riverfront Stadium. That same day, Toronto drew 10,460 against the Orioles, the smallest attendance at the Rogers Centre since 2010. San Francisco drew 28,030 vs. Pittsburgh on April 10, the Giants' lowest home crowd since 2010. Kansas City's crowd of 10,024 against the Twins on April 2 was the lowest at Kauffman Stadium since 2011. Minnesota drew 11,465 against Toronto on April 17, the lowest figure in Target Field's 10-season history. "As a kid, I loved more than anything to go to the ballpark and I loved nothing more than playing baseball," Walker said. "But I think a lot of people are just   they want action now. They don't want to be totally consumed with a game maybe that's just not timed." ___ AP Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick and AP Sports Writer David Ginsburg contributed to this report. ___ More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports Related slideshow: 2019 MLB season (provided by imagn)


Rays outfielder Austin Meadows is expected to be activated from the 10-day IL prior to Tampa's game with the Yankees on Friday, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times . Meadows will take the 25-man roster spot left open by first baseman Nate Lowe as the Rays sent the highly touted youngster to Triple A following Thursday's game. Meadows hit the injured list on April 21 due to a sprained right thumb, so his return will fall just short of the projected timeline of "a few weeks" laid out by Rays GM Erik Neander. It's good news for the Rays, since Meadows' hot start was a huge reason for Tampa's early season success. Meadows was hitting .351/.422/.676 with six homers over 83 plate appearances at the time of his injury. While some regression is inevitable (.400 BABIP, .454 wOBA compared to a .408 xwOBA), it isn't out of the question that a former top prospect like Meadows could be a big contributor in his first full major-league season. With Meadows back, Lowe's first taste of big league action will come to an end after nine games and a .257/.289/.314 slash line over 38 plate appearances. It was perhaps a little surprising to see Tampa promote Lowe so soon, though the 23-year-old had been ripping up Triple-A pitching and the Rays had a need for another bat with Meadows and Joey Wendle on the IL. Rather than keep Lowe in the majors as a bench player, the club will send him back to Triple A, where he can get everyday at-bats and continue his development. In terms of service time, Lowe's clock stopped almost as soon as it started, so it's hard to determine the impact on his future team control. While it stands to reason Lowe will be back in the majors at some point in 2019, the Rays already control him through at least the 2025 season. The team might not bring him back until it can ensure he won't be a Super Two candidate. (Of course, this could all be moot if Lowe becomes the latest Rays prospect to sign an early career extension, a la Brandon Lowe , Matt Moore , or Evan Longoria .) Lowe has played only first base and DH in his young career, making him an imperfect fit at this point on a Rays roster that values multi-positional versatility. Lowe's first base duties will again likely be split between Ji-Man Choi and Yandy Diaz , though Diaz has seen an time at third base in recent days due to Daniel Robertson 's struggles. Brandon Lowe could also see some time at first base, with Robertson or Andrew Velazquez filling in at second. Related slideshow: 2019 MLB season (provided by imagn)


By Vincent Frank It's not a secret that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is a proponent of legalized sports gambling around the United States. Back in November, Silver wrote an essay for The New York Times focusing on this subject. In that piece, the commissioner had this to say : Betting on professional sports is currently illegal in most of the United States outside of Nevada. I believe we need a different approach. This statement in support of legalized sports gambling came immediately after New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed a bill into law that would have legalized gambling in his state   a bill that was then successfully challenged in federal court . Months removed from that drama, Silver is out there lobbying commissioners of the other major North American leagues to support a turnabout in a policy that has led to the powers to be opposing legalized sports gambling under the guise of PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992), a piece of legislation that outlawed sports gambling outside of a select few states that it was already legalized in at that time. "I have talked to the commissioners in the other leagues about [legalizing sports betting]," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in an exclusive interview with ESPN The Magazine in late January . "I leave it to them to make any public statements they want to make on it. I will say that certainly all of them are interested in having a better understanding of the issue, and I know have assigned people in their organizations to study intensively the issue as well." Sources also told ESPN that there have been other private meetings between council (lawyers) for the leagues to discuss the "pros and cons" of legalized sports gambling. Silver's main reasoning behind wanting to legalize sports gambling is due to his belief that it would create a more uniformed policy throughout the United States. It's my personal view that there should be federal legislation on this issue, in part to avoid what is happening now," Silver said. "My greatest concern is that there will be in essence a hodgepodge of regulations controlling sports betting that will vary from state to state, jurisdiction to jurisdiction and will make it increasingly difficult to monitor betting on our very own sport." In response to the federal courts overruling New Jersey's legislation to legalize sports gambling, two U.S. Congressmen, Frank LoBiondo and Frank Pallone, have introduced a federal bill to amend PASPA. If other leagues follow Silver's lead here, proponents of an extensive overhaul of this federal policy could have some true power players on their side. This is only magnified by the fact that three states   New York, Indiana and South Carolina   have introduced legislation to legalize sports gambling. This goes back to Silver's original point. If gambling is legalized in certain states, and not in others, how are the leagues expected to police it? We are trending towards acceptance of sports gambling, so an overhaul of what has to be considered archaic federal legislation may very well be in the cards. If that happens, Silver will be the lead dog in the sports community out supporting it.


SAN DIEGO (AP)   The U.S. Navy has dropped charges against four SEALs involving alleged abuse of detainees in Afghanistan in 2012. Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar is the commander of Navy Region Southwest and announced Tuesday she is dismissing charges against Lt. Jason Webb, Chief Petty Officers David Swarts and Xavier Silva, and Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel D'Ambrosio. A Navy statement says prosecutors informed the admiral that case evidence has degraded to the point where they believe obtaining convictions is no longer likely. Swarts' defense attorney Colby Vokey tells The San Diego Union-Tribune the case should never have been brought and the dismissal was long overdue. Last month, a SEAL was acquitted of killing a prisoner in Iraq in 2017 and was found guilty only of posing for a picture with the corpse.