For when you're ready to cement your status over the 99 percent. Nothing says class like arriving somewhere in a huge luxury sedan. Crossovers and SUVs (there are a lot!) may be having their moment in the spotlight, with even exotic and luxury brands getting into the game, but full-size luxury sedans were there before, and they'll be around long after the SUV fad fades. The idea of ranking these best-of-the-best vehicles may seem absurd, but there has to be a preeminent choice-even among these contenders for preeminence. Click through to see the players ranked from worst (relatively speaking) to the very best. 14. Cadillac XTS If your idea of a Cadillac is a plush-riding luxobarge, then the XTS is the Cadillac for you-although you really should hurry, since the XTS is being discontinued soon . With a 304-hp V-6, a six-speed automatic, and front- or all-wheel drive, it s perfect for the senior citizen in us all-or for real senior citizens. The V-Sport has a 410-hp twin-turbocharged V-6 and all-wheel drive, but even this sportier trim is not much fun to drive. The CUE infotainment system is improved (the bar was low, given the original setup s woes), and the interior is upscale enough, with nice materials and a big back seat-the better to be driven in, yes? Research the Cadillac XTS on MSN Autos | Find a Cadillac XTS near you 14. Cadillac XTS Base price: $47,890 EPA combined: 18 22 mpg Trunk space: 18 cubic feet 13. Maserati Quattroporte In Italian,   Quattroporte   means  four doors,  but you don t need to speak the language to appreciate this Maserati s dramatic flair. Two twin-turbo engines are offered-a 424-hp 3.0-liter V-6 and a 523-hp 3.8-liter V-8. An eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive are standard; all-wheel drive is offered with the V-6. Inside the sumptuous, leather-lined cabin is an 8.4-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; adaptive cruise control and automated emergency braking are optional. Research the Maserati Quattroporte on MSN Autos | Find a Maserati Quattroporte near you 13. Maserati Quattroporte Base price: $109,675 EPA combined: 17 18 mpg Trunk space: 19 cubic feet 12. Lincoln Continental If you're not looking too closely, Lincoln s Continental appears to be an impressive sedan. It is handsome, large, and offers some fun color combinations and oodles of chrome trim inside. It s a modern take on the classic American luxury barge, after all. Closer inspection, however, reveals the Continental s plebeian roots: Switchgear borrowed from far lesser Ford-branded products, unrefined ride and handling motions, and inefficient V-6 engines. Research the Lincoln Continental on MSN Autos | Find a Lincoln Continental near you 12. Lincoln Continental Base price: $47,140 EPA combined: 19 21 mpg Trunk space: 17 cubic feet 11. Cadillac CT6 Sleek styling and high-tech features help the CT6 shed the Cadillac clichés in an attempt to best its European rivals. A 265-hp turbo 2.0-liter inline-four drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission; a 335-hp 3.6-liter V-6 and a 404-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 pair with all-wheel drive and the eight-speed. A plug-in hybrid boasts up to 31 miles of electric-only range. Onboard 4G LTE Wi-Fi is standard, as is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. High-end options include a 34-speaker stereo and adaptive cruise control. Like several other large General Motors car models, the CT6 is slated to die in 2019, although it was given a stay of execution until the middle of the year . Research the Cadillac CT6 on MSN Autos | Find a Cadillac CT6 near you 11. Cadillac CT6 Base price: $51,490 EPA combined: 21 28 mpg Trunk space: 16 cubic feet 10. Jaguar XJ As the only Brit in a segment ruled by Germans, the Jaguar XJ has a lot on its shoulders-a weight it bears remarkably well. The interior is appropriately swanky for the XJ s place at the top of the Jaguar lineup, with quality materials and luxe styling. A supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 with 340 horsepower comes standard; a 470-hp V-8 is available. We still have some niggles with build quality and the infotainment system, but even so, the XJ is a lovely ride. The racy XJR575 is reviewed separately and appears elsewhere on this list. Research the Jaguar XJ on MSN Autos | Find a Jaguar XJ near you 10. Jaguar XJ Base price: $76,695 EPA combined: 18 21 mpg Trunk space: 17 cubic feet 9. Lexus LS Redesigned for 2018, the Lexus LS sets itself apart with adventurous and chiseled styling inside and out, which contrasts sharply with its insulated and muted driving demeanor. A new twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 makes 416 horsepower and powers the rear or all four wheels through a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic, or there s an available hybrid that uses a V-6 and two electric motors; a V-8 is no longer offered. We don t like the infotainment system s fussy touchpad, but the LS is priced significantly lower than a Mercedes-Benz S-class. Research the Lexus LS on MSN Autos | Find a Lexus LS near you 9. Lexus LS Base price: $76,325 EPA combined: 21 28 mpg Trunk space: 17 cubic feet 8. BMW 7-series Unchanged for 2019, the BMW 7-Series will see changes soon: A refresh for 2020 has the full-size Bimmer sedan adopting a toothy new grille design. (We re not being hyperbolic-BMW actually claims the new kidney grilles are 40 percent larger than before.) Beyond its face, the 7-series will receive enhancements to its optional V-8 engine, as well as to its plug-in hybrid powertrain; there are expanded tech offerings, too, including a semi-autonomous driving function for certain highway scenarios. Research the BMW 7 Series on MSN Autos | Find a BMW 7 Series near you 8. BMW 7-series Base price: $84,645 EPA combined: 16 24 mpg Trunk space: 18 cubic feet 7. Jaguar XJR575 Premium performance and ultra-luxury converge in the Jaguar XJR575 . This big cat packs an equally big growl with its 575-hp supercharged 5.0-liter V-8; an eight-speed automatic directs power to the rear wheels. Intended to trade blows with the best biggies from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-AMG, the lightweight Jag has a long wheelbase and sports an uprated suspension and enhanced brake components. Exclusive aero add-ons decorate the exterior, and diamond-quilted seating adorns the opulent interior. 7. Jaguar XJR575 Base price: $123,695 EPA combined: 18 mpg Trunk space: 17 cubic feet 6. Kia K900 You might not have realized it, but Kia has been building and selling a full-size luxury sedan for several years now. In fact, the K900 is now in its second generation, having just been redesigned for 2019. This grand, rear-wheel-drive sedan (all-wheel drive is optional) comes with a 365-hp twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V-6 and a primary focus on comfort, not sportiness. Research the Kia K900 on MSN Autos | Find a Kia K900 near you 6. Kia K900 Base price: $60,895 EPA combined: 21 mpg Trunk space: 15 cubic feet 5. Volvo S90 Clean Swedish style sets the Volvo S90 apart in the luxury sedan arena. (That, and the S90 s available station-wagon siblings, the V90 and tougher-looking V90 Cross Country.) Beneath the Volvo s beautiful skin lies some advanced safety technology-as one expects from the brand that is nearly synonymous with safety. The interior is similarly gorgeous and well-appointed, while buyers can choose from between three powertrains ranging from a turbocharged four-cylinder to a turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder to that same blown and turbo d four mated to a plug-in hybrid setup. Research the Volvo S90 | Find a Volvo S90/V90 near you 5. Volvo S90 Base price: $48,345 EPA combined: 25 27 mpg Trunk space: 14 cubic feet 4. Genesis G90 With elegant styling and a first-class cabin, the G90 is the Genesis brand s first attempt at a luxury sedan. (It replaces, effectively, the Hyundai-badged Equus, which predated the Genesis brand s formation.) Few options are offered, as nearly every conceivable feature is standard. Highlights include a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, adaptive dampers, a head-up display, automated emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Two engines are offered-a 365-hp twin-turbo 3.3-liter V-6 and a 420-hp 5.0-liter V-8-both with an eight-speed automatic and rear- or all-wheel drive. Research the Genesis G90 on MSN Autos | Find a Genesis G90 near you 4. Genesis G90 Base price: $70,345 EPA combined: 18 20 mpg Trunk space: 16 cubic feet 3. Audi A8 The A8 is the king of Audi s luxury sedans, packed with tech including autonomous-driving features and luxury options-such as a foot warmer for rear-seat passengers. A 335-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 is standard, and includes a 48-volt electrical system supporting an electric motor that assists at low speeds and serves as a heavy-duty starter motor. (The 48-volt system allows for lengthy engine-off periods when, say, stopped at lights or in traffic, with no effect on the A/C or accessory systems.) All-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic, and an air-spring suspension are standard. An optional system scans the road for imperfections and adapts the suspension to absorb them. A 449-hp plug-in hybrid with inductive (wireless!) charging arrives in 2019. Research the Audi A8 on MSN Autos | Find an Audi A8 near you 3. Audi A8 Base price: $84,795 EPA combined: 22 mpg Trunk space: 13 cubic feet 2. Mercedes-AMG S63 / S65 These Teutonic chariots mix sumptuous luxury with earthshaking power. Hinting at their potency with huge air intakes, big wheels, and quad tailpipes, the lineup-available as a sedan as well as a coupe and a cabriolet-starts with the 603-hp twin-turbo V-8 and nine-speed automatic in the all-wheel-drive S63 and tops out with the 621-hp twin-turbo V-12 in the S65 that sends a whopping 738 lb-ft to the rear wheels only. The cabins are awash in leather, carbon fiber, and all the technological and comfort-driven trappings of a modern Mercedes. Research the Mercedes-Benz S-Class on MSN Autos | Find a Mercedes-Benz S-Class near you 2. Mercedes-AMG S63 / S65 Base price: $150,545 EPA combined: 16 20 mpg Trunk space: 17 18 cubic feet 1. Mercedes-Benz S-class The Mercedes-Benz S-class has always been synonymous with luxury, and it continues that proud tradition. Sedan models are powered by either a 362-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 (S450) or a 463-hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 (S560, although more power is available in the AMG-branded versions that appear elsewhere in this roundup). Rear-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic are standard; all-wheel drive is optional. Coupe and convertible models get the V-8. In keeping with the car s flagship status, the S-class can be loaded to the gills with technology, including active body control and enhanced autonomous-driving functions. Research the Mercedes-Benz S-Class on MSN Autos | Find a Mercedes-Benz S-Class near you 1. Mercedes-Benz S-class Base price: $92,245 EPA combined: 21 22 mpg Trunk space: 12 cubic feet


Franz Beckenbauer is number 37 in 90min's Top 50 Great Managers of All Time series. Follow the rest of the series over the course of the next eight weeks. You can find Robbie Copeland's Der Kaiser all-time best XI here . Only two men in history have won the World Cup as both captain and manager of their country. One is France boss Didier Deschamps, who accomplished the latter less than a year ago. The other is Der Kaiser himself, whose shimmering, venerated playing career almost always serves to overshadow a managerial run that was great by its own merit, but had it been given the chance to truly flourish, would have easily shaken off its status as a footnote to one of the most extraordinary football careers ever. Of course, when you have the gall to win five Bundesliga s, three European Cups, a World Cup, a European Championship, and get yourself named in the FIFA World Team of the Century, all the while playing in a position you invented, then you are setting yourself an unthinkably high bar for anything you do in your years off the field. 7⃣3⃣ - Happy Birthday, #Kaiser Franz @beckenbauer  pic.twitter.com/279bc48JGQ   UEFA.com DE (@UEFAcom_de) September 11, 2018 But Beckenbauer's immeasurably-larger-than-life character, and status as one of the greatest leaders in the history of German football, meant that he was always going to be given a chance to manage his country, and indeed the club at which he was immortalised, at some point. "Franz Beckenbauer symbolises football and a winning mentality. On top of that, he brought the World Cup to his own country. We're proud of him." - Boris Becker Such was his formidable status, that while your run-of-the-mill national legend might have to spend a few years cutting his teeth in management at ground level before being handed the first-team reins, Beckenbauer cut to the front of the queue, and no-one dared stop him. New York Cosmos Great Pic Of Franz Beckenbauer, Pele & Giorgio Chinaglia pic.twitter.com/Z7uVSQmHUv   Superb Footy Pics (@SuperbFootyPics) January 6, 2019 In his first ever job in senior management, four years after calling time on his playing career, a 38-year-old Beckenbauer was tasked with taking over a German side at - by German standards - a low ebb, inheriting the post from Jupp Derwall, who had seen his side slowly decline since their Euro 1980 success. Career Honours World Cup (1990) Ligue 1 (1990/91) Bundesliga (1993/94) UEFA Cup (1995/96) He was tasked with reinventing a team that crashed out of the 1984 tournament at the group stage, and his deployment of Stuttgart's Karlheinz Förster in the Libero role he had made famous himself, behind the back four, was central to his early efforts at doing so. The West German side of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico were far from flawless, as evidenced by an indifferent group stage that featured just one victory - over Scotland - and qualification for the last 16 by the skin of their teeth. Slowly but surely, however, it became clear that the previously fragile mentality that had plagued them under Derwall had been stamped out. Free-flowing performances were few and far between, but their rigid organisation and will to win at all costs saw them through to the final, overcoming Morocco and then France in the semi-finals. After a narrow defeat in one of the best finals of all time, losing 3-2 to Argentina after fighting back from the dead, the next four years would build up to Der Kaiser's crowning achievement as manager, and one that would match anything taken from his extensive list of honours as a player. In 1990 WORLD CUP WINNING SQUAD of Germany and their Coach was Franz Beckenbauer pic.twitter.com/n4MbJgAtkN   Abdulkadir Kadiye (@Kadiye_) July 2, 2014 By now, the team-first ethos that Beckenbauer had drilled into the team was in full effect, as evidenced by the spread of goals across the team. Though Lothar Mathaus was their top scorer on four goals, between the midfielder and the trio of Voller, Jurgen Klinsmann and wing-back Andreas Brehme, 13 of their 15 goals were scored in a famous run to the final. That run was kicked off when they exorcised some demons, overcoming the Netherlands, who had eliminated them from the European Championships at the semi-final stage two years earlier. But as poetic as that may have felt at the time, it was simply a preamble to the main event. A famous final encounter with Argentina loomed, and while Maradona and co. had played the 1986 final at their pace, this one was dictated by the rigid organisation of the Kaiser. In the end, Brehme's 85th minute penalty was the difference, securing West Germany's third World Cup trophy, in their final match before reunification with the East. The boss got out while he was ahead, but without the astute man-management that built them back into the best team in the world, there is a real chance that the German side who so recently dominated the landscape of world football would not have had the platform to do so. His time at Marseille, immediately following his departure from Germany at the top of his game, was a surprising career choice. He joined as Sporting Director, his appointment forcing out a legendary title-winning manager in Gerard Gili, but after stepping in as manager - a universally unpopular appointment with the fans, owing to not speaking French and not being Gili - he would lay the groundwork for a team that would go on to win the league once again, and make the European Cup final. Returning to the Sporting Director role in December 1990, and leaving the club the following summer, he would return to Bayern in 1993 after a spell out of the game. Like Germany when he was entrusted, Bayern were faltering; they hadn't won a domestic title since he had left the national team, having flirted with relegation in recent years. Unlike his spell as an international manager, however, success this time was instant. Teams Managed Germany 1984-90 Marseille 1990 Bayern Munich 1993-94, 1996 Winning nine of his 14 games in charge, Bundesliga gold awaited, and although he would once again be persuaded to retreat behind the scenes after putting out the prominent on-field fires, another brief spell in the dugout in 1996 yielded a UEFA Cup. He won two major trophies in just seven months as Bayern manager, and brought them back to the top of the German game. Had he been allowed a prolonged run as manager at club level, all signs indicate that a further gold rush would have followed. Enough was enough for Der Kaiser, however, as he accomplished more in eight years than most would in 80. Number 50: Marcelo Bielsa - El Loco's Journey From Argentina to Footballing Immortality in Europe Number 49: Vic Buckingham - How an Englishman Discovered Johan Cruyff & Pioneered Total Football Number 48: Claudio Ranieri: A Ridiculed Tinkerman Who Masterminded One of Football's Greatest Ever Achievements Number 47: Bill Nicholson: Mr Tottenham Hotspur, the First Double Winning Manager of the 20th Century Number 46: Sven-Goran Eriksson: The Scudetto Winning Shagger Who Never Solved the Lampard-Gerrard Conundrum Number 45: Sir Alf Ramsey: T he Man Behind the 'Wingless Wonders' & England's Sole World Cup Triumph Number 44: Antonio Conte: An Astute Tactician Whose Perfectionist Philosophy Reinvented the 3-5-2 Wheel Number 43: Kenny Dalglish: The Beacon of Light in Liverpool's Darkest Hour Number 42: Massimiliano Allegri: The Masterful Tactician Who Won Serie A Five Times in a Row Number 41: Sir Bobby Robson: A Footballing Colossus Whose Fighting Spirit Ensured an Immortal Legacy Number 40: Luis Aragones: Spain's Most Important Manager, the Atleti Rock and the Modern Father of Tiki-Taka Number 39: Herbert Chapman: One of Football's Great Innovators & Mastermind Behind the 'W-M' Formation Number 38: Carlos Alberto Parreira: The International Specialist Who Never Shied Away From a Challenge


Video provided by TicToc The East Japan Railway Company began testing Friday for what's billed as the fastest bullet train in the world   the ALFA-X   projected to hit speeds of up to 249 mph. The ALFA-X is a version of Japan's Shinkansen train, which debuted for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, according to Japan Station , a Japanese transportation guide. The Shinkansen is a high-speed bullet train, the fastest of which can reach 199 mph. Stops include Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, among others. "The ALFA-X train is simply a prototype for use in test runs for the development of a possible future train," Sanshiro Iwamoto, a researcher at the railway company, tells USA TODAY. "The projected speed should be 249 mph per hour maximum, but, again, speed will only be determined during testing." The ALFA-X began three years' worth of test runs Friday, according to reports from Bloomberg and CNN . More: Japanese rush to buy Tokyo Olympic tickets on first day The goal is for the ALFA-X to be introduced commercially in 2030, Bloomberg reports, noting the train could help to offer faster services to Sapporo, Japan's largest city on the island of Hokkaido. The anticipated speed benchmark of 249 mph would put the ALFA-X ahead of China's Fuxing Hao train , which links Beijing and Shanghai and currently reaches soaring speeds of 217 mph. The sleek-nosed design, for combating wind resistance, measures 72 feet, has 10 cars and is painted in metallic silver with green stripes, reports Bloomberg. The train will be tested between the Japanese cities of Aomori and Sendai, which are located over 200 miles apart. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Travel at 249 mph: Japan starts testing world's fastest bullet train


Visiting Atlantic Station, or just looking to better appreciate what it has to offer? Get to know this Atlanta neighborhood by browsing its most popular local businesses, from a candy purveyor to a full-service florist. Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places to visit in Atlantic Station, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of neighborhood businesses. Read on for the results. 1. Kilwin's Topping the list is chocolatier and candy store Kilwin's , which offers ice cream, frozen yogurt and more. Located at 1380 Atlantic Drive, Atlantic Station, it's the highest rated business in the neighborhood, boasting 4.5 stars out of 434 reviews on Yelp. Kilwin's candy and ice cream empire stretches from Colorado to Key West, offering what its website says are more than 75 kinds of handmade sweets. In Atlanta, local legend Tyler Perry, counts himself a fan of Kilwin's caramel apples, according to 11Alive . 2. Land Of A Thousand Hills Coffee Next up is cafe Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee , which offers coffee and tea, beer, wine and spirits and more, situated at 232 19th St., Suite 7100. With four stars out of 168 reviews on Yelp, it's proven to be a local favorite. Land of a Thousand Hills offers a variety of single-origin coffees and devotes a share of the proceeds to supporting the African communities where they're grown, according to its website . Fans say the spacious store is a great place to hang out. 3. Fuji Floral Design Florist Fuji Floral Design is another top choice. Yelpers give the business, located at 361 17th St. NW, Suite 3, 4.5 stars out of 51 reviews. Fuji offers a full array of florist services amid the bustle of Atlantic Station. 4. Salata Fast-casual eatery Salata is another neighborhood go-to, with four stars out of 81 Yelp reviews. Head over to 265 19th St., Suite 2155, to see for yourself. The restaurant serves up customizable salads and wraps with a wide selection of topping options, including fruits, vegetables and proteins such as seafood, tofu, falafel and chicken. Soups, organic teas and lemonades are also on offer. 5. Express Check out Express , which has earned four stars out of 12 reviews on Yelp. You can find the spot to score accessories and men's and women's clothing at 230 18th St. NW. The fashion store is popular for its styles and customer service. Yelper Brandon C. wrote , "It's always a great experience in the Express store at Atlantic Station and the store always has the size I need and the greatest colors." This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


A new dashboard will let people track the progress of one of Earth's most unique satellites from anywhere in the world. The Planetary Society just announced a new website that will constantly display the status of the crowdfunded satellite as it orbits the planet. LightSail 2 is the successor to LightSail , a spacecraft that launched in 2015 and whose primary mission was to show that a sail could unfurl in space. The team lost communication with the first LightSail a week after it made it to space, then got communication back, then lost it again, then, finally , got a gorgeous picture of the sail unfurled. LightSail 2 is more ambitious and will actually try to maneuver through space, and even boost itself into different orbits using sunlight. The new mission's mission control website will let people around the world follow along, including the 23,331 people who contributed to the project's Kickstarter campaign, which raised $1,241,615 for the spacecraft. The dashboard or ' LightSail 2 Mission Control ' will be updated every time the satellite communicates with the ground, and will include information about approximately where the satellite is, how long its been in orbit, its battery charge, how fast its rotating, and the status of its solar sail, among many other data points. (You can also download the latest data if you're interested.) Right now, the sail of Light Sail 2 is stowed away in the capsule. But the Planetary Society estimated that about two weeks after the June 24 launch , the sail should unfurl, stretching out to about the size of a boxing ring. When that happens, it's possible that the satellite will be visible to people on the ground   particularly if it is passing overhead at dusk or dawn. Related Slideshow: The most stunning space photos ever (Provided by Photo Services) For the best chance of spotting LightSail 2 for yourself, check back with the new mission control to see when the sail is officially unfurled, and when it will pass over your area.


W hen you're visiting tidy, pretty Charleston, it's easy to forget the ugly fact that slave labor built all those handsome old townhouses, historic state buildings, iconic church steeples, and even the brick forts out on islands in the harbor. The enslaved people who lived here forever changed Charleston and not just through their work in construction and in the fields, houses, and kitchens of the region. They introduced their own languages and rich traditions to the local culture. In South Carolina's Lowcountry, the blended creole language of West African dialects and English and the speakers of the language became known as Gullah, and their foodways, art, crafts, and music exerted influence that still shapes Charleston. To understand and learn about the centuries of Charleston's racial conflict and coexistence, visitors to historic sites can see relics of the past that still resonate today: from the statue of a former slave who was executed for fomenting an uprising to the location of a lunch counter sit-in by black teenagers or the slave quarters of an old plantation. The Emanuel African Methodist Church, known as Mother Emanuel, on Calhoun Street is the congregation's third home; the first was burned by white citizens, the second was destroyed in an earthquake. Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church , the oldest African Methodist Episcopal church in the southern United States, was founded in 1816 in Charleston and has been a touchstone of racial tension in the city ever since. In 1822, local whites burned down the church and executed 35 men, including church elder Denmark Vesey, for their involvement in a slave revolt plot. Fear of more potential uprisings led white Charleston to outlaw black churches, so Mother Emanuel's congregation met and worshipped in secret until after the Civil War. During the 20th century, the church hosted thinkers and civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., and Booker T. Washington and maintained a reputation for race activism and labor rights. In 2015, a shooting at Mother Emanuel by a 21-year-old white supremacist left eight congregation members and the pastor dead. The national press seemed almost as shocked by the congregation's graceful and swift forgiveness as by the unspeakable crime. In June 2019, Emanuel , a documentary chronicling the massacre and the church's reaction of forgiveness and faith, was released. Old Slave Mart Museum Often staffed by docents who can trace their family history to slaves from the area, the Old Slave Mart Museum tells the story of Charleston's prominent role in the brutal system of purchasing and trading human beings. Around 40 percent of the enslaved people entering the United States came through the port of Charleston and were handled by the city's brokers, lawyers, and auctioneers. When 19th-century visitors to Charleston began to chronicle their horrified reaction to the sight of people being bought and sold, the city decreed that the slave auctions be moved indoors, away from the prying eyes of outsiders. This structure, built in 1859 in Charleston's French Quarter, is believed to be the last extant slave showroom and auction house from the scores that once existed. Inside the museum, through photos, text panels, and a few chilling artifacts, visitors learn about the city's slave trade and about the people who were held and sold here. Charleston City Market Erected in 1804, the Charleston City Market is one of the oldest public markets in the United States and its over 300 vendors sell T-shirts, souvenirs, gourmet sandwiches, and, notably, local crafts like sweetgrass baskets and homewares made in the Gullah tradition. The coiled construction of the baskets is a technique handed down by slaves brought here from Sierra Leone, and many of the basket shapes are well-suited as tools for rice farming, both in West Africa and in the United States. Magnolia Plantation and Gardens People generally go to Charleston's most-visited plantation, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens , to tour the grand house and walk the impressive gardens to admire the azaleas and camellias. Those who wander a bit further can view the five slave cabins still standing on property for a chance to see how the plantation's other residents lived. An engaging 45-minute guide-led tour offered by the plantation, From Slavery to Freedom, allows visitors to explore an often-overlooked dark side to historic houses. Denmark Vesey Statue In 1799, Denmark Vesey used the $1,500 he won in the East Bay Lottery to purchase his own freedom from slavery. Vesey remained in Charleston to be near his still-enslaved family and worked as a skilled carpenter. As an early member of the founding body of the local African Methodist Episcopal Church, he advocated for education and freedom for all blacks. In 1822, Vesey was arrested, tried, and hanged with others for taking part in a plot to overthrow local slave owners. A life-size statue of Vesey was unveiled in Hampton Park in 2014. The monument was the site of a Black Lives Matter vigil held the day after the 2015 shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church. The Old Citadel The castle-like building on Marion Square known as the Old Citadel was first constructed in 1829 as the South Carolina State Arsenal because the city's white populace outnumbered by enslaved people by nearly 30,000 at the time were increasingly uneasy about the possibility of a rebellion, especially after the thwarted slave revolt of 1822. The arsenal was converted into a state military academy in 1842. Just a month after South Carolina seceded from the Union in 1860, Citadel cadets fired some of the first shots of the Civil War at Fort Moultrie. After the war, the building was under U.S. federal control until the military academy was reestablished there in 1882. The Citadel Military College moved to its present location on the city's west side in 1922; the Old Citadel building is now part of an Embassy Suites hotel. Fort Wagner or Battery Wagner Colonel Robert Gould Shaw, the son of a white abolitionist, led the all-black 54th Massachusetts Volunteers Infantry Regiment during the Civil War, most famously at the 1863 Second Battle of Fort Wagner on Morris Island in Charleston Harbor. Shaw died during the assault. The formation of the regiment the second African American regiment of the Union Army and the South Carolina battle were dramatized in the Academy Award winning film Glory . Morris Island, and the crumbling fortifications left of Fort Wagner, can be visited via guided tours from Mount Pleasant or Folly Beach. Avery Research Center for African-American History and Culture The Avery Research Center for African-American History and Culture , formerly the Avery Normal Institute, has a collection of nearly 4,000 primary- and secondary-source materials that document the legacy of African Americans, especially those living in the Lowcountry. From its founding in 1865 until its closure in 1954, the institute trained African American students as teachers, leaders, and businesspeople. In 1985, Avery was reborn as a research center for scholars and brought into the College of Charleston. Although the center is closed to visitors through the end of 2019 because of renovations, its formidable collection is expanding and important scholarship continues. Exhibits normally open to the public include the Avery Room, a recreated 18 th -century social studies class room, and the McKinley Washington Auditorium that holds displays of artworks and artifacts from the collection Gibbes Museum of Art The Gibbes Museum of Art , home to more than 10,000 works of art, includes influential pieces by such African American artists as Jacob Lawrence, Kara Walker, and Romare Bearden, as well as fine examples of local sweetgrass baskets. Three extraordinary artworks on display, in particular, resonate with local flavor and are worth seeking out: full-length portraits of black citizens, painted in house paint on panels of scrap wood and metal by self-taught Gullah artist Sam Doyle. South Carolina Historical Society Museum The Robert Mills Fireproof Building, a National Historic Landmark, was designed in 1826 by the architect of the Washington Monument and constructed by slaves. Since September 2018, the newly renovated landmark has served as home to the South Carolina Historical Society . Visitors can tour galleries that showcase 350 years of state history, from displays of artifacts and documents like carved stone mileposts, auction notices, notable correspondences, daguerrotypes, and plantation maps to ultramodern interactive kiosks that narrate the experiences of several citizens and documentary films. S.H. Kress & Co. On April 1, 1960, two dozen black students from Charleston's Burke High School gathered at S.H. Kress & Co., a five-and-dime store located at King and Wentworth streets. The lunch counter there and those at other Kress stores denied service to blacks at the time. The teens refused to leave their stools and were eventually arrested. Their brave action and subsequent arrest inspired a new surge of support in the local civil rights movement. A brass plaque mounted on the front of the three-story art deco building, now an H&M department store, marks the site. >>Next: Plan Your Trip With AFAR's Ultimate Charleston Travel Guide


FARMINGDALE, N.Y. - A back injury in the second FedExCup Playoffs event in 2017 sent Danny Lee to the ground at Conway Farms north of Chicago. The next morning, he said he couldn't move his legs. "I never had that kind of injury before, so I was freaking out and was telling my wife, 'OK, are we going to open up a Korean barbecue restaurant now?' And she's like, 'Hell no,'" Lee said. While the injury - he tore a ligament between his L4 and L5 discs - ended his 2017 season and plagued him for months, the Lees never did open a restaurant. Instead, Lee continued living out his dream of playing on the PGA Tour, although the ups and far more downs have taken a taxing toll. "It's not always fairytales and unicorns out here," Lee said. Well, it was in Thursday's first round of the 101 st PGA Championship, as Lee took it to 7,406-yard Bethpage Black with a 6-under-par 64. Needing just 21 putts and making just two bogeys, Lee stood just one shot behind pace-setter Brooks Koepka at day's end. MORE: Leaderboard | Round 2 tee times | TV info Lee, 28, had a standout amateur career that included victories in the 2008 U.S. Amateur at Pinehurst and in the 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic on the European Tour but has won just one PGA Tour event, the 2015 Greenbrier Classic. He said he took advantage of his newfound length to post a great number. Working with his team, especially coach George Gankas, Lee has learned to make a bigger turn on his backswing and use the ground as a force more. He's also learned his swing doesn't have to be perfect all the time to hit fairways. "At first, I wasn't hitting it far enough to compete out here in the major championships - the PGA Championship or U.S. Open," Lee said. "But now I'm definitely hitting it further. I can carry my driver about 290, 295 in the air. That's a huge bonus for me. And that was actually the first time I actually got to play in a major with this distance. "I'm actually interested in myself what I can do out there this week." So is his family - Lee travels with his wife, mother-in-law and daughter, Roi Theodore, who was born in October 2018. His family grounds him as he continues to grind on the PGA Tour. "I know my family is sacrificing out there for me to chase my dream out here," Lee said. "Sometimes I feel like I'm a bad person when I play bad because I didn't do what I'm supposed to do. But I don't get as frustrated when I have a bad round. I definitely learn how to just laugh it off and put it behind me. "I wasn't able to do that before." Well, his family enjoyed a good laugh after the first round. MORE: Five potential Jimmy Butler landing spots in free agency The 12 worst ceremonial first pitches of all time, ranked (UPDATED) A look at the Seahawks projected starters in 2019 What Will the Lakers Do With Their First Round Pick if They Can't Land Anthony Davis? Report: Browns rookie RB LJ Scott decides to quit NFL after just 2 days


A bill in the state House would make it illegal for people to hold their phones while driving. If the measure becomes law, drivers caught holding their phones while behind the wheel would face a fine of up to $200. The bill was introduced by Republican Rep. Rosemary Brown, who represents portions of Monroe and Pike counties. It would outlaw holding a phone even if the driver is using GPS on the device. GPS use would be permitted only if the phone is attached to a docking station or other surface. The law would be even more restrictive for drivers under the age of 18, who would not be permitted to use a phone in a vehicle even if it is stopped. Drivers and older would be allowed to use the phone if the vehicle is not in motion. Talking on the phone would be permitted as long as a Bluetooth or other hands-free device is used. You can see the entire bill by clicking on the link.


More than a million passengers per year shuffle through Juneau, and hundreds of thousands through Ketchikan and Skagway, all popular ports that top most big cruise line itineraries. Imagine waking up to glaciers calving thunderously outside your window. Over lunch, you spot clusters of otters floating playfully on their backs, whales breaching, and seals sunning on icebergs. Your schedule is totally planned for you, and you explore a new town each day. This is the kind of Alaska experience that's only possible by cruise. And while there are many lines that sail to Alaska both large and small we're believers that the most intimate, active, and enriching experience can only be achieved by small cruise ship. Here are the biggest bonuses we got from setting sail with Alaskan Dream Cruises, a family-owned small ship company that operates cruises right from their backyard in Sitka. You'll go to small ports big ships can't reach More than a million passengers per year shuffle through Juneau, and hundreds of thousands through Ketchikan and Skagway, all popular ports that top most big cruise line itineraries. On a small line like Alaskan Dream Cruises, you could dock in a 500-person town called Kake (pronounced  cake ), where you ll watch native Alaskans perform a traditional dance and carve totem poles as they recount the stories they tell. The onboard lifestyle is convivial When you're not one of 2,000+ passengers, it's a little easier to get to know people. There are only 76 passengers on board Alaskan Dream Cruises' Chichagof Dream, which the captain affectionately called, "one big dysfunctional family." Don't be surprised when the crew gets to know you by name, the bartender remembers your drink order, and you bump shoulders with your tablemate while on deck gazing at the Northern Lights. There's no nickel-and-diming Board a big ship and you'll incur extra charges on everything from excursions to special dining menus to alcohol. On many small lines, including Alaskan Dream, excursions, meals, and hotel and airport transfers are all included, as well as a complimentary glass of wine or beer at dinner. There's no waiting in line Wraparound lines are inevitable with thousands of passengers, especially at mealtimes and for onboard activities. With a small line, there's a spot for everyone to dine at the same time, and enough kayaks for an orderly departure. Active exploration is a priority If you want to take a bus tour every day, by all means book a big ship cruise. Or book a small one for the opportunity to take lengthier and, if you like, more challenging hikes, walks, and kayaking excursions. Our small ship offered three departures a day, for all speeds and ability levels, led by naturalists who described the flora and fauna in depth. You can join "The Five Percent Club" Only five percent of visitors to Alaska's most popular port of call, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, set foot on land the rest view the glaciers from the ship. Small ships can offer the chance to do just that, and believe us, setting foot on the rocky surface just by a glacier can be otherworldly. Alaskan Dream Cruises offer itineraries that dock there overnight, so you get two full days. You can jump into icy water in front of a glacier Allowing passengers to jump off the side of the ship is something big ships frown upon. But on Chichagof Dream a few brave souls can take the plunge of a lifetime to gain the line's coveted "Killer Whale Club" certificate documenting their bravery (or craziness, depending on your outlook). And yes, those glacier waters are freezing, but our ship's heated Salt Room like a sauna, but less steamy hot was a godsend for warming up. You can feel the difference in a family-owned business Supporting a family-owned business rather than a corporation can just feel good. Alaskan Dream Cruises' founders, the Allen family, are deeply involved in their company, so their trips don't feel like a canned experience. You'll feel it when you read the story of how they built the company from the ground up via a biography in the stateroom, and when you set sail right from their property's backyard in Sitka. Ships also stop at the Allen's Orca Point Lodge, a beautiful property surrounded by wilderness, where you'll be the only cruisers to feast on all-you-can-eat King crab legs and roast marshmallows over a fire. Cultural enrichment connects you to the land There are no race cars, Broadway-style shows, or casinos here. You're more likely to learn about whales from an onboard naturalist or be moved to tears by a native Alaskan speaking passionately about carrying on their dwindling Tlingit language the chance to learn about Alaska, from Alaskans, and to feel a part of the fabric of the land.


As training camp continues, there may be some names who are unfamiliar to some Steelers fans. As a guide, here is a breakdown of the Steelers entire roster by position with their jersey numbers. With the Steelers receiving an international exemption, 91 players can be carried into training camp. The number of players kept (in parentheses) on the Steelers initial 53-man roster in 2018 have been noted for reference. ( Editor's Note : Every time the team makes a transaction, we will update the roster to keep you up-to-date on who is still on the 91-man roster.) Offense Quarterback (3) Ben Roethlisberger #7 Joshua Dobbs #5 Mason Rudolph #2 Devlin Hodges #6 Running Back (3) James Conner #30 Jaylen Samuels #38 Benny Snell Jr #24 Trey Edmunds #33 Ralph Webb #40 Malik Williams #39 Travon McMillian #35 Fullback (1): Roosevelt Nix #45 Wide Receiver (6) JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 Donte Moncrief #11 James Washington #13 Diontae Johnson #18 Eli Rogers #17 Ryan Switzer #10 Trey Griffey #15 Johnny Holton #80 Tevin Jones #14 Diontae Spencer #82 Brandon Reilly #83 Tight End (3) Vance McDonald #89 Xavier Grimble #85 Zach Gentry #81 Kevin Rader #87 Christian Scotland-Williamson #49 Trevor Wood (also LS) #88 Offensive Line (9) Maurkice Pouncey #53 David DeCastro #66 Ramon Foster #73 Alejandro Villanueva #78 Matt Feiler #71 Chukwuma Okorafor #76 Jerald Hawkins #65 B.J. Finney #67 Zach Banner #72 Derwin Gray #77 Damian Prince #64 Patrick Morris #62 J.C. Hassenauer #60 Garrett Brumfield #68 Fred Johnson #74 Defense Defensive Line (6) Cameron Heyward #97 Stephon Tuitt #91 Javon Hargrave #79 Tyson Alualu #94 Daniel McCullers #93 Isaiah Buggs #96 Lavon Hooks #95 Conor Sheehy #61 Winston Craig #64 Casey Sayles #74 Greg Gilmore #65 Henry Mondeaux #72 Outside Linebacker (3) T.J. Watt #90 Bud Dupree #48 Anthony Chickillo #56 Olasunkanmi Adeniyi #92 Sutton Smith #42 JT Jones #40 Tuzar Skipper #51 Inside Linebacker (5) Vince Williams #98 Mark Barron #26 Devin Bush #55 Tyler Matakevich #44 Ulysees Gilbert III #54 Robert Spillane #49 Tegray Scales #46 Ryan Shazier (PUP) #50 Cornerback (5) Joe Haden #23 Steven Nelson #22 Mike Hilton #28 Artie Burns #25 Cameron Sutton #20 Justin Layne #31 Brian Allen #29 Marcelis Branch #39 Jermaine Ponder #33 Safety (6) Sean Davis #21 Terrell Edmunds #34 Jordan Dangerfield #37 Marcus Allen #27 Kam Kelly #38 Dravon Askew-Henry #41 P.J. Locke #24 Specialists Placekicker (1) Chris Boswell #9 Mathew Wright #16 Punter (1) Jordan Berry #4 Ian Berryman #8 Long Snapper (1) Kameron Canaday #57 Trevor Wood #88 Offense : 44 Defense : 42 (not including Shazier) Specialists : 5 (not including Wood) Total : 91


After winning the Premier League Asia Trophy, Wolves will be expected to close the gap between the top six and the chasing pack next season. However, the club's extremely small squad size is no secret. As the season progresses and a reliable squad depth comes into play, Nuno Santo will surely have to rely on some of the club's hot prospects. The side that finished seventh in the 2018/19 season wasn't exactly old, with Morgan Gibbs-White featuring 31 times in all competitions at just 18 years old. Moreover, the instrumental key players Diogo Jota and Ruben Neves are still only 21 years old. Given Nuno's tendency to lean towards youth, paired with the squad's possible fragility in numbers, here is six of Wolves' brightest prospects who could make a name for themselves in the 2019/20 season. Rafa Mir The young Spaniard was brought to Wolves by Nuno back in January of 2018 from Valencia. However, he struggled to make an impact on the Championship, playing just two games in the second half of the season. Mir didn't feature in Wolves' superb 2019/20 Premier League campaign as he was loaned back to Spain, joining Las Palmas for the season. Scoring seven times in the Spanish Segunda Division, the now 22-year-old proved he could play at a second tier level and will be eager to make the next step up. With Raul Jimenez as the club's only current out and out striker, Mir could be useful to give the Mexican a break. Ruben Vinagre The Portuguese left-back did make an impact on Wolves' starting lineup at points throughout last season. The 20-year-old made 10 starts in the 2019/20 campaign. With Jonny Otto comfortably holding down the left side of Wolves' defence, Vinagre may struggle to increase on the amount of first team football he saw last season. However, reaching the FA Cup semi-finals shows that Nuno is not opposed to a cup run, giving the youngsters at Wolves increased chances of first team football. Vinagre made a case for himself last season and has done the same in pre-season, scoring Wolves' third penalty as they beat Man City 3-2 on penalties will ensure he is remembered. Niall Ennis After coming off the bench in both of Wolves' Premier League Asia Trophy games, the young centre-forward is experiencing ever increasing first team football. Contributing to 19 goals in 44 appearances in last season's Premier League 2, Ennis impressed Nuno enough to earn his debut in the EFL Cup. Clearly, the young striker has showed potential and joining the first team's pre-season training camp will provide much needed confidence. Although Ennis may not quite be up to Premier League standards this season, he has proved he is not far from it. Max Kilman Kilman has also come on as a substitute in both of Wolves' pre-season friendlies, missing one of the many missed penalties in the shootout against Man City . The English defender made his Premier League debut last season when he came off the bench against Fulham. Check out this unstoppable strike from young defender Max Kilman during training today! 🚀👏 pic.twitter.com/ao5bPh8XoF   Wolves (@Wolves) March 5, 2019 The 22-year-old has made 25 appearances for the England national futsal team, but he put that career path on hold when he signed for Wolves back in 2018. While it is expected that Kilman will see most of his action in the Under-23s, Nuno wouldn't have given him some much needed first team experience over the summer for no reason. Nathaniel Shio Hong Wan "I feel very privileged and blessed to become the first Chinese player to play for Wolves." A delighted Hong reflects on his rapid Wolves journey to join the #PLAsiaTrophy squad and his experience making his debut in a special atmosphere.  pic.twitter.com/zr5RGI2EKA   Wolves Academy (@WolvesAcademy) July 18, 2019 Signed this summer to feature predominantly in the Under-23s, the Molineaux faithful could see much more of Hong than expected. The 18-year-old replaced Neves as Wolves went on to lift the Premier League Asia Trophy, showing the confidence that Nuno already has in the youngster.


Last month, 21 cherry trees that were in the way of the NFL draft stage in Nashville received a reprieve . Nearly 1,800 more in California weren't as fortunate. Via the NBC Bay Area , vandals destroyed half of the 4,000 cherry trees at a farm owned by former NFL center Jeremy Newberry. On May 15, Newberry found that almost 2,000 new trees had been pulled out from the roots and snapped. Here's the obvious question: Who has the time to pull 2,000 cherry trees out from the roots and snap them in half? Also: Who has the warped desire to do that? The trees, Newberry told the San Francisco Chronicle , are worth $30,000. He plans to plant more trees, and to set up surveillance cameras. A two-time Pro Bowler, the 43-year-old Newberry spent 11 seasons in the NFL, nine of them with the 49ers. Related slideshow: To p picks of 2019 NFL Draft (provided by imagn)


The weather forecast for Philadelphia has hot temperatures predicted for the next week, starting on Wednesday, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Temperatures will reach a high on Wednesday of 91 degrees. The immediate forecast also includes light rainfall. Saturday should see the most rain, with a projected accumulation of 0.24 inches. Skies will partially clear on Monday, remaining partly cloudy through Tuesday. Winds will continue to be light through the week, with the highest speeds on Thursday at just 9 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.


Do the Chargers have the best secondary in the NFL, heading into the 2019 season? The majority of the general population certainly believes so. Los Angeles was among the teams that were in a Twitter poll made by Fox Sports: NFL. They asked who had the best secondary in the league. The others included were the Bears, Browns and Ravens. In a very close finish, the Bolts came out on top with 34 percent of the votes in favor of them. Right behind them was Cleveland who finished with 31 percent, followed by Chicago with 22 percent and Baltimore with 13 percent. Time to settle this. Based on your responses, we've narrowed it down to 4. Which NFL team has the best secondary? - FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) May 16, 2019 When looking at the roster, it's easy to make an argument for L.A. possessing one of the top, if not, best secondaries in the NFL going into this upcoming season. With the addition of rookie safety Nasir Adderley, the second year of Derwin James, the rise of Adrian Phillips, the dynamic duo at the cornerback position made up by Desmond King and Casey Hayward, and a healthy Trevor Williams coming back, the Chargers' 2019 secondary has the feel of an iconic group. Defensive backs coach Ron Milus has done an excellent job of the position. Los Angeles has had six consecutive years of Pro Bowlers in the secondary. In 2018, they sent James and Phillips to Orlando, FL, while also boasting three All-Pro players. It's also noteworthy that L.A. will have the premiere pass rush led by Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa, along with the arrival of defensive tackle Jerry Tillery, to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, making life all easier for the members in the defensive backfield. MORE: Did the Raiders steal the best fullback in the 2019 NFL draft? 2019 Preakness Stakes post positions and odds Houston Rockets free agency target: Jimmy Butler NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players Mark Jackson on Draymond Green: 'We were absolutely stunned that he was still on the draft board'


There used to be a time, not that long ago, when four-cylinder engines with turbochargers rarely made more than 250 horsepower. But those days are gone now, and just in case you need convincing, here's Mercedes-AMG's latest four-banger: the M139, which it announced on Thursday . The S-version M139 is now officially the world's most powerful production four-cylinder engine, thanks to its mind-scrambling 416 hp. Nope, that's not a typo; this 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine makes more horsepower than the BMW E9x M3's 4.4-liter V8 engine did. It also makes way, way more torque -- some 369 foot-pounds of it, to be exact. There's a non-S version, too, which makes 382 hp, but who cares? "With the M139, we have once again impressively demonstrated the engine expertise of Mercedes-AMG," said Tobias Moers, chairman of Mercedes-AMG, in a statement. "Not only is the output per liter unrivaled for a turbocharged engine, the high level of efficiency also demonstrates that the internal combustion engine still has further potential." The M139 engine is different from its predecessor, the M133 , in several ways. The most significant change is that the engine has effectively been flipped around so that the exhaust side of the cylinder head points toward the vehicle's firewall. This simplifies routing for the turbo system's plumbing and allows AMG's engineers to bring the nose of the car down for better aerodynamics. AMG's engineers didn't stop there. They gave the M139 a highly efficient (and expensive) dual ball-bearing, twin-scroll turbo. This has the effect of increasing turbo responsiveness and eliminating the laggy feel that you'd typically expect in such a heavily turbocharged engine. Another concern that's created by all that turbo pressure -- nearly 30.5 pounds per square inch, to be exact -- is whether the engine's internals will be able to stand up to its abuse for a long time. To assuage that, Mercedes opted to use a closed-deck engine block for cylinder stability, as well as a forged crankshaft and pistons, both of which are also lighter than their cheaper, cast counterparts. AMG uses a number of other tricks to help increase longevity and engine output, including an electric water pump that reduces parasitic drain and can be more accurately controlled to manage engine temperatures. It also opted to use air-to-water intercooling, rather than the more-traditional and cheaper air-to-air style. This has the benefit of better packaging and more stability for engine thermals under load. Clearly, the M139 doesn't need to make over 400 horsepower, but because AMG seemingly only employs crazy people that don't live in the same world that you or I do, it does so anyway. We're not positive yet what Mercedes will put this engine in -- we'd guess things with a "45" badge followed by a little "s" -- but it will undoubtedly be a riot in any application. 2019 Mercedes-AMG C43 looks good, performs better This was originally published on Roadshow.


One play from the Green Bay Packers' Family Night Scrimmage showcased why quarterback Aaron Rodgers is so fond of receiver Jake Kumerow. A full training camp's worth of plays has sold Rodgers on fullback Danny Vitale's place on the roster. The two keep impressing the Packers quarterback. Kumerow keeps doing all the little things right. Rodgers was specifically impressed with the way Kumerow hauled in a deep pass against Jaire Alexander's coverage on Friday night at Lambeau Field. "The thing you look for, the throw I hit him on Family Night, against Jaire, was his late hands. That's just hard to teach," Rodgers said after Tuesday's practice . "The trust to wait until the last second to put your hands out there against a great defender who is basically playing his hands and not seeing for the football. You can't teach that." Rodgers said he saw that same ability in Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, James Jones and Greg Jennings. "To run full speed, and then at the last second put their hands up," Rodgers said. Rodgers ➡ Kumerow! #FamilyNight pic.twitter.com/BRwIQMePLY - Green Bay Packers (@packers) August 3, 2019 Kumerow also made a back-shoulder catch from Rodgers on third down in the two-minute drill and completed a tumbling, out-stretched catch from Tim Boyle. A pinky injury that he reinjured during the first of two joint practices with the Houston Texans didn't cause him to miss any time. Kumerow, who caught eight passes after returning from a significant shoulder injury last season, played the majority of his snaps in team drills with Rodgers and the first-team offense on Monday and Tuesday. Rodgers said he looks even more comfortable to start 2019. "He's just a very mature route runner," Rodgers said. "I think he's faster than a lot of guys who line up over him give him credit for, until they get beat over the top. He had (Texans cornerback) Johnathan Joseph on a stop route that he just beat him off the line and converted it. Had I been looking that way, I would have thrown the ball to him on that play. He's just a very smart guy, cerebral guy, you know I love playing with those kind of guys." Fullback Danny Vitale (45) catches a pass over Linebacker James Crawford (54) during Green Bay Packers training camp at Ray Nitschke Field Friday, July 26, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. Rodgers is also starting to like playing with Vitale, the do-it-all fullback who keeps making big plays in the passing game. During Monday's practice with the Texans, Vitale produced one of the best plays of camp when he skied over a linebacker and made an impressive catch of a deep ball from Rodgers. "He's been very impressive," Rodgers said. "He's made multiple plays where you've been, 'Wow, he's going to be on the team.'" Vitale hasn't just been a receiver. He handled the first running play during team drills on Tuesday and has earned reps as the lead blocker in two-back sets and the primary pass protector in singleback looks. It's increasingly clear Vitale has carved out a real place in the offense, and that Rodgers and coach Matt LaFleur trust him to play a variety of roles. Vitale might have a muscle-packed, 240-pound frame, but Rodgers has been impressed with everything else he brings to the table, both physically and mentally. "In a non-disrespectful way, he's surprised all of us with his athleticism. You look at him sometimes, you think, meathead, weight-room guy. But you realize he can run, he can catch, he can read coverages," Rodgers said. MORE: 'Bachelor in Paradise' 2019 cast guide: Meet all 37 contestants Packers' decision to cut OT Jason Spriggs places spotlight on second-year UDFA Alex Light Eagles' release unofficial depth chart for preseason opener vs. Titans D'Onta Foreman looking forward to second chance with Colts Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo enjoying evolution of his new defense


A full slate of Major League Soccer games came our way on Champions League final day, so if you missed any of the action while Liverpool secured the European crown. There was plenty of movement made, with the Eastern Conference getting a new leader for a short time and the West seeing a number of playoff teams go down. Atlanta United 2-0 Chicago Fire Josef Martinez is back to scoring in bunches and the defending champions was back on top of the Eastern Conference   for a short time   as they beat Chicago 2-0. Martinez scored his second brace in a row, giving the Venezuelan six goals in his last five games and into double digits on the full league season with 10. The clean sheet is also the second straight for the club and eighth on the year, helping to bounce back from a two-game losing streak to temporarily claim the top spot in the conference (D.C. United since jumped back on top, but Atlanta closed the gap to just one point). Frank De Boer 's back line looks to be gaining traction, conceding just three goals over the last nine matches. There goes that man! AGAIN! @JosefMartinez17 gets his 10th on the year. #ATLvCHI pic.twitter.com/wRu9OIpper   Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 1, 2019 NY Red Bulls 4-0 Real Salt Lake RSL's road woes continue as they were trounced at Red Bull Arena. The game was 0-0 at the break, but a 58th minute own-goal broke the deadlock and it got out of hand as Daniel Royer doubled the lead a minute later, Michael Murillo made it three on a deflection, and Omir Fernandez capped it off with seven minutes to go. The win leaves New York unbeaten in five and pushed them to fourth in the Eastern Conference, three points off the leaders. That's TWO. Daniel Royer doubles the lead for #RBNY pic.twitter.com/HgpTnX7qoZ   Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 2, 2019 Montreal Impact 0-3 Orlando City Orlando City went on the road and got a massive win over a playoff team as they got all three in the first half and held on from there. Nani opened the scoring from the spot for his 100th career goal, while Tesho Akindele tapped in at the back post past the half-hour mark for the second and Will Johnson's diving header capped off a beautiful flowing move for the third minutes before the break. The win broke a 4-game duck against the Impact for Orlando City and avenged a 3-1 loss at home earlier in the season. Montreal managed just a single shot on target out of its nine total efforts, without Ignacio Piatti for the first time in what will be a long injury layoff. This honestly might be the best team goal Orlando City have ever scored. Gorgeous. pic.twitter.com/4qMfdkm8l5   Matthew Doyle (@MattDoyle76) June 1, 2019 D.C. United 1-1 San Jose Earthquakes D.C. United maintained its spot atop the Eastern Conference, but the gap is now just a single point as the home side was forced to come from behind to secure a draw against San Jose. Chris Wondolowski can't stop scoring after setting the career MLS goalscoring record, bagging a goal for the third straight match with his 37th minute header, assisted by USMNT call-up Nick Lima. That forced D.C. to play from behind, and they earned a draw on Luciano Acosta's 67th minute equalizer, with the 25-year-old pouncing on a save spilled by Daniel Vega. There were 36 total shots ripped off by the two teams combined and 12 of them on target, but the two goalkeepers combined for 10 saves . Wondo can't stop scoring! #DCvSJ pic.twitter.com/37ZElCoWgt   Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 2, 2019 Columbus Crew 2-2 NYCFC The home side blew a pair of leads in a 2-2 draw with NYCFC. Gyasi Zardes struck from the spot in the 28th minute, and again Columbus took the lead in the 61st minute when Pedro Santos was left all alone at the far post. It wasn't enough though, as Valentin Castellanos blasted a long-distance rip to equalize with 14 minutes to go. The draw spoiled Zack Steffan's sendoff with Columbus with the goalkeeper headed to U.S. national team duty before departing on a transfer to Manchester City. It also kept Columbus from moving into a playoff position, potentially jumping three teams with a win. OH MY! @TATYCASTE11ANOS WITH A STUNNER! #CLBvNYC pic.twitter.com/3RX9xLHAWY   Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 2, 2019 Houston Dynamo 1-1 Sporting KC Two goals six minutes apart shared the spoils in Houston as the Dynamo fail to keep pace with the Western Conference leaders. Sporting KC jumped in front in the 63rd minute as Yohan Croizet chipped a charging Joe Willis on the break to open the scoring. Houston pulled back level in the 69th minute with a fabulous volley that found the top corner, but they were unable to finish the full comeback. That left Houston in fourth in the West, three back of third-placed Seattle and four behind the second-placed LA Galaxy. Sporting KC also missed a big opportunity to pull closer to the playoff positions, currently in 10th with 15 points. Kansas City has just one league win since late March, leaving them four points back of a playoff spot. BOOM! Alberth Elis with the equalizer! #HOUvSKC pic.twitter.com/u5sh5kdGEi   Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 2, 2019 Colorado Rapids 3-1 FC Cincinnati The Rapids shook off a 72nd minute visiting equalizer to claim a critical victory and pull two points from dragging themselves off the bottom of the East, beating fellow basement-dwellers FC Cincinnati 3-1. With the hosts holding a 1-0 lead, Kekuta Manneh came off the bench to level the score in the 72nd minute, but that lasted just a single minute as Colorado went back in front via Nicolas Mezquida. The winning goal came from a tight angle to the right, with the shot clattering off the hands of goalkeeper Spencer Richey. Diego Rubio put the game away with eight minutes remaining with a header off a corner. Cincinnati would have pulled off the bottom of the East with a win, but instead it's Colorado who earns the spoils to pull within two points of Portland. Wasn't level for long … @nico_mezquida gets @ColoradoRapids back up top, 2-1. pic.twitter.com/0gI5BrlhEI   Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 2, 2019 FC Dallas 2-0 Seattle Sounders A pair of own-goals five minutes apart has FC Dallas up 2-0 at the break. The first came off Xavier Arreaga as Ryan Hollingshead delivered a header in the 33rd minute, and soon after Brad Smith deposited one into his own net on a Michael Barrios cross. Portland Timbers 0-0 LAFC The late Saturday night start is just under way at Providence Park. Follow @the_bonnfire


You can leave your umbrella at home through Saturday, but light rainfall is in the forecast for Milwaukee later in the week, according to the seven-day forecast from drone-powered weather service Saildrone . Sunday's forecast shows the highest likelihood of rain at 76 percent, with rain possible through Monday. The next few days will also see warm temperatures, due to stick around through Tuesday. The weather will reach a high of 82 degrees on Saturday. Skies will be partly cloudy today and mostly cloudy tomorrow. Winds are expected to reach a modest high of 14 mph on Saturday, and continue to be in the teens through Monday. 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.


Boston Mayor Marty Walsh is coming to a crossroads in his political career, and he may not like what he sees on the horizon. The wave that swept former City Councilor Ayanna Pressley into Congress is headed Marty's way, powered by rapidly shifting demographics that could finally break Boston's streak of white male mayors only. Instead of Pressley, Walsh faces the very real possibility of facing City Council superstar Michelle Wu or another minority or woman candidate looking to make history in 2021. In the middle of his second term, Walsh must soon decide whether he wants to remain in his current job   where he could be vulnerable   or run for another office like governor or senator. Walsh could also look for a job outside elective office, and would be a prime candidate for a Cabinet post or other position under a new Democratic president, especially if it's his buddy Joe Biden. Walsh is certainly still extremely popular in Boston, but so was former U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano before Pressley shocked the nation and bounced him from Congress last year. The Pressley upset coined a new term   getting "Capuanoed"   and inspired a new generation of political candidates hoping to repeat the feat. Walsh endorsed Capuano and worked hard for his failed reelection bid, and the loss took a big chunk out of the mayor's political capital. Wu is currently running for reelection and should win easily, setting her up for a potential mayoral run in 2021, which she isn't ruling out. A glowing Atlantic magazine story about Wu posed the question, "The Next Mayor of Boston?" "I was never, growing up, thinking that I would be in politics to begin with, so I take it a day at a time," Wu told the Herald's Jessica Heslam. That answer can't make Walsh too comfortable. The mayor, a one-time union boss whose aides were charged with extortion and may still go on trial in the coming year, is a remnant of the old Boston. Wu, the first Asian American woman elected to the council, is a symbol of the new, more diverse Boston. The city has changed quickly since the era of former Mayor Thomas Menino, who was the first Italian American chief executive. New demographic figures show that Boston's non-white population grew an astounding 63 percent from 1990 to 2017, and whites now make up just 44 percent of the population. Nearly three in 10 of Boston's residents are now foreign-born. Since 1990, Hispanics have doubled to 20 percent of the population, while Asians have also nearly doubled to nearly 10 percent. Walsh   with an eye on the city's new demographic realities   has tried hard to reach out to non-whites and immigrants, endorsing sanctuary city policies and even going so far as to offer City Hall as a safe haven to illegal immigrants. The mayor easily won reelection in 2017 over then City Councilor Tito Jackson, an African American. But the mayor's promises have not always matched reality. New hiring figures published by the city show that less than 1% of city contracts went to minority- and women-owned firms, further fueling Walsh's critics. It was Wu who authored the ordinance requiring the city to publish those numbers, and they now could come back to haunt Walsh in a reelection bid.


Fulham are hoping to receive a record compensation sum for youngster Harvey Elliott, after the London club and Liverpool failed to agree on a fee for the teenage superstar. Elliott became the youngest Premier League player in history after making his debut at the age of 16 years and 30 days as part of the Fulham side that was relegated from the top flight last season. He rejected a scholarship from Fulham and decided on a move to Liverpool and, according to the Evening Standard , the Cottagers are hoping for a compensation fee of over £10m, which includes a sum of money up front and a percentage of any profit made if the Reds decide to sell Elliott in the future. Both Fulham and Liverpool will have to wait for the verdict given by the Professional Football Compensation Committee tribunal to find out the final transfer fee. Liverpool currently hold the record for paying the highest tribunal compensation fee, after shelling out £8m for Burnley striker Danny Ings after he moved to Anfield in 2015. Fulham stand in good stead to break Ings' record, as the 16-year-old ticks plenty of boxes which the c ommittee consider when deciding on the value of a player. Welcome to #LFC , Harvey Elliott  https://t.co/FaQHrTf2rt   Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 28, 2019 These factors include age, number of first-team appearances, reputation and substantiated interest from other clubs. Elliott had attracted interest from some of Europe's elite, such as Barcelona and Real Madrid , which strengthens Fulham's hand in their case against Liverpool. Elliott made his Reds debut against Napoli , as the European champions slipped to a 3-0 defeat at the Murrayfield stadium on Sunday Evening.


Companies spend a great deal of time, effort and money to create, curate, and protect their brand identities, especially global multinationals with consumer-facing or commercial products and services. Many of these companeis have global appeal "What's in a name?" Juliet asks in Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," implying a name means nothing. But marketing professionals and companies would strongly disagree with Juliet's premise, asserting that brand names and brands certainly have value. Companies spend a great deal of time, effort and money to create, curate, and protect their brand identities, especially global multinationals with consumer-facing or commercial products and services. To identify the top 50 most valuable global brands, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed Global 500 2019 , the annual report on the world's most valuable and strongest brands, published by British business strategy consultant Brand Finance. Brand value is determined by reviewing a range of factors, including how much it would cost to license a particular brand in a given industry and calculating how much of a parent company's revenue comes from a particular brand. Past financial performance and future forecasts are also considered. The top 50 include 13 tech company brands, five car brands, and five telecommunications brands. Several of these companies have built their brands' values through groundbreaking product development. In fact, many companies on this list rank among the world's 50 most innovative companies . Brand recognition and value can also grow over time, and a brand on this list has one of the oldest corporate logos in the world . Because this is a list of global brands, not all of them will be familiar to the typical Western consumer. Just over half of these brands (26) are owned by U.S. companies, while 15 are Chinese enterprises. Click ahead to see the 50 most valuable brands in the world. 50. Intel > 2019 brand value: $29 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +32.0% > Sector: Tech > Country: United States The Santa Clara, California-based chipmaker is a global leader in semiconductor design and manufacturing. Recently, however, Intel's stock slumped on revelations of slower than expected sales growth in the coming years, due in part to competition from chipmaker AMD. 49. Sinopec > 2019 brand value: $29 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +23.3% > Sector: Oil & gas > Country: China Also known as China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, Sinopec is the world's third most valuable energy company brand. Last year, it was the biggest oil and gas company in the world based on revenue, ahead of Royal Dutch Shell and Saudi Aramco. ALSO READ: The Oldest Corporate Logos in the World 48. UPS > 2019 brand value: $29 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +33.2% > Sector: Logistics > Country: United States Despite a dip in profitability last year, Atlanta-based United Parcel Service remains the world's most valuable logistics brand, comfortably ahead of other top-rankers FedEx and DHL. 47. Porsche > 2019 brand value: $29 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +54.0% > Sector: Auto > Country: Germany The German luxury carmaker has been wholly owned by Volkswagen Group since 2012. Porsche was recently fined nearly $600 million by German regulators for selling cars with engines that do not comply with European emissions requirements. ALSO READ: Hottest Businesses to Franchise in America 46. Deloitte > 2019 brand value: $30 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +42.2% > Sector: Commercial services > Country: United States The U.K.-based company is a global leader in commercial auditing and consulting and one of the Big Four consulting firms, along with PwC, EY, and KPMG. Deloitte recently expanded its services, advising international clients on U.S. workplace management. 45. Moutai > 2019 brand value: $30 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +43.4% > Sector: Spirits > Country: China Moutai is a brand of Chinese liquor known as baijiu, manufactured by the world's most valuable distiller by market capitalization, Kweichow Moutai Company. This sorghum-based 106-proof liquor is closely tied to China's history and has long been ubiquitous at Chinese political, social, and business get-togethers. ALSO READ: 20 Companies Leading the AI Revolution 44. UnitedHealthcare > 2019 brand value: $31 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +64.3% > Sector: Healthcare > Country: United States The Minnetonka, Minnesota-based company is the largest health insurance provider in the United States based on revenue and membership. UnitedHealthcare is one of the companies at the center of an ongoing national debate about how to reel in crippling U.S. health care costs. 43. McDonald's > 2019 brand value: $31 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +26.6% > Sector: Restaurants > Country: United States The Golden Arches is the less valuable of two restaurant brands on this list. McDonald's reported stronger than expected growth in same-store U.S. sales in the first three months of the year and is in the process of joining the meatless-burger trend. ALSO READ: The World s 50 Most Innovative Companies 42. Boeing > 2019 brand value: $32 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +60.6% > Sector: Aerospace & defense > Country: United States The only aerospace company on this list, Boeing has had a bad year so far after two variants of its popular 737 Max jets crashed. The result was a global grounding of the jets and allegations of shoddy production and inadequate pilot training. The brand's 60.6% jump in value occurred before the company's recent troubles. 41. Nike > 2019 brand value: $32 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +15.7% > Sector: Apparel > Country: United States The world's most valuable apparel brand, Nike, continues to outperform its competitors like Adidas and Under Armour. The ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China could pose a significant hurdle for the sneaker and athletic apparel maker is the near future. ALSO READ: The World's 20 Fastest Growing Retailers 40. IBM > 2019 brand value: $33 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +1.2% > Sector: Commercial services > Country: United States The information technology company recently received approval from American regulators to acquire software company Red Hat in an effort to expand its cloud computing business. IBM is in the process of a pivot to the cloud and artificial intelligence and away from equipment sales and services. 39. Marlboro > 2019 brand value: $34 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +10.0% > Sector: Tobacco > Country: United States Philip Morris International sells Marlboros globally, and Altria Group markets the brand in the United States; both cite declining demand and increased taxation as risks to their future cigarette businesses. Last year, Altria bought a stake in e-cigarette-maker Juul as Americans embrace vaping. The value of Juul has yet to crack the top 500 brands, however. ALSO READ: America s Most Eco-Friendly Vehicles 38. Coca-Cola > 2019 brand value: $36 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +19.1% > Sector: Soft drinks > Country: United States The flagship brand of The Coca-Cola Company is also the most recognized beverage brand globally. Consumers are steering away from sugary drinks, which explains why the Atlanta-based maker of beverages, concentrates, and syrups has been experimenting lately with new diet Coke products. 37. Chase > 2019 brand value: $36 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: -6.6% > Sector: Banking > Country: United States Despite being owned by America's largest bank by total assets, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Chase is the least valuable banking brand among the eight financial institutions on this list. Chase recently moved into the largely untested waters of crypto currency as a commercial banking service. ALSO READ: Companies With the Best and Worst Reputations 36. Citi > 2019 brand value: $36 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +18.3% > Sector: Banking > Country: United States The consumer banking brand of America's third largest bank by total assets, Citigroup, is also the country's third most valuable banking brand. Also the world's largest credit card issuer, Citigroup is experimenting with linking card rewards to Citi checking accounts as a way to attract new customers. 35. Tmall > 2019 brand value: $36 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +0.0% > Sector: Tech > Country: China This massive business-to-consumer e-commerce platform serves more than 600 million buyers in China's $1 trillion online commerce market. Parent company Alibaba Group is currently on a three-year push to double Tmall's transaction volume. ALSO READ: The Oldest Corporate Logos in the World 34. Bank of America > 2019 brand value: $37 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +10.2% > Sector: Banking > Country: United States America's second largest bank by total assets is also the country's second most valuable banking brand after Wells Fargo. The bank recently warned that interest income growth will continue to slow, crimping bank profits, as the Federal Reserve will not likely raise interest rates for the year and the global economy cools. 33. PetroChina > 2019 brand value: $37 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +18.0% > Sector: Oil & gas > Country: China The publicly listed arm of state-owned China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), PetroChina is China's second largest and the world's third largest oil producer by revenue, excluding wholly state-owned Saudi Aramco. PetroChina and ExxonMobil are currently planning a $53 billion oil megaproject in Iraq. ALSO READ: Hottest Businesses to Franchise in America 32. YouTube > 2019 brand value: $38 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +46.2% > Sector: Tech > Country: United States The massive video streaming platform of Google parent Alphabet has emerged as a goliath in the user-generated video content space. The company and its so-called "YouTube creators" may soon have to grapple with EU rules that would hold tech platforms liable for hosting copyright violations. 31. Starbucks > 2019 brand value: $39 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +21.1% > Sector: Restaurants > Country: United States The world's largest coffeehouse chain by revenue continues its global dominance with a recently reorganized loyalty program that has been embraced by its regular customers. The company also recently teamed up with Microsoft to deploy blockchain in its global coffee supply network. ALSO READ: 20 Companies Leading the AI Revolution 30. Wells Fargo > 2019 brand value: $40 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: -9.4% > Sector: Banking > Country: United States America's fourth largest bank by assets owns the most valuable U.S. banking brand. Wells Fargo recently beefed up efforts to comply with federal regulators after a whirlwind of scandals in recent years, including egregious behavior in mortgage originations and force-placed car insurance. Wells Fargo remains the top ranking American bank on this list despite a 9.4% dip in brand value in the last year. 29. BMW > 2019 brand value: $41 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: -3.1% > Sector: Auto > Country: Germany In 2016, BMW lost its position as the world's largest luxury car maker by sales volume to its German competitor Mercedes-Benz, but it remains one of the most valuable and recognized of all automotive brands, behind Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, and Volkswagen. ALSO READ: The World s 50 Most Innovative Companies 28. NTT Group > 2019 brand value: $42 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +2.0% > Sector: Telecoms > Country: Japan Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) is formulating a broad restructuring program after the company fell last year from fourth to fifth place among the world's largest publicly traded telecommunications companies by profit. 27. Volkswagen > 2019 brand value: $42 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +4.5% > Sector: Auto > Country: Germany The marquee brand of German auto giant Volkswagen Group, the world's second largest automotive company by revenue, is part of the VW's ambitious Vision 2030 plan to release a raft of new electric vehicles, revamped Volkswagen brand models, and several all-new products ALSO READ: The World's 20 Fastest Growing Retailers 26. Shell > 2019 brand value: $42 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +7.3% > Sector: Oil & gas > Country: Netherlands Royal Dutch Shell is the world's largest publicly traded oil and gas company by revenue that is not Chinese. Shell recently announced several strategic divestments and renewable energy acquisitions and announced significant investment in Brazil to access the country's oil and gas auctions. 25. Disney > 2019 brand value: $46 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +40.4% > Sector: Media > Country: United States Disney has been on a streak following the company's acquisitions of Marvel Entertainment (2009) and Lucasfilm (2012). This year, Disney snatched up Twenty-First Century Fox assets, is expanding into streaming video, and has a slew of Star Wars and Avatar films in the works. ALSO READ: America s Most Eco-Friendly Vehicles 24. T (Deutsche Telekom) > 2019 brand value: $46 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +15.2% > Sector: Telecoms > Country: Germany One of the world's largest telecommunications companies is on a campaign to gain adequate access to 5G high-speed Wi-Fi spectrum currently being auctioned in Germany. In the United States, Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile unit is wrangling with U.S. regulators over its bid to acquire rival Sprint. 23. Taobao > 2019 brand value: $47 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +0.0% > Sector: Tech > Country: China Alibaba Group's consumer-to-consumer online marketplace is the world's largest by gross merchandise value (yes, it is bigger than Amazon.com's online marketplace). But it has drawn ire from the U.S. trade representative in recent years for facilitating the sale of counterfeit goods. ALSO READ: Companies With the Best and Worst Reputations 22. Home Depot > 2019 brand value: $47 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +39.4% > Sector: Retail > Country: United States The world's largest home-improvement retailer by market capitalization has been on a winning streak in recent years, riding the post-Great Recession recovery of the U.S. housing market. The Atlanta-based company is currently aggressively working to unify its online and brick-and-mortar operations. 21. Tencent (QQ) > 2019 brand value: $50 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +21.9% > Sector: Tech > Country: China Chinese internet behemoth Tencent Holdings has been forming ties with traditional industries to diversify away from its main business in computer gaming. The company recently announced it would build industrial internet infrastructure for State Grid of China electric utility. ALSO READ: The Oldest Corporate Logos in the World 20. WeChat > 2019 brand value: $51 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +126.2% > Sector: Tech > Country: China The messaging, social media, and mobile payment app developed by Tencent Holdings is so popular that Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg recently announced efforts to bring together Facebook's services in a similar fashion. 19. Bank of China > 2019 brand value: $51 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +22.1% > Sector: Banking > Country: China Beijing-based Bank of China is one of the four huge Chinese banks on this list, all of which are also the world's biggest banks by assets. Bank of China, a state-owned enterprise, is closely aligned to the Chinese government and economy, and it is at the forefront of the country's expansive Belt and Road Initiative, an international infrastructure development project. ALSO READ: Hottest Businesses to Franchise in America 18. State Grid > 2019 brand value: $51 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +25.3% > Sector: Utilities > Country: China Beijing-based State Grid Corporation of China is a wholly state-owned enterprise and the world's largest power utility by revenue. It has a strong presence in markets outside of China, including Brazil, Italy, and Australia. It recently announced a major investment in Ethiopia's power grid. 17. Toyota > 2019 brand value: $52 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +19.7% > Sector: Auto > Country: Japan Toyota maintained its top position among passenger car manufacturers by revenue last year. The Japanese auto giant is moving aggressively into alternative fuel vehicles and recently announced plans with Panasonic to develop smart home technologies to find other sources of revenue. ALSO READ: 20 Companies Leading the AI Revolution 16. Agriculture Bank of China > 2019 brand value: $55 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +47.5% > Sector: Banking > Country: China The state-owned Agricultural Bank of China is the world's third largest bank by assets. ABC's non-performing loan ratio has decreased more than the other top Chinese banks, even as the government pressures banks to extend more credit to entrepreneurs to drive economic growth. 15. China Mobile > 2019 brand value: $56 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +4.6% > Sector: Telecoms > Country: China The world's largest telecommunications company by market capitalization recently started to build its high-speed 5G network in China. The company's efforts to expand into the U.S. market have been stymied by the Federal Communications Commission on security concerns. ALSO READ: The World s 50 Most Innovative Companies 14. Ping An > 2019 brand value: $58 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +76.7% > Sector: Insurance > Country: China The world's fourth largest insurer based on written premiums has reported rising profits, helped by its asset-management division and growth in life and health insurance. Ping An's real estate investment unit is ramping up activity in China's rental home market. 13. Mercedes-Benz > 2019 brand value: $60 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +25.9% > Sector: Auto > Country: Germany The luxury car brand owned by German auto giant Daimler maintains its leading position in premium cars despite the brand's slowdown in U.S. and Europe new car sales. Under new leadership, Mercedes-Benz will announce a new strategic plan this summer. ALSO READ: The World's 20 Fastest Growing Retailers 12. Huawei > 2019 brand value: $62 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +63.7% > Sector: Tech > Country: China Huawei Technologies, the Chinese maker of smartphones and other telecom equipment is in the crosshairs of the United States, which is attempting (and failing) to convince allies to exclude Huawei hardware from merging with super-fast mobile networks. Meanwhile, Huawei surpassed Apple in smartphone sales last year. 11. Walmart > 2019 brand value: $68 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +10.4% > Sector: Retail > Country: United States The world's top retailer by several measures has been aggressively expanding its online sales services to push back against Amazon.com and Alibaba's e-commerce dominance. The Arkansas-based company recently launched an online pet pharmacy and plans for in-store veterinary clinics in the U.S. market. ALSO READ: America s Most Eco-Friendly Vehicles 10. China Construction Bank > 2019 brand value: $70 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +22.8% > Sector: Banking > Country: China The world's second largest bank by assets also has the second most valuable banking brand. Like other big Chinese banks, state-owned CCB has faced profitability headwinds as China's economic growth slows and the government's push for its banks to extend more small-business loans. 9. Verizon > 2019 brand value: $71 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +13.3% > Sector: Telecoms > Country: United States Verizon Communications, the world's second largest telecommunications company after China Mobile by market capitalization, recently reported a decline in wireless customers. But the New York City-based company is rapidly deploying its high-speed 5G wireless networks in the U.S. market. ALSO READ: Companies With the Best and Worst Reputations 8. Industrial & Commercial Bank of China > 2019 brand value: $80 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +34.9% > Sector: Banking > Country: China State-owned ICBC is the world's largest bank by assets and owner of the most valuable banking brand. Like China's other top lenders, ICBC is under pressure both to extend loans to smaller businesses and to speed up the process of recognizing and disclosing non-performing loans. 7. Facebook > 2019 brand value: $83 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +8.7% > Sector: Tech > Country: United States Facing a global backlash for how the platform helps spread fake news and collects data on its users, Facebook is working to reinvent itself as a more privacy-oriented service. But the company's efforts to consolidate its services are raising antitrust concerns. ALSO READ: The Oldest Corporate Logos in the World 6. AT&T > 2019 brand value: $87 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +5.6% > Sector: Telecoms > Country: United States The world's third largest telecom company by market capitalization recently reported losing TV customers and subscribers to its DirectTV Now streaming service. The company, which acquired Time Warner (Warner Bros., HBO) last year, says it is focusing on building its high-bandwidth 5G networks and paying down debt. 5. Samsung > 2019 brand value: $91 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: -1.1% > Sector: Tech > Country: South Korea The consumer technology giant and world's top selling smartphone maker has been moving in recent years into automotive semiconductors and sensors. In April, Samsung announced it would indefinitely delay the release of a foldable-screen smartphone due to quality deficiencies. ALSO READ: Hottest Businesses to Franchise in America 4. Microsoft > 2019 brand value: $120 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +47.4% > Sector: Tech > Country: United States Last year, Microsoft regained its place as the world's most valuable publicly traded company by market capitalization, shooting past Amazon, Apple and Alphabet (Google). The Redmond, Washington, software giant has been expanding aggressively into cloud services, artificial intelligence and the "internet of things." 3. Google > 2019 brand value: $143 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +18.1% > Sector: Tech > Country: United States The flagship brand of Alphabet Inc. maintains its leading position in internet search as well as strong positions in apps, laptops, and mobile phones. Google released a lower-priced smartphone (the Pixel 3a) this year and overhauled its voice assistant platform. ALSO READ: 20 Companies Leading the AI Revolution 2. Apple > 2019 brand value: $154 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +5.0% > Sector: Tech > Country: United States The world's third-largest smartphone seller is facing headwinds from the increasingly heated U.S.-China trade dispute that threatens to raise costs and lower revenue. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this month customers could sue Apple over its App Store monopoly. 1. Amazon > 2019 brand value: $188 billion > 2018-2019 brand value change: +24.6% > Sector: Tech > Country: United States The online retail and cloud-computing giant is pumping $800 million into making next-day delivery a standard in another blow to brick-and-mortar retailers seeking to expand their e-commerce services. It is also mulling robots to box orders to replace employees at its warehouses. ALSO READ: The World s 50 Most Innovative Companies


Miami will see a return of last week's light rainfall in the coming days, according to drone-powered weather forecasting service Saildrone . Tomorrow's forecast shows the highest likelihood of rain at 92 percent, while the most rainfall is predicted on Thursday at 0.44 inches. The next few days will also see warm temperatures, expected to persist through Sunday. Temperatures will reach a high of 87 degrees on Monday. Skies will partly clear up on Saturday, remaining partly cloudy through Sunday. Winds should reach a modest high of 14 mph today, but will weaken starting on Wednesday. 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.


Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has warned Wilfried Zaha that his own fans could turn against him this weekend, when Crystal Palace host Everton to begin their Premier League campaign. The club's star performer was linked with a move away throughout the summer, and he pushed for a move in the closing stages of the transfer window, causing Hodgson to send him home from training on deadline day. However, neither Arsenal or Everton were able to agree a deal with Palace, meaning that Zaha remains at the south London club for now. Following Zaha's actions in recent days, former England manager Hodgson admitted that he is wary of the potential for Palace's fans to react angrily towards the Ivorian on Saturday, but has backed Zaha to deal with the situation if it arises. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, he is quoted by The Mirror as saying: "You can't control fans' reactions. Fans will react in the way they feel they should react. Of course, I hope that they won't get on Wilf's back. I hope they'll be sympathetic to him. But whatever happens, Wilf will have to deal with that, just as he has had to deal with his disappointment over the last few days in the transfer window". The Premier League transfer window closed on Thursday, but the other major European leagues have until early September to conclude their business. Despite this, Hodgson insisted he does not expect Zaha to leave the Premier League this summer, explaining that he does not believe that clubs across Europe have the funds to prise Zaha away from Selhurst Park. "There is much more chance that he will go to a club in England than a club in Europe. All the clubs here know how good he is and are capable of paying the transfer fee, and I'm not sure all the European ones can," he said.