Viral News Drift

David Zalubowski/Associated Press Pitchers beware. Home runs balls are flying out of stadiums at a record rate in Major League Baseball this season. According to ESPN.com , there were more long balls during May than any month in league history. Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drilled a homer during Friday’s game against the Colorado Rockies to set the record at 1,120. MLB Stats @MLBStats With Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s home run, there have been more HR this month (1,120) than any other month in @MLB history! https://t.co/QgXe4gqzPn The previous record was short-lived after it was set in August 2017. Pittsburgh’s Josh Bell , Houston’s Alex Bregman and Cincinnati’s Derek Dietrich did more to set the record than any other individuals, hitting a league-best 12 home runs each. Dietrich in particular stood out for his three-homer performance against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Tuesday’s win. According to Thomas Schlarp of Sporting News, hitters are averaging 1.

At least 12 people were killed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Friday when a gunman opened fired at a municipal centre, sending employees scrambling for cover before police fatally shot and killed him, authorities said. Several others were wounded in the shooting. According to Virginia Beach Police Chief James Cervera, a veteran employee of the Public Utilities Department entered the municipal centre, and “immediately began to indiscriminately fire upon all of the victims”. Police entered the building and got out as many employees as they could, then exchanged fire with the suspect, who was killed, the chief said. Cervera added the suspect was armed with a .45-caliber handgun equipped with a “sound suppressor” device and was reloading his weapon with extended ammunition magazines as he moved through the building. The city’s mayor, Bobby Dyer, called it “the most devastating day in the history of Virginia Beach”. A public works employee told a local NBC television news affiliate t

Darron Cummings/Associated Press The Los Angeles Clippers were fined $50,000 by the NBA after head coach Doc Rivers made public comments Tuesday comparing Toronto Raptors superstar forward Kawhi Leonard to Michael Jordan. Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic on Friday reported the fine, which was levied under the league’s anti-tampering rule. NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA “Kawhi is the most like Jordan we’ve seen.” Doc Rivers has some high praise for Kawhi Leonard. https://t.co/i1R2gR1VrT Though comparing any current player to MJ immediately sparks debate, Rivers’ remarks generated additional attention because the Clippers are expected to make a serious push to sign Leonard if he declines his player option for 2019-20 and becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. In early May, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported it seemed like the Clips would be the only team the 27-year-old Los Angeles area native would consider leaving the Raptors to join, even if he decided

Andy Lyons/Getty Images SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey announced Friday the conference is set to lift its ban on stadiumwide alcohol sales Aug. 1. “Schools will have autonomy,” Sankey told reporters . “This now an opportunity for institutions to make responsible and appropriate decisions [about alcohol].” He added : “There is no expectation that anyone make alcohol available beyond clubs and suites.” This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available. Get the best sports content from the web and social in the new B/R app . Get the app and get the game. Read More from Daily Trends Hunter http://bit.ly/2Wj6ccz

Indian Prime Minister  Narendra Modi  is kicking off off his second term in office with unwelcome news on the state of the country’s economy and the jobs market. Government figures released Friday showed  India ‘s economy grew at a much-lower-than-expected 5.8 percent in the first three months of the year. That marks a sharp fall from the previous quarter, when growth clocked in at 6.6 percent.  Meanwhile, the unemployment rate rose to a multi-year high of 6.1 percent in the 2017-18 fiscal year. The disappointing growth figures mean India is no longer the world’s fastest-growing economy.  For the first time in nearly two years, it has ceded that title to  China , where the economy grow 6.4 percent in the first quarter.  The economic slowdown and high unemployment put pressure on Modi’s re-elected government and the central bank to stimulate the economy to boost growth and create more jobs.  Nirmala Sitharaman, who assumed charge as India’s finance minister on Friday, is expected

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has shown “obvious” signs of the psychological torture inflicted on him due to years of confinement and persecution, according to a United Nations human rights expert. Nils Melzer, the UN rapporteur on torture visited Assange in prison in the UK , where he is currently serving a 50-week sentence for skipping bail in 2012. Melzer made the visit on May 9 along with two medical experts who specialise in examining potential torture victims. They were able to meet “in confidence and to conduct a thorough medical assessment”, the UN said.  “It was obvious that Mr Assange’s health has been seriously affected by the extremely hostile and arbitrary environment he has been exposed to for many years,” Melzer said in a statement  released on Friday. In addition to physical ailments, Assange showed “all symptoms typical for prolonged exposure to psychological torture, including extreme stress, chronic anxiety and intense psychological trauma,” the statement r

Ben Margot/Associated Press Golden State Warriors superstar Kevin Durant is expected to return from his calf injury “at some point midway through the NBA Finals,” according to Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes . Durant was sidelined for Game 1, the sixth consecutive game he has missed. Head coach Steve Kerr revealed Thursday that it’s a “long shot” that the two-time Finals MVP will play in Game 2 on Sunday. Haynes noted that there is “some optimism” that Durant may be ready as early as Game 3 on Wednesday, though Game 4 next Friday is a “stronger possibility.” It’s not clear if the status of the series will play a factor on if/when he will return. Golden State trails 1-0 after a 118-109 loss Thursday. The 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals MVP has been cleared for individual on-court basketball activities, though Kerr let it be known that the 10-time All-Star will have to participate in a full practice before he returns to the lineup. According to Haynes, the Warriors will not practice Fri

Rescue officials in Hungary say there is little chance of locating survivors after a sightseeing boat with South Korean tourists on board capsized on the Danube River in Budapest, with seven people confirmed dead and 21 missing. The Mermaid sank in just seconds after colliding with a much larger cruise ship on a busy stretch of the river in the heart of the capital on Wednesday evening. Officials said 30 South Korean tourists, including at least one child, three South Korean tour guides and two Hungarian crew were on board the 27-metre double-decker boat when the accident occurred at around 9pm (19:00 GMT) in heavy rain. Seven South Koreans were rescued, seven died and 19 South Koreans were among the 21 missing. The crew members were also missing. The seven people rescued were suffering from hypothermia but were in stable condition. Police said the seven people who died had no life vests on. “I wouldn’t say there is no hope, rather that there is a minimal chance [of finding sur

Joe Murphy/Getty Images Star power remains the most effective way to win an NBA title. The Golden State Warriors , at full strength, have noticeably more superstar heft than the Toronto Raptors .  Without Kevin Durant , though? Not so much. They’re supposed to have the edge anyway. Whether they actually do is very much to be determined.  Pascal Siakam is why. He led the way for the Raptors during their 118-109 victory over the Warriors on Thursday night, tallying 32 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two blocks on impressive 14-of-17 shooting from the floor. Just to put his performance in perspective, here’s every other player to match those benchmarks in an NBA Finals game since 1974: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (eight times) LeBron James (five times) Julius Erving (twice) Kobe Bryant Tim Duncan Kevin Durant Dwyane Wade   That’s a pretty OK list to join. And this company Siakam now keeps reinforces a larger point: Kawhi Leonard isn’t the Raptors’ singular source of

Joe Murphy/Getty Images Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green previously  made it clear that he wasn’t worried about having to deal with Drake in the 2019 NBA Finals , but that didn’t stop the two from exchanging words at the Scotiabank Arena on Thursday night. As Green was walking off the court following a 118-109 loss to the Toronto Raptors in Game 1, he came face-to-face with a courtside Drizzy. It also appeared as though the word “trash” came out of the rapper’s mouth during the confrontation: Bleacher Report @BleacherReport Drake called Dray “trash” immediately after the Raptors won Game 1 https://t.co/vJluvzUCFa Green downplayed the exchange during his postgame media session: 95.7 The Game @957thegame Draymond asked about his “scuffle” with Drake after the game. “It wasn’t really a scuffle because I didn’t hit him & he didn’t hit me.” #Warriors #NBAFinals https://t.co/0mPqQdfZfH This will undoubtedly be a rivalry worth watching as the series pla

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he will impose a tariff on all goods arriving from Mexico in response to what he called a “mass incursion” of migrants entering the country “illegally”. Trump said the tariff would start at five percent on June 10 but then rise in stages every month to 25 percent on October 1 and remain at that level unless Mexico stops migrants from crossing the US’ southern border. “As everyone knows, the United States of America has been invaded by hundreds of thousands of people coming through Mexico and entering our country illegally. This sustained influx of illegal aliens has profound consequences on every aspect of our national life,” Trump said in a statement . “Mexico’s passive cooperation in allowing this mass incursion constitutes an emergency.” “If the illegal migration crisis is alleviated through effective actions taken by Mexico, to be determined in our sole discretion and judgment, the tariffs will be removed,” he added. On June 10th,

ESPN @espn The Raptors have some great #NBAFinals intermission performers https://t.co/jh7GP0Gvyd Bleacher Report @BleacherReport Curry, McGrady, Bosh A timeline of Toronto legends all lined up https://t.co/sSaFUfrV5B Def Pen Hoops @DefPenHoops Kevin Durant greeted his Warriors teammates at halftime #DubNation https://t.co/P9llnOrDLG NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA The Toronto home crowd was LOUD for the Raptors first #NBAFinals points. https://t.co/JTLNYdJNvx TSN @TSN_Sports ALL-TIME RAPTORS REUNION! Bosh…McGrady…Oakley…Mo Pete…Muggsy…JYD…Dell! #NBAFinals https://t.co/AB3nZSpIXM Dan Vigliatore @PhysEdDynasty Ok…. this is the crowd with 20min till tip off. OMG #wethenorth #TorontoRaptors @Raptors #tcdsb https://t.co/xlDkYepZ1M Ariel Helwani @arielhelwani This is nuts https://t.co/trGJHCQ3u1 Bleacher Report @BleacherReport Drake is repping the OG Curry for Game 1 (via @NBATV) https://t.co/xrvw2sqBxM NBA @NBA Listen in to Nick Nurs

A cargo ship carrying tonnes of rubbish dumped in the Philippines by Canada more than five years ago, causing a festering diplomatic row, has left the Southeast Asian country, as nations in the region increasingly reject serving as dumpsites for wealthier states. The 69 shipping containers of rotting waste were loaded onto the M/V Bavaria at Subic Bay port in the early hours of Friday, before embarking on a 20-day journey to Vancouver, in southwestern Canada . “Baaaaaaaaa bye, as we say it,” Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin wrote on Twitter, along with images of the vessel leaving. Baaaaaaaaa bye, as we say it. pic.twitter.com/VetL4fP4Nj — Teddy Locsin Jr. (@teddyboylocsin) May 31, 2019 Environmental activists, including those from Greenpeace and EcoWaste Coalition, welcomed the Bavaria’s arrival at Subic Bay, and on Thursday sailed on board a small outrigger with a streamer reading, “Philippines: not a garbage dumping ground!” Diplomatic row Philippine President

David Zalubowski/Associated Press Houston Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni is headed into the final year of his contract in 2019-20, but he has reportedly ended talks with management about a contract extension, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. “T here are no problems,” the coach said about ending talks, per Mark Berman of Fox 26. “It doesn’t make me coach any different or have any more worries. So, no, it doesn’t cause any problems.” D’Antoni just completed his third season with the Rockets, leading the team to a 53-29 record before falling to the Golden State Warriors in the second round of the playoffs.  Wojnarowski previously reported (via   Salman Ali   of ESPN 95.7) the Rockets were looking for a “performance-based contract extension,” and the two sides couldn’t work out a deal. Despite the inability to come to an agreement,   Sam Amick   of The Athletic reported the 68-year-old will remain in his role at least for next season and “ all involved parties still wan

Ankara, Turkey – President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday unveiled a package of judicial reforms after years of criticism over a crackdown on dissidents and the jailing of thousands said to be linked to a 2016 coup attempt. Speaking from his palace in Ankara, the president took aim at the European Union , which a day earlier released a damning report on Turkey’s bid to join the union. In its annual progress review, the European Commission, the executive branch of the EU, accused Ankara of “serious backsliding in the areas of the rule of law and fundamental rights”. Erdogan, who oversaw the start of accession talks in 2005, reaffirmed his commitment to EU membership while striking a note of reproach. “We implement the reforms not because the EU wants them but because our nation needs them,” he said in the televised address. Since the failed coup, Turkey  has jailed more than 77,000 people on suspicion of links to the group it says organised the attempt. About 150,000 civil serv

Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images Flight Club, a sneaker company focused on the sale of rare shoes, has reached an agreement on a sponsorship deal with the North Coast Blue Chips AAU team, which will feature LeBron James Jr., the son of the Los Angeles Lakers superstar, during the 2019 summer season. On Thursday, Nick DePaula of ESPN.com reported Flight Club is set to provide the entire roster with sneakers, hoodies, basketball towels and duffel bags. The rising star’s famous father, who’s locked into a long-term endorsement deal with Nike, has picked out the shoe designs for the squad. They are “presumably rare and vintage editions from his longtime Nike signature series now spanning 16 annual models,” per DePaula. LeBron Jr., nicknamed Bronny, is a 14-year-old combo guard who’s already received a scholarship  offer from the Kentucky Wildcats and is quickly becoming one of the most hyped prospects in prep basketball. He’s translated the rapidly growing interest in his emerg

James Crisp/Associated Press Brad Calipari, the son of Kentucky head coach John Calipari , entered the transfer portal Thursday, according to AL.com’s Matt Zenitz . In three seasons at Kentucky, the younger Calipari has played sparingly. He redshirted last season, meaning he will be a redshirt junior when he resumes playing at another school. Calipari appeared in 27 games during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons and averaged 0.4 points and 0.2 rebounds in 2.7 minutes per contest. Given the fact that Kentucky tends to bring in one of the top recruiting classes in the nation on a yearly basis, Calipari spent most of his time with the Wildcats on the bench. Although Calipari’s numbers clearly don’t leap off the page, he was part of two Elite Eight teams while at Kentucky and is coming from a winning environment under his father. The 6’0″, 179-pound guard was not a highly touted prospect when he signed with Kentucky, but he did average 15.3 points, 3.6 assists and 2.6 rebounds per

Andre Iguodala ‘s position with the Golden State Warriors is listed as forward. It should be gatekeeper. Whether flipping off a TV camera, instructing restaurant wait staff to allow Steph Curry to eat in peace, managing the relentlessly sky-high expectations of Warriors fans (and owner Joe Lacob), encouraging DeMarcus Cousins to be himself (no, really) or explaining the foolishness in thinking the Warriors are better without Kevin Durant , Iguodala considers it his duty to protect the Warriors’ oh-so-special chemistry from any and all forces that threaten it. Now, near the end of his 15th season, it is the mental energy required to keep those intruders at bay more than his 35-year-old legs that have him contemplating retirement. Now, as Iguodala and the Warriors embark on their fifth consecutive Finals, it is the lack of appreciation for what makes the Warriors truly special —from fans, media, the team owner himself — that has Iguodala weary of being in the spotlight their succes