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Roofing company takes single mom's money but leaves home a leaky mess fox4kc.com CLINTON, Mo. -- Heather Shinn's home looks like it's about to get a new roof, but looks can be deceiving. Although half of her old roof's shingles have been removed and new roofing materials are lying in her front yard, it's been nearly three weeks ...

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Roofing company takes single mom's money but leaves home a leaky mess - fox4kc.com

Dive Brief:

Forward Labs, a Palo Alto, CAbased startup, debuted a building-integrated solar roof that could challenge Tesla in the category, Curbed reported. The company said its roofing will cost two-thirds that of Tesla while delivering twice the energy generation capacity of similar products.

Like Teslas, Forward Labs roof is designed to blend in, according to Treehugger, in this case replicating a standing-seam metal roof. The roof features layers of glass, photovoltaic cells and a chromatic coating in the owners color of choice.

The roofing can be pre-ordered and will be introduced in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2018. It will cost approximately $3.25 per watt.

Teslas highly anticipated solar roofing, which opened to pre-orders in early May, features solar-collecting tiles in two initial styles (black smooth glass and textured glass) and two more styles (French and Tuscan slate) to come. The company puts the price around $21.85 per square foot and says its tempered glass tiles are three times stronger than standard roofing tiles.

New York Citybased integrator Cloud9 Smart Home investigated the potential ROI of the Tesla product and found that the companys numbers indicate the product to be a smart investment, but without real-life proof of concept, early adopters will have to take on the risk of finding out.

Consumer Reports analyzed houses in three U.S. regions based on Teslas online ROI calculator for its new roofing product. The publication found that savings are possible for some of the homes, but that those savings likely wouldnt be realized in the 13 years a typical homeowner stays in their house. Meanwhile, one analyst questioned Teslas assessment that the companys solar roofing will save money, saying the calculator ignores several details in setting cost, including the different projected lifetimes for the roof and its companion power storage battery.

Still, Teslas and Forward Labs offerings come at a time of tremendous buzz for rooftop solar in the residential space. Googles Project Sunroof estimated that roughly four in five homes in the U.S. could generate enough energy from rooftop solar panels to justify the investment. In a recent survey of real estate agents and brokers by the National Association of Realtors, 80% of respondents said PVs are offered in their region and 42% said that perceived property values are higher for homes with solar panels.

Many U.S. builders offer solar panels. For example,the southwest Florida master-planned community of Babcock Ranch will include a 443-acre, on-site solar array that will power the MPC. And last week,Fremont, CA,announced a mandatefor new homes to include solar panels.

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Forward Labs emerges to challenge Tesla in solar roofing ... - Construction Dive

Forward Labs solar roof looks like a metal roof. Credit: Forward Labs.

Earlier this month, Tesla started taking the first $1,000 deposits for its much heralded solar roofs sleek and fashionable roof tiles that double as solar panels. The marketing was so good that Tesla is already sold out on solar roof tiles until well into 2018, according to Electrek. But Tesla isnt the only company in this business. A newcomer called Forward Labspromises to deliver much of the same energy output at Tesla at almost half the cost and installation time.

While Teslas roof will set you back about $22/square foot ($220/square meter), a Forward Labs roof comes in at less than $12 per square foot ($120 / square meter) for the sections that include PV ($3.25 per watt) and $8.50 per square foot of the non-PV areas. These were designed by a team led by Zach Taylor, who comes from a constructions background particularlyon the composition and installation of roofing systems. According to Taylor, his company designed solar roofs to be as inexpensive as possible by using standard construction materials which are easy to install and replace.

Credit: Forward.

Whereas Teslas solar roof is made from individual shingles, Forward Labs metal roof is made up of one large, layered piece which itself consists of five layers:

The top layer made of tempered glass which protects the whole system from the elements snow, hail, etc.

Optical chromatic cloaking gives the roof its visible colorwhile absorbing very little usable light.

Monocrystalline solar cells cheap and readily available.

Rollformed galvanized metal panelswhich serve as the base of the roof.

The racking system which like Teslas roof is concealed.

Right now, 8 colors are available but given the chromatic layer, any color is technically possible. Installation takes only a couple of days or half as much as Tesla, according to Taylor.

Aesthetically, it doesnt look like much it resembles a typical metal roof. But that can be a good thing if youre looking topass a Home Owners Associations muster. Its also worth knowing the entire roof benefits from the 30 percent federal Investment Tax Credit.

Credit: Forward Labs.

Although the entire roof doesnt produce power, its treated as part of the system, just as mounting is part of a standard solar array and included as part of the 30 percent credit. Tesla has led on this interpretation, and were planning on being under the same final definition, Taylor, the companys CEO, told GreenTechMedia.

But were more focused on what consumers want, and were finding that consumers are very interested in solar roofing, whether or not the construction industry is open to that, he said. Were looking at a 7- to 8-year return on investment and faster installation time 2 to 3 days rather than 5 to 7 days and, in my opinion, and a better looking roof.

Im trying not to make too many comparisons directly to Tesla, Taylor added. But I can say that we do have the most cost-effective roof in the market with the highest rate of return on investment and thats what homeowners have been seeking.

Those are some very bold claims. It remains to be seen if Taylor and colleagues are worth the hype after all, Tesla is also very bombastic with pre-product claims but nearly always delivers, and plenty more.

The firm has started taking preorders for its solar roofing system for installation in the San Francisco Bay Area. Taylor says the first preorders will be installed this year even though he told customers its on for 2018. Wed like to underpromise and overdeliver, he said.

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Tesla's not the only one installing solar roofs -- another startup ... - ZME Science

Mercury star Diana Taurasi comments on Kevin Durant's decision to sign with the Warriors and discusses how LeBron James continues to stand above the rest at Mercury practice on Tuesday. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports

Phoenix Mercury Cayla George guards Dallas Wings Breanna Lewis in the first half on Saturday, May 27, 2017 at Taking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Ariz.(Photo: Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports)

The Sandy Brondello coaching era started the way she imagined, with the Phoenix Mercury massively improving on defense and winning the 2014 WNBA title.

The defenseeroded some in 2015, dipping from second in points allowed to fourth, then last season took a bigger fall to eighth, giving up 83.3 points per game.

But now the D is back with a retooled roster that leads the league in points allowed (67.2), opponent field-goal (37.0) and 3-point (19.2) percentage and is tied for third in forced turnovers (16.2).

Through five games, Mercury opponents have scored 20-plus points in only three of 20 quarters, opposed to16 quarters over the same period in 2016.

"Number1, we have athletic players; that helps," Brondello said. "We have intelligent players;that helps to put everything in. In the end, it's just people that want to buy in and do what's best for the team. They're committing to what we're asking them to do."

MORE: Taurasi breaks down Chapter 3 of Cavaliers-Warriors duel

In 6-9 Brittney Griner, the Mercury have a two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year who at 26 is coming into her prime. What's dramatically changed is their perimeter defense, with additions of Danielle Robinson, Stephanie Talbot and others.

Starting point guard Robinson made the WNBA All-Defensive Team from 2012-14 while with San Antonio. The 6-2 Talbot is a WNBA rookie but at 22 already has played professionally since for six years in her native Australia and Poland and was a 2016 Olympian.

"We can be way more aggressive than we were last year purely because we have more athletic players," Brondello said. "It allows us to be real creative with how we want to defend each individual and guarding people differently. That's something we weren't able to do a hell of a lot last year because the personnel driven that way."

In addition to her defense, Talbot is second among WNBA rookies with 4.6 rebounds per game. She and Camille Little are double teaming effectively on the perimeter while Robinson and Leilani Mitchell are stopping guards from getting to the basket like they did seemingly at will much of last season.

"We have a lot of depth on our perimeter," Talbot said. "We can get after it, we can hustle and we can reset and get new players in. Camille and Emma (Cannon) are great at trapping the guards coming off on balls and making them hesitate. That's helpful knowing they're going to be there or knowingthat BG (Griner) is there with her hand up. We don't have to foul, we can just let BG come across and block it. She's always going to be there."

Griner has not fouled out and largely remainedout of foul trouble this early season, averaging 31 minutes. That gives Brondello the ability to play backup Cayla George when she chooses instead of out of necessity, helping to turn the bench into a force like in last week's 63-point contribution (out of 107 total) against Dallas.

"BG became real disciplined from the start of this year," said Brondello, referring back to the 2017 part of Griner's Russian season. "Her maturity on that side of the ball, knowing she can impact shots without fouling and having a little bit more poise if they're trying to make her go crazy certainly helps.

"We're able to defend better 1-on-1 on the perimeter, so she doesn't have to over-help. That's when we gave up offensive rebounds because no one else would block out. Now we have so much more team defense."

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When: 5 p.m. Thursday.

Where:Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Ill.

Mercury:Diana Taurasi needs one more 3-pointer to become the WNBA career leader, breaking a tie with Katie Smith at 906. She is 36 points away from surpassing Tamika Catchings as the league's No. 2 career scorer. Mercury rookie Sophie Brunner is from nearby Freeport, Ill., with family and friends turning out in force to support her during her Arizona State career. Brunner has played briefly in two games.Phoenix remains on the road for games against New York on Sunday and Indiana on June 7.

Sky:Chicago (1-5) is on a three-game losing streak including a 97-79 loss to Connecticut on Sunday. The Sky's only win was 75-71 over Atlanta on May 21. Chicago is adjusting to life without Elena Delle Donne, traded to Washington for Stefanie Dolson, Kahleah Copper and the No. 2 overall draft pick. The Sky used the pick on South Carolina 6-4 center Alaina Coates, who is out with an ankle injury suffered during the SEC Tournament before the Gamecocks went on their NCAA title run. F Tamera Young is averaging 15.2 points and G Cappie Pondexter 14.7 points/8.3 assists.

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Phoenix Mercury regaining elite defensive form - AZCentral.com

SEOUL South Korean President Moon Jae-in has ordered a probe after his Defence Ministry failed to inform him that four more launchers for the controversial U.S. THAAD anti-missile system had been brought into the country, his spokesman said on Tuesday.

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system battery was initially deployed in March in the southeastern region of Seongju with just two of its maximum load of six launchers to counter a growing North Korean missile threat.

During his successful campaign for the May 9 presidential election, Moon called for a parliamentary review of the system, the deployment of which infuriated China, North Korea's lone major ally.

"President Moon said it was very shocking" to hear the four additional launchers had been installed without being reported to the new government or to the public, presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan told a media briefing.

Moon had campaigned on a more moderate approach to Pyongyang, calling for engagement even as the reclusive state pursues nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions and threats of more sanctions.

The Pentagon said it had been "very transparent" with South Korea's government about THAAD deployment. "We continue to work very closely with the Republic of Korea government and we have been very transparent in all of our actions throughout this process," Pentagon spokesman Jeff Davis told a news briefing.

Separately on Tuesday, the U.S. military cheered a successful, first-ever missile defense test involving a simulated attack by an intercontinental ballistic missile, a major milestone for a program meant to defend the United States against North Korea.

The Missile Defense Agency said it was the first live-fire test against a simulated ICBM for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD), a separate system from THAAD, and called it an "incredible accomplishment." [L1N1IW1MM]

CHINA TENSIONS EASING

Moon's order of a probe into the THAAD launchers came amid signs of easing tensions between South Korea and China, a major trading partner.

China has been incensed over the THAAD deployment, fearing it could enable the U.S. military to see into its own missile systems and open the door to wider deployment, possibly in Japan and elsewhere, military analysts say.

South Korean companies have faced product boycotts and bans on Chinese tourists visiting South Korea, although China has denied discrimination against them.

On Tuesday, South Korea's Jeju Air said China had approved a plan for it to double its flights to the Chinese city of Weihai from June 2.

Also, a Korean-Chinese joint drama production My Goddess, My Mom" starring South Korean actress Lee Da-hae was told by its Chinese partner recently that it will soon be aired, according to Lee's agent JS Pictures. Previously its broadcast had been indefinitely delayed.

An official at South Korean tour agency Mode Tour told Reuters it hoped China may lift a ban on selling trips to South Korea, which had been in place since March 15, as early as the second week of June. Although there had been no official orders from the Chinese government to lift the ban, a few Chinese travel agencies have sent inquiries about package tours, he said. However, South Korea's Lotte Group has yet to reopen any of the 74 retail stores in China it was forced to close in March after the group allowed the installation of the THAAD system on land it owned.

BOMBER DRILL

The United States, which has 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea, has a mutual defence treaty with Seoul dating back to the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in a truce that has left the peninsula in a technical state of war.

South Korea's Defence Ministry said on Tuesday it had conducted a joint drill with a U.S. supersonic B-1B Lancer bomber on Monday, which North Korea's state media earlier described as "a nuclear bomb-dropping drill".

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe talked to Moon by phone on Tuesday and told him that dialogue for dialogue's sake with North Korea would be meaningless, and that China's role in exerting pressure on the North was important, Japan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

North Korea's KCNA news agency reported that leader Kim Jong Un supervised the country's latest missile test on Monday. It said the missile had a new precision guidance system and a new mobile launch vehicle.

Kim said North Korea would develop more powerful weapons to defend against the United States.

"He expressed the conviction that it would make a greater leap forward in this spirit to send a bigger 'gift package' to the Yankees" in retaliation for American military provocation, KCNA quoted Kim as saying.

(Additional reporting by Jack Kim, Hyunjoo Jin, Christine Kim and Suyeong Lee in Seoul, Kiyoshi Takenaka in Tokyo and Phil Stewart and David Brunnstrom in Washington; Writing by Bill Tarrant; Editing by Nick Macfie and James Dalgleish)

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump said he would announce on Thursday his decision whether to keep the United States in a global pact to fight climate change, as a source close to the matter said he was preparing to pull out of the Paris accord.

WASHINGTON U.S. President Donald Trump talked trade with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc during a White House visit on Wednesday and welcomed the signing of business deals worth billions of dollars and the jobs they would create.

CARACAS Venezuelan security forces used water cannons and teargas to disperse tens of thousands of opposition protesters heading toward the foreign ministry on Wednesday as the Organization of American States held another meeting on the crisis.

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'Shocked' South Korea leader orders probe into US THAAD additions - Reuters

This freestanding Victorian, built in 1860, was actually dubbed the neighborhoods most charming house by the Brooklyn Eagle newspaper. Located at 211 Vanderbilt Street, in Windsor Terrace, it is still clad with cedar clapboard and fronted by a covered porch. The fully detached home is also set back from the street, offering the rare front lawn, plus a side walkway that leads to a truly massive backyard. Although the interior has mostly been upgraded, it still holds a few historic surprises. It is plenty charming, but youll have to judge for yourself if the home deserves the title of most charming in all of Windsor Terrace.

This home is on the market for the first time in decades. Its located on a large lot, which leaves room for the front garden and a backyard big enough to hold everything from a vegetable garden to an in-ground swimming pool. And of course, you cant beat that mahogany porch.

The three-story home, with an English basement, is currently configured as two duplex apartments. It could be converted back to a single-family, or theres extra FAR on the lot to add an additionalthough itd be a shame to tacka new construction onto its historic facade.

Both kitchens were renovated with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. New additions sit along historic details like pine floors, five panel doors, bullseye moldings and wainscoting. Reproduction lighting was added in the renovation.

Stairs leading to the second floor boast a beautiful stained glass skyline.

The upper bedrooms, four in total, come with views out onto leafy Vanderbilt Street.

Heres a look at the massive backyard, just waiting to be built out into an outdoor paradise. A pool would look pretty good alongside such a well preserved Victorian pad, dont you think?

[Listing: 211 Vanderbilt Street by Marie Parker for Corcoran]

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Photos courtesy of Corcoran

Tags : 211 Vanderbilt Street

Neighborhoods : windsor terrace

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Dubbed 'the neighborhood's most charming house' by the Brooklyn Eagle, this Victorian asks $1.825M - 6Sqft (blog)

The Welles-Turner Memorial Library is so last century.

But that is beginning to change as the town, the library's Second Century Fund, and Friends of the Welles-Turner Memorial Library are funding the $250,000 first phase of a plan to improve the library and members note bring it into the 21st century. The town has kicked in $100,000 through its capital improvement plan, with the Second Century Fund adding another $100,000 and the Friends $50,000.

According to library director Barbara Bailey, work will include reconfiguring the express checkout kiosk and moving the customer service desk to the front entrance of the lower level. Other improvements include an automatic sorter for library materials and the construction of two additional study rooms in the upper level of the building.

"We are very lucky to have these two groups supporting the library," Bailey said.

John Phelan, president of the Second Century Fund, said the group raises money for the library's long-term capital needs. A $50,000 study done several years ago noted the library needed from $3 million to $5 million in improvements and expansions.

"It came with a large price tag, but clearly laid out what the library could be going forward," he said. "It's not just a repository for books. It will always be that, but they are morphing into something greater than that ... while it is a beautiful asset today, it could use some more investment to stay aligned with what the state requires and with what the community requires."

Phelan said he hopes the initial improvement will pique the interest of the community and be able to "get down the road to do a more substantial, major renovation in the future."

"We, as an organization, are committed to the further renovations of the library and we have substantial assets at our disposal today that we would like to expend on the library. ... We hope to partnership with the town and friends to make that happen," he said.

Other proposed future improvements include expanding the young adult room and creating a 2,000-square-foot "maker space" with 3-D printers and computers that might attract teens to the library. There could be other additions to free up library space for programs and a staff room. Also planned are outside seating areas and terraces. New windows and chairs have already been added to the older portion of the library.

"Our goal is to help people see that we have a terrific library now, but it was designed for the needs of the community in the year 2000," said Friends president Linda Obedzinski. "We can have an even better library that meets the needs of the community in year 2020 and looking forward from there. We are hoping this is the first step toward a greater renovation."

Town Council Chairman Stewart "Chip" Beckett III said he appreciated the generous contributions, along with the support and dedication of the groups.

"We've talked about library improvements and other capital improvements," he said. "I'm sure we will spend time talking this summer about when and if and how that will happen."

Link:
Glastonbury Library To Start Work That Will Bring Building Into The 21st Century - Hartford Courant

COLUMBUS, Ohio

The moment weve all been waiting for has finally arrived.

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are set to take on Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals this Thursday at 9 p.m. on ABC. This colossal matchup between the NBAs super powers will be an intense battle theres no doubt about it.

Last years Finals was one for the history books as the King willed the Cavs back from a 3-1 deficit to win the first championship in the Wine and Golds history.

However, despite being the defending NBA champs, the Cavs (51-31, 12-1 this postseason) enter the NBA Finals as underdogs, thanks to the outstanding season the Warriors (67-15) are having. Giant slaying is nothing new to the city of Cleveland, especially when it comes to playing this Warriors team and LeBron is ready for the challenge.

In this series, nothing is going to come easy. Heres what you need to know ahead of game one.

Roster Additions and Breakdowns

Both teams entered this season with the expectation of making this rematch happen, and both lived up to the hype shaping this mammoth matchup thats set to open at Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA.

The Cavs roster, which is highlighted by the big three of LBJ, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving, is much improved from last seasons squad that lifted the Larry OBrien trophy for the first time. The midseason additions of Kyle Korver and Deron Williams has provided the Cavs much needed backcourt depth, which figures to play a pivotal role this series trying to contain the NBAs best backcourt. Cleveland is also playing its best basketball when it counts the most, going 12-1 this postseason.

The Warriors ultra-potent offensive attack only got better as they added former NBA MVP Kevin Durant this offseason. The move has paid dividends for the Dubs (12-0 this postseason), as the Blue and Gold have only lost one time (27-1) since March 14th. In addition to the adding the Slim Reaper, the Warriors have also added veteran centers, JaVale McGee and Zaza Pachulia, who both plan to factor into solving the Warriors biggest problem keeping LeBron out of the paint.

The Warriors have a clear advantage at the shooting guard position with Thompson over J.R. Smith, but his disappearing act in last years Finals paired with his drop in offensive production this season leads one to believe he may not have as big of an impact again this year.

Cavs and Warriors more similar than you may know

Last years Finals was perhaps the greatest in NBA history. And when you look at the numbers, its easy to see why you can expect to see another classic seven game series this year.

Both teams are head and shoulders above the rest of the league, that much is obvious to see. But both teams, contrary to popular belief, are more alike than youd think.

For instance, both teams are assassins from long range. During the regular season, the Cavs and Warriors were second and third in three-point percentage, shooting 38.4 and 38.3 percent as a team, respectively.

Those numbers have swayed to favor the Cavs during the playoffs, as Cleveland is shooting 43.5 percent to the Dubs 38.9 percent. But in overall field goal percentage, the Cavs only have a 50.7 to 50.2 percent advantage. Its like splitting hairs when you look at how evenly matched these teams are on paper.

While Cleveland is the better offensive team this postseason (statistically speaking), the Warriors have been the better rebounding and foul shooting team. The Warriors snag 45.8 rebounds per game, which is over four more rebounds than the Cavs 41.6 per game average.

Clevelands path of destruction through the Eastern Conference has been led by the astounding play of James, whos averaging 32.5 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and 2.2 steals per game. The world best basketball player is playing out of his mind, and for his standards thats scary.

Golden States offense is driven by Curry. The two-time league MVP is pouring in 28.6 points while dishing out 5.6 dimes per game. Stopping these stars will be the top priorities for both teams; which of course is a lot easier said than done.

What We Learned from the Regular Season

As cute as it is to reference what happened in the regular season, last years Finals showed it doesnt matter nearly as much as one might think. However, it is still notable to take a gander at what happened this year since the teams rosters have changed somewhat.

The two teams played each other twice with both games on National holidays.

The first meeting was claimed by the Cavs 109-108 on Christmas day thanks to a game-winning shot by Uncle Drew, with 3.4 seconds remaining. Durant led all scorers with 36 points on 11/23 shooting, but the Cavs picked up their fourth-straight win against the Warriors, dating back to last years finals.

In the second game this year, Golden State got off the schneid on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, routing the Cavs 126-91 in Oakland. Klay Thompson led all scorers with 26 points on 8/17 shooting including five threes. Six turnovers a piece from James and Irving undoubtedly attributed to this loss for Cleveland.

Despite the teams splitting the regular season series, not too much really should be taken from these games. The Christmas day game was closer to the level of competition we should expect see in the Finals; but even then, the new additions to the Golden State roster were still gelling together. The Cavs blowout loss on MLK Day was during a period of the season where Cleveland appeared to be taking it easy to stay healthy and rested for their run through the East.

An Unlikely Coaching Match Up

During second half of the regular season, Golden State head coach Steve Kerr was ruled out indefinitely due to symptoms (nausea, migraines) related to a back surgery he had two years prior, according to ESPN reports. (PLEASE LINK TO ESPN REPORT: http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19288768/steve-kerr-golden-state-warriors-indefinitely-undergoing-more-tests)

And according to reports by Sports Illustrated, Kerr is still not well enough to coach the Warriors.

"As of right now, I would not coach Thursday night," Kerr said. "It's still up in the air."

Kerrs unavailability is nothing new to the Warriors, as last season assistant coach Luke Walton had to step in for Kerr again due to health issues involving his back. But this season it means much more, because ex-Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown will be coaching against some of his former players.

Brown has been downplaying the situation, but recently opened up some about the importance of facing the Cavs with everything on the line.

I just look at it as an opportunity. I have a lot of history in Cleveland, personally, Brown said in an article on the Undefeated. To me, its bigger than that. Obviously, its special to me because it is the Finals.

Brown has done well in his stint as acting head coach since Kerrs injury, but realistically, Kerr still has a heavy input on the Warriors game planning, scouting and team direction meaning that Brown is not in full control of the decision-making process.

When a coach has stick to a script, essentially, its unnatural to his coaching style and may play an impact on how the Warriors fare in the Finals. Having that uncertainty is a true test to the Warriors resiliency. Golden State should be able to handle that adversity, but given the situation one would have to give the coaching advantage to Tyronn Lue and the Cavs.

X-Factors, Likely Scenarios, and a Prediction

When two teams are as evenly matched as these two are, it usually comes down to which team takes care of the little things. Fundamental basketball, such as foul shooting, possession and disciplined defense are all going to play a crucial role in this series. Just as we all witnessed last year, one blocked shot can sway the outcome of a game.

The fundamental aspects of the game favor the Warriors, but one thing that doesnt is the drive and determination of The King. Not only does LeBron play his best basketball against Golden State, but hes playing the best basketball of his career right now. Not to mention, so is Kevin Love.

This postseason James is shooting an astounding 56.6 percent from the floor. He also holds an NBA-best efficiency rating of 35.5 this postseason, and the highest plus/minus of his playoff career (+15.5). These things spell out one thing the Warriors are not going to let LeBron beat them.

Of course, stopping James is the most difficult thing to do in the NBA. Golden State has been burned by LeBron so many times in the past that theres no way they wont have a better game plan for containing him this year. Whether that is a combination of double teams or a concerted effort to force James to shoot long jumpers, the Warriors cannot allow LeBron to continue his stellar postseason run if they wish to avenge last years loss.

The Cavs have a distinct advantage when Steph Curry is matched up on Kyrie Irving as well. As good as Curry is offensively, against the Cavs hes been a defensive liability against Irving. Additionally, you might as well hand the trophy to the Cavs if Curry gets stuck in pick and roll situations guarding LeBron.

On the other side of the ball, the Cavs will have to account for a much more consistent and improved offensive attack thanks to Durant. The Warriors are darn near unbeatable when their offense is firing on all cylinders. Plus, having home court advantage in a seven-game series is a distinct advantage if the Dubs can manage to avoid self-destruction.

All being said, Im calling for the Cavs to win back-to-back titles for the first time in team history. Durant misses the game-winning three at the buzzer of game 7, in a contest dominated by the Cavs big three. The NBA Finals MVP award goes to LeBron James for the second consecutive year.

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Cavs vs. Warriors III is the ultimate NBA finals rematch - ABC6OnYourSide.com

SEOUL - South Korean President Moon Jae-in has ordered a probe after the Defense Ministry failed to inform him that four more launchers for the controversial U.S. THAAD anti-missile system had been brought into the country, his spokesman said on Tuesday.

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system battery was initially deployed in March in the southeastern region of Seongju with just two of its maximum load of six launchers to counter a growing North Korean missile threat.

During his successful campaign for the May 9 presidential election, Moon called for a parliamentary review of the system, whose deployment has also infuriated China, North Korea's lone major ally.

"President Moon said it was very shocking" to hear the four additional launchers had been installed without being reported to the new government or to the public, presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan told a media briefing.

Moon had campaigned on a more moderate approach to Pyongyang, calling for engagement even as the reclusive state pursues nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions and threats of more sanctions.

The U.S. military in South Korea did not have immediate comment on Moon's comments. The South Korean military also did not immediately comment.

Moon's order of a probe into the THAAD launchers came amid signs of easing tensions between major trading partners South Korea and China.

South Korea's Jeju Air said on Tuesday China has approved a plan to double its flights to the Chinese city of Weihai from June 2.

China has been incensed over the THAAD deployment, fearing it could give the U.S. military the capability of seeing into its own missile systems, and could open the door to a wider deployment of the system, possibly in Japan and elsewhere, military analysts say.

China has denied it had discriminated against South Korean companies, which have faced product boycotts and bans on Chinese tourists visiting South Korea.

A Korean-Chinese joint drama My Goddess, My Mom" starring South Korean actress Lee Da-hae, whose broadcast had been indefinitely delayed in China, was told by its Chinese partner recently that it will soon be aired, according to JS Pictures, Lee's agent.

An official at South Korean tour agency Mode Tour told Reuters it hoped China may lift a ban on selling trips to South Korea, which had been in place since March 15, as early as the second week of June.

Although there have been no official orders from the Chinese government to lift the ban, a few Chinese travel agencies have sent inquiries about package tours, he said.

However, Lotte Group has yet to reopen any of the 74 retail stores in China it was forced to close in March after the group allowed South Korea to install the THAAD system on land it owned.

BOMBER DRILL

The United States, which has 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea, has a mutual defense treaty with Seoul dating back to the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended in a truce that has left the peninsula in a technical state of war.

South Korea's Defence Ministry said on Tuesday it had conducted a joint drill with a U.S. supersonic B-1B Lancer bomber on Monday. North Korea's state media had earlier accused the United States of staging "a nuclear bomb dropping drill".

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe talked to Moon by phone on Tuesday, Japan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement, and both agreed that North Korea's continued provocations were unacceptable.

Abe told Moon that dialogue for dialogue's sake with North Korea would be meaningless, and that China's role in exerting pressure on the North was important.

The North's KCNA news agency reported leader Kim Jong Un supervised Monday's test of a missile equipped with a new precision guidance system and an improved pre-launch automated sequence and a new mobile launch vehicle.

Kim said North Korea would develop more powerful weapons in multiple phases in accordance with its timetable to defend North Korea against the United States.

"He expressed the conviction that it would make a greater leap forward in this spirit to send a bigger 'gift package' to the Yankees" in retaliation for American military provocation, KCNA quoted Kim as saying.

2017 Thomson/Reuters. All rights reserved.

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'Shocked' SKorea Leader Moon Orders Probe Into US THAAD Additions - Newsmax

TOP AUTO NEWSUse these simple car-buying tips to get a good deal | 1:17

There is a good time to buy a car so that you save the most money, according to car experts. Sean Dowling (@seandowlingtv) has more. Buzz60

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Ford Motors is expected to give current CEO Mark Fields the boot and promote Jim Hackett. Josh King has the story (@abridgetoland). Buzz60

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Ford has named Jim Hackett as its next CEO, replacing longtime Ford star executive Mark Fields, according to media reports. Elissa Robinson/ DFP

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Ford said Friday it is investing $350 million in its Livonia Transmission Plant to expand its lineup of transmissions and will add 800 new jobs at the plant. The investment will support the production of a new transmission for front-wheel-drive vehicles. Wochit

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A vending machine that dispenses luxury cars to well-heeled buyers is the latest space-saving innovation in land-starved Singapore -- just don't try to shake it if it gets stuck. Video provided by AFP Newslook

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Ford told its employees this morning that it plans to cut 10% of its salaried workforce worldwide, or about 1,400 employees as the automaker prepares to enter a period of declining U.S. industry sales. Wochit

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Use these simple car-buying tips to get a good deal

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Singapore car 'vending machine' dispenses with tradition

Ford to cut 1,400 salaried jobs in North America, Asia

Ford is releasing a a limited edition 2018 Focus RS.(Photo: Ford Motor Co.)

Hot hatch enthusiasts have something new to ogle.

Ford plans to release a limited-edition 2018 version of its powerful Ford Focus RS later this year in the U.S. and Canada. Orders will be taken starting this summer.

Pricing has not yet been released for the 1,500 cars, which Ford says celebrate"the end of run of this generation hot hatch."

The company credited the enthusiast community with providingthe feedback online that led to the car's creation and the inclusion of frequently requested features. Key additions include a limited-slip differential,which can lessen the differencein front wheel spin when one wheel has less traction than the other, new color combinations and styling features.

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We have spent a great deal of time listening to our customers, speaking to ownersclub members, reading comments and suggestions on enthusiast websites, and even studying various forum Photoshop renderings, Henry Ford III, Ford Performance marketing manager, said in a news release. Ford is a great-great-grandson of Henry Ford.

Jamal Hameedi, Ford Performance chief engineer, said in the release thatengineers "have delivered a drivetrain capable of wringing every drop of performance from the engine.

Ford is releasing a a limited edition 2018 Focus RS.(Photo: Ford Motor Company)

The car, made inSaarlouis, Germany,will be available in Race Red or signature Nitrous Blue colors with gloss black roof,mirror caps and rear roof spoiler (which will also have the blue RS logo on the side wings). The car will also have standard 19-inch premium painted forged alloy wheels with blue RS center caps, the release said.

Free Press auto critic Mark Phelan noted in a recent story on the popularity of the hatchback that the "outrageously powerful Focus RS offers all-wheel-drive and (a) 350-hp engine for prices starting at $36,120. It competes with hot hatches from around the world like the $35,655 VW Golf R and Subaru WRX STI."

Inside, the door handles, handbrake lever and turbo boost gauge surround will be "wrapped in carbon fiber skin" on the limited edition. Equipment from the RS2 package is also standard,including "black leather-trimmed Recaroseats with Miko-Dinamica eco-friendly suede microfiber inserts and RS logo, heated front seats with eight-way power drivers seat, heated steering wheel, heated exterior mirrors and voice-activated navigation system."

Other features include all-wheel drive and "launch control for ultimate performance off the start line and 4.7-second 062 m.p.h. acceleration."

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter: @_ericdlawrence.

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Ford touts limited-edition Focus hot hatch - Detroit Free Press