Military Helicopter Crashes In California, Killing 2 Marines

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (AP) — The military says two Marines were killed when their helicopter crashed during a training exercise in Southern California.

The Third Marine Aircraft Wing chopper was carrying just the two when it went down late Friday afternoon at the base in Twentynine Palms.

Both Marines on board died as a result of crash injuries.

The Marine Corps says it’s withholding their names for 24 hours to notify relatives.

Wing commander Maj. Gen. Michael Rocco says in a statement released by Marine Corps Air Station Miramar: “Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the two Marines we lost in this tragic accident.”

There was no immediate word on a cause of the crash, which is under investigation.

No other details were available early Saturday.

The government wants you to buy a car with smarter brakes

Autonomous cars may have been all the rage at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, but most of the tech showcased is still pretty far off. What isn’t, however, are smarter stopping systems. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administratio…

Domus system promises simple home automation

Domus is the latest addition to the growing number of connected home automation systems, and it promises to have a low bar of entry with a $33 starting price. Using Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, users are able to remotely control certain aspects of their home or office, as well as schedule tasks, monitor energy usage, and more. The … Continue reading

There Is Something For Everyone On This Week's Cheap Celeb Finds

Whether you’re looking for a teeny bikini, a warm, fuzzy coat or a new pair of sneakers, you’re going to find what you’re after on this week’s cheap celebrity finds list.

Many Hollywood stars stepped out in affordable outfits that we’re already coveting. Emma Roberts looked impossibly chic in a long floral dress from Anthropologie (that’s on sale for $89!), Reese Witherspoon worked up a sweat in a $74 patterned top and Julianne Hough fought off the cold in baby blue.

Check out all the best items we found this week!

#CurlPower Hashtag Encourages Women To Put Down The Flat Iron & Embrace Their Curly Hair

Earlier this week, Dove debuted a video entitled “Love Your Curls.” The heart-warming campaign inspires young girls to be confident and proud of their natural hair, which ultimately sparked the “Today” show’s week-long series, #CurlPower.

The network asked viewers to share photos of their “lovely locks,” invited experts to talk hair maintenance and challenged women to stop straightening their curls. The social media call-out was successful in gathering reactions and images from women on Twitter who were rocking their naturally curly hair.

Scroll down and check out these gorgeous girls and women with #CurlPower.

Now Is The Best Time To Visit Europe. Here's Where To Go.

If continents were dogs, Europe would win Best in Show. The landmass is a seemingly perfect combination of pristine beaches, charming villages, historic cities and stunning nature. There’s so much to see that planning a trip can be overwhelming… mostly because it’s overwhelmingly expensive.

But good news: Now is arguably one of the best times to visit Europe we’ve seen in years.

And it’s not just because the Euro is at its lowest level in over a decade. Flight prices are on the predicted decline, as well. Airfare experts, including Expedia and the Airlines Reporting Corporation, foresee that given the falling price of fuel and the rise of budget airlines, airfare will get cheaper in 2015. What’s more, a recent report from these experts found that the cheapest time to buy international flights is about 171 days before a trip.

Which means that if you’ve always dreamed of visiting Europe in oh, say, mid-summer, then the best possible year to book is this year, and the best possible time within that year is… RIGHT NOW.

Granted, there may be exceptions to this rule (for example, not everyone says ticket prices will drop in 2015). But you can’t blame us for getting pumped — the signs are all there that we can (and should) book a summer trip across the pond. For the best chance of cheap prices, aim to depart on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday (it doesn’t matter when you buy, but when you fly).

And where should we go? Here are the top 5 European destinations for 2015, according to Expedia data on traveler demand:

5. Amsterdam
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A new museum full of Red Light District secrets makes this year a great time to check out the Dutch capital, where life is always better.

4. Barcelona
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The locals may be fed up with tourists as of late, but that doesn’t mean you can’t explore the city’s newest sites with respect.

3. Rome
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When you’re crowned one of the best cities in the world, it’s always a good time for visitors.

2. Paris
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There’s no better year to see the Eiffel Tower’s new glass floor and nosh croissants like a local.

1. London
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We always love London, but with a new terminal at Heathrow, 2015 would be an especially great time to cruise Abbey Road and play with the Palace Guard.

Saudi Arabia's New King Salman Unlikely To Change Country's Strict Religious Policies

Saudi Arabia’s new monarch, King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, comes to power at a time when blogger Raif Badawi has been sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes for criticizing Islam. Will the new king usher in a more open era for religious freedom?

Probably not, experts say.

“Given King Salman’s close ties with the Wahhabi religious establishment, I would expect that the new king will be if anything tougher on dissent in the kingdom,” Karen Elliott House, journalist and author of ‘On Saudi Arabia: Its People, Past, Religion, Fault Lines — And Future’ told The Huffington Post by email.

Wahhabism, a branch of Sunni Islam that emphasizes literal interpretation of the Quran, has long dominated religious life in Saudi Arabia. Its strictness often leads believers to reject other forms of faith, even within Islam, and has been called by some critics the “fountainhead of Islamist terrorism.”

“The religious curriculum in Saudi Arabia teaches you that people are basically two sides: Salafis [Wahhabis], who are the winners, the chosen ones, who will go to heaven, and the rest,” Ali al-Ahmed, director of the Washington-based Institute of Gulf Affairs, told PBS in 2001. “The rest are Muslims and Christians and Jews and others.”

The ultraconservative country has come under attack from the international community in recent months for enforcing strict punishment on Badawi, who many say was exercising a human right to free speech. The turnover of power could, however, result in pardoning for the blogger, House mused.

“Sometimes when senior royals die, the new King releases prisoners or does some other magnanimous act,” she said.

In a series of lectures delivered at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah in 2012, Salman, 79, argued for “moderation” in religion and argued against the rise of extremism.

“We should read the history of the leaders who adopted an extremist stance in their policies and decisions which exposed their countries to wars and turmoil or because of their following personal whims or fleeting man-made ideologies,” then-Prince Salman said.

He continued: “We have been honored by Allah with the opportunity to serve Arab and Muslim people. That service is undertaken with real moderation based on the principles of the religion and not for any personal motives.”

Three years later and crowned king, Salman addressed his country, saying: “We will continue adhering to the correct policies which Saudi Arabia has followed since its establishment.”

Change may be on the horizon, though, with the rise of social media movements, as well as a growing contingent of Saudi women unwilling to accept the kingdom’s strict gender regulations.

“People you talk to, they are much more willing to raise their voice now than before,” al-Ahmed told AP. “When Abdullah came, people had high hopes. I don’t think that is there now. … People think of [Salman] as another Al Saud prince who is not willing to share power, so I think people are going to accelerate their demands.”

Activist L.A. Priest, Father Richard Estrada, Preaches Religion Of Acceptance

Armed with a bottle of water and a baseball cap, Father Richard Estrada made his way slowly to the border in the scorching heat. After a half-hour of hiking up a steep dirt trail, he reached the massive steel fence and bowed his head to pray for the immigrants who dreamed of passing it.

Estrada, 72, had had cataract surgery the day before. Arthritis made his legs ache. But the priest wasn’t one to let anything — not even his aging body— stop him from doing what he felt was spiritually right.

On this day, he wore his snow-white hair tied back into a ponytail, and a colorful stole around his shoulders. When he became a Catholic priest in 1978, he sported a handlebar mustache and combed his wiry black hair into an afro. Cesar Chavez, whom Estrada had befriended while leading grape boycotts in East Los Angeles, was a guest at his ordination ceremony.

Let The Smiting Begin: Here Are The Least Bible-Minded Cities In The U.S.

Bible lovers out there might want to steer clear of Providence, Rhode Island and New Bedford, Massachusetts — two cities that have tied for “least Bible-minded city” in the country for three years in a row.

The ranking derives from a study conducted by Barna Group in association with the American Bible Society, which measured how frequently residents of 100 U.S. cities read the Bible and how fervently they believed in the book’s accuracy. The organization considered respondents to be Bible-minded if they had read the Bible in the past seven days and believed strongly in its accuracy.

The survey found, however, that only 27 percent of the American population qualified as Bible-minded.

Topping the list for least Bible-minded in the country were eight cities in the Northeast, three in the West and one Midwestern holdout. Click through the slideshow below to see where they are:

30 Different Ways To Tie A Tie That Every Man Should Know

The following blog is an excerpt from a feature originally published on ShirtsMyWay.

Here is a list of many different ways to tie a tie, for every and any occasion, many of which you probably never knew existed. We’ve gathered 30 of the best tie knots ever created by mankind to give you just the edge you need to look your best at all times.

Each tie knot has been judged on four different factors: aesthetics, symmetry, difficulty, and knot size. You can make a statement with these knots any day of the week or simply use them to look elegant and stylish during those special events where you really need to stand out. Either way, you’ll practically be a forefather of men’s fashion no matter which style you choose.

THE ELDREDGE KNOT

There is no doubt that this knot is one of a kind. As opposed to the vast majority of tie knots, this one is produced by using the small end as the active end, creating a tapered fishtail braid-like effect. It’s a very fancy knot that will leave a great impression on your boss.

eldredge knot

THE TRINITY KNOT

This beautiful knot has a three-way symmetry and resembles the Celtic Triquetra. The pattern converges at a center point, producing a very eye-catching effect. It might seem a bit intimidating at first glance, but the moves are actually fairly simple.

trinity knot

THE VAN WIJK KNOT

An augmentation of the Prince Albert, adding a third turning of the active end. When tied correctly, this long and slender knot creates a striking and unmistakable layered cylindrical effect. A very cool knot that works best with light colors. It’s best suited for narrow collared shirts and paired with a vest.

van wijk knot

THE FISHBONE KNOT

This awesome work of tie artistry is shaped in the form of a fishbone, hence the name. It’s a remarkable formal knot that is increasingly gaining respect. While somewhat challenging to tie, it’s definitely worth the effort, because it never fails to make the ultimate impression.

fishbone knot

THE ROSE KNOT

Looking to get in touch with your romantic side? Check out this amorous necktie knot crafted in the shape of a rose. It shares similarities with the Trinity Knot, but is tied with an extra loop. This knot is sure to be a hit on V-Day.

rose knot

THE ELLIE KNOT

It’s a simplified variant of the Eldredge Knot, but easier to tie and consumes less fabric, leaving a tail that allows it to be tightened or loosened like a normal windsor. It works best with semi-wide collar openings.

ellie knot

THE TRUELOVE KNOT

A sophisticated complex knot that is divided into four quadrants. This is a very difficult knot to tie that will take considerable practice. Consider a striped tie for a pinwheel effect. This knot isn’t for little boys, it’s for lady killers.

true love knot

THE BOUTONNIERE KNOT

This knot is characterized by its long loops, making it good for wide collar openings. The moves are very similar to that of the Fishbone Knot, but it has a somewhat cleaner finish when tucked under the collar. Use it semi-formally.

boutonniere knot

THE KRASNY HOURGLASS KNOT

This is made up of the Four-in-Hand Knot with an additional knot tied using the small end right beneath the main knot, creating the hourglass look. It’s impossible to adjust after being tied, so you need to get it right the first time. You’ll achieve a great effect using striped ties.

krasny hourglass knot

THE MEROVINGIAN KNOT

Originally known as the Ediety Knot, if you’re a big fan of The Matrix, you’ll recognize this knot sported by the merovingian. This knot is very special. It looks like your tie is actually wearing a little miniature tie.

merovingian knot

THE ATLANTIC KNOT

This is quite an unusual knot. It’s a reversed version of the Pratt Knot, resulting in an inside-out knot that shows the intricate tie knot structure that’s usually hidden on the back. It’s recommended for festivities or informal social events.

atlantic knot

THE CAPE KNOT

The Cape Knot is a fundamental improvement on the quick and easy Atlantic Knot, which has greatly improved its symmetry and aesthetic value. This loosened-up knot works best with mono-colored ties and never passes unnoticed.

cape knot

THE CAPSULE KNOT

The Capsule Knot is very similar to the Atlantic Knot and the Cape Knot, but is slightly larger in size and more difficult to tie. This fun tie knot is meant to be worn informally and with semi-wide collar openings.

capsule knot

THE GRANTCHESTER KNOT

The Grantchester Knot is a large, thick, slightly asymmetrical tie knot. It’s basically a larger version of the St. Andrew Knot, by an additional turning of the narrow end. The key to wearing this knot is to stick with silk or other lightweight materials, since wool or knits tend to look uncomfortably bulky.

grantchester knot

THE LINWOOD TAURUS KNOT

Use it to make a statement. An extraordinary work of symmetrical art, this knot’s bull-like appearance works well for casual occasions only. It’s recommended for paisley or solid ties and wide collar shirts.

linwood taurus knot

Head over to ShirtsMyWay for the complete list of 30 different ways to tie a tie and knot ratings.