The Leaning Tower of Pisa: It leans either right or left–depending on your point of view. Perfectly apolitical. Florence’s Uffizi: Built in 1560, the Uffizi is one of the strongest buildings in the country. Iron reinforcements bolster windows. Dish-dull discussions could be enlivened by the artistic surroundings. Spouses (not to mention the protesters) could spend days at Gucci’s and Prada’s warehouse outlets–outside the city. The catacombs of Rome: Miles and miles of underground tombs....

Pelosi made the remarks in a letter sent to House Democrats on Tuesday. The speaker says she had used the Easter weekend to reflect on the “unbearably sad time” the country is now facing due to the pandemic. The letter urged Americans to “insist on the truth” and included a list of ways she believes Trump failed in his response to the virus. “The truth is that in January Donald Trump was warned about this pandemic, ignored those warnings, took insufficient action and caused unnecessary death and disaster,” Pelosi wrote....

The Chinese tennis player’s wellbeing became a concern around the world when she seemingly alleged that a former Chinese vice premier, Zhang Gaoli, had sexually assaulted her. Following the post, she was absent from public view for almost three weeks. Peng, a former Wimbledon and French Open doubles champion, made the accusation via Chinese social media site Weibo in early November to allege that Gaoli forced her to have sex during a patchy relationship across a number of years....

It was “Christmas Vacation”-themed. Get ready. In no particular order, here are some of the best parts: — Broadcaster Mike Lange playing the role of Uncle Lewis. — Zach Sill as Cousin Eddie. — Rob Scuderi’s portion of Clark Griswold’s “I want my boss here” freakout. — Kris Letang, snobby neighbor. — “Bingo.” That almost makes up for the mumps. Your move, every other team.

While the Blackhawks (8-6-1), who are fourth in the Central Division, remain alone atop the odds board at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook at 6-to-1 odds, eight other teams are priced at 15-to-1 or less. The Bruins (10-6-0), who opened as the second betting choice, are back to their opening number at 7-to-1. Meanwhile, the Penguins (10-2-1) saw their odds shorten to 7-to-1 after opening and sitting at 8-to-1 through the season’s first few weeks....

While some types of penile cancer can be treated with laser or localized surgery, invasive tumors may require a much more drastic procedure known as a penectomy. Understanding a Penectomy A penectomy is a type of surgery used to remove either part of the penis (partial penectomy) or all of the penis (total or radical penectomy). It is considered a last resort if all other treatment options have failed....

Turzai, attending an event with U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, praised charter schools in comparison to the public education system. “[With charter schools,] you have to care about each child, not about the monopoly, which is where I think you folks are,” Turzai said. He then said to several individuals protesting his appearance—apparently public educators—that, “what you care about is the monopoly and special interests.” “I am a little offended from that,” one of the protesters, a retired public educator, responded, according to a tweet by Pennsylvania Spotlight....

If not for Jeremy Hellickson missing the first two months of the season after elbow surgery, Tampa Bay might only have competition for bench jobs and a few bullpen spots during spring training. The lineup is remarkably stable, and even the utility spots seem projectable, with Logan Forsythe and Sean Rodriguez capable of giving a day off to starters at multiple positions. MORE BATTLES: Red Sox | Yankees | Orioles | Blue Jays...

Brandon Armstrong, everyone’s favorite basketball impersonator, is now promoting FanDuel. One of the biggest names in basketball had to link up with one of the biggest brands in fantasy sports. And, of course, the man who’s mimmicked everyone from Russell Westbrook to Kevin Martin, announced the partnership with a unique YouTube video, during which he gives you a little of his best Peyton Manning. MORE: Best Week 5 DFS values | Meet Brandon Armstrong, the king of NBA star impressions Like any good salesman, Armstrong managed to entertain while informing, making sure to get all the pertinent details on how to enter his specific daily fantasy contest while earning a few laughs....

Would that it were so at the top of Disney’s mighty business kingdom. For the longest time it seemed that the fairy tale would never end. The last decade has been golden for the company. The story of its rise is epic, almost Disneyesque. A threesome of brilliant and energetic young executives takes over at a time of deepest trouble. With pluck and luck and visionary savvy, they build Disney from an ailing $2 billion Hollywood also-ran into a $22 billion empire....

If you hear a funny sound on your phone, hang up: Big Brother might be listening. Last year state and federal courts approved a record 872 wiretaps–a 14 percent increase over 1989 and a huge 55 percent rise since 1980. Drug offenders were targets of 60 percent of last year’s taps, followed by gamblers (13 percent) and racketeers (10). In 1990, wiretaps helped in 2,057 arrests and 420 convictions.

Even five years ago, it was impossible to predict the spread of such technologies as Wi-Fi, which allows workers to become office nomads, yet always connected to e-mail and crucial corporate data. The technology has proved so popular, it’s a key force in reshaping the topography of the office. So what will the workplace actually look like five years from now, when such tools are ubiquitous and new technologies are springing up in equally surprising ways?...

The top selling shirts in the world The Croatia international’s previous deal was due to expire in 2018, but he has now agreed a two-year extension to commit his future to Madrid. Modric joined the Champions League holder from Tottenham in August 2012 and has since developed into a key figure in the Spanish capital. The 31-year-old has made 180 appearances in all competitions for Madrid so far, winning two Champions League titles, two UEFA Supercups, the FIFA Club World Cup, Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana....

Ibra powers on but Rooney’s time is up Mavraj, who has not missed a minute of Bundesliga football this season, will be available to make his debut in the league clash with Wolfsburg on January 21. Hamburg sit in 16th place after 16 matches, three points behind Werder Bremen above them.

Orllando Pirates confirmed earlier this week that they had reached an agreement with Al Faisaly for the sale of the 29-year-old subject to a medical. Ndoro flew to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to complete his medical tests before putting the pen to paper. Al Faisaly unveiled him as their player on Thursday afternoon. Ndoro’s departure means the Buccaneers will need to search for a quality striker before the transfer window on August 31....

Because then we’d be overlooking what the NCAA Tournament has become, what this spectacle of sport has been reduced to. Three guys with whistles in their mouths. “Coach always tells us, you can’t put the game in anyone else’s hands than yours,” said Wisconsin center Frank Kaminsky. And even then it may not be enough. It’s the annual rite of March. The very best part of the sport rolls around, and officials can’t help but take control where they have no business....

The Roses’ home, with its brick exterior, doesn’t look like the kind of place George Jetson would hang his space helmet–but it does provide some down-to-earth insights into the way our living areas are likely to evolve in the 21st century. Besides being automated, it’s a ““casual, fun house,’’ says Rose, and, in that respect, it’s the shape of things to come. The rise of the so-called great room, a combined space that replaces the traditional living, dining and family rooms, has been one of the most noticeable shifts in our architectural preferences over the past decade or so–and is likely to persist....

Look at those I Could Go For A Nice Piece of Fish-ass shoes. MORE: Classic photos of Steph Curry in normal shoes Curry has rightfully been taking a lot of flack for those I Can’t Sleep Past 6 a.m. Anymore-ass shoes, which presumably come with a free box of Claritin D. Now, with his team a win away from the title, he is striking back, by wearing those Steely Dan’s First Three Albums Are Era-Defining-ass shoes in the most public way possible....

The video shared on Twitter shows a biracial woman telling the man filming why she can use a racially derogative word, and the nurse interrupting her and shouting “n*****” to a man’s face while surrounded by police who then move her and her friend on. The Twitter user who shared the video said: “Krazy white girls can just say the n-word in my face and 12 won’t do a damm thing....