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The seven autographed microphones used by the Bangtan Boys have gone under the hammer at a charity auction ahead of the highly-anticipated Grammy Awards.

The scribe behind Brie Larson-fronted superhero movie is working with another screenwriter who is developing Marvel's 'Silver Sable' for the upcoming Disney reboot.

Turkish giant Cengiz is "ready to bid" if UK government rescue talks with Jingye fall through.

Turkish giant Cengiz is "ready to bid" if UK government rescue talks with Jingye fall through.

Turkish giant Cengiz is "ready to bid" if UK government rescue talks with Jingye fall through.

<p><a href="https://www.janbrett.com/" target="_blank">Jan Brett</a> creates worlds where magic happens — where honey badgers talk, hedgehogs explore space, and trolls steal your Christmas decorations.</p><p>The author, who has sold more than 40 million books, has been a family favorite for decades. What fans might not know is that the Berkshires-based Brett takes extensive research trips to build her elaborate, enchanting realms, from <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/what-to-do-in-trondheim-norway">Norway</a>, Botswana, and Japan to Arctic Alaska (for an upcoming book about a musk ox).</p><p>Her latest work, <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/316442/the-tale-of-the-tiger-slippers-by-jan-brett/" target="_blank"><em>The Tale of the Tiger Slippers</em></a>, is based on a Middle Eastern folk tale. Unlike in the original, it's not merchant Abu Kassem who learns an important lesson, but a <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/pench-national-park-india-tiger-safari" target="_blank">Bengal tiger</a> — one that lives in a kingdom inhabited by crocodiles and sloth bears.</p><img alt="Jan Brett on traveling to India for her book The Tale of the Tiger Slippers "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1579202874/tale-of-the-tiger-slippers-book-JANBRETT0120.jpg?itok=0OgRVvdz"><p>Brett visited <a href="https://www.bandhavgarh-national-park.com/" target="_blank">Bandhavgarh</a>, <a href="https://www.kanha-national-park.com/" target="_blank">Kanha</a>, and <a href="http://pannatigerreserve.in/" target="_blank">Panna</a> national parks in <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/animals/wildlife-tourism-boom-indian-tigers" target="_blank">Madhya Pradesh</a>, home to India's largest population of tigers. She sketched details such as a carving at Bandhavgarh Fort and browsed local markets for treasures like a jaunty peacock feather duster (above). "Travel helps me feel like I'm in the world of my book," Brett says, "and then I just use my imagination."</p><p>"During a research trip, I am very focused on gathering material to make the book authentic — almost like a treasure hunt. For <em>Tiger Slippers,</em> my husband, Joe, and I went on several <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/adventure-travel/animal-adventures" target="_blank">wildlife drives</a> with a guide and tracker, who can recognize each individual tiger. I didn't take many pictures because I like to use my eyes. I was looking for the way the tigers move, their different expressions. Each face is unique."</p><img alt="Jan Brett on traveling to India for her book The Tale of the Tiger Slippers "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1579202874/design-inspiration-book-temple-JANBRETT0120.jpg?itok=8DQLec58"><p>"Before traveling, I studied Mughal court art — beautiful paintings of aviaries and gardens, with these amazing borders. And architecture! We saw this ancient temple at Bandhavgarh Fort, which inspired some buildings in the book."</p><img alt="Jan Brett on traveling to India for her book The Tale of the Tiger Slippers "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1579202874/eye-to-the-sky-local-birds-JANBRETT0120.jpg?itok=2Gkj6Lnq"><p>"Joe and I enjoy birding — I love that it forces you to stop, be quiet, and listen. We saw around 325 species, some that can be found only in this one area of India. I loved the blossom-headed parakeet and the racket-tailed drongo. In Kanha, there were peacocks everywhere!"</p><img alt="Jan Brett on traveling to India for her book The Tale of the Tiger Slippers "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1579202874/local-life-fabrics-clothes-figurines-JANBRETT0120.jpg?itok=6P-qKmOT"><p>"One of the best parts of the trip was seeing the villages and countryside en route to the parks. Oxcarts and water buffalo were everywhere, and women wore colorful saris. I went into town to buy some fabric, clothing, and wooden figurines."</p><img alt="Jan Brett on traveling to India for her book The Tale of the Tiger Slippers "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1579202874/wild-country-hornbill-jungle-cat-JANBRETT0120.jpg?itok=S5BVdS6B"><p>"We also saw hornbills, langurs, and gaurs, the largest wild bovine on earth. And elephants being ridden by keepers, called mahouts, patrolling for poachers. On one solo walk in Panna, I spied a small jungle cat sitting in the sun. I really treasure having had that sighting all to myself."</p><img alt="Jan Brett on traveling to India for her book The Tale of the Tiger Slippers "src="https://cdn-image.travelandleisure.com/sites/default/files/styles/1600x1000/public/1579202874/close-encounters-tiger-illo-and-figurine-JANBRETT0120.jpg?itok=AYDo43VM"><p>"On any tiger safari, there is a possibility that you won't see one up close. But one day, in Bandhavgarh, there was a huge male coming through the grass. First, he roared — the fearsomeness and beauty hits you somewhere vestigial. Then he stretched up, seven feet tall, and started scratching a tree, just like a little cat. The whole trip revolved around those ten minutes."</p><h2>Trip Planner</h2><h3>Getting There</h3><p>Jabalpur is the gateway city for the parks of Madhya Pradesh. <a href="http://www.airindia.in/" target="_blank">Air India</a> has two-hour flights from New Delhi, as does <a href="https://www.spicejet.com/" target="_blank">SpiceJet</a>, which also offers connections from Mumbai and other major cities.</p><h3>Wildlife Camps</h3><p>Brett stayed at a trio of Taj safari camps: <a href="https://www.tajhotels.com/en-in/taj/mahua-kothi-bandhavgarh-national-park/" target="_blank">Mahua Kothi</a>, in Bandhavgarh National Park, <a href="https://www.tajhotels.com/en-in/taj/banjaar-tola-kanha-national-park/" target="_blank">Banjaar Tola</a>, in Kanha, and <a href="https://www.tajhotels.com/en-in/taj/pashan-garh-panna-national-park/" target="_blank">Pashan Garh</a>, in Panna.</p><h3>Travel Advisor</h3><p><a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-agent/carole-cambata" target="_blank">Carole Cambata</a>, an India specialist on the <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/a-list">T+L A-List</a>, can plan a "tiger-safari" itinerary or integrate Madhya Pradesh into a larger central India trip.</p><p><em>A version of this story first appeared in the January 2020 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline Adventures in Tiger Kingdom.</em></p>

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing

Michigan on Wednesday agreed to revise decade-long tax breaks for General Motors in exchange for the company's commitment to spend at least $3.5 billion more over 10 years, including to build electric pickup trucks in Detroit. Under the deal — the seventh amendment to the home state automaker's incentives since 2009 — the value of GM's maximum tax credit will be cut by $325 million, to approximately $2.28 billion through 2029, and will be capped annually at an unspecified amount. The company w

Continue reading GM to spend $3.5 billion in Michigan under revised tax credit deal

GM to spend $3.5 billion in Michigan under revised tax credit deal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Jan 2020 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The 'Yummy' singer comes under fire as he's caught on camera almost hitting his wife with a car door and leaving her without a care during a recent outing.

The prime minister will set out trade talk details in a speech next month, says the Brexit secretary.

The prime minister will set out trade talk details in a speech next month, says the Brexit secretary.

The prime minister will set out trade talk details in a speech next month, says the Brexit secretary.

Filed under: TV/Movies

Continue reading A Lego International Space Station kit is on the way

A Lego International Space Station kit is on the way originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Jan 2020 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Find out whether or not the 'In Da Club' rapper is being sincere with his apology to the 'Empire' actress as their longtime feud and rivalry recently reignited.

<p>For New Yorkers and world-travelers alike, <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/photography/manhattanhenge-photos">Manhattanhenge is a big deal</a>. Just ask actor and comedian Ellie Kemper, who, for the very first time this week, braved throngs of photographers, tourists, and astrophysics fans to catch a rare glimpse of the sun rising perfectly between the skyscrapers of Midtown Manhattan. The <em>Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt</em> star was able to tick the experience off on her bucket list thanks to Tropicana, which held an early morning Manhattanhenge viewing party in honor of their new “Sip Your Sunshine” campaign, and dubbed Ellie — arguably the human embodiment of sunshine — host of the whole shebang. Between sips of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FGL6U10/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=tlelliekempertropicanajan20-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B01FGL6U10&amp;linkId=a2647445f5d98db90cdd0e61e4e09ec3">Tropicana’s Pure Premium orange juice</a> and reveling over the <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/photography/manhattanhenge-photos">breathtaking natural phenomenon</a>, <em>Travel + Leisure</em> caught up with the funny woman about her first Manhattanhenge experience, the unexpected item she never travels without, and the destinations she dreams of exploring.</p><h2>Travel + Leisure: Today started before sunrise. How do you get going on super early days like today?</h2><p><strong>Ellie Kemper: </strong>“Luckily I’m a morning person. That’s why I was so thrilled when Tropicana came to me with this idea, because I love the mornings. So, greeting something as special as Manhattanhenge at sunrise was like a dream come true to me. To get going, I always feel like you have to take a moment just to clear your brain and think of nothing, and just accept what the day’s going to be like. That energizes me for the rest of the day. It’s just finding 60 seconds here or there just to focus for the day. And on a day like today, I always have coffee. I must start things off with that.”</p><h2>Can you describe your first-ever Manhattanhenge experience?</h2><p>"Today was the first time I experienced it! It was on my bucket list forever. I’ve lived in New York on and off for 15 years, but I’ve only ever heard the tales of Manhattanhenge. So now I got to witness it for the first time. It was really magical.”</p><h2>Do you think it’s on par with other major New York events tourists travel to the city for, like New Year’s Eve in Times Square or the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting?</h2><p>“Oh, absolutely. In fact, I would put this above even the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting, because this was nature! It was really powerful. There was not a cloud in the sky, and it was just a gorgeous moment reminding us all that mother nature’s in charge. It was also just a really beautiful moment of brightness that I think everyone can use a little bit more of in their lives.”</p><h2>Especially in New York City, right? </h2><p>“That’s the thing. In a city where you’re on the go, everyone’s in a hurry, you just have to pause, take this moment, and celebrate the sunshine. It was literal sunshine, and it was beautiful.”</p><h2>As a New Yorker yourself, what are your favorite things to do, see, or eat?</h2><p>“I love Central Park. I, luckily, live very close, so I love going for a run in Central Park, I love taking my son to Central Park. My favorite things to eat are honestly those nuts from the cart, the mixed nuts. They smell so good, they taste so good, they’re delicious! That remains one of my favorite New York City treats. I also love a Levain cookie — any variety. They’re so big, I feel like you’re supposed to eat them in several increments, but I always eat them in one.”</p><h2>What’s one overrated New York tourist trap you think people can skip on a trip to the city?</h2><p>“I’m not sure everybody has to go up the Empire State Building. Can I say it? I don’t know if that is necessary. I don’t want to deter people from doing that if that’s what you want to do, but there’s a lot more interesting things, I think, that you can explore on foot. I feel like a Grinch — go up the Empire State Building if it’s your thing!”</p><h2>Outside of New York, what are your top travel destinations?</h2><p>“You know what? <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/hotels-resorts/where-to-stay-in-london">I love London.</a> I used to live right outside London. I lived there for a year, and I loved going into the city. I think London’s a pretty dynamic, vibrant, awesome place. Another one of my favorite places in the world that I visited was <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/new-world-wonders-black-tomato-japan-itinerary">Japan</a>. I loved <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/new-world-wonders-black-tomato-japan-itinerary">Tokyo</a>.”</p><h2>Is there anywhere you haven’t traveled to but dream of visiting?</h2><p>“I’m trying to think of just one — I would <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/local-flavor-international/copenhagen-latin-quarter">love to visit Copenhagen</a>. I’ve never been and I think that would be a really stunning place to visit that I’ve only read about and seen pictures of.”</p><h2>What something you never travel without that would surprise people?</h2><p>“This is embarrassing — Waldo, my stuffed walrus I grew up with! Technically I’ve given him to my son James now, but I do take him on trips. I’m not sure if it’s for security for me or for [James], but I take him with me still. He’s a beat up little walrus and he’s going on, like, 35 years old, but he’s still pluggin’ away! He’s cute. He has a little sailor’s hat. I promise I’m a well-adjusted adult.”</p><h2>If you could spend the day exploring one of these towns related to some of your most memorable roles, which would you choose: New York City (<em>Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt</em>); Scranton, Pennsylvania (<em>The Office</em>); or Milwaukee ("Bridesmaids)?</h2><p>“I would spend the day exploring Scranton, I think. I got to go there once at the end of <em>The Office.</em> There was a parade, the whole cast was there. Scranton was so welcoming, the residents were awesome. It was just a really beautiful weekend. I would love to go and spend a normal, non-<em>Office</em>-related day there just to see what it’s like. I always see signs for it when I’m driving, and I’m like, ‘should I just veer off and go visit?’ It was the people that made the difference.”</p><h2>Any final Manhattanhenge thoughts?</h2><p>“I think that in general, especially these days, it’s so important to find moments for yourself, and find those moments of brightness. I think that can keep you going through the day, so I’m just really happy to be a part of this moment of brightness today. I think I wanna leave with that message, which is just that it’s important to take a moment, take a deep breath, and realize what’s bright in your life.”</p>

Filed under: Etc.,BMW,Automotive History,Classics,sedan

Continue reading Junkyard Gem: 1998 BMW 740iL

Junkyard Gem: 1998 BMW 740iL originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Jan 2020 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kenneth Petty's former girlfriend has taken to Instagram to weigh in on his recent heated argument with Nicki's ex-boyfriend during a shopping trip to a West Hollywood store.

<p>You can find <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/americas-best-flea-markets">flea markets</a> practically anywhere in the country, but there’s one long-established market that holds a very unique address on a former <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/airlines-airports/coyote-blocks-flights-phoenix-sky-harbor-international-airport">airport runway</a>.</p><p>Established in 1970 as a tiny, six-table yard sale, the Stormville Flea Market has been selling food, drinks, vintage items, and artisanal gifts to folks in the <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/escape-to-new-yorks-hudson-valley">Hudson Valley</a> for 50 years, making it one of New York’s longest-running flea markets, according to <a href="https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-york/stormville-flea-market-ny/">Only In Your State</a>. Today, it calls the runway at former Stormville Airport home.</p><p>These days, people gather at the market to eat and drink at amazing food trucks, shop for vintage collectibles and clothing, and discover antique furniture, unique gifts, and more, according to Only In Your State. In fact, it hosts over 600 vendors from eight different states. It even has a kid-friendly area where children can enjoy activities, crafts, inflatable slides, and a bounce house.</p><p>Food trucks serve up typical fast-food fare, including hamburgers, hot dogs, gyros, and Philly cheesesteaks, as well as novelty items, like fried dough, shaved ice, kettle corn, and fried pickles. Wine and beer are also served at certain trucks and kiosks.</p><p>Sadly, the market is not open every day. According to Only In Your State, it welcomes visitors one weekend per month during its open season, which runs between April and November. It’s officially returning to the Stormville Airport runway on April 25 and 26. Other dates for 2020 have also been announced: May 23 and 24, July 4 and 5, September 5 and 6, October 10 and 11, and November 7 and 8.</p><p>The market is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., no matter the weather. The now-defunct Stormville Airport is located right off the Taconic State Parkway, about halfway between Manhattan and Albany in Dutchess County, New York. Admission is free, as is parking. </p><p>For more information, visit the <a href="https://www.stormvilleairportfleamarket.com/about-our-market">Stormville Flea Market website</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StormvilleFleaMkt/">Facebook page</a>.</p>

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the yardstick we use to measure all large luxury sedans. It has power, sophistication, tech superiority, and endless paths to customization. Available in multiple body styles and with everything from a plug-in hybrid to a V-12, we give it 7.8 out of 10 overall, based on the base (if you can call it that) S450...

Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay tells the BBC he believes the high-speed rail project will go ahead.