BELIEVE IT OR NOT, CARDIO BUILDS MUSCLE

If you avoid cardio because you think it may negate or slow your muscle gains, think again: According to a new review of 14 studies, aerobic training like running, walking, and cycling not only doesn’t diminish leg muscle mass—it actually increases it. 

In several of the studies reviewed, both younger and older men who did about 45 minutes of cardio four days a week at 80% max heart rate increased leg muscle size by 5% and 6%, respectively. “Aerobic exercise, if done properly, can lead to as much muscle growth as you’d expect with resistance exercise,” says study author Matthew Harber, Ph.D. “Intensity is more important than duration, so if the goal’s growth, work up to 80% of your max heart rate.”

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(News) Explosion Rocks Nigerian Shopping Mall

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — An explosion blamed on Islamic extremists rocked a shopping mall in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, and police said 21 people were killed.

The blast came as Nigerians were preparing to watch their country's Super Eagles play Argentina at the World Cup in Brazil. Many shops at the mall have TV screens but it was unclear if the explosion was timed to coincide with the match, which started an hour later.

Witnesses said body parts were scattered around the exit to Emab Plaza, in Abuja's upscale Wuse 2 suburb. One witness said he thought the bomb was dropped at the entrance to the mall by a motorcyclist. All spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

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U.S. F-35 fighter drops first guided bomb against ground target

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) fighter jet drops a laser-guided bomb during its first guided weapons release test at Edwards Air Force Base, California October 29, 2013.

A U.S. Marine F-35B Joint Strike Fighter Jet sits in a hangar after the roll-out Ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida February 24, 2012.

The private Dream Chaser space plane built by Sierra Nevada Corp. is seen landing with its left landing gear not deployed properly in this still from an Oct. 26, 2013 unmanned drop test at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The gear malfunction

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Barack Obama Will Campaign For Terry McAuliffe

WASHINGTON -- WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama plans to campaign for Virginia's Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Terry McAuliffe (mih-KAWL'-ihf), on Sunday.

A spokesman for McAuliffe's campaign says Obama will join McAuliffe at a rally in northern Virginia. No additional details were available.

Polls show McAuliffe is ahead of Republican Ken Cuccinelli in the Virginia race, one of two gubernatorial contests being held this year. The winner will replace outgoing Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell.

First lady Michelle Obama already has campaigned for McAuliffe, and Democrats are hoping that a win for McAuliffe will affirm that Virginia is winnable territory for Democrats.

The event comes as Obama is embarking on a busy six-week stretch of campaigning and fundraising for Democrats.

McAuliffe is the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

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Russian warships cross Bosphorus, en route to Syria

A Russian warship is moored in the Cypriot port of Limassol, on May 17, 2013. Three Russian warships have crossed Turkey's Bos 

Three Russian warships crossed Turkey's Bosphorus Strait Thursday en route to the eastern Mediterranean, near the Syrian coast, amid concern in the region over potential US-led strikes in response to the Damascus regime's alleged use of chemical weapons.

The SSV-201 intelligence ship Priazovye, accompanied by the two landing ships Minsk and Novocherkassk passed through the Bosphorus known as the Istanbul strait that separates Asia from Europe, an AFP photographer reported.

The Priazovye on Sunday started its voyage from its home port of Sevastopol in Ukraine "to the appointed region of military service in the eastern Mediterranean", a military official told the Interfax news agency.

Russia, a key ally of Damascus, has kept a constant presence of around four warships in the eastern Mediterranean in the Syrian crisis, rotating them every few months.

It also has a naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus whose origins date back to Moscow's close relationship with Damascus under the Soviet Union.


Moscow vehemently opposes the US-led plans for military action against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in response to the chemical attack outside Damascus last month.


Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Wednesday that any US Congress approval for a military strike against Syria without UN consensus would represent an "aggression".

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Foreign Forces and bases in the middle East and selected military equipment

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Obama: 'I didn't set a red line' on Syria

Obama: 'I didn't set a red line' on Syria

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