WebProNews

Author: Val Powell

  • 50 Cent Debuts New Video For ‘Hustler’

    Rapper 50 Cent has been hustling throughout his life, and he raps about just that with the debut of his new music video for his song entitled “Hustler”.

    The 38-year-old rapper from Southside Jamaica, Queens, debuted his song Monday on New York’s Hot 97 radio station. In the three minute-long song, “Fiddy” says “I hustle hard/ When I come through they’re like ‘oh my God.”

    “I blow a whole lot of paper on clothes/ Can you dig it? I’m a hustler, baby,” he continues.

    Hours after the song’s debut, the official video for the track was released. The black and white video features a dapper 50 Cent sporting a fedora and a sleek trench coat while smoking a cigar. To add to that, he is surrounded by silhouettes of women throughout most of the video – think film noir James Bond. The video highlights 50 Cent’s style and fashion sense, which has come a long way since he first stepped onto the music scene in 2003, wearing baseball caps and sports jerseys.

    Eif Rivera, who has also directed music videos for other artists, such as Diddy, and Nicki Minaj, directed the music video.

    “Hustler” is the sixth track released for 50 Cent’s weekly series. He has been releasing songs from the new album week after week. Just last week, he debuted the track entitled “Smoke” featuring Trey Songz. “Hustler” is included on his fifth solo album entitled Animal Ambition, which is slated for release on June 3. Other artists featured in the album are Jadakiss, and Yo Gotti.

    With weekly releases of songs from his new album, fans are speculating whether all the songs will be released before the album drops in June. We’ll just have to wait to see what happens next week.

    50 Cent: Hustler (Explicit)

    Image via YouTube

  • Jackie Robinson Day Tribute Postponed

    Baseball is honoring legendary player Jackie Robinson with Jackie Robinson Day. The baseball pioneer was to be honored at Yankee Stadium before the city’s match against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, but rain forced the committee to move the game and ceremony to Wednesday.

    Robinson is Major League Baseball’s (MLB) first African-American player, successfully breaking the game’s color line when Dodgers president Branch Rickey signed him to play in 1947. Prior to Robinson’s drafting, black baseball players were relegated to the “Negro leagues,” but the Dodgers put a stop to the six decade-long racial segregation of the sport.

    Robinson’s drafting not only ushered in racial equality in baseball, but contemporary American life as well.

    In his ten-season career, his team would play in six World Series championships, with a win in 1955. He closed his career with 1,518 hits, 947 runs, 137 home runs, 273 doubles, 54 triples, 197 stolen bases, and 734 RBI.

    Derek Jeter, Yankees shortstop, believes that Jackie Robinson Day is a “wonderful thing.” The player has met with Robinson’s family through the years, and is excited to honor Robinson by wearing No. 42 on his jersey.

    MLB commissioner Bud Selig calls Robinson an “American icon” and said that his leadership and accomplishments inspire both baseball and society. He continued to say that the player’s legacy led to on-field diversity and participation of youth in sports.

    The new schedule of the Dodgers’ commemoration will now take place at the Dodgers Stadium, beginning with a baseball clinic for 120 youths from South LA’s Challengers Boys & Girls Club in the morning, and a gathering of 30 members of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s (LADF).

    Other states will feature celebrations, including pre-game festivities, panel discussions, and games in Minneapolis, Chicago, San Diego, Phoenix, and Florida.

    In Cincinnati, the Reds will also honor Chuck Harmon, who is the Reds’ first African American player in 1954.

    Robinson’s broke the color barrier in baseball 67 years ago — an accomplishment his wife Rachel is proud of. In a statement, she said she is happy that MLB is honoring him and ensuring that “what he stood for” is remembered.

    At the same time, a plaque will be unveiled and mounted at Monument Park to honor the late Nelson Mandela, a South African leader who also fought for equal rights. Robinson’s family and Selig will attend the ceremony.

    Image via YouTube

  • Depression: Are You Suffering From it?

    Depression: Are You Suffering From it?

    Depression is a common mental disorder that affects millions of people but can be treated. The treatment varies depending on each patient’s needs, but this cannot be done if the depression goes undiagnosed. The symptoms and types of depression can vary from one person to another, and can be serious.

    It is estimated that there are 121 million people in the world who are currently suffering from some type of depression, and 36 percent of them are Americans. However, 80 percent of depressed people are not being treated. If you (or someone you know) is experiencing symptoms of a major depression disorder such as those listed below, it is best to seek professional help from a physician. Recognizing depression and getting help is the first step to feeling better.

    Top 9 Symptoms of Depression You Should Look Out For

    1. Uncontrollable emotions. Those with major depression can suffer feelings of unhappiness, emptiness, or great sadness one moment, and then become angry, irritable, and frustrated at the next, usually over small matters. Depression can cause mood swings, but should not be confused with bipolar disorder.
    2. Changes in appetite. Appetite and weight changes fluctuate differently for people with major depression. Some people have a reduced appetite resulting in weight loss, while others have increased cravings for food resulting in weight gain.
    3. Agitation and anxiety. Depression disorder can be seen in people who worry excessively, cannot sit still, pace continuously, and display anxiety such as hand-wringing.
    4. Feelings of guilt, helplessness, or low self-worth. Depressed people have a tendency to blame themselves for past failures and even for things that are not their responsibility.
    5. Trouble focusing. Depression can make decision making difficult. Thinking, concentrating, and even remembering things also becomes more challenging.
    6. Sleep disturbances and insomnia. People with depression disorder may sleep too much, have trouble going back to sleep once awakened, or may not be able to sleep at all.
    7. Lack of energy and extreme fatigue. Some people experience having little or no energy to even do small tasks, and feel like they are always tired. This can also show in slowed body movements, thinking, or speaking.
    8. Loss of interest in activities. In conjunction with the overwhelming feeling of lethargy, those with depression disorder can also lose interest in the things they used to enjoy, such as sports, hobbies, and other activities. A decreased sex drive can also be another symptom.
    9. Suicidal thoughts, and attempts to take one’s own life. This is the most serious symptom and can often results in death. These feelings and uncontrollable emotions often lead people to end their own lives, thinking that it would be a permanent solution to their problems.

    According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 34,000 people commit suicide in the U.S. each year, and 90 percent of those have a psychiatric disorder that could have been diagnosed and treated. Depression gets worse if left untreated, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.

    Image via YouTube

  • Flavor Flav Enters Guilty Plea To Domestic Violence Charges

    Rapper and reality TV star, Flavor Flav, pleaded guilty to a domestic violence charge in Las Vegas. The 55-year-old was sentenced to counseling and probation.

    Flavor Flav, whose real name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr., admitted to pulling a knife on the son of his longtime girlfriend in 2012. According to the teen’s testimony, Drayton made threats to kill him and chased him into a bedroom. The rapper then stabbed the knife through a door.

    Since the event, the family has been going through counseling sessions and has talked through their differences.

    Drayton was facing charges that could have had him spend 12 years in prison. His guilty plea resulted in reduced charges. He was also given due credit for spending time in jail after he was arrested, said Tess Driver, the spokeswoman for the Nevada district attorney.

    “I love my son and my son loves me, too,” the rapper said in court.

    Both Drayton’s girlfriend and her son, who is now 18-years-old, were not present in court.

    Drayton is also facing another case for driving without a license and speeding in New York while he was on his way to his mother’s funeral. He was arrested on January 9. Defense attorney Kristina Wildeveld said that the rapper is in the process of resolving that case by paying fines.

    “I’m standing here in front of the camera, not behind bars,” Drayton said in front of the cameras after exiting the courthouse.

    According to the judge, Drayton could spend a year in county jail if he ever violates the agreement in the domestic violence case. He will be appearing in court on August 18 when he completes his counseling sessions.

    Drayton has been touring with the group Public Enemy since he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last year.

    Image via YouTube

  • Ice Cube Says He Was “Robbed” After Losing Award To Vin Diesel And Paul Walker

    Ice Cube expressed his feelings towards not winning the “Best On-Screen Duo” award at the MTV Movie Awards held on Sunday. “We was robbed,” he said on USA Today.

    The award went to Vin Diesel and Paul Walker for their tandem on the Fast and Furious movies. Ice Cube was nominated, along with his co-star Kevin Hart for the movie Ride Along. In the film, Ice Cube plays a detective who has to work with Hart, a security guard and his potential brother-in-law, in taking down a crime boss.

    Ice Cube also said that he and Hart had the best on-screen chemistry out of everyone. “For us not to win was crazy.” The issue started when Ice Cube said that the award was only given to Diesel and Walker as a sympathy vote by the fans. He said that MTV should have given the award to Walker “before he passed away.”

    On Monday, he tweeted that he was not mad that they didn’t win, and that it was all just a hype. “I would never diss the actors who won. Not even Paul Walker. Seriously people!” said the tweet.

    Ice Cube also expressed his disappointment in the MTV Movie Awards in general. The rapper turned actor said that he left the ceremony shortly after arriving. He was not even there to see the tribute to Walker. “I just wasn’t into it,” he said. Ice Cube explained that he has been going to these award shows for 25 years and that he doesn’t need to torture himself if he is not into it. “As soon as you get bored, get up and leave.”

    Ice Cube’s movie, Ride Along, will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday.

    Image via YouTube

  • Vin Diesel Pays Tribute To Paul Walker At The MTV Movie Awards

    Last Sunday, Vin Diesel gave a moving tribute to his co-star and friend Paul Walker when he received the award for “Best On-Screen Duo.” Diesel was not able to attend the ceremony, as he was on location filming the seventh instalment of the Fast and the Furious movie franchise.

    The speech was recorded and shown to the audience, but it was not included in the telecast. In the video, Diesel was looking a bit somber as he said his thanks. He said that it was the MTV audience who first recognized the brotherhood he and Walker had on screen, referring to their 2002 win for the same category. “It’s surreal to be standing here 12 years later and that you have been so generous to give us this award again,” he continued.

    Diesel was teary eyed as he said his last few words. “Thank you for honoring me, more importantly, thank you for honoring that angel – my brother Paul Walker.” He then walked off screen.

    Walker, who was in the Fast and the Furious films from the beginning, died in a tragic car crash in November last year.

    The MTV Movie Awards also did their own tribute for the star. Before the tribute footage was shown, Jordana Brewster, one of Walker’s co-stars in the Fast and the Furious films, gave the introduction to the footage.

    Brewster said that she is lucky to have had the chance to work with Walker for 15 years and that she was a witness to his generosity every day. She continued to say that the late actor was considerate of others, humble, and “he made you feel like the most important person in the world.”

    The tribute video showed clips from Walker’s career, as well as footage from his humanitarian efforts.

    The last installment in the Fast and the Furious franchise will be shown in theaters in 2015.

    Vin Diesel Pays Tribute To Paul Walker

    Image via YouTube

  • Costa Concordia Captain Accused Of Covering Up Cause Of Shipwreck

    Francesco Schettino, the captain responsible for steering the Costa Concordia onto rocks in 2012, tried to cover up the incident by saying that the collision was caused by a blackout. The statement came from a witness at his trial held on Monday.

    In the 2012 Costa Concordia incident, 4,200 passengers of the ship fled from the vessel as it sank, and some 32 people drowned. Schettino is on trial for abandoning ship and manslaughter charges.

    Roberto Ferrarini, a cruise ship company official, was on the phone with Schettino on the night of the incident and claimed that the captain was trying to cover up for his actions. “Schettino proposed I tell authorities that a blackout caused the collision,” he said in his statement.

    Dialogue between Capt. Schettino and Italian Coast Guard while ship was sinking

    Ferrarini disagreed with Schettino’s suggestion and said that what he was saying is different from his first report, wherein Schettino told Ferrarini that he “hit rocks and that the ship had flooded.”

    Schettino is said to have accepted partial responsibility over crashing the ship, but said that the victims did not die in the collision. Instead, he said they drowned because of a faulty backup generator and water-tight ship compartments that flooded while the people were evacuating. He also denied abandoning ship and claims that he accidentally fell into a lifeboat when the ship tipped.

    Ferrarini, together with four others, were also accused for the collision, but they have all agreed to a plea bargain and accepted guilt. They were all sentenced to less than three months in prison. Schettino, on the other hand, preferred to go on trial.

    The Costa Concordia, which weighs about 114,000 tons, has been hoisted from where it crashed on the sea, but it remains to be a big distraction at Giglio porto. Authorities are working hard to prepare the ship for towing this summer.

    Costa Concordia Shipwreck: The Whole Story

    Image via YouTube

  • ‘Growing Pains’ Star Jeremy Miller Battled Alcohol Addiction

    Child star Jeremy Miller admitted in an interview on Entertainment Tonight that he faced alcohol problems after Growing Pains ended taping in the early 1990’s.

    Miller is a child star who found fame in 1985 for his role as Ben Seaver on the ABC sitcom Growing Pains. The show ran for seven years.

    After Growing Pains, Miller starred in three made-for-TV reunion movies of the popular sitcom and a few roles before bowing out from the spotlight.

    According to the star, he’d go over to the liquor store and drink a pint of whatever he bought by noon. By evening, he’d already have drunk another pint. He cites bourbon, vodka, and malt liquor as some of his choice drinks.

    He also said that he would sometimes black out, and his sons would be afraid of him. Miller claimed that alcohol was his way of suppressing emotions.

    His drinking problems began when he had to deal with “family stuff.” He has three stepsons with his wife Joanie.

    But his drinking history goes way before his acting career even started. Miller stated that he started drinking at four years old, and his grandparents have told him stories of how he would finish people’s beers during parties.

    Miller’s alcohol problems worsened after Growing Pains. He said that he is thankful that he didn’t own a gun, thinking that he’d do “something stupid” like commit suicide. He added that he had suicidal thoughts when things got out of hand. There were nights when he felt the urge strongly.

    However, Miller’s life is turning around with a new treatment called Naltrexone, which he said has changed his life. He has been clean for two years and works at Start Fresh Recovery Clinic in California as a patient advocate.

    He also has two movie roles in pre-production.

    Miller says implant helped him overcome alcoholism

    Image via YouTube

  • Drumstick Corsage: KFC’s Prom-Worthy Offering

    What’s stylish, romantic, floral, and finger-lickin’ good? It’s the Chicken Corsage from KFC, and it’s the real deal.

    KFC went up in arms—or rather, drumsticks—with Louisville-based florist Nanz & Kraft to come up with a killer accessory for prom season. The two Kentucky companies’ limited-edition corsage kit costs $20 and comes with a KFC gift card worth $5 that can be used to redeem the drumstick. The kit can be ordered online.

    The card can be used to pick out the drumstick, and buyers can have a choice of Original Recipe, Kentucky Grilled Chicken, or Extra Crispy. The drumstick will then rest on the corsage’s bed of fresh baby’s breath flowers (silk ones for-out-of-town orders) and held in place by a lace ribbon.

    How To Use The KFC Drumstick Corsage

    The ad for the chicken corsage shows a young man in a suit and tie nervously waiting outside the house of his date. In his hands is a cardboard box with a pink ribbon wrapped around it. Soon enough his date’s father opens the door and lets him in.

    The next scene shows the boy sitting between his date’s parents on a black sofa. He stares straight ahead as Dad stares at him. At the sound of footsteps he and his date’s mother turn to look at the stairs, and we can see the young man’s date descending in a long white dress.

    The young man stands up, cardboard box in hand. His date approaches him and pins a corsage to his jacket. He looks at her for a moment then at his box, while she smiles in anticipation. He opens the box and she simply stares. He pulls out the corsage, saying “It’s Original Recipe…I know how much you like Original Recipe.”

    The girl says nothing, giving a small shrug of “okay” and she lets him tie the corsage around her left wrist. She looks at her parents. He mother looks as surprised as she is while her dad looks on with approval. She brings the corsage to her nose and says, “That smells wonderful.”

    The young man smiles and nods in relief and off they go to the prom. They dance, and as he leans over for a kiss, she also leans over…for a big bite.

    Here’s the ad

    Image via YouTube

  • Eminem And Rihanna Unleash ‘The Monster’ At The 2014 MTV Movie Awards

    Eminem and Rihanna got the crowd going at the 2014 MTV Movie Awards on Sunday. They headlined the two-hour awards show by singing their hit “The Monster” for the first time on TV. Their performance was an A+ among the A-list crowd. This is the second time the two artists have collaborated. The first was back in 2010 with their hit “Love the Way You Lie.” In an interview with Rolling Stone, the rapper said that his second collaboration with Rihanna was not a sequel of the first one, but rather a “revisitation.” “To me, it’s more about the vice, and it’s more about the nostalgia,” Eminem said.  

    Rihanna started the performance, appearing on stage in a white dress accessorized with a headband that read “FEAR” and a matching jacket and necklace. Eminem soon entered the stage and started rapping, not minding a few technical glitches. The energy-packed performance was a preview of Eminem and Rihanna’s mini-tour scheduled for this summer. They will be visiting Detroit, New Jersey, and Los Angeles.

    Aside from the duo, other performances on Sunday night include Ellie Goulding who sang “Beating Heart” accompanied by Zed on piano. The song is part of the Divergent soundtrack. “Find You,” performed by Miriam Bryant and Matthew Koma for the EDM track, followed the performance by Goulding.

    Another high-energy performance was brought by Twenty One Pilots. They performed their hip-hop/synth pop hit entitled “Car Radio.” Tyler Joseph, the frontman, performed with a white ski mask – the same mask he wore for the song’s music video. Some hundred fans also wore their own ski masks while dancing and jumping around during the performance.

    Conan O’Brien even managed to do a performance before the end of the night, strapping on his guitar and performing a musical number with comedian Adam DeVine and a gospel choir.


    Image via MTV.com

  • ‘Milk Man’ Cop Protecting Cocaine Smugglers Released On Bail

    In his 22 years working for the Miami-Dade Police Department, Lt. Ralph Mata was responsible for supervising the airport canine unit, breaking up gangs, and investigating crime within the police department. He, however, is also now known as “Milk Man,” who helped cocaine dealers from New Jersey transport hundreds of thousands of dollars in different locations.

    According to the FBI, Mata helped and escorted drug traffickers carry cash in order to avoid Miami and New York airport security. He is also said to have helped in organizing a murder plot to acquire guns. The Milk Man did all these things in exchange for luxury items, such as a Rolex watch, and cash.

    The court documents that were released did not state the name of the drug trafficking organization Mata is affiliated with. However, they know that the organization has been in the business of importing illegal drugs to places, such as Dominican Republic and Ecuador. They managed to transport the narcotics by concealing them inside containers with “pallets of produce, including bananas.”

    The FBI first noticed Mata two years ago, when they were investigating a drug gang from New Jersey, wherein they were able to seize about 350 pounds of cocaine.

    The authorities arrested the Milk Man in Florida on Tuesday.

    Even with his charges, Mata will be released on bail amounting to $500,000 even before his trial starts. According to his attorney, Bruce Fleisher, an agreement with the prosecutors was made. Fleisher also said that they considered the family of the accused, as well as the commendations given to him in his 22 years of service.

    Fleisher also said that he will do his best to defend Mata, who is facing a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, and a maximum of life imprisonment on each of the two drug charges against him.

    Mata is slated to appear in federal court on Wednesday.

    Image via Flickr Creative Commons

  • Michael Phelps: Olympic Champ Ends Retirement To Compete In Swim Meet

    Michael Phelps, known to be the world’s most decorated Olympic athlete, will return to the pool on April 24-26 for the Arena Grand Prix, ending his retirement. The swim meet will take place at the Skyline Aquatic Center in Mesa, Arizona.

    Phelps is set to enter three events: the 100-meter butterfly, the 50-meter freestyle, and the 100-meter freestyle. It will be his first competition since his 22-medal win in the London Games in 2012. By competing again, Phelps may also have a chance to swim at the next Summer Olympic Games in 2016, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

    The 28-year-old champion swimmer returned to his training regimen in the fall of last year and also re-entered the United States drug-testing program. Phelps was able to complete the six-month waiting period required by the United States Anti-Doping Agency that would give him the eligibility to compete.

    Bob Bowman, Phelps’ coach since he was 11, said that the April swim meet is a chance for Phelps “to test the waters” to see how it goes, and is not necessarily a complete comeback. He says that Phelps has been training five days a week at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club and is in “enough shape” to compete but is still not in his top form.

    If the results of the swim meet aren’t up to par with Phelps’ performance in the previous Olympics, Bowman said that it won’t tarnish the swimmer’s reputation: “His legacy is sealed.”

    Aside from Phelps, fellow Olympians Katie Ledecky and Ryan Lochte are also expected to join the Arena Grand Prix. Ledecky shared her enthusiasm for Phelps’ comeback, saying that it will “bring some more energy to swimming again,” adding that Phelps has nothing to lose “whether he adds a couple more gold medals or not.”

    Apart from the competition, Phelps may be swimming again for something else: fun. According to Bowman, “I think he’s just really enjoying it… He enjoys the training and being physically fit.” Phelps doesn’t need the money, having already earned millions of dollars in endorsements.

    Chuck Wielgus, the executive director of USA Swimming, was happy Phelps was returning to the pool, saying that the move “will surely inspire even more kids to give swimming a try.”

    Image via YouTube

  • ‘Blood Moon’ Total Lunar Eclipse Will Be Visible On Tuesday

    The moon is all set to turn red starting on late Monday when it aligns with the Sun and Earth, assuring a celestial spectacle for sky gazers. Astronomers claim that the total lunar eclipse will stretch into the wee hours of Tuesday.

    This rare astronomical phenomenon is the first of four consecutive lunar eclipses called a lunar tetrad. But according the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Tuesday’s eclipse will the last total lunar eclipse that will be visible from the United States until the year 2019. With favorable weather, the ‘blood moon‘ can be seen from most parts of the country, except for Alaska and New England.

    Alaskans will be able to see a partially eclipsed moon as it rises. For residents of New England, however, the moon will have set before the end of the eclipse.

    People won’t have to use binoculars or telescopes to enjoy the show stopping eclipse. Chairperson of the Astronomy Department at Foothill College, Andrew Fraknoi, stated that people need only bring their eyes to find the full moon.

    After this tetrad, the next eclipse should occur on October 8. The next series of eclipses won’t take place again until the year 2032. NASA is due to provide live coverage of the event beginning at 2 a.m. EDT on NASA TV, their official website, as well as its social media accounts.

    Despite the massive developments in astronomy and the way it has provided scientific explanations to various natural celestial phenomena, many people still maintain that there are religious and spiritual connections to eclipses – especially the ‘blood moon’. A Texas pastor named John Hagee came out with a book last year called Four Blood Moons: Something Is About to Change, which examines the “supernatural connection” of certain astronomical phenomena to prophecies in the bible.

    Watch the moon turn blood red.

    Image via YouTube

  • Jenny McCarthy Says She’s Pro-Vaccination

    Model and The View host Jenny McCarthy has claimed that she was misunderstood on her stance on vaccines, firing back with a column on the Chicago Sun-Times.

    Just last month, the “Playboy Playmate of the Year” was called out by fans saying she’s anti-vaccination. In recent years, McCarthy has voiced out that vaccines administered during childhood are tied to autism among children.

    In her column, McCarthy claimed that her opinion on the matter has not changed or altered, but that she is in the gray zone about the topic.

    Through the years, McCarthy has been linked to anti-vaccination ideologies, claiming that vaccines have toxins. However, doctors have said that vaccines contain little amounts of toxins for it to take effect the way McCarthy imagined it to be.

    Oddly, the host is also a supporter of botox, a procedure that contains botulinum, one of the most lethal toxins that exists. In an interview several years ago, she admitted she loves botox, calling it a savior.

    However, in her column for the Sun-Times, she clarified that she is pro-vaccine, she is just looking at alternative schedules for injections, without completely eliminating the vaccine.

    She continued to say that her son Evan, who has autism, encouraged her to look at options, questioning the ‘one size fits all’ practice of vaccination schedules.

    She questions whether a healthy, able-bodied child should receive the same number of shots and have a similar vaccination plan with a child who has a weaker immune system.

    McCarthy insists on her son getting one vaccination shot per visit instead of the current practice of multiple shots. She believes that parents should have the right to ask questions regarding their children’s vaccination.

    She added that she is not discouraging conversations about children’s healthcare. She closed her article by saying that one size does not fit all, and that gray should still be an option.

    Vaccines Don’t Cause Autism


    Image via YouTube

  • Manny Pacquiao’s Next Fight: Will Floyd Mayweather Jr. Finally Man Up?

    At a press conference following Manny Pacquiao’s latest victory, Pacquiao’s agent Bob Arum said that he has an idea on how to get a Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather fight that will satisfy both their fans.

    “The only people that can make Floyd Mayweather fight Manny is the public, if they boycott the nonsense on May 3,” Arum yelled. The “nonsense” he was referring to was Mayweather’s upcoming fight against Marcos Maidana, which will be held in a few weeks.

    He continued to say that the media should tell the people not to purchase tickets or watch the fight on pay-per-view. “There is no other strategy. We are prepared tomorrow to sit down at a table with his people.” He also said that they are willing to talk and work out the conditions with Mayweather’s camp.

    With Pacquiao’s latest victory against Timothy Bradley, fans are now talking about a possible fight against Mayweather. If this is not possible, the next logical move is a fifth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez. The two have been in four fights, 3 wins for Pacquiao and 1 for Marquez wherein he knocked out Pacquiao.

    After the fight with Bradley, Pacquiao stated that he is willing to go in the ring with Marquez for a fifth fight, but it is ultimately Arum’s decision. This is more logical, as Arum promotes the two men, and they both generate a lot of money, both live and on pay-per-view.

    On the other hand, a Pacquiao and Mayweather fight has been anticipated by fans for years, and it would no doubt be a great fight between the sport’s two biggest names. It is not clear to many who is avoiding whom, but there are speculations that Mayweather has been avoiding the fight for wise reasons. Through the years, he has demanded conditions before fighting with Pacquiao, such as a greater profit, and enhanced drug testing. Pacquiao’s camp has obliged to comply with his requests. However, there is still no final agreement between the two sides.

    Mayweather’s list of excuses.

    Arum’s words on Sunday were fueled by the fact that there were signs and banners promoting Mayweather’s upcoming fight when he was also working on advertising a Pacquiao-Bradley rematch.

    Arum also called Mayweather a thug. “We’ll give you quality fights. But you want to close your eyes to thuggery in this sport,” he said. When asked about his use of the word “thuggery,” Arum only said that “the ring is square” and that rules for shepherding a fight are “immutable.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Kathleen Sebelius Resigns As HHS Secretary; Budget Secretary To Take Her Place

    White house officials announced the resignation of Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius, who stepped down following the six-month open enrollment period of Obamacare.

    Last Sunday, Sebelius denied rumors that she was pressured to leave her post because of issues with the Affordable Care Act’s implementation. In a ceremony held at the White House Rose Garden on Friday, President Barack Obama nominated Office of Management and Budget director Sylvia Mathews Burwell as Sebelius’ successor.

    In an interview on NBC’s TV news program Meet the Press, Sebelius said that she and President Obama started discussing the health care law after the first year, suggesting that he should begin looking for her replacement once the first chapter of the implementation was finished.

    Sebelius also said she offered her resignation to President Obama in March, although he did not accept it until after the enrollment deadline passed this past week. Calling it a “logical time to leave”, Sebelius said that she made it clear to the President that staying on was not an option.

    The 65-year-old former Governor of Kansas was widely criticized for the Obamacare website’s many glitches and flaws. However, the total number of Obamacare enrollees went over 7 million despite the rollout’s challenges – an achievement that earned the praise of Democrats. On the other hand, Republicans have not been as forgiving to Sebelius and the health care law.

    On Sunday, they vowed to continue fighting Obamacare even as it shifts under Burwell’s leadership. Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee’s 7th district appeared on CBS’ Face the Nation in which she stated that the government can expect a continued effort to “repeal and replace” Obamacare.

    Sebelius successor, Burwell, is not a newbie to the White House – she served under former President Bill Clinton as his deputy chief of staff, as well as the staff director of the National Economic Council.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • ‘I Am A Bully’: Judge Orders Man To Carry Sign For Harassing Neighbors

    Edmond Aviv, 62, was ordered to carry a sign that read, “I AM A BULLY” for five hours on a street corner as punishment for harassing his neighbor and her disabled children.

    The sign also said, “I pick on children that are disabled, and I am intolerant of those that are different from myself. My actions do not reflect an appreciation for the diverse South Euclid community that I live in.”

    Judge Gayle Williams-Byers, the municipal court judge, also said that the letters on the sign must be readable from 25 feet from where Aviv is standing.

    This punishment is the result of Aviv’s neighbor claiming that the man has been harassing her and her disabled children for several years. His neighbor Sandra Prugh, said that the feud had been going on for the past 15 years. The feud escalated when Aviv applied kerosene to a fan and directed it to Prugh’s property. Aviv said that he was annoyed at the smell coming out of Prugh’s vent whenever she did laundry.

    Both of Prugh’s adopted children are suffering from epilepsy and cerebral palsy. She also has a son with her husband who is paralyzed and  suffers from dementia.

    Aviv was charged with disorderly conduct and pleaded no contest. He was sentenced last month.

    He arrived at the curbside with his sign before 9 a.m. on Sunday. Throughout the day, pedestrians and motorists yelled at him and honked their horns. Some even took pictures of him holding the sign. “The judge destroyed me,” Aviv said.

    One other order from the judge was for Aviv to write a letter of apology to Prugh. He wrote: “I want to express my sincere apology for acting irrationally towards your house and the safety of your children.” He also said that he understands the consequences of his actions and that he was not thinking when he did them.

    The judge also sentenced Aviv to 15 days in jail in addition to undergoing counseling and anger management classes.

    Image via YouTube

  • North Korea Opens Marathon To Foreign Amateurs For The First Time

    The streets of North Korea’s capital, Pyongyang, were filled with foreign runners on Sunday. The Pyongyang marathon, held annually, welcomed amateur runners from all over the world for the first time.

    The marathon, known as the Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon, has been around for 27 years. Last Sunday, thousands of North Koreans lined the streets to watch the event and occasionally gave high fives to the runners passing by. According to the event managers from the International Association of Athletics Federations, they decided to open the race to foreigners to make it a grander occasion in celebration of the nation’s founder, Kim Il Sung’s, birthday on April 15.

    The only rule that foreign runners had to follow was that they should not wear attention-grabbing or political clothing during the race. They were also banned from carrying Japanese or U.S. flags.

    The majority of North Korea is still off-limits to foreigners, but Pyongyang is more accessible with its plazas, monuments, and avenues.

    North Korea has been boosting its tourism. Group tours typically consist of visiting major attractions and watching performance art. North Korea’s tourism agencies said that they were surprised to see the large number of foreigners who wanted to participate in the marathon. However, they also said that most of them just wanted to see Pyongyang, rather than race.

    In this year’s race, there were runners from 27 countries all over the world. A total of 225 of the runners were amateurs. The race was also made easier to accommodate the amateur runners.

    The winner for the men’s event was Pak Chol, a North Korean who completed the race in 2:12:26, while North Korean twins Kim Hye Song and Kim Hye Gong finished the women’s event first and second with a time of 2:27:04.

    “I really wanted to do this race because of the location,” Jen Skym, a Briton who resides in Hong Kong said. Another runner from Nova Scotia, Jacob Young, said “I go to international races every year, but this one just strikes me as the most unique.”

    North Korea opens marathon to foreigners for the first time.

    Image via YouTube

  • Bubba Watson Claims The Green Jacket At The 2014 Masters

    Bubba Watson won his second green jacket on Sunday when he shot a final-round 69 at the Masters Golf Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. He first won the Masters in 2012. He was the only player in the top seven to shoot in the 60s in the final round.

    Watson admits it was an overwhelming experience for “a small-town guy” such as him to have won two green jackets. He joins the ranks of other golf greats, such as Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods, who have also won the Masters in a short span of time. “To be with those great names… It’s pretty wild,” he enthused.

    Watson’s biggest contender for the top spot was Jordan Spieth, who shot a final-round 72 to tie with Jonas Blixt of Sweden for second place.  If Spieth had won, he would have been the youngest Masters winner in history at age 20, and the youngest to win a major golf championship since 1931.

    Spieth said it was an incredible experience to have played in the Masters and one he had always dreamed about. He was able to have a two-shot lead over Watson at the third hole and was also able to match Watson’s birdie at the par-3 sixth. He pulled away at the seventh with a birdie, giving him another two-shot lead.

    The game’s turning point came at the par-5 eighth, when Spieth wasn’t able to go for the green in 2. He did, however, give himself a birdie chance, which was followed by a bogey. Watson made a birdie tie, and birdied again at the ninth. He bogeyed the tenth, pulling away from Spieth to get the leverage he needed to win the tournament.

    Aside from the Masters, Watson has had six wins on the PGA Tour. He has never taken a lesson, but those who have seen him play are awed at his uncanny ability to hit seemingly impossible shots.

    Image via YouTube

  • Vance McAllister Urged To Resign Over ‘Smoochgate’ Scandal

    Louisiana Rep. Vance McAllister promised to stay in office even after calls for his resignation were made over a leaked video of him kissing the wife of a friend.

    Gov. Bobby Jindal, the state’s Republican governor, urged McAllister to resign, after the representative said he wanted to work things out with his family in private. Jindal further said McAllister’s actions are an embarrassment.

    Roger Villere, state GOP chairman, also called for his resignation and said that McAllister’s hypocrisy can only be solved by an immediate resignation. However, the congressman still refuses to budge from his seat.

    Jennifer Dunagin, spokeswoman for McAllister said that there are no plans to resign yet.

    A few are less aggressive towards the congressman. House speaker John Boehner admitted to speaking with McAllister and said that the congressman has decisions to make. According to him, all members must uphold the highest ethical standards, and that McAllister is no different.

    Friends and backers have said that they expect him to fight for his job and his family.

    A weekly newspaper released the video of him kissing Melissa Peacock, a member of the congressional payroll. She submitted her resignation on Monday.

    No one knows how the video made its way to the Ouachita Citizen, but McAllister’s office denied rumors that he will conduct an FBI investigation into finding out who leaked it. Instead, a statement from his office said that he is focused on regaining the trust he has lost.

    According to The Washington Post, odds say that the chances of him still being in office next year is not great. Based on an analysis of 38 scandals since 1974, only 39% of government officials embroiled in sex scandals were re-elected.

    Politically, McAllister was considered an unknown when he ran for office in 2013. Many believe that his strong showing in the race was due to the endorsement of Phil Robertson, who stars in the Duck Dynasty TV series.

    McAllister caught smooching another man’s wife

    Image via YouTube

  • Paul Stanley, KISS Frontman, Rips Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

    Legendary hard rock band KISS has been stirring controversy over the drama that surrounds their recent induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Outspoken guitarist and vocalist Paul Stanley has been candid about his sentiments toward the long-standing induction.

    After being passed over for 14 years, the iconic glam rockers are finally being inducted by the Rock Hall. Stanley has been very vocal about his views on the way the celebratory performance ought to be handled – his bandmates, bassist and reality TV star Gene Simmons, lead guitarist Ace Frehley, and drummer Peter Criss, all feel the same way he does.

    In an interview with Billboard magazine, Stanley talked about the rumors surrounding the band’s induction, which he dubbed as the Foundation’s “worst nightmare”. He went on to declare that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is really an exclusive group of people “who decide who they want in their little club and who don’t”, as opposed to being “a hall of fame of the people”.

    Stanley added that the only reason for his attendance is the fans for whom the induction means something.

    The 62-year-old rhythm guitarist co-founded KISS along with Simmons 40 years ago. The band’s four original members are attending the ceremony, which will be held at Brooklyn’s Barclay’s Center on April 10th. Former guitarist Bruce Kulick and current guitarist Tommy Thayer as well as drummer Eric Singer will also be in attendance. Stanley and Simmons had originally wanted the band to perform together, but the Rock Hall reportedly told them that the performance was a “non-starter”.

    Apart from the Rock Hall’s disinterest in a possible KISS performance in the ceremony, Stanley complained about the Foundation’s alleged efforts to fight the band’s entrance into the elite organization since their eligibility 15 years ago. February marks the 40th anniversary of KISS’ self-titled debut album.

    KISS Reunite For Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame


    Image via YouTube