WebProNews

Author: Val Powell

  • Steven Seagal For Governor Of Arizona?

    Action movie star Steven Seagal has hinted that he may run for Arizona governor.

    Seagal is an action film star, writer, producer, guitarist, artists and reserve deputy sheriff. His first film was “Above the Law (1988)”. He became famous in 1992 when “Under Siege” was released where he acted as Navy SEAL counter-terrorist expert. To date, he has been featured in more than 22 films.

    The “Under Siege” actor stated that he would “remotely consider” the move to become a politician when he spoke to Phoenix News. “It was kind of a joke, but I suppose I would remotely consider it,” said the martial arts actor.

    Asked what his priority would be should he become governor of Arizona, he said that it would be to combat terrorism and secure the borders.

    Seagal made the remark at an event where he was promoting “Steven Seagal-Lawman: Maricopa County”, a Reelz Channel reality series. In the series, Seagal teams up with Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. The show was shot in Arizona County.

    Seagal also defended his co-star, Arpaio who has come under fire in the recent times for racial profiling. “Is Joe Arpaio a racist? No, he’s not. And I’m not going to say I don’t think he’s not, he’s not,” said Seagal.

    Seagal joins the likes of singer Clay Aiken who recently said he is actively considering joining a senatorial race.

    Image via Wikipedia

  • Old Spice ‘Mom Song’ – Creepy Or Funny?

    Old Spice ‘Mom Song’ – Creepy Or Funny?

    Old Spice released a hilarious new commercial on Sunday during the AFC Wild Card Game and it has immediately gone viral, hitting a million views on YouTube barely a day into its release. The ad, called “Mom Song”, features moms creepily appearing on their son’s dates while singing a sad song. Old Spice sprayed their sons into men.

    Within the last few years, Old Spice has become known for its many ridiculously funny and hugely successful commercials. This one is just as funny as the rest, and maybe a bit creepy too. It features a mom desperately hanging on to the bumper of her son’s car with her knees sliding along in a laundry basket.  The creepiness continues with a mom popping up on her son eating lunch in a restaurant with his date disguised as a creepy-looking custodian.  As if that wasn’t enough, one mom smashes a chocolate covered cake with her fist and another free falls from the sky while playing a violin.

    http://youtu.be/8M-sAPobpfY

    The 60-second spot ad has been described as original, funny and slightly creepy. Old spice managing director John Sebastian said that the ad targets young men as well as mothers who might purchase the spray for their sons.

    Old Spice is known for its award winning commercials such as “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” which features actor Isaiah Mustafa – the debonair shirtless black guy on a white horse. More recently, the commercials feature Terry Crews doing all manner of craziness including playing musical instruments with his pectorals. Although “Mom Song” lacks Mustafa and Crews, it demands attention nonetheless.

    Watch Old Spice Classic Commercials. RIDICULOUS!

    http://youtu.be/fXvtany3mSE

     Image via YouTube

  • Bluefin Tuna Prices Plummet At Japan Auction

    Sushi restaurateur Kiyoshi Kimura was the top bidder of bluefin tuna in the year’s first tuna auction at Tsukiji market in Tokyo, Japan. The event normally draws very high bids given Japan’s insatiable appetite for the fish.

    Kimura paid a whopping 7.36 million yen (about 70,000 USD) for the 507-pound fish. However, that price pales in comparison to his record breaking winning bid last year. In 2013,  Kimura paid 154.4 million yen (about 1.7 million USD) for the 489-pound bluefin tuna.

    Though the demand for bluefin tuna is high both in Japan and worldwide the high bid is more a fight for status and does not translate into a profit for Kimura. The first purchase at the Tsukiji market is a mark of honor to the auction patrons. Kimura would need to sell the fish at a minimum of $345 a plate to break even, but Kimura admits it will only sell for about $4.60 per serving – a huge loss.

    The record breaking bid last year attracted a lot of criticism and complaints from Japan’s fish supplier industry. Many thought that the price of bluefin tuna had soared way out-of-control. Following this year’s relatively low bid, many are left wondering what it could mean for the industry but Kimura said that the bid had brought back sanity to the auction.

    “I’m glad that the congratulatory price for this year’s bid went back to being reasonable,” said Kimura.

    Environmentalists have already warned that the increasing global consumption of bluefin tuna will soon lead to its depletion and those who are supposed to take charge in managing the dwindling species are failing to protect it. Japan alone consumes about 80% of world’s bluefin tuna.

    Stocks of all the three bluefin species-the Southern, Pacific and Atlantic-have reduced over the past 15 years due to overfishing. Currently, the bluefin tuna population is at an all-time low of less than 4% of its unfished size. According to global conservation group, The Pew Environment Group, over 90% of the fish is caught before maturity.

    So far, very little has been done by governmental bodies to protect the species leaving many to have doubts about the sustainability of the bluefish tuna market.

    Bluefin Tuna Sold For $1.7 Million In Japan

    http://youtu.be/f7nnkqjQw-o

    Image via YouTube

  • Portland Trail Blazers Set New 3-Point Record Against Charlotte Bobcats

    The Portland Trail Blazers routed the Charlotte Bobcats 134-104 during a Thursday night thriller. The Blazer’s victory gave the Bobcats its fifth straight loss this season after being whipped by the Clippers 112-85 the previous night.

    Wesley Matthews made 25 points and contributed to 5 of Portland’s 21 3-pointers. “Making shots is contagious,” said Matthews. The Blazers made a record 63.6 percent of their 33 3-point attempts.

    The 21 3-pointers also matched the team’s 3-point record against the Philadelphia 76ers, who they beat 139-105 on Dec. 14. Both wins make Portland the first NBA team to have two games in one season with 20 or more 3-pointers. The current NBA record in a single game is 23 3-pointers.

    Portland now ups its record to 26-7 to move to the top spot in the Western Conference.

    After Thursday’s loss, Bobcats team coach Steve Clifford said that the team lacks solid defense.”Our team is thinking too much about offense, we have individual guys who need to build their games around their defense, and they’re worried about their offense,” said Clifford. If we’re not going to commit to defense and rebounding, then we’re limited in how good we can be.”

    On the other hand, Portland played great defense and offense throughout the game. They led from the start, making  four straight 3-pointers to lead 23-9 in the first quarter. By the fourth quarter they were up 100-77 against the Bobcats but never allowed themselves to lose momentum. At the final buzzer the Portland Trail Blazers won by 30 points.

    Watch The Blazers Rain On ‘Em

    Image via YouTube

  • Magpul Leaves Colorado Due To New Gun Law

    Gun accessories maker Magpul Industries is leaving Colorado. The company has decided to relocate its operation to Texas and Wyoming following Colorado state’s  gun control legislation enactment last month. The gun control law includes restrictions on how many bullets can be loaded into a magazine.

    Last year, following the Denver shootings, Gov. John Hickenlooper and the Democrat-led legislature enacted a law that prevents the sale of magazines with more than a 15-rounds capacity.

    Magpul CEO, Richard Fitzpatrick, announced that the relocation was necessary for growth.

    “Moving operations to locations that support our culture of individual liberties and personal responsibility is important,” Fitzpatrick said in a statement. “Moving to a true multi-state operation will also allow Magpul to utilize the strengths of both Texas and Wyoming as we continue to expand.”

    The departure of Magpul will result in Colorado losing up to $85 million in economic contributions and about 400 people will be out of a job. Sources say the company plans to set up its manufacturing plant in Cheyenne, Wyoming whilst its headquarters will be in Texas. The company also plans to lease a 58,000 square foot building for a period of 2-3 years while they construct a 100,000 square foot building that will form part of the Cheyenne commercial facilities.

    Wyoming governor, Matthew Mead welcomed the move saying Magpul and Wyoming are a great match. Gov. Mead said that Wyoming offers great tax environment to Magpul as well as a  stable legislation environment.

    The governor of  Texas Rick Perry had earlier openly encouraged gun manufacturing companies to move their operations to more friendly states in February:

    “You may choose to consider relocating your manufacturing operations to a state that is more business-friendly,” the governor wrote in a letter sent to a dozen gun manufacturing companies.

    Magpul will not completely move out of Colorado, it will maintain limited operations in the state as it still has a significant number of clients there.  Some 96% of its employees plan to relocate outside Colorado in the next 12-16 months.

    Image via Wikipedia

  • Charlize Theron And Sean Penn Vacation Together In Hawaii

    It looks like Charlize Theron and Sean Penn may be more than just friends. Pictures from sources show the twosome having a good old time at the beach in Oahu, Hawaii.

    A source told E! News that the pair spent some time together upon returning to California. Indeed, the 53-year-old actor and his gorgeous 38-year-old South African friend were seen getting off the same flight at LAX airport on Wednesday.

    So, are these two the latest Hollywood hot couple, or are we just witnessing two friends hanging out? Romance rumors about the pair first surfaced in 2010 when the two were seen dining together. This might have been treated as nothing more than a dinner between two friends as it happened months before Penn’s divorce from Robin Wright and also prior to the split between Charlize and her then boyfriend Stuart Townsend.

    Sean and Charlize also attended the 40th birthday of  Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane in October and have been romantically linked by the media since. However, the two haven’t done anything that definitively suggests they are in a relationship. If they aren’t a couple, they’re surely acting like one.

    Charlize Theron’s Top 10 Performances

    Image via YouTube

  • Paul Walker Autopsy Shows No Drugs Were Present In His Body

    No drugs or alcohol were present in Paul Walker’s body at the time of the crash that took his life, according to a coroner’s report published Friday.

    Both Paul Walker, 40, and his friend Roger Rodas, 38, tested negative for alcohol and drugs such as opiates, cocaine and marijuana. The Los Angeles County coroner’s report responded to lingering questions concerning exactly how the “Fast & Furious” star and his driving partner, Roger Rodas died.

    The 15-page report shows that the two friends were speeding at more than 100 miles per hour in a Porsche Carrera GT sports car. The car slammed into a tree before bursting into flames. The car was being driven by Rodas while Walker was sitting in the passenger seat of the vehicle.

    The fatal crash happened after the two men left the car shop they co-owned to take a ride in the Santa Clarita area, which is about 30 miles north of Hollywood. Rodas lost control of the speeding vehicle and the car spun out of control. The car then hit a tree before colliding with a light post.

    Details from the report show that the car became engulfed in flames about a minute later.

    The autopsy shows that Walker might have died before the fire and smoke started because there were only slight traces of soot present in his trachea. Had he still been alive just after the incident he may have inhaled more soot. However, his body was severely burned. His left arm, jaw bone pelvis, ribs, spine and collarbone all sustained fractures. Rodas’ body was also severely burned and fractured.

    LA Sheriff’s Department said the accident was caused by speeding.

    Paul Walker’s Last Moments Alive

    http://youtu.be/3AmMLKw3EbU

    Image via YouTube

  • Is Justin Bieber Dating Selena Gomez Again?

    It’s been barely a month since fans of Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez were told that the couple were no longer on speaking terms with each other. Now, it seems that the two can’t spend time away from each other for long. They were spotted together, riding Segways near Bieber’s California home on Thursday.

    Sources say that the exes hangout session together caused a big stir in the neighborhood. The pair first started dating in December 2010. In November 2012, they said they were breaking up. However, the break up did not last long and they have since been dating on and off.

    Recently, Bieber told Power 106 that he and Gomez were no longer speaking to each other. “I think we’re going to be the greatest of friends. Right now we’re taking a little time and not talking.” During the interview with Power 106, the 19 year old Pop star said he was inspired by his ex to write “All that Mattered.” He also said that Gomez recently cancelled her tour of Australia to spend some time alone.

    The Segway sighting could mean that the two may rekindle their fickle romance. During the ride, Gomez was wearing gray leggings, a big black coat, and white tank while her ex was dressed in a white T-shirt, black shorts and a baseball cap.

    In August, during one of their break ups, Gomez revealed that it is hard for them to stay apart.

    “I’ve known him for a really long time, and we enjoy each other’s company every now and then,” she shared in August. “But I’m definitely single and enjoying being that.” she added.

    Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez Spotted on Segways

    http://youtu.be/g9UplDoMUyw

    Image via YouTube

  • Klingon Letter Of Resignation Submitted By Councilman

    Indian Trail, N.C. councilman David Waddell surprised fellow council after handing in his resignation letter. The resignation was not the surprise. Mr. Waddell, a grown man and a real politician, penned his letter in Klingon.

    For those who may be unfamiliar, Klingon a fictional race/language that comes from the popular Star Trek TV series. This is how David Waddell chose to resign; he thought it would be funny.

    “Folks don’t know what to think of me half the time,” said Waddell, so “I might as well have one last laugh”

    David Waddell said that the resignation will take effect from Jan, 31.

    Knowing that Klingon will be problematic for people to understand, Waddell decided to add a Bing Translation to the sentences.

    “Teach (the) city (the) constitution. I will return next time to witness victory. Resignation occurs in 2014 the 31st of January. Perhaps today is a good day (to) resign.” Waddell term would have expired in 2015.

    The letter was delivered to the town mayor, who was not amused by the gesture. He described it as childish and embarrassing.

    “It’s an embarrassment for Indian Trail, and it’s an embarrassment for North Carolina,” he said. However, the mayor wished him well. “I wish him the best, live long and prosper. I don’t know what else to say,” Alvarez said.

    (image)In an interview on Thursday, Waddell elaborated on his reasons for resigning. Waddell cited the town’s laxity to implement development plans and poor response to public records access as part of his reason for resignation.

    On the other hand, Mayor Alvarez said that Waddell was a conservative minority among development-minded liberals who are trying to improve the area’s infrastructure. He also said Waddell was constantly opposing everything including motions for adjournment.

    Waddell, a former plumber, said that he would be more useful if he attended board meetings as a citizen. The time would also allow him to speak out on community issues and possibly campaign for a senate seat.

    His replacement will be deliberated later this month.

    Main image via YouTube, image of  Waddell via Indiantrail.org

     

  • Rose McGowan Witnesses “Knockout Game” Beatdown

    Rose McGowan has claimed that she personally witnessed a distressful “knockout game” attack in LA, Thursday.

    McGowan was going about her business when a masked man suddenly appeared and walloped an unsuspecting elderly man in the head before fleeing the scene on a skateboard.

    The knockout game is an assault in which an assailant punches an unsuspecting victim. In most cases, the assailant uses a single “sucker punch” in an attempt to knockout the victim.

    Describing the incident on Twitter, McGowan said that she was out and about Venice Beach when she witness a 65-years-old man become victim of assault.

    Rose described the attacker as a “criminal” wearing a mask and riding a skateboard. The 40-year-old actress also said she tried to run after the attacker but he was too fast and escaped.

     

    Rose called the ambulance after discovering that the elderly victim was bleeding from the ear. She also revealed that the victim had a dog with him but the attacker was too quick for the dog to protect his master.

    The identities of both the attacker and the victim still remain unknown.

    What Is The Knockout Game?

    Image via Youtube

  • Facebook Lawsuit: Plaintiffs Say The Company Reads Users’ Private Messages

    Facebook Lawsuit: Plaintiffs Say The Company Reads Users’ Private Messages

    Are your private messages being read by Facebook? On Dec. 30. 2013 Michael Hurley and Matthew Campbell filed a class action lawsuit against Facebook. The plaintiffs claim that Facebook “has systematically violated consumers’ privacy by reading its users’ personal, private Facebook messages without their consent.” The men also claim that Facebook scans its user’s  private messages for links that lead to URLs that have Facebook “Like” buttons. They believe that if Facebook finds a “Like” button, it then attributes a “Like” to that webpage. Furthermore, the men claim that Facebook illegally extracts information found in its user’s private messages and sells the information to advertisers. In 2011, the company generated $2.7 billion in targeted ad sales, according to the lawsuit. If the allegations are true Facebook would also be in violation of California’s Electronic Communications Privacy Act.

    The plaintiff are also demanding that Facebook, the world’s most used social media site, pay out $100 a day for each day of violation to members of the class action lawsuit.

    In its defense Facebook has denied the allegations. A spokesperson for the company said,”We believe the allegations are without merit and we will defend ourselves vigorously”.

    Graham Cluley, internet security expert, argues that Facebook is justified in scanning the private messages of its users as a security measure. According to Cluley, if Facebook did not scan user messages the site would be “rife” with phishing scams, malware and spam.

    This is not the first time Facebook has been hit with a class action lawsuit for privacy violation nor is it the only social media website to be accused. Last year, a similar lawsuit  was filed by 10 plaintiffs that said their Gmail messages were illegally being read by Google.

    Watch video for more insight

    http://youtu.be/wviVv540E4s

    Image via Facebook.com

  • Rob Ford: Toronto’s Crack Smoking Mayor Seeks Reelection

    Is he smoking crack…again? Despite repeated calls for him to step down from office, Toronto mayor Rob Ford was the first candidate to show up at City Hall on Thursday to register for reelection. The mayor is asking Toronto to vote for him in the city’s municipal election on October 27th.

    “Ford more years,” he declared. He then referred to himself as the “best mayor” Toronto has ever had. “I’m sticking to my record, and talk is cheap. You’re going to see action like you’ve never seen before.” he added. Yes, this is the same crack smoking, foul mouthed, erratic Canadian politician named Rob Ford we’re talkin’ about here. Maybe the mayor was just in another one of his “drunken stupors”.

    Well, Ford did maintain all along that he would seek reelection and on Thursday morning he showed up to the state building to file his paperwork.

    In May of last year video footage surfaced of the mayor smoking what appeared to be a crack pipe and spewing out a series of curses and racial slurs.  The video embarrassed many Canadians and Ford eventually confessed to smoking crack, using marijuana and abusing alcohol. One of Ford’s gang member associates also snitched on him, confirming that Ford is in fact a crackhead and a heroin user and he had pictures to prove it. Ford does however maintain that he is not an addict and is perfectly capable of executing his job as the mayor of the largest city in Canada.

    Despite his belief in his ability to carry out his job, the Toronto City Council stripped him of most of his powers, though he continues to receive support from more conservative voters.

    Would you vote for Rob Ford? We can only wait to see how Toronto votes in October.

    Watch Rob Ford In Some Of His Finer Moments

    Image via YouTube

  • Wal-Mart Recalls Tainted Donkey Meat In China

    Wal-Mart is recalling donkey meat at some of its stores in China. Donkey meat may not appeal to some Western palates, but in China they eat donkey. Tests revealed that donkey meat which was sold to Chinese consumers contained DNA of other animals.

    Wal-Mart’s China CEO, Greg Foran said, “We are deeply sorry for this whole affair. It is a deep lesson (for us) that we need to continue to increase investment in supplier management.”

    On Wednesday, Wal-Mart announced that it will refund customers who purchased the contaminated donkey meat. The company is now working with Eastern Shandong food inspectors to investigate it’s Chinese suppliers.

    China is a country that has suffered rampant tainted food scandals, and scares like this one are a big deal. Recently, KFC’s chicken supplier, Yum Brands, saw a steep decline in sales after it was found to be using high levels of antibiotics in its meat products.  Wal-Mart is now concerned that it may lose consumer confidence in China. This could become a big problem for Wal-Mart given that the company is jockeying for market share against retailers like Sun Art Retail Group Ltd and China Resources Enterprise Ltd.  China represents a $1 trillion dollar food market in which Wal-Mart plans to add 110 new stores to the 400 facilities they currently have in the country.

    According to China’s livestock industry, nearly 2.5 million donkeys were slaughtered in 2011. This makes donkey meat a relatively popular food in China.

    This is not the first food safety issue Wal-Mart has had in China. It was fined in 2011 for selling duck meat past its expiration.

    Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, will likely need to do some damage control —  quickly. Word is already spreading fast in Chinese social media and some consumers are starting to have a negative perception of the company.

    Image via Wikipedia

    Donkey Meat Restaurant in China

  • Ariel Sharon Clings To Life After 8 Years In A Coma

    Former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is reportedly clinging to life in an Israeli hospital this Thursday. The Israeli political icon has been in a coma for eight long years and has suffered a steady deterioration in his bodily organs. Doctors believe he may not have much longer to live.

    “He is in critical condition and his life is definitely in danger,” said Dr. Zeev Rotstein, director of Sheba Medical center in Tel Hashomer, Israel. “The feeling of the doctors treating him as well as the family with him is that there is a turn for the worse,” he added. Rotstein announced to reporters that Sharon has suffered “critical malfunction” to his kidney and other vital organs.

    Sharon, who is now 85, has been in a coma since January of 2006 after suffering a severe stroke. Just prior to the stroke he was Israel’s Prime Minister and running for re-election.

    Sharon has had a long career that has spanned Israel’s 65-year history. Before becoming a politician, Sharon was also a revered military leader. He started his military career in 1953 and soon became an army major general. He is credited for his role in overcoming the Arab army’s surprise attack on Israel in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. As Defense Minister, he orchestrated the invasion of Lebanon in 1982 in an attempt to snuff out Palestine Liberation Organization fighters. The wars resulted in many casualties on both sides.

    In December of 2005, Sharon had his first stroke. He was placed on blood thinners but then suffered a brain hemorrhage in January of 2006.

    After spending months in a Jerusalem hospital he was transferred to a long term care facility in Tel Hashomer where he is currently being treated. Unfortunately, Sharon never regained full consciousness since 2006 and now appears to be fading fast. His family is said to be keeping watch at his bedside.

    Image via Wikipedia

  • Kim Jong Un Gives New Year’s Day Speech

    Kim Jong Un Gives New Year’s Day Speech

    North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un on Wednesday praised the recent purge of “counterrevolutionary” elements from the government, in reference to last month’s execution of his uncle Jang Song Thaek for treason.

    Kim said the party had been united a hundred fold after removing those who were causing faction. In his New Year’s address, Kim said the ruling party was able to detect counterrevolutionary factionists and anti-party dissenters at the opportune time. Following the decisions, “The Party and revolutionary ranks were further consolidated and our single-hearted unity was solidified to the maximum,” Kim said

    Kim further opined that for the country to progress, it needs to be more vigilant in weeding out any sort of alien ideology and called for thorough worker’s ideological education so that party members can think and act in unison with the party’s philosophy.

    The North Korean government is notorious for its dictatorship and the way it has successfully used propaganda to project a picture of a powerful Kim who demands unquestionable loyalty. The purge of Kim’s uncle will likely be used for more propaganda.

    Kim became the country’s ruler in 2011 following the death of his father, King Jong II. He turns 31 next week and experts say the removal of the highest ranking government official may consolidate his power or bring chaos.

    Meanwhile, Kim talked about a number of policy goals for the country including agriculture and the economy. However, the North Korean leader did not make mention of foreign investment or international trade as his father had done. This could mean that North Korea may have to focus on domestic trade.

    Other issues mentioned include U.S. and South Korea’s interference in his country’s nuclear plans. Last month, South Korea warned that a military provocation is a possibility if North Korea does not cease its nuclear ambitions.

    Image via YouTube

  • Chrissy Lampkin Arrested In New Jersey Brawl

    Love and Hip Hop star Chrissy Lampkin was arrested early Sunday for a bloody brawl with a woman in a New Jersey bar.

    The VH1 reality star was arrested and charged at around 2:30 am  for assault and disorderly conduct.

    Authorities said that the victim was badly wounded in the alleged assault.  According to TMZ  her injuries required  stitches above her eyes.

    Supposedly, the scuffle began when Lampkin objected to the woman sitting on the same sofa as her in the bar. Chrissy was later bailed out by her rapper fiancée, Jim Jones. The exact sequence of events were unclear as no video footage was captured.

    The 42-year-old reality star and her 37-year-old ‘We Fly High‘ boyfriend added to their notoriety after starring in the popular VH1 reality series Love and Hip Hop. The couple got engaged in 2011 during a party involving the entire Love and Hip Hop crew.  According to the couple, they both grew up in the same neighborhood in Harlem,  New York. They now have their own reality show called Chrissy & Mr. Jones which began airing in 2012 — Lampkin is one of the shows producers. The series concluded early last month. Jones is the co- CEO of Diplomat Records and an original member of hip hop group known as The Diplomats.

    This would not be the first altercation for Chrissy Lampkin. She is known for dishing out a few beatdowns and giving others a piece of her mind on the Love and Hip Hop show.

    Watch Chrissy beat down Kimbella on Love and Hip Hop

    Image via YouTube

  • Giant Rubber Duck Explodes In Taiwan [VIDEO]

    A giant inflatable yellow duck measuring about 18 meters suddenly burst on Tuesday under unclear circumstances, leaving the locals, organizers and its designer disappointed. The organizers could not exactly tell what had caused the collapse but speculation is that it was attacked by eagles. One tourist claimed she saw something similar to an eagle scratching the giant duck with its claws.

    There is another theory that suggests the duck burst from internal pressure due to heat from the sun after days of cold and rainy conditions. No official cause for the burst has been announced yet. “We haven’t found the cause of the burst. We will carefully examine the duck to determine the cause,” explained Keelung City’s Council Speaker Huang Ching-ta

    The duck was designed by the Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman to remind people to be conscious of each other and the environment. Sadly, giant version of a popular bath toy only lasted only 11 days after arriving in Keelung City Harbor. However, all is not lost for fans as the city has announced that it will  replace the floating art installation as early as Saturday. “We want to apologize to the fans of the yellow rubber duck,” said Ching-ta.

    The duck arrived in Taiwan in September and stirred up a craze. It was first docked at Kaohsiung City before being taken to Taoyuan and finally to Keelung where it burst. Other versions of the famous duck have been set up temporarily in such cities as Osaka, Beijing, Sao Paolo, Sydney and Amsterdam.  This is not the first time a similar incident as happened. In 2009 the giant duck met its demise after being stabbed by a vandal in Belgium.

    Watch the giant duck explode

    Image via YouTube

  • Price is Right: Sheree Heil Is Biggest Winner Ever

    A woman was in shock on Monday after becoming the biggest winner ever on  “The Price is Right”.  Shree Heil, is the new owner of a luxurious Audi R8 V8 Spyder Quattro S Tronic worth $157, 300. She won it while playing  “Gas Money” on the CBS daytime game show. In addition to that, she also won a pair of prada shoes worth $3, 045 as well as $10,000 cash.

    Contestants in the Gas Money game are required to eliminate incorrect prices of a featured car and leave a correct price.  Each time an incorrect price is eliminated the contestant gets a cash prize. Contestants can then choose to walk away with cash prize already won or risk it all and continue with the game until all the wrong prices are eliminated. Sheree risked walking away with $8000… and it paid off.

    As expected, Sheree was really excited about the victory as she jumped up and down at the show. Sheree currently drives a 2005 Toyota Corolla but will head back home to Tacoma, Washington with a significantly upgraded means of transportation. Sheree now beats the previous daytime record holder, Vickyann Sadowski who won a  $147, 517 in 2006. Though Sheree Heil may have been the biggest winner, all the other contestants won on Monday show as well.

     

     

     

    Image via YouTube

  • Colorado Marijuana: Buy Weed Legally Starting Today

    Colorado State has started the New Year  with an historic experiment in cannabis policy. More than 37 shops licensed to sell marijuana to anyone aged 21 and above opened their doors to eager buyers on Wednesday. At one point, the demand was so great that some shops raised the price of an eighth of an ounce from $25 to $45 while other shops limited the quantity that customers could buy.

    People travelled from all over the country to participate in Colorado’s historic day; some arrived as early as 2:00 am to be among the first to legally purchase cannabis.  Sales, however,  didn’t start till 8:00 am.

    The activists who were involved in legalizing marijuana in November 2012 organized a ceremonial “first purchase” at exactly 8:00 am at the Denver store 3D Cannabis.

    The person selected to be the first buyer was Sean Azzariti, an Iraq War veteran who bought the product at exactly 8:00 am from 3D Cannabis.

    “It’s huge,” he said. “It hasn’t even sunk in how big this is yet.” Azzariti was chosen because of his service as a U.S. Marine between 2000 and 2006. Azzariti plans to use marijuana as a remedy for his PTSD.

    Although recreational weed is being sold by more than 30 stores, there are about 136 applicants still waiting for their store license to be approved. The new law is expected to create many new businesses, giving a significant boost to Colorado’s local economy.

    Washington is expected to be the next state to legalize marijuana with a host of other states keen in following Colorado’s footsteps. Both Colorado and Washington have voted to legalize marijuana but Colorado will become the first state to allow legal sales. However, not everyone is applauding this development. Anti-cannabis groups like Smart Approaches say that legalizing marijuana is the last thing people need right now. They fear that the plants legalization will lead to young people using harsher drugs.

    Colorado was already allowing sales of medical marijuana which has been beneficial to both people with medical conditions and local business. As of today, Jan. 1st,  cannabis can be sold to anyone of legal age in Colorado but buyers must use it on private property. Colorado residents are restricted to one ounce of marijuana per purchase while those from other states can only purchase up to a quarter of an ounce.

    Image via Wikipedia

  • Mummers Parade 2014: Philly’s New Year’s Day Celebration

    The world renowned Philadelphia Mummers Parade kicks off today,  New Year’s Day.  The procession will start at 10 a.m from Broad Street to Washington Avenue and lasts a whole day. Just what makes this day such a special day? There are more than 10,000 fans from both near and far that come to witness the colorful parade.  Women  with mustaches and beards and men dressed in dresses and makeup, feathers, confetti, boas and sequins all combine to make an amazing spectacle.

    What is the Mummers Parade

    Well, this event dates back to the mid 17 century and is believed to be the oldest folk festival in the United States. The parade is an infusion of  Swedish, Finnish, Irish, English, German, and African heritage. The Parade took its name from the Mummers Plays (also known as mumming). These are seasonal folk plays performed by groups of actors called mummers originally from the British Isles.

    What to expect

    There are four mummer categories: Comics, Fancies, Fancy brigades and String bands. The participants normally spend months to prepare the movable sceneries and elaborate costumes in order to produce the adorable fan experience in form of music, satire, and theatrics. Each of the categories may consist of between a few dozen to a few hundred people called mummers. The mummers are mostly people from the neighborhood who want to give their fans an unforgettable New Year thrill and continue the community tradition.

    The legendary American tradition normally starts with comics, lampooning pop culture and hot political issues. What follows are the Comic Wench brigades of men dressed in bloomers and hats, followed by the stylish Fancies with feathered, sequin-studded costumes.  The string bands follow next with live musical performances and intricate choreography.

    How it goes

    Different clubs stop to make a performance as they make their way through the carnival, each depicting a different theme.  The themes can vary; from current political affairs to ridiculous or satirical depiction. Some clubs, however, may have an ongoing theme that stays the same each year.

    If you happen to be in Philly for New Year’s Day don’t miss the parade.

    See Last Years Mummers Parade 2013

    Image via Wikipedia

  • Angela Lansbury Honored As Dame By Queen Elizabeth II

    Angela Brigid Lansbury has been made a Dame of the British Empire. Angela Lansbury is famous for her stage, TV and movie acting. This year the 88-year-old actress made Queen Elizabeth II’s honors list for her philanthropy and charitable works.

    In America, Lansbury is best known for her Murder, She Wrote series where she acts as a clue-collecting detective. She is also known for her Tony Award winning performance in the stage production of Sweeney Todd among numerous other very successful Broadway plays . This year, the veteran actress received an Academy Honorary Award for her extravagant achievements in cinema and an acting career spanning 75 years. Mrs Lansbury is truely incredible.

    The New Year’s honors list traditionally features names chosen by the British  government. The honors are then presented by the Queen to people who have contributed to good works and achievements. This has been a British tradition since 1890. The queen can also bestow an honor as a personal gift. Dr. Marcus Setchell, the queen’s gynecologist, delayed his retirement this year to administer the birth of Prince William’s baby. The queen awarded him knighthood for his many years of excellent service.

    You can view the full list here–it includes knighthoods, damehoods, orders, chivalry, and commanders, among other honors.

    Image via YouTube