WebProNews

Author: Val Powell

  • Nebraska Twin Tornadoes Rip Through Pilger Leaving Two People Dead

    On Monday night, two tornadoes swept through the little town of Pilger, Nebraska. The strong winds obliterated the town’s business district, and the fire station and more than 50 homes were turned into rubble.

    Trey Wisniewski said on Tuesday that he heard storm sirens and saw the sky blackening. He rushed with his wife into their basement. “My wife was holding our animals, and I was holding to my wife. We could feel the suction try to pull us out of there,” he said.

    According to Stanton County Sheriff Mike Unger, about three-fourths of the town is gone, and the rare twin tornadoes left two people dead – five-year-old Calista Dixon, and the other death is from a traffic accident caused by the tornadoes. According to Faith Regional Health Services, 16 people were severely injured.

    Governor Dave Heineman said, “This is by far the worst thing I’ve ever seen as governor.”

    Up to 75 percent of buildings in Pilger were completely destroyed or severely damaged. The tornadoes left piles of rubble and bricks on the streets. Wisniewski said that he is amazed that only two people died in the destruction.

    The twin tornadoes that tore through Pilger were roughly of the same size, and were about a mile apart. According to Nebraska State Climatologist Al Dutcher, one tornado typically weakens. However, after tearing through Pilger, the two tornadoes merged.

    “It speaks wonders about the amount of instability that was in the atmosphere. This was a highly volatile situation where once something got going, it really got going,” Dutcher said.

    Authorities said that the first of the two tornadoes touched down at about 3:45 pm, followed by the second tornado.

    Governor Heineman declared a state of emergency. He also asked the National Guard to be on standby in case help is needed. A shelter was also set up for residents who lost their homes.

    Image via YouTube

  • Lady Gaga And Tony Bennett Wow New York Students With Surprise Performance

    More than 700 students from the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts were in for the thrill of their lives as superstars Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga ended their last day of classes with a surprise appearance.

    Famous jazz crooner Bennett had been unable to attend the school’s graduation this year due to his tour schedule, so as its founder, he decided to make the last day memorable. With Lady Gaga as his guest and Lester Holt of NBC as moderator, they joined a master class held at the Tony Bennett Concert Hall wherein the two singers engaged in a meaningful dialogue with the students about a variety of subjects, such as the Great American Songbook and jazz music.

    Shortly after entertaining the questions from the students, both entertainers then delighted the audience with a performance of a variety of songs. Bennett began with his classic “The Very Thought of You”, followed with Lady Gaga’s soulful rendition of “Every Time We Say Goodbye”. Lady Gaga even tweeted a YouTube video of the performance of Cole Porter’s “Every Time We Say Goodbye” much to the enjoyment of online viewers.

    Among all the songs performed, the most memorable was their duet of “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love,” which was accompanied with a playful cheek-to-cheek slow dance onstage. Finally, as an expression of gratitude for the duo’s time and presence, the student choir wrapped up the event with a performance of Bennett’s “Smile” and Gaga’s “Applause”.

    The two singers first met while performing at the Robin Hood Foundation benefit gala back in 2011, which was quickly followed by Lady Gaga joining Bennett in the “The Lady Is a Tramp” duet in his Duets II album later that year. As of the moment, both singers are working together to release a jazz album later this year.

    Tony Bennett And Lady Gaga: ‘The Lady Is A Tramp’

    Image via YouTube

  • Prince Harry And Queen Attend Day One Of Royal Ascot 2014

    Prince Harry, the Queen, and Prince Philip were among the royals present on the first day of the Royal Ascot 2014.

    The three arrived in a carriage and were greeted by cheers from the crowd. They waved to the watchers as the Royal Procession went around the Berkshire racecourse. Other royals who were present include Prince Andrew the Duke of York, Prince Charles, and Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice.

    The Queen wore a baby blue coat with a matching wide-brimmed hat to keep the glare of the sun away. Under her coat, she wore a blue floral-printed dress.

    Prince Harry wore a pale yellow waistcoat with a baby blue tie to match his grandmother’s outfit.

    The Royal Ascot has been an important British event for over 300 years. According to sources, the Queen is an avid supporter of the Royal Ascot. The Queen has owned 22 winning horses, including last year’s Gold Cup winner, Estimate. Estimate will be competing for the Gold Cup again this year.

    More than the race, watchers are also interested in the outfits of those who attend. Women attend the event with fancy dresses and large hats. Men, on the other hand, attend the race wearing their suits and top hats.

    Prince Harry attended the event for the first time. After the parade, he took his seat in the royal box, along with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Prince Charles and Camilla, Prince Edward and Sophie, and Princess Anne.

    On the official program of the Royal Ascot, the Queen wrote, “I have been very fortunate to win as an owner at Royal Ascot, most recently with Estimate in the Gold Cup last year. I would like to thank those of you who were here for the wonderful welcome the filly received after performing so well, and also those who were kind enough to send messages afterwards.”

    The Queen’s horse Musical Comedy will be racing tomorrow, while Estimate will compete for the Gold Cup on Thursday.

    Royal Ascot: The Fashion

    Image via YouTube

  • Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Approved And Ready For Takeoff

    Boeing Co. confirmed that U.S. and European regulators have approved the 787-9 Dreamliner model. This is a milestone for the company and they hope that the new model will boost profits for the flagship jetliner program.

    The European Aviation Safety Agency and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration gave the green light for the first deliveries of the long-range jet. The 787-9 Dreamliner seats about 290 passengers, and is 20 feet longer than the current model. It can also fly as far as 8,300 nautical miles on routes that can be as long as 16 hours.

    “Certification of the 787-9 is confirmation that the airplane meets the highest levels of safety and performance, as demonstrated through a rigorous test program, including extensive laboratory validations, flight-test activities and thorough analysis and evaluation,” Boeing said in a statement.

    The first jets are scheduled to be delivered to their first customer, Air New Zealand.

    Although regulators have certified the safety of the Dreamliner, it is still undergoing tweaks. Boeing said that one part of the backup turbine system needs to be restructured. A cockpit knob will also be redesigned.

    The Dreamliner is set to make its first commercial flight on October 15 when it flies between Auckland and Perth in Australia, and then Shanghai and Tokyo at a later time.

    The 787-9 Dreamliner is listed at $249.5 million. The price today has risen over 40 percent since it was first announced in 2006. One of the reasons for the price increase is that Boeing spent a large amount in order to supply a fuel-efficient jet that is demanded by many airlines. However, Boeing’s President Dennis Muilenburg said that Boeing has reduced their costs by around 30 perecent since the first six 787-9 Dreamliners that they manufactured.

    The 787-9 Dreamliner makes up 40 percent of Boeing’s orders for their Dreamliners.

    The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner’s First Flight

    Image via YouTube

  • Sovaldi: $1,000-A-Pill Wonder Drug Cures Hepatitis C, Burdens Medicaid

    Sovaldi is a new pill that cures hepatitis C in 9 out of 10 patients, studies say, but the treatment costs $90,000.

    Hepatitis C affects the liver, and medical societies suggest Sovaldi to be taken as a first-line treatment for the disease. However, Medicaid programs and insurance companies are saying that the treatment costs too much.

    Each pill of Sovaldi costs $1,000, and some states are already having budgetary issues. The price of the treatment is hitting Medicaid programs hard, as many patients who are in need of the treatment have low incomes, with most of them needing government insurance aid.

    Sovaldi: Hard Pill To Swallow

    However, if the pill did not exist, patients would still be turning to other treatments, which cost up to five figures to treat hepatitis C. These alternative treatments have more side effects and are less effective than Sovaldi.

    Sources indicate that over three million Americans are affected with hepatitis C. It is a health concern, since it can be transmitted through sexual contact or blood. Health authorities are advising people to be tested.

    Stuart Rose, a hepatitis C patient from New York, said, “If it’s going to get me the medicine, I’ll put my hand out there with a tin cup.” Rose’s insurance only pays $4,000 annually for his medications, but he was able get hold of Sovaldi with the help of charitable foundations.

    The high cost of Sovaldi surprised Medicaid programs and some are considering restricting treatment to patients who are the sickest. Other states are also thinking about a separate financing plan for Sovaldi.

    Sovaldi is to be taken once a day for 12 weeks. It reduces the length of interferon treatment, which makes it more tolerable for hepatitis c patients. Gilead Sciences, Inc., maker of Sovaldi, has also developed a new hepatitis C treatment that does not require the use of interferon. The pill is nearing approval, but the price has yet to be disclosed.

    Image via YouTube

  • Nuns Sue Strip Club, Beer Bottles And Used Condoms Discarded Near Convent

    A group of nuns in suburban Chicago filed a lawsuit against a strip club that was operating nextdoor to their place of worship.

    The Missionary Sisters of St. Charles Borromeo sued Club Allure, as they are disturbed by their loud music while they are worshipping. Furthermore, the club violates one of the zoning laws in Illinois, which states that adult entertainment facilities should be at least 1,000 feet away from places of worship.

    Club Allure is right next to the garden in the nuns’ backyard. The nuns claim that they have witnessed “public violence, drunkenness and litter, including empty whiskey and beer bottles, discarded contraceptive packages and products, and even used condoms.” In addition, the lawsuit says that the nuns are disturbed by the strobe lights, flashing neon lights, and the loud music from the club.

    A lawyer for the strip club said that Club Allure is not going anywhere.

    Sister Noemia Silva said, “Our sisters’ sacred space has been invaded. At night now they hear the music when they’re praying. That’s uncalled for.”

    Dean Krone, an attorney for the village of Stone Park, said that the law is unconstitutional, since it is too broad. The law would mean that adult entertainment clubs cannot be put up anywhere in the village. However, under the 1st Amendment guaranteeing freedom of expression, the courts said that municipalities are not allowed to put blanket bans on strip clubs.

    In 2009, board members of Stone Park denied a strip club to operate in the area. However, the strip club owners sued and the village settled by allowing them to operate.

    The group of nuns is planning to hold a meeting with their lawyers in order to discuss the lawsuit.

    Robert Itzkow, the club’s manager, said “We spend an awful lot of money to make sure that this kind of thing would not occur. The whole thing is just a question of ‘We don’t like you; you don’t conform to our religious beliefs.”

    Image via NDN video

  • Alabama Gay Sex Ban Overturned, Ruled Unconstitutional

    An appeals court in Alabama has ruled that the Alabama law criminalizing consensual homosexual conduct is unconstitutional, as it “applies to private, legitimately consensual anal and oral sex between unmarried persons.” Civil rights organizations cheered the state appeals court for the ruling.

    Based on the statute, consensual anal and oral sex was banned, as the court ruled that they were acts that criminalized homosexual activities. The Human Rights Campaign conducted a survey and said the results stated that Alabama is one of the dozen states that still have laws that prohibit consensual homosexual sex.

    Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama, Susan Watson, said, “Aiming to ban consensual sex is flat out wrong. A person’s sexual orientation shouldn’t matter. Consensual sex is consensual sex.”

    The state attorney general’s office brought the case to the court after a prosecutor was unsuccessful in persuading the jury to convict a defendant on a felony charge of first-degree sodomy. In that case, the jury convicted the defendant on a lesser charge, which was sexual misconduct.

    On Monday, Michael Jackson, the prosecutor in the sodomy case, said that he understood why the ruling of the appeals court turned out that way. However, he also said that the victim was not brought to justice, since “he got attacked by another man and he had sex he didn’t want to have.”

    Chairman Ben Cooper of Equality Alabama was also in favor of the ruling. “Each and every person, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity, is entitled to equal protection under the law,” he said. He also continued that the ruling is a step towards the right direction.

    According to the judges, it was the first time that the law’s constitutionality had been addressed since the United States Supreme Court overturned a similar law in Texas in 2003.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Honey Boo Boo Uncensored: TLC Apologizes For Airing Show With Curse Words

    Discovery Communications network TLC apologized for airing an unedited episode of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo in UK, which was full of curse words.

    According to a complainant who alerted Ofcom, an independent regulator, the episode had 11 scenes where someone said the words “b**ch” and “s**t.” There were also five instances of the words “f**cking” and “f**k.”

    According to reports, the complainant was watching the show with her six-year-old child when she noticed that the show was full of expletive language that is not suitable for minors.

    Discovery Communications Europe Limited already apologized for their mistake. They explained that the recording was labeled “suitable for broadcast.” However, they said that it should have been assessed after editing to make sure that it was indeed suitable for viewing.

    Most Disgusting Moments Of  ‘Here Comes Honey Boo Boo’

    Discovery also told Ofcom that they investigated the incident and found out that it was the result of human error.

    Based on British rules, “the most offensive language must not be broadcast before the watershed,” watershed being the point in time that programs with offensive languages can be aired. The watershed divides shows based on family-oriented programming and those that are geared towards the adult audiences. “Offensive language must not be broadcast before the watershed… unless it is justified by the context.”

    The episode aired at 8 pm and the watershed begins at 9 pm.

    Discovery promised that this type of error will never happen again. They are also reviewing all the other episodes of Here Comes Honey Boo Boo to ensure that they are complying with British broadcasting rules.

    Ofcom also ascertained that Discovery has been reprimanded regarding the issue. In a statement, Ofcom said, “Discovery accepted immediately that this program breached rules 1.14 and 1.16, apologized and took various steps after the broadcast to ensure it was not shown again before it was re-edited and to improve compliance going forward.”

    Honey Boo Boo’s Best Quotes

    Image via YouTube

  • Andrés Iniesta Says The Netherlands Was Simply Better Than Spain

    Netherlands win on Friday may have ended Spain’s six-year reign as the best football team in the world. Andres Iniesta, Spain’s central midfielder who struck the winning goal in the final four years ago against the Netherlands, was humbled by his team’s loss on Friday.

    Despite losing, Iniesta said that they will try to learn from their experience. “We have to win the two games that are left. There are small details that tip the balance. But it was difficult for us,” he said.

    He also said that his team is prepared for whatever comes, and they will do their best to win, but they will certainly not forget about their loss.

    A Humbling Defeat

    “We have to accept defeat. They were better than us in the second half. We have to admit that they were better. It’s a delicate moment for us, but we have to solve it,” Iniesta said.

    Fernando Torres, Spain’s striker, said that they did not have a solution to Netherlands’ gameplan. “It doesn’t matter how many goals they scored. We just can’t make any excuses. They were better, as simple as that,” he said. He also added that they still have the mindset that they can beat anyone. “That’s the attitude we’ll be taking into the Chile game,” Torres said.

    With Spain’s recent defeat, they have already conceded more than they had during the last two World Cups. Could this be caused by their lineup’s transition? The team has lost their tight defense with Carles Puyol’s retirement. Sergio Ramon and Gerard Pique also played out of character.

    In World Cup history, Spain has only had one heavy defeat, which happened 64 years ago when the team was destroyed 6-1 by Brazil. After that incident, Spain did not qualify for the next two World Cups. People are now wondering if history is repeating itself.

    Reports also indicate that this is Spain’s worst defeat since Coach Vicente Del Bosque took over the team in 2008.

    Image via YouTube

  • Simon Cowell And Mel B Are Already Fighting; ‘The X Factor’ Hasn’t Even Started Filming Yet

    The X Factor has not started filming yet, but two of the judges are already feuding, according to reports. Simon Cowell recruited Mel B from the Spice Girls to be the fourth judge on the singing show. According to sources, Cowell wanted Mel B on the panel of judges in order to create drama between her and judge Cheryl Cole.

    Mel B refused to play that role and said, “I won’t be your Miss Nasty.”

    A source close to Mel B said, “There is no way she is going to do that bitchy thing with anyone and has told Simon so.”

    The source also said that Cowell wants explosive television in order to reel in viewers. However, Mel B does not want to be part of that and she wants to avoid getting caught up with controversy. “She doesn’t want to be unnecessarily mean to anyone,” the source said.

    Another source said that both Mel B and Cheryl Cole understand that being a judge on The X Factor is a job. “Neither of them wants to be portrayed as a bitch. Just because they are young, attractive women working together doesn’t mean that they have to hate each other,” the insider said.

    Simon Cowell is an expert at being nasty

    Other reports have said that Cole is happy to have another woman in the panel. Cole and Mel B do not really know each other, however, Cole is happy that there won’t be any style wars happening, since Mel B’s style is so much different from hers.

    Mel B is a good addition to the panel of judges, as she already has experience judging. She was a judge for the Australian version of The X Factor, and also worked on America’s Got Talent.

    Mel B was revealed to be the fourth judge last week, replacing Sharon Osbourne. Louis Walsh also confirmed that he would be back as a judge this year.

    Image via YouTube

  • Andrea Sneiderman Is Out On Parole

    Andrea Sneiderman, the woman who lied about having an affair with her husband’s killer, was released from prison on parole. Gwendolyn Hogan, spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Corrections, said that Sneiderman was released at 12:22 am on Monday. Family members greeted her.

    Sneiderman’s husband was killed in 2010 outside the Dunwoody preschool, where he had just dropped off their son. Hemy Neuman, Sneiderman’s boss, was convicted of the crime in 2012 and is currently serving a life sentence.

    At one point in the case, Sneiderman herself was charged with murder. However, the judge dismissed the murder charge due to lack of evidence. Instead, Sneiderman went on trial for perjury. Prosecutors stated that Sneiderman lied to the authorities and denied having an affair with Neuman.

    Sneiderman was found guilty on nine of 13 charges in 2013. The charges include false statement and perjury, concealment of material facts, and hindering the apprehension of a criminal. She was sentenced to serve five years, minus a year that she already served.

    Based on a report from the Board of Pardons and Paroles, Sneiderman will be under standard supervision until 2017. She will have to get permission to leave the state, and she is required to meet with her parole office once a month. She is also subject to random searches.

    Manny Arora, a criminal defense attorney who is not associated with Sneiderman’s case, said that the early release of Sneiderman is not surprising. Arora said that perjury convictions are rare, and he was surprised that Sneiderman had to spend as much time in prison as she did.

    “I think they would have let her out. With the overcrowding we have, the actual drug dealers and the guns and the violence we have out there, to have somebody like that is kind of ridiculous,” he said.

    Sneiderman’s attorney said that Sneiderman is happy to be back home and will be pursuing an appeal.

    Andrea Sneiderman lied 

    Image via YouTube

  • Marijuana Legalization: Oregon Has Enough Signatures To Qualify For November Ballot

    Marijuana supporters in Oregon have collected more than enough signatures to qualify for November’s ballot for legalizing recreational marijuana.

    Peter Zuckerman, spokesman for New Approach Oregon, said that they will continue getting signatures until they feel that they have “a big enough margin.” To date, the group has already collected more than 100,000 signatures. They only need 87,213 signatures from registered voters by July 3.

    Despite already having more than they need, the group decided to continue seeking supporters who can vote, so that they can account for invalid signatures. They are aiming for a 25 to 30 percent buffer.

    The signatures collected by the group will have to be validated by the state.

    New Approach Oregon gets signatures by telling the citizens and voters of Oregon that marijuana arrests waste police, court, and attorney time, and also waste tax dollars . The group’s campaign manager Dan Mahr said, “We need to stop wasting taxpayer dollars on treating marijuana as a crime. Our country has spent 40 years and more than $1 trillion dollars on the War on Drugs. Prohibition is ineffective and costs the state tax revenue.”

    If the law were passed, it would mean that citizens of Oregon can have up to eight ounces of marijuana in possession. They can also grow up to four marijuana plants. The taxes would be $5 per plant and $35 per ounce.

    Reports said that over $620,000 has already been spent for the marijuana legalization in Oregon. In 1998, voters legalized medical marijuana for patients who are suffering from severe pain, cancer, and other medical conditions.

    Based on information from the latest polling, citizens of Oregon will most likely pass the law. Just last week, the poll revealed that voters support the legalization of marijuana 51 percent against 41 percent who are not in favor.

    Image via YouTube

  • Student Loan Debt Is $1.1 Trillion; Obama Tries To Do Something About It

    Since President Barack Obama was elected in 2009, the federal student loan debt increased to 517 percent. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York estimated the student loan debt at $1.1 trillion with $650 billion in credit card debt.

    Although students who have loans have a grace period of six months after graduation before their first payment, this does not erase the fact that the debt is there and it will not go away soon. For this reason, new graduates must get some sort of employment, even if it is not their dream job, just to start paying off bills.

    Just last week, Obama stated new executive actions to enable five million student loan-borrowers to limit their monthly payments at 10 percent of their income. The President also stated that any remaining loan debt after 20 years should be forgiven.

    These executive actions are only applicable to borrowers who took out their first loan after September 30, 2007 and continued to borrow money after September 30, 2011. It will also be an option for those who will start borrowing on July 1.

    In a statement, Obama said, “We’re still seeing too big a debt load on too many young people. The outrage here is that they’re just doing what they’ve been told they’re supposed to do. I can’t tell you how many letters I get from people who say, ‘I did everything I was supposed to, and now I’m finding myself in a situation where I’ve got debts I can’t pay off.’”

    In addition to the new executive actions, Obama also urged the U.S. Department of Education to improve publicity on income-based repayment programs that are available to borrowers. He also stated that the government will be renegotiating their terms with loan servicing companies in order to aid borrowers, especially those who are struggling with their debts.

    According to Cecilia Muñoz, Obama’s top domestic policy adviser, the new proposals on student loans will ultimately save taxpayers money through reducing the defaults on student loans. The Obama administration has been proposing to expand the income-based repayment program for the past two years, and they are aiming to target all borrowers, regardless of when they took out a loan.

    Obama also said that loan companies are “in the business of helping out students” and they are not there just to collect payments. “They owe young people the customer service, and support, and financial flexibility that they deserve.”

    Officials will begin negotiating new terms on loan servicing contracts when they expire this summer.

    Image via YouTube

  • Scottie Pippen’s Defamation Lawsuit Gets Rejected By Supreme Court

    On Monday, the Supreme Court rejected an attempt to revive a defamation lawsuit filed by former Chicago Bulls player Scottie Pippen against media outlets that falsely reported he filed for bankruptcy.

    In 2011, Pippen sued CBS Interactive Inc., NBC Universal Media LLC, and other large media companies, seeking $10 million in damages. Pippen’s camp called out the media companies for their “sloppy conduct” in writing about Pippen’s bankruptcy filing.

    However, the lower courts dismissed the lawsuit, since they said that Pippen is a public figure and he could not prove that the media outlets reported his bankruptcy with actual malice. The court was looking for evidence that the media reported the news knowing that it was false information, and Pippen could not provide the evidence.

    Pippen, on the other hand, claimed that the media companies refused to take down the news even after telling them that there was no truth to it.

    In 2011, there were reports of Pippen’s irresponsible spending. One really big blunder he made was purchasing a jet that did not work. He spent $4 million for the jet, and another $1 million to have it fixed. Reports also indicate that Pippen wasted a lot of his money from his basketball days on bad investments.

    CNBC also placed Pippen in an article entitled “15 Athletes Gone Bankrupt.” They reported that Pippen lost $120 million of his career earnings due to his spending.

    Sources said that Pippen has gone through financial hardships since his retirement from professional basketball in 2005. Much of the financial loss can be attributed to bad advice from his legal and financial advisers.

    Pippen is considered one of the best small forwards in NBA history. He played an instrumental role in helping the Chicago Bulls win six NBA titles between 1991 – 1998. He also helped the Bulls set a record 72 wins in the 1995-1996 regular season.

    Image via YouTube

  • Ana Ivanovic Finally Wins A Title On A Grass Court

    Serbian tennis pro Ana Ivanovic, 26, has finally achieved her first grass court title. On Sunday, she defeated Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova with a score of 6-3 6-2, which allowed her to earn the coveted Aegon Classic title in Birminghan, England. It was the first time Zahlavova-Strycova played in a major tournament final.

    Ivanovic started her game a bit shaky, but she was able to recover quickly and dominate her opponent on court. Her win showed that she can adapt and play on any surface, and many are saying that this is her best year of playing since 2008.

    It was the 37th win for Ivanovic, and her third title of the year, which places her on par with Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams who also have three titles this year.

    “On grass you really don’t have time to hesitate. I tried to shorten my swing and move forwards. You really have to go after your shots. It’s important to be clear in your mind,” Ivanovic said.

    Regarding her win, Ivanovic said that she didn’t expect to win. “You’re waiting for such as result and now it comes and I’m very happy, but I didn’t expect it,” she said. Reporters also asked how she managed to finally win on a grass court. She answered, “The biggest challenge for me at the moment is to be okay with not playing a perfect game, not playing a perfect shot.”

    She also said that she doesn’t dwell on opponents playing better than her. She said that she accepts it and tries her best on the court.

    Now that she has won the Aegon Classic, Ivanovic will become the No. 11 seed women’s pro tennis player. The upcoming Wimbledon Championships could be her chance to get back into the top 10 after five years.

    In June 2011, Ivanovic was named one of the “30 Legends of Women’s Tennis: Past, Present and Future,” which was compiled by Time.

    Image via YouTube

  • Patty Mills: First Indigenous Australian To Win An NBA Championship

    Patty Mills made Australian sporting history by helping his team, the San Antonio Spurs, defeat the Miami Heat. The San Antonio Spurs now have five championships under their belt since their first win in 1999.

    Mills, 25, an indigenous Australian, showed off his skills in the second half of the game to help the Spurs win the championship with a score of 104-87. In the third quarter, Mills was on fire. He scored 14 points which included making four baskets from three-point range.

    Overall, Mills was able to score 17 points in only 18 minutes of play on the court. He was also added two assists and a rebound to help the Spurs defeat the Heat.

    After the game, Mills talked to reporters and said, “The support has been great all year.”

    He also addressed the fans, saying, “You’re part of this win, as much as anyone. I can’t tell you how nice and genuine the people of San Antonio are compared to anyone else, it reminds me a lot of Australia. This one is for you [the fans] and thanks for all your support.”

    Other Australians that have won NBA championships include Luc Longley (Chicago Bulls), Andrew Gaze (San Antonio) and his Spurs teammate Aron Baynes. Mills, however, is the first indigenous Australian to win an NBA championship — his mother is Aboriginal and his father is a Torres Strait Islander.

    His outstanding performance in the finals may now lead to greater opportunities in the league. Last year, he played just 13 minutes in the NBA finals. After last year’s season, Mills went as far as to hire a personal chef to help improve his nutrition and give him an edge on the court.

    Gregg Popovich, the San Antonio Spurs’ head coach said, “His energy has been important all season long. That energy, that team sense he has, has become infectious for everyone.”

    Now that Mills is off contract, he can expect more profitable offers during the off-season given his exemplary performance in the 2013 to 2014 season.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Star Wars: Harrison Ford Injured, Could Be Off Set For Several Weeks

    Harrison Ford, 71, was airlifted to Wexham Park Hospital in Oxford after sustaining a broken ankle when a falling door hit him on the set of Star Wars: Episode VII at Pinewood Studios. The incident happened on Thursday.

    He underwent several tests and x-rays after he was seen holding his chest in pain. The extent of his injuries is still unknown. A statement from Disney said that they will be resuming filming his scenes once Ford has fully recuperated. Producers of the film are saying that Ford could miss up to eight weeks of filming.

    “At the moment it looks like Harrison is going to be off set for 6-8 weeks but the main priority is making sure he is OK,” the source said.

    A source from the set said that they had a hard time moving things around after the accident. “We can juggle things, bring some scenes forward and push others back. There are lots of other actors in the movie so it is not a disaster. We are still confident the film can stay on schedule.” The bosses are working on rescheduling shooting schedules for the movie, so that they can continue filming while Ford recuperates.

    Ford’s wife, Calista Flockhart, flew from the U.S. to be by her husband’s side.

    Reports said that the Health and Safety Executives are now investigating how the accident occurred. They are looking to see whether there has been any breach of legislation. Some are saying that Ford was hit by the door of the Millennium Falcon, which is a spacecraft that is commanded by Ford’s character Han Solo.

    This is not the first time Ford sustained an injury while filming. In 1983, he sustained a herniated disc to his back while filming Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. He also sustained a torn ligament to his knee on the first Indiana Jones movie.

    Image via YouTube

  • Kanye Booed At Bonnaroo, Crowd Chants ‘F**k Kanye’

    Kanye West headlined Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival on Friday night. He came on 10 minutes after his scheduled 10 pm set. He performed a combination of his hits and a few songs from his 2013 album entitled Yeezus. He wrapped up his set with the song Blood on the Leaves after 90 minutes, which was 20 minutes short of his supposed set time.

    At one point during his performance, West stopped and shouted “Where the press at? Where the press at? F**k the press!”

    In the middle of his set, West started yelling “I am the No. 1 muthaf**kin rock star on the planet!” and compared himself to music greats including Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, and John Lennon, which garnered boos from the audience of 90,000.

    West continued his speech and said that he doesn’t need hit songs or radio airplay, as he is not competing with other living artists, and he is looking to be a timeless cultural icon. “I ain’t going after nobody on the radio. I’m going after Shakespeare. I’m going after Walt Disney. I’m going after Howard Hughes. I’m going after Genghis Kahn. I’m going after Henry Ford…,” he babbled.

    West was accompanied by his wife Kim Kardashian. She was watching from the soundboard in white pants and high heels, while occasionally singing along with her husband.

    The boos lasted the rest of West’s set, and many said on Twitter that he was booed off stage. Many of the festivalgoers started to move away from the stage and the crowd began chanting “F**k Kanye!”

    Written a fence at the event, was a spray-painted message to West that read, “Dear Kanye, Kim gave a better performance.”

    Festivalgoers are typically happy to welcome musical acts and artists in the spirit of the festival’s motto, which is “Radiate Positivity.” However, West didn’t receive positivity from the audience that night.

    Kanye West: ‘Blood On The Leaves’ (Explicit)

    Image via YouTube

  • Eric Cantor Shocked By Defeat To David Brat; Polls Were Wrong

    On Tuesday, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor shockingly lost the 7th District Republican primary to a college professor named David Brat, who is backed by the Tea Party.

    In an interview with ABC’s Jonathan Karl on Sunday, Cantor said, “I don’t think anybody in the country thought that the outcome would be what it was and I think we’re going to be able to look back at this, and what seemed really bad at the time may turn out to be really good.” In the interview, Karl suggested that Laura Ingraham’s attack on Cantor may have contributed to his defeat.

    Cantor announced his resignation as the House Majority Leader on Wednesday. He will step down from his post on July 31.

    Although Cantor was defeated, he remains optimistic and is still focused on his mission. The 51-year-old said that he will remain committed to the Republican party, even after leaving his post.

    According to Ezra Klein of Vox, Cantor lost because voters supporting him did not show up to the polls. However, reports indicate otherwise, as the turnout of voters is actually higher than any recent congressional primary. It turns out that people turned up to vote, but they didn’t vote in favor of Cantor.

    National Journal magazine interviewed John McLaughlin, Cantor’s pollster. McLaughlin said that they estimated that about 45,000 people would turn up to vote, but 65,000 were present. The incorrect estimate is the reason Cantor appeared to have a wide lead against his opponents at the end of May. Because of the far-off estimate, they also got the number of supporters they had wrong.

    Cantor said that he has not ruled out the possibility of running in the future. “I believe after almost 23 years in public service that I can play a role and not just in elected office obviously but in the private sector,” he said.

    House Republicans will  vote on Thursday for their new majority leader. “I want a Republican to hold this seat, of course,” Cantor said.

    Image via ABC News

  • Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hopes To Win Sprint Cup With Superman Car

    Dale Earnhardt Jr. is on the verge of a winning streak.  He has his sights set on the Sprint Cup where he is now in third place.  Earnhardt has already earned two wins, including last weekend’s race at the Poconos, and three second-place finishes in 2014.

    “Definitely that’s new,” the 39-year-old racer said. “That’s the new conversation topic for us, but I just want to win the next one. We have so much fun winning and going to Victory Lane last week was so much fun with the feeling that you have inside and you have for several hours after that.”

    At the Quicken Loans 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, Earnhardt’s Chevrolet will be carrying a Superman design on the hood, since his team is promoting DC Comics. With his recent wins, his Chevrolet is proving to be as fast as a speeding bullet, just like Superman.

    “I think it’s a great-looking race car. I enjoy working with DC Comics. They are a fun group of people with a lot of great initiatives that match well with our sport,” Earnhardt said.

    With two wins already under his name, he is seeking a third one. Having a winning streak is a big deal for Earnhardt, whose father won seven championships. “I just want to win more and take care of the car and just finish as well as we can, and I think that mentally and making that reality can win us a championship,” he said.

    During the final practice, Earnhardt clocked in seventh place at 197.374 mph. Even though Earnhardt is hoping to avoid wrecks during his chase for his third win, he also said that he won’t hold back and play it cautious. He said that they have gambled a bit more than they typically would “because of the new points system.”

    Earnhardt is confident that with his speed, coupled with the help of Superman, he can win his third championship.

    Image via YouTube

  • Olivia Munn’s New Beau Aaron Rodgers Isn’t Afraid Of The Spotlight

    Newsroom actress Olivia Munn recently split from Swedish-American actor Joel Kinnaman after two years together. She is now in a relationship with Aaron Rodgers, who is the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers.

    Pictures of the Munn and Rodgers kissing were posted online, and Rodgers was asked if he was upset about them during an interview with ESPN Wisconsin radio. The athlete said, “No. For one, I’m real happy in my relationship. And I understand what comes with it. And two, the last couple years I’ve learned a lot about perspective and what’s important.”

    He also said that both he and Munn have their individual successes and they are always highlighted for the things that they do. “You cannot hide from the spotlight. You have to learn to embrace it,” Rodgers said.

    Rodgers mentioned that he is still not used to the attention at times, since it is not what he signed up for. However, he understands that being in the public eye is part of being a professional football player. To add to that, he is also dating a famous actress. “There’s always going to be attention or scrutiny, and you can either… embrace it or you can lock yourself away. And I just can’t do that. I need to be living my life,” he said.

    Rodgers and Munn reportedly met at the Academy of Country Music Awards held last April. They started dating in May.

    Munn, on the other hand, hasn’t talked about her relationship with Rodgers. However, in an interview with Vogue, she was asked about what she is most excited about in her life right now. She answered, “Everything,” with a sigh.

    The 33-year-old actress will be returning as Sloan Sabbith, a socially awkward and attractive economist in The Newsroom, which will be premiering in fall 2014 for its third and final season.

    Image via YouTube