WebProNews

Author: Val Powell

  • Malcolm Glazer, Owner Of Buccaneers And Manchester United, Dies

    Malcolm Glazer, owner and president of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, died on Wednesday morning. He was 85. The announcement came from the team.

    “Malcolm Glazer was the guiding force behind the building of a Super Bowl-champion organization. His dedication to the community was evident in all he did, including his leadership in bringing Super Bowls to Tampa Bay,” Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner said.

    In 2006, Glazer suffered a stroke, which made him disabled. Since then, he has not attended public events. He died from complications related to the stroke he had.

    Glazer’s family bought the Buccaneers in 1995. The team won its only championship in 2002. In addition, Glazer also owned English Premier League soccer club, Manchester United. He bought the team in 2005, and since then, the team has won a Champions League title, and five EPL championships.

    With Glazer’s death, reports say that his widow and their six children will be taking over the operations for the teams. His three sons, Joel, Edward, and Bryan, are already co-chairmen of the Buccaneers and will be continuing their responsibilities for the team.

    Jon Gruden, who coached the Buccaneers, thanked Glazer for believing in him. “He was a friend and a trailblazer,” he said. Others also expressed their sympathy towards Glazer’s family and released their statements.

    Shahid Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, said, “I will remember Malcolm Glazer as someone whose influence made a lasting impact on both ends of the Atlantic in the world’s two greatest sports leagues.”

    Tom Benson, owner of the New Orleans Saints said, “He was a friend and always a gentleman. He was passionate about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”

    Glazer is survived by his wife, six children, and 14 grandchildren. A private funeral will be held, but the team announced that they will also hold a public celebration for Glazer at a later time.

    Remembering Malcolm Glazer

    Image via YouTube

  • Serena Williams Demolished At French Open

    Serena Williams Demolished At French Open

    On Wednesday, Serena and Venus Williams both lost in the second round. They were looking forward to playing with each other, but it seems that they will both be going home early. Had they won against their opponents, they would have met at the third round.

    Garbiñe Muguruza is a 20-year-old Spanish-Venezuelan tennis player. She beat Serena with a score of 6-2, 6-2, which is one of the worst single losses the tennis champ has experienced. It is the earliest that Serena had to go home since losing in the first round at Roland Garros 2 years ago.

    Serena Williams vs. Garbiñe Muguruza: match highlights


    “It was one of those days. You can’t be on every day, and, gosh I hate to be off during a Grand Slam. It happens, you know. It’s not the end of the world. It’s what it is.”

    Serena Williams’ post match interview

    Venus was defeated by Anna Schmiedlova from Slovakia with a score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

    Muguruza has been a fan of the Williams sisters for quite a while. As a child, she studied tennis matches and aspired to play against Serena on the court. On Wednesday, her wish came true when she beat Serena. “So when you watch someone play, you know exactly what you need to do to defeat her,” Muguruza said.

    Muguruza said that it was difficult for her to go against Serena, as she is a big fan. “It was really difficult to be able to, O.K., be calm and say, ‘It’s another player,’” she said.

    It is only Muguruza’s second time at the French Open. Last year, she was eliminated in the second round. However, she was able to reach the third round at last year’s Australian Open.

    “It’s very difficult, because since I was a child when I turn on the TV, I see her play. Everything, when I’m practicing, okay, how Serena serves, how she plays a backend. I saw like 100 videos of her,” Muguruza said.

    Image via YouTube

  • David Schwimmer Helps Police Solve A Case In New York City

    At about 5:48 a.m. on Monday, a fight broke out at an apartment building in the East Village.

    Robert Rainey, 21, broke into a man’s apartment and stole his mobile phone and MacBook Pro laptop. The man was said to be with a prostitute at the time, and reports say that the prostitute may be an accomplice of Rainey. The man fought Rainey, and sustained slashes from a box cutter on his face. The prostitute quickly fled the scene after using pepper spray on the victim.

    The New York Police Department only had the statements of the victim and Rainey to work with. The apartment was next to Friends star David Schwimmer’s home, and the police noticed that he had a surveillance camera installed. Schwimmer cooperated with the police and provided the surveillance tape, which will be used in court.

    The tape caught the latter part of the fight, as the victim and Rainey moved out of the apartment and out to the sidewalk. Rainey is held on $20,000 bail and he was charged with robbery, criminal possession of a weapon, and assault. Police are still searching for the prostitute.

    By helping solve a crime, neighbors may now be friendlier with Schwimmer. Since purchasing the home in 2010, Schwimmer has not been popular with the neighbors. He purchased the oldest home in the neighborhood, and demolished it, which angered some residents. The neighbors also complained of the disturbances caused by renovations to the home.

    One neighbor said, “Four years ago, I would say David Schwimmer was the least popular guy on the block with the construction and all.” He continued that Schwimmer may be a decent neighbor after all and that he is glad that the actor aided the police in solving the crime.

    CNN tried to reach out to Schwimmer’s representatives, but they have not released a statement regarding the incident.

     Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Samantha Grigg Sentenced In Death Of MSU Student, Faces Up To 15 Years In Prison

    Samantha Grigg, 18, was sentenced to 6 to 15 years in prison for unarmed robbery and manslaughter. She was the driver of the vehicle that killed 19-year-old Michigan State University student, Dustyn Frolka.

    In court, Grigg said, “I want to extend my deepest remorse to the family of the victim… It really breaks my heart.” Grigg will be spending the next years of her life in prison instead of being in a college classroom.

    Grigg was in tears in court, and apologized for playing a role in Frolka’s death. She said that she meant no harm, but she knew that she was driving two others to a robbery.

    On February 15, Grigg drove Tyrel Bredernitz and Brandan Heim to Frolka’s apartment. The two guys beat up Frolka, and Frolka jumped out of the vehicle that was travelling up to 60 miles per hour. Colleen Hincka, Frolka’s half-sister, said that his brother’s skull was fractured, as he was beaten with brass knuckles. Reports say that about $800 was taken from Frolka.

    In court, Lesa Frolka, Frolka’s aunt, held a picture of him. She addressed Griggs and said “You took a son, you took a brother, you took my nephew. Most of all, you took a father from his daughter.”

    The two teens, Bredernitz and Heim, are charged with first-degree murder. Griggs is scheduled to testify against them.

    Griggs has no prior criminal history. She was a promising student and was into music. However, she played a major role in Frolka’s death.

    If Griggs serves the minimum sentence, she will be 24 by the time she gets out of jail. Her attorney, Ron Zawacki, said that her client still wants to pursue music after getting out of jail. Frolka’s family was devastated upon hearing the statement. “She’s taken away Dustyn’s chances to do any of those things,” Frolka’s stepmother said.

    Image via WILX

  • Cliven Bundy Cuts Ties With The Republican Party

    Southeastern Nevada cattle rancher Cliven Bundy has officially left the Republican Party. Along with his wife, Carol, Bundy appeared at an event in Las Vegas on Friday to register with the Independent American Party. Bundy, who was a featured speaker at the said affair, was honored by the Party for his “courage” in defending for the sovereignty of the state.

    Bundy is best known for his involvement in a long-standing conflict with the United States Bureau of Land Management over his refusal to renew his cattle grazing permit in Bunkerville, Nevada. The ongoing dispute, which started in 1993, was sparked by Bundy’s protests against modifications in the grazing rules in USBLM-administered lands. In 1998, the Nevada District Court banned Bundy from grazing his cattle on the Bunkerville Allotment.

    The peak of the dispute happened in April when hundreds of armed individuals headed over to Bundy’s property to express their support for the cattle rancher. More than 140,000 hectares of public land were previously closed by the federal government in order to “capture, impound, and remove” all trespassing cattle. After negotiations among Bundy, Sheriff Doug Gillespie, and USBLM director Neil Kornze, the situation was managed and the seized cattle were released.

    Apart from the grazing dispute, Bundy was also implicated in a racist controversy, in which he suggested that black people “would be better off as slaves” rather than recipients to government subsidies. This remark caused Bundy to be condemned by the media as well as some fellow Republicans, who distanced and disassociated themselves from the rancher.

    Cliven Bundy’s racist rant

    During the White House Correspondent’s Dinner, President Barack Obama condemned Bundy’s racist comments.

    The Independent American Party is currently the third-largest political party in the state of Nevada. According to a tally released by the Nevada Secretary of State, the Party has more than 70,000 members, although the number of “non-partisan” voters could be much higher.

    Cliven Bundy joins Independent American Party

    Image via YouTube

  • Holly Bobo Case: Judge Denies Ruling On Immunity Agreement

    On Tuesday, a chancery court judge said that she does not have the jurisdiction to preside over an immunity agreement dispute in the Holly Bobo case. The case will be moved from the Decatur County Chancery Court to the Decatur County Circuit Court.

    Holly Bobo was a 20-year-old woman who went missing in 2011. She was last seen by a relative who reported that a man was dragging Bobo toward a wooded area. Her body has not been seen since the incident.

    Two men have already been charged with kidnapping and murder, but the authorities are still looking for Bobo’s body.

    On March 6, the prosecution granted Shayne Austin, one of the suspects, an immunity agreement in exchange for aiding the investigators in finding the location of Bobo’s body. The agreement stated that it “agrees to grant him (Shayne Austin) immunity for all charges arising out of the disposal, destruction, burial and/or concealment of Holly Bobo’s Deaceased body, conditioned upon him assisting us in recovering the body of Holly Lynn Bobo.”

    However, the prosecutors revoked the immunity agreement, as they said Austin was not cooperative with them, which makes the deal null and void. With this, Austin can now be indicted.

    Jake Evans, Austin’s lawyer, countered the prosecution by filing a breach of contract lawsuit in order to prevent the indictment of his client. Although Austin has not yet been charged, the defense states that the prosecutors are violating his rights. The defense is demanding an explanation why the immunity deal was revoked.

    Shayne Austin appears in court

    No date has been set for the hearing at the circuit court.

    Outside the court, Austin was greeted with reporters asking for comments. He refused to answer questions and just said, “No comment.”

    Bobo’s family was also present in court. Bobo’s mother, Karen, said off camera that Holly’s rights should not be forgotten. “Justice for Holly and ignore this circus side show that these attorneys are having,” she said.

    Image via YouTube

  • Ricin Letters Sender James Dutschke Gets More Jail Time, Fondled Students

    On Tuesday, James Dutschke, the man who sent President Obama and other officials letters laced with ricin, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for fondling three martial arts students. He is also spending 25 years in federal prison for the ricin letter charges.

    In January, Dutschke admitted and pleaded guilty to touching his martial arts students inappropriately at his Tupelo studio. According to Assistant District Attorney Sadie Gardner, the incident happened between 2007 and 2013.

    In court, Dutschke was confronted by the grandmother of one his victims. She described Dutschke as a child molester who behaved like he was a proper, and smart man. She told Dutschke that he took away the innocence of her granddaughter.

    The court also ordered Dutschke to register as a sex offender when he is released from prison.

    Though Dutschke pleaded guilty to the inappropriate touching and lacing letters with ricin, he said in court that he would like to withdraw his guilty plea for both charges on May 13. However, after a few days, he again changed his mind and decided to stick with his guilty plea for both charges.

    Dutschke, 42, sent ricin-laced letters to Judge Sadie Holland, Senator Roger Wicker, and President Obama in 2013. Prosecutors say that the move was done in order to frame Paul Kevin Curtis, an Elvis impersonator, who has been butting heads with Dutschke online. Curtis was arrested, but was released shortly after, since they found no evidence of ricin in his home.

    Of the ricin-letters that were sent out, two were intercepted before the supposed recipients received them. The third one reached Judge Holland, but reports say that she was not harmed by the ricin.

    According to reports, Dutschke was quiet the entire time in court.

    Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson said, “We had three victims here in our county that we had to look out for. We had to do what was right and today, they at least got some closure to it, so we’re proud of what the court has done.”

    Image Via YouTube

  • Li Na On First Round Loss At French Open: “I Gave It Away”

    Li Na, 32-year-old Chinese professional tennis player, failed to win the first round of the French Open on Tuesday, as she lost to Kristina Mladenovic of France with a score of 7-5, 3-6, 6-1.

    With her loss, she failed to get the chance to be the first woman since 2001 to win the Roland Garros and the Australian Open in the same year. The last woman to do so was Jennifer Capriati.

    “The problem is myself. I don’t think I’m doing well on the court. And also, even during the match, I don’t think totally about what I should do, like especially I didn’t follow the game plan,” Na said.

     French Open Highlights: Li Na Vs. Kristina Mladenovic

    Li already won the French Open in 2011, and was hoping to win this year. However, she ended up with 37 errors against Mladenovic’s 25.

    Mladenovic, 21, was ranked at No. 103, but was able to improve her game and lift her rank up to No. 36. However, her poor start this season made her slip out of the top 100. The French player was ecstatic about beating Na. “This is really big, you don’t beat Li Na every day,” she said.

    “I gave it away,” said Na. “Nobody say if you No. 2 in the world you have to win all the matches. I mean, this is tennis.” Na also thinks that she would have lost to anyone who went against her that day.

    Na’s 2014 season is one of her worst clay seasons in her entire career. At the Stuttgart Open, she had to withdraw because of her left knee injury. At the Mutua Madrid Open, she was able to beat Zheng Jie and Kirsten Flipkens in the first two rounds, but was unable to win against Maria Sharapova. Her bad streak continued when she lost to Sara Errani, who she had defeated 6 times before, at the 2014 Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

    Li Na talks about her loss

    Image via YouTube

  • Jennifer Martel: Broadcaster’s Son Pleads Guilty To Murder

    On Tuesday, Jared Remy, the son of former Red Sox player turned broadcaster Jerry Remy, pleaded guilty to killing his fiancée Jennifer Martel at their Waltham home last year.

    Remy, 35, was charged with first-degree murder, violation of a restraining order, and assault and battery.

    According to statements, Remy repeatedly stabbed Martel, while their then 4-year-old daughter watched. Martel crawled out to their patio, and three neighbors saw the fight. They desperately tried to pull Remy off Martel, but were unsuccessful. Martel sustained stab wounds in the arms, torso, legs, and throat.

    At the start of the hearing, Remy already stated that he was voluntarily pleading guilty to the charges. However, Judge Kathe Tuttman didn’t instantaneously accept the plea. Nearly an hour into the hearing, the judge accepted the plea and ordered a recess before Remy’s sentencing was read.

    “I would like to say, blame me for this and not my family,” said Remy before the court. He also said that his family loved Martel and he’s the bad guy. “If you asked my family, they’d rather have me dead than her.”

    Martel also explained that he attacked Martel because she attacked him first. He also said that he had already warned her not to threaten him with his daughter. “I don’t think it’s right when women use their kids against their fathers,” he said.

    Marian Ryan, Middlesex District Attorney, said, “Jared Remy perceived that he was losing control of Jennifer Martel and lashed out at her in a fit of rage, killing her.”

    Judge Tuttman sentenced Remy to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

    Arianna Martel, Remy and Martel’s daughter, will be living with Martel’s brother Brian Jr., but the Remys will have visitation rights.

    Remy requested his parents and siblings not to attend the hearing on Tuesday, but they still support him. However, he also said that his parents loved Martel like their own daughter.

    Martel’s family released a statement through their attorney and said, “When this is over, Jen will finally be able to rest.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Denver Tornadoes Cause Hail Storm And Disrupts Airport

    On Wednesday, a total of eight tornadoes touched down in the Denver metro area. In addition, Colorado was also facing a fierce thunderstorm that produced piles of hail, which caused residents to take shelter.

    Three tornadoes touched down in Araphoe County, one in Denver County, and four in Adams County. The first tornado was reported at 2:05 p.m. in Aurora, and the last was at 5:06 p.m. in Adams.

    The Weather Service issued a tornado watch, which will be in effect until 8 p.m. local time. Jim Kalina, a meteorologist, said, “Denver’s kind of in the clear right now unless something else develops.”

    With the threat of the tornadoes, authorities at the Denver International Airport were forced to suspend flights. Passengers were asked to seek shelter and remain outside the facility. Airport officials said that the terminal building sustained some water damage.

    The scene at Denver Airport

    Although the airport was not directly hit by the tornado, it was still affected. Frontier Airlines reported that six of their planes had to be removed from service because of hail damage.

    Kalina also said that this is the peak time for tornadoes to hit the Denver area. According to Frank Cooper, a meteorologist with the NWS in Boulder, the stormy weather was triggered by the southeastern winds, which resulted in a pattern he called the “Denver cyclone.”

    Denver’s geography also played a part in the development of the storm. Denver is surrounded by high terrains and mountains. As the winds picked up speed, Denver’s terrain set up a “swirl,” and the Denver cyclone took effect.

    According to reports, the affected cities and neighboring areas escaped the violent tornadoes without getting significant damages.

    The Colorado Department of Transportation sent out crews to clear roadways after large hailstones rained down. According to the Denver police, up to 5 inches of hail built up on 67th Avenue.

    Watch supercell tornado develop over Denver

    Image via YouTube

  • Spanish Bulls Gore Three Matadors, Bullfight Called Off

    Two Spanish bulls were the victors in a bullfight held at the Las Ventas ring during the San Isidro festival. Organizers had to put a stop to the event, as three matadors were injured. Reports say that it was the first time in 35 years that a bullfight had to be cancelled due to injuries sustained by matadors.

    In the 68-year history of San Isidro, there were only two bullfights that were suspended. Both happened in 1979.

    David Mora, who opened the show, had the worst injuries. A 1200 pound Spanish bull named Desilio rammed its horns into his leg before tossing him up to the air. Reports say that he is still in a serious condition, but it is not life threatening.

    Antonio Lorca, a bullfighting correspondent, described the scene: “The somersault was horrific, shocking, chilling, impossible for the human eye to witness yet evident to the mind.”

    Antonio Nazare was the second bullfighter to be injured. The Spanish bull dragged Nazare along the bullring, and as a result, his knee was injured.

    The third bullfighter who was injured was Jimenez Fortes, who was skewed in the pelvis and the right leg.

    Nazare and Fortes, who were injured by a Spanish bull named Feten, were both treated for their injuries and are said to have been released from the hospital on Wednesday.

    According to reports, about 2,000 bullfights happen in Spain each year. However, the numbers are beginning to decrease, as more and more regions are banning the ancient art of bullfighting. The first region to ban Spanish bullfighting was the Canary Islands, followed by Catalonia in 2010.

    Bullfighting was started by the Romans, and is said to date as far back as 4,000 years ago. In 2013, Spain’s congress granted bullfighting a cultural heritage status, so that they can prevent other bans. Animal welfare groups opposed the idea.

    Image via YouTube

  • Iran ‘Happy’ Video Lands Six Young People In Jail

    Six young Iranians were jailed for appearing in a video of Pharrell’s song “Happy.” Reports say that the Iranians have been freed on $100,000 bail, but the director of the video still remains in prison.

    According to reports, they were arrested for participating in an “obscene video clip that offended the public morals and was released in cyberspace.”

    The brother of the videographer said that police went to the homes of the Iranians, and searched their cellphones, computers, and cameras.

    Pharrell heard about the news and denounced the arrests. “It is beyond sad that these kids were arrested for trying to spread happiness,” he said on Twitter.

    Hossein Sajedinia, Tehran Police Chief, was the one who ordered the arrests of the participants. Hassan Rouhani, Iran’s president, seems to think otherwise. On his Twitter account, he said, “#Happiness is our people’s right. We shouldn’t be too hard on behaviors caused by joy.”

    In a speech that President Rouhani gave last weekend, he said that the internet is an opportunity to get voices heard. He also said that citizens have a right to connect to the internet.

    Aside from Pharrell and President Rouhani, support also came from Twitter users around the world. They used #FreeHappyIranians to respond to the arrests.

    With these arrests, it is evident that the president is not the only one making decisions in Iran. The National Iranian American Council condemned the authorities who were responsible for the arrest. In a statement, the council said, “There are forces within Iran’s government who want to keep the Iranian people isolated from the world.”

    Here’s the video that got them arrested

    Image via YouTube

  • Pennsylvania Same-Sex Marriage: Judge Says Ban Is Unconstitutional

    On Tuesday, a federal judge struck down the ban of same-sex marriages in Pennsylvania, saying that it is unconstitutional. Judge John E. Jones said that the label “same-sex marriage” will be abandoned by future generations and simply call it “marriage.”

    “We are a better people than what these laws represent, and it is time to discard them into the ash heap of history,” the judge said.

    With the ban of same-sex marriage thrown out, same-sex couples are now allowed to get their marriage licenses. After the judge’s ruling on Tuesday, hundreds of same-sex couples rushed to get their marriage licenses.

    Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett announced that he would end his fight to stop same-sex marriage, stating, “The case is extremely unlikely to succeed on appeal.”

    In October, Corbett’s comments on same-sex marriage stirred controversy among same-sex couples. He compared same-sex marriages to the marriage of brother and  sister. “I continue to maintain the belief that marriage is between one man and one woman,” the governor said.

    Gov. Corbett compares same-sex marriage to brother and sister relationship

    Pennsylvania is the 19th state in the U.S. to recognize same-sex unions.

    According to Pennsylvania law, couples that have their marriage license must wait 3 days before they can get married. However, one couple was wed about an hour before the judge made his decision. The 3-day waiting period was waived for them.

    Another couple, Jim Devaty and Stephen Miller, who have been together for more than 20 years, was excited about the ruling. They immediately applied for the marriage license after the judge’s ruling. “I’m in shock. In a way, I never thought I’d live to see the day when Jim and I could get married,” Miller said.

    Attorney General Kathleen Kane said, “Today brings justice to Pennsylvanians who have suffered from unequal protection under the law because of their sexual orientation.”

    With the ban on same-sex marriage lifted, same-sex couples are rejoicing and are happy that they can finally get married in their home state.

    Image via YouTube

  • Maks and Meryl: DWTS Winners Spark Dating Rumors

    Professional dancer Maksim “Maks” Chmerkovskiy and his partner Olympic gold medalist and ice skater Meryl Davis were named the champions for the 18th season of Dancing with the Stars.

    When their names were announced, the two almost kissed, sparking rumors that they are dating. However, neither of them have confirmed or denied the rumors.

    Val Chmerkovskiy, Maks’ brother who is also on the show, said that his brother has never adored another woman as much as he adores Davis. “She’s precious, and he’s gentle with her because he wants to see her shine and he won’t want to hurt her,” Val said. “He definitely loves her, and I know she loves him back,” he continued.

    In an interview with US Weekly, Davis said that participating in the show was very challenging for her. “You get to know people in really fun moments and in really challenging moments,” she said. Davis also said that many of the relationships from the show continue to flourish even after the show is over. Many are thinking that her statement may refer to her possible romantic involvement with Chmerkovskiy.

    Chmerkovskiy and Davis’ partnership was successful from the start of the show. Their efforts and undeniable chemistry propelled them to the finals where they went against paralympian Amy Purdy and Derek Hough.

    Fans of the show also noticed that having Davis as a partner made Chmerkovskiy change. Instead of having a tough exterior, like what he has been showing the previous seasons, fans got a glimpse of his softer side this season.

    Dr. Lillian Glass, a body language expert, reported that Chmerkovskiy is protective of Davis, and that they have a real romance going on. “They are completely connected and their chemistry is undeniable. She is more soft spoken and Maks is out there front and center,” Dr. Glass said.

    When asked if they will keep on dancing after the show, Chmerkovskiy answered, “We will, but not immediately, not right now!”

    Image via YouTube

  • Jim Nabors Retires Indianapolis 500 Act

    Jim Nabors Retires Indianapolis 500 Act

    Jim Nabors is preparing for his last performance of “Back Home Again” at this year’s Indianapolis 500.

    Nabors, 83, has been performing for 42 years as the opening act for the Indy 500, an annual race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

    Nabors, a singer and an actor, had his first breakout role when he played Gomer Pyle in the show The Andy Griffith Show. The role was supposed to be a one-time performance, but he became so popular that his character became a regular on the show. He was also given a spin-off show entitled Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.

    File:Jim Nabors Frank Sutton Gomer Pyle 1966.JPG

    Nabors first became an opening act for the Indy 500 in 1972. He may not be an Indianapolis native, as he was born in Alabama, but Indianapolis adopted him as their own since the first time they heard him sing. Since then, he sang “Back Home Again” every year to open the event.

    In 2007, Nabors was not able to attend the event, as he had a pacemaker procedure done. Instead of serenading the crowd, his fans were the one who sang for him, as he was watching the event from his hospital bed. In 2012, he missed the event again, due to another surgery. That year, a video crew went to Hawaii, where he resides, and recorded him singing the song just so it could be played at the event.

    Nabors announced that his performance of “Back Home Again” on May 25 will be his last. “It’s really bittersweet. I just thought I was getting a little long in the tooth,” he said. Nabors also said that he is getting old and it is difficult for him to travel by plane. “It’s the highlight of my year to come there and sing, but as the old song goes, I don’t want to stay too long at the fair.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons,(1), (2)

  • ‘McScary’: Twitter Users Not Happy About New McDonald’s Mascot

    ‘McScary’: Twitter Users Not Happy About New McDonald’s Mascot

    McDonald’s will be introducing their new Happy Meal ambassador on Friday. The new mascot is said to bring “fun and excitement” to children, but comments on social media say otherwise. Users on Twitter said that the new mascot is scary and is bound to make children have nightmares.

    The new mascot is in the shape of a red happy meal box, with a large mouth and two big eyes. Soon after images of the mascot were released, #McScary was born.

    One user said, “’Happy’ looks more McCreepy/McPervey than McScary.” Another user said, “It’s the meal that eats you.”

    In a statement from McDonald’s, they said that the new mascot “will encourage kids to enjoy fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and wholesome beverages such as water or juice.”

    Happy will be formally introduced nationwide on Friday. Lisa McComb, the spokeswoman for McDonald’s, responded to comments on Twitter by saying that Happy has been “loved and well-received by children and families in Latin America and Europe” since 2009.

    She also said that users are free to express their opinions on social media, but their opinions do not represent “the broader view.”

    The McDonald’s annual shareholders meeting will be held on Thursday. The fast food chain has been criticized for providing high-calorie food, which many see as bad for the health. For the past years, the U.S. food industry has been facing pressure from the government to think about the food choices they offer, and come up with a solution to address the growing obesity epidemic.

    McDonald’s has been doing their part by adding healthier food choices on their Mighty Kids Meal and Happy Meal. In 2012, they began offering a kid-size fry and apple slices for kiddie meals. In July, they will also be introducing Go-GURT to children’s meals, which is a low-fat strawberry yogurt.

    Image via YouTube

  • Majdanek Death Camp: 20 Former Guards Probed By Nazi Investigators

    German Nazi investigators have identified 20 guards that served at the Majdanek death camp. They could face charges in Germany for being accessories to murder at the death camp.

    Thomas Will, who is the lead investigator, said that 30 suspects were identified, but out of those 30, 10 had already died. The remaining 20 men and women all reside in Germany. More than 200 others are still under investigation, but their whereabouts have not yet been located.

    Kurt Schrimm, the federal prosecutor, said that he will be turning the case over to state investigators in the coming weeks, so that they can pursue charges.

    In 2011, John Demjanjuk became the first person to be convicted in Germany for being a death camp guard. There was no evidence that showed he was involved in the killing of people at the death camp. His case sparked the Majdanek investigation.

    Demjanjuk died before his appeal, but his case caused the prosecutors to pursue charges against 30 other guards who served in Auschwitz.

    Majdanek concentration camp was located near Lublin, and was established during the German occupation in Poland. Reports say that around 360,000 Jews were killed in the camp. Not all the guards who served at the camp are being investigated, since Majdanek was also a labor camp and some of the guards were not involved in genocide.

    Prosecutors are now concentrating on the investigation of guards who were present at the time of the killings.

    Schrimm stated that they will be announcing more suspects within the coming months. Head Nazi-hunter Efraim Zuroff is urging state prosecutors to give importance to new cases, since the suspects are old, and they want to move on with the case before they pass away. “We are very hopeful that the work will be expedited so as many people as possible can be brought to justice,” said Zuroff.

    Image via YouTube

  • ‘Crookedest Street In The World’ Closes In San Francisco

    San Francisco will temporarily close Lombard Street, or the “Crookedest Street in the World.”

    On Tuesday, the city’s Municipal Transportation Agency voted that the street will be closed to vehicles for four weekends, starting late June. It will also be closed on the Fourth of July weekend.

    Lombard Street is a world-famous street that thousands of tourists visit each year. It is famous for having a steep section that consists of eight sharp turns. Tourists take pictures of the zigzag road from the top, and then drive down, as if it were one of the rides in an amusement park. Reports say that Lombard Street is probably one of the most visited tourist destinations in San Francisco.

    A drive down Lombard Street

    The idea to temporarily close the street came from Supervisor Mark Farrell, as residents in the area are complaining about the amount of tourists that visit the street each year, especially during the summer and holidays. Aside from being a bother to the residents, the visitors also take their time enjoying the scenic view of the street, which in turn causes traffic to build up.

    Paul Rose, the MTA spokesperson said, “This will be a test to improve the safety for residents, pedestrians, and motorists in the area.” He also said that lengthy delays in the area happen due to people who visit the street to take pictures.

    Tourists also agree that they cause traffic in the area. One tourist, Dylan Giordano, said that he visited Lombard Street on Tuesday and was greeted with an “insane amount” of traffic. Giordano said that it is unfair for the residents who live in the area, since they have to endure the traffic just to reach their own driveway.

    The temporary closure of Lombard Street will give the MTA an opportunity to assess the impact that it will have on the area. They are not looking into permanently shutting down the street. Instead, they are considering having parts of Lombard Street open to the residents only.

    Image via YouTube

  • 50 Cent’s Baby Mama Did Not Invite Him To His Son’s High School Graduation

    50 Cent’s Baby Mama Did Not Invite Him To His Son’s High School Graduation

    There have been rumors floating around that rapper 50 Cent abandoned his son during his high school graduation. In a statement released by his PR people, however, 50 Cent said that the mother of his son did not let him know when the graduation would take place.

    Sources close to the rapper told TMZ that 50 Cent was disappointed and hurt when he saw pictures of his son, Marquise Jackson, on Facebook wearing his graduation robes and hugging his mother.

    His son also wrote “Yea I broke down. I was really excited to see my pops at my graduation but he never showed up. smh. My sister and mama is always there for me just know that you wasn’t. I did it without you.”

    Marquise graduated from a private school located in Atlanta. Reports say that at the time of his son’s graduation, 50 Cent was in Budapest.

    The rapper recently appeared on BET’s 106 & Park to promote his fifth album entitled “Animal Ambition.” During his appearance, he took time to answer questions about missing his son’s graduation. “I haven’t received an invitation. When he graduated I was in Budapest on a movie with Melissa McCarthy, Jude Law, and Jason Statham.”

    50 Cent talks about missing son’s graduation on BET’s 106 & Park

    He continued to say that the reason why his personal life is out in the open is because Marquise’s mother went to TMZ. “I wish she’d find someone so she could leave me alone,” he said.

    50 Cent, born Curtis James Jackson III, is a father of two. He has a younger son from a different relationship. The 38-year-old rapper blames the mother of Marquis, Shaniqua Tompkins, for his strained relationship with his eldest son.

    In an interview with MTV last year, the rapper said that his son has a fear for him. “Cause it’s like, his mother will traditionally say, ‘You wait ‘til your father finds out’,” he said. He also talked about being a strict father, as he always reminds Marquise to take care of his mother and not give her headaches.

    Image via YouTube

  • Michelle Duggar Visits Fertility Doctor Hoping To Have 20th Child At 47

    Michelle Duggar and her husband Bob seem to think that having 19 children is not enough. In a preview of an upcoming episode of their reality show 19 Kids and Counting, the couple is seen visiting a fertility doctor and asking if it is safe and possible for Michelle, 47, to still bear a child.

    In the preview, Michelle said, “We are just going to check and see that I’m physically in good condition.” She said that they would love to have more children, but she just wants to make sure that she is still capable of bearing a child.

    Michelle is consulting an expert, since their youngest child, Josie, was born 3 months premature. Josie, now 4 years old, is happy and healthy. 3 years ago, the Duggars were expecting their 20th child, but Michelle had a miscarriage that was discovered when she had an ultrasound.

    The couple went to Little Rock, Arkansas to visit Dr. Paul Wendel whose specialty is in high-risk pregnancies. Since Michelle is already 47 years old, there is a higher risk of her child having complications or birth defects, Dr. Wendel said. However, he also stated that there are rare cases of women bearing children in their late 40’s up to 50 years old. The doctor also said that their chance of conceiving is less than 5%.

    The Duggars do not believe in birth control and they said that the number of children they have is “up to God.” They have 19 children, and they also have grandchildren.

    When Michelle and Bob got married, they thought that they would only have two or three children. They now have 10 boys, and 9 girls, and all their children have names starting with the letter “J.”

    19 Kids and Counting is now on its eighth season. The episode airs Tuesday on TLC.

    The Duggar’s Story

    Images via Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar Facebook,(1), (2)

  • Anna Politkovskaya: A Russian Court Convicts Five Men Of Murder

    On Tuesday, five men were convicted of murdering Anna Politkovskaya, a Russian investigative journalist.

    In 2006, Politkovskaya was found dead with two gunshots in the chest, one in her shoulder, and one in the head.

    Of the five men who were convicted, three had already been acquitted in a previous trial. According to reports, Politkovskaya was documenting human rights violations that were happening in the province of Chechnya. She was shot to death in the elevator of her apartment building.

    Politkovskaya’s murder sparked worldwide attention and people are questioning the press’ freedom of speech under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin.

    Reach All Women in War or RAW in WAR, a human rights organization, started giving out the “Anna Politkovskaya Award” in 2007. Each year, they give the award to women who fight for human rights in a conflict zone, and who “like Anna, stands up for the victims of this conflict, often at great personal risk.”

    In a previous trial, the three men were acquitted. The Supreme Court later threw out the acquittal, which resulted in a new trial. The defendants were three Chechen brothers, their uncle, and a former police officer. When the three men were acquitted, a lawyer for Politkovskaya’s family said that the murder of the journalist will only be solved once the one who ordered her killing has been named.

    In 2008, reports said that Politkovskaya’s murder may have been ordered by someone who works for the Russian government. Case notes pointed to a politician who was not named.

    The jury found Rustam Makhmudov as the gunman, and the four men as accomplices to the crime.

    Ilya Politkovsky, Politkovskaya’s son, said, “We agree with the verdict, but this is only a small part of those who are guilty in the crime.”

    The five men will appear in court at a later date for their sentencing. Reports say that all five of them could face life in prison. The mens’ lawyers said that they would appeal.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons