Bikini ban, Miss World has axed the famed bikinis from this year's pageant in Indonesia, replacing the skimpy swimsuits with conservative beach sarongs amid mounting protests from hard-line Muslim groups, organizers said Thursday.
All of the more than 130 contestants will be required to wear Bali's traditional long sarongs instead of the sexy bikinis that are historically part of the competition, said Adjie S. Soeratmadjie of the RCTI, the official broadcaster and local organizer.
The pageant will be held Sept. 28 on the resort island of Bali and in Sentul, an area near the capital, Jakarta. Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country.
"There will no bikini in this year's Miss World pageant to respect our traditional customs and values," Soeratmadjie said, adding that the London-based Miss World Organization is on board with the decision.
"This is a sensitive issue in Indonesia. We have discussed it since last year and they have agreed," he said.
The chairwoman of the Miss World Organization, Julia Morley, confirmed that none of the 137 contestants would wear a bikini.
"Indonesia is designing for us a very beautiful one-piece beachwear, and I'm very happy with them," she told The Associated Press by phone from London, adding that the pageant will include a special beachwear fashion show.
"I don't think Indonesia is the only country that has that culture," Morley said. "But we like to work in the manner respectful to every country, and I cannot see why when you go to somebody's country you should not behave respectfully."
The pageant began in the 1950s, and the first winner was crowned in a two-piece bathing suit.Soeratmadjie said the sarong would be made creatively and designed specifically for the event.
Controversy over the pageant has been mounting in Indonesia, which has a reputation as a tolerant, pluralist society that respects freedom of expression.
Clerics of the Indonesian Council of Ulema, or MUI, said they would send a letter to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to demand that the beauty pageant be canceled.
"That contest is just an excuse to show women's body parts that should remain covered," said Mukri Aji, a prominent cleric from West Java province's MUI branch. "It's against Islamic teachings."
Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia, a hardline Islamic group, said it planned to stage a protest and called for the competition to be moved elsewhere.
Most Muslims in Indonesia, a secular country of 240 million people, are moderate, but a small extremist fringe has become more vocal in recent years.
They have pushed through controversial laws — including an anti-pornography bill — and have been known to attack anything perceived as blasphemous, from transvestites and bars to "deviant" religious sects.
Lady Gaga was forced to cancel her sold-out concert in Indonesia in May following threats by Islamic hard-liners, who called her a "devil worshipper." Jennifer Lopez toned down her sexy outfits and dance moves during a show in Jakarta last December.
Home » Archives for 06/06/13
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson, After reports surfaced that Paris Jackson may have attempted suicide because she wasn't allowed to attend a Marilyn Manson concert, the rocker has offered her an all-access pass to come to his show whenever she wants, according to TMZ.com.
"I hope you feel better," Manson says. "You will be on my guest list anytime you want."
Jackson, 15, was rushed to the hospital Wednesday morning after reportedly cutting her wrists and taking an excess of pills. Paris, the middle child of late pop icon Michael Jackson, is still hospitalized after the incident.
"I hope you feel better," Manson says. "You will be on my guest list anytime you want."
Jackson, 15, was rushed to the hospital Wednesday morning after reportedly cutting her wrists and taking an excess of pills. Paris, the middle child of late pop icon Michael Jackson, is still hospitalized after the incident.
Ga. ambulance crash, Patient ejected
Ga. ambulance crash, Patient ejected, A patient and two medics were injured in an ambulance crash in Canton Sunday morning.
According To ems1 The Canton Patch reported the AmeriMed Emergency Medical Services ambulance was travelling on the northbound side of the interstate when it left the roadway and crashed into trees.
The patient in the back of the ambulance was thrown from the vehicle by the impact. Initial reports said the patient dialed 911, but a Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services said one of the medics called for assistance.
Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services transported the three to the hospital and their injuries were said not to be life-threatening.
An investigation is now under way into the cause of the crash.
According To ems1 The Canton Patch reported the AmeriMed Emergency Medical Services ambulance was travelling on the northbound side of the interstate when it left the roadway and crashed into trees.
The patient in the back of the ambulance was thrown from the vehicle by the impact. Initial reports said the patient dialed 911, but a Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services said one of the medics called for assistance.
Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services transported the three to the hospital and their injuries were said not to be life-threatening.
An investigation is now under way into the cause of the crash.
Pope Wasting food, is tantamount to stealing from the poor
Pope Wasting food, is tantamount to stealing from the poor, According To NEWSMAX Pope Francis denounced consumerism in his weekly address in St. Peter’s Square Wednesday, calling it a "culture of waste" in relation to modern economies, particularly when it comes to food consumption.
"Throwing away food is like stealing from the table of those who are poor and hungry,” the Pope told his audience in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
Pope Francis' statement coincided with the United Nations launch of an anti-food waste campaign on the same day as part of World Environment Day.
"Our grandparents used to make a point of not throwing away leftover food," the Pontiff added. "Consumerism has made us accustomed to wasting food daily and we are unable to see its real value."
According to the United Nations, more than 1.4 billion tons of food, approximately a third of what is produced for human consumption, is wasted or lost each year.
Since being selected to lead the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics in March, Pope Francis has been a tireless advocate for the poor, encouraging those with wealth to live with greater austerity, while having made several calls for global financial reform, Reuters notes.
On Wednesday, the U.N. released a study that found that by reducing oversized portions and improved storage of food products, the amount of wasted food would be significantly reduced.
Additionally, according to a report by the World Resources Institute and the U.N. Environment Program, in the United States, restaurant patrons discard more than nine percent of each purchased meal in part due to the size of the meal.
More than 870 million people around the world are affected by hunger, while approximately two billion suffer from at least one nutritional deficiency, the U.N. reports.
Considering the amount of waste and how many people worldwide suffer from hunger on a daily basis, the Pope added: "In this way people are discarded as if they were garbage."
In his address, the Argentinian-born pontiff continued a theme of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, warning his flock of the dangers of materialism.
Pope Francis cautioned that focusing too much on money and materialism will result in financial market downturns being viewed as tragedies while human suffering becoming the norm and ignored by most.
"Throwing away food is like stealing from the table of those who are poor and hungry,” the Pope told his audience in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
Pope Francis' statement coincided with the United Nations launch of an anti-food waste campaign on the same day as part of World Environment Day.
"Our grandparents used to make a point of not throwing away leftover food," the Pontiff added. "Consumerism has made us accustomed to wasting food daily and we are unable to see its real value."
According to the United Nations, more than 1.4 billion tons of food, approximately a third of what is produced for human consumption, is wasted or lost each year.
Since being selected to lead the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics in March, Pope Francis has been a tireless advocate for the poor, encouraging those with wealth to live with greater austerity, while having made several calls for global financial reform, Reuters notes.
On Wednesday, the U.N. released a study that found that by reducing oversized portions and improved storage of food products, the amount of wasted food would be significantly reduced.
Additionally, according to a report by the World Resources Institute and the U.N. Environment Program, in the United States, restaurant patrons discard more than nine percent of each purchased meal in part due to the size of the meal.
More than 870 million people around the world are affected by hunger, while approximately two billion suffer from at least one nutritional deficiency, the U.N. reports.
Considering the amount of waste and how many people worldwide suffer from hunger on a daily basis, the Pope added: "In this way people are discarded as if they were garbage."
In his address, the Argentinian-born pontiff continued a theme of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, warning his flock of the dangers of materialism.
Pope Francis cautioned that focusing too much on money and materialism will result in financial market downturns being viewed as tragedies while human suffering becoming the norm and ignored by most.
Flight Diverted: to JFK Airport
Flight Diverted: to JFK Airport, A JetBlue flight from Westchester County to Florida was diverted to JFK Airport Thursday after a bird strike, the airline said. According To nbcnewyork
JetBlue said flight 1205 from White Plains to Fort Myers "experienced a bird strike shortly after takeoff."
The plane landed safely at JFK and passengers were put on another plane.
No injuries were reported.
JetBlue said flight 1205 from White Plains to Fort Myers "experienced a bird strike shortly after takeoff."
The plane landed safely at JFK and passengers were put on another plane.
No injuries were reported.
Bikini Ban, Miss World 2013 Contestants in Indonesia
Bikini Ban: Miss World 2013 Contestants in Indonesia, According To enstarz Indonesia will ban bikinis for the swimsuit competition during the 2013 Miss World Pageant, according a Thursday report by the International Business Times.
The pageant, to be held in Indonesia Sep 28, will have woman wear beach sarongs, after local Muslim groups protested that bikinis were not modest and did not follow their conservative values. Indonesia has an 87.2 percent Muslim population, according to the 2010 census.
Although bikinis played a major role in the pageant, which has featured more than 130 countries in the last 60 years, they were banned from the competition this year out of respect for Indonesia’s more conservative values, according to The Associated Press. Organizers had been discussing the plan to switch to a sarong since last year.
Spokeswoman Adjie S. Soeratmadjie said on the pageant television network, Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia, that the Miss World Organization accepted the decision to ban bikinis. The A.P. said that bikinis will not be present at the pageant in order to respect the country’s value and customs.
Miss World Organization Spokeswoman Julia Morley spoke to Agence France-Presse, saying, “We treasure respect for all the countries that take part in the pageant.”
Mukri Aji, a cleric from the Indonesian Council of Ulema, or MUI, said bikinis were against the teachings of Islam. According to Aji, “That contest is just an excuse to show women's body parts that should remain covered,” AP reports.
The pageant, to be held in Indonesia Sep 28, will have woman wear beach sarongs, after local Muslim groups protested that bikinis were not modest and did not follow their conservative values. Indonesia has an 87.2 percent Muslim population, according to the 2010 census.
Although bikinis played a major role in the pageant, which has featured more than 130 countries in the last 60 years, they were banned from the competition this year out of respect for Indonesia’s more conservative values, according to The Associated Press. Organizers had been discussing the plan to switch to a sarong since last year.
Spokeswoman Adjie S. Soeratmadjie said on the pageant television network, Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia, that the Miss World Organization accepted the decision to ban bikinis. The A.P. said that bikinis will not be present at the pageant in order to respect the country’s value and customs.
Miss World Organization Spokeswoman Julia Morley spoke to Agence France-Presse, saying, “We treasure respect for all the countries that take part in the pageant.”
Mukri Aji, a cleric from the Indonesian Council of Ulema, or MUI, said bikinis were against the teachings of Islam. According to Aji, “That contest is just an excuse to show women's body parts that should remain covered,” AP reports.
Mayor crack house
Mayor crack house, The house where Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was photographed with alleged drug dealers was identified in several reports–weeks after allegations that the mayor was videotaped smoking crack.
Gawker.com reported that Ford frequented the 15 Windsor Road in North Etobicoke house, which neighbors said was “a crack house, essentially.”
One of the men in the photo with Ford were shot and killed in a gang-style shooting, the website said. The man, Anthony Smith, 21, was shot and killed in downtown Toronto.
The Toronto Star also reported that the Etobicoke home is “notorious for drug problems.”
A Star reporter claimed he saw a video, which has not been released to the public, showing Ford smoking crack cocaine nearly three weeks ago. Ford has categorically denied the claims.
“I do not use crack cocaine, nor am I an addict of crack cocaine,” he said, according to the Globe and Mail.
Gawker, however, has reported that the video might have disappeared. The website tried to raise $200,000 to acquire the video from a source but it never surfaced.
Unnamed sources told the website that Ford goes on crack binges and has been smoking for years.
Police said they responded to an assault at the 15 Windsor home recently. “We did respond to an assault in progress call on May 21 around 11 p.m.,” Const. Wendy Drummond told Canada.com on Thursday.
The site reported that a male suspect went into the home and attacked two people before he left on foot. The victims were taken to the hospital with injuries.
Regarding the photo with Ford and the three men, his lawyer said that the mayor has had his photo taken with numerous people every day.
“Say somebody says ‘here, take a picture’ and it’s in front of a certain location. You have no idea that location may be involved in something illegal or improper, allegedly, that type of thing,” attorney Dennis Morris told the Globe and Mail. “You as an innocent party have a photo taken. So where does that put you? It puts you as an innocent party.”
Gawker.com reported that Ford frequented the 15 Windsor Road in North Etobicoke house, which neighbors said was “a crack house, essentially.”
One of the men in the photo with Ford were shot and killed in a gang-style shooting, the website said. The man, Anthony Smith, 21, was shot and killed in downtown Toronto.
The Toronto Star also reported that the Etobicoke home is “notorious for drug problems.”
A Star reporter claimed he saw a video, which has not been released to the public, showing Ford smoking crack cocaine nearly three weeks ago. Ford has categorically denied the claims.
“I do not use crack cocaine, nor am I an addict of crack cocaine,” he said, according to the Globe and Mail.
Gawker, however, has reported that the video might have disappeared. The website tried to raise $200,000 to acquire the video from a source but it never surfaced.
Unnamed sources told the website that Ford goes on crack binges and has been smoking for years.
Police said they responded to an assault at the 15 Windsor home recently. “We did respond to an assault in progress call on May 21 around 11 p.m.,” Const. Wendy Drummond told Canada.com on Thursday.
The site reported that a male suspect went into the home and attacked two people before he left on foot. The victims were taken to the hospital with injuries.
Regarding the photo with Ford and the three men, his lawyer said that the mayor has had his photo taken with numerous people every day.
“Say somebody says ‘here, take a picture’ and it’s in front of a certain location. You have no idea that location may be involved in something illegal or improper, allegedly, that type of thing,” attorney Dennis Morris told the Globe and Mail. “You as an innocent party have a photo taken. So where does that put you? It puts you as an innocent party.”
Tropical Storm Andrea
Tropical Storm Andrea, The first tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season is nearing landfall Thursday afternoon in Florida. It continued to bring drenching rain to much of the state.
As of 2 p.m. ET, Tropical Storm Andrea had winds of 60 mph and was moving to the northeast at 17 mph.
The storm has already spawned 10 tornadoes today in Florida, says severe storm expert Greg Forbes of The Weather Channel. A tornado watch remained in effect for much of Florida throughout the day.
The city of Zephyrhills, Fla., about 30 miles northwest of Tampa, was drenched Thursday afternoon by off-and-on rain squalls from Andrea, but nobody was too worried. "In Florida, it's very common to have tropical storm warnings and watches," said City Manager Jim Drumm.
"We'll probably see some low-level flooding, and we'll probably get some high winds," Drumm said. "But we're probably the furthest inland city in Pasco County. We won't see the difficulty that the coastal surge can make."
Tropical storm warnings remained in effect for a large section of Florida's west coast from Boca Grande to Indian Pass and for the East Coast from Flagler Beach, Fla., all the way to Cape Charles Light in Virginia.
Andrea brought heavy rain, gusty winds, rough surf and severe thunderstorms to much of Florida throughout Thursday, AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said.
As much as 4 to 7 inches of rain is possible across much of northern Florida over the next couple of days, the weather service says. Flood watches have been posted for much of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.
The storm is then forecast to head up the Eastern Seaboard on Friday and Saturday, delivering heavy rain and thunderstorms from the Mid-Atlantic to New England.
Andrea is not forecast to strengthen into a hurricane.
The system has already produced drenching rain in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and in western Cuba, according to the hurricane center. Influences from Andrea have contributed to the 13.9 inches of rain that Bahia Honda, Cuba, has received since Monday, AccuWeather says.
As of 2 p.m. ET, Tropical Storm Andrea had winds of 60 mph and was moving to the northeast at 17 mph.
The storm has already spawned 10 tornadoes today in Florida, says severe storm expert Greg Forbes of The Weather Channel. A tornado watch remained in effect for much of Florida throughout the day.
The city of Zephyrhills, Fla., about 30 miles northwest of Tampa, was drenched Thursday afternoon by off-and-on rain squalls from Andrea, but nobody was too worried. "In Florida, it's very common to have tropical storm warnings and watches," said City Manager Jim Drumm.
"We'll probably see some low-level flooding, and we'll probably get some high winds," Drumm said. "But we're probably the furthest inland city in Pasco County. We won't see the difficulty that the coastal surge can make."
Tropical storm warnings remained in effect for a large section of Florida's west coast from Boca Grande to Indian Pass and for the East Coast from Flagler Beach, Fla., all the way to Cape Charles Light in Virginia.
Andrea brought heavy rain, gusty winds, rough surf and severe thunderstorms to much of Florida throughout Thursday, AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said.
As much as 4 to 7 inches of rain is possible across much of northern Florida over the next couple of days, the weather service says. Flood watches have been posted for much of Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.
The storm is then forecast to head up the Eastern Seaboard on Friday and Saturday, delivering heavy rain and thunderstorms from the Mid-Atlantic to New England.
Andrea is not forecast to strengthen into a hurricane.
The system has already produced drenching rain in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and in western Cuba, according to the hurricane center. Influences from Andrea have contributed to the 13.9 inches of rain that Bahia Honda, Cuba, has received since Monday, AccuWeather says.
Ga. ambulance crash
Ga. ambulance crash, Authorities say an ambulance with its lights and sirens on has collided with a semitrailer on a Georgia highway, killing the two medics and the patient on board.
The Georgia State Patrol says the wreck happened around 5 a.m. Thursday on state Highway 32, near the small town of Ocilla in south Georgia.
Authorities say the Coffee County ambulance was traveling with its lights and siren activated when the semi jack-knifed across the centerline and into the path of the ambulance. The ambulance struck the left side of the semi.
The State Patrol says the patient was 65-year-old Charles Arvin Smith of Tifton. The emergency medical technicians were identified as 44-year-old Teresa Ann Davis of Axson, who was driving the ambulance, and 56-year-old Randall Whiddon of Ashburn.
The Georgia State Patrol says the wreck happened around 5 a.m. Thursday on state Highway 32, near the small town of Ocilla in south Georgia.
Authorities say the Coffee County ambulance was traveling with its lights and siren activated when the semi jack-knifed across the centerline and into the path of the ambulance. The ambulance struck the left side of the semi.
The State Patrol says the patient was 65-year-old Charles Arvin Smith of Tifton. The emergency medical technicians were identified as 44-year-old Teresa Ann Davis of Axson, who was driving the ambulance, and 56-year-old Randall Whiddon of Ashburn.
Russian Navy
Russian Navy, Russia announced on Thursday that it will keep a fleet of about dozen navy ships in the Mediterranean Sea, a move President Vladimir Putin said is needed to protect his country's national security.
Putin said the plan should not be seen as saber rattling, but it comes as Moscow is serving as a key ally and arms supplier to Syrian President Bashar Assad during that nation's civil war. The only naval base that Russia has in the Mediterranean and anywhere outside the former Soviet Union is located in Syria.
Russian ships have been making regular visits to the Mediterranean, but the statements by Putin and other officials mark an attempt to revive a Soviet-era practice, when Moscow had a permanent navy presence in the waterway.
The chief of the military General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, said Thursday that Russia currently has 16navy ships in the Mediterranean. The Defense Ministry said it would regularly rotate them to keep a presence of about a dozen.
Speaking at a meeting with the top military brass, Putin said the sea is a "strategically important region, where we have interests connected with ensuring Russia's national security."
The statement is part of Putins' efforts to boost his nation's military and showcase its power worldwide.
Military officials have said in the past that Russian navy ships in the Mediterranean could be used to evacuate equipment and personnel from the Syrian port of Tartus. Previous deployments have invariably included amphibious landing vessels, which could serve the purpose.
Analysts and retired naval officers point out that Russia lost much of its navy capability during the post-Soviet economic decline, when the military had to mothball relatively modern ships for lack of funds to maintain them. The military has commissioned new navy ships as part of a costly military buildup, but their construction has dragged on slowly.
Experts say the current plan will stretch the Russian fleet capability and note that the base in Tartus, a rundown facility made up of a floating pier and a few aging barracks and warehouses, can't provide a sufficient backup for the permanent navy presence in the region.
Putin said the plan should not be seen as saber rattling, but it comes as Moscow is serving as a key ally and arms supplier to Syrian President Bashar Assad during that nation's civil war. The only naval base that Russia has in the Mediterranean and anywhere outside the former Soviet Union is located in Syria.
Russian ships have been making regular visits to the Mediterranean, but the statements by Putin and other officials mark an attempt to revive a Soviet-era practice, when Moscow had a permanent navy presence in the waterway.
The chief of the military General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, said Thursday that Russia currently has 16navy ships in the Mediterranean. The Defense Ministry said it would regularly rotate them to keep a presence of about a dozen.
Speaking at a meeting with the top military brass, Putin said the sea is a "strategically important region, where we have interests connected with ensuring Russia's national security."
The statement is part of Putins' efforts to boost his nation's military and showcase its power worldwide.
Military officials have said in the past that Russian navy ships in the Mediterranean could be used to evacuate equipment and personnel from the Syrian port of Tartus. Previous deployments have invariably included amphibious landing vessels, which could serve the purpose.
Analysts and retired naval officers point out that Russia lost much of its navy capability during the post-Soviet economic decline, when the military had to mothball relatively modern ships for lack of funds to maintain them. The military has commissioned new navy ships as part of a costly military buildup, but their construction has dragged on slowly.
Experts say the current plan will stretch the Russian fleet capability and note that the base in Tartus, a rundown facility made up of a floating pier and a few aging barracks and warehouses, can't provide a sufficient backup for the permanent navy presence in the region.
Flight diverted
Flight diverted, A flight was diverted after an Air Canada pilot reportedly freaked out, running out of the cockpit screaming for help and demanding to get off the plane.
The incident took place on a flight from Calgary to Newark, New Jersey, late last week. Passengers said they felt the plane jolt and then saw the pilot come out of the cockpit holding onto a flight attendant. He was screaming for help and had to be restrained in a first-class chair while the flight was diverted to Toronto.
Once the plane landed, paramedics treated the pilot and found what had been an undiagnosed medical condition. Air Canada officials did not comment on the illness that caused the flight to be diverted, but said the airline is careful in medical checks of its pilots.
“I can say that it was an unforseen, previously undiagnosed physical ailment and he is currently on leave,” spokeswoman Angela Mah said. “All Air Canada pilots undergo regular medical checks as per Transport Canada requirements.”
In fact, airline pilots are generally in top shape, said Captain Craig Blanford, president of the Air Canada Pilots Association Capt. Craig Blandford. They receive rigorous heart monitoring and blood work every two years, and are obligated to remain out of the air if they feel “unfit to fly.”
There are also peer programs for pilots to address mental health issues, addiction, and stress, he added.
“We are a very, very healthy group — in fact … we live longer than most Canadians and partly because we live healthy lives and we get monitored by medical staff more,” he said.
But the job still comes with considerable risk. Pilots work long hours with strained eating and sleeping habits. Airline pilot was ranked No. 4 on a recent list of the most stressful jobs.
The Transportation Safety Board said it was notified of the flight diverted after the pilot’s medical episode, but isn’t pursuing it.
The incident took place on a flight from Calgary to Newark, New Jersey, late last week. Passengers said they felt the plane jolt and then saw the pilot come out of the cockpit holding onto a flight attendant. He was screaming for help and had to be restrained in a first-class chair while the flight was diverted to Toronto.
Once the plane landed, paramedics treated the pilot and found what had been an undiagnosed medical condition. Air Canada officials did not comment on the illness that caused the flight to be diverted, but said the airline is careful in medical checks of its pilots.
“I can say that it was an unforseen, previously undiagnosed physical ailment and he is currently on leave,” spokeswoman Angela Mah said. “All Air Canada pilots undergo regular medical checks as per Transport Canada requirements.”
In fact, airline pilots are generally in top shape, said Captain Craig Blanford, president of the Air Canada Pilots Association Capt. Craig Blandford. They receive rigorous heart monitoring and blood work every two years, and are obligated to remain out of the air if they feel “unfit to fly.”
There are also peer programs for pilots to address mental health issues, addiction, and stress, he added.
“We are a very, very healthy group — in fact … we live longer than most Canadians and partly because we live healthy lives and we get monitored by medical staff more,” he said.
But the job still comes with considerable risk. Pilots work long hours with strained eating and sleeping habits. Airline pilot was ranked No. 4 on a recent list of the most stressful jobs.
The Transportation Safety Board said it was notified of the flight diverted after the pilot’s medical episode, but isn’t pursuing it.
Drunk governor
Drunk governor, Gov. Deval Patrick went to his rural home the day after the surviving Boston Marathon bombing suspect was captured and got "quite drunk" alone in a restaurant, he said during a candid conversation at a Boston area marketing firm.
Patrick also told employees at HubSpot in Cambridge on Wednesday that he was relieved that bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was captured on April 19, because otherwise people would have been complaining about the "shelter in place" order he gave that day, locking down Boston and several suburbs.
Patrick went to Berkshire County the day after Tsarnaev was captured, he said. He and his wife have a vacation home in the town of Richmond, about three hours west of Boston.
He said he went for a swim, then out to dinner alone to read a book. The restaurant's co-owner put him in a corner away from other diners.
"She starts bringing me things to drink as a celebration. And by the end of the meal, I was actually quite drunk, by myself," Patrick said, according to the Boston Herald ( http://bit.ly/11jvoXv).
Maggie Merelle, co-owner of the restaurant Rouge in West Stockbridge, said Patrick had a "glass of chardonnay or two" with dinner but she doesn't remember him being drunk.
"He wasn't tipsy. I never would have known," Merelle said.
She said hosting the governor made her feel "like an old Jewish mother feeding him. We just wanted to nourish him."
Patrick also said he had no money and couldn't pay his bill, so he asked if he could come back the next day to settle up. Merelle said the governor "definitely" squared his tab.
President Barack Obama called Patrick on April 19 and advised him that he couldn't keep the region in lockdown indefinitely, the governor said. He said he would have ended the "shelter in place" order once the door-to-door search in Watertown was completed had Tsarnaev not been captured.
Patrick also told employees at HubSpot in Cambridge on Wednesday that he was relieved that bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was captured on April 19, because otherwise people would have been complaining about the "shelter in place" order he gave that day, locking down Boston and several suburbs.
Patrick went to Berkshire County the day after Tsarnaev was captured, he said. He and his wife have a vacation home in the town of Richmond, about three hours west of Boston.
He said he went for a swim, then out to dinner alone to read a book. The restaurant's co-owner put him in a corner away from other diners.
"She starts bringing me things to drink as a celebration. And by the end of the meal, I was actually quite drunk, by myself," Patrick said, according to the Boston Herald ( http://bit.ly/11jvoXv).
Maggie Merelle, co-owner of the restaurant Rouge in West Stockbridge, said Patrick had a "glass of chardonnay or two" with dinner but she doesn't remember him being drunk.
"He wasn't tipsy. I never would have known," Merelle said.
She said hosting the governor made her feel "like an old Jewish mother feeding him. We just wanted to nourish him."
Patrick also said he had no money and couldn't pay his bill, so he asked if he could come back the next day to settle up. Merelle said the governor "definitely" squared his tab.
President Barack Obama called Patrick on April 19 and advised him that he couldn't keep the region in lockdown indefinitely, the governor said. He said he would have ended the "shelter in place" order once the door-to-door search in Watertown was completed had Tsarnaev not been captured.
'Evil Elmo'
'Evil Elmo, An '"evil" Elmo impersonator who is known to have made anti-Semitic rants has appeared in court for trying to extort $2m (£1.7m) from the Girl Scouts.
Homeless Dan Sandler is accused of threatening to spread false rumours that the Girl Scouts of the USA arranged for underage girls to have sex with men.
The 50-year-old, who begs for money in his Sesame Street character costume, pleaded not guilty to extortion in a New York court.
He gained infamy as Evil Elmo when he was arrested for disorderly conduct for screaming anti-Semitic abuse at tourists. He was filmed saying: "The Jews are responsible for everything that's wrong with the world! I hate Jews!"
According to Manhattan prosecuter Lauren Littman, Sandler was also involved in an incident in San Francisco where he took a child by the arm and made sexual remarks. The child's parents did not press charges.
In the extortion case, Sandler threatened to destroy the reputation of the Girl Scouts, which he had worked for as a temp five years ago. In emails, he demanded a high-paid job or a settlement of $2m.
He began sending emails to a supervisor he met while working at the Girl Scouts. When she asked him to stop, he began threatening to spread rumours.
Mental health issues
Prosecutors said he wrote an email reading: "I want a telecommute job from home for life at 150K or a two million dollar cash settlement. As you know, the newspapers like to cover my evil Elmo scenario.
"How you treat me as a person will go a long way in regards to how I treat the Girl Scouts in the press, on the internet and on YouTube."
According to the New York Post, Sandler said he would connect the Girl Scouts with a graphic porn website he was arrested for running in Cambodia in 1999: "I will show up at Girl Scout functions and other places that parents and kids congregate and hold signs, connecting the Girl Scouts ... with the Cambodian Rape Camp man."
Prosecutors also say he attached a picture in one of the emails showing an Elmo costume being stuffed into a car boot: "Interstate Kidnapping of Elmo," it was titled.
Littman said the emails became "increasingly alarming and bizzare".
Lawrence Gerzog, his defence lawyer, said Sandler was suffering from mental health issues and that he does not present a real threat. His bail was set at $200,000.
Prior to his arrest, Sandler had been living in his car and busking as Elmo. The Girl Scouts has not yet released a statement about the case.
Homeless Dan Sandler is accused of threatening to spread false rumours that the Girl Scouts of the USA arranged for underage girls to have sex with men.
The 50-year-old, who begs for money in his Sesame Street character costume, pleaded not guilty to extortion in a New York court.
He gained infamy as Evil Elmo when he was arrested for disorderly conduct for screaming anti-Semitic abuse at tourists. He was filmed saying: "The Jews are responsible for everything that's wrong with the world! I hate Jews!"
According to Manhattan prosecuter Lauren Littman, Sandler was also involved in an incident in San Francisco where he took a child by the arm and made sexual remarks. The child's parents did not press charges.
In the extortion case, Sandler threatened to destroy the reputation of the Girl Scouts, which he had worked for as a temp five years ago. In emails, he demanded a high-paid job or a settlement of $2m.
He began sending emails to a supervisor he met while working at the Girl Scouts. When she asked him to stop, he began threatening to spread rumours.
Mental health issues
Prosecutors said he wrote an email reading: "I want a telecommute job from home for life at 150K or a two million dollar cash settlement. As you know, the newspapers like to cover my evil Elmo scenario.
"How you treat me as a person will go a long way in regards to how I treat the Girl Scouts in the press, on the internet and on YouTube."
According to the New York Post, Sandler said he would connect the Girl Scouts with a graphic porn website he was arrested for running in Cambodia in 1999: "I will show up at Girl Scout functions and other places that parents and kids congregate and hold signs, connecting the Girl Scouts ... with the Cambodian Rape Camp man."
Prosecutors also say he attached a picture in one of the emails showing an Elmo costume being stuffed into a car boot: "Interstate Kidnapping of Elmo," it was titled.
Littman said the emails became "increasingly alarming and bizzare".
Lawrence Gerzog, his defence lawyer, said Sandler was suffering from mental health issues and that he does not present a real threat. His bail was set at $200,000.
Prior to his arrest, Sandler had been living in his car and busking as Elmo. The Girl Scouts has not yet released a statement about the case.
Tropical Storm Andrea
Tropical Storm Andrea, Tropical Storm Andrea has formed in the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center in Miami reported late this afternoon. It is the first named storm of the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season.
As of 6 p.m. ET, the storm had winds of 40 mph and was moving to the north at 3 mph. The center of the storm was located about 310 miles southwest of Tampa.
A hurricane hunter aircraft "was able to identify a well-defined circulation" within the storm, the hurricane center said.
Tropical storm warnings have been put in place along the west coast of Florida from Boca Grande to Ochlocknee River.
Andrea will bring heavy rain, gusty winds, rough surf and severe thunderstorms to much of Florida on Thursday, according to AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
The storm's center should make landfall along the coast of Florida's Big Bend on Thursday afternoon or evening, the hurricane center reports.
It is then forecast to head up the Eastern Seaboard on Friday and Saturday, delivering heavy rain and thunderstorms from the Mid-Atlantic to New England. A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the East Coast from Flagler Beach, Fla., to Surf City, N.C.
Andrea is not forecast to strengthen into a hurricane.
The system has already produced drenching rain in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and in western Cuba, the hurricane center reported.
As of 6 p.m. ET, the storm had winds of 40 mph and was moving to the north at 3 mph. The center of the storm was located about 310 miles southwest of Tampa.
A hurricane hunter aircraft "was able to identify a well-defined circulation" within the storm, the hurricane center said.
Tropical storm warnings have been put in place along the west coast of Florida from Boca Grande to Ochlocknee River.
Andrea will bring heavy rain, gusty winds, rough surf and severe thunderstorms to much of Florida on Thursday, according to AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
The storm's center should make landfall along the coast of Florida's Big Bend on Thursday afternoon or evening, the hurricane center reports.
It is then forecast to head up the Eastern Seaboard on Friday and Saturday, delivering heavy rain and thunderstorms from the Mid-Atlantic to New England. A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the East Coast from Flagler Beach, Fla., to Surf City, N.C.
Andrea is not forecast to strengthen into a hurricane.
The system has already produced drenching rain in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and in western Cuba, the hurricane center reported.
Pope wasting food
Pope wasting food, Pope Francis took a page out of the "Book of Mom" yesterday by denouncing consumerism and the “culture of waste” of modern economies when it comes to food during his catechesis Wednesday. Given the high volume of food thrown away by American businesses daily, this papal message could be manna from heaven for food banks.
My hope as a community volunteer is that the pope’s message will help food banks get more volunteers and create additional partnerships with businesses in order to perform what they call “food rescue.”
"Remember, however, that the food that is thrown away is as if we had stolen it from the table of the poor, from those who are hungry," according to his written remarks.
The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization released data showing approximately 1.3 billion tons of food — one third of the world’s total food production — are lost or wasted every year. Furthermore, "The consumer share of food losses and waste can be very high in specific locations; for example, the amount of food wasted in one community in new york state in the united states of America in one year was sufficient to feed everyone in the community for 1.5 months and 60 percent of the losses occurred after the food was purchased by the consumer," the report states.
“Consumerism has made us accustomed to wasting food daily and we are unable to see its real value,” Francis said, comparing this attitude to the frugality of “our grandparents” who “used to make a point of not throwing away leftover food.”
While the pope is pointing the finger at us wasting food as individuals and families, I have found that individuals can’t hold a candle to the food waste taking place among businesses. In his speech, the pope also warned that a “culture of waste” chiding media by adding “some homeless people die of cold on the streets, it is not news. In contrast, a 10-point drop on the stock markets of some cities, is a tragedy.”
The speech was part of the United Nations’ anti-food waste campaign to mark World Environment Day.
As a volunteer who works with others to feed local children, I wanted to shout, “Amen!” when I read the pope's speech.
It wasn’t until I founded an all-volunteer chess program for at-risk kids after school at our local community center four years ago that I became familiar with the hunger that pains our community’s children. The quest to relieve their suffering led me to discover the stunning amount of food being thrown away by businesses – much of it not rescued by food banks that are sorely in need of more volunteers to make the pick-ups.
Many kids here in Norfolk, Virg. go directly from school , where they eat lunch before noon in most cases, to their local community center for after school care programs so parents can work. In our city, these programs often allow parents to pick kids up as late as seven p.m. In areas we serve with our after school chess programs most of the kids live well below the poverty line and don’t eat anything after school because parents often can’t afford to pack snacks or extra sandwiches.
The other volunteers and I quickly realized that it is impossible to teach a hungry child. School teachers knew this long before we did.
A local preacher, the Rev. Arthur Devine hooked us up by explaining that all the supermarkets, bakeries, and eateries must, by state law, throw away all foods labeled as “fresh” at the end of each day. He advised me to just go to store managers and ask to be allowed to pickup the food that was to be wasted.
“The food bank does manage to get most of it, but even they can’t get it all with the limited number of volunteers available,” Mr. Devine explained.
So on chess days I now make the rounds to Yorgos Bageldashery where we get two massive trash bags of fresh, mouthwatering bagels. Anything the kids don’t eat we package and send home with them and give anything remaining to the local senior citizen home.
Yesterday, I watched a boy, age 4, trying to wolf down a bagel while stuffing as many as possible into his little shirt sleeves and playing chess. “Slow down,” I soothed. “There’s plenty.” With his cheeks looking fit to burst, he tried to ask if he could take them home, he said, “Murf uf homufff?”
It’s impossible not to want to fix as much of the problem as you personally are able when that’s what you are met with week after week, child after child, year after year as I have.
Many parents do not make use of local food banks. Part of it is pride, part is hope that it will get better before they have to swallow their pride. Another factor is a lack of transportation to food pantry locations. Often it’s just lack of knowledge that such things exist or being a working single parent who can’t get to the locations due to scheduling issues.
My approach is to simply give the food to the kids at the end of each of our chess meetings and have them tell their parents the absolute truth, “Tell your Mama or Grandma that you are just helping out because these are gonna go to waste if someone doesn’t take them home.”
Telling one of these children that food is going to go to waste is like suggesting to a Christian that if they don’t take home a Bible someone’s gonna burn it. Food is that sacred in these households.
Julie Braley marketing and business relations director for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia here in Norfolk was thrilled to hear the Pope’s speech. In a telephone interview today she said, “It’s great to see leaders in this country and other countries who are willing to step up and address the issues of hunger and waste. Giving time as a volunteer, food donations, money – no one has to go hungry.”
To get an idea of how much food is being thrown away in the US, consider that every day the volunteers from the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia pick up the leftovers from supermarkets, restaurants, and other food service establishments and help 400 local partner agencies (like Devine’s church) redistribute this wealth to the hungry via soup kitchens, food pantries, and after school Kids’ Café programs. Last year that included 3.3 million pounds of fresh produce.
“A lot of what we get is food rescue, those fresh products like sandwiches and bakery items that they [businesses] have to get rid of because they’re not fresh anymore at the end of the day,” Ms. Brayley explained in our interview. “We also get meat, dairy, things like that, that aren’t good for their shelves anymore; but we go pick that stuff up directly or have our partner agencies pick it up. Fresh produce is one of our major initiatives to distribute as much as possible.”
Bayley recently went on a ride-along with a volunteer. “One of our drivers does pickups from Walmart. She has a refrigerated truck. At the end of the day we take it over to Potter’s House – a food pantry – and other services in Virginia Beach. As it came off the truck people were coming through to take food home and out to their families – a little over 5,000 pounds of food that day which would have been wasted had we not picked it up.”
That’s not a misprint, they picked up over 5,000 pounds of good food destined for the dumpster and rescued both it and the hungry.
The catch is that they only have so many volunteers to get that kind of work done and it’s happening across the nation in every community at every business that serves or sells food.
There’s no reason for any child in America to go to bed hungry or be too anxious about where their next meal is coming from to pay attention in class. When it comes to educating a hungry child, a bagel is a terrible thing to waste.
My hope as a community volunteer is that the pope’s message will help food banks get more volunteers and create additional partnerships with businesses in order to perform what they call “food rescue.”
"Remember, however, that the food that is thrown away is as if we had stolen it from the table of the poor, from those who are hungry," according to his written remarks.
The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization released data showing approximately 1.3 billion tons of food — one third of the world’s total food production — are lost or wasted every year. Furthermore, "The consumer share of food losses and waste can be very high in specific locations; for example, the amount of food wasted in one community in new york state in the united states of America in one year was sufficient to feed everyone in the community for 1.5 months and 60 percent of the losses occurred after the food was purchased by the consumer," the report states.
“Consumerism has made us accustomed to wasting food daily and we are unable to see its real value,” Francis said, comparing this attitude to the frugality of “our grandparents” who “used to make a point of not throwing away leftover food.”
While the pope is pointing the finger at us wasting food as individuals and families, I have found that individuals can’t hold a candle to the food waste taking place among businesses. In his speech, the pope also warned that a “culture of waste” chiding media by adding “some homeless people die of cold on the streets, it is not news. In contrast, a 10-point drop on the stock markets of some cities, is a tragedy.”
The speech was part of the United Nations’ anti-food waste campaign to mark World Environment Day.
As a volunteer who works with others to feed local children, I wanted to shout, “Amen!” when I read the pope's speech.
It wasn’t until I founded an all-volunteer chess program for at-risk kids after school at our local community center four years ago that I became familiar with the hunger that pains our community’s children. The quest to relieve their suffering led me to discover the stunning amount of food being thrown away by businesses – much of it not rescued by food banks that are sorely in need of more volunteers to make the pick-ups.
Many kids here in Norfolk, Virg. go directly from school , where they eat lunch before noon in most cases, to their local community center for after school care programs so parents can work. In our city, these programs often allow parents to pick kids up as late as seven p.m. In areas we serve with our after school chess programs most of the kids live well below the poverty line and don’t eat anything after school because parents often can’t afford to pack snacks or extra sandwiches.
The other volunteers and I quickly realized that it is impossible to teach a hungry child. School teachers knew this long before we did.
A local preacher, the Rev. Arthur Devine hooked us up by explaining that all the supermarkets, bakeries, and eateries must, by state law, throw away all foods labeled as “fresh” at the end of each day. He advised me to just go to store managers and ask to be allowed to pickup the food that was to be wasted.
“The food bank does manage to get most of it, but even they can’t get it all with the limited number of volunteers available,” Mr. Devine explained.
So on chess days I now make the rounds to Yorgos Bageldashery where we get two massive trash bags of fresh, mouthwatering bagels. Anything the kids don’t eat we package and send home with them and give anything remaining to the local senior citizen home.
Yesterday, I watched a boy, age 4, trying to wolf down a bagel while stuffing as many as possible into his little shirt sleeves and playing chess. “Slow down,” I soothed. “There’s plenty.” With his cheeks looking fit to burst, he tried to ask if he could take them home, he said, “Murf uf homufff?”
It’s impossible not to want to fix as much of the problem as you personally are able when that’s what you are met with week after week, child after child, year after year as I have.
Many parents do not make use of local food banks. Part of it is pride, part is hope that it will get better before they have to swallow their pride. Another factor is a lack of transportation to food pantry locations. Often it’s just lack of knowledge that such things exist or being a working single parent who can’t get to the locations due to scheduling issues.
My approach is to simply give the food to the kids at the end of each of our chess meetings and have them tell their parents the absolute truth, “Tell your Mama or Grandma that you are just helping out because these are gonna go to waste if someone doesn’t take them home.”
Telling one of these children that food is going to go to waste is like suggesting to a Christian that if they don’t take home a Bible someone’s gonna burn it. Food is that sacred in these households.
Julie Braley marketing and business relations director for the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia here in Norfolk was thrilled to hear the Pope’s speech. In a telephone interview today she said, “It’s great to see leaders in this country and other countries who are willing to step up and address the issues of hunger and waste. Giving time as a volunteer, food donations, money – no one has to go hungry.”
To get an idea of how much food is being thrown away in the US, consider that every day the volunteers from the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia pick up the leftovers from supermarkets, restaurants, and other food service establishments and help 400 local partner agencies (like Devine’s church) redistribute this wealth to the hungry via soup kitchens, food pantries, and after school Kids’ Café programs. Last year that included 3.3 million pounds of fresh produce.
“A lot of what we get is food rescue, those fresh products like sandwiches and bakery items that they [businesses] have to get rid of because they’re not fresh anymore at the end of the day,” Ms. Brayley explained in our interview. “We also get meat, dairy, things like that, that aren’t good for their shelves anymore; but we go pick that stuff up directly or have our partner agencies pick it up. Fresh produce is one of our major initiatives to distribute as much as possible.”
Bayley recently went on a ride-along with a volunteer. “One of our drivers does pickups from Walmart. She has a refrigerated truck. At the end of the day we take it over to Potter’s House – a food pantry – and other services in Virginia Beach. As it came off the truck people were coming through to take food home and out to their families – a little over 5,000 pounds of food that day which would have been wasted had we not picked it up.”
That’s not a misprint, they picked up over 5,000 pounds of good food destined for the dumpster and rescued both it and the hungry.
The catch is that they only have so many volunteers to get that kind of work done and it’s happening across the nation in every community at every business that serves or sells food.
There’s no reason for any child in America to go to bed hungry or be too anxious about where their next meal is coming from to pay attention in class. When it comes to educating a hungry child, a bagel is a terrible thing to waste.
Flight diverted
Flight diverted, A flight was diverted back to New York after it hit a bird. NEW YORK — A JetBlue flight headed to Florida had to turn around after it struck a bird shortly after takeoff from an airport in New York City’s suburbs.
The airline says a jet bound for Fort Myers hit the bird shortly after taking off from the Westchester County Airport in White Plains.
JetBlue says that in “an abundance of caution” the aircraft was diverted to nearby Kennedy Airport, where it landed safely at 8:25 a.m. Thursday.
Passengers were put on another plane. They were expected to arrive in Florida about two hours late.
Federal transportation officials say nearly 10,000 aircraft collide with birds every year.
Bird strikes over New York have been getting special attention since 2009, when a flightsuccessfully ditched in the Hudson River after hitting a flock of geese.
The airline says a jet bound for Fort Myers hit the bird shortly after taking off from the Westchester County Airport in White Plains.
JetBlue says that in “an abundance of caution” the aircraft was diverted to nearby Kennedy Airport, where it landed safely at 8:25 a.m. Thursday.
Passengers were put on another plane. They were expected to arrive in Florida about two hours late.
Federal transportation officials say nearly 10,000 aircraft collide with birds every year.
Bird strikes over New York have been getting special attention since 2009, when a flightsuccessfully ditched in the Hudson River after hitting a flock of geese.
Drunk governor: After manhunt 'quite drunk'
Drunk governor: After manhunt 'quite drunk', Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick said that he got "quite drunk" after Boston Marathon Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was captured. He told this to employees of HubSpot in a conversation in Boston on Wednesday. According to the Associated Press on June 6, 2013, he was in a restaurant near his rural home at the time.
"Gov. Deval Patrick went to his rural home the day after the surviving Boston Marathon bombing suspect was captured and got ''quite drunk'' alone in a restaurant, he said during a candid conversation at a Boston area marketing firm."
At the restaurant Rouge in West Stockbridge he had dinner alone. By the end of the meal the drunk governor, "wasn't tipsy" according co-owner Maggie Merelle. She was happy to host and feed the governor.
At the end of the meal the now drunk governor said that he could not pay for the tab now, but would return the next day to take care of it. Merelle confirmed that he did indeed pay up after.
After all that occurred leading up to the dinner a "drunk governor" should be the least of one's worries. It sounds like he was well behaved and taken care of. The incident would never have been known except for the sharing of what was described as a "candid conversation".
What do you think about the drunk governor story? Please drop in your comments below.
"Gov. Deval Patrick went to his rural home the day after the surviving Boston Marathon bombing suspect was captured and got ''quite drunk'' alone in a restaurant, he said during a candid conversation at a Boston area marketing firm."
At the restaurant Rouge in West Stockbridge he had dinner alone. By the end of the meal the drunk governor, "wasn't tipsy" according co-owner Maggie Merelle. She was happy to host and feed the governor.
At the end of the meal the now drunk governor said that he could not pay for the tab now, but would return the next day to take care of it. Merelle confirmed that he did indeed pay up after.
After all that occurred leading up to the dinner a "drunk governor" should be the least of one's worries. It sounds like he was well behaved and taken care of. The incident would never have been known except for the sharing of what was described as a "candid conversation".
What do you think about the drunk governor story? Please drop in your comments below.
Shot senior graduation: Shot senior seen as 'miracle' inspiration
Shot senior graduation: Shot senior seen as 'miracle' inspiration, A shot senior's graduation from Northwestern High School in Detroit Tuesday inspired fellow classmates and the community when he got his diploma.
Senior Balaal Hollings was shot in the head two months ago when he jumped in to help after a fight broke out at a party. Yahoo reports June 5 that his credentials include being the class president, an honor student, and football star.
Hollings didn't go back to school after being shot, but the senior returned to collect his diploma at the ceremony.
The shot senior arrived unexpectedly at the graduation ceremony with a helmet on instead of a cap. Applause and shouts of joy came about from the crowd as he appeared.
“It is so good to be alive,” Hollings said. The senior said he's “fully rehabilitated."“
He also added, I forgot a lot of things. I forgot how to walk. I forgot how to talk. I didn’t forgot how to eat.”
Since the shot senior is unable to attend school on a football scholarship due to his injury, he plans to study criminal justice.
Senior Balaal Hollings was shot in the head two months ago when he jumped in to help after a fight broke out at a party. Yahoo reports June 5 that his credentials include being the class president, an honor student, and football star.
Hollings didn't go back to school after being shot, but the senior returned to collect his diploma at the ceremony.
The shot senior arrived unexpectedly at the graduation ceremony with a helmet on instead of a cap. Applause and shouts of joy came about from the crowd as he appeared.
“It is so good to be alive,” Hollings said. The senior said he's “fully rehabilitated."“
He also added, I forgot a lot of things. I forgot how to walk. I forgot how to talk. I didn’t forgot how to eat.”
Since the shot senior is unable to attend school on a football scholarship due to his injury, he plans to study criminal justice.
Alabama kidnapping: University basketball player arrested on kidnapping
Alabama kidnapping: University basketball player arrested on kidnapping, An Alabama kidnapping led to the arrest of Devonta Pollard, 19. He's a former basketball player with the University of Alabama who allegedly kidnapped a six-year-old girl as leverage over her mother in a land dispute, ABC News reports June 5. His mother, Jessie Mae Pollard, was also allegedly part of the Alabama kidnapping.
Authorities said at one point kidnappers demanded a $50,000 ransom for Jashayla Hopson -- the girl they kidnapped in Mississippi.
Charges against Devonta's mother could mean a life sentence. He and five other accomplices stand to serve five years in prison. He was released on $10,000 bond.
The Alabama kidnapping occurred April 30 and Hopson was released to her mother the next day unharmed.
Authorities said at one point kidnappers demanded a $50,000 ransom for Jashayla Hopson -- the girl they kidnapped in Mississippi.
Charges against Devonta's mother could mean a life sentence. He and five other accomplices stand to serve five years in prison. He was released on $10,000 bond.
The Alabama kidnapping occurred April 30 and Hopson was released to her mother the next day unharmed.
Toyota recall: 91,000 in U.S. affected by latest Toyota recall
Toyota recall: 91,000 in U.S. affected by latest Toyota recall, 91,000 cars are affected by the latest Toyota recall of Prius and Lexus hybrid cars. CNN Money reports June 5 that 242,000 of those models made between March and October 2009 are being recalled on a global scale by the Japanese auto maker.
Most of the cars being recalled are in Japan. Their number is about 117,000 impacted by the Toyota recall. In the United States there are 91,000 and 30,000 in Europe being recalled. There are less in other smaller market countries.
A spokeswoman for Toyota announced that a flaw was allowing nitrogen gas to leak into the brake fluid, reducing efficient operation of brakes. No reports of accidents or injuries have been reported, she claimed.
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. will inspect the brake booster pump assembly on recalled Prius and Lexus HS 250h cars and completely replace it if needed, the report said.
A Toyota recall was made just last month on 1.7 million cars affecting Corolla, Matrix and Tundra models because of issues related to airbags. In October 2012 7 million vehicles were recalled due to a power window defect which posed a fire risk.
Most of the cars being recalled are in Japan. Their number is about 117,000 impacted by the Toyota recall. In the United States there are 91,000 and 30,000 in Europe being recalled. There are less in other smaller market countries.
A spokeswoman for Toyota announced that a flaw was allowing nitrogen gas to leak into the brake fluid, reducing efficient operation of brakes. No reports of accidents or injuries have been reported, she claimed.
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. will inspect the brake booster pump assembly on recalled Prius and Lexus HS 250h cars and completely replace it if needed, the report said.
A Toyota recall was made just last month on 1.7 million cars affecting Corolla, Matrix and Tundra models because of issues related to airbags. In October 2012 7 million vehicles were recalled due to a power window defect which posed a fire risk.
Bobbi Kristina Brown: Whitney Houston’s daughter ‘a nightmare of a neighbor’?
Bobbi Kristina Brown: Whitney Houston’s daughter ‘a nightmare of a neighbor’?, Bobbi Kristina Brown, Whitney Houston’s 20-year-old daughter, is described as “an absolute nightmare of a neighbor.” After 10 noise complaints, visits by police officers and animal control officers, Bobbi Kristina Brown has voluntarily left her Georgia apartment in Alpharetta, reported USA Today on June 5, 2013.
“Neighbors say Brown, whose boyfriend is her adopted brother Nick Gordon, has turned in her keys and left the complex.”
In response to the rumors that Bobbi Kristina Brown was evicted from her Georgia apartment, Bobbi Kristina Brown’s representative is saying that Whitney Houston’s daughter was not evicted from her apartment but that she left on her own because the neighbors complained too much.
"Bobbi felt that the neighbors were always in her business and looking to get some sort of media attention,” reported E!Online.
One of Bobbi Kristina Brown’s neighbors had filed more than 10 noise complaints against Whitney Houston's daughter since she moved to the complex in September. According to Alpharetta police department records, police officers have responded four times to check on the noise.
In response to the neighbor’s noise complaints, Bobbi Kristina Brown’s representative explained that, “Krissy lives on the 2nd floor and as with anyone who lives in a first floor apartment you should expect to hear some noise above you. But apparently these people have been nuts for a long time. So she decided to move out. She was not evicted."
Joshua Morse, the neighbor who had filed the noise complaints with his wife against Bobbi Kristina Brown, received quite a nasty note that also resulted in a report at the Alpharetta, Ga., police department on Tuesday.
"Thanks. You are s--t at the bottom of our shoe. Thank you for making a hard year harder. You are a miserable couple, and always will be. You were honored to have us living above you and you couldn't stand such a young beautiful couple being far more successful than you ever will be. I pray your misery doesn't rub off on your innocent little baby."
Joshua Morse said that "he and his wife had filed at least 10 noise complaints against Bobbi Kristina because she was an absolute nightmare of a neighbor," reported TMZ.
In response to the allegations that Bobbi Kristina left the unfriendly note for Joshua Morse and his wife, Bobbi Kristina Brown’s representative is saying that the note was written by friends of Bobby Kristina and not by her.
As of now, it appears that there is one response that has not been provided yet by Bobbi Kristina Brown’s representative.
“According to animal control records, another neighbor called Fulton County animal services, concerned that an abandoned dog was left in the apartment after Brown moved out. The dog was picked up before animal control officers had a chance to respond.”
“Neighbors say Brown, whose boyfriend is her adopted brother Nick Gordon, has turned in her keys and left the complex.”
In response to the rumors that Bobbi Kristina Brown was evicted from her Georgia apartment, Bobbi Kristina Brown’s representative is saying that Whitney Houston’s daughter was not evicted from her apartment but that she left on her own because the neighbors complained too much.
"Bobbi felt that the neighbors were always in her business and looking to get some sort of media attention,” reported E!Online.
One of Bobbi Kristina Brown’s neighbors had filed more than 10 noise complaints against Whitney Houston's daughter since she moved to the complex in September. According to Alpharetta police department records, police officers have responded four times to check on the noise.
In response to the neighbor’s noise complaints, Bobbi Kristina Brown’s representative explained that, “Krissy lives on the 2nd floor and as with anyone who lives in a first floor apartment you should expect to hear some noise above you. But apparently these people have been nuts for a long time. So she decided to move out. She was not evicted."
Joshua Morse, the neighbor who had filed the noise complaints with his wife against Bobbi Kristina Brown, received quite a nasty note that also resulted in a report at the Alpharetta, Ga., police department on Tuesday.
"Thanks. You are s--t at the bottom of our shoe. Thank you for making a hard year harder. You are a miserable couple, and always will be. You were honored to have us living above you and you couldn't stand such a young beautiful couple being far more successful than you ever will be. I pray your misery doesn't rub off on your innocent little baby."
Joshua Morse said that "he and his wife had filed at least 10 noise complaints against Bobbi Kristina because she was an absolute nightmare of a neighbor," reported TMZ.
In response to the allegations that Bobbi Kristina left the unfriendly note for Joshua Morse and his wife, Bobbi Kristina Brown’s representative is saying that the note was written by friends of Bobby Kristina and not by her.
As of now, it appears that there is one response that has not been provided yet by Bobbi Kristina Brown’s representative.
“According to animal control records, another neighbor called Fulton County animal services, concerned that an abandoned dog was left in the apartment after Brown moved out. The dog was picked up before animal control officers had a chance to respond.”
Valedictorian's prayer: Lord's Prayer used as grad speech despite school ban
Valedictorian's prayer: Lord's Prayer used as grad speech despite school ban, A Valedictorian prayer is trending in Internet searches tonight, and the religious nature of the educational case certainly lends itself well to the controversy. According to the Daily Mail this Wednesday, June 5, a graduation speech from the high school’s reigning valedictorian quickly turned from a secular dialogue into a prayerful one.
The Valedictorian prayer story began in a South Carolina high school during the long-awaited graduation ceremony. Roy Costner IV — who was the top graduate of the school — initially had a speech already planned, but only moments after he began speaking, Costner tore up his speech, and soon began to preach through prayer, quite literally.
Liberty High School was initially shocked at Costner’s choosing to change his speech, but immediately became supportive of his words.
"Obviously I didn't do my job well enough,' noted Costner on his Valedictorian prayer. 'We're going to have to use a different one. Who cares?"
After ripping the speech and shocking the crowd, the valedictorian went on:
“Those that we look up to, they have helped carve and mold us into the young adults that we are today …. I’m so glad that both of my parents led me to the Lord at a young age. And I think most of you will understand when I say… Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name…"
The audience erupted into applause at the Valedictorian prayer, completing the well-known Lord’s Prayer. Yet following the heartfelt speech, controversy immediately began, as school district rules had been set in place that effectively separated school and state, banning prayer in schools, and now that had been thrown into contention.
While there may have been various reasons for the Valedictorian prayer, it appears that Costner’s main reason for choosing to recite the Lord's words as his speech was in protest of the local school district’s decision that does not allow prayer to be practiced on school time, concluded the Epoch Times.
Fellow readers, for those who are religious or non-religious, what are your opinions of the Valedictorian prayer? Was it in poor taste, or a means of freedom of expression that was obviously very well-received by the audience listening to the graduation speech?
The Valedictorian prayer story began in a South Carolina high school during the long-awaited graduation ceremony. Roy Costner IV — who was the top graduate of the school — initially had a speech already planned, but only moments after he began speaking, Costner tore up his speech, and soon began to preach through prayer, quite literally.
Liberty High School was initially shocked at Costner’s choosing to change his speech, but immediately became supportive of his words.
"Obviously I didn't do my job well enough,' noted Costner on his Valedictorian prayer. 'We're going to have to use a different one. Who cares?"
After ripping the speech and shocking the crowd, the valedictorian went on:
“Those that we look up to, they have helped carve and mold us into the young adults that we are today …. I’m so glad that both of my parents led me to the Lord at a young age. And I think most of you will understand when I say… Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name…"
The audience erupted into applause at the Valedictorian prayer, completing the well-known Lord’s Prayer. Yet following the heartfelt speech, controversy immediately began, as school district rules had been set in place that effectively separated school and state, banning prayer in schools, and now that had been thrown into contention.
While there may have been various reasons for the Valedictorian prayer, it appears that Costner’s main reason for choosing to recite the Lord's words as his speech was in protest of the local school district’s decision that does not allow prayer to be practiced on school time, concluded the Epoch Times.
Fellow readers, for those who are religious or non-religious, what are your opinions of the Valedictorian prayer? Was it in poor taste, or a means of freedom of expression that was obviously very well-received by the audience listening to the graduation speech?
Shot senior graduation video: Senior’s miraculous graduation after shot in head
Shot senior graduation video: Senior’s miraculous graduation after shot in head, A shot senior’s graduation is a miracle and bringing tears and laughter not only to his classmates but the whole world. Only two months ago, 18-year-old Balaal Hollings was shot in the head; a bullet entering the senior’s temporal lobe.
Doctors told the shot high school senior that his recovery would extend beyond his high school graduation day and that he would not be able to join his classmates, reported ABC News on June 5, 2013.
The shot senior missing his graduation was not just any high school senior. Balaal Hollings was an honor student, a football star, the prom king, a student council – and senior class president.
On April 6, the high school senior from Northwestern High School in Detroit attended the birthday party of one of his best friends.
"I had missed her dinner, so I promised to make it to the party," Hollings told ABCNews.com. "After the party, some East Side boy was shooting for no reason. A bullet hit the wall, and then it hit me."
Balaal Hollings’ mother had died two years ago and Balaal’s older sister Nubella Hollings had helped raise the successful, social, and dedicated senior.
During his two weeks of hospitalization and even more weeks of therapy at a rehab facility, the shot senior needed to focus on one thing; getting better.
“His sister told ABCNews.com that she didn't allow her brother's friends and classmates to visit him while he was working on his recovery.”
"My therapist said the best part of therapy is when my phone died," said the shot senior.
“Doctors wouldn't give him a time frame for his release but said that he wouldn't likely be ready to return home until June 15 -- weeks after Tuesday's graduation ceremony.”
Being an honor student, the shot senior didn’t have to worry about being able to graduate because he already had all of his credits. But being the class president and not being able to be with his high school class on the last day they would all be assembled together was something he or his classmates would never be able to get back again.
Tuesday was that very last special day.
“There was a delay at the beginning of Tuesday's ceremony. Students donning caps and gowns looked around the auditorium puzzled. Then suddenly Hollings, wearing a tasseled helmet, emerged on stage to screams, applause and a standing ovation.”
Despite all odds, despite a bullet in his head, despite his doctor’s predictions, and despite his sister’s watchful eye, the high school senior had fought the hardest he could in order to spend those special final moments with his classmates.
According to the video report, before being shot in the head, the high school senior had planned to become a football player. Now he is planning to use the more than $50,000 he has received in academic scholarships to study either criminal justice or law.
Not having prepared a graduation speech, the shot senior spoke from the podium with his heart.
Doctors told the shot high school senior that his recovery would extend beyond his high school graduation day and that he would not be able to join his classmates, reported ABC News on June 5, 2013.
The shot senior missing his graduation was not just any high school senior. Balaal Hollings was an honor student, a football star, the prom king, a student council – and senior class president.
On April 6, the high school senior from Northwestern High School in Detroit attended the birthday party of one of his best friends.
"I had missed her dinner, so I promised to make it to the party," Hollings told ABCNews.com. "After the party, some East Side boy was shooting for no reason. A bullet hit the wall, and then it hit me."
Balaal Hollings’ mother had died two years ago and Balaal’s older sister Nubella Hollings had helped raise the successful, social, and dedicated senior.
During his two weeks of hospitalization and even more weeks of therapy at a rehab facility, the shot senior needed to focus on one thing; getting better.
“His sister told ABCNews.com that she didn't allow her brother's friends and classmates to visit him while he was working on his recovery.”
"My therapist said the best part of therapy is when my phone died," said the shot senior.
“Doctors wouldn't give him a time frame for his release but said that he wouldn't likely be ready to return home until June 15 -- weeks after Tuesday's graduation ceremony.”
Being an honor student, the shot senior didn’t have to worry about being able to graduate because he already had all of his credits. But being the class president and not being able to be with his high school class on the last day they would all be assembled together was something he or his classmates would never be able to get back again.
Tuesday was that very last special day.
“There was a delay at the beginning of Tuesday's ceremony. Students donning caps and gowns looked around the auditorium puzzled. Then suddenly Hollings, wearing a tasseled helmet, emerged on stage to screams, applause and a standing ovation.”
Despite all odds, despite a bullet in his head, despite his doctor’s predictions, and despite his sister’s watchful eye, the high school senior had fought the hardest he could in order to spend those special final moments with his classmates.
According to the video report, before being shot in the head, the high school senior had planned to become a football player. Now he is planning to use the more than $50,000 he has received in academic scholarships to study either criminal justice or law.
Not having prepared a graduation speech, the shot senior spoke from the podium with his heart.
2013 hurricane season begins: Tropical Storm Andrea set to hit Florida
2013 hurricane season begins: Tropical Storm Andrea set to hit Florida, The unofficial start of the Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 and Mother Nature has wasted no time in delivering its first named storm. Tropical Storm Andrea has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to make landfall in Florida Thursday afternoon or evening.
Andrea was named yesterday as its winds reached the requisite 39 mph tropical storm strength. It has since intensified and the National Hurricane Center says the storm’s winds are up to 60 mph.
As of 8:00 a.m. EDT Andrea was 160 miles west of Tampa or 140 miles south of Apalachicola. It was moving toward the north-northeast at 14 mph.
A slight turn to the northeast is expected during the day today putting landfall on Florida’s Big Bend no later than this evening. From there it will move across southeastern Georgia and on to South and North Carolina by Friday.
Tropical storm warnings have been posted for portions of Florida’s west coast as well as the southeastern Atlantic seaboard. Areas in the warning include.
The West Coast of Florida from Boca Grande to Indian Pass
Flagler Beach Florida to Cape Charles Light Virginia
Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds
Lower Chesapeake Bay South of New Point Comfort
The wind is of course expected to be a hazard as the storm nears land. Also of concern will be storm surge of up to 5 feet as well as rainfall amounts up to 6 inches.
Andrea was named yesterday as its winds reached the requisite 39 mph tropical storm strength. It has since intensified and the National Hurricane Center says the storm’s winds are up to 60 mph.
As of 8:00 a.m. EDT Andrea was 160 miles west of Tampa or 140 miles south of Apalachicola. It was moving toward the north-northeast at 14 mph.
A slight turn to the northeast is expected during the day today putting landfall on Florida’s Big Bend no later than this evening. From there it will move across southeastern Georgia and on to South and North Carolina by Friday.
Tropical storm warnings have been posted for portions of Florida’s west coast as well as the southeastern Atlantic seaboard. Areas in the warning include.
The West Coast of Florida from Boca Grande to Indian Pass
Flagler Beach Florida to Cape Charles Light Virginia
Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds
Lower Chesapeake Bay South of New Point Comfort
The wind is of course expected to be a hazard as the storm nears land. Also of concern will be storm surge of up to 5 feet as well as rainfall amounts up to 6 inches.
News crew attack: Rock, bat and dog bite end TV news interview in R.I.
News crew attack: Rock, bat and dog bite end TV news interview in R.I., A news crew attacked in Rhode Island was covering a story, but they ended up as the story themselves. The members of the TV news crew attacked, a reporter and camera man from WLNE-TV, were covering a kindergarten graduation shooting story at the time, according to Boston.com on June 6, 2013.
A Rhode Island woman has been arrested for attacking this news crew herself and for directing her dogs to attack, which they did. Melissa Lawrence, the mother of the victim in the kindergarten shooting story, threw a rock at the news crew, picked up a bat screaming, “get away from me,” and directed her two pit bulls to attack the news crew. The dog did bite news reporter, Abbey Niezgoda, on her forearm. She was treated with a tetanus shot.
The attack was caught on camera and that video has gone viral today. Lawrence was arrested then released on her own personal recognizance. She also entered a plea of not guilty for the charges brought against her in this news crew attack. This is a woman who just lost her child in a shooting, maybe it wasn't the time to try and get the story from a grieving mother?
A Rhode Island woman has been arrested for attacking this news crew herself and for directing her dogs to attack, which they did. Melissa Lawrence, the mother of the victim in the kindergarten shooting story, threw a rock at the news crew, picked up a bat screaming, “get away from me,” and directed her two pit bulls to attack the news crew. The dog did bite news reporter, Abbey Niezgoda, on her forearm. She was treated with a tetanus shot.
The attack was caught on camera and that video has gone viral today. Lawrence was arrested then released on her own personal recognizance. She also entered a plea of not guilty for the charges brought against her in this news crew attack. This is a woman who just lost her child in a shooting, maybe it wasn't the time to try and get the story from a grieving mother?
Prostitute ads pulled: Safe sex campaign looks more like sales pitch in Brazil
Prostitute ads pulled: Safe sex campaign looks more like sales pitch in Brazil, Prostitute ads, that were posted online to promote safe sex in Brazil, were ordered taken down by the same folks who paid to have them created. The Health Ministry of Brazil commissioned these prostitute ads as a public service message for their safe sex campaign "I'm a happy prostitute," but this backfired big time, according to CNN on June 5, 2013.
Brazil is a poor country where prostitution is legal, many young women and men are forced to enter this career field to make a living. With two big events coming to the country, the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the 2016 Olympics, these prostitute ads were the ministry's bid to amp up safe sex awareness and also to soften the stigma that goes along with being a prostitute.
The prostitutes themselves are getting ready for the influx of prospective business by learning foreign languages. They too are preparing for the crowds of people expected to Brazil for these events from all over the world. Prostitutes are lining up to take free English classes in the city of Belo Horizonte, preparing to communicate with their prospective customers from English-speaking countries.
The Health Ministry in Brazil commissioned these prostitute ads as public service message, but it didn't take long for them to order that they be taken down as the backlash started almost immediately from the public. People thought the ads, with the Ministry's logo on them, looked more like they were promoting the prostitutes rather than safe sex.
Health Minister Alexandre Padilha, who commissioned the ads, explained what the ads were originally targeting :
Brazil is a poor country where prostitution is legal, many young women and men are forced to enter this career field to make a living. With two big events coming to the country, the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the 2016 Olympics, these prostitute ads were the ministry's bid to amp up safe sex awareness and also to soften the stigma that goes along with being a prostitute.
The prostitutes themselves are getting ready for the influx of prospective business by learning foreign languages. They too are preparing for the crowds of people expected to Brazil for these events from all over the world. Prostitutes are lining up to take free English classes in the city of Belo Horizonte, preparing to communicate with their prospective customers from English-speaking countries.
The Health Ministry in Brazil commissioned these prostitute ads as public service message, but it didn't take long for them to order that they be taken down as the backlash started almost immediately from the public. People thought the ads, with the Ministry's logo on them, looked more like they were promoting the prostitutes rather than safe sex.
Health Minister Alexandre Padilha, who commissioned the ads, explained what the ads were originally targeting :
Miley Modeling brother
Miley Modeling brother, Brother Cyrus looks to be stealing his big sis’s thunder.
Braison Cyrus has made his debut as a model in Troix magazine. The publication dubbed the 18-year-old young hunk one of the “Boys of Summer.”
The younger brother of the troubled starlet also told the mag that he’s currently attending film school and is also interested in taking a stab at acting.
At least one Cyrus is headed down the right path!
Braison Cyrus has made his debut as a model in Troix magazine. The publication dubbed the 18-year-old young hunk one of the “Boys of Summer.”
The younger brother of the troubled starlet also told the mag that he’s currently attending film school and is also interested in taking a stab at acting.
At least one Cyrus is headed down the right path!
Hiring a smoker
Hiring a smoker, An employee who smokes costs his or her employer nearly $6,000 more per year than a nonsmoker, according to a study the U.S. published Monday in the journal Tobacco Control.
Absences for ill health, lower productivity because of smoking breaks and additional health care costs make up the bulk of the additional charge, it said. “Our best estimate of the annual excess cost to employ a smoker is $5,816,” says the study, which was led by Micah Berman at the College of Public Health and Moritz College of Law at Ohio State University.
The figure takes into account that pension costs are nearly $296 lower for an employee who smokes, because smokers tend to die at a younger age than nonsmokers.
Numerous employers in the U.S. have begun charging smokers higher premiums for health insurance or declaring they will only hire nonsmokers, the paper said.
The investigation is based on previous research into various aspects of smoker versus nonsmoker employment. For instance, it calculates annual absenteeism among smokers to be 2.6 days more per person than nonsmokers. If an employee works 7½ hours a day and the average hourly cost of wages and benefits is $26.49, this works out to an additional charge per year to the employer of $516.56.
Nonsanctioned smoking breaks are estimated to cost $3,077 per year in lost productivity, on the basis of two 15-minute breaks per day, on the 232 working days per year.
As for medical costs, smoking-related problems account for around 8 percent of all health care expenses, the researchers said. For employers who provide health insurance to their staff, this drives up the bill accordingly. Insuring a smoker costs $2,055.77 more than a nonsmoker.
Absences for ill health, lower productivity because of smoking breaks and additional health care costs make up the bulk of the additional charge, it said. “Our best estimate of the annual excess cost to employ a smoker is $5,816,” says the study, which was led by Micah Berman at the College of Public Health and Moritz College of Law at Ohio State University.
The figure takes into account that pension costs are nearly $296 lower for an employee who smokes, because smokers tend to die at a younger age than nonsmokers.
Numerous employers in the U.S. have begun charging smokers higher premiums for health insurance or declaring they will only hire nonsmokers, the paper said.
The investigation is based on previous research into various aspects of smoker versus nonsmoker employment. For instance, it calculates annual absenteeism among smokers to be 2.6 days more per person than nonsmokers. If an employee works 7½ hours a day and the average hourly cost of wages and benefits is $26.49, this works out to an additional charge per year to the employer of $516.56.
Nonsanctioned smoking breaks are estimated to cost $3,077 per year in lost productivity, on the basis of two 15-minute breaks per day, on the 232 working days per year.
As for medical costs, smoking-related problems account for around 8 percent of all health care expenses, the researchers said. For employers who provide health insurance to their staff, this drives up the bill accordingly. Insuring a smoker costs $2,055.77 more than a nonsmoker.
Adam Carolla lawsuit
Adam Carolla lawsuit, The former "Man Show" host is being sued by Donny Misraje, a self-described "very close friend of Carolla's for over 30 years," for the second time.
The Adam Carolla lawsuit is over some pictures that were in Carolla's 2012 memoir "Not Taco Bell Material," which Misraje claims he owns. Misraje wants damages from the use of the pictures, plus wants all remaining copies of the book to be destroyed.
This is the second Adam Carolla lawsuit involving his former friend - Misraje sued Carolla earlier this year over Carolla's wildly popular podcast/radio show. He claims he encouraged Carolla to start it, but hasn't been paid for his work on the show and had to quit his other job in order to work on it.
The Adam Carolla lawsuit is over some pictures that were in Carolla's 2012 memoir "Not Taco Bell Material," which Misraje claims he owns. Misraje wants damages from the use of the pictures, plus wants all remaining copies of the book to be destroyed.
This is the second Adam Carolla lawsuit involving his former friend - Misraje sued Carolla earlier this year over Carolla's wildly popular podcast/radio show. He claims he encouraged Carolla to start it, but hasn't been paid for his work on the show and had to quit his other job in order to work on it.
Top chef: d.c.
Top chef: d.c., Washington, D.C., has proven to be a hotbed for reality and cooking show contestants, particularly for Bravo's "Top Chef." The area is home to many big-name competitors and cheftestants from various seasons of the show, and since their time being berated by Tom Colicchio and Padma Lakshmi, they have all gone on to achieve success.
Here, you can catch up with five Washington, D.C., chefs who had their turn on "Top Chef" and see what they're up to today and where you may be able to sample some of their standout dishes for yourself.
Mike Isabella -- 'Top Chef' Season 6, 'Top Chef All-Stars'
Mike Isabella originally competed on "Top Chef" Season 6, filmed in Las Vegas. He made it fairly deep in the competition, but was eliminated before the finale episodes. He got a second chance on "Top Chef All-Stars," finishing as runner-up to winner Richard Blais.
Prior to his time on "Top Chef," Isabella had been executive chef at Jose Andres' Zaytinya. Now, he operates two restaurants, Graffiato (707 Sixth St. NW), which is behind the Verizon Center and serves up Italian-inspired small plates, and Bandolero (3241 M St. NW), right along the main stretch in Georgetown, offering innovative, small Mexican fare.
Either place is great for a nice dinner out, a date, or for any local foodies looking to sample a few new offerings. Isabella isn't done there, however. He has at least two new restaurants in the making, including the Greek Kapnos, and G, planned as a sister restaurant to Graffiato.
In a previous interview I conducted with Isabella, right before he opened Graffiato, he was asked about the impact the shows have had on his career:
"For me, it's sort of like I have more of that celebrity-chef status. I travel around, do a lot of fundraising, do a lot of events. I've been trying to keep my name and face out there, and there's a lot more opportunities in front of me and my PR team that weren't there before and probably wouldn't be there."
Bryan Voltaggio -- 'Top Chef' Season 6
Bryan Voltaggio competed against Isabella in Season 6 of "Top Chef" in Las Vegas. Voltaggio made it to the finale, ultimately finishing as runner-up behind his brother, Michael Voltaggio.
Bryan Voltaggio currently runs the highly regarded VOLT (228 N. Market St., Frederick, Maryland), which opened in 2008 but took off to new heights after his time on the show. It's a high-end establishment where pride is placed in the perfection of every small detail and all of the craft that goes into each plate you order.
For casual lunch bites, five blocks away from Volt is Lunchbox (50 Carroll Creek Way, Frederick). A third Voltaggio restaurant is also close by, Family Meal (800 N. East St., Frederick), which focuses on casual and hearty home-inspired American classics. Bryan Voltaggio has also teamed up with his brother for various cookbooks and other projects.
In an interview conducted with Bryan Voltaggio before the finale of "Top Chef" Season 6 aired, I asked him if he'd ever like to just be a 'normal chef' again, and he responded:
"Well, there is that overnight phenomenon that happens with 'Top Chef,' which is a lot of fun. But when you think back, like wow, I used to be able to go to the gas station and fill my car up without being stopped! But I enjoy it, because it means that people are supportive in a very positive way, and they are excited about it. I'm trying to do the best I can to make sure that they can be proud of what I've done. That's what it's about. It's about the people having fun with it as well, not just myself."
Spike Mendelsohn -- 'Top Chef' Season 4, 'Top Chef All-Stars,' 'Life After Top Chef'
Spike Mendelsohn has made a rare three-peat performance in the "Top Chef" universe. After finishing fifth in Season 4, Mendelsohn was eliminated early on in the all-stars season. Recently, he has been one of four chefs featured in Bravo's "Life After Top Chef" series, which follows the lives of several notable alums of the show to see what they have been up to lately.
Mendelsohn's first restaurant endeavor was Good Stuff Eatery (now three locations: Capitol Hill, Georgetown, and Crystal City), a burger and shake joint. Next came We the Pizza (305 Pennsylvania Ave. SE), right next door to the first Good Stuff, with pizza, wings, and homemade sodas.
Now, a steak-frites restaurant, Bernaise, is also on the way, to be located on the same block as Good Stuff and We the Pizza, forming Mendelsohn's own Capitol Hill empire.
Carla Hall -- 'Top Chef' Season 5, 'Top Chef All-Stars'
Carla Hall competed on Season 5, filmed in New York City. She made it to the finale and finished as a runner-up, ultimately being undone by taking the advice of her sous chef rather than sticking to her own instincts. She also appeared in the all-stars season, finishing fifth. Hall lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband and stepson.
Today, Carla is one of the co-hosts on "The Chew," a daytime ABC series also featuring Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Clinton Kelly, and Daphne Oz. Alchemy by Carla Hall is her product line of savory and sweet snacks, cookies, and other treats. She has also released a cookbook, "Cooking With Love," focused on comfort food.
Timothy Dean -- 'Top Chef' Season 7
Timothy Dean competed on Season 7 of "Top Chef," which was the season filmed in Washington, D.C. Despite being in his backyard, the Baltimore resident was eliminated in Episode 5.
Things got worse for Dean before they got better, with closed restaurants, failed ventures, and a lawsuit against the developers of the National Harbor. Now, though, he operates Timothy Dean Burger (801 G Blvd. at Cap Center, Largo, Maryland), a tasty and thus far successful casual burger spot also serving sandwiches and pizzas.
Here, you can catch up with five Washington, D.C., chefs who had their turn on "Top Chef" and see what they're up to today and where you may be able to sample some of their standout dishes for yourself.
Mike Isabella -- 'Top Chef' Season 6, 'Top Chef All-Stars'
Mike Isabella originally competed on "Top Chef" Season 6, filmed in Las Vegas. He made it fairly deep in the competition, but was eliminated before the finale episodes. He got a second chance on "Top Chef All-Stars," finishing as runner-up to winner Richard Blais.
Prior to his time on "Top Chef," Isabella had been executive chef at Jose Andres' Zaytinya. Now, he operates two restaurants, Graffiato (707 Sixth St. NW), which is behind the Verizon Center and serves up Italian-inspired small plates, and Bandolero (3241 M St. NW), right along the main stretch in Georgetown, offering innovative, small Mexican fare.
Either place is great for a nice dinner out, a date, or for any local foodies looking to sample a few new offerings. Isabella isn't done there, however. He has at least two new restaurants in the making, including the Greek Kapnos, and G, planned as a sister restaurant to Graffiato.
In a previous interview I conducted with Isabella, right before he opened Graffiato, he was asked about the impact the shows have had on his career:
"For me, it's sort of like I have more of that celebrity-chef status. I travel around, do a lot of fundraising, do a lot of events. I've been trying to keep my name and face out there, and there's a lot more opportunities in front of me and my PR team that weren't there before and probably wouldn't be there."
Bryan Voltaggio -- 'Top Chef' Season 6
Bryan Voltaggio competed against Isabella in Season 6 of "Top Chef" in Las Vegas. Voltaggio made it to the finale, ultimately finishing as runner-up behind his brother, Michael Voltaggio.
Bryan Voltaggio currently runs the highly regarded VOLT (228 N. Market St., Frederick, Maryland), which opened in 2008 but took off to new heights after his time on the show. It's a high-end establishment where pride is placed in the perfection of every small detail and all of the craft that goes into each plate you order.
For casual lunch bites, five blocks away from Volt is Lunchbox (50 Carroll Creek Way, Frederick). A third Voltaggio restaurant is also close by, Family Meal (800 N. East St., Frederick), which focuses on casual and hearty home-inspired American classics. Bryan Voltaggio has also teamed up with his brother for various cookbooks and other projects.
In an interview conducted with Bryan Voltaggio before the finale of "Top Chef" Season 6 aired, I asked him if he'd ever like to just be a 'normal chef' again, and he responded:
"Well, there is that overnight phenomenon that happens with 'Top Chef,' which is a lot of fun. But when you think back, like wow, I used to be able to go to the gas station and fill my car up without being stopped! But I enjoy it, because it means that people are supportive in a very positive way, and they are excited about it. I'm trying to do the best I can to make sure that they can be proud of what I've done. That's what it's about. It's about the people having fun with it as well, not just myself."
Spike Mendelsohn -- 'Top Chef' Season 4, 'Top Chef All-Stars,' 'Life After Top Chef'
Spike Mendelsohn has made a rare three-peat performance in the "Top Chef" universe. After finishing fifth in Season 4, Mendelsohn was eliminated early on in the all-stars season. Recently, he has been one of four chefs featured in Bravo's "Life After Top Chef" series, which follows the lives of several notable alums of the show to see what they have been up to lately.
Mendelsohn's first restaurant endeavor was Good Stuff Eatery (now three locations: Capitol Hill, Georgetown, and Crystal City), a burger and shake joint. Next came We the Pizza (305 Pennsylvania Ave. SE), right next door to the first Good Stuff, with pizza, wings, and homemade sodas.
Now, a steak-frites restaurant, Bernaise, is also on the way, to be located on the same block as Good Stuff and We the Pizza, forming Mendelsohn's own Capitol Hill empire.
Carla Hall -- 'Top Chef' Season 5, 'Top Chef All-Stars'
Carla Hall competed on Season 5, filmed in New York City. She made it to the finale and finished as a runner-up, ultimately being undone by taking the advice of her sous chef rather than sticking to her own instincts. She also appeared in the all-stars season, finishing fifth. Hall lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband and stepson.
Today, Carla is one of the co-hosts on "The Chew," a daytime ABC series also featuring Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Clinton Kelly, and Daphne Oz. Alchemy by Carla Hall is her product line of savory and sweet snacks, cookies, and other treats. She has also released a cookbook, "Cooking With Love," focused on comfort food.
Timothy Dean -- 'Top Chef' Season 7
Timothy Dean competed on Season 7 of "Top Chef," which was the season filmed in Washington, D.C. Despite being in his backyard, the Baltimore resident was eliminated in Episode 5.
Things got worse for Dean before they got better, with closed restaurants, failed ventures, and a lawsuit against the developers of the National Harbor. Now, though, he operates Timothy Dean Burger (801 G Blvd. at Cap Center, Largo, Maryland), a tasty and thus far successful casual burger spot also serving sandwiches and pizzas.
John Edwards new law firm
John Edwards new law firm, Former presidential contender John Edwards is looking to open a new law firm in Raleigh, North Carolina, CNN is reporting.
Edwards recently reactivated his license to practice law and is setting out on the speaking circuit.
The two-time presidential candidate and former North Carolina senator recently reactivated his law license after it was inactive for more than a decade. He is planning to open the firm in September, a source told CNN's Chris Cuomo.
Edwards has remained largely out of public view since his May 2012 acquittal on one charge of campaign finance fraud. A federal judge declared a mistrial on five other criminal counts after jurors couldn’t agree if Edwards illegally used campaign money to hide his pregnant mistress as he ran for president in 2008.
Edwards said after his trial last year that he hoped to someday open an advocacy law firm to serve indigent clients and find a way to positively contribute to society.
Since his highly publicized trial, Edwards has shunned public attention and lived quietly at his North Carolina home, a sprawling gated estate outside Chapel Hill that he shares with his two school-age children.
If he finds a way to successfully reenter public life, Edwards will follow other high-flying politicians whose careers were derailed by sex scandals only to make a comeback, including former New York Gov. Elliot Spitzer and former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. Spitzer has worked as a political commentator, and Sanford was recently elected in a special election for a congressional seat in his home state.
After his trial ended last year, Edwards stood on the steps of the federal courthouse in Greensboro and made an emotional public apology.
'While I do not believe I did anything illegal, or ever thought I was doing anything illegal, I did an awful, awful lot that was wrong and there is no one else responsible for my sins,' Edwards said.
The six-week-long trial recounted the most intimate details of Edwards’ affair with former campaign videographer Rielle Hunter, with whom the then-married presidential candidate fathered a daughter. At the time, Edwards’ wife Elizabeth was batting cancer; she died in late 2010.
At issue in the criminal case was about $1 million in unreported funds secretly provided by two wealthy campaign donors used to care for Hunter during her pregnancy, moving her quietly across the country on private jets between a series of luxury resorts and homes.
Edwards said last year he looked forward to making a positive contribution again.
'I don’t think God’s through with me,' Edwards said. 'I really believe he thinks there’s still some good things I can do.'
Edwards recently reactivated his license to practice law and is setting out on the speaking circuit.
The two-time presidential candidate and former North Carolina senator recently reactivated his law license after it was inactive for more than a decade. He is planning to open the firm in September, a source told CNN's Chris Cuomo.
Edwards has remained largely out of public view since his May 2012 acquittal on one charge of campaign finance fraud. A federal judge declared a mistrial on five other criminal counts after jurors couldn’t agree if Edwards illegally used campaign money to hide his pregnant mistress as he ran for president in 2008.
Edwards said after his trial last year that he hoped to someday open an advocacy law firm to serve indigent clients and find a way to positively contribute to society.
Since his highly publicized trial, Edwards has shunned public attention and lived quietly at his North Carolina home, a sprawling gated estate outside Chapel Hill that he shares with his two school-age children.
If he finds a way to successfully reenter public life, Edwards will follow other high-flying politicians whose careers were derailed by sex scandals only to make a comeback, including former New York Gov. Elliot Spitzer and former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. Spitzer has worked as a political commentator, and Sanford was recently elected in a special election for a congressional seat in his home state.
After his trial ended last year, Edwards stood on the steps of the federal courthouse in Greensboro and made an emotional public apology.
'While I do not believe I did anything illegal, or ever thought I was doing anything illegal, I did an awful, awful lot that was wrong and there is no one else responsible for my sins,' Edwards said.
The six-week-long trial recounted the most intimate details of Edwards’ affair with former campaign videographer Rielle Hunter, with whom the then-married presidential candidate fathered a daughter. At the time, Edwards’ wife Elizabeth was batting cancer; she died in late 2010.
At issue in the criminal case was about $1 million in unreported funds secretly provided by two wealthy campaign donors used to care for Hunter during her pregnancy, moving her quietly across the country on private jets between a series of luxury resorts and homes.
Edwards said last year he looked forward to making a positive contribution again.
'I don’t think God’s through with me,' Edwards said. 'I really believe he thinks there’s still some good things I can do.'
American idol season 10
American idol season 10, The “American Idol” summer tour is getting a major haircut. According to a May 31 report by The Hollywood Reporter, the first three weeks of the Season 12 summer tour have been canceled – nine shows in all – in cities that include Detroit, Kansas City, and Las Vegas. The cancellations account for a quarter of the tour’s original schedule.
A tour spokesman gave little information on the reason behind the cancellations, releasing a statement that said: "Due to production scheduling changes, the American Idol 2013 Tour will now begin on July 19th and go through the summer until August 31st. The Idols look forward to performing in 30 venues across the country."
The nine-concert cancellation is the latest blow to a franchise that had a very bad year.
For cities that still have an “American Idol Live!” concert date scheduled (the closest dates for Philly fans include Reading and Newark) the 2013 tour features this season’s winner, Candice Glover, as well as the Top 10 contestants Amber Holcomb, Angie Miller, Burnell Taylor, Curtis Finch Jr., Devin Velez, Janelle Arthur, Kree Harrison, Lazaro Arbos, and Paul Jolley. Fan pick Aubrey Cleland will also perform on the tour. You can see the complete list of scheduled concert dates here.
This isn’t the first time an “Idol” tour has dropped dates. In 2010, seven dates were canceled for the Season 10 tour, according to the New York Times. No reason was given for the 2010 cancellations, but after this season’s dismal “American Idol” ratings, it’s not farfetched to assume that slow tickets sales are the reason behind the cancellations for this year’s tour.
A tour spokesman gave little information on the reason behind the cancellations, releasing a statement that said: "Due to production scheduling changes, the American Idol 2013 Tour will now begin on July 19th and go through the summer until August 31st. The Idols look forward to performing in 30 venues across the country."
The nine-concert cancellation is the latest blow to a franchise that had a very bad year.
For cities that still have an “American Idol Live!” concert date scheduled (the closest dates for Philly fans include Reading and Newark) the 2013 tour features this season’s winner, Candice Glover, as well as the Top 10 contestants Amber Holcomb, Angie Miller, Burnell Taylor, Curtis Finch Jr., Devin Velez, Janelle Arthur, Kree Harrison, Lazaro Arbos, and Paul Jolley. Fan pick Aubrey Cleland will also perform on the tour. You can see the complete list of scheduled concert dates here.
This isn’t the first time an “Idol” tour has dropped dates. In 2010, seven dates were canceled for the Season 10 tour, according to the New York Times. No reason was given for the 2010 cancellations, but after this season’s dismal “American Idol” ratings, it’s not farfetched to assume that slow tickets sales are the reason behind the cancellations for this year’s tour.
Fluffy Cow
Fluffy Cow, The fluffy cow above isn’t just any cow. It’s a show calf, one of the Honey Boo Boos of the bovine world. (Honey Moo Moo?) It doesn’t get that fluffy by accident or by nature. It’s coddled, primped, and trotted out to impress the world.
Cattle farming is an awfully energy-hogging enterprise to do just for show. But, dear god, these cows are so damn fluffy, they look like you could take them to bed and cuddle with them like a stuffed animal. How can we deny those cuddly bovine butts?
Oddity Central explains:
These cows don’t belong to any particular breed. They are show calves, a cross between two different high-quality breeds, bred for bovine show-business. That means that apart from their genetic characteristics, owners go out of their way to make sure the cows look their best. … Just think of them as girls, but with their very own conditioners, hair sprays and lotions.
A spokesperson for the farm to which some of these fluffy cattle belong detailed the process, which sounds just as work-intensive as a beauty pageant:
“It’s a lot of hard work to get the cows to be as beautiful as they appear in the pictures,” Steck said. “Exhibitors have to break them and train them and feed them and blow-dry them and put sheen in their hair.
“It’s similar to humans waking up and taking a shower and getting ready for the day,” she said. … “Just on show day there’s a two-hour preparation time before hitting the ring,” she said. “The cows get oils in their hair to make them shine and adhesive hair spray on their legs to keep their hair in place.”
Cattle farming is an awfully energy-hogging enterprise to do just for show. But, dear god, these cows are so damn fluffy, they look like you could take them to bed and cuddle with them like a stuffed animal. How can we deny those cuddly bovine butts?
Oddity Central explains:
These cows don’t belong to any particular breed. They are show calves, a cross between two different high-quality breeds, bred for bovine show-business. That means that apart from their genetic characteristics, owners go out of their way to make sure the cows look their best. … Just think of them as girls, but with their very own conditioners, hair sprays and lotions.
A spokesperson for the farm to which some of these fluffy cattle belong detailed the process, which sounds just as work-intensive as a beauty pageant:
“It’s a lot of hard work to get the cows to be as beautiful as they appear in the pictures,” Steck said. “Exhibitors have to break them and train them and feed them and blow-dry them and put sheen in their hair.
“It’s similar to humans waking up and taking a shower and getting ready for the day,” she said. … “Just on show day there’s a two-hour preparation time before hitting the ring,” she said. “The cows get oils in their hair to make them shine and adhesive hair spray on their legs to keep their hair in place.”
Real world new york
Real world new york, Back in the summer of 1992, when the very first season of "The Real World" plopped seven strangers into a New York loft, we found out what happens when people stop being polite and start getting real.
Twenty-one years later, eight strangers were similarly thrown together in Portland, Oregon, for the show's 28th (yes, 28th!) season, premiering Wednesday at 10 p.m. on MTV. Starting Friday (March 22) at 8 p.m. on MTV, a "RetroMTV: Real World" marathon begins with that fateful New York season and leads all the way to the "Real World: Portland" premiere next week. When MTV News caught up with "Real World" mastermind Jonathan Murray, we wondered how the O.G. cast compares to the brand-new Portland roomies.
" 'The Real World' is still basically the same show," Murray insisted. "It's about that time in your life when you're out on your own, you're responsible for the decisions you make, hopefully you learn from your mistakes, and sort of that optimistic time when anything's possible in your life. And I still think the show captures that."
But Murray pointed out that a lot has changed since 1992, and the new show reflects just how big that cultural shift has been. "Young people are not the same," he said. "There's a lot more heavy drinking now, people are more comfortable with their sexuality. A lot of things have changed, many of them for the positive, since 1992. I think it's interesting to look back."
Looking back at that first New York season, Murray recalled groundbreaking moments that remain relevant issues today.
"There were so many incredibly magical moments for us," he said. "Just the way that these very different people came together, [like] Julie and Heather — Heather's beeper goes off, and Julie goes, 'What, do you sell drugs?' Julie was from Birmingham, Alabama, but they became best friends. Kevin and Julie's argument over race and Becky and Kevin's arguments over race were fascinating. Julie's befriending of a homeless women and wanting to spend the night with her in Central Park scared us to death; we had security people just out of frame. It was just an incredible time for all of us. And we'll always be incredibly grateful for those seven individuals taking this plunge into the unknown."
And Murray is thrilled that a whole new audience — many of who weren't even born when that first season aired — will get to discover how it all began during the marathon, which will also include season three in San Francisco and season 12 in Las Vegas.
"I think it's great for the viewers to be able to see this, because this was essentially the first reality series," he said. "It's interesting to look at it and compare it to what we have today. So I think it will be interesting for viewers."
Don't miss the "RetroMTV: Real World" marathon, which includes the New York, San Francisco and Las Vegas seasons, starting at 8 p.m. Friday on MTV. It all leads up to the premiere of "The Real World: Portland" on Wednesday at 10 p.m. on MTV! For more "Real World" coverage, visit the MTV Remote Control blog.
Twenty-one years later, eight strangers were similarly thrown together in Portland, Oregon, for the show's 28th (yes, 28th!) season, premiering Wednesday at 10 p.m. on MTV. Starting Friday (March 22) at 8 p.m. on MTV, a "RetroMTV: Real World" marathon begins with that fateful New York season and leads all the way to the "Real World: Portland" premiere next week. When MTV News caught up with "Real World" mastermind Jonathan Murray, we wondered how the O.G. cast compares to the brand-new Portland roomies.
" 'The Real World' is still basically the same show," Murray insisted. "It's about that time in your life when you're out on your own, you're responsible for the decisions you make, hopefully you learn from your mistakes, and sort of that optimistic time when anything's possible in your life. And I still think the show captures that."
But Murray pointed out that a lot has changed since 1992, and the new show reflects just how big that cultural shift has been. "Young people are not the same," he said. "There's a lot more heavy drinking now, people are more comfortable with their sexuality. A lot of things have changed, many of them for the positive, since 1992. I think it's interesting to look back."
Looking back at that first New York season, Murray recalled groundbreaking moments that remain relevant issues today.
"There were so many incredibly magical moments for us," he said. "Just the way that these very different people came together, [like] Julie and Heather — Heather's beeper goes off, and Julie goes, 'What, do you sell drugs?' Julie was from Birmingham, Alabama, but they became best friends. Kevin and Julie's argument over race and Becky and Kevin's arguments over race were fascinating. Julie's befriending of a homeless women and wanting to spend the night with her in Central Park scared us to death; we had security people just out of frame. It was just an incredible time for all of us. And we'll always be incredibly grateful for those seven individuals taking this plunge into the unknown."
And Murray is thrilled that a whole new audience — many of who weren't even born when that first season aired — will get to discover how it all began during the marathon, which will also include season three in San Francisco and season 12 in Las Vegas.
"I think it's great for the viewers to be able to see this, because this was essentially the first reality series," he said. "It's interesting to look at it and compare it to what we have today. So I think it will be interesting for viewers."
Don't miss the "RetroMTV: Real World" marathon, which includes the New York, San Francisco and Las Vegas seasons, starting at 8 p.m. Friday on MTV. It all leads up to the premiere of "The Real World: Portland" on Wednesday at 10 p.m. on MTV! For more "Real World" coverage, visit the MTV Remote Control blog.
Kevin Ware return
Kevin Ware return, Of all the athletes and coaches appearing at the University of Louisville's Cardinal Caravan stop at Captain's Quarters Tuesday, the sight of men's basketball player Kevin Ware walking without crutches may have been what surprised those in attendance the most.
And get this:
The 6-foot-2 junior guard who suffered an open wound when he broke his right tibia in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight win over Duke not only said he'll be back playing this season, he anticipates being ready in time for the Cardinals' season opener.
"It's healed a lot quicker than it's supposed to, so that's real good," Ware said. "I'm just ready for October. They're telling me October is when I'll be 100 percent so that's what I'm ready for... as long as they're telling me I can be on the court, I'll be on the court."
Ware is walking with a slight limp, but said he doesn't feel any pain. He added that he stopped taking the prescribed painkillers since the Final Four and the only time he's even sore is after a workout.
He's been doing a lot of work in the pool as part of his rehabilitation, but Ware has also been back on the court.
"A little movement, set shots, one dribble trying to shoot mid-range shots," Ware said. "Not a lot of jumping -- they don't want me putting too much pressure on it yet — but in time I think I'll be pretty fine."
Ware said not seeing a replay of his injury and the seriousness of it has kept his mind from thinking about it when he's on the court. But that's not to say people haven't tried to make him watch it. He's been sent images of his broken leg and links to replays on Twitter and Instagram.
"People that send me video, those guys, the idiots, it's annoying," Ware said. "I'll say that so hopefully they get the message and stop trying to be negative about it and make jokes about it."
Ware is more focused on the positive feedback he's gotten from people. He said he's just about gone through all the mail that was sent his way and he's tried to reach out to answer many of them.
"A guy wrote me from in jail and wanted me to reach out to his brother," Ware said. "People like that I don't have a problem at all, just trying to do something for them when they're trying to do something for me. So many people just really show so much support, that has to humble you."
And get this:
The 6-foot-2 junior guard who suffered an open wound when he broke his right tibia in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight win over Duke not only said he'll be back playing this season, he anticipates being ready in time for the Cardinals' season opener.
"It's healed a lot quicker than it's supposed to, so that's real good," Ware said. "I'm just ready for October. They're telling me October is when I'll be 100 percent so that's what I'm ready for... as long as they're telling me I can be on the court, I'll be on the court."
Ware is walking with a slight limp, but said he doesn't feel any pain. He added that he stopped taking the prescribed painkillers since the Final Four and the only time he's even sore is after a workout.
He's been doing a lot of work in the pool as part of his rehabilitation, but Ware has also been back on the court.
"A little movement, set shots, one dribble trying to shoot mid-range shots," Ware said. "Not a lot of jumping -- they don't want me putting too much pressure on it yet — but in time I think I'll be pretty fine."
Ware said not seeing a replay of his injury and the seriousness of it has kept his mind from thinking about it when he's on the court. But that's not to say people haven't tried to make him watch it. He's been sent images of his broken leg and links to replays on Twitter and Instagram.
"People that send me video, those guys, the idiots, it's annoying," Ware said. "I'll say that so hopefully they get the message and stop trying to be negative about it and make jokes about it."
Ware is more focused on the positive feedback he's gotten from people. He said he's just about gone through all the mail that was sent his way and he's tried to reach out to answer many of them.
"A guy wrote me from in jail and wanted me to reach out to his brother," Ware said. "People like that I don't have a problem at all, just trying to do something for them when they're trying to do something for me. So many people just really show so much support, that has to humble you."
Jersey shore reality show
Jersey shore reality show, Arizona restaurateur Amy Bouzaglo became an instant Internet celebrity last month after demonstrating an impressively short temper on a reality TV show that helps reform struggling businesses.
The episode of "Kitchen Nightmares" drew more than a million viewers on YouTube, and Bouzaglo's vitriolic rants became popular fodder on Twitter and Facebook.
So it should surprise no one that her next step was to announce she was shopping around her own reality TV show.
These days, head butting, table flipping, belly slapping, hair pulling, smack talking and other behavior generally considered impolite have become a tested strategy for reality TV fame, as seen in the proliferation of such shows as "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo," ''Basketball Wives" and the "Real Housewives" franchise.
Some reality "stars" have become brands of their own after churning out self-help books, hair products, cocktail lines and flavored water. And the next generation of more shocking, immoral and declassee reality celebrities always seems just one face-slap away.
"That's the easiest kind of reality show to make and to sell," said Jason Carbone, a veteran reality TV producer behind shows such as "Road Rules," ''The Bachelor" and "Run's House."
"It's something where there are loud characters doing stupid, obnoxious things and you are either laughing with them or at them," he said.
Richard Hatch became America's favorite villain when he won the first season of the CBS reality series "Survivor" in 2000 by forming alliances and otherwise acting strategically. His behavior likely would be considered tame compared to the current crop of bad boys and girls, said Max Dawson, a reality TV show consultant in Los Angeles.
"He didn't pull weaves out and attack the other contestants on social media while the show was airing," Dawson said.
While cast members once had an entire season to build a character arc, social media now incentivizes villains to immediately act outrageous.
"Any moment is not only going to be discussed ad nauseam on Twitter, it's going to be uploaded on YouTube, it will be turned into an image meme, it will instantly, in most cases, go viral," Dawson said.
Modern television has become so predictably vulgar that a PBS station in New York recently launched a series of subway ads lampooning reality shows. The posters promote fake shows including "Bad Bad Bag Boys" and "Knitting Wars," alongside the slogan: "The fact you thought this was a real show says a lot about the state of TV."
Bouzaglo, who has repeatedly ignored requests for comment, was expected to discuss her proposed reality show on the television newsmagazine "Inside Edition" late Tuesday. She and her husband, Samy Bouzaglo, said they went on the show to disprove bad online reviews of their business, Amy's Baking Co., in Scottsdale, Ariz.
But their story went viral after host and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay ended up walking away when they grew incensed over his constructive criticism.
It's not hard to imagine the foul-mouthed, defensive couple launching a TV series and creating a line of, say, Amy's Angry Kitchen products if only because so many others have already blazed that path.
On Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," Teresa Giudice launched a line of cookbooks and hair products after flipping over a table at a dinner party. Beauty pageant participant Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson became a household name after the TLC network created a show capitalizing on her family's redneck stereotypes.
On MTV, the nastiest "Real World" contestants are often the ones invited back each year for an athletic competition show that can sometimes feel like the cast is reliving their cruelest high school memories.
"People who yell and scream sell because they attract the eyeballs and the eyeballs attract the advertisers," said June Deery, a communications professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York and the author of "Consuming Reality: The Commercialization of Factual Entertainment."
TV networks are drawn to the shows because they are relatively inexpensive to produce.
"If it doesn't work, you cancel it after three shows. You haven't lost that much money," said James Wiltz, a licensed psychologist in Indiana who has studied reality TV viewership. "But if you get 10 million viewers, you are making a lot of money and you don't have to pay anybody for it."
But what do viewers get out of it? Why do they love to watch these people misbehave?
For one thing, anything taboo always has a certain seductive quality, said Jim Taylor, a University of San Francisco professor who has studied reality television.
"Our inner baby wants to have a tantrum or go off on somebody else because they hurt our feelings, but typically in our society that type of behavior is not rewarded," he said.
For others, the shows are aspirational.
"People fantasize about fame and fortune," Wiltz said. "It's interesting to see someone else who is just sort of a regular person become famous."
That doesn't mean reality TV is a positive distraction. A growing body of research suggests watching people act like jerks on TV inspires others to be less kind or sympathetic. Call it the Kardashian effect. If TV consistently portrays people as selfish and uncouth, it basically sends the message that such behavior is acceptable and lucrative.
"Reality TV normalizes narcissism," said Audrey Longson, a New Jersey psychiatrist who recently presented research at the American Psychiatric Association's annual meeting linking bad behavior and reality TV viewership. "It's alarming."
The episode of "Kitchen Nightmares" drew more than a million viewers on YouTube, and Bouzaglo's vitriolic rants became popular fodder on Twitter and Facebook.
So it should surprise no one that her next step was to announce she was shopping around her own reality TV show.
These days, head butting, table flipping, belly slapping, hair pulling, smack talking and other behavior generally considered impolite have become a tested strategy for reality TV fame, as seen in the proliferation of such shows as "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo," ''Basketball Wives" and the "Real Housewives" franchise.
Some reality "stars" have become brands of their own after churning out self-help books, hair products, cocktail lines and flavored water. And the next generation of more shocking, immoral and declassee reality celebrities always seems just one face-slap away.
"That's the easiest kind of reality show to make and to sell," said Jason Carbone, a veteran reality TV producer behind shows such as "Road Rules," ''The Bachelor" and "Run's House."
"It's something where there are loud characters doing stupid, obnoxious things and you are either laughing with them or at them," he said.
Richard Hatch became America's favorite villain when he won the first season of the CBS reality series "Survivor" in 2000 by forming alliances and otherwise acting strategically. His behavior likely would be considered tame compared to the current crop of bad boys and girls, said Max Dawson, a reality TV show consultant in Los Angeles.
"He didn't pull weaves out and attack the other contestants on social media while the show was airing," Dawson said.
While cast members once had an entire season to build a character arc, social media now incentivizes villains to immediately act outrageous.
"Any moment is not only going to be discussed ad nauseam on Twitter, it's going to be uploaded on YouTube, it will be turned into an image meme, it will instantly, in most cases, go viral," Dawson said.
Modern television has become so predictably vulgar that a PBS station in New York recently launched a series of subway ads lampooning reality shows. The posters promote fake shows including "Bad Bad Bag Boys" and "Knitting Wars," alongside the slogan: "The fact you thought this was a real show says a lot about the state of TV."
Bouzaglo, who has repeatedly ignored requests for comment, was expected to discuss her proposed reality show on the television newsmagazine "Inside Edition" late Tuesday. She and her husband, Samy Bouzaglo, said they went on the show to disprove bad online reviews of their business, Amy's Baking Co., in Scottsdale, Ariz.
But their story went viral after host and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay ended up walking away when they grew incensed over his constructive criticism.
It's not hard to imagine the foul-mouthed, defensive couple launching a TV series and creating a line of, say, Amy's Angry Kitchen products if only because so many others have already blazed that path.
On Bravo's "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," Teresa Giudice launched a line of cookbooks and hair products after flipping over a table at a dinner party. Beauty pageant participant Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson became a household name after the TLC network created a show capitalizing on her family's redneck stereotypes.
On MTV, the nastiest "Real World" contestants are often the ones invited back each year for an athletic competition show that can sometimes feel like the cast is reliving their cruelest high school memories.
"People who yell and scream sell because they attract the eyeballs and the eyeballs attract the advertisers," said June Deery, a communications professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York and the author of "Consuming Reality: The Commercialization of Factual Entertainment."
TV networks are drawn to the shows because they are relatively inexpensive to produce.
"If it doesn't work, you cancel it after three shows. You haven't lost that much money," said James Wiltz, a licensed psychologist in Indiana who has studied reality TV viewership. "But if you get 10 million viewers, you are making a lot of money and you don't have to pay anybody for it."
But what do viewers get out of it? Why do they love to watch these people misbehave?
For one thing, anything taboo always has a certain seductive quality, said Jim Taylor, a University of San Francisco professor who has studied reality television.
"Our inner baby wants to have a tantrum or go off on somebody else because they hurt our feelings, but typically in our society that type of behavior is not rewarded," he said.
For others, the shows are aspirational.
"People fantasize about fame and fortune," Wiltz said. "It's interesting to see someone else who is just sort of a regular person become famous."
That doesn't mean reality TV is a positive distraction. A growing body of research suggests watching people act like jerks on TV inspires others to be less kind or sympathetic. Call it the Kardashian effect. If TV consistently portrays people as selfish and uncouth, it basically sends the message that such behavior is acceptable and lucrative.
"Reality TV normalizes narcissism," said Audrey Longson, a New Jersey psychiatrist who recently presented research at the American Psychiatric Association's annual meeting linking bad behavior and reality TV viewership. "It's alarming."
Network Show Cancellations
Network Show Cancellations, Don't you just hate it when you start to really get involved with a TV show and then...Bam...canceled!
Can a fan campaign really work? It's been known to happen once in a while. Back in 2007, when CBS presented their fall slate during the May Upfront presentations, they announced that Jericho had been canceled.
The fans weren't about to let their favorite show go quietly into the night, so they devised a grassroots campaign and flooded the LA and NY CBS offices with 20 tons of nuts. It worked and CBS renewed the series!
However, fan campaigns won't always save a series. The best thing you can do is make sure all your friends and family are watching and if you have Tivo, be sure to record it each and every week. Nielsen now uses Tivo data in reporting to the networks, so every episode counts.
Can a fan campaign really work? It's been known to happen once in a while. Back in 2007, when CBS presented their fall slate during the May Upfront presentations, they announced that Jericho had been canceled.
The fans weren't about to let their favorite show go quietly into the night, so they devised a grassroots campaign and flooded the LA and NY CBS offices with 20 tons of nuts. It worked and CBS renewed the series!
However, fan campaigns won't always save a series. The best thing you can do is make sure all your friends and family are watching and if you have Tivo, be sure to record it each and every week. Nielsen now uses Tivo data in reporting to the networks, so every episode counts.
105-year-old driver
105-year-old driver, New Zealander Bob Edwards is still driving at the age of 105 - the oldest licensed driver in his country, and one of the oldest in the world.
Mr Edwards got his first licence in 1925, at the age of 17, before emigrating from the UK to New Zealand two years later.
While he learned to drive in a car with a lever instead of a steering wheel, he now drives a four-wheel drive Mitsubishi, and is proud of his active lifestyle.
He takes the car to the local shop three times a week to buy food for the meals he cooks for his wife, who is 91.
"As far as I'm concerned, driving is a part of me,'' he told the Associated Press.
The oldest licensed driver in the world was Fred Hale Sr, who drove until his 108th birthday, according to Guinness World Records.
Mr Edwards got his first licence in 1925, at the age of 17, before emigrating from the UK to New Zealand two years later.
While he learned to drive in a car with a lever instead of a steering wheel, he now drives a four-wheel drive Mitsubishi, and is proud of his active lifestyle.
He takes the car to the local shop three times a week to buy food for the meals he cooks for his wife, who is 91.
"As far as I'm concerned, driving is a part of me,'' he told the Associated Press.
The oldest licensed driver in the world was Fred Hale Sr, who drove until his 108th birthday, according to Guinness World Records.
Sharon stone
Sharon stone, Does Sharon Stone have a new love in her life? Earlier today, it was reported that the 55-year-old stunner recently began dating 46-year-old Hamptons hotelier Michael Wudyka.
But despite the dating rumors, Stone's rep confirms to E! News they are not romantically involved.They are not dating," Stone's rep tells us. "They are dear friends who work together on the Creative Coalition. And not at all dating."
Back in April, both Stone and Wudyka attended a Creative Coalition event at U.S. Capital Building to promote arts funding on Capitol Hill.
Meanwhile, a single Stone recently killed it at Cannes, stepping out solo on multiple red carpets looking as hot as ever. Can you say, "Single and sexy?"
But despite the dating rumors, Stone's rep confirms to E! News they are not romantically involved.They are not dating," Stone's rep tells us. "They are dear friends who work together on the Creative Coalition. And not at all dating."
Back in April, both Stone and Wudyka attended a Creative Coalition event at U.S. Capital Building to promote arts funding on Capitol Hill.
Meanwhile, a single Stone recently killed it at Cannes, stepping out solo on multiple red carpets looking as hot as ever. Can you say, "Single and sexy?"
Jim Harbaugh Judge Judy
Jim Harbaugh Judge Judy, San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh lost Super Bowl XLVIII to his brother, John, and the Baltimore Ravens. Could he be appealing the decision to "Judge Judy?"
Unfortunately, Jim Harbaugh is not taking his case to the famous television court, but he will be on the show - as a member of the audience.
The former NFL quarterback, now one of the league's top coaches, is appearing on the June 3rd show. The show airs at 4 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
Harbaugh is a big fan of Judge Judy (her real name is Judy Sheindlin) and took his father Jack to a recent taping of the show.
The coach spoke about his love of the show at the NFL scouting combine:
"When you lie in Judge Judy's courtroom, it's over," Harbaugh said. "Your credibility is completely lost. You have no chance of winning that case."
Judge Sheindlin is best known for her television series. She also penned a book about her career called "Don't Pee on My Leg and Tell Me it's Raining," one of her many sayings.
Unfortunately, Jim Harbaugh is not taking his case to the famous television court, but he will be on the show - as a member of the audience.
The former NFL quarterback, now one of the league's top coaches, is appearing on the June 3rd show. The show airs at 4 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.
Harbaugh is a big fan of Judge Judy (her real name is Judy Sheindlin) and took his father Jack to a recent taping of the show.
The coach spoke about his love of the show at the NFL scouting combine:
"When you lie in Judge Judy's courtroom, it's over," Harbaugh said. "Your credibility is completely lost. You have no chance of winning that case."
Judge Sheindlin is best known for her television series. She also penned a book about her career called "Don't Pee on My Leg and Tell Me it's Raining," one of her many sayings.
Shot Senior Graduation
Shot Senior Graduation, A high school senior who was shot in the head two months ago has amazingly recovered to attend and give a speech at his high school graduation in Detroit, and in doing so testified that his miraculous recovery was only possible thanks to God.
Just two months ago, Northwestern High School student, Balaal Hollings, was lucky to survive, after being shot in the head while attempting to break up a fight at a house party. However, in the aftermath of the incident, the medical prognosis was not good, and he was told he may never walk or talk again.
But amazingly, Hollings has made a miraculous recovery in a short space of time and he recently walked across the stage at his high school graduation and even gave a short speech to the graduating class.
Holling started his graduation address by saying, "First of all I'd like to thank God; He is so good to me."
Hollings was a hugely popular figure in his high school; gaining positions as the senior class president, student government president, as well as homecoming king. He was even a football star at the high school.
However, following the horrific shooting he lost out on a football scholarship to a Wisconsin school.
Hollings has said, "Only two months and I'm walking and talking and fully rehabilitated, so it got to be God."
The extraordinary sight of seeing their popular classmate returning to school to graduate was too much for some, who allowed emotions get the better of them. One classmate said afterwards, "He made me cry today."
Another said, "Overwhelming. I was very happy to see him come out there."
Hollings has revealed amazing strength and faith to see beyond the tragedy that will surely change his life forever. The promising football player had aspirations to make it professionally, but he has since said that God must have other plans, and that's ok with him.
Hollings, who has been given a $50,000 scholarship, has said, "I'm going to take pre-law or criminal justice."
He also explained that he holds no grudges against the person who shot him: "People always ask me what would you say if you met the person face-to-face who shot you? And I would tell them, 'I love you, and I forgive you'."
Just two months ago, Northwestern High School student, Balaal Hollings, was lucky to survive, after being shot in the head while attempting to break up a fight at a house party. However, in the aftermath of the incident, the medical prognosis was not good, and he was told he may never walk or talk again.
But amazingly, Hollings has made a miraculous recovery in a short space of time and he recently walked across the stage at his high school graduation and even gave a short speech to the graduating class.
Holling started his graduation address by saying, "First of all I'd like to thank God; He is so good to me."
Hollings was a hugely popular figure in his high school; gaining positions as the senior class president, student government president, as well as homecoming king. He was even a football star at the high school.
However, following the horrific shooting he lost out on a football scholarship to a Wisconsin school.
Hollings has said, "Only two months and I'm walking and talking and fully rehabilitated, so it got to be God."
The extraordinary sight of seeing their popular classmate returning to school to graduate was too much for some, who allowed emotions get the better of them. One classmate said afterwards, "He made me cry today."
Another said, "Overwhelming. I was very happy to see him come out there."
Hollings has revealed amazing strength and faith to see beyond the tragedy that will surely change his life forever. The promising football player had aspirations to make it professionally, but he has since said that God must have other plans, and that's ok with him.
Hollings, who has been given a $50,000 scholarship, has said, "I'm going to take pre-law or criminal justice."
He also explained that he holds no grudges against the person who shot him: "People always ask me what would you say if you met the person face-to-face who shot you? And I would tell them, 'I love you, and I forgive you'."
Jim Morrison lizard
Jim Morrison lizard, You know that it would be untrue, you know that it would be a lie, if we were to say to you that paleontologists don't occasionally give funny names to their fossil finds.
Behold, Barbaturex morrisoni, a 40 million-year-old extinct lizard whose name, "honors Jim Morrison, vocalist and lizard king," as reports the Proceedings of the Royal Society B journal. Among the biggest lizards to ever dwell on land, the plant-eating creature measured almost 6 feet long and weighed about 60 pounds, thriving during a warm era in Earth's climate that saw swampy conditions extend into the Arctic Circle.
"I was listening to The Doors quite a bit during the research," said study lead author Jason Head of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in a statement. "Some of their musical imagery includes reptiles and ancient places, and Jim Morrison was of course The Lizard King, so it all kind of came together."
A poem that Morrison wrote, The Celebration of the Lizard, first made the lizard king reference in 1968 on The Doors' Waiting for the Sun album sleeve.
Barbaturex resembles a larger version of today's bearded lizards and chameleons, Head says. No word of whether any future findings will honor the Dead Milkmen, creators of the seminal 1985 album, Big Lizard in My Backyard.
Behold, Barbaturex morrisoni, a 40 million-year-old extinct lizard whose name, "honors Jim Morrison, vocalist and lizard king," as reports the Proceedings of the Royal Society B journal. Among the biggest lizards to ever dwell on land, the plant-eating creature measured almost 6 feet long and weighed about 60 pounds, thriving during a warm era in Earth's climate that saw swampy conditions extend into the Arctic Circle.
"I was listening to The Doors quite a bit during the research," said study lead author Jason Head of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in a statement. "Some of their musical imagery includes reptiles and ancient places, and Jim Morrison was of course The Lizard King, so it all kind of came together."
A poem that Morrison wrote, The Celebration of the Lizard, first made the lizard king reference in 1968 on The Doors' Waiting for the Sun album sleeve.
Barbaturex resembles a larger version of today's bearded lizards and chameleons, Head says. No word of whether any future findings will honor the Dead Milkmen, creators of the seminal 1985 album, Big Lizard in My Backyard.
Robert Bales
Robert Bales, A U.S. soldier pleaded guilty Wednesday to executing 16 Afghan civilians — many of them women and children — and said he couldn't explain why he did it.
"I've asked that question a million times since then, and there's not a good reason in the world for why I did the horrible things I did," Staff Sgt. Robert Bales told a military judge.
Bales, who struck a deal with prosecutors to avoid the death penalty, admitted he aimed to kill during two rogue raids on family compounds in Kandahar province in March 2012.
"I formed the intent as I raised my weapon," he said.
He recounted grappling with an older woman as he entered one compound.
"Upon completion of that struggle, I did form the intent to kill anyone in that compound," he said.
Asked whether the woman was armed in way way, Bales replied, "No, sir, she was not.'
Bales spoke in a clear, emotionless voice as he went through each of the 16 killings, describing how he left his base, went to the village and systematically gunned down defenseless civilians with an M4 military assault rifle and 9mm handgun.
He ended each chilling confession with the statement, "This act was without legal justification."
He said he did not remember setting a compound on fire, but did not dispute it.
"There was a kerosene lantern in the room, and based on the evidence ... that lantern was used to set those people on fire," he said.
"I remember there being a lantern in the room, remember there being a fire, remember there were matches in my pocket," he added.
"But to say I remember throwing it on those people, I don't recall that. But I have seen pictures and it's the only thing that makes sense, sir."
The judge, Col. Jefferey Nance, asked if Bales believed he was "authorized or justified or acting in self defense" when he shot and burned the civilians.
"No, sir," he replied.
"Do you believe you conduct was wrong?" Nance asked.
"Yes, sir," Bales replied.
His recounting of the atrocities in a military courtroom in Washington state came after he pleaded guilty to premeditated murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault. He pleaded not guilty to a charge that involved a stolen laptop.
In August, a jury will determine if his life sentence will include the possibility of parole. Bales requested that one-third of the panel be comprised of enlisted members, not just officers.
Bales' lawyers have said the married father of two suffered from PTSD and brain injury after four combat deployments and was under the influence of drugs and alcohol the night of the raids on family compounds in Kandahar province.
Prosecutors have said the massacre was preplanned and that Bales was angry about a bomb blast near his outpost that wounded a fellow soldier.
"I've asked that question a million times since then, and there's not a good reason in the world for why I did the horrible things I did," Staff Sgt. Robert Bales told a military judge.
Bales, who struck a deal with prosecutors to avoid the death penalty, admitted he aimed to kill during two rogue raids on family compounds in Kandahar province in March 2012.
"I formed the intent as I raised my weapon," he said.
He recounted grappling with an older woman as he entered one compound.
"Upon completion of that struggle, I did form the intent to kill anyone in that compound," he said.
Asked whether the woman was armed in way way, Bales replied, "No, sir, she was not.'
Bales spoke in a clear, emotionless voice as he went through each of the 16 killings, describing how he left his base, went to the village and systematically gunned down defenseless civilians with an M4 military assault rifle and 9mm handgun.
He ended each chilling confession with the statement, "This act was without legal justification."
He said he did not remember setting a compound on fire, but did not dispute it.
"There was a kerosene lantern in the room, and based on the evidence ... that lantern was used to set those people on fire," he said.
"I remember there being a lantern in the room, remember there being a fire, remember there were matches in my pocket," he added.
"But to say I remember throwing it on those people, I don't recall that. But I have seen pictures and it's the only thing that makes sense, sir."
The judge, Col. Jefferey Nance, asked if Bales believed he was "authorized or justified or acting in self defense" when he shot and burned the civilians.
"No, sir," he replied.
"Do you believe you conduct was wrong?" Nance asked.
"Yes, sir," Bales replied.
His recounting of the atrocities in a military courtroom in Washington state came after he pleaded guilty to premeditated murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault. He pleaded not guilty to a charge that involved a stolen laptop.
In August, a jury will determine if his life sentence will include the possibility of parole. Bales requested that one-third of the panel be comprised of enlisted members, not just officers.
Bales' lawyers have said the married father of two suffered from PTSD and brain injury after four combat deployments and was under the influence of drugs and alcohol the night of the raids on family compounds in Kandahar province.
Prosecutors have said the massacre was preplanned and that Bales was angry about a bomb blast near his outpost that wounded a fellow soldier.
Chili finger lady
Chili finger lady, A woman known as the chili-finger lady is being sent back to prison, according to reports this week.
The northern California woman, real name Anna Ayala, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2005 for planting a severed finger in a bowl of Wendy's chili. She is said to have planted the severed finger in the bowl of chili, as she hoped to sue the restaurant for millions of dollars in compensation.
However, needless to say her plan did not go as planned and she was convicted in her court case and sentenced to four years in prison, and also picked up the nickname "chili-finger lady."
She was released after serving her prison sentence, but just a few years later she has got in trouble again.
In October 2012 she was arrested again after telling police that her son had been shot by two men.
That report turned out to be yet another lie from the Chili-finger lady.
According to San Mercury News, Ayala told the lie to police because she was trying to prevent her son from going to prison. Her son was facing a charge of felony possession of a firearm after he accidentally shot himself in the leg.
In an attempt to keep him out of prison Ayala made up an elaborate story, which police admitted was extremely details, about a fake shooting and how her son was shot. She even testified that she knew who was responsible for the shooting.
Her claims led police to question a number of innocent men, and after investigations police concluded that the chili-finger lady was lying again.
Ayala was arrested again and pleaded no contest to three felony charges, which included a false police report, being an accessory to a felony, and possession of a felony firearm.
She is expected to soon return to prison, with her official sentencing hearing now scheduled for September, when she will find out how long her new prison sentence will be.
Ayala was facing up to four years in prison but the judge is reported to be likely to give a lower sentence as the woman did not contest the charges and cooperated fully once she was caught.
Prosecutor Bret Wasley said, "I understand where the judge is coming from, but I respectfully disagree. Four years would have been reasonable since she has a history of manipulating the system."
The northern California woman, real name Anna Ayala, was sentenced to four years in prison in 2005 for planting a severed finger in a bowl of Wendy's chili. She is said to have planted the severed finger in the bowl of chili, as she hoped to sue the restaurant for millions of dollars in compensation.
However, needless to say her plan did not go as planned and she was convicted in her court case and sentenced to four years in prison, and also picked up the nickname "chili-finger lady."
She was released after serving her prison sentence, but just a few years later she has got in trouble again.
In October 2012 she was arrested again after telling police that her son had been shot by two men.
That report turned out to be yet another lie from the Chili-finger lady.
According to San Mercury News, Ayala told the lie to police because she was trying to prevent her son from going to prison. Her son was facing a charge of felony possession of a firearm after he accidentally shot himself in the leg.
In an attempt to keep him out of prison Ayala made up an elaborate story, which police admitted was extremely details, about a fake shooting and how her son was shot. She even testified that she knew who was responsible for the shooting.
Her claims led police to question a number of innocent men, and after investigations police concluded that the chili-finger lady was lying again.
Ayala was arrested again and pleaded no contest to three felony charges, which included a false police report, being an accessory to a felony, and possession of a felony firearm.
She is expected to soon return to prison, with her official sentencing hearing now scheduled for September, when she will find out how long her new prison sentence will be.
Ayala was facing up to four years in prison but the judge is reported to be likely to give a lower sentence as the woman did not contest the charges and cooperated fully once she was caught.
Prosecutor Bret Wasley said, "I understand where the judge is coming from, but I respectfully disagree. Four years would have been reasonable since she has a history of manipulating the system."
Gaga fingernail $12k
Gaga fingernail $12k, A bedazzled fingernail worn by Lady Gaga has sold for $12K at an online auction. The elaborate black-and-gold acrylic fingernail flew off the superstar's hand during a performance in Dublin, Ireland last year and was later found by an event crewmember who put it up for auction at ArtFact.com.
The seller also included a staff handbook from the arena, an event crew wristband from the show, a tour shirt and a letter that explains how he discovered the nail. The letter reads:
"I noticed an object on the floor of the stage, which at first I thought was a guitar plectrum. When I picked it up, I saw it was an acrylic nail," it reads. That's a sharp eye for a very lucky crew worker who now has quite a bit more money.
The exact number of bids remains unknown, but it's safe to say the nail created quite a stir before being snatched up for twelve thousand dollars.
"This piece of Lady Gaga's personal style could appeal to both passionate collectors of pop culture relics or one of Gaga's Monsters," Rob Weisberg, CEO of ArtFact said in a statement about Gaga's fingernail.
Would you buy Lady Gaga's fingernail for a cool $12,000?
The seller also included a staff handbook from the arena, an event crew wristband from the show, a tour shirt and a letter that explains how he discovered the nail. The letter reads:
"I noticed an object on the floor of the stage, which at first I thought was a guitar plectrum. When I picked it up, I saw it was an acrylic nail," it reads. That's a sharp eye for a very lucky crew worker who now has quite a bit more money.
The exact number of bids remains unknown, but it's safe to say the nail created quite a stir before being snatched up for twelve thousand dollars.
"This piece of Lady Gaga's personal style could appeal to both passionate collectors of pop culture relics or one of Gaga's Monsters," Rob Weisberg, CEO of ArtFact said in a statement about Gaga's fingernail.
Would you buy Lady Gaga's fingernail for a cool $12,000?
Prince fahd al-saud
Prince fahd al-saud, A Saudi prince is reported to have spent some 15m euros ($19.5m) during a private visit to the Disneyland resort near Paris.
Prince Fahd al-Saud is said to have booked entire areas of the park over the 22-24 May period, to celebrate getting his degree.
Euro Disney, which runs the theme park, confirmed that a prince had spent three days there with a number of guests.
The company says it regularly organises private events for firms or people.
The festivities included tailor-made events involving "rare Disney characters", a source told the AFP news agency.
Special security was put in place for the prince, one of the park's top customers, AFP said.
The theme park attracted 16 million visitors last year, but Euro Disney says it has not made any profits since it was set up in 1992.
Last year, it lost 120.9m euros in the first half of its financial year compared with a net loss of 99.5m euros in the same period a year earlier.
Prince Fahd al-Saud is said to have booked entire areas of the park over the 22-24 May period, to celebrate getting his degree.
Euro Disney, which runs the theme park, confirmed that a prince had spent three days there with a number of guests.
The company says it regularly organises private events for firms or people.
The festivities included tailor-made events involving "rare Disney characters", a source told the AFP news agency.
Special security was put in place for the prince, one of the park's top customers, AFP said.
The theme park attracted 16 million visitors last year, but Euro Disney says it has not made any profits since it was set up in 1992.
Last year, it lost 120.9m euros in the first half of its financial year compared with a net loss of 99.5m euros in the same period a year earlier.
Karl malone michael jordan
Karl malone michael jordan, Many media members enjoy asking NBA legends for their takes on the greatest players in NBA history (see Phil Jackson on the player he'd pick to start his team or his take on Michael Jordan vs. Kobe Bryant). The idea is that these figures' demonstrable mastery of the highest level of basketball qualifies them to weigh in on these debates. It makes sense, because they obviously know a lot about the sport.
The problem is that their personal experiences can often get in the way of accurate analysis. On Monday, Utah Jazz Hall of Famer (and recently announced part-time coach) Karl Malone appeared on The Dan Patrick Show to discuss various hoops-oriented topics. Patrick asked for his all-time starting five, and Malone neglected to mention one fairly obvious choice who just happens to have been one of his biggest rivals. From Larry Brown Sports:
During an interview with “The Dan Patrick Show” on Monday, Malone spoke about LeBron James and some of the greatest players who have ever played the game. When asked to name his all-time starting five, Malone took John Stockton and Oscar Robertson as his guards, Wilt Chamberlain at center, LeBron at power forward and Scottie Pippen at small forward. Pippen and no Jordan — really?
“Scottie Pippen led the team in every statistical category while he was there without Michael Jordan,” Malone explained. “That’s why I have to put him there. So now you know.” [...]
Malone’s answer would be surprising if he didn’t say the exact same thing in an interview last year. For whatever reason, he loves Pippen and refuses to give Jordan the same amount of credit everyone else gives him. Toward the end of the interview, Malone also admitted that he has a “man crush” on LeBron James. If he has a crush on LeBron, he must be in love with Scottie.
All five of Malone's picks are great players, and quibbling with their selections is really just a matter of thinking one generationally amazing player is better than another. However, there's still something pretty bizarre about leaving Jordan off the list. Whenever these discussions occur, Jordan is the one player pretty much everyone agrees on, with Bill Russell as a close second.
(That's the case because Malone's pick, Wilt Chamberlain, has a pretty decent argument as the greatest center ever, too, even if Russell's titles tend to give him the edge.) Yet Malone goes for The Big O instead, all while claiming that Pippen deserves inclusion because he managed to lead the Bulls in categories led by Jordan in the seasons he played. The logic is tortuous, to say the least: Pippen is on the list because he managed to match Jordan's stats without Jordan, despite the fact that Jordan put up those same stats with Pippen in the lineup.
It doesn't take a giant imaginative leap to see the Mailman's picks as informed by his experience as an also-ran to Jordan. Throughout his career, Malone was seen as second-best to Jordan, the defining player of his era. While Malone faced off with Pippen, too, they weren't placed in direct comparison to each other.
All of which is to say that Malone adds to the oft corroborated theory that the best
players in the history of the NBA are not always the best judges of that same history. For all their achievements on the court, they've been known to hold grudges, demean the achievements of players who come after them, and generally allow their personal experiences to inflect their considerations. Full objectivity is always impossible in these matters, but players like Malone are particularly compromised.
The problem is that their personal experiences can often get in the way of accurate analysis. On Monday, Utah Jazz Hall of Famer (and recently announced part-time coach) Karl Malone appeared on The Dan Patrick Show to discuss various hoops-oriented topics. Patrick asked for his all-time starting five, and Malone neglected to mention one fairly obvious choice who just happens to have been one of his biggest rivals. From Larry Brown Sports:
During an interview with “The Dan Patrick Show” on Monday, Malone spoke about LeBron James and some of the greatest players who have ever played the game. When asked to name his all-time starting five, Malone took John Stockton and Oscar Robertson as his guards, Wilt Chamberlain at center, LeBron at power forward and Scottie Pippen at small forward. Pippen and no Jordan — really?
“Scottie Pippen led the team in every statistical category while he was there without Michael Jordan,” Malone explained. “That’s why I have to put him there. So now you know.” [...]
Malone’s answer would be surprising if he didn’t say the exact same thing in an interview last year. For whatever reason, he loves Pippen and refuses to give Jordan the same amount of credit everyone else gives him. Toward the end of the interview, Malone also admitted that he has a “man crush” on LeBron James. If he has a crush on LeBron, he must be in love with Scottie.
All five of Malone's picks are great players, and quibbling with their selections is really just a matter of thinking one generationally amazing player is better than another. However, there's still something pretty bizarre about leaving Jordan off the list. Whenever these discussions occur, Jordan is the one player pretty much everyone agrees on, with Bill Russell as a close second.
(That's the case because Malone's pick, Wilt Chamberlain, has a pretty decent argument as the greatest center ever, too, even if Russell's titles tend to give him the edge.) Yet Malone goes for The Big O instead, all while claiming that Pippen deserves inclusion because he managed to lead the Bulls in categories led by Jordan in the seasons he played. The logic is tortuous, to say the least: Pippen is on the list because he managed to match Jordan's stats without Jordan, despite the fact that Jordan put up those same stats with Pippen in the lineup.
It doesn't take a giant imaginative leap to see the Mailman's picks as informed by his experience as an also-ran to Jordan. Throughout his career, Malone was seen as second-best to Jordan, the defining player of his era. While Malone faced off with Pippen, too, they weren't placed in direct comparison to each other.
All of which is to say that Malone adds to the oft corroborated theory that the best
players in the history of the NBA are not always the best judges of that same history. For all their achievements on the court, they've been known to hold grudges, demean the achievements of players who come after them, and generally allow their personal experiences to inflect their considerations. Full objectivity is always impossible in these matters, but players like Malone are particularly compromised.
Victoria beckham
Victoria beckham, Victoria Beckham has been crowned Woman Of The Decade at a glitzy showbiz bash.
The Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer, 39, was given the accolade at an event attended by Kylie Minogue, Jessie J, Miranda Hart, Rita Ora and Daniel Radcliffe.
Nicole Scherzinger, who is returning as an X Factor judge but whose use of the world "effing" on an X Factor results show was criticised by watchdog Ofcom, was named best TV personality at the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
Hot Right Now" and "How We Do (Party)" singer Rita Ora won best solo artist - and was presented with the gong by the woman she calls "wifey", model-of-the-moment Cara Delevingne.
Statuesque actress Miranda Hart scooped best writer for credits including her self-titled BBC sitcom and drew even more laughter when the 6ft 1in star was presented with the award by pint-sized comic Ronnie Corbett.
Former Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe, who is appearing on the London stage and recently filmed the role of gay Beat poet Allen Ginsberg, was named man of the year.
The Voice judge and Price Tag singer Jessie J won the editor's special award, while Myleene Klass, who has launched everything from a swimwear collection to a baby clothes range on the back of her fame, won an entrepreneur gong.
Clare Balding, who won plaudits for her coverage of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, was named best presenter, receiving the gong from former Dynasty actress Joan Collins.
Downton Abbey star Joanne Froggatt won best UK TV actress for her role as Anna in the ITV period drama, while The Saturdays were named best band at the event, hosted by Graham Norton.
Chris O'Dowd, James Purefoy, Michael McIntyre, Pixie Geldof, Dizzee Rascal and Matthew Rhys were also at the awards, voted for by readers of Glamour magazine and its website.
Beckham, who was wearing an outfit by Martin Margiela, said: "I like to wear my own stuff but celebrate other designers as well."
The former singer, who recently relocated from LA to London, said: "I love California. I was there last week. We've got the best of both worlds. It's hard to say where home is."
She said of the possibility of showing her collections in London: "Never say never. I love London. Especially when the sun is out."
Later, on accepting her gong from Christopher Bailey, she said: "I love to celebrate women. Girl power. It's great when women support women. We need more women out there supporting women."
She added: "Thank you Brooklyn, my date tonight, who's the most handsome man in the room tonight. That's really pissed off (model) David Gandy."
She added: "Thank you to my husband, who does everything for me, he supports me, he encourages me to follow my dreams and fulfil my passions.
"I've been so blessed to have two careers. I have been so lucky...here's to the next ten years....in ten years I will be nearly 50."
Posh Spice also apologised to Brooklyn after she inadvertently made a racy joke by pulling up the microphone which was facing downwards saying: "Oh I have to raise it. That doesn't happen very often."
Host Norton kicked off the ceremony joking: "Like a 1970s DJ passing a school gate, let's get moving as fast as we can."
Ora dedicated her gong to her mother "for the incredible energy she brings" after her best friend Delevingne presented her with the award saying "I love you".
Balding used her acceptance speech to celebrate the House of Lords backing gay marriage.
She said: "While here at dinner tonight ...the House of Lords voted 2-1 in favour of supporting the equal marriage bill.... Joan Collins, who was sitting on my table, asked me when me and Alice (Arnold) are going to get married. Alice said in three years, which I didn't know but apparently that's right."
Klass, whose marriage fell apart a year ago, said that it was an amazing turnaround to go from feeling "rubbish" to "standing on this stage to get an award as a woman in business."
She added: "As a mum of two girls it's so important that women get a voice and support each other. There's not enough kindness out there."
Referring to the headlines about her offering up her breastmilk, she added: "I'd like to say 'drinks are on me' but... that's probably not the best line."
Jessie J, who has a shaved head after cutting off her hair for Comic Relief, said in an emotional speech on winning her gong: "I have spent every day of my life just trying to get my voice heard whether it's on TV or in hospital wards....I feel very proud that I can support so many people across the world that need me to be good for them."
Helen McCrory dedicated her theatre award to Homeland star Damian Lewis, saying "I'd like to thank my husband who always stands by me... we only have one chair!"
The Saturdays said that bandmate Rochelle Humes was "gutted" that she could not be there but that "she's at home looking after her newborn baby".
On joining Corbett on stage, Hart joked of their size difference: "We have many obvious similarities because he's actually my father."
She added: "I didn't think I'd ever write a book let alone win an award for it. So in your face English teacher who was called Mr Sentance. It was spelt with an 'a' which I think must have really pissed him off, which I found very funny."
Radio 1 DJ Greg James told the audience when he presented an award on stage: "I'm Greg James on the radio but I have a face which you can see, a body and a c**k."
He added: "I know it's the Women of the Year awards and everything... But Damian Lewis I love you very much wherever you are. I would do you."
The Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer, 39, was given the accolade at an event attended by Kylie Minogue, Jessie J, Miranda Hart, Rita Ora and Daniel Radcliffe.
Nicole Scherzinger, who is returning as an X Factor judge but whose use of the world "effing" on an X Factor results show was criticised by watchdog Ofcom, was named best TV personality at the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards.
Hot Right Now" and "How We Do (Party)" singer Rita Ora won best solo artist - and was presented with the gong by the woman she calls "wifey", model-of-the-moment Cara Delevingne.
Statuesque actress Miranda Hart scooped best writer for credits including her self-titled BBC sitcom and drew even more laughter when the 6ft 1in star was presented with the award by pint-sized comic Ronnie Corbett.
Former Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe, who is appearing on the London stage and recently filmed the role of gay Beat poet Allen Ginsberg, was named man of the year.
The Voice judge and Price Tag singer Jessie J won the editor's special award, while Myleene Klass, who has launched everything from a swimwear collection to a baby clothes range on the back of her fame, won an entrepreneur gong.
Clare Balding, who won plaudits for her coverage of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, was named best presenter, receiving the gong from former Dynasty actress Joan Collins.
Downton Abbey star Joanne Froggatt won best UK TV actress for her role as Anna in the ITV period drama, while The Saturdays were named best band at the event, hosted by Graham Norton.
Chris O'Dowd, James Purefoy, Michael McIntyre, Pixie Geldof, Dizzee Rascal and Matthew Rhys were also at the awards, voted for by readers of Glamour magazine and its website.
Beckham, who was wearing an outfit by Martin Margiela, said: "I like to wear my own stuff but celebrate other designers as well."
The former singer, who recently relocated from LA to London, said: "I love California. I was there last week. We've got the best of both worlds. It's hard to say where home is."
She said of the possibility of showing her collections in London: "Never say never. I love London. Especially when the sun is out."
Later, on accepting her gong from Christopher Bailey, she said: "I love to celebrate women. Girl power. It's great when women support women. We need more women out there supporting women."
She added: "Thank you Brooklyn, my date tonight, who's the most handsome man in the room tonight. That's really pissed off (model) David Gandy."
She added: "Thank you to my husband, who does everything for me, he supports me, he encourages me to follow my dreams and fulfil my passions.
"I've been so blessed to have two careers. I have been so lucky...here's to the next ten years....in ten years I will be nearly 50."
Posh Spice also apologised to Brooklyn after she inadvertently made a racy joke by pulling up the microphone which was facing downwards saying: "Oh I have to raise it. That doesn't happen very often."
Host Norton kicked off the ceremony joking: "Like a 1970s DJ passing a school gate, let's get moving as fast as we can."
Ora dedicated her gong to her mother "for the incredible energy she brings" after her best friend Delevingne presented her with the award saying "I love you".
Balding used her acceptance speech to celebrate the House of Lords backing gay marriage.
She said: "While here at dinner tonight ...the House of Lords voted 2-1 in favour of supporting the equal marriage bill.... Joan Collins, who was sitting on my table, asked me when me and Alice (Arnold) are going to get married. Alice said in three years, which I didn't know but apparently that's right."
Klass, whose marriage fell apart a year ago, said that it was an amazing turnaround to go from feeling "rubbish" to "standing on this stage to get an award as a woman in business."
She added: "As a mum of two girls it's so important that women get a voice and support each other. There's not enough kindness out there."
Referring to the headlines about her offering up her breastmilk, she added: "I'd like to say 'drinks are on me' but... that's probably not the best line."
Jessie J, who has a shaved head after cutting off her hair for Comic Relief, said in an emotional speech on winning her gong: "I have spent every day of my life just trying to get my voice heard whether it's on TV or in hospital wards....I feel very proud that I can support so many people across the world that need me to be good for them."
Helen McCrory dedicated her theatre award to Homeland star Damian Lewis, saying "I'd like to thank my husband who always stands by me... we only have one chair!"
The Saturdays said that bandmate Rochelle Humes was "gutted" that she could not be there but that "she's at home looking after her newborn baby".
On joining Corbett on stage, Hart joked of their size difference: "We have many obvious similarities because he's actually my father."
She added: "I didn't think I'd ever write a book let alone win an award for it. So in your face English teacher who was called Mr Sentance. It was spelt with an 'a' which I think must have really pissed him off, which I found very funny."
Radio 1 DJ Greg James told the audience when he presented an award on stage: "I'm Greg James on the radio but I have a face which you can see, a body and a c**k."
He added: "I know it's the Women of the Year awards and everything... But Damian Lewis I love you very much wherever you are. I would do you."