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Showing posts from March 12, 2013

Peter Banks Dies

Peter Banks Dies, popular as an original member of the prog-rock band Yes, has died aged 65. According to the guitarist's website, Banks passed away on March 7 at his home in London due to heart failure.Reported nme.  He was reportedly found after failing to show up for a recording session.Alongside Chirs Squire, who Banks played with in his first band the Syn, the duo helped form Yes in 1968. The guitarist played with the prog-rock group for their first two albums, '1969's 'Yes' and 1970's 'Time And The Word', but a disagreement about the direction of the band led to Banks' dismissal before the release of the second album. In a statement, Yes said: "We are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of fellow bandmate and founding Yes member, Peter Banks. He was a huge piece of the fabric that made Yes what it is, and our thoughts, sincere condolences, and prayers are with him and his family. Peter, we shall miss you great

Oklahoma executes man: Excuted today

A man convicted of committing three murders in three states during a 10-day rampage was executed Tuesday in Oklahoma for one of the murders, the 1999 death of a woman whose credit cards he used to buy Christmas presents for his family. Steven Ray Thacker, 42, used his final statement to apologize to his victims' families and friends, several of whom witnessed his execution from an adjacent room at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester. "I don't deserve it, but as God has forgiven me, I hope you will forgive me for the pain I've caused," Thacker said while strapped to a hospital gurney. He then thanked his family and friends for their support, and added: "An eternity in heaven is mine." Thacker winked at his stepfather, Donald Johnston, who silently nodded back at him. Thacker then lay still, with his eyes closed and occasionally fluttering as if asleep. After two minutes, his breathing stilled and he didn't stir again. He was pronounced dead

Bindi Irwin at 14

Bindi Irwin at 14 ... it's hard to imagine that Steve Irwin's daughter is practically all grown up. On March 12, Us Weekly posted a picture of Bindi Irwin, who looks more like a model than a wildlife aficionado. Bindi was turning heads in Sydney on Monday, promoting her new movie, "Return to Nim's Island." Bindi kept things classy wearing "zoo" garb not unlike what her dad would wear to big events. According to Us Weekly, she wore a "short-sleeved button-up, khaki shorts and sneakers" for her close-up. No one was looking at her khaki shorts, however. It was her pretty face that really stole the show. Bindi Irwin at 14 is not the same scrawny girl with pigtails. She has grown in to a beautiful young woman that her father would undoubtedly be so proud of. As far as her latest film goes, there are of course animals involved. In fact, Bindi says that the sea lions were "better trained than me. They hit their mark every time." "Retu

Manny Ramirez signs

Former MLB star Manny Ramirez said Tuesday he is ‘‘starting a new beginning’’ after signing a short-term contract to play with the EDA Rhinos in Taiwan’s professional baseball league. The Rhinos said Ramirez, 40, will earn $25,000 a month to appear with the team during this year’s March-November season. Speaking at a news conference in the Rhinos home town of Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan, Ramirez said he felt ‘‘blessed’’ about the opportunity to play in Taiwan, where he will earn about 1/100th of his salary during his MLB heyday. ‘‘I don’t think about the money and contract,’’ he said. ‘‘I just think it is a great opportunity for me and the fans.’’ Ramirez’s arrival in Taiwan is the latest stop in a 22-year career that has seen him morph from a promising hitter in the Cleveland Indians organization to a bona fide star with the Boston Red Sox, and a huge attraction with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox. In 2004 he helped lead the Red Sox to their first world title sinc

Wrestler throws medal in garbage

The story of a wrestler throwing a medal in the garbage is one the stories trending on the Internet Tuesday. University of Iowa senior Matt McDonough was apparently so angry about his second-place finish at last weekend’s Big Ten tournament that he threw his medal in the garbage, UPI reported Tuesday. McDonough is a three-time All-American wrestler. Many are asking, 'how could an experienced athlete take a loss so hard as to throw a medal in the trash?' The story of the wrestler throwing away his medal in the garbage was first reported by a student reporter, Sam Louwagie. UPI reports, “It was discovered later by an intrepid student reporter, Sam Louwagie, who has yet to explain why he was digging around in the trash." Louwagie Tweeted: “This is the 2nd place 125 pound Big Ten trophy. We found it in the garbage. twitter.com/SamLouwagie/st… — Sam Louwagie (@SamLouwagie) March 10, 2013” Why would McDonough be so angry at the loss? "It was McDonough’s third loss this sea

Biggie Smalls ghost

It has been over sixteen years since rapper notorious B.I.G was was killed in a hail of gunfire in a drive by on a Los Angeles, California, street. But two days after the anniversary of his murder, the rapper's children have announced Biggie Smalls will be given new life as a cartoon character. Life after death: Christopher Wallace aka Notorious B.I.G will appear in a new cartoon 16 years after he was shot in Los Angeles, California His children, 16-year-old C.J. Wallace and 19-year-old T'yanna Wallace, will star in a cartoon series set in their late father's Brooklyn, New York, studio. According to the Associated Press, B.I.G, whose real name is Christopher Wallace, will appear in 'spirit' and 'guide them through the adversities they face' when trying to keep the Brooklyn studio open and out of a larger company's hand. Created by Ossian Media the group announced on Monday that the cartoon named House of Wallace has yet to sign with a network

Deion Sanders wins custody

Deion Sanders, former Cowboys football player, has won custody of his two sons. The Texas jury awarded joint custody of his daughter with his estranged wife, Pilar Sanders, according to TMZ on March 12. Deion and Pilar will share joint custody of their daughter, but Deion will have sole custody of their two sons. Deion will have the right to make the decisions for his sons, such as where they live, their education and extracurricular activities. It only took the jury 44 minutes to reach a decision in the custody case. The judge will be the one to decide the custody schedule of the children. Deion Sanders is now a NFL Network analyst. The couple announced their split December 2011. Since the announcement of their split they have fought over prenuptial agreement, criminal mischief, child support and now child custody. Both Deion and Pilar want what is best for their children. Hopefully they will be able to get along for the sake of their kids.

Halle Berry dress on Leno: Tonight Show

Halle Berry dress on Leno: Tonight Show Halle Berry's dress on the "Tonight Show" with Jay Leno had the late show host noticeably eyeing the actress Monday night, LAtimes.com reported March 12. Berry has been known to tease Leno a lot on her many appearances on the late night show. Berry had stopped by to promote her latest movie, "The Call." Berry also surprised everyone with the amazing news that she would be reprising her role as Storm in the "X-Men" franchise for the forthcoming movie, "Days of Future Past." However, Leno seemed to be more interested in her Reem Acra mini-dress that plunged down to her belly button and showed off plenty of stuff. Halle Berry's dress on Leno distracts "Tonight Show" host Halle Berry's Racy Style     "I take it back, I like this dress better!" Leno told Berry, of the dress she wore on his show. "My wife and I [had] both agreed you had the best dress at the Oscars."

Police storm Oregon motel

PORTLAND, Oregon (Reuters) - Police ended an eight-hour standoff and stormed a motel room in Oregon on Tuesday to arrest an ex-convict accused of killing his grandparents after they had thrown him a party to celebrate his release from prison, authorities said. The suspect, Michael "Chadd" Boysen, 26, was taken into custody at about 7 p.m. local time suffering from self-inflicted knife wounds, Lincoln City Police Chief Keith Kilian told Reuters. Kilian said he did not immediately know Boysen's condition. Boysen is suspected of slaying his grandparents in Renton, Washington, and stealing their car. Their bodies were found on Saturday, a day after he was released from prison where he had served a sentence for a burglary conviction.

Giant African snail: Killed

A "baseball-sized" giant African snail A "baseball-sized" giant African snail that was found in Australia has been killed by country officials who say the animal posed a mammoth threat to local flora. "Giant African snails are one of the world's largest and most damaging land snails," Paul Nixon, acting regional manager at Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, said in a statement, according to the Brisbane Times. "Australia’s strict biosecurity requirements and responsive system has so far kept these pests out of Australia and we want to keep it that way." According to Australia's ABC News, the large mollusk was recently found "crawling across the concrete at a Brisbane container yard." Seized and later identified as a giant African snail by entomologists, the animal has been "humanely destroyed" by biosecurity officers. Native to East Africa, giant African snails are considered by the

Craigslist guilty verdict

Craigslist Guilty Verdict: Ohio man who used Craigslist to rob, kill found guilty, could face death penalty, A self-styled street preacher accused in a deadly plot to lure men with Craigslist job offers and then rob them was found guilty of aggravated murder on Tuesday and could face the death penalty. A jury in Akron returned the verdict in the case against Richard Beasley, who was accused of killing two men from Ohio and one from Norfolk, Va. A man from South Carolina was shot but survived and testified about running for his life and hiding in the woods, scared he would bleed to death. Reported NY Daily News... The jury that convicted Beasley will return later to consider whether to recommend the death penalty for him. Prosecutors, who had asked jurors to use common sense and return a guilty verdict, labeled the 53-year-old Beasley the triggerman in the 2011 plot with a high school student he mentored. The 16-year-old student, Brogan Rafferty, was convicted and sentenced last

49ers trade Alex Smith

The San Francisco 49ers have agreed to trade quarterback Alex Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs, league sources confirmed to ESPN. Kansas City will trade its second-round pick in the 2013 draft -- the second selection (No. 34 overall) in the round -- as well as another conditional mid-round pick in 2014 to acquire Smith from San Francisco, a league source told ESPN. The 49ers now own 15 picks in the 2013 draft. As a result of the trade, the Chiefs are expected to release former starting quarterback Matt Cassel, league sources told ESPN. Cassel has two years remaining on a $63 million, six-year deal he signed with Kansas City after he was acquired in a trade from the Patriots in 2009. He failed to live up to the lofty contract, however, and was benched during the 2012 season. At this point, Smith will play under the terms of his remaining contract, which calls for a guaranteed base salary of $8.5 million in 2013. There have been no discussions between the Chiefs and Smith's represent

Peter Banks dies: Guitarist is No More

L-R: Peter Banks, Tony Kaye, Chris Squire, Bill Bruford, Jon Anderson - posed, group shot Peter Banks, the original guitarist for the British band Yes, died on March 7 at the age of 65, reports USA Today. A post on his official website stated that Banks died from heart failure and was found in his London home after he didn't show up to a recording session. Members of the band Yes released an official statement on their Facebook page, mourning the loss of their friend: "We are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of fellow bandmate and founding Yes member, Peter Banks. He was a huge piece of the fabric that made Yes what it is, and our thoughts, sincere condolences, and prayers are with him and his family. Peter, we shall miss you greatly." According to Rolling Stone, Banks was part of Yes for their first two albums, and was then replaced by Steve Howe. Banks would go on to form the band Flash, and released three albums with them, before going on to form t

Judge Judy sued: Over China

Judge Judy Sheindlin presides over a case on the set of her syndicated show "Judge Judy." (AP} Judge Judy is reportedly being sued over some very pricey dishes she allegedly bought from one of her producers. According to the lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, Randy Douthit sold Judge Judith Sheindlin china after his split from wife Patric Jones. The suit states the tableware bought by the judge was worth more than $500,000 but she bought it for $50,000. The lawsuit claims Sheindlin and Douthit entered into a fraudulent scheme to prevent Jones from obtaining the dishes in the divorce. Jones is seeking the dishes or their value. But Judge Judy told TMZ to her knowledge no such lawsuit exists. "I have not seen any complaint by the former Mrs. Douthit, however, I don't owe this lady a cent,” she said. “And if this 50-year-old woman would spend her time more productively at trying to find a job, instead of abusing the judicial system with

Giant African snail: Captured

A Giant African snail. Picture: Wikimedia Commons (cc) AUTHORITIES in Brisbane have destroyed a ‘baseball-sized’ Giant African snail after worries it could do severe damage to the country’s ecosystem. The snail, which can grow up to a foot (30cm) in length and weigh over two pounds (1kg), was found in a freight yard in the port city. Giant African snails are known to eat 500 different plants, fruits and crops. Australian agriculture officials were keen to avert a repeat of the last snail outbreak in 1977, when an eight-month campaign was waged to capture and destroy 300 of the snails. Australian biosecurity measures are notoriously strict, in order to protect

Giant African snail

Workers from Florida’s Department of Agriculture are fighting a slimy and dangerous enemy: giant African land snails that have invaded a residential area in Miami-Dade County. “We have collected over a thousand so far and we have only just begun,” said Denise Feiber, Public Information Director for Florida’s Division of Plant Industry. Florida Department of Agriculture/Division of Plant Industry Investigators aren’t sure when or how the invaders slithered into town, but they are on a mission to eradicate the snails as fast as possible.  Giant African land snails can grow to be as long as 8 inches and consume at least 500 different types of plants.  They also destroy stucco and plaster. “They leave excrement all over the sides of houses. They’re very nasty,” Feiber said.  “These things are not the cute little snails that you see.” They also pose a health risk by carrying a parasite that can cause meningitis in humans. Officials realized they had a problem on their hands last

Cardinals head to conclave to elect pope for troubled Church

The red curtain on the central balcony, called the Loggia of the Blessings of Saint Peter's Basilica, where the new pope will appear after being elected in the conclave is seen at the Vatican Roman Catholic cardinals prayed for divine help on Tuesday, hours before a conclave to elect a new pope to tackle the daunting problems facing the Church at one of the most difficult periods in its history. The cardinals, including the 115 aged under 80 who will vote for the next pope, filed into St. Peter's Basilica as choirs sang at the ritual solemn Mass that precedes a conclave. They prayed that God would inspire them to choose the right man to replace Pope Benedict, who abdicated abruptly last month saying he was not strong enough to confront the woes of a Church whose 1.2 billion members look to Rome for leadership. The Mass was the last event for the cardinals as a group before they enter the Sistine Chapel on Tuesday afternoon and make their choice for the next pontiff be

Boy admits Kutcher prank

Prosecutors say a 12-year-old boy has admitted making a prank 911 call that drew police to Ashton Kutcher's home. The Los Angeles District Attorney's Office says the boy admitted responsibility for making a false bomb threat and computer intrusion. He will be sentenced at a later date. Prosecutors say the boy is also accused of making false 911 calls involving Justin Bieber's house and a bank. Those charges will likely be dismissed, but the district attorney's office says the allegations will be considered when the boy is sentenced. The boy's identity has not been released. His calls were among several targeting celebrities in the Los Angeles area in recent months in a practice known as "swatting." The pranks are intended to draw large police responses, including SWAT teams.

Longest female legs: Lady with long Legs

Longest female legs: Lady with long Legs The longest female legs measuring 132 cm (51.9 in) belong to Svetlana Pankratova according to Guinness World Records. Svetlana, who is a 6-foot-5 Russian native is, as one can expect, an assistant coach for the George Mason High School girls’ basketball team. Before becoming a coach in Falls Church, the woman with the longest legs in the world “also played basketball in Portugal, Israel, and Spain before retiring in 2000,” wrote CBS DC in a news report on March 11, 2013. When Svetlana Pankratova, who was born on April 29, 1971, grew up in Volgograd in Russia, she was already the tallest one in kindergarten and since children were arranged from tallest to shortest, the little kindergarten girl with the longest legs was always at the head of the line. While having the longest legs was an advantage in kindergarten, it became a disadvantage in high school. Svetlana says that life as a teen with the longest legs “wasn’t easy because kids do

NASCAR headstone banned

An Indiana woman who wanted to honor her late husband with a headstone that captured his interests in sports and the outdoors is suing a Catholic church for refusing to install it. Shannon Carr spent $9,600 on the black granite headstone to mark the grave of her husband, Jason Carr, who died in an August 2009 automobile accident. The headstone is shaped like a couch and features images of a deer, a dog and color logos of NASCAR and the Indianapolis Colts. Distinctive: The headstone is shaped like a couch and features images of a deer, a dog and color logos of NASCAR and the Indianapolis Colts Row: Shannon Carr spent $9,600 on the black granite headstone to mark the grave of her husband, Jason Carr, who died in an August 2009 automobile accident. Now she's suing the church that won't let her put it up The Rev. Jonathan Meyer, priest at St. Joseph Catholic Church, notified the monument maker that the headstone didn't meet the cemetery

Paris Jackson NFL offer

Paris Jackson Gets NFL Cheerleading Offer Michael Jackson’s daughter was recently offered a job cheering for the Philadelphia Eagles. Eagles cheer director Barbara Zaun said: “We think Paris will make a great Eagle cheerleader. We thought that she had a lot of poise, confidence and enthusiasm in her cheer performance … Paris has that ‘wow factor’ that makes a great cheerleader.” Paris was probably flattered by the NFL offer but, unfortunately, it will be a few years until she can cheer on the sidelines in Philadelphia. Paris is only 14-years-old and NFL cheerleaders have to be older than 18. Zaun added: “She is already very comfortable with the limelight … So we think she would definitely stand out and impress the judges…We hope that she will try out for the team and be an Eagles cheerleader!” Here’s a video of Paris Jackson with her high school cheerleading team. Do you spot anything special? Or, you know, could the Eagles be making their offer based on the fact that Paris i

U.S. expels Venezuelan diplomats

Two Venezuelan diplomats were expelled from the United States, a U.S. official said Monday. Diplomatic tensions between the United States and Venezuela showed no signs of slowing Monday as the State Department announced that two Venezuelan diplomats had been expelled. Orlando Jose Montanez Olivares and Victor Camacaro Mata were declared personae non gratae and ordered to leave the country in response to the South American nation's decision to kick out two U.S. officials last week, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters. "Around the world, when our people are thrown out unjustly, we're going to take reciprocal action," she said. "We need to do that to protect our own people." The expulsion of the Venezuelan diplomats comes after Venezuelan officials -- just hours before announcing President Hugo Chavez's death last week -- said they were expelling two U.S. Embassy officials and accused them of plotting to destabilize