The Confederate flag seen today on houses, bumper stickers and T-shirts – sometimes accompanied by the words “If this shirt offends you, you need a history lesson” – is not, and never was, the official national flag of the Confederacy. The design by William Porcher Miles, who chaired the flag committee, was rejected as the… Continue reading What Is Confederate Flag?
Month: June 2015
South Carolina Governor Calls for Capitol’s Confederate Flag Removal
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has called for the removal of a Confederate flag from the state capitol’s grounds. The Confederate flag, emblematic of the south during the US civil war, was embraced by Dylann Roof, the man accused of killing nine people in Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church last week. Governor Nikki Haley called for… Continue reading South Carolina Governor Calls for Capitol’s Confederate Flag Removal
James Horner Dies in Plane Crash near Santa Barbara
Titanic and Braveheart composer James Horner has died in a plane crash near Santa Barbara aged 61. James Horner’s death was confirmed by Sylvia Patrycja, who is identified on the composer’s film music page as his assistant. “We have lost an amazing person with a huge heart and unbelievable talent,” Sylvia Patrycja wrote on Facebook… Continue reading James Horner Dies in Plane Crash near Santa Barbara
Barack Obama Uses N-Word During Radio Interview
President Barack Obama has used the “n-word” during an interview to argue that the US has yet to overcome its issues with racism. “Racism, we are not cured of it,” the president said. “And it’s not just a matter of it not being polite to say n***er in public.” The radio interview came days after… Continue reading Barack Obama Uses N-Word During Radio Interview
Ahmed Mansour: Al-Jazeera Reporter Freed in Germany
Al-Jazeera reporter Ahmed Mansour has been freed in Germany after being detained following an extradition request from Egypt, German prosecutors confirmed. Ahmed Mansour, who works for the network’s Arabic-language service, was held on June 20 as he tried to board a flight from Berlin to Qatar. A court in Egypt’s capital Cairo sentenced Ahmed Mansour… Continue reading Ahmed Mansour: Al-Jazeera Reporter Freed in Germany
The benefits of ductless air conditioning
If you’ve been contemplating getting central air for your home, you may think that the only option is the central air system that utilizes the ductwork that already exists in your home. That’s not true. There’s another option. Ductless air conditioning systems are a popular option because of their ease of installation and efficiency at… Continue reading The benefits of ductless air conditioning
Jake Lloyd Arrested in South Carolina After High Speed Chase
Former child star Jake Lloyd has been arrested after a high-speed chase in South Carolina. Jake Lloyd, 26, starred in 1999’s Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, paying a young Anakin Skywalker. He faces charges after failing to stop for police in South Carolina. A former talent agent confirmed to Colleton County Sheriff’s… Continue reading Jake Lloyd Arrested in South Carolina After High Speed Chase
Kim Kardashian Won’t Name Second Baby South West
Kim Kardashian has just announced her second baby will be a boy in a Father’s Day tweet. The reality star, who is expected to give birth in early December, previously talked about speculation over her second baby’s name being “ridiculous” but has ruled out naming the boy after another compass direction. Speaking to National Public… Continue reading Kim Kardashian Won’t Name Second Baby South West
Kim Kardashian Pregnant with a Baby Boy
Kim Kardashian has revealed her second baby with Kanye West is a boy. Kim Kardashian, 34, revealed the news on Father’s Day, tweeting on June 21: “You’re such a good daddy to North and you will be the best daddy to our new son too!” The reality star first let people know she was pregnant… Continue reading Kim Kardashian Pregnant with a Baby Boy
Simpsons Divorce: Homer and Marge Deny Split up Rumors
Homer and Marge Simpson have denied they are divorcing after 26 series of cult show The Simpsons. In a video posted online, called Together Forever, Marge Simpsons says: “Homie and I are here to address baseless rumors that we are going to split up.” The rumor mill kicked in after Al Jean, one of the… Continue reading Simpsons Divorce: Homer and Marge Deny Split up Rumors
Greece Debt Summit: EU Ministers Try to Deadlock Debt Crisis
European leaders hold an emergency summit in Brussels that could break the deadlock around Greece’s debt crisis. Greece’s Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said he hoped Greece would “return to growth within the eurozone”. European finance ministers have said there is still no basis for making a decision for aid for Greece on June 22. On… Continue reading Greece Debt Summit: EU Ministers Try to Deadlock Debt Crisis
Top Gear Will Keep Its Sense of Danger with Chris Evans Hosting
Top Gear will keep its “sense of danger” when the show returns with Chris Evans hosting, BBC director general Tony Hall has said. Tony Hall said he was “thrilled” Chris Evans was replacing Jeremy Clarkson, who was sacked after punching a producer. He also said he hoped the new Top Gear would appeal to existing… Continue reading Top Gear Will Keep Its Sense of Danger with Chris Evans Hosting
Jurassic World and Inside Out Top US Box Office
Jurassic World and Pixar’s Inside Out battled for this weekend’s box office supremacy. Jurassic World roared into the lead with $102 million, making it only the second film after The Avengers to make $100 million in two separate weekends. Inside Out, which unfolds largely inside the mind of a young girl, came second with $91… Continue reading Jurassic World and Inside Out Top US Box Office
Taliban Bomb Attack on Afghanistan Parliament
Afghanistan’s parliament has been attacked by the Taliban group and heavy fighting is still going on in the capital, Kabul. Attackers detonated a huge car bomb outside the building, before racing into parliament itself, reports say. Police are evacuating the premises, while trying to fight off the attackers. The Taliban say they are carrying out… Continue reading Taliban Bomb Attack on Afghanistan Parliament
Yulin Dog Meat Festival 2015: China’s Summer Solstice Festival Sparks Internet Outrage
This year’s Yulin dog meat festival in China’s Guangxi region has begun, amid uproar on the part of animal rights activists. About 10,000 dogs are said to be cooked at Yulin Summer Solstice Lychee and Dog Meat Festival on June 21 and June 22 to mark the summer start, state media said. One retired school… Continue reading Yulin Dog Meat Festival 2015: China’s Summer Solstice Festival Sparks Internet Outrage
Apple Music Reverses Payment Policy After Taylor Swift Stand
Apple Music has decided to reverse its payment policy, less than 24 hours after Taylor Swift said she was refusing to allow the company to stream her album 1989. In an open letter to Apple, Taylor Swift, 25, said she was withholding the record as she was unhappy with the three-month free trial offered to… Continue reading Apple Music Reverses Payment Policy After Taylor Swift Stand
California Surfers Break Record for Most People Riding a Board at Once
A group of surfers in Southern California have broken the world record for the most people riding a wave on a surfboard at the same time on June 20. Sixty-six people, including surf champions and local heroes, rode a 42ft surfboard for 12 seconds to break the record at Huntington Beach south of Los Angeles.… Continue reading California Surfers Break Record for Most People Riding a Board at Once
Taylor Swift Blasts Apple Music for Not Paying Artists and Holds Back 1989 Album
Taylor Swift has decided to pull her 1989 album from Apple Music and criticized the company. In an open letter to Apple, Taylor Swift said she was withholding the record as she was unhappy with the three-month free trial offered to subscribers by Apple’s new streaming music service. The 25-year-old singer wrote: “I’m not sure… Continue reading Taylor Swift Blasts Apple Music for Not Paying Artists and Holds Back 1989 Album
Speed the Tortoise: San Diego Zoo Oldest Animal Put Down at the Age of 150
A 150-year-old giant Galapagos tortoise named Speed has been put down at San Diego Zoo in California. Speed had been in geriatric decline for some time. Keepers at the zoo had used acupuncture and hydrotherapy to treat his arthritis and other ailments. Finally, a decision was made on June 19 to euthanize the 670 lb… Continue reading Speed the Tortoise: San Diego Zoo Oldest Animal Put Down at the Age of 150
Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church to Reopen for Sunday Services
Charleston Emanuel AME Church in which nine parishioners were shot dead by Dylann Storm Roof on June 17 is to reopen for services on Sunday, June 21. Members of South Carolina’s African-American church met again on June 20 in the room where their friends died earlier this week. Many more people are expected to attend… Continue reading Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church to Reopen for Sunday Services
James Salter Dies at the Age of 90
Novelist James Salter has died on June 19 at a gym near his New York state home, his publisher said. He was 90. James Salter was often dubbed the “greatest writer you’ve never read,” having several famous writers were among his fans, including Philip Roth and Joseph Heller, but he never converted critical acclaim into… Continue reading James Salter Dies at the Age of 90
International Yoga Day 2015: Narendra Modi Leads 35,000 in Delhi Mass Yoga Event
PM Narendra Modi has led thousands in a mass yoga program in Delhi on the first ever International Yoga Day held in India on June 21. Narendra Modi did stretches, bends and breathing exercises with 35,000 school children, bureaucrats and soldiers. Security was tight in the Indian capital with thousands of police and paramilitary deployed… Continue reading International Yoga Day 2015: Narendra Modi Leads 35,000 in Delhi Mass Yoga Event
Ahmed Mansour: Al-Jazeera Journalist Detained in Germany at Egypt Request
Al-Jazeera senior journalist Ahmed Mansour has been arrested in Germany at the request of Egypt. Ahmed Mansour, who works for the channel’s Arabic-language service, was detained as he tried to board a flight from Berlin to Qatar. Egyptian authorities had issued an international arrest warrant for Ahmed Mansour, a German police official said. A Cairo… Continue reading Ahmed Mansour: Al-Jazeera Journalist Detained in Germany at Egypt Request
Belgium Unblocks Frozen Russian State Accounts
Belgium has unblocked frozen Russian state accounts, Belgium’s foreign minister says. The assets were seized in a move triggered by a court ruling over the now-defunct Yukos oil company. In July 2014, an international arbitration court said Russian officials had manipulated the legal system to bankrupt Yukos. Yukos was then taken over by a Russian… Continue reading Belgium Unblocks Frozen Russian State Accounts
David Sweat and Richard Matt: New York Escapees Spotted near Pennsylvania Border
New York State police are investigating two possible sightings of David Sweat and Richard Matt, who escaped a prison in upstate New York two weeks ago. The convicted killers were reportedly spotted in the Southern Tier of New York state, about 350 miles from the prison where they escaped. State police spokesman Beau Duffy said… Continue reading David Sweat and Richard Matt: New York Escapees Spotted near Pennsylvania Border