Marvin Rosales Martinez, the man who stumbled upon an orphaned $1 million lottery ticket a month after Hurricane Sandy, has finally been awarded the prize money.
New York Lottery officials cut 27-year-old Marvin Martinez a check Friday for the winning ticket he found raking leaves last November in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.
New York Lottery officials cut Marvin Martinez a check for the winning ticket he found raking leaves last November in the wake of Superstorm Sandy
A state gaming commission spokesman told The New York Post investigation failed to identify anyone who claimed the scratch card was stolen or reported it missing.
Marvin Martinez, who immigrated to Long Island from El Salvador six years ago, took a lump sum payment of $779,106. After taxes that comes out to $515,612.
Marvin Martinez, who still lives with his mother in a storm-damaged home, told the newspaper he will keep working six days a week.
“Magnetic Man” Etibar Elchiyev has broken his own record for carrying metal spoons on his chest and back.
Etibar Elchiyev, 42, claims he has magnetic properties that attract the 53 spoons to his body.
The Georgian man based in Tbilisi today broke a Guinness World record that he himself created in December 2011: having the most spoons stuck on the human body.
Two years ago, Etibar Elchiyev set the record by sticking 50 spoons on his body.
The kick-boxing trainer originally planned to break the Guinness World Record for balancing spoons on one’s face – with 27 the current target to beat.
Etibar Elchiyev succeeded in sticking 53 metal spoons and breaking his own record
But he made the new weird Guinness record by managing to secure 50 metal spoons around his neck and chest setting the world record for the most spoons balanced on a human body.
Today, Etibar Elchiyev succeeded in sticking 53 metal spoons, thereby breaking his own record.
However, there are doubts whether Elchiyev’s body really contains magnet to make the feat possible. One commentator said he is only playing smart as metallic objects will stick to a hairless, smooth body.
But Etibar Elchiyev maintains that his body acts as a magnet attracting metal objects. He discovered the magnetic property of his body a few years ago, when he magnetized a car hood to his body, with a man sitting in the car.
The eclipsed Guinness world record for the most spoons balanced on the face was achieved by Aaron Caissie (Canada) on the set of Lo Show dei Record, in Milan, Italy on April 18, 2009.
Cleveland Cavaliers’ center Andrew Bynum has been suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team, general manager Chris Grant announced Saturday.
Andrew Bynum did not travel with the team for Saturday afternoon’s game against the Celtics. He has been excused from all team activities.
He has played in 24 games this season, averaging 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds in 20 minutes per game.
Cleveland Cavaliers’ center Andrew Bynum has been suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team
The Cavs signed Andrew Bynum as a free agent in the offseason.
Andrew Bynum spent his first seven seasons in the league with the Lakers but was hampered by multiple knee injuries.
“He doesn’t want to play basketball anymore. He never liked it that much in first place,” league source told Yahoo Sports.
Pope Francis has received a private message from Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, the Vatican said on Saturday, without disclosing its contents.
It was the first known time Bashar al-Assad has sent a direct message to the Pope since the start of Syria’s civil war in 2011.
Pope Francis has made numerous appeals for an end to the conflict, the latest on Christmas Day.
Vatican sources said the message likely included the Syrian government’s position ahead of peace talks due to start on January 22nd under UN auspices in Geneva.
The Vatican, which has permanent observer status at the United Nations, also has a representative to UN organizations in Geneva.
Pope Francis has received a private message from Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad
It also said a delegation headed by Joseph Sweid, a Syrian minister of state, held talks in the Vatican with Pope Francis’ secretary of state, Archbishop Pietro Parolin and his foreign minister, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti.
“The delegation brought a message from President Assad for the Holy Father and illustrated the position of the Syrian government,” a statement said.
Syria’s civil war between forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad and mostly Sunni Muslim rebels fighting to topple him has killed more than 100,000 people since March 2011.
The Vatican is also keen to have information on the fate of Father Paolo Dall’Oglio, a Jesuit priest who supported the rebels and disappeared in July in eastern Syria.
As Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson was reinstated on the show Friday following his suspension over anti-gay comments, fans and foes of the move made their views known.
Advocacy group Faith Driven Consumer, which campaigned vigorously that Phil Robertson’s suspension be dropped, issued this statement: “Today’s decision by A&E to reinstate Phil Robertson to Duck Dynasty is in direct response to the powerful and engaged voices of millions of Faith Driven Consumers, as highlighted by more than 260,000 signers of the IStandWithPhil.com petition.
“However, the question remains, has the Faith Driven Consumer community truly been heard?
Phil Robertson was reinstated on Duck Dynasty reality show
“Despite our celebration, we remain uncertain of A&E’s true intent. Today, in the network’s statement of their core values – centered on <<creativity, inclusion, and mutual respect>> – Faith Driven Consumers are left wondering whether A&E considers us to be a part of America’s rich rainbow of diversity. Do they also now embrace the biblically based values and world view held by the Robertson family and millions of Faith Driven Consumers?”
GLAAD, the advocacy group whose vocal condemnation of Phil Robertson’s controversial comments to GQ magazine contributed to A&E’s decision to suspend him, warned both the network and its reality star that they were none too pleased, and would be watching carefully the show’s next steps.
“Phil Robertson should look African-American and gay people in the eyes and hear about the hurtful impact of praising Jim Crow laws and comparing gay people to terrorists,” GLAAD said.
“If dialogue with Phil is not part of next steps then A&E has chosen profits over African American and gay people – especially its employees and viewers.”
Duck Dynasty reality show is a huge money making enterprise for A&E which is co-owned by Walt Disney Co. and Hearst Corp.
According to Forbes magazine, Duck Dynasty has generated $400 million in merchandise sales and $80 million in ad sales for the first nine months of this year.
A&E has announced today that Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson can continue with the reality show despite his anti-gay comments in GQ magazine interview.
The network is reversing its suspension of Phil Robertson, which was imposed last week after his inflammatory comments about gay and black people made. The network’s decision clears the way for the entire Robertson family to resume filming the highly lucrative program this spring.
“While Phil’s comments made in the interview reflect his personal views based on his own beliefs, and his own personal journey, he and his family have publicly stated they regret the <<coarse language>> he used and the misinterpretation of his core belief based solely on the article,” A&E executives said in a statement.
“But ‘Duck Dynasty’ is not a show about one man’s views. It resonates with a large audience because it is a show about family … a family that America has come to love.”
Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson can continue with the reality show despite his anti-gay comments
The network said it consulted with “numerous advocacy groups” and would soon air public service announcements that would promote “unity, tolerance and acceptance”.
A&E executives did not make themselves available for media interviews and it was not known whether any of the Duck Dynasty stars would participate in the announcements.
Before the holidays, the furor surrounding Duck Dynasty reality show exposed wide political and social rifts in the country and stocked cable news programs for days. Conservative commentators argued that Phil Robertson was being punished for exercising his right to free speech and adhering to his Christian principles. A Christian group called Faith Driven Consumers collected more than 250,000 signatures in an online petition that demanded that A&E reinstate Phil Robertson.
On Friday, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, one of many conservatives to speak out in support of the TV family after the suspension, said he was pleased with the network’s about-face.
“I am glad to hear that the folks at A&E came to their senses and recognized that tolerance of religious views is more important than political correctness,” Bobby Jindal said in a statement.
“Today is a good day for the freedoms of speech and religious liberty.”
GLAAD officials released a statement Friday evening but would not comment on whether the gay rights group had participated in talks with the network about its decision to bring back Phil Robertson.
“Phil Robertson should look African American and gay people in the eyes and hear about the hurtful impact of praising Jim Crow laws and comparing gay people to terrorists. If dialogue with Phil is not part of next steps then A&E has chosen profits over African American and gay people — especially its employees and viewers,” GLAAD said.
Baby North West got her very own mini Ferrari sports car over the holidays, just like her father Kanye West.
Her mother, Kim Kardashian, shared the picture of Nori’s new wheels via Instagram on Friday.
“Like father like daughter,” Kim Kardashian, 33, wrote.
Baby North West got her very own mini Ferrari sports car over the holidays, just like her father Kanye West
Alongside the caption, the reality star shared a picture of Kanye West’s black Ferrari, with Nori’s miniature one placed to the right.
Kim Kardashian also shared the designer presents baby North Westt was gifted with earlier this week. A sweater and two dresses from Stella McCartney, black shoes marked with kittens on top by British designer Charlotte Olympia, shoes by the legendary Giuseppe Zanotti and a matching pink blanket and slippers from Michael Coste (of Hermes Paris).
Kanye West, Kim Kardashian and their 6-month-old daughter spent Christmas at Kris Jenner’s home.
Vanessa Carlton tied the knot with Deer Tick’s lead singer and guitarist John McCauley on Friday, her rep confirms to Us Weekly.
The singer also revealed that Stevie Nicks officiated the ceremony.
“Married this gentleman two hours ago xo,” Vanessa Carlton, 33, wrote via Twitter late Friday night.
Vanessa Carlton tied the knot with John McCauley and Stevie Nicks officiated the ceremony
Alongside the caption, the new bride shared a photo of herself and her new husband beaming at each other while holding hands.
Vanessa Carlton looked stunning for her special day, wearing a tight-fitting, long-sleeved white wedding gown, and donning a purple head piece and matching flowers.
John McCauley had a casual outfit, green pants and a brown button-up.
Vanessa Carlton previously dated Third Eye Blind’s Stephan Jenkins from 2002 to 2007.
Dolly Parton and Carl Dean will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows in 2016.
The 67-year-old country singer has been married to Carl Dean since 1966 and she reveals they are eager to mark their relationship milestone with a huge party at their sprawling estate in Nashville, Tennessee.
Dolly Parton married Carl Thomas Dean on May 30, 1966
Dolly Parton told Closer magazine: “We’ve talked about that [renewing vows] – we might do it all over again! Another big wedding. … [It will] probably be at our big old plantation home. We love it there.”
Tyler Armstrong, a 9-year-old boy from South California, has become the youngest person to climb Mount Aconcagua.
The boy wanted to raise awareness for a type of muscular dystrophy that only affects young boys.
Tyler Armstrong reached the summit of Argentina’s 22,837-foot-tall Mount Aconcagua on Christmas Eve, two days ahead of schedule, according to a post on the Top With Tyler Facebook page, which is tracking his progress.
The boy and his father set out December 7 on the arduous journey, which the young climber dedicated to those who can’t walk. He’s raising awareness and money for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which affects 1 in 3,600 boys.
“It’s when muscles get smaller every time you use them and by 14 they can’t walk,” Tyler Armstrong said of those afflicted with the disease.
Tyler Armstrong has become the youngest person to climb Mount Aconcagua at 9
Temperatures along the route to the top of Mount Aconcagua typically drop to 20 degrees below zero this time of year. And the pinnacle is just below the elevation where oxygen is mandatory.
Tyler Armstrong is the youngest person to scale the towering peak.The previous record had been held by a 10-year-old climbe).
Mount Aconcagua – the highest in both the Western and Southern Hemispheres – is now added to an already impressive list of summits the fourth grader from Yorba Linda has reached.
At the age of 7, Tyler Armstrong climbed 14,505 feet up Mount Whitney, the highest summit in the contiguous US.
Last year, Tyler Armstrong scaled Mount Kilamanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 19,341 feet. He had to apply for a special permit for that trek because, at 9, he was a year younger than the age limit.
Tyler Armstrong’s Argentina itinerary planned for him to summit between December 26 and 29. It should take him about three days to climb down from the mountain.
Tyler Armstrong is set to be back in the US on January 5, 2014.
A storm will hit the South during Saturday night and much of the mid-Atlantic and southern New England on Sunday bringing a dose of drenching rain, minor flooding and travel delays.
Those taking to the roadways should expect poor visibility from the driving rain and be wary of water collecting on portions of the highway that drain poorly.
The rain will be heavy enough to cause flash, urban and small stream flooding. However, fast movement of the storm system will prevent widespread and major flooding of larger streams and rivers. A general 1 to 2 inches, with locally 3 inches of rain is forecast and should be handled with few problems on the major rivers.
Downpours, fog and low cloud ceilings can lead to flight delays.
The storm was already spreading rain across the Gulf Coast on Saturday morning. It was a wet drive along the I-10 corridor from much of Louisiana to Mississippi and Alabama.
Atlanta can expect rain on Saturday afternoon through Saturday night, but improving travel conditions on Sunday.
The storm will hit the South during Saturday night and much of the mid-Atlantic and southern New England on Sunday
Farther northeast along the I-85 corridor, rain will soak the Charlotte and Raleigh, N.C., areas on Saturday night into Sunday morning. Expect a miserable drive Saturday night along I-77 with rain, but also fog over the high ground.
The rain will reach Richmond and Roanoke, Virginia, late on Saturday night.
In the I-95 swath from Jacksonville, Florida to Savannah, Georgia, along the coasts of South and North Carolina, to southeastern Virginia, thunderstorms will also affect some locations with strong, gusty winds and blinding downpours
A couple of the strongest storms can produce a short-lived tornado.
On Sunday, rain and thunderstorms will push southeastward across the Florida Peninsula, while clearing sweeps from west to east across the interior South.
Farther north along I-95 from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia and New York City on Sunday, rain will spread northward. A breeze will cause the rain to be windswept at times, further reducing the visibility and adding misery to those attending NFL games.
The rain will reach across southern New England on Sunday afternoon and evening from Hartford, Connecticut, and Providence, Rhode Island, to Boston.
Muslim Brotherhood supporters clashed with Egyptian police and Cairo university buildings were set on fire killing one student.
State TV blamed protesters for the fire at al-Azhar University’s business faculty, where exams had to be postponed, and the agriculture faculty.
The Muslim Brotherhood said police were “fabricating” the charges.
Muslim Brotherhood supporters clashed with Egyptian police and Cairo university buildings were set on fire killing one student
The crackdown on the group began when President Mohamed Morsi, who belongs to it, was deposed by the army in July.
The campus fires had been brought under control by Saturday afternoon, and some 60 people had been arrested, reports said.
The Muslim Brotherhood, which had been banned since September from all activity, was declared a terrorist group on Wednesday following a suicide bombing of a police headquarters in the Nile Delta.
The government said the Muslim Brotherhood was behind the attack – a charge it strongly denied.
Justin Bieber has bought another animal, nine months after abandoning his pet monkey Malley.
Justin Bieber, 19, stopped by a pet store in Stratford, Canada, on Thursday and decided to treat himself to a belated Christmas present by spending $600 on a seven-week-old Bulldog named Petey, according to TMZ.com.
The singer came under fire in March after Mally, his capuchin monkey, was seized by German authorities because he did not have the required documentation for the animal to enter the country.
Justin Bieber’s new pet is a seven-week-old Bulldog named Petey
He never claimed the primate and Malley was eventually transferred to a local zoo.
Justin Bieber also previously owned a hamster, but offloaded the animal to a fan. The rodent subsequently died.
Iraqi troops arrested MP Ahmed al-Alwani and killed his brother and at least three of his guards during a raid on his home in the western city of Ramadi.
Ahmed al-Alwani, a member of the Sunni community, had backed protests against the mainly Shia government of PM Nouri al-Maliki and was reportedly wanted on terrorism charges.
Police said Ahmed al-Alwani’s guards opened fire as officers arrived to detain him.
Another 18 people were wounded in the ensuing skirmish, an official said.
“Security forces attacked the residence of MP Ahmed al-Alwani in central Ramadi to arrest him this morning, sparking a battle with his guards with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades,” a police major told AFP news agency.
“Five of Alwani’s guards and his brother were killed and eight others wounded, while 10 security forces members were also wounded,” the major said.
Ahmed al-Alwani, a member of the Sunni community, had backed protests against the mainly Shia government of PM Nouri al-Maliki and was reportedly wanted on terrorism charges
Some reports suggest that a sister of the MP – a member of the Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc – was also among those killed in the raid.
The reasons for Ahmed al-Alwani’s arrest were not immediately clear. Associated Press news agency said he was wanted on terrorism charges.
He has also been a prominent supporter of a group of activists camped on a highway near Ramadi protesting against the perceived marginalization and persecution of Iraqi Sunnis by the Shia-dominated government.
PM Nouri al-Maliki has reportedly threatened to shut down the camp, saying it has become a headquarters of al-Qaeda.
Ahmed al-Alwani’s arrest comes as Iraq remains in the grip of sectarian fighting which has made this the deadliest year since 2008.
India is checking the tax statuses of Americans working at schools in the country, after the arrest this month of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade in New York.
Devyani Khobragade – the deputy consul general of India in New York – was handcuffed and strip-searched while in custody.
Her detention on charges of visa fraud and underpayment of her housekeeper sparked outrage in India.
India would no longer turn a blind eye to tax violations by diplomats’ spouses taking up work in the country, Reuters cited an unnamed official as saying.
Delhi has also withdrawn some privileges enjoyed by American diplomats and their families in the country, added the official.
“Spouses and children have no more immunity. So if there is a parking offence or… something else happening in Bangalore etcetera, they would be held liable.”
While US Secretary of State John Kerry has expressed his “regret” over Devyani Khobragade’s arrest, the state department has said it will not drop charges, as requested by India.
Delhi has also demanded an apology from the US over the diplomat’s alleged “humiliation”.
Devyani Khobragade’s detention on charges of visa fraud and underpayment of her housekeeper sparked outrage in India
India’s deputy consul general in New York was arrested in the city on December 12 on suspicion of visa fraud and making false statements, after being accused of underpaying her Indian maid.
She was handcuffed and strip-searched after a complaint from the maid, Sangeeta Richard.
The diplomat, who has been released on bail, denies all the charges and has in turn accused Sangeeta Richard of theft and attempted blackmail.
Delhi had already ordered a series of reprisals against the US.
Security barricades around the US embassy in Delhi were removed and a visiting US delegation was snubbed by senior Indian politicians and officials.
According to documents filed in a New York court, Devyani Khobragade wrote on a visa application that the maid would be paid $4,500 a month.
But investigators said she instead paid only $573 per month – less than the New York state minimum wage.
If found guilty, Devyani Khobragade faces a maximum sentence of 10 years for visa fraud and five years for making false statements.
Thousands of documents related to police investigation into the killing of 26 people at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut have been released.
Officials described as “painful” some of the details in the report, which includes photos and transcripts.
The report reveals new facts about the life of gunman Adam Lanza, 20, said to have suffered from mental health issues.
Adam Lanza turned a gun on himself after opening fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown in December 2012.
Before killing 20 children and six adults with a semi-automatic rifle, Adam Lanza shot dead his own mother at the family home. She had bought him the weapons used in the rampage.
Last month, Connecticut police published a summary of their findings, showing that Adam Lanza had “an obsession” with the 1999 Columbine massacre, during which two teenagers killed 12 students and a teacher.
Adam Lanza turned a gun on himself after opening fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown in December 2012
Investigators also found that Adam Lanza had acted alone and planned the shooting, which took less than 11 minutes.
The final report contains evidence that Adam Lanza’s mother discussed her son’s “disabilities” with a friend they day before the Sandy Hook attack.
The student would “write 10 pages obsessing over battles, destruction and war”.
The findings also reveal autopsy reports and new information about how the shooting unfolded.
A teacher hiding in a closet said he heard janitor Rick Thorne challenge Adam Lanza. Rick Thorne, who survived the attack, apparently yelled: “Put the gun down.”
Among the audiovisual material released on Friday were photos of items found in Adam Lanza’s home, including numerous rounds of ammunition, gun magazines, shooting earplugs and a gun safe with a rifle in it.
The files were heavily redacted to protect the students’ identity and to withhold gruesome details of the crime.
The Newtown shooting prompted a renewed US campaign for stricter firearms controls.
While no legislation was passed at a national level, some states – including Connecticut and Colorado – imposed tougher gun laws. Other states loosened restrictions.
China has formally adopted a resolution easing the country’s one-child policy, the state news agency Xinhua reports.
The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress passed a resolution allowing couples to have two children if either parent is an only child.
A proposal to abolish re-education through labor camps was also approved.
The changes in policy were announced following a meeting of top Communist Party officials in November.
The reforms, which came at the end of a six-day meeting of the congress, have already been tested in parts of the country.
They needed formal legislative approval to be put into effect.
China has formally adopted a resolution easing the country’s one-child policy
It is expected that reforms will be rolled out gradually and incrementally around the country, with provincial authorities entrusted to make their own decisions on implementation according to the local demographic situation.
Factors other than the one-child policy, such as a lack of social security support, have also encouraged couples to limit their offspring.
China is now believed to have a birth rate of just over 1.5 children per woman of child-bearing age – which is, in fact, higher than many of its regional neighbors, including Taiwan, Japan and South Korea.
Niger has the world’s highest birth rate per woman, with over seven, India has 2.55 and the US has 2.06.
China introduced its one-child policy at the end of the 1970s to curb rapid population growth.
But correspondents say the policy has become increasingly unpopular and that leaders fear the country’s ageing population will both reduce the labor pool and exacerbate elderly care issues.
By 2050, more than a quarter of the population will be over 65.
The one-child policy has on the whole been strictly enforced, though some exceptions already exist, including for ethnic minorities.
Previous reforms also permitted couples to have a second child where both were only children or, in the case of rural couples, where their first-born child was a girl.
The traditional preference for boys has created a gender imbalance as some couples opt for gender-selective abortions.
By the end of the decade, demographers say China will have 24 million “leftover men” who, because of China’s gender imbalance, will not be able to find a wife.
Russian Akademik Shokalskiy scientific mission ship, trapped in dense pack ice off East Antarctica, is still awaiting rescue after Chinese icebreaker Snow Dragon failed to reach it.
The Snow Dragon icebreaker was itself stalled by heavy ice, officials say.
It had been trying to cut a path through the ice in order to help the research vessel reach open water.
The Akademik Shokalskiy, which has been trapped since Christmas Day, has 74 on board and is being used by the Australasian Antarctic Expedition.
They are following the route explorer Douglas Mawson travelled a century ago.
One of the leaders of the expedition, Chris Turney, earlier tweeted an image of the Snow Dragon icebreaker – also known as the Xue Long – on the horizon as it approached the research ship.
The Chinese vessel came within seven nautical miles of the expedition ship, but encountered heavy ice and was forced to return to the open sea.
Akademik Shokalskiy scientific mission ship is still awaiting rescue after Snow Dragon icebreaker failed to reach it
“Our rescue boat, the Xue Long, has had to turn back because the ice was too thick for it to get through,” said Alok Jha, a journalist on board the Shokalskiy.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority, which is coordinating the rescue, confirmed that a French vessel had also failed to penetrate the ice.
The agency said another boat, the Aurora Australis, was on its way to the Russian vessel and expected to arrive on Sunday.
“I think we’re probably looking at another 24 hours of twiddling our fingers and waiting for something to happen,” the expedition’s spokesman Alvin Stone told the Associated Press.
Correspondents say expedition members could be winched to safety by a helicopter if the weather remains favorable.
The research ship Shokalskiy was trapped by thick sheets of ice that were driven by strong winds about 1,500 nautical miles south of Hobart – the capital of the Australian state of Tasmania.
There had also been fears that blizzards could hamper the rescue effort.
The Shokalskiy is well stocked with food and is in no danger, according to the team.
Although trapped for the moment, the scientists are continuing their experiments. They have been measuring temperature and salinity through cracks in the surrounding ice.
Kate Middleton is not pregnant with baby No 2, despite tabloid reports suggesting that another royal child is on the way in 2014.
Star magazine wrote on its front page: “It’s official: Kate’s Pregnant Again!”
Kate Middleton is not pregnant with baby No 2, despite tabloid reports suggesting that another royal child is on the way in 2014
The tabloid says that pictures taken in early December of Kate Middleton pushing a stroller on the grounds of Kensington Gardens show a “developing baby bump”.
Star says that at a recent gala, Kate Middleton was “glowing”, rested her hand “gently on her stomach”, and appeared to have a “little bump”.
The tabloid further states that Queen Elizabeth was told the good news at a Christmas lunch, and that Kate’s mother, Carole Middleton, wants it to be named Diana.
Evelyn Lozada has announced her engagement to Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Carl Crawford on Christmas Day.
The 38-year-old Basketball Wives star, who is seven months pregnant with Carl Crawford’s child, is coming off a short-lived marriage to former football star Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson.
Evelyn Lozada and Chad Johnson had been filming a planned VH1 reality series, Ev & Chad, just over a month into their marriage when Johnson headbutted his new bride during a fight.
Evelyn Lozada has announced her engagement to Carl Crawford on Christmas Day
She filed for divorce shortly after the August 2012 incident.
Evelyn Lozada had become entangled with Chad Johnson on the rebound after a 10-year relationship with NBA forward Antoine Walker. She also has a daughter, 20-year-old Shaneice Lozada, from a previous relationship.
She broke the engagement news on her Instagram account, posting a picture of a 14.5 carat diamond ring on her finger with the caption: “Yes!”
The ring is valued at $1.4 million, TMZ reported.
Carl Crawford, 32, is rounding the third year of a seven-year $142 million contract he originally signed with the Boston Red Sox.
Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson gave his wife Miss Kay a special Christmas present – a wedding ring.
“After 50 years of marriage Papaw Phil finally gave Mamaw Kay a wedding ring for Christmas ??” their granddaughter Sadie Robertson tweeted.
Phil Robertson gifted Miss Kay a wedding ring as a Christmas present
Phil Robertson, 67, gifted Miss Kay a wedding ring as a Christmas present – the first such band she’s apparently gotten from her husband since they were married in 1966.
Voting for the 2014’s Academy Awards nominees has begun today.
Members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are invited to cast secret ballots for their favorite film work from 2013 until January 8, 2014.
Nominations for the 86th Academy Awards will be announced January 16
The academy is offering electronic voting for the second consecutive year. It announced last week that 289 feature films are eligible for best-picture consideration.
Nominations for the 86th Academy Awards will be announced January 16.
Ellen DeGeneres will host the ceremony when the Oscars are presented on March 2.
Internet Archive is putting online a collection of classic video games from the 1970s and 1980s.
The video games can be played within a web browser just for free.
The collection has launched with games from five early home consoles, including the Atari 2600 and Colecovision.
The games do not have sound, but will soon, the Internet Archive said.
“In coming months, the playable software collection will expand greatly,” archivist Jason Scott wrote.
“Making these vintage games available to the world, instantly, allows for commentary, education, enjoyment and memory for the history they are a part of.”
The other machines included are the Atari 7800, the Magnavox Odyssey (known as the Philips Videopac G7000 in Europe) and the Astrocade.
Internet Archive is putting online a collection of classic video games from the 1970s and 1980s
Well-recognized titles such as Pacman, Space Invaders and Frogger are all in the archive – with more consoles and games expected soon.
Unlike today’s titles, which are stored on disks or even simply downloaded directly to a console, many older machines would use bespoke cartridges to store games.
As the consoles fell into disrepair and became ever scarcer, playing these games has become difficult.
For many years, communities of gamers have created ROMs – read-only memory – images of games. These files can be played on a normal PC by using an emulator.
However, in many cases, gaming in this way can be illegal – particularly when the games involved are made by the likes of Nintendo and Sega, which clamp down on such activity, deeming it a form of counterfeiting.
Older games such as the ones found on the Internet Archive fall into something of a legal grey area.
Publishers and developers often turn a blind eye as, with the games no longer available to buy, the ROMs mean the titles are still able to be played by many.
Yet with smartphone gaming on the rise, publishers are now in a position where these old titles can be revived, cashing in on the timeless quality of the games, as well as fans’ nostalgic urges.
About 1.5 million Buick and Chevrolet cars are being recalled by General Motors and its partner company in China amid concerns about their potential safety.
GM and Shanghai General Motors make the car recall in one of the biggest operations of its kind to date in China.
The cars could have issues with a bracket securing the fuel oil pump, said China’s quality watchdog.
About 1.5 million Buick and Chevrolet cars are being recalled by General Motors and its partner company in China amid concerns about their potential safety
At the same time, Ford will recall up to 81,000 of its Kuga cars.
Ford and its joint venture partner, Chongqing Changan Automobile, are calling in the cars over concerns about a steering part.
Volkswagen’s Chinese unit recalled 640,309 vehicles last month to check they were using the right oil.
Italian film distributor BiM Distribuzione has apologized after releasing unauthorized posters which promoted white actors over black actors in Twelve Years A Slave.
Unofficial posters for the film gave prominence to white stars Michael Fassbender and Brad Pitt over the film’s leading man, Chiwetel Ejiofor.
BiM Distribuzione apologized for the “inappropriate” promotional material.
“We are very proud of the film and regret any distraction this incident may have caused,” a statement said.
“We apologize for creating and releasing unauthorized posters for 12 Years A Slave in Italy featuring Brad Pitt and Michael Fassbender in a manner inconsistent with approved advertising materials,” said BiM on Friday.
BiM Distribuzione has apologized after releasing unauthorized posters which promoted white actors over black actors in Twelve Years A Slave
“All inappropriate materials have now been withdrawn.”
12 Years A Slave tells the true story of New Yorker Solomon Northup who was kidnapped and sold into the slave trade in 1841.
Protagonist Solomon Northup is played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, earning him a Golden Globe nomination earlier this month.
Michael Fassbender, who has attracted strong notices for his supporting role, plays a sadistic plantation owner, while Brad Pitt – who is a producer on the film – has a minor role as a laborer.
The posters, which appeared across Italy earlier this week, prompted a widespread criticism on social media, for their focus on Michael Fassbender and Brad Pitt.
Responding to criticism, sales agent Lionsgate’s Summit said, earlier in the week, that the posters in Italy were not authorized or approved by the producers of the film.
A statement said the company was “investigating and taking immediate action to stop the distribution of any unauthorized posters and to have those posters currently in the marketplace recalled”.
