Haidar el Ali has led a project to plant 152 million mangrove buds in Senegal's Casamance Delta.
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Intro Video
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Music icon Teddy Riley receives his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Decades after his musical talents changed the game for R&B and Hip Hop, songwriter, producer and singer Teddy Riley finally received the indelible recognition he deserves with a star on the coveted Hollywood Walk of Fame, this past Friday.
“I’m thrilled [about the honor], but it’s a calm, cool excitement because I’m afraid of anxiety,” Riley told Variety prior to the ceremony. ”I think, however, I’m going to be pretty emotional about my star the day-of.”
Riley pioneered the sound that would become known as “New Jack Swing,” which took over the music scene in the late 80s and 90s. Riley worked with countless artists like Bobby Brown, Keith Sweat, Michael Jackson, Keith Sweat, Doug E. Fresh and in 1987, Riley started his own group called Guy.
As a member of Guy, he and his group mates landed roles in the acclaimed movie New Jack City. In 1991, Riley started another group called Blackstreet, which would orchestrate hits like “Don’t Leave” and “No Diggigty,” the latter, would win him a Grammy award. According to KABC, Riley has more than 1,000 musical credits to his name. Riley has earned awards and accolades throughout his career for his contributions to music.
READ MORE: Teddy Riley says Bruno Mars, The Weeknd helping to carry on legacy of ‘New Jack Swing’
“My uncle bought me Roland keyboards, a Yamaha S-30, a string clavier and a Fender Rhodes — my set-up forever,” Riley remembered. “Once I borrowed a TEAC two-track, reel-to-reel from a friend I was ready to go. I still had to make drum sounds by mic-ing a toilet tissue roll as my kick drum — I’d even beatbox through the hole — but it gave me that bottom. I cherish that memory.”
In addition to the Walk of Fame, the Harlem native was recently honored with an induction to the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame and received the Soul Train Legend Award. KABC reported that he is also slated to have his own Las Vegas residency called “Teddy Riley and Friends,” which will begin showings at the end of the year.
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2020 Presidential candidate Andrew Yang wants mass pardon for nonviolent marijuana convictions
As the upcoming national presidential campaign heats up, Democratic candidates are fighting to set themselves a part. Underdog Andrew Yang has found himself with a bit of a following and recently announced a promise of sweeping pardons for nonviolent marijuana offenses.
On Friday, Yang spoke to a crowd in Concord, N.H. during an event hosted by the ACLU. During his speech, he told the crowd, “I’m going to mass pardon everyone who is in jail for nonviolent marijuana-related offenses. Americans now recognize just how broken our mass incarceration system is and how much progress we need to make.”
During his campaign, Yang has been an outspoken supporter of marijuana legalization and decriminalization on the federal and state levels. According to The Hill, Yang also supports removing marijuana from the controlled substances list and expunging the records of those with federal marijuana convictions for possession and usage.
His speech at Concord was the not the first time, Yang spoke publicly about his plans to produce sweeping changes when it came to marijuana laws. In April, he made headlines when he told attendees of the National Action Network Conference in New York City that he would “legalize marijuana and then I would pardon everyone who’s in jail for a nonviolent drug-related offense. I would pardon them on April 20, 2021 and I would high-five them on the way out of jail.”
READ MORE: Beto O’Rourke shares his anti-hate, gun violence and domestic terrorism outline
Yang has been considered an underdog in the 2020 presidential race from the start having to campaign alongside names like Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren. Now Yang has qualified for the fall debates.
Marijuana legalization has been a hot topic among the Democratic candidates with many showing full support. According to The Hill, Presidential candidate, Gov. Jay Inslee granted official pardons to thousands of Washington residents convicted of low-level possession charges earlier this year. So far, 11 states and the District of Columbia legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, there seems to be hope that more will follow in the near future.
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De’Aaron Fox becomes one of over a dozen players to back out of Team USA
Sacramento King point guard De’Aaron Fox will no longer be helping Team USA in their journey to win the 2019 FIBA World Cup, which is set to begin in two weeks; the news coming after several other players also bowed out.
According to Complex, Fox reportedly stood out during the team’s training camp, and multiple teammates had heaped praise upon him. Tony Jones, a sports writer with The Athletic wrote in a tweet that multiple sources have reported “that De’Aaron Fox and Donovan Mitchell have been standouts in the first two days of Team USA training camp. Nobody has consistently been able to stay in front of Fox.”
Hearing from multiple sources that De’Aaron Fox and Donovan Mitchell have been standouts in the first two days of Team USA training camp. Nobody has consistently been able to stay in front of Fox
— Tony Jones (@Tjonesonthenba) August 6, 2019
Despite his growing success and almost certain spot on Team USA, Yahoo Sports reported that Fox only played six minutes during Team USA’s friendly against Spain on Friday, which was the lowest total of any U.S. player who saw the court.
READ MORE: Former NFL player Cedric Benson dies in tragic motorcycle accident
Fox decided he wanted to focus on getting the King’s to the post season for the first time in over 10 years. Yahoo Sports did report that the team showed promise finishing in ninth place last season.
Prior to Fox’s exit, Kyle Lowry, Trae Young, and P.J. Tucker took their leaving following injuries. According to CBS Sports, other players that have withdrawn from Team USA have been Lakers forward Anthony Davis, Rockets guards James Harden and Eric Gordon, Knicks forward Julius Randle, Clippers forward Montrezl Harrell, Pelicans guard JJ Redick, Pistons center Andre Drummond and Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum, among others.
The remaining 13 players looking to get one of 12 available slots on the team are: Harrison Barnes, Jaylen Brown, Joe Harris, Kyle Kuzma, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, Donovan Mitchell, Mason Plumlee, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Myles Turner, Kemba Walker, and Derrick White.
And though there are not many big names still in the running, Complex reported that Team USA is still favored to win it all.
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New Orleans TV anchor, Nancy Parker’s husband mourns her death in heartbreaking social media post
Following her sudden death on Friday, Nancy Parker, who had been a news anchor and icon in New Orleans, received an outpouring of tributes. Yesterday, her devastated husband, Glynn Boyd posted his own tribute to social media that was by far the most heartbreaking one of all.
“The dearest and most wonderful person in my life is gone,” he wrote. “Our Nancy was an amazing human being. I was so proud of her; first as an awesome mother of our three children, just incredible. She loved them so much. This is why this is so difficult to comprehend. And she was a true professional, a master of her craft.”
On Friday, Parker, 53, was aboard a small stunt airplane filming a story with pilot Franklin J.P. Augustus when the plane suddenly crashed just south of the New Orleans Lakefront Airport. According to People, the plane caught fire after it went down. Augustus was also killed in the crash.
READ MORE: New Jersey man’s ‘side chick’ burns his house down after he stood her up for sex
“I would trade places with her right now. I should’ve been on that plane,” Boyd wrote in his heartfelt Facebook post. “She was our road map, our compass, our guiding light,” he continued. “I’m lost without my wife.”
Boyd, who is a public information officer at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, thanked everyone for their outpouring support from within the community to people across the country. He also asked for privacy for him and the couple’s three children.
“We appreciate what so many of you have done already,” he concluded. “We will all get together soon and celebrate the life of Nancy Parker Boyd.”
Parker had been an anchor at WVUE Fox 8 for 23 years and was beloved by her colleagues. The station’s vice president and general manager, Tim Ingram released a statement in the wake of Parker’s death praising her as not only a journalist, but as a “wonderful friend.”
“Today we lost a wonderful journalist and remarkable friend, the New Orleans television community lost a true treasure, but beyond that, her family lost a wife, a mother and daughter,” he wrote. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
The post New Orleans TV anchor, Nancy Parker’s husband mourns her death in heartbreaking social media post appeared first on theGrio.
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Former NFL player Cedric Benson dies in tragic motorcycle accident
Former NFL player, Cedric Benson lost his life in a tragic accident as he was riding his motorcycle in Austin, Texas. His unnamed passenger was also killed.
On Saturday night, Benson and a passenger, who has yet to be identified, were riding his bike when they slammed into a mini van. According to TMZ, police are reporting that speed and poor visibility were factors in the crash, but are not confirming what specifically caused the crash. Video obtained by TMZ showed a small fire in the crash’s aftermath. Police also told the outlet that there would be no charges filed against the driver of the minivan, who stayed at the scene to speak with police.
READ MORE: R. Kelly’s attorney denies claims singer missed court because he refused to cooperate
Benson was a standout at the University of Texas from 2001-2004 and TMZ reported that he racked up more than 5,500 yards at Texas and won the Doak Walker Award (top running back in the country) his senior year. By 2005, he became the number four overall draft pick in the NFL Draft signing with the Chicago Bears. He would go on help the Bears score an National Football Conference Championship in 2006. He spent five years in Chicago.
He would later play for the Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers before his 2012 retirement.
READ MORE: Jay-Z rumored to acquire ‘significant ownership interest’ in NFL team as part of new deal
Bengals President Mike Brown released a statement praising Benson for his skills on the field as well as his “Texas toughness.”
“Cedric was a fine football player for us,” Brown wrote. “He played a principal role for several years here, including a couple of playoff runs. He was from Texas, and he showed his Texas toughness in leading us to a Division Championship in just his second season with us. His three consecutive 1000-yard seasons displayed the talent he possessed. Our organization is deeply saddened by his sudden and tragic passing. The Bengals extend our deepest condolences to Cedric’s family.”
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Zimbabwe sanctions: Sadc calls on US and EU to drop policy
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Saturday, August 17, 2019
From streams to teams
If you’ve ever looked out the window of an airplane, you might have seen beautiful meandering and braided river systems cutting their way through the Earth. Fly over that same area again a few years later, and you’ll witness a different landscape. On geologic timescales, geomorphology, the study of how the Earth’s surface is shaped and evolves, involves the most rapid processes.
“You can observe changes in the paths that rivers take or landslides that dramatically alter hillslopes in a human lifetime. Many geologic processes don’t allow you that opportunity,” says Maya Stokes, a fourth-year graduate student in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) who researches rivers.
Stokes wasn’t always interested in geomorphology, although her love for the outdoors stems from a childhood in Colorado. She entered Rice University in Houston with an interest in science and spent some time as an undergraduate trying out different fields. Fascinated by the history of the Earth and life on it, she narrowed her search down to Earth science and ecology and evolutionary biology. A class on geomorphology won her over. Being able to pursue a career that allowed her to work outside was also an enticing perk.
At MIT, Stokes now conducts research with Taylor Perron, associate department head of EAPS and associate professor of geology at MIT, who is an expert in riverine erosion in mountains. She also collaborates with Tom Near, an evolutionary biologist at Yale University, enabling her to combine her two areas of interest. Her research focus lies at the intersection of geology and evolutionary biology. While exploring how rivers evolve over time, she simultaneously investigates how the ecosystems within those systems evolve in response.
You can think of it like two carloads of people on a road trip. One car crosses a bridge toward a major metropolis, but shortly after, construction closes the bridge and forms a detour sending the second car traveling through a rural farmland. Those two carloads of people will have different experiences, different meals and lodging, that are unique to their car's particular pathway.
Stokes focuses on specific pathways — freshwater environments — and the interplay of biology and streams has some dynamic features. “As shown by the recent UN report, understanding and maintaining biodiversity is a high priority goal for building a sustainable future on Earth,” she says in reference to the 2019 global assessment report conducted by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.
To get more hands on, Stokes investigates how related fish are to one another in the United States. She collects both genetic and geologic datasets, processed with the help of a University of Massachusetts at Amherst geochemistry lab run by Isaac Larsen. She has been on three trips to collect data, mostly in the Appalachians, a location of which she’s grown fond, because, she explains, “The topography is rugged, the streams are clear and beautiful, and the landscape is saturated with life.”
Specifically narrowing to the Tennessee River, Stokes and her collaborators are observing how several populations of the Greenfin darter fish (Nothonotus chlorobranchius) have been separated, possibly as a result of knickpoints, or sharp changes in the slope. Last year, she published a paper in Geophysical Research Letters that predicts a rerouting of the upper Rio Orinoco into the Rio Negro in the Amazon River basin, which is summarized in a blog post on the website of the American Geophysical Union.
“Stokes’ ambitious project requires a blend of versatility, creativity, determination and intellectual fearlessness. I think she has that rare combination of talents,” says Perron. In order to explore the scope of her research fully, Stokes expanded her resources beyond MIT, successfully applying for funding to take short courses and field courses to achieve her research goals.
“I love the intellectual freedom that’s been awarded to me [at MIT]. It’s made my PhD feel authentic, exciting, and very much mine. I think that the culture of intellectual independence is strong at MIT, and it’s very motivating to be around,” says Stokes. She’s grateful to have received research support from MIT’s Office of Graduate Education as a Hugh Hampton Young Fellow and through a fellowship from the MIT Martin Family Society of Fellows for Sustainability.
Hoping to continue to investigate these questions long after her PhD, Stokes plans to become a professor of the history of the Earth and how it influences the evolution of life. MIT has provided Stokes the opportunity to build her teaching skills as a teaching assistant for incoming undergraduates at Yellowstone National Park on four occasions. Explaining the volcanic and natural history of the area, she reveled in the chance to entice new students to delve into the study of the wonderful and constantly evolving Earth. Stokes was recognized with an Award for Excellence in Teaching in EAPS earlier this year.
Stokes’s leadership skills also led her to serve as president for the EAPS Student Advisory Council (ESAC), and to help start an initiative for a universal first-year course for all EAPS graduate students. She also worked on an initiative started by her fellow EAPS graduate student Eva Golos to allow students to provide input on faculty searches. Recently, she was honored at the MIT Office of Graduate Education’s 2019 celebration of Graduate Women of Excellence, nominated by her peers and one of three in EAPS selected based on “their exemplary leadership through example and action, service to the Institute, their dedication to mentoring and their drive to make changes to improve the student experience.” When not on trips to muddy waters, Stokes regularly joins EAPS post-work gatherings with trips to the Muddy Charles, MIT’s on-campus bar, forging deep friendships.
Stokes still manages to spend most of her time outdoors, teaching, outside the realm of Earth science. She coaches the women’s ultimate frisbee team at MIT and plays on regionally competitive teams in the Boston area. “It’s also allowed me to interact with undergraduate students at MIT through coaching which helps me feel more tapped into the MIT community at large. I’ve learned a lot about teamwork, leadership, and teaching from the sport,” she says.
Stokes’ advisor speculates that she will continue to stand out after she graduates with her doctorate from MIT. “She has demonstrated strong commitments to teaching undergraduates and communicating science to the public,” says Perron. “I expect that she will be a leading researcher in science working at the intersection of the physical environment and biological diversity.”
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Jay-Z rumored to acquire ‘significant ownership interest’ in NFL team as part of new deal
Earlier this week, it was announced that Jay-Z’s company Roc Nation agency inked a deal with the NFL encompassing entertainment and social justice, and now rumors are swirling that the rapper might become part-owner of an NFL franchise.
TheGrio previously reported that Roc Nation will serve as co-producer of future Super Bowl Halftime shows, and also contribute to Inspire Change, a foundation the NFL started in response to public outrage over their mishandling of Colin Kaepernick’s peaceful #TakeTheKnee protest.
READ MORE: Op-Ed: Only an idiot would be shocked that Jay-Z’s NFL deal leaves out Colin Kaepernick
On Friday, more details of Jay’s NFL deal emerged, with TMZ reporting how the savvy businessman will soon acquire a “significant ownership interest” in an NFL team. Variety notes that details about which team he’s eyeing or exactly when the deal will be finalized have not yet been revealed, but news of the billionaire hip-hop star and entrepreneur becoming part owner has fueled the ongoing heated debate on Twitter about Jay’s “betrayal” to the cultural with his NFL partnership.
One of Kap’s biggest defenders, Eric Reid, as well as the former 49’s girlfriend, Nessa, both publicly criticized Jay’s major money moves with the NFL.
“JAY-Z claimed to be a supporter of Colin,” Reid said. “Wore his jersey. Told people not perform at the supper bowl because of the treatment that the NFL did to Colin and now he’s going to be a part owner. It’s kind of despicable.”
Nessa hit up Twitter and wrote, “Jay-Z knew better and did NOT do better. The NFL used him but that shouldn’t surprise anyone bc that’s how the nfl moves. That’s what the NFL always does – BUY PR LOOKS. Thankfully the people see through this even if it means calling out their idol.”
READ MORE: Beyoncé & Jay Z announce $1 million in college scholarships
In interviews with reporters for the The New York Times, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal, Jay was asked how he could comfortably be in cahoots with the league while Kaepernick remains unsigned, he responded, “I think that we forget that Colin’s whole thing was to bring attention to social injustice so in that case this is a success — this is the next thing. There’s two parts of protest: the protest, and then there’s a company or individual saying ‘I hear you, what do we do next?’ For me it’s about actionable items, what are we gonna do about it? We get stuck on Colin not having a job, you know what I’m saying? And this is more than that.”
“I support any protest that’s effective,” Jay continued. “I’m into action, I’m into real work— I’m not into how it looks from the outside. If protesting on the field is the most effective way, then protest on the field. But if you have a vehicle that can inspire change and speak to the masses at the same time, it’s hard to steal the narrative away.”
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New Jersey man’s ‘side chick’ burns his house down after he stood her up for sex
A New Jersey woman has been charged with attempted murder and aggravated arson for setting a man’s house ablaze after he stood her up for sex.
The victim, whose name has not yet been released, told police that Taija M. Russell, 29, of Blackwood, was his “side chick” — and he missed eight calls from her and a slew of text messages on the night of the incident, including, “You wasted my money to come out here,” “U smoked,” “I see you wanna die,” and “I swear to god I hope you die,” police said, according to New York Daily News.
Surveillance video captures Russell buying matches, a lighter and lighter fluid from a local gas station. From there, another camera shows her knocking on his door around 4 a.m. A half an hour later, he wakes to the flames and escapes by removing a window frame and climbing through the opening, police said. The man fled the home wearing only a T-shirt and ran around two-tenths of a mile to Woodbury’s police station. Officials said he was “covered head to toe in soot and ash,” USA Today reports.
READ MORE: Police bodycam footage in death of De’Von Bailey released; sparks outrage
He was taken to a hospital and treated for smoke inhalation and first- and second-degree burns, according to police. His dog was also rescued and treated for smoke inhalation.
“The residence and its contents were completely destroyed,” according to the report.
The man told authorities that he asked Russell to come to his house for sex, but fell asleep before she arrived. Police arrested her Tuesday after speaking with witnesses and reviewing hours of surveillance video from the area.
Russell has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated arson, aggravated assault, endangering/creating substantial risk of death and criminal mischief.
READ MORE: Florida community terrorized by teen threatening to kill black people in ‘KKK’ video
The man and dog “are both recovering well,” police noted in announcing the arrest.
The incident marked the second time this year a scorned woman set fire to a man’s home in Woodbury.
33-year-old Tasia Young was charged with aggravated arson in April for setting fire to her boyfriend’s duplex after she became angry when he sent her home in an Uber following a threesome and the other woman got to stay after the sexual encounter.
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GOP memo reveals Republican strategy to downplay white nationalism and blame left for mass shootings
Amid the ongoing debate over whether there is an uprising of right-wing, white supremacy-related violence under President Trump, congressional Republicans have been directed to downplay reports about extremist-related murders by pushing anti-left propaganda.
A GOP memo obtained by The Tampa Bay Times falsely blames Democrats for the El Paso massacre and other notable mass shootings. The documents include talking points for congressional Republicans to recite when speaking with reporters or constituents about gun violence and domestic terrorism.
The memo serves as a script for how to respond to questions such as: “Do you believe white nationalism is driving more mass shootings recently?”
Republican lawmakers are advised to offer this response: “White nationalism and racism are pure evil and cannot be tolerated in any form. We also can’t excuse violence from the left such as the El Paso shooter, the recent Colorado shooters, the Congressional baseball shooter, Congresswoman Giffords’ shooter and Antifa.”
READ MORE: Don Lemon blasts Trump for making visits to mass shooting victims all about himself
The El Paso shooter, 21-year-old Patrick Crusius, killed 22 people and targeted Hispanics. He reportedly penned a manifesto documenting his far right beliefs and how they align with Trump’s divisive rhetoric. The language reportedly echoes Trump’s characterizations of illegal immigration.
Rep. Gabby Giffords shooter had mixed political views and was primarily motived by his reported personal obsession with the Arizona Congresswoman. The May shooters at a Colorado high school — both bullied high schoolers — were also not known to be motivated by politics.
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, included the GOP talking points in a newsletter that he emailed this week to his Florida constituents.
“We have sadly seen violence from ideological extremists on both sides and that is completely unacceptable and must be condemned,” said his spokeswoman Summer Robertson. “Congressman Bilirakis has always been clear that he denounces bigotry and hate speech, regardless of its source, including from white nationalists.”
READ MORE: Oprah Winfrey weighs in on mass shootings
In wake of the recent back-to-back shootings in El Paso and Dayton, Ohio, Republicans have faced mounting pressure from Democrats and victims of gun violence who are demanding Congress take action.
The GOP’s response has been to encourage Republican members of congress to lie about the facts and instead highlight incidents of “violence on the left,” which contradicts reports about the rise in hate crimes and white nationalism on the far-right.
The Anti-Defamation League noted on Twitter that “73.3% of U.S. extremist-related murders in the past decade were committed by right-wing extremists, including white supremacists.”
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Nicki Minaj hints at marriage to felon bae by changing Twitter name to ‘Mrs. Petty’
Nicki Minaj and her felon bae Kenneth Petty have been dating since 2018, and if a new Twitter handle is any indication, it seems they are serious about to taking their relationship to the next level and tying the knot.
As TheGrio previously reported, the “Megatron” rapper and her beau obtained a marriage license in Beverly Hills late last month. On Friday, Nicki changed her Twitter display name from “Ms. Minaj” to ” Mrs. Petty,” to reflect the last name of the 41-year-old Queens native, PEOPLE reports.
READ MORE: Trina quickly addresses member of her team’s negative shot at Nicki Minaj on social media
Nicki previously told listeners of her QUEEN Radio podcast that she and her man had obtained a marriage license, and she had “about 80 days” to walk down the aisle. With the name change on social media, fans are convinced she’s already married.
“We still had to pick it up and I was traveling, by the time I came back, we had to renew it again,” she said on the Aug. 12 episode of her radio show. “From that time, you have 90 days to get married. That was about a week ago, so now I have about 80 days.”
Petty is a convicted sex offender for attempted rape of a 16-year-old in 1995, according to New York Division of Criminal Justice Services records, The Blast reports. He also was convicted in the shooting death of a man named Lamont Robinson in 2002, according to a criminal complaint obtained by website.
Fans have been giving Nicki hell over her relationship Petty since she announced their union on Instagram. It seems the Barbz believe she can do better and hate to see her boo’d up with a felon. But Nicki used her podcast platform recently to make clear that her love for Petty is deeper than folks realize.
“When a person is with a n—- that loved them before they had a dime in their pocket? How do you not understand that? How do you not understand happiness vs clout?” Minaj said, according to E! News.
“How f—ing dare you talk about lowering standards,” she added. She then scolded her critics telling them to “wake up” and expressed how deeply her love for Petty runs.
“It’s the truth, money cannot buy me happiness and good sex,” Minaj said.
READ MORE: Twitter goes crazy over Normani’s new ‘Motivation’ video
While the haters continue to hate, Minaj said she and Petty will celebrate their union with a intimate ceremony and plan a big wedding after her schedule becomes less busy.
“I have to work on my album and I have a lot to focus on that I don’t want to do the big wedding now. We’ll do the big wedding later,” Minaj said. “I’ll be married before my album comes out, but will have my wedding after the album comes out. Before the 90 days is over, yes, I will be married.”
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R. Kelly’s attorney denies claims singer missed court because he refused to cooperate
R. Kelly is denying claims that he refused to show up in court for a pretrial hearing in Chicago on Thursday.
As TheGrio previously reported, Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Jennifer Gonzalez stated to NBC News that the embattled singer “refused transport” from the Metropolitan Correctional Center in downtown, where he’s awaiting trial on a number of sexual abuse crimes. The hearing is a routine part of the evidentiary process, and was still held before Cook County Judge Lawrence Flood, despite Kelly not being present.
His lawyer, however, said the claim that R .Kelly refused transport is “not 100-percent true.” Attorney Steve Greenberg is putting the blame squarely on the State’s Attorney, noting that “nobody came to get” Kelly when it was time for his court appearance.
READ MORE: R. Kelly to move to New York to face racketeering charges
“He’s in federal custody and it’s incumbent on the state to get him to Cook County… I can’t drive over in my Maserati and pick him up and they didn’t do it,” Greenberg tells Billboard. “They claimed he refused to come when nobody came to get him. What they said was just not true. It was the State’s Attorney lying to cover up their own screw-up over the fact that they didn’t get him.”
Kelly has been behind bars for more than a month on racketeering and child pornography charges in New York and Illinois. He was also recently hit with two counts of underage prostitution in Minnesota.
Kellz has denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the sexual misconduct charges against him in Chicago, which include more than two dozen federal sex crime charges as well as charges of racketeering, kidnapping, forced labor and sexual exploitation in New York. The 40 counts he’s facing carry a combined maximum prison sentence of more than 500 years, according to the Associated Press.
“Saying he refused to transport is a lie,” says Greenberg. “I told them that he didn’t want to come… there was no reason to bring him and he didn’t want to come. He didn’t want to go through all that. I also told them that the Marshall’s service didn’t want to go through the hassle and everyone was fine with that.”
Greenberg says if an official from the Cook County Sheriff’s Office had shown up to get R. Kelly he would have appeared in court.
READ MORE: Sparkle calls out Erykah Badu and Taraji P. Henson over R. Kelly comments
“Because of who he is you have to put extra manpower on it,” he says of the additional precautions that are required for this high-profile case. “You can move a normal guy in a regular van, but with him you have to have a car in front and behind and extra guys to get him into the building because he’s not just some nameless, faceless guy who can just walk into the courtroom.”
When asked how his client is holding up in jail, Greenberg said: “he’s not happy… he’s in jail and he would like to get out of jail because he’s accused of all kinds of things that aren’t true.”
The next status hearing in the case is scheduled for Sept. 17.
The post R. Kelly’s attorney denies claims singer missed court because he refused to cooperate appeared first on theGrio.
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Space Photos of the Week: Sun Spotting
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