Man charged in death of gay mayoral candidate

A 22-year-old man has been charged with murder Thursday in the death of a gay black mayoral candidate in the small but violent Mississippi town of Clarksdale. Lawrence Reed of Shelby is accused of killing Marco McMillian, 34, who was well-known in the community and beyond. Authorities had been looking for McMillian since Tuesday morning when his SUV was involved in a car crash with another vehicle and he was nowhere to be found.  The candidate's body was found near the Mississippi River levee Wednesday morning (February 27, 2013) between Sherard and Rena Lara. The body was sent for an autopsy, and the cause of death hasn't been made public. McMillian was seen as a rising star in Mississippi Democratic politics, and some political observers believed he was a viable candidate for office. The death was not considered politically motivated, despite a heated mayoral race, said Coahoma County Coroner Scotty Meredith. Follow me on Tumblr and Twitter to catch latest updates on this news story.

Deadly fire in Calcutta illegal market

At least 19 people have been killed when a massive fire swept through an illegal plastics market in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata on Wednesday morning (February 27, 2013). The fire was detected at 3:50 a.m. at the Surya Sen market complex in central Kolkata 's Sealdah area when the victims, mostly shop owners and workers, were sleeping inside. The unlicensed shops clustered in the building were selling plastics, papers, and foam products which created acrid black smoke that impeded rescue efforts and led to the high death toll. The building had only one entrance, making rescue difficult. Efforts were also hampered by thick smoke blanketing the area. It took three hours to contain the blaze, but rescue operations are ongoing. Many have been transferred to two city hospitals for treatment. In March 2010 a huge blaze on one of Kolkata's most exclusive streets killed 43 while in late 2011, 90 people were killed when a fire engulfed a city hospital. Remember to share this news on your Google+ profile if you think this post is helpful. Thanks for your support.

An Indian man arrested for calling 911 nine times to order a cheeseburger

Gregory Jackson Sr., an Indian man, was arrested after repeatedly calling 911 nine times in a one-and-a-half hour period last Friday (February 21, 2013). The 52-year-old guy drew the attention of local police, calling the emergency service just to order a cheeseburger. However, instead of sending him a cheeseburger, New Castle Police sent an officer to his apartment and arrested him for failing to appear at a court hearing two days earlier. Now, Jackson is being held in the Henry County Jail, awaiting an appearance scheduled today. According to Topsy, the former inmate has previously served jail sentences for theft, dealing a controlled substance and criminal recklessness.

Cuban President Raul Castro reveals retirement plan

Cuban President Raul Castro announced on Sunday (February 24, 2013) that he will step down from power in 2018 following a final five-year term. The 81-year-old leader also said he hopes to establish two-term limits and age caps for political offices including the presidency. During his years in power, Raul Castro eased some restrictions on personal freedoms by lifting bans on mobile phones and home computers, and abolished the need of citizens to buy expensive exit visas when travelling abroad as tourists. The Communist assembly tapped a 52-year-old rising star, Miguel Diaz-Canel to become his first vice president and first in the line of succession. Commander of the Revolution Ramiro Valdes, 80, and Gladys Bejerano, 66, the comptroller general, were also re-elected as vice presidents. This comes as Cuba's newly elected 612-member parliament gathered on Sunday. Former President Fidel Castro joined the National Assembly meeting in a rare public appearance. If you want to ask me anything about Castro's retirement plan, please drop a comment here.

Senator Marco Rubio joins Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa in a Google-sponsored ad

Marco Rubio, the former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, was recently featured in a Google-sponsored ad that encourages businesses to start websites. The Cuban American native of Miami was joined in the ad by three Democrats including Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Sly James, Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "Get online," Senator Marco Rubio said. "Fifteen million businesses do not have a website." This clip is part of Google's Get Your Business Online initiative that offers a free web hosting and domain name to small businesses that apply. Besides this blog, you can also follow me on Pinterest and other social networking sites. Have a nice weekend!

A California couple return a bag filled with wads of cash near Golden Gate Bridge on Valentine’s Day

Carlos and Barbara Landeros, a California couple, found a bag filled with wads of cash during their romantic Valentine’s Day stroll across the Golden Gate Bridge on February 14, 2013. There were also expensive camera equipment and credit cards inside the bag. The honest pair waited for more than 45 minutes to make sure it wasn't stolen and hoped an owner would return to claim it. When no owner arrived, Carlos and Barbara Landeros decided to turn the bag and its contents over to the police. The owner of the bang was then tracked down. He is Mark, a tourist from China. Mark said that he mistakenly left the camera bag in the parking lot after posing for family photos. Mark also personally visited the Landeroses to thank them and put a check in the mail as a reward. I think this is a very interesting story. Please share it on Jeqq if you agree with me.

Mother and daughter sentenced to prison for kidnapping a little boy and hiding him for 8 years

Gloria Walker and her daughter Krystle Tanner in Texas were sentenced to prison after being convicted of kidnapping Miguel Morin on Tuesday (February 19, 2013). Krystle Tanner, who  used to babysit the Houston boy, took him from his apartment complex when he was eight months. She and her mother then kept him hidden in homes in Central and East Texas for eight years before he was found. The two also renamed him Jaquan. Gloria Walker was sentenced to 30 years for injury to a child and eight years for kidnapping while Krystle Tanner was sentenced to eight years for kidnapping and eight years for the lesser charge of reckless injury to a child. Please share this news on TweetBuzz and Opera so other children will know and stay away the two women.

Billionaire Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss dies at the age of 80

Jerry Buss, the Los Angeles Lakers' owner and real estate magnate, died at the age of 80 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on Monday (February 18, 2013). Buss, whose condition worsened in recent months, had been hospitalized for most of the past 18 months while undergoing cancer treatment. However, the immediate cause of death was kidney failure. With a scientist's analytical skills, a businessman's money-making savvy and a die-hard hoops fan's heart, Jerry Buss shepherded the Lakers to 10 championships from the Showtime dynasty of the 1980s to the Kobe Bryant era. Buss purchased the NBA team and other assets in 1979 for $67.5 million in 1979 and the club is now run largely by Jim Buss and Jeanie Buss, two of his six children. Follow me Tumblr or Google+ if you are a fan of the Lakers.

Another major snowstorm hits New England

Just one week after the historic blizzard hit New England, another storm brought several inches of snow and strong winds to parts of the Northeast on 17 February. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning on Sunday morning for Boston, Cape Cod, Nantucket and surrounding areas, saying that gusty winds, low visibility and up to 8 inches of snow were expected. Sustained winds of 20-30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph blew the light, fluffy snow that was already on the ground, creating low visibility, possible whiteout conditions and dangerous driving conditions. The snow and ice in Boston caused flights arriving to Logan International Airport to be delayed an average of 52 minutes. The city was likely to escape the worst of it, said Bill Simpson, a meteorologist for the weather service in Taunton. The snow that was hitting the New England area came a day after the moving storm brought 2-3 inches of snow to the Carolinas. Please drop a comment here if you want to ask me anything about the snowstorm.

Memphis City Council passes the resolution to change the name of three parks

According to You Doze, a resolution was passed by the Memphis City Council to immediately rename three parks that honor the Confederacy and two of its notable members. The idea of changing the name of these parks emerged after council members learned of a state House bill that would prevent parks named after historical military figures from being renamed. The resolution changes the name of Confederate Park and Jefferson Davis Park in downtown Memphis to Memphis Park and Mississippi River Park respectively. Meanwhile, Nathan Bedford Forrest Park, which lies just a few miles away, is renamed to Health Sciences Park.

One dead and dozens wounded in Port Said clash

A crowd of protesters reportedly tried to attack a police station in Port Said on Friday (January 25, 2013). A 23-year-old man died after he was shot in the chest and forehead while dozens were wounded in the clashes. The guy who was killed with live bullets was identified Mohamed Hussein Qurany. It was not immediately clear which side is to blame for the deadly shooting. The crowd of protesters were said to throw petrol bombs and shoot fireworks at the outer wall of Mursi's Cairo presidential compound as night fell. The riot police then fired shotgun pellets, tear gas and powerful jets of water from fire hoses in an effort to disperse the demonstrators. It was estimated that at least 54 people had been injured across the country, mostly in Cairo. On Monday (January 28, 2013), thousands took to the streets of Port Said Monday during the funerals of the most recent victims of the clashes. Follow me on Jeqq if you want to see the list of the victims.