Bring That Week Back: Week of December 6
Beyonce throws a birthday bash for Jay-Z in the DR. More stories!
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Oprah Films White House Special - Oprah Winfrey completed filming a Christmas special highlighting the Obamas as they prepare for the holidays. In the TV special, Oprah sits down with the Obamas to talk about Christmas and what makes the holidays special for their family. “Christmas at the White House" airs on ABC on Dec. 13 at 10 p.m.
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Obama Picks Up Nobel Prize - President Barack Obama traveled to Oslo, Norway on Thursday to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to bring peace between Muslim and Western nations. During his acceptance speech Obama said that nations must do more to ensure human rights and economic opportunity for individuals.
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Beyoncé Throws Big 40th B-Day Bash for Jay-Z - Surprise! Beyoncé pulled out all the stops when she surprised her superstar husband, Jay-Z, with a 1940s-themed surprise 40th birthday party in the Dominican Republic. The party, held at the Casa de Campo resort, was so exclusive that you needed a password to get in. A-list partiers included Alicia Keys, Diddy, DJ Cassidy and Kanye West. The event ended with an impromptu performance of Jay-Z and Alicia's hit “Empire State of Mind” and a fireworks show.
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College Students Abandon Child on Campus - LaShawn Murray and Tekia Ritter are charged with abandonment of a child for leaving their 11-week-old infant in a parking lot at North Carolina A&T University. According to North Carolina A&T Police, Ritter came on campus to give custody of the child to Murray, who refused. Murray left the baby on campus and then called police. The baby is now placed in the custody of Guilford County Children Services.
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Eminem Named Best Selling Artist of Decade - Eminem was named the best selling artist of the decade with more than 32.2 million units sold, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Eminem beat out The Beatles by two million units. The list from Nielsen adds ups tabulations of the Billboard charts beginning Jan. 1, 2000 until Nov. 1, 2009.
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Tiger Woods Saga Gets More Interesting - Can Tiger catch a break? Emergency medical personnel showed up to Tigers Woods' mansion on Monday to take Woods' mother-in-law to the hospital early Monday morning with stomach pains. On Wednesday, emails allegedly from Tiger Woods to his mistress Rachel Uchitel have been made public, thus adding more pressure on the golf superstar to explain his actions. The purported emails suggest Woods is in love with Uchitel and considered leaving his wife.
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Climate Conference Continues in Copenhagen - Scientist, educators, environmentalists and government officials of many nations continue their conference on the environment in Sweden. The goal of the conference is to determine what steps are necessary to slow global warming and greenhouse gas emissions.
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White House Hosts Kennedy Center Honorees - Rock ‘n’ roll superstar Bruce Springsteen, comedian Mel Brooks, opera performer Grace Bumbler, Academy Award-winning actor Robert DeNiro and jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck were honored by President and Mrs. Obama with the Kennedy Center Honors. The annual event recognizes performers who have defined American culture through the arts.
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Kasim Reed “Officially” Mayor of Atlanta - In one of the closest elections in the history of Atlanta politics, Georgia State Senator Kasim Reed was elected Mayor of Atlanta as his opponent Atlanta city councilwoman Mary Norwood conceded the race after a recount. Reed, who defeated Norwood by 714 votes, will take office Jan. 4. Reed is the latest in a line of African-American Atlanta mayors that began in 1973 with the election of Maynard Jackson.
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Missing Woman Found - A Washington, D.C. woman, who was reported missing, was found safe and sound. D.C. police said Cynthia Ann Passmore is safe and has made contact with her family. Passmore, a manager at a Ruby Tuesday restaurant, was reported missing on Tuesday after she did not come home from her shift.
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Tavis Smiley to Publish R. Kelly Memoir - Tavis Smiley's publishing company has agreed to publish R. Kelly's upcoming memoir chronicling his life and experiences. The book, which has yet to be named, will go in detail about the 2002 child molestation charges of which he was cleared in 2008. Kelly was accused of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl. The book is set to be available in stores in 2011.
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Tyler Perry's Mom Dies - Willie Maxine Perry, the mother of producer and playwright Tyler Perry, died Tuesday at the age of 64. Perry said his mother was in part the inspiration for “Madea” --a staple character in Perry's plays and movies. Perry thanked fans through his Web site for their prayers and messages of encouragement.
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Ashanti Has a Stalker - A man is in jail in New York for stalking Ashanti. New York City police allege Devar Hurd has sent dozens of lewd sex messages and pictures to Ashanti and her mother. Hurd has pled not guilty. His trial begins on Monday.
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Obama Unveils Job Creation Plans - Cutting small business taxes and using excess money from the bank-bailout plan on infrastructure projects are some of the ideas President Obama proposed during a press conference to address America's 10 percent unemployment rate. Obama hopes to use Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) funds to cover the costs of the new initiative.
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Pregnant D.C. Woman Kidnapped; Belly Cut - A woman who police allege cut a baby from a woman's womb in Washington, D.C. is charged with kidnapping, assault and attempted murder. According to police, Veronica Deramous lured a homeless pregnant woman to her home, tied her up and cut her womb to retrieve her baby. The mother escaped to the house of a neighbor who called police. The baby and mother are expected to recover.
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Senate Democrats Reach Compromise on Health Care - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) announced on Tuesday that a compromise was reached with liberal and moderate Democrats in Health Care legislation. The deal requires the federal government to allow Americans 55 and older into the Medicare Insurance program while younger Americans will be able to buy into private insurance plans that federal employees use for health care. The plan must still be voted on by the full U.S. Senate.
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Russell Simmons Lands Show on Oxygen - Russell Simmons is the latest hip-hop mogul to land a reality show. Simmons, the founder of Def Jam Records, will be featured on “The Russell Simmons Project," a new reality show on Oxygen that explores Simmons' business empire and his relationship with the women who comprise his team of associates. Oxygen has yet to announce when the show will be televised.
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Heisman Trophy Finalists Announced - University of Alabama running back Mark Ingram, Nebraska defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh (pictured), Stanford University running back Toby Gerhart, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow and Texas quarterback Colt McCoy were invited to New York City for the annual Heisman Trophy Presentation event. The event recognizes the best college football player of 2009.
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Bryant Gumbel Battles Lung Cancer - Longtime journalist and television host Bryant Gumbel announced that he had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor on his lung. The announcement came on Tuesday during a segment on “Live with Regis & Kelly.” Gumbel, 61, said he is feeling better each day and expects to maintain his schedule. Gumbel is the host of HBO's “Real Sports.”
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EPA Chief: U.S. Making Up for Lost Time - The person in charge of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made it clear to world leaders that America is committed to lowering greenhouse gases. EPA head Lisa P. Jackson told world leaders the U.S. is mandating stricter fuel standards for vehicles and encouraging cleaner energy, during the keynote address at the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen.
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Muhammad Ali Cuts Ribbon at Parkinson’s Center - “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali, cut the ribbon to celebrate the opening of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Disease Center in Phoenix. The center, which is considered the most comprehensive Parkinson’s treatment and research center in the country, is expected to treat, help and rehabilitate thousands of Americans impacted by the disease.
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50 Cent Slams Grammy - Despite being nominated for 13 Grammy Awards over the course of his career, 50 Cent said he could care less about taking a trophy home. 50 Cent said during an MTV interview that Grammys typically go to artists from record companies that spend money to support the ceremony. 50 Cent also said he expects the Grammys to be the “Beyoncé and Taylor Swift Show.”
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50 Cent Slams Grammy - Despite being nominated for 13 Grammy Awards over the course of his career, 50 Cent said he could care less about taking a trophy home. 50 Cent said during an MTV interview that Grammys typically go to artists from record companies that spend money to support the ceremony. 50 Cent also said he expects the Grammys to be the “Beyoncé and Taylor Swift Show.”
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Alabama Politics Turn Ugly - The man in charge of the Alabama Education Association and Rep. Artur Davis are entangled in a nasty racial and political spat that threatens to ruin the prospects of Alabama electing a Black governor. Joe Reed, the head of the AEA wrote in the organization’s newsletter that Davis, who is running for Governor, is placating to conservative Whites by voting against the House version of the health care bill. Davis countered that Reed is injecting race into every debate.
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CBC to Obama: Black America Needs Help - Members of the Congressional Black Caucus demand that the President focuses on job creation in urban communities. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-California) among several other prominent Black political leaders urge Obama to use federal funding to stimulate small business and urban schools.
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South Africans Complain About J-Hud Playing Winnie - A group of South African actors are crying foul over the decision to cast Jennifer Hudson as Winnie Mandela. South African Creative Worker's Union is working to halt production of the film unless a South African actress is selected to play the iconic figure. Darrell Roodt, the director of the Mandela film said he is “unfazed” by the criticism.
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Catholic Church Accused of Denying Justice - At least 50 African Americans have joined together in questioning the Catholic Diocese of Chicago alleging the institution of covering up sexual abuse of young Black children by Catholic priests. The group, led by attorney Phillip Aaron, accuses the Diocese of ignoring the needs of Black victims both financially and with counseling.
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Jackson Family Not Happy With Dr. Murray's Return - The Jackson family is not pleased that Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's former physician, is back to treating patients. Jermaine Jackson said he blames Murray for his brother's passing. “I'm very upset to hear that this doctor is able to go back and practice medicine,” said Jackson on "Larry King Live.”
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Woods Loses Endorsements - Tiger Woods’ world continues to crash as he lost two major endorsement deals. Gatorade has discontinued its “Tiger Drink” and Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer has pulled its ads featuring Woods in Australia. Both companies said the endorsement and advertisement pull has nothing to do with Woods' infidelity.
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Dungy: Lack of Black Coaches in College Football" - Super Bowl-winning coach turned NFL pundit Tony Dungy called the lack of Black head coaches in major college football disgraceful. Dungy said colleges must do more to ensure qualified Black coaches get an opportunity. Dungy made his comments on NBC's “Football Night in America” program.
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Nelly Hosts Black and White Ball in Da Lou - For the fourth year, Nelly held his Black and White Ball to raise money for college scholarships. Nelly was joined at the event by Jermaine Dupri, baseball legend Ozzie Smith, R&B singer Mario and magician Justin Kredible.
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Robert Gibbs Gets into Exchange with April Ryan - In a heated exchange during a White House press conference, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs referred to April Ryan, a correspondent for American Urban Radio, as an overexcited child who needs to calm down. Ryan was asking questions about Desiree Rogers’ involvement in the State Dinner party-crashers incident.
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Ohio State’s Evan Turner Injured in Game - An Ohio State University basketball player will miss at least two months of action after breaking a vertebra in his back in a gruesome fall during a basketball game. Turner is considered one of the best players in the nation.
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Black Firefighters Seek to Halt White Promotions - A group of Black firefighters in New Haven Conn., are asking a court to block the promotions of 10 White firefighters until a determination can be made about the fairness of the test. The 10 firefighters already won a Supreme Court ruling charging reverse discrimination held up their promotions.