Bring That Week Back: Week of Jan. 24

Chris Brown is praised in court; Oprah makes shocking revelation | plus more of last week's top stories!

Vick Lands Endorsement - For the first time since his release from prison for dogfighting charges, Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick has signed a two-year endorsement contract with Unequal Technologies, the company that provides the football pads he wore last season. “Michael is good people. He paid his dues... He deserves an opportunity,” the company’s CEO, Rob Vito, said Tuesday. While terms of the deal hadn’t been released, Vito called the contract “sizable.”

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Vick Lands Endorsement - For the first time since his release from prison for dogfighting charges, Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick has signed a two-year endorsement contract with Unequal Technologies, the company that provides the football pads he wore last season. “Michael is good people. He paid his dues... He deserves an opportunity,” the company’s CEO, Rob Vito, said Tuesday. While terms of the deal hadn’t been released, Vito called the contract “sizable.”

Gay Ban Repeal to be Implemented in 2011 - Pentagon leaders announced Friday that training to apply the repeal of the military’s gay ban will start next month. While they don’t anticipate any delays, officials said they couldn’t guarantee the president’s State of the Union assertion that the repeal process will be finalized in 2011.

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Gay Ban Repeal to be Implemented in 2011 - Pentagon leaders announced Friday that training to apply the repeal of the military’s gay ban will start next month. While they don’t anticipate any delays, officials said they couldn’t guarantee the president’s State of the Union assertion that the repeal process will be finalized in 2011.

Obama Willing to “Tweak” Health Care - The president announced Friday that he would veto any efforts to repeal his historic health care overhaul. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted to repeal the health care law the previous week. He did say he’s open to some compromise or a little “tweak” here or there, but not any “efforts that will take this law apart without considering the lives and the livelihoods that hang in the balance.”

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Obama Willing to “Tweak” Health Care - The president announced Friday that he would veto any efforts to repeal his historic health care overhaul. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted to repeal the health care law the previous week. He did say he’s open to some compromise or a little “tweak” here or there, but not any “efforts that will take this law apart without considering the lives and the livelihoods that hang in the balance.”

Oprah Gives Staff $10,000, iPad - In commemoration of O Magazine’s 10-year anniversary, the talk show diva surprised her magazine staff with an Apple iPad and a check for $10,000. The gifts were “a thank you for their hard work and dedication,” according to a magazine spokeswoman.

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Oprah Finds Long Lost Sister - On Monday’s airing of her show, Oprah Winfrey revealed that she learned she has a half-sister last November. The woman, identified only as Patricia, who says she found out about her famous sibling in 2007, never went to the press with the story, instead choosing to try to contact Winfrey herself. Patricia was given up for adoption in 1963 by Winfrey’s mom and had been searching for years for her birth mother. Winfrey and Patricia met on Thanksgiving Day of last year.

Nelson Mandela Health Scare - Late in the week, Mandela was admitted to a Johannesburg hospital for routine tests, which resulted in growing speculation from the media about his health and a public outpouring of support. He spent two nights in the hospital before he was released. Doctors say he suffered a respiratory infection. His foundation has reported receiving thousands of notes for well wishes, including one from President Obama.

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Nelson Mandela Health Scare - Late in the week, Mandela was admitted to a Johannesburg hospital for routine tests, which resulted in growing speculation from the media about his health and a public outpouring of support. He spent two nights in the hospital before he was released. Doctors say he suffered a respiratory infection. His foundation has reported receiving thousands of notes for well wishes, including one from President Obama.

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Terry McMillian Speaks Out on Will and Jada - On Wednesday, author Terry McMillian, who penned “Waiting to Exhale,” took aim at Hollywood power couple Will and Jada Smith via Twitter. “It feels like the Smith children are being pimped and exploited. Or they’re already hungry for fame,” she tweeted. “What about 4th grade?” She went on to refer to former child stars Lindsay Lohan and the late River Phoenix, both troubled by drug addiction, saying that they also missed out on their childhood.

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Terry McMillian Speaks Out on Will and Jada - On Wednesday, author Terry McMillian, who penned “Waiting to Exhale,” took aim at Hollywood power couple Will and Jada Smith via Twitter. “It feels like the Smith children are being pimped and exploited. Or they’re already hungry for fame,” she tweeted. “What about 4th grade?” She went on to refer to former child stars Lindsay Lohan and the late River Phoenix, both troubled by drug addiction, saying that they also missed out on their childhood.

'I'm Going To Do It' - NFL star Chad Ochocinco says he isn't about to let the NFL tell him what he can and can't do during games. The Cincinnati Bengals' wide receiver had already declared that he wanted to Tweet (post to Twitter) during NFL games, and the NFL already gave him a very firm “no.” But he told SportsFanLive that he plans on doing it anyway. "When I say I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it, regardless of what they say," Ochocinco said.

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Is Ochocinco Going Back to Johnson? - In an interview with ESPN Tuesday, Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco hinted that he might be changing his last name back to Johnson. Ochocinco, who changed his name back in 2008 to match his jersey number, 85, told the interviewer that he’s “done enough with the Ocho thing.”

State of the Union Address - On Tuesday evening, President Obama delivered his annual State of the Union Address in front of lawmakers. In a show of solidarity following the Arizona shootings earlier this month, members from both parties crossed the aisle to sit next to each other. Obama stressed unity in politics and talked about ways Democrats and Republicans can work together.

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President Obama’s State of the Union - On Tuesday evening, President Obama delivered his annual State of the Union Address in front of lawmakers. In a show of solidarity following the Arizona shootings earlier this month, members from both parties crossed the aisle to sit next to each other. Obama stressed unity in politics and talked about ways Democrats and Republicans can work together.

Marvelettes Co-Founder Dies - Singer Gladys Horton, co-founder of the Motown group the Marvelettes, died Wednesday at a Los Angeles nursing home. She was 66. Horton had been recovering from a stroke, her son told the Associated Press. The group’s popular hits include “Please Mr. Postman” and “Too Many Fish in the Sea.”

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Marvelettes Co-Founder Dies - Singer Gladys Horton, co-founder of the Motown group the Marvelettes, died Wednesday at a Los Angeles nursing home. She was 66. Horton had been recovering from a stroke, her son told the Associated Press. The group’s popular hits include “Please Mr. Postman” and “Too Many Fish in the Sea.”

CNN Ranks the World’s Coolest - Cable news network CNN recently came out with a list of the “World’s Coolest Nationalities.” Making up the top 10 were the Nepalese at No. 10, the Chinese at No. 9, the Batswana at No. 8, Japanese at No. 7, Spaniards at No. 6, Americans at No. 5, Mongolians at No. 4, Jamaicans at No. 3, Singaporeans at No. 2, and, coming out on top at No. 1, Brazilians.

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CNN Ranks the World’s Coolest - Cable news network CNN recently came out with a list of the “World’s Coolest Nationalities.” Making up the top 10 were the Nepalese at No. 10, the Chinese at No. 9, the Batswana at No. 8, Japanese at No. 7, Spaniards at No. 6, Americans at No. 5, Mongolians at No. 4, Jamaicans at No. 3, Singaporeans at No. 2, and, coming out on top at No. 1, Brazilians.

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Gay Ugandan Activist Killed - Late Wednesday evening, David Kato, a popular Ugandan gay rights activist, died while being taken to the hospital with head wounds caused by a hammer. Kato’s photo had been published by an anti-gay newspaper near the words “Hang Them,” but police said Thursday that his homosexuality had nothing to do with the murder. Outraged activists are calling for an investigation. Kato had received many death threats previously.

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Gay Ugandan Activist Killed - Late Wednesday evening, David Kato, a popular Ugandan gay rights activist, died while being taken to the hospital with head wounds caused by a hammer. Kato’s photo had been published by an anti-gay newspaper near the words “Hang Them,” but police said Thursday that his homosexuality had nothing to do with the murder. Outraged activists are calling for an investigation. Kato had received many death threats previously.

Ohio Mom Released From Jail - On Wednesday morning, Kelley Williams-Bolar was released from an Ohio county jail after she was sentenced for wrongly enrolling her kids in a majority-white school district. She had been sentenced to serve 10 days in jail on Jan. 18 after a jury found her guilty of tampering with records. Williams-Bolar’s case sparked a national outcry, with many believing that jail was too harsh a punishment for the single mother with no previous record.

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Ohio Mom Released From Jail - On Wednesday morning, Kelley Williams-Bolar was released from an Ohio county jail after she was sentenced for wrongly enrolling her kids in a majority-white school district. She had been sentenced to serve 10 days in jail on Jan. 18 after a jury found her guilty of tampering with records. Williams-Bolar’s case sparked a national outcry, with many believing that jail was too harsh a punishment for the single mother with no previous record.

Diddy Academy - Diddy is opening a business academy in his NYC hometown. Though details are still sketchy at the moment, the mogul said he wants the school to be located in Harlem.

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Diddy to Guest-Star on “Hawaii Five-O” - CBS announced Wednesday that hip-hop entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs would be guest-starring on a future “Hawaii Five-O” episode. Combs will portray an NYPD detective who travels to Honolulu to find the man who committed a crime against his family. The episode is due to air this spring.

Body of Ed Reed’s Brother Found - On Tuesday afternoon, the body of Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed’s brother was found in the Mississippi near New Orleans. Brian Reed, 28, had been missing since Jan. 7 after he apparently jumped into the river to evade a deputy sheriff. Though the news is hard, Ed Reed found closure in the discovery. “To have found our brother today brings closure and knowing that he’s in a better place,” he told a local television station.

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Body of Ed Reed’s Brother Found - On Tuesday afternoon, the body of Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed’s brother was found in the Mississippi near New Orleans. Brian Reed, 28, had been missing since Jan. 7 after he apparently jumped into the river to evade a deputy sheriff. Though the news is hard, Ed Reed found closure in the discovery. “To have found our brother today brings closure and knowing that he’s in a better place,” he told a local television station.

Did Boozer Have Affair With Bachelor Contestant? - Bachelor contestant Michelle Money recently claimed that she had an affair with NBA player Carlos Boozer while he was married. In the interview with Life & Style magazine, Money says that she first met Boozer while she was living in Salt Lake City, Utah, and that he led her to believe he was separated, though he didn’t officially file for divorce until March of 2009, when the two had allegedly already been dating. Money says they broke it off in June of 2009 and that she regrets the affair.

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Did Boozer Have Affair With Bachelor Contestant? - Bachelor contestant Michelle Money recently claimed that she had an affair with NBA player Carlos Boozer while he was married. In the interview with Life & Style magazine, Money says that she first met Boozer while she was living in Salt Lake City, Utah, and that he led her to believe he was separated, though he didn’t officially file for divorce until March of 2009, when the two had allegedly already been dating. Money says they broke it off in June of 2009 and that she regrets the affair.

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Brown Finishes Program - On Friday, a Los Angeles judge congratulated Chris Brown on his completion of a year-long domestic violence program. The program was part of the singer’s sentencing after he pleaded guilty to assaulting ex-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009. As a result, he won’t have to appear in court every three months for progress-report hearings. Brown is still serving five years of probation. According to reports, the judge will also consider lifting the protective order against Brown another time.

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Brown Finishes Program - On Friday, a Los Angeles judge congratulated Chris Brown on his completion of a year-long domestic violence program. The program was part of the singer’s sentencing after he pleaded guilty to assaulting ex-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009. As a result, he won’t have to appear in court every three months for progress-report hearings. Brown is still serving five years of probation. According to reports, the judge will also consider lifting the protective order against Brown another time.

Social Security Drained by 2037? - According to recent congressional projections, with the struggling economy and many baby boomers about to retire, Social Security funds will run out in 2037. The retirement program will see a shortfall in money collected from payroll taxes year after year, projections for the Congressional Budget Office say. In 2011, Social Security is projected to collect $45 billion less in payroll taxes.

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Social Security Drained by 2037? - According to recent congressional projections, with the struggling economy and many baby boomers about to retire, Social Security funds will run out in 2037. The retirement program will see a shortfall in money collected from payroll taxes year after year, projections for the Congressional Budget Office say. In 2011, Social Security is projected to collect $45 billion less in payroll taxes.

Giffords is Improving - Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is continuing her steady improvement, a month after she was shot in the head during an attack by a gunman that killed six people and wounded 12 others. Giffords has started speaking, and has even started making requests. “She is speaking more and more with each passing day, most recently asking for toast,” her spokesman told reporters. Doctors have called her recovery miraculous.

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Rep. Giffords Moved to Rehab Facility - After doctors upgraded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ (D-Ariz.) condition from serious to good, the Houston hospital where she had been receiving treatment announced this week that she’d be moving to a rehabilitation facility Wednesday morning. The Arizona congresswoman was among the 20 people shot—six fatally—by a gunman outside of a Tuscon supermarket.

Ex-Globetrotter Lawmaker Resigns - After he was found guilty by an Arkansas judge in a felony theft case, Rep. Fred Smith, a former Harlem Globetrotter, resigned Wednesday. Smith was charged last year after it was discovered that a school district accidentally issued duplicate payments of $29,250 to his nonprofit group, and that both checks were cashed. In a statement Smith stated he’d appeal the ruling. He was elected to the Arkansas House last year.

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Ex-Globetrotter Lawmaker Resigns - After he was found guilty by an Arkansas judge in a felony theft case, Rep. Fred Smith, a former Harlem Globetrotter, resigned Wednesday. Smith was charged last year after it was discovered that a school district accidentally issued duplicate payments of $29,250 to his nonprofit group, and that both checks were cashed. In a statement Smith stated he’d appeal the ruling. He was elected to the Arkansas House last year.

Mike Tyson and Wife Welcome Baby - On Tuesday, former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson and his wife, Lakiha Spicer Tyson welcomed an 8-pound, 13-ounce baby boy named Morocco Elijah Tyson into the world. The couple, who got married last summer, also have a two-year-old daughter named Milan. Tyson has five other children from previous relationships.

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Mike Tyson and Wife Welcome Baby - On Tuesday, former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson and his wife, Lakiha Spicer Tyson welcomed an 8-pound, 13-ounce baby boy named Morocco Elijah Tyson into the world. The couple, who got married last summer, also have a two-year-old daughter named Milan. Tyson has five other children from previous relationships.