Bring That Week Back: Week of April 5
Donovan McNabb becomes a Redskin | Suge sues Kanye | plus more top stories!
1 / 23
Michelle Obama Covers Conde Nast Magazine - First Lady Michelle Obama graces the cover of the May issue of Conde Nast Traveler Magazine. In her story, she lists her favorite spots to go in the D.C. area. She’s taken daughters Sasha and Malia to visit Thomas Jefferson's estate Monticello, Frederick Douglass' home, George Washington's estate Mount Vernon, the Newseum and Luray Caverns in Virginia.
2 / 23
Suge Knight Takes Kanye to Court - Death Row founder Suge Knight is taking Kanye West to court over a 2005 shooting. Suge was shot and wounded at a party hosted by West before that year’s MTV Video Music Awards in Miami. In the suit, Knight is claiming that the rapper along with the Shore Club (where the party was held) failed to provide adequate security. No one has ever been arrested in connection to the incident. He is seeking over $1 million in damages.
3 / 23
Controversial Woods Commercial - In the same week that Woods made his return to golf, Nike aired a controversial new commercial featuring the golfer and the voice of his late father, Earl Woods. In the solemn black-and-white ad, Tiger silently looks into the camera while a recording of his father talking about taking responsibility plays. “Did you learn anything?” Earl Woods says in the commercial. Nike has been one of the few sponsors to stick with Woods after news of the golfer’s many extramarital affairs surfaced last year.
4 / 23
McNabb is Now a Redskin - The Philadelphia Eagles sent veteran QB Donovan McNabb to NFC East rival Washington Redskins for a second-round pick in this month’s draft and either a third- or fourth-round pick next year. McNabb played for the Eagles for 11 seasons. The move could spell the end for current starting quarterback Jason Campbell, since Coach Mike Shanahan already signed another backup quarterback and has been looking for top QBs to draft with the team’s fourth overall pick.
5 / 23
Nicki Minaj Quits Rihanna’s Tour - Female MC Nicki Minaj won’t be touring with Rihanna this summer after all. Just a few days after it was announced that Minaj, along with pop singer Ke$ha would be opening for Rihanna’s 'Last Girl on Earth Tour, the rapper has decided to pull out. On Wednesday, she announced via Twitter, “I’m sorry 2 say I will not be going out on RiRi’s tour. I’ve decided 2 use that time 4 the completion of my album. Hope u understand.” Minaj will probably be replaced by another act, MTV.com reports.
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6 / 23
Tiki Barber, Wife Split - Former Giants running back and Today Show contributor Tiki Barber announced his separation from wife Ginny Cha this week after 11 years of marriage. The couple have a two sons and Cha is eight months pregnant with twins. "This decision was a painful one," Barber said. "But we are moving forward amicably and will continue to work together to raise our children with the love and dedication they have always known." Barber allegedly had an affair with a 23-year-old former NBC intern, reports say.
7 / 23
Obama Will Appoint Ali's Wife to Bio Panel - The president announced Wednesday that he would appoint Lonnie Ali, the wife of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, to a panel that will advise him on bioethical issues. Mrs. Ali will be one of 10 people appointed to the Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues, advising Obama on issues and advances in biomedicine. Lonnie Ali, whose husband has Parkinson’s disease, has long been an advocate for awareness of the illness. The couple opened the Lonnie and Muhammad Ali Pavilion in 2009.
8 / 23
VH1 Changing Tone With Black Reality Shows - VH1 is shifting its reality show focus from trash to class. In a departure from shows like “Flavor of Love” the network will soon be premiering three shows featuring seemingly well-adjusted rich and famous Blacks. “What Chilli Wants,” a dating show starring TLC singer Chilli; “Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business,” a show focusing on the brother and sister pair re-launching their careers; and “Basketball Wives,” a series starring women romantically linked to NBA players, are all set to debut soon.
9 / 23
Justice to Retire - Liberal Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens announced Friday that he would be retiring in the summer. Stevens was nominated by Republican President Gerald Ford over 30 years ago. The preservation of abortion rights, protection of consumer rights and limits on the death penalty are due in no small measure to his actions on the Supreme Court. His retirement could set up a bitter battle over his replacement.
10 / 23
Tiger Woods Returns - Tiger Woods made his return to golf this week at the Masters tournament in Augusta, Ga. The cheers that greeted the golfer surprised him. “It was unbelievable," he said. "I mean, all day. I haven't heard them cheer this loud in all my years here." Woods proceeded to get off to his best start in his career by shooting a 68. This is his first tournament back following months of seclusion when details of his several affairs hit the news.
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11 / 23
Jay-Z’s Breaking Barriers - Jay-Z continues to break down barriers in the music biz. Two years ago he became the first rapper to headline Britain’s Glastonbury Festival, and now comes word that he will be headlining Southern California’s Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival this month – also the first rapper to do so, The LA Times reports. Other music fests on his list this year include Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Tennessee, Summer Sonic Festival in Japan and Rock Am Ring in Germany, to name a few.
12 / 23
White S.A. Farmer Killed - Last weekend, South African White supremacist Eugene Terreblanche was beaten to death by two of his Black farm workers in a dispute over pay, police say. The murder threatens to ignite racial tension in the nation just months before it is set to enter the international stage as host of the World Cup. This week, supporters of Terreblanche (who advocated for an all-White republic within South Africa) and Blacks clashed outside of a courthouse where the two workers appeared to face charges.
13 / 23
Obama Offers Condolences to Miners’ Families - The president offered condolences to the families of the 25 coal miners killed earlier this week after an underground explosion in West Virginia. The incident is the worst mining disaster the nation has seen in the past 20 years. “We are praying for a miracle,” Obama told the families. He also told the state’s Gov. Joe Manchin that the government would help with whatever is needed during the rescue effort. Rescue crews have been attempting to return to the mine.
14 / 23
Kanye West’s New Album - Kanye West has been keeping a low profile in the months following his infamous VMA speech interruption, but that could all change soon. According to reports, the rapper has been in his Hawaii studio recording tracks for his new album set to be released this summer called “Good A** Job.” The album will feature Q-Tip, RZA and Pete Rock as producers.
15 / 23
Gov. Declares April Confederate History Month - After an eight-year absence, April has been designated Confederate History Month in Virginia. Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell made the proclamation this week. The two previous governors before him, Democrats Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, refused to issue the proclamation. The fact that McDonnell’s proclamation made no mention of slavery angered people most of all. But under pressure from critics, the governor called it a “major omission” not noting slavery, and included new language.
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16 / 23
'Boondocks' to Air Final Season - The trailer for the upcoming season of “The Boondocks” revealed that the animated series will be a wrap after its third season, premiering on Adult Swim on May 2. The cartoon, created by Aaron McGruder, first premiered in 2006. The show evolved from a comic strip that was originally printed in The Diamondback, the student newspaper for McGruder’s alma mater, the University of Maryland.
17 / 23
Russell Simmons Responds to Trenton Gang Rape - Rap entrepreneur Russell Simmons was so moved by last month’s gang rape of a 7-year-old girl by five males, he might drop as much as $50,000 to support the establishment of a branch of a public safety awareness group in one of Trenton, New Jersey’s worst neighborhoods. A 7-year-old girl was allegedly sold by her 15-year-old stepsister during a party at a crime-ridden apartment building in the state's capital, according to local police. Three men and two boys have been charged in the assault.
18 / 23
Obama Visits Prague, Signs Treaty with Russia - During his visit to Prague this week, President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a treaty aimed at shrinking their nations’ nuclear weapons. The agreement will call for the countries to cut the number of nuclear warheads by 33 percent and cut the number of missiles, subs and bombers carrying them. The treaty is the biggest such pact between the two countries in a generation.
19 / 23
Bone Thugs Rapper Denies Assaulting Mom - Last week, police arrested rapper Flesh-N-Bone from the group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony while he was on stage during a concert in Cleveland, Ohio. The 36-year-old, whose real name is Stanley Howse, was detained on 12-year-old domestic violence and felonious assault charges. According to a law enforcement official, the rapper is accused of hitting his mother with a gun in 1998. The incident left a one-inch gash on her head. He pled not guilty in court this week and was freed after posting $10,000 bail
20 / 23
Jackson Family Attend Murray Court Hearing - On Monday, Dr. Conrad Murray, who has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Michael Jackson, appeared in court for a hearing appointing a judge and the setting of another hearing. Family members including mother and father Katherine and Joe, along with sister Janet and brothers Jermaine and Randy were in attendance. About 50 Jackson fans waved signs and chanted outside the courthouse.
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