Mudslides have killed at least four people in Brazil, one of several South American countries where torrential rains and flooding now have claimed at least 10 lives, officials said on Sunday. The epic rainfall also has driven 160,000 people from their homes in Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay, said officials. Authorities said fatalities from the current violent weather include two deaths in Argentina and four in Paraguay. The director of Paraguay#39;s weather service, Julian Baez, said his nat
Kylie Jenner has opened way up about her love life in a new blog post on her official website. Kind of. Sort of. Not really, actually. The 18-year old, who everyone knows is dating Tyga and who is unafraid to kiss her boyfriend in public , writes that it’s challenging to date as a celebrity. “Living in the spotlight, people think they know everything about me – but they don’t,” Jenner says. “I’ve never believed in the idea of the public knowing everything about my relationship and every time I break up and make up.” That would typically be a fair statement; celebrities are certainly entitled to their privacy. But Jenner and her fellow family members share photos on Facebook and Instagram like it’s their only job. They let cameras into their homes. They blog. They Tweet. They rarely wear clothing. This makes it a bit more difficult for them to play the privacy card whenever they see fit. But it is true that Kylie often smooches Tyga on Snapchat, yet rarely talks about him on the press or hangs with him on Keeping Up with the Kardashians . “I’m not afraid to show who I’m dating, but I’m also not about to talk about every little detail of my relationship,” she explains. “Everyone who knows me, knows I’ve always been a relationship girl. I’ve never believed in the idea of casual dating or being with two people at once. “I feel like I only have room for one person in my heart and I want to give whoever I’m with all the attention they deserve.” Like with any famous couple, there are constant rumors surrounding Kylie and Tyga, such as talk that he may be cheating and she may be having him followed . How does Jenner feel about this chatter? “It’s hard to see all that gets completely made up about me,” she shares in the post. “I really try not to let it bother me and I certainly don’t feel like I need to correct every little lie out there, but at the same time, I just hate giving people the satisfaction of being able to make things up about someone they don’t know anything about!” View Slideshow: Kylie Jenner and Tyga Photos: Kyga 4-Eva?
John DeReggi, 16, and girlfriend Natalie Crim #x0028;pictured together#x0029;, had visited the picturesque spot next to the train tracks in Boyds, a town about 20 miles north of Washington, on Monday afternoon. John DeReggi, 16, and his girlfriend wanted to get their pictures taken at a picturesque spot near their homes in Boyds, Md. It was near railroad tracks. Lots of kids have been getting their photos made there. “I love you,” he told his mom, Christine, as he left his home Monday afternoo
Former Grey’s Anatomy leading man and newly-single Patrick Dempsey continues to make 2015 a year of dramatic changes in his life. His latest? Putting his unique estate in Malibu up for sale for a whopping $14.5 million. The home boasts three acres of land, three bedrooms, ocean views and a yard composed of a spacious pool, fire pit, climbing wall and a pizza oven. “We were looking for a little land and space, and a house with some architectural significance,” Dempsey shared with Architectural Digest in 2009. He added, “Everywhere you looked there was something visually pleasing. The simplicity appealed to me, and the inside felt expansive and calming.” The home was originally purchased in 2009 for $7 million; Dempsey shared the property with his wife Jillian Fink and the couple’s three children. Fast-forward to today and Patrick and Jillian Dempsey are divorcing and he has left Grey’s Anatomy after 11-plus seasons on the ABC hit drama. There are reports that Patrick was fired by Shonda Rhimes following an earlier suspension stemming from his poor work ethic and attitude. In any case, he’s out the door … in every facet of his life it appears. So where’s he headed next? In the real estate world, Dempsey found another home about a mile from Venice Beach, Calif., for a modest $1.9 million. As for his McDreamy TV character’s fate … if you watch Grey’s Anatomy online , you’ll see how they handled the grieving process. By not showing it. View Slideshow: 19 Amazing Celebrity Homes
Former Grey’s Anatomy leading man and newly-single Patrick Dempsey continues to make 2015 a year of dramatic changes in his life. His latest? Putting his unique estate in Malibu up for sale for a whopping $14.5 million. The home boasts three acres of land, three bedrooms, ocean views and a yard composed of a spacious pool, fire pit, climbing wall and a pizza oven. “We were looking for a little land and space, and a house with some architectural significance,” Dempsey shared with Architectural Digest in 2009. He added, “Everywhere you looked there was something visually pleasing. The simplicity appealed to me, and the inside felt expansive and calming.” The home was originally purchased in 2009 for $7 million; Dempsey shared the property with his wife Jillian Fink and the couple’s three children. Fast-forward to today and Patrick and Jillian Dempsey are divorcing and he has left Grey’s Anatomy after 11-plus seasons on the ABC hit drama. There are reports that Patrick was fired by Shonda Rhimes following an earlier suspension stemming from his poor work ethic and attitude. In any case, he’s out the door … in every facet of his life it appears. So where’s he headed next? In the real estate world, Dempsey found another home about a mile from Venice Beach, Calif., for a modest $1.9 million. As for his McDreamy TV character’s fate … if you watch Grey’s Anatomy online , you’ll see how they handled the grieving process. By not showing it. View Slideshow: 19 Amazing Celebrity Homes
The Bill Cosby sex scandal may soon land the comedian in court, as sources say model Chloe Goins plans to press charges for an assault that allegedly took place at the Playboy Mansion in 2008. Sources say Cosby is running scared and asking Hugh Hefner for dirt on Goins . But if the TV legend is worried about going to prison, he’s certainly hiding it well. The embattled comedian issued a statement yesterday assuring fans that his current stand-up tour will go on despite widespread protests. “I have thousands of loyal, patient and courageous fans who are going to leave their homes to enjoy an evening of laughter and return home feeling wonderful.” He concluded the statement with a references to his long-running ’70s cartoon Fat Albert and his 2013 Comedy central special, writing, “Hey, hey, hey – I’m far from finished.” The statement has outraged many, as the 77-year-old Cosby yet again appears to be portraying himself as the victim of a vast conspiracy. At this point, more than two dozen women have come forward with claims that they’ve been sexually assaulted by Cosby. At first, the comedian remained silent on the issue, but he may soon be forced to defend himself, as Goins’ allegations may lead to a trial. Most of the accusers say they were assaulted several decades ago, which means that Cosby is protected by statutes of limitations. Goins claims Cosby drugged her and licked her toes six years ago, a claim his camp will fight tooth and nail, but which could give Chloe legal standing. If the prosecutor in the case decides to pursue rape charges against Cosby, his alleged crime would be recent enough that he could face prison time. Stay tuned … Bill Cosby Memes Gone Horribly Awry 1. Stare at the Sweater Thanks a lot, Internet users. Now we’ll never be able to watch The Cosby Show the same way ever again!
The Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone is devastating… Sierra Leone Government Cancels Christmas To Prevent Ebola Disease From Spreading The holiday season is sadly looking more and more bleek for the Sierra Leone community via Gawker Sierra Leone will ban all public Christmas and New Year’s celebrations in an effort to curtail further spread of Ebola, Agence France-Presse reports. The government’s Ebola response unit told reporters on Friday that soldiers would be deployed to keep people in their homes. Public gatherings had already been banned, The Guardian reports; these new restrictions are intended to keep people in Freetown, the nation’s capital, where Ebola is rampant, from traveling to see family members elsewhere in the country where the disease may not have yet taken hold. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report released on Wednesday, Sierra Leone and its neighbors Guinea and Liberia account for all but 15 of a total of 6,388 Ebola-related deaths worlwide (out of a total of 17,942 cases). In the week before December 7, Sierra Leone confirmed 397 new cases—three times its neighbors’ combined total—and in the last three weeks, AFP reports, Sierra Leone reported 1,319 new infections. We will continue to keep the people of Sierra Leone in our prayers.
Bow down to the precocious, talented, sexy young diva that is Ariana Grande. The 21-year-old is everywhere these days, thanks to a couple of hit shows and smash hit singles like “Baby I,” “The Way,” “Problem” and “Break Free.” Songs come and go from the pop charts, but you’ll never, ever break free of her spell after you scroll through these pics. That much we can promise you … 29 Hottest Ariana Grande Photos 1. Hot Ariana Grande Ariana Grande is such a young hottie. Just don’t believe those nude pics floating around. Not really her. Sure, if you believe the Ariana Grande diva rumors , she may have an outsized ego that her innocent look, petite frame and (relatively) demure wardrobe belies. She denies recent reports of outrageous photo shoot demands, calling such rumors mere tabloid trash, while Giuliana Rancic says the stories are true . Regardless, Ariana Grande is one of the hottest stars in Hollywood right now. Regularly featured in photo spreads online and in magazines, she’s only recently come out of her shell when it comes to embracing her own good looks. The actress and singer who rose to fame on Cat Valentine on Victorious and later spinoff Sam & Cat with Jennette McCurdy is nowhere to be found these days. Ariana looks good, and she knows it, teasing her fans more and more often. Not that we’re complaining. In fact, we’re here to celebrate her. To embrace her. To pay homage to one of the most successful entertainers of 2014. Who happens to be smoking hot. With or without the cat ears. It’s about time she broke free of her inhibitions on stage and on social and traditional media. It’s her world, folks, and we’re just living in it. Diva demands or not. 23 Facts About Ariana Grande 1. Her Name Was Inspired By a Cartoon Ariana’s name was inspired by Princess Oriana from Felix the Cat!
Chardon High School shooter T.J. Lane has escaped from prison along with another inmate. Lane shot and killed three of his classmates in 2012 and was serving a life sentence in the Allen County Correctional Institution in northwestern Ohio. Lane further shocked the nation during his trial, when he appeared in court wearing a t-shirt with the word “killer” written across it, and gave the middle finger to the victims’ families as he was sentenced. At this time, authorities have not released any information as to how Lane escaped, but he is believed to be on foot in the Lima, Ohio area. Lane murdered Daniel Parmertor, 16, Russell King, Jr., 17 and Demetrius Hewlin, 17 on February 27, 2012. A fourth victim – Nick Walczak, also 17 – was shot several times but survived. Walczak is still confined to a wheelchair. Lane, 19, escaped with the aid of fellow inmate Clifford E. Opperdud, 45. Authorities are currently searching the area immediately surrounding the prison, and have cautioned Lima residents not to pick up hitchhikers or allow strangers into their homes. Prison officials alerted state and local police to the escape at 8 pm on Thursday. We’ll keep you updated on this story as it develops.
Does the focus on celebrity dull the impact of poverty? The Decadent Veil: Black America’s Wealth Illusion Writer Antonio Moore has some thoughts on America’s focus on wealthy Black celebrity, and how it shapes how we view Black people’s financial standing in this country. Via HuffingtonPost : As black celebrity invited us into their homes through shows like MTV cribs, we forgot the condition of overall African American financial affairs. Despite a large section of the 14 million black households drowning in poverty and debt the stories of a few are told as if they represent those of millions, not thousands. It is this new veil of economics that has allowed for a broad swath of America to become not just desensitized to black poverty, but also hypnotized by black celebrity. How could we not, our channels are filled from ESPN to VH1 with presentations of black Americans being paid a king’s ransom to entertain. As black celebrity has been shown to millions of people, millions of times, the story of real lives has also been lost, and with it the engine that thrust forward the demand for social justice by the masses. The heartbeat of social action is to recognize your mistreatment, and demand better. With each presentation of Kobe Bryant’s 25 million dollar a year contract, or Oprah’s status as the sole African American billionaire a veil of false calm is created within the overall American economic psyche about the immense black wealth disparity. Young black men from ghettos across America that used to dream to make great changes in racial inequity now just dream to be a millionaire and be like mike and dunk a ball or dance on a stage. The decadent veil not only warps our vision outward to a larger economic world, but it also distorts outside community’s view of our actual financial reality. As reported by MSNBC the median net worth of the few black households in the top 1 percent was $1.2 million dollars, while according to the Census median net worth for all black households was about $6,000 in total. A black family in the 1 percent is worth a staggering 200 times that of an average black family. If black America were a country we would be among the most wealth stratified in the world. It is because of this concentration of wealth that any view of averages is destroyed for black America, the disparity between rich and poor is too high. When a few families have a massive percentage of wealth it pulls the average up so astronomically that it makes the mean present a false narrative. Did you realize the gaps were that large? What are your thoughts?
