Bring That Week Back: Week of Feb. 7
Shaq might be headed to reality TV, Magic Johnson inks business deal, Karrine Steffans to release new book, plus more!
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Egypt's President Mubarak Resigns - After weeks of nonviolent citizen protests that gained global attention, Egypt’s longtime President Hosni Mubarak stepped down on Friday. Vice president Omar Suleiman announced on Egyptian television that day that Mubarak had handed over power to the nation’s military.
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Halle Says Nahla Is Black - Following recent reports that alleged Halle Berry’s ex Gabriel Aubry is angered when anyone calls their daughter, Nahla, “Black,” the actress declares that she feels Nahla is Black. “I’m Black and I’m her mother and I believe in the one-drop theory,” she said during an interview in <i>Ebony </i>magazine. Berry herself is biracial and Aubry is White. She went on to say that she’ll allow her daughter to decide how she wants to be categorized as she gets older.
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Video Vixen’s New Book - Former video model turned author Karrine Steffans is set to release an erotic book in August entitled <i>SatisFaction</i>. The book, her third, will describe erotic fantasies and be a mixture of fact and fiction. “For those who crave quite a bit more than missionary sexual practices and wish to introduce these ideas into their relationship, <i> SatisFaction</i> serves as a guide and inspiration to advanced and adventurous couples everywhere,” says a synopsis of the book on her site.
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Cavs Still Miss LeBron - With their overtime win on Friday against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Cleveland Cavaliers halted their league-worst, record-breaking 26-game losing streak. “It's finally good to get it. We've been working so hard for this. We finally got it," Cavs forward Antawn Jamison said after the win. The victory brings the team’s win total this season to nine; their last win was Dec. 18 against the New York Knicks.
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Virginia's First Black Chief Justice Dies - On Wednesday, Virginia Supreme Court’s first Black Chief Justice Leroy R. Hassell Sr. died at a Richmond hospital of complications from lymphoma. He was 55. When Hassell joined the court in 1989 he was just the second African American to do so; and in 2003, he became chief judge. During his career, Hassell focused on accommodations for the physically and mentally disabled. He is survived by his wife and three children.
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War Crimes Trial - The trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor, who is currently facing war crimes charges, saw some courtroom theatrics Tuesday with Taylor’s lawyer storming out of the proceedings. British attorney Courtenay Griffith was upset that judges refused to accept a written summary of defense because it was turned in 20 days late. Before leaving he called the trial a “farce.” He continued to boycott the trial for the remainder of the week, but on Friday the judge agreed to allow him to appeal t
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Utah Jazz Coach Resigns - Jerry Sloan, longtime coach of the Utah Jazz, stepped down on Thursday after 23 years with the team. Sloan, whose Jazz were 31-23 at the time of his resignation, was the longest-serving head coach across the country’s four major professional leagues. He also has a 1,221-803 career record and was the only NBA coach to win 1,000 games with one team.
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Aguilera Flubs Anthem - Singer Christina Aguilera’s verse mix-up while singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Super Bowl sent Twitter and the blogosphere into a frenzy on Sunday. Instead of “O’er the ramparts we watched…” she sang, “What so proudly we watched…” Aguilera addressed her mistake afterwards telling the Associated Press, “I can only hope that everyone could feel my love for this country and that the true spirit of its anthem still came through.” (Image: VERN VERNA/Ai Wire /Landov)
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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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Shaq, Hoopz Coming to Reality? - Basketball star Shaquille O’Neal and girlfriend, “Flavor of Love” alum Hoopz might be headed to reality television. Hoopz, also known as Nicole Alexander, who currently lives in the Boston area with Shaq, told the <i>Boston Globe</i> that she would like to pitch a reality show about her efforts to launch her own athletic-training business. In the profile, she also revealed that she didn’t know what she was signing up for when she decided to appear on “Flavor of Love.”
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AOL Buys Huffington Post - In a blockbuster deal, AOL announced Monday that it is purchasing news site the Huffington Post for $315 million. The move will add Huffington Post co-founder Arianna Huffington to AOL’s management team, putting her in charge of all the site’s content. AOL, once a leader in the nation’s Internet access, had been looking for ways to redefine its image.
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Packers Win Super Bowl - On Sunday, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers to win the Super Bowl, 31-25 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. QB Aaron Rogers, who passed for over 300 yards and three touchdowns, was awarded the game’s MVP honors. The Black Eyed Peas performed during this year’s halftime show, with appearances from Usher and guitarist Slash.
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Magic Invests in VIBE Holdings - On Wednesday, former Lakers star Magic Johnson announced that he and business partner Ron Burkle have invested into VIBE Holdings, the company that owns VIBE and Uptown magazines. The two put $10 million into the company and have big plans for the future. “We’re looking to roll up other urban-based brands up under these three. We’re out there looking for deals as we speak,” he said in an interview. The move also makes Johnson chairman of the company.