Bring That Week Back: Week of Jan. 11, 2010
Jennifer Hudson and John Legend are going to the White House. Get more top stories.
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Michelle Williams Fires Mathew Knowles - Michelle Williams, former member of the Grammy Award-winning group Destiny’s Child, has ended her professional relationship with Mathew Knowles and Music World Entertainment. Williams, who is currently on a Broadway tour, said she is ready for a fresh start. “We’ve shared great success together. However, as I move in a new direction in my career, I felt it was time. I wish Mathew Knowles and the Music World Entertainment family all the best,” said Williams.
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Earthquake Devastates Haiti - More than 100,000 people are feared dead as search and rescue teams from the U.S., Canada and Europe come together to dig out survivors after a 7.0 earthquake flattened Haiti. The earthquake, which occurred Tuesday afternoon, is the latest blow to the nation that is one of the poorest in the world. Experts believe it will take years for the island to recover.
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Wyclef Jean<BR> Calls For Aid - “Act now,” said music superstar and Haiti native Wyclef Jean, who made an impassioned plea for help as people in his native country fight for survival in the aftermath of a 7.0 earthquake. “I cannot stress enough what a human disaster this is, and idle hands will only make this tragedy worse. The over 2 million people in Port-au-Prince tonight face catastrophe alone. We must act now,” Wyclef wrote on his blog.
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Obama Calls for Fast<bR> Action on Haiti - The United States will do everything in its power to help Haiti, said President Barack Obama, who dispatched a federal disaster search and rescue team to the area. Obama spent hours after the earthquake coordinating an international response with world leaders, and promised America will donate financially to the cause.
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Fear Overtakes<bR> Hatian-Americans - With communication to Haiti virtually nonexistent, thousands of Americans with relatives on the island wait patiently by their phones and computers hoping to hear word from their loved ones. The U.S. State Department has urged Americans with Haitian relatives to call 1-888-407-4747 to gather information.
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Construction Begins on King Memorial - Construction is underway on a national monument in Washington, D.C. to remember the work and sacrifices of Martin Luther King, Jr. and those involved in the Civil Rights movement. The memorial, built between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, is the first monument of an African American to be built on the National Mall. The memorial is expected to be completed in 2011.
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Soul Legend<br>Teddy Pendergrass Dies - Soul singer Teddy Pendergrass has died in suburban Philadelphia at age 59. The singer's son, Teddy Pendergrass II, says his father died Wednesday at Bryn Mawr Hospital.
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Blagojevich Says He’s Blacker Than Obama - Rod Blagojevich, the impeached former governor of Illinois, told a reporter for Esquire Magazine that he is “blacker” than President Obama. Blagojevich went on to add that since he grew up among Blacks in the inner city he understands the plight of Black America better than Obama, who grew up in Hawaii. Blagojevich later apologized for his comments.
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Harry Reid Apologizes - Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nevada) apologized to President Obama and the African-American community as a whole for comments he made during the 2008 presidential campaign saying Obama had a chance to be president because he is a “light-skinned” African American that does not speak in “Negro dialect,” unless he chooses to. Reid’s comment was part of a recently released book, “Game Change,” which chronicles the 2008 campaign. Obama has accepted Reid's apology.
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Legend, Hudson Guests at White House - John Legend and Jennifer Hudson are the headline performers for a White House concert to celebrate the music of the Civil Rights Era. The concert will be shown on PBS on Feb. 11 during Black History Month. Other performers include Seal and Smokey Robinson.
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Biden Eulogizes His Mom - Vice President Joe Biden eulogized his mother, Jean Finnegan Biden, in an emotional service. Biden called his mother a strong woman “who made the world a better place.” President Obama and First Lady Michelle also attended the service along with several members of Congress. Mrs. Biden was 92.
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Pres. Obama To Tax Big Banks - In order to close a potential $117 billion pitfall in the government's financial crisis bailout fund, a new tax might be levied on large banks, said Barack Obama. The Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee would only impact financial institutions with $50 billion in assets or higher.
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Former Howard U. President Dies - James E. Cheek, a former president of Howard University, died in a North Carolina hospital Friday. He was 77. Cheek, who served as president from 1968-1989, is credited with several major renovations on campus, and increasing the university's budget by more than $350 million. Cheek was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1983.
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Harold Ford Might Run for N.Y. Senator - Former Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford is considering a Senate run in New York. Ford, who relocated to the Big Apple after losing a hotly contested Senate race in his home state, has explored the possibility of challenging fellow Democrat Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in the 2010 elections. The White House would prefer an uncontested Democratic primary.
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Usher Robbed - R&B superstar Usher said more than a million dollars in clothing, jewelry and electronics was stolen from his Yukon SUV when it was parked outside an Atlanta mall during the holidays. Details of the incident emerged Tuesday as police sought help from the public.
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Beyonce to Take a Break - In an effort to “recharge” her batteries, Beyoncé will take a six-month hiatus from the studio after her performance at the 2010 Grammys. Beyoncé, 28, said her tour schedule has taken a toll and she needs time to refresh her spirits and focus on other interests.
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Mystikal Is Released From Prison - Former No Limit Soldier Mystikal is a free man. Mystikal, whose real name is Michael L. Tyler, was sentenced to six years in prison in 2004 after he pled guilty to sexual battery and extortion.
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Clipse Manager Gets 32 Years - Former Clipse manager Anthony “Geezy” Gonzalez will serve 32 years in prison after he pled guilty to conspiracy to sell drugs. Prosecutors said Gonzalez was the head of a drug family worth more than $20 million.
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Rampage Jackson Wins Partial Victory in Lawsuit - UFC fighter and actor Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has a partial victory in a lawsuit filed against him by his former management company. White Chocolate Management sued Jackson for $10 million for breach of contract. A New York judge dismissed the lawsuit but left the door open to reconvene the case if new evidence comes to light. Jackson is on sabbatical from MMA while he prepares for his role in the new “A-Team” film.
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Nigeria Will Allow Air Marshals on Flights - The Nigerian government will allow armed U.S. Air Marshals on flights between the African nation and the United States. Nigeria is one of 14 countries where passengers must undergo stricter security screenings before boarding any U.S.-bound flight, according to the Associated Press.
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NBA Union, Gilbert Arenas Meet - Billy Hunter, the head of the NBA Players' Union, met with suspended NBA star Gilbert Arenas to offer his support and to understand the allegations surrounding gun play in the Washington Wizards facility. Arenas was suspended without pay while the NBA and D.C. Police investigate whether he illegally brought guns to his locker room and pointed weapons at a teammate.
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Google May "Pull Out" of China - Google has accused the Chinese government of orchestrating a cyber attack to crack the emails and passwords of at least 20 Chinese human rights activists. In response, Google is considering severing its ties with the nation.
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Charles Barkley a Hit on ‘SNL’ - Charles Barkley did his best Alicia Keys imitation as he donned a wig and sat at a piano as part of a skit for “Saturday Night Live.” Barkley, a former NBA star and current sports analyst, was the special guest host.
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Obama Musical Opening in Germany - A musical about the political life of President Obama has hit the stage in Germany. "Hope - the Obama Musical Story," is a mixture of English and German music and dance. The story begins with Obama arriving in Chicago in the early ‘90s.
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Lee Daniels is First Black DGA Nominee - “Precious” director Lee Daniels is the first African American to be nominated for a Director's Guild of America Award. Other nominees for the DGA award are James Cameron and Quentin Tarantino.
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Baltimore Has a New Incoming Mayor - With former Baltimore mayor Sheila Dixon resigning her position after pleading guilty to embezzlement, the city council president is ready to take over. Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will soon begin her term as mayor. Rawlings-Blake said she wants to have an open-door policy with government and work with concerned citizens and businesses in the area to strengthen Baltimore.
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'American Idol' Begins - As the ninth season of “American Idol” began Monday, Simon Cowell, the British producer and villain judge of the national talent competition, announced he is leaving the show after this season in order to produce his own show, “X Factor.”
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Lloyd Banks Released, Arrested Again - Lloyd Banks was arrested and charged with assault and robbery after an altercation with a club promoter in Canada. The assault allegedly occurred after the promoter refused to give Banks more money for his performance. After posting bond, Banks and an associate were detained at the Canadian/U.S. border for an unspecified reason. Banks is now back in the U.S.
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Nelly Reveals Custom Mustang at Auto Show - During an event at the North American International Auto Show, rap star Nelly along with DUB Magazine and Ford unveiled a brand new customized Mustang GT for the St. Lunatic. According to the Detroit Free Press, Nelly said he asked for a car design that looks “real fierce, real mean, and real intimidating when it comes down the street.” And judging by the pictures, Ford succeeded.
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BET 2010 Honors - Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson and Ryan Leslie are just some of the performers that will grace the stage during the third annual BET Honors show. Thus year's honoree class includes Queen Latifah, “Diddy,” Whitney Houston, Ruth J. Simmons and Keith L. Black, MD. The event, hosted by Gabrielle Union, will air on BET on February 1.
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Jayson Williams Going to Jail - In a plea deal with New Jersey prosecutors, former NBA star Jayson Williams pled guilty to aggravated assault in the 2002 shooting death of his limo driver, Costas Christofi. Williams will serve 18 months in prison and also faces driving under the influence charges in New York City.
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Arenas Charged - Any hopes Washington Wizard Gilbert Arenas was holding out for his “nightmare” to end, just got dashed. On Thursday, prosecutors charged the Washington Wizards guard with felony gun possession stemming from a locker room incident when he allegedly pulled a gun during a confrontation. The Charge: one count of carrying a pistol without a license. He could do up to five years in prison.