Rapper DRAKE has shown off his generous side - the kind-hearted star has donated $25,000 (£16,600) to help build a learning centre in Jamaica.
The Best I Ever Had hitmaker has teamed up with dancehall artist Mavado to aid the construction of a new unit in the Cassava Piece community.
Drake explains that he was moved to offer up the cash after shooting the video for single Find Your Love in the Caribbean country earlier this year (10).
He tells The Jamaica Star newspaper, "I had a great time when I was in Jamaica and the people of Cassava Piece showed me a lot of love. I just wanted to show back some love by helping out with Mavado's project on the Gullyside.
"It's a very positive move and something I am very happy to be a part of. Education is the key to life so to be able to assist in that process is very fulfilling."
Lindsay Lohan is fed up with all the media and critics focusing only on the negative aspects of her life.
There has been very little good press regarding the 'Mean Girls' star in the last several years. Instead, we have seen countless photos of the actress falling coming out of clubs or asleep with her mouth wide open after a hard night of partying.
The latest and maybe last straw for Lindsay was her sentencing last week to 90 days in jail followed by another 90 days of drug treatment. The punishment stems from probation violations stemming from a 2007 DUI case.
Many observers feel the punishment may have been too harsh.
Lindsay took to her Twitter account to tell her haters how she really feels. Quoting lyrics from 50 Cent's hit "Patiently Waiting" off the album 'Get Rich Or Die Tryin'.
PONTIAC, Mich. — A woman who pleaded guilty to having sex with the biological son she gave up for adoption and later tracked down on the Internet has been sentenced nine years to 30 years in prison.
Aimee L. Sword, 36, of Waterford Township apologized at her sentencing Monday in Oakland County Circuit Court. She had pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in a deal with prosecutors.
Police say Sword used Facebook in 2008 to find her son, who's now 16. She gave him up for adoption when he was only a few days old, the Detroit Free Press reported.
"When she saw this boy, something just touched off in her — and it wasn't a mother-son relationship, it was a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship," the newspaper quoted attorney Mitchell Ribitwer as saying. "Aimee's searching for a reason why this happened. She can't understand it. She's going to get some counseling."
The boy testified they had sex in Waterford Township and Grand Rapids when he was aged 14.
Waterford Township is 30 miles northwest of Detroit.
Celebrity Favorites: Terrell Owens, Chad Ochocinco and Jadakiss
Harlem's Rucker Park is a necessary destination for hip-hop and basketball royalty. Top NBA stars — from Kobe Bryant to Allen Iverson — have all come uptown to 155th Street to hoop it up over the years at the Entertainers Basketball Classic, while top-tier performers such as Jay-Z, Fat Joe and the Ruff Ryders have all had basketball teams rep them.
A couple of days ago, it was the NFL's chance to show love. Friends, VH1 reality stars and Pro Bowl athletes Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco came out.
"The first time, I didn't really know what to expect," said T.O., who was suiting up to play. "It's been some years. I had always heard about Rucker Park and all the And 1 guys that have come through here. A lot of legends have been out here and played on this court, from Kobe, J.R. Smith, all those guys. I'm no different. I'm just out here trying to fit in. I play all the time. I been working out and training out in L.A. A number of NBA guys train out there."
Ochocinco coached the team opposing T.O. The man formerly known as Chad Johnson said he couldn't play because training camp is next week.
"This is how I grew up, in the 'hood." the Cincinnati Bengals star said. "It's always a good chance to give back. This is the first time I've had to be graced with the presence of the famous Rucker Park. It's a pleasure for me to be here. A lot of great ones came through here. I don't play no basketball, but it's a pleasure to be here."
Jadakiss played for Ochocinco's team.
"I might suit up," Jada said with a smile. "It's good for the people. They wanna see your boy. I might go out there and run a little bit. Plus, I got my tournament next week up in Yonkers. I usually don't bring the bigwigs to the playoff time. I'm pretty sure to have Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans. Hopefully John Wall, [DeMarcus] Cousins. All of the phenoms. It's good for the kids, just to bring them out. It's good for the community."
Ochocinco lists Jada as one of his favorite MCs right now.
"Right now I'm on that Albert Anastasia, I'm on my dawg Ricky Ross real hard right now," Ocho said. "I tweeted Jadakiss a couple of days go, showing him the love for everything he got going on. I listen to everybody, especially what's coming out of New York. I really listen to what everybody has to say. I like lyrical content. I support everybody. I don't care who you are. If you come out, I'mma get you."
T.O., who also DJs in his spare time, has a listening taste that varies as well.
"I'm flexible. Everybody's hot right now," Owens said. "Got my man Jada, Young Jeezy, Drake, Weezy. I mean, dude, it's so much music out. Keri Hilson. Everybody's got some hot stuff out right now.
Afghanistan's Taliban insurgents are training monkeys to use weapons to attack American troops, according to a recent report by a British-based media agency.
Reporters from the media agency spotted and took photos of a few "monkey soldiers" holding AK-47 rifles and Bren light machine guns in the Waziristan tribal region near the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The report and photos have been widely spread by media agencies and Web sites across the world.
According to the report, American military experts call them "monkey terrorists."
As a form of cruel political means, wars are launched to meet political goals through conquest, devastation, assaults and other means.
In a sense, the emergence of "monkey soldiers" is the result of asymmetrical warfare. The United States launched the war in Afghanistan using the world's most advanced weapons such as highly-intelligent robots to detect bombs on roadsides and unmanned aerial vehicles to attack major Taliban targets. In response, the Taliban forces have tried any possible means and figured out a method to train monkeys as "replacement killers" against American troops.
Analysts believe that apart from using "monkey killers" to attack the American troops, the Taliban also sought to arouse Western animal protectionists to pressure their governments to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.
An American official responded that the Taliban forces have started training "monkey soldiers" after suffering heavy losses, implying that they have exhausted their tricks. Nevertheless, the Taliban believe that the emergence of "monkey soldiers" indicates that they have found smarter and more effective ways to cope with American troops.
Ironically, the initiators of "monkey soldiers" are the Americans. Between the 1960s and the 1970s, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) trained massive "monkey soldiers" in the Vietnam War and dispatched armed monkeys to dangerous jungles to launch assaults on Vietnamese soldiers. Today, the Taliban forces have given the American troops some of their own medicine.
When armed animals enter interpersonal wars, what kind of world will we face? This cannot but arouse our reflections and concerns.
1. Intro
2. Workin’ On It
3. AG On JD
4. We Do It 4
5. Walk On By
6. AG On Loss
7. Dilla 4 Eva f. Party Arty
8. Clap
9. Crushing (BX Version)
10. AG On J Dilla & Party Arty
11. 10 to 10
12. Gems I Spit
13. Keep It Movin’
14. Heavy Head
15. Shouts
Singer Sean Kingston has been accused of sexual assault, but sources say cops don't believe the woman.
The alleged incident occurred Sunday night, at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Seattle. Sources tell us two women showed up for a party in one of the hotel rooms. Kingston was present.
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the women were both intoxicated when they arrived, with bottles of vodka and beer in hand. We're told one of the women claims Kingston had sex with her, and, as one source says, "She was very aggressive." Kingston then left the party and went to another room on the same floor.
Sources say the woman then proceeded to have sex with two other men in the room.
The second woman, we're told, also had sex with someone in the room.
A hotel manager tells TMZ "an incident" did indeed occur in the hotel Sunday night, though he was not specific. The fire department tells us an ambulance was called and transported both women -- 19 and 20 years of age -- to a hospital where rape tests were conducted. We're told the women were also tested for Rufinol, but the results are not in.
Sources say Kingston, who is scheduled to perform tonight with Justin Bieber in Portland, was initially asked by cops to come in for an interview, but police have determined the case is not credible and they now say an interview is unnecessary.
We're told one of the women is going to file a civil lawsuit, and maybe both.
Mel Gibson has used the words c*nt, whore and bitch more than any man in history just within 20 minutes or so of tape we've heard so far.
At one point I thought he should have known he was being taped by then girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, but then I realized that he probably talks this way so often that being taped never would have crossed his mind.
In this latest clip we hear Mel ranting about a latin housekeeper that he doesn't want working at Oksuna's house. He threatens to report her to immigration services
"I will fire [her] if she is at your house. I will make it known, and I will fire her. I'll report her to the f---ing people that take f---ing money from the wetbacks," he yells.
He tells Oksuna he owns her and that she is a "mentally deprived idiot" and Oksuna seems to agree with him.
"You made me money-less, I used to have $100,000 a year when you met me," she tells him. "You took me, you possessed me, everything I am you own me, with my liver and my kidneys and my thoughts and my soul...everything! You control me, like marionette. I don't belong to myself only to you. I can't do anything… I walk on eggshells with you."
The courts are going to eat him up when they hear these tapes. He admits to beating her and was obviously abusive.
With his money and high priced lawyers, he probably won't do jail time, but probation and fines are a possibility. Also his career and reputation are ruined.
And no court is going to give his crazy ass custody of that kid. He should get ready to start paying hefty amounts in child support..
01. Verse Simmond & OJ Da Juiceman - Dj Smallz Fear Factor Intro 02. OJ Da Juiceman Feat. Verse Simmonds - I Got Juice 03. OJ Da Juiceman & Verse Simmonds - Do Not Disturb 04. OJ Da Juiceman & Verse Simmonds - Freak Freaky 05. Verse Simmonds - I'm Just Saying 06. OJ Da Juiceman - So Big 07. OJ Da Juiceman Feat. Bun B - Where Da Hoes At 08. Verse Simmonds Feat. OJ Da Juiceman - Pretty Girls 09. Verse Simmonds - Bang Bang 10. OJ Da Juiceman Feat. David Banner - It's A Go 11. Verse Simmonds Feat. Pusha T - Money In My Pocket 12. Verse Simmonds - Come To Me 13. Verse Simmonds Feat. Diamond - Like Dat 14. OJ Da Juiceman Feat. Verse Simmonds - Party Started 15. Juvenile Feat. Juvy Jr. & Verse Simmonds - Nothin' Like Me 16. Verse Simmonds feat. Pitbull - America 17. A1 Supergroup Feat. Verse Simmonds - Gettin' To It
Oakland's police chief is making some dire claims about what his force will and will not respond to if layoffs go as planned.
Chief Anthony Batts listed exactly 44 situations that his officers will no longer respond to and they include grand theft, burglary, car wrecks, identity theft and vandalism. He says if you live and Oakland and one of the above happens to you, you need to let police know on-line.
Some 80 officers were to be let go at midnight last night if a last-minute deal was not reached. That's about ten percent of the work force.
"I came her e to build an organization, not downsize one," said Batts, who was given the top job in October.
That deadline has been extended to 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Here's a partial list of crimes police won't respond to via 911:
burglary theft
embezzlement
grand theft
grand theft:dog
identity theft
false information to peace officer
required to register as sex or arson offender
dump waste or offensive matter
discard appliance with lock
loud music
possess forged notes
pass fictitious check
obtain money by false voucher
fraudulent use of access cards
stolen license plate
embezzlement by an employee (over $ 400)
extortion
attempted extortion
false personification of other
injure telephone/ power line
interfere with power line
unauthorized cable tv connection
vandalism
administer/expose poison to another's
Negotiations are going on at Oakland City Hall in the mayor's office.
Batts said the 80 officers slated to be laid off - mostly new officers - are "pretty sad and pretty depressed," and those feelings are shared by the Police Department as a whole.
The Oakland City Council voted June 25 to eliminate the positions to help close the city's $32.5 million funding gap. According to the city of Oakland, each of the 776 police officers currently employed at OPD costs around $188,000 per year. Most of the officers who will be affected by the layoffs were on the streets of Oakland when Johannes Mehserle's involuntary manslaughter conviction caused riots last Thursday.
The sticking point in negotiations appears to be job security. The city council asked OPD officers to pay nine percent of their salary toward their pensions, which would save the city about $7.8 million toward a multi-million dollar deficit. The police union agreed, as long as the city could promise no layoffs for three years. No dice, says city council president Jane Brunner.
"We wish we could offer them a three-year no layoff protection we just can't financially. It would be irresponsible of us," Brunner said. The city agreed to a one-year moratorium on layoffs, but it is not enough for the union.
The problem is money. In the last five years, the police budget -- along with the fire department budget -- have amount to 75 percent of the general fund. After years of largely sparing those departments the budget ax, now it appears there are few other places to cut.
These are the last hours of negotiation and Brunner is hopeful that the city and police will find some sort middle ground.
"It's been very good conversation and not a whole lot of grandstanding." Brunner said. "There's actually real conversations. Each side understands the problem," she said.
Brock Lesnar will make his next title defense against Cain Velasquez at UFC 121.
UFC president Dana White confirmed with MMA Fighting Friday night that the heavyweight title fight will take place at the yet-to-be officially announced event, scheduled for Oct. 23 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
Lesnar, 5-1, is coming off a riveting second-round submission win over Shane Carwin at UFC 116 last weekend in Las Vegas. Prior to the win, he had been on the sidelines due to a battle with diverticulitis.
Meanwhile, Velasquez most recently knocked out Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 110 in Australia this past February. The American Kickboxing Academy member is a perfect 8-0 in his MMA career.
The last UFC event to be held at the Honda Center in Anaheim was UFC 76 in September 2007, which was highlighted by Keith Jardine's upset win over Chuck Liddell.
Longtime New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner died Tuesday morning, his family confirmed in a statement.
"It is with profound sadness that the family of George M. Steinbrenner III announces his passing. He passed away this morning in Tampa, Fla., at age 80," the family said in a statement.
"He was an incredible and charitable man. First and foremost he was devoted to his entire family -- his beloved wife, Joan; his sisters, Susan Norpell and Judy Kamm, his children, Hank, Jennifer Jessica and Hal; and all of his grandchildren.
"He was a visionary and a giant in the world of sports. He took a great but struggling franchise and turned it into a champion again."
The Steinbrenner family said that funeral arrangements will be private, however details about an additional public service will be announced at a later date.
The New York Daily News reported that Steinbrenner died around 6:30 a.m. ET Tuesday in Tampa, Fla.
WABC-TV in New York reported that Steinbrenner, the Yankees' owner since 1973, suffered a massive heart attack.
Steinbrenner, who celebrated his 80th birthday on July 4, was taken to a Tampa hospital after emergency crews responded to his home Monday night.
Steinbrenner gave his sons, Hal and Hank, day-to-day control of the team in late 2007.
He told The Associated Press last week that he was "feeling good" after spending a couple hours in his office at the Yankees' spring training complex.
Under his ownership, the Yankees have won 11 AL pennants and seven World Series titles.
No question, one of the hottest rappers repping New York right now is Vado. Straight out of Harlem, he talks about how he became affiliated with Cam'Ron and the origin of the slang "slime".
"When I was locked up, I'd tell a n*gga like what up slime? He like 'you a funny n*gga'. N*ggas know it's all love though. I been meaning to explain to the world what "slime" is. Slime stand for Street Life Intelligence and Money Is Everything, bottom line. So I say sliiiiime, slimettes, slime screw, slime commitee."
It seems as if Vado just emerged from out of nowhere. His buzz has picked up speed since getting down with Cam'Ron's U.N. But Vado explains that he was grinding way before that, putting in work with Young Money artist, Jae Millz.
"Shout out to Jae Millz, that's like my brother, my slime partner. You know, regular sh*t, we grew up together. So I came in with him, he was doing his thing. Automatically he came to me, he was on mad cyphers killin' it. We was battling n*ggas on that sh*t. So that was kinda like my breakthrough as far as showing people I could spit."
"As far as my association with U.N./Dipset, it's just a big round table. Cam definitely broght me out at Summer Jam, he didn't have to do that. That n*gga believe in me and that's one thing he know talent. He let me do me in the booth. He don't tell me how to rap, format, nothing, he just let me go off."
Be on the lookout for Vado's 'Slime Flu' mixtape coming soon.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Metro Transit Police say 19-year-old William Jackson, of Washington, D.C., wearing a bus operator's uniform, walked into the bus storage area on Bladensburg Road, and drove away with bus number 9318.
Investigators believe the youth began running the B-2 route toward Anacostia, and stopped for passengers. The accused thief is apparently cooperating with investigators. "According to Mr. Jackson, all eight passengers that he picked up did pay their fare," Transit Police Captain Ronald Pavlik explained to reporters. "He simply had a fascination with buses."
The bus Jackson was driving hit some large tree limbs at the corner of 17th and Massachusetts Ave., SE. The bus kept going after the violent encounter with the tree, and that caused some witnesses to call 911. Jackson parked the bus a few blocks away, near the Potomac Avenue Metro station, and walked away. He was apprehended about a block away, wearing a bus operator's uniform and a high visibility safety vest, which are now standard issue for bus drivers.
It is unclear where the teen got the uniform. Police are also investigating how he managed to get into the bus yard where security officers are supposed to require everyone to produce a Metro ID badge.
No one was apparently injured in the adventure, although the passengers on the bus had left by the time Transit Police found the vehicle.
Jackson is charged with fleeing the scene of an accident and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
There are two gates at the Bladensburg Road bus yard. For about 15 minutes Saturday, one day after the bus theft, the side entrance was left unattended for at least 15 minutes. A Fox Five reporter walked unchallenged into the entrance.
Metro Transit Police Captain Pavlik says that's "embarrassing" and will become part of the investigation of security at bus storage facilities.
Whoopi Goldberg thinks longtime friend Mel Gibson is not a racist - he's just a "bonehead."
Despite Gibson's profanity-laced, racially charged tirade during a secretely taped phone conversation with ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, Goldberg defended her friend on Monday's episode of "The View."
"I know Mel, and I know he's not a racist," she said. "I have had a long friendship with Mel. You can say he's being a bonehead, but I can't sit and say that he's a racist having spent time with him in my house with my kids."
Goldberg was quick to add, however, that she does not condone her pal's actions.
"I don't like what he's done," she said. "Make no mistake."
When co-host Joy Behar asked Goldberg if she thinks Gibson is anti-semitic, she replied, "I think he's an a--hole," quickly covering her mouth before the full word escaped her lips.
Goldberg also added that alcohol was to blame for Gibson's actions during his 2006 DUI arrest in which the actor made anti-semitic remarks to a police officer.
"Drunks say stupid stuff to people all the time ... because they're drunk, they're out of control, they're not thinking, they're idiotic," Goldberg said.
However, the talk show host doesn't think alcohol was responsible for Gibson's rant that was released Friday on RadarOnline.com.
In the audio recording, Gibson is heard exploding at his ex, who is also the mother of his 8-month-old daughter, Lucia.
"You look like a f---ing pig in heat, and if you get raped by a pack of n----rs, it will be your fault," said Gibson, who also repeatedly referred to Grigorieva as a "whore," a "c--t" and a "b---h" in the tapes.
After a string of vile epithets, Gibson tells Grigorieva, "I don't trust you. I don't love you. I don't want you ... And I will take care of my child but I don't want you anymore."
"This rant?" Goldberg said. "I don't think he's drunk on this rant."
More of Gibson's hurtful words can be heard in another taped recording that was released Monday on Radar. The actor not only admits to hitting Grigorieva, he also threatens her life – twice.
"I'll put you in a f---ing rose garden you c--t! You understand that? Because I'm capable of it. You understand that?" he rantsed.
Gibson, 54, and Grigorieva, 40, filed dueling restraining orders against each other last month, and police are now investigating the dispute
Jennifer Lopez is facing a $40 million lawsuit for scrapping a controversial show in Cyprus.
The singer was billed to perform at the opening of new hotel complex Cratos Premium in the Turkish Cypriot part of the popular tourist destination on July 24, the same day as the 36th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of the European island.
Her decision to stage the show was slammed by officials at the Cyprus Action Network of America, and Lopez subsequently withdrew from the gig.
But it could cost her dearly -- the chief executive of the Turkish company which runs the hotel is threatening to go to court to claim damages of up to $40 million.
Boss Murat Bozoglu says, "The contract has not been terminated. If she does not show up for the concert, we will begin a procedure in the courts to claim 35-40 million dollars in damages.
"The cancellation ... is not covered by any clause in the contract she signed with us."
When Swizz Beatz and T.I. link up in the lab, the result will probably be epic. First, they landed Tip a smash single with "Bring Em Out," then they trumped themselves with "Swing Ya Rag" from Paper Trail.
The pair recently collaborated on the King of the South's upcoming King Uncaged.
"What we just did is bigger than those," Swizz said about the two new records he produced for Tip. "It's bigger than 'Swing Ya Rag,' it's bigger than all of those. We're growing as artists. That's one of the things I wanted to focus on with Tip, was: 'We did that already. We don't need to compete with nobody. You up there.' Everything we gotta do, we gotta stay leaders. That's how we got to where we at now. He gave me his OK on that. Gave me the clear lane. And we're gone. Trust me on that. The first joint, it's nice. Crazy! The second joint is taking the world over. It's a positive message, and I'll let him explain the rest of the story, because he would be glad to. [It's] very musical, but still with that swag in it."
T.I. completed a yearlong prison sentence in March for weapons charges. Swizz said one of their collaborations delves into that experience.
"The other one is more heartfelt," the producer said. "Story to tell. Think about the real things that's going on in the world. He just finished dealing with a real situation. Besides his situation, there's a million of other real situations going on in the world. So the feel is more worldly. African congas, symphony violins, what I told I was gonna do. I told y'all I was gonna switch the sound thing up."
Key Collaborations: "Bodega Stories" (featuring the LOX); "With Me" (featuring Nas); and "The Corner" (featuring Avery Storm)
Essential Info: N.O.R.E. says he's grown volumes since his debut, 1997's The War Report, but he couldn't stray too far from his roots on the sequel, released Tuesday (July 13).
"We ain't make something for the radio and we didn't make something for the clubs. We just really made something for the streets," Nore explained to Mixtape Daily.
"Originally, when we made The War Report, I didn't know that Manhattan existed. I didn't know that there was a Brazil. I never been to a Brazil when I made War Report. I might have never been to Brooklyn — I was Queens-ed out! Every verse I wrote, when I wrote for War Report, it was for my 'hood or for Queens. It really was for nothing else, because I never saw nothing else. That's why when you hear that [first album], you be like, 'This dude needs to travel.' It's like, wow, 'Lefrak, Lefrak, Iraq' all over it.
"You can't knock me because I never went anywhere," Nore continued. "The worst people in the 'hood are the people who never go anywhere. Those are the most miserable people because they don't plan on never going nowhere. That's who that kid was [on that album]. That kid you hear spitting on The War Report, he never went nowhere. The furthest he went was to Jamaica — and I mean Queens, not the island. I wasn't crossing these bridges."
While making the new LP, Nore was cognizant that he couldn't be the same rough-around-the-edges teenager again.
"So when I went back and did it this time, I said, 'I have to be cautious. I can't act like that. I done seen the world,' " he remembered.
Asked which War Report 2 cuts he holds in the highest regard, N.O. started with the album's lead record.
"My favorite joint is 'Pain' and 'Brother From Another,' " the LeFrak, Queens, veteran said. " 'Pain' is just like, you know when you get on the Scream Machine [at Six Flags Great Adventure], and there's a certain feel you get in your stomach, 'cause you know, for guys, our ba--s come up. Your ba--s twitter. When I hear 'Pain,' that's that feeling I get over there. It's a certain feeling like, 'Holy sh--. It's about to drop.' "
"Nah, 'Pain' is ill," Nore's partner for 20 years, Capone, offers up. "The first time I heard 'Pain,' I got goose bumps. That song, if you close your eyes and turn off all the lights, you might get scared listening to that joint. We got a joint called 'The Oath.' When you think of an oath, you think of pricked fingers. When you hear this record, you gonna definitely feel like you took an oath. Like you down with us, like you took an oath to be down with C-N-N."
" 'My Attribute' is a great performance record. It's uptempo, has energy. 'Hood Pride' will be a great performance record," Nore added.
With the release of War Report 2, the friendship between these two Queens natives comes full circle. Their bond stood the test of time, and the duo still has many years ahead of them.
"For me, it's like Nore said, our friendship is always gonna get tested," 'Pone explained. "Everybody knows at one point, our friendship got tested. That was publicly noticeable. But we came back stronger. A lot of people, their friendship gets tested. ... When you have a brother and you get older, y'all not always gonna live together for the rest of your life: You move out the house, he goes one way, you go the other way. But y'all still brothers."
}