Nelson Mandela Dead? Is the World About to Lose Yet Another Hero?
Former South African President Nelson Mandela spent his fourth day in hospital Monday. After being admitted for a fourth time since December of last year, Mandela is fighting a lung infection that seems to be taking its toll on him. The South African presidency released a statement earlier stating that the 94-year-old's condition was "unchanged" adding on to an earlier statement that described Mandela's condition as "serious but stable."
Earlier Mandela was treated in the hospital in April for pneumonia and had to have fluid drained from around his lungs. He also had gallstones removed earlier this year.
Before becoming South African president in 1994, Mandela spent 27 years in Robben Island prison, where he contracted tuberculosis. It is believed that the disease permanently damaged his lungs; indirectly leading to the numerous infections he has suffered since retiring from public life in 2004.
Mandela's family relatives flew in from around the world today to be at his bedside. Mandela's wife Graca Machel cancelled an appearance in London to be at the hospital where Mandela is receiving treatment. His eldest daughter Zenani Mandela-Dlamini returned from Argentina, where she is the South African ambassador. Mandela's granddaughters have also been seen coming and going from the hospital over the last couple of days, while another daughter Zindzi Mandela was yesterday reported as saying, "I've seen my father and he is well. He is a fighter." His ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela also traveled and met Mandela in intensive care.
Without doubt the greatest South African to have ever lived, Mandela is a symbol for anti-racism, freedom, perseverance, equality and democracy not only to his South Africa compatriots but also to the entire world. His government was the first representative and elected government in South Africa signaling an end to the highly suppressive and racist rule under apartheid rule which was also responsible for imprisoning him for 27 years. Described as the "father of the nation" in South Africa, Mandela has received international acclaim for his anti-colonial and anti-apartheid stance, having received over 250 awards, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Soviet Order of Lenin.
While one of the greatest men of the 20th century fights for his life in hospital, we must not forget to celebrate his achievements and legacy. Most importantly however, we must never forget what Mandela lived for.
(Reuters) - Volunteer neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman, on trial for the murder of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin last year, killed him "because he wanted to" not in self-defense, a Florida prosecutor said at the start of Zimmerman's murder trial on Monday.
In a fiery opening statement to the jury, Assistant State Attorney John Guy said the evidence would show that Zimmerman, 29, had spun "a tangled web of lies" about the shooting in a gated community in the central Florida town of Sanford.
The killing triggered nationwide protests because Zimmerman was not immediately arrested and walked free for six weeks, after claiming he acted in accordance with Florida's self-defense laws when 17-year-old Martin attacked him.
Zimmerman's lawyer Don West, in his opening statement in Seminole County Court, repeated many of the claims that have already been heard from Zimmerman, his family and lawyer.
"There are no monsters here," West said, contesting Guy's description of his client as a would-be cop who was trained in martial arts and kick boxing and used "hate-filled" speech to describe an innocent young man.
Zimmerman, who is part Hispanic, was the neighborhood watch captain in the Retreat at Twin Lakes community in Sanford at the time of the killing on February 26, 2012. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge of second-degree murder and could face life imprisonment if convicted.
Martin was a student at a Miami-area high school and a guest of one of the homeowners in the Retreat at Twin Lakes. He was walking back to the residence after buying snacks at a nearby convenience store when he was shot in the chest during a confrontation with Zimmerman.
Much of what happened during Martin's fatal encounter with Zimmerman is still a mystery. Neighbors who witnessed the scuffle and the fatal shot, albeit on a rainy night, are expected to testify during the trial.
"George Zimmerman did not shoot Trayvon Martin because he had too. He shot him for the worst of all reasons, because he wanted too," said Guy, the prosecutor, during a 33 minute-long opening statement.
As he spoke, Zimmerman, who is out on bail and appeared in court wearing a charcoal gray suit, showed no emotion as he look straight ahead and away from the prosecutor.
The prosecutor spoke of "irrefutable physical evidence" to prove that Martin was not the aggressor. Guy also said that Zimmerman's description to police of what happened was "physically impossible."
There is a high bar for the prosecution, which has the burden of proof in a case that will center on Florida's aggressive self-defense laws.
Zimmerman's lawyer focused on that during his opening statement to the jury of six and four alternates.
"George Zimmerman is not guilty of murder," West said. "He shot Trayvon Martin in self-defense after being viciously attacked."
Under Florida's Stand Your Ground law, which was approved in 2005 and has since been copied by about 30 other states, people fearing for their lives can use deadly force without having to retreat from a confrontation, even when it is possible.
In instructions on "justifiable use of deadly force," that Circuit Judge Debra Nelson read to jurors, she noted that anyone in fear of grievous bodily harm or death is entitled to shoot and kill an assailant rather than back down.
"The danger facing the defendant need not have been actual," Nelson said, suggesting that mere perception of "danger" was enough to make it reality.
"If the defendant was not engaged in an unlawful activity, and was attacked in any place where he had a right to be, he had no duty to retreat and a right to stand his ground and meet force with force, including deadly force, if he reasonably believed that it was necessary do so," Nelson said.
Married Atlanta Pastor Arrested For Allegedly Spreading HIV At Church
An Atlanta church pastor is under fire for allegedly spreading HIV among his church members. At least two victims have come forward to press charges against Pastor Craig Lamar Davis of Atlanta’s Full Gospel Baptist Church.
The shocking news went viral after it was posted on a blog by an angry church member and ex lover of the married pastor.
Davis was arrested and charged with reckless conduct after investigators discovered he was having sex with several women in the church, one of whom reportedly held a leadership position.Davis admitted to investigators that he’s HIV positive and chose to have unprotected sex with these women.
The woman who reported him, Ronita McAfee, says she met Davis on Facebook and it wasn’t long before the two started meeting at his home to have sex. McAfee made history as the first person to file charges against someone for HIV reckless conduct in Clayton County. She also filed charges against him in Fulton County.
Atlanta Police arrested Davis in the parking lot of a Wendy’s after church service on July 22. He was denied bond at the first hearing but later was granted a $30,000. His wife Jan posted the $3,200 to bail him out.
In all seriousness, "If we aren't safe in Church.....DAMN - Sir Heist.
DJ QUIK'S DAUGHTER CHARGED WITH KILLING HER TODDLER SON
Davieanna Marlena Blake, 21, the daughter of DJ Quik, was arrested alongside Darnell Moses Alvarez, 24, in Phoenix for allegedly killing their 2-year-old son. Police reports show that the parents were standing outside of their apartment with their son, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
A witness told investigators that they heard Alvarez disciplining and spanking the child for wetting the bed, which they called "excessive." Alvarez had allegedly whipped the child with a belt and Blake was too scared to intervene, because she thought it would upset him more.
Blake claimed she went to work, and when she returned the child was lethargic and not breathing. The couple continued to argue over taking him to the hospital, as Alvarez admitted to spanking the boy with a woven belt after he soiled himself earlier in the day.
An autopsy of the child showed he had a lacerated liver, severe internal bleeding and multiple bruising throughout his body, which is inconsistent with being whipped with only a belt.
The couple were charged for first-degree murder and child abuse. Their last court appearance was on May 13th.
So you THINK Racism does't exist? VIEW THIS! YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED - PLEASE SHARE!
Message from CEO SIR HEIST
Sad to say, this happens everyday, hopefully this video will help aid the cease of sterotypes. What is most troubling to me are some of the caucassion comments like "Good Luck" (with stealing the bike!) even when the guy says it's not his bike. Question is, what do you think and what WOULD YOU DO? Please comment and share this video!
♫ I can tell you how I feel about you nite and day ♫
Throughout the late 80s and early 90s, Al B. Sure! cranked out a slew of New Jack Swing R&B hits. From "Nite and Day" to “Right Now,” the man knew how to make a jam.
K. Michelle Talks 'Love & Hip Hop' Exit: 'It Served Its Purpose
JOIN OUR FACEBOOK CLICK HERE K. Michelle is happy about parting ways with "Love and Hip Hop Atlanta." According to the "V.S.O.P." singer, the reality series served its purpose and it's just time to move on to new opportunities.
"It's just time to stop. It's just kind of like it served its purpose and it was what I needed to do at that time, but don't nobody wanna go to work everyday having a fight and being angry," K. Michelle shared in a recent interview.
Looking to her music, including a debut album titled "Rebellious Soul," K. Michelle just doesn't want to be "boxed" up in a certain lane or corner.
"I just don't want my music to boxed in a certain place. It's just time for me to expand and do some other things. You know, that show does keep you in a certain demographic of situations. So, I'm different. There's a lot about me. People don't know I play classical piano," said K. Michelle. "People don't understand that I graduated from college. I was Ms. Florida A&M University. They don't understand I pledged Delta Sigma Theta. It's a lot of different aspects of me.
