Divorced. Single dad. Golf game still to be determined. And so, after nine months of turmoil over his extramarital affairs, now begins the next chapter in the life and times of Tiger Woods. In a hearing that lasted no more than 10 minutes in a Florida judge's chambers, Woods and his Swedish-born wife officially divorced Monday. "We are sad that our marriage is over and we wish each other the very best for the future," Woods and Elin Nordegren said in a joint statement released by their … [Read more...]
Study suggests link between diet sodas and premature delivery
Could drinking one or more artificially sweetened, carbonated diet sodas a day boost a woman's odds of premature delivery? A new study from Denmark suggests such a link. The researchers looked at the soft drink habits of nearly 60,000 Danish women enrolled in a national study there from 1996 to 2002. The investigators found a link between the intake of diet carbonated drinks and, to a lesser extent, diet noncarbonated drinks and delivering a baby early. The study is published … [Read more...]
Spike Lee screens new Katrina film in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS – Five years after he documented the horrors of Hurricane Katrina, Spike Lee returned to New Orleans with his new movie showing the city's agonizing efforts to return to normal. The premiere Tuesday included hours one and four of the HBO documentary, "If God Willing and Da Creek Don't Rise." "The first hour was very, very emotional," said Sharon Starks, 53, who said she had a purse full of tissues after seeing the first Lee film on the hurricane. "But the second hour I was … [Read more...]
Romo promises a “good offense.”
Tony Romo is over his flu bug, but his right tackle just had knee surgery. He's getting better throwing to Roy Williams, but he's still waiting to get his timing down with injured rookie Dez Bryant. He's moved the ball every drive he's had this preseason, but he hasn't produced a touchdown and neither has anyone else on the Dallas Cowboys. For everything that's gone right so far during training camp, something's gone wrong. Romo believes the Cowboys are just working out the kinks. He's … [Read more...]
“Lottery Ticket” plays on easy jokes
As in any number of movies about a poor schlump who wins a fortune in Las Vegas, at the racetrack or in a lottery, the clueless nice-guy hero who suddenly becomes a millionaire 370 times over in "Lottery Ticket" learns that sudden wealth can endanger one's health and life expectancy. The twist in this Warner Bros. release is that the story is set in an African-American community -- OK, it's set in the projects -- which triggers an unfortunate onslaught of caricatures one had hoped had gone out … [Read more...]
Dr. Laura plans to end radio show at end of year
LOS ANGELES – Dr. Laura Schlessinger, the talk show host who recently apologized for saying the N-word 11 times to a caller on the air, said Tuesday she plans to give up her radio show when her contract is up at the end of this year. The conservative advice maven made the announcement on CNN's "Larry King Live," saying she wants to "regain her First Amendment rights." Schlessinger said she's not retiring or quitting. Instead, she said, she feels stronger and freer to say what she believes … [Read more...]
Wimbledon waives all-white dress rule for Olympics
WIMBLEDON, England – Wimbledon is brightening its wardrobe for the 2012 Olympics. Organizers of the venerable tournament said Friday the traditional all-white dress rule will be waived for the tennis competition at the London Games. Players must wear predominantly white clothing during the Grand Slam event. But that will change for Olympics, and All England Club chief executive Ian Ritchie said Wimbledon had no hesitation in loosening its rules. "We have been very supportive to the … [Read more...]
Manager says Fantasia hospitalized after overdose
NEW YORK – Fantasia is in stable condition at a North Carolina hospital after taking an overdose of "aspirin and a sleep aid," according to the manager for the former "American Idol" champ. The overdose came days after the singer was named in court documents by Paula Cook, who accused Fantasia of having an affair with her husband, Antwaun Cook. Brian Dickens, Fantasia's manager, said in a statement Tuesday that winner was "overwhelmed by the lawsuit and the media attention." "Last night, … [Read more...]
Rangel: ‘Don’t leave me swinging in the wind’
WASHINGTON – A combative Rep. Charles Rangel told the House on Tuesday he's not resigning despite 13 charges of wrongdoing and demanded the ethics committee not leave him "swinging in the wind." Rangel, who is 80, spoke without notes in an extraordinary, often emotional 37-minute speech that defied his lawyers' advice to keep quiet about his case. The New York Democrat and 40-year House veteran had a sharp message in dismissing fellow Democrats who, worried about election losses, want him to … [Read more...]
x-White House social secretary Rogers to lead Ebony, Jet
Desiree RogersFormer White House social secretary Desirée Rogers has been named chief executive of Johnson Publishing Company, billed as "the world's largest African-American owned-and-operated publishing company." JPC publishes both Ebony and Jet magazines. "Desirée has a proven track record of successful business leadership," company chairman Linda Johnson Rice said in a statement. "She is a longstanding confidante and a savvy businesswoman who is committed to the strategic growth of … [Read more...]