International happiness day
Williams flips the light switch at the Empire State Building to mark the United Nations’ International Day of Happiness.
Comments on verdict
Williams comments on the jury’s decision:
It was shocking. I think, when you look back at it, I think the jury voted on emotion. This is my opinion – I feel like the verdict was based on emotion and not the real true issue, which was copyright infringement.
Quits world tour
The band says Malik quit the tour due to stress. He is to return home to Britain as the rest of the band go on to play shows from the Philippines to South Africa, through Europe and the United States.
Zayn has been signed off with stress and is flying back to the UK to recuperate. The band wish him well and will continue with their performances in the Philippines and Indonesia.
Oldest woman military veteran dies
Coffey, the oldest living woman U.S. military veteran, who served with the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps in the Pacific Theater during World War Two, dies at the age of 108, veterans officials in San Antonio says.
It is with great sadness we learned that our beloved Ms. Lucy Coffey, our nation’s oldest female veteran, passed away this morning. Her contributions to our country and community will never be forgotten.
Pays marijuana bond
The Philippines Bureau of Immigration says that a bond has been imposed because of drug concerns, allowing the band to play two concerts this weekend. The band paid $4,500 each for singers Zayne Malik and Louis Tomlinson, which will be forfeited should the two get caught using or promoting illegal drugs.
The condition is intended to protect the public interest should the band members commit any violation during their stay in the Philippines.
Explains elephant retirement
The Circus explains their reasons to phase out the show’s elephants by 2018.
We came to the conclusion that our resources were better used saving these magnificent animals rather than fighting legislation. We’re in the live family entertainment business not in fighting City Hall all across the United States. It was a bittersweet decision. For 145 years everyone has been able to experience Ringling Brothers with elephants.
Plans to press charges
Judd says she plans to press charges if she could.
I must, as a woman who was once a girl, as someone who uses the Internet, as a citizen of the world, address personally, spiritually, publicly and even legally, the ripe dangers that invariably accompany being a woman and having an opinion about sports or, frankly, anything else.
Reuters interview
In an interview with Reuters, Foster talks about the challenge of judging talent, and thanks fellow coach and former F4 member Vannessa Wu for the tips on how to judge dance acts.
As you know, judging a singer is my expertise. I really have to be in a fast-learning curve, in terms of the dancers. One of my co-coaches is a great dancer and gave me a quick lesson in educating me on the difference between good and great dancing. On other acts, like traditional talents, local acts, I have to decide very quickly on world-class talents. It was a very difficult challenge to navigate. But as the days went on, we got more comfortable on learning what is good and great.
His tip for contestants:
My answer to that is if you wanna make it big, you really should never ask that question (advice) because you cannot put it into words. It’s like Nike, you just do it. I don’t have any advice for you because you have to figure it out on your own.
Drug test penalty rejected
Pacquiao’s business manager Michael Koncz says Mayweather wouldn’t agree to a $5 million penalty that Pacquiao proposed s should either fighter test positive for banned drugs. Koncz:
I’m a little puzzled and a little dismayed that they wouldn’t agree to something this simple…I have no idea what they’re thinking about. If they truly wanted to clean up the sport, I think it sets a good example to the world that there’s nothing to hide. I want to put my money where my mouth is. Over the years, they’ve made accusations against us. They never requested the penalty. Manny was adamant about it. We’re not making any accusations, but it’s a reasonable request.
Mayweather’s advisor, Leonard Ellerbe, says the fight operates under the World Anti-Doping Agency code, which calls for a four-year competition ban for any athlete who tests positive for PEDs.:
If this moron didn’t convey his fighter’s wishes when the negotiation was going on that’s their problem. This is a lame-ass attempt to generate publicity… If you’re supposed to be the manager, you need to read the language in the contract before you let your fighter sign. That’s why, in my opinion, Michael Koncz is the biggest idiot in all of boxing. He obviously didn’t read the agreement before he had his client sign the agreement. It will cost Manny a lot more than some $5 million if he comes up positive.
Blurred Lines comments
Rodgers comments on Williams and Thicke’s copyright infringement in the Blurred Lines court case, saying he believes the song’s composition is not at all like Gaye’s Got to Give it Up.
Compositionally, purely compositionally, I don’t think they should have lost that case. Got to Give it Up is clearly a blues structure, Blurred Lines isn’t at all. If we lose our freedom to be inspired, we’re going to look up one day and the entertainment industry as we know it will be frozen in litigation.
Says online abuse ‘routine’
After receiving threats and hateful comments on Twitter, Judd, says she routinely copes with tweets that sexualize, objectify, insult, degrade and even physically threaten her.
This particular tsunami of gender-based violence and misogyny flooding my Twitter feed was overwhelming.