A substantial number of the roughly 100,000 U.S. combat troops to be pulled out of Iraq by Aug. 31, 2010, will remain in the war zone through at least the end of this year to ensure national elections there go smoothly, ALL US TROOPS FROM IRAQ BY THE END OF 2011
According to reports listed in the people.com
“Usher’s wife Tameka Foster Raymond has suffered a serious injury due to complications from plastic surgery in Brazil, reports Access Hollywood.
On Saturday night, Usher canceled his performance at the Recording Academy and Clive Davis’s Pre-Grammy Gala. Davis told party-goers the singer had to bow out due to a “serious injury in the family.”
Oh we pray she is okay, please keep Usher in your prayers!
First lady Michelle Obama speaks to staff during her visit to the Department of Education. (Jason Reed/Reuters)
According to the washingtonpost,
“This is a good thing to see — this department fired up and ready to go,” Obama said as the crowd of about 350, the maximum allowed under fire code violations, cheered and used their cell phones to snap photos.
“The Department of Education is going to be at the forefront of many of the things that we have to do in this administration and we’re going to need that energy in these times of economic challenge,” she said.
Michelle Obama also noted the administration’s support of innovate approaches such as charter schools and turnaround programs intended to make sweeping changes in long-struggling schools. “There’s a lot of work to do, and we’re going to need you,” she said.
Michael Steele became the first African-American chairman of the Republican National Committee on Friday after defeating his lone remaining challenger, Katon Dawson, on the sixth and final ballot. The margin was 91 votes for Steele, 77 votes for Dawson.”This is awesome,” Steele tells the crowd. “I accept and appreciate all of you for the opportunity to serve as the next national chairman of our very proud, our very strong, and our very, very hard working Republican National Committee.”
Interesting wouldn’t you say??
Actually they are cut outs but still nice work; check out the video where Tyra reveals what she really thinks about the inaugural gown.
PHOTO CREDIT - Annamaria DiSanto
Jennifer Hudson is back! Here she is pictured on the set of her new video “if This Isn’t Love,” earlier today.
Photo Credits: Lynn Allen Jeter and Associates
Have a good look at the article below, Lisa Raye talks to essence magazine about her fairy tale wedding turned nightmare to the premier of Turks and Caicos
ESSENCE.COM: It’s interesting that, after all you two have been through, you show compassion for him. Has your husband ever acknowledged or commended you on your role and contributions to the country as First Lady?
LISARAYE: The one thing he said during his inquisition was my wife has increased tourism a significant amount. When he said that, it made me soften a bit. Again, I’m a people-person and I used those skills to embrace the people of the country. I’d walk on the beach and walk up to people and ask them how they liked the island and they’d speak freely to me, not knowing who I was until after I’d walked away and someone else told them. That’s how I chose to operate and connect with everyone. However, there are so many politics. I was often told not to speak to the opposing party, and I thought it strange because, in American politics, whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, it doesn’t mean you don’t communicate with the other side. In fact, it’s often encouraged, so you get to know what you’re competition is thinking. So that was hard for me because I am outgoing.
ESSENCE.COM: Despite your support and role as the First Lady of Turks and Caicos, many of the islanders criticized you for being paid as the face of the island’s ad campaigns. Do you think they made an informed assessment?
LISARAYE: Yes, I was the face of the campaign, but I was also the ad director and worked long and hard on the ad. Was I compensated? Yes. But it was for the work I did to market and come up with an ad campaign and not what an actress or model would have been paid. I did my research; I picked up ads and photos from different magazines that promoted tourism for all the other Caribbean islands like Barbados, St. Marks, St. Croix and so on. I said, let’s see what they are selling.
ESSENCE.COM: Your decision to speak to the Turks and Caicos press was denounced by the leader of the country’s Progressive National Party and the women of Turks and Caicos who support the Premier. How did that make you feel?
LISARAYE: They support him, so I can’t really be mad at that because it’s a form of loyalty to their own kind. Were my feelings hurt? Absolutely. I couldn’t help but think what world and what society are you trying to be a part of? We’re not back in the slave days where you agree with everything your leader says. Considering his conduct and behavior, you have the nerve to fight a fight you don’t have to fight. He has bigger fish to fry like allegations of governmental corruption. He’s already lost his family and now he’s fighting for his power and position.
PHOTO CREDIT - Courtesy of First Lady of Turks and Caicos LisaRaye McCoy-Misick
What we find interesting is the fact that she still uses his last name.
So sad but true!! According to Huffingtonpost,
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois lawmakers have not only thrown out Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (blah-GOY’-uh-vich), they have barred him from ever holding public office in the state again.
Both votes were 59-0.
Blagojevich’s removal comes nearly two months after his arrest on charges of trying to sell Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat. He is the first U.S. governor in more than 20 years to be removed by impeachment.
Democratic Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn automatically became the new governor.
Earlier in the day, Blagojevich came to the Senate to make a last-minute plea to save his job, warning lawmakers that they were about to set a “dangerous” and “chilling” precedent.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) _ Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (blah-GOY’-uh-vich) has been convicted at his impeachment trial and thrown out of office.
His removal comes nearly two months after his arrest on charges of trying to sell Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat. He becomes the first U.S. governor in more than 20 years to be removed by impeachment.
The vote in the Illinois Senate to convict him of abuse of power was 59-0. Lawmakers immediately began voting on whether to bar Blagojevich from ever holding public office in Illinois.
Democratic Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn automatically becomes the new governor.
Earlier in the day, Blagojevich came to the Senate to make a last-minute plea to save his job, warning lawmakers that they were about to set a “dangerous” and “chilling” precedent.
Take a look at the work in progress,
According to reports
“Madame Tussauds wax museum is adding Michelle Obama to its collection of famous figures in Washington.Museum officials released pictures of the design process Wednesday and said the full figure will be unveiled in March. Designers will have spent six months on the figure, studying photos and video of the first lady.”
What do you say about the wax figure? Pretty close or not?
