Thursday, November 26, 2015
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Friday, October 23, 2015
SPICE GOES OLD SCHOOL WITH HER NEW VIDEO "NEEDLE EYE"
Dancehall has changed quite a bit over the last several years. Many feel the energy and fun has left the culture. Overly vulgar lyrics and content have been the forefront of dancehall recently lacking creative content. Well, the "Stage Show Boss", once again proves to her fans why she is the reigning Princess of Dancehall.
The video takes us back to the days when dancehall was bright, cheerful, exciting and sexy! Jamaica's top dancers, (Dancehall Queen) Nickeisha (the creator of the Needle Eye Whine), SherRumbaaar, and Renee SixThirty and more also starred in the video. Spice played the role of a "Cinderella", wanting nothing more from her fairy god mother than to prove to her evil step sisters that she in fact had the "Needle Eye".
Check out the link above, you won't be disappointed. Congrats again for another smashing video! Spice has already racked up over 25 thousand views in less than 24 hours.
Spice has to be the hardest working woman in Dancehall; Juggling motherhood, career, an online boutique, as well as Spicey Couture store locations in Jamaica, touring, as well continuing to write hit after hit! Spice you're our BOSS BABE of the week! Congrats and keep up the good work!
Check out Spice' US based online ladies boutique at www.SpiceyCouture.com for all your favorite looks, including some of the looks Spice herself wears for shows and appearances.
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
APPLE PULLS OVER 250 APPS FOR SECURITY CONCERNS
Apple IOS has reportedly removed nearly 300 apps from the iTunes store because they secretly gathered personal information from users. Some of the information included email addresses and other personal information.
Most of the apps were allegedly made in China and allowed a Chinese ad company to display their ads inside the apps. The software was designed to gather people's email addresses and iPhone serial numbers.
Apple says it will no longer accept apps from the developer. Most of the apps are games, including the popular Angry Birds 2.
There is not a software update if you have any of the apps on your Apple device, just make sure to update your iTunes store as scheduled.
BGR.com listed the apps included in this security breach:
| air2 |
| AmHexinForPad |
| Angry Birds 2 |
| baba |
| BiaoQingBao |
| CamCard |
| CamScanner |
| CamScanner Lite |
| CamScanner Pro |
| Card Safe |
| China Unicom Mobile Office |
| ChinaUnicom3.x |
| CITIC Bank move card space |
| CSMBP-AppStore |
| CuteCUT |
| DataMonitor |
| Didi Chuxing |
| Eyes Wide |
| FlappyCircle |
| Flush |
| Freedom Battle |
| golfsense |
| golfsensehd |
| guaji_gangtai en |
| Guitar Master |
| High German map |
| Himalayan |
| Hot stock market |
| I called MT |
| I called MT 2 |
| IFlyTek input |
| IHexin |
| immtdchs |
| InstaFollower |
| installer |
| iOBD2 |
| iVMS-4500 |
| Jane book |
| jin |
| Lazy weekend |
| Lifesmart |
| Mara Mara |
| Marital bed |
Medicine to force |
| Mercury |
| Micro Channel |
| Microblogging camera |
| MobileTicket |
| MoreLikers2 |
| MSL070 |
| MSL108 |
| Musical.ly |
| NetEase |
| nice dev |
| OPlayer |
| OPlayer Lite |
| PDFReader |
| PDFReader Free |
| Perfect365 |
| Pocket billing |
| PocketScanner |
| Poor tour |
| Quick asked the doctor |
| Quick Save |
| QYER |
| Railway 12306 |
| SaveSnap |
| SegmentFault |
| snapgrab copy |
| Stocks open class |
| SuperJewelsQuest2 |
| Telephone attribution assistant |
| The driver drops |
| The Kitchen |
| Three new board |
| ting |
| TinyDeal.com |
| Wallpapers10000 |
| Watercress reading |
| WeLoop |
| WhiteTile |
| WinZip |
| WinZip Sector |
| WinZip Standard |
Saturday, September 19, 2015
#BlackDotCampaign
#BlackDotCampaign One in four women in the U.S. has experienced severe violence at the hands of an intimate partner, yet asking for help is often far too dangerous for victims to even consider. That’s what inspired a new grassroots campaign that allows survivors to open up about their experiences without even having to say a word. Domestic Violence victims are most at risk for getting killed in the moment that they decide to leave their partners, Cindy Southworth, executive vice president of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, told The Huffington Post in June. To help survivors signal to others that they need help, but are struggling to ask for it, a new initiative is encouraging victims to paint a tiny black dot on their hands.
The black dot on the hand lets professionals know you're a
really vulnerable domestic violence survivor, and that you need help but can't
ask because your abuser is watching your every move. In just 24 hours, the
campaign has reached over 6,000 people worldwide, and has already helped 6
women. Please spread the campaign, and post a picture of your hand with the
black dot, to show your support to all survivors of domestic violence.
#IWasAVictim #ISurvived
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
The Ugly Truth About "Baby Foot" (@BabyFootUSA)
Baby Foot USA - So like every woman in South Florida, I enjoy the luxury of wearing comfy flip flops through the summer months, and pretty much all year around as well. I am a faithful nail spa customer, going about every 3-4 weeks for a pedicure. But, let's be honest, especially in the summer months, pedicures just doesn't seem to be enough to battle the dead skin on our feet, that seems to grow about 10 times faster with pedicures, and not to mention, wearing flip flops does not help!
So I opened the product to read about the all natural ingredients including Camel Grass, Watercress, Chameleon Plants, Meadowsweet, Soapwort, Sage, Apple, Lemon, Tea Plant, Chamomile, Horsetail Herb, Burdock Root, Bladderwrack, Ivy and Orange. The package included 2 booties, for one time use, filled with a gel like substance, and 4 pieces of tape to tighten the booties around your ankles. These booties are (as instructions read) to be worn for one hour. I was told if I wore a pair of socks with my booties the gel would adsorb into my skin better, so I of course did that too. The gel was slippery to walk in, so I stayed laying down as long as I could. I had no discomfort, until the ending of the hour, I felt a slight tingling sensation. Nothing out of control, but it was right in time as my hour was approaching. So, I then took off the booties, and washed off the gel in warm water and soap as instructed.
About 4 days had passed before I started to see any peeling. I was very anxious, and started to think, "awwww man, they got me! another waste of money". I was sitting in the hair salon wearing flip flops, and my stylist asked, "what happened to your feet." I got super excited and looked down only to realize that the top of my feet had began to peel. It was very minor, but progress none the less. I had hoped to see the results on the bottom of my feet more than anything, but this was a start, and I was super excited to see the beginning. I did experience more dryness than usual. The instructions did state you can use a moisturizer if this happens. I used my regular Palmer's Cocoa Butter, and that served great relief. I also noticed a slight darkening of the skin on the top of my feet. Again, not substantial, and I believe it was due to the skin being so dry, and the process of the peel.
I never looked at my feet as problematic, especially being a woman who gets regular pedicures. But I must say this product is one that I will buy at least every other month for a nice detoxifying foot peel. I am 100% pleased with my results. If I had to rate this product from 1-10, 10 being top notch, MUST HAVE, BLOGGER FAVORITE, I would honestly rate it at a 15!With every product review I have to give 1 con... The only con I would give Baby Soft is the fact that you have no idea when your peeling from the detox will start and finish. For some it will start within a day, some 5-7 days, and the peeling can last for 2 weeks. Another thing, after the time I did the initial detox, I had events to go to, and could not conceal the peeling skin quite obviously. However, it was well worth it. Baby Soft USA, you've got a winner in this product! PRGirlAngel Entertainment approved!
Thursday, August 27, 2015
TRANSGENDER MODEL AMIYAH SCOTT RUMORED TO JOIN RHOA CAST
Amiyah Scott, who was born Arthur and transitioned into a female at the age of 17, is rumored to be joining the ladies of The Real Housewives of Atlanta cast.
If rumors are true, Amiyah will be Bravo's first transgender woman cast to one of their many reality shows, but at this point she has made no mention of her alleged new gig.
TMZ also reports Kim Fields, best known for “The Facts Of Life,” will be another season 8 newbie.
Meanwhile, the new season recently
began filming, and photos emerged showing former cast member Sheree
Whitfield has rejoined the cast. Another one-time cast member, Marlo
Hampton, is back on the scene, too, but likely in a recurring “friend”
capacity, which is the crazy, I would have thought Marlo and her drama would have been cast permanently a long time ago. Nene Leakes has made her official exit from the TV series. She has gone on to do some amazing projects including Broadway, a woman's fashion line, appearances on many television shows including Donald Trumps, Celebrity Apprentice. Claudia Jordan was fired, after just one season (thank God). Sheree has been see on Iyanla Vanzants "Fix My Life" series, attempting to make amends with her NFL ex-husand and children. But we really haven't heard much more about Sheree, nor SHE by Sheree, nor Chateau Sheree... We’ll keep you updated on RHOA official cast as details become available.
Sunday, August 23, 2015
"Straight Outta Compton" movie conveniently left out the domestic violence between Dr. Dre and woman...
Dr. Dre released a statement regarding the incidents:
"I’m doing everything I can so I never resemble that man again"
Dr. Dre has apologized to women he abused during the late 1980s and ’90s, after his history of violence against women resurfaced during the promotion of a biopic about his rise to fame.
“I apologize to the women I’ve hurt,” he told the New York Times. “I deeply regret what I did and know that it has forever impacted all of our lives.”
The newly-released Straight Outta Compton was a box office success, but its release has dredged up past complaints against Dr. Dre, who is both a co-producer and a subject of the film. Many critiqued the film for ignoring criticism of N.W.A. for being misogynistic, and omitting references to episodes when the rapper hit or abused women.
Hip-hop journalist Dee Barnes, who filed charges for physical assault against Dr. Dre in 1991, decried the film for Straight Outta Compton’s revisionist history at the expense of women excluded from the narrative.
Dr. Dre also said in the statement,
“Twenty-five years ago I was a young man drinking too much and in over
my head with no real structure in my life. However, none of this is an
excuse for what I did. I’ve been married for 19 years and every day I’m
working to be a better man for my family, seeking guidance along the
way. I’m doing everything I can so I never resemble that man again.”
Michel'le, early 90's R&B singer and ex-fiancée of Dr. Dre,
spoke about her relationship with the now-billionaire producer in a new
interview with VladTV. Both have openly acknowledged that he was
abusive towards her during their six years together (1990-1996), but the
issue has risen to the forefront once again because that history (along
with his known abusive relationships with other women) was omitted from new N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton.
In the new interview, Michel'le seems complacent about her omission
from the film, telling Vlad the film is "Cube's version of his life."When told that Dr. Dre also executive produced the film, she replied, "Why would [Dr.] Dre put me in it? If they start from where they start from," she added, "I was just a quiet girlfriend who got beat up and told to sit down and shut up."
Michel'le, who's currently in the public eye as one of the stars TV One's reality series R&B Divas: Los Angeles, detailed the abuse in a recent interview with The Breakfast Club. "When he gave me my very first black eye, we laid in the bed and cried," she said on the morning show. "He was crying and I was crying because I was in shock, hurt and in pain. I don’t know why he was crying, but he said 'I’m really sorry.' That was the only time he ever said he was really sorry. And he said, 'I’ll never hit you in that eye again, okay?'" She said in the interview that he kept that promise, but hit her in other places -- "I have scars that are just amazing," she told the show.
Dr. Dre confronted abuse allegations during the Straight Outta Compton press tour, telling Rolling Stone, "I made some fucking horrible mistakes in my life.
"I was young, fucking stupid," he continued. "I would say all the allegations aren't true -- some of them are. Those are some of the things that I would like to take back. It was really fucked up. But I paid for those mistakes, and there's no way in hell that I will ever make another mistake like that again."
Thursday, August 20, 2015
RETIRED DETECTIVE RUSSELL POOLE WHO WORKED TIRELESSLY ON BIGGIE SMALLS MURDER CASE, HAS DIED...
A retired Los Angeles police detective who handled the murder case of rapper Biggie Smalls died Wednesday from a suspected heart attack.Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies at the Homicide Bureau reported that Russell Poole collapsed Wednesday morning, according to a sheriff's department official.
He was meeting with detectives about a cold case when he collapsed and was unresponsive. He was rushed to a local hospital, where he died, the coroner’s office said.
Poole worked on Smalls’ murder case for about a year, according to Times archives. He independently made several developments, including allegations of police involvement, but no authorities ever researched his developments and no arrest were ever made, despite damning evidence. He continued to work on Biggie Smalls case even after his retirement.
The 24-year-old rapper, born Christopher Wallace and known also as Notorious B.I.G., was shot to death while sitting in a car at a red light in Mid-Wilshire on March 9, 1997.
Sunday, August 9, 2015
HOW "STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON" THE MOVIE- GOT THE WORLD IN ON A FREE MARKETING CAMPAIGN
The group NWA emerges from the streets of Compton, California in the mid-1980s and revolutionizes pop culture with their music and tales about life in the hood. The movie, "Straight Outta Compton" hit theaters August 14 2015. Already controversial, the marketing geniuses behind the movie, has gotten all of America in on the "Straight Outta" brand.
Back in January, Suge Knight, was arrested after an alleged hit and run fatality on set of the movie. While he still remains behind bars on $10 million bail, producers continued on with the process of filming. Now, days before the release, a website was created for the public to make their very own, "straight outta" personalized meme, to represent where they come from. This is guerrilla marketing at it's finest! Even for people who had no interest in the movie at all, one couldn't help but get in on the fun of the trending "straight outta" brand. 
Dr.Dre, a part of the movie, production, and original group NWA, also incorporated the world renowned "Beats by Dre" logo on the memes created on the website. So we'll call this a classic two for one. I still don't think I'll be seeing the movie. But it was fun repping my home town, along with the other half of the world.
A few celebrities joined in the fun as well, of course, the comedic memes came shortly there after. Some made light of the ongoing Meek Mill vs Drake beef, others were just plain comedy. Good job to the marketing team, this is definitely the best marketing I've seen for a movie in a very long time!
Sunday, July 26, 2015
BOBBI KRISTINA, NOW RESTING IN PEACE, DIES AT 22
"She is finally at peace in the arms of God," the Houston family said in statement to ET. "We want to again thank everyone for their tremendous amount of love and support during these last few months."
On Jan. 31, Bobbi Kristina was found unresponsive in her bathtub, and was then taken to North Fulton Hospital in Roswell, Georgia, where she was put on a ventilator to assist her breathing. She was later placed in a medically induced coma at Atlanta's Emory University Hospital.
Nearly two months later, she was moved to a rehabilitation center, where she remained until June 24, when she was moved to the hospice center.
Born March 4, 1993, in Livingston, New Jersey, Bobbi Kristina was thrust into the spotlight at an early age, but the love her mother had for her was obvious early on.
back in 1993. "She brings both Bobby and I a lot of joy. It's a different thing when you become a mother. It changes your whole perspective on life. You really don't live for you anymore. You're living for your children."
Between her father's string of hit songs and her mother being one of the best-selling artists of all time, as well as her parents' tumultuous relationship, as a child Bobbi Kristina became a target of tabloid scrutiny.
Then 10 years old, she was featured on the controversial 2005 Bravo reality series Being Bobby Brown, which famously depicted the family's darker days.After years of controversy surrounding her parents, including accusations of domestic violence and drug abuse, Bobbi Kristina's parents eventually separated in 2006. When the divorce was finalized in 2007, Houston was awarded custody of her daughter.
On Feb. 11, 2012, Houston was found dead in a bathtub in her Beverly Hilton Hotel suite.
Bobbi Kristina had been very close to her mother, often appearing with her at movie premieres, and even accompanying her on tour. She would frequently speak to press about her mother's love and support, and Houston's death reportedly hit her very hard.
Only 18 years old when her mother died, Bobbi Kristina became the sole inheritor of Houston's estate. The inheritance was estimated at nearly $115 million.
"I still feel her everywhere," Brown said on the 2012 reality show The Houstons: On Our Own. "She's still around me and that's what keeps me comfortable, is knowing that my best friend, my everything, is still with me."
Bobbi Kristina's bond with her late mother was reminiscent of the close relationship Houston shared with her own mom, Cissy Houston. "That's a little bit of what my mother and I had," Bobbi Kristina acknowledged on The Houstons. "That's the bond that we share and we did share. We still share that bond no matter what -- even after death."
Bobbi Kristina even had deep aspirations of following in her mother's footsteps. On Jan. 29, Bobbi Kristina promised a bright future ahead, tweeting, "Let's start this career up&&moving OUT to TO YOU ALLLL quick shall we !?!???!"
Following her mother's untimely death, Bobbi Kristina sought comfort in Nick Gordon, a childhood friend who grew up with her under the same roof.
The discovery of Bobbi Kristina in the bathtub came just days before the third anniversary of her mother's passing. A source close to the situation told ET that Bobbi Kristina suffered from an apparent drug overdose, the circumstances of which were eerily similar to those of her mother's passing. Houston's death was ruled an accident as a result of drowning, but the medical examiner also stated that cocaine and drug-related heart disease contributed to her demise.
I believe Bobbi Kristina never healed from the tragic loss of her mother. She longed for that love andconnection she and her mother shared, but never found that love again. Only a motherless child knows the heart wrenching agony and pain that feels like. I hope Bobbi Kristina now knows she meant more to the world than she could have ever imagined, and I am so sorry she never got to experience the dreams and aspirations she set out to accomplish. May God preserve her soul.
Condolences to the Brown and Houston Families, from PRGirlAngel Entertainment.
Friday, July 24, 2015
NICKI MINAJ LAUNCHES NEW FRAGRANCE AMIDST TWITTER WAR
Just days after a all out twitter war with Taylor Swift, which was basically a miscommunication on Swift's part, Nicki continues business as usual launching her new fragrance "The Pink Print".
Designer Nicki Minaj had 6 perfumes in her fragrance collection. This is Minaj's 7th fragance launch. She's previously released, Pink Friday in 2012, Pink Friday Deluxe in 2013, Pink Friday Deluxe in 2013, Minajesty in 2013, Minajesty Exotic Edition in 2014, Onika in 2014, and now The Pink Print July 24 2015. All usually released with names or close to her album release dates.
She's continually building her brand as she also has a clothing line "Nicki Minaj" available in stores such as Kmart, and Kmart.
Nicki Minaj is currently on tour with new boyfriend, Rapper, Meek Mills, Dej Loaf, Tinashae, and Rae Sremmurd.
Thursday, July 16, 2015
UBER to leave Broward County, Florida July 31st 2015, Tonight I Tried The Service For The First Time...
Today for the first time I experienced "Uber", and I must say, it was quite the experience, and far
more superior than the age old yellow cab service. Let me tell you about it.
I decided to take an evening stroll to the market to get a few items to cook. Like most woman, I ended up with many more bags than expected, so I opted to call a cab, a yellow cab. I was told by dispatch, the only cab available was an hour away. Then I remembered a friend sent me a promotional UBER text, for a free ride for using the service for the first time. So I decided to give it a shot.
I downloaded the Uber app, and set up an account and applied my promotional code. In the click of a button, I had a map view of all the available drivers in the area. There was approximately 4. I clicked a button, and immediately, I was shown my drivers profile, face, vehicle type and license plate number, and estimated arrival time which was 3 minutes. WOW. I took note of the time and the driver actually arrived in 2 minutes in a Honda CRV. I approached the personally owned, contracted vehicle of a driver named Rodrigo. As I entered the vehicle he immediately asked if I needed assistance with my bags, which I didn't, so we began our ride. He asked how my day was, and we began to chat.I asked him about the recent changes in Uber and how he felt about the service ending in Broward county in a few days. He stated his disappointment, but was hopeful it wouldn't be for too long. He then told me about the tiers of vehicles and class of vehicles of the different Ubers, Uber X, and Uber XL. He explained the UberXL's were more luxury vehicles like Escalades, Navigators, even BMW and Benzs'. These XL vehicles were typically used for groups maybe going out for a night on the town, or special events. Impressive to say the least.
He then asked me what I did for a living, and if I'd used the service before, and I explained what I typed in the first paragraph. And we engaged in great conversation, for the duration of my ride.
When we got to my destination, I asked, "ok so how does this work now", he said no money was needed, my account (which is linked to my debit card would be charged for whatever was owed and I would get an email receipt. It came through almost instantaneously as he pressed a button on his smartphone to end the trip. Of course this ride was free, so my receipt was ZIP, ZILTCH, ZERO.
The email allowed for me to give the driver a rating from 1-5 stars, and leave a comment. I gave him 5 stars for his stellar service, great conversation, as well as the clean, manicured appearance and smell of the vehicle.
I was then sent a promotional code to share with my friends for a free ride, the same way my friend had received one and sent to me. There is also great incentive for every free ride my friends used, I would get another one too for up to $20.https://get.uber.com/invite/angelw288ue Feel free to use my promo code for a free ride up to $20 as well :)
The trip was significantly cheaper (the receipt shows what the charges would have been had I not used that promo code.
All in all, the service was so superior, I began to think, how dare Broward County end such a great service! My next step is finding every petition possible to sign to keep Uber here, because I'm in love with the service I received tonight.
According to Sun Sentinel newspaper, Boward County commissioners on Tuesday passed a sweeping new law regulating app-based ride services such as Uber, despite the company's threat to leave town if they did.
The new regulations legalize services including Uber and Lyft, whose drivers use their personal vehicles. But the law left intact tough provisions that Uber said would make it impossible to operate in Broward.
Each driver will be required to register with the county, submit to a county-run fingerprint-based background check, and carry the heightened insurance state law requires for commercial vehicles for hire.
"We are disappointed at some of the decisions that were made today,'' Kasra Moshkani, Uber's South Florida general manager, said after the vote.
Later that night, company spokesman Bill Gibbons issued s statement that Uber can't follow the new law.
"We cannot operate in Broward County if such onerous regulations are enforced, and stand ready to reengage with the commission to bring more choice and opportunity back to Broward County.''Commissioner Stacy Ritter said she disliked Uber's public relations campaign, which included emailing and mailing fliers to residents telling them the county was forcing Uber out with its regulations.
"If Uber leaves this county,'' she said after the vote, "It's Uber's decision to do so voluntarily. There's nothing in this ordinance that is onerous. Uber can comply with this ordinance without any problem. This is a company worth $40 billion, with a 'B.' If they can't pony up a few dollars for insurance, background checks and permits, then shame on them.''
Uber had hoped state legislators would have passed a law preventing local governments from regulating it, as well as setting insurance and background check requirements for drivers. But the House adjourned its session Tuesday without passing an Uber bill.
With the new laws, the county:
•Enhanced background check standards to "Level II,'' requiring fingerprinting. Uber representatives had said a "significant'' number of Uber drivers wouldn't submit fingerprints when Columbus, Ohio, implemented the rule. Any driver who applies for a license will be allowed to carry passengers under a temporary two-week license until the background check is complete.
•Scrapped a requirement for liability insurance for drivers, but required drivers to follow state law, which county officials said requires 24-hour commercial insurance. Uber currently has different insurance coverage that the county says leaves gaps.
•Upgraded vehicle inspection standards for all cars for hire, including Uber and cabs. Third-party licensed mechanics will give 19-point inspections.
•Raised the standards for drivers, excluding those with serious criminal backgrounds or poor driver histories. The law removed some of the subjectivity in granting the chauffeur registrations drivers must obtain.
•Stripped the county's Consumer Protection Board of some of its authority to grant chauffeur registrations to drivers who were rejected by county staff. The change was proposed by Commissioner Mark Bogen after the Sun Sentinel reported earlier this month that the Consumer Protection Board overruled staff in 62 percent of appeals, putting drivers with lengthy rap sheets, including violent crimes and DUIs, behind the wheel.
•Allowed Uber to field unlimited vehicles, with no restrictions on fares. Uber can charge less than the county-mandated cab fare, and can continue its "surge pricing,'' which is exponentially higher.
An overflow crowd filled the meeting Tuesday, split between Uber and taxi drivers.
Robert Bonner, the owner of Intercity Taxi, said he supported the additional regulation.
"If there's been one recurring theme, it's been safety. When people get into a vehicle for hire, they want to know someone has checked out the driver, someone has checked out the vehicle and that it has insurance. This is added expense, more red tape, more work involved. It's worth it.''
The debate over the past eight months was tinged with criticism of the traditional cab system in Broward, with riders complaining about dirty cars, rude, unreliable drivers who don't speak English well, broken air conditioning, inoperable credit card machines and late arrivals.
"It's the taxi industry that needs a kick in the butt, not Uber,'' Hollywood resident Doug Eney wrote to elected officials. "Services like Uber and Lyft are the only way the taxi industry in Broward will invest to really clean up its act.''Dan Lindblade, CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, said in a letter to Commissioner Chip LaMarca on Tuesday that he'd spoken with many hoteliers and restaurateurs who support Uber. He urged the county to find "common ground.''
"Our guests expect this type of solution to an otherwise mediocre traditional cab system,'' he wrote.
ber's aggressive tactics turned off commissioners from the beginning. As it has done throughout the world, Uber refused to follow county taxi laws, simply paying fines when drivers were cited.
The company was not subtle.
Miami-Dade activist Darrin McGillis sent law enforcement officials this month an email from Uber Miami, advising drivers how to avoid detection at South Florida airports, where Uber drivers have been cited and fined.
The email said that "while we continue discussions'' with local officials, there are a few ways to make the airport trips "more enjoyable.''
"Keep your Uber phone off your windshield — put it down in your cupholder,'' the email said. "Ask the rider if they would sit up front.''
LaMarca, the company's main supporter on the dais, said the county has been patient with Uber.
But now a law tailored largely to Uber is on the books, eight months after Uber arrived and asked to be treated differently than traditional cabs. Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties are working on new laws as well.
"If they do the wrong thing and break the law,'' LaMarca said, "we come down on them like a ton of bricks, like we would anyone else. That's it.''
bwallman@tribune.com or 954-356-4541
Monday, July 13, 2015
Eric Garner Case Is Settled by New York City for $5.9 Million
New York City reached a settlement on Monday with the family of Eric Garner, agreeing to pay $5.9 million to resolve the claim over his killing by the police last July on Staten Island, according to a lawyer representing the family.
The agreement, reached days before the deadline to file suit in the death, appeared to be among the biggest reached so far as part of a strategy by the city comptroller, Scott M. Stringer, to settle major civil rights claims even before a lawsuit is filed. Mr. Stringer has said the aim is to save taxpayers the expense of a drawn-out trial and to give those bringing the suits and their families a measure of closure.
Eleven months after Eric Garner's death, his grave is covered by a lush patch of grass in Union County, N.J. His mother, Gwen Carr, is pulling together money for a headstone.Last year, Mr. Garner’s relatives, including his widow, Esaw Garner, and with his mother, Gwen Carr, filed a notice of claim — a procedural step that must precede a lawsuit against the city — seeking $75 million in damages. Mr. Garner died on July 17 after a police officer, Daniel Pantaleo, placed him in a chokehold during an arrest as other officers wrestled him to the ground. The confrontation was captured in a cellphone video taken by a bystander.
The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, citing the chokehold and the compression of Mr. Garner’s chest by the police. In December, a Staten Island grand jury declined to indict Officer Pantaleo.
Jonathan C. Moore, the lawyer for Mr. Garner’s family, said the city had until Friday, the anniversary of the death, to come to an agreement. If none had been reached, a suit would have been filed.
The death of Mr. Garner, a father of six who was suspected of selling untaxed cigarettes and was unarmed at the time, fueled protests over police killings of black men. His final words — “I can’t breathe” — became a rallying cry. His death, followed by the fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., in August, set off a national debate about police actions in minority communities.
The settlement was reached even as several inquiries into Mr. Garner’s death were still pending, including investigations by the United States attorney for the Eastern District of New York, the Civilian Complaint Review Board and state health officials, who are looking into the actions of emergency medical responders in treating Mr. Garner.
The Police Department has concluded its internal investigation but has yet to say whether any officers would be disciplined.
On Saturday, Mr. Garner’s family is expected to lead a rally, with the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, outside the Brooklyn offices of the United States attorney to call for a federal case to be brought against the officers involved in Mr. Garner’s death.
“This is not about people getting money,” Mr. Sharpton said on Monday. “This is about justice. We’ve got to restructure our police departments and how we deal with policing nationwide.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio, speaking to reporters shortly before the settlement had been reached, said the anniversary of Mr. Garner’s death was on his mind. “I think it’s on the mind of many New Yorkers, and we, you know, mourn the death of Eric Garner,” Mr. de Blasio said. “I think we’ve come a long way, even in the last year, in terms of bringing police and community together
In recent months, the comptroller’s office has reached major settlements in several cases without a suit being filed, effectively cutting out involvement by the city’s Law Department.
Mr. Stringer reached a $6.4 million deal with David Ranta, who was imprisoned for 23 years after a wrongful murder conviction; Mr. Ranta had sought $150 million. A deal was also reached for $2.25 million with the family of Jerome Murdough, who died in an overheated jail cell at Rikers Island, to settle their $25 million claim against the city.
In 2001, a suit brought by Abner Louima, a Haitian man tortured with a broomstick while in police custody at a Brooklyn precinct station house in August 1997, was settled for $8.75 million, with the city paying $7.125 million and the police officers’ union, the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, which was accused of conspiring to cover up the assault, paying Mr. Louima another $1.625 million.
That agreement was reached three years into the suit brought by Mr. Louima, who was sodomized with the broken broomstick handle. The settlement came after federal trials in which one officer, Justin A. Volpe, was convicted in the attack and sentenced to 30 years in prison, and another pleaded guilty to perjury. Two more were sentenced to probation in the cover-up. Two other officers had their convictions overturned on appeal.
Nearly five years after the killing of Amadou Diallo in 1999, the city settled with his relatives for $3 million. The city settled a suit over the 2006 fatal shooting of Sean Bell for $3.25 million.In January, Mr. Stringer agreed to pay $17 million to settle wrongful conviction claims brought by three defendants whose cases involved Louis Scarcella, a retired homicide detective whose investigative tactics have come under scrutiny and are under review.
In an interview last December, after the grand jury’s decision, Mr. Stringer called Mr. Garner’s death ”a terrible tragedy” and said “my heart goes out to the Garner family, and I feel very strongly about that.”
some infornation courtesy of New York Times
50 CENT FILES BANKRUPTCY DAYS AFTER JUDGEMENT AGAINST HIM IN RICK ROSS BABY MAMA SEX TAPE SCANDAL!
50’s fall from the top has been swift and almost inconceivable. Earlier this year, Forbes named the rapper one of the wealthiest people in hip-hop, estimating his net worth at around $155 million. To go from that to filing for bankruptcy in such a short period of time surely has to be some kind of record.
Thus far, 2015 simply hasn’t been the rapper’s best year. A few months ago, 50’s boxing promotions company SMS Productions went under, also filing for bankruptcy. Last week, a judge ordered the Grammy winner to pay $5 million to a woman whose sex tape he leaked online. The bankruptcy filing might be a way for the star to protect himself from some of the fallout from these losses.
While he has certainly made a pretty penny from the tens of millions of albums and singles he’s sold over his decade-plus-long career, the majority of 50’s hefty income has come from his business acumen and his ability to sell companies off for a massive profit. Several years ago the rapper sold Vitamin Water to Coca-Cola KO +0.67% for billions, and it’s estimated that he earned somewhere close to $100 million for the deal. Since then, he’s gotten involved in everything from energy drinks to an underwear line to headphones, hoping to strike gold yet again.
Jackson made his name in the music world thanks to a close relationship with fellow rapper Eminem and thanks to hits like “In Da Club”, “21 Questions”, and “Candy Shop”, all of which made it to number one. In the past several years, he hasn’t kept his grip on the charts or radio like he had in the past. He dropped his fifth studio album, Animal Ambition, last summer, and while the record debuted at number four, none of the ten or so singles released managed to perform well. He is apparently at work on a sixth album, which might be out sometime later this year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)