The Inquisitr

Billy Joel said depression caused by 9/11 send him spiraling into alcoholism in the mid-2000s, a period that ended with a drunk driving arrest and rehab.

The singer said that alcohol wasn’t really to blame for his spate of car accidents in the 2000s, as many have assumed. Instead it stemmed from much deeper problems that arose after the terrorist attacks on New York.

“I was kind of in a mental fog, and it had nothing to do with the booze,” he told The New York Times. “My mind wasn’t right. I wasn’t focused. I went into a deep, deep depression after 9/11.”

Billy Joel added that the depression was compounded by a break-up he had went through at the time.

“It took me a while to get me back on my feet again,” Joel said, adding, “I used booze as medication.”

Joel said he still has a drink once in a while, but said his dark days are behind him.

The musician doesn’t seem too eager to revisit that period, either. He said he regrets a 2008 interview with Oprah Winfrey that focused on his alcoholism.

“I was very uncomfortable,” Joel said of the appearance. “I was in shock. I didn’t realize behind me there were these screens of, like, auto accidents and things about drinking and divorce. I thought I was going to come talk about music. I did the show because [Joel's ex-wife] Katie had a book coming out. She said, ‘Please, help me get on the show.’ I said, ‘I don’t want to do it, I don’t want to do it, don’t make me do it, don’t make me do it.’ But I said, ‘O.K., I’ll do it, and it’s going to suck.’ Sure enough, it did. My daughter saw the show, and she cried, she thought it was so bad.”

He also wrote a memoir, but backed out of a reported $3 million deal to publish them when he learned they were being marketed as “Divorce, Depression and Drinking.”

Billy Joel said his depression and alcoholism didn’t exactly fit the mold of exciting rock star publishers were hoping for, saying, “They wanted more sex, drugs and rock-and-roll, and there’s not that much in my life.”

Billy Joel: My Depression Was Caused By 9/11 is a post from: The Inquisitr

Controversial director Roman Polanski is blaming the pill for the death of romance in modern society. He also has some strong feelings about gender equality.

The filmmaker attended this year’s Cannes Film Festival to promote his latest feature Venus in Fur. The Chinatown director’s latest effort stars his wife Emmanuelle Seigner.

According to AFI, Polanski was asked by a reporter about his thoughts on women. It was around this time that he blamed birth control pills for “masculinising” them. The director said that birth control was also “chasing away the romance” in modern society.

“I think that now offering flowers to a lady becomes indecent, that’s how I feel about it,” the filmmaker explained. He added that striving for female equality was a “great pity.”

“I think to level the genders — it’s purely idiotic. I think it’s a result … of progress in medicine. I think that the Pill has changed greatly the woman of our times, ‘masculinising’ her. I think that it chases away the romance from our lives and that’s a great pity,” he added.

Gender roles play a huge part in Polanski’s Venus in Furs. The film tells the story of an actress who turns the tables on a powerful male director. Since his wife stars in the feature, The Guardian reports Polanski was quick to shoot down any suggestions that the same thing may have happened in real life.

“There was a macho element to [the director] character that was torn to pieces. That was enjoyable. People who know me know there is nothing like that in my personality, so it gave me great satisfaction to do it,” the filmmaker explained.

Polanski’s decision to blame the pill for “masculinising” women is the second sexist comment made by an aging celebrity at this year’s film festival. Jerry Lewis came under fire earlier this week after saying that he doesn’t find female comedian particularly funny.

“I can’t see women doing that. It bothers me. I cannot sit and watch a lady diminish her qualities to the lowest common denominator. I just can’t do that,” he said.

What do you think about Roman Polanksi blaming the pill for “masculinising” women and “chasing away the romance?”

[Image via cinemafestival / Shutterstock.com]

Roman Polanski Blames The Pill For ‘Chasing Away The Romance’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded is getting push backed to June.

Although the reboot of the classic point-and-click adventure game was slated to arrive at the end of the month, a handful problems have forced developers at Replay Games to push back the release date.

According to an update on the company’s official website, Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded has quite a few issues that still need hammering out. Instead of releasing a game full of bugs, founder Paul Trowe said some additional work is currently being done to ensure that players actually get to enjoy the game.

“Due to the pure number of bugs found in the PC version alone (Mac version is being tested now, but not via Steam), we’re having to delay the game, yet again, until the end of June. I seriously wanted this game out by the end of May because we’ve postponed it more times than Larry’s been rejected,” Trowe explained.

The update also states that over 4,000 beta testers are digging through the remake in search of problems. While the game could theoretically be released on May 31, Trowe said Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded would contain a number of unacceptable problems.

“Things like: the wrong line being spoken, Larry walking through a table in the cabaret, missing sound effects in the tutorial, no music in certain spots, and Larry’s scaling needing fine-tuning. While some of these may seem trivial, we have one shot at getting this game right, and it will set the bar for quality for all future Larry games to come,” he explained.

For those of you who didn’t grow up playing adventure games, Leisure Suit Larry tells the story of a perpetual loser who spends an evening out on the town. His mission: find a woman who won’t reject him. In order to bring the game to a new generation, Replay Games enlisted the help of original designers Al Lowe and Josh Mandel.

Are you looking forward to Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded? Are you disappointed that the game’s release date is getting pushed back?

‘Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded’ Gets Pushed Back To June is a post from: The Inquisitr

Don Mattingly doesn’t seem concerned about his job status, even though the Los Angeles Dodgers manager has failed to generate much with his high-payroll team this season.

The Dodgers, despite having a $217 million payroll, are just 17-25 this season and seven games out of first place in the NL West. There were rumors that Mattingly could be fired for the poor performance, especially after the team was just swept by the Atlanta Braves, but the coach didn’t seem concerned.

Don Mattingly said his job status wasn’t even discussed at a meeting this week with general manager Don Colletti.

“We just talk about the team,” Mattingly said. “Talk about what’s going on and what we are trying to do. The move we were making today. Where we are trying to go. To me it’s a daily process. Just the grind of the season. How do we get better? Is there things that you do differently? Do you persevere and stay the course? Are we confident in the people that we have? Those are the kind of things that you talk about pretty much every day.

“Nothing was different than any other day. As far as any kind of rumors or whatever they are, I talked to (Dodgers president) Stan (Kasten) the other day and he didn’t fire me that day. I’m still here. Ned didn’t tell me I wasn’t going to be here tomorrow or today. That’s the way I look at it.”

Now in his third season with the Dodgers, Don Mattingly said he believes the players are giving it their all. There’s no sign they quit on him, Mattingly added.

“You’ll be able to tell,” Mattingly said. “To me that’s the main thing. If you lose that, you should be fired. If the guys quit on you and they don’t play, you should be gone. You lose a clubhouse or they aren’t playing hard for you then it’s over.”

On Friday team president Stan Kasten noted that Mattingly was not in immediate danger of being fired.

“I do expect things to turn around,” Kasten said before the game. “I expect Donnie to be here for a long time.”

But not long after the remarks the Dodgers would go on to lose to the Cardinals 7-0. While team officials say Don Mattingly is safe in his job status, that can change quickly if the team doesn’t start winning.

Don Mattingly Job Status: Dodgers Coach Says He’s Not Worried About Being Fired is a post from: The Inquisitr

Myanmar has imposed a two-child limit on Rohingya Muslims in the country’s western Rakhine state, near Bangladesh. The decision was made in an effort to reduce tensions with the Rohingya’s Buddhist neighbors.

Local officials stated that the new child limits will be applied to two townships in Rakhine, Buthiadaung and Maundaw. The two townships border Bangladesh and have the highest Muslim populations in the state at 95 percent.

Along with a two-child limit, the latest measure also bans polygamy for Rohingya Muslim families. The measure was enacted a week ago and follows a government-appointed commission’s recommendations.

The commission issued proposals to ease the nation’s sectarian violence that included family planning programs to slow down the population growth of minority Muslims. The commission also recommended doubling the security force presence in Rakhine, according to state spokesman Win Myaing.

Myaing added, “The population growth of Rohingya Muslims is 10 times higher than that of the Rakhine [Buddhists]. Overpopulation is one of the causes of tension.”

Sectarian violence against the Rohingya flared again last year as mobs of Buddhists armed with machetes destroyed thousands of Muslim homes. The violence left hundreds of people dead and forced 125,000 to flee. Boats full or Rohingya Muslims have capsized during attempts to escape the country.

Win Myaing added that authorities have not yet decided how the measures, like the two-child limit for Muslims, will be enforced. The policy will not apply to other parts of Rakhine state, for the time being. The government-appointed commission issued their report last month, saying:

“One factor that has fueled tensions between the Rakhine public and [Rohingya] populations relates to the sense of insecurity among many Rakhines stemming from the rapid population growth of the [Rohingya].”

Despite their high populations in Rakhine state, Muslims account for just four percent of Myanmar’s roughly 60 million people.

Do you think a two-child limit on Rohingya Muslims will stem the sectarian violence in Myanmar?

[Image via fotostory / Shutterstock.com]

Myanmar Imposes 2-Child Limit On Muslims In Rakhine is a post from: The Inquisitr

Notre Dame starting QB Everett Golson will leave the university, reportedly due to an academic violation.

As a redshirt freshman in 2012, Golson led Notre Dame to an undefeated season and a trip to the BCS championship game, but now has left the Fighting Irish.

“Everett is not enrolled at the university. Federal law and our own polices preclude us from discussing specifics,” spokesman Dennis Brown said in an email.

The Notre Dame QB leaves because of an academic violation, the Chicago Tribune reported, citing two sources.

Golson started 11 games for Notre Dame last season, completing 187-of-318 passes for 2,405 yards and 12 touchdowns with six interceptions. He was also effective with his legs, rushing for 298 yards and six touchdowns.

After such an unexpected success in 2012, the Fighting Irish suddenly have a big question mark at quarterback. The Notre Dame QB leaves a team that already struggled on offense, and has no clear successor at signal caller.

The job could fall to senior Tommy Rees, who saw spot duty this season as Golson worked through early struggles. But Golson appeared more comfortable with the playbook as the season wore on, and finished with something of a historic season. He joined Joe Theismann (1970) and Jarious Jackson (1999) as the only quarterbacks in Notre Dame history to pass for more than 2,000 yards and rush for more than 300 in a season.

Fourth-year junior Andrew Hendrix and spring enrollee Malik Zaire are also on the depth chart, but Notre Dame have already lost another promising quarterback. Shortly after the BCS championship game, redshirt quarterback Gunner Kiel announced he was leaving the school.

Kiel later enrolled at Cincinnati.

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said he thought Gunner Kiel would have had a good chance to compete for the starting job next season.

“We had kind of created an opportunity for him to compete in the spring,” Kelly said. “So maybe a little surprised from that standpoint, because he was actually told he’d be given the opportunity to compete. Sometimes when you don’t hear that, you wouldn’t be surprised.”

Though the Notre Dame QB leaves for the 2013 season, there is no word on whether he might be able to return to Notre Dame at some point.

Notre Dame QB Everett Golson Leaves University is a post from: The Inquisitr

Paul McCartney has written to a Russian judge asking that members of the political activist punk rock group Pussy Riot be released from prison.

McCartney asked the judge that Maria Alekhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova be granted parole for the impromptu concert they held in Moscow’s main cathedral. The performance was intended to draw attention to the close ties between the Russian government and the Orthodox Church.The band members are currently serving two-year sentences.

“My personal belief is that further incarceration for Maria will be harmful for her and the situation as a whole, which, of course, is being watched by people all over the world,” McCartney wrote. “I have had a long relationship with the Russian people, and with this in mind, I am making the following request in a spirit of friendship for my many Russian acquaintances who, like me, believe in treating people — all people, with compassion and kindness.”

Alekhina, who had been held out of her own parole hearing, went on a hunger strike in prison this week to protest the proceedings. Tolokonnikova saw her parole denied last month. Yekaterina Samutsevich, who was also jailed, has since been released on appeal.

Paul McCartney was not the only one to write to the Russian court in support of Pussy Riot. Peter Gabriel and Patti Smith also wrote in support of the parole hearings, and Madonna has spoken out in support of the punk rock band as well.

Members of Pussy Riot remain unapologetic about the protest. Yekaterina Samutsevich, spoke to The Associated Press in February to mark the one-year anniversary of their arrests, saying it was worth risking arrest to draw attention to the ties between the government and the church.

“I have no regrets about the performance,” she said. “Many people who did not know about the problem became aware of it: the problem in our society, in the Russian Church.”

Paul McCartney published the letters supporting Pussy Riot in part on his website.

[Paul McCartney Image via Wikimedia Commons]

Paul McCartney Writes To Russian Judge In Support Of Pussy Riot is a post from: The Inquisitr

Passengers were kicked off an airplane for speaking Russian, according to ABC 10 News. In all, six people, including a business owner, accountant, and teacher, were removed from the flight because the stewardesses “were intimidated by us speaking a different language,” Dmitry Bitman and wife Sana told reporters.

The incident occurred aboard a Spirit Airlines flight to Las Vegas. The group were going to an anniversary party last week when, 10 minutes after getting to their seats, they were removed from the plane.

Bitman said he and others were discussing the party in their native Russian tongue when a worker aboard the flight approached and said, “This row needs to get up and leave now.”

“It was humiliating to be treated that way,” Sana Bitman said.

The passengers kicked off the airplane for speaking Russian said they were given no warnings by the airline before removal. In a cell phone video of the event, 10 News noted, a worker tells the group “You didn’t hear it.”

Sana responded, “There was no announcement.”

Spirit Airlines has not issued a statement or returned 10 News’ request for comment, but the Bitmans said they were issued a refund by the airline. That didn’t get them to Vegas on time, however, and they ended up missing the anniversary party.

The group is now seeking legal counsel. Attorney Daniel Petrov told 10 News that it was illegal to discriminate under these circumstances. “They [passengers] were kicked off the plane for speaking Russian. It’s that simple. It’s illegal.”

Given recent Spirit Airlines headlines, it’s surprising they even issued a refund after refusing one to a dying Marine in May 2012. That incident gave way to a Facebook protest that rapidly shot up to 25,000 likes.

Spirit Airlines has also tried to hide fees from customers in order to win their business. Most notably the company fought against a rule requiring them to include all taxes and fees in advertised ticket pricing. Essentially the airline prefers to say a one-way fair is $67 and then throw in an additional $60 in charges at the time of checkout.

The results: just read through the sea of one-star reviews over at Skytrax, the web’s largest airline review site. As of this writing, 1,165 reviews, and most are none-too-flattering. And Spirit? They don’t really care what you think:

What’s your Spirit Airlines experience? Should the passengers kicked off the airplane for speaking Russian be allowed to sue?

[Image via Ivan Cholakov / Shutterstock.com]

Passengers Kicked Off Airplane For Speaking Russian is a post from: The Inquisitr

Elisabeth Moss slammed Jeremy Piven in an interview this week, saying she didn’t buy the actor’s excuse for leaving a Broadway play she co-starred in.

Moss was referring to Piven’s exit from Speed-the-Plow, a 2008 play that Piven abandoned. The actor said he was suffering from mercury poisoning he caught from eating tainted fish, but the Mad Men actress thinks there was something else going on.

“What, besides eating too much sushi, caused Jeremy Piven to quit Speed-the-Plow?” Andy Cohen asked the actress in her appearance on Plead The Fifth.

“That’s a very good one. I could go on and on,” Moss said smiling. “Being highly unprofessional,” she added.

“We were all surprised,” Moss said. “It came out of nowhere. He just didn’t come back one day.”

Moss slammed Piven for his excuse, saying that she saw him a month later at the Golden Globes and he didn’t seem to be suffering in the least.

“He was supposed to be really sick,” Moss said.

Though Moss’ slam of Piven generated headlines, it wasn’t the only touchy topic she addressed during the interview. When asked about rumors of Jon Hamm’s supposedly “impressive anatomy,” Moss seemed willing to share.

“Is it true what they say about Jon Hamm’s ham?” Cohen asked.

“Well, I mean, we’ve all seen the pictures so, I mean, I would suppose so,” Moss said of her Mad Men co-star. “That’s all I know.”

Hamm doesn’t seem too happy to discuss the topic. He sounded off on the controversy in a March 2013 issue of Rolling Stone, seeming quite upset at the coverage it had generated.

“Most of it’s tongue-in-cheek,” he said. “But it is a little rude. It just speaks to a broader freedom that people feel like they have – a prurience….They’re called ‘privates’ for a reason. I’m wearing pants, for f**k’s sake. Lay off. I mean, it’s not like I’m a f***ing lead miner.”

The interview where Moss slams Piven can be seen here:

Elisabeth Moss Slams Jeremy Piven, Calls Him ‘Highly Unprofessional’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

The San Antonio Spurs are one win from some familiar territory — the NBA Finals.

The Spurs defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 104-93 in overtime on Saturday night, pushing the upstart Grizzlies team to the brink of elimination. If the Spurs win, it would be the team’s fifth NBA Finals appearance in the last 14 years. The Spurs have won all of those trips.

The Spurs were led Saturday by 37-year-old Tim Duncan, who scored the final five points as the team rallied from an 18-point deficit.

“He was huge for us the other night in overtime and got it done for us, and he did it again tonight,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of Duncan. “That’s why he is considered as great as he has for the last 17 years. He’s been unbelievable. He feels a responsibility to carry us in those kinds of times, and he did it again tonight.”

Duncan has played nothing like his age would imply in the regular season and playoffs, regularly notching double-doubles and controlling the interior.

“I’m not worried about how old I am or whatever, whatever it may be,” Duncan said. “I’m very focused on having another opportunity to make it to a championship and try to win, that’s all.”

The two-time MVP is also playing with the distraction of his divorce from wife Amy. Media outlets confirmed that she filed for divorce after 11 years of marriage, but Spurs officials said Duncan would not be addressing the divorce at all.

The win over the Grizzlies makes give straight for the Spurs, and brings Duncan one step close to avenging last year’s bitter exit. The team had a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals, but saw the Oklahoma City Thunder come back and win the next four.

The San Antonio Spurs have a chance to wrap up the series Monday in Memphis.

Spurs One Win From NBA Finals After Taking Game 3 Against Grizzlies is a post from: The Inquisitr

Riots in Sweden have spread beyond Stockholm, where they began on May 19. The violence erupted in the normally calm and welcoming country after police shot a 69-year-old man they claim was waving a machete at officers as they attempted to search his home.

The violence, largely unheard of in the Scandinavian country, has shocked Swedes. Along with searching for answers to what is causing the riots, they are also debating what the underlying causes could be.

Some Swedes are blaming the perpetrators for failing to integrate with the nation, while other residents of the suburbs have complained they were forgotten by mainstream society.

Peter Kadhammar, who covers immigration and integration issues for Swedish daily Aftonbladet, commented, “This has shaken Sweden. Of course, everyone has been aware of the massive failures in the immigrant policies, but this has shaken Sweden because the violence was so widespread.”

More than 100 cars have been set on fire since the riots began. Dozens of buildings have also been torched, including schools, stores, and a police station. The riots are centered in poor immigrant suburbs and are the latest to break out in Europe in the past decade.

Along with Sweden, riots have also taken place in Paris in 2005 and London in 2011. While the images of rioting coming out of Sweden have shocked the world, anyone listening to the country’s social workers, political scientists, rappers, and right wing extremists shouldn’t be surprised.

For years, these groups have been telling about the two Stockholms — two societies living side-by-side in a modern world. But that all changed when the 68-year-old man, a Portuguese immigrant, was shot to death by police. While officials stated the man was wielding a machete at police and holding a woman hostage, a group that campaigns for social change in Stockholm’s suburbs had a different story.

The group, Megafonen, published pictures of a body bag being taken from the man’s home and driven away in a car. Later, it emerged that the hostage was actually the man’s wife of 30 years. The machete was really a kitchen knife, according to the man’s brother-in-law, who added the dead man was using it to ward off a gang of youths. When the police knocked on the door, the man thought it was the youths, and yelled at them, probably a little threateningly.

So, he was killed. The true story set the city on a course that lead to the massive riots that have been called the worst in Stockholm’s modern history. It has spread from the capital to the suburbs. And while the original intent may have been retaliation for the 68-year-old man’s death, the tone has changed to protesting unemployment and lack of activity for youths. It is also an uproar over police violence, racism, and a feeling that no one cares.

With the riots spreading away from Sweden’s capital, it is unclear when they will come to an end.

[Image via Peter Isotalo]

Sweden Riots Spread Beyond Stockholm is a post from: The Inquisitr

Titus Young has been charged with 11 crimes after a judge added new counts to an alleged week-long crime spree.

Young is accused of multiple crimes during the week in early May. He was arrested three times, culminating with charges of breaking into a home and then fighting with police officers.

The former NFL wide receiver saw three new counts added on Friday to the eight he already faced, including a felony count of residential burglary and misdemeanor resting arrest and vandalism charges.

During the alleged crime spree Young was also arrested on suspicion of DUI and theft.

Titus Young now faces charges for 11 crimes, and some other legal issues as well. His ex-girlfriend, the mother of his 8-month-old son, filed a restraining order that requires Young to remain 100 yards away from her and the baby.

That won’t be too much of a problem. Judge Andre Manssourian increased Young’s bail to $50,000 from $25,000, and the former Detroit Lions wide receiver remains in jail.

“Mr. Young poses a danger to the community,” Manssourian said.

Young was cut by the Detroit Lions after two uneven seasons. Though he showed some flashes of strong play, he was also plagued by disciplinary problems and lack on concentration. While on the Lions, Young reportedly lined up in the wrong spot on purpose on one play.

The former NFL player’s father, Richard Young, said Titus suffers from an ailment caused by his brain being compressed to the front his skull. Richard said a change in behavior came after Titus suffered a concussion in 2011, his NFL rookie season.

“I hope they just forgive Titus because this ain’t none of Titus, it wasn’t none of his fault,” he told The Detroit Free Press. “I look at my son right now, I don’t see my son. That’s not my son. I know my son.”

Richard added that Titus Young is not dealing with his issues properly, and is in need of months of treatment and regular medicine to recover.

Titus Young may face more than 11 crimes. He was arrested twice on May 5 in California’s Riverside County, but has yet to face charges.

Titus Young Charged With 11 Crimes After Judge Adds New Counts is a post from: The Inquisitr

Albany, OR — Six bombs were found in the bedroom of a teen already arrested for allegedly plotting to blow up his high school. The teen, 17-year-old Grant Acord, was taken into juvenile jail on Thursday night.

Police received a tip on Thursday that the teen was making a bomb to blow up West Albany High School. Benton County District Attorney John Haroldson announced late Saturday that authorities discovered six bombs in the teen’s bedroom, hidden in a secret compartment.

Haroldson added that Acord wrote plans and checklists. His intent was apparently “forged and inspired by the model of the Columbine shootings.” The District Attorney added that the Oregon teen will be charged as an adult.

Police have already searched the high school, but no bombs were discovered. Haroldson declined to give the specific date the teen set to carry out the attacks, though he explained it would be included in court paperwork filed after the weekend. He added that he is not aware that the youth had any problems at school, like a suspension. Haroldson explained:

“In any case that you have a young person that in essence plans to take a video game approach to killing people at school, you have to take a close look at the mental health issues. And the process will certainly provide for that once he’s represented by counsel.”

The DA added it doesn’t appear Acord was trying to target a specific person or group in the attack. However, he added, “I can’t say enough about how lucky we are that there was an intervention. When I look at the evidence in the case, I shudder to think of what could have happened here.”

Along with the bombs in the teen’s bedroom, authorities also found more bomb making supplies. It is unclear how many devices Acord had material to make. Acord will face a charge of attempted aggravated murder.

[Image via ShutterStock]

Bombs Found In Bedroom Of Oregon Teen Who Planned To Blow Up School is a post from: The Inquisitr

Jodi Arias will have to wait a few more months, at least, to find out her fate for killing her former boyfriend, Travis Alexander. The judge declared a mistrial on Thursday after jurors failed to reach an agreement on whether Arias deserves life in prison or the death penalty.

Arias, 32, has already been convicted of first degree murder in Alexander’s 2008 death. The jury has also decided that the woman’s crime was cruel enough to warrant the death penalty.

However, the jury panel could not agree on Arias’ sentence. The mistrial means that the prosecutor must now decide whether to retry the penalty phase of the case.

If a retrial takes place, a second jury will be picked and would begin hearing evidence for and against the death penalty sentence on July 18. If the prosecutor decides against a retrial, Arias will get life in prison, either with or without parole.

In a written statement, Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery explained that the prosecutors office has not decided what it plans to do. Montgomery explained:

“We appreciate the jury’s work in the guilt and aggravation phases of the trial and now we will assess, based upon available information, what the next steps will be.”

The judge has set a status conference for June 20 to hear what the prosecution plans to do. For now, the prosecution plans to retry the penalty phase of Jodi Arias’ case.

In most states with the death penalty, failure for the jury to unanimously agree means that the accused is automatically sentenced to life in prison. That is not the case in Arizona.

Instead, the penalty phase may be tried with up to two juries. If they cannot agree on a penalty, the judge has the task of sentencing the convicted to either life in prison or 25 years in prison. The prosecution can also decide not to retry the penalty phase, meaning Arias would get life in prison.

For now, Jodi Arias will remain at the women’s jail in Phoenix, Arizona. She is housed in a seven-by-11 foot cell for 23 hours per day.

Jodi Arias Case Sees Mistrial, New Jury Will Be Picked is a post from: The Inquisitr

While the 2013 hurricane season will likely be very active this year, it will be helped along by better forecasting. The NOAA is in its fourth year of a 10-year plan to improve the forecasting of potentially deadly storms.

Despite being less than halfway through the plan, the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) has already seen improvements in storm tracking and predictions.

The best example was with Superstorm Sandy, a late-season storm that hit the United States on October 29, 2012, causing $71 billion in damage and killing 147 during its trek west.

The predictions of Sandy’s path were “phenomenal” and probably saved lives, according to NOAA meteorologist Frank Marks. And if the predictions are anything to go by, forecasting the 2013 hurricane season will be even better.

That spells good news for the US East Coast and southeast, as well as the Caribbean islands and other areas typically hit by Atlantic hurricanes. The NOAA has already predicted about 13 to 20 storms for this year’s season, which lasts from June 1 to November 30. Of those storms, between seven and 11 of them could turn into hurricanes with sustained winds of 74 mph or higher.

Of those, three to six are predicted to be major. A typical hurricane season sees about 12 named storms and six hurricanes, only one or two of which becomes a major storm. Forecasting improvements will likely have a huge impact on human lives, especially given the expected busy season.

The NOAA’s new computer program, the Hurricane Weather Research and Forecast System(HWRF), is under development. It is already able to track the constantly shifting weather conditions that can affect a hurricane’s path.

Because of this, forecasters were able to predict with high accuracy where Superstorm Sandy would make landfall on the East Coast, as well as almost the exact point where the hurricane system would meet a cold front coming south from Canada.

NOAA scientists expect HWRF to continue improving during the 2013 hurricane season and beyond.

[Image via NASA]

Hurricane Season 2013 Comes With Better Forecasting is a post from: The Inquisitr

Thousands of athletes ran or walked the final mile of the Boston Marathon on Saturday. They took to the streets of Boston a little more than a month after a twin bombings killed three people and injured hundreds more.

Along with athletes, victims of the Boston Marathon bombings also took to the street to reclaim the triumph of crossing the finish line that was so horrifically taken from them last month.

The event, called OneRun, started at Kenmore Square and finished at the official finish line, where more than 3,000 participants hugged and cheered. They were undeterred by light rain, according to spokeswoman Kathleen McGonacle.

OneRun was organized to honor the victims and emergency workers from the bombings, as well as allowing runners to reclaim the final mile of the historic Boston Marathon. McGonagle added:

“For the runner that didn’t get the chance to finish the marathon, this is the chance for them to experience the final mile that was taken away from them.”

The OneRun event was not a fundraiser. Still, donations from some corporate sponsors helped cover operating costs. Any leftover funds will be sent to the charity benefiting bombing victims. One athlete, Rosy Spraker, was half a mile from the finish line on April 15, when twin pressure cooker bombs exploded.

While she received her medal in the mail, she couldn’t bring herself to wear it until she returned for OneRun. After she crossed the Boylston Street finish line, Spraker stated, ”Now I feel like I’ve earned my medal. I wanted to run for the victims, for freedom, to show the world that nothing is going to stop us.”

Along with reclaiming the final mile of the Boston Marathon, OneRun was a chance to heal from the events of April 15. OneRun organizer J. Alain Ferry, who wasn’t able to complete the race in April, ran the final mile on Saturday. He stated of the experience, “It was very emotional to run down this street and see all the people cheering.”

Before OneRun began, the National Anthem was sung by the choir from St. Ann Parish, where eight-year-old victim Martin Richard’s family worshiped.

[Image via Aaron "tango" Tang]

Thousands Run, Walk Final Mile Of Boston Marathon is a post from: The Inquisitr

New Manson family clues to unsolved murder cases could finally be in the hands of the Los Angeles Police Department. According to a report in The Los Angeles Times, the Robbery-Homicide Division is now carefully analyzing the eight hours of conversation recorded in 1969 between Manson family member Charles “Tex” Watson and his attorney Bill Boyd, who died in 2009.

66-year-old Watson, still in prison for seven 1969 murders committed by the notorious commune headed by Charles Manson, has fought the release of the tapes for years.

While conversations between the accused and his attorney are normally privileged, in 1976 Watson gave the tapes to his attorney as partial payment in legal fees — allowing them to be used in the writing of the book Will You Die For Me: The Man Who Killed For Charles Manson Tells His Own Story.

After Boyd died, the tapes became available in a bankruptcy action. After a years-long battle, US District Court Judge Richard Schell ruled that Watson had waived his rights to confidentiality for the $49,000 that Boyd received from the book’s co-author.

However, LAPD was forced to wait an additional 30 days to make sure that Watson or the state of Texas didn’t file another appeal.

The Manson family member has denied that the tapes contain new clues about the unsolved cases. “There is nothing new on the tapes that was excluded from my book,” Watson said in a letter to CNN.

However, Charles Manson himself has bragged that the family did get away with other murders.

The Los Angeles Times report noted rumors have swirled around a number of cases for years that could have been committed by Manson family followers:

“[Q]uestions have persisted about a man’s apparent suicide in England, the drowning of an attorney in Ventura County and whether bodies are buried at the California ranches the cult called home. There are also the killings of two Scientologists and separate slayings of two women in the Hollywood Hills.”

LAPD failed to find any new bodies in a 2008 search of the very large Barker ranch in Death Valley, the last hideout for the Manson family. The Tex Watson audiotapes may be their last chance for new clues in the Manson slayings.

[Charles Manson photo by California Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation]

New Manson Family Clues As LAPD Finally Analyzes Decades-Old Tapes is a post from: The Inquisitr

Brazilian striker Neymar has been the hottest topic in soccer this week as he’s set to leave Santos after nine years with the club to join FC Barcelona. One of the world’s premier attackers, Neymar announced his decision on Twitter and Instagram late Saturday night.

“I wouldn’t be able to wait until Monday. My friends and my family already know of my decision,” he said. ”On Monday I will sign a contract with Barcelona.”

Santos, who signed Neymar in 2003, agreed to two separate transfer deals this week, leaving the decision up to Neymar as to where he ends up. The 21-year-old had to choose between Spanish rivals FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.

He now will join the world’s best player in Lionel Messi at Camp Nuo on a five-year deal, though the money figures behind the contract and transfer have yet to be released.

FC Barcelona also announced the decision on their Twitter, and even said on the team website that their newest addition is “one of the most promising footballers on the planet.”

“FC Barcelona have reached an agreement with Santos for Neymar,” the club said on it’s Twitter account. “The Brazilian player will join FC Barcelona for the next five seasons.”

Barcelona recaptured the La Liga title this season, and now they have one of the best one-two combo’s off all-time in Messi and Neymar. Though the young Brazilian is very excited to take his talents across the pond and into the top Spanish League, he made sure to recognize the Santos’ fans for all of their support over the years.

“I want to thank Santos fans for these nine incredible years. My feelings for the club and the fans will never change,” he added. ”I made it sure that I play (this last match) so I can have the opportunity to once again enter the field wearing the team’s jersey and to hear the fans chant my name.”

Neymar will play in his last match for Santos on Sunday in the team’s Brazilian League opener against Flamengo. In 229 matches with the club, Neymar has scored 138 goals, more than any other player since Pele in the 1970s.

The transfer window in Europe opens on July 1st, which will be the official day Neymar moves to FC Barcelona.

[Image via Fotos GOVBA]

Neymar Set To Join FC Barcelona In 5-Year Deal is a post from: The Inquisitr

A vintage Apple 1 computer circuit board that originally sold in 1976 for a then-outrageous $666 has now been purchased by an unnamed Asian investor for a cool $668,000. A German auction house announced the new record-setting price for an Apple 1 circuit board on Saturday, stating that it was only one of six known working models left in the entire world.

Before you get too excited by that old computer junk you picked up at a garage sale, keep in mind that the Apple 1 didn’t come from just any old garage. According to the Breker auction house statement, the Apple 1 is the famous device originally built in a family garage by Apple founders Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak.

The vintage Apple 1 just sold for $668,000 carried Wozniak’s signature.

Breker’s previous high price for selling a vintage Apple 1 was a still-staggering $550,000.

In another sign that the Asian economy is roaring back, another Asian investor recently paid a record-smashing $400,000 for a Belgian racing pigeon modestly named Bolt after Olympics champion Usain Bolt himself.

Sigh. Trust me, most of that old electronics junk you’ve got stuffed in the attic is just going to cost you a recycling fee to get it cleared out.

But I’ll admit it. You’re not the only one who is going to take another look at hoarded electronics after learning about the vintage Apple 1 $668,000 selling price. In case you don’t know what you’re looking for, here is a photo for the famous 1976 Interface Age ad where the Apple 1 was first offered to the public:

In the 1960s, they had LSD. But in the 1970s, nerds and geeks have said that just viewing the ad awakened them to the new age of the personal computer which would be underway sooner than anyone had believed possible at the time.

What do you think of the record-setting vintage Apple 1 $668,000 price?

[Apple 1 photo from 1976 Interface Age ad via Wikimedia Commons]

[computer motherboard photo by Jiggo thekop via Shutterstock]

Vintage Apple $668,000 Auction Price Gives New Hope To Hoarders is a post from: The Inquisitr

Who knew Siri could be such a total jerk?

Siri Compilation [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr