British author Tom Sharpe has died at 85. The Portherhouse Blue author passed away after a combination of complications resulting from his diabetes and a recently suffered stroke.

According to Sharpe’s wife:

“He lost the use of his legs and he could not accept that he couldn’t walk. He was very physically strong but his breathing became weaker and weaker.”

Sharpe was born in London in 1928 and passed away in the coastal town of Llafranc in north-eastern Spain. The famed author passed away on Thursday.

During his life the well-respect author published 16 novels including Blott on the Landscape. That 1975 novel was eventually turned into a six-part BBC television series.

The Porterhouse Blue was also turned into a TV project when it was converted into a TV series for Channel 4 in 1987. Porterhouse Blue was published in 1974.

The authors last book, The Wilt Inheritance was penned in 2010.

Susan Sandon, Sharpe’s editor at Random House tells the BBC:

“Tom Sharpe was one of our greatest satirists and a brilliant writer: witty, often outrageous, always acutely funny about the absurdities of life. The private Tom was warm, supportive and wholly engaging.”

Sharpe’s ashes will be scattered in  Llafranc, Cambridge, and a church in Thockrington, Northumberland.

Tom Sharpe was the son of a Unitarian minister who was also a Nazi supporter in the 1930s. After completing college at Lancing and Cambridge Sharpe went on to spend time with the Royal Marines in the 1940s.

During an interview in 1984 the British author admitted that he was influenced by his father’s ideas as a child but ultimately accepted ”that Hitler was not the man I was led to believe he was.” Sharpe added “My mind was blown by the horror of what had been happening.”

During his life Tom Sharpe worked as a social worker, teacher and photographer, and writing anti-apartheid plays in Africa during the 1950s. Before his death Sharpe spent the last two decades living in Spain.

Tom Sharpe leaves behind his wife and three children.

British Author Tom Sharpe Dead At 85 is a post from: The Inquisitr

Kris and Bruce Jenner live in separate houses, but that doesn’t mean they’re separated or planning on getting a divorce.

Khloe Kardashian sat down with Jay Leno on The Tonight Show Wednesday, and was asked if Kris and Bruce Jenner are having marital troubles, as the gossip media often reports. Bruce Jenner recently decided to buy another house, which spawned many reports that there was a rift developing between the reality TV power couple.

Then, on the Season 8 premiere of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Bruce announced that he was moving out because he wanted his own space. Kris supported the idea, and told the family that the decision was mutual.

But despite all appearances, Khloe says that the two aren’t having troubles in their marriage.

“They’re not having problems, but they still like to live apart,” Khloe said, “which is definitely different. You know, Bruce and my mom, they wanted some…

“In my house there is a man room for Lamar. A room, not a different house. So I think they took my idea and ran with it. They got another house and Bruce stays there sometimes.”

Khloe also said that while she tries not to judge, she does think that the idea is strange.

“I don’t compare relationships. I just think a little too much time apart maybe isn’t the best thing. They say, ‘Don’t judge us. We’ve been married for 24 years. Blah, blah.’ I’m like, ‘I know people who’ve been married longer that still live together.’”

Kris herself crushed rumors of separation and even infidelity in an April blog post. Last year, during an interview with Esquire, she explained why her marriage to Bruce works:

“We’re exact opposites,” she said, “in that he’s more stern and serious, he’s kind of the voice of reason, and I am … You’ve got to remember that this is my second life. I was a housewife and a mother; that was my priority for the first half of my life. Now, after my first litter grew up, I had two more kids with Bruce, and he wanted to be really involved, and I went to work. He made that decision, because with his first kids, he maybe wasn’t the best father. With us, he got a second chance.”

Do you think that Kris and Bruce Jenner’s decision to live apart is strange? Does it signal marital troubles? Sound off!

[Image via: s_bukley / Shutterstock]

Kris, Bruce Jenner Living In Separate Houses [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Keepers at India’s Nandankanan Zoo were initially shocked to discover a tiger that had wandered out of the forest and willingly made it’s way onto the grounds – seemingly the first tiger to volunteer for zoo life.

After circling the tigress cages for an extended period of time, it became clear the young male was in search of a mate. Initially, employees of the zoo planned to capture the animal using force, assembling a 20-man team to do the job. Before going ahead with the forceful plan however, the keepers tried a more tactful approach – they left the female’s enclosure door open. It didn’t take much more than that to entice the tiger in, volunteering himself for life inside a zoo.

Over the next few weeks, the animal got comfortable in it’s new surroundings – unsurprising considering the free food, female attention and shady surroundings. While it made itself at home, the zoo employees decided what to do with the big cat – or at least they nearly decided what to do with him.

Having coming from the wild, the animal may have grown bored with his limited options for exploration, or perhaps realised that settling down wasn’t everything it seemed to be from the outside. Either way, the big cat decided to stage a breakout and make his way back to the wild.

The two-story security wall was dealt with effortlessly by the feline, much to the shock of his captors. The tiger even managed to sever the wires of a video camera setup to capture it’s movement on the way out.

So far, no one has been able to track down the tiger, though locals have been advised to be on alert that it may still be in the surrounding forests.

Impressed? Would you opt for the volunteer lifestyle in a zoo if you were a tiger?

Image: poplinre via Flickr

Tiger Volunteers For Zoo Life Before Breaking Out A Month Later is a post from: The Inquisitr

According to a Pew Research Center study from 2010, more children have been born to women over the age of 35 than to teens in recent years. Between 1990 and 2008 the number of aforementioned births nearly doubled among older women.

Societally women have been placed in an awkward position if they want to “have it all.” More women than ever are breadwinners, advance degree holders, and career oriented in once male dominated fields of occupation. But women are often criticized for being workaholics or stay at home mothers, in contrast to men who are not examined under the same scrutiny.

The younger the mother, often the harder it is for her to advance in her education or career – due to the responsibilities at home. Therefore, many have elected to postpone motherhood until they’ve managed to have their education complete and enough years within their jobs to have a little flexibility. This means women are having their offspring more so in their 30s than their 20s.

The increase in age can translate to infertility or birth defects – a delicate topic many physicians are attempting to broach with their female patients who express an interest in someday having their own children.

Genetics mainly determines fertility – which declines after the age of 30. Many women have the misperception if they are in general good health, they should have no problem conceiving at any age, and that their offspring will be equally as healthy.

Even with the advent of reproductive technology, doctors are concerned women are trying to beat out their biological clock – some conceiving in their 40s or 50s. We’ve seen several celebrities do it, but many of us don’t realize they’ve either taken preemptive measures or secured donor eggs.

Naturally, the biological quality of both sperm and egg degrades over time. Pregnancies after 40 are at a higher risk of miscarriage, heart complications, gestational diabetes, and placental problems. Fetal birth defects can include Down syndrome, mental retardation, and physical abnormalities.

Though more women are pursuing the option fertility treatments – such as in vitro fertilization, using egg donors and freezing eggs and embryos – experts note that such procedures are expensive, typically not covered by insurance, and offer no guarantee for conception.

Cryopreservation is a controlled procedure used to preserve samples intended for use at a later date – applied to store eggs and sperm. There are different cryoprotectants and cooling rates that can be used to cryopreserve, with varying degrees of stability and viability.

Cryopreservation of eggs and sperm is not indefinite, as biological samples are fragile. The standard storage period is normally 10 years.

Still about 20 percent of US women, a number that continues to grow, wait until after age 35 to begin their families, according to data compiled by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Again, this can be due to educational or career related pursuits, other times women are waiting out for an ideal spouse and father for their offspring – unless they elect to go the sperm donor route.

There are more women today who play the role of a single parent. Society no longer stigmatizes a man for abandoning his parental responsibilities the way it used to, and more women have opted for the independent path of parenthood – whether by choice or sacrifice.

Simply put, doctors urge that if women want to have children they should have a plan and make a proactive effort not to wait too long, as time is a factor.

[Image via Shutterstock]

More Children Are Being Born To Women Over 35 Than To Teens is a post from: The Inquisitr

A man armed with a knife was apprehended near the Today show set Thursday morning.

Guards on the plaza were forced to tackle a man after he started slashing at his arms with a blade. Although he forced to the ground during the incident, nobody else was harmed.

According to the New York Police Department, an unidentified man in his 50s brandished a knife outside of the Today show set. NBC guards reportedly confronted and eventually tackled the man after he threatened to harm himself.

Matt Lauer reported the incident to Today viewers as it unfolded outside.

“There was an incident out on the plaza. A man attempted to harm himself with a knife. He did manage to cut himself. He was controlled by our security team out there. However, he did harm himself in some way, so he’s now being attended to by medical personnel,” Lauer explained.

The Today show Twitter account also reported the incident as it occurred. Lauer later tweeted an update after the man was apprehended.

“All secure on the plaza after a scary incident. Thanks to our security team and the NYPD,” he wrote.

The confrontation was captured on video by an amateur photographer as it happened. He later posted an image from the exchange on Twitter. You can find his picture embedded below.

According to the New York Daily News, the suicidal man was ranting about the government before he started to harm himself. The website states he yelled about how the Internal Revenue Service had ruined his life.

After reportedly throwing a stack of papers into the air, he pulled out a pocket knife and started to cut himself. When someone managed to get the knife away from the man, he produced a second blade and began slashing at his wrists. Once he was tackled and restrained, he was taken to St. Luke’s Hospital for treatment.

This image might be unsettling for some people, so proceed with caution.

The video of the man being tackled has been embedded below. However, YouTube could pull the clip at any moment.

The condition of the man who cut himself near the Today show set is currently unknown.

[Top Image via Shutterstock - Bottom image via @SirAnduck / Twitter]

Man With Knife Tackled Near ‘Today’ Show Set [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

The pope on wasting food seems to be right on target. The amount of food wasted in America is horrendous.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, the pope’s comments on wasting food compared the act to stealing from the poor:

“Consumerism has led us to become used to an excess and daily waste of food, to which, at times we are no longer able to give a just value. Throwing away food is like stealing from the table of the poor and the hungry. … This culture of waste has made us insensitive even to the waste and disposal of food, which is even more despicable when all over the world, unfortunately, many individuals and families are suffering from hunger and malnutrition.”

US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Bob Perciasepe, acting administrator of the EPA, said in 2010 an estimated 133 billion pounds of food, or 40 percent, is thrown away. It’s estimated almost $390 per year is wasted on uneaten food per every American citizen.

The pope might say the amount of fast food eaten per second is wasting food. Never mind the portion sizes are way beyond the recommended number of calories per days, which just feeds the obesity problem in America.

But have you ever considered what it takes to have that fast food ready to eat at the drop of a hat? If you ask anyone who is ever worked in fast food or at a grocery store deli they’ll tell you the majority of the food prepared for the day is completely wasted as the pope claims.

To make matters worse, this wasted food could be given to the poor but lawsuits and lawyers have created a sticky web which many businesses would rather avoid. Some eateries, like Panera Bread, will contribute any “old” but perfectly good food to churches and homeless shelters. Panera Bread even introduced a pay-what-you-want soup menu option for the poor. But, in general, much of this wasted food is withheld from the poor because of the threat of lawsuits.

Do you agree with the pope that wasting food is like stealing from the poor?

Pope: Wasting Food Is Like Stealing From The Poor, And We Let It Happen is a post from: The Inquisitr

Parents in Menona, Wisconsin can now be ticketed and fined in municipal court if their kids are found to be bullying other children.

The Menona City Council passed the ordinance on May 20 and their decision is now entering the national dialogue. The decision has become of interest as an increasing number of children report acts of physical and mental abuse.

The new bullying ordinance took effect on Thursday and according to the municipality it is the first of its kind.

The decision to pass the blame for bullying onto parents was not made because of a recent event in the area. Instead lawmakers for the city simply wanted to avoid future problems.

The hope is that parent-liability will make parents keep a closer eye on their children and start an open dialogue about bullying with their kids.

The council notes that parents who are making a good faith effort to deal with their child’s acts of bullying will not be ticketed or fined.

Parents will not be blindsided by a ticket or fine. Instead, a parent or guardian will be informed of their child’s bullying in a written letter from an officer. Parents must then deal with the child’s actions within 90 days. If further actions are taken because of the child a ticket will be issued and a fine levied against the child’s parents or guardians.

The ticket is a municipal code violation and not a criminal offense. The first offense carries a fine of $114 and each offense after that point carries a $177 penalty.

The Menona bullying ordinance focuses on any person age 12 or older who engages in bullying. The ordinance defines bullying as  “an intentional course of conduct which is reasonably likely to intimidate, emotionally abuse, slander, threaten or intimidate another person and which serves no legitimate purpose.”

With various discussions regarding the state of bullying popping up on a daily basis this ordinance could soon spread to other cities and states.

Do you think parents should ultimately be held responsible for their child’s bullying?

Wisconsin City Allows Police To Ticket Parents When Their Kids Bully is a post from: The Inquisitr

Breaking Bad fans, take heart: The finale is apparently really good, gauging by creator Vince Gilligan’s reaction while writing it.

“I actually cried writing the end -– ‘The end’ on the last episode. I haven’t since then,” Gilligan admitted in a recent interview.

At a recent panel to benefit 826LA at Largo in Los Angeles, Gilligan opened up about the process of writing the Breaking Bad finale, and his comments seem to indicate that the series will end in an emotionally satisfying way for its long-suffering fans.

“We sat around in the writer’s room for thousands of man hours playing a game of chess, saying, ‘If we move the character from here to here to here, what happens? What’s the counter-move?’” Gilligan said. “Essentially we said, ‘What are all the possible endings we can come up with?’ And then, ‘What is the ending that satisfies us the most?’”

This alleviates some of my own concern as a Breaking Bad fan, having long wondered whether Gilligan even knew where he was going with the series. Recent comments with USA Today didn’t really assuage my fears.

Gilligan said he spent “a lot of sleepless nights” working on the finale, saying that his biggest fear was that he would “wake up one day two years from now or five years from now saying, ‘Oh my god, I just realized how we should have ended it.’”

Doesn’t actually inspire much confidence, does it?

But if there’s one beacon of hope, it’s that the ending of Breaking Bad will be clear-cut and definite rather than vague and frustrating like the infamous ending to The Sopranos.

“There’s not much in the way of ambiguity with this ending,” he said. “People won’t be left scratching their chins and saying, ‘I wonder what’s happening here.’ It doesn’t have to be happy or sad or anywhere in between. What mattered most to us was that the ending satisfy.”

Series star Bryan Cranston has similarly promised that the finale is a “roller coaster ride to hell,” with co-star Bob Odenkirk agreeing that the end will be “so incredible.”

Are you a fan of Breaking Bad?

Vince Gilligan Wept Writing ‘Breaking Bad’ Finale is a post from: The Inquisitr

Governor Deval Patrick got really drunk at a restaurant by himself after the manhunt for Dzhokhar Tsarnev ended with an arrest.

Patrick talked about that stressful day during a candid conversation in Cambridge on Wednesday. The Governor said that he went to a restaurant by himself shortly after he got news about Tsarnev’s arrest and ended up getting very drunk.

Patrick said that he was at a vacation home in the town of Richmond, about three hours from Boston, when he decided to go to a restaurant for a meal and to finish a book he was waiting. The server brought him a drink to celebrate Tsarnaev’s arrest and, well, things escalated from there.

The Governor told the Boston Herald: “I went for a quick swim, and I went to a local restaurant … for supper by myself with a book. And I sat in the corner and Maggie, who runs the (restaurant), asked, ‘Do you want to be near people or away from people?’ I said, ‘As far away as I can.’ So she put in the corner, me and my book on my iPad, and she starts bringing me things. Some of them edible. In fact all the food was edible. She starts bringing me things to drink as a celebration. And by the end of the meal, I was actually quite drunk, by myself.”

Maggie Merelle, the co-owner of the West Stockbridge bistro Rouge, said that she brought the Governor a few glasses of champagne but she didn’t realize how drunk he was.

Merelle said: “He wasn’t tipsy. I never would have known. (I brought him a) glass of chardonnay or two.”

After the Governor got a little drunk at the restaurant he realized that he forgot his wallet. But don’t worry, Merelle told reporters that Patrick “definitely” squared his tab.

What do you think about the governor getting drunk after the Boston bombing manhunt?

Governor Patrick Got Drunk After Boston Bombing Manhunt is a post from: The Inquisitr

Nine Inch Nails has cemented its surprise return to music after a four-year hiatus with the release of a new single, “Come Back Haunted.”

The single was released on Wednesday, the first offering from the industrial-rock group since the Wave Goodbye Tour ended in 2009.

The song is the first sample from the new studio album for Nine Inch Nails, Hesitation Marks. Produced by frontman Trent Reznor along with Atticus Ross and Alan Moulder, the album will be released in the late summer. It is the first disc released by the bank since 2008′s The Slip.

“For the last year I’ve been secretly working non-stop with Atticus Ross and Alan Moulder on a new, full-length Nine Inch Nails record, which I am happy to say is finished and frankly f***ing great,” Reznor said in a recent statement.

He continued, “This is the real impetus and motivation behind the decision to assemble a new band and tour again. My forays into film, How to Destroy Angels and other projects really stimulated me creatively and I decided to focus that energy on taking Nine Inch Nails to a new place.”

Nine Inch Nails returns to the stage this summer, playing at Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival in late July and hitting up other summer events, including Lollapalooza in Chicago, England’s Reading Festival, and Jay-Z’s Made in America Festival in Philadelphia.

“I was working with Adrian Belew on some musical ideas, which led to some discussion on performing, which led to some beard-scratching, which (many steps later) led to the decision to re-think the idea of what Nine Inch Nails could be, and the idea of playing a show,” Reznor had said previously. “Calls were made to some friends, lots of new ideas were discussed, and a show was booked – which led to another, which somehow led to a lot of shows.”

The new Nine Inch Nails album will be released September 3.

Nine Inch Nails Returns After Four Years, Releases New Single is a post from: The Inquisitr

Diablo III was originally rumored to be a PS3/PS4 exclusive after it was unveiled at the official Sony PS4 event. Instead, the long-awaited game is coming to the PS3 and Xbox 360 gaming consoles on September 3.

Blizzard on Thursday announced that Diablo III will not only arrive on those consoles but also feature a port of the popular PC game that cuts out the “bad stuff.” For example, gamers don’t need to have an “always on” internet connection or use the real money auction house.

Blizzard has also reworked Diablo III so four players can play the game in the same room at the same time. Co-op same room play is a big aspect of console gaming and now that issue has been solved.

Speaking abou the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of Diablo 3 company CEO and co-founder Mike Morhaime writes:

“Playing Diablo III on a big screen with your friends brings a whole new level of intensity to the game, and with all of the control and interface adaptations we’ve made, it’s extremely fun to play on PS3 and Xbox 360.”

Morhaime then adds:

“In addition to the fine-tuning we’ve done for the console versions, we’re also including major content and design updates we’ve made to the PC version over the past year, so players can expect an epic Diablo gaming experience when the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions launch in September.”

With Blizzard bringing multi-player same-room support to Diablo III for the Xbox 360 there will now be questions as to whether or not Xbox One users will receive a version of their own when the gaming console arrives for sale.

This is Blizzard’s first console game in years which explains why they are making a big push for users to pre-order the game ahead of its release.

Will you be picking up Diablo III for the Xbox 360 or PS3?

Diablo III Coming To Xbox 360, PS3 On September 3 is a post from: The Inquisitr

Migrant deaths are on the rise, according to a study released on Wednesday. Although the number of people making illegal border crossings from Mexico into the United States has dropped, a larger percentage of those who do cross will die in the course of the journey.

US Border Patrol reported a grim discovery Friday near the town of Sells, Arizona — five sets of skeletal remains partly buried by rocks in the stony desert. The Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office noted that most migrants are found dead of heat exhaustion and thus wouldn’t be  covered.  However, the gruesome and still unexplained discovery throws an additional spotlight on the remote smuggling corridor where the bodies were found.

The new study of migrant deaths going back to 1990 was conducted by the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office and the University of Arizona’s Binational Migration Institute. According to their review of over 2,200 migrant deaths in Arizona over the last 23 years, the risks of dying on the journey have escalated.

A migrant was twice as likely die in 2012 as in 2009. In the Tucson sector, a migrant was five times as likely to die in 2012 as in 2004.

As border security and patrols have been stepped up in the years since the 911 terror strike in 2001, the migrants are forced to make illegal crossings in more and more remote areas. As a result, when they die, it takes longer to find their bodies. Therefore, the bodies are often more heavily decomposed when they are discovered, making it tougher for medical examiners to determine the true cause of death.

About 20 percent of migrant deaths couldn’t be explained between 2000 and 2005. From 2006 onward, about 46 percent are going unexplained.

Study co-author Raquel Rubio-Goldsmith said bluntly that the United States is facing an unacknowledged mass death disaster in the migrant deaths.

[memorial crosses photo by Geoffrey Whiting via Shutterstock]

Migrant Deaths Near Peak, Says New Arizona Study is a post from: The Inquisitr

Miss World Cancelled their bikini contest this year. Pageant organizers have made the decision amid protests from Indonesian Muslim groups.

Traditionally the pageant would feature a bikini competition. This year, the 137 contestants will be wearing sarongs during the swimsuit portion of the contest. The decision was made out of respect for the citizens of Bali, many of which are Muslim.

As reported by ABC News, Adjie S. Soeratmadjie, who is organizing the event in Indonesia explains the decision:

“There will no bikini in this year’s Miss World pageant to respect our traditional customs and values. This is a sensitive issue in Indonesia. We have discussed it since last year and they have agreed.”

Officials at the London headquarters have confirmed that Miss World cancelled the bikini contest. The revealing swimsuits will be replaced with modest sarongs. As the pageant is hosted by a different country every year, cultural differences must be understood and respected.

Julia Morley, spokeswoman of the Miss World Organization, has stated that the pageant strives “to work in the manner respectful to every country.”

As reported by Fox News, the sarongs are being designed specifically for the pageant contestants. Each sarong will be hand made and unique.

Indonesian protests have increased as the pageant date of September 28 nears. Muslim groups and clerics have complained that the Miss World bikini contest is “just an excuse to show women’s body parts.” Bikinis expose too much flesh according to some Islamic beliefs.

Several celebrities have either been banned from performing, or forced to wear less revealing outfits, while performing in Indonesia. Jennifer Lopez, performing in Jakarta last year, opted for more conservative clothing. Lady Gaga eventually cancelled a sold-out performance after she received treats of violence from protesters and critics.

Miss World has cancelled the bikini contest for 2013. However, organizers and promoters agree that as they are guests in Indonesia, it is important to respect their local traditions and beliefs.

[Image via Facebook]

Miss World Cancels Bikini Contest In Indonesia is a post from: The Inquisitr

In the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing, the New York Post‘s “Bag Men” cover attracted a lot of attention and subsequent backlash when it was revealed the men featured on the controversial cover were not linked with the attack — and now those men, one a minor, are suing the tabloid for the implication they may have been involved in the crime.

The April 18 article has prompted a defamation suit after the headline “BAG MEN” ran alongside Marathon stills depicting attendees Salaheddin Barhoum, 16, and Yassine Zaimi, 24. The men are both runners and were simply present at the event, yet the cover caused them considerable unwanted public scrutiny before the apprehension and death of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, and brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, respectively.

The suit against the New York Post was filed this week in Massachusetts Superior Court in Boston, outlining the complaints of Barhoum and Zaimi and stating in part:

“In various headlines, articles and images, the newspaper stated or implied that the plaintiffs were the perpetrators of the bombing; that they were suspects in the bombing; that they were being sought by law enforcement; and that photographs of them were being circulated by law enforcement officials. None of these statements were true.”

The complaint also states:

“The plaintiffs were not suspects and were not being sought by law enforcement. The Post had no basis whatsoever to suggest that they were, especially in light of a warning on Wednesday to the news media, by federal authorities, to exercise caution in reporting about this very matter. In fact, law enforcement authorities had then focused their investigation on two suspects who were not the plaintiffs.”

The Post‘s “Bag Men” cover was one of a few erroneous and reactionary media accounts that prompted the FBI to issue a rare statement urging media restraint in the reporting, with widespread sharing of images on social media sites like Reddit complicating the investigation and ultimately leading to a rushed capture and lockdown of the city of Boston in the wake of the reports.

The FBI said in the statement:

“Contrary to widespread reporting, no arrest has been made in connection with the Boston Marathon attack. Over the past day and a half, there have been a number of press reports based on information from unofficial sources that has been inaccurate. Since these stories often have unintended consequences, we ask the media, particularly at this early stage of the investigation, to exercise caution and attempt to verify information through appropriate official channels before reporting.”

After the “Bag Men” article for which the Post is being sued originally ran, the men implicated say that they suffered considerable media harassment as well as anxiety and stress in their personal lives.

New York Post Sued Over Falsely Implicated Boston Bombing ‘Bag Men’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

George Karl was honored with the Coach Of The Year award last month but now he’s looking for a new job. Yep, the Denver Nuggets have fired the NBA’s best coach.

According to Yahoo News, Karl and the Nuggets decided to part ways after a disagreement about the coach’s contract.

Karl had one year left on his campaign and was hoping to sign an extension. Nuggets management didn’t want to commit to any additional seasons and decided to fire Karl instead.

CBS Sports reports that Karl has been unhappy with the organization since general manager Masai Ujiri, who won Executive of the Year this season, left the team for the Raptors. Karl wanted the team to commit to him for another couple of seasons but CEO Josh Kroenke decided to fire the coach instead of dealing with negotiations.

The Denver Nuggets went 57-25 this season, their best record since Karl took over in 2005, but they had a disappointing playoff run.

The Nuggets will reportedly seek out Memphis Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins and Indiana Pacers associate head coach Brian Shaw. Karl will undoubtedly have plenty of suitors while many are speculating that the NBA’s Coach Of The Year could end up Clippers, Grizzlies or the Nets.

The Denver Nuggets confirmed the news today on Twitter.

OFFICIAL: Coach George Karl will not return for final year of contract in 2013-14. on.nba.com/ZSfppd

— Denver Nuggets (@denvernuggets) June 6, 2013

Kroenke said: “George has been an instrumental part of our success over the past decade, and we appreciate everything he did to keep us among the top teams in the Western Conference. He is a Hall of Fame coach whose legacy in Denver will last for years to come. George is a legend in the game of basketball and I could not have more respect for him as a person and coach.”

May 2013 – George Karl named NBA Coach of the Year.June 2013 – George Karl out of a job.

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 6, 2013

So we lost a GM now a coach what’s next!?

— Kenneth Faried (@KennethFaried35) June 6, 2013

George Karl earned nine-consecutive playoff appearances with the Nuggets and had a regular-season record of 423-257. Karl’s Nuggets only made it past the first round of the playoffs once.

Coach Of The Year George Karl Fired By Denver Nuggets is a post from: The Inquisitr

Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor in Virginia E.W. Jackson has expressed concern over the potential for individuals who practice yoga and meditation to become possessed by Satan.

E.W. Jackson, no stranger to making controversial statements, had this to say about the Satanic dangers of yogic meditation in his book Ten Commandments to an Extraordinary Life: Making Your Dreams Come True:

“The purpose of such meditation is to empty oneself … [Satan] is happy to invade the empty vacuum of your soul and possess it. That is why people serve Satan without ever knowing it … Beware of systems of spirituality which tell you to empty yourself. You will end up filled will something you probably do not want.”

Jackson explains:

“[M]ost people are dead spirits. As such they have the nature of Satan … Your spirit was made for attachment. It is either attached to God or to Satan, but it is not neutral.”

An outspoken conservative bishop-turned-politician, Republican candidate E.W. Jackson has become known for his highly controversial statements. In the past it has been reported that Jackson asserted that President Barack Obama has a “Muslim perspective.”

Referring to gay rights, Jackson has called them “icky.” The GOP candidate has also generated substantial controversy following statements that compared Planned Parenthood to the Klu Klux Klan, claiming that Planned Parenthood was a greater danger to black families in the US than the KKK.

Though Jackson has come under heavy criticism in the wake of such controversial comments, he has stated why he refuses to retract any of his statements:

“I don’t have anything to rephrase or apologize for. I would just say, people should not paint me as one-dimensional. I have a whole lot of concerns.”

As for now, it remains to be seen if E.W. Jackson, Republican candidate for Lt. Governor in Virginia, will be able to weather the controversy of his conservative rhetoric through November.

[Image via ShutterStock]

Virginia Republican E.W. Jackson Says Yoga May Lead To Satanic Possession is a post from: The Inquisitr

Donald Trump has had enough with Alex “A-Rod” Rodriguez and he voiced his opinion about the Yankees’ third baseman during a Twitter rant on Wednesday. Rodriguez is currently rehabbing for his return to the Yankees this season, but he may never wear the pinstripes in 2013 due to his involvement in the doping scandal that hit the MLB earlier this week.

The MLB has known about Anthony Bosch’s Miami-based clinic which has allegedly given upwards of 20 players performance enhancing drugs and A-Rod is at the forefront of the discussion along with Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Trump has no true connection with the game outside of being a New Yorker and what looks be a die-hard Yankees’ fan. Nevertheless, he’s decided to speak out against the once treasured superstar in Rodriguez and he even went on to call out the 37-year-old, saying “he does not deserve to wear the pinstripes.”

There are thousands of Yankees’ fanatics who would agree, and who can blame them or Donald Trump. A-Rod signed a 10-year, $275 million contract in 2007 to remain with the Yankees and he hasn’t been the same ever since.

Yes, his career has been overshadowed by steroid use, but whatever he’s taking hasn’t translated to the field for quite some time. Over the past two years, the slugger hasn’t hit more than 18 home runs or driven in more than 62 RBIs in a single season.

Maybe Trump has a pretty good point, as the reeling ballplayer in Rodriguez hasn’t seen the field in 2013 and he’s still causing more problems for the Yankees than any other player in the locker room.

Here’s Donald Trump’s take on A-Rod and his run with the historic franchise in the Bronx.

I can’t believe the Yankees continue to pay A Rod – they have a perfect right to stop paying (and should have stopped a long time ago).

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2013

He even brought the late George Steinbrenner into the discussion in his next post and it’s hard not to think most Yankees’ fans would agree, as they should.

George Steinbrenner would have done a major number on A Rod – there is no way he would have gotten paid, even with the help of the union!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2013

Trump wasn’t done just yet, and he topped off his Twitter rant by calling out Rodriguez as the man who “disgraced the blessed Yankees” and “embarrassed NYC.”

A-Rod has disgraced the blessed @yankees organization, lied to the fans & embarrassed NYC. He does not deserve to wear the pinstripes.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 5, 2013

Do you agree with Donald Trump and his review of A-Rod as a Yankee?

[Image via Gage Skidmore]

Donald Trump Rips A-Rod On Twitter Amid Doping Scandal is a post from: The Inquisitr

Not to steal any thunder from Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner, but a new theory on the show that crossed my desk this morning is just too good not to discuss: What if Megan Draper is already dead?

Dustin Rowles over at UPROXX is a guy I don’t always agree with (on the quality of Sons of Anarchy versus The Walking Dead, we shall forever remain divided), but I’ve got nothing but respect for the guy as a TV critic and analyst. That’s why I have to extend props to him for his latest Mad Men theory which, if it doesn’t end up being true, I will be deeply disappointed.

Though he admits that he as “travelled so far down the Mad Men rabbit hole that I may have lost perspective,” he posits and interesting theory: What if Megan Draper is already dead?

Let’s back up. I’ve long held the theory that any TV show, no matter how good, can only get about five seasons out of a cast of characters before the concept starts losing steam. “You can tell a complete story in five seasons, no more, no less,” I’ve often said, a sentiment which gets about as many heads nodding as it gets me angry tweets from Dexter fans.

Of course there are exceptions to the rule, but more often than not, I find myself becoming fatigued after Season 5 for whatever reason. In the case of Mad Men, the Season 5 finale dropped off in a satisfying place for me. Don has finally gotten some semblance of redemption, even if he does still struggle with his demons. His ad agency is taking off and expanding. Peggy is gone. But in the final scene, Don pulls a Nip /Tuck reversal, showing that maybe he hasn’t changed so much after all.

The ambiguity, the unresolved-yet-resolved character arcs, all of it seemed to be an appropriate place to stop if that’s what he creators wanted.

So I was understandably ambivalent about Season 6 long before it even began. “This is shark-watch season,” I told myself. And for the first few episodes, it felt like I was right. Most characters didn’t seem to make much progress over previous seasons (particularly Don, who completely about-faced on his new lease on life) and nothing really interesting seemed to be happening.

Worse, the ominous theme of “death” which cast its pall over the season from the start seemed forced to me. It was less like a natural progression of a story and more like the arbitrary moving of the pieces. Going through the motions.

Yeah, I haven’t been too impressed with Mad Men this season. I’ve even made myself a special promise to swear off the incumbent Season 7 and pretend it all wrapped up the way I wanted it to at the end of Season 5 if something engaging doesn’t happen soon.

Cue Rowles’ theory that Megan Draper is dead. He points to pretty compelling evidence. One, Don has a habit of hallucinating dead people. Two, Don’s strange “afterlife experience” in “Tale of Two Cities,” in which he sees Megan alongside other deceased characters, as well as a callback to her miscarriage.

The use of color in wardrobe. Scenes for next week’s episode showing a confused and forlorn Don (answering his own door, too). It’s all pretty compelling.

Marked for death?

WTF MEGAN??

Rowles also rebuffs other theories that this season will mark the death of Don Draper, suggesting that it’s the Don Draper persona which will die, forcing Don to finally begin his life where he started it. I have to say, that’s a far more satisfying end to Draper’s story, and it makes sense. If Don really wants to change, as Weiner suggests he does, then he has to confront his first and most basic demon: Dick Whitman.

I’ll even take it one step further than Rowles. His theory completely fits with Weiner’s own lofty promises for the season, and answers the theme of death perfectly.

He has described 1968 (the year this season takes place) as the worst year in American history, and implied that Don’s story would reflect that. Huge personal loss is coming, and maybe this is really his last chance at redemption.

He has also answered several critics of Season 6, myself among them. He said ”sit back and enjoy where we’re going,” and promised that Don is still redeemable despite his flaws. ”We’ll have to see what the world hands him and if he’s able to confront a problem that’s following him around that might actually be him,” he said.

But 10 episodes into a 13 episode order, and I still don’t really see it. That’s why I really hope Dustin Rowles is right (despite some “women in refrigerators” reservations).

You can read his entire column on his “Megan Draper is dead” Mad Men theory here.

‘Mad Men’ Theory: Megan Draper Is Dead (Hey, That Makes Sense!) is a post from: The Inquisitr

Heather McGill had enough of women propositioning her husband, an Alabama state senator, on Facebook.

The Alabama politician’s wife decided to channel her “righteous anger” and wrote an angry Facebook post that has since gone viral. She said the letter was meant to protect her family from the women she said were soliciting her husband, a Republican who has served in the state Senate since 2010.

“I know that I can’t bring about change in other people’s lifestyles but I can protect my household, my husband and my children,” Heather McGill, the wife of Alabama state Sen. Shadrack McGill, told ABC News.

Shardrack McGill said women have been throwing themselves at him ever since his first campaign in 2010. Strippers have arrived at his house in the middle of the night, and he’s received numerous photos of scantily clad women through Facebook. He said he has no idea why it’s all happening.

The McGills have six children together and have been married for 14 years. They also serve as foster parents.

When more pictures arrived this week, it was enough to set off Heather McGill, promoting the politician’s wife to post her angry letter.

“I had looked on my husband’s Facebook page yesterday and again there was another picture and another email,” she told ABC News. “Being that we have daughters, I guess a righteous anger rose up in me to protect my family.”

She wrote, in part:

“I have been silent for long enough!! NO MORE! Multiple times since being in office he has gotten emails from women (who may not even be real) inviting him to explore, also sending pictures of themselves. NO MORE!!! It is a shame that people are so heartless that they would try to split up families. We have children that look at our face books from time to time! Shame on you! You know who you are. Next time everyone will know who you are!! For I will publicly share your name before we “unfriend” you.”

Heather McGill may need to keep some of her “righteous anger” on reserve, as Shadrack said he plans to run for re-election. In the meantime Alabama politician’s wife is getting lost of positive comments and praise for her angry Facebook post.

Heather McGill: Wife Of Alabama Politician Goes Off On Facebook Over Women Propositioning Her Husband is a post from: The Inquisitr

A knife wielding man was detained outside of NBC’s Today show studios at Rockefeller Center on Thursday after he attempted to commit suicide.

Queens resident Pak Chong Mar cut himself at approximately 7:50 AM and was quickly transported to Bellevue Hospital.

Witnesses at the scene of the incident claim that the man was carrying a box cutter which he used to harm himself.

Pak Chong Mar was tackled to the ground by a Today Show security guard. Witnesses say the man was then maced to subdue his actions.

The man appeared to be under some type of distress possibly caused by a mental disorder. Before cutting himself Mar was heard screaming “the IRS is watching me.” Mar also began handing out flyers to Today Show watchers. The flyers claim that Mar was being wrongfully attacked by the IRS.

Another witness claims that the knife wielding man screamed:

“The IRS is trying to take my money! I’m not a freeloader!”

If 1995 a man with the same name chopped off three of his fingers with a meat clever and threw them into a crowd. That incident occurred during the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Flushing. It is not clear at this time if the Today Show knife wielding man is any relation to the person involved in the Flushing incident.

Today Show host opened the shows 8 a.m. segment by explaining to viewers what had just happened. Mauer proclaimed:

“There was an incident out on the plaza. A man tried to harm himself with a knife. He did manage to cut himself. He was controlled by our security team out there…He’s being treated by medical personnel.”

The shows hosts then proceeded to stay incide as security and police workers continued to investigate the situation.

Later in the day Matt Lauer tweeted:

All secure on the plaza after a scary incident. Thanks to our security team and the NYPD.

— Matt Lauer (@MLauer) June 6, 2013

Here is the New York Post’s video of the Today Show knife wielding incident as it unfolded:

Man Tries To Kill Himself During Today Show Airing, Incident Caught On Video is a post from: The Inquisitr